Voice Without Form

Self Notes for Savings - ELSS vs ULIP

2016-10-13T13:11:00.001-07:00

ELSS Vs ULIP? Which would be the best option for the tax saving? Both of these products are designed for the tax saving. Both of these products invests in the equity market

ELSS, ANY given day!

Between ELSS and ULIPs, only ELSS can truly be called as an Investment. ULIP is wrongly sold as Investment. Infact, I'd go out on a limb and say that ULIP has single handedly destroyed investor wealth in our country. ULIPs are a loot!

ULIPs = Investment + Insurance is LESS than Investment and Insurance done independently.

They have a bunch of hidden charges and conditions delivering significantly poor returns. Watch this sting operation by Bloomberg that reveals some hard hitting truths about ULIPs.

ELSS is an Equity mutual funds which invests   primarily in shares or shares related investments

ULIP is insurance-cum-investment product. One   part goes towards insuring individual whereas other part goes towards   investments. One can choose investing in Debt or Equity related products

Amount Invested in ELSS can be withdrawn any   time.

Money invested in ULIPs can be withdrawn only   after 5 years of investment
The tenure ranges from three years till any time   period as per choice of investor in case of ELSS

The minimum tenure is 5 years in case of ULIP. Investor can   choose maximum tenure as per his or her choice.Insurance is not an investment. It is neccsary to have pure term insurance for secure future of you and your loved ones. Therefore do not mix investments with insurance.

ELSS Vs ULIP: Your Confusion

The Equity linked saving scheme seems better but very few people are talking about this. No one is there who can say with conviction that ELSS is the best tax saving option.

Whereas, the agent is taking guarantee of ULIP. He is giving the full assurance. He will be there to assist. It has given good return recently. Also, one can escape the market downturn. Insurance is free of cost.

For most of the people I always recommend the equity linked saving scheme. ELSS are transparent, charges reasonable fees, easily understandable and investor friendly.

The ULIPs mix the insurance and investment. It promises to give you the benefit of both worlds, but it benefits only to the insurance agent and company. You never get the clear picture of your investment and insurance. You should avoid it.

It is all from my side on ELSS Vs ULIP. Now it is your turn to add on.

[In this post I have discussed the ELSS Tax Benefits. I have told the rules of ELSS (tax saving mutual fund). I have also compared the ELSS with other tax saving investments]

As your income increases, the need of Tax Saving also increase. Higher the income greater the income tax rate. But, we do not want to give away our hard earned money in the taxes. Every one of us wants to minimise the income tax.

Fortunately, The government has given us legal way to cut the taxes. There is a wide spectrum of investments which can be claimed for the tax benefit. The Equity Linked Saving scheme i. e. ELSS is one such investment plan which gives you the tax benefit.

Most of the investments including ELSS, which gives us the benefit of tax deduction comes under the section 80C of the income tax Act. The investments specified under this section are eligible for tax deduction. It means the amount, you have invested in these specified investments can be used to reduce your total taxable income. If your income of Rs X is eligible for tax and you have invested Rs Y on the tax saving investments, your total taxable income would become X-Y.

However, you can’t claim more than Rs 1.5 lac under section 80C. Your taxable income can’t reduce more than Rs 1.5 lac because of the tax saving investments.

So, there is an upper limit on tax benefits. Along with this, there are other conditions as well. These conditions vary for every type of investments. This makes some tax saving investments better than the others. The Equity Linked Saving Scheme has got the favourable condition, which make it a better tax saving investment.

Tax Saving Through ELSS
Lock In Period of ELSS
Lock In Period of ELSS SIP

The investment in ELSS is eligible for tax deduction under section 80C. You can getELSS tax benefit up to Rs 1.5 lac. This investment of Rs 1.5 lac can save tax up to Rs 46,350. This tax saving of Rs 46,350 is for those who are in the 30% income tax bracket. For 20% income tax slab it is Rs 30,900 and For 10% slab it is 15,450.

What do yo think? ELSS is profitable or not? Let us understand the rules related to theELSS Tax Benefit.

The government gives tax benefit on many investments, but all these tax benefits come with a lock in period. You can’t pull out your investment before a certain period. For ELSS, This lock in period is 3 years.

Is it a long duration?

Well, let me tell you that it is the shortest lock-in period among all the tax saving investments.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a method of investing. The regular investment of fixed amount is called as SIP. You can also invest in ELSS through the SIP method.

But, investment through the SIP creates a confusion. What would be the lock-in period of the ELSS SIP? Would it be the three years from the beginning date of SIP? Or would it be 3 years from the End date of SIP?

This confusion arises due to the lock in rules of EPF, PPF and Recurring deposit. In the EPF, PPF and RD the lock in is counted from the start of contribution.

But, in the ELSS, Every contribution has its own lock-in period. It has no relation with the start date of SIP. It means the last SIP contribution would remain locked for another three years. I have given below an illustration of a 6 month SIP.

How should I save money ?

2016-08-29T14:21:00.001-07:00

Many of them started with a lucrative career but after a while they find it difficult to generate enough surplus from their income. Different reasons can be attributed to it- a sudden increase in debt, high lifestyle, insufficient increase in salaries etc…

Whatever be the scenario, it's alw

ays important that one keeps generating a healthy savings to have enough money to cater to future requirements. Here are few steps one should take to ensure savings rate do not take a bigger hit

To make savings a habit, it is necessary to remember below points:

Plan for all purchases.
Know what you need and what you want. Wants are the things which brings overspending in your finances.
While buying things try to negotiate. What is available in a mall may be available at an old shopping market but at a reduced cost. No harm in going there.
Fix time wise target for savings and follow it rigorously. Maintain a minimum saving rate of 10%- higher the better.

1. Know what’s coming in and what’s going out

2. Save before you spend

3. Stick to your budget

4. Plan your expenses

5. Take balanced Risk

6. Start saving as early as possible with Systematic plans

7. Don’t do much online shopping and discount stores

8. Shop with a list

9. Brands, do you need to flaunt them all the time? Also you can always pick them up when they have end of season sale and save big money

10. Walk, for your own and financial health:

Best is invest some amount on your education or learning.

Two of my favorite quotes are:

At the end of the day.......

2016-05-08T13:25:00.002-07:00

At the end of the day all looks beautiful.

At the end of life we need only 6 feet long & 3 feet wide place to be buried. At the end of this modern world of high technology, we don't need even 18 sq feet area.

All that we need is less than 20 minutes to burn a bead body of a beggar to an emperor to a handful dust in an electronic crematorium.

At the end of the day. Because we will not be buried in our own land due to objection of our partner or off springs

Then why the hell we work so hard to create wealth at the cost of health

Everyone dies, but almost no one really lives.

We are now beginning to answer questions that people have always asked themselves. Is happiness more than simply the opposite of unhappiness? Is it genetic? Does the feeling of anger pass if you vent it? Is it possible to prolong the good moments? Does money make people happy? Can we stay in love with the same person all our life? What is the greatest happiness?

Make better Life each day

2016-05-07T12:35:00.005-07:00

Make better Life each day

Become More Observant

Notice everything that surrounds you. The world is full of examples, ideas, words, wisdom, mistakes and experiences. Pay attention to details and use them to your own benefit.

Collect Ideas

Ideas and thoughts tend to evaporate from your mind too fast. Try to capture them before it is too late. Ideally, write down or sketch every single one.

Start Writing

The biggest value of a good writing skill is that it cultivates a discipline. First of all, the discipline of thinking. Your thoughts will cease to be random and chaotic. They will gradually become systematized and structured instead.

Develop a Habit to Act

Constant thinking will not take you far from the place you are now. Actions will. Stop procrastinating and start acting. Define your goals and do the things that matters every single day.

Read

Read a lot. Reading is probably the best investment of time ever. Devote at least 30 minutes per day to reading. Ideally, have a book always with you. Then you won`t waste any minute purposelessly.

Expand Your Comfort Zone

There is nothing new in your comfort zone. All the opportunities for growth are beyond it. Therefore, find your discomfort zone. Enter it!

Happy Ugadi - Telugu New Year

2016-04-14T14:41:00.001-07:00

Ugadi or Yugadi

Ugadi is the New Year (Lunar New Year) for Telugu and Kannada speaking people and it ushers in the spring season.

Ugadi (yuga and adi) means beginning of an astronomical cycle. It is also the first day of Chaitra, the first month of the traditional Hindu calendar followed in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

A major event on the day is “Panchanga Sravanam” – predictions for the year. It is organized at temples and by cultural and social organizations.

Ugadi Pachadi which is distributed on the day is a unique dish with a mixture of six tastes ranging from sweet to bitter. It comprises of jaggery, raw mango, tamarind, neem flowers, salt and green chilli. This is the first dish that people have on Ugadi day.

Ugadi Pachadi has an important symbolic meaning that life brings different experiences ranging from sweet to bitter. Therefore each individual should learn to take the different experiences in one's stride and move ahead.

Instead of the Ugadi Pachadi, in some places people serve jaggery mixed with neem leaves. The bitter taste of neem leaves and the sweet of jaggery symbolize joy and sorrow in life. This is more popular with Kannadigas.

Maharashtrians celebrate Gudi Padwa on the day

10 Weight Loss Tips to Make Things Easier (and Faster)

2016-04-14T14:34:00.001-07:00

Here are 10 more tips to lose weight even faster:
10 Weight Loss Tips to Make Things Easier (and Faster)

Eat a high-protein breakfast. Eating a high-protein breakfast has been shown to reduce cravings and calorie intake throughout the day
Avoid sugary drinks and fruit juice. These are the most fattening things you can put into your body, and avoiding them can help you lose weight
Drink water a half hour before meals. One study showed that drinking water a half hour before meals increased weight loss by 44% over 3 months
Choose weight loss-friendly foods .Certain foods are very useful for losing fat. Here is a list of the 20 most weight loss-friendly foods on earth.
Eat soluble fiber. Studies show that soluble fibers may reduce fat, especially in the belly area.
Drink coffee or tea. If you’re a coffee or a tea drinker, then drink as much as you want as the caffeine in them can boost your metabolism by 3-11%
Eat mostly whole, unprocessed foods. Base most of your diet on whole foods. They are healthier, more filling and much less likely to cause overeating.
Eat your food slowly. Fast eaters gain more weight over time. Eating slowly makes you feel fuller and boosts weight-reducing hormones .
Use smaller plates. Studies show that people automatically eat less when they use smaller plates. Strange, but it works
Get a good night’s sleep, every night. Poor sleep is one of the strongest risk factors for weight gain, so taking care of your sleep is important.

Why You Should Eat a Healthy Breakfast?

2016-04-14T08:51:00.003-07:00

I would like to post on health which is most important of our life and let’s start with breakfast

During a busy morning, it's easy to let breakfast fall low in your list of priorities, but taking just a few minutes to have something to eat can really make a difference to your day. If you don't have time to eat before leaving the house, we have lots of breakfast ideas that can be eaten on-the-go or when you get to work.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, so it is commonly said, but often due to lack of time this meal is often skipped or simply forgotten. Without this important meal our body is not energized, we start feeling stressed, tired and our muscles get fatigued. Many people do not eat enough protein, but often to compensate for feeling tired eat unhealthy snacks and consume protein which is too rich in fat. So why risk feeling drained and lifeless at work, in school or even at home?

The food we eat in the morning will stimulate and strengthen our bodies and minds throughout the entire day.

Why You Should Eat a Healthy Breakfast?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast provides you with the energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration in the classroom.
Studies show that breakfast can be important in maintaining a healthy body weight.
Hunger sets in long before it's time for lunch, but because it's not convenient to eat properly, many people who have not eaten breakfast snack on foods that are high in fat and sugar.
People who skip breakfast are unlikely to make up their daily requirement for some vitamins and minerals that a simple breakfast would have provided.
Breakfast provides energy for the activities during the morning and helps to prevent that mid-morning slump.

Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, helping you burn calories throughout the day. It also gives you the energy you need to get things done and helps you focus at work or at school. Those are just a few reasons why it’s the most important meal of the day.

Many studies have linked eating breakfast to good health, including better memory and concentration, lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, and lower chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, and being overweight.

It’s hard to know, though, if breakfast causes these healthy habits or if people who eat it have healthier lifestyles.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY

2015-11-20T16:46:00.002-08:00

I recently read a string of articles discussing various reasons to leave IT — and various alternative careers for dissatisfied IT workers.

I received an amazing amount of info from my reading & I wanted to express similar sentiments. But that leaves out a huge swath of people: those who desperately want a career in IT, as well as those who are caught somewhere in Limbo, trying to answer questions regarding their ability to remain in their chosen field.

So I thought I would go about this topic from another angle to help those people decide whether they're made up of the stuff necessary for a career in IT. I'm fairly confident everyone agrees it's a tough field. What everyone may not agree on is what it takes to be a successful IT worker

Let's see if this list of 6 things fits your qualifications. With all those qualities intact, you are sure to enjoy a long, successful career in the IT field.

Skills

This one should go without saying — but I must mention it.

Persistence

The IT industry is an ever-changing landscape, and every day a new problem makes itself known.

Patience

Users and clients are endlessly frustrating. If you have little or no patience, those people will quickly drive you out of the field. And if they don't completely drive you away, they will at least drive away your joy for the human race. Without patience, you won't stand a chance in the IT field. But it's not only because of the people. Systems will test your patience as well.

Connections

This might seem a bit strange, but as a member of the IT field (especially if you're looking for career growth), you have to have many profession connections. This means social networking

The desire to learn

As I mentioned earlier, IT is an ever-changing industry. The minute a technology is released, it is out of date. So anyone wanting to tackle a career in IT must have a strong desire to learn.

Be Passionate

If you are passionate, you will feel the need for excelling at your work

Welcome -From Geetha Darshan

2015-11-16T13:16:00.001-08:00

"Welcome,"My dear Arjuna, welcome "

"I am happy you have chosen to listen/read to me. This itself is a turning point in your life. Hereafter you find everywhere and in everything a divine purpose. Nothing is unholy. Nothing is ugly. Nothing is fearful. Everybody is indeed divine. If you are weak, you feel miserable. If you are afraid, everything will frighten you. If you try to run away, you will have to be running away always from pillar to post, from post to pillar. Face; face everything and everybody with strength, with courage, with conviction. Be bold and be fearless."

" why do you try to run away from the battles of life, problems of life? They are unavoidable and the truth is they alone make life. It is pleasure to face them, it is pleasure to fight them, it is pleasure to solve them, it is pleasure to witness them. It is pleasure to play the game of life — its ups and downs."

Arjuna is a Pandava skilled in archery. He is all enthusiasm to kill the enemies, to remove the hurdles, to solve the problems. But unfortunately on the battlefield, like in the examination hall, at the threshold of life, he suddenly became weak and feeble, feverish and despondent. He did not want to fight. He wanted to avoid the battle. He appeared to be an escapist in the name of kindness and concern for others. So, Sri Krishna asks him to be strong and bold and face the life.

All the Upanishads are the cows, the son of the cowherd is the milker, Partha is the calf, men of purified intellect are the drinkers and the supreme nectar Gita is the milk.

Sri Krishna is Parthasarathi (the charioteer) to guide Partha or Arjuna. He is the guide to the whole mankind. His guidance is godly and it is in the form of Gita, Bhagvadgita. It is the essence of all Upanishads which are like the cow. And its milk is the Gita. Sri Krishna gives that milk to the calf- like Arjuna. Let us enjoy that nectar to become successful always, to see success in failures as well, to play the game of life peacefully and to enjoy it always not only as a part of it but as a master of it. Let us be the spectators of the game while playing it skilfully, with strength and courage.

This Bhagavadgita is a part of the epic Mahabharata the author of which is Sage Vyasa. Lord Vinanyaka took it down while the sage was dictating it and made it eternal for the benefit of humanity.

Arjuna submits himself to Sri Krishna as a disciple. And Sri Krishna sings the song celestial, the Bhagvadgita to dispel everybody's ignorance, to enlighten all.

Admirable Personalities - VivekAnanda(Discrimination->Happiness) is One we can think frist ......

2015-11-16T12:51:00.005-08:00

Hi,

Everything which I am providing here is available in web, but I would like to present the life of Great people which Ignites our life. I believe no one is 100% ideal. But we should find +ve things which makes our life more positive.

In 1897 Swami Vivekananda arrived in America as an anonymous and penniless sannyasin (wandering monk). He had travelled to America as a representative of Hinduism

and the ancient Indian tradition of Vedanta. Yet Vivekananda was not bound by any formal ties of religion. To the World Parliament of Religions he offered a message of a shared spirituality and the harmony of world religions. This universal message and his dynamic spiritual personality won the hearts and minds of many seekers; and his vision is still treasured today.

“Arise! Awake! And stop not till the goal is reached.”

Early Life of Vivekananda

From an early age he began to have spiritual experiences and at the age of 18 felt an overwhelming desire to “See God”. With a directness that was typical of Vivekananda he asked those around whether they had seen God. All affirmed in the negative. This included the great Devendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore) However Devendranath told Vivekananda that he saw in him the eyes of a Yogi and surely he would realise God in this lifetime. Although none could satisfy his question, he came to hear of the name Ramakrishna Paramhansa who was reputed to be a great Spiritual Personality and had realised God.

Ramakrishna instantly recognized the spiritual potential of Vivekananda and lavished attention on Vivekananda, who at first did not always appreciate this. In the beginning the reasoning mind of Vivekananda was sceptical of this God intoxicated Saint and Vivekananda would frequently question and debate his teachings. However, slowly the spiritual magnetism of Sri Ramakrishna melted Vivekananda’s heart and he began to experience the real spirituality that Ramakrishna exuded. Thus Vivekananda mental opposition faded away to be replaced by an intense surrender to the Divine Mother and a burning longing for realization.

For a short but intense period of about 5 years, Vivekananda learnt directly from his Master Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna was able to awaken the dormant spiritual consciousness in his beloved disciple and Vivekananda

Vivekananda felt that the highest ideal was to serve God through serving humanity. Thus Vivekananda would later add social work as an important element of the Ramakrishna order. Thus after spending a few years in meditation Vivekananda became restless and began travelling throughout India, visiting many of the holy sites. After travelling through India and coming into contact with many influential figures, it was suggested that Vivekananda would make an ideal candidate to represent Hinduism at the World Parliament of Religions which was shortly to be held in Chicago, USA. Before leaving Vivekananda went to receive the blessings of Sarada Devi, the wife of Sri Ramakrishna. After receiving her encouragement and blessings he made the momentous journey to America dressed in his ochre robe and maintaining the vows of a Sanyasin.

Vivekananda – World Parliament of Religions.

Vivekananda at the Parliament of World Religions

At the opening ceremony Vivekananda was one of the last speakers to speak. The previous speakers had talked about the merits of their own religion but Vivekananda appealed to the whole audience with his vision of oneness and equality before God

His opening words began with.

“Brother and Sisters of America.” … Spontaneously the audience rose to its feet to applaud, perhaps appreciating the visionary sentiments Vivekananda offered.

Swami Vivekananda was chosen to represent Hinduism. However Swami Vivekananda did not try in any way to prove the superiority of his religion. Instead Vivekananda spoke with great sincerity about the harmony of world religions and the common spirituality of humanity. It was this universal message of oneness which captivated the audience.

The New York Herald said of Vivekananda.

“He is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation.”

The Boston Evening Post said.

“If he (Vivekananda) merely crosses the platform he is applauded; and this marked approval of thousands he accepts in a childlike spirit of gratification without a trace of conceit…”

Throughout the conference Vivekananda was undoubtedly the star, the organizers would save Vivekananda to the end to make sure the audience would stay to listen.

He was able to start small centers in both the US and Great Britain. Vivekananda admitted he entered Britain with deep misgivings since his heart rebelled at the effects of the British Empire on his beloved motherland. However he was delighted to find some individuals who were sincerely attracted to the teachings of Vedanta. One notable example was Miss Margaret Noble (later named Nivedita), originally from Ireland, Nivedita was to became a devoted disciple who would dedicate her life to the Indian people)

After several years in the West, Vivekananda returned to India where he was met with a rapturous reception.

Vivekananda passed away at the young age of 39 but he achieved a remarkable amount in this short time on earth. He combined the ancient spiritual traditions of India with the dynamism of the West. Many Indian politicians would later offer their gratitude to the impact and ideals of Vivekananda. To many Vivekananda is regarded as the patron saint of modern India.

I don‘t have much words to write On Swamiji, As our Great Men says

" I cannot write about Vivekananda without going into raptures. Few indeed could comprehend or fathom him - even among those who had the privilege of becoming intimate with him. His personality was rich, profound and complex and it was this personality - as distinct from his teachings and writings - which accounts for the wonderful influence he has exerted on his countrymen. This is the type of manhood which appeals to the Indians as probably none other. Reckless in his sacrifice, unceasing in his activity, boundless in his love, profound and versatile in his wisdom, exuberant in his emotions, merciless in his attacks but yet simple as a child - he was a rare personality in this world of ours…. "

--- Neethaji said (Subash Chandra Bose) ..

- "Just as the sun dispels darkness,

just as Lord Vishnu destroys the wicked,

so his enchanting personality

destroys the threefold misery of man."

-- Swami Ramakrishnananda (a brother disciple of Swami Vivekananda).

"I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of this book at thirty distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shock, what transport, must have been produced when, in burning words, they issued from the lips of the hero!"

- Romain Rolland

Yet beyond mental or intellectual power lies another distinct dimension that gives extraordinary power to individuals to influence people. This can be simply stated as power of the personality.

***

He is not a form; he is a voice …..so Sayings of Swami Vivekananda

• For my own part I will be incarnated two hundred times, if that is necessary to do what I have undertaken amongst my people.

• My ideal, indeed, can be put into a few words, and that is to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.

• Religion is the manifestation of the divinity already in man.

• The secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and do good - that is the whole of religion.

Man is higher than all animals, than all angels; none is greater than man.

• One may gain political and social independence, but if one is a slave to his passions and Look at the wall. Did the wall ever tell a lie? It is always the wall. Man tells a lie and becomes a god, too. After so much austerity, I have understood this as the real truth - God is present in every jiva; there is no other God besides that. 'Who serves jiva, serves God indeed.'

• Cut out the word help from your mind. You cannot help; it is blasphemy! You worship. When you give a morsel of food to a dog, you worship the dog as God. He is all, and is in all.

• With five hundred men, ... the conquest of India might take fifty years: with as many women, not more than a few weeks..

• We want to lead mankind to the place where there is neither the Vedas, nor the Bible, nor the Koran; yet this has to be done by harmonizing the Vedas, the Bible, and the Koran.

• Mankind ought to be taught that religions are but the varied expressions of THE RELIGION, which is Oneness, so that each may choose the path that suits him best.

• Who will give the world light? Sacrifice in the past has been the Law, it will be, alas, for ages to come. The earth's bravest and best will have to sacrifice themselves for the good of many, for the welfare of all.

• Truth, purity, and unselfishness - whenever these are present, there is no power below or above the sun to crush the possessor thereof. Equipped with these, one individual is able to face the whole universe in opposition.

• All expansion is life, all contraction is death.

• All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction. Love is therefore the only law of life. He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying. Therefore love for love's sake, because it is law of life, just as you breathe to live.

• Good motives, sincerity, and infinite love can conquer the world. One single soul possessed of these virtues can destroy the dark designs of millions of hypocrites and brutes.

• Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.

Happy Diwali - The Festival of Light

2015-11-16T12:46:00.001-08:00

Happy Diwali

Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Indians, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of lights'.

The festival of lights, Diwali, is arguably India’s biggest religious celebration. The Sanskrit word for it, Deepavali, translates into ‘row of lights’. Light symbolizes hope. Homes, institutions and entire neighborhoods are decorated with candles, earthen lamps and fairy lights on this auspicious moonless night. This is the one unifying facet of Diwali across regions.

Diwali has come to be associated with weeks of card parties that culminate in a grand evening of fire crackers, on the main day of the festival. Different regions of India have diverse ways of commemorating this day. Get-together are secondary to more ritualistic practices that vary from culture to culture.

Thus fireworks, feasts and festivities are meant to fulfill this desire. There is a lot of emphasis on buying items and gifting. Shop owners treat customers like gods and specially decorate marketplaces to welcome buyers.

Fire crackers are burst to welcome the goddess who is an embodiment of a dark and dynamic feminine force.

Indians around the world observe Diwali , a five-day celebration of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance

Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached

2015-11-16T12:43:00.002-08:00

Arise, Awake, And Stop Not Till The Goal Is Reached

Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached is one of the most popular quotations of Swami Vivekananda.

I would like to start my blogging after 4 years with again with great sayings of Swami which makes me arise now ...

- Arise! Awake! Stand up and fight! Die if you must. There is none to help you. You are all the world. Who can help you?

Arise, awake; wake up yourselves, and awaken others. Achieve the consummation of human life before you pass off — "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached

In one of book I have red in past from RK Match explained that these are same words that Lord Krishna said to Arjuna in Geetha.

There is an infinite energy we get when read on Swami quotations and books and listen speeches from any great person who talks about Swami.

Life is Beautiful when we stay connected

2015-11-16T12:41:00.002-08:00

Interesting Story 😃 for SMART GOAL and Dreams.

A Father is flying a kite. His son is watching him carefully.

After some time son says "Dad. Because of the string the kite is not able to go further higher."

Hearing this, the father smiles and breaks the string.

The kite goes higher after breaking and then shortly after that it comes and falls on the ground.

The child is very dejected and sad. Then the father sits next to him and calmly explains:

"Son, in life we reach a certain level of prosperity and then we feel that there are certain things in our life that are not letting us grow any further……… like Home, Family, Culture, Friendship etc.

We feel we want to be free from those strings which we believe are stopping us from going higher."

But, remember son. Going higher is easier than staying higher…… Never ever forget that friends, family and culture etc are the Strings that will help us stay stable at the high we have achieved. If we try to break away from those strings our situation will be of this kite."

Life is Beautiful when we stay connected.

Thoughts on How Blogging Impacts Life and Why I'm Posting !! - Answers to myself and my readers

2015-11-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

Welcome! Thanks so much for visiting!

Hello, Naresh here, just wanted to introduce myself.

I am currently not the person to inspire or motivate all with my work as I am just normal like you, however I still want to share my knowledge. I must say that I do miss it, and maybe I will get back into it someday…fingers crossed.

Today I am going to talk about Inspiration and in particular my strategies for getting Inspiration for Blog Posts.

Over the course of my life, I’ve embraced a number of different hobbies like reading of books, watching movies, speeches, debates, playing and working on different tasks and of course eating lot of food

More importantly, I learned so much from reading blogs and forums and I started again posting on blogs after 5 years where I got busy in profession and personal growth and I missed feed my brain with positive ideas and reflect same on blog...so here I started and few ..

I used to read mostly on personality development and inspirational words, most of them have changed my life or brought me as much satisfaction as with my GOAL.However, still I am missing purpose of my life and high goals recent days which I am lacking of feed (reading) my brain with positive thoughts .I have decided to prepare notes for myself but inform of blogs then I can read myself and also it might help other human being who loves my post and also it encourages my confidence.

In almost too many ways to count, it has changed me and the way I live my life.

Writing a blog is a long, difficult process that can be both exhilarating and frustrating. You may learn how to outline, how to make a writing to do list, or how to compose great, but daily discouragement can be tough to battle throughout the process. The Year 2015 is ending and i believe it's not late start one of my resolutions of 2015

Of course I have read few motivational saying of great people to continue whatever I can start with small and go ahead with new post either it is worth to many or not but I learnt to enjoy the blogging .

Few sayings that inspired me are

“One thing that helps is to give myself permission to write badly. I tell myself that I’m going to do my five or 10 pages no matter what, and that I can always tear them up the following morning if I want. I’ll have lost nothing—writing and tearing up five pages would leave me no further behind than if I took the day off.” - Lawrence Block

“Plot is people. Human emotions and desires founded on the realities of life, working at cross purposes, getting hotter and fiercer as they strike against each other until finally there’s an explosion—that’s Plot.” —Leigh Brackett

Loving your subject, you will write about it with the spontaneity and enthusiasm that will transmit itself to your reader. Loving your reader, you will respect him and want to please him. You will not write down to him. You will take infinite pains with your work. You will write well. And if you write well, you will get published.” —Lee Wyndham,

“It’s like making a movie: All sorts of accidental things will happen after you’ve set up the cameras. So you get lucky. Something will happen at the edge of the set and perhaps you start to go with that; you get some footage of that. You come into it accidentally. You set the story in motion and as you’re watching this thing begin, all these opportunities will show up.

In fact, so much so, it has become a hobby I regularly recommend to others. I started blogging as a personal tool to journal the changes we were making as we began minimizing our possessions.

But somewhere along the line, it became less about me writing the story and more about the story changing me.

10 Thoughts on How Blogging Impacts Life

You’ll become a better writer. It’ll serve as a personal journal
You’ll become a better thinker
You’ll inspire others
You’ll live a more intentional life
You’ll develop an eye for meaningful things
It’ll lead to healthier life habits,
You’ll make some money ( don’t target for it – it should be one motivation factor but not main goal)
You’ll become better-rounded in your mindset
You’ll become more confident
It’s quite a rush with every positive comment

Also, I got to share stories about my life, and that made the interaction more genuine. Ultimately, it made the interaction more about understanding what my minds thinks after reading and what I understood.

I put a lot of my soul into my blog, and I'm always hoping to affect you...but it's been a long time since I've sat and really let you affect me in return.

I hope you enjoy reading what I write. Please leave a comment if you like

Thanks for Reading My Blog!

Your're Special for You

2015-11-13T16:37:00.001-08:00

People with high self-esteem are the most desired, and desirable people in society

When we love ourselves, it helps us feel our best, and when we feel our best, we can give more to the world.

Self-esteem comes from positive self-imaging, and it is something that we proactively build for ourselves

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today And make a new ending.”

I was talking with a friend this weekend who is suffering from low self-esteem.

After hearing the way this lovely young man was talking about himself, so blind to his own intelligence, and talents, I blurted out, “You must begin to love yourself. You have so much to offer.”

I’m on a mission to empower people to spend their lives focused on their purpose, priorities, and passions, and to get rid of the junk that gets in the way of living the life of their dreams. Part of living the life you dream of is practicing self-love.

When we act in ways that expand self-love in us, we begin to accept much better our weaknesses as well as our strengths, have less need to explain away our short-comings, have compassion for ourselves as human beings struggling to find personal meaning, are more centered in our life purpose and values, and expect living fulfillment through our own efforts.

It influences how high you set your goals, how you let others treat you, and how you react to difficult situations. Self-love affects how you treat your body, how you manage stress, and your ability to live consistently with your values.

I’ve learned that the way we view ourselves directly affects everything we do. People with high self-esteem get along easily with others, rarely get sick, and seem to have high energy reserves. Also, their high level of self-esteem corresponds with their high level of productivity, capacity of happiness and state of well-being.

Being kind to yourself in everyday life is in in my experience one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Life will become lighter and your relationships will most likely improve

Tips to Building Self-Esteem

In order to build your self-esteem, you must establish yourself as the master of your own life. Every single minute of your life is a moment you can change for the better.

If you’ve been delaying some action for half the day, don’t dwell on it or beat yourself up for it, shift your focus to the present moment and what you can do right now. Start with the smallest or the most important task

The following are tips to help build continuous upward momentum towards higher self-esteem.

1. Start Small

Start with something you can do immediately and easily. When we start with small successes, we build momentum to gain more confidence in our abilities. Each completed task, regardless of how small, is a building block towards a more confident you. What are some small actions you can take immediately to demonstrate that you are capable of achieving goals you’ve set for yourself? For example, clean your desk, organize your papers, or pay all your bills.

2. Create a Compelling Vision

Use the power of your imagination. Create an image of yourself as the confident and self-assured person you aspire to become. When you are this person, how will you feel? How will others perceive you? What does your body language look like? How will you talk? See these clearly in your mind’s eye, with your eyes closed. Feel the feelings, experience being and seeing things from that person’s perspective. Practice doing this for 10 minutes every morning. Put on music in the background that either relaxes you, or excites you. When you are done, write a description of this person and all the attributes you’ve observed.

3.Socialize

Get out of the house or setup a lunch date with a friend. Socializing with others will give us opportunities to connect with other people, and practice our communication and interpersonal skills.

4.Do Something You Are Good At

What are you especially good at or enjoy doing? Regularly doing things that you are good at reinforces your belief in your abilities and strengths. I (Tina) can be very efficient with completing errands or administrative work. Whenever I have a few hours filled with ways in which I’ve maximized my time, I feel highly productive and this boosts the confidence have in my abilities as an organized and efficient person.

5. Set Goals

According to a study done at Virginia Tech, 80% of Americans say they don’t have goals. And the people who regularly write down their goals earn nine times as much over their lifetime as people who don’t. By setting goals that are clear and actionable, you have a clear target of where you want to be. When you take action towards that goal, you’ll build more confidence and self-esteem in your abilities to follow through.

6. Help Others Feel Good About Themselves

Help somebody or teach them something. When you help other people feel better about themselves and like themselves more, it will make you feel good about yourself. See what you can do to make others feel good or trigger them to smile. Maybe giving them a genuine compliment, helping them with something or telling them what you admire about them.

7. Get Clarity on Life Areas

Get clarity on the life area that needs the most attention. Your self-esteem is the average of your self-concept in all the major areas of your life. Write down all the major categories of your life, e.g., health, relationships, finance, etc. Then rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 in each area. Work on the lowest numbered category first, unless they are all even. Each area affects the other areas. The more you build up each area of your life, the higher your overall self-esteem.

8. Create a Plan

Having a goal alone won’t do much. Get clarity on your action items. One of the biggest reasons people get lazy is because they don’t have a plan to achieve their goals. They don’t know what the next step is and start to wander off randomly. When you’re baking a cake, it’s a lot easier to follow a set of clear instructions, than randomly throwing ingredients together.

9. Get Motivated

Read something inspirational, listen to something empowering, talk to someone who can uplift our spirits, who can motivate us to become a better person, to live more consciously, and to take proactive steps towards creating a better life for ourselves and our families.

10. Get External Compliments

As funny as this point suggests, go find a friend or family member and ask them “What do you like about me?” “What are my strengths?” or “What do you love about me?” We will often value other people’s opinions more than our own. We are the best at beating ourselves up for things not done well, and we are the worst at recognizing what we’ve done well in. Hearing from another person our strengths and positive qualities helps to build a more positive image of ourselves.

11. Affirmations & Introspection

Use affirmations, but in the right way. Some people think that when they’re in a slump, using positive affirmations will help them get out of it. I love affirmations, but I’ve realized you have to use them in the right way. Sitting on your couch and saying “I am highly motivated and productive” does nothing. Say something like “I am sitting here being very unproductive right now, is this the ideal me? What would be my best self?” Your affirmations have to be the TRUTH. Once you’re honest, take the first step towards doing the thing, no matter how small.

12. No More Comparisons

Stop comparing yourself to other people. Low-self esteem stems from the feeling of being inferior. For example, if you were the only person in the world, do you think you could have low-self esteem? Self-esteem only comes into the picture when there are other people around us and we perceive that we are inferior. Don’t worry about what your neighbor is doing. Accept that it’ll serve you more to just go down your own path at your own pace rather than to compare yourself. Pretend you’re starting over and begin immediately with the smallest step forward.

Self-esteem comes from self-dominion. The more power you have in getting yourself to take the right actions, the more self-esteem you will have. Your level of self-esteem affects your happiness and everything you do.

Voice of Steve Jobs ..

2015-11-12T14:46:00.004-08:00

He came, he saw, he conquered...and he left behind some words to live by:
"I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."

"My favorite things in life don't cost any money. It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time."

"My model for business is The Beatles. They were four guys who kept each other's kind of negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other, and the total was greater than the sum of the parts. That's how I see business: Great things in business are never done by one person, they're done by a team of people."

If the people around you make you unhappy, it's not their fault. It's your fault. They're in your professional or personal life because you drew them to you--and you let them remain.

Think about the type of people you want to work with. Think about the types of customers you would enjoy serving. Think about the friends you want to have.

"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations."

Embrace every failure. Own it, learn from it, and take full responsibility for making sure that next time, things will turn out differently.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

Happy Diwali - The Festival of Light

2015-11-11T15:06:00.001-08:00

Happy Diwali

Fire crackers are burst to welcome the goddess who is an embodiment of a dark and dynamic feminine force.

Indians around the world observe Diwali , a five-day celebration of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance

Purpose of life from Gita

2015-11-05T16:02:00.004-08:00

As long as we believe ourselves to be even the least different from God, fear remains with us; but when we know ourselves to be the One, fear goes; of what can we be afraid? - Swami Vivekananda

Bhagavad Gita is a practical text and is not just meant to be worshipped or meant for a parrot-like repetition. It deals with the science of the body, mind and spirit. One especially finds beautiful ways to control one’s own mind. Unfortunately our modern youth has no knowledge of the great wisdom contained in this great text.

Some think it is a text to be read after one has retired from active life, which is not at all correct

In order to make aware our children, youth, men and women from the world over who are interested in our great culture and heritage, this Gita Darshanam, a museum of paintings depicting many ideas from the Gita and Upanisads with audio facility also, has been taken up by the Math. Anyone going through this important museum will have the darshan of the essence of the Gita.

Ay, if there is anything in the Gita that I like, it is these two verses, coming out strong as the very gist, the very essence, of Krishna's teaching — "He who sees the Supreme Lord dwelling alike in all beings, the Imperishable in things that perish, he sees indeed. For seeing the Lord as the same, everywhere present, he does not destroy the Self by the Self, and thus he goes to the highest goal

The Gita opens with this very significant verse: "Arise, O Prince! Give up this faint-heartedness, this weakness! Stand up and fight!"

In reading the Bhagavad-Gita, many of you in Western countries may have felt astonished at the second chapter, wherein Shri Krishna calls Arjuna a hypocrite and a coward because of his refusal to fight, or offer resistance, on account of his adversaries being his friends and relatives, making the plea that non-resistance was the highest ideal of love. This is a great lesson for us all to learn, that in all matters the two extremes are alike. The extreme positive and the extreme negative are always similar. When the vibrations of light are too slow, we do not see them, nor do we see them when they are too rapid. So with sound; when very low in pitch, we do not hear it; when very high, we do not hear it either. Of like nature is the difference between resistance and non-resistance. One man does not resist because he is weak, lazy, and cannot, not because he will not; the other man knows that he can strike an irresistible blow if he likes; yet he not only does not strike, but blesses his enemies. The one who from weakness resists not commits a sin, and as such cannot receive any benefit from the non-resistance; while the other would commit a sin by offering resistance. Buddha gave up his throne and renounced his position, that was true renunciation; but there cannot be any question of renunciation in the case of a beggar who has nothing to renounce. So we must always be careful about what we really mean when we speak of this non-resistance and ideal love. We must first take care to understand whether we have the power of resistance or not. Then, having the power, if we renounce it and do not resist, we are doing a grand act of love; but if we cannot resist, and yet, at the same time, try to deceive ourselves into the belief that we are actuated by motives of the highest love, we are doing the exact opposite. Arjuna became a coward at the sight of the mighty array against him; his "love" made him forget his duty towards his country and king. That is why Shri Krishna told him that he was a hypocrite: Thou talkest like a wise man, but thy actions betray thee to be a coward; therefore stand up and fight!

We read in the Bhagavad-Gita again and again that we must all work incessantly. All work is by nature composed of good and evil. We cannot do any work which will not do some good somewhere; there cannot be any work which will not cause some harm somewhere. Every work must necessarily be a mixture of good and evil; yet we are commanded to work incessantly. Good and evil will both have their results, will produce their Karma. Good action will entail upon us good effect; bad action, bad. But good and bad are both bondages of the soul. The solution reached in the Gita in regard to this bondage-producing nature of work is that, if we do not attach ourselves to the work we do, it will not have any binding effect on our soul. We shall try to understand what is meant by this “non-attachment to” to work.

One of the greatest lessons I have learnt in my life is to pay as much attention to the means of work as to its end. He was a great man from whom I learnt it, and his own life was a practical demonstration of this great principle I have been always learning great lessons from that one principle, and it appears to me that all the secret of success is there; to pay as much attention to the means as to the end

I used to read books of swami Vivekananda and Rama Krishna. Indeed, Gita with simple version from RK math, Hyd. Of course from 4 years not regularly reading good books and saying of great people and I see difference a lot. I would easily compare what I was feeling when reading and following those sayings...

This post is with multiple sources that I'm reading and read and collecting information for future reference for myself and I hope the readers will have also useful information.

Thanks for reading

Don't compare Sachin and Dhoni

2010-07-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

Creating a stir and being a living legend are two different things. Congratulations to MS Dhoni for having inked the mega deal with Rhiti Sports, but media reports of Dhoni's "overtaking" Sachin and "snatching" his crown (endorsements) not only insult the little Big Man of Indian cricket, but also are in bad taste.

Don't compare brand with band. Band has several meanings. One of which means a series of ornaments. It also means to tie together. And Sachin has both these qualities. He is not the jewel in the crown; he is the crown. He is the thread that binds the team. He is the man who stands up for his teammates. Remember, how he stood up for Harbhajan in that "monkey" episode with Andrew Symonds.

His achievements and sacrifices for Indian cricket cannot be measured in money. My intention is not to explore the lexicon and play with words like brands and band, but I want to drive home one message: don't compare brand with band (series of ornaments).

MS Dhoni has come a long way. From his mane to money, Dhoni (read Dhani) has made his imprint in the history of Indian cricket. But comparing him as a brand with Sachin is unjust. Sachin Tendulkar, especially for cricket lovers, is the almighty and today it does not matter how much he is paid for endorsing a product. Sachin has been the country's brand ambassador and may continue to remain so, perhaps forever.

It was Sachin who lost his father during the 1999 World Cup, came home for three days, and returned to play for the country and score a century! Guess why he looks up every time he crosses a milestone. His greatness lies in what the greats have to say about him. Sir Donald Bradman had said: "He reminds me of myself."

Hailing his heroics, Mark Taylor, the former Australian captain had said: “We didn’t lose to a team called India. We lost to a man called Sachin Tendulkar.” And Mathew Hayden had said, "I have seen God, and he bats at number 4."

A soldier is not judged by the weapon he possesses or the Kurukshetra he wins. He is judged by his character and how he chooses to uses his weapons on that particular day. There's no point talking about the runs he has scored. Instead, one has to see how the master blaster has inspired a generation of fiercely motivated youngsters that will carry forward his legacy.

Money can never be a yardstick for greatness, it surely maps the celeb's saleability. Not to forget, years ago, Sachin began his endorsement career with Band-Aid!

Take charge of your career destiny

2010-07-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

Inspiring excerpts from Azim Premji, Founder, Wipro's address address at IIT Delhi's convocation ceremony.

THE funny thing about life is that you realize the value of something only when it begins to leave you. As my hair turned from black, to salt and pepper and finally salt without the pepper, I have begun to realise the enthusiasm and excitement of youth.

At the same time, I have begun to truly appreciate some of the lessons I have learnt along the way. As you embark on your careers, I would like to share them with you. I am hoping that you will find them as useful as I have.

The world you are entering is in many ways very different now from what it was when I began my career. It was the late sixties and India still depended on other countries for something as basic as food. We aroused sympathy, not admiration whenever we went overseas. Recently, someone told me, that when visitors came to India then, they came to see what they could do for India. Now, they come to see what India can do for them. As a hopeful Indian, I look at our country as one which is rich in ethnic and cultural diversity and one that has an effective, secular democracy which will help us build an enduring society.

Sayings of swami

Lesson 1: Take charge

This was the first thought that came to me, when over four decades ago, I stepped into Wipro factory at Amalner. I was 21 and had spent the last few years in Stanford University Engineering School at California. Many people advised me to take up a nice, cushy job rather than face the challenges of running a hydrogenated oil business. Looking back, I am glad I decided to take charge instead. Essentially, leadership begins from within. It is a small voice that tells you where to go when you feel lost. If you believe in that voice, you believe in yourself. When it comes to choosing your careers, you have to take charge of your own destiny.

Lesson 2: Earn your happiness

The second lesson I have learnt is that a rupee earned is of far more value than five found. In fact, what is gifted or inherited follows the old rule of come easy, go easy. I guess we only know the value of what we have if we have struggled to earn it.

Lesson 3: Nothing succeeds like failure

The third lesson I have learnt is no one bats a hundred every time. Life has many challenges. You win some and lose some. You must enjoy winning. But do not let it go to the head. The moment it does, you are already on your way to failure. And if you do encounter failure along the way, treat it as an equally natural phenomenon. The important thing is, when you lose, do not lose the lesson.

Lesson 4: Nothing fails like success

The fourth lesson I have learnt is the importance of humility. There is a thin line of difference between confidence and arrogance. Confident people are always open to learn. A recent survey of executives in Europe showed that the single most important quality needed for leadership success was the willingness to learn from any situation. Arrogance on the other hand stops learning. It comes with a feeling that one knows all that needs to be known and has done all that needs to be done.

Lesson 5: There has to be a better way

Partly as a corollary to what I have just said, we must remember that no matter how well we do something there has to be a better way! Excellence is not a destination but a journey. Creativity and innovation sometimes need inspiration from other disciplines. It is probably not a chance that Einstein?s interest in music was as much as his interest in Physics. Bertrand Russell was as much a mathematician as a philosopher. Excellence and creativity go hand in hand.

Lesson 6: Respond, not react

There is a world of difference between the two and in terms of success and failure. The difference is that the mind comes in between responding and reacting. When we respond, we evaluate with a calm mind and do whatever is most appropriate. We are in control of our actions. When we react, we are still doing what the other person wants us to do
Lesson 7: Remain physically active

It is easy to take health for granted when you are young. I have found that exercise not only improves the quality of time but also reduces the time you need for sleep. The truth is that stress will only increase in a global world. You must have your own mechanism to deal with it.

Lesson 8: Never compromise on your core values

Mahatma Gandhiji often said that you must open the windows of your mind, but you must not be swept off your feet by the breeze. One must define what you stand for. This is not difficult. But values lie, not in the words used to describe them, as much as in the simple acts. And that is the hard part. Like someone said, "I could not hear what you said because what you did was coming out far too loud."

Lesson 9: Play to win

Playing to win brings out the best in us and in our teams. It brings out the desire to stretch, to achieve that which seems beyond our grasp. However, it is not about winning at any cost. It is not about winning every time. It is not about winning at the expense of others. It is about innovating all the time. It is a continuous endeavour to do better than last time.

Lesson 10: Give back to society

All of us have a collective social responsibility towards doing our bit to address them. Of all the challenges, the key to me is education. We have a paradoxical situation, where on the one hand we have jobs chasing scarce talent and on the other, rampant unemployment and poverty. The only way to bridge these two ends of the pole is by providing quality education that is accessible by all.

All Iz Well.

2010-01-23T10:52:00.000-08:00

After WATCHING THE MOVIE “3IDIOT”

I can not stop myself to write that lesson which is taught by this movie .Yes I am talking about the message of Baba Ranchod Das
“BABA RANCHOD DAS NE KAHA HAI KI
BETA KAMYAB NAHI KABIL BANO….
KAMYABI TO APNE AAP JHAK MAR KE PEECHE AAYEGI”

Always remember Success is not what give you a lot of money but is one which give you happiness.Isn’t?

National Youth Day | Swami Vivekananda's Birthday- Jan 12

2010-01-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

Indian Government declared Jan 12 as the National Youth Day in 1984.The motto of declaring youth day on the birth date of this philosophical guru was motivating and inculcating these pious ideals to the coming generations.As per the quote from the Government of India’s Communication, “it was felt that the philosophy of Swami ji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.”

Today is the most auspicious day on the which the great saint and giant of indian spirituality was born..MAY SWAMI GIVE GREAT COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO ALL..

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Swami Vivekananda's writings need no introduction from anybody. They make their own irresistible appeal." --- So I wont give Any Introduction about My GuruJi.

Rabindranath Tagore a Nobel Poet Laureate had said, "If you want to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything is positive and nothing negative."

According to Subhas Chandra Bose, Vivekananda "is the maker of modern India" and for Mohandas Gandhi, Vivekananda's influence increased his "love for his country a thousandfold."

National Youth Day in India is held on his birthday, January 12, to commemorate him. This was a most fitting gesture as much of Swami Vivekananda's writings concerned the Indian youth and how they should strive to uphold their ancient values whilst fully participating in the modern world.

The French Nobel Laureate, Romain Rolland writes, "His words are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!

Swamijis birth day according to Georgian calendar falls on January 12 each year, the day is also observed as National Youth Day.

Many activities are planned for the day including various processions, speeches, recitations, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasana presentation, competitions in essay-writing, recitations, speeches, music, sports, etc.The National Youth Day is also observed in almost all educational institutes of the country with great enthusiasm on 12 January every year. I was One Of Volunteer for VIHE(Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence ), RK Math ,Hyd.

Arise, Awake, and Stop Not Till the Goal Is Reached!

This clarion call of Vivekananda is essentially a mantra for the modern man. Vivekananda placed great emphasis on “awakening”; so what exactly does this awakening constitute? The fact that you are reading this article indicates that you are awake, right? Nay, that is being awake at the physical level. Real awakening is when one wakes up to the beauties of one’s own inner self. It is the realization that one’s body is a temporary “shell” and the real self, the “inner you,” is Atman [soul].

To attain self realization, one has to awaken to truth—higher levels of wakefulness. There are four such levels. The first is the apparent wakeful attentiveness with which we move about and busy ourselves everyday. We are very much like others, alert and aware, when thus awake. But Vedanta reveals four categories of wakefulness: the fully awake, the wakefulness of the mind only (as while dreaming), the wakefulness of the self alone (as in deep sleep), and the illumination of the self (awakening into the Over-self). These are named as Sthoola, Sookshma, Kaarana, and Mahakaarana [The Gross, The Subtle, The Causal, and the Super-cause].

The Upanishads say, “Get up, arise, awake”; time is fleeting fast. Use the moment while it is available, for the best of uses, the awareness of the Divine in all. When you die, you must not die like a tree or a beast or a worm, but like a man who has realized that he is Maadhava [God]. This realization is the consummation of all the years you spend in the human frame.

Arise, Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached

This is the basic message that was conveyed by Swami Vivekananda. Though it is a simple sentence, this conveys a lot of meaning. The following is my personal interpretation of the same after reading more of spiritual speeches and attending lectures.

ARISE: Do not sit idle. Get up. Get into action. Don't waste your life in sitting idle and doing things that waste years and takes one away from GOAL. Give up laziness and be filled with an energy to get into action. Always be filled with a positive energy that lets you stay focused and be in action.

AWAKE: Awakening does not mean just getting up from sleep. Here Awakening means the mental realization about one's state. Awakening comes when one realizes that one is sleeping. Realize one's current state and realize where one needs to go is the mental awakening that is needed for an individual.

GOAL: Having goal is the first step towards realizing the same. One of the most difficult things in life is become aware of one's goals. Goal is not petty desires that one attempts to achieve. A higher goal that sets an individual very determined to achieve, which focuses energy of an individual. The goal should be very clear in one's mind. Reaching the goal should be the only purpose for which the individual lives the life. Mere thought about the goal motivates the individual to do anything. Character of the individual is developed and motivated by the GOAL.

STOP NOT TILL THE GOAL IS REACHED: Once the GOAL is clear in mind, work with unwavering concentration and determination towards achieving the goal. Do not flinch from path that leads to the ultimate GOAL. Have only one aim day in and day out to reach the goal.

In summary, the sentence upon reflection gives a very strong message to every individual to become aware one's true nature of achieving their ultimate goal of life.

Many times during the day, I am reminded of this single sentence which fills me with an energy to stay positive and keep working without getting de-motivated. Working towards one's goals with dedication is what makes the life fulfilling.

The above is my personal interpretation that I thought would share with everyone. This sentence taken from one of the eight Upanishads and used a motto is worth reflection whenever one find's time. I have been thinking for quite some time to share my views with everyone and I realized one such goal today.

~ Take up one idea! Make that idea your life ,Think of it .Dream of it,live on that idea.Let the brain,muscles,nerves every part of your body be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone.This is the way to success. ~

~ The first sign of your becoming religious is that you are becoming cheerful ~

~ Religion is the manifestation of the Divinity already in man ~

~ He who always thinks himself as weak will never become strong, but he who knows himself to be a lion, rushes out from the worlds meshes, as a lion from its cage ~

~ He who always thinks himself as weak will never become strong, but he who knows himself to be a lion, rushes out from the worlds meshes, as a lion from its cage ~

~ Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way. ~

~ Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth. ~

~ Turn thy gaze inward, wherein resides the Supreme Self ~

~ All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark. ~

~ The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him - that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free. ~

Do you overwork? Time to get organized

2010-01-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

By siliconindia news bureau
Saturday,09 January 2010, 20:27 hrs

Though, some people get good salaries for the work they do, most of times they don't get enough time or energy for a life outside workplace. "If you feel you are overworked, the first thing to do is identify if you are actually being given too much work or if you are just disorganised,"

Some signs like leaving the office last, working late every night or going to office every weekend that shows that a person is overworking. "Every time I finish one pile of folders, there is another pile on my desk with a note asking me to finish it before I leave. It is so frustrating to have to work every weekend," says Lata Bangera, a 24-year-old Chartered Accountant.

Maintaining a record on the days on which you are asked to stay back late at work can show how often you are being asked to do too much work. "Make a list of the assignments you have been working on and how long they have taken you. This will help you when you plan to take up the issue with higher authorities,"
Talking to your boss can also help to make him understand the amount of work you have been doing. "Bring it up in casual conversation and give them time to think about it. If this doesn't work, talk to your boss frankly but politely. Don't get emotional or lose your cool. You will only make matters worse,"

Some companies may exploit its employees and ask them to do more work and not hire new staff to handle the extra work. "Many companies load additional work on existing employees instead of hiring new staff. This way one person ends up doing many people's work without a hike in pay,"

Gadwal ...Janani janma bhoomischa swargadapi gareeyasi.

2010-01-09T11:12:00.001-08:00

Some historical background:

When Lord Rama defeated Ravana in historical battle of Lanka, Lakshman, Lord Rama's brother asked him to settle in that beautiful city of Lanka which was supposedly made of bricks of Gold. This is the actual quote from Valmeeki Ramayan of Lord Rama's answer to Lakshmana's request.

अपि स्वर्णमयी लंका न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते ।

जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ॥

api swarnamayee lankaa na me Lakshmana rochate

janaanee janmabhoomishcha swargaadapi gareeyasee

It is in Sanskrit. "janma bhoomischa" (should be one word). "Janani" - mother, "janmabhoomi" - Birthland, "swargadapi" - more than Heaven, "gareeyasi" - dearer. Loosely translated - My birthland, my Mother (metaphor, birthland is my mother), is dearer to me than Heaven.

I started wrting about My Home Twon which already famous for Something you let you know by end ..... , I recollected my memories On 1st Jan 2010 like every year , but this year is special since I Physically I left Gadwal after my 10th (April 2000- 1Day before Ugadi) I used to go only for vacation , I lived out side Gadwal nearly 10 years. I went out for My studies then now I am away from My Mother land (India) which is greater than heaven.

Gadwal is located at 16°14′N 77°48′E / 16.23°N 77.8°E / 16.23; 77.8. It has an average elevation of 325 metres (1066 feet).

I born(Officially Gadwal ..In fact i born at My Mothers home town Kollapur) and brought up in Gadwal

Gadwal Samsthanam

(This word became poplular after Arundhati Movi In telugu - which has not a true story from gadwal- i will write more in next blogs about Arudhanti- vaddala bommali :) )

Description of Gadwal Kota in my words:

So many years back Gadwal ruled by kings, In that "Nalla Soma Nadhri" is very famous among them.He is very powerful and strong man.And he looks black color.There are so many interesting stories of him.

Old generation people saying that...He lifted "large and heavy pirangi" with his hands, That much powerful and strong man........Present also the Gadwal fort is still there, But it is almost all damaged.Some portion of fort is occupied by Govt and they are running Jr And Degree College successfully.There are so many famous people are born in Gadwal.

Gadwal Samsthanam was in Raichur district(Now it is in Mahabubnagar district).Was once ruled by a local ruler called Somashekar Ananda Reddy,fondly called somanadri.Gadwal is built around a fort built by the Gadwal ruler somanadri.This Gadwal Samsthanam was protected by Mallichetti vamshiyulu.

Gadwal is famous for Chenna Kesava Swami Temple built by the Rajas of Gadwal in the 17th Century A.D.

While in Gadwal do visit the Chenna Keshava Temple. Legend has that 'Chenna Keshava' a Brahmin was offered as sacrifice by the then ruler to build the fort. In recognition of this the temple was named after the Brahmin as Chenna Keshava Temple.

The Brahmotsavam renowned in honour of this deity for ten days during February-March attracts about 40,000 devotees from all over the region and also from the districts of Hyderabad, Warangal, Kurnool and Raichur.

Gadwal is also famous as a tourist spot. Here there is one of the largest project (DAM) Known as Priyadarshini Jurala Project with almost 70 gates and very soon it will be ready for generating power. Gadwal was ruled by a king called Somashekar Ananda Reddy and there is a famous fort worth watchable. Gadwal has Sri Jamulama Devi Temple, a devine place for many people of Gadwal.

Transport

It is well connected with the railway line. There are more than 20 trains that pass through Gadwal every day. It is 188 km from hyderabad. Very soon Gadwal will be known as Railway Junction because of railway connection from Gadwal to Raichur Dist (karnataka). The work is already in progress and may be completed in 2010.

Gadwal is known for its world famous handloom jari sarees. People here are most talented to weave 5.5 the meters sarees in such a way that it can be folded to a size as equivalent as a small match box.

Gadwal Sarees are very popular since 1930's. These are cotton sarees with attached silk border and silk pallow.

Gadwal Sarees are very famous in Andhra Pradesh.Gadwal Sarees having a special recognition among all saress.Most of people used to come to Gadwal to buy sarees.And Gadwal sarees business is now very peak position.Sarees business people are earning very much................

In Hyderabad Vijayawada vi zag.........so many places having special showrooms for Gadwal sarees.

MOst of ladies like Gadwal sarees very much , specially in A.P...

In Gadwal there is separate Area, where Gadwal sarees are making.Most of the sarees people are make sarees in their houses and also they will sell in their houses.....

But, The people who make sarees are still in same position in financially.Because the mediators are getting more profit.....

Gadwal sarees passing to other countries also, even though the creator of Gadwal sarees are still same position.The cost will start from 1200 Rs to ...............

really, Ladies look very beautiful in Gadwal Sarees. That is power of Gadwal Sarees........

Krishna River :
One more good thing about my home town is we have Krishana river 4 KM from the center (Krishna Veni chowk)(and Jurala DAM 15KM) , more than that we have Hanuman temple while going to krishna river. I hope every student visited this place, we were going every saturday(in my last india trip also) to Hanuman temple which 2.5km from Town Center with fresh air and Krishana Canals. I remember my School days ....My friends knows how we prepare for SSC like RamaSena(Vanaras --I am the first one in that Climbing trees and eating fruits etc...)

The Best time to visit gadwal is Krishna Pushkara.However every moment is good.

I Observed many students are comming to gadwal from various parts of State(from Telangana region) ,because we have many colleges like Sri Kottam Tulasi Reddy Memorial College of Engineering and Many BEd College arond the town.

Movies to see Gadwal :

If see two words Movie and Gadwal together ...your mind will stop At Arundhati---Vadalu e Bommali ..... this movie just taken Gadwal Name and Gadwal samastan but did not shot actual gadwal & The story has nothing to do with our hometown.......Kondaveeti Raja is movie to watch Gadwal

Arundhati is a 2009 Telugu film starring Anushka as the protagonist. It was directed by Kodi Ramakrishna.Now Gadwal is a well known name....how?? cause of the recent Blockbuster movie ARUNDHATI. Yep, our own hometown name GADWAL was used in the movie..I recently saw the movie and was surprised to listen the name Gadwal in the movie. I never had any idea that the movie contains our hometowns name.The name Gadwal was used very often in the movie, I can recall the usage of term Gadwal for atleast 15 to 20 times.

I know the film was not shot in Gadwal but it is just usage of the towm name. One scene that resemble our town in the movie is Gadwal's railway track with the board "Welcome to Gadwal" along side the track written in Telugu "Suswagatam Gadwal".

The point of attraction in the movie is a palace.The palace is shown above a mountain.....I know there is no such palace in Gadwal but a similar fort in between in the river Krishna at Beechpalli(16 KM from gadwal) at the top of the hill.The Director must have got an idea to use our hometowns name because Gadwal is a historical place with few forts in and around the town.

In Fact Our Megastart's Movie compleaty shot in Gadwal : Kondaveeti Raja is a 1986 Tollywood film starring Chiranjeevi, Radha, Vijayashanti, and Rao Gopal Rao. This film was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Dubbed into Tamil as Thangamalai Thirudan. Chiru plays an archeologist in disguise of a village youth in this movie. In kondaveedu(Gadwal in real),there is an old fort and every one in that village believes that there is a hidden treasure inside.

Please follow below ling for more info:

http://gadwal-info.blogspot.com/

http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_127.gif

Indian with Red Indians my Experience in EL Salvador (San Salvador)

2010-01-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

SAN SALVADOR the city where I was staying.

"Where are you heading next?" people asked me.

"El Salvador"

"Oh!"

"Have you been there?"

"Yes"

"Whats it like?"

"Oh...well we didn't actually travel there. We just got a info about San Salvador its meant to be really dangerous" ................ :( -- Of course Dangerous for first few days/weeks.

This is the same conversation I had with the very few people we spoke to who had actually been to El Salvador. No one had actually traveled around or knew anything about it.

No fears, no worries, no problems! Get on that plane as you planned & look forward to an incredible stay in spectacular El Salvador .Tourists are always warmly welcomed by the kind, friendly, proud, happy Salvadoran people who love their country & love sharing it with visitors!

Please don't be freaked out in any way by ridiculous propaganda targeting a country that the offenders know nothing about! Troubled times in El Salvador are over & done with decades ago & the more people who come & experience the real El Salvador the better to put an end to the false hype!

El Salvador is a country, like many in Central America, getting back on its feet after a terrible civil war that lasted 12 years and cost thousands of lives . Its also suffered many natural disasters, and is still rumored by most travelers to be dangerous. So nobody goes there, but when you ask people what is so dangerous about El Salvador no one can actually tell you. "Oh the city is really rough!" Of course the Cities are dodgy, they are world wide, it's not like we were planning a tour around San Salvador at 2 am in the morning! Well we did end up doing this by mistake but we would´t recommend it! ---- After going there for 3 times , i can say its one of good place to go when you are a live (they respect Indian a lot)

I went to this country last year 3 times for 5 months., but when I am refreshing my memories of 2009 , I found this is one of different experience of my first ,2nd and also third on site o with 3 different feelings

That is EL/Ill/Hell/Hill Salvador (El Salvador--Latin America) ......

I can tell why I used many thing like Ill, Hell and Hill ...hmm but not now anymore... In one word I can say, I had 3 business trips this place I started to El .. And returns with ILL next time it seems HELL to me I tried my level best to stop travel ... but my last (longest of all) is very good with Hill stations and ends all my trips Well.

I have been to most parts of the country and never had a problem. When travelling take taxis (they are cheap) and never take the bus or local minibuses. They can be a bit dangerous.

After few visits and making best amigos and Amigas (FRIENDS), I'm happy to say El Salvador is great place and people I met.

San Salvador is a good place where the shopping and nightlife is as good as you will get anywhere in the region. There are poorer areas which can be hazardous but if you take care, you will enjoy the life

San Salvador is capital of country , is a modern city of wide boulevards and narrow streets, outdoor markets, government buildings, high-rises, monuments, an exuberant nightlife, museums and other cultural institutions all set against the backdrop of San Salvador volcano. The city is surrounded by shantytowns as well as affluent suburbs with restaurants and large shopping malls.

Language

Spanish is the official language and is spoken by virtually all inhabitants (some indigenous people still speak their native tongues, but all speak Spanish). English is also spoken by some throughout the republic. Many Salvadorans have studied or lived in English-speaking countries (primarily the U.S., but also Canada and Australia).

The funniest part is my Spanish & English of Few Amigos (anyway they improved their English faster than My Spanish). I had good experience in my first trip I used call Roberto every time as mediator while speaking with Tester of course Google translator helped us a lot. Initial Days for me very tough to go out for shopping or eating ..I heard this place is very dangerous to go out , which is not true always we can go out in day but only problem is you should know min Spanish. Every Salvadorian likes Indians.. I was proud to say as I am Indian rather saying coming from Europe(I mean Cyprus).

Hindi is My National Language but i cant speak much and never tried to speak also, but i tried every day to speak Spanish( its a dead situation)......i succeeded little bit :).

FOOD

Popusa is a typical food of El Salvador. It's a maize flour dough which is made into a cup and filled typically with cheese and beans and then flattened into a pancake and lighltly fried. It´s served with pickled shredded cabbage and carrot and a tomtato salsa. WOWEEE! We were in taste bud heaven! (I ate in hotel Marriot did not feel much but after visiting wanting to taste the best pupusas in the country go to Puerta del Diablo(Door of Devil) Mountain.

Pupusas are a thick hand-made corn tortilla (made using masa de maíz or masa de arroz, a maize or rice flour dough used in Latin American cuisine) stuffed with one or more of the following: cheese (usually a soft Salvadoran cheese, a popular example is Quesillo con loroco), chicharrón, and refried beans. Loroco is a vine flower bud native to Central America. There are also vegetarian options, often with ayote (a type of squash) or garlic. Some adventurous restaurants even offer pupusas stuffed variety of local items.

Pupusa comes from the pipil-nahuatl word, pupushahua. The pupusa's exact origins are debated, although its presence in El Salvador is known to predate the arrival of Spaniards.

One of the most noticeable desserts that El Salvador has is fried plantain, usually accompanied with beans, cream, and cheese. It is one of El Salvador's great dishes in desserts. Although it is recognized as a dessert, Salvadorians usually eat fried plantain as breakfast or as a snack.

A drink that Salvadorians love is chuco, usually made out of purple corn. Chuco is made by soaking purple corn in water, then blending it and cooking the corn over a medium fire. The thickened drink is called chuco. Toasted pumpkin seeds and boiled beans are added to the drink

San Salvador is the capital and largest city of the nation of El Salvador. It is the third most populous city in Central America;. It looked nice and I shocked that i came to India instead of El Salvador , lovely looks like poor India. I also met the first of many real friendly people in El Salvador. My Dear Amigos, Muchas Gracias.
As a result, San Salvador contains affluent suburbs as well as slums, representing the discrepancy in the country's distribution of wealth. Still recovering in many ways from an extended history of violence, San Salvador can be sprawling, grimy and chaotic. But once compromising first impressions are set aside, many travelers will discover San Salvador's other side: friendly, globe-conscious, cultured -- even sophisticated.

“Unexpected Natural Beauty.”

If you have never seeing an up close volcano crater this is your chance. The views are exceptional and everything is so green. I love it.

San Salvador is located at the foot of the San Salvador Volcano in El Salvador’s Valle de las Hamazas – the Valley of the Hammocks – named for its powerful seismic activity

Othere places like Joya de Ceren, Joyas Negras are also good.

It was like being in the states with shopping malls, cinemas and fast food restarunts everywhere . Ummm not good. There were 5 of us so it wasnt to bad but being as all resturaunts shops and bars have "NO GUNS, KNIVES OR DRUGS" signs on the door. This wasnt a place you wanted to be lost in.A selection of top San Salvador shopping malls includes the Multiplaza mall, Galerias, Metrocentro, Moma Linsa, Ka Gran Via and El Paseo. The llopango marketplace east of the city center is the best place in San Salvador to shop for handicrafts and goods from local artisans, along with the Mercado de Artesanías near Zona Rosa.

The waterfall wasnt falling with water as it is dry season but it was still beautiful. Due to volcanic nature of the rocks it was made up of lots of hexagonal pillars giving the look of a giant black church organ . Definatley worth the visit.}

San Salvador Beaches(Pacific Ocean): Fooled me :( . There aren't any San Salvador beaches. However, the most popular beaches in El Salvador are at La Libertad, just half an hour from San Salvador. I went to one San Blas Beach ,which FULL of Rocks .One good thing is the waves( the biggest waves i ever seen) are awesome here .

Culture

San Salvador is a rich cultural city, with many places such as the historical center or downtown, which en marks some of the most beautiful architectures in town. One of the main historical places of the capital city is the National Theater. Recently remodeled, it was originally built in 1866. The National Palace keeps its original front, and combines neoclassic, neogothics and renaissance architectural details on its structure.

San Salvador also has other cultural places such as the El Salvador´s Art Museum (Museo de Arte de El Salvador, MARTE), the National Museum David J. Guzmán, the Luis Poma´s Theatre, and the museum for kids Tin Marin., among others.

For anyone thinking of going to El Salvador, DO! Its a beautiful country and a shame to miss..even its Dangerous for first trip then you used to be dangerous only when u met some Red Indians

to be continued....................................

History

El Salvador (Spanish: República de El Salvador, literally meaning "Republic of the Savior"; original name in Nahuatl was Cōzcatlān) is the smallest and also the most densely populated country in Central America.
It borders the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras.

In 2001 El Salvador dropped its own currency, the colón, and adopted the U.S. dollar instead.

Spanish rule

In the early sixteenth century, the Spanish conquistadors ventured into ports to extend their dominion to the area. They called the land "Provincia De Nuestro Señor Jesucristo El Salvador Del Mundo" ("Province of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World"), which was subsequently abbreviated to "El Salvador".
A thousand years ago a giant metropolis flourished in what is now El Salvador, rising from the ruins of Maya civilization