Ashok's Blog

10 Rarest Flowers in the World

2012-01-14T05:39:00.004+05:30

When spring is in full swing, there is no denying how beautiful the world looks. The trees get new leaves and with them come an array of colorful flowers. Here are the list of rare, endangered and in some cases extinct in the wild flowers. The reason most of these carry the title of rare, is because humans do not have the ability to work in perfect harmony with nature. Regardless of what drove them to become rarities, the following plants are far and few between, and having the opportunity to see one for yourself should be a celebrated occurrence.

10. Jade Vine - Strongylodon macrobotrys

The jade vine is a rare woody vine native to the tropical rainforests of the Philippines. It is a member of the pea and bean family and is closely related to kidney beans. The plant carries claw shaped flowers which grow from hanging trusses; they can reach up to three meters in length. The flower's color can vary from blue green to mint green. The species has proven extremely difficult to propagate, and is considered an endangered species due to the destruction of its habitat and a decrease in natural pollinators.

9. Corpse Flower - Rafflesia arnoldii

This fascinating flower is found mainly in low lying tropical rainforests of Indonesia. This is one of the world's rarest, most endangered and largest flowers and it can reach a total width of over a meter. The Rafflesia's survival is totally dependent on a specific vine called the Tetrastigma vine. As the Rafflesia is a bodiless, stemless, leafless, rootless parasite, it requires the vine for nourishment and support. It is also a carrion plant, which means that it releases a pungent rotten flesh smell when in bloom to attract flies and carrion beetles to aid in pollination. Once in bloom, the flower will only last about a week before dying.

8. Gibraltar Campion - Silene tomentosa

This species of Campion is particularly rare and is only found on the high cliffs of Gibraltar. This plant was believed extinct by the entire scientific community outside Gibraltar in the 1980s but the Gibraltar botanical section knew there were a few specimens left. Sadly, by 1992 all traces of the plant had vanished and it was declared extinct. In 1994 a single specimen was discovered by a climber on the inaccessible cliffs and the species came back to life. It was propagated at the millennium seed bank and specimens are grown at The Almeda Gibraltar Botanic Gardens as well as the Royal Botanic Gardens in London.

7. Franklin Tree - Franklinia alatamaha

This tree is a part of the tea family but is the sole species in its genus and a very rare flowering plant. The tree is native to the Altamaha river valley in Georgia, but has been extinct in the wild since the early 19th century. In fact this beautiful tree is only known today because of the Bartram family, who were avid horticulturists and propagated the tree before its extinction in the wild. The plant, which has fragrant white blooms and leaves that turn into a bright red color in fall, is now a popular ornamental plant. All the examples of this tree today stem from one of the trees propagated by the Bartram's.

6. Parrot's Beak - Lotus berthelotii

This is a beautiful flower that has been classed as exceedingly rare since 1884. It is believed to be completely extinct in the wild, but a few individuals might have survived. This stunning plant is endemic to the Canary Islands and is believed to have originally been pollinated by sunbirds, which have long since become extinct in the Canary Islands. This could help to explain the scarcity of the plant. Experiments have been undertaken to find new pollinators for the flowers, in hopes that they can successfully be reintroduced to the Islands, but as of 2008, no fruit had been successfully produced. The Parrot's beak is however cultivated in the horticulture trade, which can allow even you to own one!

5. Chocolate Cosmos - Cosmos atrosanguineus

This is a dark red to brown species of Cosmos, native to Mexico. Sadly it has been extinct in the wild for over a hundred years. The species survives today as a single non fertile clone, which was created in 1902 by vegetative propagation. The flowers which are produced by the plant are a rich deep red to brown color and grow to about 3-4 cm in diameter. The flowers have a lovely vanillin fragrance in the summer (also found in vanilla beans, some coffee beans and some cacao beans), which also makes it a wonderful ornamental plant.

4. Kokai - Kokai cookei

This is an extremely rare tree, endemic to Hawaii. It was discovered in 1860, at which time only three specimens could be found. The tree proved difficult to propagate, and by 1950, after the last seedling died, it was deemed extinct. In 1970 a sole survivor was found, which was sadly destroyed in a fire in 1978. Luckily one of the branches of that last remaining tree was saved, and grafted into 23 trees that exist today, all of which are situated in various places in Hawaii. The Kokai is a small tree that grows to about 10-11 meters high. Their most striking feature has to be the hundreds of bright red flowers that mature trees produce annually. Sadly that is a rarity which few will be privileged to see.

3. Yellow and Purple Lady Slippers - Cypripedium calceolus

This is an extremely rare type of wild orchid found across Europe. Britain's only example of this plant, which used to be more common and widespread, can be found on a golf course and has been under strict police protection since 1917. A single cutting can be sold for US$5000, which is shocking as the plant is very difficult to propagate. Its seeds bear no nourishment for the growing plant, so it lives in a symbiotic relationship with a specific type of fungus, which provides it with nourishment, until the adult leaves can produce enough nourishment for the plant, at which time the fungus will also live off it. There are many types of Lady slipper orchids, many of which are rare. This specific type, has dark purple to almost red brown tendrils with a bright yellow slipper or moccasin.

2. Ghost Orchid - Epipogium aphyllum

The Ghost orchid is a fascinating rare plant that was presumed extinct for almost 20 years, only recently did it rear its head again. The plant is so rare because it is basically impossible to propagate. It has no leaves, does not depend on photosynthesis and does not manufacture its own food. Like the Lady slipper, it needs a specific fungus in close contact with its root system, which feeds it. The Ghost orchid never grows leaves, and will therefore always depend on the fungus for its nourishment. The Ghost orchid can live underground for years, without showing any external signs and will only bloom when all conditions are optimum. This explains why some orchid enthusiasts search for years and years just to have a glimpse of this elusive flower.

1. Middlemist Red - Middlemist camellia

This is probably the rarest flowering plant in the world as there are only 2 known examples. One can be found in a garden in New Zealand and the other is situated in a greenhouse in Britain. The plant was originally brought to Britain from China by John Middlemist (after whom the plant was named) in 1804. It has since been completely wiped out in China. The plant in Britain remained barren for years and only started bearing flowers recently. The flowers are, contrary to its name, bright pink in color and look almost rose like. It is believed to be highly possible that more examples of this species has survived in people's gardens, unbeknown to them, as it was once sold directly to the public by John Middlemist.

Unanswered Questions

2012-01-06T18:01:00.000+05:30

If all the nations in the world are in debt (am not joking. even US has got debts), where did all the money go? (weird)

When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it? (to be given a thought)

What is the speed of darkness? (absurd)

If the black box flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff? (very good thinking)

Who copyrighted the copyright symbol? (who knows)
Can you cry under water? (let me try)

Why do people say, "you've been working like a dog" when dogs just sit around all day? (did they mean something else)

Why are the numbers on a calculator and a phone reversed? (God knows)
Do fish ever get thirsty? (let me ask and tell)

Can you get cornered in a round room? (by ones eyes)

Why do birds not fall out of trees when they sleep? (tonight i will stay and watch)

What came first, the fruit or the color orange? (seed)

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from? (No comments)

What should one call a male ladybird? (No comments)

If a person suffered from amnesia and then was cured would they remember that they forgot? (can somebody help)

Can you blow a balloon up under water? (yes u can)

Why is it called a 'building' when it is already built? (strange isn't it)

If you were traveling at the speed of sound and you turned on your radio would you be able to hear it? (got to think scientifically)

If you're traveling at the speed of light and you turn your headlights on, what happens? (i don't have a chance to try)

Why is it called a TV set when there is only one? (very nice)

If a person owns a piece of land do they own it all the way down to the core of the earth? (this is nice)

Why do most cars have speedometers that go up to at least 130 when you legally can't go that fast on any road? (stupid, break the law)

Coffee Bean Art

2011-12-30T23:44:00.000+05:30

You must've seen a lot of pictures of coffee artwork, with interesting and beautiful images on foam in the cup of coffee, but I guess you’ve never seen any of this kind of art. You can also make something interesting with coffee beans, so next time before you grind them, try to make something funny – use this article if you lack inspiration!

Global Seed Vault in Norway

2011-12-24T04:42:00.001+05:30

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norwegian: Svalbard globale frøhvelv) is a secure seedbank located on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen near the town of Longyearbyen in the remote Arctic Svalbard archipelago, about 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) from the North Pole. The facility preserves a wide variety of plant seeds in an underground cavern. The seeds are duplicate samples, or "spare" copies, of seeds held in gene banks worldwide. The seed vault will provide insurance against the loss of seeds in genebanks, as well as a refuge for seeds in the case of large-scale regional or global crises. The seed vault is managed under terms spelled out in a tripartite agreement between the Norwegian government, the Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT) and the Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen).

Construction of the seed vault, which cost approximately NOK 45 million (US$9 million), was funded entirely by the Government of Norway. Storage of seeds in the seed vault is free of charge. Operational costs will be paid by Norway and the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Primary funding for the Trust comes from organisations, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and from various governments worldwide. (link)

Facts About McDonald's That Will Blow Your Mind

2011-12-04T03:47:00.001+05:30

In 1992 when Rutgers professor Benjamin Barber coined the term "McWorld," there were 12,700 McDonald's worldwide. Today there are over 33,000.

The relentless spread of McDonald's over the past 61 years is an incredible business success story. In some markets the burger chain is just getting started, with plans to open 200 stores in China this year.

McDonald's serves 1% of the world's population every day

McDonald's sells more than 75 hamburgers every second

McDonald's' $24 billion in revenue makes it the 90th-largest economy in the world

Counting $32 billion in revenue from franchise stores, McDonald's claims the 68th biggest economy, bigger than Ecuador

McDonald's hires around 1 million workers in the US every year

This estimate from Fast Food Nation assumes a 700,000 domestic workforce with 150% turnover rate.

According to company estimates, one in every eight American workers has been employed by McDonald's some time

McDonald's is the world's largest distributor of toys, with one included in 20% of all sales

McDonald's' iconic golden arches are recognized by more people than the cross

A survey by Sponsorship Research International found that 88 percent could identify the arches and only 54 percent could name the Christian cross, according to Fast Food Nation.

The Queen of England owns a McDonald's near Buckingham Palace as part of her vast real estate portfolio

For the next three years, McDonald's is going to open one restaurant every day in China

McDonald's delivers in 18 countries!

Americans alone consume one billion pounds of beef at McDonald's in a year - five and a half million cattle

Accident is also an art.........See This..

2011-11-23T05:02:00.001+05:30

How Different Countries Debate in Parliaments/Congress

2011-11-17T19:31:00.001+05:30

CHINA

INDIA

ITALY

JAPAN

MEXICO

RUSSIA

SOUTH KOREA

TAIWAN

TURKEY

UKRAINE

A couple of secs.. (joke) ;)

2011-11-11T18:57:00.001+05:30

A little girl runs out to the backyard where her father is working, and asks him, "Daddy, what's Sex?"

"OK," he thinks, "this day was bound to come, and I'm not going to let my little princess learn about sex from the streets."

So, he sits her down, and tells her all about the birds and the bees. He tells her about conception, intercourse, puberty and menstruation.

Then she asks, "Daddy, what is 'A Couple'?"

And he carries on, "A couple is two people like your mom and me." And he goes on to describe gay, lesbianism, etc...

The father finally asks, "So why did you want to know about 'a couple' and 'Sex'?"

"Oh, mummy said lunch would be ready in a couple of secs..." the girl replies.

Moral: If you don't understand the question properly, even the well-described answers are useless.

World Cup 2022 - Doha, Qatar

2011-11-05T19:47:00.000+05:30

One small nation dared to dream...and dream BIG! Here's what happens when dreams come true!

FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

Umm Slal Stadium in Umm Slal. To be built. Expected capacity 45,120

Al-Khor Stadium in Al-Khor. To be built. Expected capacity: 45,330

DohaPort Stadium in Doha. To be built. Expected capacity: 44,950

The showpiece stadium and venue for the World Cup final, the Lusail Iconic Stadium will be a masterpiece of engineering.

EducationCityStadium in Al-Rayyan. To be built. Expected capacity 45,350

Lusail Iconic Stadium in Al-Daayen. To be built. expected capacity 86,250

SportsCity Stadium in Doha. To be built. Expected capacity 47,560

The stadium is located in south eastern Qatar, albeit just 40 miles from Doha. It's shape bears similarities to a nearby fort that is one of the most important landmarks of Qatar, The Umm Salal Mohammed Fort

Al-Shamal Stadium in Al-Shamal. To be built. Expected capacity: 45,120

The stadium's shape derives from traditional fishing boats known as 'dhow'

To combat the searing heat, air conditioning units will be installed in this and all of the other stadiums

Al-Wakrah Stadium in Al-Wakrah. To be built. Expected capacity 45,120

Following the World Cup, the stadium will be downsized to 25,000 seats for use by the University hockey team

Built in 2003 and currently with a capacity of just 25,000, the Al-Gharrafa Stadium will require significant redvelopment to achieve the vision below

Khalifa International Satdium in Al-Rayyan. Major renovation. Expected capacity 68,030

And here's how the stadium, designed by Albert Speer Partner, will look from across the harbour

Al-Gharrafa Stadium in Al-Rayyan. Major renovation. Expected capacity: 44,740

Worldwide Death Facts

2011-10-31T05:46:00.004+05:30

Man and a boy in airplane (joke)

2011-10-22T18:26:00.001+05:30

A man was seated next to a boy in an airplane. He was feeling bored so he turns to the boy and says, Lets talk.

The boy, surprised, asks "What do we talk about?"

Man replies, how about the nuclear power?

Confused, the boy says, before that let me me ask you a question...

The boy continues, "Horse, Cow and Deer, all eat the same grass. Yet deer excretes pellets, cow flat potty and horse clumps. Why?"

Surprise over boy's knowledge, the man simply says "I don't know".

The boy asks, "Do you really feel enough qualified to discuss nuclear issues when you don't even know shit?"

Moral: Don't judge a person by appearance. Some times, even kids might be more knowledgable than adults

Interesting but True Facts

2011-10-13T04:15:00.000+05:30

The Statue of Liberty's index finger is eight feet long

Rain has never been recorded in some parts of the Atacama Desert in Chile

A 75 year old person will have slept about 23 years.

A Boeing 747's wing span is longer than the Wright brother's first flight. the Wright brother's invented the airplane)

There are as many chickens on earth as there are humans.

One type of hummingbird weighs less than a penny

The word "set " has the most number of definitions in the English language;192

Slugs have four noses

Sharks can live up to 100 years

Mosquitoes are more attracted to the color blue than any other color.

Kangaroos can't walk backwards

About 75 acres of pizza are eaten in in the U.S. Everyday

The largest recorded snowflake was 15in wide and 8in thick. It fell in Montana in 1887

The tip of a bullwhip moves so fast that the sound it makes is actually a tiny sonic boom.

Former president Bill Clinton only sent 2 emails in his entire 8 year presidency

Koalas and humans are the only animals that have finger prints

There are 200,000,000 insects for every one human

It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery had in it to begin with.

The world's largest Montessori school is in India, with 26,312 students in 2002

Octopus have three hearts

If you ate too many carrots, you'd turn orange

The average person spends two weeks waiting for a traffic light to change.

1 in 2,000,000,000 people will live to be 116 or old

The body has 2-3 million sweat glands

Sperm whales have the biggest brains; 20 lbs

Tiger shark embryos fight each other in their mother's womb. The survivor is born.

Most cats are left pawed

250 people have fallen off the Leaning Tower of Pisa

A Blue whale's tongue weighs more than an elephant

You use 14 muscles to smile and 43 to frown. Keep Smiling!

Bamboo can grow up to 3 ft in 24 hours

An eyeball weighs about 1 ounce

Bone is five times stronger than steel.

Creative Bedding Interiors

2011-10-08T06:06:00.000+05:30

The Office of Dreams - Googleplex

2011-10-01T17:08:00.002+05:30

Google's corporate headquarters, fondly nicknamed the Googleplex, is located in Mountain View, California. Today its one of many offices Google have around the globe. While Google offices are not identical, they tend to share some essential elements. Here are a few things you might see in a Google workspace:

Local expressions of each location, from a mural in Buenos Aires to ski gondolas in Zurich, showcasing each offices region and personality.
Bicycles or scooters for efficient travel between meetings; dogs; lava lamps; massage chairs; large inflatable balls.
Googlers sharing cubes, yurts and huddle rooms and very few solo offices.
Laptops everywhere- standard issue for mobile coding, email on the go and note-taking.
Football, pool tables, volleyball courts, assorted video games, pianos, ping pong tables, and gyms that offer yoga and dance classes.
Grassroots employee groups for all interests, like meditation, film, wine tasting and salsa dancing.
Healthy lunches and dinners for all staff at a variety of cafes.
Break rooms packed with a variety of snacks and drinks to keep Googlers going.

Weight Loss Program (Funny Story!)

2011-09-25T19:44:00.000+05:30

A man calls a company and orders their 5-day, 10 lb. weight loss program.

The next day, there's a knock on the door and there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a sign around her neck.

She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company.

The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."

Without a second thought, he takes off after her.

A few miles later huffing and puffing, he finally gives up.

The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens.

On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 10 lbs. as promised.

He calls the company and orders their 5-day/20 pound program.

The next day there's a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning and beautiful woman he has ever seen in his life.

She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads, "If you catch me you can have me."

Well, he's out the door after her like a shot.

This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck.

So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually getting in better and better shape.

Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers that he has lost another 20 lbs. as promised.

He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/50 pound program.

"Are you sure?" asks the representative on the phone. "This is our most rigorous program."

"Absolutely," he replies, "I haven't felt this good in years."

The next day there's a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that reads,"If I catch you, you are mine!!!"

He lost 63 pounds that week.

Portraits Made Out of Cassette Tapes - Amazing Collection

2011-09-14T03:38:00.000+05:30

The Real Driving Adventure - Hummer Tours

2011-09-11T04:11:00.000+05:30

Funny and Hilarious Jokes (No Offense) ;)

2011-09-07T05:14:00.001+05:30

1. The Old Nun:

An old nun who was living in a convent next to a construction site noticed the coarse language of the workers and decided to spend some time with them to correct their ways.

She decided she would take her lunch, sit with the workers and talk with them.

She put her sandwich in a brown bag and walked over to the spot where the men were eating. She walked up to the group and with a big smile said, "And do you men know Jesus Christ?"

They shook their heads and looked at each other very confused. One of the workers looked up into the steelworks and yelled out, "Anybody up there know Jesus Christ?"

One of the steel workers yelled down "Why?"

The worker yelled back, "Cos his wife's here with his lunch.

2. Burial in Jerusalem:

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation in Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her buried here in the Holy Land for $150 or we can have her shipped back home for $5000.

The husband thought about it and told the undertaker he would have her shipped back home. The undertaker asked him, "Why would you spend $5000 to have her shipped home when you could have a beautiful burial here, and it would only cost $150?"

the husband replied, "Long ago, I heard that a man died here, was buried here, and three days later, rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance!

3. 40 years of marriage:

A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant..

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table..

She said, 'For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.

The wife answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband.

The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment: 'Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish. So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!...the husband became 92 years old

Moral: Men who are ungrateful bastards should remember fairies are female.

4. Cannibal Story:

Cannibal was walking through the jungle and came upon a restaurant operated by a fellow cannibal. Feeling somewhat hungry, he sat down and looked over the menu

Sun Grilled Tourist: $5.00
Broiled Missionary: $7.00
Fried Explorer with garlic: $9.00
Freshly Baked Politicians: $150.00

The cannibal called the waiter over and asked, 'Why such a huge price difference for the Politicians?'

The cook replied, 'Have you ever tried to clean one? Â They're so full of shit, it takes all morning!'

5. Talking Parrot:

A woman went to a pet shop and immediately spotted a large, beautiful parrot. There was a sign on the cage that said $50.

"Why so little?" she asked the pet store owner.

The owner looked at her and said, "Look, I should tell you first that this bird used to live in a house of prostitution, and sometimes it says some pretty vulgar stuff."

The woman thought about this, but decided she had to have the bird anyway. She took it home and hung the bird's cage up in her living room and waited for it to say something.

The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said,"New house, new madam."

The woman was a bit shocked at the implication, but then thought "that's really not so bad."

When her two teenage daughters returned from school, the bird saw them and said, "New house, new madam, new girls."

The girls and the woman were a bit offended but then began to laugh about the situation considering how and where the parrot had been raised.

Moments later, the woman's husband Keith came home from work.

The bird looked at him and said, "Hi John."

... Then the fight started!

6. The Deaf Bookkeeper:

A Mafia Godfather finds out that his bookkeeper, Enzo, has cheated him out of 10 million bucks. His bookkeeper is deaf. That was the reason he got the job in the first place.Â It was assumed that Enzo would hear nothing that he might have to testify about in court.

When the Godfather goes to confront Enzo about his missing $10 million, he takes along his lawyer who knows sign language.

The Godfather tells the lawyer, "Ask him where the 10 million bucks are, that he embezzled from me."

The lawyer, using sign language, asks Enzo where the money is.Â Enzo signs back, "I don't know what you are talking about."

The lawyer tells the Godfather, "He says he doesn't know what you are talking about."

The Godfather pulls out a pistol, puts it to Enzo's temple and says, "Ask him again!"

The lawyer signs to Enzo, "He'll kill you if you don't tell him."

Enzo signs back, "OK. You win!Â The money is in a brown briefcase, buried behind the shed in my cousin Bruno's backyard in Woodbridge!"

The Godfather asks the lawyer, "What did he say?"

The lawyer replies, "He says you don't have the guts to pull the trigger."

7. Party Crashers:

The host at a party was getting worried because there were too many people and not enough refreshments.

She was sure that not all of these people had been invited but didn't know how to tell which ones were the crashers. Then her husband got an idea.

He turned to the crowd of guests and said "Will those who are from the bride's side of the family stand up please?" About twenty people stood.

Then he asked "Will those who are from the groom's side of the family stand up as well?" About twenty-five people stood up.

Then he smiled and said, "Will all those who stood please leave. This is a birthday party!"

8. Conversation with God:

Man: God?
God: Yes?

Man: Can I ask you something?
God: Of course!

Man: What is for you a million of years?
God: A second.

Man: And a million dollars?
God: A penny.

Man: God, Can you give me a penny?
God: Wait a second.

Russia to Open Space Hotel by 2016

2011-09-05T16:07:00.000+05:30

A Russian company by the name of Orbital Technologies plans to build the world's first space hotel as a commercial alternative to the International Space Station. The hotel which is officially called Commercial Space Station will orbit at a height of some 350 kilometers above the earth and will have room for seven guest in four cabins with the most incredible views you're likely to get out of a window. The images in this gallery are all computer generated, of course.

Passengers will be taken aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. While floating above the earth, guests will be able to watch TV and surf the internet. In the gravity free space cabins guests will have the option to sleep either vertically or horizontally. Washing will be done with wet-wipes, and toilets will use flowing air to move waste through the system and waste water will be recycled and filtered along with the air. Food prepared on earth will be freeze dried before being carried to the hotel. Also alcohol will be strictly prohibited.

A five-day package, not including the two day trip in both directions aboard a Soyuz rocket, will cost close to a million dollars. Orbital Technologies says that the design and development of the space station is underway, and it is expected to launch in 2016.

Most complicated watches on earth

2011-09-04T16:37:00.000+05:30

Management Lessons from the Great Epic - Mahabharata

2011-09-03T18:47:00.000+05:30

1. Transform your weakness into strength

Like how Pandavas transformed their weaknesses to strengths during the years of exile, you need to have the urge to improve on your weakness. Mahabarata gives many an examples to highlight the importance of utilizing time to overcoming your skills like how Arjuna went on a mission to attain the Divyastras or Yudhisthira mastered the Game of Dice. You need to have the passion to dedicate adequate time to learn those skills that can help you overcome your weakness only by which you can be a great manager.

2. Share your responsibilities

Efficiently sharing responsibilities is the mark of a good manager and the great Indian epic gives the best example for this. Pandavas fought the war as one team with one goal in mind while Kauravas lacked the team spirit and they all fought individual wars. It advises the managers not to make the decision-making process a dictatorial one, rather involve everyone so that the best of ideas will pop up.

3. Learn the art of teamwork

It was not a common war for Kauravas as they never showed the unity. But the way Pandavas fought is a lesson for managers as it highlights the significance of sticking on to the common goal while meeting the individual targets. The great story teaches the golden lesson that only a combined effort can bring in success.

4. Know the ground realities

Pandavas spent one year in exile with the poor people and the years of exile helped them to reach out to people from various strata of the society while Kauravas had no experience of the ground reality as they lived a royal life. Managers need to understand the realities to lead their team in the right direction. They need to break the barriers to get in touch with their subordinates to understand their problems and identify ways to make their work easier.

5. Take calculated risks

Krishna has acted as a greatest crisis manager showing how to take calculated risks at the time of crisis. Management is all about taking calculated risks. Shying away from challenges is not a sign of management, rather well-assessed decisions to on facing the challenges is the trademark of good management.

Funny Signboards

2011-09-02T07:05:00.000+05:30

So true...!!

2011-08-10T04:21:00.000+05:30

1 stone is enough to break a glass.
1sentence is enough to break a heart.
1sec is enough to fall in love.

But y d hell 1chapter is not enough to pass in exam...???

A boy's eye is
Faster than Google in searching a
Beautiful girl in crowd...
:
But
:
A boy's heart is slower than
Governments bus while
Proposing a Girl whom he truly
Loves.

"COLLEGE n SCHOOL are d nickname of HEAVEN"

Hmmm.....
Dats y it is said dat
"COUPLES r made in HEAVEN.

My Teacher pointed at me with a Ruler & said:
At the End of this Ruler is an Idiot I still don't get why I got rusticated.
I only asked him, Which End Sir?

Professor: What's attention deficit hyperactive disorder?
Student: jimbalakadi bamba.
Professor: Sorry, I don't undrstnd what u said?
Student: Same here sir!

Father to son: why don't u just go and study?
Son: what for?
Father: U'll get good marks...
Son: then?
Father: U'll get good job.
......Son: then?
Father: U'll have big house, new car.
Son: so what after that?
Father: after that U'll relax.
Son: so what do u think I m doing right now???

Announcement in University:

"The students who have parked their cars on the driveway, please move them"

Another announcement after 20 minutes:

"The 200 students who went to move 9 cars please return to their respective classes"

Ugly Truth:

In Bed,
It's 6AM,
You Close Your Eyes for 5 mins...
...& it's 7:45

But in Office,
It's 9:30am
You Close Your Eyes for 5 mins...
& It's Still 9:31

EIGHT GIFTS THAT DON'T COST A CENT

2011-08-08T05:18:00.002+05:30

This simple checklist can help measure how you are nurturing your relationships.

The Gift of Listening
But you must really listen. Don't interrupt, don't daydream, don't plan your response. Just listen.

The Gift of Affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

The Gift of Laughter
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

The Gift of Solitude
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The Gift of a Favor
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

The Gift of a Written Note
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.

The Gift of a Compliment
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job," or
"That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.

Intelligent Advertising

2011-08-06T05:15:00.003+05:30