Pearls of Love & Wisdom Shared by My Parents

Edmonton-Leduc NDP Riding Association Executive

2011-11-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

Steve Jobs - Visionary Technology Leader

2011-10-05T22:39:00.000-07:00

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. 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. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.

This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope it's the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much.

Jack Layton's Last Letter to Canadians

2011-08-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner, Olivia, to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the new year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope.

Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made a historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world.

There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one - a country of greater equality, justice and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you.

My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.

All my very best,
Jack Layton

Family Summer Trip to Niagara Falls

2011-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Family Summer Trip to New York

2011-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Family Summer Trip to Washington DC

2011-07-09T00:00:00.001-07:00

Vinod's teachers share healthy snacks guidelines ...

2011-07-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Healthy Snacks for Healthy Children - A book by Vinod's class teachers

Happy Birthday & Happy Fathers Day !!!

2011-06-19T21:28:00.001-07:00

New Healthy Eating Guidelines

2011-06-02T08:56:00.001-07:00

Vikram's team soccer play

2011-05-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Edmonton ACA Ugadi Cultural Celebrations - April 2011

2011-04-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Vikram's School Award

2011-04-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Vinod's trip to Washington DC

2011-03-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

My grandson Vinod described the details of his trip to Washington DC as part of his illustrated book publishing assignment in his Kindergarten.

Progressive Ideas for New Era

2011-02-11T04:53:00.000-08:00

In Memory of Kannabiran

2011-01-26T22:02:00.000-08:00

Anu's Farewell at Allied Telesis Inc.(ATI): http://www.alliedtelesis.com/

2011-01-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

This Friday is my last day at Allied Telesis Inc.(ATI). After almost 10 years of journey with ATI in two different Engineering roles, I am moving on with a new opportunity at Blue Coat Systems Inc.

I greatly appreciate all that I have learned and the opportunities that I have been given here. I am truly leaving here with mixed feelings; happy about my new career opportunity but sad to be leaving such a great company where I have so many wonderful friends and colleagues.

I would like to sincerely thank each of you for every experience shared, friendship made, opportunity offered, insights given and good times had during my tenure.

I wish you and ATI great success & much happiness in all your future endeavors.

With Best Regards,
Anu Kasani

Prabhat & His Loving Parents Visit to India From November 24th 2010 - December 25th 2010

2011-01-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year - 2011

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Heading into new year...

2010-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

http://www.desi-cable.com/

For TV9,Gemini, MaaTv, EeTV:

http://www.desi-cable.com/LiveTV.htm

Congratulations to Bala garu on 60 years celebration

2010-12-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from Vinod's class

2010-12-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

Welcome To Ankur Multicultural Show

2010-12-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

Ankur Canada promotes multicultural activities in Canada. This great organization was founded in 2005 by Dr. Maiti and eight other open-minded individuals.

Arts are the signature of civilization. Arts bring people together. People are similar in heart and spirit. They experiencethe same emotions no matter what language they speak, what colour they are or what belief they follow. We are the same. Canada has embraced diversity both in policy and practice.
The performers translate feelings of joy and sadness into song, music, dance and drama. What we hear in the concert hall is a translation of another beings heartbeat and breathing pattern.

“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, and a poet must write if he is to be peace with himself."

Canada reflects a cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity that is found nowhere else on the earth. This is what makes Canada a great country.

Visit to Alberta Legislature

2010-11-24T20:04:00.001-08:00

Grassroots Movement - Reboot Alberta

2010-11-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

Ken Chapman describes himself as a political animal, and as a founder of grassroots movement Reboot Alberta, his evident enthusiasm for policy, process and even the occasional conflict clearly mark him as a member of that species. But the inclination that the lawyer and founder of Cambridge Strategies Inc. shows towards consensus building and reconciliation, not to mention his dedication to mastering new media, mark him as a more highly evolved member of the typically noisy and rancorous tribe. Chapman’s dedication to the public interest, both through his political work and his volunteer efforts, earned him the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2004.

http://ken-chapman.blogspot.com/
http://www.albertaparty.ca/

Cambridge Strategies Inc.
Suite 208, Empire Bldg
10080 Jasper Ave
Edmonton, AB T5J 1V9 Canada
Phone: (780) 420-0505
Skype:(780) 420-0505
Fax: (780) 420-1256

Alberta New DEMOCRATS’ – 44th Annual Convention 2010 at Red Deer...

2010-11-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

Thought For The Day

2010-11-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

· Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.

· Do not fear going forward slowly; fear only to stand still.

· So many fail because they don't get started - they don't go. They don't overcome inertia. They don't begin.

· Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

· Mistakes are the portals of discovery.

· The future you see is the future you get.

· Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are.

· Success in any endeavour does not happen by accident. Rather, it's the result of deliberate decisions, conscious effort, and immense persistence... all directed at specific goals.

· Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.

· The secret of greatness is simple: do better work than any other man in your field - and keep on doing it.

Happy Diwali - May the spirit of light illuminate the world.

2010-11-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Ajay Naana!

2010-10-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

Dear All – yesterday I attended a class on Leadership & Effective Communication, sponsored by Microsoft. At the end, the class voted for 2 people and this is the book that I got for being one of the 2, with autographs from class.

Have a nice Halloween celebration. We are going to Commons place in Microsoft campus to celebrate with Pragathi in princess costume.

Love,
Ajay

Democratic Renewal Project aims to help progressive candidates

2010-10-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 25, 2010
By Richard Warnica, Edmonton Journal

The Alberta Democratic renewal project, a group trying to unite the Liberals and NDP, held a members' meeting at the Stanley A. Milner Library in Edmonton on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010.

Photographed by:
Larry Wong, edmontonjournal.com
EDMONTON - It's Sunday afternoon and Mo Elsalhy is standing at the front of a windowless room in the Stanley A. Milner Library.

Elsalhy, a one-time Liberal MLA, is telling a story from his time in the legislature, when he represented the riding of Edmonton-McClung.

Whenever he would speak, Elsalhy tells the crowd, the New Democrats who sat around him would mostly nod -- except for their leader. Brian Mason, he says, would always find some minute point of difference between the two parties and pick away at it, needling at the Liberals rather than focusing his attack on the government.

As he speaks, Elsalhy shakes his head. It's as if he still can't believe that in a province where the government hasn't changed in 40 years, the opposition parties would spend so much time sniping at each other.

With last week's victory by Naheed Nenshi, a political outsider who stunned two established candidates to become Calgary's mayor, there's a renewed sense by some that Albertans are anxious for political change.

But at the provincial level, it's not clear who could or would benefit from that kind of surge.

Elsalhy was speaking Sunday to one group that thinks they have the answer. The organizers of the Democratic Renewal Project (DRP) want progressive parties to co-operate ahead of the 2012 election.

Elsalhy hopes the group will set up a website that would endorse credible progressive candidates in every riding -- something that could help him recapture his seat.

But the group itself is aiming higher, hoping to have leftist parties work together in more formal ways.

The movement has the support of the provincial Liberals, who voted in favour of co-operation at their last party convention. But it has been roundly rejected by the NDP.

The DRP also faces competition. The Alberta Party, a still young organization, aims to appeal to those turned off by party politics.

Chris LaBossiere, the party president, said many of their members in Calgary worked on the Nenshi campaign. Alberta Party supporters were also involved in Stephen Mandel's re-election drive in Edmonton, La-Bossiere said.

"Those campaigns showed there's an appetite for a new way," said Michael Walters, the party's main organizer.

The Alberta Party brass, however, don't think too highly of the DRP approach.

Walters called the group "well intentioned," but said what they are attempting is a "confused courtship" among disparate groups.

Besides, he said, the Liberals and New Democrats "haven't resonated with Albertans," on their own and he doesn't know why they would do better as a kind of informal scramble.

The Alberta Party doesn't yet have a platform. Its first policy convention is scheduled for November.

But Alvin Finkel, the co-chair of the Democratic Renewal Project, thinks the group will eventually be branded as progressive whether they like it or not.

"My hope is that they would be willing to work with other parties," Finkel said.

Finkel acknowledged that the Liberals and New Democrats have a brand problem in Alberta. There are some in the province who won't vote for either party just because of their names, he said. Part of the goal for the DRP, then, is to get voters to look beyond the labels and concentrate on the issues.

"The idea that we represent has spread quite a bit," he said. "There is a great deal of interest in what we're doing."

Back at the Library, Elsalhy continued his talk. The goal, he said, should be to focus on the Conservative government, not on each other.

"If we don't get our act together," he said, "we don't deserve to govern."

rwarnica@edmontonjournal.com

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

Bathukamma Celebrations in Edmonton, Canada

2010-10-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

పల్లె నుండి బయలుదేరిన బతుకమ్మ ఇవాళ ప్రపంచ వ్యాప్తంగా తెలంగాణ ప్రజలకు,తెలుగు ప్రజలకు ఒక ప్రముఖమైన సాంస్కృతిక చిహ్నంగా మారిపోయింది. ఖండాంతరాల్లో విస్తరించిన తెలుగు ప్రజలు, బతుకమ్మ పండుగను తమ పల్లెల సంస్కృతిని ప్రతిబింబిస్తూ అపురూపంగా జరుపుకుంటున్నారు. ఆనందించాల్సిన విషయమేమిటంటే – తెలంగాణ ప్రజలే కాదు, తెలుగు నేల నాలుగు మూలలనుండి వచ్చిన తెలుగు వారంతా బతుకమ్మను తమ పండుగగా, తమ సాంస్కృతిక వారసత్వంగా స్వీకరించి సగర్వంగా జరుపుకుంటున్నారు. ఈ రీతిలో పూలు, పాట, నీటితో ప్రకృతి ఆనందోత్సవాన్ని సంబరంగా జరుపుకునే పండుగ ప్రపంచంలో ఇంకెక్కడా లేకపోవడం తెలుగు వారి ప్రత్యేకతా, విశేషమున్నూ. తెలుగు ప్రజలంతా గర్వించాల్సిన సాంస్కృతిక అపురూప సంపద మన బతుకమ్మ పండుగ.

Dad & Son at the Edmonton Airport

2010-10-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Dear All - I am using the free wi-fi at the beautiful Edmonton International airport. I am at the gate and our flight is slightly delayed. Rani and Pragathi Konda are coming to receive me at Seattle airport. I finished customs/immigration formalities here and relaxing at the gate.

We had a great time in Edmonton - continuing the series of Ammma-Nana association with Chinna family @ Bay Area, awesome Atlanta get-together, Pragathi konda's borthday celebration @ Seattle. We met all the friends in Edmonton and they enquired about Akkaiah, Kamalesh bava, Vikram, Vinod and also Chinna, Sreenath bava, Prabhat, Rani and Pragathi Konda.

With Love

Ajay

Gandhi Jayanthi

2010-10-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

గాంధి! ఈ పేరు స్ఫురణకు రాగానే చంటి పిల్లలనుంచి చరమాంకానికి చేరువవుతున్న వృద్ధుల వరకు ఒకే భావన ఉప్పొంగుతుంది. మన "బాపు" అంటూ ప్రతి ఇంటా ఆ పేరు జేగంటై మ్రోగుతుంది. ఆయన మహాత్ముడు. మహా వైశాల్యంగల ఒక దేశ ప్రజానీకాన్ని ఒకే తాటిపై నడిపించగలిగిన మహిమాన్వితుడు. తనపట్ల ఏకైక భావనను ఏక కాలంలో కలిగేట్లు చేయగలిగిన సమ్మోహన శక్తి కల...ిగిన గాంధి ప్రపంచ దేశాల్లోనూ అదే విధమైన అభిమానాన్ని పొందినవాడు కావడం ఒక చారిత్రక విప్లవం.

Family and Friends Get Together in Atlanta

2010-10-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

In memory of Tilak - VV

2010-09-28T00:27:00.000-07:00

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose"

See a failure as a challenge to modify your approach!

2010-09-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

“If we don't see a failure as a challenge to modify our approach, but rather as a problem with ourselves, as a personality defect, we will immediately feel overwhelmed.”

-Anthony Robbins

If you want to know me, listen to me
If you want to strengthen me, point out my gifts and talents
If you want to motivate me,find the incentives that drive me
If you want to direct me, persuade me with the benefits
If you want to make me feel important,Invite me
If you want me to live a life of purpose, equip me with values
If you want to protect me, create safe boundaries around me
If you want to encourage me, be available when I am challenged
If you want to energize me, ignite me with your enthusiasm
If you want to challenge me, help me learn mistakes are ok
If you want me to have an accurate self, give me responsibilities
If you want me to value others love me!
-Author Unknown

నా తెలంగాణ కోటి వజ్రాయుధాల ఖనిజం. కోటి సత్యాల ఖజానా. తుదిలేని అక్షర సామ్రాజ్యం. అది విమోచనల మహామేరువు : Excerpt from Andhra Jyothi News Paper

2010-09-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

తెలంగాణ ఒరలో 'వజ్రాయుధం'

ప్రముఖ సాహితీవేత్త, కవి, విమర్శకుడు ఆవంత్స సోమసుందర్‌ను పిఠాపురంలోని అతని నివాసంలో నేను కలవడం జరిగింది. 85 సంవత్సరాల వయస్సులో అనారోగ్యంతో బాధపడుతూ కూడ ఆయన ఉత్సాహాన్ని కూడగట్టుకుని మాట్లాడారు. సోమసుందర్‌ను కలిసేందుకు వెళ్లడానికి ప్రధాన కారణం ఆనాటి వీర తెలంగాణ సాయుధ పోరాటంలో ఆయన సాహిత్యం ద్వారా పాలుపంచుకున్నాడు.

తన ఒంటికి తెలంగాణ మట్టిని రాసుకుని వజ్రాయుధం అన్న కవిత్వాన్ని తెలుగు ప్రజలకు అందించాడు. సోమసుందర్ ఆనవాళ్లు ఎక్కడున్నాయంటే వజ్రాయుధంలో వున్నాయని ఎవరైనా ఇట్టే చెబుతారు. ఈనాడు తెలంగాణ గడ్డమీద ఎగుస్తున్న వేరు తెలంగాణ ఉద్యమంపై ఆయన అభిప్రాయాలను తెలుసుకునేందుకే ఆయన దగ్గరకు వెళ్లాను. తెలంగాణ మట్టి నిన్ను వజ్రాయుధం కవిని చేసింది.

ఈనాడు ఆ మట్టిమీద ఎగుస్తున్న ప్రజల ఆకాంక్షలకు నువ్వు అక్షర రూపం అవుతావా అని ప్రశ్నించేందుకై పిఠాపురం వెళ్లాను.ఆయన ఏమీ తడుముకోకుండా తెలంగాణ ఆత్మగౌరవ పోరాటానికి తన సంపూర్ణ మద్దతును ప్రకటించారు. తన ఆరోగ్యం కుదుటపడితే తెలంగాణ గడ్డ మీద ఎగుస్తున్న సాహిత్య జెండాకు తన చేతులను కూడా అందిస్తానన్నాడు.

తెలంగాణ మట్టిమీద ప్రేముందని చెబుతూ ఈ తెలంగాణ ఉద్యమం గురించి ఒక వాక్యమైనా రాయని వాళ్లకంటే సోమసుందర్ ఎంతో నయమనిపించింది.తెలంగాణది ఆత్మగౌరవ పోరాటమని మీడియా ముందు తన ఇంట్లోనే సోమసుందర్ ప్రకటించారు. ఈ సందర్భంగా ఆయనతో మాట్లాడిన మాటలు చిన్న ఇంటర్వ్యూగా మారాయి.

? ఆనాడు వజ్రాయుధ కావ్యం రాసిన సోమసుందర్, ఈనాటి వేరు తెలంగాణ పోరాటాన్ని ఏమంటారు?
ఆత్మగౌరవం కోసం జరుగుతున్న పోరాటం ఉన్నత మైనది. ప్రస్తుతం తెలంగాణ, సీమాంధ్ర రెండు ప్రాంతా లలో కొందరు రాజకీయ, ఆర్థిక ఆధిపత్యం కోసం పెను గులాడుతున్నారు. ఈ సందర్భం చూసినప్పుడే నాకు కాస్తంత భయమేస్తుంది. సున్నితమైన అంశాలపై రెండు ప్రాంతాల ముఖ్యులు ఆలోచించాలి. ప్రజాస్వామిక ఆకాంక్షలను గౌరవించాలి.

? ఇప్పుడు నడుస్తున్న ఉద్యమంపై మీ అభిప్రాయం?
మలిదశ తెలంగాణ ఉద్యమానికి ఉద్యమ రూపం వచ్చింది. ఇంకా పూర్తి స్వభావం రాలేదు. విగర్ ఆఫ్ ది మూవ్‌మెంట్ ఎగ్జిగ్యూట్ కావటం లేదు. అందుకోసం వెయిట్ చేయవచ్చును.

? ఆనాడు వజ్రాయుధాన్ని ఏ స్ఫూర్తితో రాశారు?
1945 జనవరి దాకా రాశాను. 1945 మార్చి 8వ తేదీన వజ్రాయుధం విడుదలైంది. ఆధునిక పొలిటికల్ వొకాబిలిటీకి మొదటి పుస్తకం ఇది. వజ్రాయుధం రాగానే చిత్రం జరిగింది. మోస్ట్ పాజిటివ్ పీపుల్స్ వజ్రాయుధానికి వ్యతిరేకంగా మాట్లాడారు. ఒక వర్గం దాన్ని చూసి అదిరిపోయింది. కొందరు వ్యతిరేకించారు. సుంకర సత్యనారాయణ, వాసిరెడ్డి లాంటి వాళ్లు సమర్థించారు. విద్వాన్ విశ్వం లాంటివాళ్లు అటు ఇటుగా మాట్లాడారు. ఈ శతాబ్దానికి జ్ఞానమిచ్చిన పుస్తకంగా సుంకర అభివర్ణించారు. ఆంధ్ర భూస్వామ్య పెత్తందార్లతో పెనుగులాట మొదలైంది. తెలంగాణ సాయుధ పోరాటాన్ని రూపంగా తీసుకుని వజ్రాయుధం రాశాను.

? ఆ పుస్తకం రాశాక ఆదరణ గురించి ఆలోచించారా?
నేరుగా సాయుధ పోరాటంలోకి దూకాలనిపించింది. చండ్ర రాజేశ్వరరావును కలిశాను. ఆయన స్పందించారు. నా ఆవేశం చూసి తుపాకులేమైనా తీసుకు వచ్చావా? అని ఆయనడిగారు. చైనా వాళ్లనడిగి తీసుకువస్తానన్నాను. సాయుధ పోరాటంలో పాల్గొనాలని నీ దగ్గరకొచ్చా నన్నాను. తుపాకులు పేల్చేవారు తెలంగాణలో చాలా మంది వున్నారు. నువ్వు కవిత్వం రాసుకోపో! అని ఆయన అన్నాడు.

? వేరు తెలంగాణ పోరాటాన్ని మీరెలా అర్థం చేసు కుంటున్నారు?
1. సాహిత్య, సాంస్కృతిక ఉద్యమం
2. రాజకీయ ఉద్యమం
రెండు రకాలుగా ఈ ఉద్యమాన్ని అర్థం చేసుకోవచ్చు. ఆ రాజకీయ ఉద్యమంలో సందేహపావులుంటారు. రాజకీయంలో ఎవరి భావాలు వారికుంటాయి. రాజకీయాలలో పరిణితి లేకుండా ఆలోచించటం కూడా వుంటుంది. కాని సాహిత్య సాంస్కృతిక ఉద్యమానికి స్పష్టత ఉంటుంది. నిజాయితీ వుంటుంది. తెలంగాణ నేల నుంచి పెల్లుబుకుతున్న సాహిత్య, సాంస్కృతిక ఖజానాను చూసి ఆనందిస్తున్నాను. సాహిత్య రంగంలో కూడా రాజకీయరంగం మాదిరిగా తప్పించుకునేవాళ్లు వుంటారు. అయితే వారి సంఖ్య తక్కువ. తెలంగాణ సాహిత్యకారులలో ఏకాభిప్రాయం వుంది. దానిని అందరూ ఆహ్వానించవలసిందే. కాని రాజకీయ పార్టీలలో ఏకాభిప్రాయాలు తక్కువగా వుంటాయి. భిన్నాభిప్రాయాలు ఎక్కువగా వుంటాయి.

? అంపశయ్యపై భీష్ముడిగా వున్న మీరు ఎవరిది ధర్మయుద్ధమంటారు?
ధర్మం గెలుస్తుంది. ఆ ధర్మం తెలంగాణకు అనుకూలంగా వుంది. తెలంగాణ యుగ యుగాల దోపిడీ, రాపిడీలో ప్రాణంలేని నత్తలాగ బతికింది. అది విజృంభిస్తుంది. అది ఉద్యమానికే కొత్త జీవికనిస్తుంది. కొత్త జీవితాన్నిస్తుంది. తెలుగు అక్షరానికే ఆ ఉద్యమం నవజీవనమౌతుంది.

? ఈ ఉద్యమంలో మీ పాత్ర?
నా ఆరోగ్యం అంపశయ్యపై వుంది. అది ఏ మాత్రం కుదుటపడ్డా తెలంగాణ ఉద్యమానికి, సత్యాన్ని చాటడానికి నా రెండు చేతులెత్తి ఉద్యమానికి నమస్కరించి మద్దతు తెలియజేస్తాను. నిర్ద్వంద్వంగా తెలంగాణ తన ప్రాణం కోసం, తన వునికి కోసం, తన అస్తిత్వం కోసం, ఆత్మ గౌరవ నినాదంతో దూసుకుపోతుంది. ఆ నేపథ్యంలోనే తెలంగాణ నుంచి కుప్పలు తెప్పలుగా ఒక నదిలాగా సాహిత్య, కళారంగాలు ప్రవహిస్తున్నాయి.

ఈ సందర్భంగా ఆయన తన చేతి రాతతో కాగితంపై ఏవో కొన్ని గీతలు గీసి యిచ్చాడు. అవేమిటంటే 'ఆత్మగౌరవం కోసం మనిషి ఎన్ని పోరాటాలు జరిపినా మానవీయ మహా సమరం తుదిశ్వాస విడువదు. తుది విజయం సాధించేంతవరకు ఈ సమరం సమాప్తం కాదు. నా తెలంగాణ కోటి వజ్రాయుధాల ఖనిజం. కోటి సత్యాల ఖజానా. తుదిలేని అక్షర సామ్రాజ్యం. అది విమోచనల మహామేరువు.'

ఇంటర్వ్యూ: జూలూరు గౌరీశంకర్

Youngest to state all the U.S capitals - Shruthi Vairavan

2010-09-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Source: World Records

REDMOND, WA, USA -- 25 months old Shruthi Vairavan (the daughter of Siva and Palani Vairavan) can name all the United States capitals - setting the new world record for the Youngest to state all the U.S capitals.

Her mother, Mrs. Sivagami Arunachalam, says: "she has other talents too. She can identify all capital letters. She is the youngest as far as I have verified to tell all the US state capitals as of now.

"There are other kids who have said all the capitals but they are all above 27 months of age. Shruthi is the first to say all the capitals at a very young age of 25months."

"Shruthi is a very smart and intelligent girl. She loves to read books and paint on all surfaces that she can get a hold on (including her baby brother's tummy).

"Shruthi can recognise all capital letters and can count up to 30. Also Shruthi can identify basic colors. Shruthi has an amazing memory power that motivated us to teach her all state capitals. she is right now learning about countries and their capitals.

"Shruthi loves to listen and watch rhymes. She can sing more than 20 rhymes now. Shruthi is a very active kid and likes to explore a lot. Shruthi spends at least an hour with books in a day.

We either read to her or she flips the pages and identifies objects or characters on the books. This has been a routine in the family for more than a year now.

"We, Siva and Palani Vairavan are both software engineers. We make sure we dedicate at least an hour each with Shruthi per day. This has encouraged Shruthi's reading habit as well as given her a quality play time.

We would encourage and help Shruthi to attain what she aspires for. As far as stating the capitals, it has all been her dad's effort and all the credit goes to him. Palani has been her mentor on this."

A gift for you today to watch: Nana

2010-09-07T14:54:00.000-07:00

Thought For The Day

2010-09-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

In all things let reason be our guide. - Solon

Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life. -Herbert Otto

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
Charles Darwin

If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old. - Lord Chesterfield

జీవన ప్రయాణానికి ఆశే ఇంధనం - గమ్యాన్ని చేరడానికి అదే ఆలంబన

2010-08-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

అమ్మ చందమామని తెచ్చిస్తుందనే ఆశ
చిన్నప్పుడు బువ్వ తినిపిస్తుంది

తోటి పిల్లలతో ఆడుకోవచ్చనే ఆశ
బడికి పంపి అక్షరాలు దిద్దిస్తుంది

మంచి ఉద్యోగం వస్తుందనే ఆశ
ఉన్నత చదువులు చదివిస్తుంది

జీవితానికో తోడు కావాలనే ఆశ
పెళ్లి దాకా నడిపిస్తుంది

వంశాభివృద్ధి చెయ్యాలనే ఆశ
ముద్దులొలికే పిల్లల్ని ఇస్తుంది

వాళ్ళకి మంచి జీవితాన్ని ఇవ్వాలనే ఆశ
కష్టబడి సంపాదించేటట్లు చేస్తుంది

శేష జీవితాన్ని ప్రశాంతంగా గడపాలనే ఆశ
పిల్లలమీద ఆధారపడేటట్లు చేస్తుంది

అది నిరాశ కాకూడదనే ఆశ
మరణందాకా నడిపిస్తుంది

జీవన ప్రయాణానికి ఆశే ఇంధనం
గమ్యాన్ని చేరడానికి అదే ఆలంబన

Innovation in Education - Bill Gates' favorite teacher - Sal Khan

2010-08-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

Khanacademy.org

FORTUNE -- Sal Khan, you can count Bill Gates as your newest fan. Gates is a voracious consumer of online education. This past spring a colleague at his small think tank, bgC3, e-mailed him about the nonprofit khanacademy.org, a vast digital trove of free mini-lectures all narrated by Khan, an ebullient, articulate Harvard MBA and former hedge fund manager. Gates replied within minutes. "This guy is amazing," he wrote. "It is awesome how much he has done with very little in the way of resources." Gates and his 11-year-old son, Rory, began soaking up videos, from algebra to biology. Then, several weeks ago, at the Aspen Ideas Festival in front of 2,000 people, Gates gave the 33-year-old Khan a shout-out that any entrepreneur would kill for. Ruminating on what he called the "mind-blowing misallocation" of resources away from education, Gates touted the "unbelievable" 10- to 15-minute Khan Academy tutorials "I've been using with my kids." With admiration and surprise, the world's second-richest person noted that Khan "was a hedge fund guy making lots of money." Now, Gates said, "I'd say we've moved about 160 IQ points from the hedge fund category to the teaching-many-people-in-a-leveraged-way category. It was a good day his wife let him quit his job." Khan wasn't even there -- he learned of Gates' praise through a YouTube video. "It was really cool," Khan says.

In an undistinguished ranch house off the main freeway of Silicon Valley, in a converted walk-in closet filled with a few hundred dollars' worth of video equipment and bookshelves and his toddler's red Elmo underfoot, is the epicenter of the educational earthquake that has captivated Gates and others. It is here that Salman Khan produces online lessons on math, science, and a range of other subjects that have made him a web sensation.

Khan Academy, with Khan as the only teacher, appears on YouTube and elsewhere and is by any measure the most popular educational site on the web. Khan's playlist of 1,630tutorials (at last count) are now seen an average of 70,000 times a day -- nearly double the student body at Harvard and Stanford combined. Since he began his tutorials in late 2006, Khan Academy has received 18 million page views worldwide, including from the Gates progeny. Most page views come from the U.S., followed by Canada, England, Australia, and India. In any given month, Khan says, he's reached about 200,000 students. "There's no reason it shouldn't be 20 million."

His low-tech, conversational tutorials -- Khan's face never appears, and viewers see only his unadorned step-by-step doodles and diagrams on an electronic blackboard -- are more than merely another example of viral media distributed at negligible cost to the universe. Khan Academy holds the promise of a virtual school: an educational transformation that de-emphasizes classrooms, campus and administrative infrastructure, and even brand-name instructors.

Quick, free, and easy to understand
Distance learning and correspondence courses have been around since the invention of mail. And private, for-profit schools flourish; the University of Phoenix has half a million students enrolled, most of them online. Other private operations, like the Teaching Co., specialize in amalgamating "great courses" from nationally known teachers: the 12-hour Game Theory in Life, Business, and Beyond, from one academic star, costs $254.95 on DVD.

What's remarkable about Khan Academy, aside from its nonpareil word of mouth and burgeoning growth, is that it's free and prizes brevity. Remember your mumbling macroeconomics teacher whose 50-minute monologue in a large auditorium could bore the dead? That isn't Khan. He rarely cracks wise -- if you want shtick, check out Darth Vader trying to teach Euclidean geometry on YouTube ("The Pythagorean theorem is your destiny!") -- but in less than 15 minutes Khan gets to the essence of the topics he's carved out.

సిరి వెన్నెల

2010-08-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

Children will not remember us for the material things we provided, but for the feeling that we cherished them.

2010-08-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

1. Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.
2. The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.

Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children.

Children will not remember us for the material things you provided but for the feeling that we cherished them.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it..

2010-08-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

Until one is committed, There is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, Always ineffectiveness.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

2010-08-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

Vision takes the form of enthusiasm, commitment, pride, and the willingness to work hard and go the extra mile.

We can 'feel' the energy that emanates from vision almost from the moment we meet somebody who possesses it. This person's focus on his or her vision mobilizes not just physical resources but emotional and spiritual assets as well. Vision brings to life values, commitment, and aspirations."

-- Greg Anderson

Links to Telugu Literature

2010-08-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

Koumudi
Kiran Prabha
K.Geeta Wordpress : Shatabdi Vennela
Geeta Blogspot

Prabhat Kiran - Summer 2010

2010-07-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

Pragathi Konda - 2010 Summer

2010-07-20T16:17:00.001-07:00

The Morning Power Questions & The Evening Power Questions & The Problem Solving Questions - Notes From a Friend By Anthony Robbins

2010-07-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

The Morning Power Questions

1) What am I happy about in my life right now ? What about that makes me happy ? How does that make me feel?

2) What am I excited about in my life right now ? What about that makes excited ? How does that make me feel ?

3) What am I proud of in my life right now ? What about that makes me proud ? How does that make me feel ?

4) What am I grateful for in my life right now ? What about that makes me grateful ? How does that make me feel ?

5) What am I enjoying most in my life right now ? What about that do I enjoy ? How does that make me feel ?

6) What am I committed to in my life right now ? What about that makes me committed ? How does that make me feel ?

7) Who do I love ? Who loves me ? What about that makes me loving? How does that make me feel ?

The Evening Power Questions

1) What have I given today ? In what ways have I been a giver today ?

2) What did I learn today ?

3)How has today added to the quality of my life? How can I use today as an investment in my future ?

The Problem Solving Questions

1. What is great about this problem ?

2. What is not perfect yet ?

3. What am I willing to do to make it the way I want it ?

4. What am I willing to no longer do in order to make it the way I want it ?

5. How can I enjoy the process while I do what is necessary to make it the way I want it ?

What you do right now is what will shape your destiny! The Power of decision is the power of change!

2010-07-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

"I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward"
- Thomas Edison

Personal Power means being persistent in taking action.

Massive, consistent action with pure persistence and a sense of flexibility in pursuing your goals will ultimately give you what you want.

Success is the result of good judgment
good judgment is the result of experience
experience is often the result of bad judgment

Ultimately it is our decisions, not the conditions of our lives, that determine our destiny!. It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is formed!

Happy Second Birthday Our Dear Saahas!

2010-07-12T16:51:00.000-07:00

An Article on Education - Importance of Critical Thinking - By Our Friend Mr. Bob Price

2010-07-10T16:26:00.000-07:00

I believe that one of the most important skills that teachers can pass on to their students is the ability to think critically. Students must be armed with this skill so that they are able to combat the great number of irrational ideas, factual distortions and even outright lies that they are exposed to by the media, the internet, and other technological developments such as Face book or Twitter. Also, today, as in the past, people have been often exposed to a one-sided view of reality whether through history books, religion or political parties.

Sometimes the lie is a blatant denial of history – such as whether the Holocaust really happened. Another would be the denial that Americans reached the moon in the 1970’s. Then there is the refusal to accept evolution as a legitimate theory by many religious extremists and their equally ridiculous insistence on the coming Apocalypse, a date that keeps changing as world destruction dates come and go. Included also are all the other conspiracy theories too numerous to mention.

Students in all subjects must be instructed in the scientific method of inductive reasoning rather than simply assuming that their absolute beliefs are true and then applying these absolutes to every significant feature of life. They must be trained to debate and discuss rationally with their peers so that when they go into the outside world, they are capable of dealing with the overwhelming number of facts and ideas that impinge on their reality.

Everything must be open to examination if we are truly to become a literate and rational society. What makes it difficult to take a rational approach is the refusal of people who believe in absolutes to accept ideas that are contrary to their worldview. They create their own realities through their perceptions even if those perceptions are not a fair reflection of the world that actually exists. This is not necessarily always bad, but can be harmful if these people employ these beliefs to make important decisions about other people’s future. Such an example might be terrorist bombing to reinforce a particular ideology that others do not follow. Other people force their beliefs on young people who have little knowledge of the world outside.

How to change these perceptions is probably one of the hardest challenges faced by society and our school system. By employing the scientific method in all subject areas, teachers will get children to not accept something as true simply because an adult said it was so. Admittedly, this is not always possible in all situations, such as proving or disproving the existence of God, but can be applied to a variety of other facts and concepts. Students must be able to debate effectively, but most importantly, must be willing to accept new points of views that might be contrary to their vision of reality. If we do not succeed, however, in getting the majority of people to practice critical thinking, then the world will not be able to eliminate the radical ideas that lead to ignorance, social and economic regression, and in some cases violence.

July 5th NDP Multicultural Standing Committee - Message From Somayya Kasani

2010-07-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

Ref: Alberta NDP Multicultural Standing Committee meeting that is going to be held on July 5th 2010 at the AB NDP Office.

Subject: Introducing myself to all participants of NDP Provincial Multicultural Standing Committee

Hello Everyone:

I am Somayya Kasani, R/O Edmonton AB working for Alberta NDP for last three years and I have been in contact with different communities of Edmonton AB. I would like to mention here a couple of organizations that I am closely connected with.

Ankur Multicultural Association for Performing Arts is a non-profit organization. This organization recently conducted a multicultural Show on June 26, 2010 in Edmonton. The program consisted of a variety of performances from several cultures including Chinese, East Indian, Mexican and Greek as well as from the Bible.

Guest speaker, Brian Mason, MLA and Provincial New Democratic Leader, spoke briefly about the importance of multiculturalism in Alberta and thanked the Ankur Society for their valuable contributions to the cause.

I am serving in the 2010 -2011 Ankur Executive Board in the role of Vice President (Administration). My wife Vijayalakshmi Kasani and I have been active volunteers with the Ankur since 2007. We have been helping in spreading the message of multicultural cooperation and harmony among diverse people.

Secondly, I am an active member of Indian Community in Edmonton and I served Council of India Societies of Edmonton as delegate from Andhra Cultural Association during 2008 -2009. The Council of India Societies of Edmonton provides service to the Indian Community in areas such as settlement of Immigrants; safeguard the welfare of senior citizens, and counseling for vulnerable groups.

My wife and I are active members of Andhra Cultural Association, Edmonton since June 2006. I served as a Literary Secretary on the ACA Executive Board during 2007 -2008 and published a bi-annual Literary Magazine Vani – 2008 by collecting articles from its community members. Also I have collected material for designing a website for our community and my daughter Anupama Kasani designed and launched it for us.

I am a member of Edmonton Multicultural Coalition for Equity in Health and Well Being. And I am happy that Janina Strudwick who is this coalition’s co-coordinator and her colleague Dr. George Isheikwene are giving the presentations today for us.

Since I am on vacation in Santa Clara, California, I cannot make it in person this time.

SOMAYYA KASANI

IPad & IPod introduction Keynotes :-)‏

2010-06-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

IPad Keynote : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZS8HqOGTbA

IPod Keynote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUh6LDz177k

Memories: Pinnacle2010 Conference, Picnic, Bay Area Saahiti Sadassu, Dad's Birthday, Get together of Friends...

2010-06-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day !!!

2010-06-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Bay Area Saahiti Sadassu

2010-06-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Tataiah

2010-06-19T03:35:00.000-07:00

AmmaNaana at Edmonton Canada Place ....

2010-06-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Canada Place is a Federal Government Building with mainly government offices. On Jasper Avenue stands "Canada Place", an impressive post-modern skyscraper accommodating shops, business premises and offices.

These pictures were captured by a dear friend, Ashok. AmmaNaana attended an official meet here on May12th.

Congratulations Pragathi Konda, Our "Lil Kicker"

2010-06-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

"Live free, live happy!"

Congratulations Vinod Naana, Our "Lil Pre-K Graduate" !

2010-06-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

"Believe and you will achieve."

My Impressions of Pinnacle 2010

2010-06-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

I would like to write about ‘Pinnacle 2010 IIM USA Global Convention’ that took place on June 5th in San Jose, at The Ranch Golf club.

I don’t fit the profile of a typical attendee of IIM USA convention. However, I am very glad to have attended Pinnacle 2010 and, based on the reception, I am hoping you are glad to have hosted me :-)

I am a retired teacher from India and am now living in Edmonton, Canada. Similar to a typical IIM graduate, I am enthusiastic and feel the best days are ahead of us for our world and that we will need to work to get there.

The most notable impressions that I got at the convention include - friendly interactions among attendees, sharing of tips N tricks applicable to day to day work life, networking and sharing a common bond of ‘One IIM Alumni’ family. I attended the day long program. My grandson Prabhat Kiran and his loving parents brought me to the venue by 7:45 AM. Registration started at 8 AM and attendees started networking over coffee soon after. The sessions in-cluded some very interesting presentations by eminent speakers.

* Dr. Gusta Rabin spoke on Transformational Leadership after Ashima Jain’s welcome address. Dr. Robin is a licensed psychologist with 20 years of experience in partnering with clients to improve leadership, teams, and organizational performance.

* Networking was done during the beak again. I could meet and greet Alan L Krishnan, Executive Vice President who introduced me to the delegates from the dais.

* Jessica Notini spoke on ‘Mastering the Art of Negotiation’ after Coffee Break. Jessica Notini is a full-time mediator, trainer, negotiation coach and facilitator practicing in California and internationally.

* Venky Harinarayan spoke on ‘The ins and outs of Motivating a Team through Different stages of Growth’. Venky developed the first ecommerce search engine, Junglee, which was acquired by Amazon.com in 1998 for $250million.

* Professor Vivek wadhwa spoke on ‘How have Indians done so well in the US’. Vivek is a fellow with the Labour and Work life Program at Harvard Law School.

* There was a very interesting session after our lunch on ‘Leveraging global networks to build and communicate your personal brand’. Jafar Adibi, Samar Das, Seval Oz Ozveren were panellists. Dr. Rathi Almaula was the moderator.

* Gary Guller Mt. Everest Smmiteer was the keynote speaker who spoke on ‘Making others Greater and Success is Guaranteed’ followed by Happy Hour. He gifted a CD on his ascent of Mt. Everest to my grandson Prabhat.

* Jollywood Dance Group has provided us great entertainment before our Dinner. I observed delegates are very keen/ conscious of their networking.

* One topic that can be of interest in a future convention is ‘Role of MBAs in enabling a better world for all’.

* I met with most of the delegates at the convention, and got a chance to interact more with Ashima Jain, Hemanta Jain, Alan L Krishnan, Ankit Jain, Madhu Hittuvalli, Jessica Notini, Ravi Pattamatta, Gustvo Robin, Rathi M Almaula, Sekhar Reddy, Jafar Adibi, Gary Guller, Yella Yellapragada. I hope that more people can join these use-ful conventions in future and I hope IIM USA will encourage people from all walks of life to benefit from these.

Ankur Multicultural Show ... upcoming event

2010-06-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

ఆమెరికాలో అందమైన భవిష్యత్తుకు TANA వారు రూపొందించిన మార్గ దర్షక సూత్రాలు - From Andhrajyothi Paper

2010-06-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

అమెరికాలో అందమైన భవిష్యత్తు కోసం...
అందమైన భవిష్యత్తును వెదుక్కుటూ వేలాదిగా యువతీయువకులు అమెరికా వెళ్తున్నారు. అక్కడి పరిస్థితులపై సరైన అవగాహన లేకపోతే ఇబ్బందులకు గురి కావలసి ఉంటుంది. అంతా బాగానే ఉంటే బంగారు భవిష్యత్తుకు ఢోకా లేదు. కాని అమెరికాలో గాని, మరో దేశంలోగాని ఎక్కడైనా ఏ చిన్న పొరపాటు జరిగినా, చివరికి ప్రాణాలు కోల్పోవలసిన పరిస్థితి.

ఈమధ్య కాలంలో అమెరికాలో జరుగుతున్న దుర్ఘటనలు చూస్తుంటే చాలావరకు పరిస్థితులపై సదవగాహన లేకే పిల్లల జీవితాలు అర్థంతరంగా ముగిసిపోతున్నాయని అర్థమవుతున్నది. అందుకే అమెరికా వెళ్లాలనుకునే యువతీ యువకులే కాదు, వారి మిత్రులు, తల్లిదండ్రులు కూడా ఈ మార్గదర్శక సూత్రాలను అనుక్షణం గుర్తుంచుకోవాలి.
వాగ్యుద్ధాలు వద్దు
1. అపరిచితులతో వాగ్వివాదాలు వద్దు. చాలారకాల అభిప్రాయభేదాలు వాగ్యుద్ధంగా మారి ఒకరినొకరు కొట్టుకునే స్ధాయికి చేరతాయి. వాటివల్ల ఉత్తరోత్రా ప్రత్యర్ధి కన్నా మీకే ఎక్కువ నష్టం అన్న విషయం మరిచిపోకండి.

2. అభ్యంతరకరమైన సంజ్ఞలు చేయకండి (ముఖ్యంగా మధ్యవేలు, చూపుడువేలు చూపించటం లాంటివి). తిట్లు, బూతుమాటలు వాడకండి. పొరపాటు అవతలివారిదే అయినా, మీ కోపాన్ని అదుపులో ఉంచుకోండి. రెండు క్షణాలు నిగ్రహం పాటించగలిగితే పరిస్ధితి దానంతటదే చక్కబడుతుంది. గొడవలు పడకుండా పరిష్కరించుకునే పద్ధ్దతులు చాలా ఉంటాయి.

3. మొరటుగా బెదిరిస్తూ డబ్బు, విలువైన వస్తువులను బలవంతంగా లాక్కునే దొంగలుగానీ, దుండగులుగానీ ఎదురుపడితే ఎంతమాత్రం ప్రతిఘటించకుండా జేబులో ఉన్నవి ఇచ్చేయటం మంచిది. డబ్బుపోతే సంపాదించుకోవచ్చు, విలువైన ప్రాణంపోతే తిరిగి రాదు.

4. తోటి భారతీయులు తారసపడితే, కొంతమంది ఇంగ్లీషులో కాక భారతీయ భాషల్లోనే మాట్లాడుతారు. వీరి భాష పక్కనున్న ఇతరులకు అర్ధంకాక అపార్ధం చేసుకొని గొడవలు పడిన సందర్భాలు అమెరికాలో చాలానే ఉన్నాయి. అందువల్ల బయట ప్రదేశాలలో ఇంగ్లీషులో మాట్లాడితేనే మంచిది.

5. ఎదుటివారిని, ముఖ్యంగా అపరచితులను పరిశీలిస్తున్నట్టు కళ్ళప్పగించటం, తేరిపార చూడటం మంచిది కాదు. వారు నొచ్చుకునే అవకాశం ఉంది, ఈ చూపులు కూడా సమస్యలను తెచ్చిపెడతాయి.

6. లోకల్ విద్యార్ధులతోను, ప్రాంతీయులందరితోను కలిసిమెలసి గడిపే ప్రయత్నం చేయండి. అప్పుడు వాళ్లకి మీరు పరాయివారన్న భావన తగ్గుతుంది. భారతీయులతో మాత్రమే కలిసిమెలసి గడిపితే లోకల్‌వారికి మీరు పరాయి అన్న అభిప్రాయమే కలుగుతుంది.

సరయిన అవగాహన, ప్రణాళికాబద్ధ్ద జీవనం మిమ్మల్ని, మీ కుటుంబసభ్యుల్ని ఎన్నో రకాల విపత్తుల నుంచి కాపాడుతాయి. అమెరికాలో ఎదురయ్యే పరిస్థితులను దృష్టిలో ఉంచుకుని అందరికీ ఉపయుక్తంగా ఉండేటట్టు తెలుగు అసోసియేషన్ ఆఫ్ నార్త్ అమెరికా (తానా) ఈ మార్గదర్శక సూత్రాలను రూపొందించింది. అమెరికాలో అనుకోని సంఘటనలు జరిగినప్పుడు తానా అత్యవసర సహాయక బృందం (తానా ఎమర్జెన్సీ అసిస్టెన్స్ఆండ్ మానేజ్‌మెంట్ టీమ్-టీమ్ స్క్వేర్) ఎప్పుడూ సిద్ధంగా ఉంటుందని కూడా తానా అధ్యక్షుడు జయరాం కోమటి, ప్రెసిడెంట్ ఎలక్ట్ ప్రసాద్ తోటకూర, కార్యదర్శి మోహన్ నన్నపనేని ఆంధ్రజ్యోతికి తెలియజేశారు.
డ్రైవింగ్
1. చట్టం చెప్పినా చెప్పకపోయినా, ఎప్పుడూ సీట్‌బెల్ట్ పెట్టుకోవాలి. కారులో ముందు సీట్లోనే కాక వెనక సీట్లో కూచున్నా సీట్‌బెల్ట్ పెట్టుకోవాలి. సీట్‌బెల్ట్ పెట్టుకోవటం వల్ల అత్యంత పెద్ద ప్రమాదాల్లో కూడా రక్షణ ఉంటుంది.

2. సరైన డ్రైవింగ్ లైసెన్స్, భీమా లేకుండా అమెరికాలో కారు నడపకండి.

3. భారతదేశంలో కారు నడిపే అనుభవం ఎంతగా ఉన్నా, అమెరికాలో కారు నడిపే ముందు. డ్రైవింగ్ పాఠాలు తప్పనిసరిగా నేర్చుకోవాలి. ప్రాథమిక అవగాహన, నియమనిబంధనలు, పాటించాల్సిన వేగం మొదలైన వివరాలు అర్ధమవుతాయి. అలాకాని పక్షంలో కంగారు, అయోమయం వల్ల ప్రమాదాలు జరిగే అవకాశం ఉంది. కాబట్టి తగిన డ్రైవింగ్ తర్పీదు తప్పనిసరి. మరీ ముఖ్యంగా భారత దేశంలో కారు స్టీరింగ్ కుడివైపు ఉంటుంది. అమెరికాలో ఎడమవైపు ఉంటుంది. ఇది తొలిరోజుల్లో చాలా అయోమయానికి దారితీస్తుంది.

4. వీలైనంత వరకూ రాత్రి ప్రయాణాలను మానేయండి. మీరు పూర్తి జాగ్రత్తతో సమర్ధవంతంగా కారు నడిపినా, రాత్రి వేళల్లో కారు నడిపే తాగుబోతులు రాంగ్ రూట్‌లో వచ్చి యాక్సిడెంట్ చేసే ప్రమాదం ఉంది.
5. మీ కారు ముందుకు నడపలేని స్ధితిలో తప్ప బ్రేక్ డౌన్ కోసం నిర్దారించిన స్ధలాలలో కారు నిలపకండి. ఒకవేళ బ్రేక్ డౌన్ అయి అలా నిలిపితే, కారులోంచి దిగి ట్రాఫిక్‌కి దూరంగా సురక్షిత స్ధలానికి చేరటం మరువకండి.

6. ఎవరైనా పోలీసు అధికారి మీ కారు ఆపితే, ఆగగానే కారులోంచి దిగకండి. మీ చేతులు స్టీరింగ్ మీదే ఉంచి, పోలీసు ఆదేశాల కోసం వేచి చూడండి.

7. భారతదేశంలో కన్నా అమెరికాలో పాదచారులకి హక్కులు ఎక్కువ. అందువల్ల నడిస్తున్నవారిని గౌరవించడం, వారికి మన కారు తగలకుండా చూసుకోవడం చాలా అవసరం. నడిచివెళ్లేవారికి అలా నడిచే హక్కు లేదన్నట్టు ప్రవర్తించకండి.

8. కారు నడిపేప్పుడు, భద్రతకి అవరోధం కలిగించనంత దూరంలో కారు ఆగేలా మీ డ్రైవింగ్ ఉండాలి. అది అమెరికా డ్రైవింగ్‌లో ప్రాథమిక సూత్రం. ఈ దూరం ఎంత అన్నది, వాతావరణం పరిస్ధితుల మీద ఆధారపడి ఉంటుంది.

9. దారిలో ఏదయినా కారు ప్రమాదం కంటబడితే, స్వయంగా వారిని రక్షించాలనుకుని అనాలోచితంగా పరుగులు తీయకండి. తగిన జాగ్రత్త శిక్షణ లేకపోతే ఆపదలో ఉన్నవారికి సాయం చేయడంకన్నా హానే ఎక్కువ జరుగుతుంది.

12. కారు నడుపుతూ టెక్ట్స్, ఎస్.ఎం.ఎస్.లకి సెల్‌ఫోన్‌లు వినియోగించకండి. డ్రైవింగ్ చేసేటప్పుడు సెల్‌ఫోన్ వాడకం అమెరికాలో చాలాచోట్ల నిషిద్దం. అందువల్ల ప్రాంతీయ చట్టాలను తెలుసుకోండి.

అపార్ ్టమెంట్, ఇల్లు, డార్మ్ రూమ్
1. ఎప్పుడూ మీ అపార్ట్‌మెంట్, ఇల్లు, డార్మ్ తలుపులు (క్రిందగానీ, మొదటి అంతస్థుగానీ అయితే కిటికీ తలుపులతో సహా) భద్రంగా తాళాలు వేయండి.

2. పొగ త్రాగటానికో, పార్టీలలో వంటలు చెయ్యటానికో స్మోక్ డిటెక్టర్స్ కనక్షన్ తొలగించటం, బద్దలు కొట్టడం లేదా ఆపటం చాలా ప్రమాదకరం.

3. గత కొంతకాలంగా అమెరికాలో దొంగలకి భారతీయుల ఇళ్ళు చాలా ఆకర్షణీయంగా కనిపిస్తున్నాయి. ఎందుకంటే మనవాళ్లకి ఖరీదైన నగలను ఇళ్ళలో పెట్టుకోవటం అలవాటు. అది దొంగలకీ తెలుసు. పార్టీలలోనూ ముఖ్య సమావేశాలలోను మనవాళ్ల నగలు చూసి, దొంగలు వెంటాడి వచ్చిన సంఘటనలు ఎన్నో వెలుగు చూస్తున్నాయి. మీ విలువైన న గలు, పత్రాలు, ఇళ్ళలో, అపార్ట్‌మెంట్లలో ఉంచుకోవద్దు, సేఫ్ డిపాజిట్ బాక్సు (లాకర్స్) భద్రమైనది. దానికి అయ్యే ఖర్చు తక్కువే కాక మీకు మీ ఆస్తికి ఎంతో భద్రత.

4. అత్యవసర సమయంలో వచ్చి సహాయపడటానికి వీలుగా, మీకు బాగా నమ్మకస్తుడైన వ్యక్తి దగ్గర మీ ఇంటి మారు తాళం ఉండే ఏర్పాటు చేసుకోండి.

చట్టబద్ధ్ద ప్రవర్తన
1. చట్ట ప్రకారమే నడుచుకోండి. అమెరికాలో ఉన్నంత వరకూ ప్రాంతీయ చట్ట విధానాలకు కట్టుబడి ప్రవర్తించటం అవసరం. తెలిసి చేసినా, తెలియక చేసినా తప్పు చేస్తే చట్టం నుంచి తప్పించుకునే అవకాశం లేదు.

2. ఒంటరిగా ఉన్న పసి పిల్లల జోలికి వెళ్ళకండి. మీ పక్కింటి పిల్లలైనా సరే, ఒంటరిగా ఉన్నప్పుడు వారి దగ్గరకు వెళ్ళటం అమెరికా సమాజంలో నిషిద్ధం. పిల్లలను ముద్దు పెట్టుకునే ప్రయత్నం చేయవద్దు.

3. పిల్లలతో ఉన్న తల్లిదండ్రులుగానీ, పెద్దలుగానీ అనుమతిస్తే తప్ప పిల్లలకి తినుబండారాలు, పానీయాలు ఇవ్వకండి. 4. బహిరంగ ప్రదేశాల్లో, స్వీమ్మింగ్‌పూల్స్‌లో,థియేటర్లలో అపరిచితులను ముట్టుకోవటం గానీ వారిని రాసుకుని వెళ్ళటం కానీ, వారివైపు తదేకంగా చూడడం కాని చేయకండి.

5. ఎట్టి పరిస్థితులలోనూ ఒకరి తరపున మరొకరు దొంగ సంతకాలకు పాల్పడకండి.

6. ఒకవేళ దారి తప్పినా, ఇతరుల ఇళ్ల ప్రాంగణాలలోకి వెళ్ళకూడదు, వాళ్ళ తలుపులు తట్టకూడదు.

గృహ హింస
ఇతరులను హింసించటం అమెరికాలో చట్ట వ్యతిరేకం. ఎదుటివారి అనుమతి, ఇష్టం లేకుండా ముట్టకోవడం కూడా నిర్బంధ హింసగానే పరిగణిస్తారు. చట్టప్రకారం ఆ నిర్వచనం ఎంతో విపులంగా ఉంది. గృహహింసని అమెరికాలో చాలా తీవ్రంగా పరిగణిస్తారు.

1.అభిప్రాయభేదం, ఘర్షణ పడటం జరిగితే మొరటుతనానికి కానీ, శారీరక హింసకి కానీ దిగవద్దు. చిన్న తప్పిదం కూడా కెరియర్ మొత్తాన్నే కాక జీవితాన్నే నాశనం చేస్తుంది.

2. మీ భాగస్వామిని లేదా స్నేహితుల్ని, తదితర కుటుంబసభ్యుల్ని కోపంగా గట్టిగా తాకవద్దు, మీ వల్ల వారికి చిన్నపాటి దెబ్బ కూడా తగలకూడదు.

3. మీరు గృహహింసను ఎదుర్కొంటే వెంటనే సహాయాన్ని ఆర్ధించండి. దేశం మొత్తంగా ఎన్నో భారతీయ సంస్ధలు మీకు సహాయం చెయ్యటానికి సిద్దంగా ఉన్నాయి. గృహ హింస బాధితుల్ని ఆదుకోవటానికి ప్రతిచోట ప్రాంతీయ సంస్ధలు చాలా ఉన్నాయి.

తల్లిదండ్రులు, బంధువులతో జాగ్రత్త
1. పరిసరాలకి పూర్తిగా అలవాటు పడే వరకూ మీ తల్లిదండ్రులను, బంధువులను ఒంటరిగా వదలకండి.

2. సురక్షితం కానిప్రదేశాలలో వారిని ఒంటరిగా తిరగనివ్వకండి. మీ ఇంటి చుట్టపక్కల వారితో ప్రమాదం లేకపోయినా, ఇతర ప్రదేశాల నుంచి వచ్చే అగంతకుల వల్ల ప్రమాదం ఉండవచ్చు.

3. వారు మీ దగ్గర అతి తక్కువ కాలం గడపటానికి వచ్చినా, వారికి ఆరోగ్య భీమా తప్పనిసరిగా ఉండేలా చూడండి.

పిల్లలు
1.ఇంట్లోగానీ, కారులోగానీ, కారు వెలుపలగానీ పిల్లల్ని ఒంటరిగా వదలకండి.

2.ఏ షాపులోకో వెళ్ళినప్పుడు, కారులో ఒంటరిగా వదిలిన మీ పిల్లలు మీకు కనబడే దూరంలో ఉన్నా, వారిని అలా వదలకండి. అమెరికాలో చాలాచోట్ల చట్టరీత్యా అది నిషిద్దం కూడా.

3. మీ పిల్లలే కదా అని మొరటుగా, కర్కశంగా ప్రవర్తించటం, కొట్టటం లాంటి చర్యలకి పాల్పడకండి.

4. చిన్నపిల్లలకి అందేలా ఏ ప్రమాదకర వస్తవునూ వదలకండి.

5. పిల్లలకి ప్రమాదకరమైన ఆల్కహాల్ లాంటివి అందుబాటులో లేకుండా జాగ్రత్తపడండి. అటువంటివాటిని తాళం వేసి భద్రపరచటం మంచిది. పిల్లల విషయంలో మరింత ఎక్కువ జాగ్రత్త అవసరం.

ఆరోగ్య, జీవిత మరియు ఆటో భీమాలు
1. వీసా కాలపరిమితి ఎంత తక్కువ కాలమయినా, అమెరికాలో ఉన్నన్ని రోజులు మంచి ఆరోగ్య భీమా ఉండటం ఎంతో అవసరం. అమెరికాలో వైద్యం ఎంతో ఖరీదు. ఇన్సూరెన్స్ లేకపోతే చాలామందికి భరించలేనంత ఖర్చు, సరైన ఆరోగ్యభీమా చేయించుకోని అశ్రద్ద వల్ల హెచ్-1, హెల్-1 తాత్కాలిక వీసాలతో అమెరికా వచ్చిన విద్యార్ధులు తీవ్రమైన ఇబ్బందుల పాలయిన సందర్భాలు అసంఖ్యాకం.

2. మీరు సంపూర్ణ ఆరోగ్యవంతులయినా రేపేం జరుగుతుందో ఎవరూ చెప్పలేరు. గత ఆరు నెలల్లో 35 ఏళ్ళ వయసులోపు భారతీయులు మాసివ్ హార్ట్ఎటాక్‌తో మరణించిన సందర్భాలు పన్నెండు పైగా ఉన్నాయి.

3. టర్మ్ లైఫ్ ఇన్సూరెన్స్ ఆర్ధికంగా చాలామందికి అందుబాటులో ఉండే ప్రీమియం లభిస్తుంది. ముప్పై అయిదేళ్ళలోపు వయసు వారికి లక్ష డాలర్ల టర్మ్ లైఫ్ ఇన్సూరెన్స్ ఒకటి రెండుసార్లు రెస్టారెంట్‌లో పెట్టే ఖర్చుకి వచ్చేస్తుంది.అటువంటి భీమా సౌకర్యం, మీ దగ్గరవారిని తీవ్ర ఇబ్బంది నుంచి కాపాడుతుంది.

4. మీరు ఏదయినా సంస్ధకి లేదా కంపెనీకి చెందిన వారయితే, ఆ సంస్ధ ఉద్యోగులకు గ్రూప్ ఇన్సూరెన్స్ మరియు డిసెబిలిటీ ఇన్సూరెన్స్ సౌకర్యం ఉందేమో తెలుసుకోండి. గ్రూప్ పాలసీలు చౌకగా లభిస్తాయి. అయితే, మీరు ఆ సంస్ధలో పనిచేస్తున్నంత వరకే ఆ భీమా సౌకర్యం ఉంటుందన్న విషయం గుర్తుంచుకోండి.

5. మంచి ఆటోమొబైల్ ఇన్సూరెన్స్ అత్యవసరం. ప్రాంతీయ చట్టాల ప్రకారం ఎంతో కొంత భీమా తప్పనిసరిగా ఉన్నా, మరికొంత భీమా థర్డ్‌పార్టీగా లేదా అంబ్రెల్లా కవరేజ్‌గా ఉండటం మంచిది.

బేంకింగ్, విల్లులు మరియు అత్యవసర వివరాలు
1. మీ వ్యక్తిగత గుర్తింపు సమాచారాన్ని, అత్యవసర పరిస్ధితిలో సంప్రదించాల్సిన వివరాలను మీ సెల్‌ఫోన్‌లో మరియు పర్స్‌లో పొందుపరిచి ఉంచండి. మీ సెల్ ఫోన్‌లో ఐసిఇ( ఇన్ కేస్ ఆఫ్ ఎమర్జెన్సీ) అని ఈ సమాచారాన్ని పొందుపరచవచ్చు.

2. మీ ఆర్దిక, వైవాహిక, వయో స్ధితి ఎలాంటివయినా మీరు విల్లు రాయటం ఎంతో మంచిది.

3. షూటింగ్ రేంజెస్, గన్ క్లబ్స్‌లో పాల్గొనే ముందు భద్రతాపరమైన తర్ఫీదుని తప్పనిసరిగా తీసుకోండి.

4. జలసంబంధమయిన వినోదాలు అంటే వైట్ వాటర్ రాఫ్టింగ్, ఫినిషింగ్, కేనింగ్ లాంటి సరదాలలో సేప్టీ జాకెట్స్ తప్పనిసరిగా ధరించండి.

5. మీరు పాల్గొనే క్రీడలకు తగిన పరికరాలు మంచి స్ధితిలో ఉన్నవి ఎంచుకోండి.

My Nieces' Inspiring life story in the news

2010-05-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

Pragathi Konda at Soccer Play

2010-04-26T13:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday, Prabhat Kiran

2010-04-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

Apple releases IPad tomorrow

2010-04-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

IPad is released on April 3rd and is a big phenomenon. Features:http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Here's an interesting story from Time magazine on this second comeback of flat, keyboard-less computer.

"..Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was a very rich, very clever man. He got up on a big stage and held up a new kind of computer. It was flat, and it didn't have a keyboard. This very rich, very clever man then tried to convince a bunch of reporters that in five years this flat, keyboardless computer would be the most popular kind of computer in the country. Some of them even believed him.

The year was 2000. The man's name was Bill Gates.

That year at Comdex, which at the time was the biggest technology trade show on the calendar, Microsoft unveiled something it called a Tablet PC. Just for good measure, the company unveiled it again at Comdex in 2001. But it never particularly caught on, because who wants a computer that's basically an underpowered netbook without a keyboard? The Tablet PC was much like a piece of paper, except it was heavier and more expensive and it broke when you dropped it.

Now Apple is offering us another tablet PC: the iPad. We didn't want one then. Why would we want one now?

The tough thing about writing about Apple products is that they come with a lot of hype wrapped around them. The other tough thing about writing about Apple products is that sometimes the hype is true. So let's scrape the Vaseline off the lens and figure out what exactly we're looking at.... " [Time Magazine]

A cheerful, intelligent face is the end of culture: Ralph Waldo Emerson

2010-02-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

· A cheerful temper will make beauty attractive, knowledge delightful.
· Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind.
· Cheerfulness is the friend and helper of all good graces.
· Cheerfulness sharpens the edge and removes the rust from the mind.

Our thoughts create our reality — where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go...

Educating emotions

2010-02-12T10:42:00.000-08:00

Expressive arts can bring young people much more than simply aesthetic pleasure. But inculcating a cultural hobby is not an easy task. It requires patience and perseverance; aesthetic pleasure is a learned and acquired skill.

క్రమ పరిణామాలు - డా. సి. నారాయణరెడ్డి

2010-02-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

ఆ విత్తనం చిన్నదే కదా అని ఉపేక్షించొద్దు
పరిస్థితుల సముచిత దోహదంతో
ఆ విత్తనమే వృక్షమై నిలుస్తుంది

ఇది చినుకే కదా అని అనుకోవద్దు
ప్రకృతి రచించనున్న వర్షాకావ్యానికి
ఈ చినుకే తొలి పలుకు

ఇప్పుడు ఒక మహాత్ముని గుండెలా
నిండుగా ప్రవహించే జీవనది
ఒకప్పుడు ఏ కొండకోనల్లోనో
సన్నటి నీటిపాయగా తప్పటడుగులు వేసిందే

ఏ చరిత్రయినా చిటికెలో తయారు కాలేదు
అది ఎన్నెన్ని సంఘర్షణలను తట్టుకుని
ఎందరి త్యాగాలను ఊతకర్రలుగా పట్టుకుని
తరతరాలుగా కాలం విధించే అగ్రి పరీక్షలకు నిలిచి
మనదాకా తరలి వచ్చిందో

విడివిగా ఉన్నప్పుడు ఇటుకల విలువ తెలియదు
అవే సంఘటితంగా రూపొందితే మిద్దెలై మేడలై
మనల్ని విభ్రాంతుల్ని చేస్తాయి
ఎంతటి కొమ్ములు తిరిగిన విద్వన్మణియైనా
పసిప్రాయంలో అఆల స్తన్యం ఆరగించిన వాడే
ఉలిదెబ్బు పడందే ఏ రాయీ రమణీయ శిల్పాకృతి పొందదు

ప్రాథమిక దశను బట్టి
దేని అస్తిత్వానికీ అంచనా కట్టలేం
కాలమనే బృహత్ గ్రంథం పుటలు విప్పి చదవగలిగితే
అన్ని క్రమపరిణామాల ఆద్యంతాలు
అవగతమవుతాయి

Thought For The Day

2010-02-06T18:21:00.000-08:00

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change: Charles Darwin

Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations: Peter F. Drucker

A life lived with integrity — even if it lacks the trappings of fame and fortune — is a shining star in whose light others may follow in the years to come: Denis Waitley

To be successful in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone. Without any of these “bones” you are nothing; with these “bones” you are something.

If I Can.. - A Poem By Emily Dickinson

2010-02-04T14:47:00.000-08:00

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

You have to ...

2010-02-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

You have to Feel before you can Touch
You have to Fail before you Succeed
You have to Learn before you Know
You have to Be Quiet before you can Talk
You have to Look before you can Find
You have to take a Step before you can Walk
You have to Give before you can Get

How to De-Stress With Tea...

2010-02-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

With the first cup of tea, you are a stranger. With the second...a friend. Invite a friend. Tea is a sociable drink that is perfect for sharing with a friend. Spending time talking while you drink a cup or two of tea will allow you both to unwind and relax after a stressful day.

Researchers in England have found that people who drink black tea de-stress more quickly. Tea is the most popular drink in the world and has been served everywhere from China to America. Whether you drink it hot or cold, with lemon or milk, the simple act of sitting down with a cup of tea can help you fight stress and relax after a busy day.

Mom's Favorite Rangoli - Collected From Web & News Papers - Many Thanks to all the Artists

2010-02-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

I didn’t force myself into self-improvement – I started living consciously: Arina

2010-02-02T11:21:00.000-08:00

I didn’t develop self-discipline – I found my passion!
I didn’t lose weight by sticking to a diet – I changed my relationship with food.
I didn’t learn to manage my time – I got my priorities straight.
I didn’t make everyone like me – I cut on judging, gossiping and complaining instead.
I didn’t solve the world hunger problem – I simply made my life purpose helping one person at a time.

Most so-called Failures are only temporary defeats.·

2010-02-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

* Every adversity, every failure, and every heartache carries with it the Seed of an equivalent or a greater Benefit.·
* Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.
*Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you; until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind word of those whom you do not admire; until you have formed the habit of looking for the good instead of the bad there is in others, you will be neither successful nor happy.

Life is your canvas... You Paint it yourself

2010-02-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

You are the hope!
You are a part of all that surrounds you.
Celebrate your connection to life as you step into the future.

Your abilities can take you to the top,
but it is your character that will keep you there.

Unlock your potential.
Every moment has a hidden gift.

Discover. Dream.
You will create your tomorrows by what you dream today.

Imagine the unimaginable.
This is your time. This is your life.

Life is your canvas and no one can paint it but you.
Learn from yesterday, live for today,
You are the hope for tomorrow!

Power of Thoughts

2010-02-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

Do not under estimate the Power Of Thoughts. Just as water has the power to shift and mold earths landscape, your thoughts have the power to shift and mold the landscape
of your life

~ Chuck Danes

The Laws of Lifetime Growth: Dan Sullivan & Catherine Nomura

2010-01-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

The desire to grow is nothing less than the love of existence. Growth is a fundamental desire of all human beings.

· Your future is your property.
· Courage is to think big.
· Always make your future bigger than past.
· Always make your learning greater than your experience.
· Always make your contribution bigger than your reward.
· Always make your performance greater than your applause.
· Always make your enjoyment greater than your effort.
· Always make your confidence greater than your comfort.
· Always make your questions greater than your answers.
· Challenge yourself to keep the discussion.
· Engage your curiosity.
· There is nothing powerful than a question.
· Questions connect us with the world.
· The future is always created through action and performance.

Greatest Love Of All

2010-01-29T15:56:00.000-08:00

I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my need
A lonely place to be and so I learned to depend on me

I decided long ago never to walk in anyone's shadow
If I fail, if I succeed at least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me, they can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all inside of me
The greatest love of all is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all

Home Joys

2010-01-27T04:47:00.000-08:00

Home joys are known in simple things,
In friends that share a cup of tea,
In books that waken old, old dreams
And songs that stir the memory.

2010-01-27T04:41:00.000-08:00

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.

It is not so much what happens to each of us that determines our quality of life, but rather our reaction to what happens.

If you lose the power to laugh, you lose the power to think.

2010-01-27T04:39:00.000-08:00

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.

2010-01-27T04:35:00.000-08:00

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.
- Richard L. Evans

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.

Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it.

Social Spats

2010-01-27T04:19:00.000-08:00

Parenting in public: Stop lecturing on my wall, Mom.
Parents and kids need online boundaries

One touch can show you care

2010-01-27T04:10:00.000-08:00

One star can guide a ship at sea
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One hope will raise our spirits
one touch can show you care.

To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are: Cummings

2010-01-27T04:06:00.000-08:00

It takes courage
to refrain from gossip
when others delight in it.

It takes courage
to live according
to your own convictions.

Winning means being unafraid to lose: Tarkenton

2010-01-26T03:57:00.000-08:00

All glory comes from daring to begin. With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

And every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin, and a single courageous step would carry us c l e a r through them.

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a method of traveling.

India: Republic Day

2010-01-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

A 60-ft long "Agri Indian National Flag" made of vegetables and greens at Springdale Public School in Tirupati on the occasion R-Day celebrations.
Photo: K.V. P Kumar

"Every day, in every way I am getting better and better". - Emile Coue

2010-01-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. Being a better person is a process. No matter how good someone is, he can’t be perfect overnight.

So the important thing is that we grow every day. Let us make growing a habit and we will see significant progress when we look back.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow

Having self-esteem is essential if we are to create the lives we want to live.

2010-01-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

'Self-esteem is like a difficult-to-cultivate flower. It requires frequent nurturing that occurs when you keep your word and follow through on your promises'.
* Derrick Bell

To have fulfilling work, a sense of personal power and supportive relationships, our sense of self is the foundation.

The word esteem means to honour and respect. When we honour and respect ourselves we naturally do so for others.

If we want to be treated with respect, we must first fully respect and love ourselves.

How much we honour and respect ourselves is often at the core of many of our problems and even physical illnesses.

If we look first to cultivating self-esteem we may find that many difficulties in life will melt away.

Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors

2010-01-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future. We make discoveries about ourselves: Gail·

The best effect of fine persons is felt after ...we have left their presence: Ralph Waldo Emerson·

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life: Richard Bach·

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, and call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one: Jane Howard·

Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation: C. Everett Koop

Bye Bye Atlanta

2010-01-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

Going back to our hometown Edmonton AB Canada tomorrow morning. We all had a wonderful holiday trip and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. We had a great holiday trip and spent one month with both family and friends. Thanks to everyone who associated us sharing their love and support.

Actually, who are you NOT to be?

2010-01-15T17:19:00.000-08:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
~Nelson Mandela

Live - because life is everything.

2010-01-15T15:28:00.000-08:00

Smile - It makes a world of difference.
Dance - Who knows when you won't be able to?
Cry - Holding those emotions in is bad for you.
Hug - Helps you and helps another.
Laugh - What's the point in hiding happiness?
Live - because life is everything.

Play with life, laugh with life, dance lightly with life, and smile at the riddles of life...

2010-01-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

As we sail through life, we don’t avoid rough waters; sail on because calm waters won’t make a skillful sailor. So, each day, we need to check the direction of the wind, decide where we want to go and then set our sails to get there – as opposed to cursing the wind for not making it easy.

Play with life, laugh with life, dance lightly with life, and smile at the riddles of life, knowing that life’s only true lessons are writ small in the margin.

Wish everyone Happy Sankranti

2010-01-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Sankranti is one of the national festivals in India. It got different names in different states in India. Sankranti in A.P & Karnataka, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in Maharastra & Gujarat and Lohri in Punjab & Haryana.

A walk a day keeps the doctor away

2010-01-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

Jerry Morris started exercising for a few minutes each day and lived until his 100th year.

A half-hour purposeful walk five times a week will reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and strokes. Older people sometimes feel they have left it too late. But it is never too late to st...art and there are no upper age limits. Start gently. Take your time: a 15-minute flat walk in the nearest park, four or five times a week. Within a month or so you will, literally, be taking it in your stride. You are already beginning to protect your heart. Build the walks up. When you can comfortably walk for half an hour in the park, go further afield. Water doesn't flow up hills. Try following rivers and canal tow paths.