Modern Cart
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
8:04:00 AM
Tipz For Guyz For A Gal
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
7:57:00 AM
I have no idea from where it originated, but I received it in the mail and it's simply tooooo goood..
I have no idea from where it originated, but I received it in the mail and it's simply tooooo goood..
NEW DELHI: All income earners, including the salaried and the self-employed, will soon have to fork out more tax. The Centre has finally relented on the long-standing demand from states to enhance the ceiling for tax on professions from the current level of Rs 2,500 to Rs 7,500 per year.
The tax on professions, trades, callings and employments, is a tax that the Constitution assigns to state governments/local bodies. In eight states, the state government itself collects the tax while in several others with active panchayats, the local bodies levy and collect the tax. Article 276 puts the ceiling on the tax at Rs 2,500.
The Constitution has been amended in the past to raise the tax level to bring it to the present level. Many states have been demanding that the Article should be amended again to hike the tax level to Rs 7,500 a year.
Eight states, including Maharshtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, levy this tax on an annual basis. An increase in the ceiling is expected to substantially help these states in overcoming their revenue constraints.
A proposal in this regard is likely to be taken up by the cabinet soon. The present level of Rs 2,500 was fixed in 1988 though the 60th amendment. This time, the Centre wants to carry out another amendment though which it wants to retain the executive power to enhance the ceiling as and when required without having to go to Parliament for the same.
The amount paid to a local body/state government as tax on professions, etc is eligible for deduction from income while computing income tax payable to the central government. Therefore, a hike in the tax level could adversely impact personal income tax collections. States collect close of about Rs 3,000 crore by way of professional tax.
But, States feel that since the economy is booming and income tax collections are also on rise, this move would not have much impact. Earlier, when the proposal was mooted, centre had showed willingness to raise it to Rs 5,000 only. States want the additional revenues for meeting expenditure for creation of social infrastructure, including primary schools and hospitals.
The tax on professions, trades, callings and employments, is a tax that the Constitution assigns to state governments/local bodies. In eight states, the state government itself collects the tax while in several others with active panchayats, the local bodies levy and collect the tax. Article 276 puts the ceiling on the tax at Rs 2,500.
The Constitution has been amended in the past to raise the tax level to bring it to the present level. Many states have been demanding that the Article should be amended again to hike the tax level to Rs 7,500 a year.
Eight states, including Maharshtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, levy this tax on an annual basis. An increase in the ceiling is expected to substantially help these states in overcoming their revenue constraints.
A proposal in this regard is likely to be taken up by the cabinet soon. The present level of Rs 2,500 was fixed in 1988 though the 60th amendment. This time, the Centre wants to carry out another amendment though which it wants to retain the executive power to enhance the ceiling as and when required without having to go to Parliament for the same.
The amount paid to a local body/state government as tax on professions, etc is eligible for deduction from income while computing income tax payable to the central government. Therefore, a hike in the tax level could adversely impact personal income tax collections. States collect close of about Rs 3,000 crore by way of professional tax.
But, States feel that since the economy is booming and income tax collections are also on rise, this move would not have much impact. Earlier, when the proposal was mooted, centre had showed willingness to raise it to Rs 5,000 only. States want the additional revenues for meeting expenditure for creation of social infrastructure, including primary schools and hospitals.
Salaried to shell out more in tax
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
7:47:00 AM
NEW DELHI: All income earners, including the salaried and the self-employed, will soon have to fork out more tax. The Centre has finally rel...
If you decide to download the MSDN, make sure that you have a relatively decent size chunk of hard drive space. It requires a minimum of 900 MB, and a full installation needs 1.9 GB. The download itself comes in three ISO images totaling about 1.6 GB.
If you have an old version of the MSDN installed, this new edition will update it. Microsoft's Rob Caron said that, including the May 2006 release, all future versions of the MSDN will be freely available. One response to his announcement has already asked, "How about setting up a Torrent for this so we can all share the love?" Microsoft wouldn't do it for Windows Vista, so I doubt they'll do it for the MSDN. It is a great thought, though.
If you have an old version of the MSDN installed, this new edition will update it. Microsoft's Rob Caron said that, including the May 2006 release, all future versions of the MSDN will be freely available. One response to his announcement has already asked, "How about setting up a Torrent for this so we can all share the love?" Microsoft wouldn't do it for Windows Vista, so I doubt they'll do it for the MSDN. It is a great thought, though.
Microsoft makes MSDN library free to download
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
10:55:00 PM
If you decide to download the MSDN, make sure that you have a relatively decent size chunk of hard drive space. It requires a minimum of 900...
About me: I think I am changing the world, but I am not. I think I am contributing to the Indian economy, but I guess I am not. I think I love my work, but I do not. I think I hate all people who made me earn my engineering degree, and I do. I think I am living, but and most importantly, I am LOOKING for someone!! Ok...I won't be funny anymore. I am a cool guy with a zeal to enjoy life (If you know me--> "Just stop laughing!!")
Relationship status: what?
Birthday: The day my PL is about to fire me
Age: 10111
Here for: web browsing in company hours
Children: can't be (hey, don't get me wrong here!!)
Ethnicity: Programmer
Languages I speak: Java, C/C++, 010101110101
Religion: I get holidays on all religious festivals, so I love all religions.
Political view: the guy sitting beside me is a pig!!
Humor: weekly
Fashion: Ask my company HR. Btw, I like jeans, t-shirt & a cross-bag.
Smoking: The second greatest pleasure on the earth
Drinking: The first is this.
Pets: Yeah, my PL looks like a dog.
Living: Cummon, this is a stupid one. How can this be asked to a software
engineer? Believe me, I am living!!
Hometown: My company (Oh God! Please bring my appraiser to this page)
Webpage: http://naukri.com, http://jobsahead.com
Passions: searching for the cheapest pub around, cursing my company, looking for another company, remembering my good old college days, worrying about my future
Sports: quake, CS (Counter Strike), computer chess
Activities: Are you crazy?
Books: "How to lose weight in 20 days?", "How to live a happy life?", "101 ways to attract a girl", "Java Unleashed", "C++ at your footsteps", Others censored
Music: Metallica, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, ACDC, & anything depressing
Tv shows: can't afford one
Cuisines: Bread Butter, Maggi, anything available within 200 metres of home
VIA: Shijo Joseph Chiramattel
Relationship status: what?
Birthday: The day my PL is about to fire me
Age: 10111
Here for: web browsing in company hours
Children: can't be (hey, don't get me wrong here!!)
Ethnicity: Programmer
Languages I speak: Java, C/C++, 010101110101
Religion: I get holidays on all religious festivals, so I love all religions.
Political view: the guy sitting beside me is a pig!!
Humor: weekly
Fashion: Ask my company HR. Btw, I like jeans, t-shirt & a cross-bag.
Smoking: The second greatest pleasure on the earth
Drinking: The first is this.
Pets: Yeah, my PL looks like a dog.
Living: Cummon, this is a stupid one. How can this be asked to a software
engineer? Believe me, I am living!!
Hometown: My company (Oh God! Please bring my appraiser to this page)
Webpage: http://naukri.com, http://jobsahead.com
Passions: searching for the cheapest pub around, cursing my company, looking for another company, remembering my good old college days, worrying about my future
Sports: quake, CS (Counter Strike), computer chess
Activities: Are you crazy?
Books: "How to lose weight in 20 days?", "How to live a happy life?", "101 ways to attract a girl", "Java Unleashed", "C++ at your footsteps", Others censored
Music: Metallica, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, ACDC, & anything depressing
Tv shows: can't afford one
Cuisines: Bread Butter, Maggi, anything available within 200 metres of home
VIA: Shijo Joseph Chiramattel
Orkut Profile...
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
6:06:00 AM
About me: I think I am changing the world, but I am not. I think I am contributing to the Indian economy, but I guess I am not. I think I lo...
Hung Cheong calls the office and says, " Hey, I no come work today, I vely vely sick. Got headache, stomach ache and legs ache, I no come work."
The manager says, " You know something, Cheong, I really need you today. When I feel like this, I go to my wife and tell her to give me Love. That makes everything better, and I go to work. Why won't you try that?"
Two hours later Hung Cheong calls again. " I do what you say and I feel vely good. I come work vely quick. And Boss, You house vely nice."
The manager says, " You know something, Cheong, I really need you today. When I feel like this, I go to my wife and tell her to give me Love. That makes everything better, and I go to work. Why won't you try that?"
Two hours later Hung Cheong calls again. " I do what you say and I feel vely good. I come work vely quick. And Boss, You house vely nice."
I NO COME WORK TODAY
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
1:15:00 AM
Hung Cheong calls the office and says, " Hey, I no come work today, I vely vely sick. Got headache, stomach ache and legs ache, I no c...
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight,built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, " Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, " Big John doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, " And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, " Big John has a bus pass."
Management Lesson: "Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight,built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, " Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, " Big John doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, " And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, " Big John has a bus pass."
Management Lesson: "Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."
Management Lesson
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
1:13:00 AM
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a f...
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.
One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance that ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students called Plato?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test".
"Triple filter?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first Filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the Filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?" The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued. "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter - the Filter of usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really..."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good, nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?" The man was defeated and ashamed.
This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance that ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students called Plato?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test".
"Triple filter?"
"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first Filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the Filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?" The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued. "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter - the Filter of usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really..."
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good, nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?" The man was defeated and ashamed.
This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
Triple Filter Test
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
2:49:00 AM
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance that ra...
Girls: When you want to cuddle with him, tell him you're cold.
Guys: Automatically move closer to her. (if your stupid then you'll either say "me too" or you'll give her your jacket... don't)
Girls: During a movie, if he puts his arm around you, tilt your head on his shoulder
Guys: Lift her chin up & kiss her.
Guys: When she tells you she loves you, look deep into her eyes, give her a peck on the lips, & tell her you love her too... & mean it.
Girls: When you're both laying under the stars, put your head on his chest & close your eyes as you listen to his steady heart beat.
Guys: Whisper in her ear & link your hands with hers.
Guys: Automatically move closer to her. (if your stupid then you'll either say "me too" or you'll give her your jacket... don't)
Girls: During a movie, if he puts his arm around you, tilt your head on his shoulder
Guys: Lift her chin up & kiss her.
Guys: When she tells you she loves you, look deep into her eyes, give her a peck on the lips, & tell her you love her too... & mean it.
Girls: When you're both laying under the stars, put your head on his chest & close your eyes as you listen to his steady heart beat.
Guys: Whisper in her ear & link your hands with hers.
Rules of Flirting
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
2:40:00 AM
Girls: When you want to cuddle with him, tell him you're cold. Guys: Automatically move closer to her. (if your stupid then you'll...
In the fashionable bars of Noho and Fitzrovia - the West End districts that make up London's adland - the whisper of the name "Snowball" is unlikely to get the barman reaching for his bottle of Warninks.
Cilla Snowball, a slight woman with a ready smile, is the talk of the British advertising industry, having risen this month to become chairman of its biggest & most powerful group. "I've now got used to the initial reaction over my name," she says, "which is always one of unrestrained laughter. People don't hesitate to laugh in your face." Snowball, who is 47, grew up in Staffordshire as Cilla Chadwick, then married adman Geoff Snowball. "The Americans think I've invented it. They can't believe that it's a real name. I don't know if they invent their names but everyone thinks I'm shallow enough to have invented mine."
She may share a name with a popular Seventies cocktail (one part advocaat, two parts lemonade & a dash of lime cordial) but she holds the accounts for Guinness, Famous Grouse, Pepsi & Tropicana juice. Not to mention overseeing some of the most memorable & long-running campaigns in modern British advertising, for The Economist (latest tagline: Sparks & Mensa), Sainsbury's (Jamie Oliver) & Walkers crisps (Gary Lineker).
SOURCE: CLICK HERE
Cilla Snowball, a slight woman with a ready smile, is the talk of the British advertising industry, having risen this month to become chairman of its biggest & most powerful group. "I've now got used to the initial reaction over my name," she says, "which is always one of unrestrained laughter. People don't hesitate to laugh in your face." Snowball, who is 47, grew up in Staffordshire as Cilla Chadwick, then married adman Geoff Snowball. "The Americans think I've invented it. They can't believe that it's a real name. I don't know if they invent their names but everyone thinks I'm shallow enough to have invented mine."
She may share a name with a popular Seventies cocktail (one part advocaat, two parts lemonade & a dash of lime cordial) but she holds the accounts for Guinness, Famous Grouse, Pepsi & Tropicana juice. Not to mention overseeing some of the most memorable & long-running campaigns in modern British advertising, for The Economist (latest tagline: Sparks & Mensa), Sainsbury's (Jamie Oliver) & Walkers crisps (Gary Lineker).
SOURCE: CLICK HERE
Cilla Snowball: The new boss of AMV
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
5:28:00 AM
In the fashionable bars of Noho and Fitzrovia - the West End districts that make up London's adland - the whisper of the name "Snow...
An earthquake off Indonesia generated a two-metre high tsunami that has killed at least 86 people at a beach resort on the Indian Ocean coast.
The death toll is expected to rise & dozens are still missing. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia said a search was continuing for people believed to have been swept away.
Yesterday's earthquake, rated at between 7.2 & 7.7 on the Richter scale, provoked an alert by the Pacific tsunami warning centre in Hawaii, which said that waves could hit Indonesia's Java & Sumatra islands, as well as Christmas & the Cocos islands, which belong to Australia.
SOURCE: CLICK HERE
The death toll is expected to rise & dozens are still missing. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia said a search was continuing for people believed to have been swept away.
Yesterday's earthquake, rated at between 7.2 & 7.7 on the Richter scale, provoked an alert by the Pacific tsunami warning centre in Hawaii, which said that waves could hit Indonesia's Java & Sumatra islands, as well as Christmas & the Cocos islands, which belong to Australia.
SOURCE: CLICK HERE
Tsunami Strikes Java
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
5:20:00 AM
An earthquake off Indonesia generated a two-metre high tsunami that has killed at least 86 people at a beach resort on the Indian Ocean coas...
Earlier this week, a gentleman named Charlie Paglee received a Skype call from a colleague in China -- nothing out of the ordinary, except for the fact that this particular call was coming from an unofficial, homemade Skype client. Paglee, who cofounded the VoIP startup Vozin Communications, claims that the Chinese friend he spoke with is part of a team that has successfully reverse-engineered the Skype protocol, possibly paving the way for a series of third-party clients that would delight consumers but provide no small amount of frustration to Skype-owner eBay.
Although this unlicensed client is currently only able to perform peer-to-peer calling -- presence, instant messaging, & super node features have not yet been implemented -- it seems to be only a matter of time before the engineers have a more robust demo available for public download (they're supposedly shooting for an August release). And since all of this work is going on in China, eBay has no legal means of shutting down the client's development, but even if they did, it's probably already too late -- now that the cat is out of the bag, it's pretty clear that an open-source Skype client is inevitable, and that eBay's future business plans will have to take that reality into account.
SOURCE: HERE
Although this unlicensed client is currently only able to perform peer-to-peer calling -- presence, instant messaging, & super node features have not yet been implemented -- it seems to be only a matter of time before the engineers have a more robust demo available for public download (they're supposedly shooting for an August release). And since all of this work is going on in China, eBay has no legal means of shutting down the client's development, but even if they did, it's probably already too late -- now that the cat is out of the bag, it's pretty clear that an open-source Skype client is inevitable, and that eBay's future business plans will have to take that reality into account.
SOURCE: HERE
Skype's been cracked?
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
5:14:00 AM
Earlier this week, a gentleman named Charlie Paglee received a Skype call from a colleague in China -- nothing out of the ordinary, except f...
History
Al Capone was a Neapolitan born to immigrant parents in New York City who eventually moved to Chicago, Illinois. There he grew to become a notable criminal figure and gangster in American history. He played large parts in gambling, alcohol, and prostitution rackets and in 1925 Capone took control of the Chicago Outfit for which he had served as the second in command, after an assassination attempt on former head Johnny Torrio. He was listed on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list, sold alcohol during the Prohibition era, planned the St. Valentine's Day massacre, and was eventually indicted and convicted of income tax evasion in 1931.
Program
Al CaponeCapone had previously housed his headquarters at the nearby Metropole Hotel, but in July 1928 moved to a suite at the Lexington Hotel. Capone ran his various enterprises from this hotel until his arrest in 1931. A construction company in the 1980s planned a renovation of the Lexington Hotel and while surveying the building discovered a shooting range and a series of secret tunnels including one hidden behind Capone's medicine cabinet. These tunnels connected taverns and whorehouses to provide an elaborate potential escape route in case of a police raid. These discoveries led to further investigation of the hotel, notably by researcher Harold Rubin. Rumors said Capone had kept a very secret vault beneath the hotel to hold some of his wealth and Rubin uncovered a previously unknown vault.
Geraldo Rivera had been fired in 1985 after criticizing ABC for canceling his report on an alleged relationship between John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. He hosted the special, The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault, which was broadcast live on April 21, 1986. The two hour special (including commercials) was greatly hyped as potentially revealing great riches or bodies on live television. This included the presence of a medical examiner should bodies be found and agents from the Internal Revenue Service to collect any of Capone's money that may be discovered. When the vault was finally opened the only things found inside were dirt and several empty bottles including one Geraldo claimed was for moonshine bathtub gin. Despite the ending the special became the most-watched syndicated television special with an estimated audience of 30,000,000. Rivera later wrote of the event in his 1991 autobiography Exposing Myself that "My career was not over, I knew, but had just begun. And all because of a silly, high-concept stunt that failed to deliver on its titillating promise." The term "Al Capone's vault" has become slang for a heavily expected event with disappointing results.
Al Capone was a Neapolitan born to immigrant parents in New York City who eventually moved to Chicago, Illinois. There he grew to become a notable criminal figure and gangster in American history. He played large parts in gambling, alcohol, and prostitution rackets and in 1925 Capone took control of the Chicago Outfit for which he had served as the second in command, after an assassination attempt on former head Johnny Torrio. He was listed on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list, sold alcohol during the Prohibition era, planned the St. Valentine's Day massacre, and was eventually indicted and convicted of income tax evasion in 1931.
Program
Al CaponeCapone had previously housed his headquarters at the nearby Metropole Hotel, but in July 1928 moved to a suite at the Lexington Hotel. Capone ran his various enterprises from this hotel until his arrest in 1931. A construction company in the 1980s planned a renovation of the Lexington Hotel and while surveying the building discovered a shooting range and a series of secret tunnels including one hidden behind Capone's medicine cabinet. These tunnels connected taverns and whorehouses to provide an elaborate potential escape route in case of a police raid. These discoveries led to further investigation of the hotel, notably by researcher Harold Rubin. Rumors said Capone had kept a very secret vault beneath the hotel to hold some of his wealth and Rubin uncovered a previously unknown vault.
Geraldo Rivera had been fired in 1985 after criticizing ABC for canceling his report on an alleged relationship between John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. He hosted the special, The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault, which was broadcast live on April 21, 1986. The two hour special (including commercials) was greatly hyped as potentially revealing great riches or bodies on live television. This included the presence of a medical examiner should bodies be found and agents from the Internal Revenue Service to collect any of Capone's money that may be discovered. When the vault was finally opened the only things found inside were dirt and several empty bottles including one Geraldo claimed was for moonshine bathtub gin. Despite the ending the special became the most-watched syndicated television special with an estimated audience of 30,000,000. Rivera later wrote of the event in his 1991 autobiography Exposing Myself that "My career was not over, I knew, but had just begun. And all because of a silly, high-concept stunt that failed to deliver on its titillating promise." The term "Al Capone's vault" has become slang for a heavily expected event with disappointing results.
The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
4:57:00 AM
History Al Capone was a Neapolitan born to immigrant parents in New York City who eventually moved to Chicago, Illinois. There he grew to be...
Dear Terrorist,
Even if you are not reading this we don't care. Time & again you tried to disturb us & disrupt our life - killing innocent civilians by planting bombs in trains, buses & cars. You have tried hard to bring death & destruction, cause panic & fear & create communal disharmony but everytime you were disgustingly unsuccessful. Do you know how we pass our life in Mumbai? How much it takes for us to earn that single rupee? If you wanted to give us a shock then we are sorry to say that you failed miserably in your ulterior motives. Better look elsewere, not here.
We are not Hindus & Muslims or Gujaratis & Marathis or Punjabis & Bengaliies. Nor do we distinguish ourselves as owners or workers, govt. employees or private employees. WE ARE MUMBAIKERS (Bombay-ites, if you like). We will not allow you to disrupt our life like this. On the last few occassions when you struck (including the 7 deadly blasts in a single day killing over 250 people & injuring 500+ in 1993), we went to work next day in full strength. This time we cleared everything within a few hours & were back to normal - the vendors placing their next order, businessmen finalizing the next deals & the office workers rushing to catch the next train. (Yes the same train you targetted)
Fathom this: Within 3 hours of the blasts, long queues of blood donating volunteers were seen outside various hospital, where most of the injured were admitted. By 12 midnight, the hospital had to issue a notification that blood banks were full & they didn't require any more blood. The next day, attendance at schools & office was close to 100%, trains & buses were packed to the brim, the crowds were back. The city has simply dusted itself off & moved on - perhaps with greater vigour. We are Mumbaikers & we live like brothers in times like this. So, do not dare to threaten us with your crackers. The spirit of Mumbai is very strong & can not be harmed.
Please forward this to others. U never know, by chance it may come to hands of a terrorist who can then read this message which is specially meant for him.
With Love,
From the people of Mumbai (Bombay)
Regards MUMbaiker.
Even if you are not reading this we don't care. Time & again you tried to disturb us & disrupt our life - killing innocent civilians by planting bombs in trains, buses & cars. You have tried hard to bring death & destruction, cause panic & fear & create communal disharmony but everytime you were disgustingly unsuccessful. Do you know how we pass our life in Mumbai? How much it takes for us to earn that single rupee? If you wanted to give us a shock then we are sorry to say that you failed miserably in your ulterior motives. Better look elsewere, not here.
We are not Hindus & Muslims or Gujaratis & Marathis or Punjabis & Bengaliies. Nor do we distinguish ourselves as owners or workers, govt. employees or private employees. WE ARE MUMBAIKERS (Bombay-ites, if you like). We will not allow you to disrupt our life like this. On the last few occassions when you struck (including the 7 deadly blasts in a single day killing over 250 people & injuring 500+ in 1993), we went to work next day in full strength. This time we cleared everything within a few hours & were back to normal - the vendors placing their next order, businessmen finalizing the next deals & the office workers rushing to catch the next train. (Yes the same train you targetted)
Fathom this: Within 3 hours of the blasts, long queues of blood donating volunteers were seen outside various hospital, where most of the injured were admitted. By 12 midnight, the hospital had to issue a notification that blood banks were full & they didn't require any more blood. The next day, attendance at schools & office was close to 100%, trains & buses were packed to the brim, the crowds were back. The city has simply dusted itself off & moved on - perhaps with greater vigour. We are Mumbaikers & we live like brothers in times like this. So, do not dare to threaten us with your crackers. The spirit of Mumbai is very strong & can not be harmed.
Please forward this to others. U never know, by chance it may come to hands of a terrorist who can then read this message which is specially meant for him.
With Love,
From the people of Mumbai (Bombay)
Regards MUMbaiker.
Dear Terrorist ...A Letter From Mumbaikar
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
3:52:00 AM
Dear Terrorist, Even if you are not reading this we don't care. Time & again you tried to disturb us & disrupt our life - killin...
SAN FRANCISCO -- Crude's back at record levels, with the $60-per-barrel price we saw just last year out of the picture for now, maybe even forever, and $80 oil a real possibility by the end of the summer.
"Producers and consumers alike should get used to the fact that oil prices will likely never fall below $60 a barrel again," said Emanuel Balarie, a senior market strategist at Wisdom Financial.
The front-month contract for crude futures closed at $75.19 a barrel Wednesday in New York -- the highest closing price ever -- and the price rally has not stopped there as a world of political turmoil, direct threats to production and supplies and a strong global appetite for oil come together to rattle investors' nerves.
"Whether it be tension with Iran and North Korea, war in Iraq, summer gasoline demand, [or] refinery outages, prices are going to be very sensitive to supply disruptions and/or perceived potential disruptions," said Thomas Hartmann, an analyst at Altavest Worldwide Trading.
The oil market has been factoring in daily news related to the nuclear standoffs between Western nations and Iran and North Korea.
At the same time, the market is routinely bombarded by strong demand figures for oil from countries around the world, especially China. Refinery outages, the recent closure and reopening of a key waterway in Louisiana and storms in the Atlantic also serve as reminders of oil's fragile supply system.
"Producers and consumers alike should get used to the fact that oil prices will likely never fall below $60 a barrel again," said Emanuel Balarie, a senior market strategist at Wisdom Financial.
The front-month contract for crude futures closed at $75.19 a barrel Wednesday in New York -- the highest closing price ever -- and the price rally has not stopped there as a world of political turmoil, direct threats to production and supplies and a strong global appetite for oil come together to rattle investors' nerves.
"Whether it be tension with Iran and North Korea, war in Iraq, summer gasoline demand, [or] refinery outages, prices are going to be very sensitive to supply disruptions and/or perceived potential disruptions," said Thomas Hartmann, an analyst at Altavest Worldwide Trading.
The oil market has been factoring in daily news related to the nuclear standoffs between Western nations and Iran and North Korea.
At the same time, the market is routinely bombarded by strong demand figures for oil from countries around the world, especially China. Refinery outages, the recent closure and reopening of a key waterway in Louisiana and storms in the Atlantic also serve as reminders of oil's fragile supply system.
Farewell to $60 oil; Brace yourself for $80
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
7:16:00 AM
SAN FRANCISCO -- Crude's back at record levels, with the $60-per-barrel price we saw just last year out of the picture for now, maybe e...
"What items should a good waiter carry with them at all times?"
Gear to be carried on your person (or close by)
1. Cheap ballpoint pens. Every waiter should carry at least three; one for signing checks, one for writing down orders, and the other for fellow servers to borrow and never return. Don't bother bringing a nice pen to work. The customers will only steal them. Alternate uses are, but not limited too:
a. Taking down a hot chick's phone number.
b. Emergency tracheotomy tube
c. Weapon (Think the Bourne Identity)
2. Wine opener. Not those expensive pieces of shit people get as wedding presents from Williams Sonoma. A $5 dollar waiter's helper from the liquor store will do. Has a myriad of uses:
a. Opens wine bottles
b. Pops open beer bottles
c. Punches holes in olive oil cans
d. Cuts open boxes
e. Cleans under fingernails
f. Slashes car tires of customers/owner (I never did this but I know someone who did)
g. Also comes in handy as a weapon. Think what that a corkscrew could do to a person!
3. Table crumber. Also a multipurpose tool:
a. Cleans crumbs off table.
b. Tongue depressor in a pinch
c. Scrapes dogshit or gum off your shoe
d. Also doubles as a nifty weapon. Good for poking soft body parts.
(Gee do you detect a pattern here?)
4. Pepper Mill
a. Would you like fresh ground pepper? How I hate saying that! Makes me feel like Adam Sandler.
b. Doubles as a club
5. Gum. Keeps your breath minty fresh and covers up the fact you've been drinking on the job.
6. Narcotizing substance of your choice. Waiters can be a walking pharmacy. I've seen servers with:
a. Cigarettes
b. Hip flask of booze
c. Leftover Vicodan from the dentist. Percodan is also reallllly nice.
d. Prozac - should be in the water.
e. Crack
f.. Advil, Tylenol, Alleve, Oxycontin
g. Marijuana
h. Chocolate
7. Latex gloves. Now most waiters don't carry this but I do. It's a habit leftover from my days working in a psychiatric hospital. You never knew what bodily secretions you'd encounter. (You know vomit, blood, semen, urine, feces, spinal fluid) Well, the same holds true for a restaurant.
8. Reading glasses. A nice touch for the blind customers.
9. Cell Phone. I hate them but most waiters have one. Good for:
a. Calling home
b. Calling 911
c. Calling a cab
d. Calling your agent (Loser!)
e. Calling your therapist
f. Calling your bookie
g. Calling your dealer
h. Using built in camera to video coworkers banging in the linen closet
10. Distractions. Something to keep you occupied when it's slow:
a. A good book or magazine
b. Gameboy, Etch a Sketch, Darts (not recommended)
c. I have a wireless enabled PDA. I hop on the free neighborhood wifi network, check my email, update this blog, and, of course, look at porn.
11. Dupe pad. Some uses are:
a. To write down orders
b. For writing down hot chick's number
c. Doodling unflattering caricatures of customers
d. Kindling
12. Matches for:
a. Lighting birthday candles
b. Lighting cigarettes/cigars
c. Cover the foul stench in the employee bathroom if you or someone else had Mexican the night before.
d. Burning the fucking place down. (Use dupe pad soaked in Bacardi 151 as a starter)
Gear to be stored in locker:
1. Additional narcotizing substances
2. Extra shirt and tie. In case you get splattered with food or aforementioned bodily substances.
3. Extra socks. Helps ward off "swamp foot."
4. Talcum powder. When you're walking all day you might get "the chafe."
5. Preparation H. Standing all day gives you hemorrhoids. I get them the size of golf balls.
6. Band-Aids
7. Hand sanitizer. (In case you touch something gross)
8. Tissues
9. Condoms (You might actually get lucky with the hot chick)
10. Extra weapons (Pens, scrapers, wine openers)
11. Copies of all applicable labor laws.
12. Resignation letter pre printed and signed. Insert date when needed.
13. Firearm where permitted by law
Gear to be carried on your person (or close by)
1. Cheap ballpoint pens. Every waiter should carry at least three; one for signing checks, one for writing down orders, and the other for fellow servers to borrow and never return. Don't bother bringing a nice pen to work. The customers will only steal them. Alternate uses are, but not limited too:
a. Taking down a hot chick's phone number.
b. Emergency tracheotomy tube
c. Weapon (Think the Bourne Identity)
2. Wine opener. Not those expensive pieces of shit people get as wedding presents from Williams Sonoma. A $5 dollar waiter's helper from the liquor store will do. Has a myriad of uses:
a. Opens wine bottles
b. Pops open beer bottles
c. Punches holes in olive oil cans
d. Cuts open boxes
e. Cleans under fingernails
f. Slashes car tires of customers/owner (I never did this but I know someone who did)
g. Also comes in handy as a weapon. Think what that a corkscrew could do to a person!
3. Table crumber. Also a multipurpose tool:
a. Cleans crumbs off table.
b. Tongue depressor in a pinch
c. Scrapes dogshit or gum off your shoe
d. Also doubles as a nifty weapon. Good for poking soft body parts.
(Gee do you detect a pattern here?)
4. Pepper Mill
a. Would you like fresh ground pepper? How I hate saying that! Makes me feel like Adam Sandler.
b. Doubles as a club
5. Gum. Keeps your breath minty fresh and covers up the fact you've been drinking on the job.
6. Narcotizing substance of your choice. Waiters can be a walking pharmacy. I've seen servers with:
a. Cigarettes
b. Hip flask of booze
c. Leftover Vicodan from the dentist. Percodan is also reallllly nice.
d. Prozac - should be in the water.
e. Crack
f.. Advil, Tylenol, Alleve, Oxycontin
g. Marijuana
h. Chocolate
7. Latex gloves. Now most waiters don't carry this but I do. It's a habit leftover from my days working in a psychiatric hospital. You never knew what bodily secretions you'd encounter. (You know vomit, blood, semen, urine, feces, spinal fluid) Well, the same holds true for a restaurant.
8. Reading glasses. A nice touch for the blind customers.
9. Cell Phone. I hate them but most waiters have one. Good for:
a. Calling home
b. Calling 911
c. Calling a cab
d. Calling your agent (Loser!)
e. Calling your therapist
f. Calling your bookie
g. Calling your dealer
h. Using built in camera to video coworkers banging in the linen closet
10. Distractions. Something to keep you occupied when it's slow:
a. A good book or magazine
b. Gameboy, Etch a Sketch, Darts (not recommended)
c. I have a wireless enabled PDA. I hop on the free neighborhood wifi network, check my email, update this blog, and, of course, look at porn.
11. Dupe pad. Some uses are:
a. To write down orders
b. For writing down hot chick's number
c. Doodling unflattering caricatures of customers
d. Kindling
12. Matches for:
a. Lighting birthday candles
b. Lighting cigarettes/cigars
c. Cover the foul stench in the employee bathroom if you or someone else had Mexican the night before.
d. Burning the fucking place down. (Use dupe pad soaked in Bacardi 151 as a starter)
Gear to be stored in locker:
1. Additional narcotizing substances
2. Extra shirt and tie. In case you get splattered with food or aforementioned bodily substances.
3. Extra socks. Helps ward off "swamp foot."
4. Talcum powder. When you're walking all day you might get "the chafe."
5. Preparation H. Standing all day gives you hemorrhoids. I get them the size of golf balls.
6. Band-Aids
7. Hand sanitizer. (In case you touch something gross)
8. Tissues
9. Condoms (You might actually get lucky with the hot chick)
10. Extra weapons (Pens, scrapers, wine openers)
11. Copies of all applicable labor laws.
12. Resignation letter pre printed and signed. Insert date when needed.
13. Firearm where permitted by law
Waiter Gear
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
7:14:00 AM
"What items should a good waiter carry with them at all times?" Gear to be carried on your person (or close by) 1. Cheap ballpoint...
India has become a dumping ground for banned drugs; also the business for production of banned drugs is blooming. Plz make sure that u buy drugs only if prescribed by a doctor(Also, ask which company manufactures it, thiswould help to ensure that u get what is prescribed at the Drug Store) & that also from a reputed drug store. Not many people know about these banned drugs and consume them causing a lot of damage to themselves.
DANGEROUS DRUGS THESE DRUGS HAVE BEEN GLOBALLY DISCARDED BUT ARE AVAILABLEIN INDIA. The most common ones are D cold, action 500 & Nimulid.
ANALGIN:
This is a pain-killer. Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.
Brand name: Novalgin
___________________________________________________________
CISAPRIDE:
Acidity, constipation. Reason for ban : irregular heartbeat
Brand name : Ciza, Syspride
____________________________________________________________
DROPERIDOL:
Anti-depressant. Reason for ban : Irregular heartbeat.
Brand name : Droperol
______________________________________________________________
FURAZOLIDONE:
Antidiarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Furoxone, Lomofen
_____________________________________________________________
NIMESULIDE:
Painkiller, fever. Reason for ban : Liver failure.
Brand name : Nise, Nimulid
________________________________________________________________________
NITROFURAZONE:
Antibacterial cream. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Furacin
________________________________________________________________________
PHENOLPHTHALEIN:
Laxative. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Agarol
________________________________________________________________________
PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE:
cold and cough. Reason for ban : stroke.
Brand name : D'cold, Vicks Action-500
________________________________________________________________________
OXYPHENBUTAZONE:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Reason for ban : Bone marrow depression.
Brand name : Sioril
_______________________________________________________________________
PIPERAZINE:
Anti-worms. Reason for ban : Nerve damage.
Brand name : Piperazine
________________________________________________________________________
QUINIODOCHLOR:
Anti-diarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Damage to sight.
Brand name : Enteroquinol
DANGEROUS DRUGS THESE DRUGS HAVE BEEN GLOBALLY DISCARDED BUT ARE AVAILABLEIN INDIA. The most common ones are D cold, action 500 & Nimulid.
ANALGIN:
This is a pain-killer. Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.
Brand name: Novalgin
___________________________________________________________
CISAPRIDE:
Acidity, constipation. Reason for ban : irregular heartbeat
Brand name : Ciza, Syspride
____________________________________________________________
DROPERIDOL:
Anti-depressant. Reason for ban : Irregular heartbeat.
Brand name : Droperol
______________________________________________________________
FURAZOLIDONE:
Antidiarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Furoxone, Lomofen
_____________________________________________________________
NIMESULIDE:
Painkiller, fever. Reason for ban : Liver failure.
Brand name : Nise, Nimulid
________________________________________________________________________
NITROFURAZONE:
Antibacterial cream. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Furacin
________________________________________________________________________
PHENOLPHTHALEIN:
Laxative. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Agarol
________________________________________________________________________
PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE:
cold and cough. Reason for ban : stroke.
Brand name : D'cold, Vicks Action-500
________________________________________________________________________
OXYPHENBUTAZONE:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Reason for ban : Bone marrow depression.
Brand name : Sioril
_______________________________________________________________________
PIPERAZINE:
Anti-worms. Reason for ban : Nerve damage.
Brand name : Piperazine
________________________________________________________________________
QUINIODOCHLOR:
Anti-diarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Damage to sight.
Brand name : Enteroquinol
Banned Drugs
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
5:15:00 AM
India has become a dumping ground for banned drugs; also the business for production of banned drugs is blooming. Plz make sure that u buy d...
SI.com - 2006 World Cup France eliminates defending champ Brazil - Saturday July 1, 2006 4:59PM: " Germany playing Italy in the other semifinal, it will be the first all-European final four since 1982."
SI.com - 2006 World Cup
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
2:53:00 AM
SI.com - 2006 World Cup France eliminates defending champ Brazil - Saturday July 1, 2006 4:59PM: " Germany playing Italy in the other ...
After challenging rounds of nation-wide competition, Kshitij Bansal from Apeejay School, Noida; Prateek Karandikar from Mother's International, Delhi; Harpreet Singh also from Apeejay School, Noida; and Swarun Kumar from P S Senior Secondary School, Chennai, were selected to represent India at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).
The wonder kids names' were announced at a function of Indian National Olympiad in Informatics, 2006 (INOI-2006) held at the premises of Sasken Communication Technologies, an embedded telecom solutions company.
SOURCE: HERE
The wonder kids names' were announced at a function of Indian National Olympiad in Informatics, 2006 (INOI-2006) held at the premises of Sasken Communication Technologies, an embedded telecom solutions company.
SOURCE: HERE
Indian Olympiad Kids (800th Post)
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
9:59:00 PM
After challenging rounds of nation-wide competition, Kshitij Bansal from Apeejay School, Noida; Prateek Karandikar from Mother's Interna...
Half Life was perfection personified; a benchmark for excellence in gaming. The sequel to Half Life was long awaited, six years to be precise; it lived up to everyone's expectations and beyond. The announcement for another Half Life sequel received some very positive response and raised expectations. Here is my take on the game.
A Splendid Short Life
Episode one is the perfect sequel, it cuts the chase and jumps right into action. The game carries itself to a very engaging scenario right from the start. The game starts with Dog and Alyx looking for you, Gordon Freeman. As they dig you out of the rubble, the story unfolds. Alyx and you have to enter the Citadel and take care of some business, what that is, you have to play the game to find out.
The game has a very Hollywoodish feel to it; it has the intensity of a hardcore action flick. There are explosions and gun fights that can put a Michael Bay film to shame. Everyone loved Half Life, and just when you conclude that it can't get any better, Episode one steals the show. You start without any weapons, just your trusted "Gravity Gun." You use the gravity gun for moving objects and clearing paths, as Alyx and you move towards your objective. A few minutes into the action and your gravity gun is supercharged, as it was in Dr Breen's portal. From then on, the charging combine are a piece of cake to handle. The combine attack you at regular intervals, in large numbers.
But the gravity gun treats them like toy soldiers; they don't pose much threat, if you know your gravity gun. The initial levels are a good mix. The game avoids any monotonous play, with a perfect balance of puzzles and combat. This isn't another bland FPS with mindless killings involved, this is an intelligent game. The initial puzzles are in the form of activating a few nodes, although there are quite a few nodes to activate, it never feels repetitive. One particular level is well planned. It starts with Alyx and you on a lift, as the lift descends, huge pile of rubble starts falling from above. The only way to survive it is using your gravity gun. It's then that you realize that Alyx makes a great partner. She assists you on spotting the rubble and avoiding a calamity. Alyx is very impressive; her intellect and resourcefulness are a driving force in the team.
The only major issue with Episode one is the fact that this is a 5-6 hour gameplay only. As most would know this is a part of Valve's "Episodic Content". Every few months there will be a new episode out, so that the gamer doesn't have to wait for years to play his favorite franchise. It was made clear from the start that the game will be short, but 5 hours seem too short.
A Splendid Short Life
Episode one is the perfect sequel, it cuts the chase and jumps right into action. The game carries itself to a very engaging scenario right from the start. The game starts with Dog and Alyx looking for you, Gordon Freeman. As they dig you out of the rubble, the story unfolds. Alyx and you have to enter the Citadel and take care of some business, what that is, you have to play the game to find out.
The game has a very Hollywoodish feel to it; it has the intensity of a hardcore action flick. There are explosions and gun fights that can put a Michael Bay film to shame. Everyone loved Half Life, and just when you conclude that it can't get any better, Episode one steals the show. You start without any weapons, just your trusted "Gravity Gun." You use the gravity gun for moving objects and clearing paths, as Alyx and you move towards your objective. A few minutes into the action and your gravity gun is supercharged, as it was in Dr Breen's portal. From then on, the charging combine are a piece of cake to handle. The combine attack you at regular intervals, in large numbers.
But the gravity gun treats them like toy soldiers; they don't pose much threat, if you know your gravity gun. The initial levels are a good mix. The game avoids any monotonous play, with a perfect balance of puzzles and combat. This isn't another bland FPS with mindless killings involved, this is an intelligent game. The initial puzzles are in the form of activating a few nodes, although there are quite a few nodes to activate, it never feels repetitive. One particular level is well planned. It starts with Alyx and you on a lift, as the lift descends, huge pile of rubble starts falling from above. The only way to survive it is using your gravity gun. It's then that you realize that Alyx makes a great partner. She assists you on spotting the rubble and avoiding a calamity. Alyx is very impressive; her intellect and resourcefulness are a driving force in the team.
The only major issue with Episode one is the fact that this is a 5-6 hour gameplay only. As most would know this is a part of Valve's "Episodic Content". Every few months there will be a new episode out, so that the gamer doesn't have to wait for years to play his favorite franchise. It was made clear from the start that the game will be short, but 5 hours seem too short.
Half-Life 2 Episode 1
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
9:48:00 PM
Half Life was perfection personified; a benchmark for excellence in gaming. The sequel to Half Life was long awaited, six years to be precis...
Fed raises the interest rate by 25 bps
US Fed has increased its short term interest rate (fed rate) by 25 bps. The Fed also said in its statement that any additional firming if required would depend on the future economic data. The statement, less hawkish then the earlier ones as it seems, was taken positively by the markets & the US Fed future rate for the month of September 2006 declined by 8 bps.
TCS lines up Rs1300 crore capex
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has earmarked a capex of Rs 1,300 crore for the current financial year. The investment plan is a part of the company's target to become a $10 billion company by 2010, mainly through acquisitions & alliances both across India & overseas. The company would also look at acquisitions & strategic alliances, which would enable it to expand capacity & reach international markets. TCS had posted revenues of around $2.1 billion in the last financial year. Out of the total Rs 1,300 crore, Rs 1,000 crore would be utilised for its real estate foray & the balance for information technology-related activities.
ONGC may buy 5% in Rosneft
The Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) may take upto 5% equity in Russian state oil firm, OAO Rosneft, which will be making an initial public offering (IPO), if the Indian company was given a stake in one of the big-ticket oilfields in Far East Russia or Siberia. ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of ONGC, has told Russian authorities that it may participate in the $11.6 billion IPO provided it gets stake in Sakhalin-3, Vankor or Timano-Pechora oilfields. OVL has got a mandate to scout for oil & gas abroad to meet India's energy security. Earlier, OVL sought stake in OAO Yuganskneftegaz, a unit of Yukos, which was taken over by Rosneft for $9.3 billion in 2004.
ICI India decides to sell surfactant business
ICI India Ltd has approved the sale of the Company's Uniqema Business to the Croda group based in the UK for a total consideration of about Rs260 crore. The sale follows the strategic decision by the ICI PLC announced in February 2006.
Uniqema comprises of the textile chemicals business which recorded a turnover of Rs147 crore for FY2006. A back of the envelope calculation suggests that the sale of the division would reduce the earnings for FY2007 & FY2008 by 20%. However, the sale consideration would add Rs64 per share of cash on books.
BHEL gets Rs220 crore contracts in Afghanistan
State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has bagged two contracts cumulatively worth Rs 220 crore for power projects in Afghanistan. The first contract is from Power Grid Corporation of India for setting up a substation at Kabul. The second project is from Water & Power Consultancy Services for the supply & installation of equipment for 42 MW Salma hydel project. The company's work in the first project includes design, manufacture, supply & commissioning of a 220 KV substation in Kabul. It would also supply turbines & generators for Salma hydroelectric project.
NIIT Limited, improving growth outlook
· NIIT Limited, education & training company of NIIT group, reported 13.1% growth in net revenues to Rs450.7 crore in the fiscal ended March 2006.
· The operating margins improved by 107 basis points to 13.4% on the back of better performance form its individual training business.
· The net profit grew by 14% to Rs23.6 crore. After including the minority share of profits in associate companies ( related to 25% stake in NIIT Tech) the adjusted earnings stood at RS40 crore, up by 12.4% from Rs35.6 crore in FY2005.
· The company is witnessing a strong growth in individual segment & expects a much better growth in FY2007. The margins are also likely to improve due to its focus on high end courses & the declining contribution from the low-margin institutional business.
· At the current price the stock trades at 17x FY2006 earnings & around 14.5x FY2007 estimated earnings. But considering the value of its 25% stake in NIIT Technologies (amounting to around Rs80 per share), the forward valuation stand at around 11.2x its FY2007 earnings.
Praj Ind plans industrial biotech foray
Pune-based Praj Industries Ltd (PIL) is enhancing its R&D capabilities & chalking out a Rs 20-crore expansion plan, including entry into the industrial biotech space. The company's blueprint for R&D expansion is expected to be ready in three months.
The company, which has bagged an order from a US-based group for setting up two corn-based ethanol plants, is simultaneously preparing to meet expected demand from the US & has short-listed some companies in the US/Europe for acquisition. Praj is expanding manufacturing capacities by setting up two additional workshops near the Mumbai port & plans 30% addition to the existing manpower.
GAIL signs MoU with Govt
State gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd has signed an annual performance target Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for the financial year 2006-07. The company has targeted transmission of 76.67 mscmd (million standard cubic metres per day) of natural gas from domestic sources & through LNG route, which includes gas-marketing target of 69 mscd. The MoU also provides for a production target of 320,000 million tonnes of polymers & about 1.25 million tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons.
Aurobindo gets USFDA nod for Stavudine
Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has announced that it has received tentative approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for Stavudine capsules in 15 mg & 20 mg dosages. This is in addition to the 30 mg & 40 mg capsules already approved in July last year. According to the company, the USFDA tentatively approved the total application covering 15, 20, 30 & 40 mg. Stavudine would now be available for consideration for purchase under the US President's Emergency Programme for AIDS Relief. The company manufactures both active pharmaceutical ingredients & formulation for this generic.
Steel prices set to rise by upto Rs1000
Steel prices are set to rise by Rs500-Rs1000 per tonne from July 1. Steel companies are expected to meet again today to decide on further price hike owing to higher iron ore prices & rise in international prices of steel. Car companies have already said that they would be going for a price hike. Hyundai has already increased the prices last month. Others including Maruti, General Motors, & Toyota are expected to follow suit. Typically, Rs1000 rise in steel prices leads to Rs2000-3000 hike in the car prices.
United Breweries Raises Money to Buy Company
According to media reports, United Breweries Group, India's biggest distiller, has arranged to raise 500 million euros ($635 million) to buy a wine company in Europe. United Breweries will borrow from banks such as Standard Chartered Plc & sell foreign-currency-convertible bonds. The company has short-listed three companies, & will buy one of them soon. The UB Group, which has relied on acquisitions to expand its market share, wants expertise & brands acquired overseas to win more discerning customers at home, where rising disposable incomes have spawned more liquor & beer drinkers. The company has bought three local brewers since August 2000.
Pratibha Syntex plans Rs349 crore expansion
Pithampur-based Pratibha Syntex has lined up Rs 349 crore for expansion that includes setting up a terry towel unit in the Pithampur SEZ with an initial capacity of 12,000 metric tonne per annum.This would be commissioned by October next year. A bulk of this investment will go towards the terry towel project with an outlay of Rs217 crore.
The company plans to raise capital for the expansion by borrowing Rs233 crore through term loans from eight different financial institutions. Remaining Rs 116 crore would be raised through internal accruals & equity.
The company will also invest in a 6-MW captive gas plant (Rs 8 crore) at its Pithampur manufacturing unit, an open ended spinning project (Rs54 crore) & expansion of its knitting, dyeing & garmenting operations (Rs 60 crore).
GM to launch mini car next year
General Motors will launch a mini car in India in the first half of next year, even as it is yet to take a final decision on its second plant. The mini car will be rolled out from our Halol facility & this would get the benefit of excise duty cut. The company will utilise the increased capacity of the plant for the initial roll out of the mini car, which is widely speculated to be the Chevrolet Spark. "By the end of this year, we will touch an overall production capacity of 85,000 units per annum. Our current sales target for the year being 45,000-50,000 units, we will utilise the additional capacity for the small car. The company today launched a sports car, Chevrolet SRV, with price starting from Rs 6.97 lakh ex-showroom in Delhi. Targeted at young professionals, the car is also available with 'option pack' with additional features at a price of Rs 7.51 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
US Fed has increased its short term interest rate (fed rate) by 25 bps. The Fed also said in its statement that any additional firming if required would depend on the future economic data. The statement, less hawkish then the earlier ones as it seems, was taken positively by the markets & the US Fed future rate for the month of September 2006 declined by 8 bps.
TCS lines up Rs1300 crore capex
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has earmarked a capex of Rs 1,300 crore for the current financial year. The investment plan is a part of the company's target to become a $10 billion company by 2010, mainly through acquisitions & alliances both across India & overseas. The company would also look at acquisitions & strategic alliances, which would enable it to expand capacity & reach international markets. TCS had posted revenues of around $2.1 billion in the last financial year. Out of the total Rs 1,300 crore, Rs 1,000 crore would be utilised for its real estate foray & the balance for information technology-related activities.
ONGC may buy 5% in Rosneft
The Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) may take upto 5% equity in Russian state oil firm, OAO Rosneft, which will be making an initial public offering (IPO), if the Indian company was given a stake in one of the big-ticket oilfields in Far East Russia or Siberia. ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of ONGC, has told Russian authorities that it may participate in the $11.6 billion IPO provided it gets stake in Sakhalin-3, Vankor or Timano-Pechora oilfields. OVL has got a mandate to scout for oil & gas abroad to meet India's energy security. Earlier, OVL sought stake in OAO Yuganskneftegaz, a unit of Yukos, which was taken over by Rosneft for $9.3 billion in 2004.
ICI India decides to sell surfactant business
ICI India Ltd has approved the sale of the Company's Uniqema Business to the Croda group based in the UK for a total consideration of about Rs260 crore. The sale follows the strategic decision by the ICI PLC announced in February 2006.
Uniqema comprises of the textile chemicals business which recorded a turnover of Rs147 crore for FY2006. A back of the envelope calculation suggests that the sale of the division would reduce the earnings for FY2007 & FY2008 by 20%. However, the sale consideration would add Rs64 per share of cash on books.
BHEL gets Rs220 crore contracts in Afghanistan
State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has bagged two contracts cumulatively worth Rs 220 crore for power projects in Afghanistan. The first contract is from Power Grid Corporation of India for setting up a substation at Kabul. The second project is from Water & Power Consultancy Services for the supply & installation of equipment for 42 MW Salma hydel project. The company's work in the first project includes design, manufacture, supply & commissioning of a 220 KV substation in Kabul. It would also supply turbines & generators for Salma hydroelectric project.
NIIT Limited, improving growth outlook
· NIIT Limited, education & training company of NIIT group, reported 13.1% growth in net revenues to Rs450.7 crore in the fiscal ended March 2006.
· The operating margins improved by 107 basis points to 13.4% on the back of better performance form its individual training business.
· The net profit grew by 14% to Rs23.6 crore. After including the minority share of profits in associate companies ( related to 25% stake in NIIT Tech) the adjusted earnings stood at RS40 crore, up by 12.4% from Rs35.6 crore in FY2005.
· The company is witnessing a strong growth in individual segment & expects a much better growth in FY2007. The margins are also likely to improve due to its focus on high end courses & the declining contribution from the low-margin institutional business.
· At the current price the stock trades at 17x FY2006 earnings & around 14.5x FY2007 estimated earnings. But considering the value of its 25% stake in NIIT Technologies (amounting to around Rs80 per share), the forward valuation stand at around 11.2x its FY2007 earnings.
Praj Ind plans industrial biotech foray
Pune-based Praj Industries Ltd (PIL) is enhancing its R&D capabilities & chalking out a Rs 20-crore expansion plan, including entry into the industrial biotech space. The company's blueprint for R&D expansion is expected to be ready in three months.
The company, which has bagged an order from a US-based group for setting up two corn-based ethanol plants, is simultaneously preparing to meet expected demand from the US & has short-listed some companies in the US/Europe for acquisition. Praj is expanding manufacturing capacities by setting up two additional workshops near the Mumbai port & plans 30% addition to the existing manpower.
GAIL signs MoU with Govt
State gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd has signed an annual performance target Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for the financial year 2006-07. The company has targeted transmission of 76.67 mscmd (million standard cubic metres per day) of natural gas from domestic sources & through LNG route, which includes gas-marketing target of 69 mscd. The MoU also provides for a production target of 320,000 million tonnes of polymers & about 1.25 million tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons.
Aurobindo gets USFDA nod for Stavudine
Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has announced that it has received tentative approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for Stavudine capsules in 15 mg & 20 mg dosages. This is in addition to the 30 mg & 40 mg capsules already approved in July last year. According to the company, the USFDA tentatively approved the total application covering 15, 20, 30 & 40 mg. Stavudine would now be available for consideration for purchase under the US President's Emergency Programme for AIDS Relief. The company manufactures both active pharmaceutical ingredients & formulation for this generic.
Steel prices set to rise by upto Rs1000
Steel prices are set to rise by Rs500-Rs1000 per tonne from July 1. Steel companies are expected to meet again today to decide on further price hike owing to higher iron ore prices & rise in international prices of steel. Car companies have already said that they would be going for a price hike. Hyundai has already increased the prices last month. Others including Maruti, General Motors, & Toyota are expected to follow suit. Typically, Rs1000 rise in steel prices leads to Rs2000-3000 hike in the car prices.
United Breweries Raises Money to Buy Company
According to media reports, United Breweries Group, India's biggest distiller, has arranged to raise 500 million euros ($635 million) to buy a wine company in Europe. United Breweries will borrow from banks such as Standard Chartered Plc & sell foreign-currency-convertible bonds. The company has short-listed three companies, & will buy one of them soon. The UB Group, which has relied on acquisitions to expand its market share, wants expertise & brands acquired overseas to win more discerning customers at home, where rising disposable incomes have spawned more liquor & beer drinkers. The company has bought three local brewers since August 2000.
Pratibha Syntex plans Rs349 crore expansion
Pithampur-based Pratibha Syntex has lined up Rs 349 crore for expansion that includes setting up a terry towel unit in the Pithampur SEZ with an initial capacity of 12,000 metric tonne per annum.This would be commissioned by October next year. A bulk of this investment will go towards the terry towel project with an outlay of Rs217 crore.
The company plans to raise capital for the expansion by borrowing Rs233 crore through term loans from eight different financial institutions. Remaining Rs 116 crore would be raised through internal accruals & equity.
The company will also invest in a 6-MW captive gas plant (Rs 8 crore) at its Pithampur manufacturing unit, an open ended spinning project (Rs54 crore) & expansion of its knitting, dyeing & garmenting operations (Rs 60 crore).
GM to launch mini car next year
General Motors will launch a mini car in India in the first half of next year, even as it is yet to take a final decision on its second plant. The mini car will be rolled out from our Halol facility & this would get the benefit of excise duty cut. The company will utilise the increased capacity of the plant for the initial roll out of the mini car, which is widely speculated to be the Chevrolet Spark. "By the end of this year, we will touch an overall production capacity of 85,000 units per annum. Our current sales target for the year being 45,000-50,000 units, we will utilise the additional capacity for the small car. The company today launched a sports car, Chevrolet SRV, with price starting from Rs 6.97 lakh ex-showroom in Delhi. Targeted at young professionals, the car is also available with 'option pack' with additional features at a price of Rs 7.51 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Market News
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
6:47:00 AM
Fed raises the interest rate by 25 bps US Fed has increased its short term interest rate (fed rate) by 25 bps. The Fed also said in its stat...
BERLIN (AP) -- There's no end to Germany's resourcefulness and tenacity at this World Cup.
The Germans relentlessly wore down Argentina in the quarterfinals Friday, taking advantage of a backup goalkeeper with a late goal to tie the game 1-1 and then winning the penalty-kick shootout 4-2 as Jens Lehmann stopped two shots.
"It's a thriller, like a Hitchcock movie," coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "Obviously you're the happiest person in the world if you win it and the saddest if you lose."
The hosts had seemed headed for a devastating loss, down for the first time in the tournament and frustrated by an Argentina team that dominated possession.
Rather than getting desperate, however, the Germans pressed the attack and fortune turned their way. Argentine goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri was injured in a collision with Germany's Miroslav Klose and replaced by Leonardo Franco, playing only his third national team game and his first minutes in a World Cup.
Nine minutes later, in the 80th minute of the match, Germany captain Michael Ballack lofted a pass into the penalty area and substitute Tim Borowski blindly headed it across the goalmouth. Klose ducked inside Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin, dived toward the net and headed it past Franco into the far corner.
After a scoreless extra time, Germany grabbed a spot in the semifinals opposite the Italy-Ukraine winner by dominating the shootout against Franco, who never came close on any of the shots.
So the party heads to Dortmund on Tuesday as the hosts seek their fourth world title. Argentina heads home despite controlling the ball for most of the game.
"It was a very emotional game, worth a quarterfinal," said Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, who resigned afterward. "Argentina played like a favorite, played well, even though they lost."
This was most anticipated match of the World Cup so far, pairing Germany's resurgent offense against the team that had scored two of the most spectacular goals of the tournament. But as classic soccer, it was a major disappointment early -- even the 72,000 fans seemed let down, and the usual fervor was missing.
That changed as the drama built, right into the shootout.
SOURCE: HERE
The Germans relentlessly wore down Argentina in the quarterfinals Friday, taking advantage of a backup goalkeeper with a late goal to tie the game 1-1 and then winning the penalty-kick shootout 4-2 as Jens Lehmann stopped two shots.
"It's a thriller, like a Hitchcock movie," coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "Obviously you're the happiest person in the world if you win it and the saddest if you lose."
The hosts had seemed headed for a devastating loss, down for the first time in the tournament and frustrated by an Argentina team that dominated possession.
Rather than getting desperate, however, the Germans pressed the attack and fortune turned their way. Argentine goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri was injured in a collision with Germany's Miroslav Klose and replaced by Leonardo Franco, playing only his third national team game and his first minutes in a World Cup.
Nine minutes later, in the 80th minute of the match, Germany captain Michael Ballack lofted a pass into the penalty area and substitute Tim Borowski blindly headed it across the goalmouth. Klose ducked inside Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin, dived toward the net and headed it past Franco into the far corner.
After a scoreless extra time, Germany grabbed a spot in the semifinals opposite the Italy-Ukraine winner by dominating the shootout against Franco, who never came close on any of the shots.
So the party heads to Dortmund on Tuesday as the hosts seek their fourth world title. Argentina heads home despite controlling the ball for most of the game.
"It was a very emotional game, worth a quarterfinal," said Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, who resigned afterward. "Argentina played like a favorite, played well, even though they lost."
This was most anticipated match of the World Cup so far, pairing Germany's resurgent offense against the team that had scored two of the most spectacular goals of the tournament. But as classic soccer, it was a major disappointment early -- even the 72,000 fans seemed let down, and the usual fervor was missing.
That changed as the drama built, right into the shootout.
SOURCE: HERE
The Berlin Wall
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
6:44:00 AM
BERLIN (AP) -- There's no end to Germany's resourcefulness and tenacity at this World Cup. The Germans relentlessly wore down Argent...
One day a classmate told little Timmy that most adults have at least one dark secret and that they can be easily blackmailed simply by saying, "I know the whole truth." Timmy decided to try it out. He went home and when his mother greeted him, he frowned and said, "I know the whole truth." His mother quickly handed him $20 and said, "Just don't tell your father!" This worked so well for Timmy that he decided to see what he could get from his father. When his father got home, Timmy greeted him at the door and said, "I know the whole truth." His father promptly handed him $50 and said, "Please don't tell your mother!"
Very pleased, Timmy headed out the door to school the next day when he ran into the mailman. He greeted the mailman with his new phrase, "I know the whole truth."
The mailman dropped his mail, opened his arms, and said, "Then come give your daddy a big hug!"
Very pleased, Timmy headed out the door to school the next day when he ran into the mailman. He greeted the mailman with his new phrase, "I know the whole truth."
The mailman dropped his mail, opened his arms, and said, "Then come give your daddy a big hug!"
The Dark Secret
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
6:40:00 AM
One day a classmate told little Timmy that most adults have at least one dark secret and that they can be easily blackmailed simply by sayin...
Noel Whittaker, financial author and investment advisor rightly said, "Life is full of uncertainties. Future investment earnings and interest and inflation rates are not known to anybody. However, I can guarantee you one thing. Those who put an investment program in place will have a lot more money when they come to retire than those who never get around to it."
Getting rich is not an easy thing. But, it is definitely a simple thing. It just requires 3 things: income, time and discipline. Many of us would be having income and time. All that is required is a pinch of discipline to find the perfect flavour. In this article, we highlight the power of regular investing, which is simple yet has the ingredients to make your investment a healthy outcome.
Compounding: Compounding is a financial phenomenon that makes time and money work in your favor. It is what happens when your investment earnings are added to your principal, forming a larger base on which earnings may accumulate. And as your investment base gets larger, it has the potential to grow faster.
For example, if you had Rs 5,000 in an account that paid 5% annually in simple interest for five years, you'd earn Rs250 a year, for a total of Rs 1, 250 in interest. In this case the interest rate and the yield are the same — 5% per year. But the same Rs 5,000 investment paying 5% interest compounded annually for five years would produce a total of Rs 1, 381.41 in interest. Because you are earning interest on your interest, the yield – an average of 5.52% per year – is higher than the interest rate.
The real magic of investing comes when you combine the power of compounding with continuous and regular investments – in other words, discipline. For example, if you start with a amount of Rs 50,000 and add only Rs 250 per month, you would have Rs 180,000, Rs 525,382 and Rs 1.4 m after 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. No wonder Albert Einstein said that compounding is the eighth wonder of the world.
Dollar-cost averaging: Dollar cost averaging also known systematic investment (through SIP for mutual fund schemes) is a technique to reduce market risk through the systematic purchase of securities at predetermined intervals and fixed amounts. Instead of investing in a lump sum, the investor works his way by slowly buying smaller amounts over a longer period of time. This spreads the cost over several periods, thus providing insulation against changes in market price.
Let us assume you decide to put Rs 100 every month in an investment that is currently selling for Rs 10 per share (for this hypothetical example, let us assume that there are no additional charges). The first month you invest Rs 100 and receive 10 shares. Now if, in the second month, the market falls and the price drops to Rs 5 per share, your Rs 100 buys you 20 shares. The market rebounds in the following month, the price jumps to Rs 10 per share, and for your Rs 100 investment, you again receive 10 shares.
Benefits of cost averaging
Investment (Rs) Share Price (Rs) Shares acquired
Month 1 100 10 10
Month 2 100 5 20
Month 3 100 10 10
Total 300 25 40
Average cost = Rs 7.5 (300/40)
As you can see from the above table, you now own 40 shares after a total investment of Rs 300. The latest price is Rs 10, but the average cost to you was Rs 7.5. While this is just a short-term example, by being disciplined and remaining with the program is the key to the long-term success of dollar cost averaging.
Sure, investing in the stock market has risks. There is always the chance that the markets will go nowhere for the next 5 or 10 years and you shall end up no better than where you started. But then, discipline is a way not to eliminate risks but to minimise them. Regular investing combined with the power of compounding will help you earn adequate returns on your investment over a long term.
Getting rich is not an easy thing. But, it is definitely a simple thing. It just requires 3 things: income, time and discipline. Many of us would be having income and time. All that is required is a pinch of discipline to find the perfect flavour. In this article, we highlight the power of regular investing, which is simple yet has the ingredients to make your investment a healthy outcome.
Compounding: Compounding is a financial phenomenon that makes time and money work in your favor. It is what happens when your investment earnings are added to your principal, forming a larger base on which earnings may accumulate. And as your investment base gets larger, it has the potential to grow faster.
For example, if you had Rs 5,000 in an account that paid 5% annually in simple interest for five years, you'd earn Rs250 a year, for a total of Rs 1, 250 in interest. In this case the interest rate and the yield are the same — 5% per year. But the same Rs 5,000 investment paying 5% interest compounded annually for five years would produce a total of Rs 1, 381.41 in interest. Because you are earning interest on your interest, the yield – an average of 5.52% per year – is higher than the interest rate.
The real magic of investing comes when you combine the power of compounding with continuous and regular investments – in other words, discipline. For example, if you start with a amount of Rs 50,000 and add only Rs 250 per month, you would have Rs 180,000, Rs 525,382 and Rs 1.4 m after 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. No wonder Albert Einstein said that compounding is the eighth wonder of the world.
Dollar-cost averaging: Dollar cost averaging also known systematic investment (through SIP for mutual fund schemes) is a technique to reduce market risk through the systematic purchase of securities at predetermined intervals and fixed amounts. Instead of investing in a lump sum, the investor works his way by slowly buying smaller amounts over a longer period of time. This spreads the cost over several periods, thus providing insulation against changes in market price.
Let us assume you decide to put Rs 100 every month in an investment that is currently selling for Rs 10 per share (for this hypothetical example, let us assume that there are no additional charges). The first month you invest Rs 100 and receive 10 shares. Now if, in the second month, the market falls and the price drops to Rs 5 per share, your Rs 100 buys you 20 shares. The market rebounds in the following month, the price jumps to Rs 10 per share, and for your Rs 100 investment, you again receive 10 shares.
Benefits of cost averaging
Investment (Rs) Share Price (Rs) Shares acquired
Month 1 100 10 10
Month 2 100 5 20
Month 3 100 10 10
Total 300 25 40
Average cost = Rs 7.5 (300/40)
As you can see from the above table, you now own 40 shares after a total investment of Rs 300. The latest price is Rs 10, but the average cost to you was Rs 7.5. While this is just a short-term example, by being disciplined and remaining with the program is the key to the long-term success of dollar cost averaging.
Sure, investing in the stock market has risks. There is always the chance that the markets will go nowhere for the next 5 or 10 years and you shall end up no better than where you started. But then, discipline is a way not to eliminate risks but to minimise them. Regular investing combined with the power of compounding will help you earn adequate returns on your investment over a long term.
Investing: Slow and steady wins the race!
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
6:40:00 AM
Noel Whittaker, financial author and investment advisor rightly said, "Life is full of uncertainties. Future investment earnings and in...
There once was an oyster whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand had got into his shell.
It was only a grain, but it gave him great pain
For oysters have feelings although they're so plain.
Now, did he berate the harsh workings of fate
that brought him to such a deplorable state?
Did he curse at the government, cry for election,
And claim that the sea should have given him protection?
No- he said to himself as he lay on a shell,
Since I cannot remove it I shall try to improve it.
Now the years have rolled around, as the years always do.
And he came to his ultimate destiny: stew.
And the small grain of sand that had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl all richly aglow.
Now the tale has a moral, for isn't it grand
What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand?
What couldn't we do if we'd only begin
with some of the things that get under our skin?
Who found that some sand had got into his shell.
It was only a grain, but it gave him great pain
For oysters have feelings although they're so plain.
Now, did he berate the harsh workings of fate
that brought him to such a deplorable state?
Did he curse at the government, cry for election,
And claim that the sea should have given him protection?
No- he said to himself as he lay on a shell,
Since I cannot remove it I shall try to improve it.
Now the years have rolled around, as the years always do.
And he came to his ultimate destiny: stew.
And the small grain of sand that had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl all richly aglow.
Now the tale has a moral, for isn't it grand
What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand?
What couldn't we do if we'd only begin
with some of the things that get under our skin?
The Oyster
by
Devesh Prabhu
on
6:30:00 AM
There once was an oyster whose story I tell, Who found that some sand had got into his shell. It was only a grain, but it gave him great pai...
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