Showing posts with label Public Interest. Show all posts

Introduction

In today's digital age, where convenience and technology intersect, payment wallets and apps have transformed the way we handle financial transactions. However, this transformation has also given rise to a new breed of scams that target unsuspecting individuals, particularly in India. As the popularity of payment platforms grows, so does the need to stay vigilant against payment and telephonic scams. This article aims to provide Indian users with essential insights and practical tips to avoid falling victim to these scams.

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and digitization, the convenience of digital payment platforms and telephonic communication has transformed the way Indians conduct financial transactions and interact with each other. However, this digital transformation has also given rise to a new breed of criminals who exploit unsuspecting individuals through payment and telephonic scams. These scams can result in significant financial loss, personal information exposure, and emotional distress. This article aims to equip readers with knowledge and strategies to identify and evade such scams, thereby ensuring their financial well-being and security.

The Landscape of Rising Threat of Payment and Telephonic Scams

India's digital payment ecosystem has witnessed exponential growth over the past decade, with the proliferation of mobile wallets, UPI-based apps, and online banking platforms. While these innovations have undoubtedly brought convenience, they have also opened doors for various fraudulent activities. Telephonic scams, on the other hand, exploit the inherent trust people place in phone calls as a means of communication. Scammers often impersonate bank representatives, government officials, or customer service agents to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information or making unauthorized transactions.

The advent of digital payment platforms in India has indeed brought a multitude of benefits, but it has also opened doors for fraudulent activities. Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their methods, exploiting human psychology and technological vulnerabilities to deceive users into divulging sensitive information or transferring funds unwittingly. Among the most common scams are phishing attacks, fake customer support calls, QR code fraud, and unauthorized transactions.

Recognizing Common Scam Patterns & Understanding Payment and Telephonic Scams

To effectively safeguard against payment and telephonic scams, it's crucial to recognize common scam patterns. Some prevalent tactics include:

Impersonation: Scammers often pose as bank officials, government representatives, or customer service agents. They use official-sounding language and claim urgent issues requiring immediate action to pressure victims into divulging personal information.

Urgent Requests: Scammers create a sense of urgency, urging victims to act quickly. This tactic is designed to prevent victims from taking the time to verify the legitimacy of the call or request.

Phishing Messages: Fraudulent messages, emails, or calls often contain links that lead to fake websites designed to steal login credentials or financial information.

Cashback Offers: Scammers may entice victims with fake cashback offers, luring them into sharing personal details or making payments to avail of the promised benefits.

Prize Winnings: Calls or messages informing individuals that they have won a prize or a lottery are often scams aimed at extracting personal information or upfront payments.

Phishing Attacks: Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by disguising as a trustworthy entity. Scammers often send deceptive emails, messages, or links that prompt users to provide personal information.

Fake Customer Support Calls: Scammers impersonate customer support representatives, claiming to assist users with their payment issues. They coax users into revealing OTPs (One-Time Passwords) or other confidential details under the pretense of resolving problems.

QR Code Fraud: QR codes have become a popular method for transferring funds. Scammers can create fake QR codes and trick users into scanning them, resulting in unauthorized transfers to the scammer's account.

Unauthorized Transactions: Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in payment apps, using malware or hacking techniques to gain unauthorized access to users' accounts and initiate transactions without their knowledge.

Preventive Measures: How to Stay Safe

Verify Authenticity: Before downloading any payment app, ensure that it is from a legitimate source, such as the official app store. Research the app's developer and read reviews to confirm its authenticity. Always verify the authenticity of any call or message. Do not share personal, financial, or OTP (One-Time Password) details over the phone or via messages.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Always enable 2FA for all your online accounts, including payment apps. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or fingerprint, in addition to your password.

Beware of Phishing: Be cautious of unsolicited messages, emails, or links asking for sensitive information. Legitimate institutions will never ask you to share passwords, OTPs, or other confidential details via email or text.

Independent Verification: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a payment app's customer support, hang up and independently look up the official customer support number. Call them directly to verify the authenticity of the call.

Secure Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks, especially when conducting financial transactions. Use a secure and private network to minimize the risk of your data being intercepted.

Regularly Check Transactions: Frequently review your transaction history in payment apps. Report any suspicious or unauthorized transactions immediately to your bank or the payment platform's customer support.

QR Code Vigilance: Be cautious when scanning QR codes, especially from unknown sources. Double-check the recipient's details before confirming any payment.

App Permissions: Pay attention to the permissions an app requests during installation. Limit access to sensitive data like contacts, camera, and location only when necessary.

Update Software: Keep your operating system, payment apps, and security software up to date. Developers often release updates that patch security vulnerabilities.

Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scam tactics and the latest scams and techniques that scammers use. Knowledge is your best defense against falling victim to fraudulent activities and be cautious when receiving unexpected calls or messages.

Use Trusted Apps: Stick to well-known, reputable payment apps and platforms. Download apps from official app stores only.

Secure Devices: Regularly update your devices' operating systems and security software to prevent vulnerabilities that scammers might exploit.

Privacy Settings: Review and adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms. Scammers often gather information from public profiles to personalize their attacks.

Avoid Clicking Links: Do not click on links in unsolicited messages or emails. Instead, manually type in the website address to ensure you're accessing the correct site.

Ignore Pressure: Scammers often employ pressure tactics. Stay calm and take your time to verify the legitimacy of the situation.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you've encountered a scam, report it to your bank, the police, and relevant authorities. This not only protects you but helps prevent others from falling victim.

Conclusion

The convenience and efficiency of payment wallets and apps in India have revolutionized the way we manage our finances. However, these platforms have also become breeding grounds for scams and fraudulent activities that can compromise our financial security. To navigate this digital landscape safely, users must be armed with knowledge and follow best practices to avoid falling prey to payment and telephonic scams. By staying vigilant, verifying authenticity, and employing preventive measures, individuals can confidently embrace the benefits of digital payments while keeping their financial information secure.

The digital revolution has undeniably brought immense convenience to our lives, especially in the realm of financial transactions and communication. However, it's crucial to remain vigilant and well-informed to protect ourselves from the growing threat of payment and telephonic scams. By recognizing common scam patterns, implementing preventive measures, and following best practices, we can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, ensuring our financial security and peace of mind. Remember, staying informed is the first line of defense against these malicious activities.

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Safeguarding Your Finances & Yourself against Payment and Telephonic Scams: Comprehensive Guide for Users

by Devesh Prabhu on 10:49:00 PM

Introduction In today's digital age, where convenience and technology intersect, payment wallets and apps have transformed the way we ...

The Art of Decision-Making: A Witty Guide to Navigating Life

NOTICE: This blog post was written with help and inputs using ChatGPT

Image Credits: #Freepik

Introduction:

Ah, decision-making! The thrilling rollercoaster ride that is an inevitable part of life. From the moment we wake up to the moment we hit the pillow, we are faced with choices big and small. But fear not, dear reader, for I am here to guide you through the whimsical and often perplexing world of decision-making, armed with wit, charm, and a sprinkle of joviality. So buckle up and let's dive into the art of making decisions!

1. Embrace the Power of Procrastination:

Ah, procrastination, the timeless art of delaying decisions until the very last minute. While some may frown upon this approach, I say embrace it! After all, why rush into a decision when you can savor the delicious uncertainty of not knowing? Plus, the added pressure of a looming deadline might just make your decision-making process all the more thrilling!

2. Consult Your Crystal Ball:

When faced with a particularly perplexing decision, why not consult the mystical powers of a crystal ball? While I can't guarantee its accuracy, the mere act of gazing into a crystal ball can transport you to a whimsical realm where decisions are made based on a twist of fate. It's a witty and playful approach that adds an element of surprise to your decision-making adventures.

3. Flip a Coin... or Three:

In the game of decision-making, nothing beats the classic coin flip. But why settle for one flip when you can have three? Yes, my friend, the triple coin flip method is where it's at! Assign each option to a side of the coin and let fate decide your course. And if you're feeling particularly playful, throw in a dramatic catch in mid-air for extra flair.

4. Seek the Wisdom of the Universe... or Your Local Cat:

When faced with life's toughest decisions, why not turn to the universe for guidance? Seek out the mystical wisdom of the stars, or better yet, consult your furry companion. Cats, with their enigmatic personalities, have long been revered as decision-making experts. Simply observe their behavior and let their meows and purrs guide you on the path to enlightenment... or at least to a good belly rub.

5. Embrace the Art of "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe":

Remember that childhood rhyme? It's time to bring it back! Sometimes, decisions can feel overwhelming, leaving us paralyzed by choices. In those moments, a round of "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe" can be just the ticket. It's a playful and light-hearted way to give fate the reins and let go of the burden of decision-making.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, dear reader, a whimsical guide to decision-making that's sure to bring a smile to your face. Remember, life is full of choices, big and small, and making decisions can be both daunting and delightful. So why not infuse some humor and playfulness into the process? Embrace procrastination, consult your crystal ball, flip some coins, seek the wisdom of the universe, and play a round of "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe." Let your decisions be guided by wit and joviality, and may your life be filled with adventurous choices and delightful surprises!

Now, go forth, embrace the art of decision-making, and let your journey be filled with laughter and joy!

The Art of Decision-Making: A Witty Guide to Navigating Life

by Devesh Prabhu on 8:57:00 PM

NOTICE: This blog post was written with help and inputs using ChatGPT Image Credits: #Freepik Introduction: Ah, decision-making! The thrill...

It all started with the government trying to win the votes of the farmers and promised them subsidies and write-off on their loans from the banks. This led to huge amounts of money being written off as bad loans and the money accumulated to such enormous amounts that most government banks had their market share and shares go below their actual value due to the debt that they incurred.

When any company or even anybody that has more debt than they are generating income, for the next succeeding years it is always hard for them to balance their balance sheets. The thing is you’re trying to match the positives and the negatives of balance sheet. You can technically write this off, but on the actual books, you are in the red. Once you are in the red, it now becomes the race to equal it off or come back into the black or positive side of the balance sheet.

Suppose I have a book that is worth 10, but I’m giving it to you for 8. If my manufacturing or production cost is less than 8, then whatever I’m making will be gross profit and after forgoing my costs and other expenses it will be my net income/profit. Until the cost that I’m providing it to you does not go below my manufacturing or production cost, I will still make a profit but at a lower amount.

Subsidies and its Impact on Economy

by Devesh Prabhu on 9:08:00 PM

It all started with the government trying to win the votes of the farmers and promised them subsidies and write-off on their loans from th...

Impact of Fiscal Deficit, Current Account Deficit on Indian economy

The main thing is that both fiscal deficit and current account deficit are differences between income/revenue and expenditure.

Fiscal deficit is the difference between the government’s total expenditures and its revenues (excluding money from borrowings).

Current account deficit is the difference between the revenue earned by a country from its trade activities and its expenditure due to imports.

Now that we’ve got the definitions out of the way, in a sense both of them deal with either the positives of the negatives (in terms of income/expenditure) that the country has. In India’s case, both are in negatives or we have high deficit. Too bluntly (or technically) put it we are in the red on the balance sheet.

There are many things that have led to this. An open economy, imports, manufacturing practices, rules and regulations, easiness of setting up a business, subsidies/favors, taxes (corporate), inflation, salaries, infusion of foreign capital and the proper use, et cetera…

When you open up an economy to the outside world, this leads to something called as innovation and brings in various methods and ways to circumvent the rules and regulations (i.e., cheating/evasion). Any common that comes into power would like its name to be remembered forever for the good things it does, and along the way it tries to do things with a different approach.

Now, you must wonder why after more than 60+ (65) years after independence from British rule we have not been able to become truly independent from our archaic rules and regulations that the British had setup. We have now become a true software powerhouse and in the coming years become a truly independent manufacturing powerhouse, but with the current colonialist and dynasty type of ruling where the government that comes into power, they try to get their loved ones and relatives into prominent positions to help them later out.

This leads to the Indian economy again going down as the deficit keeps on building up and there is a negative balance which needs to attain zero or rise to the positive or plus side of the balance sheet. Unless there is a proper overhaul of the current archaic rules and regulations and a serious and it the various amendments and or repeal of these rules and regulations the Indian economy will still be in tatters down the line.

Any government that is going to be in power needs to look at the bottom-line of the economy, proper education and providence of food and shelter to the needy, better building up of its workforce, all-round development, and a boost to the roots of the economy.

The economy is struggling because of the deficit and it is being protected due to the reason that whatever income or surplus (if at all any) is being generated by the country goes into filling up the deficit that has been created over the past 60+ years. The situation now is that however much we are creating or producing is just not enough to fill that gap and the negativity or bad side effect is that we’re still creating more deficit year over year which still makes the deficit higher.

The government or we as the people have to look at ways to get things going in a way that the Japanese, Korean, and Chinese people have done. If you remember correctly, after the Hiroshima bombing Japan was devastated, but with hard work and determination they were able to turn themselves around and are now the world leaders in manufacturing of various products. The sheer volume of which they are able to maintain quality of their products at a lower rate and still beat out competitors is truly amazing.

Our country (India) needs an all-round look into how we do things on all aspects. There are many areas where we are lacking (if you ask me, I would say in everything). It is not just the simple things that we look to circumvent. Our dependence on technology has risen to such a point that we are now not able to live without it. When we buy things from a foreign country it essentially means that the money we earn is going to that country or it is flowing out of the country to simply put it.

Due to globalization and the three nations (Japanese, Korean, and Chinese) capacity to mass produce on an exceptionally high scale, our local manufacturers and producers are not able to keep up due to hindrances placed by our own elected leaders.

When we do not have inbuilt production or manufacturing, we depend on outside assistance for products. You have to understand that for manufacturing or production there is the need for raw materials and importing that is somewhat of a good thing. But our dependence should not be on importing the full finished product, but should be on importing only the raw materials and exporting the finished products.

When you have less income and your expenses are high that is when you get either fiscal deficit or a current account deficit and this leads to our economy going down irrespective of whatever steps we take to bring it back up.

Impact of Fiscal/Current Account deficit on Indian economy

by Devesh Prabhu on 8:21:00 PM

The main thing is that both fiscal deficit and current account deficit are differences between income/revenue and expenditure. Fisca...

[AVOID] HOW-To Avoid Credit Card Scams & Scammers

New Credit Card Scam!

The following was taken from a post on Facebook and edited for better understanding.

This information is worth reading. By understanding how VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard". Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.

The scam works like this:

The person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card that was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £249.99 from a Marketing company based in (name of any town or city)?"

When you say "No" the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £150 to £249, just under the £250 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him.

After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back; if you do", and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £249.99 was charged to our card.

Long story made short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost to late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.

Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.

[AVOID] HOW-To Avoid Credit Card Scams & Scammers

by Devesh Prabhu on 11:15:00 AM

New Credit Card Scam! The following was taken from a post on Facebook and edited for better understanding. This information is worth re...

An old giveaway

Xperia J ST26i Giveaway - Win Xperia J Free - AndroidGyan New Year 2013 Celebration | Android Gyan | Android Firmware Rooting Hack Tips Tutorials

Xperia J ST26i Giveaway - Win Xperia J Free - AndroidGyan New Year 2013 Celebration | Android Gyan | Android Firmware Rooting Hack Tips Tutorials

by Devesh Prabhu on 6:58:00 PM

An old giveaway Xperia J ST26i Giveaway - Win Xperia J Free - AndroidGyan New Year 2013 Celebration | Android Gyan | Android Firmware Roo...

SURAT - RICHEST

AHAMEDABAD 5TH RICHEST

SURAT IS THE RICHEST CITY IN INDIA - not Bangalore nor Chennai

AHMEDABAD IS THE 5TH RICHEST, not Mumbai nor Delhi

HOW & WHY?

According to the August 8, 2010 report of the National Council of Applied Economic Research, the richest city in India is now Surat, ahead of Bangalore and Chennai, with an average annual household income of Rs 0.45 million (over $11,000 per year).

80 per cent of all diamonds sold in any part of the world are polished in Surat 's 10,000 diamond units.

The only non-Jews in the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem diamond bourse (stock exchange) are GUJARATIS.

Between 2004-5 and 2008-10 Surat 's middle class doubled in size and its poor reduced by a third.

The fifth richest city in India is now Ahmadabad, ahead of Mumbai and Delhi, and miles ahead of Calcutta.

The percentage of man-days (labour class, manual labour workers etc.) lost in Gujarat due to labour unrest is 0.42 per cent, the lowest in India. Gujaratis DO NOT believe in meaningless strikes, hartals etc.

Of Gujarat's 18,048 villages, 17,940 have electricity. Chief Minister Narendra Modi, has been voted as one of the most dynamic, hard working political leaders in the Country. You can see why. Amma, Didi, Behnji & Manmohan can do well to take a leaf from Modi's book of Excellence.

The world's largest oil refinery is in Jamnagar. Owned by Reliance, it already refines 660,000 barrels of oil every day and will double that this year.

Thirty per cent of India 's cotton is grown in Gujarat.

40 per cent of India 's Art-silk is manufactured in Surat.

Gujarat thus employs atleast 0.7 million people.

The world's third largest Denim manufacturer (for your trusty jeans) is Ahmedabad's Arvind Mills.

The state of Gujarat's GDP has been growing at 12 per cent a year for the last 12 years, as fast as China's.

India

's wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani of Reliance, is a Gujarati. Forbes says he is the world's fifth richest man, worth $43 billion.

Azim Premji of Wipro, is also a Gujarati. He is the world's 21st richest man, worth $17 billion.

Ten of the 25 richest Indians are Gujaratis. Some of the best & shrewdest business communities in India have proud Gujarati Ancestry. Parsis, Jains, Memons, Banias, Khojas, and Bohras - all speak Gujarati.

The two great leaders of the subcontinent, the Mahatma and the Quaid, were both Gujaratis from trading communities. One a Bania, the other a Khoja.

Gujaratis number 55 million, five per cent of India's population living on six per cent of surface area, but hold 30 per cent of all Indian stock.

Gujaratis account for 16 per cent of all Indian exports and 17 per cent of GDP.

VIA: Email

Richest City in India

by Devesh Prabhu on 4:08:00 PM

SURAT - RICHEST AHAMEDABAD 5TH RICHEST SURAT IS THE RICHEST CITY IN INDIA - not Bangalore nor Chennai AHMEDABAD IS THE 5TH...

Reality:

Alcohol is a depressant, and can actually make you feel sleepy and drowsy. It slows down your motor skills, which control the way you think, speak, move and react. Alcohol also impairs your reasoning powers and judgment.
Your blood alcohol content (BAC - the percent of alcohol in your blood) determines how drunk you are and not the flavors / the kind of drink you select. Alcohol is alcohol.
A number of factors affect how one reacts after taking alcohol. Some of these factors include body weight; time of day, how you feel mentally, body chemistry, your expectations, and the list goes on and on.
Nothing sobers you up but time. With coffee, you're simply a wide-awake drunk!
Large amounts of alcohol, even if it is beer, can do major damage to your digestive system. You can hurt your heart, liver, stomach, and several other vital organs as well as losing years from your life.
Alcohol kills more young people than cocaine, heroin, and every other illegal drug combined. Alcohol abuse is as grave a problem as drug abuse.
Alcohol can actually keep men from getting or sustaining an erection, and it can lower women' sex drives, too. More importantly, alcohol affects one's decision making ability. One might put himself/herself in a risky situation like an unwanted pregnancy, contracting a sexually transmitted disease like AIDS etc under alcohol's impact.
Drinking excessively can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can even cause death. Excessive alcohol can cause vomiting. When drunk and unconscious, a person may inhale fluids that have been vomited, resulting in death by asphyxiation. Long-term, heavy use of alcohol can lead to addiction (alcoholism), and makes one highly vulnerable to heart attack or stroke.
Drinking occasionally and in moderation is not harmful but large amounts of alcohol can take its toll on your body, causing disturbed sleep, nausea, vomiting and a dreaded hangover. Heavy drinking can inhibit the firing of nerve cells that control breathing, a condition known as respiratory depression, which can even be fatal.
Drinking on a full stomach can only delay the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, not prevent it. Eating before you drink is not a defense against getting drunk.

Myths About Alcohol

by Devesh Prabhu on 6:51:00 AM

Reality: Alcohol is a depressant, and can actually make you feel sleepy and drowsy. It slows down your motor skills, which cont...

One of the most prominent revolutionaries of India, Bhagat Singh was born on September 27, 1907 in a Sikh family in the village of Banga in Layalpur district of present-day Pakistan. The third son of Sardar Kishan Singh and Vidyavati, Bhagat Singh's father and uncle were members of Ghadar party. He was greatly attracted towards socialism. Believed to be one of India's earliest Marxists, Bhagat Singh was one of the leaders and founders of the "Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)".

Bhagat Singh was deeply saddened by the Jalianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. Though he participated in the Non-cooperation movement, he was disappointed when Gandhi called off the agitation after the Chauri Chaura incident. He studied at the National College in Lahore where he came into contact with other revolutionaries such as Bhagwati Charan, Sukhdev, and others. He fled from home to escape early marriage & became a member of the organization Naujawan Bharat Sabha.

Bhagat Singh was against individual acts of terrorism and gave a clarion call for mass mobilization. In 1928 he came into contact with another famous revolutionary Chandrasekhar Azad. The two combined to form the "Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sangha". During the Simon Commission's visit to India in February 1928, there were protests against the Simon Commission's visit to Lahore. In one of these protests, Lala Lajpat Rai was injured in a lathi-charge and later on succumbed to his injuries. To avenge Lajpat Rai's death, Bhagat Singh decided to kill the British official responsible for the killing, Deputy Inspector General Scott, but he accidently shot Assistant Superintendent Saunders instead, mistaking him for Scott.

Bhagat Singh threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929 & thereafter courted arrest. Bhagat Singh, Sukh Dev and Raj Guru were awarded death sentence by a court for their subversive activities. They were hanged on March 23, 1931.

March 23, 1931 - Do You Remember?

by Devesh Prabhu on 11:50:00 AM

One of the most prominent revolutionaries of India, Bhagat Singh was born on September 27, 1907 in a Sikh family in the village of Banga in ...

I saw this post on another blog and was completely touched. It gets better as it proceeds.

First Important Lesson: Cleaning Lady

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:

‘What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?’ Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

‘Absolutely, ‘ said the professor. ‘In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello.’

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Second Important Lesson: Pickup in the Rain

One night, at11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960’s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance, and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console colour TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.

It read:
‘Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away… God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.’

Sincerely,
Mrs.Nat King Cole.

Third Important Lesson: Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

‘How much is an ice cream sundae?’ he asked. ‘Fifty cents,’ replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

‘Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?’ he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

‘Thirty-five cents,’ she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

‘I’ll have the plain ice cream,’ he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished theice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

Fourth Important Lesson: The obstacle in Our Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

Fifth Important Lesson: Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, ‘Yes I’ll do it if it will save her.’ As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, ‘Will I start to die right away?’

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

5 Important Lessons For Life

by Devesh Prabhu on 11:06:00 AM

I saw this post on another blog and was completely touched. It gets better as it proceeds. First Important Lesson: Cleaning Lady During ...

Jai lakshmi maataa, Maiyaa jaya lakshmi maataa

Tumako nishadina dhyaavata, Hara vishnu vidhaataa

Brahmaanii, rudraanii, kamalaa, Tuuhii hai jaga maataa

Suurya chandramaa dhyaavata, Naarada rishi gaataa

Durgaa ruupa nirantara, Sukha sampati daataa

Jo koi tumako dhyaavata, Riddhi siddhi dhana paataa

Tuuhii hai paataala basantee, Tuuhii shubha daataa

Karma prabhaava prakaashak, Jaganidhi ke traataa

Jisa ghara mein tuma rahatii, Saba sadaguna aataa

Kara na sake soyee kara le, Mana nahin ghabaraataa

Tuma bina yagya na hove, Vastra na koii paataa

Khaana paana kaa vaibhava, Saba tumase hii aataa

Shubha guna mandira sundara, Ksheerodadhi jaataa

Ratana chaturdasha tuma hii, Koii nahiin paataa

Aartii lakshmii jii kii, Jo koii nara gaataa

Ura aananda umanga ati, Paapa utara jaataa

Hymn Sung during Diwali in honor of Goddess Lakshmi

by Devesh Prabhu on 10:22:00 AM

Jai lakshmi maataa, Maiyaa jaya lakshmi maataa Tumako nishadina dhyaavata, Hara vishnu vidhaataa Brahmaanii, rudraanii, kamalaa, Tuuhii ha...

Why Girls are Better than Boys - Their Perspective

We got off the Titanic first.
We can scare male bosses with mysterious gynecological disorder excuses.
We never ejaculate prematurely.
We get to flirt with systems support men who always return our calls and are nice to us when we blow up our computers.
When we buy a vibrator it's glamorous. When men buy a blow-up doll, it's pathetic.
Our boyfriend's clothes make us look elfin and gorgeous. Guys look like complete idiots in ours.
We can be groupies. Male groupies are stalkers.
We can cry and get off speeding fines.
We've never lusted after a cartoon character or the central figure in a computer game.
Taxis stop for us.
Men die earlier, so we get to cash in on the life insurance.
We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing.
Free drinks, free dinners, free moving (you get the point?).
We can hug our friend without wondering if she thinks we're gay.
We know the truth about whether size matters.
New lipstick gives us a whole new lease on life.
If we have sex with someone and don't call the next day, we're not the devil.
Condoms make no significant difference in our enjoyment of sex.
We can sleep our way to the top.
Nothing crucial can be cut off with one clean sweep.
It is possible to live our whole lives without ever taking a group shower.
No fashion faux pas we make could rival Speedos.
It's cool to be a daddy's girl. It's sad to be a mommy's boy.
If we cheat on our spouse, people assume it's because we're being emotionally neglected.
We never have to wonder if his orgasm was real.
If we forget to shave, no one has to know.
We can congratulate our teammate without ever touching her arse.
If we have a zit, we know how to conceal it.
We never have to reach down every so often to make sure our privates are still there.
If we're dumb, some people will find it cute.
We have an excuse to be a total bitch at least once a month.
We can talk to people of the opposite sex without having to picture them naked.
If we marry someone 20 years younger, we're aware that we look like an idiot.
Our friends won't think we're weird if we ask whether there's spinach in our teeth.
There are times when chocolate really can solve all your problems.
Gay waiters don't make us uncomfortable.
We'll never regret piercing our ears.
We can fully assess a person just by looking at their shoes.

Why girls are better than boys

by Devesh Prabhu on 6:50:00 AM

Why Girls are Better than Boys - Their Perspective We got off the Titanic first. We can scare male bosses with mysterious gynecological dis...

"To make money we lose our health and then to restore our health we lose money. We live as if we are never going to die and we die as if we never lived."

Think For A Moment!

by Devesh Prabhu on 1:32:00 PM

"To make money we lose our health and then to restore our health we lose money. We live as if we are never going to die and we die as i...

It's ALWAYS the kids that suffer!
His Name is Zenkey!

Result of Love Marriage

by Devesh Prabhu on 12:51:00 PM

It's ALWAYS the kids that suffer! His Name is Zenkey !

REQUEST TO CIRCULATE

We all carry our mobile phones with hundreds of names/numbers stored in its memory but yet nobody, other than ourselves, know which of these numbers belong to our near & dear ones?

In case we are involved in an accident or have a heart-attack the people attending us get hold of our mobile phone, but don't know which number to call to inform our family members.

Yes, there are many numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?

For this reason, we must have one or more telephone numbers stored under the name ICE (In case of Emergency) in our mobile phones.

Recently, the concept of "ICE" is catching quickly.

It is simple, an important method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by majority of the population, just store the number of a contact person or person who should be contacted at during emergency as "ICE" meaning (In Case of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call.

He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose.

Following a disaster in London, the East Anglican Ambulance Service has launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign.

In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel & hospital staff would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialing the number stored as "ICE".

Please forward this. It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our mobile phones today! Please forward to all your nearest & dearest.

[VIA: Email: Madhu Bala]