Thoughts India

Travel to cuba

2008-03-08T05:50:00.001-08:00

www.cubafortravel.com, its third year on the web

Last month the Cuban Travel Agency Transnico International had a small party in its office on the 6th floor of the Lonja del Comercio building overlooking Havana. It was the second anniversary of the its promotion site www.cubafortravel.com on the web.

www.cubafortravel.com offers the straight forward tools of online confirmations with:

car rentals in Cuba

hotel bookings in Cuba

For visitors looking for information about traveling to Cuba you find data on:

the 10 favourite spots to visit in Cuba

the 10 best cycling rides in the country

Cuba visa requirements

currency in Cuba

safety and health in Cuba

communication means in the country

But the biggest asset of this site is the options in Cuba for:

traveling on private basis

traveling in group

cycling in Cuba

www.cubafortravel.com is the site to visit when you plan a trip to Cuba. Their logo promises “service from the source” and with its Havana and Varadero offices Transnico is really at the source.

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Written and edited by Johan Dorssemont, travel web writer and web master of www.dmc.travel. Johan Dorssemont has extensive experience as a travel professional in many destinations all over the world. He is using his experience to make web sites in the touristic industry. At present he lives and works in Havana, Cuba.

Just Jo: Kerala : Dogs' own country?

2006-02-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

Just Jo: Kerala : Dogs' own country?

The X Style

2005-12-16T22:56:00.000-08:00

G.Vijayaraghavan

2005-04-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

GVijayaraghavan
Originally uploaded by vachakamela.

G.Vijayaraghavan
Veteran business consultant and IT expert

sreenivasan

2005-03-14T07:34:00.000-08:00

sreeni
Originally uploaded by vachakamela.

This is a very bad & nonsense tendency growing in Kerala - Protest everything that is new -

M A Baby

2005-02-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

ma-baby
Originally uploaded by vachakamela.

This is sense.

Minorities in India

2005-02-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

kj-poulose
Originally uploaded by vachakamela.

Opinion of Mr.K.J.Poulose appeared in the Kerala's Malayala Manorama daily.Readers comments are welcome

traditions !

2005-02-16T23:31:00.000-08:00

India is a country where a variety of ancient traditions are being observed, most of the time, rather blindly without modern insight. Some of the traditions, no doubt, look ridiculous in the eye of the modern man.

Let me give a couple of examples to underscore this point. K.P.S. Menon, the former Ambassador, had written about this in the Illustrated Weekly of India. It seems, he had once visited a Palghat Namboodiri family where a luncheon was arranged. While he sat on the floor in front of the plantain leaf, in a row, along with others, he saw a young Brahmin boy walk across carrying a pestle (vanake) and placing it in a corner of the hall. Being curious, Menon asked the guests sitting to his left and right, the purpose of keeping the pestle in the corner. He drew a blank but pursued his enquiry after lunch with some elderly persons.

The answer he got stunned him beyond belief. A venerable old Namboodiri Brahmin told Menon that in the early years of his youth, on such special occasions of lunch or dinner, just as salt is served, a small toothpick would also be kept on each leaf for the convenience of the guests in case of need. This had become a tradition, but with the passage of time they found it unnecessary to provide each one a toothpick. But, how about the tradition? So, as a symbolic act they placed a pestle which looked like the enlarged version of a toothpick, so to say, on behalf of everybody.

True, it is ridiculous but it is the tradition. I am sure, now they must have discarded this tradition totally, as irrelevant to the modern times. Apparently, they must have got the proper insight into their ancient traditions.

I could also give another example. There was a person who performed puja, offering Naivaidya, food items, to his personal deity (Manedevaru). Since the cat in his house came and nibbled at the naivaidya, thereby making it unfit for offering to the deity, he used to tie the cat to a nearby pole till his puja was over. This continued for many years until one day he died.

Following his death, the duty of performing the puja fell on his son and he too, without questioning the tradition, continued to tie the cat to the nearby pole while performing puja. If the cat is not around, he would go looking for it, bring it and tie it up thinking this was part of the ritual. Apparently, the son did not have any modern insight to the ancient tradition. It seems when the cat died he procured another cat to continue the tradition! He did not know that the old order changeth, or should change, yielding place to new.

I guess, Mahatma Gandhi will make a very good example as a person who had perfect insight into our ancient traditions. Consider the tools and ideas he used to mobilise the freedom fighters to drive away the British rulers. Immediately, I can think of just four of his ideas, though there may be many. The four ideas are: 1. Non-violence or Satyagraha (Non-resistance to the law enforcing authority). 2. The prayer meeting. 3. The Charaka (Spinning wheel). 4. Becoming a naked Fakir, to use the term used by Sir Winston Churchill to describe Gandhi. All these four ideas were derived, no doubt, from our own ancient traditions laid down in our sacred scriptures.

from: http://www.starofmysore.com

shame !

2005-02-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

shame !
Originally uploaded by dotcompals.

These are our leaders!. Have a look at two of our leaders we have chosen to rule us!. .. Sitting & having a leisure time while our National Anthem is being played. (one can see others in the picture are standing & giving respect to our National Anthem)

Out with Technology Illiteracy

2005-01-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

HERE IS A LITTLE true story. In 1993, the cops in New Delhi solved one of India’s first computer-related crimes—they caught a man selling pirated software in those archaic 5.25-inch floppy disks. The establishment was overjoyed at the cops catching a “high-tech” criminal, and praise did not come at a premium. Later, the floppies were sent to the relevant authorities as evidence. The worthies stored them, and stored them well—they punched holes in the floppy disks and tied a thick green thread around them and placed the bundle in an office file.

When a friend, then a newspaper reporter who covered this case, related this story, I first rolled on the floor laughing, and then suddenly, everything fell into place—the Delhi cops, their knowledge about technology, and how they tackle “cyber crime”. Baazee.com’s country manager Avnish Bajaj, it could therefore be concluded, is not a prisoner of potbellied Delhi policemen; he is a prisoner of technology illiteracy, something amply displayed by law makers, law-enforcement authorities, and by the media.

An example of media’s technology illiteracy: a New Delhi newspaper recently said that the MMS-Clip-on- Sale case was solved by “cybersleuths” who are “technology savvy” because “they check their e-mail everyday.” Should we laugh? Or should we cry?

It is nobody’s case to call for an overhaul of the
country’s IT laws—what you and I should demand is a careful examination of law-enforcement.
Take this hypothetical case (based on the logic on
which Bajaj was arrested)—should you or your
employer be arrested because someone sent you a photo a naked person over e-mail, and that photo now resides on your company’s server or your hard drive?

It is a curious situation, and if Delhi’s cops had their way, a considerable portion of the capital’s population would be in jail. Chennai cops score almost equal marks in technology illiteracy. When asked how they will catch the person who circulated the video of a woman (allegedly a leading actress from Tamil Nadu) bathing, the investigating officer said, “It is easy to trace the criminal once we track the IP address.”

Simple question: What if the pervert used a cybercafé that does not keep records (and we know most cybercafés don’t) of their clients? What if the person used a friend’s PC, in which case the friend is done for, not the actual culprit?
White collar and sex-related Internet crimes are
now glaring at us with unprecedented ferocity. Sadly, however, our law-enforcement agencies depend on serendipity rather than knowledge to solve them.

We should shudder.

Sachin Kalbag Executive Editor
sachin_kalbag@jasubhai.com

Content Courtesy:
Digit magazine, Jasubhai Digital Media,Mumbai.

Please Help Psunami Victims

2004-12-28T01:21:00.000-08:00

APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO
THE CHIEF MINISTER'S PUBLIC RELIEF FUND

Contributions to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund are most welcome.

The Contribution may be sent either by cash or cheque or Demand Draft drawn in favour of "CHIEF MINISTER'S PUBLIC RELIEF FUND" addressed to :

The Joint Secretary to Government and Treasurer,
Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund,
Finance Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai-600 009.

Receipt will be given immediately on credit of the amount contributed to the fund Account which is entitled for 100% Tax Relief under Income Tax Act 1961.

from http://www.tn.gov.in/misc/cmprf2003.htm

================================

For those in UK from the High Commision of India, London http://www.hcilondon.net : For any enquiry on the Tsunami (seismic sea wave) that hit Tamilnadu and adjoining region, please contact at 02073796242 (High Commission of India London).

=============================

People who want to help may send bank drafts/cheques in the name Indian Red Cross Society, New Delhi. One may also deposit cash or relief material at the Delhi office.

The society is accepting everything except perishable items and used clothes.

Address:
Indian Red Cross Society,
1, Red Cross Road,
New Delhi - 110001
Phone: (011) 23716441, 23716234

==============================

http://pmindia.nic.in/relief.htm
Form for Donations to PMNRF

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund

Form for payment through Credit Cards

Name : ________________________________________________
( As it appears on the credit card)

Address : ______________________________________________

PIN ________________ Country ___________________

Phone ______________ (Off)__________________(Res)

Card : Diners / MasterCard / VISA / AMEX

Card No. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Expiry Date : - - / - - - -

MM YYYY

Amount : Rs -- US$-- Euro-- GBP-- ..........................

Currency Amount

Amount in Words : _____________________________________________________

Date of Birth : - - - - - - - -
of Card Holder DD MM YYYY

Email Address : ________________________

Please make this donation to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. I will at no stage dispute this donation and I confirm that this Credit Card belongs to me.

______________________

Signature

(As it appears on credit card).

Card holders either mail this slip to the PMNRF, Prime Minister's Office P O Box No : 5411 New Delhi 110011 or Fax this slip to FAX no 91-44-8202221.

--------------------------------------------

Form for payment through Cheques & Drafts

Cheque /Draft No : ____________________

Bank Name : ____________Branch :_________

Amount : _________ Amount in Words : ___________________________________

Kindly mail your Cheques / Drafts along with this slip to the PMNRF,
Prime Minister's Office, PO Box No : 5411, New Delhi 110011.

All donations are 100% exempt under Indian Income Tax Act

Receipt for donations received shall be sent by Post..

About it
The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, created shortly after Independence, provides immediate relief to people in distress. The Fund depends entirely on voluntary donations received from the public.

The Fund renders assistance to individuals facing distress situations. Its resources are utilised for the provision of immediate relief to the families of those killed in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes. It also grants assistance to families affected by major disturbances, riots and accidents. Besides, the Fund extends assistance to indigent persons to partially defray the cost of expensive medical treatment like heart surgery, kidney transplantation and cancer treatment. Over the years, lakhs of people have received assistance from this Fund.

All contributions to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund are fully exempt from Income Tax under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 subject to the prescribed limits. Donations to the Fund are also excluded from the computation of taxable gifts under section 5 (1) (v) of the Gift Tax Act, 1958.

Contributions to the Fund can be deposited in select branches of the Central Bank of India, State Bank of India, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Syndicate Bank and the Punjab National Bank through cheques or bank drafts in favour of the 'Prime Minister's National Relief Fund'. Receipt of the contribution will be acknowledged by the receiving bank, and the donation sent to the Fund account for deposit. Thereafter, a formal receipt for the contribution will be issued from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. All donors should ensure that the pay-in-slip is properly filled in while making the deposit to enable the Prime Minister's Office to issue the formal receipt. The Fund does not accept contributions in kind.

Contributors who live outside India may deposit their contributions with the nearest Indian Mission or in any branch of the State Bank of India for transfer to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Donations may also be made directly into Central Bank of India, New Delhi/Mumbai’s following accounts stating beneficiary “ Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, SB A/C with Janpath, New Delhi”.

U.S. $: A/C No. 000-03847-4 with HSBC BANK,
USA, New York.
( SWIFT Code :- MRMD US 33 )

Pound Sterling: A/C No. 203253-80412368 with,
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, London.
( SWIFT Code :- BARCGB 22 )

EURO: A/C No. 4112222001 with CITI BANK,
Frankfurt.
( SWIFT Code :- CITI DE FF

=============================

PMNRF
Updates

http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com/

http://www.sulekha.com/chpost.asp?forum=coffeeHouse&cid=559800&show=0&ref=hplink

and from the link http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/dec/27tsunami8.htm

Apart from that, Indian Americans have started organising aid efforts. The National Federation of India Organizations has already collected about $10,000 from its charitable accounts and is aiming for $100,000. Those wishing to send money toward relief efforts can do so to the following organisations:

1. BAPS Care International
Contact: Shailendra Adroja; 1-732-744-1744

Checks payable to: BAPS Care International

Address:

195, Main Street, Suite # 304

Metuchen

New Jersey-08840

Payments can also be made online (beginning later this afternoon, EST) at

2. Association for India's Development:

Contact: Aniruddha Vaidya, 1-650-996-8249

1-888-TALK-2-AID or (301) 422-4441

email: info@aidindia.org

Contributions to AID can be made through secure on-line credit-card deductions from AID's website (www.aidindia.org), where further details and updates will also be posted. Please indicate that your contribution is for the "Relief and Rehabilitation Fund".

Checks payable to "AID" can be mailed to:

AID Zone 3,

P.O. Box 4801

Mountain View, CA 94040-0801

(Please indicate "Relief and Rehabilitation Fund" in the check memo)

3. The National Federation of India Organizations

Contact: Rajen Anand (703) 642-3156, (562) 537-1077

Checks (tax-deductible) will be sent to the International Red Cross for the use of ALL victims in all countries.

Checks payable to: NFIA

Address:

6912 Winter Lane,

Annandale VA 22003.

4. The Hindu Temple Society of North America

Contact: Dr Uma Mysorekar (718) 460-8484

Checks (tax deductible) payable to: The Hindu Temple Society of North America

Address:

Hindu Temple Society of North America

45-57 Bowne Street

Flushing

NY-11355

Just when one thinks one has read about everything that happened in 2004 and can move on to 2005, along comes the 5th largest earthquake in the century and the largest in the last 40 years. And the resultant tidal waves and the flooding have caused lots of destruction. And as I write this, the full extent of the calamity is not yet known. What will be the news after a week. Will we just move on? Will this be just another addition to 2004? When nature strikes, it doesnt discriminate does it? Probably relief help would be asked. To help we need not desert our day to day lifestyle, but lets not forget to support the ngos or government.

There are people out there who need us, lets not let them down. Nature didnt distingush, why should we. We have seen the Fury of Nature, now is the time to display the Force of Human Compassion

In view of the appeal by the prime minister to all citizens to donate generously to the PMNRF to help relief and rehabilitation operations, 12 banks have been authorised to receive such donations.

They are State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Dena Bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Allahabad Bank and Citi Bank.

The spokesman said the donations could be made by cheque or draft in the name of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and sent to the Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi-110001.

The nationalised banks will not charge any commission on preparation of draft in favour of PMNRF.

Contributions could also be sent through money orders with no commission chargeable, the spokesman said adding that the contributions to PMNRF have been notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act.

========================================

Attack against Media = Attack against Democracy.

2004-10-31T20:48:00.000-08:00

On Oct 30the 2004 a group of Muslim League workers attached the Office of the ‘INDIAVISION’ TV channel. They were protesting against the telecast of the testimonials/allegations made by a women against a Kerala Minister . Attackers belted stones several times to the office chanting pro Minister slogans.

According to ‘INDIAVISION’ attack was coordinated by a local M.L.A. After the incident the attackers left the place in MLA’s car with the official name board. MLA was even calling some attackers by name and asking to go back. The same MLA said on camera that in this incident there is no involvement of his party. We all should believe him, do not believe in what you see on TV !!!. ‘Pothujanam Kazhutha’ ha ha ha.

We all should strongly condemn this type of vandalism / ‘gundaism’ thereby Helping to build independent media in India and Support free, fair, and fearless media. It is one of the key ways to ensure the health of our democracy.

Useful Links:
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=58094
http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/?action=fullnews&id=40220
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov012004/i10.asp
http://www.deepikaglobal.com/latestnews.asp?ncode=21263

comments/ views on the above matter can be posted below.

Politics in India

2004-10-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

In India, It is easy to point a finger & find faults in all that a Politician do. Isn’t it. Instead of finding faults we should give thoughts to why this is happening here and what should we do to make amendments.

1. Instead of finding faults, young people should enter Politics and try to improve the system. Everyone known 1-2 good people cannot make any difference but lets give a start. Remember, Everyone can make a difference.

2. To refine our Politics & Political System more and more Young, Bright and Professionally qualified - ie a person qualified in Politics as a subject - people should enter politics.

3. Politics should not be a last resort for the people who fails in all other fields.

4. It should not be a play field to criminals & Gundas. Strong laws need to be formulated to prevent such people from entering Politics.

5. In our Educational system, we must develop and employ a curriculum where the students can learn & understand our country’s Political system and in the future, if she/he finds its interesting they can be a good Politician.

Note:
We’d like to know you comments on the above. Please comment without attacking anyone personally. Comments with personal comments will be deleted from the website.