The Record Breaker!

Image Source: Sky Sports 

Leicester City Football Club's striker Jamie Vardy breaks the record of scoring in consecutive games in the English Premier League, breaking former Manchester United's striker Ruud van Nistelrooy's record, in a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium. The English striker has now scored in 11 consecutive matches for the Foxes.
                                      An excellent through ball from Christian Fuchs in the 23rd minute, found Vardy and the Leicester City striker made no errors, striking past David de Gea to reach the milestone. The celebrations were stopped when Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger cancelled out Vardy's goal at the added time of the first half.

El Classico

FC Barcelona beats Real Madrid Football Club in a nail biting encounter. The score is 4-0. Suarez scored a brace while Neymar and Iniesta netted one each.
The match also witnessed the return of Lionel Messi who has been out since two months due to injury. Messi started the match in bench but later came on as a substitute for Rakitic in the second half.

Winter is Coming.

Winter is coming - homie,
Stop being moony,
Now the skies are unlit,
Earlier they were sunlit.

Winter is coming - homie,
Autumn has left and spring awaits,
The time that no one hates,
The magic that he creates.

Winter is coming - homie,
The Thames do fear to freeze,
The bees have left its hives,
And he is on his knees.






Winter is coming - homie,
And I am on my way,
There is hardly any ray,
Nature plays her foul play.

Winter is coming - homie,
Get ready for Christmas,
Let nature do her business,
That we shall witness.

Bon Voyage

Bon voyage brother,
There's none other,
Head Souther,
Northmen do not bother,
Vanish beyond the cloud cover,
Embrace our earth mother,
And come back like the legendary Uther.

Men may seem alien,
And flora foreign,
Cultivate your ambition,
Like the brainy Einstein,
Explore each and every creation,
Let lord be thy guardian,
And not merely a watch-man.

You...!

You are my love,
As cute as a dove,
The subject of my dreams,
The breeze in my hiems,
You are my love.

You are my everything,
As vital as a breathing,
The subject of my life,
The breeze in my lowlife,
You are my everything.

You are my wife,
The best half of my life,
The one who maketh my fate,
The duchess of my estate,
You are my wife.

You are my queen,
The ingenue in the scene,
The apple of my eye,
The one who fills my sky,
You are my queen.

Climate Change in India: Challenges and Solutions.

Climate Change in India: Challenges and Solutions.

India is emerging both as an economic power house and a global environmental leader. As India’ economy and population gathers pace, the country needs to produce and provide more and more energy for creating a better living for its people. At the same time, India has recognised that tackling climate is no less important for them and hence finds a subtle part in her national interests. The nation is taking concrete measures to constrain its own emissions and to protect its people from climatic disruptions. This can be made possible by NRDC’ India Initiative on Climate Change & Clean Energy.  The major missions possible are clustered around several spheres namely wind energy, human health, coastal resources, waste to resources etc.

 Asia is facing the brunt of climate change and will be foreseeing severe stress on water resources and food grain production in the future, which may even lead to an armed conflict among India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China, according to a latest report of UN’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “Climate change is already becoming a determining factor in the national security policies of states”, said a statement issued by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which has been striving hard to arrive at a global climate deal by 2015 to fight the threat effectively through combined efforts of nations. Aromar Revi, lead author of one of the chapters of this report, said the impact of climate change would be felt severely on the Indo-Gangetic plains, affecting poor people in the entire region. “The areas which are facing frequent floods these days may face drought like situation in the distant or near future. We cannot ignore the changes which are taking place either in the Indus river basin or the Brahmaputra river system over the longer period.” said Revi, explaining the implications of the report. Surender Kumar, another lead author explained how climate change would affect the developing nations. According to him, if temperature increased beyond 1 degree Celsius, it would knock 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of developing countries. The report also predicts an increase in extreme weather events such as the 2013 Uttarakhand flash floods and the cyclone ‘Phailin’ in Odisha if steps are not taken to curb the uncontrolled rise in temperature. “Nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impacts of climate change,” R.K Pachauri, IPCC Chairman quoted while publishing the above mentioned UN’ report in Yokohoma, Japan. The report says rise in temperatures would also affect ‘beach tourism’ in many countries. India surprisingly stands out as the most vulnerable among 51 countries where beach tourism is an important sector.  Variations in climate are not completely concerned with the future. The report suggested that people around the world are getting hit as it has a direct negative impact on livelihoods, raises food prices, reduces food production, destroys homes etc. If climate changes are left unchecked, these trends are at a risk of acceleration.

The newly formed ‘Indian’ Government defended its efforts to combat climate change after US President Barack Obama urged the country to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The Prime Minister Council, which gives direction to climate policy, was reconstituted by the new ‘Indian’ Government in the first week of November 2014. The previous council, during UPA government’ time, had not met for more than three years. Apart from launching the new missions, the Council also undertakes to review the performance and operation of the existing eight missions, many of which have remained mostly ineffective. Environment Minister of India, Prakash Javadekar insisted that the government was already changing words into action on clean energy with innovative efforts such as increasing solar power across the nation. But our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has said that India wasn’t under any pressure of climate changes – after China and USA announced a bilateral pact on capping emissions in November. India’ population is set to overtake the population of China by 2030, but still she relies hugely on coal to generate electricity. Since coming to power in May, 2014, Modi has pledged to increase India’s renewable energy in a bid to lower coal use and bring electricity to more than 300 million poor people who currently live without even having this basic amenity. Modi, who built up a solar industry in Gujarat when he was the Chief Minister, has set a target for India to have 100 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2022.

 Twelfth Five-Year Plan and Climate Change

            The Indian Government has a domestic goal of lessening emissions by 20-25% by 2020 in comparison with the emission level of 2005. The energy intensity of India’s output   has shown a declining trend due to improvement in energy efficiency, changes in technology and economical use of energy. This goal and the objectives of the National Action Plan on Climate Change are claimed to be achieved through a sustainable development strategy under the twelfth five year plan. At the initiative of the UPA Ministry, Planning Commission has recognised Climate Change as a major sphere of environmental intervention.  Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP) – a new thematic scheme has been approved by the Planning Commission for implementation during the Twelfth Five year Plan. The scheme comprises of eight activities, of which, three relate to scientific studies on Climate Change, two to institution and capacity building and three others to domestic and international actions.

            During 2012-15, India organised several parallel international initiatives on Climate Change. Among this the most notable one was the X^th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change in New Delhi on February, 2012. This was to facilitate exchange of views on outcomes of the Durban Conference and evolution of common BASIC position on key issues in Climate Change. Besides the basic countries comprising of Brazil, South Africa, India and China, representatives of Swaziland, Singapore and Qatar were also invited to the meeting.  At the sub-regional level, India joined hands with Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal for cooperation to address adverse effects of Climate Change through adaptation actions in the four thematic areas of food, water, energy and biodiversity. Renewable Energy Procurement Obligation (RPO) has been the major driving force in India to promote the renewable energy sector.

Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA)

The Indian Government has already set up a network, namely the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) comprising of more than 250 scientists from 125 research institutions, to undertake research on the science of Climate Change and its impact on various sectors of our economy across various regions of India. INCCA assists the Ministry in putting together its Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventories and in carrying out other scientific assessments at regular intervals. Former Indian Environment Minister, Sri Jairam Remesh played a significant part in setting up this venture.

Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change.

          

      The Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change  was constituted by the Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, in consultation with the Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha on July 14, 2008. Since then, the forum has been involving parliamentarians to interact with experts working on Global Warming and Climate Change.  Sri Girish Sant, co-founder of Prayas, Pune and Coordinator of the Energy group along with the representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Ministry of Science and Technology had been invited for giving a presentation on “The Road Map for 20-25% reduction in the emission intensity of Indian GDP by the year 2020 as communicated by the Government of India to the UNFCCC”. Talking about the specific plans of the Government in regard to Climate Change, Sri Sant apprised that Government was doing two major things, one the NAPCC and second, the low carbon strategy for inclusive growth. The members of the Forum have been taking a lot of interest in the meetings by participating in the discussions.  Presentations on various subjects relating to Climate Change, such as: Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture; Population, Resources and Biodiversity with reference to Climate Change; Technology and Climate Change; National Solar Mission and related initiatives under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, etc have taken place. These give insight into a wide perspective on the issue of Climate Change and mitigation methods.

           The world is gearing up for the UNFCC’ Conference of Parties (COP-21) or the 2015 Paris Climate Summit to be held later this year, where almost 195 countries are expected to participate. A key player, Laurence Tubiana, the French Ambassador for Climate Change Negotiations, spoke to Pallava Bagla on India’ role and expectations at the upcoming Paris Summit, explaining that a debate on sustainable consumption should become the keystone. India’ per capita emission is comparatively lower than that of the Western Countries like America and France. So, before dealing with climate change straight away, Indians should cultivate a life style that is compatible with nature and that will help India to reduce her climatic vulnerabilities in future.

                       

Paul Walker (1973 - 2013)

Paul Walker seen alive for the last time , just before the accident.







The blue-eyed American action star  'Paul Walker (40)'  passed away in a fatal car crash in the north of Los Angeles on November 30,2013. 




At the time of the accident, he was travelling in a Porsche driven by his friend, 'Roger Rodas' who also died in the accident. 


The accident occurred during a charity car show that went horribly wrong.

He is well known for his character, 'Brian O'Conner' in the Fast and Furious series.
One cannot even imagine any other actor to do his role. Paul glorified Brian O'Conner with his natural acting.

His famous Quotes :-

* " Attitude is attitude whether you are a West-Coast Gangster or an East-Coast Gangster, you know? "

* " I wish i could be behind the wheel for every stunt ".

* " I'm not afraid of anything. That's just the way I'm."

* " My motto is , you have to get in a sport a day. "

* " If one day speed kills me, do not cry because I was smiling. "

Real video of Paul Walker's fatal accident..

May his soul Rest In Peace.

A legend Departs...!

'Its hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket'. ;- Sachin Tendulkar.

Views of the greats ---

'It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game who has combined classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion did'. ;- Sunil Gavaskar.

'I think it's a bad day for Indian Cricket, world cricket as well'. ;- Muttiah Muralidharan.

'India earned the respect of its opponents due to the way he played overseas against teams like Australia,England and Pakistan'. ;- Sourav Ganguly.

'Sachin is, in my time, the best - player without a doubt, daylight second, Brian Lara third'. ;- Shane Warne.

Wheels of the Common-man.

* Early bicycles were called as high-wheelers, and in England, they were called penny farthings. 

The two wheels were not of the same sizes just like the penny and the farthing coins.


* The prior patents for specific devices and improvements to bicycles were almost $15 per bike.
U.S entrepreneur Albert Pope gained all patents to have control of costs of them.




* Initially,women's bicycles had side saddles with the pedals only on the left, to make it easier for women wearing skirts to ride.

* By 1890, the 'safety bicycle' ,with two small wheels of equal size, a chain drive and gears replaced the high-wheelers.


* In Asia, bicycles began to arrive during the first boom in the 1860s. Japanese bicycle manufacturing industry developed during the 1870s.

* Even in 1899, few automobiles had been built, and horses and carriages were so expensive that they can hardly be maintained in the crowded cities. Ultimately, bicycles gained in popularity.

* S.A.A Annamalai Chettiar manufactured the 'Swan' bicycles in India in 1925, amid stiff competition from imports. Hind Cycles in Mumbai also manufactured bikes.

* Swan cycles closed and Hind Cycles struggled against competition. 

After an array of negotiations, TI Cycles of India (Chennai) embarked on indigenous bicycle manufacturing and ended up in building a factory by 1951. 


Another major collaborative venture, Sen-Raleigh in Asansol was motivated by the motto of building 100000 bicycles in 1952. Others joined the fray.

FC Barcelona - Qatar Airways and FCB. A team that unites the world

Watch this latest super-hit ad featuring FCB Players Messi,Neymar,Puyol,Iniesta & Busquets.

T0p 10 highest earning World Footballers.

1. David Beckham.


* Salary/winnings   - $5.2 million.
* Endorsements      - $42 million.
* Total Earnings    - $47.5 million.


2. Cristiano Ronaldo. 
 

* Salary/winnings   - $23 million.
* Endorsements      - $21 million.
* Total Earnings    - $44 million.

3.Lionel Messi.

* Salary/winnings   - $20.3 million.
* Endorsements      - $21 million.
* Total Earnings    - $41.3 million.


4. Wayne Rooney.

*Salary/winnings    - $18.1 million.
* Endorsements      - $3 million.
* Total Earnings    - $21.1 million.


5.Sergio Aguero.


*Salary/winnings    - $17.4 million.
* Endorsements      - $3.5 million.
*Total Earnings     - $20.9 million.


6. Didier Drogba.


* Salary/winnings   - $15.8 million.
* Endorsements      - $5 million.
* Total Earnings    - $20.8 million.


7. Yaya Toure.

* Salary/winnings   - $18.2 million.
* Endorsements      - $2.5 million.
* Total Earnings    - $20.7 million.




8. Neymar.

* Salary/winnings   - $10.5 million.
* Endorsements      - $10 million.
* Total Earnings    - $20.5 million.


9. Fernando Torres.


* Salary/winnings   - $17 million.
* Endorsements      - $3 million.
* Total Earnings    - $20 million.


10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
 

* Salary/winnings   - $17.2 million.
* Endorsements      - $2.5 million.
* Total Earnings    - $19.7 million.

iPhone 5C, the C is for 'Cook'.

Indo-China Conundrum.

The obstacles that confronted Tim Cook and Co's China and India strategy were essentially two-fold; the first was the difficulty in creating a cheaper product without it being dismissed as old wine in a new bottle.

Even if such a product could be conceived and rolled out,it was essential that it is not a phone meant for the poor Asians; nothing would rankle the pride of the Chinese and Indian customer more. The eventual solution to this was to introduce the iPhone 5C,price it high,and segment the overall product line in a classic case of Apple skating to where the puck will be in perhaps two years.

With the introduction of the new iPhone 5C,the i-1 variant has now been refreshed with a new product that clearly segments the iPhone line-up. The iPhone 5C is not an older version of the latest iPhone,it is the first of a line of iPhones!
This move also has the advantage of ditching the iPhone 5,which,out of all the previous iterations,arguably had the smallest life cycle. 

Why was it essential that the 5C come with a high price tag and not be the budget phone that it was prophesied to be? The answer lies in the phone's target audience,which are essentially the late adopters in developed markets and the early adopters in emerging markets.

Grab the stragglers.

The 5C is remarkably suited to attracting these target audiences-it has a 'new' colourful look which will seduce the notso-technologically-savvi older and younger generations that make up the late smartphone adopters in Western countries.

It is at this point that Apple will make its price play,and when the company will finally pass on the manufacturing costs it has saved in the production of the plastic 5C,with the price shooting down to perhaps roughly $400.
This is indefinitely more effective than selling older models at cheaper prices. 

Investors have little ground to worry,and should rather rejoice in anticipation of the massive profits that Apple is set to reap,for the pricing of the 5C is a symbolic acceptance by Tim Cook to the economies of the company's supply chain.

The events of the last year combined with the groundwork that is presently being laid show that with Cook at the helm,Apple after Steve Jobs is just as strong. And in some ways,even stronger.

Verdict truly Justified.

 Finally.....

The four convicts in the December 16 Delhi gang rape-murder case were awarded death sentence by the Delhi court. The Court claimed that the gravity of the offence cannot be tolerated. 

"DEATH TO ALL"- Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna said while delivering the verdict in the Delhi gang rape cum murder case that had evoked nation-wide outrage and compelled the Government to bring in a heavy anti-rape law.

Soon after the verdict came out,the victim's mother expressed satisfaction in the judgement. 

'Besides discussing other offences,i straight away come to section 302 of IPC. This falls under inhuman nature of the convicts and the gravity of the offence cannot be tolerated. Death sentence is given to all the four convicts.-he said.'

The four convicts were Mukesh (26) , Akshay Thakur (28) , Pawan Gupta (19) and Vinay Sharma (20) were charged for several offences,besides murder,gang rape,dacoity,destruction of evidence,conspiracy,kidnapping or abducting in order to murder etc.

Advocate,V.K Anand,who appeared for Mukesh,said that he has regard for the verdict and he will file an appeal in the Delhi High Court.

Special Public Prosecutor,Mr Dayan Krishnan said,'I have done my job and we are happy with the verdict.'

The girl's mother said that no such victim should remain silent and should come forward to launch a complaint.

As soon as the verdict was announced,the people who were waiting outside the court room started clapping.

At last,as an Indian,as a human,I want to sincerely express my personal satisfaction on the verdict.
As Cassandra Clare rightly said ,"The law is hard,but it is the law".

                                               JAI HIND.

Soccer tutorial.

Football has been one of my top interests since 2-3 years. 
I'm a sincere supporter of the Spanish club,FC Barcelona and a die hard fan of Lionel Messi. 

Frankly speaking,I'm not a hater of CR7. Both of them are the best in the business and both of them have their own style of technique and play-making.

Here are a few videos that will surely help you to be a complete soccer player.
Enjoy.. 

 

1.Free Style. 

            

2. Cristiano Ronaldo moves.

3. Pace variation.

4.  Creating spin or swerve.

5. Heel-bounce pass.

6. The 360^o

7. Scissors-turn.

8. The Ronaldinho - Elastico.

9. The Ronaldo-Turn.

10. Stop the ball like Ronaldo.

11. Top Spin.

12. Turn while a defender is behind you.

13. Free-style.

Sleep Walking Scene (Macbeth),Zurich.

One of the most famous scenes of Shakespeare is the Lady Macbeth' Sleep Walking Scene in 'Macbeth'.

Macbeth - not to be missed.

A voyage through Macbeth.

* Act 1 : The Temptation.

a) Act 1 : Scene 1 - Represents parting of the witches and not their meeting. Macbeth , the hero is introduced though he is not physically present in the scene.

Keynote of the play 'Fair is foul,and foul is fair' is delivered in this scene.

b) Act 1 : Scene 2 - Gives the political setting of the Play. Scene serves as a sort of exposition.

c) Act 1 : Scene 3 - Most crucial scene in Act 1. The famous 'temptation scene'. Scene is important for the :- The characterization of the witches ; the contrasted reactions of Macbeth and Banquo towards the witches' prophecies ; imaginative and sensitive temperament of Macbeth.

d) Act 1 : Scene 4 - First meeting of Macbeth and Duncan. 

e) Act 1 : Scene 5 - Lady Macbeth appears before the audience for the first time.

f)  Act 1 : Scene 6 - Scene has been admired for : its singularly reposeful character ; its sustained irony.

g) Act 1 : Scene 7 - Moral guilt and imagination of Macbeth ; Planning of Duncan' murder.

* Act 2 : The Murder of Duncan.

a) Act 2 : Scene 1 - Macbeth sights a visionary dagger ; he goes  to commit the murder.

b) Act 2 : Scene 2 - Macbeth does the 'deed'.

c) Act 2 : Scene 3 - Porter Scene.

d) Act 2 : Scene 4 - Meant for giving a pause ; the King's sons have fled away.

* Act 3 : The Murder of Banquo.

a) Act 3 : Scene 1 - Macbeth wears the crown now ; Macbeth doubts Banquo's existence harmful to him. So he hires murderers to kill Banquo.

b) Act 3 : Scene 2 - Reveals that a gulf is created between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

c) Act 3 : Scene 3 - Banquo is murdered and Fleance escapes ; marks the downfall of Macbeth's fortunes.

d) Act 3 : Scene 4 - Banquet Scene. Macbeth's overheated imagination makes his see Banquo's ghost.

e) Act 3 : Scene 5 - Introduces Hecate ; Scene is debated as unShakespearean ; prepares us for Macbeth's second meeting with the witches.

f) Act 3 : Scene 6 - Mentioning of 'Edward the Confessor' ; no other major importance.

* Act 4 :The Family of Macduff.

a) Act 4 : Scene 1 - Cauldron Scene ; preserves our interest in the dull Act 4. Macbeth meets the three witches ; appearance of the three apparitions.

b) Act 4 : Scene 2 - Introduces Lady Macduff and her son ; murder of Macduff' wife and son.

c) Act 4 : Scene 3 - Just a pause scene ; Malcolm says to Macduff that the English King has agreed to lend armies for the liberation of Scotland ; joining of an English doctor Malcolm and Macduff ; Ross informs Macduff about the murder of his family.

* Act 5 - The Catastrophe.

a) Act 5 : Scene 1 - Sleepwalking scene.

b) Act 5 : Scene 2 - Liberation army from England is approaching Scotland ; thanes march to Birnam wood to join with the invaders.

c) Act 5 : Scene 3 - Indicates the state of mind of Macbeth ; he is afraid of being afraid.

d) Act 5 : Scene 4 - Prepares us for the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Birnam wood ; the Army march to Dunsinane under the cover of branches cut down in Birnam wood.

e) Act 5 : Scene 5 - at Dunsinane ; Macbeth receives the news of the demise of his wife ; we witness philosopher in Macbeth ; Macbeth rushes out to meet the enemy.

f) Act 5 : Scene 6  - Short scene sounding for the battle ; trumpets call up on the castle to surrender.

g) Act 5 : Scene 7 - Macbeth is surrounded on all sides ; Macbeth defeats young Siward ; when he withdraws,Macduff enters in search of him.

h) Act 5 : Scene 8 - ; Macbeth and Macduff come face to face ; Macbeth is shocked to hear that Macduff was 'untimely ripped' from his mother' womb ; Macbeth is killed ; Macduff declares that 'the time is free' ; Malcolm is acclaimed king.