Mata Hinglaj ......

.Hinglaj Mata is a Hindu temple in Hinglaj, on the Makran coast in the Lyari district of Balochistan in Pakistan. Legend has it that when goddess Sati, the consort of god Shiva burnt herself in response to her father's anger at her for not inviting Shiva to a ceremony, Shiva became furious and started to create disasters, problems, violence, and sufferings in the world. In order to calm his anger, god Vishnu took the body of Sati and began to cut it into 51 pieces where they all fell at different parts of the Earth. Hindus believe that the head of Sati fell in the area of Hinglaj Mata in Baluchistan, present-day Pakistan. Thus, this area is a very significant region in the Hindu region and a revered pilgrimage site.

(The Hinglaj Goddess at Hinglajgarh in Baluchistan ,Pakistan)

This was a prime pilgrim location for Indians until the sore partition of 1947 where Indians lost access to this cultural heritage, since it was then bounded by Pakistan. Higlaj wasn’t just the only Indian site for worship, there were many such locations in Pakistan that were worship spots for Indians, but the rage of politics destroyed the cultural heritage by storming such worship spots to abandoned dilapidated ramshackle premises. Such spots were Lakhi, the Phuleli site for Jhulelal, the Prahlad-Aditya temple in Multan.

One may still wonder, if that was the case then how come Hinglaj has till continued to be a famous pilgrimage. The reason lies in humanity displayed by the Residents of Baluchistan. The handful of Hindu residents who still reside in Pakistan wouldn’t have resisted the tyrannical wave of demolition that ruined the cultural heritages, if it weren’t the Muslim residents of Baluchistan who stood firm to protect this ancient holy asset of historical glory. It would be discrimination on part of Culture, Secularism and Humanity to call Hinglaj Temple solely as a Hindu Pilgrimage. The fact is Muslims worship it as “Nani-Ka-Haj” which means “Grandmother’s Shrine”.

(Nani-Ka-Haj OR“Grandmother’s Shrine”)

Each year they organize a grand cultural-fair at this temple. Muslim residents actively take part in this celebration. They worship the Goddess with the same devotion as they do in the mosque. As for the offerings they carry mostly a Red Cloth, Attar (Perfume) and Agarbattis (Incense Sticks). Just like Hindus they too worship the temple for their cultural rites and rituals. It’s impossible to predict whether it’s a Hindu temple or a Muslim Mosque. That’s the similar situation here in India too where the people from all the religions celebrate each and every festival with a great pomp. It’s a fact that secularism and humanity can’t be restricted by self centered political stance and tyrannical rules.

Hingol River bed: Dry as a bone.

A lone hut: a lone hut on the way to hinglaj. (well there were three of them).

At the Hingol: Standing in the hingol river bed.

Cracking up: it's dry, and drying even further

Fossilized Hill:

An idol of Goddess Durga: Inside one of the main temples at Hinglach. This is a picture of an idol of Goddess Durga. Hinglaj Mata is one of 52 known shaktipeeths.

Rain shaped: worn away over the years by the rain and the wind.

Dusk: Somewhere near the hingol river.

Sandy Hills:

Hingol River bed: A view of the hingol river, picture taken somewhere on the way to Hinglaj

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The Egypt Crises

Street protests in Tunisia forced the swift departure of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, ending almost 25 years of political repression in this north African Arab nation.Ahead of tomorrow's march that is predicted to involve a million people, Wael Nawara - the Secretary-General of the opposition El-Ghad party - spoke with Fran Kelly direct from Tahrir Square in Cairo.Tomorrow's mass protest in Cairo is expected to be a million strong, but Egypt's powerful military has announced that it considers the protesters' demands legitimate, and it will not fire on them even if ordered to.

Egypt's opposition issued their first clear list of demands Tuesday, saying the four principles would form the basis for negotiations with the country's existing power structure.

The first item on the list said President Hosni Mubarak 'and his regime' must step down.

Secondly a transitional leadership should be formed, and a committee should be established to write a new constitution for the country.

Finally, the grouping demands that parliament, dominated by Mubarak's National Democratic Party, be dissolved.

The list was sent to Vice President Omar Suleiman, the former spy chief, who on Monday evening said he would open a dialogue with 'all political parties'.

Several opposition groups signed the list, saying that if a time frame was set out by Suleiman for implementing the demands, negotiations could begin.

But officials with the banned Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition movement in the country, told DPA they would not negotiate with Suleiman - although also would not stand in the way of talks.

However, liberal groups and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammed ElBaradei said they supported the list and talking to the vice president, provided that Mubarak stepped down

WHAT ...... SOCIAL NETWORKING....??

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand information and experiences about cooking, golfing, gardening,  developing friendships or professional alliances, finding employment, business-to-business marketing and even groups sharing information about the end of the Mayan calendar and the Great Shift to arrive December 21-2012. The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our world.

When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them. 

The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to social networking sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Denmark or India. Not only will you make new friends, but you just might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always a good thing.

As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as "traditional" social networking websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.

As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking including data theft and viruses, which are on the rise. The most prevalent danger though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to proceed with caution online.

By being aware of your cyber-surroundings and who you are talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social networking online. It will take many phone conversations to get to know someone, but you really won't be able to make a clear judgment until you can meet each other in person.  Just use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell you when something doesn't feel right about the online conversations taking place.

Once you are well informed and comfortable with your findings, you can begin your search from hundreds of networking communities to join. This can easily be done by performing a standard internet search. Your search will likely return a number of results, including MySpace, FriendWise, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360, Facebook, Orkut, and Classmates.

सड़क सुरक्षा ...

विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन डब्ल्यूएचओ ने दुनिया भर में सड़क सुरक्षा को लेकर एक नई रिपोर्ट निकाली है. रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक तेज़ रफ्तार से गाड़ी चलाना, हेल्मट या सीट बेल्ट का इस्तेमाल न करना और बच्चों को नियंत्रण में न रखना दुर्घटना का कारण बनते हैं.

विश्व भर में हर घंटे, 25 की उम्र से कम लगभग 40 लोग सड़क दुर्घटनाओं में मारे जाते हैं. डब्ल्यूएचओ के मुताबिक पांच से लेकर 29 वर्ष के लोगों में मौत का यह दूसरा सबसे बड़ा कारण है.जयपुर में हुआ मार्च में बस हादसा

2009 में भारत में हर घंटे 14 लोग सड़क हादसों में मारे गए. 2008 में यह आंकड़ा 13 था. नैशनल क्राइम रिकॉर्ड्स ब्यूरो एनसीआरबी के मुताबिक सड़क हादसों में मरने वाले लोगों की संख्या सालाना 1,35000 पार कर चुकी है.

ट्रक ड्राइवरों और टू व्हीलर चालक हादसे के लिए सबसे ज़्यादा ज़िम्मेदार हैं. शाम और सुबह सड़कों पर ज़्यादा गाड़ियों के होने की वजह से हादसे की संभावना बढ़ जाती है.

नशे में गाड़ी चलानाः एक बड़ी समस्या

एनसीआरबी की रिपोर्ट में यह भी कहा गया है कि नशे में गाड़ी चलाना हादसों के लिए मुख्य रूप से ज़िम्मेदार है. पुलिस के ट्रक ड्राइवरों से समस्यासंयुक्त कमिश्नर मैक्सवेल परेरा का मानना है कि चालकों को अपना रवैया बदलना होगा. कहते हैं, "ऐसा ज़रूरी नहीं है कि शहरों में हादसे शराब पी कर गाड़ी चलाने की वजह से होते हैं. लेकिन 99 प्रतिशत हादसों में से जो जानलेवा हादसे शहरों के बाहर होते हैं, उनमें शराब ज़िम्मेदार होता है. शहरों के बाहर नशे में चला रहे लोगों पर नियंत्रण नहीं रखा जा सकता. ट्रक ड्राइवरों का मानना है कि वे सड़कों पर तभी चलाने को तैयार हैं जब वह पूरी तरह नशे में धुत होते हैं. जब तक इस देश में हाइवे पर नशे में चलाने वाले लोगों पर नियंत्रण रखने का कोई तरीका नहीं निकलता तब तक इन हादसों को कम नहीं किया जा सकता."

क़ानून लागू करने में ढील

नशे में गाड़ी चलाने के खिलाफ मुहिम कैंपेन एगेंस्ट ड्रंकन ड्राइविंग के प्रिंस सिंघल का कहना है कि सड़कों पर दुर्घटनाओं बढ़ने से साबित होता है कि राज्य सरकारें और पुलिस शराब पी कर चलाने वाले लोगों को गंभीरता से नहीं ले रही है. कहते हैं, "यह दिन ब दिन बढ़ता जा रहा है क्योंकि शराब को लेकर राज्यों का अपना क़ानून है और यह देश भर में हो रहा है, केवल मुंबई, दिल्ली, बैंगलोर, हैदराबाद और मेट्रो शहरों में नहीं. क़ानून फीका पड़ जाता है और कोई न्यायिक प्रक्रिया भी नहीं है. पुलिस क़ानून लागू नहीं करती और शराब पी कर चलाने के लिए वह लोगों पर मामला दर्ज नहीं कर सकती."

शराब पीने के खिलाफ अब तक किसी भी मुहिम को सफलता नहीं मिली है. और शराब पी कर गाड़ी चलाने पर कानूनी कार्रवाई से भी ज़्यादा फर्क नहीं पड़ा है. लेकिन सिंघल इसे बदलना चाहते हैं. "अब कुछ बदल सकता है क्योंकि हमने सरकारी प्रतिनिधियों से मुलाकात की है और सड़क सुरक्षा सुबह शाम सड़कों पर भीड़पर एक श्वेत पत्र सौंपा है. अब इस मुद्दे पर एक राष्ट्रीय परिषद का गठन किया जाएगा. मामला संसद में है और मंत्रिमंडल ने इसे मंज़ूर कर दिया है. बहुत ही जल्द सड़क सुरक्षा पर एक अलग संस्था बनाई जाएगी."

अब आगे क्या?

इस मामले में जल्द ही कुछ करने की ज़रूरत है. 2003 और 2008 के बीच भारत में सड़क दुर्घटनाओं में 40 प्रतिशत की बढ़ोतरी हुई है. आंध्र प्रदेश, महाराष्ट्र और तमिल नाडु जैसे देशों में विकास की रफ्तार के साथ साथ हादसे भी बढ़ रहे हैं.

सड़क सुरक्षा विश्लेषक कहते हैं कि मरने वाले लोगों की संख्या और भी ज़्यादा हो सकती है क्योंकि कई मामले पुलिस के सामने लाए ही नहीं जाते. और जहां तक उन लोगों का सवाल है जो दुर्घटना के कुछ घंटों बाद या कुछ दिनों बाद मर जाते हैं, उनको लेकर किसी भी तरह के आंकड़े नहीं हैं. उनकी मौत को सड़क हादसों से जोड़ा ही नहीं जाता

भारत में हर साल विश्व में सबसे ज़्यादा, यानी एक लाख 30 हज़ार से ज़्यादा लोग सड़क दुर्घटनाओं में अपनी जान गंवाते हैं. इस मामले में भारत ने चीन को भी पीछे छोड़ दिया है. 

Shaadi................Indian style.

Hindu wedding is thought to be the bringing of two people who are said to be compatible. Hindu wedding ceremonies are traditionally conducted at least partially in sanskrit, the language of most holy hindu ceremonies. The local language of the people involved is also used since most Hindus do not understand Sanskrit. They have many rituals that have evolved since traditional times and differ in many ways from the modern western wedding ceremony and also among the different regions, families, and castes such as Rajput wedding and Iyer wedding. The Hindus attach a lot of importance to marriges, and the ceremonies are very colorful and extend for several days.

In India, where most Hindus live, the laws relating to marriage differ by religion. According to the hindu marrige act of 1955, passed by the Parliment of India, for all legal purposes, all Hindus of any caste, creed or sect, Sikh, Buddhists and Jains are deemed Hindus and can intermarry. By the Special marrige act 1958, a Hindu can marry a person who is not Hindu, employing any ceremony provided specified legal conditions are fulfilled.

The pre-wedding ceremonies include engagements (involving vandana or oral agreement and lagna-patra written declaration), and arrival of the groom's party at the bride's residence, often in the form of a formal procession. The post-wedding ceremonies involve welcoming the bride to her new home.

Despite modern Hinduism being largely based on the puja form of the worship of devas as enshrined in the Puranas, a Hindu wedding ceremony at its core is essentially a Vedic Yagna (a fire-sacrifice), in which the Aryan deities are invoked in the Indo-Aryan style. It has a deep origin in the ancient ceremony of cementing the bonds of friendship/alliance (even among people of the same sex or people of different species in mythological contexts), although today, it only survives in the context of weddings. The primary witness of a Hindu marriage is the fire-deity (or the Sacred Fire) Agni, and by law and tradition, no Hindu marriage is deemed complete unless in the presence of the Sacred Fire, seven encirclements have been made around it by the bride and the groom together

Time And Bandwidth Wastage Wayback In 1999.

He got time to kill and also got an unlimited-usage broadband connection.......Welcome to time and bandwidth wastage.....

Way back in 1999,he was one of the first few Indians to have an unlimited,always on connection.It was only 64 Kbps,nothing to brag about,but at least he didnt have to worry about phone bills !for a thousand rupees a month,he'd managed to break free of the shackles of copper wire,local call charges and his parents moaning about how no one could ever get through to the phone! what's more he actually used to get 64Kbps(8kbps) download speeds which was a lot faster than 16 Kbps(2Kbps) he'd become accostoumed to on dial up.
Because it was 1999 broadband Isp's were still learning and he guess and he soon discovered that his Isp has limited the download speeds but had forgottened to do the same with uploads. The result ? a mear 8Kbps speed for downloads and a whooping 400 Kbps upload speed.
He was somewhat of an IRC (internet relay chat) addict so he was promptly on his favourite network showing off to his friends.There were even people in America who didn't have 400Kbps upload bandwidth back than!
He find himself obessesing about his upload capabilities not wanting to let it go to waste!He also knew that sooner or later some engeenier at his Isp would awake from his slumber and prick his heavenly bubble. As it turned out,this senierio lasted about six months and he uploaded more in those six months that he downloaded  science 1999,he also setup his site on his own computer at FTP server,IRC bots to transfer and share loads of files,and absolutely anything that would use his upload capability.

Our Nation...........INDIA.

The following is a translation of Rabindranath Tagore's rendering of the stanza:
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people, dispenser of India's destiny. The name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha,of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal; it echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of the Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea. They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise. The salvation of all people is in thy hand, thou dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee.
 

The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The Lion Capital was erected in the third century BC by Emperor Ashoka to mark the spot where Buddha first proclaimed his gospel of peace and emancipation to the four quarters of the universe.The National emblem is thus symbolic of contemporary India's reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill.

                                          

The four lions (one hidden from view) - symbolising power, courage and confidence - rest on a circular abacus. The abacus is girded by four smaller animals - guardians of the four directions: the lion of the north, the elephant of the east, the horse of the south and the bull of the west.The abacus rests on a lotus in full bloom, exemplifying the fountainhead of life and creative inspiration. The motto 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the emblem in Devanagari script means 'truth alone triumphs'.

The Indian flag was designed as a symbol of freedom. The late Prime Minister Nehru called it a flag not only of freedom for ourselves, but a symbol of freedom to all people.

The flag is a horizontal tricolour in equal proportion of deep saffron on the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is two is to three. In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel in navy blue to indicate the Dharma Chakra, the wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital. Its diameter approximates the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation; the white, for purity and truth; the green for faith and fertility