Truth-Knowledge-Infinity

Work life balance - is it a myth in the modern age???

2011-03-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

who has not heard about the work life balance in their life times at least twice a day??? Yes that is the most coveted feat to achieve and yet it is pretty hard to realize. The other day I went for a training in my company about work life balance... quite surprisingly, in that training, the trainer talked about achieving work life balance by keep work and personal life very close.That is quite a contradiction is n't it??? how can you achieve balance when you are constantly thinking about your work? I am not sure what i have gotten out of that training but it surely told me something. It is difficult to forget about the work when you go home in this modern age of black berries, androids, iphones etc..more than these electronic gadgets people are addicted to getting constant stream of information every second. The information can be work related, family related or any thing , but they just need some new information every other second. People become vary when they did not get an e-mail for more than 15 minutes.. people are anxious when nobody has replied for their post in the facebook. Did anybody feel familiar about this? ... so when people became information savvy like this ...how can you avoid not checking your e-mail when the black berry or iphone is at your hand even when you are in a Beach in California... it is pretty hard to resist and it is very tempting...one you started checking your e-mails, voice messages , there goes your vacation crashing down... unknowingly , you just fall in to the trap...you go in to a loop; you try to reply if there is any action item that you forgot to complete; you get scared when there is an escalation for something you missed...what is the way out? I am not sure what it is ....constant streaming in of the information helped the mankind tremendously on one hand, but it removed privacy of the human being on the other hand..what is the way out people????

My Sabarimalai yatra

2011-01-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

The tragic accident in Sabarimalai made me sad and nostalgic... I remember my trip to Sabarimalia from Chennia when I was working for TCS in Chennai. It was an excellent 40 days of deeksha after which we went to Sabarimalia by Train. We walked in the forest for hours. My feet were swollen atleat a feet. I could not feel my legs for days. We reached Pampa and bathed in the river then we walked again and reached the shrine a top. we stood in the line and waited for some 3 hours and had a magnificent darshan of the lord. Then the next we had a another darshan and started walking down... In the return trip we went to Guruvayur , Lord Krishna's abode and had a great experience there. I cannot forget those experiences, then we stopped at Trisur Vadakkumnathan Temple - a very huge temple in 10 acres said to be built by Parashu Rama.
This trip was life time experience and I can never forget this yatra and I would go again and again to Sabarimalai, when I finally go back to India...

South Africans have surpassed Aussies in hate.....

2011-01-15T19:30:00.000-08:00

Never thought south Africans are so hateful... they cannot take Indians performing and giving tough fight on their home turfs... Robin Jackman, a commentator openly supports SA team instead of being un-biased..he sometime makes some ridiculous comments as I noticed...
----- today when India has won the match by 1 run after virtually losing it, HD Ackerman, another commentator says that he could not give credit to Indians, but he would blame SA team for throeing it away...
common man accept it and move on , bog deal... stop being hypocrites.....

My presentation to SVP

2011-01-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

Recently I had an opportunity to present the project I am dealing with Senior VP at my Company. I thought the presentation really went well and it was well appreciated. There were significant number of senior IT leadership team were present in this meeting including the Business.

మా నాన్నకి జేజేలు ఇన్ సుజన రంజని (http://siliconandhra.org/nextgen/sujanaranjani/jan10/maanannaku.html)

2010-01-01T09:53:00.000-08:00

మా నాన్నకి జేజేలు ఇన్ సుజన రంజని

http://siliconandhra.org/nextgen/sujanaranjani/jan10/maanannaku.हटमल

Big day for Jehangir Mehta

2009-11-22T06:58:00.000-08:00

....this is it... this is the final... I wish all the best for Mehta to win over Graces.. but it is tough ...hopefully Mehta can pull it off...

నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!

2009-11-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

భావనా మాత్రమున భవములనూ అణచే
భవ హరునీ రాణి వనీ నమ్మి నిన్ను కొలిచీ
భావనా గమ్యమైన భవాని వై నీవు
నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!

నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!

2009-11-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

యుగ యుగాల ఘన చరితకు ఆలవాలమమ్మ!
ఘనత గల్గు ఓరుగల్లు పట్టుగొమ్మ వమ్మా!
మనవి వినీ, మన్నించుట మరియాద గదమ్మా
నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!

భక్తీ మీర నుతి సల్పిన భాగవతుల నెపుడూ
ముక్తి నొసగి మురిపించిన మల్లినాధ సతివీ
భక్తి కొలది భాషించెద శక్తి నొసగు తల్లీ
నాగరాజు బ్రోచిన భద్రకాళి వమ్మా

Jehangir Mehta is in finals...

2009-11-16T15:22:00.000-08:00

jehangir mehta made it to the last 2 .... his presentation in the last round was too much , but he still survived... i could see nothing but flowers in the presentation ... anyways he is now in the finals and will be pitted aginst Chef Garces... it looks like Garces is all set for the title... this is what i feel....

Seond Business Review Over and out

2009-11-15T10:37:00.000-08:00

I did the second business review this friday and it really went well. This concludes the second sprint of the project. Now its ready to b tested and go to Production. The management has decided to move me out of this project , I do nt know the further plans yet...

మా నాన్నకు జేజేలు(for sujanarani of Siliconandhra.org)

2009-11-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

నా పేరు రొట్టె నాగరాజా శర్మ. నేను వ్రుత్తి రీత్యా సాఫ్టువేరు ఇంజనీర్ ని. ప్రస్తుతం టెక్సాస్ లోని హౌస్టన్ నగరం లో నివాసం.మా నాన్న గారి గురించి రాయడం అంటే ఒక అద్భుత మైన అనుభూతి ని పొందాను.
మా నాన్న గారి పేరు రొట్టె మురహరి శర్మ గారు. మా నాన్న గారు కరీంనగర్ జిల్లా , జగిత్యాల గ్రామము నందు చాల పేరు మోసిన పురోహితులు. మరియు గొప్ప జ్యోతిష శాస్త్రజ్ఞులు. మా నాన్న గారికి వ్రుత్తి దైవం. చుట్టుపక్కల ఉన్న నరసింగ పురం లో కూడా మా నానగారి పౌరోహిత్యం ఉండేది.
ముఖ్యంగా జగిత్యాల లో ఒక పధ్ధతి ఉండేది. జగిత్యాల లో మొత్తం ౪ గురు పురోహితులు ఉండేవారు. జగిత్యాల పట్టణాన్ని నలుగు భాగాలుగా (తూరుపు, పడమర, దక్షిణ , ఉత్తర) విభజించి, ప్రతి రెండు సంవత్సరముల కు ఒక సారి వంతులు మారేవి. ఈ రెండు సంవత్స రాల కాలంలోఆ  భాగంలో ఉండే వీదులన్నింటిలో  ఉండే ప్రజల ఇళ్ళలో శుభ అశుభ కార్యాలు అన్నిటికి పౌరోహిత్యం ఈ పురోహితులు నేరపెవారు.
ముందు చెప్పినంట్టు నాన్నగారి కి వ్రుత్తి ప్రాణం.సరిగ్గా  నేను పుట్టే సమయానికి నాన్న గారికి ఒక పెళ్లి ముహూర్తానికి పౌరోహిత్యం చేయాల్సి వచ్చిందట.అ పెళ్లి , మా అమ్మ కి ఆపరేషన్ చేయవలిసిన డాక్టర్ గారి కుతురిది. మా నాన్న గారు అ పెళ్ళికి వెళ్లి ఆ వివాహాన్ని జరిపించి హాస్పిటల్ కి చేరుకున్నారట.
నాన్న గారు చాల క్రమశిక్షణ గలిగిన వ్యక్తి. నాన్న గారి టైం అంటే టైం. ఏ వివాహ ముహూర్తానికి గాని , గృహప్రవేష ముహూర్తానికి గాని , ఇంకా ఏ ముహూర్తానికి గాని  నాన్న గారు ఒక్క నిమిషం కూడా ఆలస్యం చేసేవారు కారు . నాన్న గారు ఉన్నారంటే ముహూర్తం ఖచ్చితంగా నిర్ణయించిన ముహూర్తానికి జరగాల్సిందే.
ఒక కార్యానికి ఎంత దక్షిణ తీసున్నమనే కంటే , ఆ కార్యక్రమాన్ని సక్రమంగా జరిపించటమే మా నాన్నగారి కి ముఖ్యంగా ఉండేది. ఈ కార్యక్రమానికి ఇంత దక్షిణ ఇవ్వాలని మా నాన్నగారు అడగడం నా జన్మలో చూడలేదు.
మాట్లాడితే ఇల్లు, మిద్దేలని వస్తు దోషాలని కులగోట్టించి  , పెద్ద పూజలు జరిపించే ఈ  పిదప కాలం లో మా నాన్న గారు తన వద్దకు సమస్యలతో వచ్చే వారికీ దేవుడి మీద భక్తీ ని ఉద్బొధించే వారు. హనుమాన్ చాలీసా చదువు కోమని, ఆంజనేయ ప్రదక్షిణాలు చేయమని, కొండగట్టు (ప్రఖ్యాత అనజనేయ దేవస్థానం , జగిత్యాల దగ్గర ) వెళ్లి మండల దీక్ష కొనసాగించమని చెప్పేవారు. చిలవలు పలవలుగా పుట్టుకొచ్చే కొత్త కొత్త మిడి మిడి జ్ఞాన పండితులని చూసి నవ్వుకునే వారు.
మా నాన్న గారు జ్యోతిష శాస్త్రములో గొప్ప నిష్ణాతులు. ఒక ముహూర్తం పెట్టారంటే , ఆ ముహూర్తానికి ఎ రక మైన దోషాలు ఉండేవి కావు.ధర్మ సింధువు , కాలామ్రుతము మొదలైన గొప్ప గొప్ప జ్యోతిష గ్రంధాలు మా నాన్న గారికి ప్రమాణాలు. అలాగే ఎవరైనా తప్పు ముహూర్తం పెడితే వాదించి, ప్రమాణాలు చూపించి ఓడించే సత్తా ఉన్న గొప్ప నిష్ణాతులు.
ఉదాహరణకు, జగిత్యాల అమ్మాయి కి  హైదరాబాద్ సంభంధం కుదిరిందనుకుందాము. పెళ్లి కొడుకు తరపు పురోహితుడు ఏదైనా దోష యుక్తమైన ముహూర్తం పెట్టినప్పుడు, మా నాన్నగారు పెళ్లి కుమార్తె తరప్ఫు పురోహితుడు కనక ఆ ముహూర్తాన్ని ఖండించే వారు మరియు హైదరాబాద్ కి వెళ్లి ఆ పురోహితుడి తో వాద  ప్రతి వాదనలూ జరిపి ఆ ముహూర్తాన్ని రద్దు చేయించి దోష రహితమైన ముహూర్తాన్ని పెట్టేవారు. ఇలా ఎన్నో సార్లు ఎన్నో పట్టణాలకు వెళ్లి అక్కడ వాదించి గెలిచారు. ఇదంతా చిన్నప్పుడు మాకు చాల ఆనందం గా , అద్భుతంగా తోచేది. మా నాన్న గారికి పెద్ద కొడుకు గ నీను చాల చోట్ల కు మా నాన్నగారితో ప్రయాణాలు జరిపేవాడిని. నేను మా నాన్నగారు ఎక్కడికి వెళితే అక్కడికి వెళ్ళేవాడిని. జగిత్యాల  లో  ఉన్న శాహుకారులు, వెలమ దొరలు మొదలగు వారు నాన్న గారి వీలును బట్టి పెళ్లి ముహుర్తాలు పెట్టుకునే వారు. వాళ్లంతా నాన్న గారే పెళ్లి జరిపించాలని కోరుకునే వారు. ఇలాంటి పెళ్ళిళ్ళు చాలా  హైదరాబాద్ లో జరిగేవి. మా నాన్న గారికి ఒక కారు ఇచ్చి పెళ్ళికి రమ్మనేవారు. ఇలాంటి ప్రతి పెళ్ళికి నేను నాన్న గారితో హైదాబాద్ కి వెళ్ళేవాడిని. పెళ్ళికి ఒక రోజు ముందుగ మేము వెళ్ళే వాళ్ళము. మాకు ఒక బస ఏర్పాటు చేసి స్వయమ్పాకానికి సాహిత్యం(వంట సరకులు ) ఇచ్చేవారు. నాన్నగారు అద్భుతంగా వంట చేసేవారు. హైదరాబాద్ లో బస చేసినన్ని రోజులూ  స్వయమ్పాకమే. లేదంటే మేము ఏ ఉరికైతే పెళ్ళికి వెళ్ళే వాళ్ళమో ఆ వూరిలో ఉన్న పురోహితుని ఇంటిలో బస ఏర్పాటు చేసే వారు. నాన్న గారు భోజన ప్రియులు. నేను కూడా భోజన ప్రియున్నే. వేరే ఊరికి వెల్లడము, కొత్త కొత్త రుచులు , కొత్త కొత్త వంటలు తినడం చాల గొప్ప అనుభవము.
చాల పెదద కార్యక్రమాలకు ఎంత ప్రాముఖ్యత ను ఇచ్చేవారో చిన్న కార్యక్రమాలకు కూడా అంతే ప్రాముఖ్యత నిచ్చే వారు. ప్రతీ రోజు ఎవరో ఒకరి ఇంటిలో తద్దినలకు వెళ్లేవారు. ఇటువంటి కార్యక్రమాలకు సాధరణంగా ఒక్క రూపాయి కంటే ఎక్కువ ఇచ్చేవారు కాదు. మా నాన్న గారికి కార్యక్రమం జరిపించడమే ముఖ్యం డబ్బు అసలే కాదు.
నాన్నగారు గొప్ప ముందు చూపు గల వ్యక్తి. నాన్న గారు దుబారా ఖర్చు అసలు చేసేవారు కాదు. అవసరం అనుకుంటే ఎన్ని డబ్బులు ఖర్చు అయిన వేరసే వారు కాదు. మమ్మల్ని అందరిని చదివించడానికి నాన్నగారు ఎంతో  కష్ట పడే వారు. రాత్రనక , పగలనక పౌరోహిత్య కార్యక్రమాలకి హాజరు అయ్యేవారు.సాధరణంగా గృహప్రవేశ ముహుర్తాలు , భాసింగల పూజలు (పెళ్ళికి తరలి పోయే ముందు పెళ్లి కుమార్తె/పెళ్లి కుమారిడి  ఇంట్లో జరిపించే  భాషికాల పూజ) వేకువ ఝామున (సుర్యోదయత్పుర్వము) జరిగేవి. నాన్నగారు తన నిద్రను వదలుకొని, ఈ పుజలన్నిటికీ  వెళ్లేవారు. ఎన్నో రోజులు సైకిల్ మీద తిరిగే వారు. తరవాత ఒక లూనా (మోపెడ్) కొనుక్కుని దాని మీద వెళ్ళే వారు.
నాన్న గారు చం ఢ శాషణుడు క్రమ శిక్షణ విషయములో, నిజాయితీ  విషయములో. తనకు నచ్చకుంటే  ఎలాంటి మొహమాటము లేకుండా ఎంత వారి కైనా చెప్పేవారు. నాన్నగారంటే అందుకే హడల్.
తన వారసత్వం మాకు అబ్బాలని మాకు చిన్న వయసులోనే, రుద్ర నమకం , చమకము , పంచ సూక్తాలు  మాకు నేర్పించారు. ప్రత్యేకించి నాకు పెళ్ళిళ్ళు జరిపించడం , గృహప్రవేశాలు జరిపించడం, భాషింగాల  పూజలు జరిపించడం నేర్పించారు. నేను ఎంతో చిన్న వయసులో పెళ్ళిళ్ళు జరిపించడం నేర్చుకున్నాను. మా నాన్న గారి వెంట వెళ్ళిన ప్రతి పెళ్లి లో నేను కన్య దాన సమయములో చదివే మంత్రాలు - మహా సంకల్పం చదివే వాణ్ని. నాన్నగారు ఎంతో సంతోషించే వారు. విన్న వారు కూడా నన్ను మెచ్చుకునే వారు. నేను నా చిన్న వయసులో పౌరోహిత్యం చేస్తూ నాన్న గారికి చేదోడు గ ఉండే వాణ్ని.
నాన్న గారు లేని నా జీవితం నేనెప్పుడు ఉహించలేదు. నాన్న గారే నా ప్రాణం. అన్-కండిషనల్ లవ్ అనేది నాకు మా నాన్న పట్ల ఉండే ప్రేమ కి నిదర్శనం. నాకు మా నాన్న తోడిదే లోకం. నేనెప్పుడు బాగా చదువు కొని , పెద్ద ఉద్యగాలు చేసి ఆయనను సుఖ పెట్టాలని కోరుకునే వాణ్ని. ఎంతో  కష్టపడి  అయన మమ్మల్ని చదివించారు. ఇప్పుడు మేము ఇలా ఉన్నామంటే అయన పెట్టిన భిక్షే. మా నాన్న గారు ఉన్నపుడు నేను ఒక చిన్న ఉద్యోగం చేసే వాడిని. నాకు ఒక పెద్ద కంపెనీ లో బ్రేక్ వచ్చినపుడు నేను బొంబాయి మకాం మార్చాను. మాకు అప్పుడే కొత్త గ  వివాహం అయింది. అప్పుడు నాన్నగారు మమ్మల్ని చూడటానికి బొంబాయి వచ్చి వారము రోజులు ఉన్నారు. Elephenta కేవ్స్ , ఇండియా గేటు, అన్ని చూసాం. తెలంగాణా  ప్రాంతం లోని చాల మంది బ్రాహ్మణులూ బొంబాయి లో ప్రవాసం చేస్తారు. నాన్నగారికి చిన్నప్పుటి నుంచి బొంబాయి చూడాలని ఉండేదట. మాకు పెళ్ళయిన సరిగ్గా ఆరు నెలలకు నాన్నగారు వైశాఖ శుద్ధ ఏకాదశి రోజు ౨౦౦౧ లో మరణించారు.అప్పుడు మేము బొంబాయి లో నే ఉన్నాను. ఎంతో భయపడుతూ నాకు ఈ వార్తను ఫోన్ చేసి చెప్పారు. మా నాన్నగారి మరణ వార్తను విన్న నేను చచ్చి పోతానని మా తమ్ముళ్ళు అనుకున్నారట. నేను ఇంతగా ప్రేమించిన నా  తండ్రి చివరకు నేను దగర లేనప్పుడే పోవడం నా ప్రారబ్ధం. నా ప్రాణం , నా దానం, నా మానం, న బ్రతుకు , నా విద్య , నా జీవితం నాన్న గారు పెట్టిన భిక్ష. "ఆత్మనాం  పుత్ర నామాసి" అన్న వేద వాక్యం ప్రకారం నేను మా నాన్న లో ఒక భాగాన్ని. మా నాన్న గారు "పద్మ పత్ర మివామ్భస " అన్న భగవత్గీత  వాక్యనుసరంగా ఒక యోగి లాగా తన జీవితాన్ని సాగించారు. నిరంతర అధ్యనము, నిత్య జ్ఞాన అన్వేషణము , నిరంతర గ్రంధ పఠనము , వ్రుత్తి పట్ల నిబద్ధత, సత్య వచనము ఇవన్ని మా నాన్న గారి జీవిత లక్షణాలు.
ఏమిచ్చి ఆయన ఋణం తీర్చుకోగలను? ఇది ఒక మౌన రోదన , ఇది తీర్చలేని వేదన. విధి బలీయం, మరణం అనివార్యం.
ఉడత భక్తీ గ , ఆయన ఋణం తీర్చు కోవడానికి ఏదో చేయాలనీ నా తహ తహ ..
నిరంతర పితృ భక్తీ తో ---నాగ రాజ శర్మ రొట్టె
మా నాన్నకు జేజేలు

Carnatic Music:Ragam - Kanada

2009-11-09T20:31:00.001-08:00

CHARUMATHI UPACHARAMU.

http://ww.smashits.com/redirect.cfm?ID=11&TrackID=64719

रामायण -दिव्या श्लोकः

2009-11-09T20:22:00.000-08:00

रामायण -दिव्या श्लोकः
  अरण्य  कांडा :

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रामो  विगाराहोवान  धर्मः , साधू  सत्य  पराक्रमः
राजा  सर्वस्य  लोकस्य  देवानं  मघवानिवः
--by Demon Mareecha to RaAvana
सुंदर  कांडा :
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ततो  रावण  नीताया  सीतायाः  शत्रुकर्शाना
इयेष  पथ  मन्वेश्तुम  चारना  चरिते  पथि

नमोस्तु  रामाय  सलाक्ष्मनाया
देव्येचा  तस्मि  जनाकात्मजायी
नमोस्तु रुद्रेद्र   यामा  निलेभ्यो
नमोस्तु रुद्रेन्द्र  यामा निलेभ्यो
नमोस्तु चंद्रारका  मरुद्गानेभ्याह

Jaya Mantram(Very pwerful)
-------------------------------------------------

जयत्यति   बालो  रामा  , लक्ष्मनास्चा  महा  ब्लाह
राजा  जयति  सुग्रीवो  राघवेनाभी   पालितः
दासोहम  कोसलेंद्रस्य  रामस्याक्लिष्ठ  कर्मणः
हनुमान  शत्रु  सैन्यनाम  निहन्ता  मारुतात्मजः
न  रावण  सहस्रं  में  युद्धे  प्रति   बालम  भविष्यति
शिलाभिस्तु  प्रहरतः  पादा  पीत्या  सहस्रशः
अर्धयित्वं  पुरीम  लंकम , अभिवाद्याचा  मैथिलीम ,
सम्रुधारतो  गमिश्याम  मिशाताम  सर्व  राक्शाशाम
युध  कांडा :
------------------------------------------------------------------

सकृदेव  प्रपन्नाय  , तवास्मितिचा  याचते ,
अभयं  सर्व भूतेभ्यो  दधाम्येतात वरतम  मामा

--Lord Rama when accepting Vibhishana
धर्मात्मा  सत्यासंधास्चा  , रामो दाशाराधिर्यादी
पौरुशेचा  प्रथिद्वान्दः  शरिनम  जाही   रावानिम
--Lord LakShmana while killing MeghNath

నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!

2009-11-09T20:06:00.000-08:00

౧. శ్రీ కరమై శుభ కరమై కరుణించే తల్లీ
వేగ రావా వరములీయ వందనములు తల్లీ
వాసవాది వినుత విశాలాక్షి వి నువ్వు తల్లీ
నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!
౨ పావనమగు వోరుగల్లు  పురమున ను వెలసీ
పావనమగు నీ కరుణ ను భక్త జనుల నిలిపీ
పతిత పావనమగు పరమేశుని రాణీ
నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!
౩ కర్ణ పెయములైన నీ నామము తలచీ
కామిత ఫలమునిచ్చు  నీ రూపము తలచీ
నాగరాజు బ్రోచిన వర గిరిజా రమణి
నిరతము మము కరుణించే భద్రకాళి వమ్మా!
                                                                           (To be contined...)

Jehangir Mehta advanced to next round

2009-11-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

its a great to see chef Mehta advanced to next round, he won the firt UMAMI round in Japan (japanese cusine) and in the next round he did well to go to next round.
This is great, he is in last 3 now... hopefully he continues his streak......

రోజుకొక్క తెలుగు పద్యము:

2009-11-05T22:16:00.000-08:00

పానీయంబులు డ్రావుచు న్ గుడుచుచున్ భాషించు చు న్ హాస లీ

లా నిద్రాదులు సెయూఛూన్ దిరుగుచున్ లక్షించుచున్ సంతతా

శ్రీ నారాయణ పాద పద్మ యుగళీ చింతామృిత స్వాద స

ధానున్‌డై మఱచెన్ సురారి సుతు ఏతద్విశ్వముం భువరా

రోజుకొక్క తెలుగు పద్యము:

2009-11-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

తనయందు నఖీల భూతములందు నొక భాంగి సమహితత్వంబున జరగువాడు

పెద్దల బోడగన్న భృత్యుని కైవది నమస్క్ర్ట్తుల్ శెయు వాడు

కన్నుదోయికీ నన్యకన్థలడ్డమ్బైన మాతృ భావము సేసి మారలువాడు

తల్లిదండ్రుల భాంగి ధర్మ వాత్సలతను దీనుల గావా జింతించు వాడు

సఖుల ఎడా సోదర స్థితి జరుపువాడు.

దైవతములందు గురువులన్ దలచువాడు

లీలయందును బొంకులు లేని వాడు

లలిత మర్యాదుడైన ప్రహ్లాదు దధిప

Exclusive Indian episode in Next Iron Chef

2009-11-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

The Next Iron Chef aired last Sunday is exclusively based off of Indian cusine. Chef Suvir Saran was invited to taste the first round dishes. Suvir Saran asked the contestants to cook a recipe which represents Indian cuisine in just one bite. Then the next round was to produce a 5 course Indian feast.

Jehangir Mehta is survived one more round to go on to Japan for the next round...

Having an exclusive Indian round in Next Iron chef contest is kind of exciting...

Give it up for Jehangir Mehta for Next Iron Chef on Food Network

2009-11-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

Being Iron Chef is Big!!Its a larger than life experience. Joining the likes o Bobby Flay, Morrimoto, Mike Symonds is a unique prvilege. I am big fan of Iron Chef program.Although theres nothing for vegetarians can enjoy in there, I just like the heat of the battle.
Next Iron Chef Season -2 is airing every Sunday and there is one Indian (Origin) "Jehangir Mehta" is making a good progress, actually he was a winner of last episode.I like his demeanour and composure and it seems like he cooks awesoe. He once contested in the battle "Coconut" in Oron Chef as well.

I wish Jehangir Mehta would go on to become the Iron Chef which will make first Indian to do this...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/chefs/jehangir-mehta/index.html

Business Review

2009-10-04T10:56:00.001-07:00

My recent business review went well.We have scheduled periodical business reviews with the business to show the progress of the project and get the feedback from business. The business review for this project happened on last thursday and went quite well I beleive. I started the presenation with famous texas tag line "Howdy!! Y'all" and everybody was delighted and conference room filled with smiles. I myself was impressed with the look and feel of our application.I am sure this project will be another success story.

Ganapathi bappa moraya

2009-08-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

Blog that I liked reading :The forgotten almost-moon men

2009-07-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

The forgotten almost-moon men from : http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com

An exceptional evening with Telugu literary geniuses in HOUSTON

2009-07-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Last weekend (this sunday-07/12/2009) , I had a rare opportunity to spend an evening with some of the great poets like Suddala Ashok Teja, Ande sri and great nataka/tv/movie artist Shri Akkiraju and Maha Sahasravadhani Sri Medasani Mohan garu and Rallabandi Kavitha Prasad.
In a nutshell I can see this is one of the best program I have ever attended. More to follow....

French Lessons

2009-06-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

Je - I
suis - am
Tu - You
es - are
Il - He
est - is
Elle - she
est - is
un - one (male/boy)
une - one (female/girl)
homme - man
femme - woman
fille - girl
garcon(Gah-r-son) - boy
vieille - old
Je suis grand - I am tall.
Je suis petit - I am short.
Je suis grosse. - I am fat.
Je suis mince. - I am thin.
Je suis un homme. - I am a man
Je suis une femme - I am a woman
Je suis une fille. - I am a girl
Je suis un garçon. - I a a Boy
Je suis vieille. - I am old
Je suis jeune. - I am young
Je suis riche. - I am Rich
Je suis pauvre - I am poor
Tu es un homme - you are a man
Tu es une femme - You are a woman
Tu es en Garcon - you are a boy
Tu es une fille. - You are a girl
Tu es Grand - you are tall
Tue es petit - you are small
Tu es vieille.- you are old
Il est un homme. - He is a man
Elle est une femme. - She is a woman

My Brownbag presentaion on 06/18/2009

2009-06-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

I have presented LINQ technology overview and also new features of .NET Framework3.5 in brownbag luncheon on 06/18/2009.
The agenda included:
what's new in .net framework?
ORM - the Big Picture
What was missing without OR/M?

Linq Overview
linq TO SQL
ADO.NET Entity Framework
LINQ TO SQL Vs LINQ to Entity
LINQ to Entity in Enterprise Architecture

My Brown bag presentation 0n 06/18/2009

2009-06-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

Everyone Matters

2009-06-10T17:29:00.001-07:00

Recently I have been awarded EveryOne Matters award for exceptional performance.I felt very satisfied to receive this award.Whenver I got exceptional performance awards , it gives me a real booster and encouragemnet to do more....oh it has cash reward to it as well....
Thanks to Cardinal Health and my Managers for the recommendation

My New Year Resolutions

2009-01-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

1. No Procrastination for some of the most crucial things I want to acheive this year
2.Career Advancement for utmost job satisfaction
3.Long pending Masters degree, preparation and get in to Masters
4.Learn a new thing a day.
5.Prepare for monthly technical presentation (each month)
6.Present atleast once in .NET Forum

I am a Mumbaikar, I was not born in Mumbai though....

2008-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

Sitting in Houston on day after Thanksgiving watching the events unfolded in Bombay, I felt like the agony was never ending. I was watching ndtv 24X7 through out those sad momemhts.
Then I remembered my association with Bombay.I had lot of misconceptions about this great city before coming here for the first time. It was sheer enormity of this city that amazed me when I dropped in Dadar Railway Station for the first time.
For the next 3 years It was our home.Every other weekend we reach at around 2 or 3 AM in the morning by Hussain Sagar Expressfrom Hyderabad and get down at Dadar and take a taxi to Kandivali from Dadar. Everytime and Everytime we reached home safely. Also, everytime the Taxi driver would give us back the remaining change(chillar) even if it is "charana"(25(NP) or Athana(50 NP).I think this only happens in Bombay.

This whole city is Honest and disciplined. Over the years this city has learned to live with multi linguistic and multi cultured people. The city epitomizes the spirit of India. India is a land of many cultures ,many languages and so is this great city.
When I ask for an address or when I get lost in Mumbai streets I would ask somebody to help me. Each and every time not only I get the correct directions but they would come with me to show me the actual place I was looking for.The city is filled with extremely tolerant, honest, incredible people.

It is an amazing site to see people queuing up to get into a BEST bus or local train. Could anybody imagine this happens in India where people reserve their seats by throwing their hand kercheif(hanky) as soon as they see a bus. This kind of dicipline is shocking specially in India.Queuing up voluntarily is so common in Bombay , may it be a Tatkal Reservation counter in a Railway Station or a in a temple etc. This city has learned to live and understood how to live when 19 million people live together.

My experiences in Bombay is not complete if I do not mention my experiences with Auto Rikshaws. I have very frequently travelled from Kandivali to SEEPZ in Andheri.
The Rikshaws here are amazing. The most special feature of all these autos are their colorful rexine/leather covered seats and big speakers at the back.All these rikshaws are prominently equipped with these audio system. They play beautiful and extremely good songs.Remember all thes rikshaw drivers (atleast most of them) are our brothers from Uttar Pradesh or Bihar who came to Mumbai in search of a living. They are all hard working , innocent , extremely honest people. They would give you back the remaining change(chillar)!!! somethine cannot be expected at all. They are the life line of Mumbai. It is sad to see some politicians are trying to throw them out of Mumbai just because they are not Marathi.

Can anybody describe Bombay without its local trains?, I do not think it is possible.. The local trains make a typical noise when they accelarate I can still here that amazing sound.Something big has to happen if the locals stop running. They are truly lifeline of theis courageous , hard working , honest city. I still remember travelling in last Virar local and get down at Borivali because I cannot simply prepared to get down at Kandivali. I still remember that even after staying in Bombay for years , I did not know which station comes in left and which station comes in right. People line up near the exit of the train left or right depending on the coming station to get down. They exactly know which side the platform comes.Then I used ask people around me "Bhai Kandivali kis taraf aata hai?" then each time I would get an overwhelming response from all of them and they help me in getting down.
Me and my wife used to take a local to go to Matunga Shankarmath every weekend and get down at Matunga station and walk up to the Shankarmath. There is a small bridge like structure which directly connects Matunga station to a place near by the Shankarmath.We used to walk over this bridge and we used to definately buy the Peanuts boiled with salt water. This bridge oversees a railway coach repair factory. It was our most frequent activity to go to Matunga every weekend an there is a small south indian (tamil) restaurant where we used go for Lunch and have a very huge south indian meal.Then after the meal we used to shop around matunga temple where we would get everything like Banana leaves, devotional cassetes/CDS, Jasmine flowers.
We often used to go to see the Abhishekam in the early morning of Lord Rama in a Rama temple near Shankarmath in Matunga.

We used to go to Churchgate just to see the beauty of this great city. We are amazed by the european style of downtown in this great city with big and lavish stone buildings. How many times we went VT station in the night for 10:00 PM for Hussain sagar express. We never had any bad experience in VT. What an amazing railway station it is?? How can somebody harm this great structure.We used reach 1 hour before time and wait for the Hussain Sagar express to pull on to Paltform. We used to go to VT because this outbound train wont stop at Dadar.

Then we used to go to Mahalakshmi to see the mother goddess Lakshmi. We often visited Mumba Devi Temple on whose name this great city has been formed. My father told me that Mumba Devi cut her legs and sat on Mumbai floor(Mumba Devi is in the floor unlike regular Hindu idols where they are erected on a high stand), so she cannot move out of Mumbai. This is the reason for the prosperity of Mumbai as the Mother goddess cannot leave Mumbai and her presence makes the city very rich.

How can I forget the experiences we had when vistied Elephanta Caves in an island near Bombay in the sea. We had taken a small boat to reach the island and climbed a mountain to see elephanta caves on the hill. I cannot really express the beauty and incredible historic importance these caves have. One has to see to believe it.My Father an my mother came with us for this trip.My father is no more in this world but he used to say that There is only one place to see in this world and that is Bombay. He was extremely happy when he first came to Bombay.

we used to go to ISKON temple near Juhu and have wonderful and peaceful experience in this landmark temple. We used to see Amitabh Bachan's residence in Juhu he gives DARSHAN to his fans even today.

How can I forget the Mumbai airport where I took my first flight to Hyderabad from Bombay. Everytime I landed in Bombay in this huge airport my heart used to fill with immense satisfaction.

What about the extremely crowded market outside every railway station where they used to sell everything possible on the earth. Every local station is a small city in its own.

Mumbai is an epitome of Tolerance, Humanity, Humbleness, innocentness, huge , enromousity, Honesty, discipline. Mumbai is the lifeline and spirit of India. Mumbai is beyond a language, creed, color, caste.Mumbai is mine , yours and everybody's.
I am a Mumbaikar, I am proud that Mumbai is in India. I am proud that I lived in Mumbai for once. I want to go back to Mumbai and live there.I want to feel the warmth of Mumbaikars.

I AM A MUMBAIKAR TO THE CORE ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT BORN IN MUMBAI.I CANNOT KEEP MYSELF AWAY FROM THE MOST ENCHANTING, ENDURING, EVERLASTING BEAUTY OF MUMBAI.

I have a sense of acheivement in my life as I lived in Mumbai for once.There is no INDIA without Mumbai.

WE HOPE TO LIVE TO SEE THIS GREAT CITY BECOMING MORE SAFE and KEEP FEEDING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER INDIA WHO COME HERE FOR THEIR LIVING.

Mumbai is all about people and people of different origins are the lifeline of Mumbai.

I LOVE MUMBAI , I HAVE THE SPIRIT OF MUMBAI IN ME.

Angel Falls

2008-11-16T20:11:00.000-08:00

Not to be confused with Angel Falls (Maine).
Angel Falls (indigenous name: Churun Merú or Kerepakupai merú) is the world's highest waterfall at 979 m (3,212 ft), with a clear drop of 807 m (2,647 ft). It is located in the Canaima National Park, in the Gran Sabana region of Bolivar State, Venezuela at 5°58′03″N 62°32′08″W / 5.9675, -62.53556Coordinates: 5°58′03″N 62°32′08″W / 5.9675, -62.53556 . The height of the falls is so great that before getting anywhere near the ground, the water is vaporized by the strong winds and turned into mist. The base of the falls feeds into the Kerep river (alternately known as the Rio Gauya) which flows into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River. In the indigenous Pemon language Angel Falls is called Kerepakupai merú meaning "waterfall of the deepest place".

The falls are sometimes referred to as Churun-meru, an error, since that name corresponds to another waterfall in the Canaima National Park. Churun in the Pemon language means "thunder".

Sir Walter Raleigh described what was possibly a tepuy and he is sometimes said to have discovered Angel Falls, but these claims are considered "far-fetched" [2]. They were sighted in 1912 by the Venezuelan explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz, but he did not publicize his discovery. They were not known to the outside world until the American aviator James "Jimmie" Crawford Angel (b. 1899 d. 1956 bp. Springfield, MO)[2] flew over them on 16 November 1933 on a flight while he was searching for a valuable ore bed.

Returning on 9 October 1937, Angel tried to land his Flamingo monoplane "El Rio Caroni" atop Auyan-tepui but the plane was damaged when the wheels sunk into the marshy ground and he and his three companions, including his wife Marie, were forced to descend the tepui on foot. It took them 11 days to make their way back to civilization but news of their adventure spread and the waterfall was named "Angel Falls" in his honour.

Amazon

2008-11-16T20:09:00.001-08:00

The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world, and the largest in terms of the size of its watershed, the number of tributaries, and the volume of water discharged into the sea. No bridge crosses the river along its entire length.
The Amazon and its tributaries flow through the countries of Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean 6, 437 kilometers (4,000 miles) from the Amazon's headwaters high in the Andes mountains of Peru. This huge watershed includes the largest tropical rainforest in the world as well as areas of dry grassland, or savannah.

The rainforest's climate has heavy rainfalls and continuous high temperatures. These forests are so huge that scientists believe they actually help control the world's climate in important ways. Destruction of the forests as settlers clear the land for farming and companies harvest trees for lumber is believed to be contributing to the problem of global warming.

The Amazon is home to a variety of Indian cultures who have a great deal of knowledge about the rich and complex rainforest environment. As settlement brings changes to the forest, these cultural groups are also changing, and the lessons they have gained through thousands of years of living within the rainforest are in danger of being lost. Scientists are trying to learn from the Amazon's native peoples about the amazing variety of rainforest plants and animals before they become extinct. Rainforest plants and animals may hold cures to diseases and provide information and materials valuable to people around the world.

Sahara

2008-11-16T20:08:00.000-08:00

Sahara desertTable of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Location and General Description
3 Biodiversity Features
4 Current Status
5 Types and Severity of Threats
6 Justification of Ecoregion Delineation
7 Additional Information on this Ecoregion
8 Further Reading

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

Content Partner: World Wildlife Fund (other articles)

Article Topics: Biodiversity, Conservation biology and Ecology

This article has been reviewed and approved by the following Topic Editor: Mark McGinley (other articles)

Last Updated: October 12, 2007

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Introduction The Sahara is the largest desert in the world and occupies approximately 10 percent of the African Continent. The ecoregion includes the hyper-arid central portion of the Sahara where rainfall is minimal and sporadic. Although species richness and endemism are low, some highly adapted species do survive with notable adaptations. Only a few thousand years ago the Sahara was significantly wetter, and a large mammal fauna resided in this area. Climatic desiccation over the past 5000 years, and intense human hunting over the past 100 years, has obliterated these faunas. Now only rock, sand and sparse vegetation exist over huge areas. The remnant large mammal fauna is highly threatened by over-hunting.

Location and General Description

Libya. (Photograph by SaharaMet)
From the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the greater Sahara stretches across Africa to the Red Sea and down to the highlands of Ethiopia, encompassing an area 9,100,000 square kilometers (km2). This ecoregion covers the central Sahara Desert, between 18° and 30° N, and has an area of 4,619,260 km2. The northern and southern margins of the Sahara, which receive more rainfall and have greater vegetation cover, are described separately.

The surface of the desert ranges from large areas of sand dunes (erg Chech, Raoui), to stone plateaus (hamadas), gravel plains (reg), dry valleys (wadis), and salt flats. Several deeply dissected mountain massifs (Ahaggar, Tassili N'Ajjer, Tibesti, and Aïr) rise from the desert areas, and are delineated as separate ecoregions. Vast underground aquifers that underlie much of the region sometimes penetrate the surface, resulting in oases.

The Sahara is located in a climatic divide. The Intercontinental Convergence Zone moves up from the south, but stops before the center of the Sahara, and consequently hardly carries any rain. Similarly, the winter rainfall of North Africa does not reach far south enough to regularly bring rain to the central Sahara. Consequently, the rainfall, albeit extremely rare, can fall in any season. The annual rainfall is below 25 millimeters (mm), and in the eastern part of the desert it is less than 5 mm per annum. The scarcity of rainfall in this ecoregion is aggravated by its irregularity, as no rain may fall for many years in some areas, followed by a single intense thunderstorm.

The Sahara is one of the hottest regions in the world, with mean annual temperatures exceeding 30°C. In the hottest months, temperatures can rise over 50°C, and temperatures can fall below freezing in the winter. A single daily variation of -0.5°C to 37.5°C has been recorded. The Sahara is also extremely windy. Hot, dust-filled winds create dust devils which can make the temperatures seem even hotter.

The extreme aridity of this area is a relatively recent feature. Much larger areas of the Sahara had adequate water only 5000 to 6000 years ago. It is not clear how much of this ecoregion was covered with vegetation, but in other parts of the Sahara the vegetation was closer to the savanna woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. Currently the ecoregion is in a "hyper arid" phase, with high summer temperatures, lower winter temperatures and rainfall between 0 and 25 mm per annum.

Precambrian rocks are exposed in few places across the Sahara. During the Mesozoic much of North Africa was under water and marine deposits were deposited. The area was uplifted in the Middle Tertiary and has been eroding ever since. Shifting sands and bare rocks cover only about one-fifth of the greater Sahara. More than half of the area comprises soils known as yermosols, with shallow profiles over gravel or pebble beds. These soils have been developing over the past 50 million years.

In terms of the phytogeographical classification of White, the ecoregion is classified as the Sahara regional transition zone. Throughout most of the ecoregion there is very little perennial vegetation. Where it occurs, it is confined to areas where ground water reaches the surface or to areas with runoff. The plants that are present tend to be much more diversified in western Sahara than eastern Sahara, due to the lack of rain to the east. They have strictly Sahara-Arabian affinities, with exceptional adaptations to aridity. Large expanses of ergs and regs will be devoid of any visible plant life for years, but following rainfall, vegetation cover may reach more than 50 percent on sand dunes and 20 percent on the gravel plains.

Biodiversity Features
Sand cat (Felis margarita). (Photograph by Peter Cromer)

The flora of the central Sahara Desert is very poor and estimated to include only 500 species. This is extremely low considering the huge extent of the area. It mainly consists of xerophytes and ephemeral plants (called also locally Acheb), with halophytes in moister areas. The flora has one near endemic family, a number of isolated monotypic genera of both wide and narrow distribution, and perhaps as many as 162 endemic species. The monotypic genera suggest a Tertiary origin with probable extinction of linking forms. Vegetation is very contracted along the wadis and the dayas with Acacia sp, Tamarix sp., and Calotropis procera. Where there is sufficient ground water, hammadas are covered by Anrthirrnum ramosissimuma and Ononis angustissima.

Considering the hyper-arid conditions, the fauna of the central Sahara is richer than is generally believed. Within this ecoregion there are 70 species of mammal, 20 of which are large mammals. There are also 90 species of resident birds, and around 100 species of reptiles. Arthropods are also numerous, especially ants. One of the bird species (Oenanthe monacha) is regarded as endemic to the ecoregion, and there is one strictly endemic currently undescribed worm snake (Leptotyphlops sp nov. "L"). However, given the vast size of the ecoregion, the number of endemic species is very small.

In the past the critically threatened addax (Addax nasomaculatus) would probably have occurred in this ecoregion, but this species is likely to be extirpated. Small numbers of scimiter-horned oryx (Oryx dammah, EX) may have also occurred in the past. Other desert antelopes may still be found in small numbers, such as slender-horned gazelle (Gazella leptoceros, EN), dama gazelle (Gazella dama, EN) and the red-fronted gazelle (Gazella rufifrons, VU).

The plants and animals of the Sahara are more threatened by desiccation than the fauna and flora in other areas. Plant leaves may dry out totally and then recover; animals may loose 30-60% of their body mass and are still able to recover. Many of the animals get their water only through metabolic processes. These kinds of adaptations have allowed them to survive in such an inhospitable environment.

Current Status The Sahara is a vast area of largely undisturbed habitat, principally sand and rock, but with small areas of permanent vegetation. The most degradation is found where there is water (oases, etc). Here, habitats may be heavily altered by human activities. Previously existing tree cover has often been removed for fuel and fodder by nomadic pastoralists and traders.

The Sahara desert is not well protected. Yet, this may be due to the low population and impracticality of defining borders over this vast area. Fewer than 2 million inhabitants reside throughout the entire Sahara Desert. The majority are nomads, predominantly the Tuareg, Tibbu, and Moors. They survive by nomadic pastoralism, hunting, and trading. Most of these people are found in the desert margins and they do not often spend much time in the central hyper-arid portion.

Only one area is recorded in the Sahara: Zellaf Nature Reserve in Libya (1,000 km2).

Types and Severity of Threats
Sahara Desert, Algeria. (Photograph by Jeanne Tabachnick)

The ephemeral habitats of the Sahara, which only develop following rainfall, are not highly threatened by human activities. The more persistent pressures are found in areas of permanent water (oases), or in areas where water comes close to the surface. Here, the local pressure on natural resources can be intense. There is also an intense pressure on any remaining populations of large mammals adapted to desert conditions. The populations of all such species have been greatly reduced by hunting for food, and also through hunting for sport and recreation. The addax (Addax nsaomaculatus) is now critically threatened with extinction, mainly due to intense over-hunting, and most of the other desert-adapted antelopes that may still occur in the ecoregion are endangered.

In recent years development projects have started in the deserts of Algeria and Tunisia using irrigated water pumped from underground aquifers. These schemes often lead to soil degradation and salinization because of "drainage" problems.

Justification of Ecoregion Delineation
The borders for this ecoregion follow "desert dunes with perennial vegetation" and "absolute desert," mapped by White, and correspond approximately to the region with less than 25 mm of mean annual rainfall. The northern and southern margins of the Sahara, which receive more rainfall and have greater vegetation cover, are delineated separately as the North and South Saharan Steppe and Woodlands. The ecoregion also forms a majority of the Sahara biogeographic province of Udvardy.

Additional Information on this EcoregionFor a shorter summary of this entry, see the WWF WildWorld profile of this ecoregion.
To see the species that live in this ecoregion, including images and threat levels, see the WWF Wildfinder description of this ecoregion.
World Wildlife Fund Homepage
Further Reading
Climap 1976. The surface of the ice age earth. Science 191: 1131-1144.
Cloudsley-Thompson, J.L. 1984. Sahara Desert. Perhamon Press, Oxford. ISBN: 0080288693
Le Houérou, H.N. 1990. Recherches écoclimatique et biogéographique sur les zones arides de L'Afrique du Nord. CEPE/CNRS, Montpellier, 600pp.
Le Houérou, H.N. 1991. Outline of a Biological History of the Sahara. Pages 146-174 in J.A. McNeely and V.M. Neronov, editors. Mammals in the Palaearctic Desert: status and trends in the Sahara-Gobian region. The Russian Acedemy of Sciences, and the Russian Committee for the UNESCO programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB).
Ozenda, P. 1983. Flore du Sahara. Pages 21-32 en Editions du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris. ISBN: 2222002923
Quézel, P. 1965. La vegetation du Sahara, du Tchad a la Mauritanie. Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart. 333pp.
Williams, M.A.J. and H. Faure, editors. 1980. The Sahara and the Nile. Balkema, Rotterdam. ISBN: 9061910196
White, F. 1983. The vegetation of Africa: a descriptive memoir to accompany the UNESCO/AETFAT/UNSO vegetation map of Africa. UNESCO, Paris, France. ISBN: 9231019554
WWF and IUCN. 1994. Centres of plant diversity. A guide and strategy for their conservation. Volume 1. Europe, Africa, South West Asia and the Middle East. IUCN Publications Unit, Cambridge, U.K. ISBN: 283170197X
Zahoran, M.A. and A.J. Willis. 1992. The Vegetation of Egypt. Chapman and Hall, London. ISBN: 0412315106

Disclaimer: This article is taken wholly from, or contains information that was originally published by, the World Wildlife Fund. Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth may have edited its content or added new information. The use of information from the World Wildlife Fund should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.

Heartwalk-2008 was fun...and for great cause...

2008-11-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

I participated last year , so I was looking forward for this year too.. It was a grogeous day , Lots of people showed up.. Memorial Hermann was the biggest sponsor, they seems have raised 1 MN usd.That much money in this economy is really amazing... anyways it was a great experience for a great cause...

SPB-Chitra-Shailaja Live @Houston

2008-09-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

5thSep2008 was the evening, Cullen Performance Hall @ University of Houston was the venue.
S.P.Balasubramanyam , along with Chitra and Shailaja and an upcoming artist SriKrishna, were live in Concert. Well, the concert was presented as a fund raiser for a Non-profitable organization called Vibha based in US. The cause was really noble because Vibha serves millions of under privileged children back home an internationally as well. The volunteers are really young and seemed to be quite honest in what they want to do.
SP Balasubramanyam needs no introduction , he is a great maestro.I would say that I am fortunate to see him live.
The program started with a brief introduction about Vibha then the Introduction of the artistes. SP Balasubramanyam was given a standing ovation. Chitra is very popular and she was cheered with lot of respect. SP Shilaja and Srikrishna were introduced as well.
The concert started with "Vande Mataram" sung by all the 4 artistes. The program then followed by SP.Shailaja singing "Om Namashivaya" from the greatest of great Sagara Sangamam. SP Shailaja appeared mediocre in this particular perfromance of the song.
SPB appealed the spectators not be very picky on the number of songs sung for each language. Since SPB has language barriers , his audiences will be really broad. People from Andhra Pardesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala , Gujarathis and some hindi speaking crowd was seen.
SPB appeared really cheerful and joyous mood. He perfromed very famous numbers like "Ade Neevu", "Enno Ratrulostayi gaani" etc.
Chitra was exceptional as usual, she is a such a great singer and yet very modest.
Srikrishna sang "Tuhire" from Bombay and he was promising. Shailaja presented "Nampally Station Kada". This was an awesome presentation. SPB and Chitra and other singers sung famous Tamil and Malayama numbers and 1 0r 2 Kannada songs.
The concert was culminated with the great hip-hop song of RajaniKanth fro Sivaji. The song was "Vallelakka". This was presented by all singers. With this song the cncert reache its peaks. Lot of people seen dancing and clapping.
Lot of people donated during the show and dedicated songs. Lot of people adopted schools(Shikshana program of Vibha).
Overall the show was really pleasant and melodious for a great noble cause.

Nag Sharma

The "Unforgettable" Houston

2008-08-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

Amitabh Bachchan is truly a Legend. He is beyond comparable and larger than life character. He is the God for Millions of Indians.

The Unforgettable is all about BIG B. The very presence Big B is electrifying. As a child I grew up listening to Amitabh. I remember listening to a special audio cassette released by Bagpiper on Amitabh's Bagpiper show tour in London. Amitabh sang his famous songs like "Rang Barse" in those shows. I always wished that I should see a live show of Bachchan saab in my life time.This was a very important thing for me because for once I can say that I have seen Bachchan saheb live and also for the satisfaction of acheiving something great by seeing a personality worshipped by millions. I think Bachchan saab is the first person to start the overseas shows and what a great personality he is.The very presence of Bachchan saheb will change everything. He is too big , he is too brilliant, he is extremely powerful, he is extremely down-to-earth,he is a great scholar, he is a God.I really doubt if anybody else can achieve this status ever in Indian Film.

The show in Houston started with a rookie Ritesh Deshmukh's performance, then followed with Preity Zinta and then Abhishek Bachchan.Now everybody would have noticed the way Abhishek Bachchan was presented to the audience. There is a obvious distiction between the launch of Abhishek Bachchan and other people like Ritesh Deshmukh etc.
I thought Abhishek was given much more importance and attention. Viewers like me may or may not appreciate this. Bad thing for Abhishek is that he is always compared with Big B, this is really harsh for a actor. There is only one Amitabh Bachchan. But even if he was not compared with Big B, Abhshek does not have Charisma, he has very limited resources. For instance he cannot dance well.He might be extremely good at serious action.In Houston, with his Introduction, Abhishek was obviously struggling, his body language was not at easy. It seemed as if he is doing everything mechanically. He does not have that "flow" which makes watching him pleasant. He could not impress with his introduction.He became much more pleasant as the time goes by...

Then its the time for Aishwarya Roy. Yes... she is beautiful and ex-Miss World blah, blah... She seemed like dancing half-heartedly. She was not moving at all. she was moving cautiously. She received big applause from audience though, she has lot of fans of course.

Then Jaya Bachan appeared for a brief moment preaching Global warming etc... Yes its a family show!!!

Now its the time what we have been waiting for.....Its Big B time. What we can say about him.I am a minuscule, iota.. He brought back the show from the blond start to highly electrifying situation.His very presence makes people go mad. His energy at his 60 is amazingly stunning. He sang some of his greatest hits like "Rang Barse". He sang like medley in succession.What a great charm to watch him. There are no words to describe what I felt watching him Live for the first time. I lived in Mumbai but never watched him in his "Juhu home Darshan" also.He sings like a pro.

While Big-B was singing, the audio system went down for 2 minutes.This was a kind of disaster for a big show like this. Big-B mentioned the spirit of Houston crowd when the audio system went down in his Blog (Bigadda) as well.

Then there were lots of performances including Madhuri Dixit.Lots of these performances are all mediocre.

At the end Amitabh bachchan again came back and uttered some of his famous dialogues from Agneepath, Deewar. Even after 2-3 decades he knows those dialogues by-heart. He is a wiz.

I felt that even though the mere presence of Big-B was enough for any successful show, it could have been done in a much more better way.
For instance the Event Planners could have explored Big B's amazing sense of Humour.The show never even tapped his immense speaking capabilities. The show was planned as some kind of mechanical sequence where everybody gives their performances one by one, even Big -B. The personal touch from Big-B was missing.

After all, it was truly unforgettable for me as I watched Big-B live. Even though I could have wished to watch him from much more closely, but I could not afford the most expensive tickets so I was happy with a binocular.

Ramo Vigrahovan Dharmaha

2008-04-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

Sri Rama is none other than the Dharma personified. Valmiki mentions
Ramo Vigrahovan Dharmaha , Sadhu Sathya Parakrama
Raja Sarvasya Lokasya , Devanam Maghavaniva..
Descended from the heavens , Rama proved that there is nothing impossible for a human being. Through out his lifetime, Rama has shown this world to behave with fellow citizens, parents, brothers, sisters, tribals, wild animals, demons.From time to time he sacrificed his pleasure for the great noble cause of upholding the dharma.
Believed to be the ultimate God himself, descended from heavens , Rama never let the people think that he is the God himself. After killing the Super Demon , when everybody around him praises him saying he is the God himself, Rama simply rejects saying "Athmanam Manusham Manye, Ramam Dasharathatmajam"("I am a simple human being and the son of a Dasharatha").
Rama showed unprecedented valour through his life time,. Rama kills 14000 demons , at Dandakaranya , single handedly with in split seconds. Valmiki mentions that Rama can equally operate the his great bow by holding it anywhere(middle edges etc)..
In Yudhakanda , while accepting the Vibhisahna , Rama re-assures the whole world saying whoever in need goes to him with sincere dedication he shall save him come what may...
Rama says
"SakruDEva prapaNnaya , TavaAsmiticha YaAchate,
Abhayam Sarva BHuteBhyo DaDhAamyetat Vratam Mama"

I am an iota , neither have the knowledge to understand his deeds nor the maturity to understand the Dharma sukhmas.

Konvasmin Sampradam loke Gunavan Kashcha veeryavan , dharmajnashcha kritajnashcha satya sandho dhridha vrathaha...Valmiki about Sri Rama

Houston Rodeo Show-A good one

2008-03-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

March 16th 2008
Houston , TX
This weekend we went see the Houston Rodeo and Live Stock show.This was the 76th Anniversary of the event.
It was good experience to see the country side of the Modern America. We could see magnificent display of Livestock and Rodeo. This is our first ever Rodeo experience. Being in Houston for an year now, we wanted to see some of the native sports like Rodeo to understand why they are the official state sport of Texas.

We have got a rare opprtunity to see the some of the magnificent looking long horn bulls just in Texas style...yes, they are big. I have never seen a cattle with that big horns..

One of the prominent thing I noticed was the cleanliness of the premises whre the Livestock was displayed. Inspite of the having such a large number of animals, the premises was kept clean and the cattle were cleaned often by their owners using Vaccum cleaner like devices. Its a different experience and I remembered child hood days when we used to have cows and buffaloes at our home and my father used to milk them every morning and evening. Milking is an art.

The greatness of this country (USA) is the descipline of the people at a mass gathering like this event. They are amazing and they respect the rules and regulations. They appreciate any effort no matter of whether its a small effort or big. They encourage everything and they will have fun.

We have also got a glimpse of Pig racing where owners of the pigs were demonstrating their pigs talents like swimming etc. We have also seen the Pig race whenere pigs will be put on to a track and they will be running to reach the target.

Then Its time to go inside the Reliant Statdium where we would be seeing the coveted Rodeo show in action for more than 2 hours. This is the first time ever we have seen a live Rodeo.

It started with Tie-down roping A calf is roped around the neck by a lariat, the horse stops and sets back on the rope while the cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together.

Then it was folowed by various Rodeo events like Team Rpoing, Brae back riding , saddle bronc riding , Barrel Racing, Steer wrestling, Bull Riding.

One of the contestant of Bull riding was almost over powered by the bull and Bull throwed him on to the ground and came at him.

Then it was the time for grand finale,which was the Concert by Brad Paisley who enthralled audience.

Overall its a great expereince.

Modesty personified -- Shri Kasuganti Lakshmi Narasimha Rao

2008-02-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

Few people we come across in our lives can make an impact on our lives.Yet a very very few people become our role models. They will have a very huge impact that we cannot forget them in a life time. Shri Kasuganti Lakshmi Narasimha Rao garu is an iconic figure and needs no introduction. The Honest politician during his tenure as a Member of Legislature of AP, is known for candidness and fair leader. This character is extinct in our so called politicians now a days!!My father told me that he resigned one of a very highest post becuase he didnot likethe corruption in office. Can somebody believe this? , well it is not a surprise.

I grew up watching the great , down to earth Laksmi Narsimha Rao garu. He used to walk to our house What a greatest simplicity!!. The biggest suprise , greate pleasure that I have till date is : Shri Lakshmi Narsimha Rao garu used to spearhead any activity in this great Kasuganti Family. Whether it is the marriage of his great grand daughters, great grand sons, Griha Praveshams of his relatives , whatever it may be, it has to be carried out under the most respected Captaincy of Shri Lakshmi Nar asimha Rao garu from commencement to culmination. How this is possible in this age? where people do not even have time to look after their own family, people do not care for their own family. Shri Laksmi Narasimha Rao garu is an epitome of humanity, Dharma, Sathya vaadi, Honesty.I cannot describe our family's respect for this great person. He is a Living legend even today.The respect that was shown towards this great person , by each and every family member of this family is unprecedented. No activity would be carried out without consulting this great man. But he himself used to be a like a great "Yogi" who does not venture in to anything purpose-fully. He simply followed the greatest principles mentioned in the BHAGAVATGITA. If you have read Gita, there is a word called "Padma Pathra Mivambhasa".This means : "Living like a water drop on a Lotus leaf". That signifies a great life of a person who does all necessary , day - to- day activities but attached to none. Also , he du ly performs the duties to utmost satisfacton and perfection , but never expect any result out of it. He would carry every activity with a great perfection, absolute commitment , extraordinary vision. He is a great visionary and he is a forward thinker.

Shri Laksmi Narasimha Rao Garu is immortal, living legend, walking genious, great leader , honest, inspiring, modest and Greatest of greats.

(In fond memory of Shri Lakshmi Narsimha Rao garu on his 2nd Aniversary on 1st March)

STS-122 Mission scrubed

2007-12-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

Mission Managers have announced that the Atlantis cannot be flown no earlier than January 2nd due to a faulty ECO (Engine cutoff sensor).

The ECO sensors which are located in the liquid hydrogen section of space shuttle's ET (external fuel tank) protects the shuttle's main engines by triggering their shut down if the fuel runs unexpectedly low.

Well ! all the best to NASA for the successful resolution of this issue

నిను సేవింపగా నాపదల్పొడమని , నిత్యోత్స్‌వంబబ్బనీ

2007-11-26T20:47:00.001-08:00

నిను సేవింపగా నాపదల్పొడమని , నిత్యోత్స్‌వంబబ్బనీజన మాత్రుడనని మహాత్ముడ నని సంసార మొహంబు పైకోన నిజ్ఞానము కల్గ ని గ్రహాగతులు కూందింపని మేలు వచ్చిన రా ని యావి నాకు భూషణము లో శ్రీ కాళహస్తీశ్వర!

శ్రీ కైవల్య పదంబు జేరుటకునై చింతించెదం

2007-11-26T19:50:00.000-08:00

శ్రీ కైవల్య పదంబు జేరుటకునై చింతించెదం
లోక రక్శైకారమ్భకు భక్త పాలన కళా సమ్రమ్భకున్
దానవోద్రేకస్తమ్భకు కేళి లోల విలసద్ఱ్గ్జాల సమ్భూత నానా
కమ్జాత భవామ్డ కుంభకు మహా నన్దాన్గనా డిమ్భకున్ !

SrI kaivalya padambu jEruTakunai chimtimchedan lOka rakshaikArambhaku bhakta pAlana kaLA samrambhakun dAnavOdrEkastambhaku kELi lOla vilasadRgjAla sambhUta nanA kamjAta bhavAmDa kumbhaku mahA nandAnganA Dimbhakun !

Normal human beings, want to earn and earn a lot using their so called talents. They are proud that they possess such great abilities. In a way they exploit their own self by selling their talents.
But great saints differ from us in this very quality.Mahatma Pothana , who translated the Bhagavatham in Telugu from Vyasa Bhagavatham is not an exception to a great saint.
He said the above verse when he started writing the Bhavatham.
People think that he started this great task in search of huge wealth by dedicating this great litarature to the Kings. Pothana gave no chance for people to think about anything less than the dignity of his feelings towards this great task. To attain thy Ultimate Bliss , he shall complete this task ."Sri kaivalya padambu cherutaku" , is the pearl in the world of Bhakti Sagaram.

Nenarun Nannaya Thikkanaadhulu ee urvin puraaNavalul tenugun cheyuchu mat purakritambu taanetido tenugun seyaru munnu bhagavatamun , deenin teninginchi na janmambu saphalambu cheseda punarjanma lekundagan

నేనారూన్ నన్నయ తిక్కానాధులూ ఈ ఉర్విం పురాణవలుల్ తెనుగుం చేయుచు మత్ పురకృతంబు తానేటిదో తెనుగుం సేయరు మున్‌ను భాగవతమున్ , దీనిన్ తెనింగించి నా జన్మమ్బు సఫలంబు చేసేద పునర్జన్మ లెకున్దగన్
"Nenarun Nannya thikkandulu " as he said, The likes of Nannayya and Thikkana(great peots called Kavithrayam) are transalating the great kavya's like the Bharatha in to Telugu, I shall translate the Bhagavatha in to Telugu which will pull me out of this janana -marana cycle.

2007-11-26T19:34:00.000-08:00

శ్రీ కైవల్య పదంబు జేరుటకునై చింతించెదం లోక రక్శైకారమ్భకు భక్త పాలన కల సంరంభాకున్ దానవోద్రేకస్తమ్భకు కేళి లోల విలసద్ఱ్గ్జాల సమ్భూత నానా కమ్జాత భవామ్డ కుంభకు మహా నన్దాన్గనా డిమ్భకున్ !

వక్త శ్రోతాచా దుర్లభహ

2007-11-09T16:07:00.000-08:00

సులభా పురుషా రాజన్ సతతం ప్రియవాదినహ
అప్రియస్యచ పథ్యస్య వక్త శ్రోతాచా దుర్లభహ

సులభా పురుషా రాజన్ సతతం ప్రియవాదినహఅప్రియస్యచ పథ్యస్య వక్త శ్రోతాచా దుర్లభహఇది రామాయణం లోని ఒక అద్భుత మైన శ్లోకం. ఆశ్చర్యకరమగా వాల్మీకి మహా ముని గారు ఈ శ్లోకాన్ని మరిచుని చేత చెప్పిస్తారు. మహర్షులకు స్వజన పక్షపాతముల లాంటివి ఉండవని నిరూపించేందుకు , వాల్మీకి ఈ పద్యాన్ని ఒక క్రూర మైన రక్షసుడి చేత చెప్పిస్తారు. ఇంకా అర్థం లోకి వెళితే , ఒకే అద్భుత మైన భావాన్ని వ్యక్తీకరించారు. ప్రియంగా (మనసుకి నచ్చేత్టు మాట్లాడుతూ చెడు సలహాలు ఇచే వాళ్ళు లెక్కకు మిక్కిలి గా ఈ లోకం లో చాలా మంది ఉన్తారు.కాని మన మన్శుకి అహిత మైన సరే, మన జీవితాలని బాగు చేసే సలహాలు చెప్పే వాళ్ళు దూర్లభం అని అంటారు మహర్షి. అద్భుత మైన వేదాంతాన్ని మహర్షి మారిచూడి మాటల రూపం లో పలికిస్తారు అరణ్య కండ లో మహర్షి. రామో విగ్రాహోవాం ధర్మ: అనే పరమ ఉత్కృష్ట మైన రామాయణ వాక్యాన్ని కూడా మహర్షి మరిచూడి ద్వారా పలికిస్తారు.

Space shuttle Discovery Lands Safely today

2007-11-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

Space shuttle Discovery Lands Safely. This concludes the 15 days busy mission STS-120. Adding a new module to the ISS and repairing a torn solar array are the highlights of this mission.
Expedition 15/16 Flight Engineer Clay Anderson returned to Earth after 5 months, from the space station aboard shuttle mission STS-120.

ఏ లీలన్నుతింప వచ్చు ఉపమౌత్ప్రెక్షధ్వనివ్యంగా శబ్ధలన్కార

2007-11-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

ఏ లీలన్నుతింప వచ్చు ఉపమౌత్ప్రెక్షధ్వనివ్యంగా శ
బ్ధలన్కారవిశేష భాషాలకాలభ్యాంభైనా నీ రూపముం
చలుంచాలు కవిత్వములు నిల్చునే సత్యంబు వర్ణించుచో
చ్చీ! లజ్జింపరుగాక మాద్రుశకవుల్ శ్రీ కాళహస్తీశ్వరా!

This is one of the greatest padyam by Dhoorjati in Kalahstheeswara Shatakam.
In this Dhoorjati says "How can I describe you with the language skills I have ?..though I may try to describe your deeds and your greatness using the help of poetic skills , but that is not enough. "Hey ! poets , be ashemed of yourselves , as you areattempting an impossible task".....

Plasma Flares, Radio Silence what;s all about Re-entry?

2007-11-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

The stage of a space shuttle during which the space shuttle leaves earth 's lower orbit and make a descent through the upper earth atomosphere is termed as "re-entry"....
This is the most dangerous and adventurous stage in the spaceshuttle descent.
A space craft to be stable in earth orbit , must have attained and maintained a critical velocity. This orbital velocity is nearly thirty times the speed of sound(mach) - around 13 kilometres per second. If the craft moves slower than this, it cannot stay in the orbit and makes a continuous descent to a lower orbit under the influence of gravity. Because the craft will now encounter atmospheric resistance, it will lose energy and fall under gravity.

In order to make a safe landing, a returning spacecraft has to lose nearly all of that orbital speed. The operation is basically a reversal of the launch phase, and this means that the returning craft must sink as much kinetic energy as the propulsion systems generated between lift-off and orbit.

What Happens ?

The mechanism of heating in re-entry phase is by friction that is viscous drag in the atmosphere. This is the predominant mechanism only at lower altitudes, as air density increases.
A re-entering craft develops a very energetic pressure wave at its leading edges/surfaces. The energy density is sufficient to cause atmospheric molecules to dissociate, and their component atoms to become ionized. The vehicle thus descends in a superheated shroud of incandescent plasma.
Plasma, known as the fourth state of matter, does not conform to the gas laws of conventional thermodynamics, although it does share one familiar property - a proportionality between pressure and temperature in a contained system. The formation of the pressure wave, therefore, also creates extreme temperatures. The plasma stream is electrostatically-charged too, and so it concentrates at acute surface contours, a behaviour related to the ground-level phenomenon of corona discharge. The resultant effect is particularly intense local heating at the airframe's leading edges.

Phases , de-orbit burn till te final Touchdown

Flying BrickYard

About seventy minutes before touchdown, thrusters flip the orbiter(craft) right over about its pitch axis, so that craft's attitude is nose-first and belly-up. There is no frictional shear on the airframe ath this time. The main engines are then fired for about twenty seconds. The thrusters fire again in a different configuration, rotating the craft on its yaw axis. It emerges from this sequence in the descent attitude, nose forward and slightly upward, and belly facing downward. This belly is covered in the ceramic tiles . The speed of the vehicle is now below the critical orbital velocity, and so it starts to come down.

Entry Interface

Entry Interface begins at around thirty-five minutes before touchdown and at an altitude of around 120 km, the orbiter enters a discernable atmosphere. Though still extremely rarefied (containing little oxygen), there is now enough external matter to undergo ionisation, and the plasma flare begins to form. The linear distance to the landing site is about 8,000 km,. From this point, the angle of attack is critical, and is maintained at 40 degrees by automatic and continuous thruster trims. Any shallower, and the orbiter will experience excessive lift and overfly its destination. Any steeper, it will burn up.
At an altitude of 85 km, the flight surfaces of the orbiter becomes usable. Under automatic control, a series of four S-bend turns is now performed, with the craft banking through 80 degrees at the fullest extent of the roll. The object is to lose speed more quickly.

It's now twenty minutes to touchdown, and the plasma cloud is at its most intense. This is the hottest phase of re-entry, and in terms of the integrity of the structure the most dangerous.

Unlike the Apollo missions, the shuttle never normally endures a period of radio silence. The enclosure of the vehicle by plasma is never complete : there is always a window at the tail through which a signal can be beamed out. These days there are satellites capable of receiving this too, and so a continuous transmission returns to earth.

Final Descent

Ten minutes before touchdown, the orbiter is 40 km high in altitude, and its speed is still nearly 10,000 kph (Mach 8). The highest skin temperature, on the underside of the wings close to the leading edges, is around 1,600°C. Plasma flaring has now ceased, and has now been replaced by reactive hypersonic flow. Drag on the craft increases greatly, and deceleration takes place more rapidly.

The pilot will now be ready to take over control, and normally does so about seven minutes out, as the speed drops below 4,000 kph and into a stable supersonic regime. For the first time, the vehicle is pitched forward so that the nose is pointing downwards. Conventional flight surfaces now become effective, such as the air brakes which can be applied through the fantail configuration of the orbiter's rudder.

The speed at touchdown is 350 kph. The rear wheels come down first, and a chute is deployed to slowdown the vehicle - it has no means through which to exert reverse thrust. The orbiter's very robust wheel-brakes are progressively applied. As the speed falls to about 150 kph, the nose-wheel touches down and full braking is employed. The chute is jettisoned just before the craft rolls to a complete stop, somewhat more than two kilometres from its point of touchdown.

Hello World!!!

2007-11-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

I created a blog site , so what's the big deal? innumerable number of blogs gets createdevery hour....
what's all about this blog? well, the name should speak , its Truth , Knowledge and Infinity. This is a Mahavakya from the Taitariya -- "SaTyam , JNAnam, AnanTham Brahma... Yo VedaNihiTam GuhaYam"
I am not sure th, how will I use this t o let out my dooughrment feelings so far....