News you can use…
Escorts MD Nanda falls victim to email fraud…
The Escorts group jt. Mg. director, a top businessman, has complained that cyber crooks cheated him in to divulging his email password (phishing) and then sent out mails to his contacts seeking Pounds sterling 2,000 for a cousin's operation in Manchester. Nanda was cheated out of his email account when he 'verified' his email id, password and date of birth on a web form sent in a fake Microsoft email.
(Me: Never ever part with your e-mail password, whatever ploy used and whoever asks for it).
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Britain's decision to heftily hike fee for Indian visa-seekers (along with others in the sub-continent) to Pounds sterling 3,000.
The Times of India, Mumbai edition, 2/8/13 editorially comments with anguish and shame…
"That the insulting move comes against the backdrop of London promising a 'special relationship' with New Delhi suggests how much store, rhetoric aside, the UK really sets in its partnership with India. The point is that with the foreign investors departing and economic gloom deepening in India, it holds few cards and is hardly in a position to retaliate. With India's economic growth dipping to 5%, both the US – which too is tightening visa rules for Indians – and the UK no longer appear bullish on India. Poor economic performance becomes a vicious cycle. In contrast, China continues to be seen as a global player and an emerging superpower. Its economic clout ensures that no country can even remotely contemplate restrictive visa norms against Chinese visitors. The lesson for India is to improve governance and revive economic growth.
(Me: There is a wide-spread among our educated class that India is being singled out. One may point out that if we are indeed discriminated against, then Britain and other Western countries have solid reasons: many Indians try and migrate to these countries by means that are not fair or legal. Also, most Indian parents feel it is a prestigious status symbol to show off to their peer groups when their kids work and earn fat salaries and expect that their grooms or brides should also be similarly placed. On the contrary, it is a shame for these parents and the country as a whole, more so Kerala, that it cannot provide any jobs, let alone suitable ones, to millions and drives them out to eke out a living for themselves and their families. How many Indians look at this damning situation?
Britain and other Western countries may make politically correct loud noises – yes, just rhetoric – about their special relationship with us or how the country is great – but when it comes to the brass tacks they always take decisions in their national interests, regardless of protests in the affected countries.
See, people go abroad in such large numbers – more like a mass exodus. Why? Because there are no jobs. Why no jobs? Local conditions not being conducive at all – tough exit laws, too many irritant laws, too many hands to be bribed for getting umpteen permits and licenses, stringent environmental laws and if there aren't enough, agitations instigated by militant locals or interested parties to stop projects after they have got all the permits and licences. The bravest Indian businessmen will throw in their towel and wouldn't embark on a business here, let alone the MNCs who are all hard-headed business men. There is a hugely mistaken impression in our country that MNCs are waiting in the wings to do business here and plunder our people; this isn't borne by facts.
Finally, we often bandy about the well-worn cliché, money isn't everything for happiness. It is a hypocrisy-ridden statement, for everyone, you and me included, in our heart of hearts pay due respects and obeisance only to a wealthy man or nation.
PS: On fears of race bias cries following UK cracking down on migrants, their home office has said, "we make no apology for enforcing our immigration laws and our officers carry out hundreds of operations like this every year around London.
(A big Shabhash! This is how a resolute government should act when someone breaks the laws of the land in force, and not give into illegalities under pressure from vested interests)
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Quote, counter point…
"It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it" Joseph Joubert.
(Me: More often, in our part a debate is a subterfuge to procrastinate or not take a decision at all. So, rather than delaying things indefinitely, take a decision in which case at least there is a 50% chance of it turning right)
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Weird world…
Woman pays Pounds 900 for iPhones, gets two apples!
Brisbane: An Australian woman who paid pounds serling 800 for two new Apple iPhone lost her money when she opened the boxes – and found two real green apples inside. The 21-year-old Brisbane woman had placed an advertisement in an online buy-and-self site.
(Me: Caveat Emptor – buyer beware, else u literally get what the man/woman has offered for sale online, not what u have in mind!)
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Nightclub toilet documentary to be made..
A new documentary is to be filmed in a nightclub's toilets to give viewers an insight into what happens during an ordinary night out in a British club. JJ Whispers in South East England has given the green light to a channel to film the goings on during an ordinary evening at the party hotspot, but nobody will be filmed actually using the facilities.
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Pun fun…
Q: Do you know what you'd get if you cross a duck with a firework?
A: very simple. A firequaker!
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Patient to doctor: "This time I'm serious about getting in shape. Can you find me a donor for an ab transplant?"
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From the world of science…
Human violence likely to go up with climate change: study.
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Does baking soda work as a natural toothpaste?
Baking soda is a natural cavity fighter because it has a powerful alkaline effect in the mouth. The bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease require an acidic environment in which to thrive. Baking soda is also a natural tooth whitener and stain remover.
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The juice extracted from coriander leaves can help treat allergies and skin diseases like eczema and fungal infections.
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The folic acid and vitamin B12 present in corn prevents anaemia and its iron content helps form new red blood cells.
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Hormone jab could ease arthritis pain..
Scientists have found that a naturally occurring hormone called prolactin can reduce inflammation, bone erosion, joint swelling and pain in rheumatoid arthritis, a find that may lead to a simple injection to battle the crippling condition.
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A pun on a pun!
I used to be great at wordplay once a pun a time.
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World's friendliest and unfriendliest two cities: Readers' Choice survey, quoted in Hindustan Times, Mumbai edition, 3/8/13
Friendliest..
1) Florianapolis, Brazil
2) Thumphu, Bhutan
3) Queenstown, New Zealand..
Unfriendliest cities..
1) Newark, New Jersey
2) 2) Islamabad, Pakistan
3) Oakland, California
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