[www.keralites.net] 20 Highlights from the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards

 

20 Highlights from the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards

The shortlist for the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards was recently announced by the World Photography Organisation. Photographers from 166 countries submitted nearly 140,000 images (69,114 Professional entries; 65,512 Open entries and 4,928 Youth entries images), the highest number of entries in the awards' seven year history. From the submissions the judges have selected an eclectic shortlist representing the very finest in international contemporary photography from the past 12 months. All the shortlisted images will go on show at Somerset House, London, from 1-18 May as part of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition. The winners of the Open and Youth categories will be announced on 18 March. Professional category winners and the coveted L'Iris D'Or/ Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year title will be announced at a gala ceremony in London on 30 April. The L'Iris D'Or winner will receive $25,000 (USD) and the Open Photographer of the Year will receive $5,000 (USD).    1. What are you staring at !? Chin Boon Leng, Singapore Shortlist, Nature Wildlife © Chin Boon Leng – Shortlist Open, Nature Wildlife, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   A baby Orangutan peeking out from his mother's embrace.   2. Samsara Wolfgang Weinhardt, Germany Shortlist, Travel © Wolfgang Weinhardt – Shortlist Open, Travel, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   All scenes were taken in early 2013. This year I had the pleasure to join the pilgrims and devotees of the Maha Kumbh Mela – the largest spiritual gathering on the planet, held every 12 years. Furthermore I travelled different parts of Indonesia and South India to complete my buffalo race-catalogue. An impressive trip to the Javanese miners of Kawah Ijen and other familiar insights was another highlight.   3. The Mongol Simon Morris, United Kingdom Shortlist, Travel © Simon Morris – Shortlist Open, Travel, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   A hunter rests in his little house on the plains ..western Mongolia with his Eagle which is hooded and cat under the table!   4. Aerial Series Emmanuel Coupe-Kalomiris, Greece Shortlist, Landscape © Emmanuel Coupe-Kalomiris – Shortlist Professional, Landscape, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   All images were taken in the southern and central parts of Iceland. These areas were carefully scouted and selected for their particular qualities such as formations and color pallet.   5. Be Cheerful Even in the Darkest of Times Samantha Fortenberry, United States Shortlist, Low Light © Samantha Fortenberry – Shortlist Open, Low Light, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   In your youth, nothing can stop you from enjoying time with your friends, especially not a simple matter of rain during summer fun. You may grow up and forget the names, but you'll always remember the moments, the time on the dock with your friends during a surprise shower.   6. Bears and Birds… Wilfred Berthelsen, Norway Finalist, Travel © Wilfred Berthelsen – Finalist Professional, Travel, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   This is a series of images in black white taken at Svalbard.   7. Homebound Ata Mohammad Adnan, Bangladesh Shortlist, Split Second © Ata Mohammad Adnan – Shortlist Open, Split Second, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   Homeless children in Chittagong, Bangladesh   8. Cost of slavery K. M. Asad, Bangladesh Shortlist, Current Affairs © K. M. Asad – Shortlist Professional, Current Affairs, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   "This building will stand a hundred years," owner boasted just a day before collapse. The next morning, it came down. "Aha re," the people shook their heads and asked sympathetically So sad. "Shoitaner shoitan," they cursed the owner of the building. The devil's devil. The number of dead bodies crossed thousand so fast. Thousands of mourners have gathered at the ruins of a garment factory building (Rana Plaza at Savar). Rescue workers take part in the rescue of the eight‐storey building Rana Plaza which collapsed at Savar, outside Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reports state that 1130 workers died and nearly 2500 were rescued alive after the eight‐story building Rana Plaza that housed mostly garment factories collapsed on 24 April 2013.   9. The Depth of Winter Kacper Kowalski, Poland Finalist, Landscape © Kacper Kowalski – Finalist Professional, Landscape, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards/Panos   An overhead view, from the skies above Poland.   10. Wax System Fabrizio Cestari, Italy Shortlist, Portraiture © Fabrizio Cestari – Shortlist Professional, Portraiture, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   Celebrity portraits of the star system. Real glances, fake faces. One of the most shoots of my life at the Museum of Madame Tussaud.   11. Mother and Son Denis Dailleux, France Shortlist, People © Denis Dailleux – Shortlist Professional, People, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   A most Christ‐like image, a bare‐chested son rests near his mother. Why does this image of the mother‐son relationship move us so? Because the son, by his nudity, looks as fragile as he was on the day of his birth? Because the mother seems fulfilled by the presence of son, who completes her? These images from our Mediterranean roots strike us because they come the dawn of time, and the same time, rest at the heart of the modern psyche.   12. Zeybecks Hasan Baglar, Cyprus Shortlist, Nature Wildlife © Hasan Baglar – Shortlist Open, Nature Wildlife, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   That's Dance, Sunward and Zeybeks.   13. The Calm Before the Storm Sean Batten, United Kingdom Shortlist, Architecture © Sean Batten – Shortlist Open, Architecture, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   Someone cycling through the Greenwich foot tunnel in London, even though you're not suppose to!   14. Survivors Ken Hermann, Denmark Finalist, Portraiture © Ken Hermann – Finalist Professional, Portraiture, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   The true face of a victim Every year people in Bangladesh are disfigured beyond recognition by acid attacks. The victims are literally scarred for life. Award‐winning photographer Ken Hermann and video journalist Tai Klan visited Bangladesh and returned with a striking series of photos and a documentary that emphasizes the resilience of the mutilated victims. It is not the almost indistinguishable scar tissue at the left   15. Untitled Yao Wang Chong, Taiwan Shortlist, Split Second © Yao Wang Chong – Shortlist Open, Split Second, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   Emotional outpouring of bride   16. Indonesia Padang City Tour cattle activity YongSheng Zheng, China Finalist, Sport © YongSheng Zheng – Finalist Professional, Sport, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   This group race cow taken in the city of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia, which has 400 years of history, is the traditional cattle race events, the locals call PacuJawi, usually after rice harvest, choose an open flat paddy fields held two cattle as a group, the rider standing on a wooden shelf control, competitive and exciting game   17. Big Cat, Little Cat George Logan, United Kingdom Shortlist, Campaign © George Logan – Shortlist Professional, Campaign, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   'Big Cat, Little Cat' is an advertising campaign for Whiskas cat food.   18. Wet Dog Sophie Gamand, France Finalist, Portraiture © Sophie Gamand – Finalist Professional, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards   Wet Dog is a series of portraits of dogs caught mid‐bath. The dogs are photographed at a vulnerable moment, half a second before they shake the water off their fur. Sophie's pictures capture their character and, in some cases, recognizable emotions (like annoyance, misery or vengefulness).   19. Rakher Upobash Suvra Kanti Das, Bangladesh Shortlist, Arts Culture © Suvra Kanti Das – Shortlist Professional, Arts Culture, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   An old Hindu woman sits with lights (Prodip) and prays to God in front of Shri Shri Lokanath Brahmachar Ashram temple during the Rakher Upobash at Barodi, Narayangonj. Thousands of Hindu devotees sits with Prodip and prays to God in front of Shri Shri Lokanath Brahmachar Ashram temple during the Rakher Upobash at Barodi, Near Dhaka, Bangladesh. Lokenath Brahmachari who is called Baba Lokenath was an 18th Century Hindu saint and philosopher in Bengal. Hindu devotees fast and pray in earnest to the gods for their favours during the ritual called Kartik Brati or Rakher Upobash traditionally. An old Hindu woman sits with lights (Prodip) and prays to God in front of Shri Shri Lokanath Brahmachar Ashram temple during the Rakher Upobash at Barodi, Narayangonj.   20. Muddy Smile Alpay Erdem, Turkey Shortlist, Smile © Alpay Erdem – Shortlist Open, Smile, 2014 Sony World Photography Awards   A muddy face from the mud bath going into the lake    'Pictures of the Day' for 2013

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[www.keralites.net] Fw: INVALUABLE INFO ABOUT PREVENTING STROKE

 

PREVENTING STROKE   

Quote" Three years ago I was struck down by a stroke. Three years later I am still stricken with the malady. In the beginning, I asked doctors about the condition and was told that there is no cure for stroke.  I asked about the symptoms and was told there are no symptoms meaning a stroke will attack a person suddenly, without warning. That is bad news, very bad news.    I did not believe that.  So, I thought back to my experiences and I found that there are plenty of signs that a person is susceptible to an attack of the deadly stroke. Hah!  If you cannot cure it at least you can prevent it. That is what we should all do. We must choose to avoid the stroke or be condemned to consuming tons of pills whose veracity is questionable. How do we go about that, how can we prevent stroke. Will it be expensive?  Will it be time consuming?   Before we go into details let us first recognize the symptoms, the signs if you like. More than thirty years ago, while reversing my car, I suddenly found that I could not move my right leg. It simply refused to obey me. I went to see a doctor immediately and all I got was two days medical leave. That was the first sign that I was heading for a stroke. After two days rest, I was back on my feet as if nothing had happened. I just put it down to work stress and physical and mental exhaustion. When I was afflicted with the stroke and certain parts of my body refused to obey me I realized that I had experienced that feeling before.    I will now endeavor to put down on paper, for you, the other signs so that you may recognize a potential victim before the stroke strikes and be able to take evasive steps to prevent it  happening. These signs will be presented  randomly as they come to mind.     1.  When walking you stumble even on  level ground.   2. You kick the legs of chairs and tables when you usually walk pass them effortlessly.  1 2 is because your legs are not as strong as they used to be although you do not realize it.     3.  You sometimes find you  cannot pronounce the 'ar' sound and it comes out as 'el', your speech is slurred and sometimes you drool. 4. The pen you are holding slips from your fingers. Holding up the newspaper can be a problem because your fingers have lost their flexibility. You think it is clumsiness when in truth it is not. It is caused by your muscles having lost their strength.   5. After sitting for some time you find that you cannot stand up as usual. You lose your balance and fall back onto the seat.    6. You also lose your balance when you squat and may find yourself sitting instead of standing up.   7. You are always sleepy even after a good night's sleep. This sleepiness is quite different from the usual tiredness you experience after a restless or late night.    8. Urinating has become a problem. Instead of a strong stream what you get is a trickle and this causes you to go to the toilet often.    9. Constipation becomes more frequent as your rectal muscles do not work well anymore.    10. Sometimes you will find you are forgetful and  mental activities become difficult as your brain weakens through lack of nourishment. Blood is not getting through to your brain quickly enough.              Some of these signs will come and go, so much so that you do not take them seriously when they do occur. You tend to pass them off as signs of physical and mental stress and fatigue or in certain cases of aging.  Since there is no pain you do not think it necessary to see a doctor. Anyway, the signs come on only momentarily and disappear almost at once. So that you think it is not anything serious and a visit to a doctor is out of the question, until it is too late that is. Then, it is the doctor who has to come to you. Another thing, the signs are similar to many other diseases and illnesses which are quite common. Seeing a doctor would be rather pointless, as far as a stroke is concerned, as you would only describe the symptoms you are experiencing at that particular moment.             Now we come to the important part of this discourse, how do we prevent stroke. What can we do or rather what should we do when these signs appear one by one. Let it be known that I am  not a doctor and never in my dreams do I even pretend to be one. So what I am about to tell you is mostly from my own experience.            Firstly, when you find that your body is not functioning as it should, that some parts are slacking and not obeying your brain as it normally does, you should  start exercising.  Go for long walks.  Incidentally, you will experience immediate benefits even while exercising, such as clearer vision and mental alertness.  Make it a habit to go for walks at least three times a week. Do not stop. I did go for walks but then I stopped when the symptoms disappeared. I made the mistake of not exercising for far too long and then it was too late. The stroke struck!         Remember, regular exercise is very important in promoting blood circulation. Of course, other forms of exercises will be just as good for you. One word of advise, exercises performed with the use of machines are not necessarily the best and that is why I advocate free hand exercises like walking, jogging and swimming.              Drinking lots of water helps immensely.  Drink two glasses of water first thing in the morning every morning. Then drink one or two mouthfuls every half hour or whenever thirsty. This is to provide the blood stream with a regular supply of fresh water as our body gets rid of water all the time.  We lose water when we breathe, sweat and urinate. Lack of water means poor blood circulation which can lead to stroke.           Eating proper foods is also important and I mean greens and fruits on a daily basis. Everything else can be enjoyed in moderation. A monk who practices healing advised me on certain foods to take to prevent the occurrence of stroke.  It is my pleasure to be able to share it with you here. He said that to prevent stroke I should drink a soup made of one cucumber and one red tomato.  Boil them together, strain and drink one or two glasses daily. That will help prevent the blood from coagulating (or is it congealing?).  Stroke affects the brain and the best remedy for it is egg yolk. The monk suggested I take the yolk from  free-range chickens leaving out the white. The egg must be hard boiled. Consuming egg yolks is also recommended for elderly people as well as school children because it helps to nourish the brain and thus improves memory.            What do we do when someone is suddenly seized by a stroke?  Chinese physicians will use a pin to prick the ends of the fingers and toes, all twenty of them, and squeeze out a few drops of blood from each prick. The logic is that by drawing blood one is stimulating the flow of blood. Think of it as unlocking a traffic jam. The needle must first be disinfected by putting it over a flame and wiped clean with tissue paper. Everyone and anyone can do this because there is absolutely no danger whatsoever. Wait, not everybody can do that. Oh?  Yes, those people who are afraid of blood, else we will have two patients instead of one.             Okay, you are now as expert as I am in the matter of strokes. Share the information here in with anyone and everyone who is willing to lend you their ears. Perhaps, there will be less people afflicted with the dreaded stroke (slight shiver).     MAY YOU ALL ALWAYS BE WELL,   MAY YOU ALL ALWAYS BE HAPPY.

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[www.keralites.net] Keralites Fun Posts

 

Crazy Emergency Brake Test on a 60- Ton Tank

A military tank identified as a Leopard 2 drives full tilt. A 60-tonne vehicle capable of 45mph is approaching a group of 22 men and one woman in suits at its full speed... The group maintain remarkable composure as the tank barrels towards them before slamming on the brakes, just meters before what would be a messy collision... The relief on the faces of the group is palpable after the event, with much high-fiving and wiping of brow...

Hand Painting on Royal Enfield Bullet's Fuel Tank

The Royal Enfield is famous for its unique handcrafted build. Watch the amazing craftsmen paint the Tank with clean strokes of the brush error free. The fuel tank is decorated with twin golden stripes that are painted on by hand, by 2 artists. This guy has been painting tanks for ages, just like his father before him. Watch how his hand glides over the freshly-minted tank, leaving a precise, uniform strip of gold paint that looks like it was done using machines. Their work is so good that the number of motorcycles made in a day actually depends on how many tanks he can finish.

Pet Squirrel Hides Its Nut in Bernese Mountain Dog's Fur

Pet Squirrel hides its nut in Bernese Mountain Dog's fur thinking to eat it later when it is hungry, but fails...

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[www.keralites.net] Fwd: GRATITUDE

 

Cultivate the Healing Power of Gratitude

 

Gratitude is an immensely powerful force that we can use to expand our happiness, 

create loving  relationships, and even improve our health.

Many scientific studies, including research by renowned psychologists 

Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, have found that people who

 consciously focus on gratitude experience greater emotional wellbeing and

 physical health than those who don't.

 

 

In comparison with control groups, those who cultivated a grateful outlook:

 

• Felt better about their lives as a whole
• Experienced greater levels of joy and happiness
• Felt optimistic about the future
• Got sick less often
• Exercised more regularly
• Had more energy, enthusiasm, determination, and focus
• Made greater progress toward achieving important personal goals
• Slept better and awoke feeling refreshed
• Felt stronger during trying times
• Enjoyed closer family ties
• Were more likely to help others and offer emotional support
• Experienced fewer symptoms of stress

 

 

If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly 

a crucial quality to cultivate.

 It is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love.

 

 

What is a miracle?

Author Marianne Williamson says a miracle is a shift in perception from fear to love.

 The root of the word "religion" is religio , which means to "bind back.

" I think the realm of consciousness we most hunger for is a return to something

 basic and fundamental within us.

 

 

 

 

 

When we're appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and

 we connect with our soul....it is like rebooting your soul.

 

 

Gratitude brings our attention into the present, which is the only place where

 miracles can unfold. The deeper our  appreciation, the more we see with

 the eyes of the soul and the more our life flows in harmony with the 

creative power of the universe.

 

Here are a few powerful gratitude practices for you to try:

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

Since ancient times, philosophers and sages from every spiritual tradition have taught

 that cultivating gratitude is a key to experiencing deeper levels of happiness,

 fulfillment, and wellbeing.

One of the earliest advocates of a daily gratitude practice was Dutch philosopher 

Rabbi Baruch Spinoza. In the seventeenth century, he suggested that each day for a month, 

we ask ourselves the following three questions:

 

1. Who or what inspired me today?
2. What brought me happiness today?
3. What brought me comfort and deep peace today?

    

This practice, wrote Spinoza, would help us find more

 meaning and joy in our lives and would lead to profound inner transformation.

As you write in your journal, challenge yourself by not repeating items from

 the previous days, for this will make you look more deeply at all the 

"little" things that enhance your life and give you joy . . . 

waking in a warm bed; the aroma of your morning coffee,

 your favourite song; a phone call from a friend; the ability to touch, see, 

or hear; electricity; the beating of your heart; a hug.

  

  

  

 

 

You can write in your journal just before bed, when you wake up in the morning

 or just before you meditate. The time of day isn't important; what is important is 

that you consistently take a few moments to consciously focus your mind on your blessings.

 Commit to keeping a journal for a month. What we put our attention on expands in our life.

 By offering gratitude for all the goodness we experience, we're inviting the universe

 to give us more and more of what we want.

 

2. Write a Thank You Letter

  

 

  

Make a list of at least five people who have had a profound impact on your life. 

Choose one and write a thank you letter expressing gratitude for all the gifts you've 

received from that person. If possible, deliver your gratitude letter in person.

 

In studies of people who have practiced this form of gratitude, the results have been amazing. 

Often the recipient of the letter had no idea what an impact he or she had had on another 

person and were deeply touched by the expression of such authentic gratitude.

 

While we may often thank people verbally, the written word can often be even more

 powerful because someone has taken the time to write their appreciation.  A letter 

can also be re-read and treasured, creating joy and love that will 

continue to ripple out into the universe.

 

 

 

3. Take a Gratitude Walk

  

This is a particularly useful practice when you're feeling down or filled with 

stress and worry. Set aside 20 minutes (or longer if you can) and walk in your

 neighbourhood, through a park, around your office, or somewhere in nature.

 

 

 

As you walk, consider the many things for which you are grateful . . . 

nurturing relationships, material comforts, the body that allows you

 to experience the world, the mind that allows you to really understand yourself,

 and your essential spiritual nature. Breathe, pause, and be grateful for the air that is

 filling your lungs and making your life possible.

 

Pay attention to your senses – everything you're seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling,

 and maybe even tasting – and see how many things you can find to feel grateful for.

  

This is a powerful way to shift your mood and open to the flow of

 abundance that always surrounds you.

   

 

  

Gratitude is the memory 

of the heart...

 

 

 

 

 

 

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