HISTORY OF VISHWABRAHMINS......

Chari belong to Panchal Brahmans which is also known as Viswakarma Brahmans viswakarma created "sathyaloka", to reside brahma "vykuntha" for vishnu,"swarna lanka" to shiva,"swarga" for indra, "alakapuri" for kubera "dwaraka" for krishna likewise somany creations. all these gods are very powerful according to our puranas and they can create any thing just with a manthra, then why dont they create all these worlds without the viswakarma. viswakarma degraded surya's rays and then made "sudarshana chakra" for vishnu,"thrishul" for shiva,"vajrayudha" for indra "axe" for kalika.

They were also called as ‘Shivabrahman’. ‘Saiyadri Khanda’ of ‘Scanda Puran’ says that artist of ancient Goa is called as ‘Shaivagayatri Brahmans’. Those Chari who fled Goa during Portuguese time to prevent them being converted to Christianity & settled in Solapur district are still known as ‘Shiva Brahma Sutar’ . Chari has their origin from Manu & Maya two of the sons of Lord Vishwakarma, the Divine Architect and craftsman in ancient India. In ancient India Panchal were called as ‘Missionary of civilization, culture & religion’ since Panchal spread Vedic religion in other part of world

According to traditional belief, Vishwabrahmins are descended from five sons of lord Vishwakarma. They are Manu (blacksmith), Maya(carpenter), Thwastha (metal craftsman), Silpi (stone-carver) Vishvajnya (goldsmith). The community is spread widely throughout India and played a vital role in the village economy. Their socio-economic status varied from a very high level to the low level in different parts of India as they earned high wages in towns because of their factory employment and low in villages.

 About Vishwabrahmins Anand K. Coomaraswamy says ‘the Kammalar (i.e. Panchal) were known as Vishwa or Dev Brahman or Dev Kammalar. They spread gradually towards the south and then reached Ceylon, Burma & Java. The Kammalar claim to have been the spiritual guides and priests and their position in the society survives in the saying The Kammalar is guru to the world. They still have their own priests & do not relay on Brahman. They also perform priestly rites in connection with consecration of images. They both claim and possess various special privileges, which they always upheld with much vigour, in some cases they claim a rank equal to that of Brahmans.” He also mentions “throughout the rest of ceremony all priest officers had been performed by the craftsman themselves acting as Brahman priest”

Dr. Krishna Rao says “The most highly organized & efficient of the industrial classes was Virpanchal comprising of Goldsmith, coiner blacksmith, carpenter and mason. In finest period of Indian art particularly between eighth and ninth century, they claimed and enjoyed a social status in the community, equal to Brahmans. The art of engraving & sculpture had attained a high stage of development. It was exclusively cultivated by Panchals who wore sacred thread & considered themselves as Vishwakarma Brahmans. The craftsman being deeply versed in national epic literature always figured in the history of India as missionaries of civilization, culture & religion. The intellectual influence being creative & not merely assimilative was at least as great as that of the priest and the author”

Panchal are called as Missionaries of civilization, culture & religion because they spread Hindu Religion to the whole world through their art. Ernest B. Havell says “The northern quarter of (Patliputra) was assigned to Brahmans & certain of the higher craftsman such as armor, ironsmiths & workers in precious stones. The association of skilled craftsmen with Brahmans & Kshatriya is additional evidence that craftsmanship did not hold inferior status in Indo Aryan society.

The Stapathy or master builder is described in the Shilpa Shastra as officiating at religious ceremonies which preceded the laying out of the Indo Aryan town or village and some of the metal worker& carpenter of the south of India still retains as their caste indication the name Acharya which denotes a teacher of religion”. In ancient India Vishwabrahmins had great importance. Only Vishwabrahmins could hold the degree Jagatgur i.e. Guru to whole world which can be seen in the saying ‘Kammalar is guru to the world’.

Best Dressed Celebrities At AMAs 2013

Alicia Silverstone 

Alicia looked pretty in a short metallic black and golden Nicole Miller cocktail dress. Black Stella McCartney pumps look chic.

Ariana Grande 

Wearing a sequin red Dolce and Gabbana, Ariana looked mesmerising. However, we are quite bored of the same hairdo that Ariana is carrying off lately!

Christina Aguilera 

Christina flaunted her svelte figure in a white side thigh high slit Maria Lucia Hohan gown which had cut-out details on the waist. The silver Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo bag completed her red carpet look at AMAs 2013.

Heidi Klum 

Heidi looked gorgeous in a black lace and frilly Marchesa gown from the Spring 2014 collection.

Katy Perry 

She was one of the best dressed celebrities at the AMAs 2013 red carpet. Katy is wearing an Oscar de la Renta ball gown. The floral motifs in pink and red looked classy.

Kendall Jenner 

Kendall also decided to go all white. She wore a short Keepsake top and skirt with Manolo Blahnik white pumps. The layered Dylanex necklace looked sexy for the red carpet look.

Taylor Swift 

Taylor Swift glittered in gold and she showed off her well toned slim figure. Taylor wore a very short Julien Macdonald mini-dress which had a frilly hemline. The golden Jimmy Choo heels looked gorgeous.

Kesha 

Kesha looked pretty and classy in a black Michael Costello thigh high slit gown that featured a flower on the slit end. Just love her T-shaped black Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

Lady Gaga Lady 

Gaga entered the AMAs 2013 red carpet on a fake white horse. She was wearing a lavender Versace dress from Spring 2014 collection. The ditto dress was worn by Lady gaga in one of the pictures during the photoshoot of Versace as the new face.

Lady Gaga 

Later Lady Gaga was seen wearing a silver strapless slit gown by Versace again!

Miley Cyrus 

Miley looked classy in an all white Versus Versace suit which featured golden pins on the side of the jacket. She wore it with Saint Laurent black pumps.

Zendaya Coleman 

Zendaya also wore a plain white dress and was one of the best dressed at AMAs 2013 red carpet. She wore a white Donna Karan high low hemline dress with Christian Louboutin shoes.

Naya Rivera 

OMG! Is it Naya? She is looking smoking hot in this body con floor sweeping Michael Kors gown. It featured a keyhole neck plunging neckline which flaunted her curvy cleavage.

Rihanna 

Rihanna flaunted her skin in a sequin black bra and a lace skirt. Later we saw Rihanna wearing a black and silk gown. Both these black outfits were from Jean Paul Gaultier Couture.

Mahabalipuram Temples

History of Mahabalipuram Temples

Situated at a distance of 58-km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram has everything that creates a site memorable; tradition, history, piety, western annals, and current importance as a centre of tourism.

Mahabalipuram is situated near to Chennai (Madras) on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, along the Indian eastern coast. Known for its stones designs and monolithic statues it has the popular shore temple, the only one to have live through the problems of characteristics. Also known as the Seven Pagodas (temples), six now lie engrossed in the sea. Mahabalipuram temples whose structure was motivated by the Pallava Art were designed during the interval 830 - 1100 AD.

Mahabalipuram contains nearly 40 monuments of different kinds such as an "open air bas relief" which is the biggest in the world. For hundreds of years it has been a center of pilgrimage, and even today it attracts devotees and foreigners in large numbers.

There are two low mountains in Mahabalipuram, about 400m from the sea whose both factors have 11 excavated temples, known as Mandapas. Out of a big stone status no cost close by there is a "cut out" temple, known as a "Ratha". This type is unique to Mahabalipuram.

Out of the other mountain, much smaller and status about 200m to the south, are created five more rathas, and three big statues of a Nandi, a Loin and an Elephant. On the top of the larger mountain there is a architectural temple, and a little distance the spectacular origins of a Vijayanagar Gopura and also survivals of what is believed to be a palace.

The Five Rathas

The five Rathas consist of The Dharmaraja, The Bhima, The Arjuna, The Draupadi and The Sahadeva. The Five Rathas, about 200 m south of the primary mountain, were created out of less sized mountain sloping down from the southern. From the greatest aspect was created the biggest of the five rathas, the Dharmaraja. Then followed onwards north, in the descending order of height, the Bhima, the Arjuna and the Draupadi.

A little to the west of Draupadi there was a comparatively large rock and out of it the Sahadeva Ratha was made. Instantly at the front side of the Draupadi again two small stones were created into an elephant and a lion. Behind the Draupadi and the Arjuna, which stand on a common base, there is a Nandi.

The Shore Temple :

The Shore Temple occupies a most outstanding site at the very edge of the Bay of Bengal so that at high tide the waves sweep into it and the walls. Because of this their statues, have been eroded by the winds and waves of thirteen centuries.

The Shrines In The Shore Temple :

There are 3 shrines in the Shore Temple. Two of them are of Saiva and the third is of Vaishnava, with an picture of Lord Anantasayi created of live rock. There are Vimanas over the Saiva (also spelt as Shaiv or Shaiva) shrines, but none over the third; it seems to have disappeared with time. Designed by Narasimha Varman II Rajasimha, the maker of the Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram in the 8th century, this is one of the first architectural temples in Tamil Nadu.

Temple Of Sthalasayana Perumal :

To the north of the bigger hill there is the temple of Sthalasayana Perumal. To the west of the five Rathas there are three more rathas, two side by side. About 600 m north of Mahabalipuram, along the shore, is Saluvankuppam, where there are spectacular excavated temples and, near it, a stone Mandapa with competition leads along its outside, known as the "Tigers Cave". Between Saluvankuppam and Mahabalipuram, less than 200m from the sea, appears another architectural temple, the Mukunda Nayanar.

Each and every one of these monuments of different kinds, architectural temple, excavated temple "cut out" temple, "open air bas relief", in addition to statues and Mandapas to be found here and there, is important and exciting. The Coast temple, the famous "open air bas relief" known as "Arjuna's Penance", the Mahishamardhani and the Adivaraha "Cave" temples and the Five Rathas are the especial rewards of the visitor. All the monuments are Pallava except that the unique Sthalasayana Perumal temple was extended in Vijayanagar periods. To the Chola periods connected a Mandapa at the entrance to the township.

Mahabalipuram is one of the beautiful places in south India. It has dream world of tamil arts.Mahabalipuram was a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas, 60 km south from Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

Home Remedies To Remove Skin Tags

1. Ginger

Take raw ginger and make it into pieces and rub it on skin tags daily up to 2-weeks automatically tags will fall down slowly.

2.Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a best preferable remedy for removing skin tags.Apply a dab of cider vinegar on cotton ball and apply it on the affected area it cause some pain for few minutes.Repeat this process 25 to 45 days to vanish your skin tags permanently.

3.pineapple

Take pineapple juice and apply it on affected area 3-times in a day.do this 7 to 10 days without rinse it off .

4.Onion juice

Take onion and make it into slices keep it in a container with added salt 8-10 hours.morning make juice with that mixture and in the evening apply this juice on tags leave it overnight and wash it in the morning.do this process every night for 10 days.

5.banana peel

Take banana peel and apply it on affected area and cover up with bandages overnight, in the morning remove the bandage and rinse it off with water and repeat this every night until the skin tag will cut off from skin.

Dhanush to work with Big B and R Balki

Tamil actor Dhanush, who scored a hit with Bollywood debut "Raanjhanaa", has joined hands with filmmaker R. Balki for a yet-untitled Hindi project, which will also feature megastar Amitabh Bachchan in an important role. He couldn't be happier.

"Yes guys, my next Hindi film is with Balki sir. (I'm) very excited and eagerly looking forward to it. (I'm) privileged to share screen space with Big B himself and ecstatic to be part of Raja sir's musical again," posted Dhanush on his Twitter page.
This is the third time Balki has teamed up with Big B and composer Illayaraja after "Paa" and "Cheeni Kum".

Reportedly, actor Kamal Haasan's younger daughter Akshara will make her cinematic debut with the film.

Dhanush is currently busy shooting for Tamil projects "Velaiyilla Pattathari" and "Anegan".

Animation film Mahabharat's movie trailer out

Producer Jayantilal Gada recently released the trailer of his ambitious 3D animation project: Mahabharat.

The grand epic that has seen countless versions over the years, has got its first ever animation makeover. This also marks the epic tale's first move towards the big cinema screen. 
The high budget film reportedly comes with an enviable cast of actors - Amitabh Bachchan has lend his voice to Bhishma, while Sunny Deol does the same for Bheem, Draupadi owes her voice to Vidya Balan, and Yudhistir to Manoj Bajpai. Actor Ajay Devgan too has lend his voice to Arjun, Anil Kapoor voices Karna, Jackie Shroff voices Duryodhan and Anupam Kher will be heard playing Shakuni. 

The other interesting bit about the film is the fact that the characters bear a strong resembalnce to the actors lending them their voices. This, of course, was a planned effort on the makers' side.

Considering this is Mahabharat we're talking about, it should come as no surprise that people are already unhappy. Why? Because reportredly Sita has been portrayed as a little on the plus side, and for generations who are only used to a slimmer version of the poster child for Indian brides, this bit has been hard to digest.

That aside, chew on this thought for a while. The film is reportedly the most expensive animated film made here.

Cautious Anna says he didn't speak to Kejriwal as his phone is being tapped

Arvind Kejriwal and Anna Hazare

Veteran anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday launched a veiled attack on the UPA government alleging that his phone was under surveillance.

Talking to Headlines Today, the Gandhian said he refrained from speaking to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal and wrote him a letter instead to avoid the tapping of his phone.

"I did not speak with Arvind Kejriwal on phone because my phone is being tapped. I am very cautious, so I wrote letter to Arvind," Hazare said, adding, "There is no one stopping Arvind from meeting me."

He, however, said that he expected Kejriwal to directly communicate with him through letter rather than addressing his concerns before media or social media. "Arvind should not have gone open with the letter I had written to him," Hazare said.

He also questioned AAP's claims to ensure a strong Lokpal, saying, "How can Arvind bring Lokpal in Vidhan Sabha? He brought out pamphlets saying they will bring Lokpal."

Hazare feigned ignorance about protester Nachiketa, who had heckled Kejriwal at a press conference in Delhi on Monday claiming to be a BJP worker and supporter of the Gandhian. "I don't know who this Nachiketa is... I have never met him. I don't know him," he said.

"If I try to bring down Arvind or defame him then other parties will benefit. I am not doing any such thing... Kumar Vishwas (AAP leader) wanted me to give in writing that Arvind is good, but I refused," he said.

"I am against political parties. There is no provision in constitution also. I will never support any party or individual... There is no democracy in the country," Hazare said.

"Change can be brought only through andolan and not by political parties. Movement is the future of this country," he said.

Hazare, however, said, "I have no opposition to Arvind forming a party... What difference does it make with one more party when there are so many others?"

"Arvind is a nice person and honest... There are no differences between us, but my doubts should be cleared," he said.

Is your handbag going to give you arthritis (Inflammation of a joint or joints)?

Stuffed full with a purse, mobile phone, umbrella, diary, make-up bag, book and water bottle, it’s no surprise the average handbag weighs nearly half a stone.

Studies show half of women suffer pain from carrying heavy handbags — and now men are also suffering, according to new research by the British Chiropractic Association.

‘Heavy man-bags — weighing, on average, 6.2 kg — put unbalanced strain and stress on the body, which can lead to pain, poor posture and health problems,’ says Rishi Loatey, of the British Chiropractic Association.

‘I’ve noticed a spike in patients experiencing pain in the neck and upper back due to carrying around heavy loads more frequently,’ he adds.

To see exactly how our bodies change when carrying a bag, I went along to Bupa’s Centre for Sports Medicine Excellence in Barbican, London.

There, my movements while walking were recorded and analysed — both with and without my weighty 9 lb-plus handbag — to see the effects. The results were startling.

‘Carrying a bag has a huge impact on posture and movement,’ says Bupa physiotherapist Russell Stocker. ‘Though you might not notice it, your body dramatically adapts and compensates. This was even more pronounced when wearing high heels.’

NECK

When you carry a bag, your neck naturally leans away from the load to help carry and balance the weight.

This causes tension on the carrying side of the neck and compression on the opposite side.

‘Craning your neck means increasing the distance between the neck and the shoulder,’ says Russell.

The problem is that this is just where a bundle of nerves come together (forming the brachial plexus) before running into the arm; the strain can lead to neck pain and muscle inflammation.

Over time, this could trigger an ‘acute episode’, he says — the muscles can spasm, restricting movement and causing pain.

SHOULDERS AND BACK

The shoulder bearing the load is rotated backwards and raised all the time, explains Russell.

This affects the muscles running down the upper back, the shoulder blades and those supporting the spine — they tire and spasm.

As Bupa orthopaedic physician Dr Leon Creaney, explains: ‘Fatigued muscles won’t hold the spine correctly, so it will slip into poor posture — slumped with curved back and shoulders.’

Long term, this can lead to painful arthritis in the facet joints. These are tiny joints running all the way along the spine on either side The vertebrae and the discs — the ‘cushions’ of cartilage that sit between the vertebrae — could also be affected.

‘The side of the body not carrying the bag leans away from it, crunching the lower back on this side, while extending it further on the other,’ adds Russell.
This compresses the vertebrae, wearing them down.

Carrying a heavy bag can, over time, also cause disc degeneration and prolapse, says Dr Creaney. This is when the soft tissue inside the disc ruptures out of it, pressing on the nerves.

‘This can be agonising, and even require surgery’ he explains — ‘and carrying a heavy bag could lead to faster disc degeneration.

‘Bearing a heavy load on one side could also cause the spinal nerves to become irritated or compressed — possibly leading to sciatica (pain in the buttock and thigh), which is also very painful.’

ARMS

Shoulder_Pain

The arm carrying the bag remains very static while walking to keep the load still and balanced.

‘This is quite different to the natural swinging movement we make when walking,’ says Russell.

‘Without the normal arm swing used as a balance mechanism, this can make you slightly unsteady and actually mean you need greater effort to move forwards.’
The nerves in the arms can also become irritated by the pressure of the bag, leading to chronic pain.

HIPS AND LEGS

In the long term, women can develop arthritis from increased pressure. ‘Carrying a bag makes you walk differently, and that changes the way forces act through the skeletal system, which could cause problems and pain,’ says Russell.

The greater the load of the bag, the more pressure on the leg joints. Over a long period, force on the knees can cause wear and tear and joint problems.
‘With a heavy bag you also take shorter steps — an adaptation your body probably makes to control the load better and remain upright,’ he adds.

THE BEST WAY TO SHOULDER THAT LOAD

Limit loads and try to distribute the weight you’re carrying, says Dr Creaney. ‘If you don’t want to wear a rucksack, then consider separating your possessions into two bags.

Slimline_Backpack

‘When carrying one bag, do so for the shortest time possible and switch sides at regular intervals, giving muscles on either side a chance to rest.’

A bag with wide straps will better distribute the pressure across the shoulder.

‘The weight should be as close as possible to your centre of mass, which is around the pelvis area,’ Dr Creaney adds. So a bumbag would be ideal, physically, if not fashionably.

Tim Hutchful, a chiropractor from the British Chiropractic Association, recommends a satchel-style bag with a strap that crosses the body diagonally, balancing the weight.

‘And straps should be as short as possible, so the bag is close to your body and doesn’t swing,’ he says. ‘Long straps would let it move with momentum as you walk, and bump into your hips, back or knees.

‘If you carry a laptop, use a case with a rucksack design.’

Carrying a bag in the crook of your arm is no better than on the shoulder, however.

‘Overloading the bicep for a prolonged period — especially when the arm is at a 90-degree angle — can lead to pain in the arms,’ says Hutchful.

‘And when hung on one arm the bag is further away from the body’s point of balance. Imbalance is bad for posture and can lead to discomfort.’

Ultimately bags must be kept as light as possible; a recent study found that even female hikers, who wear proper backpacks and footwear, need to limit loads to prevent musculoskeletal problems.

‘The best advice,’ says Russell, ‘would be using a small suitcase instead of a bag, putting your possessions in that and pulling it along behind you.’

So what did this experiment teach me? That the wear and tear from my handbag is making my body old before my time. While I’m not about to clip on a bumbag, I will now carry the real necessities only, and start looking for fashionable rucksacks.

CHOGM for equitible economic development

The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) ended here on Sunday with the release of a communiqué which said that the right to equitable economic development and political rights could not be seen in isolation from each other.  

The Heads of Government recognised the right to equitable development as an “integral part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.” The right to sustainable development, protection of the environment, access to health, education, food, jobs, shelter, freedom of migration, and international peace and security were portrayed as being inseparable from the more generally accepted human rights such as the right to democracy, tolerance, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. “The Heads emphasised that these values were inter-related and mutually reinforcing,” the communiqué said.

The South African President, Jacob Zuma, told the media that ways to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 claimed the attention of the Heads, most of the time.

The problems of the developing countries, especially the smaller among them, and terms of international trade, were the predominant concern of the 51 countries in attendance.

image source :http://malindawords.blogspot.in

Tamannah not part of Gopichand's next

 Southern actress Tamannah Bhatia hasn't been signed for Gopichand-starrer yet untitled Telugu project, says her manager and adds that she only has Mahesh Babu's "Aagadu" in her kitty.

"She hasn't signed any Telugu project besides 'Aagadu' with Mahesh Babu. The film is her top most priority as she has set aside bulk dates for the same," Tamannah's manager told IANS.

Srinu Vaitla directed "Aagadu" went on floors recently and will be wrapped up by mid next year. The 23-year-old, who has paired with all top stars in Telugu, will be sharing screen space with Mahesh for the first time.

Tamannah, who recently scored a hit with Telugu actioner "Tadakha", is simultaneously working for Tamil rural action-drama "Veeram" and Hindi film "It's Entertainment".

Google awards Rs 3 crore to four non-profit organizations

Four non-profit organisations in India were chosen for their work and plans that focus on innovative use of technology to make the world a better place.
"Our aim is to encourage and help younger people with technology skills to aspire to change the world," says Google director of giving, Jacquelline Fuller, who touched down in Delhi to be part of the final round of the Google Impact Challenge, the second such programme launched by Google, the first one being in the UK earlier this year.
Non-profit organizations in India were invited to be part of the challenge that focused on innovative use of technology to drive social impact. From "thousands of applications" since its India launch in August, four organizations, including a 'fan favourite' -- Agastya, Digital Green, Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship & Democracy and Social Awareness Newer Alternatives (SANA) respectively -- were selected for the awards. Ten of non-profits that were selected were invited to pitch their projects in front of a panel of judges. The four winners got Rs 3 crore each while the runners-up too have been awarded Rs 1.5 crore.
"The idea was to help non-profits that have a proven track record of accomplishing their goals," says Fuller giving the example of mobile labs to address the lack of science equipment and digital resources for rural children that swung the award in favour of the Bangalore-based Agastya.

Talking about it, Thiagrajan, chief operating officer of the 12-year-old organisation says, "Although we have already been taking mobile labs with about 100-150 science models to give children a hands-on experience, with this money, we plan to reach out not just to children but also teachers in remote villages."
Called TechLa Bike, it entails "a teacher driving a bike carrying a briefcase-like box with a number of mini models -- be it a microscope, ray projectors to understand the functioning and responses of light, etc -- to the interiors and make children there more digitally empowered," says Thiagrajan, an engineer who joined Agastya about four years ago. Over 65,000 children across Karnataka will benefit from this programme, he says.
Digital Green's project seeks to give useful information to small and marginal farmers through short digital films. "With about 2,600 of these in 20 different languages, we've already reached out to about 1,50,000 farmers in 2,000 villages," says Rikin Gandhi. With subjects as diverse as ways to improve agricultural production, making of vermicompost to how to connect with banks, Digital Green has plans to cover over 10,000 villages in the next few years.
"We get villagers themselves to make and produce these films that help not just in spreading awareness about different farming techniques etc to women, our target audience, who watch them on small projectors, but also gives these 'filmmakers' a new vocation. Many of these youngsters feel encouraged enough to make wedding and party videos too," smiles Gandhi.
Water and sanitation as an integrated model is what Delhi-based Sanchaita Gajapati Raju's SANA has been looking at. "We are already working in several villages purifying local water sources into WHO-standard drinking water. This is being done using solar-powered water-purification stations and not the conventional sources of energy," says Raju.
Now, she has plans for setting up bio-toilets in villages of coastal Andhra Pradesh that do not have a proper sewage network. "This will change the life of the people there considerably because the bio-gas that will be produced in the process will be used to light up the area and the water will be used for agricultural purposes," she adds.

Over the three years, with 54 million litres of drinking water and bio-digesting toilets being provided to ten villages, SANA promises to offer "improved health conditions for 25,000 people annually".
While three of the winners focus on rural India, the fourth in the list, Janaaagraha, aims to work in urban areas by creating online and mobile apps to bridge the gap between citizens and government representatives. "The idea is to make people more empowered through the use of technology," says Joylita Sardanha.
Talking about the 6,000 complaints her Bangalore-based organization has received since July, she says, 4,000 -- "these could be anything from garbage issues to open potholes" -- have already been resolved.
"With a team that's constantly helping in these follow-ups", Sardanha hopes that in the next three years, Janaagraha will connect 15,00,000 citizens to governments across three metropolitan cities in India. "Though we still have to finalize which ones we'll be working in, most probably Mumbai, Jaipur and Bhubaneshwar will be the chosen ones," she adds.

Goodbye Sachin Tendulkar

    

   Without doubt the most enduring phenomenon in modern cricket and India's biggest sporting icon, Sachin Tendulkar is all set for an epic curtain call starting tomorrow when he steps on the field against the West Indies for his 200th and final Test where emotions will weigh heavy.

Also read: The Final Act of 'Cricket God'; Goodbye Sachin

    For once, an individual would be the focus even though it is a clash of two teams and why not, given that the individual in question is a man who successfully transformed from a prodigal talent to a living legend in 24 glorious years.

    Tendulkar has been synonymous with the game in India for more than two decades and held in awe and admiration all over the cricket-playing world.

    As a curly-haired teen with unbelievable talent, he walked in to the cricket field and the hearts of his fans quite effortlessly ever since his debut in 1989.

   And Such has been his domination in both the places that the vaccum he would leave seems unfillable. Having won the first Test by an innings and 51 runs, Team India and their seniormost statesman will be focussed on inflicting another humiliating defeat on a mediocre Caribbean outfit at the Wankhede Stadium.

    But the scores and statistics will certainly take backseat for the next few days as a nation gets ready to bid farewell to arguably its greatest and most revered sporting icon.

  When Sir Don Bradman retired at the Oval in 1948, there were tributes but celebrations of a fantastic career were much muted. But now as world cricket's most celebrated No 4 batsman bids adieu to the game, there is a silent prayer on everyone's mind - let it be a farewell to remember.

    While the onus will be on Mahendra Singh Dhoni to control While the onus will be on Mahendra Singh Dhoni to control on-field proceedings, it will also be difficult for the players not to feel overwhelmed by the occasion and emotions associated with the great man's farewell.

    For the legend himself, he would like to sign off on a high in front of his friends and family with a knock that will be etched in everyone's memory in the years to come.

   Having got a raw deal from umpire Nigel Llong in his penultimate Test match in Kolkata, the highest run-scorer in Test history would expect that a Shane Shillingford or Tino Best do not 'do an Eric Hollies' on him as he walks out to bat at his beloved Wankhede for the last time.

   Legend has it that Sir Don's eyes became moist and he failed to spot Hollies' googly in his last Test innings to get out for a duck. It will be interesting how the 40-year-old Tendulkar keeps his emotions under check during the last few days of his glittering career.

   Maybe he would like to finish with a flourish like Greg Chappell, who scored a century in his final knock before calling time on his career. A bowling attack which has one quality spinner and some really average medium pacers (injured Kemar Roach is already on his flight back home) is something that Tendulkar can still negotiate playing from memory. However, after nearly two and half decades of top-flight cricket, even if the mind wants, the body at times does not respond to the rigours of international cricket.

    A young Tendulkar would always play the paddle sweep to an off-break bowler in his bid to smother the spin at the earliest. He has done that successfully against Saqlain Mushtaq and Muttiah Muralitharan.

   Therefore, expect an intriguing battle between Tendulkar and Shillingford as the senior batsman would definitely have a strategy in mind to counter the Caribbean offie's doosra which posed a bit of problem in the first Test.

Squads

 India: MS Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Rahane, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma.

West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cotterell, Narsingh Deonarine, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Veersammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford, Chadwick Walton.

Umpires: Nigel Long (England) and Richard Kettleborough (England)

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)

Match starts at 9.30 AM IST

Who is Mahavatar Babaji?

Haidakhan Wale Baba lived in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Kumaon region, birth place of many of India's great saints. He was acknowledged as Shiva Mahavatar Babaji, the eternal manifestation of God in human form.

Babaji's recent physical manifestation was between 1970 to 1984, when He appeared in a holy cave at the foot of the Kumaon Mount Kailash in a remote village called Haidakhan. Many people, from all over the world, have mystically been drawn to Babaji through extraordinary events, dreams and visions and are receiving His Blessings.

Babaji urged the people to "follow the religion that is in your heart." He said "every religion leads to the same divine goal" and that he had come to revive the eternal and ageless religion, the Sanatan Dharma; the three basic principles: Truth, Simplicity, and Love. He emphasized constant repetition of the ancient Sanskrit maha mantra OM NAMAH SHIVAYA -- "Lord, Thy Will be Done" and to live in harmony along with selfless service to humanity.

Shri Babaji is acknowledged as the Shiva Mahavatar Babaji described by Paramahansa Yogananda in "Autobiography of a Yogi"': a Mahavatar being a human manifestation of the Divine who can materialize a body at will. Babaji's devotees believe that He has continually manifested since Creation to help Humanity. One manifestation of Babaji was around 1800 at which time He traveled extensively in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, gathering his devotees and disciples around Him. In 1922 He traveled to the meeting place of the Kali and Gori Rivers, seated Himself on the surface of the water and disappeared in a ball of light.

His latest manifestation was between 1970 and 1984, and was foretold by a great Saint, Mahendra Baba, who following a lifelong search for Babaji, experienced a miraculous meeting with Him at Siddhashram, near Ranikhet in Uttar Pradesh, India. Thereafter, Mahendra Baba devoted himself to traveling through India prophesying Babaji's return.

Babaji appeared in 1970, as a youth of 18 or 20 years, in a holy cave at the foot of Kumaon Mount Kailash at Haidakhan, near Haldwani in Uttar Pradesh, India. His divine power was experienced in many ways: in September of 1970 He ascended Mount Kailash and sat on the summit without food or sleep for 45 days; several people saw Him simultaneously in different places; He healed the sick; He brought transformation into many people's lives.

Babaji spent most of His 14 year incarnation at Haidakhan where he established a beautiful ashram, and near the village of Chilianaula, near Ranikhet, He built a large and breathtakingly beautiful Temple and Ashram overlooking the Himalayas.

Babaji taught that He had come to revive the Santana Dharma, the ageless Eternal Religion from which all religions have come. He stressed three basic principles: Truth, Simplicity and Love. He emphasized constant repetition of the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya","I surrender to God", and selfless service to Mankind.

Many people have been drawn to Babaji and many spiritual centers in the West have been dedicated to Babaji and His teachings. Thousands of people all over the world have received Babaji's blessings and have been called to the spiritual path through extraordinary events, dreams and visions.

Babaji left his body on 14 February 1984. He had come to give a message to the world, and having done this, He left. His last message was:

"I am always with you".

Vijay in awe of Hrithik in 'Krrish 3'

   

    Tamil actor Vijay, who managed to watch Hrithik Roshan-starrer "Krrish 3" recently at a private screening, was so impressed with the actor's work that he wanted to personally meet him and show his appreciation.

   Vijay was to meet Hrithik Roshan on Monday here but he couldn't as he was busy wrapping upcoming Tamil action-drama "Jilla".

   "Vijay sir recently watched 'Krrish 3' with his family and loved it. He was in awe of Hrithik and the amount of hard work he had put in to perform the stunts in the film. He said that he hasn't watched a better adventurous Indian film in a long time," Vijay's agent P.T Selvakumar told IANS.

   "He wanted to meet Hrithik and personally congratulate in a public gathering. Unfortunately, he was busy shooting for 'Jilla', and, therefore, couldn't make it," he added.

    Hrithik, Rakesh Roshan and cinematographer Tirru were in the Tamil Nadu capital Monday to celebrate the success of "Krrish 3", which has been received very well in the state as well.

    Rakesh Roshan-directed and produced "Krrish 3" reportedly minted over Rs.200 crore at the box-office. It also features Vivek Oberoi, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut.

Kelly Brook's style icon was Madonna

   

  Actress Kelly Brook looked up to superstar Madonna while growing up and often copied her famous hairstyles.

    The 33-year-old says Madonna was her “idol growing up” and she always wanted to “dress like her” and she even “copied her iconic 1980s hairstyles”.

    "I would buy tonnes of hairspray. I had a bad perm and would scrunch my hair. I'd go through a can of hairspray a week,” contactmusic.com quoted Brook as saying.

Brook also took beauty inspiration from her grandmother.

   "My earliest beauty memory was at my grandmother's house. She was always into beauty products and I remember her teaching me how to cleanse my face using Anne French Cleansing Milk. 

  "Nowadays, my ethos is to take good care of my skin - but I also think that if you have a clear and happy mind, that shines through and makes you beautiful,” she said.