Nelson Mandela: The Mahatma of our times is forever free

South Africa's first black president and the world's tallest statesman Nelson Mandela has died at his Johannesburg home. He was 95. 

Mandela, who in his lifetime became the symbol of world peace, had spent 27 of his prime years in apartheid South Africa's dingiest prisons, mostly on Robben Island, only to emerge victorious over the country's white rulers. But on Thursday, he lost his battle against a host of complicated lung diseases that saw him going in and out of ICUs for several months. 

"Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation has departed," president Jacob Zuma announced. He died at 8.50pm. "Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day was going to come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss," Zuma said. 

The first reactions were of shock as people wept on the streets. But it gave way to celebrations for a remarkable life. For many here, theAfrican National Congress leader was their only symbol of the fight against oppression. "He had done what he had to do for our country. We should not mourn his death, we should celebrate his achievements," a Mandela follower said. 

No date for the funeral was announced but Mandela would be buried in the village of Qunu, where he grew up. Virtually every world leader, including top leaders from India, are scheduled to attend the funeral. As national flags across the world slid to half-mast, India declared a 5-day state mourning for the man who was inspired by Gandhi and prevented his nation from tipping into a racial convulsion after the end of white rule. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described him as a "giant among men". 

Mandela, who walked out of prison February 11, 1990, became president four years later in an election that saw his predecessor F W de Klerk taking office as his deputy. After his prison term ended, the man, whose prolonged incarceration saw mounting sanctions on trade and sporting links with South Africa, chose a path of reconciliation and promised the white community safety under the new dispensation. 

Mandela's family had revealed a couple of days back that their beloved Madiba's health was sliding in order to prepare the country for the final moment. 

Huddled around a cell-phone tuned into a radio station on the pavement outside Mandela's house, a gathering of 100 was among those around South Africa keeping a vigil when the news broke that Mandela had breathed his last. 

The mood around the house had grown sombre on Thursday when a priest had pulled up outside his house at 10pm. There was a flurry of action as police cordoned off the pavement, following which Zuma's final announcement came. 

"I am glad he doesn't have to suffer...We will all miss him so much. Hopefully South Africa will remain the way it is, the country that he struggled for," said Nisha Chika, an elderly woman waiting outside Mandela's house.

Final GoM meet on Telangana-bill today

               GoM will hold its final meeting on Telangana draft on Wednesday, informed sources. The report is likely to be submitted to Union cabinet on Thursday. The GoM headed by Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde met on Tuesday but the meeting remained inconclusive as the members could not agree on certain subjects. Shinde said they would meet again on Wednesday. Ministers A.K. Antony, P. Chidambaram, Veerappa Moily, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jairam Ramesh and Narayanaswamy besides Shinde attended the GoM meeting. Sources said GoM has decided to recommend formation of Rayala-Telangana state by merging two of the four districts of Rayalaseema with Telangana, the region which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad. While many leaders have been demanding Union Territory status to Hyderabad, the GoM reportedly hasn't been able to reach on a consensus regarding the Tech city.

  Meanwhile, a meeting of Congress MPs from Telangana held at central minister S. Jaipal Reddy's residence in Delhi on Tuesday night decided that the Rayala-Telangana idea is not acceptable to them.  The law ministry has reportedly prepared a draft bill for Telangana. The bill is being examined by a team of legal experts to plug the loopholes. The draft bill is likely to be given final shape in the light of GoM recommendations. 

Topics: telangana, andhra pradesh, hyderabad, rayalaseema, congress

Yummy Baingan Ka Bharta Recipe

        With the onset of winter, your taste-buds start to crave for a variety of dishes because of the easy availability of the best veggies and the fact that you appetite increases during the cold season. So, how about having a small camp fire with your family and friends in your garden or terrace? Sounds like a great idea, right? For this you also need some good activities and of course a yummy menu. Let us combine the fun with food and prepare the recipe of baingan ka bharta. Baingan ka bharta is a yummy vegetarian dish which is quite famous in North India. Sitting beside the fire people love to roast up the vegetables like brinjal, tomato, potato etc. mash and then cook it up with some of the best spices. There is nothing like having a roasted brinjal curry with hot, fluffy rotis and raw onions to go with it on a winter evening.

         So, try out this yummy baingan ka bharta recipe and give it a try. Serves: 3 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Ingredients Brinjal- 1 (large, whole) Onion- 1 (finely chopped) Garlic- 8 cloves (chopped) Ginger paste- 1tsp Tomato- 1 (chopped) Green chillies- 3 (chopped) Salt- as per taste Cumin powder- 1tsp Turmeric powder- ½ tsp Red chilli powder- ½ tsp Garam masala powder- ½ tsp Coriander leaves- 2tbsp (chopped) Oil- 1tbsp Procedure Wash the brinjal with water and make small slits on it with a knife. Smear the brinjal with a little oil on all the sides. Switch on the gas and put the brinjal directly on the heat. Roast the brinjal on flame for about 4-5 minutes. Once the brinjal turns blackish from one side and gets perfectly roasted, use tongs to turn the brinjal on the other side. Roast for another 4-5 minutes. Once the brinjal gets completely roasted on all sides, switch the flame off and put the roasted brinjal in a bowl of cold water. Doing this can help to peel the skin off the brinjal easily. Let the brinjal cool down completely, then peel off the skin from the brinjal. Transfer it to a bowl and mash the brinjal with your hands. Heat oil in a pan and fry the chopped onions and garlic for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame. Add in the ginger paste, green chillies, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder and saute for 2-3 minutes. Then mix in the tomatoes, salt and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Now add the roasted and mashed brinjal to it and fry for 2-3 minutes. Once done, switch off the flame and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Delicious baingan ka bharta is ready to be served. Enjoy this special Desi delight with rotis or steamed rice.

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.