Clean Vrindavan project to promote spiritual tourism

VRINDAVAN: Noted for its numerous temples, the holy land of Vrindavan in Mathura district, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, has seen a huge increase in pilgrims and tourists in recent years.

However, over-flowing drains, strewn garbage and crowded, littered streets is what greets the thousands of pilgrims who visit this historic place every year. Locals rue that Vrindavan's religious and historical relevance is slowly being taken over by urbanisation and congestion.

In an attempt to revive Vrindavan's lost glory, Times Foundation has joined hands with local bodies to create a system level change in this historic town. The Clean Vrindavan project has been started in association with ISKCON (Vrindavan and Mumbai) and NGO — Friends of Vrindavan — as a social intiative to promote spiritual tourism at large. Times Foundation is supporting the initative to clean the town with a long term vision of improving sanitation, hygiene and living conditions here.

The initiative was launched a year ago and has already made a huge difference in the town. Jagannath Poddar, director, Friends of Vrindavan said: "Keeping Vrindavan clean is not a one man-job. It requires the support and cooperation of all the people who live here and the numerous tourists who visit the town. Unfortunately, hygiene was never a priority with locals for a long time and with time, Vrindavan's streets began to resemble a dump yard."

The Clean Vrindavan project involves local government bodies, ashrams, temple trusts, shops and other establishments. Dustbins have been placed and handcarts and rickshaws have been deployed to clean the streets twice a day.

Sanitation services like house-to-house segregated waste collection has reduced the quantum of garbage at landfill sites. Work will be undertaken in three phases and is expected to be complete in the next one or two years. Phase-I leans more towards creating awareness, planting trees and placing dustbins all over Vrindavan while Phase-II will involve cleaning and covering drains and making satellite dumping grounds for garbage disposal. The final phase will see construction of more toilets in the town.

Head priests of the various temples in Vrindavan have also pledged their support. The town has over 50 big temples including the ISKCON temple, which is a partner in the Clean Vrindavan project. Devamitra Prabhuji, head of ISKCON temple, Vrindavan said: "One of the most important things to keep the town clean is to educate people on the need for hygiene. People come hear from far-off places to purify their soul and they need to be taught to keep their surroundings clean as well."

According to residents, the explosive population growth, increase in pilgrimage activity, congestion due to commercial activities, traffic movement, unplanned construction of hotels, ashrams and residential colonies have exerted increasing demands on the infrastructure of the town. This has lead to allied problems such as water shortage, air, water pollution and an unchecked felling of indigenous trees.

Spread over an area of 2.5 sqkm, Vrindavan had a population of 47,746 people (as per the 1991 census). The town, a short drive from Delhi, is visited by more than 500,000 thousand pilgrims both from India and abroad annually.

Srila Prabhupada Quote Of The Day: AN APPEAL TO THE VAISNAVA SECT AND SPECIALLY TO THE VALLABHA SAMPRADAYA OF BOMBAY AND GUJARAT.

1964: March, 13

Delhi

AN APPEAL TO THE VAISNAVA SECT AND SPECIALLY TO THE VALLABHA SAMPRADAYA OF BOMBAY AND GUJARAT.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM is very dear to all Vaisnavites and especially to the Vallabha and the Gaudiya Vaisnavas. The glories of Vrindaban and Mathura are magnified by these two Sampradayas and the undersigned as an humble servant of all Vaisnavas, has tried his best to render it into elaborate English version for its publicity all over the world.

The first and second volumes of the publication are already out and there are still 58 fifty eight parts to be published to finish this mighty project.

I am therefore appealing to the Vallabha Vaisnavites specifically to help me in this mighty project. I am a Sannyasi and as duty bound I have attempted this heavy task for benefit of all human beings and I am seeking your valued cooperation.

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Term of the Day - Margin Call

A call from a broker to a customer (called a maintenance margin call) or from a clearinghouse to a clearing member (called a variation margin call) demanding the depositcash or marginable securities to satisfy the Regulation T requirements and the house maintenance requirement for the purchase or short sale of securities or to cover an adverse price movement. also called federal margin call or Reg. T Call (for NASD requirements) or house call (for brokerage requirements).

Panasonic launches New 2008 VIERA range of Plasma’s and LCD’s

- Superior performance features, stunning aesthetics and eco-friendly technology straight from Japan.

New Delhi, July 13, 2008 - Panasonic, a leading Japanese manufacturer of electronic and electrical products for consumer, business and industrial use, has announced the launch and availability of its 2008 Viera range of plasma and LCD televisions in India. The 2008 Viera models are available with four major features, which include outstanding picture quality, exceptional ease of operation, enhanced sound effects and environment friendly plasma display panels with an improved panel life of up to 100,000-hours. In terms of both features and performance, this impressive new line-up reflects Panasonic’s quest to continually improve viewing quality, networking and environmentally conscious manufacturing, All the Panels are made in Japan.

Currently, Panasonic’s provides plasma screens in the Indian market ranging from 42-inch to 103-inch . For this year, Panasonic has introduced 3 new plasma variants, namely, TH-50PV80 (50 inch HD ready), TH-42PV80 (42 inch HD ready), TH-42PV8 (42 inch HD ready). In addition Panasonic will also be introducing shortly this year, 2 full high definition models, namely, TH-50PY850 (50 inches) and TH-65PY850 [65 inches]. All the 2008 models contain the TUF (Tough Under Force) glass panel that covers the front glass of the plasma TV screen providing protection against impacts (upto 4 joules). These models also feature over 900 moving line picture resolution, dynamic contrast of 1,000,000:1; and an extended panel life of up to 100,000 hours.

On the other hand, the 4 new Viera LCD variants are TX-32LX800 (800 series, 32 inch), TX-37LX80 (80 series, 37 inch), TX-32LX80 (80 series, 32 inch); and TX-32LE8 (8 series, 32 inch). The Viera LCD panel incorporate IPS Alpha technology with 178º wide viewing angle, contrast ratio of 10,000:1, energy-saving backlight, and Viera link for simple networking [Ease of Use]. In addition 2 more new models are expected to be launched shortly in the 37 inch [full HD] and the 26 inch category.

This year’s line-up of VIERA flat-panel TVs has been greatly strengthened with the addition of full HD plasma TVs with contrast ratio of 1000,000:1, a 100Hz double speed full HD LCD TV, SD card slot and Viera link options rounds out the line-up with high-quality images and extra versatility that draws on Panasonic’s own V-real 3 and V-real PRO 3 Technology.

V-real is the collective name for Panasonic’s black-box imaging technologies, which have now evolved into the V-real 3 and V-real PRO 3 of the 2008 VIERA models. In the process, Panasonic has redesigned every V-real device. The advanced V-real technologies owes its origins to the combination of fast action relay HD camcorder technology and moviemaking technologies developed in Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory [PHL]. Image quality has been scrutinized from every angle to give VIERA its deeply moving impact.

VIERA V-real 3 /V-real PRO 3 Processor is the key device that processes the video signal it receives and outputs the same as an extremely high-quality refined signal that helps create the beautiful, high-definition images that distinguish the VIERA range of Televisions. The VIERA V-real 3 /V-real PRO 3 Driver is the high-performance driver that controls the drive power to optimize panel performance in the new VIERA range. The resulting images show every motion clearly and express each step of gradation in delicate detail.

Impressive Picture Quality:

The wide-ranging colour reproduction of the new VIERA models lends rich expression to movie colours, while their high contrast ratios create deep, life-like blacks. Picture quality at this level stirs the emotions and adds to the excitement of watching sports, breathtaking landscapes, and beautiful flora and fauna. The VIERA range also features an advanced Anti-Reflection Filter provides pure,clear, colour range and crisp images while dramatically reducing reflections from external light.

A still image with 1080 lines resolution always looks brilliant when displayed on a large screen, but as soon as the picture starts to move, the picture resolution can decrease to a minimum of 300 lines. By using Intelligent Scene controller, VIERA Plasma’s accomplishes over 900 lines of moving picture resolution.

Ease of Operation:

In addition to brilliant picture quality, VIERA models offer ease of operation made possible by VIERA Link and the SD card slot. VIERA Link lets you operate other connected Panasonic AV components using only the VIERA TV’s remote control unit. The majority of the VIERA line-up is equipped with a slot for large-capacity SDHC Cards. Remove the SD Memory Card from your digital still camera, slip it in the slot, and you can view a slideshow of your photos on VIERA’s big, beautiful screen.

Environmentally Conscious Products:

Environmental consideration starts with the design stage, because Panasonic cares about the future of our earth. Lead-free plasma display panels and an improved panel life of up to 100,000-hours are examples of how VIERA production helps to conserve the earth and its resources. What’s more, functions now include a new ECO mode to help lower power consumption. The VIERA range of TVs adjusts the picture settings automatically depending on the ambient lighting conditions. The image brightness changes according to the level of room lighting to achieve an optimal energy-saving operation.

Price & availability:
Panasonic Plasma TH-42PV80 (42 inch HD ready) and TH-42PV8 (42 inch HD ready) are available at MRP Rs.74,990 & Rs.69,990 and Panasonic Viera LCD TX-32LX800 (800 series, 32 inch), TX-37LX80 (80 series, 37 inch), TX-32LX80 (80 series, 32 inch) and TX-32LE8 (8 series, 32 inch) are available at MRP Rs.54,900, Rs.59,900, Rs.46,900 and Rs.44,900 through all authorized Panasonic channel partners in India.

Photo Caption :
The man-sized plasma: Mr. Daizo Ito, Head of India Division, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd (Left) and Mr. Hidenori Aso, Chairman - Panasonic Sales & Services India Pvt. Ltd. (Right) unveiled the 103 inch man-sized plasma at a gala launch ceremony on Sunday at New Delhi.

About Panasonic:

Panasonic is a leading manufacturer of electronic and electrical products for consumer, business and industrial use. MEI is ranked 4th in Fortune 500 index for ‘Electronics and Electrical Equipments’ and ranked as a ‘World Super 50′ in Forbes. It is the world’s largest producer of consumer electronics and 34th largest company in the world with an annual spend exceeding US$5 billion on research and development. Panasonic has been delivering superior products and services in India since 1994. It has five manufacturing establishments and four sales companies in India. It currently provides consumer products, household & home Appliances, office automation products and electronic products. The focus of the Company is on making everyday office tasks simpler, convenient and more energy efficient.

Hindus, Sikhs Join Catholics to sing for peace

NEW
DELHI (ICNS): Hindus, Sikhs and Christians will sing devotional songs
together this Sunday evening in the premises of Sacred Heart Cathedral
in New Delhi in their efforts to promote inter-religious peace.










Music group of ISKCON temple in the city and that of Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara, the Sikh temple near the Cathedral, will join Catholics in
singing praises to God, said a press release from the media commission
of Delhi archdiocese. The
music program is second such event that Catholics organize. The first
of its kind was done at the Church of the Transfiguration, East of
Kailash, where the parishioners together with devotees of ISKCON temple
witnessed their Gurus singing on the same platform on June 29. These
two groups came together first time for a purpose though the ISKCON
temple and the Church of Transfiguration existed on the same road for
years. According to Shree Satnam Singh Uppal, manager of
Bangla Sahib gurudwara, “music in Sikh religion existed form the
beginning and it is the part of our worship. We would be happy to join
in this concert for bringing people together.” “Music has the
power to unite people and rise above the barriers. And what better
cause can be than transcending the boundaries of religion and singing
for humanity, for peace and harmony?” he asked. Swami Radha Das of ISKCON temple has agreed to join with his team once again gladly to sing for peace and harmony. Fr.
Norbert SVD, a trained musician will keep lead the program. Fr. Jas,
the assistant Parish Priest of Defence Colony and a Tabla player would
accompany him in this concert. “There will also be some youth
participation in the concert,” the release said.

Microsoft's Crazy Facts

MAGIC #1

Nobody can create a FOLDER anywhere on the computer which can be
named as "CON". This is something pretty cool...and unbelievable. .. At
Microsoft the whole Team, couldn't answer why this happened! TRY IT
NOW, IT WILL NOT CREATE "CON" FOLDER


MAGIC #2


This is something pretty cool and neat...and unbelievable. .. At
Microsoft the whole Team, including Bill Gates, couldn't answer why
this happened! Try it out yourself...


Open Microsoft Word and type"
=rand (200, 99)
And then press ENTER


MAGIC #3


For those of you using Windows, do the following:


1. Open an empty notepad file

2. Type "Bush hid the facts" (without the quotes)

3. Save it as whatever you want.

4. Close it, and re-open it.
Is it just a really weird bug?