Unique Cities to Visit in Assam, India

Assam is a beautiful state in northeastern India, with a diverse mix of cultures, landscapes, and attractions. Here are some unique cities to visit in Assam: Majuli: Majuli is the world's largest river island and is situated in the Brahmaputra River. It is known for its unique culture and traditions, including the famous Majuli mask-making and the Satras (monasteries) where the Sattriya dance originated. Haflong: Haflong is a beautiful hill station in Assam, known for its stunning natural beauty, including waterfalls, lakes, and forests. It is a great place for trekking, camping, and birdwatching. Jorhat: Jorhat is a cultural hub of Assam and is famous for its tea gardens, museums, and historical landmarks. The city is also known for its traditional handloom and handicrafts. Sivasagar: Sivasagar is a historical city in Assam, known for its ancient temples, palaces, and monuments. The city was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom and is home to the famous Rang Ghar amphitheater and Talatal Ghar palace. Tezpur: Tezpur is a picturesque town situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. It is known for its scenic beauty, ancient temples, and cultural attractions, including the Bhalukpong Wildlife Sanctuary and Agnigarh Hill. Dibrugarh: Dibrugarh is a bustling city in Assam, known for its tea plantations, universities, and business centers. The city is a gateway to the eastern Himalayas and is a great place to explore the natural beauty of Assam. Guwahati: Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and is a major gateway to the region. It is known for its vibrant culture, ancient temples, and modern amenities, including shopping malls and restaurants. The city is also a great base for exploring the nearby Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park. These are just a few of the many unique cities to visit in Assam. Each city has its own distinct culture, history, and attractions, making Assam a fascinating destination for travelers.

The Na-Pukhuri is Tinsukia's main draw, which is located in Assam. On the outskirts of the town, there are nine lakes in this group. It was a historical structure constructed under King Sarbananda Singha.It was built during the reign of the last Muttock King, Sarbananda Singha, and is a magnificent old monument of the Muttock Kingdom. During his reign, numerous additional beautiful ponds and tanks were built in and around his capital city of Bengmara. The main draw of the Na-Pukhuri is the central pond, which makes up the majority of the group of ponds. Due to its size and the presence of natural water, it can very easily be referred to as a lake. It is believed that, at the very least, with a little ingenuity, it could be transformed into a beautiful lake and the surrounding area into a gathering place for people of all ages. The most favoured of all is the middle tank. It extends over 10 acres and is drenched in freshwater. It is also known as a Lake because of its location and filling process. It has been transformed into a tourist destination. Along with the installation of various play structures, a 400 m long tiled footpath and a 1200 m long pucca jogging trail have been built. In the middle of the park is a triple cascading fountain. Tinsukia, the bustling town that serves as Assam's commercial capital, while travelling across the State of Assam in discovery of the state's exotic tourist destinations and historical sites. Although at first look it could appear to be simply another typical modern metropolis, this location has played a significant role in Assam's history. The Muttack Kingdom, established by Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha, was one of the most prominent Assamese empires after the Ahoms, and Tinsukia served as its capital. Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha, who ruled at the time, gave his minister Gopinath Barbaruah the order to excavate a triangular pond that is today known as Tinikunia (meaning Triangular) Pukhuri (meaning Pond) After the "Moamaria" uprising in the year 1788 A.D., "Mezera," a strong pro-independence figure, founded the Muttack Kingdom, naming himself "Sarbananda Singha," and establishing its first capital at "Rongagara" on the banks of the River Dibru. After three years of his rule, in the year 1791 A.D., the capital was moved to "Bengmora," the current Tinsukia The State covered 1800 (Eight Thousand, One Hundred) Square Miles. The Muttack King Sarbanada Singha had 24 tanks dug out at various locations as a symbol of his generosity. The greatest of these tanks is the Na-Pukhuri (cluster of nine ponds), which was excavated in 1792 AD. The center-located pond out of these nine is the most well-liked. This tank, which has a surface area of approximately 11.75 acres and is filled with fresh water, is also known as a lake. The Tinsukia District government made the decision to turn this historic property into a tourist destination and amusement park. Along with the installation of various play structures, a 400 m long tiled footpath and a 1200 m long pucca jogging trail have been built. In the middle of the park is a triple cascading fountain. Here by the pond, you can also view the remnants of the building that the Muttack Kingdom constructed in the late 1700s. Mohanbari Airport, popularly known as the Dibrugarh Airport. Dibrugarh and Kolkata are connected by air. The distance between the airport and the spot is about 50 kilometres. The closest station is Tinsukia Railway Station. The journey from the station to the spot by bus or cab takes 10

minutes.

Tilinga Mandir, Tinsukia, Assam

The Tinsukia district of Assam's small town of Bordubi is home to the Tilinga Mandir, often known as the Bell Temple. The Lord Shiva deity is housed at the temple. The Bell Temple is more powerful than other temples spiritually and mystically. Here, you may see tens of thousands of bells of every size. The bells are attached to a massive Peepal tree and are constructed of various metals, including bronze, brass, aluminium, and copper. Tilinga Mandir is a relatively new sacred location when compared to the majority of other pilgrimage destinations around the world. Locals in the region first became aware of a Shiva Lingam emerging out of the ground in 1965 next to the banyan tree where the Tilinga Mandir temple is now located. Banyan trees are referred to in Hindu mythology as kalpavriksha, or "wish-fulfilling holy trees," and it is thought that by hanging a bell from the banyan tree at Tilinga Mandir, one can make their wish come true. All throughout the year, pilgrims pay a visit to the shrine, with Monday being an especially busy day. When your wishes come true, you can also present a pigeon, a trishul, or a bell. Tilinga Mandir structure is of four enormous bells that make up the temple roof. A metallic bell at the entrance of the temple is rung by worshippers before they enter. Even more people are present during Mahashivratri. Dibrugarh Airport, also known as Mohanbari Airport, is situated in this district. Flights connect Kolkata with Dibrugarh. About 50 kilometres distance the airport from the temple. Tinsukia Railway Station is the one that is closest. Bus or taxi travel time to the temple from the station is 30 minutes. The trip from Tinsukia or Dibrugarh area to Bordubi is enjoyable. Inhale the aroma of tea rising from the factories nearby as you stroll through lush green tea gardens and observe tea leaves being harvested. The seemingly unending gardens are beautiful to view.

Digboi, Tinsukia, Assam

The first oil well ever to be sunk in Asia was in Digboi, Tinsukia district in the northeastern region of the Indian state of Assam. Digboi, also referred to as the "Oil City of Assam," was discovered in the 19th century. The city is home to Asia's first oil well, a popular tourist destination in Assam. Digboi still has a colonial feel, hidden among blue hills and rolling plains covered in emerald green tea plantations. From the renowned Ridge Hill point, the aerial view of Digboi is just breathtaking. Additionally, Digboi is home to a breathtaking wildlife reserve and an oil museum. As they descend the hill, tourists will see various types of oil derricks and other structures that continue to proclaim the glory and wonder of the now-outdated invention of the 1940s.The oldest active oil well is in Digboi. Digboi featured a sophisticated infrastructure in addition to several distinctive homes. The Digboi Club includes a golf course with 18 holes. To encourage tourism in upper Assam, it has guest houses and tourist residential apartments built according to an Italian architectural design. History recorded another exploration of the "black liquid gold" in the largest continent just seven years after Edwin L. Drake drilled the first oil well in history in Titusville, Pennsylvania in the United States. A group of daring explorers looking for black gold made history in a remote area of Assam more than a century ago, deep within malaria-infested forests. Oil was unintentionally discovered at Digboi, about 10 miles from Margherita, in 1867 by Italian engineers hired by the Assam Railways and Trading Company to build a railway line from Dibrugarh to Margherita. The Canadian engineer Mr. W. L. Lake yelled to his troops, "Dig boy, dig," as they saw elephants with oil streaks on their feet come out of the deep jungle. This is perhaps the most condensed, if fanciful, account of the legend surrounding the discovery and naming of Digboi. Two occurrences that occurred seven years apart have combined, but even though neither is likely to be able to be proven, the evidence that does exist seems convincing enough. As a minor component of the diverse state of Assam. With Assamese, Bengali, and Nepali heritage, it has a diversified cultural population. The area has undergone adverse changes as a result of British colonisation and the advent of the industrial age. There were brought in labourers and workers. A diverse population of people that came to Digboi Township in quest of work. The suburbs, though, were still largely agricultural. Due to Assam's abundance of fertility, tea is grown all across the region, providing both the locals and the region with excellent opportunities. But the picture of the country itself is painted here by little individuals. Mohanbari Airport in Dibrugarh is the closest airport, and Tinsukia Junction is the closest railroad interchange. Daily flights are available from Delhi and Kolkata to Dibrugarh. Also Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani express runs daily from Dibrugarh via New Tinsukia Junction. Additionally, there are adequate roads that connect the Digboi Oil town to various other towns, including Duliajan, Makum, etc. There is a train station in Digboi, and it offers good connections to Guwahati. Buses and minivans used for public transportation can take you to Digboi. Several firms operate buses between Digboi and Guwahati as well as other nearby locations. The primary means of transportation in the city is the rickshaw.

Margherita, Tinsukia, Assam.

Margherita is a census-designated place in the Assam state of India's Tinsukia district. The picturesque small subdivision village is encircled by hills, tea gardens, woodlands, and the Dihing River. At the base of the hills, it features a lovely golf course with a small creek winding through it. Margherita, albeit regarded as a small town, is home to numerous hospitals and educational facilities, and because it is the final established town in Upper Assam, it is frequently visited by tourists. Margherita is actually a nickname for the Italian queen that was given to a rail section's Italian Chief Engineer, Chevalier R. Paginini, who oversaw construction, in the late 19th century. Margherita was formerly known as Ma-Kum before receiving its current name (Ahom, meaning the abode of all tribes). The Dehing River Bridge, which was constructed in the 1880s under the direction of an Italian engineer working for the Assam Railways & Trading Company Ltd., is where the name originates. In addition to those who migrated from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other South Indian states to work in the coal mines, the population also includes Assamese, Jharkhandis, Bengalis, Nepalis, and Odiya people (who moved there or were hired to work in the tea gardens). Hindus make up a sizable portion of the population, followed by Muslims and Christians. Some Buddhists are found in the interior. Bihu, which is observed in Margherita throughout the months of January (Magh Bihu), April (Bohag Bihu), and Kartik Bihu in September–October, is the principal event. The Madam-me-Fi holiday is also observed in January. Aside from that, this location has a rich diversity of cultures, therefore holidays like Durga Puja, Bhai Tika, Holi, Diwali, Chhath Puja, Buddha Purnima, Eid, Christmas, etc. are joyfully observed. All of the significant towns and areas are well connected to Margherita by both road and rail. The village is located along the NH 38, which runs through it for around 54 kilometres commencing in Ledo. There is a train station in Margherita, and Tinsukia is only 50 kilometres away. Margherita is well connected to the rest of India thanks to the Rajdhanis and other long-distance trains that depart from Tinsukia. Numerous areas of Arunachal Pradesh may be reached via Margherita, and buses frequently travel to and from Changlang, Miao, and Jairampur. The closest airport is 96 kilometres away in Dibrugarh.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India

Anyone who believes that the Indian one-horned rhinoceros only existed during the Jurassic period needs to visit Kaziranga. More than 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros, or roughly 2/3 of the species' global population, call Kaziranga National Park, a 430 square kilometre area dotted with elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and deep woods, home. The park is one of the most popular wildlife vacation spots in India. The park, which was established in 1908 on Mary Curzon's advice, is situated on the outskirts of Golaghat and Nagaon district, two of the Eastern Himalayan region's biodiversity hotspots. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The wife of the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Mary Curzon, reportedly visited the park but was unable to locate even one Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Then she convinced her husband to start making plans for their preservation in order to take immediate action to save the endangered species. The Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest was established in 1905 with a total area of 232 km2 (90 sq mi) following a number of meetings and documents. Elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer are among the other animals that breed in the park along with the famous Greater one-horned rhinoceros. Kaziranga was designated as a tiger reserve in 2006 because to the fact that the tiger population there has grown over time. In addition, BirdLife International has designated the park as an Important Bird Area for the conservation of avian species. In particular, during the winter season, birds such as the lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer's pochard duck, lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork, and Asian Openbill stork migrate from Central Asia. It's true that the park has a healthy animal population, but what makes it more well-known are the projects for wildlife conservation that are carried out there. The park has effectively increased the population of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, an endangered species, thanks to its excellent wildlife conservation efforts. The Brahmaputra River's presence gives the park an intriguing appearance in addition to its huge area of tall elephant grass, wetlands, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests. Flora & Fauna The four primary types of vegetation that may be found here are alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna woods, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests. This is because the eastern and western parts of the park are at different altitudes. Among the renowned trees that can be observed in the park are the elephant Apple, Indian Gooseberry, Cotton Tree, and Kubhi. Lakes, ponds, and the banks of rivers all have a good variety of water plants. 2006 was the year. Additionally, a considerable variety of migratory bird species from Central Asia can be found here.The greatest number of Indian rhinoceroses in the world is in Kaziranga Park's woodland area. Hoolock Gibbon, Tiger, Leopard, Indian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, and others can also be observed in Kaziranga's elephant grass, marshlands, and deep tropical moist broadleaf forests. The government officials designated Kaziranga as a Tiger Reserve in the year 2006 due to an annual growth in tiger population. Additionally, a considerable variety of migratory bird species from Central Asia can be found here. Best Time to Visit Kaziranga Park is always closed to visitors from May 1 through October 31. Therefore, the ideal season to explore Kaziranga National Park is from November to April. Summer (April to May): During this season, the weather is still dry and windy, and wildlife can be seen around bodies of water. Monsoon (June to September): From June through September, the area experiences 2,220 millimetres (87 in) of heavy rain, which keeps the environment hot and muggy. Since there have been flood warnings for the Brahmaputra river, the park is closed from May to October. Winter (November to February): Given the mild and dry weather, this may be the ideal time to explore Kaziranga National Park. The winter months offer the best chances to see rhinos.

TVS RAIDER 125 CC

The TVS Raider 125 is one of the most popular beginner-level dual-sport motorcycles on the market. It’s not just because it offers great value for money and good performance – the Raider 125 is also incredibly fun to ride, with a wide range of features and options to choose from. The 125cc engine will give you plenty of power for everyday commuting and light off-roading, while the electric starter makes starting up a breeze. There’s even a reverse gear for when you need to park in tight spaces! The TVS Raider 125 CC is the best motorcycle in its segment, a fact that is evident from the moment you lay your eyes on it. The design, which was first showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo, has been given a complete makeover. It now has a new body and a new seat. The engine too has been revamped and now produces more power than ever before. The Raider 125 CC comes with an electric starter as well as an automatic clutch and gearbox. It also comes with an LCD display with information about fuel level, speed, rpm etc., along with ABS, traction control, wheelie control and other safety features. In addition to this, it also comes with a digital instrument cluster which shows all the data related to the bike’s performance such as engine speed, fuel efficiency etc., making riding safer and easier for you as well. The price of the TVS Raider 125 CC is INR 1.1 Lakh which is quite a bit higher than its closest rival, the Honda Dominar 800. The mileage of this bike is 13 kmpl and it has a top speed of 146 kmph. The available variants are: Black, White & Red

Social Media Marketing

Introduction A lot of people are not familiar with social media marketing. It's a big question mark. They don't know what it is, they don't know if they should be doing it, and they're worried about the cost. So what is social media marketing? Social media marketing is when you use your website and other digital platforms to get people to come to your website, then you have an opportunity to sell them something or engage with them in some way. Popularity Social media networks have become so popular that everyone uses them, including your competitors. For example, if you own a restaurant, one of the best ways to attract customers is through Yelp reviews. If you're not using Yelp for business reviews and ratings, someone's going to do it for you. That's just one example of how important these networks are for businesses today. New Age Social media marketing has been around for many years now but it didn't receive its name until 2006 when Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook in his college dorm room at Harvard University. Since then, there has been an explosion of popularity with sites like Twitter and Instagram being added soon after Facebook's creation making this network bigger than ever before! Audience Reach The number of people who see your content depends on the number of people who see your content. If you want to reach more people, you have to make more content. The more content you create, the more people see it. This is where social media marketing comes in. Social media marketing can be used to help you reach a wider audience than just the people who already read your blog or website. Social media marketing allows you to expand your reach by reaching out to new audiences. Cost The cost of social media marketing depends on the type of strategy you want to implement and how much time it takes each day to implement that strategy. For example, if you are using Facebook ads as part of your social media marketing campaign then this will require a lot more time than if you were using other methods such as blogging and email marketing campaigns In conclusion, social media marketing is a great way to grow your business. It can be done for free or for a price and it is a very effective method of reaching more people with your message. Social media marketing is not something that should be taken lightly. You need to make sure that you choose the right platform and build the right strategy to achieve your goals. If you do this, you will have a lot of success in building your business through social media marketing.

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency

Background Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, which means it's digital and not backed by any real assets. The name "Bitcoin" comes from the fact that it was invented by Satoshi Nakamoto, an alias for someone who created the digital currency. There are many other cryptocurrencies in existence, including Ethereum and Litecoin—but these are only two of the most popular ones at this time. Cryptocurrencies are also used as an alternative form of payment on websites like Amazon or eBay that accept payments via credit card or PayPal (if you buy something online). Relevance Bitcoin is the most important cryptocurrency. When you're looking at cryptocurrencies and their potential, bitcoin is at the top of your list. It's not just because it's one of the biggest and most popular cryptocurrencies out there—it also has a lot of history behind it, which makes it feel more legitimate than other coins on this list. Bitcoin was created in 2008 by someone (or someones) under the name Satoshi Nakamoto as an open-source digital currency that uses peer-to-peer technology to operate with no central authority or banks involved in transactions. Since then, its popularity has grown exponentially with many people using bitcoin as an alternative method of payment online or at physical locations like stores where they can be exchanged into real money like USD or EURO through services such as Coinbase! Current User The current user of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency is you. You are the person who uses your BTC or Crypto to pay for things online. When you use your credit card at Starbucks, they don't know if they will get paid in dollars or Euros, but they know that they will get paid by the merchant (in this case, Starbucks) because it's on their bill. You can also say that we are all users of Crypto as well when we pay with our credit cards at stores like Amazon or Walmart who accept Cashback From Amazon instead of just paying with cash which defeats one purpose of using a credit card in the first place: getting discounts! Interest There are several reasons why we’re drawn to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. Some of them have to do with the technology itself, but others have more to do with our hopes for investment returns. For example: As a market participant, you may be interested in investing in the potential for disruption or regulation—or even just as an enthusiast who wants to see what all the fuss is about. You may also be curious about how new asset classes like cryptocurrencies might impact your life or that of your clients; if so, consider reading up on what makes Bitcoin special so you can get a better understanding of why this technology matters right now! Prospects Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are here to stay. They're not going anywhere, and they're growing fast. But there's still a long way to go before we reach the mainstream adoption of Bitcoin as an everyday currency.

Narendra Modi

 

Narendra Damodardas Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, Mehsana district, Gujarat. He is an Indian politician and the current Prime Minister of India. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) from Varanasi since 2004 and has been serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat since 2013.

He is also a member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been serving as its president since 2001. Modi's political career began with his election to the Rajya Sabha in 1997 where he served until 2001. He was appointed the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 and again in 2007.

In May 2014, he was re-elected as the Member of Parliament from Varanasi constituency, which he has represented since 2004. In 2014, Modi led BJP to a landslide victory in Lok Sabha Elections winning 282 out of 543 seats

Droupadi Murmu, The 15th President of India

Droupadi Murmu, an Indian politician, was born on June 20, 1958, and has been the country's 15th president since July 25, 2022. She ran against Yashwant Sinha, the candidate for the top constitutional position put up by the unified opposition. She is a Bharatiya Janata Party supporter (BJP). She is the first member of the tribal people to be chosen as India's president. Only Pratibha Patil and Droupadi Murmu have held the office of President of India. She is the youngest president in history, the first person from Odisha to hold the position, and the first person born after India's independence.She held a number of positions in the cabinet of the Government of Odisha between 2000 and 2004 before being elected president. She was the ninth Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021.The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) chose Murmu as its presidential candidate for the 2022 election in June 2022.She worked as a junior assistant in the State Irrigation and Power Department from 1979 to 1983 before moving on to become a teacher at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Center in Rairangpur where she remained until 1997 before entering politics. On June 20, 1958, Droupadi Murmu was born to a Santali family in Rairangpur, Odisha's Baidaposi neighbourhood. Her father and grandfather served as the town council's established leaders. Murmu is a Rama Devi Women's College arts graduate.She had two sons and a daughter with the banker she married. Between 2009 and 2015, she lost her husband, two sons, mother, and one brother.She is a follower of the Brahma Kumaris spiritual movement.When Droupadi Murmu joined the BJP in Rairangpur, her political career officially began. She was chosen to serve as a Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat councillor in 1997. Between 2000 and 2009, she served two terms in the Odisha Legislative Assembly after winning the Rairangpur Assembly constituency election in 2000. She served as the Minister of State with Independent Charge for Commerce and Transportation during the BJP and BJD coalition administration in Odisha from March 6, 2000, to August 6, 2002, and for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development from August 6, 2002, to May 16, 2004. As the alliance between the BJD and BJP had broken down, she lost the 2009 Lok Sabha election in the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha constituency.

Tea Taster Cum Blender - Assam

Peace of Mind Tips and Advice

Most people would be glad to have some peace of mind in their life. They would be happy to forget their troubles, problems and worries, and enjoy a few moments of inner calmness and freedom from obsessing thoughts.
Here are a few simple things that can help you:
• Stay away from negative conversations and from negative people.
• Don't hold grudges. Learn to forget and forgive. Nurturing ill feelings and grievances hurts you and causes lack of sleep.
• Don't be jealous of others. Being jealous means that you have low self-esteem and consider yourself inferior to others. This again, causes lack of inner peace.
• Accept what cannot be changed. This saves a lot of time, energy and worries.
• Every day we face numerous inconveniences, irritations and situations that are beyond our control. If we can change them, that's fine, but this is not always possible. We must learn to put up with such things and accept them cheerfully.
• Learn to be more patient and tolerant with people and events.
• Don't take everything too personally. Some emotional and mental detachment is desirable. Try to view your life and other people with a little detachment and less involvement. Detachment is not indifference, lack of interest or coldness. It is the ability to think and judge impartially and logically. Don't worry if again and again you fail to manifest detachment. Just keep trying.
• Let bygones be gone. Forget the past and concentrate on the present moment. There is no need to evoke unpleasant memories and immerse yourself in them.
• Practice some concentration exercises. This will help you to reject unpleasant thoughts and worries that steal away your peace of mind.
• Learn to practice meditation. Even a few minutes a day will make a change in your life.
• Inner peace ultimately leads to external peace. By creating peace in our inner world, we bring it into the external world, affecting other people too.

The INDIA you may not know

1. 71% or 770 million people are below 35 years of age. Indians are young.
2. 29 million people are born every year, 10 million die per year, population increase 1.8% per year.
3. India has 970,000 schools, China has 1,800,000.
4. 6% are the ones that cross the 10+2 stage, (Educational ‘Line of Control’) which is our so called educated youth, go in for a regular college degree which may not be very relevant in today’s context for the sake of employment generation and National GDP enhancement.
6. 72% of all graduates from the 15,600 colleges are
Arts graduates. Balance 28% in Science, Commerce,
Engineering, I.T., Medical, Law, Management and special
subjects.
7. India has 372 universities, China has 900 & Japan has 4000.
8. While 95% of the world youth between 15 to 35 years of age learn a vocation, a skill or a trade, with a choice of 2,500 vocational education and training (VET) programs, we in India have only identified about 71 trades, after 58 years of Independence and hardly 2% of the population goes for formal VET training!
9. India has 11,000 ITI’s and VET schools; China has 500,000 senior secondary vocational education and training schools.
10. We can get engineers and MBA’s in India but no carpenters, plumbers, drivers, repairmen and other skilled personnel as per international standards!
11. We can get engineers and MBA’s in India but no carpenters, plumbers, drivers, repairmen and other skilled personnel as per international standards!
12. I.T. & Software is only 1.5% of the world’s GDP. India’s present share is about 5%. For rapid economic growth and employment generation we need to concentrate on the balance 95% of the Economy & Enterprise and make it world class.
13.
13. 300* million unemployed / employable age* and only 45 million have actually registered with employment offices with little or no hope of getting employment (our estimates)*.
14. Of all new employment generated, 1% are Government jobs, 2% are in the ‘organized sector’ and the balance 97% in the ‘unorganized sector‘
15. Out of our 430 million workforce, 94% work in the ‘unorganized sector’ and about 6% in the ‘organized sector‘.
16. 1.7% of the entire population, viz. 18 million people work for the Central & State Government; another 9 million work in the ‘private organized sector‘, a total of 2.6% of the population.
17. All the Labour Laws are made to protect, at any cost, the above 2.6% of the Indian population. Article 311 of the Indian constitution needs revision since it over-protects employees of the Government even at a cost to the Nation.
18. While MP’s, MLA’s and Municipal Councilors and the village Panchayats, can only be elected for a maximum of 5 years, the officials, babus, and government employees enjoy life long benefits of employment, in spite of their performance.
19. 600 million illiterate people, based on the international definition of the 3R’s (reading, writing and arithmetic, education up to primary level or Class 5th). (our esitimates) as per Goverment of India is 63% literate. China is 93% literate.
20. The Indian definition of literacy is based on survey of people

“If you can write your name, you are literate”; nobody has seriously ever challenged this definition! “
21. 260 million live below the Government of India’s definition of the Poverty Line of Rs.11(Rural) to Rs 14(Urban) per day! (based on being able to buy enough rice and wheat from the Public Distribution System / Ration Shops, which has food value of 2,200 K calories per day).
22. Nobody has ever challenged this definition of ‘Poverty Line’. How can one expect people to live with a few kilos of raw uncooked wheat or rice? As human beings don’t we need more? How about one set of clothes to cover our bodies, a set of chappals for our feet, some vegetables, milk and fruit, in our diet? How will we cook without any energy and fuel?
23. 450 million* live below the poverty line definition of the World Bank’s old definition of @ US$ 1 per day per person, or US$ 365 per year. 700 million* people below the poverty line definition of the World Bank’s new definition of @ US$ 2 per day per person, or US$ 730 per year. (Our estimates)*
24. Only 5% of Indians can speak fluent English.
As per the article published in The Washington Post.
“India has a reputation as a nation of fluent English speakers, but by many estimates, only 5 percent of the population merits that description.”
25. While English is a language used in countries which account for about 40% of the world GDP, viz., USA + UK + old British Colonies, yet in India while we talk of Globalization, we are not serious to learn the other languages of the world, eg., Japanese, German etc, unlike the Chinese youth who are doing otherwise.
28. India is probably at the bottom of the heap, as far as the human development index is concerned such as infant mortality, child care, malnutrition, women’s health, disease, health, clean water, etc.
29.. Unlike other countries, we have 18 official languages, 4,000 dialects, all the religions of the world, and because of low human and economic development, emphasis on SC, ST, Dalits, caste, religion, sect, minorities, region, ethnic groups, etc.
30. Employment generation is restricted due to existing Policies which do not encourage ‘Labour Intensive‘ enterprises. Relevant Labour Reforms in line with prevailing practices in other countries of Asia are required for a level playing field for Indian organizations.
31. As per www.Loksatta.org, about Rs. 2200 crores are spent every day, at the Centre and State level, both on revenue as well as capital account in order to Govern INDIA. To improve Governance we need to insure +95% of Literacy, a large number of active Citizen Groups and maximum use of The Right to Information Act!
32. More than a million Indians are millionaires, yet most Indians live on less than two dollars a day. An estimated 35% of India’s population lives below the poverty line.
33. India has one of the world’s highest rates of abortion.

Assam - the meeting ground of diverse culture

Assam Culture

Assam - the meeting ground of diverse culture
Nestled beneath the Sub-Himalayan range of hills in the North and North East is the state of Assam in India. Assam is encircled by the Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal. Assam - the enchanting sangrila in the North East of India, is a mixing pot where culture, heritage, tradition, lifestyle, faith and belief of her Aryan & Non-Aryan, numerous tribes & sub-tribes, Mongoloids & Australoids, drawn from various hives at different points of time have gone into form the Assamese culture - a fascinating and exotic recipe of delightful flavour. The culture of Assam is a rich tapestry infused with multicoloured yarns of distinguished heritage of all the races that populate her.

The People of Assam
The people of Assam are in fact the result of fusion of people from different racial stocks who migrated to Assam down the ages. The Assamese population can be divided into two broad groups : the non-tribal people who constitute the majority and the tribals.

The Australoids were the first to come to the land; the Mongoloids, came here in a series of migrations from the north, north-east and south-east; and the Caucasoids who came from the west by the valley formed by the Ganges and the Brahmaputra.
Today, the people of the State can be broadly identified and classified as the Non-Tribals or Plains People. The people of the plains generally live in the plains and the Tribals mainly live in the hills. Though, Assam has a valuable tribal population in the plains too.

The state is peopled by a large number of tribal groups; major among them being the Boro-Kacharis, the Deori, the Misings, the Dimassas, the Karbis, the Lalungs, the Rabhas etc. Ahkhomiya or Assamese is the language of Assam. Assam has a reputation for warm hospitality. People of Assam are homely, charming and openhearted.

Fairs & Festivals of Assam
The superb blend of heritage extracted from numerous races have made Assam the home to the most colourful festivals at once blazing, compelling and mesmerizing. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam have their root in the varied faith and belief of its people. Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Swaraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kalipuja, Shivaratri are some of the major festivals celebrated by the Hindus of Assam. Those of Islamic faith celebrate Idd and Muharram. Similarly, Christians celebrate Christmas.

Besides the religious and national festivals observed throughout the Country, Assam has a large number of colourful festivals of its own replete with fun, music and dances. Assam’s fairs and festivals are as varied as its population which comes from different racial origins, both tribal and non-tribal.

Bihu, the agricultural festival of Assam is celebrated by all Assamese, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Bihu, Assam's very own festival come off at various stages of cultivation of paddy, the principal crop of Assam. There are three Bihus that come off at various stages of cultivation of paddy, the principal crop of Assam. They are Bahag (Baisakh) Bihu, Kati (Kartika) Bihu and Magh (Magha) Bihu.
In addition to all this, the tribals of Assam have their own colourful festivals like :
- The Kherai Puja of the Bodos
- The Baikhu and Pharkantis of the Rabhas
- Ali-ai-ligang and Prag by the Missing tribe
- The Sagra-misawa wansawa and laghun by the Tiwas.
- The Ahomes of Tai origin celebrate Me-Dem-Mehfi.
- The Ojapali dances of Non-Vaishnavite origin are usually associated with Manasa - the Serpent Goddess.
- Bathow festival is celebrated by the kacharis through sacrifice of goates and chickens.
- The Boros of the plains in general have an intricate pattern of indigenous dances associated with the primitive rituals like the Kherai Puja.
- The Dimasas celebrate Rangi Gobr and Harni gobra at the start of the cropping cycle.
- The Deoris observe Bohagiya visu- the Spring time festival.
- Ambubasi Mela is held during monsoon at the famous Kamakhya Temple.
- Jonbeel Mela is held every year during winter at Jonbeel. The festival is celebrated by the tribes like Tiwa, Karbi, Khasi, Jaintia etc.

Art & Craft of Assam
From time immemorial, the people of Assam have traditionally been craftsmen. The magic of art of Assamese craftsmen is a common passion inspiring the deep senses with its’ age old simplicity and sophistication. Though, Assam is renown for its exquisite silks, bamboo and cane products, several other crafts are also made here. The colourful Assamese Japi (headgear), terracotta of Gauripur and various decorative items bear witness to the craftsmanship of this land. Assam Handloom is indeed noteworthy offering a mosaic of colours and contours with pleasing motifs and designs. The Eri, Muga (Assamese silk dresses) and typical tribal attires are a treat to the eyes of the beholder.

Dance, music, woodwork, pottery, sitalpati or the art of mat making have survived through centuries with fewer changes since it remained an integral part of the locals. The advent of modernity, indeed, has brought a change in the everyday lifestyle of the tribals, yet the basic arts and crafts, and their technique of production has not changed much.

The land of Ahoms, Assam has a rich cultural tradition, which finds detail in several arts and crafts form of Assam. The natural beauty of Assam, is said to be reflected, in them.

Bhagavad-Gita and Its Three Secrets

Bhagavad-Gita and Its Three Secrets

The Gita is not meant for any one person or creed or nation; it is meant for humanity. It speaks to a mind that has fought in life, a mind that is dissatisfied with constant want, a mind that is alert and thinking and that has many conflicts
The Bhagavad-Gita is one of the most ancient religious scriptures of the world. It contains the direct message of God. It is a dialogue between God and his closest devotee. The discourse was delivered originally in Sanskrit, but today its translations are available almost in every language. The antiquity of the Bhagavad-Gita is hidden in tradition, ancient scriptures, myths and legends. Its history, content and personality are intimately connected to the life of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the Yadava hero, who played a crucial role in the war of the epic Mahabharata.
Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of Lord Krishna to root out evil and establish dharma or righteous living upon earth. He participated in the drama of human life and left behind his discourse in the form of the Bhagavad-Gita for the benefit of future generations. The scripture is truly an icon of the Sanatana-dharama, an ageless and valuable ancient discourse that has the potential to play a significant role in the alleviation of suffering in all branches of human life, in a world that has been increasingly becoming more complex and unstable.
The central philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita characterizes in many ways the central theme of Hinduism even in today's context. It contains the message of divine centered living based upon right knowledge, faith, devotion, self-surrender, detachment and dispassionate performance of tasks as opposed to the ego centered living that is characterized by incessant striving, self-centered thinking, egoism, and suffering arising out of non-attainment of desires, or union with the undesired objects or separation from the desired objects. The book is a discourse of immense spiritual value, for people engaged in daily battles of life, symbolically or even truly reflected by the episode of Arjuna, who was stricken with sorrow and confusion, being taught and assisted by God himself, in the middle of the battle field of Kurukshetra where good and evil forces stood in confrontation with each other.
The Bhagavad-Gita reveals how any one can perform ordinary duties in the world and yet remain free from the consequences of ones actions. It is not by inaction, not even by doing only the so called good deeds, but by doing deeds without the sense of doer-ship, as a sacrificial offering to God, in the true spirit of renunciation, but without shunning the responsibility that comes with the birth.
The scripture deals with such basic concepts as the nature of our existence, the nature of the true self, our true relationship with God, the truth about action and inaction, the correct meaning of knowledge and ignorance, the inborn qualities of man and how the actions bind him to the mortal world, the meaning of true devotion, the right attitude towards the external world, the meaning and purpose of maya and so on.
The Bhagavad-Gita is a book of self-discovery and inward journey into the Abode of God. It helps one move from sorrow driven mortal existence to eternal and blissful life. Desire is central to all human activity. By eliminating the desires, but by not abandoning the actions, one can free oneself from the bondage caused by the desire driven actions. Such an approach not only liberates us from the struggling and striving that characterizes our egoistic actions, but also reduces greatly our inner anxieties and frustrations, creating in us in the process a permanent basis for a stable, peaceful and contended life.
According to the Bhagavad-Gita the external world is unreal not because it does not exist, but because it is unstable and ever changing. Since it is based upon impermanence, it cannot be relied upon as the vehicle of truth and it should not become the purpose of ones existence. He who clings to such an unstable phenomenon is bound to suffer as he is bound to engage himself in desperate actions to retain his unstable possessions and experience constant anxiety, anger, fear and envy.
Therefore the Bhagavad-Gita searches for a permanent reality that makes life more meaningful, stable, peaceful and purposeful. It discards layer after layer of untruth that surrounds us and reveals the shining self that exists in all of us as the center of truth and permanence that we should all ultimately discover. It is by understanding the hidden Self in us we will ultimately discover the Supreme Self, That exists in all of us and in Whom we all exist.
Great scholars of the Bhagavad-Gita say that the scripture fundamentally deals with three primary teachings, which are called the three secrets. The first secret is about duty. One must do ones duty in accordance with ones nature (swadharmacharana). The second is about the hidden self. In every one there is a real and hidden self which is different from the external false self. Every one must realize this difference between the outer self and the inner self. The third secret is about the omnipresence of God. One must live in this world with the awareness that all that exists in this world is but Vasudeva.
These three secrets are known as guhya (secret), guhyatara (more secret) and guhyatma (most secret). The second, third, fourth, fifth and eighteenth chapters deal with the first secret. The second, sixth, thirteenth to eighteenth chapters deal with the second secret. The third, seventh, eight, ninth, tenth to eighteenth chapters deal with the third secret.
The Bhagavad-Gita has profoundly effected the Indian way of life for millenniums. Its teachings have been at the core of the Hindu fundamental beliefs for time immemorial. They are ageless and relevant even today.
Originally written in Sanskrit, the scripture has been translated into many languages all over the world and is now easily available to interested readers in most parts of the world. It attracted the attention of many scholars for centuries.
Each verse and every chapter in it is loaded with multiple meanings, enabling each to understand it and interpret it in his own way. The more we read the Bhagavad-Gita, the greater is our insight into its deepest secrets. The more we read it, the stronger our feeling that we know but little about it.
When we feel that we have understood it all and can safely go elsewhere for inspiration, a particular verse or a chapter again starts bothering us with its new wisdom or a perplexing insight. That is why today we have so many interpretations of the Bhagavad-Gita from various scholars.
The Bhagavad-Gita contains 18 chapters and 700 verses, which are attributed to the four principle participants of the narration in the following manner:
1. Dhritarashtra 1
2. Sanjaya 41
3. Arjuna 84
4. Lord Krishna 574
Each verse is considered to be a very sacred mantra. The seed mantra of this scripture is said to be the 11th verse in Chapter II. The shakti mantra of this scripture, because of which it is endowed with the divine blessings and able to exert influence on the mankind for centuries, is said to be the 66th verse in Chapter 18.
In all in the entire Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna has been addressed with 27 different names and titles. These are : Anantarupa, Achyuta, Arisudhana, Krishna, Kesava, Kesanishudana, Kamalapatraksha, Govinda, Jagadpatih, Jagannivasa, Janardhana, Devedeva, Devavarah, Purushottama, Bhagawan, Bhutabhavana, Bhutesah, Madhusudhana, Mahabahu, Madhavah, Yadava, Yogaviththama, Vasudeva, Varsheya, Vishnuh, Hrisikesa and Harih.
Whether the Bhagavad-Gita is a revelation or an actual event is a matter of great controversy. Looking to the depth of symbolism involved and the basic purpose of the whole scripture, the former possibility seems to be more acceptable than the latter. Veda Vyasa is regarded as the author of the book. It is not clear from where Veda Vyasa got the whole information since it was Sanjaya, not Veda Vyasa who was the direct witness to the whole discourse between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Either Vedavyasa might have heard it from one of the participants or he got it through his inner experience, which is generally the case with all the shruti literature.
It is possible that the scripture might have entered the human consciousness as a revelation. It is even possible that the entire episode of the Mahabharata might have happened on a different plane and become a part of the human collective consciousness through the inner eye.
Whether revelation came to Veda Vyasa or to some other sage, we would rather leave the matter to historians and scholars to debate. What is more important is that the Bhagavad-Gita is a divine message for the troubled humanity and it provides many solutions to our day to day problems and helps us to balance our temporal lives with our spiritual needs.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Forgotten Hero

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Forgotten Hero
Subhas Chandra Bose (Bengali: সুভাষচন্দ্র বসু) Shubashchôndro Boshu; born January 23, 1897; presumed to have died August 18, 1945, although this is disputed), popularly known as Netaji (literally "Respected Leader"), was a leader in the Indian independence movement.
Bose advocated complete freedom for India at the earliest, whereas the Congress Committee wanted it in phases, through a Dominion status. Other younger leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru supported Bose and finally at the historic Lahore Congress convention, the Congress had to adopt Purna Swaraj (complete freedom) as its motto. Bhagat Singh's martyrdom and the inability of the Congress leaders to save his life infuriated Bose and he started a movement opposing the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. He was imprisoned and expelled from India. But defying the ban, he came back to India and was imprisoned again.
Bose was elected president of the Indian National Congress for two consecutive terms, but had to resign from the post following ideological conflicts with Mahatma Gandhi and after openly attacking the Congress' foreign and internal policies. Bose believed that Mahatma Gandhi's tactics of non-violence would never be sufficient to secure India's independence, and advocated violent resistance. He established a separate political party, the All India Forward Bloc and continued to call for the full and immediate independence of India from British rule. He was imprisoned by the British authorities eleven times. His famous motto was "Give me blood and I will give you freedom".
His stance did not change with the outbreak of the Second World War, which he saw as an opportunity to take advantage of British weakness. At the outset of the war, he left India, travelling to the Soviet Union, Germany and Japan, seeking an alliance with the aim of attacking the British in India. With Japanese assistance, he re-organised and later led the Indian National Army, formed from Indian prisoners-of-war and plantation workers from British Malaya, Singapore, and other parts of Southeast Asia, against British forces. With Japanese monetary, political, diplomatic and military assistance, he formed the Azad Hind Government in exile, regrouped and led the Indian National Army in battle against the allies at Imphal and in Burma.
His political views and the alliances he made with Nazi and other militarist regimes at war with Britain have been the cause of arguments among historians and politicians, with some accusing him of fascist sympathies, while others in India have been more sympathetic towards the inculcation of realpolitik as a manifesto that guided his social and political choices.
He is presumed to have died on 18 August 1945 in a plane crash over Taiwan. However, contradictory evidence exists regarding his death in the accident.

National politics
Gandhi at the Indian National Congress annual meeting in 1938 when Subhas Chandra Bose was President of Congress party.
Released from prison two years later, Bose became general secretary of the Congress party and worked with Jawaharlal Nehru for independence. Again Bose was arrested and jailed for civil disobedience; this time he emerged Mayor of Calcutta. During the mid-1930s Bose traveled in Europe, visiting Indian students and European politicians, as well as Hitler in 1936. He observed party organization and saw communism and fascism in action. By 1938 Bose had become a leader of national stature and agreed to accept nomination as Congress president. He stood for unqualified Swaraj (independence), including the use of force against the British. This meant a confrontation with Mohandas Gandhi, who in fact opposed Bose's presidency, splitting the Congress party. Bose attempted to maintain unity, but Gandhi advised Bose to form his own cabinet. The rift also divided Bose and Nehru. Bose appeared at the 1939 Congress meeting on a stretcher. Though he was elected president again, over Gandhi's preferred candidate Pattabhi Sitaramayya, this time differences with Gandhi led to Bose's resignation. "I am an extremist, " Bose once said, and his uncompromising stand finally cut him off from the mainstream of Indian nationalism.Bose then organized the Forward Bloc aimed at consolidating the political left, but its main strength was in his home state, Bengal.
Indian National Army and Provisional Government
When world war II erupted in Europe, Bose was again imprisoned for civil disobedience and put under house arrest to await trial. He escaped and made his way to Berlin by way of Peshawar and Afghanistan. In Europe, Bose sought help from Germany for the liberation of India. He got Nazi permission to organize the Indian Legion of prisoners of war from Africa, but the legion remained basically German in training. Bose felt the need for stronger steps, and he turned to the Japanese embassy in Berlin, which finally made arrangements for Bose to go to Asia. In an unusual joint operation, he was transferred from a German to a Japanese submarine off the coast of Madagascar.
Bose was flown to Singapore and became commander of the INA and head of the Free India provisional government (Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind).
Subhas Chandra Bose with the Greater East Asia Conference in 1943
The INA included both Indian prisoners of war from Singapore and Indian civilians in Southeast Asia. The strength of the INA grew to 43,000. The INA fought Allied forces in 1944 inside the borders of India at Imphal and in Burma, and even succeeding in liberating parts of North-East India from the Allies. Unfortunately, with Japan losing its way in the World War, aid to the INA was also reduced, and the army could not keep up its momentum.
By the end of World War II none of Bose's Axis allies had helped, and Bose then turned to the Soviet Union. Three officers of the INA were tried at the Red Fort after the war; the trial attracted much popular sympathy, including statements by Nehru and Gandhi that the men were great patriots.
Disappearance and alleged death
Bose's last undisputed picture that was taken on the morning of 17 August 1945 in Saigon
Bose is alleged to have died in a plane crash over Taiwan, while flying to Tokyo on 18 August 1945. It is believed that he was on route to the Soviet Union in a Japanese plane when it crashed in Taiwan, burning him fatally. However, his body was never recovered, and many theories have been put forward concerning his possible survival. One such claim is that Bose actually died in Siberia, while in Soviet captivity. Several committees have been set up by the Government of India to probe into this matter. In May 1956, a four-man Indian team (known as the Shah Nawaz Committee) visited Japan to probe the circumstances of Bose's alleged death. The Indian government did not then request assistance from the government of Taiwan in the matter, citing their lack of diplomatic relations with Taiwan However, the Inquiry Commission under Justice Mukherjee, which investigated the Bose disappearance mystery in the period 1999-2005, did approach the Taiwanese government, and obtained information from the Taiwan Government that no plane carrying Bose had ever crashed in Taipei.The Mukherjee Commission also received a report originating from the U.S. Department of State supporting the claim of the Taiwan Government that no such air crash took place during that time frame..
The Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry submitted its report to the Indian Government on November 8, 2005. The report was tabled in Parliament on May 17, 2006. The probe said in its report that as Bose did not die in the plane crash, and that the ashes at the Renkoji Temple (said to be of Bose's) are not his. However, the Indian Government rejected the findings of the Commission, though no reasons were cited.
Bose was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award in 1992, but it was later withdrawn in response to a Supreme Court directive following a Public Interest Litigation filed in the Court against the "posthumous" nature of the award. The Award Committee could not give conclusive evidence on Bose's death and thus the "posthumous" award was invalidated. No headway was made on this issue however.
Bose's portrait hangs in the Indian Parliament, and a statue of him has been erected in front of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Mysterious monk
Several people believed that the Hindu sanyasi named Bhagwanji or 'Gumnami Baba', who lived in the house Ram Bhawan in Faizabad, UP at least until 1985, was Subhas Chandra Bose in exile. There had been at least four known occasions when Gumnami Baba reportedly claimed he was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The belongings of the sanyasi were taken into custody after his death, following a court order. These were later subjected to inspection by the Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry. The commission refuted this belief, in the absence of any "clinching evidence". The independent probe done by the Hindustan Times into the case provided hints that the monk was Bose himself.Some people belive that Gumnami Baba died on 16 September 1985, while some dispute this. The story of Gumnami Baba came to light on his death. It is alleged that he was cremated in the dead of night, just under the light of a motorcycle's headlamp, at Faizabad's popular picnic spot, on the bank of River Saryu. his face distorted by acid to protect his identity. Faizabad's Bengali community still pays homage at the memorial built at his cremation site on the anniversary of his birth. However, the life and activities of Bhagwanji remain a mystery even today and was never investigated by any government agency.

STORAGE AREA NETWORK

STORAGE AREA NETWORK (SAN):

SAN is an architecture to attach remote computer storage devices (such as disk arrays, tape libraries, and optical jukeboxes) to servers in such a way that the devices appear as locally attached to the operating system. Its a network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data between computer systems and storage elements. A san consists of a communication structure , which provides physical connections; and a manager layer, which organises the connections, storage elements , and computer systems so that the data transfer is secure.
A storage area network (SAN) is a high-speed special-purpose network (or subnetwork) that interconnects different kinds of data storage devices with associated data server on behalf of a larger network of users. Typically, a storage area network is part of the overall network of computing resources for an enterprise. A storage area network is usually clustered in close proximity to other computing resources such as IBM z990 mainframe but may also extend to remote locations for backup and archival storage, using wide area network carrier technologies such as ATM or SONET.

A san can also be a storage system consists of storage elements, storage devices, computer systems, or appliances, plus all controll softwares, communicating over a network.
A san is a high speed network attaching high speed servers and storage devices. A san always any-to-any connections across the network, using interconnected elements such as routers, gateways, hubs, switches, and directors. a san can be shared between servers or dedicated to one server. It can be local or can be extended over a geographical distances.
San create new methods of data storage to the servers(both in availability and performance).
San facillitates direct, high –speed data transfers between servers and storsge devices in three ways-

1.Server to storage – this is the model of interaction with the storage devices.
2.server to server- used for high volume communication between seervers.
3.storage to storage-this movement capability enables data to be moved without server intervention.



Historically, data centers first created "islands" of SCSI DISK ARRAYS as Direct Attached Servers (DAS), each dedicated to an application, and visible as a number of "virtual hard drives" (i.e. LUNs). Essentially, a SAN consolidates such storage islands together using a high-speed network.
Operating systems maintain their own file systems on them on dedicated, non-shared LUNS, as though they were local to themselves. If multiple systems were simply to attempt to share a LUN, these would interfere with each other and quickly corrupt the data. Any planned sharing of data on between computers within a LUN requires advanced solutions.
Despite such issues, SANs help to increase storage capacity utilization, since multiple servers consolidate their private storage space onto the disk arrays



Sharing storage usually simplifies storage administration and adds flexibility since cables and storage devices do not have to be physically moved to shift storage from one server to another.
Other benefits include the ability to allow servers to boot from the SAN itself. This allows for a quick and easy replacement of faulty servers since the SAN can be reconfigured so that a replacement server can use the lun of the faulty server. This process can take as little as half an hour and is a relatively new idea being pioneered in newer data centres.


SAN infrastructure



SAN-switch with optical fibre channel connectors installed.


SANs often utilize a Fibre Channel fabric topology - an infrastructure specially designed to handle storage communications. It provides faster and more reliable access. A fabric is similar in concept to a network segment in a local area network. A typical Fibre Channel SAN fabric is made up of a number of Fibre Channel switches.
Today, all major SAN equipment vendors also offer some form of Fibre routing solution, and these bring substantial scalability benefits to the SAN architecture by allowing data to cross between different fabrics without merging the data.


Compatibility

One of the early problems with Fibre Channel SANs was that the switches and other hardware from different manufacturers were not entirely compatible. Although the basic storage protocols FCP were always quite standard, some of the higher-level functions did not interoperate well. Similarly, many host operating systems would react badly to other operating systems sharing the same fabric. Many solutions were pushed to the market before standards were finalized and vendors have since innovated around the standard.


SANs at home

A SAN, being a network of large disk arrays, is primarily used in large scale, high performance enterprise storage operations. SAN equipment is relatively expensive and so fibre channel host bus adapters are rare in desktop computers. The iSCSI SAN technology is expected to eventually produce cheap SANs, but it is unlikely that this technology will be used outside the enterprise data center environment.

SANs in media and entertainment

Video editing workgroups require very high data transfer rates. Outside of the enterprise market, this is one area that greatly benefits from SANs.
Per-node bandwidth usage control, sometimes referred to as Quality of Service (QoS), is especially important in video workgroups as it ensures fair and prioritized bandwidth usage across the network if there is insufficient open bandwidth available. Avid Unity, Apple's Xsan and Tiger Technology MetaSAN are specifically designed for video networks and offer this functionality.








References
"TechEncyclopedia:IPStorage". http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=IPstorage.

Retrieved 2007-12-09.
"TechEncyclopedia:SANoIP". http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=SANoIP. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
Wikepedia.
IBM storage area network article.

Podcasting

Podcasting:
A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication. The mode of delivery is what differentiates podcasts from other ways of accessing media files over the Internet, such as simple download or streamed webcasts: special client software applications known as podcatchers (like iTunes, Zune, Juice, and Winamp) are used to automatically identify and download new files in the series when they are released by accessing a centrally-maintained web feed that lists all files associated with the series. New files can thus be downloaded automatically by the podcatcher and stored locally on the user's computer or other device for offline use, giving simpler access to episodic content.
Most dictionary definitions of a podcast fall into one of two camps as of September 2009. One set focuses on the "on-demand" nature of podcasts. Another set requires the automatic or syndication posting. There are problems with both definitions. The first is too open. Under such a definition, a paid music download could technically be a podcast. Most audiences would disagree. The second is too limiting. It does not allow for manual downloads. Researchers at the Center for Journalism and Mass Communication Research at the University of Texas at Austin are proposing a three-part definition of a podcast: first, that it is episodic; second, that it is downloadable; and third, that it is program-driven, mainly with a host and/or theme.
Like the term broadcast, podcast can refer either to an ongoing series or episodes of a particular program.A podcaster is the person who creates the content.

Podcasting:
What It Means
 2005 word of the year – New Oxford American Dictionary
 A podcast is a media file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers.
 Podcasting may auto-update an iPod
 Podcasting does NOT require an iPod!
 Podcasts were first called
Define podcasting:
media file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers.
Name:
The term was mentioned by Ben Hammersley in The Guardian newspaper in a February 2004 article, along with other proposed names for the new medium. It is a portmanteau of the words "iPod" and "broadcast", the Apple iPod being the brand of portable media player for which early podcasting scripts were developed (see history of podcasting), allowing podcasts to be automatically transferred from a personal computer to a mobile device after download.
It has never been necessary, despite the source of the name, to use an iPod or any other form of portable media player to use podcasts; the content can be accessed using any computer capable of playing media files. A backronym has been posited where podcast stands for "Personal On Demand broadCAST".
History:
Podcasting began to catch hold with the public in late 2004, though during the 1998–2001 dot-com era there were multiple "podcasts" done by major companies, such as Real Networks and ESPN.com. Many individuals and groups contributed to the emergence and popularity of podcasts.
The most common audio file format used is MP3.
“Audio Blogs”
 Web logs (blogs) are web pages that are easily updated – example
 Text, comments, exchanges possible
 These web pages with text accompany most podcasts – allow for information exchange
 Engages the audience
 Process
 Make recording, gather visuals
 Assemble into a multi-media presentation
 Post to the Web – most often with a description at a blog
 Generate RSS file
 Syndication
 Clients receive notice via RSS
 Their “podcatcher” automatically downloads to computer and send to iPod (if used)
Podcasts for Learning
 Have been used in higher education for three years! Originally called “audio blogs”
 iTunes University
 Sample Accounting Podcasts
 EPN Education Podcast Network
 Accounting Best Practices – Bragg & Nach
 Ernst & Young Podcast Channels
 CPA Podcasts
 Podcasting News - Business
Creating Podcasts
 In simplest audio form (mp3), podcasts can be created using free software.
 Audacity, Media Player, Feedburner, and other online tools
 Enhanced podcasts mp4a format
 Graphics, text, video
 ProfCast – drag and drop visuals – chapters
 OS-X platform required (Mac not PC)

Trademarks
2005


The logo used by Apple to represent Podcasting
On February 5, 2005, Shae Spencer Management LLC of Fairport, New York filed a trademark application to register PODCAST for an "online prerecorded radio program over the internet".On September 9, 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected the application, citing Wikipedia's podcast entry as describing the history of the term.
As of September 20, 2005, known trademarks that attempted to capitalize on podcast include: Podcast Realty, GuidePod, PodGizmo, Pod-Casting, MyPod, Podvertiser, Podango, ePodcast, PodCabin, Podcaster, PodShop, PodKitchen, Podgram, GodPod and Podcast.
2006
On September 26, 2006, it was reported that Apple Computer started to crack down on businesses using the acronym "POD", in product and company names. Apple sent a cease-and-desist order that week to Podcast Ready, Inc., which markets an application known as "myPodder". Lawyers for Apple contended allegedly that the term "pod" has been used by the public to refer to Apple's music player so extensively that it falls under Apple's trademark cover. It was speculated that such activity was part of a bigger campaign for Apple to expand the scope of its existing iPod trademark, which included trademarking "IPODCAST", "IPOD", and "POD". On November 16, 2006, Apple Trademark Department returned a letter claiming Apple does not object to third party usage of "podcast" to refer to podcasting services and that Apple does not license the term(s).
2007
As of February 2007, there were 24 attempts to register trademarks containing the word "PODCAST" in United States, but only "PODCAST READY" from Podcast Ready, Inc. was approved.

DNA COMPUTING

DNA COMPUTING

• What is a DNA computer?
With advancement in technology and research we have come to know that millions of natural supercomputers exist inside living organisms, including our body. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules, the material our genes are made of, have the potential to perform calculations many times faster than the world's most powerful human-built computers. DNA might one day be integrated into a computer chip to create a so-called biochip that will push computers even faster. DNA molecules have already been harnessed to perform complex mathematical problems. While still in their infancy, DNA computers will be capable of storing billions of times more data than our personal computer.

A DNA computer is a molecular computer that works biochemically. It "computes" using enzymes that react with DNA strands, causing chain reactions. The chain reactions act as a kind of simultaneous computing or parallel processing, whereby many possible solutions to a given problem can be presented simultaneously with the correct solution being one of the results.


• DNA Computing Technology-

In 1994, Leonard Adleman introduced the idea of using DNA to solve complex mathematical problems. Adleman, a computer scientist at the University of Southern California, came to the conclusion that DNA had computational potential after reading the book "Molecular Biology of the Gene," written by James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA in 1953. In fact, DNA is very similar to a computer hard drive in how it stores permanent information about your genes.

Adleman outlined how to use DNA to solve a well-known mathematical problem, called the directed Hamilton Path problem, also known as the "traveling salesman" problem. The goal of the problem is to find the shortest route between a number of cities, going through each city only once. As we add more cities to the problem, the problem becomes more difficult. Adleman chose to find the shortest route between seven cities.

The steps taken in the Adleman DNA computer experiment are:-
1. Strands of DNA represent the seven cities. In genes, genetic coding is represented by the letters A, T, C and G. Some sequence of these four letters represented each city and possible flight path.
2. These molecules are then mixed in a test tube, with some of these DNA strands sticking together. A chain of these strands represents a possible answer.

3. Within a few seconds, all of the possible combinations of DNA strands, which represent answers, are created in the test tube.
4. Adleman eliminates the wrong molecules through chemical reactions, which leaves behind only the flight paths that connect all seven cities.

The following algorithm solves the Hamilton Path problem, regardless of the type of computer used:
1. Generate all possible routes.
2. Select itineraries that start with the proper city and end with the final city.
3. Select itineraries with the correct number of cities.
4. Select itineraries that contain each city only once.


The success of the Adleman DNA computer proves that DNA can be used to calculate complex mathematical problems. However, this early DNA computer is far from challenging silicon-based computers in terms of speed. The Adleman DNA computer created a group of possible answers very quickly, but it took days for Adleman to narrow down the possibilities. Another drawback of his DNA computer is that it requires human assistance. The goal of the DNA computing field is to create a device that can work independent of human involvement.

Three years after Adelman’s experiment, researchers at the University of Rochester developed logic gates made of DNA. Logic gates are a vital part of how your computer carries out functions that you command it to do. These gates convert binary code moving through the computer into a series of signals that the computer uses to perform operations. Currently, logic gates interpret input signals from silicon transistors, and convert those signals into an output signal that allows the computer to perform complex functions.
The Rochester team's DNA logic gates are the first step toward creating a computer that has a structure similar to that of an electronic PC. Instead of using electrical signals to perform logical operations, these DNA logic gates rely on DNA code. They detect fragments of genetic material as input, splice together these fragments and form a single output. For instance, a genetic gate called the "And gate" links two DNA inputs by chemically binding them so they're locked in an end-to-end structure, similar to the way two Legos might be fastened by a third Lego between them. The researchers believe that these logic gates might be combined with DNA microchips to create a breakthrough in DNA computing.
DNA computer components -- logic gates and biochips -- will take years to develop into a practical, workable DNA computer. If such a computer is ever built, scientists say that it will be more compact, accurate and efficient than conventional computers

• Comparison between silicon & DNA computers-
 As long as there are cellular organisms, there will always be a supply of DNA.
 The large supply of DNA makes it a cheap resource.
 Unlike the toxic materials used to make traditional microprocessors, DNA biochips can be made cleanly.
 DNA computers are many times smaller than today's computers.


DNA's key advantage is that it will make computers smaller than any computer that has come before them, while at the same time holding more data. One pound of DNA has the capacity to store more information than all the electronic computers ever built; and the computing power of a teardrop-sized DNA computer, using the DNA logic gates, will be more powerful than the world's most powerful supercomputer. More than 10 trillion DNA molecules can fit into an area no larger than 1 cubic centimeter (0.06 cubic inches). With this small amount of DNA, a computer would be able to hold 10 terabytes of data, and perform 10 trillion calculations at a time. By adding more DNA, more calculations could be performed.

Unlike conventional computers, DNA computers perform calculations parallel to other calculations. Conventional computers operate linearly, taking on tasks one at a time. It is parallel computing that allows DNA to solve complex mathematical problems in hours, whereas it might take electrical computers hundreds of years to complete them.




• Olympus Develops DNA computer-

In starting of year 2002 the Olympus Optical Co. Ltd. Developed what the company claimed the commercially practical DNA computer that specializes in gene analysis. The computer was developed in conjunction with Akira Toyama, an assistant professor at Tokyo University.
Gene analysis has been usually done manually, by arranging DNA fragments and observing the chemical reactions. But that was time-consuming, said Satoshi Ikuta, a spokesman of Olympus Optical. When DNA computing is applied to gene analysis what used to take three days can now be done in six hours, he said. DNA computing also allows scientists to observe chemical reaction that occur simultaneously, lowering the research costs.
The bottleneck was that engineers were required to have expert knowledge in two specific fields, in order to develop a gene analysis DNA computer.
I. Information Processing Engineering
II. Molecular Biology
This is called genome informatics as a whole.
To achieve this, the company formed a joint venture Novous Gene Inc. Which specializes in genome informatics, in February 2001? The principles for a DNA computer that works for gene analysis were provided by Tokyo University’s Toyama.
The computer Olympus Optical has developed is divided into two sections, a molecular calculation component and an electronic calculation component. He former calculates DNA combinations of molecules, implements chemical reactions, searches and pulls out the right DNA the latter executes processing programs and analyzes these results.
The company was started gene analysis using the DNA computer on a trial basis for a year, and form this year hopes to offer the service on a commercial basis for researchers.



• Example of an application-

For example, a DNA computer as a tiny liquid computer —- DNA in solution -- that could conceivably do such things as monitor the blood in vitro. If a chemical imbalance were detected, the DNA computer might synthesize the needed replacement and release it into the blood to restore equilibrium. It might also eliminate unwanted chemicals by disassembling them at the molecular level, or monitor DNA for anomalies. This type of science is referred to as nanoscience, or nanotechnology, and the DNA computer is essentially a nanocomputer.

• Conclusion-
The DNA computer is only in its early stages of development. Though rudimentary nanocomputer perform computations, human interaction is still required to separate the correct answer out by ridding the DNA computer solution of all false answers. This is accomplished through a series of chemical steps. However, experts are encouraged by the innate abilities of a DNA computer and see a bright future.