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18
May
09
TATA NANO
20
Nov
08
Maruti A-Star….
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19
Nov
08
Google SketchUp Pro 7
Google SketchUp Pro 7 is a suite of powerful features and applications for streamlining your professional 3D workflow. All the intuitive modeling, visualization and collaboration features of SketchUp 7, plus exporters for a long list of 2D and 3D vector file formats. Also, generate tabular reports based on the entities in your models.
SketchUp even more intuitive, added tools for power users, and made it easier to find and share models with the world.
SketchUp easier to use.
With edges that automatically break other edges where they cross, objects that are smart enough to know how they should behave when you interact with them, and drawing hints that are clearer and more consistent, Google SketchUp 7 is the most intuitive SketchUp ever.
It’s all about collaboration and sharing.
In SketchUp 7, you can search for models in the Google 3D Warehouse right from the Component browser, take credit for what you contribute, keep track of your collaborators, and generally bask in the glow of knowing you’re part of the worldwide 3D community.
There’s even more in SketchUp Pro.
LayOut is officially out of beta and ready to go. LayOut 2 is faster, more reliable and includes vector rendering, improved text handling and more. SketchUp Pro power users can also create Dynamic Components: models that animate, scale and replicate intelligently.
FEATURE’S OF SKETCHUP PRO
Edges and Faces: Thats all there is to it
Every SketchUp model is made up of just two things: edges and faces. Edges are straight lines, and faces are the 2D shapes that are created when several edges form a flat loop. For example, a rectangular face is bound by four edges that are connected together at right angles. To build models in SketchUp, you draw edges and faces using a few simple tools that you can learn in a small amount of time. It’s as simple as that.
Push/Pull: Quickly go from 2D to 3D
Extrude any flat surface into a three-dimensional form with SketchUp’s patented Push/Pull tool. Just click to start extruding, move your mouse, and click again to stop. You can Push/Pull a rectangle into a box. Or draw the outline of a staircase and Push/Pull it into 3D. Want to make a window? Push/Pull a hole through your wall. SketchUp is known for being easy to use, and Push/Pull is the reason why.
Accurate measurements: Work with precision
SketchUp is great for working fast and loose in 3D, but it’s more than just a fancy electronic pencil. Because you’re working on a computer, everything you create in SketchUp has a precise dimension. When you’re ready, you can build models that are as accurate as you need them to be. If you want, you can print scaled views of your model, and if you have SketchUp Pro, you can even export your geometry into other programs like AutoCAD and 3ds MAX.
Follow Me: Create complex extrusions and lathed forms
You use SketchUp’s innovative, do-everything Follow Me tool to create 3D forms by extruding 2D surfaces along predetermined paths. Model a bent pipe by extruding a circle along an L-shaped line. Create a bottle by drawing half of its outline, then using Follow Me to sweep it around a circle. You can even use Follow Me to round off (fillet) edges on things like handrails, furniture and electronic gadgets.
Paint Bucket: Apply colors and textures
You can use SketchUp’s Paint Bucket tool to paint your model with materials like colors and textures.
Groups and Components: Build smarter models
By “sticking together” parts of the geometry in your model to make Groups, you can create sub-objects that are easier to move, copy and hide. Components are a lot like Groups, but with a handy twist: copies of Components are related together, so changes you make to one are automatically reflected in all the others. Windows, doors, trees, chairs and millions of other things benefit from this behavior.
Shadows: Perform shade studies and add realism
SketchUp’s powerful, real-time Shadow Engine lets you perform accurate shade studies on your models.
Sections: See inside your models
You can use SketchUp’s interactive Sections feature to temporarily cut away parts of your design, enabling you to look inside. You can use Sections to create orthographic views (like floorplans), to export geometry to CAD programs using SketchUp Pro, or just to get a better view of your model while you’re working on it. Section Planes can be moved, rotated and even animated using SketchUp’s Scenes feature.
Scenes: Save views and create animations
We created Scenes to enable you to easily save precise views of your model so you can come back to them later. Need to create an animation? Just create a few Scenes and click a button.
Look Around and Walk: Explore your creations firsthand
SketchUp lets you get inside your model with a set of simple navigation tools designed to give you a first-person view. Click with Position Camera to “be standing” anywhere in your model. Use Look Around to turn your virtual head. Finally, switch to Walk to explore your creation on foot; you can even climb and descend stairs and ramps, just like you’re playing a video game.
Dimensions and Labels: Add information to your designs
You can use the super-intuitive Dimension and Label tools to add dimensions, annotations and other glorious detail to your work.
The Instructor: Catch on quickly
SketchUp’s Instructor dialog box, which you can choose to activate at any time, provides context-sensitive help.
Layers and the Outliner: Stay organized
When you’re building a big, complicated model, things can get messy very quickly. SketchUp provides two useful ways to keep your geometry manageable:
Google Earth: See your models in context
SketchUp and Google Earth are part of the same product family, meaning you can exchange information between them easily. Need a building site for your project? Import a scaled aerial photograph, including topography, directly from Google Earth to SketchUp by clicking one button. Want to see your SketchUp model in context in Google Earth? Click another button, and you can. Anyone can use SketchUp to build models which can be seen by anyone in Google Earth.
Sandbox tools: Work on terrain
SketchUp’s Sandbox tools let you create, optimize and alter 3D terrain. You can generate a smooth landscape from a set of imported contour lines, add berms and valleys for runoff, and create a building pad and driveway.
3D Warehouse: Find models of almost anything you need
The Google 3D Warehouse is a huge, online repository of 3D models which you can search through when you need something. Why build something when you can download it for free?
Import DXF, DWG and 3DS: Get a headstart on your modeling
You can import DXF, DWG and 3DS files directly into your SketchUp models, which makes it very easy to start with drawings and even other 3D models. Have a floorplan of the space you need to model? Import it in, and start building right on top of it.
Import images: Paint walls with photos
With SketchUp, you can import image files like JPGs, TIFFs, PNGs and PDFs. You can use them by themselves (kind of like posters), but you can also stick them to surfaces to create photo-realistic models of buildings, package designs, and more.
Export TIFF, JPEG and PNG
SketchUp lets you export raster images up to 10,000 pixels square, so generating an image which you can send in an email, publish in a document, or project on a wall is as easy as choosing a few options and clicking Export.
PRO Export DXF and DWG: 2D line drawings and 3D models
Google SketchUp Pro allows you to export DXFs and DWGs, giving you an easy way to move plans, sections, elevations or even your whole model into your favorite CAD program. Exported geometry remains at 1:1 scale, and layers are preserved.
PRO Export PDF and EPS: 2D vector images
With the Pro version of Google SketchUp, you can export views of your models in PDF and EPS format, allowing you to continue to work on them in vector editing programs like Illustrator and Freehand. For 2D images that need to be resolution-independent, nothing beats exporting to these formats.
PRO Export 3DS, OBJ, XSI, FBX, VRML and DAE
If you’re using Google SketchUp Pro, you can export your models to a number of useful 3D formats. Pros use a number of different tools, and these exporters allow SketchUp to join most professional workflows by offering interoperability with just about every popular 3D modeling application in existence.
18
Nov
08
Toyota – Corolla Altis
:::The all new Corolla Altis::::
22
Oct
08
THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD
GREAT WALL OF CHINA
The Great Wall of China was built over 2,000 years ago, by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China during the Qin (Ch’in) Dynasty (221 B.C – 206 B.C.). In Chinese the wall is called “Wan-Li Qang-Qeng” which means 10,000-Li Long Wall (10,000 Li = about 5,000 km).
After subjugating and uniting China from seven Warring States, the emperor connected and extended four old fortification walls along the north of China that originated about 700 B.C. (over 2500 years ago). Armies were stationed along the wall as a first line of defense against the invading nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes north of China (the Huns). Signal fires from the Wall provided early warning of an attack.
The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth. It was over 5,000 km (=10,000 Li) long. Its thickness ranged from about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) and was up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers and cannons added.
The Great Wall can be seen from Earth orbit, but, contrary to legend, is not visible from the moon, according to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, and Jim Irwin.
PETRA, JORDAN
Petra is a famous city carved out of stone, hidden by towering sandstone mountains in Jordan. It was an important city, and was the main city of an ancient people called the Nabataens, who lived in southern Jordan, Canaan and the northern part of Arabia, and created a kingdom with its capital at Petra. Lying in the centre of an ancient caravan trade routes, Petra benefited from the resulting commerce. Caravans pass through Petra for Giza in the south, Bosra and Damascus in the north, Aqaba on the Red Sea, and eastward to the Persian Gulf.
Until they settled at Petra, the Nabateans were largely nomadic. They founded Petra around the 6th century BC and ruled over it until AD 100, when the Romans conquered Petra. In AD 106 it was absorbed into the Roman Empire and was known as Arabia Petraea. Although having lost its autonomy, Petra continued to flourish for another one hundred years. It then began to decline when trade routes changed. An earthquake in AD363 devastated Petra and destroyed its waterworks. Petra lay in ruins until the 12th century, when the Crusaders occupied it and built a citadel there. After they were gone, Petra was left to its native inhabitants. It was first seen by a Westerner in 1812, when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt discovered it. Petra was made popular in recent times by the Indiana Jones movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
The name Petra, which means “rock” in Greek and Latin (derived from the word petrae), is actually a modern name for the place. This is because the city was carved from the friable sandstone cliffs of the area. The rocks take on a multitude of hues ranging from cream to orange, to red, and to dark brown. Layers of these rocks form whorls of colours which were incorporated into the Nabatean architecture.
Scholars are unable to confirm the actual ancient name of Petra, though the most likely is Rekem. Rekem is a site mentioned in the Dead Sea scrolls and closely resembled Petra in description. Nevertheless, it has been known as Petra, or Petraea, since Roman times. Petra was recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site since 1985, and was described as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.”
CHRIST REDEEMER, BEAZIL
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer history starts in the XVIth Century when the Portuguese named the mountain Pináculo da Tentação (The Pinnacle [peak] of Temptation), alluding to the Biblical Mountain. A century passes and the mountain is re-baptized to Corcovado, a name derived from its form, which resembles a hump or hunchback. The next recordings of christ the redeemer history is in 1924 when Dom Pedro personally led the first official expedition to Corcovado Mountain, resulting in the opening of an accessable way up.
Then in 1859 the Vincentian father Pedro Maria Boss arrived Rio de Janeiro and was struck by the mystorious beauty of the corcovado mountain and suggested the the construction of a religous monument in honour of Princess Isabel, which in 1921 gave way for the idea of a great statue of christ viewable by all in the marvelous city of Rio. From 1859 to 1921, Dom Pedro gave his consent for the building of the Corcovado Railroad line between Cosme Velho and Paineiras, which would be an essential part of undertaking the Redentor. In 1922, on the markation of Brazilian independence and a mile peal in the Statue of Christ the Redeemer history, the work began for fulfilling the ambitious project with the fundamental stone being put in place on the 22.april.
After a hard competition, the project by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa is chosen and in September, a national fundraising campaign for the works is organized. Finally, in 1927, the construction of the statue begins after models of diverse sizes had been constructed. All calculations were done by Coast Hisses, helped by Pedro Viana and Heitor Levy, which during the years of construction, resided in a shed of wood at the foot of the monument
MACHU PICCHU, PERU
The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. While the Inca people certainly used the Andean mountain top (9060 feet elevation), erecting many hundreds of stone structures from the early 1400’s, legends and myths indicate that Machu Picchu (meaning ‘Old Peak’ in the Quechua language) was revered as a sacred place from a far earlier time. Whatever its origins, the Inca turned the site into a small (5 square miles) but extraordinary city. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilized by the Inca as a secret ceremonial city. Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba river, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. These structures, carved from the gray granite of the mountain top are wonders of both architectural and aesthetic genius. Many of the building blocks weigh 50 tons or more yet are so precisely sculpted and fitted together with such exactitude that the mortarless joints will not permit the insertion of even a thin knife blade. Little is known of the social or religious use of the site during Inca times. The skeletal remains of ten females to one male had led to the casual assumption that the site may have been a sanctuary for the training of priestesses and /or brides for the Inca nobility. However, subsequent osteological examination of the bones revealed an equal number of male bones, thereby indicating that Machu Picchu was not exclusively a temple or dwelling place of women.
One of Machu Picchu’s primary functions was that of astronomical observatory. The Intihuatana stone (meaning ‘Hitching Post of the Sun’) has been shown to be a precise indicator of the date of the two equinoxes and other significant celestial periods. The Intihuatana (also called the Saywa or Sukhanka stone) is designed to hitch the sun at the two equinoxes, not at the solstice (as is stated in some tourist literature and new-age books). At midday on March 21st and September 21st, the sun stands almost directly above the pillar, creating no shadow at all. At this precise moment the sun “sits with all his might upon the pillar” and is for a moment “tied” to the rock. At these periods, the Incas held ceremonies at the stone in which they “tied the sun” to halt its northward movement in the sky. There is also an Intihuatana alignment with the December solstice (the summer solstice of the southern hemisphere), when at sunset the sun sinks behind Pumasillo (the Puma’s claw), the most sacred mountain of the western Vilcabamba range, but the shrine itself is primarily equinoctial.
Shamanic legends say that when sensitive persons touch their foreheads to the stone, the Intihuatana opens one’s vision to the spirit world (the author had such an experience, which is described in detail in Chapter one of Places of Peace and Power, on the web site, www.sacredsites.com). Intihuatana stones were the supremely sacred objects of the Inca people and were systematically searched for and destroyed by the Spaniards. When the Intihuatana stone was broken at an Inca shrine, the Inca believed that the deities of the place died or departed. The Spaniards never found Machu Picchu, even though they suspected its existence, thus the Intihuatana stone and its resident spirits remain in their original position. The mountain top sanctuary fell into disuse and was abandoned some forty years after the Spanish took Cuzco in 1533. Supply lines linking the many Inca social centers were disrupted and the great empire came to an end. The photograph shows the ruins of Machu Picchu in the foreground with the sacred peak of Wayna Picchu towering behind. Partway down the northern side of Wayna Picchu is the so-called “Temple of the Moon” inside a cavern. As with the ruins of Machu Picchu, there is no archaeological or iconographical evidence to substantiate the ‘new-age’ assumption that this cave was a goddess site.
CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO
The sacred city of the Itza, called Chichen-Itza (chee-chehn eet-sah) in Maya, is located 75 miles east of Merida, the Capital of the State of Yucatan, Mexico. This archaeological site is rated among the most important of the Maya culture and covers an area of approximately six square miles where hundreds of buildings once stood. Now most are mounds, but about thirty may still be seen by tourists. The ruins are divided into two groups. One group belongs to the classic Maya Period and was built between the 7th and 10th centuries A.D., at which time the city became a prominent ceremonial center. The other group corresponds to the Maya-Toltec Period, from the later part of the 10th century to the beginning of the 13th century A.D. This area includes the Sacred Well and most of the outstanding ruins.
When Chichen-Itza was first settled it was largely agricultural. Because of the many cenotes in the area, it would have been a good place to settle. During the Central Phase of the Classic Period, referred to as Florescence, (625 -800 A.D.) arts and sciences flourished here. It was at this time that Chichen-Itza became a religious center of increasing importance, evidenced by the buildings erected: the Red House, the House of the Deer, the Nunnery and its Annex, the Church, the Akab Dzib, the Temple of the Three Lintels and the House of Phalli. Toward the end of the Classic Period, from 800 to 925 A.D., the foundations of this magnificent civilization weakened, and the Maya abandoned their religions centers and the rural land around them. New, smaller centers were built and the great cities like Chichen-Itza were visited only to perform religious rites or bury the dead. The Itza people abandoned their city by the end of the 7th century A.D. and lived on the west coast of the peninsula for about 250 years. However, by the 10th century A.D. they returned to Chichen-Itza.
Around 1000 A.D. the Itza allied themselves with two powerful tribes, Xio and Cocom, both claiming to be descendants of the Mexicans. This alliance was favorable to the Itza for about two centuries. During this time, the people of Chichen-Itza added to the site by constructing magnificent buildings bearing the touch of Toltec art: porches, galleries, colonnades and carvings depicting serpents, birds and Mexican gods. The Toltec influenced the Itza in more ways than just architecture. They also imposed their religion on the Itza, which meant human sacrifice on a large scale. They expanded their dominions in northern Yucatan with an alliance with Mayapan and Uxmal. As the political base of Chichen-Itza expanded, the city added even more spectacular buildings: the Observatory, Kukulcan’s Pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, The Ball Court, and The Group of the Thousand Columns.
The Temple of the Warriors has pillars sculptured in bas-relief, which have retained much of their original color. Murals once adorned its walls. It is surrounded by numerous ruined buildings known as the Group of a Thousand Columns. The Cenote of Sacrifice was reserved for rituals involving human sacrifice involving the rain God. The victims were not only young women, but also children and elderly men and women.
Possibly the best known construction on the site is Kukulcan’s Pyramid. El Castillo (Kukulkan-Quetzalcoatl), a square-based, stepped pyramid that is approximately 75 feet tall. This pyramid was built for astronomical purposes and during the vernal equinox (March 20) and the autumnal equinox (September 21) at about 3 P.M.. the sunlight bathes the western balustrade of the pyramid’s main stairway. This causes seven isosceles triangles to form imitating the body of a serpent 37 yards long that creeps downwards until it joins the huge serpent’s head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. Mexican researcher Luis El Arochi calls it “the symbolic descent of Kukulcan” (the feathered serpent), and believes it could have been connected with agricultural rituals.
THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM, ITALY
The huge theater was originally built encompassing four floors. The first three had arched entrances, while the fourth floor utilized rectangular doorways. The floors each measured between 10,5-13,9 meters (32-42 feet) in height. The total height of the construction was approximately 48 meters (144 feet). The arena measured 79 x 45 meters (237-135 feet), and consisted of wood and sand. (The word “arena” is derived from the Latin arena, which means “sand.”) Nets along the sides protected the audience.
The Colosseum had a total spectator capacity of 45,000-55,000. The Amphitheater is built of travertine outside, and of tufa and brick in the interior. The main pedestals were built of marble blocks weighing 5 metric tons (11,000 pounds.) Initially the huge marble blocks were held together by metal-pins. However, the pins were soon carried off by thieves, and had to be replaced by mortar. The total amount of marble needed for the construction measured approximately 100,000 cubic meters. It was carried by 200 ox-pulled carts, which supplied a sufficient flow of needed materials.
There were no less than 76 numbered entrances and 4 additional entrances reserved for the Emperor, other VIP’s and the gladiators. The Colosseum was designed for easy crowd dispersal; the entire audience could exit the building in five minutes. The interior was divided into three parts: the arena, the podium, and the cavea. Now more than two-thirds of the original building has been removed and the rows of the seats in the cavea are missing. It is very similar to other amphitheaters except this one is much bigger. The audience, upon entering, climbed sloping ramps to their seats, according to gender and social class. Obviously, the higher one’s social status, the better their seating arrangement would be. For example, women (excepting spouses and perhaps imperial family) and the poor, stood or sat on wooden benches in the fourth tier. For inclement or very hot weather conditions, an enormous, colored awning (velarium) could be stretched overhead to protect the crowd.
A wooden floor covered subterranean chambers where the gladiators and animals were kept waiting to perform. There is some debate over the idea that the Colosseum was occasionally flooded for mock naval battles. There were canals in place that could have been used for this purpose but the brick used in construction was not the same type of material that they normally used in water resistant materials. The Colosseum was the Empire’s primary stage for gladiatorial combat for nearly 4 centuries. In a show of Rome’s wealth and extravagance, during the opening ceremonies in 80 AD, 100 days of the games were held.
THE TAJ MAHAL, INDIA
The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.
Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an “elegy in marble” or some say an expression of a “dream.” Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan’s real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628.
Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks.
The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.
The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.
GREAT PYRAMID, EGYPT
(Honorary Candidate)
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest monument on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is also the only one left standing. It is a marvel of human engineering and construction, and its sheer size and scale rivals any structure built within the last few hundred years. It’s construction, though, has always been the subject of much debate among scholars, because of its massive size and near perfect proportions.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built for the Fourth Dynasty Pharaoh Khufu (or Cheops), and was completed around 2560 B.C. It is part of a complex of 3 large pyramids in the Giza Necropolis located in modern Cairo, Egypt. The Great Pyramid is the largest of the three pyramids, and it is part of its own smaller complex that also contains 3 small pyramids that were built for Khufu’s wives.
The Great Pyramid took approximately 20 years to complete, and several theories are debated by scholars as to how it was built and by whom. Some theories point to slave labor, but it seems more plausible that Egyptians themselves lent their efforts, working during the times of year when the Nile was flooded and their farm work would not have been possible. It would have been a sort of civil service.
How the pyramid was constructed has always been the subject of very passionate debate by scholars. Some evidence and theories suggest that 20,000 workers over the course of 20 years built it, and were even paid to do so. This would have required a great deal of organization and manpower in the way of accounting and record keeping. The Egyptians were known for their excellent documentation.
The pyramid was constructed out of stone blocks, each weighing at least 2 tons. There are theories suggesting that multiple men together maneuvered each block over a ramp that encircled the structure as it rose, or that they moved each stone up long ramps that got higher and longer as the pyramid got taller, or even that scaffolding was used. Many eschew each of these theories for different reasons, including the idea that wood that could have been used for scaffolding or ramps would have been at a premium, and using mud brick for those purposes would not have held under the enormous weight of each massive block. And, of course, there are the ideas that aliens built the pyramids. However the pyramid was constructed, it is a marvelous feat, and should be awed and respected, especially because it is standing today with relatively minor damage.
The Great Pyramid, when completed, was faced in the gleeming white Tura limestone, which must have presented quite the spectacular appearance in the Egyptian desert. It was 481 feet high (it has since lost its top and is currently 25 feet less tall) and covers 13.1 acres. It is estimated that 2.3 million stone blocks were used, weighing between 2 and 15 tons each. The pyramid itself is filled with internal passages and chambers that would have housed the Pharaoh’s granite sarcophagus and all the necessary goods for a fruitful journey to the afterlife. This would have included a great deal of precious metals and stones, food products, and hand-carved furnishings.
There is no wonder why the Great Pyramid of Giza was on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is a testament to human ingenuity and strength, and its size and near-perfect proportions must have been awe-inspiring to behold.
Information Courtesy ::: www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/greatwall/Allabout.html ::: www.worldgreatestsites.com/petra.htm ::: www.copacabana.info/Christ-the-Redeemer-history.html ::: www.sacredsites.com/americas/peru/machu_picchu.html ::: www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/meso_america/chichenitza.html ::: www.unrv.com/culture/colosseum.php ::: www.islamicity.com/culture/Taj/default.htm ::: www.ancienthistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_great_pyramid_of_giza :::www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_wonders_of_the_world :::
18
Oct
08
HIGH COURT BENCH AT TRIVANDRUM
The process to reinstate a bench of the Kerala High Court in Thiruvananthapuram is in the final stage. The state government is waiting for the nod of the law ministry, which is seriously considering the matter following Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention. A final decision in this regard would be made immediately with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Law minister for the sate Mr. Vijayakumar, who discussed the matter with Defence Minister A.K. Antony, said.
The law ministry has to put up a proposal and will present it in the cabinet and once the cabinet gives its nod, the president can issue the order, the minister said. ‘Antony assured me that the issue of high court bench would be discussed when he meets the prime minister,’ the minister said. Besides, Antony would also take up the issue with Law Minister H.R. Bharadwaj, he said, adding the defence minister has assured all possible help to fulfill the long-standing demand of the people of the state.
Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthananthan and Vijayakumar had raised the issue before the prime minister. Kerala legislature has unanimously passed two resolutions to reinstate the high court in the state capital, where it functioned till 1958, the minister said. ‘There was a high court in Thiruvananthapuram in 1947 and it became a high court bench following the establishment of Kerala High Court in Kochi after the formation of the state in 1956,’ the minister said.
Lawyers in Thiruvananthapuram Bar Association are on strike demanding the reinstatement of the high court bench.
Job seekers unintentionally make some common mistakes during interviews, which reduces their chances of getting hired. Here are some major interview blunders that you need to avoid:
1. Arriving late: Never be late for your job interview, because it is just inexcusable. We suggest you rather arrive 10 minutes early so that you have enough time to settle in and ease your frayed nerves. Also arriving late means that you are going to enter into the interview looking all sweaty and disturbed hair. So make the most of those extra minutes to present your best self.
2. The wrong dress code: It is very important to be dressed right when you go for an interview. But make sure you find out what the work culture of that organization is like and dress accordingly. Your dress code will also differ according to the post you have applied for. For instance if you have applied for a middle management post, make sure you wear formals with a tie. You don’t need to wear a blazer. Ladies may keep away from loud colors, junk jewelry and revealing clothes.
3. Avoid one-liners: There are some common questions you should be prepared to answer like: What kind of work were you doing in your previous job? Why do you think we should hire you? How can you value add to the company? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your salary expectations? Make yourself comfortable and be sure to elaborate on your experience, skills, and background. Don’t give monosyllable answers like ‘yes or ‘no’ One-liners are conversation stoppers. Your interviewer will not have gleaned any extra information that what you have penned down in your resume.
4. Poor body language: Remember that body language always speaks louder than words. At times an interviewer may pay more attention to how you react to a particular question than to what you actually say. So never ever:
a) Slouch in your chair: The interviewer will think that you are not interested in the job you have applied for.
b) Avoid eye contact: We are not asking you to stare at the interviewer like a psycho, but at least don’t look around while answering the interviewer. Instead maintain eye contact while replying. It shows how confident you are.
c) Sit with your hands crossed.
d) Interrupt the interviewer.
After getting the job it is not the end of the world. One has to be a winner meaning successfully achieving the organization’s tasks while getting the cooperation of peers and where applicable subordinates as well as clients or customers. Given below are some suggestions to achieve this:
Believing in your self when nobody else does is truly difficult but not impossible. So, the first quality needed to be a winner is to believe in yourself and respect your decisions in no matter what you do. Never think negative before you take up a task. Believe in yourself and do good.
While working on an assignment, you need to have a positive attitude. There are chances that you may be criticized for doing good in life. There are equal chances of you being criticized when you do bad. So just do good in life and don’t worry about criticism that ensues.
The fact is winners have better attitude than losers. Also, winners always form the habit of doing things that losers don’t like to do vice versa. Moreover, a winner’s attitude is characterized by his/her self-esteem, a positive outlook of life, a willingness to learn, self-discipline and self-control. Remember, winners persist, losers desist. So decide which category do you fall in. Have a winning attitude.
Commitment is the key factor to be a winner. You should take charge and establish a course of action that will help you achieve your goals. You should be determined not to be side-tracked by outside influences and stay committed towards your goals. Remember, whenever you put your heart and mind in whatever you do, nothing is impossible to achieve. So be serious in life, be committed and you will surely be successful.
A true leader is someone who realizes that there is absolutely no substitute in life for hard work. If you want to succeed in life, the quickest way is to be prompt in volunteering responsibility. You will become a leader soon.
Instead of being upset and harming yourself after you have been rejected, think positively and resolve to reverse your failure into success. Sit down and think about what went wrong and if you manage to lay hands on your folly, try not to repeat that mistake again. Remember, making a mistake is not the end of the world, but realizing and repeating the same mistake is the end of the world. So, take charge of your life and happy winning. Learn from your past experiences.
::::Information Courtesy::::
The performance evaluation process is a potential minefield of problems. For instances, evaluators can unconsciously inflate evaluations (positive leniency), understate performance (negative leniency), or allow the assessment of one characteristics to unduly influence the assessment of others (the halo error). Some appraisers bias their evaluations by unconsciously favoring people who have qualities and traits similar to their own (the similarity error). And, of course, some evaluators see the evaluation process as a political opportunity to overtly reward or punish employees they like or dislike. Although there are no protections that will guarantee accurate performance evaluations, the following suggestions can significantly help to make the process more objective and fair.
Use Multiple Evaluators: As the number of evaluators increase, the probability of attaining more accurate information increases. If rated error tends to follow a normal curve, an increase in the number of appraisers will tend to find the majority congregating about the middle. We often see multiple evaluators in competitions in such sports as diving and gymnastics. A set of evaluators judges a performance, the highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the final evaluation is made up of those remaining. The logic of multiple evaluators applies to organizations as well.
If an employee has had 10 supervisors, 9 having rated her excellent and 1 poor, we can safely discount the one poor evaluation. Therefore, by moving employees about within the organization so as to gain a number of evaluations or by using multiple assessors (as provided in 360-degree appraisals), we increase the probability of achieving more valid and reliable evaluations.
Evaluate Selectively: Appraisers should evaluate only in areas in which they have some expertise. This precaution increases the inter-rater agreement and makes the evaluation more valid process. It also recognizes that different organizational levels often have different orientations towards those being rated and observe them in different settings. In general, therefore, appraisers should be as close as possible, in terms of organizational level, to the individual being evaluated. Conversely, the more levels separate the evaluator and the person being evaluated the less opportunity the evaluator has to observe the individual’s behavior and, not surprisingly, the greater the possibility for inaccuracies.
Train Evaluators: If you can’t find good evaluators, the alternative is to make good evaluators. There is substantial evidence that training evaluators can make them more accurate raters.
Common errors such as halo and leniency have been minimized or eliminated in workshops where managers practice observing and rating behaviors. These workshops typically run from 1 to 3 days, but allocating many hours to training may not always be necessary. One case has been cited in which both halo and leniency errors were decreased immediately after exposing evaluators to explanatory training sessions lasting only 5 minutes. But the effects of training appear to diminish over time. This suggests the need for regular refresher sessions.
Provide Employees with Due Process: The concept of due process can be applied to appraisals to increase the perception that employees are being treated fairly. These features characterize due process systems: (1) Individuals are provided with adequate notice of what is expected of them; (2) all evidence relevant to a proposed violation is aired in a fair hearing so the individual affected can respond and (3) the final decision is based on the evidence and free of bias.
There is considerable evidence that evaluation systems often violate employees’ due process by providing them with infrequent and relatively general performance feedback, allowing them little input into the appraisal process, and knowingly introducing bias into performance ratings. However, when due process has been part of the evaluation systems, employees report positive reactions to the appraisal process, perceive the evaluation results as more accurate, and express increased intent to remain with the organization.
::::information Courtesy::::
Geography is one of those subjects we all studied in school, but it’s a rare few who actually dreamed of making a career in it. Today, however, expertise on locations and climatic conditions can land you a well-paying job. The avenues in geography have opened up not only internationally, but also in our country. Below, here we have given careers available in the field of geography today.
GIS (geographic information systems) is the new knowledge source in these times when the travel is getting easier. GIS captures, stores, analyses, manages, and presents data about any given location. The GIS specialist works at mapping the location according to the requirements of the projects. For example, GIS can enable disaster management planners to calculate response times in the event of an emergency. GIS can help identify locations that need protection from pollution. It could be used by a company to best situate a new business so as to take maximum advantage of a previously underserved market. A GIS professional needs to remain up-to-date on the latest software in the field. The earnings would more than pay back the effort put in.
At present, there between 15,000 and 20,000 geographers in the country. More than 80% of them are in academia. But for those with a penchant for exploration, there are more possibilities than before to go back to the traditional geographer’s path. Studying nature and relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena can yield enough good research material to fill up a book. One can conduct research focused on the physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soil, plants, and animals. The resulting data could be of use to private or government bodies. Likewise research on the interdependence between regions on scales ranging from the local to the global can be undertaken. This job profile would require extensive travel, and the ability to be out in the field for long periods-ideal for those who love the outdoors.
Environment conservation is already a high priority, and it will only rise in the future. It has spurred thousands of government and non-government programs. If you combine a geography honors degree with a qualification in environmental studies, you can be part of those efforts. The job profile would call upon you to plan strategies for working with existing assets in an optimal way. There is a demand for such expertise in the private sector, too, as environmental concerns become increasingly integral to business strategy. As an environmental management expert, you would focus on resource management, natural area management, and environmental issues in policy and implementation.
As a geography major, you could focus your training and skills on preparing for emergency management. As India becomes more conscious of the need to have extensive disaster management plans in place, this emerging field is in constant need of new recruits at the national and state level. The job would call on you to plan for emergencies by charting disasters that could potentially affect a given location, and in formulating a plan to avert or respond to them. Preparedness, response and recovery would all benefit from a geographers opinion. Disaster management is a concern of most governments and many private organizations and a geography major can expect to be involved at the higher levels of planning and management.
Bureaucrats opt for geography at the post graduate level-to improve their prospects for the civil services. Civil services also demand planning abilities. A sound understanding of your region in terms of environment, location and livelihood issues would stand you in good stead as a bureaucrat.
The role of an urban planner is to try to avoid or minimize congestion, and to ensure that all sections of the population have access to parks, recreation, and open space. Planners work closely with builders to ensure that cities develop within the limits of the master plan. A lot of geographical information is necessary to do all this.
With combined qualifications in geography and tourism, you would be able to better prepare travelers about what kind of clothes to wear, what sights to see. Travel agents also need to be knowledgeable about the unique features of various destinations, such as mountains, valleys, and glaciers, as well as potential dangers to travelers.
Information Courtesy
24
Sep
08
DUBAI – PROJECTS
The following are some of the world class projects in Dubai
PALM ISLAND
Three artificial islands in the shape of palm trees will shelter nearly 500 apartments, 2 000 villas, 25 hotels and 200 shops of luxury. Palm Jumeirah, the most advanced, will be completed as of the end of 2005. Hundred twenty-five kilometers of coast additional will be thus created.
THE WORLD
The World. With broad of Dubaï, nearly 300 artificial islands, seen sky will form a planisphere. If you want to acquire one of these islands, it will cost some to you between 6,2 to 36,7 million dollars. Work of fill, already begun, should be completed at the end of 2005.
DUBAI WATERFRONT
Advancing on water of the Gulf, this whole of islands in the shape of crescent will extend on 81 square KMs. Becoming the greatest sea front in the world, it détrône thus the island from Manhattan in New York
OLD TOWN
It is the final district of the building site located at the foot of the tower Burj Dubai. This great real complex will include the highest tower of the world, the greatest shopping centre of the world as well as a gigantic residential district.
HYDROPOLIS
Entirely assembled in Germany, this underwater hotel will be immersed with broad of Dubai at the end of 2006. It will comprise 220 continuations whose panoramic windows will give on sea-beds. The price of a room for the night would rise with 500 dollars.
www.crescent-hydropolis.com
BURJ DUBAI
This phenomenal tower from which construction began last January and will end in 2008 should reach the 800 meters height. The building, built in three parts around a central column, finishes in spiral. It will count 160 stages.
MADINAT AL ARAB
Here the representation of the one of the districts of the future greater sea front in the world, Dubai Waterfront. This sight accounts for the architectural ambition and the spectacular development of real constructions with Dubaï.
DUBAI MARINA
The new city, of a total cost of 10 billion dollars, will be built on a way of artificial navigation of 4,5 km. It will be able to lodge 120 000 people. Three principal towers will be set up and will bear the name of Arab perfumes.
DUBAI SPORTS CITY
This immense sporting complex of 7.5 km² will accomodate sports such as the cricket, the golf, Rugby, football, the sports of ground, track, and interior (tennis shoe, handball, volley ball). Hotels, residences and villas are also envisaged.
GOLDEN DOME
With its 455 m height and its 2,2 million m² of total surface, it will be one of bulkiest and higher buildings of the world. It will shelter 500 000 m² offices, commercial spaces like 3 000 residential apartments.
DUBAI LAND SKI DOME
This ski resort indoor, will comprise inter alia a directional ski piste and tracks of snowboard (with 6 000 tons of true snow). “Pinguinarium”, aquariums four seasons, spa cold and hot… are also envisaged
with the program.
SPACE SCIENCE WORLD
Space is one of the subjects exploited in the immense park with topics of Dubailand which has the ambition to become the largest tourist park and of attractions in the world.
Information courtesy
18
Aug
08
Pride of India…
Abhinav Singh Bin
dra, (born September 28, 1982) is an Indian shooter from Zirakpur, Mohali, Punjab and is the current World and Olympic champion in the 10 m Air Rifle event. By winning the gold in the 10 m Air Rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games and India’s first gold medal since 1980, when the Men’s Field Hockey Team won the gold. Abhinav Bindra comes from an affluent Sikh family. His parents, Dr. Apjit and Babli Bindra, are promoters of the Hitech Group of companies. Bindra is a fifth generation descendant of legendary Sikh warrior Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa on his mother’s side. Bindra has one sister – Divya, a fashion designer, married into the family that owns Atlas Cycles(Haryana). Bindra studied at the Doon school, Dehradun and later at St. Stephens School, Chandigarh. He earned his BBA from the University of Colorado.
International performance
· Bindra won six medals at various international meets in 2001. In the 10 m Air rifle event at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, he won Gold in the Pairs event and Silver in the individual event.
· At the 2004 Olympic Games, he scored 597 in the qualification round and was placed third behind Qinan Zhu (599 – Olympic Record) and Li Jie (598). In the finals, Abhinav finished with 97.6 points, last in the field of eight and was the only player below 100 points. His sub-par finals dropped him from third to seventh.
· At the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, he won the Gold in the Pairs event and the Bronze in the Singles event. Abhinav missed the 2006 Asian Games at Doha because of a back injury.
Awards and recognitions
- 2000 – Arjuna award.
- 2001 – Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (India’s highest sports award).
Awards for Olympics Gold medal
- Rs. 1 crore cash prize by State Government of Punjab.
- Rs. 2 lakh cash prize by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee
- Rs. 25 lakh cash prize by the Board of Control for Cricket in India
- Rs. 15 lakh cash prize by Steel Ministry of India
- A free lifetime railway pass by the Railway Ministry of India
- Rs. 10 lakh cash prize by Chief Minister of Maharashtra state
- Rs. 5 lakh cash prize by State Government of Orissa
- Rs. 1.5 Crore by L N Mittal, Arcelor Mittal.
- Rs. 10 lakh cash prize by the State Government of Karnataka
- Rs. 11 lakh cash prize by the State Government of Bihar. The Patna Indoor Stadium will be renamed after Abhinav Bindra.
- Rs. 1 lakh cash prize by the State Government of Chhattisgarh
- Rs. 25 lakh cash prize by the State Government of Haryana.
- Rs. 5 lakh cash prize by M. Karunanidhi, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu
- A Gold medal by the State Government of Kerala.
:::: Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhinav_Bindra ::::
20
May
08
Why to have a PAN CARD
Permanent Account Number (PAN) has become a very important tool to the Income Tax Department in tracking high value transactions and ensuring compliance with the tax laws.
Mentioning of PAN has become mandatory in many financial transactions, particularly in the following areas:
• Operating demat accounts
• Deposit of Rs 50,000 and above in the banks
• Investments in shares, mutual funds and post office savings in excess of Rs 50,000 each
• Sale or purchase of motor vehicles, excluding two wheelers
• Sale or purchase of immovable properties valued at Rs 5 lakhs and above
• Applying for a new telephone connection (landline or mobile)
• Payment of Rs 25,000 or more against hotel bills
Even if you may not fall under these categories you need to file Income Tax Return for which PAN is required.
Benefits of having a PAN card
If you have a PAN card, it can be used as a proof of your identity, particularly when you have to check-in on the basis of your air tickets purchased online.
You can check whether the taxes paid by you are updated in the database of the Income Tax Department.
Further you can now also verify whether your employer or the institution has indeed remitted to the Income Tax Department the tax deducted from the payments made to you.
Is it necessary to file Income Tax return if you have PAN?
Just because you have PAN, it is not necessary to file Income Tax Return. Income Tax Return needs to be filed only when you have taxable income or you need to claim refund of tax deducted by your employer or the institution making payments to you towards interest or professional services or commission or rent or winnings from lottery / game shows or horse races or contracts etc.
However, the converse is true: you need PAN to file an Income Tax Return.
How to get PAN?
It is very simple. You need to submit your details in Form No. 49A to any of the PAN Facilitation centers, located in all cities and major towns, wherever Income Tax offices are located.
The UTI Investors Services Ltd (UTIISL) and National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) are the authorised agencies to accept and process PAN application forms.
You may also apply for PAN online through UTIISL’s web site http://www.utiisl. co.in/pan/ or NSDL’s web site http://tin.nsdl. com/.
It will normally take about 2 to 3 weeks to get your PAN card delivered at your doorstep.
If you need a PAN card urgently, you may also get Tatkal PAN by applying online using your credit card. You will get your PAN on priority basis and the same will be communicated to you through email.
What are the details to be submitted for applying PAN?
Only very few details like the following need to be given in the case of individuals:
• Name including your other names, if any
• Father’s name to be given even in the case of married women
• Date of birth
• Address both official and residential
• Main source of your income salary or professional/ business or any other income
• Designation and code of your assessing officer. You may obtain this information from the facilitation centers of UTIISL or NSDL or from the web site of the income Tax Department at http://incometaxind ia.gov.in/ ao/Firstlevel. asp
You need to submit the following documents along with your application:
• Proof of identity
• Proof of address
• A recent colour photograph (3.5 cm X 2.5 cm)
You may submit copies of your passport/credit card/bank statement/voter’ s identity card/depository account/driving license/ration card/property tax assessment order to establish proof of identity and address. In addition, there are number of other documents like school leaving certificate/ matriculation certificate/ degree of a recognised educational institution/ water bill for proof of identity.
Likewise, you may use electricity bill/telephone bill/employer certificate/ rent receipt for proof of address. Even if you don’t have any of these documents, you may obtain a certificate of identity and/or address signed by a MP or MLA or a Municipal Councilor or a Gazette Officer.
How can I obtain PAN if I don’t stay in India?
Non-Resident Indians may obtain PAN by applying through their representative assessee, who has to be an individual residing in India.
Recently, non-residents are permitted to apply for PAN by giving their present address, even though it is not in India. In such a case, the non-resident individual has to submit copy of passport for proof of identity and address and bank statement for proof of address (if the address mentioned in the passport is different from the present address).
In the case of non-residents, who are foreign citizens, these documents will have to be attested by the Indian embassy in their country.
Other issues related to PAN
A person can have only one PAN and duplicate PANs, if any, must be surrendered. It is illegal to have duplicate PANs.
Even if a PAN is obtained from one place, return of income can be submitted at a different place, in case of change of address or jurisdiction.
If you wish to correct the particulars given in the PAN, you may submit an application for making modifications in the PAN. This will ensure that the information in the database of the Income Tax Department is updated.
Guide Lines for Filling Online PAN Application
(a) Online PAN application is not available for:
* Government Organisations
(b) An applicant will fill Form 49A online and submit the form.
(c) If there are any errors, rectify them and re-submit the form.
(d) A confirmation screen with all the data filled by the applicant will be displayed.
(e) The applicant may either edit or confirm the same.
(f) On confirmation, an acknowledgment will be displayed. The acknowledgment will contain a unique 15-digit acknowledgment number.
(g) The applicant is requested to save and print this acknowledgment.
(h) ‘Individual’ applicants should affix a recent colour photograph (size 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm) in the space provided in the acknowledgment. The photograph should not be stapled or clipped to the acknowledgement. (The clarity of image on PAN card will depend on the quality and clarity of photograph affixed on the acknowledgment).
(i) Signature / Left Thumb Impression should only be within the box provided in the acknowledgment. In case of applicants other than ‘Individuals’, the authorised signatory shall sign the acknowledgment and affix the appropriate seal or stamp.The signature should not be on photograph. If there is any mark on photograph such that it hinders the clear visibility of the face of the applicant, the application will not be accepted.
(j) Thumb Impression should be attested by a Magistrate or a Notary Public or a Gazetted Officer, under official seal and stamp.
(k) If communication Address is within India
(a). The fee for processing PAN application is Rs.67.00 (Rs.60.00 + 12.24% service tax).
(b). Payment can be made either by – Demand Draft – Cheque – Credit Card
(c) If any of addresses i.e. office address or residential address is a foreign address, the payment can be made only by way of demand draft payable at Mumbai.
(l) If communication Address is outside India
(a). The fee for processing PAN application is Rs.717.00[Application fee Rs.67 (Rs.60.00 + 12.24% service tax) + Dispatch Charges Rs. 650.00].
(b). Payment can be made only by Demand Draft payable at Mumbai.
(c). At present this facility is available for a select list of countries. Applicants from other countries may contact NSDL at the contact details given in point (v) below. This point is not applicable if applicant is providing the representative assessee details in the point no.14 of application form
(m) Demand draft and cheque should be drawn in favour of ‘NSDL – PAN’.
(n) Demand draft shall be payable at Mumbai and the acknowledgment number should be mentioned on the reverse of the demand draft.
(o) Applicants making payment by cheque shall deposit a local cheque (drawn on any bank) with any HDFC Bank branch across the country (except Dahej). The applicant shall mention NSDLPAN on the deposit slip. List of HDFC Bank Branches
(p) Credit card payment Persons authorised to make Credit card payment are as below:
|
Category of Applicant |
Payment by Credit Card can be made by / for |
|
Individual |
Self, immediate family members (parents, spouse, children) |
|
HUF |
Karta of the HUF |
|
Company |
Any Director of the Company |
|
Firm |
Any Partner of the Firm |
|
Association of Person(s) / Body of Individuals / Association of Person(s) Trust / Artificial Juridical Person / Local Authority |
Authorised Signatory covered under section 140 of Income Tax Act, 1961 |
Applicants making credit card payment will be charged an additional surcharge of Rs.5.00 by the bank providing payment gateway facility. On successful credit card payment acknowledgment will be displayed. Applicant shall save and print the acknowledgment and send to NSDL as mentioned in point (q) & (r) below.
(q) The acknowledgment duly signed, affixed with photograph (in case of ‘Individuals’) alongwith Demand Draft, if any, and proof of identity (name in the application should be same as in the proof of identity) & proof of address (Individuals, HUFs, Body of Individuals, Association of Persons & Artificial Juridical Person should provide proof of address of residence stated in the application) as specified in the application form is to be sent to NSDL at ‘Income Tax PAN Services Unit, National Securities Depository Limited, 1st floor,Times Tower, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai – 400013′.
(r) Superscribe the envelope with ‘APPLICATION FOR PAN – Acknowledgment Number’ (e.g. ‘APPLICATION FOR PAN – 881010100000097′).
(s) Your acknowledgment, Demand Draft, if any, and proofs, should reach NSDL within 15 days from the date of online application.
(t) Applications received with demand draft or cheque as mode of payment shall be processed only on receipt of relevant proofs and realisation of payment.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do use ‘Form 49A‘ for making application for allotment of PAN.
- Do fill the application in block letters in English and preferably with black ink.
- Do paste a recent colour photograph (size 3.5 cm X 2.5 cm).
- Do provide the signature within the box.
- If thumb impression is put on the application form, do get the thumb impression attested by Magistrate or a Notary Public or a Gazetted Officer, under official seal and stamp.
- Do provide correct AO code in the application.
- Do specify AO code as below if applicant is a defence employee
|
Army – PNE W 55 3 Navy – MUM W 11 8 Air Force – DEL W 72 2 |
- Do attach Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) as per Rule 114 (4) of Income Tax Rules, 1962.
- Do provide the POI and POA which have name exactly as written in the application.
- Do provide details of Representative Assessee in column 14 of application form, if applicant is Minor, Idiot, Lunatic or Deceased.
- Do provide POI and POA for Representative Assesse also, if Representative Assessee is appointed.
- Do write the complete postal address in the application with landmark.
- Do mention correct pin code in the address field.
- Do mention telephone number / e- mail id in the application.
Don’ts
- Do not overwrite or make corrections in the application.
- Do not pin or staple the photograph.
- Do not sign across the box (i.e. signature should be within the box)
- Do not provide POI and POA which are not in the name of the applicant.
- Do not write any additional details (date, designation, rank, etc.) along with the signature in the box.
- Do not mention Husband’s name in the Father’s Name column.
- Do not abbreviate your name or do not use initials.
- Do not apply for a new PAN if you already have one.
For Online Application Please visit: https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html
information courtesy | https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html | http://blogs.ibibo.com/sujalreddy/PAN-and-its-Uses---Use-wisely.html |
02
Apr
08
NEW MODELS FROM MARUTI SUZUKI…
NEW ASTAR
SPLASH
CERVO – will replace Wagon R
JIMNY WAGON – will come to India before 2011
"please click the image to view in full size"
11
Mar
08
Health Insurance Policy…
What is a health insurance policy?A health insurance policy is a contract between an insurer and an individual or a group, in which the insurer agrees to provide specified health insurance at an agreed-upon price the premium. Depending on the policy, the premium may be payable either in a lump sum or in instalments. Health insurance usually provides either direct payment or reimbursements for expenses associated with illnesses and injuries. The cost and range of protection provided by the health insurance will depend on the insurance provider and the particular policy purchased. These days, most companies give the benefit of health insurance to the employees. However, in case your employer does not offer a health insurance plan, it is advisable to opt for a health insurance scheme.
Why do you need health insurance?
Health insurance has become a necessity in today’s world considering the rise in the cost of medical care and treatment and the huge population of the country. The escalating cost of medical treatment today is beyond the reach of the common man. Even if an individual is healthy and has never had any major problem, it is not possible to predict what may happen in the future. There is a growing public awareness for better health care and desire to have better health care from private medical providers. In case of a medical emergency, cost of hospital room, doctor’s fees, medicines and related health services all add up to a huge sum. In such times, health insurance provides the much needed financial relief.Who can avail this facility?
Health insurance can be availed by people aged between five and seventy five (The upper and lower age limits may vary slightly depending on the policy). The health insurance scheme could either be a personal scheme or a group scheme sponsored by your employer.
In anticipation of unexpected events that create the need for medical goods and services, the health insurance does not cover certain ailments. It does not cover ailments in the first year after the policy is taken. It covers hospitalization charges for:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Prolonged illnesses
- Loss of limb, eye, or other parts of the body due to accident
- Injuries
- Maternity expenses
- Medicines
You should understand the policy, and become familiar with common health insurance provisions, including limitations, exclusions, and riders. It is very important to know what your policy covers and what you have to pay yourself. Health Insurance policies generally cover boarding, nursing and diagnostic expenses, which include room rent charged at the hospital or nursing home, fees of the surgeon, anesthetist, doctor, etc. Some policies even offer fixed cash amount for each day you stay at any hospital for treatment. If you have a persistent health problem and then decide to take insurance, it might not be covered. Expenses on hospitalization, incurred in the first 30 days after taking a policy are also not entitled, except in case of an injury from accident. Treatment of certain diseases is not covered during the first year of your policy. The list of diseases may vary form one health policy to another.
What are the main health policies or schemes offered by Indian insurance companies?
Some of the existing health insurance schemes currently available are individual, family, group insurance schemes, senior citizens insurance schemes, long-term health care and insurance cover for specific diseases. Choose the one that suits you best and insure your health.
The insurance policies offered by GIC are:
- Mediclaim Policy
- Personal Accident – Individual
- Personal Accident – Family
- Group Accident Insurance
- Jan Arogya Bima Policy
- Bhavishya Arogya Policy (Insurance for senior citizens)
- Traffic Accident Policy
- Overseas Mediclaim Policy
The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) offers:
The Asha Deep Plan: It provides cover for cancer, paralytic stroke, renal failure and coronary artery disease.
Jeevan Asha: The Jeevan Asha policy is the other healthcare product offered by LIC
Why does Indian insurance need foreign players?
Competition improves quality of service. In India, LIC and GIC are well-established names. Only companies of equal strength and track record can effectively compete with them. Foreign players will provide expertise.
Some foreign companies entering the Indian insurance sector and their Indian partners are as below:
| Indian partner | Foreign Insurer | Specialization | Present Status | |
| Aditya Birla Group | Sun Life, Canada | Life | Received License | |
| Kotak Mahindra Finance | Old Mutual, South Africa | Life | Received License | |
| HDFC | Standard Life, UK | Life | Received License | |
| Reliance | No Foreign Alliance | Non-Life, Health | Received License for Non-Life | |
| ICICI | Prudential, UK | Life, Health | Received License | |
| Max India | New York Life, USA | Life | Received License | |
| Tata Group | AIG, USA | Life and Non-Life | Received License |
What changes are likely to occur with privatisation?
Currently, insurance for health care is tied up with only emergency situations. With privatisation it is hoped that health care will come within the reach of a large proportion of the population. It is important to remember that health insurance should now change from providing cover for treating sickness to ensuring the wellness of the consumer. An insurance model must be created with the `Total Health’ perspective to not only give access to quality healthcare but also incorporate preventive health care into the main system. Hospitals, different service centres and diagnostic centres needs to be accredited.
In India, approximately 80% of the total health expenditure comes from self-paid category as against government’s contribution of 20-30 %. A majority of private hospitals are expensive for a normal middle class family. The opening up of the insurance sector to private players is expected to give a shot in the arm of the healthcare industry.
Health insurance will make healthcare affordable to a large number of people. Currently, in India only 2 million people (0.2 % of total population of 1 billion), are covered under Mediclaim, whereas in developed nations like USA about 75 % of the total population are covered under some insurance scheme. General Insurance Company, has never aggressively marketed health insurance. Moreover, GIC takes upto 6 months to process a claim and reimburses customers after they have paid for treatment out of their own pockets.
What are the pros and cons of privitisation of health insurance?
| Pros | Cons |
| Flexibility in health insurance products and prices | Supplier induced demand which would lead to increase in cost of care. |
| Comprehensive and cost effective packages | Risk selection practices where the disabled, poor, elderly would be ignored |
| Medical plans will be tailored as per the requirement of an individual based on pre-negotiated rates | Exclusion of pre-existing conditions and diseases |
| Fewer age, disease and benefits restrictions | Monopoly of profit oriented insurance cartel with poor quality products. |
| Lower premium | Would benefit only a select target audience |
| Claim settlement would be smoother and faster |
Some Health Insurance Companies
11
Mar
08
Health Tips…
Increase the quantity of fruits and vegetables and low calorie foods.
Avoid intake of too much salt as it may be a factor for increasing body weight. Milk products like cheese, butter etc. and non-vegetarian foods should be avoided as they are rich in fat
Mint is very beneficial in losing weight. Chutney of green mint with some simple spices can be taken with meals. Mint tea also helps.
Spices like dry ginger, cinnamon, black pepper etc. are good for loosing weight and can be used in a number of ways.
Regular intake of carrot juice.
Avoid rice and potato, which contain a lot of carbohydrates. Among cereals wheat is good.
Vegetables like bittergourd and drumstick are useful in loosing weight.
Honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. It mobilizes the extra deposited fat in the body allowing it to be utilized as energy for normal functions.
Dosage: One should start with small quantity of about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning. A teaspoonful of fresh lemon juice may also be added.
Fasting on honey and lime- juice is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity without the loss of energy and appetite. For this, mix one teaspoon of fresh honey with the juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water.
Dosage: Take several times a day at regular intervals.
Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction.
Exercise is an important part of any weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored in body as fat.
Walking is the best exercise to begin with and may be followed by running, swimming or rowing.
The gum of Commiphora Mukul called ‘guggulu’ is the drug of choice for the treatment of obesity.
Blood Purification and Fat Reduction
Take one glass of warm water and mix 1-2 teaspoonful of honey and one teaspoonful of lemon juice. Take this preparation daily before evacuation. It helps to purify the blood. It also helps to reduce fat and to clean the bowels.
