Did you Know Video Games Can Heal the Sick

Games both video and computer have been for years looked down on as evil and a negative influence on society. However, recent research indicates that games play a significant role in healing. Studies indicate that playing games helps divert a patient’s mind from pain and for many patients, games are a form of physiotherapy as they exercise the fingers and muscles of the arms and oil the wheels of the mind. In fact, children suffering from autism learn a great many social skills from games they play.

Mark Griffiths, of Nottingham Trent University, has conducted in depth studies on gaming and found that “gaming can be a useful tool in healthcare, games can distract kids and adults undergoing painful treatments.” In fact children undergoing chemotherapy for diseases like sickle cell anemia deal with the disease better when they play games that absorb their attention completely. Sick children who occupied their minds playing video or computer games required lower doses of pain medication and tended to suffer less from hypertension and nausea than children who were asked to just rest. According to Griffiths an expert in the field, games benefit children suffering from attention deficit disorders too.

A conference on gaming showcased the fact that computer and video games promoted awareness in nutrition, lifestyle choices, and medical skills. According to experts, games helped reduce stress and healed people with phobias, diabetes, asthma, and cardiac diseases.

Games did not just promote anger and aggression but improved co-ordination skills, focus, and concentration, and steadied elevated blood pressure and pulse beating. Games are now playing a definitive role in therapy. Some games introduce images or stimulus to the mind like aromas or natural happenings like a river flowing or an avalanche. Many studies are focusing on “The state of Cognitive Exercise with digital Game Play,” where the use of games in treating diseases like Alzheimer is being addressed.

That gaming is recognized as a healer by medical communities across the US is established by the fact that the “Get-Well Gamers Foundation” collects unused games and consoles from avid gamers for distribution to children’s wards at hospitals across the US.

The new regimen in healing is to combine exercises with gaming. For example a patient who needs to be motivated to complete therapy sessions can be induced by connecting the bicycle to a video game that engages the patient’s mind. Ciprian Docan of Rutgers University has modified a home video game to assist stroke patients with hand movements and exercises.

Work by Karen Grimmer and her team in Adelaide Women and Children’s hospital showed that children suffering from severe burns feel less pain and discomfort when their minds are completely immersed in a virtual reality game. Games therefore served as appositive healing tool and helped children overcome great pan and discomfort.

Contrary to popular beliefs video and computer games do have a positive side and, all over the world serious studies are in progress of how games can be utilized in health care.

About the Author:
Aaron Brooks is a freelance writer for 1888FreeOnlineGames , the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more

By RISHABH JAIN with

What's New in Lifestyle Publications

What does an advertiser look for in a consumer lifestyle media partner? Besides audience profile, brands are often interested in the two things that make lifestyle publications interesting to the consumer: unique content and relevant, memorable advertising. In this column, we looked at a site that married its advertising with social media exposure, and one that specialized in creating memorable branded content. This week's candidates are equally equipped, ready to deliver a fresh new experience for digital media buyers and the brands they represent.
High on Beauty
According to a new study, 25 percent of online shoppers purchased a health or beauty product online in the past three months. To reach these potential customers brands must know where to go and how to stand apart. Beauty High aims to help. Media buyers may be familiar with StyleCaster Media Group and its flagship site StyleCaster.com, but earlier this year the company added Beauty High to its roster of sites in an effort to "make beauty cool" for a new generation of consumers.
Beauty High is both a beauty site and an online shopping destination complete with exclusive editorial content, tutorials, and interactive features. Celebrity interviews are a frequent item, as are interviews with beauty industry pros. Already the site is luring fashion, beauty, and CPG brand advertisers like Sephora, Victoria's Secret, Hawaiian Tropic, and Coca-Cola by offering the ability to align themselves with editorial content. The site's advertising options include "organically integrated" branded content that includes video, photo, and editorials; high-impact rich media advertising; event integration and influencer seeding; and social media activation through sweepstakes and giveaways.

"Following the success of StyleCaster.com, we decided with Beauty High we wanted to create an experience that had (the) 'cool' factor that many style sites have but that many beauty sites lack. We are making beauty cool for a new generation and attracting the audience that advertisers want to engage with," said David Goldberg, president of StyleCaster Media Group. "We have become a trusted conduit for our brand partners to take their message to the style generation."
Sweet Entertainment
Since launching in September 2010, Cotton Candy Magazine has been focusing on developing content that resonates with its target user: the "stylish, forward-thinking woman." This lifestyle publication helps women experience the sweeter side of life with articles and fashion spreads, along with exclusive video content running in the site's video channel, Cotton Candy TV. Celebrity interviews come in both text and video form, and bite-sized blog posts keep readers coming back with tips on everything from style to spicing up one's life. To date editorial features have included the likes of Ritz-Carlton and Macy's.

Apart from standard rich media ad units that run adjacent to editorial content on the site, brands can place pre-roll video in Cotton Candy TV features and even highlight their products through social media; the publication uses its growing social media presence to point to product photo galleries and drive qualified traffic to brands. E-mail sponsorships are also available, as are sponsored links - text ads strategically placed in editorial and e-mail content. Sponsorship packages can include all of these placements, along with offline event sponsorships.
As you might expect from its content, Cotton Candy Magazine appeals to women ages 18 to 44 who are tech-savvy and relatively affluent. According to publisher Nicole D. Smith, 66 percent of users use an iPhone to open Cotton Candy e-mail showcases, and the majority of readers earn over $100,000 per year. The site also recently launched a Tumblr page to extend its reach among social media users.
As a content category, consumer lifestyle is fairly well saturated. To infiltrate it now and garner the attention of top fashion and beauty marketers requires something unique, whether that distinction comes in the form of voice, point of view, or approach to advertising. As you plan your campaigns, look to properties that distinguish themselves but also demonstrate an enthusiasm to create a mutually beneficial media partnership. Your clients' ads will be instrumental in helping these new sites attain and maintain a loyal audience.

By RISHABH JAIN with

Lokpal will create two oligarchies: Arundhati

Hyderabad: "When people fight against corruption, it is important to understand what corruption is. Is corruption just an accounting problem, a financial irregularity? Or, is it a currency of social inequality or concentration of power?" asked noted author and social activists Arundhati Roy while commenting on people's support for Anna Hazare's movement against corruption.

Addressing mediapersons here on Sunday, the Booker prize winner answered several questions pertaining to the spurt of rebellions across the country and the current political scenario. When asked about Anna Hazare's protest, she said she was not wearing the 'I am Anna' cap.

"A woman who sells samosas on a cart has to bribe the local policeman for permission to sell it in that place. My worry is that with the Lokpal creating a bureaucracy to monitor hundreds of officials from the prime minister to the lower-rung employees, people will have to bribe two systems. The Lokpal might just create two oligarchies."

My worry is that with the Lokpal creating a bureaucracy... people will have to bribe two systems.

An increasing number of corporate players are taking up the government's role by taking up road-laying, electricity supply, etc and hence corporates, media and NGOs, who play a pivotal role in opinion formation, must also come under the scanner of Lokpal, the author of God of Small Things said.

"The events of last week - Hazare's arrest and eruption of protests across the country need to be examined closely. The government is, in fact, helping Hazare stage his protest by letting him dispatch video messages from the prison. The Delhi municipality cleans up the Ramlila Maidan ahead of Anna's protest there while staying overnight in the Jantar Mantar area to protest is impossible if you are a Bhopal gas tragedy victim," Roy said.

She, however, opposed the arrest of Hazare as he had not committed any crime. The author had a dig at the media, saying it was being unfair by showcasing the protests of the influential and ignoring the voices of the poor. "Right now, 10,000 people are protesting at Koodankulam.

They will not get even five minutes on our news channels. Maoists and Gandhi followers are protesting against the same injustice of the government. While the Anna protests are coming from the top layer of the society, the Maoist protests are from the grass roots."

When asked about her opinion on the issue, Roy said the movement had a long history of radical trouble and the protests involved women. She hoped it would not turn out to be just another political movement for a smaller state such as those of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

She found it disturbing that students were taking their lives for the movement. "Arundhati Roy is not a voice of the voiceless. There are no voiceless people. There are deliberately-silenced people. People losing lands and livelihood to corporate people will not protest with slogans such as 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' she remarked.

By RISHABH JAIN with

10 differences between Jan Lokpal Bill and Govt Bill

The streets are witnessing a demand that the government's Lok Pal Bill be replaced by the Jan Lok Pal Bill (JLP) as drafted by the team led by Anna Hazare. There are several significant differences between the two bills. In this note, we describe the some of these differences.
First, there is a divergence on the jurisdiction of the Lok Pal. Both bills include ministers, MPs for any action outside Parliament, and Group A officers (and equivalent) of the government. The government Bill includes the Prime Minister after he demits office whereas the JLP includes a sitting Prime Minister. The JLP includes any act of an MP in respect of a speech or vote in Parliament (which is now protected by Article 105 of the Constitution). The JLP includes judges; the government Bill excludes them. The JLP includes all government officials, while the government Bill does not include junior (below Group A) officials. The government Bill also includes officers of NGOs who receive government funds or any funds from the public; JLP does not cover NGOs.
Second, the two Bills differ on the composition. The government Bill has a chairperson and up to 8 members; at least half the members must have a judicial background. The JLP has a chairperson and 10 members, of which 4 have a judicial background.
Third, the process of selecting the Lok Pal members is different. The JLP has a two stage process. A search committee will shortlist potential candidates. The search committee will have 10 members; five of these would have retired as Chief Justice of India, Chief Election Commissioner or Comptroller and Auditor General; they will select the other five from civil society. The Lok Pal chairperson and members will be selected from this shortlist by a selection committee. The selection committee consists of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, two Supreme Court judges, two high court chief justices, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Comptroller and Auditor General and all previous Lok Pal chairpersons.
The government Bill has a simpler process. The selection will be made by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the leaders of Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, a Supreme Court judge, a high court chief justice, an eminent jurist and an eminent person in public life. The selection committee may, at its discretion, appoint a search committee to shortlist candidates.
Fourth, there are some differences in the qualifications of a member of the Lok Pal. The JLP requires a judicial member to have held judicial office for 10 years or been a high court or Supreme Court advocate for 15 years. The government Bill requires the judicial member to be a Supreme Court judge or a high court chief justice. For other members, the government Bill requires at least 25 years experience in anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance or finance. The JLP has a lower age limit of 45 years, and disqualifies anyone who has been in government service in the previous two years.
Fifth, the process for removal of Lok Pal members is different. The government Bill permits the president to make a reference to the Supreme Court for an inquiry, followed by removal if the member is found to be biased or corrupt. The reference may be made by the president (a) on his own, (a) on a petition signed by 100 MPs or (c) on a petition by a citizen if the President is then satisfied that it should be referred. The President may also remove any member for insolvency, infirmity of mind or body, or engaging in paid employment.
The JLP has a different process. The process starts with a complaint by any person to the Supreme Court. If the court finds misbehaviour, infirmity of mind or body, insolvency or paid employment, it may recommend his removal to the President.
Sixth, the offences covered by the bills vary. The government Bill deals only with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The JLP, in addition, includes offences by public servants under the Indian Penal Code, victimization of whistleblowers and repeated violation of citizen's charter.
Seventh, the government Bill provides for an investigation wing under the Lok Pal. The JLP states that the CBI will be under the Lok Pal while investigating corruption cases.
Eighth, the government Bill provides for a prosecution wing of the Lok Pal. In the JLP, the CBI's prosecution wing will conduct this function.
Ninth, the process for prosecution is different. In the government Bill, the Lok Pal may initiate prosecution in a special court. A copy of the report is to be sent to the competent authority. No prior sanction is required. In the JLP, prosecution of the Prime Minister, ministers, MPs and judges of Supreme Court and high courts may be initiated only with the permission of a 7-judge bench of the Lok Pal.
Tenth, the JLP deals with grievance redressal of citizens, in addition to the process for prosecuting corruption cases. It requires every public authority to publish citizen's charters listing its commitments to citizens. The government Bill does not deal with grievance redressal.
Given the widespread media coverage and public discussions, it is important that citizens understand the differences and nuances. This may be a good opportunity to enact a law which includes the better provisions of each of these two bills.

By RISHABH JAIN with

‎10 things to know about Anna Hazare 'n Jan Lok Pal Bill.. !

‎10 things to know about Anna Hazare 'n Jan Lok Pal Bill.. !

1. Who is Anna Hazar...e?
An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War

2. What's so special about him?
He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahamad Nagar district, Maharashtra

3. So what?
This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills.
In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India. It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village.

4. Ok,...?
This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities.

5. Really, what is he fighting for?
He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India.

6. How that can be possible?
He is advocating for a Bil, The Jan Lokpal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), beurocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds.

8. It's an entirely new thing right..?
In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit thier theft (corruption).

7. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time?
The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed.
Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the JAN LOKPAL BILL. 50% goverment participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them.

8. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed?
A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result.

9. Is he alone? Whoelse is there in the fight with Anna Hazare?
Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more.
Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause.

10. Ok, got it. What can I do?
At least we can spread the message. How?
Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics.

At least we can support Anna Hazare and the cause for uprooting corruption from India.
At least we can hope that his Hunger Strike does not go in vain.
At least we can pray for his good health.

Thanks for reading.

Please Spread This msg As Much As You Can 'n Tell Others To Do The Same.. !

By RISHABH JAIN with

How to bring stability in house through vastu-shastra

Clutter Clearing
Clutter clearing is the most important aspect of Vastu or Feng Shui. Clutter indicates those things which are not used for years and years. It also means all nonworking items such as clocks, watches, electronic stuff, any machinery, etc. Either make them in working condition or just throw them away. Clutter disturbs the energy flow and creates disharmony in the house. It brings stagnation in the respective area of your life in which the clutter is accumulated. It may bring emotional sickness too. So get read of it, not only once but very often because Clutter Clearing is an ongoing process which never comes to an end. Please do not put any cure or remedy of Vastu or Feng Shui before you have done clutter clearing. See the magical changes after doing Clutter Clearing.

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10 Comandments
1.  Main entrance is the mouth of a house which brings in main energy - Main door of house should never face South West or the life of the occupants may be or rather is guaranteed to be very struggle full. Doors facing North, North East, East, South East are good for money.

2.  Mandir / Alter is the king of all Vastu Rules - Always keep Mandir or Alter in the North East area of your house. Rest of the things will automatically start falling in place. You should pray facing East.

3.  Kitchen is the symbol of prosperity - Your kitchen should be ideally placed in the South East of you house and you should face East while cooking. It indicates smooth flow of money and good health of the lady working there. Kitchen in the North or North East brings unexpected, sudden expenditures, loss of money and financial problems. Kitchen in the East has been seen giving cancer of uterus to a female.

4.  Master Bedroom is the Key to enter the door of Stability -  Your Master Bedroom must be in South West to get stability in the life. South East bed room brings anger. Bed room in the North East is never recommended to the head of the family as North East is the weakest part of your house. Master of a house must be given the strongest part of the house i.e South West. North East is the place for God and  South West is the Devils’  place. Master sleeps in the South West and becomes strong and God keeps a compassionate eye on the Master who is sleeps in his diagonally opposite direction.

5.  Bath rooms and Toilets  have the  energy of ‘HELL’ - Bath rooms and Toilets  must not be in North or they bring financial problems. North East Bath and WC give educational and financial problems. Bath rooms and Toilets are best in west or south.

6.  Center is the nose of your House - It is said that your house breaths through the Centre. Center of the house or office or of any constructed place must be empty and clutter free. A wall, a beam or any heavy object in the center gives stomach problems and financial problems to the occupant.

7.   Cuts make a house paralyzed or handicapped - Cuts in the house in any direction is very bad. Mainly cuts in South West ,North, North East and South East give tremendous financial problems to the occupant. There are many mysteries and secrets regarding the cuts and their effects on the occupant.

8.  A Devil or the Evil Energy resides in the deep holes in the South West - Underground water tank or a well in the South West is the worst or threatening defect and if it is accompanied by defect in North East, it ruins the occupant. Water placement ( only under ground) is good in North, North East ( not on the axis) and East.

9.   90% of the Illnesses and 92% of the Cancers are born due to Sleeping on GS - If a house has Geopathic Stress it needs to be corrected by an Expert or Sickness will prevail in the house. In the absence of good health, Money is useless.

10.  DIVINE SECRET - Last commandment is very important. If you have a very good house as per the vastu rules stated above and the flying Star Chart or the Feng Shui of your place is very bad, the house is not auspicious. It will give miseries to the occupant. And vice versa.

I always emphasizes on treating the place with Vastu as well as Feng Shui as the only technique does not give the ultimate results. This is the uniqueness of her consultation and has given her 95% success rate.

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11 Curses
 
1.  Never use bright colors such as Red, Purple, Pink for painting your house. This may aggravate the sickness star if any and bring in disaster. Do not keep too many Crystals, Clusters in your house. That also has the same effect as mentioned above.

2.  Do not keep Water Fountain, Fish Tank or even the picture of Water in your Bedroom. It will destroy your Health as well as Wealth. Water has to be dealt with great care.

3.  Do not keep your Mandir / Alter under any Beam or Cupboard or you will be always under stress.

4.  Do not keep Heavy objects, Dustbin and a shoe rack in North East and North of your House .Always keep North East and North clean and light. Heaviness here will block your Finances.

5.  Do not keep Bonsais in the house or they will hamper the growth in a respective area of your life.

6.  Do not face South while cooking or your mind will be filled with negative thoughts.

7.  Do not select a house which has a South West entry even if you are getting it at a lower price.

8.  Avoid that place to sleep where your cat loves to rest. That place most probably has a problem of Geopathic Stress.

9.   Do not give a room to your servant which is in the South West of your house or the servant will dominate you.

10.  Do not sleep in front of the mirror or after some years, it will cause the surgery of that part of your body which is reflected in the mirror.

11.  Do not keep paintings of Mahabharata, Titanic, Sinking Boat in your house or office or it may cause never ending fights between a husband and a wife and problems in your business respectively.

By RISHABH JAIN with

Study Room Vastu

 
 

The right place is very important for study as it affects the concentration of students. Many times students complain that they are not able to concentrate on studies. The remedy to these problems has been formulated by our ancestors through ‘Vastu Shastra’.
Here are few vastu tips which can help students to achieve success in their studies.
The study room should be located in the directions which are considered auspicious for studies such as East, North or north-east of the house. As per Vastu, these directions improve the power of concentration while studying. Make sure that there is no mirror reflection in their room. This may have effect of doubling their work load. Make sure that the student does not study under a beam otherwise he or she feels unnecessary pressure. 
Locate Study Table according to Vastu
The placement of study table is important for concentration. You should place study table facing East or North. Do make sure that the child should face East or North while studying. The table should not stick to the wall. There should be open space in front of child as it augments fresh ideas. The child should have a solid wall behind him as it signifies support.
The study table should be square or rectangular as per vastu, it should not be too big or too small. A table of small size can be uncomfortable while working and a table of big size can affect working capacity of the child.
Placement of Bookshelves as per Vastu
Bookshelves and cabinets should be placed in the East, North, and North-east directions. The cabinets should not be placed in the center of room. It is best to leave central portion of study room empty. Avoid placing bookshelf above study table. It may create unnecessary stress for child. Study table should not be cluttered with lots of books.
Color scheme as per Vastu
The walls of study room should be painted in light colors rather than dark colors. Light colors are very auspicious according to vastu and enhance learning power of students. Avoid black color in study room. 
Proper Lighting
The study room should have proper light. Dim lights are not favorable for child’s education and growth. Sunlight gives us energy for doing work so the windows of study room should be in East and North of the room. A table lamp is another source of proper light which helps in concentrating on the task. If the child is using table lamp, it should be placed in south-east of the table.
Vastu Tips to Create an Effective Enviornment in Study Room
    The room to be chosen for study should be in the East , North or the North-East direction of the house. These directions improve the absorption power.
Study room vastu
    Ensure that your child sleeps with his head towards East or South. The head towards east helps in learning whereas the head towards south helps in maintaining magnetic balance of the body or earth. Avoid bed in study room as it may make child lazy.
    Avoid television in study room because it interrupts concentration of students.
    Place computer in south-east of the room.
    Make the room noiseless. The study room should not have any noisy toilet on the floor above or below the room.
    Do not let the child study under a beam.
    Make study room clean, clutter free and noise free.

By RISHABH JAIN with

Does the killing of Osama bin Laden solve the problem of terrorism?

Just after it was declared that Osama bin Laden has been shot dead someone tweeted, “Good, now can I bring my shampoo when travelling by air?”

Although it was said in jest there are many who believe that the killing of Osama bin Laden is a big victory against terrorism. Hardly. It is a moral victory, of course, and a victory that has come too late. Right now in the world of terrorism bin Laden holds no significance. He had begun to turn into a relic. With public rising against dictators (most of them supported by the USA, ironically) all over the Arab world and with no support from Osama bin Laden and his ilk he has been relegated to insignificance. The last video he released was in 2007 .Understandly there haven’t been much hue and cry over his killing in the Arab world save for a few commisoratory demonstrations by fringe fanatical groups.
Big terrorist names only act as inspiration, the actual groups at the ground level mostly work independently due to logistical problems. Terrorist groups derive massive support from governments and secret agencies and they are basically tools in the hands of these governments and agencies (for example Pakistan, China and Sudan). So killing one leader here and another there isn’t going to make the problem of terrorism go away. There has to be an international consensus regarding how to deal with such regimes. Unless this is done no amount of terrorist-extermination is going to provide a solution and we will keep on living in the contemporary fearful atmosphere.
Since terrorism may exist in many forms we also need a clear definition of what exactly is terrorism so that it becomes easier to deal with them. Terrorism for one can be justified resistance for anotherr. For example there are many groups fighting against unjust governments and despotic rulers. Just because you’re taking up arms against an establishment or a government this shouldn’t turn you into an internationally certified terrorist. Take for instance Maoist insurgency in some parts of India. There is a known collusion between various mafias, industries and government agencies and they are perpetually exploiting local people, looting them, depriving them of their lands and resources and murdering them. When the law that is supposed to protect you begins to exploit you and there is no platform available to you where you can voice your dissent sometimes you have no option but to take up arms.
Having said that, I’m not saying that blowing up buildings and buses and killing people in the name of a justified struggle is excusable, I’m just trying to explain the difference between a resistance and an act of blowing up a building like the World Trade Center.
Of course there are arguments and counter arguments in every case as it already happens. There are apologists who don’t know where to draw a line and then there are “civilised” extremists who again, don’t know where to draw a line. There is no balanced analysis of the reasons why terrorism crops up. People often say that the very ideology of Islam breeds violent Jihad and terrorism but personally I don’t agree with this. There are murderers and fanatics in every religion. The recent peaceful protests in countries like Tunisia, Libya and Egypt have shown that Muslims don’t need support from Jihadi groups and professional terrorists to rise up against their governments.
It’s a pleasant development that Facebook played a more significant role than the al Qaeda.
Just as there are fringe fanatic groups in every religion there are also fringe fanatic groups among Muslims.
In order to contain and destroy terrorism the international community first of all needs to realise what actually breeds terrorism and what sort of support various terrorist organisations derive from established governments. There has to be a sincere effort. The way America has been turning a blind eye to Pakistani adventurism is appalling and it smells of some deep-rooted conspiracy, whatever may be the reason. So we need to get rid of such dualism and hypocrisy and come straight to the point. It took the Americans more than nine years to hunt down Osama bin Laden. It shouldn’t have taken them more than two months had the effort been sincere and realistic. Needless war and destruction has been imposed on multiple countries in the guise of finding him.
The Muslim community all over the world needs to be more vociferous against the violent elements amidst the community just as they have risen against their dictators. Being a terrorist shouldn’t be an act of valour and terrorists must be treated as criminals and hence families supporting them must face shame rather than incite awe. Whenever you want to glorify terrorism just think of Beslan (Russia) where they had taken 100s of schoolchildren hostages and forced them to take off their clothes or the innocent Jewish family butchered during 26/11 Mumbai attacks. It is very difficult to change a cultural ideology but community leaders must make a start somewhere; during Friday prayers every week they can exhort them to distance themselves from violent and terrorist elements. This is a long-term goal and may take many decades to show some results.
The short-term goals must be to employ a zero tolerance policy against countries abetting and supporting terrorist groups in the name of Jihad and freedom struggle. Indigenously the justice system must be made stronger and effective and if the United Nations need to but in then so be it. For instance if the Indian government doesn’t go into the root cause of the Maoist insurgency then the United Nations must interfere. When you start killing your own people then it is no longer a question of sovereignty and internal matter.
So it has to be a multi-pronged approach: strengthen domestic justice system and implement a zero tolerance policy against countries breeding terrorism. Only then the problem of terrorism can be solved

By RISHABH JAIN with

Will Google+ Kill Facebook?

Google Plus is apparently Google’s attempt to out-social Facebook. Will they succeed? Let’s take a look at what it offers before trying to answer that question:

• Circles – With this feature you can create “circles” of friends. Instead of having one big pile of friends like in Facebook, you can choose to selectively share what you’re doing with circles of friends you create and manage.
• Hangouts — A “hangout” is a place you can go hangout. Like, duh. But really, it’s a virtual space where you can let specific friends or circles know that you are available for a face-to-face chat, should they wish to do so. Kind of like in real life, when you go hang at the local coffee shop.
• Instant uploads — This feature allows you to automatically upload photos and videos to a private space where you can decide who to share them with.
• Sparks — This a current awareness service. Tell sparks what you’re into (e.g., fashion, music, etc.) and it will gather things it thinks you might be interested in for looking at whenever you have time.
• Huddle — Huddle is a group chat. Kind of like an impromptu IRC channel.

I haven’t actually tried any of these features yet, since it is still in development and requires an invitation (anyone have one? ), but based on the brief descriptions on the web site, I think it has a great deal of promise. It feels very much like taking social networking to the next level by making specific social needs both easier and more in your personal control.
So is Google Plus a Facebook killer? I don’t know — yet. But I suspect it might just be, if enough people find the above feature set as compelling as it sounds at first read. But don’t count Facebook out yet — they still have massive penetration and it isn’t trivial to jump from one social networking platform to another. Plus, Facbeook isn’t exactly sitting still.
I don’t know who will come out on top, but given the size of the competitors this is like a fight between Godzilla and Mothra, where all us puny Earthlings can do is wait to see who will be our new social networking overlord.

By RISHABH JAIN with

In the heart

My sister has been told she has atrial fibrillation . What is this ,and am i at risk of it also ?

(From Health Magazine)

Atrail Fibrillation is a disorder of the heart rhythm where the upper chamber called atrium does not have any rhythmic contractibility . Due to this , the heartbeat becomes irregular it does not necessarily mean there is a structural heart disease . there's no evidence that the condition runs in the family , so there's no risk of you developing the same

By RISHABH JAIN with

What Your Dog Says About You

Your canine partner may reveal more about you than you think.

If you saw a biker dude walking a Rottweiler with a spiked leather collar, or a Coco Chanel clone with a perfectly clipped Poodle on a Shantung silk leash, you would have little difficulty seeing how those dogs were a good reflection of their owners. But what about your own dog? What kind of portrait of you does your canine companion paint? You may not have thought about it, but the fact is that everything about your dog-its breed, size, personality, training, diet, grooming, and so on-reveals a great deal about you, for better or for worse. 
Puppy impulsive?
Let's start with how you got your dog. If you bought a puppy from a pet store, chances are you're new to dogs, as most long-time dog owners are aware that responsible breeders will not sell dogs to pet stores, making the origin and breeding of a pet store pup rather questionable. It could also mean that you are impulsive (saw that doggie in the window, had to have it!), as opposed to someone who methodically researches bloodlines, show records, breeders' reputations, etc.
The more methodical person would probably buy from a breeder, so if that's what you did, we can assume that you think before taking action, and that you are a person who has distinct preferences. And, since dogs from breeders can fetch top dollar, you are likely not in the poorhouse.
Then there are those people who rescue strays or adopt dogs from shelters. These folks tend to be compassionate and are not afraid to take chances or let their emotions guide them in making decisions.
Purebred planner?
There are also some general differences between "purebred people" and "mutt people." Stanley Coren, a noted psychologist and author of several popular dog books, including Why We Love the Dogs We Do, says: "In the past, purebred dogs were an issue of status. Today I would judge people who get purebreds as individuals who like to plan their lives and think ahead. The value of a purebred is that you can predict, not only what a dog will look like, but its temperament and behaviour as well.
On the other hand, people who adopt dogs from a person they know are often doing so out of caring for the person who had to give the dog up, while those who adopt dogs from a shelter often do so, in part, with the idea that they are ‘saving a life.' Both are acting from the heart, and are probably showing a tendency to be warm and empathic."
In addition, since one can't really predict what a mixed-breed puppy will be like at maturity, owners of mutt puppies must be able to trust fate and be willing to take a chance. Mutt lovers may therefore be more easy going and accepting of imperfections than those who prefer purebreds.
Neat freak?
Another aspect of your dog that tells people something about you is its hair type and the grooming requirements that go with it. As Coren explains, "Fastidious people with neat, well-kept homes seldom have large, hairy dogs that shed. In my home, where two out of three of my dogs have long hair, we have come to accept the fact that dog hair is a condiment." Thus, if you have a hairy, shedding dog, you are likely not terribly fussy and you don't worry too much about being judged by others who may not share your nonchalance.
House-proud types are much more likely to get a nonshedding dog like a Poodle or a Bichon Frise. Coren adds that "People who get dogs that require special grooming, especially fancy clipping- such as Poodles-are often people who care a great deal about their own appearance and grooming."
Toy collector?
Size also matters when it comes to deciphering a person by his or her pooch. Those same fastidious folks who cringe at the thought of dog hair on the décor are also likely to grow faint at the thought of large, dirty paws and the puddles of drool that can go along with big dogs, so they will most often stick to the smaller breeds. Big dogs also typically require more exercise, so owners of such dogs are generally those that like to be active in the outdoors, people who are probably more interested in sports than in designer drapes.
Then, of course, there is the macho factor: big dogs appeal to the male ego in ways that even the snappiest armpit piranha never could. As Coren says, "People often choose dogs to reflect their own body image. Big men or men who feel that they are tough, powerful, or in control seem to like big dogs, and little dainty women seem to like small dogs. However, there are always exceptions-thus Jack Nickleson has a flock of Shih Tzus."
Antisocial animal?
Your dog's personality provides yet another glimpse into what kind of person you are. Friendly, outgoing dogs usually have sociable, outgoing owners, while more standoffish dogs often belong to less gregarious individuals. "Shy and less-secure people often want a dog that is only attentive to them, and proves to them that they are somehow special," says Coren.
A suspicious person will also want a dog that is attentive only to them, and will foster that dog's suspicion of other people. Such people may be attracted to the guard dog breeds, but as Coren explains, there is more than one type attracted to the guarding breeds. "The two extremes of people who like guard dogs are those who want a dog to make them look as tough as they feel they are, and those who worry about the state of their world and want a dog to protect them."
Think about your dog's training (or lack thereof), as well, if you're wondering what people will assume about you from your dog. According to Coren, "A poorly trained dog often says that the owner doesn't spend enough time with the dog, or that the owner really doesn't have much empathy with other people, so he or she is not bothered by the fact the dog is pestering or annoying others."
A highly trained dog, on the other hand, can be evidence that a person simply loves interacting and working with their dog, or it can be a sign that a person has a strict or controlling personality. As for aggressive dogs, Coren says, "If a dog has a persistent aggression problem and is encouraged by the owner in such behaviour, it is likely that the owner has a persistent hostility problem of his own."
Bedroom softy?
How about your dog's living and sleeping quarters? A dog that has the run of the entire house probably belongs to a caring person who sees a dog as a member of the family. The owner of a dog kept outside, locked into a kennel, or kept on a chain, may lack empathy or see a dog as more of a possession than a friend or family member. If Precious sleeps on her own, custom-made, canopied velvet bed, you are indulgent and likely have no children; if Fido beds down snuggled up next to you, you are likely to be soft-hearted and affectionate.
Health-food hound?
Even what your dog eats provides others with a glimpse into your personality. If you cook or prepare your dog's food yourself, this indicates that you are highly health conscious and you probably eat healthy foods yourself. You might also be a bit of a skeptic, as you doubt the claims made by dog food companies who say their foods are healthy for your dog. You have likely read one or more books on dog nutrition, suggesting that you are educated and self-directed. However, this doesn't mean that a person who buys their dog's food is a naïve hillbilly whose idea of haute cuisine is a freshly opened bag of pork rinds. What we can deduce about owners who buy canned or kibbled foods is that they appreciate convenience and have a general faith as consumers.
While it may not always be true that dogs and their owners resemble one another in a physical sense, there is certainly a great deal that people can learn about us by looking at our dogs. For good or for bad, our dogs and the way we treat them reflect our personalities, our preferences, and our lifestyles. So, what does your doggie mirror say about you? ■

By RISHABH JAIN with

Apple - iPad - It's thinner, lighter, and faster than ever

Two cameras for FaceTime and HD video recording. The dual-core A5 chip. The same 10-hour battery life.¹ All in a thinner, lighter design. Now iPad is even more amazing. And even less like anything else.

Watch the iPad 2 video

Thinner, lighter, and
full of great ideas.

Once you pick up iPad 2, it’ll be hard to put down. That’s the idea behind the all-new design. It’s 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter, so it feels even more comfortable in your hands.² And it makes surfing the web, checking email, watching movies, and reading books so natural, you might forget there’s incredible technology under your fingers.

Dual-core A5 chip.
It’s fast, times two.

Two powerful cores in one A5 chip mean iPad can do twice the work at once. You’ll notice the difference when you’re surfing the web, watching movies, making FaceTime video calls, gaming, and going from app to app to app. Multitasking is smoother, apps load faster, and everything just works better.

Superfast graphics.
Go, gamers, go.

With up to nine times the graphics performance, gameplay on iPad is even smoother and more realistic. And faster graphics help apps perform better — especially those with video. You’ll see it when you’re scrolling through your photo library, editing video with iMovie, and viewing animations in Keynote.

Battery life keeps on going. So you can, too.

Even with the new thinner and lighter design, iPad has the same amazing 10-hour battery life.¹ That’s enough juice for one flight across the ocean, or one movie-watching all-nighter, or a week’s commute across town. The power-efficient A5 chip and iOS keep battery life from fading away, so you can get carried away.

By RISHABH JAIN with

How to Deal with and Heal Back Pain

“The back represents our support system.  Problems with the back usually mean we feel we are not being supported.  Too often we think we are only supported by our job or by our family or spouses.  In reality we are totally supported by the universe, by Life itself.” – Louise Hay

Healing Back Pain Through Yoga,  Exercise and Diet

If you are suffering from general back pain you’ve come to the right page.  For years I was such a tough athlete.  A gymnast and a swimmer for years.  And then three rear- enders later I lived incessantly with muscles spasms, aches and pain for many years thereafter.  I was a gymaholic.  I guess there are worst things to be.  But I still had that nagging pain.  I went to doctors, chiropractors, had scans, x-rays, the works.  No one really found much of anything except that my hips are uneven and when they get out of whack, it causes pain on one side or the other.  Simple adjustment and it goes away.  As I get older though, I have noticed the nag increase.  I have taken it upon myself, as I do not want to live in pain the rest of my life, to incorporate some healthy habits that have changed the course of this nagging pain.  And guess what?  When I follow them, the pain dissipates.  I hardly feel it anymore, if at all.  Just sharing what works for me.  Take it or leave it. Here they are:

Yoga is Fantastic for Healing Back Pain

When I first started my yoga teacher training, I had serious trouble with my back.  I didn’t even know whether I was going to make it through the series because I had such a hard time sitting.  I was in absolute agony the first few weeks begging for relief.  But here’s what happened.  I learned so many beautiful poses.  Poses that helped me regain my flexibility I thought I had lost.  Poses that stretched my limbs and tendons.  Poses that strengthened my legs, core, back and arms, like Plank Pose and Side Plank.  Poses that soothed not only my back, but my soul.  Child’s Pose, Pelvic Tilts, Cobra Pose, Seated Twists as well as poses using bolsters, blocks and straps to support my body. I also made friends with people who were much further along the healing path and who helped me understand some of the emotional causes for back pain as well.  Mine was all lower back pain.  After taking the suggestion of one of my new found friends, I read Louise Hayes, .You Can Heal Your Life.  I realized my back pain had a lot to do with my financial collapse at the time as well as years and years of never feeling like there was enough money to support me. It is so difficult to function in daily life when you are in pain.  It is difficult to be quiet or to be peaceful when your body is screaming at you for relief.  Practicing yoga consistently and educating yourself on the causes of back pain keeps you out of back pain trouble.  When I don’t practice consistently, it creeps back and definitely lets me know I need to stay on top of things and get back in the groove.

Yoga Makes You Aware of What you Put in Your Body

Yoga and meditation, in a nutshell, is about becoming aware.  I used to eat red meat almost every day with, I might add, a mighty glass or two of red wine to wash it down.  In fact, I used to eat a lot of inflammatory foods, but thanks to my practice I no longer crave those types of foods and do not eat them. I no longer mindlessly put junk into my body. And what do you think happened when I stopped eating foods that made my body hurt?  Less inflammation in my body, giving it the ability to recover from a challenging workout.  Soda, sugar, dairy products, fried food and processed food all contribute to inflammatory conditions.  Inflammation makes your body hurt.  So check in with yourself and clean it up.  No one wants to live in pain.  So the next time you’re ready to pick up a bag of chips, burn it (just kidding…trash it) and pick up some almonds, fruit or crunchy veggies instead.  Make it your business to change your unhealthy eating habits.  If you are one of those people who says, “Oh, one bag won’t hurt.”  Think again.  Chips cause decay and pain.  Change your habits and your body will thank you over and over again for the rest of your life.  If you don’t believe me, read

Younger Next Year by Crowley and Lodge.  You won’t be disappointed. You will begin to feel better before you know it.  Add another component and you will feel better yet.  You see, it’s not just about the food.  The food is only one factor.  Exercise is another key ingredient to healing back pain.

Strengthen Your Back and Get Rid of the Fat

Extra weight is either adding to your back pain or is the root cause of the pain.  In fact, obesity is the leading cause of back pain today.  All that extra weight around your middle causes strain on your back, your vital organs and your joints.  It has the ability to throw off your balance making it hard to function properly.  If you’re one of those people who says, “Well, I only have a little bit.”  You’re not so different.  Get it off.  You have got to start burning the fat off with exercise and getting your heart rate up for at least twenty minutes per day.  Yes, that means breathing hard and a little soreness if your not used to working out.  Start and don’t stop.  Don’t stop. Ever.  If you start and then stop, you will only accelerate the decay process already going on in your body like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and a host of other undesirables. If you keep going each day, your cells will begin to replenish and rebuild.  You may not feel great tomorrow or even next week.  But in 2-4 weeks you will feel significantly better. Just 30-60 minutes per day folks, 6 times per week.  Find something you like and give it all you’ve got.  Shed that unwanted, drag me down, fat that has your heart screaming “Get off me or I’m gonna shut down!”  And be done with it for life.  If you are new to working out or you are limited on time, I have a great suggestion.This program is actually awesome for anyone but particularly useful when it comes to time management. It comes with an excellent nutrition guide. It works. 10 minutes. 20 Minutes if you like. Do it. You will be on your way in no time. CLICK HERE

Maintenance and Preventative Care for Your Back

Good chiropractic care is underrated.  I have found that is is crucial to maintaining good back health.  Notice I didn’t say mediocre chiropractic care.  You need to go to someone who understands your body and your issues.  Someone who will spend the time working on adjustments that are the right adjustments for you and does not give up until he/she has it figured out.  Period.  My chiropractor is awesome.  He rolls me into the adjustment. Never pushes too hard and never does anything that would make the inflammation worse. I get a wonderful massage while I’m there just for the places that are causing me pain.  I am treated well and their concern for my well-being is present every time I visit. Definitely not a “wham bam thank you ma’am” kind of place where you hurdled in like cattle on speed and out in 5 minutes. And I’ll say the same thing about massage therapists.  Sometimes you’ve got to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince or princess.  I have one in my area I would refer anyone to.  He is intuitive and seems to know exactly what I need every time I visit.  All I have to do is tell them where it hurts.  He gets it.  If you want to have an exceptional massage you have got to be willing to communicate.  Don’t be shy.  They are there to help you, but if they don’t know what is bothering you, their job then becomes a guessing game.  Who wants that?  You pay $70-100 bucks to let them guess? “Oh, surprise me.  Let’s see if you get it right.”  No!  Tell them.  Give them as much information as you can.  Let them do their thing and give yourself a delicious treat

By RISHABH JAIN with

Yoga and classical music combine to heal

What do you get when you combine the elaborate postures of yoga with the soothing strains of Indian classical music? A novel music therapy for the sick and the stressed, say two musicians of the Taj city who've just returned from the 13th World Congress of Music Therapy in South Korea.

 

 Lovely Sharma, a D.Litt in sitar and author of eight books, along with eminent classical guitarist Devashish Chakrovorty, conducted a workshop on healing techniques through music and yoga, at the congress in Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul.Attended by more than 50 participants, the workshop focussed on the beneficial effects on concentration, relaxation and mood of the yoga-and-music therapy.

But the duo says the field is very much neglected in India."It is high time we took a lead in developing appropriate technologies, guidelines and a proper scientific frame to promote music therapy, which has already been recognised as alternative therapy capable of bringing about significant responses and aiding treatment through other therapies," Sharma told IANS.

India, she said, has a vast treasure in the form of classical ragas and musical strains which had in the past proved their efficacy but in course of time "we were swept away by modern influences and adopted Western ways"."But now, even Western countries are recognising the role and contribution of yoga and Indian classical music, as was evidenced by the impressive participation of so many western countries in the World Congress," Sharma said.
According to Chakrovorty, India was particularly suited for making use of musical therapy."India stands a very good chance of encashing on the success of music therapy advances because our classical music was geared to healing and had a very diverse variety."Western music has had limited success in this field as Western classical music is not melodious like ours. We work on individual 'surs', fine-tuning the notes to specific requirements, from soft to high," he said.
The spiritual nuances of Indian classical music traditions, developed over centuries, are particularly suited for music therapy, he said, but added that a lot of research and developmental work needed to be done.Interestingly, while the modern world may be just waking up to the therapy, ancient Indian scriptures have a well-documented technique called 'nada yoga' -- or the science of utilising sound vibrations and yogic asanas (postures) to achieve 'salvation'.According to Sharma, nada yoga has enormous power to heal. It is believed that Indian classical music has very positive effects on human health and behaviour.
"Recent studies on the subject showed that music along with yoga can heal disorders like hypertension, arthritis, problems related to upper or lower parts of the body, mental stress and tension," she said.Sharma has also conducted music therapy workshops in various jails and says the results have been encouraging.
"The Agra central jail has been my laboratory. I have learnt a lot by interacting with the inmates and experimenting with various ragas to increase their concentration and bring down their stress levels...Now, other jails too are regularly organising music classes to reduce stress level and control violent streaks in some of the criminals," she said.
At the Seoul workshops, the participants learnt some important asanas with the singing of compositions or chanting of hymns required for healing of various disorders."After 15-20 therapeutic sessions, it was observed that participants were feeling very much relaxed and noticed an improvement in their physical and mental conditions," she said.Sharma recommended that future research studies should aim to scientifically establish the effectiveness of nada yoga and other music therapies.

By RISHABH JAIN with

Fascinating facts about the invention of the Barbie® doll

BARBIE® DOLL

AT A GLANCE:

Fascinating facts about the invention of the
Barbie® doll by Ruth Handler in 1959.

 Since its debut in 1959, an anatomically improbable molded plastic statuette named Barbie has become an icon. Ruth Handler undeniably invented an American icon that functions as both a steady outlet for girls' dreams and an ever changing reflection of American society. This can be seen in the history of Barbie's clothes, and even her various "face lifts" to suit the times; in her professional, political and charitable endeavors; and more recently in the multi-culturalizing of her product line. 

Invention: Barbie® doll in 1959  

Function: noun / Trademark (Reg, U,S.)
Definition: A small-scale anatomically improbable molded plastic figure of a human being used especially as a child's plaything. Collectable doll.
Trademark: Reg. No. 0689055 issued December 1, 1959

Inventor: Ruth Handler  

Criteria: First to invent. First to patent. Entrepreneur.
Birth: November. 4, 1916 in Denver, Colorado, Ruth Mosko
Death: April 27, 2002 in Los Angeles, California
Nationality: American, of Polish immigrant parents.. 

Milestones:
1938 Ruth married Elliot Handler
1945 Mattel founded by Harold Matson, Elliot Handler and Ruth Handler to make picture frames
1946 Matson sells his interest to the Handlers. Mattel makes and sells doll house furniture
1959 Ruth invents a three dimension doll named Barbie
1960 The success of the Barbie doll led Mattel to become a publicly-owned company
1967 Ruth Handler becomes President of Mattel, Inc.
1974 the Handlers leave the Mattel company
CAPs: Barbie, Barbie Doll, Ruth Handler, Elliot Handler, Harold Matson, Mattel,
SIPs: barbie inventor, biography, profile, history, inventor of, history of, who invented, invention of, fascinating facts.

The Story:
She's a successful businesswoman, a member of a rock band and a Women's World Cup Soccer player. Who is this superstar? It's none other than Barbie doll. A little hard to believe, but the Barbie Doll started out as a human being! She was Barbara Handler, the daughter of Ruth and Elliot Handler.
In the early 1950s, Handler saw that her young daughter, Barbara, and her girlfriends enjoyed playing with adult female dolls as much or more than with baby dolls. Handler sensed that it was just as important for girls to imagine what they themselves might grow up to become as it was for them to focus on what caring for children might be like.
Because all the adult dolls then available were made of paper or cardboard, Handler decided to create a three-dimensional adult female doll, one lifelike enough to serve as an inspiration for her daughter's dreams of her future. Handler took her idea to the ad executives at Mattel Corp., the company that she and her husband, Elliot, had founded in their garage some years before: the (all-male) committee rejected the idea as too expensive, and with little potential for wide market appeal.

Soon thereafter, Handler returned from a trip to Europe with a "Lilli" doll, modeled after a character in a German comic strip. Handler spent some time designing a doll similar to Lilli, and even hired a designer to make realistic doll clothes. The result was the Barbie doll (named in honor of the Handlers' daughter), a pint-sized model of the "girl next door."
Mattel finally agreed to back Handler's efforts; and the Barbie doll debuted at the American Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. Girls clamored for the doll, and Barbie set a new sales record for Mattel its first year on the market (351,000 dolls, at $3 each). Since then, Barbie's popularity has rarely flagged; and today, with over one billion dolls sold, the Barbie product line is the most successful in the history of the toy industry.
The first Barbie doll sported a ponytail hairstyle, black and white zebra-striped bathing suit, open-toed shoes, sunglasses and earrings. A line of fashions and accessories was also available. Buyers at the industry’s annual Toy Fair in New York were not impressed, but little girls certainly were and the Barbie doll took retailers by storm. Mattel was so swamped with orders that it took several years for supply to catch up with demand.
The Barbie doll was introduced as a teenage fashion model, but in the years that followed she has taken on many aspirational roles. She has tackled almost every conceivable profession, including dentist, doctor, firefighter, astronaut, paleontologist—even Presidential candidate.
The Barbie doll has been joined by friends and family over the years, including the Ken doll—named for the Handlers’ son—in 1961, Midge in 1963, Skipper in 1965 and Christie—an African-American doll and the first of many ethnic friends—in 1968. More recently, in 1995, the Barbie doll gained a little sister, Baby Sister Kelly, and, in 1997, a disabled friend in a wheelchair, Share a Smile Becky.
Barbie doll is further expanding her versatile and limitless roles to inspire girls' dreams as she prepares for the new millennium.
The world of the Barbie® doll today is a great deal more than a doll and accessories. Barbie doll is keeping in step by allowing girls to use their computers to program and personalize their Barbie doll and design, create, play and dream using Barbie™ software. The Barbie line has also developed into a broad array of exciting licensed products for girls, including books, apparel, food, home furnishings and home electronics.
From the beginning, Barbie has also had her critics: the major accusation, from feminists and others, has been that she reinforces sexism, representing a young woman with questionable intelligence and a near-impossible physique. The late 60s even saw the creation of the "Barbie Liberation Organization," after Mattel introduced "Ken", as Barbie's "handsome steady."
Despite such criticisms, playing with Barbie dolls seems as a rule to enhance girls' self-image and expand their sense of their potential rather than the opposite. This has become more true over the years, as Barbie herself has expanded her horizons: she has now appeared as a doctor, astronaut, businesswoman, police officer, UNICEF volunteer, and athlete. Over the years, Barbie has achieved the title of the most popular fashion doll ever created.

By RISHABH JAIN with

Improve Your Memory With These Great Tips

Top 10 Memory Improvement Tips
Improve Your Memory With These Great Tips

Before you study for your next exam, you might want to use a few strategies to boost your memory of important information. There are a number of tried and tested techniques for improving memory. These strategies have been established within cognitive psychology literature and offer a number of great ways to improve memory, enhance recall and increase retention of information.

1. Focus your attention on the materials you are studying.
Attention is one of the major components of memory. In order for information to move from short-term memory into long-term memory, you need to actively attend to this information. Try to study in a place free of distractions such as television, music and other diversions.
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2. Avoid cramming by establishing regular study sessions.
According to Bjork (2001), studying materials over a number of session's gives you the time you need to adequately process the information. Research has shown that students who study regularly remember the material far better than those who did all of their studying in one marathon session.

3. Structure and organize the information you are studying.
Researchers have found that information is organized in memory in related clusters. You can take advantage of this by structuring and organizing the materials you are studying. Try grouping similar concepts and terms together, or make an outline of your notes and textbook readings to help group related concepts.

4. Utilize mnemonic devices to remember information.
Mnemonic devices are a technique often used by students to aid in recall. A mnemonic is simply a way to remember information. For example, you might associate a term you need to remember with a common item that you are very familiar with. The best mnemonics are those that utilize positive imagery, humor or novelty. You might come up with a rhyme, song or joke to help remember a specific segment of information.

5. Elaborate and rehearse the information you are studying.
In order to recall information, you need to encode what you are studying into long-term memory. One of the most effective encoding techniques is known as elaborative rehearsal. An example of this technique would be to read the definition of a key term, study the definition of that term and then read a more detailed description of what that term means. After repeating this process a few times, your recall of the information will be far better.

6. Relate new information to things you already know.
When you are studying unfamiliar material, take the time to think about how this information relates to things that you already know. By establishing relationships between new ideas and previously existing memories, you can dramatically increase the likelihood of recalling the recently learned information.

7. Visualize concepts to improve memory and recall.
Many people benefit greatly from visualizing the information they study. Pay attention to the photographs, charts and other graphics in your textbooks. If you do not have visual cues to help, try creating your own. Draw charts or figures in the margins of your notes or use highlighters or pens in different colors to group related ideas in your written study materials.

8. Teach new concepts to another person.
Research suggests that reading materials out loud significantly improves memory of the material. Educators and psychologists have also discovered that having students actually teach new concepts to others enhances understanding and recall. You can use this approach in your own studies by teaching new concepts and information to a friend or study partner.
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9. Pay extra attention to difficult information.
Have you ever noticed how it's sometimes easier to remember information at the beginning or end of a chapter? Researchers have found that the position of information can play a role in recall, which is known as the serial position effect. While recalling middle information can be difficult, you can overcome this problem by spending extra time rehearsing this information. Another strategy is to try restructuring the information so it will be easier to remember. When you come across an especially difficult concept, devote some extra time to memorizing the information.

10. Vary your study routine.

Another great way to increase your recall is to occasionally change your study routine. If you are accustomed to studying in one specific location, try moving to a different spot to study. If you study in the evening, try spending a few minutes each morning reviewing the information you studied the previous night. By adding an element of novelty to your study sessions, you can increase the effectiveness of your efforts and significantly improve your long-term recall.

By RISHABH JAIN with

The top 3 most search terms for 2010 on google

According to the search engine giant Google, the iPad is in the top 3 most search terms for 2010.

The company recently released their annual reports for 2011 that state “Chatroulette, iPad and Justin Bieber” are the most searched for things this year.

Google published this news during its annual Zeitgeist report that shows billion of various search queries that people tried to find in Google. Google was quoted for saying that “the Zeitgeist report captures the spirit.” I’m not exactly sure what this means, but It’s seems pretty deep..

Even though the iPad came in at number 3 behind Chatroulette and Justin Bieber, I don’t see Apple losing any ground on this one. If anything, more and more people are starting to search for the Apple iPad. After all, it is the most amazing device on the market today!

By RISHABH JAIN with

Carcinogens in Daily Needs

Carcinogens in Daily Needs: From Coffee To Cell Phones, May Increase Cancer Risk

Carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer
According to an article published in NPR, risk of cancer is increasing in our daily lives, day by day. Many of our daily activities like drinking coffee from a plastic foam cup and talking over the cell phone while sitting in a freshly dry walled house, can increase the risk of cancer. Even cellphones! For instance, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization recently announced said that cell phones can possibly increase the risk of brain tumor (though others contend that there is not enough evidence to support this data and cancer rates have not risen since the cell phones came out).
Even though the news reported  that carcinogens in daily needs can cause cancer, it does not mean that they pose a risk to everyone who is exposed to them for any amount of time.
According to health experts, most people are at a very little risk, despite the fact that different studies have proved that things like coffee, cell phones, styrene and formaldehyde in the building materials can cause cancer. Technically, Inactivity and obesity can pose a greater risk of cancer in some people, than the chemicals.
And what do the experts say?
Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the American Cancer Society, opines that the danger posed by most of the common things in our lives is not big enough to cause cancer.
Dr. Linda Birnbaum, a Toxicologist who heads the government agency that just declared styrene, an ingredient in fiberglass boats and Styrofoam as a cancer causing agent, said that the levels of styrene leach from the food containers are hundreds of times lower than have occurred in occupational settings, where the vapor form of the chemical can pose a risk to the workers. Risk of styrene is certainly not an issue in the finished products, and exposure to it from riding a boat is infinitely small.
The growing list of carcinogens
More than 900 substances have been evaluated by the International Cancer Agency. Just over 100 have been deemed as carcinogens, 59 are called probable carcinogens, and 266 others are the possible ones. Besides electromagnetic energy from the cell phones, coffee, engine exhaust, and body talc, are in the last category of the possible carcinogens.  Most risk of body talc is occupational and unusual exposure. There is no clear evidence on the risk of danger from coffee.
It will be shocking for some people to know that most of the things they interact with everyday are on the list of known carcinogens like alcoholic beverages, estrogen treatments for menopause symptoms, birth control pills, certain viruses and parasites, and even some drugs used to treat cancer such as cyclophosphamide and tamoxifen.
The agencies that pass judgment on possible carcinogens don’t determine that what level of exposure is a concern and for whom. As a result people assume that it is going to cause cancer at any exposure level, which is simply not true.
There is a rule to determine the risk which is called RITE (Risk is Equal to Toxicity Times Exposure). People usually fear the risk which is imposed on us more than the risk which we take voluntarily. They always want to take reasonable measures to avoid the exposure to possibly harmful things. People have to remember that you can’t live life in fear, You will have to live life.

By RISHABH JAIN with