Independence Day Celebrations

This year, India celebrates the 62nd Anniversary of our freedom from colonial rule. Independence Day is a day when we pay homage to our great national leaders and heroic freedom fighters - who made many sacrifices, including giving up their lives to liberate India from foreign control.

We remember that our freedom struggle was fought and won, not by force or bloodshed but through the noble principles of truth and non-violence. It was a unique movement in the history of freedom struggles that won us the admiration of the whole world.

In the week around Independence Day, the media enthusiastically promotes a spirit of patriotism with special contests and programmes being telecast by radio stations and television channels. Movies about the heroic deeds of martyrs are screened on television while publications bring out stories and reports with a nationalistic theme.

The President delivers the 'Address to the Nation' on the eve of Independence Day. This is followed by the unfurling of the tricolour from the Red Fort in Delhi on the next day. At the State level, we witness special Independence Day functions that include flag hoisting ceremonies, march pasts and cultural programmes. These events are held in State Capitals and are usually presided over by the Chief Minister of that particular State. Celebrations on a smaller scale are held by educational institutions, residential associations, cultural centres and political constituencies.

Another symbol of Independence Day is the sport of kite flying. The azure skies are dotted with countless kites being flown from rooftops and fields to symbolize the free spirit of India. Kites of various styles, sizes and shades, including the tricolour are available in the marketplaces. Kite flying enthusiasts simply revel in this opportunity to display their kite fighting skills.

The Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is synonymous with Mumbai. It is the most famous monument of Mumbai and is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. Gateway of India is a great historical monument built during the British rule in the country. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai (then, Bombay). Gateway of India was built at Apollo Bunder, a popular meeting place. It was designed by the British architect, George Wittet.

The foundation stone of the Gateway of India was laid down by the then Governor of Bombay (Mumbai) on March 31st 1913. The archway is 26 meters high and joined with four turrets and intricate latticework carved on stones. The arch alone was built at the cost of 21 lakhs. It is built in Indo-Sarcenic style, though some influence of Gujarati style is also evident in its architecture. The structure itself is quite majestic and a hybrid of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

In the past Gateway of India used to be the arrival point for visitors from the west. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens. This landmark of Mumbai is a must visit of the city.

The Gateway faces the vast Arabian Sea, flanked by Mumbai's another attraction, Marine Drive, a road running parallel to the sea. The majestic monument is a must-visit at night, in its pristine glory against the backdrop of the sea. It is visited by millions of people across the world every year and is a very significant figure in the lives of the people of Mumbai, as the Gateway defines the grandeur of the city that is a culmination of both, historic and modern cultural environment.

How to save energy and use it

All of us use energy every day—for transportation, cooking, heating and cooling rooms, manufacturing, lighting, and entertainment. The choices we make about how we use energy—turning machines off when we’re not using them or choosing to buy energy efficient appliances—impact our environment and our lives.

There are many things we can do to use less energy and use it more wisely. Two main ways to save energy are energy conservation and energy efficiency. Many people think these terms mean the same thing, but they are different.

Energy conservation is any behavior that results in the use of less energy. Turning the lights off when you leave the room and recycling aluminum cans are both ways of conserving energy. Energy efficiency is the use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function. A compact fluorescent light bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light is an example of energy efficiency. The decision to replace an incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent is an example of energy conservation.

Recycling means to use something again. Newspapers can be used to make new newspapers. Aluminum can be used to make new aluminum cans. Glass jars can be used to make new glass jars. Recycling often saves energy and natural resources through conservation.

It almost always takes less energy to make a product from recycled materials than it does to make it from new materials. Using recycled aluminum scrap to make new aluminum cans, for example, uses 95 percent less energy than making aluminum cans from bauxite ore, the raw material used to make aluminum.

Natural resources are riches provided courtesy of Mother Nature. Natural resources include land, plants, minerals, and water. By using materials more than once, we conserve natural resources. In the case of paper, recycling saves trees and water. Making a ton of paper from recycled stock saves up to 17 trees and uses 50 percent less water.

Handicrafts

Handicrafts are the artistic products made by the talent of the hand without the help of modern machinery and equipments. Today, hand-made goods are considered to be a style statement and an item of luxury.

India's rich cultural tradition and centuries of evolutionary tradition is manifested by the huge variety of handicrafts made all over the country. Handicrafts are a mirror of the cultural identity of the ethnic people who make it. Through the ages, handicrafts made in India like the Kashmiri woolen carpets, Sari embroidered fabrics, terracotta and pottery products, silk fabrics etc. have maintained their exclusiveness. In the ancient times, these handicrafts were exported to far off countries of Europe, Africa, West Asia and Far East via the 'sea route'. The entire riches of timeless Indian handicrafts have survived throughout the ages. These crafts carry the attractive appeal of the Indian culture that promises exclusivity, beauty, dignity and style.

Indian handicrafts could be broadly divided into three categories: folk crafts, religious crafts and commercial crafts. Popular folk crafts that are modified according to the demands of the market become commercial crafts. Myriads of handicrafts are made for the diverse rites and rituals associated with the religious faiths of the varied ethnic groups of India. Some of the handicrafts basically meant for the religious purposes are also liked by the people for their aesthetic value.

Funny Water Compilation

Apple Hits 1 Billion App Store Downloads

Apple's App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch has served its one-billionth application, only nine months after the store opened. Last night Apple celebrated the milestone on its Web site, thanking customers for their support. The lucky App Store patron who downloaded the one billionth app will win a barrel of Apple loot from company. Apple also took the opportunity to brag about its success in the mobile ad marketplace and for driving massive amount of mobile Net traffic.

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/

Spring Summer Collection

Blackberrys unravels its Spring/Summer collection "The Glitterati" providing smart wardrobe solutions for the evolving fashion needs of Corporate India. Epitomizing the quintessential affluent Indian, this collection is inspired by the festive fervor and adds a spark to one's wardrobe.

Glitterati collection offers eveningwear and club wear for both Men & Women. Diversifying the portfolio for their loyal patrons, Blackberrys abides by their inspired convictions with youthful styles, exclusive designs and impeccable finish. The Glitterati ensembles make sure to make a statement for the festive mood and upbeat tones. To deliver classy, sharp looks while being uber stylized an aspiration, which makes it la crème de la crème.

Slim fit short and medium length Jackets & Coats of techno blend fabrics in silk lusture & linen wool silk is the look of the season. Dress shirts with French cuff in Jacquard and dobby designs. It includes shirts in satin stripes, slim fit & sleek cuts. The collection consists of the slim leg low waists trousers, trousers in Fine Cottons with sheen, cross-color weaves, easy care blends in radiant surfaces The French styles complementing sheen fabrics, transforms the men's' wear to chic grandeur. Graphics, electrifying shines, sheers and shimmer highlight the refined textures while the color palate oscillates from grays, black and browns.

Meanwhile, the women's wear range comprises of stylized jackets, trousers and shirts for the contemporary woman accentuated with flattering cuts and slim fits.

The collection has varied features and includes men's trousers, shirts, dress line trousers, suits and jackets. Targeting the young and classy, the Blackberry design team has added subtle gloss and shimmer to compliment the zingy lifestyle in their collection. Stain resistant, fade free treatments, crease longevity and liquid ammonia
wrinkle free, all ensure enhanced performance and textures of the garments.

Meanwhile, the women's wear range comprises of stylized jackets, trousers and shirts for the contemporary woman accentuated with flattering cuts and slim fits.

Source: http://living.oneindia.in/