Dalai Lama From a free world.......!!!

The exiled 74-year-old Dalai Lama is currently in India pondering his successor.Since he announced a referendum that will deny China the right to approve incarnations in Tibet while it is under Chinese control,there is the provocative possibility of a China-sponsored Dalai Lama.China seeks to control the selection of senior religious leaders in Tibet because it fears their political power.Beijing says Tibet has been a part of China since the mid-13th century.But eight centuries on there are many who dispute the claim.The Dalai Lama has said that he expects his successor to be found in a "free country" so that he can carry on the Dalai Lama’s "unfulfilled" mission.

Does Parliament Really desrves Respect ?

When a derogatory remark is made about the Indian Parliament, the person concerned is hauled up before the House to face contempt proceedings. Around 150 persons with criminal backgrounds are reported to be in the 15th Lok Sabha. Is it fair to compel an honest member of the public to respect such persons just because they have been elected?

Coffee as a breath mint.....!!!

A coffee extract can inhibit the growth of bacteria that leads to bad breath, according to a new research from Tel Aviv University. New tests have shown that the extract prevents malodorous bacteria from making their presence felt."Everybody thinks that coffee causes bad breath and it’s often true, because coffee, which has a dehydrating effect in the mouth, becomes potent when mixed with milk, and can ferment into smelly substances,"Contrary to the expectations,It was found some components in coffee that actually inhibit bad breath,"

Eating less boosts Lifespan.

Scientists have long known that a restricted diet extends life.Now,researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have identified two enzymes that provide a new molecular explanation for how eating less leads to living longer.when researchers removed the two enzymes from the test animals,the benefits of a restricted diet disappeared.And when those enzymes were enhanced,longevity and disease resistance increased.understanding how these molecules influence longevity could have implications for developing new treatments for age-related diseases.

Smoking Priests..!

It is extraordinary to see that the Indian government went so far as to cut scenes of Catholic priests smoking in the film Angels and Demons.I can remember some landmark films where Hinduism was shown to be corrupt and vile — such as in Satyajit Ray’s Sadgati.We want more such films.It is ironic to see Indian Catholics getting all worked up about cigarettes at a time when the Catholic Church is being rocked with scandal after scandal.Last month yet another catalogue of systematic child abuse by priests and nuns was published in Ireland.

Let's not B selective about History.....!!!

To most Chinese,the 1989 Tiananmen massacre is no more than a fading memory. In India too only a few remember June 26,1975,when citizens’freedom and right to protest was taken away in utter violation of the Constitution.However,the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the Gujarat riots of 2002 are raised vehemently on their anniversaries.The difference is not just between a party dictatorship and parliamentary democracy, but also between a nation on the march and one hindered by its dire past.

Delhi or Dilli

So what’s in a name? Lots, if you ask our sports minister M.S. Gill, who it seems is in a mood to change the name of Delhi to Dilli before the Commonwealth Games 2010. This recommendation was made by Gill to chief minister Sheila Dikshit at a conference recently. He was quoted as saying, "I always feel that Dilli, as the national capital is known locally, it is more close to the hearts of people than New Delhi. It also better describes the vibrant and cosmopolitan culture of the capital. After all it is sadi Dilli or hamari Dilli (our Delhi)," said Gill.
It all started with Bombay becoming Mumbai in 1996, soon Madras became Chennai and Calcutta became Kolkata. Silicon city Bangalore was renamed Bengaluru. So, will Delhi follow suit and change to Dehli or Dilli? We caught up with celebrities to gauge their response over re-naming of the capital.
Internationally acclaimed writer and historian William Darlymple says, "I don’t think it should be changed, but if it is to happen it should be changed to Dehli — its name during its greatest period of history. If it was changed to Dilli everyone would confuse it with the capital of East Timor."
"I think it makes a lot of sense to change Delhi to Dilli. Delhi was coined by the Britishers and Dilli sounds good. Though we write it as Delhi, most of us refer to our city as Dilli itself. Why shouldn’t Delhi join the bandwagon too, after other cities have changed their names? Dilli is a part of our history, it is closer to people’s heart. After all, Dilli dilwalon ki hai, the city is about its people and people will certainly connect to Dilli more than Delhi."