Thursday, October 06, 2011
AMMA
Friday, September 16, 2011
Remembering Uncle Pai
Anant Pai had stories for every occasion. And no one got to hear them more than the people who worked with him. He had a story for schedules and a story for deadlines. He had a story for coming to work on time and he had a story for going home on time. He even had a story to scold with! He was a born storyteller.
On his birth anniversary, the best tribute would be to share a real-life story he loved telling us. It was about the time when he was a skinny young college boy, in clothes one size too large for him. Those were pre-independence days.
It was a monsoon morning and it had been pouring all the way to college. Anant Pai was drenched to the bone as he ran into the corridor and into the Principal.
‘Where is your umbrella?’ asked the Principal.
‘Don't have one,’ mumbled the young Anant.
‘Then you must go home and change or you will catch a chill,’ said the Principal.
‘My home is too far to go and come back,’ said Anant. ‘I want to attend my classes.’
The Principal was adamant that Anant Pai go home.
But Anant Pai was equally adamant that he attend class.
After arguing for a while, the tall Principal caught hold of his student and led him to the place where the college bell was hanging. Lifting him up high, the Principal said, ‘Anant, ring the bell for closing the college. I am declaring it a holiday today.’
And he did!
Anant Pai never forgot the man who thought that the health of one student was more important than keeping the college open for a day. He wanted his team to have the same concern and care for children. ‘There is a lot of negativity around us,’ he would say. ‘But we don't have to reflect it. When a child reads our stories, he should be filled with hope and happiness.’
A maxim Uncle Pai believed in, to the last.
Ref: http://www.ack-media.com/new/index.php
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wordpress vs Joomla vs Drupal
It was only time that kept bloggers around the world from writing their comparisons of the three major Content Management Systems (Wordpress, Joomla and Drupal) - and that time is finally up. People everywhere are breaking out their laptops and logging into their blogs to share what they believe are reasons for choosing this software or that.... and yet most of them seemed to have missed the important reasons why someone might choose one CMS over another.
So I'm taking it upon myself to spread some much needed understanding of the three systems and hopefully help you decide which one is best for you.
Background, History and Experience
Since a majority of people are discussing Wordpress, Joomla and Drupal as the three best Content Management Systems, I'm going to stick to them. Luckily, I've had experience using each extensively, and know the ins and outs of actually using the systems. To put this quite simply, I will not be giving you many statistics based on research... I'm giving you information from first-hand experience.
Only within the last year has Wordpress actually begun to step up as a true CMS. However the other two, Drupal and Joomla, have seemingly always been fighting for that top spot in the community. Both are open source, and both are widely developed with thousands of members in their community helping to develop and extend the possibilities of use for each. While Wordpress is considered the underdog in the CMS war, it is most definitely the king of blogging software (something that Joomla and Drupal struggle to do efficiently).
However, even where each has its flaws and each has its strengths (which I will explain below) you can build any kind of website with either one. I have built blogs with Joomla and I have built shopping cart websites with Wordpress. It just depends on what you need it to do, your familiarity with the system, and how long you have to work on that program. In fact, that is something that is misunderstood by many people - if you don't like using Drupal, that doesn't make it less valuable, it just makes it less useful to you!
But I digress, let us continue with a look at Wordpress:
Wordpress is just for blogging.... or is it?
Wordpress is an excellent system to use when creating a website that lets you quickly get your thoughts out on the web, but while it is often used as a blog, it can be configured to work in many other interesting ways as well. One particular client of mine recently needed a website that would allow him and his employees to have an internal website for sharing notes, documenting tasks and writing about what was going on. Since Wordpress is easy to use and some of them were already familiar with it, it was an obvious solution. Install Wordpress on a server that they could access quickly and easily from anywhere with an internet connection, and let them get to business rather than have to learn about a whole different system.
It is key to know that Wordpress is extremely easy to use and setup. I have used it several times with clients that are brand new to the internet and having a website, yet they can pick this system up and use it quicker than the other two. Since WP is already developed to work as a blog, though, it can be setup to do so without any hesitation. Comments are already built into the system, as well as pinging services, multiple blogger profiles, trackbacks and more. Most of the time nothing needs to be done to those systems either, because they already work the way that the user would want them to.
Wordpress, however, is not to be used for everything. I have had little success (its there, just not much) using Wordpress as a shopping cart for certain clients. The very reason that Wordpress was created was to keep people from wanting to customize it to do things that are much more advanced. It is supposed to be used a certain way without modification - because any modification that you give to it may very well cause it to break. You will find many users of WP complaining that it is not developer friendly - and rightfully so, because there will be countless times in your journey to that great website that an upgrade released by the WP developers causes your entire site to simply disappear, or for those modifications that you made previously to no longer even exist.
Wordpress Pros
- Simple to use - No need for modifications
- Excellent for blogging or sharing thoughts in a sequential manner
- Even the most elderly of users can get the hang of it quickly
Wordpress Cons
- Not developer friendly
- The community seems to like to complain
- Upgrades bring more bugs than fixes sometimes
Drupal is to developers as candy is to children
If you're the type of person who would rather hand-code the content of your pages than use a WYSIWYG Editor, or if you enjoy tweaking the code that makes up the framework of a website, then Drupal is probably for you. This advanced content management system more closely resembles a developer platform than a traditional CMS. Its not to say that only developers can use the system though, but to say that they will feel more at home here than in the other two. Interestingly, being more developer friendly does not automatically make it more user friendly - in fact the developer has to work hard to make it that way if they need the end-product to do so.
There are dozens of more tags and functions that can be used to develop in Drupal than in Wordpress or even Joomla. Every single node has its own set of commands and tags that can be placed elsewhere to manipulate the function of the site, and this makes for a very intense experience (whether or not you know what you're doing). For those that are not so developer-minded, this can be the trial of their lives, but for people who live in code - well, they can literally get lost developing some very cool websites.
Now, these websites can act and function in some pretty neat ways, but Drupal also has the problem that it just doesn't always look that great. I have seen very few websites built in Drupal that look and feel as good as they function. You can especially see this in the theme directory on the Drupal.org website, where there are dozens of these themes built to prove the exact point I just made. It's a shame really, because with all of the development advancements the software has, it would almost be perfect with a stronger usability and design interface.
Drupal Pros
- Extremely developer friendly. If I loved code more I would almost always pick this system.
- Strong community to help discern the dozens (hundreds) of functions and tags available.
- Can be used to create some really awesome websites that can outperform a majority of other sites out there.
Drupal Cons
- Not very designer and user-friendly. It's hard for someone with little code knowledge to make the leaps required to do the very cool things that Drupal is becoming known for.
- Theming of Drupal has been a huge case of fail (until recently). Probably because it has been developers, not designers, that are making the themes.
- Getting a Drupal website published could cost you more time, and thus more money, than Wordpress or Joomla.
Joomla - Let's build websites together with Joomla!
If Wordpress is more for end-users and Drupal is more for developers, then Joomla! must be more for designers, right? If that's the conclusion that you came to then you're on the right track, but I would venture to say that Joomla! is actually a mix of all of those things. The name Joomla, in fact, means 'all together' in Swahili (Urdu), and it seems they've been living up to their name in the way that this powerful CMS works.
Designers will choose Joomla because of the amazing capabilities that its engine has in making websites look fantastic. Newcomers to Joomla (and website management) will love the fact that it is very easy to use and even customize as more and more developers create tools that are easier to understand. Developers, likewise, will choose the system because of its large capacity for development and customization. The new MVC framework was built just so that anyone with the knowledge could override the core of the CMS without actually modifying the original code.
Still, it's far from perfect. It's still not as flexible as Drupal is with its code. While there are many ways to override what the default code does, there are some parts of the system that just can't be pushed and stressed as hard as Drupal can be. Also, while Drupal can be used to run multiple websites with one backend and database, Joomla lacks the ability to create multi-sites. It is just powerful enough to be useful, but not enough to do anything.
In a side-by-side comparison with Wordpress, Joomla still has some way to go with being user friendly. In each case where I've had people use both systems to manage a website, those that lacked good knowledge of the internet or how their website even worked always chose Wordpress over Joomla. It is simple enough that it can be taught to practically anyone, but not enough that anyone would want to learn it.
Joomla Pros
- Friendly for all types of users - Designers, Developers and Administrators
- Huge community is awesome for assisting with creation of websites
- Has been rapidly growing and improving itself for the past three years
Joomla Cons
- Still not user-friendly enough for everyone to understand
- Not quite as powerful as Drupal, and can be a bit confusing for some to jump into
- Recently rebuilt the entire system from ground-up, and so there are still many out there sticking to the old versions (1.0.x)
In Conclusion
There is not just one system available for us to build our websites with, and so we should never limit ourselves to just one either. With so many different uses and ideas and opportunities that can be found in each, why should we anyone try so hard to make those CMS's that they dislike seem worst than their own. I remember at an event two years ago that both a Joomla and Drupal team went to, and the members of the teams actually swapped shirts - with the Drupal team wearing Joomla shirts and vice-versa.
I believe that it's time for us to start looking forward to a new future - where we use these different systems to better our own, and to continually build upon the awesome code, and knowledge, that has preceded where we are today. There will come a day when we are staring at three completely different pieces of software and trying to decide which one is the best - but in that day we will also look back to the year 2009 and remember that it was Joomla, Wordpress and Drupal that pushed us continually forward. Not just one of them, but all three - in that perfect, open-source way.
What do you think? Have you found a system that is more reliable than the others? Do you stick to using all three depending on the project that needs completing? Tell us in the comments!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Firm Anna holds fast; Lokpal debate in Parliament delayed
"My inner conscience tells me that if there is a consensus on these proposals, then I will break my fast. The other issues in the Jan Lokpal Bill like selection process and others are also very important to contain corruption.
"I will continue to sit in Ramlila Maidan along with my supporters till Parliament takes decision on the other issues because this is the voice of people," he said in his two-page letter.
Thanking Singh and Parliament for respecting the movement for a strong Lokpal Bill, the 74-year-old Gandhian said he has the highest regard for Parliament which is a "sacred temple of democracy".
He told the Prime Minister that he was not sitting on fast for any selfish interest. "I don't have any power. I am a very common man who wants do something for the society and poor people," he said.
Noting that it was difficult for him to tolerate when a common man struggles because of corruption, he said he was proposing three provisions -- his key demands -- to stop corruption affecting the common man.
"Is it possible to bring all these three proposals to Parliament? I am not only hopeful but confident that all Parliamentarians will agree to these three proposals to provide relief to the common man who is suffering from corruption," Hazare said.
He also appealed to all Parliamentarians to participate in this country-wide movement against corruption.
Asserting that his movement was not against any person or any party, Hazare said, "During the agitation, if my or my colleagues words have hurt you, or anybody else I express my regrets. We don't want to hurt anybody."
Noting that life of a common man has become very difficult due to corruption, he said, "World over, our country has been defamed because of corruption. I hope that in coming days, there will be a stop to it. For this, we will have to work together unitedly."
He said rules, regulations and laws are for the people and they were not above people. "We should not hesitate if we have to make new laws or change certain laws to contain corruption immediately," he said.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Happiness Comes From Giving
This story is about a beautiful, expensively dressed lady who complained
So, the lady went to visit a counselor to seek out happiness.
So the old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story:
I had nobody... I had nothing left. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat,
When she heard that the rich lady cried.
LATEST CANCER INFO
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc., and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.
To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.
Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
LATEST CANCER INFO
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc., and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.
To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.
Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A Wonderful Story of a little daughter…
A Wonderful Story of a little daughter…
‘you have done a brilliant work Rajesh. You have been given….rrrrhhhhh……
I hurried down the stairs. I saw Meera, my sweet(??!!) wife, sitting in the couch giving breakfast to my 7yr old daughter Achala. Both looked happy, watching TV. I got confused at the whole scenario. I came running down, expecting some kind of earthquake, but instead here everything was in place. I looked at my wife & daughter. She smiled at me back. Now, I more got confused, what’s happening here? Am I in a dream?
‘Meera…’
‘Yeah Rajesh…’
‘You called me. In fact yelled.’
‘Yes. You are right!’
‘Everything is fine here right? Why you screamed like that then…’
‘It’s ‘cos it’s going to be 8am now.’
I couldn’t understand what she was trying to say. Is she playing some kind of prank? Is this the time for all these? I have to be in office by 9am for a meeting.
‘Yes. It’s going to be 8am.Right! So…?’
‘Rajesh, don’t tell me, you forgot…today is 27th ‘
‘27th..What 27th?
‘Don’t tell me you don’t remember?’
Meera gave me an ‘I’ll kill you’ look. Is it her birthday? No it’s somewhere at the year end. Is it my daughter’s? No no , we celebrated last month only right. Got it. Should be our Anniversary.
‘Hey Meera, How will I forget our Anniversary…’
‘Whaattttttt????….
Got it. It’s not our anniversary. Before I get killed…What’s w/ 27th. What ?? what?? Come on Rajesh!! Think. Nothing hit my mind. I looked at my daughter for a clue. She turned her face away. What’s with all women? Why can’t they be straight forward & say things. With so much work pressure, how on earth I am supposed to remember all the dates?. If I say something, then Meera will pick up a fight, and I will miss the meeting, my whole day will be gone. I made up my mind to surrender.
‘Meera, Sorry, I don’t remember. This medicine I am taking for cough, Something happened..my memory is deteriorating ..What’s today?’ Meera doesn’t seem like buying that excuse from me.
’Meera, please tell me’ I asked in a pitiable tone..
‘Rajesh..You don’t remember at all?’ I moved my head left & right meaning NO. I kept my face like I am a patient suffering from ‘amnesia'.
'Rajesh, As part of annual day celebrations, today is 'Daddy's Day' in Acchu's school. I have been telling you for the past 3 weeks. Now don’t tell me you forgot. You already promised that you will go with her to her school'
I couldn’t believe that I accepted for something like that. 'Meeraa..did I??'
'Yes. You did'
‘at what time it starts..?'
'By 8:30am and ends at 1pm'.
Gosh!! 9am!! I have such a critical meeting. How I will attend all these.
“Meera, you could have reminded me yesterday right?’
‘Oh I didn’t remind you? Great. I didn’t call to your office. Or remind you in the evening and before going to bed’
Might be I wouldn’t have heard it. Or slipped out of my memory. What ever!!
'Meera! Can’t you attend all these. Why should I??'
"Rajesh. It’s Daddy's Day!...DADDY'ss!!!!!'
'Oh yeah....but...'
'But what????...'
'errrh....might be some other day...'
'What? You want the school to postpone the function?'
'No..No…actually..what..I am saying is..'
'What Rajesh??? What?? Tell me. You promised Acchu and are you going to disappoint her? '
I stood there totally helpless. I looked at my daughter. She was all dressed up and ready to go. She looked like, she will cry any time. I saw Meera. She gave me a murderous look. I thought for a moment and my mind raced with many calculations. Important meeting. I can’t miss for sure. Half a day is too much. So many deliverables will get affected. I can’t face Meera again if I don’t go. Might be I can postpone the meeting by an hour and for name sake visit that function and escape to office.
'Meera, I will go, but I can spend only 1 hour..'
'No...that’s not..'
Before Meera finished the sentence, Acchu rushed to me 'Thanks daddy. 1hour. Mom, 1hour is enough mom. Please don’t fight mom. Daddy, get ready soon..' she nudged me.
‘Do you know her school name and the route for the school or you want me to tell???’ Asking that Meera threw me an angry look and left the living room. I rushed up, got ready. Called my manager & told that I got stuck in traffic jam and postponed the meeting to 10am.
I took Achala to her school. I felt somehow entering the school, ‘cos it’s the 2nd time, I am entering her school. In fact 1st time. I once dropped her outside her school gate. The school had a big playground, Small Park with all kids playing equipments. Some stalls were put up. So many kids with their fathers moved around here & there. Suddenly I felt some one touching my hand
‘Are you achala’s daddy?’ – A small kid asked. She had curly hair and bubbly smile.
‘Yes,,,My Daddy..…’ – Achala responded in an excited tone. And some kids ran towards me and Achala started introducing everyone.
‘Daddy! this is Rohit, this is zakir, Anis, Sylvia, Divya..’ – I told hello to everyone.
‘Daddy, Daddy, Zakir is my best friend.’ – I smiled at that cute blue eyed boy.
‘Uncle, Acchu told that you have so much work and you won’t be able to come. She told she won’t come in today. You don’t have work Uncle?’ – Zakir asked me.
I suddenly felt very bad on how my daughter has understood me. ‘No Zakir, I don’t have work’
‘Daddy, they are calling for the games. ‘ . Zakir ran to his father and waved his hands at me & achala. I took achala by hand and walked towards the stage. They were announcing the 1st game. Fathers will be given a sheet containing questions about their kids. Fathers have to fill about their kids which will be verified with the kids response.
Achala was all excited about the game and she was all set to go. But I felt shivers. I looked at my daughter. Suddenly, I felt very far from her, and the reality hit me, that I don’t know anything about my very own daughter. I blurted out ‘Acchu..we will attend the next game..This one ..’ She gave me a deep stare. I thought she is going to cry or shout or do something. But instead she pulled out a small paper from her jeans pocket and gave it to me. Completely baffled, I opened the sheet.
My name is Achala. My birthday March 21st. I am 7yrs old. I like butterfly. Superman. Dairy milk. painting. dancing. I am in 1st standard A section. I like Dora. Mango. Apple. Fried rice. Jelly. I don’t like banana. I drink boost.. I like yellow color. My nick name is ‘Honey dew’
And the list went on with small, small spelling mistakes. I looked at Acchu. ‘Daddy, read it, I know they will keep this game. So I wrote it 2 days back itself, to give you if you come. If they ask anything about me, write there. Ok Now go & attend the game’. Most of the things, my daughter has written & gave me, I never knew anything about it. I suddenly felt a lump in my throat. I went to the stage waved my hand to Acchu and got the question sheet. Since Acchu gave the sheet, I came to know about her & I answered almost all the questions. Then they asked Acchu on stage and asked the questions to her. We got the 2nd highest mark in that game. Acchu came running towards me and hugged me. They gave a ‘toy guitar’. Everyone congratulated us. Thou’ I won that game, I felt like a loser. I know, I don’t deserve this. I don’t know anything about my daughter.
She looked very happy showing that guitar to her best friend, zakir . What a kid she is. Understanding that her dad is totally hopeless and don’t want to let her dad down, before others she prepared that sheet and gave to me. The lump in my throat started getting bigger and my heart became heavy. I caressed her hair. What a beautiful smile she has and such big eyes. Does she miss a wing to get qualified as an angel? I have never admired my daughter or even watched her in all these years. She has that cute dimple of Meera’s as well as her eyes. Does that curling lip edges when she smiles, is mine? How I missed all this in my life.
Achala pulled me to the stalls there and I got some eatables and ballons for her and zakir.. She kept talking about the next game and suddenly my mobile rang. Oops!! Is it already 10am. I looked at Acchu . Suddenly her face became dark. She looked totally upset and asked in an low voice ‘Daddy! You have to leave now?’
I looked at my mobile. My manager was calling. It’s already 10am. I looked at Acchu. I looked around. All those happy kids with their fathers. I thought about my school days, where my dad used to come for all sports day, annual day, sit with me, cheer me up. Every day morning, while dropping me to school, he will wait near the gate until my head disappear. Evening, he will come & pick me up in his cycle, and I will be telling him all the stories that happened that day in school.
I saw Acchu. How many untold stories my daughter has kept in her heart to say me? I thought about all those days, where I yearned for a girl child and I wonder, how much of my time I gave her.
I pulled her closer, gave a kiss on her fore head ‘No Honey! I am not going. I will be here only…we will attend all games and roam around whole day.ok?’
‘Really?’ – She asked in an unbelievable tone.
‘Yes sweetz’
‘Thank you Daddy!’ – Achala kissed my cheeks and ran to her friends. School teaches you something or the other always. This time, ‘back to school’ has taught me a wonderful life’s lesson. I called my
manager & told that am running high fever and can’t come in today. I know, I can handle things tomorrow. Today my daughter needs me more than anyone can need me in this world. With a lighter heart, I got up; ran towards Acchu, lifted her and gave her a big swing. She erupted into an uncontrollable laughter. The lump in my throat started melting away.Wednesday, June 30, 2010
DIVINING YOUR LIFE PATH NUMBER
The Life Path is determined by the sum that is arrived at after reducing your birth date by adding digits together. This number represents the traits and talents that you were born with and the probable journey you will take during your lifetime.
First convert the month you were born in to a single number. Let's use Angelina Jolie Voight who was born in June 4, 1975 as an example.
First convert the month to a single number or master number. Note that when calculating months, double digit months such as September, October November and December do not reduce down to a single digit. For example November which is the 11th month equates to the number 2 after you add 1+1 together.
Angelina Jolie's birthday does not reduce down to a single digit. Her birth month is the sixth month of the year. Her month number is 6.
Your next step is to convert your day of birth to a single digit. For instance, if you were born on the 17th then you would add 1 and 7 together to reduce the number to 8. If you were born on the 29th you would reduce to the master number 11. In that case, further reduce the number to 1.
Angelina Jolie's birthday does not have to be reduced as she was born on the 4rth, so her number is 4.
Next, add the total digits of the birth year and reduce them to a single number. Jolie's birth year is 1975 so you would add 1+9+7+5 to arrive at a sum that represents the year number. In Jolie's case the year is the master number 22. This would be reduced to simply 2.
Now add the month sum, birth sum and year sum together. For Jolie it would be:
6+4+2 = 12
If you get a double digit, as is the case with Angelina Jolie, reduce the number down further.
1+2 =3
Angelina Jolie's Life Path number is a 3.
Reduce your own birthday down to a single number and then find the interpretation below that describes your journey. Those configurations that also result in a master number such as 11, 22 or 33 should read the life path prediction for that number as well. For instance if your birthday reduces to 22 and then down to a 4, then you should read the interoperations for both the numbers 4 and 22.
INTERPRETATIONS OF THE LIFE PATH NUMBER
Life Path Number 1
If you are a 1, you are motivated by a need for soul freedom and personal attainment. Your prime directive is to learn how to be independent from others in all ways, but especially emotionally and financially.
Number 1s often have the potential to be great leaders but the often abysmally fail when it comes to teamwork and cooperation. For this reason, they make great entrepreneurs, freelancers, generals, commanders, CEOs and producers.
Usually number 1's spend at least two thirds of their life trying to shake of the emotional and financial shackles imposed on them by others. They are usually self-made individuals who, like salmon swimming upstream, have to overcome great odds in order to succeed. They innovative and inventive personalities usually end up changing the world for the better in some way.
A person with a number 1 Life Path is usually blessed with motivation, enthusiasm, creativity and inspiration. They tend to be physically healthier and mentally stronger than most people are. Their good looks vitality and lust for life is a source of awe for others who often admire their stamina and ability to get their act together.
However sometimes a person travelling the number 1 Life path can be self-absorbed, pushy and overwhelming. Their aggression and ambition is often interpreted as hostility and selfishness. Most number 1's learn hard lessons about the value of good timing and tact during their life journey.
Many who try to have relationships with number 1s cannot stomach their driving ambition and social climbing, which is indicative of their lust for success (especially material) at any cost. They tend to see people as objects and are possessive, jealous and obsessive. They are also not beyond entertaining an infidelity that will advance their career.
Number 1s who stray from their paths often end up in clingy codependent relationships with mentally ill or addicted partners. If you are a number 1 and experiencing this kind of situation, it is a definite message that you are failing your life's purpose to become self-sufficient in life.
Life Path Number 2
Those following a number 2 Life Path tend to be diplomatic, sensitive individuals. As they have an inherent sense of morality and fairness, they tend to be indecisive as they can clearly see both sides of any conundrum or argument. They often make great judges, mediators, lawyers counselors or social workers because they have an incredible talent for resolving disputes.
These loving, optimistic individuals prefer to see only the best in others. They are honest almost to the point of fault. They have high emotional quotients and thrive best in a work setting that requires teamwork. Number 2's are always respected for their politeness, tact and ability to inspire groups of people to perform acts of charity and philanthropy. Number 2's never "stoop to conquer" and consider themselves to be above arguing with others.
Number 2s function best in nine to five jobs where the routine is the same every day. Erratic behaviors, drama queens and overt displays of physical affection upset them.
These natural collectors are also pack rats and are the type to keep everything that they have owned since birth in the attic or basement. As they are also very sentimental and nostalgic, many of them collect antiques and photographs of loved ones.
As the life purpose of a number 2 is to bring harmony to group situations it is very important for them to get out and socialize. A number 2 that is isolating has strayed from his or her life path. Pessimism, lethargy and depression usually identify this. The best way for a number 2 to get back on the right path is to find a job that involves working with the general public or to find a way to practice acts of charity or philanthropy. Nothing corrects a number 2's karma more efficiently than acts of random kindness or volunteering for a hospital, school or shelter. In fact, that is how many of them meet their soul mates.
Life Path Number 3
Followers of Life Path number 3 are effervescent personalities whose journey often leads to artistic acclaim or social popularity. Number 3s are entertainers of the world and most of them are truly gifted musicians, writers, actors, dancers, public speakers and politicians.
A number 3 us not fulfilled until there has been some public acknowledgement of his or her unique talent. The number 3 life path is one that is characterized by beauty, excitement, eccentricity and social popularity. These unique, expressive personalities often easily acquire, fame and glory.
This number is also usually blessed with a warm, charismatic personality and an incredible sense of personal faith and optimism. Their attractive physical appearance also often captures the imaginations of others and they make excellent muses and models.
Often a number 3 is also a witty or poetic individual who is an entertaining conversationalist. At the same time they are known for their understanding of human nature as well as their ability to really listen to others and truly comprehend their emotional needs.
Number 3's are also excellent chefs and hosts and boast exquisite taste in fashion and home decoration. They are often sought after socially as others find them physically as well as spiritually beautiful.
Usually a number 3 is quite stubborn and plays to win no matter how high the cost of success. Their unusual stamina and vigor makes it easier for them to rebound from setbacks in life than most people. Often these setbacks are of a financial or romantic nature as their idealism and spontaneity sometimes causes them to make bad choices.
However a number 3 is usually quite humble and very capable of being honest with themselves about their mistakes.
Number 3's stray off their life path by giving up their dreams and talents. Many escape into alcohol or drug abuse to avoid hearing the nagging voice of their constant inspiration. If you are a number 3 who is not finding themselves in the spotlight because of personal problems then this is a wake-up call to follow your heart's desire. Your exuberant nature can take you further than most people, especially if you give yourself permission to focus your energies and talents.
Life Path Number 4
Those following the Life Path of a number 4 often end up becoming the pillars of the community. These individuals are hard working, practical and trustworthy. They have the practical skills to bring dreams of others into reality.
However, self-sacrificing number 4's often demand too much both of themselves and others. For this reason many of them develop personal reputations as martyrs or tyrants. The will power and stubbornness of the number 4 can also be interpreted as greed and selfishness. This completely baffles the confused number 4 whose intentions are usually to benefit the good of all.
These sensitive individuals can also be very set in their ways and traumatized by any changes to their routines. It is difficult to ever convince a number 4 that he or she might be wrong as they do not respond well to criticism. The tenacity and obsessive character traits of the number 4 often earn him or her the title of workaholic. Still many have profited from a number 4's devotion to performing thankless tasks and rigid sense of organization.
These loyal individuals make fantastic marriage and business partners. At first a number 4 can be very difficult to get to know because they usually play their cards very close to their chest. They don't believe that life is a popularity contest so they tend to make just a few close friends rather than sparkle in a crowd on the party circuit.
Dependable and predictable number 4's are associated with the earth element so they can have a very grounding influence on others. However their fear of taking can make them seem very uptight. They can also be so over focused on the tasks at hand that they miss big opportunities that come their way.
People following the number 4 life path are often learning lessons about letting go of emotional insecurity. Signs that a number 4 is straying off the path are hostility from others, jealousy, possessiveness and a life made leaden and heavy by a lack of sense of humor.
Sometimes a number 4's adherence to routine is obsessive to the point of being pathological. If you believe that changing your routine even in the slightest might destroy your business or happiness in one way then you may be a number 4 who is becoming paralyzed by insecurity. Your way back on the path would be to let loose a little and develop some flexibility and tolerance of others.
Life Path Number 5
Those travelling the number 5 Life Path are adventurous and highly inquisitive individuals who consider hands on experience to be the best teacher in life. Many of them are deeply intelligent, philosophical and spiritually minded. They love to theorize about the nature of existence. Despite their sometimes spacey demeanor, many are sincere seekers of solutions to mankind's problems.
Number 5's abhor routine and daily chores. They are often excellent at initiating many projects, but rarely follow through on any of them. Most number 5's are lousy at self-care and housework, preferring instead to follow their whims and impulses. For this reason, they do not thrive well in office environments.
Number 5's, however, can be great communicators and are excellent when it comes to the abstraction of any subject. For this reason they make great social anthropologists, archaeologists and historians. Some number 5's also make excellent teachers.
Usually at one point in their life, a number 5 experiences some kind of spiritual or emotional catharsis that causes them to trade in a standard career for a self-made profession such as an artist, investigator or journalist. Most number 5's are multi-talented but lack the discipline or desire to follow one path. For this reason, many number 5's end up leading chaotic and even catastrophic lives when it comes to finances.
Number 5's also hate to make plans and prefer to live in the present. Their happy-go-lucky attitudes demonstrate an incredible faith that the universe will take care of them. The opposite sex often finds their devil-may-care attitudes to be exciting and romantic, that is until they end up supporting a number 5 that lacks life-direction.
The number 5's lack of commitment also extends to personal relationships. They tend to be very self-absorbed and unaware of the effect of their actions on other people. There is also a tendency to place what others might interpret as the most important priority in life as last and the least important consideration first. As other people often feel tricked or fooled by number 5's, they tend to experience a series of broken relationships.
A sign that a number 5 has strayed completely off his or her life path would be an over emphasis on decadence or the demoralization of all those who encounter the individual. If you are a number 5 who is constantly encountering criticism, derision, dissonance and a lack of stability in your life, you have probably strayed from your life's purpose which is to create a more generous and utopian future for others.
Life Path Number 6
Those following the number 6 Life Path are usually people-pleasers that have a great need to feel indispensable to others. For this reason many number 6's often dedicate their lives to being care givers and service providers such a doctors, nurses, counselors, fire fighters and law keepers.
These self-less individuals believe that they should share the burdens of others as they proceed on their life's journey. They are usually mature souls who are not afraid to assume responsibility or take charge of difficult situations.
Number 6's usually feel a spiritual obligation to help others and do so by constantly displaying kindness, tenderness and compassion to all that they meet. As children, these natural born leaders usually display a wisdom, bravery and self-control that is far beyond their age.
Number 6's are also domestic creatures whose actions are often motivated by a love of children and family. It is rare for a number 6 to have money problems, unless the cause is assisting someone who is less unfortunate. They are also more likely to adopt a child or work in a capacity that involves coaching youth (such as a baseball team) than other numbers. They usually earn the unqualified respect of family and friends because of their willingness to carry more than their fair share of the load when it comes to interacting with the community.
Number 6's have very few negative qualities, except for a tendency to codependency. 6's that find themselves enslaved to an addicted or mentally ill partner might not be following their true path, as this is a sign that they have become enablers, rather than healers of the diseases. Their life purpose is to love and nurture all who they encounter, not just that one special exclusive someone.
Life Path Number 7
Those embarking on number 7 Life Paths are affectionate, peace-loving individuals who prefer rationality to inspiration. These reserved and analytical deep-thinkers make great mathematicians, engineers, inventors, scientists and doctors.
These intellectual and studious personalities often pursue advanced academic careers. As they love to read and absorb information, they usually require a great deal of private time to cultivate their knowledge. Number 7 children often excel at school and appear to be "old souls" for their age.
Number 7 s are perfectionists who prefer silence to music, noise and crowds. They are methodical and thorough analysts who believe that "if you can't do a job right, don't do it at all."
Suspicious 7's do not make friends easily. They despise the guile and manipulations associated with popular culture and dismiss all who do not pass their strict moral standards. 7's often appear very reserved and aloof to others and many find it takes some time to even get up the nerve to approach them. Once a 7 does make a friend, however, it is usually for life.
Although they are skeptical and analytical creatures, 7's do rely on their gut instincts more than they rely on statistics, public opinion polls or advice from others. As they dislike being manipulated, many are disgusted by television or the media.
These hermits enjoy being alone and far away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. For this reason, many of them prefer to live in the country where their nerves are not irritated by the hectic pace of urban life.
The shadow side of a 7 is a tendency to become pessimistic, overly logical, quarrelsome and pessimistic. Many 7s are brilliant and (perhaps deservedly so) feel that the world owes them a living. If you are a number 7 who can't seem to deal with people at all there is a chance that abrasive character traits that were formally considered eccentric have been demoted down to repulsive. A sign that a number 7 has strayed completely off of his or her life path is a complete withdrawal from society. In this case, the troubled 7 should try to recognize his or her original ambitions to improve the world through the application of wisdom.
Life Path Number 8
Followers of the number 8 Life Path are naturally lucky individuals whose soul purpose is to acquire material wealth. People on this path have relatively little time for dreams and visions, as they are busy applying their prodigal organizational abilities to the real world.
Number 8s are usually confident, charismatic individuals who are adept at spotting trends and opportunities. Usually their life purpose is learning to manipulate money and power without becoming corrupted in the process.
These social climbers will go to great lengths to meet the right person at the right time. Even if an 8 is from an unprivileged background, he or she will go to a lot of trouble to be seen at the right parties, wearing the right clothes and hobnobbing with the real players in the room. People who boast a "from rags to riches" history often are number 8's.
8's who use their natural luck for good are endowed with tremendous potential for practically improving the lives of thousands, perhaps millions of people. 8's are practical and steady in their pursuit of major objectives and their tenacity and determination allows them to beat their competition every time. Courageous number 8's also have an incredible capacity to "not sweat the small stuff" and often beat out their competitors simply through sheer endurance or fortitude.
Some 8's take a shadowy diversion from their truth path by expressing greed, lust and unbridled ambition. They can be tyrants on the job and seem cold and heartless at home. They should avoid discounting the opinions of others, especially when it comes to emotional relationships.
Sometimes the pursuit of riches becomes more important than personal relationships. *8's are considered to be on the wrong path if an attachment to material objects is taking over their desire to share material and spiritual riches with the rest of the world.
Life Path Number 9
Those on the number 9 Life path are destined to travel a humanitarian path. These individuals make great diplomats, environmentalists, veterinarians, teachers, judges, social workers, nuns, priests and healers.
These sophisticated individual are very selfless souls and are often patient, trustworthy and honorable from the very beginning to the end of their life. Their moral rectitude, compassion and generosity often identify them.
Noble number 9's are willing to take on great responsibilities in the name of justice or fighting for the underdog. Very few of them are interested in material gain. Many of them believe they will get their rewards in heaven for good deeds done on earth. It is also not unusual for a number 9 to give up all of their material possessions for the common good.
Sometimes 9's express their deep understanding of life through painting, writing, music or other art forms. Many also become mystics, channellers, light workers, Reiki masters, witches and alternative healers.
The number 9 personality is best suited to the healing and care giving professions. Their sensitive natures tend to be completely trampled in traditional, competitive business environments.
Number 9's have winning smiles and make friends very easily. They are great listeners and many of them can make others feel better just with a simple pat on the hand. Although they are fantastic with strangers, they are not so great in one on one relationship. One on one relationships often seem toxic to sophisticated number nines who are turned off by the drama, possessiveness and terminal uniqueness that is associated with the ideal of a soul mate. 9's also do not like sex much, unless it is related to a tantra or practiced for the purposes of procreation. Many of them purposely remain single so that they can treat everybody like their soul mate.
9's who stray from their wrong paths often find themselves feeling angry or hostile towards those they have helped. They may feel their generosity has been misused or abused. Their life path is to have faith in God or a Higher Power rather than other people. The number 9 who is giving with an expectation of reward, needs to reexamine his or own inner core and principles.
The negative side of 9's manifests when they find others leaving them out of the loop. Their eccentricity causes others to treat them like village idiot. Sometimes 9's lofty ideals are presented in a manner that others find absurd, spacey or hilarious. Part of a 9's life path to express spiritual principles through actions, rather than through preaching or proselytizing.
Life Path Number 11
The Number 11 Life Path is concerned with spiritual illumination. Often a number 11 will display an understanding and knowledge of metaphysical matters that is far beyond the grasp of others.
11's tend to lead a life of extremes. In their quest to find a balance between the rational and the irrationality they will often pursue the most eclectic of religions and cultures. These avant-garde and visionary individuals make great students, psychics, mystics, healers, teachers, writers, musicians and artists.
The number 11 will often sacrifice all in the pursuit of occult or metaphysical knowledge. Their thirst for learning persuades many of them to join cults or New Age Movements. Fortunately if they do get in trouble, they often demonstrate a brilliant resilience.
11's can also be chameleons when it comes to career. Many of them try on careers the same way others try on clothes. The odd thing is that these "quick studies" are usually successful at whatever they do. Many of them will often boast two careers at once, often antithetical to each other. It is an 11 that you will find working as the manager of a bank by day, and then moonlighting as a Tarot Reader at night.
However, 11's best utilize their life's purpose by attempting to become teachers or counselling. Most 11's are very skilled healers at the subconscious level and others are often healed by their touching and insightful words.
On the negative side 11's often expect a great deal of themselves and others. Many of them are "wounded healers" who at some point in their life suffer a devastating experience that propels them on the search for spirituality. However along with these situations usually comes a lot of toxic emotional baggage and a harsh inner critic. It takes many 11's their entire life to rid themselves of the chip on their shoulder.
11's are also very nervous individuals who are prone to illnesses that have a dual nature such as manic depression and schizophrenia. A tendency towards dreaminess sometimes delays them from finding their true purpose in life. In fact, 11's are often late bloomers who do not start making money doing what they love until after age 40.
An 11 has strayed from his or her path when he or she finds himself always dreaming of big schemes, but never taking practical action to put these ideas into action. This means the 11 is not progressing and stuck in the "visionary" stage of enlightenment.
Life Path Number 22
Those following the life path of 22 are called master teachers. They are the most powerful of the Life Path numbers and are endowed with many powers. They have a unique talent for manifesting ideas into the realm of reality.
Whatever a 22 thinks about is almost sure to become manifest so it is very important for them to choose their thoughts carefully. If they are willing to work for what they desire they can achieve enormous prestige, success and fame. Things often come easily to 22's who others often describe as being "born with a silver spoon." They can accomplish a great deal with very little effort.
Negative 22's are very rare, but sometimes they display what looks like insensitivity. This is part of a spiritual directive to be detached from objects and the outcome of events. Many of them work for material gain, with the idea that their wealth should be spread among the masses.
Life Path Number 33
A birth date that reduces down to 33 is very rare. When it does happen you are looking at a great and significant spiritual leader along the lines of the Dalai Llama or Ghandi.
These individuals do not display any typicality in terms of their life story, however they do usually achieve fame through acts of kindness, tenderness and compassion that lead to the transformation of the world's consciousness.