Castle House - Dublin, Ireland

 
You've probably seen this picture lately of 'Castle House'  Of course it's blarney all right. 

This is actually a picture of James Bond Island in Thailand with a picture of Lichtenstein Castle in Honau, Germany Photoshopped on top of it.  A great work of image manipulation that catches a lot of people by surprise.  Particularly impressive is the boat with the ladder.  That's a nice touch.

Nasa's Curiosity rover successfully lands on Mars

The US space agency has just landed a huge new robot rover on Mars.

The one-tonne vehicle, known as Curiosity, was reported to have landed in a deep crater near the planet's equator at 06:32 BST (05:32 GMT).

It will now embark on a mission of at least two years to look for evidence that Mars may once have supported life.

A signal confirming the rover was on the ground safely was relayed to Earth via Nasa's Odyssey satellite, which is in orbit around the Red Planet.

 Congrats to all the members to make this happen.

Dazzling opening ceremony launches 30th Olympic 2012

London presented a vibrant picture of Great Britain's rich heritage and culture as a colourful opening ceremony marked the inauguration of the 30th Olympic Games at the spunky Olympic stadium on Friday night.

Queen Elizabeth II declared the Games open amidst thunderous cheers from the capacity crowd of 80,000 signalling the launch of the biggest sporting spectacle which returned to Britain after a gap of 64 years, giving the country the distinction of holding the mega event for an unprecedented third time.

The night sky lit up with dazzling fireworks as the Queen declared the Games open to herald London's moment of glory in the presence of as many as 100 heads of state and a host of other dignitaries who have descended on this historic city to witness the extravaganza, watched by an estimated one billion global audience.

The 27 million pound three-and-a-half-hour long opening ceremony, which magically transformed the stadium into a rural British idyll, complete with cows, horses, sheep and dogs and synthetic clouds to provide traditional British rain, was designed to give Britons a "picture of ourselves as a nation".

More than 10,000 performers took part in the opening extravaganza which vividly brought about the country-side scenes -- a cricket pitch, traditional country side cottages, mining wheel and people dressed in the Victorian era.

Actor Daniel Craig, who has played the fictional spy 007 James Bond in films, was shown in a video accompanying the Queen from Buckingham Palace into a waiting helicopter and then taking her to the Stadium.

There was also a touch of British humour in the form of Rowan Atkinson who regaled the audience with his famous "Mr Bean" comic act.

The Ceremony's artistic director Danny Boyle, whose film "Slumdog Millionaire" won eight Oscars, had kept most elements of his show a secret.

Former England football captain David Beckham brought the Olympic flame on a speedboat on the Thames river before handing it over to five-time Olympic gold medallist rower Sir Steve Redgrave.

A group of seven athletes nominated by British Olympic champions then took the flame from Redgrave and ran around the stadium before lighting the Games' Couldron made up of 204 copper petals carried in by teams from across the world.

The competitive action will unfold tomorrow as around 10,500 athletes from 204 countries affiliated to the International Olympic Committee will battle for glory and honour in the next 17 days with powerhouses USA and China expected to retain their supremacy.

The 17-day sporting spectacle will see competitions in 39 disciplines with the new addition of women's boxing this time around.

The 204 participating teams walked into the stadium amidst loud cheers from the spectators many of whom had thronged the stadium well ahead of the scheduled start.

Google launches scientific calculator

Next time, you need to do a quick calculation, you can head to Google. The search giant has added a scientific calculator to its varied array of features.

The company's new 34-button calculator appears the moment you type in the word "calculator" or a mathematical expression say "4x5" into the search box.

The calculator gives users ability to do everything from arithmetic to trigonometric calculations. The calculator has functions for calculating sines, cosines, square roots and tangents as well as also dedicated buttons for Pi and Euler's number.

Not just this, Users can also use Google's voice search feature -- found in mobile version and in Chrome browser -- to do calculations without actually touching keyboard.

The search giant has also announced its Panda algorithm update (version 3.9) via its official Twitter account.

Launched in February 2011, Panda is aimed to lower the ranks of low-quality websites and list high-quality sites close to the top of the search results.

Pranab Mukherjee, the 13th President of India

We are in midst of fourth world war: President Pranab

Fight against terrorism is the fourth world war and India has been on the frontlines of this, President Pranab Mukherjee today said while hailing the valour and conviction of the Indian armed forces.

Taking oath as the President, he said few minutes of peace will achieve far more than many years of war.

"...But the visible rewards of peace have also obscured the fact that the age of war is not over. We are in the midst of a fourth world war; the third was the Cold War, but it was very warm in Asia, Africa and Latin America till it ended in the 1990s," said the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

"The war against terrorism is the fourth; and it is a world war because it can raise its evil head anywhere in the world," the President said in his acceptance speech in the Central Hall of Parliament.

India has been on the frontlines of this war long before many other recognised its vicious depth or poisonous consequences, he said.

"I am proud of the valour, conviction and steely determination of our armed forces as they have fought this menace on our borders; of our brave police forces as they have met the enemy within; and of our people, who have defeated the terrorist trap by remaining calm in the face of extraordinary provocation," Mukherjee said.

Noting that the people of India have been "a beacon of maturity through the trauma of whiplash wounds", he reminded those who instigate violence and perpetuate hatred that "few minutes of peace will achieve far more than many years of war".

"India is content with itself, and driven by the will to sit on the high table of prosperity. It will not be deflected in its mission by noxious practitioners of terror," the President said.

Microsoft iPad - "Surface"

Rival aims to take on Apple with launch of the Surface

 
1) Microsoft tablet will use same Windows 8 operating system as PCs
2) Comes with built-in stand and keyboard to replicate experience of laptop
3) Company refuses to reveal price of tablet or confirm exact release date

 

Microsoft is to take on Apple in a war of the tablet computers with the launch of its own ‘iPad killer’ – the Surface.

It is a dramatic move for the US technology company, which historically has focused on producing software rather than hardware.

But after some success with the Xbox series of entertainment consoles, it now hopes to challenge Apple and Android in the lucrative touchscreen tablet market.

The Microsoft Surface tablet was officially unveiled in Los Angeles last night, and from the favourable first impressions, it looks like we have a three-way race in the tablet market.

The Surface comes with a 10.6" screen, a clever magnetic cover which doubles as a keyboard, and a kickstand to hold it upright on a table.

In a huge paradigm shift for Microsoft, the traditional Windows Desktop has been scrapped for Microsoft's new 'Metro' tile-based theme.

IPAD AND SURFACE SIDE-BY-SIDE

Weight: Surface 676g iPad 650g

Thickness: Surface 9.3mm iPad 9.4mm

Screen size: Surface 10.6" iPad 9.7"

USB: Surface yes iPad no

Hard drive: Surface 32GB/64GB iPad 16GB/32GB/64GB

Battery life: Surface unknown iPad around 6 hours

Price: Surface unknown iPad from £479/$499

Sales of tablets are expected to triple in the next two years, topping 180million a year in 2013, easily outpacing growth in traditional PCs. Apple has sold 67million iPads in two years since the device's launch.

Apple, which makes both hardware and software for greater control over the performance of the final product, has revolutionised mobile markets with its smooth, seamless phones and tablets.

Rival Google may experiment with a similar approach after buying phone maker Motorola this year.

Compact Blue Dwarf Can’t Hide

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured this view of the dwarf galaxy UGC 5497, which looks a bit like salt dashed on black velvet in this image.

The object is a compact blue dwarf galaxy that is infused with newly formed clusters of stars. The bright, blue stars that arise in these clusters help to give the galaxy an overall bluish appearance that lasts for several million years until these fast-burning stars explode as supernovae.

UGC 5497 is considered part of the M 81 group of galaxies, which is located about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major (The Great Bear). UGC 5497 turned up in a ground-based telescope survey back in 2008 looking for new dwarf galaxy candidates associated with Messier 81.

According to the leading cosmological theory of galaxy formation, called Lambda Cold Dark Matter, there should be far more satellite dwarf galaxies associated with big galaxies like the Milky Way and Messier 81 than are currently known. Finding previously overlooked objects such as this one has helped cut into the expected tally — but only by a small amount.

Astrophysicists therefore remain puzzled over the so-called "missing satellite" problem.

The field of view in this image, which is a combination of visible and infrared exposures from Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys, is approximately 3.4 by 3.4 arcminutes.

Seventh heaven! Nadal secures record French Open title 2012

Nadal secures record French Open title with triumph over Djokovic

There could be few more ignominious or unfitting ends to a dream than the one which befell Novak Djokovic as he tried to kindle his hopes of winning an historic fourth consecutive Grand Slam.

The double fault he served when facing a first match point in the French Open final was a horrible full stop, the last way you would think such a great competitor would cede what may prove a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After a span of nearly 24 hours, he handed a 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory to a tearful Rafael Nadal and, with it, a record seventh Roland Garros title at 26, overtaking the total of Bjorn Borg.

Yet Nadal admitted he was also apprehensive: ‘I was very nervous last night and I didn’t really feel ready to play until about three minutes before going out,’ he said.

‘But I was much more aggressive today. When we went off last  night the conditions were very unusual and I felt they were more favourable for him. I wasn’t able  to push him back.’

Venus' transit of sun

This year's grand celebration was on June 5, 2012, the Transit of Venus! We teamed up with NASA Edge to bring you an exciting web cast from atop the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii.

The Transit of Venus is among the rarest astronomical phenomena and won't happen again until the year 2117. So prepare now, and don't miss out on this extremely special event!

The tiny planet Venus will show up as a little black dot against the raging furnace of the Sun, which is some 100 times larger and brighter, but because Venus is so much nearer to us — about 25 million miles from Earth, as opposed to the Sun’s 93 million miles — it will appear larger. Like a pimple on the Sun’s face.  

WHEN TO SEE THE TRANSIT IN AMERICA

The Astronomers without Borders group has created an interactive time-checker to help you find out when best to view the transit, which is available here.

In the U.S., the afternoon of Tuesday is your time to see the cosmic event, from 2pm on the East Coast, and from 3pm on the West.

It will be visible until dusk in many places.

The chart above shows the times of the 2012 transit of Venus in Universal Time (essentially the same as UTC). To know when any astronomical event occurs in your part of the world, you need to translate the times to your time zone.  

Be careful and watch for the time of sunset or sunrise in your location. In the continental United States, for example, the greatest transit took place just before sunset for most of us. During last month’s solar eclipse, which was also at sunset for U.S. locations, many people told us they missed out because their viewing location was hindered by trees or tall buildings. Don’t let that happen to you! If you’re in the continental U.S., be sure to find a viewing location with a clear view of the horizon.

KKR pull off stunning win over CSK in a pulsating IPL 5 final 2012

 

Purple is the colour of the Indian Premier League and the Knights are the new Kings. There are a whole host of new heroes who made this possible: The unheralded Manvinder Singh Bisla, the legendary Jacques Kallis, Shakib Al Hasan, and Kolkata's own Manoj Tiwary.

Each of them played like they owned the stage as Shah Rukh Khan's Knights notched up an unbelievable win with three balls to spare.

Bisla didn't know till Saturday evening whether he would be playing the final. KKR took a big gamble by playing him ahead of Brendon McCullum and the Haryana batsman was an absolute revelation.

A chase of 191 is thought to be out of bounds when you are playing at the Chepauk against CSK, and when skipper Gautam Gambhir got out in the first over, it seemed Chennai were well on their way to making it a hat-trick of titles.

A chase of 191 is thought to be out of bounds when you are playing at the Chepauk against CSK, and when skipper Gautam Gambhir got out in the first over, it seemed Chennai were well on their way to making it a hat-trick of titles.

But Bisla came out of nowhere and started hitting every single bowler on view. Dhoni just hadn't prepared the blueprint for the guy.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Man of the Final: Manvinder Bisla, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Rising Star of the tournament: Mandeep Singh, Kings XI Punjab.

Golden Player of the season: Sunil Narine, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Fairplay Award: Rahul Dravid, Rajasthan Royals.

Orange Cap: Chris Gayle, Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Purple Cap: Morne Morkel, Delhi Daredevils.

Power performance of the season: AB de Villiers, Royal Challengers Bangalore.

FIVE STARS WHO WON IPL 5 FOR KKR

5-19: Mystery spinner Narine produced many outstanding spells, none so better than his 5-19 against Kings XI.

4-18: Laxmipathy Balaji showed he still has a few tricks up his sleeve, as he got the RCB batsmen flummoxed.

3-17: Shakib Al Hasan got both Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane, and RR were never a problem for KKR.

93: The KKR skipper was in terrific form throughout the tournament. Against RCB, he smashed 93 off 51 balls.

40*: Yusuf Pathan remained out of form throughout this IPL, but struck gold against the Devils in the 1st qualifier.

12 Indian foods that cut fat

You don't have to acquire a taste for olive oil, seaweed or soya to maintain a low-fat, healthy diet. Indian cuisine can be healthy too, if it's cooked with oil and ingredients that take care of your heart and health.

Ayurveda suggests you include all tastes — sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent — in at least one meal each day, to help balance unnatural cravings. Here are 12 foods that can help you lose weight and gain health:

Turmeric : Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is an object of research owing to its properties that suggest they may help to turn off certain genes that cause scarring and enlargement of the heart. Regular intake may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase blood circulation and prevent blood clotting, helping to prevent heart attack.

Cardamom : This is a thermogenic herb that increases metabolism and helps burn body fat. Cardamom is considered one of the best digestive aids and is believed to soothe the digestive system and help the body process other foods more efficiently.

Chillies : Foods containing chillies are said to be as foods that burn fat. Chillies contain capsaicin that helps in increasing the metabolism. Capsaicin is a thermogenic food, so it causes the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies.

Curry leaves : Incorporating curry leaves into your daily diet can help you lose weight. These leaves flush out fat and toxins, reducing fat deposits that are stored in the body, as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, incorporate eight to 10 curry leaves into your diet daily. Chop them finely and mix them into a drink, or sprinkle them over a meal.

Garlic : An effective fat-burning food, garlic contains the sulphur compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats.

Mustard oil : This has low saturated fat compared to other cooking oils. It has fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It contains antioxidants, essential vitamins and reduces cholesterol, which is good for the heart.

Cabbage : Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction.

Moong dal : The bean sprouts are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E and many minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. It is recommended as a food replacement in many slimming programmes, as it has a very low fat content. It is a rich source of protein and fibre, which helps lower blood cholesterol level. The high fibre content yields complex carbohydrates, which aid digestion, are effective in stabilising blood sugar and prevent its rapid rise after meal consumption.

Honey : It is a home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra fat deposits in the body allowing it to be utilised as energy for normal functions. One should start with about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning.

Buttermilk : It is the somewhat sour, residual fluid that is left after butter is churned. The probiotic food contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss.

Millets : Fibre-rich foods such as millets - jowar, bajra, ragi, etc - absorb cholesterol and help increase the secretion of the bile that emulsifies fats.

Cinnamon and cloves: Used extensively in Indian cooking, the spices have been found to improve the function of insulin and to lower glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes.

Biggest lottery jackpot in history delivers a bonanza to smalltown America

The buyer of one of the winning tickets in the biggest prize in lottery history – $656 million – bought his lucky numbers in the tiny town of Red Bud, Illinois. Philip Sherwell reports on the excitement gripping its 4,000 residents.

In the small Illinois farm town of Red Bud, the locals would normally have been out fishing, hunting and foraging for the wild mushrooms that are in peak season this weekend.

The more adventurous were planning to head to nearby Prairie du Rocher for the annual Colonial Trade Faire and Musket Frolic.

Instead, many converged today on the Moto Mart, a petrol station, convenience store and local hub for news and gossip, to discuss the biggest drama in the town's history.

For one of three winning tickets in the largest lottery jackpot in history – $656 million – was sold at the store that serves Red Bud's population of less than 4,000.

Two other winning tickets were bought in Maryland and Kansas. If no others emerge as state officials scrutinise sales records, the jackpot will be split three ways, with a pre-tax payout of $219 million each.

Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church sit on throne for one last time

A memorial service for Egypt's late Pope Shenouda III plunged into chaos when mourners trying to catch a glimpse of his embalmed corpse were crushed to death. Tens of thousands visited Cairo's main Abbasiya cathedral as the body of the 88-year-old leader of the nation's Orthodox Church sat on an ornate throne.
But the desire to see the spiritual leader of the Coptic Christians soon turned to tragedy - as three devotees suffocated to death and dozens were injured in the crowded church.

'He has been our protector since the day I was born,' said a tearful Antonios Lateef as he waited in line to take one last look at the pope, who spent 40 years at the helm of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The crowds outside the cathedral in central Cairo carried crosses and portraits of Shenouda. 'Ya Allah!' or 'Oh God!', they chanted in unison. Shenouda, seated on the throne of St. Mark, or Mar Morkos, was clad in the elaborate regalia he traditionally wore to oversee services. His head slightly tilting to the right and he held a scepter.

Sachin Tendulkar 100th TON... Great Achievement...

A Long wait for his 100th ton is archived today. Congrats Sachin.... 

March 16, 2012 will be remembered for the day the Little Master finally reached the milestone with a score of 114 against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup one-day match at Dhaka.

But Tendulkar is well known for his patience. He got his first hundred after a wait of 17 months but after getting his first hundred he became an icon in the game of cricket.


The year 1998 was peak of his career when he scored 12 tons in a year.


With completion of his century he has created a history and it will be very difficult to equal this record for cricketers to come.


Your contribution to the Indian Cricket is counting more. Congrats once again for your 100th ton. Keep going like this... we wish to see more such records....

Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon brings bands

The arrival of the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon and Half Marathon will mean a slew of road closures across the District throughout the morning and early afternoon on Saturday, especially on streets encircling Capitol Hill and allowing access to U Street and Adams Morgan.


This is D.C.’s first Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon -- it takes over for the National Marathon, held in the spring for six years -- and the course is a lively one. Bands perform on stages situated roughly every mile; highlights include the Grandsons performing roots rock on the Dupont Circle overpass, the N’awlins brass band Yamomanem playing at 21st and C streets NE, the soulful Black Alley band at Minnesota Avenue and Randall Circle SE, and indie rockers Oh So Peligroso at South Capitol Street and Anacostia Drive. (Check out a full schedule with artists and locations.) Switchfoot headlines a concert at the RFK Stadium finish line.


The course winds through a number of D.C.’s most popular neighborhoods, including the H Street corridor, Bloomingdale, Columbia Heights and Dupont Circle, making it easy for people to head outside and cheer for friends as they run past.

10 Google Search Tricks You Might Not Know

1. Boolean Search Parameters: To really master the art of Google search, you can follow certain terms and tricks. For instance, rather than simply asking Google a question in the search box, include specific items such as type of file or title name.


2. Public Data: Google has an entire directory of public data, which you can also access to look up trends. Type keywords such as "population" or "unemployment," followed by a state or county.


3. Easter Eggs: Google's developers have a sense of humor -- just type in "do a barrel roll" or "let it snow" to see for yourself. There are a number of other hidden easter eggs as well.


4. Tracking a Package: If you have the tracking number for a FedEx, UPS or USPS package, type it into the search box and Google will provide you with quick updates on your package's status.


5. Calculator: Need a quick answer to a math problem? Enter the calculation into the search box.


6. Unit Conversions: Wondering how many milliliters are in one cup? Google has a built-in converter for different units of measurement, like height, weight and volume.


You can also do the same for currency conversions.


7. Sports Tracking: If you're on the go, but need a quick check on your favorite sports team, enter the team or league name into the search box.


8. Medication: Find brief summaries and descriptions for most generic and brand name prescription drugs in the U.S. by typing their names into the search box.


9. Flight Schedule: Whether you need to check the status on a U.S. flight or book a trip, there are a couple terms that can help you plan accordingly.


Enter the name of the airline and the flight number to check its status. To see schedules to or from specific locations, type in "flights from" or "flights to" along with the city or airport.


10. Sunrise and Sunset: Wondering when to catch a sunrise or sunset? If you type "sunrise" or "sunset" followed by the name of the city, Google's built-in feature counts down to the next occurrence.

Himalayan Queen to Simla

Himalayan Queen Mountain Railway

The Himalayan Queen to Simla is just one of many great Asian train journeys. 

THE Himalayan Queen, one of India’s five ‘toy’ trains, chugs at a sedate 18 miles per hour from Kalka to Simla – the former summer capital of the British Period.

It is only 60 miles but you can feel the three per cent gradient of the narrow gauge track and impressive multi-arched viaducts make it clear what a feat of engineering this Mountain Railway was to build.

The train is crowded with Indian holidaymakers, travelling to enjoy the cool air of the mountain retreat. I snatch views of the Himalayan foothills as we round some of the 900-plus curves.

We wind through no less than 103 tunnels and every time the passengers shout, hoot, scream, whistle and do goat impersonations in the brief darkness.

At a lower station two young water buffalo graze beside the platform, while the purple flowers of the feathery jacaranda trees colour the landscape.

Stone walls are covered with flowering creepers but in many places you can see the jungle is trying to reassert its control.

The children on the train are delighted with their excursion and hang out the windows; huge grins on their faces.

Former Viceregal Lodge, Simla

Soon the scent of pine trees fills the air and then Simla hoves into view – a picturesque tumble of buildings on the mountainside surrounded by forests of deodar, oak and rhododendron.

At a cool 2,076 metres (6,811 feet) Simla was a popular British base from the 1830s onwards and became the summer capital in 1864.

The ex-Viceregal lodge could have stepped straight out of a Walter Scott novel and its flower beds sparkle in the sunshine after a typical Simla rainshower.

Now the gothic structure is known as Rashtrapati Niwas and is used by the Indian Ministry of Education as well as being a tourist attraction.

Strolling along the Mall, Punjabi matrons pull their cardigans closer over their saris. I am sure they are indulging in Simla’s traditional pastime – gossip.

Christ Church, Simla

Christchurch is golden in the late evening sun but I plunge into the dim rabbit warren of a bazaar, which clings vertiginously to the hillside, in search of Rudyard Kipling’s unforgettable boy traveller: Kim.

Good Illusions

Quote

Valentine’s Day Cards for Your Special Tech People

How To Block Annoying People On Facebook

There are many annoying people out their,


“He comments on all my photos unnecessarily. He takes 100′s of Facebook quizzes a day. I don’t like the guy commenting on my Facebook status he is really irritating me a lot. I wish to unfriend him to get rid off this irritating guy out of my sight in Facebook.”


Its really hard to handle those people, they would understand your feelings and will be keep on buzzing and annoying you. Don’t let people hurt you, just block that guy.


A. Steps to Block Annoying People on Facebook
1. Log In to your Facebook Account
2. Go to the person’s profile that is annoying you.
3. Find a link that says “Report/Block this person” and click it.
4. Click on “Block this person” checkbox and submit it is done.
This will disable him to post any link on your profile or anything, in fact he won’t be able to find you as well in any case. He won’t be able to see it through his friends or from the Facebook search.


B. Steps to Block or Unblock People on Facebook
Their is a second method to block a person. Well by this method you can even unblock blocked persons also.
1. Open your Facebook Profile and in the upper right section click on Account –> Privacy Settings.
2. Once your privacy setting are open, click on “Blocked People and Apps”.
3. From the open page you can also add people to block list and remove people from list which are already been blocked.


Stay protected on Social networks that’s highly important

It's International Women's Day. The event, born of the socialist movement in the United States the early 1900s, has spread across the world in the century since.


But the day looks very different across the globe, much like the differences in the lives of women worldwide. Here's how the event is being celebrated across in different parts of the world:


Pakistan: Female family members of missing Pakistanis are using the day to reiterate demands to know where their loved ones are. "For years, human rights activists have claimed that Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, and other security agencies in Pakistan routinely abduct men without legal justification," The Times recently reported.


Venezuela: Backers of President Hugo Chavez marched for the women's event. Chavez, in power for 13 years, faces a challenge from candidate Henrique Capriles this fall, as frustration rises over surging homicide rates and the stagnant economy.


Turkey: Women splattered with artificial blood protested domestic violence, while the Turkish parliament passed laws that will try to protect women and children from abuse. "The discriminative implementations against women and domestic violence should be stopped," President Abdullah Gul said, according to the Hurriyet Daily News.


Sudan: The day meant freedom for about 4,000 prisoners in Sudan who are being released to mark the day, the Associated Press reported. The prisoners included hundreds of women and children.


Peru: Feminist groups are reportedly calling on President Ollanta Humala to follow through on his campaign promises to ensure that the rights of Peruvian women are respected.


Egypt: Hundreds of women marched to demand the right to help draft the new constitution. "Women have yet to gain any significant influence in the new Egypt, revealing the complexities of defining gender rights in a nation colored by Islam, inundated by Western media permissiveness and ruled by military men operating in a cloistered realm of gold stars and salutes," The Times recently reported.


Somalia: Women held a parade, the first one of its kind since the Shabab, an Islamic militant group, was ejected from the capital, Mogadishu, the Associated Press reported.


United States: It didn't happen today, but last week the United Nations fund for gender equality announced in New York City that it would give out $10.5 million in grants to groups working to empower women in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia.

Holi Festival

  Holi is also known as festival of Colours. 

Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating many events that are present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence.

In most areas, Holi lasts about two days. One of Holi’s biggest customs is the loosening strictness of social structures, which normally include age, sex, status, and caste. Holi closes the wide gaps between social classes and brings Hindus together. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence on this joyous day. Additionally, Holi lowers the strictness of social norms. No one expects polite behavior; as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy.

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing scented powder and perfume at each other. Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). After doing holika dahan prayers are said and praise is offered. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in South India.

Hiranyakashipu, on the lap, being killed by Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu

India's oldest and most respected beauty pageant is back!

It's grooming time at PFMI 2012



In its 49th year, Miss India returns with a fresh new look, and never-before experiences for the 20 finalists. This year, the finalists are in for a treat as the residential grooming session travels to picturesque locales.


First stop, the breathtaking Carnoustie Beach Resort & Ayurvedic Spa at Alleppey, Kerala, next, to the ever-gorgeous beaches of Goa. The girls will be staying at The Sol, engaging in exciting activities at Primobom, and partying at Goa's most happening nightclub, Tito's. After much sun and sand, the girls will be whisked away to the lovely hill city of Lavasa.
To wrap up their travels, the pageant returns to Mumbai to the Courtyard by Marriott, where the girls will receive their final grooming and training before the grand finale on March 30. In addition to the travels, Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2012 has a stellar panel of experts to help bring out the best in the 20 gorgeous finalists. At the helm is Marc Robinson, creative director, Femina Miss India. "It is indeed with a lot of pride and pleasure that we would like to introduce you to the esteemed panel of experts who will be an integral part of the training process which the contestants will undergo for a period of 30 days," says Marc, adding, "Each one of these experts is a stalwart in their respective fields in the fashion and glamour industry, and they bring to the table a professional approach which is second to none. I am extremely confident that their fresh approach will be a true inspiration for the 20 PFMI 2012 finalists."


To speak like a monarch is a trait every beauty queen must possess. Diction expert Sabira Merchant helps the girls achieve just that. "Good diction is one of the many finishing touches to polish these lovely girls and prepare them not just for the international pageants, but for every aspect of the rest of their lives. The right pronunciation and enunciation can make all the difference in public speaking, and in helping them really make an impact," she says.


Image consultant Chhaya Momaya believes that the world truly recognises the potential that India possesses. "As their image consultant, I'll be coaching the girls to help perfect their etiquette; the most minute details like the perfect greeting and table manners can make all the difference between a beautiful girl, and a 'beauty queen'," says she.


The finalists of Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2012 will also be photographed by celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani, a name synonymous with excellence and creativity. With a style all his own, Dabboo shall capture the girls' portfolios and highlight their individuality and distinct looks. He says, "I'm excited to be a part of the PFMI 2012 pageant. This year's finalists are all lovely, each with their own unique persona. I imagine it will be a wonderful experience photographing them, and creating myriad looks." Amanender Singhpoora & Kapila Khapra are the official Hair & Make Up artists for the grooming period. The duo will work their magic on the 20 finalists during the 30-day residential training program. With such renowned experts to guide them on, the 20 finalists of Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2012 are sure to have a wonderful journey ahead of them.


Other feathers in the cap of PFMI 2012 include renowned experts such as:


Dr Jamuna Pai: Skincare Expert, who will work with the girls to even out their complexions and make them looking flawless and radiant.


Alesia Raut: Ramp Walk trainer, who will train the girls to perfect their posture and gait.


Dr Manoj Khanna: Aesthetic Grooming and Cosmetology Expert, who firmly believes in helping the finalists 'Look Good to Feel Good".


Shivan & Narresh: Swimwear Designer, whose edgy and unique swimwear designs the girls shall don.


Samir Purohit: Fitness Expert, who through a tailor-made regimen of pilates and various core-building exercises, will help the finalists perfect their bodies.


Dr Sandesh Mayekar: Smile Designer, who will use the latest in non-invasive cosmetic dentistry and facial exercises to help the girls flash their most dazzling smiles.


Clint Fernandes: Official Hair & Make Up artist for the Grand Finale. The make up guru himself shall wield his brushes and wands, and engineer a fabulous look for the finalists.


Amit Hansraj: Official Stylist, who will help create distinct looks for each finalist, and ensure she looks her absolute best.


Raakesh Agarvwal: Evening Gown Designer, who has designed an exclusive collection of sensuous evening gowns for the girls for the Grand Finale.


International Pageants:


Ritu Kumar, Designer: Long associated with the pageant, Ritu Kumar will provide several ensembles for the three title winners to wear to their international pageants, including their national costumes.


Purnima Mhatre, wellness expert: Purnima Mhatre will guide the three title winners towards complete holistic wellness, including advice on skin and hair care.