Good ones (usually liked by everyone to ponder/view upon)!

[P R Subramanian]

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8 Food Orders to Strengthen Your Memory


Holes of memory, learning difficulties, decreased concentration … are concerns that can occur at any age and more or less temporarily. Exercise, training the brain and social activities are all ways to maintain our memory, but diet also plays an important role.
Strengthen your memory through food supply

1. Take a full breakfast. Prefer whole grains. Avoid added sugars (white sugar, chocolate spread, jam …) and fatty foods (sausages, fried …). The brain then has all the nutrients and energy (slow carbohydrates) necessary for its optimal functioning, and it also avoids the sudden fatigue intellectual in the late morning.


2. At breakfast, avoid refined carbohydrates: white bread, white rice, pasta, semolina … and potatoes. Prioritize proteins (poultry, fish …) and vegetables. Also avoid sweet desserts. Refined and simple sugars are quickly absorbed by the body, which then promotes decreases in attention, concentration and performance intellectual in the afternoon.


3. Dinner refined carbohydrates are allowed. Rapid assimilation, they promote resting in the evening, necessary for the proper functioning of the brain and the consolidation of learning.


4. Avoid overeating. Focusing conversely, low calorie snacks. If necessary make small snacks in the morning and (fresh or dried fruits, dairy sweet little …). And why not keep his dessert for a snack lunch in the afternoon?


5. Eating omega-3 by eating fish three times a week (mackerel, sardines, salmon …) but also some nuts like almonds or brazil nuts, and even rapeseed oils and nuts. The omega-3 fatty acids are entering the membrane composition of our neurons. Thus, omega-3 are essential for the proper functioning of our brain and they help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.


6. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They bring good dose of vitamins, some of which are antioxidants and protect our brain.


7. Iron, which is often lacking in, also plays an important role. It was he involved in the transport of oxygen to the brain. Red meat, offal and blood sausage are foods rich in iron, but there is also this element in shellfish, green vegetables, cereals and legumes.


8. Finally, dehydration can cause a decrease in concentration. We must therefore ensure drink sufficiently and regularly throughout the day.


A healthy food allows us to maintain our brain, but we can also, at any age, boosting our performance brain maximizing our contributions food. And good news, the 8 instructions listed below are also excellent for preventing many diseases (diseases cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer …).
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Namaskarangal,


P R Subramanian.

 

[gopaindu]

Dear Subramanyam Sir,
Namaskarangalh. I am 62 years old and by the grace of God , I had retired from a decent post i.e. Deputy Secretary in the Deparment of Revenue, Central Govt. New Delhi. Thanks for ways to improve the memory. I wish I had come to know about the ways to improve my memory about 45 years ago. Then my life could have been different. Notwithstanding, I had lived with the reduced memory power for such a long time. The present stage is that it should not go further down. I had consulted the Doctor and I am taking medicine for the last 4-5 months as per his prescription. Thanks a lot for showing concern. I am preserving your post for the posterity. In regard to numbers, my memory power is above average. I can remember and recall mobile numbers from memory with ease. Occasionally, I get doubut that too for the past 5 years, about the order of placement of a particular number. Lastly, I take everything in the stride deeming it as the fruits of past karmas in the present birth or Bhagavat Sankalpa as the case may be. To achieve this kind of mental strength, I have to thank God as also the repetiton of mantras for a specific number of times without expecting any results therefrom. Nice to read your post. thanks once again. Now, it is difficult for me to avoid rice which is my staple food twice a day, avoid eating sugar and other sweets and eat fruits. Of course, I do take any vegetable i.e. I am not averse to take any vegetable. Fruits I take only when it is unavoidable. raja48

 

[P R Subramanian]

Everything you wanted to know about Brain Stroke and the life style to prevent it

Hi! all, Greetings of the day!!

Here I'm after a pretty long gap am attaching a book/write-up on the subject matter above which may be useful to keep it as an handy book.

Hope this would be beneficial to one and all in the forum; it is also quiet good one to share with others who are not part of this forum.

Wishing you all happy and healthy living.

Namaskarangal
P R Subramanian

View attachment Brain-Stroke.pdf

 

[P R Subramanian]

Major Skin Diseases Human Face is Herpes

Major Skin Diseases Human Face is Herpes

Posted by wahidpakistani Wednesday, June 15, 2011 7:45 PM 0 comments

We will discusses about Major diseases human face. One of the major skin disease human face is Herpes. We will republish articles on Herpes.Read about what is Herpes, symptoms of Herpes, treatment of Herpes.




1-Major Disease human face Herpes:


What Is Herpes:

​

Herpes is a virus that is spread by skin to skin contact with an actively infected partner with an existing herpes outbreak (or in the Viral Shedding stage or healing stage). This particular virus is responsible for cold sores and genital herpes, called herpes simplex virus (HSV).


There are two types of the Herpes Simplex Virus:


-Type 1 (HSV-1)
-Type 2 (HSV-2)

HSV-1:

​

HSV-1 or Cold Sores is commonly found in or around the mouth, lips, nose, between the nose and lips, face or surrounding areas. HSV type 1 most commonly causes sores on the lips, commonly called cold sores. Type 1 herpes can also be anywhere on the body, above the waist. Herpes on the back is called Shingles (Herpes Zoster), another nice word for herpes. Shingles effects usually older people above 60 years old, but not always.




HSV-2 :

​

HSV-2 or Genital Herpes is a more intense strand of the Herpes Simplex Virus. Commonly found below the waist, on the genitals, buttocks, and the anus. However, both of these viruses can cause herpes infections on the face, genitals, or other body areas, depending on the type of HSV that caused the original infection.


The virus will not change into a different strand (for example HSV type 1 will not turn into HSV type 2). However, a person can contract HSV type 1 on the genitals through contact with an open cold sore during oral sex, causing a genital herpes infection.


To determine which strand of the Herpes Simplex Virus you may have been infected with, and is causing an infection, a proper testing is recommended, such as a "type specific" blood test or culture swab test should be done. Just ask your doctor for this specific testing.


Major Symptoms of Herpes:


Phase 1 - Prodrome: area gets warm and painful; tingling is associated with this first stage.
Phase 2 - Macule: Area becomes red (erythema); a type of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction that occurs in response to the virus.
Phase 3 - Papule: Small red bumps form, often accompanied by a throbbing pain.
Phase 4 - Vesicle: Colorless, fluid-filled blisters start to develop.
Phase 5 - Postule: At this stage a clear liquid becomes yellow and pus forms.
Phase 6 - Crust: A yellowish crust forms on the affected area.
Phase 7 - Scab: Area becomes reddish and dry; area itches.
Phase 8 - Healing: Pain disappears; the scab falls off.


Within a few days, sores (also called lesions) appear at the site of infection. Lesions also can occur on the cervix in the women or in the urinary passage in men. These small red bumps may develop into blisters or painful open sores. Over a period of days, the sores become crusted and then heal. Other symptoms that may accompany a primary episode of genital herpes can include fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge and swollen glands in the groin area.


​

2-Treatment Of Herpes Symptoms:

Much confusion exists about herpes. Because there are two main types of herpes, oral and genital. It can sometimes be difficult to determine if a person has herpes - as well as the best course of treatment for the specific type of herpes. One of the most vital steps in treating herpes is getting diagnosed with the virus. While this may seem obvious, a significant number of people with herpes may dismiss it as a simple cold sore or a slight case of the flu.


Cold sores can be quite common but how many people run to the nearest pharmacy for an over the counter recommendation to "treat" cold sores? How many people know that cold sores are one type of herpes? Similarly, those with body aches or a fever may wait for it to pass, not knowing that this is one sign of herpes and may have repeated bouts of inflammation and symptoms. These are reasons why diagnosis and treatment are important. With proper treatment, life can return to normal again and symptoms can usually be controlled.


Treating herpes: Symptoms Get Proper Diagnosis


Some people may not have symptoms. However, if a sexual partner has recently been diagnosed with genital herpes, it is a good idea for his or her partner to get tested. Other symptoms of herpes can include fatigue, joint pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes and sores that resemble blisters. Genital herpes can also result in discharge from the genital area.
Of course, not all herpes is transmitted sexually. Many children or young adults have cold sores. This usually means the virus was transmitted when by a simple kiss on the mouth or even near the mouth. It can even be spread by touching items used by someone else with herpes, perhaps a towel or glass. Genital herpes, however, is spread by sexual contact or activity. To complicate matters further, the infected person may not be showing signs of herpes and still be able to infect his or her partner.
Everyone should be aware of the most common symptoms of herpes and get tested if these symptoms arise. It is also important to realize that some people may feel quite ill and feverish but others may have symptoms that are easily dismissed and not bothersome. Even so, any discharge, pain or swollen lymph nodes in the genital area is reason for concern.


Treating Herpes Symptoms: Medications:


Once genital herpes is diagnosed, a number of medications can be used to keep attacks and symptoms under control. Three medications are commonly used: Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex. Others are on the horizon or being researched but these three are among the first choice of medications. Zovirax is not only used to treat herpes but shingles and chicken pox. It has been shown to be effective for many people but (as is so often the case), some herpes medications may work better for some patients than others. Zovirax is an anitviral medication which can be used by pregnant women, lessening the chances that they will have active lesions when their babies are born.
Another medication, Famvir, is also an antiviral. Although it can't cure herpes (no medication can actually cure herpes but only reduce symptoms), it has been a great help to many with herpes. However, it may not be the best choice for those with kidney disease or problems with glucose absorption. Like Zovirax, it can be taken by pregnant women. Famvir will not prevent the spread of genital herpes so appropriate safe sex methods should be used.
Valtrex is a medication which can be used for both genital and non-genital herpes infections and is often used in children who have cold sores as well as adolescents or adults who may have genital type herpes. It is safe for pregnant women to take but should be avoided or used with caution in those who have HIV or immune system diseases as well as those with kidney conditions. A specialist can determine whether Valtrex is the appropriate medication.
In addition to prescription medications to treat herpes symptoms, there are also alternative therapies as well as nutritional supplements and dietary changes which may greatly reduce the symptoms of herpes. These options include diets high in lysine and arginine as well as those which strengthen the immune system.




3- References:
1-Author- Allan Ortwein
To know more about herpes and the different kinds of herpes, visit my website at EverCLR3 has been known to stimulate the immune system.


For more information and help about the 37 Herpes Facts you need to know!


Article Source: Allan Ortwein - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
Article Source: What Is Herpes?


2-Author: Emma Truman
Article Source: The Treatment Of Herpes Symptoms
About the Author


Herpes-Treatment-Help.com is a guide to treating and living with the symptoms and stages of herpes. Learn more about herpes treatment by visiting the Web site.

​

 

[P R Subramanian]

They are common ingredients found in millions of kitchen cupboards.
But pasta sauces and pizza toppings could add much more than a tasty tomato flavour to a family’s favourite meals.
Scientists said that cooked tomatoes can have the same benefits as statins for patients battling against high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure.

Healthy: Chemicals found in cooked tomatoes could be effective as statins in fighting cholesterol

They could be an ‘effective alternative’ to statins, the class of drugs commonly prescribed for these conditions which can lead to heart problems, according to a study.
And just two ounces of tomato paste or a pint of juice a day could be enough to help many patients.
The secret lies in high levels of the compound lycopene which gives ripe tomatoes their bright red colour. This powerful anti-oxidant is essential for good health as it helps lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.


They are common ingredients found in millions of kitchen cupboards.
But pasta sauces and pizza toppings could add much more than a tasty tomato flavour to a family’s favourite meals.
Scientists said that cooked tomatoes can have the same benefits as statins for patients battling against high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure.

Healthy: Chemicals found in cooked tomatoes could be effective as statins in fighting cholesterol

They could be an ‘effective alternative’ to statins, the class of drugs commonly prescribed for these conditions which can lead to heart problems, according to a study.
And just two ounces of tomato paste or a pint of juice a day could be enough to help many patients.
The secret lies in high levels of the compound lycopene which gives ripe tomatoes their bright red colour. This powerful anti-oxidant is essential for good health as it helps lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.


Read more: Cooked tomatoes 'as good as statins' for battling cholesterol | Mail Online

 

[P R Subramanian]

Car air-conditioning - very important!

CAR AIR-CONDITIONING - VERY IMPORTANT!

My car book says to roll down the windows to let out all the hot air before turning on A/C. Wonder why?

WHY? Car Air-conditioning - No wonder more folks are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents.

Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, 7 days a week.
As I read this, it makes me feel guilty and ill.
Please pass this on to as many people as possible.
Guess its not too late to make some changes

Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!!

Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car.

Open the windows after you enter your car and then turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.

Here's why: According to research, the car dashboard, seats and air freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car).

In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. Can also cause miscarriage.

Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft.
A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.
If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level.

People who get into the car, keeping windows
closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin.
Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver.. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.

So friends, please open the windows and door of your car - give time for interior to air out -dispel the deadly stuff - before you enter.

Thought: 'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.'

This is what snopes.com says. It is not the air conditioning in the car but the Benzene producing agents that cause cancer.http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/benzene.as

 

[P R Subramanian]

Curtain rods - - - priceless!!!

CURTAIN RODS --- PRICELESS


On the first day, she sadly packed her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases.


On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things.


On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining-room table, by candle-light; she put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water.


When she'd finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimps dipped in caviar into the hollow center of the curtain rods.


She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.


On the fourth day, the husband came back with his new girlfriend, and at first all was bliss.


Then, slowly, the house began to smell.


They tried everything; cleaning, mopping, and airing-out the place.


Vents were checked for dead rodents, and carpets were steam cleaned.


Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which time the two had to move out for a few days, and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked!


People stopped coming over to visit.


Repairmen refused to work in the house.


The maid quit.

Finally, they couldn't take the stench any longer, and decided they had to move, but a month later - even though they'd cut their price in half - they couldn't find a buyer for such a stinky house.


Word got out, and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls.


Finally, unable to wait any longer for a buyer, they borrowed heavy and bought a new place.


Then the ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for having the house.


Knowing she could have no idea how bad the smell really was, he agreed on a price that was only 1/10th of what the house had been worth ... but only if she would sign the papers that very day.


She agreed, and within two hours his lawyers delivered the completed paperwork.


A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home...


... and to spite the ex-wife, they even took the curtain rods

 

[P R Subramanian]

Namaste!!!!!

NAMASTE!!!!

Once upon a time, there was an ashram in the Himalayas where a great sage and his disciples lived. They all respected their Guru not only for his knowledge, but also for his love and kindness towards all. Because of his kind nature he often accepted disciples who were spiritually immature. This resulted in silly misunderstandings and quarrels among some of his disciples breaking the peace and tranquility of the hermitage.

One day the Guru was very disturbed to see their immature behavior even after his repeated advice. It saddened his good heart to see his disciples turning into slaves of jealousy and anger. His compassion did not let him throw anyone out of his hermitage. Instead, he sincerely prayed to God to give him a solution. He fasted for many days, and spent the days by himself in meditation and prayer.

After some days of fasting and intense prayers, he had a vision of the Lord. In the vision, God asked him why he was sad. He explained everything and requested Him to come to the ashram and free their minds of jealousy, anger, and desire for power. To his surprise, the Lord immediately agreed and told him that He would come to the ashram on one condition: He would come in disguise as one of the disciples, and nobody would know who was God in disguise. The Guru announced to his disciples about his vision and Bhagavans kind decision to come as one of his disciples.

The disciples were very happy when they heard about Bhagavans plan to come and live with them in disguise. But they did not know who was Bhagavan and everybody was very gentle and considerate to each other thinking that the other disciple might be Bhagavan Himself in disguise. When they lived like that for a few months, peace and tranquility filled their hearts as well as the hermitage.

In their pure minds, they felt the Lords blissful presence and they started treating each other, and thinking of each other, as none other than Bhagavan Himself in disguise! The whole ashram was reverberating with blissful positive vibrations emanating from everyone! This great sage and his disciples told their experience to others and inspired them also to respect each other and to pranam to the divinity in every one.

Since then, everybody started greeting each other saying namaste with folded hands : namah + te, meaning I bow to That (Divinity) inherent in you.
In Sanskrit the word isnamah + te = namaste which means I bow to you - my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. The word namaha can also be literally interpreted as "na ma" (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of reducing one's ego in the presence of another.

Why Namaste:

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship. However, there is much more to it than meets the eye. The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet one another with namaste, it means, may our minds meet, indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship in love, respect and humility.

Spiritual Significance of Namaste:

The reason why we do namaste has a deeper spiritual significance. It recognizes the belief that the life force, the divinity, the Self or the God in me is the same in all. Acknowledging this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we honor the god in the person we meet.

May the Lord help us also to see His divinity in everybody

 

[P R Subramanian]

Empathy!!!

I have a friend who was working in his home office one evening, trying to get some necessary paperwork done. His little girl, who was about 4 years old at the time, was playing around his desk, puttering about, moving objects here and there, pulling out drawers, and making a good deal of noise.

My friend endured the distraction with stoic patience until the child slammed a drawer on one of her fingers and screamed in pain. Reacting in exasperation he shouted, “That’s it!” as he escorted her out of the room and shut the door.

Later, her mother found her weeping in her bedroom and tried to comfort her. “Does your finger still hurt?” she asked. “No,” the little girl sniffled. “Then why are you crying?” her mother asked. “’Cause,” she whimpered, “when I pinched my finger, Papa didn’t say, ‘Oh!’”

Sometimes that’s all we need, isn’t it? Someone who cares and who will respond with kindness and compassion, someone who will say, “Oh” when things go wrong. How often do we pay attention to details and listen to someone in need? Start doing it from now on and see yourself being blessed with a new kind of a happiness.

 

[P R Subramanian]

Laughter is the best Medicine!

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh walks into State Bank of India to cash a cheque.

As he approaches the cashier he says: ‘Good Morning, Ma’am, could you please cash this cheque for me?’

Cashier: ‘It would be my pleasure, Sir. Could you please show me your ID?’

PM: (utterly shocked) ‘I did not bring my ID with me as I didn’t think there was any need. I am Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India!’

Cashier: ‘Yes Sir, I know who you are, but with all the regulations and monitoring of the banks because of impostors and forgers, etc., I must insist on seeing your ID.’

PM: ‘Just ask anyone here at the Bank who I am and they will tell you. Everybody knows who I am!’

Cashier: ‘I am sorry Mr. Prime Minister, but these are the bank rules and I must follow them strictly.’

PM: ‘I am urging you, please, to cash this cheque. Soniaji has gone to America and Rahulji has, by mistake, taken the keys of the safe with him. I need some extra spending money urgently.’

Cashier: ‘Look Mr. Prime Minister, this is what we can do. Some months back, Baba Ramdev came into the bank without ID.

To prove he was Ramdev, he pulled his tummy in so much that it went and touched his back. With that feat, we knew him to be Baba Ramdev and cashed his cheque.

On another occasion, Yuvraj Singh came in without his ID. To prove his identity, he just went out and hit six consecutive sixes. With that we knew for certain that he was indeed Yuvi himself, and we cashed his cheque.

So, Mr. Prime Minister, what can you do to prove that it is you, and only you, as the Prime Minister of India?’

PM stood there thinking, thinking and thinking, and finally said: ‘Honestly, my mind is totally blank ~ there is nothing that comes to my mind... I can’t think of a single thing!!!’

Cashier: ‘There you are! That is enough. Now I don’t have any doubt that you are our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

In what denominations would you like the cash, Mr. Prime Minister?

YOUR TALENT IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU. WHAT YOU DO WITH IT IS YOUR GIFT BACK TO GOD

 

[P R Subramanian]

How a Government Functions.

Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

Government said," Someone may steal from it at night." So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Government said," How does the watchman do his job without instruction?" So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.

Then Government said," How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?" So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.

Then Government said," How are these people going to get paid?" So they created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, then hired two people.

Then Government said," Who will be accountable for all of these people?" So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.

Then Government said," We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost." So they laid off the night watchman.

 

[P R Subramanian]

DHIRUBHAISM - A management lesson from Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani (a must read for everyone

DHIRUBHAISM – Management lessons from Dhirubhai Ambani...

This article is the result of an email forwarded by a friend of mine and after reading the email..

The email was about the Learnings of Dhirubhai Ambani,
founder of Reliance..

Narrated by his close friend A.G. Krishnamurthy of Mudra Communications.
Inspired by the characteristics of Dhirubhai, Mr. Krishnamurthy coined the term “Dhirubhaism“..

Which consisted of the insightful lessons from Dhirubhai.
Some of the inspiring Dhirubhaism’s are mentioned below:


Note: ”I” in the article refers to Mr. Krishnamurthy. ”He” refers to Mr. Dhirubhai..


Roll up your sleeves and help..


You and your team share the same DNA.
Reliance, during Vimal’s heady days had organized a fashion show at the Convention Hall, at Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi.
As usual, every seat in the hall was taken, and there were an equal number of impatient guests outside, waiting to be seated. I was of course completely besieged, trying to handle the ensuing confusion, chaos and protests, when to my amazement and relief, I saw Dhirubhai at the door trying to pacify the guests.
Dhirubhai at that time was already a name to reckon with and a VIP himself, but that did not stop him from rolling up his sleeves and diving in to rescue a situation that had gone out of control.

Most bosses in his place would have driven up in their swank cars at the last moment and given the manager a piece of their minds. Not Dhirubhai. When things went wrong, he was the first person to sense that the circumstances would have been beyond his team’s control, rather than it being a slip on their part, as he trusted their capabilities implicitly. His first instinct was always to join his men in putting out the fire and not crucifying them for it. Sounds too good a boss to be true, doesn’t he? But then, that was Dhirubhai..


Be a safety net for your team..


There used to be a time when our agency Mudra was the target of some extremely vicious propaganda by our peers, when on an almost daily basis my business ethics were put on trial. I, on my part, putting on a brave front, never raised this subject during any of my meetings with Dhirubhai.

But one day, during a particularly nasty spell, he gently asked me if I needed any help in combating it. That did it. That was all the help that I needed.Overwhelmed by his concern and compassion, I told him I could cope, but the knowledge that he knew and cared for what I was going through, and that he was there for me if I ever needed him, worked wonders for my confidence.

I went back a much taller man fully armed to face whatever came my way. By letting us know that he was always aware of the trials we underwent and that he was by our side through it all, he gave us the courage we never knew we had..


The silent benefactor..


This was another of his remarkable traits. When he helped someone, he never ever breathed a word about it to anyone else. There have been none among us who haven’t known his kindness, yet he never went around broadcasting it.

He never used charity as a platform to gain publicity. Sometimes, he would even go to the extent of not letting the recipient know who the donor was. Such was the extent of his generosity. ‘Expect the unexpected’ just might have been coined for him..


Dream big, but dream with your eyes open..


His phenomenal achievement showed India that limitations were only in the mind. And that nothing was truly unattainable for those who dreamed big. Whenever I tried to point out to him that a task seemed too big to be accomplished, he would reply: ‘ No is no answer!’ Not only did he dream big, he taught all of us to do so too. His one-line brief to me when we began Mudra was: ‘Make Vimal’s advertising the benchmark for fashion advertising in the country.’

At that time, we were just a tiny, fledgling agency, tucked away in Ahmedabad, struggling to put a team in place. When we presented the seemingly insurmountable to him, his favourite response was always: ‘It’s difficult but not impossible!’ And he was right. We did go on to achieve the impossible. Both in its size and scope Vimal’s fashion shows were unprecedented in the country. Grand showroom openings, stunning experiments in print and poster work all combined to give the brand a truly benchmark image. But way back in 1980, no one would have believed it could have ever been possible. Except Dhirubhai.

But though he dreamed big, he was able to clearly distinguish between perception and reality and his favorite phrase ‘dream with your eyes open’ underlined this.

He never let preset norms govern his vision, yet he worked night and day familiarizing himself with every little nitty-gritty that constituted his dreams constantly sifting the wheat from the chaff. This is how, as he put it, even though he dreamed, none of his dreams turned into nightmares. And this is what gave him the courage to move from one orbit to the next despite tremendous odds.

Dhirubhai was indeed a man of many parts, as is evident. I am sure there are many people who display some of the traits mentioned above, in their working styles as well, but Dhirubhai was one of those rare people who demonstrated all of them, all the time..


Leave the professional alone..


Much as people would like to believe, most owners [even managers and clients], though eager to hire the best professionals in the field, do so and then use them as extensions of their own personality. Every time I come across this, which is much too often, I am reminded of how Dhirubhai’s management techniques used to be [and still remain] so refreshingly different.

For instance, way back in the late 1970s when we decided to open an agency of our own, he asked me to name it. I carried a short list of three names, two Westernized and one Indian. It was a very different world back then. Everything Anglicized was considered ‘upmarket.’

There were hardly any agencies with Indian names barring my own ex-agency Shilpi and a few others like Ulka and Sistas. He looked at the list and asked me what my choice was. I said ‘Mudra’: it was the only name that suited my personality. And the spirit of the agency that I was to head.

I was very Indian and an Anglicised name on my visiting card would seem pretentious and contrived. No further questions were asked. No suggestions offered, just a plain and simple ‘Go ahead and do it.’ That was just the beginning.

He continued to give me total freedom — no supervision, no policing — in all my decisions thereafter. In fact, the only direction that he gave me, just once, was this: ‘Produce your best.’

His utter trust in me was what pushed me to never, ever let him down. I guess the simplest strategies are often the hardest to adopt. That was the secret of the Dhirubhai legend. It was not out of a book. It was a skillful blend of head and heart..


Change your orbit, constantly..


To understand this statement, let me explain Dhirubhai’s ‘orbit theory.’
He would often explain that we are all born into an orbit. It is up to us to progress to the next. We could choose to live and die in the orbit that we are born in. But that would be a criminal waste of potential. When we push ourselves into the next orbit, we benefit not only ourselves but everyone connected with us..


Take India’s push for development. There was once a time our country’s growth rate was just 4 per cent, sarcastically referred to as the ‘Hindu growth rate.’ Look at us today, galloping along at a healthy 7-8 per cent.
This is no miracle. It is the product of a handful of determined orbit changers like Dhirubhai, all of whose efforts have benefited a larger sphere in their respective fields.

In a small way, I too have experienced the thrill of changing orbits with Mudra. In the 1980s, we leapt from the orbit of a small Ahmedabad ad agency to become the country’s third largest ad agency — in just under a decade.

However, when you change orbits, you will create friction. The good news is that your enemies from your previous orbit will never be able to reach you in your new one. By the time resentment builds up in your new orbit, you should move to the next level. And so on.

Changing orbits is the key to our progress as a nation..


The arm-around-the-shoulder leader..


I have never seen any other empire builder nor the CEO of any big organisation do this [why, I never adopted this myself!].

It was Dhirubhai’s very own signature style. Whenever I went to meet him and if on that day, all the time that he could spare me was a short walk up to his car, he would instantly put his arm around me and proceed to discuss the issues at hand as we walked.

With that one simple gesture, he managed to achieve many things. I was put at ease instantaneously. I was made to feel like an equal who was loved and important enough to be considered close to him. And I would walk away from that meeting feeling so good about myself and the work I was doing!

This tendency that he had, to draw people towards him, manifested itself in countless ways. This was just one of them. He would never, ever exude an air of aloofness and exclusivity. He was always inviting people into sharing their thoughts and ideas, rather than shutting them out.

On hindsight I think, it must have required phenomenal generosity of spirit to be that inclusive. Yes, this was one of the things that was uniquely Dhirubhai — that warm arm around my shoulder that did much more than words in letting me know that I belonged, that I had his trust, and that I had him on my side!


The Dhirubhai theory of Supply creating Demand..


He was not an MBA. Nor an economist. But yet he took traditional market theory and stood it on its head. And succeeded.

Yes, at a time when everyone in India would build capacities only after a careful study of market expectations, he went full steam ahead and created giants of manufacturing plants with unbelievable capacities. [Initial cap of Reliance Patalganga was 10,000 tonnes of PFY way back in 1980, while the market in India for it was approx. 6000 tonnes].

No doubt his instinct was backed by years and years of reading, studying market trends, careful listening and his own honed capacity to forecast, but yet despite all this preparation, it required undeniable guts to pioneer such a revolutionary move.
The consequence was that the market blossomed to absorb supply, the consumer benefited with prices crashing down, the players increased and our economic landscape changed for the better. The Patalganga plant was in no time humming at maximum capacity and as a result of the plant’s economies of scale, Dhirubhai’s conversion cost of the yarn in 1994 came down to 18 cents per pound, as compared to Western Europe’s 34 cents, North America’s 29 cents and the Far East’s 23 cents and Reliance was exporting the yarn back to the US!

A more recent example was that of Mukesh Ambani taking this vision forward with Reliance Infocomm [which is now handled by Anil Ambani]. In India’s mobile telephony timeline there will always be a very clear ‘before Infocomm and after Infocomm’ segmentation. The numbers say it all. In Jan 2003, the mobile subscriber base was 13 million, about 16 months later, shortly after the launch, it had reached 30 million.

In March 2006, it has touched 90 million ! Yes, this was yet another unusual skill of Dhirubhai’s — his uncanny knack of knowing exactly how the market is going to behave..


Money is not a product by itself, it is a by-product, so don’t chase it

This was a belief by which Dhirubhai lived all his life. For instance when he briefed me about setting up Mudra, his instruction was clear: ‘Produce the best textile advertising in the country,’ he said.

He did not breathe a word about profits, nor about becoming the richest ad agency in the country. Great advertising was the goal that he set for me. A by-product is something that you don’t set out to produce. It is the spin off when you create something larger.

When you turn logs into lumber, sawdust is your by-product and a pretty lucrative one it can be too! It is a very simple analogy but extremely effective in driving the point home. Work toward a goal beyond your bank balance.

Success in attaining that goal will eventually ring in the cash. For instance, if you work towards creating a name for yourself and earning a good reputation, then money is a logical outcome.

People will pay for your product or service if it is good. But if you get your priorities slightly mixed up, not only will the money you make remain just a quick buck it would in all likelihood blacklist you for good. Sounds too simplistic for belief? Well, look around you and you will know exactly how true it is.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Hope everyone who reads this would like this & try to imbibe some of the quality.

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

A good collection and a nice presentation. Interesting piece of information. Thanks


Balasubramanian
Ambattur

 

[P R Subramanian]

REAL VERSUS FAKE EMPEROR:
A Story


This is the life history of an Emperor who lived about 600 years back. His name was Ibrahim Adham, and he was the ruler of Bukhara, now part of Uzbekistan. He was a wonderful monarch, greatly loved by his people. But his greatness also made him ask basic questions about life, many of them the same that had troubled many a seeker. Sitting on his throne, he often used to ponder over questions of deep philosophy, such as:

" What is life? Why are we here? Is there a God, and if so why is He hidden from us?"..et al.

One day when he was so engaged in introspection, he heard a noise on his terrace. When he went to investigate upstairs, he was astonished to find a herdsman with a stick searching for something all over the terrace.

"Who are you, and how did you get to this place outwitting all my palace guards?" the emperor asked.

"I am just an ordinary farmer who has lost his camel, and I have come here looking for it", replied the herdsman.

The king was even more astounded: "What? You lost your camel, and you managed to enter the palace and get to this most guarded part of it in the hope of locating it? But tell me, is it not very foolish of you to be looking for a lost camel in such a place? Whoever heard of a camel straying onto the terrace of a palace, that too one guarded by hundreds of soldiers?".

The herdsman calmly replied: " No more foolish than looking for an answer to life's basic questions while sitting on a golden throne", and vanished into thin air!

This encounter shook Ibrahim Adham to the core, and he immediately left his throne in search of the Truth. He traveled as a mendicant from place to place, until finally he heard that a great mystic named Kabir lived on the banks of the river Gangaa in Varaanasi in what was then known as Hindostan, and so made his way there (these days when we need planes and trains to go from place to place, it is so difficult to believe how easily people criss-crossed continents before these inventions were made! Why? our own avataara-purusha Adi Sankara before he was 32 had covered the length and breadth of our vast nation!).

Kabir was a weaver by profession, and lived a hand-to-mouth existence off his daily earning as a weaver. He had an ashram where his disciples lived with and learnt from him. Many of the disciples were extremely rich, but he would take not a penny from any of them to feed himself or his family, consisting of his wife Loi, his son Kamal and daughter Kamali.

When Ibrahim Adham reached the door of the ashram and knocked, Kabir opened the door and asked. " Yes, what do you want?.

"Sir," replied Ibrahim Adham, bowing with respect," I have heard that you teach the Truth here, and I have come a long way to learn it. I will be ever grateful if you can take me into your ashram and teach me."

"Who are you?, asked Kabir.

"I am, actually, the Emperor of Bukhara, but I have given up my throne in order to search for the Truth.", replied Ibrahim.

"Sorry," said Kabir," I have no room for emperors here,." and closed the door.

Ibrahim then ruminated over what had happened, and what he had said. He then knocked again, re-introduced himself as Ibrahim rather than as Emperor, and was let in, on condition that he would do the job of the scavenger at the ashram.

And so for years Ibrahim was the dutiful scavenger at Kabir's ashram – sweeping and swabbing the floors, cleaning out the toilets. After six years passed, Kabir's wife Loi requested her husband to bestow the gift of initiation on Ibrahim (initiation I believe is the first step in imparting the deep mysteries of spiritual education).

"No,' answered Kabir, "he is not yet ready. His mind still needs to be cleansed of the impression that he is born to rule over others."

"How can you say that?", asked Loi," it is now six years that he has done all the menial jobs around here, surely that earlier impression has been wiped out."

" All right, carry out the following test." said Kabir. " Collect all the human waste one day, stand on the terrace, and when Ibrahim is passing by downstairs, throw it on him, hide yourself, and come and report to me what he says."

Loi did as instructed, and saw Ibrahim's face turn livid at the insult. He looked up and around, and not finding anyone, muttered to himself, "If only this was Bukhara, I would have given this person what he deserves."

Loi went and faithfully reported this to Kabir, who remarked," See, this is what I meant. He needs to cleanse his mind further."

Another six years passed, and one day Kabir called Loi and asked her to repeat what she had done to Ibrahim. This time Ibrahim said .with gratitude written all over his face," I do not know who did this, but I am really thankful to whoever has done it, for it helps me know my real status."

Kabir knew that by then Ibrahim had done the required purification of the mind needed before initiation can be bestowed. Ibrahim was therefore initiated into the spiritual mysteries, and turned out to be one of Kabir's best disciples. Before long he had reached the ultimate in the ladder of spiritual progress – attainment of one-ness with the Supreme.

Kabir then sent him back to Bukhara, where he was living the life of an ordinary man when one day his former Commander-in-Chief spotted him lying on the banks of a famous river. The Commander-in-Chief implored Ibrahim to come back to the capital and sit on the throne again, adding, "we in the army are ever ready to carry out every single one of your orders".

"Don't promise what you cannot fulfill," said Ibrahim. This statement hurt the Commander-in-Chief very much, for he thought Ibrahim was questioning his loyalty, and so he replied," Sir, please command, and your wish shall be instantly fulfilled." ( See what I meant my fauji connexion?)

Ibrahim then took a small pin, and threw it into the flowing waters of the river. "All right, then, retrieve that pin for me," he told the Commander.

The river was a deep one, the water was flowing very fast, and the pin had obviously sunk to the bottom. To retrieve that very pin was humanly impossible, and the Commander knew it.

"You want a pin, Sir – I will get you a thousand pins exactly the same as the one you threw," he offered.

"No, no, I do not want anything other than that very pin. You said my wish will be your command, so get me that pin." said Ibrahim.

The Commander was crest fallen, and protested, "Sir, you are asking for something that even an army of brigades of brave soldiers cannot accomplish. God alone knows how far that particular pin has been swept by the swirling waters of the river, which is so deep that diving to its bottom will require great talent and courage. Even if a thousand soldiers were to do that and search all over the riverbed, it is unlikely they will be able to locate and retrieve that very pin."

"Okay, then, watch," said Ibrahim, and 'applied his attention' – a term used by the mystics (I am told) to refer to the high levels of mental concentration that the higher forms of yoga give them access to. On his so doing, a fish dived into the river, picked up that very pin from its bed, swam to the shore with it, then walked on the beach, deposited the pin at Ibrahim's feet, walked back to the river, and went back into the waters.

The Commander-in-Chief stared in total disbelief at what he was witnessing.

"What I have learnt at the feet of Kabir," Ibrahim explained to him," is that those we call Emperor in this world are fake Emperors, in fact, are impostors. The world does not operate at their command, as we mistakenly believe, but they who operate at the command of their selfish egos. They are slaves of the first order, not emperors. The only way to become an emperor – a real emperor, who has mastered the Laws that govern this universe - is to learn to still one's mind, for which the pre-requisite is to get over our ego-centric preoccupations. That is why Kabir insisted that I spend years as a scavenger in his ashram. It was a preliminary training to the secrets of the inner worlds that lie within each of us. Anyone who is willing to let go the ego can get trained in this wonderful Science of the Soul, which makes us real Emperors, for then we are one with the Supreme Power."

The Commander-in-Chief realized that Ibrahim had become a Saint, one who had achieved Godhood, and fell at his feet.


"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito."
(~The Dalai Lama)

 

[nalanda]

thoroughly enjoyed all of it,especially the info from the vedas. nalanda

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

Good ones (usually liked by every one to ponder/view upon)

Really a superb information.


No one can really go back and give a fresh beginning
but anyone can give a start afresh from this day and come
to an end anew. What we read here is "Nothing but closer
to the truth".

We have to learn many things in our life.

Life is not too long or has a fixed/determined period to take
a breathing time to go about with the people who tries to share
the joy or happiness from out of us. If someone wants to share
with us in their life, they certainly make a room for us. Hence
we must judiciously come to conclusion ourselves to give a full
stop in spending time with the people who are going on the
wrong path.

We should not be afraid of facing hurdles. In our living, we may face
many hurdles. We are expected to solve them at once, as it
may be required to study/think it over as to how to solve them
without creating a new one or leading to a new one. The purpose
our life, sometimes we may have to face the hurdles, learn them
and adapt them and try to solve those over a period.

Sometimes, we, due to necessity or beyond certain reasons, lie
to ourselves. We should not. Only when we take opportunity that
come our way, we must make use of and try to attempt it without
avoiding it by spelling out a lie with humble efforts and put an end
to telling a lie.

I intend to continue in the above topic as we have many things
to share between us.

Balasubramanian
Ambattur

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

It gives a desire to go on reading the next threads
submitted by Mr PRS after reading the previous one.

In continuation to the above one from my end, I would like
to add yet another in the row.

Sometimes, we may downrate ourselves knowingly or
unknowingly, and let us not downrate us, when we have struggles.

We may show affection or sympathy to a wrong person and later
start weeping about the wrong things, but not matter, how it
proceeds. Nevertheless, at times, we do make flaws but then
they do help us in identifying the person or persons and things
that are really right for us. We generally regret about things of the
past. We should try to take that whatever has happened in our life
and we should feel it as a preparation for a moment that are yet
to come in our way. Thus, we should be bold enough to face the
future without fear and shape ourselves and we should not start searching
happiness from others.

Balasubramanian
Ambattur

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

Our Children may ask for some items which may be quite
costly and may not be within our ambit. We may feel
the pinch thinking that they are very expensive for us.
But the affection towards our children, and the passion
the children have, if they are really to satisfy them, a
compromise may be required but for an alternate item with
the same features at a much lower cost, while making the
children understand the economical position of the parents.
This could easily solve the problem of both.

Balasubramanian
Ambattur

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

We may not be happy with someone

If we are not completely happy with someone with whom
we are very closely associated in our life, others (relatives and
friends) may feel,that we would not be happy with anyone else,
even for a short period, viewing us from our behaviour . In such
situations, we must first try to create a situation or produce a
well balanced course or step and become stable in our methods
of movement without confronting in our life.

Balasubramanian
Ambattur

 

[nannilam_balasubramanian]

Let us not remain Idle

When an opening or chance comes up, we should not instantly
feel that we are not Cent percent ready to take up that. Everyone
may not be thorough in all the areas, because one cannot acquire
specialisation in all the areas. Sometimes, it may be beyond our
safe or comfort zones as that area may be completely anew, which in
other words create a fear or an apprehension in us as to how we are
going to proceed about.

If that situation arises, we must make a humble beginning and try
to make use of it. First of all, we have to sincerely attempt to analyse
it or the situation in which we are from an economical angle and take
a correct or proper decision, even if required seek the advice from
our elders, experienced, or from the friends who are already associated
with that area. We should not straight away refuse or defer it. Sometimes
making a progress in life may lead to certain risks or face hurdles or
problems which we might not have faced or experienced. One may not
be able to keep the foot on the second step of the ladder, unless one
knows the procedure to keep the foot on the very first one. Thus
always try to accept the opportunities that come your way and adjust
yourself with courage and strength in the mind, assuming that you will
win over the situation in the coming days.

Balasubramanian
Ambattur

 

[Koodali]

It is a beautiful commentary on various doubts that may be lingering in the minds of ardent learners.Thanks for posting the same.

Cheers.

 

[P R Subramanian]

8 Things Your Fingernails Warn You Of

[h=3]8 Things Your Fingernails Warn You Of[/h]
Are your fingernails healthy, or sending you a health warning? Fingernails and disease don't go together in most minds but they should. Your fingernails can give you valuable health warnings and signal the presence of serious disease.
Take a good long look at your nails. Hold a hand level with your nose about a foot out from your face and scrutinize each one. Look at the curves, dips, ridges, and grooves. Check out how thick or thin they are and if your nails are chipped or broken. Make a note of the color of the nail itself, the skin under it, and the skin around the nail. Check your memory have your nails always looked like this? Changes to your fingernails and disease onset are linked, so note any new developments. With this fresh view, compare what you see with this list of eight potential fingernail health warnings. 1. Discolored nails A healthy fingernail should be pink with a touch of pinkish white (moons) near the base. If your nails are a dull color or streaked with other colors, you may have a serious hidden health problem. · Green nails are a sign of bacterial infection · Red streaks in your nail bed are a warning of a heart valve infection · Blueish nails signal low oxygen levels in your blood · Dull nails mean a vitamin deficiency · White nails may signal liver disease, such as hepatitis · Dark stripes at the top (Terrys nails) are associated with aging and congestive heart failure Scrub those nails clean and really look at your nail color! Given the rainbow of potential health challenges, you want to be sure you see what your fingers are saying. 2. Thick nails Thick nails are not natural. You want your nails to be strong, but if they resemble talons or claws more than traditional nails watch out! · Thickened nails that are otherwise normal can signal lung disease · Thick and rough-textured nails can signal a fungal infection · Thick and separated nails may mean thyroid disease or psoriasis · Unusual thickness may also be a symptom of a circulation problem Thickening nails are a change that should tune you in to other health symptoms you may be ignoring. Also watch out for allergic reactions to new medications which can show up as suddenly thick nails! 3. Split nails
Split nails aren't just occasionally chipped or shut in doors. Instead, these nails seem to flake away in layers. Don't blame frequent hand-washing or nail polish for everything, especially since:
· Split nails result from folic acid, Vitamin C, and protein deficiencies
· Split nails combined with a pitted nail bed (base) can signal psoriasis, which begins in nails 10% of the time according to WebMD · Split nails may result from chronic malnutrition Watch what you eat and check the psoriasis connection to fight back and pay more attention to your health overall. 4.Concave (Spoon) nails Spoon fingernails signal a number of internal issues. To be considered full spoons, nails will be soft and curve up, forming a dip that is often big enough to hold water. Spoon nails signal: · Iron deficiency (usually from anemia) · Hemachromatosis, a liver disorder where your body absorbs too much iron · Heart disease · Hypothyroidism Your fingernail and health challenges go hand in hand for many people, clearing up their health issue results in their spoon nails returning back to normal. 5. Pitted nails Small dips or holes in your nails can be a result of banging up your hands or they could be a sign that you need to look more closely at your health. Nail pitting can signal: · Psoriasis · Connective tissue disorder
· Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss
· Zinc deficiency (when the pit seems to form a line across the middle of your nail)
Watch your hand to separate natural dents and dings from real, lasting pits. The first will clear up quickly, but pits linked to disease linger.
6. Ridges
Nails should have smooth surfaces with almost imperceptible lines. Obvious ridge lines are a signal that something is up with your body. Some of the most common conditions associated with heavy ridge lines are:
· Iron deficiency
· Inflammatory arthritis
· Lupus (for red lines at the base of your nails)
Don't just buff away your ridges hear their warning!
7. Dry, brittle nails
You don't need lotion or cuticle oil. If your nails are dry and brittle, you should check your hormone levels and bacterial health.
· Thyroid disease leads to brittle, dry fingernails that crack and split easily
· Fungus can make nails dry or even crumbly, affecting 12% of all Americans according to the American Academy of Dermatology
Both thyroid and fungal issues take time to treat, so you wont see a difference in the look of your fingernails for a full growth cycle.
8. Clubbed nails
If you have plump skin that seems to swell around the nail, or if your nails seem to have puffed around your fingers, they are said to be clubbed. Clubbed nails can mean:
· Lung disease, especially if you already have trouble breathing · Inflammatory bowel disease · Liver disease · AIDS Your fingernails wont be the only signs of these diseases, but they can provide confirmation or motivation to seek medical care.
Don't ignore your hands or the health warnings they send. Fingernails and disease are more closely related than you think check your nails often to protect your health!

 

[P R Subramanian]

Earlier Generation did not have the GREEN THINGS!!!!!

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman that she should bring her own shopping bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days." The cashier responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations." She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so they could use the same bottles over and over. Yes, they really were recycling. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen; and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day. We walked up the stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every shop and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But, she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day. Back then, we washed the baby's nappies because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an 'energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts;' wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But, that young lady is right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day. Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And, the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the county of Yorkshire. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the post, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But, she's right. We didn't have the green thing back then. We drank water from a fountain or a tap when we were thirsty instead of demanding a plastic bottle flown in from another country. We accepted that a lot of food was seasonal and didn’t expect that to be bucked by flying it thousands of air miles around the world. We actually cooked food that didn’t come out of a packet, tin or plastic wrap and we could even wash our own vegetables and chop our own salad. But, we didn't have the green thing back then. Back then, people took the tram or a bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mothers into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint. But, isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then? Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smart-ass young, 'informative' person. Remind them: Don't make old people mad. We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to piss us off. PS - Help the environment and don't print this email unless you really need to!

 

[P R Subramanian]

STORY-OF-THE-WEEK
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WHEN GOD GIVES
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Once a boy went to a shop with his mother. The shop keeper looked at the small cute child and showed him a jar with sweets and said, “Dear child, you can take the sweets.” But the child didn’t take. The shopkeeper was surprised: He is such a small child and why is he not taking the sweets from the jar? Again he told the child to take the sweets. Now the mother also heard that and said, “Take the sweets dear.” Yet he didn’t take. The shopkeeper seeing the child not taking the sweets, he himself took a handful of sweets and gave them to the child. The child was happy to get two hands full of sweets. While returning home the mother asked the child, “Why didn’t you take the sweets when the shop keeper told you to take?” The child replied, “Mom, my hands are very small, and if I take the sweets, I can only take few. But, now you see when uncle gave with his big hand, how many more sweets I got?” When we take we may get little; but when God, the Almighty gives, He gives us far beyond our expectations, more than what we can hold!

​

 

[P R Subramanian]

Good leeson to learn from!!!!!!!

The Empty Soap Box

One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soap box, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soap box that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high- resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent whoopee amount to do so. But when a workman was posed with the same problem, did not get into complications of X-rays, etc but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral of the story: Always look for simple solutions. Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problem. So, learn to focus on solutions not on problems. "If you look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything; if you look at what you have in life, you have everything.
_______________________________________________