Obama stops for maple cookies in Ottawa
Ottawa, AFP:
Obama left with a keychain and maple cookies offered to him by a French-born baker who refused to accept payment. "It's for your daughters," said the baker at Le Moulin de Provence in the ByWard Market.
US President Barack Obama made a surprise stop at a historic farmer's market for maple cookies and keepsakes for his daughters, on his first official trip to Canada.Pandemonium ensued as crowds of friendly Canadians surged to greet the US president, snapping pictures, according to a pool report.
"I was looking for a key chain and a snow globe for my daughters," he said, adding he was continuing a tradition started during his election campaign, picking up memorabilia at every stop.
"I figure I'd get some points from my daughters," he said.
Obama left with a keychain and maple cookies offered to him by a French-born baker who refused to accept payment. "It's for your daughters," said the baker at Le Moulin de Provence in the ByWard Market. "It's not for you."
Established by Lieutenant-Colonel John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets.
The builder of the Rideau Canal, By himself laid out the street plan of the market, designating extra wide streets to accommodate a public market and gathering place.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
No More Excuses!
One of the most effective ways to achieve success is to ask yourself the right questions.
When we ask ourselves a question, we always come up with an answer.
Ask yourself “Why does this always happen to me,” and you’ll get an answer.
But if you ask yourself “How can I have a great day today,” you’ll also get an answer.
Which answer is going to empower you more? You got it.
So why not ask yourself smart questions that will make you happier, more confident, more powerful, and more successful?
The world moves fast, our many interests are constantly being seduced by TV, the Web, and the omnipotent presence of marketing.
Here are some questions you can use to keep you on the rails that lead to success.How to Use Smart Questions
My recommendation is to take your favorite 5-10 questions from this list, write them down and post them near your desk, your bathroom mirror, the visor in your car and on the back of your cellphone.
Pretty soon you’ll have them memorized and you’ll find yourself using these questions to filter out the wheat from the chaff.
The other way to use these questions is to take one question per day or per week.
Write it down on a few yellow stickes and place them where you will see them all day long: by your bed, in the bathroom, in your car, at your desk and so on.
When we ask ourselves a question, we always come up with an answer.
Ask yourself “Why does this always happen to me,” and you’ll get an answer.
But if you ask yourself “How can I have a great day today,” you’ll also get an answer.
Which answer is going to empower you more? You got it.
So why not ask yourself smart questions that will make you happier, more confident, more powerful, and more successful?
The world moves fast, our many interests are constantly being seduced by TV, the Web, and the omnipotent presence of marketing.
Here are some questions you can use to keep you on the rails that lead to success.How to Use Smart Questions
My recommendation is to take your favorite 5-10 questions from this list, write them down and post them near your desk, your bathroom mirror, the visor in your car and on the back of your cellphone.
Pretty soon you’ll have them memorized and you’ll find yourself using these questions to filter out the wheat from the chaff.
The other way to use these questions is to take one question per day or per week.
Write it down on a few yellow stickes and place them where you will see them all day long: by your bed, in the bathroom, in your car, at your desk and so on.
Do this and watch the magic unfold!
Questions:
What do I want to accomplish today?
What is the most important thing I need to do today? (Do it first!)
Is this the best use of my time right now?
What am I trying to accomplish right now?
What can I cross off my list by deleting or delegating? What is not important?
What can I do right now to take the next leap instead of the next step?
Who can I learn from today?
Who can I thank today?
What am I grateful for?
How can I eliminate distractions right now?
What are my top 3 current goals?
What is most important to me in life?
If the my world was going to end within one year, what would I be doing right now?
What will I do today towards my major goals?
What action can I take instead of worry right now?
Who should I thank today?
Who needs some love today?
How can I be a kinder person today?
How can I have more compassion today?
What can I do right now to release negative energy in a positive way?
What can I do to let go of my anger?
How can I put worry on hold right now?
How can I choose happiness right now?
What can I do to slow down today?
What am I learning right now?
What beneficial routines can I start today?
What will I do, see, explore, or experience today that is new?
How and with whom can I partner today to make 1+1=3?
How can I be more compassionate today?
What will I celebrate today?
Where did I find Joy today?
What did I learn today?
How will I “pay it forward” today?
How will I make today great? How do I define great?
What can I stop holding/clinging to help me break free?
How can I let go with peace?
Who can I help today?
How can I add Peace to the world today?
What’s the most powerful thing I can do right now, today to increase my
What have I been avoiding that I can do today?
What are your favorite empowering questions?
Please share!
K. Stone is author of
India and Space
After moon mission, ISRO now lines up twin launch
Bangalore, PTI:
Indian space scientists see the 1,780-kg Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) as a major milestone for the country as far as remote sensing satellites are concerned.
After the successful Chandrayaan-I moon mission, Indian Space Research Organisation is now getting ready for a twin launch - a "breakthrough" Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) and ANUSAT.
Bangalore-headquartered ISRO is targeting a March last week date for launching them on board the indigenously built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Sriharikota spaceport.
Indian space scientists see the 1,780-kg Risat as a major milestone for the country as far as remote sensing satellites are concerned. RISAT mission would have a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, operating in a multi-polarisation and multi-resolution mode.
SAR, being an active sensor, operating in the microwave range of electromagnetic spectrum, provides the target parameters such as dielectric constant, roughness, and geometry, and has the unique capability for day-night imaging, and imaging in all weather conditions including fog and haze, and also provide information on soil moisture.
"So far, all satellites launched by ISRO are optical remote sensing satellites. But RISAT will have all other capabilities," ISRO spokesperson S Satish told PTI.
RISAT is capable of taking pictures during night as well and even in cloud-covered conditions, an expertise Indian remote sensing satellites did not have previously.
"This will be a major breakthrough as far as remote sensing projects are concerned, especially during cloudy season or during flood season...this will be of great advantage", Satish said. "It can see through the clouds".
SAR payload is based on an active phased array technology using transmit/receive modules, which would provide necessary electronic agility for achieving the multi-mode capability, providing spatial resolutions of three metres to 50 metres, and ten kms to 240 kms swath modes to cater to different applications.
ANUSAT, a 35-kg micro-satellite designed by Chennai-based Anna University, would be the co-passenger on board the PSLV.
ANUSAT mission's main objective is to involve universities in building micro satellites as a means to promote and encourage intra-disciplinary technologies with ISRO's help.
ANUSAT carries a digital store and forward payload for amateur communication. In addition, a number of technological payloads such as digital receiver and turbo coder, MEMS-based gyro and magnetic field sensor are planned to be flown on board. Structure, solar panels, chemical battery, sensors and actuators had been supplied by ISRO while payloads and other satellite subsystems were designed and fabricated at Anna University.
"ANUSAT will give first-hand exposure to students in the university towards building a satellite", Satish said.
Bangalore, PTI:
Indian space scientists see the 1,780-kg Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) as a major milestone for the country as far as remote sensing satellites are concerned.
After the successful Chandrayaan-I moon mission, Indian Space Research Organisation is now getting ready for a twin launch - a "breakthrough" Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) and ANUSAT.
Bangalore-headquartered ISRO is targeting a March last week date for launching them on board the indigenously built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Sriharikota spaceport.
Indian space scientists see the 1,780-kg Risat as a major milestone for the country as far as remote sensing satellites are concerned. RISAT mission would have a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, operating in a multi-polarisation and multi-resolution mode.
SAR, being an active sensor, operating in the microwave range of electromagnetic spectrum, provides the target parameters such as dielectric constant, roughness, and geometry, and has the unique capability for day-night imaging, and imaging in all weather conditions including fog and haze, and also provide information on soil moisture.
"So far, all satellites launched by ISRO are optical remote sensing satellites. But RISAT will have all other capabilities," ISRO spokesperson S Satish told PTI.
RISAT is capable of taking pictures during night as well and even in cloud-covered conditions, an expertise Indian remote sensing satellites did not have previously.
"This will be a major breakthrough as far as remote sensing projects are concerned, especially during cloudy season or during flood season...this will be of great advantage", Satish said. "It can see through the clouds".
SAR payload is based on an active phased array technology using transmit/receive modules, which would provide necessary electronic agility for achieving the multi-mode capability, providing spatial resolutions of three metres to 50 metres, and ten kms to 240 kms swath modes to cater to different applications.
ANUSAT, a 35-kg micro-satellite designed by Chennai-based Anna University, would be the co-passenger on board the PSLV.
ANUSAT mission's main objective is to involve universities in building micro satellites as a means to promote and encourage intra-disciplinary technologies with ISRO's help.
ANUSAT carries a digital store and forward payload for amateur communication. In addition, a number of technological payloads such as digital receiver and turbo coder, MEMS-based gyro and magnetic field sensor are planned to be flown on board. Structure, solar panels, chemical battery, sensors and actuators had been supplied by ISRO while payloads and other satellite subsystems were designed and fabricated at Anna University.
"ANUSAT will give first-hand exposure to students in the university towards building a satellite", Satish said.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
India's Role Model Should Be Sania!
Vintage Sania storms into Pattaya Open singles quarterfinal
12 Feb 2009, 1923 hrs IST, PTI
PATTAYA: A vintage Sania Mirza steamrolled Russian qualifier Vitalia Diatchenko 6-4, 6-0 to storm into the quarterfinals of the USD 220,000 Pattaya Open tennis tournament on Thursday. Sania played perhaps her best tennis after comeback from a wrist surgery and sent the Russian opponent packing in one hour and two minutes in her second round match.
The Russian, who had upset third seeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the first round, had to surrender meekly to her Indian opponent after the two held their serves till the eighth game of the first set. Sania broke the Russian in the ninth game to go up 5-4 and then sealed the first set by holding her serve.
The Indian then showed her ruthless form by winning all the six games of the second set, finishing off each game with ease. The only game of the second set which saw some opposition from the Russian was the fifth one but Sania won it, breaking her opponent's serve. Sania will next play six seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand who beat Neuza Silva of Portugal 6-3, 6-2 in another second round match. Partnering Italian Mara Santangelo, Sania had also made it to the semifinals of the doubles event.
12 Feb 2009, 1923 hrs IST, PTI
PATTAYA: A vintage Sania Mirza steamrolled Russian qualifier Vitalia Diatchenko 6-4, 6-0 to storm into the quarterfinals of the USD 220,000 Pattaya Open tennis tournament on Thursday. Sania played perhaps her best tennis after comeback from a wrist surgery and sent the Russian opponent packing in one hour and two minutes in her second round match.
The Russian, who had upset third seeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the first round, had to surrender meekly to her Indian opponent after the two held their serves till the eighth game of the first set. Sania broke the Russian in the ninth game to go up 5-4 and then sealed the first set by holding her serve.
The Indian then showed her ruthless form by winning all the six games of the second set, finishing off each game with ease. The only game of the second set which saw some opposition from the Russian was the fifth one but Sania won it, breaking her opponent's serve. Sania will next play six seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand who beat Neuza Silva of Portugal 6-3, 6-2 in another second round match. Partnering Italian Mara Santangelo, Sania had also made it to the semifinals of the doubles event.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ghandhi ji Inspires Everyone!
Gandhiji inspires me, says Aamir
10 Feb 2009, 0042 hrs IST, JANKI DAVE, TNN
You can run but you can’t ignore the magic that’s in the air while he is around. The ‘thinking actor’ that he is, Aamir Khan doesn’t need any Aamir Khan.introduction. His work speaks a lot about himself.
Aamir’s films 1947: Earth, Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Mangal Pandey- The Rising, Rang De Basanti, Fanaa and Taare Zameen Par show his ability to experiment as an actor in a world full of ‘formulas.’
Considered as India’s one of the most ambitious actors, Aamir has always made an effort to raise the bar. But according to him, his belief in doing things differently has come a long way, “I don’t do different things; I try to do it in a different manner. I think every person should follow his/her dream and try and make it possible to create an ability to achieve it backed by its practicality. There are hurdles in everybody's life!”
Talking about the success his so called “different” movies have achieved, he says, “I think, the audience has really changed as they want to see a variety of cinema. Today’s moviegoers have matured and are practical. They don't want the stereotype stuff to be played and that's why films with unusual subjects are being hugely appreciated and accepted." Interestingly, the end result doesn't really matter much for him. He confirms, “For me, the process is more important, more joyful. I would like to have my entire concentration on the process right from the first step. But I would like to add, I am not a multi-tasker. I concentrate to focus my efforts on one task at a time.”
Aamir is famous for his views on a number of subjects like the Narmada issue, the Olympic Torch relay or the recent terror attacks in Mumbai. “I am not a social activist. I feel if there’s any issue I feel strongly about, I can give a voice to it. Will I take up other issues in future? Yes, if and when I feel like.” Ask him what/who inspires him and he is quick to respond, “Gandhiji is one person who inspires me!”
Currently shooting for 3 Idiots, Aamir is enjoying his stay in Bangalore. He adds with a laugh, “I am having a great time shooting at IIM Bangalore. Since I am also staying on the campus, I save on travel time and as a result I am finally getting time to sleep! Raju Hirani is an absolute delight to work with and so are the rest of the cast and crew.”
His passion for cricket was well noticed when he was spotted with Sachin Tendulkar at the IPL matches last year, but not many would know about Aamir's well-thumbed, eclectic collection of books ranging from P.G. Wodehouse, Gore Vidal, Mushirul Hasan’s volume on the Partition, Vijay Nambisan's take on Bihar, Salman Rushdie's The Ground Beneath Her Feet, Pico Iyer's Falling Off The Map to a collection of the masterpieces of patriotic Urdu poetry that he safely stacks beneath his chessboard! What is he reading right now? “I'm reading a great book called India After Gandhi, by Ramchandra Guha. It is a book on Indian History post 1947. Must say, it’s very informative!”
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sanskrit or Samskrit in Primary School???? What an Idea!
Pilot project to popularise Sanskrit in primary schools
31 Jan 2009, 2324 hrs IST, Prasad Kulkarni, TNN
PUNE: Working towards popularising Sanskrit language at the primary level of education, Sanskritbharati' has started a pilot project across 10 primary schools in the state.
"The agenda is to impart better Sanskrit education in schools and give more exposure of the ancient language at primary level," said Madhav Kelkar, all India committee member, who was here to organise a two-day Sanskrit language convention at Alandi (Devachi) from January 31.
Sanskritbharati' has developed four books which can be used by any student from class I to class V. The books have been given to 10 schools across the state where the school will decide how to utilise them.
On the content of the books, Kelkar said apart from teaching basic Sanskrit grammar, they tell about day-to-day conversations in pictorial form, which makes it easy for the young students to understand the language.
"In the last one year, more than 15,000 such books have been sold a testimony of the growing enthusiasm among children for learning Sanskrit. Now, we are planning to promote the project in more schools," Kelkar said.
"Learning Sanskrit is essential in today's age as it helps preserve the purity of the Indian languages," said Moreshwar Deodhar, coordinator of western Maharashtra region, Sanskritbharati.
Another Win Yeah!!!!! Sports in India - Believe it!
Bhupathi claims 11th Slam title, first for Sania
1 Feb 2009, 1610 hrs IST, Prajwal Hegde,TNN
BANGALORE: Mahesh Bhupathi was slow to arrive at the Rod Laver arena on Sunday. Fortunately for him, his partner Sania Mirza showed up bright an
d early, steady in nerve and furious in her shot making. At 3-3 in the first set Bhupathi weighed in and the wildcard entrants of the Australian Open mixed doubles event went on to clinch 10 of the final 11 games of the title clash that saw an interesting mix of flair and firepower. The all-Indian pairing powered to 6-3, 6-1 win over Israel's Andy Ram and France's Nathalie Dechy in 55 minutes.
BANGALORE: Mahesh Bhupathi was slow to arrive at the Rod Laver arena on Sunday. Fortunately for him, his partner Sania Mirza showed up bright an
d early, steady in nerve and furious in her shot making. At 3-3 in the first set Bhupathi weighed in and the wildcard entrants of the Australian Open mixed doubles event went on to clinch 10 of the final 11 games of the title clash that saw an interesting mix of flair and firepower. The all-Indian pairing powered to 6-3, 6-1 win over Israel's Andy Ram and France's Nathalie Dechy in 55 minutes.
The win gave Sania her first Grand Slam title and Bhupathi his seventh mixed-doubles crown and 11th Grand Slam title. Sania was understandably ecstatic. "After being out for most of last year, not playing for almost six months, and then winning a Grand Slam title in virtually my first tournament back, is just great," she said. "A Slam is a Slam -- singles, doubles or mixed doubles, and winning on these big stages is what I had dreamt of as a child.
Winning with Mahesh, he's a friend and fellow Indian, makes it even more special. Last time, we fell one short, this time we did it!" Bhupathi said, "This whole weekend has been an emotional roller-coaster. The last thing you want to do after a match like yesterday is show-up on the court again today. There was some of that disappointment still there in me, but you have to get up to the job. Fortunately for me Sania was playing great and she got us through the early part and then I served great and when we're playing like that it's tough to beat us. It's been a great two weeks for me, but if I had to return home without a title, it would've hurt. This obviously makes up for Saturday's loss in the men's doubles final."
Bhupathi and Sania, playing their second successive final in Melbourne Park, were off to a quick start, breaking Ram in the opening game of the match. They were, however, equally quick in surrendering the advantage as Dechy and Ram reeled off three games in row to take a 3-2 lead. Even with the tension mounting Bhupathi and Sania seemed to be enjoying themselves on court. "I'm the one doing all the talking," Sania said, between peels of laughter. "Mahesh always says very little, ha and hum.... But we always have fun together because we're friends and that eases tension on the court."
Sania then led the fightback with some nicely angled returns while Bhupathi provided the finishing touches at the net as the Indians broke Dechy in the seventh game. A Bhupathi forehand down-the-line sealed the set as the Israeli faltered with his serve in the ninth game. Bhupathi and Sania were unstoppable in the second set, breaking Dechy in the fourth and Ram in the sixth.
The 22-year-old Hyderabadi then served out the match in the seventh game. Bhupathi, who hasn't persisted with his former mixed doubles partners after winning Grand Slam crowns, hoped it would be different with Sania. "This is the most special of my mixed doubles wins because it has come with a fellow Indian. There's been so much excitement and positive energy around us playing together that this title has got to be extra special," he said. Bhupathi was all praise for his partner. "A lot of great players have started out by winning doubles and mixed doubles titles, so today was a great beginning for Sania. I'm sure there will be more titles to come," he said. "She's young, she's a quick learner and she's growing everyday as a player. This is just the kind of confidence booster she needed at the start of the year." Sania was scheduled to fly back home later on Sunday.
"My wrist is doing good," she said. "But I've been on painkillers this whole week. I've been experiencing some pain in my abdominal muscle. I'm going to give the Fed Cup a miss, return home and take care of this problem." Sania, however, refused to look ahead. "I'm living in the moment," she said. "I'm going to enjoy this win. Sure this has done a lot for my confidence and I'm it'll help me in singles too, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself."
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