Christmas Special - The Gift of the Magi

Lots of stories, novels, poetry have been based on Love. Almost every tamil movie is based on love. And Kollywood has given us some bizarre forms of love, including Love without seeing, love without speaking, glossectomies (Livingstone) , corneal transplants (Ajith, Partibhan) etc

But none has expressed the basis of love - Mutual Sacrifice as lucid and simple as O.Henry in his short story "The Gift of Magi" about which I had already blogged at The Gift of Magi - Story of most intense love CLick the Link to read the story

Now let us see some interesting questions

Question 1: How many kings visited Jesus with Gifts as soon as he was born in Bethlehem
Answer 1: The Wise Men are given the names Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar in this Romanesque mosaic from the Basilica of St Apollinarius in Ravenna, Italy. In fact, their number is unknown as it was never stated in the Bible; only that there were three gifts — the supposition that this implied three givers is speculation. Three of the gifts are explicitly identified in Matthew — gold, frankincense and myrrh — and have become one of the best known items from Matthew.

Question 2: What are their names
Answer 2: West : the names have been settled since the 8th century as Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
But wait !!!, we do have other names also
Ethiopian : Hor, Karsudan, and Basanater.
Armenians : Kagbha, Badadakharida and Badadilma.
Syrian Christians : Larvandad, Gushnasaph, and Hormisdas.

Question 3: Where and when did they meet Jesus
Answer 3: According to the chronology in Luke, the family left Bethlehem soon after arriving, when Jesus was forty days old, but according to Matthew, the Magi visited Jesus in Bethlehem when he was at a house. This raises the question of how the family has its own home in the town when the Magi visit, having only been able to have a stable when Jesus was born. However, Matthew does not say the house belonged to Joseph and Mary.

It is also entirely possible that when the Magi visited, Joseph and Mary were no longer in Bethlehem. Matthew never actually says that they are in Bethlehem at the time of the visit of the Magi. Since Joseph and Mary traveled to Jerusalem for the circumsicion of Jesus and her offering after her purification 40 days later it is plausible that they were either in Zacharius and Elizabeth's house or had procured a house of their own within the two years from the time of Jesus' birth and the visit of the Magi.

Most modern scholars believe that the author of Matthew is fairly clear in this chapter that the family had lived for some time in the town, and was likely originally from Bethlehem, thus it is logical for them to have a house. This reading does contradict Luke's story of the emergency trip to the town, however, a view which those who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible naturally do not feel able to support. These inerrantists instead believe that either that the couple found a house very quickly, i.e. in less than forty days, while Mary had only just given birth, or that, contrary to the views of almost all scholars of linguistics, house should be translated instead as village. Those not willing to accept that one of the two Gospels is outright wrong, but still willing to accept that Matthew and Luke cannot be exactly synchronised, generally feel that the Magi visited several months after the birth of Jesus, and Luke has got wrong the length of time that the family stayed in Bethlehem.

Another theory is that the Magi visited about two years after the birth of Jesus, explaining why Herod, thwarted in his plans, later ordered the death of children aged two years and younger. For many, especially believers in inerrancy, this settles the seeming contradiction.

For more questions and answers, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi

Allied Computers to launch 15K laptops

Allied Computers International has announced that it will be launching Rs 15,000 laptop in January 2008 with production and roll out planned for March 2008.

According to the company, the low cost laptop, industry’ first full featured laptop at this price point, is WiFi ready and runs on VIA 1.0 GHz ULV CPU. The company will be selling the product with 512MB RAM and 40GB HDD.

“Not only is this laptop ideal for first time laptop buyers, the budget price will also ensure that it caters to the future needs of current users,” the company said.

The new laptop has a seven inch TFT screen, weighs 950 grams and has the size of a simple diary to ensure it fits nicely within ones briefcase or carry bag without adding weight to ones shoulder.

While the 15-k laptop will initially be available only in Mumbai, Gujarat, Pune and Delhi, the company is planning to launch it in other Indian cities through its own multi-brand laptop service centres in the metros.

Allied Computers also hopes to cash in on the uniqueness of the product and its price point, and is targeting to sell 50,000 units by the end of fiscal year 2008.

More at http://www.igovernment.in/site/allied-computers-to-launch-15k-laptops/

Two Users Can Work On The Same Computer At The Same Time

Do you have a spare computer monitor lying unused in some corner of the house? You can easily convert that monitor into a proper PC by just attaching it to one of your existing computers - no additional hardware required.

Details at http://www.labnol.org/software/tutorials/two-users-share-one-computer-work-different/1966/

LUCIA REVEALS THE THIRD SECRET OF FATIMA

POSTED AS RECEIVED

IT IS A BIT TIME CONSUMING TO READ.. BUT IT IS TIME WORTH SPENT.

*LUCIA REVEALS THE THIRD SECRET OF FATIMA*

Independently of any Creed or Religion, is better to be prepared and be in good terms with GOD, though we never know when we will be leaving this world....

*LAST SECRET OF FATIMA *

The Church has given permission to reveal to the people the last part of the message. The Blessed Virgin appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, this is a proven fact; one of these children is still alive, her name is Lucia, she is a cloistered nun and lives in a monastery in Portugal. Lucia disclosed the message for the first time to Pope Pius XII whom, after reading it, he sealed it and stored away without making it public. Later Pope John XXIII read it and, in the same manner as his predecessor, he kept it out of the public eye because he knew that once revealed; it will bring desperation and panic to human kind. Now the time has come, and permission has been granted from Pope John Paul II to reveal it to the children of God, in order not to create panic but to make people aware of this important message so everybody can be prepared.

The Virgin told Lucia: "Go my child and tell the world; what will come to pass during the 1950's - 2000's. Men are not practicing the Commandments that our Father has given us. Evil is governing the world and is harvesting hate and resentment all over. Men will fabricate mortal weapons that will destroy the world in minutes, half of the human race will be destroyed, the war will begin against Rome, and there will be conflicts amongst religious orders. God will allow all natural phenomenon's like smoke, hail, cold, water, fire, floods, earthquakes, winds and inclement weather to slowly batter the planet. These things will come to pass before the year 2010. "Those who won't believe, this is the time," your beloved mother told you, "those lacking charity towards others and those who do not love thy neighbor like my beloved Son has loved you, all, cannot survive. They will wish to have died, millions are unimaginable, they will come, and there is no doubt our Lord God will punish severely those who do not believe in him, those who despise him and those who did not have time for him I call upon all of you to come to my son Jesus Christ, God helps the world but all of those who do not show fidelity and loyalty will be destroyed" Father Agustin, who lives in Fatima, said that Pope Paul VI gave him permission to visit sister Lucia who is a cloistered nun (she does not leave the monastery nor is allowed to receive any visitors). Father Augustin said that she received him greatly overwhelmed and told him: "Father, our lady is very sad because nobody is interested in her prophecy of 1917, though the righteous are walking through a narrow path, the evil ones are walking through an ample road that is leading them straight to their destruction, believe me father, the punishment will come very soon." Many souls will be lost; many nations will disappear from the earth. But, in the middle of all these, if men reflect, pray and practice good deeds, the world can be saved. One of all these, if men persist with its evil, the world will be lost forever. The time has come for all to pass on the message of our Blessed Lady to their families, friends, and to the entire world. Start praying, to make penitence and sacrifices. We are at the last minute of the last day and the catastrophes are near. Due to this, many that were far from the church will return to the open arms of the Church of Jesus Christ. The joining of the churches will result in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; England, Russia, China, Jews, Muslims and Protestants. All will return believing and worshiping God our creator, in his beloved Son and in our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary".

WHAT AWAITS US???

Every where there will be "Peace Talks", but punishment will come. A MAN IN A VERY IMPORTANT POSITION WILL BE ASSASSINATED AND THIS WILL PROVOKE THE WAR. A POWERFUL ARMY WILL DOMINATE ALL THROUGH EUROPEAN THE NUCLEAR WAR WILL COMMENCE. This war will destroy everything, darkness will fall over us for 72 hours (three days) and the one third of humanity that survives this obscurity and sacrifice, will commence to live a new era, they will be good people. In a very cold night, 10 minutes before midnight, A GREAT QUAKE will shake the earth for 8 hours. This will be the third signal that God is who governs the earth. The righteous and those who propagate the faith and the message of the Lady of Fatima SHOULD NOT FEAR DO NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT TO DO???

Bow your heads, kneel down and ask God for forgiveness because, only what is good and is not under the power of evil will survive the catastrophe. In order for you to prepare and remain alive I will give you the following signs: ANGUISH........ AND IN A SHORT PERIOD THE EARTH QUAKE WILL COMMENCE... THE EARTH WILL SHAKE....The shake will be so violent that will move the earth 23 degrees and it will return it to its normal position. Then, total and absolute darkness will cover the entire planet... All evil spirits will be mingling around and free, doing harm to all those souls that did not want to listen to this message and those who did not want to repent. To the faithful souls, remember to light the blessed candles, prepare a sacred altar with a crucifix in order to communicate with GOD and implore for His infinite mercy.... All will be dark; IN THE SKY A GREAT MYSTIC CROSS will appear to remind us the price that his beloved Son had to pay for our redemption...In the house the only thing that can give light will be the HOLY CANDLES... Once lit, nothing will put them off until the three days of darkness are over. Also, you should have Holy water that should be sprinkled abundantly on windows and doors. The Lord will protect the property of the chosen ones.. Kneel down before the powerful cross of my beloved Son, pray the Rosary and after each Hail Mary you must pray the following: "Oh God forgive us our sins, preserve us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, especially those who are in more need of they mercy. Blessed Virgin Mary protect us, we love you, save us and save the world". Pray 5 Creeds and the Rosary which is the secret to my Immaculate Heart. All those who believe in my words go and take the message to everyone.

DO NOT FEAR. FEAR NOTHING DURING THE LORD'S GREAT DAY. Talk to all the souls. Now that there is time, those who keep quiet will be responsible for all those souls who will perish in ignorance. All those who pray humbly the rosary will have the protection of heaven and those who are bound to die I will help them die in peace and they will be holy when they enter the other world. I wish all my children to attend mass every first Friday and every first Saturday of each month, to confess and receive Holy Communion and in doing so, save the world from its TOTAL DESTRUCTION. WHEN the earth shakes no more, those who still not believe in our Lord will perish in a horrible way. The wind will bring gas and it will disperse it everywhere, then the sun will rise. Maybe you will survive this catastrophe. Do not forget that God's punishment is holy and ONCE IT HAS STARTED YOU SHOULD NOT LOOK OUTSIDE, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE, GOD DOES NOT WANT ANY OF HIS CHILDREN TO SEE WHEN HE PUNISHES THE SINNERS....

All this encompasses with the writings of the Holy Scriptures.. Read on the New Testament: Luke: 21 - 5:121, 12:19, 20:20, 29:33 Letters of St Paul 3 - 8 - 14 Isaiah 40, 1:5:9.

You must understand that God allows all this to happen. The Pope and Bishops are now awaiting another message that speaks about repentance and prayer. Remember that Gods words are not a threat, but good news... We do not know if those receiving this message believe or not in GOD, but think that if you are receiving this message is for a reason!! Maybe the Creator is giving us the chance to be saved, no matter what religion or creed. To all those receiving it, they can have the opportunity to judge for themselves.

Remember, we can avoid a great deal if we practice the Commandments that our Father God left us. There are 10 simple things, that if we all put in practice we can obtain God's pardon.

Denmark becomes first open standards country

The Government of Denmark has made it mandatory for all local government bodies and association of Danish regions to use open standards for software from January 1, 2008, unless it significantly increases the costs of the project.

In as decision, which is part of the agreement between the Danish government, local government of Denmark and the association of Danish regions, the country has mandated the use of open standards across both national, regional and local levels of government, reports ePractice.

According the the definition decided by the Government of Denmar, the openness of a standard implies that it must be fully documented and publicly available, besides being freely implementable without economic, political or legal constraints on its implementation and use, now or in the future.

It also means that the standard should be managed and maintained in an open forum via an open process through standardisation organisation.

The country’s decision to use open standards is also aimed at enhancing competition in the software market by making it impossible for vendors to protect a market position just by owning a proprietary standard, thereby leading to lower prices through enhanced competition.

It is also aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector and ensure seamless task flow easily between various systems and organisations.

As per the agreement, all authorities must be able to receive office documents in two open document standards namely ODF and OOXML which allows citizens to communicate with government using open standards.

The country’s National IT and Telecom Agency Deputy Director General Marie Munk said that this agreement is a major breakthrough for IT diversity and free choice of software for citizens.

He further said, “By taking this historical step we hope to inspire other transnational, national, regional and local authorities to gather under the banner of open standards.”

Seven Commandments of Denmark’s open standards

• Standards for data interchange between public authorities
• Standards for electronic file and document handling
• Standards for exchanging documents between public authorities (Open Document Format and Office OpenXML)
• Standards for electronic procurement in the public sector
• Standards for digital signatures
• Standards for public websites / homepages and eAccessibility
• Standards for IT Security (only within the state sector)

More at http://www.igovernment.in/site/denmark-becomes-first-open-standards-country/

Kolkata most vulnerable to flooding by 2070

Kolkata will be the most vulnerable city affected by coastal flooding by 2070 with the exposed population expected to increase over seven times to more than 14 million people, while Mumbai has the highest number of people exposed to coastal flooding today.

In terms of population exposure, Kolkata is closely followed by Mumbai, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai, Bangkok and Rangoon (Myanmar), according to a new report by the OECD ranking port cities with high exposure and vulnerability to climate extremes.

More at http://www.igovernment.in/site/kolkata-most-vulnerable-to-flooding-by-2070/

Delhi Metro to indigenise sophisticated tools

he Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to substitute some items of sophisticated equipment like automatic fare control system, signaling and telecommunication under the overall programme of indigenisation.

Announcing this to the Lok Sabha, India’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Urban Development Ajay Maken informed that the DMRC is working towards indigenising these sophisticated equipments. He also informed that the Corporation average earnings per day during the current financial year was Rs 67.63 lakh.

He further said DMRC has fulfilled all its loan repayment commitments till date aggregating to Rs 268.72 crore.

In an initiative to provide welfare services to passengers during the journey, drinking water, toilet facilities, etc. have been provided at stations.

Recently, DMRC introduced feeder buses to carry passengers to and from Metro stations.

From http://www.igovernment.in/site/delhi-metro-to-indigenise-sophisticated-tools/

IBM promises ‘super-senses’ for doctors

If you thought changes take decades to happen, hold on. The ‘IBM Next Five in Five’ list of innovations predicts that the next five years will see doctors gain technologies that will allow them to gain X-ray like vision to view medical images, super sensitive hearing to find tiniest audio clue in heart beat and ways to organise information in the same way they treat a patient.

According to the list of innovations released on Tuesday, an avatar—a 3D representation of the body—will allow doctors to visualise patients’ medical records in an entirely new way, so they can click on a particular part of the avatar, to trigger a search of their medical records and retrieve information relevant to that part of the body, instead of leafing through pages of notes.

According to IBM, the computer will automatically compare those visual and audio clues to thousands or hundreds of thousands of other patient records, and be able to be much more precise in diagnosing and also treating you, based on people with similar issues and makeup.

The list is based on market and societal trends expected to transform lives of people, as well as emerging technologies from IBM’s Labs around the world that could make these innovations possible, IBM stated.

The Cell Phone Mantra
In the next five years, the mobile phone will be a trusted guide to shopping, banking, touring a new city and much more with new technologies allowing one to use the cell phone to the hilt.

IBM suggests that forthcoming technologies would allow one to take snap of someone wearing an outfit and automatically search the Web to find the designer and the nearest shops that sells the particular dress.

One could then see what that outfit would look like on a personal avatar—a 3-D representation—right on the phone, and the person can ask friends, in different locations, to check it out online and give their opinion.

The mobile phone will also guide one through locations in the city, while automatically providing information regarding local entertainment options, activities, and dining options that match personal preferences, and then make reservations and purchases tickets like a personal concierge.

The Energy Manager
IBM also a range of ‘smart energy’ technologies that make it easier for one to manage ‘carbon footprint’ on the personal front.

A ‘smart’ electric grid would make it possible to turn on and off the data, which begins to run through electrical wires, dishwashers, air conditioners and house lights, using the cell phone or any Web browser.

“Besides sending alerts to turn off appliances, technology will also provide with up-to-date reports of electrical usage, so it can be monitored that how much of energy is spend and how much energy is put out,” the company forecasts.

According to it, intelligent energy grids will also enable utilities to provide with the option for using green energy sources, like solar and wind to fuel home. Innovations in solar and wind technology will bring cost-efficient options to a utility.

Technology For The Road
A coming wave of connectivity between cars and the road is going to change the way people drive, help keep them safe, and even keep out of traffic jams.

Technology is poised to keep traffic moving, cut pollution, curb accidents, and make it easier to get from point A to B, without any stress, IBM stated.

The congested cities will find a solution using intelligent traffic systems that can make real-time adjustments to traffic lights and divert traffic to alternate routes with ease.

A car would have driver-assist technologies that will make it possible for automobiles to communicate with each other and with sensors along the road, allowing them to behave as if they have ‘reflexes’ so they can take preventive actions under dangerous conditions.

IBM also list new technology systems, which will enable you to know the exact source and make-up of the products you buy and consume, thus meeting your proper eating requirement.

Advancements in computer software and wireless radio sensor technologies will give access to much more detailed information about the food one is buying and eating.

With the technology, a person will know everything from the climate and soil in which the food was grown, to the pesticides and pollution it was exposed to, to the energy consumed to create the product, to the temperature and air quality of the shipping containers it traveled through on the way to the person’s dinner table.

IBM further revealed that advanced sensor and tracing systems will tell what to eat, before eating.

Patients Warned Against Opting for Dolphin 'therapy' to Treat Any Disorder

Researchers have warned people suffering from chronic mental or physical disabilities that they should not opt for a dolphin "healing" experience.


Lori Marino, senior lecturer in the Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Program, and Scott Lilienfeld, professor in the Department of Psychology, has launched an educational campaign against claims made by supporters of what is known as dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT).

"Dolphin-assisted therapy is not a valid treatment for any disorder," said Marino, a leading dolphin and whale researcher.

She added: "We want to get the word out that it's a lose-lose situation for people and for dolphins."

Marino said that swimming with dolphins may be fun and a novel experience but any scientific evidence does not exist for a long-term benefit from DAT.

Simple Strategy to Prevent TB

Researchers have come out with a simple strategy that could prevent most of the fatal tuberculosis infection. The researcher team that included an Indian researcher said that by using a combination of inexpensive infection control in hospitals, half the new cases of extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) could be prevented.


The study was led by Gerald Friedland, M.D., a professor of medicine at Yale School Of Medicine with his team including Sanjay Basu M.D., Ph.D. student at Yale. XDR TB is also dubbed as ‘Ebola With Wings’ owing to its ability to rapidly spread and kill, has been reported in 37 countries and has been identified in all regions of the world, including the United States.

According to the researchers, this disease has turned out to be an epidemic among hospitalized patients in South Africa. Frequent cases of XDR TB are diagnosed every province of So