INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TOPIC :: COMPUTER SCIENCE :: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)

In these days, modern technology deals with the INFORMATION retrieval,storage, process and Technology. This board term encompasses computer science and technology as well as communication systems such as computer networks, internet and etc.

The changes/improvements in various fields of science and technology had a profound impact on our lives in almost every sphere of our activity, whether it is health, communication, transport, agriculture, defense and etc.

The days, when one could depend on agricultural produces, on low value textiles, leather, etc. for economic growth are long gone. The world is today simply divided by a “technology boundary” which separates the technologically advanced countries from the technologically back ward countries. The former have been able to use their scientists and engineers for rapid economic growth while the so called developing countries and one almost totally dependent on the advanced countries for most of their needs, as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, transportation, defense equipment and etc.

In this day and age, the name of the game to achieve rapid economic progress is Information Technology. It must be thought of as an important national investment and not as expenditure. This investment is far more important than building of roads, bridges, power houses or motorways.

Whether it is a government/private sector company, usage of vibrant integration systems based on flow of computer based information data and images has given the user an edge over its rivals. The computer based applications have led to great awareness, higher opportunity levels, better productivity and loss cost.

The Americans and Japanese have capitalized the most of this knowledge called Information Technology (IT) and communication economy, which has a market worth of over US$4 Trillion. These two countries have led the way in developing hardware, software and enabled communication technologies for system integration. The IT industry has a growth rate of over 18% annually and has grown four times to its present size of US$4 Trillion since 1980. At present, the IT industry has more than 8,00,000 jobs world which are yet to be filled-up. The success in the IT industry is rated as the largest single factor in America today, which is the world is top economic power as IT and communication contribute over 40% to its total revenue earnings.

The newly industrialised countries have been quick to jump on the IT success bandwagon. The IT products and services contribute over 25% of the GDP in Singapore, 15% in South Korea and over 14% in Malaysia. India has revitaliased its economy around the IT only US$281 Million in 1985-86 to its IT industry grew form billion reflecting an increase of over 1500%.

Due to the tremendous development in the field of IT, the world has become a global village. After achieving significant growth levels through computer usage in the last 20 years, the world economic leaders have opened up a New World, the Internet, in which everybody has a right to publicise an ideology, a product or a service.

The 2.3 billion pages on the Internet have Information and Technology for all segments of society. Students in far off lands can link up with the best of the universities in USA/other First World Countries through Internet bases distance learning programmes/consultation on the most fatal disease can be done on the Internet.

Growth rate in other industries is 3-4%, while in IT it’s 15-20% on average.

The combination of telephone, mobile phones, computers and Internet is going to dominate the world scene in next 5-10 years as the single largest medium/communication.

The electronic commerce activities on the Internet are estimated at about US$45 Billion are likely to cross US$ 1.5 Trillion market in the next three years. Thus future will be dominated by Internet revolution particularly in the field of E-Commerce.

E-Commerce: Electric commerce  deals with the commercial exchange of goods, services, information of ideas between two or more parties enabled by interactive digital networks. It has two branches B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to consumer). The B2B does not directly involve consumer while the B2C is the process of conducting business on internet with the consumer by skipping the traditional middleman.

The B2B transactions are generally conducted between suppliers and manufactures, manufacturers and distributors and between manufacturers and retailers directly. The buyer and seller have authorized access to each other’s information systems and orders are placed of services, which are provided either through Internet or through a virtual private network. The physical transaction is conducted between the two parties directly while the financial aspect or the transaction is conducted between the two parties directly while the financial aspect of the transaction is facilitated by on intermediary which in most cases will be a bank.

Business, organisations and even governments are switching to E-Commerce to generate higher profits, cut costs and build intangible assets such as customer loyalty, brand equity and public convenience. Some of the most successful adopters of Electric Commerce are achieving all the benefits. Electric Commerce generates revenues through advertising, subscriptions an d the scale of products and services, which heavily depends on contents and technology.

In these days of E-Commerce, most firms and governments are on the web. Web based databases and directories are becoming exceedingly popular and useful. The leading web-based directly service providers are becoming exceedingly popular and useful.
The advertising is likely to yield much of the revenues on web pages. Most of the governments are convinced that E-Commerce is quickly penetrating the small and medium business markets. Industry players have changed their focus, so, now they have staged building joint ventures, partnerships with different players.

As for every business for E-Commerce, one needs to establish first as to what is to be sold, who are the target customers, how to market, what means of promotions to be used for publicising products and services, financial cost and benefits analysis and so on. Those who failed to assign the top most reason for failure to inadequate business planning and lack of proper marketing.

It should be kept in mind that customers on the web have greater access to choice moving from one shop to another may be a matter of minutes or hours; but on the net, it is matter a of seconds. While products are being sold on the net offer lower prices than the traditional market outlet, customers buy from website; Webshops, which render better services. From the customer side the rejection of web shopping sited induced reasons of poor customer service followed by no credit card acceptance, non-acceptance of payment through bank account, inadequate goods return policy and so on.

Thus to be successful in sphere of E-Commerce, every company has to be very competitive in terms of costs as well as in provision of customised service.

EDUCATION SCENARIO IN INDIA

TOPIC :: EDUCATION SCENARIO IN INDIA :: IT'S IMPORTANCE

As we know, India is a developing country. Education System of India is providing maximum number of efficient and well qualified doctors, engineers, managers to this world. This education system has made India a favorite global educational destination, sharing platforms with United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France and other countries. Number of students from various countries like China, South Africa, Canada are coming to India in the pursuit of higher studies. The reason of this popularity and fast growing education in India is the great acceptance towards changes and reforms for the betterment. The educational institutes in India are modeling their study pattern in such a way that students get to develop skills in the areas of Information, Communication and Technology. The education system of India is a visionary, efficient, impartial, qualitative and well developed. Here some of the facts, which are contributing to make the education system of India the best one, are depicted here:

Affordable Education: India is the much desired adobe for the students, who are not financially strong but want to gain quality education. In comparison of other countries, education in India is less expensive.


World class education: India consist best education provider, which are imparting world class education. National Law School, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT's), Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University are some of them.

Financial Assistance: To provide financial assistance to the needy students, various scholarships, education loans and other financial aids are available. 

Distance education in India: Students, who are not able to earn degrees through regular classroom studies, are facilitated with the distance education mode. There are many universities that offer distance education degree programs; in arts, science, commerce, social sciences and information technology and IGNOU is the best in providing distance education to students in this regard. Acharya Nagarjuna University Center for Distance Education (CDE), Alagappa University Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalai University Directorate of Distance Education, Bangalore University Directorate of Correspondence Courses Madurai Kamaraj University (CDE) and Center of Distance Education are some other distance education providers.

Consultation Service: The government of India offers consultation service through Education Consultants of India (Ed.CIL) and make international students acknowledged about the education system, cost of education, duration, accommodation facilities and visa even before landing up in India hence, international student can pursue education in india without any hindrance.

Traditional Courses: Indian education system still teaching some traditional courses, that were earlier the part of our system like: Ayurveda, Sankrit, Yoga etc. For international students, these courses are unique and fascinate them as they are not taught by any other country.

Special education in India: With the advancement of technology, Special education in India for physically disabled or mentally challenged is also fast improving. Dr. BR. Ambedkar University, Hyderabad, IGNOU, New Delhi conducts this course.

Dr. Ambedkar University - http://www.braou.ac.in
Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi - http://www.ignou.ac.in

SOFT SKILLS

TOPIC :: SOFT SKILLS :: ITS IMPORTANCE

Most people are not clear about what "SOFT SKILLS" mean. The term itself was coined just a few years ago. In any job, the sole importance was given to the candidate’s curriculam vatae/resume and what his/her qualifications were. But now-a-days, it is important to know about and learn about "SOFT SKILL".

It is an essential method to judge a person’s performance, leadership ability, and team spirit. Hard skills constitute your educational qualifications and previous job experience. In fact, a lot of recruiters are now paying more attention on soft skills rather than the hard ones. A lot of candidates with impressive resumes, but poor soft skills have been rejected in the final rounds of interviews.

That is the reason why,  you should enroll in soft skills programs in order to develop these skills better. Soft skills can be classified into these categories. They are

1. Negotiation:– This is a very crucial soft skill, that you need to possess. The art of negotiating a deal with a client or even negotiating with a co-worker is something that you need to master effectively. There is no hard and fast rule about mastering this aspect but you will be trained to negotiate to the fullest of your capabilities.

2. Team building:– Initialising team spirit in the members of a team is perhaps the most difficult task ever. Ego, personal rivalry, office politics, and various other factors come into play and you have to overcome all these hurdles and utilise all the resources efficiently. This is known as team building and it requires some training before-hand.

3. Communication:– You need to communicate well with your superiors and peers. If you can’t express your thoughts or grievances in the proper manner, then it will soon begin to affect your performance. Honing this particular soft skill is all the more important, when you are talking to clients of the company.

LEARNING TIPS

TOPIC :: STUDENTS :: LEARNING TIPS

In olden days, there was a time, when parents told children to read slowly and loudly to understand everything they read. A lot of things have changed. Today’s children have bigger syllabi to learn. Now, learning experts and teachers ask students to read faster and grasp important points.

Few tips for students are given below:

Make a Timetable:- Your timetable should have separate time for eating, playing games, exercise, reading newspaper and study materials. You should not only make a timetable, but also should stick to it. And also give priority to leisure and games in the afternoon, but separate early morning time for studies. Make sure that, you read all the class notes before you go to bed. While allotting time to different subjects, allot more time to difficult subjects, so that you concentrate more. You need only less time for the subjects that are easier for you to learn.

Taking Notes:- Taking notes is an important part of learning. You need to take lecture notes (classroom notes) and notes from your textbook.

1. Go through the lessons on the day before your teacher would teach it in the class. This gives you an idea of what to expect.

2. Write down important ideas as bulleted/numbered points. One word/phrase is enough to include an idea.

3. Give prominence to important ideas by underlining them in your notes.

4. Leave lot of space in each face of paper. This will help you add new points/information later.

5. Organise your notes into separate files. Each subject should have a different file. Label the outer page of the file with name of the subject and your teacher. You should also neatly organise each file according to chapters and topics.

6. Read the notes in the night, before going to bed. This helps you memorise the lessons clearly.

7. While taking notes from a book, label the name of the book and author. Also, note the page number next to your notes. It makes it easy for you to refer to the book three or six months later.

Reading Techniques:

You need to read fast and grasp more things. Here are some pointers to fast reading.

1. Note the name of the book and its author in the reading log.

2. Take a quick look from cover to cover to identify the important chapters.

3. Take a quick look over the chapter, identify the important points, and note them down.

4. Read the lesson fast. To increase the speed of learning, pass your eyes through the top of the letters and not through the centre. For example, while reading, your can pass your eyes through the area where the dot above the letter i appears and not through the loop of the letter o.

5. Don’t take notes while reading.

6. Don’t go back to read a word or a sentence. If you don’t get the idea of the subject, you can come back to the sentence after you finish reading the chapter. Never look up a dictionary while in the middle of reading a chapter. Refer dictionary only, if you don’t automatically understand the meaning of a word after finishing the paragraph and the chapter.

7. Note down the points you remember. Now check, if you have taken all the important points, with another fast reading.

How to increase memory:

1. Try to understand completly, what you read/hear.

2. Repeat what you hear/read in your mind.

3. Make notes of what you learn at school or read from books. A single word can help you remember a whole idea.

4. Give number to the points.

5. Don’t try to bring to memory all the things you have learned. Learn the technique of bringing to memory one thing at a time.

6. Mental concentration is important to memory and better learning.

7. Stick to your reading timetable. You should separate a specific place and specific time of the day for reading.

8. Sit erect. It increases your concentration.

9. Don’t allow disturbances like phone calls, music etc while reading.

10. Concentrate on the lessons you read. Don’t think about the next book you have to read, while you are reading a book. A better way is to make an order of the books and lessons to read and arrange them in order before you start reading.

11. Immediately after reading a paragraph, try to recall the idea from that paragraph. This helps you concentrate more on your reading.

Ideal conditions for reading/learning:

1. A silent location that you don’t use for sleeping, eating or leisure purposes is the most ideal condition for reading.

2. Install a fluorescent tube light in the reading room. This helps mild light to fall evenly all over the room. Don’t sit in the darkness while reading. If you use table lamp, arrange it towards your left, if you are a right-hander.

3. Arrange the papers, pencils, boards and books on the table before you start reading.

4. Never try to read, while you are tired/ill.

5. Eat healthy food rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fibres. Replace fast food, pizza, burger, chocolates, ice-creams, etc with fresh fruits, whole grain food items like chapatti, roti, milk, fruit juices and etc.

6. Exercise daily. Swimming, cycling and jogging are good for students. Practice yoga. It increases concentration and    will power.

7. Don’t watch TV. Instead, play some games in the outdoors. While TV makes you dumb, the games make you smarter.

8. Read lot of books. Read classic stories, fables and etc. Don’t spend too much of time on comic cartoons.

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

TOPIC :: INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

These tips really help you at some extent. Before taking the next step in your career path, you must succeed at your interview. It is at this time, that all that confidence you had seems to disappear. Successful interviews do not just happen
they require preparation. So, go prepared and maintain your confidence.

Preparation: First, find out about the company, it's position, its job specification and the skills and experience required.
Do your Homework. Research the company. Check out their website, find out about their products and services. Compare your skills and experience against the job specification.

Make a note of any special skills/experience you have, that matches the job specification that can validate your selection for the job.

Make a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Always let the interviewer know that you have researched their website, and tell them you have some additional questions.

Plan your travel to the interview. Ideally arrive ten minutes early, so that you arrive relaxed.

Present yourself as the person you want to be. Look professionally  smart, tidy and clean. For corporate positions, wear a classic dark suit make sure it is pressed and clean. Avoid sandals, sling back shoes and sneakers. Avoid unnecessary adornments like rings, bracelets and chunky earrings.

Be prepared to answer situational/behavioural questions related to the role. For example, for a customer service position you could be asked: "Tell me about yourself?"

Know your strengths and weaknesses. Prepare yourself. Many of our weaknesses are also our strengths, so tell your interviewer. Avoid saying that you don’t have weaknesses. We all have them, so this would nOt be credible.

The Interview Itself

You have arrived at the interview location on time, well dressed and well prepared and your mobile phone turned-off.

- Greet the interviewer with a friendly smile and a firm hand shake.
- Most interviewers will then endeavour to put you at ease by having a general chat prior to asking you questions.
- Speak at a normal pace. Avoid speaking too fast.
- Always look at the interviewer keep eye-contact as much as possible. Try to smile, as this relaxes you. Do not cross your   arms. Lean forward slightly and show interest in the job.

Phrase responses in positive terms and avoid negatives. This presents you as an optimist rather than a pessimist. Answer questions in short descriptive phrases without waffling. Be precise and clear with your answers.

If you completed your preparation, you should now know how to answer your strengths and weaknesses, if asked.

Closing the Interview:

Avoid asking about remuneration until the end of the interview. Allow time for the interviewer to approach the subject first.
If an offer is made at the interview, and you are keen to accept the job.

If a job offer is not made ask for the Job. Don’t be worried, if the job is not offered immediately as there could be others to be interviewed.

Where the interviewer brings the interview to an end; thank the interviewer for their time. Confirm your interest in the job.

DO NOT:-
- If you “forget” to turn off your mobile phone  ignore it and apologise to your interviewer do not ask can  
  you answer it.
- Do NOT chew gum.

DO:-
- Sell yourself.
- Remember you are a person with good skills and experience that fits the job on offer.

FIBER OPTICS

TOPIC :: SCIENCE :: FIBER OPTICS

Fiber optics is a kind of optics dealing with the movement of light through fibers/thin rods of glass. If light is put at one end of a fiber, then it can move through the fiber with very low loss of intensity, even if the fiber is curved.

The simplest use of optical fibers is the moving of light to places hard to reach, for example, inside a dentists drill.

Also, bunches of several thousand very thin fibers put together, can be used to view images. Each point of the image made on one side of the bundle is made at the other end of the bundle, remaking the image, which can be observed through a magnifying glass. Image transmission by optical fibers is used a lot in medical instruments for looking inside the human body and for laser surgery, in copying machines, in computer graphics, and in many other machines.

Optical fibers are also being used in sensing devices, ranging from thermo-meters to gyroscopes. The fibers can be really useful where electrical effects could make ordinary wiring useless, less accurate or even hazardous. Fibers have also been developed to carry high-power laser beams for cutting and drilling.

One growing use of optical fibers is in communication. Because the information carrying capacity of a signal increases with frequency, the use of laser light makes many advantages. Fiber optic laser systems are being used in communications networks.
 One advantage of optical fiber systems is the long distances that can be continued before signal repeaters are needed to recharge signals. These are currently separated by about 62 miles, compared to about 1 mile for electrical lines. New optical fiber amplifiers can extend this distance even farther.

Local area networks(LAN) are another growing use for fiber optics. Unlike long-distance communications, these connect many local people to expensive equipment such as computers and printers. This system widens the use of equipment and can help new users on to a network. With research of new electro-optic and integrated-optic components, fiber systems will become faster, more reliable and easier to use.

DRUG ABUSE

TOPIC :: HEALTH :: DRUG ABUSE

Drug abuse most often refers to the use of drugs with such frequency that, it causes physical/mental harm to the user and impairs social functioning, according to the definition stated in "Software Tool Works Encyclopedia".  This term also refers to the use of a drug prohibited by the law, regardless of whether it was actually harmful or not.  Although the term seems to imply that users abuse the drug they take, in fact, it is themselves or others they abuse by using it. 

Therefore, the preferred term ought to be "self abuse".  Since there are lots of individuals, who associate the term drug abuse with what the law principles are/and what potential punishment will be applied for not complying with principles of such law those individuals should be able to recognise differences in the meaning of a common term.  In order to ease such recognition let's make a shift in terms and distinguish between them.

A person voluntarily commits to use any prohibited by law drug.  Despite the consequences of such action, the person continues using it.  Eventually, some type of physical or mental harm occurs within that person's body; thus, the occurrence of changes in health is the result of one's free choice.  Any of the above stages can be easily applied into mother-child scenario. 

If a mother becomes drug addicted, she can no longer control her actions, psychological stage of mind and etc.  She can no longer be in a position of making the right choices and decisions and ofcourse, she will not be in a position to recognise and face the reality.  The only choice such mother could make would be dictated by her addicted mind and most likely would have nothing to do with reality.  In the mean time, her child will have to face a tremendous emotional difficulties, as well as experience psychological imbalance and inability to deal with an adult-level and real life situations. 

Consequently, the mother's inability to deal with the addiction will have a tragic impact on her child's future development and well being.  Such drastic changes would be the abuse that took place as a result of mother's free choice.  The tool used to create the abuse was the drug and the user contributed to the results of his/her own free action.  Since the drug itself did not forced the user to be taken, only, it was the user's free choice, it does show that the user abused himself/herself and others; not the drug, thus, this scene clearly presents self abuse.

In a doctor and patient scenario, the situation is very common.  Although  the term "self abuse" would not quite fit in all cases, still, it is hard to admit that the term "drug abuse" would.  Imagine the doctor prescribing a drug to his patient, for some type of a relief, to the point where it creates unreversable harm.  Assuming that the doctor knew how harmful for his patient the drug eventually would be, he consciously continues to prescribe such drug.  Therefore, the doctor contributes to the abuse and harm of his patient. Thus, the patient becomes abused by the doctor, not by the drug. 

Again, there is no abuse to the particular drug.  The drug is just a tool, in may ways very harmful, used by doctors or ordinary people.

Since the term drug is commonly associated with substances that influence or alter the working process of mind, by affecting moods, feelings, emotions, thinking process and influence health. It is fair to say that such substances are powerful yet harmful tools.  Despite whether they were taken freely, that is with full understanding of ultimate results or prescribed by doctor with, most likely, full understanding, somewhere on the line the abuse occurs.  The independent user and a doctor  contribute at some point to the harm eventually created.  Assuming that the drug was a tool for developing such results, the doctor contributed to the patient's abuse and the independent user abused himself/herself.  No matter what the relationship is, user/drug or doctor and patient, the drug is the only one that never gets to be abused.  It is people abused by themselves or by others.  Therefore, "self abuse" seems to be more adequate term to use.

NUTRITION

TOPIC :: HEALTH :: NUTRITION

Nutrition begins with foods. The study of nutrition involves everything that, the body does with food in order to live, like function and grow. Foods that are eaten regularly make a diet. Although were you live and how you eat play a major part in your dietary habits, food choices vary from person to person. What people eat affects their health and how they live. Plants make their own food from, water and air. People cannot make their own food but eat plants and meats to survive. The body's most important need is for energy. To get energy, it needs food as a fuel and oxygen to burn it. The amount of energy food  produces is  called calories. A food calorie,  is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of (i.e.,2.2 pounds) of water 1 degree Celsius (i.e., 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit).

The body changes the calories in food into energy, which is very necessary for the little things like blinking an eye to running a race. Energy is also used for the growing process, for rebuilding damaged cells and for regulating the body. The number of calories needed each day depends on  how much energy your body uses. An active kid can need more calories than an adult who works at a desk. The body needs more calories in cold weather to stay at an even temperature.

If  a person consumes more food than required to meet the body's needs, the extra calories  become fat . That causes weight gain. Eating too little causes weight loss because the fat is used for energy. One pound of stored fat has almost 3,500 calories.

If weight loss is desirable, the best way to lose weight is by eating less of high calorie foods and getting more exercise. Usually for most people a safe limit for losing weight is 2 pounds a week.  Quick and easy weight-loss diets are fads; because most are unbalanced, puting emphasise on one kind of food and excluding others. To function, humans must have nutrients. The most important nutrients for people are proteins, carbohydrates, fats and oils, minerals, vitamins and water.                                                                                                                                Proteins are made up of amino acids, small units necessary for growth and tissue repair. Protein is the body's most abundant substance except for water and, maybe, fat. Animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, milk and eggs are rich in protein. Good plant sources of protein are beans, peas, nuts, bread, and cereals.

Combining plant sources, such as peanut butter with whole grain bread or rice with beans; which provides excellent protein. So does combining plant and animal sources such as cereal and milk or macaroni and cheese.

Starches and sugars are carbohydrates, the main source of the body's energy. Carbohydrates account for about half of the calorie intake for most americans and  four fifths of the calories in diets of african and asian people. Foods rich in carbohydrate are also the main source of protein for most of the world. Rice, wheat, corn and potatoes are common rich sources of carbohydrates.

Sugars aren't essential foods. They provide energy but no nutrients. Because of that sugar is called an "Empty Calorie" food. Occasional, sugars are not harmful to a healthy, but to much sugar can cause  tooth decay  when eaten between meals, especially sticky snacks  that stick to the teeth.

Fats and oils are a concentrated source of energy. Fats in the diet are a must for good health. They make certain types of vitamins available for use in the body. They provide a cushion for vital organs. They make up part of all body cells and they help to maintain body temperature. Fats also slow aches of hunger because a food mixture containing fat remains longer in the stomach.
 
Nutritionists classify  different types of dietary fats or fats in food. Saturated fats usually are solid  and come from animals. In many standard diets, fat from meat is the main source. It is  a fact that saturated fats can raise the level of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the body. It helps to form digestive juices and does other important work. It is always in the body no matter what is eaten. When the body cells can not absorb any more cholesterol any excess begins to collect in the walls of the blood vessels and gradually narrows them. This  may lead to a heart attack or stroke.                                                          

Minerals are neither animal or vegetable; they are in-organic. Almost all foods contribute to a varied intake of essential minerals. Most minerals are easy to gain in quantities required by the body. A major exception is iron for children under age 4 and teen girls and women in the childbearing (Pregnant) years. These people need more iron than a normal diet may give. Iron helps to build red blood cells. It also helps the blood carry oxygen from the lungs to each body cell. Rich sources of iron are meat, especially liver; egg yolks; and dark green vegetables.

Everyone at every age needs calcium. This mineral builds bones and teeth, and it is essential for blood clotting. The best sources are milk and hard cheese. Others are leafy greens, nuts and small fishes like sardines with bones that can be eaten.

Phosphorus works with calcium to make strong bones and teeth. A diet that provide enough protein and calcium also provides enough phosphorus. Other important minerals are sodium, potassium, iodine, magnesium, zinc and copper.               
The discovery of vitamins began early in the 20th century. It's likely that some vitamins still are undiscovered. Eating a wide variety of foods ensures getting enough vitamins. All living things need vitamins for growth and health. The body either cannot produce them at all or cannot normally produce them in needed amounts and  must absorb them from food. Each vitamin has specific roles. Many reactions in the body require several vitamins and the lack or excess of any one can interfere with the function of another.

Four vitamins A, D, E, and K are called the fat-soluble vitamins. They are digested and absorbed with the help of fats that are in the diet.

Vitamin A is needed for strong bones, good vision and healthy skin. It's found  in dark green and yellow fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin D is essential for children, because it helps calcium and phosphorus to form straight, strong bones and teeth. With sunlight on the skin, the body can produce its own vitamin D. Babies and young children often need vitamin D supplement.

Vitamin E helps to protect vitamin A and red blood cells. It's found in a wide variety of foods and almost everyone gets enough.

Vitamin K is one vitamin that is made in the human body by bacteria that live in the intestinal tract. Small amounts are found in the green leaves of spinach, kale, cabbage and cauliflower and also in pork liver.

Fat soluble vitamins can be stored in the body for long periods. They are stored mostly in the fatty tissue and in the liver.

The vitamin B group of several vitamins helps to maintain healthy skin and a nervous system. B vitamins also help to convert carbohydrates into energy. Vitamin C is needed for building the connective tissue that holds body cells together. Vitamin C is essential for healthy teeth, gums and blood vessels. It also helps the body to absorb iron. These water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body for long. Good sources should be eaten every day.

In order to live, every cell in the body must be washed in water. Water is needed to carry other nutrients, to regulate body temperature, and to help get rid of waste wastes. Water is about 60 percent of an adult body weight. Water is found in most foods and in most fruits are more than 90 percent water. 
 
In the early 1990s' the basic four food groups, were reworked into the more balanced and healthy food guide pyramid. The  pyramid has at the bottom the grain group; on the second level are the fruit and vegetable groups; on the third level are the meat and dairy groups; and at the top is the fats, oils and sweets group.

Foods from the food guide pyramid can be part of any meal. A grilled cheese sandwich or a bowl of whole-grain cereal is just as nutritious in the morning as it is at noon. A good breakfast consists of any foods that supply about one fourth of the necessary nutrients for the day.

The United States government publishes guidelines for appropriate nutrient a person should get. These are known as the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Just the same as wise shoppers get the most for their money, so do good consumer buy foods that give the most nutrition for the lowest number of calories. For example, snacks can provide about one fourth of the calorie requirements among teenagers. Those snacks  provide that much of the day's needs for protein, minerals and vitamins. Sandwiches, fruit and milk make good snacks for  teenagers.

Special diets for people with health problems should be prescribed by  a doctor. Doctors  usually refer patients to a dietitian, who write up an private diet plan.
The typical diet American diet usually has much  more salt than the body needs. People with high blood pressure have to avoid as much salt as possible. Diabetes  is another disease that needs careful meal planning. When a person has diabetes the body doesn't  normally use of  blood sugar. If  a person  develops diabetes later in life, it usually is controlled with diet alone. Diets high in fat and cholesterol have been connected with blocking  the arteries, a common reason in heart disease and stroke. Scientist show that this condition can begin in adolescence or earlier.

Some people are vegetarians; that is, they eat no meat and sometimes no eggs, cheese, or milk. People who don't eat all animal products are called vegans. These people must plan their diets carefully to get balanced nutrition.

OLYMPIC GAMES

TOPIC :: OLYMPIC GAMES :: INTRODUCTION

Now-a-days, the Olympic Games are the world's largest pageant of athletic skill and competitive spirit.  They are also displays of nationalism, integration, competitive spirit, commerce, and politics. These two opposing elements of the Olympics are not a modern invention.  The conflict between the Olympic movement's high ideals and the commercialism or political acts which accompany the Game.

The ancient Olympics were rather different from the modern Games.  There were fewer events and only free men, who spoke Greek could compete, instead of athletes from various countries.  Also, the games were always held at Olympia, instead of moving around to different sites every time.

Like our Olympics, though, winning athletes were heroes, who put their home towns on the map.  One young Athenian nobleman defended his political reputation by mentioning how he entered seven chariots in the Olympic chariot-race.  This high number of entries made both the aristocrat and Athens look very wealthy and powerful.

The ancient Olympic Games was also a part of a major religious festival honouring Zeus, the chief Greek GOD, were the biggest event in their world.  They were the scene of political rivalries between people from different parts of the Greek world, the site of controversies, boasts, public announcements and humiliations.

Politics were present at the ancient Olympics in many forms. In 365 B.C., the Arcadians and the Pisatans took over the Altis, and they presided over the 104th Olympiad the next year.  When the Eleans finally regained control of Olympia, they declared the 104th Games as invalid.

Some valuable political deeds were recorded at Olympia. An inscription on a victory statue honored Pantarces of Elis not only for winning in the Olympic horse-races, but also for making peace between the Achaeans and the Eleans, and negotiating the release of both sides prisoners of war.  Olympia was also a place for announcing political alliances. Thucydides describes a 100-year military treaty the Athenians, Argives, Mantineans and Eleans entered into, which was recorded in public inscriptions on stone pillars at the first three cities and on a bronze pillar at Olympia.

The Olympic festival not only celebrated excellence in athletics. It also provided the occasion for Greeks to produce lasting cultural achievements in architecture, mathematics, sculpture and poetry.

The ancient Greeks were architectural innovators. The temple of Zeus, designed by the architect Libon; was one of the largest Doric temples built in Greece. Libon tried to build the temple in an ideal system of proportions, so that the distance between the columns was harmoniously proportional to their height, and the other architectural elements were sized proportionately as well. The Greek mathematician Euclid expressed this ideal ratio in his Elements, a book on geometry which is said to be the second most popular book of all time, after the Bible.

The cultural achievement most directly tied to the Olympic games was poetry commissioned in honoUr of athletic victors.  These poems, called Epinicians, were written by the most famous poets of the day, including Pindar, Bacchylides, and Simonides; and they were extremely popular.  Proof of this is that the playwright Aristophanes portrays an average, not especially literary Athenian man who asks his son to sing a particular 40 year old epinician poem composed by Simonides.  The poem and the athlete live on in people's memories long after the day of victory.  The epinician odes were written to immortalise the athletic victors and they have lasted longer than many of the statues and inscriptions which were made for the same purpose.
A truce (i

In Greek, ekecheiria, which literally means ("holding of hands") was announced before and during each of the Olympic festivals, to allow visitors to travel safely to Olympia. An inscription describing the truce was written on a bronze discus which was displayed at Olympia.  During the truce, wars were suspended, armies were prohibited from entering Elis or threatening the Games, legal disputes, and the carrying out of death penalties were forbidden.

The Olympic truce was faithfully observed for the most part, although the historian Thucydides recounts that the Lacedaemonians were banned from participating in the Games, after they attacked a fortress in Lepreum and a town in Elis, during the truce.  The Lacedaemonians complained that the truce had not yet been announced at the time of their attack.  But, the Eleans fined them two thousand minae, two for each soldier, as the law required.

Another international truce was enforced during the annual mysteries, a religious rite held at the major sanctuary site of Eleusis.  The truces of Olympia and Eleusis not only allowed worshippers and athletes to travel more safely; they also provided a common basis for peace among the Greeks.  Lysistrata, the title character in a comic play by Aristophanes, makes this point when she tries to convince the Athenians and the Spartans to end their war.

As you can see that the Olympic Game is a historical event that has lasted through the centuries till today. The Greek then are now taking the privilege of honouring.

The assignment of the year's 2004 Olympic Games to Athens is radically different from previous ones.  For a main characteristic of the 2004 Olympics is its cultural dimension.

Greece does not consider the Olympics just to be the foremost athletic event that lasts for a few days every four years because Greece wishes to revive the idea of the Olympiad.  Therefore, it is desirable to organise not just one cultural event but a cultural program of global scope which will develop and culminate during the four years period between two successive Olympic Games.  Greece undertakes the responsibility to organise the 2004 Olympic Games in a manner that will incorporate this new cultural dimension and feels committed to set a new vision of the Olympic idea which will have a permanent effect.

The main idea is that the Cultural Olympiad will become a permanent institution and extend over the period of the four years between two successive Olympic Games and culminating with the Cultural Olympics.  Greece envisions these Olympics of Culture as the Olympics of the Spirit and Arts, sees itself as the permanent seat of the institution that will cooperate effectively with the various cities which will be assigned the organization of the Olympic Games.

The political and ideological problems of international athletic gatherings are well known.  Prominent among them is the ideological and media exploitation of the organisation itself, as well as the symbolic and media exploitation. The commercialisation of the athletic achievements with whatever this entails for athletes.

HABIT OF READING

TOPIC :: HABIT OF READING

My hobby is reading. I read story books, magazines, newspapers and any kind of material that I find interesting.

This hobby got started when I was a little boy. I had always wanted my parents to read fairy tales and other stories to me. Soon, they got fed up and tired of having to read to me continually. So as soon as I could, I learned to read. I started with simple books. Soon I could read simple fairy tales and other stories. Now, I read just about anything that is available.

Reading enables me to learn about so many things that I would otherwise not know. I learned about how people lived in past days of magic and mystery. I learned about the wonders of the world, space travel, human achievements, gigantic whales, tiny viruses and other fascinating things of our world.

The wonderful thing about reading is that I do not have to learn things the hard way.

Books provide the reader with so much information and facts. They have certainly helped me in my daily life. I am better equipped to cope with living. Otherwise I would go about ignorantly learning things the hard way.

So, I continue to read. Besides being more informed about the world, I also spend my time profitably. It is indeed a good hobby.

ROAD SAFETY

TOPIC :: ROAD SAFETY

Everyday, many people are involved in road accidents. Some are killed. so many people are injured/died. So, it is important for us to learn to use the roads properly and safely. No sane person would like to be involved in an accident.

As the roads are very busy now-a-days, we should be very careful when crossing one. It is safer to use a pedestrian crossing or an overhead bridge which one is available. Never cross a road by dashing across it. That is inviting trouble. If there are no crossing mark, then we must look carefully right and left and cross only when it is safe to do so.

Some of us take the bus to school. It is important that we do not try to get on or off a bus while it is still moving.

Using a bicycle can be dangerous too. We must pay attention on the road and never cycle too far out to the middle of the road. We must obey all traffic rules. Also we must make sure our bicycles are in good condition with working brakes, lights etc.

These are some things we can do to avoid accidents. However, there is no guarantee that we will never be involved in one. The important thing is to stay alert at all times while using the roads. We must know what is happening around us. In that way, we can take necessary action to avoid danger whenever we see one. Road safety is very much up to how we use the roads. Use them carefully and we may be able to use them for a long time. Use them carelessly and we may never be able to use them again.

BUILDING UP MUSCLE MASS

TOPIC :: HEALTH :: BUILDING UP MUSCLE MASS

Given below are the top five belly exercises as ranked by the study:

The Bicycle Exercise:- best for targeting the six pack muscles and the obliques. To do this exercise, get into a supine position with hands at the back of your head. Bring knees to the chest while lifting shoulders off the floor. Slowly bring your right elbow towards your left knee as you straighten your right leg. Switch sides and continue in a pedaling motion. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

Vertical Leg Crunch:- Performing this exercise is similar to doing a leg crunch except that the legs are straight up, forcing the abs to work and adding intensity to the routine. To do this, lie on the floor with the legs straight up, knees crossed, and place the hands beneath the head for support. Contract abs lifting the shoulders off the floor and keep legs in a fixed position to crunch. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

The Captain's Chair Leg Raise:- This exercise requires a captain's chair, a rack with padded arms allowing for the legs to hang free that is commonly found in gyms or health clubs. To do this exercise, stand on the chair and grip hand holds. Press back against the pad then raise knees to the chest to contract the abs then lower them back down. Do it for 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

Long Arm Crunch:- This is a variant of the traditional floor crunch where the arms are held straight behind you, adding a lever to the move and making for a challenging exercise. To do this, lie on the floor or a mat then extend arms straight behind, keeping them clasped and next to the ears. Slowly contract abs and lift shoulders off the floor carefully to keep the arms straight. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

Exercise Ball Crunch:- For this exercise, an exercise ball is necessary. In this routine, the abdomen does more exerting but will still need the entire body to stabilize it throughout the routine. To do this exercise, lie on the ball with your lower back fully supported. Place hands behind the head. To lift the torso off the ball, contract the abs to pull the bottom of the rib cage towards the hips. Keep ball stable as you curl up, then lower back down to stretch the abs. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

Conclusion:- The best strategy to weight loss is to observe a healthy diet coupled with exercise of atleast an hour a day. Although there is no sure fire way to deal with belly fat, there are a number of activities from which to choose and enjoy. As long as you're having fun, you can lose weight without realizing it. It is important to look for an exercise you enjoy. If the suggested exercises above do not suit your taste, taking a hike, swimming or biking are just as effective in burning fat and toning muscles.

AEROBIC EXERCISES

TOPIC :: HEALTH TIPS :: AEROBIC EXERCISES

Tips to help you start a heart healthy exercise plan.

    Regularly doing Aerobic exercises for 30 minutes per day is excellent for increasing your heart rate. Climbing the stairs or anything to get your heart rate up. 

    Any moderate-intensity exercise like swimming, jogging, Pilates and yoga is good. Exercising your heart muscle means exercising your body. You don’t need a gym, just a bit of motivation and a good pair of walking shoes.

    For adults that are 65 and older or anyone with chronic conditions or limited mobility, you need the same amount of exercise as younger people – the activity can be less intense. Use good judgment and follow your doctor’s advice.

    Strength training is a great complement to aerobic training and helps to prevent age-related bone and muscle-mass losses. Keep in mind that strength training does not increase heart rate but does increase stamina. Use it to target areas where muscle-tone is needed and do not forget the other muscle groups.

    With any plan, start strength training slowly and build up to heavier weights and repetitions especially, if you are new or out of shape.

    Practice balance exercises to help prevent falls and injuries. Balance techniques are used frequently as exercises in yoga or more simple forms of balancing exercises such as walking heal-to-toe, standing on one foot, or standing up and sitting down without using your hands.

    Stretching exercises done twice a week helps keep flexibility, which is very important. Consider 10 minutes of stretching twice a week to improve your flexibility.

HEALTH IN OUR KITCHEN ROOM

TOPIC :: HEALTH IN OUR KITCHEN ROOM :: GOOD HEALTH AT HOME

Turmeric:-

    - Mix turmeric with water and apply to feet, to prevent them from fungal infections.
    - Applying turmeric to face gives relief from acne.
    - Mix turmeric with coconut oil and apply to feet to prevent from allergies caused due to continuous  
       exposure to water.
    - Turmeric is used in the prevention of Cancer.
    - Take a pinch of turmeric in a glass of milk to have relief from cold and cough.
    - Take one gram of turmeric and gooseberry powder with water to decrease diabetic levels.

Coriander:-

    - Grind coriander seeds and leave them in boiled and cooled water for two hours. Drinking this 

       concoction helps in curing fevers.
    - Coriander leaves are good for mouth ulcers.
    - People suffering with disease should be given concoction of coriander powder and sugar.

Black Pepper:-

    - Rub pepper mixed with water on allergy pron areas to experience relief.
    - Pepper boiled in oil is good for joint pains.
    - Drinking a concoction of Black Pepper is good for cold, cough and fevers.

Garlic:-
 

    - Garlic removes fat from body. Prevents heart problems.
    - Roasting garlic cloves and having them with sugar helps relieve joint pains.
    - Helps in decreasing boils on skin.
    - Garlic gives relief to paralysed patients.

Seeds:-

    - Having 10 to 15 fenugreek seeds daily keeps daibetics in control.
    - Mothers will gain more milk
    - To have relief from pains after delivery fenugreek seeds are taken dry roasted with jaggery.
    - Fenugreek oil when applied gives relief from dandruff.
    - Feeding fenugreek seeds for kids keeps them in good health.

Ginger:-

    - Having a piece of ginger with salt before meals helps with indigestion problem.
    - Those who experience nausea during journeys are suggested to ginger juice which gives relief for 12 

       hours.
    - Adding ginger to tea decoration is good for health and is also tasty.
    - Ginger juice with lemon juice and two spoons of honeys when dank early in the morning keeps us     

       healthy.
 

Cumin:-
 

    - Cumin powder is good for ulcers in the intestines
    - Cumin gives relief from bloody stools.
    - Liver works better when you used minimum.