Tuesday 23 December 2008

Do you the difference between ‘Data’ and ‘Information’.?



Both Information and Data are types of knowledge that we use to understand things.

Information is the knowledge we obtain from investigation or communication.

For example: If you want to join gym during your holidays, you will collect the information about their timings, fees and their rules of conduct.

Data is the reliable information which is based on observation and record keeping.

For example; Scientists collect data before making new observations or experiments.

Data can exist in a variety of forms -- as numbers or text on pieces of paper, or as facts stored in a person's mind.

In the electronic world, Data exists as bits and bytes stored in electronic memory.

Strictly speaking, data is the plural of datum, a single piece of information. In practice, however, people use data as both the singular and plural form of the word.

Monday 27 October 2008

Do you get confused with ......"Its” and "It's”?



You are not alone. Many more people get confused too. But if you understand the difference between these two words,"it" and "its", then you will always be able to use it correctly.

You must remember that the possessive form of "it" is, "its"

For example you can write

The airlines cancelled its early flight to Mumbai.

We saw a new film but its story is same like the one we saw the last week.


You can notice that

“its" is a possessive pronoun in much the same way as "his" or "her".

So remember

"Its" is a possessive pronoun and will generally appear before a noun (exceptions may arise due to certain sentence constructions)

On the other hand

"It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has"

Its place in the sentence will always be replaceable by one of the two full forms.

For example

It's really very thoughtful of you

It's a wonder to me she comes along as well as she does.

So you see that

In these sentences, replacing "it's" with "it is" does not change the meaning of the sentence.

Would you like to write few more sentences with these words and explore the difference so that you are never confused again? Maybe you could read a magazine and see these words there and learn the difference.

I am sure you will never be confused again. Never ever

Friday 24 October 2008

What if, we could go for holidays to the moon?



But wait, will the moon be as friendly as it looks from our bedroom window?



We will be able to know that very soon. This Wednesday, India launched its first unmanned spacecraft to orbit the moon. The spacecraft will not actually land on the moon, though it is supposed to send a small “impactor” probe to the surface.

The launching of Chandrayaan-1, as the vehicle is called — roughly translated as Moon Craft-1 — comes about a year after China’s first moon mission.

Chandrayaan-1 is launched from a research station in Sriharikota, a barrier island off the coast of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, in South of India.

The Indian mission is scheduled to last two years, and do you know what it will do?

It will create a three- dimensional atlas of the moon and prospect its surface for natural resources, including uranium, a coveted fuel for nuclear power plants

The maiden Indian lunar voyage is carrying two NASA devices, one to assess mineral resources on the moon and the other to look for ice deposits in its polar regions.

The two-year mission of Chandrayaan-I to map the lunar surface and investigate its surface properties will advance knowledge about the Moon’s history and evolution, and inform future exploration decisions by characterizing the content of the lunar soil



There is newfound interest by other “world powers” to expend new found wealth on space travel and exploration.

In Space.com Paul Spurdis a space scientist at Johns Hopkins University Applies Physics Lab says that most of these countries are flying lunar missions to “get their feet wet” in planetary exploration. He says that with the new equipment and technology more and higher quality data will be important to asses potential resources on the moon which he says will be “a critical enabler to permanent human presence.”

So are we going to dance on the moon? Maybe we will, the moon sits only about 1/4 million miles away from our window.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/

Thursday 2 October 2008

Let us learn a new word – Imagination

Imagination can make you write many stories

Imagination is a Noun.


It means the formation of a mental image of something that is not present to the senses.

Imagination can create a world of demons and can reveal the world like we want it to be.

Imagination is creativity, vision, invention, ingenuity, enterprise, insight, inspiration, wit, originality, inventiveness, resourcefulness

Adjective of imagination is i•mag i•na tion•al

Can you write few sentences on ´imagination´ and pin it up on your clipboard?

Tuesday 30 September 2008

A custom made small car on wheels


Most of the children spend their free time on the computer playing virtual games. But do you know it is more fun to play outside in the park or in the plaza.
You can even make some toys yourself from odds and ends and surprise your friends.This Sunday, when I went to the park that is close to my house, I saw many children doing just that!Children were busy making things that you don’t normally see in the market.
There was a fair in the park where children were taught to make the toys like those made in good old daysSandra is a nine year old girl. She is very fond of making things of art and craft. She helps her mom at home too. I saw her in the park this Sunday.Sandra was busy making a car from wires and tins and bamboos.She took an empty fish can, inserted holes into its sides, attached the small rubber wheels and used wires to join it to a long bamboo stick.As she wheeled away her toy in the park, other kids were surprised with her new handmade toy.

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Little Brother who likes to snoop


If I give binoculars to you, what will you do?

I am sure all children love to watch scenes through their binoculars. They love to see far off things that cannot be seen clearly with naked eye. Sometimes you can see the close-ups of those tiny birds up on the tree, you can see the delicate veins of the flowers and leaves, and you can also see the details of most dangerous animals from the comfort of your car.

Do you know you can also make money by using your binoculars wisely?

Britain is employing children as young as eight years old to “snoop” on their neighbours and report petty offences such as littering. The youngsters are among almost 5,000 residents who in some cases are being offered £500 rewards if they provide evidence of minor infractions.

One in six councils contacted by the Telegraph said they had signed up teams of “environment volunteers” who are being encouraged to photograph or video neighbours guilty of dog fouling, littering or “bin crimes”.

The “covert human intelligence sources”, as some local authorities describe them, are also being asked to pass on the names of neighbours they believe to be responsible, or take down their number-plates.

Ealing Council in West London told The Telegraph: “There are hundreds of Junior street watchers, aged 8-10 years old, who are trained to identify and report environ-crime issues such as graffiti and fly-tipping.”

What is interesting is that some are assigned James Bond-style code numbers, which they use instead of their real names when they ring a special informer’s hotline.

Hopefully the crime on the streets will reduce when the young bosses are watching. Don’t you think so?

Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/

Tuesday 2 September 2008

Happy days are here again, with Lord Ganesha.


Click on the picture to enlarge

Lord Ganesha is the favourite Lord of Mumbai, Now for next eleven days, you will enjoy the visit of Lord Ganesha in your town and eat lots of Prasad and enjoy with your family and friends, singing bhajans, doing aartis and dancing to Bollywood music

Do you know the story of His birth and how He came to have the head of an elephant?

Once upon a time, the Goddess Gauri (consort of Lord Shiva), was having a bath. She removed the mud of her body and created Ganesha.

She placed Him near the entrance of the house and told Him not to allow any body into the house while she was in the bath.

Very soon, Lord Shiva returned home but he was stopped at the door by Ganesha because He thought that Lord Shiva was an outsider.

Lord Shiva was very thirsty and tired and he was in no mood for any jokes. He warned Ganesha to move away, but still Ganesh was very adamant.

Lord Shiva got angry and chopped off Ganesha´s head.

When Gauri came to know of this, she was very, very sad. Now Lord Shiva was feeling very sorry too.

He called His servant and told him to cut off and bring to him the head of any creature that was sleeping with his head facing north.

His servant went on mission and found only one elephant that was sleeping in that position.

He chopped off the elephant’s head and brought it to lord Shiva.

The Lord then joined the elephant’s head to the body of Ganesha. He then blessed Him with extraordinary powers

Lord Shiva made His son worthy of worship at the beginning of all undertakings, marriages, expeditions, studies, etc.

He ordained that the annual worship of Ganesha should take place on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapada.

Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and His help nothing whatsoever can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without His support, Grace or blessing.

The following are some of the common Names of Lord Ganesha: Dhoomraketu, Sumukha, Ekadantha, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vignaraja, Ganadhyaksha, Phalachandra, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vakratunda, Siddhivinayaka, Surpakarna, Heramba, Skandapurvaja, Kapila and Vigneshwara. He is also known by many as Maha-Ganapathi.

Now let us join our hands and chant

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
Mata Teri Parvati, Pita Maha Deva.

Wednesday 30 July 2008

Leatherback sea turtle


Leatherbacks are the biggest sea turtles on Earth, with some weighing in at more than 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms). "They can be the size of your kitchen table," says Lisa Bailey of Conservation International. They're also ancient—leatherbacks have lived on Earth for about 100 million years.

But today they're in trouble. At sea, turtles can get tangled in fishing nets or suffocate on drifting plastic bags, which they mistake for jellyfish. On the beach, bright lights from hotels and houses sometimes confuse both adult females coming ashore to lay their eggs and hatchlings trying to find their way to the ocean.

These and other problems have caused Pacific leatherback sea turtle populations to drop by 90 percent over the past 20 years. "If we don't do something, they'll be gone in ten years," said Bullis Charter School student Talliya Smith, 11. Smith helped release hatchlings and excavate leatherback nests with her classmates at Playa Grande in Costa Rica.

The migrating leatherbacks swim more than 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) south to the waters around the Galápagos. Some go even farther south to the colder waters off Chile. Cruising at a rate of more than 43 miles (70 kilometers) per day, they make the trip in about two or three weeks. Once they arrive, the turtles dive to depths of more than 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) in search of jellyfish and other food. In four years, when the turtles are ready to nest again, they'll return to Costa Rica, says sea turtle expert James Spotila.
Source :http://kids.nationalgeographic.com

Saturday 5 July 2008

Are you a star gazer?...watch the skies for some nice view.....

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! As the summer heats up for the northern hemisphere and the winter cools down the southern, we're in for interesting celestial scenery over the next few days. No special equipment is needed - only your eyes and the knowledge of knowing where and when to look….Get out your binoculars and have a look. Even the youngest SkyWatcher will easily be able to find Mars!


During the evenings of July 9 through 11, watch how the faster-moving Mars closely interacts with the much slower Saturn. Despite the difference in brightness, they still should make for a rather eye-catching pair in the western twilight glow about an hour after sundown. On July 9, Mars is situated about one degree below Saturn. On the 10th, they are closest together, separated by 0.7 degree; Mars now appears just below and to the left of Saturn. On the 11th, Mars has moved noticeably farther away to Saturn's left.




On the universal date of Sunday, June 8, 2008 the Red Planet - Mars - and the Moon had made a splendid showing for all. For most of us, Mars and the earthshine Moon will only be separated by about a degree, but for lucky observers in New Zealand, this was an occultation event! While the Phoenix mission is still making big news, use this opportunity to do some public astronomy outreach. Point the pair out in the sky to someone and tell what you know. Around 40 years has elapsed since humankind has first visited one - and then the other. How did our original expeditions to the Moon lead scientists to develop ever better instruments for remote study? How has our exploratory spacecraft evolved?

If you think that's cool… Then stay tuned when the Moon, Saturn and Regulus team up in the night sky. To the unaided eye, the trio will make a lovely triangle with the Ringed Planet and the Little King situated to the north of Selene. Again, it's a great time to do some public outreach! Point a telescope Saturn's way. Titan - Saturn's largest moon - is visibly bright and can be seen in even small telescopes. Explain how our original fly-bys and landings on our own Moon led us on to explore a moon on a distant world! What did we find on Titan? How can it compare to what we discovered on the Moon and Mars?

Don't forget Regulus, either. The light you see from it on this night would have left roughly in 1931 - long before expeditions to the Moon, Saturn and Mars were even dreamed of. At about three and a half times more massive than our own Sol, Regulus is one hot customer when it comes to spin rate. Revolving completely on its axis in a little less than 16 hours, oblate Regulus would fly apart if it were moving any faster! Even though it's been around for a few million years, Regulus isn't alone, either. The "Little King" is a multiple star system composed of a hot, bright, bluish-white star with a pair of small, faint companions.

Interestingly, when we combine the motions of Earth, Mars and Saturn, we find that the interval between conjunctions of Mars and Saturn average about every 2 years and 20 days. The last time Mars and Saturn got together was June 17, 2006. Their next meeting is set for July 30, 2010.

Even if you only use your eyes, the next few days are a great opportunity to share what you love and know with others… Enjoy!

Moon Occulting Mars Image - Credit: Ron Dantowitz, Clay Center Observatory at Dexter and Southfield Schools. Saturn and Titan - Credit: Casinni/NASA. Regulus vs. the Sun - Wenjin Huang, space.com/graphics


source: http://www.universetoday.com/

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

A new Bollywood film for kids

It is the story of four naughty kids who are put up in Ranvir’s (Saif Ali) house when their parents are killed in an accident due to carelessness of Ranvir. The court gives a verdict of being the guardian of the four orphans of the dead couple and he is asked to take care of them until the youngest of them becomes an adult.


Children don’t like Ranvir, nor does Ranvir like the kids. The children are unhappy and pray to God for help. The good God(Rishi Kapoor) takes himself the trouble of sending his favorite fairy, Geeta (Rani Mukerjee), to go to the world and make peace between children and Ranvir.


She comes down on earth, cycling on a rainbow and makes friendship between Ranvir and kids. There are some interesting scenes where fairy turns the boring National Museum into a magical, living theatre of history and also the scenes where Geeta surprises children with her magic.

‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’ is the movie for kids who love the world of magic.

Wednesday 2 July 2008

Turtle at Juhu Beach in Mumbai


was found wounded and was rescued by Society for prevention of Cruelty. Its front limb was bitten off by a fish and it lay on the beach for at least a couple of days... it is now recovering.....after being given antibiotics and multivitamins.

Source:epaper.hindisthantimes.com

Saturday 21 June 2008

Seasons...A story


There was an Indian Chief who had four sons.He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.So he sent them each on a quest, in turn,to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.


The first son went in the Winter, the second in the Spring,the third in Summer, and the youngest son in the Fall.


When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.


The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.


The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise.


The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet
and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.


The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit,
full of life and fulfillment.


The Chief then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.


He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season.


And that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.


If you give up when it's Winter,you will miss the promise of Spring, the beauty of Summer,and the fulfillment of Fall.

Moral of the story:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Monday 16 June 2008

How Mullah Nasruddin Won The Bet?


On a frigid and snowy winter day Mullah Nasruddin was having a chat with some of his friends in the local coffee house. Mullah Nasruddin said that cold weather did not bother him, and in fact, he could stay, if necessary, all night without any heat.

"We'll take you up on that, Mullah Nasruddin" they said. "If you stand all night in the village square without warming yourself by any external means, each of us will treat you to a sumptuous meal. But if you fail to do so, you will treat us all to dinner." "All right it's a bet," Mullah Nasruddin said.

That very night, Mullah Nasruddin stood in the village square till morning despite the bitter cold. In the morning, he ran triumphantly to his friends and told them that they should be ready to fulfill their promise.

"But as a matter of fact you lost the bet, Mullah Nasruddin," said one of them. "At about midnight, just before I went to sleep, I saw a candle burning a window about three hundred yards away from where you were standing. That certainly means that you warmed yourself by it."

"That's ridiculous," Mullah Nasruddin argued. "How can a candle behind a window warm a person three hundred yards away?" All his protestations were to no avail, and it was decided that Mullah Nasruddin had lost the bet.

Mullah Nasruddin accepted the verdict and invited all of them to a dinner that night at his home. They all arrived on time, laughing and joking; anticipating the delicious meal Mullah Nasruddin was going to serve them. But dinner was not ready. Mullah Nasruddin told them that it would be ready in a short time, and left the room to prepare the meal.

A long time passed, and still no dinner was served. Finally, getting impatient and very hungry, they went into the kitchen to see if there was any food cooking at all. What they saw, they could not believe. Mullah Nasruddin was standing by a huge cauldron, suspended from the ceiling. There was a lighted candle under the cauldron.

"Be patient my friends," Mullah Nasruddin told them. "Dinner will be ready soon. You see it is cooking." "Are you out of your mind, Mullah Nasruddin?" they shouted. How could you with such a tiny flame boil such a large pot?

"Your ignorance of such matters amuses me," Mullah Nasruddin said. "If the flame of a candle behind a window three hundred yards away can warm a person, surely the same flame will boil this pot which is only three inches away."

The friend's understood what Mullah meant and accepting their treachery the friends declared Mullah as the winner of the bet and treated him with a sumptuous meal.

Source: (Mullah Nasruddin Stories): http://living.oneindia.in/

Thursday 12 June 2008

Good Night

By Pushpa Moorjani


(Sing to the tune of
"I am little teapot, short and stout)

I want to go to sleep at night
Please don’t disturb me
Just put off the lights
If I sleep well
Then, I am fine
I’ll get up in the morning
Fresh and bright

I will dress tomorrow in colors bright
And go to school in a trendy style
Just let me rest
You, too, sleep well tonight
It is quite late,come on, kiss me
‘Goodnight’.

Friday 6 June 2008

Vismayas Max's Summer Camp..Films made for children by children



Tick tick tick’ by Sarath, ‘Bee forestation’ by Elsa, ‘Scarecrow returns’ by Arjun, ‘Honeymoon ambulance’ by Shilpa Sivaraman, ‘Thirsty Toons’ by Shikha Sivaraman, ‘Every dog has a day’ by Swetha Panampally, ‘Global warming’ by Nikhita Jayakumar and ‘Legend of the Milkyway’ by Anandhan.

These are the films made by children with themes ranging from short stories, deforestation, global warming, water conservation to environmental pollution figure
The story, screenplay, direction, layout, animation and storyboard of the films, each lasting one minute, had been done solely by the children. The technical support was provided by noted caricaturist Banerjee and animator Deepak Raju of Vismayas Max.


Renowned actor Mohanlal's Thrivandrum-based Vismayas Max Animation Academy and Studios is conducting a 45-day summer camp for children under the age of 15 years. The participants are being trained in the basics of 2D classical animation besides being briefed on 3D animation. Nine children, who have been specially selected are working on short films with the help of professional animators. The camp was inaugurated on April 16, 2008 by leading South Indian actor Bharath Suresh Gopi.

The style and approach adopted by the children surprised the experts in the field, according to academy director K.D. Shibhu.

Given the enthusiasm of the kids, Vismayas Max plans to involve them in their own production activities including dubbing and conception of new projects.

All the eight films will be marketed internationally. Mr. Mohanal will inaugurate the first screening of the films in June.

The animation academy has also plans to introduce the films in CDs.

Saturday 17 May 2008

Bhoot Nath a Bollywood film for kids



Here is the movie for kids that you are sure to enjoy. After seeing this movie, no child will ever be afraid of ghosts. It is the story of little boy called BANKU and his friendship with the ghost whom he calls Angel.

Banku and his family move in to their new house -- the Nath villa, unaware of the fact that the house is inhabited by a ghost. It is learnt the ghost is not too happy with his new housemates. But what the ghost is not prepared for is his unlikely friendship with Banku.

Banku and the ghost have lots of fun and there is comedy. The bearded and grizzled ghost is perplexed at first—no matter what he tries, the kid either finds it funny or manages to con him. When Nath disappears, Banku thinks it's hide-and-seek (or, perhaps, hide-and-Seek). Eventually, Banku wears him down, and soon Nath becomes the grandfather Banku never had. When a bit of roughhousing results in a near-tragedy, that cements things between the two—although had it gone fully into tragedy, this might have been a more interesting and original story.


Banku must uncover the reason why his ghostly friend is stuck and help him to attain salvation.

This is the film which only kids will enjoy...so go see it with your friends...

TO ENJOY THIS MOVIE, VISIT http://bhoothnath.erosentertainment.com/flash.html

Sunday 4 May 2008

World Migratory Bird Day


World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global initiative devoted to celebrating the beauty of migrating birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide. This year WMBD will take place on the weekend of 10-11 May

Climate change has severe consequences for the nomads of the skies: it causes the loss of essential bird habitats, changes migration patterns and increases the competition for food between migrating birds and residents. The goal of WMBD 2007 was to try to focus world attention on the plight of migratory birds and to highlight the way they are being affected by climate change in the same way as all living things.

The theme for this year’s celebration is Migratory Birds - Ambassadors for Biodiversity.

Birds are some of the best indicators for the status and trends of wider biodiversity. They are important for monitoring changes in the environment, as they are inhabitants of virtually all ecosystems in the world.

Many sites - identified as important for birds - host numerous other threatened species of plants and animals. Therefore areas essential for birds represent hot spots for other biodiversity as well.

All through their annual cycle, migratory birds cross many countries and continents, some of them from the tundra to the tropics, linking different ecosystems. By conserving them and their environment we ensure the conservation of biodiversity on a wider scale.


To become a truly global initiative, WMBD needs the support of bird enthusiasts around the world: Take action! Organise activities on 10-11 May that are linked to birds and encourage bird conservation, increase awareness through bird watching excursions, bird rallies, educational programmes or public events.

So what do you plan to do? will you be watcing the birds?

source:http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

Friday 2 May 2008

The Tale Of A Tail: Why Humans Do Not Have Tails

In the land of Old Uvai,
In the Ngoro Ngoro forest,
Lived a nasty naughty boy,
Who was never at a rest.

His name was Konoo-Monoo,
He lived upon a Dhonoo,
He ate mongongo nuts
And ripe chamanchaputs.

He was fond of irritating,
Whoever slept a wink
For if he saw you sleeping,
He would tickle you pink.

He had a proud, long tail,
A really long, long tail,
All humans then had tails, you see,
But them they lost 'em.
How?
Just see!

He washed his tail with water,
He thought it very fine.
He said, “everyone oughter,
Have a Tail like mine!”

Huma the Head-Elephant,
Said, “Do not be arrogant,
Now mind my sound advice,
Lest you be cursed thrice!”

“Once cursed you may be,
A second you may catch,
But if it comes to three,
Your tail shall detach!”

But Konoo-Monoo giggled,
He tickled and he jiggled,
He said, “Hoof”, he said, “Hoff”,
And quickly scampered off!

He sat upon his Dhonoo,
And ate chamanchaputs.
So naughty was young Konoo
Full of mongongo nuts.

He saw Donkey Dee sleeping
And went up to her creeping
He took her tail, And he
Tied it to the Slonkey-Tree.

When Donkey Dee woke up,
She could not move an inch,
Konoo-Monoo strode up,
And gave her a big pinch!

Donkey Dee was very cross,
She said, “This is so gross.
So this cannot become worse,
I put on you this curse:”

“Llama llama lloy,
And gamma gamma goff,
You nasty naughty boy,
May your tail come off!”

But Konoo-Monoo giggled,
He tickled and he jiggled,
He said, “Hoof”, he said, “Hoff”,
And quickly scampered off!

He sat upon his Dhonoo,
And ate chamanchaputs.
So naughty was young Konoo
Full of mongongo nuts.

In a tree called Budapest,
Parrot Pot had built a nest,
With a lot of care and love,
In a big hole high above.

Upto her nest once stole,
Konoo the horrid blight,
He poked his tail into the hole
And gave her chicks a fright!

The little chicks were crying,
And Parrot Pot came flying,
She pecked him and she chased him,
And thus loudly she cursed him:

“Llama llama lloy,
And gamma gamma goff,
You nasty naughty boy,
May your tail come off!”

But Konoo-Monoo giggled,
He tickled and he jiggled,
He said, “Hoof”, he said, “Hoff”,
And quickly scampered off!

He sat upon his Dhonoo,
And ate chamanchaputs.
So naughty was young Konoo
Full of mongongo nuts.

Once he saw Turtle Tell,
Under the Dingley-Dell,
He thought he'd joke a little,
And turn the turtle turtle.

He climbed into the Dingley,
He looped his tail a whittle,
He swung down like a monkey,
And turned Turtle Tell turtle!

Turtle Tell lay on the ground,
Till Huma turned him round,
And through his terrible pain,
He spoke the curse again:

“Llama llama lloy,
And gamma gamma goff,
You nasty naughty boy,
May your tail come off!”

But Konoo-Monoo giggled,
He tickled and he jiggled,
He said, “Hoof”, he said, “Hoff”,
And quickly scampered off!

He sat upon his Dhonoo,
And ate chamanchaputs.
So naughty was young Konoo
Full of mongongo nuts.

Huma the Head-Elephant,
Said, “You've been very arrogant,
You heard not sound advice,
Now you are cursed thrice!”

“Once cursed have you been,
A second did you catch,
A third too you have seen,
Now watch your tail detach!”

He turned around in horror,
And watched his tail in terror,
Llama lloy and gamma goff,
His tail really came off!

Donkey Dee brayed out big,
Parrot Pot screeched in joy,
Turtle Tell danced a jig,
All of them booed the boy.

They booed him in the morning,
They said, “Now heed this learning.”
They booed him in the night,
And then put him to flight.

He left his favoured Dhonoo.
He left his mongongo nuts.
Poor tailless Konoo-Monoo
Left his chamanchaputs.

His children and their children,
Have not had tails since then.
All because of that one!
And now my friends, I'm done.

Tuesday 29 April 2008

French Toast recipe



This Sunday, you can give a surprise to your mom. Volunteer to help your mom in the kitchen. You could make a breakfast.

Seriously, French toast is the most simple and easy breakfast to make, it is faster too

All you will need is
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 slices thick stable bread
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract,
almond extract or rum flavoring

once you have the ingredients, all you have to do is
Beat eggs, milk, salt and extract or flavoring. Dip bread into this mixture. Cook on a greased griddle.
Serve with syrup, jelly or honey.

These are good buttered, sprinkled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
So, Can I come over for breakfast this Sunday? Huh?

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Remember to go green on this Earth day



What can one person do to help stop global warming? A lot! Our “carbon footprint” is the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from our normal daily activities. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming. Leaving the water running while you brush your teeth, having Mom or Dad drive you to school instead of walking and throwing out a paper cup after one use, are bad for the environment.

Here Are 10 Things You Can Do to Help Stop Global Warming:
1.Change a light
Replace a regular bulb with a more energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulb.

2. Drive less
Walk, bike, use public transportation like a subway, bus or even car pool. Talk to your parents about considering a hybrid, or alternative fuel vehicle. And keep your tires inflated properly. It can improve gas mileage by more than 3%.

3. Recycle more
Think before you throw away trash. Recycle instead. Cut down on how much you throw in the trash, which ultimately ends up in a landfill. And be sure to take e-waste, like computers, cell phones and hazardous waste to a special recycling facility.

4. Avoid products with a lot of packaging
When it comes to your shopping habits, consider buying products that are better for the environment or that are made from recycled materials, and have less or no packaging. And when it comes to food, support local farmers markets.

5. Use less hot water
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Install a low flowing shower head and wash a full load of clothes in cold or warm water.

6. Adjust your thermostat
Moving your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer can save a lot of energy. And ask your parents if your local utility company offers alternative power. If so, consider switching.

7. Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

8. Turn off electronic devices
Simply turning off your TV, DVD player, stereo, and unplugging your iPod and cell phone charger when not in use, will save you thousands of pounds of CO2 a year.

9. Spread the word
Talk to your friends, family and school teachers. Teach them what you've learned and make your house and school as green as possible. Think of ways to raise awareness & educate others, create fund-raisers in your local community to make a change.

10. Go Green
Work to make these changes in your daily life so it becomes second nature.

Source: http://www.timeforkids.com/

Saturday 12 April 2008

Jokes for kids


Q: what sound do porcupines make when they kiss?
A: Ouch
Q: what did one fish say to the other?
A: if you keep your mouth closed you will not get caught.

Q: why are fish so smart?
A: because they live in schools.

Q: what is the longest word in the dictionary?
A: the word smiles because there is a mile between each s.

Q: who earns a living driving their customers away?
A: a taxi driver.

Q: what do you get when you cross a dog with an elephant?
A: a very nervous postman.

(by Mathew Curbelo)


Q:What has 5 eyes and is lying on the water?
A:Mississippi River
Q:Which states are good for laughing?
A:Idahohoho, Hohohowaii, Ohahahaio, and Oklahohohoma

Q:Where do the pianists go for vacation?
A:Florida Keys

Q:Where do married women go?
A:Mississippi

Q:What do the blanket say to the bed?
A:You are under cover

Q:What do the little people ride?
A:mini van

Q:What is snake's favorite subject?
A:Hiss - tory

(All from Carol, age 11)

source: http://www.bconnex.net/

DO YOU HAVE JOKE TO SHARE...snd me a message....

Wednesday 9 April 2008

Have you seen a dog pray?



Well dogs are smarters these day.They have Zen mind, puppy mind, they dont just watch...they imitate too....

At a Zen Buddhist temple in southern Japan, even the dog prays.
Mimicking his master, priest Joei Yoshikuni, a 1 1/2-year-old black-and-white Chihuahua named Conan joins in the daily prayers at Naha's Shuri Kannondo temple, sitting up on his hind legs and putting his front paws together before the altar.
It took him only a few days to learn the motions, and now he is the talk of the town.

"Word has spread, and we are getting a lot more tourists," Yoshikuni said Monday.
Yoshikuni said Conan generally goes through his prayer routine at the temple in the capital of Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture (state) without prompting before his morning and evening meals.

"I think he saw me doing it all the time and got the idea to do it, too," Yoshikuni said.

The priest is now trying to teach him how to meditate.
Well, sort of.
"Basically, I am just trying to get him to sit still while I meditate," he explained. "It's not like we can make him cross his legs."

Now do you believe that dog is man's best friend?

source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

Tuesday 8 April 2008

Tired of carrying heavy bag of books to school everyday?

There is some one out there who cares for you and is aware that your shoulders pain when you carry weight of heavy books to school every day.

Hewlett-Packard Co, the No.1 seller of personal computers worldwide, said Monday it’s throwing its weight behind a new class of miniaturized laptops

The machines are so new the industry has not settled on a name for low-cost and scaled-down laptops used primarily for surfing the Internet and performing other basic functions like word processing.

Intel has labeled them “netbooks,” and it expects more than 50 million netbooks to be in circulation by 2011.

HP’s foray comes in the form of a new computer called a “Mini-Note” that weighs less than 1.4 kilograms with a screen that measures 22.6 centimeters diagonally.

Now wouldn’t that be nice, just carrying a mini-note to school?

Source: http://www.livemint.com/

Saturday 29 March 2008

दोहा

बोझ ढोते दर्द जो रोए, चादर ओढे सोए |
रामेश देखो चींटी को, काज कैसे होए ||

Translation:-

When carrying loads if you cry,
If you feel like curling up to sleep,
Raamesh says to look at the ant
and learn how work is done.

Monday 24 March 2008

Sikh boy, all alone, in a strange country.....



Gurinder Singh is a nine year old boy who was found abandoned at a clinic in the locality, in London. He does not speak English, but with the help of an interpreter, he said that he was left at a bus stop in Southhall by his ‘White’ uncle, whose name he does not know.

He says that he stayed with his ‘white’ uncle in a three-bedroom house. He had traveled by bus to Southall, where his uncle left him. He then walked into the clinic and sat watching TV, until the staff realized that he was all alone.

The sikh community is looking after him and feel that Gurinder may have been intentionally abandoned by his family in the hope of a better life for the boy in Britian.

Police are investigating whether Gurinder is the victim of child trafficking. Gurrinder speaks only Punjabi but told police he had been in the country for up to three years. Police are hoping and appealing his uncle to come forward. The child is now being looked after by social services until his family can be found.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/

Friday 21 March 2008

Holi..the colorful festival of India....

If you want to have fun for this Holi festival then it is better to take precautions while playing with colors.



The chemicals that colors contain, are harmful to the skin and can cause irritation. It is better that we use natural colors such as turmeric, beet root or henna. More important we must close our eyes while putting colors. Just throwing only water is also a good idea. You just want to have fun.. Right? Playing with only water can be fun too. Some children enjoying throwing water balloons at each other. But we have to be careful too…..We don't wish to hurt anybody. Right?



Holi is the festival of colors. It is the festival of fun and frolic. We play with colors and we also burn a huge fire, one evening before the actual day, when all the neighbors and friends come and pray together. But do you know the story behind it? The story of evil demon king called Hiranyakashipu who was very proud and arrogant?

Well, this king Hiranyakashipu used to think that he was very powerful one in the world. He used to tell everybody to worship him and used to get angry with any body who would worship Lord Vishnu. But, his own son Prahlad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and that made King Hiranyakashipu very, very angry. He told his sister, Hoilka, to get rid of Prahlad.

Now Holika had a magic blanket, which she would wrap around herself and be protected from fire. She wrapped herself with this magic blanket and took Prahlad in her lap and sat in the middle of the bonfire. However, little Prahlad was continuously praying to his Lord Vishnu. Suddenly, there was a strong breeze, the magic blanket that was protecting Holika blew from her shoulders and covered Prahlad. Holika was taken by surprise because it was she who got burnt and died, while Prahlad was saved because he was covered with the magic blanket.

Thus he was saved because of his devotion to Lord Vishnu. Later, Lord Vishnu took Narsimha avatar and killed the evil king too.



So, every year, we burn a bonfire on Holi, to remember that one should always be good, believe in God, and should always be careful of fire. Image source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/

Tuesday 18 March 2008

Thanksgiving

My parents - theirs are the hands that I hold to stand up.
My school - what I am is because of my teachers.
My doctor - he instills in me faith in human nature.
My peers – they tell me what my place is.
My friends - they are the sunshine that surrounds me.
My dog - he has taught me compassion for all life.
My city and community - they give me an identity.
My country - its love of freedom gives me my voice.
flowers and birds and butterflies - they fill my world with beauty.

My creator – who gave me the gift of words.

Words to sorrow in.
Words to rejoice in.
Words to say thanks in.

Monday 17 March 2008

Badli and Windy

by Pushpa Moorjani



"Whoosh! Swoosh! Oh what fun! I love you, Windy! Do you love me? Show!" said Badli, a young cumulus cloud, as she waved a tail of her fluffy white body against the blowing wind.

Badli loved the mischievous but gentle wind. She gave a deep belly laugh each time Windy blew furiously against Badli's soft face. Then Windy would take Badli on a piggy-ride, and swing her left and right, up and down, and in all the directions of the sky.



From morning till night, Windy and Badli played together, high up in the sky, above the rivers, and the mountains and the gardens and the flowers. Together, they watched the birds sing and the trees dance. They loved to watch the waters glide gracefully through the narrow valleys between the hills and slide down the rocks on the pebbles, following the rivers to meet the blue sea.

They gurgled and smiled at the stars and the moon. During daytime, they played hide and seek and hid behind the rainbow. They were the best of friends and they were very, very happy in each other's company.

One wet day, Windy asked Badli to follow her and meet some of their other friends. But Badli was getting very tired. She could not keep pace with Windy. She had put on lots of weight and she was finding it very, very difficult to run as fast as Windy could.

"Wait for me, Windy!" She said, "Please wait for me, slow down, I cannot run as fast as you can."

Windy slowed down to look at her friend.

"Can you take me on your back? I want a piggy-ride. Please." Said Badli

Windy tried to help her but she could hardly lift her. Badli was too heavy to go far on a piggy-ride with Windy. Her friend could not take her for a long distance, so they decided to play in a smaller area of the sky.

"Whoosh! Swoosh! Oh what fun! I love you, Windy! Do you love me? Show!" said Badli

"Whoosh! Swoosh! Oh what fun! I love you, Badli! Do you love me? Show!" said Windy

And they both laughed together, loudly, very loudly, jumping up and down, swinging from left to right, clapping, and somersaulting round and round, up and down, left and right, and in all the direction in the sky.

Suddenly, Badli knocked against a big mountain.

SSSSSSSSSSSSplash!

Badli broke her head.

"Oooh! Blup! Blup! Blup! Blup!" Said Badli, and water started dripping onto the mountain.

"Whoosh! Swoosh! Badli! Badli!" shouted Windy.

But Badli did not reply.

Windy turned towards the mountain. She watched the little cloud melt away. Water slid down rocks onto the pebbles in small streams, flowed gracefully through the narrow valleys and into the rivers, to meet the great blue sea.

Windy walked slowly down to the sea and blew against the waves of the sea and went…..

Whoosh!

Swoosh!

Oh what fun!

Do you hear me Badli?

Do you love me?

Show!

A small white arm waved at her from the sea and flipped a handful of spray into the air. Windy caught it and blew it higher. She could still play with her friend!

And she gently blew over the sea, teasing the waves.

Monday 10 March 2008

Signature campaign to save tiger


Laws protecting the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger have failed to prevent tiger body parts being offered on open sale in Indonesia.

The survey conservatively estimates that 23 tigers were killed to supply the products seen, based on the number of canine teeth on sale.

Tiger body parts, including canine teeth, claws, skin pieces, whiskers and bones, were on sale in 10 percent of the 326 retail outlets surveyed during 2006 in 28 cities and towns across Sumatra. Outlets included goldsmiths, souvenir and traditional Chinese medicine shops, and shops selling antique and precious stones.

We have to save the Tiger from extinction or there will be no Tigers left in the future.



As part of the `save tiger campaign’ being organized by the NDTV across the country, the TV channel is collecting signatures for a mass petition at the Museum Compound

The mass petition would be submitted to the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers in defense of the Great Indian Tiger, according to a statement.

The campaign stall will be put up near the main entrance of the zoo. Those who wish to join this campaign may put their signatures on the register kept at the stall.

More details on Tiger can be found in the earlier post Here

My Published Books for Kids

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