Wikileaks boomranged Congress in Gujarat Assembly

The opposition Congress party in Gujarat State assembly tried to raise the Wikileaks statement to disrupt the proceedings of the assembly on Wednesday. The Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil, at the beginning of the question and answer session, announced that the Congress has accessed a cable, released by the Wilileaks, of the US Consul General of Mumbai which said that there was a 'big ticket corruption' in Gujarat.

Speaker Ganpat Vasava agreed to grant time to Opposition to have a debate on the issue of leaked US cables after the question and answer session is over, Congress leaders were not satisfied and started raising anti-government slogans following the house was adjourned for an hour.

The Congress, later failed to provide the source of information to the reporters clearly losing the face on this act. The action was more to get some headlines to counter the news of praise of Modi in such a Wikileak message earlier this week.

In one of the leaked diplomatic cables accessed by The Hindu newspaper, Michael S. Owen, the US consul general in 2006, wrote to the US State Department that they might have to reassess the Gujarat chief minister, whose visa they revoked due to his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Owen also said that Modi has successfully branded himself as a non-corrupt, effective administrator, as a facilitator of business in a state with a deep commercial culture, and as a no-nonsense, law-and-order politician who looks after the interests of the Hindu majority. This news was given high publicity by certain section of local newspapers.

Traditioanl Colours for Holi

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The spring season, during which the weather changes, is believed to cause viral fever and cold. The playful throwing of natural coloured powders has a medicinal significance: the colours are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Āyurvedic doctors.



Pallash Flowers



A special drink called thandai is prepared (commonly made of almonds, pistachios, rose petals, etc.), sometimes containing bhang (Cannabis indica). For wet colours, traditional flowers of Palash are boiled and soaked in water over night to produced yellow coloured water, which also had medicinal properties. Unfortunately the commercial aspect of celebration has led to an increase in the use of synthetic colours which, in some cases, may be toxic.

This information on safe holi was recieved from Mr Shivshankar Dhondiyal Executive - Technical OG Corporation , Mumbai.

History of Holi

Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. Historians also believe that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India.

It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.

Calculating the Day of Holi

There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- 'purnimanta' and 'amanta'. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days.

According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasanta-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.

Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions

Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century.

The famous Muslim tourist - Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims.

Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals

The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water.

A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris.

There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictoral description of Holi. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with colored water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him.

Legends and Mythology :

In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning'. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap.

Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.

Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.

There are also a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil - lending a philosophy to the festival.

Indian Union Budget Highlights - 2011

Pranab Mukherjee failed to meet the expectations of the most middle class who is suffering from the uncontrolled inflation. He did not offer too much relief to individual taxpayers except raising income tax (I-T) exemption limit to Rs1.80 lakh from Rs1.60 lakh. There is no change in the tax exemption limit for women.

The age limit for senior citizens is lowered to 60 years from 65 years and also increased the I-T exemption limit to Rs2.50 lakh from Rs2.40 lakh. For every senior citizen aged 80 years and above, the income-tax exemption limit has been raised to Rs5 lakh.

Adding 1% excise duty on 130 commodities would further fuel the inflation. The worst in the speech was his comment on corruption, "Corruption we all have to face collectively".

- Direct taxes code will be effective from 01-04-2012

- States will be encouraged to agree on gst
- Individual tax limit raised to 1.80 lakhs
- No change in tax rates
- MAT raised to 18.5% from 18%
- Senior citizen age reduced to 60 years- exemption 2.50 lakhs
- New category of very senior citizen- 80 years or more- exemption Rs. 5 lakhs
- Surcharge on domestic companies reduced to 5% from 7.5%
- Exemptions under 80c- additional 20000.00 in infra bond will continue for one more year.
- Central excise rate maintained at 10%
- No change in service tax rate
- Service tax law will be rationalised
- New services introduced- hotel accomodation having 1000.00 or more room per day, restauraent service liquor, life insurance companies services in investment, legal serivces in arbitration etc.
- Rs.52057 crores are allocated for education sector
- New series of coins having new re. Symbol will be released
-  Rs. 500 crores will be infused in rural banking
- Service tax refund process will be simplified
- Two more CPC in Pune and Manesar
- New companies bill to be introduced in the current session
- Allocation for farm development hiked to 7860 cr.
- The momentum of disinvestment will be maintained
- Interest subvention for home loan hiked to 25 lacs
- FII investment limit in infra corp bond raised to $25 bn
- Govt. Will provide direct subsidy to people living below poverty line
- 15 more mega food parks will be setup
- Loan to minorities:- Target 15% of total loan to priority sector
- Health allocation up by 20%

Extravagance of Ambanis. Luxury Yatch and Airbus to please

RIL Chaiman Mukesh Ambani

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, India’s largest private sector conglomerate is said to have ordered a luxury yacht costing 20 million Euro

After owning this yacht Mukesh will join has placed Tina in an exclusive club of Gautam Singhania, liquor baron Vijay Mallya and Tina Ambani, who also own luxury yachts.



Dream Yatch of Big Brother



A famous French shipbuilder ship company and one from Monaco joined hands together to build this yacht with enormous dimensions... Its 58 meters long and 38 meters wide

Mukesh and his Younger brother Anil Ambani have entered into a race of extravagance. Giving the expensive gifts to the wives is a status symbol among the billionaires and both the brothers are competing to show – “My gift is larger than yours!”

Mukesh Ambani had gifted a private jet to his wife Nita Ambani on her 44th Birthday. It was an Airbus 319 worth of Rs.250 Crores (US $ 50 Million).

Anil's Gift to wife Tina Dec 2008

In less than a year time Anil Ambani, the younger brother gifted his wife Tina a super luxury yacht in Dec 2008. The cost is rumoured to be around US$84 million.

Named Tian - using first two letters of Tina and Anil, the yacht is anchored at Gateway of India, ready for the couple to usher. Tian was built in Genoa, Italy. It is 34 meters long

Big brother's yacht... is with a floor area of 3400 M2 (36600 Sq. feet.) with accomodation for 12 passengers and 20 crew members.

This is a "green" yacht. It use green energy for 20-30% fuel savings and 40-50% electricity consumption on board. Therefore it has 900M2 (9700 Sq. feet.) equipped with solar panels, producing a daily output of 500 kW.

Three decks, a 25 meter pool, a spa, a heli-pad, a 100M2 (1080 Sq. feet.) sauna, gym and massage room, a promenade of 130M2 (1400 Sq. feet.), a music room, a dining room, a cinema, sun decks, suites, terraces and a lounge. The luxury is at the ultimate level.

The decks are connected by stairs but there is also an elevator.

Owner's Bedroom

With an area of 200M2 (2150 Sq. feet.) it completely covers the third deck. This is the view of the bedroom and bathroom. The sea view is great and there is a private terrace of 25 meters length.

The yacht has the shape of a horseshoe and has a retracting glass solar panel roof... so everything is bathed in a sea of light

On the lower deck are the common premises, such as lounge, piano bar and dining area. The dining room opens onto the sea view.

For the guests.. 5 suites with sea views situated on the middle deck. There is also a reading room/lounge. In billionaire's economics these luxuries are basic need. A need to pacify envy quotient of the wife.