Category: Information

Never leave undivided real property to joint beneficiaries


Was going through an article on financial planning where in most of the points were redundant and contained what every financial planner would say. But this one point caught my attention and I firmly believe in this point and wanted to share it with my readers. As I’ve seen many family feud happened because of the below said reason;

Lots of things are more important than money. Family is probably at the top of the list. If you want a vicious family feud on your hands, breaking this rule would be a great place to start.

Imagine a farm that gets left to four sons: One has farmed it for 20 years; one is an environmentalist and wants it to be a park; one is broke and needs money; and one could not care less about it. Who will get wealthy from this plan? The attorneys. And the kids and grandkids will probably hate each other forever.

Remember that ‘equal’, ‘equitable’, and ‘fair’ are three different words with three totally different meanings.

Benifits of Bananas


This is interesting. After Reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas. Containing three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6,B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in “The New England Journal of Medicine,” eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

Tips to generate LEADS!!!


 As a quick recap, filling the funnel is about capturing leads. It’s about acquiring and saving contact information so you can market to those leads later. But the questions I’m always asked are:  

  • “How do I convince someone to give me their information?” and
  • “How much information do I need to collect?

 

These questions go hand in hand. You see, people don’t WANT to be marketed to. They’re busy and they don’t have time for you and your promotions. So, to part with their contact information, your prospect is going to expect something in return.

 

And… The more you give them, the more they’ll give you.

 

For example, if you offer a free report or whitepaper on your website, you might get a name and email address. Don’t expect the prospect to send you their address, phone number or any other critical information. The whitepaper is not worth anymore than that to them.

 

However…if you were to hold a drawing for a free car, you might get name, email, phone, and address. And suddenly your marketing is even more powerful and targeted than it was before.

 

Now, I’m not saying you need to give away a car to get contact information. Simply understand that asking for too much information may cause a prospect to run screaming in the other direction. Ask only for what you know you’ll get, and then start collecting those leads!

 

Courtesy: Ram

Want to make a documentary film?


Madras Week, built around Madras Day, August 22nd, will, as already announced in these columns, be celebrated from August 16th to 23rd. The coordinators of the programme have been in touch with several organisations and individuals and a host of events is being planned. Watch these columns for programme announcements. First off the mark was the call for participants to design a logo for a T-shirt. Now the coordinators announce a competition for young docu-film-makers.

If you are passionate about making documentaries, you must join this project. A project which is about producing films on Madras that is Chennai. About its people and places, its landmarks and its institutions, its lifetrends and its communities.

We produce films through the year and screen the best at a festival during the Madras Week celebrations in August.

The project for 2009 is open to students of Vis Comm and Media, Film and Botany and History, to young film-makers, artists and writers and journalists… to anyone who loves Chennai and is capable of making small films.

First comes the Selection. If you are selected, then you will be invited to a full day workshop to be conducted by well-known film-maker, Ms Soudhamini, who also teaches at the Film Institute, Pune.

To qualify for this, you can submit any form of creative material that proves your interest in the city (film/documen­tation/media). You can send us rough cut film material or just photos or articles. You must also tell us in 100 words the kind of subjects on Chennai you would like to document on film. You should submit your application by June 25, 2009.

Bonus – Those who qualify can then submit a film plan, and will also get a stipend of
Rs. 2000. This year, we propose to select eight people.

Extra Bonus – After the shooting of your film, Soudha­mini will guide you on how best to use the ‘rushes’ at the second meeting we will hold in July 2009.

Note: Only one person who plans to produce/direct the documentary should apply and he/she will be trained and guided. He/she in turn can employ others for shooting / editing / sound design, etc.

Contact – Vincent D’ Souza at 98410 49155

Email – madrasday@yahoo.com

T-Nagar – Something we don’t know!!


Today it may be among the busiest shopping areas of the city, with just a few stately homes remaining in it to narrate its past glory as a well-planned district. And what little history there is in the place is rapidly vanishing. It is at a time like this that the book, Thyagaraya Nagar, Andrum Indrum, written by well-known businessman and long-term resident of T’Nagar, Nalli Kup­pu­­swami Chetty, has come out. And it makes for a very interesting read.

Did you know that many Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, including M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa, were once residents of this area? M.G. Rama­chandran had his office on Arcot Road and K. Kamaraj and Rajaji both resided here. If this be the track record, it may not be surprising if, soon, all ­aspirants to the CM’s post ­decide to acquire a home in T’Nagar believing it to be the harbinger of good luck.

If J. Venkatanarayana Nai­du, who was once Commissioner of the Madras Corporation, gave his name to a thoroughfare in this area, who were Govindu and Nathamuni after whom also streets are named? They were labourers who died in a landslide while digging in T’Nagar for the construction of drains over 80 years ago. The Corporation decided to honour them this way. Besides, the area has roads named after several members of the Justice Party. Indeed, the T in T’Nagar stands for Thyagaraya, in memory of Sir Pitti Thyagaraya Chetty, one of the Justice Party founders.

T’Nagar was once known as East Mambalam, which is why, rather like West Bengal, we have a West Mambalam with no sign of an East Mambalam. In earlier days when land was cheap, the entire area was owned by one Subra­mania Iyer, who was a station master. A hundred acres was in his possession. What he did not own was a large lake where Valluvar Kottam stands today. Worried over poor returns on his land, the station master sold it all off at throwaway prices! And today land is impossible to get in the area.

Why Pondy Bazaar? The first shopping complex in the area had ten shops in it. This building was put up on Sir Thyaga­raya Chetty Road close to Geetha Café. This was done by Chokkalinga Mudaliar, a realtor from Pondicherry, which is why the area became Pondy Bazaar.

This and several other fascinating details dot the book. ­Besides this, there are brief life sketches of famous actors, doctors, publishers, businessmen and writers who lived in
T’ Nagar. The histories of ­famous schools, music sabhas, business establishments, eateries and shops are given.

It is apt that Nalli has ­written this book. The famed business began in this area in 1928 when Nalli Chinna­swami Chetty set up shop here. Later his son Narayanaswami Chetty and grandson Kuppu­swami Chetty have run the business. Kuppuswami Chetty or simply Nalli as he is known has of course made a larger name for himself than merely as a businessman. He is also a patron of arts and culture. The Nalli residence above the shop on Nages­waran Road, facing Panagal Park, has remained unchanged. Its art deco façade, always gleaming white, is a landmark and has been witness to the changes in T’Nagar, among the most dynamic areas of the city.

Courtesy: MadrasMusings.Com
By: Sriram V

Who is Roger Bannister?


Roger Bannister is a (athlete) motivating personality who has proved every thing is a Mental Block and nothing is unachieved if there is a Will. He was a man with mental toughness & perseverance. So what is most special about this man?

There are two things.

1.)   When there was a medical theory going rounds that a person (human being) cannot run a mile within 4 minutes as human body can’t support such an act. He proved those medical theories as wrong.
2.)   He failed on many attempts and with lots of determination he has achieved his feat finally.

Today his record was broken by many but he has to be credited for breaking the theory and did something that every thought was not possible.

Email scam from an Indian :)


Normally we are prone to emails from Nigerians when it comes to emails scams. For the first time I got an email scam in the name of an Indian that too from someone from Ramalina Raju’s family :). Here is the email content…

Namastey,

My name is Radha  Ramalinga,I am the wife of Rama Ramalinga,the younger brother of Byrraju Ramalinga Raju,former chairman,founder and owner of Satyam Computers.

I do have a proposal for you,which would be of immense financial benefits to you and I.

My husband and his brother are currently in big trouble in India,I need your assistance to help me move some funds from Holland to India  or anywhere where it would at least be of some help to our family.

I would give you more details of this proposal if you show yourself willing to take on it,I assure you that you would most certainly be compensated but please I would kindly request you to keep this matter confidential.

I am currently here in the UK where it is a bit safe for me and my kids.

You can reach me on my personal email id which is radharamalinga3@gmail.com

Yours sincerely,
R.Ramalinga

Initiative: BECOME EASIER TO GET THE BLOOD WE NEED


Now it has become easier to get the blood we need.

All you have to do is just type

“BLOOD <Needed Blood Group> and send SMS to 96000 97000”

EX: “BLOOD B+”

A BLOOD DONOR WILL CALL YOU!!

So please pass this message to all. It certainly would save many lives..

It’s a Must to Know & Share. Do it now….

Forward this to all your friends whom you care ….as the minute you spare to share this information can save somebody’s life with rare Blood Group!

If you couldn’t be a Donor, be a Communicator.

Courtesy : Ganesh Virudhagiri

Met couple of people for STARTUP Community Website


Today had meeting with Bala Murugan who is the chief architect of this site. Also we met with couple of people today to get their insights about the concept and asked for their availability to be a part of it. Couple of people has shown interest to be a part of it.

So I took a print out of my previous blog post which is the starting point for our discussion. Bala was happy with the list of things I showed him and also we have added couple of more features.

So we made a list of things which has to be completed before our next meeting. 

  • There are some options for domain and book the available one.
  • Choose volunteers and these are as per priorities
    • Technology Geek: Some one having passion for LAMP technologies as we will be integration many open source and PHP freeware.
    • Vertical managers/admin: Someone having passion to manage websites and good in research with wide knowledge in using Google & social media.
    • Content writers: Bala said he can rope in content writers from different verticals.

List looks small but I think it will be a challenging task to coordinate and form a group that have common interest and passion to make it big. But I think the first priority to get tech geek who has tremendous passion for LAMP technologies and passion for community contribution. Once when we get such a person we can start working on the website and simultaneously look for other people.

So one thing what came in our mind is to answer a common question;

What is in it for us if we volunteer?

The answer this is a community website and all the initial members will be co-founders. Also members can benefit only after making the website a brand and it is upto them to make use of the brand. Since it is a community it is more of giving than taking and one must always believe that Givers Take.

I’m happy we have taken this to next level and would be glad to make some progress everyday. You can expect a blog from me for every progress.

Once again please ping me if you are interested to volunteer for any of the above positions or you can help us by passing this message through blog posts or by twitting in twitter or any other available methods.

Community Website for Startups


We are planning to launch a community driven website for Startups. I can see several forums and forums for startups but I don’t think so if they are really catering for Startup’s real needs. So, I think these are some good features which will be helpful for startups;

Jobs Portal: This feature will allow startups to share their resumes database and also we will allow candidates to post their resumes for free. Startups in time of need can access these resumes.

Marketplace: Startups can post their abundant resource for barter or for sale. Also startup which is in need of any resource can make use of abundant resource.

Forum: This is one common element which is a part of any community portal.

Directory: Startups can list their company and service in this column.

Blogs: We would request prominent personalities of different sector to write blog in their specialization which will be helpful for startups.

Webinars: Frequent webinars which helps startups in training and knowledge sharing.

Resource Index: This section will contain information like;

  • Startup Due-diligence
  • Docs like Offer letter, Relieving letter, Termination letter, Employee Contracts etc.
  • Business plan writing tips

Contests: Monthly contests with special gifts.

Events Calendar: Update on startup events calendar for events like Proto, Headstart, Startup Saturdays, OCC meets etc.

Kindly pass if you have any other ideas or features I missed. Also we are looking for volunteers to maintain the site. Please soot and email to anand@anandnataraj.com if you are interested to be a part.