Meri Jaan Tirangaa Hai - Tirangaa

Hello Friends... This is a famous patriotic song from movie " TIRANGAA" which i have edited from movie... I ever missed it till yet... It's for my dear INDIANS... Be Proud to be an INDIAN.... and Think to make INDIA the Best is the World... To serve for the nation for it's Happyness and glory.... It's gift of Independece Day of my Independent country....INDIA A salutation to the great soldiers ,true Nation's leader and Tribute to the Nation's Patriots "Deshbhakt" from bottom of my heart....Jay Jawaan !!! Jay Kisaan !!!.................. Jay Vigyan !!! Vande Mataram !! Vande Mataram !! Vande Mataram !!! I LOVE MY INDIA... Jay Hind... Jay Bharat.... Regards BHAGEERATH GODA "OM SWEET OM"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf0sOWmA-p4&hl=en

Sargam (4/17) - Pakistani musical & romantic movie from 1995

An Eid-gift by Pakistan Film Magazine on mazhar.dk to all music and film lovers..! Perhaps the best ever musical movie from the 1990's. Great one-man-show(s) by actor, singer and music director Adnan Sami Khan and producer, director and writer Syed Noor as well.. Film: Sargam (Urdu - 1995) Producer, director & writer: Syed Noor Cinematography: Babar Bilal Actors: Zeba Bakhtiar, Adnan Samim Khan, Maharaj Ghulam Hussain Kathak, Najam-uz-Zamman, Shafqat Cheema, Deeba, Mustafa Qureshi & Nadeem Read more on this great film on www.mazhar.dk



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2TCHZ5AS4c&hl=en

Planet Bollywood - Respect, replacement, surgery and more...

Anil touches Big B's feet Anushka-Ranveer gets BOLD! Arjun Rampal's lavish B'day party! Saif replaces Ajay in Jha's next Is Minissha desperately seeking attention? Sush promotes cosmetic brand Fresh Face is back! Deepika is in love! Is Deepika a horse? Sush takes off and gives it to Kangna Kareena avoids Ash?! Katrina NOT in Housefull 2 Madhuri Dixit in KBC 4 Shilpa's luxury anniversary gift Shahid's problem with competition Sonam likes Kapur's over Kapoor's Yana Gupta's underwear malfuntion Yash Raj facing shooting trouble!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McV6K5nEqtU&hl=en

Dupatta Gift For Shahbaz Sharif Including Salman Taseer View

Shahbaz Sharif surrender to Taliban and say don't attack on Punjabi we are not against u.HAhahahahahaa



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rr4O0Wf0G8&hl=en

Endangered Mammals of India

India is endowed by some of nature's best gifts. It is a land of rich biodiversity which is unmatched to other regions of world. It is blessed with a tropical rain forest to dry deciduous forests and snowy Himalayas which are embellished with rare wildlife species of world. India has a wide range of mammal species, amphibians, reptiles and birds.

These natural treasures of our country are gradually declining in population. They are at an immediate risk of extinction due to deforestation, urbanization, habitat destruction, paucity of prey, poaching and changing environmental scenario. In the year 2004, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has classified the wildlife species of India under four main categories such as the Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU) and Threatened.

Endangered species can be defined as those which are less in number and are on the verge of extinction. Such species need special protection for their survival.

Some of the endangered species of India are as follows:

Asiatic Lion:

Asiatic lions are famously called as the "Lord of Beasts". Asiatic lion(Panthera leo persica) is one of the seven sub- species of Lion. Their sole habitat in India is the Gir national park of Gujrat. They are slightly smaller in size from their African cousin. Their population has drastically reduced mainly due to excessive hunting, scarcity of prey, pollution of water at their natural habitat.

Royal Bengal Tiger:

The Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris ) is the second largest sub-species of Tiger. It is the national animal of India. According to the Government of India's National Tiger Conservation Authority, India has a population of 1,411 Royal tigers. Their main habitat are grasslands, subtropical and tropical rain forests, scrub forests, wet and dry deciduous forests,and mangrove forest. They are mostly found in the Sunderban national park of West Bengal. They are under the constant threat of extinction due to reduction of natural habitat, paucity of prey and poaching for their beautiful skin.

Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros:

The tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas are the main abode of the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) . They are mostly found in the Kaziranga, having a population not more than 1200 , Manas and Orang national park of Assam. Even in two reserve forests of Assam such as Pobitora reserve forest (having the highest Indian rhino density in the world) and Laokhowa reserve forest. The One horned rhinoceros are hunted mostly for their horn.

Indian Elephant:

The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) are one of the subspecies of the Asiatic elephant. Indian Elephants looks like the African elephants but have short tusk and ears. They are considered as an endangered species and their total strength in India ranges from 20,000 to 25, 000. They live in or near scrub-forested areas in the terai region of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Karnataka. Although they have a tendency to change their habitat because they are nomadic in nature. They are in danger due to excessive poaching for the ivory of their tusks, loss of habitat and loss of genetic diversity.

Snow Leopard:

The snow leopards (Uncea uncea) are found in areas with an altitude of above 3200 m (10,500 feet) in the Himalayan regions of North India such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and the North Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. These animals are hunted for their beautiful fur and its bones are used in oriental medicines. They are also killed as they are considered as the predators of the live stocks.

Wild Water Buffalo:

The wild water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a bovine animal. These are one of the endangered species of India and their total strength is assumed to be only 4000. They are mainly found in Assam's Kaziranga national park and Chattisgarh. At time, you could also locate them at some of the sites of Meghalaya and Maharashtra. They are in danger due to cross breeding with the domestic buffaloes and the destruction of their natural habitat.

Hoolock Gibbon:

Hoolock gibbon ( Bunopithecus hoolock) are the only ape found in India. They are also called as the White Browed Gibbon because of their white brows. Their main habitats includes tropical evergreen forest, semi and sub tropical forests and mountain forests. They are mostly found in the Kaziranga National Park, Assam and Manas wildlife sanctuaries and the Borajan reserve forest and in the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland. They are under threat due to hunting for their flesh, jhum ( shifting and burning) cultivation, and timber cutting.

Ganges River Dolphin:

In India, the river dolphins (Platanista gangetica) are found in the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. It is an aquatic mammal. In Ganges region they are commonly known as "Susu" whereas in Brahmaputra region they are called as "Hihu". These are also an endangered species with only 2000 river dolphins estimated in India. The major reasons behind their decrease in population are fishing (gillnetting), poaching, damming (Farakka barrage) in Ganges and other dams, sand mining (in Kulsi river of Assam) deforestation and oil extraction. ( Their oil are used as medicine for rheumatism and for the preparation of bait for the catfishes, Clupisoma garua.)

For more information on endangered species of India, log into
http://www.ecoindia.com

ARRahman Show Live concert in hong kong

A very short scene from ARRahman's Show in Hong Kong. He is a more human than a Musician. When I talked to him he was talking to me like a friend next door. Great Guy. Great Music. God's gift to India.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxLJ4WKDSYg&hl=en

"One" - Prince of Persia

Description: Prince Dastan teams up with Princess Tamina to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. In his effort to save his own kingdom and redeem his fatal mistake, it's up to the Prince and the Princess to return the sands to the hourglass by using the Dagger of Time. Song: "Rat's Nest" by John Sponsler and Tom Gire Background: i895.photobucket.com This is a birthday gift for India [GraphicbyDesign]!! I had no idea what to make you, and since your birthday is on Friday the 13th I wanted to make something scary or end of the world themed. I was heading towards something more 2012 end of the world (HAHA) but decided that would be to depressing on your birthday so I decided why not the end of a Medieval Persia from a video game world?? And, not to mention, Jake Gyllenhaal is eye candy; check out his muscles!!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday, hunnie!!Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDZrwfPrOJM&hl=en

True Tales of Birbal in India

Polished like gemstones in the river of time, the tales of Birbal's wit and insight have delighted children and grownups across India for generations. These tales have entertained and taught people on all levels for hundreds of years. Although these tales are charming and amusing, they are not fictional. They are true stories of a wise man who lived in age old India in the palace of Emperor Akbar. Birbal served his Emperor with wit and wisdom, and he became so renowned that even today, parents and grandparents use these clever adventures as morality tales.

Birbal was the grand vizier and most trusted adviser of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Birbal's duties at court were mostly military and administrative. He was a close friend of the emperor and was well known for his wit and wisdom.

One night, Emperor Akbar dreamed that he had lost all his teeth, except one. The next morning he invited all the astrologers of his kingdom to interpret this dream.

After a long discussion, the astrologers told Akbar that all his relatives would die before him. Akbar was very upset by this interpretation and sent them all away without any reward.

Later that day, Birbal entered the court. Akbar told Birbal his dream and asked him to interpret it. After thinking for a while Birbal replied that the Emperor would live a longer and more fulfilled life than any of his relatives. Akbar was pleased with Birbal's explanation and rewarded him handsomely.

Another time Emperor Akbar and Birbal were taking a walk in the palace gardens. It was a nice summer morning and there were many crows happily playing around the pond. Akbar decided to test Birbal's wit.

He asked Birbal how many crows there were in his kingdom. After a moment's thought, Birbal replied, "There are ninety-five thousand four hundred and sixty-three crows".

Amazed by his quick response, Akbar asked, "What if there are more?" Without hesitating Birbal replied, "If there are more crows, then some are visiting from other neighboring kingdoms". "And what if there are less crows?" Akbar asked. "Then some crows from our kingdom have gone on holiday to other places".

Although he was well loved by Emperor Akbar and the common people because of his wit and attention to justice, the other courtiers at Akbar's court were jealous of Birbal and they continuously plotted his downfall, without success. Even Birbal's death in battle was said to be caused by treachery rather then defeat. Akbar mourned for several months on hearing the news.

There are many books, videos, and CD ROMS available that have a rich collection of Birbal stories and are useful not only to children, but also young adults living outside of India. Amar Chitra Katha helps to reacquaint them with their heritage.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books. You can find the best marketplace for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books at these sites for Krishna art, Birbal gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books.

The Buddha is as near to you as your own heart.-Buddha

A gift from Buddha and Me to U to send FREE ecard with budahh quotes please go to www.sharacard.com Collage by Shara Banisadr



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpcYaOuVj4&hl=en

Sri Manikeshwari Matha Darshan -- *Mathaji N Ramdev Baba* Part 5/10

Om Sri Sri Sri SadGuru Mahayogini Ruparahitha Ahimsa Yogeshwara Veera Dharmaja Matha Namo Namaha... This video contains Sri Ruparahitha Veera Dharmaja Matha (Sri Sri Sri Manikeshwari Matha) Darshan to Ramdev Baba & Speech Part 5 of 10 on 19th May 2010 at Yanagundi,Sedam Taluk, Gulbarga Dist, Karnataka State, India. Amma Manikeshwari Matha is living the life of Niraharini (without food and water) from the past 77 years at Yanagundi (Manikgiri) near Gulbarga dist in Karnataka. Amma Manikeshwari Matha in her speech was asking devotees only to follow the path of Dharam & Satyam. If we follow our life in the foot steps of Dharma then the God reflects same in form of blessings to us and our family. This is Nada Brahma Vakham Manikeshwari Matha also telling devotees not to perform Animal sacrifice (Bali) at the temples as it is going to add bad karma to one's own life rather than getting blessings of God. Our birth is not a miracle but based on reflection of old karma .According to our past karma rules and parameters of the last birth we have to suffer in this birth. If we have done bad karma in this life by doing Jeeva Himsa, cheating or harassment to society, drinking Alcohol, people, family then we will get the life of animal, birds and in human form as beggers and hard working people in next janma and we will under go the same pain which we have given to others in previous life. AHIMSA PARAMO DHARMA What we are is God's gift to us, What we become is our gift to God. As far ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVIh_pUWX90&hl=en

Home Decor Gift Ideas: Teak Furniture and Other Thai Decor

If you're stumped as to what to get your friend or loved one for the holidays, consider ordering teak furniture directly from a Thai home decor store online. While teak furniture is readily available in some countries, it is still a hard-to-find treasure in others. But don't worry; you can easily order furniture on the Web without hassle. The key is to find out what type of furniture your loved one needs and then order from an established Thai decor website.

What is Teak?

Teak furniture is made from wood that comes from a tropical hardwood birch called the teak tree (also known as tectona). The places that produce the most teak trees are Indonesia, Philippine, India, Malaysia and Myanmar. Often referred to as the hardest wood in the world, teak trees have the ability to bend, but not break. Therefore, they can withstand weather elements and high winds. Teak wood resin contains an oil that makes it highly resistant to water and moisture.

Teak furniture is extremely durable, with a rich wood color and satin-like smooth finish. It can be used indoors or outdoors. There are park benches made of teak wood in Europe that have been in use for more than 100 years! Those who own the furniture can keep the wood looking new by applying a coat of teak oil once a year. Or, the furniture can be allowed to age naturally over the years, gradually turning it to a beautiful grayish tone.

Types of Furniture

When seeking a Thai decor holiday gift, find out what type of furniture your loved one wants or needs. Does she need a new China cabinet, a bedside table, a lamp table for the living area or some patio chairs? There are teak beds, chairs, bars, tables and cabinets to fit any style. Also, determine the color that would fit best in your recipient's home. Teak wood varies from light to dark brown.

Gift Wrap Ideas

Whether ordering small or larger pieces of furniture, have the items delivered to your home first. Then gift-wrap or use large bows to make the furniture look like a gift before delivering it to your recipient. If the recipient lives miles away, consider having it shipped directly to her door with a special holiday greeting card.

Furniture is a holiday home decor gift your loved one won't soon forget. You'll be the talk of the Christmas party, with everyone wondering how you obtained such a great gift! Also, don't forget about other Thai interior decor gift ideas. Some Thai decor websites sell many usable items such as silk pillowcases, kalagas (custom wall art), artificial flowers, teak lamps, candles, vases and more. Browse the selection and see if you can't find luxurious Thai gifts for several loved ones.

Start shopping early on for the best holiday deals on Thai home decor gifts, and allow plenty of time for shipping when ordering from Thailand-based retailers.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST POPULAR website advertising companies on the web.
Learn more about Home Decor.

Bhagavad Gita Quotes

A gift for you To send FREE ecard with Inspirational quote please go to www.sharacard.com collage painting by Shara Banisadr



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XK4_gvyElA&hl=en

THE VYMAANIKA-SHAASTRA-vinama device.

THE VYMAANIKA-SHAASTRA-vinama device HAVE A GO AND EXPLANE ,WHAT YOU THINK IS GOING ON WITH THIS DEVICE? ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE,,LOL IN 1875, THE VIMANIKA SHAASTRA, A 400 BC TEXT WITTEN BY MAHARSHI BHARDWAJ WAS DISCOVERD IN A TEMPLE IN INDIA, Weird things can happen within fast spinning fluids because of the centripetal force and preservation of energy, an-as the mercury began to heat up! The whirl-wind began and releases its magic?(By means of the power latent in the mercury which sets the driving whirlwind in motion,) radioactive isotope of mercury, Set in the center of a set Spherical -Loop Caduceus Coils, music Track - Adiemus Artist Adiemus



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_JxwkBxj2k&hl=en

behna ne bhai ki-Raksha Bandhan song(by www.buygiftstoindia.com)

This song is from the movie 'Resham ki Dor' directed by Atma Ram in 1974 and picturised on Dharmendra. The music was by Shankarsinh Raghuwanshi & Jaikishan Dayabhai Pankal. This song has come to epitomise the festival of Raksha Bandhan-the bond of brotherly love between a brother and his sister.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G-vfiOkMRs&hl=en

Popular Lakes in India

A lake is a low-lying part of the Earth's surface in which rainwater or water from other sources accrues. Whether natural or man made, lakes are major source of water. They are abode for a large variety of aquatic life. Lakes make out the true aspect of one city. The lakes of India are categorized as fresh water and brackish lakes.

The soothing lakes of India exhibit great charisma. Indian states have wonderfully located lakes which take away the breadth of every visitor. Whether you are in Kashmir or in Rajasthan; in the Far East or down south, diversity of India is well reflected in the lakes over here. For a lake expedition one can check out:

Dal Lake: This beautiful Lake lies in the district of Kangra in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of 1,775m. The lake is 6.4 km long and 4 km wide and covers an area 10 square miles. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in India, a natures' gift to mankind. Dal Lake is connected to other Lakes of the Kashmir Valley. One of the unique attribute of the lake is its Shikaras and wooden Houseboats. The lake is divided into four parts, called Gribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin. The coast of the Lake is embroidered with gardens, parks and hotels. Mountains on three sides encase the lake.

Pushkar Lake: Pushkar is a man made lake located in the state of Rajasthan. It is situated near the Pushkar town. The lake is beautifully surrounded by the deserts and hills from all the sides. It covers the total area of about 5 km. This Lake is the sanctified lake of the Hindus, connected with Lord Brahma. The lake has around 400 temples, 52 palaces and 52 ghats. The lake is mostly known for its religious significance. Every year this sacred lake of Pushkar attracts thousands of pilgrims from all around the world. Devotees congregate here to take a dip in its holy water. It is believed that by taking a bath in the lake one can achieve moksha.

Pichola Lake: Located in the city of Udaipur, the panoramic lake, Pichola is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples and bathing ghats.The Lake at places is tapered and both its banks almost touch each other. There are islands at regular distance on the lake, which have either palaces or pavilions on them. The two most famous island palaces are- Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. It's a massive lake with a length of 4kms and 3km wide and a depth of 30 feet. Its beauty is at its best in winters, which counterpart the cool vicinity of Rajasthan. The sunset over this lake is truly idyllic. It is this beauty of the Lake Pichola which attracts a number of visitors every year. In the Southern part of Lake Pichola is the Machhala Magra Hill crammed with huge trees. If one stands here one can see the Eklinggarh Fort. From the Eastern side of the Lake one can see the entire Udaipur City.

Bhimtal Lake: Bhimtal Lake is situated in a small town of Bhimtal in Uttarakhand. It comes in the Nanital district (a famous hill station of Uttarakhand). Being the largest lake of the district and the second largest of Kumaon is situated at an altitude of 1370 meters. The lake derives its name from the Indian epic (Mahabharat).The Bhimtal Lake covers an area of 1701 metres by 265 metres. There is an island situated in the midpoint, which act as an exquisite gem. One can plan a boat sail to the Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenic beauty of the place. Nested amidst the green Kumaoun Hills, Bhimtal Lake is a popular tourist spot.

Hussain Sagar Lake: Hussian Sagar Lake, largest man made lake in Asia is located in the State of Hyderabad. The lake was fabricated to meet the water requirements of the people. This 24 kilometer long lake connects the two traditional cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, popularly known as the twin cities. The place where the lake is constructed is known as Tank Bund. The Dam receives the water from the Balkapur River, which is connected to the Musi. The Bund contains an assortment of 33 statues of the famous personalities of the state. The major attraction of the Lake is a 16 meter tall, 350 tone colossal statue of Buddha that lies in the middle of the lake, on the rock of Gibraltar. This statue is made out of the single piece of stone and is the largest statue in India. Hussain Sagar Lake is surrounded by four major gardens i.e. Indira Park in the east, Sanjeevaiah Park in the north, Lumbini Park in the south and a green belt stretch squeezed in between the Raj Bhavan road and the Necklace Road. One of the interesting facets of this lake is that it offers wonderful time for water friends.

Vembanad Lake: Vembanad Lake lies in Kumarakom, 15 kms away from the Kottayam district of Kerala. It is the largest brackish lagoon in Kerala. It covers an area of two hundred square kilometers and is surrounded by the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. Situated at sea level, the lake is separated from the Arabian Sea by a small island. The width of the lake varies from five hundred metres to four kilometers with a depth of one meter to twelve metres. The lake, an enthralling tourist spot and a Backwater Tour destination, provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are enlivening. Vembanad Kayal, as it is called in the regional language, is a tank that acts against the floods. The local people in their attractive clothing's are found searching for the tasty Karimeen fish. The Kumarakom Tourist Village offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages. There are houseboats that take one crossways, making one's trip unforgettable.

Chilka Lake: The Vast and beautiful Chilka Lake is situated on the east coast of Orissa. The lake has been formed at the mouth of the Daya River which flows into the Bay of Bengal. Chilka Lake is also known as the largest brackish water lake in the country. It is 70 km long and 32 km wide. A number of small islands are spread across Chilka Lake; the two important are the Barkul and the Rambha. One of the distinct features of the lake is its rich floral system. It acts as an abode to a large amount of aquatic plants. Apart from this it also holds an exotic wildlife. The Nalabana Island is a popular bird sanctuary, famous by the name Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary. The Lake is also a popular destination for the Eco tourism.

Roopkund Lake: This Lake lies in the Chamoli district of Uttranchal. It falls on the way of the Nanda Jat to Homkung and lies in the lap of mount Trishul. Sited at a height of 5029 m, the Lake is a destination of the Raj Jat Yatra. A famous trekking destination, Roopkund is often called the 'mysterious lake' as the ice on its surface begins to melt and presents a ghastly sight in the summers, as roughly three hundred human skeletons can be seen in the waters of the lake. It is a renowned destination for the adventure lovers, since it offers an energetic outdoor for the trekkers and the exciting option for the adventure holidays. The snow covered lake, surrounded by pebbly glaciers and snow clad peaks is a superlative sight.

Kangra Dal Lake: Kangra Dal Lake is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, about 11 km from Dharamshala. This is a small mid Altitude Lake at 1,775 m above sea level near a very beautiful village "Tota Rani". The lake is surrounded by deodar trees and is considered blessed as there is a small Shiva mandir (shrine) on its bank. A distinct characteristic of this lake is that it has green water. It is the place from where trekking and excursions in Himachal commence.

Thus India has a large number of lakes spread all over the country, from Kashmir to Kerala and from Rajasthan to Assam. The hundreds of lakes lying in the rich natural surroundings all over the country attract large number of tourists, and serve as hot picnic spots. Be near them to experience the best.

Explore India Tourism with IndianTravelDestinations. Find complete information on India Tourism including adventure travel in India, wildlife tourism in India, India cultural tour, heritage destinations in India, eco tourism in India, and many more travel and tourism information related to India

Lux Dance India Dance Season 2 March 19 '10 Punit

For more videos visit www.danceindiadance.zeetv.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRsfzuU95mM&hl=en

Vintage Gag Gifts For Laughs

Not that many people may remember those funny little gifts you give to close friends in the past. Those gifts that when given to a particular person often gets them to laugh out loud since they are naughty yet hilarious were popular in the 50's to the 80's. Vintage gag gifts seem to be making a comeback these days and people who remember how certain friends and family members reacted to such whimsical and oftentimes naughty novelty gifts find that giving these to close friends and relatives on birthdays and other special occasions these days brings back memories of those days when these were first introduced in the market.

Some of the vintage gag gifts that used to be very popular were those that caused a person to jump in surprise when the gift was opened. You may remember those fake candy canisters that had those springy things popping out of them when opened or those ashtrays that looked like toilets or even those piggy banks that looked like someone's backside with the coin slot being the butt-crack itself. All of these old fashioned gag gifts are now being replicated and sold to people who wish to give friends a laugh on their birthday. You can now find a huge number of the old-fashioned gag gifts you loved as a kid being sold for gift giving purposes on a lot of sites and stores these days.

Some of the more popular gag gifts you may remember from the past include those joke toilet paper rolls, fake dog crap paper weights, giant and miniature t-shirts and gag notepads and magnets that you can put on your refrigerator door. A lot of these gag gifts are made for adults since a lot of them have rather sexual connotations. These are often sold to adults to be given to adults, although there are a few items that some younger people can easily give to each other as well. There are those harmless prank envelopes, funny t-shirts and old fashioned alarm clocks that moo instead of ring when the alarm goes off. There are even gag gifts that you can give to babies in the form of funny looking pacifiers. Just make sure the parents have a sense of humor when you do give these funny looking baby gifts.

When you talk about authentic vintage gag gifts, these are actually what you might call collectibles and are often those that were made in the 50's to the 70's. Very few people can find these things for sale these days and when they do, memories of those days when they had fun with these gag gifts and novelty items seem to flood back. People who look for these things often find them online in auction sites and on online vintage stores. You can find your favorite gag cards, gag gift boxes that carry serious messages on the front and funny and witty messages inside and trick gadgets that either surprise a person with a water spray or even small shock.

Are you looking for the best vintage gag gifts at a very low price? Visit http://www.tshirts-gifts.com today and find anything and everything you are looking for!

Top 12 Kids Christmas Gifts For 2008

Christmas is Coming.

Don't panic. Online gift shopping is a lifesaver. No need to fight the traffic and the crowds. No carrying a ton of presents. No searching for a parking space. You can actually kick back with your favorite drink or snack and let your fingers do the work. You can uncover a plethora of fancy, funny, entertaining Christmas ideas, without even leaving your comfort zone. Who cares if it rains or snows, how crowded the malls are or if the traffic is moving at a snails pace. You can be in your jammies keeping life simple. No need to ante up big bucks to show your appreciation when buying multiple gifts for those special friends and loved ones. The internet has something for everyone and the prices are usually lower than real world shopping. We have done the research and discovered the most searched for and purchased gifts for the top 10 Christmas toys for 2008.

Don't know any kids?

That's okay, we also have a list of gifts that teens are going crazy over. You will find suggestions and gift ideas for all age groups. Something for him or her. There is a galaxy of choice presents ready and waiting for you. Don't resort to a tie for dad or cheap perfume for mom. With the huge selection of Christmas gifts online, you can spend just a bit of time and find the special unique off the wall gift that they will love. Online shopping has become very popular in the last few years. Christmas especially. Some gifts sell out very fast. So if the present you have selected is a must have, don't neglect to order now to miss the seasonal rush. Of course, there are quite a few gifts on the list of Christmas Toys 2008 got to-haves. Take a little time and be the best Santa you can.

Hot Xmas gifts 2008

- Spinmaster Aquadoodle Draw N' Doodle Mat

No doubt you have cleaned many walls, floors, and tables from your childs creative artwork.
Now you can finally get something they can't mess up.

- LEGO Mindstorms NXT

This is an excellent book both for beginners and for more advanced Lego users.
Beautifully illustrated with graphics. Mixes both the Lego modeling aspect of building
robots and the visual programming side.

- Pleo Dinosaur-A UGOBE Life Form

Robotic wonder reacts to environment, and shows emotion.
Great for everyone ages 8 and up.

- Transformers Movie Leader Optimus Prime

Super Transformer Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots.
Hard to find toy. This will become a collectors item.
So the big kids will love them too.

- Fisher Price Kid-Tough Girls Pink Digital Camera

No film. Hard to wreck. Made especially for kids.
This baby can take abuse.

- Leapster2

Preschool handheld gaming, an online experience that lets you see what your
child is learning. Over 30 well thought out games featuring characters that your kids love.

- The KidiArt Studio

A working digital camera and a colorful studio desk with a stool to match, the KidiArt Studio encourages kids aged four to seven to use their natural talent by letting them make and share
their art using a TV or PC.

- Game Girl Hannah Montana Guitar Video Game

Girls, grab your guitars and get ready to rock with the Hannah Montana Pop Tour Guitar Video Game. Rock your way through a nationwide tour, show off your rock-star talent. Perfect for girls 8 to 14.

- Hannah with Guitar & Stool

Take off on Hannah's world with a doll & famous accessory pieces from the show.

- Dr. Seuss Games

The Cat In the Hat I Can Do That! Game gets your kids up and running with imaginative, fun-filled and funny activities.

This remarkable game will help build confidence in your kids.

Another Very Popular 'Old School'Toy

- Mr. Potato Head Value Pack

Over 40 parts and accessories.
Every kid needs a Mr. Potatohead to complete his or her childhood.

Now This Is Incredible

- Very popular. Guitar Hero 3

Guitar Hero 3 is another great reason to slip into some tight leather pants and rock out with your friends. Amazing sound track. So...have a merry Christmas. And start your gift shopping soon.

Warren is a writer and researcher.
He has put together a list of the top Christmas presents for 2008.
Make your life easier by visiting his Christmas gift pages.
So much better than driving all over town with no idea what you are looking for.

Top 12 Kids Christmas Gifts For 2008

Gift of Acceptance

India.Arie with Idan Raichel: India.Arie and Idan Raichel share their experience in the creation of "Gift of Acceptance" which will be apart of her upcoming album "Open Door" coming soon - Spring/Summer 2011



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3f3qFHS8O4&hl=en

Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim From India

When you think of Queen Victoria the picture that comes to your mind is of a grand lady reigning over perhaps the greatest empire in the modern history. The British Empire stretched so far and wide that there was no part of the globe where the empire did not have its presence. This is the reason why it is often said that the sun never set on this empire.

The influence of Britain had been growing all over the world well before the time of Victoria. But it was in her time that India came under the British fold.

This was a great moment for Britain. It had become the Great British Empire. Victoria had become an empress in the real sense of the word. Now she was the Queen Empress of India. It was perhaps because of this or the fascination of the west with the mysterious east that Victoria had become very fond of India and everything Indian.

So it should not be surprising that she should take an instant liking towards her Indian manservant Abdul Karim. Abdul Karim had come to Victoria as a gift from some Indian ruler at the time of the Golden Jubilee of her reign in 1887. He was to serve the queen at her dining table but soon Abdul Karim progressed to her sitting room where he started giving her lessons in Urdu and telling her about India. Recognizing his clerical skills, the queen made him her Personal Indian Clerk and then her personal Indian Secretary.

Such a meteoric rise of a mere servant and that too from a non-white colony was bound to raise the British heckles. Her staff threatened to resign. Courtiers tried to turn her away from Abdul Karim in every way they could. They accused him of espionage and being a liar. But Victoria would have none of it. She continued to shower favors upon Abdul Karim. She helped him bring his family to Britain at the royal expense and had them lodged in the grounds of royal palaces.

While Abdul Karim's detractors were fuming and fretting, the queen went on displaying her affection on Abdul Karim at every opportunity. She had his portraits painted by the famous Austrian painter Rudolf Swoboda along with her other favorites. Swoboda painted him twice -in 1888 and 1889. Moreover, she used to write to him almost daily signing off her letters with "Your loving Mother or, Your Affectionate Mother".

But top honors for Abdul Karim were still to come.

In 1878 the Order of Indian Empire was started to honor people of remarkable merit from India. This was a rare honor in the heyday of the British Empire and only highly accomplished people could hope to be considered for it. But who could be more special for the queen than Abdul Karim? He got the honor along with many other Indians of outstanding merit.

Victoria knew very well that after her time, her protege would certainly be driven out from the country. So she made arrangements to provide for him by giving him land in Agra (India) from where he had originally come. Here also the queen had to face some resistance from officials but she had her way.

Abdul Karim returned to his estate in India after the death of Victoria in 1901. But he too was not destined to live long after his royal benefactor. He died 8 years later at the age of 46, ending a quaint chapter in the history of the grand queen.

Frank writes articles on various subjects such as history, travel, online security and health. You may also look at his website on kidney stones cause which also features various kidney stones symptoms to look out for.

How to Celebrate Rakhi Festival in India

RAKHI, a famous north Indian festival is celebrated around the world every year in the month of august which is the month of festivals. The festival is celebrated variedly in different parts of the region. On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan both brother and sister sits face to face after performing Puja, then sister applies a tilak on brother's forehead and performs aarti for him .The sister then ties a rakhi thread on her brother's hand for his long, healthy and happy life. Rakhi helps to ward of the evil spirits and protect him supremely and it strengthens the bond and everlasting love between them. The materials that are used to make the traditional rakhi are feather fibers as well as some glitters added to it. It also contains metals like gold, silver beads, which add a beauty to the thread, and much needed glamour as the person is going to wear for almost a year. Brother shows his thankfulness to his sister for her love and vow to protect her from all hardships in life. Brother and sister share sweets and spend harmonious time with rest of the family members. The rituals are performed to the god so that they bless both the brother and the sister with their divine help.

Brother pampers their loving sisters by giving return gifts to them. It can be some cash or gifts like jewelry, soft toys or dress etc. Sisters too show love for their brothers by showering gifts on them. Those who stay away from their siblings take help of the courier, postal and online Internet services to make each other feel special and wish to be together on the day of Raksha Bandhan.

You will find a wide variety of rakhi gifts in the market that a brother gives to his sister to show his love and care for his sister. In early days brothers used to give cash to their sisters as return gifts. But now-a-days gift articles are given as Rakhi Return Gifts. For sisters who are fond of jewelry you can gift them some nice jewelry like rings, pendants, earrings etc. For fashion loving sisters' mirrored bags, fancy tops, nice perfumes etc. can be gifted. Now for the sisters who have younger brothers who are interested in playing and love to sport, gift ideas like video games, toys, games CDs, etc will be the right choice. And brothers who are interested in reading you can gift them good reference book, novels, etc. Hence, this festival is celebrated all over the world to re-assure the sacred relationship of brother and sister.

Jimmy Mehta recommending to send Rakhi to India from http://www.giftstoindians.com

Raja Yoga The Royal Science of Meditation

The Indian scriptures unequivocally declare that every soul is divine and the ultimate purpose of human life is to experience that state of divinity. They advocate four different paths, which are not mutually exclusive for attaining this goal-the path of devotion (Bhakthi Yoga) the path of selfless service (karma Yoga), the path of intellectual inquiry (Jnana yoga) and the path of meditation (Raja Yoga).

Raja yoga takes us to this goal faster than other methods. This involves stilling the mind and the senses so that we cease to identity ourselves with the body mind complex and experience our true nature. We communicate with the external world through the five senses. The mind interprets the impulses from these senses. Mind is a bundle of thoughts and desires. It is an abstract entity. We cannot catch hold of the mind. How then do we still the mind?

The ancient yogis of India discovered the relation between the mind and breathing. When a person is agitated his breathing becomes faster and when he is very calm it is slower. The yogis revealed that by controlling the breath we could control the mind. Anyone can experience this by breathing deeply and slowly for a few minutes. The mind becomes calmer and the heart rate slower.

But this is not enough to completely still the mind and experience our real nature. In order to achieve this it is necessary to employ more effective methods. Kriya Yoga (a form of Raja yoga) is such a method which prevents the electrical impulses from going out of the brain and spinal cord so that external world ceases to exist as for as the person who is meditating is concerned enabling him to experience a state of conscious sleep. This state is different from natural sleep, which is involuntary. With constant practice a person will be able to withdraw the life force from the senses at will and enjoy that state of bliss.

The actual technique of Kriya Yoga shall not be explained in an article meant for general public. It creates a powerful electromagnetic field around the spinal cord by making the life force move up and down the spinal cord. This field withdraws the electrical impulses from all the senses so that the soul is cut off from the outer world. In the highest state of meditation called Samadhi, the person goes into a state of suspended animation. Heart ceases to beat, there will be no breathing and all the functions of body come to a stand still but the person continues to be alive. This may sound strange for many people but is true.

It is important to remember that one cannot experience the highest state of yoga within a short period. Though the technique of Kriya Yoga is not complicated it takes several years of constant practice to experience the results.

It is equally important to understand that in order to progress spiritually one has to lead a moral and disciplined life. If anyone thinks that he can commit all sorts of crimes and indulge in immoral activities but still benefit from Kriya Yoga he is completely mistaken. Those who are serious about their spiritual progress should eschew alcoholic drinks and smoking not to mention any drug of addiction. It is highly desirable to be a pure vegetarian. Consumption of meat causes certain biochemical changes in the blood making it difficult to control the mind.

Raja yoga is a scientific method of controlling the mind, reversing the flow of life force and experiencing our true nature. It is the greatest gift India has given to the world. It is universal in nature. It does not interfere with the religious faith of anyone, as it is based on psycho-physiological principles. People can have their own concept of god and continue to perform any other rituals of their religion. Kriya yoga will help them to feel the presence of god within irrespective of their concept of god. Then they will also realize that god defies definition and conceptualization.

The knowledge and practice of yoga elevates humanity to a higher level and reduces conflicts in the world. It will help ushering in an era of peace and harmony. Those who are seriously interested in learning Kriya Yoga can contact the Self Realization Fellowship society at Los Angeles in USA or if they are nearer to India contact the sister organization Yogoda Satsanga Society of India situated at Dakshineswar, near Kolkata and a branch at Ranchi in India

There is no fundamental difference in the teachings of various religions. Those who indulge in acts of violence cannot claim to belong to any religion. The most pressing need of the hour is the recognition of the spiritual nature of human beings and oneness of humanity.

Dr. Arun Kumar Suri is the webmaster of Family Life And Home Based Business. He is a Pediatrician by profession. This site is dedicated to issues of family with particular attention to children and adolescents. The articles on the site look at the common problems in a family from different angles. The site stresses the need to lead a balanced life giving equal importance to materialistic and spiritual aspects of life. You can visit his site at http://www.homebusinessandfamilylife.com/

Thanjavur S Kalyanaraman - Kshana Mathuna (audio)

Kshana Mathuna - Valachi Jayadeva Adi Tuned in Valachi by Thanjavur S. Kalyanaraman Vocal - Thanjavur S. Kalyanaraman Violin - VV Subramaniam Mridangam - Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman Apologies to subscribers for not posting often enough. I'd been extremely busy for several months putting in ridiculous hours. Now that my project at work is actually complete, though, I have a bit more time again, and I can hopefully get back up and going again after I return from India. I'd previously refrained from posting anything featuring SKR mainly because videos of him simply don't exist. Even the recently released documentary program on SKR featured only a single 5-second clip of actual video and was otherwise dominated by still images. Sadly, the man was not at all respected during his lifetime but for serious musicians, and so there simply aren't many engagements in which people cared enough for his performances to consider it worth recording on video. On top of which, many staunch traditionalists who didn't care for SKR's delving into rare ragas and unconventional phrases would regularly speak ill of him. He was eventually awarded the Kalaimamani after a very long career, but sadly passed the very day after it was announced, and like many true musicians' musicians, he is far more appreciated after his death. Regardless, being that I am one of those who has known him and that I have often evangelized his greatness, I feel compelled to provide at least some justification for my position ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkvsc3ysTQ0&hl=en

VAT in India

"A government should tax its people like a shepherd shears his flock or a bee gets nectar from a flower".

--- Chanakya

Introduction

Since ages always a reform is made for the benefit in the process of development. The first Income Tax was introduced in 1860. The main taxes collected by the State Governments are taxes on sale or purchase of goods. VAT (Value added Tax ) is a novelty which has claimed international attention as more countries are adopting it in varying degrees to restructure their systems of taxation.

Ever since the introduction of new economic policies of LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization) in India under Narasimha Rao's government, the debate regarding the restructuring of Indian fiscal system also has been initiated . The Indian Economy is on race with other nations due to globalization and its transformation to a market economy. The emphasis on new reforms is to broaden the tax net and make it simple so that a layman can understand it.

VAT was introduced in the year 2005 in India. VAT (Value added Tax ) is levied on all goods & services .VAT will replace the present sales tax in India. VAT, in simple terms, is a multi-point levy on each of the entities in the supply chain with the facility of set-off of input tax - that is, the tax paid at the stage of purchase of goods by a trader and on purchase of raw materials by a manufacturer. Only the value addition in the hands of each of the entities is subject to tax.

VAT in India

Every government turns to an array of forms of public finance ,to aid the fiscal deficit and ever increasing public expenditure. The revenue of Indian government largely comprises of taxes. Over the last three fiscal years about 57% has come from customs and excise collections. Direct taxes such as corporate and income taxes contributed to 40%.

Fiscal Deficit

1990-91 1996-97 2004-05 2005-06

Revenue Deficit 4.2 3.6 3.9 2.7

Fiscal Deficit 9.4 6.4 7.9 4.3

Primary Deficit 5.0 1.3 0.5 0.5

Source: RBI

Many sections hold the view that the trading community has been amongst the biggest offenders when it comes to evading taxes. Under the VAT system, no exemptions will be given and a tax will be levied at each stage of manufacture of a product. At each stage of value-addition, the tax levied on the inputs can be claimed back from the tax authorities. One particular advantage is that of the widening of the tax base by bringing all transactions into the tax net.

In fact direct tax are suitable to design a progressive tax structure, given the extreme inequitable income distribution in developing countries. Studies on tax reforms reveal that the tax systems in developing economies have not yielded more revenue. Finally the impact of tax reforms is regressive.

Specifically, VAT gives the new government the opportunity to bring back into the tax system all those persons and entities who were given tax exemptions in one form or another by the previous regime. In India Tax Credit method is followed. VAT can be computed by using either of the three methods detailed below

o The Subtraction method:- The tax rate is applied to the difference between the value of output and the cost of input.

o The Addition method: The value added is computed by adding all the payments that is payable to the factors of production (viz., wages, salaries, interest payments etc).

o Tax credit method: This entails set-off of the tax paid on inputs from tax collected on sales

Originally it was planned that VAT would be simultaneously be implemented across all the states. However a few states decided to opt out of VAT system. This has led to shift of trade between states due to differences in the rate structures between states having VAT system and those having sales tax system. It was expected that there would be loss of some revenue to the states in the initial years, but the Centre has come forward to compensate the states for the revenue loss.

Sales tax has always been one of the main contributors to both the State and the Central exchequers. While its basic role is that of a revenue generator, it can also be used as a driver of development and trade. The introduction of VAT in India is for two reasons. First it will form part of the fiscal consolidation strategy for the country at macro level. Second, VAT will help India in the International trade. Thus, VAT is beneficial in the long run with its high revenue-income elasticity. It is a rationalized tax structure, practiced and proven to be successful in many leading economies.

The introduction of VAT created a furore. It was felt that cascading effect would increase. The outcry was due to poor communication and lack of information. In spite of such criticisms there was a good response to revenue collections form the states that had implemented it.

Problems /Defects in the tax structure

 Cascading effects occur when taxable goods are produced using taxed inputs- a tax on tax. In India as inputs were subject to excise and no set off was available when computing the tax due to output sold ,cost of final product raised.
 Till early 90's services were mostly excluded from the coverage of excise duties.
 No. of Acts and rules which often led to confusions and problems related to compliance and administration grew enormously.
Recommendations:
 Replacing existing excise, sales etc and introducing a single tax

 Switchover to the new system to be started up in stages

 Reduction in the level of unduly high rates on some commodities

 Updating & simplification of procedures

 Strengthening inspection and monitoring mechanisms and streamlining classification systems.

 Exempted commodities to be in the tax net.

Gayathri Devi
Email:gaymenaka@yahoo.co.in

How the Gift Tax Works

Each year millions of Americans give a gift to other individuals that they know. Gifts can be considered anything from a new vehicle to a trip to a piece of land. A gift tax is a tax that is imposed when an individual gives away a certain amount of gifts that are considered valuable.

According the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a individual who gives a gift or a combination of gifts to one person that is valued at over eleven thousand dollars must pay a gift tax. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require that the individual who received the gift pays the gift tax. The only individual who is responsible for reporting and paying the gift tax is the person who gave the gift away. A gift is when something is given away at no cost. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines a gift as something that is given away with out receiving anything of similar value in return. Gifts that are recognized by the government include property and money.

There are a number of exceptions to the gift tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Gifts that are given to a spouse are not considered taxable. Another gift tax exclusion includes gifts that are used for education or medical expenses. This gift tax is often applied when a close family friend or family relative pays a portion of the college tuition expenses or medical expenses of someone that they know. Gifts that are given to a charity are also not considered taxable. Individuals can donate their land, their vehicle, or money to an established charity and it will not be considered taxable.

Individuals who gave a taxable gift that exceeded eleven thousand dollars are required to file a Form 709: United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return. The Form 709 can be obtained by contacting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or by printing the form off of the internet. It is also possible to obtain an online form from visiting the website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at http://www.irs.gov. This form comes in a PDF format that allows individuals to enter in their information using the computer and they can print off the completed forms to be mailed in to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

In addition to the eleven thousand dollars a year gift tax restriction individuals are also subject to a lifetime gift tax limit. That lifetime limit is one million dollars. Individuals who exceed one millions dollars in gifts in any number of years are required to start paying taxes on any more gifts that are given in the future. This means that even if an individual gives a gift that is less than eleven thousand dollars the next year they are still required to pay a gift tax because they exceed their lifetime gift tax allowance.

Giving another individual or charity a gift of money or property is a great way to reduce the likelihood of having to pay an estate tax later on in life. In addition to offering a number of tax benefits a gift also allows individuals to give back to their children, family friends, or community.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for EasyTaxSupport.com. For more tax tips [http://www.easytaxsupport.com/taxtips/] and to learn how to lower your taxes [http://www.easytaxsupport.com/lowertaxes/], visit Easy Tax Support today.

Diwali Gift Ideas: Traditional Indian Clothes

The most celebrated festival of India, one of the things that Diwali is closely associated with is exchanging gifts or offering gifts to friends and family. Diwali is the time for friends and family to get together and enjoy this festival with boundless fun. Apart from decorating the house, lighting diyas and bursting firecrackers, exchanging fabulous Diwali gifts with friends and family further adds to the celebration.

Traditionally, it's almost a sort of custom to give an assortment of various kinds of sweets, dry fruits, silver items, etc as Diwali gifts. Indian Clothes are also a popular choice for Gifts during Diwali. Everybody loves getting new clothes, hence there's no chance of going wrong with traditional Indian Clothes as Gifts. During Diwali, latest styles and designs of Indian Clothes throng the market which means an immense variety is available to choose from. Further, almost every store comes up with fabulous discounts and other offers which end up saving a lot too. Latest Designer Sarees, Designer Salwar Kameez, Designer Kurti, Designer Lehenga Choli, etc can be given as Diwali Gifts to women while Diwali Gifts to men would include Kurta Pyjama, Sherwani, Churidar Kurta, Indo-Western Suit, etc. Giving new clothes as Diwali Gifts is a splendid idea but measurement, proper size and fit should be highly noted when shopping for Diwali Clothes for others. When gifting Readymade Indian Clothes to others for Diwali, it's essential to get outfits in the right size so as to avoid embarrassment. Alternatively, when one is not sure about the right sizes then custom-made or unstitched Indian Clothes could also be given as Diwali Gifts which the recipients can get it stitched according to their preferences. Many stores house a large collection of unstitched Salwar Kameez, Lehenga Choli, Kurta Pyjama, Sherwani, etc as well which make for quite convenient Diwali Gifts!

Cbazaar is one of the most popular Indian online clothing shops. Cbazaar has the largest collection of Traditional Indian Clothing, Salwar kameez and Lehenga at the most reasonable price which can be purchased online and are delivered all over the world.

Happy Friendship Day

THis IS a Gift TO ALL my FrienDS FRom MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEe



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW1UQXtoJ7A&hl=en

Why They Send Rakhi to India

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with a great gusto and glee all over India. Brothers and sisters of all age wait for this festival which falls every year in the month of August, on the day of full-moon night. The festival has a great social significance behind the ritual, which is followed akin to a religious ceremony by all Indian communities globally. Sisters who are married and do not live in their parents' houses now, visit to their brothers on Raksha Bandhan, or they send them Rakhi threads as a token of ritual. The popularity of this festival can well be measured by the fact that Indian postal department has to launch a separate service for the delivery of Rakhis to all over India during this period. Many sisters who are living abroad send Rakhi to India for brothers on this occasion. Even the immeasurable distance couldn't deter the spirit of celebration.

Today, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated not only as a ritual but also as an opportunity of family get together and group entertainment. Children enjoy the festival the most. They get new apparels, new toys, sweets and their favourite chocolates. Each of their demands is fulfilled by their elder sisters, if they have got one. Or their parents do it for them. Brothers and sisters gather together and spend the day with kith and kins. They exchange gifts, share sweets and delicious dishes and spend the time in fun and frolics. Originally the festival was meant to provide protection to the sisters by their brothers. Even today brothers feel obliged to this ritual and do commit themselves to this untold promise of supporting their sisters whenever she may need their support.

The festival is being celebrated for centuries in India. There are many famous mythological and historical stories scribed in respective literatures that vouch for the significance of the festival. Tying a Rakhi thread even to an unknown person binds him to the brotherly relations with the women and inspires due respect and care from him. This is a moral obligation which brother fulfils willingly and feels himself blessed to get this opportunity. There are many such incidences in Indian literature. And this is why they still send Rakhi to India for brothers, every year.

GujaratGifts has launched a unique collection of Rakhis to India. There is everything that you may need to make the festival perfect such as Rakhi thalis, sweets, Mitha Thalis, Rakhi Gifts, DryFruit Hampers and more. We are serving Indians for more than 12 years now.

GujaratGifts.com is an online Gifts to India portal for Indians who want to send gifts to India - reliably, quickly and efficiently! So far, we have served 45000+ customer since 1998. The site offers attractive Rakhis and Rakhi Gifts Ideas for individuals. Those who want to send Rakhi to India.

Prayers of Queen Kunti - Words of Divine Inspiration

The prayers of Queen Kunti are very significant and well loved by the devotees of Krishna. These heartfelt prayers were offered when the Lord mounted His chariot and was about to depart for His magnificent city, Dvaraka. Seeing the Lord seated, Kunti Devi felt an immense mood of separation overwhelming her heart. She couldn't restrain herself for she was a pure devotee of Lord Krishna and therefore she approached Him with utmost humility and offered her prayers of surrender at the lotus feet of the Lord.

Lord Krishna protected them through thick and thin. Now that they had regained back their kingdom, Kunti Devi couldn't accept the idea that the Lord was leaving them. Thus she offered these prayers that would be famous forever among the wise. Her second prayer was this: "Being beyond the range of limited sense perception, You are the eternally irreproachable factor covered by the curtain of deluding energy. You are invisible to the foolish observer, exactly as an actor dressed as a player is not recognized." In the Mahabharath, Lord Krishna appears to have a secondary role. As such, He is not recognized as the Supreme Person. The wise that understand the truth behind the scriptures know the position of the Lord. For the whole world, Kunti Devi is revealing the unique position of Lord Krishna, her protector.

A few verses later she refutes the argument that Lord Krishna is an ordinary mortal or empowered human being. She utters the following prayer: "Let me therefore offer my respectful obeisance unto the Lord, who has become the son of Vasudeva, the pleasure of Devaki, the boy of Nanda and the other cowherd men of Vrindavan, and the enlivener of the cows and the senses." Even Lord Brahma was bewildered by Lord Krishna's childhood pastimes. He couldn't understand how the Lord can act in such an ordinary way. But Kunti says that even though He's the Lord of all lords, He acts in ordinary ways to please His devotees.

Queen Kunti was so exalted and was so a pure devotee of Lord Krishna that she didn't care for her own comfort. All she wanted was to see the Lord with them all the time. She reveals her heart by saying, "I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths." This is the nature of pure devotees. They are always absorbed in thinking of the Lord. They pray for obstacles to come so that they can be the recipients of the Lord's mercy.

There is a great depth in these prayers and a source of inspiration for devotees. More can be found in the Srimad Bhagavatam, canto 1, chapter 8.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books. You can find the best marketplace for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books at these sites for Krishna art, religious gifts India.

Tibetan Stanford student talks about what inspires her

To see and read more personal stories by and about Tibetans, visit the YoWangdu Tibetan Gift Shop site at www.yowangdu.com Tenzin Seldon is the 20-year old Tibetan activist and Stanford student. Raised a Tibetan refugee in India, Seldon has accomplished a great deal already -- she was one of about 20 students accepted out of 2000 transfer applicants to her Stanford class, and the first Tibetan raised in the refugee community to attend Stanford. Though just 20 she is wise beyond her years and clearly on the path to serving a significant role in her nation's future. Yolanda O'Bannon of YoWangdu.com visited Seldon at the Stanford campus, and talked to her about her inspirations.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnD_koCbrrA&hl=en