MANI RATNAM

Born June 2, 1956 (age 51)

Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Occupation Film director, film producer, screenwriter

Website http://www.madrastalkies.com

Mani Ratnam (born June 2, 1956) is a critically acclaimed Tamil Indian film director, writer and producer.



BIOGRAPHY

EARLY LIFE:

Ratnam was born as G. Subramaniam on June 2, 1956, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Degree in commerce from Madras University and an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies,

a management consultant before becoming a filmmaker.

Brother, film producer G. Venkateswaran.



CAREER:

Mani Ratnam's films often feature realistic, contemporary themes and complex plots.

FAMILIAL AND MARITAL HARDSHIPS, TERRORISM, LOVE, CLASS AND RELIGIOUS CONFLICT, WAR, POLITICS, ADOPTION, HISTORY AND DISABILITY are just some of the socio-political issues to have been featured in his films.

His movies are generally made in the Tamil language, but are usually also dubbed into other languages like TELUGU AND HINDI.

He has also made films in other languages like HINDI, TELUGU AND KANNADA.

Mani Ratnam's first film was a Kannada one, in which Anil Kapoor made his debut. PALLAVI ANU PALLAVI is the film a relationship between an older woman and a young man.

MOUNA RAAGAM, box-office success.

In 2002, Mani Ratnam was awarded the PADMA SHRI.

His movie NAYAKAN was part of Time Magazine's ALL-TIME 100 MOVIES issued in 2005.


FILMOGRAPHY:

The following is the list of films directed by Mani Ratnam. For many of these movies, Mani Ratnam is also credited for the story, screenplay and producing:

DIRECTOR:

Year Film Language Cast Music Director Notes

1983

Pallavi Anu Pallavi

Kannada

Anil Kapoor, Lakshmi

Ilaiyaraaja

Dubbed into Tamil as Oh! Priya Priya

1985

Unaru

Malayalam

Mohanlal, Sukumaran, Sabina Jose Ilaiyaraaja



1985

Pagal Nilavu

Tamil

Murali, Revathi Menon, Radhika Sarath Kumar, Sathyaraj

Ilaiyaraaja



1985

Idaya Kovil

Tamil

Mohan, Radha, Ambika, Goundamani

Ilaiyaraaja



1986

Mouna Raagam

Tamil

Mohan, Revathi, Karthik

Ilaiyaraaja

Dubbed into Telugu


1987

Nayagan

Tamil

Kamal Haasan, Saranya, Nassar, Janagaraj

Ilaiyaraaja

Dubbed into Hindi as Nayak

Dubbed into Telugu as Nayakudu

1988

Agni Natchathiram

Tamil

Prabhu, Karthik, Vijayakumar, Nirosha, Amala, Janagaraj, Jayachitra

Ilaiyaraaja

Dubbed into Telugu as Gharshana

1989

Geethanjali

Telugu

Nagarjuna, Girija, Vijayakumar

Ilaiyaraaja

Dubbed into Tamil as Idhayathai Thirudathey

Dubbed into Malayalam as Geethanjali

1990

Anjali

Tamil

Raghuvaran, Revathi, Prabhu, Tarun Kumar, Shamili, Shruti, Saranya

Ilaiyaraaja

Dubbed into Telugu as Anjali

1991

Thalapathi

Tamil

Rajinikanth, Mammooty, Arvind Swamy, Amrish Puri, Sobhana, Bhanupriya, Srividya, Geetha, Jaishankar

Ilaiyaraaja

Dubbed into Telugu as Dalapati

Dubbed into Hindi as Dal-pati

1992

Roja

Tamil

Arvind Swamy, Madhubala, Pankaj Kapoor, Nassar, Janagaraj

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into English as The Rose

Dubbed into Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Marathi as Roja


1993

Thiruda Thiruda

Tamil

Prashanth, Anand, Heera Rajgopal, Anu Agarwal, Balasubrahmanyam

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into Hindi as Chor Chor

Dubbed into Telugu as Donga Donga

1995

Bombay

Tamil

Arvind Swamy, Manisha Koirala, Nassar, Prakash Raj

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into Hindi and Telugu as Bombay

1997

Iruvar

Tamil

Mohanlal, Aishwarya Rai, Prakash Raj, Madhubala, Tabu, Revathi, Gouthami, Nassar

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into Telugu as Iddaru

1998

Dil Se

Hindi

Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala, Preity Zinta

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into Tamil as Uyire

Dubbed into Telugu as Prema Tho

2000

Alaipayuthey

Tamil

Madhavan, Shalini, Arvind Swamy, Kushboo, Vivek, Sukumari, Lalitha, Jayasudha, Pyramid Natarajan

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into English as Waves

Dubbed into Telugu as Sakhi

remade into Hindi as Saathiya


2002

Kannathil Muthamittal

Tamil

Madhavan, Simran, Nandita Das, Keerthana, Prakash Raj, Pasupathy

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into English as A Peck on the Cheek

Dubbed into Telugu as Amrutha

2004

Aayitha Ezhuthu

Tamil

Madhavan, Surya Sivakumar, Siddharth Narayan, Meera Jasmine, Esha Deol, Trisha, Bharathiraja, Janagaraj

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into Telugu as Yuva

Dubbed into English as The Three Dots

Simultaneously remade in Hindi as Yuva.


2004

Yuva

Hindi

Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi, Rani Mukherjee, Esha Deol, Kareena Kapoor, Om Puri

A. R. Rahman



2007

Guru

Hindi

Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhavan, Vidya Balan, Mallika Sherawat, Mithun Chakraborty

A. R. Rahman

Dubbed into Tamil as Guru

Dubbed into Telugu as Gurukanth



NON-DIRECTOR:

Established Madras Talkies for film production during the shoot of Iruvar.

He had earlier produced Thiruda Thiruda under his personal name.

Apart from production, Mani Ratnam also has written story and screenplay for movies directed by others.

Indira (1996) - Screenplay (Movie was directed by his wife Suhasini)

Gayam (1993) - Story & Screenplay (Telugu Movie)

Chatriyan - Story & Screenplay

Aasai (1995) - Producer

Nerrukku Ner (1997) - Producer (Madras Talkies)

Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001) - Story, Screenplay & Producer

Saathiya (2002) - Screenplay (Movie is a re-make of Alaipayuthey and was directed by his assistant Shaad Ali) and Producer (Madras Talkies)

Five Star (2003) - Producer (Madras Talkies)



STAGE:

Netru, Indru, Naalai (2006) feb

DIRECTED BY MANI RATNAM.



FAMILY:

Mani's father Gopal Ratnam Iyer was a film producer.

Mani's brother late G. Venkateswaran, popularly known as G.V. was a noted film producer.

Mani married to actress Suhasini, niece of Kamal Haasan and they have a son Nandan.

Mani co-founded and co-runs the independent production company Madras Talkies along with his other brother G. Srinivasan.

Srinivasan passed away in Manali on the 27th May 2007.



THEMES:

Mani Ratnam oftens makes movies inspired by REAL-LIFE EVENTS,

Nayagan based on MUMBAI UNDER WORLD,

Kannathil Muthamittal based on WAR-TORN SRI LANKA

and Aayitha Ezhuthu based on STUDENT UNREST IN OSMANIA UNIVERSITY.

His movies often portray STRONG FRIENDSHIP, Rajni-Mammooty in Thalapathi,

Surya-Siddarth in Aayitha Ezhuthu,

Mohanlal-Prakash Raj in Iruvar

and Kamal-Janakaraj in Nayagan.

He has shot almost all of his movies in India and rarely travelled outside, except for Guru (2007 film) in Turkey.

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Count your chickens before they hatch"

English Edification Enrichment-

What is the meaning and origin of the idiom, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch"?

Some people, as soon as they buy a lottery ticket think they are going to win. They begin to make plans as to what they are going to do with the money when they get it. When you tell such a person "not to count your chickens before they hatch" what you are doing is warning him. You are telling the individual not to celebrate prematurely; you are advising him not to count his profits before he has the money in his hand. You are asking him to wait for the lottery results to be announced before he starts making plans. Here are a few examples.

* Ask Suresh. He may be willing to lend you some money. But don't count your chickens before they hatch.

* Stop talking about the places you are going to see. You still haven't got your visa yet. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
This is an expression which comes from a story in Aesop's Fairy Tales. In the story a woman is carrying a basket of eggs. While she is walking, she begins to think about ....how many chicks she will soon have...how much money she'll make by selling the chicks...the things she'll buy with all the money...As she is thinking about all this, she drops the basket of eggs! Result? The woman is left with no eggs and no chicks. Hence the expression, "don't count your chickens before they hatch".

Which of the following sentences is correct? "I am busy the next week" or "I am busy next week"?

Both are correct. When you say that you are busy next week what you mean is that you are busy the week after this one. You are going to be busy from Monday onwards. But when you say that you are busy "the next week" what you are implying is that starting today you are going to be busy for the next seven days. Today is Tuesday. So you are going to be busy till next Monday. When you say that you are going to be busy "the next month" what you are implying is that you are going to be busy the next thirty days. In other words, you are going to be busy from 30 July to 29 August.

“the telephone has been ringing off the hook” mean

English Edification Enrichment-

What does “the telephone has been ringing off the hook” mean?

It means that the phone has been ringing non stop. When you say that the phone has been ringing off the hook what it means is that it has been ringing constantly. Here's an example.

* Whenever Achala is at home the phone keeps ringing off the hook.

* When I entered the house this morning the phone was ringing off the hook.

* Ever since people came to know that Mr. Sunderam has been nominated for an award, his phone has been ringing off the hook.

What does “grungy” mean?

The ‘u’ is pronounced like the ‘u’ in ‘cut’, ‘but’, and ‘hut’ and the final ‘g’ is like the ‘j’ in ‘jug’, ‘juice’, and ‘joy’. When you say that something is `grungy' it means it is smelly and dirty.

* Can I say that your kitchen is grungy?

* My kitchen is definitely not grungy! You get your grungy feet off the sofa.

* I don't like going to the new Udipi restaurant. There is always some grungy stuff on the table.

* It is also possible to say there's always grunge on the table.

Part 1 - Normally shop lifters plan well

I witnessed a lady stealing clothes today; I was surprised the way she had to do it, she was very obvious and moreover at the changing room she left behind her dress which she carried as spare in her personal bag. Immediately she rushed ignoring everyone at the shop and did not buy anything.

After realizing that she has left her dress behind as four clothes been taken for trial and out of which three belong to the shop and the one was not; assuming that to be hers the sales girl rushed to stop her mainly to give her cloth back.

Normally shop lifters plan well before they steel or at least would not make it so prevalent but here it was neither. I felt something was amiss. Later after few minutes the lady was called in her mobile; “the visitors books carries her mobile number since she was a regular and an errant” she was not confronted but politely asked to take back her own cloth.

Continues...

Part 2 - Normally shop lifters plan well

Shop lifter - She” the customer”

She” the customer” returned to the shop with vigour and when the sales girl dealt with her informing her about the missing apparel and being the first customer at the shop; she the sales girl was brusquely certain that the lady is the accused.

Customer being the nominated accused became furious with the sales in charge and raised a complaint with the owner of the shop against the sales girl. After some time the customer called the owner asking if she found the dress within the shop and enquired if she would be allowed in the boutique again as she intend to purchase few designer dresses for her children.
This entire scene was narrated to my friend by me the same way, who at this point of time sympathised on the customer and mentioned she is been falsely accused and clarified if there was no mistake made by the sales girl in the process. It is seldom a shop lifter or a thief would call back the shop asking if the lost dress is brought into being.

It is fishy huh?
Continues..

Part 3 - Normally shop lifters plan well

“Shop lifter guilty”

I had my own untold sympathy myself but did not reveal since it was very evident that the customer is guilty. The point here is one cannot prove that she is guilty but there is her consciousness which would do the rest; I am sorry I am getting too personal this super human term “consciousness” does not relate to ordinary people like us. Frankly it is almost dead in our society. The entire reason for this blog “raise your voice – society speaks “is to find out how many such souls exist.
The customers frequent calls more than the naturally genuine non guilty self also gave me a doubt. Now she called and asked to meet the owner in person as soon as possible. At the meeting she fell on the shop owner’s feet and apologised.
The boutique owner appreciated her courage to apologise.

All these things will influence your health in a positive way.

Finally, don't be tempted to skip breakfast – or any meal to lose weight. While skipping a meal will reduce your calorie intake for that hour, it will leave you much hungrier later on.

Not only are you likely to overeat to compensate, but you'll often make bad choices to fill the gap: a cereal bar is not as healthy as a bowl of cereal or as filling, leading you to 'need' something extra for lunch.

Irregular eating habits also disrupt your body's metabolism, which makes it harder to lose weight in the first place.


You're also more likely to stick to, say, swapping full-fat milk for semi-skimmed or making time for breakfast each morning than a diet that sets rules for all foods.

You should think of weight loss in terms of permanently changing your eating habits. While weight-loss goals are usually set in term of weeks, the end game is to sustain these changes over months and years, ie lifestyle change for life.


Increase your activity levels

Someone who increases the amount they exercise, but maintains the same diet and calorie intake, will almost certainly lose weight.


No matter if you hate gyms – even light exercise, such as a short 20 minute walk, will be beneficial if done most days of the week.

Every single time you exercise more than usual, you burn calories and fat.

There are lots of ways to increase the amount of activity you do. Team sports, racket sports, aerobics classes, running, walking, swimming and cycling will all improve your fitness levels.

Find something you enjoy that's easy for you to do in terms of location and cost. You're then more likely to build it into your routine and continue to exercise, despite inevitably missing the odd session through holidays, family commitments, etc.


Get out and about at the weekend. Leave your car on the drive and walk to the shops. Try to incorporate longer walks into outings to the park, coast or countryside and take a picnic, so you're in control of what you are going to eat that day.

Every extra step you take helps. Always use the stairs instead of the lift, or get off the bus a stop before the usual one and walk the rest of the way.

Use commercial breaks between TV-programmes to stand up and do exercise, or consider using an exercise bicycle in the living room while watching your favourite programme.

Reduce your calorie intake

What is overweight?
Doctors use BMI to assess weight.
A BMI of 18.5 to 25 is healthy.
If you have a BMI of more than 25, you're overweight.
Over 30 is obese.
Over 40 is morbidly obese.
To calculate your BMI, you'll need to know your weight in kilos and your height in metres, then follow the example below.

1. Multiply your height by itself, eg 1.7x1.7= 2.89.
2. Divide your weight (eg 80kg) by this figure.
3. 80 ÷ 2.89= 27.7.
27.7 is the BMI.
If you're overweight, you can't continue with your current eating habits if you really want to lose weight.
It's not possible to reduce body fat while eating lots of food, cakes and sweets. This doesn't mean you can never have any treats, but you need to learn how to limit these foods to small quantities – say, for special occasions.
In terms of weight-loss, you can get your body to use up existing stores of fat by eating less and making healthier choices.


This doesn't mean crash diet (anything less than 1500 calories), which usually ends up with you either getting weaker or giving up in desperation. Quick-fix diets can lead to a yo-yoing effect of drastic weight loss followed by weight gain, resulting in a vicious cycle.
There are no shortcuts to losing weight in a healthy and reasonable way.

Eating 300 to 500 calories less per day should lead to a loss of between one and two pounds per week. This is a realistic target. It may seem slow, but it would add up to a weight loss of more than three stone in a year.
Fat contains the most amount of calories out of all the food types (protein, carbohydrates), so a good way to achieve this is to cut down on fatty foods and eat more wholegrain bread, fruit and vegetables.



are ways to reduce calorie intake without having to alter your diet significantly.



Replace fizzy drinks and fruit cordials with water.
Swap whole milk for semi-skimmed, or semi-skimmed for skimmed.
Eat less lunch than usual. For example, make your own sandwich and limit the use of margarine or butter and full-fat mayonnaise (store-bought sandwiches often contain both).

Stop taking sugar in tea and coffee.

Have smaller portions of the food you enjoy.

Avoid having a second helping at dinner.

Cut out unhealthy treats – such as confectionary, sugary biscuits and crisps between meals.
Cut down on alcohol intake.

So, if you need to lose weight, what should you do?

The same goes for people who suddenly start starving themselves. Diets that severely restrict calories or the types of food 'allowed' can lead you to be deficient in the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs.

Energy needs and weight loss
Your body uses food for energy. It stores any excess energy as fat. This means if you eat more food than your body needs for daily activities and cell maintenance, you'll gain weight.

To lose weight, you need to get your body to use up these stores of fat. The most effective way to do this is to:
reduce the amount of calories you eat
increase your levels of activity.
This is why experts talk about weight loss in terms of diet and exercise.

Introduce changes gradually
Small changes can make a big difference. One extra biscuit a week can lead you to gain 5lb a year – cut that biscuit out of your diet and you'll lose the same amount.

How to lose weight the healthy way

How to lose weight the healthy way


The healthiest way to lose weight is neither crash diets nor bursts of exercise. The body likes slow changes in terms of food and exercise.

For example, someone who hasn't exercised for years shouldn't rush into running miles a day or pounding the treadmill. Not only will the struggle to do so leave you feeling disheartened and demotivated, you're also far more likely to injure yourself and set your fitness levels back further.

Meaning of "chock-a-block"

English Edification Enrichment-

What is the meaning of "chock-a-block"?

This is an expression, which is mainly used in informal contexts. Chock-a-block means, "completely full; tightly packed". The expression is usually followed by "with". The main stress is on "block". The first word "chock" is pronounced like the first syllable of "chocolate". Here are a few examples.

* The cupboard was chock-a-block with hundred rupee notes.
* I wouldn't go there now. The place will be chock-a-block with tourists.
* On Friday evening, Ashok's house was chock-a-block with guests

A Cruel Act To Homeless Dogs And Puppies

                    TOO CRUEL FOR PHOTOGRAPH

At 9-15 a.m., the Blue Cross of India’s Resident General Manager Mr. Dawn Williams received a phone call from a person who stated that homeless puppies and dogs were being killed in a mass culling operation in Mugilvakkam. Mr Williams obtained the address and rushed to the location. While in the process of asking for directions, he encountered a tractor that was filled with the carcasses of the animals that had been poisoned that morning. He counted 23 dogs and 11 puppies – one dog was still in pain and succumbed shortly after.

Mr Williams rescued the other dogs that were about to be killed. He identified five persons (4 men and 1 woman), a driver, cleaner and asked the driver about who gave him directions to kill the dogs. The driver said that the local Panchayat President Mr Palani had given him these instructions. Mr Palani also said that they ironically had made a “resolution” on Gandhi Jayanthi to catch the dogs.

Killing of Dogs is illegal as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and this is also against the Supreme Court ruling that Dogs cannot be killed and Animal Birth Control is the only humane way of reduction in dog population which is further supported by Chennai being declared Rabies Free by the Corporation where ABC is being carried out for the last 45 years.Mr. Williams lodged an FIR in Mangadu Police Station against all concerned. He received phone calls from the guilty parties pressurizing him to withdraw the complaint.

Mr Williams refused and took photographs of the bodies to prove the crime had taken place. Blue Cross of India was established in 1959 as a charitable animal welfare organization and is dedicated to reducing the population of homeless dogs in a humane manner through Animal Birth Control – Anti Rabies (ABC AR) and thanks to BCI’s efforts, Chennai was recently declared a rabies-free city. Killing dogs is against the Supreme Court rules and this culling operation was illegal in nature.

Filmmaking

In filmmaking, dubbing or looping is the process of recording or replacing voices for a motion picture.

Voices recorded that do not belong to the original actors and speak in a different language from the one in which the actor is speaking.

"Dubbing" can also be used to describe the process of re-recording lines by the actor who originally spoke them. This process is technically known as automated dialogue replacement, or ADR. Foreign-language films and videos are often dubbed into the local language of their target markets to increase their popularity with the local audience by making them more accessible.

Automated dialogue replacement / post-sync

In conventional film production, a production sound mixer records dialogue during photography, but several uncontrollable issues, such as traffic or animal noise, during principal photography can cause the production sound to be unusable.

When the film is in post-production, a Supervising Sound Editor or ADR Supervisor reviews all of the dialogue in the film and rules which actor lines will have to be replaced using the ADR technique.

ADR is recorded during an ADR session. An actor, usually the original actor on set, is called to a sound studio equipped with video playback equipment and sound playback and recording equipment. The actor wears headphones and is shown the film of the line that must be replaced, and often he or she will be played the production sound recording. The film is then projected several times, and the actor attempts to re-perform the line while watching the image on the screen, while an ADR Recordist records the performances. Several takes are made, and based on the quality of the performance and sync, one is selected and edited by an ADR Editor for use in the film.

An alternative method, called "rythmo band” (or "lip-sync band") was historically used in Canada and France. This band provides a more precise guide for the actors, directors and technicians and can be used to complement the traditional headphone method. The band is actually a clear 35 mm film leader on which is written, in India ink, the dialogue and numerous indications for the actor (laughs, cries, length of syllables, mouth sounds, mouth openings and closings, etc.). The lip-sync band is projected in studio and scrolls in perfect synchronization with the picture. Thanks to the high efficiency of the lip-sync band, the number of retakes are reduced, resulting in a substantial savings in recording time (as much as 50% compared to headphones-only recording).

Dubbing is often used to localize a foreign movie. The new voice track will usually be spoken by a voice artist. In many countries, most actors who regularly perform this duty are generally little-known, outside of popular circles such as anime fandom, for example, or when their voice has become synonymous with the role or the actor or actress whose voice they usually dub. In the United States, many of these actors also employ pseudonyms or go uncredited due to Screen Actors Guild regulations or simple desire to dissociate themselves from the role. However, famous local actors can also be hired to perform the dubbing, particularly for comedies and animated movies, as their names are supposed to attract moviegoers example shahrukh khan, stallione etc.

Asia

China has a long tradition of dubbing foreign films into the Mandarin Chinese which started in 1930s. Beginning from late 1970s, not only films, but popular TV series from the US, Japan and Mexico were also dubbed.

The Shanghai Film Dubbing Studio has been the most celebrated one in the dubbing industry in China. In order to generate high-quality products, they divide each film into short segments, each one lasting only a few minutes, and then work on the segments one by one. In addition to the correct meaning in translation, they make tremendous effort to match the lips of the actors.

As a result, viewers can hardly detect that the films they are seeing are actually dubbed. The cast of dubbers is acknowledged at the end of a dubbed film.

In Thailand, foreign television programmes are dubbed, but the original soundtrack is often simultaneously carried or "simulcast" on the radio.

In Pakistan, Almost 60% of population speak Punjabi as their mother-tongue in country. Therefore Punjabi films make more business than Urdu films. The film companies produced Punjabi films and re-record all films in Urdu and released it as a "Double Version" film.

OTHER USES

In most cases, the original actor does not perform this duty; instead, an actor with a similar voice is called in. The results are sometimes seamless, but in many cases the voice of the replacement actor sounds nothing like the original performer, also, often easy to notice, is the sudden absence of background sounds in the movie during the dubbed dialogue

CRITICISM AND DEFENSE OF DUBBING

Dubbing has been criticized in several ways, particularly in countries where it is not common practice.Those who dislike dubbing sometimes claim that it devalues films or TV programs, as original soundtracks are closer to what the director intended.

Dubbing performers are occasionally known to take liberties with some works they do not hold in particular esteem, or consider exploitation films.

Defenders of dubbing maintain that subtitling interferes , distracting, with the visual experience

Also, some viewers who understand both the original language and the language used in the subtitles say they find that it is confusing and distracting to mentally process the dialogues in both languages at the same time.

New technology
It is now becoming possible to overcome some of the problems associated with dubbing using new technology. An application developed at New York University, known as Video Rewrite, uses computer animation to match lip movements with the new voice track.

Media Movers, Inc., a dubbing company, has developed a piece of proprietary software which can automatically sync ADR/dubbed tracks with pre-defined algorithms.

Marijuana

It Is: Marijuana (say: mar-uh-wa-nuh) is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States. It is made from the shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp (Cannabis sativa) plant. It looks like green, brown, or gray dried parsley.
Marijuana is a mind-altering drug and is considered a hallucinogen if taken in large amounts.

Sometimes Called: weed, grass, pot, chronic, joint, blunt, herb, cannabis, hashish, Mary Jane
How It's Used: Marijuana is smoked in the form of a hand-rolled cigarette (called a joint or a nail), in a pipe, or water pipe (also known as a bong); it is sometimes smoked after being placed inside of hollowed-out cigars called blunts; mixed into foods; or brewed as a tea.

What It Does to You: Marijuana makes it hard to keep track of time and concentrate. People who use it have difficulty with memory and find it hard to solve problems and learn.

Marijuana raises your heart rate and blood pressure. Some people get red eyes or dry mouths or become sleepy or very hungry. The drug can also make some people paranoid (feeling like someone is out to hurt them or is plotting against them). It can also sometimes cause hallucinations.

Marijuana is as tough on your lungs as cigarettes — steady users suffer coughs, wheezing, frequent colds, and respiratory (airway and lung) infections, like bronchitis.

Sometimes blunts are filled with drugs like PCP (also called angel dust) or crack cocaine in addition to marijuana and can be very dangerous when smoked

Being safe in the Kitchen

Do you like putting on an apron and making a delicious snack for your family? How about helping out at the stove, stirring and sniffing the sweet smells? Or making cookies by cutting out your favorite shapes?

Although making food is fun, it's important to know how to be safe. This means knowing when to get the help of an adult assistant, how to keep things clean, and how to use the kitchen safely. Let's get cookin'!


Your Adult Assistant
If you've ever seen a cooking show on TV, you know that all the best chefs have an assistant to help them out. If you're a kid, an adult assistant can come in handy to make cooking easier and keep you safe.

Before beginning any recipe, get an adult's permission to work in the kitchen. If your recipe uses knives, the stove, or other kitchen appliances, you must have some adult help. Some things that your mom or dad uses in the kitchen may seem simple to operate, but once you use them yourself, you might be surprised by how difficult they actually are. By having your assistant around, you can avoid surprises, stay safe, and have fun while you cook.

What Should You Wear?
Wearing an apron will keep your clothes clean. If you don't have an apron, an old shirt will do. But don't wear anything that's big and loose. Baggy sleeves or clothes could catch fire or get caught in mixer beaters or other equipment.

How To Buy Diapers

In today’s world, when stores are crammed with so many types of diapers, it becomes quite difficult for parents to select the best diaper for their child. So, if you’re brainstorming about how to buy diapers, this article could be of immense help to you. Since diapers make an important part of baby’s clothing, until he is potty trained, the right choice of diaper, which ensures comfort, becomes crucial. Amidst vast collection of diapers, the following tips would help you to choose right diapers for your toddler.

Tips For Buying Diapers


The very first thing before buying diaper is whether you want cloth or disposal diapers for your child. People also prefer buying disposable diapers for the reason that they can be easily disposed. Other reason is they can be changed and disposed off in public. They are usually comfortable due to their elastic bands. After some time, these diapers need to be changed. So, it becomes a little expensive choice.

For years, cloth diapers have been used to wrap up babies. This option is still open to parents. Many people still prefer cloth diaper, considering that its soft natural fibers, with least chemicals, will never harm the skin of the child. It proves to be economical also, since it can be reused after a wash.

In case you opt for disposable diapers, you are required to know what size of diaper would be perfect for your tot. Some diapers are available in sizes 1 to 6, whereas others are offered as small, medium, large and extra large. Usually diaper box suggest a size apt to baby’s age and weight.

Since disposable diapers are quite expensive, always try to find coupons and sales, so that you can avail discounts on them.

Diapers come in variety, so check out whether to buy one with tape or Velcro fasteners. There are also extra absorbent diapers, while others comprise extra padding on the back. Some can be converted into pants and some are specially designed for overnight wearing. Make out which type of diaper will suit your baby the best.


The most important tip is ensuring that the diapers you’re buying offers a snug fit and is not very tight.



Best Diaper Brands in India


Pampers
Snuggies
Huggies
Wipro Baby-Soft

When To Start Infant Cereal and Baby Food

Most women who have very young babies are wary about when to start giving the child cereals. It depends on not just your baby’s age and weight and but also many other things. Some babies may be ready for cereals in 3 months, while some may take a little longer. Usually, doctors recommend that one can start giving the baby cereals between 4-6 months. Whatever you do, don’t rush your baby into having cereals just because he/she is four months old. Here are a few signs to watch out for to determine whether your baby is ready for cereals.

The baby holds his/her head steady and sits with support

Tries to reach out for food and shows interest

Opens mouth when he/she sees food

No longer thrusts the tongue out during feeding. Food stays in the mouth and the baby swallows it

The Best Time

Babies can be given cereals when they are between four to six months. Usually, this is the time when the automatic thrusting of the tongue stops and the baby starts to show interest in food. Begin by giving the cereal once a day. Don’t switch the cereals too often and wait for a few days before introducing new food. Very gradually increase the volume of the cereal given or you may start giving it twice a day, the best options being morning and evening.


The First Bites

When introducing baby cereal for the first time, make sure the consistency is thin and runny. Mix the cereal with breast milk to make it thin. Cereals that are made out of rice, barley or oatmeal cereals are best if they are ground finely. Don’t use cow’s milk or baby formula without consulting your doctor. The baby should be seated on a chair or a baby seat that has straps to strap-on if you feel the baby may fall. Use a small spoon to feel the baby. At first, he/she may take small and messy bites and may play with the food inside the mouth. But that is how they learn to eat!

Ear Piercing Babies

Piercing the ears of babies is a personal choice of parents. Some like to get it pierced early while some wait till the baby grows up a bit. Most pediatricians recommend that you wait for a bit till the baby is old enough to look after the pierced area. Ear piercing is not new and one can trace the tradition back to almost 6000 years back when this system was prevalent in the ancient African tribes. Today, piercing is a form of body art that is adopted by many people to look good and make a statement.


When to Pierce Baby Ears

Most people get the ears of a baby girl pierced when the baby is around 6-7 months old. This is considered to be the proper age for getting the ears of a baby pierced. The practice of ear piercing is widely prevalent in the Hindu culture. Usually, parents get the ears of the baby pierced just before the first birthday. Not just baby girls, even the ears of baby boys are pierced. The ear lobe is pierced at a particular place by the professional as it is supposed to have acupuncture properties. However, you must be careful only to go to a professional as they know exactly which point to pierce.


Look Out For...

Allergic Reaction

Though most babies are fine with gold, some may be allergic to it. The best metal to use is stainless steel as it is hypo allergic. The most common signs of allergic reactions are unexplained fever, pus formation, etc.

Choking

Small babies rub their ears a lot or keep fiddling with the site that has been pierced. Due to this, there is a chance that the earring may come off and prompt the child to swallow it out of curiosity. Keep a watch on it!

Infections

Since the immune systems of babies are still being developed, there are chances that the baby might catch infection. To ensure this does not happen, clean the site of piercing everyday with a swab of cotton dipped in an anti-septic or anti-bacterial liquid.

Type of Earring

The type of earring you use is of utmost importance. Too tight or too small or earrings that are clasped onto the ear lobe should be avoided. Opt for small studs that are easily able to move forth and back allowing some air to pass through the piercing. Else, you can opt for small rings that are easy to move around. Avoid anything that has a sharp protruding edge or dangles.

Underarm Temperature Reading

Taking the temperature of child presents a number of choices as well as some minor difficulties. There are a number of ways through which you can take the temperature of a child. The most popular amongst these methods are rectal method, auxiliary method and oral method. The method to be used mainly depends upon the age of the child. In this article, we will tell you all about taking infant temperature reading.

Things Needed

Mercury/Digital Thermometer
Petroleum Jelly

Rectal Method

Rectal method is recommended for taking temperature of infants under three months.
Take mercury or digital thermometer. Before taking temperature, make sure that the reading on either of them is under 95 deg F.

Dab a little petroleum jelly or any other lubricator on the tip of the thermometer. This is to ensure that the tip easily slides inside the butt.

Make your child lie face down on your lap or on a flat surface (I would suggest your lap).

Separate the buttocks of the baby and gently insert the tip of the thermometer inside the anal opening.

Insert the thermometer till its bulb or silver tip is completely covered or stops being visible.

Hold the buttocks of the baby with one hand, placing the thermometer between your fingers. This will ensure that the thermometer remains at its place.

Keep sitting in the position for 3-5 min; in case of a mercury thermometer, or till you hear a beep, in case of digital thermometer.

Gentle take out the thermometer from the anal opening and record the temperature immediately.



Auxiliary (Underarm) Method


Auxiliary method, in which the thermometer is placed inside the underarm, is best for recording temperature of children who are 3 months to 4 years old.

Take mercury or digital thermometer. Before taking temperature, make sure that the reading on either of them is under 95 deg F.

Remove your child’s shirt as well as vest. Now, clean his armpit and let it dry.

Place the thermometer under the arm of the baby and hold it down.

Keep on holding his arm, to make sure that the thermometer remains in place.

Keep sitting in the position for 3-5 min; in case of a mercury thermometer, or till you hear a beep, in case of digital thermometer.

Gentle take out the thermometer from the underarm and record the temperature immediately.


Oral Method


The oral method of taking temperature is made use of, in children above four years of age.

Take temperature atleast 20 to 30 minutes after your child has had something to eat or drink.

Take mercury or digital thermometer. Before taking temperature, make sure that the reading on either of them is under 95 deg F.

Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue of the child. Ask him to press together his lips in such a way that the thermometer remains in place.

Tell him not to bite the thermometer and breathe through his nose and keep quiet.

Make him stay in the position for 1-2 min; in case of a mercury thermometer, or till you hear a beep, in case of digital thermometer.

Gentle take out the thermometer from the mouth and record the temperature immediately.


How to Interpret Your Child's Temperature

While interpreting your child’s temperature, keep the following tips in mind.

In case of rectal method, the temperature should be below 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius).

In case of auxiliary method, the temperature should be below 99° Fahrenheit (37.2° Celsius).

In case of oral method, the temperature should be below 99.5° Fahrenheit (37.5° Celsius).

If you child’s temperature is at or above the above-mentioned limits, it means that he has fever. Consult a doctor immediately.

Tips

Make sure to wash the tip of thermometer with soap and water after every use.

In case of digital thermometer, read the instructions carefully before use.

Toddler Overeating

Sometimes, we find that our little toddler is eating more than we do. We can call this habit as overeating, but the point is ‘Is it really overeating?”. At several times in childhood, habit of overeating develops in a child and doctors assert it as part of ‘growth spurt’. Many a times, growth is not accomplished gradually, but rather in spurts. At such times, it is absolutely normal for a child to consume more than an adult, because he is not only required to meet maintenance and energy necessities, but also energy growth requirements.

Keep a Track of Growth and Diet

If the toddler’s weight and height are increasing, then he needs to have more food. Parents can consult the doctor about the child’s eating pattern and if the case is not of ‘growth spurt’, then a limit must be made to toddler’s intake of food. A limit doesn’t mean to keep your child on a diet, but it’s to keep a track of his meals and what all he prefers to eat. Incase the child is more inclined towards junk and fatty foods, then set a limit or else it could cause obesity later. Give him healthy foods and you can do this easily by avoiding junk and bringing healthy foods at home.

Schedule Meals Properly

Make a chart of what to give him for eating at times in a day. You can give him proper meal and snacks at other times. Keep in mind that the food you’re offering is enough to satisfy his hunger. Don’t make a gap of more than 3 to 4 hours between meals and snacks. Snacks must also be gratifying, so that the child doesn’t get too hungry before the next meal Otherwise, he will again overeat the next time. A significant contribution would be made by healthy snacks to meet the nutritional requirements of child.

Keep the Child Busy

Fat in form of cheese or peanut butter can also be given, together with fruits or crackers. Since fat takes times to get digested, it would leave the child satisfied for long. For meals, pass a little time before giving him the second morsel. Keep the child busy in table conversation or coloring the books, and ascertain if he is still hungry. Teach the toddler to eat slowly and attentively, as this will gradually make him aware of controlled eating. Give him good choices for eating so that he loves home-made food instead crave for market’s junk.

Don’t Say No to Dessert

Desserts can also be included in the child’s meal, they provide substantial nutrition. Custard, made of skimmed milk, is rich in protein and calcium and can make delicious treat for your kid. A healthy and yummy breakfast can be made with blueberry crisp, with a topping of oats and whole wheat. Offer nutritious food to your child and be tension-free as regards his eating. Proper nutrition is essential for the child and starving him from that doesn’t solve any purpose. Thus, always give you child food that meets the recommended daily values for nutrients.

Early Childhood Music

Victor Hugo had rightly said “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent”. This statement surely values the mind of a child, who doesn’t know words but always want to say much. Possibly, the concept of Early Childhood Music has developed from statement’s reflection. Music, in itself, is a complete therapy that has the ability to bring about healing. It has the capability to open fastened thoughts and relieve the mind.
Enhanced Development
Researchers have established that music and movement programs affect the development of child between his birth and primary school years. Further, to confirm such situation, it has been seen that children who get preschool piano lessons together with singing, have better brain function that lasts their lifetime. Such lessons aid to develop characteristics and social skills in the child. The major observable change is improvement in academics and more so, in subjects like mathematics and science.

Early childhood music also helps to develop reasoning skills because the ability to think through a problem gets increased. Such classes of music improve brain functioning in young children. Moreover, the early you expose your child to music, the better would be the result. Early childhood music program could be real fun and exciting for your toddler. Anytime between one and seven years of age, a child can be introduced to music sessions. These programs could be piano-based, fast-paced, properly structured or age-specific.
Benefits of Early Childhood Music
Music and movement develop self-esteem and body attentiveness in children.
Listening to music develops the quality of auditory discrimination in the child.
Listening to the sounds of instruments encourage motor development and creative development.
Ingenious movement facilitates children to learn various concepts like balance, coordination and rhythm.
Through music, children can enhance cognitive skills like counting as well as learning of alphabets, days of the week, address, phone number, etc.

Guidelines for storing my pumped milk?

Your milk is a living substance so precious some call it "white blood". It is essential to store your expressed (pumped) milk properly to maximize its nutritional and anti-infective qualities. Human milk actually has anti-bacterial properties that help it to stay fresh. Giving your baby the freshest milk you have pumped ensures its high quality.



This information is based on current research and applies to mothers who:
have healthy, full-term babies;
are storing their milk for home use (as opposed to hospital use);
wash their hands before expressing;
use containers that have been washed in hot, soapy water and rinsed.
All milk should be dated before storing.
Storage Guidelines

Storing milk in 2-4 ounce amounts may reduce waste. Refrigerated milk has more anti-infective properties than frozen milk. Cool milk in refrigerator before adding to frozen milk.
Human milk can be stored
at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours
in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days
in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.
in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.

for more details http://www.llli.org

Popular in Japan

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

It is popular in Japan; drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society.

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningtitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhoea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

3. After 45 m! inutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure main deseases:

1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days

2. Gastric - 10 days

3. Diabetes - 30 days

4. Constipation - 10 days

5. Cancer - 180 days

6. TB - 90 days

Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment for only 3 days. In the 1st week to be followed by daily treatment.

"Think Outside of the Box"

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, it's raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:

An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

An old friend who once saved your life.

The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?
This is a moral/ethical dilemma.
------------------------ -----------------------

"I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams."

Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.




* You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first;

* or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to ! pay him back.

* However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

S. V. Ranga Rao

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (b. 3 July 1918 - d. 18 July 1974) was an iconic South Indian actor, director and producer. He has an important place in the film history of South India (both in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu). He was an internationally recognised actor and is popularly known as "Vishwanata Chakravarthi."

He was considered to be a versatile actor and the first actor of his kind with the famous mannerism "orey dongrey" from the film "Jagath Jettilu" he is the household name in Andhra Pradesh. He died on July 18, 1974 suffering a severe cardiac arrest. But, he continues to live in the annals of Tollywood and Kollywood film history.

Early life

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (S.V. Ranga Rao) was born on July 3, 1918 at Nuzvidu village in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, when the World War I was drawing to a close. His mother, Lakshmi Narasayamma, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateshwara, christened the boy after Him -- Venkata Ranga Rao. His father, Koteswara Rao, was an excise inspector.

The possessive father sent S.V.R. to the erstwhile Madras presidency where he completed his schooling at Hindu College. At an early age of 12, the boy showed immense interest in stage action. Studying B.Sc, but the mind of youthful S.V.R. was always preoccupied with the thoughts of stage-plays and film acting. Immediately after graduation, S.V.R. could get a job in the Fire Service in the cadre of an officer. Two objectives were still clear in his mind, which were to do MSc and to take active part in dramas and films.

Film career

S.V.R. got an invitation from one of his relatives, B.V. Ramanandam, to play the hero in his film "Varoodhini". He immediately abandoned the job, and left for Salem to join the celluloid world. In fact, it’s a great beginning for the young man. The film "Varoodhini" was released, and in a few days people began to forget that they had ever seen such a movie. No producer dared to offer a role to him.

Soon, S.V.R. was disillusioned with the filmdom and left the Madras presidency and reached Jemshedpur, where he took up the job as a budget assistant with the Tata Company. However, his love for dramas began to bloom multifold. At this juncture, he was married to Leelavathi Vadeti on December 27, 1947. In the days that followed, S.V.R. was given an opportunity to play the villain in the film, "Palletoori Pilla," produced by B.A. Subba Rao. Unfortunately, when S.V.R. was about to take a train to Chennai, his father expired. After performing the final rites, S.V.R. reached Chennai, but somebody had knocked away the villain role.

Luck tapped at S.V.R.'s door through Vijaya Pictures, which offered him the most memorable "Nepala Mantrikudu" role in "Pathala Bhairavi." Immediately, he came into the limelight, followed by "Pellichesi Choodu" (1952). Its Tamil version was also played by him. Within a short time, S.V.R. received appreciation from both Telugu and Tamil audiences.

He acted almost every character in history. He showed a kind of recklessness and arrogance in his dialogue delivery. The iconic status did not reach him so easily. He struggled a lot and from that struggle born a great actor of all times. Maya Bazaar and Missamma are among his famous movies. His dialogue delivery cannot be matched with that of any film personality in the world as he can deliver dialogues even written in Sanskrit with so ease and with complete emotions that no one can ever come close to him in this aspect,it is said that even N.T.R who was great at delivering dialogues in telugu use to stammer in front of S.V.R.

Trivia

His compatriot Gummadi once exclaimed "Fortunate are we to have SVR born in India but SVR is unfortunate to have born here... if he was born in the West he would have been one of the top 5 actors of all time in the world"

S.V.R.'s relatives and family circles ridiculed him, saying that he was a fool to go after chances in cinemas by shunning the government jobs.

Legendary L.V. Prasad gave S.V.R. the real break by extending him all the moral support and encouragement.

The very mention of "Maya Bazaar" brings the picture of S.V.R. as Ghatothkacha in the minds of Andhras and Tamilians.

His role as "Nepali Mantrik" in "Pathala Bhairavi" will continue to be remembered by millions of people.

As Keechaka in "Narthanasala," S.V.R. proved himself to be the king when it comes to acting the mythological films.

He was a passionate game hunter, sporting an excellent fire-arm that he procured from a friend in the British Indian army. One day, he was hunting a deer. But suddenly, the deer stopped running and looked straight into the eyes of S.V.R., as if questioning him "What will you get, if you kill me?" And thereafter S.V.R. never took up the gun again.

He won the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Keechaka in Narthansala at the Indonesian Film Festival. It the first time an Indian actor received an international award in acting. Surprisingly, this fact is not well-known among many people.After getting the award he felt very sad that his own country couldn't honor his talent even though it is accepted by all Indian film fraternity that no one can ever match to SVR acting talent.

Women Porters

Historically, Chennai has relied on annual monsoon rains to replenish water reservoirs, as no major rivers flow through the area.

 With a steadily increasing population, the city has faced water supply shortages, and its ground water levels have been depleted. An earlier Veeranam Lake project failed to solve the city's water problems, but the New Veeranam project, which became operational in September 2004, has greatly reduced dependency on distant sources. In recent years, heavy and consistent monsoon rains and rainwater harvesting (RWH) by Chennai Metrowater at its Anna Nagar Rain Centre have significantly reduced water shortages

Scylla and Charybdis

English Edification Enrichment-

What is the meaning and origin of "between Scylla and Charybdis?

First, let's deal with the pronunciation of the two words. The "sc" in "Scylla" is pronounced like the "s" in "sit", "sip", and "set", while the following "y" is like the "i" in "it", "is", and "hit". The final "a" is like the "a" in "china". The main stress is on the first syllable. The "ch" in "Charybdis" is pronounced like the "k" in "kit", "kill", and "kiss". The following "a" is like the "a" in "china", while the "y" and the final "i" are like the "i" in "kit", "pit", and "sit". The main stress is on the second syllable. Scylla and Charybdis are two rocks located in a narrow sea passage in the Straits of Messina. Scylla is located on the Italian side, while Charybdis is on the Sicilian side. In ancient Greek mythology, Scylla was a female monster with twelve feet and six heads. She had razor sharp teeth and was capable of ripping apart sailors who had the misfortune of coming too close to her. Charybdis was a whirlpool. It was seen as a monster, which gulped down huge amounts of water and in the process sucked in sailors who accidentally got close to it. When Ulysses tried to make his way through this narrow passageway, Scylla managed to kill six of his sailors. When you say you are between Scylla and Charybdis what you are implying is that you are between the devil and the deep blue sea. You are being threatened by two dangers at the same time and in trying to avoid one you fall victim to the other. The two dangers are often seen as representing life. Trying to avoid one mistake, we often end up making another. Shakespeare used this expression in his "Merchant of Venice".

* When I shun Scylla your father, I fall into Charybdis your mother.

* Revathi wanted to be on good terms with both her in laws and her parents. But the effort of pleasing one without offending the other was like steering between Scylla and Charybdis.

Hilarious Collection of Female Drivers

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