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Resolutions recorded on liquid surfaces! Having made an ardent promise to myself and my readers that I would henceforth cease to be a drop out and would spend time writing a blog a day, I have failed to keep my word.  It seems these resolutions...

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What is so addictive about blogging? I never did think that I would drop out of blogging.  Yet I have been so tardy with my posts that I am nearly a drop out! So, it is clearly a time to examine why did I start this blog in the first place...

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Laser Hair removal When cutting, waxing, and shaving is no longer desirable or feasible, some patients seek laser hair removal.  Most people have hair covering their bodies that is lightly colored and fine and therefore,...

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Gardenia If you receive a bouquet of Gardenias you can be sure that the sender thinks you symbolize purity and sweetness and they are telling you of their secret love for you. Since a gardenia plant or bouquet...

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Freelancer alert: Not an export code-A purpose code! While we have been busy speculating on what is an export code and what it takes to get one issued from DGFT, paypal has issued a clarification that it is not an "export code" but a purpose code which needs...

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May

05

2010

Resolutions recorded on liquid surfaces!

Posted by Samantha | Comments : Comments Off

Category : Communication, Creative writing, Freelancing, General, Information highway, News and society

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Having made an ardent promise to myself and my readers that I would henceforth cease to be a drop out and would spend time writing a blog a day, I have failed to keep my word.  It seems these resolutions of mine get recorded on liquid surfaces that erase them the moment they are recorded.  Anyway, here is a post that I hope will interest my readers.

I am currently grappling with three different topics that interest me. One the literary theory of Saussure, Lacan, Barthes and others. I am doggedly reading the translations of the works of these writers even though I need multiple readings to make sense of them. Finally, I am getting a glimmer of what they are talking about and am getting immensely interested in what they have to say. I am also attempting to apply their theories to literary works!  A challenging and interesting task. Very intellectual!

I am also reading a wonderful novel by a Japanese writer in English called Kazuo Ishiguro called The Remains of the day.  The writer has wonderfully captured the essence of what “buttlership” (if you forgive my coining of this word) implies.  A copy of the novel is available online (in docstoc or is it scribd?–I am not sure). Truly relaxing!

I am also working out the nuances of contract law and bombarding myself with  topics like “invitation to treat”, “postal delay in contract law” and so on and so forth till I am getting a little cross eyed with the effort. Absolutely legal! Keeps my mind live and kicking.

Of course, I cannot complain that my life is drab and dull and lacks variety.  Will perhaps translate the results of all my efforts into little articles that may be of interest to you all?

Why do I do all this?  I like being an intellectual.  In fact I revel in it.  What comes out of it?  A lot of writing practice and of course a number of new creative ideas for books that I plan to write sometime in the future (only the future seems very dimly distant at the moment).   Some of the work may also find a way into literature journals and law journals and law journals.

May

01

2010

What is so addictive about blogging?

Posted by Samantha | Comments : Comments Off

Category : Communication, Creative writing, General, Information highway, News and society, social media

Tags: , , , , ,

I never did think that I would drop out of blogging.  Yet I have been so tardy with my posts that I am nearly a drop out! So, it is clearly a time to examine why did I start this blog in the first place and why have the posts fallen off?

I think I began to blog because I felt that I had a lot of information that I would like to share with others. I also felt that it would give me good writing practice as I am a writer by profession.  I was however, not very sure that anyone would want to read what I had to write.  Surprisingly, there are at least 60+ people out there who visit my blog and read it whether I have posted anything new or not.  Now I think I have another reason not become a drop out.  I have a readership who really find my blogs interesting enough to visit daily and read up. I owe something to them.

Blogging is generically very close to dairy writing. Of course you write your most secret thoughts in the diary and keep it under lock and key hoping no one else will get sight of the things you tell your diary about your fellowmen.  A blog on the other hand is an open diary. You write about everything that you are interested in and can be as democratic as you like about your readership.  Of course, you will not share your innermost thoughts and you secret cravings with your fellowmen? Yet, there is a satisfaction that there is someone out there who shares your interest and you feel joyful about reaching out to them.  I wonder what psychologists have to say about blogging?

To come to the meat of the question, I asked in the title–What is so addictive about blogging? The question follows: “Am I an addict?” Well No. I find that I can really live without blogging. It is not like diary writing. I am not searching for a confidant. I think I am reaching out to friends, like minded people who are interested in what I am interested in. One is not obssessed with one’s friends. It is just nice to have them around and have an occassional relaxing chat with them. I think my blogging fell off, because I am a healthy human being with a healthy work appetite. Sometimes I put work before friends and the need to reach out takes a back seat when work holds my attention.  Therefore, while I do not feel guilty about not continuing to blog, I do feel remorseful that I have not shared sometime with my 60 odd friends out there, who hang out at my blog hoping for a glimpse of me.

Perhaps, if I were depressed and unhappy, blogging could become a kind of addictive and I may end up blogging to myself or using my blog more as a diary than as a blog. Perhaps, I would find comfort in my readership and may even obssess about the number of people who visit my blog on a daily basis and worry if there is a drop in readership and so on…I hear people find pleasure in committing online suicide because the number of people who “like” you has changed or dropped or what not…. Even for them blogging is not an addiction–it seems more like a lifeline. They would drown if you prevent them from blogging. It is not merely a question of de-addicting them.

Business blogs are a whole new ball game. They are bloggers who are blogging for survival; to prove that they are better than their competition or just advertising as blogs attract readership. For them, blogging is a necessary adjunct to their business and not an addiction.

So, what is all this talk about addiction to blogging? I do not know. If you do know people who are addicted about their blogging do find out why and share it with us. Contact us using the contact form on http://www.consult4content.com and give us the meat on why someone finds blogging addictive.

Apr

11

2010

Laser Hair removal

Posted by Samantha | Comments : Comments Off

Category : Communication, Medical content

Tags: , , , ,

When cutting, waxing, and shaving is no longer desirable or feasible, some patients seek laser hair removal.  Most people have hair covering their bodies that is lightly colored and fine and therefore, not directly visible to the eyes of others.  However, some experience darker and coarser hair in areas that might make them self-conscious, particularly in the summer months when shorts and swimsuits are worn.  This technique of hair removal is quick, effective, and nearly painless.

Electrolysis uses a fine probe and electrical impulse to cauterize the blood vessels causing hair to release permanently from the follicle.  Though electrolysis has a longer history of practice, lasers are commonly used now and have been well received by patients and physicians.  Laser treatment has a much shorter procedure either permanently preventing or greatly hindering hair re-growth.  Patients may immediately resume activities.  Laser hair removal is a widely popular procedure with nearly a million people having the treatment in the United States every year.  Patients should have realistic goals and carefully select a physician while informing themselves of the procedure and potential risks.

Ideal candidates for laser hair removal may be those who seek to improve their appearance or smoothness of the skin, or simply wish to save themselves time by reducing time involved in methods such as shaving.  Once the initial consultation is completed, the actual laser hair removal procedure may take only moments or up to an hour, depending on the size of the affected area.  A beam of highly concentrated light produced by a laser is emitted, passing through the skin, and is absorbed by hair follicle pigments.  Different colors of light are produced by different types of lasers, and this is relevant to the effect on follicles.  The pigment is vaporized, disabling many follicles at once, by the duration of the laser light pulses to the area.

Patients generally require multiple treatments to achieve ideal results.  Though some patients may be satisfied after only one treatment, the typical regimen likely includes up to four treatments, up to eight weeks apart.  Because hair growth cycles are typically about a year, patients should wait about six months to assess results.  If the procedure is performed with qualified physician and adequate consultation and care, any pain during the procedure should only consist of mild stinging.  Worst case scenario might include burns or pain that might require local anesthetic application.  Less serious effects such as redness and swelling will resolve in a few days.  Those with darker skin tones may not achieve optimum results as the surrounding skin will absorb the light rather than the follicle itself.  Affected areas will be sun sensitive and patients should avoid exposure for several days following laser hair removal.  Though the hair removal may be permanent, it could also be simply more sparse and of a lighter color or texture or consistency after the procedure.

Apr

07

2010

Gardenia

Posted by Samantha | Comments : Comments Off

Category : Communication, Freelance content, General, Information highway, website content

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If you receive a bouquet of Gardenias you can be sure that the sender thinks you symbolize purity and sweetness and they are telling you of their secret love for you. Since a gardenia plant or bouquet can cost anything between $39-50 in the market and a single gardenia flower can cost as much as $11 and a gardenia flower with a bud can cost up to $15, they must really mean what they are saying with the flowers!

Summer brides often choose bouquet of gardenias for their weddings. It has featured in Royal and celebrity weddings. The Princess of Wales Diana, choose a bouquet of gardenias for her wedding with Prince Charles. The exotic, spicy sweet fragrance of the gardenia flowers and the pale ivory color the petals contrasts with the dark glossy leaves to create an impression of beauty and grace as the bride walks down the aisle. It also complements white bridal wear and appropriately symbolizes the purity of the bride.

But, did you know the Gardenia really belongs to the coffee plant family? The white multi layered petals of this beautiful flower belies this fact, does it not? Yet it is true that the Gardenia belongs to Rubiaceae family and is native to tropical and sub tropical regions of Africa. There are more than 250 species of this genus. The flower is named after Dr.Alexander Garden a Scottish born American naturalist.

The gardenia plant is a small evergreen shrub or a small tree that grows to 1-15 meters in height. The leaves are set opposite each other or in whorls of three or four. They have a dark green glossy and leathery texture. The flowers bloom singly or in small clusters and can be white or pale yellow. The tubular-based corolla has 5-12 lobes and is often 5-12 centimeters in diameter.  These plants flower from mid spring to mid summer and may or may not have a strong scent.

Chinese farmers raise the gardenia for the dye that can be produced from its fruit. In East Indies this plant is nurtured for a gum that exudes from its bark. In South Africa the hard wood from the tree is considered valuable. In America the plant is grown for the waxy blossoms it produces.

The gardenia flower has also been used extensively in oriental perfumes and oils. It is known to be an aphrodisiac. It is also used for medicinal purposes as an anti inflammatory drug, anti bacterial medication and for its fungicidal properties. It adds an exotic flavor to tea.

Since the gardenia is a tropical or sub tropical plant, growing gardenias in other climates can be difficult. They are finicky houseplants and require the bright southern light. If you must grow gardenias at home grow lights must be used to supplement natural lighting in cold places and in winter. A timer must be used to ensure that the plants have 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. They must be watered with distilled water kept at room temperature. Hard or cold water will stunt their growth. The soil used to grow these flowering plants must be moist and must not be too wet and slushy.

Mar

02

2010

Freelancer alert: Not an export code-A purpose code!

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (0)

Category : Content Marketing, Freelance content, Freelancing, Money & Finance

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

While we have been busy speculating on what is an export code and what it takes to get one issued from DGFT, paypal has issued a clarification that it is not an “export code” but a purpose code which needs to be entered into the paypal site to enable Indian account holders to withdraw from their accounts to the Indian bank account. They have also made the task easy by providing all the codes that would need to be used on their blog post itself.

So much for the storm in the tea cup and the emotional outbursts against the RBI and paypal and all the ravings and rantings of my fellow freelancers who wished to commit a business suicide where freelancing was concerned!

Before talking about the implications of this move and also what Indian freelancers need to look out for in the future, I would like to appreciate the extremely professional and collected manner in which Paypal has handled the crisis. While the Indian business is not very large, Paypal had a commitment to its clients and perhaps all the Asian clients were watching the fall out and outcome of the crisis. Paypal remained tightlipped during the initial phases of the crisis to avoid speculation and panic and calmly set about doing whatever it takes to set the situation right for everyone round. Kudos to Paypal!

Well, the purpose code as Paypal chooses to call it will give a hook for RBI to collect the data and also evaluate the amount of foreign exchange that is being transacted by Indians. It will also help the premier bank frame a policy for how it will handle this type of foreign trade in the future. In a sense this is real good news for the Indian freelancers and could be bad news for those who are making big money in this field and not paying their taxes on Income? There is now a tracking mechanism in place where transactions through paypal are concerned. The good news is that India is getting ready to regularize the largely unorganized sector that operates over the Internet.   Maybe Indians will no longer be vulnerable to the scamsters and sharks that populate the Internet. Maybe cyber laws will offer some newer modes of protection to this largely helpless and vulnerable set of small businesses that are mushrooming in India.

One question that needs to be answered is: What about those thousands of Auction sites like Rentacoder, Elance, guru, getafreelancer etc which also do a kind of payment settlement for Indians? They act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers and collect money from buyers on behalf of sellers and then settle accounts with the latter at the end of every month. Do they also need to get a license from the RBI to operate in the Indian context?  These sites have a tie up with Paypal and payment agencies like Payoneer or they send checks to Indians by snailmail. Will RBI be contacting them next with requests for compliance? The RBI does not seem to have contacted these sites as yet.

Let us wait and watch. Stay tuned in for more from me on this blog!

Feb

27

2010

Freelancer Alert: Export Code(IEC)

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (6)

Category : Business, Freelance content, Freelancing, Information Technology, Money & Finance, News and society

Tags: , , , , , , ,

The email from Paypal has elicited a mixed response. Many are happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel but are puzzled by the rider that everyone would have to enter an Export code before they are permitted to withdraw the funds to their bank account.  I see many blog posts which ask “What the hell is Export code?” So this information may be useful for you.

The Foreign Trade(Development and Regulation) Act 1992 stipulates that every exporter or importer of goods and services must apply for and obtain an Importer-Exporter Number(IEC Number).  The application for obtaining this number needs to be made under section seven of this act to the Director General. Under this act an importer is anyone who brings in goods or services into the country and an exporter is one who sends out goods and services via land, sea or air. However, the term “goods” is not defined in the act itself and the meaning is derived from the dictionary meaning of the word or from the Import-Export regulation act of 1947 which preceded the current act. As per this act “goods” is defined as any “article, animal, substance or property whatsoever”.

There has been a lot of controversy whether sending of digital material over the Internet would qualify as “goods” or “services” and whether the process of transmitting the information over the Internet falls within the ambit of sending out of India goods or services “by land, sea or air”.  Since the issue was unclear, freelancers were not asked to apply and obtain the IEC number under section 7.

However, there was a move to include services into the ambit of the act from time to time. Objections from the Finance Ministry kept the amendment at bay for some time.  The Standing Committee on Commerce made suggestions on Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2009 which included a suggestion to bring “Techonology” and “services” including “financial services” under the ambit of the act.  The bill was  submitted on the 25th of November 2009 to effect the following amendments.

2(a) (ii) Supplying Service or Technology from the territory of India to another country; from India to a service consumer in another country; by a service supplier in India through a commercial presence in another country; through a service supplier in India, through Indian naturals in the territory of another country.

Elaborate definitions of service and technology have also been included in the act. You can get more information at http://164.100.47.5/newcommittee/press_release/bill/Committee%20on%20Commerce/Foreign%20Trade%20%28Development%20and%20Regulation%29%20Bill,%2020090001.pdf .  The net result of this amendment would be that all freelancers who supply software or other kinds of services to consumers abroad must apply for and obtain a IEC number.

I am unable to ascertain whether the bill has been passed or is still pending. If it has been passed, freelancers should get ready to apply for the IEC number! Stay tuned in for more information!

Feb

27

2010

Indian freelancers Be alert!

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (2)

Category : Business, Content Marketing, Freelance content, Freelancing, Money & Finance, Types of content

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Paypal has finally got the green signal from the RBI to resume services subject to certain constraints. Paypal will be allowing Indian freelancers to withdraw funds soon. However, there is a rider!  They have to enter an export code before they are permitted to withdraw. Paypal does not say who will issue the export code but says that this is required by Indian laws.  The reality is that every freelancer in India will now have to apply for the Export code under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992 and get the Exporter-Importer code number issued before they can withdraw money from Paypal! That could take months! There are also a number of other laws which will come into play for the exporter of goods and services–RBI, FEMA, Service tax act and so on.

So I would like to advise my fellow Indian freelancers to get cracking and find out what compliance with these laws imply and how to go about  complying with the laws and getting the numbers you require for continuing to operate. I shall keep you updated from my blog http://www.consult4content.com/blogs. So stay tuned in.

Feb

21

2010

Cosmetic Procedures: Fillers

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (0)

Category : Medical content, website content

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Plumping thin lips, enhancing contours, softening wrinkles, and improving appearance of recessed scars may be accomplished with injectable fillers.  Several different types of fillers may be used and include collagen, human fat, hyaluronic acid, hydroxylapatite, and PMMA.

Collagen, a natural protein, may produce results that last up to four months.  Certain types of collagen may require preliminary allergy testing in some patients.  Results of six months or more may be achieved by hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in our bodies.  This may be used to fill in creases or plump lips.

To fill in deeper folds near the nose, frown lines, or to enhance fullness of the cheeks, hydroxylapatite may be used.  This is a compound found in human bones that is suspended in gel form and has mineral-like qualities.

Human fat harvesting and injection requires more extensive procedure because it uses liposuction to do the harvesting before the filler injection may be done.  This can fill in creases and contours to enhance fullness of the face.

FDA-approved PMMA is recommended to correct facial wrinkles such as smile lines.  PMMA is 20% polymethylacrylate and 80% purified collagen gel.

Though there is wide variance in results, patients may expect results to last up to a year in some instances.  Preserved fat injection results are more favorable if the fat is used at time of harvest.  Some filler may be FDA approved on a basis not specified to a particular application.

Patients may expect almost immediate improvement in appearance with some potential for bruising or swelling that will resolve.  There may be redness, sensitivity or itching briefly after the procedure.  Complications are rare and will vary depending on the type of filler used.  Rarely, filler may migrate to an unintended area producing temporary paralysis or there may be skin necrosis. There may be overcorrection. Milder symptoms from some fillers should resolve in just a few days, while the fat injections may produce symptoms that endure for a few weeks.   For the most part, fillers produce marked improvement in appearance and are safe and effective.  Choosing someone who is trained specifically in administering fillers and other types of rejuvenation is important.

Patients may experience anxiety about the procedure and are encouraged to have realistic expectations and ask questions.  Many variables affect results of fillers, and the results are not permanent though the substance is.  Issues such as continued aging and the way that the body absorbs the material will affect duration of results.  Without repeated treatment, issues such as thin lips or wrinkles and scars will reappear over time. With aging, fillers may shift or clump and surgical removal may be required to avoid unwanted changes in texture of soft tissue.  Consultation is required prior to treatment, but follow up visits take only moments.  Costs vary greatly, but many surgeons have financing available. Patients should inquire about their surgeon’s board certification and membership, years of experience, accreditation, the procedure and recovery period, and the way in which complications might be handled.

Feb

16

2010

The Pyramids of Egypt

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (3)

Category : News and society, Travel content

Tags: , , , , ,

With Egypt unveiling a new logo for its pyramids and for tourist promotion, it may be a good idea to talk a little bit about the Pyramids of Egypt…..

The pyramids of Egypt were constructed by the 3rd to the 6th Dynasties. They lie scattered along the western side of Nile stretching to the south of the apex of the Delta.

The pyramids, today, stand isolated against the backdrop of the Egyptian deserts. At the time of their construction, these pyramids were part of a complex of buildings that were surrounded by a walled enclosure.  The temple was normally located on the east of the pyramid and was dedicated to the worship of the dead.  There was also a raised and enclosed causeway on this side, leading to the western edge of the cultivation. Near this was the ‘Valley Building’ in which the embalmment of the bodies was carried out and interment rites performed.  A canal connected the ‘Valley building’ to the Nile.

The ancient Egyptians designed shape of the pyramid to represent the primordial mound from which the earth was created. The shape is also believed to represent the descending rays of the sun. The names of the pyramids also referred to solar luminescence.  They were highly polished to reflect the rays of the sun and give them a brilliant appearance. One of the narrow shafts from the burial chamber within the pyramid extends to the centre of the pyramid that point to the sky suggesting that the pyramid was conceived of as a means of magically launching the deceased pharaoh’s soul into the abode of the gods.  The West (the side on which the pyramids are built) also has mythological associations with the land of the dead.

The early pyramids were architecturally similar to Mastabas.  The step pyramid of Pharaoh Zoser at Sakkara is an example of the intermediary stage of evolution of the pyramid from mastabas. One of the pyramids at Meydum and two at Dahshur by Seneferu(bent pyramid) can also be cited as examples of the evolving architecture of the pyramids. The finest examples of true pyramid architecture can be seen in the famous three pyramids of Giza built by the fourth dynasty successors of Seneferu.

The construction of pyramids involved a lot of labor and materials. Each pyramid was a lifetime project of the Pharaoh.  The pyramids were built on living rocks which were first levelled and built upon.  The limestone rocks, of which the pyramids were built, were brought from the quarries.  The outer face of the pyramid was built with limestone quarried locally, while the inner face was built with limestone from Tura (on the eastern side of Nile). Some amount of granite has been used for linings of the chambers and passages.  This granite was brought from Aswan.  The tomb chambers and their approaches were cut into the rock below or were constructed in the core of the pyramid.  The entrances to the pyramid were normally in the northern side of the pyramid. The sides of the pyramid were scrupulously oriented with cardinal points.

The structure of the pyramid involved building a series of concentric sloping slices or layers around a steep pyramidical core. During construction the pyramid appeared to be a mass of step like tiers that were later filled in to give it the finished smooth steep look with its specific angle of inclination. The steps were filled in with packing blocks and brought with finely finished facings.  The finishing was done from top to the bottom and the apex stone was sometimes gilded.

Interestingly, the Egyptian construction tools were very primitive.   They had no knowledge of the pulley and their principal tool for raising the stone blocks was the lever.  Wooden sledges with or without wheels were used to transport the blocks to the construction site. Broad topped, sloping sand ramps reinforced with crude brick walls were built on the pyramid and the blocks were dragged up these ramps of sand and bricks.

There are as many as hundred pyramids scattered along the western side of the Nile. Many of them have been rifled and pilfered in the chaos that followed the 6th dynasty.  They have also been the target for tomb robbers over the years. A few pyramids have been well preserved and are great tourist attractions today.

Feb

15

2010

Journeys on record: What to see when you visit Kurukshetra

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (1)

Category : Content Marketing, General, Information highway, News and society, Travel content

Tags: , , , , , , ,

History lovers, tourists and temple goers will find Kurkshetra a wonderful place to visit. This historical site can be reached by road(National Highway1)  from New Delhi(160 Km); Chandigarh(90 Km); North Karnal(39 Km) and South Ambala(40 Km). The railway station at Kurukshetra is called Kurukshetra Junction.

A two day visit with one night stay at Kurukshetra is recommended.  Popular hotels for overnight stay at Kurukshetra are: Saffron, Heritage, Neelkanth Yatri Niwas and Parakeet hotel. There are also a number of guest houses and Dharmashalas that accomodate travelers to this historic city.

Places of Tourist Interest

Sheikh Chehli’s Tomb is a beautiful tomb constructed by Dara Shikoh(1650 AD), the eldest son of Shah Jahan the Moghul Emperor, for the sufi saint Abd-ur-rahim or Sheikh Chehli. The tomb is constructed over an artificial terrance and is octogonal with a south facing entrance. It is built of buff sandstone and crowned by a pear shaped dome of marble with a high circular drum.  A smaller tomb with beautiful floral carvings dedicated to the wife of Sheikh Chehli can be found near the west entrance.  The whole overlooks a Madrasa which has a nine arched opening on each side of the central courtyard. It has been declared a monument of National importance.

The Kurukshetra Panorama and Science center is located near the Sri Krishna Museum in Kurukshetra. It is a two storeyed building that exhibits Indian heritage science and technology. Ancient Indian concepts of properties of matter, structure of the atom, geometry, mathematical rules, astronomy, medicine and surgery are on display.  The highlight of the museum is the life like panorama of the historical battle of Kurukshetra with 34 feet high paintings of the episodes from the war between the Pandavas and Kauravas.  The sound and light that accompany the scene along with the background Gita Chanting create an illusion of reality. A science park has been set up in the grounds with busts of all the greatest scientists of India.

The Krishna museum exhibits the collection of archelogical material from 5000 years of Indian History. Effort has been made to sequence the material culture from the Kurukshetra war pre epic, epic and post epic periods. There is no effort to establish the historicity of the war, only to display the archeological findings pertaining to the different periods. The museum has six galleries and a rich heritage of art and sculpture is housed in these galleries. A whole day can be spent examining these exquisite pieces of history and art!

Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium was built to impart non formal education in Astronomy. A number of excellent programs with high tech digital and optomechanical systems are conducted in this building.  Science and technology exhibits, astronomy shows and the astro park are highlights of this spot.

Gulzarilal Nanda Institute of National Integration and Peace is a personalia museum built in honor of the erstwhile Governor of the State who did much to improve and preserve the historical and places of tourist importance in Kurukshetra.  The musuem highlights his career, spiritual beliefs and his services for Kurukshetra.

Brahmasarovar is a beautiful tank with a temple dedicated to Shiva in the center of the tank. This spot is believed to be the location at which Brahma begins his act of creation after the great Pralaya that destroys the world. A number of bathing ghats named after the characters of the Mahabarath can be found round this tank.  The waters of this tank are considered sacred and pilgrims visit this tank in large numbers during the Solar eclipse and on New moon day to take a dip in the holy waters.

The Sannihit Sarovar in Kurukshetra is said to be the confluence of seven sacred saraswatis. A large number of pilgrims visit this tank on New Moon day to absolve themselves of sins.  Adjacent to this tank are the temples dedicated to Dhruv Narain, Lord Vishnu, Laxmi Narayan, Lord Hanuman and Mother Goddess Durga.

Places of Historical Importance

Kurukshetra is replete with history.  The site has been the cradle of Indian civilization for more than 5000 years. A number of archelogical sites have been excavated and the findings from these sites are housed in the different museums located across the city including the Krishna museum.

The Archeological site museum and Harsha’s Palace are located behind the Tomb of Sheikh Chehli. The museum houses the archeological findings at the excavation site of the Palace of Harsha, the King of Thanesar.  The Archeological Survey of India has unearthed from the mound, stone and terracotta sculptures, coins, ornaments, ritualistic objects. The exhibition also has on display the schematic plan and its findings and architectural buildings that have been exposed during the excavation.  The mound itself is located close to the  museum and the contours of the palace are very visible. The settlement pattern, the architectural style, religious life and artistic endeavor are visible to tourists.

Jyotisar is the most revered historical location in Kurukshetra. It is believed that Krishna elucidated the Gita to Arjuna at this spot. While the historical truth of this assertion is not proved, tradition has it that the message was delivered under a holy banyan tree at this spot. Jyotisar lies 5 km from Kurukshetra on the Kurushetra Peshowa road.  The banyan currently found on the spot is said to be an offshoot of the original banyan that existed at the time of the discourse. The site has a beautiful marble statue of Krishna and Arjuna on a chariot.  A sound and light show on the theme of Bhagawat Gita is mounted by the ITDC as part of the tourist promotion of Kurushetra here.

Close to Jyotisar, infact at the entrance to the location, stands an ancient Shiva temple between the trunks of two trees. The temple is said to date back to the Kurushetra war.

Temples in Kurukshetra

The Staneshwar Mahadev temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of destruction. It is said that the Pandavas visited this temple before the battle of Mahabarat to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. The waters of the tank adjoining the temple is said to have cured Kind “Ben” of leprosy.  A pilgrimage to Kurukshetra is complete only when the pilgrim takes a holy dip in this tank.   The temple is constructed in the regional style and has a domical roof and the facade of this dome has the shape of an “amla” or gooseberry with a tall pinacle.  The sanctum sanctorum houses a Lingam in the traditional style.

The Bhadrakali temple is a temple dedicated to Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is one of the fifty one Shaki peetas or seat of power of the Goddess.  The right ankle of Shakti is idolized in this temple.  A large number of devotees congregate in this temple to worship the Godress. Local legend has it that Krishna and Balarama had their “Mundan” ceremony or the removal of first growth of hair was conducted in this temple. It is also believed that the Pandavas visited this temple to pray to the Goddess for victory in the Kurukshetra war.  Worshippers offer terracotta horses to the diety when their prayers are answered by the Goddess.

The Kalmaki temple is also dedicated to Bhadrakali. This temple is associated with Tantricism and is said to have existed even in the sixth and seventh centuries AD at the current location.  The style of the temple, however, is 19th century.  The brickwork is in Lakhori style and is double storied. The style of the sanctum santrum is offbeat with the sanctum juxtapositioned to form a single structure bearing a composite domical and vaulted roof styles.  Four domical spires are located around the central domical spise.  The entrance to the temple has a vaulted alcove design.  Beautiful murals decorate the sanctum interior and the octogonal wall below the inner dome and square chamber of the sanctum.

Bhishma Kund or Narkatari tank is located about a mile and half from Thanesar on Kurushetra Pehowa road. The legend says that Bhishma, the elder of the Pandava and Kuru clan gave up his life voluntarily at this spot. It is believed that the waters of the tank were summoned forth by Arjuna to quench the thirst of Bhishma. There is a temple dedicated to Bhishma on this spot adjacent to the tank.

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Feb

10

2010

Balding? Hair restoration options

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (1)

Category : Health and Exercise, Medical content, News and society

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Men and women concerned about thinning hair may explore and choose the option of hair restoration by transplant.  Some may recall obsolete methods that looked unnatural, but may be comfortable with modern improvements that are basically undetectable to others.  A dermatologist is to be consulted in  the first place. The patient should provide him with his medical history and also details about expectations from the treatment.  The dermatologist must be informed of all medications the patient takes, including prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements.  Blood tests may be suggested . This consultation will help establish candidacy for the procedure.

Certain medications may have to be stopped and antibiotics begun before the  commencement of the procedure. Patients will also be asked to avoid alcohol during the course of treatment.

Patients will be required to shampoo the night before the hair transplant  is performed in the dermatologist’s office or a hair transplant center.  The dermatologist will remove a strip of scalp from the back of the head that has good growth under local anesthesia. This is called a “prep strip”.  The prepped strip will  be divided into sections for suturing onto thinning or bald areas of the head.  Prepped slivers are carefully divided by technicians into grafts containing up to three hair follicles.  The procedure itself may last from 5 to 10 hours depending on the level of hair loss and transplant.  For optimum results, other restorative procedures such as scalp reduction or expansion may be combined with the transplant.  Often only one restoration treatment is required to produce satisfactory results.  If patients require additional restoration, it will be scheduled 6 to 12 months later.

Patients must take care to follow instructions for post-restoration recovery.  Instructions are normally given to prevent infection and minimize soreness that is inherent in the procedure.  Since it takes about five days for the hair to attach to the new area, patients must apply medication  carefully as directed.  Rubbing can cause the restored hair to fall out.  If scabs develop post restoration,  they must be left alone.  They generally heal in two weeks or less. Patients must wait a week to ten days to resume normal activities such as exercise to help prevent restored hair from falling out.

Though hair transplant is relatively safe and effective, it is not completely without risk of complication.  Follicle damage or other factors may produce poor or slow growth to the affected area.  Infection, scarring, or hyperpigmentation may occur.  Patients must keep their hair covered and protected from the sun for at least one month following the transplant to encourage ideal healing.

Feb

05

2010

Meditation: Active or passive state?

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (2)

Category : General, Health and Exercise, Medical content, News and society

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Is Meditation an active or passive state? Anyone who observes the meditator would say “passive”. All the meditator seems to do is sit still, doing nothing.

There are many arguments in support of meditation being an active state!  They would point out that you can actually burn calories by doing meditation. Visit http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/fitness/exercise/meditating/ and you will be told that meditation helps you burn 66 calories per hour for an average person–average being a person who weight 145 pounds.  http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-burned-light-meditating-a148 says that you can burn 70 calories  per hour if you weigh 150 pounds by doing light meditation.

You may then,  turn round to argue that even people who are sleeping burn calories. Of course, you do that in the assumption that sleep is not an active state! Well, it must again be pointed out that the active or passive state of sleep is itself in question.  However, studies show that you burn 60-72 calories an hour(per 150 lbs weight) during sleep. So sleep too is an active state for the purposes of our thesis.

Of course, we do not have to believe all this. We can look to scientific proof. Siebert, Gessner and Klasser who studied the energy consumed by the central nervous system when a person sits down to do some deep thinking reveals that the brain burns 230-270 calories an hour. {Energy supply of the central nervous system.PMID: 3516137 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Bibl Nutr Dieta. 1986;(38):1-26.].

While this is not much when compared to calorie loss during exercise, it is certainly a large amount for a small organ accounts for such a small part of the body weight! Also, it is a clear indication that “thinking” is activity that burns calories. It follows, that meditation which is a kind of focused and concentrated thinking, is an active physical state and not a passive one.

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Feb

05

2010

Optical Storage Discs: Will it solve backup problems?

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (1)

Category : Information Technology, Storage devcies, website content

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Storage of mission critical data is one of the biggest concerns of corporations.  The cost of storage, the method of storage and the retrieval of stored data are engaging the attention of IT Administrators in a way that it never did before. In the early days of the Information revolution, data was stored in tapes and cassettes and secured offline with a time horizon of 30 years.  However, this storage was voluminous and often chaotic and data retrieval was a pain.  Newer storage devices now provide alternate storage methodologies that are attractive.

Pioneer has announced a 16 layer read only optical disc with a mega storage capacity of 400 GB.  What is so interesting about this device? This storage device has been hailed as one of the most important breakthroughs in storage technology. Earlier versions of optical discs were riddled with problems. They were unable to relay signals clearly from the different layers and cross talk rendered the device useless.  Pioneer has solved the problem of cross talk from adjacent layers by using a disc production technology that was first introduced into the DVD arena. The prediction is that future optical discs will provide much denser storage per layer and will continue to evolve as the science of optics is studied.

Ultra Density Optical (UDO) discs are third generation optical discs designed for very high-density storage of video data. Currently available Ultra Density Optical discs have an estimated shelf life of 50 years. They have been introduced into the market and found to be reliable and durable for short-term use. Currently the UDO is used by banks, health care facilities, and financial corporations.

Pioneer said in a recent statement released from Japan that the growing storage needs of many corporations is expected to drive the demand for higher capacity discs. The company also mentions that buying just one high capacity optical disc is equal to buying numerous other commercially available discs. This way, resources can be conserved and put to better use.

The experts meanwhile are not impressed. David Hill, an analyst at Mesabi Group argues that such technology may be more “suitable for storing video and archiving at the consumer level”.

Likewise, Greg Schulz an analyst with Storage IO mentions that for years there has been talk about holographic storage but, “if you are holding your breath for that, you had better get a scuba tank”. So far the optical disc storages have not proven to be worthy in a commercial market and there are many kinks that have to be sorted out.

However, most experts do agree that the Blu ray at both ends of the market and in specialized verticals such as video is improving data storage and preservation. Despite the great advances in hardware capabilities, the dinosaurs of data storage, the disk and tape, that were long ago acknowledged to be dead, continue to be pertinent because they are constantly being improved, cost a lot less and are durable.

The Future?  Most experts predict that future data storage will be achieved by a hybrid of RAM based or sometime of flash based solid state memory, perhaps even a touch of holographic technology.

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Top Storage Blogs you may like to read!

http://blogs.netapp.com/dave/

http://blogs.hds.com/hu/

http://marksblog.emc.com/

http://esgblogs.typepad.com/steves_it_rants/

http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/InsideSystemStorage

http://storagethoughts.blogspot.com/2006/10/seeing-whats-next-in-storage-industry.html

http://storagemojo.com/

http://drunkendata.com/

http://h20325.www2.hp.com/blogs/campbell

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/en-us/storage/default.mspx

Feb

04

2010

1000-calorie diets

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (3)

Category : Health and Exercise, Medical content, News and society

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1000 calorie diets are recommended for those who want to lose weight.  This diet drastically reduces the calorie intake, but does not insist on any additional exercise or physical activity.  The logic is that a person who wants to reduce weight can continue doing the same level of activity with lower levels of calorie intake and the normal calorie burn up would take care of the excess weight over a period of time. 1000 calorie diets are short term diets that are to be undertaken for a period of ten days at a time under medical supervision. .

1000 calorie diets do not take into account the body weight, or calorie requirements of the individual.  A person who requires 1200 calories and a person who requires 2200 calories for his daily activity are treated on par. Both individuals are to consume only 1000 calories per day for the duration of the diet.

An average person loses around one pound for every three thousand five hundred calories cut down.  If you are cutting down the calories at the rate of 1200 calories a day, you will lose one pound in three days.

This diet also implies that you need to drastically change your eating habits for the duration of the diet. The diet recommends smaller meals that are eaten more frequently.  It cuts down on fats, sugar and lowers the consumption of carbohydrates.  Alcohol is to be avoided and diet soda and black coffee can be taken with limitations.

The calorie focus can rob the diet of interest.  If you are foodie, it is very easy to give up counting calories and abandoning the diet in frustration.  If you are an active person, you will find that the low calorie diet is depriving you energy.

Moreover, after the diet is complete, it is difficult to maintain the calorie levels at the 1000 calories.   The tendency is to revert back to the original levels. This will bring the weight back to the original level.

While there are many disadvantages of a low calorie diet, it is an effective way of kick starting a long term diet plan.

Feb

04

2010

Acne? You are not alone!

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (1)

Category : Communication, Medical content

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Acne, a skin condition characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed pustules, contemptuously called “zits” is a condition that affects many people.  Those who experience it often suffer from poor self-esteem due to self-image or the ridicule suffered at the hands of others.  Acne occurs when the porous skin surface becomes clogged.  While oil glands normally keep skin lubricated and help remove old skin cells, pores can become blocked by excess oil production.  Blockages, also called plugs or comedones, can result from accumulating dirt, debris, or bacteria.

Acne can appear virtually anywhere on the body and vary by degree, but it certainly does not discriminate by age, gender, or ethnic group.  The color of the top of the plug may be light in whiteheads, dark in blackheads, or inflamed cystic acne.  There appears to be a genetic predisposition with acne, but it can also be triggered by factors such as stress and hormone levels, reactions to medications, elements in cosmetic or grooming products, or sweating in humidity.  Some perpetuated myths about causes, such as chocolate for example, do not have scientific basis.

Many over the counter treatments are available, along with good advice for self-care.  Common non-prescription treatments might include celebrity endorsed regimens, and the simple act of keeping the area clean and dry while avoiding oily products or irritating the area further by digging at the skin.  Oily cosmetic or hygienic products are to be avoided, as are stimulation of the areas by handling too much or wearing cosmetics to bed at night.

Some acne patients seek the help of a dermatologist when all else fails. Prescription creams or antibiotics may be administered, though care should be taken with pregnant or sexually active adolescents must avoid some products.  Chemical peels or other cosmetic procedure may be used to remove scars or cysts to restore appearance of skin.   Natural sunlight, in moderation only, may help clear and dry affected areas.

After adolescence, acne may clear, but can last into midlife.  Acne patients may suffer periodic flare ups.  Scarring will likely occur if acne is severe and untreated.  Skin discoloration may occur in some.  Medications may cause undesirable side effects such as dryness, and scarring may cause some patients depression.   If after approximately three months, acne is severe, fails to resolve despite over the counter regimens, is leaving scars or damaging self-esteem, patients should contact a dermatologist for care.

Feb

03

2010

iPad: A Review

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (1)

Category : Communication, News and society, Product Reviews

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Everyone has been excited about the iPad release by Apple.  What has excited them so much? How is this product going to make a difference to our lives?  Here is a product review that you may like to read!

iPad, like iPhone is not physically magical. It has its own beauty but nothing that would have you crooning over its dimensions or curvatures.  However, it is a well built device with a rigid glass display with an inch of bezel around the display.  The home button of the iPhone is there and so is the high capacity multi touch panel.  It is LED backlit with In-Plane Switching display that provides a wonderful viewing angle.  The back is aluminum and there are connectors for power, sleep and volume control.

Doesn’t sound like much does it? Well, described as I have done, the iPad does not sound like anything much. However, inside the iPad is the “A4” Apple designed chip that runs on 1GHz and manages everything—processing, graphics and I/O.  The device has a 16 – 64 GB of memory, Bluetooth and EDR wireless connectivity.  There is an inbuilt speaker and microphone; accelerometers, ambient light sensors and digital compass with assisted GPS technology.  The device can be attached to a computer using  the 30 pin connector that is available. Wireless access of upto 3 Mbps is made possible with Enhanced Data Rate technology and Bluetooth.  The powerful battery gives 10 hours of usage and a month of standby time.

If you are “Wowing” now, hold on! We are not at the end of the list. Apple has not ignored 3G connectivity.  The 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-fi options, taps directly into UMTS/HSDPA and GSM/EDGE 3G wireless networks,. The best part of the deal is that it is not locked and not bound by any contract. You can get it to work if your wireless carrier uses a GSM micro SIM.

On the flip side, ­­you cannot make phone calls with this device. There is no internal camera (you can add it as an external device). The software also seems to have limited multitasking features.  Flash plug-ins are not supported.

The  price ranges between $499-$699.

Recommendation: May be wise to check RSS feeds for information before you check your bank account for balance.

Feb

01

2010

Should you care about RSS feeds?

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (1)

Category : Communication, Content Marketing, General, Information highway, News and society, Self help, Types of content

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There is a clickable legend on the sidebar of my blog which says Entries RSS . What is that? Should you care?

RSS stands for Rich Site Summary. This is a format that delivers regularly changing web content to subscribers automatically. News related sites, weblogs and other online publishers find this tool very useful for delivering their content to their readers via the RSS feed.

What is there in it for you? RSS feeds can solve a problem for you if you regularly follow my blog. You will be automatically informed the moment I put in new content. This will save you the trouble of visiting my site everytime and will also ensure your privacy–you do not have to join the site’s email newsletter or register with the site. This technology is becoming very popular as more and more sites are offering you RSS feeds.

What do you need for reading a RSS feed? There are several feed readers that can be downloaded and used to read the feed. But, what happens if you subscribe to RSS feeds in more than one site? There are News aggregator software that allow you to grab the RSS feed from various sites and display them for you.  A few examples of feed readers are: Amphetadesk (Windows, Linux, Mac), FeedReader (Windows), and NewsGator (Windows – integrates with Outlook). Web based feed readers include:My Yahoo, Bloglines, and Google Reader.

Once you have your feedreader installed, all you need to do is to add the RSS feed of the sites you are interested in to the list of feeds in the feed reader. The feed reader then automatically checks the sites for new content and displays them on your reader for you.

So, if you are interested in subscribing to the RSS feed on this site, click on the link and keep up with my posts!

Jan

28

2010

What is in it for me?

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (2)

Category : News and society, marketing content

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A lot has been written about Audience Advocacy and the mechanics of putting together something that appeals to the listener/reader. However, the bottom line of sales content is that “emotion is what really sells”. You need to get the audience to feel that there is something in it for them, if you want them to listen to your sales pitch and give the call to action.

So the first step in persuasion is to know what appeals emotionally to your listener.  What is the problem the product or service will solve for him and what will happen if the problem is not solved for them? If you can answer these questions, you will have the key to what motivates your audience emotionally. You can then set out to write your sales letter or make your online or offline presentation targeting this emotional quotient.

An outstanding example of an opening sales pitch is Mark Anthony’s speech in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.  The audience experience a roller coaster of emotions. Mark Anthony declares that he is there to bury Caesar and not to argue with Brutus and others about the qualities of the man. A subtle rider or “hook” to his declaration directs attention to the fact that “evil that men do lives after them” and “good” is buried with them. The rest of the speech is devoted to demolishing the association of “ambition” with Caesar and cutting through the arguments put forth by his killers for the murder…..

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;

I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.

The evil that men do lives after them;

The good is oft interred with their bones;

So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious:

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath Caesar answer’d it.

Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest–

For Brutus is an honourable man;

So are they all, all honourable men–

Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral.

He was my friend, faithful and just to me:

But Brutus says he was ambitious;

And Brutus is an honourable man.

If you look at successful sales letters or successful presentations or even speeches that moved masses to action, you will notice that an appeal is being made to the emotional being in the target audience every time.  There is play on fears–loss of health, loss of income, fear of failure and so on.  The very opening sentence or headline sets the context. It is often an attention grabbing, powerful, magnetic line that keeps the audience riveted to the speech. Here are a few examples:

  • Stop letting other people cheat you out of the Income you deserve
  • Your health may depend on the Information contained in this letter
  • Add years to your life with Newly Discovered Super Vitamin
  • Build Six Pack muscles that will be the envy of your peers

The sub headline then creates the hook that holds the audience dangling on the line.  This is often another associated emotional reason that supports the headline.

Just one capsule a day will extend your life by 25%!

An appeal that has nothing to do with logic.  There is no reference to a miracle vitamin. Only a statement that vitamins will benefit you!

From this point on the Sales letter or presentation or speech is carefully pitched from the point of view of the reader and the flow of thoughts that must arise from the initial questions that were addressed to him.  There is a conscious and sustained effort to answer all the possible questions that may arise in the minds. Of course irresistible special offers are made at the end and a deadline for availing of the special offer is set to urge him into immediate action.

So, if you are making a presentation to your boss or selling a product to your client or making a speech, do not forget–the emotional quotient. The success or failure depends on how well you answer the question “What is in it for me!”

Jan

26

2010

If you have sciatica: check where you keep you wallet

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (0)

Category : Communication, Medical content, News and society

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What has sciatica got to do with your wallet? Well studies have shown that those who keep a stuffed wallet in their back pocket often suffer from sciatica. The possibility was first reported in an article in the “New England Journal of Medicine” in 1966.

This particular report was about a lawyer. The lawyer who was gradually accumulating charge cards in his wallet began to complain of pains in his left leg. These pains went away when he removed his wallet and returned when he stuffed it back into his pocket.  The patient’s condition was described as “credit-carditis”. Another person is said to have developed this condition from stuffing handkerchiefs in his pocket during a particularly bad run of hay fever. Another reported similar pains from stuffing his back pocket with golf balls.

So, credit cards are not the only reason why people got sciatica.  Truck drivers, sedentary workers, call center operators and others who stuff their wallets with visiting cards or sit with their chairs pressing into their piriformis muscle, too can suffer from sciatica.

The onset of the condition is very gradual and often unnoticed.  The piriformis muscle is connected with the sciatica nerve and this disorder occurs when it is irritated by the piriformis muscle. The person experiences pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks and along the path of the sciatic nerve descending down the lower thigh.

The diagnosis of this condition is largely clinical and one of exclusion. During physical examination the doctor will stretch the irritated piriformis and try to provoke a sciatic compression. This, rules out the possibility of herniated nucleus propulsus (HNP), facet arthropathy, spinal stenosis and lumbar muscle strain and all the high sounding medical conditions.  When all this has been excluded the doctor performs a simple operation called walletectomy–where he asks you to remove your wallet and empty it for his efforts.  Of course, he prevents you from putting it back in your back pocket with the visiting cards and credit cards.  If it is not your wallet but your seat that is causing you the problem, I am sure he will say “Now move it man!”

Jan

25

2010

Boundaries of freedom: tax laws

Posted by Samantha | Comments : (2)

Category : Communication, General, News and society, Types of content

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If you study the history of taxation of any country, you will note that it has been one long debate on constitutionality and unconstitutionality of taxation. Most often than not, taxation was seen as a means of amassing wealth, subjugating the enemy, financing a war or developing a nation by the rulers.  All land and all wealth rightfully belonged to the monarch and the citizen was allowed to enjoy “income” at the mercy of the State.  Property could be taken over, confiscated without explanations by the State. It was a declaration of the power and right of the State and a definition of the boundaries of their freedom.  If the subjects saw the ability to tax differently, it was just too bad.

The concept of taxation in the modern world is really not very different.  In countries driven by socialistic principles, the common good is placed above the individual good and all land, property and incomes belong to the society/State.  Individual wealth and inheritance concepts do not exist.  In capitalistic countries where the concept individual freedom and personal good reign supreme, voluntary compliance is, seemingly encouraged and people are persuaded to consider paying taxes a duty. Penal sections of the law were enacted as disincentives to tax avoidance.

Even today, in most countries, tax laws define the boundaries of your economic freedom. You are free to earn, live and love in a community so long as you give back to the community something of what you receive from the community.  If you do not do so with the spirit of joy, voluntarily, the state has the power to act Robin Hood.  It is no wonder, therefore, that there are several voices that declare taxation a socialistic tenet in a capitalistic world!

It follows that while economies can be capitalistic or socialistic, no Government can afford to be wholly capitalistic. While they can respect the concepts of “liberty, equality and fraternity”, they cannot place the individual good over the common good without extending an invitation to anarchy.  Unbounded freedom is a myth and rightly so. Do you agree?

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