Welcome

The Atlantis Hotel in DUBAI

2011-02-27T02:03:00.001-08:00

. Water world ... the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai , one of the world's most anticipated hotels,
finally opens its doors on September 24.Situated on 113 acres of the Palm Jumeirah, the hotel boasts over 1539 rooms.

2. Water bed ... the Neptune and Poseidon Suites are exclusive to Atlantis, with both bedroom and
bath views directly into the mesmerising underwater world of the Ambassador Lagoon.

3. Sea view ... the Ambassador Lagoon is a window into the wonders of the ocean,
and the centre-piece of Atlantis, with over 250 species of fish and sea creatures.

4. Fish surprise ... keeping with he water theme, the Lost Chamber is a maze of underwater halls
and tunnels under the Ambassador Lagoon with over 65,000 fish.

5. See sea food ... Ossiano is home to a three-star Michelin chef, and offers gourmet seafood
with views of the exotic marine life of the Ambassador Lagoon.

6. Pleased to meet you ... Dolphin Bay is a four-and-a-half hectare lush tropical setting
where you get the chance to meet the colourful characters in their natural habitat.

7. Big dipper ... Aquaventure is a 42-acre waterpark with the Zigguret
Centerpiece that touts a 27.5m vertical drop.

8. Shark tank ... after the Ziggurat, you will emerge slowly through the lagoon at Shark Attack.

9. All washed up ... the Rapids is a 2.3km path of tidal river with one
metre waves though a lush tropical landscape.

10. Shark proof ... you can also experience the Shark Tank from the dry,
and more comfortable, viewing chamber.

11. Bar view ... sip cocktails in the oceanic space of Barazura and enjoy
views overlooking Palm Jumeirah.

12. Grand view .... the Grand Lobby makes a colourful first impression.

13. Bath time ... the spa experience includes two hours of spa treatments,
your own private time in a jetted tub and access to both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.

14. Spa service ... the Royal Spa Suite offers treatments designed to
individual needs, and a spa menu delivered byprivate butler service.

15. Grand designs ... each of the 1373 spacious guest rooms and 166 suites
is designed with subtle oceanic and Arabic influences.

Beautiful story

2011-02-27T01:56:00.000-08:00

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the
ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots
had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the House, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer
delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments,
perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was
ashamed of it's own imperfection. And miserable that it was
able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed
of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to
deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes
water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my
flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full
value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were
flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's
side? That's because I have always known about your flaw. So I
planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day
while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this
beauty to grace the house?

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked
pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our
lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got
to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in
them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out
of shape.
Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life.

Just Do IT ..............

Manmohan Singh Biography and Resume

2011-02-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

A Biography of Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh (26 Sep 1932 - present) is the 14th and accepted Prime Abbot of India. Admired by some as the "most educated" Indian Prime Abbot in history, Singh is a affiliate of the Indian National Congress party, and became the aboriginal Sikh Prime Abbot of India on May 22, 2004. He is advised one of the best able and affecting abstracts in India's contempo history, mainly because of the bread-and-butter reforms he had accomplished in 1991 back he was Accounts Abbot beneath Prime Abbot Narasimha Rao.

Early activity

He was built-in on 26 September 1932, in Gah, Punjab (now in Chakwal District, Pakistan). He has an Undergraduate (1952) and a Master's amount (1954) from Panjab University, Chandigarh; an Undergraduate amount (1957) from Cambridge University (St. John's College) and a D.Phil (1962) from Oxford University (Nuffield College). The University of Oxford awarded him an honorary Doctor of Civil Law amount in June 2005, and in October 2006, the University of Cambridge followed with the aforementioned honour.Singh affiliated Gursharan Kaur in 1958, and they acquire three daughters.

Political Career

Singh, an economist by profession, formed for the All-embracing Monetary Fund in his adolescent days. Dr. Singh is accepted to be an backward politician, adequate a formidable, awful admired and admired image. Due to his assignment at the UN, All-embracing Monetary Fund and added all-embracing bodies, he is awful admired about the world. He was awarded the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 2002. Before acceptable Prime Minister, he served as the Accounts Abbot beneath Narasimha Rao. He is accustomed with transforming the abridgement in the aboriginal 1990s during the banking crisis. He served as Baton of the Action in the Rajya Sabha (upper house) from March 1998 to May 2004, back the Bharatiya Janata Party-led affiliation government was in office.His bread-and-butter behavior - which included accepting rid of several left-wing policies, abnormally the License Raj - were popular. He enjoys able abutment amid the average classes of India due to his education. Singh absent the acclamation in the Lok Sabha from South Delhi constituency in the 1999 accepted elections. He is appropriately the alone Indian Prime Abbot never to acquire been an adopted affiliate of the Lower Abode of Parliament. In actuality he has not won a absolute election. He has been a affiliate of the Rajya Sabha from Assam back 1995. He was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2001 and 2007.

Economic reforms and ascendance to power

Singh served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985, and was duke best as accounts abbot in chiffonier of again Prime Abbot Narasimha Rao in 1991.Singh is broadly admired as the artist of India's aboriginal bread-and-butter ameliorate programme, which was allowable in 1991 beneath Rao's administration. The bread-and-butter liberalization amalgamation pushed by Singh and Rao opened the nation to adopted absolute investment. The liberalization was prompted by an astute balance-of-payments crisis whereby the Indian government, larboard afterwards acceptable affluence to accommodated its obligations, had amorphous affairs to mortgage its gold affluence to the Bank of England in adjustment to access the banknote affluence bare to run the country.Many see the 1991 liberalization as the aboriginal of a alternation of bread-and-butter restructuring efforts throughout the 1990s and 2000s that acquire aloft India's advance ante to amidst accomplished in world. Despite its advanced bread-and-butter policies, Rao's government was voted out in the abutting accepted acclamation in 1996.

Opposition and 2004 election

Singh became baton of action in aerial abode of Indian Parliament, and backward with the Congress Affair during a above breach in 1999, back three chief Congress leaders objected to Sonia Gandhi's acceleration as Congress President. Being accustomed as the Congress best for the PM's job, Gandhi had become a ambition of nationalists who objected to her Italian birth.An accord led by the Congress Affair won a decidedly aerial cardinal of seats in the Parliamentary elections of 2004. The Larboard Front absitively to abutment a affiliation government led by the Congress Affair from the outside. Sonia Gandhi was adopted baton of the Congress Parliamentary Affair and was accepted to become the Prime Minister. In a abruptness move, she beneath to acquire the column and instead nominated Dr. Singh. He anchored the choice for prime abbot on May 19, 2004 back the again President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam clearly asked him to anatomy a government. Although best accepted him to arch the Accounts Ministry himself, he entrusted the job to P. Chidambaram.His arrangement is notable as it comes 20 years afterwards India witnessed cogent tensions amid the Indian axial government and the Punjabi Sikh community. Afterwards Congress Affair Prime Abbot Indira Gandhi, the mother-in-law of Sonia Gandhi, ordered axial government troops to storm the Golden Temple (the holiest armpit of Sikhism) in Amritsar, Punjab to annihilate a agitator movement, she was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. The aftereffect was a genocidal attack adjoin Sikhs and abounding innocent Sikhs absent their lives during riots answer by the Congress Affair anon afterwards the assassination.Singh's angel is about admired as intellectual, honest but cautious, alert to alive chic bodies (on whose votes he was elected), and technocratic. Although aldermanic achievements acquire been few and the Congress-led accord is commonly bedfast by conflicts, Singh's administering has focused on abbreviation the budgetary deficit, accouterment debt-relief to poor farmers, extending amusing programs and advancing the pro-industry bread-and-butter and tax behavior that acquire launched the country on a above bread-and-butter amplification advance back 2002. Singh has been the angel of the Congress attack to defuse religious tensions and conflicts and bolster political abutment from minorities like Muslims, Christians and Sikhs.His government has endeavored to body stronger relations with the United States, the People's Republic of China and European nations. The Government suffered a setback back it absent the abutment of a key ally, several African Union members, for its bid for a abiding associates to the U.N. Security Council with veto privileges. One of the better achievements of Manmohan Singh's Government has been a nuclear accord amid India and the U.S.A. Beneath Dr. Singh, an economist and Accounts abbot P. Chidambaram, India's bread-and-butter advance has continued, with the GDP growing at a actual fast amount of 9%. This has resulted in India acceptable a abundance dollar economy.

MANMOHAN MOHAN SINGH CV

Resume of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, and the original Architect of the Economic Liberlization.

Born on: September 26, 1932

Place of Birth: Gah (West Punjab)

Father: Gurmukh Singh

Mother: Amrit Kaur

Married on: September 14, 1958

Wife: Gursharan Kaur

Children: Three daughters

EDUCATION:

Stood first in BA (Hons), Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 1952; stood first in MA (Economics), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 1954; Wright's Prize for distinguished performance at St John's College, Cambridge, 1955 and 1957; Wrenbury scholar, University of Cambridge, 1957; DPhil (Oxford), DLitt (Honoris Causa); PhD thesis on India's export competitiveness

OCCUPATION:

Professor (Senior lecturer, Economics, 1957-59; Reader, Economics, 1959-63; Professor, Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 1963-65; Professor, International Trade, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, 1969-71; Honorary professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 1976 and Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, 1996) and Civil Servant

POSITIONS:

1971-72: Economic advisor, ministry of foreign trade
1972-76: Chief economic advisor, ministry of finance
1976-80: Director, Reserve Bank of India; Director, Industrial Development Bank of India; Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, Asian Development Bank; Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, IBRD
November 1976 - April 1980: Secretary, ministry of finance (department of economic affairs); Member, finance, Atomic Energy Commission; Member, finance, Space Commission
April 1980 - September 15, 1982 : Member-secretary, Planning Commission
1980-83: Chairman, India Committee of the Indo-Japan joint study committee September 16, 1982 - January 14, 1985: Governor, Reserve Bank of India
1982-85: Alternate Governor for India, Board of governors, International Monetary Fund
1983-84: Member, economic advisory council to the Prime Minister
1985: President, Indian Economic Association
January 15, 1985 - July 31, 1987 : Deputy chairman, Planning Commission
August 1, 1987 - November 10, 1990 : Secretary-general and commissioner, south commission, Geneva
December 10, 1990 - March 14, 1991 : Advisor to the Prime Minister on economic affairs
March 15, 1991 - June 20, 1991 : Chairman, UGC
June 21, 1991 - May 15, 1996 : Union finance minister
October 1991: Elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam on Congress ticket
June 1995: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha
1996 onwards: Member, Consultative Committee for the ministry of finance
August 1, 1996 - December 4, 1997 : Chairman, Parliamentary standing committee on commerce
March 21, 1998 onwards: Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha
June 5, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on finance
August 13, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on rules
Aug 1998-2001: Member, committee of privileges 2000 onwards: Member, executive committee, Indian parliamentary group
June 2001: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha
Aug 2001 onwards: Member, general purposes committee

BOOKS:

India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth ? Clarendon Press, Oxford University, 1964; also published a large number of articles in various economic journals.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Adam Smith Prize, University of Cambridge, 1956
Padma Vibhushan, 1987
Euromoney Award, Finance Minister of the Year, 1993;
Asiamoney Award, Finance Minister of the Year for Asia, 1993 and 1994

INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

1966: Economic Affairs Officer
1966-69: Chief, financing for trade section, UNCTAD
1972-74: Deputy for India in IMF Committee of Twenty on International Monetary Reform
1977-79: Indian delegation to Aid-India Consortium Meetings 1980-82: Indo-Soviet joint planning group meeting
1982: Indo-Soviet monitoring group meeting
1993: Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Cyprus 1993: Human Rights World Conference, Vienna

New Zealand crush India by 200 runs

2010-08-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: New Zealand got their tri-series advance off to a caper alpha by thrashing India by 200 runs in the breach bender at Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Tuesday.

Scorecard

Chasing a accomplishment appetite of 289 runs, India's weakness abut amore fast bowling came to the avant-garde afresh as they were abiding out for 88 runs in 29.3 overs.

The Indian batting collapse started in the seventh over ashamed Kyle Mills had Virender Sehwag (19) angled bottomward the leg accessory by wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins.

Daryl Tuffey afresh took three wickets in three overs to breach the ashamed of the Indian top order. The aerial right-arm pacer ancient trapped Dinesh Karthik (14) arrect in avant-garde of the wicket, afresh had Rohit Sharma (4) angled by captain Ross Taylor at ancient boner and afresh had Suresh Raina (6) angled by Scott Styris at added slip.

If that was not enough, Tuffey ran out Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the abutting over to allay India to 53/5. Dhoni bankrupt a charge and responded to Yuvraj Singh's anxiety for a quick single. Yuvraj backed out at the aftermost moment, but Dhoni, who brimming and affronted complete fast to arise ashamed in his crease, could not beat a celerity Tuffey who calm the affray and access the stumps with a complete hit.

Left-arm pacer Andy McKay afresh got into the act ashamed he had Yuvraj (5) angled by Taylor at ancient boner to allay India to 62/6.

From afresh on, it was abandoned a bulk of time ashamed the Indian innings folded.

Earlier, Ross Taylor access a able 95 and Scott Styris cool 89 below accountability as New Zealand accustom a backbreaking 288.

New Zealand were advancing at 28/3 afterwards adequate the arrest in the day-night bender afore skipper Taylor and all-rounder Styris propped up the innings with a annual 190-run bend for the fourth wicket.

The amalgamation was New Zealand's best for the fourth wicket in one-day internationals, the anterior able achievement 168 amidst Lee Germon and Chris Harris abut Australia in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal at Chennai.

Taylor looked set to complete his fourth one-day hundred ashamed he was trapped leg-before by left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra, who was the best accustomed bowler with 4/47.

The New Zealand captain hit one six and eight fours in his 113-ball knock.

India paceman Praveen Kumar did the ancient blow ashamed he had opener Martin Guptill angled aback for 11 and afresh bowled debutant Kane Williamson for no annual in his alive breach spell.

Nehra was the added wicket-taker in the anterior overs, accepting opener Peter Ingram angled aback for 12.

India afresh had to adjournment for added than 31 overs to get accession wicket as Taylor and Styris activated themselves appreciably able on a blah bend to accession the innings.

Styris was bowled by left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha afresh afterwards hoisting the bowler for a beeline six. He additionally completed 4,000 one-day runs during his 95-ball knock.

Sri Lanka are the third accession in the tournament. Each accessory will ball the added active in the basal accord afore the top two accredit for the final on August 28.

New Indian Rupee

2010-08-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Are we activity to acquire a beginning aspect to represent Indian Rupee? According to Indian accounts ministry, the ‘Change’ bureau seems to acquire hit India and its currency. The Government of India will be administering a animosity to abettor with attainable in acclimation to arise up with an ‘Innovative aspect for Indian Rupee’. The accounts admiral armpit has all the accommodation and the best allocation of the able diplomacy is that we too can blot in the activity of advancing up with a beginning symbol.

What it bureau is that ceremony one of us acquire an according adventitious of able a admirable award-winning money of INR 2,50,000/-. The top 5 selections will acquire Rs 25K ceremony irrespective of accepting alleged as the final symbol. The lath of examiners would accept of seven assembly fatigued from different organizations in the acreage of arts, finance, culture, history etc., All we allegation to do is to arise up with a aesthetic symbol(similar to $, €, ¥, £ etc.,) accrue the after things in your apperception and you could be in the pages of history!

The aspect should

* Represent the absolute and cultural appendage of the country.

* Be broadly able above the country.

* Be applicative to accustomed keyboard.

* Be in the Indian National Language Script or a beheld representation.

World Population Day

2010-07-11T08:27:00.001-07:00

With India's at about 1.2 billion and aggressive by the minute, on the eve of Apple Citizenry Day July 11, a ample area of the capital's appearance fraternity and the folio 3 affair hoppers alleged for assuming a law to barrier the citizenry explosion.

Most of them are alike aggravating to abode the affair of bottleneck in their work-sphere.

Delhi-based fashionista Tanisha Mohan wants the country to do article about the citizenry afore the ‘edifice collapses’.

"One of the means to abode the citizenry access is to advance apprenticeship amid the marginalised. Women should be accustomed added good medical affliction and the country needs to appoint the 'hum do hamare do' (two accouchement for anniversary couple) with diligence. Like China, India should achieve citizenry laws," said Tanisha Mohan.

Tanisha and bedmate Robby Mohan accept adopted a apple abreast the basic area they "intend to advance acquaintance about citizenry control, besides allotment children's education".

Fashion designers and artists Priyanka and Ankur Modi are sending beyond the bulletin of ‘overcrowding’ through their art.

A ample bowl accession of a "Help, We Are Running Out of Space (a acceptable Indian three-wheeled carriage active with bodies at a adjudicator crossing)" was apparent at the Olive at the Qutab Thursday. It was allegorical of bottleneck and awash streets.

"India has an balance of bodies who are aback spilling on the streets. Art is a auspicious way to attack for the account because it catches the eye," Priyanka said.

The Apple Citizenry Day was started by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989 to mobilise accessible assessment about the alarming acceleration of population. United Nations statistics put the apple citizenry amount at about 6.8 billion.

India has apparent a almost three-fold access in citizenry aback 1847 aback the cardinal was almost 350 million. Poor ancestors planning, illiteracy, abridgement of bloom awareness, superstition and development alterity accept led to the aciculate acceleration in population.

Veteran artist Neeru Kumar, buyer of the accounted appearance characterization Tulsi, says that India should stop bearing more, to abode the development imbalance.

The National Institute of Design alum said the country charge "develop an beat apparatus to actualize demographic acquaintance amid the poor".

"I am aggravating to booty up the affair of citizenry with the weavers in Uttar Pradesh and Orissa by counselling them. Anniversary one of them has four to six accouchement on an average," Neeru Kumar added.

However, artist and crafts activist Anju Modi believes that "population is one of the strengths of India".

"But the way to about-face about the botheration is to animate bodies to optimally use their acceptable livelihoods and crafts to accomplish added money. We can booty bodies aback to the roots - in the Gandhian archetypal - so that India can authority its arch high," Anju said.

The artist has been aggravating to "raise acquaintance amid the weavers in villages for the aftermost 20 years".

Fashion columnist Hemant Khandelwal wants the government to booty adventurous accomplish to abode the problem.

"If they can do it in China, why not here? The gap amid the affluent and the poor is accepting wider, but the government does not appetite to agitate vote banks," Khandelwal said.

Designer Zubair Kirmani, who is alive with Kashmiri weavers, says "one charge be honest about the way to cut bottomward population".

"Even in a abode like Kashmir, citizenry will affectation as a botheration in a decade's time," he said.

Manish Gupta, who retails his clothes from all the above food in the basic has been advancement about citizenry amid his kaarigars (craftsmen).

"I abash my craftsmen to break abroad from assignment for added than two months. It cuts their losses and additionally ensures that they do not add to the admeasurement of their families," Gupta said.

India Won Afghanistan

2010-05-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

India advance to an accessible 7 wickets wins in the Group C opener adjoin Afghanistan actuality at Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia but not afore the Afghanis abundant spirit to the bold that showed to the apple that they aback belongs to this top akin cricket.

Chasing 116 runs for victory, India accomplished the ambition in 14.5 overs with the accident of three wickets. M.Vijay (48 runs of 46 balls), Yuvraj Singh (23* runs of 22 balls) and M.S.Dhoni (15* runs of 6 balls) were advantageous contributor with the bat.

Living Organized: Proven Steps for a Clutter-Free and Beautiful Home Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia

Minnows Afghanistan showed adventuresomeness to angle up to cricketing giants India. You can brainstorm how adamantine it for them to appear from country area there is no stadium. They accept learnt the candid at refugee camps. They don’t alike accept able bathrobe apartment in there country.

However there action to the cricketing giants India was awesome, they accept not let them bottomward in the field. Defending the account of 115 they accept bowled and fielded well.

Putting into bat by Indian Captain M.S.Dhoni, they didn’t get acceptable alpha as per there affection and absent three acute wickets central aboriginal six overs. However superb accomplishment from Noor Ali (50 runs of 48 balls) and Asghar Stanikzai (30 off 33 balls) pulled them out of trouble. Both administer to put 68 runs for the fourth wicket.

But both batsmen got out at acute choice of the bout and that peg them back. In the end they aloof mange 115/8 in their 20 overs. From India Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar was pickoff the bowler. Both accept taken three and two wickets each.

India got of to aerial alpha in the actual aboriginal over with M.Vijay agitated his anatomy from IPL to apple t20 by smashing Dawlat Ahmadzai for one huge six and one four over long-off boundary.

Riht-arm average fast Dawalat Ahmadzai got the wicket of Gautam Gambhir with Mohammad Nabi demography a accomplished bolt at awning point. Leg spinner Samiullah Shenwari again took the wicket of Suresh Raina (18 runs of 13 balls) trapped lbw.

For Afghanistan, Average pacer Hamid Hassin was the aces of the bowlers, absolution Vijay and giving abroad aloof eight runs in three overs.

A.Nehra was declared Man of the Bout for his superb bowling spell of 3/19 in his four overs.

Match Summary (India Won by 7 Wickets)

Afghanistan – 115/8 in 20 Overs

Noor Ali- 50 A.Stanikzai– 30

A.Nehra- 4-0-19-3 P.Kumar– 3-0-14-2

India– 116/3 in 14.5 Overs

M.Vijay- 48 Y.Singh–23*

D.Ahmedzai- 2-0-21-1 S.Shenwari– 2-0-11-1

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

2010-05-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates: "ation with Amazon Associates to sea"

why India must figure in your list of holiday destinations

2010-03-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

10 reasons why India must figure in your list of holiday destinations India is a country that is rich in its culture, heritage, monuments, architecture, temples, churches and gurudwaras. India also has plenty of holiday spots offering a whole lot of cuisines, entertainment and worldclass healthcare. The holdiay resorts offer the best of hospitality and guest relations and vacation packages and facilities like spa, swimming pools and gyms and much more.

1. Come to Rishikesh for indulging in adventure sports such as river rafting, climbing, paragliding, mountaineering, skiing and camping. The cool houseboats in Kashmir and the landscape is a treat for visitors during summer.

2. Rishikesh is a haven for those with a spiritual quest. India the land that gave birth to religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has much to offer to the seekers of spiritual enlightenment at the ancient pilgrimage centers spread across India. The temples in India are perfect for those seeking peace of mind. Vaishnodevi temple in Jammu to the Jewish Synagogue at Cochin and the Buddhist stupa of Sanchi and the ruins of Hampi are important pilgrimage centers.

3. Come and be visually treated by the ancient paintings in Ajanta and Ellora caves and the sculptures of the temples of Khajuraho and Konark. The temples and sculptures in Tanjore, Madurai, Mahabalipuram, Kancheepuram etc. are some examples of spectacular sculptures and architecture.

4. If you are a history enthusiast, you have numerous monuments as well as ruins of great monuments such as the Taj Mahal at Agra, temples, forts, palaces and architecture. India is a haven for historians and historical research students.

5. Beach lovers can have a really fantastic holiday experience at the sandy and sunny beaches of Goa. The beaches at Chennai and many others dotting the coasts of south India are places to witness nature’s bounty. The beach resorts with five star facilities ensure that you have the best of cuisines, entertainment, grooming and relaxation.

6. The hill stations like Ooty, Simla and Darjeeling are perfect places for relaxation and rejuvenation. Travel to India and breathe the fresh air with the fragrance of the rare and vibrant botanical gardens or soak in the therapeutic air filled with herbal flavor.

7. India’s landscape is rich in sun bathed beaches, colorful and enchanting flora and fauna hills and valleys with wildlife are a true treat to any admirer of nature. Visit India this summer to see the country at its spectacular best in nature or wildlife tourism.

8. If you are a health freak, you must not miss the Ayurvedic healthcare and the scenic beauty of Kerala tourism. The houseboats, boat rides in the lakes and rejuvenating massages help you to unwind and de-stress. Sophisticated multi specialty hospitals draw patients from all over the world to Chennai and Bangalore.

9. India offers a number of National parks and wildlife sanctuaries and bird sanctuaries. It is a fascinating experience for tourists and researchers from all parts of the world.

10. There is an endless variety of Arts and crafts, folk arts, tribal and traditional arts to enjoy and take home. Shoppers will be pleasantly surprised at the unique and captivating pieces of Indian artifacts.

Avatar review

2009-12-27T07:54:00.000-08:00

he news happens in 22nd century. Animal scientists ascertain that there is addition planet alleged Pandora which contains affluent minerals which are absolutely valuable. The army takes up the mission on activity to Pandora and rob the minerals. But there is a problem. There is a camp of na’vis, a humanoid chase are citizenry of Pandora. They are absolutely alpine with dejected skin, aureate eyes and a adaptable tile. There is not abundant oxygen over there and animal beings can’t survive. The scientists ad-lib a fresh action (kind of Matrix process) of Avatar which makes baddest animal beings look-alike of na’vis and sends them beyond to Pandora to get added advice so that their aggressive advance would be immaculate. Jake (Sam Worthington) is a abyssal who absent his legs in a warfare. His identical accompanying brother was clean-cut to be an Avatar, but dies. The Colonel promises his legs aback (an big-ticket operation) if he cooperates to be an Avatar. After activity to Pandora as an Avatar, Jake realises that the camp of na’vis are altruistic bodies who co-exist with the nature. He avalanche in adulation with the bounded angel Neyitiri (Zoe Saldana). Jake has orders to follow, But, he learns that Colonel is antibacterial acceptable bodies for the account of minerals. He decides to save Pandora from humans. The blow of the news is all about how he achieves it! Avatar Cine Review

It transports you into a dream world:

James Cameron adds his amazing adroitness into artistic 3D and VFX technology and shows us how affection for movies can actualize path-breaking movies like Avatar. The 3D effect, beheld furnishings and the colors carriage you into a fresh dream apple you had never imagined. Avatar is declared to be an conflicting cine and aliens are declared to be conflicting (that’s why they are alleged aliens). The na’vis in this cine are accomplished and they are accustomed admitting of dejected skin, aureate eyes and continued tail. The na’vis band with assorted animals and co-exist with them. The Pandora apple is affable with its colors and is accessible on eyes. The night eyes of Pandora is a beheld barbecue with adorable florescence colors. There are amphibian mountains, aerial dragons with butterfly colors, flies that attending like jelly-fishes etc. The big timberline is amazing.

Story with altruism and lots of moral values:

We see the news demography backseat in best of the abstruse extravaganzas. But Cameron fabricated abiding that he gives according alternative to storytelling in Avatar.

This blur shows the acquisitiveness of assertive animal beings who stop at annihilation to accomplish money/power. This blur additionally shows the altruism of assertive animal beings who are accommodating to cede aggregate to stop the destruction. Avatar is an eco-friendly movie.

A admirable adulation story:

Princess of Pandora falling in adulation with a drifter from addition abode is an age-old and commercially acknowledged formula. James Cameron has taken the arresting canvas of the cosmos to characterize this adulation story.

It’s a wonderland:

I acquainted like the ‘Alice in wonderland’ while watching this movie. We access the amazing acreage of aliens and basis for them throughout the movie. The accomplishments music has Indianness in it. On the whole, Avatar is an entertaining, absorbing, ground-breaking and affable (not alien) film. Book your tickets appropriate abroad and watch Avatar in 3D format. And feel yourself acutely advantageous if you got an IMAX theatre in the burghal you live!!

Artists Performance:

Sam Worthington: He has appear out with a accurate achievement and carries the cine throughout with ease. His awning attendance is acquiescent but again it is his appearance that gives a lot of backbone to the role.

Zoe Saldana: Admitting the actuality that her animal anatomy is not seen, Zoe looks rather carnal and acclaim charge be accustomed to the cartoon specialists for creating a accurate to absoluteness angel of hers. She looks carnal and admirable with the appropriate affectionate of expressions and affecting presence.

Sigourney Weaver: It is acceptable to see the chief extra accomplishing a amenable role and she has gone by the book and accustomed complete amends to it.

Stephen Lang: He plays a hardcore army man and looks absolute to the core. His awning attendance is able and he has depicted the accidentally angry ancillary of the flesh in a actual manner.

Other Actress: Michelle Rodriguez was abrupt but fabricated her attendance felt, Giovanni Ribisi was standard, Joel Moore contributed in his own way, Wes Studi was apt. Not abundant from others back best of them are in activated or cartoon format.

Final Analysis:

It is not generally that one gets to see such movies. A already in a lifetime marvel, the storyline runs on a actual simple yet important abstraction and added than the content, it is the presentation and anecdotal that dominated. The dialogues were amusing at few places but they had abyss admitting phrased in simple words, the calligraphy was in absolute appearance and there were no apart ends, the cine was captivating. Accomplishments account contributed to the moods but James Horner could accept accustomed a affair of sorts aloof like he did for ‘Titanic’. Editing was brittle and aciculate to the edge, apparel were nominal. Here is the best allotment – it is the graphics, beheld effects, accomplish up department, art administration that accept accustomed an cutting impact. Here are few important observations-

* There is no inferior delineation of the Hindu gods or Hinduism so the BJP bodies and the religious fanatics can booty it easy.

* There is a slight cast of clothing of Lord Rama in the advocate and it was agitated out with candor and elegance.

* Admitting the blur is affluent in abstruse effects, there is a able bulletin which speaks of the accent of absorption the ambiance and how bio assortment is important for the actuality of mankind.

* For those who accept what goes abaft cartoon and the beheld effects, this is no beneath than a bible and it alone takes exclamations to accept the efforts and the accuracy abaft this.

* James Cameron visualizes a apple that not abounding can see and his absorption to detail can be apparent in the little creatures to the lighting furnishings and the ambience it creates.

Overall, the abstruse aspects and the beheld furnishings are absolutely all-powerful and admitting one can absence the ball aspect, it is the all-embracing appulse and the able bulletin it delivers that engages the viewers. The blur is diffuse (2 hours 40 minutes) but to be honest, there is not a distinct minute of apathy and it is a absolutely altered adventure that will abide in the memories for a continued time.

Don’t absence it…Rush to theatres immediately

Sachin skips Bangladesh tri-series & Indias full team

2009-12-27T07:49:00.000-08:00

Sachin Tendulkar has autonomous out of the tri-series in Bangladesh starting on January 4. He will be replaced by Rohit Sharma in the 16-man squad. Yuvraj Singh has additionally been included admitting a feel abrasion alarm that kept him out of four ODIs in the five-match alternation adjoin Sri Lanka.

Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar accept been alone and replaced by Sreesanth and Ashok Dinda, who fabricated his Twenty20 admission for India beforehand this month. Amit Mishra displaced Pragyan Ojha in an baffling bold of agreeable chairs for the aback spinner's role. Ravindra Jadeja retained his atom as the abandoned allrounder.

Sreesanth, who did not comedy a role in the advancing ODI alternation adjoin Sri Lanka due to barbarian flu, has recovered and been called in the squad. The amateur Sudeep Tyagi, a allotment of the accepted ODI squad, has kept his abode admitting not arena a game. Dinesh Karthik has been called as the additional wicketkeeper in the band to Bangladesh.

Rohit, 22, who was alone from India's ODI band afterwards an continued run of black array in limited-overs cricket, aftermost played in the West Indies in July and was pushed abreast by Virat Kohli in the batting line-up. Kohli took his affairs with both hands, scoring half-centuries in the Champions Trophy and adjoin Sri Lanka afore hitting his beginning ODI aeon to allowance the alternation win adjoin Sri Lanka. Rohit paved his way aback through a triple-century in the aftermost annular of Ranji Trophy alliance matches.

Ishant, who was alone for the aboriginal two ODIs adjoin Sri lanka, bootless to affect on his acknowledgment - acknowledgment to Sreesanth's affliction - for the after bisected of the series. In 14 overs in those two matches, he went for 130 runs, and bootless to accumulate up the burden forth with Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. He managed aloof two wickets at an boilerplate of 65.00 and an abridgement amount of 9.28. Afore that, during the alternation adjoin Australia at home, he managed bristles wickets in four matches at 30.00 each. Praveen, who played the aboriginal two matches of the Sri Lanka series, managed aloof one wicket and went at 6.76 runs per over.

India comedy their aboriginal bout in Bangladesh in Dhaka on January 5, adjoin Sri Lanka, followed by accessories on January 7, 10 and 11. The finals will be captivated on January 13.

Meanwhile, the selectors called the band for the final ODI adjoin Sri Lanka to be played in Delhi on December 27. MS Dhoni, who absent the aftermost two matches due to ban over apathetic over-rates, has alternate alongside Dinda for the aftermost game. Virender Sehwag, who stood in for Dhoni and oversaw two after wins, has been called vice-captain. He has beforehand fatigued on the charge for the selectors to benedict a adolescent leader.

Squad for tri-series: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh, Sudeep Tyagi, Dinesh Karthik, Sreesanth, Ashok Dinda, Amit Mishra

Squad for final ODI v Sri Lanka: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Sudeep Tyagi, Dinesh Karthik, Sreesanth, Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha.

Adhavan

2009-08-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Producer Udayanidhi Stalin, grandson of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and son of Local Administration Minister M K Stalin will be producing the film Adhavan under the bann
Adhavan will be a racy commercial entertainer quite typical of Ravikumar's style. Soon, he will play a macho man in UTV Productions' Mugamoodi, which will be directed by Mysskin. Harris Jeyeraj will be scoring music for the movie.er Red Giant Movies. Surya will do the lead role. Nayanthara will be pairing with him.K.S. Ravikumar who almost done with his Jaggubhai, which stars Sarathkumar and Shriya.Surya will start the film Adhavan within a short span of time, since he is committed with a couple of other movies too. Those movies will start only after Surya completes this flick. Those movies are Mugamudi and Singam with Mysskin and Hari respectively. Surya is currently in a good mood with his last release being a hit and the upcoming film Ayan carrying a good preview report, which has Tamanna as his co star in it.K.s Ravi kumar is the wonder full director in film industry.He will give only hits.So we can expect a very nice love story.

Dhoni Asin Latest

2009-08-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

Asin, the hottest babe in Bollywood has signed a record endorsement deal to shake a leg with Indian cricket captain M. S Dhoni.Asin and MS Dhoni both hailed from two different professions but both are successful in their respective field and endorsers feel they are the right choice for their brand. Big Bazaar which is a chain of hypermarkets in India has roped in the young and the energetic couple to endorse their market. They chose Asin and Dhoni to endorse Big Bazaar as they are the youth icon of India and doing extremely well in their individual field.The buzz is that she signed this deal for a record amount, the highest she has taken for any endorsement so far. And according to a spokesperson of Big Bazaar, Asin and MS Dhoni were selected as they are the youth icons of India. The photo shoot happened in Mumbai a month back and the television ad will be canned after Dhoni comes back from his successful tour of New Zealand.

If Asin has win over the hearts of millions with her simple girl role in ‘Ghajini’ then Dhoni has also proved himself a successful captain and cricketer. According to a source, Asin has signed the ad with highest amount she has endorsed so far.

The photo shoot took place in Mumbai a month back but the ad will be aired after Dhoni returns from his successful tour of New Zealand. Asin today is a brand name and she has many promising product in her kitty thereby giving tough competition to the established stars of Bollywood.

Her Mirinda ad is a hit and now she will be Aamir’s lady for the Tata Sky ad by replacing Gul panag.A survey taken by a national agency says- “Asin in all her television ads comes across as a friendly neighborhood person who coaxes you to try the product; which has caught the imagination of the viewers. Among movie stars, she is the hottest to endorse consumer goods”.

Mandela Real Victory

2009-08-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Mandela was born July 18, 1918. He was jailed in November 1962 for leaving the country illegally and for incitement to strike. While serving the sentence he was charged with sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In prison Mandela demonstrated his heart by never compromising his political principles. He was always a source of strength for the other prisoners. Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant Black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.

More people watched his release from prison on February 11, 1990 than any other prisoner in the history of the world. Some even analyzed the details of his speech he gave on his release! He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He served as president of South Africa from 1994-1999.

Mandela has honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities. Nelson Mandela retired from public life in June 1999 and he currently resides in his birth place - Qunu, Transkei.

Villagers, do you remember your participating in protests against apartheid? Do you remember how you felt when Mandela was finally released from prison? Can you deny that this quite man of peace found a way into your heart?

He was (then) a South African political activist and member of the African National Congress.
Still active, he had been in Robin Island prison in South Africa for 27 years.He led the fight against apartheid with extraordinary vigour and resilience after spending nearly three decades of his life behind bars. He sacrificed his private life and his youth for his people, and remains South Africa's best known and loved hero.

72 days that shaped South Africa

1 MARCH 1994

Walvis Handover 'a triumph'
Walvis Bay – South Africa's last remaining dispute with the international community was formally ended at midnight last night as the South African flag was finally lowered in Walvis Bay and the Namibian flag raised in its place.
The formal handing over of the enclave ended a worldwide campaign for its incorporation that had been linked with the demands for Pretoria to surrender control of Namibia and to end apartheid in South Africa.
The last lowering of the orange, white and blue flag was watched in silence by a South African delegation headed by Justice Minister Kobie Coetzee, Namibian President Sam Nujoma and by representatives of African states and the Organisation of African Unity.
The Star, Tuesday 1 March 1994

2 MARCH 1994

IFP, ANC in 'breakthrough'
The IFP is to consider provisionally registering for the April 27 elections. This emerged after several hours of talks between the African National Congress president Mr Nelson Mandela and IFP leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi in Durban yesterday.
Both the IFP and the ANC are also to explore possible international mediation to resolve outstanding constitutional deadlocks.
Buthelezi said the IFP was determined to contest the election, but added that his party's demands, as contained in the Freedom Alliance's proposals, had to be met.
The Zulu king's demands also affected the IFP's participation in the elections, he said.
The Sowetan, Wednesday 2 March 1994

3 MARCH 1994

Split looms for CP
Cape Town – The Conservative Party is so racked by internal dissent that it could see a breakaway right-wing group registering for the elections.
A group of CP MPs made it clear during a caucus meeting that it could go to the polls. One source said that they had effectively "thrown down the gauntlet".
They argued that if the right wing could get support for a Volkstaat council – provided for in the Interim Constitution this week – it could force a new government to seriously consider allowing for the creation of such a homeland.
The Star, Thursday 3 March 1994

4 MARCH 1994

Volkstaat boundaries tomorrow
The borders of the Afrikaner volkstaat and the territory's constitution would be unveiled at an open session of the Afrikaner Volksfront-aligned "people's representative council" in Pretoria tomorrow, the AVF announced yesterday.
The AVF transitional assembly last week gave its constitutional committee instructions to submit a "concept constitution" and a visual presentation of the land claims of the Afrikaner volk to the meeting for consideration and acceptance.
The AVF transitional body was implemented as a right-wing alternative to the Transitional Executive Council, which has been described by constitutional committee chairman and Conservative Party MP Fanie Jacobs as "irrelevant".
The Citizen, Friday 4 March 1994

5 MARCH 1994

Cricket might become national sport
The ANC recognises sport as the single biggest "healer" in a country torn apart by race and cultural differences.
And shadow sports minister Steve Tshwete is so encouraged by the role played by cricket that he believes it could become SA's national sport.
At the Wanderers stadium yesterday, Tshwete sat watching the test match from the front row of the plush Long Room. When the previous two South Africa-Australia cricket tests were staged on this ground in 1967 and 1970, he was breaking rocks on Robben Island.
Now in a position to break far more influential ground, Tshwete spoke of his admiration for cricket's role in healing old wounds and gave his assurance that an ANC government would have sport high on its list of priorities.
The Weekend Star, Saturday 5 March 1994

6 MARCH 1994

Viljoen crushed by right-wing hawks
Rampant Afrikaner Volksfront leaders yesterday swept aside an attempt by former SADF chief Constand Viljoen and his moderate generals to register a right-wing party for the April elections.
After a bitter nine-hour crisis meeting in which numerous personal insults were directed at General Viljoen, hardline Conservative Party leader Ferdi Hartzenberg announced triumphantly to rapturous applause: "We will not take part in the elections".
The Sunday Times, Sunday 6 March 1994

7 MARCH 1994

Bop looks poised to register
Bophuthatswana looks poised to register for the April elections, notwithstanding Friday night's registration deadline – while the right wing faces turmoil over whether to go to the polls.
Bophuthatswana government sources said yesterday a crucial meeting would be held today to decide whether to register the homeland's ruling Christian Democratic Party for the elections.
Indications yesterday were that the Afrikaner Volksfront was still divided over whether to join the election process, and pressure was mounting within and outside the AVF to take part.
The Star, Monday 7 March 1994

8 MARCH 1994

Mangope calls out troops as unrest flares
Tensions in Bophuthatswana rose yesterday after the homeland's government decided against registering for the election and the ANC called for a blockade of the territory.
Police vehicles were set alight, ANC offices were petrol-bombed and police teargassed striking public servants and the offices of Lawyers for Human Rights.
The Bophuthatswana Defence Force was called in as the homeland tried to contain unrest as the public servants' strike entered its fourth week.
Business Day, Tuesday 8 March 1994

End looms for two despised laws
The writing is on the wall for two of SA's most despised laws – Section 29 of the Internal Security Act and Section 206 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The Transitional Executive Council's law and order subcouncil yesterday recommended that Section 29 be repealed immediately. It said 75% of the subcouncil's members favoured abolishing Section 29 immediately, while the minority favoured retaining it after an SAP report had recommended that it should not be scrapped until after the election.
Business Day, Tuesday 8 March 1994

TEC turns to flag question as time runs out
Pretoria – With time running out for a final decision on a flag for the new SA, the Transitional Executive Council today considers designs for the first time.
There have been suggestions that the peace flag be used until the government of national unity can deal with the matter after the elections. However, a management committee member said this was not an option.
The ANC expected that about 100 000 new flags would have to be made for the new government’s inauguration. Local manufacturers, alarmed at the delay, have urged quick action.
Business Day, Tuesday 8 March 1994

9 MARCH 1994

TEC bares teeth at Bop
The Transitional Executive Council (TEC) last night threatened strong action against the Bophuthatswana government.
The range of threatened measures, including the cutting off of funds to Bophuthatswana, came as the protest and strike crisis in the homeland deepened yesterday.
There were also reports last night of security forces firing live ammunition in an attempt to disperse the "raging masses".
The Star, Wednesday 9 March 1994

Arms theft: SAP move in
Police are understood to be questioning a South African Air Force flight sergeant in connection with the theft of weapons from 10 Air Depot at Voortrekkerhoogte at the weekend.
Sources said several other men – all believed to be SAAF employees – are being sought for questioning.
The ANC has expressed its "serious concern" about the theft and the regularity of such raids on SADF arms depositories.
The Star, Wednesday 9 March 1994

Businessman's cellular phone launched
Coinciding with an international launch, OfficeMart has introduced the Nokia 2110, which it claims is the smallest, lightest and most feature-packed digital cellular unit on the market.
Capabilities include 125 memory locations, speed dial memory slots and high-speed wireless data/fax support. It costs R4 199.
The Star Business, Wednesday 9 March 1994

10 MARCH 1994

40 wounded as Mangope's men open fire
Mmabatho - About 40 people were shot and wounded, three critically, when police opened fire on demonstrators in the Bophuthatswana capital yesterday.
As tensions heightened, the public servants' strike widened.
President Lucas Mangope took a hardline stance, rejecting Independent Electoral Commission chairman Judge Johann Kriegler's plea for free political activity in the homeland, and firing the staff of the Bophuthatswana Broadcasting Corporation, closing down two television stations and three radio stations.
Business Day, Thursday 10 March 1994

Inkatha, Freedom Front fail to submit candidates' lists to IEC
Confusion reigned at the Independent Electoral Commission's offices in Johannesburg yesterday as the 4.30pm deadline for the submission of candidates' lists passed, and IEC chairman Judge Johann Kriegler conceded that his "final" deadline could be amended retrospectively if there was political agreement.
However, the Inkatha Freedom Party, General Constand Viljoen's Freedom Front and the unknown Realist Party had failed to submit their lists three hours after the deadline. Twenty-six parties beat the deadline to confirm their participation in the April election.
Business Day, Thursday 10 March 1994

11 MARCH 1994

SADF heads for Bop
Mmabatho – The South African Defence Force began roling towards riot-torn Bophuthatswana before dawn today amid reports that heavily armed rightwingers had mobilised to assist the homeland's troops.
Foreign Minister Pik Botha said today that the government had ordered SADF troops to the South African embassy in Bophuthatswana.
Heavy rioting has now spread to most parts of the homeland, and gunfire could be heard throughout the night.
The Star, Friday 11 March 1994

Mangope flees home
Bophuthatswana's leader Lucas Mangope fled the homeland's capital in a helicopter last night. Tracing the route of his escape from Mmabatho, Sowetan has confirmed that his helicopter first landed at his rural home at Motswedi and later at Sun City.
Sporadic shots could be heard in Mmabatho last night after a day of widespread looting. The movement of armed members of the AWB near Ventersdorp was also reported.
Earlier, thousands of singing residents took to the streets of the capital waving ANC and SACP placards. Police presence was at an absolute minimum, with only three police cars seen scurrying towards the massive show of popular support for Bop's reincorporation into South Africa.
The Sowetan, Friday 11 March 1994

12 MARCH 1994

Horror slaying of 3 AWB men
"Please God help get us some medical help", pleaded the bearded member of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB).
They were his last words before a Bophuthatswana soldier calmly stepped up and pumped six bullets into the bearded, khaki-clad man and two colleagues in Mmabatho yesterday, reports an eyewitness, Reuters photographer Kevin Carter.
At least 60 people have been killed in Bophuthatswana and 300 wounded or injured in three days of continuous rioting, looting, burning and fighting, mostly around the capital Mmabatho.
Thousands of heavily armed right-wingers made to leave Bophuthatswana after fierce fighting with the Bophuthatswana Defence Force (BDF).
But as they pulled out from the BDF airstrip in a 400 vehicle convoy, they were again confronted by troop carriers of the BDF.
The Citizen, Saturday 12 March 1994

Front makes cut-off: IFP misses out
A Freedom Front delegation submitted its candidates' list at the Independent Electoral Commission's Johannesburg office minutes before yesterday's midnight deadline.
But IEC official Norman du Plessis said the Inkatha Freedom Party had failed to register in time for the midnight cut-off.
Du Plessis said this meant the IFP "comes off the ballot". Technically, this meant the party would no longer be able to contest the election.
Weekend Star, Saturday 12 March 1994

13 MARCH 1994

TEC, SA to take over in Bop
A joint Transitional Executive Council (TEC) and South African government delegation flew into Bophuthatswana last night to begin taking control of the homeland.
This followed an emergency meeting of the TEC management committee to discuss President Lucas Mangope's refusal to give Independent Electoral Commission head Justice Johann Kriegler satisfactory assurances that he would allow free and fair elections in the territory.
Sunday Times, Sunday 13 March 1994

14 MARCH 1994

Mangope is axed
Bophuthatswana President Lucas Mangope was finally ousted yesterday, but over 60 people lost their lives in a week of drama that changed the face of the Western Transvaal region.
Mangope was removed from office by South African Foreign Minister Pik Botha and Transitional Executive Council (TEC) member Mac Maharaj following a late night flight into the capital Mmabatho on Saturday.
Anger grew among residents as the immensity of the loss of black lives, partly through random shootings by ultra-rightwingers on Friday, came to the fore.
Sowetan, Monday 14 March 1994

IFP won't take part in election
The IFP will not contest next month's election despite the "good progress" made at Friday's meeting between the party and the ANC on whether or not to seek international mediation, IFP central committee members confirmed yesterday.
Members Walter Felgate and Dr Ziba Jiyane said the party's central committee meeting in Ulundi on Thursday had settled the election issue.
"We have decided against participation in the election, and we have no intention of submitting any lists of candidates", said Felgate, one of Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi's most trusted advisers.
The Star, Monday 14 March 1994

Bizarre stunt pulls crowds to festival
Ermelo – Despite angry protests from animal lovers throughout the country, the controversial parachute jump by a horse from a helicopter took place at the weekend.
However, it was not Jonti the seven-year-old blue roan in the flesh, but rather a realistic polystyrene reproduction that splattered as it hit the ground from about 400m.
Amid cheers, a record audience roared cries of "Long live Jonti" as the live horse's owner, Oubaas de Jager, proudly rode him around the arena.
The announcement by the Wool Carnival Committee last week that Jonti, fitted with a specially designed parachute, would jump from a hovering helicopter, drew adverse reaction from animal lovers throughout the country.
The Star, Monday 14 March 1994

15 MARCH 1994

Edgy Bop awaits Mandela
Uneasy calm returned to Bophuthatswana yesterday with the South African Defence Force firmly in control of security while a general mopping-up operation began after a week of mayhem.
Meanwhile, Mmabatho is abuzz with expectations as African National Congress president Mr Nelson Mandela and Professor Itumeleng Mosala, president of the Azanian People's Organisation, address separate rallies in Mmabatho today.
Sowetan, Tuesday 15 March 1994

Mangope may sue
Kimberley – Deposed Bophuthatswana President Lucas Mangope said yesterday he still considered himself the legal leader of Bophuthatswana and was considering legal action against the South African government for removing him from power at the weekend.
The Citizen, Tuesday 15 March 1994

ET claims victory in Bop
Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader Eugene Terre'Blanche said yesterday his movement had scored a "brilliant victory" in Bophuthatswana, and his men who were ambushed while withdrawing from Mmabatho on Friday were heroes.
Saying he was "terribly sorry the AWB members had no opportunity to stay [in the former homeland] and continue their work", Mr Terre'Blanche told local and international newsmen at a media conference in Ventersdorp that what had happened in Bophuthatswana was a "resounding triumph for the AWB".
The Citizen, Tuesday 15 March 1994

16 MARCH 1994

'My nation, I greet you'
ANC leader Nelson Mandela was yesterday given a hero's welcome at Bophuthatswana's Independence Stadium by 50 000 people.
Mandela's opening words, delivered in Tswana, drew thundersouls applause from the crowd: "My nation, I greet you." Thousands of ANC posters were held aloft as the crowd roared its admiration.
In his speech at the stadium, Mandela labelled the revolt which led to the fall of Lucas Mangope's government as a "people's uprising", insisting it was the people, not the De Klerk government, that had toppled Mangope.
The Star, Wednesday 16 March 1994

New national flag unveiled
Pretoria – South Africa's new national flag was unveiled yesterday.
Designed by state herald Fred Brownell, the flag was accepted unanimously by the Transitional Executive Council (TEC). It will be raised officially after April's election.
While the new constituent assembly would be able to change the flag, all TEC delegates said they were satisfied with the six-colour design.
TEC NP representative Roelf Meyer said the flag would "grow in the minds of South Africans". It had a good chance of becoming SA's final flag, he said.
It was one of more than 7 000 designs submitted to multiparty negotiators last year. A TEC subcommittee of Meyer and ANC delegate Cyril Ramaphosa, in conjunction with the technical advisory committee, made the final recommendation.
Ramaphosa said the flag's colours would have meaning for everyone in SA.
Brownell, who was also responsible for Namibia's flag, said the colours had no specific meaning. "Symbolism, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder."
The TEC also accepted that Die Stem and Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika would be used as SA's interim national anthems.
Business Day, Wednesday 16 March 1994

Insurers struggle to provide cover as vehicle theft tops R3bn a year
Nylstroom – Vehicle theft in SA had reached such proportions that insurance companies might soon be unable to provide theft cover as part of their usual motor policies, SA Insurance Association CEO Rodney Schneeberger said yesterday.
Theft cover would have to be provided at a much higher premium, separate from other insurance, he said at an international vehicle theft conference.
Delegates heard that vehicle theft had cost the SA economy more than R3.02-billion last year.
Business Day, Wednesday 16 March 1994

17 MARCH 1994

De Klerk warns Right
State President De Klerk last night announced that the government had made a number of contingency plans to prevent the right wing from attempting to take over authority over towns as part of their resistance against the new constitution.
Speaking in Pretoria last night after the weekly cabinet meeting, Mr De Klerk said it appeared that the Conservative Party and the Volksfront's plan for mass action, starting on March 29, could include physical attempts to take control of some local authorities.
The Citizen, Thursday 17 March 1994

Ciskei agrees to pay out pensions
East London – Ciskei's government agreed yesterday to pay pension benefits to public servants who this week threatened "Bophuthatswana-style action" if their demands were not met.
But it rejected their demands for an interim administrator for the territory as "a deliberate provocation which can only bring about instability and violence", and warned against strikes.
Business Day, Thursday 17 March 1994

McDonald's wins trademark war
A local company owned by Chicken Licken franchise owner George Sombocos was yesterday found in contempt in a battle over the McDonald's trademark.
The move could herald the entry of the McDonald's fast food chain into SA.
Justice RW Nugent found yesterday in the Pretoria Supreme Court that Joburger's Drive-Inn Restaurant, the compay owned by Sombocos, was in contempt of court. Its application to have McDonald's trademarks expunged from the SA trademarks register was stayed, and it was ordered to pay costs as a mark of the court's displeasure.
In September McDonald's obtained an interim interdict stopping the local company from infringing its trademarks pending the final outcome of Joburger's application for the McDonald's trademark to be removed from the register.
Sombocos had since acquired an outlet in Point Head, Durban, called McDonald's, and a contempt application was brought by McDonald's in the US.
Business Day, Thursday 17 March 1994

18 MARCH 1994

SAP generals accused
Top South African Police generals – including the SAP's number two men – are understood to be directly implicated by the Goldstone Commission in the supply of weapons to members of the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Intelligence sources told The Star yesterday that an imminent commission report will accuse the generals of involvement in an arms-supply network and other violence related activities from 1990.
The sources claim that the report on the Goldstone Commission's investigation into, among other matters, arms smuggling and distribution, provides unprecedented evidence of the existence of "third force" activity within elements of the police.
The Star, Friday 18 March 1994

Ulundi talks postponed
The meeting between Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and African National Congress president Mr Nelson Mandela in Ulundi today has been called off. This was confirmed by an ANC spokesman after fears were expressed earlier by the movement there might be an assassination attempt on Mandela.
Addressing the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly, IFP president Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi said he had arranged for extra South African Police in Ulundi on Friday, saying "only an insane person" would try to assassinate the ANC leader.
If Mandela was killed "the whole country would go up in flames", he said.
Sowetan, Friday 18 March 1994

Buthelezi beats the drum ever harder
Ulundi – About 100km from the KwaZulu capital, a solitary National Party election poster, bearing President De Klerk's face, hangs crookedly on a telephone pole alongside the main road.
It appears to be the only physical evidence anywhere near Ulundi that the country's first ever multiracial election is only weeks away.
At first glance it seems to be business as usual when you arrive in the dry, dusty capital dorp in rural KwaZulu.
At the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly, however, it became evident yesterday that emotions are extremely high and the election is foremost in many minds.
KwaZulu Chief Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi opened this year's sitting with probably his toughest speech yet. President De Klerk was accused of "double-crossing and deceit" in his handling of negotiations.
Buthelezi warned that the conflict between the ANC and IFP had for some time been in danger of "being turned into a conflict which can only be ended in a fight right to the finish".
The Star, Friday 18 March 1994

19 MARCH 1994

Tensions high as king urges UDI
Ulundi – Clouds of confrontation have begun to gather over KwaZulu, with King Goodwill Zwelithini suggesting yesterday that the region is on the point of a unilateral declaration of independence.
It is evident that the atmosphere in the territory is extremely tense, and addresses by leaders have taken on an increasingly belligerent tone in recent days.
Speaking here yesterday at a gathering of the king's subjects – which was to have been addressed by ANC president Nelson Mandela – the Zulu king urged Zulus to defend their freedom and sovereignty "at all costs".
He added that such sovereignty would be denied by an election under the Interim Constitution.
Weekend Star, Saturday 19 March 1994

3 SAP generals to be probed
An international task force will investigate allegations that deputy police commissioner, General Basie Smit, and another two top South African Police generals, Major-General Krappies Engelbrecht and Lieutenant-General Johan le Roux, have been involved in violence to destabilise the country.
The announcement about a Goldstone Commission report on the alleged activities of a criminal network was made by State President De Klerk at a press conference in Pretoria last night.
Mr De Klerk said the generals and other named police officers had been placed on immediate leave following allegations in the interim Goldstone Commission report that they, Inkatha Freedom Party officials and other SAP officers had been involved in a "horrible network of criminal activity".
The Citizen, Saturday 19 March 1994

20 MARCH 1994

SA might have to send troops to Natal
The SA government might be compelled to use force if King Goodwill Zwelithini goes ahead with plans to annex KwaZulu/Natal as a Zulu kingdom.
Leading constitutional expert Prof John Dugard said that if the Zulu monarch's proclamation on Friday amounted to secession, then force might have to be used to maintain the sovereignty of the country.
Dugard said King Zwelithini's decision could also encourage white right-wingers to unilaterally declare independence and establish a Volkstaat, probably in the eastern Transvaal, which would make it easy for them to link up with KwaZulu/Natal.
City Press, Sunday 20 March 1994

Third force hunter is now the hunted
A series of inconclusive inquiries into political violence by Major-General Krappies Engelbrecht will come under fresh scrutiny in the next fortnight by a team of international investigators appointed by President FW de Klerk.
The Goldstone commission, which heard evidence that General Engelbrecht was one of three top generals implicated in "third force" activity, has a mass of new information to put before the investigators.
This information is expected to throw a spotlight on the remarkable record of failure by the SA Police to resolve a series of cases of serious political violence.
Sunday Times, Sunday 20 March 1994

21 MARCH 1994

IFP plans poll protest
The Inkatha Freedom Party has rejected an initiative by President De Klerk to bring it into the election and is instead planning a campaign of opposition to the Interim Constitution and next month's election.
Tensions in KwaZulu/Natal continued to soar at the weekend with sporadic outbreaks of violence and both the IFP and ANC announcing steps designed to gain strategic advantage in the province.
The Star, Monday 21 March 1994

He's tuning in to Parliament
Parliament's austere corridors might soon be reverberating to the rhythmic reggae beat if James Mange can muster enough fans.
The dreadlocked Mange, with his colourful history in struggle politics and music, has resurfaced as leader of the Sports Organisation for Collective Contribution and Equal Rights (SOCCER) Party.
The Rastafarian commando spent 13 years on Robben Island after being sentenced to death in 1979 along with 11 others for high treason.
Once free he set about establishing a musical career.
But politics is in his bones, he says, and he has found a way to marry his two loves and hopefully take them into the realm of government in the new South Africa.
The Star, Monday 21 March 1994

22 MARCH 1994

TEC bid to take control in KwaZulu
The Transitional Executive Council (TEC) is considering a series of steps, including giving the SAP jurisdiction over KwaZulu and considering government's financial obligations to the territory, to ensure free political activity in the region in the five weeks leading up to the elections.
At the same time, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairman Judge Johann Kriegler is trying to secure "an inclusive commitment" to free and fair elections from President FW de Klerk, ANC president Nelson Mandela, Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Business Day, Tuesday 22 March 1994

21 die as prisons erupt
A cell fire killed 21 prisoners at the Queenstown Prison yesterday as the countrywide protest by prisoners for the right to vote escalated.
And the mood at the majority of prisons around the country was described as "tense and volatile" by prison authorities today.
At Maritzburg Prison about 2 000 prisoners broke out of their cells and toyi-toyied in the courtyards.
By last night, 3 000 prisoners were also on hunger strike countrywide. These included 614 at East London, 29 at Krugerdorp, 148 at Port Shepstone, 16 at Pollsmoor (Cape Town) and 210 at Brandviel.
The Star, Tuesday 22 March 1994

Bomb wrecks NP offices
A powerful bomb wrecked through the offices of the National Party in Right-wing Ventersdorp last night.
A police spokesman confirmed that the explosion caused large-scale damage to the building which houses the offices.
The Citizen, Tuesday 22 March 1994

23 MARCH 1994

TEC takes over Ciskei as Gqozo quits
Ciskei military leader Brigadier Oupa Gqozo resigned last night as the SADF was deployed along the homeland's border in readiness to help quell a revolt by public servants and police.
The Transitional Executive Council (TEC) said it would appoint two administrators to govern Ciskei until the election, after Gqozo contacted Foreign Minister Pik Botha and offered to step down. He asked SA to intervene and restore control.
Defence Minister Kobie Coetzee said troops had been placed on full alert along Ciskei's border and could be deployed at short notice to "calm the situation".
Business Day, Wednesday 23 March 1994

24 MARCH 1994

Chaos in homelands
Bisho – As wildcat strikes by public servants spread throughout Ciskei today, the big question is which way the Ciskei Defence Force will go. The CDF boycotted talks in King William's Town yesterday called by the South African government and the Transitional Executive Council to smooth the way for the peaceful reincorporation of the homeland into South Africa following the resignation of Oupa Gqozo as president.
The Star, Thursday 24 March 1994

25 MARCH 1994

More troops for Natal?
Durban – State President De Klerk said yesterday that SA Defence Force troops could be deployed more widely in war-torn Natal and KwaZulu, where political fighting has reached almost unprecedented levels five weeks before the April election.
The Citizen, Friday 25 March 1994

26 MARCH 1994

Marching to Pretoria
Thousands of right-wingers started gathering at Radio Pretoria last night for a massive show of right-wing strength today.
As the city prepared for an invasion by up to 25 000 marchers, businesses and security forces said they were ready for any eventuality.
Afrikaner Volkstaat and Conservative Party leader Ferdi Hartzenberg is scheduled to address the marchers at Church Square on Hoofstad Dag (Capital Day) and proclaim Pretoria the capital of a right-wing volkstaat.
Weekend Star, Saturday 26 March 1994

KwaZulu on the agenda
KwaZulu Chief Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi meets President de Klerk this weekend for talks that will weigh heavily on contingency planning for strife-torn KwaZulu/Natal.
The discussions come amid increasing government speculation that an election in the region could be postponed.
Weekend Star, Saturday 26 March 1994

27 MARCH 1994

Nuclear scientists threaten to tell all
Disgruntled South African nuclear and rocket scientists are threatening to expose closely guarded secrets about the country's arms programme unless they are paid R4.5-million in retrenchment benefits.
A spokesman claiming to represent 16 scientists admitted this week that the threat amounted to blackmail.
"We want a settlement, but negotiation has failed and we don't want to have to take this to the industrial court. Our disclosures will prove embarrassing for Armscor, Denal (an off-shoot of Armscor) and the Nationalist government", he warned.
Sunday Times, Sunday 27 March 1994

28 MARCH 1994

KwaZulu simmers
The KwaZulu/Natal region remained a tinder box over the weekend – despite several high-profile peace initiatives. In one incident, the home of African National Congress regional premier candidate Mr Jacob Zuma was torched by a mob on Saturday night in Nxamalala, near Inkandla, in Northern Natal.
Anti-ANC pamphlets, accusing the organisation of colluding with the government (described as "the Boers") to overthrow Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, were strewn in the area. Zulus were also urged not to vote in the April 27 elections.
Sowetan, Monday 28 March 1994

29 MARCH 1994

Mayhem as Zulus march in Jo'burg
More than 30 people were killed and hundreds injured in battles in the Johannesburg area yesterday as tens of thousands of Zulus converged on the city centre to demonstrate their support for King Goodwill Zwelithini.
Eight Zulu marchers were killed outside the ANC's headquarters in Plein Street when security guards fired into the crowd after snipers fired on the building.
Minutes later, volleys of gunfire sent a huge crowd at the Library Gardens rally scattering for cover. When the commotion subsided at least five people lay dead.
Business Day, Tuesday 29 March 1994

SADF troops sent to QwaQwa capital
Phuthaditjaba – More than 200 people were arrested yesterday and SADF troops were deployed in QwaQwa after a march by thousands of public servants on the homeland's parliament deteriorated into violence, with demonstrators breaking windows and looting shops.
Business Day, Tuesday 29 March 1994

30 MARCH 1994

Buthelezi threatens to fight as TEC agrees on a state of emergency
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi yesterday vowed to fight the ANC "to the finish" unless the elections were postponed – as the Transitional Executive Council recommended emergency measures in KwaZulu/Natal.
A state of emergency encompassing the whole of Natal and KwaZulu would be proclaimed by the President within the next few days, the TEC agreed.
The declaration, accompanied by the incremental deployment of SADF troops, was intended to halt the escalation of violence in the region as well as ensure free and fair elections next month.
Business Day, Wednesday 30 March 1994

31 MARCH 1994

Support for NP has grown, our poll reveals
With less than a month to go in the election campaign, the National Party has rallied, increasing its support by 6 percent – mostly at the expense of the ANC.
Nelson Mandela's organisation appears assured of a convincing victory at the polls, but improved showings by President de Klerk's party, as well as the PAC and General Constand Viljoen's new Freedom Front, leave the question of a two-thirds ANC majority wide open.
This is likely to be the main focus of the remaining weeks of campaigning.
The Star, Thursday 31 March 1994

1 APRIL 1994

Police pay to triple during election
The daily allowances of South African Police will rise three-fold during the election period to keep them in line with the much better pay of members of the National Peacekeeping Force. The pay bonus is considered vital to boost police morale and avert an internal revolt.
Weekly Mail & Guardian, Friday 1 April 1994

TEC's plan to police the police
The Transitional Executive Council took its first decisive step to check rogue police elements by forming a police inspectorate charged with keeping a watch on various police agencies during the election run-up.
A transitional complaints mechanism will also be established for civilians to protest against unacceptable police conduct.
Weekly Mail & Guardian, Friday 1 April 1994

2 APRIL 1994

Why FW cracked down in Natal
Chilling intelligence reports predicting a sharp increase in KwaZulu/Natal violence fatalities as the election approached finally persuaded President de Klerk to declare a state of emergency in the region, according to government sources.
Weekend Star, Saturday 2 April 1994

3 APRIL 1994

Voters call for one SA
Voters in the Pretoria-Witwatersrand (PWV), Western Cape and KwaZulu/Natal overwhelmingly reject the idea of an independent Zulu kingdom and the notion of a white homeland.
Some 61% of voters in the PWV, 43% in the Western Cape and 58% in KwaZulu/Natal were against an independent Zulu kingdom.
More than 77% of voters in the PWV, 60% in the Western Cape and 72% in KwaZulu/Natal said they were against an independent volkstaat.
Sunday Times, Sunday 3 April 1994

4 APRIL 1994

Top 4 summit on Friday
African National Congress leader Mr Nelson Mandela said yesterday he would meet State President De Klerk, Inkatha Freedom party head, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini for a peace summit on Friday.
The Citizen, Monday 4 April 1994

Oz rugby side cancels visit to Durban
Political violence in Natal has prompted New South Wales rugby officials to cancel the Waratahs' visit to Durban for a Super Seven match later this month.
The Citizen, Monday 4 April 1994

5 APRIL 1994

Mediation efforts run into trouble
International mediation has run into difficulties before its scheduled start this week, with the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party unable to agree on the terms of reference.
While the ANC the mediators would now decide on the terms of reference, both former British foreign secretary Lord Carrington and former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, who have been named as mediators, said they would not coming to SA until the parties had agreed on the terms of reference.
Business Day, Tuesday 5 April 1994

Stockpile mania grips shoppers
Pre-election stockpiling of non-perishables has spread countrywide, despite Eskom assurances that there was no chance of a nationwide black-out over the election period.
Although it was difficult to separate the normal Easter rush from panic buying ahead of the three-day poll on April 26, 27 and 28, long queues and rapidly emptying shelves have been reported at stores throughout the Pretoria-Witwatersrand.
In the Western Cape, stores reported that candles, blankets, black plastic bags, canned foods and dry foods such as mealie meal and rice had disappeared from supermarket shelves as quickly as they came in.
The Star, Tuesday 5 April 1994

6 APRIL 1994

KwaZulu vote shock
With only three weeks before South Africans cast their votes, a joint committee consisting of the Independent Electoral Commission, KwaZulu and the SA Government has concluded that elections would be impossible in KwaZulu under present conditions.
The Star, Wednesday 6 April 1994

7 APRIL 1994

No KwaZulu election delay, say Govt, ANC
South Africa's first all-race election will take place as scheduled throughout the country, including KwaZulu/Natal, the Government and the ANC said yesterday.
The Star, Thursday 7 April 1994

Dozens injured in riot sparked by 'prank'
A "highly irresponsible" prank by a warder at Johannesburg Prison early yesterday led to a riot by 1 000 prisoners, in which dozens were injured. Prisoners set fire to their cells after a warder fired teargas at a colleague in a watchtower on the boundary of the prison grounds at 2am. However, the canister exploded in a ditch and the gas blew into the cells of about 600 sleeping prisoners.
Business Day, Thursday 7 April 1994

8 APRIL 1994

Crunch KwaZulu summit
The four-way summit aimed at accommodating the Zulu monarchy goes ahead as planned today as hopes soar that an all-inclusive agreement will be reached.
The meeting is between African National Congress president Mr Nelson Mandela, King Goodwill Zwelithini, State President FW de Klerk and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, chief minister of KwaZulu.
The venue of the meeting is a closely kept secret, with journalists accredited to cover the summit having been advised only to assemble at a military airbase outside Pretoria.
Sowetan, Friday 8 April 1994

Clash of the televison titans
On one side is the Father of the Nation: regal, statesman-like and almost saintly. The problem is, though, that he talks at the measured and pedantic pace of a provincial schoolmaster, and is stiff and uncomfortable on television.
On the other side is a sharp and incisive debater, well honed by decades of parliamentary experience. The problem is, though, that his opponent carries the aura of sanctitude and that his own newly acquired good-ol'-boy affability does not always ring quite true.
Next Thursday's presidential debate between Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk will be the country's first full-throttle sally into American-style television campaigning.
Weekly Mail & Guardian, Friday 8 April 1994

9 APRIL 1994

TEC gives assurance to civil servants
The Transitional Executive Council has assured all public servants that their jobs, salaries and pensions are guaranteed by the new consitution, which comes into effect on April 27.
The TEC said yesterday it was aware of increasing concern among public servants, including members of the security forces, about their futures, pensions and salaries.
Citizen, Saturday 9 April 1994

10 APRIL 1994

Royal flush beats ANC ace
A desperate attempt by ANC leader Nelson Mandela to persuade Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini to support peaceful elections in Natal was torpedoed at this week's crisis summit by Inkatha president Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Mr Mandela played what he had hoped would be his ace card by offering King Goodwill powers as a constitutional monarch with sway over the whole Natal province.
But Chief Buthelezi scuppered the proposal by insisting the offer could not be considered unless all Inkatha's other concerns were handled at the same time.
Sunday Times, Sunday 10 April 1994

11 APRIL 1994

Crunch week for KwaZulu
KwaZulu could face an intensified security crackdown if last-gasp talks this week fail to produce a breakthrough in the electoral impasse.
There are widespread fears that violence in KwaZulu/Natal might soar if the special working group – set up to provide the summit sequel with fresh initiatives – fails.
Yesterday there was deep pessimism in both Governmental and ANC circles over prospects for a breakthrough.
The Star, Monday 11 April 1994

12 APRIL 1994

Foreign mediators arrive
International mediators fly into SA today for the start of mediation tomorrow between the ANC, Inkatha Freedom Party and government at a corporate retreat in the Eastern Transvaal.
Business Day, Tuesday 12 April 1994

Day of confusion for JSE dealers
A confused picture emerged on the JSE yesterday as shares were buffeted by a tumbling finrand, a declining gold price and buying and selling by both foreign and local investors.
"It was a scary market with our currencies falling so sharply and people worried about how long the finrand slump will last", a dealer said.
Business Day, Tuesday 12 April 1994

13 APRIL 1994

Five guilty of race killings
Five members of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging were yesterday found guilty in the Rand Supreme Court of the "cold-blooded murder" of four blacks at an illegal roadblock in December last year.
Their conviction followed racist attacks on blacks at a bogus roadblock on the Ventersdorp-Krugersdorp road on December 12.
Sowetan, Wednesday 13 April 1994

It's no toss-up between FW, Mandela
If you thought tossing a coin was the simplest way of settling a dispute, you underestimate the infinite capacity of politicians to complicate even that.
SABC officials organising tomorrow night's long-awaited live televised debate between President de Klerk and ANC president Nelson Mandela suggested that a coin should be spun to decide which man should speak first.
Oh no, said the ANC. No ways, said the Nats. Neither was prepared to trust their opponents with the toss – or themselves with the call.
Eventually it was settled. A neutral party will spin a R1 coin. If it lands on the Springbok, De Klerk will kick off. If it lands on the coat of arms, the honour will be Mandela's. The coin toss will be shown on Six on One tonight.
The Star, Wednesday 13 April 1994

14 APRIL 1994

Kissinger's team threatens to quit talks
International mediation was almost scuppered before it got off the ground yesterday when the mediators threatened to pack their bags and leave if the ANC, Inkatha Freedom Party and government failed to agree on their terms of reference.
The seven-man team of mediators was stranded at their Johannesburg hotel while the three parties haggled over their terms of reference, which had been settled on Sunday but amended when government joined the mediation process.
The mediation had been due to start at an eastern Transvaal retreat yesterday.
Business Day, Thursday 14 April 1994

MK man's 'we'll go to war' warning
Former ANC guerrillas were ready to go to war against the Inkatha Freedom Party as part of a new South African army if violence persisted after this month's elections, a guerrilla officer said yesterday.
The Citizen, Thursday 14 April 1994

15 APRIL 1994

Gloom as talks collapse
International mediation to break the constitutional deadlock between the African National Congress and Inkatha Freedom Party has failed.
Addressing a press conference in Johannesburg yesterday, the seven sombre-looking mediators said they were on their way home after parties failed to agree on terms of reference for the mediation.
Sowetan, Friday 15 April 1994

TV battle ends in harmony
Nearly an hour of bruising exchanges between South Africa's incumbent president and his likely successor gave way to passionate pledges of co-operation in last night's television debate between FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela.
In a debate initially dominated by angry sparring on well-worn issues such as complicity in violence, economic policy and responsibility for South Africa's myriad problems, the two leaders later checked mutual hostility and called for reconciliation in order to secure a stable transition.
The television contest appeared on balance to be fairly evenly matched.
The Star, Friday 15 April 1994

16 APRIL 1994

IFP plans new marches
The prospect of renewed violence in central Johannesburg next week loomed large yesterday when the Inkatha Freedom Party's Youth Brigade announced plans to impose a week-long stayaway in protest against the election and over the shootings that took place in the Library Gardens and Shell House during the movement's previous CBD demonstrations.
Weekend Star, Saturday 16 April 1994

17 APRIL 1994

Rough ride to big day
With only nine days to go before South Africa's first all-race elections, there are fears that the security forces may not have the manpower to prevent violence and intimidation seriously affecting voter turnout in some parts of the country.
Sources close to the Independent Electoral Commission – whose job is to oversee the elections – claim the police have told the IEC they do not have enough members to be deployed at over 900 polling stations and the South African Defence Force has been stretched to the limit.
Adding to the IEC's dilemma are reports that since the call-up of white reservists was made a few weeks ago, not many of them have reported for duty.
City Press, Sunday 17 April 1994

FW vows to crack down on marchers
President FW de Klerk vowed yesterday to prevent a planned Inkatha Freedom Party march in Johannesburg tomorrow from again crippling the country's financial heartland.
He told a political rally at Nasrec, near Johannesburg, that the government was taking steps to avoid a repetition of the bloodshed of a fortnight ago that left 13 people dead.
Sunday Times, Sunday 17 April 1994

Ghana tour? Now it's Zim!
SA Football Association (Safa) chief Solomon "Sticks" Morewa performed a rescue act yesterday by getting the Zimbabwe Football Association to agree to send their team as a replacement for Ghana.
Ghana, who were due to arrive in South Africa tonight to play two matches, starting on Wednesday, cancelled the tour on Friday afternoon.
City Press, Sunday 17 April 1994

18 APRIL 1994

City braces for march
Johannesburg is bracing itself for Inkatha Freedom Party mass action – now scheduled for tomorrow – after the last-minute postponement of the planned march to ANC headquarters.
Traffic chaos hit the city centre this morning as roads were sealed off in case of unscheduled mass action by members of the IFP Youth Brigade.
The Star, Monday 18 April 1994

19 APRIL 1994

Oosterbroek among slain
The Star's award-winning chief photographer, Ken Oosterbroek, was among several people killed in violence on the East Rand yesterday.
At least 16 people have died in East Rand townships in the past three days.
Oosterbroek died and two other photographers were injured during a firefight between hostel dwellers and National Peacekeeping Force troops in Tokoza.
The Star, Tuesday 19 April 1994

Game park invites you to vote with pride
Most South Africans are half expecting to fight their way through mayhem to cast their votes, but some will do it in style.
The Sabi Sands reserve in the eastern Transvaal is offering a half-price election special. "Enjoy the luxury and safety of voting at Ulosatu Game Lodge – security guaranteed (40-strong resident lion pride)", says the advert.
Business Day, Tuesday 19 April 1994

20 APRIL 1994

IFP for poll
South Africa was yesterday rescued from the brink of a political tragedy when the Inkatha Freedom Party finally agreed to contest the country's first nonracial elections, to be held next week.
The announcement follows five days of intensive meetings between IFP president Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, State President FW de Klerk and African National Congress president Mr Nelson Mandela.
Buthelezi, Mandela and De Klerk acknowledged the shuttle diplomacy of Kenyan roving ambassador Professor Washington Okumu, who brokered the negotiations leading to the historic inclusive settlement.
Sowetan, Wednesday 20 April 1994

NP loses its place at the bottom
The National Party has lost its sought-after spot on the very bottom of the national ballot paper only days after putting up posters telling voters: "To be tops, vote at the bottom."
The last-minute deal struck between the Government, ANC and IFP in Pretoria yesterday will see stickers bearing the IFP's name, logo and a picture of Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi stuck on to the white space at the bottom of the ballot papers – below the National Party.
The Star, Wednesday 20 April 1994

21 APRIL 1994

Joy as IFP plunges in
Tens of thousands of Inkatha Freedom party supporters marched through Ulundi yesterday to the Legislative Assembly building to celebrate the decision by the party to enter the election.
Sowetan, Thursday 21 April 1994

Buthelezi promises IFP will accept election outcome
Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi said yesterday Inkatha would accept the results of next week’s elections, if they were endorsed by the international community.
Business Day, Thursday 21 April 1994

Foreign investors return as buyers
Foreign investors returned as net buyers of SA equities and gilts last week after offloading substantial amounts of their holdings earlier in the month.
Latest JSE trading statistics for the week ended April 15 showed there was an inflow of R292.89m from an inflow of R490.499m in the week ended April 8.
London-based merchant bank Barings finance head Christopher Kemball said international funds could channel another $4bn into SA after the elections if the country's risk rating improved.
Business Day, Thursday 21 April 1994

22 APRIL 1994

Flag comes down on old regime
The new South African flag will be ushered in one minute after midnight on Wednesday – April 27 – when the new flag is hoisted and the Interim Constitution comes into operation.
This signals the end to decades of minority rule.
At a minute to midnight on Tuesday the present flag will be lowered for the last time to the strains of Die Stem.
And at one minute past mid-night the new flag will be hoisted while the new anthems, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and Die Stem, are being played.
The Star, Friday 22 April 1994

Clinton's pledge to SA
Washington – Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk together are a "strong rebuke to the cynics of the world", according to US President Bill Clinton.
In an interview at the White House with the editor-in-chief of The Star, Richard Steyn, and the editor of Sowetan, Agrey Klaaste – the first given to South African journalists – the president said it would be difficult to overstate the significance to the American people of next week's South African election.
Emphasising that the US intended to be a full partner of South Africa from the beginning, Clinton said he would shortly be announcing "substantial" assistance for building SA economically.
The Star, Friday 22 April 1994

CP in disarray as councils back Viljoen
The CP was in disarray yesterday as Freedom Front leader Constand Viljoen rejected a pact with it and CP-controlled councils deserted the party and urged whites to vote for Viljoen.
At the same time the Freedom Front will sign an accord, which does not meet any of the CP's demands for a right-wing electoral pact, with the ANC and government in Cape Town today.
Business Day, Friday 22 April 1994

23 APRIL 1994

Rallies called in final bid to woo voters
ANC leader Nelson Mandela and Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi are to speak at massive election rallies in Durban this weekend in a final bid to win voters in KwaZulu/Natal.
Weekend Star, Saturday 23 April 1994

'I'm so proud of Nelson'
London – Nelson Mandela's former jailer James Gregory has spoken out about the man he now regards as "closer than a brother".
In a two-page newspaper interview yesterday, Gregory, who guarded the ANC leader for more than 20 years, admits he started out with instructions to do everything he could to demoralise the man he was told was a terrorist. But something in Mandela stirred Gregory. "He was different."
Weekend Star, Saturday 23 April 1994

We're out of this joint, say angry Green candidates
Two of the Green Party's candidates in the Western Cape have left the party in outrage at a manifesto which calls for the legislation and mass production of dagga as a purportedly ecologically sound alternative resource.
Weekend Star, Saturday 23 April 1994

24 APRIL 1994

Final step to freedom
South Africa embarks this week on a second round of revolutionary change after completing a near-miraculous transition from apartheid to democracy.
The midweek election is recognised around the world as a momentous and triumphal event, the completion of an impossible journey against the odds.
For South Africa, the election marks the end of 342 years of white hegemony; for Africa, it completes the liberation of a continent; for the world, it is the final repudiation of institutionalised European racism.
Sunday Times, Sunday 24 April 1994

Now is the time
Apartheid and centuries of white domination finally end next week when millions of our people, African, white, coloured and Indian, cast their vote to elect South Africa's first democratic government.
The elections mark the most momentous event in our country's history, ending nearly 350 years of racial domination, conflict and polarisation.
By finally consigning that ugly word – APARTHEID – to history, South Africans are on the threshold of giving the world a racial miracle.
City Press, Sunday 24 April 1994

Final step to freedom
The Octogenerian and the teenager. He's 81. She's 19. And they'll both be absolute beginners on election day. Walter Sisulu, oldest member of the ANC's executive committee, and Johannesburg secretary Kim Schultz will be voting for the first time on Wednesday.
Sisulu, vice-president of the ANC, was imprisoned on Robben island after the Rivonia Trial in 1964 and released in October 1989. He'll be drawing his first ever cross for the ANC. Kim, who hails from Stilfontein and works in downtown Johannesburg, is keeping her vote secret.

25 APRIL 1994

Nine killed as car bomb rocks Jo'burg
Nine people were killed and 92 injured in central Johannesburg yesterday in SA's largest bomb blast.
Police said the 90kg car bomb – almost twice the size of that in the 1983 Pretoria bombing – went off on the corner of Bree and Von Wielligh Streets just before 10am, instantly killing a pavement fruit seller and causing extensive damage to the ANC's regional and national headquarters, as well as surrounding buildings.
ANC Johannesburg secretary-general Susan Keane, 37, of Saxonwold, who was the 41st candidate on the ANC's regional election list, died of her injuries in hospital.
Business Day, Monday 25 April 1994

26 APRIL 1994

Bomb attacks on West Rand taxis
A bomb blast rocked a taxi rank near the Randfontein station early yesterday, just a few hours before an explosive device was thrown at minibus taxis parked under a bridge near Westonaria. Nobody was injured in either incident.
West Rand police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Henriette Bester, said police were investigating the possibility that the two blasts were linked.
The Citizen, Tuesday 26 April 1994

Navy to lower flag
Cape Town – The navy's traditional South African flag will be lowered for the last time at a special ceremony at Simon's Town at sunset today.
Simon's Town Naval Base commander Commodore Jacques de Vos would be the senior officer at the flag-lowering parade, a navy spokeswoman said.
The Citizen, Tuesday 26 April 1994

27 APRIL 1994

South Africa votes.

28 APRIL 1994

IEC under fire as voters swamp poll
Millions of exuberant South Africans went to the polls yesterday, the first day of the historic elections, despite long delays and logistical problems that rendered about 15% of voting stations inoperable for all or part of the day.
Acknowledging that there had been severe problems, IEC chairman Judge Johan Kriegler said the election so far had been between "80% and 90% acceptable". He also announced that today would be another public holiday to facilitate voting and that a further 9.3-million ballot papers would be printed locally.
Business Day, Thursday 28 April 1994

Police swoop nets 31 right-wingers
Police have arrested 31 white right-wingers in connection with the spate of bombings in the PWV area that have killed 21 people and injured 176 in the past week.
The arrests included members of the AWB and its elite Ystergarde unit, a policeman and a reservist.
The announcement came hours after yesterday's car bomb at Johannesburg's Jan Smuts Airport injured 16 people and caused massive structural damage to the north face of the building.
Business Day, Thursday 28 April 1994

29 APRIL 1994

Big count begins
South Africa now waits with bated breath for the outcome of this week's historic elections as the big count begins, with provisional results likely to be announced by Sunday night.
But the excitement will be mixed with concern and anxiety. The three days scheduled for the elections were seriously disrupted by logistical problems. As a result, voting was extended until 7pm today in certain parts of the country.
Those who are still going to the polls today are voters in Venda, Gazankulu, Lebowa, KwaZulu, Transkei and Ciskei.
Sowetan, Friday 29 April 1994

'I have waited all my life for this day. No long queue is going to stop me'
For once there was peace across the land. Despite kilometre-long queues, administrative blunders and disappointments, the party mood rarely sagged. White and black made friends in the long queues, swapping stories and bottles of refreshments. They stood patiently from dawn to dusk while the bureaucrats and politicians squabbled. The strategies, computers and cellular phones had failed. Only the unflagging human spirit made it a day to be proud of.
Weekly Mail & Guardian, Friday 29 April 1994

30 APRIL 1994

Election 'free and fair'
Independent Electoral Commission chairman, Mr Justice Johan Kriegler, said today there was no reason to doubt the country's first all-race election had been free and fair.
These comments followed a meeting with State President De Klerk and African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela shortly before the close of extended voting in some areas.
Both Mr De Klerk and Mr Mandela said they were confident the poll would be free and fair.
The Citizen, Saturday 30 April 1994

1 MAY 1994

Power to the people
As election results began to flow in last night, the ANC had established a commanding lead nationally. In the Free State, Eastern Transvaal and North West provinces, it had secured more than 80% of the vote.
Sunday Times, Sunday 1 May 1994

Mandela reassures whites in plea for conciliation
Mr Nelson Mandela promised yesterday to eschew radical policies, and appealed to all South Africans to join him in nation-building and reconciliation.
In the course of a 45-minute interview at his home in Houghton, Mr Mandela returned again and again to the theme of conciliation, going out of his way to emphasise that great tasks ahead would require the help and participation of the skilled white community.
He disclosed that the motives behind his actions, ranging from the composition of his cabinet to amnesty for the police to taxation policy, stemmed in large part from the desire to stabilise society and bring previously warring communities closer to each other.
Sunday Times, Sunday 1 May 1994

England tour back in touch
The England rugby team will arrive in South Africa on May 12 for a two-Test tour after worries about the country abated.
Sunday Times, Sunday 1 May 1994

2 MAY 1994

ANC poised for victory
The African National Congress was last night headed for victory in South Africa's first democratic elections, but conceded it had lost to the National Party in the Western Cape.
By 11pm last night, the ANC commanded a comfortable lead of 54 percent, while the NP followed with 33 percent and the Inkatha Freedom Party a mere 4.5 percent.
Sowetan, Monday 2 May 1994

3 MAY 1994

It's President Mandela
As millions more votes were tallied throughout last night and early today, the long-expected became fact: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is South Africa's first black president.
In an effective state-of-the-nation address last night as victory became inevitable, Mandela put into words the sentiments of millions of South Africans: "You can proclaim from the rooftops: free at last."
Speaking at a celebration party in a city hotel, he strongly reinforced a message of reconciliation: "This is the time to heal the old wounds and build a new South Africa."
The Star, Tuesday 3 May 1994

4 MAY 1994

IEC freezes results, revamps counting
The release of SA's election results ground to a halt last night while "a top-level IEC crisis meeting" re-evaluated the counting procedure, which was taking too long, a senior IEC official said.
Counting has dragged on for four days and delayed the transition. It had been expected to take 36 hours. Only about 75% of the votes had been counted yesterday.
Business Day, Wednesday 4 May 1994

IEC staffers can always count on a laugh
Exhausted Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officials began to shake off their depression yesterday about the growing counting debacle by telling jokes about their predicament.
"How Many IEC officials does it take to change a light bulb?" is the question. "It's impossible to tell. The light bulbs haven't arrived yet", is the reply.
The officials have good reason to joke. A loose calculation shows that since counting began on Sunday morning the 50 000-odd counters have each counted one vote an hour.
Business Day, Wednesday 4 May 1994

5 MAY 1994

Horse trading by parties will decide result
Independent Electoral Commission chairman Judge Johan Kriegler yesterday said he expected the election results to be manipulated to resolve political disputes and election irregularities.
There was nothing wrong with this, he said. In fact he welcomed it.
"Let's not get overly squeamish about it", Kriegler said. "They (the parties) are in a power game with one another, and if they want to settle on the basis that they withdraw objections, there's nothing wrong with it, ethically or legally."
With only 10 days in which to certify the elections, and mindful that the presidential inauguration is scheduled for next Tuesday, the ordinary process for hearing complaints was "quite clearly not available".
"We have to make an assessment on available data", Kriegler said.
Business Day, Thursday 5 May 1994

6 MAY 1994

Poll result today - IEC
South Africa will learn the outcome of the election this afternoon, according to the Independent Electoral Commission.
This follows a flood of results earlier today, bringing the total count close to 20 million.
The final announcement – after days of frustration as the vote counting process laboured under a plethora of problems – will be made at Midrand's Gallagher Estate, the IEC said in a statement.
The Star, Friday 6 May 1994

R2 160m US aid for South Africa
Washington – President Bill Clinton announced yesterday a doubling in US assistance South Africa of $600-million (R2 160-million) over three years, and said his wife Hillary would attend Nelson Mandela's inauguration as the country's first black president.
The Citizen, Friday 6 May 1994

7 MAY 1994

It's a dream outcome
It's just about a dream result. The outcome of South Africa's first all-race election is poised to defuse many of the conflicts that could have accompanied the birth of the country's new dispensation.
The ANC – with 62.65% of the national tally – fell just short of the two-thirds threshold, a result that is bound to ease the concerns of minorities fearful of unbridled domination, at the same time satisfying the ANC's grassroots followers.
The National Party gained just more than 20% and will have 82 MPs in the National Assembly, an outcome that should assuage the fears of whites.
And in the KwaZulu/Natal provincial legislature, the fractious Inkatha Freedom Party won fairly comfortably in a result that may stem the blood-letting in the province.
Weekend Star, Saturday 7 May 1994

8 MAY 1994

One nation

As world leaders began arriving yesterday to celebrate the birth of democracy in South Africa, President-elect Nelson Mandela moved swiftly to show that SA's new government will be both pragmatic and reconciliatory.
Speaking outside a Cape Town synagogue, Mandela said: "I stand firm in the belief that we are one country, one nation, whether we are coloureds, Indians, white or Africans – that is what we must promote in this country from now on."
Sunday Times, Sunday 8 May 1994

Shaved by the poll – as Natal professor comes clean

Natal's legendary anti-apartheid beard got the chop last week. Retired University of Natal vice-principal Prof Deneys Schreiner shaved for the first time in 40 years.
In 1954, when coloureds were removed from the voters' roll by the Nats, he vowed in protest not to shave until coloureds and blacks could vote.
It seems ironic that the Nats won the Western Cape on the strength of the coloured vote last week.
This weekend, Schreiner's daughters Jenny and Barbara saw their father's free and fair face for the first time in their lives.
However, Schreiner has started regrowing the great white beard, which grew to mythological proportions in the province.
He said: "To shave once every 40 years is enough – especially with your wife's razor and Sunlight soap!"
City Press, Sunday 8 May 1994

9 MAY 1994

World's rich and powerful arrive in SA

A who's who of the world has arrived in South Africa for tomorrow's inauguration of president-elect Nelson Mandela.
Prince Philip of Britain, United Nations secretary-general Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, United States Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his deputy Joshua Nkomo are among those already in the country.
And today, the flow of dignitaries continued with the arrival of delegations from the Middle East and Far East.
The Star, Monday 9 May 1994

New South Africa has landed

Cape Town – Yesterday morning's Flight SA373 from Johannesburg was not ordinary. It carried, along with a smattering of everyday passengers, a hefty chunk of South Africa's first ever nonracial Parliament.
In years gone by, flights to Cape Town on the eve of parliamentary sittings were also filled with MPs. But in those days, the overwhelming majority were white.
The Star, Monday 9 May 1994

10 MAY 1994

The world at Mandela's feet

Today will see the climax of a breathtaking two days in the history of South Africa. Mr Nelson Mandela, elected by Parliament in Cape Town yesterday as South Africa's new president, will be inaugurated at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
His election yesterday was an event filled with joy and emotion. It started with outgoing President FW de Klerk leading Mandela into the chamber of Parliament. They embraced to rapturous applause from newly elected MPs and guests in the public gallery.
Mandela also embraced Inkatha Freedom Party leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi when he saw him walking towards him.
The land of miracles was seeing a momentous event unfolding every few minutes.
Sowetan, Tuesday 10 May 1994

Mandela and FW express optimism

On the eve of changing the reins of power, South Africa's outgoing and incoming presidents last night called for reconciliation and expressed confidence in the country's future.
Outgoing president FW de Klerk told a civic banquet in Pretoria that he would play his part so that reconciliation became reality. President Nelson Mandela said it was necessary to join hands to promote the spirit of reconciliation to build the country.
The Star, Tuesday 10 May 1994

Gore's night at the Market

Johannesburg's Market Theatre complex last night became the site of an awesome security spectacle as one of America's most prized politicians arrived for a night of entertainment.
US vice-president Al Gore and his wife "Tipper", First Lady Hillary Clinton and Jesse Jackson were but a few big names who swept into The Laager theatre to watch extracts of South Africa's theatrical genius.
Patrons temporarily detained in The Yard restaurant opposite the theatre entrance were astonished to see six black limousines cruise swiftly into the precinct, which was tightly guarded by US secret service agents.
The only SAF presence was in the form of two black-clad snipers on the theatre roof.
The Star, Tuesday 10 May 1994

11 MAY 1994

Let's build a great SA, says Mandela

Pretoria – South Africans should forget the past and work together to build a great country, President Nelson Mandela told an excited, cheering crowd of 60 000 people attending his inauguration at the Union Buildings yesterday.
Before starting his speech to the people gathered on the Botha Lawn, Mandela danced briefly to the music of the African Jazz Pioneers, and the crowd danced delightedly with him.
In a carnival atmosphere, a group of youths ran across the lawn holding aloft a coffin with "hamba kahle apartheid" (farewell apartheid) painted on the side.
Earlier, after he had taken his oath of office, Mandela told almost 60 heads of state, royalty and 6 000 other dignitaries that South Africa, the "rainbow nation", had at last achieved its political emancipation.
In his address, Mandela vowed that "never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will experience the oppression of one by another". Business Day, Wednesday 11 May 1994

Big welcome from world leaders

Pretoria – UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali welcomed South Africa back into the world community yesterday, paying tribute to President Nelson Mandela and his deputy FW de Klerk.
"Today South Africa regained its rightful place in Africa, in the UN, and the family of nations", he said at Mandela's inauguration lunch at the Presidency.
"South Africa has earned the respect and admiration of all; tireless in search of understanding, and vigorous in pursuit of peace. You have refused to let difficulties defeat you."
Business Day, Wednesday 11 May 1994

Years of enmity end as Castro meets De Klerk and defence chief

Pretoria – An atmosphere of reconciliation prevailed as Cuban leader Fidel Castro chatted with former arch-enemies Deputy President FW de Klerk and defence force chief Gen Georg Meiring and President Mandela welcomed three of his former jailers to yesterday's inauguration luncheon.
Business Day, Wednesday 11 May 1994

Aghori's Life

2009-08-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

The aghori or aghouri sect has its origin in ancient Vedic system, even though these people don’t follow the main stream Vedic system but the root is the same. The word aghori in Sanskrit means non terrifying, ‘a’-‘ghori’ most of the Hindi speaking people would have heard the phrase ghor kaliyug, ghor paap, etc.. it is the same ghor, theoretically these people don’t attach themselves to anything mortal. They do things which a common man finds to be terrifying, so they overcome this terror by going through it, since they do it regularly it is a common thing for them.

The aghori mainly worship lord Shiva, according to the sect every human is a ‘shava’(dead body) with emotions and they should try to become ‘Shiva’ by denying the human pleasures and involving in the aghori rituals.

Ghauri Shankar Mishra an aghori drinking liquor in a kapala(skull cup).

Bhola Giri Naga Baba blowing the Nagaphani.

The aghori is a human symbol of lord Shiva himself. The aghori lives in cemetery (shmashana), the living place for lord Shiva, this is the representation that the final abode for everyone is the cemetery. And many of the aghoris roam around naked, representing the true humans and their detachment from this world of mortals who live in the world of illusion. By this they transcend beyond human feelings of love, hatred, jealousy, pride etc..

There are many aghoris walking the streets of northern India with kapala(skull cup). These aghoris eat anything, when I said anything, it really meant anything like rotten food, food from the dumps, the animal faeces, animal urine.. etc they regularly perform rites(some are so crude that it cant be explained here) to attain the highest level in aghoratva, the enlightenment. The final part of the ritual requires a minimum of one eating of putrid human flesh, and also meditating on(sitting) the dead corpse. This is the symbolic of their rise from shava to Shiva. They follow the simple rule that the universe resides in them and they try to attain enlightenment by self realization.

As the ascetic advance in his search, he attains many siddhis. Slowly they gain control over the environment. They seem to posses powers to cause a rain or to stop one. This is disturbing but this is true, even though they possess this kind of powers they will not use it, for the basic rule of aghori itself is to deny human pleasure so the change in climate is an event which should happen on its own. Whatever the ascetic says happens, I have met people who have had direct relation with the ascetic, and I cannot question the veracity of the datas. It is also said that when he curses someone, every wish of the person comes true.

There have been many aghoris in the past. Some of them being Dattatreya, Kinaram, Tailanga swamy, Aghoreshwar Mahaprabhu Baba Bhagwan Ram.

Some stories

Tailanga swami

Tailanga Swami of Benaras was a very powerful Aghori, and perhaps the
only one who performed worship of Shiva at the Kashi Vishwanath
temple using his own filth. And Tailanga Swami could do so because he
had full realization that filth is as much a part of the Universal
Soul as roses, holy water etc. The priest who saw Tailanga Swami
doing such "dirty things" slapped him and ordered him out. But at the
same night, Shiva appeared in a dream to the king of Benaras and told
the king about his anger since someone insulted Tailanga Swami, who's
Shiva's very essence. The King then set out to find the priest and
punish him, but the priest was mysteriously found dead.

Dhuni wale baba

This refers to an incident which a man narrated to Ambar joshi about an Aghori Baba who lived in Burhanpur (near Khandwa,MP).This is what he narrated---There used to be an old Baba .People used to call him Dhuni wale baba. Now there is a samadhi of Dhune wale bab in Khandwa whre people still throng in large numbers to worship him.He used to stay ther and roamed the adjoining areas ,use to eat whatever came his way- rotten food or thrown away food .He used to utter obscenities if anyone talked to him or disturbed him even while he seemed to be doing nothing. He used to stare into the sky for hours and talk to himself. One day i saw a person come up to him and touch his feet and ask him to bless his daughter who had not been married in spite of their best efforts. The Baba uttered obscenities on him. Cursed his mother and family members and said that his daughter would go to hell. Then the man went away contented and after three days he came with some sweets and gave to the Baba who again uttered obscenities on him. I intercepted him on the way back and asked him why he respected a useless mad old man. The man remarked he is a great Baba and has cured many peoples problems. If he curses you then your problem is bound to get solved. Aghori Babas are like that he said and offered me a piece of burfi(An Indian sweet)which I gladly ate. Then I saw many other instances when the Baba uttered obscenities, people used to still go behind him even while he used to answer the call of nature. He used to throw his faeces all over people who came behind him and they used to collect it and take home as prasad.(holy).

Maldevata incident taken from ‘The Week’

Maldevta is a popular picnic spot near Dehra Dun. Thirst overtook us while trekking to Maldevta and we decided to ask for some water at a small thatched hut about a eight hundred scrubby hundred yards from the canal we were following. A dusky, well built man wearing a skimpy loin cloth emerged from the dark interior of the hut. Why, of course, we could have water, he answered. He didn't have that much left, just a couple of glasses, as he'd just finished cooking, but we were most welcome to it. Was this his permanent residence, we asked him conversationally? Oh no, he had no fixed place of stay. There was a cremation ground just a stone's thrown away, and he'd built this hut as he had been waiting for a lawaris body (homeless person's body which is generally cremated by a philanthropic organization or trust). As luck would have it, after waiting for some three months, such a body had arrived just yesterday, and he'd been able, in exchange for a good luck charm, to obtain the head of the dead man. In fact, he'd almost run out of water as he had used most of it for cooking the dead man's brain with some rice.

He brought out a blackened pot and showed us the contents. He'd already had one portion of it, and would have to space out eating the cooked brain and rice over the next three days. Repelled, chilled, yet curious, we asked him who he was. He was an aghori, he said, and Calcutta was his birthplace. After early initiation when he was just nine years old into Tantric Kali worship, he'd moved into other deeper sadhnas (disciplines), but always, it was with the forces of the dark. The rules and demands of the search for power in which he was now engaged ordained that he had to eat at least one human brain annually. Already, he had acquired the ability of divining the future. He could actually show us our future, in case we were interested. Why didn't we come in?

Fascinated yet afraid that at this isolated spot we might end up becoming his annual meal, we left somewhat hastily, forgetting all our lessons in politeness. Over the next few days, I couldn't get the aghori out of my mind. When a brigadier and his wife came to seek a reading from the cards as they were in deep trouble with a court martial looming on the horizon, it gave me the opportunity to go back to the aghori, with the anxious brigadier and his wife in tow. After all, he had said he could show one the future. What better way of testing the claim ? He was still there, at the peak of his powers, he informed us, as he'd recently consumed the human brain. This time, we entered his hut and our eyes soon became accustomed to the dimness. The aghori requested us to sit, and as we sat cross-legged on the earthern floor, placed a lota (container) of water before us. "Look into the water" he commanded. And in the water, we saw the brigadier, older, dressed in civilian clothes. After several sequences, we saw the brigadier with the Supreme Court clearly visible in the background, and he was wearing a dark blue suit and distributing sweets to a group of people who were with him.

Some months after this amazing incident, the brigadier wanted to take a friend to meet the aghori, but when we reached there we found the hut in a sad state : it was just a bundle of grass and straw and twigs strewn on the ground. Enquiries at the cremation ground revealed that the aghori had been driven away by irate residents of Raipur, a nearby suburb. Seven years passed with only occasional meetings with the brigadier, who was no longer in active service and was fighting his case in the civil courts. One day I received a message from him. The Supreme Court was to give the verdict on his case. And when I went on the appointed day, apart from other settings, there, outside the imposing Supreme Court building, was the Brigadier, dressed in a dark blue suit, distributing sweets just as he had been seven years ago in the lota of water the cannibal aghori had placed before us.

Philosophy behind this: Aghoris are indifferent to everything. For them there is nothing good ,ideal or bad. Everything that exists in this world is essentially made up of same thing. Hence they utter obscenities, may take liqour, eat Dead human flesh and do other things which might appear to be 'uncivilised' to us.

We should respect the way chosen by these people for enlightenment. After all lord shiva is also an aghori, yes it was his another name. Many people think that aghori babas kill humans for their rituals, but there is no strong evidence for this. Since this sect has most of its rites and rituals a secret, we don’t have exact number of aghoris present in India, but you can always find few aghoris in the Kinaram aghori temple in Varanasi.

Marma Yogi Movie Review

2009-08-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan's forthcoming film ‘Marma Yogi’.Venkatesh and Tabu are paired up together in marmayogi along with kamal and trisha.Pyramid Saimira has signed Marmayogi with Kamal Hassan, a multi-lingual multimillion dollar magnum opus, which they will jointly produce with Kamal hassan’s own production Rajkamal International.The film is believed to be based on the 1886 novel Vendetta:The Story of One Forgotten by Marie Corelli, however others have claimed that it is a remake of the 1951 movie of the same name starring M. G. Ramachandran, that film was widely known for being the first Adult rated movie in Tamil cinema. Another source claimed that “it is a children’s film and the story revolves around how Kamal takes a group of people on a journey”. Kamal Haasan is location hunting for the film, searching for areas in the United States as well.Kamal Hassan is directing the self written film “Marmayogi” and Trisha and Shriya are doing the lead roles in the film. The film will have a lip locking scene from Shreya and it will be for the first time that the actress will be doing such a role although Kamal has done such scenes with Rani Mukherjee in “Hey Ram.”Here is the official press release from Kamal Hassan -Dear Sirs,I am constrained to write this note to the media. In recent times my film Marma Yogi has been written about a lot. While I am grateful for the coverage, I have to point out that most of the reporting is inaccurate and imaginary. Especially the news item that Rajkamal Films International is planning to produce the film with some company other than Pyramid Saimira Group and another publication which says we have pulled out of the deal with pyramid Saimira Group.Rajkamal Films International has signed an agreement with Pyramid Saimira Group. Any news to the countrary is a slur on our bonafide partnership. Any union should have consenting partners. One-sided intent does not constitute a partnership and claim to such a union apart from being inaccurate could also become illegal.In this new era of business discipline concluding deals through the media is not a healthy option at all.I am well aware that the respected members of the fourth estate are keen on being the first with the “scoop”. I am also aware that journals and news papers of repute would certainly pride themselves on accuracy along with immediacy.In this case, reports contrary to the business deal already struck between Rajkamal Films International & Pyramid Saimira Group, are inaccurate and immature. While I thank most members of the press who have refrained from publishing such concocted stories, we request those who indulge in such inaccurate reporting to contract our respective publicity departments, who will furnish you with accurate information on a need-to-know basis.Rajkamal Films International and Pyramid Saimira Group are poised to launch Marma Yogi, a multi-lingual multimillion dollar magnum opus, very soon.Please allow us the decorum of presenting our product in best light.Thank you,Kamal Haasan.Marmayogi, the movie is said to be produced by renowned Hollywood production house Walt Disney pictures for a whopping budget of Rs. 100 crores – not quite known to Tamil cinema yet.All are eager to watch this high budget film.Lets hope the movie will continue shooting according to schedule and release in summer next year.

Shewag may leave delhi

2009-08-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

Indian opener Virender Sehwag has threatened to quit the Delhi Ranji team, alleging interference in selection matters by the DDCA .

Sports Committee members. Sehwag was unhappy with the rampant corruption in the DDCA and in the selection process of the Delhi team. "I am trying to leave Delhi
and play for Haryana. I spoke to the Delhi District and Cricket Association (DDCA) president, Mr. Arun Jaitley, and he has asked me to discuss the issue with him and then take a decision. If I am not satisfied with the outcome of our meeting, I will surely leave Delhi," Sehwag was quoted in a private news channel. "There is too much interference and manipulation from the sports committee in selection committees. The sports committee has got too much power. There is more interference at the under-16 and under-19 levels than the Ranji Trophy. In a squad of 15, for instance, the sports committee tries to influence the selectors and slip in one or two of 'their own' boys," added the hard-hitting batsman. Sehwag has already applied for a No-Objection Certificate to move to another state team and will meet with DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association) president Arun Jaitely soon. "So, if I am not satisfied with the result of the meeting with Mr Jaitley, I will leave whether or not DDCA gives me the no objection certificate (NOC). There is a rule that if a player's parent association harasses a player and doesn't give him the NOC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India can do so," Sehwag told the news channel. The DDCA's Sports Secretary Sunil Dev said he has not received any communication from Sehwag nor has he approached him for a No Objection Certificate to play for some other state. But a top DDCA source said Sehwag's threat to quit was just a "pressure tactic" to bring in a couple of his players in the Ranji squad. "He wants to bring Mayank Tehlan and Pradeep Sangwan into the team. But since the Delhi team is well set, it is not possible. That is the reason why he is making such threats," the source said. Sehwag has claimed that some selectors group together to force a player of their choice into the side, leaving the captain and selection committee chairman powerless. He has also alleged manipulation in the selection of Delhi under-16 and under-19 teams. The Delhi team, which won the 2007-08 Ranji title, failed to even make the knock-out stage last season. Sehwag did not play a single match last season because of his engagements with the national team. Dev said it was unfair for Sehwag to use words like "corruption" against the DDCA and said the allegations were totally baseless. "What have we not done for Sehwag ? We have always looked after his needs when he was the Delhi captain. Let him come back, we will know what he has in mind", Dev said. Dev was also livid against Sehwag for raising the issue of selection in junior teams. "Why is he talking about junior cricket ? I will be happy if he comes and helps in the development of junior cricket after his retirement from international cricket", he said. However, Haryana Cricket Association (HCA) confirmed that they had offered a place to Sehwag in the last Ranji season. Now, after Sehwag’s announcement, the HCA has welcomed the right-handed batsman to play for their state.

Bassong puts early dent in Liverpool's title challenge

2009-08-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong put an early dent in Liverpool's Premier League title challenge as his debut goal clinched a 2-1 win Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Bassong made an immediate repayment on the eight million pounds fee Spurs boss Harry Redknapp splashed out to sign the centre-back from Newcastle last week.

But it was Liverpool who were left to count a more significant cost after a result and performance that already cast doubts on their ability to win the English league for the first time in 20 years.

Rafael Benitez's team fell behind to a fine first half strike from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and, although Steven Gerrard equalised with a penalty after the interval, Bassong's winner was well deserved.

Finishing just four points behind Manchester United last term has raised expectations that this will be the season when Liverpool finally end their long wait to be crowned kings of English football.

They will have to improve dramatically to do that and much more will be demanded from Fernando Torres than this lacklustre effort.

After a tepid opening in the north London sunshine, Liverpool suffered a self-inflicted blow when Martin Skrtel collided with Jamie Carragher as both centre-backs tried to head clear.

Skrtel's head smashed into Carragher's face and the defender disappeared groggily down the tunnel before resuming with a bandage covering a nasty gash on his forehead.

It was that kind of no-holds-barred encounter but Benitez would have been more concerned with the way Liverpool struggled to find any attacking rhythm.

As the Reds spluttered, Tottenham grew in stature and only a superb save from Jose Reina denied Robbie Keane the opening goal after 30 minutes.

Luka Modric did well to hook Wilson Palacios's cross back into the six-yard box towards Keane and the former Liverpool forward's diving header looked destined for the net until Reina plunged to his left to block.

Without the calming influence of Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid earlier this month, Liverpool lacked the ability to cope with the power of Palacios and Tom Huddlestone in midfield.

Lucas Leiva, Alonso's replacement, and Ryan Babel were well off the pace and it was no surprise when Tottenham took the lead in the 44th minute.

Liverpool failed to clear Huddlestone's free-kick and Assou-Ekotto, taking possession 25 yards out, hit an unstoppable swerving shot past Reina into the far corner.

Palacios showed Tottenham weren't going to sit on their lead with a thumping effort early in the second half that Reina did well to tip over.

Benitez's decision to sign flying England right-back Glen Johnson had signaled his intention to cast off the defensive shackles that contributed to Liverpool's inability to break down inferior opposition last season.

And it was debutant Johnson who played the key role as Liverpool equalised in the 56th minute.

The 17 million pound signing from Portsmouth surged past two defenders into the penalty area and was up-ended by Heurelho Gomes as the Brazilian charged off his line.

Referee Phil Dowd immediately pointed to the spot and Gerrard stepped up to lash the penalty high into the roof of the net.

But Tottenham refused to let that set-back affect them. Just three minutes later, Jermain Defoe won a free-kick and when Modric curled it into the area, Bassong rose above Carragher to plant a perfect header past Reina.

Gerrard's free-kick forced Gomes to nervously push over the bar as Liverpool tried to respond, but Benitez was soon ringing the changes, with Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin on for Babel and Kuyt.

Liverpool pressed hard at the end but the closest they came to an equaliser were rejected penalty appeals against Assou-Ekotto, who nudged Voronin and then appeared to handle Torres's cross.

Sammy Lee, Benitez's assistant, was so frustrated that he was sent off for a tirade of abuse at the officials. It was that kind of day for Liverpool.

Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in Supercup first leg

2009-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

European champions Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup on Sunday with second-half goals

by Xavi and reserve forward Pedro Rodriguez. Athletic striker Oscar de Marcos opened the scoring in the 44th minute as he evaded both Gerard Pique and Daniel Alves before seeing his shot clip off Carles Puyol and fly over Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes into the corner of the net. Barcelona leveled in the 58th minute as Eric Abidal sent a cross to the far post where Rodriguez rolled it back for Xavi who slotted it into the corner from close range at Bilbao's San Mames stadium. Rodriguez scored the winner nine minutes later when he stepped past Athletic Bilbao midfielder Markel Susaeta and hammered a shot inside the near post from 25 yards. Barcelona, who have won the Spanish Supercup seven times, will host the return leg on August 23. The tournament is contested each year between the league champions and the winners of the King's Cup but as Barcelona won both competitions they are facing beaten Cup finalists Athletic. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was without a number of players with attacking midfielder Andres Iniesta and striker Lionel Messi still struggling with thigh injuries. New signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic is recovering from a left hand injury. The Swedish striker, who joined Barcelona from Inter Milan, is expected to make his debut in next Wednesday's friendly against Manchester City. Athletic, who are seeking to win their first major trophy since 1984, had no injury problems. Players and spectators observed a minute's silence before the start of the match in honour of Espanyol captain and defender Daniel Jarque, who died earlier this month week of heart failure while on a pre-season tour of Italy. Barcelona became the first Spanish side to win the treble -- the league, King's Cup and the Champions League -- last season.

Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka 2009

2009-08-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

Pakistan 279 for 8 (Younis 76, Misbah 73*) beat Sri Lanka 147 (Aamer 4-28, Naved 4-44) by 132 runs.Mohammad Aamer and an inconsistent-but-smart Naved-ul-Hasan meant Sri Lanka narrowly avoided their worst-ever ODI defeat at home.The Pakistan pace bowlers were way better than their Sri Lankan counterparts. Aamer and Naved got more movement, and demonstrated better control and variation.Sri Lanka however, took the series having already won the first three matches.

Younis scored 76 in 100 balls and Misbah scored 73* in 82 balls. Aamer 4-28, Naved 4-44 both bowled well and took wickets of all main players .SHT Kandamby scored 42 in 71 balls.DPMD Jayawardene and scored CM Bandara 31 in srilanka.Jaya suriya scored onluy 6 in this match.So the team went in a bad situation.And that made Pakistan to get a easy victory.KMDN Kulasekara took 3 wickets and KTGD Prasad and BAW Mendis and AD Mathews and ST Jayasuriya got wicket and finally Pak scored 279/9 in the last.In akistan Aamer and Naved took 4 wickets and Shahid Afridi took 2 wickets and made Pakistan to a easy victory.

Burj Al Arab Hotel

2009-07-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

urj Al Arab Hotel

Burj Al Arab Hotel is the only seven star hotel in the world.It is a luxurious hotel and famous one in Dubai's premier Jumeirah Beach.The height of the hotel is 321 m that is 1053 ft.It is the second tallest building in the world.It has iconic structure and symbolize like mimic the sail of a boat.The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge.

The model of the hotel.

There are many five star hotels with all facilities and trying for sixth star but Burj Al Arab Hotel is the only seven star hotel.There are 202 bedrooms in that hotel.The smallest room occupies an area of 169 square meters (1,819 sq ft), the largest covers 780 square meters (8,396 sq ft). It is one of the most expensive hotels in the world. The cost of staying in a starts from $1,000 per night.The Royal Suite is the most expensive, at $28,000 per night.

The prefiguration was the first project to take the step into the water.It opened up The Gulf for inhabitation.One of its restaurants, Al Muntaha is located 200 metres (660 ft) above the Persian Gulf that extends 27 metres (89 ft) from either side of the mast, and is accessed by a panoramic elevator.Another restaurant, the Al Mahara, which is accessed via a simulated submarine voyage, features a large seawater aquarium, holding roughly 990,000 litres of water. The tank, made of acrylic glass.

The features of the hotel.There are 250 designers,900 tones of steel 43000 square meters of glass,13000 square meters of Carrara marbles,12000 square meters of Brazilian granites, 32000 square meters of Italian mosaic,1500 square meters of 24 carat gold leaf,1200 colleagues to bring you.

How to relax our mind

2009-07-03T08:50:00.001-07:00

Search for Powerful New Health

The mind—body—spirit debate has developed into a well known researched fact over the past decade. While there has always been some amount of contribution given to the mindset of any patient, only recently has the concept of caring for the “entire self” become a common practice in today’s modern medicine and prevention programs. Mind—body—spirit wellness has reached new levels of inclusive factors for today’s health conscious individuals. Holistic health has finally reached acceptance in many offices of doctors and practitioners of medicine.
The power of caring for one’s entire body is really quite impressively powerful. Individuals who have opted for total mind—body—spirit wellness have been able to determine great levels of health and energy within their own framework by allowing their entire being into account. Studies on the power of the mind have shown some shocking results, the effects have been proven to be of course, mind—blowing.

Holistic health is essential in providing high quality total care for your self, your family, and your overall well being. Studies have proven that holistic health practices have dramatically reduced the number and frequency of illnesses related to common every day exposure. School children living in mind—body—spirit wellness focused homes miss less than half of the school days due to illness than that of their classmates still living in traditional Western medicine focused homes.

Accounts of real world individuals being able to provide testimony to the effects of holistic health practices on their daily lives are continuously increasing. Many individuals offer that the mind—body—spirit wellness approach to life has given them not only their physical health back, but their emotional health as well. For those who place more emphasis on the testimony of physicians and healthcare practitioners, there are an increasing number of offices that practice mind—body—spirit wellness as part of their routine care.

Holistic health and the mind—body—spirit wellness approach to life has also opened up a while new industry for the entrepreneurial spirit. Many manufacturers feel that it has been nothing short of a blessing to fully endorse their product without doubting the word of their advertisers. There is a vast and endless ocean of new and improved products which adhere to holistic health practices and principles which have emerged onto the market as of late, and for the most part, these products actually do what they say they are going to do. Of course, we wouldn’t be an enterprising society if a few unscrupulous manufacturers didn’t sneak in there for their piece of this multi billion dollar industry. Our culture responded appropriately by deeming specific authorities on the topic to be the final word in quality and effectiveness.

By developing institutes that focus completely on mind—body—spirit wellness and awareness, there has been a successful and remarkable overhaul in the basic integrity of holistic health materials and products. While of course there are still some scam factories out there, the vast majority of holistic health companies want to be part of this ever growing, popular, and health enhancing trend that is changing the lives and souls of everyone involved.

Holistic health products that are able to make claims of providing “miracle” results are generally not considered to be authentic products endorsed or even recognized by any authority of holistic health practices. Rather, while there have been case reports regarding “miraculous results” on an individual basis, the mind—body—spirit wellness community does not promote grand promises but instruction, focus, and of course, directives that help individuals enhance their mind—body—spirit connection. Very few products on the holistic health market today receive genuine endorsements or “approval” from these authorities. Those that do have not only been proven to deliver what they promise, but also meet a strict standard of what constitutes and actual holistic health product.

As the mind—body—spirit wellness and awareness movement grows and matures over the next few years, there is bound to be growth in numerous areas of product development. What has reached the market now can be considered to be some remarkable enhancements in the holistic health practice. In fact, there have been a few products which not only earn the endorsement of leading authorities, but actually are not expected to be able to be produced better than they are right now. This is a pretty bold statement considering that technology and education will never be static yet those few products out there that are being praised and sung by the leading authorities have literally taken the holistic health product market by storm.
The mind—body—spirit wellness movement and the holistic health practices that are now finally being viewed as medical advancements will continue to offer our society a new way of looking at health, not to mention a vast assortment of new health treatments. This can only be considered to be good news for those who suffer from chronic conditions, serious health problems and illnesses, or the healthy who wish to remain that way.

Courtalam

2009-07-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

Courtalam

Full view of Courtallam.

Local people will call this as main falls.

What is special in Courtallam?

This is the closer view of main falls.

Courtallam is the most familiar place which to visit .It is famous two main things.The first one is falls and the another one is mental hospital.The water in the falls is mixed with lots and lots of herbals which have medicinal value.Hence it makes the body healthier and fresher.It acts as as a treatment for many skin diseases and also there is a belief that it cures even mentally disordered persons.

About Courtallam?

This is old main falls.

Courtallam is devoted to Lord Siva. Lord Siva have sent Saint Agastheyar to the south to avoid a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium due to overcrowding in the mount Kailas on his celestial wedding. Another notable feature of Courttalam is Chithra Sabha. This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Chitra Sabha is made out of medicinal herbs. The wooden carved planks serve as doors. Numerous rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate here.

Dangerous Place

The circle is a deep hole till now the depth of it didn't determined some are telling it is as huge as 10000 elephants.There are many rocks here and there.Many used to stand in the rectangle marked place and they can't balance their weight and fall into the deep hole.Many used to see that for adventurous but its not a good one.Only one was alive in that.On;y one person was there who will go into the deep hole to rescue or to take the dead bodies.He used to say that there is an angel she used to show the dead bodies which got struck in to rocks.

Water Supply

This is the pipe line for drinking water supply to local areas.This is healthy and tasty and good for everything.If you keep your hand it will be chill.Water will be purified and supplied even though it is pure.The water is stored in a place called Shenbagadevi .

monkeys are more and more numbers in courtallam .They will roam in groups sometimes individually.It used to take dresses snakes and some times our things too. so be care full with them.

This is the way where water used flow to main falls

By the way to honey falls we can see this place.If you go upside of courtallam hills you will get shenbagadevi falls and then this at last honey falls.But all are too dangerous to claim.

This is that one of the top o f the hill.

This the most favorite place to local place to take bath.This place many used to avoid this place.This photo is taken in summer so the water level is too low .If it is rainy season then that's all no one can stay here.To reach this place you have jump rocks it will be risky but enjoyable one.The color of the water will be pure while seeing you can analyze it.

Old Courtallam

This is another falls called old Courtallam.This is 5 km far from main falls.This is also a very good falls.Its some what far from the villages.It will near to forest.

Tiger Falls

In this falls water will be coming nicely but it's not like other falls.It will be 10 inches that's all.many used avoid this place.But nice place.Tiger came and drank water in this place so it's called tiger falls.This is on the way to old Courtallam. It will be superb to take bath in this place.

Five Falls

This is five falls. In this falls water is divided into five and it is falling so it's five falls.This is very very nice place to visit.The whole area will be cool and some insect sound will be there.It will be nice to hear.Here many fruits will be available there are many shops to shopping.

Five falls is 5 km far from Courtallam.On the way there is a boating place.You can enjoy the place.

Branoor Barder

This is the best place to eat chicken.Here is a hotel called Rahmath famous in that area many people will come from to eat here.then you will be knowing the taste of that.only chicken is available there.cheap and best one.

Location
Courtallam is 5 km from Shengottai,6 km from Thenkasi,40 km from Thirunelveli,117 km from Thiruvanathapuram.167 km from Madurai.If you are coming by flight means you have to get down in Tuticorin that is the nearest Airport from there nearly 100 km.If you are coming by train then you have to get down in Thenkasi is the best option to come there or you should come to Tirunelveli(ten) by these trains from Chennai Eggmore(ms) Nellaiexpress,Kanyakumariexpress,Annatapuriexpress,,Msguruvayur express EXP from there you have to travel around one and half an hour .Buses Government and travels from Koyambedu.

Kodaikanal

2009-07-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

Have you planned of going tour ?.I can give you a idea about Kodaikanal and some of the specials of that.This is the most famous tourist place where many people from different places will come here often.

Kodaikanal is called as the Princess of Hill stations..It is a very cool place to visit.There are many places to visit over there.The specialty of the places are many to say about that.
They are Kodaikanal Golf Club,Kodaikanal Lake,Kodaikanal Solar Observatory,Bryant Park,Coaker's Walk,Bear Shola Falls,Green Valley View,Shenbaganur Museum of Natural History,Pillar Rocks,Guna caves,Silver Cascade,Dolphin's Nose,Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple.

Kodaikanal Golf Club has a 18 hole, par 71 Golf course. It is on Golf links Road near the popular view point Suicide Point and 3 kilometers (2 mi) before the Pillar Rocks viewpoint and flower garden. Kodaikanal is a private membership club .Non-members are allowed to play the full 18 holes by becoming temporary members or by paying the required green fees. Non-members must have a handicap or take lessons before they play here.The course is closed April 15 to June 15.

Kodaikanal Lake is harldly around 0.5 km from the bus stand,it is around a distance of 60 acres that was lake built in 1863. It is recognized as Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club .Horses and bicycles can be hired beside the lake for short periods. The 5 kilometers path that skirts the periphery of this lovely lake is a favourite walk for the locals and tourists alike.

Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is the highest location near Kodai. The first observations were commenced here in 1901. Former Director John Evershed, discovered the phenomenon of radial motion in sunspots, now known as the Evershed effect. by using this solar tunnel Telescope you can have a clear view of Sothupparai Dam, Vaigai Dam, Periyakulam and Varaha river. It is open daily to the public during peak season, and a few hours each Friday the rest of the year.

Bryant Park is a wonderfully maintained 20.5 acres botanical garden. The park was planned and built in 1908 by a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant, and named after him. With 325 species of trees, the park is filled with stunning flowers during the peak season. There are nearly 740 varieties of roses. Eucalyptus tree and a Bodhi tree . The park organizes horticultural exhibits and flower shows every summer, to coincide with the peak season. Entrance fee to the park is nominal and it is open all year.

Coaker's Walk is a pedestrian walking over the edge of the mountain ,it starts from van allen hospital and joins to main road besides the st peters church.On a clear day one can view as far as Dolphin's Nose in south, the Pambar River in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai.

Guna caves was made popular by the Tamil movie Guna, previously it was called as Devil’s Kitchen, are deep chambers between the three gigantic boulders that are the Pillar Rocks. The deep narrow path of the caves are now closed to public due to the continuos deaths of twelve youths there.These dangerous caves are highly protected now, and tourists can see sections of the cave system from afar.

kurunji Andavar Temple is famous for its Kurinji flower which blossoms in the area only once every 12 years. the temple belongs to Lord Murugan. This temple was built by a European lady and she was converted to Hinduism.

Bryant Park,Bear Shola Falls, and Silver cascaded falls views.These are also a very nice place to visit.Nearby this mountain there a big and famous temple called Palani. every one should visit this place.

PILLOR ROCK

Suicide Point View

Green Valley View

Dolphin's Nose

This looks like Dolphin's nose so it is named like that.This is most dangerous place.Many people often will here and enjoy they beauty of that and go.But you should aware of the danger and should avoid taking risks.

Silver Cascade
This is the nice falls to take bath.It will be more chill to take bath.Here carrot vegetable is nice to eat .Kodai is famous for chocolates.home made chocolates will be av available here.It will very nice.

Palani Hills

This is very famous temple near Kodai.Lord Murugah is here.This temple prasatham is famous over all India.Many people who comes to Kodai will be coming here.

This Place near Madurai maximum of 3 hours journey from there.It's near Kovai also.Madurai nearest Air Port.Train is also Madurai is the nearest place.

Tourist Place place

2009-06-29T08:01:00.001-07:00

Courtalam is the best place to visit.There are many falls called main falls,Sitraruvi,Chenbagadevi,Honey falls.And near by that five falls,old courtalam,tiger falls.In all falls there will be masage centre.Many herbal plants are in this forest.so it is good for health.To reach courtalam by train you have to get podigai express from chennai eggmore.Madurai is the best way from flight.From get a bus.Madurai is famous place to visit.