3/02/2010 Great Power

A great power is a nation or state that has the ability to exert its influence on a global scale. Great powers characteristically possess economic, military, diplomatic, and cultural strength, which may cause other smaller nations to consider the opinions of great powers before taking actions of their own. International relations theorists have posited that great power status can be characterized into power capabilities, spatial aspects, and status dimensions. Sometimes the status of great powers is formally recognized in conferences such as the Congress of Vienna or an international structure such as the United Nations Security Council.

The term "great power" was first used to represent the most important powers in Europe during the post-Napoleonic era. Since then, the international balance of power has shifted numerous times, most dramatically during World War I and World War II. While some nations are widely considered to be great powers, there is no definitive list, leading to a continuing debate.

2/02/2010 Act Of God

An ‘Act of God’ is a legal term for events outside of human control, such as sudden floods or other natural disasters, for which no one can be held responsible. This does not protect those who put others in danger of acts of nature through negligence, such as an adult who instructs a group of children to stand under a tree to escape a lightning storm.   However,  the legal term, “Act of God”, does not necessarily imply that God had a direct intervention which specifically caused a “natural” occurrence or disaster.
Now that we have that straightened out, you should know that free soloing isn’t for everybody, and it’s not always for me either.  I’ve probably backed off from as many pitches as I’ve topped out.  They say grades don’t matter in climbing, well, when you solo, they matter even less. I’ve backed off a 5.7 slab because it felt insecure, but later in the day soloed a 5.12b roof.  It’s not what is harder or easier, it’s what feels harder or easier.  Feeling is the most important part of the game, not thinking.  Well one time, I was feeling on top of the world, I was higher than a kite, and suddenly without warning, it all came crashing down and it left me thinking…

1/02/2010 Coffee can seriously help relieve allergies

Coffee can seriously help relieve allergies!  When you have an allergic reaction, you take an antihistamine. Antihistamines stop your body from falsely reacting to whatever is causing the reaction.  Coffee is a natural antihistamine that can bring relief to itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and other reactions. The coffee doesn’t even have to be caffeinated–it can be decaf and still have the same effect.  But just be careful of drinking too much, as coffee has been known to lead to some mild health issues if taken in access, like high cholesterol.  So the question remains, what is or isn’t immoral?  I have mine and you have yours I guess, climbing rocks, skipping school and drinking coffee make me feel good, happy, healthy, alive, friendly, creative, motivated, productive and wholesome.

31/01/2010 Love

I could fill a thousand pages telling you how I felt and still you would not understand.
So now I leave you without a sound except my heart shattering as it hits the ground

Love is like an eternal flame,
Once it is lit, it will continue to burn for all time.

Love isn't blind, it just only sees what matters. Love is a moment that lasts forever... You will know the real meaning of love when you fall in love. If a tear fell from my eyes, everytime i wished you were with me
I would have a puddle of fallen wishes at my feet. Through the wind I hear your voice, in the clouds I see your name.
Living life without you just wouldnt be the same If you love someone more than anything,
Then distance only matters to the mind, not to the heart. If i had a single flower for everytime i thought of you i could walk forever in my garden. When i saw you i was afraid to talk to you...
when i talked to you i was afraid to hold you...
When i hold you i was afraid to love you
Now that i love you im afraid to lose you. Telling someone you love them comes from the heart
The place that made you love them from the start. True love never leaves the heart, so if you dont love me now, you didnt love me then. It is impossible to fall out of love, love is such a powerful emotion,
That once it envelops you, it does not depart. True love is eternal.
If you think you were once in love but fell out of it, than it wasent love you were in I ran up the door,shut the stairs,said my pj's and put on my prayers.
I turned off the bed and hopped into the light, all because you kissed me goodnight. No Boy Is Worth Fightig For, And If You Have To Fight To Get Him,
Than You're Better Off Without Him. The Hardest Thing In Life Isn't Finding The One You Luv,
Its Making The One You Luv...Luv you Back. A Cute Guy Can Open Up My Eyes, A Smart Guy Can Open Up My Mind,
But Only A Sweet Guy Can Open My Heart. I Cry For The Times That You Were Almost Mine,
I Cry For The Memories I've Left Behind,
I Cry For The Pain, The Lost, The Old, the New..
I Now Cry For The Times I Thought I Had You I don't know weather to smile cause you're happier with her or cry cause you're not mine. Everyday we tell ourselves we're better off without each other,

30/01/2010 An Introduction To Bhangra

Bhangra is the cultural folk dance (Lok Naach) from the Punjab, a region covering Eastern Pakistan and Northern India, bordered by 5 rivers, with a long history and strong cultural heritage.
Bhangra's roots trace back to the fifteenth century when Punjabi wheat farmers danced and sang songs about village life to help pass the time whilst working in the fields. With time these dances and songs became part of harvest celebrations at Bhaisakhi (April 13th) festivals as the sight of their crops growing invigorated the farmers.
From its farming origins Bhangra dance quickly moved through all divisions of class and education, eventually becoming a part of weddings, parties, festivals and other important occasions.
As Bhangra continues to move into the mainstream, cultural understanding of its history and tradition enables people to appreciate it more. Bhangra actions and movements are full of energy and happiness as well as being highly methodical. Bhangra has its own distinctive costumes and instruments.
Bhangra is not only exuberant in sound, but also in colour. The Bhangra dress reflects the Punjabi love for bright colours, a sign of happiness. The Bhangra dress is derived from typical daily wear, so it varies depending on which region of the Punjab you are in. Bhangra costumes include Turla - a fan like adornment on the turban, displaying a sign of pride, Pag - a turban, displaying a sign of honour, Kaintha - a type of necklace, Kurta - a loose shirt, Jughi - a waistcoat, Thamba - a rectanglular cloth which goes around the legs and is tied around the waist, all of which are worn with Khussa - shoes.
Many different Punjabi instruments contribute to the sound of Bhangra. The most important instrument is the Dhol Drum, believed to be the oldest musical instrument of mankind and used in Bhangra in its original shape. In the Punjab, taals are played on Dhol to suit each type of festival mood, be it festive, virile, romantic or mourning. Bhangra performers revere Dhol as their deity as it beckons and lures the performers to perform.
There are, however, other important instruments used in Bhangra, including the Tumbi, the Ektar and the Chimta. The Tumbi is a simple folk instrument, possibly the oldest stringed instrument in the Indian subcontinent. The Ektar is described in ancient Sanskrit texts as the Ekatantri Vina, literally the "one stringed lute". A membrane is stretched over the gourd and the bridge is placed over the taut membrane. The term Ektar literally means "one string" instrument. The Chimta is actually a fire tong however it has evolved into a musical instrument by the permanent addition of small brass jingles.
As well as costumes and instruments, props also play an important part in Bhangra. There are many different types of props used in Bhangra dancing. The Saap is a wooden criss-cross that can be opened and closed whilst dancing. Bhangra dancing with Khunda long sticks is common and sometimes mixed with Gatka, a sword dance. The Chimta is a long metal instrument with many cymbols on it, also used in dancing. The Katoo is a long stick with a clapper on the top and a string attached to the clapper. Pulling the string makes the clapper close, creating a sound like that of castanets.

29/01/2010 Introduction to Punjab

Punjab, a region in Northern India and the east side of Pakistan, has a long history and rich cultural heritage. The people of the Punjab are called Punjabis and they speak a language called Punjabi. The three main religions in the area are Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam. The region has been invaded and ruled by many different empires and races, including the Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Afghans, and Mongols. Around the time of the 15th Century, Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikh religion, which quickly came to prominence in the region, and shortly afterwards, Maharaja Ranjit Singh reformed the Punjab into a secular and powerful state. The 19th Century saw the beginning of British rule, which led to the emergence of several heroic Punjabi freedom fighters. In 1947, at the end of British rule, the Punjab was split between Pakistan and India .

28/01/2010 NEWS (Govt mulls honour for NRI who died fighting muggers)

Days after a UK-based NRI died of stab wounds after being attacked by the muggers he was chasing in east London, the government is considering a suitable honour for the braveheart and some compensation for his widow, who lives in Punjab.
The matter, it is learnt, was recently discussed at the highest level, with the initiative coming from Union Sports Minister MS Gill, a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab. Gill, who first raised the issue, has already summoned the personal records of Sukhwinder Singh, the 31-year-old Sikh, who won several hearts in Britain for his act of bravery.
Sukhwinder died confronting two men who were running away after snatching a lady’s purse outside Barking station in east London. The death earned Singh the label of a hero, with metropolitan police describing him as one. He was recently cremated in his native town of Khanna in Ludhiana, where his only survivors -- wife Sandeep Kaur and a son -- now live.
After discussing the matter at the required level, Gill, it is learnt, has forwarded a proposal to Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, asking him to honour Singh’s act of courage and financially compensate his widow and son, who were solely dependent on the deceased for their living.
Ravi is said to have asked for the proposal, which details the need to recognise the courage of Sukhwinder, especially after the UK had done so. It also stresses the need to send a firm message across to the West of India’s solidarity with the cause of NRIs, who were recently promised voting rights by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The proposal is based on the family record of Sukhwinder, which Gill summoned from Ludhiana DC Vikas Garg. A builder back in London, he died on January 8 at the Royal London Hospital after succumbing to stab wounds.