Thailand Government released new Postage Stamps on Hindu Deities

Government of Thailand released remarkable new edition of stamps depicting the Hindu Deities, which will definitely delight the hearts of Hindus in Asia and other parts of the world. Thailand has a remarkable affinity to the Hindu Religion and Thai People are obviously proud of their Indian (Hindu) connection with the rich and colourful Thai culture and tradition.

The newly published stamps and the first day covers are embossed and printed with four (4) idol images of Hindu gods, namely Lord Ganesha, Lord Brahma, Lord Narayana (Phra Narai) and Lord Shiva (Phra Issuan) has indeed created a wonderful feelings and has brought great honor to the minds of the Hindu fraternity in Thailand and every parts in this globe. The inclusion of Aum sign and the Trimurthi ( Brhama, Vishnu and Mahesh) in the first day cover enhanced the significance of Hindu Dharma into the mind of every Hindu admirers without any doubt.

Hindu Existence Group conveys its warm greetings to the Thai Government and every Thai People for this noble cause.

Source: Spiritual Bangalore

Say Bye to Petrol & Diesel

Toyota Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

Sheikh Zaki Yamani the famous Saudi Arabian oil minister of the 1970s once said that the stone age came to an end not for a lack of stones but because the human race moved on. Similarly the oil industry will come to an end not for a lack of oil but because the human race would have moved on.

About 10 days ago a tectonic movement of sorts hit the world automotive industry. This is a game changer. A paradigm shift and a bold (and very expensive) breakthrough by the Toyota Motor Company of Japan. 

They have introduced a production model car that runs on the hydrogen fuel cell. These cars will not need petrol or diesel anymore.

Before we talk more - just a little bit on the hydrogen fuel cell.

"A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel. Fuel cells are different from batteries in that they require a constant source of fuel and oxygen/air to sustain the chemical reaction; however, fuel cells can produce electricity continually for as long as these inputs are supplied"

Above : Block diagram of a simple hydrogen fuel cell.

Below : A schematic for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle

The hydrogen fuel cell engine does not use fuel oil at all. It uses hydrogen and oxygen both of which can be extracted from the air or through electrolysis of water (H2O). And here is the most interesting part - the hydrogen fuel cell has zero exhaust gases. The byproduct is water (H2O).

Ok I am keeping this really short. Here is Toyota :

Toyota Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

·        reduced cost of fuel cell cars significantly

·        several advances in hydrogen fuel cells make themcheaper

• company to sell a car in 2015 — years before its competitors.
• $50,000 and $100,000 - a big improvement over million-dollar vehicles
• Toyota will display concept car this month at the Tokyo Motor Show.

·        Toyota fuel-cell system smaller and uses less platinum

• fuel cell produces electricity, fed by a tank of hydrogen, platinum catalyst

·        water vapor comes out

·        hydrogen tank can be refilled like a conventional gas tank

• General Motors plan fuel-cell vehicles around 2020.                                         
• The key number is the US$50,000 - US$100,000 price tag. This is the game changer. Prior to this, hydrogen fuel cell prototypes cost anything from US$1.0 million and more. The savings that have been achieved by Toyota now has increased the efficiency by a factor of 10 to 20 times. US$50,000 is a very affordable number cost of making a hydrogen fuel cell-powered car has fallen dramatically.                               
• vehicle that cost $1 million now made for $50,000 goes on sale in U.S. in 2015.
• Toyota testing 100 fuel cell vehicles based on Highlander platform
• next generation will be shaped more like the Prius and will be for actual sale.

Now General Motors, Hyundai, Nissan and a host of other car makers have also announced their own hydrogen fuel cell vehicle programs. This is because if they do not innovate they will die.

Here is some history behind Toyota';s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

Four years ago in 2009, Toyota came to a cross roads of sorts after they had spent billions of US Dollars trying to develop the fuel cell vehicle. It has been a long process, hard work, billions of dollars and really capable research and development efforts. By 2009 Toyota had made major breakthroughs and they decided to press on with developing the fuel cell vehicle.

Here are some of Toyota';s major technology breakthroughs :

·       significantly decreased amount of platinum needed in fuel cells

·       comparable to what cars have in catalytic converters

·       reduced platinum by making catalyst more effective

·       developing precise equipment for applying catalyst to ensure none wasted

·       requires fewer fuel cells to be stacked together

·       improving design of fuel cell.

·       engineers modified membrane to allow protons to pass more freely

·       increases amount of power that each fuel cell can generate

So in 2009 Toyota shareholders made a decision to continue spending money to develop the hydrogen fuel cell car. Here is some Toyota news from 2009 :

·           Toyota Still Committed to Producing a Hydrogen Vehicle - 24/06/09

·           At shareholders'; meeting in Japan, executives stated commitment to bringing a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to market in the near future. 

·           revised their timeline, pushing production back a year to 2015.

·           awfully soon but maybe Toyota knows something we don';t

So it has taken them many years, perseverance, tons of money, great will power and technical capability to achieve this ground breaking technology. This is now history. Toyota is bringing out their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2014/2015. They are quite on track.

A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be more fuel efficient than a petrol driven car. A "litre" of hydrogen (or natural gas) should be a lot less cheaper than a litre of petrol. Plus it has 100% non exhaust gases (other than water). Since 40% of the world';s oil consumption goes into transportation (cars, ships, trains, planes) this hydrogen fuel cell technology will have a significant effect on oil consumption and automotive technology.

The stone age is coming to an end again - in the rest of the world.

By the way if hydrogen fuel cells take off (and they will) here is what is going to happen in the Middle East :

 Received above information through kind courtesy of Dewan Satish

Why Japan Progresses?

Read this useful and important Information about Japan 

1 - Did you know that Japanese children clean their schools every day for a quarter of an hour with teachers, which led to the emergence of a Japanese generation who is modest and keen on cleanliness.

2 - Did you know that any Japanese citizen who has a dog must carry bag and special bags to pick up dog droppings. Hygiene and their eagerness to address cleanliness is part of Japanese ethics.

3 - Did you know that hygiene worker in Japan is called "health engineer" and can command salary of USD 5000 to 8000 per month, and a cleaner is subjected to written and oral tests!!

4 - Did you know that Japan does not have any natural resources, and they are exposed to hundreds of earthquakes a year but do not prevent her from becoming the second largest economy in the world?

5 - Did you know that Hiroshima returned to what it was economically vibrant before the fall of the atomic bomb in just ten years?

6 - Did you know that Japan prevents the use of mobile in trains, restaurants and indoors.

7 - Did you know that in Japan students from the first to sixth primary year must learn ethics in dealing with people

8 - Did you know that the Japanese even though one of the richest people in the world but they do not have servants. The parents are responsible for the house and children

9 - Did you know that there is no examination from the first to the third primary level; because the goal of education is to instill concepts and character building, not just examination and indoctrination.

10 - Did you know that if you go to a buffet restaurant in Japan you will notice people only eat as much as they need without any waste. No wasteful food.

11 - Did you know that the rate of delayed trains in Japan is about 7 seconds per year!! They appreciate the value of time, very punctual to minutes and seconds.

12 -. Did you know that children in schools brush their teeth (sterile) and clean their teeth after a meal at school; They maintain their health from an early age.

13 - Did you know that students take half an hour to finish their meals to ensure right digestion When asked about this concern, they said: These students are the future of Japan.

When justice is tempered with mercy

An Indonesian judge by the name of Marzuki was sitting in judgment of an old lady who pleaded guilty of stealing some tapioca from a plantation. In her defense, she admitted to the judge that she was indeed guilty of the crime because she was poor and her son was sick while her grandchild was hungry.The plantation manager insisted that she be punished as a deterrent to others.

The judge going through the documents then looked up and said to the old lady, “I’m sorry but I cannot make any exception to the law and you must be punished.” The old lady was fined Rp. 1 million (USD 100) and if she could not pay the fine then she will be jailed for 2 and a half years as demanded by the law. She wept as she could not pay the fine. 

The judge then took off his hat and put in Rp. 1 million into the hat and said “In the name of justice, I fine all who are in the court Rp. 50 thousand (USD 5.50) as dwellers of this city for letting a child to starve until her grandmother has to steal to feed her grandchild. The registrar will now collect the fines from all present.” The court managed to collect Rp 3.5 million (USD 200) whereby once the fine was paid off, the rest was given to the old lady … including the fine collected from the plantation manager.

WILL WE EVER SEE SUCH JUSTICE BEING DELIVERED IN OUR  COURTS?

Not as long as I live!

Where On Earth can we find another Such Person?

Read About This Remarkable Person : and say Cheers!

Meet the “Poorest President” in the World – Uruguayan President José Mujica Drives a Volkswagen Beetle and Donates 90% of his Salary to Charity.

By Adeola Adeyemo

While our Nigerian leaders are being berated for refusing to declare their assets publicly and demanding astronomical pay rise to add to the already exorbitant allowances they receive, the President of Uruguay, José Mujica is getting world wide recognition and respect for donating 90 percent of his earnings to charitable causes.

He has earned what most people would call an enviable reputation as the “poorest,” or the “most generous,” president in the world. His nickname, “el presidente mas pobre” translates to “poorest president”.

The President said in a recent interview that the only big item he owns is his Volkswagen Beetle car, valued at $1,945 dollars (about Naira 308,283 or Rs 1,04,600 ) . He earns a salary of $12,500 a month (Naira 1,981,250 or Rs 6,72,238), but only keeps $1,250 (Naira 198,125 or Rs 67,223) for himself, donating the rest to charity.

He lives in a farmhouse which is under his wife’s name,  Lucía Topolansky, a Senator, who also donates part of her salary.

The 77 year-old who has been Uruguay’s president since March 1, 2010 told El Mundo, “I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less.”

It was also reported that under his stewardship, Uruguay has become known for low levels of corruption. The South American country ranks as the second least corrupt country in Latin America in Transparency International’s global corruption index.

Yahoo News reported that the President has no bank accounts,  no debts, and he enjoys the companionship of his dog, Manuela. When his term is over, the President hopes to rest even more peacefully in his farmhouse, along with his wife and his inseparable dog.

There is something about leading by example. When you do, it becomes easier for other people to follow.

Can we expect something similar from any Indian Politician or even any Indian? 

A Bold stand by the Australian Prime Minister-Julia Gillard

Australian Prime Minister does it again. 

Australia says NO – This is the Second Time she the Australian Prime Minister-Julia Gillard has done so!

She sure isn't backing down on her hard line stance and one has to appreciate her belief in the rights of her native countrymen. A breath of fresh air to see someone lead the country in the real and authentic manner.  Undoubtedly, the whole world needs a leader like her and also may like to learn a few lessons in leadership from her.

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia Law were told on Wednesday to get out of       Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. 

Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. 

Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. Unquote

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since, the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.' 

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.' 

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.' 

The most decorated Olympic athletes ever

Bikash Mohapatra presents the athletes who have most gold medals to their credit in the quadrennial sporting extravaganza.

Winning an Olympic medal is an achievement in itself, the ultimate honour so to speak. If the same is yellow in colour, an athlete's place is etched into history forever.

While it is a dream of every athlete to win an Olympic medal, there are few who make a habit of winning them.

The pursuit of the medals on the sport's biggest stage has motivated athletes to strive for the best, and as such better records in the process.

Follows, below a glimpse of the most-crowned athelets of the Games.

Click to enlarge

Michael Phelps (USA)

Michael Phelps competes in the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska

For the past eight years Michael Phelps has become synonymous with medals and records.

The American swimmer has won a total of 16 medals, 14 of them gold, in the last two Summer Olympics. While he won six gold and two bronze medals in the Athens Games in 2004, he collected eight gold medals in the pool four years later in Beijing -- the most by an athlete in a single Olympics.

The American thus holds the all-time record for most gold medals (14) at the Olympics.

With the 27-year-old scheduled to compete in seven events at the London Games expect an addition to the already enviable list. 

Larisa Latynina (Soviet Union)

Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina of the Ukraine in action during the women's compulsory exercises at the Tokyo Olympics

For starters, Larisa Latynina has more Olympic medals than any other athlete in the history of the sport.

The gymnast from the erstwhile Soviet Union won a total of 18 medals, half of them gold, in a glittering career spanning three Olympics – from Melbourne in 1956 to Tokyo on 1964.

Latynina won four of her nine gold medals in her maiden Olympics appearance in Melbourne, winning the all-round title, the team gold as well as finishing first in the floor exercise and vault. Four years later in Rome, she repeated the feat in all events save the vault.

However, in Tokyo she had to be content with two gold medals only, in floor exercise and the team event.

With Michael Phelps competing in a plethora of events in London, it is just a matter of days before Latynina's record for most medals is broken. 

Paavo Nurmi (Finland)

Paavo Nurmi of Finland during the VII Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium

He was the best long distance runner in the world in the 1920s.

And Paavo Nurmi has 12 Olympic medals to show for his effort. Nine of them are yellow in colour, none of them is bronze.

The Flying Finn, as he was named, competed in three Olympics -- Antwerp (1920), Paris (1924) and Amsterdam (1928). While his maiden appearance at the Belgian port city resulted in three gold medals -- in 10, 000 meters, the individual cross country and the team cross country, besides a silver in the 5,000 meters, it was in Paris four years later that Nurmi peaked.

In the French capital, the Finn won as many as five gold medals, defending his individual and team cross-country titles while also adding the 1,500 meters, 5, 000 meters and 3, 000 meters team golds to his already impressive medal tally.

At 31, he managed a solitary gold in Amsterdam -- in 10,000 meters besides picking silver medals in the 5, 000 meters and the 3,000 meters steeplechase.

The Finn remains the athlete with most gold medals in the track and field events.

Mark Spitz (USA)

Mark Spitz of the USA in action at the 1972 Olympics Games in Munich, Germany

What Paavo Nurmi is to athletics, Mark Spitz was to swimming till recently (his efforts have since been surpassed by Michael Phelps).

The American won an unprecedented seven gold medals at the Munich Games in 1972, the most by any athlete in a single Olympics till Beijing (when Phelps won eight).

Having won two freestyle relay golds in the 1968 Games in Mexico City, Spitz came to Germany four years later as one of the favourites.

He bolstered his reputation further by winning all the seven events he entered – the 100 and 200 meters freestyle, the 100 and 200 meters butterfly,  the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meters fresstyle relays and the 4 x 100 meters medley relay.

An icing on the cake was the fact that the American set a new world record in each of the seven disciplines. 

Carl Lewis (USA)

Carl Lewis of the USA in action during the Long Jump event of the World Championships at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo

One of the most decorated athletes of the modern times, Carl Lewis' resume includes nine Olympics gold medals and eight world championships medals of the same colour.

In a career spanning almost two decades, the American peaked with three gold medals in the inaugural world championships in Helsinki in 1983. A year later, at the Los Angeles Games, Lewis continued with his success story winning gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters, the long jump and the 4 x100 meters relay.

Four years later, he lost his 100 meters title to Ben Johnson. However, the Canadian was subsequently caught doping (and  banned) and Lewis was reinstated as the champion. Besides, he also won gold medals in the 4 x 100 meters and long jump events in Seoul.

Lewis would proceed to defend his long jump titles in both Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996), thereby etching his name firmly in the pantheon of athletics' legends. 

by the kind courtesy of Rediffmail.com

Will ever an Indian sports person come 

anywhere near these sports wonders?