Friday, April 01, 2011
Stocks that Warren Buffett would buy in India
Warren Buffett’s knack of spotting potential early is legendary. It has made him one of the most successful stock investors of all times. How does he manage to identify multibaggers? What is the secret mantra that he follows to pick winners? Actually, it’s no secret.
Buffett’s stock picking is based on a strict conservative philosophy that he has followed for decades. He prefers to invest in businesses, which manufacture products that people can’t or don’t want to live without, such as toothpastes, soaps, soft drinks, cars and computers. The companies that are given to speculation or hype are often disregarded.
Buffett’s primary concerns include a company’s financial stability, quality of management and simplicity of business. He also checks whether the company has the ability to pass on its costs to its customers. He believes that a company should be able to adjust its prices to inflation because it enables it to make profits in varying economic climates. There is another critical quality that Buffett looks for in a company, the enduring moat.
This is the USP of a company, the one quality that makes it almost impossible for its competitors to overtake it regardless of how much money they are willing to spend. Coca-Cola, whose stock is a long-time holding of Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway Investments , is a good example of the enduring moat. Coca-Cola is such a recognisable brand that it is difficult to imagine a new company being able to dislodge the market leader regardless of how much money it might be willing to spend on advertising and brand building.
The oracle of Omaha is now on the prowl in the Indian markets. Last week, he told reporters in Bangalore that he was “a retard to have come to India so late”. Even as he trawls the markets for winners, we decided to run the very filters that are used by the guru to find out which Indian companies can pass his muster. Let us look at the seven fundamental parameters Buffett uses to zero in on potential stocks in the US. We will then use the same to identify the Indian companies that are worth investing in.
STABILITY OF EARNINGS:
This can be checked by considering the earnings per share (EPS) for the past 10 years. EPS is derived from the residual profit left after payment of all expenses, taxes, depreciation, interest, preference dividends and belongs entirely to equity shareholders. A company should not have a negative EPS in the past 10 years. If the EPS is lower than that in the previous year, the dip should not be more than 45%.
DEBT TO EARNINGS RATIO:
The second variable is the level of long-term debt to earnings ratio. Buffett likes conservatively financed companies. He prefers the long-term debt of a company to have been paid off from its net earnings in less than five years. This implies that the long-term debt to earnings ratio should be less than or equal to five.
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE):
The third variable measures how much money a company earns on its equity. The ratio is generally expressed as a percentage. For a company to figure on Buffett’s radar, its 10-year average ROE should be greater than or equal to 15%.
Mumbai
Mumbai
The city of Mumbai formerly Bombay owes its name to the stone goddess Mumbadevi, worshipped by the Kolis, who incidentally are the original inhabitants of this city. Made up of a collection of seven islands, which include Colaba, Old Woman's Island, Bombay, Mazagaon, Worli, Parel and Mahim, Mumbai is the hub of the Indian financial and corporate sectors.
Also famous as "Bollywood", it has earned itself the reputation of being the "city where dreams come true". Many youngsters from all over India and also from abroad, flock to this thriving "Mecca of Stardom" with the hopes of becoming the next big movie star. Mumbai is the hub of movie related business.
Mumbai provides the corporate visitor as well as the holidaying tourist the right ambience and all the accompanying facilities, to make a visit they will always cherish.
Tourism destinations in Mumbai
Having a good time in Mumbai or Bombay is fairly easy simply because Mumbai has a lot to offer. There is also no major hindrance to finding your way around. English is commonly used and even an average man on the street can speak and understand it well enough to guide you. Some areas that are a must to experience include:
Marine Drive: Eulogized by Bollywood, Marine Drive caresses the seashore from Nariman Point to the foot of the Malabar Hill. Passing Chowpatty Beach, Marine Drive is also famous as the Queen's Necklace. One of the busiest roads in Mumbai, it is also one of the breeziest due to its proximity to the sea.
Chowpatty Beach: Come August/September, Chowpatty Beach comes alive as the devout Hindu population of Mumbai comes thronging to its sands to immerse their larger than life idols of Ganesha and incur his blessings. On every other ordinary evening Chowpatty is where the common man comes to eat and be entertained. A gastronomic paradise of bhelpuri, a savory snack made from puffed rice with loads of onions, coriander, a medley of spices topped with sweet and sour tamarind sauce, chuski ice balls dipped in syrup, pao bhaji buttered buns served with a spicy potato side dish or pungent chutney sandwiches. Chowpatty is an experience that should not be missed.
Hanging Gardens: Also known as the Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, they are built over 3 reservoirs, which store billions of gallons of water for cleaning before they are pumped to the thirsty city of Mumbai.
Colaba: The hub of tourist activity in Mumbai, Colaba is known for its street stalls, cafes and kitsch ambience. Colaba is also home to the most pocket friendly guesthouses and economy hotels.
Fort: The Fort area in Mumbai is choc-a-bloc with old Victorian, Gothic buildings. An important financial and commercial center this area is always full of activity. The BSE or the Bombay Stock Exchange on Dalal Street is also located in this area. Avoid the Fort between 9.00 - 10.00 a.m. and 6.30 - 8.00 p.m. when the office traffic is at its peak.
Crawford Market: With a 50 feet high sky lit awning, Crawford Market is the place to shop for a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and meat. It is famous for the frieze just above its main entry point that has been designed by Lockyard Kipling father of the famous author Rudyard Kipling. It depicts the rural Indian farmer amidst the wheat fields. The building is a blend of Flemish and Norman architecture. Named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of Bombay, the building, which was completed in 1869, was donated by Cowasji Jehangir to the city.
Gateway of India: The most famous landmark of Mumbai, built to commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary to India in 1911, the Gateway is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. Many short motorboat cruises start from the Gateway and you can enjoy the experience of Mumbai by the sea.
Kalbadevi: The Kalbadevi Bazaars are what a typical Indian marketplace look like. A maze of lanes and by lanes, Kalbadevi houses numerous bazaars within it. Some of these include Zaveri Bazaar famous for its jewelers, Dhabu Street for leather, Mangaldas Market for cloth and the infamous Chor Bazaar thieves market, where you can pick up anything from electronics to cutlery. Don't forget to visit Mutton Street famous for its antiques.. authentic or not is anyone's guess.
Prince of Wales Museum: Built to honor King George V's visit to India, the museum houses three main sections of Art, Archeology and Natural History. Culture buffs will enjoy a visit.
Haji Ali: A whitewashed fairytale mosque, Haji Ali is visited by people of all faiths. As the story goes Haji Ali is said to have been a successful local merchant who renounced material pleasures following a trip to Mecca. The site where he sat in meditation was made into a Mosque, which also contains his tomb. Situated at the far end of a causeway protruding into the Arabian Sea, Haji Ali can only be visited during low tide.
Essel World: Mumbai's famous amusement park Essel World is situated near Gorai beach and is accessible by ferry. Essel World offers you the typical amusement park attractions of roller coasters and water world, which is something tremendously enjoyable in Mumbai's high humidity. Essel World usually offers special rates during weekends and off seasons, so it would be a good idea to enquire about these before your visit.
Juhu Beach: Chowpatty's uptown cousin, Juhu beach is just like the former, bursting at the seams with people out to spend an evening by the sea. If you want to escape the chaos you can watch from the safety of the various coffee shops of the various 5 star hotels that dot this area like the Sun 'n' Sand Hotel and Holiday Inn.
Film City: Bollywood's center of activity, Film City is located on the outskirts of the National Park. Usually visitors are not permitted but if you can pull some strings you may get to see a movie being made.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: Known earlier by its very British nomenclature of VT or Victoria Terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus as it is now known, was based on a design by FW Stevens. Completed in 1888, it was known as Victoria Terminus after the then Queen Empress. Located in Bori Bunder, the Terminus has been declared an urban heritage site and is a protected structure. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is the starting point of the Central Railways.
Facts and Figures
* Bombay was renamed Mumbai in 1996.
* The total area of the city is 440 sq. km or 170 sq. miles.
* The population is 18 million, projected to reach 28.5 million by 2020.
* Mumbai is the capital of the state of Maharashtra.
* Marathi, Hindi and English are the main languages.
* Telephone code is 022
* Time zone - GMT/UTC plus 5.5 hours
* Climate - Summer 200 C - 390 C, Winter 120 C - 340 C. Mumbai has a truly tropical climate and temperatures remain fairly uniform throughout the year. You never need to pack woolens for Mumbai, not even in December. Mumbai is drowned every year under torrential Indian Ocean monsoon rains between June and September, usually beginning by 7th June every year.
Best time to visit Mumbai
While planning a trip to Mumbai avoid the monsoon months of June through September, when Mumbai becomes one big, overflowing pothole.
Plan your trip between October and April when the air is pleasant and there is relatively less humidity.
If you can manage to visit Mumbai in August/September you could participate in the celebrations during Ganesh Chaturthi, which is one of the biggest festivals in Mumbai.
Celebrated to honour the elephant headed god - Ganesha, who is considered a very benign god in hindu mythology, this festival is the event to witness.
Huge processions chanting "Ganapati Bappa Moriya" carry massive idols of the divine figure to the beaches where they are submerged in the sea. This is a truly Indian cultural spectacle, which one should not miss.
How to reach Mumbai
Mumbai Bombay is a very well connected city, be it by air, road or rail.
By Air: Mumbai has more flights connecting it than even the national capital New Delhi. All major airlines fly to and from Mumbai to most of the important cities of the world. The international terminal of Mumbai is known as Sahar and the domestic terminal is known as Santa Cruz. The Sahar terminal is 30 km from downtown Mumbai and Santa Cruz is at a distance of 25kms. Besides taxis, there are regular shuttle services plying between the two terminals.
By Bus: If you would like to travel by bus within India, most long distance buses leave from the State Transport Terminal located opposite Mumbai's Central Railway Station. However, this is not a good option if you do not speak Hindi or Marathi as no printed information is available in English. However most of the neighbouring states like Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have their state bus company offices located here.
By Rail: Central Railways runs services to the east and north, the Western Railways also runs trains to North India from Churchgate and Central stations. Some of the important connections by rail and their respective distances are:
Mumbai - Agra 1345 km
Mumbai - Delhi 1385 km
Mumbai - Calcutta 1960 km
Mumbai - Chennai 1280 km
Mumbai - Ahmedabad 490 km
Mumbai - Aurangabad 375 km
Mumbai - Bangalore 1210 km
Mumbai - Kochi 1840 km
Mumbai - Pune 190 km
Mumbai - Varanasi 1510 km
Delhi
Delhi
Ever since the capital was shifted in 1911 from Calcutta, New Delhi has been the center of all the important political activities. The city that was built by the British in early 20th century has today turned into a fast growing modern city. It is full of opportunities for the youth and the new cities at Noida and Gurgaon are full of IT professionals form all over the country.
From the tourism point of view, New Delhi benefits a lot from its history. The city was built to the south of the old city built by Shahjahan. Before the Mughuls came on the scene, Delhi was the headquarters of many dynasties that have ruled India or major parts of it. Tughlaqabad, Old Fort built by Humayun, the monuments at Mehrauli, and of course, the Red Fort are among the best known tourist attractions of New Delhi. Later additions by the British like the Viceroy’s House ( Rashtrapati Bhavan ), the parliament House, and Connaught Place are also among the highlights of the Delhi India Travel.
The city holds tremendous importance for the country, being the national capital. All the major ministries and the secretariats are located here as are the head offices of major government organizations. New Delhi is synonymous to the governance of modern India, much as Old Delhi was the center of political activities in medieval India.
Tourism in New Delhi comprises all the major historical places and monuments that are the relics of the past dynasties. These include the famous monuments like Red Fort and Qutb Minar, and a large number of forts, palaces and tombs built by the erstwhile rulers. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rajpath, India gate, Connaught Place, and the parliament House are some of the modern buildings which should be visited by tourists during New Delhi tours. In addition to the above mentioned spots, New Delhi is also home to a large number of religious places. The most prominent among these are the Jumma Masjid, the Akshardham temple, and the Lotus temple. New Delhi has been the residence of many prominent figures of Indian politics including the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and his equally famous descendants. The residence of Jawaharlal Nehru is also a major tourist attraction of New Delhi. The memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, known as the father of the nation, at Rajghat, and the memorials of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, both of whom were assassinated, are also some notable sites.
New Delhi is a vibrant city and there is plenty to look forward to for tourists. The bustling bazaars which haven’t changed much from the time of the famous chandni chowk, and the contrasting shopping malls with all their modern glitz are also an integral part of tourism in New Delhi. The nightlife of the city is also fast catching up with that in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai. Tourists can look forward to a wide range of hotels, restaurants, pubs and discos in the city.
Tourist Attractions of New Delhi
There are several places to see, visit, and explore in New Delhi. New Delhi is an international metropolis with excellent tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a history that goes back to antiquity. A remarkable feature of New Delhi is the extent of greenery all over. New Delhi is also a dream city for visitors looking for items of handicrafts, not only the rich artistic crafts of its own craftsmen but also of craftsmen from all over the country. New Delhi offers a multitude of interesting places and attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes difficult to decide from where to begin exploring the city.
India Gate
A memorial inscribed with the names of the valiant Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I. The green, velvety lawns at India Gate, particularly, are a popular evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike. A must visit place in New Delhi.
Red Fort
In Old Delhi, you may visit the ramparts of the Red Fort. The decision for constructing the fort was taken in 1639, when Shahjahan decided to shift his capital to New Delhi from Agra. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed with the Red Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel)-New Delhi's seventh fort, ready in all its magnificence to receive the Emperor. The Red Fort still retains some of its lost glory. The Red Fort was the last fort built in New Delhi and it witnessed the vicissitudes of fortune, the splendour and the fall of the Mughals, British rule, and finally the dawn of Indian Independence. A place must see by all tourists visiting Delhi.
Rashtrapati Bhawan
Modern New Delhi, or New Delhi as it is called, centers around the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is architecturally a very impressive building standing at a height, flowing down as it were to India Gate. This stretch called the Rajpath is where the Republic Day parade is held. The imposing plan of this area conceived by Lutyens does not fade in its charm with the numerous summers or winters that go past.
For lovers of flowers and beauty, the annual spring opening of the glorious, meticulously tended Mughal Gardens at the stately Rashtrapati Bhawan is a bonanza topped by an amazing assembly of roses in perfect bloom-perhaps the best in the whole of India. Mughal Gardens is indeed a place to see.
Raj Ghat
Raj Ghat On the bank of the legendary Yamuna, which flows past New Delhi, there is Raj Ghat-the last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. It has become an essential point of call for all visiting dignitaries. Besides Raj Ghat the other near by places must see in New Delhi are the two museums dedicated to Gandhi.
Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar is located at a small village called Mehrauli in South New Delhi. Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of New Delhi in 1206, built it. It is a fluted red sandstone tower, which tapers up to a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Qur'an. The landmark of New Delhi is a place to see.
Laxminarayan Temple
Also called the Birla Mandir, the Laxminarayan Temple was built by the Birla family in 1938. It is a temple with a large garden and fountains behind it. The temple attracts thousands of devotees on Janmashtami day, the birthday of Lord Krishna. The temple is a place to visit by most of the tourist coming to New Delhi.
Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's wife Haji Begum built his Tomb nine years after his death. Designed by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, and completed in 1565, the edifice was a trendsetter of the time by remains a must visit place in New Delhi till date.
Parliament House
Parliament House accommodates the two Houses of Parliament, Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, the architects of New Delhi, designed this building. His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught, laid the foundation stone of Parliament House in the year 1921. It took six years to complete the Delhi Parliament House and its was inaugurated in the year 1927 by the then Governor-General of India, Lord Irwin. A circular building, it also houses ministerial offices, a number of committee rooms and a brilliant library.
The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha meetings are held in the domed circular central hall and the three semi-circular buildings. Sansad Bhavan of New is adorned with an open verandah with 144 columns and a 28 m central dome. Made up of blocks of sandstone, it has a diameter of approximately 174 m. Enclosing the Parliament House Estate is an attractive red sandstone wall or iron grill with iron gates. It is necessary to take prior permission before visiting the Parliament House of Delhi. Indians need to get permission by applying at the Parliament Secretariat and foreigners through their Embassies or High Commissions.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is very popular among tourists and the people of Delhi. The structure is another great masterpiece of Indian architecture which shows the scientific acumen of ancient India. Jantar Manter is situated at Parliament Street, very close to Connaught Place. Jantar Mantar is also called Delhi Observatory. It is maintained by the Jaipur government because it was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1710 A.D.
It is a remarkable structure which consists of fourteen geometric devices used for measuring time, forecasting weather changes, predicting behaviour of planets and finding extraterrestrial altitude. All these devices are fixed structures and point to a specific direction. The largest device or instrument is the Samrat Jantar which is 90 feet high and its shadow is plotted in such a manner so that is shows the exact time of the day. Any weather change or the onset of monsoons can be ascertained by the Hindu Chhatri, which is a small domed structure.
The whole structure is made of stone and marble with each of then having an engraved astronomical scale. Jantar Mantar finally got the status of a national monument in 1948. It has always attracted architects, historians and scientists from all over the world.
Maharaja Jai Singh was a fanatical astronomer himself who studied various works from Hindu, Muslim and European astronomy. He had the perception that the tables used by the pundits were deceptive and the actual planetary changes and predictions of eclipses would not have been possible through these measuring parameters. So he thought that he would find an improved and efficient means through which exact prediction could be made. It was his own inspiration and foresightedness that gave shape to such an instrument. He built other observatories at Jaipur, Ujjain, Benares and Mathura to have an exact calculation. It took almost seven years before the whole structure was fully operational because he wanted to be fully satisfied with the accuracy of the instruments at Jantar Mantar.
Some of the major instruments at Jantar Mantar are:
* The Samrat Yantra 'Prince of Dials' (the largest device)
* The Ram Yantra - two circular buildings
* The Jai Prakash
* The Misra Yantra (north-west to the Samrat Yantra)
* Pillars on the southwest of Mishra Yantra used to measure the shortest and longest days of the year.
The Samrat Yantra measured the accurate time of the day. It also measured the declination of the sun which can be seen by the shadow moving around the structure.
The Jai Prakash shows the sun's position at the time of equinox. There is a hole near the bottom of the structure which witnesses sunshine only once in a year that is on 21 march, called vernal eqinox.
Another important structure called the Ram Yantra, consists of two large buildings with open top. Both these two buildings form a complete device. The device is used to measure the altitude of stars which is equivalent to the latitude and the longitude on the earth.
To the north-west of the Prakash Yantra, there is a structure or instrument called Mishra Yantra. It consists of five instruments. Pillars on the southwest of Mishra Yantra are used to measure the shortest day (21 December) and the longest day (21 June) of the year.
It is no denying the fact that the structure does represent the scientific heritage of India, though not being used in the modern scientific research. Having said that, we must give accreditation to the Jantar Mantar for its scientific acumen which could have reaped more fruits had there been appropriate motivation and resource given for research and development.
Chandni Chowk
The living legacy of New Delhi is Shahjahanabad. Created by the builder of Taj Mahal, this city, with the Red Fort as the focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying centre, has a fascinating market planned to shine under the light of the moon, called Chandni Chowk. Shahjahan planned Chandni Chowk so that his daughter could shop for all that she wanted. It was divided by canals filled with water, which glistened like silver in moonlight. The canals are now closed, but Chandni Chowk remains Asia's largest wholesale market. A must visit place in New Delhi
Shanti Vana
Lying close to the Raj Ghat, the Shanti Vana (literally, the forest of peace) is the place where India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was cremated. The area is now a beautiful park adorned by trees planted by visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
Bahai Temple/Lotus Temple
The Bahai Temple, situated in South New Delhi, is shaped like a lotus. It is an eye-catching edifice worth exploring. Built by the Baha'i community, it offers the visitor a serenity that pervades the temple and its artistic design.
Purana Quila
The Purana Quila is a good example of medieval military architecture. Built by Humayun, with later-day modifications by Sher Shah Suri, the Purana Quila is a monument of bold design, which is strong, straightforward and every inch a fortress. It is different from the well planned, carefully decorated, and palatial forts of the later Mughal rulers. Purana Quila is also different from the later forts of the Mughals, as it does not have a complex of palaces, administrative and recreational buildings, as is generally found in the forts built later on. The main purpose of this now-dilapidated fort was its utility, with less emphasis on decoration. The Qal'a-I-Kunha Masjid and the Sher Mandal are two important monuments inside the fort.
Weekend Trips/Excursions
Many wildlife sanctuaries, heritage sites, hill stations, and quaint little places to visit and see around New Delhi. Haryana, which encloses New Delhi on three sides, is ideal for quick getaways as most of its tourist spots are quite close. The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and Tilayar, Surajkund, and Badhkal lakes are only a few of the plethora of attractions that Haryana has to offer. Move over to the nearby places of Rajasthan like Neemrana and Kesroli and you are sure to have a wonderful time amidst nature-if only for a weekend. Escape to the Mud Fort at Kuchesar in Uttar Pradesh and let the cool air and scenic beauty revive your spirit.
Neemrana
Situated 122 km from New Delhi, on a rocky outcrop just above an unspoilt village, lays Neemrana, the site of a majestic fort built in 1464 by Prithviraj Chauhan III. The Neemrana Fort, now heritage resort.
Kesroli
A three-hour drive from New Delhi, Kesroli in Rajasthan is the site of a seven-turreted fort built in the 16th century. The splendid views of the surroundings from the fort's ramparts make it a place to visit.
Mud Fort
Barely 80 km from the din and bustle of New Delhi stands the Mud Fort of Kuchesar, which was built in the mid-18th century by the Jat rulers. The fort has bravely withstood the onslaught of the Marathas, Sikhs, Rohillas, and Rajputs, as well as the French and East India Company. The fort was built with seven turrets so as to withstand the cannons of the British.
Sultanpur
Located 46 km from New Delhi, just beyond Gurgaon, Sultanpur is a small bird sanctuary. The jheel (shallow lake) with reeds and other waterside plants growing around it becomes a hub of activity in November-December every year when northern migratory birds arrive here. The jheel is home to the only indigenous Indian crane, sarus. It is a place worth visiting from Delhi.
Tilyar Lake
Situated 70 km from New Delhi in Rohtak district, the Tilayar Lake is a favorite getaway for tourists. The lake offers facilities for boating, accommodation, restaurants, bar, children's park and a mini zoo.
Surajkund
Situated 11 km from the Qutab Minar on the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Surajkund is the site of a perennial lake surrounded by rock-cut steps. The Sun temple built by a Tomar chieftain named Surajpal stood here during AD 1000, the remains of which can still be seen. It was around this temple and pool that a tourist resort came up in Surajkund. It is a must visit place during the annual Surajkund Crafts Mela held during the first fortnight of February when craftsmen from all over the country assemble.
Badhkal Lake
Situated in the Faridabad district of Haryana, the panoramic Badhkal Lake is a natural pool surrounded by vast lawns and lush greenery. Just over 30 km from New Delhi, the lake is a popular picnic spot. It also offers boating facilities to tourists.
Events And Festivals
Different communities who have settled in New Delhi celebrate their own festivals with great gusto and add color and variety to the cultural fabric of the mega polis. One cannot imagine New Delhi without Durga Puja in Chittaranjan Park or Muharram, Id-ul-Zuha and Id-Ul-Fitr in Old Delhi.
As the capital of India, New Delhi is center stage for many national celebrations, the two most prominent ones being Republic Day on January 26, and Independence Day on August 15. Preparations for these two occasions begin months in advance, especially for Republic Day, which is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry.
Independence Day is celebrated in New Delhi in commemoration of the day India threw off the colonial yoke. The highlights of this occasion are the Prime Minister's address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, flag hoisting in educational institutions, public sector enterprises, army cantonments, and private homes.
New Delhi also boasts of festivals unique to it-Phoolwalon-ki-Sair (procession of flower-sellers) is one such celebration. In August, flower vendors from different religions gather at Mehrauli with flowers woven into beautiful sheets called pankhas or fans which are offered at the shrine of Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki, a famous Muslim saint and at a nearby temple. This is a centuries old tradition practiced in the hope of bountiful harvest of flowers in the coming season and is aimed at promoting communal harmony.
The Urs of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia is another festival special to New Delhi. His tomb in Nizammuddin is crowded with devotees from all over India and special poems composed in his honor are sung. The streets in the area are transformed into one giant fair with stalls selling special foods, religious artifacts, holy books, and clothes.
How to reach Delhi
Delhi is well connected by air, rail and road, making it easy for the overseas traveller to reach Delhi.
By Air:Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is connected to all the important cities of the world with almost all the major international airlines operating out of here. Palam Domestic Airport connects Delhi to the major cities in India. Some of the domestic airlines operating regular flights to and from Delhi are
- Alliance Air
- Air Deccan
- Kingfisher
- Jet Airways
- GoAir
- SpiceJet
- Indigo
By Rail: The Indian Railway with their modern and organized network connects Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India. The city has three major railway stations at New Delhi, Old Delhi, and Nizamuddin. Luxury trains like the Palace-on-Wheels, Fairy Queen, and Royal Orient Express can be taken from New Delhi Cantonment railway station. Rajdhani Express trains connect New Delhi from the state capitals. Shatabdi Express trains connect New Delhi to the neighboring cities.
By Road: Delhi is well connected to all the major cities of India by a network of highways and roads. Buses can be taken from the three Inter State Bus Terminuses (ISBT), at Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar, as well as many starting points in and around the city, from which various state-managed and privately run transport facilities like airconditioned, deluxe and ordinary coaches operate.
How to travel in Delhi: For travel in Delhi there are buses, the Metro train, auto-rickshaws and cycle- rickshaws. Tourist taxis ply interstate while the yellow and black taxis can be used to commute anywhere within the city Delhi and are safe but relatively expensive. Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses go anywhere in the city and are the cheapest mode of transport. Auto rickshaws are another option, but it is always important to bargain for a reasonable fare. Luxurious special tourist buses are also available with packaged tours to all the tourist attractions in Delhi. The recently introduced Delhi Metro railway line is a convenient and efficient mode of transport connecting all major places within the city Delhi.
Kollam
Kollam
Kollam is located at a distance of around 70 kilometers from the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum. A very important port in Kerala, Kollam is known to be a renowned center of international spice trade. The famous Ashtamudi Lake occupies almost 30% of the total area of this town and is famous for its beautiful backwaters. Known as the gateway of the backwaters of Kerala, your travel to Kollam is incomplete if you miss a houseboat ride on the backwaters. It is one experience that must not be missed, come what may. So read on our related sections and know more about Kollam tourism.
The place is historically significant and has many ruins of palaces and forts that are worth visiting. The scenic beaches of Kollam are a treat to those tired eyes and mind. But what truly makes this destination a paradise is the 900-kilometer stretch of the meandering backwaters of the Ashtamudi Lake. The place is known for its cashew industry and is an important center of trade. Though industrialized, the place hasn't lost its natural beauty and is a visual treat for anyone seeking a peaceful vacation. So come to Kollam and see for yourself the best of God's own country.
Kollam
Location: Southern Kerala, India
Climate: Tropical, Max Mean Temp: 36º C, Min Mean Temp: 22º C
STD Code: 0474
Must See: Ashtamudi Lake, Ochira, Backwaters
Languages Spoken: Malayalam, English
How to Reach: Well connected to other cities of Kerala by air, road and rail/train.
Best Time to Visit Kollam: August to March
Kollam Tourist Attractions
Kollam is a beautiful place and has many places that are worth visiting. The list of tourist attractions in Kollam is unending and you will never be left pondering with the question of what to see in Kollam. We have a compiled a list of popular tourist attractions in this section of "Kollam tours". So read on further and know more about Kollam sight seeing tours.
Kollam Backwaters: Kollam is famous for its beautiful backwaters and a boat ride through the meandering lagoons and rivers is sure to be a mind-blowing experience.
Beaches in Kollam: Thirumullavaram beach resort is the famous beach resort in Kollam. It situates 5kms west from Kollam. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Mahatma Gandhi Beach & Park and Kochupilamoodu, Paravur beach are the other important beaches. Mahatma Gandhi beach lies just 2kms from the town. It is a fascinating place for an evening. Paravur situates 13 kms south of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by road and rail.
Kollam Town: Kollam Town is the head quarters of Kollam district and Kollam taluk, has a hoary past. It was an international emporium of trade and even now it is a prosperous commercial centre. It is situated about 71 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport. The town edges with the famous Ashtamudi Lake. It is said that the present town of Kollam was built by the Syrian merchant ,Sapir Iso in the 9th century A.D. Kollam is also the head quarters of Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.
Ashramam Picnic Village: Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48acre Guest House complex. The children's traffic and entertainment park, designed by NATPAC is also located in this village. It is the largest traffic park in Kerala. The adventure park located in the village along the shores of the Ashtamudi back waters , is a novel experiment in the country. Different types of boats, including luxury cruise boats, power boats and motor boats are available on hire from the boat jetty near to the adventure Park. A budget hotel for tourists, Yathrinivas, run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, is also located in this village. The Govt. Guest House here is 200 years old . It stands alone Ashtamudi Lake and is a major attraction for its elegance and architectural beauty. Tourists can stay here at economical rates. The village is just 2kms away from the town.
Sasthamcottah: Sasthamcottah is an attractive village situated about 19kms from Kollam town. It is a beauty spot , a health resort and a centre of pilgrimage. The extensive fresh water lake here is said to be the biggest of its kin d in Kerala. Water supply to the Kollam town is met by purifying the water from this lake. Sasthamkottah lake is called the queen of lakes.
Thangassery: Thangassery is a place of historical importance a situated 5kms away from the Kollam town. The churches here are pretty old, having been established in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is light house, built in 1902. The 144ft high light house stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery.
View from Thangassery light house Kollam
Thazhava: Thazhava in Oachria block is an important centre of screw-pine mat industry. An image of the Buddha, discovered from the tank known as Pallikkulam near Maruthookulangara is one of the interesting archaeological relics.
Thenmala: Thenmala is the meeting point of Kollam- Shencottah road and Thiruvananthapuram-Shencottah road, surrounded by dense forests, 66kms east of Kollam. There are a large number of rubber and tea plantations in Thenmala. Thenmala dam site is open for tourists.
Jatayu Para: Jatayu Para, a huge rock is another attraction in Kollam district. This huge rock is in the Chadayamangalam village on the M.C. Road. The name comes from the epic , Ramayana. It is believed that Jatayu, the giant bird in the epic fell here after falling in its attempt to stop Ravana from taking Sita away. The rock is ideal for trekking by the lovers of adventure.
Courtalam Waterfalls: Though the famous waterfall at Courtalam is situated in Tamil Nadu, it shares the boundary of Kollam also. Season to visit the place is from June to January.
The District Tourism Promotion Council offers tourists information and assistance. The office of the council is situated at Ashramam Government Guest House complex. There are tourist information centre at the Railway station, Kollam and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation central bus station, Kollam.
Places Around Kollam
Krishnapuram Palace Museum: The Krishnapuram Palace is fully restored in March 1999, is a fine example of Keralan Architecture. The palace is well worth a visit . The palace is open 10am to 5pm every day except Monday.
Alumkadavu: Just near the Krishnapuram palace , Alumkadavu has long been a boat building centre. The traditional kettuvalams are still constructed here- no longer for rice transportation, but as luxury houseboats for tourists.
Mannarsala: 15 kms north of Krishnapuram Palace, and 32 km before Alappuzha, Mannarsala , on National Highway 47, is the site of the Nagaraja (serpent king) Temple, and the most significant site for snake worship in Kerala. According to the Mahabharatha, snakes fled from the fire started by Arjuna in the Khandava forest (believed to be an area near Alappuzha). They prayed for protection and the area around Mannarsala cooled down providing them a refuge.
Local legend relates that subsequently a Namboodiri woman developed sacred groves for the snakes and dedicated the land to the snake dieties , Nagaraja and Sarpayakshi. Today the tradition continues and the oldest female member (known as valiama) of the illam (women's section of the Namboodiri house hold), has the role of priestess and conducts rituals at the temple. On accepting the role she relinquishes her earthly marital status and assumes a spiritual one- that of wife of the serpent king deity. She lives alone in premises within the temple complex.
The temple is in typical Keralan architectural style, with the larger central shrine surrounded by many smaller ones . Infinite number of cobra idols encompass the complex, it's said that many of their earthly cousins are there as well. The two main idols are those of the serpent king and queen.
The annual festival is in the month of Thulam (October/ November). At this time the main idols are taken in procession by the priestess and offerings of milk, turmeric and rice are made.
As with Keralan temples generally, this is a peaceful place, apart from vedis (Explosive devotional sounds). Visitors who respect the rituals and the serenity of the temple are welcome. Men must remove their shirts, women must wear saris or similar clothing.
Kollam Weather
Kollam is a beautiful place of Kerala and an ideal place to visit anytime of the year. In Kollam, weather and climate is pleasant throughout the year and the vast green expanse keeps the heat in control. With pleasant weather throughout the year, this beautiful place can be visited anytime without any hassles. Read on further to know about Kollam weather forecast.
The place experiences pleasant summers and extremes in temperature are practically unheard of. The average temperature is around 25° Celsius to 32° Celsius. Summers usually begin from March and extend till May. The monsoons begin by June and end by September, cooling down the temperature. The place receives an annual average rainfall of 200 cms. The place experiences winters from December to February and temperature ranges from 18° Celsius to 25° Celsius.
How to Reach Kollam
How to Reach KollamTraveling to Kollam is quite simple and the place is well accessible from anywhere in Kerala and India. Though the place does not have its own airport, it can be easily reached from any of the three airports in Kerala.
How to Reach Kollam By Air: Located at a distance of 70 kilometers is the Trivandrum airport, which is the nearest airport from where Kollam can be reached.
How to Reach Kollam By Rail: Kollam is an important railway station and is connected to the rest of Kerala and India through a wide network of railways.
How to Reach Kollam By Road: Kollam is also connected through a well laid out network of roads making it accessible from anywhere in Kerala.
How to Reach KollamTraveling to Kollam is quite simple and the place is well accessible from anywhere in Kerala and India. Though the place does not have its own airport, it can be easily reached from any of the three airports in Kerala.
How to Reach Kollam By Air: Located at a distance of 70 kilometers is the Trivandrum airport, which is the nearest airport from where Kollam can be reached.
How to Reach Kollam By Rail: Kollam is an important railway station and is connected to the rest of Kerala and India through a wide network of railways.
How to Reach Kollam By Road: Kollam is also connected through a well laid out network of roads making it accessible from anywhere in Kerala.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Bill Gates speech: 11 rules your kids did not and will not learn in school
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it! Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Reduce your caffeine intake
Missing that morning cuppa is worse than coming face to face with the most sordid superstition for many. Well, blame that on caffeine, the same element that helps us out of our stupor. Now we aren't saying you call it quits, and rely on a cold water shower!
Especially since, it's a metabolic enhancer too, "Something we've only become recently aware of," informs dietician Pooja Makhija.
Just keeping a tab on the caffeine intake is good enough and easy too, to ensure you just enjoy your brew and not become enslaved by it.
Deciphering caffeine cravings
"When a person gets up, they feel lethargic. That's because the sugar levels are low, as the last meal was almost eight to ten hours back. For that instant boost, we have been taking in caffeine since ages," explains Makhija.
Why you need to cut it down?
We heard it a zillion times before — an excess of anything is bad. Well, it holds true even in context of caffeine. According to dietician Dr Anar Shah too much caffeine often causes gastric problems, acidity, sleep disorders and is a big factor in catalysing the ageing process. Further, "Caffeine also reduces the capacity of the body to absorb Vitamin E, which often results in the darkening of the skin," she says.
How much is too much?
Anything below 300 milligrams is considered safe for adults. So in case your intake is higher than those, then you need to get into action. Also apart from tea, coffee, cold drinks, energy drinks, chocolate in its various forms also contains small amounts of caffeine, so it's best to keep some margin.
Start by reducing the amount of the caffeinated drink slowly. Initially may feel sleepy or lethargic, but this will go within some days. Dietician and sports nutritionist, Deepshikha Agarwal says, "Having three cups a day is the upper limit." She suggests you slowly try to switch to healthier versions of tea. "A variety of herbal tea is available. You could try green tea, lemon tea, ginger tea or even tulsi tea. In fact green tea is an excellent antioxidant and increases your body metabolic rate."
Teens especially should opt for 'caffeine-free' drinks. Look for these words or the word 'decaffeinated'.
DON"T BE IN TENSION
You bring peace and serenity into my life.
Joy to my entire existence. Joy is the light
That fills my heart with hope of the future,
Faith that we will be together forever. It’s
Our love that makes each day special.
Joy is much more than happiness. Joy is like
Sunshine that fills you with a warm, wonderful
Feeling that radiates to everyone around you.
It lights your way through life and fills your
Heart with so much love, it overflows to everyone
Around you.
Joy is being loved by you.
Joy is being kissed and being held in your arms.
Joy is spending my life with you and bringing Joy into your life. .
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