Phir Dil do Hockey ko

INDIA AND WORLD CUP HOCKEY

Pools for the 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup to be held at New Delhi,India were announced by the FIH on December 15,2009.
Here are the teams in two pools :



The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has released the match schedule for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010, to be played in New Delhi, India from 28 February-13 March 2010 on December 29,2009.

Play off
11th\12th Position
11 March 2010
15:35
POOL A 6th v POOL B 6th

Dhyan Chand National Stadium
9th\10th Position
12 March 2010
15:35
POOL A 5th v POOL B 5th

Bangalore stadium
7th\8th Position
12 March 2010
18:05
POOL A 4th v POOL B 4th

5th\6th Position
12 March 2010
20:35
POOL A 3rd v POOL B 3rd

Knockout Stage
Semi-finals
11 March 2010
18:05
Winners of Pool A
V Runner Up of Pool B
Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi


________________________________________
11 March 2010
20:35
Winners of Pool B
V Runner Up of Pool A
Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi


Third place play-off
13 March 2010
16.05
Losers Semi-final 1
V Losers Semi-final 2
Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi


Final
13 March 2010
20.35
Winner Semi-final 1
V Winners Semi-final 2
Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi

SUNABEAD

Valentine's Day

Every February, across the world, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

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Atithi Devo Bhavah

Atithi Devo Bhavah

Why Atithi Devo Bhavah?

Last year we had 3.3 million visitors, but when you consider that Singapore gets 7 million a year. Thailand 9.6 million a year. Malaysia 11.5 million.

There is no reason why we can’t aim to increase our numbers by 100%. And that too would be just a beginning. However to do this we need to change our attitude towards those who visit us. Often tourists are Mistreated, Cheated and rudely dealt with.

It’s simple logic, if someone in a house is rude to you, as a guest, you don’t encourage your friends and relations to go there.

This is perhaps the reason why in spite of an incredible wealth of Tourist spots, Cultural Attractions, Natural Wonders and Destinations for the soul, India still isn’t amongst the top 15 tourist destinations Of the world. The time has definitely come to get together to change this.

To change our attitude.

We’ve lost touch with the hospitality we were famous for. Now it’s a time that we make an effort to make it a part of us again.

Inspiration behind Atithi Devo Bhavah ?

Respect has always been an integral part of the Indian soul. From time immemorial we have always respected - Our teachers, our elders, our parents And our guests

Perhaps this is why a great Indian Emperor once observed

'In Hindustan our manner is very respectful and our hearts are always open'

In many ways, at that time India was the ultimate destination for the enlightened travelers. Now, thousands of years later, we can bring that golden age back again.

This inspired us to go back to those years, when Indian hospitality set the standard for the world

And we found the keystone of what we want to do

Or guest is blessed.

Our visitor is God.

That how we arrive at our mission called

'Atithi Devo Bhavah'

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UTKALAMANI PUNDIT GOPABANDHU DAS

.Pundit Gopabandhu Das took birth in a noble Brahmin family in a village called Suando situated on the banks of river Bhargabhi in the district of Puri. After completing his education from the village school he passed his "Entrance" from the District School of Puri" in the year 1899. He passed his B.A from Revenshaw College in 1904 and later passed B.L. from Calcutta University in 1906.

........................He first worked as a teacher for sometime in Nilagiri and later practiced law as a lawyer in Puri and Cuttack. He worked as government lawyer for some time in Mayurbhanj court. Law profession did not interest him much, so he gave up his practice and worked for the welfare of the people. His strong belief was that education was the only that could improve and develop the society. So he established a school in 12 August 1909 beginning with only 19 students in a place called Satyabadi. This industry of Gopabandhu Das brought development to the education and society of Orissa. This school turned to be a high school in 1910. In 1914 this school was affiliated with Calcutta University and for the first time in the same year appearing for the matriculation exam was allowed. This school got affiliation from Patna University in the year 1917. In 1921 this school was changed to National School. Many eminent educators were appreciating this school. This school was broken in year 1927. After few years it was again started and is still continues to be neglected. This school was being compared to that with Ujjain and Nalanda. In 1977 on the occasion of Gopabandhus birth centenary a college was established here. But there have been no signs of development of this college since then. In 1902 Gopabandhu, Harihar, Nilakantha and Ananta Mishra pledged to sacrifice their life for the country at the banks of river Bhargabi. They were supported and joined by Godabarish Mishra, Krupasindhu and others. They were involved in making of human beings. They had promised that after completing their education they would not go for any kind of job rather they would sacrifice their life contributing for the development and welfare of the society and country. They were all involved in teaching at the Satyabadi School. Gopabandhu was member of Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) of Bihar and Orissa from 1917 to 1921. As an administrator he took demanded for initiative steps to be taken for eradication of poverty from Orissa, providing relief to the flood hit areas, spreading of education and uniting the Oriyas residing at various places. ........................He was inspired by the struggle for independence started by Mahatma Gandhi. Gopabandhu was already implementing all the steps that were given by Gandhi. Gandhi appreciated this. He took part in the congress meeting held at Lucknow in 1916 and at Calcutta in 1920. He also formed Oriya Labour organisation at Calcutta. He was the President of Orissa congress committee in 1920. He took lead in 1920 in the “Asahajog Andolan”. Gopabandhu was the President of Orissa congress till 1928. His major pledge was to serve for the country during the natural calamities. On 4th October 1919 on the auspicious day of "Vijayadsahami" he first started the weekly newspaper “Samaj”. Till his death he used to write the editorial of “Samaj” without any break. Before “Samaj” took birth he had also published another monthly magazine named “Satyabadi” in the year 1914. He took part in the “Bharatiya Loksevak Mandal” in the year 1927 and at the time of his death he was the vice-president of “Bharatiya Loksevak Mandal”. Just before his deathbed he donated “Bharatiya Loksevak Mandal” to the institution “Samaj, Satyabadi press”. Samaj was first published from Sakhigopal. It was then published in1824 from Puri and in1927 from Cuttack. He was associated with the works of Utkal Samilani from 1903 to 1921. He was the President of Utkal Samilani in 1919 but after taking part in the struggle for independence, most of his time was spent in the works of National Congress. He was an eminent philosopher. He had proved that "pen is mightier than the sword". He was also a poet and writer. His poems "Ma Ra Kabita ", "Dharmapada", "Bandi Ra Atma Katha" reveal well the characteristic of a classic poet. His poems had the message of spirituality, patriotism, truth and non-violence. His editorials in Samaj, Satyabadi and Ganakabi had a well-defined solution to the problems related to socialism, culture and politics. Death of his father at his childhood, that of mother during his studentship, that of wife, son and brother during his youth had taken him far away from the family and he was a member of the global family. He had sacrificed his life for the betterment of the human being and to eradicate the problems from the life of the humans. He was gem of the crown of the Oriya community. More Info:: Click me

Save Tiger

The tiger, one of the most magnificent animals in the world, is also one of the most endangered. A cat of beauty, strength, and majesty, the tiger is master of all and subject to none -- except humans. Of the eight original subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct within the last 60 years; and there are less than 50 South China tigers left on this planet -- few, and possibly none, survive in the wild.

There are five different kinds or subspecies of tiger alive in the world today. These tigers are called Siberian, South China, Indochinese, Bengal, and Sumatran. Their Latin name is Panthera tigris. Tigers are an endangered species; only about 5,000 to 7,400 tigers are left in the wild. Three tiger subspecies, the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers have become extinct in the past 70 years.

Poachers are continuing to exterminate the world's remaining Tigers. New demand across Southeast Asia for the skins, teeth and claws of tigers is endangering much of the great cats, particularly the Sumatran tiger. Currently, the demand for Tiger parts is centered in several parts of Asia where there is a strong market for traditional medicines made from items like tiger bone and body parts. Volumes are sizeable and there has been little enforcement action against poachers and traders

Save Indian TigerWhat Needs to be Done to Save the Tiger:
- Local institutions and people Scientists who were closely involved in managing tigers at the local level, Hemendra Panwar of India and Hemanta Mishra of Nepal, pointed out an important lesson more than a decade ago: unless local community needs are met, conservation of the tiger will not succeed and protected areas will perish. Therefore, conservation programmes

must reconcile the interests of people and tigers. In most situations, a sustainable tiger conservation strategy cannot be achieved without the full participation and collective action of individual rural households whose livelihoods depend on rights of access and use of the forests where tigers live.

- Technologies for conservation of resources There already exists a wide range of technologies and practices in forest and watershed management and agriculture, both traditional and new, for conservation of resources. The biological processes that regenerate forests and make agriculture less damaging to tiger habitats take time to become established

- Use of external institutions Institutions, such as NGOs, government departments, and banks, can facilitate processes by which local people develop their sense of ownership and commitment. When little effort is made to build local skills, interest, and capacity, people have no interest or stake in maintaining structures or practices once the incentives for conservation stop. Success hinges on people’s participation in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, which leads to the formation of new institutions or the strengthening of existing ones

- Conservation of tiger habitat and of prey In many areas peripheral to tiger habitat, grazing lands for livestock have been converted to crops or degraded by excessive use; livestock is of poor quality and of poor productivity; wood for fuel and building has been exhausted; and sources of income are limited. The rehabilitation of the natural resource base of local people is essential if they are not to seek their requirements in protected areas. This requires ecodevelopment with the support and cooperation of specialized government organs and the non-governmental conservation community.

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