VALENTINE SPECIAL

Valentine's Day overlooks love's most enduring forms

Today is Valentine's Day. Few women ever forget this holiday. We like romance, being held by that special someone and being told we are loved. Many partners have gotten in big trouble on this day because they forgot to give the gift that says, I love you.

If you are reading this on Valentine's morning and have forgotten to get that special something, or find this column taped to the bathroom mirror, you still have time to redeem the day.

They say Valentine's Day is the day for lovers. That is all well and good if you have a lover you like. Otherwise, the day can be a bust. Too often the expectations of flowers, chocolate and a romantic dinner go unfulfilled. A day that celebrates love should not be a disappointment for so many. Perhaps we need to reframe what Valentine's Day is all about.

I think Valentine's Day can be expanded to embrace all those who love life and hope that our tomorrows will be better than today. Why not tell that special girlfriend, brother or neighbor that you love them and give thanks for them being in your life? An unexpected gift on this day will express just how much you value friendships. It is no surprise that friendships often outlast our romantic relationships.

I remember in elementary school giving Valentine's Day cards to everyone in my class. In those days, we could not give cards just to those we liked. We had to give cards to everyone. I did not like half the boys in my classes, but I gave them cards, too. They did not get the prettiest cards, but they got cards nonetheless. I think there is a lesson in giving gifts to those we are not that fond of.

Jesus said the best way to get back at our enemies is to love them and give them what they need. Hearts of stone can turn to hearts of flesh with the smallest gesture of kindness. Our detractors do not expect us to be kind or really listen to them. Yet when we hear stories from those who bristle at us, we often hear words of pain, sorrow and fear that have nothing to do with us. Love can win over our staunchest enemy.

While loving others on this day, remember to love yourself. Loving oneself is a sign of wisdom. When we love ourselves into wholeness, there is more of ourselves to give away. If you would love to receive a bouquet of flowers today, buy one. Be kind to yourself by treating yourself to a good book, a bubble bath and a fabulous cup of tea.

While tangible signs of affection from others are hoped for today, let us remember that the greatest love we can experience is from God. These days, marriage vows have only a 50 percent success rate, even when they include "til death us do part." But the love that comes from our creator is with us before birth and even beyond death. What confidence to know that love will be with us in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in times of wealth and in poverty.

In these stressful economic times, with the stock market still sinking and unemployment at a 30-year high, we must cling to those values that are rock solid. Love is simple — not jealous, envious or rude.

Real love has nothing to do with dress size, quantity of hair on one's head, or the value of one's 401(k). Love desires us to be our best selves and for us to be happy.

I am fortunate to know what real love looks like and feels like. I am also holding out for dark chocolate today. Happy Valentine's Day.

Enjoy Galatta’s Valentine’s Day Special
Prasanna Singh [February 13, 2009, 6:09:40 PM]

Love is in the air! Turn your attention anywhere! All you see is love! The city is blanketed in red and pink! So, what is your plan for Valentine’s Day? Whatever you plan, it would be a good idea to start your Valentine celebrations with Galatta.com!

Galatta.com brings you an exclusive Valentine Special Page. Visit it! We are sure it will set the perfect mood for a sweet and romantic Valentine’s Day! We have Valentine’s Day special wallpapers and songs. So, while you sit with your sweetheart and coo sweet nothings into her/ his ear, make sure you browse through our Valentine’s special!

Kupu-Kupu goes sweet with Valentine special

There’s nothing like chocolate to make an event special, and Kupu-Kupu knows how to use chocolate to make Valentine’s an ultra special time.

Spa Kupu-Kupu, located in the Sun Marina Hotel, is offering a delectable combination of chocolates for both the body and spirit during a special running through the end of this month. Kupu-Kupu has designed an Esthetic Chocolate Spa combined with a dinner. For starters, enjoy a foot bath, chocolate scrub and a chocolate pack treatment, followed by an aroma body massage. To cap the evening, enjoy a special dinner that is included in the rprice at Sun Marina Hotel’s ‘By the Sea’ restaurant.

The Valentine’s Special treatment, an 80-minute experience, is only ¥10,000, and free dinner. The dinner includes an appetizer, soup, bread, pasta and either a fish or meat main dish, capped by coffee and dessert. While soaking up the pampered treatment at Spa Kupu-Kupu, there’s a special mist sauna and Jacuzzi rooms, as well as a variety of British-made Neil’s Yard top-of-the-line, and American all-natural organic Young Living aroma oils, plus all natural Okinawa ingredients for facial packs.

Sun Marina Hotel Spa Kupu-Kupu is open daily 11 a.m. ~ 10 p.m. Reservations are available at (090) 9788-7156, or (098) 965-2383. The Sun Marina Hotel is located on Highway 58, between Moon Beach and Rizzan Seapark Hotels.

Valentine's Special: From Egypt with Love

It is this time of the year when you start to believe that life is practically all about flowers and chocolates. Single and couples, in favor of or against celebrating Valentine's Day are bound to indulge in the infamous February extravaganza. Like it or not, you are haunted with teddy bears, flowers, boxes, and fluffy red wraps all around you, not to mention your office mate who would drive you up the wall talking, thinking, and planning for the grand day.

While committed Egyptian bloggers were swamped in the preparations, others were scratching their head trying to come up with new ideas and ways to celebrate the universal love day.

ISRO

ISRO working on vehicle for manned space mission

Bangalore, Feb 13, 2009: As a prelude to a manned moon mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working towards a maiden manned Indian space mission vehicle that can carry three astronauts for seven days in a near earth orbit, ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said at an international aerospace conference here on Monday.

The manned space mission is expected by the year 2015. “If all goes well it will be followed by a moon mission five to six years later,” Nair said.

The maiden manned space flight will be equipped with modules for emergency and service requirement, the ISRO chairman said. “With the US and Japan planning new manned moon missions by 2020 we cannot be far behind,” he said. The GSLV Mk II rocket launch vehicle will be used to launch the manned mission, he said.

ISRO’s GSLV-Mk III, which will be able to carry satellites of heavy tonnage, is slated for a maiden flight at the end of 2010 and is expected to bring down the launch cost by half, Nair said.

Currently ISRO is dependent on Arianespace in Europe for the launch of its heavy class of satellites. Even after the GSLV development progresses, ISRO will be in collaboration with Arianespace to market the capabilities of its launch vehicle PSLV.

IIT-K satellite 'Jugnu' in final stages, completion till Nov

Kanpur, Feb 13 (PTI) A micro satellite being developed by IIT Kanpur in co-operation with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been christened 'Jugnu'.
The satellite, which is near completion, will be handed over to ISRO in November, who after testing will launch it.

Work on the satellite, which is aimed at gathering prior information regarding flood, drought and disaster management is in the last stage and will be handed over to ISRO in November for further test and launch, IIT Kanpur director Prof Sanjoy Govind Dhande told PTI here today.

Last year in August, both ISRO and IIT-K had inked an MoU to develop a micro satellite dedicated for agricultural purpose.

"A team of mechanical engineering department of the institute has almost finished the work on the satellite. They will need another 6-7 months to give final touch to the project," he said.

Scientists have used indigenous technology to develop 'Jugnu', whose weight and length are 3kg and 34cm respectively, he said, adding an estimated amount of Rs 2.5 crore has been spent to develop the satellite.

The hi-tech cameras fitted in the satellite will send photographs regarding agriculture, weather and soil to the base station, he said.

The satellite can also be used to link other big satellites in the space, he added. PTI

India's space programme poised for big leap: ISRO chief

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 10 (PTI) India's space programme is poised for major strides in the coming years with several missions already in the line-up, ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said today.
The ISRO had launched 25 missions and the number would go up to 70 in the next five years, Nair said while speaking at the stone-laying function for the Missile Integration Complex of BrahMos Aerospace Ltd (BATL) here.

Development of aerospace industry in the country was important to support the space programme, he said, adding the local unit of BrahMos had already been supplying several highly complex components to ISRO.

While ISRO would be concentrating on Research and Development, facilities like BrahMos Aerospace should develop capability for supplying components for the space programme, he said. PTI

ISRO satellite develops defect, fails to function

New Delhi: Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Communication Satellite W2M, which is responsible for transmitting radio signals to ISRO’s Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka, has virtually failed in space due to a defect in its power subsystem.

This has happened just within six weeks of its launch. The satellite was successfully launched on December 21,2008 from the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou in French Guiana.

It was jointly built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and EADS-Astrium of Europe for Eutelsat.

Just as the W2M Satellite was about to be declared operational, it developed anomalies in its power systems on January 27. ISRO is now analysing the telemetry data to set right the problem.

Director Publicity and PR, S Satish, talked to CNN-IBN over the phone and when asked that the W2M satellite was built commercially with EADS-Astrium of Europe and now Eutelsat says it won't be integrated into it's satellite fleet, and what could have gone wrong?

Satish responded by saying “It is a huge set back for ISRO if the satellite fails; however, counter measures were being taken by ISRO from the ground to try and get the anomaly fixed as soon as possible.”

MSBTE

Hope for students of second shift polytechnics

PUNE: A recent order by the Supreme Court (SC) granting an interim stay on the Bombay High Court's order of October 16, 2008, which had stayed the state government's approval to 29 unaided second shift polytechnics, has revived hopes of over 6,000 students who continue to wait for writing their first semester examinations.

Three of these 29 new second-shift polytechnics (sanctioned for 2008-09) are run by two Pune-based academic institutions at campuses in Hadapsar, Wagholi and Katraj.

Maharashtra State Board for Technical Education (MSBTE), the state's exam conducting body for technical institutions, had issued a notice on October 18, 2008, declaring that it won't conduct the first semester winter exam at these 29 second-shift polytechnics, subject to the outcome of the legal tussle in the Bombay High Court. Thus, putting a question mark over the fate of students admitted by the shift-polytechnics. The Teachers Association for Non-aided Polytechnics (TAFNAP) had filed a PIL (No. 126/2008) in the high court, which is due for hearing on February 10.

At least 22 of these shift-polytechnics had moved independent special leave petitions (SLPs) in the Supreme Court against the high court order. Following a hearing on January 16, 19 and 23, the apex court issued an order granting the interim stay and posted the next hearing for February 13.

The interim stay is subject to condition that the concerned polytechnics admitted students upto the numbers approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), states the order passed by an apex court bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam.

"In view of the SC order, we are now approaching the MSBTE with a plea to conduct the first semester winter exam for our students," said K S Bandi, project director of the Nashik-based K K Wagh education society's polytechnic, which led the move to the SC.

MSBTE director G B Dhanokar told TOI, "We haven't been approached yet by any of the concerned shift-polytechnics nor have we got any fresh directives either from the state government or any court on the matter."

Dhanokar said, "As of now, we are in the process of finalising results for the ongoing semester, which takes 40 days after the theory exams are over." He said, "In case of any fresh directive that we may receive, we will call the board's meeting to take a final call on the matter."

Dhanokar said, "On a previous occasion, before they moved the SC, the shift-polytechnics had approached the board, seeking a reconsideration of the latter's decision regarding semester exam. We had then referred the issue to the state director of technical education (DTE) and the government, but we did not receive any response so far."

In its PIL before the high court, the TAFNAP has alleged irregularities in the process of allotment of these shift polytechnics, thereby causing contempt of the court's order of August 22, 2008. The court then ruled that only those new institutions, which were sanctioned before June 30, should be allowed to go functional from 2008-09 while those sanctioned after June 30 be made operational from 2009-10.

The state government's special leave petition (SLP) against the high court's August 22, 2008, order is pending in the Supreme Court.

The AICTE's clearance to the shift-polytechnics came on August 26, 2008, following which the state issued a government resolution (GR) on September 1, 2008, allotting shift polytechnics at 33 government-run and 29 unaided institutes. All unaided institutes completed their admissions within 10 days of the AICTE's clearance and started running their classes.

Diploma holders can now enrol for 2nd year BSc

Mumbai: A recent circular issued by the Mumbai University has sought to categorically state the guidelines for students who have completed a diploma after Class XII and then seek admission to a BSc degree course of the university or its affiliated colleges. The objective, said a university official, was to prevent loss of academic year for students.

The circular states that a candidate who has "passed, post HSC, with a diploma from the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) or the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved or any other recognised government body" in certain subjects, then the student will be "eligible for direct admission to the second year of the BSc degree course."

These subjects include information technology; computer technology; computer science; computer engineering; electrical, electronics and video engineering and its allied branches; mechanical and allied branches; chemical and allied branches and production and allied branches.

The university official explained that earlier the mention of diploma and its duration was ambiguous and there was no clarity on whether a diploma holder (having done the programme after Class XII) could seek admission directly to the second year or was required to take admission from the first year itself.

"This ambiguity would result in loss of an academic year for the students. Hence, the need was felt to rectify this uncertainty and spell out the rules clearly," said the official on condition of anonymity.

The circular further states that a candidate who has passed a three-year engineering or technology diploma course after Class X is also eligible for admission to the second year of the BSc degree programmes of the university or its affiliated colleges.

"In effect, this implies that it is either, three years after Std 10 or one year after Std 12," said the official. The circular, which was issued in the first week of January, says that the rules specified have been brought into effect from this academic year, itself.

Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE)

The Result of Winter 2008 Diploma Examination shall be declared online on MSBTE website www.msbte.com, on 14th Feb 2009 at 3:00pm.

MSBTE circular for post result activities can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.msbte.com/website/pdfdocs/News2009/winter2008Result.pdf [link]

MSBTE Result of Winter 2008 Diploma Examination
tags: Result declaration of Winter 2008 Exam, msbte results, result of winter 2008 (msbte)