DID YOUR WAITLISTED RAILWAY TICKET CONFIRMED ???

YOUR RAILWAY TICKET WHETHER BOOKED AT WINDOW OR FROM IRCTC, WILL NEVER BE CONFIRMED.
YOUR WAITING BEFORE 60 DAYS WILL REMAIN AS IT IS LIKE THAT EVEN ON THE DATE OF JOURNEY.
WHY
READ THIS ITEM PUBLISHED IN MID-DAY ON 15-10-2012.
THIS IS HORRIBLE
READ....

October 15, 2012,

Mumbai

The 1.35 lakh agents appointed by the IRCTC book tickets in advance and then charge customers large sums; this means that direct bookings rarely get confirmed 

Tired of booking train tickets and not knowing if they are confirmed till the eleventh hour? If your answer is yes, then here’s who you should blame: the growing breed of railway agents in the city, whose numbers have multiplied almost a hundredfold in the past six years.

A query filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Manoranjan Roy has revealed some disturbing numbers, which indicate that agents are monopolising ticket bookings, making direct access almost impossible.

The response reveals that every month, an average of over one crore tickets are being booked by these agents. Between 2006 and 2012, their numbers have shot up from a modest 1,537 to a stupendous 1,35,157 — in the Mumbai division alone. Meanwhile, passengers languish in the waiting list, even if they make bookings three months in advance.
All these agents have been appointed by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
“It’s the same situation for a majority of passengers. They want to know why their bookings aren’t confirmed, and where the tickets are being tied up,” said Roy. He added that these agents charge huge amounts for confirmed tickets, making the most of the demand that they create by booking most of the tickets.
Roy is of the opinion that railway authorities have been turning a blind eye to the obvious black-marketing of tickets. “There is no vigilance on the agents. The black money taken by the agents from passengers desperate for tickets is not recorded. Though officially IRCTC has written that they don’t pay any commission to the agents authorised by them,” added Roy.
One of the reasons that the railways has suddenly spawned such a large drove of booking agents is the faltering online booking system on the IRCTC website.

We have been getting complaints that the website does not work properly and even after completing all the formalities and providing details like credit card numbers, the tickets don’t get booked. The passenger is left with no option but to approach the agent,” said a Railway official, requesting anonymity.
“No foolproof facilities are available for the aam aadmi. Those who can shell out money have access to special facilities. What about the passenger who can’t afford to book tickets through agents? Why doesn’t the railway do something for the common man?” asked Roy.
Roy also questioned the IRCTC for not doing anything to curb the superfluous numbers of agents, and instead continuing to appoint them.
“Why don’t they stick to online and window booking systems and enforce them strictly?” he said.
Subodh Jain, general manager of Central Railway, said, “The agents are appointed by the IRCTC and they know about the procedures. More people book tickets online these days. So, there are more agents connecting to it.”
Virender Singh, group general manager, IRCTC, said, “We are not controlling agents.” He refused to shed further light on the matter.
Expertspeak
Madhu Kotian, president of the Yatri Pravasi Sangh said, “The agent system should be discontinued by the railways. Nobody is benefiting from this.”
Rajiv Singhal, member, Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC), said, “The Railway should think of an alternative to agents. Also, they should decrease the 120 days prior ticket booking system. I don’t think that anybody but the agent benefits from this provision as very few can plan their trip four months in advance.”

Speak
Vipin Mishra, frequently travels to Varanasi
I am with many agents and sometimes I feel I should also become one. I have bought tickets at Rs 800 over the actual price. This is what the agents charge for tickets. This figure increases with demand. The railway authorities should put an end to this system and they will be able to earn more from direct booking.”
Janhavi Shah, final year student
My parents always ask me to book the tickets. It would be convenient if I could book the tickets online. I have even sat waiting for the tatkal quota to open, but as soon as I log in it gets full. The railway authorities should stop giving tickets to agents.”
Renu Shukla, Kandivli resident
Whenever I book tickets through the window or online, they never reach confirmed status. I don’t know why the railway authorities always harasses the common public. I know of many people who have faced problems similar to mine, and don’t have access to agents.

IN SUCH CORRUPT SITUATION WHAT COMMON MAN CAN DO ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

 

CYCLONE DEADLIER THAN KATTRINA STRIKES EASTERN INDIA

This is as per the Time of India report today:

BHUBANESWAR: Strong winds and heavy rains pounded India's eastern coastline on Saturday, as hundreds of thousands of people took shelter from a massive, powerful cyclone expected to reach land in a few hours.
The skies were dark - almost black - at midmorning in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha and about 60 miles (about 100 kilometres) from the coast. Roaring winds made palm trees sway wildly, and to the south, seawater was pushing inland.
By Friday evening, some six lakh people had been moved to higher ground or shelters in Odisha, which is expected to bear the brunt of the cyclone, said Surya Narayan Patro, the state's top disaster management official.
About 12 hours before Cyclone Phailin's landfall, meteorologists held out hope that the storm might hit while in a temporary weakened state, but no matter what it will be large and deadly.
Ryan Maue, a meteorologist at Weather Bell, a private US weather firm, said even in the best-case scenario there will be a storm surge of 20-30 feet (7-9 meters).
A storm surge - the giant wall of water that that a cyclone blasts ashore - is the big killer in these storms, even more than winds.
The storm already has been large and powerful for nearly 36 hours, he said, and those winds have built up tremendous amount of surge, Maue said.
Satellite images showed the cyclone filling nearly the entire Bay of Bengal, an area larger than France.
A storm this large can't peter out that fast," Maue said. "There's nothing to stop it at this point."
Officials canceled holy day celebrations and stockpiled emergency supplies in coastal Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
The Indian Meteorological Department warned that Phailin was a "very severe cyclonic storm" that was expected to hit with maximum sustained winds of 210-220 kilometres (130-135 miles) per hour.
However, the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii forecast maximum sustained winds of 269 kilometers (167 miles) per hour with gusts up to 315 kilometres (196 miles) per hour.
Indian officials also made less dire predictions about the storm surge, saying only it would be at least 10 feet (3 meters) high.
In Bhubaneswar, government workers and volunteers were putting together hundreds of thousands of food packages to be distributed at relief camps.
The state's top official, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, appealed for people to cooperate with officials as they order people to leave their homes.
"I request everyone to not panic. Please assist the government. Everyone from the village to the state headquarters have been put on alert," he told reporters.
In Paradip, the Odisha port city hammered in a 1999 cyclone, at least seven ships had put to sea to ride out the storm, with other boats shifted to safer parts of the harbor, officials said.
US forecasters repeatedly warned the storm would be immense.
"If it's not a record it's really, really close," University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy told The Associated Press. "You really don't get storms stronger than this anywhere in the world ever. This is the top of the barrel."
To compare to killer US storms, McNoldy said Phailin is near the size of 2005's Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,200 people and caused devastating flooding in New Orleans, but Phailin also has the wind power of 1992's Hurricane Andrew, which had 165 mph (265 kph) winds at landfall in Miami.
The storm continues on its current path without weakening, it is expected to cause large-scale power and communications outages and shut down road and rail links, officials said. There would also be extensive damage to crops.
Patro said tens of thousands of more people will be moved to safer areas before the cyclone hits.
"No one will be allowed to stay in mud and thatched houses in the coastal areas," he said.
The government also began evacuating 64,000 people from the low-lying areas of three vulnerable districts in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, said state revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy.

MILLIONS WAKES TO HIS CALL

Yes Millions wakes to his call.
Read on at http://www.speakingtree.in/public/4e5101e5/blog/MILLIONS-WAKES-TO-HIS-CALL

BEING SPIRITUAL

Many people define spirituality in many ways. But according to me Spirituality is ‘ Being Devine, Thinking Devine and doing,meditating everything on GOD ‘. This does not mean that you avoid all other things that material world offers such as office work, doing house hold chores, looking after dependents and doing other duties which are assigned to us by our responsibility,work etc.

Spitituality can also refer to an ultimate immaterial reality where in an inner path enable a person to discover the essence of his true self. Spirituality may include practices such as meditation, Puja or Prayer and contemplation, which develop inner self of an individual. Spirituality connects you with Satyam,Shivam ,Sunderam. It also connects you with nature or Brahmand or Cosmos. It is an experience as a source of inspiration or orientation in life.

.

The essence of spirituality is the search to know our true selves, to discover the real nature of consciousness. This quest has been the foundation of all the great enlightened souls and their spiritual teachings, and the goal of all the great mystics.

Why is spirituality important in our lives?

In order for us to function fully, all aspects of ourselves must be balanced. Our mind, body and soul have to be in harmony with each other.

We cannot focus on the material pleasures and neglect being the spiritual. People may think that being spiritual is difficult and demanding, but that is not the case.

You can experience being spiritual when you enjoy listening to a beautiful piece of music, looking at an amazing work of art, or reading an inspirational book or poem.

Spirituality is not confined to one religion or other and is not even necessarily affiliated with any religion. While the definition of spirituality is different for everyone, here are some common themes associated with spirituality:

· The journey of self-discovery and of learning not only who you are, but who you want to be.

· The thought of reaching beyond your current limits. This can include keeping an open mind, questioning current beliefs, or trying to better understand others' beliefs.

· A connectedness to yourself and to others. Spirituality is devine not personal, but it is also rooted in being connected with others and with the world around you. This connection can facilitate you finding "your place in the world."

· A higher power, whether rooted in a religion, nature, or some kind of unknown essence.

Spitituality is also remembering of ancestors and offering your gratitude in the form of doing Shraddha ceremony or during Malaya Pakshas or celebrating their death anniversary. Indians give more imporatance to their Pitru Devas . This is also one form of spirituality.

Being nearer to GOD or Higher Self is Spiritually Devine.

Have fun this New Year 2008

Within few hours we are all stepping into new year. This New Year 2008 should be a promising and prosperous Year for all of you. Plan for a beautiful New Years Eve party for celebrating the new beginning in the top places like Goa, Shimla, Singapore, London, New York. Find information about top cruise vacation for your new year holidays. You can find plenty in news papers.

Beginning of New Year is the time for fun, frolic and excitement. People rejoice in the festive spirit of New Year. They sing, dance, exchange gifts, eat sweets; they don’t miss a single chance to have New Year fun. Merriment is in the air! Fun during New Year time has its own charm and magic. This is the time, which people of the whole world celebrate – irrespective of cast, creed and color. The methods of celebration may change according to place but the New Year joy in the heart of each person remains the same. People exuberate in this enjoyment and forget all their worries and tensions. Also people bury old grudges and form new relationships. New Year fun entices everyone.

The enchantment of the coming year is so immense that people start planning for the New Year parties much in advance, so that they can rejoice every single moment of the New Years Eve. New Year parties have their own mystical charisma that all the guests get soaked in the delight during the party. Some people also plan to visit distant locations during this time, which proves to be a very good break from the day-to-day routine life. A few days off from the daily monotone are quite refreshing and soothing.

Year 2008 is approaching speedily. Soon we will hear celebration sounds in the streets. Everyone would be drenched in New Year fun on the very day. Enjoyment has its own definition on New Year – parties, champagne, food, music and dance revitalize the whole environment. The mere mention of the term “New Year” brings a magical smile to everyone’s face. Fun around New Year time is not something new – it has been prevalent for ages. This is the time to embrace the coming year with exhilaration.

I am wishing all my readers a happy and presperous New Year 2008.
Also I wish billions of Blog Readers a happy and prosperous New Year 2008

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

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DOs AND DONTs FOR ACNE

Do's and dont's for acne and important precautions to be taken

1. Avoid using oil-based creams, ointments and make-up products.
2. Do not rub, squeeze or pick pustules.
3. Follow sin-care routine scrupulously.
4. Do not use any beauty soaps or moisturisers. Use a medicated soap.
5. Try to have regular sleeping hours. Odd sleeping hours can flare-up all these problems.
6. Supplement your diet with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouts, and fruit juice.
7. In case of severe acne, consult the doctor.

Acne Precautions to be taken:

• Avoid using cosmetics, which contain Vaseline.
• Choose non-alkaline soap/face wash.
• Do not use any facial cream or other products containing socetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate & sodium chloride. They can cause acne.

Night routine for acne: Remove your make-up with a liquid make-up remover. Wash with soap and water and then apply an anti-pimple/acne cream.

Morning routine for acne: Wipe your face with an anti-acne lotion. Let this lotion dry naturally. If you do not want to use an acne lotion, use an astringent or rose water. Apply calamine lotion. This acts like a protective lotion.

ACNE CAUSES AND PRECAUTIONS

The appearence of blackheads or comedones, small cysts and scars is called acne. It is unwanted spot on neck, face, cheeks, forehead, back, shoulder and chest.

It occurs at Young or Teenage due to hormonal imbalance which takes place at the onset of puberty.

When human adolescence begins, the activity of glands increases which causes the sebaceous glands to secrete a larger amount of oil which lubricates the skin and this clogs the pores causing acne. A person should wash his face regularly with plain water about 4-5 times a day.

Factors making acne worse are:

• Environmental irritants such as pollution and high humidity makes the condition worse.
• Change of hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women two to seven days before their menstrual period starts.
• Friction caused by leaning or rubbing the skin.
• Hard scrubbing of skin.

Who suffers from acne?

People of all races and ages get the acnes but it is most common in teenagers. This problem reduces when the person is their mid 30’s

Precautions for acne are:

Pastry food and Chocolates, high starch and fatty food and dried food, seafood, spicy food, soft drinks should be avoided

Avoid whole milk.Skimmed milk should be taken instead. Intake of sugar should be minimized.

Reduce Intake of salt . Junk food and consumption of fats must be avoided. You should also avoid the foods having high content of trans-fatty acid. Reduce the intake of food which has iodine. Intake of juices should be more. Cucumber juice is good and should be taken daily.

You should clear the skin properly: The persons suffering from acne should wash their face two to three times a day with a mild cleanser.

Acne patients are prone to sunburn which redness the skin and makes blemishes less visible and makes the skin dry. Oil free cosmetics should be applied.