Indian Independence Day - A Tryst with Destiny

Happy Independence Day! It was an emotional moment for all Indians when Pandit Nehru heralded the birth of a new nation with these words: "Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity". Check us out on Facebook Check us out on Orkut Follow us on Twitter This year we celebrate India's 63rd Independence Day, and the significant accomplishments of the young nation - a vibrant democracy, cutting-edge science and technology, a growing economy and a free press. At the same time we are reminded that the Tryst with Destiny and true freedom as envisaged by the founding fathers still remain out of reach for many of our children. Millions of bright-eyed children start school with high hopes but end up as drop-outs, due largely to an uninspiring and dysfunctional education system, and, in several cases, the need to work to help make ends meet for their families. We, the volunteers of Asha for Education, have been working since 1991 with the belief and hope that providing quality education for everyone, irrespective of their social and economic status, is essential for creating equal opportunities for all. This is reinforced by several studies such as the Pew Economic Mobility Project, whose conclusions, though in the context of the US and post-secondary education, can equally well apply to India and to education of any level. We invite you to join us on this mission today through the Work An Hour initiative which seeks to directly address these core issues. WAH, as it is popularly known, has been running annually since 1998, and has made a difference to tens of thousands of marginalized children. WAH presents you a unique opportunity where your income from an hour or more of work can help 'Prepare' them for the challenges of the adult world by 'Educating' them in a quality environment and 'Empowering' them to take control of their Destiny. The volunteer-driven structure of Asha ensures that 100% of the donations made towards the projects reach the projects. The 15 projects that are part of WAH 2009 are a reflection of the diversity of India. They focus on innovative ways of strengthening the school systems through better infrastructure, teaching methods, adequate supplies of teaching material and well-trained teachers - all of which are critical prerequisites for ensuring that the enrolled children stay on in school, enjoy the learning experience and get a meaningful education. These are things that we take for granted and insist on for our own children. Shouldn't they be the Right of every child? So, Go Ahead. Work An Hour. Change a Life, Build A Nation! 15 Projects. 7000 Children. Goal: $200,000. Raised so far: $35,000.

Forward email Gators for Asha | 300-9 J Wayne Reitz Union | PO Box 118505 | Gainesville | FL | 32611

Lets support the Right to Education...

Learn about WAH & Check out the WAH 2009 video. Greetings! With WAH 2009 in its third week, we urge you to spread the word about Asha's work to as many of your friends as you can. Yesterday, the Indian parliament took the historic step of passing into law the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill (2008). Free and compulsory education is finally a fundamental right for children between 6 and 14 years of age, a right that many of us were fortunate to be able to take for granted. It will take a number of years to fully implement the Bill. In the meantime, with an estimated 70 million children out of school, of whom about 10 million are bonded labor, India has the dubious distinction of having the largest number of child laborers in the world. By supporting Asha, you can make a difference! Every contribution counts, so Please donate... Below are 2 of our projects which seek to empower the most marginalized communities in India. They serve remote areas and communities working in bondage or in hazardous jobs, where exploitation is rife and literacy rates abysmally low. To be effective catalysts for socio-economic change, these projects have to go much beyond basic education for children. They have to reach out to the communities they serve to unite them, raise awareness and promote alternative livelihoods. Legal/ human rights education, adult literacy programs, health education, vocational training and income-generation schemes are just some of the ways these projects tackle their challenges: Kamlahan-Khadarawan, Sant Ravidas Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh A school of 50 students with some far-reaching goals - to eradicate bonded labor from 11 villages in Uttar Pradesh, to fund 11 schools for the children of the villages, and to gradually change local perceptions of debt bondage through legal literacy programs, employment generation activities, and uniting the local community. Besides its strong emphasis on community empowerment, Kamlahan-Khadarawan prepares its students for the official examinations at Grade 5, so that they can enter state schools and escape the cycle of bondage. To learn more click here. Mallarpur Uthnau, Birbhum District, West Bengal Mallarpur Uthnau was established in 1996 as an NGO dedicated to the upliftment of the Santhali people. Recruited to work in local stone quarries, the Santhals face exposure to hazardous chemicals, receive below minimum wages, and lack access to healthcare. Mallarpur Uthnau runs pre-primary schools, non-formal education centers and vocational training centers for the Santhals to help with basic literacy (an abysmal 10% in the community), provide alternative livelihoods, and improve healthcare and awareness. It currently runs 6 schools for 200 students.To learn more click here. To date, WAH has raised $20,000 out of a target of $200,000 for projects such as these, thanks to donors like you. We would like all of India's children to be able to partake in the opportunities blossoming around them. Help us help them, one project at a time. 15 Projects. 7000 children. Goal: $200,000. Raised so far: $20,000. Prepare. Educate. Empower. Work an Hour. ****************************************************************************************** Want to know more about WAH 2009? Watch this video on YouTube Check us out on Facebook Check us out on Orkut Follow us on Twitter ******************************************************************************************

Contact Information: E-mail: wah@ashanet.org | Website: www.workanhour.org Mail Checks to : 'Asha for Education', Gators for Asha, 300-9, J Wayne Reitz Union, PO Box 118505, Gainesville, FL 32611-8505. Please include 'WAH 2009 donation' on the memo

Give them the gift of Education!

Teachers play a major role in shaping the lives of children, therefore, having well qualified and responsible teachers is an important aspect of quality education, the theme for WAH 2009. Below are three of the projects showcased in WAH 2009, which focus on employing committed and well trained teachers, as a means of maintaining the quality of education. Project Build - Pasumai Trust, Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu In Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, are located brick kilns, where hundreds of families work during the months of January through June each year and then travel back to their villages to work in agricultural fields during monsoon seasons. Such migration pattern challenges continuity of education for the children of brick kiln workers. Due to poverty and absence of schools, children are often forced to work in the brick kilns. Project Build realizes the fact that education is imperative in eliminating child labor. The project not only has centers to provide informal education to the kids of brick kiln workers, but is also working with government schools to enroll these kids in two different schools, one near the brick kilns and one in their native village. For this, the project plans to hire 4 new teachers at various government schools. To learn more click here. Shikshana Gangotri, Kolar, Karnataka Every morning, somewhere in Kolar District in rural Karnataka, a mother wakes up and gets her seven year-old daughter ready for her school. She knows that the education imparted in the school with trained teachers, gives hope that her daughter can someday grow up to live a life of comfort and respect. Another mother, with a 4 year old son drops him off at the "anganwadi", and goes to work, earnings from which are critical for the family's existence. At the end of a labor intensive day, she heads to the Adult Literacy Program Center to make herself literate and understand the health programs available there to live a better life. Shikshana Gangotri supports 33 such schools, 25 "anganwadis" and numerous Adult Literacy Centers, providing much needed help and hope for the families of 3000+ students in various aspects. To learn more click here. Gramin Siksha Kendra, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan For most Indian parents, choosing a school is one of the two choices i) a government school that does not work or ii) a private school that is not affordable. By establishing model schools (Uday Pathshala) in Sawai Madhopur district, close to the Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary, Gramin Shiksha Kendra supports the alternative model of community owned schools. A community that feels ownership of a school will be concerned about the quality of education imparted and eventually demand the same from the existing government school system. Extra-curricular activities and activities performed in small groups are encouraged from primary school level and help in providing a comprehensive approach to child development and learning in these Uday Pathshalas. To learn more click here. Being located in the rural and poverty-stricken regions of India, all of the above projects face a common challenge of keeping up the enrollment and the retention rates of students. The teachers and the staff members at the above projects play an active role in motivating the residents to send their kids to school. The hour you donate today will pay for the salaries and training of such dedicated group of teachers. The WAH 2009 campaign is in its 3'rd week and so far, has been able to collect $13,861 from generous donors like you. Make a contribution to WAH and help these projects continue the excellent service they are providing. 15 Projects. 7000 children. Goal: $200,000. Raised so far: $14,000. Prepare. Educate. Empower. Work an Hour. ************************************************************************************************************************ Want to know more about WAH 2009? Watch this video on YouTube Check us out on Facebook Check us out on Orkut Follow us on Twitter *************************************************************************************************************************

Contact Information: E-mail: wah@ashanet.org | Website: www.workanhour.org Mail Checks to : 'Asha for Education', Gators for Asha, 300-9, J Wayne Reitz Union, PO Box 118505, Gainesville, FL 32611-8505. Please include 'WAH 2009 donation' on the memo

Get your ringtone...

http://www.thetones360.com/

Could $20/gallon gas be good?

One author predicts that gas will go to $20 a gallon, and says that would be a good thing.

Check out India's first nuke submarine INS Arihant launched

India on Sunday launched the first nuclear-powered submarine built on its soil, joining just five other countries that can design and construct such vessels, the prime minister's office announced.

The Indian navy flooded a dry dock housing the 367-foot-long submarine to send it out for trials at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. India doesn't seek to threaten anyone, Mr. Singh said at the ceremony in the southern port city of Vishakhapatnam. "Nevertheless, it is incumbent upon us to take all measures necessary to safeguard our country and to keep pace with technological advancements world-wide," he said.

CNN Newsroom : One hour to make a difference

At the ‘Olcott School’ in Chennai, India, disadvantaged children are given a chance at an education. They also find a refuge from a difficult life, and chance to believe they are worthy. This belief is instilled each morning, as the Principal leads the full school in a song about equality.

This is partly made possible through the support of a unique fundraising effort called Work An Hour. Each summer, this online fundraising campaign by Asha For Education, asks participants to donate an hour’s worth of their salary.

This helps the ’Olcott School’ afford the qualified instructors it needs. For the children, this provides more than just the uniform and other supplies that many of the struggling families cannot afford. It also offers them a sense a pride in themselves and their education.

Read more:
http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/11/one-hour-to-make-a-difference/

Work An Hour 2009 - Update from First Week

Work An Hour 2009 Week One Updates Welcome to the first update on Work An Hour (WAH) 2009. Where we are... Time flies! A week has passed by since the campaign started. Till date, WAH has raised more than $10,000 and it's all because of donors like you. It's a solid start but there is a lot more to do and we need your support all the way. Know us more... For the last 12 years, WAH has been successful in raising funds for variety of projects, spread all over India, with a single purpose - to share the gift of education with under-privileged children. WAH 2009 is no different and over the next few weeks we will give an overview of 15 unique projects that stand to benefit from this campaign. This week, we will showcase 3 such projects: Arogya Seva, Thane, Maharashtra - Arogya Seva has long term goals of making the lives of tribal communities self sufficient and connecting them to the main stream world. Started in 2006, the project has been successful in providing education to children of all ages. In addition, it has played a major role in the overall development of the community by setting up solar lamps, organizing free health camps and providing free guidance in agriculture. True to it's name, Arogya Seva works to promote healthy mind in a healthy body. Proceeds from WAH 2009 will be spent on mid-day meal programs supporting 130 kids for one full year. Also, through WAH 2009, hostel at Mokhada will be renovated (accommodating 30 students) thereby helping students continue their high school education. To learn more click here. Ashraya, Kollam, Kerala - Ashraya works at providing Formal and Special Education to mentally and physically challenged girl children from distressed socio-economic backgrounds. Started in 2000, the project works for the overall development of the children. Apart from the formal education, students are also encouraged to explore their creativity with activities such as dance, music, yoga, painting. For the students, Ashraya is not just a school but a home. Proceeds from WAH 2009 will be used to build a physiotherapy unit to ease the mobility of physically challenged children, helping them in their efforts in education. To learn more click here. Olcott Memorial, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - Olcott Memorial School was founded in 1894 with a vision of bringing about social change through the education of the underprivileged. The school has a long and rich heritage and was also showcased on CNN's "Impact Your World". It provides quality education to numerous students most of whom come from families with average income way below the national average. Education is free along with food and basic healthcare. Proceeds from WAH 2009 will be used towards improving drinking water supply, electricity supply, toiletries etc, creating a better environment for education. To learn more click here. An hour's worth of your support will go a long way in empowering these communities. Please join us in our movement. Thank you! Prepare. Educate. Empower. Work an Hour. ************************************************************************************************* Want to know more about WAH 2009? Watch this video on YouTube Check us out on Facebook Check us out on Orkut Follow us on Twitter *************************************************************************************************

Contact Information: E-mail: wah@ashanet.org | Website: www.workanhour.org Mail Checks to : 'Asha for Education', Gators for Asha, 300-9, J Wayne Reitz Union, PO Box 118505, Gainesville, FL 32611-8505. Please include 'WAH 2009 donation' on the memo If you cannot see this click here : http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001VGk0DbmM9rfFas5sCSrHYl53tJjF9Hvhtg6rO80CJJrO_WRmlbnZnnijeHU2F5nz0Z-ty5mQg4_lThGDkgf7BZFTNuGxcEqi5TE4ybbLQ5o%3D

Facebook page for WAH 2009

Asha for Education WORK AN HOUR 2009 on Facebook

Asha for Education Accounces - Work An Hour 2009

Asha for Education Announces Work An Hour 2009 Welcome to Work An Hour (WAH) 2009. A year has passed since WAH 2008 and it is that time of the year when we encourage our donors to contribute an hour of their time's worth to Asha. WAH was recently featured on CNN's "Impact Your World"; see for yourself how your donations go a long way with Asha. In the past, your generosity has transformed the lives of thousands of children. This year over 7000 children from 15 different projects will benefit from your efforts and we hope for your active support. Last year we witnessed India's continuous march towards development. In order to reap the full benefits of the country's progress, it is imperative to include every section of the society. Aristotle once said, "All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of nations depends on the education of youth". India can realize it's true potential and fulfill the dreams of millions; it starts with educating every child, one child at a time. We want to catalyze socio-economic change in India through education of underprivileged children. We, at Asha for Education, are committed to ensure that 100% of your donations serves the purpose. Please join us in our efforts! Prepare. Educate. Empower. Work an Hour.

Contact Information: E-mail: wah@ashanet.org | Website: www.workanhour.org Mail Checks to : 'Asha for Education', Gators for Asha, 300-9, J Wayne Reitz Union, PO Box 118505, Gainesville, FL 32611-8505. Please include 'WAH 2009 donation' on the memo

One hour can aid India's poor

CNN's Liz Neisloss reports on a school that's trying to help disadvantaged children in India with Asha For Education

Free Pass to Museums :-)

Get free admission to participating museums, zoos, science centers, botanical gardens and more on the first full weekend of every month just by presenting any Bank Of America card. I am not going to miss this for sure... Bank Of America's Museums on Us®

Down To Business: What If Major League Baseball Had H-1B Caps? -- IT Careers -- InformationWeek

Nice article on H-1B caps and the market outlook. Read more...

TeamAIDAsha

Running a marathon is one of the most exhilarating experiences that one can endure. Asha and AID have trained many first-time runners to complete marathons and in the process have raised funds for education and sustainable development projects in India.

The TeamAIDAsha Marathon program trains runners with beginner to veteran level of experience to complete their marathon while raising funds for educational, social and economic development in India. The training program starts in spring every year and targets the fall marathon and half marathons (Chicago, Lowell Bay state). With over 100 runners and over $300,000 raised over the past seven years, the marathon program is our largest fundraiser event for AID and Asha for Education, Boston/MIT chapters
TeamAIDAsha Home

Asha for Education YouTube Channel

Asha for Education is a volunteer run, non-profit, secular organization dedicated to change in India by focusing on basic education in the belief that education is a critical requisite for socio-economic change.

http://www.youtube.com/ashaforeducation

Tagdi Kabab - Sanjeev Kapoor Istyle

Ingredients

Chicken drumsticks (skinless chicken legs without) 8 Lemon juice 1 tablespoon Ginger 1 inch piece Garlic 6 cloves Green chillies 4-6 Skimmed milk yogurt 1 cup Gram flour (besan) 2 tablespoons Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon Salt to taste Chaat masala 2 teaspoons Lemon and onion (cut) for garnishing Oil 3 tablespoons

Method

1. Clean and trim excess fat and skin from the drumsticks. Dry them with a clean and absorbent kitchen towel. Make three to four long deep incisions. Apply lemon juice and keep aside. 2. Peel ginger and garlic, wash and grind them to a paste. 3. Wash green chillies, remove stem and chop finely. 4. Roast gram flour in a pan till it gets a little color. Can be done even in a microwave bowl on Microwave LOW (50%) for five minutes stirring twice in between. Cool and mix with yogurt, ginger and garlic paste, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, red chilli powder, salt and chopped green chillies. Too much yogurt will drain off all the masala from the chicken. 5. Marinate chicken drumsticks in above mixture and refrigerate for one to two hours. 6. Preheat oven to 425F. 6. Place marinated chicken drumsticks on a flat dish and roast for five minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce oven temperature to Convection 350F and further cook for ten or fifteen minutes or till little cooked. Turn drumsticks couple of times to ensure even cooking and color. 7. Roast them on a pan for the tandoor taste. If they are kept in the microwave for too long it taste dry and the tandoor flavor is not obtained. 8.Serve hot sprinkled with chaat masala, lemon wedges and onion.

Matki chi Usal

Ingredients

• 2 cups Matki sprouts (soaked)
• 1 potato cut
• 1 ½ Onion chopped
• 1 ½ Tomatoes chopped
• ½ tsp Chili powder
• ½ tsp Turmeric
• 1 tsp Maharashtrian Goda Masala OR Garam Masala
• 3 tsp Cilantro chopped
• 2 green chillies chopped
• 3 tbsp Oil
• Jeera
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat oil in a wok
• Add jeera & green chillies
• Add chopped onion
• Reduce to medium heat once hot and add potatoes
• Fry onions till translucent, tender and brown on edges
• Add chili, turmeric and goda/garam masala and allow it to cook for a minute or two
• Add potatoes
• Add matki and water and cook in cooker (1 whistle) OR Allow it to boil for a few minutes with a lid on till matki is cooked
• Add cilantro and salt and allow it to cook for a few minutes
• If you desire some sauce, add a cup of water
• Serve with hot chapati or rice and yogurt

Tuka Mhane..

उस बहेरी दिसे काला || माजी रसाचा आगला ||
तुका म्हणे मोल गोदी || काई चाड वर्ल्या खोडी ||

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4. Newport, RI, USA

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Kiwi!

Anda Bhurji

I found some crazy recipes of Anda Bhurji online that I decided to write the simplest of them all. Here it goes..

Ingredients (1 serving):
1 small onion chopped 1 tsp Goda masala 1 green chilli jeera Oil for frying Chopped Coriander Leaves Salt as per taste Bread
How to make Anda Bhurji (Egg Bhurji): Chop the onions finely Heat a non-stick pan on medium heat and add the oil. Add jeera Add the chopped onion (chopped tomatoes if used) and saute until it turns translucent. (red chilli powder, turmeric powder if needed) Break the Eggs and pour into the pan directly. Stir briskly. Add the coriander leaves to garnish. Remove from heat and serve warm with toasted bread. Additional Ingredients : Tomato Turmeric Pepper

Best of Hindi Pop Playlist

Best of Hindi Pop

Best of Bollywood Playlist

Best of Bollywood

You can find easy money management

Recession or not, it is always a good idea to invest your money and keep track of where it is allocated and if it needs to be re-adjusted. I used to do that on a spead sheet but these tools amaze me!
Read more...

Kala Ghoda Festival 09

Very nice pictures and article. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is an annual festival, usually around nine days long, held in late January or early February, in the Kala Ghoda area of South Mumbai, India.

Aloo Chat

Ingredients:
• 3 Potatoes (half boiled and peeled) • 1 tsp Chaat masala • 1 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder • 1 tbsp Tamarind Chutney • 1/2 tbsp Mint Chutney • 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder • Oil for frying • Chopped Coriander Leaves • Salt as per taste
How to make Aloo Chaat:
• Chop half boiled potatoes into small cubes. • Deep-fry the potatoes in oil in a wok till golden brown and well cooked. • You may add onion when frying. • Put the fried potatoes in a bowl with cumin powder, red chilli powder, salt, chaat masala and mix thoroughly. • Add lots of tamarind chutney and mint chutney according to taste and mix properly. • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Goan with the Wind

In the early 1990s, Air India printed a calendar showcasing people from different states in their traditional costumes. The Goa portrait had a couple at a church wedding in bridal finery: the lady in a flowing gown, her partner in a jacket and tie. The publication sparked off protests within the Goan community, who accused the national carrier of portraying a flawed image of the state.

Spring @ Andover, MA

Gambhir- Another one match GOD!

Gambhir has a long way to go. Let us not create another hype

Ganpati celebrations in Goa

Shirfod, Curchorem, Quepem, Goa

Missouri Botanical Garden

WWE @ Lowell, MA

Does god Exist .. or is it just a superstition?

Its a superstition.
Feeble constructs of a weak mind which cannot come to terms with reality. god is more like an excuse for everyone who believes in him....the so called god believers use the idea to explain everything which doesn't have an explanation...good or bad....everything bad in life is supposed to be a test from god....everything wrong happening in this world is gods will...every failure is "god has a better plan for me"....basically i think they don't have the guts to do the job themselves and hence leave it to something imaginary...yes i said it god is imaginary! if he was real why not one of the 6 billion humans in this world have (assuming the animals cant tell us even if they did see god) not seen him.