Happy New Year, 2011

There is no time more fitting to say Thank You

and to wish you a Happy Holiday Season

and a New Year of health, happiness and prosperity.

Seasonal Greetings & Wishes for 2011

There is no time more fitting to say Thank You
and to wish you a Happy Holiday Season
and a New Year of health, happiness and prosperity.

Baby Girl, Cool Costumes

Every little girl loves to play dress up and this party idea is very affordable and offers plenty of fun and creativity for a fairly large amount of friends and can even accommodate a wide variety of ages. The first thing you need to do is network! Call all your friends and track down as many Storybook costumes as you can. You may be surprised how many of these costumes were used at Halloween and will not cost you anything to borrow. You will also need a few moms, Grandma or favorite teenage babysitter to help out. Meet with all helpers before hand, explain your theme and encourage them to help the young girls feel truly madeover and beautiful.

Set up stations in different rooms of the house and rotate with Music. Keep your groups of girls small, no more than 4 per group but 2 would be ideal! Use your creativity in setting up stations. You could have a station for:

Painting fingernails

Offer a couple of different colors for them to choose from. Offer decal stickers or glitter to jazz up the activity. Allow plenty of time to let their nails dry......

(Read More)

Bananas with dark patches on yellow skin

The fully ripe banana produces a substance called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) which has  the ability to combat abnormal cells. So don't be surprised very soon the shop will go out of stock for bananas. As the banana ripens, it develops dark spots or patches on the skin. The more dark patches it has, the higher will be its' immunity enhancement quality . Hence the Japanese love bananas for a good reason.

According to a Japanese scientific research, banana contains TNF which has anti-cancer properties. The degree of anti-cancer effect corresponds to the degree of ripeness of the fruit, i.e. the riper the banana, the better the anti-cancer quality..

In an animal experiment carried out by a professor in Tokyo University comparing the various health benefits of different fruits, using banana, grape, apple, water melon, pineapple, pear and persimmon, it was found that banana gave the best results. It increased the number of white blood cells, enhanced the immunity of the body and produced anti-cancer substance TNF.

The recommendation is to eat 1 to 2 banana a day to increase your body immunity to diseases like cold, flu and others. According to the Japanese professor, yellow skin bananas with dark spots

on it are 8 times more effective in enhancing the property of white blood cells than the green skin version.

Mosquito trap (Dengue prevention)

 It is just a mix of water, brown sugar and yeast.      

1. Cut a plastic bottle in half, keep both parts. Can be Coca Cola / Pepsi bottle.
2. Take the lower portion of the bottle. Dissolve the brown sugar in hot water. Let it cool down to ~70 deg F.
3. Add the yeast. Carbon dioxide will form (This will attract the mosquitoes)
4. Cover the bottle with a dark wrap and place the top portion upside down like a funnel. Place it in a corner in your house.
5. In 2 weeks you will be surprised by the number of mosquitoes killed. Check this link and this other link. 

His seems like a simple and practical way to trap all types of mosquito.We can also do this at the field sites for flood victims medical camps etc. It may also trap flies.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - Schedule

The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be the tenth Cricket World Cup and will be hosted by three South Asian Test cricket playing countries: India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It will be Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a Cricket World Cup. The World Cup will use cricket's One Day International format, with fourteen national cricket teams scheduled to compete. The World Cup will take place between February and early April 2011, with the first match to be played on 19 February 2011 with co-hosts India and Bangladesh facing off at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

The World Cup was also supposed to be co-hosted by Pakistan, but in the wake of the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team in Lahore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to strip Pakistan of its hosting rights. The headquarters of the organising committee were originally situated in Lahore, but have now been shifted to Mumbai. Pakistan was supposed to hold 14 matches, including one semi-final. Eight of Pakistan's matches have been awarded to India, four to Sri Lanka and two to Bangladesh.

Teams

Group A Matches
20 February 2011
09:30
New Zealand VS Kenya M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

20 February 2011
09:00
Sri Lanka VS Canada Hambantota International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

21 February 2011
14:30
Australia VS Zimbabwe Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

23 February 2011
14:30
Pakistan Vs Kenya Hambantota International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

25 February 2011
14:30
New Zealand Vs Australia Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

26 February 2011
14:30
Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

28 February 2011
09:30
Zimbabwe Vs Canada Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

1 March 2011
14:30
Sri Lanka Vs Kenya R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

3 March 2011
14:30
Pakistan Vs Canada R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

4 March 2011
09:30
New Zealand Vs Zimbabwe Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

5 March 2011
14:30
Sri Lanka Vs Australia R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

7 March 2011
14:30
Kenya Vs Canada Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

8 March 2011
14:30
Pakistan Vs New Zealand Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

10 March 2011
14:30
Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

13 March 2011
09:30
New Zealand Vs Canada Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

13 March 2011
14:30
Australia Vs Kenya M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

14 March 2011
14:30
Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

16 March 2011
14:30
Australia Vs Canada M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

18 March 2011
14:30
Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

19 March 2011
14:30
Pakistan Vs Australia R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

20 March 2011
09:30
Zimbabwe Vs Kenya Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Group B Matches

19 February 2011
14:30
India Match 1 Bangladesh Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

22 February 2011
14:30
England Vs Netherlands Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

24 February 2011
14:30
South Africa Vs West Indies Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

25 February 2011
09:30
Bangladesh Vs Ireland Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

27 February 2011
14:30
India Match 11 England Eden Gardens, Kolkata

28 February 2011
14:30
West Indies Vs Netherlands Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

2 March 2011
14:30
England Vs Ireland M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

3 March 2011
09:30
South Africa Vs Netherlands Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

4 March 2011
14:30
Bangladesh Vs West Indies Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

6 March 2011
14:30
India Vs Ireland M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

6 March 2011
09:30
England Vs South Africa M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

9 March 2011
14:30
India Vs Netherlands Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

11 March 2011
09:30
Ireland Vs West Indies Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

11 March 2011
14:30
Bangladesh Vs England Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong

12 March 2011
14:30
India Vs South Africa Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

14 March 2011
09:30
Bangladesh Vs Netherlands Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong

15 March 2011
14:30
South Africa Vs Ireland Eden Gardens, Kolkata

17 March 2011
14:30
England Vs West Indies M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

18 March 2011
09:30
Ireland Vs Netherlands Eden Gardens, Kolkata

19 March 2011
09:30
Bangladesh Vs South Africa Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

20 March 2011
14:30
India Vs West Indies M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Quarter-finals

23 March 2011
14:30
Group A1 Vs Group B4 Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

24 March 2011
14:30
Group A2 Vs Group B3 R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

25 March 2011
14:30
Group A3 Vs Group B2 Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

26 March 2011
14:30
Group A4 Vs Group B1 Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

Semi-finals

29 March 2011
14:30
Winner of Match 43 VS Winner of Match 44 R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

30 March 2011
14:30
Winner of Match 45 Vs Winner of Match 46 Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

Final Match

2 April 2011
14:30
Winner of Match 47 Match 49 Winner of Match 48 Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Dengue Fever, Symptoms , Causes and Prevention

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are acute febrile diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, which occur in the tropics, can be life-threatening, and are caused by four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. It is also known as breakbone fever, since it can be extremely painful. Unlike malaria, dengue is just as prevalent in the urban districts of its range as in rural areas. Each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. Dengue is transmitted to humans by the Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti or more rarely the Aedes albopictus mosquito. The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite at dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy.

The WHO says some 2.5 billion people, two fifths of the world's population, are now at risk from dengue and estimates that there may be 50 million cases of dengue infection worldwide every year. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries. (wikipedia)

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Symptoms

• Dengue starts with chills
• Headache
• Pain upon moving the eyes
• Low backache
• Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness.
• The temperature rises quickly as high as 104 F (40 C), with relative low heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure (hypotension).
• The eyes become reddened.
• A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.
• Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by a rapid drop in body temperature (defervescence) with profuse sweating. This precedes a period with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows.
• A characteristic rash appears along with the fever and spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body except the face.
• The palms and soles may be bright red and swollen. (medicinenet)

Prevention

• Empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots.
• Governmental initiatives to decrease mosquitoes also help to keep the disease in check but have been poorly effective.
• To prevent mosquito bites, wear long pants and long sleeves.
• For personal protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic.
• Limiting exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding standing water and staying indoors two hours after sunrise and before sunset will help.  (medicinenet)

Various Treatments Found over Internet

• “While most patients recover with supportive care, there is no specific treatment for dengue fever,” says Dr Salahuddin.
• Grind 100 gm red Apples in 1qtr hot milk ... use it twice a day

 

(Click Image to enlarge & See)

Scanned Passport of Indian Actress Aishwarya Rai (Ash)

Passport of Indian Actress Aishwarya Rai

(Click image to enlarge) 

Pak gold price may hit Rs43000/tola

KARACHI: The gold price may hit an all time high at Rs43,000 per tola, if its prices surged to 1300 dollars per ounce in international market, Geo News reported Saturday.

According to the sources in Sarafa markets, the gold is cheaper in Pakistan as compared to its prices in international market; however, Rs43,000-level is just around the corner.

Nazish Lutfi of ISMAR (Institute of Securities Managment And Research) said gold accounts for at least 26 percent of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, indicating its feasibility for investment.

He said gold burgeoned 300 percent during the last ten years, that is quite alarming, adding yellow metal could be sold if the economies around the world perform well, leading to the markets’ crash.

However, the investors should be cautious, he stressed.

Bahrain: The Biggest Resort in the World Bahrain

Vomiting and Its Remedies

Vomiting

Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of the stomach contents due to the contraction of stomach muscles. Vomiting is also known as emesis. Sometimes you may attempt to vomit but may not expel anything from your mouth. This is known as retching. Vomiting may or may not be accompanied by nausea.

Vomiting Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of vomiting are as follows:-

• Increased saliva, Dizziness, Lightheadedness,
• Difficulty in swallowing food or liquid,
• Changes in skin temperature,
• Increase in heart beat rate.

Vomiting Causes

Some of the causes of vomiting are as follows Overeating,

• Drinking excessive alcohol,
• Pregnancy
• Migraine
• Infections
• Flu, Stomach upset, Stomach virus, Food poisoning
• Accidental poisoning, Acute gastritis, Reflux
• Intestinal obstructions, Chronic digestive conditions, Peptic ulcers, Stomach cancer
• Intestinal obstruction, Kidney failure, Cholera.

Home Remedies for Vomiting

Some of the effective home remedies for vomiting are as follows.

• Have a cup of ginger tea
• Eat a mixture of honey and powder of 2 roasted cardamoms
• Have a glass of chilled lime juice
• Have a mixture of 1 tsp mint juice
• 1/2 tsp ginger juice and 1 tsp honey
• Slowly sip a glass of honey water
• Have one tsp onion juice in regular interval
• Slowly sip a glass of chilled cola
• Relax for some time.

Diet for the first twelve hours

For the first twelve hours after vomiting do not take any solid food. Limit yourself only to liquids like apple juice, carbonated juices, water and so on. Avoid citrus juices and dairy products for the first 24 hours.

Diet for the next twelve hours
During the next twelve hours gradually start eating banana, peeled apple, boiled potatoes, boiled rice and soup without cream.

Diet after 24 hours
After 24 hours you can have cottage cheese, non-fat milk, broiled chicken, lean meat and so on.


Other Suggestions for Vomiting

Once vomiting stops, do not rush to normal diet immediately. If vomiting continues then it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible.

23rd March, PAKISTAN DAY

A HUMBLE DEDICATION TO MY HOMELAND ...

I love Pakistan, have done so throughout my life, and will love it forever.Pakistan belongs to its people and not to the bunch of rotten corrupt politicians that have come and gone. Pakistan has been resilient enough to withstand the onslaught of corruption year after year for 60 years running, watching one tyrant after another make his own heaven on earth, even then my country withstood the onslaught and continued to serve its people. After a 60 year struggle it seems to be a little battle worn and tired and its now time for true Pakistanis like us, to stand up and give our nation a helping hand. It does not ask for much, just simply your love for the nation and maybe a good ruler at the helm of the ship and the courage to stand up and boldly say, I LOVE PAKISTAN very soon we shall see our efforts bear fruit and the new rising sun will take Pakistan into the skies like never before ..

Ramadan Mubarik - The First Jummah (Friday)

"Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the fire." Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh)


Ponder on the inherent logical sequence ( subhanAllah ) of the above! We cannot be exempt from fire without first being forgiven. And to be forgiven, we must be graced by Allah's mercy.


The first one third of Ramadan (10days ) is MERCY from Allah

1. Can we expect to receive mercy if we only deprive our bodies of food and drink? Of course not. Because Ramadan is meant for SPIRITUAL development through fasting. Physiologically, by fasting the body eliminates toxins efficiently and the mind becomes clear for "power thinking" so that one may ponder on the meaning of the Qur'an, Hadith and the necessity of Zhikr. One must also do some self-analysis to monitor and correct one's behaviour if necessary. With meditation the mind becomes quiet and so should our tongues!

2. Allah is looking for a sincere commitment from us and not just physical starvation till sunset and then returning to the status quo. Ramadan does not end at every iftar. It ends only on sighting the hilal of Shawwal. So the hard spiritual work must carry on for the whole of the month.

3. One must plead for mercy and sincerely cry to receive it because without it, we are stuck at stage one and our prospects of "freedom from fire" will be bleak.

 4. Therefore this stage one is for sincere confession to Allah that we are weak and sinful and that we desperately need His mercy. We have only about 10 days to qualify to stage two.

The second one third of Ramadan is ----- FORGIVENESS

1. We must now beg for Allah's forgiveness because we have broken so many of His rules and covenants and disobeyed His commandsduring the year, both knowingly and unknowingly. We must say istighfaar day and night and ask in every sajda for forgiveness.We must be afraid that if Allah does not forgive, we will surely be among the losers. Here again, Allah will be assessing the degree of sincerity in our repentance. He looks not for lip service but for soul service!

2. We must also be forgiving to other people's mistakes and tempers.

The last one third of Ramadan is ......... FREEDOM FROM FIRE

These are our last ten days or so. Instead of just focusing on Laylat Al-Qadar (the night of power) one should intensify supplications for the whole last third of Ramadan. If possible and affordable then do go for Umrah ... it will be probably the most spiritually fulfilling experience you will have, aside from Hajj. And Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to having done a Hajj with our Rasool pbuh! At the completion of the last fast, be optimistically hopeful that you will be alive to give similar pious worship during the forthcoming Ramadans. And if you remain guided in your life then you'll be will be admitted to Paradise, insha'Allah, by the Rayan gate of Paradise! Indeed Allah swt does not break His promise to his slaves.

Ramadan Mubarik

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)

FIFA World Cup Final 2010, Spain Does Rule the World

FIFA World Cup Final 2010, Spain Does Rule the World