Thursday, 13 January 2005

Light of a Lamp
Mood:  bright
Topic: Unleash the Power of One
She stared at the few hundred rupee notes in her hand. She had requested her employer to give it to her few days earlier, to enable her to do some New Year shopping. To celebrate the New Year in her own humble way. Of course she had to be careful with the money, her husband was no more and her family depended on her.
Yet now the money meant something else to her and she continued to stare at it. Her eyes focussed on the man smiling at her from the hundred rupee note. Why was He smiling?
Because, she had the money and was full of joy, or because he knew that if she were to give it someone else, she would still have joy and someone else too would share the joy...
She wished the thought wouldn't enter her head. Her employer had talked about contributing to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. They will be contributing in thousands, a few hundreds from me wouldnt make a difference, a voice said from within. But another voice insisted that she too, should do she do her best for the Tsunami vicitms. After all she thought even success of a movie worth crores, is determined by people who buy tickets for less than a hundred. Perhaps there is strength in numbers, she decided.
She went back and returned part of the money to her employer and asked her to give that money too to the relief fund.
Her employer smiled at her in amazement. Yet, declined and said she would contribute on her behalf too.
Her hand clutched the notes tightly. After all if the heart was not going to care for her stomach, the brain and hand should. But her soul was into giving and the hand that clutched, slowly stretched.
And she insisted that those notes too should be included, while taking the DD. And discovering the joy of giving, She Smiled.
Her employer, who had lamented about the Fury of Nature, now saw the Force of Human Compassion. She had thought disasters were the Curse of Gods, but realised that they were a Challenge to bring out the God within. Stunned she too, Smiled.
Later, a woman suddenly orphaned by the Tsunami,
thought she had none and that there was no point in living.
Yet when she got the relief, she realised that though
one cannot get back the lost lives,
Or get back the lost lifestyle,
Someone out there still cares,
And even if its not everything,
There is someone who wants to wipe away her tears.
And she too smiled.
Realising the Joy in Giving, the Giver Smiled
Stunned by the Force of Humanity, her Employer too Smiled
Realising that people still care, and that life can go on
The victim felt a Reason for Living and she too Smiled.
Its not a laugh, but just a smile. And a bittersweet smile.
But instead of just crying, even after the Tsunami
India still manages to Smile.
Some might Laugh when others make a mistakes
Some Indians Smiles when they correct, even God's mistakes.
And what can be more fun then discovering the Goodness within?
Just like a lamp, which never loses its glow
when it lights another
Many light a lamp,
During the darkness followed by disasters.
The light of these lamps spreads throughout India
And leaves India Shining & Smiling.

Wherever you are, Whenever you read this, its never too late to make a donation by cheque or draft in the name of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and sent it to the Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi-110001 or if you want to make the contribution online or by credit card of bank transfer etc, visit the url http://pmindia.nic.in/relief.htm

Discover the Joy of Giving.
You will smile and someone else too will smile,
Come, Join the India Smiling Campaign.

Sunday, 2 January 2005

You & Tsunami Relief
Topic: Unleash the Power of One
There are people out there who need us, lets not let them down. Nature didnt distingush, why should we. We have seen the Fury of Nature, now is the time to display the Force of Human Compassion.


A MUST VISIT BLOG http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com Contains lots of information on how YOU can help, including help in kind, various ngos working towards this cause, and list of Funds you can contribute to. If you are working towards this cause, and would like to invite support, you can make a mention of that too in this blog.

For mainly Indian relief coordination, one can visit http://www.indiatogether.org/relief/tsunami They also have a seperate blog which allows us to post queries and answeres on Tsunami Relief under the section Who What Where?

PRIME MINISTER'S NATIONAL RELIEF FUND

To donate Online to this fund, please click on the link http://www.sify.com/pmf.php

To remit funds through Money2India, kindly follow the steps given below:
1. Log on to your Money2India Account with the URL: https://m2inet.icicibank.co.in/m2iNet
2. Click on the link "Make a Donation"
3. Add Prime Minister's National Relief Fund as your registered beneficiary. Select your donation options - e-Transfer (Only in USA), Net Express (DBS Bank in Singapore only), Power Transfer and Cheque Transfer
4. Select ICICI Communities Tsunami Relief Fund from the Existing Receiver drop-down list. Provide the relevant remittance details - Amount and Currency. Do not forget to put the donation option code GF1??? and click on "Submit"
To contribute by way of cheque/demand draft
12 banks have been authorised to receive such donations. They are State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Dena Bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Allahabad Bank and Citi Bank.
Donations could be made by cheque or draft in the name of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and sent to the Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi-110001.
The nationalised banks will not charge any commission on preparation of draft in favour of PMNRF.
Contributions could also be sent through money orders with no commission chargeable.
The contributions to PMNRF have been notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act.
Form for Cheque / Demand Draft https://gayathiri1.tripod.com/id35.html

Form for payments through Credit Card https://gayathiri1.tripod.com/id35.html

Information for payments through Bank Transfers https://gayathiri1.tripod.com/id34.html

NRIs & Foreign Nationals :
Besides the other modes of payments,the contribution towards the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund can be deposited with the Indian Missions abroad clearly indicating your communication address. Formal receipt will be issued through the respective Mission.


Contributions to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund
The Contribution may be sent either by cash or cheque or Demand Draft drawn in favour of "CHIEF MINISTER'S PUBLIC RELIEF FUND" addressed to : The Joint Secretary to Government and Treasurer, Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund, Finance Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. Receipt will be given immediately on credit of the amount contributed to the fund Account which is entitled for 100% Tax Relief under Income Tax Act 1961. For addtitional information http://www.tn.gov.in/misc/cmprf2003.htm

These are additional links which can be useful. But please note that I am not recommending any fund. Use your discretion while making the contribution.


Red Cross
People who want to help may send bank drafts/cheques in the name Indian Red Cross Society, New Delhi. One may also deposit cash or relief material at the Delhi office. The society is accepting everything except perishable items and used clothes. Address: Indian Red Cross Society, 1, Red Cross Road, New Delhi - 110001 Phone: (011) 23716441, 23716234 Donate online by clicking on https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp
=========================

Hindu Relief Fund
A relief fund has specially been set up to receive contributions, which are fully deductible under the Income Tax Act, and will be made over to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund/Chief Ministers' Relief Fund.
Readers may send their cheques or drafts payable to "The Hindu Relief Fund" Kasturi Buildings 859 Anna Salai Chennai 600 002 INDIA
Contributions will also be accepted at all our branch offices.
All contributions above Rs.2,500 will be acknowledged in the newspaper.
You may also use your credit card to make the contribution online http://pay.hindu.com/thrfpay/thrfpay.jsp
For Bank Transfers :
Account Name : The Hindu Relief Fund Accoun No.102914 Account With Central Bank of India, Raheja Complex, Mount Road, Chennai 600002 Swift Code : CBININBBMDR
=========================

ICICI Communities Tsunami Relief Fund
which is managed by GiveIndia (www.giveindia.org) - an organization actively associated with the relief work in the disaster-struck region in the south-eastern coast of India. GiveIndia is a professionally managed non-profit organization that has undertaken commendable relief work during natural calamities such as the earthquake in Gujarat.
Log on to http://www.money2india.com
Click on the link " Make a Donation "
Add ICICI Communities Tsunami Relief Fund as your registered beneficiary
Select your donation options - e-Transfer (Only in USA), NetExpress (DBS Bank in Singapore only), PowerTransfer and ChequeTransfer
Select ICICI Communities Tsunami Relief Fund from the Existing Receiver drop-down list
Provide the relevant remittance details - Amount and Currency
Do not forget to put the donation option code "GF1"
Submit
Various ways of transferring Money2India
e-Transfer : A completely online method to transfer money into India.
ChequeTransfer : A convenient option that eliminates the need to visit a bank, just mail your foreign currency cheque.
PowerTransfer : A unique internet based wire transfer facility.
NetExpress : Fast online money transfers from Singapore through DBS Bank
=========================

Times of India
To contribute to this effort cheques may be sent payable to:
* Times Foundation, The Times of India, Dr D N Road, Mumbai - 400001).
* Times Foundation, The Times of India, 7 Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002. Contributions can also be made through www.timesofmoney.com and through www.remit2india.com For more information on the above please contact: * Madhura / Anuradha at Bombay 022-56354376/4398/4345 * Angela / Sandhya / Sagar at Delhi 011-23302864/2856/2103 You may also visit www.timesfoundation.org . E-mails can be sent at timesfoundation@timesgroup.com All donations above Rs 1,000 will be acknowledged through the newspaper.
=========================

NDTV's trust fund, The Hope Trust
Donations can be made to: HOPE - Tsunami Relief Fund and sent to:
The Company Secretary,New Delhi Television,W-17,Greater Kailash-1,New Delhi-110048.
All donations are tax deductible under section 80G of Income Tax Act,1961.
=========================

Indian Express Citizen's Relief Fund
The Indian Express, 3/50, Lalbaug Industrial Estate, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Lalbaug, Mumbai 400 012.
If you live outside Mumbai, please send demand drafts. You may also send your contributions to your local office of The Indian Express. If you live overseas, please send dollar-denominated pay orders. All contributions are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G.
Please mention your address so that we can send you your 80G tax-exemption certificates.
To donate online click on http://subscriptions.expressindia.com/bpd/tsunami/form.html

Sulekha.com
It has partnered with Association for India's Development (AID) to raise money for the relief efforts in India following the devastating earthquake/tsunami that has claimed thousands of lives. Sulekha.com has created a matching fund This fund will match dollar-for-dollar all contributions made through Sulekha to AID.. If you are an individual or a corporation interested in becoming a matching fund donor or have any questions about Sulekha-AID Tsunami relief fund, please write to Arti Patel at arti@sulekha.net The money raised will be given to AID to support their disaster relief efforts. The Association for India's Development (AID), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization and all contributions to AID Inc. are tax-deductible in the US( Federal tax-ID is 04-3652609). For online credit card payments http://www.sulekha.com/aidtsunami

Sunday, 26 December 2004

Force against the Fury
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Unleash the Power of One
Just when one thinks one has read about everything that happened in 2004 and can move on to 2005, along comes the 5th largest earthquake in the century and the largest in the last 40 years. And the resultant tidal waves and the flooding have caused lots of destruction. And as I write this, the full extent of the calamity is not yet known.

What will be the news after a week. Will we just move on? Will this be just another addition to 2004?

When nature strikes, it doesnt discriminate does it? Probably relief help would be asked. To help we need not desert our day to day lifestyle, but lets not forget to support the ngos or government.

There are people out there who need us, lets not let them down.

Nature didnt distingush, why should we. We have seen the Fury of Nature, now is the time to display the Force of Human Compassion.

In view of the appeal by the prime minister to all citizens to donate generously to the PMNRF to help relief and rehabilitation operations, 12 banks have been authorised to receive such donations.

They are State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Dena Bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Allahabad Bank and Citi Bank.

The spokesman said the donations could be made by cheque or draft in the name of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and sent to the Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi-110001.

The nationalised banks will not charge any commission on preparation of draft in favour of PMNRF.

Contributions could also be sent through money orders with no commission chargeable, the spokesman said adding that the contributions to PMNRF have been notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act.

========================================================================================

APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO
THE CHIEF MINISTER'S PUBLIC RELIEF FUND

Contributions to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund are most welcome.

The Contribution may be sent either by cash or cheque or Demand Draft drawn in favour of "CHIEF MINISTER'S PUBLIC RELIEF FUND" addressed to :

The Joint Secretary to Government and Treasurer,
Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund,
Finance Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai-600 009.

Receipt will be given immediately on credit of the amount contributed to the fund Account which is entitled for 100% Tax Relief under Income Tax Act 1961.

from http://www.tn.gov.in/misc/cmprf2003.htm

===================================================================================

For those in UK from the High Commision of India, London http://www.hcilondon.net : For any enquiry on the Tsunami (seismic sea wave) that hit Tamilnadu and adjoining region, please contact at 02073796242 (High Commission of India London).

===============================================================================================

http://pmindia.nic.in/relief.htm
Form for Donations to PMNRF
Prime Minister's National Relief Fund

Form for payment through Credit Cards

Name : ________________________________________________
( As it appears on the credit card)

Address : ______________________________________________

PIN ________________ Country ___________________

Phone ______________ (Off)__________________(Res)

Card : Diners / MasterCard / VISA / AMEX

Card No. : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Expiry Date : - - / - - - -

MM YYYY

Amount : Rs -- US$-- Euro-- GBP-- ..........................

Currency Amount

Amount in Words : _____________________________________________________

Date of Birth : - - - - - - - -
of Card Holder DD MM YYYY

Email Address : ________________________

Please make this donation to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. I will at no stage dispute this donation and I confirm that this Credit Card belongs to me.

______________________

Signature

(As it appears on credit card).

Card holders either mail this slip to the PMNRF, Prime Minister's Office P O Box No : 5411 New Delhi 110011 or Fax this slip to FAX no 91-44-8202221.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Form for payment through Cheques & Drafts

Cheque /Draft No : ____________________

Bank Name : ____________Branch :_________

Amount : _________ Amount in Words : ___________________________________

Kindly mail your Cheques / Drafts along with this slip to the PMNRF,
Prime Minister's Office, PO Box No : 5411, New Delhi 110011.

All donations are 100% exempt under Indian Income Tax Act

Receipt for donations received shall be sent by Post..



About it
The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, created shortly after Independence, provides immediate relief to people in distress. The Fund depends entirely on voluntary donations received from the public.

The Fund renders assistance to individuals facing distress situations. Its resources are utilised for the provision of immediate relief to the families of those killed in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes. It also grants assistance to families affected by major disturbances, riots and accidents. Besides, the Fund extends assistance to indigent persons to partially defray the cost of expensive medical treatment like heart surgery, kidney transplantation and cancer treatment. Over the years, lakhs of people have received assistance from this Fund.

All contributions to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund are fully exempt from Income Tax under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 subject to the prescribed limits. Donations to the Fund are also excluded from the computation of taxable gifts under section 5 (1) (v) of the Gift Tax Act, 1958.

Contributions to the Fund can be deposited in select branches of the Central Bank of India, State Bank of India, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Syndicate Bank and the Punjab National Bank through cheques or bank drafts in favour of the 'Prime Minister's National Relief Fund'. Receipt of the contribution will be acknowledged by the receiving bank, and the donation sent to the Fund account for deposit. Thereafter, a formal receipt for the contribution will be issued from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. All donors should ensure that the pay-in-slip is properly filled in while making the deposit to enable the Prime Minister's Office to issue the formal receipt. The Fund does not accept contributions in kind.

Contributors who live outside India may deposit their contributions with the nearest Indian Mission or in any branch of the State Bank of India for transfer to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Donations may also be made directly into Central Bank of India, New Delhi/Mumbai's following accounts stating beneficiary " Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, SB A/C with Janpath, New Delhi".


U.S. $: A/C No. 000-03847-4 with HSBC BANK,
USA, New York.
( SWIFT Code :- MRMD US 33 )

Pound Sterling: A/C No. 203253-80412368 with,
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, London.
( SWIFT Code :- BARCGB 22 )

EURO: A/C No. 4112222001 with CITI BANK,
Frankfurt.
( SWIFT Code :- CITI DE FF )

Monday, 20 December 2004

Light a Lamp
Mood:  cool
Topic: Unleash the Power of One
Diwali, the festival of lights
Is celebrated with sounds and lights
To celebrate light, only fireworks one need not ignite.
Give some to the needy and see their delight

What you give may not be an eternal light
But like the lamps may give a temporary respite

But dont let that stop you from being you.
and prove that if not at all times, sometimes you can care too.

A lamp's light doesnt diminish by lighting another lamp
When you give, your spirits too dont become damp
Celebrate this festival of lights
By lighting a lamp in another's life
Wishing all the O3 bloggers a Happy Diwali


posted on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 6:15 PM on O3

Sunday, 19 December 2004

Please don't Hurt the Eyes, they have Life
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Unleash the Power of One
Please don't hurt the eyes, they have life.

Please don't burn, or bury them.

Eyes can change lives, and they have life.



When during the despair of a dear one's death,

Don't forget to call a hospital within the six hours.

Unless due to jaundice or a HIV+ , or death from a dog bite.

Don't hurt the eyes, they have life.




Wouldnt you have done anything to save the dear one's life?

When they are alive with life for the six hours,

Why would you want to kill the dear ones eyes?

Dont hurt your dear ones eyes, they have life




What if you were blind folded for a day,

How tough will be - the walking and working ,

Won't life be filled with wondering and worrying .

What if this was the life of one of your dear ones,

Won't you make an attempt to get them sight?

But why not the same attempt, to give two strangers the sight?

When you can bring light to two lives,

Why hurt the eyes, when they have life?




Don't let anyone kill YOUR eyes,

Call the eyebank today.

When we can take an insurance policy to provide for the dear after our death,

why not provide for very our own eyes?

Dont we owe it to our eyes?




If you don't allow them to live, you kill them.

Dont hurt the eyes, they have life.



PS : Some are now going to accuse me of being blind , or in some eye donation racket;) or working for the link etc but for those who are interested in taking one step further, this link might prove useful http://www.myeyeworld.com/files/eyebanks.htm

The Waves & The Rocks
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Unleash the Power of One
The waves come, some gentle , some with a roar
Full of life, hope and cheer, towards the shore
But the hard rocks stand, on their way
and in a second, they splash and become mere spray
And they withdraw meekly, back to the bay
Can I learn a lesson from that today?

But the waves dont give up, do they?
And years later, as sand, the rocks lay.
Oh the waves seem to have won their way.
Consistent efforts, do seem to pay
The immediate results - don't always count
Let the adversary's strength, not intimidate you,
Losing the battle need not mean, losing the war
Never ever give up, the waves seem to say

Saturday, 4 December 2004

Began with a Rupee for Laloo
Mood:  bright
Topic: Unleash the Power of One
Manmohan noticed that Laloo was procrastinating many decisions. Being an economist, he decided to use the power of compounding to teach a lesson and invited Laloo to a game of golf.

Manmohan told Laloo that if he missed the first hole he would have to pay him one rupee; from there on it would be double for every hole that he missed. Laloo thought for a moment. Manmohan was asking money for every hole he would miss, not every shot, there are 18 holes, and they were starting at Re.1 one only. He tried to calculate how much he would lose if he missed all the 18 holes, but decided it wouldn't be much anyway. And of course he couldnt get it right immediately in every hole.

And at the end, he gave a Rs.100 note to Manmohan and asked for the change. But Manmohan asked for the balance of Rs.1,30,972! Laloo got angry and asked for the calculation. Prepared for it, Manmohan gave him the calculation sheet. Hole
Amount Owed

1 1

2 2

3 4

4 8

5 16

6 32

7 64

8 128

9 256

10 512

11 1024

12 2048

13 4096

14 8192

15 16384

16 32768

17 65536

18 131072



Metaphorically, what we do not realise is that when we postpone doing something in life even by a day, the gap in the beginning is only "2 minus 1" but the gap later is "131072 minus 65536". Our procrastinations may not hurt us too much in the beginning but what we will be deprived of in the long run can be very damaging.

Thankfully Manmohan didnt invite Laloo to a game of chess and start at Re.1 for the first square ask it to be doubled for every square in the game i.e 64. It would have started at Re.1 and for the 64th square it would have been Rs.18,446,744,073,709,600,000. Even chess, at the 16th square , quarter way mark its just Rs.65,536. And in the half way mark at 32nd square, it becomes Rs.42,94,967,296. And remember it started at Re.1.


We understand the importance of health and fitness but we postpone our efforts in that direction. We realise the importance of financial planning and investment but we procrastinate our initiative that direction. We comprehend the importance of board exams but push our preparations till it becomes a crisis. We find pushing papers into the pending folder as the most convenient option.

Of course you can replace the characters with your own personal favourite characters and get a good laugh. Or you can decide, the life and the lifestyle you want at 60s and 70s. The benefits of any habit or deed, good or bad is always compounded. We may not appreciate the importance of healthy food or exercise or financial planning or communicating our love to our family now. Most of us are still at an early hole, lets make the choices now. And let the power of compounding work, in every sphere of our life. Perhaps Laloo wouldn't have agreed if he knew about the magic of compounding in the beginning. Now you know it, if you decide to procrastinate even now, you will be dumber than the Laloo in the story.

The choice is yours:)

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