Friday, 28 August 2015

The Real Iron Man

The Real Iron Man. This 92-Year-Old Ex-Navy Officer Walked 10 Kms In 96 Minutes To Win India A Gold Medal

Here's another story that would make you sit up and take notice of the fact that grit and determination are ageless. Much like the 92-year-old Vallabhajosyula Sriramulu, a retired Officer in the Indian Navy, who recently won a gold medal in 10km walk at the World Masters Athletics Championships.

Hindu

The annual athletics tournament for senior players, middle aged sports enthusiasts and the elderly was held in Lyon, France from August 4-16. Commander Sriramlulu was participating in the 90-94 year age group category and finished the 10km walk inan hour and 36 minutes. He also competed in the 5km walk and the 20km walk but was disqualified due to stringent race rules.

"I participated in 5km, 10km and 20km speed walk and could complete the 10km walk and get the gold. While 20km walk is my favourite I could not complete since I was disqualified from both 5km and 20km events," he was quoted as saying by The Hindu on Wednesday.

The strict rules of the competition state that while walking in the event, the walker must not have both feet in the air together at any point of time, he must ground the heel and each time the knee must lock, failing to comply will make it a run and liable for disqualification.

Telegraph

The sporting meet had 8,059 participants, including 2505 women from 98 countries. India ended 34th with 2 golds with 85-year-old Skaria John Poovathinkalmattakal claiming the other medal winning the 200m Long Hurdles meet in the 85-year category. All the athletes have to shell out funds to compete on their own as there is no sponsorship.

For Sriramulu, who is a regular walker and does weight training, it is matter of great pride to win the yellow medal but to not have dignitaries present the medal was a downer for him.

"My chest swelled with pride to see the National Tricolour being hoisted at the medal award ceremony after the event, but it was disappointing to see a nondescript volunteer presenting the medal," he recalled.

the better India

Sriramulu retired from the force in 1975 and then worked for Dredging Corporation of India in the public sector. Seeing his dedication towards fitness and athletics, the then secretary of veteran sports association Tripura Sundara Rao told him to participate in senior sports events and Sriramulu has not looked back since, winning awards and laurels at the masters athletics level.

In India as well, such a athletics competition exists which not many know of - Elderly Athletes Show Youngsters The Way In This Masters League.

http://www.indiatimes.com/news/sports/the-real-iron-man-this-92yearold-exnavy-officer-walked-10-kms-in-96-minutes-to-win-india-a-gold-medal-244671.html

24 Facts About WWII That Never Made It To Your History Books

Rishabh Banerji

May 11, 2015

World War II, as we know it, was all about Hitler's atrocities and the lives it affected. What was not provided in our history lessons were these facts. Little things that affected millions of lives later on in the war. From the luckiest man in the world, to Hitler avoiding concentration camps, this list will tell you about the things no one spoke about.

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DING!

http://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/self/24-facts-about-wwii-that-never-made-it-to-your-history-books-232477.html

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

2.87 million Indians have no faith, census reveals for first time

A majority of people (1,643,640) who ticked the non-faith category live in rural areas as compared to those in urban areas (1,223,663).

CHENNAI: India has 2.87 million people who have no faith in any religion — 0.24% of the country's population of 1.21 billion — according to the 2011 census, which was the first to include a 'non-faith' category. The figure includes atheists, rationalists as well as those not interested in any religion but believe in some 'unknown' force.

A majority of people (1,643,640) who ticked the non-faith category live in rural areas as compared to those in urban areas (1,223,663). More males (1,463,712) than females (1,403,591) said that they did not believe in any faith.

Uttar Pradesh accounts for the most people registered as 'non-faith' (582,000) than any other state. Bihar, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu all have more than one lakh people in the category.

TN, perhaps more than any other state, has a history of atheism. It started with E V Ramasamy (1879-1973), popularly known as Periyar, who propagated atheism (or rationalism) in the early 1900s. Since then, the political party he founded, Dravidar Kazhagam, and members of its offshoots, the Dravidian parties like DMK, have had avowed atheists. Over time, though, some of the non-believers found religion and perform yagas that Periyar had fought against tooth and nail.

"It is welcome that our voice has been recorded for the first time in the census," Dravida Kazhagam leader K Veeramani said. But he believes there are many more non-believers than the census department recorded.

"There are two parts to this," he said. "One is that the census department does not have a foolproof system of collecting data. Two, there are some non-believers who don't have the courage to say they don't belong to any religion. If you include them I'm sure the non-faith category would comprise at least 1% of the population."

A 2012 WIN-Gallup poll would appear to corroborate that view: the report, based on interviews with 50,000 people from 57 countries, stated that 3% of Indians were convinced atheists and 3% were unsure or did not respond. It said 81% of Indians were religious and 13% were not religious.

Andhra Pradesh too has had several non-believers. The Atheist Centre based in Vijayawada and its founder Gora (Goparaju Ramachandra Rao) and his wife Saraswathi Gora fought against superstitions both during the freedom movement and after Independence.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2-87-million-Indians-have-no-faith-census-reveals-for-first-time/articleshow/48689278.cms?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=TOI

10 Facts About India That Will Blow Your Mind

Neha Borkar

December 19, 2014

From a village named Snapdeal to the richest home in the world, our country has it all! Here are 10 facts that will surely raise your eyebrows.

1. There is a village called Snapdeal Nagar in Uttar Pradesh.

Image Credit: Quora

Shiv Nagar in Uttar Pradesh changed its name to Snapdeal Nagar, because the e-commerce company installed 15 handpumps in the village.

2. There is a species of shark known as the Ganges Shark that inhabits the River Ganga.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Ganges Sharks are true river sharks, and are unfortunately critically endangered.

3. The Taj Mahal was covered with a huge scaffold during WW2.

Image Credit: Quora

In order to misguide any enemy bombers during the World War II, the great historical monument was disguised to make it look like a stockpile of bamboo.

4. India's first rocket was brought on a cycle, and satellite on a bullock cart.

Image Credit: Quora

Image Credit: Quora

Now isn't that surprising?

5. India has the world's first hospital train.

Image Credit: IMPACT

The Lifeline Express is the world’s first hospital on train. Started on 16th July, 1991, the train reaches the most rural parts of India and offers medical help.

6. The oldest brand in the world is in India.

Image Credit: Quora

The healthy supplement Chyawanprash is known to be the oldest brand in the world. Originated since the Vedic period, it has been in continuous demand till date.

7. Isisaurus is one of the few dinosaurs ever to be dug up on the Indian subcontinent.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Named after Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), the gigantic dinosaur’s remains were found in Dongargaon Hill in Maharashtra.

8. Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software.

Image Credit: novina.br

Known as the mother of all Indo-European languages, Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software.

9. India's road network is long enough to loop around the earth over 117 times.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

India's road network totals to 4.7 million kilometres!

10. The country houses the world's most expensive home.

Image Credit: arasarchitect.com

Antilia, the home of billionaire Mukesh Ambani is the most expensive home in the world. The twenty-seven story, 400,000-square foot skyscraper residence stands tall in Mumbai.

http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/10-facts-about-india-that-will-blow-your-mind-228958.html

15 Best WhatsApp Statuses You'll Ever Come Across

Rishabh Banerji

December 19, 2014

WhatsApp statuses are probably the most under-utilised forum (if you want to term it that) to express one's feelings. In fact, I don't even remember the last time I changed mine. Us Indians, the attention seeking maniacs that we are, have this undying need of updating statuses. While most of them are mundane and rather moronic, you do come across some true gems every once in a while. Check it out, feel free to update yours with the one that you find the funniest.

These 15 statuses have been sourced from the good people on this Quora thread.