A Best Friend!
A friend that really cares!
All my secrets i can share!
There when i need a hand!
There to understand!

A FRIEND FROM ABOVE....

I prayed for you before we met,
Not knowing who you'd be.
I asked the Lord to send a friend.
One chosen just for me.

I asked that they'd be Godly,
With wisdom of His ways.
A friend to help and guide me
I the troubles of these days.

So often in life, we need someone
To listen while we talk.
Someone who will not condemn or judge,
But encourage us as we walk.

The narrow road we choose to follow
May sometimes make us stumble.
But to have a friend to catch our fall,
Teaches us to be humble.

When I asked the Lord to send a friend,
Though many came and went.
He gave much more than I ever asked,
For you are the friend He sent.

If you're friendly and you know it,
clap your hands.
If you're friendly and you know it,
clap your hands.

If you're friendly and you know it,
and you really want to show it,
If you're friendly and you know it,
clap your hands!

Deepavali, the literal meaning of which in Sanskrit is 'a row of lamps.'
Filling little clay lamps with oil and wick and lighting them in rows all
over the house is a tradition that is popular in most regions of the
country. Even today in this modern world it projects the rich and glorious
past of our country and teaches us to uphold the true values of life. It is
associated with many customs and traditions. One of the most curious
customs, which characterizes this festival of Diwali, is the indulgence of
gambling, especially on a large scale in North India.



The first day of five day long Diwali celebrations is of
great importance to the rich community of western India. Houses and business
premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with
lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess
of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small
footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the
houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night. Believing this day to
be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new
utensils.



Lakshmi-Puja is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas
of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits, devotional
songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and Naivedya of traditional
sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra
to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya In
villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main
source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they
are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are
adorned and worshiped on this day .



On second day there is a traditional practice specially in
Maharashtra of taking bath before sunrise with oil and "Uptan"
(paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders. In northern India, especially in
places like Punjab, Diwali is dedicated to the worship of Lord Rama. While
in Bengal, Kali/Durga, the goddess of strength, is worshiped. Diwali is one
of the few Hindu festivals, which is celebrated in every part of the
country, even in states like Kerala that has Onam as its main festival. To
the Jains, Deepavali has an added significance to the great event of
Mahaveera attaining the Eternal Bliss of Nirvaana.



Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on the
fourth day. This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning 'mountain of
food'. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are
given milk bath and dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling
diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. After the prayers and
traditional worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are offered to
the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach and take
Prasad.



Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in every Hindu household. In
many Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the
forehead of her husband, garland him and do his "Aarti" with a
prayer for his long life. In appreciation of all the tender care that the
wife showers on him, the husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is
symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day
newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals
and given presents. Diwali celebration is a very happy occasion for all.

Recent events in my life have taught me that the best thing to do in
any situation is just to love people. How can I be a better friend, a
better Son, Brother or Sister,etc. So often we go through life and we
don't really take the time to just simply love people.

For
example I hop on a bus, I've got all this time to take interest in
other people, en yet I just sit to myself, and pass the time, just
wondering what others are up to. Most likely someone will come on,
something about them will set an emotion off inside of me, and I will
be quick to judge them. "What is that guy thinking dressing like that".

If you can relate to me in this way, I've realized that love is the answer. Love. What is love?

Love
is patient, Love is kind, It does not envy, it does not boast, It is
not proud, It is not rude, It is not self-seeking, It is not easily
angered, It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil,
but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres. Love bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Love
never fails.

Now if quoting Corinthians 13:4-8 Is going to do it for you… What really is love though and what does it look like?

Love
is genuine: "Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them"
- Romans 12:9. Love is taking a moment to talk to the person sitting
next to you on the bus, taking an honest interest in their life? Love
is offering your seat to someone who is standing? Love is saying a
prayer for the people riding with you, asking God to bless them. Love
doesn't mean holding hands and kissing the gentleman sitting next to
you.

I've started to see in my life that as I open up to love
people, it's amazing at how things have changed in my. I heard this
story of a girl walking home from school, terribly depressed and down
on life. Ready to commit suicide when she arrives home, as she has just
had enough. A classmate who had never spoken to her, comes up and asks
if he can carry her books, and walk with her. Coles notes version is
that because of the Love expressed by that boy, she didn't commit
suicide and found new meaning in her life. We think of saving lives as
firefighters and police officers. What about that boy? Is he a
lifesaver? He didn't boldy enter a burning building or stop a fire. He
simply just took the time to love.

My first response was and the
one that I hear from most people is: I'm too busy, or I love enough
already. I'd say if you honestly answer those questions you'd have the
same response as I have. I'm not too busy. I just manage my time badly. I'm riding the bus anyways. Why not love the guy sitting next to me. I love enough already. There is never a time or a place in your life that you will love enough.

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ART AND CULTURE OF INDIA.

People & Lifestyle of India

India is a fascinating country where people of many different communities and religions live together in unity.

In a country as diverse and complex as India , it is not surprising to
find that people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the
culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the
numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain
truly Indian. According to five thousand years of recorded history,
India has been invaded by armies, traders and immigrants who brought
with them their own habits, faiths, practices and observances which
have all contributed to the rich texture of Indian life and living.



From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the cultivated peninsula of
far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the
East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool
forest foothills, Indian lifestyles clearly glorify the geography. The
food, clothing and habits of an Indian differ in accordance to the
place of origin.


The average Indian is naturally a very curious person. Don't be too
surprised if a stranger walks up to you, introduces himself and then
subjects you to a barrage of questions about your origins, America, the
purpose of your visit here, etc.Women prefer to be greeted from a
distance with a simple "Namaste". But, in urban cities, handshakes
between both sexes are quite common. Any other demonstration of public
affection is usually frowned upon.

India, the land of spirituality
and philosophy considers religion as an integral part of its entire
tradition. The worship of various religions and its rituals play a
significant role in every aspect of human life in the country.India is
the birthplace of two great religions of the world, namely, Hinduism
and Buddhism. It is also the birthplace of one of the oldest religions
of the world, Zoroastrianism, and home to an ancient religion, Jainism.
Sikhism is another very recognizable religion which began here bringing
together the best aspects of Hinduism and Islam. Followers of religions
originated in other countries such as Islam, Christianity, Bahaism and
Judaism also form a part of the population of secular nation, India.



One of the best ways to sample authentic Indian food is at an Indian
home, rather than at a restaurant. Indian food is not just unique to a
particular state, but also to different communities within the same
state. Dining at an affluent and educated Indian's home is not very
different from the western way. However, in a traditional middle-class
home, one may be expected to sit in a cross-legged, yogic position on
the floor and eat with the right hand from a banana leaf. It is
customary to leave one's footwear outside the door to the house.. India
offers you a large number of vegetarian & non-vegetarian meals.
Vegetarian Food is quite common in India & usually comprises Rice,
Bread, Dhal (Pulses), Vegetables, Curd, Pickle & other add ons. So
many times it also include some sweets.



Though ethnically Indians speak different languages, follow different
religions, eat the most diverse varieties of food, there is still a
richness in Indian arts and culture which is unparalleled anywhere else
in the world. The beauty of the Indian people lies in the spirit of
tolerance, give-and-take and a composition of cultures that can be
compared to a garden of flowers of various colors and shades of which,
while maintaining their own entity, lend harmony and beauty to India !

2020 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS-INDIA


A youthful Indian cricket team, full of vigour and determination, made
history here Monday by beating Pakistan by five runs to clinch the
Twenty20 World Championship when all seemed lost.


India kept their nerves to clinch the win with three balls to spare and
sent the New Wanderers Stadium, packed with Indian supporters, into
wild celebrations. There were also millions of Indian across the globe
who rejoiced the sweet triumph.

Off
the last over, bowled by pacer Joginder Sharma, Pakistan required 13
runs to win with the last wicket remaining - and all seemed lost for
India. But Joginder, the man with the golden arm - he had also bowled
the crucial final over in the semi-finals upset of Australia - castled
Misbah-ul-Haq to help script an epoch-making win with and signal wild
celebrations at the New Wanderers Stadium.

Scores: India 157 for five in 20 overs after winning the toss and Pakistan 152 all out in 19.2 overs.

While
Joginder successfully bowled the final over, it was left-arm pacer
Irfan Pathan who captured three crucial wickets in an excellent spell
to tilt the tide in India's favour. His final bowling analysis of
4-0-16-3 fetched him the Man of the Match award and helped India win
the maiden edition of the newest version of the game.

On a day
when the Indian batsmen - barring Gautam Gambhir's resolute and
enterprising 75 off 54 balls (8x4s, 2x6s) and Rohit Sharma's unbeaten
30 off 16 balls (2x4s, 1x6) - failed, the bowlers did the trick again.

Left-armer
Rudra Pratap Singh also bowled superbly to start Pakistan's downfall
and also ended up with three wickets. Joginder took two wickets.

Their
efforts meant that Misbah's 38-ball 43 (4x6s) - the top score for
Pakistan - as well as Imran Nazir's 33 (14 balls, 4x4s, 2x6) went in
vain.

The only consolation for Pakistan was that Shahid
Afridi, who failed to score a run and take a wicket, was adjudged the
Man of the Series.

The win wiped out bad memories of the World
Cup five months ago, when India - as also Pakistan - had crashed out in
the first round, leading to prolonged national mourning and criticism.


The win - achieved without Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav
Ganguly, who all had opted out - also kept India's slate clean against
Pakistan in cricket's global competitions. India have never lost to
Pakistan in the ODI World Cup - and now in Twenty20 too.


It was India's second win over Pakistan in the 12-nation tournament,
and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boys won both. In the Super Eights, India
had won the 'bowl out' tiebreaker 3-0 after their scores were tied
after the regulation period.


India and Pakistan were playing for the first time in the final of a
world-level tournament - if the 1985 World Championship of Cricket is
not taken into account - and Dhoni's team gave much to shout about at
the end of it.


India had also beaten Pakistan in the final of the World Championship
of Cricket in Melbourne. Although all the Test-playing nations had
taken part in that competition, it was a one-off venture organised by
Victoria.



Wild celebrations erupted when Sreesanth caught a lofty shot from Misbah when the game could have gone either way.



As a despondent Haq sank to his knees while Indian players went crazy with joy, it was jubilation time for Indians.


Good bowling from Pakistan restricted the Indian batsmen, but an
admirable and determined counter-attack led to Pakistan's collapse.


Chasing India's total, Pakistan got a shock early on in their innings
when R.P. Singh, who is going through a purple patch, struck off the
fifth ball of his first over.


As opener Mohammed Hafeez tried to guide the ball over the slips, he
managed to give Robin Uthappa an easy catch at first slip. Pakistan:
two for one.


With the addition of 24 runs, R.P. Singh struck again, castling an
experienced wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal for nought. Pakistan: 26 for
two.



Imran Nazir, who looked in ominous form, and Younis Khan then tried to
steady the ship, but after adding only 26 for the third wicket Nazir
(33, 14 balls, 4x4s, 2x6) became the target of Uthappa's direct throw
after he reacted late to Younis's call for a run off Sreesanth.


Younis made 24 in as many balls and hit four boundaries but Joginder in
the ninth removed him as he mistimed a fuller length delivery, giving
Yusuf the catch at mid-on.


Soon, Malik and Afridi were also back in the pavilion. Misbah and Yasir
Arafat (15) added 27 for the seventh wicket to keep Pakistan in the
hunt.


Then Misbah and Sohail Tanvir added 34 crucial runs for the eighth
wicket. But once Sreesanth got rid of Tanvir, all the responsibility
fell on Misbah's shoulders in the company of Umar Gul and Mohammed
Asif.


Eventually, Misbah also caved in under the pressure as he tried to play
the scoop shot over fine leg off Joginder only to hole out into the
hands of Sreesanth - and signal India's win.


Earlier in the day, Dhoni won the toss but the Indian batting failed to
live up to expectations after Virender Sehwag was ruled out of the
match with injury.


Even the total of 157 would not have been possible but for Gambhir's
knock of 75 and young Rohit's cameo towards the end of the innings.


Yuvraj Singh, who has been in fabulous form in this competition, failed
to click and managed only 14 off 19 balls (1x4) as the Pakistan bowlers
and fielders looked sharp and purposeful.


Debutant Yusuf Pathan, Irfan's elder brother, had a sensational start
to his international career by hitting pacer Mohammed Asif for a six as
his first scoring stroke. But he scored 15 (8 balls, 1x4, 1x6) before
getting out.



Pacer Umar Gul was the pick of the bowlers as he took three wickets for 28 in four overs.


Earlier, India got a scare off the very first ball of the match when
non-striker Yusuf barely avoided being run out after hesitating to take
a single called by Gambhir.


Undaunted, Yusuf hit the fourth ball of Asif's opening over for a huge
six. He hit another boundary off a wide ball from the same bowler in
the third over. But off the next ball Asif took his revenge.


Asif had the tall Vadodara batsman caught off a miscued pull shot. As
Pathan tried to pull the short delivery over midwicket he mistimed it
and captain Shoaib Malik at mid-on ran back to grab the catch.


As Uthappa attempted to hit over the infielders off left-arm pacer
Sohail Tanvir he mistimed the shot and Shahid Afridi at extra cover
took a comfortable catch.


A 63-run third-wicket partnership between Gambhir, who looked in fine
touch, and Yuvraj saved the innings from total collapse and India from
complete embarrassment.


However, Yuvraj failed to reproduce his form Monday and was out, top
edging a forceful pull shot. Gul easily took the catch off his own
bowling.


After that partnership, there was not much fight seemed to have left in
the Indian camp, though young Rohit came up with another gutsy knock.

ARIES- Aries gets things started and then pursues them with gusto (but maybe
not much practical common sense). Life is like a battle to be entered
into and won. Your will must prevail. All is possible. If impossible it
just takes a little longer (or so you believe).
ADVICE-When you get bored with a project, hand it over to someone else skilled
in the practical application of your inspired idea, not forgetting
(this is the difficult bit) to mention all those vital details without
which the project will fail. Then you are free to start something else

TAURUS-Taurus enjoys the sensual world for it's own sake (compare Virgo which
has to do something with it). Down to earth, pragmatic, will stubbornly
pursue a task to completion without deviation once it has the impetus
to get going (which may take a while).
ADVICE-When in the depths of disillusionment and your own solutions show no
signs of working, just consider the possibility (oh yes, I know, it's
very unlikely) that there may be something in another's idea.

GEMINI-Gemini takes an interest in anything initially but gets easily bored. A
seeker after information, passing it on to others whether or not it's
worth the trouble. A winner if clear thinking is what is needed in a
crisis.
ADVICE-You can't explain away complex feelings. Try to enter into them. The
Gemini mind can then take the vantage point of an compassionate
observer, finding ways to bring them creatively into daily life.
Emotions can be interesting as well as ideas!



CANCER-Cancer is the home and family lover of the zodiac. The break-up of
families and the use of houses as just somewhere to live rather than
places to create real homes is painful, and leads to the forging of
alternative families in other settings so that the feeling of being at
home can be enjoyed.

ADVICE-Ideas that feel good may not be the best ones to follow. Feel how
tenaciously you cling to them when someone challenges them and see if
you can watch them more objectively.

LEO-Leo radiates warmth, light and goodwill like the Sun which rules it -
and likes it if you notice it doing so! Leo at its best is confident
and decisive, has an overall perspective on life and can bring out the
best in others.

ADVICE-Love yourself with all your faults (yes, you do have some!), observe
yourself with compassion, then you won't depends on what others feel
about you and will have more to give. Then you will get the
appreciation you long for.

VIRGO-Virgo's great gift is the ability to discriminate between what is
useful and what isn't. It is at home with the details that others find
boring. When Virgo relates to you an important occasion you may boil
with frustration waiting for the relevant conclusions to emerge from
the carefully ordered account of events leading to them - Virgo knows
what is useful but bores you with the details anyway.

ADVICE-Compassionately observe yourself criticising what you see as the
deviant behaviour of others. Consider what the world would be like
without it … !

LIBRA-Compassionately observe yourself criticising what you see as the
deviant behaviour of others. Consider what the world would be like
without it … !

ADVICE-Consider a matter carefully before deciding, certainly, but then act
boldly and risk getting it wrong. Perhaps more than any other sign
Libra learns through its mistakes. And who knows, maybe your mistake is
someone else's opportunity. The deeper level of the soul may have a
different idea of what constitutes a mistake than the mind does

SCORPIO-Scorpio needs to delve beneath appearances to reality. Nothing
superficial will do. Try small-talk and Scorpio will move away to look
for more fertile pastures where its emotional intensity can be engaged.

ADVICE-Your can penetrate to the faults and sore spots of others. Use this
power to heal, not criticise. If you do not forgive and accept others
as they are then yours is the greater fault, and you could find
yourself isolated and feeling lonely.

SAGITARRIOUS-Sagittarius strives for what is beyond day to day human experience,
whether it travel to distant lands, broadening knowledge by education
or by exploring the spiritual dimension of life.

ADVICE-If lost in the clouds come back to earth for a while, bringing any
worthwhile experience with you to give meaning to everyday life. Don't
use your spiritual aptitude as an excuse to avoid self-knowledge - you
may be a danger to ordinary mortals attracted by your charisma.

CAPRICORN-Capricorn is content to work within the social order in which it finds
itself and seeks success therein. A great sense of responsibility and a
determination to complete any project once started. Seeks tangible
results.

ADVICE-Your strong sense of duty is a great gift, but if you allow it to take
you over and stop you having fun you will antagonise those you love and
you will have less to give. Don't take on more responsibilities than
you can handle.

AQUARIES-Aquarius has ideas to take humanity out of its restriction to the
social order into a wider sense of community. Values freedom and
equality, encouraging others to claim what it considers is their due

ADVICE-Check this out: does your concern for the 'brotherhood of man' arise,
at least in part, from a lack of a strong sense of your own individual
worth? Watch this especially if you think you are entitled to prior
consideration on account of your advanced ideas.

PISCES-Pisces has an instinctive connection with life beyond space and time
such that ordinary daily life can seem a burden. As an actor on the
stage can lift an audience out of itself so can Pisces give life by
infusing this world with intimations of another.

ADVICE-Check what your sacrificial service to others is doing to you. If it's
destroying you then you have nothing to give. If your reward is more
joy in life all well and good.

Two more wars occurred between
Pakistan and India. One of the wars was in 1965, which resulted in a stalemate
between the two countries for Kashmir. The second war occurred in 1971
and was triggered by Pakistan trying to pacify the Bengali peasantry by
confiscating Hindu land and giving it to the Muslims ("1971 India-Pakistan
War: Origins of Crisis," Available at link below). This action created
eight million refugees that created an immense burden on the Indian government.
The Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, felt the only way to stop the flow of
refugees was to support the Bengali freedom fighters, especially the Muki
Bahini. Pakistan then began to attack suspected Muki Bahini camps located
inside of India's territory. They later struck nine Indian airfields along
the western boarder. India declared war on Pakistan and defeated them in
two weeks, overrunning East Pakistan and taking 93,000 POWS