Government Medical College & Hospital Chandigarh - India

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT
(COLLEGE & HOSPITAL)
In view of the ever increasing population of the city of Chandigarh, a second 500-bedded General Hospital had become a necessity not only for catering to the needs of patients in the southern sectors of the city but also to cater for patients from the satellite townships of Panchkula and SAS Nagar. The first 500-bedded General Hospital in sector 16 remains choked with the flow of patients from the first phase sectors of the city and the surrounding states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and western parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, located in sector 12, Chandigarh was conceived as a premier referral centre for the northern states of India.
[Photo]The second General Hospital in Sector 32 had been planned to serve the second phase sectors, thereby relieving pressure on General Hospital, Sector 16 and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), so that the latter could serve as a first rate referral hospital.

Chandigarh, best educational facilities in the country. Besides the Panjab University and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, it has an Engineering College, College of Arts, College of Architecture, a number of Government and Private Degree Colleges and other prestigious and important research institutions. Somehow, the city had lacked a Medical College for graduate studies, i.e. MBBS. The deficiency was most glaring. GMC provides opportunity of a career in medicine to many promising students who were denied of this opportunity because of ‘domicile’ restrictions imposed by the states in which these colleges are located.

BROAD OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
The hospital, intending to meet the medicosocial needs of various communities of different economic status, has been obliged to adjust its various services/facilities of general nature and teaching to the present requirements of the society in North India. The broad objectives of the 500 bedded multi-disciplinary teaching hospital are cited below :

To provide comprehensive health care, encompassing preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care to the residents of North India drawn from the urban/semi-urban and rural areas.

To provide out-patient, in-patient and round the clock maternity and emergency care services of all basic and supportive general specialties. These services would be provided free to the poor whereas the more affluent component of the society will add gradually to the government revenue.

To provide round the clock facilities of intensive care unit, coronary care unit, burns unit and neonatal intensive care unit.

To provide round the clock state of the art diagnostic services/facilities in clinical pathology, including blood bank, clinical biochemistry, microbiology and radiology, including ultrasound and CT scan.

To provide few specialised services in clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic fields like in cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, neonatology, neurosurgery, urology, plastic surgery and burns, etc.

To act as a free medical institution for direct/first level contact for patients and also as a secondary level referral centre for the referred cases from nearby smaller/large hospitals (Government/private), health centres, polyclinics and dispensaries situated in North India.

To act, specifically, as a regional overflow multi-disciplinary institution (north region) for the referred cases by linking horizontally with other peripheral 100 bedded and 500 bedded general hospitals in the north, with other major teaching institutions and larger multi-disciplinary hospital situated in other parts of Chandigarh.

To reduce considerably the present workload of other hospitals, especially the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh and thereby offer maximum relief to the economically weaker section and middle section of the people residing in rural and semi-urban areas of Chandigarh.

To participate in various national health programmes, including National Family Welfare Programme, by linking with various Government/private hospitals and health centres(horizontally and vertically) and providing necessary infrastructure and facilities as per their demands.

To fulfill the glaring deficiency of an undergraduate Medical College in the Union Territory of Chandigarh which offers the best educational facilities in all other fields. The Government Medical College will be attached to the teaching hospital.

To act as a centre for Continuing Medical Education Programmes for various categories of technical and non-technical personnel of different disciplines working within and from other various sized hospitals.

To render facilities for conducting research activities relating to different specialties, as and when required.

Last but not the least the hospital, as a measure for future expansion, in response to the changing trend in hospital services, would also provide facilities/services (clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic) of various other specialties in future depending upon the real needs of the population.

COMMISSIONING OF THE 500- BEDDED GOVT. MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL AND GOVT. MEDICAL COLLEGE WINGS
The Government Medical College, Chandigarh was started during the year 1991 in pursuance of the No Objection Certificate issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, vide their U.O.No. 12013/31-90ME(P) dated 15-01-91. The defacto Government Medical College was started in the Prayaas building, Sector 38, Chandigarh after the foundation stone laying ceremony was performed by the former Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Chandra Shekhar on 20 January, 1991 in Sector 32 on the quilt of 36.09 acre of land allotted by the Chandigarh Administration. In the first instance, the construction for this College and Hospital was started with the outlay of Rs. 100.00 Lac earmarked in the annual plan for 1991-92.

HOSPITAL PLANNING
The hospital building is being constructed with the highest specifications available in the country so that it can be kept hygienically clean and relatively infection free, in the patient’s interests. Crevices, projections and other designs, which can collect dust and cobwebs, have been avoided in the construction. Such infection harboring designs have been eliminated.

BED DISTRIBUTION AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Based upon modern technology and the utilization of the modern approach for the building of any complex, specially a large hospital, the Chief Architect, Chandigarh Administration, had evolved a new concept based on the modular system. He proposed the system with self-contained modules for different functions with vertical requirements and a central core which will take away the use of unending corridors of the traditional hospital buildings constructed in the past.

The following wings/modules have been proposed and the architectural designs proposed by the Architecture Department of Chandigarh Administration.

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College to Career in Medical Laboratory Technology

The challenges and rewards of medicine and science are combined into one in the world of the medical laboratory technician. A medical laboratory technician performs general tests in all of the following areas of the laboratory: hematology, microbiology, chemistry, immunohematology, phlebotomy, and immunology. Working under the supervision of a medical technologist, the medical laboratory technician hunts for clues to the absence, presence, extent and causes of disease.

UMA's Medical Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the National Accrediting agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Students graduate with an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and are qualified to sit for any of the following national registry exams: Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA), and American Medical Technologist Exam (AMT).

Transferable Skills & Competencies
Medical laboratory technicians are problem-solvers who like challenges and are willing to take responsibility. They are accurate, reliable, work well under pressure and are able to finish a task once started. "Med lab techs" communicate well, both verbally and in writing. They set a high standard for themselves and expect quality in the work they do. Listed below are some representative skills and abilities that students in MLS may acquire:

Investigation
•Understanding cause & effect
•Observing carefully
•Designing experiments
•Relating lab findings to common disease process
•Utilizing formulae
Communication
•Using medical terminology
•Writing reports
•Informing/explaining
•Meeting with patients
•Working as a team member
Technical
•Using medical equipment
•Maintaining medical equipment
•Monitoring quality control
•Applying principles of safety
•Calculating
Analysis
•Collecting & processing specimens
•Attending to details
•Examining specimens
•Conducting tests
•Perceiving patterns/structures
•Solving problems
Careers
Medical Laboratory Technology graduates apply their skills in a variety of settings including health care, business and industry, government and research organizations. The following is a selected list of career options for Medical Laboratory Technology majors. Some of the occupations may require additional training.

Health Care
•Medical Laboratory Technician
•Tissue Bank Coordinator
•Clinical Toxicologist*
•Diagnostic Virologist*
•Veterinary Laboratory Assistant
•Biofeedback Therapist
•Phlebotomist
Government/Public Service
•Water Quality Inspector
•Communicable Disease Coordinator
•Forensic Laboratory Assistant
•FDA Inspector*
•Rabies Responder
•Drug Testing Coordinator
Research
•Cancer Researcher*
•Pharmaceutical Research Assistant
•Epidemiologist*
•Molecular Endocrinologist
•Genetics Researcher*
•Cytotechnologist*
•Human Resources Manager
Business/Industry
•Color Development Chemist
•Brewery Laboratory Analyst
•Milk Processing Plant Manager
•Paper Mill Lab Technician
•Quality Control Technician
•Insurance Claims Adjuster
•Technical Service Representative
•Sales Representative, Biotechnical Instrumentation and Reagents
*Baccalaureate or graduate level study is generally required for these occupations.

For More Information
College of Mathematics & Professional Studies
Phone: 621-3288 or 1-877-UMA-1234, ext. 3288
621-3483 or 1-877-UMA-1234, ext. 3483
Academic & Career Advising Center
Phone:621-3149 or 1-877-UMA-1234, ext. 3149
Admissions & Records Office
Phone: 621-3465 or 1-877-UMA-1234, ext. 3465
TTY# 1-800-316-3600
Web site: www.uma.edu

Ranthambore National Parks India

Situated in Eastern Rajasthan, where the Aravali Hill ranges and the Vindhyan plateau meet, the Ranthambhore National Park was once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The rivers Chambal in the South and Banas in the North bound the Ranthambore National Park.

Six man made lakes are the central focus of the park and many perennial streams criss-cross the entire park. The Ranthambore National Park has internal drainage and has no link up with any river system, even though two rivers bound the Park in it’s north and south side.

Flora in Ranthambore National Park:
The landscape is dotted with ancient Banyan Trees, Dhok & Pipal trees, clusters of mango trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of Savannah. The terrain of Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most prominent tree.

Major Wildlife Attractions - Ranthambore National Park:
Ranthambore National Park is famous for its Tigers and is a favorite with photographers. For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile & amphibians and 30 mammals.

For the wildlife savvy, Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary today offers an intense diversity of flora and fauna. Tigers, the park's pride makes it one of the best places in the country to observe them. Apart from that a large numbers of Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzelle, Boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and a large number of birds.

Other Attractions In Ranthambore:
Ranthambore Fort & Jogi Mahal : With a coverage area of 392-sq-kms, this park got its name from the Ranthambhore Fort, which sits on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the Park. The fort, which dates back to the 10th century and is probably the oldest existing fort in Rajasthan, was a vital citadel for control of Central India and particularly the Malwa plateau.

The entry point to the Ranthambore National Park, goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest Banyan tree in India.

Best Time to Visit Ranthambore:
The best visiting season of Ranthambore national park is during the months of October - March and April to June.

How to Get there:
•Air :
Jaipur at 145-kms is the nearest airport from Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary

•Rail :
Ranthambore National Park is around 11-kms away from Sawai Madhopur railway station, that lies on the Delhi to Bombay trunk route.
•Road :
A good network of buses connect Sawai Madhopur, the nearest town from Ranthambore to all the major cities within the state of Rajasthan.
Park Visitation Timings:

"1. Between October To March: 6.00 am - 9.00 am & 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm"
"2. Between April To June: 6.30 am - to 9.30 am & 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm"

General Info / Tips:
Field Director, Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.

Note:
Light cotton garments are recommended to visitors while visiting Ranthambore national park during the hot summer months and woollens are suitable for the winters. Entry charges for hired vehicle, guide and photo equipment are separate.

Indian Railways

East India Company can be considered as the pioneer of the Indian Railways and Lord Dalhousie for laying the foundation of rail transport in India. In 1853 the Great India Peninsular Co. built the first line of 33.6 km from Mumbai to Thane.

Currently the Indian railway is the second largest railway system in the world and also the biggest employer. India has 543,760 km of railway line with 6985 stations and over 11,275 locomotives (trains per day). 29% of the total track length is electrified and is second biggest electrified railway system in the world after Russia.

The three type of lines are Broad Gauge (1676 mm) 41,791 km, Meter Gauge (1000 mm) 17,044 km, Narrow Gauge (762 mm and 610 mm) 3,710 km.

First train in India (also in Asia) : 16 April, 1853 between Mumbai and Thane (32 km). Steam engine use coal and is running only few heritage routes. Diesel locomotives run on Diesel and was introduced in 1957. Electric locomotives were introduced in 1929. First electric train in India was Deccan Queen, introduced in 1929 between Kalyan and Thane.

Indian Railway has nine administrative zones - Central Railway (CST, Mumbai), Eastern Railway (Kolkata), Northern Railway (New Delhi), North Eastern Railway (Gorakhpur), North East Frontier (Maligaon in Guwahati), Southern Railway (Chennai), South central Railway (Secunderabad), South Eastern Railway (Kolkata) and Western Railway (Churchgate, Mumbai).

Indrail pass : It allows foreign visitors to travel anywhere in India by train within the period of validity (1 to 90 day). For train timings and reservation of tickets Indian Railways

'Trains at a glance' booklet gives details about train timings and fare (Price Rs 45). It is available at train stations and bookstalls (Wheeler & Co). For 1500 km travel in 3rd AC will cost around Rs 1232, while in 2nd Sleeper costs Rs 480. One can have three month advance reservation. To cancel a ticket on or before 24 hour of departure of the train with a fee of Rs 40.

Tatkal reservation starts 5 days before the proposed date of journey at 8 am. The fare is from the starting station to the destination plus Rs 150 for 2nd Sleeper and Rs 300 for 3rd AC.

With RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), you will get a seat. With a Waiting list ticket, normally one cannot travel. Current ticket is available for travelling in the General compartment (lowest fare).

High Speed trains
Rajdhani Express : Rajdhani Express trains were introduced in 1969 and they operate at the speed of 130 kmph. Rajdhani Express runs from Delhi to Howrah, Mumbai, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Patna, Chennai, Secunderabad, Jammu Tavi, Ahmedabad and back to Delhi.

Shatabdi Express : Shatabdi Express trains were introduced in 1988 and they operate at the speed of 140 kmph. Shatabdi Express routes are Delhi to Bhopal, Lucknow, Kalka, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Amritsar, Ajmer and back. Chennai to Mysore, Coimbatore and Tirupati, Mumbai to Ahmedabad and Pune, Howrah to Bokaro city and Rourkela, Rajahmundry to Secundrabad and back.

Luxury trains
The Palace on Wheels : Highly decorated palace like train running in Rajasthan tourist circuit.

The Royal Orient : The luxury train runs in Gujarat tourist circuit.

Shivalik Deluxe : The luxury train has amenity fittings that match the modern times. It runs from Delhi to Shimla with a single stop at Barog. The train has a sitting capacity of 120 and the journey time is 4 hour 45 minute. The train has wall to wall carpet, wide glass windows, reversible cushioned chairs, improved toilet facilities, cabin for couple, table for meals, tube lights, music system, micro phone for communication with the guard etc.

Shivalik Palace : It runs for the elite class of tourists in Kalka- Shimla route. The train has on board catering, decorative lights, musical cordless bell, music system, variety of indoor games, magazines and books for reading, modern bathroom, dining table with cushioned chair.

Fairy Queen : Built in 1855, this 153 year old pristine beauty, the oldest working steam engine in the world runs a two day trip from Delhi to Alwar on selected days. It departs from Delhi Cant. station at 10 am with 50 passengers for an unforgettable journey.

The toy trains of India
Shimla (2221 m) : The toy train from Kalka to Shimla is through 107 tunnels and lofty arched bridges. The train covers the 96 km in 5 hour.

Ooty (2193 m) : From Mettupalayam (326 m) near Coimbatore, the toy train starts its journey at 33 kmph. The narrow gauge route has 16 tunnels, 31 bridges and tall girder bridges. The train treks across plains, plantations and forest clad hills giving a breathtaking view. The train runs from 1899 on the 46 km long route in 4.5 hour.

Darjeeling (2134 m) : The most famous toy train (in UNESCO's world heritage list) runs from New Jalpaiguri in 7.5 hour. The 86 km route to Darjeeling offers panoramic view of the Himalayas.

Matheran (768 m) : A car free hill station near Neral (39 m) on Mumbai - Pune rail route, narrow gauge toy train connects Neral with Matheran (13 km, 6 hour) and 30 min. by Taxi.

Konkan Railway : The 760 km long scenic sojourn is an adventure on rails. The route connects Roha (near Mumbai) to Mangalore. The construction completed on 26 Jan 1998 after a 8 year long period. The route is over formidable terrain with 179 major bridges, 1819 minor bridges, 92 tunnels (aggregate length of 84 km). The longest bridge (2.065 km) on the route is over river Sharavati near Honavar. The tallest viaduct is near Panval Nanadi near Ratnagiri with a height of 64 m. The longest tunnel (6.5 km) is at Karbude near Ratnagiri.

The modern track has concrete sleepers and the trains can run at even 160 kmph. Of the 59, the important stations are Veer, Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Rajapur road, Kankavali, Sawantwadi, Thivim, Karmali, Verna, Madgaon, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Udipi and Surathkal. This route reduces the travel time from Mumbai to Goa (10 hour), Mangalore (26 hour) and Kochi (12 hour) by train.

Srinagar Jammu Kashmir Information

Location : Srinagar is located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in the extreme north of India.
Tourist Attractions : Nagin Lake, Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens: Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Nehru Garden, Char Chinar, Floating Gardens, Cheshma Sahai, Shankaracharya Temple.
Best Buys : Kashmiri shawls, kashmiri carpets, Tibetan handicraft items.
Best Hangouts : The Dal lake, the Mughal gardens
Best Activity : Houseboat Ride on the Dal Lake.
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (298 km), Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam.
When to Visit : April and June

About Srinagar
Located in the Kashmir valley, Srinagar (1,768 meters) is in the western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the northern region of India. Settled on both the sides of River Jhelum, Srinagar is the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is the pride of the beautiful valley of Kashmir. Famous for its lakes and the charming rows of houseboats floating on them, the charming city is also known for its traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits.

Srinagar with is appealing surroundings is rightly called the Pride of the Kashmir Valley. The Mughal emperor Jahangir was so captivated by the beauty of this valley that he exclaimed "Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto" (If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here).

Major Tourist Attractions in Srinagar
The Dal Lake
The Dal Lake is a prime tourist attraction of Srinagar. It is located on the eastern end of the city. The Dal Lake consists of a series of lakes, including the Nagin Lake some 8 km from the city center. One can enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Srinagar from this lake. Tourists coming to this place can enjoy taking a ride on traditional Kashmiri boats or the Shikaras to explore the intricate maze of waterways of this lake.

The Mughal Gardens
The well laid Mughal gardens are another major attractions of Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir. The Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh are beautiful gardens located to the far eastern side of the Dal Lake. One can take a stroll through these green and attractive gardens and enjoy the beautiful waterworks within them.

The Temple ofb Shankaracharya
The temple of Shankaracharya is another important place to visit in Srinagar. Jaluka, the son of emperor Ashoka, built this temple in the 3rd century BC.

Getting There
Air : Srinagar is well connected by air with Delhi. There is a daily flight to Delhi via Jammu by Indian airlines. There are weekly flights operated by Indian Airlines for Leh from Srinagar.
Rail : Srinagar does not have a railway station and the nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, which is 305 km from Srinagar.
Road : Srinagar is well connected by road to important places like Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (298 km), Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam.

Accommodation
Accommodations are plenty here. You may take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels and lodges in Srinagar besides the star categorised accommodation hotels around the landmarks of Srinagar offer excellent view of the landmarks through their suites. Most of the places to stay in Srinagar are strategically located in the tourist centers.

Jammu Kashmir Travel

The Kashmir, northernmost state of India, which comprises of three district geographical regions, three main languages and three religions. One of these regions, Ladakh, is a high altitutde desert with temperatures sinking to minus 40 degrees Celsius in winter. The other, Kashmir, is the legendary valley touched with such benediction that poets have showered hyperbolic adjectives on it. It has snow in winter and bring, mild sunshine from April to November. And finally there is Jammu, climatically very much like the plains of northern India.

Ladakh the northern frontier of India, where Afghanistan, Pakistan and China meet, is an area of high altitutdes, glaciers, streams and charming valleys hidden among some of the tallest mountains in the world-the karakoram range. The journey by road from Srinagar over the Zoji la (Pass) climbing unaccustomed heights, traverses cold, grey crags and boulders, and vast yellow desert-like plains. Situated on the western end of the Himalayas, Ladakh has four major mountain ranges - the Greeat Himalayan Zanskar, Ladakh and the Karakoram - passing through it. A maze of enormously high snow capped peaks and the largest glaciers outside the polar region, the Siachen, dominate the terrain where valley heights range from a mere 8000 feet to 15000 feet while passes of upto 20000 feet and peaks reaching over 25000 feet can be seen all around. The main land approach to Ladakh is the 434 km Srinagar-Leh highway. For most part, this road follows the historic trade route, thus giving travellers a glimpse of villages that are historically and culturally important. The most dramatic part of the road journey to Kargil is the ascent up the Zoji-La, the pass in the Great Himalayan Range that serves as the gateway to Ladakh.
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Manali-Leh; once restricted route, opened to the tourists a few years ago, now takes one across high Himalayan passes and two extensive plains resembling the Praries of Russia and America. From Manali, to the crest of the Rohtang Pass (13050 ft), providing a grandstand view of Lahaul to the junction of the route going east to Spiti over the Kunzum Pass to Keylong. After passing through Keylong (3350 m)the route follows via Jispa (3142 m), Baralacha Pass (4892 m), Sarchu (4253 m), Lachalunga la (5065 m), Tanglang-la (5360 m) Leh (3524 m), 434 kms. Ladakh offers a wide range of cultural and adventure tours. Ancient monasteries, stupas, gompas, murals there are many other options for visiting Tribal Helmets of Dha-Hanu to valleys of Pangong, Tso Moriri, Nubra or for treks to Lamayuru, Markha, Zanskar. Open to the tourists from June till October, Leh can be reached by air from Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Jammu or by road from Srinagar and Manali.

Hindu Symbols in Taj Mahal Tour

With the coming of the Mughals in India, the architectural style of Hindus were greatly influenced. On the other hand, the Mughals also incorporated some elements of Hindu architecture in their style. With the advent of the Mughals there emerged a beginning of new chapter in the history of Indian art. While the ancient Indian art was more interested in the decoration with sculpture and carving, the Mughals had a love for colour and decoration adopting different methods of embellishment.

A tolerant and liberal outlook was the hallmark of Mughals art. In the art and architecture of Akbar's period an attempt was made to bring a cultural fusion. Akabr's period shows the first evidence of the Hindu symbols used in the Mughal architecture. Many ancient symbols and icons both in their original form as well as in modified form were used as decorative motifs in the buildings of Mughal period. A complete change in policy comes with the reign of Aurangzeb who was a puritan at heart and prohibited everything which was against Islam. These ancient motifs were used by the artists more as an architectural element for aesthetic effect than for its symbolic representation. Along with these motifs the typical Islamic elements line arabesque, stalactite, geometrical and calligraphy also continued to appear.

Taj Mahal is an example of the rich Mughal architecture. The influence of the Hindu style of architecture on the Islamic buildings was natural. It is said that many holistic symbols of Hindus had been followed in designing Taj Mahal. Most important of all is the use of lotus.

Lotus is a holy symbol of the Indian cultural heritage. It is a sacred symbol for Hindus and has been mentioned in all Hindu scriptures. Lord Brahama and Vishnu are depicted sitting in a lotus. The Indian poets have used lotus as a simile to the feet of the Gods. According to Mahayana, the sect of Buddhism all souls emerge from a lotus. Lotus is the prominent Hindu symbol used in Taj Mahal.

Though Muslims does not have any significance to lotus they have used lotus in Muslim architecture under the influence of Hinduism. The Taj Mahal contains a lot of lotus motifs in its designs. The dome of Taj Mahal resembles the upside-closed lotus resting on its petals.

Purankalsa Purnakalasa also known as Purnakumbha, Purnaghata and Mangalakalasa is one of the eight auspicious symbols of the Indian classical art. It is a symbol of plenty and creativity. This symbol is normally associated with Lakshmi and with over flowing foliage composed of lotus buds, flowers and leaves. The motifs of Purankalsa appears in its finest form on the interiors of Taj Mahal. Here the vase and the foliage motif have been combined in a very fine way with the inner border.

Future of India

India has a promising future, given the unprecedented growth in economy and its clout in the global issues. India is now riding on the wave of a gigantic boom in computer driven new economy. Many developed countries of the world are seeking the huge pool of English speaking talented software professionals in India. Premier professional institutes like IIT and IIM have become the source of big international corporates' human resource need, both overseas and within India.

India is also a nuclear power. Its security concerns have been to some extent allayed by the possession of nuclear weapons, though fears remain of an expensive military expenditure to sustain the nuclear programs.

India is also poised to become the entertainment superpower. Already the Bollywood is churning out hundreds of films annually. With improvements in the technical and artistic aspects India can well give a stiff competition to western productions.

Indian culture is influencing the western world in dress, food and festivals. The Indian Diaspora is increasing in economic prosperity and status. The Indian community is a force to reckon with in every country because of its contribution to the country concerned. Indian lobby groups are funding partly some of the elections in vital countries of the world.

The 21st century could well belong to India if it fully utilize its resources and expertise. India's population is an asset and not a pull down factor. Finally India is going to prove just that.

Which Method of Birth Control Is Best?

The answer to that question depends on your definition of "best." Your choice of birth control depends on factors such as your health, how often you engage in sexual activity, number of partners, and whether you want children in the future. No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective against pregnancy or disease. The only 100 percent effective guarantee is abstinence (not having intercourse).
The only method of birth control that can prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV is the condom and even condoms are not 100 percent effective against STDs. Contraception effectiveness rates for preventing pregnancy vary greatly depending on the method used.

Mobile Phone History In Brief

Nowadays we get used that cheap mobile phones provide us with various kinds of entertainment, though at the beginning the main goal of the creation of such devices was... security. It should be said that the first country which used radio telephony was Germany. All the first-class trains between Berlin and Hamburg were equipped with such devices since 1926. Note that the Second World War played important role in the development of various modern devices, weapons and equipment. And mobile phones are not the exception to this rule.

Of course, radio telephony which was used in German tanks as well as on passenger airplanes during the Second World War, can't be called mobile phones, but still it is the root of these digital devices. It should be noted that in all the above mentioned cases, the specialists were necessary for providing such services and only since 1950 an untrained end consumer was able to use radio telephony. In other words, only since that time we can talk about the two-way communication where the second person is just the usual man, but not a professional.

As early as 1947, Douglas H. Ring and W. Rae Young, Bell Labs engineers offered hexagonal cells for mobile phones. But cellular ideas were not developed till 1960. The other thing is with the automatic mobile phone system or MTA (Mobile Telephone system A). It was developed much earlier in 1956 by Ericsson and released in Sweden. Of course, it was really something new, because such a system was fully automatic, but still had such a disadvantage as the phone weight which was up to 40kg. So, would you like to take this device with you for a walk? The updated version, MTB, weighted only 9 kg.

At the beginning, mobile phones were installed in cars and became the prerogative of rich businessmen. It was rather a useful device for work than the thing which can enhance the prestige of someone... but only at the beginning. Nowadays mobile phones continue to be a kind of accessories. As a rule, people estimate a person by her watch, bag and of course, Nokia mobile phone. So, it can be said that this thing has become a status symbol. Or is it, probably, just a good promotion?

Common Hair Problems

Common problems affecting the hair and scalp include hair loss, infections, and disorders causing itching and scaling.

Hair loss (alopecia) is a frequent concern for both men and women, although it is normal to shed some hair each day. People who experience more than normal hair loss may have the inherited tendency to "common baldness." Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men, with a receding hair line and baldness on the top of the head. Women may develop female pattern baldness in which the hair becomes thin over the entire scalp. Sudden and temporary loss of a large amount of hair may be related to the stress of an illness or recent delivery of a baby (telogen effluvium). Alopecia areata causes hair loss in small, round patches while tight elastics or braids may cause hair loss at the hairline (traction alopecia). Certain diseases (eg, thyroid problems, diabetes, and lupus), medicines, or poor nutrition may also cause hair loss.

Infections of the scalp include bacterial infection of hair follicles (folliculitis), infestation of head lice (pediculosis capitis), and fungal infection of scalp ringworm (tinea capitis). Itching and excessive flaking of the scalp is seen with both dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) and psoriasis.

Acne and Acne-Like Conditions

Acne, also known as pimples, zits, and blemishes, is the term used for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads) and even deeper lumps (cysts, known as cystic acne) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teens to some extent. (Close to 100% of people between the ages 12–17 have at least an occasional whitehead or blackhead.) However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults can also get acne. In fact, one fifth of women between the ages 25–40 suffer from adult acne. While acne is not a life-threatening condition, it can be upsetting and disfiguring.

There are many variations of acne, one of which is a condition known as acne mechanica. This form of acne results from chronic physical pressure on the skin, such as from the straps of a backpack or sports equipment. Acne excoriée is a form of acne resulting from the picking, squeezing, and rubbing of lesions, which result in scratches (excoriations). This type of acne is seen more commonly in women and usually starts during the teen years. There is commonly a history of acne, and the scratches may involve the face, neck, chest, breasts, back, and upper arms. Unfortunately, this picking can lead to acne scars and discoloration. Additionally, acne excoriée can result from the presence of anxiety, depression, or emotional distress. Acne keloidalis, which affects the hair follicles of black individuals, is usually located on the nape of the neck and associated with acne that heal with hard, raised scars (keloids). Sometimes similar scars can also be left from acne lesions on the chest, back, or face.

Some lesions that appear to be acne are not acne at all. One skin condition that resembles acne is folliculitis, which is inflammation caused by infection of the hair follicles.

Acne rosacea is a disorder affecting the middle portion of the face (mainly the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose), which causes persistent redness. The tiny blood vessels in these areas enlarge and become more visible, appearing like tiny red lines (telangiectasias). The bumps of rosacea can resemble acne but, in fact, rosacea is different than acne. Unlike common acne, rosacea is not primarily a plague of teens but occurs most often in adults (ages 30–50), especially in those with fair skin. Additionally, unlike acne, there are no blackheads or whiteheads in rosacea.

Skin Health and Skin Care Information

Beauty and Aging Resource Center
How often do you think about your skin? Not what it looks like, not what it feels like, not how smooth or youthful it may or may not be. But thinking about and appreciating the incredibly important role it plays in protecting your inner body – vital organs, muscles, skeleton, nervous system – from the outside environment.

Your skin is the biggest part of you. It’s your “coat of armor,” shielding you from pollutants in the environment, keeping out the bad things (like dust, germs, and allergens) and keeping in the good things (like moisture). It’s the body’s largest organ, yet it’s so easy to take it for granted.

Learning and caring more about your skin will lead to pronounced benefits to overall health and vitality. The earlier you start investing in good skin care habits, the greater the long-term benefits – and it is never too late to start. By “good skin care habits,” we mean the basics – learning the best ways to consistently cleanse, hydrate, moisturize, and protect the skin and applying what you learn in daily life.

Swearing Expletives Pain Killer

A study by researchers at Keele University School of Psychology have come to a conclusion swearing expletives can cause swearer to be more pain tolerant. The researchers subjected 64 volunteers to soaking their hand in a tub of freezing water and told to hold it there as long as possible, once while swearing expletives of their own choice and a second time uttering common words. It was found that the volunteers on the average volunteers could tolerate the pain from submerging their hand in ice cold water for almost 2 minutes while swearing as compared with only one minute 15 seconds when repeating commonplace words.

Multan Information

Multan Information

Multan, city, eastern Pakistan, capital of Multan Division, on the Chenab River in the Punjab. The leading manufactures are silk, cotton, carpets, glazed pottery, and enamel work. Multan is an important center of trade where the products of the division, chiefly cotton, wheat, wool, sugar, indigo, oil seeds, and manufactured articles, are shipped by railroad to other parts of the country. The city is the home of Bahauddin Zakariya University (1975). Population (1981) 722,070.

Peshawar Information

Peshawar Information

Peshawar, city, northwestern Pakistan, capital of North-West Frontier Province, near the entrance to Khyber Pass. The city is a commercial center and the traditional terminus of caravans from Afghanistan. Industries include handicrafts and the manufacture of processed food, footwear, silk, and cotton textiles. Peshawar University was established here in 1950. Also in the city is Peshawar Museum, which houses important collections of sculpture of the ancient Gandhara civilization. An ancient trading center known as Purushapure, the city was a target for invaders of the Indian subcontinent because of its strategic location near the pass. In the early 19th century Peshawar came under the control of the Sikhs, and in 1849 it was captured by the British. It has been the capital of the Pakistani North-West Frontier Province (except for 1955-70) since 1947. Population (1998) 988,055.

Islamabad Information

Islamabad Information

Islamabad, city and capital of Pakistan, northern Pakistan, in the Capital Territory, on the Potwar Plateau, near Rawalpindi. In 1959 the site of Islamabad was chosen to replace Karachi as the capital of Pakistan. Constantinos A. Doxiadis and other internationally known urban planners were commissioned to design the new city, and construction began in 1961. In 1967 Islamabad was officially made the capital, and work on the city's principal buildings, streets, and facilities was completed by the mid-1970s. The city is divided into eight largely self-contained zones, each characterized by its predominant usages (such as for government, commerce, light industry, or residential areas). Notable structures in Islamabad include the National Assembly Building, designed by Louis I. Kahn. The city is the site of Quaid-i-Azam University (1965). Population (1998) 524,500.

Lahore Information

Lahore Information

Lahore, city, northeastern Pakistan, capital of Punjab Province, on the Ravi River. It is the principal commercial and banking center of the province. Although little industry is located in the city proper, Lahore serves as a distribution center for the heavily industrialized surrounding area. Manufactures include textiles, metal products, chemicals, machinery, glassware, and leather and rubber goods. An educational and cultural center, the city is the site of the University of the Punjab (1882), the oldest university in Pakistan, and the University of Engineering and Technology (1961). An atomic energy research center is located in the city. Lahore is the site of architecturally significant buildings and monuments, many dating from the Mughal Empire (circa 1526-1707), during which the city achieved great prominence. In 1849, Lahore fell to the British. When India was partitioned in 1947, Lahore was made capital of West Punjab. Population (1998) 5,063,499.

Language of Pakistan

Language of Pakistan

Urdu is the only official language of Pakistan. Although English is generally used instead of Urdu in this regard. English is the lingua franca of the Pakistani elite and most of the government ministries.

Urdu is closely related to Hindi but is written in an extended Arabic alphabet rather than in Devanagari. Urdu also has more loans from Arabic and Persian than Hindi has.

Many other languages are spoken in Pakistan, including Punjabi, Siraiki, Sindhi, Pashtu, Balochi, Hindko, Brahui, Burushaski, Balti, Khawar, Gujrati and other languages with smaller numbers of speakers.

Arabic and Persian are still taught as classical languages albeit to a small number of students. Although this number is dwindling.

See Demographics of Pakistan for a numerical breakdown of language groups.

Karachi Information

Karachi Information

Karachi, city in southern Pakistan, capital of Sind Province, on the Arabian Sea, at the northwestern edge of the Indus River delta. The hub of a sprawling metropolitan area, Karachi is the nation's largest city and its chief transportation, financial, commercial, and manufacturing center. Most of the international trade of Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan pass through the city's busy modern port, centered on the island of Kiamari. Major highways and railroads focus on the city, and the modern airport here is a stopover and refueling point for intercontinental flights. Among the many products of Karachi are steel, textiles, chemicals, refined petroleum, footwear, machinery, handicrafts, and processed food. The city also is an important banking center and has a stock exchange. The University of Karachi (1951) and NED University of Engineering and Technology (1922) are here. The tomb of Muhammed Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, is a landmark. An old settlement, Karachi was a small fishing and trade center when captured by the British in 1839 and annexed three years later. Under British rule, it became the chief outlet for Indus Valley cotton and grain exports. Karachi was the capital of newly independent Pakistan from 1947 until 1959, when it was replaced by the provisional capital of Rawalpindi (Islamabad became Pakistan's permanent capital in 1967.) During the early years of independence Karachi grew rapidly as the chief port and industrial center of West Pakistan, and many Muslim refugees from India settled here. Since the 1980s the city has been the site of violent eruptions between the rival political, religious, and ethnic groups. Population (1998) 9,269,265.