Thoughts for 200 - Tr. N Sawlani RT 30

Number 10 Life is sexually transmitted.

Number 9Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Number 8 Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich.

Number 7Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Number 6Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.

Number 5 Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing .

Number 4All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Number 3 Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200.00 and a substantial tax cut saves you $0.30?

Number 2In the '60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

AND THE NUMBER 1 THOUGHT FOR 2007:We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located among the millions and millions of cows in America , but we haven't got a clue as to where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration.


And the BONUS thought for today "Life is like a jar of Jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow!"

162 - Jingle all the Way - Tr. SriGanesh - RT 162

It was a wonderful day on the 16th December 2007 a Sunday. It was a very special day. Different in its own way. It was 162's very very unique Xmas celebration program "Santa 162 Jingles".

We did bombard the houses of all 162ers who were taken by surprise. We did not spare the houses of Area Chairman Rajesh Gupta and Area Vice Chairman Sakthivel Raja and we missed Rajesh & Sakthi at their premises but their wonderful wives did make sure that we were welcomed into their homes.

Infact it was the happiest moment in everyone at 162, coz, bringing happiness in childrens face is not a easy job and we could see all the children happy and starting their christmas in a rocking way!

What an eventful day it was!!!!! It was a laugh riot from the afternoon till midnight...It was a wholesome package bundled for the entire family by our Chairman Ashok and Fellowship Convenor Sunil ..Congrats to both of them and all of 162 for pulling off yet another unique fellowship event!!!!

Also we must thank all the 162'ers n sq legs for having accomodated our suprise & thanx for letting us into their houses. Thanx to the Tablers and Ladies & kids for joining in our "Santa 162 Jingles" Celebrations.

Is it close to the End of The World - University of Washington

CC: Copyright Due to The University Of Washington

'The end of the world' has already begun, UW scientists say



An illustration from "The Life and Death of Planet Earth" shows the authors' view of the Earth's clock of life. (Image credit: Donald Brownlee/Peter Ward)

In its 4.5 billion years, Earth has evolved from its hot, violent birth to the celebrated watery blue planet that stands out in pictures from space. But in a new book, two noted University of Washington astrobiologists say the planet already has begun the long process of devolving into a burned-out cinder, eventually to be swallowed by the sun.
By their reckoning, Earth's "day in the sun" has reached 4:30 a.m., corresponding to its 4.5 billion-year age. By 5 a.m., the 1 billion-year reign of animals and plants will come to an end. At 8 a.m. the oceans will vaporize. At noon – after 12 billion years – the ever-expanding sun, transformed into a red giant, will engulf the planet, melting away any evidence it ever existed and sending molecules and atoms that once were Earth floating off into space.
"The disappearance of our planet is still 7.5 billion years away, but people really should consider the fate of our world and have a realistic understanding of where we are going," said UW astrophysicist Donald Brownlee. "We live in a fabulous place at a fabulous time. It's a healthy thing for people to realize what a treasure this is in space and time, and fully appreciate and protect their environment as much as possible."
In "The Life and Death of Planet Earth," Brownlee and UW paleontologist Peter Ward use current scientific understanding of planets and stars, as well as the parameters of life, to provide a glimpse of the second half of life on Earth and what comes after.
The book, a sort of biography of our planet, is being published today by Times Books, a division of Henry Holt and Co. It is a sequel to Ward and Brownlee's best-selling and much-discussed book "Rare Earth," in which they put forth the hypothesis that simple life is relatively common in the universe but complex, Earth-like life is exceedingly rare.
"The Life and Death of Planet Earth" explains how the myriad life on Earth today was preceded by a long period of microbial dominance, and the authors contend that complex life eventually will disappear and be succeeded again by a period of only microbial life. They say that higher life will be removed much as it came into being, ecosystem by ecosystem. Aspects of the planet's past, such as numbingly cold ice ages, will be relived in the period of devolution.
"If we do begin to slide into the next glacial cycle, there probably are grand, planetary-scale engineering projects that might stop or lessen the effects," Ward said.
"The big unknowns are whether we can afford to do such projects and would we really know what to do. If the planet was cooling, we could, in principle, begin painting the surface black to collect more heat. Could we afford it? And what would be the many possible ramifications of a planet suddenly covered in black paint? Any planetary remediation project would always run the risk of making things worse."
Eventually, though, scorching heat will drive land creatures to the sea for respite. Those that can adapt will survive for a time, but eventually the oceans will warm too much for the complex life forms to continue.
"The last life may look much like the first life – a single-celled bacterium, survivor and descendant of all that came before," the authors write. Finally, even the surviving microbes "will be seared out of existence."
The prospects of humans surviving by moving to some other habitable planet or moon aren't good, Brownlee and Ward contend, because even if such a place were found, getting there would be a huge obstacle. Various probes sent into space could survive Earth's demise, and just a few grams of material could arguably carry a DNA sample from every human, they say, but it's not likely the human species itself will survive. Long before the planet's final end, life will become quite challenging, and finally impossible, for humans.
As the sun gets hotter and grows in size, it will envelop Mercury and Venus. It is possible it will stop just short of Earth, the authors say, but the conditions still would make this a most-inhospitable planet. More likely, though, the sun will consume Earth as well, severing all the chemical bonds between molecules and sending its individual atoms out into space, perhaps eventually to form new planets. That would leave Mars as the nearest planet to the sun, and on Mars the fading sun's glow would be like that of Earth's moon.
That end is still some 7.5 billion years distant, but by then Earth will have faced a variety of "ends" along the way, the authors say. The last dinosaur perished long ago. Still to come are the last elephant, the last tree, the last flower, the last glacier, the last snowflake, the last ocean, the last life.
"The Life and Death of Planet Earth" is like its predecessor, "Rare Earth," in that the authors collected and distilled some of the latest scientific ideas about the Earth's place in the universe, Brownlee said. He hopes the new book, like "Rare Earth," will spark widespread discussion, and give people a fundamental and realistic view of the past and future of their planet.
"It's a healthy thing to think of the place of Earth among the other planets, and its place in the sun. The sun gave life and ultimately it will bring death."

Thinking, Ads - Tr. Hamir Sampat

Inter-Area Fellowship - MKRT 181 / BRT 7 / BNRT 125

Dated: 24-12-07
Dear Friends and Tablers,
Greetings from MKRT 181.
I am herewith sending you a report on the joint fellowship that we (MKRT 181) had with BRT -7 and BNRT -25 (AREA 6).

The idea was initiated by MKRT 181 to have a joint fellowship with tables of AREA 6. The theme for the fellowship night was .OM SHANTHI OM. where all tablers were asked to come dressed in the Retro Look. The same was well attended by all the tablers, circlers and twinklers of MKRT 181 and BRT 7. We started the night at about 9.30 pm with a meeting of BRT 7 and followed it up the fellowship. There was some nice music being played for the night.

We had some excellent introduction of all tablers and circlers and also had organized a few games as ice breakers.
The party went well beyond the stipulated closure time as none of the tablers/circlers were ready to budge. The same also gave MKRT 181 an insight as to how other tables function. This has been an exercise from 181 to build goodwill and friendship with other areas of Round Table India as we are relatively a new table of AREA 2.

It was also decided that BRT 7 would visit Chennai next year to continue the bonding and fellowship that has started among the 2 tables.

Regards,
Rajiv Shah
Chairman 07-08
Madras Knights Round Table 181

MKRT 181 - Donation Box - Project Update

Dated: 24-12-07
Hi Tablers and Friends,
Greetings from MKRT 181.
We would like to herewith inform you that we have taken 10 Donation Boxes from the supply house and have installed them at 3 different locations as of 23-12-07. I think this a fantastic move by the Area - 2 Team form both the publicity and fundraising point of view. We have plans to install these 10 boxes at various retail stores in Chennai which are of repute on or before this month end.

1. REX FASHIONS (Mylapore)
2. HEALTH & GLOW (Pondy Bazaar)
3. LAGAN (Thirumalai Pillai Road)

The same had overwhelming response from the store owners/managements and they all started the installation of the boxes with a contribution of Rs. 101 as a goodwill gesture and also to show support for this lovely movement.

Regards,
Rajiv Shah
Chairman 07-08
Madras Knights Round Table . 181.

RoolZ for Kirket - Tr. ZhiraZ WaliaJ

Rules for the Inter Table Cricket Tournament

1.Each team to bat 20 overs each.
2.2 runs will be given for a no ball and the batsman gets a free hit of the next ball.Only way to get the batsman out on a free hit is run out.The fielding position cannnot change at the time of free hit.
3.If the bowling team does not finish their 20 overs in 120 minutes the team batting will be awarded 6 runs.
4.Bowlers can bowl a maximum of 4 overs.
5.In the first 6 overs a maximum of 2 fielders can field outside the circle with a minimum of 2 fielders in catching positions.
6.From the 7th to the 20th over a maximum of 5 fielders will be allowed outside the circle.
7.In case of a tie bowl out will be applied.
8.Batsmen will retire compulsorily after scoring 35 runs and will be allowed to bat again after all the other batsmen get out only in the order of their retiring.
9.Morning matches to start at 8.00 am and afternoon matches at 12.30 pm sharp.
10.In case of a dispute the decision of the MERT 30s cricket committee will be final and binding on all.

RT 30 - Kirket Rules - Tr. Gizmo Bihani - RT 30

Calvin & Hobbes - Tr. Sanjay Goel

Think, India, Think.

BROADSWORD
Ajai Shukla / New Delhi December 18, 2007
The Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) announcement earlier this month scrapping the proposed purchase of 197 light helicopters from European consortium, Eurocopter, provides an excellent mirror for India to examine its strategic fibre. Comment and public attention have largely centred around the procedure of the trials, the personalities and relationships involved, and whose footfalls trod more heavily in the corridors of South Block: Eurocopter's or its arch rival Bell Helicopter's.

But the 20-odd jawans, clinging through winter onto Sonam Post, perched on a knife-edged ridge in the Northern Siachen Glacier, haven't yet heard about this decision. They will learn about it one of these days, via a three-week-old newspaper that will be delivered to them in a 1960s vintage Cheetah helicopter, flown by an Army Aviation pilot who flies the world's most hazardous missions to earn Rs 20,000 a month.

For those jawans, and for tens of thousands of others like them who have already been cut off by the snows, this decision means a clear reduction in chances of survival. Between now and May, Indian jawans in these posts will die of illness, accidents and high-altitude sickness, because a helicopter could not evacuate them to a hospital. The arrival of either the Eurocopter or the Bell — newer, more powerful and capable helicopters — would have quickly translated into saved lives.

But saving soldiers' lives played no role in the decision. What did was a corrosive melange of political influence, bureaucratic risk-aversion and convoluted procedure, which now unacceptably smothers every major defence decision. The cancelled purchase from Eurocopter had taken six years to fructify. Whether another selection procedure will end in a perfectly objective decision is already well known: it will not. Military procurement decisions cannot be reduced to a mathematical matrix; they involve subjective considerations that cannot be disregarded.

But for ministers, parliamentarians and bureaucrats, with little idea or experience of the issues attending defence, the one guiding principle is: play it safe. Bureaucrats will confide, over a scotch and soda at the Gymkhana Club, that not one of them has been hauled up for a decision not taken; but too many good men have fallen victim to valid decisions that went against them. George Fernandes, as defence minister, bemoaned the perpetual paralysis of South Block's babus.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) VK Kaul has publicly excoriated MoD officials for avoiding risk by using rulebooks to delay defence purchases. The CAG told an international seminar on December 15 last year, "The emphasis seems to be on technical compliance through a multitude of detailed rules and regulations rather than on creating a new organisational culture, which focuses on results."

Fernandes was wrong in blaming the paralysis on the three "Cs" — the Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The rot runs deeper than the mere inability to provide for defence. It has incapacitated the fundamental process of even planning for it.

India is the only major country that plans its defence one year at a time. The MoD theoretically has a 15-year Long-Term Integrated Procurement Plan (LTIPP), the basis for all defence procurement, modernisation, and indigenous development of equipment. From the LTIPP, which was to cover the period 2002-2017, were to flow the 10th, 11th and 12th defence five-year plans, covering the same period. The astonishing reality is that these plans do not exist.

The CAG's Report No 4 of 2007 reveals that the LTIPP 2002-2017 was finalised only in 2006, four years after it was supposed to have commenced. By then, since it was the last year of the 10th defence plan, it was decided to prepare a revised LTIPP, covering the period till 2022, all the way to the end of the 13th defence plan, which is to run from 2018-2022.

Now that is facing further delays as the MoD reworks everything. The MoD has told the 14th Lok Sabha Standing Committee on Defence (in writing), that the new LTIPP would now be finalised only in 2009. The 16th report of the Standing Committee carries the MoD's reply.

The MoD submits that, "The revised LTIPP (2007-22) is being prepared following a deliberate and integrated 'Top Down' approach by articulating National Security Strategy, National Military Strategy, National Military Objectives/Capitality (sic) and so on. Such an exercise has been undertaken for the first time and is an extremely involved process with inputs from the three Services, MoD, NSA and various other agencies. The document is expected to be ready by December 2009."

So the revised LTIPP (2007-22) is already late by two years and, going by track record, will be delayed even further. Medium-term planning is doing no better. The CAG's Report No 4 points out that the 11th Defence Plan, which covers the period 2007-2012, and which commenced in April 2007, still awaits formal approval.

The MoD bureaucrats are blaming their counterparts in the Finance Ministry, who are apparently sitting on the file. But the bottom line is that no long-term or medium-term defence plan is in place, no targets are set for bureaucrats to procure desperately needed equipment, and little can be hoped for from the large and inefficient government-owned defence industry.

If those jawans on Sonam Post were not from the Indian Army, they might well be wondering which side is the enemy.

Think, India, Think.

Belief Fules Enthusiasm - Tr. Vipul Datta - MSRT 159

Belief Fuels Enthusiasm !!
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm.”

In 1972 I had just accepted a position as vice president of sales for Orval Kent Foods, a small company that manufactured fresh-prepared salad products that were sold to delicatessens and restaurants. I had come on board to hire and train new sales people, but there was a problem...I knew absolutely nothing about the salad business. So Sid Caisman, who had spent 30 years selling to delicatessens, was assigned to show me the ropes. Sid was a pro, and he loved what he did.
I’d been there about two weeks when Sid came in smiling ear to ear. He said, “Mac, I’ve been trying to get an appointment with this large grocery chain for over two years and I finally have it next Friday. Do you want to go with me?” My response: “You bet I do!”
The big day arrived, and on our way out we picked up our refrigerated samples. When we arrived at their corporate headquarters I could tell Sid was pumped. The buyer came out and introduced himself, and we followed him back to his office. We sat dawn and he looked across his desk at Sid and asked, “What makes you think your product is any better than your competitors?”
Well, that was Sid’s cue to perform. He starts talking about the potato salad which is the #1 seller in the deli. He tells about how we cook the potatoes, about our fresh-diced vegetables, our special dressing and our state of the art plant. But then he said, “Bob, I’ve saved the best for last...you’re going to love how it tastes!”
With that, Sid popped open the lid of the sample container, and I couldn’t believe it! Sitting right on top was a large, black, rotten potato about the size of a quarter! But Sid, seeing the potato before the buyer did, reached down and popped it in his mouth and said, “Bob, I just can’t get enough of this stuff!” And to my surprise the buyer also reached down, grabbed some salad, and said, “Sid, you’re right. It does taste great.”
It was a magical moment! I had just witnessed a sophisticated buyer eating potato salad with his fingers and he didn’t even know it!
And it was all for one reason...Sid’s unbridled enthusiasm

Guess Who

Who Am I

Sq. Leg Vinoo Varkey - RT 94

A Florida farmer went out one day and bought a brand new stud rooster from up in Canada for his chicken coop. The new rooster struts over to the old rooster and says, "OK old fart, time for you to retire." The old rooster replies, "Come on, surely you cannot handle ALL of these chickens. Look what it has done to me. Can't you just let me have the two old hens over in the corner?" The young rooster says, "Beat it: You are washed up and I am taking over." The old rooster says, "I tell you what, young stud. I will race you around the farmhouse. Whoever wins gets the exclusive domain over the entire chicken coop." The young rooster laughs. "You know you don't stand a chance, old man. So, just to be fair, I will give you a head start." The old rooster takes off running. About 15 seconds later the young rooster takes off running after him. They round the front porch of the farmhouse and the young rooster has closed the gap. He is only about 5 feet behind the old rooster and gaining fast. The farmer, meanwhile, is sitting in his usual spot on the front porch when he sees the roosters running by. The Old Rooster is squalking and running as hard as he can. The Farmer grabs his shotgun and - BOOM - he blows the young rooster to bits. The farmer sadly shakes his head and says, "Darn.....third gay rooster I bought this month." Moral of this story? .... Don't mess with the OLD FARTS - age, skill, wisdom, and a little treachery will always overcome youth and arrogance!

RT 30 - Cricket Schedule. Tr. Sanjay Goel - RT 30

The mad ball game starts again.

New format

New Players

Same ol' Kirket

MCRT 162 - Celebrating the Awards - Tr. Ashok Varghese

Dear 162'ers, AEX Members & Friends of Tabling,

Awsum night. Awsum event is all that I can say about last nite's literal showdown.

We have all truly spoken from our hearts last night & I must thank Rajesh, Shiv, Giri, Praveen & Sakthi for honoring our Awards Night. All the heavy weights actually broke the diaz.....glad nothing else broke. Shiv nxt time pls don't use so much force when writing....i suspect the pressure applied was a bit too much on ur speech. That's what I call a table breakin effort by the area board.

Last nite was yet again history in the making keeping up with the tradition of our Area....keeping up the tradition of 162. It was unforgettable night. Prem & Dolly - I hope that u both enjoyed last night as much as v did. Its the least we could all give a Chairman who has toiled sleeplessly preparing reports, minutes, hoardings, ........... dosas.......wat else guys??

6 months gonna b up guys.....Imagine a roller coaster ride. We just went the tracks now the best part starts..........all the way down. HOLD ON.................PART 2 is to start shortly.
Pregant ladies n guys with heart conditions pls step off. Thank you & belt up.
C ya'll soon.

R'grds
C 162

ps - Hey FC gr8 show. I think u cn start an Academy of Fun & Enjoyment Sciences. All Tablers will enrol as students. U can put Darshan as HOD - Whistling Dept.
And also some of the snaps

Winners - H.Tr. SK Somani, Area II

Winners Are People Like You...
Winners take chances.Like everyone else, they fear failing, but they refuse to let fear control them.
Winners don't give up.When life gets rough, they hang in there until the going gets better.
Winners are flexible.They realize there is more than one way and are willing to try others.
Winners know they are not perfect.They respect their weaknesses while making the most of their strengths.
Winners fall but they don't stay down.They stubbornly refuse to let a fall keep them from climbing.
Winners don't blame fate for their failures, nor luck for their successes.
Winners accept responsibility for their lives.
Winners are positive thinkers who see good in all things.From the ordinary, they make the extraordinary.
Winners believe in the path they have chosen even when it is hard,even when others can't see where they are going.
Winners are patient.They know a goal is only as worthy as the effort that is required to achieve it.
Winners are people that believe in themselves.They make this world a better place to be.

We,the Italains. Tr. Skanda - MCRT 94

http://tcc.itc.it:80/people/rocchi/fun/europe.html

Leadership - H. Tr S K Somani

Link given below for an inspiring presentation on leadership. Depending on your net connection it may take a few minutes. Will be worth the wait (if any).

http://www.simpletruths.com/a.aspx?mo=teol&t=2

RT 82 - Vruksham Trophy - Cricket Tournament - Tr. Venugopal

Dear Friends,

Madras Central Round Table 82 is proud to present its event" ROUNDTABLE 82 –VRUKSHAM TROPHY " which would be an Inter Corporate 20 –20 Cricket Tournament to be held between Jan 5th and Feb 28th.


Details of the tournament

1) This tournament will be played on league cum knockout basis which is limited to 20 Over and will be open to all Private clubs /Firms / Financial Institutions / Banks / IT / ITES

2) a) An entry fee of Rs. 10,000 /- (Rs. Ten Thousand only) will be collected towards tournament fee.The matches will be played on Saturdays/Sundays & Govt. Holidays. Payment can be made by Cheque/DD only in favour of " MCRT82 Charity Account"

3) Prizes will be awarded to Winner & Runner after the completion of the Tournament. The 1 st prize shall carry a trophy and cash award of Rs 1,00,000/- and the runner up will carry a trophy and cash award of Rs 30,000/-.

Registrations for the tournament would be open between Nov 22 nd and 15th December'07 . Pls contact Mr Vijayan on 9789903867 or Capt Rajan on 9840014422 for further details.


Enclosed is the press coverage we have received for the event so far across various media publications... we look forward to your support and participation for the above event.


regards,

manohar venugopal