Books to read to small children

Please pass on to people who have small kids. A reading habit is a gift that keeps giving, all your life.

.....................................................

"Ever wondered what books would be great to read to your children? Especially the younger ones?

Saffron Tree brings to you an eclectic mix - children's books from India and the US, and pretty much all over the world that will help children connect to their cultural roots and also appreciate other cultures...."

http://www.saffrontree.org/

Interview with Prabha Ram, founder - http://www.thebetterindia.com/1481/saffron-tree-indian-books-literary-resources-children/

TOE Article on Rainwater harvesting

For house-owners in Bangalore who have to install rain water harvesting by May 27th, 2010, this Times of India article (30 April 2010) could be very useful. Page 3.

DON’T PANIC, rainwater harvesting is no rocket science

http://tiny.cc/441vs

(This is the link to the Epaper Home page - http://epaper.timesofindia.com/index.asp)

A friend mailed this info: "I also know someone who does it at a very reasonable rate.

- A Shri Narayanswamy at 9008168425 or 9740181087"

And contact numbers of http://www.rainwaterclub.org/ -

Office: 41110205
Sunil: 9845597336

Annual Health Checkup

If you have touched 40/have a history of diabetes/high BP/cancer/heart disease in the family/are overweight/have reason to worry about your health - or if you just want to make sure your parents are in good health - maybe you could consider the complete Health Checkup option available at many hospitals these days? There is a much higher chance of recovery from diseases like cancer if caught right in the beginning.

I have been getting an annual Master Health Checkup done at Mallya Hospital, Bangalore, since the last 2 years.

For details of this and the other checkups (Executive/Diabetic/Cardiac), see here - http://www.mallyahospital.net/ - Services & Facilities> Health Diagnosis Programs.

The Master Health Checkup gets over between 8 - 10.30 AM, they are really quick and efficient, you don't have to wait much. And they are polite.

And you go back at 4 PM to get all your test results, which will be explained to you in detail, and you will get advice on any follow-up, if required, and also diet counseling.

Costs Rs. 1600 for men, Rs 1750 for women (they check for breast and cervical cancers too). For a once-a-year checkup, it is well worth it.

Note: These checkups are available only from Monday to Friday, no weekends.

This is what you need to do:

1. Fast from 8 PM the previous night so that you arrive at the hospital at 8 AM the next day on an empty stomach. You can drink water.
2. Take a stool sample, and reach the hospital at 8 AM.
3. Go to the Registration Counter - they'll give you a form, then go to the Cash counter and pay. If you have a hospital card (which means you've been there before), then just go directly to Cash and say Master Health Checkup and pay.
4. Now take your receipt and go to the Reception. From now on the receptionist will tell you which room to go to, after each checkup. Breakfast is part of the package.
5. When all tests are done, come back at 4 PM to collect your results. Again, this won't take much time, unless there's a crowd.
   

Prevention is better than cure - and way less expensive!

Rain-water Harvesting in your house

My friend Kiran and his neighbours have used these guys to implement rain water harvesting in their colony, they did a great job - I can believe that, because S. Vishwanath, who started this club, is a good friend of ours - he's been campaigning passionately for rain-water harvesting, since 1995 - and we've seen how he's implemented it in his own house in Vidyaranyapura. He's married to Chitra Vishwanath, a well-known architect in Bangalore.

Why don't you give it a try too? Considering where we are headed, with all the ground water shortage in Bangalore. Please forward to friends in Bangalore.
I
http://www.rainwaterclub.org/

Neck/Shoulder pain because of excess computer usage?

If you're suffering from neck/shoulder pain because of long hours at the computer, try these simple things which helped me, though all that expensive physiotherapy and massages did not:

Raise your monitor to eye level, so that you are not looking down on it, but looking straight at it, your eyes a mid-monitor level, head help up.
I've just kept it on a big fat book both at office and at home. Made an instant difference. All damage happens because your head is bent forward and pulling your neck muscles up - the moment you lift up your head, the neck muscles relax, the tension goes.

Sleep on a firm bed without a pillow. This may seem difficult in the beginning, especially if you sleep on the side, like me - but it is amazing how quickly your body adapts. This again pushes your head back in the opposite direction, backwards - and also sideways - it all serves as a natural massage, and cures your neck pain. I sleep without a pillow all the time now, without any problem.

Both these methods were suggested by friends - thanks, guys!

Boutique matchmakers for the urban Indian :)

A friend's wife is one of the people who co-founded this -

http://www.marrygold.co.in/


I don't know anyone who has used this, just passing on the info.

Travel to Bhutan

All info from a friend -

How to get there

It's a deceptively large country! If you want to see all of Bhutan, then exit from east Bhutan to Guwahati, while entering from Phuentsholing. An overnight train from Calcutta can get you to Hasimara Junction. From there it's a short jeep or bus ride into Jaigon, the Indian border town. Stay in Jaigoan, or drive into Phuentsholing in Bhutan. Stay overnight, or drive upto Thimphu, if you can leave early enough for the 6 hr ride. Permits are done in Phuentsholing. It takes half-a-day. Within Bhutan, it is best to hire a cab and drive around. There is public transport, but is very sketchy.

Another option is to enter Bhutan from Guwahati and exit from Phuentsholing. Entry permits from Guwahati might be harder to get, but it's worth checking.

Recommendations

Contact: Mindup, an experienced tour operator at : mindupg@yahoo.com or 17609768 or Dorji, a seasoned driver and guide at 17621214

Always go with a Bhutanese Travel Agency for everything – car, guide, reservations. There are Indian operators, but they are mostly out of their depth, as we discovered rather expensively. Any operator that you pick will take care of both the permit and the accomodation.

Different regions will need separate permits, as also the different monasteries. A impulsive trip will be difficult to pull off, you're better off knowing where you want to go, at least broadly.

Prices

Coffees and teas might seem expensive (going from India), but food is affordable, and the portions are always large, and substantial. The cabs start at Rs 12 per km if you drive more than 100 kms a day or a flate rate of Rs 1200 per day. Hotels range from Rs 800 per night all the way to Rs 12,000.

Indian currency is accepted everywhere, and in fact, Bhutanese currency is accepted in Jaigaon.

Travel in North East India

A friend of mine went for this fantastic trip spanning Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam, through these people - Gypsy Feet - they specialize in North East India.

http://gypsyfeettravels.wordpress.com/about/ -

a group of young enthusiastic people who provide you a personalized itinerary, which can include off-beat experiences and much contact with the local people, customs, crafts and food.

Printed Cotton Drawstring Trousers

With pockets! After a disappointing search at Fab India outlets, I find them at Pari's, on Church street, diagonally opposite Empire, just above that second-hand bookshop, just down the street from KC Das. Bang opposite Premier book shop which is no longer there. They also have printed capris, really nice ones.

The lady there also listens to your suggestions, and has a whole load of Fab India-kind-of kurtas and skirts and other printed cotton stuff.

Also saw some corduroy-kind-of-trousers in yellow and pink and green and purple.

Found plain drawstring trousers at Cotton World, of course expensive - and some did not have pockets.

Searching for products/services/phone numbers?

Search in here - http://wwww.justdial.com

They have information for many cities in India.

Technical Writing Jobs

People keep asking me about places that train you to be a technical writer (in Bangalore), and how to get tech writing jobs. Here's some info that people have given me:

Training

The Writers Block apparently trains you and puts you on assignments - have heard they are pretty good: http://www.blogger.com/www.twb.in

Write Concept - http://www.write-concept.com - they train people and when found suitable, deploy them on client projects. People get individualized training here.

Triumph India - http://www.triumphindia.com// - they employ you and train you.

...........................................

Mailing Groups

This is probably the place to start - TWIN - the Technical Writers of India site.

http://www.twin-india.org/

You can join the mailing group and get info about job openings.

Then there's this one too - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/technical_writers_india/

The STC group is the other place where jobs are posted: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stcindia

National Gallery of Modern Art

Whether or not you are interested in Art, you must visit the National Gallery of Modern Art on Palace Road. Situated in a beautiful white well-preserved colonial building, surrounded by a huge garden full of ancient trees, with squirrels and birds all around, this is the the kind of place where you want to spend some quiet time. The windows are all 6 to 7 feet high, with only glass, no ugly bars - and light enters the huge spacious rooms from so many directions, highlighting the paintings beautifully. The ceilings are very high, and some of the rooms have wooden floors. It is the stuff of dream-houses.

In between the paintings you look out of any window, and you only see trees and squirrels.

The paintings are also a fabulous collection, starting from the Company paintings sponsored by the British to store their memories of this exotic land, right down to the most recent artists/sculptors. There is an entire room-full of Rabindranth Tagore's paintings - he apparently started painting at 67! The introductions to each section are done beautifully - it was quite an education for someone like me who has very little knowledge of art.

This is a place one can take visitors/guests to - when one is faced with the dreaded question "What's there to see in Bangalore?" - :) - for the wonderful building, the pleasant calming ambiance, the tree canopy, apart from the brilliant, very colorful walk-through across Indian art history. It is not at all crowded - probably most people here don't even know of its existence - so you have most of the rooms to yourself.

And the best part is that it is not too big, you don't get tired walking through endless rooms, it is just the right size.

They are open 10 - 5 PM all days, Monday is a holiday. Entrance fee - Rs. 10 only! For Foreigners Rs. 150 (!) and for students Rs. 1. They also sell prints and postcards and books.

Location:
National Gallery of Modern Art, Manikyavelu Mansion, 49, Palace Road, Near Highground Police Station. This is the road in front of Mount Carmel college. From Mount Carmel if you come towards Highgrounds police station/Chalukya circle/Majestic, it is on your right side, just after the petrol pump in the corner. That stretch of road is one-way, but it is worth parking before that and just walking across.
Phone: 22201027

Thanks to my friend Jasetha for telling me about this place.

Fins, Furs and Feathers: Publisher looking for contributors

A friend sent this:

Hi folks

Sending you some info on a publisher looking for contributors. Here are some of the details. The magazine is called "Fins, Furs and Feathers". Right now they have CUPA, PETA , SPOT, and some very senior vets and animal lovers writing and contributing towards the articles. Its available at all leading Odyssey stores , Spencer’s and even airports.

They also feature wildlife stories so those into birding and other wildlife related features etc can also think about contributing.
Magazine publisher also needs someone to help full time as well, who has interest in animals and is a pet lover, along with being a good copy editor and be ready to write 4-5 articles a month as well.
Remuneration can be discussed. You can call Shivani at – 9900355488 for all other details.

Freelancers remuneration will be: Rs 2/- per word Rs 200/- per picture (please discuss this further with the publisher)

Please feel free to write or call Shivani Darshan and pass on the information to others you might know who would be interested.

Wanted: Freelance English Writers

PowerCV Europe (www.powercv.eu) is looking for freelance high quality English writers based in India. Knowledge of European market, multiple industries, job profiles and familiarity with CVs and recruitment process is required. Overall work experience 6+ years. Ability to interact with clients on phone/Skype is a plus. Excellent compensation and flexibility of work hours and work for home arrangement.

Contact sharad@powercv.eu
Phone: +91 99591 75757

Want to plant a tree?

But don't have time to get sapling, dig etc? Call Janet and her team - and help towards getting back our tree cover and bringing down the heat.

You can also gift trees to others.

http://www.treesforfree.org/

Fab India Outlet

The Indira Nagar (CMH road) branch of Fab India has the best selection in long silk kurtas, gorgeous duppattas, and even the cotton long kurtas. You can easily do a mix and match and quickly have something to wear for a wedding.
They have a great outlet next door for home furnishings also.
Worth going all the way.

Want to rent a cycle?

By the fuller life people -

http://www.cyclistsforlife.com/

Getting rid of cockroaches

Cockroaches in your house? I think it is worth investing in PCI (Pest Control of India) - they do a fantastic job, I haven't had any cockroaches in my house since they started coming. And it's non-messy, non-intrusive.

PCI Bangalore: 25592560

A garden in your balcony

Want a small garden in your apartment balcony, which will transform the space completely?

Contact these people, they do a fantastic job - http://www.mysunnybalcony.com/

Hindi-medium school

Info that someone asked for, a long while ago - they wanted to find a Hindi-medium school for their watchman's son.

Answer: The Sindhi school behind Lifestyle on Residency road junction is Hindi-medium.

Safety at Home: Important Precautions

Some notes I took from the ERT training this week (am part of the Emergency Response Team at office), which I thought are very relevant to safety in our houses. Please pass on to others.

NEVER pour water on:

• An Electrical fire - this means, fire in any equipment in your house which is connected to an electric plug point - you will get electrocuted.
• An Oil fire - if something that has oil in it catches fire. The water will spread the fire and make it a huge conflagration.

You need to keep a small Ceasefire fire extinguisher (or the equivalent in your country) at home for such emergencies, they have small ones for household use, which are easy to operate. These cans will either have CO2 or Dry Chemical Powder (DCP).

They should be available in shops - probably JustDial.com, or this number here - http://www.ceasefiresafety.com/contact_us.htm - can tell you of local retailers in India.

Those of you who have small kids at home, please don't take this lightly. Especially these days when you light candles/lamps during power cuts.

Points to Note

If ever a fire breaks out in the house, however small, switch off the electricity at the mains, immediately.

Switch off your gas cylinder not just at the stove, but at the cylinder, whenever you leave the house/in the night. If a rat gnaws the pipe/the pipe is very old and damaged, gas could leak out - and then all you need to do is switch on a light or any electrical appliance - and Boom! - you have a huge fire at your hands.

Gas fires could be too huge for you to control - you need to call the Fire brigade. 101 is the number (in India). Or note down the number of the one closest to you . For Bangalore, check here -http://www.bangalore-karnataka.com/emergency/fireservice.htm.

If you are ever in a place/aircraft where a bomb is suspected, DO NOT use mobile phone/radios - the frequency waves may set off the bomb.

Travel. Adventure. Photography on the move

Check out Santosh's amazing combination of offers -


http://www.getoffurass.com

To report child abuse

A friend found that a small girl working as a maid-servant at a neighbour's house was being tortured and starved. He called up CWC in the list below and they rescued the girl the same evening. The list below is a compilation of some of the replies I got.

...........................................
Child Help Line – 1098 (this only works from a BSN landline)

Makkala Sahaya Vani (children in crisis)
Office of the Commissioner of Police, 1, Infantry Road, Bangalore-560001
(A) Call 100 or 103.
(B) Call MAKKALA SAHAYAVANI (Child helpline)-1098-Toll free line.
(C) Inform the nearest Police Station.
……………………………………

The Concerned For Working Children” (CWC) - works towards prevention of child labour.
Contact details:
302/2, L B Shastri Nagar
Vimanapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560017

Ph: 080 25234270

Web site: http://www.workingchild.org/
………………………………

Dr Meena Jain is the contact person and they work for child labour and human rights commission.
The commission brought the case of Shalabh Srivastava, an infosys employee , recently and it was a big news.
For more details contact 080-23391901/9844211431/9243405644 or email us at sambhavfoundation@yahoo.co.in
……………………………

SICHREM (South India Cell For Human Rights Education and Monitoring)
http://www.sichrem.org/
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA)
‎34, Anasandrapalya,
A Palace Road,
Vimanapura Post,
Bengaluru,
Karnataka 560017080 25232749‎
Ph. No 080-25232749, 098 454 980 29

Laksha – 9845498029
For more info: http://www.apsabangalore.org/
…………………………………………………………………………………..
C. R. T Child Rights Trust
‎Shop No. 4606,
6th Floor, High Point 4,
45, Palace Road,
Shivaji Nagar,
Bengaluru,
Karnataka 560001

Ph.No. 080 41138285‎
…………………………………………………………………..
BOSCO Mane

Fr Jose P sdb
BOSCO Yuvodaya
B Street, 6th Cross, Gandhinagar
Bangalore 560009
Karnataka.

Mob:09448426284

Learn Kannada - One Word a Day

Life’s about to get easier for Bangalore’s non-Kannada speaking population with a website that teaches subscribers a new Kannada word every day for free.

The website http://www.padakali.com, which literally means ‘learn a word’ is the brainchild of two Bangalore-based techies Vishwanag S Hiremath (27) and Ujjwal Grover (24). While Hiremath is a Kannadiga, Grover came to the city from Madhya Pradesh in 2007. He grappled with the language problem and soon realised that he was not alone — about 62 per cent of the city’s population has the same problem.

That’s when the learn-aword idea was born. It first started off in their office. “We have this ritual where one person comes up with a Kannada word of the day. Since it got a good response, we thought of replicating the idea online, to reach out to more people,” Hiremath told Bangalore Mirror.

Events in Bangalore

A friend sent me these online guides to all cultural activities/conferences/fairs/forums happening in the city, with details of venue, tickets etc.


Events Bangalore: http://www.eventsbangalore.net/

Events & Engagements in Bangalore: http://bangalore.sulekha.com/upcomingcityevents.aspx?pageno=2

Yahoo Events\Bangalore: http://in.ourcity.yahoo.com/bangalore/events

Back Pack and Go!

Try this very useful site created by some avid trekkers in Bangalore -

http://www.bpng.in

Here you can:

Find available outdoor events to suit your choice of activity, location, grade or dates

Post your own outdoor program and invite friends or fellow backpackers to join your trip

To deliver books anywhere in India

If you don't have the time to go to a book shop, try this site. A friend regularly uses this site, and vouches for it.

Or if you want to gift a book to anyone anywhere in India.

http://www.indiaplaza.in/books/

"A book is a gift you can open again and again." Garrison Keillor

To send cards from a group

To a single person. Multiple people can sign/add photos to the same card.

http://www.groupcard.com/

Home Nurses in Bangalore

A list compiled from many sources, I have not personally used any of these.

Care Providers

• https://sukino.com/

• https://www.elderaid.in/

• http://nisargacare.com/

• https://www.nightingaleseldercare.com/ncaa.html

• https://www.portea.com/

• https://www.nightingales.in/

• https://apollohomecare.com/

• https://www.kitesseniorcare.com/

• https://www.prakrutihomehealthcare.in/icu-at-home.html

• https://carefordementia.in/ (Dementia)

• https://www.athulyaliving.com/lp/assisted-living-in-bangalore/

• https://www.nightingaleseldercare.com/ (residential Dementia care facilities)

Renewable energy products

Mail from a friend, on 28/5/2008

Anyone interested in renewable energy products (Solar lights, water heating etc.) for domestic and commercial purpose can contact Mr. Prasanna Rao who deals with ORB products.


Contact person:

Prasanna Rao

Bangalore Branch-1,

Orb Energy Pvt Ltd,

No. 49, 2nd Main,Sampige Layout,

Govindrajanagar,

Bangalore-560079.

Ph:91 80 23484430

Fax :91 80 23145930

Cell: 91 9880116796

Email:bangalorebranch1@orbenergy.com

Stanford lectures for free

You can download/listen to Stanford lectures from here, free of cost:

http://itunes.stanford.edu/

Download courses, faculty lectures, interviews, music and sports.

Play on your iPod, Mac or PC, or burn a CD.

Stay Connected anytime anywhere.

Experience a wealth of learning from Stanford.

Illegal Tree Felling?

Have not verified this, but this was posted on the Bangalore Nature Net yahoo group.
........................................

Whenever you see trees being cut without proper permission, in Bangalore, please contact the Tree Officer. Action will be taken.

Phone numbers:

1. Tree Officer Mr. Suresh: 94806-83127
2. PA to Tree Officer Mr. Muniraj: 94499-70539