TFTD - 08/02

Thought for the day

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." -- General Colin Powell

Take home - S W R D Bandaranaike

Sri Lankan (Ceylonese) prime minister (1960-5, 1970-77, 1994-2000), born in Ratnapura, S Sri Lanka. Following the assassination of her husband, S W R D Bandaranaike, in 1959, she became leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, won the Ceylon general election (1960), and became the world’s first woman prime minister.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike (born 1916) became the first woman prime minister in the world when she was chosen to head the Sri Lankan Freedom Party government in 1960, following the assassination of her husband. She pursued policies of nonalignment abroad and democratic socialism at home. She held the position for a second time following independence, and again in 1994. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunge became president of Sri Lanka, having previously been prime minister for a few months.

http://profiles.incredible-people.com/sirimavo-bandaranaike/

http://www.sirimavo.sch.lk/web/

http://www.squidoo.com/sirimavo-bandaranaike

Wisdom Message – Discourse from Osho

Patience has been exploited by people. There has been poverty for centuries and people have been told just to be patient, "It is a test of your trust in God." They have been told just to be patient, "It is only a question of a few years and then you will be entering into paradise."

Patience has been used as part of an exploitation of people in every field, but patience itself is a beautiful quality. You should not allow your patience to be exploited. But to be patient, to me means trust -- trust in nature, trust in existence, trust in yourself. Things are going to be better every day; whatever happens, your patience finds in it something better for you. It is a very great alchemy; it changes suffering into blessing. It is a great instrument in your hands, you just have to understand that the instrument has to be used by you, not by others on you. There are continuous changes in life -- life is a flux.

Heraclitus says, "You cannot step twice in the same river."
I say to you, "You cannot even step once in the same river."

In life nothing is perfect, everything has some imperfection. Imperfection means life is still growing, evolution is still happening. The day everything is complete will be the worst day in existence, because that day everything will become dead. There will be no growth, no need for evolution; everything will be stuck. Don't look to the imperfections; look at so much beauty that surrounds small imperfections.

It is a change of perspective that brings patience to you. Then you know that everything is good, and everything is going to be better because it has been going on for centuries becoming better and better. There is no need to be worried about tomorrow; tomorrow is going to be better. The whole existence is involved in bettering itself. You have to be just a little patient, you should not be in a hurry. You should not ask that everything should be given to you right now.

Picture for the day

Elephants roam the Serengeti under a stormy sky in this photo by Michael “Nick” Nichols, who sent dispatches from the field as he shot a story for National Geographic magazine.

TFTD - 06/02

Thought for the day

If everything is smooth sailing right from the beginning, we cannot become people of substance and character. By surmounting paining setbacks and obstacles, we can create a brilliant history of triumph that will shine forever. That is what makes life so exciting and enjoyable. In any field of endeavour, those who overcome hardships and grow as human beings are advancing towards success and victory in life. - Daisaku Ikeda

Take home – Gerad Muller – Football legend

The most notorious goalpoacher of his generation and the World Cup's all-time topscorer, Gerd Müller began his career in his birthtown club in Nördlingen before moving to Bayern Munich as an 18-year old in 1964. His career took off from there and Müller made his international debut in October 1966 against Turkey and quickly established himself in the team.

 
Stockily built Müller had a special talent for scoring. Virtually all his goals came from inside the penalty area and most of them out of nothing. Twisting and turning away from defenders and great positioning helped him score an incredible 68 goals in only 62 appearances for his country and 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games which enabled him to top the scoring charts seven seasons. The World Cup in Mexico 1970 saw "Der Bomber" at his very best. He knocked in 10 goals in 6 matches including successive hat-tricks against Bulgaria and Peru. It earned him the Golden Boot as topscorer and later a European Player of the Year Award, but there was no World Cup winning medal to go with it. Italy won 4-3 - despite two Müller goals - in a dramatic semifinal which went to extra time.

A winner's medal was instead picked up in the following European Championship final in 1972 where West Germany convincingly beat the Soviet Union 3-0. The most treasured chapter of his glorious career though was written in 1974. West Germany hosted and won the World Cup. Müller missed out on the topscorer title, but made up for that by scoring the matchwinning goal in the final against Holland with one of his typical finishes - his fourth in the tournament. It was a perfect ending to his international career.

 
That year also saw his club Bayern Munich win the first of three successive European Cups. Müller took part in all the winning sides. He moved to America in the late seventies for new challenges in the NASL and retired in 1982. 

FIFA World Cup appearances
13 caps, 14 goals
11 wins; 2 losses 

http://www.planetworldcup.com/LEGENDS/gmuller.html

http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174790/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerd_M%C3%BCller

Wisdom Message

What makes you unnatural is the fear that somebody may criticize you.
Someone may think you are a fool. Why don’t you act like a fool for half a day? Then you will see that all the fear will disappear. Fear of committing mistakes makes you unnatural. Just see, it is okay to commit mistakes. If they are not big blunders, mistakes are okay. You should be afraid of committing blunders, but not small mistakes.

The mind having an intention not to commit a mistake is like having a brake in the car. You are going somewhere and if there is a hand brake and it works well, then you put the brake anytime you want! And if there is no brake at all, you will be prone to accidents.  Similarly, when the mind says, I don’t want to do this or I shouldn’t do this, that is because it just promises joy but it doesn’t really deliver and gives pain.
Why something is bad? Because it gives pain to oneself and pain to someone else. That is the reason something is said as bad. It gives short term pleasure but long term pain to both you and to others.

-          Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Founder of Art of Living)

Picture of the day – Whale Shark, New Guinea

Suddenly he just jumped in!" says photographer Michael Aw. Sarmin Tangadji, the Papua police officer who escorted the photographic team to where the sharks congregate, "was so excited to see them up close." Aw shares that excitement when it comes to diving with a dozen whale sharks: "You are sandwiched in, sharks ahead and behind, but you want to be there," he says. "They make eye contact with you and then charge by. It blows your mind."

TFTD - 02/02

Thought for the day

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan

Take home

 Kasparov's chess talent was apparent at an early age. In 1973 he attended the Botvinnik Chess School and Kasparov continued to make rapid progress. In 1975 at the age of 12 he became the youngest ever player to win the USSR Junior Championship. At 16 he won the World Junior Championship. He achieved the title of Grandmaster on his 17th birthday

In 1984 he challenged the current reigning World Champion, Anatoly Karpov for the title. This match was a hard fought battle and lasted 6 months, the longest in the history of chess. It was finally stopped by Florencio Campomanes, president of FIDE and a rematch ordered. In November 1985 Kasparov won the rematch against Karpov and  became the youngest World Champion at the age of 22 years. After long term friction with the international chess organisation, FIDE, Kasparov set up the rival organisation, the Professional Chess Association (PCA) and arranged a World Championship match in 1993 in which he beat British Grandmaster, Nigel Short. At the same time FIDE held their official Championship match between former World Champion, Anatoly Karpov and Jan Timman which Karpov won. Both Kasparov and Karpov claim the title of World Champion.

In 1996 Kasparov competed in a six game match against an IBM computer called Deep Blue. Kasparov won with a score of 4 games to 2 games.  The following year, he competed against an improved version called Deeper Blue and was defeated 3.5 games to 2.5 games. It was the first time a Grandmaster had lost a series of games to a computer. He is currently the highest rated player there has ever been in the history of chess.

He is the chief advisor for the book publisher Everyman Chess.

 

Kasparov works closely with Mig Greengard

 and his comments can often be found on Greengard's blog (apparently no longer active).

Kasparov is currently collaborating with Max Levchin and Peter Thiel on The Blueprint, a book calling for a revival of world innovation, due out in February 2012 from W. W. Norton & Company. http://kasparovagent.com/garry_kasparov_biography.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Kasparov

Wisdom Message

Without practising truthful conduct, all pilgrimages, penances, and alms-giving bring little merit. It is the one who listens to - and believes in - God’s Name will be made holy and pure, for the place of pilgrimage is in our hearts. How simple - yet profound - this message is: Look within for your true self as everything is pre-programmed. Today’s leaders indulging in petty power politics and selfish gain need to heed this message. The world could be a happier place if we follow this basic creed. There is enormous emphasis on the idea of “common wealth,” or the spirit of sharing. Guru Nanak speaks of the importance of seva - serving the needy above self - combined with compassion.

Thus humanitarian service is not giving ‘alms to the needy’. It is much more, as the way to redemption and transcendent merger with the Divine.

In these perilous times we need to look around earnestly and find areas where we can help follow humans. Schools that educate children from impoverished families need our support - not only monetary but by giving of our time and making a difference in the lives of children. There are many organizations across the country and beyond, doing good work for our community. We need to identify them, encourage them and give them our support in every way we can.  Guru Nanak

Picture of the day

This is Gauri, exclusive fotos taken by my friend Ajay Menon

TFTD - 01/02

Thought for the day

"Perseverance is more prevailing than violence and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together yield themselves up when taken little by little." Plutarch

Take home - DJ Tiesto 

Tiësto, born Tijs Michiel Verwest on January 17, 1969, is a Dutch DJ and record producer of electronic dance music. Although he has used many aliases in the past, he is best known for his work as DJ Tiësto. On his productions in the past five years, however, he has dropped the "DJ" label and is now known simply as "Tiësto", an alias which is an Italian twist of his childhood nickname..

Just after releasing his second studio album Just Be in 2004, at the Summer Olympics he performed live at the opening ceremony in Athens, Greece becoming the first DJ to play live on stage at an Olympics Games. Tracks he made especially for the Olympics were mixed together and released as the mix compilation Parade of the Athletes later that year. He was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2004 by Queen Beatrix. He was chosen as the official ambassador for the Dance4Life foundation in May 2006, and released the song "Dance4Life" with Maxi Jazz to help spread the awareness of HIV/AIDS. In April 2007 Tiësto launched both his radio show Tiësto's Club Life on Radio 538 in the Netherlands and released his third studio album titled Elements of Life. The album reached number one on the Dutch album chart as well on "Billboard Top Electronic Albums" in the U.S. and received a nomination for a Grammy Award in 2008.

Tiësto released his fourth studio album called Kaleidoscope in October 2009 to critical acclaim. His 2010 "Kaleidoscope World Tour" spanned more than 15 months and 175 dates across six continents playing to over 1,000,000 people. The hugely successful tour was recognized by Billboard Magazine who nominated Tiësto for two 2010 Billboard Touring Awards and placed him among Billboard's Top 25 biggest grossing touring acts of 2010.

http://www.tiesto.com/Tiesto-professional-life

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%C3%ABsto

Wisdom Message

RIGHT KNOWLEDGE. Life is a puzzle. Where did we come from before birth? Where do we go after death? Nobody's life is completely and totally happy, but why do some people have lives of great misery and others have much joy? This is not the result of the whims of some distant god. No, each one of us is what we have made ourselves by our actions in this life and in previous lives. Every individual (and not only humans, but animals and plants) is basically a pure spirit or soul (jiva is the Jain word for it) which is capable of complete knowledge and complete freedom. But by our actions and thoughts we have, as it were, covered this pure spirit with the gross material of karma which obscures our knowledge and limits our freedom and ties us down to one life after another. Although we may have a lot of happiness in life we also, all of us, have a great deal of unhappiness. We want to know the way in which we can get rid of the restrictions of karma and gain the state of complete knowledge and glorious freedom which is known as moksa or nirvana. Although this may be a very long, very slow process for most of us, over countless lives, how to make a start in freeing ourselves from the restrictions and miseries of karma.

So we come to RIGHT CONDUCT. Strength of passions is the worst thing, passions of violence and desire and possession. The most important principle which runs through the whole of Mahavira's attitude of life is ahimsa. This is usually translated as 'non-violence', but it goes beyond that and really means the greatest possible kindness to all living things. This is the first and fundamental rule which we should try to follow, to get rid of violence in all our actions and even in our thoughts. Yes, in our thoughts as well, for violent thoughts can be potentially as harmful as violent deeds. – Sacred teachings from Mahavira

Article for the day – What Multinationals miss in Emerging Markets

An excellent piece of article from Prof Alfredo Behrens, (my prof at FIA).

Are multinationals getting the best leadership and professional talent when they recruit in Brazil and other emerging markets? In one sense, yes: These companies can generally hire the most-expensive, best-educated graduates in these countries. But their high standards may actually be keeping multinationals from taking full advantage of the talent on offer. In Brazil, many multinationals outsource the preliminary screening of trainees, with the requirement that candidates must speak English. This is how 70% of a million candidates for 4,500 trainee positions are filtered out every year by the recruiting company Cia de Talentos. And when multinationals hire for more senior positions, they are mostly just poaching from each other — and thus restricting themselves to the same limited talent pool.

Pls follow the link to read the complete article.

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/what_multinationals_miss_in_em.html

Picture for the day