Happy New Year 2013

 As per Gregorian calendar, New Year is observed on 01 January.  The celebrations of New Year starts on the eve of 31 December, it is the time when people celebrates last day of the current year and beginning of the New Year.  As soon as clock strikes twelve at the midnight, people cut cakes and burst firecrackers, starts hugging and wishing each other ‘Happy New Year’ to give festive reception to the forthcoming year. 

    

  
Each New Year brings hopes and promises of the year.  People often make New Year’s resolution which includes promises, goals which they want to accomplish in the coming year.  However, people fail to abide by their promises but the significance of adopting New Year Resolution remains the same.

People wear new clothes and clean their homes on the New Year’s Day.  They usually exchange gifts and good wishes among their loved ones.  New Year Gifts comprises of some daily items such as books, pens, dresses, purses etc. or it may incorporate cakes, flowers, chocolates etc.

India Vs Pakistan

BCCI decided to resume Cricket ties with Pakistan by inviting the Pakistan team for a short series.  This series will consist of two Twenty20 International and three One Day International matches.  India Pakistan match will begin on Tuesday i.e. 25 Dec 2012 and will come to an end on Sunday i.e. 06 Jan 2013.

Schedule Of T20I Matches

The first Twenty20 International match between India and Pakistan is scheduled on 25 Dec 2012 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.  This stadium was formerly known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association and was later renamed in tribute to Mr. M. Chinnaswamy, who had served this stadium for four decades and was also the President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 1977-1980.  The stadium is also the home ground of the Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.

 
    The second Twenty20 International match schedule has been changed from 27 Dec to 28 Dec 2012 on the request of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the former Prime Minister of Pakistan was died on 27 Dec 2007. The match is schedule to be played on 28 Dec 2012 at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahemdabad.  Sardar Patel Stadium is one of the leading Cricket stadiums of India.  It is commonly known as Montera Stadium.  It is the largest stadium in the state of Gujarat.  This stadium was formerly known as Gujarat Stadium and was later renamed in tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

Schedule of ODI Matches

The first One Day International match is scheduled on 30 Dec 2012 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.  MA Chidambaram Stadium is a Cricket stadium in Chennai, commonly known as Chepuk.  It was established in 1916.  This stadium is where the Indian Cricket Team won its first ever test victory in 1952 against England.  This stadium is also the home ground of the Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings which participate in and won the Indian Premier League two times.

    The second One Day International match is schedule to be played on 03 Jan 2013 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.  Eden Garden is the largest Cricket stadium in India and third largest stadium in world after Melbourne Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium in Australia and also second largest in world by seating capacity.  It is the oldest cricket stadium in India established in 1864.  This stadium hosts Indian Premier League matches and is the home ground for Kolkata Knight Riders.

    The third One Day International match and final match of this series is schedule to be played on 06 Jan 2013 at Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, New Delhi.  Feroz Shah Kotla Ground or Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium is the second oldest Cricket Stadium in India after the Eden Garden in Kolkata.  It was established in 1883.  This stadium is famous for its cauldron-like atmosphere, which is supposed to be the best in the country.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas is an annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 with great enthusiasm and gaiety all over the world.  It is largely characterized by exchanging gifts within the families and by gifts brought by Santa Clause and other mythical figures like Saint Nicholas, Saint Basil etc.  Christmas is not among the most primitive festival of Christians.  The exact date of his birth is unanimously fixed.  According to Eastern Christianity the original date of celebration was January 6.

There is a difference of 13 days between modern Georgian calendar and older Julian calendar.  Now, Christmas is celebrated on 25 Dec by Catholic, Protestant and most orthodox churches.  The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of Pre-Christian, Christian and secular themes.  In UK, Christmas season traditionally runs for twelve days.  It’s a period of feasting and merry making which ends on the twelfth night i.e. Christmas eve.  Whereas, in USA celebration begins many weeks before and continues up to New Year’s Day.

The popular customs related to Christmas includes, the Christmas tree, the Christmas ham, gift giving, Christmas music and caroling, exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations etc.  The most important part of the festival is decorating Christmas tree.  It is planted at one corner of the house and then decorated with toys like dolls, birds, flowers, paper cuttings.  At night candles and electric bulbs are lighted on its branches

Christmas Eve is the time for family get together and to see people of all ages to have fun together.  Many families go off to church together celebrate midnight mass.  Some families go around to the streets, to hospitals and other such places singing carols.  At the end of the day, people exchange gifts and offer prayers.

Noble Prize

The noble prizes are awarded annually in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Peace, Literature, Medicine and Economics.  The prizes were established in the year 1895 by the will of Alfred Nobel and were first awarded in the year 1901 in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Peace, Literature, Medicine.  Another Noble Prize in the field of Economics was started in the year 1968.

The Peace prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway whereas the other prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.  Each prize is given by a separate committee and each laureate receives a gold medal, a diploma and a sum of money which is decided by the Nobel Foundation yearly.  The award ceremony is held on the Death anniversary of Alfred Nobel i.e. 10 Dec whereas name of the laureates announce in the month of Oct.

The list of Noble prize laureates to be honored on 10 Dec 12 at Stockholm are :-

(i) Serge Haroche and David J. Wineland : Serge Haroche is from France and David J Wineland from United States.  They jointly win the 2012 Noble Prize in Physics “for ground breaking experimental method that enable measuring and manipulation of quantum system.”

(ii) Brian K. Kobika and Robert J.Lefkowitz: Robert J.Lefkowitz and Brian K.Kobika are from United States and together they will get the 2012 Noble Prize in Chemistry for their studies of G-Protein-coupled receptors.

(iii) John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka: They are from United Kingdom and Japan respectively.  They will be awarded the 2012 Noble Prize in Medicine for the discovery that mature cell can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent.

(iv) Mo Yan: He is from China.He will get the Noble Prize in Literature for their Novel in “Hallucinatory realism”.

(v) European Union : European Union is a political union of 27 members of Europe.  They will get the 2012 Noble Prize in Peace for their contribution in advancement of peace, democracy and human rights in Europe for over six decades.

(vi) Alvin E. Roth and Lloyd S. Shapley : Alvin E. Roth and Lloyd S. Shapley are from United States and will be awarded the 2012 Noble Prize in Economics for their contribution in stable allocation and practice of market design.

Latest Update on US Presidential Election 2012

The process of Presidential election includes a Debate session. On 31 Oct 2011, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced four debates for the election-three of them involving the major party Presidential nominees and one for vice presidential nominee.

CPD requires three criteria for eligibility:-

• Constitutionally eligible
• Appearance on enough ballots to possibly reach 270 electoral votes.
• At least 15% on five selected national polls.       

Four candidates satisfy the first two criteria Democratic nominee Barack Obama, Liberterian nominee Gary, Green nominee Jill and Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Only two of them satisfy the third criteria Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Hence, only these two candidates can take part in the 2012 CPD.

The first debate took place at the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado on 03 Oct 2012.  This 90 minute debate was moderated by Jim Lehrer. Both the nominees exchanged their views on the US economy including taxes, the national debt, the national deficit and how to recover from recession.

A CBS poll conducted after the debate on independent voters found 46% though Romney won, 22 % thought Obama had won and 32% thought it was a tie.  The Time Magazine quoted “It was one of the most incompetent performance I’ve ever seen by a sitting President.”

The main critiques of President Obama’s performance were that he looked detached, hardly addressed his opponent directly and was frequently looking down while Romney was speaking. Various fact checkers found that both Obama and Romney made factual discrepancies.

The schedule table for upcoming debates is:-

• October 11- Vice Presidential Debate at Centre college in Danville, Kentucky.
• October 16-    Second Presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
• October 22-    Third Presidential Debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

   

The Most Awaited Finals Sri Lanka Vs West Indies

 After the fabulous winning of West Indies over Australia, now they are ready to beat Sri Lanka in finals. West Indies players are very much confident about their victory. Even in the Semi final presentation’s ceremony Chris Gayle announces that “This time West Indies will take this cup home”.

The two best teams got through to the final match of the 2012 T-20 World Championship. The teams will be confronting each other at R. Premdasa Stadium, Colombo on 07 Oct 2012.

Under the leadership of Mahela Jayawardene Sri Lankan team once again manage to enter into the Finals of the T-20 World Cup. They have the highest winning percentage in the tournament.  Mahela Jayawardene’s aggressive baating, Lasith Malinga’s fast and furious bowling, Angelo Mathews a genuine game changing all- rounder player, Thisara Perera’s and Tillekeratne Dilshan’s batting is the biggest strength of the team.  Another plus point for the team is that they are playing in the conditions best suited for them and they know the pitches well.

On the other hand, West Indies players are the real superstars.  Chris Gayle’s superbly calculated attack, Pollard’s, Dwayne Smith’s, Lendl Simmon’s attacking batting, Sunil Naraine’s variations with ball, Darry Sammy’s slower deliveries, Samuel Badri who boasts of an even better economy rat are undoubtedly the best players of the team. The main opportunity for the team to win the match is that every player is a match winner in their own respect.

It is going to be the most interesting fray of the 2012 T-20 World Cup Championship. The team which plays better on that day will win the match.

2nd Semi Final Match between Australia & West Indies

After the battle of spinners now it’s time for the best hitters in cricket’s short format to come to the field.  On 05 Oct 12 Australia and West Indies will be playing the second semi final match of the 2012 Twenty-20 (T-20) World Championship. The teams will be confronting each other at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (one of the biggest cricket stadium in Sri Lanka).

West Indies is from Group 1 and Australia from Group 2 team of Super Eight stage who has made it to the semi finals.  For Australia, it will be a chance to get into the finals for the second time in succession. It will be the “Battle of best hitters”. Chris Gayle from West Indies and Shane Watson from Australia.

Chris Gayle has so far hit 10 sixes in five matches and on his day can tear apart any bowling attack in the world. On the other hand, Shane Watson is the leading run-getter and wicket-taker in the tournament so far. Watson has won four man of the match award in five matches whereas Chris Gayle has power of turning the match at any point with his fierce power hitting batting. Players like Marlon Samuels from West Indies and Mike Hussey from Australian team also played magnificently in the innings.

The biggest weak link for Australia is the match time for their middle order batsmen. The only time they got chance to showcase their batting is against Pakistan where they failed miserably. On the other hand, West Indian team’s pace attack is little substandard in quality compared to Australia. The team which plays better on that day will win.

Semi Final Between Sri Lanka & Pakistan

Today i.e. on 04 Oct 2012 Sri Lanka and Pakistan will play the first semi final match of Twenty-20 (T-20) World Championship at R. Premdasa Stadium, Colombo.  The stadium is named after the former Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa.  This is one of the biggest cricket stadiums in Sri Lanka till date.

Sri Lanka is the first team from Group 1 of the Super Eight stage who have made it to the semi finals.  Sri Lanka have played 3 matches and won all of them and ranked one in the Group whereas Pakistan is from Group 2 played 3 matches won 2 and lost 1 against India, ranking second in the Group.  Sri Lanka has a chance to take revenge of their 2009 T-20 World Cup Championship defeat from Pakistan.  It will be the “Battle of Quality Spinners” from both the sides.  The most interesting scuffle will be between two mystery spinners -- Ajantha Mendis and Saeed Ajmal.  Both of them have been the highest wicket takers for their teams in the competition.  Mendis and Ajmal have taken nine and eight wickets, respectively.

Pakistan is the only team to reach semifinals at all 4 World T20s held so far.  Their confidence will be  high after a big win over Australia.  The advantage that Pakistan will have over Sri Lanka is that they have played three matches and won two at R. Premdasa Stadium.  For this reason, Hafeez’s team has an idea about the surface.  On the other hand, Sri Lankan team has played all their matches at Hambantota and Pallekele stadium.  The only weak link for Pakistan team is Shahid Afridi’s form and for Sri Lanka the all-rounder Thisara Perera and vice-captain Angelo Mathews. In all, there is little to choose between the two teams as they struggle for a place in Sunday`s final.   

T-20 World Cup 2012

The ICC International Cricket Council Twenty 20 (T-20) World Cup is an international championship organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC).  The event is generally organized after every two years and it is played between 12 teams.

The 2012 T-20 World Cup is the fourth tournament which is currently being held in Sri Lanka from 18 Sep to 07 Oct 2012, the first World T-20 Tournament held in an Asian Country.  The first such event was staged in South Africa in the year 2007.  The tournament was won by India.  The second event, the 2009 T-20 World Cup took place in England and the tournament was won by Pakistan.  The third event, the 2010 T-20 World Cup was hosted by West Indies and won by England.  The next T-20 tournament will be hosted by Bangladesh in 2014 and India will host the 2016 T-20 Championship.

The format has twelve teams which are divided in four groups i.e. Group A, B, C and D. All test playing nations achieve automatic qualification, in addition to that, there are two affiliate teams who qualify the qualifier stage.  This year Ireland and Afghanistan are the affiliated members of the tournament.  The top 2 teams from each group A to D proceed to the Super Eight stage which consists of two groups 1 and 2.  The top teams from both the groups play semi-final and the semi-final winners will play the finals to decide the World T-20 World Champions.

The points awarded to the teams during the group stage and Super Eight is tabled below:-

Results	Points
Win	2
Draw	1
Loss	0

In case of tie, a Super Over determines the winner.  If again tie occurs the match is won by the team who has scored the maximum sixes in the innings.

On the basis of the following criteria, teams are ranked within each group:-

1.    Higher number of points
2.    Higher number of wins
3.    Higher net run rate
4.    Lower bowling strike rate
5.    Results of head to head meeting
6.    If still equal, each team gets a point.

There are 27 matches to be played during the T-20 World Cup.  12 matches in the Group stage, 12 in the Super Eight stage, 2 Semi-finals and a final.  The logo of the 2012 T-20 World Cup Championship is “Modern Spin”.

Festive Season In India

From the beginning of October India is dipped in colors of celebration till the end of November.  It starts with the nine days puja of divine goddesses, festival named ‘Navaratri’ continues with Dussehra and ends with the biggest celebration time of Diwali.  Festivals like Govardhan Puja and Bhai Duj also come in succession.  Exact dates of the festivals are set according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar.  The rituals performed during the festivals are:-

(a) NAVARATRI- Navratri is a nine night and 10 days festival for worshipping the three divine goddesses, Durga (Goddess of power), Lakshmi (Goddess of virtue), Saraswati (Goddess of wisdom).  First three days are celebrated as Durga Puja, next three days are for Lakshmi Puja and then Saraswati puja. These are celebrated all over the country twice in a year as a period of joy and dance.  This period ends with the puja of Kuwari Kanya (the Holy virgin) on the ninth night of the festival which is celebrated as ‘Rama Navami’.  This year Navratri starts from    16th Oct 2012 till 23rd Oct 2012.  In earlier times, this festival was also associated with the fertility of Mother Earth. Thus, on the first day of the celebration, grains of barley are planted in the puja room of the residence and are watered every day.

b) DUSSEHRA-  Dussehera is a Hindu festival also known as Vijaya Dashmi.  It is the most important day of the festival, it symbolizes victory of good over evil.  The epic Ramayana tells the mythological story of Hindu Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana (King of Lanka).  On the day of celebration, the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath are set on fire.  In 2012, it will be celebrated on 24th Oct.  On the day of Dussehra, the nine days old sprouts were put behind the men’s ear as a symbol of luck.

(c) DIWALI- Diwali implies as Deepavali in certain provinces. It is celebrated as a festival of lights. The festival is celebrated on 20th day after Dussehra. According to Hindu Mythology it was the day when Lord Rama returned to their kingdom after 14 years of exile along with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana.

  On the night of Diwali, all the houses, shops and buildings are illuminated with lamps, candles and lights.  Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi are worshipped for wealth and prosperity.  People wear new dresses and exchange presents and sweets.  Children set off crackers to mark the end of festive season.  In 2012, Deepavali will be celebrated on 13th Nov.

UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION – 2012

The United States Presidential Election 2012 will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election, to be held on 06 Nov 2012, in which the presidential electors elects the President of US on 17 Dec 12. In this election, the Democratic Party candidate, incumbent President Barack Obama nominates himself for the second and the final term.  His main contender is former Massachusetts Governor, Republican Mitt Romney.  Other than that, the Liberaterian Party nominee Gary Johnson, a former new Mexico Governor and the Green party nominee Jill Stein are also contesting the elections.

     The modern nominating process of this election is Primary and caucuses process.  These processes are   spread out  in between the month of January and June before the Federal Elections.

   

Primary Elections are run by State and Local Government whereas the Caucuses are to be done by the political parties.  The candidate wins with the maximum number of votes becomes the Presidential nominee of that party. Each party’s presidential nominee votes for Vice Presidential nominee to run with them on the same ticket.  This choice of vice presidential nominee needs to be rubber stamped by the conference.

    The entire process of Presidential election will take about two years.  The presidential nominee of each party needs to engage in a debate.  The topics discussed in the debate are the most important issues of the time.  The main aim of this debate procedure is to enlighten public about their views on main issues.

 

 A candidate needs at least 270 votes of electoral college to become President.  It is likely that President Barack Obama will win this election.