List of facts about Bees.

I was reading about random facts and came across a fact related to Queen Bees and started reading about Bees and I was surprised and amazed to learn the wonderful details about bees. They are truly surprising and jaw dropping.

·         In general there will be only one ‘Queen Bee’ for the entire HIVE at any time.

·         Queen bee will only lay eggs. Weight of eggs will be more than the weight of queen bee itself.

·         Queen bee can decide gender of the egg it is going to lay.

·         Depending on the size of the cell queen bee decides which gender eggs to lay in it.

·         Queen bee can store up to 6 million sperms.

·         Once the queen bee becomes old and won’t be able to lay any more eggs the worker bees will surround it and start stinging until its dead.

·         Young queen bees of same hive starts fighting with each in order to become the main queen bee.

·         Several young queen bees fly away from hive in order to survive.

·         Worker bees are female bees.

·         Workers bees are the one’s which will feed the eggs laid by queen bee. They also clean the hive cells once eggs are fully grown.

·         Workers bees will feed each cell as per the egg in it. Drone cells will get different, worker cells will get different and queen bee cells will get different honey.

·         Worker bees make sure the hive temperature is always 34.4 degree C to hatch eggs, not more or less. If more they will cool by collecting water and placing around the chamber and blow air with their wings and if temperature is less they will form cluster to increase temperature through body heat.

·         Drone bees are only for mating with queen bee. Mating happens only between drones and queen bees.

·         Drones will die after mating once with queen bee as their penis get cut after a successful mating.

·         Queen bee will mate with drones in a separate area far from hive.

All these types of bees live in single HIVE and will continuously be doing their job. My goodness!!!

Thanks VV!!

somnambulism

This happens almost every night and again today, I can’t take anymore, I will talk with Vitharka, my roomie  in the morning and let her understand. She wakes me up almost every night and requests me to give company till restroom . Today also she woke me up, I was already tired due to the new game I started playing in college today. I could hardly open my eyes but she can’t go alone, I was half awake and started following her. Once we reached the restroom  door, as usual, I stayed nearby balcony for her to return.

She is not a kid anymore and she has to be taught either she has to finish before going to sleep or she has to learn to deal on her own during night times. I have to wake up early tomorrow and need to catch a train to go to native, once she comes I will go and take a deep sleep so that I can travel tomorrow.

It’s been already 30 mins where is she? Has she fallen asleep in restroom itself? I waited for another 15 mins then started calling her name and entered the restroom . I was surprised to notice she was not there in the restroom , I checked all the cabins but she was in none.

I started running back to the room to inform other roomie and found the door was locked from inside. I have left it open while going and how come it's locked. Then I started banging the door and started shouting but no response. Again I banged the door then my other roomie Thaatvi opened the door and pulled me inside saying “you went out again today?” “have you forgot today also?” she shouted and went to sleep.

When I tried to explain her it’s no mistake from my side, she has shown me the bed and vitharka already sleeping in the room, I was shocked and didn't understand how this happened. I have spent the night thinking what has happened (and have missed the train I need to catch and had to postpone my trip itself).

The next night when again vitharka started waking me up in the night I shouted “enough of this” “I can’t accompany you anymore” and covered myself fully with my blanket. Then heard few steps sound and realized she has gone on her own, already she is having the problem of sleep walk and now she is going alone. As it’s not safe to let her roam around alone I went to bring her back and found she is not there in the corridor or balcony or near steps or in the restroom . Then I thought she might have gone to the library in the ground floor and started going towards downstairs.

Then I realized someone pulled me from back and shouting in a mumbling voice. I am scared and tried to look back but couldn't. I felt like someone is trying to pull me back and I tried to run down, then someone has come near to me and hold me tightly and starting shaking me shouting ‘wake up’ ‘wake up’ ‘where are you going?’.

Then I opened my eyes and could understand what my roomie Thaatvi was saying and realized I went for a sleep walk again today also. Thaatvi shouted at me saying why have you skipped taking medicine today also? I told her today it’s true that vitharka woke me up and asked me for coming out. Thaatvi said we both are the only one’s staying in this room from past 6 months, ‘who is vitharka?’...

Thanks VV!!

Gardens in Pune.

There are quite a number of gardens in Pune, but these 2 very good gardens are not well known to many so I thought of visiting and share my experience about them.

·         Bagul Udyan

·         Yashwanth Rao Chavan Park or Seven Wonders Park

Firstly both these gardens are nearby to each other, 600mts or less.

Seven Wonders Park, as the name says it you can see the seven wonders replicas set up in this park. Along with the wonders of the world, there are other replicas for children like Chota Hanuman, Mogli, Ben10 and etc.

There is a 4D theatre as well inside the park, where they have continuous shows of 4D this is also very nice.

Entry Fee is 20rs which is for all the above stuff in Yeshwanth Rao Chavan Park.

Bagul Udyan, which is 600mts from seven wonders park is also a good place to visit where you have replicas of several animals set up in the garden like a gorilla, lion, elephant and so on kids will love them. Inside park, they have an art gallery depicting pictures of old Bollywood movies and a music auditorium.

Must watch the thing in this park is the “Laser Light Show” which they start at 7PM and 8PM based on the sunset. It is a 13-15mins show and a very good one.

In this Bagul park, photography is not allowed through your cameras (not sure the reason), they have a board set up as well outside of the park. But taking pictures in your mobile phone is allowed.

Entry Fee here as well 20Rs for everything.

Please include any other gardens which are not well known and good to visit in Pune, in the comments section below.

Thanks!

What is your NET WORTH?

Recently I met an old friend of mine, after few minutes of chit chat he asked me an interesting question which made me realize many useful things.

He asked 'What is your net worth?'!!!

I gave a moment and answered him, it is some XYZ amount. He laughed and asked again that's great but what is your net worth? As noticing me in blank he said...

We as an individual should evaluate our self regularly on what we are and where we are heading to? Then I realized how true it is. Let me ask you a question why the company you are working for should give you hikes every year? They only promised salary which is mentioned in your joining letter and they are supposed to give you only that... Then what is the hike concept!

It is same as the more polished a diamond is the more it shines and the more it shines the more its worth. Same way the more an individual performs or shows his skills/expertise the more company gets benefited and in turn the more he will be rewarded. We have to compare with ourselves regularly like what we learnt\achieved yesterday or last month or last year and what we are going to achieve\learn in coming days or future or today. If we are not comparing itself with something how we can figure out \understand whether we are leading to some destination or not.

So we should always keep estimating our net worth like same how the worth of diamond is decided based on its shining, same as our net worth based on our skills, expertise, accuracy and yes money too.

Iskcon Temple, Katraj, Pune

Isckon temple in katraj is a new temple which is under construction when we visited in May 2014. The main temple where the idol’s of Krishna and Puri Jagannath reside is completed but the surrounding area is under construction.

It took us 30 mins during less traffic from Kharadi to Isckon temple and while returning in traffic it took almost 45mins. Distance from kharadi to the temple is 17-20kms, so far the short route is 17kms even as per google.

The temple as all Iskcon temples is a very pleasant one and good thing of this Iskcon is they allow you to take photos of idols and interior design of the temple. Please remember we are allowed to take pictures of idols and interiors itself, we are not supposed to take our own photographs inside the temple.

3 sets of idols inside the main mandir. First one is Balaram and Krishna, next one is Krishna and Radha and the third one is a replica of puri Jagannath idols along with subadra and balabadhra. 

The interiors are designed amazingly and there are so many pictures\paintings depicting different events of Lord Krishna’s life. There are pictures depicting the festival of Puri Jagannath which happens in Orissa state every year.

Once we come out of the main temple , the entire surrounding walls are beautifully designed with pictures of Lord Krishna and few other avatars of Lord Vishnu. 

Once we reach back of the main temple on the left side of the main temple we can see stairs leading towards ‘Balaji Mandir’. When we visited the main idol of Lord Balaji’s was set up but work is going around Balaji mandir. You are allowed to take photographs here as well. Here they sell Laddu which looks same like Tirupathi Laddu and they charge around 50rs each laddu. Taste is not exactly same as Tirupathi Laddu but it is nice.

As with all Iskcon temples the more time you spend in the temple the more peaceful it will be. We have spent almost 5hrs when we went for the first time. Outside of the main mandir, they are setting up a grass lawn where we can relax and it's really calm place with the cold wind blowing continuously.

While walking towards the exit of the temple from Balaji mandir on the right you will notice a gift shop where you can purchase a wide variety of gift articles of Krishna, first time I came to know there is an after shave lotion made of cow products. 

Near to exit, you find small food court managed by Isckon, same like you find in all ISKCON temples. The taste of food is fine and all varieties of food available here like Chinese, chats, dosa’s, bakery items and more.

 Thanks!!

"The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Poeple" -- Stephen R Covey

This book has always inspired me a great book by a great person 'Stephen R Covey'. Everyone Should read it once at least!!

If you want to get something no one has got. Then you have to do something which no one has done.

Who want crumpled 500 Rupee Note??

Prakash Iyer, MD, Kimberly-Clark Lever and Executive Coach Shares two important management lessons he learnt from a 500-rupee note. Read on…..

It happened some years ago but I can recall the evening like it happened just last week.
I was in an audience listening to a motivational guru.

The speaker whipped out his wallet and pulled out a five hundred-rupee note.
Holding it up, he asked, "Who wants this five hundred rupee note?"
Lots of hands went up. Including myself.

A slow chorus began to build as people began to shout "Me!" "Me!"
I began to wonder who the lucky one would be who the speaker would choose. And I also secretly wondered -- and I am sure others did too -- why he would simply give away five hundred rupees.

Even as the shouts of "I want it" grew louder, I noticed a young woman running down the aisle.

She ran up onto the stage, went up to the speaker, and grabbed the five hundred-rupee note from his hand. "Well done, young lady," said the speaker into the microphone.

"Most of us just wait for good things to happen. That's of no use. You've got to make things happen."

The speaker's words have stayed with me ever since.

'Simply thinking about doing something is of no use'

our lives are like that. We all see opportunities around us. We all want the good things.
But the problem is we don't take action.
We all want the five hundred rupee notes on offer. But we don't make the move. We look at it longingly. Get up, and do something about it. Don't worry about what other people might think. Take action.

2. Several years later, it was another day, another time. And another motivational guru.

As I watched him pull out a five hundred rupee note and hold it up for all to see, I thought I knew what he was going to do next. But he just asked a simple question. "How much is this worth?"

"Five Hundred rupees!" the crowd yelled in unison.

"Right," said the speaker. He then took the note and crumpled it into a ball and asked "How much is it worth now?"

"Five Hundred rupees!" screamed the audience.

He then threw the note on the ground, stamped all over it and picked up the note and asked one more time: "And how much is it worth now?"

"Five Hundred rupees!" was the response.

"I want you to remember this," said the speaker.

"Just because someone crumples it, or stamps on it, the value of the note does not diminish.

We should all be like the five hundred rupee note. In our lives, there will be times when we feel crushed, stamped over, beaten. But never let your self-worth diminish. Just because someone chooses to crush you -- that doesn't change your worth one bit! “

“Don't allow your self-worth to diminish because someone says something nasty -- or does something dirty -- to you."

'Never let your self-worth diminish'

The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.

                                RESPONSE VS REACTION

                      
At a Restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. She started screaming out of fear. With a panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky.

The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away but it landed on another lady in the group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama.

The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter.

The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant.

Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed?

He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos.

It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies.

I realized that, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that disturbs me, but it’s my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me. It’s not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.

More than the problem, it’s my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.

Lessons learnt from the story:
I understood, I should not react in life. I should always respond.

The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.

Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always well thought of, just and right to save a situation from going out of hands, to avoid cracks in relationship, to avoid taking decisions in anger, anxiety, stress or hurry.

                                                                                                               

---Author Un-Known

My 2012 New Year Resolution for all of you

Firstly I WISH ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS A HAPPY AND PROPOROUS NEW YEAR.

In this New Year I pray to god to grant 2 things to all my friends.

     1.   Whatever you are waiting for from a long time and which is most needed for you. May god should grant you those this year.

     2.   I heart fully pray to god that all of you must have at least 30 most memorable and unforgettable days out of this 365 day year.

This should turn out as one of good and fruitful year to all of you.

Good days are those which we feel sad when we recollect after 5-10 year and think as “those are the days we enjoyed. Those are the days which we spent happily”.

Bad days are those which we laugh when we recollect after 5-10 years and think as “How did I behave so immaturely? How did I do that?” J

Good days are needed for today’s happiness and bad days are to laugh in future. Face all the days with a hope.

I hope you will have mixture both days this year.

Love your parents and take good care of them. Try to make them as happy as possible.

***************HAPPY NEW YEAR ONCE AGAIN.**********************

Yours Ever Loving Friend

Vinay Prasad Vutukur

My quote for the day!!!

Q: When have you taken a daring/unwanted/risky/unwillingness/life changing decision?

A: Whenever it is matter of survival/hunger/necessity, I did!!!

Few more collections of Inspiring Words!!!

“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.”

--Arthur C. Clarke

How do you instinctively respond when the going starts getting more than just a little tough? Do you intuitively rise up to meet the challenge or do you instead bend or even break under the pressure? Do you automatically summon forth the extra effort required to go above and beyond the call of duty or do you toss in the towel and call it quits? The way you naturally respond to life’s difficulties speaks volumes about your character — or lack thereof. Life quite often forces us to rise up to meet a wide array of daunting challenges tossed in our paths. Like it or not, stumbling blocks of all types and sizes can appear suddenly and without warning; obstacles that must be confronted and conquered if we’re ever going to reach our full potential on earth. And it’s in these precious split seconds — where we dare or decline to put our best to the ultimate test — that our fate and fortunes are decided.

 “The first duty of man is to conquer fear; he must get rid of it, he cannot act till then.”

--Thomas Carlyle

Whether we elect to bite the bullet and take on life’s challenges head on or alternatively turn tail and run for cover will in large measure determine how far we go and how high we fly in life. And it’s in these daily tests of our strength, commitment and determination that we shape our futures and define our destinies. We can either make it — or break it — in the blink of an eye.Oh sure, it’s easy to utter the all too familiar phrase, “I’m doing the best that I can” when things appear bleaker than bleak and hope is barely hanging on by a thread. Way too easy. But let’s be honest here; are you really doing the BEST that you can possibly do — or are you simply trying to make yourself feel a little better as you let go of the rope?

 “Out of difficulties grow miracles.”

--Jean De La Bruyere

It is precisely these most trying of times that can make us rather than break us, if we will simply tighten our grip and refuse to let go. Life isn’t nearly as complicated as we sometimes make it. More often than not, winning is nothing more than having the resilience to outlast the losing. Rather than toss out an overworked cliché about giving it your best, why not DO YOUR BEST and use life’s trying times to showcase what you are really all about. When push comes to shove, you need to push, PUSH, PUSH forward while shoving each and every excuse about why it can’t be done to the curb. 

“Each difficult moment has the potential to open my eyes and open my heart.”

--Myla Kabat-Zinn

The next time you find yourself up to your eyeballs in problems, remember to keep your cool and relax for a few moments. Zero in on what you need to do, tighten your grip and then rise above and beyond the challenge you face. It’s OK to bend a little to regain your balance if you need to, but don’t allow the hurdle in front of you any opportunity to break you down! By giving it all that you can muster and then digging a little deeper and giving a little more, there’s not a problem on earth you cannot overcome.By choosing to rise above the problem you face instead of giving in or giving up, you can quickly get beyond the trouble in your path and get on down the road. Then, before you know it, the problem that once appeared insurmountable will begin to shrink out of sight in your rear view mirror.

Income Tax Basics

Few basics of Income tax we all should be aware of. For detailed information and rules and regulations of tax refer the links give as hyper link at the end.

1.12     WHO ALL HAVE TO PAY INCOME-TAX ?

1. Individual including Non-resident, Hindu Undivided Families (HUF), Bodies of Individuals (BOI), Association of Persons (AOP) & Artificial Juridical Persons ( such as Deities of Temples) having taxable income exceeding Rs. 1.5 lakh (Rs. 1,80,000 for Resident Women assesses below 65 Years and Rs. 2,25,000 for Resident Senior Citizens.)
2. Societies & Charitable / Religious Trusts having taxable income exceeding Rs.1.5 lakh.
3. All Partnership Firms irrespective of their Income.
4. Co-Op. Societies irrespective of their Income.
5. All Companies irrespective of Income.
6. Local Authorities like, Panchayats, Municipal Corporation etc.

1.13     HOW INCOME-TAX WILL BE CHARGED BY THE INCOME TAX  DEPARTMENT?

g.   Income Tax is charged on 5 different heads. Aggregate of taxable income under each head of income is known as Gross Total Income and 
so Taxable Income = Gross Total Income - Allowance Deductions.
Deduction of Expenditure :
In computing income under various heads, deduction is allowed towards expenditure incurred in relation to earning the income. However, no deduction shall be allowed  in respect of expenditure incurred in relation to incomes exempt from tax.
Computation of Gross Total Income :
It is the aggregate of incomes under various heads of income calculated after set-off of unabsorbed depreciation/loss, carried forward from earlier years.
Set-off and Carry Forward :
Set-off means adjustment of certain losses against the income under other sources / heads. Carry forward implies carrying forward of certain losses for set-off in subsequent years.
Total / Taxable Income :
Total / Taxable Income is computed after deducting permissible deductions under section 80A to 80U, from the Gross Total Income.
Where the Gross Total Income of the Assesses includes Short-Term Capital Gains from transfer of equity shares / units of an equity oriented mutual fund subject to Securities Transaction Tax or any Long-Term Capital Gains, then no deduction shall be allowed against such Capital Gains.
On this Taxable Income, Income Tax will be calculated as per the applicable rates.

Income Tax Rates / Tax Slabs (AY-2011-2012)

A. Individuals and HUFs In case of individual (other than II and III below) and HUF:- Income Level / Slabs Income Tax Rate i. Where the total income does not exceed Rs.1,60,000/-. NIL ii. Where the total income exceeds Rs.1,60,000/- but does not exceed Rs.5,00,000/-. 10% of amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 1,60,000/- iii. Where the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs.8,00,000/-. Rs. 34,000/- + 20% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/-. iv. Where the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-. Rs. 94,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-. II. In case of individual being a woman resident in India and below the age of 65 years at any time during the previous year:- Income Level / Slabs Income Tax Rate i. Where the total income does not exceed Rs.1,90,000/-. NIL ii. Where total income exceeds Rs.1,90,000/- but does not exceed Rs.5,00,000/-. 10% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.1,90,000/-. iii. Where the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs.8,00,000/-. Rs. 31,000- + 20% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/-. iv. Where the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/- Rs.91,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-. III. In case of an individual resident who is of the age of 65 years or more at any time during the previous year:- Income Level / Slabs Income Tax Rate i. Where the total income does not exceed Rs.2,40,000/-. NIL ii. Where the total income exceeds Rs.2,40,000/- but does not exceed Rs.5,00,000/- 10% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.2,40,000/-. iii. Where the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs.8,00,000/- Rs.26,000/- + 20% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/-. iv. Where the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/- Rs.86,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-.

Links …