DOCTOR DOCTORING DOCTOR

When a doctor gets sick, and another doctor doctors him, does the doctor doing the doctoring, have to doctor the doctor, the way the doctor being wants to be doctored, or does the doctoring of the doctor doctor in his own way ?

May the Reader never ever get the need to see a Doctor

Golden Bullet

Abhinav Bindra hit the Bull's Eye with his Golden Bullet at Beijing Olympics. He made India Proud with his Gold Medal winning performance. All Indians join hands in congratulating for his golden feet.

Some people react differently on certain news like this. On a website a person made a comment that all the supporters of cricket in India should feel ashamed and contribute Rs.10/- per head to promote the other Games and Sports in India. Very Good suggestion. I feel that the BCCI should be forced to spend about 50% of its earnings and Reserve fund to build infrastructure, promote other sports and players in India.

If sports bodies are managed by sportsmen, I hope there is a scope for real talent to come up and win medals for India.

Anyway. Best of Luck India

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY

Hyderabad is reeling under non stop continuous Heavy Rain since past Two Days. Entire city life has come to standstill. Overflowing Drains. All Roads are flooded with rain / drain water. Movement of Traffic is at snails pace. Vehicles are getting stuck in potholes. Its taking hours to travel even a short distance on vehicle. Old houses/huts /walls collapsed at different places causing few deaths and injuries. Many low lying colonies are in midst of water entering houses and damaging the contents.

Extending sympathies for the sufferers and pray for their safety and security and as usual hope that the administration will work with long term vision and not short term temporary measures.

Technorati Profile

Health Insurance for Students Traveling to US

• 
  
  In the previous post it was suggested to obtain a suitable Travel Health cum Personal Accident Insurance from India before proceeding for studies abroad.
  Most of the Universities in US provide for Health Insurance with Accident Insurance for the students by charging suitable premium. Some Universities may insist the policy be obtained from their preferred insurer or accept for a cover obtained in students’ country of domicile provided the cover is comparable to the one that is offered by the university.
  
  Now why do we need Health/Accident Insurance from the time a student board the flight for US or other country for studies.
  
  The average cost of Health care treatment abroad is very high.
  
  Health Insurance cover will commence from the day the student enroll for the courses or on the day on which the premium is paid at the University or a future specified date. There is a gap of about a month or so before the commencement of Policy period and the date of commencement of journey as students land there a couple of weeks ahead of commencement of academic session to arrange for accommodation or accustom to the new place and weather. So there is a need for Health Insurance to cover the gap.
  
  Please read the fine print of the on campus Health Insurance policy and ascertain whether:
  The coverage is worldwide or while at campus only.
  The sports related injuries sustained at inter university sports competitions are covered or not
  Ambulance charges are covered or not
  The amount of Personal Accident Insurance coverage provided.
  
  Considering the above points one may go for a Student Travel Health Insurance Policy for a suitable amount as deemed fit by the student and the parents.
  
  The Students Travel Insurance or Overseas Medical Insurance for Students for the entire period of study abroad may be obtained from any Indian Insurance Company offering the same. Different Plans are being offered with variable benefits.
  
  In addition to the coverage offered by on campus insurance policies abroad, Insurance Companies in India are offering coverage of Loss of Checked Baggage, Loss of Passport, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Repatriation of mortal remains in case of death of student abroad during study, Personal Liability, Study Interruption, Sponsor Protection, Two way Compassionate visit etc. Please obtain the complete details and go through the brochures or policy wording and decide the one best suitable to you.
  
  You may go through the article at this link also
  http://www.news.com.au/travel/printstory/0,25585,23931420-5011960,00.html
  
  Good Luck and Happy Times

CHALO U.S. - ITS VISA TIME FOR STUDENTS

After all the millions of words u had to mug up. After all the late nights u spent online, not chatting with ur buddies but browsing the internet to get some info about the universities. After all the waiting to get an appointment with ur prof for a recommendation letter. After all the pain u took to go to college just to get ur transcripts ready. After all the series of meetings u had with ur consultant submitting papers after papers. After all the international calls u made, the e-mails u wrote and the scraps on orkut to ur seniors just to know a little more about the university and some info about the interview. After all the wait in the long queue in front of the consulate. Finally it’s ur day. U got the most awaited permit in your life, the permit to enter the land of opportunities, the “United States of America”. You are still little skeptical…. “Did I hear correctly? Did he say that I would get my passport by mail?” Yes!! U got ur VISA!

Now starts the real excitement to enter a new world (if u can call it that way)…. You have thousand and one thoughts in ur mind. What should be done now? Which travel agent to approach for? How much money do I take with me? Which brand of luggage is better? What is the maximum that I can carry? Do I have to take rice and dal also with me? What clothes do they wear there? And the list goes on …..
Now it’s time to organize things, the task which you have probably never done before.

The most important things to be done can be broadly classified into three sets.

What to be done before u leave?
What to be taken with u?
What to be done after u reach?

You must have found various lists put up online for the things to be done and things to be taken with you when you go abroad. But there are some finer things which no website makes a mention of, but it’s sometimes good to know certain things beforehand rather than knowing them with experience. For example you will most probably be asked to buy a leather jacket, if your univ is at a place where it would be very cold. But most students coming for the first time will not know that for the same amount you spend on a leather jacket in India, you can get a much better and nice looking jacket after coming to US. But this principle might not apply to the students coming for spring, coz they might end up entering into US in severe snow conditions. So for guys coming for Spring, it’s always good to have a coat with you, if not a leather jacket, a simple one should suffice for the first few days, before u go shopping in US.

Now I’d like to just give you some simple but important things which come under the above mentioned three categories. (usually not mentioned in the other lists which you find online. Mind you, this list is not exhaustive and it does not give the most common things to be done. It just gives a list of things that are usually ignored)

What to be done as soon as you get your Visa?

1. Find out when is ur orientation in the college and book ur ticket accordingly. Also find out when the other students are coming, coz u might not want to miss out on some of those early openings of the on-campus jobs.
2. As soon as you book your ticket, contact your seniors in the university and arrange for your pickup and temporary accomodation. Talk to your seniors and findout the address of the temporary accomodation you will be given and the phone numbers of your seniors. Make labels with your destination address and from address including phone numbers and paste them on all the bags of your luggage. Also findout the cost of the taxi services from the airport to your temporary accomodation and keep some cash in dollars with you, just in case no one comes to pick you up.
3. Log in to Institute of Preventive Medicine website and get yourself vaccinated for MMR etc. as required.
4. Contact as many of your future college-mates through orkut or some other means, and find at least 2 or 3 people with some matching interests, so that you can later decide if you want to become roomies after going there. Usually students form groups in India itself and plan to share the utensils and the other things to be taken with them. For example, if u find 3 people with whom u had planned to stay, then one of you can take cooker with you, and one other person can get some other utensils, and some others can get the other kitchen stuff, so that u don’t end up having 4 or 5 cookers in one apartment, and also don’t end up carrying a whole lot of luggage, which u might not use it even after one year.
5. Most often, you’ll need to get a cell phone after going there. Usually in US, the cell phone operators offer free cell phone with every mobile connection, so u need not get one. But if you have a very good cell phone, or a one which u r very used to and don’t want to leave it, then it’s better to get it with u, coz sometimes the free ones are not very good. Sometimes the mobile service providers offer a discount on the connection charges, if you don’t take the free cell which they offer. So u might think of taking ur favorite mobile with u.
6. Most universities have a Health Insurance Policy for every student, which is mandatory. But sometimes the insurance coverage starts from the first day of the semester. So from the day you land in US till the first day of the semester, you will not be covered by the University Insurance, so it’s always good (not mandatory) to take an Overseas Medical Insurance policy for that duration from the day you leave India to the day ur University Insurance Coverage begins.(I just suggest that you take this policy, but most students don't take it. If you need more details on this policy, contact some insurance agent.)
7. If you wear spectacles, or are doubtful about ur eyesight, get your eyes checked, if u need to change your spectacles, then get at least two pairs of glasses with you, coz eye checkup and spectacles are expensive in US. Also it’s advisable to get a dental checkup done, and if u find anything to be treated, get it done immediately. Don’t think of the amount you’ll be spending on ur teeth, coz dental treatment too is very expensive in US and it’s usually not covered by the Health Insurance, and u don’t want to face any problems after coming far away.
8. Leave a copy of all your certificates with ur parents. Give a few signed blank papers to your parents, in case they need ur signature while u are away from home.
9. If you have just completed your graduation, then if possible apply for ur final degree certificate, or else at least give the required documents and letters to your parents or friends, so that they can apply for it when ur university announces the convocation later on.
10. Leave a copy of your dress measurements at home, just in case u want someone to send you some dress later.
11. Get a haircut done, if u need to or if you would like to.
12. Lastly and most importantly keep noting down in a book, every small thing that comes to ur mind while u plan for your journey.

What to be taken with you?

1. The usual stuff of at least 4 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of formals, shirts and t-shirts, a few traditional dresses (optional for guys), a pair of good sneakers (don’t spend too much on them, but try getting a durable one coz u’ll be using them daily), a small backpack, lots of inner wear (coz u’ll wash ur clothes only once in 10 days or two weeks), some winter wear (don’t buy too much of them also, since they shrink when u wash them and u get better quality ones in US for almost the same price)
2. Now for the food stuff, get the items u use daily in cooking like some spices, chilly powder, haldi, garam masala, sambar powder and the like. Don’t get too much of these, coz most universities have Indian stores nearby. So u’ll get almost everything there. Just make sure u have one Indian store nearby to ur univ, otherwise get little extra. Also get a masala box to organize things in it. Take some sweets with you (ur seniors are bound to ask u for them as soon as you go there). Please ensure to check the website of your airlines for prohibited articles and do not carry them.
3. Take some Puja items and a copy of the holy book with you if you are used to the traditional customs at home.
4. Take a good book with u for u read during your long journey (usually it will be around 24hrs).
5. Carry your favourite music and devotional music CDs or MP3 files with a player of your choice.
6. Arrange your luggage such that you don’t put all the valuables in one suitcase and also distribute your clothes so that you have some minimum necessary clothes in every baggage u carry (It sometimes happens that one of the suitcases get missed, since most often there will be a flight change during the journey. Nothing to be worried about, you’ll get ur luggage back, but it might be just delayed by one day or two, and you don’t want to be wearing the same clothes until u get back ur luggage.
7. About the money you get with you, it would be good if you get some travellers cheques, some cash and a dd for your fee. If you are planning to take a student loan, the bank might give you an option of "Vishwayatra Card" and deposit all the money in this card. For all those who don't know about this card, it's like a debit card without a bank account and in which a part of your loan amount is deposited. The important thing is that since this is a card from India, there will be a charge levied on all your transactions with this card. So it's not a good idea to have all your money on this card.
8. In the flight, just before you reach your final destination, you will be given two forms to be filled. Follow the instructions of the flight crew before you fill those forms. If you have any doubt, ask someone around whom you think might know better. One of the forms is called I-94, which is most important form u will keep with you during all your stay in US. This form will have to be filled in and submitted at the immigration counter in the US airport. They will stamp this and affix this to your passport. Take good care of this form. The second form will be a declaration of the items you are taking with you to US. You will be asked to answer a few questions like “Are u carrying any food into USA? What is the value of the gifts which you are bringing with you to USA?” and a few more of this kind. You’ll be given directions to answer these questions. Just use ur intellect and answer those questions making sure that u’ll not end up into troubles.
9. Lastly but most importantly, take a note containing the address in USA that you will be going to, name and phone number of the person who will be coming to pick you up, the address of the international student office of your university, and a few quarters to make a call from the airport.
   

What to be done after u reach?

1. Now that you have reached the airport, get into the immigration queue and complete all the formalities and take your passport, visa, I-94 (visa and I-94 will be pinned to ur passport) and I-20 back from the immigration officials (they just check them and give them back to you).
2. Now go take a trolley (some airports charge around $2 or $3 for a trolley (I am not sure about that, it's free in Chicago ORD airport. Anyways just keep some cash with u, just in case u need to spend some money on a trolley) . With ur trolley, go to the conveyer belt and collect ur baggage and go towards the exit door. U'll most probably see the person who'll pick u up. If u don't find the person, don't panic. Just wait for a few minutes and then call the person.
3. After you settle down in ur temporary accommodation, ask ur seniors for the campus map and the directions and means of transportation to go to the university. If you have any doubts regarding anything, don't hesitate to take help.
4. You will be required to submit ur I-20, Visa, I-94 and passport copies, and any other transcripts (if not sent during application) to the international student office of ur university.
5. Also find out when and where is the orientation for the international students.
6. Open a bank account and deposit ur cash and travellers' cheques.
   Find out where to pay ur fee and pay it before the due date.
7. Find out where to get an Identity card and get one.
8. Find out your university e-mail id and activate it.
9. Decide who is going to be your roommate and search for an apartment.
10. Get the information about the kind of courses to be taken for the semester, the procedure for registration for courses, any chances of funding (if you do not already have funding), and about the on-campus jobs.

Finally have a Positive Attitude and courage and get going, all success will be yours. All the best.
Wish you all HAPPY DAYS in the Land of Opportunities

TECHNO SCHOOLS

Yet another wistle is blown by Techno schools in A.P. to begin a new race to prepare the children from 6th grade onwards for IITs.

All parents to join their little wards to prepare them to be future IITians. no doubt it will be a mad race and no parent would like to be left behind. Every parent includidng me wish his ward participate and win the race.

The race is good and productive provided it is played subject to certain rules and guidelines.

• The children should not be deprived of their innocent and beutiful childhood.
• There should be a fixed time for play and other hobbies.
• The children should under no circumstances be put to stress and harrassment.
• Cut short the travel time for the child by joining at the nearest school or temporarily shift your residence near the school.
• Please bear it in the mind that every child is unique in physical and mental abilities and his performance depends on these factors. Hence never compare with other children and demean your ward at any time.
• frequently evaluate the wards performance and find out whether the child is able to cope up with the training programme and is capable of grasping the subjects with ease and perform well and progress in the desired direction.
• If you find the child's interest is elsewhere like arts or games and his interest and capacity to excell in that direction is proved, please do encourage the child in that direction and produce another Sachin or Sania or another Hyderabadi boy Gagan Narang (Ace Shooter) for the country.
• Please do not try to realise your dreams through your children. As you have, they too have their own dreams. Do not force them to persue the courses you like, allow them to persue the courses they like. Yes, please tell them which courses and careers are available, their relavence and importance and try to conivince but not force them.
• As time passes by, please train yourself and your children with proper counselling to face the failures in life as they come and to overcome them with double the effort and force and achieve success.

Lets hope the new trend produces more IITians from A.P. who can make us available a Solar powered, eco friendly Homes, Cars, Vehicles and make India a place for comfortable and peaceful living

Grow TREES and Control GLOBAL WARMING

Glamour vs. Vulgarity in Movies

Going by the current trend of tollywood movies, vulgarity is at the steering wheel pushing aside the decent song sequences or comedy scenes

There is no difference between the item girl and the heroine. All dressed alike with same steps and jhatkas.

The present day movies are without a proper story, most unsuitable actors for the charectors, zarring music with not a single word of the lyric to follow leave alone the meaning of the song. The great Telugu lyricists are following 3 language formula. I.e. Each song consists of minimum of three languages, mostly, Hindi, English and a little bit telugu. Don’t tell me that we are giving what audience want.

When we are watching the song sequence, we cannot see a shot lasting more than a second or so. The cameraman uses the zooming, or some useless technique to change the frames continuously causing irritation to the eye and sometimes we cannot even recognise the actors who are performing.

The present day directors, cameramen, editors should watch the movies of great directors like Raghavendra Rao, Bapu, Viswanth and others not less than 100 times and learn the art of directing and making good films. Learn the art of portraying the beauty and glamour of the herions without crossing the line of vulgarity.

See the movies like Mr. Pellam, Pelli Pustakam, of Bapu how beautifully the leading lady is shown. Similarly, take the case of Annamayya, Ramadasu of Mr. Raghavendra Rao. I am sure He is going to repeat his magic in his forthcoming film PANDURANGADU also. It appears that the Music is a great hit and the movie is going to be a super hit.

Its an appeal to all the film makers and directors, to make good films and bring the audiences back to theatres. Before starting a new film, please count the number of films lying in the cans unfinished or waiting for a release.

AVIGHNAMASTHU