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Have you caught the football fever

The 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup kicked off in style yesterday. In typical Brazilian fashion the inaugural proceedings began with much fanfare as a golden ball lit up the stadium with dancers and acrobats gracefully performing around it giving the crowd a taste of Brazilian culture. Following this, rapper Pitbull, Jeniffer Lopez and Brazilian pop star Cláudia Leitte performed the official anthem for this year “We are one” to an eager crowd.

The opening game between hosts Brazil and Croatia was a preview of what the coming days has in store. Never a team to be dismissed, five time champions and two time runners-up, Brazil (nicknamed “A Seleção” or the “Selection”) are a force to be reckoned with. Reconciling after a frustrating quarter final 2-1 loss to Netherlands back in 2010, Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his men have started off the campaign with a win. With the prodigious Neymar Jr, who has worked wonders for Barcelona since his debut with the club in 2013, Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia will give them a much deserved morale boost.

The last world cup final saw a clash between two of the best football teams in the world. The 116th minute goal by Andrés Iniesta against the Netherlands was one of the most memorable goals that gave Spain the spoils and bragging rights of being World Champion. Winning the bout on their first ever FIFA World Cup Final appearance in 2010, La Furia Roya (“The Red Fury”) as Spain is often called, has one of the strongest sides with big names like Andrés Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Diego Costa and Cesc Fàbregas among its ranks. As the two teams go head to head again on the second day, Netherlands will be looking for revenge.

Argentina will also look to recreate former coach and legend Diego Maradona’s 1986 World Cup run. The national squad holds some dynamic names on paper and is clearly one of the favourites this year. Ángel di María, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín and Javier Mascherano are players who have established themselves in club football and are definitely to be watched out for on the field.

Having never entered the finals of the FIFA World Cup till date, Portugal will bank on their iconic number seven jersey holder, Christiano Ronaldo to bring in the glory it deserves. Also, Ronaldo’s Real Madrid teammates Pepe and Fábio Coentrão will hope to provide a worthy defensive support to an otherwise lethal attack.

A number of big names have been excluded in this edition of the tournament. Argentinian, Carlos Tevez’s exclusion came as a shock to many. Tevez, top scorer for Juventus was a crucial force for the Serie A champions, scoring 19 goals for the side. France will also miss one of its most experienced attacking right-winger, Frank Ribéry through back injury. Similarly, the already star studded Brazilian side sees the likes of Coutinho, Robinho, Ronaldinho and Kaká being omitted even after the wonderful season they’ve had at their respective clubs.

This World Cup will mean the end of the line for a few notable players. Ashley Cole of England announced his retirement from International football after he was excluded from the world cup squad. Spanish forward, David Villa is also hanging up his shoes after Brazil.

Being the largest sporting spectacle in the world with an astonishing US$576million being invested in it, it being called the biggest football tournament till date. With an estimated 2.8 billion people watching the World Cup the world over, it will be an absolute test of nerves as every one of the 32 teams will want to prevail and etch their names in football history.

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Coping with the heat

Can you feel the heat? Is your thirst unquenchable? Do you feel a constant need for watermelons? Does fatigue haunt you throughout the day? It takes no Einstein to discover the reason – summer, it is!

We spend days planning our summers so that we can escape the heat, but sometimes things don’t happen as we wish and we end up spending our summer in Chennai.

Here are a few tips and tricks to go about this summer. The first one being water, drink lots of water that will help you stay hydrated. Juices, tender coconut and buttermilk will help to quench your thirst. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Make sure you eat a regular and a well-balanced meal consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables or salads. Avoid drinking cold water when you step in right from the sun.

Use hats and umbrellas to cover your head when going outdoors. Even your eyes need protection, use sunglasses that give protection from UV rays. Make sure you plan your travel in the morning or evening. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen or any prickly heat powder before leaving your house. Wearing light colored clothes are preferable as it absorbs less heat. Be aware of heat related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, etc.

Not only humans, even animals and birds feel the heat. So, keep a bowl of water at your terrace or balcony to keep them at ease and help their thirst. Pet owners must always check their pet’s water bowl and refill them from time to time. Try not to keep your pets outdoor for too long, even if it’s in the shade. These steps will help your pets or any other animal pull off a comfortable summer.

There’s not all bad about summers. It is that time of the year when many plan some quality time with family and friends. Numerous movies are released in this season that can be enjoyed with friends. For sports buffs, we have the IPL going on and the world’s biggest sporting event – The FIFA World Cup 2014 just around the corner. It is also the most popular time for family vacations and outings.

With a little bit of caution and so much to do, summers cab be so much fun. Take care and enjoy this season with your family and friends.

 

Lifestyle

Friends

“Im not great at the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?”

Can you guess which character from an American sitcom would have said the above line?

If you guessed Chandler from “F.R.I.E.N.D.S”, then you guessed it right.

This program is an all time favorite and is about a group of friends in Manhattan who are in their late 20’s, their struggle in the real world and their cool perspective towards life. After a hard day’s work all you need to do is sit back and watch this sitcom and all your worries will fade away (or at least reduce drastically). You will find yourself laughing out loud and feeling light hearted.

This program has been appreciated over the years for its comedy, and the way each character is portrayed in a very unique way. They possess distinctive qualities and characteristics that viewers can appreciate and learn from; Monica’s perfection in everything she does, Chandler’s sense of humor, Joey’s innocence, Phoebe’s way of looking at things from a different perspective, Ross’s interest to learn and Rachel’s sense of style.

Apart from serving as a source of entertainment, “F.R.I.E.N.D.S” teach its viewers to lay back and take things at ease. Everything has a simple solution, be it from stressful situations at work or misunderstandings in relationships. Most important of them all, we learn from this program that no matter what the situation, friends are the ones who stand by you, forgive and accept you in spite of knowing all your flaws and weaknesses.

Surely those who have watched this program will agree that it is one of the best sitcoms ever made. And if you haven’t, then give it a shot to find out why. It’s truly worth the view. Highly recommended!

Lifestyle

Government schools in rural India

A large chunk of population stays in the rural India and amongst them there is again a major portion of children who are under 14 years of age. Under the Right to education act 2009, all the schools are supposed to provide free education to the children under the age of 14 years. But how far has it been implemented?

The second phase of child education begins with primary school but statistics show that a lot of villagers enrol the children to schools but the children end up not attending the schools. In the end the only attraction remaining is the mid-day meal scheme where they get food and ofcourse free school uniforms which provide the BPL people a way to provide clothing at least for their children.

Aayushi Siddharth saxena, who is a biotechnologist by profession and stays in the Kicha, a small town in Uttaranchal, says that most of the children just make their presence felt at school as there they get a stomach full of healthy food which is definitely not possible in a normal family where the father is a poor farmer and mother takes care of 4 children at home.

A big reason why children restrain from going to schools is the distance at which the government schools are situated from the main village and consequently girls become the first ones to withdraw.

Girls would generally serve as a helping hand in the family thereby making it another reason for them being stopped from attending schools. It is a problem faced more by the girl child than a boy.

Onset of menstruation serves no less to the fate of being a girl child in rural India till date.

Rapid privatisation where the private schools pay anytime more as compared to the government schools is taking the major teaching crowd to the private schools therefore only under-qualified teachers left for the government ones where any teacher can barely be seen teaching as their sick leave never gets over!

 

The importance of education is yet not being realised by our political leaders and they talk about making India a developed super-power! Well, thanks to the Non Governmental Organisations in the country which are making endless efforts to spread education in the let out societies and areas and making their Right to Education achieved to a certain extent.

Lifestyle

A walk in Rajputana shoes

The colors of Rajasthan are not just limited to its gem-studded monuments and hand woven textiles, but are visibly reflected in its accessories and lifestyle, like its much admired and unconventional footwear.

Commonly known as mojari or jooti, they are adored not only by the natives of Rajasthan, but also by visitors from across the globe. Exhibiting royalty of the Rajput rulers of Rajasthan on every person’s feet, the mojaris came into existence centuries ago.

Originally, pure camel leather was used for crafting them, but now due to increasing environmental concerns, artificial vegetable tanned leather is used. Worn by both, men and women, its special quality is to keep feet warm in winters and cool in summers. Additionally, camel leather would avoid feet from sinking in the sand.

Initially, only by the royals wore mojaris, and special cobblers would be hired to make them. Special and expensive gems, bound together with silk threads, were used for their decoration. As time passed by, even the normal people started wearing mojaris, and with time it reached all over India.

Presently, mojaris see its presence worldwide. From silk thread to colorful glittering bindis, a lot of creative work is done that catches the attention of every eye. The price can range anywhere from 200 to 5000 rupees. Majorly made for exports, it provides employment to a large number of people in Rajasthan.

So don’t just visit Rajasthan for its history and beautiful monuments and architecture, visit Rajasthan for an extravagant shopping experience too!

News

TAFE EPD steals the show at TATA Toyo Supplier Awards

TAFE Engineering Plastics Division (EPD) is on a roll. Recently it was awarded for Best Quality Performance by Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp (HVCC) and the Best Quality Supplier award for the year 2013 by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited.

Yet again, TAFE EPD has been presented the Supplier of the Year award and the Best Quality Supplier award (Plastic Parts Category) by TATA Toyo Radiator Limited, for the year 2013-14.

Mr. Bobby Aruldoss, GM – Marketing, Mr. Mallikarjuniah, Head of Operations – TAFE EPD, Doddaballapur Plant and Mr. Leo Peeris, AGM – Quality Assurance, received the awards on behalf of TAFE EPD Team.

News

Best Quality Performance Award for TAFE EPD

We are glad to share that TAFE Engineering Plastics Division (EPD) has been awarded for Best Quality Performance by Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp (HVCC) for the year 2013-14.

The award was presented by Mr. Subu Nagasubramony, President –Asia Pacific, HVCC.

And thus, the TAFE EPD Team adds another feather to its cap and does us proud, yet again. Congratulations to the team for this remarkable achievement.

News

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Awards TAFE EPD

At TAFE, excellence is a habit, and the TAFE Engineering Plastics Division (EPD) has demonstrated this yet again. TAFE EPD has been awarded the Best Quality Supplier for the year 2013 by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited, besides receiving appreciation certificates for achieving targets in the categories of Quality (zero ppm) and Delivery (100%).

 

Mr. S. Tomonaga, Executive Advisor and Centre Chief of Supplier Support Centre presented the award to the TAFE EPD Team.

 

Congratulations to the TAFE EPD team for this prestigious recognition.