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With Brazil taking on Croatia in the first match of the World Cup in São Paulo, millions of fans around the world kick off a month-long obsession with “football”. For the rest of the world, who don’t follow the game, you’re left with four options this month. Ignore these fans, run away from conversation, nod along to everything being said or jump on the bandwagon. For those who have surrendered, you have an impending task ahead of you. The very first, basic question you will be asked for the next month and a half, “Which team do you support this World Cup?” Well, fret not; this article is here to help you. Presenting (cue drum rolls) “An Beginners Checklist to Choosing a Team this Football World Cup 2014”.

Hold on, before that you need to know what you’re up against.

The World Cup will feature 32 nations – placed in eight groups with four teams each – and a total of 64 games. Each team has eleven players on the field with three substitutions. Each squad however, consists of 23 players on a whole. The teams are divided into eight groups. The four teams in each group will play each other and the top two teams will move on. From there, it heads into single-game elimination, starting with the winner of each group playing the runner-up of another group. Winners advance and keep playing until there are only two teams left.

Now that you know the basics of how the tournament works, let’s move on to what you really want to know- How do you choose which team to support? You could choose your team based on the list given below:

1. Eye-Candy

The Brazil 2014 World Cup won’t only be the place to bring together the best talent in football; it will also bring some of the most attractive ones. While you’re being forced to watch these hour and a half long matches, you may as well focus on the eye candy.

2. Good looking fans

Talking about eye candy, with an average seating capacity of 49,896 people per stadium, the stadium has no dearth of good looking supporters. So why not join them in supporting their team?

3. Color, color, what color do you choose?

FIFA is a legitimate excuse to wear a pair of shorts and a jersey and walk around in front of people. So look up the teams, see which color suits you best, buy a jersey and pretend to support the team.

4. Dream Travel Destination

Fancied visiting the carnivals of Brazil, the English country side or the Niagara Falls? Well, this suggests you’ve done your country research. So even if you don’t know anything about the team, you support your favorite destination. But do ensure they are playing in this World Cup!

5. These are some of my favorite things

The Swiss are known for their chocolates, while the English for the Queen and The Beatles, the Germans for their automobiles and South Korea for the Gangnam Style. Why not support the country where your favorites are from?

6. Bye-bye Honey Singh

The FIFA world cup has its benefits. Honey Singh’s “music” is overridden by the chants of your neighbour singing along with the crowd on TV supporting their team. So listen carefully to the chaos, choose which of the chants you like best and sing it aloud.

7. The wackiest pre-game ritual.

Some people wear a certain blue shirt for an interview or an important meeting, while someone uses the same pen they wrote class notes with for the exam; we all have our own set of wacky superstitions. Guess what? So do the players and team, find something similar to your superstition? Well, now you know who you’re going to support.

8. Favorite celebrity supports

Juhi Chawla, The Bachchans, King Khan and of course, John Abraham, are few of the “ardent” football fans. What better way to pledge your allegiances to these stars than support the team they are rooting for!

9. Cuisine

The World Cup honestly is just another excuse to forget your diet and fill up on snacks. So why not support the team where your favorite food comes from. Pizza, anyone?

10. Support the team with the most fan following on twitter

Let’s face the fact. You’re only diving in because of peer pressure. Look up twitter, see whom the masses are supporting, there, wasn’t that the easiest thing to do?

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.

Colours Of Life

When patience is out of station,

you hop in to me,

accelerate my anger,

agonize my harmony,

break my thoughts,

blow my heart,

you chill out Inside,

making a red-hot outside.

When patience is in-station,

you again pop in to me,

emote my Happiness,

evolve my peace,

and energize me.

I was in swirl to know you,

I searched for you,

and found you in me,

yes the colors of life

called as Emotions.

I wish to manage you,

but most times you manage me,

making me to listen and learn.

We are very proud to share that our employee, Ganapathy Krishnan, IT, has been shortlisted for a national level volunteer award for his work with Bhumi, an NGO.

This recognition, he says, will be an additional laurel for the NGO and will also inspire the youth to volunteer!

The winner is decied by public voting. Let us all support Ganapathy by visiting the link below and voting for him:

http://www.ivolunteer.in/ivolunteer-awards/Volunteer-Hero-2013.html