Gujarat - The Land of the Legends

Gujarat - The Land of the Legends   Gujarat is a State in northwestern India, on the border with Pakistan and Rajasthan in the north east, Madhya Pradesh in the east, and Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the south. The Arabian Sea borders the state both to the west and the south west.

Gujarat : The State took it’s name from the Gujara, the land of the Gujjars, who ruled the area during the 700’s and 800’s.

Ancient Roots

The first settlers in the State of Gujarat were Gujjars who happened to be an ethnic group of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although their originis remain uncertain, the clan appeared in northern India and in Saurashtra about the time of the Huna invasion. The name of the tribe was ‘sanskritized’ to ‘Gurjara’ who followed the main religions of Hinduism, Islam, Sikkism and Christianity. However, the earliest Archeological traces indicate the Indus Valley Civilization as historical relics with the stone age settlements are found in Gujarat around Sabarmati and Mahi rivers. Its roots are also in the Harappan traces found at Lothal, Rampur, Amri and other places. Ancient Gujarat was ruled by the Maurya Dynasty. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya conquered a number of states in Gujarat while his grandson, King Ashoka extended his domain in Gujarat. The reigns of the first three Mauryas were significant but with Ashoka’s death in 232 B C the Mauryan empire began to crumble,leading to political defragmentation. The Shungas who succeeded the Mauryas tried, unsuccessfully, to uphold the semblance of political unity. After the fall of the Maurya Empire, the Sakas or Scynthians controlled the region from A.D. 130 to 390. Under Rudra-daman, their empire contained Malwa (in Madhya Pradesh), Saurashtra, Kutchh and Rajasthan. During the 300s and 400s, the area formed a part of the Gupta Empire which in turn was succeeded by the Maitraka Dynasty. It was during the rule of Dhruvasena Maitrak that the great Chinese traveler and philosopher Huien Tsang visited India in 640AD. Between the decline of the Mauryan power and the coming of Saurashtra under the sway of the Samprati Mauryas of Ujjain, there was a Greek incursion into Gujarat led by Demetrius. Three royal races of Hindus successively ruled over, namely, the Chawura, Solanki', and Baghilah races. The total number of individuals belonging to the tribes who held power amounted to twenty-three, and they retained possession of the country for five hundred and seventy-five years - previous to the period when Gujarat became subject to the Mohammedans. The Chawura tribe ruled one hundred and ninety-six years after which the power passed into the hands of the Solankhi tribe in the manner described. It was during the 900s that the Solanki Dynasty came to power. Under the Solanki Dynasty, Gujarat reached to its greatest extent. It is believed that the Gujjars belonged to this Solanki Dynasty because Pratiharas, the Paramaras and the Solankis were imperial Gujjars. Ancient Gujarat’s last Hindu rulers were the Solanki clan of Rajputs from 960 AD to 1243 AD. It is also learnt, Karandev of the Vaghela dynasty was the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat and he was overthrown by the superior forces of Allauddin Khilji from Delhi in 1297.

Medieval Invasions

The Muslim rule continued for 400 years. Gujarat's Muslim governor Zafar Khan Muzaffar asserted his independence, and established the first Muslim sultanate in Gujarat. He took advantage of the weak rulers of Delhi prevailing at the time. He declared independence and assumed the title of Muzaffar Shah. His successor, Ahmed I, the first independent Muslim ruler of Gujarat, found Ahmedabad in 1411 on the banks of the Sabarmati river. Prior to this, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Gujarat, A.D. 1026. He had vowed to invade India in order to destroy idolatry, kill the kafirs, capture prisoners of war and plunder the vast wealth for which Gujarat was known. Later, Allaudin Khilji invaded Gujarat in 1298 A.D. Sultanate of Gujarat remained independent until 1576 when the Mughal emperor Akbar conquered it and annexed it to the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Emperor Akbar conquered Malwa and Gujarat in 1570s. The Mughals ruled for about 2 centuries till the streak was terminated by the Marathas in the mid 18th century. Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler conquered Gujarat with his military skill.

Influencing Modernity

In 1600’s, the Dutch, French, English and Portuguese – all established bases along the coast of the region acquiring several enclaves along the Gujarati coast, including Daman and Diu as well as Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The British East India Company established a factory in Surat in 1614, which formed their first base in India, but it was eclipsed by Bombay after the British acquired it from Portugal in 1668. The Company wrested control of much of Gujarat from the Marathas during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Many local rulers, notably the Maratha Gaekwads of Baroda (Vadodara), made a separate peace treaty with the British, and acknowledged British sovereignty in return for retaining local self-rule. Gujarat was placed under the political authority of the Bombay Presidency, with the exception of Baroda state, which had a direct relationship with the Governor-General of India. From 1818 to 1947, most of present-day Gujarat, including Kathiawar, Kutch, and northern and eastern Gujarat were divided into dozens of princely states, but several districts in central and southern Gujarat, namely Ahmedabad, Broach (Bharuch), Kaira, Panch Mahals, and Surat, were ruled directly by British officials. A new era began with the Independence movement started by leaders like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, K.M. Munshi, Narhari Parikh, Mahadev Desai, Mohanlal Pandya, Bhulabhai Desai and Ravi Shankar Vyas all who hailed from Gujarat. Gujarat became a place for some of the most popular revolts, including the Satyagrahas in Kheda, Bardoli, Borsad and the Salt Satyagraha.

Mahagujarat Movement

After the Independence, in 1948, a Mahagujarat conference took place to integrate the entire Gujarati speaking population under one administrative body and on May 1, 1960, the Bombay State split into the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The term ‘Mahagujarat’ encompassed the whole Gujarati speaking area including Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutchh. For the first time after the Sultanate, Gujarat was once again autonomous.

Post Independence and Politics

After gaining independence in 1947, the Indian National Congress party (INC) ruled the Bombay state (which included present-day Gujarat and Maharashtra). Congress continued to govern Gujarat after the state's creation in 1960. During and after India's State of Emergency of 1975-1977, public support for the Congress Party eroded, but COngress continued to hold government until 1995. Gujarat has had 14 different Chief Ministers since its formation in 1960. Dr. Jivraj Narayan Mehta 1 May 1960 - 19 September 1963 of Indian National Congress was the first Chief Minister. In the 1995 Assembly Polls, the Congress lost to the BJP and Keshubhai Patel came to power. In 2001, following the loss of 2 assembly seats in by-elections, Keshubhai Patel resigned and yielded power to the present Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP retained a majority in the 2002 election, and Narendra Modi has since served as Chief Minister of the state since 7 October 2001 upto present. On 1st June, 2007, Narendra Modi became the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Source : Gujarat Portal By : Javedkhan Malek

Tiny, cheap water-sensing chip outperforms larger, pricier sensors

 

Doctoral student Vinay Pagay holds one of the chips

Whether you're growing wine grapes or mixing cement, there are some situations in which it's vitally important to monitor moisture content. Normally water sensors are used, although these can be both large and expensive. Now, however, a team from Cornell University has created a water-sensing silicon chip that's not only tiny, but is also reportedly "a hundred times more sensitive than current devices." What's more, the chips might be possible to mass-produce for just $5 a pop.

Known as a "lab on a chip" device, the chip contains a tiny water-filled cavity. Once placed in soil, inserted in the stem of a plant, stuck in a cement matrix or put somewhere else, the chip exchanges moisture from that cavity with moisture in its environment via a nonporous membrane. The chip measures any changes in the pressure within the cavity, that result from water either entering it or being drawn out.

In order to relay the data it gathers, the chip must be connected to a Wi-Fi card, a data logger, or some other device that can either transmit or record information. One chip can reportedly last outdoors for at least a few years, although freezing temperatures may cause it break.

The Cornell researchers are now establishing how moisture readings made by the chips translate to plant growth, so that users can make sense of their data.

Already, Welch's juice company and the Ernest and Julio Gallo winery have expressed interest in the technology.

 

Source : Gizmag.com

 

What is Employee Relations ?

What is Employee Relations ? Every individual shares a certain relationship with his colleagues at the workplace. The relationship is either warm, so-so or bad. The relationship can be between any one in the organization - between co workers, between an employee and his superior, between two members in the management and so on. It is important that the employees share a healthy relationship with each other to deliver their best performances.

An individual spends his maximum time at the workplace and his fellow workers are the ones with whom he spends the maximum hours in a day. No way can he afford to fight with his colleagues. Conflicts and misunderstandings only add to tensions and in turn decrease the productivity of the individual. One needs to discuss so many things at work and needs the advice and suggestions of all to reach to a solution which would benefit the individual as well as the organization.

 

No individual can work alone. He needs the support and guidance of his fellow workers to come out with a brilliant idea and deliver his level best.

 

Employee relations refer to the relationship shared among the employees in an organization. The employees must be comfortable with each other for a healthy environment at work. It is the prime duty of the superiors and team leaders to discourage conflicts in the team and encourage a healthy relationship among employees.

 

Life is really short and it is important that one enjoys each and every moment of it.Remember in an organization you are paid for your hard work and not for cribbing or fighting with each other. Don’t assume that the person sitting next to you is your enemy or will do any harm to you. Who says you can’t make friends at work, infact one can make the best of friends in the office. There is so much more to life than fighting with each other. Observation says that a healthy relation among the employees goes a long way in motivating the employees and increasing their confidence and morale. One starts enjoying his office and does not take his work as a burden. He feels charged and fresh the whole day and takes each day at work as a new challenge. If you have a good relation with your team members you feel going to office daily. Go out with your team members for a get together once in a while or have your lunch together. These activities help in strengthening the bond among the employees and improve the relations among them.

 

An employee must try his level best to adjust with each other and compromise to his best extent possible. If you do not agree to any of your fellow worker’s ideas, there are several other ways to convince him. Sit with him and probably discuss with him where he is going wrong and needs a correction. This way he would definitely look up to you for your advice and guidance in future. He would trust you and would definitely come to your help whenever you need him. One should never spoil his relations with his colleagues because you never know when you need the other person. Avoid using foul words or derogatory sentences against anyone. Don’t depend on lose talk in office as it spoils the ambience of the place and also the relation among the employees. Blame games are a strict no no in office.

 

One needs to enter his office with a positive frame of mind and should not unnecessarily make issues out of small things. It is natural that every human being can not think the way you think, or behave the way you behave. If you also behave in the similar way the other person is behaving, there is hardly any difference between you and him. Counsel the other person and correct him wherever he is wrong.

 

It is of utmost importance that employees behave with each other in a cultured way, respect each other and learn to trust each other. An individual however hardworking he is, cannot do wonders alone. It is essential that all the employees share a cordial relation with each other, understand each other’s needs and expectations and work together to accomplish the goals and targets of the organization.

Tourism Hubs : Kutch Hub

About Aina Mahal

 

Aina Mahal is a palace of mirrors built in the 18th century and is also known as the Madansinhji Museum. It was created by Ramsinh and Gaidhar Devshi during the period of Maharao Lakhpatti between 1752 and 1761. The museum has two parts, one of which is called the Kala Atari Picture Gallery and the other part is called the Aina Mahal.

This ‘Aina Mahal’ or the hall of mirrors is the biggest attraction of this museum. This hall is situated on the second floor of the museum and contains white marbled walls covered with mirrors that are separated by gilded ornaments. The hall has objects like a Dutch Clock, English and French globes, antique pictures, mechanical toys, etc.

The middle floor of the museum has a pleasure pool with a platform above it. It also has a series of fountains that are operated by a system of pumps placed below a Venetian chandelier. The art gallery in this museum comprises many photographs and portraits of Bhuj city and its rulers.

 

Aina Mahal - Kutch-Bhuj

Tata Docomo offers free tablets with broadband plan

In a bid to promote high-speed wired broadband service, Tata Docomo launched plans with speed of up to 100 Mbps wherein the company is offering free tablet PCs ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 40,000 for all annual subscription plans starting from Rs 1,099 per month.

"Every subscriber to the 100 Mbps annual plan will get a tablet worth Rs 40,000 free whereas subscribers opting for other annual plan of Rs 1,099 or above per month, will get a free tablet worth Rs 5,000," the company said in a statement.

The monthly subscription for the 100 Mbps plan is Rs 6,666. It added the offer will be applicable till September 30, 2013.

The company said wired broadband is now a significant focus area for it and the target segment is the rapidly growing high speed home broadband users.

"In a multi-device environment, our proposition of high speed broadband along with an attractive tablet is an exciting proposition for the consumer," Tata Docomo president (SME Business) Prateek Pashine said.

Will Laptops and PC’s Be Running Android in the Near Future?

          Android has been proved to be a great OS when it comes to mobile platforms and now it’s the leader among other mobile platforms. But some other plans involve this OS platform in the future and we will see if it will be as successful as in the mobile market. Google is rumored to make Android OS that will be supporting laptops and PC devices in near future. The question is: Is Google up to the challenge?

 

          If you ask me, Google is more than ready to deal with this kind of a challenge that will bring us Android based laptops and PCs. This company only needs the proper PC maker to lay its OS version on it and together be powerful and better out there on the market. Microsoft must be concerned about this rumor because Google is going straight at them with these new rumored plans. As the source says, HP’s new notebook will feature this new OS. It’s called Android based HP SlateBook x2 notebook. And a couple of speculations are suggesting that it will have a price tag of $480 and for a notebook, which is quite affordable.

But I’m kind of wondering how Android will perform when it comes to notebooks. We’ve seen what it can do on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets but in this case, the role is bigger. Of course, this will attract the attention of the many Android fans and the seekers for cheaper laptop devices. If this laptop comes out next week, Microsoft will have the next step that will face these cheaper Android-based laptops.

         There is a huge possibility we’ll be seeing some Windows based laptop versions hit the budget market this year. It was speculated that the new Silvermont chip will likely have its debut this year on all the Windows 8 and Windows Blue based devices that will feature this new processor chip from Intel. This chip was introduced to be the “Next-Generation Microarchitecture” that, according to Intel, will provide an increased performance and energy efficiency. This redesigned chip is using a process that is created by using 3-D Tri-gate transistors which were co-optimized with 22nm SoC by Intel. Cool huh?

 

         So, if this is what we can expect next in the OS world, if the next HP Android based notebook proves to be successful on the market, the company might even consider replacing the Windows platform with this new Android OS. Coming out from Microsoft, we can expect cheaper laptops and don’t be surprised if some next generation versions of the present devices hit the low-price market. This will not be a bad thing though, but we expect some great performances from both OS platforms. All in all, with the launch of this Android based notebook, Google will take a huge step forward into building this operating system in something big that is ready to grab the majority of the tech world. I hope you are ready for it.

 

Post by : Javed

Source : www.onlinegadgetstore.com

Friendship Day Special...!!!

Dosti naam hai sukh-dukh ke afsaane ka.
Yeh raaz hai sada muskuraane ka.
Yeh pal do pal ki rishtedaari nahi.
Yeh to farz hai umr bhar nibhaane ka.

Zindagi mein aakar kabhi na vaapas jaane ka.
Najaane kyu ek ajeeb si dor mein bandh jaane ka.
Ismein hoti nahi hain shartein.
Yeh to naam hai khud ek shart mein bandh jaane ka.
Yeh to farz hai umr bhar nibhaane ka.

Dosti dard nahi rone rulane ka.
Yeh to armaan hai ek khushi ke ashiyaane ka.
Ise kaanta na samajhna koi.
Yeh to phool hai Zindagi ki raahon ko mehkaane ka.
Yeh to farz hai umr bhar nibhaane ka.

Dosti naam hai doston mein khushiya bikher jane ka.
Ankhon ke ansuon ko noor me badal jane ka.
Yeh to apni hi taqdeer mein likhi hoti hai.
Dheere-dheere khud afsaana ban jati hai zamaane ka.
Yeh to farz hai umr bhar nibhaane ka.

Dosti naam hai kuch khokar bhi sab kuch paane ka.
Khud rokar bhi apne dost ko hasane ka.
Ismein pyaar bhi hai aur taqraar bhi.
Dosti toh naam hai us taqraar mein bhi apne yaar ko manaane ka.
Yeh to farz hai umr bhar nibhaane ka.
Yeh to farz hai umr bhar nibhaane ka....