Swine flu cases in India tally to 183

As of 12th July India reported 14 new swine flu cases, taking the total number of people infected with the influenza A(H1N1) virus to 183.

"Of the 183 positive cases, 131 have been discharged. Rest of them remain admitted to the identified health facility."

Out of the 1,117 people, 340 were identified through the airport entry screening. Health officials said the new laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported from Delhi (4), Ahmedabad (2), Pune (3), Hyderabad (2) and Chennai (3).In Delhi, the four cases, including three teenagers, are from one family that had come here from Singapore on July 8.

They tested positive for the flu on Saturday. In Ahmedabad, two people testing positive were part of a group of 40 students who travelled by American Airlines and had reached Delhi on July 4.

The two returned Ahmedabad on July 7. The officials said the group of 40 students had gone to the US on a yearlong exchange programme through an NGO and had traveled back to India from Chicago.These students belong to Maharashtra (9), Gujarat (18), Karnataka (1), Tamil Nadu (7) and Delhi (5).

"All of them and their contacts are being traced and also their modality of inland travel ascertained."

In Chennai, a 34-year-old woman and her nine-year-old son and six-year-old daughter tested positive for swine flu. Her husband has also been quarantined. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 94,512 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection have been reported from 135 countries till July 6. There have been 429 deaths globally, most of them in Mexico and the US.

Heavy rains predicted in Mumbai - 2009

A valuable input from BMC is being circulated for your information. Floods - 2009 :
Mumbai Floods in Mumbai are attributable to simultaneous occurrence of rainfall and high tides. If, the rainfall is in excess of 200 mm in a day (24 hrs), floods can occur anytime irrespective of tides. However, if there ismoderate rainfall but the tide is in excess of 4.50 meters at the same time, the city of Mumbai is sure to get flooded.
There are speculations about very high waves on 22 July 2009 due to solar eclipse. Public should, therefore, keep away from the beaches that day. Also, please advise your friends and relatives outside Mumbai not to plan a trip to Mumbai around these days.
Mumbai got off to a wet start on Wednesday (8th July 09) as incessant downpour the previous night caused severe waterlogging in several places across the bustling metropolis.By 8.30 a.m. Wednesday, the Colaba and Santacruz stations of the Regional Meteorological Centre recorded 73.7 mm and 32.2 mm of rain. Flooded streets greeted rush-hour crowds at Parel, Wadala, Sion, Elphinstone, Grant Road and Do Taki and in the congested Gol Deul area at Bhendi Bazaar. Commuters waded through long stretches of knee-deep waters.Trains, flights delayed. Train schedules went awry for a few hours, grounding many office-goers. Heavy bunching (trains lined up in one area) was reported between Parel and Byculla from 8 to 9.30 a.m. At the Grant Road and Mumbai Central stations on the Western line, water entered the rail track. Local services were delayed on average by 20-25 minutes. At some stations, the delay was up to 45 minutes. Flights also suffered a delay of 15-30 minutes. However, there was no diversion or cancellation. The Air Traffic Control suspended runway operations for half hour due to poor visibility, an airport spokesperson said.The weather bureau has predicted spells of rain or thundershowers for the next 24 hours. Elsewhere in Maharashtra, the Nagpur bureau has issued warnings of heavy rain during the next 24 hours in the Vidarbha region.

Broaden your Travel horizon with 78mm

Hi people !
You wanna see what real adventure is????
78mm Adventures is gearing up to take you into the Forbidden Lands for 10 days on one road trip.In some of the most challenging conditions for life, discovering new dimensions of India with self indulging camping & cooking - and support. Shooting photons of our experience.
Sharing an open minded quest for sustainable lifestyle alternatives, amidst the unchartered Himalayas of Kinnaur, Lahaul & Spiti.If you aren’t married and even if you are but have somehow managed to preserve your sense of abandon, here’s your chance to create very own road adventure. Biking, hiking, camping, rappelling and any and everything in between – this is your chance to scorn every five star facility wooing you with their fancy poolside dinners, discos and ‘cultural nights’ for an experience that will change the very direction of your so predictable memory lane.
78 mm Adventures, a one-of-a-kind startup in India, has penetrated the emerging turf of alternate tourism. The website 78 mm Adventures.com started off as a virtual club where like-minded enthusiasts shared information about their trip experiences and provided insights about interesting places to stay, eat and explore. The concept evolved into guided adventure trips and outbound programs.
Call of Adventure
Weekend escapades had always been high on the menu of life of the three 25 year olds who concocted the formula of the perfect weekend adventure. A year into their high flying careers (the kinds that awaited MBA grads from high ranking institutes a couple of years back), Jagrit Gupta, Jeet Sachdeva and Vivek Pratap Singh found time for weekend trips at least once a month.Three best three buddies slipping out of the urban jungle into the lap of nature, ‘Gradually, these trips became business brainstorming sessions. We were convinced that there's a huge opportunity in experimenting with a different beat,” explains Vivek. Each of them were earning hefty packages when they decided to sacrifice their comforts for a vision.By mid-2008, they had given up their regular jobs and designed and launched their alternative travel portal, and tagged it with the slogan, ‘Every declaration of independence is an act of adventure.’
78mm Adventures is an overlap between eco-tourism, anti-tourism, awareness and exploration travel mixed with social networking.
Trippin Isn’t Easy
So far, they have got themselves into trips as varied as a beachfront jam on East-Coast Road (Tamil Nadu), an overnight trek into Tada falls (Andhra Pradesh), exploring caves and ruins and mountain climbing at Savandurg (Karnataka), a trekking camp at Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh), jeep safari near Jaipur (Rajasthan), a corporate workshop trip in Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh) and an endurance bike trip to the haunted ruins of Bhangarh (Rajasthan)
The latest trip coming from the stables of Team 78mm is a road trip to the Forbidden Land (Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti). Ten days (May 28th to June 6th 2009) will flag-off from Naggar, near Kullu. Apart from bike and jeep safaris, the trip will include lakeside and jungle camps, treks, campfires, rappelling and more. “India always had an inclination towards unknown and new experiences, which is to be explored within.”If the prospect of unearthing your inner Indiana Jones has adequately piqued your interest, visit their website(Registration is open till May 7th):http://78mmadventures.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=175
Check out for more information here too and join the grouphttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=66182920508&ref=mf

Best travellers brands in Australia

Best Western Hotels have the world's biggest hotel connectivity functioning below a sole brand name, with over 4,000 separately possessed and operated hotels across 80 countries which includes Europe and Asia. Numerous hotels are found in cities and beach resorts all over the world, suitable for leisure time and industry travelers.

Excellent hotels which match the right kind of environment that one would want. One gets all a simple accommodation, friendly and an informal environment.

Rydges Hotels is an Australian hotel succession with over 30 hotels in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. This Rydges brand is accepted as a dependable generous company with a choice of worthy boutiques, city and suburban and resort hotel properties.

Great holets with perfect location, relatively close to to nice beaches, taxis available in every corner. Food is great, many choices of different meals - vegetarian and non vegetarian. Staff are polite and do everything possible to make the stay as comfortable as possible.

Comfort Inn Hotels have over 5,000 locations which are functioning and also being developed around the world. Hotels are principally close to shopping areas, restaurants and bars. The hotel rooms are beautiful with air conditioning, digital television, Internet connections, mini bars and queen beds. Comfort Inn Hotels’ attitude is to mingle comfort with value. These Hotels are the first step to your choice of hotels you would feel comfortable in and all what is present will be only of a high-quality with no compromises.

India back to winning ways with 53-run demolition

Napier: Shrugging off the Twenty20 defeats, India on Tuesday bounced back with a solid batting display to trounce New Zealand by 53 runs on the basis of Duckworth-Lewis method in the rain-marred first one-dayer and take 1-0 lead in the five-match series here.
India rode on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's unbeaten 84 and blistering half-centuries by Virender Sehwag (77) and Suresh Raina (66) to rattle up 273 for 4 in 38 overs and then put up a disciplined bowling performance to prevent the Kiwis from upstaging them.
Rain-interruptions added to the woes of New Zealand, who were forced to chase a stiff target of 216 from 28 overs when the drizzle halted play for the second time in the match. The Kiwis could manage just 162 for nine.

Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor's Summit 2009

The Government of Gujarat is organizing the 4th Global Investors' Summit on 12-13 January 2009 in Ahmedabad. Aimed at bringing together business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion makers; the summit serves as a perfect platform to understand and explore business opportunities in the State of Gujarat.The 2003 Global Investors' Summit was held to coincide with the glorious Navratri Festival. During the Summit, a total of 76 MOUs, worth USD 14 billion, were signed. The 2005 Summit saw the signing of 226 MOUs garnering an investment of USD 20 billion. The year 2007 Summit, attended by industry majors like Tata, Birla, Reliance, Shell, General Motors, ICICI to name a few, resulted in the signing of 675 MOUs worth USD 152 billion.In the year 2009, the initiative that began six years ago, will be intensified and the state of Gujarat will be propelled to the next stage of development process: focused and intensive growth in the socio-economic index.

Who should represent India?

The Central government's sports ministry has proposed a policy that will no longer allow Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) to represent India in sporting events, as they are technically `foreign citizens'. The argument proffered is that allowing sportspersons of Indian origin to wear Indian colours even after they acquire the citizenship of another country would be tantamount to depriving Indian citizens of the opportunity to play for their country. The decision will leave currently registered players in the lurch, as their future would be uncertain. It will have serious implications for India's tennis team, as Prakash Amritraj, Sunitha Rao and the Uberoi sisters, Shikha and Neha, will all become ineligible to play for it. These columns have consistently promoted the idea of an elective identity that will help us do away with restrictions that curb talent and aspirations. The government, too, has gone to the extent of setting up a ministry of overseas Indian affairs to felicitate and honour members of the Indian diaspora. The ministry organises the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event every year that is a huge draw for people of Indian origin from all over the world. When we value their services and make so much effort to appreciate what they do, why the step-motherly treatment when it comes to their wishing to represent the country of their origin?

Celebrating Christmas in India

Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations for the people belonging to the Christian faith. But it would be wrong to assume that it is only celebrated among the Christians. With the world becoming a global village, Christmas is now celebrated in many countries around the world. Caroling, feasting, and gift-giving along with the prayers and wishes - Christmas is celebrated with high spirits in various parts of the world. Though the mode of celebration, the dates and the traditions vary, the spirit remains the same everywhere. While most of us celebrate it as a festive season spreading over a week, for some it is a month long festival that starts with the Advent on Sunday next to November 26 and ends on January 6 with the feast of Epiphany.

Despite the same underlying spirit, the celebration of Christmas vary in the vast expanse of India. These variations are largely because India is a country of diversity. Christian community in India celebrate Christmas with pomp, gaiety and devotion. Celebrations of Christmas festival begin on the eve of Christmas on 24th of December and continue till New Year's Day. Christians across the country mark the birth of Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas Day by participating in special masses organized in churches. Celebrations of Christmas are marked by carols, cakes, candles and decoration of Christmas Tree. Each area of India has a distinctly different way of celebrating Christmas. If in the North East it is celebrated in one way, in the South West it is done in a different way. In northwest India, the tribal Christians of the Bhil tribe go out night after night for a week during Christmas to sing their special carols the whole night through and tell the story of Christmas to everybody. In South India, Christians light clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses, the same way as Hindus decorate their homes during the Diwali Festival. People also prepare mouthwatering recipes, such as cakes, cookies, pudding etc. Christians in the plains decorate mango or banana trees at Christmas time. Sometimes they also decorate their houses with mango leaves. In several states of India a popular custom is to decorate banana or mango tree instead of traditional pine tree. In some parts of India, small clay oil-burning lamps are used as Christmas decorations; they are placed on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls. Another interesting Christmas tradition in India is decorating the Churches with poinsettia flower. Churches are decorated with poinsettias and lit with candles for the Christmas Eve service. However, for the urban regions the ingredients of the festivities are the familiar X-mas trees (mostly potted) decorated with stars and tinsels, toys, plastic fruits, and colorful streamers and illuminated well are placed in front of the Christian houses, shops and restaurants. Santa is also seen in some streets and some shops and departmental stores deploy Santa to entertain their kid-customers. In the major cities of India caroling processions are also seen on streets and thoroughfares. Days before the festival markets take a colorful look as they are decorated with traditional Christmas trees, stars, images of Santa, balloons and festoons. In several parts of India, especially in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, Christmas Festival has assumed secular overtones and is joyfully celebrated by people of all religions and communities. In Mumbai, which has one of the largest Roman Catholic communities in India, there is a tradition to depict nativity scenes and decorate home with big stars. Christmas Day called 'Bada Din' (Big Day) in Hindi is a national holiday in India and people from all religions join their Christian friends to make the most of the joyous celebrations. Though the Hindus and Muslims comprise majority of the population, Xmas is celebrated with much fanfare in this secular country. Schools run by Christian missionaries celebrate Christmas by organizing nativity plays which depict the birth of Jesus Christ. Carols, songs and dramas make these celebrations even more joyful. Even non-Christian students enthusiastically participate in such celebrations.In Christian households, preparations for Christmas begin at least a month in advance. People get their homes whitewashed and indulge in spring cleaning of the house to give it a fresh new look. Ladies start preparations for the traditional Christmas cake which is anxiously awaited not just by the entire family but also by the neighbors!! Hectic shopping activity takes place as everyone buys new clothes for the festival. Christmas Gifts are also bought for friends, relatives and kids in the family. The biggest festival for Christians, Christmas is also the time for family reunions. People staying in different cities for job or higher studies rush back to their homes to celebrate Christmas with their near and dear ones. Indian Christians do not believe in short services. The main service on Christmas Day is a midnight one which lasts from two to three hours, with hundred of communicants and many children all massed together on the floor. The Day is a national holiday and people irrespective of their religion enjoy it along with the Christians.Most exhilarating celebration of Christmas can be seen in the vivacious state of Goa. A large number of domestic and international tourists flock to the beaches Goa during Christmas festival to watch Goa at its cultural best. One can also regale in the best of Goa music and dance during Christmas festivities. Catholics in Goa participate in the traditional midnight mass services locally called Missa de Galo or Cock Crow as they go on well into early hours of the morning. The Carnival, preceding Lent, is the most important event at Goa. This is similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Goa is one favorite destination for Christmas celebrations. In fact a very large number of people from the country as well as abroad make a beeline to this little coastal state to celebrate their Christmas holidays in style.

New Year In India

New Year has become a national festival in India. The excitement to celebrate the event is present everywhere. The day is celebrated with a lot of fervor and enthusiasm and is marked by prayers', parties, New Year fetes and social feasts.New Year's Eve in IndiaNew Year's Eve in India is the time to party and dig into the last minute fun. People enjoy partying with friends and family members. All the night clubs, discotheques, amusement parks and even the cinema halls are thronged by people of all ages. The idea behind these get-togethers is to give farewell to the by-gone year and welcome the New Year bountifully.

Different cities in India have different ideas of celebrating New Year. In metropolitan and big cities New Year celebrations are lavish and grand while in smaller cities and towns these celebrations tend to be comparatively low-key. Although, in present times one can see smaller cities are trying to catch up with the euphoria and the extravaganza of the big town New Year bashes. While parties and fun work for some, many people have different idea for New Year celebrations. As some people prefer to stay back home and enjoy the New Year festival with their loved ones. Some visit temples and offer prayers on the New Year Day and start the year on an auspicious note. People also exchange New Year gifts, flowers and greeting cards with their dear ones. This helps to create a feeling of togetherness and care. People also make New Year resolutions on the day and promise to follow it up.

New Year Eve in Goa

Rave parties are life of Goa- full of dance, music and jest. These parties are organized every night around the time of New Year. It attracts a large number of tourists from India and around the world. New Year celebrations. New year balls are organised in almost every town and village of Goa. People are often seen relishing the gala dinner on the beach restaurants and hotels. Apart from it, live orchestra parties form an integral part of New Year celebrations. An air of festive mood pervade everywhere and become go maniac about the last minute celebrations.

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San Diego restaurants is a site to help people find San Diego's many great eating and drinking joints. They take total pride in serving up everything one wants. One can get the best and easiest way the restaurant you want on the web. All kinds of cuisines, wonderful and suitable atmosphere is available.