Coming Soon: Spidey In Every Home
August 31, 2007 by krisdhingra
Filed under News
Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spiderman.
Well, spinning a web any size may just be a little difficult but the rest might just come true if researchers experimenting with nanotechnology have their way. As per news reports, a fully-working prototype of a suit that would enable people to climb walls and sling webs like comic book hero Spider-Man could be just ten years away. Italian researchers say they have developed a new method for creating a surface-gripping material that mimics “spider silk” and imitates carbon nanotubes.
Stefano Mezzasalma at the University of Trieste said: “The first prototype of a Spiderman suit might be ready in a decade or so“.Scientists have developed the system by mimicking the way geckos hang upside down from walls by a single toe. The lizards are able to adhere themselves to walls in this way due to the millions of tiny elastic hairs called setae that cover their feet.(Source)
Needless to say that if such a suit were to become available commercially at reasonable rates, it would lead to frenzy amongst comic book readers and fans. After all who wouldn’t want to experience what it feels like to climb to the top of a 50 storey building or hang upside down from the ceiling of your room, and that too without a drop of radioactive blood in your body. Looks like Lionel Ritchie’s 1986 classic Dancing on the Ceiling might just come true, hopefully by 2017.
Tags: spiderman, suit, spidey, dancing, nanotech, fiber, gecko
Wear Sunscreen, An Email Hoax That Topped The Music Charts
August 29, 2007 by krisdhingra
Filed under Random Events
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97
Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, …………
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis
more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Nope we are not offerring you any advice here but just quoting the first few lines from the Sunscreen Song produced by acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann in 1997.
This song was voted as the 16th most popular song out of 100 in 1997 and was a big hit all across the world. Thousands of listeners called into their local radio stations requesting the song, saying that it had struck a chord within them and how they really felt inspired after listening to it. Although the song sounds like a commencement speech, set to music it is infact an article called “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young” written by Mary Schmich and published in the Chicago Tribune as a column in 1997. In her introduction to the column, she described it as the commencement address she would give if she were asked to give one.
The manner in which this seemingly strightforward newspaper article got converted into a chart bursting single forms a really interesting story. Sometime in August 1997, Mary’s article found it’s way onto the internet in the form of an email hoax, when a prankster – never identified except as “Culprit Zero” – copied it, labeled it as “Kurt Vonnegut’s commencement address at MIT,” and began e-mailing it to his or her friends. The pyramid began. Schmich’s quirky, smart style seemed believable as Vonnegut’s. It carried the implied authenticity of the printed word. And, on the Internet, the concept of “validity” is often less important than “bandwidth” and “really cool graphics.” The spread of the thing was amazing. Among the recipients was a friend of Australian film director Luhrmann.
Luhrmann, 35, is largely known for two youthful films – “Strictly Ballroom,” about competitive dancing, and a 1996 remake of “Romeo and Juliet,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Luhrmann was working on a CD in his home country when he saw the e-mail and was intrigued by Schmich’s column, which, at that time, was still misrepresented as a Vonnegut address. On the Internet, Luhrmann tried to find Vonnegut’s e-mail address, or the address of an agent, to buy the rights to the words and include it on the disc. Instead, he found stories debunking the hoax. He then contacted Schmich via e-mail, who put him in touch with Tribune management, which sold him the rights to Schmich’s column. Luhrmann and his producers made the music, they hired an actor to read the words, and a song was born. As for royalties, Schmich gets a small cut; the Tribune gets a bigger one.
“I’ve written songs in my life, but no one will ever make records of those,” Schmich says. For Luhrmann, though, it’s more than a hit song. It has become a watershed event in New Media. He says: “What I think is extraordinary, apart from the inherent values in the ideas, is that we were experiencing ourselves a historical moment in the life of the Internet, an example of how massive publishing power is in the hands of anyone with access to a PC.” (Above content partly reproduced from the Washington Post)
Well, whether he forcasted it or not it is quite true that as of today anyone with access to a Web enabled PC has massive publishing power at his disposal which sometimes even threatens the 4th estate with it’s speed and accuracy. Now if you’re still wondering what the big deal about sunscreen is, you should probably check out the movie below which is based on the song being talked about(It also runs in the background). You can also watch the original version of the song here.
Tags: sunscreen, song, email , hoax, internet, chicago, music, charts, advice, speech
DP Money Watch – Supercharge Your Portfolio with Supreme Petro
August 27, 2007 by Ashok
Filed under Financial Markets
Supreme Petro Limited(SPL) has a capacity of 300,000 TPA of various grades of Polystyrene, namely General Purpose Polystyrene(GPPS), High Impact Grade Polystyrene(HIPS), expandable polystyrene and various other grades. Its the biggest plant in India and among the top 6 plants globally with 2% of the global installed capacity at one location. In India it has a market share of 55% and is the largest exporter of PS with more than 100,000 TPA of exports to 80 countries. Polystyrene is used extensively in Consumer Electronics, white goods, domestic appliances, food packaging, food serviceware, household wares, stationary, toys films etc.
Some time back SPL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra for its Rs 1,115 crore, proposed additional capital expenditure program to build a world-class styrenics complex by the year 2012 at its existing plant site at Amdoshi and a minor Port at Dherand, both in the district of Raigad. With the additional investment, the Company will be the One – Stop – Shop for the entire chain of styrenic polymers and alloys of polymers. The Minor Port will address the logistic costs and permit movement of materials away from urban areas. Total additional quantity produced by the proposed projects will be 4.9 lakh tonnes, thus bringing the overall capacity to about 8 lakh TPA or 5% of the total Global Capacity at one location. The Company is also expanding its compounding facilities to add alloys of Polymers and other value added products. The Company has adequate land and support infrastructure at its existing plant location.
SPL is ISO 9001-2000, ISO 14001-1996 and OHSAS1800-1999 certified company with Technical know-how from Nova Chemicals Usa and Engg. by Lummmus Crest Usa. Off Late its Financial peformance has also improving:(Check Below)
| Scrip Code : 500405 Company Name : Supreme Petrochem Ltd |
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Financials reproduced from BseIndia
SPL has an equity capital of Rs. 97.5 crores and at CMP of Rs. 25 its market capitalisation comes to Rs 245 crores.The company has plans of investing more than 4 times its present market cap. At present the share is available at a P/E of say 6 .Next year will be the first full year of production at expanded capacity and SPL is likely to show much better performance compared to the last Q ended June 2007, especially as the GDP is likely to grow at more than 8% and Polystyrene prices are going up globally because of increasing demand.( See here).
SPL has huge land bank at Raigad,an Industry hub in Maharashtra. Its value in the books is stated at Rs. 17 crores. However today’s value could be atleast 10 times the book value. Also its owned buildings are valued at Rs. 83 crores in the books which could have also gone up substantially.With the port facilities in Raigad, a state of the art plant with economic capacities, big expansion plans on the cards and rising product prices the future for the company looks very bright.
Buy at CMP of Rs. 24.5 is recommended with atleast 2 year HOLD.Share is a multibagger with a target of Rs. 100.
This report has been prepared solely for information purposes and the information contained herein may not be deemed to be an investment advice. Such information is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person. The information contained herein is not a complete analysis of every material fact representing any company, industry or security. The views expressed may change. While the information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, no responsibility (or liability) is accepted for the accuracy of its contents. Investors are advised to satisfy themselves before making any investments and should consult with and rely upon their own advisors whether and how to use such information in making any investment decision.
Tags: supreme petro, chemicals, polystrene, land, stocks, equity, buy
Delhi Planet Weekends – Madame Tussauds, Bringing Life To Wax
August 25, 2007 by krisdhingra
Filed under Specials
Madame Tussauds is known all over the world for it’s wax figures of famous and influential people. It is probably one of the very few places in the world where dozens of the greatest, wealthiest and most influential people of our times stand together under one roof, although in wax form. So what’s so great about these Wax figures, well what makes them stand apart from any other wax work is their exquisite craftsmanship. No wonder then, that if a beautiful blonde were to stand with a wax figure of another famous blonde you wouldn’t be able to tell whether she’s real or not.
Madame Tussauds was set up by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud who was born in Marie Grosholtz in Strasbourg, France. Marie(picture below) learned the art from Dr. Philippe Curtius in whose house marie’s mother worked as a housekeeper. Tussaud created her first wax figure, of Francois Marie Arouet de Voltaire, in 1777. Other famous persons she modelled at that time include Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin. Some of the sculptures done by Tussaud herself still exist. In 1842, she made a self portrait which is now on display at the entrance of her museum, i.e the Madame Tussauds at London.
Madame Tussauds today is a major tourist attraction and has branches in London, Amsterdam, New York, Shanghai, Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Washington D.C. Every location of the museum is different in it’s own right as it has a section dedicated to the history,culture and important events of that city/country. It also acknowledges the popular actors, singers and entertainers who are well known in that city. For Ex: All the famous Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai are present only at the Museum in London as it has a huge Indian population, while the hollywood stars would be found at many locations. The Average cost of the entrance ticket is 18 Euros, although the ticket prices vary depending on the number of sections of the museum that one would like to visit.
Checkout some exclusive pictures of Madame Tussauds, Amsterdam courtesy DP Travel
The Entry Ticket, Front and Back
Amsterdam City from Madame Tussauds and The Reformers
Tags madame, tussauds, wax, figures, bollywood, hollywood, marie, life, real
Jajah And The Ultimate Mobile Device – Making Your Voice Rule
August 23, 2007 by krisdhingra
Filed under Tech
Q. Name TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2010 ?
Well if you know who was crowned Person of the Year in 2006, you would probably get this one too. Going by the current trends and future outlook, “your voice” is what would be driving your daily life, 3 years down the line. So “your voice” would most likely be the Person of the Year in 2010. With tremendous advancements in cell phone technology((Nokia N95, Apple iPhone), ever increasing mobile phone penetration, highly sophisticated networks(4G, IMS) and extremely innovative mobile phone applications(Presence, PTT, VideoShare) the entire world would literally be in your hands.
Lending support to this prediction are 2 services which are sure to make huge impact very soon. While one of them is still at a very early stage of it’s development the other one is out and is just waiting to be discovered. DelhiPlanet takes a look at these two applications, namely The Ultimate Mobile Device and Jajah.
The Ultimate Mobile Device
“It’s a Phone… It’s a PC… It’s the Ultimate Mobile Device!” so goes the tag line of Google’s patent pending technology which allows Google’s patented search engine to be operated by voice input and work on a mobile phone(their tagline is similar to the “It’s a bird…..It’s a Plane….It’s Superman” from the Superman comics). The impact of this application would be huge, not only would google make huge sums of money of it, it would also lead to increased advertising on mobile phones and ofcourse googling would become much easier. Hopefully people would still treat such devices as cellphones without getting lost in the pile of features that would come with them , just like the lady below, who couldn’t quite understand what the salesman was trying to sell.
The phenomenon shown above, wherein improved Technology further complicates matters is known as Feature Creep(Thanks to M. Syven for the information. Read more about it here)
Jajah
It seems to be yet another VoIP solution that enables you to make cheap calls to various cities in the world. Don’t we already have too many players in this area, yes we surely do and frankly no one is interested in another solution which gives almost the same set of features. That’s where Jajah is different, it provides you the freedom to talk from anywhere(just don’t tell your wife,girlfriend or sister about this).
Jajah is essentially a Click2Dial service, that allows you to talk via VoIP using your Cell Phone. So with jajah, a registered user would type the number that he would like to call and jajah would then connect the 2 parties. The numbers provided could be landline or cell phone numbers(Check here for more information on how jajah works). The brainchild of founders Daniel Mattes and Roman Scharf it went live in February of 2006 but has only recently added India to it’s list of countries.
In short, even the PC is set become obsolete soon and all that would remain is a small,sleek and stylish mobile phone.
Tags: jajah, google, mobile, device, applications, time, person, VoiP, future
DP Money Watch – Our Top 10 Recommendations
August 20, 2007 by Ashok
Filed under Financial Markets
DP Money Watch in partnership with NetEquityResearch.com, has been proud to publish it’s weekly posts on the hottest stocks in the Indian Markets. Our stock market analysis is one of best and loss is one word that doesn’t exist in our dictionary.
This week we present the top 10 stocks recommended on DP Money Watch.
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A quick glance at the table above and you’ll know what you’ve missed, if you haven’t been checking out DP Money Watch.
A new week starts today so Happy Investing Folks!!!!!!
This report has been prepared solely for information purposes and the information contained herein may not be deemed to be an investment advice. Such information is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person. The information contained herein is not a complete analysis of every material fact representing any company, industry or security. The views expressed may change. While the information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, no responsibility (or liability) is accepted for the accuracy of its contents. Investors are advised to satisfy themselves before making any investments and should consult with and rely upon their own advisors whether and how to use such information in making any investment decision.
Tags: top 10, shivalik, tata, remi metal, stocks, equity, buy
Delhi Planet Weekends – The Adam’s Bridge, Natural or God-Made ??
August 19, 2007 by krisdhingra
Filed under Analysis
“Natural or God-Made” what’s the difference you might say, isn’t everything in nature supposedly made by god. No one can say for sure, but a lot of people do believe so. But what would you say about something that is disputed by some people to be a creation of nature while the others insist that it was man-made, the man in this case being a human form of God.
Well the case in point here is the fabled “Adam’s Bridge” also known as “Rama’s Bridge“. Hindus believe that the Adam’s bridge was the same bridge that Lord Rama got made inorder to enable his army to cross the sea and reach lanka, where the Demon King Ravana had kept Rama’s wife Sita. They argue that the location of the bridge is quite similar to what is described in the great Indian epic, Ramayana. NASA and offlate some indian scientists however feel otherwise.
The image shown above was one of the first images disovered by NASA’s spaceborne cameras and were first made public towards the end of 2002. At that point of time it was believed that the Adam’s bridge was infact the Ram Sethu. Quoting the news report “The bridge’s unique curvature and composition by age reveals that it is man-made. Legend as well as Archeological studies reveal that the first signs of human inhabitants in Sri Lanka date back to the primitive age, about 1,750,000 years ago and the bridge’s age is also almost equivalent“(Source). However a few weeks later NASA responded, quote “Remote sensing images or photographs from orbit cannot provide direct information about the origin or age of a chain of islands, and certainly cannot determine whether humans were involved in producing any of the patterns seen,” said NASA official Mark Hess. (Source)
While some indian scientists also agree with the NASA response, the fact of the matter is that anything that involves religion is bound to create a furore and anger the religious sentiment of the hindus. Claiming that the Adam’s Bridge is nothing but deposits formed by the extension of foreland spits of long shore currents, dispels the fact that Rama got the bridge made by his Vanara Sena. Thus leading to the belief that the Ramayana didn’t happen, which is simply sacrilegious.
Probably a proper study of the composition of the bridge by a few recognised labs from around the world would give us a better answer. Till then let’s try and figure out the difference between natural and god-made.
Challenging The Highest Authority – The Battle At Kruger
August 17, 2007 by krisdhingra
Filed under News
Once upon a time in a place called Kruger Yamaisibo and his troupe of 100 cape buffalos were out for stroll, after a lavish meal of green leaves and plenty of lake water. Yamaisibo was the head of the troupe and used to lead his herd whenever the entire troupe went out. Alfredo the Lion King, would often get to hear about the impudent and brash behaviour of Yamisibo and his commanders. His ministers complained that he had no respect for the authority of lions and that certain members of his troupe were often involved in brawls with them. Yamaisibo on the other hand was a nihilistic leader who was extremely protective of his herd and did everything he could to make them strong,tough and resilent.
Alfredo was keen on teaching Yamaisibo a lesson so he began tracking the movements of his herd. Then one day he along with few of his commanders positioned themselves at a one of the points which the herd always crossed. Yamaisibo had no idea of alfredo’s plans and like always lead his troupe from the front, unaware that alfredo was crouching in the distance. As the buffalo troupe approached, alfredo and his group began to breathe slower. Under the hot and bright sun and the rugged sand, it was almost impossible to make out that a group of hungry lions crouched in the distance as alfredo and his troupe camouflaged themselves in the color of the sand. When Yamaisibo was just a few feet away, he noticed something move in the distance ahead. His vast experience soon made him realize what lay ahead in the distance, and as a reflex reaction he decided to turn and run, perhaps his old brain got the better of him.
But now it was too late, alfredo and his group charged with all their might and in a flash, they got hold of one of the buffalo cubs. The cub kicked and scoffed and in the fight everyone fell into the lake on the side of the land. Yamaisibo had now realized his mistake and as his troupe retreated he began to think of a plan. No, he was not going to let the evil alfredo take his child away. He would be back, this time together with his troupe, back to “Challenge the Highest Authority ” in the Animal Kingdom. The stage was now set for the Battle At Kruger
Unlike most other short stories the one above is actually true. Ever since it was posted on YouTube in May this year, it has attracted close to 14,000,00 views and has received close to 14,000 comments(an achievement a blog post can only dream of ). The battle was filmed by a group of six tourists and a guide at the Kruger National Park in South Africa and has lead to an unprecedented interest in the way of life in the animal kingdom. Well, we won’t keep you guessing on the rest of the story, you can catch all the action below
Tags: lion, kruger, battle, buffalo, story, animal, herd, revenge, youtube
6 Decades Of Freedom – 6 Icons to Look Upto
August 15, 2007 by krisdhingra
Filed under Festivals
15th August, 2007, India Celebrates it’s Diamond Anniversary of Independence. While there is still a long, long way to go before the country begins to sparkle like a diamond(like it did in the past uptill the 17th century A.D ) the citizens of the country can surely take a day to look back at all that has happened and look forward to all that needs to be done, to regain the country’s past glory. This day is also a celebration of freedom, something without which no organism can live in peace.
While the country still battles illiteracy, poverty, crime, poor infrastructure and shortage of essential services there is one resource that it has no shortage of, it’s vast pool of “human resource“. Although it is really important to control the population explosion, the excess population is also an advantage. The youth population in India is one of the highest in the world and thus we have the potential to become one of the world’s leading superpowers. It is however sad to see that there are very few icons for the youth to look upto.
DelhiPlanet takes a look at 6 such icons, who have made the country proud at some point in the past 60 years. While everyone should strive to express his/her own individuality and creativity one can take inspiration from these great men/women and try and do their bit for the nation.
Mahatama Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi better known across the world as Mahatama Gandhi was the main driver of the Indian Freedom Struggle. His concept of using non-violence as a weapon against the opponent was truly unique and different from the normal violent clashes. New Age India has once again awakened to Gandhian principles now better known as GandhiGiri(thanks to Munnabhai and his team).
So let’s drop our egos and take to GandhiGiri to solve our problems, it’ll surely make us much more friendlier and progressive.
Mother Teresa
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu better known across the world as Blessed Mother Teresa was born in Macedonia to albanian parents but died as an indian mother to thousands of poor and sick people in the country. She is recognised for her selfless humanitarian work across the world and is one of the few indians that the nation can be proud of.
Like Mother, let us not only think about ourselves and pursue materialistic pleasures at all times, but let’s also try to make a difference to society. No matter how small your contribution is, it would always make a difference to someone.
N R Narayana Murthy
He can probably be called the Bill Gates of India and is responsible for creating one of the largest Software Services Companies in the country. Narayana Murthy’s Infosys Technologies today employs more than 50,000 people and has played a vital role in improving the economic strength of the country with good jobs for thousands of graduates.
Mr. Murthy is a great visionary who despite being the co-founder of a multi-billion dollar organization remains very simple,humble and down to earth. Let us try to dream big and achieve great things for the country while still remaining friendly, humble and thankful for everything. Being rich and famous doesn’t give anyone the right to demean others.
APJ Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam better known to the world as Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam is one of India’s greatest scientific minds and was recently also voted as being the one of the greatest presidents of the country. Kalam has received honorary doctorates from as many as thirty universities and has been honored by the Government of India with multiple civilian honors namely: the Padma Bhushan in 1981; the Padma Vibhushan in 1990; and the Bharat Ratna in 1997.
Mr. Kalam teaches us to think and act for the progress of the nation, and truly believes that India can be a developed nation by the year 2020.
E Sreedheran
E Sreedharan also known as Metro Man, has given Delhi what no other political leader or businessman could ever give since the country gained independence. A quick,clean and efficient means of transport. The Delhi Metro is a world class metro system similar to the one’s in many other developed nations like Singapore, Spain, Austria and many others.
He was awarded with the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by the government of France, Padma Shri by the Government of India and Man Of The Year by The Times Of India. Mr Sreedheran teaches us how to go about our jobs in an efficient manner seeking satisfaction in the work and nothing else. He also teaches us to stick to our beliefs and do what you feel is right. Although he is the Head of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation he earns only about $1500 a month, and had to overcome government politics and bureaucracy to get the freedom to work in the way he desired(Read the article I don’t budge just to please somebody else. When politicians find they can’t interfere, they respect).
Sachin Tendulkar
Sportsman Spirit, Never Say Die Attitude, Handling Immense Pressure in the most trying circumstances, it is these qualities that the nation’s favorite son Sachin Tendulkar stands for. Sachin has given us hundreds of moments to cherish and feel proud of being an Indian. And yet, we choose to talk of dispensing with him and sacking him when he sometimes runs into a lean patch.
DelhiPlanet salutes these great men and all the others who have contributed to the success of the Nation in the past 60 years.
Here’s Wishing All the Indians out there a Very Happy Independence Day.
Tags: india, independence, sachin, sreedharan, mother, teresa, gandhi, infosys, murthy, kalam
