Webfoorfun: March 2008

Benazir Bhutto assassination - Spot Photos

After surviving several assassination attempts in the past, PPP leader Benazir Bhutto was not so lucky on Thursday as she was killed by two gunmen who opened fire at her right after she finished addressing a rally at Liaquatbagh.

Wipro wins award for best software testing tool

IT major Wipro Technologies has won the best practice award for software testing, set up by the US-based International Institute for Software Testing (IIST), the company announced in Bangalore on Friday.

The company’s testing services division was given the award for innovating a statistical tool that reduces the time taken to test a product.

“As part of our proprietary tools suite code-named StORM (statistics, operations, research, matrix), the tool helps us to reduce test case development effort by about 30 per cent,” Wipro vice-president and testing services’ head CP Gangadharaiah said in a statement.

With over 10 years of experience in independent testing services, Wipro is the largest third-party offshore testing service provider worldwide.

It has also set-up the first wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) pre-certification and certification lab at its Bangalore campus.

The IT bellwether offers software testing services to global customers in partnership with other leading vendors such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Microsoft.

“The award is one of the initiatives we have taken to advance the software testing profession and encourage IT firms to adopt best practices. The award also enables firms to share their best practices with the software testing community,” IIST chairman Magdy Hanna said.

Wipro was chosen for the award out of 36 technology firms worldwide that were short-listed by the institute. Source: hindustantimes

Cute BOLLYWOOD ACTRESS PICTURES

Spicy Bollywood actress exclusive high resolution pics. Friends actress from Indian Film industry are developing day by day by changing their lifestyle , behavior and more... From The Latest Movie Bhul Bhulaiya rani appeared a variety role and played an impotent role. her hot look and expose attracted audience . And in a party function .. our heavy actress Ayesha Takia trended and became talk of the party her dress sense will rise our tempting situations. and another two hot posters are from latest movie in a telugu version. so hot and smooch expressions.. Dont Miss..
Real Videos

Deepika attends Yuvraj`s birthday party

Deepika Padukone parties at Yuvraj Singh's birthday bash

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone attended Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s birthday party at Enigma, J W Marriott, Wednesday, December 12 and mingled with his close friends and family “as if she belongs to Yuvraj’s family.”

Actress Deepika Padukone was the centre of attention at the birthday party of cricketer Yuvraj Singh on Wednesday.

“The duo looked more than just friends if their body language was any indication,” a source told the Mumbai Mirror.

In late November, Deepika, 21, and Yuvraj, 26, spent an evening together in Jaipur after the completion of the ODI against Australia.

Deepika flew to Jaipur in Gautam Singhania’s private jet to witness the ODI and spend time with Yuvraj, who is the son of former Indian pace bowler, Yograj Singh.

After the match Yuvraj and Deepika took off on a long drive and wrapped up the day with a romantic dinner.

Deepika is known to be close to Nihar Pandya, a family friend. However, she has steadfastly denied that they are anything more than good friends.

A close friend of Nihar says, “Deepika’s relationship with Nihar is over. She has moved on. Now, Deepika and Yuvraj are a couple.”

India’s ODI cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was at one time believed to be enamored by Deepika.

When quizzed about Dhoni, Deepika denied any romantic linkage telling CNN-IBN recnetly:

“I don’t know where it started.”

Mail_For_Fun

BUSH OUT!!

FORA BUSH/ BUSH OUT!!

I got these great Brazilian protest photos of Bush's recent visit to Brazil from my friend Alec. So much of the world hates this man/administration (with the exception Israel), I don't know why America is not demanding for the whole administration's impeachment -- they're a disgrace to this country!

HOLI - THE Indian Festival of Colours

We all know that spring has passed, but we didn’t want to wait till next March to show you one of the major Indian spring festivals: the magnificent Holi - Festival of Colours! This one is indeed a splashy event where people happily engage in throwing muddy - but vibrantly coloured - mixtures of herbs and smeary kaleidoscopic powder onto each other. What? Sounds like fun! Apart from its mythological origins, Holi is undoubtedly popular because of its fun factor, along with sweets and drinks such as , a sweet milkshake-type drink and , an intriguingly intoxicating elixir made of cannabis leaves… PingMag dived into the cheerful crowds to give you an introduction to this wonderful celebration of colours.

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Holi - Didn’t we say that this is fun? Coloured faces full of vibrant emotions! Photo by Pavaani

It’s all about the timing

Smear yourself (or anyone around) with colourful powder! Photo by Pavaani

A major festival, especially in Northern India, Holi is celebrated in late February or early March (March 3rd this year). It is held on the day of a full moon, when winter is about to end and the spring season is just beginning to blossom. That is why it is also known as Vasant Mahotsava, with ‘vasant’ meaning ’spring.’ At this time of the year the seasonal cycle is in transition, with plants and crops sprouting up adding new colour to the landscape. As a tribute to this new life, Holi is meant to be a carnivalesque celebration of good spirits. What better way to do this than with colours, which are said to express human emotions? Colours all over the place! The colours are made from Ayuvedic herbs that are said to prevent colds common in this season.

Mythology

Holi dates back to at least 300 BC. The most famous story of the origin of Holi is associated with Hindu God Lord Vishnu’s great devotee Prahlada, also known as Prahlad. Prahlada was the son of the megalomaniac king Hiranyakashipu, who wanted everyone, including his son, to worship him as a god. He didn’t, so his outraged father decided to take his son’s life in order to prevent further dissenters. He ordered Prahlada pierced with red-hot pokers, thrown from a cliff, and trampled by elephants. However, in each case, Prahlada’s devotion saved him. Then, the king’s sister Holika had a special gift that prevented her from being harmed by fire. That is why the king ordered her to take Prahlada into her arms and sit in a pyre, believing this to be the only way to dispose of his son. In the end, Prahlada chanted Vishnu’s name and escaped the fire unscathed, while Holika perished.

OMG! “Holi” is a splashy - and especially muddy - festivity… Photo by Pavaani

Nowadays, on the eve of Holi, bonfires are lit to symbolise Holika giving her life to save Prahlada from the fire and new crops and grains are offered to the flames. And then, the next day is the day to play with colours.

Another possible origin is the story that the young Krishna asked his mother why his beloved Radha was so fair skinned, while his skin was so dark. His mom advised him to put colour on Radha’s face, which he did suddenly and unannounced, much to his own pleasure. This story is especially famous in the city of Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna.

Power colours

Such amazing colours! Natural Indian colours are extracted by the process of fermentation and boiling of plants and tree bark. Photo by Pavaani

The traditional way is to play with colours made from natural materials. In recent years there has been a push to encourage people to return to using natural materials, as industrial pigments, such as Gulal or Abeer, contain colourants, mica chips and sometimes even motor oil. These can be quite harmful, especially if they come into contact with the eyes or are inhaled. So we better stick to non-toxic environmentally-friendly dyes!

The brilliant shades used in the ceremonies are extracted by the process of fermentation and boiling plants - and overall they are hypoallergenic and environmental-friendly: Dry Tesu flowers are commonly used for red and orange colours. Indian spices like Haldi, turmeric, and saffron are used for the colour range from yellow to dark-yellow. Besides having cosmetic and therapeutic uses they are said to protect the skin, purify blood and are also auspicious in Hindu rituals. Marigold flowers and henna leaves are applied for orange colours. Rose petals are used for red and Jacaranda gives a rich purple shade.

The apt apparel

A child playing “Pichkari,” squirting coloured water. Festive entertainment for the whole family! Photo by Pavaani

The best way to play on Holi day is by wearing white clothes and then go out to greet people: Put a tilak on your friend’s forehead and then smear colours all over his body. Do not forget to throw a lot of coloured powder in the air! And there is also Pichkari: Squirting coloured water is a common practice and so is throwing balloons filled with coloured water. All that mud and grease might not be the cleanliest environment to wallow in… But it sure is fun!

Celebrate!

Colour distribution as preparation for the game! Photo by Pavaani

There is simply no stopping when colours are being splashed all over the place! Not surprising, as we all know that the colours demonstrate energy and passion towards life. Painting yourself and others in vivid and vibrant colours is the best way to take a break from monotony. But keep the environment in mind: Use harmless, natural colours! And, yeah, go out - a big canvas (people) along with brushes (your bare hands) are waiting… And beware of those few idiots that use the common saying ‘Never mind, it is Holi today!’ to justify a bit of overly aggressive behaviour.

The Indian Holi - Festival of Colours sounds like such a wonderful party! We should try to export this to Japan…