View allAll Photos Tagged in_future
Agricultural stakeholders, farmers’ and partners working with The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), East Africa in Nyando and Kericho areas came together from October 27 – 30 October 2014 to plan for a farmer exchange visit. The visit locations are informed by the Climate Analogues tool which generates, coordinates to an area with a climate similar to the one the area will experience in future. This process improves the adaptive capacity of farmers in an area.
Photo S.Kilungu (CCAFS)
U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets perform a routine at Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2019 at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, July 12, 2019. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with four South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Megan Floyd)
USS FORREST SHERMAN, Atlantic Ocean (March 26, 2011)
Command Supply Officer Lt. Samuel Moss, and Chief Cryptological Technician Collection Frank Hayden conduct a zone inspection in the EX divisional passageway on board Guided Missile Destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). Forrest Sherman is underway participating in Exercise Joint Warrior 2011-1. Joint Warrior serves as a certifying event for ships deploying with coalition forces in future operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jamica Johnson/RELEASED).
The glass pyramids of Journey into Imagination in Future World at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort.
"…in future years may be destined to construct the Engine. They will enable him to see the reason for rejecting many improvements which occurred and the causes for those which each were approved. Without the possession of these papers no just idea can be formed of the quantity of thought expended in the engine and in all probability any one who attempted to improve it would
"The design of this (?) Engine was commenced in September 1834 and carried on continually with the exception of five months during which the author was making experiments on the Great Western Railway.
"The principles on which each separate portion of the engine act, were successively discovered and their modes of application improved so that there are drawings of about 15 different mechanical contrivances for Addition and a still larger number for Carriage.
"The general combination has undergone as many changes. The two plans brought to Turin are dated Jan 1837 the 13th General Plan, and August 1840 the 25th General Plan.
"The points most remarkable for their importance and contrivance are
"1 The method of addition of which there is a model that is remarkable in its simplicity…"
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who competed in the Spartan DEKA FIT, an endurance fitness competition, attend an awards ceremony in Austin, Texas, Jan. 15, 2022 Guest speaker Brig. Gen. Michael J. Oster, assistant adjutant general for the South Dakota National Guard, spoke with the service members and handed out coins and awards for those who competed for a chance to earn a spot on the All Guard team and compete in future races and fitness challenges representing the National Guard. California took home first place for overall best team, with Michigan and Ohio finishing second and third place respectively. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill)
On 2-4 September 2015, ASEF Public Health Network organised another workshop, titled “Bridging the National Mechanism with Healthcare Workers”. The workshop brought together 48 experts in public health and risk communications and featured healthcare professionals who worked on emergency response to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS), 2015 Nepal earthquake and Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The participants identified core elements of risk communication strategies that will be useful in future public health emergencies. bit.ly/1vmF6sl
Logo design for Innoteq Inc. The company makes dissolving thin films like the Listerine breath strips.
The logo features a unicase font for a more interesting combination of upper- and lower-case letters. The modern, somewhat techy font allows this logotype to stand on its own without illustration. This leaves room for growth within the company, as the thin strips may not always have the same shape, or the product could evolve in future.
Navy to royal blue are common colour choices for corporate-facing enterprises, so a shade of turquoise is appropriate - unique in its shade, but still the expected blue, instilling feelings of both curiosity about the company, and trust in its products. The emphasis is removed from the "inc" and placed solely on INNOTEQ. The "inc" is a nice touch in that it can also act as a period after INNOTEQ.
The church of St Nicholas at Willoughby is the result of a complete rebuilding in the early years of the 16th century, ending with construction of the west tower which was finished in 1536. It is thus quite unusual for find a small church like this from the early Tudor period, manifesting a kind of rural Perpendicular. We don't alas have the entire late medieval building though since the chancel was rebuilt again at the beginning of the 19th century and its external rendering contrasts sharply with the rest of the building.
Inside the shallow arches of the nave betray the late medieval rebuilding, though the flat plaster ceilings suggest late Georgian remodelling, probably contemporary with the rebuilding of the chancel. The font in the south aisle however is 13th century and the oldest feature of the church, clearly from the previous building.
The church has generally been kept locked outside services though on my previous visit in the early 90s keyholder details were given. This time I was very fortunate to meet a nice lady on my way through the churchyard who just happened to have a key and kindly let me inside, and suggested that in future the church may be kept open more regularly.
www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/catalogue_her/church-o...
You can see a trace of editing on the photo clearly on the dark sky..
A double decker Swiss City Train (S-Bahn). A building on the right in the background if the Prime Tower.
//Aperture 3 or Lightroom 3?//
I guess there is no right or wrong answer. Perhaps I should have bought Photoshop Elements v10 instead.
So? I tried both Aperture and Lightroom and I liked both. But for obvious reason I decided not to buy both of them.
//Aperture v.s. Lightroom // - Picked Aperture
I had trial versions, both version 3x. I liked both. LR3 has a couple of more and better features, e.g. noise reduction, lens distortion adjustment, split high/low. Aperture on the other hand, it looks like a simplified interface, thus, looking less capable but all in all, they seem quite similar.
So what did I choose? I picked Aperture. The reason? Because I couldn’t figure out how to pick a specific range of color and modify it, and apply to the whole pic, a part of pick or selected areas. Well, not quite 100 true. I did pick a selected color range, and tried to change with LR3, and it worked. But I just didn’t know enough about the LR tricks to “do it well” and get a results I wanted in as much short time as possible. With the Aperture, with my limited skills, and without knowing any specific tricks, I was able to adjust colors, saturation, brightness and tint.
LR3’s ability to smart pick a selection is very nice. But for me, it was quicker and psychologically less stress to brush the effect directly on the visible part of the pic.
That’s how a decision was made. It was not a technical nature, purely based on my impatience. So I didn’t listen to my friends and mother’s wisdom. Don’t make a hasty decision, and never make an important decision when you’re hurry. I mean it may turn out to be a wrong decision, but I’ll live with it.
//Price development//
There was something I didn’t quite understand. Aperture used to costs like $180, and LR was like $90? When I checked it out last night, the Aperture is now $80, and LR is $299? $299! But discounted to $199. The historical pricing should not be looked at now, but somehow, which ever I look at, I feel a kind of cheated.
//Photoshop Elements 10// - Perhaps in future
For the price, I think it’s a very good software for the price. Some might say Gimps (free) and Pixelmator ($30). I tried both but in a hurry, PSE10 will do a job and quicker to fire it up. And if one wants, PSE10 also let you work with layers and masks. I used to use a very early version, and have a trial version, too. It’s good, but I decided that I do not need to do much pixel work and layering. I used to with Photoshop when I had digital cameras that were not good, and needed much touch up, toning and color balance, and so on. Now I can very much use photos straight out of the camera, and I don’t really need layers and masks to edit photos. But I’m still tempted to buy it – the cost is still $100, and can afford to buy and not to use it.
Nb. and I was about to buy it today, but wanted to check once again I would like it or not. The conclusion is that I didn't buy, and I don't need to cut/paste feature to edit the photo. I'm taking photos and not really into graphic designer so I decided that my Aperture 3 does do the job without much problems. I picked up a terribly out of white balance photo, and tried to correct. Tried with a few diff apps, and I concluded, the Aperture 3 is still a best fit for me, and good enough for my needs.
I just need to learn how to use the versioning better and more effectively.
Mugbil, headmasters of Warrar Middle School in Ramadi, Iraq, tells an interpreter and 1st Lt. Thomas Dyer, a civil affairs officer with 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, that his school lacks running water, efficient plumbing and reliable power May 27, 2010. Dyer is investigating several Ramadi schools for possible inclusion in future civil affairs projects. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod, 1/82 AAB, USD-C)
New-York tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924
April 20, 1902, Image 29
Notes: Cover, illustrated supplement.
Format: Newspaper page, from microfilm
Rights Info: No known restrictions on reproduction.
Repository: Library of Congress, Serial and Government Publications Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.
Part Of: Chronicling America (Library of Congress) (DLC) - lccn.loc.gov/2007618519
Persistent URL: chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1902-04-20/ed-...
More information about the Chronicling America Web site is available at chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
This is a photograph from the 4th Annual Multyfarnham (Multy) 5KM which was held in the village of Multyfarnham about 15KM west of Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland on Wednesday 3rd June 2015 at 20:00. An incredible and unprecedented crowd of almost 300 participants took to the route including runners, joggers and walkers which was on an out-and-back course on beautiful country roads. The weather was perfect for racing and running. The fast course combined with the good weather conditions provided personal and seasonal bests for many of the participants. The GAA Club and Community Centre provided car-parking and the race headquarters. Overall this was a very well organised race event which on the evidence of tonight's race can grow even further in future years. As this and other photographs in this set shows there is nothing like an evening race in summer time in rural Ireland.
We have an extensive set of photographs from tonight in the following Flickr Album: www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/sets/72157653957377992
Timing and event management was provided by Precision Timing. Results are available on their website at www.precisiontiming.net/result.aspx?v=2718 with additional material available on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/davidprecisiontiming?fref=ts) See their promotional video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-7_TUVwJ6Q
USING OUR PHOTOGRAPHS - A QUICK GUIDE AND ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Can I use these photographs directly from Flickr on my social media account(s)?
Yes - of course you can! Flickr provides several ways to share this and other photographs in this Flickr set. You can share directly to: email, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, LiveJournal, and Wordpress and Blogger blog sites. Your mobile, tablet, or desktop device will also offer you several different options for sharing this photo page on your social media outlets.
BUT..... Wait there a minute....
We take these photographs as a hobby and as a contribution to the running community in Ireland. We do not charge for our photographs. Our only "cost" is that we request that if you are using these images: (1) on social media sites such as Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter,LinkedIn, Google+, VK.com, Vine, Meetup, Tagged, Ask.fm,etc or (2) other websites, blogs, web multimedia, commercial/promotional material that you must provide a link back to our Flickr page to attribute us or acknowledge us as the original photographers.
This also extends to the use of these images for Facebook profile pictures. In these cases please make a separate wall or blog post with a link to our Flickr page. If you do not know how this should be done for Facebook or other social media please email us and we will be happy to help suggest how to link to us.
I want to download these pictures to my computer or device?
You can download this photographic image here directly to your computer or device. This version is the low resolution web-quality image. How to download will vary slight from device to device and from browser to browser. Have a look for a down-arrow symbol or the link to 'View/Download' all sizes. When you click on either of these you will be presented with the option to download the image. Remember just doing a right-click and "save target as" will not work on Flickr.
I want get full resolution, print-quality, copies of these photographs?
If you just need these photographs for online usage then they can be used directly once you respect their Creative Commons license and provide a link back to our Flickr set if you use them. For offline usage and printing all of the photographs posted here on this Flickr set are available free, at no cost, at full image resolution.
Please email petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com with the links to the photographs you would like to obtain a full resolution copy of. We also ask race organisers, media, etc to ask for permission before use of our images for flyers, posters, etc. We reserve the right to refuse a request.
In summary please remember when requesting photographs from us - If you are using the photographs online all we ask is for you to provide a link back to our Flickr set or Flickr pages. You will find the link above clearly outlined in the description text which accompanies this photograph. Taking these photographs and preparing them for online posting takes a significant effort and time. We are not posting photographs to Flickr for commercial reasons. If you really like what we do please spread the link around your social media, send us an email, leave a comment beside the photographs, send us a Flickr email, etc. If you are using the photographs in newspapers or magazines we ask that you mention where the original photograph came from.
I would like to contribute something for your photograph(s)?
Many people offer payment for our photographs. As stated above we do not charge for these photographs. We take these photographs as our contribution to the running community in Ireland. If you feel that the photograph(s) you request are good enough that you would consider paying for their purchase from other photographic providers or in other circumstances we would suggest that you can provide a donation to any of the great charities in Ireland who do work for Cancer Care or Cancer Research in Ireland.
Let's get a bit technical: We use Creative Commons Licensing for these photographs
We use the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License for all our photographs here in this photograph set. What does this mean in reality?
The explaination is very simple.
Attribution- anyone using our photographs gives us an appropriate credit for it. This ensures that people aren't taking our photographs and passing them off as their own. This usually just mean putting a link to our photographs somewhere on your website, blog, or Facebook where other people can see it.
ShareAlike – anyone can use these photographs, and make changes if they like, or incorporate them into a bigger project, but they must make those changes available back to the community under the same terms.
Above all what Creative Commons aims to do is to encourage creative sharing. See some examples of Creative Commons photographs on Flickr: www.flickr.com/creativecommons/
I ran in the race - but my photograph doesn't appear here in your Flickr set! What gives?
As mentioned above we take these photographs as a hobby and as a voluntary contribution to the running community in Ireland. Very often we have actually ran in the same race and then switched to photographer mode after we finished the race. Consequently, we feel that we have no obligations to capture a photograph of every participant in the race. However, we do try our very best to capture as many participants as possible. But this is sometimes not possible for a variety of reasons:
►You were hidden behind another participant as you passed our camera
►Weather or lighting conditions meant that we had some photographs with blurry content which we did not upload to our Flickr set
►There were too many people - some races attract thousands of participants and as amateur photographs we cannot hope to capture photographs of everyone
►We simply missed you - sorry about that - we did our best!
You can email us petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com to enquire if we have a photograph of you which didn't make the final Flickr selection for the race. But we cannot promise that there will be photograph there. As alternatives we advise you to contact the race organisers to enquire if there were (1) other photographs taking photographs at the race event or if (2) there were professional commercial sports photographers taking photographs which might have some photographs of you available for purchase. You might find some links for further information above.
Don't like your photograph here?
That's OK! We understand!
If, for any reason, you are not happy or comfortable with your picture appearing here in this photoset on Flickr then please email us at petermooney78 AT gmail DOT com and we will remove it as soon as possible. We give careful consideration to each photograph before uploading.
I want to tell people about these great photographs!
Great! Thank you! The best link to spread the word around is probably http://www.flickr.com/peterm7/sets
110412-N-GO025-005
USS FORREST SHERMAN, North Minch (April 12, 2011) Junior Officer Of the Deck (JOOD) Lt. Carson McAbee conducts an interview on the starboard bridge wing on board guided missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) by simulated reporters (SIMPRESS) during Exercise Joint Warrior 2011-1. SIMPRESS is aboard Forrest Sherman to conduct mock interviews and hold media training in support of Joint Warrior. Joint Warrior serves as a certifying event for ships deploying with coalition forces in future operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class W. B. Swoboda/RELEASED).
In the case of Lufthansa’s Boeing 737 fleet, the overhead bins have been redesigned and made deeper, so that in future hand luggage can also be stowed sideways to the direction of travel – as has long since been possible on Airbus models.
Epcot.
Walt Disney World,
April 2013.
Visit our website for loads of Disney Character pictures and information!information!
MITSUBISHI FTO GR Manual - DOHC V6 for Sale
Engine: V6 2000 24V (E-DE3A,6A12)
Type: DOHC 24 Valve 6 Cylinders
Power: 180 BHP / 127 kW @ 7000 RPM
Maximum Torque (kgf*m/rpm):19.5 M.kg / 191Nm @ 4000 RPM
Weight: 1150 KG
TIRE: 215 / 45 R17
A regretful sale due to moving overseas. This rare Manual FTO GR has been garaged and maintained with care. Have not been driving it and has been sitting in the garage. It's a manual and I only use Shell V-Power.
Major servicing done (Timing Belt, spark plugs, etc) and all bushes, control arms and suspensions/Springs had been changed by Pedders. Thus the parts are new. Servicing, Registration, new tyres/brakes, alignment had been done. Below are the Items fitted to the Car; Money had been spent on the car as to keep it in a tiptop condition and safety. Road worthy will be done by the buyer.
- New Rego till Mar 2011
- Dual Windscreen Sweeper
- Interior lights changed to White - Blue (Speedo, Time etc)
- 6000K HID head Lights
- White LED Fog Lights
- FTO Vielside C-1 Style body kit
- Tinted Windows
- Immobilizer
- Sound System: 12” pioneer subwoofer, Philips Amplifier, Sony MP3 player, 2 X Rear 6-way speakers and 2 X front Kickers speakers (Wiring had been labeled to ensure easy upgrade in future)
- Remote locking (Central locking)
- 17” Chrome Rims
- Chrome RallyART gear knob
- Heavy Duty Clutch
- New Battery
- New Brake Pads
- New Tyres
- New Bushes
- New Pedders suspension and Springs (Professionally lowered)
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who competed in the Spartan DEKA FIT, an endurance fitness competition, attend an awards ceremony in Austin, Texas, Jan. 15, 2022 Guest speaker Brig. Gen. Michael J. Oster, assistant adjutant general for the South Dakota National Guard, spoke with the service members and handed out coins and awards for those who competed for a chance to earn a spot on the All Guard team and compete in future races and fitness challenges representing the National Guard. California took home first place for overall best team, with Michigan and Ohio finishing second and third place respectively. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill)
If your child 👶 has lost one or more baby teeth before their scheduled shedding age, they might need SPACE MAINTAINERS.
These can be fixed or removable and help to hold the empty space for permanent tooth eruption .
In the absence of space maintainers, the adjacent teeth tend to tip into the empty space, thus causing malalignment of teeth 😬 necessitating the need for braces in future.
Visit us : www.aimiljuniorsmiles.com/
U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets perform a routine at Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2019 at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, July 12, 2019. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with four South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Megan Floyd)
Colombian UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters participate in Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2019 at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, July 12, 2019. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with four South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Megan Floyd)
PizzaBuzz is, in a city so full of new restaurant openings, a very good idea indeed. The concept can be summed up (crudely) as âDIY Pizzaâ or "we have the toppings, you do the rest!" or "Subway, but with pizzas!". This doesnât really do it justice however and there is, obviously, much more to it than that - which Iâll now try to elaborate upon:
Essentially the idea is semi-self service pizza/food assembly. You take your place at the start of their "DIY pizza assembly lineâ and prepare yourself a pizza entirely of your own devising (though you donât have to do anything really asides from tell them what you want your pizza to be made of - it arrives pre sliced too, woo!).
You choose from 5 types of bases (gluten free options are available). These range from a âregularâ Margherita (cheese, tomato etc) to the Bianca (white sauce, mozzarella, parmesan) - plus a pretty fkn extensive range of toppings, divided into vegetables, proteins (i.e meats, fish) and cheese. Said toppings include such gastronomic curiosities such as bacon jam and wild rock shrimp. The recommended number of toppings for a pizza is about 4-5, though apparently one guy came in (drunk) on a Friday night once and ordered a £20+ pizza that contained EVERY SINGLE topping they offered. It ended up looking like a pyramid (hahahahaha!)
And, if you donât fancy coming up with your own pizza, their âsignature collectionâ of pre-designed pizzas come in around £10, and have names like Middle Earth and Etna. Once youâve picked your combo of ingredients, it takes them about 1-3 minutes to cook the whole thing in their wood fired ovens - so you might even be able to describe it as fast food. Takeaway is also an option. In the Southern Italian style, you can also get a burrata (and choose what ingredients to have it with, which is the recurring theme...)
As for the ambiance - PizzaBuzz lives inside the brand spanking new Alphabeta development on Worship street. On the inside it has a minimal vibe - almost the feel of an industrial space about it. Except theyâve made it more friendly with offcentre animal illustrations drawn onto the walls (pictured) plus their colourful logo and a recurring love of hexagonal things. Plus staff singing along to the music (not sure if this is an actual feature or if I just came in at the right time ^_^)
I must also tell you about the dough - which took a yearâs development and is quite something (theyâve got a video called âJane Doughâ in which the dough explains this all to you in a Yorkshire accent, lol). Anyway, it comes from a small mill in Oxfordshire and is, unusually, 50% spelt. I am told that this results in better texture, digestibility and mouthfeel than regular pizza. This is a big claim to make, and Iâm not sure I agree - the pizza I had, however, WAS very good and thatâs all I can say about that.
All in all, Pizzabuzz is taking a very good idea from another restaurant (*ahem*) and applying it to pizza very, very well. I wasnât surprised to hear that they have another site opening soon and can see them doing pretty well in future. Inherently, itâs fun, a bit silly, and provides you with a lot more choice than most of the (pizza based) competition. Definitely a place Iâd recommend to everybody (because who the hell doesnât like pizza, really?!)
Improved and shaded version of the BE Hawkeye. This time also fitted with a built in Laser Pointer.
NOTE: Sights on top are backup sights, NOT standard sights.
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who competed in the Spartan DEKA FIT, an endurance fitness competition, attend an awards ceremony in Austin, Texas, Jan. 15, 2022 Guest speaker Brig. Gen. Michael J. Oster, assistant adjutant general for the South Dakota National Guard, spoke with the service members and handed out coins and awards for those who competed for a chance to earn a spot on the All Guard team and compete in future races and fitness challenges representing the National Guard. California took home first place for overall best team, with Michigan and Ohio finishing second and third place respectively. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill)
www.eco-rally.org/future-transport-display-london-city-hall
Photos by Jack Forester Exclusive display around City Hall of innovative transport products & services related to the 2012 Investing in Future Transport Conference - organised by Cleantech Investor & Revolve.
London City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, the Mayor of London as well as the London Hydrogen Partnership. Exclusive display around City Hall of innovative transport products & services related to the 2012 Investing in Future Transport Conference - organised by Cleantech Investor & Revolve.
London City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, the Mayor of London as well as the London Hydrogen Partnership.
www.eco-rally.org/future-transport-display-london-city-hall Exclusive display around City Hall of innovative transport products & services related to the 2012 Investing in Future Transport Conference - organised by Cleantech Investor & Revolve.
London City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, the Mayor of London as well as the London Hydrogen Partnership. Exclusive display around City Hall of innovative transport products & services related to the 2012 Investing in Future Transport Conference - organised by Cleantech Investor & Revolve.
London City Hall is the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, the Mayor of London as well as the London Hydrogen Partnership.
www.eco-rally.org/future-transport-display-london-city-hall
Photos by David Spink Photography
I thought others might appreciate these tidbits of forgotten history of People of Color.
Please feel free to leave any comments or thoughts or impressions. I look forward to reading them!
The goal of Star of Hope school activities in Trinidad is to give poor children the skills necessary to enter primary school so that in future they better chance to improve their own lives.
In our schools, we give children a well-balanced meal and basic health care.
These things together create conditions for children from poor backgrounds to grow up into healthy, educated adults who can provide for themselves and their family. In this way we are able to help develop entire communities! For how can a child be able to rise out of poverty if he or she cannot read or write, and are always hungry or ill?
Another important objective of the activities is to show these children and their parents that there are people who see their situation and who want to help them to change it.
In all things we purpose to demonstrate the love of God toward the people we serve and as possible share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you want to know more about the Star of Hope or to support our cause, visit www.starofhope.org or send e-mail to info@starofhope.org
Join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/starofhope.org
© Dennis Thern / Star of Hope
The Finale to the BARC Club Car Championships Weekender at Brands Hatch and after a Very Thrilling set of both Qualifying Sessions and Races which took place on the Saturday it was Time once again for each Driver to strap in and get ready for some high speed Racing Action thought the Sunday.
In Tribute to the Marshall who was Tragically Killed on the Saturday Some Car and Driver Pairings were Racing with Orange Hearts on their Cars as a Tribute to all of Motorsports Family of Marshalls for who without Racing would not be possible. Thank You!
So Lets get started and see what the days events Haver to Offer and who can Push their Machinery to the Limits and beyond for a Victory.
Britcar Endurance Championship - Trophy Category (Race 1 Results FINAL)
The Britcar Endurance Trophy was the First up and it was time to see who could claim that elusive Pole Position and to see if anyone else could challenge the Top Three Drivers Lets see how things turned out.
In First Place was the Pairing Of (Datum Motorsport's Axel Van Nederveen and Adriano Medeiros) in their Ginetta G55A with a Best Lap Time of 52:193 and an Average Speed of 64.75mph. Congratulations Axel and Adriano a Really Fantastic Drive and A Super Victory.
In Second Place was (SVG's Mark Lee) in his Ginetta G56A with a Best Lap Time of 52.086 and an Average Speed of 64.70mph. Amazing Drive Mark Keeping that Ginetta on the Track and Taking Second Place while Nearly Matching the Speed of Axel and Adriano. Well Done.
In Third Place was (Terry Stephens) in his Peugeot 308 with a Best Lap Time of 53.421 and an Average Speed of 64.50mph. Well Fought Terry a Fantastic Finish in Third Place and Staying Ahead by just over 11 seconds to the Pair of Jasver and Bryan in 4th. Amazing Job.
A Really Enjoyable and Exciting First Race of the Sunday with High Speed Action and Incredible Victories on Track. Congratulations Axel Adriano Mark and Terry. Lets see what Race 2 Brings in terms of the Action.
Britcar Endurance Championship - Trophy Category (Race 2 Results FINAL)
Race 2 For Britcar Next and after a Very Fast and Action Packed First Race Will we see a New Face on the Top Step of the Podium? Lets find out.
In First Place was the Pairing of (Woodrow Motorsport's Simon Baker and Kevin Clarke) in their BMW 1 Series with a Best Lap Time of 51.837 and an Average Speed of 78.22mph. Amazing work Simon and Kevin who have Beaten the Pairing Of (Datum Motorsport's Axel Van Nederveen and Adriano Medeiros) to Victory. An Incredible Drive by Both of them Well Done.
In Second Place was (SVG Mark Lee) in his Ginetta G56A with a Best Lap Time of 52.281 and an Average Speed of 76.89mph. Again a Huge Congratulations to Mark Lee for hanging onto that Second Place Despite Fierce Competition during The Race. Amazing Drive.
In Third Place was (Simon Green Motorsport's Pairing of Jasver Sapra and Brian Branson) in their BMW M3 E46 with a Best Lap Time of 52.718 and an Average Speed of 76.88mph. Congratulations Jasver and Brain Brilliant Drive and well Defended to keep that Third Place in Tact.
Two Incredible Races with Two Very Different Outcomes of Race Winners and Runners Up The Britcar Endurance Trophy is Proving to be Very Competitive this Year.
A Huge Congratulations to Simon Kevin Mark Jasver and Brain for some Amazing Racing and Victories and Good Luck to All Other Drivers. Keep working Hard and Pushing for that All Important Victory.
CTCRC Edmundson Electrical Classic / Historic Thunder Saloons (Race 1 Result FINAL)
Next Up was the CTCRC Electrical and Historic Thunder Saloons and After a Thrilling Qualifying Session Yesterday Lets see what Each Driver has got and who can Push to the Limits for that All Important Victory.
In First Place was (Jason West) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 51.907 and an Average Speed of 59.84mph. Congratulations Jason for Another Incredible Drive for First Place and a well Deserved Victory Amongst some Stiff Competition.
In Second Place was (Andrew Wilson) in his Holden Monaro 7000 with a Best Lap Time of 52.418 and an Average Speed of 59.96mph. Well Done Andrew Fantastic Driving and a Super Defensive Drive for Second Place.
In Third Place was (Samuel Wilson) in his Aston Martin V8 Vantage with a Best Lap Time of 52.699 and an Average Speed of 59.50mph. Amazing Work Samuel and a Beautiful Example of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage on Display Showing its Raw Power and Racing Pedigree to Finish in Third Place.
A Fantastic Finish to The Historic and Electrical Thunder Saloons Racing at The Weekend. A Huge Congratulations to Our Top Three Finishers Jason Andrew and Samuel. Fantastic Racing from all Three of you and Good Luck to all other Drivers Keep Tuning and Working Hard and I'm sure Victory Will not be too Far Away from you.
CTCRC JEC Saloon & GT Championship & Burton Power BOSS (Race 2 Results FINAL)
Next Up CTCRC Saloon and GT Championships and with some Fierce Competition on Display during not only Qualifying but also Their First Race on the Saturday Which saw Malcom Harding Storm to an Insane Victory who Will be able to Take him on and Potentially Steal his Crown during the Next Race Today? Lets See.
In First Place was (Malcom Harding) in his Ford Escort MK2 Zakspeed 2500 with a Best Lap Time of 53.888 and an Average Speed of 78.49mph. Another Incredible Victory for Malcom that Highly Modified Zakspeed Escort Really Shows off the Power and Performance of a True Champion and a Fantastic Driver. Congratulations Malcom.
In Second Place was (Steven Goldsmith) in his Ford Anglia 105e 260 with a Best Lap Time of 54.335 and an Average Speed of 78.21mph. Another Storming Drive to Achieve Second Place for Steven. Fantastic Driving and Amazing Car Control through Every Corner. Congratulations Steven.
In Third Place was (Tom Robinson) in his Jaguar XJ6 4000 with a Best Lap Time of 55.481 and an Average Speed of 55.481mph. Congratulations Tom Superb Display of Driving Ability behind the Jag and a Well Deserved Third Place for Him.
Another Incredible Weekend of Racing for the CTCRC Saloon and GT Championships with Some New and Some Old Drivers Stepping onto the Podium. Massive Congratulations to Malcolm Steven and Tom for their First Second And Third Place Finishes. Keep Up the Good Work and Never Stop Trying.
CTCRC Laser Tools Pre 93 & Simply Serviced Pre 03 Touring Cars (Race 1 Results FINAL)
Now Its Time for The Laser Tools Pre 93 and Simply Serviced Pre 03 Touring Cars to make their way back onto The Track for what Looked to be a Spectacular Race. A Whole Range of Different Cars to Race Against and Stiff Competition after Qualifying Proves that This Race will be One not to be Missed. Lets See what Unfolded.
In First Place was (Gary Prebble) in his Honda Civic EG 2000 with a Best Lap Time of 54.100mph and an Average Speed of 78.60mph. Well Done Gary a Really Well Deserved First Place Victory and an Amazing Drive to the Flag.
In Second Place was (David Griffith) in his BMW E36 M3 3058 with a Best Lap Time of 54.558 and an Average of 78.42mph. Incredible Drive their David Pushing that BMW For Everything that it Has got to Achieve Second Place.
In Third Place was (Kam Tunio) in his Honda Civic EK9 1595 with a Best Lap Time of 55.347 and an Average Speed of 77.05mph. Well Driven Kam Super Driving on Display and a Well Deserved Third Place Finish.
Another Amazing Race for The Pre 93 and Pre 03 Touring Cars and a Huge Congratulations to Gary David and Kam for their First Second and Third Place Victories. Keep up the Hard Work and Good Luck to everyone Else wherever your Next Races take you.
CTCRC Poultec Classic Race Engines Pre 66 Touring Cars (Race 1 Results)
Now it was Time for the Fan Favourite to Enter onto the Brands Hatch Circuit with the Pre 66 Touring Cars Championship. With Mini's Lotus Cortina's and Ford Falcons. This was One Race that No One Wanted to Miss. After a Very Fast Paced Qualifying Session on the Saturday Which saw (Alan Greenhalgh) take Pole Position who Will be able to Challenge Him During the Race and Snatch Victory Away from Him.
In First Place was (Alan Greenhalgh) in his Ford Falcon with A Best Lap Time of 58.707 and an Average Speed of 72.63mph. Congratulations Alan A Beautiful Example of the Ford Falcon and Certainly a Very Fast One too. Congratulations on Your Victory.
In Second Place was (Robyn Slater) in his Ford Anglia 1550 with a Best Lap Time of 58.992 and an Average Speed of 72.06mph. Very Good Drive their From Robyn to Secure Second Place in The First Race of the Day for the Pre 66 Touring Cars.
In Third Place was (Barry Sime) in his Morris Mini Cooper S 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 59.116 and an Average Speed of 71.95mph. Fantastic Work their Barry Keeping that Little Rocket on The Track looked to be Very Challenging but A Very Well Deserved Third Place.
What A First Race for The Historic Pre 66 Touring Cars showing The Power and Pride Each Driver takes in Both Racing and Preservation on Their Beloved Racing Machines. Congratulations to Alan Robyn and Barry on their First Second and Third Place Finishes. Lets See what New Challenges Await Them in Race 2 The Final Race of The Day for Them.
CTCRC Poultec Classic Race Engines Pre 66 Touring Cars (Race 2 Results FINAL)
The Epic FINALE To The Pre 66 Touring Cars Race was A Race in Wet Conditions Making it even more Challenging for The Top Three Drivers. Who would Win and be able to Retain if not Take on thease Three Giants of Touring Car Racing in thease Conditions. Lets See How Things Concluded.
In First Place was (Barry Sime) in his Morris Mini Cooper S 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:11.482 and an Average Speed of 58.62mph. Amazing Work Barry to take Home a Superb Victory and a Brilliant Bit of Wet Weather Driving in The Mini Well Done.
In Second Place was (John Davies) in his Austin Mini Cooper S 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:11.416 and an Average Speed of 58.38mph. Amazing Work John Racing A Mini in thease Conditions is Very Tricky and Yet both You and Barry made it look Easy.
In Third Place was (James Ibbotson) in his Hillman Imp Super 998 with a Best Lap Time of 1:11.518 and an Average Speed of 58.12mph. Well Done James Sliding that Imp around in the Wet for a Magnificent Third Place was Well Deserved.
What A Race to End the Day for the Pre 66 Touring Cars and with So many Old and New Winners Lets Hope we Get to see More Races like This One Thought the Rest of the 2021 Season. A Big Congratulations to Barry John and James on their Respective Victories and Keep Trying Everyone Else The Hard Work will Pay off.
CTCRC Shell Oils Pre 83 Touring Cars (Race 1 FINAL)
Up Next The Pre 83 Touring Cars took to the Track for Their Only Race of The Day and from what We Have Seen Already This Race also looks like its going to be a Very Strong Battle for First Second and Third Place. Lets See who Came First and Took that All Important Victory.
In First Place was (Mark Lucock) in his Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 2040 with a Best Lap Time of 57.687 and an Average Speed of 74.53mph. Amazing work there Mark Pushing All the Power the RS2000 Engine Has and Keeping it on Track to Score an Amazing Victory.
In Second Place was (Stephen Primett) in his Ford Escort MK1 2037 with a Best Lap Time of 57.503 and an Average Speed of 74.52mph. Another Brilliant Drive from the Likes of Stephen Keep the Pace with Mark and Making for some Fierce Competition Thought the Race.
In Third Place was (Mike Luck in his BMW E21 320 1998 with a Best Lap Time of 57.236 and an Average Speed of 74.46mph. Super Driving there Mike to take Third Place and a Very Classic Looking BMW Indeed.
What A Race from the Pre 83 Touring Cars showcasing Speed Power and What a Touring Car was Made to do around a Race Track. A Big Congratulations to Mark Stephen and Mike on their First Second and Third Place Finishes. Keep Racing and Keep Having Fun Out There.
Junior Saloon Car Championship (Race 1 Result FINAL)
The Junior Saloon Car Championship was Up Next and Even Though the Age Range of thease Next Drivers Taking to the Circuit Might Shock you at The Fact that Many of them are as Young as 15 Years of age don't be Fooled Because thease Guys Know how to Race Having been brought up from Carting since the age of 4. They are always a Fan Favourite and After Qualifying on the Saturday its Anyone's Game as to Who Wins and Who Losses in Thease Races.
In First Place was (Ruben Hage) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 59.967 and an Average Speed of 65.65mph. Congratulations Ruben What A Drive and an Incredible Run for First Place Fending off the Other On Coming Drivers. Truly a Championship Winning Drive.
In Second Place was (Harvey Caton) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Best Lap Time of 59.629 and an Average Speed of 65.64mph. Very Well Driven there Harvey Staying very Close to Ruben in First Place and Keeping Him on His Toes Thought the Entire Race.
In Third Place was (Charlie Hand) in his Citroen Saxo VTR 1600 with a Lap Time of 1:00.006 and an Average Speed of 65.57mph. Solid Third Place there Charlie Keep Up the Momentum and Never Give Up Chasing Your Dreams.
What a Fantastic Race from the Junior Saloon Car Championship with New Winners on the Podium and Some Close Wheel to Wheel Action Thought the Race Thease Guys will be Fantastic To see in Future Racing Series All Over The World. Congratulations to Ruben Harvey and Charlie for First Second and Third Place and Good Luck to All Other Aspiring Young Drivers Following in the Footsteps of Your Greatest Racing Heroes.
Kumho BMW Championship (Race 1 Results)
Finally it was Time for the Last Two Races of the Day the Kumo BMW Championship. Featuring The Makes and Models of Many BMW'S taking to the Circuit for Race 1. After a Busy Day Qualifying on Saturday Lets See what Each Driver Cando in The Frist of Two Races for their Championship.
In First Place was (Niall Bradley) in his BMW E46 M3 with a Best Lap Time of 50.920 and an Average Speed of 83.60mph. Brilliant Driving There Niall Pushing the Power of the BMW Engine to Max and Putting the Pedal to the Metal the Whole Race. A Superb Victory.
In Second Place was (Michael Vitulli) in his BMW E36 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 51.158 and an Average Speed of 83.45mph. Another Incredible Driver Pushing Hard and Taking Second Place. Well Done Michael.
In Third Place was (James Card) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 51.154 and an Average Speed of 83.42mph. Very Well Done their James Keep Pushing.
Three Fantastic Drivers in Niall Michael and James all Fighting for that Victory and Showing The Racer Inside each and Everyone of them. Lets see what Their Final Race of the Day Brings Them.
Kumho BMW Championship (Race 2 Results FINAL)
In First Place was (Niall Bradley) in his BMW E46 M3 with a Best Lap Time of 53.581 and an Average Speed of 77.79mph. Another Well Deserved First Place Finish to Round of The Days Racing. Congratulations Niall Go and Celebrate with The Team In Style.
In Second Place was (Darren Morgan Owen) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 53.200 and an Average Speed of 77.43mph. Super Drive There Darren for Second Place and a New Winner onto The Podium.
In Third Place was (Brad Sheean) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Best Lap Time of 53.227 and an Average Speed of 77.13mph. Fantastic Drive there Brad and Some Incredible Car Control thought the Entire Race to Finish Third.
And That Concludes Racing for the Kumho BMW Championship with 4 Different Winners Across two Races and A lot of Really Fast Action you could not Have Asked for a better Finish to The End of The Days Racing. Massive Congratulations to Niall Darren and Brad and Good Luck to all Other Competing Drivers who are still Looking for that almighty Victory.
That Concludes Racing for The BARC Club Car Championships Weekend A Big Congratulations to All of the Drivers of Every Team and a Huge Thank You to Marshalls Far and Wide as Without Your Support Events like This and Champion Drivers May Never Get to Achieve Their Dreams.
See You All At The Next One!
Colombian UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters participate in Feria Aeronautica Internacional—Colombia 2019 at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, Colombia, July 12, 2019. The United States Air Force is participating in the four-day air show with four South Carolina Air National Guard F-16s as static displays, along with an F-16 aerial demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. United States military participation in the air show provides an opportunity to strengthen our military-to-military relationships with regional partners and provides the opportunity to meet with our Colombian air force counterparts and facilitate interoperability, which can be exercised in future cooperation events such as exercises and training. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Megan Floyd)
. . . if you wonder why I had to upload two photos:
the text is too long for one photo!
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Rama (/ˈrɑːmə/; Sanskrit: राम Rāma) also known as Raghava, is the seventh avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, and a king of Ayodhya. Rama is also the protagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana, which narrates his idealistic ideas and his greatness. Rama is one of the many popular figures and deities in Hinduism, specifically Vaishnavism and Vaishnava religious scriptures in South and Southeast Asia. Along with Krishna, Rama is considered to be one of the most important avatars of Vishnu. In a few Rama-centric sects, he is considered the Supreme Being, rather than an avatar.
Born as the eldest son of Kausalya and Dasharatha, king of Ayodhya, Rama is referred to within Hinduism as Maryada Purushottama, literally the Perfect Man or Lord of Self-Control or Lord of Virtue. His wife Sita is considered by Hindus to be an avatar of Lakshmi and the embodiment of perfect womanhood.
Rama's life and journey is one of adherence to dharma despite harsh tests and obstacles and many pains of life and time. For the sake of his father's honour, Rama abandons his claim to Ayodhaya's throne to serve an exile of fourteen years in the forest. His wife Sita and brother Lakshmana decide to join him, and all three spend the fourteen years in exile together. While in exile, Sita is kidnapped by Ravana, the Rakshasa monarch of Lanka. After a long and arduous search, Rama fights a colossal war against Ravana's armies. In a war of powerful and magical beings, greatly destructive weaponry and battles, Rama slays Ravana in battle and liberates his wife. Having completed his exile, Rama returns to be crowned king in Ayodhya and eventually becomes emperor, rules with happiness, peace, duty, prosperity and justice - a period known as Ram Rajya.
The legend of Rama is deeply influential and popular in the societies of the Indian subcontinent and across South East Asia. Rama is revered for his unending compassion, courage and devotion to religious values and duty.
ETYMOLOGY
The name Rama appears repeatedly in Hindu scriptures. Besides the name of the protagonist of the Ramayana (subject of the current article), the name is also given to other heroes including Parashu-Rama (Bhargava Rama) and Balarama (Bala-Rama).
In the Vishnu sahasranama, Rama is the 394th name of Vishnu. In the interpretation of Adi Shankara's commentary, translated by Swami Tapasyananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, Rama has two meanings: the supreme Brahman who is the eternally blissful spiritual Self in whom yogis delight, or the One (i.e., Vishnu) who out of His own will assumed the enchanting form of Rama, the son of Dasaratha.
Other names of Rama include Ramavijaya (Javanese), Phreah Ream (Khmer), Phra Ram (Lao and Thai), Megat Seri Rama (Malay), Raja Bantugan (Maranao) and Ramar (Tamil).
The greatness of chanting of Rama's name is mentioned in the Ramacharitamanasa.
In Sanskrit, the word Rama (राम) means 'charming'. The name is commonly given to male in India and Nepal.
Some of the popular names of Rama are:
Rama - charming
Ramachandra - Rama with a moon Raghava - descendent of Raghu
Siyaavar - husband of Sita
Ayodhyapati - king of Ayodhya
Dashrathaputra - son of Dasharatha
Maryada-Purushottam - best ideal man
Shriram
Dashrathi - Son of King Dashrath
SOURCES
The primary source of the life and journey of Rama is the epic Ramayana as composed by the Rishi Valmiki. The Vishnu Purana also recounts Rama as Vishnu's seventh avatar, and in the Bhagavata Purana, ninth skandha, adhyayas 10 & 11, the story of the Ramayana is again recounted in brief up to and including the slaying of Ravana and Prince Rama's return to Ayodhya. Additionally, the tales of Rama are reverently spoken of in the Mahabharata. The earliest documentation of Ram is in the Buddhist text of Dasharatha Jataka.
Composition of Ramayana in its current form is usually dated to 7th - 4th Century BCE. However, other scriptures in Sanskrit also reflect the life of Ramayana. The followers of Madhvacharya believe that an older version of the Ramayana, the mula-Ramayana, previously existed. They consider it to have been more authoritative than the version by Valmiki. Another important shortened version of the epic in Sanskrit is the Adhyatma Ramayana. The seventh century CE Sanskrit "Bhatti's Poem" Bhaṭṭikāvya of Bhatti who lived in Gujarat, is a retelling of the epic that simultaneously illustrates the grammatical examples for Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī as well as the major figures of speech and the Prakrit language.
Versions of the Ramayana exist in most major Indian languages; examples that elaborate on the life, deeds and divine philosophies of Rama include the epic poem Ramavataram by the 12th-century poet Kambar in Tamil, and Ramcharitmanas, a Hindi version of the Ramayana by the 16th-century saint, Tulsidas. Contemporary versions of the Ramayana include Sri Ramayana Darshanam by Kuvempu in Kannada and Ramayana Kalpavruksham by Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu, both of which have been awarded the Jnanpith Award. The epic has transformed across the diverse regions of India, which boast their own unique languages and cultural traditions.
The essential tale of Rama has also spread across Southeast Asia, and evolved into unique renditions of the epic – incorporating local history, folktales, religious values as well as unique features from the languages and literary discourse. The Kakawin Ramayana of Java, Indonesia, the Ramakavaca of Bali, Hikayat Seri Rama of Malaysia, Maradia Lawana of the Philippines, Ramakien of Thailand (which calls him Phra Ram) are great works with many unique characteristics and differences in accounts and portrayals of the legend of Rama. The legends of Rama are witnessed in elaborate illustration at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok. The national epic of Myanmar, Yama Zatdaw is essentially the Burmese Ramayana, where Rama is named Yama. In the Reamker of Cambodia, Rama is known as Preah Ream. In the Phra Lak Phra Lam of Laos, Gautama Buddha is regarded as an incarnation of Rama.
The mythological sources propose that Rama was born about 1.2 million years ago, during the Treta Yuga, age that lasted 1,296,000 years and his birthday Rama Navami is celebrated in the month of April/May To the Valmiki Ramayana, Rama was born in Ayodhya, India, on 9th day (now celebrated across India as Ram Navami) of Chaitra lunar month (March–April), when Moon and Jupiter were rising in the east in Cancer sign and four other planets (Sun, Mars, Saturn, Venus) were exalted in their exaltation signs. Based on these star alignments, a few astrologers claimed to have calculated the exact date of birth of Lord Rama as 10 January 5114 BC between 12 noon and 1pm.
Childhood
BIRTH AS AN AVATAR
The Ramayana speaks of how the earth goddess Bhudevi, came to the creator-god Brahma begging to be rescued from evil kings who were plundering her resources and destroying life through bloody wars and evil conduct. The deva (gods) also came to Brahma fearful of the rule of Ravana, the ten-headed rakshasa emperor of Lanka. Ravana had overpowered the devas and now ruled the heavens, the earth and the netherworlds. Although a powerful and noble monarch, he was also arrogant, destructive and a patron of evil doers. He had boons that gave him immense strength and was invulnerable to all living and celestial beings, except man and animals.
Brahma, Bhumidevi and the other gods requested Vishnu, the Preserver, to intervene and free the Earth from Ravana's tyrannical rule. Vishnu promised to kill Ravana by incarnating as a man – the eldest son of Kosala's king Dasharatha. According to the Ramayana, king Dasharata remained childless for a long time and finally decided to perform a putrakameshti yaga under the supervision of the royal priest. During the ritual, Prajapati arose from the sacrificial fire and gave a vessel of sacred potion to Dasharata for distribution to his three wives. The three queens drank the divine potion and conceived four sons: Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Goddess Lakshmi took birth as Sita in order to accompany her consort Vishnu and was found by king Janaka of Mithila while he was ploughing a field. Vishnu's eternal companion, the Shesha is said to have incarnated as Lakshmana to stay at his Lord's side on earth. Throughout his life, no one, except a few select sages (among which are included Vasishta, Sharabhanga, Agastya and Vishwamitra) know of his destiny. Rama is continually revered by the many sages he encounters through his life, but only the most learned and exalted know of his true identity. At the end of the war between Rama and Ravana, just as Sita passes her Agni pariskha, Brahma, Indra and the gods, the celestial sages and Shiva appear out of the sky. They affirm Sita's purity and ask him to end this terrible test. Thanking the avatar for delivering the universe from the grips of evil, they reveal Rama's divine identity upon the culmination of his mission.
Other scriptures provide other reasons for the avatar. The chastity of Vrinda, wife of the demon Jalandhara, that protects the life of her husband is destroyed by Vishnu by deceit so that Shiva can slay the demon. She curses Vishnu to be born on earth and that in this birth of his, his wife's (Lakshmi as Sita) purity and chastity will be a question in his mind throughout his life and he will be separated from her and live with sadness and grief.
Another legend narrates that Jaya and Vijaya, the gatekeepers of Vishnu, were cursed by the Four Kumaras to be born on earth three lives; Vishnu took avatars each time to free them of their earthy existence. They as born as Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna, who are both killed by Rama. Also, due to a boon, Kashyapa and Aditi are born as the parents of Rama, Dasharatha and Kausalya. In another version, Svayambhuva Manu and his wife Satarupa are blessed to be born as Rama's parents.
Another tale says that the sage Narada cursed Vishnu to be born on earth as a king, to be helped by monkeys and suffer separation from his wife. Narada also curses Jaya and Vijaya to be born as the demon brothers.
INITIATION OF THE AVATAR
Sage Vishwamitra takes the two princes, Rama and Lakshmana, to his ashram, as he needs Rama's help in slaying several Rakshasas that have been harassing him and several other sages living in the area. Rama's first encounter is with a Rakshasi named Taataka, who is a celestial nymph cursed to take the form of a demoness. Vishwamitra explains that she has polluted much of the habitat where the sages reside and there will not be any contentment until she is destroyed. Rama has some reservations about killing a woman, but since Taataka poses such a big threat to the Rishis and he is expected to follow their word, he fights with Taataka and kills her with an arrow. After her death, the surrounding forest becomes greener and cleaner. Vishwamitra presents Rama with several astras and sastras (divine weapons) that will be of use to him in the future, and Rama masters the knowledge of all the weapons and their uses. Vishwamitra then tells Rama and Lakshmana that soon, he along with some of his disciples, will perform a yagna for seven days and nights that will be of great benefit to the world, and the two princes must keep close watch for the two sons of Taadaka, Mareecha and Subahu, who will try to defile the yagna at all costs. The princes therefore keep a strong vigil for all of the days, and on the seventh day they spot Maricha and Subahu coming with a whole host of Raakshasas ready to pour bones and blood into the fire. Rama points his bow at the two, and with one arrow kills Subahu, and with the other arrow flings Mareecha thousands of miles away into the ocean. Rama deals with the rest of the demons. The yagna is completed successfully
Rama also frees Ahalya, the wife of Gautama Maharishi, from a curse. She was cursed to turn into stone by her husband after a displeasing incident. However, the dust on Rama's feet touched the stone and turned it back into a woman again. Gautama Maharishi was gratified that everything was back to normal again.
Sage Vishwamitra then takes the two princes to the Swayamvara a wedding ceremony for Sita. The challenge is to string the bow of Shiva (Pinaka) and shoot an arrow from it. This task is considered impossible for any ordinary king or living being, as this is the personal weapon of Shiva, more powerful, holy and of divine creation than conceivable. While attempting to string the bow, Rama breaks it in two. This feat of strength spreads his fame across the worlds and seals his marriage to Sita, celebrated as Vivaha Panchami.
After Rama weds Sita and the entire royal family and the Ayodhya army begin their journey back, the great rishi Parashurama (Bhargava Rama) appears before them, having descended from his mountainous hermitage. Parashurama is an extremely powerful rishi, responsible for killing all of the world's tyrannical and oppressive emperors and kings 21 times. He is the sixth Avatara of Vishnu, and finds it unbelievable that anybody could break the bow of Shiva. Considering himself to still be the most powerful warrior-rishi on earth, he brings with them the bow of Vishnu (Saranga), and intends to challenge Rama to prove his strength by stringing it, and then fighting a battle with him to prove superiority. Although the entire Ayodhya army is forestalled by his mystical power, Rama is himself angered. He respectfully bows to Parashurama, and within a twinkling of an eyelid snatches the bow of Vishnu, (that is his own, an example of irony here) strings it, places an arrow and points it straight at the challenger's heart. Rama asks Parashurama what he will give as a target to the arrow. At this point, Parashurama feels himself devoid of the tremendous mystical energy he possessed for so long. He realizes that Rama is Vishnu incarnate, his successor and definitely his superior. He accepts Rama's superiority, devotes his tapasya to him, pays homage to Rama and promises to return to his hermitage and leave the world of men.Rama then shoots the arrow up into the sky with Vishnu's bow, performing a feat true to his supreme, divine nature with his natural weapon. His overpowering of Parashurama and using the supreme weapon with incredible ease and perfection dazzle the spectators and his relatives, but no one save Parashurama and Vasishta associate this with his true identity. It is said that the Rama's arrow is still flying across space, across time and across all of the universe. The day it will return to earth, it is said, it will bring the end of the world. Others say that the flying arrow destroys all evil on earth to uphold dharma and righteousness.
DHARMA OF EXILE
King Dasaratha announces to Ayodhya that he plans to crown Rama, his eldest child the Yuvaraja (crown prince). While the news is welcomed by everyone in the kingdom, the mind of queen Kaikeyi is poisoned by her wicked maid-servant, Manthara. Kaikeyi, who is initially pleased for Rama, is made to fear for the safety and future of her son Bharata. Fearing that Rama would ignore or possibly victimize his younger brother for the sake of power, Kaikeyi demands that Dasaratha banish Rama to a forest exile for fourteen years, and that Bharata be crowned in Rama's place. She had been granted two boons by the king when she had saved his life a long time ago in battle, and the queen now used them to serve her purpose. The king's court and the people are outraged at this turn of events. Dasaratha loved and cherished Rama dearly, and is in personal turmoil. Completely estranged now from his younger wife, he abhors the prospect of separation from Rama. But Rama realizes that the king must not break a solemn promise at any time, and neither should a son disobey his father's command. Sita joins her husband in exile despite his discouraging her, as it is her duty and out of love for Rama that she must be at his side at all times. His younger brother Lakshmana also immediately decides to join Rama rather than remain in the city. As he leaves for exile, the people of Ayodhya are deeply saddened and angered at Dasaratha and Kaikeyi. Dasaratha's heart is broken and he collapses and dies during the night of the sixth day, unable to bear the agony of separation from Rama. Despite the reasoning of Vashistha and the pleas of his brothers, Rama refuses to return. Although horrified at the news of his father's death, Rama finds it impossible that he should break his dead father's word. Rama does not bear any anger towards Kaikeyi, believing firmly in the power of destiny. According to the explanation of the classic, this exile actually presents Rama the opportunity to confront Ravana and his evil empire.
RAMA AND SITA
Rama and Sita are the protagonists in one of the most famous[peacock term] love stories of all time. Described as being deeply in love, Sita and Rama are theologically understood as Incarnations of Lakshmi and Vishnu respectively. When Rama is banished from the kingdom, he attempts to convince Sita not to join him in a potentially dangerous and certainly arduous existence in the jungle, but Sita rejects this. When Rama orders her in his capacity as husband, Sita rejects it, asserting that it was an essential duty of a wife to be at her husband's side come good or ill. Rama in turn is assiduously protective and caring for Sita throughout the exile.
When Sita is kidnapped by Ravana, both Sita and Rama undergo great personal hardships during their separation. Sita protects her chastity assiduously, and survives over a year in captivity on the strength of her love and attention to religious values and duty. She is completely unfettered in her resolve despite Ravana's courting, cajoling and threats. Meanwhile, Rama, not knowing who had kidnapped Sita or where was she taken, often succumbs to despair and tears, denouncing himself for failing to defend her and agonizing over her safety and pain. Sita knows that it is in Rama's destiny to fight to rescue her (she refuses to be rescued thus by Hanuman, who discovers her), but is deeply anxious for his safety and fearful of Ravana's power.
The 'Wedding of Rama and Sita' concerns two entities coming together to form a whole. An Indian marriage forges an alliance not only between two people, but also two families. The marriage of Sita and Rama creates an alliance between two people, two families, and two kingdoms: Mithila, home of Sita, and Kosala, home of Rama. Furthermore, Rama's marriage to Sita on earth parallels the celestial union of Vishnu and Lakshmi; each deity took birth on earth, and so when Rama marries Sita, he is actually reuniting with his divine consort Lakshmi, Goddess of Good Fortune, who brings prosperity to Kosala. At an allegorical level, the union of Rama and Sita represents the relationship between God and the devotee, with Rama as the beloved divine king and Sita as his devotee. Finally, at a societal level, the dance drama brings together north and south Indian dance traditions.
AGNI PARIKSHA
Lord Rama sent a messenger to Ravana that said, "Come to me and I will forgive you," before he slays Ravana. After Rama slays Ravana and wins the war, Sita wants to come before him in the state which over a year's imprisonment had reduced her to, but Rama arranges for Sita to be bathed and given beautiful garments before they are re-united. But even as Sita comes before him in great excitement and happiness,the society starts doubting Sita's purity so Rama decided to prove that his Sita is still pure and chaste in front of the society, so he tells her that she has to give Agni pariksha. At this sudden turn of events, all the vanaras, rakshasas, Sugriva, Hanuman and Lakshmana are deeply shocked.
Sita begs Lakshmana to build her a pyre upon which she could end her life, as she could not live without Rama. At this point, Lakshmana is angered at Rama for the first time in his life, but following Rama's nod, he builds a pyre for Sita. At the great shock and sorrow of the watchers, Sita sits into the flames. But to their astonishment and wonder, she is completely unharmed. Instead, she glows radiantly from the centre of the pyre. But the gods headed by Brahma and Shiva appear, reveal Rama's and Sita's true identity and requests that Rama take Sita back as she is truly pure. Rama replies that he had never doubted her purity for a second, but, the people of the world would not have accepted or honoured her as a queen or a woman if she had not passed this Agni pariksha before the eyes of hundreds. Agni would destroy the impure and sinful, but not touch the pure and innocent, irrespective of Parvati's/Adishakti's curse on him. There is a version of Tulsidas's Ramacharitamanasa, which is popular, which states that Rama had Sita under the protection of Agni God. After Sita was released it was necessary to bring her out of security of Agni god.[50] This finds echo in the sthala purana of Tirupathi. Another version of this, used in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, was that Rama had known Sita was going to be abducted by Ravana ahead of time. So he entrusted her to Agni, the god of fire. Rama did this so that he, who in reality was Vishnu, could kill Ravana. Sita, in turn, left behind a "shadow", or twin-like version of herself behind. The "shadow" Sita had been abducted by Ravana. Therefore, the lila of Agni Pariksha was to retrieve the genuine Sita from the temporary care of Agni Deva. Rama explains this to Lakshmana before the "Pariksha" is done. This version has also been written in the Ram Charit Manas.
SITAS´S EXILE
In the Uttara Kanda, Rama banishes his wife Sita, even as she is pregnant, asking Lakshmana to deliver her safely to the forest. He does so after receiving word that some of his subjects in Ayodhya believed that Sita was unfit due to her long captivity in Ravana's city. As a king is expected to uphold moral principles, Rama reluctantly banished Sita in order to uphold his duty. Sita took refuge under the noble sage Valmiki.
A legend by Rishi Agastya in the epic states that Vishnu in a previous age had been cursed by Rishi Bhrigu, whose wife had been killed by Vishnu for sheltering his enemies escaping from battle. The Rishi condemns Vishnu to be denied for a long age the companionship of his soul mate, just as Vishnu, had deprived the Rishi of his loving wife. Thus Rama, Vishnu's incarnation, must live the rest of his life without Sita.
Many Hindus, such as the followers of Sri Vaishnavism, consider this entire section of the Ramayana to be interpolated, and thus they do not accept the authenticity of this story claiming that Sita was banished. An alternate narration of Ramayana does not state it so. It says that Sita later lived in her father's kingdom of Mithila with her sons Lava and Kusha as per the North Indian (especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) custom that children be brought up in their nanihal, or maternal grandmother's place. Sita and her sons later live in Valmiki's ashram for the boys' education and military training. As per Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, both the princes grew extremely intelligent and strong under Rishi Valmiki's tutelage.
CHILDREN
According to legend, Kusha and Lava are the twin sons of Lord Rama and Sita. Born in the forest after the banishment of Sita from Ayodhya, the twins were educated and trained in military skills as their mother took refuge in Sage Valmiki's ashram, located in a forest on the banks of the River Tamsa.
As Rama performed the Ashvamedha Yajna, a horse strayed into their forest, Rama sent Hanuman to retrieve the horses. Rama's sons Luv and Kush captured the horses. Hanuman, seeing Luv and Kush recognised that they were the son's of Rama. He let them capture him and tie him up. There Hanuman started meditating on the name Rama. Worried Rama sent his brothers to look for the horses. As they saw Hanuman tied up and two boys guarding him, they thought that the two boy had stolen the horses. So Ramas brothers started attacking Luv and Kush. Although Rama's brothers should have won, but Luv and Kush defeated them all, knocking them unconscious. Luv and Kush were protected by Hanuman. Then Rama himself went looking for the horses fearing that Hanuman and his brothers had been attacked. On his way there, Rama intuitively knew that Luv and Kush were his sons and purposely slept on his chariot to delay tension and confrontation with his sons as he knew it would be inappropriate for a father to fight his sons. Upon reaching the battlefield, the sage Valmiki interrupted the potential battle between father and sons by explaining to Rama that Luv and Kush were his sons. A familial reunion took place.
When Devi Sita found out that Lava and Kusha had defeated Ayodhya's forces, she proudly revealed their/her identity. Rama desired Sita and his sons to live with him in his kingdom but as this took place, the general population of the kingdom resented Sita from returning. In response, Sita forsaked her like and sought final refuge in the arms of her mother Bhumidevi, the Goddess Mother Earth and ultimately returned to Rama in the form of Vishnu in Vishnu's abode - indicating that forced separation from her beloved husband is only limited in life on earth compared to her eternal union with her beloved in life after death.
LATER LIFE
Rama's reign is known as the Rama Rajya which lasted for 11,000 years. During this period, people were healthy, holy, satisfied and lived with complete peace and harmony. There was no evil, no wars, no natural calamity and no diseases. Rama ruled the whole earth without using military force as all kings submitted themselves to him. His brothers Bharata and Shatrughna settled in their later lives. Bharata, with the help of his uncle Yudhajita, conquered the eastern land of the Gandharvas and ruled it. Shatrughna slew the Asura Lavana and founded the city of Mathura. Rama acquired a rare gem from Rishi Agastya which entombed the powers of the gods Indra, Varuna, Yama and Kubera, which helped the king rule efficiently. After his reign, Rama and his brothers and his allies peacefully left the earth on the river Sarayu abandoning their mortal bodies. Valmiki Ramayana mentions an abode named Santanaka invested with all spiritual qualities and located beyond Brahmaloka, which was attained by all followers of Rama, after Rama along with his brothers, entered into Vaishnava potency. Lava and Kusha ruled Kosala and continued the solar race.
MARYADA PURUSHOTTAMA
As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal person (purushottama) who is to be emulated. He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations (maryada). Rama's purity and piety in his intentions and actions inspires affection and devotion for him from a variety of characters from different backgrounds. For example, he gave up his rightful claim to the throne, and agreed to go into exile for fourteen years, to fulfill the vow that his father had given to Kaikeyi, one of King Dashratha's wives. This is in spite of the fact that Kaikeyi's son, Bharat, begged him to return to Ayodhya and said that he did not want to rule in place of Rama. But Rama considered his dharma as a son above that of his own birthright and his life's ambition. For such supreme sacrifices, and many other qualities, Rama is considered a maryada purushottamor the best of upholders of Dharma, a basically human but exemplary figure Some of his ideals are as follows: 1. At the time when it was normal for kings to have more than one wife, Rama gave the ideal of having a single wife. In Balakanda of Valmiki Ramayana it is written that Rama and Sita resided in each other's heart.
2. Rama always followed his promise at any cost. In fact, he went to forest to make his father's promise to Kaikeyi true. Another instance was when, he had promised the Spirit of Time that during their conversation, if anyone was to intrude, Rama would have pronounce an instant death sentence upon the individual. They were intruded upon by his beloved younger brother Lakshmana, and to keep his part of the promise, pronounced the death sentence. There are many examples of Rama's promises which he kept. Most important are the promise to sages to save their lives from Rakshasas, getting back Sugreeva's kingdom, making Vibhishana the king of Lanka.
3. Excellent friend: Rama had very touching relations with his friends irrespective of their status. Some of his friends are Nishada-raja Guha, King of Nishaadas (a caste whose profession was hunting the birds), Sugreeva (the Vanara king) and Vibhishana a Rakshasa.
4. Even towards his enemies, Rama showed great nobility and virtue. To gather information about the enemy army's strengths and weaknesses, Ravana sent two of his spies, Suka and Sarana, to the Vanara camps. Disguised as Vanaras they blended into the enemy camp, but Vibhishana saw through their deceit. The duo sought Rama's protection when the monkey warriors thrashed them. Rama gave them refuge. He then asked them what their mission was and whether they fulfilled it. After listening to them, he sent for a Vanara to give them a proper tour of all the Vanara camps and give them all the information they desired about the major soldiers and their strengths. He then told the spies to give this message to Ravana. "Tomorrow morning, I will destroy all of Lanka. Keep all sides of your palace well defended and be ready with all of your men by sunrise." The spies were greatly astonished with Rama's charisma, courage, and adherence to the codes of war. After Rama gave them leave, they knew that their king was bound to lose against this virtuous and courageous man. When Ravana first fought with Rama, Rama defeated him to such an extent that Ravana lost his charioteer, horses, chariot, flag, weapons and armor. Though the situation was at his advantage, Rama instead praised Ravana for a great fight that day, and asked him to retire and take rest, as he must be quite tired. Ravana was greatly embarrassed at this, but he was also gratified that Rama saved his life, and this led him to consider for a moment whether to retreat and give Sita back...
COMPANIONS
Even as Rama is the ideal conception of manhood, he is often aided and complemented in different situations by the characteristics by those who accompany him. They serve Rama devotedly, at great personal risk and sacrifice.
BHARATA AND LAKSHMANA
Absent when Rama is exiled, upon his return Bharata is appalled to learn of the events. And even though Kaikeyi had done all this for his benefit, Bharata is angered at the suggestion that he should take Ayodhya's throne. Denouncing his mother, Bharata proclaims to the city that he would go to the forest to fetch Rama back, and would serve out his term of exile himself. Although initially resentful and suspicious, the people of Ayodhya hail Bharata's selfless nature and courageous act. Despite his fervent pleas to return, Rama asserts that he must stay in the forest to keep his father's word. He orders Bharata to perform his duty as king of Ayodhya, especially important after Dasaratha's death, and orders Shatrughna to support and serve him. Returning saddened to the city, Bharata refuses to wear the crown or sit on the throne. Instead, he places the slippers of Rama that he had taken back with him on the throne, and rules Ayodhya assiduously keeping Rama's beliefs and values in mind. When Rama finally returns, Bharata runs personally to welcome him back. Bharata is hailed for his devotion to his elder brother and dharma, distinguished from Lakshmana as he is left on his own for fourteen years. But he unfailingly denies self-interest throughout this time, ruling the kingdom only in Rama's name. Vasishtha proclaims that no one had better learnt dharma than Bharata, and for this piety he forms an essential part of the conception of perfect manhood, of the Seventh Avatara of Vishnu. Shatrughna's role to Bharata is akin to that of Lakshmana to Rama. Believed to be one-quarter of Vishnu incarnated, or as the incarnation of his eternal companion, Ananta Sesha, Lakshmana is always at Rama's side. Although unconstrained by Dasaratha's promise to Kaikeyi, Lakshmana resists Rama's arguments and accompanies him and Sita into the forest. During the years of exile, Lakshmana constantly serves Rama and Sita – building huts, standing guard and finding new routes. When Sita is kidnapped, Rama blazes with his divine power and in his immense rage, expresses the desire to destroy all creation. Lakshmana prays and pleads for Rama to calm himself, and despite the shock of the moment and the promise of travails to come, begin an arduous but systematic search for Sita. During times when the search is proving fruitless and Rama fears for Sita, and expresses despair in his grief and loneliness, Lakshmana encourages him, providing hope and solace.When Rama in his despair fears that Sugriva has forgotten his promise to help him trace Sita, Lakshmana goes to Kishkindha to remind the complacent monarch of his promise to help. Lakshmana twangs the bow inside the hall quaking the entire building and threatens to destroy Sugriva and the monkey kingdom with his own divine power. Lakshmana is unable to tolerate Sugriva breaking his vow to Rama while enjoying material and sensual pleasures while Rama suffers alone. It is only through the diplomatic intervention of Queen Tara, Sugriva's wife, that Lakshmana is pacified. Tara then scolds and galvanises Sugriva into honoring his promise to Rama. Sugriva and Rama are then reconciled with the help of Lakshmana and Tara. Sugriva sends the monkey hoards to find the location of Sita and lead the monkey army into battle against the demonic forces of Ravana.Lakshmana is uniquely responsible for slaying Indrajit, the invincible son of Ravana who had humiliated Indra and the devas, and outwitted the brothers and the Vanaras on several occasions. Rishi Agastya later points out that this victory was the turning point of the conflict. Rama is often overcome with emotion and deep affection for Lakshmana, acknowledging how important and crucial Lakshmana's love and support was for him. He also trusts Lakshmana to carry out difficult orders – Lakshmana was asked to take Sita to the ashrama of Valmiki, where she was to spend her exile. Lakshmana's deep love for Rama, his unconditional service and sacrifice, as well as qualities of practical judgment and clear-headedness make him Rama's superior in certain situations and perspectives. Lakshmana symbolizes a man's duty to his family, brothers and friends, and forms an essential part of the conception of ideal manhood, that Rama primarily embodies.
JATAYU, HANUMAN AND VIBHEESHNA
When Rama and Lakshmana begin the desperate search to discover where Sita had been taken, after traversing a distance in many directions, they come across the magical eagle Jatayu, who is dying. They discover from Jatayu that a rakshasa was flying away with a crying, struggling Sita towards the south. Jatayu had flown to the rescue of Sita, but owing to his age and the rakshasa's power, had been defeated. With this, Jatayu dies in Rama's arms. Rama is overcome with love and affection for the bird which sacrificed its own life for Sita, and the rage of his death returns to him in the climactic battle with Ravana.Rama's only allies in the struggle to find Sita are the Vanaras of Kishkindha. Finding a terrified Sugriva being hunted by his own brother, king Vali, Rama promises to kill Vali and free Sugriva of the terror and the unjust charge of plotting to murder Vali. The two swear everlasting friendship over sacred fire. Rama's natural piety and compassion, his sense of justice and duty, as well as his courage despite great personal suffering after Sita's kidnapping inspire devotion from the Vanaras and Sugriva, but especially Hanuman, Sugriva's minister. Devoted to Rama, Hanuman exerts himself greatly over the search for Sita. He is the first to discover that Sita was taken to Lanka, and volunteers to use his divine gifts in a dangerous reconnaissance of Lanka, where he is to verify Sita's presence. Hanuman hands Rama's ring to Sita, as a mark of Rama's love and his imminent intention of rescuing her. Though captured, he candidly delivers Rama's message to Ravana to immediately release Sita, and when his tail is burned, he flies and sets Lanka on fire. When Lakshmana is struck down and near death and Rama overcome with love and concern for his brother, Hanuman flies to the Himalayas on the urgent mission to fetch the sanjeevani medicinal herbs, bringing the entire mountain to Lanka so that no time is lost in saving Lakshmana. The Vanaras fight the rakshasas, completely devoted to Rama's cause. They angrily dismiss Ravana's efforts to create international divisions within their army when he suggested that Rama considered them, monkeys, as mere animals. At the end of the war, Indra restores life to the millions of fallen Vanaras.Before the onset of war, rakshasa prince Vibheeshana, Ravana's youngest brother comes to join Rama. Although he loves his brother and Lanka, he fails in repeated efforts to make Ravana follow religious values and return Sita. Vibheeshana believes that Ravana's arrogance and callousness will cause the destruction of Lanka, which is a gross violation of a king's duty, and that Ravana's actions have only propagated evil. Vibheeshana refuses to defend the evil of Ravana's ways and inspired by Rama's compassion and piety, leaves Lanka to join the Vanara Army. His knowledge of rakshasa ways and Ravana's mind help Rama and the Vanaras overcome black magic and mystical weapons. At the end of the war, Rama crowns Vibheeshana as the king of Lanka. Vibheeshana, and to a greater extent Hanuman, embody the perfect devotee in the wider conception of perfect manhood.
RAMA IN WAR
When Rama is thirteen years old, he and his brother Lakshmana are taken by Vishwamitra to the forests, with the purpose of killing rakshasas who are wrecking the tapasya and sacrifices of brahmins. When asked to slay the demoness, Rama demurs, considering it sinful to kill a woman. But Vishwamitra explains that evil has no gender. Rama replies that "My father asked me to follow your orders, I will obey them even if it is a sin". Rama proceeds to slay Tadaka, a cursed yaksha demoness. The killing of Tadaka liberates the yaksha soul who was cursed for a sin, and had to adopt a rakshasi's body. It restores the purity of the sacrifices of the brahmins who live nearby, and protects the animals who live in the forest, and travelers. Rama and Lakshmana are taught the advanced military arts and given the knowledge of all celestial weapons by Vishwamitra. The main purpose of Vishwamitra's exursion is to conduct his yagna without interruption from two evil demons, Maricha and Subahu sons of Tadaka. Rama and Lakshmana guard the sacrifice, and when the two demons appear, Rama shoots an arrow named Manava Astra that carries Maricha across the lands and into the ocean, but does not kill him. Rama and his brother then proceed to kill Subahu and accompanying demons. Rama explains to Lakshmana that leaving Maricha alive was an act of compassion, but the others did not heed the point and chose to attack. During the forest exile, sages plead for protection and help against evil rakshasas who spoil their sacrifices and religious activities and terrorize them. Many rakshasas had even killed and eaten sages and innocent people. At Janasthana, Rama uses his exceptional prowess to single-handedly kill over fourteen thousand demon hordes led by the powerful Khara, who is a cousin of Ravana and Dushana . . .
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for further reading go to Rama (2)
Educa
7.678
card
1,000 pieces
68 x 48 cm
From the box:
Hearing, Jan Brueghel and P P Rubens.
'Hearing' belongs to the 'Five Senses' series painted by Brueghel with the collaboration of Rubens for the figures. 'Hearing', along with 'Sight', 'Touch', 'Taste' and 'Smell' is a uniqie and never-again-repeated collection.
We made this image as part of a set of five 300pc puzzles of the Senses back in 2021, but this larger, more colourful and clearer version is so much more impressive. A quick and easy assembly, although the pieces were a loose fit. I'm assuming the rest of the set was available from Educa, so I'll be looking out for them in future.
Day 2 of Brands Hatch Brit Car into The Night and after a thrilling set of Qualifying and Racing Yesterday All Drivers were Ready Once again to Challenge the Circuit.
Some Drivers from the Previous Day were Seen Packing Up and Heading Home after a Brilliant Days Racing while Others were Just Arriving and Getting their Machines Prepared for The Race Track.
With an Action Packed Day to look forward to and Lots of Action for Both Qualifying and Racing Lets take a Look and See who is up First and Ready to Challenge This Almighty Indy Circuit.
Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes-(Qualifying Results)
First Up onto the Circuit was The Intermarque Silhouettes and Thease Machines are Very Quick and Built to be as Light Weight as Possible by Using a Space Frame Chassis and a Fibreglass Body.
Lets Find out who Qualified were and Who Managed to Take Pole Position for Race 1.
In First Place Securing Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was (Danny Hun) in his Ford Autoxross Fiesta ST with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.454 and a Top Speed of 70.76mph. Great Lap there Danny Really Keeping that Car on the Track and Taking a Strong Pole Position.
In Second Place was (Pat Kiely) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.813 and a Top Speed of 70.35mph. Brilliant Drive there Pat Nice Work and Fantastic Second Place on the Grid for Race 1.
In Third Place was (Malcom Blackman) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.883 and a Top Speed of 68.07mph. Well Done Malcom a Massive Charge to Earn that P3 Spot on the Gird Lets Hope it can be turned into a Race Win Come Race 1.
What an Exciting End to Qualifying with the Likes of Danny Pat and Malcom All Looking Ready to Go for Race 1 but out of The Three Who Will be Able to Turn their Qualifying Position into a Race Win? Lets Find Out.
Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes-(Race 1 Results)
After an Intense Battle During Qualifying which saw the Likes of Danny Hun take a Dominant Pole Position with Pat Kiely Second and Malcom Blackman Third this Grid is Looking to be Very Big and Very Fast. Lets Find Out Who Won and Who took Glory in the First Race of The Day.
In First Place Taking The Victory Was (Malcom Blackman) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 57.507 and an Average Speed of 54.53mph. Congratulations Malcom Fantastic Drive and A Well Deserved Win in that Beautifully Prepared Vauxhall.
In Second Place was (Danny Hun) in his Ford Autoxross Fiesta ST with a Best Lap Time of 57.789 and an Average Speed of 54.49mph. Amazing Work there Danny Brilliant Drive and a Well Deserved P2 Finish over the Line.
In Third Place was (Pat Kiely) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 57.346 and an Average Speed of 54.48mph. Great Work Pat Really Pushing Hard and Almost Catching Danny Hun Just Before The End by 0.157 Seconds there.
What a Fantastic First Race of The Day for The Intermarque Silhouettes with Some Incredible Winners in the Likes of Malcom Danny and Pat All Taking Superb Victories for their Respective Teams.
With Race 2 Coming Up Next Who will be the One to Retain their Crown at the Top of The Standings and Can the Likes of Pat and Danny Possibly Improve and start Putting Pressure on Malcom who Currently Reins Supreme?
Lets Find Out
Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes-(Race 2 Results)
Race 2 and One Last Chance for The Top 3 To Battle it out and See who can Take Either Back to Back Victories at Brands Hatch or Who can Possibly Disrupt the Win Streak Currently Set by Malcom.
In First Place Taking The Last Victory was (Steve Burrows) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.432 and an Average Speed of 69.99mph. Congratulations Steve What a Brilliant Bit of Driving there in Very Wet and Dark Conditions to Beat Malcom and Take Home a Fantastically Deserved Win.
In Second Place was (Dave York) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.329 and an Average Speed of 69.59mph. Amazing Work there Dave Really Pushing that Vauxhall for All it was Worth and Doing Very Well to Keep it on the Damp and Slippery Track for a Superb P2 on the Podium.
In Third Place was (Malcom Blackman) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.343 and an Average Speed of 69.50mph. Well Driven there Malcom Great Drive and A Really Good Finish in P3 from an Amazing Weekend of Racing.
What a Fantastic Weekend for The Intermarque Silhouettes and So many Amazing Winners in the Likes of Danny Pat Malcom Dave and Steve Who All Showed Incredible Wet Weather Skills and Kept there Cars Going to Take some Superb Victories. Well Done to All of the Other Drivers too Who Fought Hard on Track. Keep Pushing for that Victory and Good Luck.
BMR Super Saloons & CMMCS Tin-Tops-(Qualifying Results)
Next Up on to The Race Track was The Super Saloons and Tin Tops and Thease Machines not Only Have Incredible Liveries and Looks but they Also Pack a lot of Power and Variety in the Types of Race Cars and How they Handle.
From the Ford Escort WRC to the Peugeot 306 and even the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 Each Car and Driver Have a Certain Driving Style that can Either Mean the Difference Between a Loss or a Victory on the Race Track.
Lets Get to Qualifying and See Who Took Pole
In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Best Lap Was (Rod Birley) in his Ford Escort WRC with a Best Lap Time of 58.886 and a Top Speed of 73.84mph. Brilliant Drive from Birley as a Home Hero of Brands Hatch He Always Knows How to Take Almost Any Car and Get it onto Pole Position Fantastic Drive.
In Second Place was (Chris Basset) in his Peugeot 306 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.040 and a Top Speed of 72.42mph. Fantastic Drive there Chris Pushing that Peugeot Hard for a Well Deserved P2 Finish Well Done.
In Third Place was (Nick Sutton) in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.904 and a Top Speed of 70.24mph. Brilliant Drive there Nick Really Working Hard and Getting that Beautiful Lancer Evo into P3 on the Gird.
A Fantastic Qualifying Session for Tin Tops and Super Saloons with some Very Fast and Experienced Drivers in Rod Chris and Nick all Pushing their Machinery Hard and Gunning for a Victory. With Race 1 Just Around the Corner it will be Interesting to See who can Take the Victory and who can Defend their Position from the other Drivers who will no Doubt Be Ready and Waiting to Attack.
BMR Super Saloons & CMMCS Tin-Tops-(Race 1 Results)
In First Place Taking the Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Rod Birley) in his Ford Escort WRC with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.316 and an Average Speed of 57.41mph. Congratulations Rod a Really Incredible Bit of Driving in those Rain Soaked Conditions to take Home a Victory that the Whole Family will be Really Proud of. Amazing Drive.
In Second Place was (Steve Dann) in his VW Scirocco with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.502 and an Average Speed of 57.35mph. Great Driving there from Steve Taking the Fight Right to Birley at The End and Almost Catching him for the Race Win. Non the Less a Very Well Deserved P2 Finish.
In Third Place was (Nick Wall) in his Renault Clio with a Best Lap Time of 1:04.877 and an Average Speed of 55.89mph. Brilliant work there Nick A Fantastic P3 Finish in Conditions that were Very Challenging Indeed.
What an Incredible Race this was to Witness with the Start Being Behind the Safety Car before All of the Driver put their foot down and Went for it in conditions where at Times the Spray made it Impossible to see Anything.
A Big Congratulations to the likes of Rod Steve and Nick who All Drove Incredibly and Really Showed Everyone who the Rain Masters were around the Indy Circuit. A Big Congratulations to All of the Other Drivers too Who also Showed Incredible Bravery and Skill Navigating their way Around and Claiming some Incredible Victories of their own.
With Race 2 Coming Up Next will Rod be able to Hold onto his 1st Place Finish or Will the Likes of Nick and Steve Try to Take that 1st Place away from Rod? and Who Else May be able to Challenge this Trio of Fast and Capable Drivers.
Lets Find Out
BMR Super Saloons & CMMCS Tin-Tops-(Race 2 Results)
With The Circuit Now Entering Night fall it was Getting Very Difficult for The Drivers to see which will add a New Challenge to this Race. Will the Likes of Rod Birley be Able to Win Once Again?
In First Place Taking the Win and Fastest Lap was (Rod Birley) in his Ford Escort WRC with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.960 and an Average Speed of 60.83mph. Amazing Work there Rod Driven like a True Champion and a Fantastic Home Win to Add to the Already Incredible Win Streak at Brands Hatch.
In Second Place was (Nick Sutton) in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 with a Best Lap Time of 59.429 and an Average Speed of 60.74mph. Great Drive from Nick Once Again Showing his Brave and Fantastic Skills even at Night When the Lights go Out. Well Done.
In Third Place was (Steve Dann) in his VW Scirocco with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.227 and an Average Speed of 60.48mph. Nice Work Steve Really Good Drive for P3 Showing some Incredible Speed and Commitment Thought the Race.
What an Amazing Race from the Super Saloons and Tin Tops with some Incredible Drives and Victories from the likes of Rod Nick Sutton Nick Wall and Steve All Pushing Hard and Achieving Some Incredible Victories.
Well Done to All of the Other Drivers out there Racing too You All did a Fantastic Job and Looking Forward to seeing you All out there Again Doing what you Love and Sharing a Passion for Motorsport.
Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge supported by Mini Spares (Race 2 Results)
The Mini's were Up Next and After Some Incredible Racing Yesterday which Saw the Likes of Rupert Deeth Take 1st with Scott Kendall 2nd and Colin Peacock 3rd it was Going to be an Intense Battle at the Front of the Field.
The Likes of Endaf Owens was Also Prepared after an Engine Failure During Yesterdays Race Which Many thought would put him out of Contention for Today..........However With Some Incredible Overnight Work by Him and His Fellow Mechanics as well as a Late Night Trip to Wales and Back to Pick Up a Spare Engine, Endaf and His Dedicated Team Have Managed to Get his Car Ready for Race 2. Truly a Phenomenal Achievement. Lets Hope for Better Luck this Time.
Lets Get to the Action
In First Place Taking Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Endaf Owens) in his Mini Miglia 1298 with a Best Lap Time of 55.033 and an Average Speed of 67.78mph. Incredible Drive there Endaf Coming Back from Yesterday with an Engine Failure to Win the First Race of Sunday is Truly The Drive of a Champion. Incredible Work.
In Second Place was (Rupert Deeth) in his Mini Miglia 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 54.925 and an Average Speed of 67.72mph. Another Heroic Drive from Rupert Really Putting Pressure on Endaf the Entire Race and the two of them being in a Class of their Own way out in Front. Amazing Drive there Rupert.
In Third Place was (Scott Kendall) in his Mini Miglia 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 55.618 and an Average Speed of 67.34mph. Great Drive there From Scott Racing Hard and Doing a Fantastic Job of Defending that P3 Spot. A Very Well Deserved Third Place Finish.
What a Race from The Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge and with One More Race to go The Game is on for Anybody to take on the Likes of Scott Endaf and Rupert for Victory. Lets Find Out what Race 3 Brings and if Endaf can Make it 2 out of 3 Wins to Finish what Has Been a Phenomenal Weekend of Racing for the Mini's.
Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge supported by Mini Spares (Race 3 Results)
The Final Race for The Mini's and with Endaf Owens on an Incredible Charge will he be able to Withstand The Pressure coming from Rupert Deeth and Take Victory Once More?
In First Place taking the Final Win and Fastest Lap was (Endaf Owens) in his Mini Miglia 1298 with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.979 and an Average Speed of 60.65mph. Congratulations Endaf Another Superb Victory for Today and What an Incredible Come Back From Yesterday. He and His Family as well as His Race Engineers and Mechanics will be Very Proud of Him This Weekend that's for sure.
In Second Place was (Joe Thompson) in his Mini Miglia 1300 with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.571 and an Average Speed of 60.40mph. Brilliant Driving from Joe and a Really Excellent Performance in Very Dark and Dreary Conditions for a P2 Finish.
In Third Place was (Rupert Deeth) in his Mini Miglia 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.433 and an Average Speed of 59.93mph. Very Well Done Rupert a Fantastic P3 Finish To End the Weekends Racing and some Incredible Battles thought the Weekend with Endaf too. Well Done.
What a Weekend it has been for The Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge with Some Incredible Drives from the Likes of Endaf Rupert Joe and Scott all Taking Amazing Victories. Well Done to all of the other Competitors too you All did a Fantastic Job and Good Luck for the Next Time Out. Hope to See you All again Next Year for More High Speed and Close Racing Action.
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Qualifying 2 Results)
Now it was Time for the Return of the Ginetta Junior Championship onto the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit and after Some Intense and Close Racing Yesterday Each Driver was Ready to Go for Victory Once Again.
Currently Josh Rowledge Liam Mcneilly and Max Dodds are The Top 3 Finishers from Yesterdays Race and with Another Qualifying Session Ready and Waiting Will they be able to Put themselves Back at the Front of the Grid or Will a New set of Driver work to Challenge them?
In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was (Tom Edgar) in his GBR R Racing with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.449 and a Top Speed of 66.44mph. Congratulations Tom Taking Pole Position and Ensuring a Front Row Start. Brilliant Lap.
In Second Place was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.832 and a Top Speed of 66.05mph. Great Work there from Aqil Taking P2 on the Gird and Some Impressive Car Control thought Qualifying. A Well Deserved P2.
In Third Place was (Joe Warhurst) in his GBR Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.964 and a Top Speed of 65.92mph. Brilliant Drive there Joe Keeping that Car Nicely Positioned Thought the Lap to ensure a Smooth and Yet Confident P3 Spot on the Gird.
A Great Second Qualifying Session for the Ginetta Junior Drivers with Three New Drivers in the likes of Tom Aqil and Joe All Looking to take that Glory Come The Next Race. But Who will be able to turn that Impressive Qualifying Lap into a Victory?
We Will Have to Wait and See.
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Qualifying 2 Second Fastest Results)
After an Intense Qualifying Session which saw the Likes of Tom Edgar Aqil Alibhai and Joe Warhurst Taking the Top Three Spots it was Time for them to do it One More Time in a Second Heat for Qualifying. Who will be on Top This Time and will the likes of both Joe and Aqil take that P1 Spot away from Tom?
In First Place Taking The Pole was (Tom Edgar) in his GBR R Racing with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.453 and a Top Speed of 66.43mph. Superb Job Once Again from Tom who manages to Hold onto that All Important P1 Position. Brilliant Drive there Tom.
In Second Place was (Joe Warhurst) in his GBR Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:06.089 and a Top Speed of 65.79mph. Fantastic work Joe Pushing Hard and Taking that P2 Spot away from Aqil Alibhai.
In Third Place was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:06.284 and a Top Speed of 65.60mph. Nice Work there Aqil P3 and a Really Good Effort Against the Likes of both Joe and Tom.
What Another Intense Qualifying Session with the Top Three In Tom Joe and Aqil All Pushing Hard and Swapping Positions thought Second Qualifying. What Will the First of Two Races Bring Today and Who will be the First to take Victory?
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Race 3 Results)
In First Place Taking The Victory was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 59.381 and an Average Speed of 71.48mph. Congratulations Aqil A Really Well Deserved Win and Some Incredible Driving to take the Race Win. Well and Truly Deserved.
In Second Place was (Max Doods) in his GBR Assetto Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 59.284 and an Average Speed of 71.21mph. Brilliant Driving from Max Pushing Himself and The Car Thought the Race to take Home a Fantastic P2 Finish.
In Third Place was (Liam Mcneilly) in his GBR Fox Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 59.426 and an Average Speed of 71.12mph. Brilliant Driving Liam P3 and The Final Spot on The Podium.
A Fantastic Race with Two New Winners in the Likes of Max and Liam and a Huge Congratulations to Aqil for that Incredible Victory after Overtaking both Liam and Max During the Race to take Victory. Good Luck to All other Drivers too and Lets see what the Final Race Brings.
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Race 4 Results)
The Final Race for Ginetta Juniors and One Last Time for One Driver to Stand on the Top Step of the Podium. After Some Fantastic Drives from the likes of Max Aqil Liam Tom and Joe who will be able to take that Last All Important Victory?
In First Place Taking The Final Victory was (Liam Mcneilly) in his GBR Fox Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:07.685 and an Average Speed of 45.65mph. Congratulations Liam Brilliant Final Drive and a Really Great way to End a Perfect Weekend. Your Family and Friends will be Really Proud of you.
In Second Place was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:07.749 and an Average Speed of 45.62mph. Awesome work there Aqil Another Very Good Battle at the Front of the Field and a Great P2 Finish to End the Weekend with a Smile.
In Third Place was (Sonny Smith) in his GBR R Racing with a Best Lap Time of 1:07.784 and an Average Speed of 45.59mph. Congratulations Sonny P3 and a Really Superb Job Defending from the Likes of Max Behind thought the Race.
A Brilliant Weekend for The Ginetta Junior Championship With So Many Fantastic Drivers in the likes of Liam Aqil and Sonny as well as Max and Liam These Young Drivers are Going to do Really Well in Future Top Level Motorsport. A big Congratulations to All of you and to the Other Drivers in the Field Keep Pushing and Working Hard Never Stop Trying.
Britcar Endurance Championship-(Race 1 Results)
As The Light Fell away from the Circuit The Britcar Endurance Championship made its way out onto the circuit with Lights a Blaze and a lot of Energy coming from both the Drivers and their Cars This was Going to be a Race of Endurance and Car Management thought the 45 Minutes of the Race.
During Qualifying Yesterday The Team of
Valluga's Carl Cavers/Sean Doyle took Pole with
Valluga's Ian Humphries/Benji Hetherington in Second while
Nial Bradley Took Third.
With a Quick set of Warm Up Laps Over it was Time for The Brit car's to make their way out onto the Track and Get Ready for two Races of Endurance to Decide the Britcar Champion of 2021.
In First Place Taking the Victory was (Valluga's) Ian Humphries and Benji Hetherington in their Porsche 718 GT4 Club sport with a Best Lap Time of 50.023 and an Average Speed of 70.37mph. Congratulations both Ian and Benji a Fantastic Win in Very Tricky and Tiering Circumstances thought the 45 Minutes.
In Second Place was (Nial Bradley) in his BMW M3 E46 with a Best Lap Time of 50.799 and an Average Speed of 70.34mph. Brilliant work there Nial Keeping the Pressure on for both Ian and Benji at the front of the Pack. a Very Committed Drive for P2.
In Third Place was (Valluga's) Carl Cavers and Sean Doyle in their Porsche 718 GT4 Club sport with a Best Lap Time of 50.016 and an Average Speed of 70.34mph. Congratulations Carl and Sean Brilliant Drives from both of you and a Well Deserved P3 Finish after an Intense Battle with Team Hard's Eric Bolton in P4.
What an Intense First Race for the Britcar Endurance Championship with the Likes of Ian Humphries and Benji Hetherington Taking the Spoils while Nial Bradley Finishes Second and Carl Cavers and Sean Doyle Finish Third.
With Only One Race Left who will be the Victor and Take Home Glory? Lets Find Out.
Britcar Endurance Championship-(Race 2 Results FINAL)
In First Place Taking the Final Race Win of the Day and The Fastest Lap was (Steve Rothery) in his Peugeot 308 with a Best Lap Time of 58.289 and an Average Speed of 66.59mph. Congratulations Steve a Really Phenomenal Drive to take The Final Win of the Weekend for Britcar. Brilliantly Driven and Nicely Controlled.
In Second Place was (Valluga's) Ian Humphries and Carl Cavers in their Porsche 718 GT4 Club Sport with a Best Lap Time of 57.414 and an Average Speed of 66.46mph. Great Work there by both the likes of Ian and Carl to Bring there car Home in P2. A Wonderful Way to End the Weekend and the Championship.
In Third Place was (Spires Motorsport's) Anton Spies in his Renault Clio Gen 4 with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.189 and an Average Speed of 64.37mph. A Very Heroic Drive from Anton Pushing His Renault Hard and Ensuring He Defends that All Important Final Spot on the Podium. Great Job.
What a Weekend it has been for the Britcar Endurance Championship with Many Fantastic Teams and Drivers in the Likes of (Valluga's) Ian Humphries Carl Cavers Benji Hetherington and the Likes of (Spire Motorsports) Anton Spires and Steve Rothery.
Brilliant Driving from All of you and a Really Big Congratulations to The Final Race Winner Steve Rothery.
A Fantastic Weekend with Many Talented and Incredible Drivers All Pushing Hard and Doing what they Love on the Race Track. Congratulations to All of the Race Winners.
See You All Again Next Year!
I managed to get about 90 shots with an exposure of 30s each to make this image. Unfortunately after that time dew formed on the lens. In future I will have to experiment with hand warmers to keep the lens warm.
huseyin dede has a long story. trust me i will write it in future but in short; he was born in 1913 or early.
older than my grandpa, lives in ankara with his sun. he had seen ataturk once in his lifetime, very close, heard him..
his mental status is fine, good. i catched him in segmenler parkı, took some photos, then speak half an hour.
he had become 2 times soldier. before 1939 and at 2nd world war time.
he is a living history guys. i hope i will see him in summer.
A short getaway with my dear wife and dear one in her tummy. Reward for you my dear wife for working so hard in the past few months and you finally had a well deserved break! Nice couple we had on this very first cruise on Royal Caribbean was Raymond and Shuyan. Looking for more trips in future with both of ya :)
Day 2 of Brands Hatch Brit Car into The Night and after a thrilling set of Qualifying and Racing Yesterday All Drivers were Ready Once again to Challenge the Circuit.
Some Drivers from the Previous Day were Seen Packing Up and Heading Home after a Brilliant Days Racing while Others were Just Arriving and Getting their Machines Prepared for The Race Track.
With an Action Packed Day to look forward to and Lots of Action for Both Qualifying and Racing Lets take a Look and See who is up First and Ready to Challenge This Almighty Indy Circuit.
Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes-(Qualifying Results)
First Up onto the Circuit was The Intermarque Silhouettes and Thease Machines are Very Quick and Built to be as Light Weight as Possible by Using a Space Frame Chassis and a Fibreglass Body.
Lets Find out who Qualified were and Who Managed to Take Pole Position for Race 1.
In First Place Securing Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was (Danny Hun) in his Ford Autoxross Fiesta ST with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.454 and a Top Speed of 70.76mph. Great Lap there Danny Really Keeping that Car on the Track and Taking a Strong Pole Position.
In Second Place was (Pat Kiely) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.813 and a Top Speed of 70.35mph. Brilliant Drive there Pat Nice Work and Fantastic Second Place on the Grid for Race 1.
In Third Place was (Malcom Blackman) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.883 and a Top Speed of 68.07mph. Well Done Malcom a Massive Charge to Earn that P3 Spot on the Gird Lets Hope it can be turned into a Race Win Come Race 1.
What an Exciting End to Qualifying with the Likes of Danny Pat and Malcom All Looking Ready to Go for Race 1 but out of The Three Who Will be Able to Turn their Qualifying Position into a Race Win? Lets Find Out.
Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes-(Race 1 Results)
After an Intense Battle During Qualifying which saw the Likes of Danny Hun take a Dominant Pole Position with Pat Kiely Second and Malcom Blackman Third this Grid is Looking to be Very Big and Very Fast. Lets Find Out Who Won and Who took Glory in the First Race of The Day.
In First Place Taking The Victory Was (Malcom Blackman) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 57.507 and an Average Speed of 54.53mph. Congratulations Malcom Fantastic Drive and A Well Deserved Win in that Beautifully Prepared Vauxhall.
In Second Place was (Danny Hun) in his Ford Autoxross Fiesta ST with a Best Lap Time of 57.789 and an Average Speed of 54.49mph. Amazing Work there Danny Brilliant Drive and a Well Deserved P2 Finish over the Line.
In Third Place was (Pat Kiely) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 57.346 and an Average Speed of 54.48mph. Great Work Pat Really Pushing Hard and Almost Catching Danny Hun Just Before The End by 0.157 Seconds there.
What a Fantastic First Race of The Day for The Intermarque Silhouettes with Some Incredible Winners in the Likes of Malcom Danny and Pat All Taking Superb Victories for their Respective Teams.
With Race 2 Coming Up Next Who will be the One to Retain their Crown at the Top of The Standings and Can the Likes of Pat and Danny Possibly Improve and start Putting Pressure on Malcom who Currently Reins Supreme?
Lets Find Out
Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes-(Race 2 Results)
Race 2 and One Last Chance for The Top 3 To Battle it out and See who can Take Either Back to Back Victories at Brands Hatch or Who can Possibly Disrupt the Win Streak Currently Set by Malcom.
In First Place Taking The Last Victory was (Steve Burrows) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.432 and an Average Speed of 69.99mph. Congratulations Steve What a Brilliant Bit of Driving there in Very Wet and Dark Conditions to Beat Malcom and Take Home a Fantastically Deserved Win.
In Second Place was (Dave York) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.329 and an Average Speed of 69.59mph. Amazing Work there Dave Really Pushing that Vauxhall for All it was Worth and Doing Very Well to Keep it on the Damp and Slippery Track for a Superb P2 on the Podium.
In Third Place was (Malcom Blackman) in his Vauxhall Tigra with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.343 and an Average Speed of 69.50mph. Well Driven there Malcom Great Drive and A Really Good Finish in P3 from an Amazing Weekend of Racing.
What a Fantastic Weekend for The Intermarque Silhouettes and So many Amazing Winners in the Likes of Danny Pat Malcom Dave and Steve Who All Showed Incredible Wet Weather Skills and Kept there Cars Going to Take some Superb Victories. Well Done to All of the Other Drivers too Who Fought Hard on Track. Keep Pushing for that Victory and Good Luck.
BMR Super Saloons & CMMCS Tin-Tops-(Qualifying Results)
Next Up on to The Race Track was The Super Saloons and Tin Tops and Thease Machines not Only Have Incredible Liveries and Looks but they Also Pack a lot of Power and Variety in the Types of Race Cars and How they Handle.
From the Ford Escort WRC to the Peugeot 306 and even the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 Each Car and Driver Have a Certain Driving Style that can Either Mean the Difference Between a Loss or a Victory on the Race Track.
Lets Get to Qualifying and See Who Took Pole
In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Best Lap Was (Rod Birley) in his Ford Escort WRC with a Best Lap Time of 58.886 and a Top Speed of 73.84mph. Brilliant Drive from Birley as a Home Hero of Brands Hatch He Always Knows How to Take Almost Any Car and Get it onto Pole Position Fantastic Drive.
In Second Place was (Chris Basset) in his Peugeot 306 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.040 and a Top Speed of 72.42mph. Fantastic Drive there Chris Pushing that Peugeot Hard for a Well Deserved P2 Finish Well Done.
In Third Place was (Nick Sutton) in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.904 and a Top Speed of 70.24mph. Brilliant Drive there Nick Really Working Hard and Getting that Beautiful Lancer Evo into P3 on the Gird.
A Fantastic Qualifying Session for Tin Tops and Super Saloons with some Very Fast and Experienced Drivers in Rod Chris and Nick all Pushing their Machinery Hard and Gunning for a Victory. With Race 1 Just Around the Corner it will be Interesting to See who can Take the Victory and who can Defend their Position from the other Drivers who will no Doubt Be Ready and Waiting to Attack.
BMR Super Saloons & CMMCS Tin-Tops-(Race 1 Results)
In First Place Taking the Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Rod Birley) in his Ford Escort WRC with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.316 and an Average Speed of 57.41mph. Congratulations Rod a Really Incredible Bit of Driving in those Rain Soaked Conditions to take Home a Victory that the Whole Family will be Really Proud of. Amazing Drive.
In Second Place was (Steve Dann) in his VW Scirocco with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.502 and an Average Speed of 57.35mph. Great Driving there from Steve Taking the Fight Right to Birley at The End and Almost Catching him for the Race Win. Non the Less a Very Well Deserved P2 Finish.
In Third Place was (Nick Wall) in his Renault Clio with a Best Lap Time of 1:04.877 and an Average Speed of 55.89mph. Brilliant work there Nick A Fantastic P3 Finish in Conditions that were Very Challenging Indeed.
What an Incredible Race this was to Witness with the Start Being Behind the Safety Car before All of the Driver put their foot down and Went for it in conditions where at Times the Spray made it Impossible to see Anything.
A Big Congratulations to the likes of Rod Steve and Nick who All Drove Incredibly and Really Showed Everyone who the Rain Masters were around the Indy Circuit. A Big Congratulations to All of the Other Drivers too Who also Showed Incredible Bravery and Skill Navigating their way Around and Claiming some Incredible Victories of their own.
With Race 2 Coming Up Next will Rod be able to Hold onto his 1st Place Finish or Will the Likes of Nick and Steve Try to Take that 1st Place away from Rod? and Who Else May be able to Challenge this Trio of Fast and Capable Drivers.
Lets Find Out
BMR Super Saloons & CMMCS Tin-Tops-(Race 2 Results)
With The Circuit Now Entering Night fall it was Getting Very Difficult for The Drivers to see which will add a New Challenge to this Race. Will the Likes of Rod Birley be Able to Win Once Again?
In First Place Taking the Win and Fastest Lap was (Rod Birley) in his Ford Escort WRC with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.960 and an Average Speed of 60.83mph. Amazing Work there Rod Driven like a True Champion and a Fantastic Home Win to Add to the Already Incredible Win Streak at Brands Hatch.
In Second Place was (Nick Sutton) in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 with a Best Lap Time of 59.429 and an Average Speed of 60.74mph. Great Drive from Nick Once Again Showing his Brave and Fantastic Skills even at Night When the Lights go Out. Well Done.
In Third Place was (Steve Dann) in his VW Scirocco with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.227 and an Average Speed of 60.48mph. Nice Work Steve Really Good Drive for P3 Showing some Incredible Speed and Commitment Thought the Race.
What an Amazing Race from the Super Saloons and Tin Tops with some Incredible Drives and Victories from the likes of Rod Nick Sutton Nick Wall and Steve All Pushing Hard and Achieving Some Incredible Victories.
Well Done to All of the Other Drivers out there Racing too You All did a Fantastic Job and Looking Forward to seeing you All out there Again Doing what you Love and Sharing a Passion for Motorsport.
Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge supported by Mini Spares (Race 2 Results)
The Mini's were Up Next and After Some Incredible Racing Yesterday which Saw the Likes of Rupert Deeth Take 1st with Scott Kendall 2nd and Colin Peacock 3rd it was Going to be an Intense Battle at the Front of the Field.
The Likes of Endaf Owens was Also Prepared after an Engine Failure During Yesterdays Race Which Many thought would put him out of Contention for Today..........However With Some Incredible Overnight Work by Him and His Fellow Mechanics as well as a Late Night Trip to Wales and Back to Pick Up a Spare Engine, Endaf and His Dedicated Team Have Managed to Get his Car Ready for Race 2. Truly a Phenomenal Achievement. Lets Hope for Better Luck this Time.
Lets Get to the Action
In First Place Taking Victory and The Fastest Lap was (Endaf Owens) in his Mini Miglia 1298 with a Best Lap Time of 55.033 and an Average Speed of 67.78mph. Incredible Drive there Endaf Coming Back from Yesterday with an Engine Failure to Win the First Race of Sunday is Truly The Drive of a Champion. Incredible Work.
In Second Place was (Rupert Deeth) in his Mini Miglia 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 54.925 and an Average Speed of 67.72mph. Another Heroic Drive from Rupert Really Putting Pressure on Endaf the Entire Race and the two of them being in a Class of their Own way out in Front. Amazing Drive there Rupert.
In Third Place was (Scott Kendall) in his Mini Miglia 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 55.618 and an Average Speed of 67.34mph. Great Drive there From Scott Racing Hard and Doing a Fantastic Job of Defending that P3 Spot. A Very Well Deserved Third Place Finish.
What a Race from The Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge and with One More Race to go The Game is on for Anybody to take on the Likes of Scott Endaf and Rupert for Victory. Lets Find Out what Race 3 Brings and if Endaf can Make it 2 out of 3 Wins to Finish what Has Been a Phenomenal Weekend of Racing for the Mini's.
Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge supported by Mini Spares (Race 3 Results)
The Final Race for The Mini's and with Endaf Owens on an Incredible Charge will he be able to Withstand The Pressure coming from Rupert Deeth and Take Victory Once More?
In First Place taking the Final Win and Fastest Lap was (Endaf Owens) in his Mini Miglia 1298 with a Best Lap Time of 1:02.979 and an Average Speed of 60.65mph. Congratulations Endaf Another Superb Victory for Today and What an Incredible Come Back From Yesterday. He and His Family as well as His Race Engineers and Mechanics will be Very Proud of Him This Weekend that's for sure.
In Second Place was (Joe Thompson) in his Mini Miglia 1300 with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.571 and an Average Speed of 60.40mph. Brilliant Driving from Joe and a Really Excellent Performance in Very Dark and Dreary Conditions for a P2 Finish.
In Third Place was (Rupert Deeth) in his Mini Miglia 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:03.433 and an Average Speed of 59.93mph. Very Well Done Rupert a Fantastic P3 Finish To End the Weekends Racing and some Incredible Battles thought the Weekend with Endaf too. Well Done.
What a Weekend it has been for The Dunlop Mini Winter Challenge with Some Incredible Drives from the Likes of Endaf Rupert Joe and Scott all Taking Amazing Victories. Well Done to all of the other Competitors too you All did a Fantastic Job and Good Luck for the Next Time Out. Hope to See you All again Next Year for More High Speed and Close Racing Action.
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Qualifying 2 Results)
Now it was Time for the Return of the Ginetta Junior Championship onto the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit and after Some Intense and Close Racing Yesterday Each Driver was Ready to Go for Victory Once Again.
Currently Josh Rowledge Liam Mcneilly and Max Dodds are The Top 3 Finishers from Yesterdays Race and with Another Qualifying Session Ready and Waiting Will they be able to Put themselves Back at the Front of the Grid or Will a New set of Driver work to Challenge them?
In First Place Taking Pole Position and The Fastest Lap was (Tom Edgar) in his GBR R Racing with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.449 and a Top Speed of 66.44mph. Congratulations Tom Taking Pole Position and Ensuring a Front Row Start. Brilliant Lap.
In Second Place was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.832 and a Top Speed of 66.05mph. Great Work there from Aqil Taking P2 on the Gird and Some Impressive Car Control thought Qualifying. A Well Deserved P2.
In Third Place was (Joe Warhurst) in his GBR Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.964 and a Top Speed of 65.92mph. Brilliant Drive there Joe Keeping that Car Nicely Positioned Thought the Lap to ensure a Smooth and Yet Confident P3 Spot on the Gird.
A Great Second Qualifying Session for the Ginetta Junior Drivers with Three New Drivers in the likes of Tom Aqil and Joe All Looking to take that Glory Come The Next Race. But Who will be able to turn that Impressive Qualifying Lap into a Victory?
We Will Have to Wait and See.
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Qualifying 2 Second Fastest Results)
After an Intense Qualifying Session which saw the Likes of Tom Edgar Aqil Alibhai and Joe Warhurst Taking the Top Three Spots it was Time for them to do it One More Time in a Second Heat for Qualifying. Who will be on Top This Time and will the likes of both Joe and Aqil take that P1 Spot away from Tom?
In First Place Taking The Pole was (Tom Edgar) in his GBR R Racing with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.453 and a Top Speed of 66.43mph. Superb Job Once Again from Tom who manages to Hold onto that All Important P1 Position. Brilliant Drive there Tom.
In Second Place was (Joe Warhurst) in his GBR Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:06.089 and a Top Speed of 65.79mph. Fantastic work Joe Pushing Hard and Taking that P2 Spot away from Aqil Alibhai.
In Third Place was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:06.284 and a Top Speed of 65.60mph. Nice Work there Aqil P3 and a Really Good Effort Against the Likes of both Joe and Tom.
What Another Intense Qualifying Session with the Top Three In Tom Joe and Aqil All Pushing Hard and Swapping Positions thought Second Qualifying. What Will the First of Two Races Bring Today and Who will be the First to take Victory?
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Race 3 Results)
In First Place Taking The Victory was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 59.381 and an Average Speed of 71.48mph. Congratulations Aqil A Really Well Deserved Win and Some Incredible Driving to take the Race Win. Well and Truly Deserved.
In Second Place was (Max Doods) in his GBR Assetto Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 59.284 and an Average Speed of 71.21mph. Brilliant Driving from Max Pushing Himself and The Car Thought the Race to take Home a Fantastic P2 Finish.
In Third Place was (Liam Mcneilly) in his GBR Fox Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 59.426 and an Average Speed of 71.12mph. Brilliant Driving Liam P3 and The Final Spot on The Podium.
A Fantastic Race with Two New Winners in the Likes of Max and Liam and a Huge Congratulations to Aqil for that Incredible Victory after Overtaking both Liam and Max During the Race to take Victory. Good Luck to All other Drivers too and Lets see what the Final Race Brings.
Ginetta Junior Championship-(Race 4 Results)
The Final Race for Ginetta Juniors and One Last Time for One Driver to Stand on the Top Step of the Podium. After Some Fantastic Drives from the likes of Max Aqil Liam Tom and Joe who will be able to take that Last All Important Victory?
In First Place Taking The Final Victory was (Liam Mcneilly) in his GBR Fox Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:07.685 and an Average Speed of 45.65mph. Congratulations Liam Brilliant Final Drive and a Really Great way to End a Perfect Weekend. Your Family and Friends will be Really Proud of you.
In Second Place was (Aqil Alibhai) in his RSA Elite Motorsport with a Best Lap Time of 1:07.749 and an Average Speed of 45.62mph. Awesome work there Aqil Another Very Good Battle at the Front of the Field and a Great P2 Finish to End the Weekend with a Smile.
In Third Place was (Sonny Smith) in his GBR R Racing with a Best Lap Time of 1:07.784 and an Average Speed of 45.59mph. Congratulations Sonny P3 and a Really Superb Job Defending from the Likes of Max Behind thought the Race.
A Brilliant Weekend for The Ginetta Junior Championship With So Many Fantastic Drivers in the likes of Liam Aqil and Sonny as well as Max and Liam These Young Drivers are Going to do Really Well in Future Top Level Motorsport. A big Congratulations to All of you and to the Other Drivers in the Field Keep Pushing and Working Hard Never Stop Trying.
Britcar Endurance Championship-(Race 1 Results)
As The Light Fell away from the Circuit The Britcar Endurance Championship made its way out onto the circuit with Lights a Blaze and a lot of Energy coming from both the Drivers and their Cars This was Going to be a Race of Endurance and Car Management thought the 45 Minutes of the Race.
During Qualifying Yesterday The Team of
Valluga's Carl Cavers/Sean Doyle took Pole with
Valluga's Ian Humphries/Benji Hetherington in Second while
Nial Bradley Took Third.
With a Quick set of Warm Up Laps Over it was Time for The Brit car's to make their way out onto the Track and Get Ready for two Races of Endurance to Decide the Britcar Champion of 2021.
In First Place Taking the Victory was (Valluga's) Ian Humphries and Benji Hetherington in their Porsche 718 GT4 Club sport with a Best Lap Time of 50.023 and an Average Speed of 70.37mph. Congratulations both Ian and Benji a Fantastic Win in Very Tricky and Tiering Circumstances thought the 45 Minutes.
In Second Place was (Nial Bradley) in his BMW M3 E46 with a Best Lap Time of 50.799 and an Average Speed of 70.34mph. Brilliant work there Nial Keeping the Pressure on for both Ian and Benji at the front of the Pack. a Very Committed Drive for P2.
In Third Place was (Valluga's) Carl Cavers and Sean Doyle in their Porsche 718 GT4 Club sport with a Best Lap Time of 50.016 and an Average Speed of 70.34mph. Congratulations Carl and Sean Brilliant Drives from both of you and a Well Deserved P3 Finish after an Intense Battle with Team Hard's Eric Bolton in P4.
What an Intense First Race for the Britcar Endurance Championship with the Likes of Ian Humphries and Benji Hetherington Taking the Spoils while Nial Bradley Finishes Second and Carl Cavers and Sean Doyle Finish Third.
With Only One Race Left who will be the Victor and Take Home Glory? Lets Find Out.
Britcar Endurance Championship-(Race 2 Results FINAL)
In First Place Taking the Final Race Win of the Day and The Fastest Lap was (Steve Rothery) in his Peugeot 308 with a Best Lap Time of 58.289 and an Average Speed of 66.59mph. Congratulations Steve a Really Phenomenal Drive to take The Final Win of the Weekend for Britcar. Brilliantly Driven and Nicely Controlled.
In Second Place was (Valluga's) Ian Humphries and Carl Cavers in their Porsche 718 GT4 Club Sport with a Best Lap Time of 57.414 and an Average Speed of 66.46mph. Great Work there by both the likes of Ian and Carl to Bring there car Home in P2. A Wonderful Way to End the Weekend and the Championship.
In Third Place was (Spires Motorsport's) Anton Spies in his Renault Clio Gen 4 with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.189 and an Average Speed of 64.37mph. A Very Heroic Drive from Anton Pushing His Renault Hard and Ensuring He Defends that All Important Final Spot on the Podium. Great Job.
What a Weekend it has been for the Britcar Endurance Championship with Many Fantastic Teams and Drivers in the Likes of (Valluga's) Ian Humphries Carl Cavers Benji Hetherington and the Likes of (Spire Motorsports) Anton Spires and Steve Rothery.
Brilliant Driving from All of you and a Really Big Congratulations to The Final Race Winner Steve Rothery.
A Fantastic Weekend with Many Talented and Incredible Drivers All Pushing Hard and Doing what they Love on the Race Track. Congratulations to All of the Race Winners.
See You All Again Next Year!
Commemorating the opening.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Lt. Col. Paul Reese, deputy commanding officer of 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, addresses Iraqi Security Forces, local community leaders and members of the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team during the opening ceremony of al Nasir District Police headquarters, March 23, 2011. Reese, a native of St. Louis, congratulated the Iraqi personnel for continuing the development of their police force, and pledged further support from the 4th AAB in future training events.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terence Ewings, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD-N)
Villagers Celebrate The Historic US Supreme Court’s Verdict Which Ended The Immunity of the IFIs
March 31, 2019, Mundra: The air in Mundra filled with the slogans like Kaun Banata Hai Hindustan, Machuawara, Majdoor, Kisan! (Who makes India? Fishermen, Labourer and Farmers); Ladenge Jeetenge! (We shall fight, we shall win); Aadiwaasi Machhuawara Kisaan Ekta Zindabad! (Long live the unity of tribals, fishermen and farmers), and Poonjipatiyon Ki Dalaai Band karo! Hundreds of people from Navinal and Tagri villages of Kutch and representatives from various social movements and civil society members have gathered to celebrate the historic verdict of the US Supreme Court that ended the absolute immunity enjoyed for long by the International Financial Institutions.
“Is Development only for Tata, Ambani, and Adani? What about the fishermen from Mundra, who live in the open with huts made up of bamboo and gunny bags but feed thousands of people in and outside Gujarat,” asked Medha Patkar, senior activist, Narmada Bachao Andolan and National Alliance for the Peoples’ Movements. “Every citizen has the constitutional right to question anti-people policies,” she asserted. She further said, “We do not have any problem in discharging Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Dam waters for the benefit of the farmers of Kutch. However, we will fight if it is given to the industries,” referring to the allocation of water for a large number of industries.
She was speaking at the public meeting, organised by the Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Sangathan (MAAS), Mundra, which witnessed the participation of the hundreds of the villagers affected by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation-funded Tata Mundra Ultra Mega Power Plant. The meeting was organised to celebrate the historic verdict of the US Supreme Court that ended the absolute immunity enjoyed for long by the International Financial Institutions.
During the occasion, representatives from various social movements and civil society members like Medha Patkar, senior activist of the Narmada Bachao Andolan; Soumya Dutta, Convenor of the Beyond Copenhagen Collective; Nitaben Mahadev, Gujarat Lok Samiti, Sanjeev Danda, Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikaar Manch; and Maju Varghese and Anuradha Munshi from the Working Group on International Financial Institutions (WGonIFIs) were also present to extend their solidarity and felicitate the fishermen and villagers who have been at the forefront of this historic struggle.
The petitioners of the case were garlanded and facilitated at the public meeting. Speakers after speakers alluded their courage, encountering hostilities and the broader impact of this victory to the people around the globe, making institutions like World Bank more accountable.
Speaking at the occasion, Soumya Dutta, emphasised that the recent US Supreme Court’s decision to end immunity of the International Financial Institutions is a significant victory of the people fighting to save their dignity, land and livelihood across the world. He stressed that a broader alliance of different sections of the people affected by the project be formed to fight getting justice.
Sanjeev Danda said the US Supreme Court’s verdict is a firm reminder that fishers and poor are not insects that can’t be eliminated easily. He thanked the villagers for their firm resistance against the might of the IFC and Tata.
Nitaben Mahadev expressed solidarity on behalf of organisations in Gujarat and wished the people the best to take the fight to higher heights.
Buddha Ismail Jam, the main petitioner of the case against the ongoing IFC, emphasised the need to stay together. He said, “If we continue to stay strong for the remaining struggle, nobody can snatch justice away from us.”
Gajendra Sinh Jadeja, a co-petitioner of the case and Sarpanch of the Navinal Panchayat in Mundra, listed the problems currently being faced by the fishermen, farmers and pastoralists. He said, “The production of cotton, dates, chikoo has considerably reduced due to the coal-ash, which has also adversely impacted the health of the people. Similarly, the inlet and outlet channel have increased the salinity, thus impacting agriculture. Additionally, the channel has also driven away from the fishes away from the coast, due to which, the fishermen have to travel about 25 kilometres into the sea.”
Bharat Patel, thanked the villagers, civil society and social movements across the country for their solidarity, and the Earth Rights International, for their unflinching support. He asserted that the policies of the IFIs need to be amended and said that they can’t function at the cost of the lives of people. Talking about the further course of action, he said, “We will fight till the ecology is restored; the people who lost their livelihoods are adequately compensated; and the officials of IFC and Tata Power, who conspired to destroy our lives for their greed are criminally charged.”
Background
On February 27, 2019, the Supreme Court of United States, in a historic 7-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in Jam v. IFC that international organisations like the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group do not enjoy absolute immunity.
The Court’s decision marks a defining moment for the IFC – the arm of the World Bank Group that lends to the private sector. For years, the IFC has operated as if it were “above the law,” at times pursuing reckless lending projects that inflicted serious human rights abuses on local communities, and then leaving the communities to fend for themselves.
In the case of the Tata Mundra, since the beginning, the IFC recognised that the Tata Mundra coal-fired power plant is a high-risk project that could have significant adverse impacts on local communities and their environment. Despite knowing the risks, the IFC provided a critical Rs 1,800 crore (USD 450 million) loan in 2008, thus enabling the project’s construction. Despite this, the IFC failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the harms it predicted and failed to ensure that the project abided by the environmental and social safeguards.
As predicted, the plant caused significant harm to the communities living in its shadow. Construction of the plant destroyed vital sources of water used for drinking and irrigation. Coal ash has contaminated crops and fish laid out to dry, air pollutants are at levels dangerous to human health, and there has already been a rise in respiratory problems. The enormous quantity of thermal pollution – hot water released from the plant – has destroyed the local marine environment and the fish populations that fishermen rely on to support their families. Although a 2015 law required all plants to install cooling towers to minimise thermal pollution by the end of 2017, the Tata plant has failed to do so.
A nine-mile-long coal conveyor belt, which transports coal from the port to the Plant, runs next to local villages and near fishing grounds. Coal dust from the conveyor and fly ash from the plant frequently contaminate drying fish, reducing their value, damage agricultural production, and cover homes and property.
The IFC’s own internal compliance mechanism, the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), issued a scathing report in 2013 confirming that the IFC had failed to ensure the Tata Mundra project complied with the environmental and social conditions of the IFC’s loan at virtually every stage of the project. The report recommended the IFC to take remedial action. However, the IFC’s management responded to the CAO by rejecting most of its findings and ignoring others. In a follow-up report in early 2017, the CAO observed that the IFC remained out of compliance and had failed to take any meaningful steps to remedy the situation.
The harms suffered by the people are all the more regrettable because the project made no economic sense from the beginning. In 2017, in fact, Tata Power began trying to unload a majority of its shares in the project for one rupee because of the losses it has suffered and will suffer in future. At the moment, the plant is operating much-below capacity in part because India has an oversupply of electricity.
Please visit here for more background and accessing documents related to the case.
About us:
Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Sangathan (MAAS) is a trade union of the fish workers in Mundra and a co-petitioner in the historic Budha Jam vs IFC case.
Contact:
Dr Bharat Patel (Mundra, Gujarat, India)
General Secretary, Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Sangathan
+ 91 94264 69803
bharatp1977@gmail.com
URL: wgonifis.net/2019/03/31/villagers-celebrate-the-historic-...
The Sector-specific four-axle-chassis from MAN for large mobile cranes will be equipped in future with 10 tonne front axles and a new front plate for front-end crane support. This will increase the load capacity for the crane superstructure and extend the working area of large loading cranes.
DE: Das branchengerecht für einen Großkran vorbereitete vierachsige MAN-Chassis erhält künftig 10-Tonnen-Vorderachsen erhält sowie eine neue Frontplatte für eine vordere Kranabstützung. Das erhöht die Traglast für den Kranaufbau und vergrößert den Arbeitsbereich großer Ladekräne..
UK: The Sector-specific four-axle-chassis from MAN for large mobile cranes will be equipped in future with 10 tonne front axles and a new front plate for front-end crane support. This will increase the load capacity for the crane superstructure and extend the working area of large loading cranes.
PizzaBuzz is, in a city so full of new restaurant openings, a very good idea indeed. The concept can be summed up (crudely) as âDIY Pizzaâ or "we have the toppings, you do the rest!" or "Subway, but with pizzas!". This doesnât really do it justice however and there is, obviously, much more to it than that - which Iâll now try to elaborate upon:
Essentially the idea is semi-self service pizza/food assembly. You take your place at the start of their "DIY pizza assembly lineâ and prepare yourself a pizza entirely of your own devising (though you donât have to do anything really asides from tell them what you want your pizza to be made of - it arrives pre sliced too, woo!).
You choose from 5 types of bases (gluten free options are available). These range from a âregularâ Margherita (cheese, tomato etc) to the Bianca (white sauce, mozzarella, parmesan) - plus a pretty fkn extensive range of toppings, divided into vegetables, proteins (i.e meats, fish) and cheese. Said toppings include such gastronomic curiosities such as bacon jam and wild rock shrimp. The recommended number of toppings for a pizza is about 4-5, though apparently one guy came in (drunk) on a Friday night once and ordered a £20+ pizza that contained EVERY SINGLE topping they offered. It ended up looking like a pyramid (hahahahaha!)
And, if you donât fancy coming up with your own pizza, their âsignature collectionâ of pre-designed pizzas come in around £10, and have names like Middle Earth and Etna. Once youâve picked your combo of ingredients, it takes them about 1-3 minutes to cook the whole thing in their wood fired ovens - so you might even be able to describe it as fast food. Takeaway is also an option. In the Southern Italian style, you can also get a burrata (and choose what ingredients to have it with, which is the recurring theme...)
As for the ambiance - PizzaBuzz lives inside the brand spanking new Alphabeta development on Worship street. On the inside it has a minimal vibe - almost the feel of an industrial space about it. Except theyâve made it more friendly with offcentre animal illustrations drawn onto the walls (pictured) plus their colourful logo and a recurring love of hexagonal things. Plus staff singing along to the music (not sure if this is an actual feature or if I just came in at the right time ^_^)
I must also tell you about the dough - which took a yearâs development and is quite something (theyâve got a video called âJane Doughâ in which the dough explains this all to you in a Yorkshire accent, lol). Anyway, it comes from a small mill in Oxfordshire and is, unusually, 50% spelt. I am told that this results in better texture, digestibility and mouthfeel than regular pizza. This is a big claim to make, and Iâm not sure I agree - the pizza I had, however, WAS very good and thatâs all I can say about that.
All in all, Pizzabuzz is taking a very good idea from another restaurant (*ahem*) and applying it to pizza very, very well. I wasnât surprised to hear that they have another site opening soon and can see them doing pretty well in future. Inherently, itâs fun, a bit silly, and provides you with a lot more choice than most of the (pizza based) competition. Definitely a place Iâd recommend to everybody (because who the hell doesnât like pizza, really?!)
Edit: After all that, I am grateful to William Worthington for passing on that this old photo is actually of 26 Window Lane, Garston, not 26 St Mary's Road, Garston. Ah well. It is a bit harder redoing photos when there's absolutely nothing left to 'prove' to myself that I'm in the right spot, so it is a lot more likely that I'll get the wrong spot. I don't think it has happened too many times though, and I enjoy trying the detective work, so I will continue trying the trickier ones in future and hopefully I'll get most around about right!
TEDxHUP International Conference was Organized by Hajvery University (HU) under license from TED, USA. It was held on Saturday, February 4 at the HU Euro Campus.
The Conference brought together the Movers & Shakers of Pakistan as Keynote Speakers; from the former Governor of Punjab, Lt. Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool Sb, Academia: Chairman HEC, Dr. Javaid R. Laghari Sb, Senior Journalists: Oriya Maqbool Jan Sb, Javed Chaudhry sb, and the remarkable Mohammad Malick Sb, Senior Foreign Diplomat, US Consul General: Ms. Nina Maria Fite, Google, Country Consultant, Badar Khushnood Sb, CEO Depilex, Ms. Massarat Misbah, Media & Cultural Icons: Mian Yousuf Salahuddin Sb, Adeel Hashmi Sb, Ms. Huma Amir Shah delivered their talks, and shared Dreams for Pakistan
The Theme of the Conference was — I Dream of a Pakistan.. The objective was to CREATE a platform where passionate people can come together and spark deep discussions on how to bring a peaceful & positive change to Pakistan. You can view Videos of TEDx Talks by these remarkable speakers on www.TEDxHUP.com, and www.hup.edu.pk.
FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT SUCH CONFERENCES, AND ATTENDING FUTURE CONFERENCES, VISIT WWW.HUP.EDU.PK
Thank you for all the appreciation we received, it will inspire us to arrange even more remarkable events in future! =)
Hajvery University (HU)
e: admin@hup.edu.pk
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