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BC's Career Concepts - One stop solutions for your Higher Studies

2011-09-12T15:44:00.000+05:30

Overseas Education - It is a dream of every student to go for the best of the option when it comes to his higher education and also to their parents as well. We at BC's Career Concepts offers a wide range of options ranging from Higher Studies in US, UK, Canada, EU, Russia, Ukraine, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Australia & New Zealand. Also offers courses in India in the field of Medicine, Engineering, Dental, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Marine & Aviation.

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yoga and meditation - advantages

2008-01-24T14:49:00.000+05:30

Reasons Why You Should Start Practicing Yoga And Meditation
The practice of yoga and meditation has become increasingly popular in the past few years, but I am sure that there are many people who are still asking themselves, “What’s in it for me?” So, if you have been wondering whether it would be worth your time to start practicing yoga and meditation, I would like to give you five good reasons why it would be a very worthwhile activity for you.1. Yoga and meditation will improve your healthYoga postures put gentle pressure on the internal organs of the body and help them to function properly. In particular the postures help your digestive system to work smoothly and thus avoid problems such as constipation, acidity and indigestion, which are common conditions that can lead to more serious problems later on. Meditation and deep relaxation can be just what you need to lower your blood pressure. Thus, yoga postures plus meditation is a great combination for maintaining and improving health.2. Yoga and meditation will help you to overcome bad habitsWhat’s a “bad habit?” It’s something that you are doing continually, and something that you know is harming you but you can’t stop it. Are you smoking now? Maybe you thought it was good when you started, but you would now like to stop. The trouble is that it is not so easy to quit smoking or a similar habit once it has become established.This is where yoga and meditation can help you out. The yoga postures help you to become more relaxed and mentally balanced. Meditation can help you to concentrate your mind and build up your will-power. Once you become internally balanced and have a stronger will power, it will become possible for you to break any habit, even one that you have been troubled by for many years.

3. Yoga and meditation will help you to lose weightObesity is one of the biggest health problems of the modern era. Our lives have become more sedentary and our food sources have changed over the last 100 years and this why many adults and even children are now overweight.Although this is a life-style problem, it is something that can be dealt with. The surest way to lose weight is to get more exercise and to control what you are eating. This is of course, easier said than done. But yoga and meditation can help you out. There are some yoga postures that are helpful in weight loss programs. Similarly, the mental strength that you can get from both yoga postures and from meditation can help you to gain a better control over your diet and this can result in healthy and permanent weight loss.4. Yoga and meditation will bring you inner peaceYou may be earning a lot of money and you may have a lot of social prestige but is physical or social wealth the goal of your life? Whatever material or social wealth you have, if you are not contented, satisfied and at peace with yourself then you will not be a happy person.The goal of meditation is to help you find the inner core of your being. Who are you? Is it the name and address on your identity card? If you start meditating you will find that deep within you is a pool of infinite love and peace. This is the real you. If you can reach this place, then you will find peace and contentment; it is guaranteed!5. Yoga and meditation will make you a wiser personEvery one of us has made mistakes that we regret. There is nothing we can do about the past. We can’t go back in time and not make the mistakes. But what we can do is to build up our capacity to see what has permanent value and what is transitory. When we attain this state of discrimination, then we will not do actions that we will regret later on.Meditation helps a person to go beyond the “chatter” of the mind and attain a state of wisdom that will always be of help. Wisdom does not mean stuffing your mind with “facts” but it does mean to have a mind that will choose a course of action that brings about the welfare of everyone.I have a list with many more reasons why yoga and meditation are helpful, but I thought I would start off with these five reasons. So, if any one of these items are interesting for you, then why not see for yourself, and start practicing yoga and meditation?

the facts we must know about Pala

2007-11-23T12:50:00.000+05:30

History
There are various versions regarding the origin of the place name. According to one, Pala gets its name from Palazhi (Ksheera Sagara), the mythological ocean of milk from which nectar was churned out. Another view is that the name was derived from Palathu Chettiyar families, the prominent early settlers of the region.
Pala was ruled by Meenachil Karthas (Hindu Local Chieftains) for a long time. The first royal Kartha families were known as Njavakattu Karthas.
Pala has the largest propotion of Chrisitans in Kerala.
Early settlements
Early settlements in the region date back to 1000 AD. Christian settlers came to the area very early, probably at the invitation of the local rulers.The first four Christian families were THARAYIL (tharayil mappila) KOOTTUMKAL (brother of Tharayil Mappila) ERAKONNI & VAYALAKOMBIL .They engaged mainly in agriculture and trade. It is believed that Pala market was established around 1736 on the banks of Meenachil River by Christian settlers on the land allotted by the rulers Meenachil Karthas.Today it is the land of Latex ( Rubber Pal) and the name Pala is relevant even today.
Religious places
Pala Diocese
[1] The Syrian Christians of Pala owe their faith to St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ who came down to Kerala. Though the diocese is only half a century old (July 25, 1950), some of the Churches trace its origin to the earlier centuries.
Pope Pius XII by the Bull “Quo Ecclesiarim” issued on July 25, 1950, bifurcated the Diocese of Changanacherry, and out of the territory covered by the Foranes of Palai, Muttuchira, Kuravilangad, Anakkallu (including the present Forane of Aruvithura) and Ramapuram erected the Diocese of Palai as suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam.
On August 22, 1956 when the Holy See by the Apostolic Constitution “Regnum Coelorum” raised the Diocese of Changanacherry to the status of an Archdiocese and constituted the new Ecclesiastical Province of Changanacherry, the Diocese of Palai became one of its suffragans.
Pala diocese comprises Meenachil Taluk, and a few villages of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam districts. Pala had contacts with other continents from time immemorial. In 1663, an Armenian is said to have influenced the construction of the Lalam (old ) church. Before Pala church was built in 1002, Aruvithura used to be the Parish. It is believed that St. Thomas traveled through the then navigable Meenachil river and reached Aruvithura and Cherpunkal.
Pala also has many ancient temples and churches that are considered as pilgrim centers by the devotees.
Temples
There are 11 temples in Pala Municipality. Among them Lalam Mahadeva Temple is the most famous temple and is called Dakshina Kasi (Kasi of South). Lalam Mahadeva Temple is situated at the heart of Pala town on the bank of Lalam river. It is believed that this is the oldest temple in Meenachil Taluk and was once the only temple in the 58 Karas or Villages of Meenachil Taluk. Thiruvathira festival in Dhanu (December - January) is the main festival of this temple. Ambalppurathukavu Bhagavthy Temple is situated near to Lalam temple. Kizhathadiyoor Puthiyakavu Devi Temple, Chembittambalam Kizhathadiyoor Thrukkayil Mahadeva Temple, Murikkumpuzha Devi Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Narasimha Swami Temple, Vellappattu Sree Vana Durga Bhagavathy Temple (the only temple in Kottayam district where Jeevatha ezhunnallathu is performed), Thattarakathu Bhagavathy Temple, Ooraasala Subrahmanya Swami Temple and Anakkulangara Bhagavathy Temple are the other temples situated within the boundaries of Pala Municipality.
Kadappattor Mahadeva Temple which is situated on the bank of Meenachil river is the most famous Hindu temple in this region. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Kadappattoor temple every year, on their way to Sabarimala. Cheruthil Valuthu (big among small) Puliyannoor Mahadeva temple is also a famous temple near to Pala. Both these temples are located in Mutholi Panchayath. Meenachil vadakke kavu is a famous Bhadrakaaly temple near Pala. "Mandalakala pooja (41days)" is very famous with Kalamezhuthu& Kalam karikkal. Meenachil Dharmasastha Temple, Idayattu Bala Ganapathy Temple, Poovarany Mahadeva Temple, Valavoor Mahadeva Temple, Idanadu Bhagavathy Temple, Anthinadu Mahadeva Temple, Vezhanganam Mahadeva Temple, Bharanaganam Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Alanadu Sree Krishna Swami Temple, Ponad Bhagavathy Temple and Sree Kurumbakkavu Devi Temple are the other important temples of this region.
Churches
Kurishupalli, a shrine located at the centre of the Pala town, acts as the landmark of the town. St. Thomas Cathedral, Pala and St. Mary's Church, Lalam are two of the main Christian churches in Pala. An Armenian might have played an important role in the establishment of the Lalam Church in 1663.
A famous pilgrim centre nearby is the Alphonsa Church at Bharananganam, where the mortal remains of Blessed Alphonsa of India are kept. Adjacent to it is St. Mary's Church of Bharananganam which was founded in 1004. St. George's Church, Aruvithura, near Erattupetta, is also a famous pilgrim centre. Another Christian pilgrim centre near Pala is the St. Augustine's Church at Ramapuram, where the mortal remains of the Blessed Augustine Kunjachan are kept. Monastery of Mutholy is founded by Blessed Chavara kuriakose Elias.
Trade links
Pala had trade links with far-off places such as TamilNadu, and even foreign countries in the Middle East. A jungle route to Gudalloor, in Tamil Nadu, through the dense forests in the High Ranges, is believed to have brought a significant number of Vellalas and Chettiars during the Middle Ages. During early 1900s Pala became famous for its spice market. A particular brand of pepper called "Pala Pepper" was quoted in the London market in the early 1900s. Once rubber took a firm root in Central Kerala, Pala became a rubber market.
Pala dominated the banking and financial scene of Kerala for over three decades (1927-60) through Palai Central Bank, which was the largest business enterprise of Kerala and the 17th largest scheduled commercial bank in India, when it was liquidated in 1960 by the Reserve Bank of India.
A road linking Athirampuzha to Erattupetta through Pala was established in 1868. Pala was linked to Thodupuzha by road in 1893. Motor vehicles appeared in Pala around the 1920s.
Pala became a Municipality in 1949.
Meenachil River
The Meenachil River flows through the taluks of Meenachil, Vaikom and Kottayam . It is formed by several streams originating from the Western Ghats in Idukki district. At Erattupeetta, Poonjar River also joins it, takes a sharp turn and flows towards the west. At Kondur, it is joined by the Chittar and at Lalam it receives the Payuapparathodu and flows in a south- west direction till it reaches Kottayam . Here, it branches into several streams before emptying into the Vembanad Lake. The important town in the basin are Pala, Poonjar, Ettumanoor and Kottayam
Culture and people
Though the population is diverse, Pala is considered as an important hub of Roman Catholics Syrian Christians in India. Pala is en-route the tourist resort at Vagamon.The palaites are considered to be very hard working. Many from meenachil Taluk has migrated to high ranges and Malabar region of kerala. They have proved their worth by turning the forest lands to highyielding farms. The Syrian Christians catholics of Pala and Kottayam district are generally called ACHAYANS
They work hard during the day and spends the evening having some toddy.this has been the custom here. But nowadays they beverage corporation provides them what they want.
Varthamana Pusthakam (1778), written by Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar, on a travel to Rome, is the first travelogue in Malayalam.
Meenachil taluk, of which Pala is teh headquarters has produced people with notable contribution in many fields:
Politics
K. R. Narayanan, President of India (1997-2002), Vice-President of India (1992-97).
P K Vasudevan Nair, Chief Minister of Kerala (1978-79), Minister of Kerala State and Member of Parliament.
K M Chandy [2], State Governor (1982-89), President of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
K M Mani, Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly (1965 onwards) and Minister of Kerala State (different terms during 1977-2006).
M M Jacob [3], Deputy Chairman of Rajaya Sabha (1986-87), Union Minister (1987-93), State Governor of Meghalaya (1995-2007).
R V Thomas [4], President (Speaker) of Travancore State Legislative Assembly (1947-49).
J Thomas Kayalackakom [5], Member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore State (1922-31).
Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai [6], General Secretary of NSS (1967 onwards) and Indian High-Commissioner to Singapore.
George Thomas Kottukapally [7], Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1957-62), U.N Delegate.
Cherian J Kappen [8], Member of Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha (1962-67).
Dr P J Thomas [9][10], Member of Madras Legislative Council, 1937-42 and Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha 1957-62.
M J Varkey (Vakkachen) Mattathil [11], Member of Indian Parliament - Rajya Sabha (1998-2004).
Literature
Mahakavi Kattakayam Cherian Mappila (1859-1936: author of Sri Yesu Vijayam)
Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair
Mahakavi Pravithanam P M Devasia
Lalithambika Antharjanam
B. Sandhya IPS, writer and police officer.
Vettoor Raman Nair
Paul Zacharia
Sports
Wilson Cherian, Swimmer - Arjuna award winner.
T.J. Jacob, Swimmer - Indian Team at Asian Games.
Mathew Joseph, Swimmer - Indian Team at Asian Games.
Sumi Cyriac, Swimmer - National Champion.
Sony Cyriac, swimmer - Indian Team
Mani C Kappen, Volley Ball - Indian Team Player.
M D Valsamma, Athletics - Asian Gold Medalist.
Sunny Thomas - National Coach in Riffle Shooting.
S. Pazhaniya Pillai - Indian Athletic Team Manager.
INTER NATIONAL GYM Inter National Gym is the most important part of the palai sports
Management & Administration
Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO, Infosys Technologies Ltd.
M. S. Joseph, bureaucrat.
K.J. Mathew, bureaucrat.
V J Kurian, bureaucrat.
Tom Jose, bureaucrat.
Movies
Bhadran, movie director
Miss Kumari, late Malayalam actress
Mani C Kappen, movie producer
Rimi Tomy, Cine Play back singer
Suvarna mathew Cine serial actress
Remya raveendran Television anchor.
Television
Gayathri, television talkshow host
Baby Rekha Mathews, newsreader
Anne, television anchor
Rimi Tomy, Singer
Science
K.L. Sebastian, winner of S.S. Bhatnagar Prize in Chemistry.
Dr. A.M.Michael, Director, Agricultural Institute of India
Education
Colleges in Pala are affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Educational institutes here are hubs of sports excellence. Famous international volleyball player Jimmy George was an alumnus of St. Thomas College. Olympian Shiny Wilson is an alumnus of Alphonsa College. Many institutions are run under the management of the Diocese of Pala
Demographics
As of 2001 India census [1], Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 86%. In Pala, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Records and Achievements
Meenachil Taluk, of which Pala town is the headquarters, has the unique distinction of holding innumerable records. It is amazing that a rather remote Taluk located in the hilly inland could achieve so much.
World Records:
The Christian parish that is home to the largest number of priests in the world – Kozhuvanal Parish, Pala Diocese (101 priests).
Promoter of one of the world’s ten best Resort Hotels selected by the world’s leading travel magazine – Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel (Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom of Casino CGH Earth Group of Hotels).
National Records:
India’s only dalit President – K R Narayanan (1997).
First Indian to become Economic Advisor to Government of India – Dr P J Thomas (1942).
India’s first and only Taluk to produce one President/Vice-President, two State Governors, one State Chief Minister and one Ambassador – K R Narayanan, K M Chandy, M M Jacob, P K Vasudevan Nair & Kidangoor Gopalakrishna Pillai.
Longest term as Finance Minister of a State in India – K M Mani (7 years).
Longest term as State Governor in India – M M Jacob (12 years).
Highest number of Bishops from a Diocese in India – Pala Diocese.
The first travelogue in an Indian language – “Varthamana Pusthakam” by Paremmakkal Thomma Kathanar (18th century).
Author of the first encyclopaedia in an Indian language – Mathew M Kuzhively.
First head of a Homoeo Medical Dept. of a State in India – Dr K Z George [23] (1973).
First Bank to open a branch in India’s capital New Delhi – Palai Central Bank (1932).
Maker of India’s largest selling medicinal toilet soap – C R Kesavan Vaidyan (Chandrika Soap).
State Records:
First and only President/Vice-President from Kerala – K R Narayanan (1997/1992).
First Speaker of the State since Independence – R V Thomas (1948).
Longest continuous term as MLA of the State – K M Mani (1965 onwards)
One of the first two from the State to be beatified by Catholic church – Sr Alphonsa (1986).
Promoter of the institution that was the largest in the State for over three decades – Joseph Augusti Kayalackakom - Palai Central Bank (1927-60)].
First and foremost sports promoter of the State – Col. G V Raja.
First company promoter of the State to make a public issue of shares of a plantation company – J Thomas Kayalackakom - Mysore Plantations Ltd (1943).
First person to run a Star Hotel in the State – Dominic Joseph Kuruvinakkunnel - Malabar Hotel, Cochin (1962).
First Liquor Baron of the State – Joseph Michael Manarkattu (1980s).
First Stock Broker’s Firm in the State – Kayalackakom Company (1946).
First person from the State to dominate the multi-crore Forward Trade (Satta Bazar) in spices – M O Devasia Mattathil (1970s).
First lady athlete of Kerala to win Asian Games gold medal – M D Valsamma (1982)
One of the first two women IPS officers from the State – B Sandhya IPS (1994)
First MBA degree holder of Kerala – K M George Kayalackakom - New York University (1948).
First Christian Mahakavi and Editor of one of the oldest literary magazines in Malayalam – Kattakayam Cheriyan Mappillai - Sreeyesu Vijayam (1926) & Vijgnana Rathnakaram (1915).
First person to introduce the ‘Vanchippaattu’ branch of Malayalam poetry – Ramapurathu Warrior - Kuchelavritham (18th century).
First editor of a Malayalam Newspaper – Nidheerickal Mani Kathanar - Nasrani Deepika (1887).
First bridge constructed by private individuals - Puzhakkara Bridge - 50ft*16ft (Constructed in 1998 by P.A Kuriakose and brothers John and Joseph, Puzhakkara family).[Page10, 15th June 1998 Malayala Manorama Daily, Bussiness Deepika 15-21, 1999].