About Me
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
from a song.... advice
advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it: is a way of fishing the past from a disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it's worth.
What does Divali mean for us as Sikhs?
The sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee was falsely imprisoned for spurious reasons by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. After some months it was declared that Guru Jee could walk free. Like Guru Jee there were other prisoners of conscience in Gwalior Fort (the prison),specifically 52 Hindu Kings who made a heartfelt plea to Guru Jee begging him to negotiate their release also. The ocean of mercy Guru Jee listened attentively to their plea and showered his grace upon them and told them not to worry and that he would negotiate their release.
Guru Jee told the Emperor he would only leave the prison on the condition that the 52 Hindu Kings are freed also. The Emperor being a man entangled in his own ego and pride of intelligence, replied that Guru Jee could walk free with as many Kings who could hold onto his clothing on the day of his release. Guru the fountain of knowledge easily got around the condition by getting a robe tailored with 52tassels on it. On the day of His release Guru Jee walked out of Gwalior Fort with all 52 Hindu Kings holding onto one tassel each,this auspicious occasion is referred to as "Bandi Shorr Divas – the day of emancipation. " Guru Jee did not only free the 52 Hindu Kings from prison, He also showered His grace upon them and freed them from the transmigration of the soul, freeing them from the cycle of births and deaths. Each and everyone of us also begs for this freedom:
For saking all other doors I have come to your door. Preserve my honour by offering the support of your arm, liberate me, I am your humble servant. (Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee)
I have come to the sanctuary of the formless and emancipating Lord,who destroys all sufferings. (Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee, Limb 624 – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee)
May Guru Jee bless us with spiritual and physical liberation also.
Bandhi Shorr Divas was months prior to Divali. Upon release from Gwalior Fort Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee made a tour of Delhi and other regions, then arrangements to go to Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar were made. When he reached Amritsar Sahib it was Divali and the Sikhs celebrated the release of Guru Jee with fireworks and festivities.
Relevance today
The world over there are countless prisoners of consciousness, held under false fabricated charges and/or those held for standing up for justice, freedom and righteousness. Please light a candle for these prisoners, non-Sikhs and Sikhs, don't forget Guru Jee's example offering Hindu Kings. He was benevolent, humane and had a profound love for one and all, may we develop such divine virtues. May we all endeavour to assist and support such prisoners and at the very least we can all make a heartfelt prayer that Guru Jee blesses all prisoners with Chardi Kala/High Spirits.
One cannot begin to imagine losing freedom of movement and action, we can only try to empathise with such prisoners. Regardless of the regime and it's tyranny, no man-made authority can imprison the Sikh Spirit and Sikhs still happily go to the gallows for standing up for justice, freedom and righteousness. The Sikh Spirit cannot be imprisoned. Prominent Sikhs currently imprisoned include Dr.Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Deya Singh Lahoria, Bhai Balwant Singh, Bhai Paramjeet Singh Bheora, Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Paramjeet Singh Dhadhi and the list goes on and on. Just imagine beingthe parent of a child who entered militancy or quite simply`disappeared' in the 80's and 90's in Punjab. Many of these parents light a candle at Divali, praying and wishing that the light of hope may still bless them with a vision of a fit and well son or daughter.Or they pray in despair that may God nurture their offspring wherever they may be.
So when you light a candle and eat a sweet at Divali, please spare a thought, that you are free and are not bound by the restraints of prison life. Lest we forget, lets light a lamp to ensure the rays of freedom shine through all of humanity.
Harjinder Singh
Student of Damdami Taksaa
lwww.akaalpublishers.com
Guru Jee told the Emperor he would only leave the prison on the condition that the 52 Hindu Kings are freed also. The Emperor being a man entangled in his own ego and pride of intelligence, replied that Guru Jee could walk free with as many Kings who could hold onto his clothing on the day of his release. Guru the fountain of knowledge easily got around the condition by getting a robe tailored with 52tassels on it. On the day of His release Guru Jee walked out of Gwalior Fort with all 52 Hindu Kings holding onto one tassel each,this auspicious occasion is referred to as "Bandi Shorr Divas – the day of emancipation. " Guru Jee did not only free the 52 Hindu Kings from prison, He also showered His grace upon them and freed them from the transmigration of the soul, freeing them from the cycle of births and deaths. Each and everyone of us also begs for this freedom:
For saking all other doors I have come to your door. Preserve my honour by offering the support of your arm, liberate me, I am your humble servant. (Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee)
I have come to the sanctuary of the formless and emancipating Lord,who destroys all sufferings. (Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee, Limb 624 – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee)
May Guru Jee bless us with spiritual and physical liberation also.
Bandhi Shorr Divas was months prior to Divali. Upon release from Gwalior Fort Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee made a tour of Delhi and other regions, then arrangements to go to Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar were made. When he reached Amritsar Sahib it was Divali and the Sikhs celebrated the release of Guru Jee with fireworks and festivities.
Relevance today
The world over there are countless prisoners of consciousness, held under false fabricated charges and/or those held for standing up for justice, freedom and righteousness. Please light a candle for these prisoners, non-Sikhs and Sikhs, don't forget Guru Jee's example offering Hindu Kings. He was benevolent, humane and had a profound love for one and all, may we develop such divine virtues. May we all endeavour to assist and support such prisoners and at the very least we can all make a heartfelt prayer that Guru Jee blesses all prisoners with Chardi Kala/High Spirits.
One cannot begin to imagine losing freedom of movement and action, we can only try to empathise with such prisoners. Regardless of the regime and it's tyranny, no man-made authority can imprison the Sikh Spirit and Sikhs still happily go to the gallows for standing up for justice, freedom and righteousness. The Sikh Spirit cannot be imprisoned. Prominent Sikhs currently imprisoned include Dr.Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Deya Singh Lahoria, Bhai Balwant Singh, Bhai Paramjeet Singh Bheora, Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Paramjeet Singh Dhadhi and the list goes on and on. Just imagine beingthe parent of a child who entered militancy or quite simply`disappeared' in the 80's and 90's in Punjab. Many of these parents light a candle at Divali, praying and wishing that the light of hope may still bless them with a vision of a fit and well son or daughter.Or they pray in despair that may God nurture their offspring wherever they may be.
So when you light a candle and eat a sweet at Divali, please spare a thought, that you are free and are not bound by the restraints of prison life. Lest we forget, lets light a lamp to ensure the rays of freedom shine through all of humanity.
Harjinder Singh
Student of Damdami Taksaa
lwww.akaalpublishers.com
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Internet, food for the brain?
Internet might also be good for the old noggin. University of California researchers believe surfing the Web improves brain function, particularly "complex reasoning" and decision-making.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7667610.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7667610.stm
Friday, September 12, 2008
Painting of me.
My buddy Einar Fjeldheim from Facebook made a wonderful painting of me :)
See at http://artofae.de/
See at http://artofae.de/
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Warren Buffett's 6 smart tips on investing
Not all businesses are created equal
Buffett is often heard saying that of the thousands of businesses around, there are only a handful of businesses that pass through his screen test. He calls these businesses 'franchises' and believes they should have the following attributes
Buffett says, "An economic franchise arises from a product or service that: (1) Is needed or desired, (2) Is thought by its customers to have no close substitute, and (3) Is not subject to price regulation."
If the company under evaluation has enjoyed a long track record of greater than average returns on capital as well as profit margins then there is a good chance that the company qualifies for the definition of a 'franchise.'
Price is what you pay, value is what you get
He says: "The value of any stock, bond or business today is determined by the cash inflows and outflows - discounted at an appropriate interest rate - that can be expected to occur during the remaining life of the asset. Note that the formula is the same for stocks as for bonds."
The technique Buffett has mentioned about is also popularly known as the discounted cash flow, or the DCF.
Ignorance is bliss
He says, "What counts for most people in investing is not how much they know, but rather how realistically they define what they don't know. An investor needs to do very few things right as long as he or she avoids big mistakes."
Tackling the 'forecaster' in you
Buffett thinks that he is not a forecaster and, hence, he relies on a concept called as 'Margin of Safety' (MOS). What is this MOS? Let us hear in his own words.
He says: "We insist on a margin of safety in our purchase price. If we calculate the value of a common stock to be only slightly higher than its price, we're not interested in buying. We believe this margin-of-safety principle, so strongly emphasized by Ben Graham, to be the cornerstone of investment success."
When you buy, please ensure that your DCF-based value per share is at least 50 per cent higher than the current share price so that even if your assumptions turn out to be little aggressive or something unexpected happens to the company, the loss of your initial invested amount is minimized.
The all-important 'SELL' decision
"If the work is done right while investing in a stock, the time to sell it is never." Furthermore, he adds, "Our holding period is forever."
In Buffett, we have someone who has walked the talk and has remained invested in business for years together. Indeed, the urge to sell is very high, but you would do your investment returns a world of good, if you continue to stick with good, solid 'franchises' for years together.
Resource: rediff new (http://www.rediff.com)
Buffett is often heard saying that of the thousands of businesses around, there are only a handful of businesses that pass through his screen test. He calls these businesses 'franchises' and believes they should have the following attributes
Buffett says, "An economic franchise arises from a product or service that: (1) Is needed or desired, (2) Is thought by its customers to have no close substitute, and (3) Is not subject to price regulation."
If the company under evaluation has enjoyed a long track record of greater than average returns on capital as well as profit margins then there is a good chance that the company qualifies for the definition of a 'franchise.'
Price is what you pay, value is what you get
He says: "The value of any stock, bond or business today is determined by the cash inflows and outflows - discounted at an appropriate interest rate - that can be expected to occur during the remaining life of the asset. Note that the formula is the same for stocks as for bonds."
The technique Buffett has mentioned about is also popularly known as the discounted cash flow, or the DCF.
Ignorance is bliss
He says, "What counts for most people in investing is not how much they know, but rather how realistically they define what they don't know. An investor needs to do very few things right as long as he or she avoids big mistakes."
Tackling the 'forecaster' in you
Buffett thinks that he is not a forecaster and, hence, he relies on a concept called as 'Margin of Safety' (MOS). What is this MOS? Let us hear in his own words.
He says: "We insist on a margin of safety in our purchase price. If we calculate the value of a common stock to be only slightly higher than its price, we're not interested in buying. We believe this margin-of-safety principle, so strongly emphasized by Ben Graham, to be the cornerstone of investment success."
When you buy, please ensure that your DCF-based value per share is at least 50 per cent higher than the current share price so that even if your assumptions turn out to be little aggressive or something unexpected happens to the company, the loss of your initial invested amount is minimized.
The all-important 'SELL' decision
"If the work is done right while investing in a stock, the time to sell it is never." Furthermore, he adds, "Our holding period is forever."
In Buffett, we have someone who has walked the talk and has remained invested in business for years together. Indeed, the urge to sell is very high, but you would do your investment returns a world of good, if you continue to stick with good, solid 'franchises' for years together.
The golden rules
Having taken you through the entire process of investing, which probably comes closest to the way Buffett does it, we would like to sign off with two of his rules that we believe can transform you into a much better investor.
They are:
- Rule #1: Do not lose money; and
- Rule #2: Always remember the rule #1.
Resource: rediff new (http://www.rediff.com)
'Best Airport Worldwide
According to Airports Council International' 'Best Airport Worldwide Quality Survey' for 2007 the top spots went to three Asian airports -- Seoul's Incheon (serving 25-49 million passengers annually), Kuala Lumpur International Airport (15-25 million) and Singapore's Changi Airport(25-49 million).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)