Friends!

Found the below article while browsing..

'If you go out in life looking for friends, they will be hard to find. If you go out in life striving to be a friend, you will find them everywhere'... How true!

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John Cherten Collins declared, "In prosperity, our friends know us. In adversity, we know our friends." The 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary says that a friend is "one who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity." In other words, it means someone who is interested in doing something for another person. A friend is an attendant, a companion, a favorer; one who is propitious. It is a term of salutation.

I agree with the statement that if, at the end of life, we can count at least two people who are true friends willing to do anything for us at the drop of a hat, who stand ready when we are hurting or need help, we are indeed fortunate. We can talk with friends about every facet of life - our joys, trials, triumphs, tragedies, hopes, wants, and needs. We can make ourselves vulnerable to them, knowing they will always think and act in our best interests. Joseph Addison held that "friendship improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing our grief." Robert Hall claimed, "He who has made the acquisition of a judicious and sympathizing friend may be said to have doubled his mental resources."

Since friends and friendships are so valuable, how can you acquire more? If you go out in life looking for friends, they will be hard to find. If you go out in life striving to be a friend, you will find them everywhere. Samuel Johnson said, "If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he would soon find himself left alone. A man should keep his friendship in a constant repair." Follow that advice, and you will seldom be lonely.

Research work lost in the woods..

'Whats wrong with the Indian Law and Wildlife Trust of India(WTI)' was my initial comment when I came across the news "Czech national gets three-year jail for stealing butterflies". This has pulled in the attention of research community all over the world and an online petition requesting for the release of these Czech nationals/scientists.
My curiosity to understand the situation better let me know few facts which everyone should know before actually coming to any conclusion on the topic.
Its very unfortunate the court in Darjeeling fined Petr Savacha, an entomologist, $500 and sentenced his associate Emil Kucera to three years in prison. Kucera also was fined $1,500.The court released Kucera on bail of $150 pending an appeal.
Having said that, I would like to mention that the facts taken into consideration in the trial were also significant and quite reasonable. An article by postdoctoral fellow will surely throw some light on it(Have to be a registered user to access it).

I am not here to question court's verdict and surely not to influence one's opinion on these scientists. But hoping for some kind of leniency in the higher court trial!

Quote of the day!

Chipotle, a well known chain of Mexican restaurants, is the regular place where I have my lunch(if you agree, trice in a week fits the word 'regular'). Its a great place for burritos and tacos.
Well, I am not here to write about the restaurant but about something nice and encouraging quote:

"If your life's work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you're not thinking big enough"

(Yes, I spotted this quote on the cups served at this restaurant. This cup refers to Wes Jackson, a plant geneticist and former professor who quotes this. And more interesting is the person himself who shares the honor of being one of the 35 'Innovators of Our Time' with the likes of Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg.)

.. time to think big!! :)

TV commercials..

I have observed that the TV ad commercials in US are not interesting and innovative as compared to the ones back home.
But here are few which I have liked and made me laugh! :)