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From Emma Kress to Chandra Prasad — Here are the top 10 global book releases in August as per Goodreads

New Delhi, Oct 28 () The Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Monday said less fireworks, rigorous night patrolling and enforcement measures to curb instigators reduced the PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 30 per cent on Diwali night this year when compared to 2018. The decline in emissions of dangerous PM10 and PM2.5 particles across Delhi ranged from 20 to 50 percent, indicating the air quality was better than previous years, DPCC said in a statement. Delhi Environment Minister Kailash Gahlot said the air quality post Diwali this year seems much better than what it was after the festival in 2018. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event here, Gahlot said people also say less crackers were used this year. The autonomous regulatory body said the peak level of PM2.5 - tiny particulate matter equal to or less than 2.5 microns in diameter that can enter deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream - was 1,070 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3) at midnight. Last year, it was 1,560 g/m3 - a reduction of around 30 percent. "The peak level of PM10, which was 1,859 g/m3 on Diwali night last year, came down to 1,391 g/m3 - again a drop of 30 percent," the DPCC said in a statement. The concentration of sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide was also within the acceptable levels at all stations this Diwali. "As against the acceptable level of 80 g/m3, the SO2 concentration remained between 1.76 (at Mandir Marg) and 41.48 (at Jahangirpuri) - much below the unsafe limit," it said. "The significant drop of about 30 percent in PM2.5, SO2 and CO shows that people have burnt much less firecrackers this year and have contributed to the overall improvement," DPCC said. GVS ABH ABH<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Delhi's air get clearer and emissions lower as crackers stay off streets

The festival of Diwali brings to our minds several positive ideas like light, prosperity, wealth, abundance, growth, development, triumph and happiness. Diwali holds a lot of significance for businesses since the essence of Diwali is to honor Goddess Lakshmi, the fountain head of prosperity and seek her blessings to move the business towards success. Here is how your business can celebrate Diwali. Clean your premises Cleaning is the most important activity preceding Diwali celebrations. Start well in advance and clean your entire premises and bring in a new look to your business place. Sprinkle the holy waters of Ganga as a symbolic mark of purification. Set up the puja altar Choose a prime place for performing the Diwali puja in your office, shop or workshop. The most common practice is to spread a red color cotton cloth on a table or platform and place a handful of grains at the center. Install the Kalash Set up a Kalash (holy pot), which is a sacred symbol of auspiciousness and prosperity in Indian culture. Preferably, choose a silver or bronze pot, clean it and place it on the grains in the puja altar you have set up. Fill three fourths of the pot with clean water and drop a betel nut, coin, raisins, clove, and a flower inside the pot. Place a bunch of mango leaves on the mouth of the pot in a circular fashion and place a coconut over it. Invite Ganesh and Lakshmi for the puja To the south-west of the Kalash, place the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh. In front of the whole set up, place a good looking plate, spread rice gains over it and draw some floral designs in it in turmeric powder. Place some coins on the rice. Arrange your account books and office materials Place the accounting books of your business and the other items related to wealth in front of the puja altar. Wear tilak on your foreheads and light lamps. Apply tilak to the images of Lakshmi and Ganesh and the kalash also. Give a holy bath to the idols Give a holy bath to the Lakshmi and Ganesh idols with pure water, panchamrit, rose water, sandal water, Ganga water and other perfumed waters. Finish the holy bath with pure water. Offer flowers and mantras Decorate the idols and kalash with flowers and tilak. Chant the names of Ganesh and Lakshmi and offer flowers at the altar. Say some mantras of Lakshmi and Ganesh and perform the puja with devotion. Make the other offerings The different offerings with which you treat Lakshmi and Ganesh include sweets, some special dishes you prepared in your kitchen, coconut, betel leaves and nuts, fruits and others. Say the prayers When the deities are pleased with your prayers, it is the time now to say your prayers. Sit in meditation in front of the altar and say your prayers for the good of your business and household. Never forget to pray for the welfare of the whole world. Conclude the puja with arati Light camphor and wave it in front of the idols and kalash. Also wave it in front of the accounting books and other materials placed in front of the kalash. Offer your respect to the deities and conclude the puja by distributing sweets and gifts to the invitees and employees. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Diwali puja procedure for your business

Chess legend Viswanathan Anand has authored an inspirational book where he looks back on his experience to share lessons on how to navigate life. In "Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a Champion's Life" (as told to journalist Susan Ninan), Anand revisits his greatest games and worst losses, his unique experiences of playing against the best minds, and the methods he employs to prepare for wins, cope with disappointments and, simply, stay in the game. The book, published by Hachette India, is releasing on December 11. Currently playing in the Isle of Man International Chess Tournament, India's first grandmaster and five-time world champion said this book has been an interesting journey. "I have memories of the major events in my career and life, but when you put them down on paper, you suddenly have to organise your thoughts and are forced to think through them in detail. It allowed me to rediscover many interesting stories and incidents," he said. "Above all, it made me realise that during my greatest accomplishments failure was never far away, and in the lowest moments there were always things that lifted me up. Rather than just making this about my story, I've tried to distil in this book some of the lessons I learnt, the strategies that helped me perform better and tackle life as it happened," he added. Poulomi Chatterjee, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Hachette India, said Anand has a unique voice and this book is truly a brilliant and motivating read. "His achievements and career have been hugely inspirational for so many people, and now not only do we have a first-hand view of his experiences - much that even chess enthusiasts and his followers would find they did not know about - but also a masterclass in navigating life from the mind master himself," she said. From the time he learnt to move pieces on a chess board as a six-year-old, Vishy - as Anand is fondly called - has racked up innumerable accolades. The first World Chess Champion from Asia, he emerged on to the global stage when chess was largely a Soviet preserve, climbed the ranks to become world number one and won tournaments across all formats of the game. In "Mind Master", Anand looks back at a lifetime of games played, opponents tackled and circumstances overcome and draws from its depths significant tools that will help every reader to navigate life's challenges, the publishers said. There are many nuggets that Anand touches upon with characteristic wit, easy wisdom and disarming candour in the book. ZMN RB RB<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Viswanathan Anand revisits his best games and losses in a new book Mind Master

Widespread excitement is mounting up high in the air as the informal meeting between the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping, the Chinese President is scheduled in Mamallapuram between October 11 and 13, 2019. Mamallapuram is decking itself in an adorable manner to invite the two stalwarts in the international politics. By organizing the meeting in Mamallapuram a historic town in Tamil Nadu, the Central Government of India has confirmed its commitment to host such crucially important meetings outside Delhi. Now the world is getting curious to know the links that the ancient seaport town of Tamil Nadu enjoys with China. Here we study some shades of this topic. UNESCO world heritage site Mamallapuram is an ancient seaport town in Tamil Nadu. Also known as Mahabalipuram, this is a very interesting town located about 60 kilometers from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. Some of the top attractions of this place include some cultural monuments, temples and stone carvings. Due to the immense importance of this town from the ancient monumental, historic and cultural point of view, Mamallapuram has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History dating back to the Pallavas Mamallapuram, literally translated as the city of Mamalla got its name after the famed Pallava King Narasimhavarman-I. With Kancheepuram as their capital, the ancient Pallavas had some strategic trade connections with some South East Asian countries, especially China. We learn from historical evidence dating back to the 6th century that this town had been a very important sea port under the rule of the Pallavas. Connections with China <ul><li>During 6th and 7th centuries, Chinese pilgrims had been coming to Kancheepuram. One of the notable personalities who visited the Pallava Kingdom include Hiuen Chiang, the world traveler. </li><li>A disputed account says the much disputed legend of Bodhi Dharma who went to China around 527 AD and resided there for a long time was in fact a Pallava king. Bodhi Dharma is said to be the origin of martial arts. Eventually he embraced Buddhism and became the 28th patriarch of Buddhism following Prajnatara. </li><li>Some historical accounts say Pallavas had also sent their envoys to China. Vayalur inscriptions found near Mamallapuram make a mention about this. </li><li>A renowned archaeologist says, “Celadon ware (pottery) of the first and second Century recovered on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu gives us a clue to Chinese maritime activities.” He says that such evidence shows us that the coastal areas of Mamallapuram had direct connections with China. Trade links of Mamallapuram with China are further attested by the fact that Chinese coins dating back to 2000 years ago were found in Tamil Nadu. </li><li>“Pattinapalai,” an ancient Tamil work attributed to the post Sangam period talks that a Chinese ship had been anchored on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. </li><li>History says Emperor Wei (circa 185-149 BCE) made a mention of refers to Kancheepuram as “Huang-Che”. Chinese kings had sent presents to the then ruler of Kancheepuram. </li></ul>Mamallapuram Tourism As on date, Mamallapuram does not attract many Chinese tourists. However, historians and academicians strongly believe the scene will change dramatically following the meeting between the two nation’s heads. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

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From Emma Kress to Chandra Prasad — Here are the top 10 global book releases in August as per Goodreads

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Diwali puja procedure for your business

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Viswanathan Anand revisits his best games and losses in a new book Mind Master

What Is The Mamallapuram - China Connection?

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