A commonsense guide to toxic plastics

A commonsense guide to toxic plastics in your home, and how to avoid them.

Toxic plastics, used in many kitchen and household items, contain a variety of dangerous chemicals. Three of the most toxic chemicals are bisphenol-A (BPA), PVC and Phthalates. BPA, PVC and Phthalates can be found in plastic food packaging, plastic food storage containers, plastic water bottles, canned foods, toys, cooking implements and even kitchen appliances like coffee makers. The problem is that when we use plastics in our kitchens, these chemicals migrate out of the plastic and into the food and drink we consume. All three chemicals are extremely dangerous to our health – and most dangerous of all to unborn babies, infants and children. Why are they so dangerous? They are all what are known as endocrine disruptors. They can upset normal hormonal balance in our bodies, stimulate the growth and development of cancers (breast, uterine, prostate), impair fertility, and disrupt pregnancy. There are other sicknesses associated with these chemicals, including heart disease and behavioral problems in children. And they are all over your house, not just in your kitchen. They may be in the plastic of the bottle containing the organic shampoo you bought last week, or in the plastic used to make the toy duck your child is chewing on right now. Is this threat real? Good question. It is real enough for all the countries in the European Union to place a ban on the use of endocrine disruptors in plastics that come into contact with food and drink. And the same goes for plastics that are used in baby bottles, sippers and toys that might be chewed by young infants. It is real enough for the Government of Canada to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles. It is real enough for the State of Minnesota to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles. In the Western World, the only federal government that insists these plastics are safe is the US Government. Interestingly, several US plastics manufacturers are voluntarily removing these chemicals from many of their products, and a number of retailers are removing toxic plastics from their stores. But the EPA has no bans or prohibitions in place for any of these chemicals.

As a result, if you live in the US, or eat packaged foods imported from the US, you are likely feeding these endocrine disruptors to your family.

How can you protect yourself and your family from these chemicals? 1. Educate yourself. Learn about the different plastics in your home. Identify them by the recycling number you will find on most plastic products. 2. Throw out all plastics which contain bisphenol-A (BPA), PVC or Phthalates. 3. Replace those plastic items with alternatives -- like items made from safe plastics, glass, steel, ceramics or wood.

Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism

As per the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009 by the World Economic Forum, India is ranked 11th in the Asia Pacific region and 62nd overall, moving up three places on the list of the world's attractive destinations. It is ranked the 14th best tourist destination for its natural resources and 24th for its cultural resources, with many World Heritage sites, both natural and cultural, rich fauna, and strong creative industries in the country. India also bagged 37th rank for its air transport network. The India travel and tourism industry ranked 5th in the long-term (10-year) growth and is expected to be the second largest employer in the world by 2019.

Contribution to the economy

Combining unparalleled growth prospects and unlimited business potential, the industry is certainly on the foyer towards being a key player in the nation's changing face. Furthermore, banking on the government’s initiative of upgrading and expanding the country’s infrastructure like airports, national highways etc, the tourism and hospitality industry is bound to get a bounce in its growth.

The hotel and tourism industry’s contribution to the Indian economy by way of foreign direct investments (FDI) inflows were pegged at US$ 2.17 billion from April 2000 to September 2010, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

India’s hotel pipeline is the second largest in the Asia-Pacific region according to Jan Smits, Regional Managing Director, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Asia Australasia. He added that the Indian hospitality industry is projected to grow at a rate of 8.8 per cent during 2007-16, placing India as the second-fastest growing tourism market in the world. Initiatives like massive investment in hotel infrastructure and open-sky policies made by the government are all aimed at propelling growth in the hospitality sector.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals

Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) from tourism on the basis of data received from major airports. Following are the important highlights, as regards these two important indicators of tourism sector for October 2010.

• FTAs in India during October 2010 were 487,000 as compared to FTAs of 446,000 during the month of October 2009 and 450,000 in October 2008.
• FTAs during the period January-October 2010 were 4.32 million with a growth rate of 9.9 per cent.
• FEE from tourism during the month of October 2010 were US$ 1.18 billion as compared to US$ 1.09 billion in October 2009.

Government Initiatives/policy

According to the Consolidated FDI Policy, released by DIPP, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the government has allowed 100 per cent foreign investment under the automatic route in the hotel and tourism related industry. The terms hotel includes restaurants, beach resorts and other tourism complexes providing accommodation and /or catering and food facilities to tourists. The term tourism related industry includes:

• Travel agencies, tour operating agencies and tourist transport operating agencies
• Units providing facilities for cultural, adventure and wildlife experience to tourists
• Surface, air and water transport facilities for tourists
• Convention/seminar units and organisations
• The Government of India has announced a scheme of granting Tourist Visa on Arrival (T-VoA) for the citizens of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore. The scheme is valid for citizens of the above mentioned countries planning to visit India on single entry strictly for the purpose of tourism and for a short period of upto a maximum of 30 days. During the period January - October 2010, a total number of 5016 VoAs were issued under this Scheme.
• The tourism master plan, the first for Karnataka, envisages initiatives to attract private investment ranging from US$ 2.2 billion to US$ 4.4 billion in the next three to five years. The plan is prepared based on the Vision 2020 document prepared and adopted by the Karnataka State Planning Board. The state government aims to generate 200,000 jobs in the tourism sector in the next five years. The master plan is aimed at making Karnataka the number one destination for tourism in the country by 2020, according to Mr G Janardhan Reddy, Minister for Tourism and Infrastructure Development.

Unable to open Microsoft Word

Hi,

The problem today i faced was with Microsoft Word. I was unable to open Word, when i click on word the windows is coming but the process is not getting stop-Finally not able to open the MS word completely so that i can work on it or can read some document.

I had gone through all the steps from Microsoft Site but could not able succeed it.

Finally i came to succeed it(Here is the Solution) :- I had removed/ changed my default printer, so when ever i try to open Word it try to search for default Printer which was not there...I had removed the earlier printer form "Default" and made my present printer Default.

You can change it through Control panel-printer & Faxes-change your default printer.

Volume Icon Is Not Displayed in the Notification Area, and You Receive an Error Message When You Try to Add It

Hi,

Friends i want to share my Experience ( Problem ) faced on Windows Xp:

SYMPTOMS:
On a Windows XP-based computer, you may experience one or both of the following behaviors: •

The Volume icon is no longer displayed in the notification area at the far right of the taskbar.

• When you try to add the volume control icon to the notification area (in the Sounds and Audio Devices utility in Control Panel, click to select the Place volume icon in the taskbar check box on the Volume tab), you receive the following error message:

"Windows cannot display the volume control on the taskbar because the Volume Control program has not been installed".

To install it use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.
As a result, you cannot start the Volume Control program and adjust the volume and sound level settings of your computer.

CAUSE:- This behavior can occur if the Sndvol32.exe file is damaged or missing.

RESOLUTION:- To resolve this issue, extract a new copy of Sndvol32.exe from the Windows XP compact disc to the system_root\System32 folder on your computer's hard disk. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Press and hold down the SHIFT key as you insert the CD-ROM to prevent it from starting automatically.

2. Click Start, and then click Run.

3. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.

4. Type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after each line, where CD-ROM drive is the drive letter of the computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP CD-ROM, and system_root is the path and folder name where the Windows system files are located (generally C:\Windows):
CD-ROM drive:
cd i386
expand sndvol32.ex_ system_root\system32\sndvol32.exe


Note that there is a space between "ex_" and "system_root" in this command and you have to type the whole command "expand sndvol32.ex_ system_root\system32\sndvol32.exe".

For example, if your computer's CD-ROM drive is drive E, and the folder that contains the Windows system files is C:\Windows, type the following lines at the command prompt (pressing ENTER after each line):
e:
cd i386
expand sndvol32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe

5. Type exit to quit the command prompt.

6. Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is displayed in the notification area (if you selected this option).

MORE INFORMATION
By default, the Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area in Windows XP.

TRAVEL TIPS

TRAVEL TIPS

The Savvy Traveller


High Fliers

• To beat jetlag, book an overnight flight or one that arrives in the evening when travelling east so you can either catch your sleep on the flight or as soon as you get in to your destination.

• To prevent the swelling of feet as is wont to happen on long flights, walk in the aisle at intervals and try not to take off your shoes.

• Refrain from OD-ing on the free booze when on a flight, as too much alcohol causes dehydration. Tank up instead on aqua-pura.

• When making flight reservation, remember to request for special meals if you have any food restrictions.

• After September 11, airlines follow very strict security procedures. So make sure you reach the airport for check in well before departure time. Its best to check with the airline regarding how much in advance you should be at the airport.

• If your baggage does not arrive on the same flight as you, fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), with a description of the baggage, a list of contents and address to which it should be forwarded. If your baggage does not arrive at all, place a claim with the airline within 21 days.

• Overbooking is a fact of life in the airline industry. If you are not in a particular hurry to get to your destination then volunteer to give your seat up and take the next flight. The airline will provide you a hotel room and other frills, so you can end up having an extended vacation at the airlines expense!

• Do not accept any package from a stranger.

• For a smooth ride on a plane, choose the seats located near the wings as if the plane hits an air pocket, this is where you will get the least amount of bumps.

• If you are planning to watch the in flight movie, choose the fourth or fifth row from the screen to avoid getting a neck cramp.
  

• If you are prone to motion sickness, take an anti sickness pill before the flight. The pill won't help much, if you have it after you have started feeling sick!

• Abide by the list of items prohibited on board and carry most items like skis/cues/walking canes/sticks/Swiss knives in checked in baggage - this smoothens the check-in process plus avoids the risk of confiscation and unnecessary delays.

• Last and this is equally important - report any unattended items in the airport or aircraft to the nearest airport or airline personnel.

Weather Vane

• Keep track of the weather at your destination and be prepared, especially if you are going to a hurricane prone area.

Heartbreak Hotel

• Make your hotel reservations in advance, especially if you are visiting a place in peak season. You don’t want to be caught without a roof over your head!

• Negotiating room tariffs over the phone? Call the hotel twice to confirm the rates. Note down the name of the person you have talked to and request a written/faxed confirmation. This way you can be sure that you will not be wrongly billed by the hotel.

• Don't depend solely on the hotel's alarm service. Carry your own little alarm clock to catch an early morning flight or that pre-dawn sightseeing trip.

• When you check into your hotel, ask the reception to give you a card with the hotel's name address and telephone number. This will come in handy if you get lost or forget the name of your hotel.

• Check whether your hotel has a hair-dryer, iron, coffee percolator, etc, to avoid carrying these gadgets and also making it easy to skip the 110/220 conversion problem when travelling to foreign countries.

• Most hotels frown on guests doing their own laundry in the bathrooms, but if you do need to wash some smalls, carry a length of nylon twine to improvise a clothesline.

Prime Attractions of Vishakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam Tourism

Prime Attractions of Vishakhapatnam

§ Kailasagiri : Kailasagiri is located on a hilltop and is a must to visiting place for all people visiting Vishakhapatnam. The charming hill on the seafront, affords a breath taking scenic view, especially towards Bheemunipatnam.

§ Rishikonda Beach :
Just 8-km from Vishakhapatnam is the Rishikonda Beach, a golden, unspoilt beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea.

§ Ramakrishna Beach : One of the loveliest beaches on the East Coast, the Ramakrishna beach is a favorite resort for tourists visiting Vishakhapatnam.

§ Indira Gandhi Zoological Park : The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located in Vishakhapatnam amidst the scenic eastern ghats of India, flanked by hills on either sides and Bay of Bengal on the east.

Excursions of Vishakhapatnam
§ Ananthagiri Hills : Anantagiri is a breathtakingly beautiful resort sheltered in the lush undulating ranges of the Eastern Ghats. It is considered to be a perfect head off to get away from the blistering summer months. The Ananthagiri hills are on the way to Araku Valley and are famous for coffee plantations.

§ Simhachalam : About 16-km from Vishakhapatnam is Simhachalam, famous for the temple of Sri Varaha Lakshminarasimha. Architecturally this ancient temple deserves high praise.

§ Araku Valley :
About 115-km from Vishakhapatnam is the beautiful Araku Valley, with its bracing climate, orchards, and the Ananthagiri Ghats, which present an enchanting view to the visitors, is attracting tourists not only in India but from abroad too.

§ Borra Caves : At a distance of about 90-95-km from Vishakhapatnam are the Borra Caves, which attained historical and religious importance.

§ Bheemunipatnam : About 25-km from Vishakhapatnam is Bheemunipatnam. The most important aspect of interest at the place is the beach, which is perhaps matchless for its beauty all along the east coast.

Festivals of Vishakhapatnam
The annual tourism event, the 'Vishakha Utsav' is held in Vishakhapatnam for three days from the third Friday to Sunday in the month of January.

Regards:

HOTEL AKSHAYA
Opp. DRM office, Station road,
Dondaparthi, Visakhapatnam-16,

TIPS TO TRACE YOUR STOLEN MOBILE

TIPS TO TRACE YOUR STOLEN MOBILE

Got an interesting fact to share... Nowadays each one of us carries
Hi-Fi Mobile devices and always fear that it may be stolen.

Each mobile carries a unique IMEI i.e. International Mobile Identity Number which can be used to track your mobile anywhere in the world.

This is how it works!!!!!!

1. Dial *#06# from your mobile.

2. Your mobile shows a unique 15 digit number.

3. Note down this number anywhere but except your mobile as this is the number which will help you to trace your mobile in case of a theft.

4. Once stolen you just have to mail this 15 digit IMEI number to cop@vsnl.net

5. No need to go to police.

6. Your Mobile will be traced within next 24 hrs via a complex system of GPRS and internet.

7. You will find where your hand set is being operated even in case the SIM is being changed.

If you lose your mobile, send an e-mail to cop@vsnl.net with the following info..

Your name:
Address:
Phone model:
Make:
Last used No.:
E-mail for communication:
Missed date:
IMEI No.:

Regards:
HOTEL AKSHAYA
Opp. DRM office, Station road,
Dondaparthi, Visakhapatnam-16,

Discount

OFFER - Get 10% discount on online booking


Link: - http://hotelakshaya.in/Reservation-Hotel-Akshaya-vizag.html


( Discount code: HWRSdw )

OFFER VALID TILL:- 07-AUGUST-2010

Akshaya Photos