Tourist Place - Marina Beach - madras, INDIA

Marina Beach is among the longest beaches in the world and it
comprises of sun, sand and surf. Countedamong one of the longest
beaches in Asia, it is stretched across a 12-km long area. This beach
was given a makeover by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in
the early 1880's, and is Chennai's major tourist attraction today.
Adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has one of the loveliest
beaches in India. A walk along the Marina, whether in the morning or
evening, re-energizes one. The old buildings dotting the otherside of
Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, bring back memories of
good old British Raj. The Senate House of the University of Madras and
the old buildings now housing government offices, such as Ezhilagam
and the Director General of Police office. They wear a mysterious look
in the morning when the Sun rises.
Walk along the beach bordered with a green lawn will entice you to go
on a leisurely stroll. At the intersections of this promenade stand
beautifulstatues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities.
The Statue ofLabour is a beautiful sculpture depicting the efforts of
a team of laborers who are at strenuous, manual work.
¤ Activities At Marina Beach
Located on the eastern sideof Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal is
the mesmerizing Marina beach.Watching the sun set and rise from the
beach is a fascinating experience.
Bathing and swimming canbe dangerous here, as the undercurrent is very
strong. But still people come for swimming here. The beach also offers
a lot of water sports opportunities, like, para-sailing, gliding,
windsurfing, cruising, etc.
In the evenings, the beach turns into a fair ground with various kinds
of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach. One can even shop
around the beach, buying shell and glass baubles to kites and fruit
juices. The Marina, is also the venue for important state functions,
accommodate a good number of visitors. There are also facilities of
pony rides at the beach site, which attract the children'sinterest the
most.
¤ Aquarium
Aquarium is located close to the Marina beach, which has some of the
most exotic collection of tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes.
The aquarium offers a chance to have a closer look at the aquatic
life. TheIce House, which was used to store ice brought from Great
Lakes in North America, is south to the Aquarium.
Situated on the beach, good number of visitors everyday.
¤ Attractions Around Marina Beach
Beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Madras,
Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College, P.W.D office and Ice
House are located on the beach drive. At the other end of the beach is
the new lighthouse. In between, sentinels on the promenade, are
several statues of Tamil scholars and two splendid bits of sculpture-
the Victory of Labour/

NEWS - ~ Torrential rain hits central, southern Taiwan

China > HK/Taiwan
Torrential rain hits central, southern Taiwan
~
2012-06-12 01:29:33 GMT 2012-06-12 09:29:33(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
~
People on an electric bicycle move on a flooded road in Neipu Town,
Pingtung County, southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012. (Xinhua)
Photo taken on June 11, 2012 shows the site of a landslide caused by
torrential rain in Wutai Town, Pingtung County, southeast China's
Taiwan. (Xinhua)
A villager walks on a flooded road in Wutai Town, Pingtung County,
southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012. (Xinhua)
People go to a temporary shelter to escape the torrential rain in
Wutai Town, Pingtung County, southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012.
(Xinhua)
The central and southern parts of Taiwan were hit by torrential rains
in recent days. In the mountainous areas of Kaohsiung and Pingtung,
over 2,000 villagers have been evacuated.

My Child's Mistakes

In this article, we will complete the guidelines of behavioral change
to be followed so that we can make a real change in the behavior of
our children, andconvince them to help us make that change.
5- Listen to him attentively.
In order for the adolescent to tell you about what is in his/her mind,
you have to listen to him/her well to the end. By so doing, you would
be able to make an accurate assessment ofthe situation, on the basis
of which you would suitably direct him/her to the right course of
action. You should note that Allaah The Almighty has created two ears
and one mouth for you so you can listen twice as much as you talk.
The skill of listening should be learnt, and there are ways to express
to the adolescent that he is being listened to well, including:
1- To look attentively but not staring in the face of the adolescent.
2- To show understanding of what he is saying, by nodding the head and
employing simple facial expressions showing the emotions, positively
or negatively.
3- To reduce any factors that may interrupt the talk, such as to look
at or engage oneself with something else other than the adolescent, or
getting up to do something and then returning to him, or any similar
action.
Here, the correct understanding of the meaning of the words thechild
or adolescent should be accurately verified, by raising the following
questions which imply attention on the one hand, and confirm the
correct understanding on the other hand:
1- Give me an example to illustrate what you want to say.
2- How do you feel about this situation? What would you like to do?
3- What is the significance of this word/movement/behavior?
4- How important is this incident?
5- Do you have anything else to say?
6- Give him freedom of choice
If you want to get a good outcome from the dialogue, let your child
actually share it with you.
Why do you not give him an opportunity to share his opinion even in
the manner in which he will be punished for his mistake and
negligence?
Areas of choice:
A - The way of solving the problem
B - The amount, kind and duration of punishment
C - The amount and kind of reward, and how it is obtained
D - How to implement your command.
Beware of humiliating the adolescent, or dashing his hopesand
ambitions on the rock of reality. Give the adolescent an opportunity
to dream and try to realize his dream. Help him move forward, and do
not frustrate him. Beware of accusing him of stupidity and lack of
understanding.
To the parents who are"specialized" in ruining hopes and ambitions I
say: Lift your hands from your children. If you do not support them in
their hopes, at least, do not help the devil in ruining them and
destroying their ambitions and dreams.
7- Reward for achievement and punishment for negligence
What is intended here is to teach the adolescent that there is no
action without a corresponding reaction: if he does well, he will be
rewarded; and if he does badly, he will be punished.
Rewarding is to give the adolescent what he likes and wishes for in a
way that is equal to the work he has done. Similarly, the forms of
punishment should be determined, such as to forbid him from something
he likes, punish him with a verbal reproach or corporal punishment
within the due limits of the Sharee'ah (Islamic legislation), look at
him (with a disapproving look), deprive him of some rights especially
those promised to be given to him as areward for achievement.
8- The door is open so come to us (at any time you like)
Since the gate of repentance will remain open until the sun rises from
its place of setting, then, why should we close the gate of atonement
in the face ofour children? Why do we reject their repeated attempts
at reform, but instead hasten to have them lose all hope?
9- Supplication
You should keep in mind that your invocation (of evil) upon your child
is responded to by Allaah The Almighty, as stated inthe Prophetic
Hadeeth (narration). What, then, would the case be if it is a
supplication of good for him? Thus, do not let this opportunity escape
you, but stick to it and persevere instead.
You should have a good assumption of your Lord that He will respond to
you (as confirmed by Him in His Saying what means): {And your Lord
Says: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."} [Quran 40:60]
10- A compassionate paternal touch along with a motivating word
To touch the hair of the head and the face, to kiss, to embracethe
child, and say to him such words as "I want to understand you", "I am
proud of you", "I am here whenever you need me", "Ilove you": and
other such words motivate children to strive their utmost, even though
they cost you nothing.

Syria conflict: Fears of new massacre in Haffa

The US has expressed fears that the Syrian government "may be
organising another massacre" in the town of Haffa in Latakia province,
where UN military observers have been denied access.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it was vital that the observers
should be allowed into the town.
He and peace envoy Kofi Annan expressed grave concern about violence there.
A BBC correspondent travelling with UN observers witnessed sustained
and heavy shelling in the old city of Homs.
The UN observers are in Syria to monitor the implementation of a
putative ceasefire, brokered by Mr Annan, which has all but collapsed.
'Civilians trapped'
Annan's six-point plan
1. Syrian-led political process to address the aspirations and
concerns ofthe Syrian people
2. End to violence by all sides; army troops to stop using heavy
weapons and withdraw to barracks
3. Parties to allow humanitarian aid
4. Authorities to free political detainees
5. Authorities to ensure freedom of movement for journalists
6. Authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations
"The UN made a particular appeal to be able to get into Haffa because
it had heard concerning reports about regime plans," US state
department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing in
Washington.
"At the same time, if you follow Syrian media, they were claiming that
the opposition would cause a massacre."
Earlier this month, activists said Syrian government forces killed 108
people in the region of Houla, in Homs province, and 78 people in the
village of Qubair, in Hama province.
But Ms Nuland downplayedthe idea of foreign intervention in Syria,
saying the emphasis wouldremain on using political and economic
measures to pressure the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian government blames the violence on foreign-backed armed
terrorist gangs.
In a statement, Mr Annan, joint envoy for the UN and Arab League, said
there were "indications that a large number of civilians are trapped"
in Homs and Haffa.
Later Mr Ban spoke of the"great danger" to civilians under fire.
"The secretary general underlines the importance of unimpeded access
by UNSMIS to Haffa, amid reports of a build-up of government forces
around the town," he said in a statement.
Syrian government helicopter gunships strafedrebel positions in Haffa,
UN observers and human rights activists said.
The BBC's Paul Danahar: "I was watching a mortar land pretty much every minute"
Heavy fighting was also reported in Rastan and Talbisa, north of Homs
city,"with artillery and mortar shelling, as well as firing from
helicopters, machine guns and smaller arms", said a statement from the
UN Supervision Mission in Syria (Unsmis).
A car bomb exploded in thecity of Deir al-Zour, killing 10 people, the
London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, quoting sources
on the ground.
Fighting was also reported in Idlib province.
It is impossible to confirm these reports independently, as Syria
heavily restricts journalists'freedom of movement.
Russia, which supports the Syrian government, called for Iran to take
a role in ending the 15-month old conflict.
Last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rejected the idea of
involving Iran, which she accused of "helping to stage-manage the
repression" in Syria.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will travel to Tehran on
Wednesday to discuss the initiative, the foreign ministry said.