Controversy on human origin ! !

New research supports the theory that the ancestors of modern humans came from many different regions of the world, not just a single area -- but critics remain far from convinced.

The study, published in the current issue of Science by University of Michigan anthropologist Milford H. Wolpoff and colleagues, is the second study in a week to fuel the debate on the origin of the human species.

Australian researchers set off a storm last week when they announced that their analysis of mitochondrial DNA from 'Mungo Man' also supported the so-called 'regional continuity theory'. Their study is due to be published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study presented in this week's Science comes to the same conclusion following a comparison of early modern and archaic fossil skulls from around the world.

"Ancient humans shared genes and behaviours across wide regions of the world, and were not rendered extinct by one 'lucky group' that later evolved into us," says Wolpoff. "The fossils clearly show that more than one ancient group survived and thrived."

The researchers analysed the similarities and differences between fossil skulls from Australia and Central Europe, and peripheral regions far from Africa, where according to the dominant "Out of Africa" theory -- also known as the "Eve" or "Replacement" theory -- modern humans evolved.

"Basically we wanted to see if this comparison could disprove the theory of multiple ancestry for the early European and Australian moderns," said Wolpoff.

The researchers said they found that the most recent European and Australian skulls shared characteristics with the ancient African and Near Eastern population and with the older fossils from within their own regions. They also found there were many more similarities than could be explained by chance alone -- a finding which amounted to "a smoking gun" for the regional continuity theory.

The findings are the latest evidence in the continuing scientific controversy about the origin of modern humans (Homo sapiens). Most scientists believe that all living humans can trace their ancestry exclusively to a small group of ancient humans, probably Africans, living around 100,000 years ago. If this theory was true it would mean that all other early human groups, whose fossils date from this time back to almost two million years ago, must have become extinct, possibly wiped out in a prehistoric genetic holocaust.

Other scientists, including Wolpoff and Australian National University anthropologist Dr Alan Thorne, maintain that there is little evidence that a small group originating in a single geographic region replaced the entire population of early humans.

"In asking the question a different way, and directly addressing the fossils, this study provides compelling evidence that replacement is the wrong explanation," says Wolpoff. "Instead, the findings support the theory of multi-regional evolution. Modern humans are the present manifestation of an older worldwide species with populations connected by gene flow and the exchange of ideas."

Palaeoanthropologist Associate Professor Peter Brown of the University of New England disputes the findings.

"I'm amazed that Science has published this article. If it had been submitted to me by a third year student I would have failed them," he told ABC Science Online.

Professor Brown said that Wolpoff and colleagues had chosen an Australian fossil that was unrepresentative of the skulls of that time.

"It's pathologically different. It has a skull as thick as a bike helmet," he said. "They've just chosen a fossil that suits their theory".

He said that the authors had also ignored literature that was contrary to their theory.

Dr Alan Thorne, however, insists that the evidence is on his and Wolpoff's side.

"What we've found is mitochondrial DNA in an Australian fossil that is much more primitive than anything that's been found in Africa," he said. "And there is no archaeological or physical evidence to support the idea that Aboriginal Australians originated from Africa."

Anna Salleh - ABC Science Online

Knife stabbed to a skull

Do you ever know that the largest object ever to be removed from the human skull was a survival knife ? It was big with 20.32 cm (8 inch). The Individual who survived was a 41 year-old Michael Hill. Michael answered the door to his friend's place and had a knife plunged into his skull. He then walked down the street to another friend's house. Four hours later the knife was removed. Michael didn't even have an infection and was well enough to leave the hospital a week later. Since his close brush with death, Michael's memory isn't the same and he needs medication to prevent seizures.

Dr, A.P. J. Abdul Kalam's Final speech as a President in Hyderabad

* The President of India DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 's Speech in Hyderabad . *


Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our
Achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success
Stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a
Self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements
But our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. I
Was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the
Day
After a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The
Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a
Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid
And a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The
Gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the
Newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so
NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign
Things? We want foreign T. Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign
Technology.

Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that
Self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this
Lecture,
When a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal
In life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her,
You and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India
Is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. Do you
Have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is
Yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke,
The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - YOURS. Give him a
Face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International
Best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in
The stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay
$5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim
Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking
Lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or
A shopping mall irrespective of your status identity... In Singapore you
Don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during
Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered
In Jeddah . YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange
In London at 10 pounds ( Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD
Calls are billed to someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph
(88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop,
'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son.
Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell
Anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New
Zealand .
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use
Examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still
Talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system
In other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and
cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an
involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the
same here in India ?

Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay , Mr.
Tinaikar , had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the
streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And
then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the
authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the
officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure
in his bowels?
In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job.
Same in Japan . Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to
the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do
everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the
government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all
over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper
and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms
but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and
toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to
the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to
women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room
protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the
whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my
sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of ? Very conveniently for us it consists of our
neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the
government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually
making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with
our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far
away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a
majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their
glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to
England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out
to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and
brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape
the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is
mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great
deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.... I am echoing J. F.
Kennedy 's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians.....

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA
AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA
WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India needs from us.

Thank you,

Dr. Abdul Kalaam

Charlie Chaplin.. A Born Legend ! ! !

Biography of Charlie Chaplin

THE EARLY YEARS

Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London, England on April 16, 1889. His father was a versatile vocalist and actor; his mother, known by her stage name Lily Harley, was an actress and light opera singer. The early death of his father and his mother's ill-health left Charlie and his brother Sydney, virtually on their own. Charlie was less than 10 years old. Their familiarity with the stage naturally led them to performing as a way to earn money; Charlie Chaplin debuted as a member of the troupe called "The Eight Lancashire Lads" where he won popular acclaim for his performances.

FROM STAGE TO SILVER SCREEN

Charlie Chaplin got his first chance to act in a legitimate stage show when he was about 14; he appeared as the page boy in "Sherlock Holmes" which starred William Gillette. At the close of the engagement, Charlie embarked on a career as a comedian in vaudeville which would take him to the United States as a featured player in the Fred Karno Repertoire Company. He was an immediate sensation especially in the more physical comedy sketches. When the Fred Karno troupe returned to the United States in the fall of 1912, Charlie Chaplin was offered a motion picture contract with Mack Sennett's Keystone Film Company which came into effect with the completion of his vaudeville commitments in November 1913. His starting salary was $150 a week. Charlie Chaplin was an overnight success prompting other producers to start negotiations for his services. When his Sennett contract was up, Chaplin moved on to the Essanay Company (1915) for a great deal more money. Sennett in the meantime, kept the Chaplin name on the marquee, hiring Charlie's brother Sydney Chaplin, newly arrived from England. In 1916, Charlie Chaplin signed with the Mutual Film Corporation to make 12 2-reel comedies including "The Floorwalker", "The Fireman", "The Vagabond", "One A.M.", "The Count", "The Pawnshop", "Behind the Screen", "The Rink", "Easy Street", "The Cure", "The Immigrant" and "The Adventurer".

WITH SUCCESS COMES INDEPENDENCE

Charlie Chaplin began to yearn for the freedom to make the movies he wanted to make, the way he wanted to make them. When his contract with Mutual expired in 1917, Chaplin took on the role of independent producer; his first move was to begin the construction of his own studios at La Brea Avenue in the heart of Hollywood. Early in 1918, Charlie Chaplin entered into an agreement with First National Exhibitors' Circuit, a new organization specially formed to exploit his pictures. His first film under this new deal was "A Dog's Life". Soon after its release and with the start of World War I, Charlie Chaplin went on a national tour to promote the war effort; he made a film called "The Bond" for the US government, in support of the Liberty Loan drive. And in 1918 he produced a comedy dealing with the war. "Shoulder Arms" was a huge box office success making Chaplin more popular than ever. "Sunnyside" and "A Day's Pleasure" soon followed in 1919. 1919 was notable for other reasons as well; in that year, Charlie Chaplin joined with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith to found the United Artists Corporation. It was a new concept for the film industry; until its founding, producers and distributors had been the employers. With the launch of United Artists, the stars became their own employers, receiving the producer profits as well as their fair share of the distribution profits. For the first time in the history of the young film industry, the stars were in control.

THE MASTERPIECE FEATURES

First however, Charlie Chaplin had to complete his contract with First National which he did in 1921 with the release of a 6-reel masterpiece. In "The Kid", Chaplin introduced Jackie Coogan, one of the era's greatest child actors. Also released in 1921, "The Idle Class", in which he played two roles. Then, in September 1921, Chaplin sailed for Europe where he was given an enthusiastic reception wherever he went. When, after a long vacation, Chaplin returned to Hollywood, he began his active association with United Artists. Charlie Chaplin made eight feature-length pictures with United Artists: "A Woman of Paris" (1923) which he wrote, directed and produced, and appeared in a cameo role; "The Gold Rush" (1925); "The Circus" (1928); "City Lights" (1931); "Modern Times" (1936); "The Great Dictator" (1940), in which he played a dual role and talked on the screen for the first time; "Monsieur Verdoux" (1947) in which the public saw a new Chaplin, minus his traditional moustache, baggy trousers and wobbly cane; and "Limelight" (1952). In 1957, Charlie Chaplin released his comedy "A King in New York" which he wrote, acted in and directed, and for which he composed the music. In 1966, he produced his last picture, "A Countess from Hong Kong" for Universal Pictures, which starred Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando. As if a lifetime of writing, producing, acting and directing movies wasn't enough, Charlie Chaplin wrote at least four books, "My Trip Abroad", "A Comedian Sees the World", "My Autobiography", "My Life in Pictures". He was an accomplished self-taught musician, playing a number of instruments well including the violin and cello. And along with the music for all his films, Charlie composed a number of popular songs. In the end, Charlie Chaplin was the 20th century's renaissance man. Charlie Chaplin died on Christmas day 1977, survived by eight children from his last marriage with Oona O'Neill, and one son from his short marriage to Lita Grey.

New Chennai International Airport. Under proposal

New Chennai International Airport

These are the proposed pictures of
Sriperumbudur- Chennai International Airport

If it is completed it will be the Number-1
in South Asia ....
and also those pictures contain the
proposed Express Highways in Chennai.....

My School ! ! SCIMA ! !

My school Sri Chakravarthy International Matriculation Academy is one of the famous schools in Chennai. My schooling began right here from L.K.G. I was loved by all the staffs in the primary section. I had a beautiful handwriting when I was in primary.(Definitely not now). Still 5th std there was a great competition for ranking in my class. A big clash.

Then my high school education continued in the same school in the middle block. this is where I started enjoyin my school life, because there were lot of friends who were always humorous and make something silly and a lot. We even got caught a few number of times( SSSSHhHH.... Secret).Got lot to say. But this will no tend in a day.

My higher secondary education was the best part of my life. Had loads of fun during the 11th and 12th std. Lots and lots of lovely friends. Good and well wishing staffs always bless me. Later in 12th, the most enjoyable and memorable days of my life, did stage performances in drama and even sung a song and I was the SPL(School People Leader) and I was always on the stage in assembly and other special events in our school. I still remember the day whan my birthday was celebrated in the school, The whole school sung the birthday song for me and I still hear those voices loud in my ears. (Emotional na??) But I can't help out. Tears were rolling out of my eyes in happiness and thet was the best birthday I had in my life.

I'll keep posting about my school days regularly whae I get sufficient time.

A Tribute to S.P.B.! A legend born to sing ! ! !

Singing is divine ! ! It reflects the mood of a person to which songs he listens to. A born legend S.P. Balasubramaniam, who's 1g4t is Karnataka, But he is the record breaking singer of Tamil Nadu.( Vandhorai Vaazha Vaikum Thamizhagam). He has sung more than 7,000 songs and holds the record for most number of songs sung by a male singer in this whole world (for Female it's Lata Mangeshkar). There's no person upto my knowledge in India dislikes his voice. When you just put your ears to his song, you'll forget what actually you were doing before listening. He has given Hits right from his first song. He has given many hits with the combination of the maestro Ilayaraaja and also with the Isai puyal A. R. Rehman. They are legends in their own style. Songs like "Nilave vaa " from mouna raagam and other songs like " Kaadhalin dheebam onru" from Thambiku endha ooru , " Raagangal padhinaru" from thillu mullu, Come on ! ! Just can't mention all his 7000-odd songs. They are a massive count. He is known for his acting too. He has acted in more number of movies and I like his role in every movie. At this age, while his son S.P. Charan is singing too, S.P.B's voice still sounds young. You got a proof in Chennai-28' which was released 3 months back has his voice as the intr and also has sung a song " Yaaro" the duet version. His songs are really "a pill of ecstacy". I start floating when I hear his songs. No conflicts that he is the born legend ! ! !

Photography ! !

Photography is an art. It is the art of capturing objects just on a thin film. It's not just pictures which is said to be photography, it's all about bringing the objects in the picture to life. You come to know what the picture depicts by having a look at the picture. The objects in the pictures i.e. animals or human beings(ofcourse human beings are social animals;-)) shows some emotions which are taken. If they are not taken in the right angle of projection or the right intensity of light, it's taken in day or night, All these things run in the part which is inside the skull of the photographer, because it is important to capture the mood of the scene into the picture. Pictures like Natural scenary, a portrait, violence(mob fight) or any pictures which depict the feel. For eg. Consider the picture of the praying hands. Such pictures mean a lot. So my interest towards photography is way bigger than anyone think. But there's no proper guide for me. Hope I should learn everything myself.

Genius thinks different ! !

My friends

I'ld like to highlight some of my school friends who are really interesting to be with and they carry you away to a world of fun you have never been.

Let me introduce to you CHRISTOPHER who is also graduating his B.E final year. We call him kosu( mosquito) because of his size. But he is well built now. He loves his friends more than I do. He is really good to be with and frank and outspoken. He is the best kalasifier in our group. He is actor Vijay's big fan.

Next is GANESH ,also graduating B.E. Commonly known as SAMDIGA or (****DIGA)(ha ha)
Not easy to predict the word... In school he is popularly known as SAPPAI. Good athelet. plays kho-kho really well. He has good helping hands. Always loves to hang out with friends. Eats a lot. Specially likes to go to KFC. We both always study together as we both are in the same stream of CSE. Very nice to be his friend.

VIJAY my buddy, I think I know him from 2nd grade if I'm not wrong. Very smart fellow,Courageous, and outspoken.He's somewhat of my kind. Loves sports and movies a lot. MUSIC is everything to him.(JUST LISTENING). Plays PC games well. He's really strong. Want example ? ? During our 6th std lunch break, I jus put my hands in his lunch box, He pushed my hand so hard that my hand got fractured. Helps people a lot. No hesitations to hang out and help out. Straight forward guy, picks his friends very choosy.

RANJITH ho ho my big fat buddy known as YAANAI or BANJO is the big fat guy of our team. He is a good guy but he tries to fool other people with his art of telling lies. He is the no.1 master of lies in our school. He was never on time to school but had loads of lies to pick from at that time. Wise guy, we people always find out when he lies. easy for us because we are witrh him for more than 6 years. Shortly a Big fat friend nice and fraud.

How can I forget SANDEEP ? He is the humming bird of our group. known as SPOON.
He is always quite even when we are around. He's one among my old buddies right from 5th. He remains silent in nature, but who knows that a Manmadhan is always awake within him. But he's always a good chap....


There are a lot of friends to mention, but my hands are paining a lot . so thought that I would say about them later. But these friends keep me going and they push me forwardc and never let me down.