U.S. author tags Mahatma "gay"

 Each and every facet of Mahatma Gandhi's life has always grabbed the eye-balls and much talked about. He is considered as the one of the main pillars of success in Indian Struggle for freedom. He is the man who taught India the principles of truth and non- violence. Yet another book on Mahatma Gandhi has created controversy which is doing the rounds in the market by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph Lelyveld titled "Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and his Struggle in India". This biography claims Mahatma Gandhi to be bisexual and raciest. This has created an outrage not only among the Indian people but has also become a topic of big debate in all social sites.

The book suggested that Gandhi, the father of the nation left his wife Kasturba in 1908 and went to live with Hermann Kallenbach, the German-born Jewish architect. It exposed a very close association between the Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach in South Africa.

Gandhi's sex life has always been much talked about. And this book further strengthens this. Joseph Lelyveld picks two lines from a letter that Mahatma wrote to Kallenbach, where he writes, "How completely you have taken possession of my body. This is slavery with a vengeance". Again on another instance Gandhi writes "Your portrait (the only one) stands on my mantelpiece in my bedroom. The mantelpiece is opposite to the bed."

These two lines have been most responsible in arousing a fury over the book as it highlighted an intimate physical relationship between Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach.However the author himself denies of making any such allegations in his book and says the word bisexual appears nowhere in the book. The word 'racist' is used as part of a chapter summarizing his statements about Africans and Gandhi's relations with them.

Reacting to the claims Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tussar Gandhi said that he is not surprised that one more book has attacked on Gandhi's sexuality. And said it was only a cheap means of attracting attention and publicity.

Many newspapers like Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph back in U.S. tried to take full advantage of the recent outrage and hence ran headlines like "Gandhi 'left his wife to live with a male lover' new book claims" and "Mahatma Gandhi 'racist and bisexual' claims new book".However these accusations are mere speculation since it is not verified and no material evidence is available to prove such claims.

Jad Adams, the author of the book, "Gandhi: Naked Ambition" has spent much of his lifetime in researching about Mahatma and his life. In his period of research he has not come across a single material which suggests Gandhi's homosexuality. According to Adams, Gandhi who had a cerebral life could not have possibly snubbed about his sexuality. Adams further added that the truth might have altogether a have different meaning as completely opposite to what western authors perceive. Gandhi has always been genuine in his feelings and never had hiccups to express his feelings.

Even after years passed of his demise Gandhi still continues to be the biggest sensation. This recent dispute takes it further more. And it will be interesting to see how many more such facets of this icon wait to be explored by the western writers.

India to see 12.9 percent salary hike in 2011

Employees in India are expected to see a salary hike of 12.9 per cent this year, among the highest in the world, as industries are benefiting from the country's robust economic growth, according to Aon Hewitt.

Led by engineering services sector, the projected jump of 12.9 per cent in salaries for this year is higher than the actual increase of 11.7 per cent seen in 2010.

Global HR consultancy group Aon Hewitt today said India is likely to see the highest pay hike in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by China (9 per cent) and Philippines (7 per cent).

"India's salary rise would also be among the highest in the world... companies are growing fast and demand is rising due to good economic growth," Aon Hewitt's India Practice Leader (Compensation) Nitin Sethi told reporters here Today.

Top 10 exotic beaches in India

Imagine an evening with your loved one on an exotic beach, having some delicious seafood. Or if you have an adventurous soul, how about trying a wide variety of water sports like scuba diving, water skiing and wind surfing? Well, India's 6000 km long coastline does have some of the exquisite beaches that are just perfect for people who are in love with the deep blue sea. No more words. Here is our take on the top 10 beaches in India.


1. Candolim Beach, Goa

Popular among the tourists, yet not too crowded, Candolim beach is one of the stunning beaches in Goa. It's a lively beach that has managed to retain its cleanliness, and even peacefulness in some areas. Candolim Beach is right next to Aguada Fort, which is also worth a visit. The beach itself is long and straight, backed by scrub-covered dunes, which is very popular with package tourists. Located in North Goa, Candolim Beach is 10 kilometers from Mapusa and 13 kilometers from Panaji. The closest railway station is Thivim.


2. Karaikal Beach, Pondicherry

The calm and soothing water, clear and bright sand, impressive seclusion and resorts and cottages providing a brilliant sight of the sea, this is what Pondicherry beaches are all about. And the Karaikal beach is just the ideal package of all these. It has a breathtaking view of the confluence Arasalar River and the sea. If you are interested in watching the rising sun, then you must visit this beach as it is an excellent place for this purpose. You can also enjoy the boating club on the beautiful backwaters of the Arasalar. The nearest airport to the beach is Trichy (Trichirapalli), the nearest Railway Station is at Nagore and regular buses ply from Pondicherry.

3. Vagator Beach, Goa

One of the most beautiful white sand Goa beaches, Vagator lies on the northern side of the Bardez taluka. With a stretch of soft white sands, coconut palms, and a scenic view of the Arabian Sea, the Vagator beach has become a hot favorite tourist destination among the tourists. The beach has an attractive nightlife during the tourist season. Just go a little further south of the main beach you'll find the quieter Little Vagator or Ozran beach with a fresh water pool. You can also visit the 500 years old Chapora fort that offers a splendid view of the adjoining coast and the hills at a distance. Dabolim airport is the nearest airport, which is 29 kilometers away from Panaji. Vagator is 22 kilometers from Panaji.

4. Kovalam Beach, Kerala

Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. With the boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea, the palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves and the rocky promontories, this Kerala paradise is a tourist's dream come true. The crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three sections. The southernmost beach - Lighthouse beach, the middle beach - Hawa beach and the northern most beach - Samudra beach. Thiruvananthapuram international airport is a nearest airport to Kovalam. Tourist can also access to Kovalam by bus that ply regularly from Thiruvananthapuram.

5. Bangaram Beach, Lakshadweep

According to Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Bangaram beach of Lakshadweep is among the world's ten topmost secret beaches. Bangaram beach is synonymous with Bangaram Island. Silvery beaches with swaying coconut palms, coral reefs and turquoise blue lagoons make Bangaram a heavenly escapade for travel enthusiasts. A visit to this beach will help you to relax and admire its incredible view. Travelers can fly to Agatti airport from Cochin and thereafter travel another 90 minutes by boat to Bangaram. In monsoon time tourists are transferred from the airport by helicopters.

6. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

One of the two popular beaches located at Havelock Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Radhanagar beach is the favorite among all nature lovers who love to explore the nature of different places. It offers a wide range of fauna and flora for one to explore. It's calm and clean surrounding which offers you a soothing sensation. It is ideal for sea bathing and sun-basking. Though you can visit Radhanagar Beach during any time of the year, you can enjoy the real beauty of the nature in between March and April when the spring is in full bloom. Radhanagar Beach is situated at a place which is 7 kilometers away from Dolphin Yatri Niwas at Havelock Island


7. Cherai Beach, Kerala

Cherai Beach is located in Vypin island of Kochi. Cherai beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala. The backwaters are a combination of lakes, lagoons and canals. The 15 km long golden beach is very clean. The beautiful beach is studded with seashells of various hues and shapes. One could catch an occasional glimpse of Dolphins as they spring out and dive back into the water. The main attraction of Cherai is the 'Poyil' a large inland lake forming a part of the calm serene backwaters separated from the ocean by only a narrow sandbar. Cherai Beach is just 25 km from Kochi and 30 km from Cochin International Airport.


8. Ullal Beach, Mangalore

Ullal beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the 320 km stretched of Karnataka. Sea side of Arabian Sea is truly exemplary and is always waving. Neat sea shore, glazy sun reflections and appropriate weather are the highlights that make Ullal Beach a real treat for sea lovers. Its blissful exquisiteness with the flavor of loads water games and funs is one of the major attractions of the beach. Ullal Beach is just 5km away from the beautiful city Mangalore. One can go to the beach easily as is well linked with roads and other transport means

9. Tarkarli Beach, Maharashtra

Tarkarli Beach has gained prominence because of its transparently clear seas, where on a fairly sunny day; one can see the sea- bed up to a depth of 20 feet. Sea and sand blending in enchanting natural harmony, gracefully cruising boats in calm and cool river waters add to the beauty of this beach. For adventure water sports lovers, snorkeling and scuba diving facilities are also available at Tarkarli. It's located at the convergence of the Karli River and the Arabian Sea. It is 546 km away from Mumbai, 6 km south of Malvan, on the west coast of India.


10. Nagoa Beach, Diu

Fringed with palm trees, Nagoa beach is one of the exceptionally beautiful and quiet beaches of Diu. In this horse-shoe shaped beach, various water sports facilities are available. It is completely safe for swimming. The intoxicating sea breeze and the serenity of the surroundings give the visitor peace and pleasure beyond expression. Just twenty minutes invigorating drive from Diu will ferry you to Nagoa Beach, which is about 7 km west of town.

Market welcomes Budget, Sensex soars 550 points

Cheering Budget proposals enhancing FII limits and slashing the surcharge on corporate tax, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex was trading over 550 points higher.

The Sensex kept rising after the Budget was tabled in parliament, gaining 550.23 points to 18,251.14 on fund buying triggered by budgetary proposals to hike FII limits and reduce surcharge on corporate tax, as well as the emphasis on containing inflation and spurring economic growth.

The broad-based national Stock Exchange' Nifty also saw an upswing and shot up by 126.70 points to 5,430.25 following widespread gains in stock prices.

The cut in surcharge on corporate tax and proposals to keep up the tempo of disinvestment process, besides raising income tax limit, cheered the trading sentiment," said chartered accountant Tarun Malik of TCM Associates.

How to bridge the generation gap in the workplace?

Most of the businesses today are facing a peculiar problem. This is not something which is derived from downsizing, change, foreign competition, cubical envy or greed. It is difficulty of generations in conflict. Modern businesses are having tough time in handling different generations of individuals who make up their workforce. Lack of attention to generational differences will make any company less efficient. Therefore, a good understanding of differences among generations to strengthen work relationships between employees is very crucial.
To some people, the requirement to manage generation in the workplace may look like an unnecessary task, but this generation problem commonly found in businesses is worthwhile to take note of. In an organization there may be different generations of workers like veterans, who are above the age of 60; "Baby Boomers", employees in the age group of 45 to 65; generation X, employees in the age group of 30 and 45; and generation Y, employees in their 20s or even younger. It's very obvious that these employees will have their own sets of mind, and because of that they will clash with each other due to the differences in values, ideas and work style.


So what it takes to bridge the generation gap? As research shows, in an organization, employees interact on the basis of their upbringing, values and ideas. Thus, different generations have their own way of thinking and working, according to their background. Therefore, to be effective in the process of bridging the gap, an organization must know its employees as individuals, their background, personality, preferences and style. Realizing this issue and knowing how to deal with the gap will bring employee efficiency to an organization.


An organization can follow certain steps to bridge the generation gap in the workplace. It can provide training to the employee on the communication and working style of the different generations. Practicing this can be very useful in avoiding misunderstandings as well as confrontations in the workplace. Conducting regular seminars and special events can serve this purpose well. If the employees begin to understand other employees belonging to other generations, it will be easy for them to work together in a better way.


While making policies, related to motivation or any other aspect of business, the needs of different generations should be kept in mind. For instance, those employees belonging to generation X can be motivated by a higher salary or bonus, while those employees belonging to veterans can be motivated by giving recognition and respect.

One of the most typical problems that face a modern business that is operating with a number of different generations in its workforce is related to technology. Generally, Younger generation communicate with e-mails, text messages or instant messaging. On the other hand, in most cases, the older generations want to speak face-to-face, or at least over the telephone. In this case, a balance has to be maintained.


Apart from this, there can be problems with communication between different generations of worker, physical limitations of the older personnel in an organisation and so on. Hence, the need to fulfil a range of diverse wants and aspirations to keep an entire workforce satisfied.

Today, organizations require a varied range of skills, and this requirement cannot be fulfilled by just one of the generations discussed above. The organizations have to understand that the route to success depends a lot on discovering a balance between different generations. The human resource managers in organizations have to make sure the utilization of advantages, mitigation of weaknesses and at the same time encouraging as well.

Ways to quit your job without offending your boss

Do you want to quit your job? Are you afraid that your resignation will be declined? Are you afraid that you will lose your friends at job and some of the people you really had thought as your mentor?

Resigning from your job sometime seems easy for some people but at the same time resigning without offending boss is not as easy as you think. Though we don't like our job and want to quit, it is very difficult to resign tactfully without offending the boss. Your present boss who has given some responsibilities will feel disappointed or rather offended with the decision of quitting the company . When an employee quits, there are many problems or rather losses that the company incurs. For example financial loss, training a new guy will incur time loss and instability (for whatever time frame that new guy will need to actually fill that space). This eventually, and to be more apt, brings frustration within the boss. Whatever the causes are, we should make it clear that when we are leaving we should leave on good terms because we never know when we will need that employer in future or his reference.

"I want to quit the job because my wife does not like the weather of this city" said an employee to his employer. So what will be the reaction of your boss when somebody tells the same thing and leaves the job? The boss will feel angry or rather disgusted. Whenever we quit job, it is very important to give a logical and sensible reason to our boss. The boss should feel that your reason for quitting the job is sensible enough and in that way you might get a "Best of luck" from your boss also!

While serving your resignation period or your notice period, you can actually train your juniors whom you think can take over the job responsibility after you. This will not only bring confidence in your juniors but also your boss will have choices before he decides the person who can replace you.

It sounds very difficult to find your own replacement, but believe me; it will be very helpful for your boss to relieve you if he finds a person before thinking who's next! It will also show that you are responsible and committed to the company and to your boss. After all, whatever the reasons are, he was the person who had hired you!

Serve your notice period! This may sound very lengthy however this is a term that now most of the companies have made compulsory. Buying your notice period is something you can discuss however put across the same to your boss politely as this may sound rude.

It is very important that you finish your job or task before you finally say adieu to your employer as the next person who will replace might find himself/herself in a soup when he joins the post. This will not only affect the future transactions but also will decide your relationship status with your previous company or boss.


Amar Paul, a senior analyst of OPI, believes that he would think some points before he quit the job, managing relationship is one of the most important qualities of any professional, and moreover many of the companies give more weightage to the recommendations from the ex boss, so it's very important to maintain a good relationship with boss after you quit the job.



So are you ready to quit your job while your boss is smiling?

Gandhi family has black money in Swiss banks: Jethmalani

NEW DELHI: Veteran lawyer and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ram Jethmalani said that he believed that the Gandhi family has black money stashed in Swiss bank accounts

"I believe that the Gandhi family has money stashed in Swiss banks," Jethmalani told reporters outside parliament.

Swiss magazines have written, even Kent books have written. Rahul Gandhi has been getting money from Swiss Bank. A whole advertisement appeared in the New York Times where this allegation was repeated," he said.

A task force appointed by the BJP on the black money issue recently alleged that Sonia Gandhi and her husband, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, were among the Indians who held Swiss bank accounts abroad.


Senior party leader L.K. Advani later wrote to Sonia Gandhi and regretted the mention of their names in the booklet

Jethmalani, however, said the letter was in no way an apology.


"He (Advani) did not apologise, only said that for so many years you (Sonia Gandhi) did not give a denial and now you have given one," he said.