William and Kate kept it simple, Tudor style

Some people tend to make things more complicated than they have to be. Especially when it comes to matrimonial events.

Either they tend to overdo preparations for the ceremony, or they just overdo things because they feel they have to. Because they have plenty friends and relatives to choose for certain roles when it comes to the matter of, say something simple as choosing the man who is going to be the Best Man or a Bridesmaid.

Some people might want a team of bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc which can become costly, and at times, a bit overwhelming.

And unless you have been out of touch with what’s been happening in the world for the past few months, or you have been deliberately avoiding the news and current events, something special took place today, April 29th 2011.

As millions of viewers all over the world watched Prince William exchange wedding vows with Kate Middleton, (now Duchess of Cambridge) they also saw something else.

How simple both parties kept things as far as the Best Man and the Bridesmaid go. Tudor style. And in traditional Tudor style, there is no elaborate twenty foot train on a wedding gown, no six groomsmen or likewise number of bridesmaids.

Kate’s sister, Pippa was her Bridesmaid. No  group of five or six bridesmaids here with a Maid Of  Honour. As for the Prince? His Best Man was not his best this, that, or the other.

He was Prince Harry, Prince William’s (now Duke of Cambridge) brother.

Some people tend to complicate matters by having their best friend or  best colleague be   Best Man, even if they happen to have a brother.

And some women tend to also choose a best friend over  a sister, even if they have a sister who would suffice.

Good show for a young couple who may someday be King and Queen of Britain.

Has God Left The Building

9/11/2001. Terrorist hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers of New York, The Pentagon and  a field in Pennsylvania.

The one that crashed in  Pennsylvania was diverted by a few brave passengers who quickly learned of their then pending doom.

Ten years later, many Americans and survivors of the victims are still trying to cope with what happened on that day.

Some people then, asked themselves and  others questions which included:

‘Where were you when you heard the news?’
‘Who informed you, or how were you informed of the event?’

But did anyone stop to ponder where was God?

January 12th 2010. A 7.0 Earthquake rocked and devastated much of  a little island known as Haiti. Many lives were lost.

Days after the massive earthquake, survivors and rescuers alike began asking for toothpaste. They wanted to insert some of the paste in their nostrils to mask the odour of death that was all around them.

A year and  three months later, Haiti is still recuperating and rebuilding, thanks to aid from rescue organizations, Philanthropists and other charitable groups.

I wonder if some Haitians asked, where was God?

March 11th 2011. A 9.0 Earthquake shook and rocked Japan. A powerful Tsunami followed which did even more damage.

A month later, the  Japanese people are trying to move on the best they can. And as they do that I wonder if anyone is asking,  where was God?

Is He really watching us like many Televangelists, Preachers and other Holy Rollers want us to believe?

If He is watching, why is He allowing so many of His people to suffer and/or be removed from this world in such a devastating manner?

Why?

Why?

Why?

No one knows and no one can offer a satisfactory response.

Or has God left this little known planet called Earth? Just left. Gone.

Abandoned the very people who flock to places of worship every Sunday to offer thanks to Him.

For what?

Where is He?

Where is God?

Is SONY Computer Entertainment CEO Envious of the Nintendo 3DS

When I prepare myself to play a video game concepts such as: self respect and baby sitting do not cross my mind. Because I think of the fun factor.

But recently when it came to my attention that Sony Computer Entertainment of America CEO, Jack Tretton stated  that ‘no self respecting gamer in their 20s…’ would acquire a Nintendo 3DS because Nintendo makes babysitting devices, I had to pause and ponder for a moment or two.

And what determines whether a video game is an adult game or not? Is it the amount of time one might spend thinking of a way to solve a puzzle to advance the game or how fast a gamer can blast his/her way through a First/Third Person Shooter?

I always Liked Nintendo. I think I must have cut my video gaming teeth on an original NES and a Nintendo Gameboy playing such games as: Final Fantasy, Legend Of Zelda, Super Mario Bros. Tetris etc.

Not once when I was having so much fun did I ever think of the   childish or adult factor or that the console was a babysitting device.

Maybe any gamer can pick up a video game controller and blast his/her way through a shooting game, but it takes patience, some strategy and thinking for one to work his/her way through a puzzle game, RPG or a game that belongs to the Phoenix Wright or Professor Layton series.

Mr. Tretton? This might surprise you, but I even play PS2 titles such as: Xenosaga Episode 1 and Dragon Quest VIII. Both games require some use of one’s thought processes. And when I want some adult video game entertainment I turn to an older PS2 title known as: Leisure Suite Larry  Magna Cum Laude.

The content in this Leisure Suite Larry game has some hardcore adult entertainment.

As for Self Respect? I tend to save that for really important aspects of real life like when it comes to choosing a mate, lover, friend or what to wear on a date or public event etc.

When I  play a video game, I  do not use the gaming console to babysit myself. I use it to entertain myself.

Let’s face it, Nintendo has made some great video games. And if a gamer, (even if he/she happens to be in his/her 20s or older) wants to purchase a Nintendo 3DS, he/she will do so regardless of  what you or anyone else says about a  unique gaming system one can play without wearing 3D glasses.

And if you want to turn off the 3D effect, there is a  button on the Nintendo 3DS you can use to lower or switch off the 3D  effect.

Author’s Note: The writer of the above article was not compensated in any way, shape or form by Nintendo or any of Nintendo’s Affiliates.

Something We Can Learn From The Japanese

First of all, I would like to express my sympathy and condolences for the victims of the 9.0  massive earthquake that rocked and  shocked Japan on March 11th 2011.

Usually, if such an event had taken place elsewhere, there might have been many reports of looting and chaos.

But Japan and the disciplined, orderly people of Japan stunned the world with the way they are coping with their situation. Is there a lesson to be learned here?

There might be.

So far, and as of this writing, there have no reports of looting or chaos. Instead, the portion of the Japanese population that need assistance are standing patiently in line for vital supplies such as: water, food rations and other means of  survival.

Maybe this is something we can all learn from the Japanese. Because cases of looting and chaos in a time of  extreme chaos just creates more chaos.

-Peace and Unity begin with all of us-

Yours Truly

Communal Harmony: India’s Foremost Character and Necessity by Gandhi Scholar: Dr. Ravindra Kumar

For thousands of years Bharat, that is India, a land of unity in diversity has maintained a distinctive position among the nations of the world. People from diverse communities have lived together in India although the majority community consists of followers of one particular religious-belief; for, secularism and communal harmony have always played a vital and significant role. In other words, communal harmony is the basic character of India, a prime necessity for the life of the nation. In this regard, I can venture to say with certainty that with the constant increase in development at all levels and in all walks of life, where the process of globalization is expected to multiply many folds, the relevance and importance of communal harmony in India will also expand. Accepting the realty of communal harmony will be an obligation even for those handfuls who try to shatter it from time-to-time.

There are the followers of different faiths, religious-communities and sects in India. They speak many languages and carry out their day-to-day practices on the basis of different local-regional traditions and values. Through coordination between so many natural-geographical diversities of this huge land tract and prevailing circumstance, Indians work for their livelihood. They accept this reality, maintain courage and enthusiasm, and step forward. This is in fact the best option before Indians. Therefore, strengthening communal harmony at regional-national levels is a necessity of India.

Further, India is the largest democracy of the world. History of democracy in India goes to the remote past. This system of governance is in fact quite suitable and conducive to the nature of inhabitants of this country. Not only this, for the unity of India, particularly in the achievement of political unity of the country, democracy played the vital role. Despite numerous glitches and expected evils, democracy largely contributes to strengthening communal harmony in India. In other words, it emerges as a strong force for maintaining the solidarity of the nation. However, the need of the hour is to make democracy the centre and basis of belief for the maximum possible number of people, all religious-community, sects and sub-sects. Besides ascertaining the stability of the country, it can also contribute making India as a leading force of the world in these days of increasing process of globalization.

Therefore, increasing communal harmony is essential for India; there is no other alternative to it.

*Internationally renowned Indologist and Gandhian scholar Dr. Ravindra Kumar is former vice chancellor of CCS University, Meerut, India; he is the editor of Global Peace International Journal.

The Push Up Bra, Miracle Bra, Wonder Bra etc…

I like keeping up to date with current events and the world around us. Sometimes though when watching the news, or reading about some newsy bit on the internet or a newspaper, there are stories that might stay with you.

Some of which include learning about some  wealthy person or celebrity who had undergone a body enhancement through plastic surgery. That was when plastic surgery was so expensive that only the wealthy could afford such procedures to be done.

Fast forward to the early to mid nineties to the present where such enhancements  became more affordable. Affordable to the non celebrity up and coming wealthy.

After consulting with a friend who was employed at  such a facility, yours truly also learned a few things about those bloody, going under the knife sort of procedures. But with other enhancements in the retail establishment, enhancements such as: the push up bra, Miracle Bra, the Wonder Bra and a wide assortment of facial enhancement and  anti aging cosmetics, one might wonder who needs such bloody procedures?

People who are determined to have them done, that’s who. Maybe we are all a little dissatisfied with some little flaw our bodies came packaged with.

But to undergo all that body altering, bloody surgery to change one or several little aspects of your physical appearance might seem a bit much, doesn’t it?

What happens if you break up with that person you did  a surgical procedure or procedures for? Do you want a constant reminder of why and for whom you did it?

-Pretty girls don’t need plenty make up-

yours truly

Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals

In Lufia  The Fortress of Doom for the SNES, the first ten minutes  and throughout the game, you are made  aware of  Maxim’s, Guy’s, Artea’s and Selan’s  strength and fighting ability. In Lufia II The Rise of The Sinistrals, also for the SNES, you get to play as Maxim with Selan, Guy, Artea and even Tia in your party.

Then, you tolerated and enjoyed 16 Bit graphics, a turn based battle system and were able to carry as many items as you could get. Step into the year 2010 where Squarenix and Natsume decided to give Lufia Curse of the Sinistrals for the Nintendo DS a few upgrades. But before we get into that, the game’s difficulty level and game play mechanics, let’s first  deal a little with…

The  Story

As  Lufia Curse of the Sinistrals for the Nintendo DS  opens,  Tia, who is in the town of Elcid observes something in the sky. It’s not a bird, not one of Lexis Shire’s inventions gone horribly wrong, but Doom Island.

Meanwhile in Soma Temple where Maxim and Lexis are, (this also acts as a fighting tutorial for the red haired hero) Gades,  the Sinistral of Destruction makes an appearance. Upon his confrontation with Maxim, Gades makes his intention clear.

He wants to destroy Maxim’s world and create one more to his liking.A fight between Maxim and Gades follows. Maxim loses, but Iris, an Oracle from the  previously mentioned SNES  Lufia Rise of the Sinistrals shows up and saves the day, for now.

Maxim realizes his new objective. He has to travel around the world seeking out others like him who are willing to help him take on Gades. So the adventure begins with a few upgrades…

What’s  New

Maxim, as well as the other fighters he meets along the way  are young, energetic and Squarenix and Natsume have done a good job blending smooth, detailed graphics with music,  the game’s sound effects and  voice acting in certain scenes. Quite apart from the SNES  Rise of the Sinistrals where Maxim and Lexis seemed not to be too familiar with each other, here in the Nintendo DS Curse of the Sinistrals the two are not only good friends, but travelling companions.

The  Battle System

You no longer have to sit and wait for the command you select to take effect. No, because in Lufia  Curse of the Sinistrals you can get  up close and personal with the enemy, action style. This makes the game enjoyable for those who do not mind this action style of fighting.

Mystic Stones

These are found in dungeons and temples you visit. They are used to enhance a character’s defense, fighting ability, strength, intelligence etc.

Select your hero

By the time you have reached the halfway point of the game, you would have already have all six playable characters. Each comes with his/her own unique weapon skill or ability.

For example, although Maxim cannot equip heavy weapons, he wields a Rapier or Broadsword and can jump gaps by doing a Cross Dash. This comes in useful when he has to lower  the Gondorvan bridge.

And  Tia uses her hookshot in the Tanbel Mines to cross gaps or bring items and objects to her. In order to use a certain character’s ability, you touch his/her portrait on the Nintendo DS lower screen. Or if you want to save yourself the trouble of touching your touch screen all the time, just press the START button, and  highlight the character you want.

Is  Nine The Magic Number

In RPGs such as: Final Fantasy you are able to carry up to ninety nine potions, hi potions, ethers etc. This time around in Lufia Curse of the Sinistrals, you are limited.

Limited to nine potions, nine antidotes etc. The game is generous though. For in those dungeons and mines you will find potions in treasure chests to replenish any you have used from your stock of nine. Advanced RPGers may enjoy this little challenge, which brings to mind the game’s difficulty level.

Are  Some Parts Cursed

Upon entering Gondorvan Bridge, you probably did not think Maxim would have such a challenging time running and crossing gaps to lower levers. Fortunately, if you want to save your game at any time, you can go to the Excelsion where Lexis is and  do just that.

But if you survive  Betty and Berty’s mine cart shenanigans at Tanbel Abandoned Mine,  it might leave you wondering if you might overcome another similar obstacles to advance the game.It might even leave you wondering if the word CURSE in the game’s title has anything to do with that.

Game Play

The fun and exciting game play is done with the Nintendo DS  D or Directional Pad. The touch screen is optional for use when you want to switch characters.

Although you cannot set the buttons. You jump with the B button. Check or pick up objects with the A button, do a special attack with the X button and attack with the Y button.

But all in all, if you enjoy playing RPGs and are ready for some challenging game play, action fighting, smooth graphics, with gripping story line to match,  then do pick up Lufia Curse of the Sinistrals for the Nintendo DS.

You will enjoy it even if you have not played any of the previously mentioned Lufia games.

–The fun will amaze you, and the game will keep you returning for more-

Yours Truly

Vithalbhai J. Patel: A Great Freedom Fighter and Parliamentarian by Gandhi Scholar: Dr. Ravindra Kumar

The role of Vithalbhai J. Patel (1873-1933) in the freedom struggle of India and in the development of democratic institutions of the country is significant. Indians must acknowledge his noteworthy and exemplary contribution.

Vithalbhai Patel was one of the front rankers leading the compatriots in their fight for freedom from colonial rule in the Indian political scene when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in 1915. Vithalbhai, along with stalwarts like BG Tilak, GK Gokhale, Dinshaw Wacha and Firozeshah Mehta, became a well-known public figure. He worked with organizations like the Gujarat Sabha, the Gujarat Political Conference and the Indian National Congress in the effort to awaken the masses particularly peasants and common men in the Gujarat region.

Vithalbhai’s role in the Kheda Kisan Satyagraha (1918) and the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movement (1920), launched by Gandhiji was immense. Further, in 1923 he along with his younger brother Vallabhbhai Patel, lead the Nagpur Flag Agitation and actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. Along with Subhas Chandra Bose Vithalbhai successfully drew the attention of crores of people all over the world when he travelled widely outside the country for the cause of India’s freedom between 1920 and 1933.

The second great work, which Vithalbhai accomplished, and which will be remembered by generations to come, is how he emphasized on the need to develop stable democratic institutions in India.

For the first time in 1913 he was elected to the Bombay Legislative Council as a representative of the District Local Board of Gujarat. As a member of the Council he along with people like Gokuldas Parekh constantly raised issues relating to farmers and common men on the floor of the House on the one hand, and about rights of elected representatives on the other. It was also to the credit of Vithalbhai’s efforts that the Compulsory Education Bill and the Ayurvedic and Yunani Medicine Bills were passed by the Bombay Legislative Council. Not only this, he drew the attention of the House to the injustices to women after the enforcement of the Hindu Law. To quote from a portion of his speech in the House, “Hindu society cannot exist unless it has victims (women) who are forcibly compelled to live the life of falsehood and cowardice…”

Besides the Bombay Legislative Council, Vithalbhai Patel was elected to the Imperial Legislative Council in 1918 and to the Viceregal Legislative Council in 1919 respectively. In both these institutions his work was extraordinary and significant. Further, in 1924 he was elected as the Mayor of the City of Bombay where his nationalistic approach asserted him to refuse to receive the Viceroy, Lord Reading. He resigned his Mayorship rather than receiving the Viceroy who was recognized as a symbol of the state of the country’s subjugation.

The same year in 1924 Vithalbhai Patel was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly as one of the candidates of the Congress Swarajya Dal and in 1925 as the first Indian President of the House where he created history. Particularly, during his tenure as the President of the Central Legislative Assembly healthy traditions were set out when democratic institutions matured in an unprecedented way. Vithalbhai had not only maintained the dignity and status of the chair by deciding that the Viceroy wouldn’t enter the House with pomp and retinue but would enter from the President’s chamber and occupy a chair next to the President. This practice was never witnessed before. He also didn’t permit the Commander-in-Chief to address the House till an apology was received for disregarding the House by absenting from the House when his speech was under discussion. For, in his obituary to Vithalbhai, Nalini Ranjan Sarkar had written in the Amrit Bazar Patrika on October 24, 1933, “He had created traditions for the honour and self-respect of the House.”

Such action, besides being a great freedom fighter, illustrates his checkered parliamentarian life. Nationalism, selflessness, indomitable courage and firm belief were the main facets of his personality. These can be considered his legacy for his compatriots, the ideals to be followed by those concerned for the prosperity of the nation and growth of democracy. His life exemplifies the performance of social responsibility, national unity and integrity.

______________________________________________________________________________

*Indologist Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a former vice chancellor of CCS University, Meerut, India.

Nintendo’s Legend Of Zelda Video Games Series

If you are a serious video game player, then you know there are some video games that are so good and fun to play that you don’t mind playing  them over and over and over.

One such video game series that I really like is Nintendo’s Legend Of Zelda series. Here  are the top reasons why:

Green is my favourite colour. And Link, the game’s hero wears  a green outfit.

Playing a Legend Of  Zelda video game is  exhilerating. You get to explore  intriguing areas of the game in between dungeons.

After you clear a particular dungeon, you can try out your new  weapon, be that weapon a Boomerang, Hookshot, Bow and Arrow, Bombs, Link’s trusty sword, Hammer, Slingshot, Pinwheel, etc on different things and/or enemies to obtain such useful items like: Rupees, (Hyrule’s Currency) Hearts, Heart Containers, and  more bombs and arrows in case your hero is running low  on his supplies and so on.

Entering a new dungeon is exciting  because you never know what awaits you in the  next room. It could be a puzzle you need to solve in order to advance  the game, enemies to defeat or something mysterious in a treasure chest.

Defeating a dungeon boss gets your adrenaline going because you know  Link is  getting closer to rescuing  Princess  Zelda from  Ganon’s  keep.

Finding a red or blue rupee is exciting especially when you need to visit the item shop to purchase a shield, bombs, arrows, a shovel or health and magic potions.

Powering up Link’s sword  or Master  Sword is fun because you can use it to defeat multiple enemies  at once.

In Link’s Awakening  (Nintendo Gameboy) and Link’s Awakening DX for the Nintendo Gameboy Color, you can make a missile when you  use a bomb and an arrow  at once.

In  Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Link can jump over short gaps and holes when he obtains  Roc’s Feather.
In A Link To The Past, The Minish Cap, Link’s Awakening, and  Four Swords Adventures, Link can charge into walls, enemies and objects and do a Dash attack when he gets  Pegasus Shoes or Boots.

If you like the Legend Of  Zelda series of video games  you also know what you will be  getting when you get a new Legend Of  Zelda video game. Good graphics, high quality and fun game play and a hero who is always willing to rescue Princess Zelda from her plight.

I look forward to each Legend Of  Zelda video game because I know I will be having fun playing an excellent game.

-The fun will amaze you, and the game will keep you returning for more-

Yours Truly

Mazes of Fate For The Nintendo GBA/GBA SP

In 2006 when the Nintendo DS was soaring  as  the unique, dual screen portable gaming system and the Nintendo Gameboy Advance was quietly making its exit, there  came a GBA game  that received  little or not enough  marketing  publicity.

That game  is: Mazes of Fate for the Nintendo Gameboy Advance. And I came across this game I had not heard of  while  perusing  books and  other  oddities at a local Half Price Book Store last year. Since then a remake of the  mentioned  game  is available for  the Nintendo DS, but this review is about the GBA version.

First  of all, Mazes of Fate for the Nintendo GBA/ GBA SP is  a first person dungeon  RPG crawler. As the game opens, and you watch the introduction you realize that the Kingdom of Karsh is in dire need  of a hero/heroine. A hero who will ultimately seek out and  defeat  Harlac before he turns everyone into Goatmen because Harlac thinks mankind has lost his way an this is his way of punishing them.

When  you  get to the menu screen,  you can delve right into the game by selecting one of  three ready made  heroes or you can custom make your own.  For this  you have a choice of your hero being a: male  warrior who uses weapons and force, a female rogue who also uses weapons and a mage  or magic user.

A custom made hero is recommended  because you can start him/her off with a higher level of strength, endurance, wisdom, etc. Although there are no random battles in Mazes of Fate for the Nintendo GBA, and the enemies do not regenerate every time you clear a dungeon,  each time your hero levels up, he gets three points he can allocate to reinforce different attributes.

And  if you are curious about adjusting the settings, you can go there as well and  brighten or darken the screen to your liking and turn up/down the sound on the music and sound effects before you begin playing this gem of  a game  I did not discover before.

Anyway, after choosing or creating your hero and you walk around the town of Sumur, just as in any RPG you learn about what has to be done by talking to different characters. For example,  if you go to the Big Tuna Tavern you will learn from the Barkeep that there are some rats in his Aunt’s cellar he wants defeated. This turns out to be your first mission.

And throughout the game,  your deeds will come in the form of missions which can be viewed  in the Questlog on the Start screen. When each mission is completed, it will automatically be deleted from the Questlog. Try not to take on too many missions at once and when conversing with in game characters make sure you make the wise choice because  this too can have  an impact on how the game advances.

Some of the dungeons are long, but you can save anywhere, anytime just by tapping on the start button.

I like  this game very much, and  if you are into dungeon crawling  RPGs, then you should not miss out on Mazes of Fate for the Nintendo GBA/GBA SP/ Nintendo DS/Nintendo DS Lite.

Rated T for TEEN for:
Blood
Alcohol References (There are quite a few)
Mild  Animated Violence

-The fun will amaze you, and the game will keep you returning for more-

Yours Truly