Pop Science writer Steven Johnson’s claim that video games sharpen brains by offering a cognitive workout that hones concentration, forward planning, lateral thinking, and sustained problem-solving skills, has made a bestseller of Everything Bad Is Good for You. His book, along with’ a series of classroom shootouts by young compulsive garners, has unfortunately moved the debate on the potential impact of video games On the mind, in the process completely ignoring their physical fallout. Too many children end up exercising only their thumbs and fingers these days. Weight issues are, usually the first health problem parents of inactive children have to contend with;” says nutritionist Rekha Sharma. She gets several young patients who are ready to do anything to lose weight except give up their television and gaming time. As the chief dietitian at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Sharma had done a series of studies on obesity in children over the past decade. “Most children and adolescents spend an average of three to four hours a day playing video games or watching television at home. Schools just have two games period a week, so most children get almost no physical activity at all,” she says. Playing video games for several hours every day has been shown to decrease school performance, increase aggression, raise obesity, induce epileptic seizures, and causes postural, muscular and skeletal disorders such as tendonitis, nerve compression, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Though these effects are not likely to occur in most children who usually don’t spend more than a couple of hours playing games each day, parents need to be concerned about two things: the amount of time spent playing, and the content of the games played. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children not spend more than one to two hours per day in front of all electronic screens, including TV, DVDs, and video or computer games. This means an average of seven to 14 hours per week. In the US, the average school-age child spends over 37 hours a week in front of a screen (nine hours of which is with video games, with boys averaging 13 hours a week and girls averaging five hours a week). While there is pan-India data available, adolescents in India spend as much time, if not more, in the virtual world. “Children and adolescents are currently recommended to take at least an hour of [...]
Archive for January 9th, 2008
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AROUND THE WORLD
January 9th, 2008 
krishna 1. Las Vegas, USA: Las Vegas bills itself as the world’s party capital and on New Year’s it hold back no stops. With The Strip filled with revelers, fireworks explode over the hotels and the casinos are packed. The showrooms are filled with entertainers including magician David Copperfield and The Doobie Brothers while nightclubs are hosting a list of celebrities such as Paris and Nicky Hilton and Britney Spears’ ex-husband Kevin Federline. 2. New York, USA: On New Year’s Eve, hundreds of thousands of· revelers crowd Times Square for the famous ball drop from the top of one of the neon-lit buildings which has been a tradition dating back to 1906. Get there early n and don’t expect to be able to leave until the party really is over 3. Boston, USA: First Night 2008 offers a list of events with New Year’s Eve activities taking place from 1pm to midnight on Monday, Dec 31 at over 40 indoor and outdoor venues. Popular attractions include a Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center, gigantic ice sculptures, a fireworks display; and a Mardi-Gras style procession that sweeps through the streets of Boston. 4. Orlando, USA: Trust Walt Disney not to miss a party. The Walt Disney World Resort rings in 2008 with street parties, longer hours and fireworks galore. 5. Paris, France: Pack a bottle of champagne and some plastic champagne flutes to join the crowds along the Champs Elysees from where you can get a good view of the Eiffel Tower as it explodes in light at the stroke of midnight while other fireworks explode around the city. 6. Cancun, Mexico: For people who love sun, dancing and a lively crowd” Cancun is one of the top destinations for New Year’s Eve. 7. Miami, USA: As Miami grows in popularity as a vacation destination, it is becoming a party city at all times of year. A major benefit is the weather outside can be as warm as the party inside. 8. Honolulu, Hawaii: Enjoy a warm celebration in Honolulu where most hotels host big parties. 9. Manila, Philippines: Manila u-shers in the New Year with a bang, quite literally, and with parties everywhere. Firecrackers and fireworks begin on New Year’s Eve and continue over midnight with the noise, based on Chinese belief, supposed to drive off evil spirits and bring in good luck. [...]
THIS NEW YEAR GO PLACES
January 9th, 2008 krishna India is a land with a rich and varied history. Many different rulers, dynasties and empires have fought over and controlled different parts of the Indian subcontinent during its eventful history. The various rulers and dynasties left behind their legacy in the form of grand monuments and buildings, in different historical places in India. Most of India’s cities have a history worth exploring, for the tales of the past are truly fascinating. The various monuments including palaces, forts, victory pillars and tombs in different historical places in India, tell glorious stories of India’s fascinating history. Delhi: The modern capital of India – New Delhi was built in the location of an ancient imperial capital. Originally the capital of the Tomara clan in the 11th century A.D, Delhi was later the capital of the Delhi sultanate, the mighty Mughal Empire and of the British in India. Monuments of Prithvi raj Chauhan, the Lodhi Tombs, the Siri Fort of Allauddin Khilji, The Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb from Mughal times and Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament House built in British times are all monuments you will see on your tour of Delhi – one of the most fascinating historical places in India. Mysore: The capital of the Wodeyar dynasty that ruled over Mysore, this city is home to the grand Mysore Palace, the Lalitha Mahal. Palace, several historic art galleries, the palaces of Tipu Sultan and traditional craftsmen who create fine Mysore silk and products made from sandalwood. Witness south Indian history come alive, in one of the most culturally rich, historic places in India. . Hyderabad: This imperial capital of the Nizams of Hyderabad is home to many grand monuments including the Char minar, the Golconda Fort, the Qutab Shahi Tombs and the Falaknuma Palace. History and modernity coexist in this city, where a mixture of religions, cultures and architectural styles come together to create one of the most-interesting historical places in India. Khajuraho: These world famous temples in Madhya Pradesh, India were built between the years 950 and 1050 A.D., during the reign of the Chandela dynasty: The temples are recognized worldwide for the excellence of their sculptures and for the erotic carvings on the temple walls. The Khajuraho temples are one of the most visited and studied historical places in India. Konarak: The magnificent Sun temple of Konarak in Orissa was built [...]
