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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 moderate to vigorous physical exercise each day, which should use at least three times as much energy as is used at rest. Playing outdoor is also a great stress buster, providing instant mental relaxation,” says Sharma.

A slightly healthier option are the new generation of wireless based computer games, which meant to stimulate greater interaction and movement during play stimulate greater energy expenditure than sedentary games. Still, these are no substitute for playing real sports.

Researchers at Liverpool John Moore’s University in the UK compared the energy expenditure of adolescents when playing sedentary and new generation active computer games and found the energy expenditure was increased only by 60 kcal per hour during active compared with sedentary gaming. The consoles used for the study were XBOX 360 and Nintendo Wii, which geared for players to get off the couch and get involved with the game.

New thinking indicates that a lot also depends on how much time you spend wallowing in the virtual world. Video games are great tools for education, but parents have to watch that the tool does become more important than the subject being taught. They need to supervise the purchase or rental of games to ensure they are ageappropriate.

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.

10. Sydney, Australia: New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour is a spectacular event with boats galore out on the water and crowds holding picnics around the water waiting for the 12 minutes of intense fireworks at midnight.

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 by King Narasimhadeva I in the 13th century, when Konark was a busy port city. The temple, which is Konarak city’s best known landmark, is designed in the shape of a giant chariot with 24 wheels, drawn by 7 horses, and set alongside the sea shore. This historic monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural marvel, in this historical place in Eastern India.

Varanasi:  Considered to be one of the oldest cities in India, Varanasi attracts thousands of tourists who come to experience its spiritual ambience. The ceremonial Ghats, the university, archaeological museum, and the many temples in Varanasi make it a unique city where history is very much a part of daily life. Varanasi is one of the most important religious and historical places in India.

Mumbai: A city better known as the modern financial capital of India, Mumbai however does have a rich history. Originally inhabited by Koli fishermen, this collection of 7 islands was part of Portuguese territory in India. Handed over to the British as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II of England in 1661, Mumbai has some remarkable colonial architecture and monuments including the Victoria Terminus - now called Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Gateway of India.

Agra:  The city of Agra was the imperial capital of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Shah Jahan. He built the beautiful mausoleum the Taj Mahal - for his consort Mumtaz Mahal after her death in 1631.Agra also has many other Mughal monuments - the Agra Fort, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, and Akbar’s fort at Sikandra near Agra, which make a visit to this historical place in Uttar Pradesh, India, a must see on your tour of the historical places in India.

Shimla: Shimla was the summer capital of India under British rule. Presently, it is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, with its population around 1.6 lacs (Shimla town only). Shimla has seen many important historical events such as the famous Shimla Pact between India & Pakistan which was signed here. The place is also famous for its natural beauty, architectural buildings, wooden crafts and apples.

Manali: Manali the most beautiful destination in Himachal Pradesh (Himalayas) and also known as Queen of hill stations. Manali is specially known for its world famous tourist place called Rohtans pass (Also known as Honeymooners place). Manali is the ultimate tourist destination for the trekking, mountaineering, rafting, skiing, helicopter skiing etc. The Kullu valley has an ancient town in its lap called Manali. Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali’s major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers. Also popular as a hill resort destination, Manali presents some excellent and well-equipped accommodation choices for the tourists.

In the past decade Manali has turned out to be one of the best destination’ of India, particularly in those resorts, which cater Indian domestic tourists and honeymoon couples. But the ideal places to stay are the small guesthouses, providing a tranquil atmosphere of the Himalayas for those who are looking for solitute

Khajjiar:  A small picturesque saucer-shaped plateau surrounded by dense pine and deodar forests, is one of the 160 places throughout the world to have been designated “Mini Switzerland”. Yes; this is Khajjiar, a tiny tourist resort in Chamba about 24 kms from Dalhousie; at an altitude of 6,500 ft. above sea level. The moment one enters the picturesque Khajjiar, one is welcomed by a yellow Swiss sign for ‘hiking path’ which reads “Mini Switzerland”.

Kashmir:  The white sheet of snow spread far and wide concealing the resonating beauty of this paradise. The soft snowflakes adorning the coniferous, the misty hazy breath, the chilly breeze gently tingling your senses, the tender sunlight deflecting from the ice capped peaks and spreading the much needed warmth. All so milky and pure. It is picture of a true heaven on earth.

Dalhousie: Dalhousie, the pride of Himachal Pradesh, remains a much sought after Hill station in India as a honeymooner’s destination. While talking of Dalhousie one must not fail to mention, Khajjiar, which is a big hit with the tourists in Himachal Pradesh as a popular Hill Station in India. In the mundane sense of the term Khajjiar, is a large lake akin to a field, which is most of the time more than half empty and surrounded by snow from all the directions.