Jul 24, 2010

Don't compare Sachin and Dhoni



Creating a stir and being a living legend are two different things. Congratulations to MS Dhoni for having inked the mega deal with Rhiti Sports, but media reports of Dhoni's "overtaking" Sachin and "snatching" his crown (endorsements) not only insult the little Big Man of Indian cricket, but also are in bad taste.

Don't compare brand with band. Band has several meanings. One of which means a series of ornaments. It also means to tie together. And Sachin has both these qualities. He is not the jewel in the crown; he is the crown. He is the thread that binds the team. He is the man who stands up for his teammates. Remember, how he stood up for Harbhajan in that "monkey" episode with Andrew Symonds.

His achievements and sacrifices for Indian cricket cannot be measured in money. My intention is not to explore the lexicon and play with words like brands and band, but I want to drive home one message: don't compare brand with band (series of ornaments).

MS Dhoni has come a long way. From his mane to money, Dhoni (read Dhani) has made his imprint in the history of Indian cricket. But comparing him as a brand with Sachin is unjust. Sachin Tendulkar, especially for cricket lovers, is the almighty and today it does not matter how much he is paid for endorsing a product. Sachin has been the country's brand ambassador and may continue to remain so, perhaps forever.

It was Sachin who lost his father during the 1999 World Cup, came home for three days, and returned to play for the country and score a century! Guess why he looks up every time he crosses a milestone. His greatness lies in what the greats have to say about him. Sir Donald Bradman had said: "He reminds me of myself."

Hailing his heroics, Mark Taylor, the former Australian captain had said: “We didn’t lose to a team called India. We lost to a man called Sachin Tendulkar.” And Mathew Hayden had said, "I have seen God, and he bats at number 4."

A soldier is not judged by the weapon he possesses or the Kurukshetra he wins. He is judged by his  character and how he chooses to uses his weapons on that particular day. There's no point talking about the runs he has scored. Instead, one has to see how the master blaster has inspired a generation of fiercely motivated youngsters that will carry forward his legacy.

Money can never be a yardstick for greatness, it surely maps the celeb's saleability. Not to forget, years ago, Sachin began his endorsement career with Band-Aid!

Jul 4, 2010

Take charge of your career destiny

 Inspiring excerpts from Azim Premji, Founder, Wipro's address address at IIT Delhi's convocation ceremony.


THE funny thing about life is that you realize the value of something only when it begins to leave you. As my hair turned from black, to salt and pepper and finally salt without the pepper, I have begun to realise the enthusiasm and excitement of youth. 


At the same time, I have begun to truly appreciate some of the lessons I have learnt along the way. As you embark on your careers, I would like to share them with you. I am hoping that you will find them as useful as I have.

The world you are entering is in many ways very different now from what it was when I began my career. It was the late sixties and India still depended on other countries for something as basic as food. We aroused sympathy, not admiration whenever we went overseas. Recently, someone told me, that when visitors came to India then, they came to see what they could do for India. Now, they come to see what India can do for them. As a hopeful Indian, I look at our country as one which is rich in ethnic and cultural diversity and one that has an effective, secular democracy which will help us build an enduring society.

Sayings of swami 


Lesson 1: Take charge

This was the first thought that came to me, when over four decades ago, I stepped into Wipro factory at Amalner. I was 21 and had spent the last few years in Stanford University Engineering School at California. Many people advised me to take up a nice, cushy job rather than face the challenges of running a hydrogenated oil business. Looking back, I am glad I decided to take charge instead. Essentially, leadership begins from within. It is a small voice that tells you where to go when you feel lost. If you believe in that voice, you believe in yourself. When it comes to choosing your careers, you have to take charge of your own destiny.

Lesson 2: Earn your happiness

The second lesson I have learnt is that a rupee earned is of far more value than five found. In fact, what is gifted or inherited follows the old rule of come easy, go easy. I guess we only know the value of what we have if we have struggled to earn it.

Lesson 3: Nothing succeeds like failure

The third lesson I have learnt is no one bats a hundred every time. Life has many challenges. You win some and lose some. You must enjoy winning. But do not let it go to the head. The moment it does, you are already on your way to failure. And if you do encounter failure along the way, treat it as an equally natural phenomenon. The important thing is, when you lose, do not lose the lesson.

Lesson 4: Nothing fails like success

The fourth lesson I have learnt is the importance of humility. There is a thin line of difference between confidence and arrogance. Confident people are always open to learn. A recent survey of executives in Europe showed that the single most important quality needed for leadership success was the willingness to learn from any situation. Arrogance on the other hand stops learning. It comes with a feeling that one knows all that needs to be known and has done all that needs to be done.

Lesson 5: There has to be a better way

Partly as a corollary to what I have just said, we must remember that no matter how well we do something there has to be a better way! Excellence is not a destination but a journey. Creativity and innovation sometimes need inspiration from other disciplines. It is probably not a chance that Einstein?s interest in music was as much as his interest in Physics. Bertrand Russell was as much a mathematician as a philosopher. Excellence and creativity go hand in hand.

Lesson 6: Respond, not react

There is a world of difference between the two and in terms of success and failure. The difference is that the mind comes in between responding and reacting. When we respond, we evaluate with a calm mind and do whatever is most appropriate. We are in control of our actions. When we react, we are still doing what the other person wants us to do
Lesson 7: Remain physically active

It is easy to take health for granted when you are young. I have found that exercise not only improves the quality of time but also reduces the time you need for sleep. The truth is that stress will only increase in a global world. You must have your own mechanism to deal with it. 



Lesson 8: Never compromise on your core values

Mahatma Gandhiji often said that you must open the windows of your mind, but you must not be swept off your feet by the breeze. One must define what you stand for. This is not difficult. But values lie, not in the words used to describe them, as much as in the simple acts. And that is the hard part. Like someone said, "I could not hear what you said because what you did was coming out far too loud."

Lesson 9: Play to win

Playing to win brings out the best in us and in our teams. It brings out the desire to stretch, to achieve that which seems beyond our grasp. However, it is not about winning at any cost. It is not about winning every time. It is not about winning at the expense of others. It is about innovating all the time. It is a continuous endeavour to do better than last time.

Lesson 10: Give back to society

All of us have a collective social responsibility towards doing our bit to address them. Of all the challenges, the key to me is education. We have a paradoxical situation, where on the one hand we have jobs chasing scarce talent and on the other, rampant unemployment and poverty. The only way to bridge these two ends of the pole is by providing quality education that is accessible by all.

Jan 23, 2010

All Iz Well.

After WATCHING THE MOVIE “3IDIOT”



I can not stop myself to write that lesson which is taught by this movie .Yes I am talking about the message of Baba Ranchod Das
“BABA RANCHOD DAS NE KAHA HAI KI
BETA KAMYAB NAHI KABIL BANO….
KAMYABI TO APNE AAP JHAK MAR KE PEECHE AAYEGI

Always remember Success is not what give you a lot of money but is one which give you happiness.Isn’t?

Jan 11, 2010

National Youth Day | Swami Vivekananda's Birthday- Jan 12




Indian Government declared Jan 12 as the National Youth Day in 1984.The motto of declaring youth day on the birth date of this philosophical guru was motivating and inculcating these pious ideals to the coming generations.As per the quote from the Government of India’s Communication, “it was felt that the philosophy of Swami ji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.”

Today is the most auspicious day on the which the great saint and giant of indian spirituality was born..MAY SWAMI GIVE GREAT COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO ALL..









Mahatma Gandhi said, "Swami Vivekananda's writings need no introduction from anybody. They make their own irresistible appeal." --- So I wont give Any Introduction about My GuruJi.

Rabindranath Tagore a Nobel Poet Laureate had said, "If you want to know India, study Vivekananda. In him everything is positive and nothing negative."

According to Subhas Chandra Bose, Vivekananda "is the maker of modern India" and for Mohandas Gandhi, Vivekananda's influence increased his "love for his country a thousandfold."

 National Youth Day in India is held on his birthday, January 12, to commemorate him. This was a most fitting gesture as much of Swami Vivekananda's writings concerned the Indian youth and how they should strive to uphold their ancient values whilst fully participating in the modern world.


The French Nobel Laureate, Romain Rolland writes, "His words are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!

Swamijis birth day according to Georgian calendar falls on January 12 each year, the day is also observed as National Youth Day.

Many activities are planned for the day including various processions, speeches, recitations, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasana presentation, competitions in essay-writing, recitations, speeches, music, sports, etc.The National Youth Day is also observed in almost all educational institutes of the country with great enthusiasm on 12 January every year. I was One Of Volunteer for VIHE(Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence ), RK Math ,Hyd.













Arise, Awake, and Stop Not Till the Goal Is Reached!


This clarion call of Vivekananda is essentially a mantra for the modern man. Vivekananda placed great emphasis on “awakening”; so what exactly does this awakening constitute? The fact that you are reading this article indicates that you are awake, right? Nay, that is being awake at the physical level. Real awakening is when one wakes up to the beauties of one’s own inner self. It is the realization that one’s body is a temporary “shell” and the real self, the “inner you,” is Atman [soul].

To attain self realization, one has to awaken to truth—higher levels of wakefulness. There are four such levels. The first is the apparent wakeful attentiveness with which we move about and busy ourselves everyday. We are very much like others, alert and aware, when thus awake. But Vedanta reveals four categories of wakefulness: the fully awake, the wakefulness of the mind only (as while dreaming), the wakefulness of the self alone (as in deep sleep), and the illumination of the self (awakening into the Over-self). These are named as Sthoola, Sookshma, Kaarana, and Mahakaarana [The Gross, The Subtle, The Causal, and the Super-cause].

The Upanishads say, “Get up, arise, awake”; time is fleeting fast. Use the moment while it is available, for the best of uses, the awareness of the Divine in all. When you die, you must not die like a tree or a beast or a worm, but like a man who has realized that he is Maadhava [God]. This realization is the consummation of all the years you spend in the human frame.

Arise, Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached


This is the basic message that was conveyed by Swami Vivekananda. Though it is a simple sentence, this conveys a lot of meaning. The following is my personal interpretation of the same after reading more of spiritual speeches and attending lectures.

ARISE: Do not sit idle. Get up. Get into action. Don't waste your life in sitting idle and doing things that waste years and takes one away from GOAL. Give up laziness and be filled with an energy to get into action. Always be filled with a positive energy that lets you stay focused and be in action.

AWAKE: Awakening does not mean just getting up from sleep. Here Awakening means the mental realization about one's state. Awakening comes when one realizes that one is sleeping. Realize one's current state and realize where one needs to go is the mental awakening that is needed for an individual.

GOAL: Having goal is the first step towards realizing the same. One of the most difficult things in life is become aware of one's goals. Goal is not petty desires that one attempts to achieve. A higher goal that sets an individual very determined to achieve, which focuses energy of an individual. The goal should be very clear in one's mind. Reaching the goal should be the only purpose for which the individual lives the life. Mere thought about the goal motivates the individual to do anything. Character of the individual is developed and motivated by the GOAL.

STOP NOT TILL THE GOAL IS REACHED: Once the GOAL is clear in mind, work with unwavering concentration and determination towards achieving the goal. Do not flinch from path that leads to the ultimate GOAL. Have only one aim day in and day out to reach the goal.

In summary, the sentence upon reflection gives a very strong message to every individual to become aware one's true nature of achieving their ultimate goal of life.




Many times during the day, I am reminded of this single sentence which fills me with an energy to stay positive and keep working without getting de-motivated. Working towards one's goals with dedication is what makes the life fulfilling.



The above is my personal interpretation that I thought would share with everyone. This sentence taken from one of the eight Upanishads and used a motto is worth reflection whenever one find's time. I have been thinking for quite some time to share my views with everyone and I realized one such goal today.



~ Take up one idea! Make that idea your life ,Think of it .Dream of it,live on that idea.Let the brain,muscles,nerves every part of your body be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone.This is the way to success. ~

~ The first sign of your becoming religious is that you are becoming cheerful ~

~ Religion is the manifestation of the Divinity already in man ~

~ He who always thinks himself as weak will never become strong, but he who knows himself to be a lion, rushes out from the worlds meshes, as a lion from its cage ~

~ He who always thinks himself as weak will never become strong, but he who knows himself to be a lion, rushes out from the worlds meshes, as a lion from its cage ~

~ Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way. ~

~ Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth. ~

~ Turn thy gaze inward, wherein resides the Supreme Self ~

~ All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark. ~

~ The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him - that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free. ~

Jan 10, 2010

Do you overwork? Time to get organized

By siliconindia news bureau
Saturday,09 January 2010, 20:27 hrs



Though, some people get good salaries for the work they do, most of times they don't get enough time or energy for a life outside workplace. "If you feel you are overworked, the first thing to do is identify if you are actually being given too much work or if you are just disorganised,"
 
Some signs like leaving the office last, working late every night or going to office every weekend that shows that a person is overworking. "Every time I finish one pile of folders, there is another pile on my desk with a note asking me to finish it before I leave. It is so frustrating to have to work every weekend," says Lata Bangera, a 24-year-old Chartered Accountant.

Maintaining a record on the days on which you are asked to stay back late at work can show how often you are being asked to do too much work. "Make a list of the assignments you have been working on and how long they have taken you. This will help you when you plan to take up the issue with higher authorities,"
Talking to your boss can also help to make him understand the amount of work you have been doing. "Bring it up in casual conversation and give them time to think about it. If this doesn't work, talk to your boss frankly but politely. Don't get emotional or lose your cool. You will only make matters worse,"

Some companies may exploit its employees and ask them to do more work and not hire new staff to handle the extra work. "Many companies load additional work on existing employees instead of hiring new staff. This way one person ends up doing many people's work without a hike in pay,"

Jan 9, 2010

Gadwal ...Janani janma bhoomischa swargadapi gareeyasi.

Some historical background:




When Lord Rama defeated Ravana in historical battle of Lanka, Lakshman, Lord Rama's brother asked him to settle in that beautiful city of Lanka which was supposedly made of bricks of Gold. This is the actual quote from Valmeeki Ramayan of Lord Rama's answer to Lakshmana's request.
अपि स्वर्णमयी लंका न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते ।
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ॥


api swarnamayee lankaa na me Lakshmana rochate
janaanee janmabhoomishcha swargaadapi gareeyasee

It is in Sanskrit. "janma bhoomischa" (should be one word). "Janani" - mother, "janmabhoomi" - Birthland, "swargadapi" - more than Heaven, "gareeyasi" - dearer. Loosely translated - My birthland, my Mother (metaphor, birthland is my mother), is dearer to me than Heaven.



I started wrting about My Home Twon which already famous for Something you let you know by end ..... , I recollected my memories On 1st Jan 2010 like every year , but this year is special since I Physically I left Gadwal after my 10th (April 2000- 1Day before Ugadi) I used to go only for vacation , I lived out side Gadwal  nearly 10 years. I went out for My studies then now I am away from My Mother land (India) which is greater than heaven. 

Gadwal is located at 16°14′N 77°48′E / 16.23°N 77.8°E / 16.23; 77.8. It has an average elevation of 325 metres (1066 feet).

I born(Officially Gadwal ..In fact i born at My Mothers home town Kollapur) and brought up in Gadwal

Gadwal Samsthanam
(This word became poplular after Arundhati Movi In telugu - which has not a true story from gadwal- i will write more in next blogs about Arudhanti- vaddala bommali :) )


Description of Gadwal  Kota in my words:

So many years back Gadwal ruled by kings, In that "Nalla Soma Nadhri" is very famous among them.He is very powerful and strong man.And he looks black color.There are so many interesting stories of him.
Old generation people saying that...He lifted "large and heavy pirangi" with his hands, That much powerful and strong man........Present also the Gadwal fort is still there, But it is almost all damaged.Some portion of fort is occupied by Govt and they are running Jr And Degree College successfully.There are so many famous people are born in Gadwal.
Gadwal Samsthanam was in Raichur district(Now it is in Mahabubnagar district).Was once ruled by a local ruler called Somashekar Ananda Reddy,fondly called somanadri.Gadwal is built around a fort built by the Gadwal ruler somanadri.This Gadwal Samsthanam was protected by Mallichetti vamshiyulu.


Gadwal is famous for Chenna Kesava Swami Temple built by the Rajas of Gadwal in the 17th Century A.D.
While in Gadwal do visit the Chenna Keshava Temple. Legend has that 'Chenna Keshava' a Brahmin was offered as sacrifice by the then ruler to build the fort. In recognition of this the temple was named after the Brahmin as Chenna Keshava Temple.
The Brahmotsavam renowned in honour of this deity for ten days during February-March attracts about 40,000 devotees from all over the region and also from the districts of Hyderabad, Warangal, Kurnool and Raichur.

 

Gadwal is also famous as a tourist spot. Here there is one of the largest project (DAM) Known as Priyadarshini Jurala Project with almost 70 gates and very soon it will be ready for generating power. Gadwal was ruled by a king called Somashekar Ananda Reddy and there is a famous fort worth watchable. Gadwal has Sri Jamulama Devi Temple, a devine place for many people of Gadwal.

Transport


It is well connected with the railway line. There are more than 20 trains that pass through Gadwal every day. It is 188 km from hyderabad. Very soon Gadwal will be known as Railway Junction because of railway connection from Gadwal to Raichur Dist (karnataka). The work is already in progress and may be completed in 2010.


Gadwal is known for its world famous handloom jari sarees. People here are most talented to weave 5.5 the meters sarees in such a way that it can be folded to a size as equivalent as a small match box.



Gadwal Sarees are very popular since 1930's. These are cotton sarees with attached silk border and silk pallow.


Gadwal Sarees are very famous in Andhra Pradesh.Gadwal Sarees having a special recognition among all saress.Most of people used to come to Gadwal to buy sarees.And Gadwal sarees business is now very peak position.Sarees business people are earning very much................


In Hyderabad Vijayawada vi zag.........so many places having special showrooms for Gadwal sarees.
MOst of ladies like Gadwal sarees very much , specially in A.P...
In Gadwal there is separate Area, where Gadwal sarees are making.Most of the sarees people are make sarees in their houses and also they will sell in their houses.....
But, The people who make sarees are still in same position in financially.Because the mediators are getting more profit.....
Gadwal sarees passing to other countries also, even though the creator of Gadwal sarees are still same position.The cost will start from 1200 Rs to ...............
really, Ladies look very beautiful in Gadwal Sarees. That is power of Gadwal Sarees........

Krishna River :
One more good thing about my home town is we have Krishana river 4 KM from the center (Krishna Veni chowk)(and Jurala DAM 15KM) , more than that we have Hanuman temple while going to krishna river. I hope every student visited this place, we were going every saturday(in my last india trip also) to Hanuman temple which 2.5km from Town Center with fresh air and Krishana Canals. I remember my School days ....My friends knows how we prepare for SSC like RamaSena(Vanaras --I am the first one in that Climbing trees and eating fruits etc...)

The Best time to visit gadwal is Krishna Pushkara.However every moment is good.

I Observed many students are comming to gadwal from various parts of State(from Telangana region) ,because we have many colleges like Sri Kottam Tulasi Reddy Memorial College of Engineering and Many BEd College arond the town.
Movies to see Gadwal :

If see two words Movie and Gadwal together ...your mind will stop At Arundhati---Vadalu e Bommali ..... this movie just taken Gadwal Name and Gadwal samastan but did not shot actual gadwal  & The story has nothing to do with our hometown.......Kondaveeti Raja is movie to watch Gadwal

Arundhati is a 2009 Telugu film starring Anushka as the protagonist. It was directed by Kodi Ramakrishna.Now Gadwal is a well known name....how?? cause of the recent Blockbuster movie ARUNDHATI. Yep, our own hometown name GADWAL was used in the movie..I recently saw the movie and was surprised to listen the name Gadwal in the movie. I never had any idea that the movie contains our hometowns name.The name Gadwal was used very often in the movie, I can recall the usage of term Gadwal for atleast 15 to 20 times.

I know the film was not shot in Gadwal but it is just usage of the towm name. One scene that resemble our town in the movie is Gadwal's railway track with the board "Welcome to Gadwal" along side the track written in Telugu "Suswagatam Gadwal". 
The point of attraction in the movie is a palace.The palace is shown above a mountain.....I know there is no such palace in Gadwal but a similar fort in between in the river Krishna at Beechpalli(16 KM from gadwal) at the top of the hill.The Director must have got an idea to use our hometowns name because Gadwal is a historical place with few forts in and around the town.
 
In Fact Our Megastart's Movie compleaty shot in Gadwal : Kondaveeti Raja is a 1986 Tollywood film starring Chiranjeevi, Radha, Vijayashanti, and Rao Gopal Rao. This film was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Dubbed into Tamil as Thangamalai Thirudan. Chiru plays an archeologist in disguise of a village youth in this movie. In kondaveedu(Gadwal in real),there is an old fort and every one in that village believes that there is a hidden treasure inside.



Please follow below ling for more info:

http://gadwal-info.blogspot.com/

http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_127.gif

Indian with Red Indians my Experience in EL Salvador (San Salvador)

SAN SALVADOR the city where I was staying.

"Where are you heading next?" people asked me.


"El Salvador"

"Oh!"

"Have you been there?"

"Yes"

"Whats it like?"

"Oh...well we didn't actually travel there. We just got a info about  San Salvador its meant to be really dangerous" ................ :( -- Of course Dangerous for first few days/weeks.




This is the same conversation I had with the very few people we spoke to who had actually been to El Salvador. No one had actually traveled around or knew anything about it.


No fears, no worries, no problems! Get on that plane as you planned & look forward to an incredible stay in spectacular El Salvador .Tourists are always warmly welcomed by the kind, friendly, proud, happy Salvadoran people who love their country & love sharing it with visitors!
Please don't be freaked out in any way by ridiculous propaganda targeting a country that the offenders know nothing about! Troubled times in El Salvador are over & done with decades ago & the more people who come & experience the real El Salvador the better to put an end to the false hype! 



El Salvador is a country, like many in Central America, getting back on its feet after a terrible civil war that lasted 12 years and cost thousands of lives . Its also suffered many natural disasters, and is still rumored by most travelers to be dangerous. So nobody goes there, but when you ask people what is so dangerous about El Salvador no one can actually tell you. "Oh the city is really rough!" Of course the Cities are dodgy, they are world wide, it's not like we were planning a tour around San Salvador at 2 am in the morning! Well we did end up doing this by mistake but we would´t recommend it! ----  After going there for 3 times , i can say its one of good place to go when you are a live (they respect Indian a lot)

I went to this country  last year 3 times for 5 months., but when  I am refreshing my memories of 2009 , I found this is one of different experience of my first ,2nd and also third on site o with 3 different feelings
That is EL/Ill/Hell/Hill Salvador (El Salvador--Latin America) ......

I can tell why I used many thing like Ill, Hell and Hill  ...hmm but not now anymore... In one word I can say, I had 3 business trips this place I started to El .. And returns with ILL next time it seems HELL to me I tried my level best to stop travel ... but my last (longest of all) is very good with Hill stations and ends all my trips Well.

I have been to most parts of the country and never had a problem. When travelling take taxis (they are cheap) and never take the bus or local minibuses. They can be a bit dangerous.


After few visits and making best amigos and Amigas (FRIENDS), I'm happy to say El Salvador is great place and people I met.



San Salvador is a good place where the shopping and nightlife is as good as you will get anywhere in the region. There are poorer areas which can be hazardous but if you take care, you will enjoy the life


San Salvador is capital of country , is a modern city of wide boulevards and narrow streets, outdoor markets, government buildings, high-rises, monuments, an exuberant nightlife, museums and other cultural institutions  all set against the backdrop of San Salvador volcano. The city is surrounded by shantytowns as well as affluent suburbs with restaurants and large shopping malls. 





 Language




Spanish is the official language and is spoken by virtually all inhabitants (some indigenous people still speak their native tongues, but all speak Spanish). English is also spoken by some throughout the republic. Many Salvadorans have studied or lived in English-speaking countries (primarily the U.S., but also Canada and Australia).

The funniest part is my Spanish & English of Few Amigos (anyway they improved their English faster than My Spanish). I  had good experience in my first trip I used call Roberto every time as mediator while speaking with Tester of course Google translator helped us a lot. Initial Days for me very tough to go out for shopping or eating ..I heard this place is very dangerous to go out , which is not true always we can go out in day but only problem is you should know min Spanish. Every Salvadorian likes Indians.. I was proud to say as I am Indian rather saying coming from Europe(I mean Cyprus).

Hindi is My National Language but i cant speak much and never tried to speak also, but i tried every day to speak Spanish( its a dead situation)......i succeeded little bit :).

FOOD





Popusa is a typical food of El Salvador. It's a maize flour dough which is made into a cup and filled typically with cheese and beans and then flattened into a pancake and lighltly fried. It´s served with pickled shredded cabbage and carrot and a tomtato salsa. WOWEEE! We were in taste bud heaven! (I ate in hotel Marriot did not feel much but after visiting  wanting to taste the best pupusas in the country go to Puerta del Diablo(Door of Devil) Mountain.



Pupusas are a thick hand-made corn tortilla (made using masa de maíz or masa de arroz, a maize or rice flour dough used in Latin American cuisine) stuffed with one or more of the following: cheese (usually a soft Salvadoran cheese, a popular example is Quesillo con loroco), chicharrón, and refried beans. Loroco is a vine flower bud native to Central America. There are also vegetarian options, often with ayote (a type of squash) or garlic. Some adventurous restaurants even offer pupusas stuffed variety of local items.


Pupusa comes from the pipil-nahuatl word, pupushahua. The pupusa's exact origins are debated, although its presence in El Salvador is known to predate the arrival of Spaniards.
One of the most noticeable desserts that El Salvador has is fried plantain, usually accompanied with beans, cream, and cheese. It is one of El Salvador's great dishes in desserts. Although it is recognized as a dessert, Salvadorians usually eat fried plantain as breakfast or as a snack.




A drink that Salvadorians love is chuco, usually made out of purple corn. Chuco is made by soaking purple corn in water, then blending it and cooking the corn over a medium fire. The thickened drink is called chuco. Toasted pumpkin seeds and boiled beans are added to the drink





San Salvador is the capital and largest city of the nation of El Salvador. It is the third most populous city in Central America;. It looked nice and I shocked that i came to India instead of El Salvador , lovely looks  like poor India. I also met the first of many real friendly people in El Salvador. My Dear Amigos, Muchas Gracias.
As a result, San Salvador contains affluent suburbs as well as slums, representing the discrepancy in the country's distribution of wealth. Still recovering in many ways from an extended history of violence, San Salvador can be sprawling, grimy and chaotic. But once compromising first impressions are set aside, many travelers will discover San Salvador's other side: friendly, globe-conscious, cultured -- even sophisticated.


“Unexpected Natural Beauty.”

If you have never seeing an up close volcano crater this is your chance. The views are exceptional and everything is so green. I love it.
San Salvador is located at the foot of the San Salvador Volcano in El Salvador’s Valle de las Hamazas – the Valley of the Hammocks – named for its powerful seismic activity


 

Othere places like Joya de Ceren, Joyas Negras are also good.
It was like being in the states with shopping malls, cinemas and fast food restarunts everywhere .  Ummm not good. There were 5 of us so it wasnt to bad but being as all resturaunts shops and bars have "NO GUNS, KNIVES OR DRUGS" signs on the door. This wasnt a place you wanted to be lost in.A selection of top San Salvador shopping malls includes the Multiplaza mall, Galerias, Metrocentro, Moma Linsa, Ka Gran Via and El Paseo. The llopango marketplace east of the city center is the best place in San Salvador to shop for handicrafts and goods from local artisans, along with the Mercado de Artesanías near Zona Rosa.
The waterfall wasnt falling with water as it is dry season but it was still beautiful. Due to volcanic nature of the rocks it was made up of lots of hexagonal pillars giving the look of a giant black church organ . Definatley worth the visit.}


San Salvador Beaches(Pacific Ocean): Fooled me  :( . There aren't any San Salvador beaches. However, the most popular beaches in El Salvador are at La Libertad, just half an hour from San Salvador. I went to one San Blas Beach ,which FULL of Rocks .One good thing is the waves( the biggest waves i ever seen) are awesome here .



Culture
San Salvador is a rich cultural city, with many places such as the historical center or downtown, which en marks some of the most beautiful architectures in town. One of the main historical places of the capital city is the National Theater. Recently remodeled, it was originally built in 1866. The National Palace keeps its original front, and combines neoclassic, neogothics and renaissance architectural details on its structure.

San Salvador also has other cultural places such as the El Salvador´s Art Museum (Museo de Arte de El Salvador, MARTE), the National Museum David J. Guzmán, the Luis Poma´s Theatre, and the museum for kids Tin Marin., among others.


For anyone thinking of going to El Salvador, DO! Its a beautiful country and a shame to miss..even its Dangerous for first trip then you used to be dangerous only when u met some Red Indians
to be continued....................................



























 History

El Salvador (Spanish: República de El Salvador, literally meaning "Republic of the Savior"; original name in Nahuatl was Cōzcatlān) is the smallest and also the most densely populated country in Central America. 
It borders the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras. 

In 2001 El Salvador dropped its own currency, the colón, and adopted the U.S. dollar instead.
 Spanish rule


In the early sixteenth century, the Spanish conquistadors ventured into ports to extend their dominion to the area. They called the land "Provincia De Nuestro Señor Jesucristo El Salvador Del Mundo" ("Province of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World"), which was subsequently abbreviated to "El Salvador".
A thousand years ago a giant metropolis flourished in what is now El Salvador, rising from the ruins of Maya civilization