Happy Halloween, Dev Diwali

Happy Dev Diwali! From today, Gods will celebrate Diwali for five days. However, 31st October being Halloween Day, its haunting of ghosts and werewolves and vampires like kali chaudas.

Mystyfying myths remain mysterious even though ultimate truths could be discovered using the human mind alone. Science has yet to reveal what caused them. Satanism, Blackmagic, tell tale, mythology and all, lead to beliefs of evil omens to exist on earth as Ghosts or demons or witches. It takes a fraction of a second to hear the sound ‘AUM’ at such times of spirit scare and take a walk outside the mind, moving from head to heart. We are all hung up in the head. One solution is get down from the head to the heart. Mysteries remain but problems disappear and evaporate leaving the trails of mysteries behind.

Happy Halloween's Day and Happy Dev Diwali too.

Btw, heard the track of Steven Cravis - Happy Halloween Music? It's a part of the 75 Top Halloween Songs picked by Apple iTunes iMix and the individual song is available as a download there, under the special iMix tab called Complete Set. You can also find the track for download on Mac and PC here http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/happyhalloween/from/topcds or just log to http://www.happyhalloweenmusic.com/ or listen at AmazonMP3.com (France, Germany UK and USA only, I believe) - Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/
Newspaper for Kids

Official Gujarat State Portal

As I content wrote the Gujarat Government State Portal for last many days, here's presenting the newly revamped Official Gujarat Portal. The thematic Portal provides glimpse into 5.5 Crore Gujaratis ‘Apnu Gujarat – Agavu Gujarat’ (Our Gujarat, Unique Gujarat) and act as catalyst to positively influence Gujarat and its rich Culture and traditions which has marked its footprints Internationally. The Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi lives on to the boom of a 21st century Gujarat with robust and mass movement of Development and Progress with a Proactive Government.
- Explore Gujaratindia.com till I still Explore....

A result of Perfect Team Work! Watch this space as I blog more on this...

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com

Newspaper for Kids

Web Content Analyst : www.gujaratindia.com

Author of Guardian of Angels

Diwali and New Year Significance

May this festival of lights illuminate your life with good health, long life, peace, happiness and prosperity. Wishing all who pass this way, very Happy Diwali and may your dreams turn true...

Well, invoked Lakshmi? I just did! Only for a day, she descends on the Earth to give her blessings I hear. Read more on Diwali on Kids Diwali pages here.

- ilaxi

Nobel Prize for Peace

Alfred Nobel was born in Stockholm on October 21, 1833 who became a famous scientist, inventor, businessman and founder of the Nobel Prizes. Alfred died in San Remo, Italy on December 10, 1896. In his last will and testament, he wrote that much of his fortune was to be used to give prizes to those who have done their best for humanity in the field of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. It took four years for his executors to convince all parties to follow Alfred's wishes.

That's how Nobel Prizes came to exist since 1901 when first Nobel Prizes were given in Stockholm, Sweden.

However, it is interesting to note How the Peace Prize was included by Alfred Nobel in his will.

Alfred had no family of his own. Once, he announced in the newspapers for a secretary. An Austrian lady, Bertha Kinsky von Chinic und Tettau got the job. After working for a short time, she moved back to Austria to marry Count Arthur von Suttner.

Alfred and Bertha von Suttner remained friends and exchanged letters through the years. She later became very active in the peace movement. She wrote the famous book "Lay Down Your Arms." When Alfred Nobel later wrote his will to establish the Nobel Prizes, he included a prize for persons or organizations who promoted peace.

Here's Profiles in Kidsfreesouls Literature pages and News in Kids section of recent Nobel Prize Awards to Indian born scientist Dr. Venkatraman Ramkrishnan for Chemistry (Joint sharing) and President Barrack Obama for Peace.

As there is mix surprize and opinions, headlines keep changing on Google 'Call to Action', 'A prize that carries perils', 'wins mocks awards' - Cool reactions to Obama's Nobel Prize for Peace!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids
Author of Guardian of Angels

Bloggers Unite - Make the Change!

With more than 126 Countries, 4530 Blogs and 10, 927.398 Readers - What can one Blog do to spread the message to Change the World?

Watch the video in Kidsfreesouls You Tube Favorites and take action to Change the World - Tackling Climate Change is no simple way but Ideas that generate can bring about a change to make a Difference!

Bloggers unite on the Web for a social event writing for cause - Climate Change. This December, World leaders will meet at Copenhagen (7-18 Dec) and bloggers unitedly will raise their voice by October 15, 2009 blogging on the web. Last year, 7083, 12000 blogs, reached 14 million people and this year, Blog Action Day, Powered by Change.org shares their ideas for Bloggers to Blog as Climate Change threatens more than Environment and human life is in danger with famine, flooding, war, refugees, etc.

Ideas to Blog by Blog Action:

* A Technology or Business blog might write about emerging clean tech and how innovative companies might be able to help address the problem of climate change.
* A Health or Lifestyle blog might write about how climate change will affect our children's health and daily living.
* A Nonprofit or Political blog might write about how climate change is deeply connected to many other issues - such as poverty and conflict.
* A Design blog might write about new trends in eco-friendly or sustainable design.
* A Travel blog might write about the places you want to see now before climate change makes them difficult to access or, well, under the sea.

Population, poverty and developing worlds - Co2 emissions - all pose a threat to Climate change. And, India – like other major developing countries – has been demanding that rich, industrialised countries pledge cuts of 25% to 40% in Copenhagen in December. Diplomats in Delhi say, that America and other developed countries had to commit to deep emissions cuts in the next decade – not by 2050 – if they wanted to see India and China take serious action to contain the rise in their future emissions, as their surging economies expand. (Read more on Guardian)

Earlier, Kidsfreesouls mentioned of Earth Hour. You can still put yourself on the Vote Earth map and upload your photos, pictures and weblinks to show the world future you want to see. Teachers can help Kids to Make Lanterns and cast their vote and send to Copenhagen.

Click to find Gujarat's Initiatives for Environment concerns as it is first in Asia and fourth in the World to set up 'Climate Change Department.'

Surf Kidsfreesouls Environment pages and every week, we are placing two questions related to Environment in association to Earth Talk EMagazine inEnglish and Spanish.

Well, you can find the latest and most popular climate change actions online at globalwarming.change.org. If you are a blogger and concerned, Unite Bloggers and blog post on topics related to Climate Change. If you are a teacher and would like to spread awareness, click to Kidsfreesouls Resources for links to Environment sites for kids and let this be a 'Joy of Learning' class.

Vote Earth - Countdown to Copenhagen

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids

Author of Guardian of Angels

Wolf Hall wins - Countdown ends!

History classes can now add Supplementary reading in classrooms with Man Booker Prize Announced. WOLF HALL by Hilary Mantel is the winner of this year's 'Man Booker Prize 2009' in England. Wolf Hall is the retelling of Thomas Cromwell's life - the blacksmith boy who became Henry VIII's right-hand man. Cromwell has been a genius and historians have admitted that he is the best administrator who changed medieval to modern nation state.

Here is a brief Product Description of Amazon:

'Lock Cromwell in a deep dungeon in the morning,' says Thomas More, 'and when you come back that night he'll be sitting on a plush cushion eating larks' tongues, and all the gaolers will owe him money.' England, the 1520s. Henry VIII is on the throne, but has no heir. Cardinal Wolsey is his chief advisor, charged with securing the divorce the pope refuses to grant. Into this atmosphere of distrust and need comes Thomas Cromwell, first as Wolsey's clerk, and later his successor. Cromwell is a wholly original man: the son of a brutal blacksmith, a political genius, a briber, a charmer, a bully, a man with a delicate and deadly expertise in manipulating people and events. Ruthless in pursuit of his own interests, he is as ambitious in his wider politics as he is for himself. His reforming agenda is carried out in the grip of a self-interested parliament and a king who fluctuates between romantic passions and murderous rages.

From one of our finest living writers, Wolf Hall is that very rare thing: a truly great English novel, one that explores the intersection of individual psychology and wider politics. With a vast array of characters, and richly overflowing with incident, it peels back history to show us Tudor England as a half-made society, moulding itself with great passion and suffering and courage.

You can find Wendy Smith's review of the book here on Washington Post and Christopher Tayler's review on Guardian, as I have not read nor got a copy of the book.

Well, the book I understand, calls for a broad readership. It reached the libraries and the book shops even before it got into the long list of Man Booker Prize. It is expected that classrooms might add this book for reading.

History as a Fiction and I don't like the idea to even add this to Supplementary reading in classroom! Yesterday, a 11th class child informed me that he has five books for Supplementary reading this year apart from other assignments and comprehensions. This month, he has 'Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh' and I really pity students when they have to read such books especially during Diwali time when it's time to enjoy festive season.

Train to Pakistan is the story of this isolated village that is plunged into the abyss of religious hate. It is also the story of a Sikh boy and a Muslim girl whose love endured and transcends the ravages of war. A timeless narrative by Khushwant Singh. A documentary of Punjab, its people and culture.

Well, aren't our children overburdened with too much of knowing History?

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids
Author of Guardian of Angels

Man Booker Prize - Countdown begins..

The Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2009 was short listed and announced earlier in September. Six books were again short listed for the Final Prize winner.

The Children’s Book by A S Byat

Summertime by J M Coetzee

The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

The Glass Room by Simon Mawer

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

These Fiction books are selected by the Judges as they are found to be narrative, great inventiveness, poetry and sharp human insight in abundance.

The winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize for Fiction will be revealed on Tuesday 6 October 2009 (today) at a dinner at London's Guildhall and will be broadcast on BBC News across television, radio and online.

The winning author will receive £50,000 and can look forward to greatly increased sales and worldwide recognition. Each of the six shortlisted authors, including the winner, receives £2,500 and a designer bound edition of their own book.

The Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2008 winner was 'The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga' who won the 2008 prize. You can read the full news story here.

I feel, writing do not come so easy for children as writing fiction is an exercise of power of narration with plots and a good storyline. Children Fiction writing comes with dedication and children's book market can be difficult to crack for first time authors. It needs brainstorming sessions to plot the story line with rhyme and reason. Humor to combine and polish writing and editing skills. Writers also need to write great winning proposals, attend publishing conferences and we also need Agents! This is one important part and next is marketing. Yes, for all this - You need $$$ and depends on how far reach you can go to achieve success.

Well, writing a Children's book is one thing on my mind after my book 'Guardian of Angels: A practical guide to Joyful Parenting' hit Amazon.com list. As I explore on different plains writing for my Government, thoughts scale on a different note. Sometimes, we aim to rise high doing too many things at a time but we do have to understand our priorities and duty.

Well, If you are planning to write a book, first decide. If you wish to go for a profession, probably you got to know the tricks of the trade. You can peep into my Amazon Book Book Page on Kidsfreesouls and look forward to read on 'How to become an Author and publish your own book' - Enjoy.

Btw, here is A S Byatt's Interview on 'The impact of writing on Families' and you may look for the Winner Announcement soon on this site. Countdown begins.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids

Banned Books: Read, Speak, Be Aware

Benjamin Franklin said: "Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech."

September 26 to October 3, 2009 is Banned Books week. It is observed since 1982 and this Banned Books week celebrate the mark of freedom to read.Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Many bookstores, libraries and schools join in. I guess the British Library in my town did organize Book Read session last week to support Banned Books week. Kidsfreesouls, every year support the Banned Books and You can find Videos on Banned Book Week in Kidsfreesouls You Tube. Find the books Top 10 books banned in 2007 and Top 100 Books banned from 1990-2000. Find ideas on How to Celebrate Banned Books week and promote the Read, speak, know banned books mostly Sex, profanity and racism, frequently challenged to protect children. However, this remains more hazardous far greater than exposure to the evil but sometimes, reading is freedom and the challenged book may be reflecting the real true picture.

Watch as Chad, Rustle, and Mooch misinterpret the meaning of Banned Books Wekk and Herb comes to the resue in a video on Kidsfreesouls You Tub

More than the book, the Banned Book Day is now challenged. ALA marked the 25th anniversary earlier of Banned Books Day and every year, it's storehouse of information on it's website. Its your ticket to freedom. Freedom to read the books that you missed out.

Find some of the banned books here of 2008 and it will surprise you to find Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and Harry Potter in the list as it continues to be under banned books for 2009 too.

For the 2009 Banned Books, here is A-Z Books List for download 2009 Banned Books list.

This year, 'And Tango Makes Three' by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell is banned and becomes an Amazon.com Bestseller. The challenged book has a positive effect as it ranks top in demand. It is a children's picture book based on the true story of a zookeeper at a New York zoo, who spotted two of his male penguins attempting to hatch a stone, and "realises that it may be time for Roy and Silo to become parents for real". A story of lovable penguins with homosexual storyline according to ALA.

Lee Harper's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is objected by a reader as it speaks on how blacks are treated by members of a racist white community in an Alabama town during depression. He feared the black children would be upset reading the book. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Folleth and from Oprah's Book Club is banned from High school English class due to rape scenes and explicit sex.

Interesting is a challenged book 'A Girl's Life Online' by Katherine Tarbox. A school in Baldwinsville in NY challenged this book because of graphics language. The cautionary tale about Internet safety is one of the five books students could select for the contemporary Literature class unit on teenage struggles.

is one of the five books students could select for the contemporary Literature class unit on teenage struggles.

Well, Get-set-ready to read Books - Encourage Reading and celebrate Freedom. Make the Banned Books Project and dive into the ocean of knowledge. Enjoy!

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for kids
Author of Guardian of Angels

Mahatma Gandhi - Truth and non violence

Gandhi, The Father of the nation and here is the profile of a leader who influenced thousands of Indians and people round the globe with his non violence philosophy.

A conference held earlier `Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment - Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century' was structured around four presentations by Scholars and Gandhians. The subject emphasized was:

conflict resolution and peace-building
Gandhian philosophy for poverty eradication
education and people's empowerment
dialogue among peoples and cultures
towards a nuclear weapons free and non-violent world order

The 192 UN Member countries has declared 2nd October, Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary as 'International Day of Non Violence' Day desiring to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.

The Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad is a witness to many important historical events and is a national heritage. Sabarmati Ashram was home to Mohandas where he worked and practiced his principles for more than 18 years. It remained a major hub of political activities for the country. The Satyagraha Ashram carried a mission to create a non violent group of freedom fighters who helped in the freedom fight of the country. The Gandhian followers led a path of truth and non violence under Mahatma Gandhi's guidance. One of the important events was the Dandi Yatra - Mahatma Gandhi led the famous 'Salt March' (find in News about development of Dandi Bridge).

Kidsfreesouls salute the great leader and highly believe in the Gandhi Principles. You can find the profile of Gandhiji here alongwith the Constructive plans and a Quiz on My Experiments with the Truth from my print media (Freesouls in Sambhaav newspapers) competition taken earlier.

Btw, October Calendar and Projects for October in classrooms appear on Kidsfreesouls.com.

- ilaxi patel
Editor, www.kidsfreesouls.com
Newspaper for Kids
Author of Guardian of Angels