Learn French

Books to learn French :


Sharing a collection of books got from net to learn French

1) Learn Basics of French Lang (3 diff books)
2) Countdown to french
3) French Grammer
4) idiot's guide to french - big one (26 MB)

Link

http://rapidshare.com/files/71666239/french.zip

Top Slip

Top Slip

The complex topography and rainfall gradient contribute to a striking diversity in vegetation which comprises a mix of natural and man-made habitats. The former includes wet evergreen forest and semi-evergreen forest, montane shola-grassland, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, thorn forests and marshes. Tropical wet evergreen forest is found at an altitude of 600m to 1,600m. Tropical montane forests occur at higher elevations and are interspersed with montane grasslands, forming the shola-grassland complex. Many parts of the original evergreen forest now contains introduced teak plantations. Bamboo stands and reeds occur in the natural forests. Forest cover is provided by Hopea parviflora, Mesua ferrea, Calophyllum tomentosum, Vateria indica, Cullenia excelsa and Mangifera indica, Machilus macrantha, Alstonia scholaris, Evodia meliaefolia, Ailanthus and Malabaricum and Eucalyptus grandis. The area is the only home of Podocarpus wallichianus, a South Indian species of conifer.

Top Slip's outstanding rainforest patches hold a number of South Indian endemic birds. Some, such as the Wynaad Laughingthrush, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, White-bellied Treepie, Malabar Trogon, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher and Black-throated Munia are best seen here. Other key birds include a large breeding population of Great Hornbills, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, Malabar Parakeet, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Oriental Bay Owl, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Indian Swiftlet, Brown-backed Needletail, Rufous Babbler, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Greater Racket Tailed Drongo, Great Eared Nightjar and Large-billed Warbler. Many of these birds can be seen on the 1km track from the edge of Karian Shola to the watchtower overlooking a reservoir.

Other than birds, IGNP is home to one of the world's rarest primates, the Lion-tailed Macaque. Top Slip also has a large concentration of the endemic Nilgiri Langur and the lucky can spot the Indian Chevrotain and the rare Brown Mongoose. Asian Elephants are plentiful and are not the best mannered here.

How to reach

IGNP is best approached from Pollachi, a fair sized town south of Coimbatore. The usual route is to travel by road from Coimbatore to Pollachi (40 km) to the Wildlife Warden's Office and then by road to Top Slip (35 km), the entry point to the Park. There are regular buses from Coimbatore and Palani to Pollachi and there are two buses a day from Pollachi to Top Slip leaving Pollachi at 6 am and 3 pm. The bus returns to Pollachi at 8 am and 6 pm. Hired cars/taxis are also available at Pollachi.

[edit] Entry formalities

1. If you are visiting the park for the day you can go directly to Top Slip (Entry INR 50). The Sethumadai checkpost is the entry point to IGNP. 2. In case you plan to stay at Top Slip, accommodation must be booked in advance at the: Wildlife Warden Office, 178 Meenkarai Rd, in Pollachi. Open Monday to Friday between 9 am to 5 pm. Tel: 04259 222-5356. 3. Park entry time is between 6.30 am and 6 pm.

Park details and tips

1. Private vehicles can drive in the park. Top Slip is best enjoyed if a car is hand at all times.

2. It is possible to walk around the park. You must have a Park Guide with you and you are allowed to walk in the park for a maximum of four hours for INR 70 per person.

3. There is provision for a conducted bus ride from the Park Reception Office and riding elephants may also be available.

4. Local food and refreshments are available at the facility run at the Tourist Complex, Top slip.

5. Ticks and leeches can be a serious menace, specially in the summer months. Carry protection and stick to tracks.

5a. Many lone male elephants at Top Slip are known rouges, travel on foot with a guide.

6. Accommodation in the Park is very basic and it is best to carry sleeping bags and emergency supplies.

7. A booking at a particular guesthouse may not assure you of accommodation at it. The final allocation decision is left to the Department staff at Top Slip.

8. A provision shop functions near the reception area and reasonably stocked for necessities. 9.Tourism seems to be low priority at this Park - be prepared for inadequate support from Forest Deptt. staff.

10.Top Slip can have hordes of noisy holidaymakers, specially during winter holidays - beware!

11. The only surefire way to see birds like Wynaad Laughingthrush, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Oriental bay Owl is with the assistance of local guides. Tell them that you want to see these birds. We used Arumugam & Murugan with very satisfactory results.

Contact:

The Wildlife Warden Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary,

178, Meenkarai Road,

Pollachi - 642 001.

Tel: 04259 238360.

Where to stay:

There are Forest Rest Houses at Topslip Varagaliar, Amaravathi, Sethumadai. The Ambuli Illam Guesthouse, at Topslip, 2km from the reception center, is the best place to stay. It has a restaurant. We stayed at the Mt. Stuart Resthouse which was beautifully located but without electricity, food and water. The Public Works Department (PWD) Rest houses at Udumalpet and Amaravathi, Electricity Board (TNEB) Rest House at Attakatti. Accommodation is usually limited to only one or two nights at a location. Alternatively, one could stay at Pollachi or Coimbatore where there are several places to stay and do day trips to Top Slip.

Transportation

Nearest airport: Coimbatore (75 km)

Nearest Railway Station : Pollachi (30 km). From Pollachi, there are trains to Coimbatore and Dindigul.

Traffic Offences and Penalties in India

Traffic Offences and Penalties in India

The Indian Road rules, titled "Rules of the Road Regulation", were brought into effect since July, 1989. These rules are germane to the Indian drivers (all inclusive of two, three and four wheelers), while on the road to ensure an orderly traffic and a safer journey. Violation of these "Rules of Road Regulation" is a punishable transgression as per the city specific traffic police rules and the "Motor Vehicle Act".

Enforcement of these traffic laws - rules, regulations and acts can bear out the road accidents. These laws are enforced by issuing challans in the name of the offenders and teaching them a lesson by making them pay penalties. An indicative list of the possible offences and their respective penalties is formulated below:

1. OFFENCES RELATED TO DOCUMENTS
S.NO	OFFENCES	MAXIMUM PENALTY	SECTION
1.1	Driving without a Valid License	Rs. 500/- and /or imprisonment ( 3 months)	3 r/w 181 MVA
1.2	Allowing vehicle to be driven by a person who does not possess a Valid License.	Rs. 1000/- and/or imprisonment ( 3 months)	5 r/w 180 MVA
1.3	Not carrying documents as required.	Rs. 100/-	130(3) r/w 177 MVA
1.4	Driving without Valid Insurance.	Rs. 1000/- and/or imprisonment ( 3 months)	130 r/w 177 MVA
1.5	Driving without Valid Permit.	Rs. 5000/- ( not less than Rs. 2000/-)	130 r/w 177 MVA
1.6	Driving without Valid Fitness.	Rs. 5000/- ( not less than Rs. 2000/-)	130 r/w 177 MVA
1.7	Vehicle without R.C.	Rs 2000/-	39 r/w192 MVA

2. OFFENCES RELATED TO DRIVING
S.NO	OFFENCES	MAXIMUM PENALTY	SECTION
2.1.1	Driving by Minor .	Rs. 500/-	4 r/w 181 MVA
2.1.2	Allowing Unauthorized person to drive .	Rs. 1000/-	5 r/w 180 MVA
2.1.3	Driving without Helmet.	Rs. 100/-	129 r/w177 MVA
2.1.4	Seat Belts not fastened.	Rs. 100/-	138(3) CMVR 177 MVA
2.1.5	Rough/Rash/Negligent Driving .	Rs. 1000/-	184 MVA
2.1.6	Dangerous or hasty Driving.	Rs.1000/- and/or imprisonment ( 6 months)	112-183 MVA
2.1.7	Not Driving in Proper Lane.	Court Challan	66 r/w 192 MVA
2.1.8	Driving in the center and not to left side.	Rs.100/-	2 RRR r/w 177 MVA
2.1.9	Driving against One Way.	Rs.100/-	17 (i) RRR 177 MVA
2.1.10	Reversing without due care and attention.	Rs. 100/-	MMVR 233 177 MVA
2.1.11	Taking “U” turn during outlawed hours.	Rs.100/-	12 RRR 177 MVA
2.1.12	Failing to take precaution while taking a “Turn”.	Rs.100/-	3 RRR 177 MVA
2.1.13	Failing to decelerate at intersection.	Rs.100/-	8 RRR 177 MVA
2.1.14	Failing to carry on left of traffic island.	Rs.100/-	2 RRR 177 MVA
2.1.15	Carrying persons on Footboard.	Rs.100/-	123-177 MVA
2.1.16	Carrying persons causing hindrance to the driver.	Rs.100/-	125-177 MVA
2.1.17	Trippling.	Rs. 100/-	128/177 MVA
2.1.18	Driving on Footpath.	Rs.100/-	RRR 177 MVA
2.1.19	Stopping at pedestrian crossing or crossing a Stop Line.	Rs.100/-	RRR 177 MVA
2.2	Road Marking Related Offences
2.2.1	Violation of Yellow Line.	Rs. 100/-	119/177 MVA
2.2.2	Violation of Stop Line.	Rs. 100/-	113(1)/177 DMVR
2.2.3	Violation of Mandatory Signs .	Rs. 100/-	119/177 MVA
2.3	Number Plate Related Offences
2.3.1	Use of Offensive Number Plate for vehicle used in driving.	Rs.100/-	CMVR 105 (2) (ii) 177 MVA
2.3.2	Displaying 'Applied For'.	Rs. 4500/-	39/192 MVA
2.4	Vehicle Light Related Offences
2.4.1	Improper use of headlights/tail light for vehicle used in driving.	Rs.100/-	CMVR 105 (2) (ii) 177 MVA
2.4.2	Using High Beam where not required.	Rs. 100/-	112(G) A DMVR 177 MVA
2.5	Horn Related Offences
2.5.1	Driving without Horn.	Rs. 100/-	119(1)/177 CMVR
2.5.2	Improper horn usage while driving.	Rs.100/-	CMVR 105 (2) (ii) 177 MVA
2.6	Traffic Police Related Offences
2.6.1	Disobeying Traffic Police Officer in uniform.	Rs. 100/-	119 MVA 22(a) RRR 177 MVA
2.6.2	Driving against Police Signal.	Rs. 100/-	119 r/w 177 MVA
2.6.3	Disobeying manual Traffic Signal.	Rs. 100/-	239 MMVR 22(a) RRR 177 MVA
2.7	Traffic Signal Related Offences
2.7.1	Disobeying Traffic signal / Sign Board.	Rs. 100/-	22(b) RRR 239 MMVR 177 MVA
2.7.2	Failing to give Signal.	Rs. 100/-	121 RRR 177 MVA
2.7.3	Jumping Signal.	Rs.100/-	119/177 MVA
2.8	Speed and Overtake Related Offences
2.8.1	Exceeding the prescribed Speed Limits.	Up to Rs.1000/-	112-183 MVA
2.8.2	Abetment for Over Speeding .	Rs.300/-	112/183(2) MVA
2.8.3	Overtaking perilously.	Rs.100/-	6 (a) RRR r/w 177 MVA
2.8.4	Failing to confer way to sanction Overtaking.	Rs.100/-	7 RRR 177 MVA
2.8.5	Overtaking from Wrong Side .	Rs. 100/-	RRR 6/1/177 MVA
2.9	Other Offences
2.9.1	Disobeying Lawful Directions.	Rs. 500/-	132/179 MVA
2.9.2	Driving under influence of Alcohol / Drugs.	Rs.2000/- and/or imprisonment ( 6 months)	185 MVA
2.9.3	Using Mobile Phone while Driving.	Up to 1000/-	184 MVA
2.9.4	Leaving vehicle in unoccupied engine.	Rs.100/-	126-177 MVA
2.9.5	Leaving vehicle in unsafe position.	Rs.100/-	122 177 MVA
2.9.6	In case of a minor Accident.	Rs. 1000/-	184 MVA
2.9.7	Playing music while Driving.	Rs. 100/-	102/177 MVA
2.9.8	Driving without Silencer.	Rs. 100/-	120/190(2)/177CMVR
2.9.9	Driving when mentally or physically unfit.	Court Challan	186 MVA

3. OFFENCES RELATED TO TOWING OF VEHICLES
S.NO	OFFENCES	MAXIMUM PENALTY	SECTION
3.1	Two Wheeler.	Rs.100/-	RRR 177 MVA
3.2	Car , Jeep, Taxi, Auto Rickshaw.	Rs.200/-	RRR 177 MVA
3.3	Truck, Tanker, Trailor.	Rs.600/-	RRR 177 MVA

4. OFFENCES RELATED TO POLLUTION
S.NO	OFFENCES	MAXIMUM PENALTY	SECTION
4.1	Smoking in Public Transport.	Rs. 100/-	86(1)(5)/177 DMVR
4.2	Pollution Not Under Control.	Rs. 100/-	99(1)(a)/177 DMVR
4.3	Fixing multi-toned/shrill horn.	Rs.500/-	119 CMVR 190(2) MVA
4.4	Blowing Pressure Horn.	Rs. 100/-	96(1)/177 DMVR
4.5	Silencer/muffler making noise.

Megamalai

Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary

There is a long-pending proposal with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to establish the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary on 600 km² of forest in the division. Priority tasks in the sanctuary should be the control of poaching and the use of pesticides, the elimination of ganja (Cannabis sativa) and the cultivation and scientific management of watersheds. The Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary can be an excellent buffer to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary and can immensely strengthen conservation in the southern Western Ghats, the range of hills south of the Palakkad Gap.^[1]

Tourist attractions

Tea estates and dams

Highwavys is a view point that will afford a wonderful view of the entire mountains range of Varusanadu Hills. There few large private tea, spices and coffee plantations all around, notable include The Highwavys Estates owned by The Woodbriar Group, Ananda Plantations ,Ponsiva Plantations and Feildmede Estate have the largest holdings of plantations in Meghamalai,an artificial lake and plenty of scope for making leisurely walks. Six dams on the hill and originating place of Suruli Theertham (Suruli falls near Cumbum town) are popular attractions for tourists. From Manalar dam, one can view the deep Cumbum Valley and the villages of Theni district. The Department of Tourism has planned to introduce boat or ferry service to enable tourists to enjoy the pristine beauty of the hill.^[2]

Forests

The places, Upper manalaru, Maharaja mettu and Iravangalaru are fringed by forests with rich flora and fauna.

Vellimalai

Vellimalai (Silver Mountain, 1,650 m) area is a heart of Meghamalai. Silver-lined clouds seem to rest gently on green hilltops and nestled somewhere in this region is the place where the river Vaigai originates. This lovely place will give an opportunity to see wild animals and aesthetically and scientifically managed tea gardens.

Falls

The meghamalai fall (called as Clouds land fall) occurs on a stream originating from Meghamalai. The special feature of the falls is that water is flowing through twin falls round the year. Frequent visits by elephants, spotted deer, gaur and other wild animals at dawn and dusk are a feast to the eyes. Forest Department officials have plans to assist tourists to view those wild animals.

Flora

Vegetation ranges from scrub forests at the foothills, up to ubiquitous expanses of tea and coffee estates, to spice (pepper, cardamom, cinnamon) plantations and finally to the dense evergreen forests at the top.

Fauna

Meghamalai forest area hosts a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. Resident and migratory elephants are common. Other animals sighted are tiger, leopard, Nilgiri tahr, gaur, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, porcupine, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, common langur, bonnet macaque, sloth bear, Grey Junglefowl, Smooth-coated Otter and flying squirrel. Over 100 species of birds have been identified.

Great Indian Hornbills

The rare Great Indian Hornbills are found here. The Great Indian Hornbills are one of the largest hornbills and these are found on sea level up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above ground. Great Indian Hornbills like to eat various types of berries. Hornbills swallow most of their food whole instead of breaking it down first. Hornbills are famous for their nesting ritual. Now these beautiful hornbills are becoming rare, mainly due to their large hunting for their meat and destruction of their natural habitat. Protection and restoration of destructed forest areas food-tree resources, will aid the conservation of hornbills in the region.^[3]

Grizzled Giant Squirrel

The sanctuary is also home to the endangered, arboreal Grizzled Giant Squirrel Ratufa macrora. The home range of an individual is between 1,970 and 6,110 m². This greyish brown squirrel weighs 1 to 1.8 kg and is the size of a small cat. It measures about 735 mm from nose to tail with the tail being 360 – 400 mm long. They construct nets at forked branches where the crowns of neighbouring trees meet. This enables the squirrel to move away from the site by jumping from tree to tree when threatened. It makes two nets. One it uses as a nursery and the other for resting. This confuses predators like birds and snakes.

Salim Ali's Fruit Bat

One of the rarest fruit bats of the world, Salim Ali's Fruit Bat, Latidens salimali, (named after Indian ornithologist Salim Ali) is only found in this mountain range. Salim Ali's fruit bat is the only species in the genus Latidens. It is a medium-sized fruit bat, which lacks an external tail. The head is covered in blackish-brown fur which is paler at the base, the wing membrane and the long fur are light brown in colour, and the underparts are light grey-brown. The species was first collected in 1948 by a British naturalist called Angus Hutton, who mis-identified the specimen as the common short-nosed fruit bat. The specimen was re-examined later by Kitti Thonglongya who recognised it as a new species. Very little is known of the ecology of this species, however all fruit bats play an extremely important role as pollinators and seed dispersal agents within their rainforest habitat. This species is entered in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1993 as one of the rarest bats of the world.^[4]

Hutton's pitviper

The Hutton's pitviper Tropidolaemus huttoni(Smith, 1949) is an enigmatic species of venomous snake described from the High Wavy Mountains in 1949. It was described from two juveniles collected by Angus F. Hutton from beneath the leaves of the palm Ochlandra travancorica, localy called "eata". The species has not been recorded since its original description and no adults have yet been found. The most intriguing fact about this piviper is that it belongs to a genus whose other members, the closest living relatives of the Hutton's pitviper, are distributed in the Malayan Peninsula only. This poses serious biogeographical questions.

Arnetta vindhiana

Arnetta vindhiana, commonly known as the Vindhyan Bob, is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae. It is native to India.

Slender Loris

Common Names: vangu, Genus: Loris, Species: tardigradus malabaricus.

The slender loris is a small, nocturnal primate found in Meghamalai region. They are able to live in wet and dry forests, as well as lowland and highland forests. They prefer thick, thorny vegetation wherein they can easily escape predators and find the large assortment of insects that is the mainstay of their diet. Loris tardigradus malabaricus is a subspecies of the slender loris which is only found in India. The greatest concentrations of these slender lorises are found in the southeastern Ghats of India. The Ghats are a narrow strip of rainforest that runs down the length of western India.

The slender loris is about the size of a chipmunk, with long, pencil-thin arms and legs. It is between 6-10 in. (15-25cm) long and has a small, vestigial tail. It weighs about 10.5-12 oz. (275-348g). The slender loris' round head is dominated by two large, closely set, saucer-like brown eyes. They flank a long nose which ends in a heart-shaped knob. The eyes are surrounded by dark-brown to black circles of fur, while the bridge of the nose is white. It has a small, narrow lower jaw. The ears are large and round. Its coat is light red-brown or gray-brown on its back and dirty white on its chest and belly. The fur on its forearms, hands and feet is short. The slender loris has small finger nails on its digits. The second digit on the hand and foot are very short. They move on the same plane as the thumb, which helps them grasp branches and twigs.

The slender loris is an arboreal animal and spends most of its life in trees. Their movements are slow and precise. They like to travel along the top of branches. For the most part they hunt by themselves or in pairs at night, although they will come together and share a food supply. They live alone or with a mate and an infant. They will sleep with up to seven other lorises in a hollow tree or sitting up in the angles of branches. They are very social at dusk and dawn, playing, wrestling and grooming each other[5].

Encroachment threat

Massive encroachments in the reserved forests of almost all divisions in the district have been posing a grave threat to the eco-system of Megamalai hills. Of the total 806.86 km², about 400.77 km² was degraded forest area. A total of 292.81 km² falls under dense forest areas, of which only 22.43 km² was tree bearing. About 220 out of total 430 km² in the Gandamanur forest range under the Madurai Forest Division had been encroached for the past four decades. Large areas of Ulloothu Kavu, Anjaraipuli, Elamalaipoodu, Arasaradi, Bommarasapuram and neighbouring villages were also under encroachment. With an increase in population and their demands, vast stretches of land were either degraded or converted into unicrop areas, causing damage to the environment. The people settled in the hill tracts were solely dependent on the forests for livelihood. Conservation of natural forest in any form will help preserve biodiversity.^[5]

Visitor information

Meghamalai mountain range can be approached two ways -- from Theni via Chinnamanur and from Andipatti via Kandamanayakkanur. Both Theni and Andipatti can be easily accessed by road from Madurai and Dindigul. Theni, which is 76 km from Madurai. The approach via Chinnamannur is more scenic. only forest lodges and panchayat rest house are available at the hill top. Prior reservation and permission is an absolute must. Day-trippers may stay in a number of moderately priced hotels in Theni, Chinnamanur and Andipatti. Distance from Madurai 130 km.

Funny Fingers ...

Dev D - Hindi Movie Review

DEV - D





Language : Hindi
Producer : Ronnie Screwvala
Director : Anurag Kashyap
Music Director : Amit Trivedi
Cinematography : Rajeev Ravi
Story / Writer : Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane

Star Cast :
Abhay Deol...... Dev
Kalki Koechlin...... Chanda
Mahie Gill...... Paro
Parakh Madan
Dibyendu Bhattacharya

First, i thought that this is a B-grade Movie. But it is not.

Dev D is the modern remade of Devdas. How it would be. Devdas becomes Dev , Parvathi becomes Paro and Chandramuki becomes Chandu. Not only this. The story also. Movie has Love , Pain and Sex too. There is no vulgar and Sex Scenes. Sex is in some of the Dialogues .

The Movie has three parts as Paro , Chandu and Dev D

Paro :

Dev and Paro are childhood friends, Paro is Manager's Daughter of Dev's Dad. Dev was sent to aboard for his studies. Dev and Paro is in Love . Dev came to india to see Paro. Dev and Paro want to make love. One of Dev's Servant told him that Paro had sex with most of men in the Village. Dev suspects her and left her. Heartbroken Paro married a Guy who already has two kids. Rasika , Sister of Paro's Husband fall for Dev and they made love. Dev came to know that Paro is not a bad girl on her marriage day .

Chandu :

Lina (Becomes Chandramuki alias Chandu later) is a School student. she had a boyfriend. Her Boyfriend betrayed her . He took MMS of their blowjob and passed that to all. This incident makes trouble in Lina's Life. She became a prostitute . She is doing her college in day time and works as prosititute in night.

Dev D :

Dev becomes a drunker. He is in delhi to meet rasika. He is watching Paro living happily with his husband. He cant affort that. Rasika left Dev because Dev wants only sex from Rasika not the love. He met Chandu by Chinni(Pimp).


The Rest of the Story ..... Please Watch Yourself.

Dev D is a new kind of Hindi Movie which is a trend setter. Director Anurag Kashyap portrays the movie very well. Songs of the Movie is top notch. Background score is fabulous. The Dance by Twilight Players are good. Cinematography is at First rate.

No one can play the character of Dev other than Abhay Deol . Tailor Made role for Abhay. The Girls who played the Character of Paro and Chandu are good.

The Drawback of the movie is, it drags in some places .

A Must See.

**** out *****