20080424

Proverbs



1.Between the devil and the deep sea
To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma.
2.Where there's a will there's a way
When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it.
3.A burnt child dreads fire
A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or thinking for a lifetime.
4.First come, first served
The first in line will be attended to first.
5.A friend in need is a friend indeed
A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.
6.Discretion is the better part of valor
If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean that avoiding a dangerous or unpleasant situation is sometimes the most sensible thing to do.
7.A hungry man is an angry man
A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a frustrated person and will be easily provoked to rage.
8.Empty vessels make the most noise
Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss.
9.A man is as old as he feels
A person's age is immaterial - it is only when he thinks and feels that he is ageing that he actually becomes old.
10.Great talkers are little doers
Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching others usually do not do much work.
11.An idle brain is the devil's workshop
One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts.
12.An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit
It is better to be careful and discrete than to be clever.
13.Faint heart never won fair lady
To succeed in life one must have the courage to pursue what he wants.
14.A penny saved is a penny gained
By being thrifty one will be able to save up.
15.A rolling stone gathers no moss
A person who never settles in one place or who often changes his job will not succeed in life ; one who is always changing his mind will never get anything done.
16.As you sow, so you shall reap
One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions.
17.Barking dogs seldom bite
Those who make loud threats seldom carry them out.
18.Better late than never
To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all.
19.A bird in hand is worth two in the bush
Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more worthwhile that one may not be able to get.
20.Birds of a feather flock together
People of the same sort of character or belief always go together.
21.Call a spade a spade
If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, you mean that they speak frankly and directly, often about embarrassing or unpleasant subjects; an informal expression.
22.Charity begins at home
A person's first obligation should be to help the member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others.
23.Dead men tell no lies
( often used as an argument for killing someone whose knowledge of a secret may cause one loss or get into serious trouble.)
24.A great talker is a great liar
A smooth and persuasive talker may be a good liar.
25.Every cloud has a silver lining
If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation.
26.All that glitters is not gold
Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive.
27.Eat to live, but do not live to eat
Man was created for a divine purpose and he has a destiny with his Creator - he was not born just to enjoy food.
28.Don't put all your eggs in one basket
One should not risk everything he has in a single venture.
29.Every dog has its day
Everyone will get a period of success or satisfaction during his lifetime.
3o.Every one can find fault, few can do better
It is easier to find fault in other people's actions or methods than to do it properly or correctly.
31.Any time means no time
When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place.
32.Fair exchange is no robbery

A contract is fair as long as both the parties understand and agree to the conditions willingly; after a deal is closed neither side can turn around and say that he was unfairly treated.
33.Fire is a good servant but a bad master
Fire, like any other manmade tool or device, will serve man well only when it is controlled and used wisely

20080411

VITAMINS


VITAMINS
The Vitamins are necessary auxiliaries in metabolism. They combine with specific proteins, as parts of various oxidative enzyme systems which are concerned with the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat in the body. Thus, they are intimately involved in the mechanism which releases energy, carbon dioxide and water as the end products of metabolism.Vitamins can be broadly divided into Fat Soluble and Water Soluble Vitamins. Vitamins A D E and K are fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamins B ( B1 B2 B6
B12
) and C are water-soluble.
1.Vitamin - A
Year -1913 Name- Retinol
Main Metabolic Function
Essential for normal growth and development.For normal function of epithelical cells and normal development of teeth and bones.Prevents Night blindness.
Deficiency - Effects
Retarded growth.Reduced resistance to infection.Abnormal function of gastrointestinal, and respiratory tracts due to altered epithelial membranes.Interferes with production of "night purple".
Available
Milk, Egg yolk, Ghee, Butter, Carrots, Tomatoes, Leafy and Yellow vegetables, Cod liver oil and Fresh fruits.
Nature
Fat-Soluble
2.Vitamin-B1
Year-1936 Name-Thiamin
Main Metabolic Function
An important aid in carbohydrate metabolism.Needed for Proper functioning of the digestive tract and nervous system.Beriberi.Loss of muscle.
Deficiency - Effects
Loss of appetite.Impaired digestion of starches and sugars.Various nervous disorder coordination.
Available
Peas, Beans and Cereals.
Nature
Water-Soluble
3.Vitamin - B2
Year-1935 Name-Riboflavin
Main Metabolic Function
Needed in formation of certain enzymes and in cellular oxidation.Prevents inflammation of oral mucous membranes and the tongue.
Deficiency - Effects
Impaired growth, lassitude and weakness.Causes cheillosis or glossittis.May result in Photophobia and cataracts.
Available
Peas, Beans and Cereals.
Nature
Water-Soluble
4.Vitamin - B6
Year -1934 Name-Pyridoxine
Main Metabolic Function
Acts as do other B vitamins.To break down protein, carbohydrate and fat.Acts as a catalyst in the formation of niacin from tryptophan.
Deficiency - Effects
Increased irritability, convulsions and peripheral neuritis.Anorexia, nausea and vomiting.
Available
Peas, Beans and Cereals.
Nature
Water-Soluble
5.Vitamin - B12
Year -1948 Name-Cyanocobalamin
Main Metabolic Function
Essential for development of red blood cells.Required for maintenance of skin, nerve tissues, bone and muscles.
Deficiency - Effects
Results in pernicious anaemia.Weakness, fatigue, sore and cracked lips.
Available
Peas, Beans and Cereals.
Nature
Water-Soluble
6.Vitamin - C
Year -1919 Ascorbic Acid
Main Metabolic Function
Needed for form the cementing substance, collagen, in various tissues (skin, dentine, cartilage and bone matrix).Assists in woundhealing and bone fractures.
Deficiency - Effects
Lowered resistance to infections.Susceptibility to dental cavities, pyotthea and bleeding gums.Delayed wound healing.Specific treatment for Scurvy. Available
Fresh vegetables, Lemon, Orange, Tomatoes, Cabbage , Turnip and Lettuce (Beetroot).
Nature
Water-Soluble
7.Vitamin-C
Year -1925 Name-Cholecalciferol
Main Metabolic Function
Requlates absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract.Affords antiachitic activity.
Deficiency - Effects
Interferes with utilisation of calcium and phosphorus in bone and teeth formation.Development of bone disease, rickets and caries.
Available
Butter, Milk, Ghee, Cod liver oil, Yolk of Eggs and also in Sunrays.
Nature
Fat-Soluble
8.Vitamin - E
Year -1936 Name-Tocopherols
Main Metabolic Function
Protects tissues, cell membranes and Vitamin A against peroxidation.Helps strengthen red blood cells.
Deficiency - Effects
Decreased red blood cell resistance to rupture.
Available
Germinating Wheat.
Nature
Fat-Soluble
9.Vitamin - K
Year -1935 Name-Phytomenadione
Main Metabolic Function
Essential for formation of normal amounts of prothrombin and blood coagulation.
Deficiency - Effects
diminished blood clotting time.Increased incidence of hemorrhages.
Available
Fish, Wheat and Oats.
Nature
Fat-Soluble

20080401

Civil Services Books For General Studies Preliminary IAS (General Studies)


General Studies Preliminary IAS (General Studies)

1. Subject Indian History
History books of Classes XI and XII - NCERT
Freedom Struggle (NET) - Bipin Chandra

2. Subject World Geography - including Indian Geography
Principles of Geography (Class XII-Part I, II)
General Geography of India (Class XII) Part I - NCERT
Geography of India - Resources and Regional Development Part II (Class XII) - NCERT
Physical Geography - Leong
Atlas

3. Subject Indian Polity
Introduction to Indian Constitution - D.D. Basu Related

4. Subject Indian Economy
Evolution of Indian Economy - NCERT
Indian Economy - Dutt and Sundharam.
Indian Economy - Mishra and Puri

5. Subject General Science
NCERT books on Science.
Science and Technology supplements in the Newspapers and magazines.

6. Subject Current Events of National and International importance.
One major National Daily - Either The Times of India or The Hindu.
Newsweeklies like India Today or/and Outlook
Current Events - Spectrum

7.Subject General Mental Ability
No special preparation is required in this area. But some practice may be done from any exercise books or quantitative aptitude. In fact, an intelligent calculation is the basic requirement for this topic.

(A).Main (General Studies)

1.Subject History of Modern India
India's struggle for Independence - Bipan Chandra and others.
Modern India - NCERT.
Freedom Struggle (NBT) - Bipan Chandra
Modern India - IGNOU
If one is hard pressed for time, he/she may
skip the Modern India and Freedom Struggle.

2.Subject Indian Culture
Art and Culture portions of history books and Gazetteer of India.
Culture Chapter (s) in the India Year Book.
Encyclopaedia of Indian Culture. A good library invariably has more than one encyclopaedia on Indian Art and Culture selected notes may be taken from it.
Books on culture / cultural topics brought out by Publications Division of Ministry of Information and broadcasting and National Book Trust.

3.Subject Current Affairs
At least one major national newspaper - either The Times of India or The Hindu
Newsweeklies like India Today or/and Outlook
Current Affairs and News Analysis of BBC.
Current events - Spectrum

4.Subject Statistics
Book on Statistics (Class XI) - NCERT

5.Subject Indian Polity and Constitution
Introduction to the Constitution of India - D.D. Basu.
Our Parliament - S.C. Kashyap

6.Subject Indian Geography and Economy
Indian Geography (Class XI and XII) - NCERT
Yozna
Indian Economy - Dutt and Sundharam/Mishra and Puri
The editorial page of the Economic Times.

7.Subject Science and Technology
Science and Technology section of the Wednesday edition of the newspaper 'The Hindu'.
Science and Technology Published by the Spectrum.
Yozna contains science and environment related topics.