Thursday, October 30, 2008

Easy process for start-up loans

An unsecured loan, also known as a signature loan or personal loan, is a loan that is not backed by collateral. If you want a loan for your new business and think of such loans from financial institutions, make sure that your credit score is very high. Otherwise your application will be turned down.

Every big business of today once started as a new business, and they too might have required start up loans in addition to whatever funds they already had. Everyone dreams of becoming his or her own boss, and starting one’s own business is the fastest route to financial freedom. For this, you need lots of money, or what you call a good and sure source of a startup loan, mostly an unsecured loan without the usual hassles of stringent documentation.

Good organizations to guide you through start-up loans are not too many. In fact, only a few are reliable. Here is one you may like to try, EZUnsecured.com that helps you with easy process of loans, fast funding and excellent service. Once you are their client, you can deal with top-notch experts in unsecured business financing. These experts have an average of 10 years’ experience underwriting small business loans. The underwriters devote 100% of their time exclusively for you for obtaining the maximum financing in the shortest time.

They specialize in business loans and lines of credit. No need to worry about tax returns, business plans or project reports, or collateral for your startup loans. The lenders in their network focus on your credit history and business financials to make their decisions and the stronger your credit history, the less documentation you will need to provide. If you have high credit scores, their lenders will rarely ever require any income or asset documentation. Your loans are approved the first time you submit your application prepared by them, as they are experienced professionals. Moreover, they have an extensive network of financial institutions willing to fund your business, whatever type of business it may be.

Alleppey cruising in a houseboat

The author adds a note that tells, travelling along the waterways of Alleppy on one of the rice boat -- houseboat vessels. These houseboats are sturdy like rocks and travel at a measured pace through the backwaters of Alleppy (in Kerala) area showing a microcosm of life in Alleppy, as it has been in these areas for centuries.

He describes it as "A must do thing in your life time".

The captain sits right in front and here in this shot has the umbrella to protect him from the strong sunlight. The crew comprises of a cook who gives you the most wonderful local cuisine to sample from his kitchen. There is another attendant to serve and do miscellaneous jobs.

(NOTE: Such boats are available on hire and it is a lifetime luxury to live in them, maybe for a change from the ordinary, to unwind yourself and to energise your spirits by clinging to the nature's lap.)

A similar image out of the same series has been posted earlier. This one has been done up a bit to make it suitable for picture post card kitsch.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Happy Diwali to all !


Happy Diwali , originally uploaded by diwali47.

The word Diwali (also spelt/pronounced as deepawali, deepavali, deewali) means “row of lamps” or “row of lights”. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. In India Diwali is celebrated almost as a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most of the Indians all faiths.
Diwali is celebrated a day earlier in South India than in North India, since Lord Ram traveled from South India to his kingdom in North India; he passed through the south earlier, as the legends say. Hindus have several significant events associated with it, like the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, the killing of Narakasura, the austerities (vrata or fasting) of Shakti, birth of Goddess Lakshmi, defeat of Indra by Krishna, etc.
Many legends are associated with Diwali. Jainism marks Diwali as the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred in 527 BC. Among the Sikhs, Diwali has special significance from the day the town of Amritsar was illuminated on the return to it of Guru Hargobind Singh, who had been held captive in the Gwalior Fort by Mughal emperor, Jahangir. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.
On the day of Diwali, most of the people wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened.
Homes are cleaned and decorated before Diwali. Offices perform pooja and bonuses and holidays are granted to employees. People buy property and gold. For children, fire works/crackers, new clothes and sweets make Deepavali the most eagerly awaited festival of the year.
Melas (or special markets) are organized before Diwali. At a mela there are performances by jugglers, magicians, acrobats, snake charmers, puppet shows and fortune tellers. Food stalls are set up, selling sweets and spicy foods. There are a variety of rides at the fair, including Ferris wheels and rides on animals like elephants and camels.
Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Suriname, Canada, Guyana, Kenya, Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, much of Africa, and the United States, where people of Indian origin or people associated with the legends associated with Diwali live and their friends and associates of all faiths and regions join in celebrations.

Happy Deepawali


Happy Deepawali ..., originally uploaded by wanderlust1979.

The author adds:
Deepawali, or Diwali is a major Indian festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.
In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest, after he defeated the evil Ravana. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (awali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name: Deepawali. This word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival is called Deepawali in southern India. There are many different observances of the holiday across India.
Jainism marks Diwali as the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BC.
Among the Sikhs, Diwali came to have special significance from the day the town of Amritsar was illuminated on the return to it of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) who had been held captive in the Fort at Gwalior under the orders of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir (1570-1627). As the sixth Guru (teacher) of Sikhism, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment - along with 53 Hindu Kings (who were held as political prisoners) whom the Guru had arranged to be released as well. After his release he went to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in the holy city of Amritsar, where he was welcomed in happiness by the people who lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru. Because of this, Sikhs often refer to Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas - “the day of release of detainees."
The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.
In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith

Uploaded by wanderlust1979 on 27 Oct 08, 8.03AM PDT.

Colored powder used for decoration during Diwali or Deepawali

An assortment of colored powder is sold in Katmandu, Nepal. The powder is used for decoration during the Tihar (also called Diwali or Deepawali) festival, the second most important Hindu festival in Nepal after Dasain. The five days of festival activities honors certain animals on successive days.

Kali at Golconda Fort

Kali at Golconda Fort
Kali at Golconda Fort, originally uploaded by tkremenek.

Color image of Goddess Kali at Golconda Fort, Hyderabad - it is one of a series of images found there by the author.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Trek from Gangotri to Gaumukh-view3

This photo was originally uploaded by Piyush Dunagiri on 22 Feb 07, 11.24PM PDT. He has a wonderful set of photos at http://flickr.com/photos/dunagiri/sets/72157605839778400/

Source of the Ganges, Gangotri Glacier, India

Hindu religion's prayer flags on the way to the face of the Gangotri Glacier beneath the towering peaks of Bhagirathi I, II and III. Photos of Gangotri and places around it are by Ran Chakrabarti. To view the original images and to get a glimpse of the wonderful works of Ran Chakrabarti, click on the photo.

Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Ganges

This picture shows the Gangotri Glacier from Tapovan meadow beneath the peaks of Bhagirathi I, II and III. The River Ganga (River Ganges) originates from here.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Debt consolidation improves quality of life

In many countries, particularly in the United States, the number of people suffering under heavy burden of debt is on the rise. This is a serious social problem that needs urgent corrective steps, debt consolidation experts say. Reckless spending to chase unrealistic dreams compels a person borrow money that he/she cannot easily repay. This results in the person sinking deeper into debt because of the interest on the borrowed money that keeps multiplying. It is estimated the average U.S. family is in debt to over $9,000 with unsecured debt, i.e., credit cards. Some people even worry about spending their entire life paying off credit card bills.

Indebted people go through hell coughing up interests on home loans, car loans, wedding loans, holiday loans and often credit card loans. What is urgently needed is becoming debt free on topmost priority.

There are several debt consolidation agencies that can help you clear your debt with their professional expertise and experience. Not only individuals but small businesses are also using debt consolidation. However, as a precautionary measure, you should thoroughly understand your contract before signing the deal and avoid those unscrupulous organizations that demand exorbitant interest rates.

There are many ways you can consolidate your debts, the most common among them being a home equity loan with low interest rates. Retirement funds and life insurance are also worth a try. Also, you can approach credit unions offering loans at lower interest rates and fees.

The best option is a no-profit debt counseling agency that can negotiate with your creditors to get your late fees waived and interest rates reduced. They teach you how to handle your bills, use a family budget, create a way to save for your future and most importantly become debt free. Debt companies help a lot even if you have bad credit. Debt consolidation is the process of consolidating all of one’s credit card payments, medical bills and payday loans or personal loans into one low monthly payment. It is a negotiation process with the creditors and usually no new loans are needed. Good debt consolidators will suggest that the debtor pays what he or she can realistically afford per month. You can reduce balance faster and becoming debt free in 3 to 5 years and once such a plan is active collection calls will stop.