Author: cafearjun

I'm Arjun, live in London, UK, and ever since I've left India, I miss it even more. I'm an entrepreneur, a creator, and strive for new ideas. Have been lucky to put a few in place and make them work. This is a blog about everything I love and think about!

Categories
a man's struggle Achievement

I love Bret “the hitman” Hart

Following is the letter I wrote to Bret Hart – Known as Hitman during his WWF wrestling days:

Bret "The Hitman" Hart
Bret “The Hitman” Hart

Hey Bret, since this form doesn’t have image verification and you’re a popular man, you must get a lot of spam mail. That’s why that attractive title.

I am Arjun, presently in London but originally from India. I’ve grown up with you as my hero and role model. The good guy among those bad guys – the Man who knows the importance of not cheating, even if it means getting beaten up, yet strong enough to beat any other man.

Bret, I read about you in detail. I’m sad for what happened and happy that your book’s out.

Just want to say that you’re a great man and my prayers are with you. It would be better if there was a way – website or something where I could read more about you. I guess you want to stay away from the limelight, which is understandable.

😉

Take care Bret
You’re the best there ever will be!!

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Uncategorized

Which New York City sculpture is not located in Central Park?

Welcome everyone to the 25th and last day of Marriott World of Rewards quiz. Today’s question is:

Which New York City sculpture is not located in Central Park?

Answer:

Charging Bull

(suggested by Eric – thanks Eric)

Charging Bull by Arturo Di Modica at Bowling Green in New York City.
Charging Bull by Arturo Di Modica at Bowling Green in New York City.

The Charging Bull was sculpted by Arturo Di Modica, weighs 3200 Kgs (7000 pounds) and is made from Bronze. The Bull represents financial stability in America. There’s a very interesting story about how the $300,000 Charging Bull ended up near Wall Street. Read at Wikipedia.

I have to admit – I don’t really understand the question. There are tens of other sculptures located in different parts of New York. Can the answer be Statue of Liberty? Do they want to ask “not located on mainland” or something? or is it multiple choice?

Please help me with this one guys. First 24 questions made sense. This one doesn’t.

Eric’s suggestion – Charging Bull.

Some related links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sculptures_in_Central_Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outdoor_sculpture_in_New_York_City

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Internet News

Approximately what percentage of Costa Rica’s land area is in protected areas?

Today’s question on Marriott World of Rewards:

Approximately what percentage of Costa Rica’s land area is in protected areas?

Answer:

23 percent

(Obtained from Wikipedia)

A little about Costa Rica and its protected areas

Costa Rica lies in that little strip below Mexico between the two continents – North America and South America. Surrounded by the Pacific ocean and Carribean sea on either sides, Costa Rica has plenty of beaches and the weather every holiday maker dreams of.

A fantastic place to live, Costa Rica was ranked 4th among Latin American in terms of HDI (Human Development Index) and 1st in all Americas and 5th world-wide in terms of Environmental Performance Index with 23% of its area preserved in protected areas.

No wonder the question about Costa Rica had to do with its protected areas.

Good luck to everyone! Have received almost 50,000 participants on this site, and never once has anyone claimed winning a prize. Hope we hear something today. Tomorrow is the last day of the quiz 🙂

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Internet News

What word is used to describe the Mumbai based, Hindi language film industry?

Welcome everyone to Marriott World of Rewards day 23, question 23. Today’s destination – India, today’s question:

What word is used to describe the Mumbai-based, Hindi-language film industry?

Answer:

Bollywood

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai
Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai

Probably the largest film industry after Hollywood, Bollywood referes to Hindustani Langauge Indian cinema and is often misunderstood to stand for all Indian cinema. There are others like Tollywood, Kollywood, Mollywood for regional language cinema within India. No prizes for guessing that these words are synonyms of Hollywood and thus, their origin.

Bollywood, unlike Hollywood is not a place or physical entity.

Read more about the history of Bollywood at Wikipedia – here.

Related Stories:

Aamir Khan’s Ghajini to rock Bollywood

Mumbai University to launch new website.

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Internet News

What is the largest Chinese community in South America?

Wow! This one’s really a killer ain’t it? Marriott World of Rewards – Today’s destination is Lima, Peru and the question is:

What is the largest Chinese community in South America?

Answer (this will really surprise everyone)

Barrio Chino

Barrio Chino is the China town in Lima, also called Barrio Chino de Lima.

Peru has the largest Chinese community in South America.

Gorgeous Peru - Largest Chinese population in South America
Gorgeous Peru - Largest Chinese population in South America

Here’s a bit about Chinese population overseas (people either born in China or of Chinese descent)

During the colonial 19th century, there was a strong demand for workers and labourers in South America, South-east Asia and other parts of the world. The Chinese, then under the Qing Dynasty, were forced to move with these colonial powers. Most Chinese preferred South east Asia (No wonder Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have the highest Chinese populations) and the some moved to Peru, United States and Canada.

Except for China, Singapore is the only country with a majority Chinese population.

Chinese overseas population:

1. Singapore
2. Indonesia
3. Thailand
4. Malaysia
5. USA
6. Canada
7. Peru
8. Vietnam
9. Philippines
10. Burma

Much more at Wikipedia – here

All the best everyone! Winners please come back and share.

Categories
Internet Uncategorized World

What St. Kitts attraction has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site?

The Marriott World of Rewards question no. 21, released today, is:

What St. Kitts attraction has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site?

And the answer is:

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

St Kitts & Nevis

Brimstone Hill Fortress is in the country officially known as the Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis, which have a population close to 45,000. These twin Carribean islands are a popular tourist destination, especially for romantic holidays such as honeymoons. The climate of the islands ispleasantly tropical, ranging between 17 and 33 centigrade.

The islands are volcanic in origin and between them cover an area of some 101 square miles. The volcanic origin lends itself to some mountainous terrain. The highest mountain in St Kitts is Mount Liamiuga at 3,972 feet and the highest mountain on Nevis Island is Mount Nevis at 3,232 feet high.

Brimstone Fortress National Park

Brimstone is one of the best known attractions on St. Kitts. On 2 dECEMBER 1999 UNESCO announced that is was designating Brimstone Fortress National Park with the status of a World Heritage site. Work was originally begun on Brimstone in 1690 and the fortress was created by the British military over the 104 years that followed; builot mainly by African slave labour. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of architecture by the British military.

Further information about Brimstone Fortress National Park is available at:

http://www.brimstonehillfortress.org/

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Internet News

What Thai Buddhist temple was featured in the CBS reality show Amazing Race 9?

Welcome back contestants. Marriott World of Rewards have given me a whole new reason to blog – Looking up answers and related information, but only when the answers are hard to find.

Today’s question is:

What Thai Buddhist Temple was featured in the CBS reality show Amazing Race 9?

And the answer is:

Marble Temple

(locally known as Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram)

Sideview - Marble Temple, Bangkok, Thailand
Sideview - Marble Temple, Bangkok, Thailand

It is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok (Capital city of Thailand) and was constructed by the 5th king in 1899.

What does Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram mean? Wat means a religious school or temple and Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram means fifth King. Thus – Temple of the 5th King.

Made of Italian marble, with a built in Museum and shrines of the King and his wife, Marble temple is also one of the most popular attractions in Bangkok Thailand.

Amazing race 9 featured this temple in 2006 as the 10th elimination.

Related stories:
Buddha reincarnation Ram Bahadur Bamjan – 18 year old miracle boy!

Categories
Achievement India News

India conquers the Moon. Indian Moon Impact Probe creates history!

India, today became the 4th nation to reach Moon via the MIP bearing Chandrayaan 1.

Indian Space Research Organisation (the Indian version of NASA) today fulfilled what they had promised. India’s first Moon impact probe today landed on Moon’s surface at 8:31pm (Indian standard time) creating history. Chandrayaan 1 ejected the MIP 100 kms from Moon’s surface.

Image of Lunar surface taken by India's Moon Impact Probe
Image of Lunar surface taken by India

“It was during Jawaharlal Nehru’s (India’s first prime minister) time that the nucleus for a space programme started. It is befitting that on children’s day (Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday) , celebrated in his honour, that India should plant its flag on the lunar surface,” Said Mr Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO in the company of APJ Abdul Kalam (ex Indian president) and other scientists.

The MIP detached itself from Chandrayaan and took 25 mins to land on Moon’s surface (because of lower gravitational pull as compared to earth).

APJ Abdul kalam with Nair on India's Moon mission
APJ Abdul kalam with Nair on India

“India may send a manned mission with an Indian astronaut in as less as 7 years”, APJ Adul Kalam said today.

Congratulations India!

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Internet News

What is the primary language spoken in Montreal?

Today’s Marriott world of rewards question:

What is the primary language spoken in Montreal?

(0r What is the official language of Montreal?)

The answer is:

French

Montreal on a beautiful, sunny day
Montreal on a beautiful, sunny day

Some really interesting stuff (Good for your GK)

  • Montreal is second largest city in Canada and in the top 5 french speaking cities of the world.
  • Montreal is the 10th most clean city in the world according to a 2007 Forbes study.
  • Montreal is one of the 25 most livable places on earth.

So why French?

The three greatest colonial empires – Britain, Spain and France shaped the demographics of earth between 15th and 19th centuries. Whatever these powers controlled, still bears their influence. Have a look at the French colonial map and you’ll know why French is the dominant language in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

French colonial map and influence of French on Canada
French colonial map and influence of French on Canada

I’ve written this article for today’s quiz participants. Finger crossed! Hope you win! 🙂

Categories
Internet News

Which arrondissement in Paris holds the park named after the Campus Martius of Rome?

Welcome contestants! Today’s Marriott World of Rewards question is:

Which arrondissement in Paris holds the park named after the Campus Martius of Rome?

The answer is:

7th Arrondissement

This one wasn’t very easy to find, but didn’t take too long either.

What is an Arrondissement? Just like we have districts, boroughs or other regions that divide administrative block in a city, Paris has 20 arrondisements that define 20 different administrative blocks. Arrondisement literally means administrative block.

Which park in Paris is named after Campus Martius of Rome, Italy? Answer is Champ de Mars. For those who’ve been to Paris, this is the part that extends beautifully from the south-east of Eiffle Tower to Ecole Militaire. If you’ve been on the Eiffel tower, you couldn’t have missed it! Here’s a pic reminder:

Champ de Marsor or field of Mars (in English)
Champ de Mars or field of Mars (in English)

Well, after I found that it was Champ de Mars – the park named after Campus Martius of Rome, all I needed to do was search that on Google, and voila! Wikipedia said it’s the 7th arrondissement!

Best of luck people! Haven’t won anything yet.. but I hope someone benefits.