British Endfield

Thursday, 31 December 2009 22:24

The Legacy of the British Raj in India

The British ruled over and administered India for the best part of 100 years.

They started trading with India in the early 1600’s. By the mid 1700’s they were engaged in fighting against various kingdoms. By the mid 1800’s they were fully in control of the Indian subcontinent and were either directly administering through the means of the Indian civil service, or were letting the local Maharajahs administer their own Kingdoms as long as the Maharajahs were paying the British the desired licence fee and were prepared to follow the terms and conditions set out by the British.

In 1947 the British left India partitioned into India and Pakistan as a result of which over one million people died in migration between the two new countries. In addition India was virtually bankrupt with very little infrastructure

or industry. Yet when the British first went to India in the 1600’s it was a very prosperous place with a large GDP and a huge manufacturing base, which is the reason why the British wanted to trade in the first place. The conclusion being that the British left India in a far worse state then how they found it.

Since 1947 India has developed all its infrastructure and industries from ground up, including roads, agriculture, textiles, steel, nuclear, space, military, telecoms and IT and much more. It has made so much progress that some consider it to be a potential global superpower in the very near future, and this has all happened within 60 years of The British leaving India.

So what really was the legacy of the British in India? Many would say that the British went into a prosperous land, bled it dry, and then left. Others would say the British brought culture (education to the heathens), technology and of course the great English language to a country that otherwise would never have experienced all of this.

But one point that often gets missed is that India is now a united country with a democracy and all the relevant institutions needed to sustain democracy, like a judiciary and armed forces. The British had a big hand in this although their motives were all together different. Basically when the British came to India in the 1600’s, it was a fragmented country with many little kingdoms none of whom liked each other. The British took advantage of these differences and slowly gobbled up each kingdom, eventually bringing the sum total of all these kingdoms under British rule. Eventually when the British left they handed over a united India.

It seems that this unification could only have been achieved by an alien power like the British because the Kingdoms hated each other to the extent that they would join the British against each other, yet they would not join each other against the British. This character flaw in the Indian persona is exactly what the British exploited and is also why it would have been very difficult for the Indians to have unified by themselves without some external influence.

India has made great progress over the last 60 years because it is unified. Surely this has to be counted as an important British legac

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Helmets More

Thursday, 26 November 2009 03:00

ww2 german

Jeanne Phillips: Wearing helmets is a cool thing to do
Dear Abby: Please remind parents and teenagers that it is "cool" to wear a helmet when riding bikes and skateboards. A child in our town died recently after suffering a head injury, and we have just received word that the son of a close friend (age 23) has started having seizures because of a head injury he suffered as a teen after falling from a skateboard.

Being a customer, what sounds more convenient? An administrator must always keep in mind that a client is always attracted with the way a proposal is put forward to him. A formal approach sounds professional, but adding a personal touch is always recommended. Internet marketing is no new term and people are trying their nicks to get maximum traffic attracted towards their websites and services. Writing content for the website has always been a great tool and blogs are an excellent option to get started.

The basic advantages of adding a blog to online business is that they would give information about the organization. Secondly the way of writing adds a personal touch, so people feel as if they are in some conversation with the administrator and the blog has been written specifically to satisfy his requirements. The conversational tone and touch given to a blog makes it even more interesting as well as easier to understand. People would stick to small things rather than reading long articles and so a blog is preferred more than those lengthy website contents.

Not all business ventures have blogs on their websites, but if they do, it can offer a different approach for the customers and can thus bring in more popularity. Other great benefit of blogging is using a host that is free and this saves a lot of money. Writing a blog does not mean to add cheesy words, rather information matters greatly. A quality and information rich blog can bring in more credibility to the business. Internet marketing is no more restricted to just advertisement, blogging can give a different touch to the overall presentation.

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Buff Leather

Thursday, 30 July 2009 16:42

Maiden Speeches
See a selection of new MPs' debuts in the Commons

How to Install, Maintain and Repair your Leather Flooring

WHY USE LEATHER FOR FLOORING Leather has many practical benefits that derive from its natural qualities - it is durable, hardwearing, supple and when coloured and distressed (enhanced patination) it can look incredible in most interior settings. It is the perfect material for flooring and is extremely comfortable underfoot. Leather also provides acoustic and heat insulation benefits whether used as leather flooring or wall panels. Leather is lustrous, elegant and has a seductive aroma and is inviting to touch.

NEW SYSTEM Leather floors / Leather Tiles are inherently hard to install. They can bubble up, they can get the telescope effect (eg. a small bit of grit on the floor will look a lot larger on the surface of the installed tile), they often need to be rolled flat (which can result in tiles being moved in the process, glues gets everywhere, etc. Having experienced these sorts of installations for several years, we decided to adhere our Leather to a wooden base. Technically you are no longer installing leather but installing wood. Provided the finished substrate is flat you should have no problems installing these floors. It is dead easy.

The concept behind our patinated leather floor tiles originates from old Cotto Floors (cotto meaning terracotta) - not all joints will be tight, some tiles are more irregular than others. The joints, if desired, can be later filled in with wax. We also stain the wood substrate to ensure that no wood colour shows through the joints.

INSTALLATION Leather tiles should be allowed to acclimatize to the new environment for at least a week before they are installed. Effective tile installation requires a clean, dust-free environment and should occur after all other site construction has been completed (especially overhead works). Tiles are affected by humidity and we advise you not to install tiles in areas with uncontrolled humidity. The tiles should not be used in excessively dry less than 20% humidity on average.

Prior to Installation, we suggest that the installer lays the tiles out on the floor to be viewed by the designer or end user. This will allow for the possibility that they may want some of the tiles repositioned before gluing to the wall or floor.

The tiles are to be adhered directly to a FLAT surface. When applying the tiles be sure that the entire site has been thoroughly vacuumed and cleaned of dust and dirt. Once the surface has been cleaned, apply the adhesive (we recommend SIKA T52 or another reputable trowled-on adhesive). Firstly, apply the adhesive to both the substrate and to the back of the tile with a brush or serrated trowel and stick to the substrate.

Once the tile has been applied and has time to dry, it is virtually impossible to move the tiles.

ADHESIVE We strongly recommend you use SikaBond - T52 fully bonded system (Troweled Adhesive). Allow 25mm for finished floor (possibly less)

Suggest you use either a Tiler or a reputable wood floor installer to install our Leather Floors and Walls.

Do not use a contact adhesive as you will be unable to adjust tiles if there are variances in the floor (ie. if floor is not totally flat). You must use a Trowel applied adhesive. There is also a discrepancy in tile thickness which can easily be adjusted.

The smell of the adhesive is only temporary and will go very soon after being laid leaving a lovely leathery aroma. Once the glue has fully set it will give heat resistance and water resistance, which will help if there is an accident.

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE Leather tiles are easy to care for. To properly protect your new leather tiles you should wax upon completion of installation and before the floor is walked on for the very first time.

To keep your tile looking as regal as when you first purchased them, they will need a coat of wax about once a year. This is not compulsory but is recommended. Hand wax the tiles and leave them overnight to soak into the surface. This is best applied with a clean cotton cloth. Saturate the cloth and apply in a circular motion (do not over soak the cloth in Wax). When the wax is dry, buff lightly with a horse brush for example (without using a machine) to create a semi-gloss finish. For large areas we suggest you use a small handheld buffer to polish the tile, the kind one would use to polish a car - make sure you change the bonnet of the buffer as soon as it starts to get clogged up with wax.

The wax gives the tiles protection against damage from liquid for up to 72 hours.

You can wax again anytime the tile looks dull or scuffed. Or apply wax just to keep the leather well conditioned. You can also wax just the traffic lanes if they start to look very scuffed. Some people like the scuffing as part of the look they want from the leather.

Leather floors can fade if in direct sunlight. These areas may require a little more care when it comes to maintenance.

To clean the tiles just vacuum or sweep them and use a damp cloth to clear up any spillages.

Your floor will, like an old leather bag or an old pair of shoes, improve with time. Don't fret with every scratch or knock. Should your tiles develop scratches we suggest you use either a clear or coloured wax (similar to the colour of the tile). Wax over the damaged surface, allow to dry then buff with a brush. This usually repairs the damage. The more you wax the more the scratches blend in. When I first installed my leather floor I was paranoid about every mark. Do Not Worry. Your tiles will take the nicks, scratches and spills of daily wear-and-tear and incorporate them into a rich and unique patina.

In summary - leather floors are easy... choose your tile, prepare your subfloor, lay tiles out to check prior to installing, stick tiles down in the desired pattern with a trowled on adhesive, wax periodically and enjoy ! Simple !

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Visit www.deferranti.com or our very own www.leather-floors.com to see our full range of leather floors and walls. Our leather tiles can be supplied plain, patinated, embossed and assembled into combinations such as Parquet de Versailles.

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With over 10 years in the Tile and stone business, Alvaro de Ferranti (Chairman of DE FERRANTI a registered trademark) is an authority on Mosaics, rare limestone and marbles, pietre dure inlay, handmade and handpainted ceramics, wood fire terracotta, repoussage, verre eglomisee, shell and mother of pearl, leather floors and metal floors and any exquisite surfaces you can imagine. His knowledge stretches from material origins and uses, right through to installation and maintenance. You are most welcome to contact him through the website with any questions.

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Recommended adhesive supplier - http://www.sika.com/

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Glossary "Patina is everything that happens to an object over the course of time. The nick in the leg of a table, a scratch on a table top, the loss of moisture in the paint, the crackling of a finish or a glaze in ceramics, the gentle wear patterns on the edge of a plate. All these things add up to create a softer look, subtle color changes, a character. Patina is built from all the effects, natural and man-made, that create a true antique..." courtesy of Wikipedia®

About the Author

Alvaro de Ferranti is an world renowned expert on exquisite surfaces for interiors and architecture. Having worked closely with craftsmen from all over the world, experts in their own specialist fields, Alvaro shares his knowledge with a series of articles which he will publish throughout the year. He can be contacted via the company website at www.deferranti.com

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British Commando

Monday, 19 January 2009 05:45

British Afghan toll nears 300
LONDON - TWO British soldiers were shot dead on Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said, taking the country's military death toll since the US-led invasion to nearly 300. The announcement came after the ministry said earlier that a marine had died on Monday of injuries sustained in a firefight.

Become a Royal Marines Commando

The Royal Marines commandos are one of the elite fighting forces in the world. These Commandos are a specialized force that is trained to survive in the most extreme conditions.

Royal Marines are a division of the Royal Navy and they are often sent at very short notice to deal with emergency or dangerous situations, which can include military operations and natural disasters.

-Some Commando Units responds to emergencies around the world and it is treated as Joint Rapid Reaction Force

-One unit is also known as Fleet Protection unit, it guards many countries nuclear weapons

-There is also Fleet Standby Rifle unit, which is not that recognized outside the navy but it is trained to board ships at sea.

Requirements for Marines commando are as follows

- The first requirement is that you should be male

-You should be the citizen of the country from where you are applying

-Have a Good physique. A marine must be in peak physical condition.

-The minimum education requirement is 5 GCSEs (A* - C), which includes English and Math's. Other qualifications are measured on their own individual status.

The Royal marine commando selection process involves:

-This will include various aptitude tests, which are designed to test your mental abilities and an English language and mechanical knowledge exam.

-The final stage is the one on one interview with a senior officer. This is often the most difficult part of the whole application process and your chance to leave a final impression

-A long enduring fitness test which includes two 2 km runs on a treadmill, which is expected to be completed within 10 minutes 30 seconds to 12 minutes 30 seconds.

There is also a three days course called The Potential Royal Marine Course also known as the PRMC. This is to determine whether you are able to meet the standard of a marine's commando. It will include physical tests, classroom work and an interview.

Training of a marine

The first weeks of training are spent on learning basic skills to prepare you for your career. This mainly consists of time spent on rifle practice and physical training. The physical training includes developing all-round power, stamina and flexibility in order to improve the necessary muscles which helps you carry your heavy kit.

During the course you will also be taught deep water swimming, climbing skills and carrying your personal load. Commandos can also have specialist training programs in a variety of skills such as Weapons Instructor, signal operator machine operator, cook or chef and many more.

Training will also cover: Cooperation; equipment; physical attack courses; stamina tests; endurance training; weapons training with the use of live ammunition.

The life of the Royal Marines commandos is more than just a job. The Royal Marine commandos' offers many challenges and many opportunities which you will not find anywhere else, but it is not for everybody.

That is why they have a careful selection procedure which lets the candidates experience what life will be like as a marine.

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To find out how to become a Royal Marines Commando and pass the selection process please click here Royal Marines Commando

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US $75.00

British Commando

Friday, 11 May 2007 16:53

Israeli Easing of Blockade of Gaza Draws Praise of U.S.
While Israel’s announcement did not signal an end to the naval blockade of Gaza, it earned some unusual praise from the Obama administration.

Film Review: Commando

Arnold Schwarzenegger did a lot of forgettable films in the ‘80s and this is one of them. It’s wafer thin plot of an ex-commando trying to save his daughter from old buddies who have turned on him has been used a million takes (and will continue to be until the end of time), but what sold this film was the name Schwarzenegger who was at the top of the box office charts.

There is nothing in this film that hasn’t been done better and more effective in any other Schwarzenegger film. The problem lays in the fact that screenplay writer Steven E de Souza knows all this going in and doesn’t try to improve on the formula. De Souza would go on to writing the majority of the popular ‘80s and ‘90s action films – THE RUNNING MAN, HUDSON HAWK, DIE HARD, JUDGE DREDD, 48 HRS, and STREETFIGHTER, to name a few.

Director Mark L. Lester is no better having brought nothing new to this film either. This film is just as forgettable as the rest of his ‘80s and ‘90s films – CLASS OF 1984, SHOWDAOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO, DOUBLE TAKE, and EXTREME JUSTICE, just to name a few.

The only saving grace for the film is that we get to watch Schwarzenegger blow a lot of things up, kill a few people, and harass Rae Dawn Chong throughout. It’s worth watching just to see Chong saving Schwarzenegger with a rocket launcher.

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