The selection of a Thomas Train DVD has become more and more difficult with the growing numbers to select from.On the Thomas and Friends home page alone, there are 24 different digital videos that can be seen.All of the new releases are on DVD instead of the old VHS tapes.Since the current generation that is enjoying Thomas the Tank engine were not around when the series started, there have been DVD's specially made for them.This way the old videos can come to life on the digital screen for the next generation to enjoy.Thomas and Friends -10 years of Thomas and Friends is a collection of 10 of the best episodes over the first 10 years of this little toy wooden train's life.Other classic videos that are now DVD's are Thomas and the Magic Railroad, Thomas the Tank Engine- Steamers vs.Diesels, Thomas Engines and Escapades, Steam Engine Stories by Fox Kids, Come Ride the Rails, Percy's Ghostly Trick, and Track Stars to name just a few.With the world going digital, it is just a matter of time before every classic episode of Thomas the Tank engines will be available on a DVD or on YouTube.With Christmas coming up, the marketers made a special effort to have Ultimate Christmas available on DVD.There are other holidays where Thomas can be watched and partaking in Halloween.No matter what the occasion or lesson you wish your child to learn, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends have gone through it and can help show the right way to deal with those touchy situations.You can find almost any Thomas Train DVD you want online or at the local retail store.Just look through the selection until you find the one you want.
List Price : Price : $74.99 as of 2012-09-23 10:35 PM
Product Description
Percy & Thomas The Tank Engine Double Light Switch Cover. This adorable resin double light switch cover measures approximately 7 inches tall and 7 inches wide. A great addition to any child's room
For awhile it's been known that Google was about to consolidate its privacy policies into one large, all-encompassing policy.On 1st March 2012 these changes went into effect.In a nutshell, what do the changes mean? Basically it means that Google will now share the data it stores for you between all their services.They won't be sharing anything new with outside parties; just among Google's many services.Google has been adamant these changes are only being made to make their products better than ever and display even more relevant content and advertising to each personal user.Alma Whitten, Google's Director of Privacy, wrote in a blog post recently."As you use our products one thing will be clear. it's the same Google experience that you're used to, with the same controls," "And because we're making these changes, over time we'll be able to improve our products in ways that help our users get the most from the web.".Alma outlined out 3 important points to keep in mind regarding these changes.• Google's Privacy Policy is now much easier to understand.• Google's Privacy Policy will enable them to build a better, more intuitive user experience across Google for signed-in users.• Google's privacy controls aren't changing.Pablo Chavez, Google's Director of Public Policy also discussed in a January post five things that aren't changing.• Google will still keep your private information private -- they're not changing the visibility of any information you have stored with Google.• Google will still allow you to do searches, watch videos on YouTube, get driving directions on Google Maps, and perform other tasks without signing into a Google Account.• Google are still offering you choice and control through privacy tools like Google Dashboard and Ads Preferences Manager that help you understand and manage your data.• Google still won't sell your personal information to advertisers.• Google are still offering data liberation if you'd prefer to close your Google Account and take your data elsewhere.It must be said that Google did a fantastic job on trying to usher this in quietly.They hammered home that these changes are being made to simplify things.For most people this is good enough to satisfy them.The average person on the street might not know (or care) but there is no question that many people are concerned.The changes have drawn the attention of many privacy watchdogs.The Japanese and EU governments have also expressed concerns.A member the FairSearch Coalition (which made up of Google competitors), sent a letter to the National Association of Attorneys General expressing concerns with the changes.Privacy issues around Google's past are only fuelling the fire of controversy and adding strength to claims this is a huge deal.Stuff-ups like the recent story around Safari and the launch of Google Buzz a couple years ago have tended to stick in people's heads.But despite the warnings will the changes really affect you? Is it really as big an issue as some media are suggesting?What you need to know Google is not collecting more information, just using it in a different way.There is a huge misconception that Google will suddenly have access to information it didn't have before.That is incorrect.In reality Google have always collected your data for all of its services.They've been using that data to personalize your experience already, and isn't it a great service?All that changes now is that data collected from your activity across their services, say between YouTube and Google Search, will be used to provide a further personalized experience across all of their products.You will be tracked.No matter what you do.Up to today many tech experts have suggested you should clear your Google Web History to increase your privacy.But it's become clear now that this is not going to stop Google from collecting your personal data.You can clear and stop the tracking of your activity, but you'll only prevent Google using that collected data with your Google account, it won't stop Google from tracking your web activity.Your searches will still be followed and stored on their servers, even if you're not signed in.The information can still be used to build a profile about you will allow Google to sell ads that are specifically tailored to you.Is it really a big deal?Some privacy experts are outraged while others exclaim, "Who Cares?" Both are right.A lot think that this isn't a big deal, Google is collecting the same information that it always has and it's just being used now to improve the users' experience.Who cares if the data is used for advertisements? You will always see ads, but now the advertisements will be closer to your interests.Google need to make money from advertisements, so from my point of view they might as well be accurate.On the other hand, privacy experts and lawmakers are up in arms about the policy.It is a grey area as The United States has very few laws about the collection, use, and distribution of user's data.The US Government has proposed a consumers 'privacy bill of rights' that will protect people, allowing them to decide what information is collected about them, and how this information is used.But as it stands no current laws can stop Google's unified privacy policy.Can I do anything?Well you can just stop using Google services.Good luck, in today's world this would be almost impossible!You can however, follow some simple tips to minimize how much data is collected about you, such as performing searches on Google without signing in.
ROLL CALL.During the early to mid '70s, visionaries like Kool DJ Herc introduced new ideas to the way music was played.Like some other music-loving 'bredren and sistren' along with myself, Kool DJ Herc was born in Kingston, Jamaica.Following the footsteps of Jamaicans that came before him, he relocated to the Bronx, NYC and took root.With a sound system like no other, there was always a party when Herc spun records.Folks from all city boroughs showed up, and brought their friends.Most of them had never experienced anything like Herc's thunder in the clubs or at 'block parties,' where he was a hometown favorite.There'll be more on these unique, social gatherings a little later.Kool DJ Herc was one of those cats that was thinking outside the box for a long time, and inspired other DJs to follow suit.Everywhere Herc touched down, he left a distinctive mark imprinted in the minds, bodies, and souls of music lovers in and around the vicinity.Afrika Bambaataa was homegrown in the Bronx.He is best-known for taking the radical, independent factions of the Hip-Hop lifestyle and organizing it all into an urban music society.And for being the first rapper, ever.In 1984, he worked on the song "Unity" with the recently departed Godfather of Soul, James Brown.(We're gonna miss ya, 'Soul Brother #1.') By mixing block parties with DJs and break-dancers, he synergized all the varying entities of Hip-Hop through his Zulu Nation.The Zulus educated inner-city youth about their history and empowered them to be productive citizens.His ears were open to all types of music as he became a catalyst for blending rhythmic styles from Africa with Funk, Go-Go, Jazz, Reggae, Rock, Salsa and Soca for the first time in music history.Bambaataa's affiliations included the Rock Steady Crew and Double Dutch Girls.There was also a spray-painting graffiti artist who parlayed his love for 'visual art' into being the host of a popular show that engaged the minds of America's Black and White youth.It ended up changing Rap music history all over the world.Now with a 'retired' can of spray paint, Yo MTV Raps' Fab 5 Freddy was also a key player in the classic film, "New Jack City." There'll be more on that captured moment in time a little later, after we finish up with Afrika Bambaataa (& friends), and dig further into the chapter. there's some real meat in thar! That's what's up.Afrika Bambaataa became a major music producer in his own right.He spent a lot of time logged in at Tommy Boy Records between 1982 and 2005.While there, he produced a huge hit for the New York club and radio scene, 1982's "Funky Sensation." To me, that song defined a new era of music for both myself and the City of New York."Funky Sensation" helped to establish a path that many dance music producers followed, well into the new millennium.Another historical Rap label that Bambaataa put some time in with was Profile Records.Profile was the home of a trio that made music history. Run-DMC and the late Jam Master Jay.Their chronicles defined the next wave of Hip-Hop and fashion by way of brimmed Fedoras, leather pants, blues jeans, and unlaced, Adidas sneakers.During the winter, they sported snorkels with fur around the hood.In New York winters of the 70s, we sported hats like Kangols (still popular) and 'Robin Hoods'(with side feathers) on the dome.Some folks liked toboggins and ski caps for their 'masking' feature.Brooklyn later picked up a pseudonym--Crooklyn.Our 70s fashion also consisted of colorful silk shirts (Versace predecessors), polyester pants with stitched pleats running down the sides called Swedish Knits, and bell-bottom blue jeans with zippers at the foot.Squares (L-7's) wore no name 'rejects,' but our popular footwear included Converse All-Stars, red, black and green Pro Keds, Pumas (my favorite were rust-colored), PONY's, and shell-toe Adidas.We had interesting acronyms for the latter two brands."I could tell you, but." you know the story.Looking back now, I notice that Adidas kept the same body style longer than the Ford Explorer did! My New York winter-wear included snorkels, sheepskins, leathers, 'Maxie' and 'Cortefiel' coats with soft fur on the collar; they were the rage.People got stuck up (ganked) for them, too.I once witnessed someone grab a friend's hat right off his head - as the train doors closed (this guy was quick!).Some of my 'classic' garments are still intact. a black Robin Hood hat with a now-wilted side feather, a colorful, winged (big collar) polyester shirt with a Disco theme on the front, my sky-blue high school graduation three-piece suit, 'Mack' full-length Maxie coat (it looked good; mom made it), and black Cortefiel coat are all stashed somewhere around Area 51.Don't ask me what I'm going to do with them, but my coats still have fur around the collar.Does "E.T.W." (Extra Terrestrial Wear) sound catchy to you? Let's check in with 'Rush' (Phat Farms), 'P-D' (Sean John), 'J to the Z' and 'Double D' (RocaWear), 'Fiddy' (G-Unit), and WTC (Wu Wear) for the final answer.I'm being told to nix the trip down memory lane and stick to the script, so it's back to the original 'bad boys' of 80s Rap.Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay opened up Pandora's box with their classic hit "Rock Box." I got a premonition of what was around the corner for Rock and Rap early on. sampled 'guitar crunches' fused with 'dem phat Hip-Hop beats, boyee!' Then the crystal ball revealed something else to me - up jumped Def Jam Recordings, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys, all using overdriven guitar sounds riding along with the big, deep 808 beat that caused car trunks (and the inside of your body) to vibrate.Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay un-laced their Adidas and went on to re-make Rock group Aerosmith's classic "Walk This Way," then invited the original rockers to get in on it.Along the way, Run-DMC sold a 'few million' records.In the background was one Russell Simmons, pushing buttons on his remote control.Then he got a cellphone.But before groups like Run-DMC made it to the game, there was one of the first major league rappers--Afrika Bambaataa.Oh yeah; along with his group The Soulsonic Force, Bambaataa fired off a ground-breaking shot remembered as being 'most strategically launched' from the annals of New York's urban jungle.When the classic "Planet Rock" hit Billboard's charts (it hit the year 1982 in a BIG way too), the song considerably changed music history.It used a similar robotic, vocoder-like sound as the one found in Kraftwerk's smash "Trans-Europe Express." "Planet Rock" was a smorgasbord of cool electronic sounds and Hip-Hop beats.Meshed together with samples from other records, it captured the attention of music lovers caught dancing to the non-stop, funky sensation of this incredible new beat.Afrika Bambaataa's Electro-Funk style went on to influence the sound of music styles like Dance, Electronic, House, and Techno.If a sound system exists anywhere in the galaxy, I predict that "Planet Rock" will rock it.In the meantime, you can listen out for this classic hit on Internet radio, satellite radio, broadcast radio, clubs and dance parties everywhere.'Nuff said--next!Creative minds of legendary pioneers such as Russell "Rush" Simmons, Eddie Cheeba, Spoonie G, Lovebug Starski, The Juice Crew, Marley Marl, MC Shan and D.J.Hollywood are also among those credited as being key leaders in the surge that brought Rap music and Hip-Hop culture to mainstream society.Many people may think the Sugar Hill Gang was one of a few initiating forces in Rap, but there were actually many other hot acts out there grinding to earn their dues --like those affiliated with Rush Productions.Rush was building a name for itself as a music promotion company to be noticed.I'll expound upon the meteoric rise of the dynamic institution which followed this event shortly thereafter.With affiliations everywhere and credits that include the timely debut of Hip-Hop players like Kurtis Blow, Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Scott La Rock, DJ Red Alert, and countless other faces hidden in the trenches, Rush was on a mission to conquer the world.The first-generation of Rap and Hip-Hop spawned a godfather, Russell Simmons, in addition to all these other creative talents.Collectively and in unison, they helped to centralize the cultural origins and sound of this music for an evolving world.The second-generation leaders of this new movement would include Russell's little brother Joseph, who along with Darryl McDaniels and the late Jason Mizell, made up Run-DMC. the first artists of their kind to go platinum by selling a million Rap records on Profile Records.This was just the beginning; Def Jam Recordings was on the way.Now let's connect the dots with Sugar Hill. Back in 1957, a group called Mickey & Sylvia recorded a Bo Diddley song, "Love Is Strange." Guitarist Mickey Baker and a vocalist named Sylvia Vanderpool established themselves in the music market as a potential hit-making duo.In 1964, Sylvia married a man named Joe Robinson.Their union led to the formation of a legacy that wouldn't play itself fully out until the Rap craze hit.In 1973, Sylvia rolled the dice and released a huge hit, "Pillow Talk." This song established a format that would be followed straight into the Disco heydays.Originally written for Al Green, his pass became Sylvia's score when it tallied up a #1 R&B and #3 Pop hit."Pillow Talk" was a sexy song that featured lots of heavy breathing, whispers, sighs and moans.It's reminiscent of Donna Summer's classic hit, "Love to Love You Baby.".Sylvia Robinson synergized her abilities as a singer, musician, producer, and record executive to take her whole game to another level.As a key player at All Platinum Records, she had a hand in Shirley & Company's 1975 hit "Shame Shame Shame." This became a top dance song, and hit #12 on the Pop charts.By 1979, Englewood, New Jersey's Sugar Hill Gang busted a big move by releasing a classic, "Rapper's Delight." In the background were Sylvia, Joe, and their Sugar Hill Record label.Passing their genes on to son Joey, Sugar Hill's West Street Mob went on to release hits like "Ooh Baby" and "Sing A Simple Song/Another Muther For Ya." Other aces in the deck included groups called The Sequence and The Funky 4+1.They scored a few hits with "Funk You Up," "Simon Says," and "That's the Joint," which used a nice sample from my girl Cheryl Lynn's song "Got To Be Real." We'll be taking her song apart and putting it back together again in another chapter of this book series, "What Is A Song.".Using finance money from Roulette Records chief Morris Levy (you can find out more about this guy in the book "Hit Men"--a highly-recommended favorite of mine."I could tell you more, but." You know the drill.As Sugar Hill grew, so did its artist roster, with the addition of Grandmaster Flash and his collective unit, The Furious Five.Although the Sugar Hill owners paid up a big balance and purchased the remaining interest in their company by the early 80's, things began to sour for them. a deal with MCA Records died and a fire toasted their legendary studio.The label eventually shut it doors by 1986.Almost 10 years later, retail-friendly Rhino Records picked up the Sugar Hill catalog and resuscitated the masters in the same way that they've done with many other lost or obscure masters.Through creative re-packaging, Rhino went on to revitalize the music (and some careers) of artists that were probably still waiting on royalties from the previous owners of their master recordings.The Sugar Hill Gang, West Street Mob and Sequence all have been released on various Sugar Hill compilations.An interesting occurrence after the Sugar Hill assault was the massive availability of the sequencer, drum machine, synthesizer, sampler and MIDI around the early 80s.'Creatives' and 'infamists' among the likes of Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, The Bomb Squad and producer Marley Marl locked themselves up in 'Big Apple laboratories' coming up with the next lethal mix of sound.When released, Def Jam and the 'Sound of Marl' quickly put music listeners into a 'yoke' as concoctions they whipped up became highly potent chemicals on the proverbial 'periodic music table of elements' upon hitting the airwaves; through radio station, mobile and club DJs.I cannot over-emphasize it enough. 'BIG UPS' to these guys! After the creative synergy of vocalists, musicians and producers, DJs are credited as being one of the most direct pipelines to exciting new music.You should take note that "DJ" makes up the initials of Def Jam.Now let's keep the record playing; teacher's not through with today's lesson yet.Independent labels like Profile, Sugar Hill, Priority, 4th.& Broadway and Tommy Boy scooped up young, talented Hip-Hop artists.Major labels like Columbia, Epic, MCA, Mercury and Warner Brothers got an early jump on the game as they formed alliances with Rap labels and artists.Moves like these were executed through street-savvy labels like Def Jam.It grew into the premier, multi-faceted music conglomerate of the century.Started in a college dorm room, Def Jam is now managed from a corporate boardroom, and worth hundreds of millions.Founder Russell Simmons parted from his share of the company in 1999, after the Universal Music Group made him a $100 million offer that he couldn't refuse.We're not talking pesos here, folks! Let's breeze through a few landmark events regarding Def Jam Recordings. In 1983, the company was founded by Russell, who was called "Rush" when he was business partners with one Rick Rubin.Before this form of osmosis occurred, Simmons 'did the business' behind pioneers like Kurtis Blow, the first Rap artist with a major record deal.He signed on with Mercury Records; it was a part of the PolyGram distribution machine.The label went on to forge a long-lasting relationship with Kurtis Blow, Russell 'Rush' Simmons, and his growing company.In spring of 1984, I began a two season internship with Def Jam's distributor.By fall quarter, I was a college rep.During Def Jam's first decade, I marketed and promoted every record released through the pipeline.This included music by the distributor's affiliated Epic label.Epic was born to CBS Records (a division of CBS, Inc.) during the early 50s.It was a cute little Classical/Jazz label and grew to be a strong, healthy major label with many active body parts (Rock, R&B, Country).Epic picked up other siblings.One of them was T-Neck Records.An influential Soul/R&B/Funk collective of the 50s, 60's, 70's, 80's and beyond the new millennium terrain, The Isley Brothers ran a music empire tucked inside this fully-functional sibling unit's clothes.And bank account--let's call it a budget.Another sibling was Portrait Records.By the 80's, Portrait had sold millions of records by major stars like Cyndi Lauper, Sade and Stanley Clarke.Since Epic was the oldest kid, it acquired a firm place in history as the foundation that supported the throne of none other than the King of Pop music, Michael Jackson.As a matter of fact, the former lead singer of Motown's Jackson Five actively participated (along with wildly colorful CBS Records group president Walter Yetnikoff) in the disbursement of CBS' unwanted offspring (CBS Records, Inc.) to the Sony Corporation in 1988.By 2004, Sony Music Entertainment had consolidated its monster Columbia and Epic labels, then merged with another major record label. BMG.On the Internet, iTunes was selling millions of digital downloads.But that's a story for later.Stay tuned.Def Jam product began flowing through shortly after I jumped in the big game to see if I could swim.I witnessed the music of many groundbreaking artists 'rushed' through the system.Notable executives like Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles entered the fold, as promoters like Wes Johnson and Johnnie Walker locked down efforts to turn the airwaves into 'Def Jam radio.' Def Jam became one of the hottest commodities in distribution by the other major label within a major label.This record company made its mark by using a red trademark on the product it manufactured.Columbia Records was the big brother of Def Jam. the hottest Rap label in the Hip-Hop market.Def Jam had million-selling acts like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, and later arrivals like DMX, then Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records.Columbia, also known as "Big Red," was owned by music giant CBS Records.By 1991, CBS Records was purchased by the Sony Corporation for some $2 billion that I'll say came out of the 'petty cash fund' (they had OLD money, and plenty of it).CBS Records later became Sony Music Entertainment.If you haven't guessed already (where've you been?), here's a prediction. you'll read about more adventures with 'the firm' as we move along.Between all of this 'promoting' (as a college rep), I managed getting an introduction to Russell Simmons at a Jack The Rapper convention in Atlanta by Columbia's national director of Black music promotion, Miss Mike Bernardo, who is such a sweet lady.At this time, she was next in line to the vice-president of Columbia's national promotion department. Vernon Slaughter and Mike Bernardo were responsible for the overall performance of Columbia's Black radio and club promotion department.Vernon later became one of Atlanta's top power brokers.He was LaFace Record's first general manager, personally signing artists like Toni Braxton to the label.He later became a key player at a law firm headed up by powerhouse entertainment lawyer Joel Katz, and was the legal muscle behind many artist deals, movie soundtracks and no telling what else!As vice-president and national director respectively, Vernon and Mike implemented the national strategies set forth by Columbia.The staff consisted of dozens of regional promotion people strategically placed in key American cities.Throughout my career at the label Vernon, Mike, and the promotion people I knew showed me plenty of love, and were first-class players in the game, too.Not long after Def Jam's arrival, I became an account service rep, then a Black music marketing rep for Sony's southeast regional branch in Atlanta.I doubt if there was any connection.Anyway, Def Jam left Sony for PolyGram in 1994 (also the year that I parted company with Sony and launched a recording studio); that same year, PolyGram purchased 50% of Sony's holdings in Def Jam.By 1996, PolyGram bought another 10%, and in 1998 the Universal Music Group (UMG) acquired PolyGram Group Distribution (PGD) to become the world's biggest record label.After a series of major operational changes, longtime staffers Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles severed ties with Def Jam, which by now had grown to include other hot labels like Atlanta-based Def Jam South (headed up by The Geto Boys' Mr.Scarface), Disturbing Tha Peace (Ludacris), Def Soul, Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Roc-A-Fella.Though DMX's product was released through Def Jam, his Ruff Ryders crew got a label deal with Interscope.In the post Cohen/Liles era, former LaFace/Arista big-wig L.A.Reid re-appeared at the helm of the big ship.Then, multi-platinum rapper Jay-Z became the new chief of Def Jam (now part of Island Def Jam Music Group), proving that he too, could do what Rap music guru Russell Simmons' legendary rapper Kurtis Blow said he wanted to do. 'Rule The World.'.The future of Def Jam included plans for more affiliations with labels like Atlanta's Slip-N-Slide Records (Ying Yang Twins).Atlanta was now a city on the move, and Simmons made it a frequent stop on his international itinerary.From Rush Productions and Kurtis Blow to Def Jam, OBR and Rush Associated Labels, to Rush Communications and Phat Farms, the Visa 'Rush Card,' a beautiful model-wife and kids, to astronomic amounts of future cash flow, Russell Simmons demonstrated his ability to serve as the Rap game's foremost guiding hand.And 'head of the household,' too.He was the proverbial captain of a ship, navigating through those often-bumpy waters of the constantly shifting Rap/Hip-Hop industry.Def Jam Recordings became an extraordinary multimedia company because of a determined visionary's ability to reach out and touch people-- through the power of Rap music and the Hip-Hop culture.Simply put, none of these entities could be spoken of without mention of the great and powerful, "Mr.Rush.".
List Price : $139.99Price : $89.99 as of 2012-09-23 10:35 AM
Product Description
Inspired by the DVD "Day of the Diesels", little engineers can take Percy on an adventure through the Diesel Works. This set features multiple areas to lift and load cargo along with the red glowing diesel shed. Take the engines for a ride through the red glowing diesel shed with Diesel 10 resting inside. The engines can chug onto the turntable that raises and lowers where they can choose the gantry cran to lift and lower cargo, or the zip line that lifts the red hot cargo. Little engineers will have hours of fun recreating the adventure at the Diesel Works. Age grade 3 years and above.
Features include:
•Inspired by the DVD Day of the Diesels •Includes Percy, Diesel 10, and a cargo car with cargo •Shed glows red •Light and load the ccargo with crane or zip line •Ages 3 and up
Inspired by the DVD Day of the Diesels
Includes Percy, Diesel 10, and a cargo car with cargo
Raj Ghat is the Samadhi or memorial of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi better known as Mahatma Gandhi, located on the banks of the Yamuna River.Dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi after his death on January 31, 1948, the Raj Ghat is a simple square platform made up of black marble open to the sky with an eternal flame burning bright at one end throughout the day and night.The memorial rests within a walled enclosure.Lush green lawns sprawl across either side of a stoned footpath that leads to the memorial.There are a number of trees in the premises planted by various dignitaries on a visit to the memorial; the trees are labelled with the names of the people who planted them.One cannot fail to notice the inscribed words "Hey Ram" on the memorial which are believed to be the last words spoken by the Mahatma himself at the time of his death.The simplicity of this construction depicts the simple life led by Mahatma Gandhi.As a mark of respect, visitors visiting the memorial are requested to treat this holy place as one would treat a temple.One has to remove footwear before proceeding towards the memorial.A ceremony in the honour of Mahatma Gandhi is held every Friday which happens to be the day he breathed his last.Prayer sessions are held on every January 31st and October 2nd every year to mark Gandhi's birth and death anniversaries.This proves that the Father of our Nation, Gandhi or Bapu as he is fondly remembered stays alive in our hearts forever.It gives a great sense of pride to observe the customary tradition wherein foreign dignitaries visiting India make it a point to lay wreath or flowers and pay their homage to one of the great souls of mankind - Mahatma Gandhi.The bank of river Yamuna houses many more memorials in honour of the contributors to the nation, all closely situated to Raj Ghat.Towards the north of Raj Ghat rests the Samadhi of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, known as the Shantivan or the Forest of Peace.An interesting piece of information is that the landscapes and the floral arrangement of these memorials were designed by Sydney Percy -Lancaster, the Secretary of the Agri Horticultural Society of India during those days.Every child is also aware of the fact that Mahatma Gandhi was a peace-loving man.He believed in truth and non-violence and led India to attain her freedom in 1947.His simplicity can be marked by his lifestyle and high thoughts.He lived in a self sufficient set up, ate simple vegetarian food and wore simple clothes in the form of the traditional Indian dhoti and a shawl.The dhoti was made from the yarn that spun out of his Charkha.He worked towards ending poverty, eradicating caste and creed discriminations.This noble thought reflects in the fact that anyone and everyone are allowed to visit Raj Ghat irrespective of the religion or caste.
Thomas the Tank Train is the most loved little engine in the world.Millions of children around the world for decades have followed his adventures with great anticipation.This story line has all started back in 1940's when a man decided to start writing down the stories he was telling his son at bedtime.The man's name is Reverend W.V.Awdry.Thomas was just one of many characters in the stories.Thomas's first appearance was in the Railway series book titled Thomas the Tank Engine.Here, Thomas was just a station pilot that helps move the different cars around the station house to help prepare the bigger engines for their runs.Thomas longed for his own line, and eventually was given a chance.To help him on his branch were his trusted friends Percy the small engine, Toby the tram engine, and the coaches Clarabel and Anne.Britt Allcroft is the British producer that brought Thomas out of the books and onto the television screen in the 1980's.This has spun this little engine into worldwide stardom.His popularity has surprised all that were involved with his creation and bringing him to life on the TV screen.Today, Thomas is a multimillion dollar corporation that is still butting out new story lines each year.Not only are new videos still being produced but there have also been full length feature films involving the life and times of Thomas the Tank Train.The story line has no end in sight.
