WHERE GOD IS

One day a stranger came to a village and said to the Rabbi, "I've searched all over for God and I cannot find Him anywhere."

The Rabbi said to the stranger. "Since God is here, you've come to the right place." He was offered board and lodgings with an old widow, and for payment the stranger chopped wood for her fire, and helped other villagers in need. Each day the stranger would seek out the Rabbi and ask, "Is God here, and will I see Him today?" And each time the Rabbi would reply, "God is here, and you've come to the right place". 

One day, after walking back from the next village the Rabbi was disturbed from his rest by the sound of voices. Looking up he saw the stranger talking to a man, dusty from many days of travel. As the Rabbi listened he heard the travel-dusty man say to the stranger, "Please help me, I'm looking for God, and I cannot find Him anywhere." The Rabbi smiled and his kindly eyes filled with tears as he heard the stranger reply, "You have come to the right place because God is here. Stay with us and you will find Him." 

For me the moral of that little story is, we don't need to look for God because He is here in our friends and in all the deeds we do. When a person smiles, He is there. He may be in the stranger who helps you or in the pretty flower that pushes up through the frozen ground in Spring. 

When I was returning from the funeral of my Grand Father, I'd passed my local shopping centre and felt bewildered. The March sun was shining, the spring flowers were blooming, people were walking around, smiling and talking. At first I'd felt hurt, like no one cared that my world had ended. But then I remembered how much I loved the sunshine and how happy I would have been on any other sunny day--and somehow it made me smile. God was there in those shoppers, and it was His way of reminding me He was there; the sun was still there, and one day I'd be able to enjoy life again. We need never look for Him, He's with us every moment of every day, it's only up to us to recognise Him.

THE TROUBLE TREE

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. 

As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. 

We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. "Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

HARE AND TORTOISE

This is an age old fable of the tortoise and hare race. Everyone knows who won the race or do you? Well, recently I heard a new version of this story with a new twist. Read this inspirational teamwork story with lessons in teamwork from an age old fable.
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1. Once upon a time a tortoise and a hare had an argument about who was faster. They decided to settle the argument with a race. The tortoise and hare both agreed on a route and started off the race. The hare shot ahead and ran briskly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he'd sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing the race. He sat under the tree and soon fell asleep. The tortoise plodding on overtook him and soon finished the race, emerging as the undisputed champ. The hare woke up and realised that he'd lost the race. The moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race. This is the version of the story that we've all grown up with.
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2. But then recently, someone told me a more interesting version of this tortoise and hare story. It continues. The hare was disappointed at losing the race and he did some soul-searching. He realised that he'd lost the race only because he had been overconfident, careless and lax. If he had not taken things for granted, there's no way the tortoise could have beaten him. So he challenged the tortoise to another race. The tortoise agreed. This time, the hare went all out and ran without stopping from start to finish. He won by several miles. The moral of the story? Fast and consistent will always beat the slow and steady. If you have two people in your organisation, one slow, methodical and reliable, and the other fast and still reliable at what he does, the fast and reliable chap will consistently climb the organisational ladder faster than the slow, methodical chap. It's good to be slow and steady; but it's better to be fast and reliable.
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 3. But the story doesn't end here. The tortoise did some thinking this time, and realised that there's no way he can beat the hare in a race the way it was currently formatted. He thought for a while, and then challenged the hare to another race, but on a slightly different route. The hare agreed. The tortoise and hare started off. In keeping with his self-made commitment to be consistently fast, the hare took off and ran at top speed until he came to a broad river. The finishing line was a couple of kilometres on the other side of the river. The hare sat there wondering what to do. In the meantime the tortoise trundled along, got into the river, swam to the opposite bank, continued walking and finished the race. The moral of the story? First identify your core competency and then change the playing field to suit your core competency. In an organisation, if you are a good speaker, make sure you create opportunities to give presentations that enable the senior management to notice you. If your strength is analysis, make sure you do some sort of research, make a report and send it upstairs. Working to your strengths will not only get you noticed, but will also create opportunities for growth and advancement. The story still hasn't ended.
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4. The tortoise and hare, by this time, had become pretty good friends and they did some thinking together. Both realised that the last race could have been run much better. So the tortoise and hare decided to do the last race again, but to run as a team this time. They started off, and this time the hare carried the tortoise till the riverbank. There, the tortoise took over and swam across with the hare on his back. On the opposite bank, the hare again carried the tortoise and they reached the finishing line together. Both the tortoise and hare felt a greater sense of satisfaction than they'd felt earlier. The moral of the story? It's good to be individually brilliant and to have strong core competencies; but unless you're able to work in a team and harness each other's core competencies, you'll always perform below par because there will always be situations at which you'll do poorly and someone else does well. Teamwork is mainly about situational leadership, letting the person with the relevant core competency for a situation take leadership.

All you want to know about PAN

A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is one of the most important documents in the country today. It is an identification number which the Income Tax Department gives to all taxpayers. You need to quote the PAN for all financial transactions like opening a bank account, buying a property of a car, buying or selling shares or mutual funds, applying for a visa/passport, making payment of income tax or filing your tax return, applying for a bank loan, etc. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to PAN:

1. What is PAN?

Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the Income Tax Department. A typical PAN is AABPS1205E.

 2. Why is it necessary to have PAN?

a) It is mandatory to quote PAN on return of income, all correspondence with any income tax authority. From January 1, 2005, it has been made mandatory to quote PAN on challans for any payments due to Income Tax Department. b) It is also compulsory to quote PAN in all documents pertaining to financial transactions notified from time-to-time by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. Some such transactions are sale and purchase of immovable property or motor vehicle or payments in cash, of amounts exceeding Rs 25,000 to hotels and restaurants or in connection with travel to any foreign country. c) It is also mandatory to mention PAN for obtaining a telephone or cellular telephone connection. Likewise, PAN has to be mentioned for making a time deposit exceeding Rs 50,000 with a Bank or Post Office or depositing cash of Rs 50,000 or more in a Bank. d) It has also been made mandatory from march 2, 2007 to quote the PAN for mutual fund investments worth over Rs 50,000.

3. How does Income Tax Department ensure that PAN is quoted on transactions mentioned above?

It is statutory responsibility of a person receiving document relating to economic or financial transactions notified by the CBDT to ensure that PAN has been duly quoted in the document.

4. Is it compulsory to quote PAN on return of income?

Yes, it is compulsory to quote PAN on return of income.

5. How will these authorities verify PAN?

A facility for verifying PAN is available on the website of the Income Tax department.

 6. Who must have a PAN?

a) All existing assesses or taxpayers or persons who are required to furnish a return of income, even on behalf of others, must obtain PAN. b) Any person, who intends to enter into financial transaction where quoting PAN is mandatory, must also obtain PAN. c) The Assessing Officer may allot PAN to any person either on his own or on a specific request from such person.

7. Can a person obtain or use more than one PAN?

Obtaining or possessing more than one PAN is against the law.

8. Where to apply for PAN? How to get a new PAN card?

In order to improve PAN related services, the Income Tax department has authorized UTI Investor Services Ltd (UTIISL) to set up and manage IT PAN service centres in all cities or towns where there is an Income Tax office and National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) to dispense PAN services from TIN (tax information network) facilitation centres. For the convenience of PAN applicants in big cities, UTIISL has set up more than one IT PAN service centre and likewise there are more than one TIN facilitation centre.

9. How to apply for a PAN? Can an application for PAN be made on plain paper?

PAN application should be made only on Form 49A. A PAN application (Form 49A) can be downloaded from the website of Income Tax department or UTIISL or NSDL ( www.incometaxindia .gov.in,www. utiisl.co. in or tin.nsdl.com) or printed by local printers or photocopied (on A4 size 70 GSM paper) or obtained from any other source. The form is also available at IT PAN Service centres and TIN Facilitation centres.

10. Can an application for PAN be made in Form 49A obtained from anywhere?

Yes, PAN application may be made on Form 49A obtained from any source other than IT PAN Service Centres or TIN Facilitation Centres. For instance, a PAN application may be made on form downloaded from the website of Income Tax department or UTIISL or NSDL; or on form printed by local printers or a photocopy of downloaded or printed form.

11. Can an application for PAN be made through Internet?

Yes, application for fresh allotment of PAN can be made through Internet. Further, requests for changes or correction in PAN data or request for new PAN card (for an existing PAN) may also be made through Internet. For more details visit ( www.tin-nsdl. com)

12. How do I get a PAN allotted quickly (Tatkal)?

If an application for allotment of PAN is submitted through Internet and payment made through a 'nominated' credit card, the PAN is allotted on priority and communicated through email.

13. How to find an IT PAN service centre or TIN facilitation centre?

Location of IT PAN Service Centres or TIN Facilitation Centres in any city may be obtained from local Income Tax Office or any office of UTI/UTIISL or NSDL in that city or from websites of the Income Tax department ( www.incometaxindia .gov.in or UTIISL(www.utiisl. co.in) or NSDL ( http://tin.nsdl. com )

14. What services are provided by these IT PAN service centres or TIN facilitation centres?

IT PAN service centres or TIN facilitation centres will supply PAN application forms (Form 49A) and forms for 'Request for new PAN card or/and changes in PAN data,' assist the applicant in filling up the form, collect filled form and issue acknowledgement slip. After obtaining PAN from the Income Tax department, UTIISL or NSDL as the case may be, will print the PAN card and deliver it to the applicant.

15. What if I submit incomplete Form 49A?

IT PAN service centres or TIN facilitation centres shall not receive any incomplete and deficient PAN application. However, these centres will assist applicants to correctly fill up form 49A or 'Request for new PAN card or/and changes in PAN data,' as the case may be.

16. What documents and information have to be submitted along with the application for Form 49A?

a) Individual applicants will have to affix one recent, colour photograph (Stamp Size: 3.5 cms x 2.5 cms) on Form 49A; b) Any one document listed in Rule 114 must be supplied as proof of 'Identity' and 'Address'; and Designation and code of the concerned Assessing Officer of Income Tax department will have to be mentioned in Form 49A.

17. Which documents will serve as proof of 'Identity' in case of Individual applicants, including minors and HUF applicants?

a) Copy of school leaving certificate or matriculation certificate or degree of a recognized educational institution or depository account or credit card or bank account or water bill or ration card or property tax assessment order or passport or voter identity card or driving license or certificate of identity signed by a MP or an MLA or a Municipal Councilor or a Gazetted Officer; b) In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of above documents of any of the parents or guardian of such minor shall serve as proof of Identity; c) In case PAN application is made on behalf of a HUF, any of above documents in respect of Karta of the HUF will serve as proof of Identity.

18. What is proof of 'Address' for Individual applicants, including minors and HUF applicants?

Copy of electricity bill or telephone bill or depository account or credit card or bank account or ration card or employer certificate or passport or voter identity card or property tax assessment order or driving license or rent receipt or certificate of address signed by a MP/ MLA/Municipal Councilor / a Gazetted Officer; In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of above documents of any of the parents or guardian of such minor shall serve as proof of Address; In case PAN application is made on behalf of a HUF, any of above documents in respect of Karta of the HUF will serve as proof of Address.

19. What documents will serve as proof of Identity and Address for other applicants?

Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Companies or Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Firms or Copy of Partnership Deed or Copy of Trust deed or Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued by Charity Commissioner or Copy of Agreement or Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued by Charity Commissioner or Registrar of Co-operative Society or any other Competent Authority or any other document originating from any Central or State Government Department establishing Identity and Address of such person.

20. How to find 'Assessing Officer code'?

Assessing Officer code may be obtained from Income Tax Office where you submit your return of income. Applicants who have never filed return of income may find out Assessing Officer code with the help of IT PAN Service Centre or TIN Facilitation Centre or jurisdictional Income Tax Office.

21. Is a photograph compulsory for making an application for PAN?

A photograph is compulsory only in case of 'Individual' applicants.

22. What is the procedure for applicants who cannot sign?

In such cases, Left Hand Thumb impression of the applicant should be affixed on Form 49A or 'Request For New PAN Card Or/ And Changes In PAN Data' at the place meant for signatures and got attested by a Magistrate or a Notary Public or a Gazetted Officer, under official seal and stamp.

23. Is father's name compulsory for female (including married/divorced/ widow) applicants?

Only father's name is required to be filled in the PAN application (Form 49A). Female applicants, irrespective of marital status, should write only father's name in the PAN application

24. Is it compulsory to mention telephone numbers on Form 49A?

Telephone number is not compulsory, but if provided it may help in faster communication.

25. Who can apply on behalf of non-resident, minor, lunatic, idiot, and court of wards?

Section 160 of IT Act, 1961 provides that a non-resident, a minor, lunatic, idiot, and court of wards and such other persons may be represented through a Representative Assessee. In such cases, application for PAN will be made by the Representative Assessee.

26. I had applied to the department but I do not know my PAN?

Please contact the Aaykar Sampark Kendra (ASK) at 0124-2438000 (or 95124-2438000 from NCR) or visit the www.incometaxindia . gov.in and go to 'know your PAN'.

27. Are there any charges to be paid at IT PAN Service Centres or TIN Facilitation Centres?

UTIISL and NSDL have been authorized to collect Rs.60 + Service Tax as applicable, per PAN application and this includes cost of a tamper proof PAN card. This amount will have to be paid in cash at IT PAN Service Centre or the TIN Facilitation Centre.

28. Do you need to apply for a PAN when you move or transfer from one city to another?

Permanent Account Number, as the name suggests, is a permanent number and does not change during lifetime of PAN holder. Changing the address or city, though, may change the Assessing Officer. Such changes must, therefore, be intimated to nearest IT PAN service centre or TIN facilitation centre for required correction in PAN databases of the Income Tax department. These requests will have to be made in a form for 'Request for new PAN card or/ and changes in PAN data.

29. I had applied to UTITSL/ NSDL a month ago but I have not received my PAN card and I have to file my return of income?

Please contact the concern officials through visiting the site www.incometaxindia. gov.in or send an email to pan@incometaxindia. gov.in .

30. Will the existing PAN cards issued by the Department remain valid?

All PAN allotted and PAN card issued by the Department will remain valid. All persons who have been allotted a PAN need not apply again.

31. Income Tax Department has issued me a PAN card; can I obtain a new tamper proof PAN card?

For obtaining the tamper proof PAN card an application will have to be made in the form for 'Request for new PAN card or/ and changes in PAN data' to IT PAN service centre or TIN facilitation centre, in which existing PAN will have to be indicated and old PAN card surrendered. The payment of Rs.60 + Service Tax as applicable, will also have to be made.

32. I had applied for PAN and received PAN number but have not received the PAN Card?

Apply in the form for 'Request for new PAN card or/ and changes in PAN data' at any IT PAN service centre or TIN facilitation centre quoting the PAN allotted to you.

33. How will the new PAN card be delivered to me?

The UTIISL or NSDL, as the case may be, will ensure delivery of new PAN card at the address indicated by you in the PAN application form or form for 'Request for new PAN card or/ and changes in PAN data.'

34. I want to pay taxes today but I do not have a PAN?

It takes about 15 days to get a new PAN allotted. However, PAN can be obtained in around 5 days if application is made through Internet and processing fee paid through credit card. It is advisable to initiate action for obtaining PAN will in time.

Helpful Tips on Eye Care

With so many of us spending lots of time in front of the computer every day it comes to no surprise that research is showing a rise in visual problems. What can one do? First, it's important to find out how you can protect your eyes through eye health exams and by making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits. 

Here are some helpful Eye Care Tips: 

Positioning is everything 

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm's length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort. 

Lighting can make all the difference 

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour, contrast and brightness levels to suit you. 

A little extra help for your glasses 

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don't forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot. 

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule 

Step I :- After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes. 

Step II :- Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them. 

Step III :- Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body. 

It's all in the blinking 

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we're on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink! 

Palming 

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine. 

Splash water on your face 

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed. 

Use tea bags 

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness. 

Eat healthy 

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

Little Dog

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit. When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. He looked through the doorway with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as it could. To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly. As he left the House, he thought to himself, "This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often."

In this same village, another little dog, who was not quite as happy as the first one, decided to visit the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little dogs growling back at him. As he left, he thought to himself, "That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again."

All the faces in the world are mirrors. What kind of reflections do you see in the faces of the people you meet?

Everything happens for good

There was once a King who had a wise advisor. The advisor followed the King everywhere, and his favorite advice was, "Everything happens for the good". One day the King went hunting and had a little accident. He shot an arrow at his own foot and was injured. He asked the advisor what he thought about the accident, to which the advisor replied, "Everything happens for the good". This time the King was really upset and ordered for his advisor to be put in prison. The King asked his advisor, "Now, what do you think?" The advisor again replied, "Everything happens for the good". So the advisor remained in prison.

The King later went on a hunting trip, this time without the advisor. The King was then captured by some cannibals. He was taken to the cannibals' camp where he was to be the evening meal for the cannibals. Before putting him into the cooking pot he was thoroughly inspected. The cannibals saw the wound on the King's foot and decided to throw him back into the jungle. According to the cannibals' tradition, they would not eat anything that was imperfect. As a result the King was spared. The King suddenly realized what his advisor said was true. The advisor also escaped death because had he not been in prison, he would have followed the King on the hunting trip, and would have ended up in the cooking pot.

Success Principles 
It is true that everything in life happens for a purpose, and always for our own good. If you think about it, all our past experiences actually happened to bring us to where we are today, and it is always for the good. All the past experiences makes us a better person. So, whatever challenges that we may face today, consider it happening to bring us to the next level.