Trees grow in Poland through free send-a-seedling drive

Polish software specialist Tomek Wawrzyczek was pleasantly surprised when he received a 50-centimetre (20-inch) tree seedling in the post.

He promptly planted it in his garden but still has no clue who sent it.

"Who was the kind soul who sent me a seedling? Because I don't know whom to thank," he wrote recently on the micro-blogging site Twitter.

No one has confessed to the unusual mail to date, but from the packaging, Wawrzyczek, 43, learnt it was part of a citizen's initiative in which 61,000 free seedlings were sent across Poland.

Launched by marketing executive Jacek Powalka, 36, the so-called PioSeki online initiative let anyone order up to two free maple, beech, oak or spruce seedlings -- one to keep and one to give a friend.

Powalka's goal was to inspire people to do some good, be it by improving the environment or otherwise

The idea for the project was first sown on a "beautiful, sunny Saturday morning" in 2007 after Powalka set off to the nursery for flowers but returned with a European variety of sycamore tree seedlings.

"I decided that that year rather than flowers for my balcony, I'd spend the money on trees" for the neighbourhood's overgrown residential square, said Powalka, whose family has a long history of social activism.

He ended up turning the nondescript unused space into a park, making headlines in Poland.

Neighbours helped with planting and chipped in on landscaping plans. The square became a site for community events like summertime starlight film screenings

India duo wins French Open

India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza won the mixed doubles title at the French Openon Thursday, defeating Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Klaudia Jans-Ignacik of Poland 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 in the final.

Bhupathi, one of the most successful men's doubles and mixed doubles players ever, won the title in style on his 38th birthday.

"Now I don't have to think of a gift to give him," Mirza said after their victory which was broadcast live in India, where the pair, playing as seventh seeds, are national sporting heroes.

Bhupathi, who is married to Indian actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, dedicated the trophy to their four-month-old daughter Saira, his first child.

"This one's for her and I'm really happy," he said, after winning his eighth mixed doubles majors crown -- he has now won each mixed title twice.

8 Easy Ways to Tone Your Thighs

The process of losing weight on your thighs is easier than you think. Since your thigh fat is attached to the largest muscle in your body, it is easy for you to lose unwanted fat from this specific area. 

Says fitness expert, Althea Shah, “One of the fastest ways to lose unwanted weight and fat from your thighs is to gain metabolism by raising muscle on your legs. It helps you burn more calories, which aids you in building muscles with the help of a combination of exercises like squats, leg lifts and leg extensions, for nicely sculpted legs.”  

Squats 
Squats are a great way to use your legs to tone up your thighs. 
How to: Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Lower yourself as if you are going to sit down on a chair, until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Return to the standing position. Repeat twice, 15 to 20 times.

Wide squats 
This exercise helps to tone the inner muscles of your thigh. 
How to: Stand with your feet a little wider than your shoulders and then bend till your knees are at a 45 degree angle. Tighten your thighs and hold for five seconds, release and stand back up. Keep your back straight. Repeat 10 to 15 times.

Lunges
Lunges help build your quadriceps as well as your glutes. 
How to: Says fitness expert, Neville Wadia, “Start with your feet together. Step forward with your right leg, keeping your back straight, and bend your knees, until your right knee forms a 90 degree angle. Hold this position till a count of five, then push back with your right leg. Repeat twice, 10 times on each sides.”

Walking lunges
Walking lunges are excellent to tone your quadriceps, hamstrings and thighs. 
How to: Start by standing upright. Lunge forward with one leg, but don’t make your knee go further than your toe. When you lunge, use the back leg to get back to the standing position. 

Step-up
Says Wadia, “Step-ups work on the muscle of the glutes, hamstrings and quads and helps tone them the best.”
How to: Use an exercise bench. Stand in front of the bench and place your left foot on it. Hold your arms by your sides or hold weights in front of your chest. Straighten your left leg, transferring the weight onto it, to step on to the bench. Don’t lock the leg. Your right leg should be behind you a little and your right foot should not touch the bench. Hold position for a few seconds. Bend your left leg. Bring the right leg down just enough so that you tap the floor with your toes, and then extend the left leg again. Repeat twice, 10 to 20 times.

Leg extensions 
Says Shah, “Leg extension helps to target and tone the quadriceps. This exercise can be done with the help of leg extension machines at the gym.”
How to: Select your weights. Ask your gym instructor for the amount of weights suitable for your body type.  Using your quadriceps, extend your legs to the maximum, as you exhale. Ensure that the rest of the body remains stationary on the seat. Pause for a second. Slowly, lower the weight back to the original position as you inhale. Ensure that you do not go past the 90 degree angle. Repeat twice, 12-15 times. 

Kick-boxing
This exercise is great to tone  your thigh, as well as your butt. 
How to: Keep your fists tight, reaching shoulder height at the extension. Keep wrists in line with the rest of your arm. Rotate hips and pivot to protect knees. Keep your eyes straight and kick. Repeat twice, 20 times. 

Hamstring curl
Says Shah, “Hamstring curl is a great way to tone up your hamstring muscles.”
How to: Place a yoga mat on the floor. Lie on the yoga mat, on your stomach and keep your legs and feet together. For beginners, do not use ankle weight, but once you get used to the exercise form, wear an ankle weight on each leg. Start by having your legs and feet on the ground, and then bend your legs at the knees and bring them to your hips as close as possible. Hold for 10 seconds. Bring them back down but do not touch the ground. Repeat 20 times.

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Diversity in Unity. In India where people of different religion live together but we should live like a Indian as this picture tells us.

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