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Ghost hunting is the process of investigating locations that are reported to be haunted by ghosts. Typically, a ghost-hunting team will attempt to collect evidence supporting the existence of paranormal activity. Ghost hunters use a variety of electronic devices, including EMF meters, digital thermometers, both handheld and static digital video cameras, including thermographic and night vision cameras, as well as digital audio recorders. Other more traditional techniques are also used, such as conducting interviews and researching the history of allegedly haunted sites. Ghost hunters may also refer to themselves as “paranormal investigators.”

Paranormal research dates back to the 18th century, with organisations such as the Society for Psychical Research investigating spiritual matters. Psychic researcher Harry Price published his Confessions of a Ghost-Hunter in 1936.

Ghost hunting was popularised in the 2000s by television series such as Most Haunted and Ghost Hunters, combined with the increasing availability of high-tech equipment. The Atlantic Paranormal Society reported a doubling in their membership in the late 2000s, attributing this to the television programs. Despite its lack of acceptance in academic circles, the popularity of ghost-hunting reality TV shows has influenced a number of individuals to take up the pursuit.

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Small businesses offering ghost-hunting equipment and paranormal investigation services increased in the early 2000s. Many offer electromagnetic field (EMF) meters, infrared motion sensors and devices billed as “ghost detectors”. The paranormal boom is such that some small ghost-hunting related businesses are enjoying increased profits through podcast and web site advertising, books, DVDs, videos and other commercial enterprises.

One ghost-hunting group called “A Midwest Haunting” based in Macomb, Illinois, reported that the number of people taking its tours had tripled, jumping from about 600 in 2006 to 1,800 in 2008. Others, such as Marie Cuff of “Idaho Spirit Seekers” pointed to increased traffic on their websites and message boards as an indication that ghost hunting was becoming more accepted. Participants say that ghost hunting allows them to enjoy the friendship of like-minded people and actively pursue their interest in the paranormal. According to Jim Willis of “Ghosts of Ohio”, his group’s membership had doubled, growing to 30 members since it was founded in 1999 and includes both true believers and total skeptics. Willis says his group is “looking for answers, one way or another” and that skepticism is a prerequisite for those who desire to be “taken seriously in this field.”

Author John Potts says that the present day pursuit of “amateur ghost hunting” can be traced back to the Spiritualist era and early organizations founded to investigate paranormal phenomena, like London’s The Ghost Club and the Society for Psychical Research, but that modern investigations are unrelated to academic parapsychology. Potts writes that modern ghost hunting groups ignore the scientific method and instead follow a form of “techno-mysticism”.

The popularity of ghost hunting has led to some injuries. Unaware that a “spooky home” in Worthington, Ohio was occupied, a group of teenagers stepped on the edge of the property to explore. The homeowner fired on the teenagers’ automobile as they were leaving, seriously injuring one.A woman hunting for ghosts was killed in a fall from a University of Toronto building.

An offshoot of ghost hunting is the commercial ghost tour conducted by a local guide or tour operator who is often a member of a local ghost-hunting or paranormal investigation group. Since both the tour operators and owners of the reportedly haunted properties share profits of such enterprises (admissions typically range between $50 and $100 per person), some believe the claims of hauntings are exaggerated or fabricated in order to increase attendance.The city of Savannah, Georgia is said to be the American city with the most ghost tours, having more than 31 as of 2003.

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Self-employment has acquired much significance these days as employment opportunities for youths are less nowadays. Even highly qualified youths do not get the jobs they deserve.

This is because the number of educated youths is increasing year by year, but the job opportunities remain more or less the same or they may be a little more than in the last year. The craze for degrees in the Engineering science and Medicine is increasing and it is not possible for the Government and the private institutions to give jobs to the ever-increasing number of engineering and medical graduates and graduates and postgraduates in other subjects. In this situation those who have good educational qualification should think of self-employment.

Banks give loans to the educated youths to start businesses. Engineering graduates can start small factories to manufacture some products. They can serve as contractors for certain products to the Railway Department, to the State Transport Department, to the Electricity Department etc. Ordinary graduates can set up shops dealing in books, fancy articles or some other products. Some youths can join together and start a cooperative business which may manufacture and sell cold drinks, different kinds of oil, textiles etc. There are Government institutes which train the aspiring persons in the manufacture of plastic goods, electrical gadgets, candles etc. Youths may undergo training in these institutes.

It is important that in the context of no availability of jobs in the Government departments and in the private institutions the educated youth should think of self-employment.

Self-help groups are fast coming up in several areas with the support of finance from banks. It was shown on the TV that a whole village in south India is engaged in the bakery business. The villagers have joined together and make bread, biscuit, different kinds of cake, puffs etc. Some groups undertake the sale of their products through shops and cooperative societies. This is a wonderful story of cooperation among the villagers and they should have thought about their business and should have crossed many hurdles in the implementation of their programme. This is a model village and other villages can follow it.

In the North Arco district in south India there is a village called China Pallikkuppam. Many women in the village were employed in the quarries as bonded labourers. Among these women some came out with the idea of starting their own business and they began working at it. The self-help group started the stone-quarrying business with a piece of land allotted by the Government. It made profit soon and the loan they got from the State Bank of India was repaid in regular installments. The business is growing from strength to strength and the women work with a sense of freedom and earn well. They say that they will educate their children well and open up a new chapter in their families.

Those who are unemployed should not get dispirited when they have no job but should think of becoming entrepreneurs. In the initial stage, in a business, there may be some problems which should be overcome resolutely. There are stories and stories of prosperous businessmen and industrialists who have come up from scratch. There are successful businessmen who have switched over from business to business and who have finally found the business most suitable to them and profitable. Efforts never fail.

We have all heard it many times before – regular exercise is good for you, and it can help you lose weight. But if you are busy, you have a sedentary job, and you haven’t yet changed your exercise habits. The good news is that it’s never too late to start. You can start slowly, and find ways to fit more physical activity into your life. To get the most benefit, you should try to get the recommended amount of exercise for your age. If you can do it, the payoff is that you will feel better, help prevent or control many diseases, and likely even live longer.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE?

Regular exercise and physical activity may

Help you control your weight. Along with diet, exercise plays an important role in controlling your weight and preventing obesity. To maintain your weight, the calories you eat and drink must equal the energy you burn. To lose weight, you must use more calories than you eat and drink.

Reduce your risk of heart diseases. Exercise strengthens your heart and improves your circulation. The increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in your body. This helps lower your risk of heart diseases such as high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. Regular exercise can also lower your blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

Help your body manage blood sugar and insulin levels. Exercise can lower your blood sugar level and help your insulin work better. This can cut down your risk for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. And if you already have one of those diseases, exercise can help you to manage it.

Help you quit smoking. Exercise may make it easier to quit smoking by reducing your cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can also help limit the weight you might gain when you stop smoking.

Improve your mental health and mood. During exercise, your body releases chemicals that can improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed. This can help you deal with stress and reduce your risk of depression.

Help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. Exercise stimulates your body to release proteins and other chemicals that improve the structure and function of your brain.

Strengthen your bones and muscles. Regular exercise can help kids and teens build strong bones. Later in life, it can also slow the loss of bone density that comes with age. Doing muscle-strengthening activities can help you increase or maintain your muscle mass and strength.

Reduce your risk of some cancers, including colon, breast , uterine, and lung cancer.

Reduce your risk of falls. For older adults, research shows that doing balance and muscle-strengthening activities in addition to moderate-intensity aerobic activity can help reduce your risk of falling.

Improve your sleep. Exercise can help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Improve your sexual health. Regular exercise may lower the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. For those who already have ED, exercise may help improve their sexual function. In women, exercise may increase sexual arousal.

Increase your chances of living longer. Studies show that physical activity can reduce your risk of dying early from the leading causes of death, like heart disease and some cancers.
How can I make exercise a part of my regular routine?
Make everyday activities more active. Even small changes can help. You can take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk down the hall to a coworker’s office instead of sending an email. Wash the car yourself. Park further away from your destination.

Be active with friends and family. Having a workout partner may make you more likely to enjoy exercise. You can also plan social activities that involve exercise. You might also consider joining an exercise group or class, such as a dance class, hiking club, or volleyball team.

Keep track of your progress. Keeping a log of your activity or using a fitness tracker may help you set goals and stay motivated.

Make exercise more fun. Try listening to music or watching TV while you exercise. Also, mix things up a little bit – if you stick with just one type of exercise, you might get bored. Try doing a combination of activities.

Find activities that you can do even when the weather is bad.You can walk in a mall, climb stairs, or work out in a gym even if the weather stops you from exercising outside.

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