Why facebook paid $19billion for watsapp

In one way, it's weird that Facebook just agreed to pay $19 billion for WhatsApp. The messaging app - which allows people to send texts, audio and video - does pretty much the same kinds of things that you can already do on Facebook.

So why would Facebook pay such a vast sum for something it does not need, at least in terms of software functionality?

The answer is that CEO Mark Zuckerberg probably felt he had little choice. WhatsApp processes 27 billion messages a day, and has 400 million active users a month. Facebook by comparison, has 1.2 billion monthly users - which means that WhatsApp is already, on its own, a sizeable threat to Facebook in terms of peeling off its users and siphoning them into a messaging environment that until today, Facebook had no access to.

For years, Facebook has tried to do what WhatsApp already does: It launched Messenger, a standalone messenger app that has had great reviews and maybe 350 million users ... but that didn't slow the growth of WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has an appeal that Facebook does not: Its core audience is international. The vast majority of its users are not American even though the company is based in California. Facebook, by contrast, is kinda the opposite - its core base in is the U.S. and it has only recently made inroads globally.

So Facebook now expands its international exposure.

Here is how big that exposure is: "Messaging volume approaching the entire global telecom SMS volume," according to Facebook's press release.

The other big appeal is that WhatsApp allows people to communicate over wifi - that's crucial in countries where cell data charges are so expensive that texting and calling is often limited or prohibitive. Especially in poor countries.

WhatsApp has a paid model - you subscribe to it - so Facebook has basically bolted on a revenue stream that allows it to instantly connect a huge number of poor people it otherwise would have taken years to accumulate.

Lastly, messaging apps have been HUGE in tech for the last two years. Viber was just acquired for $900 million. Snapchat has turned down offers of up to $3 billion. Smaller apps like Kik and LINE have peeled off tens of millions of users who were bored of Facebook.

Basically, the messaging tide was turning away from Facebook and Facebook has now bought the biggest boat riding it.

Lastly, Zuckerberg signaled that this type of acquisition might be the future of Facebook on his Q1 earnings call:

I just want to put this in the context of the overall strategy here. We were just talking about some of the standalone experiences and Messenger, and public content is part of this overall spectrum of content that people want to share and consume as well. ...

So we've been focused on improving the tools for public discussion and folks to be able to share public content, ... And this is an area where, just like Messaging and some of the other things we've talked about, you should expect us to keep focusing on a lot.

He was actually talking defensively about Messenger at the time, but in hindsight he was obviously working on this deal. "Standalone experiences" was the key phrase. And now it's done.                                                                                              REFERENCE:                                                                                                                                                             www.businessinsider.com

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

                                                 

                                                                                                                                                    Abraham Lincoln is famous for the Gettysburg Address, abolishing slavery and being one of the four presidents who have been assassinated.

Abraham's father remarried and, as the frontier expanded and became more populated, so the quality of life increased. Lincoln soon broke out on his own and moved to New Salem. Here he was successful, and he managed a mill store.

When the Black Hawk War broke out, the volunteers elected Lincoln to be their captain. After the war, Lincoln announced his intention to stand for the Illinois Legislature. He was not elected, but had pockets of high popular support. In 1834, he tried again, and this time was successful. Lincoln served four terms in the legislature, becoming floor leader of his party.

At the same time, Lincoln was studying law, taking and passing the bar in 1836. He became engaged to Mary Owens from Kentucky after meeting in the early 1830s but on 16 August 1837, he wrote her a letter suggesting he would not blame her for ending the relationship as they had both had second thoughts. She never replied.

In 1842, Lincoln married Mary Todd, and their relationship, as well as the part she played in his subsequent career, remain a matter of some debate. The pair met in 1839 and were engaged in December 1840 but they called off a wedding scheduled for 1 January 1841 at Lincoln's initiative. However, after meeting again they finally married on 8 November 1842.

In 1844, they bought a house in Springfield near Lincoln's law firm and she took care of the house diligently on a limited budget. They had four sons including Robert Todd Lincoln, who was born in 1843 and was their only child to reach adulthood.

Edward, who was born in 1846 died of tuberculosis in 1850, 'Willie' was born in 1850 and died in 1862, while son Tad was born in 1853 and died of heart failure at the age of 18 in 1871.

In 1846, Lincoln was elected to the U.S. Congress. His career got off to a stormy start, as he was not a staunch supporter of the war with Mexico, and he believed that slavery should be abolished. Both of these beliefs were not popular in his district of Illinois, and he was not re-elected.

Over the next 12 years, Lincoln practiced law and built up his firm. In 1854, the contentious issue of slavery erupted, with a bill brought by Stephen Douglas to organise the Kansas-Nebraska Territory.

This bill so incensed Lincoln that he re-entered the political fray. However, Lincoln failed to receive the nomination for senator in 1855 and, convinced his former party, the Whigs, were essentially dead, he joined the new Republicans, becoming a prominent figure in the party.

When Douglas returned to Illinois to fight for re-election to the Senate, Lincoln pressed Douglas for a discussion on the issue of slavery. These discussions became the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates and, although Douglas was re-elected, Lincoln had gained national recognition.

In 1860, Lincoln was elected presidential candidate for the Republican Party, although it was not an easy election. He was elected president but, as a result, seven Southern states seceded from the Union.

In Lincoln's inauguration speech, he said that secession was anarchic and illegal. He told The Union that while he would not interfere with slavery, he would hold or repossess all Federal property. Civil war broke out soon after.

It was a difficult time for Lincoln, but his tactics began to prevail. In his Gettysburg address, after a great victory for the North, Lincoln proclaimed that the end of the civil war stood for freedom and equality for all.

However, the war dragged on, and critics began to question Lincoln's strategy and his chances for re-election.

Following victory in the war, Lincoln was re-elected. In his second inaugural address, Lincoln urged the North and South to come together and bury past differences, "With malice toward none; and charity for all".

Lincoln never had an opportunity to govern outside war time as, on 14 April 1865, an assassin killed him.

He was shot while watching the play 'Our American Cousins' at the Ford Theatre by well-known actor and Confederate spy John Wilkes-Booth. Booth originally planned to kidnap the president but Lincoln made a speech on 11 April about voting rights for black people, angering Booth. After being in a coma for nine hours, Lincoln died on 15 April. His body lay in state until 21 April and was taken on a tour of the north by train for three weeks, with thousands attending memorial services for him.

Somnath Temple-INDIA

                                           

                                                                                                                                    Somnath - this temple town has a long and chequered History. Even though it is referred to by several other names, names it acquired in the various phases of History, the name Somnath is unrivalled as far as popularity is concerned. And understandably so because this small town would have faded to oblivion but for the presence of the magnificent Somnath Temple from which it receives its best known name.

Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan, Pattan Somnath (some of the other names of this sea side town in Gujarat, India) would have all been erased from public memory. But instead of that this place has made a distinctive place for itself primarily because of this brilliant structure. The History of Somnath (as in referring to the city) is so completely dominated by the History of Somnath Temple that it would not be exaggeration in the least to say that they are synonymous.

Not much is known about the early History of Somnath temple. However it is popularly believed that the first temple existed even before the commencement of the Christian era. The second was built in the period 480-767 A.D. by the Vallabhi kings. This was again replaced by the Pratihara king Nagabhattta II in 815 A.D.
 

The Somnath temple which enshrines one of the twelve Jyotirlingas was so highly revered that people from various nook and corners of the country came to offer their prayers here.

As many as 2000 Brahmin priests were engaged in temple activities and the revenue collected from ten thousand villages were used for its maintenance. Prayers were announced by ringing the bell which was attached to a golden chain. Its walls were nothing less than pages of History. The exquisite sculptures were a reflection of the times and the pillars even had the names of the sculptors carved on them.

Unfortunately what happened in the year 1025 was a very unfortunate event in the Somnath temple history. Muhammad of Ghazni invaded the city and in spite of the valiant resistance put up by fifty thousand Shaivites, the temple was looted and razed to the ground. What was regarded as an architectural masterpiece was demolished brutally.

King Bhima of Gujarat and King Bhoja of Malwa then took upon themselves the noble task of renovating this fine edifice in red sandstone. However it was fated to be destroyed once again by Alaf Khan in 1300 A.D. This time King Mahipala belonging to the Chudasama dynasty renovated it.

Thereafter also the History of Somnath is punctuated with episodes of destruction and reconstruction at various points of time in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Finally the temple was once again ruined in 1706 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. After that more than two hundred years passed before Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel finally took upon himself the responsibility of constructing it once again in the year 1947. Much to the glory and pride of not just Somnath but of the whole of India this stunning temple was once again reincarnated. Presently this "Shrine Eternal" is visited by a large number of pilgrims as well as by common tourists.

IRON MAN of INDIA-SARDAR VALLABAI PATEL

                                   

                                                                                                             Sardar Vallabhai Patel was born on the 31st of October 1875, in Gujarat. He was the son of Zaverbhai who had served in the army of the Queen of Jhansi and Ladbai. Vallabhbhai started his education in a Gujarati medium school and after middle school he switched over to English medium in the Nadiad High School. During the course of his studies his penchant towards organizing came to light. He successfully organized many events. He matriculated in 1897.

In 1891 he married Zaverbai and they had two children. But after she passed away in 1909, the following year he went to England to study law. He completed his law studies in 1913 and came back to India and started his law practice. He joined the Gujarat club and started following a western lifestyle. One day Gandhiji came to the club to give lectures. Sardar Patel was greatly influenced by this master spokesperson. As soon as he came in contact with the Mahatma he decided to discard his foreign clothes and follow the rules of Satyagraha as laid down by Gandhiji. A relationship of teacher and student began to develop in between them.

In 1918 when there was a flood in Kaira, the British insisted on collecting tax from the farmers. This time the Sardar made optimum use of Satyagraha and asked the farmers not to give in to the demands of the government. All of this was done peacefully and the farmers followed his guidance. The British got fed up and eventually returned the land confiscated by them earlier.

In 1928 the farmers faced a similar problem and Vallabhai came to their rescue again. The British were as usual demanding an unjust tax and the farmers of Bardoli under the supervision of Vallabhbhai did not budge. The government in retaliation seized the lands. This agitation took on for more than six months until Patel's brother, Vithalbhai, an important figure in the Central Legislative Assembly struck a truce. This event immensely delighted Gandhiji and the title of "Sardar" was conferred on him. When he was assisting Gandhiji in the Salt Satyagraha, he faced imprisonment for the first time

With great wisdom and political foresight, he consolidated the small kingdoms. The public was with him. He tackled the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Nawab of Junagarh who intially did not want to join India. There were a lot of problems connected with the reunion of the numerous states into India. Sardar Patel's untiring efforts towards the unity of the country brought success. Due to the achievement of this massive task, Sardar Patel got the title of 'Iron Man'. ' He is one of the prestigious leaders of the world who became immmortal by uniting a scattered nation without any bloodshed.

When India became free and Pakistan attacked Kashmir, it was Patel who asked to withhold the cash balances left by the British for Pakistan. Gandhiji felt this was immoral and went on a fast until death. Sardar withdrew his argument because he could not bear to see his teacher's suffering. In independent India he held the portfolio of Home Minister, Minister of state and the Minister for information and broadcasting. One of his major achievements included the integration of the princely states into the union of India.

On 3oth January 1948, when Gandhiji was assassinated Sardar Patel was a totally shattered man. He had lost a dear friend and the guiding force of his life.

He died in Bombay in December 1950.

NARENDRA MODI

                                               

As a strong man with unparalleled administrative talents and great determination, Narendra Modi's name is written in golden letters in Gujarat's political history. Modi ruled Gujarat for about ten consecutive years and still continues to hold a considerable amount of power. Born and brought up in a noble culture, he derived his values of generosity, benevolence and social service from his family and social backdrop. He possesses excellent knowledge on human psychology and is also endowed with impressive organizational capabilities that are well evident in the economic and political atmosphere of present-day Gujarat. With his deliberate and uncompromised efforts that made Gujarat an economic power house, he proved that 'action speaks louder than words'. In spite of the vicious and prolonged campaign of vilification against him, he managed to rule the minds of the people in Gujarat who elected him as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the third consecutive time. Narendra Modi with his action-oriented style of administration has shut the mouth of his enemies, who even now are desperate to pull him down from power. With his unusual courage to convert challenges into opportunities, Modi is regarded as a great administrator and a powerful, innovative leader. Read on to know more about one of the most popular political leaders in India. 

starting stage of life

Narendra Damodardas Modi was born into a middle class Hindu family. He served the Indian Army soldiers in transit during the Indo-Pak war. He lent his benevolent hands to serve the flood-affected people in Gujarat in 1967. He joined a student organization called the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and worked as a full-time organizer for the same. He also was involved in the anti-corruption Reconstruction Movement (Navnirman). Later he was nominated as the organization's representative in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He worked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is a socio-cultural organization that focuses on the social and cultural development of India. Modi did his schooling in Vadnagar and finished a Master's degree in Political Science. He is also quite the poet and has written a large number of poems. 

Career

Narendra Modi started his political career in his early ages and spread the ideology of ABVP and worked with the RSS.He carried out important roles in many crucial situations such as the anti-corruption agitation in 1974 and the 19-month long emergency period in 1975-1977 declared by the then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. He stood by the people and fought a spirited battle against the fascist acts of the central government. Modi entered mainstream politics in 1987 by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and worked for the Gujrat unit of the party. It was because of his proven talent as an effective organizer that he grew to the post of General Secretary of the party (Gujarat Unit) within a year. He created a strong cadre base for the party in Gujarat, working in partnership with Shankarsingh Vaghela. Working under a master strategist like Modi, BJP started gaining political mileage in Gujarat and managed to ascend to power with a two-thirds majority in 1995. Since then, the BJPis successfully ruling Gujarat till now.                                                                                                                                                                                 

Between 1988 and 1995 Modi was given responsibility to organize major events of national importance like Somnath - AyodhyaYatra (led by L.K Advani) and also Kanyakumari - Kashmir Yatra which led to the growth of BJP as the Central Government in 1998. He was appointed as the National Secretary of the party in 1995 with the charge of five major states in India, which was truly a rare distinction for a young leader and then as the General Secretary of BJP in 1998 up to 2001. In 2001, when Keshubhai Patel was removed from power, BJP chose Narendra Modi as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and from then on, he is the favorite leader of Gujarat people.                                                                                                                           

Gujarat witnessed a major riot in 2002, after the Sabarmati Express train was attacked by a group of Muslims thus leading to a Hindu-Muslim communal riot. These mishaps occurred on 27th February, 2002 at Godhra City and a total of 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed and 223 more people were reported missing. It caused heavy damage to the state including the destruction of religious worship places: 298 dargahs, 205 mosques, 17 temples and 3 churches were destroyed during the riots. As a consequence of the riots, Modi resigned from his position. However, the people of Gujrat still patronized Modi and he came back to power after getting elected again in the state elections. 

Modi was considered responsible for these riots and the U.S withdrew his visa. The Supreme Court of India on its part appointed a special investigation team to investigate Modi's alleged role in the riots, but the team could not find any evidence against him. 

Contributions 

Narendra Modi has contributed a lot towards the growth of Gujarat. He introduced many Yojnas in Gujarat. Some of them are:

• Krishi Mahotsav for agricultural research labs.  

• Chiranjeevi Yojanato to reduce infant mortality rate.

• Matru Vandana for Reproductive and Child Health Programmes.

• Beti Bachao campaign to protect infant girls and to improve the sex ratio.

• Jyotigram Yojanato to introduce electricity to every village.

• Karmayogi Abhiyan to provide education and training to government employees.

• Kanya Kelavani Yojana to encourage education amongst girls.

• Balbhog Yojana as a midday meal project for students.

With the assistance of a Broadband connection, Modi is planning to connect villages of Gujarat to one another. His affective administration skills helped Gujrat to recover from the damage caused by the 2001 earthquake. 

Legacy

In 2001, when Modi took charge as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the state was struggling with a shrinking economy because of various reasons including the massive earthquakes of 2001. He put in a lot of efforts to restore the state's economy and as a result of his efforts, Gujarat registered a 10% growth rate in his first tenure which was the highest growth rate among Indian states. Gujarat has bagged several awards and was recognized by the world under his leadership. The state of Gujarat won awards like "The UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction", "Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM)" award for innovations in governance, UNESCO award and CSI award for e-Governance to name some. 

Achievements

Best Chief Minister of the Country (2006)

Best Chief Minister of the Country (2006)

fDi Personality of the Year Award (2009) by fDi Magazine. This award was withdrawn later and awarded to the state of Gujarat instead.