Monday, September 25, 2000		Kids Chat

Gang discusses global issues

HELLO Kids! Olympics are on and everybody is glued to TV sets now. Did you hear the big news?

Cliparti: Oh, why not? It’s all in the air. Our 25-year-old Karnam Malleswari has made countrymen so proud.

Fluppy: And "country women", a lot more prouder.

Cliparti: Ha! Ha! Sure.

Windy: Finally, India’s medal drought ended when Karnam lifted her way to a bronze medal in the women’s 69 kg weightlifting competition.

Cliparti: It has created such enthusiasm for all sports lovers. For those who can’t sit for long in front of their TV sets, a lot of sites are giving such updates on Olympics.

Windy: Yeah, like you can get on to "Live from Sydney" at www.espn.go.com. It has audio as well as video effects and you can get to know the day’s best in the news.

Cliparti: Not only that, it has some special sections where one can vote and help choose the top performance from the past 7 days in sports. And thus, find out who was the "Week’s Best".

Windy: Other good site on Olympics can be www.nbcolympics.com. It has some great visuals with latest news from Sydney.

Cliparti: At www.foxsports.com/olympics/2000/index.sm, you can know all that’s happening. Be it schedules or medal history, results or knowledge about some sport, all is here. You can also speak out or exchange thoughts about the games on the Message board. With a wide range of pictures at the photo gallery, this site should not be missed.

Cliparti: Yeah, but I think this site is more US-based. We have our own Indian site at http://ioka.khel.com/. This not only offers the medal tally, schedules and Olympic history but also has a special section "Olympics and India". It contains India’s golden moments. There is also a virtual Olympic contest.

Fluppy: This is all about watching sports and getting to know about scores.

Cliparti: Okay, so you yourself want to play some game?

Windy: Why don’t you go for Olympics, then?

Fluppy: I’ll be quite satisfied, if for the time being I can play some games on my computer.

Cliparti: Okay, you can log on to www.cyberkids.com. Here you have lots of fun and games. Then at www.sikids.com/index.htm/ also, you can not only pep up your Olympic spirit but also play games.

Windy: At www.sportsline.com/u/kids in the kids’ zone, you can have some fun. And at http://www.zeeks.com you will find more than 200 games. You can also have free e-mails, cards and your own calendar. Check it out.

Cliparti: Windy, what do you intend to do? Play games like Fluppy.

Windy: Not exactly. I intend to join this gang soon.

Fluppy: Hey! Has this gang something to do with the underworld?

Windy: No, stupid. On the contrary, this global gang is for all children and teenagers interested in global issues. They all come in contact with each other from different parts of the world and discuss how these global events can affect their lives. What can be done about rescuing child labourers in India and so on?

Cliparti: Yeah, you sure have picked up a good thing to do. How will you become its member?

Windy: At http://www.globalgang.org.uk.

Cliparti: Oh that’s nice. So you won’t have to go out also. You can join the club or rather the gang sitting in front of your computer itself.

Windy: Of course. Anyhow, how do you intend spending your forthcoming holidays?

Cliparti: I will enhance my knowledge on facts and information. I will read Britannica on my computer. At http://www.britannica.com/, the king of knowledge, I will get all learning material I want.

Windy: At http://www.infoplease.com/ also you can access any fact you want. Need any information, you will get it here among millions of available facts.

Fluppy: How boring! So all you’ll be doing in the holidays is studying.

Cliparti: Of course not. I have loads of things to do. I’ll do some gardening, take care of my health and do some cooking.

Fluppy: Are you a gardener or a doctor or a cook?

Cliparti: I’ll be all in one. With computers at home you can learn anything and be anybody.

Fluppy: And how is that supposed to be?

Cliparti: Well, I’ll learn gardening tips from garden guides at http://www.gardenguides.com/. Wait and then see the beauty of my garden and then even you’ll have to say, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever".

Fluppy: What about taking care of your health?

Cliparti: For that I will look up http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/khoferic. And find natural and effective remedies for some common ailments. You know, we should take care of our body so as to remain away from drugs that have side effects on our system. So stay close to nature and remain naturally fit.

Fluppy: What about cooking? Do you have some sites for that too?

Cliparti: Sure, I have. But at present I would like to stick to my mother’s recipes. They are the best. Later on, I can browse to see what the world has to offer.