This blog : Ek Sparsh means ‘a touch’ in Hindi. This blog is an attempt to highlight issues affecting India. News related to children, literacy, rural development, environment, health, and arts are gleaned from various sources and posted here with an in-depth perspective. News of such importance is often lost in the din of sensationalism and profits. It is also my attempt to include social initiatives in India and across the globe that help improve the lives of people. Ek Sparsh aims to provide its readers an accurate and reasoned perspective on issues of social importance.
Myself: I am Adarsh Rao,an engineer by profession and immensely interested in social issues. I strongly believe that
- We have to be aware of the issues affecting the country, and participate in the social dialogue taking place in one form or the other.
- We need to think of ourselves as part of the development process initiated by various individuals and non-profits who strive everyday to make a difference to our society.
- Each one of us can make a positive impact.
Each person has the power to make a significant contribution to society.
As readers of this blog, if you have any comments, questions, suggestions, recommendations or collaboration opportunities, please feel free to write to me at adarshrao[at]gmail[dot]com
Image used in the header of this blog ( Rice field in Gangavati, Karnataka State, India) is attributed to Creative Commons and adapted under the Terms of Service.
Thanks,
Adarsh Rao.
“Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
Ek Sparsh 
Dearest Adarsh,
I am really amazed to see such a professional blog. For a second I was confused whether you gave the right link. Its really great. Good one. Congratulations and all the best. Hope your effort gives right results.
Lots of Love
Bindu
Hi Bindu,
Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I hope the blog meets your expectations.
Thanks,
Adarsh.
Nice work done by you. keep it up..
Hi Basanta,
Thanks for visiting my blog and and leaving a comment.
Thanks,
Adarsh.
Hi Adarsh,
Very nice blog you have designed. All the very best
Rgds
Deepak
Thanks Deepak!
good work dear keep it up…..
ajoy
Thanks Ajoy!!!!
Noble cause! Cheers!
Vikas, Thank you for your comment! Hope you keep visiting the blog often.
Hi Adarsh
Seems to be nice. Let me go through first and give my detailed comments.
Ok Sameer. Will wait for your detailed comments.
Hi Adarsh
Napoleon said……..
“The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people,
But because of the silence of good people!”
Let the voice be heard……
Thanks a lot Sameer! The quote makes sense!
You are definitely making a difference Adarsh! Thank you so much for doing this 🙂
I surely hope I am making some difference Patrick! 🙂 Thank you!!
Hi Adarsh,
Glad that you are intrigued by The Black Swan. Check out more about this book at http://www.squidoo.com/The-Black-Swan
Cheers!
Question: I see the Kiva badge on your blog. Wanted to know more. I have visited their website and the idea seems great. What has been your personal experience?
You may send me a mail on amitabh1702@gmail.com
Thanks
Dear Adarsh:
Great posts and ideas. I shall appreciate if we could coordinate. Pl visit http://www.nvoi.blogspot.com and http://www.mifindia.org
Pl get in touch. My email ID is pedia333@gmail.com
How do I add as a follower to your blog?
munish
springfield IL
Thank you Munish for visiting my blog. I did visit your blogs. Your blog and website present interesting perspectives about India.
Dear Adarsh a very informative blog keep it up. Also lots of thanks for putting my blog in your blog. i will also paste your blog address in mine.
take care
nitish
Hello Nitish, Thank you for your comment! Keep visiting often.
Thanks,Adarsh.
Hi Adarsh,
Very cool site! I am very impressed with your dedication.
Here is the web site of a man I used to work with who has started a mobile clinic in Northern India.
http://www.villageclinic.org/index.html
See you at work.
Hey Kurt, Thank you for visiting my blog. I will check out the link you sent!
Hey Adarsh,
You sent a message to collect Tag.. how do I get it 🙂
Hi Bindu, I sent you an email with instructions. Hope it helps. Let me know if you need anything!
I saw your comment on the Arrowearth Blog. I could tell you were someone of quality that I should connect with. You are doing good work. In India, my work takes me mostly to Chennai. Here is a link to my partner page for my website…with a little info on my partners in Chennai. I’m based in the U.S.
http://www.newsilkroad.tv/pages/partners/PartnerParent.html
See my Blog at: http://www.silkroadmusings.wordpress.com
Jane
Hi
great blog. terrific information. keep it up.
Hi Jane, Thank you for stopping by. Fair trade practices in India are relatively recent. I think a lack of awareness related to ‘fair trade policies’ is a major block that needs to be overcome at the grassroots level. It is nice to see the grassroot initiative you have taken up in India. I wish you the very best!
Adarsh.
Hi Sudhir,
Thank you for the compliments! Adarsh.
These are not categories…. Its all concerns of you about our country and dreams of yours to develop.
Hats off to your work.
Arts
Child Labour
Children
Environment
Health
Literacy
Positive Impact
Rural Development
LIMATION
http://limation.blogspot.com
Thank you Limation!
Adarsh, what you do is so appreciable … here’s my ode to you …
http://rajeesood.blogspot.com/2009/06/styling-with-pink-gerberas-and.html
Regards
Rajee
Hi Rajee,
I am touched!!! Thank you so much for the wonderful gesture!
Adarsh.
You have received an award in my blog. Check it out 🙂
Thank you Karthik for the award. I will get to it at the earliest.
Wonderfully developed! Adarsh – hats off to you .
By the way, do you remember me? I still have the poem that you wrote for me when we were studying together 🙂
Wow! Shubhashree! Of course I remember you very well!!! Good old days of studying 🙂 Great to get back in touch with you again after so many years! Just sent you an email!!!
Thank you for the feedback on my blog!
Hi Adarsh rao,
Found your blog info from Indiabloggers. We are shortly launching a telugu film based website , looking for creative people who has passion and energy to write about films & entertainment . please send a reply to my mail if you are interested.
VJ
Creative Head
http://www.tollypage.com
Hi Vijay,
Writing about films and entertainment is not one of my interests. If I know of anyone who has an interest, I will ask them to get in touch with you.
Thanks,
Adarsh.
Hello adarsh…
First of all i feel surprised to see that Adarsh is a Girl:)
what Adarsh signifies in Hindi, after browsing this blog i can say that the BLOG stands same position in Blogger World.
liked the greeny text with white background.
I also thanked this blog to remind me about freeRice initiative.
I also thanked to you and respect your views on social issues.
Good Luck
Bless You
Hi Ravindra, Yes, my name is definitely misleading and people are often surprised when they find out that I am a girl! Thank you for saying all those wonderful things about my blog. Do stop by often.
Dear Adarsh,
After taking a look at your Web site, it is evident that you are passionate about seeing modern-day slavery come to an end. We at International Justice Mission are as well.
To this cause, we invite you to take a look at http://www.AttheEndofSlavery.com and view the film’s 2-minute trailer, narrated by Danny Glover and produced by International Justice Mission.
After learning more about the documentary, it is our hope that you will decide to play an integral part in participating in the “At the End of Slavery” blog tour. You can take part by writing a short post about the film and linking to http://www.AttheEndofSlavery.com between October 13 – October 16, 2009. On the same day you post, we will link back to your site on the News/Updates section of the film’s site, and reference it as a place to go to learn more about modern-day slavery.
Our hope is that “At the End of Slavery” would help catalyze the broader movement to end modern-day slavery worldwide, and we would greatly value your involvement as we take on this exciting endeavor.
Please reply to this email before Friday, October 16 to let us know whether or not you would like to take part in the “At the End of Slavery” blog tour, and on what day this week you would like to participate.
Also, if you are interested in hosting a watch party on November 14, 2009 – “The Weekend to End Slavery” – please feel free to learn more and sign up on the Web site.
Thank you for considering partnering with us. I can be contacted at kskulborstad@ijm.org or kyrsten.skulborstad@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Gratefully,
Kyrsten Skulborstad
Communications Department
International Justice Mission
“A film alone cannot end slavery, but all of us together – we can.” – International Justice Mission
Hi Kyrsten,
Thanks for letting me know about the work you are doing. My apologies for not getting back to you earlier. I will write about this on my blog shortly.
Keep up the good work!
Hi Adarsh
Its indeed a great initiative taken by you.. Being an Engineer by profession,, its quite interesting to c ur commitment for the development sector and to c ur initiatives…. I am from Madurai, India, a development management professional with over four years experience in working with NGOs…
Hi Narendran,
Thank you for your kind comments! I visited your website and went through your postings. Your work is impressive!
Thanks,
Adarsh.
Hi Adarsh,
Your blog is really good. It’s great to see a young person covering social issues. Sure Start is a initiative by PATH aimed at educating women in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra on safe child birth practices. Over a million babies die in India during child birth because they do not have access to medical care and because the mothers lack adequate knowledge. Sure Start is working to change that. You can know more about Sure Start at
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Sure-Start-Project-by-Path/178629192101
Twitter http://twitter.com/pathsurestart
Hi Rupa,
The work you are doing is very much needed in India and more so for the needy in urban slums and rural areas where access to health care is limited. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
Thanks for your kind words on my blog.
Hi Adarsh,
I really need your help …knowing you area very environmentally conscious person and you cover a lot of Indian issues … would you help by writing about saving a lake in Navi Mumbai that authorities and bulider nexus is working hand in glove to fill up with debri .You can find more details to this issue on SAVE SEAWOODS LAKE … group on facebook … or follow this link …
http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/dec/161209-Belapur-concrete-Copenhagen-Climate-Seawoods-Lake.htm
Any help would be appreciated … since we seem not to be getting any NGO help … we need loads of media attention… would appreciate any suggestions you may have.
Regards
Rajee
Hi Rajee,
I will definitely do my best to get publicity to this issue. I will be in touch with you soon.
Adarsh.
being highly impressed by the content of the blog couldnot resist myself from being a regular follower of your blog…so added you in my network….
me too believe the same way as you do.we, little elements,can really make a reaction happen!
Thank you for your kind comments Tathagata. Yes, the world can definitely be a better place, if we all did what we are capable of, to help out each other!
Oh! Adarsh, thank you soooo …. much ,I knew I could count on you … we have tried contacting IBN citizen journalist team … have not heard back from them … surprisingly NGo’s don’t want to get involved in what the are trying to potray as a small issue … I do believe there is a builder nexus involved … I am trying to do bestthat I can through the net … but we need an NGO to take up the cause … because they know if they keep NGO’s away the citizens will eventually tire and go away … I have a very short stay left here but I need to do all I can … thanks to you Adarsh … a big hug … please pray for the lake .
You are very welcome Rajee… Anything we can do to save our environment… What is surprising to me is that NGOs do not want to get involved… That raises a lot of questions in my mind…For now, let us try the very best we can to save the lake…
Nice blog 🙂 Keep it up. The fact that the pen is mightier than the sword is being proved again and again 🙂
Thank you so much Prashanth!
Hi Eksparsh,
I am loving your blog. I am also interested in conservation issues, and I think you have done a great job of writing about such issues and posting news items in a neat and coherent manner. And very objective too.
Great job, and see you around here.
Thank you Kopili. Do stop by often! Our ecosystem is fragile and we all must try our best to conserve it.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles. You obviously know what you are talking about! Your site is so easy to navigate too, I’ve bookmarked it in my favourites 😀
Thank you Ballets!
thanks for writing about our experience in kashmir with chinar, it certainly has been life changing for me. great job on the blog, i enjoyed reading the other posts and i look forward to more. all the best, jd
JD, using basketball as a medium to improve the lives of numerous children, especially those in conflict zones across the world, is a very noble deed. I sincerely admire you for all your efforts. Thank you for helping the Kashmiri children. I wish you the very best in all your endeavors and hope you do succeed in uniting people where negotiations and peace talks have failed. Best always, Adarsh.
Adarsh, you are going to be SOOO busy when you return to India….there are so many causes that need your help.
I do not know if you have been following the news in Stillwater MN, they have been wanting to build a new bridge forever…but just last week, the judge ruled in favor of the Sierra Club. He Sierra Club states that this construction would disrupt the scenic beauty of the river and quicken contamination of the Lower St. Croix. river. I was thrilled that the Sierra Club won!
I look forward to seeing what projects you will get involved in when you return home. luv u
I know! So many causes are worth fighting for… and need help! I will be way too busy when I go back to India Carol!!!!
🙂
I did hear about the Sierra Club victory on Minnesota Public Radio.. Seems to be the world over, people and environment are facing similar issues.
Glad that the ruling was in favor of Sierra Club!!!!
Interview Request
Hello Dear and Respected,
I hope you are fine and carrying on the great work you have been doing for the Internet surfers. I am Ghazala Khan from The Pakistani Spectator (TPS), We at TPS throw a candid look on everything happening in and for Pakistan in the world. We are trying to contribute our humble share in the webosphere. Our aim is to foster peace, progress and harmony with passion.
We at TPS are carrying out a new series of interviews with the notable passionate bloggers, writers, and webmasters. In that regard, we would like to interview you, if you don’t mind. Please send us your approval for your interview at email address “ghazala.khi at gmail dot com”, so that I could send you the Interview questions. We would be extremely grateful.
regards.
Ghazala Khan
The Pakistani Spectator
pakspectator.com
Thank you!
Hi, Adarsh
It is me, manish, felt enlighted having gone through your posting regarding care of environment and epistomologicak beliefs with polimorphous understanding pertaining to seeing transformation in current scenario of Indian development by way of interchanging of words with sincere integrety. Best of luck and looking forward somemore your views on Indian education system and issues……
Thank you Manish. As responsible citizens, we need to be aware of the issues facing our country. I try my best to cover various sectors on my blog including education.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Adarsh,
Please do check this out : http://ancientindians.net/2010/05/05/featured-blog-eksparsh-and-featured-site-good-news-india/
Thanks so much for featuring Ek Sparsh on your blog Satya!
Hi, Adarshini,
How to subscribe to your blog. I don’t see that option anywhere. Please do let me know.
Thanks,
Syam.
Hi Syam,
I just added the ‘Email subscription’ link on the blog. You can add your email and subscribe to the blog posts. ‘Email subscription’ link can be found on the right hand side of the home page.
Thanks,
Adarsh.
Hi Adarsh
I am glad to see that your interest in social issues and got particularly interested when I read about ‘Save the Seawoods Lake’. Actually the mangroves around this area are also under serious threat as the local authorities continue to close a blind eye to sand mining and the destruction of magroves to create embankments for the sand storage. Slowly the creek would be doomed to become a nala… Would you be able to tell me whether any NGOs in this area have been campaigning for this issue?
Thanks
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Regarding Seawoods Lake, one of my blogger friends Rajee Sood mentioned that for some reason, no NGO has taken up this issue. That was really surprising for me. (See Rajee’s earlier comment on this page…) However, I have read a few articles where individuals from the Bombay Natural History Society have commented on the serious threat to Seawoods Lake. Unfortunately, nothing has happened so far (except for the deteriorating situation of the lake.)I would suggest you to contact someone from BNHS.
We should try and save this lake before it vanishes… Do keep me posted.
Thanks,
Adarsh.
Dear eksparsh;
I want to publish an article ( a guest post ) on your webpage, about agriculture and gardening, which has link back to http://www.agricultureguide.org.
If you accept I can pay 30$ for this.
Thank you soooooooooo much : )))))))))))
Hi Ahmet,
Thank you for your offer! Unfortunately, the topics suggested are not relevant for this blog. I am sure you will find other blogs where you can pay $$ to have your ‘guest post’ published. Good luck!
Hi Adarsh,
Found your site amusing and informative…..
I have been with an NGO for some time,
later back into corporate world….But some day I pal to move to NGO Back…..
Do Keep in touch…..
Hi Gypsy Nair, Good to hear about you. Will definitely stay in touch! Thanks,
Hi Adarsh, really liked your blog.
We would like to inform you about an initiative for cleaner air that we will be starting from the 24/07/2010.
Kindly join us in this initiative at http://www.facebook.com/letsdecongest
You can also follow us at http://twitter.com/letsdecongest
All the best for your clean air initiative!
You have been providing very useful and interesting information on a regular basis. That is great. I have been reading your posts through e-mail subscription.:))
Keep it up. Good luck
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Kabeeranban. Glad you liked my blog!
Thanks for subscribing!
Hi,
Good article. I agree on all the social concerns each of us have. We can get inspiration by recalling upteen books / articles.
The questions is on the execution process. That is where we have been failing. Once we overcome this , then we will be superpower….
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I just found your blog. Keep up the great work which you are capable of.
Thank you so much for the encouragement Lyle!
Hi Adarsh,
Your blog is truly brilliant..
the simplicity and content itself makes it so different and professional..
it will be worth, spending some time here..
Enjoy the work and Wish you all the best !!.
rgds,
Must.
Thank you! Glad you liked my blog!
Hi Adarsh
A thought came to my mind and I thought it is better to express.
My self Sameer Ahmed, I belong to a Muslim sect called Ahmadiyya Muslim. The details available in website http://www.alislam.org. We are a peace loving community and love the creations of Allah in all aspects. However, the recent trends indicate that the creations of Allah doesn’t like us. Pakistan government introduced a blasphemy law and banned ahmadiyya muslims, In the recent past many ahmadies are killed. Following the same route of pakistan, Indonasia also passed law against practising of Islam by Ahmadies and destroyed so many mosques and killed Ahmadies.
NO Ahmadi Muslim has retaliated and we believe that it is not part of the Islamic teachings. Where as other muslims believe that killing God’s creation is part of Islam.
Coming to the point, You can find large number of articles on such attrocities against ahmadiyya muslims in the website. is there any space in your blog?
Dear Adarsh,
What a fabulous blog. Please drop me a mail using the address above. Do google me to check bona fides. I would like to tell you very briefly about a conference of bloggers and social media and promise to confine the communication to just that. Do keep up the excellent, fascinating and thoroughly diverse series of posts. The confluence of issues on this site are pure poetry.
Cheers
Daniel (journalist, consultant, author, filmmaker etc.)
Thank you for your kind words Daniel. I have sent you an email.
Best,
Adarsh.
Hallo,
I appreciate your effort for communication and contribution in Nation Building. Will like to be in touch and will also like to contribute, wherever possible, through my budding institute called RISE – Research in Integrated Security and Environment.
Warm Regards,
Gouri
Sure Gouri, it takes the effort of each one of us to make our country better. Feel free to stay in touch. Wish you the very best in all your efforts,
Best,
Adarsh.
hi adarsh, i am a social activist as well as a petroleum engineer. I would like to know more about your contributions towards social welfare, and if campaign /plan on which you are currently working. please feel free to contact me at ravinitesh@gmail.com
Hi Ravi,
I will send you an email this week.
Thanks,
Hi Adarsh,
Firstly, congratulations for your wonderful work! Your blog is like the a lighthouse shining through in the darkness of all the negative news that surround us.
Secondly, there is this urgent and constant urge to do my bit to make things better but I don’t know how/where to get started. Do you have any ideas on what a person with a lot of faith and hope but little experience can do?
(I have an MS from the US but I wanted to do something for India, just really don’t know how).
Hope to hear of any/all suggestions that you may have!
Warm regards,
Hemi.
Hi Hemi,
Great to know about your intentions to do something for India! There are numerous NGOs that can benefit from some assistance. Are you currently in US or in India? Also, among the broad range of social causes that need help in India, is there a specific one that strikes a chord with you? Let me know and hopefully, we can identify something of interest to you.
Thanks for your wonderful thoughts about my blog!
Best always,
Adarsh.
Hey Adarsh!
I am so glad to hear back from you. I came back to India earlier this year. Ideally, I would love to work with children and in the area of improving human health.
It would be nice to write to you in detail about this personally rather than here in the comments. Could you please get in touch with me at hemisangani@gmail.com?
Shall await your ideas and inputs.
Thanks!
Regards,
Hemi.
Hi Hemi, Just sent you an email. Looking forward to hearing from you! Best, Adarsh.
Respected Madam
u r such a great person thanks for thinking for rural area.A great idea can change our country
Respected Madam
u r such a great person thanks for thinking for rural area.A great idea can change our country
Thank you for your comment.
Very Good Efforts to Reforms In Bundelkhand Keep Doing
Jagah jagah samitiyan banaye or vicharo ko failayen jisse logo me awarness hogi
Wow.
This is hugely inspirational. I wish you best.
If you’re interested I know some people in Ireland who have developed a small community (5-6 folks) based on these principles. Would you like to be put in touch?
Thanks for the comment Erich! Hope you are doing good. It would be great to be in touch with like-minded individuals. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best always,
Adarsh.
Hi,Adarsha rao.today i read out the article about u and uday in prajavaani, kannada daily.i impressed a lot by urs concerns.i suggest a good book to read “MANUJA ENU NINNA AAHARA(kannada)”.by Sri GVV Shastry.i hope it will enrich your natural life and attitudes.
Thank you Mohan! I have added the book you suggested by Sr. GVV Shastry to my reading list.
Regards,
Adarsh.
Hats of to you both and all the very best…………its an realy great achievment……..today i read ur article in kamanabillu………gud luck u both ur future achievements………………
Thank you so much for your good wishes Veena!
Best always,
Adarsh.
Hi Adarsh,
First I would like to hats up to you. I read a wonderful article about you and your achievement in Praja Vani daily news paper in Kamana Billu section on 18th Oct 2012. I really wondered that you said good by to the royal life of America and returned to India to set up your own business with eco- friendly. I visited your website which is having lot of information which is essential for day to days life of every citizen, its beautiful. Wish you all the best in all your en-devours.
Thanks & best regards,
Basavaraj
Thank you so much! Take Care, Adarsh.
Hi Adarsha,
I read an article about you in the Prajavani Kannada Daily. That was very impressive and mind blowing. Keep continuing this Good Work. Definitely you will reach your Goal one day. Please read my blog
http://www.informedwoman.wordpress.com. All the Best to you.
Hi Vijayalakshmi,
Thank you for your kind words. Nice meeting you too.
I will definitely visit your blog.
Best always,
Adarsh.
Hi Adarsh,
Got read about you in an acrticle in prajavani, Very much impressed by the activities you are doing for the society.
Hope you remember me, I am bhasi, Datta’s classmate. Drop me your contact num or email id. my id is bhasi.mysore@gmail.com.
Hi Bhaskar,
Thank you so much! Of course, I remember you very well. We had met a couple of times at Datta’s place, and also if memory serves me well, I remember meeting you once in Bangalore.
Wonderful getting in touch with you. I have sent you an email with my contact details.
Do keep in touch,
Best always,
Adarsh.
Hello sir & madam i seen an article in prajavani newspaper.. I am a geologist, i appriciate ur work & social service… All d best
Thank you for your kind words!
Adarsh.
Great effort for a great cause Adarsh. Good luck and congratulations.
Thank you Usha!
I’ve read about you .l appreciate people who are concerned about nature. I’ve taken inspiration from you. The views of yours match with mine.I wish you both strength and success in whatever you do.may GOD bless you.;
Thank you Chethana!
Hi Adarsh… Great job by you guys… I really really appreciate this initiative. Everyone can not make such great things…
Thank you much Sudha!
Greetings baisa
This is Shyam Singh form Chosla village. All the first I’ll congregate you for the historical winning in this election.
We were very sure of your winning,
And we have celebrate it at Chosla gadh.
This is a try to contact you. I want to meet you once . 9982215163 this is my contact number
Waiting for a reply from your side
Your younger brother
Shyam Singh CHOSLA
Dear Adarsh Rao,
It’s really inspiring to see the work you do to show the current situation in India. As you said, news of such importance are often lost in the din of sensationalism and profits and problems like poverty and life quality are not fashionable enough to be promoted.
Unfortunately, the situation in India is bad. Most people don’t even know that a great part of India population still lives in the dark, deprived of electricity. After a little research, I finally saw a solution that has been really discussed: solar energy. Solar energy in India can be effective and put an end to the darkness in rural areas, starting even a economic revolution. Do you share the same opinion?
Since you talk a lot about development, I just wanted to share this little comment with you. Also let me share an interesting post I read a few days ago that changed my views about this topic: http://abcofsolar.com/handling-energy-crisis-india/
Keep up with the good work!
Eduardo Aranha, Portugal
Thank you so much for the comment! I will go through the link you mentioned.
Thanks much,
Adarsh.
Great work Adarsh. Keep it up!!
Thank you!
Great Blog
Thank you!
How can we contact you Sir?
You could email me at the address provided on this page. Thanks,
Amazing work Adarsh . Hats off!
Looking to get associated for this unique cause.