THE HISTORY OF WHERE YOU LIVE

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

OK so not from the factories - I do not know but maybe Jeff might answer.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

You are so right Anthony - we have an Ireland challenge going on right now and you might want to join it or the Japan challenge.

Ireland has some of the most wonderful and friendly souls on the planet - as well as Italy. Are you from Carlow?

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thank you Anthony - we all try.

[Elizabeth]

I am originally from the state of Connecticut in the US, and I'd say it's perhaps best known for not being known. Many Americans I've met over the years aren't quite sure where in New England it's located!

Of course, every state has its history. Perhaps the most notable piece of CT history is that two Connecticuters (Sherman and Ellsworth) helped create the Connecticut Compromise, which established the existence of a bicameral legislature in America. I do believe that's why it's called the Constitution State!

[Janis]

I live in MA and love the history of this state. My family goes back to the 1600's and the roots are deep.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Very nice Elizabeth and Janis

[Jim]

Here is some history about the state in which I was born and raised, still live and love.

http://www.nj.gov/nj/about/history/sh...

Jim

[Papaphilly]

Jim wrote: "Here is some history about the state in which I was born and raised, still live and love.

http://www.nj.gov/nj/about/history/sh...

Jim"

Where about in NJ do you live? I am in Hudson county.

[Jim]

Papaphilly, I'm in Camden County.

Jim

[Carol]

Jim wrote: "Here is some history about the state in which I was born and raised, still live and love.

http://www.nj.gov/nj/about/history/sh...

Jim"
A very interesting history of New Jersey, Jim. I knew about its revolutionary background, but not the rest. I recently drove through it and then made the return journey by train so I can't say that I know it. However, my son works there and so I expect I will see more of it in the future!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

All new members and even old members - it is very interesting for all of us if you add something interesting about where you live.

Generally speaking of course.

[Rohit]

I live in the city of Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra in India. Today Mumbai is the financial and business capital of India and its GDP exceeds that of Pakistan.

Before Independence, my city was called as 'Bombay' by the British and the Portuguese.
Bombay was under the Portuguese rule in the 16th century and then under the Mughal (Islamic) rule in the next century. There was a lot of fight in the next couple of centuries in between the British, the Portuguese, Mughals and the local Hindu empire 'The Maratha Empire' for my city. Finally in 1818 the British defeated the Maratha empire and captured Bombay once and for all.

India attained freedom from the British in 1947 and the territory of the Bombay Presidency retained by India was restructured into Bombay State. In March 1960, 105 of my local Marathi language speaking people who were peacefully protesting and demanding to break the Bombay state into 2 parts, were shot dead by the police. Next month 125,000 marched to the state assembly demanding a new state for us with Mumbai city as its capital. And thus on 1st May 1960, my state 'Maharashtra' (meaning 'great state') was formed with Mumbai as its capital.

Mumbai is one of the safest cities in the country today. The 80s saw a lot of gang violence. In the 1990s my city witnessed Hindu-Muslim riots which left 1000 dead, followed by 9 Bomb blasts next year by terrorists which killed 250 people. Heavy rains in July 2005 left the city flooded which brought it to a standstill for 4 days. We experienced the gruesome 2006 train bombings which killed many innocents. In 2008 Pakistani terrorists attacked various places including the iconic Taj hotel and killed 250 people around the city.

Hardly has any other city in the country witnessed such tragic events in independent India but nothing could ever shake away as we famously call 'The spirit of Mumbai'. Even after all of this, today we freely roam the streets of Mumbai even at 2 am at night, without any fear of getting robbed or attacked. I am proud to be born in this brave city which runs faster than the clock and never bows or sleeps.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Welcome Rohit from Mumbai. I read the last two paragraphs with great interest - all of the various events that the city has experienced and yet it is one of the safest cities in the country. You are all quite brave and courageous. What a history! However, it seems to have risen and is doing tremendously well. However, I have to say - stay safe and well. Terrorism is a terrible thing. And I am sorry that your country too has experienced it among so many other things.

[Rohit]

Bentley wrote: "Welcome Rohit from Mumbai. I read the last two paragraphs with great interest - all of the various events that the city has experienced and yet it is one of the safest cities in the country. You ar..."

Thank you, sir. I am glad you read such a big post. The credit for my city being safe goes to the Mumbai police who are best in the country. All gangsters were eliminated in the late 90s. After the 2008 attacks, they (police) formed a SWAT team and started using sophisticated guns. Still, one needs to be wise and alert all the time. Terrorism is indeed a deadly disease around the whole world.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I agree Rohit and it is good also to see law enforcement get some kudos for the dangerous work they do every day.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Belong

by Radha Agrawal

Synopsis:

It’s the great paradox of the digital age, what Radha Agrawal calls “community confusion”—the internet connects us to hundreds, thousands, even millions of people, and yet we feel more isolated than ever, with 1 in 4 Americans saying they have zero friends to confide in.

Where are our people? The answer is found in Belong , a highly energetic and beautifully illustrated guide to discovering where and with whom you fit.

After suffering her own bout of community confusion, Agrawal embarked on a journey that ultimately resulted in cofounding Daybreaker, a transformative phenomenon where thousands of people get up at the crack of dawn, meet in event spaces in 22 cities around the world, and dance. Now she’s distilled her experience for finding meaningful connections into a two-step process.

The first step is GOING IN. This includes determining what we want in a friend and community and what we offer, becoming intentional about our relationships, gauging the type of energy we emit and respond to, and understanding how we do—or don’t—show up for others.

Then comes GOING OUT—how to find a few special friends who feed our soul; or how to find a fully engaged group with similar business, artistic, and social aims; or both.

Connectedness is the most significant factor in human happiness— Belong is a creative blueprint for bringing this most important dimension back into our lives.