My First Time Inside an MNC

May 4, 2016

Author – Sharmila Devi

Indian-Working-woman — Image – fumigraphik

When I look back into my yesteryears, as a fresher, struggling for a job, lacking knowledge about MNCs, I remember it was from a friend that I came to know about a reputed firm which had started its operation in Chennai. I’m a Chennaite, but I have never visited the ECR nor travelled in an MRTS train beyond a certain point. The interview was scheduled in one of the topmost IT Parks and confirming the routes with my sister, I managed to reach the railway station. The moment I alighted, I was petrified as the place turned out to be modern and professional. I rang up another friend immediately to enquire about the location , but all that he told me was to turn right and I would find a green building.

Hurray!!! I saw a green building and also a watchman. Entering, I saw a wall separating the watchman and the green building. I stood like an idiot and asked him how to enter the green building. He responded that it’s the next building..

As instructed by the watchman, I finally spotted the building and also a big queue. The laptops and lunch bags of those in line were being scanned by the security. At that point of time, I was unaware of their being Security guards, because until then anyone who stood at the door was a watchman and all the ladies who did cleaning jobs were “aiyamas”; “House keeping”, was a new word added to my dictionary. As I joined the queue, the security asked me to display my ID card. Handing over my college ID, he understood that I was a fresher and had come for an interview. He asked me to enter a few details for him on the computer, in order to issue a gate pass. I felt agitated as I was already late for my interview.

The auto-sensor doors welcomed me. The doors were closed and I started searching for a door knob to open and later waited for someone with a valid ID. Fortunately, a girl passed by and I followed her. To my surprise the doors opened automatically without her pushing or pulling, I stood awestruck like a baby, finding everything curious. Next was the access door near the lift. All my life I knew that there is something called an ID card and I have also heard my sister saying terms like “Access card” but I didn’t know that it should be used to open doors. I tried to barge in at the access point and the beeping sound attracted the security. I could only mutter “I have come for an interview “. Immediately a visitor’s pass was issued and a security guard accompanied me till the main door of the Company.

Completely shaken by all the things that happened, I sat in the reception area, where the temperature was about 16^o Celsius. I’m a weak person who is prone to colds and immediate headaches when the temperature is low. I had to use the washroom immediately, due to the chillness that prevailed. The receptionist swiped her access card and directed me towards a board with the bold letters “Restroom” on it. Nearing the board I was perplexed to see images on the door. Both the pictures looked similar and I thought to myself why can’t they use the words MEN and WOMEN instead of pictures? Washing my hands after using the toilet, I stood baffled on how to use the tissue roller. Everything was new to me. As I stood there trying to pull hard, a girl with a smiling face helped me tear the tissue, She must have realised that I’m a fresher, ignorant of using the roller. Next I tried to imitate her, to use the blower but it was in vain After trying repeatedly, I succeeded at one point, feeling warm after all the quivering.

Bewildered, I hurried back to the reception, only to be noticed by the interviewer who had a pleasing smile and who enquired whether I was alright. He passed on a water bottle and requested me to drink some water and relax for a while; then he left the room so that I could calm down. I gathered up all my strength in those five precious minutes and gave my best in the interview. I wasn’t up to the mark in terms of confidence, so I had my doubts on being selected. Fortunately, the interviewer, my manager, was a life saver. Without him, my life would not have seen such a drastic change.

On the way back home, thoughts were haunting me, of having been so primitive. Only upon reaching home, did I breath normally and I had a hearty laugh sharing the incidents with my sister. Today, when I watch little kids walking in malls through sensor doors and using toilets with ease, I gape at them in awe.

Innovations for Visually Impaired – Shining a Light in the Darkness

Sudha Kamada

May 2, 2016

We have all played the game pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey – spinning around and trying to find someone while blindfolded, but imagine those who have to go through that situation on a daily basis. Lives of the blind, forever immersed in darkness, is never easy, especially when they have to adjust to things that come into their paths, always wondering if every step might be a wrong one that could land them in the hospital. Sure enough, having a seeing-eye or guide dog is a wonderful addition to their daily commute, but while having a companion is certainly enjoyable as well as soothing for the soul, every individual seeks independence, not wanting to be leaning on someone all the time. Here are some interesting innovations created by Indian innovators that can help the visually impaired manage with their lives:

SmartCane

Bringing us a step closer, to helping the visually challenged get closer to this aim, is the invention of the “Smart Cane”, a low-cost smart technology developed in India to provide independent mobility for blind people. It is a home-grown, affordable electronic device for the visually impaired. Rohan Paul, a Rhodes-Oxford & IIT scholar developed SmartCane in Assistech, a lab of IIT-Delhi that focuses on developing affordable technology for the visually impaired. He let go of many lucrative opportunities abroad and chose to develop the product in an Indian laboratory and launch his invention in India. His innovation was initially supported by Media Lab Asia, in collaboration with Phoenix Medical Systems, Chennai and Saksham Trust, Delhi, an NGO working for the visually impaired.

While the usual white walking stick is useful for the blind, it is poor at detecting obstacles that are above waist height and have no touch-point on the ground (tree branches sticking into your path). The SmartCane tackles this problem as it sends out ultrasound waves via a device attached to a standard white cane, detects them on their return, and uses vibrations to inform users of any obstacles in their way. Users can find out the distance of the object obstructing their path, as far as three meters away, through differing vibration patterns and intensities.

SmartCane’s ultrasound scanning of 45 degree span above the knee is its most important benefit. As people move the cane from left to right, vibrations detected on one side mean they should move towards it. This is an effective obstacle detection and warning system, whereby the presence of obstacles is conveyed by easily perceived vibration patterns. It is available for a price of Rs.3000.

Talking Stick for the Blind

Wazeer Hayath of Tumkur, Karnataka created a patented device, consisting of a walking stick, a sensor system and audio alarm alert facility, that assists visually challenged persons and reduce the chance of accidents. This device is provided with chargeable batteries (50 hr backup) that provide power to a sensor-based in-built voice record system with a choice of 28 Indian languages. It also alerts the user about any obstruction or pit-holes that are more than an inch high or depression greater than a foot within a diameter of one meter from the tip. If the blind person is passing through a crowd, he can press the toggle switch and a voice alert – “Excuse Me Side Please” – will be given to the public, requesting people in the vicinity to move away.

The walking stick also has a light provision to alert the people about the movement of the visually-impaired user. It also gives an alert “water /mud, careful”. With the help of moisture and depth sensors at its tip, this lightweight, 48-inch stick alerts users if they are stepping into water or into a pit, or if any vehicle is approaching. For the hearing impaired, a vibration system is provided along with the voice system. Three variants of the stick are available, namely, talking folding stick, sensor-based folding automatic stick and double sensor-based talking folding stick. Prices range from Rs.900 to Rs.2400.

Third Eye – Tellmate

Gunjan Gupta, Romil Shah and Sagar Patel, under the guidance of Prof. Sachin Gajjar, Associate Professor in Electronics and Communication Engineering, developed the ‘Third Eye – Tellmate’ at the Nirma University’s Idea Lab. This idea found its genesis when they visited the Andhajan Mandal (an association that works with visually-impaired people) in Ahmedabad.

Tellmate is a text-to-speech, facial recognition and image-to-sound converter device that aids the visually impaired. The “third eye” device is Braille-independent and converts raw map data into electronic neural signal which aids in the perception of visual data, apart from various case-specific uses to solve problems faced by the visually impaired. The device consists of a webcam, headphone, micro-processor circuit and a remote that uses audio and video communications to help the blind navigate their way.

Tellmate includes a pair of glasses that processes images in front of a visually impaired person, converts these images to sound and feeds it to the user in an audio format using hearing aids. With the help of this device, the users can walk around unfamiliar places and avoid obstacles. The device’s remote will be with the user at all times, along with several compact receivers that can be attached to daily-use objects like house keys, walking stick etc. A customized voice reminder will help the client remember which receiver he has placed near which object.

Users can also use bus transportation by stating commands such as “navigate to airport” and they will receive vocal directions to go to the bus stop as well as information on which bus would take them to their destination. They will receive an alert asking the user to board the right bus when it arrives, based on pre-stored bus data & matches with the speech processed directions. Tellmate allows visually impaired individuals to read text through text-to-speech conversion via hearing aids.

Tellmate will be useful for blind people, untreatable partially visually impaired people and temporarily blind people. It is available through voluntary organisations, NGOs, eye hospitals, rehabilitation centres, government institutes for visually impaired people. The team underwent an accelerator program for developing Tellmate as a commercially-viable product at the Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship at IIM Ahmedabad. After that, the team entered the go-to-market phase and received a development grant of Rs.2,00,00. They were ranked in Top 20 of the Intel DST–Innovate for Digital India Challenge and were one of the winners at The Economic Times – Power of Ideas 2015 .

Factfile –

http://edition.cnn.com
http://www.mid-day.com
http://www.i4c.co.in
http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com

Does Bollywood Reflect Indian Society?

Shabia Fazal

April 28, 2016

The question is – to watch or not to watch?

Just as our beloved Hamlet was drowning in an ocean of confusion, we the audience of the hyped Bollywood drama are also facing the same position. This opinion arises from witnessing the current plight of Bollywood movies. Not naming any one movie in particular, the astonishing fact is that every movie in the circle has the same plot, music, story (sometimes) and yes, of course, the loved and in-demand ‘Item’ numbers.

Why is it that movies these days fetch box office numbers rather than focus on problems in the society? The popular movies support objectification and corrupt the mind and body, no matter whether it is of a man or a woman.

Gangs-Of-Wasseypur-Manoj-Bajpai,-Reema-Sen — Still from Gangs Of Wasseypur

There was a time when movies were a success not only due to an increase in box office collection, but because the actors refused to perform an intimate scene that they believed was against their culture. Yes, that was a time when one enjoyed real cinema.

A 90’s kid is surely in a state of dilemma, sitting right next to Hamlet. What makes these ‘masala’ movies a success? Is it the absurd comic timing or the continuous use of female leads as sex objects? No, I’m not resorting to feminism, but merely taking a look at their assumed triumph over the public viewpoint. Not to comment over the changing movie styles, but my query is whether- Bollywood reflects the Indian society.

As a college student, I have never seen my Dupatta fly right onto the face of an extremely handsome guy, followed by an eye lock and subsequent ‘love forever’. Even in school, I never saw a Beyonce performing with a bunch of perfect dancers behind. So what is it that we see in the movies? According to the makers’ viewpoint, they are showcasing the society, but then, is this our society?

Anurag Kashyap yearns for production houses, but ‘The Happy New Year’ outdid every box office collection. This clearly shows the future; a time will come when we will question our own existence and culture!

Too serious? But the irony is that we still are not taking it seriously!

Movies are not just for entertainment; today they represent western society, and regretfully things are not pointing the right way. The path chosen by movie makers may include passion not for society but to enter the 100 crore club. Two recent movies that explored different concepts though, were Bajrangi Bhyjan and Baahubali. Where one has the power of Khan, the other one has the plot of an epic historical fiction. Both were favoured by the public due to its different dimensions.

Bajrangi Bhyjan was initially considered to be a typical Salman khan ‘masala’ movie; no doubt it was, but eventually the message behind the movie was seen. In typical Salman Khan style, the message of friendship was shown in a dramatic manner. If we ignore the added drama, the message goes well with the situation we all are living in. It fits in perfectly to make the public understand the importance of love and friendship among two neighbouring countries. The social message was presented in a beautiful manner; the fame of Khan was finally used for a good cause.

Baahubali-Prabhas — Still from Baahubali

The next is Baahubali. Being a Telugu-based movie, it earned immense popularity among the Hindi-speaking masses. The story was simple but a beautiful experience was evoked in the mind of the audience. Unlike other digitalised movies, Baahubali made us proud about its creation. Being compared to Gladiator and Troy for its action sequences, Baahubali surely was a treat. The movie saw a great collection at the box office, but for the hard work and creativity, it deserved more.

Baahubali-Tamanna — Still from Baahubali

There are few movies that deserve box office money, awards, appreciation and all. Their success makes the public happier as we feel they do remember society while writing a story.

The movie ‘Queen’ by Kangana Ranaut was also an exception. A low budget movie, it was well-received by the audience. What made it so popular, was its relation to the common people. The issue was not just about women’s rights, but it also made the people understand the need for individuality. To stand up for one’s self is something we all need to follow and believe.

These movies inspire and lead us to a future which talks less of corruption and has more of individuality. Apart from these high scale Bollywood works, a more inspiring form we cherish is the Short film production. They are like those soft-skill classes which teach you a lot in only a few attempts. Where a highly anticipated movie takes 2-3 hours to make a clear point, these short works of art take only a few minutes to present a point, that too with fantastic use of creativity. The sad part is the lack of funds for the producers to showcase issues which the society needs to focus on.

Neither kind of movie-making is new to us, nor the changes that are now taking place. Every art form demands change, but only those changes which help in raising social issues, not ignoring them further. It is the duty of every artist to present issues along with a solution, so that the people will cherish its making for a lifetime. An art form is memorised for its creativity, not for imitation.

The youth of today needs to distinguish between entertainment and cinema. The more we lean towards the idea of entertainment, the more senseless art will be offered. A demand for good cinema should be raised by every movie (art) lover, as they surely deserve more than just Sajid Khan and Honey Singh creations.

Beta, Let’s go Bride Shopping?

Pranjali Rautela

April 25, 2016

Author – Pranjali Rautela

art of bride shopping — Photo – © Tupinambah

“Arre beta bass dekhne ja rahe hain. Usse ghar thode na lana hai!” his mother exclaimed while settling her sari. It was natural for Arun to laugh it off; after all it was not the first time he was going out for window shopping! As a matter of fact he loves to go shopping. Do you know what Arun shops for? Well, he window shops for brides! And this time he is coming for “YOU”. You won’t be able to escape his lustful gaze, because your own mother will drape you in one of her finest saris and present you before him like a piece of exhibition.

People like Arun go bride shopping from door to door in search of the best girls on offer. Whichever house offers the best price gets to seal the deal. It was my sister’s turn the other day. My mother, while draping Naina in her favourite sari, advised her to behave like a mannequin and look all pretty and demure. Arun and his mother entered our house like customers with a list of specifications and my mother hoped that Naina would match their criteria. Naina was bombarded with questions and it seemed like she was appearing for a job interview. To be precise, it seemed like they were interviewing her for the position of a house maid!

Later we left Naina and Arun alone to talk for a while and I am sure she must have not talked much, as she was to be a mannequin for the day! In the meanwhile we entertained Arun’s mother, who praised her son and convinced my mother that Naina would not get a better choice. They left our house saying that Arun’s father would finalize the decision (she meant the deal!) and that they would inform us soon.

The next day, my mother sat next to our landline hoping for a phone call. Later in the evening the phone rang and Arun informed us that Naina had passed her interview with flying colours. But he also mentioned a huge amount of dowry that is too inappropriate to be quoted. Naina wasn’t happy with this deal, but my mother made her best effort to convince her. Little did Arun’s mother realize that she had left her home with the agenda of shopping for a bride, but ended up selling her own son in the name of dowry!

Soon, we got Naina and Arun married in a grand wedding ceremony. The first few months of their wedded life were good and Arun seemed like family to us. Naina looked happy and came for frequent visits. But good times don’t last, do they? Reality soon dawned on us and the smiling masks fell off. Maybe the money got over or maybe Naina’s mother-in-law’s specifications changed over time. We never understood why they turned into hounds and preyed on an innocent. They tortured her physically and mentally. They forced her to leave her job and turned her into a full-time maid. She lost weight and her fragile body couldn’t bear a child! Then they defamed her in every way and one fine day, packed her bags and sent her back.

My parents were shocked to see her in such a sorry state. She had turned into a scared little girl with zero self-esteem. My mother cried as she explored her abused body. She asked my sister why she had not taken a stand for herself and why had she not retaliated. Naina had replied, “Well! Ma, you made me believe that I was a mannequin and mannequins don’t speak!” Her reply had hit all of us like a rock.

We filed a police complaint and expected justice. Little did we remember that we were living in India where the government plays peek-a-boo with its citizens! The police come in just to state the law and disappear before enforcing it. No matter how stringent the laws on the subject of dowry, the story doesn’t seem to take a positive turn. Dowry-related violence has seen a steady rise across the country and the National Crime Records Bureau figures state that 8,233 dowry deaths were reported in India in 2012. If you work out the statistics, that turns out to be one death per hour on an average.

Luckily, Naina didn’t die, but she is no more alive. Arun took away everything from her; he transformed an independent woman into a dependent slave. It’s a shame how an institution as pure as marriage has been adulterated with such corruption. It has transformed into an art of bride shopping, which feeds into the business of dowry. Many Indian men proudly talk about their dowry price. The mistake could lie in their upbringing.

I thank God that Naina returned home alive. As I am writing this she is reading aloud a wedding invitation card. Her ex-husband Arun has gone shopping again and is getting married in a few days. I wonder who he is going to destroy this time. The fire in the grate is dying as I sit and watch her close her moist eyes. She flung the card into the fire in the hope that its flames will warm her winter-struck heart. I hope she sees spring soon and rediscovers the old Naina who didn’t mind smiling once in a while!

Experiencing the Sounds of Silence

Aanchal Setia

April 18, 2016

Author – Aanchal Setia

Thinking about bringing a change is easy, but getting something done is a lot more complicated. All of us at some point in our lives, have thought about changing the society around us, but I am pretty sure that most of us would have brushed aside that thought by creating an excuse like: What can we do alone?

To be honest, I too followed the same thought like everyone else until I got involved with a voluntary organisation named ‘Sounds of Silence Foundation’ — an NGO with humble beginnings, but with dreams and aspirations bigger than its inception. It was a place established by Sumit Singh Gandhi, where feelings of Hope, Love, and Affection were all packed into one small room along with an honest desire to make a change.

SOS gave its volunteers a chance to help the hearing impaired connect to the world, a privilege they are denied, for reasons unknown. The night before my first assignment to teach these hearing impaired students, I remember being anxious. I remember being on edge all night, my nerves ready to buckle under the weight of the task that awaited me. “How do I teach those who cannot hear, how do I connect with those who do not speak?”

All my fears, thankfully, vanished the moment I stepped into the classroom. In fact, the students were eager to learn, perhaps because they are denied proper learning their entire life. More eager, I admit, than I’ve ever known anyone to be. This is because, for most of us, school was a second home for mischief rather than a place for learning. The only times I remember waking up for school at the first call of my mother was for picnics. That’s why I immediately noticed there was something special in those students.

They were jovial, sincere, and above all inquisitive—which, I admit, is the best thing a teacher can hope for. For a teacher, there’s nothing worse than listlessness and nothing better than curiosity that brings one to the edge of the seat, from the prospect of learning and subsequent enrichment. A point which “abled” children often miss, yet these kids understand perfectly.

So what had started as a strict and professional student-teacher relationship turned into a friendly and motivating one for me. In the blink of an eye, the SOS students let their barriers down, got me involved with their biggest fears and aspirations and made me a part of their inner circle. Helping them was just like helping myself to bring about a change within me.

I learnt that just because their ways aren’t what we’re used to, it does not mean that they are inept. When given the right stimulus, they might as well be capable of achieving more than what is expected of them. For sometimes, it is the people that no one expects anything of, who do the things that no one can imagine. If I tried to put in 1% hard work, they would return it with a 100% effort.

Every single day was a special adventure trying to sync with them. I always wondered if they understand perfectly what I try to interpret through actions. Reading their facial expressions and focusing on their behaviour patterns were quiet different when compared to a normal person. But the experience was amazing and the bond that I now share with them is commendable. I realise now that one drop of affection with a little patience is the only thing that these students ask from us.

Apart from teaching the hearing impaired students, we SOS volunteers were also responsible for organising fund raising events to help them in every way possible. One of our best promotional events was held at the Pacific Mall in Subhash Nagar, Delhi, where we did a Flash Mob and a few singing performances to mesmerise the crowd, while creating awareness and funds for the hearing impaired kids. Each one of us spent hours of hardwork towards executing the event as well as on the rigorous practice of the performances. But we all were able to give our best only because of those kids whose smiles we want to preserve.

Every moment we spent with the children of Sounds Of Silence has been inspiring. I realised that there is really no such thing as the ‘voiceless’; there are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard!

Image sources –
Factfile –
www.soundsofsilence.in

Top 5 Indian DIY Bloggers Who Inspire the Artist in You!

Sushmita Iyer

April 14, 2016

“Creativity is intelligence having fun…”
-Albert Einstein

…And on that note, the World Creativity Day and Innovation Week will kick start on April 15. Ever since 2002, the event aims to create a global platform, where people can create, share new ideas; however big or small they may be. Celebrated across 46 countries, the event not only aims to raise awareness but also tries to find new solutions, battle obstacles and build a new future. Starting on April 15, which is also Italian polymath Leonardo Da Vinci’s birthday, the World Creativity Day got extended to a week until April 21.

There are many ways to celebrate this day. Yes, be creative about celebrating this day too; you need not be a genius like Da Vinci for this! However, what you need is the motivation to think out of the box. And Voila, You have it!

I personally choose to make things on my own and love to look up for projects that would help me create something useful. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects are my personal favourite, for it awakens the artist in hibernation. It is a method of creating or repairing something without taking help from an expert. Not only does it bring out your creative side, but also gives you pointers on how you can make something new out of the things you already have. It need not be only about arts and crafts. You can also DIY about anything related to fashion, home décor or even food!

Here is a list of five Indian bloggers, who would not just inspire you to do it yourself, but would also help you explore your creative side:

Arvind Gupta:

Arvind Gupta is an Indian toy inventor, who creates simple toys out of trash. He applies science and illustrates a design that can be easily implemented by the kids. Being a thorough expert in science teaching, he has authored many books in different languages, including Little Toys, Amazing Activities, Science from Scrap, and Science Skills & Thrills: The Best of Arvind Gupta.

An IIT- Kanpur alumnus, Gupta participated in the Hoshangabad Science Teaching Programme (HSTP) in Madhya Pradesh in 1978, where he developed the idea of creating simple toys and educational experiments using locally available materials and things that are usually thrown as trash. His insights and ideas simple fascinated the children and this made him a popular science evangelist. He takes inspiration from a number of people, including Gautama Buddha, George Washington Carver and his mother.
www.arvindguptatoys.com

DIY Indian

DIY-Indian Starting from kitchen storage to tech tricks, this website definitely has a lot to offer. You can browse through numerous videos and choose a diverse range of DIY projects that you can try at home. I usually go for home décor, kitchen storage, interior design and DIY accessories, since they provide really simple and creative ideas that do not need much effort. You can recycle tin cans, make your own headphones or try some very innovative kitchen hacks. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and contribute to the website if you have any interesting ideas to share.
www.diyindian.com

Woodooz

If you love wooden crafts, then Woodooz would be your haven! The blog was started in 2010 by a Chennai couple, Somu and Preethi as a result of their passion for their hobbies. While Somu works in the IT industry, Preethi is a business analyst. The couple decided to have their own platform and showcase their DIY crafts to educate people about woodworks and carpentry. They also indulge in projects related to arts, crafts and paper mache. You can also write to the couple and get feedback on your crafts and get tips on your handmade accessories.
www.woodooz.com

Navin Khambala

Navin Khambala aka #crazyNK started his innings on YouTube in 2010. Since then, he has been making DIY videos that would help kids in their school projects. What is more interesting is that he comes up with innovative recycling ideas that would help you transform waste into energy. You will find a number of electronic DIY items that are made with the help of plastic bottles, sketch pen, old DVDs, switches and motors.
nfornavin/videos

Style Inked

Style-Inked is a fashion blog by a fashionista! It is Manvi Gandotra’s pretty little world, where you can learn how to look classy by making your own accessories. Her DIY projects are simple; they have something for everyone. From carrying the cool palazzo pants to making that perfect tassle necklace, her posts will surely pep up your style quotient. With years of experience in working with industry leaders such as GAP and French Connection, Manvi started this blog “to make fashion more accessible to women.” Being a professional photographer and content writer has surely helped to build a fascinating portfolio of fashion DIY projects.

Factfile:
https://wciw.org/about/history/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvind_Gupta
https://woodooz.com

How to Create Eco-friendly Interiors

Caleidoscope

April 13, 2016

Author – Sujain Thomas

There was a time, long before any environmental activist thought that people needed to be eco-friendly. A time when being ecologically sound wasn’t the subject of numerous social media campaigns, and carbon credits weren’t the in-thing. A time when, humans were definitely more in tune with nature and there was a sense of overall balance.

In the words of Tonto (Johnny Depp in the Lone Ranger), “Nature is out of balance” today and as such we feel the effects on our daily lives. Starting from our homes, whether it is a flat in a busy city area or a peaceful suburban area, eco-friendly interiors are the need of the hour. However the question is, how does one create an environmentally-friendly interior in today’s chaotic world? Here are a few tips to do just that –

1. Use indoor plants for interior design

Best indoor plants in India — Image Source Pixabay

You heard that right. Bring a slice of the outdoors inside. Along with being just gorgeous to look at, plants are excellent air filters and give a vibrant feel to any and every space. A plant in almost any room is a terrific idea and several species of plants including cactus, money plant, spider plant, Syngonium others do not require much maintenance. If your apartment has an external grille area, you could use that space as a flower bed and cultivate flowering plants such as lilies, roses and/or orchids.

2. Maximize daylight

Eco-friendly-Interiors — Image Source – Sander van Dijk

Any indoor space looks healthy and inviting when it is bathed with sunlight. In your quest for creating an eco friendly space, do forget to let the sunlight in. Use lighter or thin fabrics for your curtains and if you’re using blinds, ensure that you draw them up early morning in order to maximize the utilization of the sun’s potent light. Avoid using any artificial light during the day since it takes away from the space and adds to your electric bills.

3. Up-cycle wherever possible

Up-cycled-materials — Image Source – Emily Lindberg

Up-cycling means reusing old containers, milk bottles, ceramic plates and other items in decor. For instance, reuse your old milk bottles as flower pots. Old coat hangers can be up-cycled as door hooks, and old ceramic plates can be broken and their pieces reused as mosaic frames for mirrors. This is a technique that many people are using with stunning results all over the world. Simply search for DIY projects from all over the world for inspiration and get started on your own masterpieces.

4. Use wallpaper instead of paint

wallpapering-for-wall — Image Source – helpmebuild.com

For home decoration we must choose the right fabric, non-toxic paints and many other articles that are eco-friendly and encourage the use of recycled materials. While most paint companies today advertise low VOC or Volatile Organic Compound paints, using wallpapers is a much smarter and cost effective way to cover or beautify your walls. It is also an extremely green idea especially if you use up-cycled wall paper, which is extremely popular these days. Eco-friendly wallpapers are easy to maintain and safe for children too.

5. Reuse, reduce, recycle

Recycled-Pendent-Lights — Image Source – loverslights.wordpress.com

Reuse everything you possibly use, which helps us to reduce our consumption of new materials. Reduce is the first and the most important strategy. In order to reduce the amount of waste you produce, it is necessary to focus on the source. Reducing the amount of artefacts on display can give the home a modern, minimalistic feel. Recycling helps you to reuse the materials in unwanted items to make new items. DIY projects that use recycled materials are an excellent money saver and an eco-friendly option. It is also a great way to get your kids involved in the decor of your home, while teaching them to be eco-friendly. Beyond the environmental benefits of recycling, recycling also benefits the larger economy.

Home interiors ought to reflect the tastes, preferences and ideals of the family that inhabits the space. If each and every home becomes eco-friendly, it creates a positive vibe in the society which can transform the entire city.

Author’s Bio:
Sujain Thomas is a prolific writer at thewadhwagroup.com, who writes articles on home decoration, interior design, home decor, home loans, property, etc. He particularly focuses on eco-friendly interior design for improving the indoor air quality as well as reducing the impact of furniture on the environment.

Travelling to Australia – Truly heartwarming

Caleidoscope

April 11, 2016

Author – Arjun Chitakodige Shivashankar

Scintillating Sydney — Opera House, Sydney, Australia

Travelling to Australia or some other place may be just a travel to someone, but for me, this travel was an life-altering experience. I was probably hating myself before this journey and I was fed up with my daily boring life. Born in a small town called Shimoga, I didn’t think that one day I will be travelling around the world. When I stared my journey in early February 2016, I was like a hungry lion waiting to conquer the world.

The Counting Stars song by OneRepublic always reminds me of that…
“Old but I’m not that old
Young but I’m not that bold
And I don’t think the world is sold
I’m just doing what we’re told”

It was an amazing feeling to land in Sydney… the place, the people and the weather… I could feel the energy emanating from the city. As I reached there, I felt a strange kind of a positive vibe within myself. I didn’t know what to do and where to go, but as I began my journey everything went in a flow, as though it was planned before and I am just executing it!

Scintillating Sydney

Sydney is so vast that you need at least 4 days to see and cover all the places across the city. I stayed in place named Bondi Junction with an amazing family led by Ben, who warmly welcomed me and gave a royal hospitality. The family ensured a superb road trip, along with yummy home food and an insightful exchange of thoughts on religion, culture and people, which I will remember for my lifetime.

I had landed in Sydney during summer, which enabled me to do a lot of things, since days were long and nights were short. I was advised to take the Metro to see the place around the city. The best places to walk along are: the Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the museum, Taronga Zoo and the famous Opera House. Further, a day trip in a ferry to the nearby island and Manly beach, and a tram ride to the central station and the Saturday open market are a must. I preferred to travel along with backpackers so as to get the best tour deals as they have good knowledge on discounts. Here are the places that you should not miss in Sydney:

The beautiful Bondi Beach is a great location for sea surfing and chilling by the beach side. If you haven’t try surfing before, here is a good place to try. You could also just sit on the big rocks and watch the waves and the surfers trying to conquer waves. I took a 20-minute walk from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach for about 3.5 Km, which felt amazing.

Bondi Australia magnificent view — Bondi Beach Australia

Blue Mountains National Park is another beautiful nature spot situated away from the city. Covered by the Blue Mountains range, it is a popular destination for rock climbers, mountain hikers, canyoning and other adventure sports. Travellers can take a train or bus to the place and stay there for a day and return. The visit to the waterfall and the ropeway experience are unforgettable!

Soon it was time to say goodbye to Sydney, which was quite difficult because of my beautiful experience. I had experienced the power of waves, the beauty of mountains, the simplicity of people and joy of sharing. Sydney taught me a lesson in helping others without any selfishness, which gives us more joy. Walking alone and suddenly someone asking for free hugs will make you feel you are not stranger to this city. When you are lost in the streets struggling with a map in hand, it is heartening to find someone smiling at and helping out to guide the path.

Bondi magnificent view — Bondi Beach Australia

Whitsunday Island

Whitsunday Islands was my next destination, which lie midway along Australia’s Queensland coast and are bordered by the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by mountains, blue waters and cockatoos, this place is truly a paradise and I was in love with it at first sight. It’s always advantage for travellers to stay with fellow backpackers as it is affordable, cheap and best place to meet other travellers.

Staying at the Airlie Beach in Whitsunday Islands is good option, since in the morning you can go for sailing trips, and you can come back in the evening to relax at the lagoon and listen to some live music. This place is surrounded by numerous islands and picturesque beaches. Whitehaven beach, Hamilton Island and the outer barrier reef are the most prominent ones. Travellers can opt for sailing trips, scuba diving and skydiving. Obviously the best season to visit this place is summer when you can just lie down and enjoy doing nothing.

I must say that I conquered my fear of heights and fear of swimming during this trip. I courageously did skydiving from the height of 14,000 feet and did scuba diving in the ocean. It was an amazing experience when I jumped for the first time and felt the fear inside me, but as I adjusted to that I began feeling like I am flying in the sky like a bird. Similarly, when dived deep inside the ocean, I felt so calm and peaceful inside me, where I was able hear my own heartbeat and every single breath feels like I am fish.

Law of attraction

I would like to share some thing about the “Law of attraction”, which my friend Elin from Germany told me about. This new philosophy states that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, we can bring positive or negative experiences into our life. This means you meet only those people who are like you in your life and I found it is very much true. I experienced this in Airlie beach, where there are lot of people in my hostel but only a few liked to hang around with me. I met so many people in this journey, but only with few I made friendship, which is because of the law of attraction!

I have met some amazing people in this journey, who are beautiful from deep within their heart. They have a lot of love and compassion towards others who are required in this world. Ben and Family, the people I stayed with, Elin, my first ever friend in Australia, Alberto, the cool and smart guy from Spain, Gaby and Austin, my US friends, Inga, 19-year young traveller, Marcel Rodrigues, My Brazilian friend and Mirko, my Good friend from Germany.

Before doing this trip I wanted to run away from my problems, but this journey helped me to realize that problem is not outside, it is within me, where ever I go, it will follow me. This was just not a journey to see places, but also to realise who we are. So now instead of running away, I am facing and conquering my fears and problems. I realised that a journey is always both outward and inward; it is about seeing new places, knowing new people and also knowing ourselves.

Image sources –

Factfile –
wiki/Australia
google.com/maps
google.com/maps

Medical Volunteering in India Can Be Fun

Caleidoscope

April 7, 2016

My tryst with India started as a medical volunteer. Just after I finished medical training, I went out to different parts of the world. India’s culture had always fascinated me. Not just the food and the weather, but the history and the mystic aura surrounding the country attracted me. So, why not visit India as a volunteer during the festive season. Volunteering is not always a serious affair. Some moments can bring a smile on your face. Now, that I am recollecting some of those incidents, I can promise you a hilarious read.

Indian festivities are a never-ending affair. Presence of multiple religious communities has made the nation a hub of festivals. Communal harmony is the magic word that runs the Indian culture. No wonder, Indians are always in a vibrant and jovial mood. I had decided to visit India during Diwali and work for a volunteer organization. Believe me or not, I experienced a truckload of funny events while volunteering in India. Check out the following to understand what I mean.

# Friends drop a sick partner at a hospital and try to leave

It is quite common for over-enthusiastic party mongers to drink like fish. Friends leaving the over-enthusiast and fleeing back to the party is also not uncommon. Now, comes the funny part. When I saw four young men leaving a sick partner in the hospital and scooting from the place, I got hold of them. I asked them to stay back for their friend and make sure that he sleeps till morning. I frightened them with a police case, if they dared to leave their spots. In fact, I went a step ahead to tell them that plain-clothes policemen were loitering around the hospital. The poor fellows had to stay back and let go off their raging party.

# A traveller drowns herself in a keg of alcohol

One of my senior doctors had once narrated the story of a girl who had drunk nothing but alcohol for three days. When she was rushed to the hospital, she was dehydrating. She could manage to ask only one thing, “How many bottles of alcohol does the entire nation need to stay hydrated? I have many.” The hospital staff had to give her 4 litres of water at a go.

# A volunteer takes monkeys out on a ride

A circus owner in India had once gone through this weird incident. While transporting two newly bought monkeys to the circus, his car broke down. Soon he noticed another car approaching and waved at the driver to stop his car. When the circus owner told about his problem, the latter volunteered to help. The owner was relieved and returned to the circus after repairing his car. However, on reaching the circus, he could not find the man or the monkeys. He was very worried and took out his car to see, if they were on their way. After driving for a mile or so, he noticed the good-hearted fellow driving his car with the monkeys at the back seat. The owner encountered the man who replied calmly, “When we came close to the circus the monkeys started acting restless. So, I decided to take them to the nearby forest!”

# Medical representatives and community people gift volunteers

The festive time is a great time for receiving gifts. You can stay in the hospital or the local community centre when you are not volunteering. Later, when medical representatives and other people in the community see you during duty hours, they may as well give you presentations. Get ready for food, drinks and small tokens of affection.

# The man who went bankrupt while volunteering

I met a man at one of the old age homes who claimed to have become a pauper because of his over-passionate impetus to volunteer. Sad; but how can someone be so engrossed in volunteering that he forgets about his livelihood? Well, strange but true. There are some people who find great pleasure in giving, without thinking about their own means of sustenance. I don’t know if I should call them fools or philanthropist.

# The cats receive double bonanza

It is said that when rats came to know about the ample food supply in public hospitals, they were excited. For the first few months they had a lovely time at the hospitals. When the cats heard about the hospitals, they too wanted to have their share of the food. On reaching the hospitals, they were excited with the prospect of double supply of food. They could consume the hospital food and also have feast on the rats.

Since, my first visit; I have worked for volunteer organizations in India several times. But, I can certainly say that medical volunteering offers you numerous options to laugh your heart out. Have you volunteered as a medical intern? In that case you have missed loads of fun. Try volunteering at one of the clinics or hospitals in India and see what fun you have.

Author Bio –
Varun Verma is the proud owner of iSpiice based in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, and has been unleashing his passion for volunteering and contributing to improve the lives of poor women and children across the country.

Daastan-E-Khaana : Delhi’s Food Diary

Caleidoscope

April 6, 2016

Perhaps, what makes the greatness of the city of Delhi more palpable is its food. The rich diversity of cuisines available in the city makes it tough for even a Delhite to decide and answer to the question, “Aaj dinner me kya khaya jaye?” In other words, we have so little time but so much to eat! The unending varieties of paranthas or the mouth watering butter chicken and kebabs, biryanis or niharis, golgappas or chole bhature, french or american helps Delhi celebrates food 365 days a year.

Popular destinations for exquisite food in Delhi

best-places-to-eat-in-Delhi — Image Via eatyourworld.com

Delhi provides a lot of avenues to quench your thirst.

10-best-bars-new-delhi — Image – Mr.TinDC Via Flickr

The beautiful lounging coffee shops, the chai bars, the beer cafes and even the pushcarts, will tingle your taste buds with their flavours. So, it is quite natural to see slurps in the cars and hands of the people traversing on the roads of Delhi.

Take a look at the Best cafeteria’s flooded with college students at Delhi

Delhi Food - Best-cafeteria's-flooded-with-college-students-at-Delhi — Image Jacob Jung Via Flickr

Check Out Top 10 Cafes in New Delhi

The homes of Dilliwallahs are no different. Here people not only love to eat, but also love to make everyone around eat. So, if you go to any Delhi residence, you will definitely go home stuffed and rehydrated. Welcome to the paradise of food!

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