There is a reforestation drive in Ratnari, around 90km from Shimla is organized by environmentalist Sanjay Austa. Sanjay is the proud owner of Meena Bagh Ratnari, an apple orchard with unending green spaces and a breathtaking view of the Himachal hills. The red house looks even more magnificent in the hills when it is surrounded by snow. After hosting a successful “clean the forest” drive in April, Sanjay is now organizing a “Reforestation drive” with forest officials.
The first session was held between the 10-12th of July. The best part of the drive was that Sanjay had made the stay and meals for all people taking part in the drive completely free. Their stay and food was hosted at the Meena Bagh Ratnari itself. This encouraged many people from all over India to join the drive. Moreover, on the second day of the reforestation drive itself, Sanjay, the volunteers and a lot of local villagers planted 1,000 trees in the forests. These numbers are very encouraging.
What’s in it for you?
MeenaBagh Resorts Inside View
Imagine going to a place where the stay is sponsored in a beautiful house nestled in Himlayan hills. You can not only get more inspiration for art and creativity there, but you can also explore more about yourself. Reading a book by the window while you sip some fantastic coffee can be the best feeling in the world. You are away from all the worries of the world and there is no place in the world where you’d rather be. All this coupled with your experience of planting trees in the forest by the day fills your day with satisfaction.
How do you go there?
Since the reforestation drive is super popular and many people want to visit, Sanjay has a process of selection by which he only accepts serious applicants who are passionate about nature. You can text Sanjay or message him on instagram. His page is called @sanjayausta. If you get the opportunity to go, the easiest way is to take a plane to Delhi and take a car/ bus to Narkanda. You can find his property on google maps as well and get directions till there.
What if I am not available on the dates of the drive?
If you are not available on those dates, you can go to Meena Bagh Ratnari any other day throughout the year. In winter, it is not easily accessible because the area is covered with knee deep snow. However, on other days, you can book a room and go there. The property is available on AirBNB as well. You can also simply call Sanjay and he will give you more details about the property. This is the link to book the property on AirBNB:
The food- the food here is scrumptious. I love their pancakes which are served with fresh honey. Their cheese grilled sandwich is literally the best grilled sandwich which I have ever tried in my life. Everything tastes better and more fresh on the mountains.
The view is fantastic – The view from Meena Bagh is fantastic since you can see beautiful Himlayan hills right from your window.
The interiors – This surely tops the list of the best things at Meena Bagh. The interiors are fantastic and are worth dying for. They are super quirky and colorful. They also have many pets on the property which you can chill with.
Some facts about reforestation:
Fact 1: We need more plants in this world. Climate change is real.
Fact 2: The highest number of trees planted in a day is around 50 million. 8,00,000 people from Uttarakhand volunteered in 2016 to plant trees inside forests and by the roads.
Fact 3: Planting saplings isn’t enough. The saplings which are grown need water and care to grow since they have a high mortality rate of around 40%. It is essential to take care of them after planting them
Srinagar Dal Lake – Sudhakar Bichali via Wikimedia
The mystical beauty of India never fades! Being a land of profound history, diverse cultures and rich ancient roots; it is even a place of beautiful attractions, mesmerizing charm and luxurious destinations.
India is an amalgamation of different regions, which is the essential spice of this country. The tremendous geographical spots make India the most visited country all around the world. When you search for a perfect destination for your vacations, India serves as an oyster for you.
Unarguably, it gets confusing to nestle deep under the sea to choose the shining pearls. But, our endeavour to find bucket list options for you to end your quest. Get through this alluring experience and fulfil your travel spree.
Just like the sky, the fantastic, worth-watching place in India is a splendid natural beauty, Srinagar. There are some drop-dead gorgeous places which magnify your experience and make the impossible world possible.
One can book Unitedor any of your favourite airlines you wish to travel with from Faremart.com, a user-friendly ticket booking platform that has access to a total of 450 airlines, and thus provide satisfactory Air Travel services to all the travellers and seekers.
The sights which you have never seen before, the blowing scenes of Lakes, a land cultivated by Mughal emperors is a place known Srinagar in Kashmir magnetizes everyone from all walks of life. Your one visit can change your life entirely.
You might have heard about the places to visit in Srinagar which, but the mystique whereabouts you are not aware of are here bucket listed.
A Welcoming Dal Lake
Image – Pixabay
Dal Lake is a charm of Srinagar, Kashmir and regarded as “jewel in the crown of Kashmir”. Tourists are unaware of the fact that being far away from the other beauty spots, it is in the centre of city Srinagar and considered to be an “urban lake”.
To your surprise, this lake comes into sight being diverse pools as well as lakes perpetually connected and with the division of floating gardens, causeways and houseboats. This lake is a blend of five lake basins named Nagin, Nehru Park, Hazratbal, Nishat and Brari. On top of that, it serves the purpose of weed harvesting and fishing for viable use.
Living in a lake has even become possible! You may get astounded, but another offbeat fact is that tourists can live in the best houseboats in Srinagar on the lake. The floating houses offer accommodation to people which make it distinctive from other places on this earth.
The lake shows its different colours where every season, you may get manoeuvred by something new. Also, for every time of the year, it has an ancient temple named Shankaracharya offering blessings to visitors.
Fun seems endless when it comes to water. Dal Lake allows having a dip for swimming, and interestingly, it renders a chance to enjoy boating and canoeing also. For the lovers of skiing, they can come back to this place in the winter season.
Away from the bustling city, the greenery of Srinagar gardens remained alike; fascinating and picturesque. This place is known for Mughal Gardens, rich deep in beauty which leaves no doubt in visitors’ mind. The enchanting atmosphere allures everyone here making it touristy in peak season.
These gardens are full of blooms and bestow a chance to feel the unseen part of life. The tranquillity found here is nowhere. The bliss of life, a dazzling array of colours awaits you here!
Mughal gardens in Srinagar pertains Nishat Bagh believed to be a garden of joy. It was built in 1633 by Asaf Khan. This garden is a prominent part of India, made by the Mughals which divides it into 12 terraces, depicts 12 zodiac signs.
Shalimar Bagh is yet another charm of Mughal Gardens having a remarkable history. It is a place where the angels of heaven themselves prefer to abode. Intrinsically, the offbeat part is that this garden is set up with beautiful fountains, pavilions, and pools on terrace edges.
Mughal garden in Srinagar holds a jewel named Chasma Shahi where tourists flock. You can see a glimpse of historical architecture and can even capture yourself in natural surroundings. This place also holds a deep background of history.
As life without colours is nothing, nature lacking flowers is not anything! Adding charm to the feathers of Srinagar, Tulip Garden is Asia’s most extensive garden with dozens of tulip flowers. Tulip flower garden opened in 2007 and attracted a large number of visitors every year. Exploring the type of flowers would take away a day, but making it a memorable one. It offers a chance to relish its glory in months of summer.
With the super cuteness of name, this tea room is no way different. Undoubtedly, you can get a tea house or cafes around every corner of the city street, but this place is uncommon.
To get indulged in the aromas, lost in the quaintness, savour the amazing flavour accompanying the nature, then this is the apt location. It opened in 2016, got inspired by Kashmiri and English tea rooms offering classic kahwa with variety of teas.
If being from Darjeeling, you would have tasted the tea of your plants. But, for once, come over this place and enjoy conversations with a cup of Kashmiri tea. The adornment of this place will win your heart.
A visit to Srinagar remains unfinished without worshipping. Srinagar is home of mosques where divine energies release. The panoramic view of Srinagar’s beauty persists curtailed without Muslim shrines.
Revealing the facts, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Kashmir, was initially built in 1394 which was later restored in 1672. The interiors include Kashmiri art, chandeliers, and beautiful colours. Every day, the prayers are offered here wholeheartedly by the Kashmiris.
Never Miss Shopping at Srinagar Market
Shopping is not a necessity, but it is right of everyone whenever we go out on vacations. We cannot forget to bring back the memories of that place in any form. In a way to bring something, what can be better than shopping?
Srinagar Market – Saurabh Chatterjee via Flickr
Among numerous cities, this is even a place where shopaholics can gratify themselves by buying different things. To purchase something in clothing, authentic apparels such as Pashmina shawls, jackets, stoles are available in an assorted variety.
To add zing in food, exotic spices are famous with a soothing aroma. The offbeat fact is that Srinagar is known for purity and authenticity. So, anything you buy is a treat. Along with this, in dry fruits, you can buy a unique item named walnut.
A free tip is that to purchase anything; you need to learn to bargain. Entering the markets mainly Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk, Polo View, Floating market and anywhere around, you need to show negotiation skills. Srinagar market sometimes remains bustling due to visitors; however, it can be an excellent chance to buy at lower prices!
To bring an end
No matter where you visit all around the world, however, it is indeed said that visiting Srinagar is a real heaven. Nature, mosques, gardens, coffee house, library, lakes, old houses, adventure and top of all, the calm and peace here is hard to locate.
If this season you are planning out for a tour with family, then you can surely get something unique here. The lovers of nature and beauty can never stop themselves from coming to Srinagar.
Are you planning to deal with improving your company’s effectiveness by dealing with enterprise architecture? This is the perfect time then to pursue a certification through the TOGAF accreditation program which isspelled as the Open Group Architecture Framework. It represents thus a holistic approach to the business organization promoting cohesion of all the internal processes.
So, the Open Group is an internationally accepted technology consortium that has designed the highest-quality TOGAF certification helping companies to design and analyze their business architecture to meet the upcoming needs. TOGAF skilled professionals are essential employees as they interact with heads of different departments and assist in designing and implementing the strategy here.
In this article, you’ll know how you can become an experienced TOGAF certified specialist.
What Should You Know About OG0-091 and OG0-092 Exams
By passing the indicated tests, you’ll receive a valid certification enabling you to become a qualified expert in combining the business structure with IT goals and making them function as a whole.
Here, once candidates pass TOGAF 9 OG0-091 and OG0-092 qualifying assessments they are awarded the advanced TOGAF 9 Certified certification. Keep in mind, though, that completing just Part 1 OG0-091 exam qualifies you as a basic-level TOGAF 9 Foundation certified specialist.
OG0-091 is a 60-minute level-one test where applicants are required to tackle 40 multiple-choice questions with each answer representing one point. The exam has a pass mark of 55%, and the price of the assessment stands for $320.
At that time, OG0-092 exam comprises 8 scenario-based as well as difficult multiple-choice questions. It is an open-book assessment and includes the level two learning results. You will be given 90 minutes to finish. Each best answer gives you 5 points, and the second best gives you 3 items. The third one will grant you one point, and a distracter will bring zero. The passing score makes up 60%, while the price makes up $320.
Note there’s one more option as to pass the merged Part 1 and Part 2 exam designed for individuals willing to strike two balls in one shot. It implies winning the TOGAF OGO-093 Certified badge (Level 2) right away with one test.
Why Should You Pass OG0-091 and OG0-092 Exams?
Generally, the tests lead to a certification known as the highest level of addressing a company’s goals by planning, designing, implementing, and managing the whole entity’s integral functioning. It is called enterprise architecture which is divided into four specific domains: application, information, business, and data. All these spheres rely on existing technology and standardized products.
So, with the TOGAF 9 Certified credential applicants validate the acquired skills that earn them employment as well as attractive pay by helping companies implement the merged operation of business infrastructure, data, and technology application.
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Appreciate TOGAF Official Site
The official Open Group website offers guidance on different technicalities of the exam. So, go through these tips and regulations to ensure you are well prepared. The FAQ part is also useful as it will help you get a clear understanding of the assessment. Moreover, you can join, as well, online platforms such as the Open Group forum to get valuable info and details about the certification.
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I was beaming in the car as I looked out of the window to changing landscapes. Goa was more than the shacks, beaches, palm trees, sullen clouds and the nightlife. There were mountainscapes opening up right before us and the car was surrounded by lush plantations and buffaloes on the outside. There is a part of Goa which most people talk about, which includes the nightlife, shacks, beaches and parties. And there is another side of Goa which includes buffaloes on the streets simply lounging in the sun, this side of Goa is most underrated. I was crossing the sunny, lazen side and was trying to balance my experience of exploring both the underrated and overrated parts of Goa. The car was headed towards Adinco distillery in South Goa.
I had spoken to them over call and had organized a visit. Goan culture involves being really friendly towards strangers. Goans socialize on beach shacks and in parties, they are used to meeting strangers and being really friendly towards them. Mr. Solomon Diniz, the owner of the Adinco distillery was really friendly to us as he gave us an interesting tour of his factory.
Cabo
Cabo is a beautiful metaphor for Goa wrapped within a bottle. The bottle is beautifully and intelligently crafted as it has birds, a palm tree and the sun in its logo. It feels like the word “Cabo” is resting on a beach and lounging in the sun with a glass of wine in its hand. The bottle lounging on the sandy beach near the sea-shore changes to the imagery of me lounging near the sea shore with Cabo in my hands itself. Cabo represents the touristy Goan dream with the promise of a fulfilling life spent just watching the waves crash and watching birds fly free with their wings opening up right over you. Cabo tastes like a wonderful soulmate with the scent of childhood. For all the coconut lovers who drool over bounty, Cabo smells like fresh coconuts plucked right out of a palm tree.
Voodoo, this bottle goes with the tagline “Spell it”, and it isn’t imaginary, it is a real representation of the bottle since it does cast a spell on you. The bottle is a classic and it is one of the only three bottles of alcohol in the world which are made of black glass. Voodoo tastes like ice cream, milkshake and alcohol mixed in Charlie’s Chocolate Factory but for adults. Voodoo is a great accompaniment with ice cream after dinner as well. The bottle was designed to represent the figure of a woman with large buttocks, this is evident in the curves of the bottle design. It represents a dark trip down memory lane, a childhood memory which has been changed because of adulthood or a broken relationship which you swallow in the gulp of a shot and still remember with fond memories.
Voodoo
The owner, Mr. Solomon, was an interesting character in himself. He took us around the factory and told us more about himself. He was extremely humble, and he also invited us to party with him. In Goa, friendships built with strangers can last a lifetime. I am still in touch with Mr. Solomon and have saved his name as “Feni” on my phone. Feni is a local alcohol from Goa which is made of cashews. It is something which goes well along with every kind of meal. I was intrigued by how friendly Mr. Solomon was since he was able to gel with me and my friend so well. I felt like he could be friendly with a diverse crowd and thought that his nature was just like “Feni”.
The Adinco Distillery Tour ended with an alcohol tasting session. One thing which we are all advised to do while drinking is to not mix two different alcohols together. However, we did exactly the opposite. We had different things back to back ranging from wine, whiskey, Cabo and Voodoo to vodka. It was a tough choice between sobriety and craziness, we surely crossed a border and made it back alive.
This entire trip made me realize one simple thing: people everywhere are just the same. You need to bar to judgement and hold no cultural differences, and you can make friends everywhere across the globe. You just need to find a way to reach across different hearts, continents away and empathize with them. Alcohol surely is a fun addition to bond over.
Disclaimer: Please be of legal drinking age based on the laws of the region where you are going to drink. Don’t drink and drive.
Kitchen Gardening is more than just a hobby. When it comes to veggies freshness is the key and what’s fresher than growing your own vegetables? Raising your own garden has ample of benefits, at least you know what has gone in the product and what you are eating. Having your own garden also saves a lot of money. Fortunately, you don’t need a green thumb or a degree authentication to grow a treasure of fresh vegetables right in your backyard or balcony. There’s no need to be intimidated to take on the task of gardening; it doesn’t matter if you are a gardening novice or have an expertise in this field anyone can do it. Other than this, there are numerous benefits of gardening. For instance, it is a great stress reliever; research shows that the people who take up gardening as a hobby have likely fewer chances to suffer a heart stroke and come down with an Alzheimer.
There are some plants which any newbie can grow or plant easily without any difficulty.
1. Lettuce
Image – Pixabay
Lettuce is a really easy plant to grow; it grows very quickly and takes up a very small area of land for its growth. It can even be grown in a small container or underneath the shade of tall plants. Lettuce is a cool weather plant, so it has to be grown in early spring or fall. The seeds of this lettuce are available at any general store or a nursery and are very cheap. The seedlings of lettuce can actually handle a little bit of frost as it is a cool weather plant. This plant will remain intact until the temperature doesn’t drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. And by some chance, if the temperature does drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and you experience snow, you’ll just have to cover the plants with a plastic sheet, and they should be fine to go. The trick with lettuce is to grow chives and garlic in between the plants to keep the pests off. Make sure to grow lettuce in a well-drained compost soil. The best companions of lettuce are a carrot, radish and beetroot.
2. Tomatoes
Image – Pixabay
Tomato is the most popular vegetable for any size garden. Tomato can be grown possibly at any place where there is a lot of sunlight. Tomatoes are one of the most sought after plant during summers, and on the top of that, they are super easy to grow. It is highly recommended that their growth be started indoors for 6 – 8 weeks before transplanting them outside. You’ll have to plant them in full sunlight and in well-drained soil, also make sure all the frost is gone before planting them. Tomatoes love the heat and hate the cold! Be sure not to plant tomatoes and peppers together side by side; bees can cross-pollinate pepper and tomato and completely ruin the taste of your tomatoes. They can be present in the same garden but need to be a few rows apart. One thing you need to know is, if you plant basil next to tomatoes it will naturally repel the pests and even improve the taste of tomatoes.
3. Spinach
Image – Pixabay
Now how can we forget Popeye’s favourite food?! It is one of the best cold-weather crops a gardener could ask for. The planting of this plant should be done in spring, fall. Spinach can survive in temperature as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need well-drained soil with compost for the veggie garden where you are going to plant spinach. It could even grow in sunlight and light shade; it can be planted year-round in most of the climates as it is very weather friendly. When you plant spinach, you will need to go through and thin where you planted it a few weeks earlier and be sure to remove any area where you see clusters appear.
4. Green bean
Image – Pixabay
Green bean is another one of the plants that can be easily grown, and it has an abundant harvest. There are hundreds of varieties of green beans to choose from so you’ll need to decide what you really want to grow. One of the easiest types is Bush bean. In order to grow green bean, you’ll have to grow it in well-drained soil. Add a layer of compost in it and sow the seed directly. This plant will require adequate water and sunlight. Green beans are also favourite for bugs to munch on so you’ll have to be extra careful.
5. Root vegetables: carrots and radishes
Image – Pixabay
This root vegetables are pretty easy to grow. Moreover, they can be directly sown in the ground or grown in a container as per your convenience. The most important thing you’ll have to remember while planting root vegetables is that no matter what they should not be overcrowded and the soil should be well-drained with compost and must have enough loose dirt in it. Once the seedling starts growing search for clusters and if any make sure you remove it. The ideal time for harvesting these root vegetables in summer, spring and fall. It will most probably be fully grown in 2 – 3 months.
Planting your own garden can be so fulfilling. Though growing a kitchen garden may seem complicated, but these plants will give any beginners success.
Stories are the elixir of life. Imagine if we had no stories, no wonderful tales that were woven around subjects to teach, entertain or form opinions. Children, of course, are delighted when stories are told, but we adults don’t mind a good story either. The Panchatantra Tales are one of the oldest tales of India, written in Sanskrit with the aim of imparting lessons on ‘niti’, which means, ‘the wise conduct of life’.
Why were the Panchatantra Tales written?
The story behind the Panchatantra Tales is quite interesting. It is believed that a king entrusted his three sons to a learned Brahmin to teach them values, morals and governing skills within six months. This learned Brahmin was none other than Pandit Vishnu Sharma, who is attributed to be the main author of the Panchatatantra Tales and who used these very tales as educational tools and life lessons for his students. Many experts do believe that Vishnu Sharma may as well be a pseudo name and hence the world really is not too sure of who the real writer or writers of the Panchatanatra Tales are.
About the PanchatantraTales
The Panchatantra Tales, as the name suggests, are divided into five parts. The series are interwoven tales based on animals and trees, who humanize characters and dialogues. Each part has a main or ‘frame’ story which consists of several stories as one character narrates the story to another. Again, some of these stories also consist of another sub-story. The entire work looks much like the Russian dolls with one narration leading to one story, enfolding another one within its fold.
The five parts of the Panchatantra Tales are extremely well formulated and each series has a main message or lesson.
The Mitra-bheda is the first of the five parts and is based on how close friends can be lost. Here enemies try and create situations that lead to the estrangement and misunderstanding between good friends. Some of the popular stories in this part include the Loss of Friends, The Jackal and the War-Drum, The Weaver’s Wife, The Ungrateful Man, The Lion and the Carpenter, The Shrewd Old Gander and many more.
The second part is called the Mitra-samprapti. This section is the opposite of the first one. Here stories elucidate how friends can be gained back and how friendships can be strengthened. This section is also a collection of four principal characters, the crow, mouse, turtle and deer that are featured in various scenarios to tell the stories. Some popular stories in this section are the Winning of Friends, The Mice that set the elephant free, Hang-Ball and Greedy, Gold’s Gloom and more.
The third section is Kakolukiyam. This section is all about war, battle or conflict strategies and how with wit and intelligence the enemy’s army can be neutralized. Its emphasis is on the battle of wits rather than the battle of swords. The animals used here are characterized by their inherent virtues, such as the crows are good and weak, whereas, the owls are evil. The stories included in this section are the The Brahmin’s Goat, Crows and Owls, The Cat’s Judgment, The Self-sacrificing Dove, The Cave that Talked and more.
The fourth part is known as Labdhapranasam. This is a collection of various morals, such as ‘a bird in hand is worth two in the bush’ or ‘how gains can be lost if not protected or sustained’. The series is a compilation of stories that enforce positive behavior that should be pursued or followed. The stories in this series include the The Jackal who killed no Elephants, The Ass in the Tiger skin, Flop-Ear and Dusty, The Monkey and the Crocodile, The Dog who went abroad and more.
The last section is called Apariksitakarakam. This series is the opposite of the fourth section. Here stories teach of negative behavior and traits that should not be pursued. The stories also show the consequences of bad or negative characteristics and emphasis on morals, such as, ‘don’t build castles in the air’ or ‘don’t act in haste and regret later’. Stories from section include The Loyal Mongoose, The Musical Donkey, The Credulous Fiend, The Friend who washed his feet and more.
Translations and adaptations
The Panchatantra Tales remains the iconic story teller with its simple yet important themes and ideas. There has been a lot of work done over the centuries to translate and make these stories understandable and relatable to the layman. Believed to have been written in 200 BCE these Tales have withstood the test of time and transcended boundaries, languages and generations. The Tales have been translated into Hindi, English and almost all regional languages of India. Besides, its earliest translation was in Middle Persian in the 550 CE by Bruzoe. The text has also been translated and read in the countries of Persia, Arabia, Greece and Europe. Today of course, the Tales are accessible across the globe.
The Panchatantra Tales are the legendary stories that have imparted values, morals and insight to generations of kids and adults alike. Stories have been much around before the media took over and their power over the minds of especially little ones makes them an important tool of imparting and building good behavior and character. Undoubtedly, the Panchatantra Tales are probably the best kind of stories that you can tell your children and in turn learn something yourself too.
There are various skilled arts and handicrafts that are manifested on textiles. These enhance the look and feel of the clothes, at the same time, exemplifying the artistry and talent of the designers. The fashion industry is an important creative field in our times, yet a lot of the fashion sense has pervaded for centuries in the form of various coloring, dyeing and designing techniques that have beautified garments for generations. One such is Bandhani, the art of tie and dye method that is most prevalent in Rajasthan, Gujarat and some parts of Punjab and UP.
What is Bandhani?
Bandhani comes from the Sanskrit word, ‘bandh’ which means to tie. The fabric is tightly tied in various places to form a design and then dyed with bright colors. After drying, the knots are opened which retain the original color of the fabric and what results is a beautiful form of color and designs.
This art form requires skill and precision. The fabric is tied with fingernails into very tight knots. However, the knots are not just randomly made but cater to specific designs or patterns, such as Chandrakala, Shikari, Bavan Baug and more. The uniformity of the dots, their size, shapes and spacing, as well as the contours of the dots are indication of the mastery of the artist.
The cloth is often dyed with vivid colors, such as yellow, red, green, blue and black. After dyeing the fabric is left for drying before opening the knots. It might take 4-5 hours to dry the cloth on a hot summer day, whereas around 2 days during the monsoons.
Depending on the pattern of the knots, the final product can be classified as a Patori, Khombi, Gharchola, Chandrokhani etc. Besides, the designs are also understood according to the number and type of knots. For example, a single knot is called ekdali, trikunti for three knots, chaubandi for four knots. Or dungar shahi for a mountain pattern, boond when there is a small knot and a dark center or kodi which is a tear shaped knot. Hence, the different knot types and patterns give rise to various designs that are specific and each have distinct characteristics. It is therefore, just not a random tying of the material but a calculated, yet creatively skilled production of designs and patterns.
Bandhani arts are practiced in limited geographic locations. They are said to have been started by the Khatri community in Gujarat and this art form has found representation in the Ajanta caves, thus dating back to many centuries. In many rural areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan Bandhani is a way of life. It is associated with the culture of the land and the social practices of its people and craftsmen. For example, a Gharchola saree with zari or golden borders is given by the man to his bride. The brides of the Khatri community wear the Chandrokhani which is believed to be a parallel between the beauty of the bride and the moon. The Bhavan Baug and Rasamandali is a celebration of natural gardens and dance forms, formed on bright red backgrounds with designs about peacocks, elephants and women dancing. Women adore the bandhani prints in sarees, salvar kameez, designer lehengas and dupattas, whereas, men wear the designed turbans on important social and family occasions.
Bandhani is usually a family affair with the women of the household and village busy at work. The Kutch belt is known for its Bandhani handicrafts and some of the areas where Bandhani is created include Bhuj, Mandavi, Pethapur, Jetpur, Anjar, Rajkot, Jamnagar and more.
The Bandhani patterns and colors are marked with a distinct traditional and local feel that is hard to find or replicate in other products or designer wears. The essence of ethnicity mingled with what one would call a ‘desi’ touch, bandhani wears are stylish, bold and make a strong statement of skill and creativity. At the same time, it does not lose its originality in spite of use of synthetic colors and modern designs. The fact that it is still practiced in its place of origin speaks volumes about its sustainability and that skill and beauty always find connoisseurs and ways to survive.
On a personal note, I remember wearing a bandhani print to work one day and my colleagues who were not from India, found the design and color so fascinating that they had incessant questions about it even in the middle of a meeting. That perhaps is the most signifying moment for traditional Indian techniques. They are appreciated across the globe and yet are so grounded that it is hard to imagine where the art would go if their wings fluttered just a little bit more and if their artists recognized their worth a lot much more.
Extracted from Biswin Sadi Memoirs, growing up in Delhi during the 1960’s and 70’s CinnamonTeal Publishing, Goa, 2018.
In the bygone 20th century or the Beeswin Sadi, the 1950s onwards,right till the fall of the Berlin wall in Oct 1990, were the so called Cold War years. A relic of World War II, the world was said to be bi-polar i.e.divided into two power blocks with the USA, Western European countries on one side and Soviet Russia and its allies on the other. The cold war impacted the world and India was no exception. Growing up in those years, the lasting impression which I have of that period is remembrances of the Indian communists and their Soviet connection, which manifested itself in myriad ways.
One encountered communists of the old order quite often in those days. I remember one gentleman, among the circle ofmy family friends and acquaintances,who was called Lal Siddiq—the prefix ‘Lal’ (which means red and is symbolic of revolution) in his name had been added because he was a committed communist. A contemporary and friend of the great Urdu poet Majaz, Lal Siddiq had led several protests and struggles during his younger days. However, during the years when I met him, after a few heart attacks and poor health in general, his revolutionary fervour was much reduced, though at heart he remained questioning, argumentative and combative.
One of the striking things in those days was that the houses of all the communists seemed similar, with a distinct feel of the bygone ‘Stalinist’ era.Lal Siddiq’s house, which I visited quite often, was no different. In the drawing room, the furniture was basic, just a few varnished chairs, a simple centre table. Like the houses of other comrades of that period there used to be old black and white portrait prints of Lenin, Stalin, (sometimes even Trotsky) Karl Marx, and Engels adorning the walls; a framed picture of a boy by a Russian artist ripped from a magazine. I would like to imagine that these then must be the typical ‘Stalinist era drawing rooms’, about which Tariq Ali, the well known left intellectual, in his autobiography Street Fighting Years, mentions, ‘were replicated throughout the world’ i.e. wherever Communism spread. Typically, such drawing rooms had bookshelves which were packed with books, mostly the literary works of Russian giants such as Lev Tolstoy, Turgenev, Maxim Gorky, etc. alongside books on economics, agriculture, music and poetry.
Apart from such personal associations, the main way in which we experienced the Soviet connection was through the propaganda literature, marketed in India by Russian agencies such as FLPH, Progress Publishers, Raduga (Rainbow), Novosti Press Agency Publishing House, Mir Publishers, etc. (The Indian communist party had its own ‘Peoples Publishing House’). I remember in my hometown Aligarh there used to be a bookshop called ‘Naya Kitab Ghar’, owned by a certain Mr. Kishen Singh, an enthusiastic party worker who stocked Soviet books. On our visits to such bookshops or exhibition of Russian books, which used to be regularly organized in all towns, we would buy several of the Russian classics in the hope that one day we would read them. This rarely happened, but over the years we discovered that we had stocked multiple copies of Gorky’s The Mother, Tolstoy’s Anna Karanena, Dostoyevsky’s Brothers Karamazov, etc. Not surprisingly, books by dissident writers or critics of communism such as Solzhenitsyn (The Gulag Archipelago), Boris Pasternak (Doctor Zhivago), Arthur Koestler (The God that Failed), George Orwell (Animal Farm), etc. were usually absent from such book stalls.
An avid reader of books I had in my collection the usual series by Enid Blyton, Alfred Hitchcock, Carolene Keene etc. Recently, going through an old chest containing some books harking back to childhood days I discovered there was yet another favourite of mine about which I had nearly forgotten—children’s books produced in Soviet Russia which I had bought over the years from various book stores and exhibitions.
Most of these books had superb illustrations and endearing storylines. For instance, one particular story book in my old Soviet books collection, which I was overjoyed to see had survived intact after all those years was entitled ‘The boat’—a story about five friends, a ladybird, a fly, a mouse, a chicken and a frog.
The five friends went for a walk when they came to the bank of a stream at which point the frog said, ‘Let’s have a swim’ and jumped into the water. When his friends said they couldn’t swim the frog made fun of them. Feeling deeply offended it was then that they decided to build a boat by using very simple and commonplace material—a stick, a walnut shell, a leaf and a piece of thread.
With their labour the boat was ready in no time and the four friends sailed away much to the chargin of the frog.
As a child I remember being drawn to the simplicity of the story as much as the beautiful drawings accompanying it.And there was something droll about the whole idea of playing in cool surroundings with a waterbody and aquatic vegetation closeby, attempting to cross the waters in a tiny little boat made out of a walnut shell with just a leaf as a sail.
There was no shortage of other Russian books which had beautiful drawings and interesting stories and these were a part and parcel of our growing up years. Surfing the internet I discovered that some people of my generation felt equally nostalgic about those beautifully illustrated Soviet books for children. Old but familiar names of Russian characters, Boris, Sasha, Nadya, Tatyana, Olga, and Vera, etc. cropped up and brought about a smile.
All through I used to wonder why these childrens book from Soviet Russia which I enjoyed so much,were different from the other books, say by Enid Blyton, Alfred Hitchcock, etc. At that time I couldn’t figure exactly how, but reading the material floating on the internet helped me to understand why these books took hold of a child’s fantasy so quickly. In one of the articles, entitled, ‘Why a generation of Indian writers, publishers and booklovers grew up reading Russian books’ by Nilanjana Roy, the author suggested, ‘The big distinction between Soviet children’s books and Enid Blyton was simple: the former were more real, while Blyton fell into the realm of fantasy . . . The world of the Five Find-Outers (and dog) or places like Sunnymead Farm were as exotic as Tolkien’s orcs and elves, and as remote to our experience. The muffins, scones and ginger beer could have been fairy food in that decade – dwarf bread was as foreign to our experience as the concept of a “scone” in a country where cakes were either Britannia’s sliced monstrosities or were flat, homely objects baked in a tin over a coal oven’.
Another writer (Annie Zaidi) quoted in the same piece above wrote, ‘I had never seen a book where the illness and pain of a small child was at the heart of it, its raison d’etre. Silly stories about daddy’s childhood being an escape, and the father’s helplessness in the face of pain—this was very rare. It still is. Too many kids’ stories are about super heroic qualities or adventures, which is a sort of fantasy too. And now, even the fairytales are sanitized to remove all traces of real pain’.
So,more real, closer to our Indian sensibilities (and less foreign than English ones) or Asian sensibilities. So perhaps that was the real reason why those books appealed to us so much and we could relate to them in a much more stronger way than the other books in English.Another surprise while surfing the internet was that the Soviet books were loved all across India and still have their fan clubs even today. For instance, in Kerala and Bengal, both of which were communist states for a long time, fan clubs exist to the day and several books have been translated into Bengali.
Without the distractions of today, like internet, mobile telephoney etc such books were a part of the growing up experience. Perhaps growing up in those years,the 60’s and 70’s, was a different type of childhood altogether of which books were an important part. As a facebook post (reproduced in full in my book Biswin Sadi memoirs, along with other similar posts) puts it, almost as an attempt to create an invisible school of nostalgic,50 plus generation of oldies living today,‘Anyone who was BORN in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s….We are the last generation who played in the street. We are the 1st who played video games, the last to record songs off the radio on a cassette tape. We walked over a mile w/no worries on being taken…We learned how to program the VCR before anyone else, we played from Atari to Nintendo…We are the generation of Tom and Jerry, Looney Toons, Captain Kangaroo. We travelled in cars w/out seat belts or air bags, lived without cell phones. We did not have flat screens, surround sound, ipods, Facebook, Twitter, computers or the internet…But nevertheless we had a GREAT time…..’.
Links:
Biswin Sadi Memoirs, growing up in Delhi during the 1960’s and 70’s
Sandy beaches, historic forts, rocky coast and gushing waves, Goa has it all and is rightly touted as the ultimate holiday destination. You’ll find some of the famous forts and scenic beaches spread throughout the Goan coastline. And hence if you want to get the true vibe of Goa, it is important that you explore the entire coastline and not just one or two places. Some of the best Goa resortsand hotels, the likes of The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa, will make sure that you have a luxurious, memorable stay as you explore the scenic spots of the coastline. Here we have listed the top places that must be on your itinerary when holidaying in Goa:
Fort Aguada:
Image – Pixabay
This grand fort of Aguada will take you back to the 16th century and give you a chance to explore the remnants of the Portuguese rule. Here you’ll also get an opportunity to see one of the oldest lighthouses of Asia. The four-storey lighthouse was built in 1864 and used to emit light every 30 minutes. Visiting this fort will help you gain an insight into the rich history of Goa and also a chance to marvel at the military architecture. When here, don’t miss to watch the glorious sunset views over the Arabian Sea.
From fort Aguada, head to one of the tidiest beaches of Goa, the Sinquerim beach. It is one of the most popular beaches in north Goa where one can enjoy world-class adventure sports like parasailing, water-skiing and scuba diving. So, if you are planning for some adventure sports activities on your holiday in Goa, a visit to this beautiful beach must be on your list. You’ll find several good restaurants nearby where you can relish mouth-watering delicacies. The very famous ‘Baga’ – hub for shopping is also nearby, so don’t forget to pick some souvenirs from there.
This is yet another prime attraction that you must visit when exploring the scenic Goan coastline. It lately got popularized as the Bollywood movie Dil Chahta was shot here in the year 2001. The movie was a blockbuster and struck a chord with the young generation, who identified this fort with the movie. The best time to visit this stunning fort is in the evening as the sunset views are just spectacular. In the evening, the sky paints everything around in the sunset colour, especially the beaches of Chapora and the Chapora River. The sight is just perfect for some amazing clicks.
This picturesque beach enclosed by thick coconut palms is a popular attraction in south Goa. Goa Carnival that happens every year around February March and is famous for its live music, dance and colourful parades is held at this beach. So if you are here with your friends on a holiday, make sure you enjoy some time at this spectacular beach. For your stay, you can choose from any of the best hotels in Goa with private beach that are near the beach. You can even book your stay at The Lalit Golf and Spa Resort which is just 10 minutes away from this scenic beach.
Acres of virgin Pine Forest was what urged me to pack my backpack for a perfect weekend getaway for a sleepover with nature under the stars. Hiking and camping have always been something I look forward to over the long weekends. Last year I went camping with friends while this time around, I planned for a solo trip. As an ideal weekend getaway, it is just a perfect location to plan ahead of time for long weekends with family and friends. With many camping sites with luxury camps and attached tiled bathrooms make it easier for travelers who are not very keen about camping the rustic way. I was very keen on this adventure one day outing near Delhi as I was eagerly looking forward to some adventure activities like zip lining, trekking, hiking, or simply lounging on the banks of the lake.
Travel to Kangojodi
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is frequented by many airlines from most of the Indian cities, and I was able to land at the Delhi airport as per my travel itinerary. I was glad that I was able to rent a comfortable and licensed car from Delhi with an experienced driver. I covered a distance of 275 km by taking the route that goes through Shahbad.
Camping at Kangojodi, an Overview
Himachal is one of the popular hill stations which is often packed during the weekends. This was yet another reason why I chose adventure camping in Kangojodi. I enjoyed the perfect weekend getaway away from the hustle-bustle of the city life by basking in the glow of the pine forest where my sleepover camping was set. It is not just the idea of camping that had me made up my mind to opt Kangojodi, but also the fact that there a plethora activities like beam balancing, Mowgli walking, rope balancing, trench walking, etc. which are arranged by some of the many local camps organizers. I still remember the group trip with friends where I had a wonderful time trekking, bird watching, zip lining, and more. I suggest the first-time visitors plan and book their journeys in advance with the best camp organizers who have been in the sector for quite some time. Perfect for weekend getaway near Delhi I have been a regular camper at Kangojodi where I have visited the destination with family, friends, and sometimes solo as well.
How to reach Kangojodi – Cabs from Delhi
While traveling with family, I always ensure that I book the best cab for a comfortable trip to Kangojodi. I also book the camp in advance with the option of cozy bonfire activity, trekking, hiking, to name a few. Nahan is nearby Kangojodi which is also yet another weekend getaway which I sometimes drive to in my rental car. There are many tourist attractions in Nahan which I made sure to visit during my trip to Kangojodi. The Rani Tal Jaggannath Temple or the Sukeli Fossil Park, I found it ideal for a one day picnic near Delhi, and I had to time it to fit in my schedule to make the most of this trip.
By the time I was through Nahan; I was ready to head back home with the thought of coming back. I also decided that like last time, I would book a cab from Delhi to Nahan with an experienced driver as I wanted to enjoy the picturesque view during the long drive.
Many private vehicles are available that take groups of tourists to the recommended camping site. However, opting for a cab from Delhi is ideal when one is new to Delhi and looking at budget vacations near Delhi. Chandigarh also has the options of cabs going to Nahan. And, it all narrows down to the kind of flight one chooses or the destination airport where most of them prefer the Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Distance and time taken
As I mentioned before, there are two routes one could take by opting for a rental car. One route is from Delhi to Kangojodi, the option of driving to Nahan from Delhi is also an ideal choice as Kangojodi is close to Nahan. It took me approximately five hours to reach Kangojodi from Delhi in my rental car. While Nahan is 249 km which can be covered in around 5 hours, the distance between Delhi and Kangojodi is 275 km where it is just 33.5 km ahead of Nahan. While one can book cabs from Delhi to both the places, I prefer driving the distance in my rental car. During my weekend trip, Kangojodi was my first destination, which was ahead of Nahan. This encouraged me to take a detour to Nahan on my return trip to Delhi to head back home by the end of the weekend.
