While planning a vacation, do you opt for the “road less traveled” or do you adhere to the stereotypical holiday routine of the majority of people?
Regardless of your preference, you cannot deny the fact that a well-deserved vacation can help you to unwind and rejuvenate so that you are up and kicking to face the world and take on new challenges that are part and parcel of everyday life.
In this write-up, let us find out about the various options you have to make your vacation an adventure to remember for life.
Thailand
Thailand – Source
Characterized by white sandy beaches, beautiful temples, delicious street food, and a scintillating nightlife, Thailand has a lot to offer. You are surely going to be spoilt for choice if you sit to plan a holiday here. Few places of interest include-
Temple of Reclining Buddha
Lanta Animal Welfare
Sukhothai Historical Park
PhangNga Elephant Park
BTS Skytrain
Australia
Heart Coral Australia – Source
The perfect place for adventure lovers, Australia allows you to try various fun-filled activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, white water rafting, and bungee jumping to name a few. Try not to miss out on Cairns. Some tourist spots to visit are-
Sydney Opera House
Great Barrier Reef
Melbourne
Blue Mountains National Park
India
Kerala Boat House – Source
It is a favorite among travelers owing to its diversity and vastness. Ranging from architectural splendors to Ayurvedic therapy, you will just be in awe of the place. The following are some of the exciting places you can visit in India-
Himalayas
Rajasthan
Kerala
SwaminarayanAkshardham
New Zealand
Lake Tekapo New zealand – Source
Pristine and beautiful, this island nation is a dream destination for many. New Zealand packs many destinations for people of all age groups. Noteworthy spots to visitare-
Christchurch Botanic Garden
The Great War Exhibition
Museum of New Zealand
TiritiriMatangi Island
Ireland
Kylemore Abbey Castle Ireland – Source
Ireland is the ideal place for equine enthusiasts. If you are fond of Gulfstream park live racing and want to experience the joy of horse riding, this is where you want to be. Of course, one cannot miss the magical charm of the place which makes it an ideal destination for horse riding enthusiasts. In all aspects, it is a paradise for people who love riding horses while taking in the breathtaking scenery around.Few places for an Irish horse riding vacation include-
Castle Leslie
Mount Juliet
Connemara Trail
Galway Clare Burren Trail Ride
Spain
Local Bar in Spain
If you are fond of adventure tourism, you must visit this place. After all, you get to see famous festivals such as running of the bulls and La Tomatina right here. Aside from these recreational activities, you can also visit these tourist sites –
Basilica of the SagradaFamilia
Retiro Park
Prado National Museum
The Alhambra
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
From bungee jumping and exploring caves to zip lining over the cloud forest, there is a lot that you can try in Costa Rica. While there, you should head over to the Manuel Antonio jungles. Few remarkable places worth visiting in Costa Rica are-
Pura Aventura
Cahuita National Park
TeatroNacional Costa Rica
ProyectoAsis
Morocco
Desert sand dunes Morocco
Hiking the Atlas Mountains to riding camels on the Sahara, make it a holiday of a lifetime by visiting these places-
Medina of Essaouira
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
JardinMajorelle
Hassan II Mosque
Germany
Germany
Oktoberfest alone is tempting enough for you to visit Germany. This grand event attracts hundreds and thousands of tourists from all over the world. Aside from the above, make sure you also visit the following places-
MiniaturWunderland
Cologne Cathedral
Mercedes-Benz Museum
Brandenburg Gate
Europa-Park
English Garden
Switzerland
Schilthorn Mountain Station Switzerland
Switzerland offers way more than just breathtaking scenery and delicious chocolatesit offers. Right from backpacking, snowboarding to paragliding and skiing, there are many options as far as recreational activities are concerned. Do not miss Lake Lucern, Interlaken, and Bern. Other places you can visit are-
Mount Pilatus
Lake Lugano
The Matterhorn Glacier
Chamonix French Alps
The places that have been mentioned above have a lot in store for tourists. Most importantly, you will be able to work out your travel plans keeping in mind your budget and tastes since all these places have something to offer to all.
Sharjah is known as the art capital of the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Due to its extensive effort to protect and preserve the history of the Arab, it has got the title of Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO in the year 1998. For people who are much interested in Arabic art and culture, Sharjah is an excellent sightseeing option.
Apart from being a historic destination, Sharjah is also known to be a family-friendly destination in UAE. One can visit this place with all your family members.
How to get there?
Before getting into the list of top destinations in Sharjah, let us figure out how we are going to get on the Islamic land of UAE. One of the best options is the Saudi Arabian Airlines. The airline provides well-priced flights all around the Arabic land, as well as Asia, North America, Africa, and Europe. If you are from Pakistan then you have the boon of cheap flights from PIA flight booking platforms which is regarded as one of the best options to travel to UAE.
Let’s look upon some of the best places to visit in Sharjah.
Sharjah Fort, also known as Al Hisn in Arabic, resides on a court situated at the corner of the Heritage District. The fort was constructed 200 years ago and has served as the traditional residence of the family who ruled in Sharjah and the town’s defensive facility.
The rooms of the fort consist of themed display describing the historical backdrop of Sharjah, as well as the importance of the town as part of the trade network in the Gulf. From the roof of the fort, one can have an amazing glimpse of the Heritage District.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Image – Shahid Ahmed Siddiqi
The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is the most important place to get accustomed to the past history of Islamic and Arabic culture. The museum has several religious and scientific manuscripts, apart from Islamic crafts and art which are dated from 7th to 19th centuries. Highlights of specific notes incorporate the show of glass, pottery, and clay, as well as metallic crafted works trimmed with brass, silver and gold.
The museum also has items that are from the Umayyad and Abbasid period, including a collection of coins of silver dirhams and dinars, yet also follows the expansive limbs of Islamic culture, with displays of Ottoman and Mughal craftwork.
The Sharjah Heritage Area comprises several museums that include the Calligraphy Museum, Sharjah Heritage Museum, which displays all features of conventional Emirati life and Bait Al Naboodah, a finely re-established traditional family home, once provided shelter to the Al-Shamsi family. It’s a great area to get in-depth knowledge about traditional Emirati culture and discover the lifestyle of Arabic people before oil was discovered here.
Several souk areas have been restored, like Souk Al Arsah. This souk has been revived in its traditional style including several shops featuring wooden and silver handicrafts, traditional garments, jewelry, and beauty products.
The Sharjah Arts Museum is one of the largest art museums in the UAE. It was opened in the year, 1997 and consists of a feature program of temporary displays, as well as some permanent collections. Some of the permanent collections include artwork by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qassimi. The museum has seventy-two galleries covering three floors of the building, with attention on works by Arab artists from all through the Arab world.
Other works of art are by eighteenth-century painters who visited the Middle East and got entranced by the indigenous habitat, engineering, and culture. The gallery of Ali Darwish consists of watercolors of Sharjah. The contemporary segment comprises over 300 works by Arab, local as well as foreign artists. If you are an art lover then you will be fascinated with it.
The Central Market in Sharjah is the most famous landmark of the city. The mind-boggling work of blue tile on the exterior has given it the epithet of Blue Souk. There are over more than 600 shops inside the market where buyers will find different sections devoted to jewelry and gold, clothing, electronics, perfume, food, and gift-type items.
The upper floor of the Central Market has the smell of an authentic Arabian bazaar, with items like carpets, antiques, Yemeni and Omani jewelry, and all kinds of other colorful gifts. Apart from these shops, the market area also comes with a number of cafes.
Sharjah’s Aquarium and Maritime shows the importance of the sea in the development of the city. The Aquarium consists of around 150 species of sea life with sea rays and reef sharks.
The Maritime Museum consists of amusing exhibits on conventional wooden dhows, fishing and pearl gathering-all once critical to the economy here.
Al Noor Island is a public park which is located in the Khalid Lagoon. You can go over here through a bridge from Corniche Street in the central city. It is Sharjah’s top spot in case you’re searching for some peaceful personal time to recover from museum exploration and shopping. Al Noor Island’s premier attraction is the butterfly house where one can get nearly 500 different butterfly species.
Hope this article has filled up your mind with an Arabic taste and culture. So what are you waiting for? Pack up your things, google up cheap flights tickets and just take off to Sharjah to get a feel about the Arabic environment.
The story deals with the streets of Kolkata that have been culturally woven into the fabric of the city and presents a rich history of the yesteryears. It is said that kolkata lives in its streets. The author presents the various hues and colours of the streets that dominate the space of Kolkata and the lives of the people.
Anuj was tad disappointed with his results in the board exams and as expected had a tiff with his parents on this issue. It was a Sunday evening, hot and humid so typical of kolkata summers. With an urge to escape the harsh reality, he immersed himself into the evening darkness, surfing through the streets of kolkata. Starting from his place of his residence near Beadon Street he passed through numerous lanes and by lanes only to discover the pleasures of sight seeing the streets of kolkata and moving like a vagabond. Gradually, which once started as an innocent evening stroll developed into his passion, giving meaning to his existence.
The above anecdote sets the tone of this piece of writing. Kolkata, originally Kalikata derived from the word Kalikshetra meaning ‘The ground of Goddess Kali” has been refereed time and again with various sobriquets like “The land of joy”, the “Cultural Capital of India“, “The City of Processions”, “The City of Palaces”. Home to several heritage sites, intellectuals, distinguished national leaders, political movements, people from different parts of the country and world; it had always intrigued people with its charm, warmth, and rich cultural heritage; where even the streets has a rich past and shines in its present glory, where tradition meets modernity and presents itself in vibrant hues to the world. No doubt it’s a wonder how beautifully it has been able to camouflage itself to the changing times and needs. Kolkata diaries is a sincere attempt to record those pulsating moments, which one feels as he descends to the lanes of history.
While describing kolkata one cannot but mention the diverse life story, that the city unfolds through its streets -the hustle and bustle of the vehicles, the chaotic cacophony mixed with the loud tunes of Rabindra Sangeet at different intersections-an attempt of the government to portray the Bengal culture and the aroma of the typical Bengali fries “telebhajas” and the roadside phuchkawalas. Streets like the famous Park Street, the College Street, the Beadon Street, the Camac Street, Lindsay Street, Mirza Ghalib Street, and Shakespeare Sarani have their own glories and rich histories to speak. And as Anuj traversed the lanes, he captured the rich legacy that each street presents.
With sobriquets like the ‘food street’ or ‘the street that never sleeps’, the Park Street has earned a reputation among the food lovers, night hoppers, love buds, office goers and night mongers. The shops like the Trincas, the Mogambo, Moulin Rouge, Peter Cat as also the roadside stalls are a foodies paradise. The street which starts from Jawaharlal Nehru road, better known as Chowringhee road to connect with the other famous street Park Circus area, has metamorphosed itself from a road which was once dreaded for its burial grounds, some two centuries ago; to a place which defines fine dining and good living. The first street to offer the thrill of the night club, the experience of the shopping mall ‘Hall & Anderson’-In fact the first in the Indian sub-continent; the taste of Magnolia-the country’s maiden ice cream outlet- this heritage street was once used to be associated with people of class who felt a pride in walking down the street. With passing times, the street has managed to retain its flavor among the people and thus still one sees that enthusiastic crowds as lights lit up in the evening. Replete with history, the Park Street houses Asiatic Society founded by William Jones on the remains of the burial ground, residence of the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Bengal with the presence of a ‘pleasure garden’ eventually which lead to the name of the street-the Park Street, the mansion of Lord Macaulay who drafted the Indian Penal Code, St Xaviers college built on the remains of a theatre where a young lady Esther Leach a famous theater artist died in a fire tragedy and later on was brought by the Jesuits to build an educational institution and the oldest community that has seen this huge transformation-the Armenian community. Witness to the numerous changes-from the ‘Murshidabad House’ where Mir Zafar stayed to ‘Magnolia’- the place which offered the country its first hamburger, it has become one of the iconic places representing the elite class of the city.
South Park Street Cemetery-the infamous place from where the name belongs.
Just as Part Street has been synonymous with lifestyle, on a similar tone College Street and books are another landmark in the history of Kolkata synonymous with the Bengali intelligentsia. Popularly known as the ‘boipara’, the College Street is the house of some of the world renowned educational institutions and presents an excellent religious, philosophical, cultural milieu. Presidency University, the Sanskrit college, the Calcutta medical college, the Jahan Khan Mosque, the Baptist Mission, the Sri Aurobindo society, Bengal Theosophical society, Mahabodhi society and the famous Coffee house – all in one place. Many a debates had been held, many revolutions have been fought and the College Street has been the witness to the renaissance. And amidst the huge transformation the city had undergone, it had been able to retain that quintessential flavor as the book lover’s paradise, the world’s largest second hand book market and India’s largest book market. Talk of any book on any subject on any language and lo behold it is there; at the most cheapest prices, all under the sky. Starting from small book kiosks to famous publishers like Ananda Publishers, Dey’s Publications, Rupa &co. etc. As one reaches the college street one can breathe books -it’s fragrance-new and old, used and new, all mixed in one breathe and gives the adrenalin rushing to the book lover. If you are tired of buying books, you can have some refreshments in Dilkhusha Cabin or can have some intellectual entertainment over a cup of coffee in the famous Coffee House.
From the elitist street to the booker’s street, now if we visit the Camac Street, the character and the nature changes considerably. The business hub of central Kolkata, Camac Street, named after William Camac, a business merchant in the regime of Lord Wellesley and Lord Cornwallis, is the house of many renowned establishments and corporate offices along with high end residential areas and restaurants and shopping malls. It is hard to miss the hustle and bustle and the corporate feeling when one is near the Camac Street. Although it has been renamed as Abanindranath Tagore Sarani, the name hardly finds any mention among the locals, who are more than happier to keep its old name as that evokes the charm and the classiness of the street.
If one keeps moving away a little bit from Camac Street towards Dharamtala-the heart of the city, one will have to cross Mirza Ghalib Street and the Lindsay Street, which intersect each other. The Lindsay Street has the famous New Market, Jewish bakery, Nahoum and the Globe cinema. New market is the shopper’s paradise. Ask anything from a rare piece to the most modern it is all available with a little bargaining. A common parlance goes-that you can even get tiger’s milk in the new market. Such is its reach. The new market with all its varieties can easily give a stiff competition to the modern day malls. And one can hardly find a day when new market is not frequented by shoppers. If the Park Street represents the elitists’ culture of the society, the Lindsay Street aka the New Market or the Hogg market, named after Sir Stuart Hogg represents the common man’s parsimonious culture for bargaining till the end.
Some other lesser known but frequent hunt for commoners are Mirza Ghalib Street commonly known as the Free School street, houses the mansion of William Makepeace Thackeray, author of the famous novel ‘Vanity Fair’ and joins with another famous street called the Shudder Street. A drug peddler’s favorite joint, Shudder Street is mostly known for cheap eateries, travel agency firms and foreign exchange kiosks. In central Kolkata it is the Amherst Street that gathers the young generation’s attention. No. You are wrong. Not for any entertainment purpose. But purely for education as the street has the maximum number of colleges like City College, Ram Mohan College, Ananda Mohan College, and the St Pauls Cathedral Mission College.
The stone remembrance near William Makepeace Thackeray’s house in Free School Street
If one moves from Central Kolkata to the north, one can observe the Babu culture reflecting in the existence of hand pulled rickshaws, large buildings with architectural edifices and intricate designs boasting of Persian influences, trams with first class and second class seats moving in their own rhythm, the Hatibagan market a flea market and a mini version of the New Market, and not to forget the Kochuri shops and tea stalls. The oldest ‘telebhaja’ (fries) shop Lakshinarayan Shaw and sons can give any big restaurant a run for their money. Sweet shops like the Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandi, Sen Mahashay evoke the sweet sensation. Eateries like the Malancha, Bhajahari Manna and the Basanta Cabin are still the most sought after, working together with the most modern and niche ones like KFC and WOW. Momo. Heritage buildings and old markets crisscross in and around the Beadon Street like the Star Theatre, the Minerva Theatre, Chaitanya Library, and the Chhatu Babur Bazaar giving that strange feeling of old Kolkata charm.
Lakshmi Narayan Shaw – The famous telebhaja shop in North Kolkata
Image – Whatsuplife.in
One of the oldest sweet shops- Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandi
The streets of Kolkata form an indispensable part of the typical Bengali culture that is so famous worldwide.
Bio of the author
Mou Mukherjee Das is a media educator, media literacy trainer and a freelance author in Kolkata. She has to her credit several articles published in reputed journals and newspapers like Vidura, news mania, IoT India magazine, Sage etc. She has been invited by IIT Guwahati, IIM Kolkata and MICA (Mudra Institute of Communications) Ahmedabad to present her ideas and concepts.
Even if you visit India today, you would find the very essence of classical music in all Indian compositions. The dance forms still reverberate the pulsation of the royal lineage. The temples and mosques, the tombs and palaces, every nook and corner of India still smell of its consolidated past.
Chenna Keshava Temple, Belur – via Piqsels
India is flavored with the abundance of its cultural heritage. The traditional artforms, the food recipes, the languages, the religious practices remind of the enriched cultural cultivation that happened over thousands of years. You might love Idli today without knowing that the very first of its recipes go back to 920 CE. Even the Kancheepuram silk you love to wear has a fulfilling past in its making.
India being the cultural hub that it is, has become increasingly popular amidst the Western world for having retained its traditional heritage. And the Southern part of India is one amongst the other renowned states that seeks most engaging attention due to the presence of an abounding cultural history. Let us explore some of the most treasured cultural associations of South India.
South Indian Music
The world-renowned Carnatic music goes back to the early 15th century. This form of classical music has its roots delved deep into the Hindu traditions and is popularly practiced in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana and Tamil Nadu. The ‘gayaki’ or the playfulness of the vocal cords happen to be the primary attraction of the Carnatic music. If you want to witness some exceptional Carnatic music, catch hold of a concert by Bombay Sisters or M. Balamuralikrishna. It’s an assurance that you won’t be disappointed.
Image Source
South Indian Food
The South Indians have a sentimental bond with their food habits. The food is generally served on banana leaves and is eaten with bare hands. Idli, Dosa, Sambar, chutney form the staple diet. Consumption of rice in various forms is the principal food habit in South India.
The coastal regions of Southern India might provide you with the best seafood. And if you are an Indian, you must be aware of the rich historical past of Biryani. Visiting Hyderabad and not tasting the biryani of Hotel Aadab Bawrachi Quahana or Hotel Shadab is next to a criminal offense.
South Indian Dance forms
South India has given birth to some fine dance forms considering the techniques and display of art. Bharatnatyam is one of those dance forms that goes back to the ancient days of royal rule. The expression, the mudras, the postures are a treat to the eyes. The attire enhances the beauty of the dance even more.
Kathakali is not just a dance form. It tells a tale through the enactment of dance-drama. The appearances of the performers are visually appealing since the makeup and attire is not the usual way of beautifying the features. Most stories that are performed are drawn from the ancient myths. The strong message rings with many echoes that has a revolutionary outlook. Cochin, being a tourist spot is a good place to visit. And if you happen to be on one of your errands in Cochin, go and book your tickets at a theater. You surely will have an experience of a lifetime.
Temples and festivals
Most of the temples in South India were built during the Dravidian Era. The intricate stone works, the fine detailing of the idols are ethereal to see. South India has the possession of some of the most extolling temples of India. Virupaksha temple, Ramanathaswamy Temple, Meenakshi Amman Temple are some of the must-visit temples in South India. Not just the temples, but the surrounding locations impart a grandeur and magnificence that brings out the dedicated side of our beings.
If you consider South India’s festivals as the reference to its cultural cultivation, you aren’t much wrong. Every festival that has been born in Southern India has its origins penetrated deep into the religious significance. Whether it be Onam, Pongal or Pulikali, the religious and mythological significance of these festivals are humongous. The February-April tenure might be a good time to visit South India if you wish to witness the vibrancy and the refinement of these festivals.
Image Source
If you haven’t yet visited any of the cultural hubs of South India, hurry up. Book your tickets and plan the next vacation. You won’t be disappointed in the flavors that India has in store for you.
Authors Bio Yogi and Suchna believe in taking the road less travelled and stumbling upon some hidden gems along the way! For over a decade, they’ve mapped their way across various continents, sniffed out unusual routes, discovered new flavours and stayed at quirky hostels. TheBackpackerCo is their expression of soul travel. You can catch up with them at TheBackpackerCo.
India has a diverse culture. Every time we visit one of those 36 states and union territories, we find a distinct flavour at each place. For instance – Bengali women love wearing silk and cotton sarees. On the other hand, Kashmiri girls look stunning in vibrant Pherans and Tarangas. But let me take it a little further today.
Traditional Indian women have held themselves back over the years but the current crop of young and confident Indian females like to take a quip at just about everything. From wearing western dresses to customary saris, denims, gowns and jumpsuits, they try it all as per the occasion. What’s more, they are even more liberal and finicky about what to wear beneath their shirts. Yes, I am talking about inner garments, lingerie and corsets. Techsci Research report predicts Indian lingerie market to grow at a CAGR of over 24% during 2018-2023, which is huge by any means.
There has been a growing demand of shape wears and corsets too. This is mainly because, 1- Indian women want to look good. 2- Corsets also provide medical benefits like supporting injured spine and regulating weight.
Current State –
Image – Source
Luckily, corset trend in India is healthier. Unlike in the west, where a good chunk of women wear these to work and for leisure purposes, there isn’t a downright craze but it sure is catching up. A lot of it has to do with native culture, which defines women, a little conservative. Rather I think it’s a blessing in disguise. Just because corsets aren’t extensively used, I assume the Indian mind set is astute comparatively.
These are some of its benefits though –
Corsets make you look good and in shape
You look sexier. Corsets uplift your sagging breasts and hold excess tummy.
Relieve you from back pain and restore right posture
Health professionals have a mixed opinion to its usage. They agree it might be the biggest social media fad to flaunt narrow waistlines and hourglass figures but corsets essentially should be worn with caution. One should be careful while choosing right size and material. Uneven and tight fittings can cause strains and rashes on the body. Same goes with the fabric.
Health professionals have a mixed opinion to its usage. They agree it might be the biggest social media fad to flaunt narrow waistlines and hourglass figures but corsets essentially should be worn with caution. One should be careful while choosing right size and material. Uneven and tight fittings can cause strains and rashes on the body. Same goes with the fabric. Other potential dangers of aesthetic waist training include wasting of the abdominal muscles, breathing issues and even acid reflux if they’re too tight and worn for extended periods.
Corsets when worn, tightly hug the mid part, which leads to frequent sweating and water loss. Continued use for longer periods can trouble abdomen and liver. With that said, there’s no denying that gorgeous selfies and number of Instagram Likes trigger a feeling of happiness and well-being. And we know how big a reprieve that is. Fighting through modern day stress with those corsets, it all looks easy? Isn’t it?
Takeaways –
I remember Rolf Dobelliwriting in The Art of Good Life. Happiness has 2 meanings, one is instant ecstasy and other one, more meaningful. Instant ecstasy is the joy you get when you put a piece of chocolate in your mouth. On the other side, to be able to keep a check on your health, is more meaningful.
Don’t hold yourself back. Try a bit of everything. But understand when and where to take it easy. Look good but stay healthy!
It was only after my graduation I can say that I started doing what I love and from there this also formed a basis of my research interest and topic. Immediately after my graduation I started working as a Development facilitator with one of the renowned Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in India. I still have vivid memory of my experience and the fact that I wish to share my experience itself makes it special for me. I could have never thought before my stint as a Development facilitator that Education could have so much impact on changing the entire life of the people. The meaning of education completely changed for me then. I realized that education was not only limited to knowledge based classroom education but could bring happiness and cheerfulness in the life of the people. Most importantly it could make them happy, empowered and independent.
My role as a Development facilitator for this NGO was really challenging and also interesting. I worked for a Sustainable Livelihood programme which involved educating the uneducated and marginalized youth from the slums and giving them an entire new life. My challenge used to start from mobilizing this youth from the slum and poor pockets of Mumbai and convincing them and their family to educate themselves so as to live a better life ahead. Every day was a totally different experience when we went for mobilizing. Some families wanted to get their child educated while some families did not. Most of the families did not. I found that there was ignorance, no motivation to live a happy life because of non-fulfillment of daily necessities and no purpose. It was found that these people needed more of life skills and motivation building than classroom education.
However, after rounds of walking and convincing people in these slums, we finally managed to get a classroom full of students. With different backgrounds of these students in my class, the problem was only one- they had no motivation to live life. This lack of motivation of theirs actually motivated me and made me curious to know about their problems. It was definitely not easy for me to solve their problems and to know about them very soon. I was a teacher who was energetic, motivated and curious to teach and change lives whereas my students were in abject poverty, going through a lot of sufferings through home, yet pushing themselves to come to my class. Inspite of all these sufferings. I used to train them in communication skills and other vocations education courses and then came the time to teach them life skills!
LABS-S
Since they came from marginalized communities and from slums, life skills for them was not only a lesson to be taught but it really had a practical significance in their lives. While teaching them life skills I was not sure whether they would take it positively and whether it would work. I was however surprised to know that the life skills which included modules on building confidence and self-esteem, looking positively towards things, importance of learning etc motivated these students to learn and stay in the class for the whole upcoming sessions. The ignorance and worries on their forehead would turn to inquisitiveness and curiosity when I used to teach them these modules.
The whole aim of this sustainable livelihoods program was to make them self-reliant and independent by giving them employment and work to do. The experience of teaching them the work readiness module so as to get them ready for work was altogether a new experience for me. They did not know anything about work and office and therefore it was very thrilling experience for me to teach them about work and office skills in general. This training of me giving them the work readiness module really energized them to work hard and therefore it was very energetic for me to train them on new skills so that they can work and make themselves self-reliant. This employment of him changed his entire life. It gave him fulfillment and a direction to his career in the retail industry.
When he had come in my class he did not know about anything. He was very naive and his English was very weak. However, I had some feeling that there is something in this person and therefore I used to train him separately. I was thrilled to know that he passed his interview very well and was placed in the company. These students who could change their lives by getting a job and supporting their families made the experience all the more fruitful and worth remembering. I realized from this program that in developing countries like India the meaning of sustainable livelihoods is realized in its full potential when a person can actually support himself and be empowered. Hope I can build livelihoods of many other people like this one.
From salwar kameez to denim to high street fashion, Indian fashion industry has gone through leaps and bounds. Fashion is all about style and elegance which undergoes constant evolution. The changes in the fashion trends usually reflect the political and social scenario across of several nations. Interestingly, various reports suggest that fashion as a cultural practice was first recorded in the western world during the late fifteenth century. This artistic practice was exclusively reserved for the aristocrats and royals at that time. In India, the transformation has not been that drastic as compared to the western nations. This can be owed to the various traditional beliefs and customs held by a majority of Indian women. In this context, it is interesting to note that with changing times; even the most traditional apparels have been improvised to render them an urban look without compromising on the tradition.
The fashion industry in India has registered tremendous growth over the years. This growth can be attributed to the influence cast by the western fashion industries. As per a report by the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, India is the second largest exporter regarding clothing and textile in the world. Quite interestingly, the apparel and textile industry in India would worth more than USD 145 billion by the end of 2021.
Other factors would propel its growth significantly. For instance, elements like increasing penetration of organized retail and rising income levels are expected to drive the growth of the Indian fashion industry in years to come. On the other side, the increasing proliferation of smartphones has made it easy for the fashion industry to attract and retain customers. In this context, it is interesting to note that the market for women’s fashion wear is quite lucrative. Even the international fashion brands and houses are leveraging on women fashion to register growth.
After the arrival of the British in India, the fashion trends registered a drastic change. It is interesting to note that the Indian population got influenced by the costumes and dresses worn by the British rulers. In this context, it is worthwhile to note that during the British regime in India, the seeds of early fashion revolution are placed. Men turned their attention to sports suits. Women during that time were traditional, and due to this, they could not dare to jump to western dresses. However, the alterations were visible in the women attire in the form of Cholis. Quite phenomenally, with the arrival of British fashion in India, a large number of other European fashion trends started to invade the Indian market. This had a direct impact on the Indian fashion industry and is responsible for its evolution. Here is the list of phrases that are responsible for the development of fashion industry in India.
This decade is also known by the name of Charleston Era in the Indian fashion world. Quite importantly, this phase is also known by the name of Modern Era in the fashion industry. It is that era when the women discarded restricted fashions and moved over to comfortable and daring clothes. Clothes such as skirts and trousers became prevalent among the upper echelons of the Indian society. On the other hand, the Cholis started sporting a bright look which best resembled the Charleston Dresses. At this period of time, the sarees were made with Georgette and Chinese silk. In other words, during this phase, the women started to sport bold dresses.
The Period after the Wall Street Crash
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The Wall Street crash during the late 1930s had a direct impact on the Indian fashion industry. The suits that were worn by Indian men now came with belt loops. In other words, during this phase, the Indian fashion industry once again underwent a considerable alteration. The fashion trends prevalent among the Indian women depicted a massive change in the dresses. The blouses that were being worn by the Indian women now have padded shoulders. Silk sarees were preferred more than the cotton sarees. The gowns worn with sarees also sported a different look. During this period, they have shorter sleeves which made them increasingly demanding.
The Turning Point in the Indian Fashion World
The introduction of the miniskirt created ripples in fashion industries around the world. However, due to the presence of traditions in the Indian society, the Indian women could not wear miniskirts. However, they invented a manner in which the miniskirts can be made more traditional in the form of Salwar Kameez. The Kameez rose a few inches above the knee upwards. Quite interestingly, during this same time, the other dress materials like nylon achieved prominence. It is so because nylons are usually crease proof and are easy to wash.
By the time the 2000s arrived, the salwar kameez again underwent remarkable change. Its new variant came to be known as Kurtis. Hence, it is quite evident that the Indian fashion scenario has undergone fantastic metamorphosis. Another interesting fact that can be mentioned in this context is that the traditions and customs of the society also play a pivotal role in the evolution of fashion industry. Irrespective of how Indian men and women chose to dress, one thing is quite clear. The Indian fashion industry would continue to evolve in the future too.
As adults, by this stage in our lives, we all are already well aware of the importance of a balanced diet and consistent, regular exercise both have on our lives. We know that we’ll be happier, that we’ll physically and emotionally feel better, and that without a doubt, we will be healthier.
And yet, for whatever reason, so many of us continue to disregard this advice — what our parents have told us since we were little and what our physicians have advised us for all of our adult lives — and as a result, we are unhealthy. We don’t feel well, we’re overweight, and for some of us, we have some pretty scary health repercussions that will only worsen in time if we don’t get our act together.
I won’t speak to the diet side of the equation and will instead devote the rest of my space here to talking about the importance of creating an exercise routine that you consistently maintain. While I can’t give you any additional hours in the day — don’t we all wish that we had a 25th or even a 26th hour on some days? — I can help give you points of advice that’ll help lead you down a direction that’ll enable you to create a routine you can stick with.
Below, I’ll describe in some detail tips to help you create an early morning exercise habit.
The tips include the following:
First and foremost: get medical clearance.
Before you jump into exercising, perhaps for the first time in a long time or the first time ever in your life, it’s imperative that you first speak with your physician or medical professional. If you haven’t had a physical in a while, you’ll want to do that, too, just to be safe. It’ll be good to get your baseline values for your various vitals, and having a physical will enable you to have a face-to-face conversation with a medical professional and address any of your fears or concerns you have about working out. Plus, you’ll probably get some screenings done that’ll help ensure that there’s nothing nefarious going on in your insides that you aren’t aware of. It may seem like overkill, but honestly, I think it’s better to be safe than sorry with this stuff.
Prepare your morning needs before you retire.
It is really tedious, I know, but if you’re developing an early morning exercise routine for the first time in your life, it’ll be so important for you to minimize the guesswork and to remove as much of the timesuck from the equation that you can. What does this mean, exactly, you may be asking? Simple: prepare everything you need for your new morning routine at night the day before, before you drift off to Dream Land. This includes preparing your workout clothes, from your shoes all the way up to your shirt (and everything in between); getting your work clothes ready; having your coffee ready to go and any pre-workout snacks or breakfast; and finally, having the important stuff, like your keys, wallet, or phone ready to grab. When you’re waking up earlier than usual, you’ll initially find that you’re going to feel pretty groggy and disoriented, and you don’t want to waste time poking around for a runaway sock or your keys when you could be (read: should be) already exercising. Preparing everything before you go to bed will essentially allow you to wake up and autopilot.
Get in bed at least 15 minutes earlier than usual.
When you’re going to be waking up significantly earlier than you’re accustomed to, logic would follow that you should also be going to bed earlier than you’re accustomed to, as well. Even if you’re not tired, it’ll still be important for you to get in bed and at least begin to unwind. Once you get into the routine of waking up early and exercising, your body will probably come to crave an earlier-than-usual bedtime, too. It may not feel that way right off the bat, but it will, in time.
Minimize or eliminate electronics in bed. Get some zzzs for real!
We’re all guilty of getting into bed, feeling “so tired,” and then wasting an hour+ online, browsing social media or doing work. Again, when you’re going to be getting up much earlier than usual to exercise, sleep takes on an even greater importance. Most people incorrectly assume that you make all your fitness gains during the heat of the moment, when you’re actually running miles or lifting weights or rowing or whatever. In reality, your body makes the fitness adaptations — the “gains,” so to speak — when your body is at rest, asleep, when your endocrine system can release the appropriate hormones into your bloodstream. That said, not only is sleep important for your physiological and psychological health, it’s also important so you can actually get fitter and healthier — which is probably the reason you’re doing this stuff anyway, right? If you’re not tired when you get in bed, read a book, an actual, hard-copy book. Don’t waste away online.
Get a buddy; it’ll be more fun that way!
Finally, in the morning, one of the best ways that you can ensure that you’ll actually follow-through on your early morning exercise routine endeavors is by enlisting the help and camaraderie of other people. Chances are high that you probably have a friend, colleague, family member, or neighbor who’d also like to work out; it’s honestly so much more fun with another! You two can cheer each other on when things get tough, and more than anything, you’ll be able to be accountable to each other, too. You probably don’t want to be known as being the person who stands-up his friend on the street corner in the freezing cold simply because you didn’t “want to” go workout, right? Sometimes knowing that someone else is out there, waiting for you, is enough of an impetus to get up and get moving.
The aforementioned tips are just a handful of ways that you can create an early morning exercise habit. Motivation will only take you so far; what the real secret is lies in creating systems and putting them into motion that’ll make it hard for you to fail.
AUTHOR’S BIO: JANE GRATES
A vegan and a certified runner. Performing at the nexus of aesthetics to express ideas through design.
Learning to play the guitar is wonderful. But studies have consistently shown how good learning music can be for children. It has plenty of benefits from simple enjoyment to cognitive improvements. Therefore, you should consider encouraging your child’s guitar enthusiasm at all times.
If you do have a budging guitar player in your family, a little gift can be inspiring and motivational. Here are eight gifts for kid guitar players.
A child-friendly guitar
Depending on the kid’s age, it’s important that they have a guitar that’s comfortable to hold and easy to play at that age. Adult guitars are not a good option for kids, as they can be clumsy to hold and to play. You can find a link to a discount voucher with Zanui right here: https://www.ozcodes.com.au/store/zanui/. The site has a great children’s guitar on sale right now.
A guitar pick maker
Guitar picks are an essential part of playing but they can be easy to lose or break. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money buying picks for your kid. Instead, you can purchase a guitar pick maker.
The machine looks, essentially, like a stapler and you can use it to create your own picks from different things. You can use old credit cards, loyalty cards and so on – your child doesn’t just get to have an endless stream of picks but also use his or her creativity while making them.
A guitar backpack
If your kid starting school soon, you might buy them a guitar backpack. You can find one at Attavanti.com – The guitar-shaped backpack is perfect for showing their love of music and carrying all the important school things. Of course, if your kid is taking guitar lessons, the backpack is perfect for carrying notes.
A book of chords
It’s important to practice playing the guitar as often as possible. For this, books with chords can be a fantastic idea and there are plenty on the market that are suitable for kids. Some books to keep in mind include:
Hal Leonard’s Rock Guitar for Kids
Faber Music, John Longworth and Nick Walker’s Guitar Basics
Wise Publication’s The Complete Guitar Player Children’s Songs
These have fun and simple songs for beginners and kids to play. The books will be fun for the whole family, including lyrics to the songs as well.
Guitar-themed furniture
You can also find plenty of guitar inspiration for kid’s room décor. One of the favourite ideas is to pick outlet covers for lights. The guitar-themed outlet covers are available on Amazon and they are perfect for adding a bit of guitar passion to your kid’s room.
Other furniture gift ideas include guitar shaped lamps and rugs. A huge, colourful guitar rug on the floor is a superb idea. You might also pick guitar pillows, guitar bedding and guitar curtains. There are plenty of fun options for decorating the kid’s room with guitar passion.
A guitar-themed mug
You can also surprise your kid with a guitar-themed mug and cutlery. Novelty mugs are a fun gift idea and they fit all occasions. You can find plenty of them online – just search for “guitar novelty mug” on Google. If you can, get a personalized mug that allows you to incorporate the child’s name into the mug and perhaps add the child’s favourite guitar chords.
To make this simple gift idea a bit more special, you can fill the mug with sweets. These can be chocolates or guitar shaped candies you can order online. It’s a little, fun treat for the child to have – for example, as an end of year gift.
A guitar game for the console or PC
If your child is also into video games, then a computer-focused game for console or PC will be a great gift. Some of the top games include Guitar Hero and Rocksmith. You can play these with others – it’s a fun way to challenge your friends. While the games are not really like playing the real guitar, they can still be a fun way to learn about notes and to improve your finger movement. It can be a nice change for playing the guitar.
iTunes gift card
Of course, music lovers will always love gift cards to buy more music. Young guitar players would appreciate a digital gift card like one with iTunes. This will allow them to buy all the guitar tunes they want – listening to music is a great way of learning to play as well. If you want, you can also incorporate quality headphones to the gift – this can also be a good gift to those with an electronic guitar to allow the child to practice in peace.
So, when you need a gift, keep this list in mind. The list is a nice mix of cheap and pricier gifts to ensure you find something for all occasions. You’ll find something lovely for that little guitarist in your life and help them feel inspired to continue their journey to learn to play the guitar.
Hills and mountains have fascinated me from my childhood. Staying in Delhi-NCR, when the scorching heat of the sun becomes unbearable, I felt the immense urge to escape to the hills. Having explored most of the places in Himachal or Uttarakhand, I was badly looking for an offbeat place in the laps of the Himalayas during the 15th Aug’17 weekend. Finally, four of us, set out on a road trip, without any fixed destination, but obviously to the hills. Any destination in Himachal we checked was either prebooked or looked over crowded owing to that long weekend.
After lots of discussions and arguments we decided to travel the road beyond Himachal and to our utter amazement we find ourselves taking the turn towards Udhampur from Pathankot. Kashmir, the paradise on earth, caught in immense political turmoil from the last couple of years, that too during 15th Aug, sounded bit crazy but thrilling at the same time. We had definitely enquired on the situation of the valley at that time and only after getting a safety signal from a friend posted as an army doctor there, we drove to the valley. After around sixteen hour drive from Delhi, we reached Sringar. We checked in to a Houseboat situated on the Dal Lake, which could be reached by riding through a Shikara from the main road.
As suggested by the owner of the houseboat, who had enthralled us by their warm hospitality, was a visit to the floating vegetable market of Srinagar. The only catch here was that the market starts at pre-dawn and wraps up before sunlight falls on the water. Next, dawn the Shikara was at the doorsteps of our houseboat. Though still drowsy, we decided to go for the ride. Nothing could be more relaxing than ride in a Shikara on the Dal Lake, as the cool breeze quietens the chaotic urban senses and the appeasing sound of splashes generated from the ripples of the water, as the Shikara rows through the calm water of the Lake soothes the soul. The vendors gather at a specific area of the Dal Lake, known as the Gudri Market. The market barely lasts for two hours.
The market was at a half an hour ride from our houseboat. Since, it was monsoons, the clouds hovering on top of the hills, with the chilly morning breeze striking through our faces, stirred our souls. Our Shikara made its way through the canals of the Dal Lake. The generally busy and the very active handicraft and apparel market set up on the houseboats along both sides of the canal, appeared lull in a deep slumber, still undisturbed. The sides of the canal thronged by the green fauna and the lotus cultivation were surreal enough to captivate one’s mind. The ducks swimming effortlessly in the turquoise water and the myriad birds flocking along the swampy banks were a sight to behold. After rowing through the canals for more than half an hour, we reached the floating market, is one of its kinds, where the vendors sell the various vegetables in their canoes, grown mostly in the floating gardens, which they generally harvest few hours before the market starts.
There are generally two types of floating gardens, the Radh type or the Demb type. The Radh type constitutes of long strips of lake reeds that can be pulled from one place to another. The Demb type is formed on shallow water either on the sides of the lake or in the middle. Passing through the canals, one could witness these floating vegetables gardens. Owing to the rich ecosystem of the wetlands, various vegetables are produced in large quantities. This market is believed to have existed for more than a century and the vegetables grown here are organic and so delicious that as per fables even the Mughal Kings in Agra used to seek for these vegetables.
The serenity of the Dal Lake bursts into life by the chatters, bargains, negotiations of these shifty boatmen. Vendors from villages as far as 15kms swarm to this market. The floating market is operational only during the summers, when the icy Dal Lake, frozen during the grey winters melts and the canals pave ways for the canoes.
These canoes are an indispensible part of their mundane life, from going to workplace to schools, or for visiting a neighbour; they need to hop on to these canoes. They are basically crafted of deodar wood and the way a boatman managed to stay afloat by sitting on the edge of these canoes, seemed incredible.
The colourful canoes of the florists packed with various roses, lilies, daisies are feast to the eyes. Besides, the florists and the vegetable sellers, the bakers on their canoes with various baked breads and other eateries are the ones to hit the waters. After they were done for the day, they squatted in small groups, giggling, gossiping and chatting, over their cups of Kahwa. A tourist can enjoy this sight from the comforts of Shikara with a cup kahwa. The amalgamated aroma of saffron and almonds arousing from a cup of kahwa is simply enough to rouse the senses. As the market wrapped up, we also went for leisurely ride. As we wandered along the picturesque Dal Lake, while it drizzled, the lines by the famous Kashmiri poet Amir Khusrau, looped in my mind “’Gar firdaus bar,roo-e zamin ast, Hamein ast-o, hamein ast-o hamein ast’ meaning ‘If at all there be Paradise on earth, this is it, this is it, this is it indeed’.
Learning to play the guitar is wonderful. But studies have consistently shown how good learning music can be for children. It has plenty of benefits from simple enjoyment to cognitive improvements. Therefore, you should consider encouraging your child’s guitar enthusiasm at all times.
