ISRO – Where Sky is the Limit

August 26, 2019

Reaching the stars has been literally true for ISRO. In a country that is marred with corruption and many government institutions have borne the brunt of slow pace and lethargy in the past, ISRO has managed to hold its own. Recognized as one of the most respectable and capable institutes of the country, ISRO has to its credits a long list of achievements.

Formed as the Indian National Committee for Space Research or INCOSPAR, the organization was established during the time of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 under the guidance of India’s most renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai. In 1969 it was renamed to ISRO or the Indian Space Research Organization. The vision of ISRO is, ‘to harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration’.

Some feats

ISRO has many medals in its illustrious space career so far and looks strong to continue its golden run in understanding and conquering the space. Some of its most astounding and landmark achievements are as follows:

India’s first satellite Aryabhatta was built entirely in the country and launched in space in 1975.
In 1983 ISRO launched INSAT which has become a familiar term in our colloquial language. INSAT are multipurpose geostationary satellites that help with telecommunications, meteorology, broadcasting and more.
In 2015 the heaviest commercial mission that weighed up to 1440kg was successfully launched by ISRO.
ISRO introduced India’s own navigation system called NAVIC, which is a group of seven satellites that help build a navigation system that is more accurate than GPS. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System of IRNSS makes India one of only five countries in the world to have their own navigation system.
In 2017 ISRO created a world record by launching 104 satellites from Sriharikota using the PSLV in a single mission. The earlier record was held by Russia who had launched 37 satellites in one go.
One of the most important landmark missions that have etched a place in every Indian’s heart was the Mangalyaan mission or MOM in 2014 where India became the first country to reach Mars in its first attempt. The cost of the mission was a paltry Rs. 450 crore making it the least expensive mission to Mars till date.
Chandrayaan 1 launched in 2008 was an unmanned mission to the moon. It was India’s first space venture to the moon and the national flag was proudly placed on its surface. In July 2019 ISRO launched Chandrayaan 2 that will conduct a soft landing on the moon. India is the fourth country after Russia, USA and China to land a soft land rover on the moon.

The Space capsule recovery experiment or SRE -1, the Reusable Launch Vehicle or RLV, the GSLV-MK3 and many more are also landmarks in ISRO’s career.

Setting social standards

ISRO has set scientific, research and defense standards and these are well known globally today. Thanks to the fantastic goals ISRO has been recognized for its skill, intelligence, leadership and vision. Yet, the social bearing of the organization is what might stand out clearly.

Science and research are heavy subjects to study and pursue. For a country that has for years struggled with universal education, as well as, has seen many aspiring intellectuals find solace in universities of other countries, this comes as a huge sigh of not only relief, but also grit and determination. With engineers, scientist and supporting staff making up the maximum crux of the organization, ISRO in many ways, stands for showcasing the brains and intelligence that this country possesses. The potential of skill and knowledge is huge, coupled with problem solving and leadership qualities that make ISRO shine brighter in terms of structure and functions than many other government organizations.

Another social impact that ISRO has been able to establish recently is that women are an important part of all missions. With 10% of the total staff as women engineers, ISRO shatters beliefs of the Indian society that women are not scientifically inclined. It also opens up visually and figuratively the honest and true representation of how working women in India are. They are intelligent, smart and not always in the glamorous aura that we believe them to be in. These are simple women, who have worked hard to get where they are and who inspire a whole generations of girls to think beyond conventional boundaries.

ISRO-chandrayaan — Image *Courtesy* – Live Mint

ISRO is also poignant because science meets society here. Intelligent discussions and a wider scope of understanding are its underlying premise. Science loves to question and unlike the very fundamental cultural and religious foundation that India finds itself in, ISRO does not necessarily refute them, but has charted its own path. In the land of sadhus and maulwis, black magic and exorcism and where prime time television still caters to feed its audiences about ‘naagin’ stories, it is splendid to find a scientific organization holding its own and gaining immense respect and inspiration too.

Yoga Mudras & Classical Dances A ‘Healthy’ Connection

Caleidoscope

August 24, 2019

Author – Tanmayee Patil

Every weekend I find my whole family (like the rest of India!) glued to television set watching the ‘not so real’ reality shows. More than anything, various western and international dance styles like b-boying, popping, hip-hop, salsa, etc are trending in through these shows. Somewhere in all this the pure Indian Classical Dances are being undermined. I accept that curiosity is a human nature and as such we all are curious to learn something new.

Like any other Indian, the announcement of the International Yoga Day on 21st June piqued my interest. So, I researched books on Yoga and came across the ‘Hand Yoga’ aka ‘Yoga Mudras’. And it dawned on me that I have practiced Hand Yoga throughout my childhood. It was a trip down memory lane when I had professionally learned Bharatnatyam. It amazed me to find that the ‘Hastas’/ ‘Mudras’ used in Bharatnatyam are very similar to the ‘Yoga Mudras’’.

Yoga states that the fingers of our hand represent the ‘Pancha Mahabhutas’ or the 5 elements. Touching one finger with others in different combinations creates circuits in our body through which energy flows. Such a flow of energy allows the body to gain better circulation of blood, indirectly formulating long-term health benefits. Different ‘Hastas’ are used to also communicate specific ideas, events, actions, or creatures. The basic Mudras which are common to all Indian Classical Dances were originally used by the Devdasis who performed in temples for entertainment of the Gods and Goddesses.

The book “Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands” by Gertrud Hirschi explicates the relation between hand positions and health. It reveals that the hands bring into use certain regions of the brain and thus, have an effect on them. In Hath Yoga, the thumb is considered symbolic of cosmos while the index finger stands for the individual consciousness. Yoga is directed towards bringing together and uniting individual to the cosmic consciousness. The adjacent mudra stands for this union.

While the birth of mudras is shrouded in mystery, the role of mudras in religious activities of India is recorded prominently with the use of hand poses to represent qualities of deities. In the words of Ingrid Ramm-Bonwitt, “With his or her hands, the Indian dancer expresses the life of the universe”. This gives testimony to the integral role of hath mudras in Indian dance forms. Here is a stream of hand yoga mudras representing the relation between hand movement and bodily health:

Hamsasya hasta

The ‘Hamsasya hasta’ in Classical Dance represents the shape of a ‘Swan’ and is also similar to ‘Gyan mudra’ in Yoga which increases the memory power, enhances concentration and prevents insomnia.

Trishula Hasta

The ‘Trishula Hasta’ depicting ‘Trishula/ Trident’ matches with ‘Varun Mudra’ which is claimed to balance the water content in body and prevent pain due to inflammation or shrinkage of muscles.

Mayura Hasta

The ‘Mayura Hasta’ symbolizing ‘Peacock’ resembles ‘Prithvi Mudra’ that improves the complexion of skin and helps to increase weight.

Simhamukha Hasta

The ‘Simhamukha Hasta’ typifying a ‘lion head’ is similar to the ‘Apana Mudra’ which regulates diabetes and helps to cure constipation and piles.

Kartarimukha Hasta

The ‘Kartarimukha Hasta’ represents ‘Scissors’ and tallys with the ‘Prana Mudra’. It removes vitamin deficiency and fatigue, improves immunity and power of eyes and reduces eye related diseases.

‘Mudras’ or ‘healthy hastas’ are a small aspect of the Indian classical dances. Other than that these dances improve our body posture, increase our flexibility, improve our body balance, give us a grace and importantly teach us discipline. Moreover, it gives you seven different options to choose from – viz. Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Manipuri. So friends, go different and follow our age old culture as a cool ‘Alternative Yoga’!

Factfile –
Aarti Prakashan’s ‘Nisargopchar aani Yoga Shashtra’ by Dr. Kumud Bedarkar
Mudras: Yogas in Your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi
www.yogabasics.com

Depiction of Nature in Indian Classical Dances

Caleidoscope

August 23, 2019

Author – Ojaswita Krishnaa Chaturvedi

Depiction-of-Nature-in-Indian-Classical-Dances — Shobana Chandrakumar via forum.xcitefun.net

Classical art forms of India are known to be profound and holistic in nature. They connect the inner-self of the performer, and that of the viewer, to a realm of positivity, concentrating on the blessings and leading towards spirituality. This transcendental nature of theirs makes it obvious for the art forms to draw themes from the puranas and make them relevant in the context of current world. The philosophical characteristics of these art forms teach us almost every value of human life, like holding elders in respect, importance of culture, appreciation and satisfaction with material possessions, and a love for nature.

Indian classical dances are very much a reflection of the characters mentioned above. A complete dance recital, in essence, has the ability to improve the positive aura within any individual, whether a performer or a spectator, in such a way that life can seem incredibly beautiful. In these dances, one can find many references to the concept of nature as the loving, life-sustaining, Mother.

In a Bharatanatyam repertoire, nature is usually shown in the numbers that contain the abhinaya sequences. Within the Varnams, nature takes on an important role in the Sanchari sections. This is predominant in the Varnams that are in the Shringara Rasa, where the Virahotkanthita nayika observes nature in harmony and remembers her union with her beloved.

In the Javalis too, the Vaskasajja nayika is seen act in a similar manner while anticipating arrival of her beloved. Padams offer even more scope for the nayikas– the Abhisarika moving through nature to meet her lover; Svadheenabhartrika enjoying unison with her husband in nature; Prshitapatika in conversation with nature while enquiring about the arrival of her beloved and many more.

The Marathi Abhangs, that are gradually being incorporated in the Bharatanatyam repertoire, carry more such references. Kuchipudi also has a large wavelength of nature depiction in Sanchari. There are a few signature items which have been brought forward through the parampara that intensively describe nature as well.

It is worth noting that these are simply examples and do not define the limits of the dances. They have been listed as simple instances to highlight how nature comes in between the dance beautifully. Otherwise, our classical art forms are as vast as nature itself and cannot be constrained to certain margins.

Following are two examples of dance pieces that relate to nature.

Chaliye Kunjan is a famous composition by Maharaja Swati Tirunal in the Ragam Brindavani. As simple as the Sthayi Bhava, the nayika portrays Svadheenabhartrika and is straightforward in her demands from her beloved. The method that she uses to convince her Lord to spend time with her is the beauty of nature. Line by line, this composition elaborates different propositions of nature.

The Pallavi itself starts with the gopika requesting Krishna to go with her in the gardens. With this, the dancer gets ample opportunity to show the creepers, birds, bees, flowers, trees, and grass in the garden through mudras. This brings out the beauty of nature into the eyes of the viewers.

She then says, “look at the river Yamuna, she is so full of water”. Again, the exquisiteness of the river is broadly shown here, by depicting her waves, the swans, the fishes and lotuses in her waters and the grandeur of her banks.

The nayika then moves on to attract the attention of her beloved towards the birds chirping in the garden, saying “they are speaking about our union through their melodious voice”. In this way, it is evident that nature has an important role to play in the shringara feature of performing arts.

Madooka Shabdam is another traditional item in Kuchipudi, where the lyrics sum up to praise the Lord who saved Gajendra from the the crocodile in the lake.

The item lyrically begins with the description of various flowers and animals in the forest. When the piece is performed as a dance, the dancer dwells on these descriptions through her dance expansively displaying the exquisite beauty of the nature that was present in the scenario.

As our artforms are, to all intents and purposes, spiritual in nature, it is worth noting the episode of Gajendra Moksham from the Srimad Bhagawatam. In the Phala Shruti of the episode, it is stated that whoever meditates upon the forestry and trees that are described in this context will be freed from all sins. It is a direct relation that even the dance has primary focus on the representation of the forestry.

Kuchipudi was borne out of the Bhagvata Nataka Melas and therefore it is no surprise to see the correlation that has been described in the scriptures with those that are performed in the art form.

Now, it is evident that nature portrayal is an integral part of our classical dances and this factor tends to have a deeper meaning than just dancing out the item. Nature refreshes, provides peace, and dissolves sins. This has been confirmed by our scriptures and Indian classical dance flawlessly brings out these portrayals through amazing abhinaya and mudras.

Kerala’s Beautiful Eco-friendly Handicrafts

Caleidoscope

August 22, 2019

Author – Rachana Adusumilli

Kerala is famous for its eco-friendly tourism practices. Most of the handicrafts in the State are made from naturally available materials and skilled artisans play an important role in its creation. They are given special training in making the artefacts which appear to have a life of their own.

The state has an edge as far as eco-friendly handicrafts are concerned because it has a tradition of making beautiful handicrafts with articles like ivory, bamboo, palm leaves, seashells, wood, coconut shells, clay, cloth, metals, stone and so on.

Kerala’s rich cultural heritage is depicted in its art and crafts. You can find artefacts ranging from ayurvedic soaps and balms to wood carving, woven fibre baskets, mats and other curios. Even in the temples of Kerala, crafts are carved out of metal alloys made from a mixture of brass, tin and copper, especially the popular tower lamps.

The Kerala handicrafts not to be missed are Brass and Bell Metal Works, Coir and Cane Products, Ivory Works, Lacquer Ware, Sandalwood Carving, Textiles, Wooden Toys, Kathakali Masks, and Wood Carving amongst others.

Some of the Kerela handicraft products are:

The Brass and Bell Metal art

keralas-beautiful-eco-friendly-handicrafts-bell-metal-art — Image Source

The Brass and Bell Metal art is one of the famous arts in the state. It uses an alloy of tin, copper and brass to create idols of mythological events like the ‘Tandava Dance’. Moreover, this metal is used for making lamps and various household articles.

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Aranmula Kannadi (Handicraft of Kerala) 3.5 INCH

Coir and Cane Products

Coir and Cane Products are used to create eco-friendly items like coir mattresses, floor furnishings, mats and other colourful items. Coir product manufacturing is an important part of the cottage industry in Kerala. Calicut and Kollam are the two places that produce these coir products.

Lacquer Ware

Lacquer Ware is a blend of woodcraft and metal. The artistic woodcarvings created by artisans are given lacquer finish and the product is finally decorated with precious metals. The State of Ernakulum has some of the best Lacquer Ware.

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Kerala Wall Hanging

Wooden Toys

Wooden Toys are irresistible souvenirs for anyone coming to Kerala. These are fascinating toys created out of wood carving.

Bamboo Pen

Bamboo Pen is one of the eco-friendly products widely used in Kerala. Bamboo pens are particularly used as promotional items by business establishments. The pen is made from small bamboo reeds by the craftsmen.

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Brass Elephant Design Decorative Ganesha Urli

Coconut Shell Handicrafts

Coconuts are one of the most abundantly occurring natural products in Kerala. In fact, coconut trees grow all over Kerala and the beauty is that the coconut fruit is used in its entirety. Coconut shell is used to craft products like bowls, vases, tea pots and toys. Other products include lamp stands encased in brass and smaller coconut shell articles. Hookahs and large vases are a combination of coconut shell and brass bindings.

Screw Pine Products

Screw Pine weaving is an ancient craft of Kerala. Three different types of mats are woven with the screw pine leaves. The most popular products made from screw pine are straw hats, household linen and carry bags.

Pulpaya Mats

Pulpaya, which is a traditional grass mat, is one of the oldest handicraft items of Kerala that brings you the virtue of nature in the form of a utilitarian product.

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Kerala Mural Art Wall Painting for Living Room

Banana Fibre Handicrafts

The trunk of the Banana plant when treated gives a fine natural fibre. Banana fibre handicrafts are slowly gaining in popularity. Apart from the traditional table mats and bags, wall hangings and mats of different shapes and sizes are also made out of this fibre. The traditional pattu saree in Kerala is woven using this fibre.

Rice Straw Handicrafts

Rice straw painting is an ancient art that originated in Kerala; it uses different shades of rice straw to craft beautiful paintings. Each painting is a collection of several of pieces of rice straw meticulously cut and glued on a black cotton cloth. All the materials used for this painting are naturally occurring such as leaves, glue from tree sap, paper, etc. Not only paintings but various other handicrafts are made using rice straw, including rice straw mats, hats, handbags, wall decorations, sculptures and brooms.

Kathakali Papier-mâché Masks

keralas-beautiful-eco-friendly-kathakali-papier-mache-masks — Image Source

Kerala is known for the spectacular classical dance- drama Kathakali. It is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world and is a combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. The Kathakali masks are available as little relics and showpieces that showcase the culture of Kerala. Including the elaborate headgear, painted face and long black hair of the Kathakali costume, these curios are made out of papier-mâché. These masks are eco-friendly as they are made out of paper and glue.

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Kathakali Face mask showpiece Idol Decorative Statue

The beauty of Kerala cannot be described in words or pictures. The best way to enjoy it is through some amazing ethnic handcrafts that show a new way of living in harmony with nature. Let’s follow in their footsteps to ‘Go green and Save the Earth.’

Varanasi – The Spiritual Epitome of Hindu Culture [Photo Feature]

Caleidoscope

August 19, 2019

Photo Feature – Tejas M S

It is hard to define Varanasi singularly. The kaleidoscope of life varies vividly across its length and breadth and its shades of aura and darkness touch equally upon onlookers. Photographing the city is hence an amalgamation of putting together the emotions, essence and vitality of Varanasi in frames that are etched in memory for long.

Tejas M S a travel, wildlife and adventure photographer has shot extensively along the city located on the banks of the ever endearing Ganga. He is also a filmmaker and lives in Bangalore. Passionate about field based work, here is taking a look at some of his pictures speak a thousand words centered on the ethos of a culturally and spiritually soaked Banaras.

Varanasi Photo feature — Blessings from the Mystic

Exploring Indian Cultural Heritage Singapore

Caleidoscope

August 16, 2019

Singapore is known for its diverse culture. Everything practiced over here is a mixture of European, Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. As all the customs and heritages are also derived from South Asian, Eurasian, Malay and East Asian countries, Singapore is also popular with the names like “Garden City”, “East meets West” and “Easy Asia”. If you are an Indian then you just need to feel proud in Singapore. You will get to see some great pictures of India in Singapore. This article will make you well accustomed to many information related to Indian cultural heritage found in Singapore.

If you are planning to travel to Singapore then you should try Air India flight booking on Flightxp. I recommend that because it was very much more comfortable for me. Keeping this in mind let’s start this article with some of the iconic places depicting Indian culture found here.

Sri Mariamman Temple (Dravidian)

The resplendent six-layered grand tower entrance, also known as gopuram, situated at the main entrance of this temple completely reflects the architecture related to the Dravidian Style. The façade is also decorated with several mythological figures as well as Hindu deities. There is a big prayer hall present inside the temple. Behind that, there are several small rooms where people can worship different deities. Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore is the oldest of all Hindu temples present in the country. It is the main center for the Hindu community living in Singapore. This temple was constructed in due respect of Goddess Mariamman. She is popularly known for her power to cure any kind of epidemic illness. Every year several travelers come here to get a pleasant mind and soul.
Location: 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058793.
Near Chinatown MRT station.

Sree Ramar Temple (Dravidian)

Architecture of this Dravidian temple is much the same as the Sri Mariamman one we discussed above. There are still some features which make Sree Ramar temple unique in its own way. Apart from having statues of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu like Rama this temple is also a pilgrimage ground of Lord Buddha and Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy). This reflects multi-religious makeup of Singapore.
Location: 51 Changi Village Road, Singapore 509908.
Near Tanah Merah MRT Station

Sultan Mosque (Indo-Saracenic revival)

The present structure of “Masjid Sultan” was constructed completely in the year 1932. It bears every one of the trademarks related to the Indo-Saracenic style. This style is an Indian-British style. It joins several traditions relating to Persia, Turkey, and Moorish. This mosque was constructed in the 19th century for the great ruler, Sultan Hussein Shah. With fabulous minarets and a brilliant vault roosted at the top, the exterior part of the mosque is a good sight for your eyes as well as cameras. If you will look closely then you will see that the bottom of this dome is decorated with glass bottles all around. This structural arrangement empowered all individuals from the Muslim group to add to the development of this mosque.
Location: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833.
Near Bugis MRT station.

So till now, we have seen all the architectures that depict the Indian culture. But this is not enough in Singapore. While walking in the streets you will feel that it’s your own country, India. Let’s reveal why it is so.

Little India is one of the most vibrant streets in Singapore. Stroll down Serangoon Road and neighboring lanes, you will discover a good blend of Chinese and Hindu temples, churches and mosques. It creates up to a soothing sensation with its extraordinary sound, sight, and smell. A good walk in this street will demonstrate you with all the culture related to the Hindu community that has withstood the trial of time. The smell of Indian spices from the restaurants will make your mouth juicy. The smell of flowers coming from the shops will make you buy one and protect it for a lifetime.

A museum known as the Indian Heritage Centre is also situated in Little India. It was established on 7th May 2015 and covers 3,090 square meters of land. It will boon you with good knowledge about the history and culture of Indian Singaporeans.

If you are feeling hungry now and want to fill your tummy then you have different Indian options here. You have South Indian dishes like Dosal, Idli, Vada, etc, and North Indian tandoori dishes. You will also get rotis and parathas here. If you are a tea lover then you will get a good hot milk tea to refresh your mind.

Walk a bit further and you will see several shops selling legal and authentic products such as jewelry, saris, etc. designed in India. So just grab some of them and try it yourself. Your walk will end at one of the famous temple known as the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. This temple was established in the year, 1855. The best thing about this temple is that it is made only by Indian people who came to Singapore at that time for work. They made this temple to worship their God in a foreign land. The 1st name given to this temple was Sunnambu Kambam Kovil. In Tamil, it meant temple at the lime village. Numerous Indians who used to pray in the temple worked in lime furnaces in the region. Lime was considered a good material for constructing buildings during those days. It was a miracle that during World War II several bombs were dropped in the country but not a single of them made any harm to the temple and its statues. It is said that the Goddess Kali protected the people praying in the temple. This tour will take you nearly two and a half hour and I swear that you are going to enjoy a lot.

Singapore is really a great country for the Indians. The best time to give a visit to this country is during the festive season of Deepavali and Pongal. You will see the joy and charm all around. Hope that I have shared a lot of info regarding the country. So have a happy and safe journey ahead.

Here’s a Handy Goa Tourism Guide for the Solo Travellers Out There

Caleidoscope

August 16, 2019

Goa Tourism Guide for the Solo Travellers

Solo travelling is an awesome way to explore yourself. You can plan your trip as per your convenience, set your own rules and enjoy the trip like no one’s watching. Goa, being home to the white sandy beaches, party joints and its unique cuisines, is a wonderful destination for solo travellers.

Travelling alone is fun, but at the same time needs certain planning. You are on your own when it comes to figuring out the way ahead. It can be a wise idea to plan it in advance and you can do this by using the Goa tourism guide on LBB to start with.

Positioned on the western margin of the country, Goa is the smallest state of India. The shore of this beautiful province is stretched along the Arabian Sea and offers many picture-perfect locations for the sea-lovers and beach bums.

So if you are all set to begin your journey as a solo traveller from this beautiful place, here’s a handy Goa tourism guide for you:

Goa season stays around the year:

Generally, the best time to visit this ‘Sun city of India’ is to celebrate the occasion of Christmas. People flock this city between October and February, but this is not the only time to visit.

The serene beaches remain crowded during its peak season, if you are alone and not a beach bum, then monsoon is equally beautiful with the green surroundings and less crowd. Rain cleans the city and makes it fresh and new. If you are here in June, you can be a part of the famous Sao Jao Festival. That said, as a solo traveller, you will always find something to engage in here.

Staying in Goa:

Goa Tourism Guide - Vagator beach — Image – Joegoauk Goa via Flickr

You have to select your stay among the two options, North Goa or South Goa. North Goa is a bit congested, but if you like the crowd and enjoy parties, then North Goa is the best option for you. This section of the city is provided with more party spots compared to South Goa. In addition, in Panjim, you can enjoy exploring ancient structures.

But, if you are searching for a quiet stay, then head towards Margao for experiencing the authenticity of the state with the sea around. The tourist industry has missed out this region of South Goa. You cannot stop yourself from exploring the old royal style buildings, churches, and temples lined on the streets. Ahead of a few miles from Margao, you have the option of exploring the unspoiled and serene beaches and indulge in various water sports.

In North Goa, you can check out the Happy Panda Hostel near Arambol or The Prison Hostel near Anjuna Beach. Some other budget options are Alor Holiday Resort on Calangute beach and Grandpa’s Inn near Anjuna beach.

In the South Goa, you can stay around Palolem beach. The Dreamcatcher Eco Resort is one among the best options here. You can find more information about good lodging facilities here by visiting Goa tourism guide on LBB.

Goa is an awesome place but you won’t find many options for local commuting, it could be a wise idea to hire a car or a bike to roam around.

Best places to visit in Goa:

Baga Beach

Baga beach is home to many cafes, party spots, discos, etc. Head towards this beach if chilling out and partying are what you are looking for.

Basilica of Bom Jesus:

The Spanish people invented this notorious church in the year 1605. This church preserves the relics of St. Francis Xavier. The UNESCO has recognized this as the World Heritage Site. The church bears a red look due to its creation, with red color brick, that differs it from the other churches of the city.

Chapora Fort:

The movie, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ has publicized this fort and made it famous. This place is a must-visit point of the city with a splendid sight of Vagator Beach.

Aguada Beach:

With a lighthouse inside, this Portuguese fort is a famous attraction among the tourists. In fact, driving on the way that leads to this destination is a fun0filled experience.

Dona Paula Jetty:

You should include this famous tourist landing in your bucket list of Goa. You will get a magnificent view of the sea from this point. This place was presented in the renowned Bollywood film, Singham.

Forrest Food court:

This is the perfect place for tasting the traditional Goan delicacy with a diverse menu each day.

Dudhsagar waterfalls:

Dudhsagar waterfall is a must-visit of Goa. Though, 50kms away from proper Goa, while an amazing place for doing photography and exploration.

Adventures for solo traveller:

Goan Water sports like jet-skiing, banana ride, scuba diving, etc. are the awesome activities you can indulge. The nightlife of Goa is just amazing, as it offers a bundle of joys like enjoying a beach party, dance clubs or you can visit casinos. You can find more such amazing adventures that you can experience in Goa on LBB.

The city embraces a wealthy list of adventures for seeing, doing or experiencing. This place is perfect as a holiday destination considering the rich cultural heritage, sandy beaches, and foremost architectural beauties.

Why Park Street Describes Kolkata in a Nutshell

Vidhi Bubna

August 16, 2019

Grabbing a quick vegetarian cheese and spinach quiche at Flury’s, my friend was narrating her childhood experience of Kolkata as a city to me. Her father was in the air force and that led to her changing cities very frequently. She used to live in Barrackpore, a small Air Force town around 27 km from the main city of Kolkata. As a child, she was fascinated by everything that Kolkata had to offer to her – the city lights, large bookstores, fancy multicuisine restaurants, christmas celebrations and parties all year round. Park Street, a jostling lane with everything a city has to offer is crowded anytime of the day. We walked around Park Street together and explored the city through the childlike eye of my friend.

It was December and though the evenings were cold, the afternoons were really hot. We wore shorts in the day with tank tops and simply put a jacket over in the evenings. This left an unexpected cold in our legs but the constant movement gave us enough heat to continue our nomadic exploration in the city. For now, our jackets were in our hands, we had sweat seeping through our tank tops, but we didn’t mind.

The Oxford bookstore in Park Street is one of the oldest bookstores in the city. It has large wooden walls, full stocked bookshelves with books from all around the globe and a never dying, oozing smell of coffee which keeps the reading owls awake. My friend had visited this store as a child and she had really wanted a book which her father refused to buy for her. She completed her childhood wish and bought a book from the store now. Park Street thus represents the child who wants many things but cannot get them all. It is a metaphor for unfinished business in the city where an adult keeps going back to seek something that their childhood could not give them. Kolkata is a colorful, vibrant dream set in stone in the concrete jungle surrounded by buildings and a loud bustle of constant car honks.

Park Street Book Stores — Image – Faisal Akram

As we walked on the street, we crossed an ancient house with Kolkata written on it. The house was vintage and was enveloped by a scaffold of trees. There was a purple vintage car parked inside with an unrecognizable logo which was hard to recollect. It must be imported car from another country. If this was a movie, the house would definitely belong to an old Marwari businessman. The scene around us quickly changed from a huge lane filled with old buildings, to a bustling street with modern ones.

We walked around different restaurants on the street, and noticed the world’s food diversity wrapped across this one small street. The place looked like a fantasy dream with “Choice” written in every street, every shop, and every product there. I knew I could come here 20 days a month and I’d still have more places to explore. I had my first trip based argument with my friend in Park Street. She wanted to eat at an Indian restaurant and I wanted to eat Japaneese, we went to both. The perk of having a lot of leisure time in the city is that you can explore the multiple choices that are given to you. That’s when I realized that cities are like unexpected rainbows that appear without any rain, the ones that children see when they look at a white beam of light from the ruler. They represent the beauty in something unexpected, a chance encounter, of finding a new restaurant in a hidden alley or of finding an introverted stranger in the city who opens up to you.

We were walking on the street and we encountered a group of people dressed like Lord Hanuman. They had painted themselves orange and had tails connected to them. They were going to perform a play. On the same street, there was a man selling paan in a variety of flavours. His shop had a picture of Lord Hanuman and he devotedly prayed to the passerby play actors. Watching this first hand, felt like an amalgamation of a dramatic experience. It felt very fulfilling in a strange sense.

It was evening, the honks had grown louder and people were visiting park street in their element and camouflaging with the expectations of city life. There were lights all around us. Since, it was Christmas, the entire park was covered with lights and had an event show planned. It was getting cold, and we put on our jackets. The famous yellow taxis in Kolkata were flooding the streets and there was a Badshah concert happening at a restaurant nearby. We had enough for the day, starting with Flury’s, an old bakery in town and ending with knowingly missing a Badshah concert which was easily accessible to us.

We We had been exploring Park Street since morning and there had been a rush of emotions ranging from – fascination, contentment, excitement, feeling like we could never get enough of the place to actually having enough of it to return home full of light. Whenever you go to a city, you carry some of the sparkly, glitzy, individuality in you, which the city presents to you through it’s vibe. I had explored the essence of Kolkata through the bustling Park Street in a day.

Also Read – Simply College Street Kolkata

Federal India – States and Regions with Their Own Cultural Identities

Cscope Staff

August 12, 2019

There are very rare chances of finding many nations like India. The country is a single entity on the global map, but has multiple cultural variations within itself, making it a rich conundrum of differences. This is evident when one compares it with many other countries. Imagine going to Italy or France, or Indonesia or Japan and you will find some sort of uniformity in its culture. There will be an official language, a set of policies that apply to the entire country, a specific cuisine and so on. Of course, there are always local variations and every locality or region has its own special cultural twist. However, this difference is extremely stark in India, where it is near to impossible to have a standard definition that fits the bill across the length and breadth of the country.

More so, the democracy of the land shines bright when regions or states are allowed to not necessarily follow a standard uniform cultural code.

To elucidate let us take a look at some of the main overarching cultural and societal references to understand how much of these vary in span of thousands of kilometers on ground.

Indian Language –

There is no national language of India. But it has 22 languages that are officially recognized. Hindi and English are used for official purposes; but, states can specify their official languages taking the count to 22. In fact, there are hundreds of languages spoken in India, if dialect and variations are taken into account. India has the highest number of official languages in the world, however, it has to be noted that besides Hindi and English the rest are official only at the state level. The importance of language is such, that states have demanded being formed on the lines of linguistic uniformity, such as, a Telugu speaking state of Andhra Pradesh. The regional concentration of language makes it sometimes difficult to communicate with the locals in any other language. This is especially seen in certain states, such as, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and the north eastern states. Hence for someone visiting India, the sheer change in dialect and language can be considered overwhelming.

Indian Caste and Reservation –

India has a long history of caste and reservations are its reality of today. Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and OBCs are together given a reservation of 49.5%, however, certain states, such as, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana and Haryana have crossed this reservation cap due to their inherent social and caste structures. Though many castes and tribes are included, many more have voiced their desire for reservations. The Supreme Court along with the Central and state governments have been trying to find a way to accommodate or reject their pleas. Irrespective of the outcome, the fact that the country is home to a large number of castes and tribes, makes it a constant hub of differing caste needs and the history of discrimination makes the demands and debate only more alive.

Indian Cuisine –

Though many nations are identified strongly on the basis of their cuisine (remember Chinese and Lebanese!), Indian cuisine incorporates a wide range of dishes and methods that are hard to classify all under one roof. Yes, Indian cuisine has its own specifics and favorites that are well known throughout the world, yet it is definitely much harder to define Indian food on a single menu card when compared to some other international cuisines. The sheer variety of food ranging from south Indian light food, to spicy ghee laden north Indian food, to sea food of the east, the street foods, the cross country influenced foods and so on make Indian cuisine a gamut of wonderful gluttony.

Indian Dance –

India recognizes 8 classical dances though there are many more dances that originate and are akin to particular states and region. A look at different dances of the world and one will know that India tops the list with the maximum number of dances. Yes, one can Samba in Brazil, Ballet in Russia or perform the Dragon Dance in China, but India is home to Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi besides bhangra, garba, bihu and many more. Most of these dances have originated from a particular state or region and find highest patronage and recognition from the same.

Indian Religion –

Some countries in the world are known for having a larger majority of a particular religion, whereas others are secular in nature. India is often considered the largest democracy in the world that is religiously pluralistic and high on ethnicity. The large population has something to do with it, yet the fact that people from different religions reside together under the governance of a single unified democratic nation speaks volumes. Certain religions are more concentrated within certain states and regions and just as caste, there is a healthier distribution of different religions in urban areas and cities. However, the fact that India is home to many different religions that are also concentrated across different states, make it a unique diaspora.

It is a known fact that India is a land of diversity. However, being a republic the country gives its states and regions a reigned freedom to be who they are. A great sign for democracy and in spite of its many flaws and lapses, India still remains to acknowledge and respect its cultural and social differences.

The Celebration of Muslim Festivals in India

Tasneem Sariya

August 11, 2019

Muslim-Festivals-in-India-01 — *Image –* Jobit George via Flickr

Secularism in India is a very palpable tenant. People of different religions co-exist here and though there are outbursts of communalism at times, overall, the structure of the nation warrants for an understanding and respect for each other’s beliefs.

One of the best ways to manifest this harmonious existence is the fervor by which festivals of all religions are celebrated. We have grown up learning about Diwali, Christmas and Eid in almost the same breath. We have celebrated them with our friends irrespective of which religion we follow, have savored the delicacies with as much hunger as anyone else and have found ourselves intertwined in the cultural mélange that is an essential part of all festivities.

Muslim Festivals in India — Image – Jobit George via Flickr

Muslims make a significant population of India. Many of their popular festivals are marked as government holidays too. The Muslims follow the Islamic calendar which is based on lunar calculations. Here is taking a look at some of the main Islamic festivals that are celebrated and observed in India.

Milad-un-Nabi

One of the most important celebrations for Muslims around the world, Milad-un-Nabi is the day of Prophet Muhammad’s birth. The Prophet’s birth day falls in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. The day is celebrated by remembering the Prophet’s various teachings and by the praying of the Quran. Families get together and donations are made to charity as well.

Eid-ul-Fitr

Marking the end of the month Ramzaan, Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most joyous occasions in the Islamic calendar. After 30 days of fasting and abstaining from various forms of sins, this Eid is a true celebration of restraint and satisfaction. It is also one of the best known Islamic festivals in India, particularly because of the wonderful cuisine, such as the very popular sheer khurma and sevai preparations. New clothes are worn, gifts exchanged and ‘eidi’ (a token amount) is handed over to children and relatives. There is a general sense of frolic and happiness as people greet and hug each other on this day.

Eid-ul-Adha

This Eid is celebrated to commemorate Abraham willing to sacrifice his son in accordance to the will of Allah. Because of Abraham’s absolute belief in the Almighty, the day is remembered for teaching Muslims the importance of having strong faith in the will of the divine. On this day, certain animals are sacrificed and prayers are offered early in the morning. Some of the delicacies to watch out for during this festival are biryani, halim, nihari, korma and more.

Hyderabadi-Haleem — Hyderabadi Haleem – Source

Muharram

The first month of the Islamic calendar begins with the month of Muharram. On the tenth of Muharram, the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Husain was martyred in the battleground of Karbala. Unlike all the other Islamic celebrations, Muharram is not a festive celebration but a time to remember the tragedy and great sacrifices made by Husain. Many sects within Islam also carry out a procession called Taziahs, whereas, others spend the day in mosques praying and listening to sermons.

The Cultural Connect

Muslims are spread across the world, in fact, many countries deemed as Islamic. Yet, the social milieu in India makes Muslim celebrations much more diverse and enriching. The layman that lives in societies, apartments or chawls finds the opportunity of a religiously different neighbor as a way of life. Working with colleagues or studying with Muslim friends is just how integrated the societal structure of this country is. And though at times, there are the scary incidents of them vs us, in those times there are also these very same common or laymen that rise above the religious difference to embrace humanity in its highest form.

*Sheer Khurma –* Avinash Bhat via Flickr

The celebration of Muslim festivals, just like the celebrations of any other festival adds charm and fun into the culture of this country. Can you imagine not having friends invited for biryani during Eid, or not being pestered by office colleagues on when is the sheer khurma dabba coming from your home. How uninteresting and single minded would our social and cultural understanding be, if we didn’t drop by our neighbor with a scoop full of sevai or if we didn’t light phuljaris in our compounds.

Muslim celebrations are distinct in their character of celebration, their language and their cuisine. And thankfully, we still live in an age and time, when these are integrated with sensitivity, openness and friendship by this country.

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