Picking a rapid pace over the years, horse riding has come a long way from its practical purpose. If you love horseback riding or simply want to experience it once in your lifetime, there are a number of places where you can fulfill your wishes.
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Horseback riding is an interesting way to explore this majestic city. Covering a number of charming places, this activity in the city will take you through many trials making the horse riding experience regal and princely. There are any ranches that offer rides along the rural sprawls and Aravali mountain range.
Horse Riding Trails in Udaipur – Image Source
Matheran, Maharashtra
This beautiful hill station, covered with dense green forests, does not allow entry of motor vehicles, making horses the only mode of conveyance. Experience horseback riding through the magnificent pathways of the hills. You can also take a few horse riding lessons at Olympia Racecourse. From Mumbai, one can reach Matheran through road. No vehicles are allowed beyond Dasturi Point, so you can start with your horse riding expedition from there.
Matheran Hill Railway runs a Heritage Line to Matheran – Image Source
Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
The mystifying landscape of Ladakh sets it apart from all the other places in the country. With so many things to explore, one of the best way to carry on the voyage is on a horse. For remote places like Zanskar valley, where paved roads are limited, horses are a great to explore the beauty. Enjoy horseback riding while accessing places like Zongkhul, Penzela Pass, Zangla and Panikhar Fort. There are a variety of Ladakh Tour Package available to book online that offer good discounts.
Termed as the ‘darling’ of tourists in Northeast India, Shillong town captures the beautiful colonial era architecture perfectly. You can enjoy horse riding starting from the town centre to the highest peak of Shillong which is situated at an altitude of 1966 m. After the captivating horseback ride, you will be blessed with the gratifying, far-reaching viewpoint.
Horseback Riding Trails in Shillong – Image Source
Digha, West Bengal
Located at the junction of River Hooghly and Bay of Bengal, Digha is a delightful holiday place in West Bengal. Digha beach is one of the major attractions here and is the perfect place to enjoy horse riding. Setting the right mood and a perfect backdrop, the scenic beach raises the horse riding experience a notch higher.
The heightened water contamination in recent years has made RO water purifier obligatory in all homes and commercial spaces. Apart from buying a water purifier with efforts, following a routine in maintaining them is important. In that manner, authentic RO service centres are scattered across India. These service centres possess talented technicians capable of providing the 360-degree solution for maintenance and service for RO.
RO servicing centres
Diverse brands offer a extensive range of RO water purifiers. The best feature is that almost all familiar brands have an association with RO service centres for services and maintenance reasons. Users can fetch details regarding trustworthy and reputable RO service centres by running an online search. When the right keywords are typed, appropriate details regarding RO service can be obtained.
Finding RO service centres have become simple and hence users may not concern for dwelling in a small town or the outskirts of the city. The key reason for RO service centres to be established all over is the timely maintenance and service they offer to the customers. Nearest and best water purifier service centres can be obtained by typing RO service centre near me on Google.
Opt for the right service centre
An authentic and reputed RO service centre is advised whether for periodic maintenance or emergency services. A reputable centre has well-trained engineers and technicians with years of experience. In that manner aquafresh water purifier services is a standard one and can deal with several RO water purifier issues. They can assist in maintenance, repairs and lead the customers in the right way. Toll-free numbers are available for such service centres and customers can ring them to know details such as charges, maintenance and RO service duration. When users opt for reputable service centres then they can gain the benefit of genuine charges and services at minimal time.
About periodic maintenance
Purchasing a water purifier for the safety of the family is the initial step whereas maintaining clean, hygienic purified drinking water is also important. To achieve this periodic maintenance for water purifier is to be planned. Many companies in India offer water purification services, where they make sure to abolish contaminations and toxic substances in water. Brands like aquafresh water purifier are forerunners in the field in RO services and also offer AMC plan for preserving the appliance.
Advantages of choosing a maintenance contract
The customer can enjoy several benefits by opting for regular maintenance from the RO companies. The maintenance scheme includes
Convenience: The RO water purifier service can offer you round the clock service. They offer personalized SMS service and also have nation-wide services.
Assured services: With an online RO water purifier feature, these maintenance contract teams can reach the customers whenever required. They hold a skilfully trained technical team, who attends for faults with just a call.
Up-gradation offers: The maintenance team never forget to update the customers regarding exchange offers and discount schemes.
Genuine spare parts: The customers are assured to Gain the best as the team makes sure to provide company approved parts for replacement or service reasons.
Maintenance bonus: the customers are provided with rewards for best care taken for the appliance. The RO water purifier maintenance contract team offers the customers with bonus coverage period. Such interesting schemes are made available as they renew the plans.
High-cost repairs can be avoided: When customers register for a periodic maintenance contract, then all the main operational parts are provided by the provider. Irrespective of the cost the parts are fixed and also labour charges are taken responsibly by the company.
It has been very easy these days with email and SMS. Customers can register for annual maintenance by sending a mail or SMS from home. The customer care then takes responsibility in speaking to the customer and fixing an appointment.
There are plenty of other benefits too, the customers can enjoy by opting for an annual maintenance contract.
The companies offer emergency repair services round the clock and throughout the year without additional charges.
Equipment’s life lasts longer
Repairs and purchases are offered with discounts
Safe and proper appliance operation
Costly breakdowns and risks are evaded.
Guaranteed and quality services are provided
Need for RO water purifier maintenance and services
The quality of incoming water plays a key role in the service and maintenance of the appliance. The cartridges life and efficiency of the RO purifier depends on organic load, turbidity, chlorine content etc. There are more chances for RO membranes to get scaled with salts like magnesium, calcium etc. The scaling extent mandates the need for replacement or cleaning. Any RO water system has components such as tubing, water tank etc. in the interiors.
This may lead to slime development or bacteria breeding. There are chances for unloading harmful bacteria in purified water which leads to health issues. Hence to maintain the standards of water and ensure proper working of the appliance maintenance and services for the RO water purifier is significant.
Customers may be delighted about their water purifier systems, but maintaining the same is important too. Tasty and healthy drinking water throughout can be obtained with timely and proper maintenance. Overall functionality, performance and water quality is sustained by service and maintenance.
Conclusion
The long term benefits and values of RO servicing and maintenance is elaborated in detail. Brands like aqua freshwater purifier provide error fewer services at best prices. Customers just need to make a call for RO service and repair chores. Experienced and well-versed technicians make sure to handle the appliance and provide periodic services.
Since the RO water purifier undergoes wear and tear, it needs to be serviced periodically. Proper maintenance and proper functioning save energy bills too. The toll-free number of brands makes sure to help customers at times of need. Moreover registering for annual maintenance as mentioned can be beneficial for the customer as the team takes responsibility for maintaining the appliance. They check your availability and remind of periodic maintenance and services.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when we say holidays? Travel to new places, meeting new people, making new friends and acquaintances. The festival of lights – Diwali is just around the corner, and so are the holidays. This festive season you can make the most of your vacation and take a break from the monotonous schedule by planning a trip to an awesome destination.
It’s no new thing that travelling is good for your physical and mental wellbeing. A rather significant amount of scientific research has been put in to suggest that exploring a new place can work wonders for your mental and emotional health, along with improving your physical health; while Banks are making such travel plans easy, with a range of interesting cards and offers on loans. This Diwali, Credit Card companies like SBI Card have also geared up to take care of your travel needs, with amazing offers on easy EMIs.
So, here’s why you should give yourself a break!
It breaks away the stress
Taking a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, is essential for your body and mind to relax, recharge and rejuvenate. And what better way to do so, than to pack your bags and start completing your bucket list for travel? New locations help you take your mind off regular life, stressful situations& can make you happy. This new emotional experience leads to lower stress levels, making you feel more peaceful, calm and contented.
It makes you discover yourself
The valuable lessons learnt on the way through interactions and cultural sightseeing broaden your perspective, thereby making you more aware and open to new things and situations. Visiting new places also gives you a fresh and renewed start if you’re recovering from a major transition in your life. Travelling lets you introspect your own inner self and make you aware of your feelings in various situations. Thus, you can reinvent and shape yourself into a new individual!
Boost your happiness
Vacations let you take a break from your daily work schedule. As a cherry on top, travelling gives you an opportunity to step away from your daily lifestyle and venture into something new. The new set of events and enjoyable experiences help rewire your brain, hence boosting your happiness, mood and self-confidence.
Enhance your creativity
Visiting a foreign place and immersing yourself in their local culture and environment increases your brain’s capacity to learn new things in a fun and exciting way. It also makes you aware of the different ways in which people celebrate their life, which consequently gives a boost to your creativity. However, it’s very important to note that travelling stimulates creativity only when you engage with the local culture of that place; merely visiting a new city or a country isn’t going to cut it.
Cool Holiday offers and cashback on SBI Cards
SBI Card, India’s second largest Credit Card company, has offered very attractive schemes to spice upHoliday Packagesfor their Cardholders, in the form of exciting offers, rewards and cashback. They are also giving out exciting offers for travel bookings made with one’s SBI Credit Card.
MAKE MY TRIP –
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DOMESTIC HOTELS: 28% off upto₹4,000 per card on a minimum transaction of ₹ 3,000 by applying Promo code: “MMTSBI”
Validity: 10th October to 12th October 2019 and 24th October to 26th October 2019
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: 10% off upto₹8,000 per card on a minimum transaction of ₹30,000 by applying Promo code: “MMTSBI”
INTERNATIONAL HOTELS: 25% off upto₹6,000 per card on a minimum transaction of ₹4,000 by applying Promo code: “MMTSBI”
Validity: 7th October to 19th October 2019 and 21st October to 23rd October 2019
OYO – For a minimum transaction of Rs 1000/- you can avail a maximum cashback of up to Rs 500/- per card account
Validity: 1st October 2019 – 9th October 2019
Travelling has countless other benefits which cannot be described in words, but can only be experienced by you. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get moving with SBI Card Festive Offers. Let your wanderlust guide you and turn your vacation into an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life.
If you are still looking for an SBI Card, you can apply for one click here .
Flowers are probably one of the safest options when it comes to gifts. There is hardly anyone in the world who would hate to get flowers on their birthday, anniversary or any other significant occasion. Gifting someone flowers has a lot of advantages to it and a flower bouquet delivery in Hyderabad is exactly the kind of service you can get when planning on sending flowers to someone. There are hardly any disadvantages of giving someone flowers which means they fall short of the countless ways you can use flowers to make someone feel special.
Home Delivery: One of the biggest advantages has to be the ability to just pay a florist for an online flowers bouquet delivery in Hyderabad. There is absolutely no need for you to even move from your desk in order to gift someone a bouquet.
Choose your flower bouquet online: There are countless services available online which let you pick your flowers, enter the address, pay and just forget about it. These flower bouquet delivery in Hyderabad service takes out the hassle from the entire process.
Customization and Personalization: While flowers may not seem like a very personal gift picked out for a specific person, this, in fact, is not true. There are many ways to personalize even a small bouquet by customizing it to the tastes of the recipient. One way to do that would be to pick a bouquet with the recipient’s favorite flowers in it.
Pouring your heart out via a message: If you do not know the recipient’s favorite flower, you can always add a personal touch to the card by saying something that would remind them of you or just improve their overall day. Some people even go as far as to write their message in their own handwriting for exactly that personal touch you might need.
Long Distance: Since giving flowers as a gift is so common, there are services all over the world that offer doorstep delivery. By using the online portal of a local flower company in the recipient’s area, you do not have to spend the big bucks to ship the bouquet overseas when needed. Furthermore, most flowers will wilt by the time they arrive at the recipient’s doorstep overseas which makes it even more efficient to use a local supplier.
Variety: Obviously, there are hundreds of different types of flowers depending on location, this makes it quite easy to find something that you will like. There is hardly ever a time where not a single bouquet appeals to a customer. Furthermore, due to this variety, you will not have to repeat the same bouquet over and over again if you do plan on sending flowers a couple of times. This variety makes the process interesting and satisfying for both the sender and the receiver.
Price Points: Another helpful thing with flowers that is a result of the variety is that there will always be a bouquet that matches your budget no matter what. Since some flowers are more readily available as compared to other exotic ones, you are likely to find a cheap option at your disposal. This guarantees that you will have a variety and still be able to afford it thus, truly making flowers the ultimate gift.
Emotions: Sending someone flowers is a very emotional gift when sent with the right card and intentions. Furthermore, the media has created a platform where even the color of a rose can portray your feelings without having to say anything.
Quantity: People frequently wonder how many flowers should they send to someone or will send just a single flower would seem odd? When it comes to flowers, quantity does not matter at all. You can send someone a single red rose or send them 23 that count down to the days leading up to a special occasion, the point is there is no wrong number of flowers that you can send.
Keeping all of these points in mind while sending flowers, it is easy to understand why flowers and sending flowers is such a big industry even after technology’s toll on it. The lack of disadvantages really set the market up for success.
Rajasthan, the desert state of India, is also one of the most popular destinations among tourists, be it for people of India, or foreigners. Rajasthan has a lot of reasons for attracting so many tourists- its magnanimous historical forts, palaces standing out, in huge deserts, and its folk art and culture. As per statistics, every third foreign traveller visits Rajasthan, and its forts.
The palaces in places like Jaipur, the lakes of Udaipur, and the famous forts in the deserts of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner are some of the favourites. Tourism counts for as much as eight percent of the state’s GDP (gross domestic product). Many palaces and forts that were falling apart due to neglect, have now been converted to luxurious heritage hotels that command huge prices and pull millions of people from around the globe. Attractive Rajasthan Tourism Packages also help boost tourism in the state.
Destinations in Rajasthan
Blue City, Jodhpur, Rajasthan – Image Ivan Lian via Flickr
In case you are planning to visit Rajasthan soon, these are some of the major places to visit in Rajasthan-
Umaid Bhawan Palace- It is the largest Royal Palace of Rajasthan, and also one of the largest private residence.
Lake Palace-Now a luxury hotel, located in the Pichola Lake, Udaipur.
Hawa Mahal-Known as the “Palace of Wind” or the “Palace of Breeze” due to the humongous nine hundred and fifty windows in the palace.
Rambagh Palace-Formerly a Royal Palace, has now been converted into a Heritage Hotel,and is one of the best Heritage Hotels in the World.
Devi Garh Palace-A palace, earlier, now converted into a Heritage Hotel. In 2006, The New York Times named it as a leading luxurious hotel in the South Asean Subcontinent.
Forts that you can’t miss once you are in Rajasthan
Department of Tourism organizes a number of fairs and festivals in Rajasthan throughout the year. These festivals & fairs are great tourist attractions. Some popular fairs organized in Rajasthan include:
Camel Festival in Bikaner (January)
Nagaur Fair in Nagaur (Jan-Feb.)
Kite Festival (held on 14th Jan of every year)
Desert Festival in Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.)
Baneshwar Fair in Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.)
Gangaur Festival in Jaipur (March–April)
Mewar Festival in Udaipur (March–April)
Elephant Festival in Jaipur (March–April)
Urs Ajmer Sharif in Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar)
Summer Festival in Mt.Abu (June)
Teej Festival in Jaipur (July–August)
KajliTeej in Bundi (July–August)
Dussehra Festival in Kota (October)
Marwar Festival in Jodhpur (October)
Pushkar Fair in Ajmer (November)
Eight Places to include if you are planning for a full Rajasthan tour-
Ajmer –Th popular shrine of the Sufi Saikhllnt Khwaja, Moinuddin Chishti and also the Digambar Jain Temple called Soniji Ki Nasiyan is located here. It’s a quiet and beautiful place that you must include in your list.
Barmer – A perfect picture of a typical Rajasthani villages, complete and colourful, is something that you can best see in Barmer.
Bhilwara – Known widely for its beautiful textile industry. Hamirgarh Eco-park and Harni Mahadev temple are also important tourist destinations, that crowds throng to.
Bundi –It is popular for its forts, as well as the palaces and stepwell reservoirs known as ‘baoris’.
Jaipur– Mostly known as the pink city of India and it is also the capital of Rajasthan. It is also famous for palaces and temples.
Jaisalmer–It is famous for its golden fortress, that was depicted in the Bengali movie “Sonar Kella”, and its havelis, and it alsohas some of the oldest Jain Temples and libraries.
Jhalawar district –The exquisite caves such as the Binnayaga Buddhist caves as well as the Hathiagor Buddhist Caves and Kolvi Caves, which are popular examples of medieval architecture of India,can be found in this area.
Mount Abu–It is a well-knownhill station, and is famous for its eleventh century old, Dilwara Jain Temples as well as its natural beauty. Thehighest peak of Aravalli Range, in Rajasthan, Guru Shikhar is only 15 km and is an easy-visit from the main town.
So, go on and book your tickets to Rajasthan and don’t forget to use ClearTrip Offers to save more!
Author Bio: – Hi, I am Atul Singh, a creative writer at MyTokri.com. My passion is to help people by providing them the well researched information with my opinion. In my free time i love to hunt deals and coupons that can save good for me.
As a business owner, setting up a new office space can be pretty overwhelming. There is a lot to consider in order to make your employees as productive and efficient as possible. Much attention is given to the actual layout of the space, the equipment needed for the staff, and storage, but what about the comfort level of your employees?
Image – Pixabay
It’s a well-known fact that the more comfortable your employees are, the more they will enjoy their job, and the more productive they will be. So, with that in mind why not do what you can to boost their comfort level. Here are some steps you can take that will help make the office more comfortable for your employees, which will increase their job satisfaction level and their productivity.
Add Artwork
Rather than a boring and bland office space, go ahead and add décor pieces just as you would in your own home. The artwork can be in one particular theme or color palette, and then be strategically placed throughout the space so everyone can enjoy it. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to purchase artwork for the office, opt for posters. You can even have them framed if you choose. Don’t have time to find an art store in your area? A wide range of posters on different subject matters can be found at Fine Art America (a popular retailer for art lovers) through the following link: https://fineartamerica.com/shop/posters.
Make Sure There is Plenty of Light
One of the most depressing environments to be in is one that lacks in light, in particular natural light. Lighting is such a big issue that a report released by the American Society of Interior Design showed that a whopping 68% of employees weren’t satisfied with the lighting in their office.
It’s a good idea to look for ways to allow the natural light to shine in as much as possible. Some steps you can take include installing skylights, getting rid of cubicles that create dark spaces, adding mirrors, and using light colored paint. All of these steps will help to brighten up the space and create a more satisfied and productive staff.
Give Employees a Dedicated Breakroom
Employees can’t be expected to sit at their desk all day, it’s just not realistic. This is why it’s a good idea to give them a dedicated breakroom. This can offer them a quick escape to relax for a moment, unwind, refocus, and fuel up on a snack or meal. By giving them a breakroom, they won’t end up distracting others around them.
A breakroom should include a table and chairs, a fridge, some sort of water cooler/dispenser, a kettle, and microwave. Outside of that you can start to add other comfort features such as a couch, TV, coffee machine, vending machines, and even a dishwasher.
Don’t Forget the Greenery
Greenery is another must-have in any office space, and no we don’t mean fake foliage. Spread a few live plants around the office space, just make sure they are suitable for indoor planting. Greenery helps to brighten up the space and bring the outdoors in.
Each of these steps will help you create a space that is comfortable for your employees, which means they will be that much more productive and efficient.
Goa is the dream destination for most trippers. I wonder, what is so mystical about this place? Why can’t I ever get enough of it? Is it only the rivers of cool alcohol, the mesmerizing beaches, or does there lie something in those sunset hues?
I guess then the line couldn’t be truer – “Goa is like fine wine.” The older it get, the better it becomes, and indeed so. Let’s explore this wondrous city and try to understand what makes every visitor drown in its aura.
Image – Royal India Travel
The Culture of Goa: A Home for Everyone!
If you’ve ever been to Goa you would know what I am talking about. This land is an amalgam of Portuguese and Konkan culture with a pinch of Bohemian influence. From the early 16th century, when it was full of the Portuguese, the state has always welcomed the wanderers who came looking for peace and calm.
Image – pexels.com
Tagged as “Rome of the East,” it still carries the essence of serenity. While many travelers visit for the beautiful beaches, to try adventurous sports, and get tipsy on booze, but they still get a feel for Goa’s multicultural past. Its great churches and heritage homes are the main attractions apart from the beaches.
The famous local brew of Goa – Image Source
Undoubtedly, the culture of Goa is highly unique. Firstly, the people there are never in a jiffy. They spend their time lazing around and doing the right things in life. Secondly, even if you’re low on budget, you can always find a place to stay at the beach shacks. According to India.com, the average expenditure of staying in Goa is just Rs 1200 per day!
You can always stretch your stay without hurting your pocket or putting your savings in jeopardy.
Goans Exhibit Tradition
The locals, called Goans, are are sweet to the core and smart to the up-top. As the they belong to different faiths and cultures, there is a sort of flexibility, or even unconventionality, in their rituals.
Goa Carnival – Image – Goa Tourism
The one thing that you can easily see in typical Goan tradition is the Portuguese Architecture. The hut type design and boundary around the house. Even the new churches are designed in the Portuguese style. People there are free to practice any religion (one of the rarest things in India).
Goan Architecture inspired by Portuguese – Image Pixabay
I think the music and food constitute to its real essence. The special Goan cuisine is fish curry and rice. And the food always contains a touch of Brazilian, Konkani, and Portuguese cuisines.
The Essence of Goa: It’s Cuisine & Music! – Image Source Wikimedia
Usually, the Goan cuisine is quite spicy. The most likable dish of Goa is the Prawn Balham which is a pickle-like preparation. Another delicacy is the Pork Sorpotel, mainly served on special occasions. Goa’s local drink is Feni, a brew prepared from the sap of the coconut or cashew tree.
Goan Music Festival – Image Source
The music here is a mix of traditional classical and western style. The Portuguese introduced the piano, the violin, and the mandolin to Goa, and but the state was rejoiced in its own symphonies. A calm night, the beach, cool breeze and some Goan music , make it a magical land. But that’s not all, Goa is fine like wine, and it has something for everyone. For instance, it is also the foundation stone of Goan psychedelic trance and the dubstep. Famous DJs from around the world visit Goa for the infinite party scene.
Usually, Goa Meadows are full of high-spirited people because they party better than the Goans. If you too love celebrating life, you must have heard Goa calling. However, you might need to pre-book everything. This state is a desirable holiday destination for many- and that leads to bottleneck hotels.
Besides, once you visit this place, you’ll know what the beaches and sunsets do to you. They rejuvenate your inner self and make you believe that there’s more to life.
Author Bio: Hemant Dudeja is a lifestyle writer & a Digital Marketer who loves to write travel blogs and itineraries. He is working for 9ightout– a guide to amazing Nightlife experiences and offers.
It is being touted as the ultimate plan to save our rivers. The Sadhguru has started his rally to replenish our rivers. He’s asking for support- only a missed call- and it’s looking almost too good. But as is India’s past experience with such plans- two questions beg to be answered- “is the plan actually any good?” and “will it still be here by the next rains?” The second question, only time will provide an answer to. For the first, we can venture into a little evaluation.
For those who don’t know, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is an unconventional yogi and spiritual guru. He’s also the founder of the Isha Foundation- a volunteer organization that runs wellness programmes around the world. His 2016 book- “Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy”- has been a New York Times Best Seller. Isha claims a huge volunteer base in the country; large enough to provide an initial support base for the plan.
Apart from the volunteers, many Politicians, sportsmen, and celebrities have responded with support to Sadhguru’s call. A sense of public support can also be acquired from the fact that the Campaign’s Facebook Page has reached 4.8 million likes.
But, all is not as speckless as it seems. There are some lines of thought which lead me to critical conclusions. Firstly, interlinking of the rivers- which Sadhguru supports- has drawn cogent criticisms from experts. Then, according to Manu Moudgil on The Wire, Rally for Rivers is diverting us from the real issue. Planting trees is going to be used by some backers as an excuse for assaulting the rivers in other- more dangerous- ways. There’s also the irony about Sadhguru’s diesel-guzzling convoy, which, according to The Quint, is expected to produce a hurting 26,194 Kg of Carbon Dioxide.
Ambiguities are also abundant when it comes to the rescue plan. For me they arise from the lack of details in the overall plan, and also from the prospective outcomes, or the lack thereof. To be fair, the criticisms are no good either. Their equivocality even makes me lean in Rally’s favour. Because, in all practicality, what harm has ever come from planting trees?
Then, at its core, it seems unlikely that Rally For Rivers is a cure-all plan for our environmental woes. In its defense, no practicable plan can singularly heal the planet. Also, in all honesty, it’s not as scientifically proofed as it could have been.
Instead, it will be better if we look at it as a first in a series of public-backed, and hopefully independent, movements. If done right, without the political or corporate strings, this can very well be the proper start of a pan-India pro-environment movement. And that makes it a win-win for everyone, deserving of our support.
Author – Lakshya Dahiya (With inputs from Shrila Soren)
As a child once I enquired of a distant cousin as to which God he liked the most. When the response came, I was appalled, shocked to say the least. He had just called himself an atheist. But the word I heard was “evil”. Then I grew up, and realized that he was just another member of the profusion of sects and cults that thrives in this country.
For a fact, I can say that this profusion has always found its enemy in atheism. Atheists have always been like some outlaws. It takes a strong non-conformist will for any individual, in this country of million faiths, to adorn the garb of an atheist.
Over the previous years, many well-known anti-superstition, anti-organized-religion activists have been subjected to mob violence. Some events even led to much blown-up political storms, eventually, to no avail. As sad as these incidences are, they actually belong to a larger global trend, that has been in force since the beginning of organized religion. Not just in India then, it seems, Atheists are unwelcome everywhere.
From top left (clockwise), Baron d’Holbach, Karl Marx, Auguste Comte, and Sam Harris; prominent atheist thinkers. Image – Wikimedia Commons
There is another league of those who have come forward, rather hot-headed, against “forced”, organized religion. Rather than atheists, these would again fit more properly in the line of anti-religionists. Sonu Nigam- who recently sparked controversy for his remarks against a particular religious practice- serves as an apt example.
But does Atheism really mean being against religion?
According to American Atheists (an authoritative voice on the subject), it is “simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods”. Believing this definition, we can safely say that Atheism does not necessarily advocate ‘god hating’ or ‘religion hating’ orientations.
It’s no surprise that all the prominent atheist organizations are based in the west.
So these outbursts, for whatever reason they may be, become even more important. They present samples from the growing incidences of mild frustration, callousness, and overall disillusionment among Indian youth for religion.
The driving force of this trend is surely the popular culture. I am no one to judge whether it’s good or bad, but it is happening. How many social media celebrities- the draught horses of pop culture- do we see promoting religiosity?
Another probable reason is the social media itself. It is bringing people with different, even conflicting, religious ideas together. For any reasonable person, it is more comfortable not to face this conflict head on. As a result, the religious schisms are hitting the sidelines.
Still, the question stands, is this Atheism?
Looking for the answer in etymology, we find that the word ‘atheist’ come from the Greek word ‘átheos’ which means ‘without deities’. Historically, non-believers were called atheists as an insult. So, they were sort of ‘underprivileged’.
átheoi from ancient Greek means ‘without God’
So, and as the American Atheist definition said, keeping one’s religiousness on the back burner is not enough to be an atheist. You become one when you’re completely devoid of such beliefs.
This singularly means that the youth is not becoming atheist, they’re just caring less and less about their religiosity. As a result, at one end, we have the anti-religionists, on the other, there are the non-atheistic, callous followers. None of these are true atheists.
This was reflected in the 2011 census, when only 33,000 people called themselves atheists, or roughly 0.00002% of the 1.3 Billion. Just 541 in the National Capital.
If in the same census, the calculated the number of people who don’t care too much about religion, don’t believe in the associated values, or hardly participates in religious rituals, the number would run in millions. So, when so many people are reaching so close the theism/atheism borderline, what is stopping them from taking the jump?
The answer to this lies in the prehistoric human need to conforming. Maybe people don’t just want to stand out when it comes to belief. Everyone wants to believe in what is collectively believed. Like I said before, It will take a strong non-conformist will.
Another factor is probably the concept of apostates. Very few people (almost none) are born and raised non-believers. So, if and when they do want to turn to atheism, they fear being tagged an apostate. Now, think how hard must be for a politician to change parties! Nobody likes a deserter or a hypocrite.
Bhagat Singh’s atheistic views are not well known. He was a stringent critic of Religion.
The generally accepted answer among atheists, and theists alike, is scientific education. But when ISRO chief- an individual with substantial scientific temper- goes to Tirupati temple before the Mangalyaan launch, it rightly becomes a matter of personal belief.
I feel that it is only this concept of ‘personal belief’ which, after excluding superstitions, can provide sound refutations to both ideologies- of the anti-religionists and of the organized religion. When it comes to religion, it seems that the key to communal, and personal, harmony is simply ‘keeping it to yourself’.
In the end then, I think it could be safely concluded that the Indian youth is not rejecting religion or accepting atheism. The Indian youth is but slowly, and unknowingly, treading towards the idea of secularism- which, in a nutshell, means not caring too much about religion.
If the pioneers of the Indian Constitution were witnessing this, they must be be thinking, “…only about time…”
“She’s not that kind of a girl”. Various iterations of this sentence are heard everywhere, all the time. The might-be male equivalent of this, on the other hand, is rarer than the white peacock.
This is a common feature of every patriarchal setup, where judgements are reserved for one sex only. These judgements are often seen as nuisances of life which only cause harm if a woman let them affect her.
But their ramifications reach deeper. Over time, these seemingly-inert judgements drive almost every young male, in his formative years, to create an ill informed image of the ideal female. Such images rarely take into account the complexities and layers of a woman’s personality, of her whole being. More disturbingly, they make women to be viewed as subjects of righteous predominance.
Remedies for this precondition are sought in reformation of the laws and of the education system. But, almost unbelievingly, the solution is just a change of perspective. Getting a view of the society from the other side.
This is what the artist Joseph Rajini Asir is trying to communicate through this beautiful poem illustration.
Talking about the absence of perspective, he says “I always gave the benefit of doubt to the abuser.”
“I used to consider what might the girl had done to provoke him”, he adds.
He worked closely with a victim of abuse for six months. A collaboration that culminated into these illustrations, and a new perspective.
The work has strong, sensitising statements, as well as motifs composed of sexual references and intimate postures. Let us know what you think of the work in the comments below.
Illustration by Joseph Rajini Asir Poem in the Illustration by the Survivor of Abuse
