Five Common Construction Issues and Solutions

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Common construction issues can shield you from completing a project on schedule and inside spending plans. That is the reason it’s imperative to realize normal accidents and how to deal with them. 

Here are a few normal building site issues and their answers: 

Poor material administration: 

In the event that place of work materials aren’t accessible when and where you need them, you chance pointless deferrals and cost overwhelms on your custom task. It merits finding a way to ensure your materials are protected, secure and effectively available. 

It’s significant to work with production network experts who can oversee place of work material for you. This sets aside time and cash, yet permits you to concentrate on what you excel at. There will likewise be genuine feelings of serenity realizing you’ll have the correct materials, at the opportune time, in the perfect spot. 

Here are some places of work administrations and arrangements you’ll require: 

  • Vendor managed stock 
  • Place of work boxes and trucks 
  • Material organizing
  • Place of work holders 
  • Place of work trailers 

It’s likewise essential to discover a wholesaler that makes requesting simple with things like a versatile application with standardized identification filtering, item following and reordering. It additionally assists with working with an accomplice that coordinates your custom part numbers, which streamlines the requesting procedure. 

Plan/blueprint deviation :

It’s shocking to figure subcontractors may erroneously work off an old arrangement of plans, and similarly as startling to realize how simple it is for them to go amiss from set procedures with an end goal to be increasingly effective. Veering off from blueprints will defer your calendar, so it’s essential to make the accompanying strides: 

  • Date all drawings and ensure subcontractors are working with the latest plans. 
  • Note plan dates in your construction understanding and remember them for the standard procedures. 
  • Administrators ought to be proactive and cautious for botches. The sooner you find an issue, the better.
  • Security issues :
  • Obviously, wellbeing is vital. You need everybody to make it home by the day’s end in a similar condition they showed up in.

In a hurried mentality, it very well may be simple for laborers to disregard wellbeing measures, which regularly prompts injury. Work wounds can set a venture back extensively, so it’s essential to set up a solid security the executives program that incorporates required wellbeing gear (individual defensive hardware like hard caps, wellbeing glasses and intelligent vests), techniques, correspondence and site preparation. 

Absence of appropriate organization :

The construction venture the board has the command to settle on choices and obtainment forms which should fit the timetable of the task plan. In any case, having an administration that can’t adapt to the speed and size of interest, it might be a major issue for the task’s prosperity. The project management ought to have individuals with legitimate administration abilities that will guarantee the achievement of the undertaking as indicated by the calendar. 

Budgetary issues / Efficiency and Profitability:

You may have installments due for the representatives, sellers, gear leaseholders and providers yet the sum for you is expected on venture fruition. As the contractual worker, you have to have enough money to deal with this issue. Going for an open business credit extension will assist you with overseeing such bills and spare your reputation.

There are hardly any boundaries to the section in construction, which implies it’s especially a soaked market. With so much rivalry, net revenues are draining. This decreases the reinvestment potential to refresh genuinely necessary industry procedures and innovation. 

As per the COAA, profitability stagnation in construction can be followed to four significant issue zones, as 63 percent of direct specialist time is spent on the accompanying: 

  • Sitting tight for materials and hardware 
  • Going to the area 
  • Choosing to take early breaks 
  • Picking how to complete the work 

Construction companies in bangalore should concentrate on the best way to decrease poor work profitability through better arranging and work forms. Moreover, reinvestment into improving efficiencies with innovation ought to be done at the principal opportunity.

 Skill capacities :

Perhaps the most serious issue confronting the construction  business is the deficiency of gifted specialists to fulfill the construction need in the market. One of the elements adding to this is the restricted information about advantages of a vocation in construction , thus youngsters simply decide on different fields in school. Additionally, most Building Construction Companies have a way of life of working with past groups and neglect to set up an association with the offices and workforce that fits the activity. You can discover such gifted specialists from construction staffing organizations. 

Delays in construction time:

One of the mortgage holder’s greatest apprehensions is typically the conviction of the task finishing as fast as could reasonably be expected. The contractual worker ought to stipulate the creation plan for the construction  contract which you can use to screen the advancement of the undertaking. There are some worthy explanations behind deferrals in the task which you should know about earlier. In any case, if postponements happen, it ought to be tended to rapidly correspondence be made between the mortgage holder and the contractor right away. 

Insufficient correspondence between construction  parties 

Communication is fundamental to the accomplishment of any task. Communication breakdowns for the most part happen when things are turning out badly in a project. With the expanded spread of innovation, all things considered, nearly everybody on your venture has a cell phone. To have reliable and effective correspondence, you can concur on the most ideal approaches to keep correspondence valuable during the venture. You may decide to utilize instant messages, messages or innovation applications to permit ongoing correspondence in regards to extend progress and updates. It is one approach to hindrances of a correspondence disappointment by diminishing stoppages.

These regular setbacks don’t need to be normal at your place of work. By being proactive and making sure about the correct assets, you’ll finish your activity securely, on schedule and inside the spending plan.

10 Things Your Can Do At Home To Be Productive During Lockdown

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Many a great man has stated that in order to assess a situation fully, one must not blind themselves to the positive side of every apparently harrowing experience. However in our present days of battle against coronavirus, now is certainly not the time for moralizing. No matter which part of the world one belongs to, this is the hour of practicality, as it is becoming increasingly clear that prevention is one of the only cures. Staying cooped up indoors all day through an unprecedented period of quarantine is a less than ideal experience, but it should not be a cause for anxiety or panic. If you have been feeling claustrophobic and demoralized, here are ten things you can do to make this burden easier and ensure these days are productive! 

1. DIY ART & Craft

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Photo by Victoria Bilsborough

Remember scrolling through Facebook and checking out videos on origami and DIY art, and feeling like trying your hand at it? Well, there’s no time like the present to finally get around it and make an attempt to create something that is engaging and artistic. Going outdoors to get stationery is not an option and it might seem like a challenge to craft something out of materials available at home. Here are websites you can check out which have all the information on basic DIY crafts one can create at home from things that are usually around in the house:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/ https://www.happinessishomemade.net/quick-easy-kids-crafts-anyone-can-make/

There are also plenty of YouTube tutorials on making crafts at home which you can search for to liven up your desks and rooms with old newspapers, wrapping papers, or simply colourful thread.

2. Read Good Books That Keeps You Happy

Things-Your-Can-Do-at-Home-To-Be-Productive-During-Lockdown-Read-good-books
Photo by Anthony Tran

A lot of us are privileged enough that we do not have to deal with the crisis headfirst and can afford to do our parts simply by remaining indoors. Take this time to reflect, rejuvenate, rest, and finally read books that you have been meaning to for the longest time. One of the most popular websites for online books, magazines, and podcasts is Scribd (https://www.scribd.com/) and the good news is that they are now offering an entire month of free membership to everyone who creates an account. The resources are terrific and their classics collection is worth browsing through for those bookworms who cannot go out to their favourite libraries and borrow books. 

3. Learn to Cook

Things-Your-Can-Do-at-Home-To-Be-Productive-During-Lockdown-Learn-to-cook
Photo by Jason Briscoe

Take some time out and learn how to cook. It may be only a basic dish, but this is the ideal time to try and go a step beyond boiling an egg or adding water to a bowl of Maggi. For those who do not have anyone to guide them through the process, there is always the option of consulting online cookbooks and websites such as Indian Food Forever (https://www.indianfoodforever.com/cooking-tips.html). If you would like to cook a different cuisine or wish to get a more hands on approach to the task, there are several YouTube channels with easy recipes for the purpose, such as Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmoX4QULJ9MB00xW4coMiOw). For the Masterchefs, perhaps try making that dish you have always admired at your favourite restaurant?

4. Try to Get Fit

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Photo by Rawan Yasser

For the fitness freaks, it is highly advisable to not visit gyms at present. A far better option would be to download apps on your phone which provide personalized workouts depending on your preferences (such as Healthify Me). There are also several YouTube bloggers who upload instructive workouts to do at home for losing that extra kilo or crunching your way to building abs.

5. Doodle & Sketching

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Photo by chuttersnap

How about digging up that bullet journal or pretty notebook you have been saving for an occasion to fill out with your artwork and creativity? Pour out the doodles and sketch ideas you have kept locked up in your mind and finally fill the blank pages with colour. If you’re suffering from writer’s block or are in need of a bout of inspiration, there is no need to fret. Search on Instagram with #bujo and be amazed by the number of ideas you’ll find awaiting you.

6. Maintain a Daily Planner

Things-Your-Can-Do-at-Home-To-Be-Productive-During-Planner
Photo by Emma Matthews Digital Content Production

Keep and maintain a daily planner. This will reduce the feeling of being out of control and will also help maintain discipline over these days which seem to be spinning on endlessly. This is also a great opportunity to take note of the things that you feel most like doing now so you have something to look forward to accomplishing once the tide blows over. Organizing your home is also a great option, and your closet is always a good place to begin.

7. Watch Online Entertainment

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Photo by Thought Catalog

Netflix, Hotstar, and Amazon Prime are pretty much our saviours. For those who do not have subscriptions to either of these there are many intriguing web serials on YouTube such as Little Things or Kota Factory that you can binge watch. 

8. Learn New Online Courses

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Photo by Austin Distel

Browse through udemy, coursera, or edX, discover the top universities of the world offering online classes and certificates on a wide range of subjects and topics. Whether you are an art history enthusiast, or want to sharpen your business skills, or simply wish to understand how to lead a happier life – there are courses for every interest area. 

9. Reconnect with Family

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Photo by Pablo Merchán Montes

Take this time to reconnect with friends through social media and phone calls, and spend much needed quality time with your family. You can even bring out the old board games or just reminisce and chat or have heated political discussions over steaming cups of chai.

10. Celebrate with Home Cooked Delicacies

Things-Your-Can-Do-at-Home-To-Be-Productive-During-Celebrate with Home Cooked Delicacies
Image- Pixabay

Birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions are tricky through a 21 days lockdown. But there is nothing a delicious home cooked meal, a perfect movie, and some good ol’ dancing to the party playlist on Spotify cannot fix.

Crafting Futures – A Collaboration of British Council in India

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Image courtesy – DICRC

Crafting Futures is a British Council initiative. This unique endeavor supports the future of crafts through global collaboration and funding across the world. The idea is to creatively use the local crafts for social, economic, cultural and environmental growth. 

Crafting Futures hence encourages the local artisan and crafts community to collaborate with global organizations. The collaboration brings together the expertise of different cultures to create new craft ecosystems.

In India

Applications for Crafting Futures opened in August 2019 in India. Out of the many entries, 6 proposals were selected. These 6 winning entries are led by Indian organizations, who have worked tremendously at the grass root level and in their respective crafts field. These industries are wide spread, ranging from textiles, sustainable fashion, pottery and puppetry. Each of these organizations are now in collaboration with UK partners exploring how ‘traditional skills, contemporary design and enterprise can come together to create new business solutions’. 

The winning projects

Each of winning projects brings unique craft or local artistic concepts in the fore. Building on the local talent and skill, the organizations also bring their experience, both in their know how of the crafting techniques, as well as, in their association with the craftsmen and women. In fact, the initiative lays special emphasis on women oriented and generated crafts, hoping to not only empower them, give them their due credit, but also, to use their creative inclinations for a better and fruitful collaboration. 

Here is taking a look at the 6 organizations, their collaborations and the work that they propose to do in the next year or so. 

1. Empowering through craft

Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute
Image courtesy – SSMI

The Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute along with the Goldsmiths, University of London are working on the project called ‘Empowering through craft: using craft heritage and sustainable processes to train women and enhance design process’. Led by Sunita Bhasin from SSMI and Sandra Fruebing the project aims to conduct workshops to train creating environmentally sustainable products and bring women artisans from different backgrounds together on the same platform. Both, Sunita Bhasin and Sandra Fruebing have a good understanding of the community and its issues. The project will be executed in Delhi and Jaipur.

2. Living Crafts

A collaboration of British Council in India
Image courtesy – UnBoxFestivals

Called ‘Living Crafts’, this project is led by Neha Singh from UnBox Cultural Futures and Irini Papadimitriou from FutureEverything. This project is a mapping exercise that will be conducted in Goa, New Delhi and Bangalore. In each location the craft will be paired with a local creative or digital professional for collaboration and learning. It aims for an exchange of ideas, tools and skills. Bringing together the different skills the project will create meaningful products and services. Some interesting creative collaborations could be bringing together a potter and a game designer or a mat weaver and an IoT professional or a comic book artist and a welder. Each of these collaborations definitely will lead to newer craft ecosystems that will bring forth a fresh approach and new artistic angles to creative expressions. 

3. The Pinguli Story

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Image courtesy – Cultureaangan.com

The Pinguli Story is a project collaboration between Rashmi Sawant from Culture Aangan Tourism and Netty Sopata from Applied Arts Scotland. Located in Maharashtra, Pinguli is known for its puppet artistry. With the main focus on women, the leaders of this artisan community will undergo training to promote sustainable development of the community. The Pinguli community will be highlighted as a location for Traditional Craft Skills and Puppetry Performances, as well as, an interactive Sustainable tourism venue. The training will be done through various methods, including online, social media, digital marketing training, interactive tourism models and so on.

4. Desi Unn

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Image courtesy – Khamir.org

The next project concentrates on the artistry of wool. Called the ‘Desi Unn: Revival of indigenous wool fiber value chain through local craft skills of spinning, weaving and hand felting’, it is led by Ghatit Leheru of Khamir and Ceri Jones from Feildwork. The project will aim to revive the local economy around wool in the Kutch region. 

5. Women and Crafts in India

A-collaboration-of-British-Council-in-India Kutch handicrafts
Image courtesy – Rajesh India via Flickr

‘Raising Awareness of Value (RAV): Women and Crafts in India’, is a project that looks at supporting women artisans of Gujarat. Led by Shalini Gupta of Pearl Academy and Alison Welsh from Manchester Metropolitan University will help improve the life of the local artisans through both product innovation and new marketing skills. Kutch handicrafts have for years churned amazing creativity, but the local artisans have sadly not shared the same limelight or the monetary benefits that the designers sourcing work from them have. The project aims to explore the possibilities for co-ideation and co-creation by empowering the women artisans of Gujarat to carve out their own identity as makers and designers. 

6. Terracotta craft cluster of Gundiyali

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Image courtesy – DICRC

In a Terracotta craft cluster of Gundiyali, Gujarat is where the sixth project of the initiative will unfold. This project aims to familiarize and sensitize the artisans into converting their community and village into a craft experiential hub. Called ‘Celebrating Clay: generating new forms of cultural production for craft experiential tourism’ it is led by Jay Thakkar from Design Innovation and Craft Resources Centre or DICRC and Barney Hare Duke from the Clay Foundation – Trading as British Ceramics Biennial. 

Globally, the Crafting Futures program is initiated in South Asia and Latin America. However, its collaboration and craft focused approach is great news for the local artisans of India. A working together of organizations with experience at the local levels along with international entities will create a win-win situation for all – the local artists, the enhancement of the craft itself, a cherished experience for all the involved parties, as well as, a creative step in the direction of overall craft expertise, expressions and empowerment.

Dashmeet Singh – Experiencing Life through the Eyes of Comic Strips Artist

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Indian comic strips artists are one of a kind because not only are their portrayals highly relatable, there is also a characteristically indigenous touch to their creations. One such artist is Dashmeet Singh from Delhi, who considers it his aim through art to capture and keep alive the spirit and innocence of childhood through his works. The montages he creates all focus on typically Indian experiences of childhood which are shared by all, regardless of which part of the country one belongs to.

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One of his most well known works feature depictions of a child bonding with her grandmother as she massages oil into the child’s hair – an event that is albeit unremarkable in itself but recognizable by all because of its commonness. Dashmeet Singh holds on to his Sikh background proudly and his heritage is reflected in all his comic strips. He has an entire range of artwork based on his memories of a traditional Punjabi upbringing, such as scenes of children playing with adults to a popular folk rhyme – which was a popular scene for him in his years of growing up. There is something undoubtedly warm and homely in the themes chosen by Singh.

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Dashmeet Singh rose to fame as an Instagram artist, but his keen eye for paintings and other artworks developed in his adolescent years. He has previously credited artist Sharandeep Singh on Facebook (page name – Sharan Art) for his discovery of his love of the simplicity with which one can express their thoughts and emotions into art. His second stage in development as an artist is owed largely to his mother, for her interest in fine art which she passed on to him, and YouTube tutorials on artworks which he watched whenever he had a break.

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At the very outset Singh was certain he wanted to paint scenes depicting the rhythms of daily life, to make certain monotonous and commonplace experiences stand out by highlighting their beauty. Having been a student of medicine at the time, Dashmeet Singh was not able to practice for hours to attain finesse in his works as one might expect. Interestingly, his career as an artist had begun with quick doodles and rough sketches on his notepad, and portraits of common people and their movements that he encountered regularly while commuting on the metro. 

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Singh became resolute in his decision to create scripts on everyday life through his encounter with the works of artist Alicia Souza on Instagram. The mode of daily comics featuring regular life suited him perfectly because it enabled him to reach out to a much larger audience while remaining completely impersonal about the details of his own life. Hence, although the character that figures most regularly in his artworks is his own self,

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Singh takes care to not single out any specific experiences to highlight and chooses only those which are relatable and appealing to the masses. From the outset his vision had been to reach out especially to members of the Sikh community, of whom he knew that there was no one to document common experiences and aid in the fostering of a communal spirit. This gives him the determination to immortalize more and more instances of regular life through his work in order to create a montage on life as an Indian in the cultural context of Sikhs. 

However, this is not to say that his works are all cut and dry and steeped in realism. Imagination plays a vital role in his artworks to make the ordinary life events appear significant, and to capture the sense of belonging, inclusivity, love, and the values of typical Indian families.

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His creations are not limited to life in an Indian society, but include humorous and satirical pieces, moralistic reflections, or simply casual comic strips on inanimate objects and occasional caricature figures. The largest exhibition of his works may be found online, and he has also participated in several prominent art festivals and viewings across the country. His artworks may be found in stores across cities like Delhi or Kolkata, and some of his choicest works are also available online for purchase.

Follow Dashmeet Singh on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dashmeetart

Delicious Snacks For Kids: Banana Powder At Rescue

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In India, bananas are extremely popular and there are various types of bananas to choose from! In fact it is hard to find a place in India that doesn’t grow or consume bananas! Bananas are packed with nutrients and they can be had any time of the day. They are rich in iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorous. They also have high fibre content aiding easy digestion.     

Bananas are so loved for their taste and nutritional value that they are introduced right in infancy, in the form of banana powder. For making banana powder, you need to use the raw, larger varieties of bananas, the kind that are generally steamed when ripe and then dry them over days. It is a time consuming process indeed. If you do not have time to prepare this powder at home, don’t worry. You can use the Slurrp Farm banana powder, which contains no preservatives or additives. When used with some warm milk or water, it makes for an excellent blog.slurrpfarm.com. You can easily buy it online and it will be shipped directly to your doorstep.                        

Delicious Snacks For Kids with Slurrp Farm Banana_Powder
Slurrp Farm Banana Powder

With that sorted, you can now introduce your kids to the wonderful world of bananas with yummy and nutritious banana powder recipes – perfect to fill that little growing tummy. Here are some delicious and healthy banana powder recipes your young ones will surely love.      

Oats Banana Porridge

Oats-Banana-Porridge For-Kids-with-Slurrp-Farm-Banana_Powder-1
Porridge made form Banana Powder

Give your little star a good boost of energy with oats banana porridge. It can be introduced to babies after 6 months once the other basic first foods are already incorporated in their diet.   

Ingredients:                                 

  1. 2 tbsp cooking oats 
  2. 1 tablespoon of banana powder
  3. 100ml of cold milk or water 
  4. ½ cup water        

Method:

  1. Mix oats with water in a saucepan and cook it on medium flame for about 3 minutes. 
  2. Once the oats are cooked, add milk to it and boil it for a few minutes.
  3. Then add the banana powder, mix it well to ensure there are no lumps.
  4. Cook the mixture on a low flame for 15 minutes and then remove from the flame.     
  5.  Serve lukewarm. The porridge can also be stored in an airtight container under refrigeration for feeding later.                

Banana Powder Halwa 

Banana-Powder-Halwa For-Kids-with-Slurrp-Farm-Banana_Powder
Halwa made form Banana Powder

Banana powder halwa is an easy and quick dessert for babies and kids. It is another delicacy you can make with banana powder. They can be given to babies from 8 months onwards as a quick dessert. 

Ingredients:       

  1. 1/4 cup banana porridge powder
  2. 2 tbsp powdered palm jaggery (optional)
  3. 1.5 cups water 
  4. 3 tbsp ghee        
  5. 1 tbsp powdered nuts 
  6. 1/4 tsp cardamom powder

Method:                                         

  1. Take the powdered jaggery and add 1/4 cup of water or till immersing level. Boil till it melts completely and the mixture becomes slightly thick.          
  2. Strain the jaggery mixture to remove impurities. Keep it aside.
  3. Now take the banana powder in a thick bottomed pan and add water to it. Mix everything slowly and thoroughly with a whisk. Make sure there are no lumps.
  4. Then add in the strained jaggery mixture along with ghee and cardamom powder.
  5. Mix well and cook everything in the low medium flame until it becomes thick.
  6. Whisk or stir the mixture continuously while cooking so that it does not stick to the vessel and form lumps.                    
  7. Now add in the powdered nuts and switch off the flame once done.
  8. Transfer the halwa to a ghee greased plate. Spread out the halwa and let it cool. Then serve.

Banana Powder Milkshake

Banana-Milk-Shake For-Kids-with-Slurrp-Farm-Banana_Powder-1
Minkshake made form Banana Powder

This one is a healthy milkshake with banana powder. It is a very good weight gaining recipe for toddlers and kids.              

Ingredients:       

  1. 2 tbsp banana powder
  2. 1 tbsp powdered palm jaggery or jiggery (optional)
  3. 3/4 cup water
  4. 1 cup milk
  5. 1 tbsp honey 

Method:

  1. Take 2 tbsp banana powder in a thick bottomed pan and add 3/4 cup of water to it.
  2. Mix well with a whisk. Cook everything in a low flame for 5 minutes or until the banana powder gets cooked well. Stir it continuously so it does not stick to the bottom.              
  3. Now add powdered palm jaggery or palm jaggery syrup. Mix well and cook further for 3 minutes. Switch off the flame once it’s done and let it cool down.
  4. Then transfer the cooked banana powder to a blender. Add milk and honey to it. 
  5. Blend everything until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve warm.

NOTE:

In the milkshake recipe, you can also add a banana or apple to make it more healthy. Older kids can be given Slurrp Farm’s healthy and yummy easy snacks for kids like ragi and choco cookies, to complement the taste of the milkshake. In all recipes, adjust the milk quantity as per the thickness you desire. Babies over one year can be given cow’s milk. And lastly, always check with your pediatrician before introducing any new food.    

Contemporary Indian Dance – Breaking Free from the Traditional

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Image Courtesy – Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts

Classical Indian dances hold a very special place in the artistic world. Their grace, style and forms are well-known and their execution and understanding of the art reach almost a divine realm.

But besides, classical dances, India is also home to a number of other dance forms. Folk dances of course, are a regional variation that reflect culture and social norms. However, there is no clear distinction as what comprises of contemporary dance. 

Contemporary dance in India includes a range of dance forms. These incorporate choreography for cinema, as well as, modern Indian dances. Yet, the borders of contemporary dance forms are flexible allowing the scope and range of various dance forms. This is because there is rarely uniformity in terms of style or costumes, yet there is no chaos or confusion either. The best ways to categorize a form as contemporary would be to judge if it breaks or moves away from traditional dance forms.

Modern Indian dance

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Image Courtesy – Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company

The perception people usually have is that modern Indian dance is nothing but a fusion of western and Indian classical dance styles. However, that is far from true. Indian modern dances are a genre by themselves though they may not have found the same kind of recognition as classical dances of India. Where Classical dances have a regimented and codified way of going about, modern dances on the other hand is based primarily on the imagination.

Modern Indian dance has an interesting history where Uday Shankar has been credited as the Father of Modern Indian dance. 

Uday Shankar

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Uday Shankar – Commeaucinema.com

Uday Shankar (1900-1977) was one of the first dancers to create a fusion of sorts. He started by dancing in cafes and cabarets in Paris in the 1930’s until he partnered Anna Pavlova. He toured with her and soon began touring on his own along with his team of musicians and dancers. 

He gave the western audiences a flavor of Indian ballet in terms of dance forms, costumes and colors. He broke away from the traditional forms by not differentiating between Nirtta and Abhinaya. The primary aspect of modern dance was the movement of the body for the sake of its own. Here music was composed after the dance composition and therefore, it was the movement of the free flowing body that was of utmost importance. Some of his important and popular productions are Lanka Dahan, Panchatantra and others.

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Uday Shankar – Image Courtesy sahapedia.org

However, Uday Shankar learned Indian Classical dance and hence modern dance forms also see the influence of the classical styles. Uday Shankar also had a lot of disciples but none really emerged as the next singular flag bearer of modern dance forms. 

Yet when one thinks of modern dance forms a number of artists come to mind, including Shanti Bardhan, Shobana Jeyasingh, Amala Shankar, Dr. Manjushree Chaki-Sarkar, Ranjabati Sarkar and more. 

Dance in Indian Cinema and by Dance groups

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Image Courtesy – Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts

Dancing has always been an integral part of Indian cinema. The dance forms have ranged from Classical styles to modern dances, folk dances and western styles. But contemporary dance forms have in fact, been most propounded by cinema along with the advent of various contemporary dance schools and academies. 

Some of the popular centers and academies that are hubs for contemporary dance forms, include the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts in Bangalore, National Centre for the Performing Arts or NCPA, Terence Lewis Academy, Gati Dance Forum in Delhi and more. 

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Image Courtesy – Gati Dance

Finally, contemporary dance forms may seem to be in a nascent phase when compared to the years and generations of classical traditional dance forms. But contemporary is valid and required to express and enunciate emotions and stories in a form that allows for the body and mind to be free of the adherence to certain rhythms and rules. Modern and contemporary are inevitable in any form of artistic expression. And though classical dance forms continue to be traditional and respected, contemporary dance forms are also surely finding an audience and artists who may not completely break away from tradition, but do find alternate styles of expressions.

How Upper Deck Resort in Lonavala is the Dream You Always Wanted to Come True

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Upper-Deck-ResortWaking up to a majestic window from where I can get a 360 degree view of the mountains, clouds which I can reach upto with the distance of my hand, and some beautiful greenery which is beyond earth, sounds more like a dream. Which is why Upper Deck Resort was a dream come alive as I opened the window with sleepy eyes, to a cup of hot coffee and some breakfast dosa and glared at the beautiful view before me. Away from all the commercialisation, at the topmost point in Lonavala, Upper Deck Resort was a retreat to every sense in my body. 

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As I walked barefoot on the green grass, the canopied shades, the stone brick flooring at the property, my thoughts wandered to the most important thing which I push out of my mind often – me. Thinking more about my decisions, my mind racing with new thoughts and transformational ideas, I felt like the vacation was doing wonders on me. I took time out for my hobbies like reading, listening to TED podcasts about people who were impacting the world and exploring a new Jazz playlist on Spotify. 

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While taking time out for my own solitude, I also spent time with my family and reconnected with them. My grandmother felt rejuvenated by the mere sight of the hills around us, so much so, that she began posing on the viewing deck to get images for her new whatsapp display picture. I got the opportunity to make her go back to a Lonavala which existed during the times of her youth, as she fondly remembered, one which had no city vibe, no buildings or shops, limited people, just a clear and uninterrupted view of the mountains. 

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With my favourite book, “The Bandit Saints of Java”, I sat among the creeper covered architecture of the resort, on a seat created on the viewing deck, with a direct view of the mountains. Engrossed in an interesting part in the book where the author is exploring an offbeat area in Java and describing the intricate architecture of a bandit’s tomb, I realised it was time for lunch. 

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Finding my lunch spot at the very edge of the restaurant facing the panoramic view of the Sahyadri Hills and a lake in the valley of the hills, I enjoyed some tandoor baked cheese garlic naan, aloo jeera, hakka noodles, dal tadka and peanut salad. My lunch table also overlooked a small pond right below the restaurant area which had numerous ducks and fishes. Amidst nature, between the power of the mountains and mighty clouds, I had found myself a new spot of comfort which I could call home. 

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My love for trekking always takes me to new paths. At Upper Deck Resort itself, there was a small trekking part, overlooking the hills, which made me feel lost for sometime till I found my way again. Numerous flowers grew around the walking route and my camera made the walk even more fun. I was looking at everything from a photographer’s perspective and took multiple shots of the route. A particular image I took looks exactly like images of the Chandrashila Chopta trek in the Himalayas. To make things better, there was a romantic couple’s sitting area on the enthralling route, which faced the mystical lake surrounded by mountains. 

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While at the property, what I liked most was hunting for a network like I have to on my treks to the Himalayas. Being at the very top of Lonavala, the property has limited network only in certain areas, which makes it disconnected to the rest of the world. Living at Upper Deck Resort was like living in my own bubble, without getting any emails from work or any calls which would get me thinking about anything back home. It was a true feeling of transcendence, like I had left all my worries behind before entering the vacation I deserved. 

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Taking in the sunset with my eyes closed, ready to feel every moment with my heart open, I spent time with my beloved ones. My family enjoyed the snacks, sitting together at the same table, catching up about life and discussing silly things, gossipping about our lives in the cities but mostly watching each other smile at taking satisfaction in the happiness of our loved ones. Upper Deck Resort with it’s 360 degree mountain view, stunning lush greenspaces, clouds descending over us, gave us memories which will last a lifetime.

Image Courtesy – Upper Deck Resort

Photo Feature – City Palace Jaipur from an Offbeat Lens

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In the heart of the pink city, enclosed with crowded markets and ancient temples, stands a sprawling pink hued palace that speaks tales of a bygone era with its regal architecture – the City Palace, Jaipur. The palace was established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and the construction spread between 1729 and 1732 AD.

The 300-year-old palace was the kingdom rulers’ seat of reign till 1949. Many magnificent royal architectural constructions adorn the palace like, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Sabha Niwas and the Clock Tower among others.

For Vageesha Mishra, strolling past the aesthetically stunning arches, intricately engraved pillars and doorways felt nothing short of a walk down the memory lane that was filled with an illustrious history.

Paan Culture in India – Love in a Heart Shaped Betel Leaf

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The Paan Culture in India
Image – Pixabay

The betel leaf or fondly also known as ‘paan’ is a ubiquitous entity in India, as well as Southeast Asia. Though the leaf itself is used for various purposes and occasions, the paan on the other hand includes the leaf along with other ingredients all coned up together to form the perfect digestive remedy after a good heavy meal. 

Paan along with many other mouth freshening products is an essential item in many households. It is one of those idiosyncrasies that have defined a special space for itself and its influence is seen in social, economic, as well as cultural backgrounds. 

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From Bollywood songs dedicated to the paan, to the multitude of paanwala bhaiyyas strewn across streets, the appeal of this freshening and distinct flavored green gastronomical delicacy is quite widespread. The chewing of the paan, is however, not only restricted to the Indian subcontinent. In fact, it is believed that the combination of the betel leaf and the areca nut first originated in the Philippines. Both the plants are said to be a native of Southeast Asia and Australasia. 

Medicinal uses of Paan

Medicinal uses of Paan
Image – McKay Savage via Flickr

It is this combination of the betel leaf and the areca nut that form the basic structure of the paan. It is also chewed with slaked lime or chuna along with mukhwas (mouth freshener), gulkand (rose petals) etc. Chewing of the paan along with the nut and tobacco, can lead to oral cancer. However, the betel leaf itself, is considered healthy and has various medicinal properties too. Experts in Ayurveda believe that the betel leaf helps cures diseases of the bile and air. It is a good digestive aid, antiseptic and a natural mouth freshener. In the earlier days, it also gave the lips of women a natural red color.

Betel leaf – Tradition and history

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Image -gdiamos.net

In India, the betel leaf has been an exotic yet easily accessible ingredient. Since ancient times the betel leaf has been in use, called Tambolian in Sanskrit. The fondness for the leaf, as well as, paan continued to prosper and reached its most popular phase during the Sultanate and Mughal era. 

Though the paan is more or less restricted to satisfy the taste buds, it is the betel leaves that are rooted in the tradition and culture. The paan patta or betle leaves are used on various occasions across the country as a sign of good omen. In southern India, around Old Mysore, two betel leaves are usually presented to guests on special occasions. A betel leaf along with a coin and betel nut are also offered to priests and saints as dakshina in South India. 

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The kalash or pot is an important religious and cultural symbol that is used on different occasions, such as housewarming or marriages. Betel leaves are almost always used along with the kalash, even during the festivals of Durga Puja or Diwali. 

In Assam a betel leaf is offered to guests during a meal. In fact, the betel leaf is considered as a token of love across many other Southeast Asian countries too. In North India, as well as many Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, the betel leaf and betel nut symbolize love, loyalty and a strong bond. 

Paan in the cultural milieu

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Image – LexnGer via Flickr

The paan, though not as sophisticated as the advantages and traditions associated with betel leaves, nonetheless, impacts a strong cultural landscape. There are however, two sides to it. On one hand, paan chewing is harmless when done in a limited fashion without adding tobacco or the betel nut on every occasion. On the other, the red stains that are spat while consuming a paan are a huge nuisance in urban and rural areas. There are notifications on walls that request consumers to not spit, but albeit very few actually listen. And hence, on Indian roads, street and even inside buildings, finding paan stains is quite a commonality. Sadly, this is the largest influence that paan seems to have on our society. 

Yet, the large number of paanwalas across streets prove its popularity. The mixing of various ingredients bursts with myriad flavors as soon as the paan is pushed into one’s mouth. The aromatic and therapeutic influence of the paan may seem a bit farfetched, yet those who consume it swear by its craving and refreshing addiction. 

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Paanwala – Linda De Volder via Flickr

There are also many different types of paan. Some get their names from the place of origin, whereas, some recent additions are dependent on the ingredients used. Some of the different paans include Banarasi paan, saada paan, mitha paan, fire paan, maghai paan, chocolate paan and so on. 

The betel leaf or paan is also known by different names across India. It is called Tamalpaku in Telugu, Beeda or paan in Hindi, Vetrilai in Tamil, Tamul in Assam, Kavala in Kannada, Naginiche paan in Marathi and so on.

Famous Paanwalas
Image – PaanHouse

Finally, the medicinal properties of betel leaf are a plenty. However, when tobacco and sopari or nut is eaten with the leaf too often, it might lead to health disasters. As long as the paan acts a mouth freshening device that is spat out in a civil way, its presence in the society can in fact, be quite heartwarming. The significance of betel leaves in tradition along with the bonhomie and comradeship that we all share with our paanwalas is perhaps the biggest contribution of this quintessential green leaf. 

Chittorgarh Built on Myths and Legends?

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Chittorgarh’s Jauhar Kund – Wikimedia

Recently in popular culture a topic of much discussion and controversy has been the fort at Chittor, Rajasthan. Although an important heritage site in India, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, the renown of Chittorgarh is spread far and wide, more so because of the myths and legends associated with its history. Concrete information about the ruins of this fort is surprisingly not sufficient to back up significant areas of speculations about its past. As a result, several historical events that took place there have remained shrouded in mystery and become subject to much fabrication of actual truth. The reason for this however is undoubtedly the fact that the historical facts which can be proven sound much like stories in themselves because of the extraordinary tales of valour and the undaunted spirit of the Rajput clan that primarily inhabited Chittor. 

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Rani Padmini palace – Lensnmatter via Flickr

For instance, in 1567 Akbar’s troops defeated Maharana Udai Singh II, the warriors of Chittor collectively marched on bravely to the battlefield although certain of their danger, simply to abide by the principles of honourable death. The women meanwhile committed jauhar, or mass self-immolation, displaying that death was preferred as more noble rather than a life of servitude or death at the hands of the enemy. These heroic ideals of not surrendering to the enemy forces have sparked off the imaginations of several writers and filmmakers and the stories have been retold several times. However, it is often difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.

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Rani Padmini (Padmavati) – Image Source

One of the most remarkable stories which continue to be the object of songs and motion pictures is the legend of Rani Padmini, said to reside at the Padmini Palace complex at Chittorgarh. The tale is familiar to most – of the exceptional beauty of the queen, which captivated Allauddin Khilji and compelled him to lay the first major siege to the palace. The mirror through which Khilji was allowed to glimpse Padmini is still kept on display at the museum, but whether or not Padmini actually existed as an important monarch and the cause of the siege is debatable. The death of the king during the time at the hands of Khilji’s army can be historically accounted for, as can be the mass destruction that followed the event. Jauhar has been an inextricable part of the history of Chittor and it cannot be questioned that this act was performed by the women and certain soldiers at the prospect of defeat. However, contrary to popular belief, Rani Padmini and her ethereal beauty may simply be a figment of the poet Jayasi’s imagination, as there is not much evidence to her presence in Chittor aside from his epic poem.

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Rana Kumbha Palace via Wikimedia

Kumbha’s Palace is yet another spot surrounding, with several stories that have been created, but unlike the legend of Padmini, there are certain traceable historical evidences which can point to the truth of this event. This area housed the residences for the queen, halls for holding court, and stables. It is near this place that Udai Singh II, the monarch who is responsible for the establishment of Udaipur is believed to have been born. Legend has it that when he was just a baby his nurse Panna Dhai became aware of an internal conspiracy that was being hatched to kill him. In an astonishing display of loyalty, the nurse effectively switched the baby with her own such that her own son was mistakenly killed by the conspirators while Udai Singh was taken away by her to a safe destination.  

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Meera Bai Temple – Image Source

Another legend which attracts several tourists to the spot is that of Meera Bai, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, who lived in the palace. She was a Rajput princess and the wife of a Mewar prince but her utmost loyalty lay to her God. Her unflinching faith caused a substantial negative attention and dislike but she remained undeterred in her pursuit of the Lord and a life of faithful worship. The stories surrounding the hardships she had to bear during this time are heart wrenching but are popular legends in Chittor and contributes to the mythical aura of the place. 

The proud heritage and cultural richness of Chittor is unquestionable regardless of the validity of such legends which surround the history of the fort. The city of Chittor in face hosts the largest Rajput festival, the Jauhar Mela, which celebrates the undying courage and fierce spirit of their clan. It commemorates the undoubted historical significance that is laid on the place which cannot be denied, regardless of the specifics of certain myths which cannot be confirmed.