The Adventure of Being in Bharat Scouts and Guides

January 3, 2017

I got to know that the 17th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts & Guides was held recently in Mysore. Having been brought up in the guides movement during my childhood, I am nostalgic about it.

Starting from Independence Day, Republic Day, Thinking Day or be it even a normal school parade, it was always a matter of pride for every scout & guide to walk around in their uniform studded with their badges. A blue sash that goes from left to right on a guides uniform with the scarf that carries the grade always keeps her head high among all, for those badges weren’t easy to earn and each one of it will have a huge tale behind it.

The Scouts and Guides was a movement started by Lord Robert Baden Powell and Lady Baden Powell respectively. Interestingly, both of their birthdays are on 22nd February and to commemorate this, scouts & guides across the globe celebrate the day as the ‘Thinking Day’. This day generally begins with a flag break and the all-faith prayer. During the flag break, every scout and guide assembles in a perfect horse shoe formation and sing a chorus of the flag song. This will be followed by different coeducational activities such as jamborees, rallies, and conferences.

Scouts are divided into three sections based on age: Cubs – boys aged 5 to 10, Scouts – boys aged 10 to 17, and Rovers – boys aged 15 to 25. similarly, Bharat Guides are divided into Bulbuls, Guides and Rangers. The ‘Ever ready’ Cubs and Bulbuls, the kids who want to be a part of this movement, will have small competitions like painting, group song, team-based outdoor activities where they learn to join hands to complete a task and their good turn daily will be checked. Those who have completed their term as a Cub or a Bulbul will be welcomed into the world of Scouts & Guides as the Pravesh batch.

Scouts and Guides also have batches such as the Pravesh, Pratham Sopan, Dwitiya Sopan, Tritiya Sopan, Rajya Puraskar and Rashtrapati Puraskar (the President’s award). Those who enter this movement only for the certificate would have given up by the time they reach half-way up!

Students under each of these levels would get their completed badge works checked and start up with the next badge. The badges are given for various survival skills such as pioneering, first aid, cooking, tailoring, journalism, hiking, nutritional analysis, trekking, estimation, sanitation and public awareness. These activities gives every student an ample choice to select from, if their school has not already selected it for them. Every Scout and Guide who has earned a badge must know every possible fact about their badge, since this knowledge will play a huge role in determining their place during the testing camps.

There are schools where the scouting and guiding movement comes into picture only during these special days and the weekly classes that is to be held will be taken over by science and mathematics, since these subjects seemingly determines your future! There are schools where no Scoutmaster or a Guide captain will be available to train the students. Those underprivileged students will have to undergo a lot more trouble during their regional level testing camps.

The main aim of the Bharat Scouts and Guides movement is to bring up youngsters to become responsible citizens of India, who have the basic knowledge of every possible survival skill. The movement develops a young mind both physically and intellectually and it goes beyond caste and creed. However, unfortunately even here there are times when we get to see favoritism played during selections of students for camps or jamborees.

I can only provide you a glimpse of this movement, but the personal experience that I gained is much more vast. Each Scouts and Guides camp will be a bag full of stories. Each badge that leads the student to the camp will be a sign of their endeavors and each certificate a frame of their skills. The scarf on their necks would have troubled them so much to be rolled exactly. The sashes of guides and the shoulder pocket of scouts would have repeatedly got poked by needles to have the badges stitched perfectly.

With these pains adding dignity to their uniforms, a student of scout and guide have as equal a reason to be proud as that a NCC cadet or a NSS volunteer has.

Cycling in Mumbai – Risky or Fun?

Vidhi Bubna

December 26, 2016

Author – Vidhi Bubna

Since I am used to living on an isolated university campus, I faced difficulty in acclimatising with my old city life. I came back to Mumbai for my winter break and all I really wanted to do was cycle around the city like the way I cycled around my campus every day. Being a traditional Indian family that is too protective of its children, I had to take permission from parents before trying such “stunts”. When I brought the topic up, my father exclaimed, “The very thought of you roaming around on a cycle in the city, no matter at what time of the day, gives me cold-feet. I will not allow it no matter what”.

But I feel risks are necessary in life and our life is nothing without them. Cycling around your own city is now considered to be a risk and that is a sad part of a metropolitan lifestyle. “You don’t know how people drive in the city”, said my father and I knew better than to argue with him. I told him that I would cycle around the building, but I took the cycle to Marine Drive which isn’t far from my home in Malabar Hills.

I started my journey at about 5:30 in the evening and carried a cap, phone and earphones with me. I put on some light music and began cycling. Although my side of the road was empty, cars travelling on the other side made me nervous and it wasn’t hard for me to imagine lying on the ground in a pool of around me. But life is all about challenges and I had taken this up. To my surprise, the road was rather empty till Chowpatty and I was shocked that cycling around had actually been easy. Occasionally, a few cars zipped by, but none of them troubled me. I enjoyed a great view of the Arabian Sea near Chowpatty and noticed the timeless wrinkles on the sea. Going around on a cycle, made me enjoy views like never before.

However, during my return journey, my fun ride changed to a rollercoaster where I had to constantly use my brakes. From a completely empty road, the road had transformed to a traffic jam at each signal. Just when I had trusted the path a little, the path was filled with obstacles. The beach was now filled with couples and people eager to take pictures or feel the salty rush of the sea through their legs.

I realized that the sea had its own charm and everyone was enjoying it in their own way. I now drove on the huge footpath and continued my journey till the bridge at the end of Marine Drive. In no time, the sun began to set and the view from Marine drive was breath taking! There was too much to absorb at once and it felt surreal. Although I had stayed in the city for 18 years, this experience made me look at the city in a different way!

People looked at me and said that “Mumbai isn’t the place to do this” and I replied to them saying that “Every place is the place to do everything if you have the heart to do it.” For the first time, I felt like a tourist in my own city. I did receive a few calls from my concerned parents, but I convinced them that there was nothing to worry about. I felt that adrenaline rush in me as I had chosen what to do independently and had accomplished it. The evening and sunset then transformed into night. The whole city looked awake at this time as the traffic increased. It looked like the city had woken up from slumber and was giving its habitants itself at its best. But we habitants often take our surroundings for granted and we need to awaken the traveller in us to see better and so I rushed back home safely.

I realized that people have a perception about life in the city of Mumbai and that needs to change. This was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my winter break till now and I felt like I had a piece of this city in me that I would always hold on to. If you really want to explore the city by yourself, grab a cycle. Cycling in Mumbai is quite safe during early mornings and late nights. There are a lot of cityscape views that you could enjoy on a cycle.

Tour of Nilgiris Challenges Endurance Cyclists

Vidhi Bubna

December 23, 2016

Author – Vidhi Bubna

Growing up in a metropolitan city like Mumbai, I always thought that cycling wasn’t for Indians since our cities are too crowded and it is really unsafe to cycle around. However, whenever I went abroad for family holidays, I enjoyed cycling and wished that I could explore more of our country on a cycle. While I was stepping out of the comforts of my home and began cycling in city, I learnt that my friend is going for long distance endurance rally in the Nilgiris on a cycle! I really envied him and I wished that I could do the same.

But, I soon found out that this was a risky sport that only people with a high endurance could do. After I read more about Tour of Nilgiris, my entire perception of cycling in the country changed. Now, I know that cycling in a metropolitan city is tough, but I can explore some nice places in the countryside to travel on a cycle. The increasing number of cycling enthusiasts has given rise to many cycling groups and cycling tours around the country. Among them, the Tour of Nilgiris is the only multi-day cycling tour in the nation that attracts the maximum number of highest caliber cyclists in the nation.

The Tour of Nilgiris is an event for adventurous people who want to get new experiences in life and seek that adrenaline rush. Initiated in 2007, the bike tour is known to be one of the largest and the most loved bike tours in India. The tour covers more than 800km in its path, beginning from Bangalore and passes through Mysore, Kalpetta, Ooty, Palakkad and Valparai to reach Pollachi.

Ride-A-Cycle Foundation organizes Tour of Nilgiris from 16th to 23rd of December every year. During the tour, bicycle riders need to endure the most astounding terrain in South India which will test their endurance and temperament. Cyclists pass through three scenic wildlife sanctuaries: Nagarhole in Karnataka, Waynad in Kerala and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu. The tour has rich flora and fauna that the bikers get to experience and it requires a lot of endurance that makes it even more challenging and fun.

The Tour of Nilgiris has many cycling enthusiasts participating in it every year that has caused it to add exciting new editions. The path is now pretty difficult now with time-trial sections introduced in various stages that tests cyclists’ grit and skill. The tour consists of a competitive segment each day, in which the riders have to battle to be “The King of the Mountains” by taming some of the roughest terrains in the country. Each day, the cycling does not exceed 160 kilometers.

Various riders also take part in the tour to spread awareness about problems in the country as they work for non-profit organizations. The number of such activist cyclists is also increasing every year, which is called “Cycling for a cause”. However, due to the increasing number of applicants that they receive every year, the Ride-A-Cycle Foundation limit the number of participants to 110.

If you are a cycling enthusiast and you have the capacity to cycle around 160 kilometers a day, this is a perfect cycling tour for you. If you are unable to cycle as much, it is great to enjoy the spirit of the people who do cycle and appreciate them for their mental and physical endurance. Sport is more about mental endurance than physical endurance!

Cycling in Mumbai – Risky or Fun?

Factfile & Image sources –
http://tourofnilgiris.com/
Tour of Nilgiris FB page

The Timeless Mehrauli Street Food and Neighbourhood

Caleidoscope

December 19, 2016

Author – Nupur Bhardwaj

Like most Indians, ‘Nani ka ghar’ (grandma’s place) is my favourite place to visit. However, my mom’s family hails from Mehrauli, which one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present city of Delhi. Just like an old man sitting in his armchair, Mehrauli has seen it all – right from the fall of Prithviraj Chauhan and the rise of Delhi Sultans to the division of India. What particularly fascinates me is the ancient monuments and the local street food in Mehrauli. I would like to take you on a street food tour of eateries alongside the popular monuments of Mehrauli such as Qutub Minar and little known ones like the Gandhak Ki Baoli.

Street-Food-Mehrauli — Image – Wikimedia

Gobhi ka samosa, a typical favourite dish of the locals residing here, is available at eateries near Bhool Bhulaiya, which is also known as Adam Khan’s Tomb. Samosa is a familiar snack among north Indians, but what makes this one special is its unique stuffing made of cooked cauliflowers and its presentation. The samosa is stuffed with. It can be differentiated from the normal samosa by the strokes present on its fried, outer covering.

Rabri Falooda, is a lavish sweet dish, and quite heavy on the stomach. Falooda (boiled vermicelli) is mixed with rabri, rose water and dry fruits. At an extra price, you can add kulfi to this dish. I prefer rabri falooda with extra kulfi. This delicacy is also served near Bhool Bhulaiyan but I prefer eating it at Gandhak Ki Baoli which is a few metres away from Bhool Bhullaiyan. Gandhak Ki Baoli, which literally means ‘well of sulphur’, is said to have magical powers. The well’s water was used to cure skin ailments, but sadly, it has dried up now!

Turning left from Gandhak ki Baoli, you’ll reach the Dargah of Qutub-uddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. The street towards the Dargah is full with aroma of flowers and incense stick. A little far from the Dargah, you can tingle your taste buds with Dahi Kachori and gol gappe (panipuri). Dahi kachori is prepared using curd, boiled potatoes and kachori, which is a deep fried snack with moong dal stuffing in it. Dahi Kachori tastes similar to dahi papdi, but kachori has a tincture of spicy moong dal in it.

Another place to try a variant of Kachori, is the one situated near the Hanuman Temple. The poori sabzi and kachori sabzi made there is mouth-watering. The vegetable curry is made up with potatoes and tomatoes, and to increase its tanginess, curd is added to it. The best part is that you can quench your hunger in just 20 rupees. Milk cake and Ras Malai available nearby are the best desserts to complete your meal.

Netaji-Golgappe-waaley-Mehrauli — Golgappe -Source

If you are in Mehrauli, then you shouldn’t leave without trying the seasonal sweet dishes like gajjak, gud ki patti ((jaggery bar), til ke ladoo and revdi. These sweet dishes are available in winter, when groups of women sitting and enjoying groundnut and revdi, is a common sight in Mehrauli. These seasonal dishes along with soothing sunlight, bring out the old neighbourhood culture which is dwindling now. I remember sitting beside my grandmother and a bunch of old ladies, listening to their stories and eating gajjak and revdi.

Murena Gajjak Bhandar, situated near the Mehrauli market, is the oldest shop that serves these seasonal sweet dishes. The owners allow customers to taste all their delicacies for free. Today, many shops with the same name have come up, but locals like me never fall for those counterfeits. Mehrauli market is another wonderful place that soothes the eye with vivid colours of flowers and vegetables.

Momos-in-Delhi — Momos Ritesh Man Tamrakar Via Flickr

Apart from these exceptional foods, Indian version of Chinese cuisine is also available near the Mehrauli market. Today, we can spot momo vendors, and they are crowded throughout the year. The soda shops are also a hit among locals, especially youngsters. I am sure tourists will go on a time travel, when they visit Mehrauli, since the place has an aura that touches your heart.

Be Enchanted at the Enchanted Valley Carnival in Lonavala

Vidhi Bubna

December 12, 2016

Mumbai is a bustling mega polis teeming with people rushing to their jobs. Fortunately, there are some travel destinations nearby that give much needed relief to tired souls. Lonavala is one such location situated up the Western Ghats and it is just a two-hour drive from Mumbai. The drive to the hill station is very serene and there are some lush green mountains on the way. The valley a different feel every season.

This winter season, there is good reason for all of us to travel down to Lonavala. Mid-December, the Aamby Valley beyond Lonavala is hosting the “Enchanted Valley Carnival” – a great music festival that provides an amazing experience for youngsters. It should definitely be on your bucket list if you are a music lover and if you like live music and crazy weekend partying.

The concept of the carnival is to make it like a village fair by doing crazy activities like silent music parties, bonfires, dream catcher making workshops, painting workshops, poi workshops, drum circles and sports. You will also get the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and regions. Enchanted Valley does offer to you the best two days of your year if you are a party animal and if you would like to let yourself loose during the year end.

The most unique aspect of the Enchanted Valley Carnival is the first-ever music fully-fledged campsite for a music festival, known as Enchanted Village. Besides the plethora of camping, adventure and fun activities offered here, the organisers keep your music preferences in mind and set up different stages for different genres of music. Their stages are Cosmos for pop music, Pyro for EDM, Akva for techno, Terra for live Bollywood and Aero for deep house and techno. You could choose any of the music genres and go to the venue which has the stage for your music.

This year’s Enchanted Valley Carnival is happening on 17-18 of December 2016, so mark your calendars and put some good music on and get into the party mood. The top performing artists include Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Kanungo, Badshah, Nikhil Sood and Arijit Singh. Apart from them, there are some international pop artists like Flo Rida, Alan Walker, Carlo Lion, Papon, Force etc., who will also be performing live at the festival.

If you are a student and you feel like being a little productive during the year-end, you could volunteer for EVC and go to the festival without buying a ticket. This would be an interesting experience since you get to learn event management and the work done behind the scenes in a music festival. Volunteering for a music festival is always a great experience since it allows you to learn and have fun at the same time. It is on my bucket list to volunteer for EVC this year!

It is always cheaper to book accommodation at the Enchanted Village campsite and get the tickets included in it. If you visit the campsite with your friends or in a large group, you can avail discounts on accommodation and ticket prices. The food at the festival can be a little expensive and if you are deciding to go low budget, it is a good idea to go to Lonavala for your meals and you could also pre-booze instead of buying alcohol at the event.

Enchanted-Valley-Carnival-05 — Photo – Abhinav kodam Via EVC FB Page

Lonavala has a diverse range of restaurants and bars to choose from. The perks of going to Lonavala would include enjoying the scenic beauty of the hill-station. Transport from Mumbai or Pune to Lonavala is very easy as there are buses that go to Lonavala every day and if you are in a large group, you could also hire a car and self-drive. The road is very safe even for beginners and the formation of the eastern freeway has enabled faster travel.

In short, the Enchanted Valley Carnival is a festival that is totally worth going for and you can immerse yourself in the Indian music scene and experience music and pop culture vibes. Even if you are an adult who likes to explore and understanding changing trends, this concert is the best place to lose yourself in only to find yourself again.

Factfile –
http://evc.co.in/activities

Kochi Muziris Biennale – All Set to Inspire

Santhini Koshy

December 5, 2016

Ancient archaeology and modern art – it is amazing to see a lost ancient town playing host to contemporary art and the revival of art & culture activities. ‘Kochi Muziris Biennale’ – the very name evokes colourful emotions among art-lovers; especially in those who love the idea of open boundaries and the role of artistic discourses in society.

Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016 – a contemporary art exhibition and a carnival of sorts is all set to begin this month in Kochi, Kerala with the theme ‘forming in the pupil of an eye’. The largest of its kind in South Asia, the biennale event will begin on 12 December 2016, and carry on till 29 March 2017. Biennale is a term in the art world to describe any large-scale international contemporary art exhibition that happens every two years. The earlier biennales, held in 2012 and 2014, were popular enough to draw a million visitors from around the world.

Kochi is famous for its Portuguese, Dutch and English settlements, housing some of the oldest churches and other monuments of historical interest in India. These locations add to the historical flavour of biennale exhibits along with the other cosmopolitan points of interest.

The art exhibition, set in carefully chosen spaces across Kochi and its surrounding islands, draws inspiration from the land’s storied past, especially from Muziris, an ancient port city said to have been the hub of the spice trade in the early centuries. Destroyed in a flood in 1341 AD, this city is also believed to have been the entry point for various religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam, from the Middle East to India.

Kochi and its mythical predecessor, Muziris, is an ideal place for KMB as it brings together the past, the present and future, drawing from the idea of civilisations existing together and bettering each other through exchange of resources and ideas. And this time around, Curator Sudarshan Shetty has a larger than life vision for KMB. For the theme, he has drawn from mythical accounts of India as the ‘land of the seven rivers’, looking into converging and diverging lines; artists will likewise delve into ideas of tradition and community and what the terms mean in a contemporary context.

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale not only blurs geographical boundaries but also imaginary boundaries within people. In keeping with this spirit, the event this time is envisioned to blur boundaries within various artistic disciplines and showcase visual artists, poets, musicians and performance professionals from various backgrounds.

Paintings, sculptures, art installations, performing arts and film shows will be on display across nine venues including David Hall Art Gallery, Aspinwall House, Cabral Yard, Durbar Hall, Kashi Art Café and Pepper House. This diverse activity will bring alive an otherwise muted art hub, as it pulls in artists from 24 countries around the globe under one umbrella.

Students, researchers, art-lovers, collectors, art connoisseurs, thinkers are all expected to be there to engage and participate in this cultural extravaganza. In the words of Atul Dodya, India’s leading contemporary artist, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is one of the greatest things to happen to contemporary art in India.

For those who are looking for something special, this time there is a pop-up studio for home products. The Nicobar Edit will make a stop at the Biennale for two months and offer a taste of wanderlust and relaxation, in a sensual physical space created from white tents and tropical fronds.

Image sources –
https://www.facebook.com/KochiMuzirisBiennale/photos/

Echoes of Earth Enthralls Bangaloreans

Levine Lawrence

November 30, 2016

We often go to a music concert that combines a social cause with artistic excellence to appeal to a larger audience. However, we rarely find a musical festival that is totally wedded to the cause. I recently participated in an event named ‘Echoes of Earth’ that invited its audience to bring along pets, displayed eco-friendly art installations, urged us to eat organic food and invited them to attend waste recycling workshops!

Organized by Swordfish Events and Watson’s Bar, the Echoes of Earth musical festival was truly a one-of-a-kind experience that enthralled the audience with some soulful music and dazzling display of art installations. In fact there was something surreal about the whole experience; like a going through a dream sequence that remains vividly etched in our memories!

Held on 26th and 27th of November 2016 at Embassy International Riding School, Bangalore, the artist line-up at the festival included: Susheela Raman, Talvin Singh with Rishabh Seen, Submotion Orchestra, Youngr, Jordan Rakei, Alo Wala, Franca, Sam Maher, The Ska Vengers, Soulmate and many others.

I feel words cannot explain my surreal experience at the Echoes of Earth musical festival. So I would rather share some of my images that can vibrantly depict the psychedelic nature of events –

The uniqueness of the Echoes of Earth festival was evident in the dazzling art installation that masquerades as the entry sign. Each letter was decorated from recycled metal scrap, electronic waste, used tyres, and plastic wire.

Art installations were abound at Echoes of Earth. Aesthetically designed art works were displayed at the entry of each of the stage.

There were ample number of stalls from small enterprises to sell some interesting eco-friendly products and organic food items

The most dazzling display was a giant wheel decorated with colourful drapes rotating behind the centre stage to give a dynamic feel

The most famous Indian musician of foreign origin Susheela Raman rendered some soulful songs

Psychedelic images superimposed on barrels gave a surrealistic feel to the stage

Geometric installations gave an aesthetic feeling to resting lounges

Inviting pets was the most peculiar aspect of the festival

How to Go Green with Indian Ethnic Home Decor

Caleidoscope

November 21, 2016

Author – Davis Miller

Whenever we think of Indian ethnic home decor, we instantly picture colourful rugs with patterns and stripes, unusual materials such as bamboo and top-quality fabrics such as damask and cotton. In terms of accessories, the Indian style is all about artefacts and vintage cultural paintings, candles and seasonal flowers. The country’s main religion is Hinduism, which basically means adorning your home with Zen like accessories, hardwood furniture that looks outdated, and bright hues of pink and purple.

However, there’s more to the Indian ethnic home décor than meets the eye. Here are some tips on making your home feel and look greener, while still preserving Indian cultural aspects:

how-to-go-green-with-indian-ethnic-home-decor — Source: Wicker Paradise

Cultural décor accents

Urban Desi is a great Indian ethnic style that you might want to include in your home. It is a combination of modern and vintage styles that will ensure your place is cosy and comfortable. Keep the décor clean and simple. In the living room, everything should to have clean lines. A clutter-free space breathes comfort, and your guests will be instantly drawn to the Indian home décor. Change your living area’s main structure and colour of the walls. Non-VOC paint is highly recommended since toxic chemical free and eco-friendly. Add some cushions, new curtains and fluffy rugs to give your space a brand new soft feel.

Bring the place alive with fresh plants

Fresh plants are yet another excellent way of bringing some Zen into your home. Choose colourful seasonal varieties in hues of purple, yellow, white and pink. Orchids, Yucca plants, bonsais and delias can transform your home into a living, breathing garden on a budget. Many homeowners have grown fond of the Indian sense of style, mainly because it is so lively and colourful. Fresh indoor plants are not just meant to fill blank spaces; they also fill your home with fresh air and complement a dull décor. Do you have a sense of style in mind? Great, then your personal style will look with fresh plants and flowers spread all around the living area.

green home decor — Source: coco+kelley via Flickr

Rugs and curtains

India is famous for its ethnic rugs and high-quality curtains with golden stripes and purple hues. Revamp your window draperies and your place will look completely different. Choose some eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, polyester, or recycled cotton. These are affordable and are incredibly resistant to sunlight. Pops of colours are in trend this season; bright yellow with hints of black, royal blue and reds are everywhere. Use the suitable combo for your bedroom or living room curtains, and the final result will blow away your visitors!

Accessories

Accessorizing your home on a budget is something everyone can do; but you need to do it smart. Pillows, blankets, mini rugs, coasters, candles and paintings are highly recommended. To preserve the Indian ethnic style, find out more about the country’s customs and traditions. Chinaware in the dining room, golden bowls and glasses, decorative bells and paintings inspired by Indian culture will definitely make your home the abode of peace and tranquillity.

Play with some colours and go bold. Bright accents of red and purple, golden and yellow pillows on the sofa, and striped rugs are specific to India. To complete the home décor, include scented candles and aromatic sticks. You will love the end result the moment you walk into your newly decorate living room.

Indian ethnic home decor — Source: ♥threadbare via Flickr

Wallpapers

There is a wallpaper on most Indian homes because unlike sheer paint, wallpaper adds movement. It fills up a space and makes it cosy and comfortable. Pick a design that best complements your personal sense of style, and don’t be afraid to improvise. Spice things up with colours and décor items that calm you – artificial flowers might be a good idea, and even paintings with Indian scenery and natural landscapes. If you don’t know where to start, ask for help or search the web for assistance. You can find more information about Indian ethnic home décor, oilcloth fabric styles, and ways to blend vintage accents with modern accessories. Add a personal touch too; at the end of the day, it’s your home and you have the right to customize it as you see fit.

Also check out homework writing help website for all sorts of homework help in India.

Global Citizen Festival – Global Music For Local Causes

Caleidoscope

November 15, 2016

There is no doubt that music is the universal language that appeals to people of all ages, all regions and religions. Musical songs are the soul of our human existence and we all have varied choices to let in our ears to groove in our hearts.

Music is an established commercial business today that caters to millions for their entertainment. However, this melodious medium can be utilized to convey a social message. Despite the abundance of music albums and musicians around us, we rarely find musicians lending their voice for a social cause. Very few occasions, we find musical events that are dedicated to create public awareness on different social causes.

Fortunately there are concerned individuals who bring together groups of soulful singers and musical bands to play for a cause that is much larger than the commercial aspects of the event. Sunday Soul Sante, Vasantahabba, NH7 Weekender are some of musical festivals that utilize music to bring the spotlight on social cause.

Global Citizen Festival India is one such attempt for bringing together musicians to sing for a cause and raise funds. The event is organised by the Global Education & Leadership Foundation, a US-based organization that has chosen to address a range of social issues through a unique method of urging youth to campaign for their pet social cause on social media and garner maximum support. Volunteers can win tickets for the musical concert if they successfully raise funds for their cause on Ketto.org, a crowd-funding website.

The Global Citizen Festival supports three main social causes –

Education – focus is on reaching out to underprivileged children and providing education to them
Gender Equality – focus is on helping acid attack victims, preventing child marriage and empowering women to educate themselves
Water & Sanitation – focus is on preventing open defecation and finding innovative solutions for sanitation in slums

Apart from these, volunteers can choose a variety of other global issues that are part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By taking these actions, 23,000 global citizens have already won free tickets to the festival. It could be the biggest gathering of young people for a social cause with 70,000 people expected to gather for the festival in Mumbai on 19 November 2016.

The festival features pop culture icons such as Coldplay, Jay Z, Demi Lovato, Aamir Khan, Arijit Singh, Arjun Kapoor, A.R. Rahman, Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Dia Mirza, Farhan Akhtar and many others, who will join hands with public policy makers in the government to commit to change and pledge their support to the issues that matter the most.

Since the movement was launched in India on 12 September, around 1.5 million actions have been taken by committed global citizens who are knowledgeable about global diversity and passionate about change. This is the first time that the Global Citizen movement has moved outside of North America and the youth of India have embraced the movement as a powerful way to amplify their voice as well as to catalyse change.

You too can join this unique movement to promote a social cause through music!

Factfile –
Image sources –
www.globalcitizen.in
businessworld.in

Planning a Paddleboarding Adventure: The Top Benefits of This Activity

Cscope Staff

November 12, 2016

Paddleboarding-Adventure — Image – Unsplash

More exciting than swimming and easier than sailing, stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, has become extremely popular in the last decade. While the activity is still somewhat new, it offers quite a few undeniable benefits. These aren’t just health boosters, either. If you are planning a paddleboarding adventure here at home or abroad, learn about some of the biggest benefits it offers here.

It’s an Activity Everyone Can Enjoy

One of the biggest appealing benefits of SUP is its varied level of intensity. When you cruise on a paddleboard, you can enjoy a gentle drift across a glassy lake, or if you are paddleboarding as part of your celebrity Caribbean cruises experience, you can take on a more exciting and exhilarating body of water.

For example, on a tropical beach, you can paddle out to sea and catch the biggest waves. While this is true, small children can also enjoy SUP in the shallows. This makes it a versatile, family-friendly activity that everyone should try.

You Can Participate in Stand-Up Paddleboarding Anywhere

While this is most commonly done as a beach activity, you can also use a stand-up paddleboard in a canal, on a lake, or even a river. This makes it a popular option for water-sports enthusiasts who don’t live next to the coast. They can train on the local river rather than having to drive for hours to get to the closest beach.

What’s even more appealing is that modern paddle boards are lighter than canoes and kayaks, and you can pack the inflatable option in your rucksack. This means you can always have your paddleboard with you when traveling.

Paddle Boarding is a Great Workout

While SUP is something easy to learn, it’s also a great form of exercise. The gentle turning motion used while padding will strengthen your core muscles, especially the inter-vertebral and oblique muscles. Your arms and shoulders also work to propel your body weight with the paddle, and your legs are constantly tensed, which helps to keep your body in an upright position.

Paddle Boarding is a Great Way to Stay Lean

Did you know that in just an hour of paddleboarding you can burn 400 calories or more? This also means you can build lean muscle, which will eat up fat, even when you get out of the water. By doing this activity regularly, you can burn off excess weight and reduce strain on any problem areas, such as your knees or back.

If you are paddleboarding on flat water, SUP offers you gentle strength training, which is something effective without being too strenuous. If you are chasing waves or racing, it is a great cardiovascular workout that will help build your stamina and lung capacity. SUP is considered to be a low-impact exercise, which helps to build your fitness level with a very low risk of injury and absolutely no excessive strain on your muscles.

Improve Your Balance

The paddleboard itself is unstable. This makes it such an effective workout. While it may feel as though you are standing completely still, the board’s wobbling motion requires your muscles to be constantly engaged to keep your body upright.

By practicing regularly, you’ll discover that your balance is better both on and off the water. If you play other sports, this can prove beneficial, and help with certain jobs, such as decorating. Believe it or not, paddle boarding is even a great activity for seniors, as it can help restore some balance issues that occur as a person gets older.

Are You Ready to Go Paddle Boarding?

Are you ready to see all the benefits mentioned here yourself? If so, get a paddleboard and hit the water. Chances are you will discover a few other benefits, too, not to mention this is a fun and enjoyable activity. What’s even better is that this is something you can enjoy with every member of your family, regardless of where you live.

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