Spicy Konkan Fare with a Side of Monsoon Rain

September 14, 2016

Author – Santhini Koshy

As the summer heat dissolves into soul-drenching showers, we can’t help but rejoice with nature. In India, the monsoon clouds inevitably bring with it the message of rejuvenation and hope while also kindling childhood memories of spicy foods and endless joys.

As an integral part of the land, the monsoons find expression in the land’s many art forms. And not surprisingly, in its food too because what is Indian culture without its food? It goes without saying, when the monsoons hit, our craving for seasonal traditional food goes up too.

So this monsoon season, take a look at some of the mouth-watering dishes from the Konkan Coast. They’ll not only give you a glimpse into the rich cooking traditions of South Indian states but also give you an urge to pack your bags and head south at a moment’s notice. If you are already there, you’ll be inspired to surprise your loved ones with a season’s special.

Konkani and Malvani Cuisine

Konkan cooking is infused with different varieties of masala including kanda lasun and goda (black Maharashtrian masala), with an abundant mix of spices and coconut going into the fiery Malvani cuisine, which is a speciality of the Western Coast of Maharashtra. Kokanis especially use Kokam (mangosteen), Tamarind and Kairi (raw mango) to add flavour and zest to their dishes. Interestingly, Malvani cuisine is similar to Kerala cuisine found further south on the Malabar Coast, and sea food plays a prominent role in both.

Flavoursome Seafood Varieties

konkani-seafood-varieties — Image – Wikimedia

Varieties of droolsome seafood dishes include Bangda (Mackerel fry), Surmai ambat (fish curry) and Kurkuron bombil (fried Bombay duck). Many of the dry fish varieties are sun-dried in advance for use during the monsoons and Kusbeer, a popular dish made from dry fish, deserves mention here. The fish curry, on the other hand, is made of ground coconut and red chillies with Kokam added in the place of tamarind.

If you want a real Konkani experience, you can’t hold back on seafood. Everything from the delicious crab coconut gravy and the tempting Mori masala (baby sharks in dry coconut gravy) to delectable prawn fries are out-of-the-world experiences. Or you can opt for the fish thali and bhakri, a popular round flatbread made of seasonal grains, often go-to meals for those who want a taste of Konkan in one quick platter.

Tasty Vegetarian Delicacies

konkan-vegetarian-delicacies — Image Source

Vegetarian delights range from Kothimbir Vadi (crispy coriander fritters), Zunka Bhakri (a Maharashtrian dish with a chickpea base tempered with onions, mustard seeds and ginger-garlic) Aamti curry made of lentil and often combined with mango, Fanas Bhaji, a spicy jackfruit dish with tamarind in it, Kelpoolachi Bhaji, a Konkan favourite made of banana flowers, Saandan, a jackfruit dish with coconut or cow milk, Puran poli(sweet flatbread stuffed with sweetened chickpea flour) and Usal or beans curry.

Ukadiche Modak and other desserts

You cannot come back from the Konkan coast without having a taste of the very popular Ukadiche Modak or steamed rice balls filled with grated coconut, jiggery and a dusting of cardamom. It is a succulent dessert that is much beloved by the Konkanis. Shrikhand is another popular sweet dish option, made either with jackfruit, mango or other fresh fruits and yoghurt as available.

Solkadhi

Konkani-food-Solkadi — Image – Wikimedia

But what is Konkani food without mentioning the satiating dish made of Kokam and coconut milk, sprinkled with coriander, known as Solkadhi. It is a side drink offered with every vade, bhakri, rice or thali that you order. To top of a meal with chilled Solkadhi is absolutely fulfilling. Besides, you would need it to balance out the spicy nature of Konkani dishes and helps as a digestive aide.

Panagi and Morning Delights

konkan-vegetarian-panagi-1 — Image – jainrasoi.com

If you are wondering about a breakfast dish you cannot miss out on the traditional panagi, a sweet, aromatic and fluffy dish, made of rice flour. The dish especially owes its particular flavour to the banana or turmeric leaves on which it is steamed. Amboli is another staple of the Konkan coast. These soft, round pancakes are made of rice flour, coconut milk and buttermilk, and eaten with coconut chutney or gravy. Sannaas, a fluffy white Mangalorean bread and Neer Dosa are other breakfast items you can opt for as they come from surrounding areas on the Konkan coast.

Konkan is often called the California of India as it is blessed with the bounty of nature. There are abundant fruit trees all along the coast and the waters here are teeming with marine life. That is why people often talk of the breathtaking visual panorama of the Konkan Coast. But hidden away in the heart of this land is a food culture that is mind-blowing. And the best part is, you get to taste real Konkani cuisine while soaking in the romance of the monsoons.

On a Royal Trip to Chail: A Paradisiacal Hill Station

Shilpa Sharma

September 9, 2016

Author – Shilpa Sharma

kalka-shimla-railway-track — Kalka Shimla Railway Track

Urban life means constantly running around. A continual rat race. But the mind and the body need a break at times. Since I love travelling, I know how to offer calmness to mine. This time, when I got a break for two days, I set out on a journey to Chail – a hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Since I like adventurous holidays, I chose to ride with the Royal Enfield bikers group.

The best part of travelling with trained bikers is that one is safe on the highways and on jagged mountain roads. As a note of caution, one should always remember to wear proper gears and helmets while travelling on bikes. The fun part of being with bikers is that they love to discover local cuisine and culture – so one is always learning new things during such journeys.

For my journey to Chail, I boarded a late night train from the Old Delhi railway station on a Friday and reached Chandigarh around 4a.m. the following morning. I had to wait there for a couple of hours for the other riders to join. My journey continued once again at 6 a.m. I had researched the route beforehand and so the journey from Chandigarh via Panchkula, Pinjore, Kalka, Dharampur, Barog, Solan, Kandaghat, and Sadhupul, to Chail, was a fairly easy one to follow.

It was not an issue for me to cover the distance to Chail on a bike while riding it at a stretch for five hours. However, if you are not up to it, take the car instead. But don’t forget to halt at interesting spots to capture the beauty of the mountains and eat local food.

view-of-chail-palace-from-the-palace-lawn — Chail Palace from the palace lawn

On the way to Kalka, till Barog you will find many train tunnels with tracks for the Kalka-Shimla toy train. Stop here for a while and get your clicks just the way I did at Kalka. Flora and fauna also abound here so keep a watch out for them. One can stop at Solan to see the oldest brewery of India. And while you do, satiate your taste buds by trying the local momos and corn that the place is known for.

Just before Chail comes a small place called Sadhupul. The group decided to halt here for a while to enjoy a small stream branching from the river Ashwini. One can even experience various adventurous sports like rappelling here. And if you are not the adventurous type, then simply enjoy yourself by soaking your feet in the cold stream as you watch fluffy clouds in the blue sky. But don’t try and venture to the centre of the river as stones there are slippery due to the algae deposits and one can easily slip and fall. Such is the danger that even 12 inches of water can make a person lose his balance completely. As for me, I am fond of collecting rare-looking stones, so I ended up packing a few into my backpack.

The rest of the journey to Chail hill station wasn’t long. We reached soon and I wanted to check into ‘The Chail Palace’. But it was completely booked. So, we chose the ‘Chail Residency’. The cupboards, the sofas, the washroom, the bed, the gates and everything else in the room reminded me of ‘Snowhite and the Seven Dwarfs’ because everything was of low height. But I fell in love with the lacy curtains! When I stepped out into the balcony and saw the gigantic mountains, my heart wanted to sing out loud. The scenery was soothing and the cold air that touched my skin relaxed me completely.

We decided to go to the nearby market, which was around 2km away, to taste the local cuisine. To reach there, a biker has to pay INR20 at a local toll, as decided by the Gram Panchayat. When we reached, there was no stopping us– we had spicy momos, Maggie and vegetarian noodles. It was probably the best noodles that I have ever had in my life. The prices of the dishes are not too high either.

We wanted to roam around a little more. But it started to rain. If you are going during the monsoons don’t forget to carry dust and water protectors for your rucksack and umbrella. Since we didn’t have them, we decided to head back to the hotel.

Next day, we went to see ‘The Chail Palace’ which had an entry fee of INR100. That seemed a little expensive for our wallets. But, since I am fond of history and royal architecture, we all decided to go in. It was built in 1891 and covers an area of approximately 75 acres. It has kingly settings with spectacular views. Tall oak and deodar trees cover the way to the place.

The royal family has converted 40% of the palace into a museum although there was nothing much to see there. A few rooms are set apart for the family. The rest have been turned into a wide variety of cottages, suites and rooms but, to experience royal life, one needs to book ahead.

Since we did not have much time in hand, we had to skip the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary. However, as a tourist, this is amongst the ‘must-see’ places. Chail is also known as ‘Hiker’s Paradise’. A few of the treks were in my to-do list but unfortunately I could not go. Some of the popular ones are Kandaghat-Chail, Chail-Rajgarh, Chur-Chandini and Chail-Shimla via Junga. If you want a more laid-back holiday then go fishing in the Gaura River that is full of Mahseer fish.

Chail also boasts of world’s highest cricket ground, which is at a height of 7500 ft. As a photo enthusiast, one place that I could not miss was ‘Kali ka Tibba’. It is popular for capturing sunsets. However, if the skies are cloudy you can give it a miss.

I had also read about Sidh Baba ka Mandir. Since I did not find anything particularly unique about it, I had un-ticked it from my itinerary. But those in Chail swear that it should be visited once. Shopaholics however will get disappointed in Chail as there is not much shopping to do here. I didn’t mind though. When we left Chail hill station, I had only one thing on my mind – I was carrying back wonderful memories and even more wonderful pictures with me. I felt rejuvenated. And I was ready to throw myself back into the grind of a busy life.

Rajasthan – The Indian Barcelona

Caleidoscope

September 7, 2016

Author: Shweta Gurjar

Every birthday, I travel to a new destination. This year, I planned to be in Barcelona, but long story – short, I couldn’t make it. I wanted to be in a place filled with art and culture, so I thought why not the Indian Barcelona, Rajasthan! 10 days, 4 cities, and a small budget, and I loved every minute of it. I wanted to be in a place filled with art and culture, so I thought why not the Indian Barcelona, Rajasthan! 10 days, 4 cities, and a small budget, and I loved every minute of it .

Stop 1 – Jaipur

Off the flight and hopped into my taxi cab to hostel. The first sight of Jaipur is gorgeous! beautiful city of Jaipur! Earth colored walls, with artistic handprinted designs in flowers and leaves strung all around the city. The clean non-potholed roads, and the fresh air, are welcoming! The greenery in this place was breathtaking.  My dormitory was a relatively new home decorated in ethnic art and furniture. Rajasthanis really love their traditional art, very creatively slipped into modern architecture. It’s like their way of life. Even some roti boxes and Indian spice boxes decorated with beautiful meenakari work.

Walking through the pink city of Jaipur, the cobbled streets connecting the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and the City Palace was an enchanting experience. I passed through some ancient arch ways, so pretty in their very old artistic etches, yet they are used regularly to commute by. A city of art and architecture beautifully balanced with old and new, and not tucked away in a museum is the beauty of Jaipur. By the way, don’t forget to try their paani-puris, as a special recommendation. 6 puris, 6 panis… umm!!

Stop 2 – Pushkar

A small town nestled by the Aravallis, Pushkar has the only temple for Bramha in India. The entire town’s activity is centered 1 km radius around the Pushkar lake. With temples 50 meters apart and 5 stores in between selling hippie stuff, one can walk through the market street in awe, to see something new each time! My guesthouse on the outskirts of the town, the terrace with the never ending stretch of the Aravalli mountains, and temples on peaks that looked liked stairway to heaven in the street lights. What a sight!

The best part of the Pushkar lake is its sunset. Fortunately, not all banks of lake are filled with pilgrims. A remote small area near the bridge has some really nice restaurants with great food and gorgeous sunsets.  Pushkar, I realized, is not about the big things; it’s about the little things. Like the Laughing Buddha cafe, quaint, hidden with delicious pumpkin salad. By the way, Bhaang is illegal in Pushkar, unless on the outskirts of the city. So no special lassis available. But definitely try the “malpua”, since no one can eat just one!

Stop 3 – Jodhpur

Jodhpur is famously known for it’s blue top houses and the Mehrangarh Fort. With an agenda to enjoy this beauty, I checked into the most beautiful house in the old city of Jodhpur. Away from the market, a 10 minute walk at the foot of the fort, whose terrace flaunted the indigo colors and the gigantic brown fort, reaching the sky! The Mehrangarh Fort is the most spectacular of any forts that with each square meter carved in detailed traditional design, inside and outside. On the top of a mountain, beautifully carved stones, Mehrangarh is a must visit. Walking down towards the city with milk sweets everywhere, don’t miss out not the gulab jamun curry!

Outside the town live the Bishnoi tribe (or the earth keepers). A whole day spent with different tribes of weavers, shepherds, potters, and block printers, showing their local talents. A crash course in Rajasthani culture is available on request, which is totally worth it. On the way were beautiful peacocks fanning their mating calls, and black bucks running at speedy leaps across the jeep.

Stop 4 – Udaipur

A crazy combination of hippie ethnic living near the lake with a contrasting newer city, Udaipur is more commercial than many other parts of Jaipur district. With roof top everything, and small winding streets, Udaipur is best visited in winters. The view by the lake is spectacular. The center of the palace can be accessed by boats, but sitting in a coffee shop by the lake, looking at the beauty of the palace, under an awning saving from the pouring rain, it is a place to meet many interesting travelers, discussing world politics, or even art.

Rajasthan was a blast of art and architecture. Good food, warm people, international travellers, nature, and art – that was this lively state of India in a synopsis. But that’s only the green part. I look forward to exploring the desert soon!

Best Indian Short Films: Big Statements in Small Time Frames Part II

Caleidoscope

September 5, 2016

Author – Anusha Prabhu

If you missed our first series please read it first here.
Best Indian Short Films: Big Ideas in Small Time Frames – Part I

In this second part from my comprehensive list of the best Indian short films, I’ve included stories from different walks of life, shown from interesting perspectives within a short time frame. All of them were well- received and made the desired impact. To check out the first part, go here.

Father and Daughter

This Oscar winning Dutch short film, directed by Michaël Dudok de Wit, was released in July, 2013. It depicts the story of a daughter waiting for her father’s return even after she grows old. It is a simple 8-minute film showing stick figures instead of real people. Many of us have seen posts and memes which say that a daughter’s first love is always her dad, and a son’s first superhero is his dad. This movie shows the truth of that statement. It won the 2000 Academy Award for Animated Short Film, 20 other awards and 1 nomination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDprY-6IMG4

Life and Death of a Rebel

This is a 16 minutes and 30 seconds long short film in Tamil, released in 2016. The Charukesh Sekar film tells the story of a young man, diagnosed with cancer, who travels to Ladakh to live the last leg of his journey called life. His perceptions, thoughts, pain, happiness in living life to the fullest, the fear that grips him, and memories that hit him hard makes the film worthwhile. It also emphasises on how travel can heal and help one break free from the clutches of monotonous life.

https://youtu.be/KQlRJ26VeNo

My Beautiful Woman

This 7 minute 20 seconds long Thai short film, produced by Wacoal Thailand, a lingerie brand, as a part of a marketing campaign called ‘My Beautiful Woman’, is one of the three parts of a short film series portraying 3 different women who take different paths to overcome obstacles and defy society’s rules for women. Released on January 11, 2014 this film is about a teenage girl raising a daughter. She finds a baby in a bag near a garbage bin, and cannot think of turning a blind eye. People in her school find out, and rumours spread like wildfire. A teacher, whom she befriends while taking her daughter to drawing class, asks her to tell the truth, to which she replies, “It is okay that they talk about me rather than my daughter.” This clearly shows that a mother will never let anyone speak ill about a child. It is only in the final minutes of the film that we are shown the truth. The film is narrated by a man who expresses how a woman affected his perceptions of life and helped him discover real beauty.

Nayantara’s Necklace

This 21 minute film in Hindi, directed by Jaydeep Sarkar was released in October 2015. The film portrays the lives of two women, one flashy and the other a middle class woman who adores the former. A situation occurs where the latter gets to step into the fashionable woman’s shoes. But when she does, she is hit hard by realty. In the end she reverts back to her own middle class life where she does her household chores. And she feels happy that her life is not laden with lies.

Raastaa

This 3 minute 30 sec long film in Hindi directed by Errol Marks and Aditya Sawant, released in 2012, revolves around two boys who beg to make a living. One gets more and the other nothing, but in the end we see the bond that they share. No matter what, brotherhood is the sole reason many of us exist in the world. The fact that we have someone to rely on at the end of the day, be it ourselves, a friend, or a brother, gives us a sense of relief and a sound sleep.

That Day after Everyday

The 22 minute long Anurag Kashyap in Hindi that released in 2013, depicts the real life of working-class rural women who undergo the torture of assault in public by a group of men. Radhika Apte performs so beautifully that the audience can actually empathize with her. The emotions and the mental abuse she goes through shows on her face. This is one of her career best and is a must-watch.

The Joy of Giving

This 9 minute long Hindi film written by Kalki Koechlin and directed by Shlok Sharma for the ‘Joy of Giving Week’, conveys a beautiful message. A small thief (literally) steals food from a shop. One night his place of stay is discovered by the shop manager. What happens next can melt the viewers’ heart. He sees the young boy distributing the food to the other slum kids. He sees their happiness and more importantly the joy of sharing. It truly doesn’t take much to be happy with simple things. The quote, “Kindness is always rewarded, sometimes in the most unexpected way” is very true. We just need to try extra hard to see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8EnJU2lFGE

Tubelight ka Chaand

Released in 2013, this 10 minute film directed by Shlok Sharma, narrates the story of a slum kid who wishes to catch the moon. So he steals the light bulbs which are lit on the street. Cable wires, batteries and switches are what he needs and he gets them. The robbery makes the headlines in the newspapers and is a hot topic within the city. Psychologists are consulted to know what kind of a person the thief is. But all that the boy wants is the experience of being near a giant ball of light and dance around it! He is caught in the end but the robbery doesn’t stop. A must-watch if one wants to know how innocent the world can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2TgRz5Mjuk

Saint of the Gutters Gets Sainthood

Levine Lawrence

September 2, 2016

Mother-Teresa-Gets-Sainthood — Image – Wikimedia

There is no doubt that Mother Teresa is the most famous Christian missionary to have worked in India. The sainthood conferred on her by the Catholic Church attests her status as a social worker and a beacon of hope for the underprivileged in India, particularly Kolkata. However, controversies have mired Mother Teresa’s work since her death in 1997. Although the global community acknowledged her work by awarding her the Nobel Peace Prize, there are many critics who object her work as a missionary.

Born in the Republic of Macedonia, she came to India during the British Raj and she settled down in Kolkata. The Nobel laureate nun affentinaltely known as the ‘Saint of the Gutters’, founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, a sisterhood which now has more than 3,000 nuns worldwide. She set up orphanages, old age homes, alcoholic centres, disabled people, AIDS hospices, charity kitchens, schools, leper colonies and homes for abandoned children. These organizations get grants and funds in the form of donations from all over the world.
Volunteering is a tough job and many people all over the world come to Kolkata in search of a service-oriented life. At the Missionaries of Charity, anybody can volunteer for an experience to lead the daily life of a nun, but if you are serious about becoming a nun, the complete process is long and cumbersome and takes about nine years to complete. A novice must wear a white saree without the three blue stripes and must continue her life with the sole aim of understanding God and how to get close to him.

Nirmal Hriday

Situated in Kalighat in Kolkata, Nirmal Hriday is the home of the people who are terminally ill and have only a few days left. Mother Teresa established Nirmal Hriday way back in 1952 in a building that was an abandoned Kali temple. The sisters working there shower kindness and help the members who desperately need them. Ailing patients receive the much required medical attention and aid.

The mother house is a peaceful place replete with statues of the Mother and flowers. There is a small museum housing some of Mother Teresa’s possessions and her journey throughout life helping others. You can also see the room where she lived for more than 50 years. The room is pretty plain and has a single bed, bench and desk. Along with that, there are some religious items such as a wreath of thorns and a cross, which only authenticates her simplistic and minimalistic lifestyle. Her tomb is enshrined there without any decorations and intricacies. The environment is peaceful and there is an air of calmness that you cannot find anywhere else.

Any sceptic who looks down upon the work done by the mother and her faithful followers needs to see the transformation in Kolkata over the years. Thousands of followers truly believe the miracle done by the Saint of the Gutters and feel the church should acknowledge it by attesting with a Saint Mother Teresa title. Who are the rational critics who just talk about the misery of poor people but do nothing to alleviate their conditions…

Patriotism in India – Are We Being Selective?

Manu Mukundan

August 29, 2016

There is a serious debate underway about Patriotism in India and its definition. Anyone who does not agree with the views of the majority is being branded as a traitor; anyone who points out flaws in the nation and its decisions is being attacked in an inhumane manner. People often forget the fact the nation is composed of diverse set of individuals, individuals who are victims of human nature and are susceptible to mistakes. There is a widespread propaganda of militant patriotic principles that stand against the very core of the principles of democracy.

The right to dissent is being challenged by people who claim themselves to be the white knights of patriotism. We are forgetting that when M K Gandhi, Bhagat Singh or any other revolutionary stood up against the state, they were also committing treason. How can we call a fight for freedom and democratic rights of a class of people as treason? The Supreme Court of India has clearly specified that fighting against the state in a peaceful manner cannot be termed as ‘sedition’ and that there is nothing unconstitutional about it. It only becomes a crime when violence or an intention to cause violence is behind it.

Patriotism in India Flag — Image – Flickr/Meena Kadri

This brings us to the elephant in the room – ‘Patriotism’. Most of us get a shot of patriotism during a India-Pakistan cricket match, or when our soldiers are martyred or whenever the subject of Kashmir comes up. But should we limit our definition of patriotism to these topics? Shouldn’t other topics that concern the development of the nation also be upheld?

People in India are still struggling with poverty, discrimination, injustice and other social evils that make everyday life unbearable. I am ashamed of the fact that ‘casteism’ and religious intolerance are still deeply embedded in our society. Social status is being determined not on the basis of human development but on the basis of caste or religion. Individuals born into certain sections of the society are born with a shield that protects them from their deeds and are given respect however weak their moral state is. These issues remain a major hurdle in the path of our nation’s development. Isn’t it our duty as patriots to struggle for the eradication of these social evils?

Patriotism-in-India-Wagha-Border — Image – Flickr/Koshy Koshy

Instead what are we focusing on? A few students raising slogans inside their college campus that are anti-national in nature? Knock! Knock! Does anyone remember the murder of our Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by LTTE terrorists? Some organizations in Tamil Nadu are advocating for the release of these culprits. Banners are put up supporting the LTTE; even the birthday of its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is being celebrated by organizations. Similarly, there are organizations celebrating of the birthday of Nathuram Godse, the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi. While national leaders ask certain intellectuals to leave the country, no one is branding these actions as anti-national!

So why is the mere issue of some sloganeering by some miscreants being highlighted? Is India’s democracy so weak that it will fall apart due to sloganeering by a few people? The recent Jat and Patel caste agitations caused widespread violence and death. There was no call to brand this violence as anti-national or anti-constitutional when it clearly was.

We Indians should be proud of the freedom of speech and critical thinking that we enjoy and such childish acts of anti-national sloganeering shouldn’t be used as a tool to oppress this freedom of speech. Any idea should be open to criticism, any form of peaceful protest should be allowed and any mistake committed by the state or its leaders should be rectified if that is the will of the people. We should not forget the fact that the nation is not a person or a symbol to be objectified, since the nation is the collective conscience of its entire people and everyone’s voices should be given prime importance. Other ideas should be confined to the personal sphere and should not interfere with the principles of the Indian constitution.

Patriotism is a virtue and it should not be denigrated by using it to serve personal ends. I am reminded of the famous quote by Charles De Gaulle “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first”. Many of us do not know the difference that define patriotism and nationalism, and think both are the same. Here is a list of points that highlight the differences between Patriotism and Nationalism:

Patriotism	Nationalism
Affection towards the nation	Rooted in rivalry and resentment
Equally best among other nations	Superior to all other nations
Equal respect for foreigners	Only our citizens are considered equal
Listens to complaints	Cannot tolerate any criticism
Values responsibilities equally	Values only citizen rights
Reconciles with past shortcomings and historical problems	Buries the past and highlights only historical achievements
Softly highlights Indian culture and earn respect	Aggressively promotes Indian culture and economic superiority

Source: DifferenceBetween

Knowing the Top 5 Richest Lotto Millionaires

Caleidoscope

August 26, 2016

There are many inspiring stories of self-made millionaires who have gained immense wealth thanks to sheer hard work. Yes, those stories are inspiring. But nothing beats the inspiration you get when you instantly get a million bucks without doing anything other than picking a few numbers and wishing that it’d bring you a fortune. Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about now as we’ll be showing you these very lucky people who made great fortunes thanks to lottery’s luck.

John and Lisa Robinson

John and Lisa Robinson are one of the three winners of the biggest lotto jackpot in history. They were extremely fortunate to share the $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot with Mae and Marvin Acosta and Maureen Smith after the lotto machines popped up their numbers on Jan. 13, 2016.

They sure were overwhelmed when they knew they were instant millionaires. And so they decided to get the $528.8 million prize share in a lump-sum payment. Though they only got $327.8 million of the supposedly $500 million-plus prize, they’re still pretty cool with it.

Taxes don’t matter to them anymore, even if it’s worth over $200 million. In an interview with NBC, the Robinsons said the reason why they opted for the lump-sum payment was that they weren’t guaranteed for tomorrow.

Mavis Wanczyk

Mavis Wanczyk, a 53-year-old woman from Chicopee, Massachusetts, has won Powerball’s staggering $758.7 million last Aug. 23, 2017. This makes her the largest lottery jackpot single winner in the U.S.

Since then, she has been the stuff of headlines after she mistakenly revealed her identity, even though she had the choice not to. Then again, that’s not a big deal as she said she needs a team of professionals that help her secure her finances as much as possible.

That includes a financial advisor, an attorney, and even a group of real estate analysts to help her make the best investment decisions. And despite all these, she still chose the lump-sum payment of $480.5 million, even though she lost hundreds of millions if ever she would opt for the installment option.

Merle and Patricia Butler

Mega Millions’ $656 million jackpot prize was won by three tickets, including Merle and Patricia Butler way back in Mar. 30, 2012. The retired couple, no matter how rich they have been, still remained humble in an interview as they said that they’re just an everyday couple who worked hard all their lives.

They concluded that they just happened to hit it big. Nonetheless, what they were saying were standing on firm ground. The couple also said that they’re going to use part of the winnings for charity.

The other winning ticket was won by three friends from Maryland, while the third winner remains anonymous until now. The ticket was purchased in Kansas, which has a law which protects lottery winners’ identity.

Ira Curry and Steve Tran

Then there was Mega Millions’ $648 million jackpot won by two winners in Dec. 17, 2013. Ira Curry, a woman from Georgia, shared that stunning amount of money with Steve Tran, a delivery driver from San Jose, California.

Curry said that her numbers were a combination of birthdays from her family. Interestingly, Tran on the other hand immediately called up his boss and said he wouldn’t report to the job anymore as he just won the jackpot.

Gloria Mackenzie

Gloria Mackenzie, a lucky old woman from Florida, won $590.5 million from the Powerball. What’s interesting about her story was that her winning combination was just a quick pick.

To make things more exhilarating, the 84-year-old woman was courteously offered to go ahead of the line by another hopeful lottery player. Indeed, her old age helped her because he wouldn’t have given her his place in the line if she’d have been younger.

These people might seem to be very lucky. Yes, they are. But getting this enormous wealth also requires utmost responsibility and care. They need to be more cautious about where they spend their money or where they’ll go and what they’ll do.

There have been numerous cases when lotto winners lost it all. This shows that there’s no assurance even if you’ve already got tons of cash in your account. If you happen to be one of these people sooner or later, just remember to keep it cool and be wise by all means.

You can start out trying your luck by visiting top10bestonlinelotto.com. Who knows, maybe this will be your key to becoming one of these very lucky guys?

Best Indian Short Films: Big Ideas in Small Time Frames – Part I

Caleidoscope

August 26, 2016

Author – Anusha Prabhu

Short films today portray stories of the very people that we tend to overlook. As we race to make ends meet, these capsule stories act as a reality check. Short films prove that big ideas need not be wrapped in pretentious layers of hour-long visuals to reach the masses. In small time frames, they establish concepts, ideas and statements. And they make it big. Really big.

I combed the Internet to find the best short films that went viral and surprisingly I came across a small talent heap. Hope you enjoy the selection as much as I did.

3 Shades

A 6 minute film directed by Vivek Joshi, 3 Shades show the current state of our homeland and asks a hard question – Even if we develop our nation and eradicate the evils in society, is it possible to completely eradicate poverty? In the film, a child sells Indian Flags on Republic Day, allowing him to earn a decent amount which will buy him 2 meals for the next two days. Another ‘beggar’ steals it from him and runs away. The boy has to answer to the flag maker as he gets a part of the earnings. The older man doesn’t believe him and shuts him out until he gets the money. Finding a lot of scrap flags in the garbage, the boy resells them to the public. The story raises a lot of questions about freedom and poverty and makes us think.

Afterglow

This National Award winning Parsi film, lasting 20 minutes, focuses on family values. Kaushal Oza has carefully directed the subtleties of family life in a way that wouldn’t make you cry, but will leave your heart heavy, after watching the film. This film captures how a couple takes death very lightly and yet the sadness in their eyes is very evident.

Ahalya

Here’s a small shout-out to this 15 minute Sujoy Ghosh film in Hindi, released in 2015. Starring Radhika Apte and Soumitra Chatterjee, this film created a lot of media stir for its conceptualisation of the Ramayana in a very different way. This 14-minute short film will make you ponder deeply about its meaning. If you get the meaning immediately, that’s great. If not, watch again till it makes sense, because the feeling you get when you understand something complex is just ‘wow’!

Aval

Directed by Vijay Varadharaj, this is a poetic short film which promotes feminism. It is a 3 minute film in Tamil that was released in 2015. The movie is disturbing yet beautiful with its strong verses. It tells the story of a girl who is raped and who cannot communicate her pain. An invisible tape is plastered on her mouth so that she doesn’t open up. A series of powerful statements follow which will make anyone weak in the knees. This film cannot be described but has to be felt. Only then will the message be conveyed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTOfxCAqu3s

Avaladhigaaram

Directed by Arun Narain, this 19 minute 33 seconds Tamil short film created a recent stir in the short film club. It depicts how two sisters have to face being eve-teased in their locality. A confrontation with the rogues by the older sister leads to a fight in which she is wounded. The next scene shows the young girl going to school without any trouble from them. The camera then shifts to the older girl, carrying a fruit bag and entering the hospital where the rogue who wounded her lies on a bed, with broken bones. The story ends with the girl looking at a wall filled with boxing trophies and medals. No one would’ve guessed this brilliant climax. It is one of those films, screened at many short film festivals and got raving reviews for both plot originality and the technical skills.

Chalk

This two-minute silent short film, directed by Navin and team and released on 14^th November 2013, is powerful yet outstanding in its simplicity. It depicts the story of an orphan who covets a mother’s love. The story starts with a little boy finding chalk pieces in a classroom and heading out to an open space in his orphanage. A curious watchman follows him and to his astonishment, finds the kid drawing a picture of a mother on the floor. The kid sleeps on the drawn-mother’s shoulder, emphasizing the fact that he longs for a mother and her care. The short film was made initially to promote adoption. But it also conveys a strong message about the blessing that is our mother.

Dharmam

Directed by Madonne Ashwin, this 7 minute long Tamil film is a simple story with a strong message. Released in June 2012, the film starts with a school kid being taught dialogues for his fancy dress competition in which he plays the character of a beggar. The child sees a beggar on the streets and strikes up a conversation with him. The poor man asks him why he is dressed like that, to which the boy replies that it’s for a competition. After listening to what the boy will be saying at school, the old man recites a verse which is the best part in the movie. It goes like this:

“Kaal nadaya poreinae, (By foot I do wander)
Kanjan kitta kekurein, (The man I beg from is a miser himself)
Olachutrukae vayasilla, (I’m too old to work)
Usura maraka manasilla, (I’m too scared to die)
Enna mattum marandhutiyae, (You forgot me, all alone)
Pichakara Kadavulae (Oh Lord! You yourself are a beggar like me)”

This verse affects the child, who later recites it at his show, earning him respect. This film will definitely make us question our own actions.

Watch out for Part 2 to enjoy more great short films!

Top Indian Travel Bloggers Who Inspire the Wanderlust in Us

Pranjali Rautela

August 24, 2016

Author –Pranjali Rautela

“Travelling- it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” –Ibn Battuta

India is synonymous with diversity, culture, heritage, and the exotic. It has produced travellers who inspire the wanderlust in all of us. They sow the belief that life is not meant to be lived in one place, that the world is a book, and every chapter is waiting to be read. They give travelogues such a creative spin that an urge to break away from the monotony of life is developed. You suddenly want to break free and liberate yourself from the nine to five run-of-the-mill job that is slowly taking you to your grave.

For all those who are tired of the mundane city life, here is a list of top Indian travel bloggers who can provide you with soul soup to feel alive AGAIN!

Shivya Nath

Shivya was fortunate enough to realize her passion at the age of 23. Shivya is an independent woman who quit her corporate job in 2011 to turn into a full time traveller. She funds her trips with the money she earns from her blogs. She writes about less travelled destinations and through her blog posts she shares her journey and gives tips on how to experience the local life.

In 2013 Shivya was awarded the ‘Best Travel Blogger’ at the Indian Blogger Awards. She has been an inspiration for a lot of women who love to take a solo trip.
www.the-shooting-star.com

Sankara Subramanian

“I am one of those who feel at home when I am on the road. Travel is my life. It is my career. It is my passion. And it is my inspiration.”

Having travelled to all seven continents, Sankara is recognized as one of the best travel bloggers. He started travelling in 2009 with the aim of sharing his passion for globetrotting with the world. Since then he has been living his dream!

In his early 30s, Sankara took a motorbike trip covering all of India. His blog is a complete guide as it covers all the A-Z requirements of travelling. He gives tips from backpacking to budgeting to planning and even includes some really handy visa tips. His travel articles have been featured in National Geographic Traveller India Magazine and Deccan Chronicle newspaper.
http://www.beontheroad.com

Siddhartha Joshi

While sitting in Almora, this man was already inspiring his family and friends through his travel stories when he thought of gathering a wider audience. He decided to use his excellent photography skills which make his blog stands out. His photographs have even been featured in Huffington post. Siddharth is one of the most followed travel bloggers and he has been nominated for several awards.

He strongly believes that only travelling can break barriers, be it cultural or religious. He has a wish to travel all around the world without a visa or passport. In his blog ‘Sid-the wanderer’ he has shared his travel stories from around the world. The article ‘Portraits from Pakistan’ is worth a read as it changed my perspective of Pakistan. This man is already breaking barriers, at least the mental ones.
www.sid-thewanderer.com

Laxmi Sharath

A travel blog of an Indian backpacker comprises travel stories from inside and outside India. Laxmi quit her media career to pursue Vagabondism twelve years ago. She has credited her mother with discovering the travelling ‘keeda’ in her. As a kid she was someone who was always restless and wanted to go places. She always had a flair for writing and that pushed her in the direction of blogging.

Her blog mostly revolves around India and its rich heritage. She is a villager at heart and loves to write about the places you can’t find on the map. The urge to meet people, understand cultures and discover something new is what keeps her motivated. All of this is reflected in her writing. She is known and followed widely and is often mentioned as one of the top 100 travel bloggers in the world.
www.lakshmisharath.com

Mridula Dwivedi

Mridula started the blog in 2005 and the blog drew the attention of both BBC and Guardian. She has always been passionate about it and writes about her experiences on her blog. She was inspired by her sister and brother who are bloggers themselves.

Professor by profession, she loves to travel and her blog portrays her Indian roots. The article ‘Mandir se Masjid takk’ is worth a read. In December 2010, she was featured in a National Geographic Skoda Yeti video. Her blog was honored as the ‘best travel Indi-blog’ at the India Weblog Awards in 2007.
http://traveltalesfromindia.in

Ankita Sinha

Ankita has visited 17 countries and 24 states and she achieved this in the short span of 3 years. She was an IT professional but her passion for travel made her take the bold decision to quit her job. Her purpose is to spread knowledge while she is on the move. She posts several stories, interviews, travel videos; she can also help you style yourself while you are on the move.

Her posts have been published and appreciated in Fox traveller, Outlook Traveller, The Hindu and many others. The blog has won two awards in the field of travel and sports.
http://www.ankionthemove.com

Anuradha Goyal

Anuradha Goyal, an innovation consultant by profession, is a household name when we talk about travel-blogging. She has been blogging about her trips for over a decade now. Inditales is a collection of travel experiences from the various cities of India.
www.inditales.com

Prasad NP

“Travelling completes me….Made me patient and helped appreciate the diversity we have with people living in different places….I hope to leave the planet in better shape than it is today!”
Travelling helped Prasad get out of the rat race. With time, he also mastered the art of multitasking. He juggles between being a blogger, photographer and an entrepreneur. He is an inspiration for all those who think that travelling is not for those who have regular jobs.

His blog is true to its name and has a lot of “desi stories” that boast about the beauty and diversity of India. His blog is filled with pictures where a single glance gives you goose bumps. He has posts that cater to all kind of travellers. Whether you are travelling solo or with family, you just need to refer his blog.
www.desitraveler.com

Deepti Asthana

Sitting in a corporate cubical, photography happened to her. The camera has taken her to places she never thought would make up to her bucket list. Plan-Travel-Click-Repeat is her funda! Her blog is the one with the finest pictures. The pictures are so full of life that you can almost hear them talk. The passion truly does the work for her!

I would call her a woman with purpose. Her project “WOI” takes you to the heart of the Indian society and tells you stories about the women. She is trying her best to bring in the little change she can through her writings.

Madhu Shetty

Madhu Shetty wants you to spread your wings and fly with her as an independent traveller. A designer turned wanderer, she inspires people who think it’s too late to pursue their dreams. She ignites the long lost passion that you sacrificed for the rat race. The blog space is full of variety with little or no redundancy! You will find tips that will come in handy when you plan your trip. I mean now I know that I can try Airbnb without being apprehensive after she has given it a thumbs-up!

I must say that theurgetowander.com has the best layout which makes you surf with ease. It is also full of travel quotations to motivate you to ditch the couch. www.theurgetowander.com

The list might never end because there are a number of talented bloggers who have tried to cover the entire world in their blog space. It is not possible to collect all the talent in this just one post. These people are so inspiring that you should stop hoarding those extra calories, pack your bags and take the next flight to wherever your heart points!

Drive Down the Coffee Country – Chikmagalur

Levine Lawrence

August 22, 2016

Sometimes a holiday break can do wonders to our monotonous life. This is particularly true if you head leave the hustle bustle of a city and venture into the countryside. The much needed monsoon rains have drenched the parched nation with bountiful water, causing an abundance of greenery everywhere. Yes, many of us may still crib about the monsoon being less than normal this year; but optimists like me are happy that at least it broke the dry spell and brought us some relief!

This long weekend, I headed towards the hills in the Western Ghats. Being a coffee lover, a travel through the coffee country was the best way to rejuvenate my withered city soul. The best way to narrate my travelogue is in the form of a photo feature:

Once the road leaves the highway and begins to winding up the hills, the entire landscape changes and the cold nip in the air gives us an indication of what lies ahead. The road from Tarikere to Chikmagalur was quite good and was covered with lush greenery and tall trees.

The Bababudangiri Hills are famous for their vivid red earth and evergreen forests. Clouds moving across the picturesque valleys presented us with such spectacular views that we had to take several stops to click pictures.

The monsoon rains have filled up water ponds on the way to the hills, presenting a picturesque site for travellers.

Deviramma Betta is the most prominent peak in the Bababudangiri Hills since it is a well-defined hill separated from the rest of the range. The hill gives a different view of the Ghats below, with mist descending from the range and goes into the plains.

We were fortunate to witness some wildlife on the way. Peacocks were sighted on the lush green fields on the way.

Coffee Barn Café is a welcome break for weary travellers climbing the steep mountain road. The cute café is nestled inside a coffee estate and serves some hot coffee branded ‘Halli Berry’!

Once we enter the valley close to Chikmagalur, the hills are completely covered with rows and rows of coffee estates. The coffee beans are green and they will be ready to harvest by winter.

After staying in one of the Athithi Homestays, we moved towards N R Pura or Narasimharaja Pura, a tiny town down the hills. The thick green blanket of grass growing on the roofs of shops stand testimony to the incessant rains in this region in this season.

We had our breakfast of idli-vada and filter coffee at this old canteen named Hotel Ramprakash. The owner has preserved old calendars and posters and hunting era horns in their original condition. Check out the large bronze water drum and marble top tables – true relics of a bygone era!

Cover Photo by Satheesh Sankaran

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