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Expanding Your Family? Plan Ahead by Taking These 7 Financial Steps

By
Caleidoscope
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0
Expanding Your Family
Image – Pixabay

Expanding an individual’s family can be a joyous time; however, it can also cause them to worry substantially about how they are going to cover the additional expense. In India, many families are expanding due to the improvement in economic conditions and the rise of the middle class. From this boom, families are considering ways to finance additional children while still achieving their investment goals. If you are considering expanding your family in India, review the information below: 

7 Important Financial Steps to Take If You Are Expanding Your Family

Consider these seven important financial steps to ensure you can afford to have another child in India with ease: 

Commence a Savings Plan

If you are considering expanding your family, then it is important to find the right savings plan for you. A child savings plan is a great way to allocate resources aside to anticipate for the additional expense that a new child will give you in INR. Some examples of this are for hospital bills, educational, or general living expenses that you will be responsible for in the short, medium, and long-term. 

Know Your Employer’s Health Insurance

Depending on where you work, it is possible that you will have some health insurance benefits. Read these benefits carefully to see what amount of capital you will need to cover on your own and which amount will be covered by your insurance. 

Pre-Delivery Planning

Having a baby is expensive regardless of where you are in the world. Make sure you budget money to pay for any doctor visits and the actual day you are giving birth so that you have enough capital to have the best care possible. 

Allocate Your Projected Post-Birth Expenses

It is important to figure out what your additional costs will be. Once you do so, you will be able to establish target goals for your investments and achieve them. 

Consider 5-Year Investment Plans 

Given that not all of the expenses that children cause occur right away, establishing a 5-year investment plan is a wonderful idea in India. 

Consider Investing in Real Estate

If you are able to afford real estate, it is wise to buy your apartment so that you know that your rent will be covered. Later on, as you become more successful, you will then have a secondary source of income that will be beneficial to your expenses. 

Set Aside an Emergency Fund

Regardless of what you will be budgeting to cover the cost of having a baby, it is important to have an emergency fund that is separate to be sure you are never without funds. 

Final Remarks

Having a child is an exciting time in a family’s life. It is important to be sure that your family is ready for the additional expenses so that your child has the best possible upbringing possible. By planning well, you will be able to have success raising your child in the coming years with ease. 

Assessing Your Needs: 7 Tips for Choosing the Best Credit Card

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Caleidoscope
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0
Choosing the Best Credit Card
Image – Pixabay

If you are in the market for a new credit card, you have plenty to choose from and they all have slightly different features. As you shop around, it’s a good idea to evaluate your needs and pick a credit card that fits your budget and offers some rewards. 

The best credit cards do not just have bonuses and rewards that you get when you open an account. They have features that provide rewards long after you’ve made your first purchase. Some Indian credit cards, like Buzz Credit Card, offer rewards for money you spend and for milestones you reach along the way. 

These are some tips for choosing the best credit card to meet your needs:

1. Changeable payment date

This might not seem like the most important feature of a credit card, but if the date the credit card company chooses for you doesn’t work, then changing the date can save you money. If you cannot make a payment by the date that the company chose, you could end up with late payment charges. But, if you can change it, you will not have to pay late fees. 

2. Annual fees

Annual fees can be excessive for some credit cards. As you are already paying interest, you don’t want to pay extra rupees each year just to keep the card. It is difficult to find a card without an annual fee, so find one with a small one. 

3. Signup bonus

When you sign up with some cards, you get an immediate bonus. In some cases, you have to spend a certain amount of rupees before the award is given, but some cards give you an immediately welcome gift, like a gift card, a voucher, or a discount. When looking for a card with a signup bonus, find one that will fit your shopping needs. 

4. Co-branded cards

Co-branded cards can be helpful if you shop in the same place regularly. If you use a co-branded card, you can get bonus points that you can use at the shop. Usually, you get extra points if you shop at the co-branded store, but if you shop elsewhere, you do not get the same number of points. 

5. Easy payment options

Being able to make a payment is important for keeping your credit card under control. If you cannot make a payment at a convenient spot or through an ATM, then it might not be the right card for you. 

6. Conversions to EMIs

Another helpful tool in Indian credit cards are conversions to EMI, especially when you buy something expensive, like electronics. Making equal monthly installments lets you pay off your balances quickly.

7. Simple fee chart

The last feature to check is the fee chart. Hopefully, it is easy to read and there aren’t many fees, especially for things like mobile alerts and replacement cards. 

Earning Extra Cash as an Uber Driver

By
Caleidoscope
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0
Uber Driver

Uber, and other ride hailing apps, have revolutionised the way we get taxis. According to their publicity, it’s really easy to set yourself up as an Uber driver and start earning extra money. But is this really the case?

Basic Personal Criteria

Although it’s true that most people will be able to start the application process, there are a few restrictions. UK Uber drivers must be over the age of 21, and have a full UK driving licence. As rules about taxi licences vary around the UK, some areas may also specify a minimum number of years driving experience too. 

Private Hire Licence

Uber doesn’t actually licence its own drivers. People wishing to pick up work through these sorts of apps must go through the process of applying for a private hire licence like any other taxi driver. The process varies by location but could involve any of the following:

  • Extended driving test
  • English language test
  • Local area knowledge test
  • Enhanced DBS check
  • Safeguarding training

Individual applicants meet the cost for all of these checks and tests. Once issued, a private hire licence usually lasts for three years. In many areas, there is a backlog of people waiting for approval as a private hire driver. DBS checks take time to process, as does getting an appointment to take tests. Setting up as a driver isn’t something you can do in a few hours and get straight out onto the roads. It’s therefore perhaps not the best choice for anyone who needs an additional source of income quickly.

Car Checks

As well as checking out the drivers, cars have to meet certain requirements to get a private hire licence. Councils might set age limits on minicabs, and cars which are being used as taxis need more frequent MOT tests too. The MOT for a taxi isn’t different to the MOT test for any other car, but the tests start when the car is one year old, not three. Again, you’ll pay the costs for roadworthiness tests. Your car will also need four doors, with no commercial branding and with seatbelts fitted for all passengers and the driver. Cars being used as taxis also require specific insurance.

How Does it Work?

Once you have registered as a driver, gone through all the checks and had your car approved, you can start work. Drivers are free to log into apps and work as little or much as they wish. Many drivers are signed up with two or more apps, switching between them to keep busy. Passengers pay up front through the app before getting into the car, so there’s no risk they’ll skip out without paying. However, apps take a percentage of driver earnings, often as much as 25%. Some drivers make a full time wage driving through apps, but more use them as a top-up to other types of work. £15 per hour appears to be the average amount, but remember you’ll have to deduct fuel and other running costs from earnings. 

Booking cooking gas without having to leave your house.

By
Caleidoscope
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0

Gas Card
Image – Sid Lammata via Flickr

The most important requirement for all people is their meals, and one of the most common methods of preparing warm food is cooking gas. Although there are alternatives like the microwave, wood fires and using biogas, cooking using cooking gas is the most common. In this day and age, cooking gas is also quite common in the vast majority of Indian households which makes it very easy to use.

Why does one create a gas card?

The Government offers subsidies on cooking gas to people who would like to avail of them. Although this is regulated by individual states, the overall rule is that people receive about 12 cylinders a year at a subsidized price and would have to pay the entire price if they would need more above the number.

A gas card allows the gas provider to keep a track of the number of cylinders that an individual has purchased. It also gives the provider directions to people’s houses so they can deliver their cooking gas at their doorsteps. This is usually handled through a vehicle that visits different areas at different times in the week. It allows people to gather their cylinders and wait for their return.

What is the process of getting a gas card?

There are two main documents that need to be attached along with the basic forms. The forms are available at the addresses of the gas provider offices closest to you. Applicants have to attach their address proof and identity proof to receive a gas card. The documentation is handled at their end and people would receive a call informing them that their cards were prepared and that they had to collect them.

The new system allows applicants to handle the entire process online. Other than just going through the forms, they would be able to research their providers, either HP, BP, or Indane, go through their rules and check their delivery schedules, and also find out the best price that they can settle on.

Furthermore, all the details including the forms needed and the supporting documents are mentioned online. This means applicants can download them, fill them out and send them back. It also implies that the website would have someone else on the other end who would handle the running about and make the applicant’s life easier.

In an age where everything is calculated in minutes and seconds, traveling to an office to get forms and then again to submit them is not something that makes much sense. This was one of the reasons why people preferred sidestepping the process. However, with the new system, it makes everything a lot better and way more convenient.

Vasantahabba festival – A Distant Memory!

By
Levine Lawrence
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1

VasantahabbaHow would you relish a jugalbandi of Taufiq Qureshi on tabla and Niladri Kumar on sitar; or Nirupama and Rajendra’s dazzling display of kathak; delightful Qawwali by Warsi brothers; or an Indo-rock fusion session by Indian Ocean; or listen to the soothing Carnatic classical on Saxophone by Kadri Gopalanath… How would you like it if all these enchanting performances are served free…

While you wonder how such an eclectic collection of artistes can happen, let’s take short ride out of the bustling city of Bangalore. Moving on the Pune-Bangalore highway, you have to take a right turn at the Dasarahalli junction. Then after you cross the Jalahalli airforce station, move towards Hesaraghatta village. Once you cross the Hesaraghatta lake, you should ask directions for Taj Kuteeram hotel. Next to it is the mecca of Indian dance learning, the ‘Nrityagram‘ dance village. Nrityagram used to host an annual national level dance & music festival named ‘Vasantahabba’.

First held in 1990, Vasantahabba was the brainchild of Protima Gauri Bedi, who wanted to create a ‘Woodstock’ festival for classical dance and music in India. It is heart rending to note that today this enchanting event is no more. Dance and music lovers who once flocked every year on the first Saturday of February, rue the loss of this fascinating program has not happened since 2005.

Witnessing Vasantahabba was like an annual pilgrimage for dance and music devotees. They knew it happens on the first week of February every year, heralding the arrival of spring season (‘Vasanta Habba’ literally means spring festival in Kannada). Every year, music aficionados of all hues descended on Bangalore and proceeded towards Nrityagram.

Vasantahabba - The Nrityagram Odissi ensemble
Vasantahabba – The Nrityagram Odissi ensemble

The pilgrimage metaphor fits in fine – just like pilgrims going to Vaishnodevi or Shabarimalai chant ‘Jai mata di’ and ‘Swamiyye Ayyappo’, devotees noisily congregated in hordes to the remote village beyond Hesaraghatta lake. From 1990 to 1999, they would fit inside a cramped amphitheatre to witness a dawn-to-dusk festival. The stage is built like a Greek amphitheatre, with its architecture inspired by Hampi’s ruins. Later during 2001-2004, large TV screens were installed outside for the thousands who could not get inside. They cherished the seeds and soil packets given by the Nritygram Foundation as token of respect. Just like in any temple, the sanctum of stage was revered by the devotees.

Obviously, with such hype about it, you had to reach the venue at least two hours early to get a seat inside the amphitheatre. There was space only for 5,000 people to sit and the 15,000 who would turn up every year, had to manage standing throughout the night at the edge or sit in front of the projector TV screens outside. Fortunately, I and my friends ensured that we always got a seat inside. But in 2003, our gang could not get inside until midnight despite having our privileged press id!

Vasantahabba - Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and his son
Vasantahabba – Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and his son

Dancers and musicians of national and international repute performed on this revered platform. Each artiste was given about an hour to perform and sometimes, the audience request for an encore used to hamper the schedule. I remember in 2001, the Taufiq Qureshi performance went on beyond dawn.

The program schedule of this dawn-to-dusk festival had a typical structure. Just as the crowd settled, the lights would come on along with a reverberating sound of Dollu drums filling the air. Belliappa’s troupe’s Dollu Kunitha drummers would produce a rhythmic and heart thumping beat. Soon, renowned actress Arundhati Nag (affectionately called ‘Aruakka’) would come on stage and introduce the program’s background and the artistes who would perform tonight. The first one by the Nritygram ensemble headed by Surupa Sen would unravel a plethora of performances.

Vasantahabba - Bhangra by Butasingh and team
Vasantahabba – Bhangra by Butasingh and team

So between 6.30pm in the evening to 6.30am on the next day, we could enjoy world class performances of at least 10-12 celebrated artistes. Here is compilation of famous artistes who have performed at Vasantahabba:

  • Odissi dance – Bijoyini Satpathy
  • Kathak – Nirupama and Rajendra
  • Contemporary dance – Astad Deboo
  • Kalaripayattu and contemporary dance – Daksha Seth and her famous daughter Isha Sharvani
  • Hindustani classical on guitar – Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and his son
  • Hindustani and Trance fusion – Taufiq Qureshi on tabla and Niladri Kumar
  • World music – Raghu Dixit’s band Antaragni
  • Carnatic classical on Veena – Suma Sudhindra
  • Carnatic classical on Saxophone – Kadri Gopalanath
  • Fusion classical– Shubendra on sitar & Saskai on cello
  • Carnatic vocal – Bombay Jayashri
  • Qawwali – Warsi brothers
  • Indo-rock fusion – Indian Ocean

It is obvious that an event of such mega scale cannot be held without the support of large hearted sponsors. The organisers were adamant on keeping the entry free in accordance with Protima Bedi’s vision of popularising dance and music among the masses. Corporate and individual sponsors kept the event alive by funding the artiste fees and event organising costs.

Our gang at Vasantahabba
Our gang at Vasantahabba

Sadly, Vasantahabba has not been held since 2005. The problem first arose when huge relief efforts were undertaken for the Indian Ocean tsunami that happened in December 2004. Many of the corporate sponsors diverted their social responsibility funds to tsunami relief. The event was never held again and Nrityagram later blamed it on the global financial crisis. However, a point to be noted is Bengaluru Habba, another mega cultural festival that happens in the heart of the city, has not suffered a similar fate! Since Nrityagram has not commented on the fate of Vasantahabba, it is assumed that the festival has been scrapped for good.

Now, we can only reminisce the fading memories of Vasantahabba where we friends used to congregate once in a year and feel nostalgic about it!

Checkout our story on Pune’s Vasantotsav in Pune – 10 years of musical excellence

– Fact file –
Organiser – Nritygram Foundation
Place – near Hesaraghatta
http://www.nrityagram.org/contact/contact.htm

– Reference –
http://www.vasantahabba.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasanta_Habba
http://virtualthoughts.org/2010/vasantahabba-will-this-spring-fest-return/

Rushikonda Beach – The Perfect Weekend Getaway

By
Manasi
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3

Haritha Beach Resort Rushikonda
Haritha Beach Resort Rushikonda Source

Have you ever been so rejuvenated that you actually felt like getting back to work on a Monday morning? Life is nothing but a mind blowing experience and our job is just to find those special moments which make it worth living. I found one of those special moments prancing on the golden sands of the Rushikonda Beach with the water tickling my feet!

Rushikonda Beach is considered to be one of the most untouched beaches in Andhra Pradesh. Situated at a distance of about 10 kms from the city of Vishakhapatnam (Vizag), it serves as perfect weekend getaway. We fell in love with the place at the very first glimpse! The road from Vizag which leads to

the beach is extremely scenic with the Ramakrishna beach on one side and the mountain on the other. We arrived at the Haritha Beach Resort in Rushikonda. This resort is well placed on the top of a hill and one can descend to the beach by a flight of stairs. All the rooms at the resort are sea facing with extremely reasonable tariff rates. It has an amazing sea food restaurant known as ‘Off Shores’ right next to it, which also serves as a pub.

rushikonda

The name Rushikonda means ‘Hill of the Sages’, it is named after Saptarshiswaralayam, the temple of Lord Shiva built on the coast by seven sages. The beach is spectacular with patches filled with golden sand on one side and a rocky area on the other. This particular rocky area serves as a perfect spot to witness the sunset in the evening. However, one piece of advice to travellers: never take off your shoes when you are sitting on these rocks, for the water is waiting to steal them away!

Rushikonda Beach Bheemli beach
Bheemli beach, Wikimedia

On our first day at the resort, we decided to explore the place a little. We hired a taxi for the day and our first halt was the Bheemli Beach (Bheemunipatnam), the ideal place for rejuvenation. This beach is extremely serene with the Bay of Bengal reaching out to its coast. The town of Bheemunipatnam has an interesting past; it was a flourishing port established by the Dutch settlers in the 17th Century. Unfortunately, there is no sign of a flourishing port now; all that remains is a Dutch cemetery and a light-house by its coast.
The cemetery was known as ‘Hollander’s Green’ and contains graves with memorial tomb stones of Dutch and English settlers. The most captivating tomb stones are the ones built in a conical shape with Dutch inscriptions. Recently, the local people have built statues of Buddha and the five Pandavas on the beach. A fascinating mermaid sculpture also sits on the rocks by the sea, whose origins are unknown. We spent most of our early morning, playing at this beach and struggling to build a sand castle! There is nothing more mesmerizing than a day at an untouched beach listening to the silent lull of the tides.

Rushikonda-Beach-01
Morning at Rushikonda Beach – Wikimedia

Our next halt was the well known Ramakrishna Beach near Vizag. This beach has an extremely high ocean current and it is not at all advisable to enter this beach, as it has proven to be fatal in the past. However, one can enjoy these scenic waters by a ship/boat cruise which is conducted every half an hour at a reasonable rate.

Moving on, our next destination was the Kailasgiri Hill Rope Way. A short ride on to this hill gives you a spectacular view of RK Beach and Rushikonda Beach on its either side. It has a children’s play area and a toy train which goes around the hill giving you a breath taking experience of the ‘City of Destiny’.
Once you drive out of Kailasgiri Hill and head towards Rushikonda, you would come across ‘Bay Leaf’, an ayurvedic spa resort. This is an ideal place for all those out there looking for a calm afternoon to unwind. We discovered this place during a search for a restaurant one afternoon.

 

Rushikonda-Beach

The food here is very good and holds a personal touch to it. It also has beautiful cottages for a night stay. The spa treatments include chocolate and milk spa ritual, hot stone massage, ayurvedic facial and hair treatment and many more such relaxing treatments for a peaceful mind, body and soul. The overall experience on this particular weekend along with the spa treatments was completely pleasurable.

— Fact-file —

  • Nearest Town – Vishakhapatnam
  • Transport – By taxi or local bus from Vishakhapatnam city
  • Place to stay – Haritha Beach Resort (APTDC), Rushikonda
  • Other attractions – Borra Caves, Arakku Valley, Matsyadarshini (Aquarium)
  • Food – sea food, especially prawns

Defining Nostalgiphilia

By
Levine Lawrence
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1

defining-nostalgia

Have you met people who begin every sentence “in the good old days…”

– Do you have an old BSA bicycle, or a Remington typewriter or Windows 3.0 PC which you cannot throw away since your father got that as birthday gift…

– Do you stop on the road to relish ‘burf ke gole’ without bothering about the harmful colour and the dirty water…

– Have you observed that some people stop everything they are doing to be lost in thoughts when they hear a Geeta Dutt or a Mohammed Rafi song…

bril inkBeware; it could be the classic case of ‘Rustic Retro’. This is a rash like itching symptom of a dreaded disease called ‘Nostalgiphilia’ that afflicts mainly those urbanites who are above 30 years, artistically inclined and who have a lot of free time to feel nostalgic. Too many films, poems, paintings have been melancholied about this disease. Medically, this disease is described as a serious psycho-somatic condition, where the patient is forever lost in melancholy. ‘Melancholia’ is clinically classified under ‘schizophrenia’, but symptomatically it is similar to asthma since it can be aggravated by both environmental and genetic factors. (Refer: Wikipedia)

The typical symptoms of Nostalgiphilia are easy to identify.

  • While surfing the TV channels, the afflicted will get stuck at the 150th rerun of Malgudi Days or Star Wars movie.
  • Every time their friends and relatives visit, Nostalgiphiliacs will pull out old wedding or vacation tour albums and start explaining each photo even though they would have shown it earlier.
  • While discussing about a serious topic, some of us digress from the topic talking about an experience from a bygone era. But for Nostalgiphiliacs such a digression is a default setting and they would not want to come back!
  • They cannot simply eat a rare seasonal fruit; there has to be a lengthy narration of how sweet the fruits were in those ‘boole bisre din’.
  • If by chance, you ask them how to make the thread strong for flying kites or ingredients of mango pickle… you will be buried in a torrent of nostalgic downpour!

Once someone gets Nostalgiphilia, there is no cure. The disease can only be controlled with a daily dose of harsh reality; but otherwise it is a bleak scenario of the rest of the family members who have to endure the pain. Family members can take care by avoiding simple triggers that can aggravate a situation.

Nostalgiphilia - Indian nostalgic things

Typical triggers to be avoided are:

  • Do not expose Nostalgiphiliacs to old antiquated items like a tape recorder, granpa’s clock, film camera or even an old milk powder tin. They will start their melodrama, “Meri bachpan ki Amulspray aur Lactogen ka dabba… jisme mein pal bada… jisme meri maa dal aur masala rakha karthi thi…”
  • Do not mention how prices are rising day by day. You wouldn’t want to endure a lengthy lecture on what prices were in 1960s and 70s.
  • Do not switch to Vividhbharati radio during lazy Sunday afternoon if you do not want to ruin your weekend by listening to the whole history of how Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote his poems in prison!
  • Do not pull out old family albums and gramophone records in the presence of Nostalgiphiliacs.
  • Bioscope, Burf-ke-gole, gramophone, inland letters, Bril ink, Camel pen, etc are some of the items to be avoided.

This website is dedicated to all the people who are valiantly struggling to overcome Nostalgiphilia. We need support from people of all walks of life to manage this social evil. Please mail your comments and suggestions at info@caleidoscope.in

Reference: wiki/Nostalgia

Image – Pixabay

5 Thirst-Quenching Wine Cocktails for a More Refreshing Summer

By
Caleidoscope
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0
Image – Pixabay

Don’t you have any plans to go to the beach this summer yet? Don’t be a bummer. Start moving by mixing up some cocktails and surely the fruitiness of these tropical drinks would let you remember the undeniable hint of summer. Here are five thirst-quenching cocktails that would lift your spirits this summer.

White Peach Sangria

Looking for something light and bright cocktail for summer evening outdoor parties with friends or neighbors? Turn your classic white wine Pinot Grigio into White Peach Sangria with mango-flavored rum, peach schnapps, limes, oranges, lemons, lemon-lime soda, and other ingredients. 

There is a typical 4-ingredient recipe for this cocktail, though. First, make sure to wash four white, slice each of them, and muddle the sliced ones in a pitcher containing a ¾ cup of peach brandy. In the same pitcher,  mix a bottle of Moscato of your choice and one liter of plain seltzer water (sparkling peach water will do). Finally, stir gently. 

Serve it with a glass full of ice. For the final touch, garnish the sangria with a slice of peach or two. If you are not going to serve it immediately, place it in the refrigerator. It is best served cold. 

Rosé Berry Bliss

Rosé Berry Bliss is a sparkling wine cocktail that has an adorable pink or red theme—an elegant drink to serve for any fancy or casual affairs, holidays like Mother’s day, and other spring and summer parties. Pulling this drink’s recipe is the easiest way to entertain in style. 

This simple recipe is comprised of one-liter lemon-lime soda (for a beautiful sparkle), one 12-ounce package frozen pink lemonade, one cup of blueberries, and a 750 ml-bottle of Clos du Bois Rosé. All you need to do is mix all the ingredients at once and refrigerate for at least an hour.

You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. If you run out of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries can serve as substitutes. Also, you can try adding apricot juice and nectar as an alternative to lemonade for a more exciting twist. 

The Something Blue

If you are not into pinkish and reddish themed wines, you might want to consider serving warmer colored cocktails like The Something Blue. The name is derived from an old Victorian saying: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” which means having these elements in a wedding will make a bride lucky. 

This lucky charm is also simple to make. It is a three-ingredient cocktail that includes one an ounce of ginger ale, two ounces of white wine, and two ounces of Hpnotiq Liqueur. Pour all the three in your champagne flute, then the bubbles from the soda will do the mixing for you. 

Kir Royale

If you are feeling too lazy this summer but want to have an elegant drink, try making this easy-to-make Kir Royale. It is one of many cocktails that are considered as one of a kind in their simplicity. It is one of the famous French cocktails made with a measure of blackcurrant liqueur, also called as crème de cassis. 

If you have never heard about crème de cassis, wine enthusiasts consider it as any wine’s (Dry Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, or other Sokolin Wines) best friend. It is a sweet liqueur combined with the flavor of black currants that works perfectly with a dry white wine. 

To have one, pour 1/4 ounce of crème de cassis in a wine glass, then slowly pour two ¼ ounces of dry white wine. You can modify and adjust the volume of liqueur to complement your sweet tooth —the more liqueur, the sweeter. 

Furthermore, there is no need to stir if you pour the liqueur first as it will naturally mix it with the wine. Conversely, you have to stir if you place the wine in the glass first before adding the liqueur. 

Bishop Cocktail

You are wrong when you think leftover red wines that are out of your expectation should be thrown away. Wondering about what else you can do? You can go classic and mix up a Bishop cocktail! 

Grab three cups of light rum, half a cup of lime juice, a tablespoon of simple syrup and mix these three with a cup of leftover red wine. You might find it rum-wine sour; however, give it a try, and it can work wonderfully in your glass. Also, do not skip the rum! Others would recommend it as a shortcut; but no, it is unnecessary.

Takeaway

Summer has always been the season of cold and refreshing beverages. People will not opt for something boozy, but lighter and more fruity like cocktails. These drinks will make people intoxicated yet sober, causing everyone to be more hype along with the summer vibe.

Author’s bio: Scarlett Wells is also an expert in the food industry. Her expertise and skills about food and beverage pairing have helped her in becoming an effective mentor inspiring everyone to maintain a fit and fab lifestyle.

Glorious journey through Western Ghats

By
Monica Levine
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7

Traveling by train has been always a pleasure, where we can leisurely spend time relishing the changing landscape disconnected from all our work. If you are an offbeat traveller, you will have all the more pleasure enjoying the nature’s beauty. One of the most glorious journeys through Western Ghats which I have ever travelled was the train journey from Mangalore to Bangalore, which was an unforgettable experience.

I had always heard a lot about this train route (called the ‘Green Route’ by trekkers) from my better half and other friends, who cherished memories of trekking there, in there college days. I had travelled earlier on this route, but those bus journeys on treacherous roads were horrifying. So it was little hard to visualise this romantic image as they had explained.

western ghats - Bangalore to Mangalore train journey

Finally, the day came when we got a chance to go to Mangalore for a relative’s wedding. As usual I had to book our tickets keeping my husband’s tight schedule in mind. The journey from Bangalore was in the night so we could not see the route. But while returning back, we ensured to travel during the day so that we did not miss experiencing a journey we have waited so long. Rather than the wedding, I was all the more excited about the travel from Mangalore to Bangalore.

When we entered the compartment, there were just four people to accompany us. In the seat opposite to us, a grandma sat with her daughter and a new born baby. Beside us at the side window seat was a heavily built businessman who was very busy with his business calls over phone.
When the train started, it all felt the same, but as the train gathered speed, I was able to feel the warmth of nature in my eyes. I had ensured to book a window seat keeping the picturesque journey in mind, but my calculations went wrong! Being a regular traveller, the businessman told us that we are sitting on the wrong side, since the scenes would be visible from his window. It was obvious that I had to plead with him to let me take his seat and he politely obliged.

Glorious journey through Western Ghats

Till the train reached Subrahmanya Road station, I was wondering why people exaggerate things so much. The route had the usual scenery of rice fields, arecanut plantations, shrubby forests and tiny villages. But once we crossed the station, there was lot of hustle-bustle happening; passengers began moving towards the doors in their compartments to catch the panoramic view. My husband, who was patiently sitting in his seat, took out his camera and rushed to the door with a broad smile…

All the doors and windows of the train were packed with passengers who were relishing the marvellous sight of the green ghats… Even I was struck by the beauty of the green valley. However, it was not all the same with my fellow travellers. The grandma who sat opposite me was busy cuddling her grand daughter not much bothered by the scenery. For her the beauty was in her granddaughter’s smile! The businessman he had moved to our seats was now enjoying sound sleep and was snoring away to glory…

The excitement of the journey started from Subrahmanya and continued till Sakleshpur. The time spent between these two stations promises an unforgettable experience of Western Ghats. Marvellous views of the tropical evergreen Shola forests that blended with the verdant valleys, gentle waterfalls nestled in the folds of the hills, gushing streams, breath-taking bridges and endless tunnels. Yedakumari is the midpoint station that comes between Subrahmanya and Sakleshpur. Picturesque beauty of the steep gradients from Yedakumari displays nature at its best.

Trekkers from all over are fascinated by this destination and throng the place just after monsoon. Yedakumeri railway station is only place to stay overnight for trekkers. The stretch between Mangalore and Bangalore consists of both ghats and plains sections. The stretch between Subrahmanya and Sakleshpur is a ghats section of 55 km with 110 curves, 57 tunnels, 15 gradients, and 67 bridges with fascinating views.

sakleshpur to mangalore railway

The train journey between from Mangalore and Bangalore, via Sakleshpur and Hassan, was built in 1979 with the commissioning of the metre gauge track for traffic. But after almost one-and-a-half decade, traffic on this route was stopped in 1996 for the gauge conversion work. After an enormous delay due to neglect by the state government and the railways, the work on broad gauge conversion was completed, and movement of goods trains began as trial run in January 2006. The route was formally commissioned for the movement of passenger traffic in December 2007.

The train we traveled had 12 coaches pushed by three engines. While we are busy watching those beautiful curves, we did not realise that there were two engines at the back of the train and one in the front, which were puffing with all their energy to push the train up the steep gradient through the valley. I thought I was the only one so excited to enjoy the thrill of the picturesque journey. However, when the train went through the tunnels there went a huge roar of the travellers in other compartments. It was hard to explain why they were shouting! But this magical journey made all of us so excited.

The scenery changed dramatically as we reached Sakleshpur, and the normal routine journey ensued with tiny villages and farms floating by. Till we reached Bangalore we were relishing the beauty of the journey in the pictures captured in our camera. Long after we ended our journey, I still cherish those memories and they will remain a part of me forever…

Factfile
Train route – Bangalore – Mangalore – 330 kms
Ghat section – Subrahmanya – Sakleshpur – 55 km
Place to rest – Yedakumeri railway station
Reference – http://www.hmrdc.com
Wiki/Green_Route

Terrarium – The magical Miniature Earth

By
Levine Lawrence
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3

Terrarium Do you remember the word ‘Biosphere’ from your biology classes… “It is the global sum of all ecosystems which integrates all living beings and their relationships. The concept of biosphere indicates that the earth itself is a living organism, both physically or metaphorically, which is also known as the Gaia hypothesis”. Does the concept sound too metaphysical…

Many times it is hard for us to understand that all living things are independent as well as dependent of the biosphere. To make it easy to understand, why not create a model of biosphere at home!?! Sounds too scientific… It is interesting to know that many so called scientific things are simple to learn and recreate!

Plants can create their own biosphere and can live independently without outside supply of air and water! To understand that difficult-to-digest fact, let’s create a ‘Terrarium’. Terrarium is a covered glass container which contains a miniature garden of soil and plants. It is fascinating to know that plants survive very well in this closed airtight container. Simply speaking it is the opposite of an aquarium where you nurture plants instead of fish!

Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, an English doctor created the concept of Terrarium (also known as the ‘Wardian case’) more then a hundred years ago. Ward noticed that ferns and grasses continued to grow in a tightly closed glass container in his home. He realized that the plant stayed alive because of the water that transpired from the leaves, condensed back into the soil and kept the moisture content constant. The principle helped in the successful transportation of plants on long ocean journeys t bring in rare specimens to the botanical gardens in England; coffee plants from Arabia to Brazil, rubber plants from South America or Rafflesia from East Indies.

terrarium containersCan we create a Terrarium at home… how difficult it is master this technique… All you need is a bit of patience and ingenuity to develop this type of terrarium. Any kind of bottle or glass container can be used to create this magical ecosystem. There are mainly two types of Terrarium:

* Wet or Moist Terrarium – contains moist soil with tropical perennial plants which can sustain in indoor lighting
* Dry or Desert Terrarium – contains mixture of gravel, sand and soil planted with cacti and other desert plants

Wet Terrarium

Clean and dry out a glass container. Even an old discarded, leaky aquarium can make an excellent terrarium case. Spread one inch layer of gravel on the bottom. This provides good drainage for the plants. Add a 1/2 inch layer of activated charcoal on top of the gravel. This filters the water and can help cut down on any foul odour. Add a 3 inch layer of soil on top of the charcoal/gravel layers. Place plants in desired arrangement and pull soil back to plant. Start with the smallest plants if you are planting multiple plants. Cover with airtight glass lid or plastic cling wrap. Place the Terrarium near the window to give enough lighting.

Dry Terrarium

Cover the bottom of the Terrarium with 2-inches of gravel, then with 2 to 3 inches of a mixture of sand and soil. Insert cacti and other desert plants with the help of slender wooden forceps. Place a few stones, pieces of dead cactus and yucca stems on the ground, to give an artistic effect. Cover with airtight glass lid or plastic cling wrap. Sprinkle ground around the plant with water and keep the Terrarium in a sunny location.

Once you master this technique, you can gift Terrariums as eco-friendly gifts to your friends or even start a business selling these magical pots!

– Factfile –
Materials Needed – Glass container, Fish bowl, or plastic bottle
First layer – stone pebbles or gravel
Second layer – activated charcoal
Third layer – potting soil with little organic manure
Plants – Money plant, Syngonium, spider plant, etc

Reference –
Field Book of Nature Activities and Conservation, William Hillcourt (1961)
http://www.beekerswords.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org

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