Rajasthan – The Indian Barcelona

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

Atheists in India – Do They Exist?

Caleidoscope

August 19, 2016

Author – Dhruv Srivastava

Atheists-in-India — Image – Kanaka Menehune

On 20th August 2013, Narendra Dabholkar, a well-know atheist and anti-superstition campaigner, was shot dead by two unknown assailants, while he was out on a morning walk. On 30th August 2015, M. M. Kalburgi, a scholar and rationalist, was shot dead at his home. On 2nd July 2011, the house of U. Kalanathan, secretary of the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, was attacked in Vallikunnu after he suggested on television that the temple treasures of Padmanabhaswamy Temple should be used for public welfare. These incidents made me think -do atheists have a place in India?

In a society with many religions, you can feel as relieved as you can feel confused. Following a religion blindly, without ever asking – Why do I do what I do? How could a ritual possibly affect my future? Does my offering actually reach a higher power, or does it go as wasted food? Why is it a sin to eat non-vegetarian food on Tuesday and Thursday and not on other days? Why aren’t all my prayers answered? Similar questions appeal to the mind as life goes on, and such curiosities have made me look towards religion from a new and different angle.

Worldwide, people who follow thousands of religions, who have different ideas about God, exist. This includes atheists. Atheism came from the Greek word Aethos, meaning ‘without God’. People, who don’t believe in the existence of some supreme power or specifically, a religious deity, are of the atheistic kind.

India has been entirely different in its approach to atheism. With its citizens being extremely dedicated to appeasing their deities, India supports a vast variety of religions and cultures simultaneously. Religious events are celebrated with much enthusiasm and dedication to the gods, that it is hard to find something similar in other parts of the world. So, it is really hard to believe that atheistic Indians exist.

With film stars releasing movies on religious holidays, and people spending lot of money for religious ‘daan’, charity and religious celebrations, it is hard to see that atheists exist in the Indian society. While some people have doubts about the existence of the Almighty, they still continue to worship and visit temples as advised by society. On the other hand, there are some who openly admit their atheistic stance. There is abundant atheistic literature available where writers adopt a critical stand against the most-practiced Indian religions. Bertrand Russell‘s ‘Why I’m Not a Christian’ inspired Ramendra Nath’s ‘Why I’m Not a Hindu’.

In the past, many notable politicians and social reformers have been atheists. To this date, we have had people in notable professions and positions, joining the list. Prof. Amartya Sen, an Indian economist, philosopher and noble laureate, is an atheist. He also admits to it by associating with one of the atheist schools in Hinduism, the Lokayata.^. The actor John Abraham is a well known atheist, who admits to being a spiritual but agnostic person. The famous director and producer, Anurag Kashyap, clearly shows his atheistic stance with the words, “I am an atheist. Cinema is the only religion I believe in.” Even the first Prime Minister of the country, Jawaharlal Nehru stated:”What the mysterious is I do not know. I do not call it God because God has come to mean much that I do not believe in” giving proof of his atheist viewpoint. With that, we can clearly agree that atheists very much exist in our society.

Some other notable mentions are Meghnad Saha an Astrophysicist, Motilal Nehru, an activist of the Indian National Movement and father of Jawaharlal Nehru, P. Chidambaram, politician and former Finance Minister, Salman Rushdie, the Indian-born British Booker
Prize-winning novelist knighted by Queen Elizabeth I, Suhasini Maniratnam, an actress, Meera Nanda, writer and historian, film director Ram Gopal Varma and Goparaju Ramachandra Rao, a social reformer, anti-caste activist and atheist, who expounded his philosophy of positive atheism as a way of life and wrote a book on the same. In fact, this list is quite long.

The ‘Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism’, a survey conducted in May 2013, revealed that ‘the number of non-religious people in India has risen.’ While in the same survey in 2005, 87% participants declared themselves religious, the percentage fell to 81 % in 2013, a drop by 6 % in seven years. There are even Indian websites and organisations supporting atheism and its followers.

In 2008, the website Nirmukta was founded. It later became an organisation aiming to promote free thought and secular humanism in India. A random survey of Indian metros states that about 30 percent of the people ‘DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD’. Moreover, 17% have admitted publicly of their adherence to this philosophy. Among those who do believe in God, an indefinable superpower is seen as a better approach than belief in an isolated religious concept.

Aren't we all the same? — Aren’t we all the same? by Christian Guthier

According to the supporting organisations, being an atheist can be a good thing, as you are spared the religious riots, tensions and religion based politics. You are also spared the rituals the religious extremists have to perform in order to please their Gods. In spite of the open, free willed and unbounded nature of atheism, its followers face a tensed relation with fellow devotees who do not take atheism very well, as do people in western countries. Violent incidents like the killing of Narendra Dabholkar and M.M Kalburgi indicate the hatred religious fundamentalists have against atheists in India.

Indians should understand the importance of having diverse beliefs. A free country’s citizens should have the right to believe and practice whatever they fancy, and the people should be accepting and tolerant, unless of course they try to hurt others intentionally.

The first ‘Hug an Atheist Day’ was organised in India on 7 July 2013, by Nirmukta. The event aimed to spread awareness and reduce the stigma associated with being an atheist. On 23 September 2014, the Bombay High Court declared that the government cannot force a person to state a religion on any document or form.

The Atheist Centre is an institute working for social change but the attitude in India is best summed up in Debarati Roy’s words, “While belief in god and/or religion is a matter of personal belief, and everyone is guaranteed that freedom as a fundamental right, religion is such a sensitive issue in India that atheists debunking popular religious notions can be met with a lot of resistance. However, social acceptance and government recognition for atheists seem like a requisite for a secular state.”

In conclusion, Atheist Indians not only exist but also help us see God and religion from a whole new perspective.

Image Sources
FB/ukalanathan.vallikunnu
www.frontline.in
www.dnaindia.com

Best Weekend Getaways Near Chennai to Escape the Hectic Life

Caleidoscope

August 17, 2016

Author – Arvinda Soundararajan

Chennai is a city that is identified by its temples and beaches, year-long scorching heat and busy streets; but the city also has five weekend getaways nearby that one must visit to escape the hectic daily life.

1. Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Pulicat-Lake-and-Bird-Sanctuary — Image – Flickr/Sudhamshu Hebbar

About 2 hrs drive from the Chennai, this lake in Nellore attracts a lot of migratory birds between the months of December and January. Bird watching and beach activities are the major tourist activities along the sea-shore.
More info on Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary here

2. Mahabalipuram

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Mahabalipuram — Image – Flickr/Srini Sundarrajan

This sea-shore temple in the district of Kanchipuram is a must visit weekend spot.Classified as a world heritage site, it’s famous for the rock cut caves and sculptures. A few minutes’ drive away from the temple is the picturesque sandy beach surrounded by hills.
More info on Mahabalipuram here

3. Pondicherry and Auroville

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Pondicherry-and-Auroville — Image – Flickr Chad Woodford

Pondicherry proves to be one of the most popular tourist spots near Chennai. This union territory has a fusion of old age colonial architecture and contemporary French culture. Thirty minutes away is the Auroville Township. A weekend’s stay in this beautiful town provides an escape from city life and instills in us the true meaning of community living.
More info on Auroville here

4. Vellore

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Vellore — Image – Flickr/dev2r

A three-hour drive from Chennai, this ‘Fort City’ displays the perfect blend of historical heritage and picturesque scenery. The Srilakshmi Golden Temple and the Vellore Fort, completely made of granite stone, are the major attractions in the city.
More info on Vellore here

5. Chidambaram

Best-Weekend-Getaways-Near-Chennai-Chidambaram — Image – Flickr/n m

Famous for the 11th Century temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja, Chidambaram provides everything that is conventionally expected of a Temple Town in Tamil Nadu. Fifteen kilometers away from here is the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest. A boat ride through the forest provides a surreal experience.

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