Ancient Cities of India Buried in the Sands of Time

July 15, 2015

Read Part 1 – Ancient Indian Cities Forgotten in Time

Beneath all the development and modernization that we see today, India is still a country with long history that dates back to ancient times. Right from the Indus Valley Civilization, our country has seen a lot of ancient cities that were eventually abandoned or razed to the ground due to wars, natural disasters, invasions, etc.

The following is a list of few such ancient cities of India that were forgotten in time and that make great offbeat travel destinations to explore the ancient times of India.

Sirkap

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Sirkap is an ancient city in Taxila, Punjab (present-day Pakistan) that was founded by the Bactrian king Demetrius, when he invaded the region in 180 BC. The city was rebuilt numerous times during raids and incursions and flourished as a town from the 2nd century BC under several rulers, such as the Greeks, the Scythians, the Parthians and the Kushanas. It eventually sank into oblivion when it was abandoned for a new city at Sirsukh. It was only in 1912 that the details about Sirkap came to light when archaeologist Sir John Marshall began excavating the region. These excavations have yielded a number of Greek artifacts, coins, gold and silver jewellery. What remains of the city now are ruins and temples built according to the Greek Hippodamian plan, Buddhist stupas and shrines.

Kalibangan

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Considered to be the “very first city of the indian culture and heritage”, Kalibangan is a pre-historic city that traces its origin back to the Indus valley civilization and is located on the banks of the river Ghaggar, in modern day Rajasthan. Excavations were carried out in 1960, but Kalibangan’s identity and location were unearthed during the 18th century by Italian Indologist Luigi Pio Tessitori. The town has yielded evidence that it was indeed a bustling Harappan city, but the most important discovery is the existence of a ploughed agricultural field, perhaps the earliest of its kind in the world. The town is also known for its fire altars which may have been used for ceremonials rituals. The city was destroyed during an earthquake that took place in 2600 BC; archaeologists have also suggested that it may have been abandoned when the river Ghaggar dried up.

Lothal

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Lothal was once a prominent trade centre as well as one of the most important cities during the Indus valley civilization. Located in modern day Gujarat, it was first discovered in 195. The excavations at this region have again borne evidence of the fact that the Harappans were the most cultured and educated people of their day. Its most dominating feature is the unique dockyard which must have been a wonder in its heyday. A number of rare antiquities such as jewellery, beads, pottery and seals have been found at this site. The city was eventually abandoned because of constant floods and storms.

Puhar

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Puhar or Poompuhar near Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu was the seat of the Chola kings. It served as a port capital to the kings and flourished under their regime. This ancient city also finds a mention in a number of Tamil texts and poetic works, Brahmi inscriptions as well as Greco-Roman manuscripts. Excavations began in 1910 revealing that Puhar was a well-planned city; the remains of buildings, beautiful temples, copper coins, brick figures and a wharf have also been unearthed. Unfortunately because of its proximity to the sea, it sank and submerged in the waters around 300 BC and only a few villages remain as a testament to this once glorious town.

Vijayanagara

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Vijayanagara or modern day Hampi was once considered to be the second largest city in the world. It prospered under the famous Vijayanagara dynasty and was the most powerful Hindu city in ancient India. Home to magnificent temples such as the Virupaksha temple and the Vittala temple, as well as the historic Lotus Palace and the exquisite elephant stables, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The now ruined “City of Victory”, Vijayanagara dazzled foreign travellers such as Domingos Paes, who was astonished by its beauty and wealth. However, in the 15th century the city fell into the hands of Muslim invaders who razed and destroyed it, bringing this once glorious city to its untimely end.

Author – Grace Cherian

Fact File –
www.indianetzone.com
www.velankanni.in
www.roughguides.com
www.gujarattourism.com
www.orientalarchitecture.com

Photo Feature – Moichara Cattle Race Festival West Bengal

Caleidoscope

July 14, 2015

Author – Dipjoy Roy

Each year, the village of Herobhanga (near Canning railway station) in West Bengal organizes Moichara cattle race festival, marking the arrival of monsoon season. It is usually celebrated during mid-June or early July, right when the local farmers begin to cultivate their lands.

These photos were captured at the traditional bull racing event held at Canning this year.

Welcome to the Event

Ready Get Set…

Go…

Ja Bail Use Maar…

Bhag Bull Ka Bhag!

Aaj Me Aage Zamaana Hai Peeche!

Lal Jande Ki Kasam Hai Bhag!

Kai Poonchh Hai!

Jai Ho!

Photos – Dipjoy Roy

The Art of Gifting

Caleidoscope

July 13, 2015

Author – Karthika Balu

Everything in this world has a beginning and an end. Nobody and nothing can escape the hands of change; and it is a good thing. It makes way for the fresh and the novel. However, we cannot help but miss the charm of the old, dying and bygone. This is when the feeling of nostalgia envelops us and for some time, we relish ruminating the sweetness of the past.

Last week, it dawned upon me that one of our age-old social customs might be breathing its last. Just like e-mails have replaced letters, smart phones are over shadowing face-to-face conversations, video games are replacing outdoor ones and virtual relationships are out-numbering the tangible ones.

I am not talking about technology here, but the measure of true human involvement. For instance, e-mails do not let us see the distinct handwriting of our loved one, they don’t let us see those accidental coffee stains or ink marks and they don’t hold those slightly transformed blotches which revealed that our loved one had shed a tear or two while writing for us. From the other end, we don’t spend time to select the right paper or pen, or sit comfortably and take that deep breath before penning those first words remembering to be careful about writing neatly and beautifully. We don’t get to draw those patterns on the sides or decorate the pages with glitters and rose petals. I know how special these felt because of the pretty letters that I used to receive from one of my school besties! Those hand-written letters from friends constantly reminded me of their notebooks, the doodles and chits that we passed, and other such precious times together in school.

One of my favourite times has always been the advent of special days of special people in my life- be it their birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or festivals. The arrival of that month itself fills me with a tinge of excitement. Thoughts of how I can make that day special play on repeat mode in my head. The most important parts being, organising celebrations if any and “gifting”. I still remember organising various events during my hostel days in Mysore. We planned and executed everything from treasure hunts to lighting candles all over the corridor to decorating rooms and outdoors to what not!

To now read: Coming to gifts, buying that perfect one always takes so much of time and thought. When it comes to out of town family and friends, specifically those in India, I know I can always send cakes to Bangalore to surprise them on their big day. Right from rewinding our memories to those rare instances when that person would have expressed a wish, to tracking the needs of that person and knowing those tiny things/people/places that are dear to him/her, everything keeps your loved one in your thoughts constantly. That perfect outfit, that perfect watch, those apt toys, that thoughtful book- getting your hands on any of these takes time, patience and loads of love. Once the gift is decided upon, its time for the efforts. Efforts to go hunting for it, wrap it well, choose an accompanying card, look for the right words to pen down a wish for that special one, and to finally hide it in a proper place until that perfect moment of surprise, phew!

Then there are those even more special ones that we create with our very own hands. Remember how we used to draw and paint as kids and gift them to our loved ones? Thank God kids still do that! These handmade gifts could be anything- a poem, a card, a jar of one liners, a painting, a self stitched clothing or a hand knitted sweater. For me, these are extra special, for each word in that poem, every line in that jar, every stroke of brush, and every wave of those needles have thoughts about me in them!

Ah! This whole process sounds exhausting doesn’t it ? Yes, it is exhausting, very exhausting! However, that one priceless moment of watching sheer surprise and happiness in the eyes of your loved one is all it takes to forget all that hard work. That loving smile, the twinkle in their eyes, that little scream of excitement and those immediate hugs and kisses, make all those efforts completely worthwhile!

Gifts these days have begun to take a back seat. Gift cards, vouchers, cash etc. are the “In-things” now. No thoughts, no hard work, no drama- completely hassle-free. Times are changing, and it is a good thing; this change.

No more will parties leave behind heaps of gift boxes. The special one can buy whatever he pleases; no more does he have to adjust with things that failed to please him. Last but not least, the ones who are clueless about the art of gifting can breathe a sigh of relief!

I however, prefer to remain old school. So long as I am confident and know that my gifts are welcomed, I will take that long hard way to pick, create or do something special for them. Once this Art of Gifting dies or in cases opposing the above, I too will join the new school because change is certain and ultimately good too.

Image Source –
pixabay
pixabay

10 Indian TV Bits that Bring Goose Bumps of Nostalgia

Nagaraj

July 9, 2015

Rain always takes us back to our childhood and gives us the goose bumps of nostalgia. Breezy weather and mouthwatering hot pakoras; what a time it was! As young kids we were connected to many little things which gave us immense pleasure. One such pleasure was watching our favorite TV shows on Doordarshan, the only Television Channel back then.

Here is a list of TV shows and snippets that gave us the meaning of true entertainment in our childhood and now, became the reasons of nostalgia.

1. Surabhi

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqeEegDzDDM]

One of the best shows produced by Doordarshan. The anchors Siddarth Kak and the lady with a Million dollar smile, Renuka Shahane presented the show in a down to earth manner. This is the best show which spread gyan along with entertainment. And the heaps of letters that people wrote for the contest, hoping to be a winner at least once.

2. Mile Sur Mera Tumhara

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jf6pwtPqCs]

This song echos in my ears to this day. I believe most of the youth who connects with this era can sing the whole song with ease, though we used to be annoyed sometimes when Doordarshan guys would play it at a few crucial times.

3. Malgudi Days

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEjfHV0YbII]

How can one forget “Ta na na nana nana ne…”? Swamy’s pranks were so much fun to watch; and even though this show was aired late in the night, I bet most of our generation woke up to watch every single episode of Malgudi Days.

4. Ek Chidiya Anek Chidiya

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-tTOJ1RvUY]

This song with animated visuals was just like a pickle, it used to come once in a while but the jingle stayed on the tip of our tongue. Most of our pals used to murmur this on the school campus “Ek gilahari…Anek gilahariyan…”

5. Lakdi ki Kathi, Kathi ka Goda

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LSOw-vhTn4]

This song is a favorite one for many of us due to its peppy music and the wooden horse in the video. I bet most of you danced for this song even without your knowledge.

6. Byomkesh Bakshi

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5ugW2eskMM]

He was the Indian Sherlock holmes, Each episode of this show created a big debate on school campus and each one wished he was a detective just like Byomkesh Bakshi..

7. TaleSpin

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bdgwnoOx9w]

TaleSpin was the best cartoon series that aired on Sunday afternoons, in fact a good Sunday special meal is prepared to go with the show,as even our parents seemed to enjoy it. Characters of this show Baloo, Madam Mahalingam, Kit, Carnage the Villain, and last but not the least, Baloo’s Seaplane still hold special place in our hearts.

8. DuckTales

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xd_mzibJrc]

Another show that aired along with Talespin, DuckTales included adventures stories of the Richie rich, Uncle Scrooge and his three nephews Huey, Dewey, Louie, and the Beagle Boys always after Uncle Scrooge treasure chest. This still remains one of those shows we still watch on youtube.

9. Hum Honge Kamyab

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsvLiTZANPk]

I have strong connection to this song, it fills my heart with positive energy even today, and I hope it does the same for some of you as well.

10. Hawa Hawa Aye Hawa Hushbhu Luta De

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbzMgc0__ao]

Last and the most special one, this is the only pop song that was mostly performed on stage. I bet all the music systems back then had played this song at least once in their life span.

Went back down the memory lane? Well share your nostalgic experiences with us leave a comment to support..

Ancient Indian Cities Forgotten in Time

Caleidoscope

July 8, 2015

Author – Grace Cherian

India is a land of many wonders. It is known for its cultural diversity and heritage, which has a history of more than 2000 years. It has inspired many literary giants and poets, both new and old. India is also home to some of the oldest cities in the world that were once bustling towns, thriving sea ports, majestic capitals of great empires and trade centres of the world. Eventually, these ancient Indian cities fell prey to the ravages of war and time. Here’s an effort to remember some of them.

1. Dwarka

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One of the holy cities of pilgrimage for Hindus all over the world, Dwarka is counted as one among the country’s oldest cities. It is further evidenced by the fact that no one knows for certain when this city came into existence or when it was established. Located in the state of Gujarat, it finds extensive mention in the Mahabharata and the Harivamsa. Mythologically, Krishna is believed to have found and built this city after fleeing from Mathura. Archaeologists have divided opinions about how ancient this city exactly is. Some findings have shown that the city could have existed around the time when Indus Valley Civilization flourished. According to the Mahabharata, the city of Dwarka was swept away by the sea after the death of Krishna, but this was considered to be a grand myth. In 1983, when excavations were conducted under the sea, archaeologists found several temple structures and the remains of a town just a little off the coast of Dwarka, thus adding credence to the legend of this ancient city. Only time will tell us more about the treasures the sea around Dwarka still holds.

2. Nagarjunakonda

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About 150 kilometres southeast of Hyderabad lie the ruins of a city that flourished about 1800 years ago. It was one of the largest and richest cities in South India, and also the educational, cultural and religious centre of Buddhism. Nagarjunakonda or “the hill of Nagarjuna” was named after Acharya Nagarjuna, a renowned Buddhist philosopher who was responsible for setting up many monasteries and schools that attracted students from all over the world. Home to a large number of academic centres, temples and stupas, the city thrived under the reign of many powerful kingdoms especially the Ikshvaku dynasty, which made the illustrious city their capital. It eventually fell into decline after the demise of the last Ikshvaku king. The ruins of this city were discovered in 1926, but it was only in 1953 that this area was excavated yielding the ruins of many stupas, viharas, mandaps, tools from the Stone Age era and a number of priceless Buddhist relics.

3. Mahabalipuram

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One of the most beautiful cities in South India, Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is named after the great Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman-I. Filled with relics, monuments and some of the most beautiful temples in the world, Mahabalipuram was an important sea port of the Pallava dynasty from the 7th to the 10th centuries. Often referred to as the “Land of Seven Pagodas” based on an ancient Hindu legend, Mahabalipuram is a city known for its grandeur, hand carved monolithic structures, shrines and the rathas or cave temples. The descent of the Ganges is the world’s largest bas-relief sculpture depicting tales from the Mahabharata. The legendary stone-built Shore temple, which is a mammoth architectural wonder, is believed to be the only one surviving among the seven pagodas.

4. Muziris

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Muziris or “Muciri” as it is known in Tamil and “Muyirikkottu” in Malayalam was once a thriving sea port and an important trade centre between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean regions. It has been mentioned in a number of ancient scripts and texts by Egyptian and Greek writers like Ptolemy and Pliny the Elder, as well as a few Roman and Tamil Sangam texts. According to the Vienna Papyrus, there was a healthy trading relationship between Alexandria and Muziris, which means that in addition to acting as a sea port for the Romans and the Egyptians, Muziris must also have been a busy and flourishing town. A number of excavations undertaken by the ASI and Kerala Council for Historical Research have suggested that the town of Pattanam near Kochi could be the ancient Muziris, but the exact location of this town that vanished without a trace one morning in 1314 CE still remains unknown.

Read Part 2 – Ancient Cities of India Buried in the Sands of Time

Factfile –

Main

http://www.shunya.net
http://www.mahabalipuram.co.in/

Photo Essay: It’s Time For A Nap in Kolkata

Sandip Bose

July 7, 2015

Author – Sandip Bose

The summer in Kolkata this year was not very friendly to its people. When I went out on the streets one afternoon, I could see workers and other individuals sleeping at different places. The heat was draining all the energy out of their bodies and they needed to take the much needed ‘Power’ nap. And I was attracted to document these fascinating sights.

The following photographs are an effort to portray the scenes that I came across.

1. Divided We Sleep

2. On A Hammock

3. In The Company Of A Dustbin

4. A Tiring Afternoon

5. Accompanied By Idols

6. Two Different Modes

7. Imitating Each Other

8. Makeshift Bed

Images – SandipBose

Co-ed or Gender Separated Classrooms: Which is Better?

Caleidoscope

July 6, 2015

Author – Varina Rasquinha

Source

A few years ago, the trend of gender separated classrooms especially in convent schools was the real talk . Having studied in a girls’ school for ten long years, I believe I lost track of the fact that there also existed human beings of the opposite sex. And when I moved to a co-ed Pre-university course, I felt disoriented and equally perplexed. Everything seemed to be amiss. The common scenarios observed in a girls’ school are perpetual gossiping, loud giggles and other such girl-oriented talks, whereas, in a co-ed school, it was not so.

In a country like India, where most of the children come from traditional and orthodox families, there is often a mistaken notion that when girls and boys study together, there could be distractions and irrelevant communication between the opposite sexes. This is why, a few years ago, all we could see was gender separated schools reigning the era. But nowadays, several private institutions have been started where co-ed education is provided. They have no restrictions in communication between the boys and girls. I believe that healthy interaction between the two prepares the individuals for a social environment that they would see in work places in the future.

A recent study by Tel Aviv University states that grades are remarkably high at co-ed schools. An economist at the University, Prof. Analia Schlosser states that boys and girls generally do better in schools when they study together rather than separately. This, she observed during a brief investigation of girls and boys in mixed classrooms of the elementary schools. Another such observation by Prof. Schlosser was that there were lesser violent outbursts in mixed gender classrooms, especially among the boys. The study also showed that the students tend to score well in subjects like science and math when attending co-ed classes . Thus, the academic achievements are soared when both the sexes competed together in the classrooms.

Flickr

With the presence of girls in the class, the boys often learn to not misbehave and tend to focus on their work rather than indulging in berserk disruptions. This is another advantage to the teachers as they do not have to feel stressed or exhausted during their teaching period.

Even in India, a lot of schools with a decent female-to-male ratio tend to do better in academics and are often seen to be the toppers of examinations unlike the students in gender-segregated classrooms.

However, Indian parents have a concrete reason why they prefer sending their children to gender-separated schools. Education for girls is normally encouraged separately without any so called ‘negative’ influence of the boys. With the inexplicable growth of female atrocities like rapes and sexual abuse in India, the parents today are skeptical and reluctant to send their daughters to coed schools. Also, in traditional homes, the concept of ‘teenage dating’ is despised like the plague. It seemed better for children coming from such backgrounds to admit their children to gender-separated schools so that they do not fall under any bad influence of the opposite sex. Moreover, there is also a fear that girls wouldn’t stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the boys in science and math, and would only be supported in co-curricular activities like dance and music. This is considered to be a major disadvantage of mixed classrooms. Also, in co-ed classes, the teachers are often found to be biased towards the male students. This results in the girl students not being given equal weightage and priority like the boys and they fall prey to gender inequality right from their childhood.

Though co-ed and gender-separated classrooms have their own drawbacks and benefits, education in mixed gender classrooms is said to provide a platform for the students to indulge in a very natural and social environment that they would be exposed to, once they finish their schooling. It is said to prepare them for life as it transforms them into balanced, confident and sociable individuals. Furthermore, it prevents them from succumbing to orthodox principles concerning the opposite sex. A healthy education system can be brought out in a coed interaction by providing equality in every factor and giving no room for skepticism regarding its credibility.

Fact File –
http://www.indiaparenting.com

The Funky Side of Auto Rickshaws

Caleidoscope

July 3, 2015

Author – Gunjan Sharma

Ever been into a Ganesh? Wondering what Ganesh is? It’s just another name for the cute little three wheeler called ‘auto’. Auto rickshaws have developed over the years but haven’t changed a bit. From noisy and polluting Ganesh to nature loving CNG driven tuk tuk; they still look like a small tricycle with covered-seats, and are now a major part of Delhi transport. These small yellow coloured vehicles are like bees which are desperate to take you all around the city! Their population is increasing so rapidly that in the coming years’ people will start breathing auto rickshaws with oxygen! I mean, they are just everywhere! They have become a part of our culture and life. Today, the second most occupied thing you find here after fashionable college girls is an auto rickshaw; they can be found in every corner of the city.

“Madam iska naam Kumkum hai, ye ek tempo se bahut jyada hai mere liye! (Madam, her name is Kumkum, she’s more than an auto for me!)” Vipin said when I asked him about the jhalar (hanging adornment).

They are adorable, fast and embellished with funky stuff which make them appealing, and I don’t mind taking a ride in a desi disco in motion with loud Bhojpuri and item songs. Their colourful hanging decorations, pictures of Bollywood stars on the upper line of windshield and seats, makes them even more attractive.

Despite having a usual capacity of six, autowala bhaiya can adjust around ten people at a time. This scene is not that common in Delhi and NCR due to strict traffic rules. However, I have seen them fully stuffed at times in the market near my hostel.

I have been travelling in autos for years, and I see a new bee in the hive almost every day. Other elderly bees would not let the new one get a passenger, for the obvious reasons that they are the seniors. But, these autowalas have their own rules which are hard to comprehend. Sometimes, they take the passengers in turns and at other times they fit as many people inside the tiny vehicle as they can, and will not let others catch the prey!

“kahan jaogi madam? Arey madam bolo naa, kahan jaogi?! (where will you go madam, hey, where will you go?!)” This is the first thing I always hear when I step out of the bus; I ignore them and find a desperately shouting autowala who is searching for one more customer to fill his already packed auto. But when you are not lucky enough to find an auto towards your destination, then you’ll be the one asking each of them if they can take you to your end. But they are sly enough to ask you a fare of all the passengers they would have carried, and you helplessly say yes! Because that’s the way our dear chaalaak autowala bhaiyas are!

“Bhaisahab tanik aage aajaiye, piche madam ko baithjane do! (Hey brother you come in the front, let madam sit there!)” This is what an autowala would say to make space for a woman, when the back seats are stuffed with male passengers.

Auto Rickshaws are like the lifeline of Delhi. An autowala can take you through the 3 inch gap between two vehicles on a fully fleshed road to your destination in seconds. Sounds rubbish? Get into an auto rickshaw on the roads of Delhi or NCR and you will believe me!

Auto rickshaws are not only the best choice to travel short distances, but also the best way to advertise! From the posters of ‘Bengali baba ka churan’ to the ‘Political campaigning posters, one can find anything and everything stuck on its back. My personal favourite is, “yeh zimmedar auto rickshaw, karta hai mahilaon ka samman aur suraksha! (This responsible auto rickshaw respects women and keeps them safe!)”; it is more like a safety call for the women passengers. Any auto rickshaw is no less than a chalta-firta quotation bank! I am a big fan of these quotations myself, so when I found some on Quora, I couldn’t resist but share these pictures with you!

Sometimes, autowala can be the best advisor to most difficult situations! During the 10 minute ride, dare to ask the driver about something difficult and he may end up giving you the best advice.

Well, this was my story as a passenger. For people like me, who would love to see the world through the driver’s seat, comes the ‘Indian Auto rickshaw Challenge’. This challenge started in 2006 and is still attracting a major amount of tourists with around five challenges per year. The fun part is, you get to drive the auto rickshaw in a given route like your own taxi. You are provided with the map, fuel and everything needed to complete the whole track within the given time limits in spite of the changing weather conditions and of course, the traffic police. After a real adventure and a very long journey of about 10-15 days, when you are at the last spot, only thing you want to say is “Hoola….I did it!” And go back home proudly, because you drove India’s best vehicle travelling through the heart of South India…

Image Source – Quora.com

Top 10 Indian Superheroes of All Time

Biswadeep Ghosh Hazra

July 2, 2015

Who doesn’t like super heroes? In fact we grew up with them didn’t we? We often talk about Spiderman, Superman, Iron Man, Flash and many uncountable names; but even here, we have awesome superheroes. From having powers and abilities like super strength to being able to traverse any distance in a matter of seconds, our Indian superheroes are up for the game every time.

Here is a list of our own Indian superheroes throughout the ages-

1. Shaktimaan

Shaktimaan attained his heroic powers through deep meditation and was capable of activating certain chakras which gave him powers. Shaktiman’s alter ego, a photographer for the newspaper Aaj Ki Aawaz, named Pandit Gangadhar Vidyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri falls in love with Geeta Vishwas, a reporter for the same newspaper. Shaktimaan arch rival is ‘Tamraj Kilvish’ and who could forget his famous line “Aandhera Kaayam Raahe!” (Let the darkness prevail!).

2. Doga

One of the most popular heroes by Raj comics, Doga is a witness of a large number of crimes which makes him a sociopath. Doga’s powers and prowess are impressive. He has been trained by different teachers in several aspects like muscle development, hand to hand combat, martial arts, marksmanship and other things. Doga also has the ability to communicate with dogs and order them to do something for him; he could dodge bullets using the Black pepper art. Based in Mumbai he was raised by his four Uncles (or Chachas as he called them). Doga’s main enemy is anybody from terrorists to drug dealers to petty thieves.

3. Nagraj

Originally meant for destruction of humanity, Nagraj was the creation of professor Nagmani who decided to sell him to the highest bidder. On his first mission to steal an ancient golden statue he encounters a sadhu known as Baba Gorakhnath who helped Nagraj get rid of the mind control pill implanted by the evil professor and serve humanity. His powers range from shape shifting to releasing various types of snakes. Nagraj’s blood is more poisonous than any kind of snake and is composed of small snakes itself. From explosive snakes to the ones which help him fight spirits, he has it all.

4. Inspector Steel

Indian-Superheroes-Inspector-Steel — Source

After being in a deadly accident, inspector Amar loses his major body parts. To save him, his brain is transferred to a steel body thus making him a cyborg. This life saving operation was performed by his friend Professor Anees. Oddly familiar to Inspector Gadget and Robocop, Inspector Steel’s nemesis is Mechanic who despises machines and wants to kill them. His powers and abilities include x-ray vision, lie detector, scanners, a Mega gun which fires bullets and rockets automatically and a host of other gadgets.

5. Devi

Devi is based on the warrior goddess Durga; she was created by the gods to fight the evil God Bala in the man’s 2^nd century. Devi was reborn into the body of a young woman named Tara Mehta. She accidentally unawakens Bala’s devil incarnate; her boyfriend is a notorious gangster and is also the re-incarnation of Bala’s favorite general from the earlier life. Devi was protected time to time by the Durapasya who claimed to be human warriors of light.

6. Krrish

Krrish is an Indian superhero created by Rakesh Roshan and played by his son Hrithik Roshan. The story revolves around the extra-terrestrial ‘Jadoo’ who gives Krrish’s father abilities which got transferred to him. His powers include jumping to and from great heights, super human strength and super fast reflex actions. His nemesis is the megalomaniac scientist Dr. Siddhant Arya who wants to take over the world.

7. Ra-One

A superhero movie played by Shah Rukh Khan in a world where motion based sensor games makes its way into motion. Sekhar Subramanium created the game where the antagonist is more powerful than the protagonist (G-One) and when the villain Ra-One escapes into the real world, all hell breaks loose. Prateek challenges Ra-One (Raavan) and this makes him follow Subramanium’s son to kill him. G-One has super strength, can shoot blasts of energy from his hands and can shoot special bullets once the HART (Hertz Amplifying Resonance Transmitter) is put into its place.

8. Bheriya

Another hero by the Raj Comics, Behriya is part wolf and part human and is more mature than the foolish Kobi who has good intentions in his heart but is more aggressive. Though Bheriya has defeated Kobi many times, they are essentially linked and have one soul. Bheriya’s powers include hand to hand combat knowledge, communicating with wolves etc. His nemesis other than Kobi is Elephanto, Kaigula, King Luna and many others.

9. Shakti

Shakti is another woman superhero who wears a tiger skin and fights crime, especially the ones related to women in Delhi. Severely wronged by her husband (he killed their daughter), she was about to be her husband’s prey when goddess Kali infused her with powers. She can generate fire from her bare hands and has the ability to convert any metal into a weapon. Her third eye (covered with a head band) opens in extreme situations.

10. Parmanu

With the power of atom manipulation in his special suit, Parmanu fights crime and also seeks revenge on the people who killed his parents and school friends. The suit was designed by his maternal uncle and helps Parmanu fight villains by projecting blasts and also helping him fly and shrink size at will. During day he is Inspector Vinay who is busy catching criminals.

We take pride in our roots and want to see our identity represented in such fantastic characters. While the comic world is packed with superheroes, they are predominantly white. With these Indian heroes, there is a hope to offer an intriguing and exciting story for the fans, along with a hero that looks like us being embodied well in the media. The characters here offer excellent morals that each of us can pick up and take as an example. Furthermore, they have some of the coolest powers of all time. One that will leave you surprised and pleased.

When Should I Purchase Travel Insurance?

Caleidoscope

July 1, 2015

Travel insurance covers unexpected medical emergencies and events such as trip cancellation, death of a family member or relative, stolen or damaged luggage by an airline, and other losses incurred while travelling. Although there is a medical component in a travel insurance policy, the mistake people make sometimes is to substitute their travel insurance for a health insurance policy. It’s important to prepare for unexpected contingencies and buy a travel insurance well in advance.

5 Reasons To Purchase A Travel Insurance In Advance:

1. Coverage Against Trip Cancellation

Despite carefully planning, there’s always scope for a contingency that might force you to cancel the trip altogether, e.g. a family member falling severely ill. In such an incident you might lose the money you already spent on the advance bookings and hotel reservations. However, if you invest in a travel insurance online, the policy would pay for trip cancellations. The coverage would be available only if the policy has been purchased in advance. If you buy a policy when you are already thinking about cancelling the trip, coverage would not be available.

2. Coverage Against Illness After Buying The Policy

Travel insurance in India and abroad usually don’t cover illnesses which arise out of pre-conditions. However, if the illness happens after buying the policy, coverage is allowed. If you buy travel insurance online in advance and thereafter face an illness, it would be covered if it becomes chronic.

3. Enough Time To Modify Your Coverage

After buying the policy if you need an add-on to enhance the coverage, you can choose it later by paying an additional premium. This option is available only when you buy a policy in advance. If you buy the policy the last minute you won’t have time to reconsider the coverage features and modify the coverage even if you want.

4. Enough Time To Compare Options

There are more than a dozen travel insurance plans in the market and each offers something better than the other. To make a sound decision, compare each and then choose the one that suits you best.

5. Important Considerations Before Buying Travel Insurance Online:

If you want to purchase a comprehensive plan to cover trip cancellation, do it after making at least one payment towards your trip, but some plans require you to have some amount of money as advance. You will want to have a good grasp of your total expected trip cost. This will allow you to get the most accurate quote for the right travel insurance plan. You can even close the deal as close to the first payment or prior to when the plan is needed. Always make sure to buy travel insurance from best insurance company to get best assistance during your journey & claim process.

Now all that is left for you to do is pack your bags and read-up every listicle online on the destination you’re heading. We hope this article has helped you understand the importance of pre-planning for a travel policy.

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