The Voice of the Zamorin

Namaste – A sign of Women’s Emancipation

2018-01-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

We all live in Patriarchal Societies where the will of the man is considered superior and where many a woman have to prove their existence. Some societies may me more unequal than others. This constant tug of war between the genders can trace its origins to the day where gender responsibilities and roles were assigned with the benign intention to make best use of one’s capabilities but later, through the guise of vested interests, has been conveniently mis-interpreted as “the battle of the sexes” as we have come to see it today.

Segregation of roles on the grounds of sex is in no way a means to indicate that one is more superior or inferior than the other. This is because each gender has his or her own strengths and weakness that could be seen as an uphill task to the other gender. Thus segregation of duties were simply created to ensure that the sexes co-habitate and not compete with each other. Its more like the Star of David which is the joining of the Male Phallic Symbol or the triangle facing upwards and the Female Phallic Symbol or the triangle facing downwards into a union completed by a circle around it almost imitating the womb of life [the circle of life].

The ancients were well aware of this unique and sacred union philosophy and so had it imitated across cultures in the form of the circumpunct or the circle and a dot in the middle as may be seen in an Islamic dome, the Hindu Shiva lingam, the Christian Wedding Ring, the Jewish woman going seven times around her husband at marriage, etc. All these acts and symbols point at the fact that man and woman are no less than each other irrespective of how we are created.

Some may argue that, like in the Christian Bible, a woman was born off a man’s spare rib and thus is unequal to man. But that’s playing to the tune of patriarchy. Equalists will look at it as being born of a place closest to one’s heart and the ribcage is that of protection and trust and thus an equal.

Ancient symbols of equality were strewn across the world, chief example being the existence of female deities on par with their male counterparts and today’s regular sights of role exchanges such as female businesswomen and male housemen. But one such symbol that is often ignored is actually the most helpful and often seen as the key to break barriers – The Namaste!

So then, What is the Namaste? Apart from its Sanskrit Spiritual origin that proclaims that one bows down to receive the potential energy influx that the other can share; the Namaste also has a more practical approach and I don’t mean that “I don’t know where your hand has been and vice versa!!”

By doing the Namaste one practically and non verbally tells the other that “I see you as my equal”; Neither above nor below. It’s virtually on the same lines as a friend or colleague with whom you will share only that much information as you may deem the person to be worthy off.

More importantly, Namaste though many have forgotten its essence, is still widely practised in family oriented societies, in different forms. It is the act of showcasing woman’s equal right to the table with respect and elegance. Since ancient times, no self respecting man would hold the hand of a woman unless the woman reached out for it to be touched. Be the west or the east, this practise was a reality until recently when in certain parts of the world, it was perceived as an outdated symbol of chivalry and thus discontinued.

But from Morocco to Japan, this act still continues, though in different forms. In the Arab World, women hide their hands in the burqa, while in Japan, the Kimono and here in India, the Sari. Even the greetings when observed follows the same format though you must note that the differences are only subject to the environment and physical distance from each cultures.

In India we bow saying Namaste, In Japan they bow and say Konnichiwa while in Arabia they bow and say Salaam. And yet strikingly in all these family oriented societies, traditionally, no self respecting man will hold the hand of a woman until she places it before him and in the case of the woman, she will not reach it out to a man with whom she is neither legally nor biologically related or comfortable with. This is mainly because in a family oriented society collective identity reigns supreme and you do not want to unnecessarily attract social scorn.

But many may argue that this is fast running out of style. Though evidence may indicate it, one must realize that it’s only in direct variation to our desire to be a part of a culture we are not.

Namaste can never go wrong especially in Business or when exhibiting Social Diplomacy at home or in a gathering. By doing the Namaste you can easily avoid awkward moments of loosing face and the other party will still regard you as an old school cultured personality and will speak to you henceforth with befitting respect than a casual dismissive attitude that often goes with a handshake.

Try the Namastey or the Salaam with a gentle bow and you will realize that though many may consider themselves modern, fooled by the masks they themselves have adorned, their inner cultural protocol will step into action and will treat you appropriately.

As a woman, you will also notice that by practicing this action, over a period of time, you will also begin to respectfully dress and behave in a more cultured manner befitting such a powerful notion that is the Namaste. Remember this concept works both ways.

I must clarify that Respectful dressing does not mean modern but modest in the graceful sense of the term.

Remember: You need to believe in yourself for others to believe in you.

Old Air India Poster Adverts

2017-12-10T00:21:00.000-08:00

Here are a few Air India Poster Campaigns I came across recently as was shared by a dear friend Bridget [former Air India Staff]

Done for the benefit of people and to promote the pride of India.

Discovering Zanzibar – Nature’s Secret in the Indian Ocean

2017-04-27T22:27:00.001-07:00

Come vacations or be it simply the dawn of Winter and many across the world flock to sunny destinations that often comprise of Pleasant weather, sandy beaches, flowing booze, babes and relaxation. Coastal paradises are often floated in the minds of tanned wannabees and often range from the Mediterranean to the Arab and South East Asian if not the Caribbean; but seldom do people caress the coast of Eastern Africa.

Located by the coast of the former British East Africa and once the seat of power of the Sultan of Oman, Zanzibar is an island that has much to offer to those who yearn for virgin beaches and beyond. Unlike the party hubs of many a beach town sprinkled around the world, Zanzibar welcomes all who want to get away from them all.

Zanzibar traces its origins to the discoveries made by the Persians who once called it zang-bâr signifying "black coast". The island rose to prominence as trade in cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper flourished with many a nation across the Indian Ocean.

Arrival of the Portuguese:

Zanzibar was entrusted as a dependency of Portugal in 1503 with the advent of Captain Ruy Lourenço Ravasco Marques and was administered from both Ethiopia and Mozambique during this period. Contrary to other territories, the Portuguese did not build in massive defensive fortresses but rather a trade depot where produce was purchased and collected for shipment to Mozambique.

Arrival of the Sultan of Oman:

Hearing of the famous defeat of the Portuguese by the then Sultan of Oman, the locals were ensued with the proposition of inviting the Sultan for their intended salvation. By 1698, Zanzibar fell into the hands of the Omanis. By 1840, Zanzibar reached its zenith as the center for trade and commerce as the then Sultan Said bin Sultan moved his capital from Muscat, Oman to Stone Town in Zanzibar City.

But this period was also marked by Zanzibar’s most dark face where the island soon became the hub for Slave Trade with the Middle East. In the mid-19th century, as many as 50,000 slaves passed annually through the port. Many were captives of Tippu Tib, a notorious Arab slave trader and ivory merchant.

Advent of the British Procterate:

Slave trade however, ironically, came to an end with the arrival of the British in the 19th Century. The first of a series of anti-slavery treaties with Britain was signed by Said which prohibited slave transport south and from Cape Delgado in Africa to Diu [today a union territory] on the coast of India. Said lost the revenue he would have received as duty on all slaves sold, so to make up for this shortfall he encouraged the development of the slave trade in Zanzibar itself. Said came under increasing pressure from the British to abolish slavery, and in 1842 the British government told the Zanzibari ruler it wished to abolish the slave trade to Arabia, Oman, Persia, and the Red Sea.

Ships from the Royal Navy were employed to enforce the anti-slavery treaties by capturing any dhows carrying slaves, but with only four ships patrolling a huge area of sea, the British navy found it hard to enforce the treaties as ships from France, Spain, Portugal, and the United States continued to carry slaves. In 1856, Sultan Majid consolidated his power around the African Great Lakes slave trade, and in 1873 Sir John Kirk informed his successor, Sultan Barghash, that a total blockade of Zanzibar was imminent, and Barghash reluctantly signed the Anglo-Zanzibari treaty which abolished the slave trade in the sultan's territories, the closing of all slave markets and the protection of liberated slaves.

Life post Britain:
On 10 December 1963, the Protectorate that had existed over Zanzibar since 1890 was terminated by the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom did not grant Zanzibar independence, as such, because the UK had never had sovereignty over Zanzibar. Rather, by the Zanzibar Act 1963 of the United Kingdom, the UK ended the Protectorate and made provision for full self-government in Zanzibar as an independent country within the Commonwealth. Upon the Protectorate being abolished, Zanzibar became a constitutional monarchy under the Sultan. However, just a month later, on 12 January 1964 Sultan Jamshid bin Abdullah was deposed during the Zanzibar Revolution. The Sultan fled into exile, and the Sultanate was replaced by the People's Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba. In April 1964, the republic merged with mainland Tanganyika. This United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar was soon renamed, blending the two names, as the United Republic of Tanzania, within which Zanzibar remains a semi-autonomous region.

Today’s Tropical Paradise:

Located just south of the Equator, Zanzibar today has regained its authentic island spirit. Heavily depended on Agriculture and Tourism, Zanzibar has that perfect air of bein laid back where the famous Swahili Phrase “Hakuna Matata” meaning “No Worries”, reigns supreme. The people are very welcoming and ethnically are diverse from Indian, African, Arab descents to a few Europeans and even Chinese. The Dominant Faith here is Islam but there is a sizeable Christian and Hindu Population here as well much in gratitude to the secular policies of the former Sultan.

Things to do:

When in Zanzibar, you must stay a few nights in Stone Town. Built from Coral Rocks, Stone Town is both the historic and the most happening place in Zanzibar. It is well equipped with multi range hotels and eateries not to mention drinking holes and souvenir shopping havens. All is just a short walk away so you will never feel lost in this very safe city. Quite contrary to the notion of being in Africa!

Ø Helen’s Art Gallery

Located in Shangani Street, the heart of Stone Town, this quaint Art Gallery is owned by the vivacious and charming Helen herself. Always ready to welcome you into her gallery studded with paintings that feature both wildlife and tribals, Helen will guide you through her art. But make sure you know to haggle as often your price and art may lay in parallel lines.

Helen’s prized possession however, are the unique small wooden plaques that scream out Hakuna Matata, a favourite for mounting by the study table in many homes. Not more than 5USD$, the art choices are amazing in this selection and she even offers to paint your name if you wish to gift it to others.

Ø City Tour With Abdul

If you are looking for a Walking Explorative Experience through the inner lanes of Stone Town with a guide who understands your interests and customizes accordingly, then Abdul is the guy for you. He is both charming and soft spoken and is delighted to have valued discussions even on delicate topics which often is hard to find but gives that extra creamy layer to that cheese cake experience.

From winding inner lanes where we visited the house of the once grand slave master Tippu Tib who led many an expedition into the heart of Africa purchasing many a slave and upon selling them in the slave market for large profits, became one of the wealthiest men in Zanzibar, the owner of multiple plantations and 10,000 slaves. We also visited the home of Freddy Mercury, the famed British Zoroastrian Singer who was born here in Zanzibar, studied in Mumbai before making a living in the UK . On meandering through the inner streets studded with elaborately decorated entrance doors, Abdul will also delve into a harmonious blend of the past, present and future.

What particularly sets him apart was his valued knowledge on varied topics from the Swahili Language to religious and political scenarios that heled define the Zanzibar we see today. And if you are the person with a value oriented budget then he knows just the right places of authentic touches where the dollar bills can be saved for later!

If you wish to experience his services: realzanzibartours@gmail.com or +255 777 480 765

Ø Walk on the Beaches

Located on the most popular Shangani Street, the island’s most prized possession are the pristine beaches and clear surreal waters that would not just calm the soul but put many an island nation to shame. Coupled with clear blue skies and its location by the Equator, Zanizibar’s beaches are best for Romantic evening strolls with your loved ones or a good game of football with the locals.

For those interested in more than just a stroll there are many organizations that offer off shore activities at a heftier price including Dolphin Watching, trips to the nearby defunct Prison Island or simply a sunset cruise.

Ø Night Market at Forodhani Gardens

Located next to Cannon Streeet and the House of Wonders, the Forodhani Gardens comes alive each evening with a wide array of tasty morsels. Ranging from Seafood delicacies that could compete with Bangkok to the Shawarmas of the Middle East and even Indian Street food Veggies, there is something for everyone and many a tourist will be seen here savouring what the chefs are proud to prepare. All by the moonlit seashores which the gardens caress!

Ø Places to Eat

If you are done with the street meats or simply pleasure a more classy ambience with a mid range budget then please go ahead and try:

1. Pagoda Chinese Restaurant

A decent family oriented restaurant which is credit card friendly [luxury in Zanzibar], this Chinese Restaurant has good quality food and promises to fill you up with her portion sizes.

Location: Suicide Alley, Stone Town, near Shangani street.

2. Abyssinian Maritim Ethiopian Traditional Restaurant

To get a good taste of Africa, this restaurant is a must. Delicious food but Cash only. Set up in traditional Ethiopian Ambience.

Location: Vuga Round about, Next to High Court, Stone Town

Ø Meet the Goan Community

Surprisingly, there is a big [approx 80 nos] Goan population on this island. Though unsure whether their origins can be traced to the Portuguese Rule but definitely many came here in the 60’s and adopted Indian passports after the Liberation of Goa back home. The community, mainly from South Goa, is quite successful with some even reaching high ranks with the then Sultan.

If you would like to meet with them or simply grab a chilled Senergeti and Kilimanjaro beers at the local hideouts then you must visit Mr. Anthony Gomes. Both knowledgeable and influential, he will help you feel at home in his best Goankar relaxed style that keeps him loyal to his island.

Contact: anthonygomes2000@yahoo.com or +255 784 270859 You can meet him at his store opposite the General Post Office located near Freddy Mercury’s House.

Ø Overnight Stay in Dar Es Salaam

If you are looking at an experience beyond Zanzibar and want a taste of City life then Dar is your best option. Located approximately 2 hours away by ferry, Dar is the Financial Capital of Tanzania. Contrary to many a caution, the city is relatively safe as long as you are a responsible tourist.

With a bustling port which co-incidently is the downtown area, the city is best explored on foot. There are many localities dominate by Indians, Africans and others each with their own distinct flavour. But if you really want to have a cultural experience of the city, you must visit:

1) Kimara

Located in the deep suburbs of Dar es Salaam, this area is a stark differentiation from the bustling port and often matches our views of mainland Africa. From rustic life to gleeful children playing football on the many inner dusty roads, to people looking at you like you are out of place. Though I would not recommend this place for single women, its an experience to see this place especially when you are travelling alone.

Kimara

Bust No. 001 from the City Council Bust Station at the Port will take you there for TSH 700 approx each way. The buses are very chic and comfortable.

2) Kivukoni Fish Market

Located by the Port, the local fish market is a sight to see. From the local to the imported, many a fish pass through the market each day and what makes it unique compared to most markets across the globe is that there are three different section: One to procure the fish, Second to Clean the fish and the Third to Roast them!! Its amazing to see this in action and the dedication in which they do their job roles!

Come here at dawn to capture the frenzy that engulfs this place.

3) Kariakoo Market

Kariakoo is a bustling market area in the heart of the city. The name derives from a corruption of that of the British "Carrier Corps", that used to be based in this area. Today, Kariakoo is mainly known for its extensive market, that spans several city blocks and contributes substantially to Dar es Salaam's food provision as well as small-scale economy.

The market sells virtually anything keeping in mind daily use and keep a watch out for traders who use art and innovation to woo their clients. Open from dawn to dusk, this market is definitely one of the major highlights of the city.

4) Take a Walking Tour

If you want to explore the city with a local, which I would definitely recommend so that you are confident of the city’s rhythm then you must do a Walking Tour with Joseph Alfredy. A young lad passionate of his city and country, he will guide you through the inner alleyways with practical knowledge that will best help you explore the city on your terms. Totally customizable to your interests he will make you feel at home both intellectually and physically.

From Slums to hidden markets and from Hospitals to a graveyard where Christians and Muslims are buried together! This guy does them all.

Contact: afrirootsadventures@gmail.com or joseph_alfredy@yahoo.com for bookings.

Ø Where to Stay

Zanzibar:

Shangani Hotel If you want to have the real cultural feel then I must recommend Shangani Hotel. This mid rage budget hotel is apt for all who come to experience the island rather than be a cliché tourist and apart from the regular attractions they also cater to your dietary needs and treat you to some of the best Indian delights.

From well designed rooms to in house internet café and a dining facility, this place knows how to treat its guests like family.

Location: next to the Post Office of Stone Town, Kenyatta Road, Stone Town
Contact: reservations@shanganihotelznz.com or +255 772 461461 or simply visit: www.shanganihotelznz.com

Dar Es Salaam:

o Zakinn Zanzibar Hotel

Located in the Indian District and a few metres from the main port by walk, this hotel boasts of modern comforts in simplistic settings. With money exchangers, markets, bus stand and even the post office in the vicinity, this hotel is the best choice for families and even solo travellers. Breakfast is included in the rates apart from free wifi and ensuite bathrooms and a balcony.

There is a restaurant in the lobby should you wish to be in a degree of comfort then this hotel, being credit card friendly and offering a selection of Continental and African food, is for you.

Location: Zanaki St, Kisutu, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Contact: +255 22 211 2781 or via Booking.com / Agoda.com

o Stay Inn Hotel

If good location, safety, amiable staff and mofern comforts on a budget are what you seek then Stay Inn Hotel is for you. A family run hotel, this place is a walking distance to the famed Kariakoo Market and a short bus journey to the Port.

Location: Udowe / Swahili steet Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Contact: +255 717 334 024 or stayinnhotel.sit@gmail.com

Ø Useful Vocabulary

a. Hello – Formal Hujambo

b. Hello Reply – Formal Sijambo

c. Hello – Informal Mambo

d. Hello – Reply Poa Poa

e. How are you? Abarigani?

f. Very good Mizuri sana

g. Good Mizuri

h. Good Bye TATA

i. Tea Chai

j. No Worries Hakuna Matata

k. Thank You Asanti

l. Thank you Very Much Asanti Sana

m. You are Welcome Karibu

n. Safe Journey Safari Neama

o. Please Tafadhali

Ø Useful information for tourists

§ Taxi to and from the J.N International Airport to the City Centre in Dar is TSH 25,000/- only. Please bargain to this amount if you do not wish to pay extra.

§ Taxi to the above hotels from the Port is TSH 5-7,000/- .

§ Tipping is not a custom but would be nice if you appreciate the service.

§ Credit Cards are widely not accepted in Dar while on Zanzibar most shops accept the card. Visa and Master are most preferred.

§ The nation has many ATMs and you will be instinctively guided to one by a local if you are short of money.

§ Do not pay in USD$ even if they say its OK as the exchange rate is always never in your favour.

§ The prices of meals, tours, etc are often on par with India or Europe so please budget accordingly. Its best to make your reservations in advance so that you do not have to worry about payments. But if you pay at the venue, budget for cash and pay in TSH only so you benefit.

§ Try local bus journeys. From City Council [Dar Port] to Kimara [farthest suburb] its TSH 650 – 900 only and is very safe and modern.

§ Take a ferry from Zanzibar to Dar. Domestic flights across Africa are quite expensive.

§ For ferry schedule and payments : http://www.azammarine.com/schedule/

§ Price for Water : TSH 500/-

§ Price of Post Cards: TSH 1,000/- . Price for Stamps: TSH 1,400 – 1,600/-

§ If you are looking for a good local [Indian selects included] buffet meal restaurant then when at the port walk on the opposite direction to the Lutheren Church. At the end of the road is a bus depot. Located at the depot is a good hygienic restaurant called the Red Sun Restaurant. Buffet: TSH 10,000/- Soft Aerated Drinks : TSH 1,000/-

Burial Practices : Understanding the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence

2017-04-19T01:09:00.001-07:00

Ever since the need to control his existence, man has been fascinated with the possibility of death and whether there is life beyond. Having been subjected to rituals and customs that over the years have grown into unique customs, people across the world and through the ages have seen death through the prisms of their own perceptions.

Viking Boat Funeral Ritual

From the cremations of Ancient Greece and Modern India, to the Burial practises of the Abrahamic Faiths to the processes of Mummification in Egypt and even feeding their loved ones to the forces of Mother Nature; man has, over the years developed many an ingenious way to demystify the concept of death, let alone his thoughts on what lay yonder.

And among all the varied and equally interesting practises that compete in pomp and splendour, one stands out - The Zoroastrian Faith where till this day people give their dead back to nature.

Zoroastrianism, a religion that began in Iran approx. 3500 years ago, is today one of the world's oldest religions. It bases its faith on the teachings of its founder Prophet Zarathustra who is widely believed to be the first Prophet in the world to profess the belief in a singular God. Their Holy Trinity is Humata, Hukhta, Huvarshta, which mean: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. It exalts a deity of wisdom, Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord), as its Supreme Being. Major features of Zoroastrianism, such as Messianism, Heaven and Hell, and Free Will, have, some believe, influenced other religious systems, including Second Temple Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity, and Islam.

With the suppression of the faith in the 7th Century with the subsequent rise of the Islamic Faith many left the country in search of safer pastures and found themselves on the shores of India. Today there are estimated to be around 57,000 people of the faith.

But among all their customs, their burial practise may often seem to be a blast from the past!

According to Cathering Beyer, an Educator and Author on Religious Beliefs at the Lakeland College in Wisconsin, Zoroastrianism is a faith that stresses on the separation of purity from the contamination of the world. Besides, like most religions, Zoroastrians strongly connect physical purity with spiritual purity. This is one of the reasons washing is such a central part of purification rituals. Conversely, physical corruption invites spiritual corruption. Decomposition is traditionally viewed as the work of a demon known as Druj-I-Nasush, and the corrupting influence of this process is viewed as contagious and spiritually dangerous. As such, Zoroastrian funeral customs are primarily focused on keeping contagion away from the community.

To ensure that this is maintained to the most stringent level, the Dakhma or the Tower of Silence was created. A Dakhma, also called a Tower of Silence, is a circular, raised structure built by Zoroastrians for excarnation – that is, for dead bodies to be exposed to carrion birds. It may also be referred to as a form of Sky Burial as is practised by many in Tibet.

Description of a Modern Day Tower of Silence:

The modern-day towers, which are fairly uniform in their construction, have an almost flat roof, with the perimeter being slightly higher than the center. The roof is divided into three concentric rings: the bodies of men are arranged around the outer ring, women in the second circle, and children in the innermost ring.

Here, the bodies of the dead are left at the flat top of these towers, thus exposed to the sun, scavenging vultures and other elements of nature.

Once the bones have been bleached by the sun and wind, which can take as long as a year, they are collected in an ossuary pit at the center of the tower, where – assisted by lime – they gradually disintegrate, and the remaining material – with run-off rainwater – runs through multiple coal and sand filters before being eventually washed out to sea. The ritual precinct may be entered only by a special class of pallbearers, called nusessalars, a contraction of nasa.salar, caretaker (-salar) of potential pollutants (nasa-).

In Parsi Zoroastrian tradition, exposure of the dead is additionally considered to be an individual's final act of charity, providing the birds with what would otherwise be destroyed.

But why is it that this tradition is followed?

The reason finds it base in Zoroastrian religious beliefs. These beliefs center around reverence attributed to the elements of nature. Fire, especially is considered sacred and holy.

The conventional ways of burial or cremation would lead to the fire being used, being polluted by the corpse, or the element of earth also being polluted in a similar manner in the case of burial. For Parsis, the corpse is as polluted as loose hair or fingernail clippings, which are vulnerable to the nasu, or the devil attaching itself to it. The fear of the devil being able to enter the corpse is what is regarded as the taboo, lest others in contact with the corpse get polluted too.

This susceptibility and vulnerability of the corpse to get polluted is the reason why the Parsis keep their dead at a height, exposed to nature and not in direct contact with humans or the elements of nature. Only after the corpse is reduced to its bare bones and putrefaction is prevented, that these remains are deposited in a central pit, now, no longer having the capacity to pollute.

For further detailed information on what actually goes on please visit : ThoughtCo. Zoroastrian Funerals

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Guest Author:
Mr. Anant Venkatesh

Currently studying humanities at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, he is passionate about history, sociology and foreign languages. He believes in expanding one's horizons and questioning the basic fundamentals of things that we otherwise overlook or consider as "tradition" or "normal".

He loves researching, discovering, compiling and drawing inferences. His other passions include philosophy, anthropology, politics and psychology

Connecting India and Iran - Pajamas

2017-02-23T22:24:00.000-08:00

The Royal Opera House - Mumbai, India

2017-02-23T22:12:00.000-08:00

Here is the story of one of the lesser known landmarks of Bombay -

The Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House, also known as Opera House in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), is India's only surviving opera house. Situated on Charni Road, near Girgaum Chowpatti beach, the adjective ‘Royal’ was prefixed to ‘Opera House’ to reflect the fact that its foundation stone was laid during the British Raj in 1909, and King George V inaugurated the building in 1911 while the building was still under construction. Work on the Royal Opera House was completed in 1912, although additions were made to the building up to 1915. After years of neglect following its closure in 1993, restoration work started in 2008.

The Royal Opera House was conceived in 1908 by Maurice Bandmann, a famous entertainer from Calcutta, and Jehangir Framji Karaka, who headed a coal brokers’ firm. A baroque design incorporating a blend of European and Indian detailing was chosen for the structure. A long frontage was created to let carriages drive up to the entrance. Twenty-six rows of boxes behind the stalls were put up for the best view of the stage. The ceiling was constructed to enable even those in the gallery to hear every word uttered by the performers.

It was built with exquisite Italian marble on a leased land close to the Kennedy and Sandhurst bridges. A pair of unique crystal chandeliers, called the ‘Sans Souci’ were donated by the David Sassoon family. The chandeliers, which were earlier located in the Sassoon mansion, were shifted to the foyer of the opera house. At the main entrance, the dome is segmented into eight different parts "as a tribute to poets, dramatists, novelists, literati and people from art and culture."

Maharaja of Gondal - For Representation only

Inaugurated in 1912, the Opera House was acquired in 1952 by Maharaja Bhojrajsingh of Gondal, Gujarat [Today]. The Maharaja took the property on a 999-year lease and attempted to run it as a self-sustaining commercial enterprise.

The Gates of Mercy Synagogue - Masjid Bunder, Mumbai

2017-02-23T22:06:00.001-08:00

Did you know that Bombay is one of the very few cities in the world where a Train Station is named after a Synagogue? Today we will explore that Synagogue that has made a deep impact in the lives of everyday Mumbaikars...

The Gates of Mercy Synagogue

Also known as Shaar Harahamim and Juni Masjid, it is the oldest synagogue in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. The synagogue was built in 1796

by Samaji Hasaji Divekar (also known as Samuel Ezekiel), a Bene Israeli, near Esplanade in South Mumbai. The synagogue was later rebuilt and moved to the present location at Mandvi in 1860. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the area was inhabited by a small but thriving Jewish community.

The local appellation of the synagogue, Juni Masjid lends itself to the nearby Central railway station, Masjid Bunder.

Today, the Synagogue serves a congregation of around a hundred members.

For their first forty years in Mumbai, the Bene Israel (Children of Israel) Jews managed by conducting prayer services in private homes or borrowed facilities. By the closing years of the eighteenth century, the growing and more organized community needed a proper synagogue not only for its physical space, but also as a spiritual, educational, and social center for Jewish life. This became a reality in 1796 when the first Bene Israel synagogue in India was built on this site. It was made possible through the efforts of the retired Jewish military officer

Samuel Ezekiel Diveker of the Bombay Army following his heroic service during the Second Mysore War in 1783. According to oral history, Commandant Diveker and his men of the sixth battalion were captured by Tipu Sultan’s troops. While under seize, Diveker made a personal vow that, upon his and his men’s safe release, he would return to Mumbai and plan and fund the building of the first Bene Israel synagogue. This also included the procurement of a Torah.

Diveker indeed survived as a result of Tipu Sultan’s mother intervention who viewed the Jews as God’s chosen people, and he returned to Mumbai to realize his dream. In his honor, the synagogue, erected at 245, Samuel Street near where a large Bene Israel community lived at that time, was named Samaji Hasiji, or Samuel’s Synagogue.

Tipu Sultan confronts his opponents during the Siege of Srirangapatna.

Shaar Harahamim today remains an active synagogue in a bustling area of Mumbai. In the immediate neighborhood are residential and commercial buildings. A high wall and gate separate the synagogue from the crowded street. The Stars of David capping the wall were added in the early 1990s, and they along with an inscription mark this building as a synagogue site. The wall creates a small paved chowk, or courtyard, at the front of synagogue. Here this space has long served as an outdoor approach to the sanctuary and communal gathering spot for religious and social events. A narrow passage off the courtyard that loops around the building once led to a mikveh, or ritual bath.

The area around the Synagogue is also fondly called Israel Mohalla.

Courtesy - http://indianjews.org/en/research/jewish-sites-in-india/57-shaar-harahamim-synagogue

Connecting India and Bulgaria

2017-02-23T22:00:00.001-08:00

Here is a small research done by many a scholar that prove that many a Bulgarian National have their roots in the Hindu - Kush Mountain Ranges that border Pakistan [Formerly India] and are NOT of European Descent!!

Keeping in mind the above, If we start in the opposite direction from the Don to the east, we can easily confirm the correctness of this short story. For it is true that in about 60 days one can reach on foot from the Don to the northern foots of the Pamir, where the old lands of BALGAR were, called even today by the local Tadziks PALGAR. After almost two centuries of research and the endeavors of many scholars the sacred fatherland of the Bulgarians was discovered. This land, so dear to us, was situated in the foots of the Pamir and the Hindukush, where since ancient times existed the states of BALGAR and BALHARA.

Click here for the video of the discovery of the Frog like Swastika made of Nephrite in Sofia, Bulgaria

Besides,

In the northern parts of the Pamir there was a state, called by the Sogdinians BLGAR, by the Arabs -BURGAR, and by the Tadziks - FALGAR. And to the West of the Pamir Indian sources (MAHABHARATA and the PURANAS) mention people of the name of BOLHI , BAHLIKA or BOLHIKI, ruled by the ancient king KARDAMA, and the Arab sources mention the ancient land of BALHARA. Some more details, suggested about a century ago by Prof. Vassil Zlatarski, are also of importance: round the mountain of Imeon there were, according to the Byzantine historian Agatius, the lands of the Kutrigurs, Utigurs and Vurugunds (presumably the Unogondurs). In the same region was situated the Onogur town of Bakat, according to Simokata. And lastly, the same region is the land of origin of the tribe of Kozagirs in whom Zlatarski, reasonably, sees the predecessors of the well known Bulgarian division "Kuchi-bulgar" like today's Afghan Kuchis. All scholarly evidence of the lands of origin of ancient Bulgarians focuses on one and the same geographic region - the Pamir and the Hindukush.

For more information visit:Vedic Bulgaria

Mahe, Pondicherry – A forgotten jewel in the once French Crown

2017-02-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

Today when we look at Imperialism we are mobbed by tales and documentaries that romanticize or vilify the English Rue in India or even the Portuguese but seldom do many speak of the special bonds that were shared between another Western Colonial Empire – France. Here is a tale of the people of a former French colony who if given a chance would love to relive the days of the colony.

Mahe, a 9 sq. km territory lost in the verdant landscapes of God’s own country, Kerala, is a former French colony until their departure in 1956. A beautiful land banked by the lazy Mahe river and dotted by never ending coconut trees and enthralled by the slow pace of the everyday life, the territory that is now under the direct rule of the Indian Government, used to be a pride of the French in the Indian sub-continent.

The French rule in India was mainly restricted to the 18^th Century culminating with the epic battle between the British [against] and the local warlord Tipu Sultan who was with them that led to the final loss of most the Southern Part of India to the British. But with all this decline of power that set the stage for the British Rule in the sub-continent, a few territories managed to withstand the tide and in the midst of all this was the laid back township of Mahe.

According to popular folklore held close to the hearts of many who have witnessed the era irrespective to their ethnicity, mention that times under the French Rule was favourable with none having to see famines or any other mis treatment. In fact, many believe that the only reason why Mahe was ceded to India by the French was because of the growing popular anti – foreign rule moment that had built momentum across the nation since Independence from the British and the French wanted no role in a preventable war.

Today when we look at this territory and search for the contributions of the French, we are saddened by the reality we see. Though a few still speak the French language, most of the French Heritage, language and culture is fast eroding under the guise of modernity and the overwhelming influence of India that surrounds Mahe on three sides.

Yet, beyond the dismissal that one is often greeted by, this territory has still many a jewel that can still be salvaged to foster that European Spirit that ties our nations closer and beyond the realm of spices.

1. The French Riveira
Though a more modern creation, the promenade along the Mahe river was erected to recreate the European feel with elegantly crafted street lights that could easily mistaken the place to be in the heart of France herself. It’s the best place to come and witness the easy paced lives of the locals as many people both young and old congregate here to catch up on the day’s gossip.

The promenade is however incomplete without visiting the two most important highlights:

A> Take a boat ride along the Mahe River and witness the changing landscapes that try to fuse the elegant colonial buildings with the nouveau riche returning from the gulf.

B> Get a selfie with Marianne herself. There is a bust of Marianne – the national symbol of France – that can be easily missed as one is overwhelmed by the mouth of the Mahe River and the Arabian Sea that lay just beyond.

2. The Lighthouse and Mayoral Bungalow
Located adjacent to the promenade is the towering Lighthouse that still guides many a ship into the natural harbours nearby. Though access into the lighthouse herself is controlled by the Navy, the Government has constructed many a vantage podium to capture not just breathtaking views of the mouth of the Mahe River but in particular the horizon beautified by the setting sun each evening.
The Mayoral / Lieutenant General’s Bungalow that lies next to the lighthouse and houses an avoidable museum, used to be the residence of the erstwhile French Governors and used to be the location for gala dinners and ballroom parties. Today its one of the best examples of French Architecture fast disappearing from this landscape.

3. Chapel to St. Theresa de Avila Being the only Christian religious establishment in the territory, the chapel which is prominently located on the Main Road, is a testament of the depth in which the French involved themselves in the lives of the local people. Today people from all faiths come to pay their respects at this simple but imposing architecture.

4. Fishing Village
A short walk onto the beach at Mahe and you will find yourselves mingling with the local fisher folk nestled among their colourful boats and quaint lives. You can watch them prepare for their day’s journey into the deep seas and even lend a helping hand to get that cultural feel.

5. Colonial Homes
Being small in size, one can easily and safely do a walk through the inner lanes of Mahe that crisscross like a grid interlocked with colonial homes, Hindu Temples and coconut trees. Feel the warmth of the people who at times may even invite you into their homes for discussions over tea. Like their Portuguese counterparts, many colonial homes may appear small from the entrance but expansive from within with a servant’s quarter and the bathroom at the end. Many homes are more than a decade old.

Day Trips from Mahe

Keeping in mind its geographical location, many a nearby interest in Kerala can be covered using Mahe as the hub.

· Fort of Saint Angelo: A massive triangular laterite fort, replete with a moat and flanking bastions, the St. Angelo's Fort also called Kannur Fort was constructed by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francesco de Almeida in 1505. In 1663, the Dutch captured the fort from the Portuguese and sold it to Ali Raja of Kannur. In 1790 the British who seized control over the fort, renovated and equipped it to be their most important military station in Malabar.

Parassinkkadavu Snake Park :

The park houses a variety of snakes and other small animals, including the Spectacled Cobra, King Cobra, Russell's viper, Krait and various pit vipers. There is also a large collection of non-venomous snakes including pythons. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, many species of which are gradually becoming extinct. In a live show, trained personnel play and 'interact' with a variety of snakes, including cobras and vipers, and try to quell mythical fears and superstitions about snakes.

· Arakkal Museum: The Arrakkal Museum is a museum dedicated to the Arakkal family, the only Muslim royal family in Kerala, South India. The museum is actually a section of the Arakkalkettu(Arakkal Royal Palace). The durbar hall section of the palace has been converted into a museum by the Government of Kerala. The Arakkal Museum is located in Ayikkara, next to the Kannur City. It is located 2-3 kilometres from Kannur town.

Where to stay:

If you are looking for the perfect combination of location, silence and history, then there is the perfect solution. The French Avenue Hotel has the most modern of comforts and Nigil Raveendran at the reception will be more than happy to help arrange your sightseeing and other activities to help enhance your stay.

Contact: http://www.mahehotelfrenchavenue.com/ +91 490 2334330, +91 9605311999

A tale of a Congregation of Horses by a River! - Sarangkheda Horse Festival

2016-12-23T22:44:00.002-08:00

India is a vast nation whose history and culture is intertwined flirtatiously in a harmonious relationship with the environment. From myths to urban legends and even mythology, animals and birds seem to have an eternal connect with man, here in India. For centuries the two have fought, destroyed and loved each other in epic proportions. India is plagued with such stories that range from the elephants that helped push back Alexander the Great to the faithful horse Chetak who never let go the side of Maharana Pratap in the Battle of Haldighati, Rajasthan in 1576 and has since been immortalized in folklore.

But wars aside, animals have also been a part of soft diplomacy ranging from famous novels like Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book to the game of Polo. Though it is widely accepted that the game of Polo has its origins in early Iran, its popularity and modernization in India ironically starts in Manipur where the game was known as 'Sagol Kangjei', 'Kanjai-bazee', or 'Pulu'. It was the anglicised form of the last, referring to the wooden ball that was used, which was adopted by the sport in its slow spread to the west. The first polo club was established in the town of Silchar in Assam, India, in 1833.

Polo in Manipur

Today when we talk about an age old practise of gathering animals to be sold and shown off, the town of Pushkar is the first that comes to mind. Seldom do people think of a relatively unknown and yet far historic place by a river in Northern Maharashtra – Sarangkheda.

Located at the edge of the Deccan Plateau and the Aravali ranges, alongside the river Tapi which granted access to the Arabian Sea, Sarangkheda has for over 300 years been the center of attraction for many a trader not just from India but even the desserts of Arabia. Each December there is an annual fair that brings in both horse traders and enthusiasts who not only come for a transaction but also to show off their best stock. The Sarangkheda Horse Festival sees a volume of around 2,000 horses and unlike others that cater to a variety of animals, this festival is exclusive to these graceful beasts. They range in not just colour but also make.

From the indigenous Marwari to the Kathiawari and even half breeds i.e. mixed with Arabian Horses blending stamina, grace and elegance; many a horse and enthusiast can be seen here browsing for his special one. And if the horses in waiting are not hypnotising enough the varied enthralling performances like the two legged horse dance show and the much awaited stuntmen is definitely worth the visit. This festival has the potential to create new horse enthusiasts.

So just as Shivaji Maharaj, a local famous ruler who changed his hoses here each time he went on an expedition, and the varied Maharajas who sought their prized race horses from here, you too can come and be a part of this electric atmosphere that has been garnering people for many a generation. The festival happens each year from 13 – 27 December.

Where to stay:

Jhankar Palace Hotel:

Though connections by road are great, the district of Dhule where the festival is located, is still to be developed and thus the best option recommended is that you make an overnight pit stop at the Jhankar Palace Hotel in Dhule. With its modern facilities and delicious food, this hotel is the perfect hub for you to make the trip to the festival which is about an hour and a half away.

Contact: Mr. Pritesh Jain: +91-9422289998 Email: jhankarpalace@bpjaingroup.com

What else to see?

Apart from the Festival, here are three alternate attractions:

1. The Datta Mandir: Named after the former sage Datta who is well renowned for his love for animals and mother nature, this temple is not only vibrant with colour and sculpture but also adorned with many a souvenir shop that cater to Hinduism in general.

2. The Tapi River: A welcomed break is always a stroll along the banks of the nearby Tapi River. A barrage constructed across the river to facilitate irrigation is a picturesque spot.

3. The Sarangkheda Village: Another exciting thing to do at Sarangkheda is a walk through the local village and if the local lives of the people do not excite you the colonial and foreign influences seen in its architectural styles will. Homes are built in a combination of wood, stone and brick.

4. Nearby attractions : Not far from here is the adventure oriented Hill Station of Toranmal. Facilitation can be organized and enhanced at the Jhankar Palace Hotel.

Lotus Lake, Toranmal Hill Station

This article is written in gratitude to Mr. Chandrashekar Jaiswal, GM of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation who facilitated this experience.

Overcoming Barriers to Communication

2016-10-10T08:57:00.002-07:00

Communicating with another human being is often the most simple thing one can do and yet somehow this very action seems to be the bone of contention in many a situation no matter where you are in this world. Being a social animal, this ability should not be that difficult especially since time and again the animal world has shown us that sticking together ensures our survival and continuity. But somehow, we, the human species as a whole seem to be that one exception; that one rebellious clause in the English Language!

So what is it that makes us hear each other but not understand what we all have to say? Why is it that 99% of all the problems in life exist not because of the actual issue but because of the way we have communicated it? A wise man once told me that its never about what you do but rather how you do what you do that seals the deal. Communication too is not that different but to harness its abilities and power has become no less than an art.

A question thus arises: What is Communication? Can anyone communicate? Communication can easily be defined as the ability of the sender to encode a message and send it to the receiver via a medium of his choice. When received, the receiver will then decode the message, analyse it and re-encode a reply which is sent back to the sender via a medium to let the sender know that he has understood the same. Though simple as it may sound the reality is quite different as often the reply and the message do not match. To make this understanding easy is the fact that the day we stop justifying our statements [because, I meant.., I wanted to say that…] is the day we communicate. Till then we just talk!

So then, what could be the possible barriers that could affect our line of communication? Depending on the nature of the situation and the actors on stage at the moment, the factors that influence and disrupt communication can and will vary as at the end of the day Man is a Subjective Concept! But to generalize, here are a few factors that can disrupt communication be it in Professional, social or even personal spheres of our lives.

Dislike of the SpeakerThough often ignored and overlooked this is a major cause of conflicts and resistence to the message being conveyed. Before placing your ideas before an audience, understand who your audience is. If they do not like you or your messenger it would be wise to use a different approach such as state the message via another neutral person or actually try and take the person into confidence first.

Respect is never commanded but earned
Its always easy to get something done when you put the barrel of a gun on the head of another. Threat both physical, emotional and psychological can be temporarily overcome by force but over the long run will have detrimental impacts to your relationships and could lead to a dip in performance if not unexpected resignations.

Listen to Who and Not What you are talking toTreat the other person as a human being. We all want to be known as the person we really are. Listen to what your receiver has to say and constructively find a solution that benefits all sides. To every problem there is a solution. You may not like it but there is a solution.
Understand my positionIn many societies factors such as age, social standing, grade or even location in which you speak let alone tonality will have an adverse impact to the message you wish to convey. You must understand the society and the nature of the person you are dealing with before you try to get through. Remember you need to be Smart with the smart and dumb with the dumb and in order to achieve this you need to follow the Iceberg Theory where 75% of the iceberg that lies beneath the surface of the water dictates the nature of the 25% that is visible to you.
Offer Constructive Criticisms and Invite SuggestionsIn any sphere of communication, One Way is Imperialism while a Two way dialogue is a relationship. And while relationships are meant to last, like marriages they need to be worked up from both sides. Accepting and constructively working on positive suggestions and recommendations will only strengthen the receiver’s perception that he or she is a valued member of the team and thus will not only be more open to you but also enhance his or her productivity irrespective to the nature of the end product you desire.
DistractionLike the excessive hand gestures, stuttering or even safe words being used to stall repeatedly, communication can face another barrier i.e. attention span of the audience. The attention span of your audience is no less than a gold fish and sooner or later he will board that international flight to Hawaii in his mind and it will be too expensive then to get him back home. So you need to stop him at Immigration using appropriate – Voice Modulation, Tone, Dramaticise, Stress on Words and Message, Action, pictures on slides, minimize writing, interact with the crowd, quizzes and many more. This will keep the audience in the present and take home far more than otherwise intended.
Solve the real problemSince often the problem in hand is often a result of a cumulative experience of things going wrong, it is essential to understand what is the real problem and often you will be surprised that it has nothing to do with the one you would otherwise have to face. Nipping problems at their source with a more permanent solution often gives faith to the concerned individual that you are really on his side and he or she will reciprocate accordingly by either taking yourside during a fight in the society or even work beyond shift hours without being asked when its really busy. Sweeping thing under the carpet is an action, like an air hostess’ smile, can be seen through and sooner or later you will bear the brunt of your actions.
Be ClearEveryone one loves clarity, including the most diplomatic. Clarity can save both time and energy and most importantly enable you to use your time to be more productive than to squabble on ambiguities. Not being clear can often make the communicator resemble a sly and cunning distrustful individual and the result will vary accordingly.
Lack of Sensitivity
It takes a lot of courage and belief to step up to another and unleash their emotional outrage. One needs to appreciate the fact that they have been chosen as a pillar of support and this position should never be misused. If capitalized upon effectively the other person can only be your best supporter. Be frank in your advise / criticism / suggestion but also lace it with a hint of diplomacy as people cannot take the raw truth no matter how brave they show themselves to be. Understand their social and cultural backgrounds to get a grip of their trends of thought and thus their perception and ability / inability to get themselves heard / understood. Do not use metaphors on those who are the literal.

So, if you are looking at creating that optimum channel of communication, please keep in mind and work upon the above factors and you will be able to see a more sense of potential over prejudice!

How I met your Tandoor!!

2016-09-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Tandoor

Living in India, we have all come across a fusion of food from the Northern Choley to the Southern Sambhar and from the Tofu of the North East to the Bombay Duck of the West. Our country has today become a big giant fusion pot that constantly absorbs influences and does out mouth watering delacacies. In other words, Indian food is a testament of itself of the many years of Foreign Rule, Trade and Religious slashing across the continent and like rock formations, can enable us to witness time periods. Here is the tale of one such element.

Nestled down for an evening meal by a roadside dhabha [eatery] I chanced upon the local “Tandooriya” , a local term used to denote the person who works at the Tandoor. This guy alone was catering to a seating of an odd 100 something hungry bitchy Jaipurians and god was this guy working like a super hero. The speed this guy had was insane. Watching him with eyes like that of a panda watching kung fu, struck by his awesomeness, the way he was able slap the roti like the hulk in just two slaps and smacking it on the hot inner surface of the huge tandoor. Being a curious rat, wanting to understand the unseen from what I see before me, I decided to try and dig in a little only to realize a concept we hold proudly as our own was never ours to claim!

So then, what is a Tandoor? By definition, the Tandoor refers to a cylindrical Clay oven used in dry heat cooking or baking and whose use is spread from West Asia to India and is particularly prevalent in the Caucasus. Interesting, and though trade routes would be first used to justify the spread into Eurasia, dig a little and I realized its actually the other way round. The humble Tandoor actually originated in Armenia!

Having the same baffled face as you, I put on my Indiana Jones’ hat as I knew that what lay ahead of me was going to be nothing less than an Experience.

Armenia, an ancient nation sandwiched between Europe and Asia, is said to be the home of one of the oldest civilizations in the world and is the birthplace of the famed Tonir, today’s Tandoor. Mezmerized, I began to wonder how a relatively unheard of country would one day impact the World’s Seventh Largest Nation.

The Tonir, an underground clay oven, is actually one of the oldest traditions of the early Armenians who worshiped the sun to an extent that its symbols were as integral to their culture as being a trader was. The Tonir was once worshipped as it resembled the Setting Sun. Though borrowed and indigenously mastered in varied countries over the years, Armenians still see it as one of the earliest forms of worship where each time, Armenian women are baking bread or preparing food, they bent down before the Tonir, which also meant worship for deity.

Early Armenians, cooked meals in the Tonir, they used the Tonir to heat the house, moreover, it was perfect for medical purposes, for example, to warm and cure the sick and the afflicted. In ancient times it has been situated in the center of the house, which was symbolizing the permanent providing of sun heat in the house. They were putting “kursi” on the Tonir, were covering it with a carpet and they were putting their feet under the ”kursi” in cold days. The Tonir had also a non bacterial effect, as they have used the cow’s dung or Oompla, as a fuel, which has been famous for its medicinal traits since ancient times.

Later when the Persians ruled over this nation, the concept of Tonir was spread to the far reaches of the Empire being rechristened as Arabic tannūr (تنّور), became Turkish tandır, became Uzbek tandir, became Azeri təndir became Kurdish tendûr. The tendur was then introduced to the then rajasthanis during the invasion time now a part of Pakistan/ sindh which inspired the Bhatti clan of the Thar to built the “Bhatti” where they dug a hole in the sand to cook which gave us beautiful lamb dishes. The Iranian /Persian influence had a key role to introduce and spread the uses of Tandoor in the then northern province. But the modern day India got introduced to the tandoor during the partition of India when the pujabis from the land of sindh migrated to delhi and set up tandoori chicken dhaabas using a (then transformed) drum shape tandoor which was portable and above the ground level.

But there is another twist, while the Iranians introduced the tandoor to the northern province, The Armenians brought the tandoor to the eastern province when they arrived to the Bengal for trade purposes. Armenians had set foot in India with the advent of Thomas Cana who came to the sub-continent Seven Centuries before the arrival of Vasco Da Gama and today we have an approximate 150 ethnic Armenians housed in Calcutta. Even Emperor Akbar’s wife, Maryam ul Zamani was Armenian apart from his Chief Justice and Physician. It was thus no surprise that Armenian Touches were soon felt in the Bengali Dishes as is showcased by Chef Saby and his restaurant Lavaash which serves Armenian inspired Bengali food in Delhi.

Thus even as India, today, may have limited diplomatic relations with Armenia, the nation is far closer to us as is said by many a mother - through the stomach is the best way to capture a man’s heart.

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Meet the Author:

Vivek Pawar

Fondly known as Chef Bobo, is a Chef by profession and has headed many a local kitchen at a young age. His passion and love for food coupled by his thirst to know more has always guided him in his intriguing expeditions.

A graduate in Hospitality from ITM Khargar with an A Grade, Vivek has had many a stint in the Culinary World from being an Intern at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai to being the former Executive Chef at a local eatery "Between Breads" and is currently a Chef at an establishment named Sattviko in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The Human need to be Great!

2016-09-06T06:48:00.002-07:00

In our lifetimes we have heard of many a personality across the world who have made a name for themselves, a legacy that has lived on for generations after they themselves have turned into dust. From Abraham and Mohammed of the olden days to Pope Leo X and Martin Luther of the Middle Ages and from Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerburg of today to Saint Teresa of Calcutta, whatever the vision may be, there has been a conscious drive to excel in the art of the living that one may stand out of the crowd.

In a world where it’s easy to camouflage and where hotels, an otherwise place you could safely call A home away from home, are now becoming like cities : You are lost even if you are in a crowd!, there has been a surging need to prove oneself. Aspirations to Greatness have propelled many an ideology and advancement, which has been witnessed in fields across the spectrum of human advancement.

But why encourage this feeling of self importance? Sigmund Freud, the Father of Sociology, once mentioned that Man’s self worth is tied to the three phenomenon’s that rule him : Ego, Super Ego and the Id and that it is in the level or extent to which he places his self worth with respect to these concepts that defines him in the eyes of those around him.

Greatness, like many other feelings that flirt with human minds, is a subjective concept, just as, is the reasons for many to achieve them. To some, Greatness can be defined as accumulation of Power – A feeling that is desired when the person in question as a lot of unresolved issues stored in him; To others Greatness could simply mean to serve beyond the call of duty by placing oneself after the other; and to many more, being great could simply mean tangible concepts like achievements in Academics, Sports, Winning local quarrels, Mastering Diplomacy, having the last word or even suppression of viewpoints other than your own.

Very few realize this that Greatness is never what you feel [that’s pride] but rather what others feel about you. A wise man once said to me: “Never let your presence be known but rather your absence be felt”. Being great, like being wise, is not a Military Title but rather a phase experienced in your moments of truth, and like respect, can never be commanded but is rather earned.

So then how does one earn greatness in the eyes of the ones who meet him. The answer is very simple. Like all Business Models are based on Simplicity : Its Appreciation. Try substituting Criticism with Appreciation and you will notice a change in the way people around will perceive you. Its easy to be critical and negative but an art to master the display of positive vibes in Mind, Body and Soul because to showcase it you will need to believe in it and to believe in it you will have to put it into practise…. Now where have we experienced this concept in action??

That’s Right, it’s the Holy Trinity of the Ancient Zoroastrian Faith – Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds. Remember when you have good thoughts you will say good words that will result in good deeds that result in good thoughts and it is this simple logic that was passed down by the wise that holds the true secrets of Greatness! Not Yes Ministers who etch your name in Stone but Genuine Admirers who etch your memory in their hearts!

Manipulating the Power of Arrogance

2016-08-31T08:29:00.002-07:00

On any given day, a human being is plagued by a host of emotions both within and beyond his grip. It is in this rapture and through its narrow prisms that many view the society and prevailing reality around them. It is thus rightfully said that when you are all puffy, just take a deep breath and you will realize that life is still beautiful and that it is man who complicates it.

But among the varied emotions that line up the shelves, arrogance is one such emotion that has proven to have a mind of her own. An art to master, this emotion has been subjected to ridicule over the years that today its mere mention can raise eyebrows even without giving her a fair trial. Have we not realized that in our lives we use the term arrogance for a wide variety of excuses other than its actual appeal?

From identifying with the pride of the wise to dismissing the opposite sex as your advances were not heeded to, this emotion has been both used and mis-used equally much to the benefit of vested interests. So then, what exactly is Arrogance? Is she our friend or Foe?

Paired with the likes of Self Importance, Egoism, Superiority Complex, Haughtiness and more, its no brainer that the lines that define this emotion lie under a carpet of mist and thus easily used as willed. Arrogance however, is an emotion that seeks and deserves to be used by those who have that discerning eye and who can respect her for who she is rather that what she is.

Unlike the other similes with whom she is cast, Arrogance, is an art and often a test of intelligence. Here, its not the person who is arrogant but the action that makes him be perceived as arrogant. It is similar to the fact that being wise is as short – lived as the action or statement one delivers avis a vis a lifetime trophy. But when we tend to scratch the surface, this emotion, eludes us further with a twist. Did you know that there is such a thing as Good and Bad Arrogance?

When a person has achieved, in the minds of another, enough weightage in his field of excellence or is simply elder than another, and begins to throw his weight around then the reality that unfolds is more likely to be tolerated under the banner of “Good Arrogance” and is simply washed away by saying that he has earned that right. But if the same is done by another at the start of a blind date or with work colleagues you have just met, it is ear marked as “Bad Arrogance”. Even emotions of dismissal and rigidity come under this banner. But whatever the reasoning, its not fair to arm twist an emotion to suit vested interests as it is to confer that there is good and bad terrorism in this world.

But whether good or bad, the fact remains that there is very little understanding over this emotion and that to many its true face can be an acquired taste. Mastering Arrogance is as fine an art as many a Martial Art practised widely in the orient as it takes just the same amount of tact, diplomacy and agility as a Martial Art requires in Stamina, Concentration and Power.

Thus, the next time you find yourself in a situation where the reality perceives itself as being arrogant, verify for yourself before you give that certificate that could have repercussions beyond your control. This would be a travesty knowing that you had the power to stop it all along!

Climbing the roof of an ancient rainforest in Brunei

2016-07-27T01:44:00.000-07:00

We all love to travel and with destinations like London, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur becoming a cliché there is a rising trend in independent travellers wanting to explore the relatively unknown. From Tour Companies to Backpacker experiences, tourism has today challenged itself to be at its innovative best. But few have set their eyes on a tropical paradise called Brunei. So when I got a chance to explore this secretive nation, I simply said, “Why not?”, a decision I will not regret.

Brunei, nestled on the northern part of the Isle of Borneo is a nation whose rise to glory was marked by the discovery of oil in 1929 resulting in the Sultanate to be today, classified by Forbes, the fifth richest nation in the world. But unlike many, this nation uses the profits earned, to uplift the citizens such that the vast and relatively untouched forests can be well preserved and today, the Government, with an aim to bring this tiny nation onto the tourist highways is choosing wisely to promote itself as a eco-tourist hotspot!

Contrary to many raised eyebrows who were curious to know what experience I would come out with from a nation whose population is just 3 million, Brunei was a treat to the eye for me. But apart from the glowing majesty of its exquisite mosques and the deafening silence of the general crowds, Brunei was the perfect haven for all who wish to get away from the stressful bustling metropolis the world over, living to its name Darussalam – the Abode of Peace.

But I was particularly taken aback when my hotel recommended me an experience I would never forget. It was a trip into the heart of the ancient forests of the Temburong Province for a trek I will always treasure.

I was picked up by the agency [B2N Brunei] who escorted me and other tourists to the famous Ulu Temborong Forest via the local Water Taxi, whose speed, frankly speaking could well compete with the taxis of Bombay! We were greeted by a friendly host who through the journey made us feel like family and if his wit, experience and knowledge were not enough as we paddled upstream on traditional long boats dogging rocks, the trek up the hill through the virgin forest, definitely was, considering that along the way we spotted different species of mushroom, flora and even a family of hornbills who seemed to be more curious of us than we of them as we walked over the rooftop of the rainforest on a suspension bridge.

But the highlight was when we rowed our boats down to a secretive waterfall. Just when we thought that we had enough pictures to send social media in a tizzy, we were asked to venture into the pool by the waterfall and as we braved our way imagining the latest Indiana Jones movie, we were pleasantly welcomed by a shoal of fish who nibbled at our feet. Though we had experienced this in many a destination, seeing this phenomena in its natural setting was a feeling quite pure!

After a day out in the forest we returned both physically fatigued and spiritually enriched as never had we experienced the raw comforts of Mother Nature and it was definitely worth the visit. I still catch myself bragging about it to friends as a highlight worth cherishing and would definitely return! Brunei for me has been more than just an oil haven but an abode touched by the Green Maiden herself!

Can advise be graded in quality?

2016-02-06T03:14:00.000-08:00

In today's world of chaos and personal anxiety there are a growing number of people who are reaching out their hand towards God if not to his "Wise Men" whom we call today "Angels in Disguise". These are the people who we look up to or simply are present at the right place and at the right time.

From personal dramas to office sagas, we are all embroiled in situations that at times demand divine intervention. But in a world where man considers himself to be a replica of the Divine and the custodian of Knowledge herself, it is no surprise that many become self appointed if not solicited sources of advise. Be it on the streets of every quaint neighborhood to the corridors of power, man has proven his monkey like instincts wherein he chooses to learn from the experiences and caution of another. He calls this Advise.

Though in many an occasion an advise helps people get out of fairy uncertain times, at times advise from the wrong person can drive a deer into the headlights and though advise has led to the birth of many a success story as is witnessed by the statement : "Behind every successful man there is a woman"; there have been people who have been driven to despair as a result of advise even if given with the best of intention in mind.

So then the question arises, how do we know that the advise being given to us is worthy of being taken? Sounds strange right cause in many family oriented societies, advise is all we get. But its not whether its solicited or not that is the question but rather its ability to influence our way of life.

The trick to understand the advise being doled out to us is in understanding the person who is giving the same as often what we say, do or showcase is a reflection of ourselves, This, keeping in mind the fact that just as every finger is different and has its own purpose and that birds of the same kind flock together, we need to understand that if the person does not think, feel or behave like us to a great extent, his or her advise is often worthy of being disposed much like when we tune in to our favourite radio station whose beats get us, the other stations could just be non existent!

Remember that just as Too many cooks spoil the broth, so also getting and more importantly accepting advise from people, especially strangers who do not get us in mind, body and soul could often do more harm to us than speaking to people who we know think like us and often have similar experiences.

Just remember: Every problem has a Solution. You may not like it but there is one out there. Just be cautious from whom you accept it as it will alter your life accordingly!

The Secrets of Vitamin D - Do you really know your Vitamin?

2015-12-09T11:18:00.003-08:00

Recently there has been a surge in talks and discussions, both in the media as well as among physicians in our localities stressing on the awareness and levels of intake of Vitamin D. Though vaguely known and taught to us in schools and colleges there seems to be a mystery that surrounds this Vitamin. Curious to demystify this illusive Vitamin, I decided to get to the bottom of this and understand its role in the functioning of our body and maintenance of our health.

With the advent of the post-Industrial Revolution era in Europe, physicians began to notice a new disease among children living in big industrial cities such as London and Warsaw. These children had stunted growth, muscle wasting and deformed legs. Physicians generally named this new disease Rickets, but no one understood the cause of this crippling disease. However, it was noticed that these children had little exposure to sunshine, lived in overcrowded cities, in congested dwellings and narrow alleys. Coupled with continuous pollution derived from the burning of coal and wood which further decreased the sunray from reaching the Earth, began to cause a severe deficiency of vitamin D. As a result, their developing bones suffered greatly.

It was however only in the 1930’s that the link between Rickets and vitamin d deficiency was established leading to fortification of milk with vitamin D followed by eradication of rickets from the continent. Medical Science soon forgot about this Vitamin, until a few decades ago, when it was discovered that vitamin D is really not a vitamin, but a hormone!

So then, What was this hormone, called “VITAMIN D”? Vitamin D is a fat soluble hormone produced in the skin from 7- dehydrocholesterol ( pro vitamin D3) which is derived from cholesterol. Ironically, cholesterol is the precursor for most hormones in our body. The production of Vitamin D is in direct variation to a multitude of factors like latitude, atmospheric pollution, clothing, skin pigmentation and duration and time of exposure to sunlight. According to the World Health Organization, the process for the creation of Vitamin D is stimulated by just thirty minutes of exposure of the skin over the arms and face, to sunlight, without application of sunscreen and preferably between 10 am to 2 pm. It is during this time that the much needed Ultraviolet B Rays are transmitted by the sun.

Why is Vitamin D so important to me?

· Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from our intestines, enhancing bone growth.

· It also regulates around 200 genes spread throughout the body.

Keeps abnormal cells from multiplying in breast and colon tissues
Helps regulate blood pressure in the kidney
Helps regulate blood sugar levels in the pancreas
Maintains bone health
Decreases risk of coronary heart disease.
Plays a vital role in the normal functioning of the immune system
Encourages good mood by preventing depression.

What prevents the effective production and distribution of Vitamin D?

Among a plethora of factors that will plague the body that are in direct variation to weight, skin, pigmentation, sex, age, and where the person concerned lives, here are the top five:

· Obesity
Fat cells absorb vitamin D and keep it from circulating throughout the bloodstream.

· Darker Skin Pigmentation
They have a built-in natural sunscreen called melanin, which keeps the skin from synthesizing vitamin D.

· Anti-Sun Approach by Women

Spend a bit more time indoors, and tend to wear hats and sunscreen more often than men.

· Age of the person
As people get older they absorb less vitamin D from their diet and produce less vitamin D in their skin. Also, their reduced activity gives them less opportunity to be outdoors.

· Georgraphy
The farther away you live from the equator, they exposed to enough ultraviolet light, so your body is unable to make vitamin D

· Back to Back Pregnancies
Repeated and unspaced pregnancies in dietary deficient patients can aggravate Vitamin D deficiency in both the mother and the foetus.

How do I know that I am Vitamin D deficient?

Here are the top five effects of Vitamin D Deficiency :

1. Bone Pains: Vitamin D deficiency will lead to bone and joint pains in the body.

2. Dementia: Dementia is a decline in thinking, behavior, and memory that negatively affects daily life.

\ 3. Prostate Cancer: A 2014 study published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research found a link between low blood levels of vitamin D and aggressive prostate cancer in European-American and African-American men. Apart from this, the deficiency can also lead to Colon and Breast Cancer.

4. Erectile Dysfunction: Erectile Dysfunction is the most common sexual problem among men. It can stem from other health conditions like diabetes, prostate cancer, and high blood pressure.

5. Heart Disease: Many a study has found that more than 70 percent of patients undergoing coronary angiography – imaging to see how blood is flowing through the arteries – had a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D is produced by the skin’s exposure to sunlight and thus is also known as the Sunshine

Vitamin. Being the easiest of all vitamins we can get the necessary daily amount through your diet or supplements. If the sun is not your best friend, fear not, you can still enhance your Vitamin D levels by consuming rich foods including milk, cheese, and fatty fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel as well as cereals, orange juice, soy products, yogurt, and margarines are sometimes fortified with vitamin D.

So the next time you step out into the sun, treat the tan as an internal blessing and not compare it with the fairness of others!!

*********************************************************************************

Meet the Author:

Dr. Ruchita Shah

Dr. Ruchita is a Consulting Homeopath and Counselor trained in palliative oncology practicing since three years in Mumbai. She is also apart of the publications team at Dr. Rajan Sankaran's the other song: international academy for homeopathic medicine, writing articles for local and international magazines, homeopathic journals and online forums.

She is a young, zealous, enthusiastic doctor with a desire to create medical awareness, spreading homeopathy throughout the community.

For more queries and topic related questions you may contact her on : ruchitashah@theothersong.com

10 things to keep in mind while giving that hotel / restaurant review

2015-11-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

We all love to give reviews today and hardly fail to leave any stone upturned. We have made or even, at time, shut down many a company due to the impacts of what we considered harmless or brute honesty at the spur of the moment.

But rarely do we fail to realize that lives get affected and that we too are impacted by these decisions even if the indirect ripples felt are negligible. Hotels, Restaurants, Travel and Entertainment Companies who base their success on your words, bear the most brunt.

So if you want to go ahead and give a constructive review, which is true to the definition of the term, then keep in mind the following ten pointers, that could just save a person’s job / life:

Create a Balance

When writing a review make sure a balance of pros and cons are made or you will be viewed biously and your criticism may not get the attention you desire.

Don’t get personal

Remember there are lives being involved. Unless really ghastly, most interactions are based on cumulative situations and thus the benefit of the doubt must be given. The iron rod has often created a rebellious child and thus the person in question could lose his job which is unfair if the problem is lack of proper procedure.

Be objective in your approach

Never sob in a review. Your unique situation, often affects adversely on the business of the establishment who often does not deserve the extent of bashing your words will leave behind. Being objective in your approach will ensure your words gaining impetus while your value of being a favoured clientele be boosted.

Take a breather before you write something negative

Never write any note when emotions rule your better half. Calm yourself down before you pen a note that cannot be erased after you have posted it. Remember your actions will have reactions both savoury and unsavoury on the people who have met you and if your perceptions of the case be trusted, can lead to unnecessary misfortunes.

Treat the situation as Murphy’s Law

Murphy’s law states: If it is meant to be, it must be. Remember the people who serve you as a client, know your value as an income generator. Nobody intends to cause you harm without justified vendetta. Man is not bad, it’s the situations that make him so.

Write specific issues to the Management Directly

If there are matters of immediate concern that need to be addressed, seek the email of the manager in charge and have the situation and not the name of the staff [unless deemed necessary] listed. Remember, internal investigations are not always a rosy affair and if the problem is bloated beyond its due, it could demoralize the staff for future engagements leading to more problems for the establishments.

Do not assume that the world thinks like you

Many a person get engulfed in the character they assume while writing a review. Be it hotels or restaurants or any other, very often we fail to note that not all people think like us. This will have an adverse impact on your credibility. Remember even if you have one fan, you will affect the establishment with your word. So be wise and neutral at best. Subtlety must be your best friend.

Brute honesty is not always the best policy

Since child hood we are faced with a dilemma: School tells us to be honest while in the playground honesty never really fetched us many friends. Brute honestly often comes as a result of two emotions : Either you care too much or you don’t. Either way it will impact the future business of the establishment in a negative way. Never give your emotion the upper hand especially if you are onot the receiver of its result.

Don’t search for arguments or stick to a façade you have created

Many-an-argument is made as a result of the need to make one. Don’t go to an establishment with a need to be critical or over sporting. Enjoy the moment. Your fans will love you for the value you offer rather than the chance moments of despair you came across. Being bitchy can only get you a limited number of likeminded friends. But even they can impact a business if guided by the façade they create.

Let the small ones go

Do not focus on every small detail in your review. Man is human remember. Focus on the thoughts and experience of the package and weigh the pros and cons before you decide what to write. Just because you almost slipped on the floor does not mean your holiday in that hotel was ruined …. Right?

I urge you, as a former hotelier, to keep this in mind, as when you have witnessed what happens on the receiving end, your love to serve could be gravely impacted. We urge you to give in more reviews but we would value you more as a client if your reviews keep the above in consideration.

We are not asking much….really!

Dengue - Cause, Effects and Prevention

2015-09-06T06:15:00.002-07:00

>> What is dengue?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It can affect anyone but tends to be more severe in people with compromised immune systems. Because it is caused by one of five serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular viral serotype to which the patient was exposed.

>> Symptoms of Dengue?

The symptoms of this disease can be experiences in a short period of time. headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain and rash. The presence of fever, rash, and headache (the "dengue triad") is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

>> Origin

The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can cause the disease.

The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway.

>> Prevention:

The transmission of the virus to mosquitoes must be interrupted to prevent the illness. To this end, patients are kept under mosquito netting until the second bout of fever is over and they are no longer able to transmit the virus to a biting mosquito.

The prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue. In nations plagued by dengue fever, people are urged to empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots.

To prevent mosquito bites, wear long pants and long sleeves. For personal protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic.
Limiting exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding standing water and staying indoors for two hours after sunrise and before sunset will help, as the Aedes aegypti mosquito is a daytime biter with peak periods of biting around sunrise and sunset. It may bite at any time of the day and is often hidden inside homes or other dwellings, especially in urban areas.

There is currently no vaccination available for dengue fever. There is a vaccine undergoing clinical trials, but it is too early to tell if it will be safe or effective. Early results of clinical trials show that a vaccine may be available by 2015.

For more information visit: http://www.medicinenet.com/dengue_fever/page6.htm#how_can_dengue_fever_be_prevented

Why do Arab Men wear White and Arab Women wear Black?

2015-09-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

Have we not wondered that unlike other countries whose citizens wear what they want, the people of the Arabian Peninsula seem to follow a socially accepted dress code? Do they want to camouflage? or is it more deeper and practical.

Lets explore the reasoning behind such a bizarre behaviour that many even refer it to be a real life Assassin's Creed if not strangely curious.

Why do Arab Men wear White and Arab Women wear Black?

The Alphanso – A Portuguese touch to India’s National Fruit

2015-09-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

Mango or Mangifera Indica, is the National fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines! A delicious fruit rich in Vitamins A C and D is grown across the length and breadth of India with exceptions to the mountainous terrain. Available in different shapes, sizes and colours, mangoes have captured the imagination of many a personality locked in her mesmerizing gaze.

From the Great Indian Poet Kalidas to Foreign Invaders like Alexander the Great and even humbled students like Huang Tseng who crossed the world’s tallest mountains to learn a new way of life, the Mango has managed to make its mark on the lives of the people and the very land itself. Some people even attribute the iconic paisley design as taking the shape of a mango.

The English word "mango" originated from the Malayalam word māṅṅa. The Portuguese rephrased it phonetically as also manga during spice trade with Kerala in 1498. The –o ending was later added phonetically around the 1600’s but is uncertain. But today Though India is the largest producer of mangoes, it accounts for less than 1% of the international mango trade. In fact, the great Mughal King, Akbar is said to have planted over 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga located in modern Bihar in northern India.

But among the hundreds of varieties of Mangoes available in the tropical regions, what makes the Alphonso stand out? With its sweet taste and complimentary texture apart from the jaw dropping aroma, the Alphonso mango in particular and unlike its chewy cousins, has won the hearts of many. But one personality in particular loved it so much that he gave it his name!

Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese General, Statesman and Empire Builder landed in Goa in 1510. He was appointed the second Imperial Viceroy of Goa to the Kingdom of Portugal after his feats and conquests over the Ottomans in Hormuz in 1507 and the conquest of Malacca in 1511. Considered a military genius, and "probably the greatest naval commander of the age", Afonso was the first European to enter the Persian Gulf and led the first voyage by a European fleet into the Red Sea.

It was believed that during his stay in India that he was introduced to this sinful fruit whose love encapsulated him so much that he carried it wherever he went and even encouraged its plantations across the Portuguese territories in India. This was then furthered by the Jesuits who through their horticultural experiments that we today call grafting and gave birth to many a new variety of Mango.

Through the grafting process, though already by that time known to the Goans but bettered by the Portuguese, the Jesuits enriched the flavour and texture of the Alphanso that today the seed of a mango by itself cannot produce a good quality mango and that resorting to grafting is considered to be the only method of preserving and improving its flavour. The mango was specifically named after the Viceroy as a tribute to him as he would carry it with him in his journeys.

It is interesting to note that as the Portuguese spread their empires around the globe they also encouraged the transfer of fruits and seeds across great distances. The mango was no exception and thus was introduced to parts of Africa and Brazil in the 16^th Century. Similarly Cashew was introduced to India from Brazil.

It is also said that as the people were staunchly religious in the days, the many new creations of Mangoes through grafting were often given a name after a Christian Holy Person. These include varieties of mangoes like Bispo [Bishop], Hilario [Hilary] and Xavier [St. Francis] and thus to an extent the very naming of the Alphanso can, mildly, be contested. But having scoured the globe and stood the tests of time and era, today, the Alphanso Mango proudly retains the lingering memory of its stories of companionship with a Viceroy through its colloquial and fond name “Aapus”.

So each time we delve into the King of Fruits we are also reminded subtly of its long lost comoradre with a once powerful man nicknamed the Julius Caesar of the East and The Lion of the Seas.

Interview with Umair Khan - Model, Mumbai, India

2015-08-26T23:17:00.000-07:00

Umair Khan

Profession : Model, FreelanceWorld Map : Mumbai, India

Born and brought up in Mumbai, Umair has always been an ardent lover of football playing professionally in many an elite club. But as he progressed through life’s many an unexpected twists, he found his calling in the spirit of dance and trained under the legendary Shiamak Davar himself and has since found himself dancing with the stars in many a television programme such as Zee Cine Awards, Star Guild Awards , Star Parivaar Awards and many more.

It was here that his talents and hard work were given credibility and he was soon made the poster boy for a myriad of companies ranging from Fogg Adverts to prints for Jet Airways and Smaash apart from a host of small scale enterprises.

One of his crowning achievements however would definitely be a character role with the Bollywood Actor Farhaan Akhtar in the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag as an Indian athlete.

Come and hear his story of perseverance and get a glimpse of the world that lies beyond the glimmering curtains!

Q> What is Modeling to you? What goes through your mind when you express yourself through it?
Modelling to me is the love for fashion. It's the classic case of passion turned into a career. When expressing myself through it I'm completely myself be it on a runway or on a set/studio. It's a give and take relationship with the camera. I think passion is the difference between having a job and having a career. And like they say choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day on your life.

Q> What is the role of modelling and dance in impacting today’s generation? How tough is it to make a career here in today’s market?
It's Everything ! Because of the Media I feel there's too much pressure on the youth to be attractive, athletic and popular. This means they are indirectly pushed into the notion of being fit like a model and be a good dancer to have their talent and credibility acknowledged. Every youth today has a role model they look up to and want to imitate. A positive role model, though few, has the power to make change desirable in society.

It's very difficult to make a career in this field in today's market. You have to be perfect in everything to be able to make it to the final auditions. And just when you think the worst is over, there comes the selection round. Crossing this barrier itself is a task. It's this unseen hard work that people fail to see behind the glossy magazine photographs. Each commanding hours of training at the gym, eating the right food, maintaining a healthy diet, correct amount of sleep, looking after your looks is certainly no rosy lifestyle. Besides, after all, at the end of the day it's the face that sells. What makes is more exciting is the endless running around for auditions and waiting in a line with a minimum of a 100 people even for a short character role of an unheard advert!.

Q> What were the initial difficulties you faced when making modeling your career? And the small moments that inspired you to be steadfast in your perseverance?
One thing everyone needs to know is that modelling is a full time job. It's a career and a very difficult one. It's not like a 9-5 job. You've got to give everything you have and there's no fixed timing. Work shifts may go on a full day and night schedules. It's an All in poker game where you risk your career, hard work and money put in if you don't make it.

Initially, I was very thin so I had to start with getting my body in the right shape. Hours of training for months went into that. When I thought I was ready and started with the auditions, the requirements kept changing with every audition! Some wanted lean, some asked to bulk up more. The requirements, though frustrating, differed with every project. Three months of auditioning in the heat and running around for almost every possible audition and not being shortlisted for a single thing was difficult to accept. It's at this point that you need to stay focused and give it all. You become your best or your worst enemy. I made sure I got it because I really wanted to and that kept me working to achieve it. Everyone around you will criticise you and that's when you need to prove them wrong. That became my mission and strangely, my inspiration.

Q> How do you strike a balance between work and family? Is there any support or pressure?
Family support is the most important thing you can ask for in this field. If you family is supportive, you've got everything you can ask for. I’ve been blessed with a very understanding family. They always let me do whatever I've wanted to but in a good way. Even if you are out of town for weeks, just a phone call from home is all that you need to rejuvenate. I'm really very thankful to my family for everything they've done for me.
Q> Is the modelling world really as glittery as the common man sees it to be? Could you give us an example of the reality you see? Yes. It's very fascinating. But again the amount of hard work it takes to reach there and see it, is a lot. In the end, it's totally worth it. You just have to make sure you're ready for the hard work and struggle which hides behind the glamour.

Q> How have you been able to keep in touch with the ones that have made you who you are today? Is it important to do so?
Yes. I'm in touch with everyone who's made me what I am today. It shows that you actually care and love them. Wealth of good manners is something that no one can steal from you. You keep it with you wherever you go.

Q> Tell us about the real Mr. Khan who sits behind the curtain.
I'm actually not a party person. I don't go out clubbing or partying all the time. I'm a fitness freak. Love working out all day and all night and the credit to this fitness goes to my trainer Yogesh Bane. Apart from that, when I'm not out for work you will find me with my friends, just enjoying a good chat. So behind my curtain, life is much simpler and not that fancy which balances me with the glamorous side.

Q> If given a choice to chose an alternate career what would you have chosen and why?
Dancer without a doubt! Being a Dance graduate from Shiamak Davar International School and working and learning under the maestro Shiamak himself is just something you can't leave. It’s like being with family, a bond that is hard to break.

Why Do The People Of United Kingdom Drive On The Wrong Side Of The Road?

2015-08-26T23:13:00.000-07:00

Have we not all experienced difficulties that when we travel the people seem to drive in one style in certain countries and in another in others! Confusing as this may sound the below video will help to dispel the myths behind driving on the Left Hand Side of the road.

Why Do The People Of United Kingdom Drive On The Wrong Side Of The Road?

Appreciation - A counter to Ego

2015-08-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

Sigmund Freud, the Father of Sociology, once theorized that man is affected by three spheres of influence: The Super Ego, the Ego and the id and it the through the negotiation between this Holy Trinity that man lives out his life on earth.

Sigmund Freud

Arrogance and Ego have plagued the human psyche ever since man realized that there are people around him who depend in him directly or indirectly. In every walk of life and sphere of influence across the complexity of our world. What makes this more interesting is that the degree in which one indulges in this emotion is in direct proportion to the superiority of influence commanded in the prevailing situation.

Religion, across denominations, have claimed to realize the true potential of our ego and have, through the ages cautioned man to exercise restraint with great measure. Some equate it to a villain while others demonize it. But whatever its maleficent power and nature, our ego is here to stay and was, is and will be either our best friend or worst enemy. Often its our first line of defense and our best critic. But people often forget that the display of ego is in direction variation to threat or bliss. The emotive responses if looked upon carefully will showcase both his ability to react to a situation and what he or she is currently experiencing.

Among all the emotions that man has at his disposal to showcase his reactions there are not many that are more mis-interpreted than the emotion of arrogance. But as we say in English, "All that glitters is not gold". So also there a variety of uses for arrogance that often get over ridden by our individual notions of the concept. Though many a dictionary will brandish this emotion as offensive display of superiority or self-importance, if given a deeper look one can easily see that the case is not always so.

Superiority Complex

This is the most common explanation and most seen form of arrogance. This is mainly because considering that this is a raw form of emotion that ties man to his animalistic cravings it is best identified and understood. Often this gives a negative connotation as it falls in place with the definition often taught to people.

Arrogance of Knowledge

This is a more sophisticated form of arrogance which is often showed by people who possess or claim to be in possession of knowledge or be the way out for the other to exit a particular situation. This often is preceded with the mental justification of either "Let him come and ask me first" or "Why must I help him. When I needed help he made me beg". This emotion or more importantly the justification for the display of this emotion often leads to a strain in present and future ties, complicating relations.

Defensive Arrogance

We are often unable to control our responses to certain situations and at times end up using arrogance to display the unsaid. This display of arrogance is often harmless but the most blatant form of display as here the display is not in congruence to what the person wants to communicate leading to a self conflict and thus he or she experiences vulnerability as he subtly reaches out for a calming hand to hold saying all is well! A sit down understanding or simply saying sorry will best diffuse the situation.

There are many more reasons which are as varied as the complexity of man himself. But then the question arises : How do we diffuse this emotion and stop it from springing up? The answer is closer than we thought : Appreciation!

We all love to hear good things about us if not the ones we love. Appreciation gives us the strength to do better and live a happy life. Often its the counter to Arrogance as here this emotion metaphorically slays the demons that breed the arrogant feeling.

A simple appreciation showcased even in the most unsuspecting manner but with good intentions like a pat on the back, noticing someone with a good natured smile of acknowledgement as he or she passes by or simply giving credit where credit is due, will go a long way! People often forget that the power of appreciation is so strong that it can often be equated as the light that draws flies to a flame!

Showcasing of genuine appreciation should not is is not the sole responsibility of the organizational chart but also among peers as this can make or break relationships. Appreciation simply acknowledges credibility and thus the knowledge that the person is a valued contributor and thus welcomed. This will automatically churn positive vibes that will make the respective staff to give in his best if not exceed his potential.

Man is a sensitive being tied to his emotions and often not willing to admit it but often willing to showcase it. Complex as this may sound, he or she is most observant in this regard and simple actions like being just, and appreciative in arenas of personal, professional or social politics. Have we not always felt the barrage of positive and negative emotions when we are either involved or left out of a situation and how quickly those emotions switch sides when the tides turn? Often emotions like arrogance are used as the first line of defense as we justify or make sense of the situation in hand. But imagine if the same person is appreciated the very need to justify or fall into an uncomfortable situation will not arise as the individual will be rest assured that his back is covered in times of need making him fearless to optimize productivity.

However, here comes the delicate situation. Just as in Indian culture we are told that everything is permissive as long as it is done in moderation, so also in this case the onus lies on both the giver and receiver not to abuse the power of appreciation so as to kill the very pre-conceived notion that dictates that appreciation if gone to the head will be detrimental to the personal or professional relationships between the giver and the receiver. Remember every man is unique and so must be studied individually before exercising the power of appreciation as each has his own capacity.

But with that being said, if used with moderation and effectively, the respective giver will truly be called a leader if not a manager and the receiver will truly harness the best of his potentials that he will shock himself!

Greek Pillars – An understanding of the Classical Style of Architecture

2015-08-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

Classical architecture usually denotes architecture which is more or less consciously derived from the principles of Greek and Roman architecture of classical antiquity, or sometimes even more specifically, from the works of Vitruvius. Different styles of classical architecture have arguably existed since the Carolingian Renaissance, and prominently since the Italian Renaissance. Although classical styles of architecture can vary greatly, they can in general all be said to draw on a common "vocabulary" of decorative and constructive elements. In much of the Western world, different classical architectural styles have dominated the history of architecture from the Renaissance until the second world war, though it continues to inform many architects to this day.

Classical architecture is derived from the architecture of ancient Greece and ancient Rome. With the collapse of the western part of the Roman empire, the architectural traditions of the Roman empire ceased to be practised in large parts of western Europe. In the Byzantine Empire, the ancient ways of building lived on but relatively soon developed into a distinct Byzantine style. The first conscious efforts to bring back the disused language of form of classical antiquity into Western architecture can be traced to the Carolingian Renaissance of the late 8th and 9th centuries.

ROLE OF COLUMNS AND PILLARS:

Column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. The term column applies especially to a large round support (the shaft of the column) with a capital and a base or pedestal and made of stone, or appearing to be so. A small wooden or metal support is typically called a post, and supports with a rectangular or other non-round section are usually called piers. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces. Other compression members are often termed "columns" because of the similar stress conditions. Columns are frequently used to support beams or arches on which the upper parts of walls or ceilings rest. In architecture, "column" refers to such a structural element that also has certain proportional and decorative features. A column might also be a decorative element not needed for structural purposes; many columns are "engaged", that is to say form part of a wall.

The Egyptians, Persians and other civilizations mostly used columns for the practical purpose of holding up the roof inside a building, preferring outside walls to be decorated with reliefs or painting, but the Ancient Greeks, followed by the Romans, loved to use them on the outside as well, and the extensive use of columns on the interior and exterior of buildings is one of the most characteristic features of classical architecture, in buildings like the Parthenon. The Greeks developed the classical orders of architecture, which are most easily distinguished by the form of the column and its various elements. Their Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders were expanded by the Romans to include the Tuscan and Composite orders (see below).

Columns, or at least large structural exterior ones, became much less significant in the architecture of the Middle Ages. The classical forms were abandoned in both Byzantine architecture and the Romanesque and Gothic architecture or Europe in favour of more flexible forms, with capitals often using various types of foliage decoration, and in the West scenes with figures carved in relief. Renaissance architecture was keen to revive the classical vocabulary and styles, and the informed use and variation of the classical orders remained fundamental to the training of architects throughout Baroque, Rococo and Neo-classical architecture.

TYPES OF CLASSICAL GREEK PILLARS:

Doric Style

The Doric order is the oldest and simplest of the classical orders. It is composed of a vertical cylinder that is wider at the bottom. It generally has neither a base nor a detailed capital. It is instead often topped with an inverted frustum of a shallow cone or a cylindrical band of carvings. It is often referred to as the masculine order because it is represented in the bottom level of the Colosseum and the Parthenon, and was therefore considered to be able to hold more weight. The height-to-thickness ratio is about 8:1. The shaft of a Doric Column is almost always fluted.

The Greek Doric, developed in the western Dorian region of Greece, is the heaviest and most massive of the orders. It rises from the stylobate without any base; it is from four to six times as tall as its diameter; it has twenty broad flutes; the capital consists simply of a banded necking swelling out into a smooth echinus, which carries a flat square abacus; the Doric entablature is also the heaviest, being about one-fourth the height column. The Greek Doric order was not used after c. 100 B.C. until its “rediscovery” in the mid-eighteenth century.

Features of a Doric Column:

Originally placed directly on the ground without a pedestal or base
Shaft is wider at the bottom
Shaft is fluted (grooved)
Smooth, round capitals (tops)
No carvings or other ornaments

Ionian Style

The Ionic column is considerably more complex than the Doric or Tuscan. It usually has a base and the shaft is often fluted (it has grooves carved up its length). On the top is a capital in the characteristic shape of a scroll, called a volute, or scroll, at the four corners. The height-to-thickness ratio is around 9:1. Due to the more refined proportions and scroll capitals, the Ionic column is sometimes associated with academic buildings. Ionic style columns were used on the second level of the Colosseum.

Features of an Ionic Column:

Stands on a base of stacked disks
Shafts are usually fluted, but can be plain
A pair of volutes (scroll-shaped ornaments) decorates the capital

Facts About Ionic Columns:

First used in the mid-6th century BC
Corinthian Style Originated in Ionia, a region settled by Greeks who spoke the Ionian dialect

Corinthian Style

The Corinthian order is named for the Greek city-state of Corinth, to which it was connected in the period. However, according to the architectural historian Vitruvius, the column was created by the sculptor Callimachus, probably an Athenian, who drew acanthus leaves growing around a votive basket. In fact, the oldest known Corinthian capital was found in Bassae, dated at 427 BC. It is sometimes called the feminine order because it is on the top level of the Colosseum and holding up the least weight, and also has the slenderest ratio of thickness to height. Height to width ratio is about 10:1.

Features of a Corinthian Column:

Fluted (grooved) shaft
Capital decorated with scrolls, acanthus leaves, and flowers

Facts About Corinthian Columns:
Ornaments on the capital flare outwards, suggesting a sense of height

Probably invented by Callimachus, a Greek sculptor and architect who lived in the 5th century BC
Named after Corinth, a city in Greece
Developed in Athens, Greece
Rarely used in Greece, but common in Rome, Italy

OTHER STYLES:

Tuscan Style

The Tuscan order, also known as Roman Doric, is also a simple design, the base and capital both being series of cylindrical disks of alternating diameter. The shaft is almost never fluted. The proportions vary, but are generally similar to Doric columns. Height to width ratio is about 7:1.

Composite Style

The Composite order draws its name from the capital being a composite of the Ionic and Corinthian capitals. The acanthus of the Corinthian column already has a scroll-like element, so the distinction is sometimes subtle. Generally the Composite is similar to the Corinthian in proportion and employment, often in the upper tiers of colonnades. Height to width ratio is about 11:1 or 12:1.

Solomonic Style

A Solomonic column, sometimes called "barley sugar", begins on a base and ends in a capital, which may be of any order, but the shaft twists in a tight spiral, producing a dramatic, serpentine effect of movement. Solomonic columns were developed in the ancient world, but remained rare there. A famous marble set, probably 2nd century, was brought to St Peter's, Rome by Constantine I, and placed round the saint's shrine, and was thus familiar throughout the Middle Ages, by which time they were thought to have been removed from the Temple of Jerusalem. The style was used in bronze by Bernini for his spectacular St. Peter's baldachin, actually a ciborium (which displaced Constantine's columns), and thereafter became very popular with Baroque and Rococo church architects, above all in Latin America, where they were very often used, especially on a small scale, as they are easy to produce in wood by turning on a lathe (hence also the style's popularity for spindles on furniture and stairs).

The Classical Orders

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_architecture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Column
http://architecture.about.com/od/buildingparts/tp/Column-Styles.htm