Unveil the Other Side

  New Year's Day may start the second the clock strikes midnight on January 1 in most countries, but the celebrations undertaken to usher in the new year   at different corners of the globe couldn't be more unique. Take Ecuador, for instance: There, citizens parade around the city with scarecrows built to look like popular politicians and cultural icons—and at the stroke of midnight, said scarecrows are burnt to a crisp to cleanse the new year of everything evil. And in Brazil, it's customary to light candles and throw white flowers into the water as an offering for Yemoja, the Queen of the Ocean. Herein, we've traveled the world—virtually, at least—to round up some of the most creative and culturally unique New Year's Eve traditions from around the world. In Spain, local people will eat precisely 12 grapes at the stroke of 12 PM to respect a custom that began in the late nineteenth century. Harking back to the 1800s, plant cultivators in the Alicante region concoct...

Would you be able to accept that 2021 is practically finished? We're a couple of days from the New Year (2022) and individuals are as of now lounging in the merry Christmas season. Despite the fact that limitations are back on because of the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, home festivals are dependably an incredible choice to celebrate the New Year. So, as you start preparing for the New Year with a list of resolutions, goals and plans, don't forget to celebrate the past year that has gone by. Here are 5 doable, fun ideas for a low-key, home New Years celebration. 1. Have a karaoke night: Get out the mics and sing your heart out to your main tunes! Indeed, ring up a couple of companions and host a crushing karaoke party at your home. There are many karaoke chime in recordings promptly accessible on YouTube which you can utilize. Plug them into your speakers and hotshot your great singing abilities. You could even two part harmony with your companions to old melodies and...

 Happy holidays! That season is here once more. The celebration of tones, lights and joy have cleared their path for the year 2021 and we can't try to avoid panicking – particularly after last-year's Christmas festivities which was spent in confinement, in alarm of the pandemic and in vulnerability. The aggravation of having passed up seeing our precious ones for the Christmas season have caused us to expect the current year's festivals significantly more. Notwithstanding, the pandemic isn't finished at this point. Truth be told, it is a long way from being finished. With the new Omicron variant advancing in a few nations, the limitations are again set up and the alarm has returned. As the feeling of dread toward getting the new variant again hooks the world, it has faint the lights of the Christmas festivities, once more. In any case, we can in any case praise the celebration – at home, with the family and by having a quiet and calm day with our friends and family. Kee...

Online shopping in the recent times has become the most sought mode of buying things. A lot of things like books, electronics, grocery and clothes are all bought online with a help of few clicks. But why are people shifting to online buying than in store purchasing. Is it because of COVID-19 only ?? I don't think so. There are a number of reasons why people tend to online buy stuff they want, basically for the convenience it offers. Let's iterate all the  r easons for the shift in buying strategy : 1. The variety and range of the products is really huge no matter what item is in consideration. 2. You need not travel to the store, which in most cases a tiresome job to get done, especially in the urban area. 3. Better pricing with coupons and discounts offered by various website stores. 4. Easy and quick turnover times for product replacement and refunds. 5. No sales pressure from the shopkeeper. 6. Quality and discreet shipping service offered. 7. Easy checkout process, no need ...

Have you ever wondered which way the Earth rotates and what would happen if it spins the other way round?  Oh okay what does that mean to me. Now the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west however if the Earth start spinning other way then it would mean that the sun rises in the west and set in the east. It sounds weird. Alright! From the time we've known the poor little Earth has been revolving around its axis from West to East. But if one fine day it decides to spin in the opposite direction then Earth would not be the way we see it today. A sudden change in direction of spin will cause destructive winds and massive waves. The oceanic currents change which would typically wipe out everything on the ground. These bring out a dramatic change in the climatic conditions across all the continents. In short Earth would become more greener.  Currently, oceans control the climate globally by distributing the heat from the Sun all over the Earth. The moisture is carried from the ...

Everyone would agree: The  best Christmas gifts  come straight from the heart.It may be easy to find personalized presents from major online retailers like Amazon and Etsy, nothing tops sticking a DIY Christmas gift under the tree.I will share a few of homemade gift ideas to gift you're loved ones — winter candles, gift baskets,  salt dough ornaments , and so on. These will definitely interest everyone on your holiday shopping list: parents, coworkers, friends, kids, grandparents, significant others,  best friends , and anyone else who has a place in your heart. 1. Candles : Cut out some winter scenic view on a white paper and place it inside a candle holder. It'll be classy gift for one who loves cosy evenings with lighted candles. 2. Bath Tea: Make your own bath soak with layers of Epsom salt, flowers and essential oils. 3: Coffee mug mixers: These are basically spoonful of chocolate with a hint of flavors added like peppermint, cinnamon, candy cane etc.  4: T...

Today me and my little one wanted to watch a Christmassy movie and I stumbled upon this movie called The Christmas Chronicles. I'm so pleased to be saying this. This has to be easily the best heartfelt Christmas flick, I've seen in many years. It's simply brilliant. We've seen many interpretations of Santa Claus on the big screen, but hardly any with the soul, emotion and believability that Kurt Russell conveys. What I love about the film is the themes that are being dealt with. Learning to love your siblings. Turning a situation from bad to good. Coping with the loss of a parent/husband. Saving Christmas for the world. I was so emotional throughout watching, and it was a real tear-jerker in parts. Big shout-out to the brilliant young actors Judah Lewis & Darby Camp. I hope and look forward to seeing more from them both, as they have pack loads of potential in life.  One of my favourite parts of the film is when Santa is in jail and jams with the inmates who happen ...

 With Christmas around the corner children around the world are now writing a letter to Santa. The tradition of writing a letter to Santa has been in practice for generations around the globe. Every year children all over the globe write letters to Santa. Some leave the letters in the shoes and some put it in the stockings above the fireplace and others send written letters addressed to Santa's workshop from the North Pole or even throw the letter into the fireplace so that it will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole. According to the stories about him Santa lives in the North Pole with his wife Mrs. Claus. Throughout the years Santa and his elves makes toys for Christmas. Elves are small magical creatures that helps Santa, also known as Santa's helpers. Some take care of Santa's reindeer , otters make cookies and some make candies. Santa has a total of 9 reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer,Vixen, Comet,Cupid,Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. One of the main jobs of th...

 Yes baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent however there are certain surfaces that you should not be cleaning with it. Baking soda can remove rigid household dirt and grind from almost everything like fabrics to bathrooms yet this versatile cleaning agent does more harm than good on some surfaces. This cleaning agent when mixed with vinegar had excellent stain removing capabilities and works well on stubborn marks too. You should not be using baking soda to clean these surfaces:  Glass Ceramics Marble Wood Silver Cleaning glass with this popular household item may seem like a good idea, but using baking soda is more likely to scratch the surface rather than actually clean it. The abrasive consistency of this raising agent will certainly scrub away dirt and stains, but not without leaving some long-lasting damage. So ensure you keep baking soda away from these surfaces while you are on a cleaning spree.

After about 2 decades Indian beauty wins the Miss Universe title once again. Harnaaz Sandhu of India was crowned Miss Universe 2021 on Sunday, marking the end of a controversial pageant hosted this year in southern Israel. I am not one who is much obsessed in these beauty pageants, however when the laurels hit the home country it's a matter of pride. Isn't it? And I really loved the way she spoke confidently during the question answer round. southern Israel. In a speech on stage during the pageant, Sandhu urged young people to "know that you are unique and that's what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourself to others. "I believed in myself, and that's why I'm standing here today," she added, to loud applause from the audience. It's a powerful message to everyone in these uncertain times. Never lose hope and always remember you can achieve only if you determine to and believe in yourself.  Congratulations once again to this beautiful lady. May...

Hari was all set to start afresh on his new venture. Having a normal childhood with not much exposure to various cuisines he was hooked to the staples at his home - rice and sambar, idlis and dosas. Ranganna, Mallika and Hari were a happy family of three. Ranganna worked in a private company as a clerk. Mallika adorned the typical homemaker title. Both of them worked hard to make ends meet. A luxurious lunch in a restaurant was far from reality. One sunny afternoon as Mallika was watching a regular regional soap on television, Hari who was then around ten made a sharbat for his mom. It was not only a surprise in terms of his love towards his mom but she was totally in awe with the drink. It was extra ordinary. Hari had it in him. He had knowledge of flavor, he knew how to present his work beautifully. She praised Hari and started using his help in the kitchen when he showed interest. He learnt all of the delicacies his mom cooked at home, but it was all limited to one geographical area...

 It was constant pitter pattering outside with thick rain drops hitting the glass pane at the brim of my balcony. While I lay on the bed lazily reading my book all I could hear in the last half hour amidst the monotonous rainfall was a couple of honking at the nearby junction where cars sped by indicating their movements. A faint cry of a bird that lived in a nest on the backyard tree was heard too. Yes, the distant dog barked profusely, I presume it to be due to the sight of kids walking in full rain gear and boots. My focus shifted back to the story in the book.I frantically started reading the next few pages that had me gripped. When the story ended I closed the book and still engrossed in those characters and their doings I failed to realize that the musical rainfall had waded off and the silence was replaced by noisy traffic, people talking, loud music from the neighbors house, the florist who comes on his cycle selling flowers shouting the names of the seasonal blooms as he p...

The dark clouds in the sky moved towards me. There was a burst of water beads with tinkling sound as they fell on the leaves of the mango tree in the frontyard. People moved under roof, trees for cover. Umbrellas opened up. There were tiny puddles everywhere. Children  jumped in joy. The mopeds halted making way to the big cars spraying water. I was watching the rain from my window sipping a hot cup of chai. Thoughts scrolled by. Eventually the music of raindrops dripping down the leaves slowly faded. Sun came out bringing the much needed shine and warmth.

It was a pleasant walk in the neighborhood and to our surprise we spotted many flowers popped up everywhere. Flashy colored ones and the sober ones too. I've tried to capture as many I could. Here's a peek into our sightings. Shout out to #W ordless Wednesday  

It was a normal day of business where I was done with all my morning chores. The breakfast was done. Prep for the lunch completed. Husband had sweat his ass off as usual with his workouts and was heading to his virtual meetings and my mini munchkin was busy gearing up for his online schooling. This pandemic has taught us many many things and yes there are new routines set up all together. I log into the school portal, have everything set up for his days work. He is distracted with all other stuff up there and not in a mood to start his daily activity that has been there screaming at him " here I am, click on me for more details. Circle me out, what do you think of this topic. What is the sum of , difference of, fraction of... " . Oh no these poor little brains have to soak in so much of information . I pity the way education is taking a toll on the beautiful minds of the future. However I don't create a fuss about him not being able to complete any of his activities, but ...

 The door closed and there was a board put up on the counter " Opens at 5:30 for next Darshanam" . The Priest was organizing his prayer books and putting holy clothes into his cloth bag that he religiously carried with him all these years of his service in the Vinayaka temple. He was making his way out through the main gate when the security guard told him " Sir the festival season is round the corner, we need to get done with the preparations." Ramaiah smiled and replied " Everything will be taken care of Soorappa. Go have your lunch.I will discuss about it in the evening". That evening Ramaiah performed his regular Pooja rituals and since it was a Wednesday - mid of the week, visitors count was scanty. It was the right time to start charting out the activities for the following week. He called the  adyaksha (Chair person) Bheema Rao and discussed the requirements and funding. Plan was set, committee got it's detailed activity list that set them off i...

 There she sat sipping her second cup of chai but Anouk was not in sight. The clouds were getting thicker raising the chances of a heavy downpour. The breeze pushed her curls from side to side, the danglings she wore made the clinking sounds. Prajakta looked gorgeous in the rich fuchsia drape of silk. Anouk had booked the table for 5pm but it was quarter past 6 with no signs of him. Just then her mobile beeped and the message read "Give me five min. I'll be there honey. " Prajakta was excited but anxious, she knew it was the day she'd been waiting for since long but wasn't sure how to react. As Anouk walked by,  her heart raced faster than ever, he was elegantly dressed and his radiant smile blew her off. Comforting himself on the chair, Anouk excused for being late. Prajakta nodded and smiled cunningly. Anouk without wasting time, put his hand into his pocket and removed the sapphire studded ring , he went on his knee and said "My beautiful wife, I'd wan...

There are many here missing yearly trips to exotic places or missing going home to meet loved ones or missing travel for business but here I am missing the simple travel in the local buses, missing going to the grocery and picking up fresh vegetables looking at each pile.  Today's world : A day we had never imagined, an era that is running with faces covered under masks, little ones not experiencing the social life. Heart aches seeing the plight of the world. 

 First day of school is a roller coaster of mixed emotions. Some kids and parents are really excited and some are extremely nervous. The separation anxiety hits and there are moms who's hearts silently wail as they let go their baby to be growing into an independent kiddo. Its a new chapter of the little one's life filled with wonderful opportunities ahead. Each day as I drop off my kid to school I look at those emotion filled eyes surrounding the main gate at school saying byes and kissing them , mentions of 'have a great day", 'have a good day', enjoy your day'.. the little ones responding back " 'Bye mom, love you', ' Have a great day dad'.. Its a special moment every parent cherishes. Most mums and dads experience a complex mix of emotions when it comes to sending their baby to school on the first day. However the 5 year olds are now eager learners who are excited about everything in the world around them. They know how to handle a ...

ಅಂದು ಭಾನುವಾರ,  ಮ‌0ಡ್ಯ‌ದ‌ಲ್ಲೊ0ದು  ಮದುವೆ ಸಂಭ್ರಮವಿತ್ತು. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಳ್ಳಲು ಹೊರಟ ನಾವು ತಲುಪಿದ್ದು ಮೇಲುಕೋಟೆ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮೈಸೂರು ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇರೋ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲೂ ಒಂದಲ್ಲ ಒಂದು ಮದುವೆ ಅಥವಾ ಮುಂಜಿ ಕಾರ್ಯ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ಸಡಗರ ತುಂಬಿತ್ತು. ರೋಡಿನುದ್ದಕ್ಕೂ ವಾಹನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತ ರಮಣಿಯರು ಮೈತುಂಬ ಒಡವೆ , ಜರತಾರಿ ಸೀರೆ ಧರಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಆ ಹನ್ನೊಂದು ಘಂಟೆಯ ಉರಿಬಿಸಿಲನ್ನೂ ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಿ ಇಂತಹ ಭಾರಿ ಸೀರೆಗಳನ್ನ ಉಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾದರು ಹೇಗೆ ಎಂಬ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ನನ್ನ ಮನದಲ್ಲಿ. ಇನ್ನು ಅವರ ಸಾರಥಿಗಳೋ (ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಅವರ ಗಂಡಂದಿರು) ಯಾವ ಎಂ. ಪಿ , ಎಂ ಎಲ್ ಎ ಗೇನು ಕಡಿಮೆ ಇರ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ . ಏನು ಇಲ್ಲ ಅ೦ದ್ರೂನು ಕೈನಲ್ಲಿ ೬ -೭ ಗಟ್ಟಿ ಚಿನ್ನದ ಉಂಗುರ, ೧-೨  ಸವರನಿನ ಬ್ರೇಸ್ಲೇಟ್ , ದಪ್ಪದಾದ ಕತ್ತಿನ ಚಿನ್ನದ ಚೈನ್ ಪಳ ಪಳ ಅಂತ ಹೊಳೆಯುತ್ತ ಇದ್ದವು. ಹಾಗು ಹೀಗೂ ಮಂಡ್ಯ ತಲುಪೋ ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ 12:00 ಘಂಟೆ ದಾಟಿತ್ತು. ಇನ್ನೂ ಮಂಟಪಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ  ವಧು ವರರಿಗೆ ಹರಸಿ ನಂತರಾ ಪಂಕ್ತಿ ಊಟಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾದು ... ಅಯ್ಯೋ ಅಷ್ಟೋಂಡು ತಾಳ್ಮೆ ನಮಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದು ಆ ಉರಿಬಿಸಿಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ. ಸರಿ, ಎಲ್ಲಾ  ಪಯಣಿಗರ ಒಮ್ಮತ ಪಡೆದು ಬಂಡಿ ಬಲಕ್ಕೆ ತಿರುಗಿಸಿಯೇಬಿಟ್ಟರು  ನಮ್ಮ ಸಾರಥಿ ಭಾವಮೈದ. ಸುಮಾರು ೪೦ ಕಿ. ಮೀ  ದೂರದಿಲ್ಲಿತ್ತು ಯೋಗನರಸಿಂಹನ ಗುಡಿ - ಅದು ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೇಲೆ, ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಕೆಳಗ...

The sun had kissed the mountains, birds were making their way back to their nest, the sky was painted red. It was a cold breezy evening. Sharada and Padmaja were not done playing their hopscotch. Sharada's grandmother Girijamma was sitting on an easy chair and reciting soundarya lahari as her daughter in law Mangala swept the front yard. Soon night pitched in and there came the call for the girls to get back home. Ranganna, Girijamma's son was a clerk at the local bank. He'd returned after an exhausting day at work. Mangala laid out food and water for the family. It was her tradition to feed all of them before she could eat her supper. Having finished her duties Mangala crept into her room where exhausted Ranganna was already asleep. Mangala was a bright student in her young school days. During those times where girls were not encouraged to study more than matriculation(current days' 10th grade), Mangala's dad who was a teacher by profession had gone all odds to ma...

It was pure love. She couldn't resist being away for so long. The daily visits had turned into a friendship that created a feeling of wanting more. She was lured and her fantasy grew far beyond. It was a cold night. Christmas wasn't far , roads were covered in snow, twinkling lights on the trees shining all night, the path cleared by the mover. She could see you standing tall and inviting. Being stuck at home, she was waiting to run into you - of course you MC Donalds double cheese burger that she'd been craving for the whole of last week. 

 ಅಂಗಳದಿ ಅರಳಿದ ಹೂ ಚಂದ ಗುಯಿಗುಟ್ಟುತ್ತಾ  ಅತ್ತಣಿಂದ ಇತ್ತ ಹಾರುತ್ತ  ದುಂಬಿಯು ಬಂದಿದೆ ಅದರತ್ತ  ಅಂಗಳದಿ ಅರಳಿದ ಹೂ ಚಂದ  ಅಂದವ ಸವಿಯುತ್ತಾ  ಬಿಂಕದಿಂದ ಬಂದಿಹಳು ಹಾಡುತ  ಹೂವಾಡಗಿತ್ತಿ ಅದರತ್ತ ಅಂಗಳದಿ ಅರಳಿದ ಹೂ ಚಂದ ಸುವಾಸನೆ ಬೀರುತ  ಗಾಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಲಿಯುತ  ಇರುವೆ ನೀ ಎಲ್ಲರ ಮನ ಸೆಳೆಯುತ