Day: August 7, 2022

Reasons to consider Darjeeling as your next travel destination

If you
are someone who is an adrenaline junkie but also loves to relax in the perfect
weather with a nice cup of tea then Darjeeling is the tourist destination
you’re looking for. Darjeeling is a beautiful place located in the northern
region of west Bengal and surrounded by the serene views of mount Kanchenjunga.
It is located at an average height of 6709 ft. to reach here, the nearest
airport is in Bagdogra and if you want to enjoy a train journey the nearest
railway is in New Jalpaiguri. It further takes 3 hours from both these
locations by car.

 

5 reasons to visit Darjeeling:- 

 

Not only famous for its steaming hot cup of tea, here are
5 reasons to visit Darjeeling;-

 

1) The views of the Himalayas:- 

 

The rain, the cloudy skies, and the awesome weather during
the monsoon are a major attraction for photographers and people who just want
to get a good picture with nature for their Instagram page. The breathtaking
sunrise and the stunning view of the snow-capped tiger hills is a place you
must visit if you plan of visiting.

 

2) The Tea:- 

 

A trip to the Darjeeling without trying out its
world-famous tea will surely be incomplete. The tea is served black with no
sugar and milk so that you can get a truly authentic taste of the notes of
apricot and toasted nuts present in it. After enjoying the full aroma of the
tea you can even get a tour of the tea factory and its plantations and if you
reach there early in the morning you can get lucky enough to see the tea
pickers in action. Make sure to take a long walk through the tea terraces to
really enjoy the morning weather.

 

3) The food:- 

 

Being a border town has its own advantages for Darjeeling
as it has the cuisine of all the places it shares its borders with. You can
have samba-dosa with coconut chutney while enjoying the views of the mountains.
For people looking for something different, you can have Tibetan thukpa which
is a soup made with meat, broth, and some noodles. Another delicacy to try is
the plump momos which are dumplings filled with meat or vegetables and to end
it all the yak butter tea.

 

4) The Trek:- 

 

Now, for all the trek lovers out there, Darjeeling has
some of the most famous trekking routes in the world. If you are courageous
enough you can cover Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu all in a single stretch. For
the people who want to get the experience but want to avoid going on a long
journey, Darjeeling still has a lot of trek routes to offer. On a walk through
the forest, you can see a large variety of trees like oaks, chestnuts, and
ferns. Darjeeling is also known to have over 400 species of birds which is
great news for people who want to bird watching. if you are lucky enough you
might be able to spot a red panda while on the trek.

 

5) The Zoo and Mountaineering Institute:-

 

The Darjeeling zoo is a center for a lot of endangered
Himalayan species and also has international awards for breeding rare species.
The endangered red panda and the snow leopards are the main attractions at this
zoo. The mountaineering institute and the zoo are right next to each other.

 

Purusharthas

The Purusharthas are the psycho moral bases of the Ashrama Theory. These are a kind of psychological training. They are concerned with the understanding, justification, management and conduct of affairs of the individual’s life in relation to the group in and through Ashramas. They are four Purusharthas that govern the human life, namely; Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

Dharma:

  • It is the central concept of all social institutions.
  • Derived from Sanskrit word ‘dhri’ meaning ‘to hold together/ to preserve/ to support/ to bear/ to nourish.
  • Dharma is created for the well being of all and is created to keep all beings free from any harm.
  • The comprehensive view of Dharma holds “Dharma Rakshati Rakshita” which means he who follows Dharma is protected in turn by Dharma.
  • Dharma regulates the acquisitive and emotional drives the enjoyment of life consistent with man’s spiritual progress.
  • Dharma signifies the totality/ entirety of privileges and obligations in different stages of life.
  • Dharma exists more essentially for community and most of all for that universal self which is in each of us and all beings.

Artha:

  • Artha refers to satisfaction of acquisitive instinct in man, i.e., wealth and material being.
  • Artha according to Zimmer includes “the whole range of objects that can be possessed, enjoined and lost and that are in daily life.”
  • The pursuit of wealth is a legitimate human desire.
  • The acceptance of sex drives, emotional urges and economic drives as necessary and even desirable, never undermines the supreme goal of life.
  • Artha is to be understood as referring to all the means necessary for acquiring worldly prosperity, such as wealth or power.
  • Artha is desirable because man has to maintain the Dharma as a householder and therefore temporal interests were allowed for the smooth running of day to day life.

Kama:

  • Kama implies the desires in man for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the life of the senses, including the sex drive.
  • The desire may also mean the desire for early possession.
  • According to Prabhu, “Kama refers to the native impulses, instincts and desires of man, his natural and mental tendencies and finds it equivalent, we may say, in the use of English words- desires, needs, primary motives, urges and drives.“
  • Kama is recognized as one of the aims of marriage along with “dharma” and “praja”.
  • Kama is given lowest importance among the valuable ends of marriage, because sex finds its meaning I procreation (praja).
  • Kapadia holds the view that ” Kama doesn’t mean only instinctive life, it means emotional and aesthetic life as well.”
  • The aesthetic life in man expresses itself in both creation and appreciation of all that is fine and sublime.
  • The healthy development of personality calls for the expression of the emotions.

Moksha:

  • Moksha is seen as the ultimate end of the life of Hindu or can be said as the liberation of soul.
  • According to K. M. Kapadia, ” Moksha means that the true nature of man is to unfold it and derive thereby the meaning of joy of it.”
  • The aim of man is the purification and perfection of ‘Atman’ by pious acts and devotion to God.
  • Moksha can be attained possibly by inquiry into the true nature of the ‘Atman’ and by founding the whole life of power and truth of the “Atman”.
  • The trivarga becomes the means for the attainment of that end.
  • The Hindu thinkers do not consider ‘artha’ and ‘kama’ as barriers in the way of man’s striving for realization of ‘moksha’.
  • They have recommended the fulfilment of such urges for the healthy development of man’s personality.
  • The goal of Moksha does not possess the narrow individual outlook for the Hindu nod it is to be pursued exclusively and directly by an individual unless and until he has duly satisfied all his social debts and obligations.

Millets: Future Superfood

Millets are one of the oldest food known to mankind.These are group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food.

Types of millet: Sorghum (jowar), Pearl millet (bajra), Foxtail millet (kangni), Finger millet (ragi), Barnyard millet, Kodo millet, Little Millet, Proso Millet are amongst the healthiest millet grains available.

Nutritional value: They are good sources of proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fibre and essential amino acids.

Millets have 65% carbohydrates, 9% proteins, 3% fat, and 2-7% crude fibre.

They are rich in various vitamins such as vitamin A, C and B-complex vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and also iron.

Major producers include Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana.

Significance: Release of 13 High Yielding varieties including 4 bio-fortified varieties of millets. declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYOM).

This proposal of India was supported by 72 countries and United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as International Year of Millets on 5th March,2021.

Photo by Deep Malik on Pexels.com

Millets are climate resilient crop as they can be grown in rainfed area and are resistant to climatic stress, pest and disease as well. So it plays major role in sustainable agriculture.

People possess a perception of millet being poor man food but owing to it’s nutritional value it is rich in dietary fibres, amino acid, calcium, zinc, folate and various nutrients. It can even be easily consumed by diabetic people as it possess low glycemic index. Nowadays, being consumed by many more people it helps to provide food security.

They even provide economic security to farmers growing millet in dry, low fertile, rainfed area as it requires less investment and involves less cost of cultivation.

Initiatives are taken by government to promote millet production by farmers as they promote sustainable agriculture as well as generate employment opportunities by promoting value addition of millets.

HELEN OF TROY

HELEN OF TROY is a character in Homer’s classic epic poem, the “Iliad”,written in the 8th century about the the Trojan War, imagined by the Greeks to have occurred about 500 years earlier.


She was the most beautiful woman in the ancient Greek world, the daughter of the king of the Greek gods,Zeus, and the cause of the 10-year Trojan War between Troy and Sparta.


Her story is one of the most dramatic love stories of all time and is said to be one of the main reasons for a 10-year war between the Greeks and Trojans, known as the Trojan War.
In the “Iliad,” Helen’s name is a battle cry, but her story is not told in detail: the “Iliad” is chiefly a man’s story of the conflicting passions and struggles of men on opposing sides of a great battle. The Trojan War was central to the early history of ancient Greece. Details of Helen’s story are provided in a group of poems known as the “epic cycle” or the “Trojan War Cycle,” written in the centuries after Homer.
The legendary beauty of Helen attracted men from afar and also those close to home who saw her as a means to the Spartan throne. The first likely mate of Helen was Theseus, the hero of Athens who kidnapped Helen when she was still young.
Later Menelaus, brother of the Mycenaean King Agamemnon, married Helen. Agamemnon and Menelaus were sons of King Atreus of Mycenae and were therefore referred to as Atrides. Agamemnon married the sister of Helen, Clytemnestra, and became king of Mycenae after expelling his uncle.
The most famous mate of Helen was Paris of Troy. Paris (also known as Alexander or Alexandros) was the son of King Priam of Troy and his queen, Hecuba, but he was rejected at birth and raised as a shepherd on Mount Ida.
While Paris was living the life of a shepherd,the three goddesses , Hera , Aphrodite , and Athena , appeared and asked him to award the “fairest” of them the golden apple that Discord had promised one of them. Each goddess offered Paris a bribe.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty had offered Paris the most beautiful woman on earth for his bride. That woman was Helen. Unfortunately, Helen was taken. She was the bride of the Spartan king Menelaus.
The love between Menelaus and Helen is unclear. In the end, they may have been reconciled, but meanwhile, when Paris came to the court of Menelaus as a guest, he may have aroused unaccustomed desire in Helen, since in the “Iliad,” Helen takes some responsibility for her abduction.
Menelaus received and extended hospitality to Paris. Then, when Menelaus discovered that Paris had taken off for Troy with Helen and other prized possessions Helen may have considered part of her dowry, he was enraged at this violation of the laws of hospitality. Paris offered to return the stolen possessions, even though he was unwilling to return Helen, but Menelaus wanted Helen, too.
But he wasn’t the last one. After Paris was killed , his brother Deiphobus married Helen. After Deiphobus , the son of Peleus, Achilles , married Helen.And perhaps Helen married five more other.
According to Laurie Macgurie , writing in “Helen of Troy From Homer to Hollywood”,Helen had 11 men as a husbands in the ancient literature.
But he wasn’t the last one. After Paris was killed , his brother Deiphobus married Helen. After Deiphobus , the son of Peleus, Achilles , married Helen.And perhaps Helen married five more other.
According to Laurie Macgurie , writing in “Helen of Troy From Homer to Hollywood”,Helen had 11 men as a husbands in the ancient literature.

AQUACULTURE


Aquaculture is breeding, raising and harvesting fish, and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater, brackish water and saltwater populations under controlled or semi-natural conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish.

There are two main types of aquaculture marine and freshwater. NOAA efforts primarily focus on marine aquaculture, which refers to farming species that live in the ocean and estuaries.

MARICULTURE: Mariculture, commonly known as marine farming, refers specifically to aquaculture practiced in seawater habitats and lagoons, opposed to in freshwater aquaculture.
Aquaculture has been in existence since at least 500 BCE. However, only since the mid-20th century has it assumed commercial importance. The rapid expansion of aquaculture has been to a large extent in the production of relatively high-priced species frequently consumed as a fresh product. Examples are shrimp, crayfish, prawns, trout, salmon, and oysters. However, also increasing is the production of catfish, carp, and tilapia, which are reared in extensive low-energy systems. For example, catfish farming in the United States has more than quintupled its production since it began to grow in the 1960s. Some of these freshwater fish are also utilized in aquaponics, a hybrid system that combines aquaculture with the hydroponic cultivation of plants; the fish wastes are used to feed the plants.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aquaculture “is understood to mean the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators. Farming also implies individual or corporate ownership of the stock being cultivated. in current aquaculture practice, products from several pounds of wild fish are used to produce one pound of a piscivorous fish like salmon.Plant and insect-based feeds are also being developed to help reduce wild fish been used for aquaculture feed. Particular kinds of aquaculture include fish farming, shrimp farming, oyster farming, mariculture, pisciculture, algaculture (such as seaweed farming), and the cultivation of ornamental fish. Particular methods include aquaponics and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, both of which integrate fish farming and aquatic plant farming. The FAO describes aquaculture as one of the industries most directly affected by climate change and its impacts. Some forms of aquaculture have negative impacts on the environment, such as through nutrient pollution or disease transfer to wild populations.

Shillong The Natural Beauty

N kavya

Shillong the capital of Meghalaya is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. Known as the ‘Scotland of the East, if one wants to see the natural charm of the North East then there are numerable places to visit in Shillong, the breathtaking greenery, swaying pine trees, cascading waterfalls, azure lakes, botanical gardens, and museums displaying the enriched culture of the Khasis, all make Shillong a perfect holiday destination. Although you can visit the place all through the year, the best time is considered between October to march.

5 Amazing reasons to consider Shillong you’re next holiday destination

1. Visit the mesmerizing waterfalls & lakes

  • umiam lake was initially established as a dam or a reservoir. It is quite popular among tourists and is a perfectly picturesque location to enjoy the stunning views. To the adventure activities that one can do here such as boating, kayaking, etc.
  • Meghalaya is the home to several beautiful cascading waterfalls. The Elephant waterfalls and the Bishop and Beadon waterfalls at Shillong are one of the most beautiful ones. On the outskirts of the city, is a gushing waterfall that looks like an eagle with its wings spread to Eagle Falls. You can even visit the nearby waterfalls such as The Seven Sister Falls, Dainthlein Falls, and Krang Suri.
  • Ward’s lake, locally known as pollock lake or Nan Polok, is an artificial lake in Shillong, Meghalaya, India.

2. Appetizing cafes and cuisines to warm you’re heart and enjoy the incredible Khasi folk tales and cultures

  • • Shillong has an array of appetizing cuisines starting from lip-smacking street food to mouth-watering Khasi dishes. Shillong also has some best and most wonderful cafes where you can have your coffee. Khasis was the worshipper of nature and almost anything related to nature has an interesting folk tale behind it. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants here offer delicious food.
  • • Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous cultures provides a very comprehensive overview of the many tribes indigenous to North-East India.
  • • The police Bazar is the most colorful place in Shillong. It has modern shops as well as an array of traditional shops selling exquisite handicrafts from Meghalaya. You can also dress up in traditional Khasi costumes and click some pictures.

3. The Intriguing Living Root Bridges

  • • Once you are in the Shillong and are heading to places like Cherrapunjee or Mawlynnong, the scenic beauty of the roads is unmatched. Deep in the tropical forests of Meghalaya shrouded in rain and cloud, lies these root bridges. These are the roots of ancient rubber trees or Ficus Elastica that have been trained by the Khasi tribesmen to grow in a tangled mess, and then they were intertwined to form single and double-decker root bridges. Mawlynnong is considered to be Asia’s cleanest village.

4. Visit the laitlum canyons and The. Shillong peak

  • • The laitlum canyons are a delight to the eyes, at great heights, it is an edge of the hill surrounded by greenery all around. Our eyes will witness stretches of green all around and laters of rocky hills.
  • • Shillong peak is the highest point in Shillong at a height of 6449ft. you will get a panoramic view of the city from Shillong peak.

5.The ultimate experience of caving & visit the sacred groves

  • Meghalaya has the longest system of caves in the Jaintia Hills. The Mawsmai caves near Cherrapunjee consisting of amazing stalactites and stalagmites are quite a famous tourist spot. Arwah caves for a surreal experience.
  • The Mawphlang Sacred Forest lies around 25km from Shillong. This grove is nature’s museum with rare and amazing plants, orchids, flowering trees, and butterflies.

To reach Shillong the nearest airport and railway station is in Guwahati. Then you can hire a cab as it takes around 2-3 hours to reach there. Enjoy the mesmerizing art work created by mother nature itself.

Jaipur : The Pink City of India.

The capital of Rajasthan, the largest state in the country, Jaipur is all about its glorious history. It is also widely known as the Pink City. The name is derived from the fact that the erstwhile area of Jaipur which is now the area around the HawaMahal, was built of pink sandstone. The narrow streets, the colourful clothing, the lovely aromas bursting forth from the food, the vast number of palaces speak volumes of the deep rooted culture of the city.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II invoked the artisans from all over the world and facilitated them with all the things they required, to help in creating the exotic city of beautiful architecture as Jaipur. Today, Jaipur is a hub for rich wedding destinations. Royal weddings are organized here. Exquisite destinations are specially designed for marriages, and offer an experience of one of its kind. Jaipur’s forts, monuments, and museums can be read about further.


Some of the best monuments and sites to visit in pink city are.


Amber/Amer Fort.
At a distance of 13 km from Jaipur Junction Railway Station, Amer Fort or Amber Fort is located in Amer near Jaipur. It is one of the best-preserved forts in Rajasthan, The architecture of Amer Fort is influenced by both Hindu and Muslim styles. Among the famous tourist places in Jaipur, Amer Fort was built using red sandstone and overlooks Maota Lake which is the main water source to the Palace.


City Palace.
City Palace, Jaipur was constructed between 1729-1732, in Jaipur as it paints the picture of heritage and rich culture. Sawai Jai Singh II has started the work of this palace, exclusively the exterior architecture of the building. Moving from Amber, he has moved to the Jaipur city because of the increase in water shortage problem which resulted in an inadequate supply of water to people.


Nahargarh Fort.
Nahargarh is one of three forts in the vicinity of the “Pink City” of Jaipur. Despite its prominence, the fort remained sadly neglected until recent years, resulting in visitors frequently overlooking it in favor of iconic and well-preserved Amber Fort on the opposite end of the ridge. Extensive restoration works and some exciting new attractions have revitalized the fort though, making it one of the top tourist places in Jaipur.


Jai Garh Fort.
Situated on one of the mountains of the Aravalli Range, Jaigarh Fort is a landmark structure in Jaipur. The strategically designed Jaigarh Fort was fundamentally built to protect the Amer Fort from any attack. Jaigarh Fort is popular for numerous reasons and the two most prominent are its mesmerizing architecture, which is a fusion of Rajputana and Mughal style, and for being the hub of artillery during the Mughal era.


Jantar Mantar.
Jantar Mantar is one of the finest monuments and striking creations by astronomers and architectures. It is a compilation of architectural astronomical devices which provided accurate astronomical results. It has even struck the modern approach of science. Jantar Mantar is the most well-known observatories amongst all the buildings formed during the sovereignty of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.


Hawa Mahal.
Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 and was designed by architect Lal Chand Usta as a ‘Rajmukut’. The Hawa Mahal was built specifically for Rajput members, and especially for women, so that the royal ladies could watch the daily drama dance in the street below, as well as have a beautiful view of the city from the window.


Central Museum
Central museum is also known as ‘Albert museum’ or ‘Government Central Museum’. This is the oldest museum of the city and was constructed in 1876 beneath the command of Lt. Swinton Jacob. Initially the building was a town hall. But on the order of Maharaja Madho Singh it was transformed into an art museum.

Jaipur : The Pink City of India.

The capital of Rajasthan, the largest state in the country, Jaipur is all about its glorious history. It is also widely known as the Pink City. The name is derived from the fact that the erstwhile area of Jaipur which is now the area around the HawaMahal, was built of pink sandstone. The narrow streets, the colourful clothing, the lovely aromas bursting forth from the food, the vast number of palaces speak volumes of the deep rooted culture of the city.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II invoked the artisans from all over the world and facilitated them with all the things they required, to help in creating the exotic city of beautiful architecture as Jaipur. Today, Jaipur is a hub for rich wedding destinations. Royal weddings are organized here. Exquisite destinations are specially designed for marriages, and offer an experience of one of its kind. Jaipur’s forts, monuments, and museums can be read about further.

Some of the best monuments and sites to visit in pink city are.

Amber/Amer Fort.
At a distance of 13 km from Jaipur Junction Railway Station, Amer Fort or Amber Fort is located in Amer near Jaipur. It is one of the best-preserved forts in Rajasthan, The architecture of Amer Fort is influenced by both Hindu and Muslim styles. Among the famous tourist places in Jaipur, Amer Fort was built using red sandstone and overlooks Maota Lake which is the main water source to the Palace.

City Palace.
City Palace, Jaipur was constructed between 1729-1732, in Jaipur as it paints the picture of heritage and rich culture. Sawai Jai Singh II has started the work of this palace, exclusively the exterior architecture of the building. Moving from Amber, he has moved to the Jaipur city because of the increase in water shortage problem which resulted in an inadequate supply of water to people.

Nahargarh Fort.
Nahargarh is one of three forts in the vicinity of the “Pink City” of Jaipur. Despite its prominence, the fort remained sadly neglected until recent years, resulting in visitors frequently overlooking it in favor of iconic and well-preserved Amber Fort on the opposite end of the ridge. Extensive restoration works and some exciting new attractions have revitalized the fort though, making it one of the top tourist places in Jaipur.

Jai Garh Fort.
Situated on one of the mountains of the Aravalli Range, Jaigarh Fort is a landmark structure in Jaipur. The strategically designed Jaigarh Fort was fundamentally built to protect the Amer Fort from any attack. Jaigarh Fort is popular for numerous reasons and the two most prominent are its mesmerizing architecture, which is a fusion of Rajputana and Mughal style, and for being the hub of artillery during the Mughal era.

Jantar Mantar.
Jantar Mantar is one of the finest monuments and striking creations by astronomers and architectures. It is a compilation of architectural astronomical devices which provided accurate astronomical results. It has even struck the modern approach of science. Jantar Mantar is the most well-known observatories amongst all the buildings formed during the sovereignty of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

Hawa Mahal.
Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 and was designed by architect Lal Chand Usta as a ‘Rajmukut’. The Hawa Mahal was built specifically for Rajput members, and especially for women, so that the royal ladies could watch the daily drama dance in the street below, as well as have a beautiful view of the city from the window.

Central Museum
Central museum is also known as ‘Albert museum’ or ‘Government Central Museum’. This is the oldest museum of the city and was constructed in 1876 beneath the command of Lt. Swinton Jacob. Initially the building was a town hall. But on the order of Maharaja Madho Singh it was transformed into an art museum.

 Extreme Poverty to ‘Prosperity’: Unique Case of Indian weight-lifter Achinta Shewli 

 Because of poverty many families and many youths in our country could not reach the zenith albeit they have potential. . Regarding poverty, I wish to mention that John Boyd Orr, the first Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)   used the calorie concept to explain poverty which was the minimum value of foods a human being required to sustain a good life. In India, poverty has been defined based on a minimum daily requirement of 2,400 and 2,100 calories for an adult in rural and urban areas, respectively which subsequently has been converted to income earning.

Here, I am presenting a case of a youth who in spite of living in extreme poverty has reached the zenith because of strong dedication, devotion, and sincerity.

Achinta Shewli of West Bengal (resident of Howrah) brought gold to the country in the Commonwealth Games but in his childhood in weight-lifting but he passed awful days because of extreme poverty. Arranging good food, particularly protein food was a dream for the families. It is fact that in general Bengali people irrespective of caste or religion eat non-vegetarian items like fish, chicken, mutton, and egg. In childhood eating, the non-veg item was a dream​ for Achinta. His father was a rickshaw van driver earning a paltry amount and unfortunately, his father passed away in April 2013 (38 years age) when Achinta was just 11 years old. After the death of the father, the two brothers Alok and Achinta helped the mother with the lace work. Both the brothers dreamed of becoming weightlifters. But it was not easy to dream where they had to fight to get two meals.  After his father’s death, his grandfather did everything for them. 

​According to him, the goal is to get a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Commonwealth Games medal will give Achinta confidence to get the same. It may be mentioned that Achinta’s brother Alok told Anandabazar Online, “One day when I was a child, my brother was crying because he wanted to eat chicken -​meat. But later on at that age, he understood the financial condition of the house. After that, he did not cry.”

Achinta’s coach Ashtam Das said, “I had many players who were physically better than Achinta, but they did not have the hunger for sports, which I saw in Achinta.” Achinta’s coach Ashtam Das left his BSF job to train potential weight-lifters. In view of his financial condition, he trained him free of cost. 

Achinta Shewli started weightlifting in the year 2011, admiring his brother who was also a former Weightlifter. Ashtam Das admitted him to the Army Sports Institution in Pune. Since then Achinta’s studies and sports have been going on there. He got a job in the army last year 2021). It seems Ashtam Das spent his personal money on the development of weight lifters but the State Government did not extend any support for the infrastructure development of the ‘practicing center’ although everyone knows the State Government has been spending huge money on much unproductive expenditure. So, I suggest to the State Government please look into such issues as such expenditure is known as ‘Development Expenditure’ i.e. development for human resource.

(Basic inputs collected mainly from two editions of Anandabazar Patrika (Bengali editions), Kolkata, 1/8/22 and 2/8/22)

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Extreme Poverty to ‘Prosperity’: Unique Case of Indian weight-lifter Achinta Shewli

 Because of poverty many families and many youths in our country could not reach the zenith albeit they have potential. . Regarding poverty, I wish to mention that John Boyd Orr, the first Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)   used the calorie concept to explain poverty which was the minimum value of foods a human being required to sustain a good life. In India, poverty has been defined based on a minimum daily requirement of 2,400 and 2,100 calories for an adult in rural and urban areas, respectively which subsequently has been converted to income earning.

Here, I am presenting a case of a youth who in spite of living in extreme poverty has reached the zenith because of strong dedication, devotion, and sincerity.

Achinta Shewli of West Bengal (resident of Howrah) brought gold to the country in the Commonwealth Games but in his childhood in weight-lifting but he passed awful days because of extreme poverty. Arranging good food, particularly protein food was a dream for the families. It is fact that in general Bengali people irrespective of caste or religion eat non-vegetarian items like fish, chicken, mutton, and egg. In childhood eating, the non-veg item was a dream​ for Achinta. His father was a rickshaw van driver earning a paltry amount and unfortunately, his father passed away in April 2013 (38 years age) when Achinta was just 11 years old. After the death of the father, the two brothers Alok and Achinta helped the mother with the lace work. Both the brothers dreamed of becoming weightlifters. But it was not easy to dream where they had to fight to get two meals.  After his father’s death, his grandfather did everything for them. 

​According to him, the goal is to get a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Commonwealth Games medal will give Achinta confidence to get the same. It may be mentioned that Achinta’s brother Alok told Anandabazar Online, “One day when I was a child, my brother was crying because he wanted to eat chicken -​meat. But later on at that age, he understood the financial condition of the house. After that, he did not cry.”

Achinta’s coach Ashtam Das said, “I had many players who were physically better than Achinta, but they did not have the hunger for sports, which I saw in Achinta.” Achinta’s coach Ashtam Das left his BSF job to train potential weight-lifters. In view of his financial condition, he trained him free of cost. 

Achinta Shewli started weightlifting in the year 2011, admiring his brother who was also a former Weightlifter. Ashtam Das admitted him to the Army Sports Institution in Pune. Since then Achinta’s studies and sports have been going on there. He got a job in the army last year 2021). It seems Ashtam Das spent his personal money on the development of weight lifters but the State Government did not extend any support for the infrastructure development of the ‘practicing center’ although everyone knows the State Government has been spending huge money on much unproductive expenditure. So, I suggest to the State Government please look into such issues as such expenditure is known as ‘Development Expenditure’ i.e. development for human resource.

(Basic inputs collected mainly from two editions of Anandabazar Patrika (Bengali editions), Kolkata, 1/8/22 and 2/8/22)

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Media as the Fourth Pillar of Democracy

 Media as the Fourth Pillar of Democracy

As the largest democracy, India is considered a role model for a large number of developing countries. We have state and central governments elected by the people. We have a government run by our own elected representatives, known as Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the state and Members of Parliament (MPs) at the center. The democratic government has three pillars:

a) A Legislature: State Assemblies and Parliament, responsible for framing laws and deciding the way we run our affairs.

b) An Executive: The Governor, the Chief Minister, and the Ministers who run the state and the President, Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers who run the country.

c) A Judiciary: The Supreme Court, High Courts, and other courts decide whether laws and constitutional provisions are followed by the elected governments.

The fourth pillar of Democracy:

Media work to provide information about what is happening in our surroundings. Media keep an eye on everything happening in the nation and it is the fastest way to know about current happening and other relevant information. Media is considered the fourth pillar of democracy. It plays an important role as play by the legislature, executive, and judiciary in the functioning of a democratic country. As these three pillars run the government of the country for the welfare and development of all the people, the media also work for the same.

 In a democracy, the people should know what the three institutions, namely the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary are doing for the welfare of the people. These institutions in turn need to know how the people are reacting to what they are doing. This can be only possible through the media because media is the easiest way to disseminate information quickly and easily across the country.

The government can’t spread the information about the decision they made or new policies they made, to individual people of the country. And it is also not possible for the citizens of the country to keep an eye on every decision-making of government. So, the media is the only way to connect both. The main role of the media is to act as a bridge between the people and the government.

Media can spread the information about government through TV news, newspaper, website, or social media platform, which help people to get in touch with what is happening in the administration. In the same way, the government can know about the needs, demands, thoughts, and problems of people. This helps them to work for the betterment of the nation. Media also work to expose corruption and raise social issues. Thus, the media play a great role in the functioning of the country.

Real estate, types of real estate

 Real estate

Real estate is property in the form of land , houses, or other buildings. It is real property that consists of land and improvements , which include buildings , fixtures , roads , structures , and utility systems.
It having generally immovable property . 
For anyone who want more gain in property with low investment and more gain they should have real estate . 
There are many benefits of investing in real estate include passive income , stable cash flow , tax advantages, diversification, and leverage.
There are five main categories of real estate which include residential, commercial, industrial, raw land , and special use.
Investing in real estate includes purchasing a home , rental property, or land . Investment in this immovable property help person in future as everyone need money for their survival without money nothing can been taken in this world . So by investing in these properties people will gain more with their less investment after sometime in the future.

Types of Real Estate

1. Residential real estate – 

Any property used for residential purposes. Examples include single – family homes , condos , cooperatives, duplexes , townhouses, and multi-family residences.

2. Commercial real estate – 

Shopping centres, restaurants, schools , hospitals, and office spaces all are some examples of commercial properties that we are probably familiar with. Investing in them is more expensive as computer to residential properties, but the chances of profit generation are better too.

3. Industrial real estate – 

Buildings and factories used for manufacturing goods and warehousing are known as industrial properties. They are generally located far away from the city to avoid the citizens getting affected by their pollutants. Each factory produce polluting agents so it’s better that it should be far away.

4. Mixed use real estate – 

Mixed use real estate is fun investment because it allows you to play with both residential and commercial real estate.
The cool thing about mixed use real estate is that it can be single homes zoned on commercial land , which means a home can become a business such as a barber shop or boutique. It also includes properties like apartment building with retail stores on the first floors. 

5. Land – 

I think buying a land is one of the best idea in this generation. As day by day the price of land is increasing and if one person buy land today then in future he will get profit as their price will increase. Here investors typically receive more ROI when they purchase a building and rent it out as opposed to buying property with the purpose of holding on to it and selling it at a later date .
So investing in a real estate is good idea for anyone . We always need some property to ensure our financial condition will be good in the future. If a person don’t have any real estate he or she will regret later as everyone need money for their livelihood and maintaining their status in the society.
Try to invest in real estate it will surely help you in your difficult time .

Describing "Loan"


What’s a loan?

A loan is anything loaned to another person in exchange for future repayment of the loan value plus interest and other financing charges, whether it be property, money, or other tangible goods. A loan can be obtained as an open-ended line of credit with a set maximum or for a fixed, one-time sum. There are many various types of loans, including unsecured, secured, commercial, and personal loans.


Know about the loans


A loan is a debt that a person or an organisation incurs. A lender is the other party to the transaction; typically, it is a government agency, financial institution, or business. They lend the borrower the necessary amount of money. In exchange, the borrowers consent to pay a specific set of conditions, such as any finance fees, interest, etc., using the money they initially borrowed.

How is the loan process carried out?


You apply for a loan from a business or a bank when you need money. You must supply particular information, including the reason you need the loan, as well as your financial background, Social Security Number (SSN), and other facts that may differ from lender to lender.

In order to determine if you can afford to repay the loan, the lender will examine your application and look at your debt-to-income ratio. The lender will either accept or reject your application based on it. If your application is turned down, the lender is required to give a justification.

A contract between you and the lender is signed if your application is accepted. The loan amount, together with interest and other fees, are sent to your account by the lender.

Before a loan contract is completed and funds are dispersed, certain terms must be agreed upon by both parties. The loan paperwork will specify any requirements for collateral, which the lender may in some circumstances require. The majority of loans also include clauses defining the maximum rate of interest and the grace period before repayment is necessary.

When and why are loans given?


Loans are given out for a variety of reasons. A borrower can require a loan to finance a purchase, debt relief, business endeavours, home improvements, or for investments. Business loans can support a company’s expansion.

Loans, in other words, enable the expansion of an economy’s total money supply and promote competition by funding new enterprises. Lenders (banks) receive income from the interest and other fees they charge borrowers.

When taking out a loan, one key consideration


The importance of interest rates to a borrower is one of the key considerations when applying for a loan. The borrower will spend more money for loans with higher interest rates since they require larger monthly payments or take longer to repay than loans with lower interest rates.

What inquiries must to be made while applying for a loan?


A few inquiries one should make while applying for a loan include:

Q. How long will it take to receive the funds?,

Q. What is the loan’s interest rate?,

Q. What is the loan’s duration? Do there charge any fees?

What are the three primary categories for loans?


Loans can be divided into three basic groups: traditional, open-end and closed-end loans, unsecured and secured loans.

What elements influence loan approval?


Loan approval is influenced by a number of variables, including credit score, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, employment history, home valuation, and condition.

Amritsar- The Holy City

 Amritsar- The Holy City

Amritsar also called Ambarsar and historically known as Ramdaspur, is located in the Punjab state of India. It derives its name from Amrit Sarovar which was built by Guru Ram Das in the village of Tung. Guru Ram Das believed that the waters of the lake had healing powers. Amritsar is the largest and most important city in Punjab and is a major commercial, cultural, and transportation center. It is also the center of Sikhism and the site of the Sikhs’ principal place of worship—the Harmandir Sahib which is popularly known as the Golden Temple. The hospitality of Amritsar is very good and the people here are so overwhelming.

 5 most important reasons to visit Amritsar


1.    The very first reason to visit Amritsar is Golden Temple. The peace and tranquility of the temple is the main reason why travelers love visiting the temple. The langar served at the temple is yet another reason why this is a popular place to visit in Amritsar. The Architecture and ambiance of the temple will touch your heart.


2.    The second thing is the Wagah border. The Wagah Border is what divides India and Pakistan. Every evening, a ceremony called the ‘lowering of the flags’ is hosted half an hour before the sunset, and it sees a huge gathering on both sides of the border. The ceremony has been going on every day since 1959 and is worth an experience. 


3.    The third reason to visit Amritsar is Jallianwala Bagh. No Indian can forget the massacre and the tragic history of the Jallianwala Bagh during India’s struggle for freedom. The memorial is a tribute and a way to pay respect to everyone who lost their lives here. Still, you can see the signs of history here.


4.    The fourth thing is food, which is so good that you can’t stop yourself. You eat at one Dhaba, and you’ll find yourself eating at a Dhaba throughout your trip to Amritsar. Kesar Da Dhaba is one of the most popular Dhaba in the city, and you’ll be drawn to it the moment you’re anywhere near it. The smell of desi ghee and parathas will draw you to the Dhaba. It’s also one of the oldest dhabas in the city. You will find a lot of Dhabas in Amritsar and don’t forget to order a big glass of lassi while you’re at it. The chole, parathas, dal, and phirni are some of the other specialty food items you must try out.


5.    The fifth reason is locals and the market. Interacting with the locals is one of the best things to do in Amritsar. You will learn a lot about their culture, and you will leave with a bunch of friends and a wonderful experience. The people here are extremely hospitable and will become your best buddy very quickly and quite easily. Head over to Old Amritsar to experience what Amritsar is all about. You will find a lot of bazaars here and some that have been there for over a hundred years. 

 Thus, the reasons to visit Amritsar are endless. Once you visit the place you will connect with the place heartly. This place will teach you to how to enjoy your life happily and keep others happy too.

 

Tourist Destination and 5 reasons you should visit Goa

 What do you mean by tourist destination?

A tourist destination is any city or place where you can visit and explore things. It attracts the nature of that particular place, the beauty, the most historical monuments, temples and their famous food.

Goa

Goa is the smallest state in India. It is bounded by the states of Maharashtra in the north and Karnataka in the south and east and the Arabian Sea in the west. Goa’s capital is Panaji. It is located 400 km south of Mumbai. Goa is very famous for its beaches and its goan foods. The climate of goa is equally high and low temperature throughout the year and it receives rainfall in the monsoon season. 

Agriculture is an important factor in goa’s economy. It has a large fisheries industry and they have agricultural farms where they grow mangoes, cashew, sugarcane, pulses, coconuts, and betel. 

The transportation service to Goa is available by road, sea, rail and air.

Goa is the most beautiful place to visit and explore new things. Till now I have not visited goa but for sure to go one time for a vacation. There are some famous beaches, food and monuments there. 

Let’s explain it briefly

1. Calangute Beach

It is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. It is located in the district of North Goa. The main tourist attraction is in New Year and Christmas time and during the summer of May. Calangute beach is the most adventurous beach. It has many watersports like parasailing, banana rides and jet- skiing.

2. Fort Aguada

Fort Aguada is situated in North Goa. From September to March it is the best time to visit Fort Aguada and see the beauty of the fort. It is built at the mouth of the Mandovi river and it takes 2 hours to visit and sees the entire fort.

3. Baga Beach

Baga beach is situated in North Goa. It is a popular beach with bars, restaurants and clubs. It has many watersports such as parasailing,net-skiing, kite surfing, and wakeboarding. There is a Tibetian market on Baga Road for shopaholics. 

Baga beach has an indoor snow park where you can enjoy many games in the play area and sledge in the sledging area.

4. Dudhsagar waterfall

Dudhsagar waterfall is also known as the Sea of Milk and it is the highest waterfall in India. November and December is the most beautiful time to visit Dudhsagar waterfall and the nearest railway station to reach Dudhsagar waterfalls is Castle Rock Station. It is located in the Mandovi river in the state of Goa.

5. Butterfly Beach

 Butterfly beach is located in south goa. It is also known as honeymoon beach. Butterfly beach has a very beautiful view and is surrounded by a thick forest. These beaches have dolphins and butterflies on the top hillside.

5 reasons why you should visit Goa 

* Goa is a beautiful place to go for a vacation with your loved ones. You can enjoy the sunset beach walk and doing shopping in the markets.

* Goa has its famous food which is called Goan food. Goan food is incomplete without fish, rice and fish curry. Once you eat this Goan food you will always be in love with this famous Goan food of Goa. Another snack which is very popular in India is the samosa. Many people love samosas but Goan samosas is one of the best snacks served in every tea corner or stall in Goa.

* In Goa you can enjoy doing watersports available on beaches. Example – parasailing, jet- skiing, banana ride, boat ride, Ringo ride, windsurfing and many more.

* If you want to enjoy a festive atmosphere you can plan a trip to Goa. Many carnivals are there to enjoy and the church at Christmas time. It is one of the most beautiful views in Goa.

* Dolphin spotting is another reason you must visit Goa. There are many dolphins on Goa beaches and if you take a banana boat and ride into the ocean you will see dolphins jumping out to play. Candolim beach is very popular for dolphin spotting.

Hope you will find this blog helpful if you plan a trip to Goa and if you want more details about the planning and booking of tickets, and resorts in Goa, you can check their official website.