Top Thailand Attractions and Places to Visit

World’s thirteenth most amicable country, twentieth most crowded nation and world’s most visited places, Thailand is a studded with a staggering blend of authentic and social destinations. The alluring coasting markets, over in excess of 40,000 Buddhist sanctuaries, remarkable landscape, intriguing sea shores, thick wildernesses and astounding dishes particularly fish, makes Thailand the most famous objective in Southeast Asia and has everything to bring to the table with various interests and financial plans. For some explorers, It is additionally an ideal spot to travel in view of the reasonable cost.

Found simply over the Equator, Thailand is the main Southeast Asian country that has never been colonized by an European force. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, an exceptionally pleasant city brimming with antiquated sanctuaries, current shopping centers. also, by and large exceptionally swarmed. Prior to going to Thailand you should know for what Thailand is really well known for? So try to keep your hat on, It is popular for hypnotizing fascinating sea shores, very heavenly food varieties, sanctuaries, expressions, and Nightlife. It has likewise numerous little islands which have different excellent retreats.

With a flourishing vacationer industry here, It is all around created, and individuals here are extremely inviting and pleasant to travelers. Another thing, I need to tell you is that Mangoes here are supposed to be the most incredible on the planet. So remember to eat mangoes when you go there. It has a heat and humidity and the best an ideal opportunity to visit here is from November to March when the hotness and dampness, both are low.

Top Thailand Attractions and Places to Visit

In this way, in the event that you choose to do vagabonding here, let me let you know some must visiting places here-

Coasting Market

So as the name, Floating business sectors are a special way here to do the shopping and eating where the merchants conveying the products of the soil in the boat. It’s a true travel experience that gives vacationers a more critical investigate their conventional lifestyle. This basically one-time visit place is packed toward the beginning of the day yet when you will reach there, you will be hypnotized by the shadings, confusion, environment, and flavors which makes it extremely unmistakable. A portion of the well known skimming markets here are Amphawa and Damoen Sadauk markets.

Similan Islands

Situated in the region of Phang Nga in southern Thailand, Similan island is quite possibly the most famous jumping destination in the country. The submerged stone arrangements and the dazzling, bright coral reefs, exotic fishes, simply take you to an alternate world. Fundamentally, Similan alludes to the nine primary islands in the gathering. The unmistakable blue water encompassing and extraordinary submerged perceivability make it the best in the locale.

Full moon party

A the entire night sea shore party and an ideal spot for single men, a full moon party is a party coordinated along the sea shore of Haad Rin where individuals across the globe come to put on their moving shoes and partake in the moving. It is the most happening spot to visit in Thailand and it alone draws a horde of around 20000-30000 individuals consistently. There are likewise different gatherings like the Half-moon, Shiva Moon, and Black Moon parties.

The Grand castle

Aside from the extraordinary sea shores, heaps of experiences and enjoying the flavor of fish, this spot in Bangkok is a significant milestone here, which ought to be at the highest point of your voyaging spots’ rundown. It has both authentic importance and magnificent expressions. One must-see sight in Bangkok, it was a home of the Thai ruler for a long time prior, form in 1782. One should dress appropriately and talk amiably to visit this awesome Grand spot.

Ko phi

This really captivating, and excellent Phi archipelago is situated in the Krabi region closest to Phuket. Probably the loveliest in Southeast Asia, this image postcard island offers dazzling stone arrangements, exemplary sea shores, and brilliant marine life and along these lines draws in many guests to remain. One can partake in the nightlife here to the fullest with the entire island stuffed with bars, bars, and clubs, culminates for the partygoers.

Railay Beach

Again probably the most spot in Thailand situated in the Krabi area. This island is the home for individuals who love experience like journeying. This spot is mind blowing and feels like paradise. Also, this little spot has a ton to bring to the table, and you can’t miss excellent perspectives and journeying locales. Railay offers lethargic days, sunkissed sea shores, relaxed nights draw in each voyager here.

Chiang Mai

Well known for sanctuaries, modest shopping and night market, Chiang Mai is situated in the north of Thailand and has something else altogether than Bangkok. Here you can tracked down an inebriating mix of culture and nature, can meet ethnic slope clan individuals, can see elephants at a moral asylum, appreciate staggering cascades and a lot of bars to partake in the nightlife. IT is the biggest northernmost city in Thailand. Sanctuaries here have amazing design magnificence and fine construction, worth watching.

Ayutthaya

An UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an ideal spot for history and culture Enthusiasts, is a two-hour ride away from Bangkok. It was at first established in 1350 and there are numerous sanctuaries dissipated all through the city. One can see the Brilliant instances of Thai workmanship here and a wide scope of Thai design styles. It was the old capital of Siam for quite a long time. Aside from the compositional styles, guests here likewise experience a one of a kind mix of social and authentic locales, encased with a variety of fossils.

Kanchanaburi

Getaway the hustle in Bangkok and visit this spot with delightful public parks, shocking cascades, which is just two hours’ drive from Bangkok. Aside from the normal and wartime attractions, there are intriguing exhibition halls, Caves, Bridge and some additional entrancing perspectives. Get this off-beaten track and discover harmony in this less packed region.

Pattaya

The spot whose switch is consistently on and fun, incredible nightlife which is world-renowned, night marketplace for shopaholics, and an assortment of amusing to accomplish for guests. The sea shores with a steady edge, best for the water sports sweetheart. There are flawless islands off the coast that offers plunging and swimming. The tremendous Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, and a lot more places to visit here.

However It is a little country, it has a ton to bring to the table. For the people who love sea shores, Thai cooking styles, Buddhist sanctuaries, wonderful hotels and need to encounter experience, This is the ideal spot for you to visit. Appreciate!

Can we fix our Ozone layer? The Montreal protocol

Imagine that one day our Ozone layer was disappeared. What will happen? How long can we survive without it?  The Ozone layer is a region of Earth’s atmosphere that contains a high concentration of Ozone (O3). Ozone is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is found in the lower portion of Earth’s atmosphere. It absorbs 97 to 99 percent of the Sun’s ultraviolet rays. Direct exposure to UV rays can cause serious skin problems including sun burn, skin cancer, premature ageing of the skin, solar elastosis. It can also cause eye problems and can ruin our immune system.

  The depletion of ozone layer was first observed by a Dutch chemist Paul crutzen. He described the Ozone depletion by demonstrating the reaction of nitrogen oxide with oxygen atoms which slowing the creation of Ozone (O3). Later in 1974, American chemists Mario Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland observed that chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) molecules emitted by man-made machines like refrigerators, air conditioners and airplanes could be the major source of chlorine in the atmosphere. One chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules.

Not all chlorine molecules contribute to ozone layer depletion; chlorine from swimming pool, sea salt, industrial plants, and volcanoes does not reach the stratosphere. The ozone hole in Antarctica is one of the largest and deepest depletion which was discovered by the British scientists. This became worldwide headlines after that. According to NASA scientist Paul Newman, if this depletion continues in this rate our ozone layer can be likely disappeared in 2065. If that happens UV rays from sun directly reach earth and cause severe health issues, Humans can last 3 months and plants may die in 2 weeks because of heavy UV radiation. Thus Earth will become inhabitable.

 Fortunately in 1987, Montreal protocol was made that bans chlorofluorocarbon and other chemicals that cause ozone depletion. Surprisingly it works, researches made in 2018 tells that the ozone layer is repairing itself at a rate of 1% to 3% per decade since 2000. Still it will take at least 50 years for complete recovery. The greenhouse effect allows the short wave radiation of sunlight to pass through the atmosphere to earth’s surface but makes it difficult for heat in the form of long wave radiation to escape. This effect blankets the earth and keeps our planet at a reasonable temperature to support life. Earth radiated energy, of which about 90 percent is absorbed by atmospheric gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, nitrous oxide, and others. Absorbed energy is radiated back to the surface and warms earth’s lower atmosphere.

The gases have come to be called greenhouse gases because they hold in light and heat, just as a greenhouse does for the sake of the plants inside. Greenhouse gases are essential to life, not only at an appropriate balance point. These gases increased during the 20th century due to industrial activity and fossil fuel emissions. For example, the concentration of carbon dioxide I the atmosphere have recently been growing by about 1.4 percent annually. This increase in greenhouse gases is one of the contributors to be observed patterns of global warming. On September 16th world ozone day, we can celebrate our success. But we must all push to keep hold of these gains, in particular by remaining vigilant and tackling any illegal sources of ozone depleting substances as they arise, says UN ozone-secretariat. So without the Montreal protocol, life on earth could be a question mark, so keep working hard. “OZONE FOR LIFE”.

Top Indonesia Attractions and Places to Visit

Indonesia is a gigantic country, in both people and land zone, with essential social and geological grouped assortment. With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them involved, it is the greatest archipelago on earth. Indonesia is honored with unsullied beaches, charming water homes on calm islands, semi dynamic volcanoes, exuberant families and their social ethos. Indonesia is actually similar to a delightful dream.

There are various fanciful spots in Indonesia, and together they offer a mix of island supernatural occurrences and spine-chilling normal educational encounters. Mix of covering islands, coastlines and lakes for the water children, public parks for regular life sweethearts, dynamic volcanoes of fluid magma for bold spirits, and places for city swashbucklers. There is something for everybody in Indonesia and has ability to expect the wandering soul of a voyager.

Here is a rundown of spots which makes Indonesia one of the most visited places in Asia.

Top Indonesia Attractions and Places to Visit

Ubud

Ubud is seen as the social heart of Bali and one of the top excursion objections in Indonesia. One can without much of a stretch arrive at this spot through transport or taxi from Bali Airport. This spot offers dance and music presentations reliably all during that time and is additionally popular for its different craftsmanship showcases and niche stores. This spot is known for its way of life and qualities. Most well known vacation spot of the city incorporates the Tegalalang Rice Terrace and Ubud Monkey Temple. Voyagers like to go for a short walk or bicycle ride to investigate the city. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot is from June to September. Guests ought to likewise investigate and encounter exercises like Hiking, cycling and Bali Swing.

Borobudur

Arranged in the Northwest of Yogyakarta on Java, the Borobudur is the one of the most notable Buddhist asylum on earth. The Borobudur was implicit 75 years, out of a normal 2 million squares of stone. Today it is one of the most notable get-away objections in Indonesia. This spot likewise offers different customary style inns and spots to remain too. Most popular fascination of this spot incorporates Borobudur Temple, Pawon Temple and Taman Wisata Candi Boro Borobudur. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot is from April to October. Voyagers can likewise investigate and entertain themselves with otherworldly and strict exercises.

Gili Island

Lombok’s most notable spot to visit, The Gili Islands are an archipelago of three little islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. The islands are especially loose and laid-back, with endless little sea shore side bistros serving the best ocean bottom. This spot is somewhat calmer and tranquil and offers total unwinding and loosening up. Most popular vacation destination of this spot incorporates Gili Meno, Masjid Agung Baiturrahman Gili and Gili Trawangan View Point. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot is from September to November. Voyagers can likewise investigate and encounter exercises like Snorkeling, Surfing, Diving, Hopping and Fishing.

Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, the powerful lifestyle and the combination of social orders, it has impacts from Malaysia, China, Arab, India and European too. The incredible blend of these critical social orders can be found in its plan, cooking and language. Well known for its engineering and cooking, this spot has everything to offer.Top spots and attractions of the city incorporate National Monument, Taman Mini Indonesia Ind-ah, Taman Impian Jaya An-col and Jakarta History Museum. Jakarta is maybe the perhaps the best spot in Indonesia to visit. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot is from June to September. Voyagers visiting ought to likewise investigate Istana Merdeka, Mona’s Tower, Menteng Shopping and Nightlife of the city.

Torajaland

One of the most visited places in Indonesia, Torajaland is a decent country region of South Sulawesi. This spot is the home of Toraja individuals. Torajans are famous for their way of life, qualities, ceremonies and colossal bested roof houses known as tongkonan. Torojans have a dynamite yet awful entombment administration customs also. This spot makes them flabbergast café and bistros which offers delicious Indonesian cooking. A portion of the should visit attractions of this spot incorporate Pallawa, Londa, Ke’te Kesu, Batu Tumonga and Lemo. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot is from June to August. Individuals visiting Torajaland ought to likewise investigate and encounter Kete Kesu and Hiking.

Komodo National Park

The Komodo National Park is a public park arranged inside the Lesser Sunda Islands that fuses the three greater islands Komodo, Padar and Rincah, and 26 more diminutive ones. The diversion community is named after the Komodo Dragon, the world’s greatest living Dragon/Reptile. This spot offers top notch lodgings and resorts to voyagers. Well known vacation destinations and spots incorporate Pink Beach, Pulau Kelor, Pulau Kalong and Lawa Darat Gili. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot are the long periods of April and December. Voyagers visiting this spot ought to encounter kayaking, jumping, journeying and island visit.

Mount Bromo

Part of the Tengger massif in East Java, Mount Bromo is a functioning fountain of liquid magma. The spot is one of the most visited get-away places in Indonesia and Java. One can undoubtedly arrive at this spot by means of taxi from Juanda International Airport. Famous and most visited vacation spots of this spot incorporate Luhur Poten Temple, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and Lautan Pasir Bromo .This spot is included by the Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unstintingly ridiculous. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot if from April to October. Explorers visiting this spot ought to encounter Hiking and Trekking.

Tanjung Puting National Park

One of the highest level spots to visit in Indonesia, The Tanjung Puting National Park is arranged on the island of Borneo in the Indonesian space of Central Kalimantan. This spot is in close to closeness of Kalimantan Airport. It offers incredibly delightful inns, hotels and Inns to remain. Top attractions and spots to visit are Tanjung Keluang, Pondok Tanggui, Camp Leakey and Kubu Beach. While investigating untamed life one can get an opportunity to go over gibbons, macaques, muddled pumas, bears, pythons, crocodiles and for the most part orangutans. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot is the long stretches of August and October. Voyagers visiting this lovely spot ought to likewise investigate and encounter untamed life and sea shore surfing.

Lake Toba

Lake Toba on the island of Sumatra is a huge volcanic lake around 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. The island in the middle – Pulau Samosir, is the greatest island inside an island and contains two lakes. Lake has volcanic-partner warmed waters and vacationer unwinds and loosens up themselves at this spot. This spot is additionally famous for its luscious cooking and ocean bottom. Well known and most visited attractions of this spot incorporate Air Terjun Sipiso Piso, Bu-pack Indah Simarjarunjung, Pa-sir Putih Parbaba and Bu-unit Holbung Samosir. Best an ideal opportunity to visit this spot is a long time of May and September. Guests visiting this spot ought to appreciate swimming and surfing.

Top Vietnam Attractions and Places to Visit


Voyaging is the need with regards to unwinding, restoration and loosening up. Asian country Vietnam is the response to all movement questions. It’s simply direct. With its fascinating history, a-list cusines and culture, Vietnam will invigorate every individual who visits there. Vietnam is most likely one of the serene, invigorating and loosening up place in the world. Vietnam is getting perceived as one of the world’s Best making a trip puts because of its grandness. White sand coastlines, limestone mountains, terraced rice fields and additional appealing voyagers from around the world. ‘Vietnam’ despite the fact that is single word however it can’t be portrayed in single word.
Here is a rundown of spots which makes Vietnam an Asian Paradise.
Top Vietnam Attractions and Places to Visit
Ha Long Bay
With its water green water and bundle of limestone harsh outcrops climbing from the water like sea winged snakes, Ha Long Bay takes after a scene from a fantasy story. Arranged in northern Vietnam, this phenomenal little sound remembers for abundance of 2,000 wild islands because of which this spot is locally know as ‘where the winged serpent drops into the ocean’. Ha Long Bay is covered with charming caverns, grottoes and lakes. October and November are viewed as the greatest months for visiting Ha Long Bay. Voyagers visiting Ha Long Bay ought to encounter Cruise Tours in and around the Bay.
Hanoi
Hanoi genuinely talks and depicts the Vietnamese History. At the center of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, an external show corridor of vital Asian and French pioneer designing. Hanoi has additionally been an observer and survivor of Vietnam war. In Hanoi among pleasant tree-lined roads, voyagers can investigate swarmed markets, taste coffee at bistros. Voyagers visiting Hanoi ought to likewise investigate The Grand Opera House, The Presidential Palace and Saint Joseph Cathedral.
Hoi An
Hoi An is an exquisite, old city Situated off the bank of the South China Sea in South Central Vietnam. Hoi An is additionally an UNESCO World Heritage site which is known for its religion and culture. The city’s important plan, standard culture and designs make it one of the most visited place in Vietnam. Old town of the city portrays awesome old designing, regular wooden houses and many shops selling dress, shoes, sacks, knickknacks and hand made collectibles and products. May to July is viewed as the best an ideal opportunity to visit this excellent spot. Voyagers ought to likewise investigate A Bang Beach, Cua Dai Beach, Museum of Ceramics, Fujian Assembly Hall, and Central Market
Tint
Based on the banks of the renowned ‘Aroma River’ in Vietnam is this city ‘Tint’. This spot went through a ton during Vietnam War which is as yet reflected in the city’s plan, culture and food, which likewise makes it presumably the best spot to visit in Vietnam. Tint is a mix of Old Architectures and metropolitan strategies. ‘The Citadel’ is the city’s most eminent design. January to August is the best time visit Hue. Explorers ought to likewise encounter road food sources from the merchants or go through the evening in the neighborhood bistros, partake in the nearby groups acting in nights. Voyagers ought to likewise investigate Hue Citadel, Tran Binh Dai, Tran Hai, Tran Hai Thanh and Dan Nam Giao.
Sapa
Enveloped by pictorial mountains, rice ranches and a nice assortment of tophills in the far off northwest of Vietnam, Sapa is a serene town. Sapa is likewise a base for journeying in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains and visiting rice paddies and regular towns. Explorers visiting Sapa can encounter Scrumptious Food , customs and way of life among the area. Walk to April and October to November are viewed as the best season to visit this notable Heaven.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is The capital city of Khánh Hòa Province arranged on the shore of South Central Vietnam. Nha Thrang is brimming with Beautiful mountains, Beaches and rich islands which makes it a most cherished sea shore location among guests. This spot is a paradise for Swimmers and scubadivers. This spot has a great deal of resorts, palm trees and a staggering promenades which draws in a ton of explorers consistently. Individuals visiting Nha Thrang ought to likewise investigate Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, Po Nagar Tower, Vinpearl Land, and Long Son Pagoda.
Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta, known for its Natural item manors, rice paddies, sugar stick woodlands, and towns draw in huge number of explorers. Nicknamed “Vietnam’s Rice Basket,” the Mekong Delta is a cultivating region. This spot reaches out from the Gulf of Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City. Mekong Delta is generally famous for its Floating business sectors and Houseboats. Explorers visiting this spot ought to encounter Cruise safari, skimming business sector, and taking care of catfish in fish ranch.
Ho Chi Minh
Lying along the Siagon River near the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh . Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the greatest city of the reunified country, offering an ideal mix of customary just as advanced engineering and way of life. Voyagers will investigate Traditional and old Vietnam war influenced spots, designs and dedications to Modern day ponders like Shopping Malls, Restaurants and Bistros. May to November is the best an ideal opportunity to visit Ho Chi Minh. Despite the fact that it pours during this time-frame yet it would just make venture more essential as it makes city more green.
My Son
This strange named delightful spot is arranged on the shoreline of Vietnam near the Duy Phú town. My child is the main archeological site in Vietnam. One of Southeast Asia’s most prominent old places, My Son was all at once a basic central spot of Hindu capacities. My Son is one of the most visited places in Vietnam and Indians in huge number visit this spot annualy. Explorers should visit Temples of Bhadresvara, Prakash Dharma, and Sambhu Barman.

Kati Bihu of Assam: Few Facts

By working as an academician in an organisation of the Government of India I have the opportunity to visit across India including many many rural areas and also many foreign countries (now I am retired on superannuation). Here​,​ I will present a few facts based on the Bihu​s​ of Assam.  Three Bihus are celebrated in Assam​ ​- Bhogali or Magh Bihu ( mid-January​-​ 13/14/15 , date varies as per Assamese calendar); Rongali or Bohag Bihu is ​celebrated  in April 14/15, Kongali or Kati Bihu is observed in  mid-October. This year 2021, the date of Kati Bihu is on 18 October. It is pertinent to mention that all three Bihus are connected to agriculture. Rongali Bihu is the celebration of the end of the Assamese  Year and the beginning of New year. Bhogali Bihu is a harvesting festival so a lot of foods are prepared by the Assamese ladies. On the other hand, Kati Bihu is also called Kongali (“Poor”) as the granaries are usually empty and there is not much to eat at this time of the year, so it is not a joyous celebration. ​It may be mentioned here that during Ronagli Bihu days beautiful dances known as Bihu dances are performed​ by the males and females irrespective of age​. The people wear new dresses and ladies wear the famous ‘Mekhla-Chadar’.   During Kati Bihu earthen lamps (in Assamese it is called Saaki) are lit in the courtyard particularly near the sacred Tulshi plant , paddy fields and bhoral ghars (place of granary​).  In the paddy fields, the farmers lit up a special kind of lamp, known as ‘Akash Banti’ or ‘Sky lamp’.

I wish to mention here people of Assam in general and Assamese in particular are sociable and hospitable. They will at least invite for lunch or dinner if one visits as a guest or for official work to the State​ and any Assamese person is assigned to receive the guest as liaison ​. If the Assamese family is from the upper ​region of Assam viz., Sibsagar, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Golaghat, Makum, Digboi etc., duck meat is usually offered along with other sumptuous foods including fish. In the lower region of Assam viz., Guwahati, Nalbari, Kamrup, Barpeta etc., along with other items pigeon meat ​is ​prepared with black-pepper ​and served plus fish.  If the guest is vegetarian, a lot of vegetarian dishes are prepared with local vegetables and milk. Another important item is ‘Khar’. It is an indigenous product normally prepared at home, an alkaline-based delicacy and used to prepare vegetable curry and ​d​als (pulse preparation). ​After food, ​ each guest is ​presented with a hand-made towel, locally known as ‘Gamocha’.  It may be mentioned that weaving is another important a​ctivity of the cultural life of Assamese people. Most of the Assamese ladies know weaving and in each rural household ​at least one ​loom can be found. They make ‘Sarees’, ‘Mekhla-chadar’, ‘Gamocha’ etc.  

Before I conclude, I wish to mention that Assamese people observe all the pan-Indian religious festivals, but their most important celebrations are Bhogali and Rongali Bihu which are celebrated irrespective of caste, creed and religion. And few other festivals inter alia are Ali-Ai-Ligang, Baikho, Rongker, Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra, Baishagu, in addition to Durga Puja.​ I suggest  please visit Assam  and other North-eastern States. Pristine beauty can be seen in the region. 

ORGANIC FARMING

An agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and involves farming methods such crop rotation and companion planting is Organic Farming. The term ‘Organic’ was popularized by Howard and Rodale. This type of farming is inclusive of usage of biodiversity, while preserving natural resources and ensuring animal welfare. Organic Farming is highly beneficial in all terms.

BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FARMING

MAINTAINS PURITY OF WATER

An extensive use of chemical pesticides and insecticides, contributes in polluting water bodies and underground water. Organic farming replaces such toxic substances with natural fertilizers such as manure, compost, animal waste, which help in soil retention and quality. In places where, the incidences of water pollution are more, organic farming must be brought into practice.

PRODUCTION OF HEALTHY FOOD

Organic Farming enhances the nutrients in the soil because use of toxic elements is prohibited. The quality of food is determined with the amount of vitamins and minerals that are embedded in it. Organic food is much richer in nutrients than food grown through conventional methods.

POCKET FRIENDLY

Organic food products are not grown with the use of inputs like expensive pesticides, chemicals, insecticide sprays, etc. Instead, it makes use of everything that is available naturally with no or minimal capital cost. There is yet a buzz that Organic products are costly, which is not true.

SAFE TO PRACTICE

Organic Farming is safe to practice than conventional methods. Annually 44% of the world’s farming population dies, due to poisoning while using harmful pesticides. Farmers are routinely exposed to high levels of pesticides, usually much greater than those of consumers. Farmers’ exposure mainly occurs during the preparation and application of the pesticide spray solutions and during the cleaning-up of spraying equipment. But, Organic farming is very safe to practice because of it’s natural methods.

BETTER TASTE

Farmers producing organic farm products are extremely careful about the quality of their soil and do practice soil care methods. Soil with high nutritional value tends to produce better farm products. Chefs and food experts actually do believe that organic farm products taste much better than the conventional ones.

METHODS OF ORGANIC FARMING

  • Vermicomposting
  • Green Manures
  • Animal Manures
  • Crop Rotation
  • Livestock Management
  • Soil Supervision
  • Weed Control
  • Genetic Modification

Hence, in conclusion, we can state that, Organic Farming is the best alternative for traditional farming. There are so many positives to Organic Farming. Today, Organic Agriculture is practiced in 187 countries by about 1.3 million farmers globally. Environmental consciousness has further given rise to the practice of Organic Farming.

Club Culture

By – Supriya

A club or society exists to enable one to pursue a specific activity. The opportunity to participate in a particular activity is the main reason that attracts people to a club or society. A camera club offers its members information and know – how regarding the art of photography, a scout troop pursues outdoor activities and a computer club allows its members to learn the intricacies and Marvels of the modern – age computer. Each person is a unique being and has different likes and dislikes. Some people would prefer to go swimming than staring at a video display. Yet other may prefer to read a book quietly than to kick a football. Thus we have dozens of clubs and societies in school as well as outside that cater to our varied tastes and fancies. Besides enabling us to do the things that interest us, a club also provides us the opportunity to meet others , to socialize and develop our own character. For example, a martial arts club teaches its particular form of self – defense. There, a member learns the skills and techniques taught in the club. More importantly he learns to discipline himself. The martial arts is not just learning how to knock down the other guy. On the contrary, it teaches one to exercise self – control and develop respect for his opponents. Those who learn this, stay long with the club; those who don’t soon become disillusioned and leave.So, it is with other clubs. Some members learn and grow with the club. They are the ones who will benefit. Some inevitably leave to pursue other activities in other clubs.
I must admit that our age plays a great part in our decision to join a club.When I was a young boy, being a club member seemed like the greatest thing on earth. Later on, my interests grew and being a scout became the most important thing in my life. Now, almost at the end of my school days, those feelings have more or less vanished . Club scouts are just happy memories , never to be relived again. Now computers and astronomy seem infinitely more interesting . After that I cannot even imagine what will catch my fancy. A club that can carry out its intended purpose is a club worth joining. However, many clubs become the victims of squabbles and infighting among its members.The struggle for power is indeed a common thing. It is also the cause of break – ups and failures in the club. To be with a group of people sharing a common interesting activity is the most pleasant experience , so long as the group keeps doing so. It is unfortunate that often, some members of the group will make a grab for power. The will to dominate others rears its ugly head. The moment somebody makes the move, others will follow and soon a struggle for power consumes everyone and the original activity of the club is forgotten. When this happens , it is time for me to leave. I do not like to involve myself in the club politics. I joined the club to pursue an activity that I like, not to quarrel with other people. As age has mellowed my attiy , I find that I can pursue a lot of interesting things on my own. I don’t have to necessarily join a club to do them. I can play badminton in my friend’s court with a few other friends. I can take pictures without having to join a photographic club. I can go swimming in the sea instead of a club’s swimming pool. Granted that I will miss out on a lot of things a club has to offer, but at least I will be spared the agony of strained relationships. The wisest thing to do then would be to join a club only when it is necessary to do so. Otherwise, it would be far better to do things on your own or with a few friends.

THANKYOU !

Fashion Mania

By – Supriya

Each one of us is born unique. There are no two persons who are exactly alike. Yet, despite our unique individuality , we constantly become slaves to whatever that is currently in fashion. As a result, even though we are different, we strive to dress Alike , use the same slangs , eat the same food and share the same hobbies . So much so, that many times even our thought and behaviour patterns are also governed by the ruling fashion – rage. Then in the midst of such mental slavery , if a bright individual strikes out on his own in another direction, then others see him, admire him and then join him. It becomes fashionable to be like him.His individuality gives birth to another fashion statement. Before the emergence of ‘rock and roll’ in the fifties , it was fashionable to listen to melodious music and to dance the rhumba.It was the in thing then. However, such a fashion  could not last forever. Elvis Presley and the other rockers burst into the scene and created an uproar. Youngsters started wearing drain – pipe trousers and did slicked-back hair. Leather jackets and steel – studded shoes became the vogue.
Every young boy wanted to be Elvis. The sale of guitars shot up. Slavery to the Elvis trend bred young rebels. However, these young rebels , in the process of asserting their individuality , rather became slaves to rock and roll .These rock and roll slaves can still be seen around , even though now they have gone bald and their grandchildren rebel against their drain – pipe trousers. ‘ Be a rebel ‘ – again became a style statement in the sixties when the hippies and the flower people made the taking of marijuana (ganja) and LSD the fashionable thing to do. Gurus – real and false – appeared all over the place. The ‘in’ thing was to go against the establishment and social order. It was fashionable to dress in rags and have babies out of wedlock . Nobody over thirty was trusted . It was the age of long hair and to get ‘ stoned’ was considered cool. The hippies have more or less faded from the scene. They are no longer fashionable . However, they left behind a drug culture that continued till the eighties.In fact, even today, drug menace is one of the greatest scourges of the present world.
It is still fashionable to take drugs – despite its devastating effects. Anybody who gets addicted to drugs is doomed to a life of hell. Unless he can get rid of his addiction , there is not much hope for him. For society as a whole, unless drug – taking goes out of the fashion , addicts will abound and the associated problems will persist. Thus we can see the impact of a powerful drive of fashion. One fashion paves the way for its successor and the chain goes on endlessly . Though with time, fashion style keeps changing , but fashion maniacs are forever caught by the claws of current trend. In the process of trying to be different from others , fashion enthusiasts end up becoming replicas of one another. Only a rare succeed in retaining the originality of their personality. So, next time you take a trip to town , reflect on the clothes you are going to eat, the things you are going to buy and the thoughts you are thinking . Notice how many of these things are influenced by the current wave of fashion. See if you can find anything you can genuinely call your own.

THANKYOU !

The Genius of da Vinci- 3

Leonardo and Science                                                                       

Leonardo’s genius went beyond art and paintings, he shared just as much of a connection with science as he did with his art if not more. His contribution to science and scientific inventions were most probably a result of his artistic abilities.             

Leonardo studied anatomy, botany, light, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, to name a few without receiving any sort of formal education.                                                    

Leonardo kept a log of his ideas, observations, and scientific drawings. According to him science and art shared a resemblance with each other which is quite evident from his journals that seem to blend art and science together.

FACTOID  Leonardo sometimes wrote from right to left because he was a lefty. Therefore most of his writing is in mirror image.

Leonardo learned the basics of anatomy and the human body when he was working for Verrocchio. Leonardo dissected about 30 human corpses in his lifetime. The hospitals in Italy let him continue his studies for research purposes after he established himself as a great artist.

In his dissection studies, he would pull on different muscles to see the effect it would have on the movement of other muscles. His anatomy research also included his studies of facial features. He studied the changes that different emotions caused in the facial features and those of people with a facial deformity or a sickness as well. He studied the human skeleton and pointed out that the sacrum (a bony structure in the vertebral column) is a fusion of 5 bones, which now holds to be true. He did all of this back then, when relatively close to no resources existed.

He studied the human heart and figured out how the valves of the heart work but couldn’t figure out the whole circulation system. In 2005, a heart surgeon in The UK took aid from Leonardo’s journals of the human heart. His studies are being used by top surgeons in the 21st century, over 500 years later.

Leonardo da Vinci was granted the permission to perform his experiments and do all this research after establishing himself as a profound artist during that time. The hospital gave him corpses to dissect and so he did.

Leonardo’s journals contain drawings of some flying machines that he was working on at that time. One such machine had wings that resembled the wings of a bat. Though his drawings were not fully correct and would not have worked in practicality, it is still exceptional that a man like him without major resources could do so much. 

His journals contain much more than whatever has been mentioned so far and will probably remain alien to the world or even if someone is able to somehow get their hands on said journal will also need the intellect to understand it.

Leonardo was much more than an artist but sadly that’s exactly what most people know him as. His ability to blend art and science made him extremely special. Imagine the things he could have achieved if he were born in today’s time. We would know so much more about the things unknown to mankind. He was an artist ahead of his time and needs to be recognized not just for his art but his true genius.

The Genius of da Vinci – 2

Adoration of the Magi 

One of the many paintings that Leonardo left unfinished, that is a skill all artists possess. The painting portrays the Virgin Mary with her chid and the Magi (the three wise men who paid homage to Jesus as the king of Jews) kneeling in adoration in front of them. Behind them, some ruins along with a few horsemen that appear to be fighting and a palm tree which holds a significance in the Bible.

This unfinished masterpiece now resides at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.

The Last Supper                                                                               

The Last Supper is a mural painting that depicts Jesus having his last supper (the last meal of Jesus with his disciples in Jerusalem before he was arrested and crucified). In the painting, Jesus’ Apostles can be seen reacting to him saying “one of you will betray me”, “one of you”, referring to one of his apostles.                                                          This was painted by Leonardo in the late 15th century and started to deteriorate quite quickly, due to humidity and the painting techniques used by the artist. It took a long time to restore this painting with the final restoration being done in 1999 and was then returned back to where it belongs- Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.

Salvator Mundi                                                                                    

In this painting, Leonardo shows Jesus wearing a robe, with the fingers of his right hand forming a cross pointing upwards while holding a crystal ball in his left.                        

This painting was sold for $450 million to Badr Bin Abdullah, a Saudi minister, in 2017.   What makes it worth $450 million?                                                                                

Well, you see no piece of art is only famous for its artistic grandeur, most pieces of art involved in some sort of controversy have a tendency to embark themselves in textbooks. Salvator Mundi went through it’s fair share of controversies. There were multiple times since the birth of this painting when it was thought to be destroyed. The painting vanished from the public eye in the year 1763 and was found in the 1900s in a rather impaired condition. Then in 2005, a group of individuals bought this painting for about $10,000 and was densely overpainted which made it look like a knock-off. Dianne Dwyer Modestini was given the job to restore this painting and the process came to an end around 2010.                                                                                                       

Even now, theories exist about the whereabouts of this piece which adds to the fascination.

Mona Lisa                                                                                          

One of the greatest paintings to ever be painted. Mona Lisa is a portrait painting of an Italian woman Lisa Gherardini painted in the early 1500s. The painting shows the woman looking directly at the observer. The woman in the painting possesses a certain amount of poise and grace. The landscape shown by Leonardo looks very surreal making the painting all the more captivating. The lady’s smile has been a subject of discussion among art lovers but a 2003 study suggested that the smile vanishes when you look directly at her mouth and reappears when you observe the face as a whole.  Leonardo used a technique called ‘sfumato’ with this one which is a technique involving the blending of colors into one another making the transition between different tones easier and giving life to the painting.                           Mona Lisa is housed by the Louvre museum in France

UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE

Reasearch says, about 7 lac people die of suicide annually, with approximately 132 suicides daily. An alarming rate, isn’t it? At times, we as humans may fail to understand what another individual might be facing. For every death by suicide, there are many more people who attempt it. Globally, ingestion of toxic substances, hanging and firearms are the most common methods of committing a suicide.

Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist and scholar, identified four different types of Suicides. Durkheim stated that, there are no societies in this world, where suicides do not occur. It includes, Egoistic Suicide, Altruistic Suicide, Anomic Suicide and Fatalistic Suicide. We can understand the core of these four forms of suicide, with further expansion of each term.

1. EGOISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, when a man becomes socially isolated or feels that he has no place in society, he destroys himself. It is committed by people in order to find a route of escape from loneliness and introversion. Such individuals are devoid of proper care and empathy from the people in their lives. They are not socialists, hence they find it difficult to mingle in groups. This leads them to feel unhappy, alone and helpless in this world. Cutting off from the mainstream is the main cause of suicide in this case.

EXAMPLE – Person A, is an employee of a firm and is working most of the time in his day. He does not mingle with his relatives and friends or attend any social functions. Due to this, the ties with his family members are getting estranged day after day. His spouse argues with him regarding the same complaints. He now begins to feel alone. Ultimately, there arrives a day when he’s fed up with all the querulous complaints and fights, thus takes his own life.

2. ALTRUISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, it is a sacrifice of one’s life to save or benefit others, for the betterment of society. It is quite an opposite of Egoistic Suicide. An over integration with society may lead to extreme benevolence in an individual. The individual regards suicide as a sacrifice that he/she is making for the good of a group or society as a whole. People committing suicide due to such a reason may consider their act as courageous and selfless.

Example – In the olden times, Indian women used to lay themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands in order to follow the cultural rituals.

3. ANOMIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, a moral confusion within an individual and inability to comprehend social direction may cause an upheaval in the life of an individual. An individual feels bewildered about the position that he holds in society and goes through a lack of self regulation. A sudden change in societal dimensions or ups and downs in a person’s personal life, may contribute to disappointment in his/her life.

Example – A once wealthy businessman, invests in a venture, but the venture fails miserably, he suffers a tremendous loss and goes bankrupt. Unable to deal with the sudden change in status and overall situation, he plans to end his life.

4. FATALISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, Fatalistic suicide is caused from excessive regulation, that of persons with futures, pitilessly blocked and passions violently choked by oppressive discipline. Burden of mental and physical oppression by other people on oneself may lead to a constant feeling of hopelessness. Finding oneself under strict norms, rules, high civil expectations and regulations may lead to depression in oneself, eventually causing the person to end his/her life.

Example – A famous singer feels extremely conscious about her image in the society. She experiences a burden from society’s expectations from her and thus fears failure and poor performance. She fails to handle this undue pressure and has thoughts about ending her life.

In my opinion, suicides do have societal roots. The reason for any person to commit suicide does not solely lie with him, but with the society as well. We are all directly or indirectly dependent on each other for materialistic and emotional needs. Materialistic needs can be fulfilled in some or the other way but emotional needs rarely come to the forefront. Rightly approaching those experiencing stressful situations, intervening and empathizing can greatly contribute in prevention. Suicides are preventable, with individual, community and national support.

The genius of da Vinci 1

Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance man born in Italy in 1452, considered as one of the greatest painters the world has ever witnessed, was not just a painter but a man of great intellect. His scientific journals and studies way ahead of their time are to this date used by scientists to get a better understanding of them . In addition to being a painter, a sculptor, he was an anatomist and was well known in the field of engineering, architecture and astronomy as well. da Vinci was unmatched, the only artist who was able to get close to his art was the sculptor of the statue David Michelangelo. The fascinating thing is that he was able to do all this without being exposed to a speck of formal education or training in any field except in painting. He was taught how to read and do basic mathematics all the rest was his own creation.

Leonardo was a genius to say the least, he possessed curiosity ever so great. Maybe, this is what made him so great, his desire for knowledge.                                                                   

His scientific evaluations and anatomic studies are very much evident in his paintings. He used his scientific knowledge to better himself as an artist, and so he did.                                     

Here, we are going to take a look at a few of his paintings and some of his contributions in the milieu of science.

Leonardo da Vinci was born in a town in Vinci, Florence. His father was a Florence based legal notary and his mother belonged to a lower class. Not much is known about his family.

PAINTINGS

Leonardo is undoubtedly one of the greatest artists to have ever lived, but where did he start his artistic journey from?

Leonardo worked as an apprentice under Andrea del Verrocchio, an Italian painter, and sculptor of the 15th century. Leonardo first got introduced to Verrocchio at one of his workshops. He learned a plethora of skills by working for Verrocchio and later also collaborated with him for a painting called The Baptism of Christ around 1475.

Baptism of Christ was a collaborative effort of Andrea del Verrocchio and his student Leonardo da Vinci. This painting depicts Jesus being baptized (the Christian act of sprinkling water on someone, symbolizing purification), with two angels beside him, kneeling. The one performing Jesus’ baptism is John the Baptist, who can be seen with a golden cross and a halo over his head. The pair of hands shown above Jesus’ head is God’s representing approval and acceptance. A dove can also be seen above Jesus’ head as well, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

Saint Jerome in the Wilderness Another unfinished yet wonderful piece by da Vinci portrays Saint Jerome, a Latin priest in the Christian Church, in the middle of the desert, kneeling, looking fixedly upwards with his arm extending outwards. A lion can be seen resting on the ground looking at the Saint. The lion’s presence can be accounted for by the fact that Saint Jerome helped a lion that entered the monastery where he stayed once, by removing a thorn from the lion’s paw.                                                                                                              

Leonardo used a method called tempera for this painting, which involves mixing of painting pigments with water-soluble emulsions, along with classic oil painting techniques.                                                                                     

This painting is currently present at the Vatican museum in Rome.

The beginning of Art: Visual arts history

Expressing oneself through art seems a universal human impulse, while the style of that expression is one of the distinguishing marks of a culture. As difficult as it to define, art typically involves a skilled, imaginative creator, whose creation is pleasing to the senses and often symbolically significant or useful. Art can be verbal, as in poetry, storytelling or literature or can take the form of music and dance. The oldest stories, passed down orally may be lost to us now, but thanks to writing, tales such as the epic of Gilgamesh or the Lliad entered the record and still hold meaning today. Visual art dates back 30,000 years, when Paleolithic humans decorated themselves with beads and shells. Then as now, skilled artisans often mixed aesthetic effect with symbolic meaning.

A masterpiece of Johannes Vermeer, 1665 –“Girl with a Pearl Earring”.

In an existence that centered on hunting, ancient Australians carved animal and bird tracks into their rocks. Early cave artists in Lascaux, France, painted or engraved more than 2,000 real and mythical animals. Ancient Africans created stirring masks, highly stylized depictions of animals and spirits that allow the wearer to embody the spiritual power of those beings. Even when creating tools or kitchen items, people seem unable to resist decorating or shaping them for beauty. Ancient hunters carved the ivory handles of their knives. Ming dynasty ceramists embellished plates with graceful dragons. Modern pueblo Indians incorporates traditional motifs in to their carved and painted pots. The western fine arts tradition values beauty and message. Once heavily influenced by Christianity and classical mythology, painting and sculptures has more recently moved toward personal expression and abstraction.

Humans have probably been molding clay- one of the most widely available materials in the world- since the earliest times. The era of ceramics began, however, only after the discovery of that very high heat renders clay hard enough to be impervious to water. As societies grew more complex and settled, the need for ways to store water, food, and other commodities increased. In Japan, the Jomon people were making ceramics as early as 11,000 B.C. by about the seventh millennium B.C.; kilns were in use in the Middle East and china, achieving temperatures above 1832°F. Mesopotamians were the first to develop true glazes, through the art of glazing arguably reached its highest expression in the celadon and three color glazes of the medieval china. In the new world, although potters never reached the heights of technology seen elsewhere, Moche, Maya, Aztec, and Puebloan artists created a diversity of expressive figurines and glazed vessels.

The prehistoric cave paintings of El Castillo, Spain were almost 40,800 years old 

When Spanish nobleman Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola described the paintings he discovered in a cave in Altamira, contemporizes declared the whole thing a modern fraud. Subsequent finds confirmed the validity of his claims and proved that Paleolithic people were skilled artists. Early artists used stone tools to engrave shapes into walls. They used pigments from hematite, manganese dioxide, and evergreens to achieve red, yelled, brown, and black colors. Brushes were made from feathers, leaves, and animal hair. Artists also used blowpipes to spray paint around hands and stencils.

“History is remembered by its art, not its war machines” –James Rosenquist

Social Evils

By – Supriya

The social evils and superstitions that dominated the society over the centuries made social reforms imperative for the development of the society and the masses.In the 19th century, the newly educated increasingly revolted against the rigid social conventions and outdated customs.They could no longer tolerate irrational and de – humanizing social practices. Moreover, the backward features of Indian society, such as the caste system or inequality of the sexes had religious sanctions in the past . Therefore, it was necessary to reform religious practices as well. The condition of women was pathetic . The various religions practised in India as well as the personal laws based on them consigned women to a status inferior to that of men. Polygamy , Purdah system , Sati, ban on widow remarriage , no education for female child , female infanticide and child marriage were some of the evils that had a strong grip over the society. It thus became necessary to take women out of this degraded position and help her to realise her true potential. The problems of female foeticide , sexual harassment at work place and their lack of education are still prevalent , which are responsible for marginalized status of women in the society. Futile glorification of Sati practice and role of women confined to the four walls of the house , should be checked combat evils like dowry system, female foeticide, decline in sex ratio, harrassment of women etc. This can be achieved by educating women and making them financially independent. Rajasthan has been in the news recently and for all the wrong reasons. Firstly, due to disappearing tigers , then for a guidebook that referred to sati – sites as tourist destinations , and finally for promoting child marriages for political reasons. The legal age for marriage in India is 18 years for women and 21 years for men. Marriage of a person younger than this is banned in India under the Child Marriage Prevention Act of 1929. But child marriages still take place in India, particularly around the Hindu holy day of Akshay Tritiya (also knows as Akha Teej) . It is a religious tradition in many places in India and therefore, difficult to change. People feel that traditions are valuable and should not be changed, especially religious traditions, since changing these would put forth a challenge to their existing beliefs.
Dowry in India, the practice of endowing gifts to the groom by the bride’s family, is a tradition which changed its meaning from willingly offering gifts to demanding astronomical amounts. It not only puts immense pressure on parents but also brings them under the burden of huge debt. The inhumane circumstances created by groom’s family push many girls to suicide or murder. The moral and ethical code of conduct of eminent personalities concerns our society as their behaviour is keenly watched by the people. The present cause of concern is the decline of values in public figures. In such a situation , the representative of the people have to set high standards of behaviour in public life. Members of Parliament not only represent the society but also lead it. Therefore, they have to function as a role models and this naturally casts on them a heavy responsibility . Our freedom fighters and national leaders had set high ethical and moral standards in public life and they scrupulously followed those principles . This tendency , it is painfully observed , is now on decline. There has been a wide and critical collapse of moral values in all walks of life which is adversely affecting our global , political and trade relations and national economy. Increasing development has also increased discontent , corruption , unemployment, violence , communal and racial discord and has added to human distress, destruction and disillusionment. Barring this, the caste system , is another curse  in society . Though not so rigid in urban areas, it is still practised in rural areas with the same degree of rigidness. Caste decides man’s marriage , social circle and profession. The untouchables suffer from numerous disabilities and restrictions . Their dress , food , place of residence , all are in degraded state. Not only is it humiliating and inhuman and against the democratic principle of equality by birth , it is also a cause of social disintegration. Thus, it has to be fought against. Another problem that our society faces is the rapid criminalization of the polity, this could be the result of the fact that criminals have understood  the mechanics of the electoral process and have themselves become contenders for power. Earlier , politicians patronized criminals and provided them protection from the law – enforcement agencies in exchange for the use of their muscle power during elections. And now it is the opposite , with the criminals themselves taking over the reigns of power to meet their selfish ends and patronizing the politicians and their parties. Of late, there has been an increasing exposure of the criminals in the governing system of the country, to the extent that it alienates the common people from power.
The criminalization of politics is a reflection of , and a factor that aggregates the crisis of the political system. Only a qualitative change that transforms the system from its very roots can resolve this problem for the betterment of people. In the rural economy, both unemployment and under employment exist side by side and the distinction between them is by no means sharp. In rural areas, increasing population implies an increasing pressure on land . This pressure on land has resulted in an increase in the number of agriculturists , and this has largely contributed to the problem of unutilized labour or disguised unemployment in the agricultural sector. A large labour force accumulates around primary occupations . A general inelasticity of occupational structure prevents any large movement to other occupations in periods of slack demand. This also leads to seasonal unemployment . In short, the major feature of rural unemployment is the existence of unemployment in the form of disguised unemployment and seasonal unemployment rather than open unemployment that exists in the urban areas

THANKYOU !

10 Foods That Help Reduce Joint Pain

Ben Franklin was right when he said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We agree, so our orthopedic specialists encourage patients to adopt dietary and exercise habits that support strong bones and joints.

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids / Fish Oils

Cold-water fish are a terrific source of Omega-3s fatty acids, which are essential nutrients for human health. These important nutrients are also sometimes referred to as polyunsaturated fatty acids. Not only are they proven to reduce inflammatory proteins in the body, but they also improve brain function and lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses.

Omega-3 can be found in cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, trout, halibut and sardines. Taking a daily fish oil supplement is another way to absorb Omega-3s.

2. Nuts and Seeds

There’s good news for the vegans and vegetarians among us. Omega-3s can also be found in a variety of nuts and seeds. A small daily portion of walnuts, almonds, flax seeds, chia seeds or pine nuts can help reduce inflammation in the joints and connective tissue.

3. Brassica Vegetables

What are those, you might ask. Also known as cruciferous vegetables, brassicas are commonly associated with the mustard and cabbage family. Leafy greens like mustard greens, arugula, kale and purple cabbage are in the brassica family. Several other popular (and tasty!) vegetables make the list, including broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts.

This particular subset of the vegetable population has been known to block an enzyme that causes swelling in the joints. Plus, they’re chocked full of fiber, vitamins and nutrients for overall health and well-being.

4. Colorful Fruits

Fruits sometimes get a bad rap because of their high sugar content, but many are excellent antioxidants. Just like with vegetables, certain fruits are more effective than others in reducing inflammation in the body.

We’re particularly partial to blueberries, which are high in anthocyanins – one of the most powerful flavonoids. These help “turn off” inflammatory responses in the body.

Apples are another fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory fruit, and they deliver added benefits for gut health.

Pineapple is also on our short list for its bromelain content, a nutrient that has shown to reduce joint pain caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, most of the bromelain is found in the stem and core of the pineapple, so blend the core into a smoothie to get the maximum benefit.

5. Olive Oil

Toss out your vegetable oil, sunflower oil and peanut oil – all of which can increase inflammation. Instead, opt for a few tablespoons of olive oil for cooking and making salad dressings. Better yet, go with the extra virgin variety that is less processed. Often associated with a Mediterranean diet, olive oil is an unsaturated “healthy” fat. And guess what … it’s another source of Omega-3!

6. Lentils and Beans

Beans and lentils are known for their health benefits. They’re an excellent source of protein, fiber and essential minerals. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Black beans, lentils, chickpeas, pinto beans and soybeans are all great sources of anthocyanins – that magical flavonoid that reduces inflammation.

7. Garlic and Root Vegetables

Garlic, onions, ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties. Various studies have shown that these pungent root vegetables can be useful in treating symptoms of arthritis and other joint pain. Incorporate these vegetables into meals for added flavor. Plus, they’re all available in a supplement.

8. Whole Grains

Research suggests that proteins found in refined grains (such as white bread, white rice and regular pasta) may trigger an inflammatory response in the body. However, high-fiber whole grains help produce fatty acids that are thought to counteract inflammation. Therefore, stick with the whole grains.

9. Bone Broth

Glucosamine, chondroitin and amino acids are well documented to help maintain healthy joints, while calcium is essential for bone density. Bone broth contains all of these. The gelatin-like substance that comes from cooking bones mimics collagen that occurs naturally in our joints, tendons and ligaments. Whether or not bone broth can actually stimulate regrowth of cartilage is a fiercely debated topic in the medical filed. But taken regularly as an oral supplement, it has been known to reduce joint pain and increase function for people with arthritis.

10. Dark Chocolate

Now we’re talking! Indeed, chocolate has anti-inflammatory properties. Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, contains antioxidants that can counteract genetic predisposition to insulin resistance and inflammation. The higher the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate, the higher its anti-inflammatory effect.

But remember, chocolate can be high in sugar and fat, so enjoy it in moderation. If you’re going to indulge, choose chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa.