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The festive season is on in India from September -October onwards. Starting Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, Navratri, Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Id, Diwali, Kali Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhat Puja, then a gap and lastly, Christmas and New Year.  After an unimaginably lousy year (there's been nothing like 2020), we have  at least got something to cheer about in the last quarter. There is the shadow of Covid 19 on all festivities, no doubt, but still these occasions are excuses to preen and shine. And flaunting traditional wear is definitely the flavour of the season.  So, the saree rules for Indian ladies. Which handloom sarees have been ruling the festive ramp? Taking you through saree trends this festive season: 1. Tussar - A hot favourite since past five years, with variants like Gachhi Tussar, Ghicha Tussar, Tussar Benarasi, etc. 2. Benarasi - The glitzy old timer that has got a glamorous makeover in the recent years, and comes in variants like Tussar Benarasi, Katan...

Summer is here across India, with the sun beating down fiercely on humans and animals alike. No one enjoys this grim and sweaty season, but in our country there is no avoiding it. Summer brings with it a host of health problems. Dehydration, sunburn, tummy upsets, skin problems, indigestion are common in this season. To avoid these problems, one must take regular baths, use sun protection like sunscreen and umbrellas, and eat fresh and homemade food as far as possible. Some pointers to keep yourself and your family safe during summer by eating healthy: Remember to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and natural juices and liquids, like coconut or daab water, chhas or buttermilk, lassi, mango panna, nimboo pani etc.  Eat juicy pulpy seasonal fruits like melons, mangoes, jamruls, jamuns, tender coconut etc. Avoid colas and soft drinks as much as possible, as these fizzy drinks are harmful to health, cause dehydration and result in weight gain. Increase ...

Parents (particularly Indian parents) Beware! Are you always hovering over your child, checking whether he/she has eaten or not, whether he/she is studying or fooling around, or is constantly on the mobile or internet? Do you take all possible measures to see that your child doesn't get into trouble, to the extent of removing all obstacles in the way? If the question to all these has been yes, then you are a " Helicopter Parent ". The term refers to all well-meaning, sensible, rational human beings, who become suddenly unreasonable, obsessed and hyper-attentive to their children's well being.  Source:  Image by  PublicDomainPictures  from  Pixabay BTW, I think I am one of those too, and am trying my best to change. Check out for the following warning signals:   Are you checking out every half an hour on               a) whether your child has eaten or not?            ...

Do you feel you are bloating out of shape these days? Do you feel hard-pressed for time, given your 24/7 work schedule? Does socializing and partying leave no scope of dieting for you?  #DietTips #KeepingFit #BusyButFit #HealthyLife Chill. Take some deep breaths and read on. You don't have to move earth to follow a healthy lifestyle. Staying fit does't mean giving good food a miss or slogging away at gyms. Your fitness tracker can become your friend instead of threatening you. Watch What You Eat and Drink This is the basic, most elementary lifestyle hack for you. Keep an eye on what goes into your mouth. Mindful eating can reduce intake of junk and finger foods, particularly when your mind and eyes are busy elsewhere. Binge TV or Netflix watching doesn't have to mean indiscriminate snacking. Keep some healthy options for finger food nearby, like carrot or cucumber sticks with yoghurt dips, unsalted and raw nuts like almonds and walnuts, roasted chana, baked pi...

The last few years have seen a spurt of interest globally, in Indian handlooms, particularly handloom saris and ethnic wear. Thanks to the concerted efforts of a few dedicated and committed designers and revivalists, Indian handlooms are trendy and cool and much in demand. Looms of Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, like Chanderi, Maheshwari, Linen, Kantha, Khadi, Benarasi, Kosa, Tussar, Ikat, Telia etc. have swept the fashion scene. Hand-painting styles like Kalamkari, Patachitra and Madhubani are the in-things. Fashionistas and celebrities are falling on top of each other to endorse and wear the latest handmade, handwoven speciality.   Linen sarees are being worn to red carpet events. Khadi has become a fashion statement. Kalamkari printed blouses and jackets rule the fashion ramps. And corporate honchos swish around in tussar and raw silk weaves. Weavers are also much more abreast with latest trends in fashion, thanks to s...

There exists a unique tribe of people on this earth: an intellectually superior, culturally advanced, politically enlightened tribe of people, who go by the name of “Bengali”. If you don’t believe me, just speak to any person from the aforementioned tribe, and you will get a point-to-point analysis on why Bengalis are head and shoulders above any other community, Indian or otherwise. To say we are proud of our culture and “bangaliana” would be something of an understatement. The true-blue Bengali wears his pride on his sleeve, and shares a general condescending attitude towards people who don’t belong to his tribe, the “Obangali” (all non-Bengalis). Know what guys? Even among the Bengali tribe, there are some classic stereotypes. Read on to find out….. J The “Aantel Bangali”: Well this category covers almost every educated, genteel Bong walking on the face of the earth, irrespective of whether he/she stays in Kolkata or not. Anyone from Manchester to Sh...

The world is now on our plate…Literally! Food preferences of the Calcuttan, or Kolkatan as they say now, have changed and how! People are experimenting with new forms of cuisine like never before. Of course, the average Calcuttan has always been adventurous as far as trying out new food is concerned. We adopted chicken noodles and pork dumplings as favourites, long before the rest of India did. Continental stuff like sizzlers, steaks and lobster thermidor were long on our list of favourites. We love the Punjabi saag as much as the Kerala appams, Chicken Chettinad rubs shoulders with Dum Biriyani, Gujarati Khaman dhokla is as popular as Schezuan dosas. But a revolution of sorts has taken place in the last decade or so. With food blogging and the popularity of global cuisine on the rise, thanks to TV programs and restaurant reviews, people are hungry for change. The Bong palate is really evolving! Hitherto unheard of food items have made their way into the Calcuttan’s ...

"Mahishasura Mardini" or "Chandi Path" (ode to Goddess Durga), booming in the immortal voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra at the crack of dawn on Mahalaya, has ushered in Devi Paksha or the fortnight of Durga Puja celebration in Bengal. The days counting to Puja are getting fewer and more frenzied. Festivities and gaiety are in the air for all Bengalis across the world. It's that time of the year when the non-resident Bengali yearns for the sights and smells of his/her homeland. When the clouds clear up and the sun shines bright after monsoon, the first signs of Durga Puja approaching near are the swaying kaash phul in the autumnal breeze. The sweet scent of shiuli phul fills the air at night. Dawn starts getting a little nippy, and days a little shorter. For Bengalis and those who worship the Supreme Goddess, this a time of faith being renewed, of ties being strengthened and of hope and goodwill being restored. No one can miss the bonhomie between two Be...

STRESS has become synonymous with living these days. From the time you are born to the time you take your last breath, stress will not leave your side. It becomes your staunch companion from the moment you begin to make sense of your environment. STRESS is present in lesser or larger degrees in each human mind, but feeds particularly on the following factors: INSECURITY OVER-EXPECTATION PERFORMANCE PRESSURE ANXIETY  FEAR OF FAILURE INABILITY TO ACCEPT FAILURE STRESS is a great equalizer. It doesn't distinguish between rich or poor, haves or have-nots (though it tilts more towards the haves), successful or not, clever or stupid (again the tilt towards the clever), businessman or athlete, politician or academician. Neither does STRESS differentiate on the basis of age. A child of seven, appearing for periodic class tests, probably faces the same levels of stress that a corporate honcho faces during making crucial decisions. Fear of failure and performance anxiety do ...

The Indian women's cricket team, so long neglected and generally ignored by the cricket-crazy, but male-obsessed Indian public, has made it finally! Despite the hurdles, despite lack of support and sponsorship (which is perhaps not even a fraction of what their male counterparts get), despite the general apathy of Indians towards women playing cricket, they have managed to create a permanent place in the history of women's cricket. Yes, they lost in the World-Cup finals, but what a tooth and nail resistance they gave to the far better-trained, seasoned English team. Skipper Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandana,Punam Raut, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, have finally wrested recognition for themselves and for women's cricket from the Indian media and general public. They have managed to secure a place in our hearts with their bravura performance. Individual achievements have been exceptional, creating and breaking records on the ground. Whe...

So the Board exam results are out. Students all over India have been released from their month-long tension. Some have expectedly fared excellently, while some have managed to just pass muster. Some have reached for the stars, while some have had their world crashing down. Parents are either in congratulatory mode, sharing their kid's achievements on social media, or are have taken social hibernation, warning their kids to keep their shameful result under wraps. As a nation obsessed with academic results, it is no wonder that these months are a child's most stressful time of the year. All everybody seems to be bothered about is how the child will fare in the Board exams of 10th or 12th standard. As if that is the holy grail of all examinations in life, and failing to come up to expectations means a total negation of worth and identity. Has anyone ever studied how these examination toppers fare later in life? Do they continue to shine throughout their academic and career li...

The daily business of living is becoming more complicated by the day. Life shows it's erratic, ephemeral nature every now and then. Accidents, sudden collapses or illnesses, terrorist attacks, emotional breakdowns, all these have unfortunately become part and parcel of our daily lives. Today's reality becomes tomorrow's uncertainty in a flash. Actually, I am not really philosophizing about life. I am wondering how we humans still find time to crib, complain and hold grudges against each other for days at a stretch. How egos and self-importance become more important than basic humaneness and empathy. We go on complaining about our lives and situations, people and jobs, immune to the pain and suffering around us. Our minor troubles assume larger than life proportions, blotting out all that is good and positive. Somehow our problems are the worst, and we are the unluckiest. Some of our typical gripes: "I am a nobody...my life is not worth living" Or ...

A key factor in a long-term romantic or married relationship is the effect of passage of time on the relationship. Time can either cement or ravage a relationship. If you are in a healthy relationship, you will settle down into quiet adjustment and enjoyment of each other’s company. If not, you will continue bickering and nagging all your life. Tolerance and acceptance are the cornerstones of a happy relationship. If you are fortunate enough to be in a positive relationship, have you noticed that as you grow old together, you and your companion (spouse/partner) increasingly think, sound and behave like one another? Maybe it has something to do with the influence of each other’s company, or maybe people do change and adapt to each other in such a way that they adopt the other's characteristics and make them their own. Lifestyle habits: Take lifestyle choices. A couple I know has adjusted to each other so much that the husband doesn't even remember that he was a lat...

Communication overload - Sounds familiar? Post the internet and social media revolution, we are being bombarded round the clock with information, news, messages, mail, images, data...So much interaction, exchange of communication, voicing of opinions, yet are we actually communicating? As compared to our previous generations, we are a much more networked, connected lot, but paradoxically we are also the most isolated and lonely. Most of the time, when we communicate, either the message does not go across properly or is misunderstood by the recipient. So many barriers occur in our communication with each other. Technically we have removed most barriers and gaps, but the fact is that mental and psychological ones have increased. Take for example, the voicing of opinions on social media. Earlier people used to have addas or informal chat sessions where such discussions would take place face-to-face. Today, most of us are either too busy to meet and catch up, or are separated geogra...

October has come and gone. And so have Durga Puja, Kali Pujo, Diwali, and all the festivals we keep waiting for all year. They all came in a row last month and with the month ending, we are left feeling quite empty and exhausted. Festivals are known to take away the drudgery of our daily lives, of livening up our humdrum existence by bringing friends and kin together, and celebrating in joy. One eagerly awaits this welcome change from daily routine, when we happily stretch our energies and capabilities and live it up to the hilt. No one minds the extra work spent in cleaning and sprucing up homes. No one grudges you the money spent on buying clothes, shoes, accessories, et al. No one minds the lack of rest and order during festivals. The main point is to enjoy yourselves and bid a firm goodbye to worries and problems, at least for the time being. And now that the festivals are over, all our problems and troubles come back to haunt us with a vengeance. The boring humdrum monotony...

Saw the latest Hindi film "Pink" that is making waves with its powerful message of a woman's "NO meaning NO". What a powerful film with a super strong message of women's empowerment! The film shows its three leading ladies as flawed, real, erring persons, who made the grave mistake of befriending some louts who later try to act fresh with them. The girls are harassed in all ways possible and later dragged to court by these hoodlums. They manage to fight their case with the help of a maverick lawyer, and emerge victorious, though shaken after some ruthless questioning on their morals and characters. The film reflects reality both in the form of the attitude of the average man on the street and the new generation woman, who is not afraid to mix, laugh, and share a drink with strangers. The boys feel that the girls have invited trouble for themselves with their clothes and behaviour. That, unfortunately, is the general mindset of most men in India, however...

What is it like when a loved one leaves the world leaving you lonely? How incarcerating is the pain and loss? How does one cope with these feelings of being left bereft and empty? Unless you face such a situation where you have lost a parent you will never realize what it feels like. Without that umbrella on your head, how lost one feels. When there is no one to confide in, or seek advice from. But time, as they say, heals everything. If not heal, at least it blunts all scars and wounds, and clouds painful memories. You still grieve and mourn, but slowly forget that searing pain and loss. You cover up the void with other things and activities. Slowly that person's place is taken by someone else, and you learn to live without that person. Perhaps that is life. And that is what life teaches us....to flow like a river, gathering memories and replacing experiences. And prodding on no matter what.

A private hospital in Ahmedabad, India has announced that it will waive the medical fees involved in childbirth at their hospital if the newborn is a girl. WOW! Great move. Hospital authorities say that they have seen families wait expectantly and rejoice at the birth of a male child, while the birth of a baby girl is met with stoic acceptance. (Common scenario in India). They wanted to encourage people to celebrate the birth of a female child. What better way to do so than give a financial sop for the same. It took a private hospital to come up with such an innovative idea, while the government gives lip service to the cause of female empowerment. Why can't all government owned hospitals across the country do the same? This would be a spur to change the skewed ratio between men and women in most Indian states. Of course, female empowerment is happening by bits and pieces in India. One encouraging step is the doing away of the provision of a father's name in the passport o...

Online shopping has become the preferred mode of shopping for most urban folk today. People prefer to shop at various e-sites owing to the convenience and range of products these offer. Most e-tailers like Amazon and Flipkart, who are top of the game, deliver on their promises and provide prompt and efficient service. But what about the lesser known players? They advertise products and service aggressively, but leave a large gap as far as delivery and quality are concerned. One of the main benefits of online shopping is the sense of eagerness, of expectation of receiving the product within a reasonable time. If the time stretches to an inordinate long period, the sense of eagerness is replaced slowly by frustration and disgust. Shoppers tend to lose patience and curse the site for not meeting their expectations. Online shopping sites must keep this in mind while promising the earth to shoppers. On-time prompt delivery is a MUST, and not an optional benefit they offer. Yes, they ...

A child playing with balloons suddenly burst one. Instead of crying or complaining, she simply tied up the balloon into a knot and made a ring from it. She used her creativity to change an unpleasant situation to her advantage. Why is it that children can still be creative and innovative, while as adults we only look for set solutions to problems instead of thinking out of the box? Perhaps it is the years of conditioning and conformation to rules that smother our creativity. Creativity is the mother of all new ideas and innovation. It is that bright spark that leads to development of revolutionary techniques and path-breaking inventions. Breakthroughs in science and technology owe their origins to the creative genius of some people. Just think what would have happened had not Microsoft founder Bill Gates create the popular Windows software? Or what we would have done without the invention of the smart phone or Bluetooth devices? Obviously these devices have originated from t...