A-Desiflava Sep-Oct 2017 Issue by A-Desiflava Magazine

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HONG KONGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR SOUTH ASIANS Volume 6 | Issue 5

SEP/OCT 2017

Happy Diwali to all

Divine Diwali Devotions

Idols that bring prosperity, success, and happiness

Apps that Educate

Smartphone programs for smart ones

Blue Whale App in Hot Water The app that taunts teens

Removing Racism

Racing to eradicate racism from its roots

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EDITORS NOTE Entertain

Enlighten

Engage TM

HONG KONG’S FIRST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR SOUTH ASIANS Volume 6 | Issue 5

SEP/OCT 2017

Happy Diwali to all

Divine Divali Devotions

Idols that bring prosperity, success, and happiness

Apps that Educate

Smartphone programs for smart ones

Whaling about App Blues The app that taunts teens

Eradicating Racism

Racing to remove racism from its roots

ON THE FRONT COVER: Diwali Celebration by Indians in Hong Kong EDITORIAL: Gaurav Pardeshi (Chief Editor) Suraj (Sam) Samtani (Managing Editor) PUBLISHER: Neha Gaurav Pathak DESIGN CONSULTANT: Sivasakthibalan CONTRIBUTORS: Anita Chhatpar Nirupama Vishwanath Sonia Samtani Bharat Bhushan Jitendra Bhojwani Varsha Dodani Aunty Poonam Mehta Munisha Khatwani ADESIFLAVA PRIVATE LTD. Block B, 21B Ma Tau Wai Road, Hung Hom Kowloon, Hong Kong T: +852-23631786 Email: info@adesiflava.com

FOR ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE CONTACT: Tanya Singh T +852 64348876 Email: ts@adesiflava.com

Namaste Desis, It felt like just yesterday when we started summer, and here we are, proudly presenting A-Desiflava's Diwali special issue. After facing the heat and rains of summer, we will soon celebrate a festival that burns off evil and sparks the fire for a shower of prosperity and happiness. To commemorate the festive season, we hear from Anita Chhatpar, the maestro of domestic Diwali decorations. Since the past two decades, she continues to etch devotional Rangoli and thali designs that also ooze of creativity. After decorating our spaces, we then learn about the significance behind our prayers and idols, both of which form the fulcrum of the festival. Before Diwali though, we will celebrate Navratri with our special event, Navratri Utsav. With festivities, religion, and spirituality being the mood and flava of our magazine issue, our globetrotter too ventured off to a holy - and mystic - place: Mansarovar. Besides the colorful and celebratory features, this magazine also unveils details on issues with more serious shades. I recently caught up with Niru Vishwanath, an EOC officer, as she shed light on how the alarming number of victims of racism can take their case forward. For the tweens and teens who go back to school, we have a listicle of recommended apps that could assist them in their studies. In case work pressure is already building up, readers should try out Sonia Samtani's tips on busting stress and boosting life. Lastly, we are thrilled to welcome celebrity astrologer, Munisha Khatwani, to prep our readers for what's in store over the next 2 months.

PRINTED BY: 01 Printing Limited Suite M, 3/F, Tower 3, 448 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong Industrial Center, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: +852-2811 1183 COVER DESIGN: Studio3 Creations DISCLAIMER: No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission. The publisher, layout designer, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The views expressed in A-Desiflava are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor, layout designer or contributors. The publisher, layout designer and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised.

Suraj (Sam) Samtani Suraj (Sam) Samtani (Managing Editor) A-Desiflava sam@adesiflava.com

CONTENT

10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

WORSHIPPING HINDU GODS

COVER STORY

Worshipping Hindu Gods

IN THE MOOD

Diwali Decoration

TOP STORY

Housing Issues of EM's

IN THE MOOD

Searching for Happiness Amidst the Stress

GLOBETROTTER

Mansarovar

EDUTAINMENT

HOUSING ISSUES OF EM'S

Whaling for the Perfect App

SPIRITUAL

Ruhaani Article Q&A

REVIEW

Curry Lounge

BUZZ IN TOWN

Navratri Utsav 2017

AUNTY MVP

SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS AMIDST THE STRESS

WHALING FOR THE PERFECT APP

Love & Relationships Q&A

KIDS

EducationApps

ASTROLOGY

Munisha

CONTESTS Kids

NAVRATRI UTSAV 2017

EDUCATIONAPPS

COVER STORY

WORSHIPPING HINDU GODS AND GODDESSES A Hindu ritual, tradition or religion is often incomplete without worship of a God or Goddess. Find out how, and to whom, you should offer your prayers and worship.

COVER STORY

n an entire year there are several festivals in which different Gods are respected and worshiped. Tradition suggests that followers of Diwali often worship both, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi. Both of them are said to bring blessings of prosperity and fortune to all worshipers and followers. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while worshipping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi on Diwali:

Lord Ganeshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grandiosity The benign, benevolent and beautiful Lord Ganesha is a highly revered Hindu God. In fact, no auspicious work is started without first seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Ganpati, as He is also known as, is believed to be the lord of prosperity and fortune, and is most remembered at openings and launches. His idols and images adorn prominent properties and places - from houses to commercial setups. Whether one has purchased the new house or started a new business, it is almost mandatory for devout Hindus to begin with the worship of Lord Ganesha.

The Ganesha Idol with His trunk curved towards the left side is known as Idampuri Vinayaka. The idol is also called Vamamukhi Vinayaka, as Vama translates to left side. Vastu Ganesha is yet another name for the Lord Ganesha with a left trunk, as this idol is associated with protecting the worshipper against the doshas arising from wrong Vastu (astrological) planning. This idol is ideal for those looking for worldly success. The trunk, which is known as Chandra Nadi (Moon Channel), is located on the left direction, as that is associated with a peaceful householder who does not lose his mental composure and remains settled. Although there is no strict rule associated with the worshipping of this idol, most people tend to prefer worshiping the idol of Ganesha with His trunk on the left side. This idol is generally worshiped on Diwali.

Vamamukhi Vinayaka

Dakshinamurti Ganesha

Dakshinamurti Ganesha The Lord Ganesha Idol, with His trunk on the right side, is known as Dakshinamurti. This idol should be kept so that it faces south. The worshipping rules associated with this type of idol are quite elaborate and needs special attention and care. Since His trunk, the Surya Nadi, is curved towards the right side, it is associated with the sun, which represents fiery energy. This includes anger, and so one needs to devote utmost respect while worshipping this idol. Worshipers also need to keep in mind the roles as mentioned in Vedas in order to be blessed with boons. However, even a small mistake in following the rules must be avoided at any cost.

Vertical Trunk The idol where Lord Ganeshaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trunk is straight forward is known as Sushumna. Such an idol is not very special, and it

COVER STORY

Goddess Laxmi with an owl

Idols of Goddess Laxmi with an Owl is occasionally used and so its significance may not be as widely known. An owl is known for its ability to observe, wait

Ganesha with Vertical Trunk indicates that the Kundalini Shakti has reached the highest level. It is comparable to the experience when oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kundalini Shakti reaches top of the head and an intense mystical experience is achieved.

Idols of Goddess Laxmi Goddess Laxmi is the God of prosperity, and Hindus worship to her to be blessed by prosperity. Although Goddess Laxmi is mostly seen with an elephant, there are also statues and idols where She is seen with an Owl her feet.

Goddess Laxmi with 2 Elephants

Goddess Laxmi with Elephant Goddess Laxmi with an elephant is generally worshiped in most of the houses. In Hindu mythology every animal has a particular religious significance; elephants are associated with patience, strength, prosperity, fertility, and hard work. More importantly, the animal is considered auspicious.

Goddess Laxmi with an owl and discover its surroundings. It is said that the owl becomes blind by daylight but can see in the night. This shows its quality to remain composed, rather than greedy amidst the brightness of wealth or knowledge. Unsurprisingly, those who are characteristically calm and composed are more inclined to use the idol where Goddess Laxmi is seen with an owl.

Jitendra is a freelance creative writer, a peaceful soul who spends most of his time reading and writing. He considers and respects writing as a meditative technique to get rid of negative thoughts and stress. His favorite niches include history, travel, lifestyle and technology. An introvert and keen history buff, he likes visiting in abandoned forts and small, sleepy cities. He also loves traversing the labyrinths of old literature, listening to soul stirring classical instrumental music and making friends with animals.

Goddess Laxmi with 2 Elephants

IN THE MOOD

DOMESTIC DECORATIONS FOR DIWALI

With Diwali round the corner, A-Desiflava caught up with Anita Chhatpar, the connoisseur of cultural home decorations.

IN THE MOOD

or over two decades, Anita Chhatpar has been passionately making decoration pieces and adorning homes for cultural festivals and special occasions. The decorations, she says, are an â&#x20AC;&#x153;expression of my celebration of life and love for God,â&#x20AC;? as she shows us her repertoire of cultural decorations. Her decorations largely encompass Rangoli patterns and thalis, and are complemented by motifs, idols and accessories.

process itself, and the joy of seeing the final result is unprecedented. Using the aid of frames and other supplements, she designs Rangoli patterns to adorn table tops, house temples, corridors and even floors. Her patterns are often in a shape associated with a God, religious symbol, animal or flower. Many of her designs feature a combination of patterns, and some of them even leave space for diyas or other accessories. Her signature Rangoli pattern is that of two feet, which she places on chart

Readymade and powdered Rangoli patterns around the house.

Rangolis The Rangolis made in Hong Kong pales to the practices in India, admits Chhatpar. While readymade Rangoli patterns are now easily available, she invests her time to use authentic Rangoli powder. The process of combining creativity with precision is a meditative

paper at the doorstep of her abode. The charan Rangoli pattern, as she calls it, is representative of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footprints, to symbolise Divine blessings entering in to grace all the inhabitants. The gesture is to welcome God as a special guest, especially when the Godly presence is most felt on religious occasions and festivals.

IN THE MOOD

grains. While rice grains already have such a significant role to play in Hindu prayers, Chhatpar adds to the aesthetics by using them in different colours. The colour is added by applying food colour onto the grains. Depending on the occasion, Chhatpar then selects a Godly symbol to present on her thali. This could be a small idol of Lord Krishna for his birthday

enough place to keep a diya, so the thali can be used throughout prayers and rituals. Oftentimes, she completes the thali with a border of coloured beads or stones along the rim. The entire process of designing and decorating a thali takes about 2 hours, and when complete, each thali looks aesthetic and unique. Many of her thalis are regularly seen in the Hindu Mandir, especially on occasions such as Ganpati, Navratri, and Diwali.

Charan Rangoli pattern

Thalis A thali is often seen as a stainless-steel round tray that is mostly used to hold and serve items like food. For religious purposes, a diya (candle) is often placed on a thali, along with other offerings, which are then used when performing prayers and rituals. To welcome, honour, and celebrate the presence of the Divine, Chhatpar believes in decorating the thalis. Like a true artist, Chhatpar starts with a clean canvas; her empty thali sits afore an array of motifs, colours, and accessories. The initiation of a thali begins with applying glue on the surface of the steel, to ensure that the decoration pieces and accessories stay in their designated positions. Before adding any motifs or decoration pieces, Chhatpar first covers the base of a thali with coloured rice

Thalis using colored rice, colored stones and motifs celebration, a symbolic image of Goddess Laxmi on diwali, or even a motif of Lord Ganesh on Ganpati. The symbol of Om, is universal and can be used on almost all Hindu occasions. To add sparkle to the thali, Chhatpar often places a series of coloured stones, each individually selected and positioned to make a pattern on the thali. While adorning the thali, Chhatpar also ensures its functionality by ensuring there is

Other Decorations Besides Rangolis and thalis, Chhatpar also uses a range of other decoration pieces to fill the space with colour, warmth, and religion. She particularly likes using torans on windows, large walls, and doors, while she also recommends the use of lanterns as an attractive feature in a balcony. Other options also include electric multi-coloured lights, and battery operated diyas.

IN THE MOOD

Sourcing Decorations Decorations are becoming increasingly easier to find in Hong Kong. In addition to Godly idols, coloured stones, readymade Rangoli, and other small decorations are now becoming increasingly available in many of the Indian stores at Chung King Mansions and Mirador Mansion. Besides placing orders online – or asking for favour from a traveller from India – one can also find attractive motifs and decoration pieces at the Indian bazaars and fairs, which happen few times each year. Except for the rice grains, Chhatpar suggests to reuse and recycle most of the decoration pieces. Especially since some of them are exclusive and difficult to find in Hong Kong, the decoration pieces could be reused with other colours and accessories on different occasions.

Torans and lattern decorations Suraj (Sam) Samtani is an international Writer & Editor, with articles published across medias. He is also an Academic Coach, Native English Teacher & Tutor (NET), Management & Marketing Consultant, and Award-Winning Poet.

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TOP STORY

THE RACE TO REMOVE RACISM

Hong Kong prides in being multicultural, yet the ingrained racism rusts, and ruins, the city's image. Equal Opportunities Commissioner Niru Vishwanath shares her suggestions on coloring the city with harmony.

TOP STORY

n the surface, Hong Kong is proudly known as Asia’s World City, This is seen in the spread of different demographics and cultures housed in its paltry area of 2,800 km². Beneath the layers, though, there lies a sheath of disparity and disharmony, as discrimination tends to discolor and discredit a person’s true identity and merit. While most of the struggles and sufferings go unnoticed, the statistics and cases on racism make one sit up. In collaboration with Niru Vishwanath, Officer of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), the need to inspire wholesale equality is discussed, along with how this could be achieved.

Racism in Hong Kong By essence, racism is identified when a person is treated differently simply based on his race, which is usually derived from his personal background, parents, or color of skin. With 92% of the Hong Kong population estimated to be Chinese, complaints of racism usually come from the remaining sects, largely South Asians. Among the common complaints are the mistreatment faced by ethnic minority groups in getting access to banking services and local transports, as drivers of taxis and buses are often alleged for giving preferential treatment to the Chinese. Further studies have found though, that a countless number of people have fallen victim to racism when trying to rent an apartment.

Victims of Racism Based on community feedback as well as the complaints registered with the EOC,

the brunt of the racism is felt most by people in the low-income strata of society.

Their lack of spending power could allow the landlords to be put on a proverbial pedestal, with seemingly greater negotiation power. According to a study conducted by the EOC, it was reported that finding flats in some districts were more difficult than others, such as Hung Hom, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po. Such has been the gravity of the situation that a person looking for a property gets rejected around at least fifteen times, before lodging an official complaint.

Racist Treatment The differential treatment given can often be very subtle and subliminal. For instance, there was a recent case where a landlord asked for excessive documentation and material of personal records and income proofs. Alternatively, some estate agents have even been reported for suddenly hiking up the deposit and rental prices and terms after discovering the race of the potential tenant. One tenant recalled that just as the terms were about to be finalised, the agent communicated that the landlord had slapped a new condition that no children would be allowed. In other cases, the property proprietors rather abruptly told their prospective buyers that the property is no longer available, without any plausible or justifiable explanation. While some tenants may seem clueless about the rationale behind the sudden change, it becomes more clear to them when the same property gets offered again to people of other cultures.

have either personally experienced, seen, or heard of some South Asians not being able to pay their rent on time, bargain excessively, while some even misreport details about their family sizes. Other pet peeves of property distributors also include the strong smells that often come from a South Asian kitchen, lack of cleanliness and damage to fixtures, walls and furniture. Although these may seem like plausible reasons, the problem arises because “people have a tendency to stereotype and to broad brush,” says Niru. “We cannot and should not generalise and treat an entire community in a certain way due to the behaviour of a few people. We must consider each case individually,” she reiterates. In case a person does feel that they are subject to racism, contacting organisations like the EOC would be their next step.

Approaching the EOC When an official complaint is received by the EOC in writing, the EOC takes in all the incident details as well as personal information of the complainant. Before proceeding further, the EOC verifies that the incident has happened less than 12 months prior, and that the case falls within the EOC jurisdiction. If the answers are affirmative, an assigned EOC officer will contact the respondent – most likely the landlord or property agent –regarding the allegations, and request for a response. Other eyewitnesses may be contacted to help the EOC conduct an objective, unbiased and impartial investigation. Throughout the process, the EOC and its stakeholders strictly adhere to principles of confidentiality, as described in the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

Reasons for Racism From the past cases received, the landlords alleged for racism have cited their past bad experiences as excuses for their differential treatment. Most of them

The investigation is most often resolved through conciliation between the complainant and respondent. The EOC officers act as communication facilitators

TOP STORY

and do so by identifying points of agreement, to resolve the complaint smoothly. Some complainants simply seek a letter of apology, while others demand financial compensation, or even a change in the policy and practices. Whence an agreement is made, both parties are then required to sign a legally binding document which classifies the case as resolved. If a settlement cannot be reached though, the case will be further investigated, other forms of assistance, including legal assistance, may be available from the EOC to a complainant who applies for it. However, if the respondent denies the claims, or the complainant is still not satisfied with the proposed resolution, the complainant can decide to take the case to a District Court within 24 months. After consideration of the Racial Discrimination Ordinance (RDO), as well as the mitigating circumstances, the District Court may apply sanctions on the guilty.

Changing the Image While it is best not to have - or act upon - any preconceived notions of a race, the minority groups can also make efforts to build a positive image.

not only allow the new residents to make friends, but they could also be rest assured that their neighbors and landlord would be more forgiving in case of any misunderstanding. Most importantly, they could set a new precedent for their race and culture in the eyes of their landlords.

Firstly, when the new family moves in, Niru suggests that they should make an effort to get to know their landlord and neighbors, and understand the expectations of each side. Over time, the new family should build a rapport with their landlord and neighbors, and make friends with them. This could involve inviting them over, sharing food, exchanging cultural gifts, or even just spending quality time together and appreciating each other’s personality and culture. This connection would

It may be a while before racism in Hong Kong gets eradicated completely, but organisations like EOC and other NGOs are trying their earnest best to ensure it remains minimal. With time, one can only hope that with education one’s intelligence, along with the human consciousness, develops enough to make everyone feel welcomed and united. Only thus will Hong Kong truly be multicultural, and only then will it live up to its name of being Asia’s World City.

Suraj (Sam) Samtani is an international Writer & Editor, with articles published across medias. He is also an Academic Coach, Native English Teacher & Tutor (NET), Management & Marketing Consultant, and Award-Winning Poet.

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IN THE MOOD

SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS AMIDST THE STRESS In the storm of stress, many of us tend to lose ourselves in our desperate search of shelter. Trainer and hypnotherapist, Sonia Samtani, guides to find a space within, which could help weather any scene.

IN THE MOOD

ong Kong may be touted as Asia’s World City, but of late it is simply tumbling towards lower ranks on the happiness chart of Asian cities. Academic pressures for the youth and financial constraints for adults have reportedly been the strongest stress stimulants, which often lead to imbalanced and unfulfilled lifestyles. In search of answers, A-Desiflava recently caught up with Sonia Samtani Hathiramani, founder and director of All About Your Wellness Centre. She reminded us that our “mind is the gateway to [our] wellness,” as she shared her top tips and techniques to bust stress and boost our lifestyles to live with greater happiness.

Stress Busters 1. Breathe through the Physical Symptoms Since most symptoms are psychosomatic,

a stressful situation often leads to a discomfort on the physical body. While head and shoulders are the most commonly reported aches, other areas like neck, back and knees could also be tender. Once a tingling sensation or heaviness is detected at a particular area, direct all focus and attention there, and take few deep breaths. Keep your concentration on the irregular region and continue to take prolonged inhales and even longer exhales; the sensation should get lighter and the intensity of pain should subside.

2. Transform Your Physiology Since your physiology affects, and gets affected by, thoughts and feelings,

relief from stress could be found by changing your physiology. Just like how it is difficult to feel sad while sincerely smiling or laughing, or maintaining an upright posture, you could feel even better by doing jumping jacks. Wherever you are, escape to a washroom cubicle, raise your hands in the sky, and do at least 10 jumps. The change in your mental - and of course, physical - state would come naturally, and instantly.

3. Be Present Although unpleasant situations - and their likely consequences - may seem unavoidable, a lot of unnecessary

stress is created and amplified by focusing on either the past or future. This could include worrying about an upcoming exam, or regretting over the mistakes made in a past relationship. Books and videos have been dedicated to the importance of staying in the present, and the message has been best captured in Eckhart Tolle’s bestselling book “The Power of Now.” To be present, cup your eyes with your hands, take a few deep breaths, while mentally repeating the sentence “I am happily present in the here and now,” at least 21 times.

IN THE MOOD

4. Organise Your Thoughts and Tasks Some people feel stressed simply by having an overwhelming pile of work. It is thus best to make a list of all the pending matters that need to be addressed. Mentally decipher a solution for a each matter, so there is clarity on how each issue can be resolved. Then

prioritise your tasks by the amount of work required and the respective completion date. The clarity that comes with this organisation may not tick off any of the tasks, but it could help relieve the stressful feeling of being inundated with work. Have too many things to do? Make a todo list!

5. Ask Yourself the Right Questions Regardless of what others may say or do to help, if you think about what is not good, you are unlikely to escape your feelings of stress.

To feel more positive, start by thinking about all the good that is happening around. Ask yourself questions that can only lead to a positive answer, such as: What can I be grateful for? What is working for me? How can it get any better than this? By answering these, your focus and internal language will naturally become more positive, which can even help guide you to find a way to resolve your situation.

Ask yourself: What can I do today to make life better?

Lifestyle Boosters 1. Exercise The importance of keeping your physical body stimulated and fit has been endorsed by innumerable experts and industries. They all canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be wrong. Whether it is a team sports like football, basketball or cricket, or an individual activity such as cycling, yoga, or hiking - you must strive to regulate stimulate their muscles and joints. Furthermore,

the release of endorphins help to regulate stress levels on a regular basis.

2. Meditate There are various forms of meditation - some more religious, and others more spiritual. Follow whichever practice that resonates with you, as

the mere practice of sitting in silence, sans any stimuli from the outside the world, can bring in benefits aplenty. Through meditation, many people have people learnt to consciously respond rather than impulsively or emotionally react to situations. This has also led to better decision making, as well as improved concentration levels.

3. Journal Before going to bed each night, replay the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events in your mind and

handwrite a list of all the good things that you are thankful for.

IN THE MOOD

The peace found in meditation is unlike any other. In case there was an unpleasant experience, observe what you have learnt from the incident, and how you will approach a similar situation differently in future. Lastly, think through the activities that you have to do the next day, and ensure that you are clear about what needs to be done when, and what you will have completed and achieved by the end of the day.

4. Affirm your achievements and strengths Some people often fill their internal dialogue with negative statements like “I’m ugly” and “I’m not good enough.” Unsurprisingly, their general state of being and emotions are not very strong or uplifting. By this same principle and logic,

it is important to tell yourself statements that reaffirm your strengths, credibility, and worth. A good statement can be “I can easily and competently handle whatever comes

Write a list of all that you are grateful each day. my way.” As you repeat these statements - often known as affirmations - you will gradually start to believe it more genuinely, and this could even shift your perspective to situations and circumstances. For best results, repeat the same affirmation for at least 21 consecutive days.

5. Imagine and Visualise Every morning, remember a good memory where you were happy and stress free. This could be when you were walking with a loved one on a beach, sharing laughs with friends, or even when you were alone. Imagine yourself in the moment of that memory, and reconnect

with that pleasurable feeling and emotion. Starting your day with such positive feelings is likely to help you stay in upbeat mood going forward.

Contact Sonia Samtani: Tel: +852 29920828 Email: sonia@soniasamtani.com Website: www.soniasamtani.com

GLOBETROTTER

MANASAROVAR YATRA An exhilarating, eye-opening, and enlightening experience.

Spectacular views: Snowcapped Mountains and Crystal Clear Waters

GLOBETROTTER

trip to Kailash Manasarovar can be an exciting experience even for a seasoned traveller. Although primarily a religious destination, Manasarovar also provides visitors with a refreshing and exhilarating experience that is equal parts fascination and spiritual enlightenment. Manasarovar yatra, as the trip is commonly termed, is a splendid travel experience that is a magical combination of tourist and mystical spots that transcend most imaginations and expectations. A major portion of the visit, however, involves trekking in high altitude, which makes it ideal for those who are fit and fond of such journeys.

Manasarovar yatra is a splendid travel experience that is a magical combination of tourist and mystical spots that transcend most imaginations and expectations.

Important places to see in Manasarovar Kailash Manasarovar trip covers high altitudes, rough terrains and very harsh climates, but it remains as one of the most popular places to visit, especially in the South East Asian region. Here are the important attractions that you can enjoy during the trip:

Gaurikund: This place is also called Parvati Sarovar, as it is where Goddess Parvati birthed Lord Ganesha, her son. There is a lake nearby, which is often labeled as the Lake of Compassion, near by the Dolma Pass at an altitude of about 5,608 m.

Yam Dwar:

In Hindi language Yam Dwar denotes the God of Death’s entryway. This place, which is located in Tarboche, is the starting point for Mount Kailash circumambulation, and Tibetans refer to shi as Chorten Kang Ngyi (Twolegged Stupa).

Snow clad Mount Kailash

Ashtapad:

Ashtapad (Eight Steps) is situated 17,000 ft. above sea level. This spot is right at the lower end of Kailash Mountain and is most visited by Buddhists and Hindus.

Shivasthal:

After walking for two hours from the Deraphuk Gomba near Dolma pass, one arrives at the doorstep of Shivasthal. This place mimics Bodh Gaya’s burial ground and above it is Milareppa’s (Famous Tibetan poet and yogi) footprint on a rock surface.

Tarboche flagpole: This is regarded as a chief Tibetan spiritual place and the annual festival here is a great attraction for pilgrims and tourists.

Dirapuk

Gompa: This peak completes the magnificent spectacle of Mt. Kailash’s northern face and the Buddhist Stupas here are fantastic to look at.

GLOBETROTTER

Zutulphuk Monestary: The shrine

and temples near Milarepaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cave makes this a must visit.

Kailash

Parikrama:

The circumambulation of Mount Kailash includes trekking through rough terrains, steep trials, streams crossing and picking your way over boulders at altitude of nearly 19,200 ft. This walk takes 3 days to complete and mountainside camping is done.

Manasarovar Lake and Mount Kailash With an altitude of 4,500 meters, the Manasarovar Lake is the highest lake with freshwater in the world. The lake

Tough but exhilarating trek

is emerald green in the center and clear blue near its shores; truly, it is a sight to behold at night. More importantly, it is one of the holiest in all of Asia, as it is said to have immense healing powers. Mount Kailash is considered as a sacred destination in religions including Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Bon. It is in the vicinity of Lake Rakshastal and Lake Manasarovar. Trekking in this region is a peaceful and liberating experience for young and old alike.

How to get to Manasarovar from Hong Kong For travellers from Hong Kong it is best to take a flight, as there is no direct route by train to Lhasa, which is the main connecting point between Hong Kong and Manasarovar. For air travel, the following routes are most advisable: 1. Fly to Chengdu and reach Xining via a connecting flight and reach Lhasa by train, which takes 24 hours.

GLOBETROTTER

2. Take a train from Chengdu to Lhasa, which takes about 44 hours. 3. Fly to Chengu from Hong Kong, then take another flight to reach Lhasa. This is expensive but the fastest route. Howvever, unlike the above two options, which give you time to get used to the altitude change, you are most prone to altitude sickness on this route.

4. Take a train to Guangzhou from Hong Kong which takes 2 hours and reach Lhasa by another train, which takes about 54 hours.

Travel tips: Best time, age restrictions and other tips The best time of the year to visit Manasarovar is from April to end of June

and between September and October. Winter months are dangerous and too harsh to travel here. In case a trip is planned during the months of June and July, it is advisable to book a trip a minimum of 3 months ahead. People over the age of 70 years are generally not recommended to undertake the trip, as it is difficult to acclimatize and deal with stress of the travel. High altitude problems may affect people aged 19 to 30 years more than older people. For first time travellers, it is best to get a medical examination and approval before traveling. Lastly, explorers are recommended to carry the necessary supplies of food, water and medicines to make the trip more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Last Words Manasarovar yatra is a highly rewarding trip for those seeking an incredible, humbling and life transforming journey like no other. The scenic beauty, snowcapped peaks, lush locales and peaceful surroundings far supersedes the hassles of high altitude, rough terrain and stark conditions prevailing in this remote region. Travelers are sure to return from the trip with a wealth of experience that will have changed your perception for the better.

Bharat Bhushan is a freelance writer with a passion for creating unique and interesting anecdotes on real life places and personalities. His portfolio repertoire includes writing web articles on a diverse range of topics including fitness, social media, photography, finance, current news, and more. He loves traveling to unexplored places that have not yet made it on the travel map.

Happ Wishing Wishing ally the readers all Diwali ta he Happy readers Diwali a Ne w Year and aand Prosperous a Prosperous New Year N

Best wishes Best from wishes fro

d Family Binny Lalji And Binny Lalji And Family

EDUTAINMENT

WHALING FOR THE PERFECT APP There is a fine line between apps that are effective and apps that are injurious. Although many can be engaging and entertaining, the imminent consequences of using an app are often unforeseen and identifiable until much later.

EDUTAINMENT

he recent smartphone explosion has paved the way for a deluge of apps and games that keep people of all ages hooked to their phones. While this is inevitable in this social and digital age, it is time parents woke up to the fact that

there are a number of the apps and games that their children use which could have inexplicable negative effects. From development problems to fatal results, several social media sites, games and apps have woven such a hypnotic web that it is becoming increasingly difficult to free kids and teenagers from the addiction. The Blue Whale game – and to a lesser extent – Pokemon Go are a striking examples of the extremes such games and apps can go to.

Launch date The game was launched in the year 2013, by Philipp Budeikin, a 21-year-old former psychology student. Thankfully, the game is not available for download on common app stores or websites; instead, players are invited to play through invites and shared on Vkontakte, a Russian social network, or other exclusive platforms.

Blue Whale: The Blue Whale game is an online game originally from Russia. The game’s name comes from the horrid illustration wherein whales beach themselves intentionally and die. It comprises of a number of dangerous tasks that a player has to complete over a span of 50 days. The challenges get sinister as the days progress and the final day ends with the player committing suicide.

players who accept the challenging tasks issued by the game administrators. Till date, the Blue Whale game has claimed the lives of 130 teenagers, and creating an increasingly big furor worldwide.

Task 10: Carve a whale on your hand with a razor, send a photo to curator.

Rise of the App The game initially attracted tweens and teens with its subliminal videos. Whence the players got engaged, they game developers continued to influence their players through manipulation, psychological blackmail and even cyberbullying.

As players showed their loyalty, they were given more challenging tasks to test their strengths. How far would you go to win a challenge?

Is the blue whale your companion or killer?

What Psychologists say? According to researchers, young girls are most susceptible to the game. This is because

girls feel that the lack of their parents’ attention and affection the most, and are most desperate for a companion to please.

These included balancing on roof top, standing on the edge of a bridge, inflicting injurious bodily cuts once a day, watching horror movies, killing an animal etc. The final assigned task is to ‘jump off a high building and take your life.’

Anton Breido, a Russian investigative official involved in the case states that Budeikin had expected this, and in fact, the latter had intentionally made efforts to manipulate the girls to be submissive.

Negative effects

The game’s developer, Philipp Budeikin, has been apprehended and has confessed to inciting the suicide of about 16 schoolgirls. He claims the victims were a ‘biological waste’ and were happy to take their lives and said that he was actually cleansing the society.

There have been several cases reported worldwide in countries like Russia, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Chile, India, Colombia, Georgia and more. From grave injuries to suicidal deaths, the ill effects inevitably harm the

Developer’s response to adverse effects and reviews

EDUTAINMENT

which also links to peer pressure. Such fears, unfortunately, can cause people to follow unpractical actions that have severe consequences.

What remedy have officials taken? Companies like Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo have tried their best to ban, hide, or avoid the promotion of any links directing to Blue Whale.

How to use games and apps to bring about positive changes In the wake of dangerous games such as Pokemon Go and Blue Whale, many parents have been left wondering how to curb the menace. Fortunately,

However,

the app – and similar ones – are still available on the app stores under different names. Some pseudonyms include A Silent House, A Sea of Whales and Wake Me Up at 4:20 AM.

Pokemon Go PokemonGo is an app developed by Niantic for Android and iOS devices is a location-based reality game. The purpose of the game is to use GPS feature to find, capture, fight and train the virtual creatures called Pokemons. Although the game is free to download, purchases can be made within the app to get additional items or features that could help increase the likelihood of victory.

not all apps and games are harmful. Where do you go with Pokemon Go? More importantly, by using the app, users give away details of their exact location in real time. This could lead to several dangerous consequences, that start with being victims of stalking.

Conclusion

Launch date and popularity When the game was launched in July, 2016, it had more active users than even Twitter. What’s more is that it was making over $1.6 billion a day in a few months of its release. Nintendo shares have gone up by 25 percent since the game’s launch.

Negative effects While it is a common sight to see people walking into walls or other objects as they stare at their smartphones, Pokemon Go has caused a new type of phone hazard. According to a JAMA Internal Medicine study, there were more than 100,000 of such incidents reported over a span of just 10 days as a result of users playing Pokemon Go. News reports also indicated that 321 accidents were connected to this game and of them 14 were car crashes.

For starters, parents are encouraged to divert their child’s attention to productive apps like 30/30, Wunderlist, and StarCraft. This could also help children understand the importance of having a balanced lifestyle, and gain a better perspective of their role in life. Those who have played these apps have reported an increased motivation, willingness to socialize, and an enhanced outlook on life.

How far would you go for gratification?

Expert suggestions According to Barna Donovan, a St. Peter’s University pop culture and media trends student, gamers are landing themselves in risky situations because of Pokemon Go. It is easy to walk into walls, fall off curbs or even get run over by a passing truck while the game is played just as what happens when you are texting or talking on your phone. Experts suggest that

players are lured by the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) factor,

It is quite common for a teenager to experience the feelings of lack: lack of affection, lack of attention, or lack of fulfillment from others. To fill their void, many of them resort to external stimulants, whichever are most accessible at the least cost. Parents are thus encouraged to stay aware, supportive, and encouraging.

SPIRITUAL

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL RELEASE

Spiritual Release Therapy Practitioner Ruhaani talks us through the five most important elements of our life, and shares her advice on releasing the blocks to our own happiness, success, and spirituality. 1. Self-Love - Why is it important for me to love myself? Self-love is about how you value yourself. You are likely to feel more confident and secure by simply being, loving, yourself. Moreover, inner peace comes easier, and so does a balanced lifestyle. When you think about health, wealth, love, or relationships you can tend to wonder why your situation could not be as good as it could be.

All these issues are directly linked to how you see and love yourself, which is reflected in the choices you make.

If you make choices that do not bring you peace, you are not valuing yourself; you must change the type of choices you make to change your situation. However, if you make the right choice and still feel guilty, you are probably holding the emotion of unworthiness and undeserving. A person who constantly makes loving choices would come across as a happy, balanced and calm individual.

2. Recognition - Is it wrong for me to want to be recognised and appreciated by others? There is no right or wrong, every choice presents an opportunity to learn something new. It has become quite common to seek recognition and appreciation from family members,

friends or even bosses, and thus derive the validation of self-worth and value from another person. The danger is that the sense of self can be lost, as one can tend to only feel happy when the other person is happy.

As you practice owning, accepting and loving ourselves unconditionally, you can learn that the ultimate feeling of being appreciated comes from within us. Then you can invite new people into our lives who naturally appreciate and respect you.

SPIRITUAL

you should first practise giving love, respect, understanding wholeheartedly in every relationship.

4. Money

- How can I build a harmonious relationship with money and eliminate all blocks? Money, like anything else, carries its own energy and

the amount of money you have is reflective of the degree of your self-worth and self-value. This is expressed through our thoughts, emotions, energies, and actions.

Relationships

Besides the relationship we have with our Significant Other, which other of relationship is important, and what can I do to improve it? Each relationship you have is important as it comes with a series of lessons and learnings. Having love in all relationships can help stimulate other qualities like acceptance, respect, understanding, patience, loyalty, concern, empathy, and harmony.

Since you are likely to receive the energy that what you give out,

Limiting beliefs about money come from one’s past experiences. This can even a past life incident, or a traumatic experience in this lifetime. An individual must therefore work towards healing the past to reconnect with the Universe’s flow of wealth, which is infinite and abundant. This can be done through various energy clearing or subconscious reprogramming methods. Although changing our actions and choices is vital, our intention, emotion, and energy of an action is of equal importance. Doing a positive action with a negative energy is likely to bring a negative result; the change needs to happen on a deeper level not just superficially.

5. Empowerment - What can I do to empower myself without relying on others/outside circumstances? Why is it important for me to empower others - what benefit[s] will it bring me &/or them? Empowerment is knowing and understanding that you have control of your life. To truly feel and know this, you need to first take ownership of our choices and decisions – especially the ones made

in the past, which have led you to your current situation. You are responsible for your decisions, reactions and thoughts. Many people make choices based on what they believe that they “have to” do, but many of these things are simply derived from perceived expectations of others. Unfortunately, they get ‘trained’ to do to things that took us off our alignment and to ignore the feeling of imbalance. Empowerment allows individuals to take back that control to identify their desires and be in alignment with their authentic self. While doing so though, it is vital to express yourself to loved ones and get their support. The changes will in turn, help manifest a more aligned, happier and balanced reality. In order to be true to yourself, you must first understand who you are, accept and celebrate that. You need to feel worthy, complete and perfect. This feeling cannot be something that you look for outside. When you understand that everyone is unique and yet perfect, you can not only celebrate yourself, but also celebrate, encourage and support everyone in your life. Once you start making changes in your choices, the universe understands through your actions that you desire happiness, contentment, peace and balance, so it begins presenting to more ways to achieve this. You need to trust and have faith that the universe always does things in the most harmonious way for everyone, so if you feel disharmony, reconsider how you are addressing the situations in your life. In each challenge that you encounter there would be lesson to learn, grow and expand in consciousness. This is the purpose of every life…it is the ultimate learning and growth of our soul and consciousness.

www.deliaschools.edu.hk

REVIEW

CURRY LOUNGE

Tung Chungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landmark restaurant for Indian food.

n less than a year since its begining, Curry Lounge has grown into becoming a culinary landmark for authentic Indian cuisine in Tung Chung. The restaurant invites and welcomes guests with its indistinguishable fragrances and flavours, serving diners scrumptious and succulent dishes consistently. With a feature wallpaper, and chandelier centred in the middle, Curry Lounge is designed to look classic yet modern. Beyond the attractive yet simple aesthetics, greater importance has been given to the comfort of diners for a wholesome pleasant experience. The TV plays Bollywood music videos, live sports, as well as other programs upon request. This could be enjoyed even more in the outdoor seating area, where smoking is permitted. With smiling faces and accommodating service, diners are truly made to feel relaxed as if in their own living room. The relaxing and intoxicating atmosphere is further enhanced by its bar, which boasts of an array of draft beers (Mahou, Stella and San Miguel), cocktails and mocktails. The exhaustive menu comprises of both north and south Indian dishes. Among

its signature selections, diners often return for appetisers such as samosa chaat, chicken 65, while some of their main favorites remain tandoori sizzlers, and - of course - curries. Besides keeping halal meat, and having a specialised set of dishes for Jains, Curry Lounge even customises their dishes to meet special ‘gluten-free’ requests and allergy requirements. Moreover, there are also kids’ special dishes like pasta and chicken noodles, while those who prefer dishes with a more local taste could indulge in Manchurian as well as Hakka noodles. To ensure their food is flavoured with an authentic Indian taste, all the herbs and spices are directly imported from India. Being the only hub for authentic Indian food, Curry Lounge has regular diners, some of whom eat at the restaurant almost every day. As part of its extra services, diners also enjoy free car parking, while those who work at the airport are offered special discounts. Tung Chung residents can also use the restaurant’s website to order from the menu. Orders are delivered home free of charge within thirty minutes. While the restaurant prides itself in having a large kitchen and dining space, one looks forward to its imminent growth and expansion.

A-Desiflava magazine will review different kinds of enterprises in every issue. If you would like us to review your restaurant, business, or services, please feel free to send us an email or phone call.

Email: ts@adesiflava.com • Mobile: +852 6434 8876

L & K Custom Tailor, 2, Carnavon Road, (Corner of 66-70 Nathan Road), Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. (MTR Exit E No. D2) Telephone : (852) 2369 7278 (852) 2369 7277 Fax : (852) 2369 7269

BUZZ IN TOWN

NAVRATRI UTSAV 2017

A-Desiflava's annual extravaganza.

o celebrate the festival of Navratri, A-Desiflava is proud to host Hong Kongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest Navratri Utsav. After a hugely successful and memorable event last year, exciting arrangements have been made to make this year even greater, with more music, masti and magic. With the generous support from Delia School of Canada, Buttar Associates, and Sino Education, the organisers have surely left no stone unturned to offer superlative entertainment. The improved quality of the speaker systems and bigger dance floor would allow guests to have a rocking time gyrating to the tunes of the Gujarati superstar singer, Anita Sharma and her band of talented musicians and dancers. The entertainment would be well complemented with a succulent array of vegetarian Indian dishes that would whet the appetites and tastes of as many as the 3,000 guests expected at the event this year.

The event will be held on Sunday 24th September at Southorn Stadium, on 111 Johnston Road, Wanchai.

BUZZ IN TOWN

INHARMONY II

Get mesmerized by the melodies of musical maestros. After the success of the first edition of the IN HARMONY concert presented on April 9, 2015, I take great pleasure in informing you that India Association and India Club will present the second edition, titled IN HARMONY II, on Wednesday, September 20th 2017, at the 1,000-seater HK Jockey Club Auditorium in Hung Hom. IN HARMONY II once again fuses Bollywood, jazz, Latin, Hindustani and folk music – but this time with a difference! Our vocalists will be joined by 25 top-notch musicians from Hong Kong and India, including the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. Your wellloved Bollywood songs will be presented with modern arrangements fused with English pop standards, Indian ragas and lively folk songs – music the likes of which has seldom been heard before in Hong Kong. Our distinguished musicians will be led by Hong Kong’s legendary jazz guitarist Eugene Pao, and India’s hottest female percussion sensation Anuradha Pal. Six outstanding vocalists from Hong Kong will join Baijanth Mangeshkar and Smita Jain. Baijnath, nephew of the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, has made his mark with his soulful renditions of Sufi kalaams. Smita is a fast-rising vocalist in Bollywood and Indian pop music. The show is conceived and produced once again by our talented artist Jayang Jhaveri. We pride ourselves of a platform for the budding artists locally and hence will have 6 vocalists that will be performing along side the talented celebrity line up. Vocalists include Kaustubh Paranjape, Muskaan Samtani, Supriya Mundhra, Ria Schmidl, Piyali Banerjee, Radhika Ahuja , Yosha Gupta and Jayang Jhaveri.

IN HARMONY II seeks to attract audiences from the Indian community as well as music lovers from the local Hong Kong and expat communities through a sustained campaign in mainstream and social media. We will dedicate this edition to the life and achievements of Mrs. Mira Mahtani, who has made a lasting contribution to the Indian community in general, and

its cultural, social and charitable causes in particular. Tickets are LIVE at cityline.com and are in the categories of $480 (VIP), $350, $200 and $100 (Student pricing) For more inquiries please contact Muskaan Samtani at muskaan@ liquidz.com.hk or +852 98222520

AUNTY MVP

DEAR AUNTY POONAM Each issue, we invite readers to send us questions under anonymity about on personal dynamics and relations. Here are 3 selected questions from those recently sent to us: rules are simple and achievable. Send them messages of love, not concerns. Plan outings and dinners together.

Question 1: Dear Poonam Aunty, My name is Anita. I am 45 years old, and I am a single parent of 2 teenage children. Please tell me how I can strike a balance between being their friend, mentor, teacher, and disciplinarian?

Answer 1:

Invite their friends at home get to know them, greet them and then disappear, they love space and privacy. Your children have not been in your shoes, therefore, they are not able to understand predicaments; sometimes it's hard for them to comprehend and your demands. Please consider today's time and age. Best Wishes.

Dear Anita, Single parenting for teenagers is not easy and burdened with hurdles. It is a combination of various factors most of all is individuality, reliability, and trust; these are three major factors that can really make this bond stronger. Strike an interesting conversation with your children, ask questions gently and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t demand information. Share your daily life or any incident of which you may be emotionally disturbed. When such exchange happen your child will feel you trust him/her with your personal trials and it is ok to seek guidance from your own children. They will, in turn, come to you when they encounter any issues troubling them. Recognise them, as individuals do not compare siblings; show empathy and respect for their views. Give them responsibilities, show them that you consider them very special in your life, but you need their cooperation in running the household chores. List household rules together. Ensure these

Question 2: Dear Poonam Aunty, I am Dolly, and as teenager I am still learning how to deal with adults. I was recently teased by an uncle at a family gathering, and although I know that he did not mean it, it did hurt me. I would like to ask, how can I set boundaries and express my anger and upset myself if I feel hurt by someone elder to me?

Answer 2: I understand your hurtful feelings even though he did it out of zest. Some men try to entertain themselves because they enjoy getting the reaction. In my opinion, just ignore donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ponder on it; think it was a bad dream. But if he or any other man tries to tease, you can objectively show him your high standard of ethics by just disregarding his behaviour. He will get the message instantly. Just stay on guard.

Question3: Dear Poonam Aunty, I am Raju, and I am a 38 year old, married with two young children. My husband and I have different expectations and standards of behavior from our children. When I try to discipline them, they say that their father approves of it, or doesn't say anything about that, and vice versa. How can we best co-parent our children as we each have different ideologies?

Answer 3: Dear Raju, Your children need love and affection of both mother and father collectively and not individually because the of you have jointly brought your children in in this world. Talking about ideologies, it appears you and your partner both have a different belief system. Therefore, list it and come to a consensus as to what is best for children. You as parents must realize that the mother cannot perform the role of a father, and the father cannot perform the role of mother. Please share your responsibility and be persistent. Make simple rules amongst yourselves, then sit down as a family and define your role clearly to your children. Children observe their parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strength and weakness, let them not take advantage of you. If you make decisions and cooperate with each other, believe me, you have won half the battle, and the rest will fall in its place. Children will then learn to respect your decision and cooperate. Just be persistent

All names and details of personal identities have been modified.

Please send your questions on love and relationships to adesiflava@gmail.com with subject line Dear Aunty Poonam.

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Book Launch with Be the Change

Certificate of Attendance

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KIDS

KIDS KIDS

TOP 5 SELF-LEARNING WEB PLATFORMS

Educate yourself through platforms that inspire enlightenment through engagement.

ducation is a phenomenon that humans from 9 to 90 years old tend to yearn for. The thirst for wisdom one’s self with new information has driven and transformed individuals and industries for centuries. Currently, there are countless platforms, including websites and smartphone apps, where people can obtain and organise information, in order to educate and enlighten themselves - academically, intellectually, and spiritually. A-Desiflava have scoured innumerable webs, to bring you the top 5 platforms, besides Youtube and TED, to educate yourself.

In 2006, educator Salman Khan founded started a non-profit organisation to develop a platform that offers a “free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” In the past decade, the academy has grown into a multilingual platform that has even been endorsed and supported by Bill Gates, Google, Pixar, and U.S. Department of Education. The platform offers videos, graphics, and text on subjects than range from mathematics and science to humanities and languages. https://www.khanacademy.org

KIDS

2. Coursera follows a freemium business model, as it offers both free and paid services. The platform features prolific professionals in recorded video lectures, which is complemented by auto-graded and peer-reviewed assignments, and community discussion forums to help participants complete courses with recognised certifications. Besides the common academic topics, Coursera also offer courses on creativity, personal development, and animal behavior.

boasts of over 55,000 online courses taught by experts. Above and beyond the typical subjects, participants can also learn about board games, makeup, photography, productivity, programming, pet care, health and beauty. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more is that Udemy also offers specialised - and possibly even personalised - programs for entrepreneurs and their employees to learn together.

and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, edX has ensured its teaching quality remains superlative. Unsurprisingly, edX remains dedicated to inspiring academic progress.

https://www.udemy.com

Memrise is a platform that specialises in language learning. The collection of over 30,000 courses encompass 25 languages as well as common topics in humanities and science. More importantly, the platform presents participants with special tips, checkpoints and reminders on memorising and understanding new knowledge.

https://www.coursera.org

3. With its primary focus centred on inspiring and driving learning, Udemy

Besides encouraging widespread learning, edX also invests in improving teaching and research. By collaborating with over 90 partners across the globe such as Harvard University, IIT Bombay,

https://www.edx.org

https://www.memrise.com

Suraj (Sam) Samtani is an international Writer & Editor, with articles published across medias. He is also an Academic Coach,Â Native English Teacher & Tutor (NET), Management & Marketing Consultant, and Award-Winning Poet.

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ASTROLOGY

ASTROLOGY BY

Munisha Khatwani for Sept 2017 Aries:

If there have been any misunderstandings you might want to clear the air and feel like things can begin on a new slate, says your planet Mars. Your finances seem to get better so this month seems to be good for you.

Taurus:

So now things seem to be picking up this month, barring a few minor issues on the health front. A lot of you will restart your career this month or might even change your line of profession. Those single can look forward to meeting someone this month.

patient as your Saturn planet is not so strong this month, so the improvement could take some time. You will need some emotional support from some family members this month

is not perfectly right at the moment. A lot of you will concentrate on spirituality these few weeks, and you might even feel closer to god which is good for you as it will bring you peace of mind.

Virgo: The month is going to be quite lucky for you in all senses. Financially, you are going to be rocking, and work wise, things are really going to pick up. In fact, this is going to be one of your luckiest months of the year, as your health is also good.

Capricorn: Your cards reveal that some unexpected news will be coming your way this month. Your planet Mars is in a good position, and that could give you sudden gain especially on the work front. Also, you are looking for a change on the personal front but that could take some time.

Libra: Trust factors will be of utmost

Geminis:

To make sure that you have brought about the changes you want to incorporate, you will need to be extra strict with yourself this month. Your planet Venus could help you to feel a little positive on the love front and those single can expect to meet someone special.

importance to you this month and you will be quite cautious about this, especially on the love front. You will be in a forgiving mood and you may want to let bygones be bygones. You have everything you need as far as support is concerned. Spend your money wisely this month.

Cancer:

Scorpio: Work wise, you will be very

Professionally, things are going to be just ok. The good news is that you will be in your boss' good books and that could help you a lot. Travel is indicated for a lot of you. If you decide to do some business with a foreign country it could be favourable for you.

Leo: You will decide to dive into your heart’s desire this month and not bother about the circumstances, says your planet Moon. Your health will be getting better slowly but surely, so be

busy this month. New responsibilities and added success is indicated, says your card of the Sun. Single people will meet new people and an affair or commitment is even likely. Those looking at getting married or engaged might do so and in fact, your money situation could also suddenly improve.

Sagittarius:

Work wise, these few weeks might be a bit tough for you as you will be feeling a lot of pressure as you time

Aquarius:

Your cards indicate that you could be having some trouble on the romantic front. You might even feel a little let down by your partner. Those single should not jump in to a relationship as this is not the right time for you. Just wait and be patient. On the professional front, some financial gain is indicated and maybe you might even expand your business.

Pisces:

Early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy and wise. That will be your motto this month. Those starting a new project or job soon could be spending a lot of time in preparations. Your travel plans could get a little delayed but you will do your best for it to materialise fast. Family time will be important to you and you enjoy the time spent with them

Munisha Khatwani has been a famous and popular professional tarot card reader for the last 18 years. Throughout her career, she has appeared on several TV shows. She hosted an astrology show called Teen Deviyaan, which was aired on Star News for 7 years. Her journey continued as she appeared on a few episdoes of Simi Garewal’s India’s Most Desirable TV show, wherein she conducted televised readings for Bollywood celebrities such as Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. Subsequently, she featured on a show called India Poochega: Sabse Shaana Kaun? with Shah Rukh khan on &TV. Besides, she has written many columns for various magazines, newspapers, and

ASTROLOGY ASTROLOGY

ASTROLOGY BY

Munisha Khatwani for OCT 2017 Aries:

You are in the mood to be completely secured as far as your relationship goes. Those who are single might not be open to new romances coming your way, as you are a little unsure of the person, so take your time. Only when you have accepted your past can you truly move on.

Taurus: ‘Once bitten, twice shy’ will

be your motto this month, as you feel the need for more time before you commit. Those who are planning on getting married will be quite excited about the big day coming soon. Also remember to prepare a special dish for your loved ones.

Gemini:

If something ends, it is only because something is better in store for you; this is what you need to believe this month on the work front. You will get good support of your friends in your professional life; plan a surprise party for your partner.

but you also need to express your fears to your partner. Some unexpected expenses could arise so be prepared.

Virgo:

You need to open out your heart and believe that that not everyone who loves you will leave you. For those married, you could go through a better phase this month as you are willing have open conversations and reach a compromise over certain issues. You may also decide to support your family in certain endeavours, particularly regarding financial or legal matters

Libra: Look for the silver lining in the

cloud as there could be better things to look forward to. Singles could get a lot of attention from a certain friend and this will make you happy. Sometimes your best friend makes the best partner. Your health will need a little extra attention this month so keep that in mind and don't ignore your health.

Cancer: The sun is just about to shine on you as far as your career is concerned, so just hold on until your miracle happens. You need to be more receptive to change, suggests your cards. This week roses will do the trick for your partner. Your health will be stable this month, and some of you might even experience improvements from before.

Scorpio: Discard anything that does not give you happiness, especially on the love front. You need to spend time and do some fun activities with your partner to rekindle the romance in case you feel the spark is missing. Money wise, things could be a little stuck in certain matters but it is better to keep the faith and believe that things will come around for you slowly but surely.

Leo: You need to be a little less into your relationship and a little more focussed on your other aspects of life this month. If you are single, you might be in an urgent hurry to get into a relationship,

Sagittarius: If there is heartbreak, this is a part of your learning and you may need to accept the situation as it is. Always remember that you cannot force anyone to be there in your life if

they do not wish to stay in your life. Selfrespect is the most important in any relationship. Try and spend some time with close friends and relatives to feel better this month.

Capricorn: If you want someone to truly love you, you need to first love yourself. For those of you who are going through a tough time on the love front, believe that this is just a passing phase so it is best to distract yourself. Try and look your best for your partner this month. Health wise, it is a good month as you will be concentrating on your nutrition and fitness. Overall, life will seem better. Aquarius: Life has come a full circle and you will be feeling quite content as far as love is concerned. If there has been any misunderstandings recently, it is likely to get sorted out this month. The way to your partners heart is truly through the stomach this month. For those planning to travel, you might have to delay your travel plans slightly as things are not totally in order at the moment.

Pisces:

If you are planning to propose marriage to your partner, this is the right time. Singles will be ready to mingle and may even indulge in casual dating. If your partner is keen to meet your family it is high time you introduce him or her. Financially, you might feel the need for some support and might ask for some external help this month. Health wise, however, you will be feeling much better and more fit

websites including Telly Chakkar, The Gulf Indian, Showtime, Star Week, and Filmfare. She will soon be seen on her own tarot show called Karmic Shots with Munisha, which will be aired on all the DTH set top boxes on a new channel called Astrovaani. The impressive list of her accurate and prolific predictions include the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Cricket World Cup victors, winners of reality TV shows - like Nach Baliye, Big Boss and Jhalak Dikhlajaa – as well as many celebrities’ marriages and break ups. Over the past 18 years of giving tarot and astrology readings, she has guided innumerable Indian TV and film celebrities. Her contact details are as follows - Number: +91 9820047209, and Email: khatwanim@gmail.com.

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