HEALTH

IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS

AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CANADA:

More than six hundred thousand foreign students with different hopes expressing different perspectivesand different opinions about Canadian Immigration Consultants- that is how chaotic and twisted thepresent scenario is. Migration of students from all over the globe has been a boon for the CanadianEconomy since past few years. Canada excels in being a nation that attracts students (undergraduatesand post-graduates) worldwide because of the moderate immigration laws that allows smooth transition from being an international student in Canada to being a Permanent Resident of Canada. The credit for this progression goes to the Post

#tangledweb

Graduation Work Permit program that plays a pivotal role inthis transition.

However, the gateway to this one of the most competitive packages is often managed by severalimmigration consultants/agents. Recently, media has been reporting many clueless migrants who havespent or are willing to spend huge amount of dollars to an unapproved expert, just to show up in Canadaand to secure the position or school program they were guaranteed which actually doesn’t exist. It isvery difficult to tally the number of international students who have been lured and abused by thesefake exercises. Aside these malpractitioners, there are legit and licensed immigration consultants whoare providing righteous and fair assistance to the immigrants. It is highly unfortunate to see that theirreputation is continually being jeopardised by these ‘ghost consultants’ especially when their unethicalpractices are being highlighted all over the media.

There will always remain an uncertainty when it comes to Immigration Fraudwhich might sound anattractive alternative but is a punishable offence that can cost you your entire career. So be aware andsmart enough to differentiate between a ‘ghost consultant’ and a legit Immigration Consultant.

With recent articles and media coverage it seems somewhat unfair that Immigration Consultants are being viewed negatively because of the acts of a few bad apples. People should always remember and understand that nobody is knocking on your front door and forcing to use their services. Furthermore, most people know the difference between right and wrong and then when things go wrong they decide to blame whoever they can.

We as a community should remember that we are all immigrants, whether first generation, second,third or fourth. Yet nobody thinks before criticizing international students, foreign truck drivers andnew immigrants. The foreign study business model, brings billions of dollars to the Canadian economy,these dollars create jobs for tutors, lecturers, janitors, security guards and that’s just in the colleges.

The referral commissions that these colleges dish out to the agents in Canada and abroad again millionsof dollars ranging from 5% to 20% of an international students first year fees.

R. Kaur(International Student)

“What You Need to

Know About Rabies”

The word, ‘Rabies’, is commonly associated with fearful and alarming thoughts when heard by pet owners and veterinarians. It is known to be one of the most fatal viral diseases, acknowledged in humans and our furry companions. In this month’s article, we will be covering all the basic knowledge about the rabies virus that a well-informed pet owner should know. We aspire this article to help spread information on this virus so that we can all assure that our pets are rabies-free.

The most common method for the rabies virus to be spread amongst canines is through a bite. When one infected animal bites another, the virus is then transmitted into the victim through the saliva. The virus then makes its way to the victim’s peripheral nerves. These nerves can be found located outside of the spinal cord and brain. Here, the virus begins to replicate itself and then settles down in the victim’s salivary glands. Thus, ready to attack another victim through the saliva found in a bite. There are other animals that can carry this virus in their saliva and potentially can place your pet at risk through their bite as well. Such animals are bats, racoons, coyotes, foxes

and skunks. Once your dog is bitten by an infected animal, clinical signs can appear anywhere from within ten days to four months. Each case is different on how long it takes for symptoms to show, due to the dependency of the location of the bite, amount of saliva in contact during the bite and how badly your animal is bitten.

When it comes to seeing symptoms of Rabies virus in your infected pet, there are two forms of the disease that one can refer to: Dumb Rabies and Furious Rabies. Dumb Rabies is the most common category of this virus, seen in canines. The presenting clinical signs would include difficulty in swallowing, progressive paralysis in all four limbs, lethargy, incoordination, depressed, throat and jaw muscles being paralyzed causing excessive salivation, comatose and even death. The Furious form of Rabies consists of the dog becoming very aggressive, paralysis in which he cannot drink or eat, decreased appetite, eating strange objects (dirt, rocks, garbage, etc.) and death from seizures. Before either form can take place, all bitten dogs go through an initial stage, known as ‘the prodromal phase’. This phase causes the dog’s behavior to completely change. If your dog is naturally quiet, then he will display aggression and hyperexcitability. Whereas, if your pet is normally active and hyper, he will show nervousness and hesitation. The prodromal phase can last up to three days before it shows signs of either the Dumb or Furious forms.

As we have seen now that a bite from a rabid animal to your pet can be very fatal, it can also be very dangerous to you as well. Rabies virus is considered to be zoonotic, which means that humans can become infected from their pets and animals who are exposed. This virus is just as deadly in symptoms for humans as it is in dogs. The only measure that can possibly assist towards preventing the progressive symptoms known to occur, is by administering an anti-rabies serum into the victim. This serum, in the form of the rabies vaccine, aids in allowing the victim’s body to creating a counteracting army of antibodies that assist in decreasing the progression of this virus and increasing the chance of survival rate in the victim.

The best, ideal way of preventing this virus in your pet is to ask your veterinarian about administering the rabies vaccination. In North America, the rabies vaccine is considered a mandatory protocol. This vaccination can be given earliest to your dog and cat between the ages of 12 – 16 weeks old. The revaccination protocols, as advised by your veterinarian, can be every year or every three years. The rabies vaccine will help your body produce antibodies, which in turn will help prevent the virus from entering your pet’s nervous system. When your dog or cat is vaccinated for the rabies virus, you will receive a health vaccination certification verifying that your pet is covered legally. You will also receive a dog tag stating the serial number of the vaccine given that you can place on the collar. We highly advise to place this tag on your pet’s collar so that in the chance of your pet being lost, the person who finds him will know your pet is safe to be around. Rabies serial tag numbers can also aid in your pet finding its way back to its veterinarian, since they will be registered with that Rabies ID number.

The rabies virus is seen throughout the world in most continents. However, there are parts of the world who have successfully put a protocol in place to become a rabies-free area. Such countries are Ireland, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Iceland, New Zealand, Antarctica and certain regions of Scandinavia and the Pacific Islands. North America, however, still unfortunately sees occasional cases of this virus. Prevalently in British Columbia, many species of bats are known to be predominant carriers of the rabies virus to this day. The most recent discovery of the rabies virus in BC was last year in May 2019, when an adult male came into contact with a rabies infested bat. Six weeks later he developed symptoms and tested positive for the virus. Recently, the York region of Ontario revealed a positive adult male for the virus after coming into contact with a rabid bat.

There is no treatment protocol for dogs or cats that test as rabies positive. In such cases, euthanasia is legally advised, and samples of the brain are sent for laboratory testing. If rabies is suspected, but not entirely confirmed, then the dog or cat is required to be kept in isolation and legally is not allowed to come into contact with any humans or other animals during this quarantine period. A dog who is at risk of shedding the rabies virus in his saliva will also show clinical signs within days. Therefore, 10 days of isolation is mandatory in order to observe the development of any symptoms. Once the 10 days of quarantining has passed, and the dog displays no signs of rabies, then he is considered no longer contagious or a harm to public health. However, in either case, your veterinarian, under law, is required to inform his or her local and provincial state authorities for animal disease and spread. It is then under the guidance of these authorities that which protocol is needed to be placed, in order to support and protect public health measures.

5 ways to take care of eye health

Actress and environmentalist Bhumi Pednekar feels education is the significant channel to raise awareness on climate conservation.

Reduced eyesight is caused by multiple factors, including diseases like diabetes, eye trauma, cataracts or glaucoma. Over 3 crore individuals suffer from blindness globally, with India being home to nearly one-third the total figure. While 80 percent vision impairment can be prevented by early detection and timely intervention, lack of access and awareness has been a major deterrent in individuals seeking eye care.

The onslaught of COVID-19 has also led to an increase in screen-time for people across ages and this has been a major factor in declining eye health. Eye care and eye health have become more of a necessity.

Here are five simple and effective ways to ensure good eye health:

•Right Glasses

Wearing branded Sunglasses which offer 100 percent UV protection while outdoors can help protect your eyes from the harmful impact of UV rays and Cataract formation. Wearing the right spectacles for screen usage like anti-reflection lenses with Blue Coating is extremely important. The Blue coating helps in blocking the harmful blue violet and allows the essential blue turquoise to help the circadian rhythm and thereby maintain the sleep-wake cycle.

•Right Diet

Eating leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli contain Lutein and zeaxanthin help prevent cataracts. Lutein also stimulates the growth of pigments that help block out harmful UV rays. Food rich in Vitamins C and E and zinc, reduce the risk of developing a condition called Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). Antioxidants protect against sun damage. Good sources of antioxidants include egg yolk, yellow peppers, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries. Onions, shallots, garlic, capers contain sulphur, cysteine, and lecithin, which help against cataract formation. cially as the pollution gets worse day by day. Resting the eyes often and blinking moistens the eyes, reducing dryness and irritation. One can also use drops to help keep your eyes moist in case of excess dryness.

•Screen Protection

With an increase in screen-time becoming an inevitable reality, taking good care of your eyes is paramount. Use the 20-20-20 rule, by taking a 20 second screen break every 20 minutes to look at objects 20 feet away from you. Increase font size when reading on-screen, so that devices don’t need to be too close to your eyes, and you don’t have to squint. A clean screen boosts visibility, wipe your screen over at least once a day.

•Get tested

Getting your eyes tested by a qualified Optometrist or an Eye Doctor once every year is very important. Regular eye examinations help find any symptoms associated with eye strains and provide solutions for the same. Titan Eyeplus on the occasion of World Sight Day has introduced an initiative -- online screen testing. Take out 60 seconds and take a simple online eye screening test that will give you an indication whether you suffer from eyesight problems. Basis screening results, the brand requests all to visit an ophthalmologist or optician.

Have you tried intermittent fasting yet?

Fasting has been practiced for centuries and it’s one of the preferred ways to rid your body of all toxins. Modern twists to this ancient practice come in different styles, forms and methods. Intermittent fasting is one them; it has gained popularity, especially among millennials in recent years, as it is considered less restrictive and offers more flexibility.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

The ratio of 16:8 is one of the most popular styles of fasting and is also know as intermittent fasting, a sustainable way to burn fat in order to lose weight. There are many diets which often set strict rules and regulations, but 16:8 intermittent fasting is easy to follow and can provide real results with minimal effort. It shows an effective result and can easily fit into anybody’s lifestyle. Intermittent fasting involves eating only during an eight-hour window and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. One can repeat this cycle as frequently as they would like to. One can start with once or twice per week to every day, depending on the nutritional needs and personal preferences.

Benefits of the 16:8 Diet:

•16:8 fasting boosts metabolism, it cuts down the calories and this helps the weight loss process. •Intermittent fasting can help keep the cholesterol in check, when combined with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. •It manages food habits, controls calorie intake, and keeps the cholesterol level in check. These are the contributing factors for a healthy heart. •It helps in reducing insulin resistance which helps in diabetes management. •It helps to enhance brain functioning, improve concentration and also protect against age-related memory loss. •The diet plan helps to reduce the levels of cortisol in the body, which means less stress. •The diet plan helps prevent and manage diseases such as diabetes, certain heart conditions, some types of cancers, and some neurodegenerative diseases. •One doesn’t have to count and restrict the calories, as long as you eat healthily in the given 8 hour time frame. While the 16:8 diet does not specify what food to include and what to avoid, it is be beneficial

as it maximises the potential of the diet, if one sticks to a healthy and nutritious options in the eight- hour window.

Balancing your meals with a good variety of healthy whole foods is very important. One must include food such as:

Fruit: Apples, bananas, berries, oranges, pears, etc.

Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, leafy greens, tomatoes, etc.

Whole grains: Barley, quinoa, rice, oats, etc.

Healthy fats: Avocados, coconut oil and Olive oil

Sources of protein: Eggs, fish, legumes, meat, nuts, poultry, seeds, etc.

While fasting, avoid, junk as well as processed foods. One should consume water regularly throughout the day; this will help control the appetite. Try meditation during the fasting period, to allow hunger pangs to pass and exercise just before or during the eating window as it will trigger hunger and ensure that you are full.

By: Honey Thaker

Why you should change your

skin, hair products with season

With winters approaching, your skin and hair absolutely starts to feel the difference. The change of season is always a complicated time for both your skin and hair, no matter which month you are on. Though these changes happen with every season they leave some lesion to your hair and skin if neglected. As always, we put up with the changes, and know that as we adjust to the seasons, this too shall pass.

Although there’s nothing one can do about seasonal changes, it doesn’t mean your skin and hair has to suffer the consequences. Just as you’d change your clothing with every changing season, you should also look at changing your skin and hair care products as well. The same seasonal fluctuations should be adapted for your skin and hair care routine as well.

Here are some minor tweaks you can make to bring back life to your skin and hair to flourish the changing seasons.

•SKIN CARE

Due to the chills in temperature and lower humidity there is a lack of moisture in the air which can cause cracking, chapping and irritation to your skin. With these seasonal changes winter season calls for an upgrade in your skin care routine, which includes using lightweight formulas that will hydrate your skin at all times. It’s best to follow a 3 product routine to hydrate your skin to the fullest during winters.

Cleansing your skin with soap free gentle cleansers which can leave skin feeling fresh, soft, and smooth which is perfect during the colder months. can be a game changer as it offers moisture which makes your skin supple.

If your skin gets dry in the colder seasons, lock in that hydration with a rich moisturizer. This step will help distribute and lock water in all facial zones for long-lasting hydration and comfort.

As we transit from colder to warmer climates, the humidity increases in the air. The elevated temperature leaves your skin oily and greasy. While hydrating, your skin remains a constant factor, as the cold weather transitions to the steamier seasons. In summers, your skin is exposed to sun, chlorine and salt water, to help your skin recover from this damage it is fundamental to exfoliate your skin and get rid of the dead cells and transition into healthier-looking skin. Along with exfoliation, one must continue with their daily routine of using water-based cleanser, gel based moisturiser and hydrating serum at all times.

Monsoon peaks the humidity levels causing your skin more damage than you can imagine. While the basic rule of ‘cleanse and moisturise’ remains the same but it’s important to adapt to a different skin care routine during monsoons. Due to the increased heat levels during monsoon, your skin tends to become oily and attracts dirt leading to awful breakouts. To overcome this, it’s important to add the below rituals to your routine.

Gentle exfoliation of the skin will make sure that you unclog your pores and get rid of the blackheads eventually leading to a bright, supple and glowing skin.

Replacing your cream based moisturiser with a non-greasy moisturiser is a must-have to enhance the skin’s natural moisture.

Another must have is a good toner which will keep your skin in check, remove dust particles and prevent breakouts.

Last but not the least, using hydrating face masks. It not only cools your skin instantly but also restores all the nutrients and hydration that our skin loses during this season.

•HAIR CARE

During winters the dryness in the air can lead to dry and damaged hair. The simplest thing to do is use a super-moisturizing shampoo and conditioner along with a weekly deep-conditioning hair mask. When using hair products, it is vital to take into account where you live and what time of the year it is. Apart from that, lack of moisture can particularly weaken hair because it makes the strands brittle. Thus, wintertime products must include strandstrengthening ingredients like silk proteins, and a cocktail of collagen, hyaluronic acid and lilac.

Summer damp air upsurges the moisture on the scalp which eventually creates a breeding ground for bacteria. In order to overcome this issue choose products with ingredients that smoothens the hair’s outer layer, which are the cuticle. Hence it’ s imperative to use a shampoo formulated to deep-clean scalp skin. One such ingredient to add to shampoos during summers is ½Pomegranate Peel’, it effectively deep-cleans without over-drying the scalp. In some cases, if the strands are very porous; due to the chemical processing or recurrent styling the pores eventually expand leading to loss of moisture. Some of the most efficient strand-strengtheners are collagen, lilac and hyaluronic acid; they help in repairing damaged hair.

Monsoon causes hair damage more than the rest of the seasons combined. The humidity amplifies the odds of getting dandruff and hair fall which means that our hair and scalp is fragile during our beloved monsoon season. To give our hair the best care, one of the tried and tested ingredients that can be used on hair during monsoons is nothing but coconut oil. Preconditioning your hair with coconut oil 15 minutes before you shower will make your hair less greasy and reduce the water your hair would ideally soak up during washing.

(Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in)

If you are a fan of authentic Sri Lankan dishes, here are a few quick and easy to make recipes to try at home.

SRI LANKAN CURRY - CHICKEN

Ingredients:

4300 grams boneless skinless chicken breasts 42 tablespoons white vinegar 41 teaspoon tamarind juice 41½ cup Madras curry powder 41 tablespoon salt, or to taste 41 teaspoon ground black pepper 42 tablespoons coconut oil 41 red onion, sliced 44 nos green chilli, halved lengthwise 48 nos green cardamom pods 46 nos whole cloves 412 nos curry leaves 41 teaspoon fresh ginger 42 inch cinnamon stick, broken in half 43 cloves garlic, minced 41½ tablespoons tomato paste 41½ Cup coconut milk

Method:

Step 1: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Combine the vinegar, tamarind juice, 1/4 cup curry powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat.

Step 2: Heat the coconut oil in a wok or frying pan over medium heat. Cook the sliced onion, green chiles, cardamom pods, cloves, curry leaves, ginger, and cinnamon stick until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 3: Add the chicken mixture, water, and tomato paste. Stir and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add the roasted curry powder and stir until evenly dispersed.

Step 4: Gradually stir in the coconut milk and simmer for 2-3 more minutes (do not overheat). Serve hot! Source: IANS

Easy Sri Lankan delicacies to relish with your family

Cookies

Deep-fried olives

Ingredients

4100g panko or coarse dried breadcrumbs 44 crushed juniper berries 4160g feta-stuffed olives 43 tbsp plain flour 41 egg, beaten 4300ml vegetable oil

For the lemon and vermouth mayo

42 tsp dry vermouth 4100g mayonnaise 41 tsp lemon juice

Method

4Crush the breadcrumbs in a bag using a rolling pin or in a food processor. Tip into a shallow dish with the berries, then season and set aside. Toss the olives in the flour. Put the beaten egg in a large bowl, add the coated olives and move them around to coat. Turn them one by one in the breadcrumb mixture, then put on a plate until ready to fry.

4Heat the oil in a large pan to 180C, then fry the olives for 1-2 mins, or until golden and sizzling. Drain on kitchen paper and leave to cool for a few mins as they’ll be very hot inside.

4To make the lemon and vermouth mayo, mix the vermouth with the mayonnaise and lemon juice. Serve the warm, deep-fried olives alongside the mayo. Source: bbcgoodfood.com Ingredients

4 1 cup butter, softened 4 1 cup packed brown sugar 4 3/4 cup sugar 4 2 large eggs, room temperature 4 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour 4 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda 4 1 teaspoon salt 4 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips 4 2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted Directions

• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. • Shape 1/4 cupful’s of dough into balls. Flatten each to 3/4-in. thickness (2-1/2-in. diameter), smoothing edges as necessary. Place in an airtight container, separating layers with waxed paper or parchment;

refrigerate, covered, overnight. • To bake, place dough portions 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.

Preheat oven to 400°. • Bake until edges are golden brown (centers will be light), 10-12 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes.

Remove to wire racks to cool. C

Source: Bbcgoodfood.com

Gujiya

receipe not recd

Ingredients

4Powdered sugar for filling 3 cups 4Mawa (khoya) 500 grams 4Desiccated coconut 3 1/4 teaspoons 4Cashewnuts blanched and chopped 15 4Almonds blanched and chopped 15 4Raisins 20 4Green cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon

FOR COVERING

4Refined flour (maida) 4 cups 4Ghee 5 tablespoons 4Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Method

Step 1

Mash khoya and roast it in a deep pan on medium heat till pink. Take off the heat and let it cool. Add all the other filling ingredients to the khoya and keep aside.

Step 2

To prepare the covering, sieve flour and salt and rub in five tablespoons of ghee. Add enough water and knead into a firm dough.

Step 3

Cover it with a moist cloth and keep aside for fifteen minutes. Divide the dough into small balls and roll each ball into a small puri of four inches diameter.

Step 4

Spread a puri on a greased gujiya mould and fill a tablespoon of the filling mixture on one side. Moisten the edges of the puri and fold one side of the mould over the other.

Step 5

Press the edges and remove the excess dough and reuse. Prepare all the gujiyas and spread on a damp cloth.

Step 6

Heat sufficient ghee in a deep pan and deep-fry the gujiyas, in batches on medium heat, till golden brown.

Step 7

Drain onto an absorbent paper. Cool and store in an airtight tin.

‘Phulkari’ transposes you into dream world of Punjabi embroidery

Close your eyes, utter the word ‘Phulkari’ and you will be instantly propelled into a VIBGYOR world of Punjabi embroidery that formed an integral part of a woman’s trousseau, work on which began virtually from the moment a girl was born, a time considered to be most auspicious. Today, while retaining its original form, Phulkari has also found use in a variety of applications ranging from dresses to stoles, sari borders, bed covers, hom furnishings and everything in between.

“The vibrant tradition of embroidery of Punjab is reminiscent of its rich cultural heritage. It also tells a tale of diligence, dedication and desire for accomplishment and elegance that Punjabi women have exhibited for generations. What makes embroidery from Punjab stand out is the unique craft of exquisite Phulkari-making,” Anu H. Gupta, with a Master’s in Clothing and Textiles and a doctorate in Social Anthropology from Panjab University; and Shalina Mehta, with a doctorate from Delhi University who has taught Social and Cultural Anthropology for 40 years at Panjab University’s Department of Anthropology, write in “Phulkari from Punjab: Embroidery in Transition” (Niyogi Books).

Although Phulkari loosely translates into floral art, its designs include not only flowers but also cover motifs and geometrical shapes. Its main characteristics are the use of a variety of stitches, the most common being darn stitches (rows of straight-running stitches near each other), on the wrong side of coarse cotton cloth with coloured silken thread.

The book details how Phulkari formed an integral part of a woman’ s ‘dahej’ or trousseau, how much of cultural and ritual value was attached to it, how the girl’s status in her in-laws house depended on the number of Phulkari she brought et al.

Tracing the creativity that went to an art to make each piece stand out as

a masterpiece, it also delves into the decline of the art during the British period, largely due to the exploitation of the art and the artisan and examines the revival efforts by true connoisseurs of the art like Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay to bring Phulkari back to its present form.

For more than a century, the book says, the popularity of Phulkari has been sustained by its association with Punjabi weddings. Custom and rituals dictate that during a wedding, both in the case of the bride and the bridegroom, relatives from the mother’ s side - the mamas and nana-nanis, i.e. the maternal uncles and grandparents - bring Phulkari embroidered ‘odhanis’ (a kind of dupatta), in addition to the other presents, gifts and clothes for the wedding. This was the ceremonial Nanak Chak (mandatory gifts from the maternal extended family).

A quintessential part of every bride’ s

trousseau was her set of garments that had dresses with matching Phulkaris and muslin dupattas. Every bride generally received 11 to 21 sets of dresses, but affluent families would gift anywhere between 31 or 51 such ensembles. This meant that for 21 sets there had to be 21 matching Phulkaris and 21 muslin odhanis and 21 ghaghras.

Phulkari was also used as a canopy during pre-wedding rituals like the ‘mehendi’ ceremony (where the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with henna), ceremonial ritual tour of the village prior to the wedding day by women wearing Phulkari odhanis and carrying mustard oil lamps on their heads (jago), filling of an empty pitcher from a nearby sacred place for purification of the bride before the wedding (ghara gharoli), the bangle wearing (chooda chadhai) ceremony where red ivory bangles are slipped on to a bride’s wrists and forearms.

Likewise, a Phulkari canopy was also mandatory for pre-wedding ceremonies for the bridegroom, the book says.

The book also traces the evolution of design from the traditional to the contemporary and highlights how the creative urges of women were expressed through the medium of Phulkari using everyday objects and flora and fauna encountered by them in their day to day life as also as an expression of desires and dreams.

“Needlecraft from Punjab also demonstrates the intense understanding of the ecosystem and its complete internalisation by the women of this region. Motifs showing birds, animals, flowers and nature are witness to it. They imagined their ecological surroundings even if they hardly ever had the occasion to interact outside the home given the restricted mobility that tradition imposed on them,” the book says.

The writing of the book, the authors say, “is not only to document the journey of Phulkari but along with it the journey of the women who have been associated with it, since its beginning... Their stories help us recreate a world that is alive with the agonies and ecstasies of the lived craft of Phulkari” .