WISHESH N E W S
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E N T E R T A I N M E N T
M A G A Z I N E
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# W O R L D
VOLUME 3 | I S S U E 8
M AR CH 2 0 1 8
Indian Events
BALA RAMAYANAM
Indian Yoga
Weird Kinds Of Yoga
In focus
Nirav Modi
Lifestyle
12 Laws of Karma
Cover Story
Sridevi Boney Kapoor
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Editors Page Namaste ! It has been an incredible month and we have our electrifying and eclectic Wishesh magazine for this month ready at your devices. This edition brings you some gripping details into the values Hinduism has imbibed in us to the importance of Religious symbols and their meanings. Don't forget to check out the marvelous cover story for the month, on “An Era Is Over�: Bollywood Icon Sridevi Boney Kapoor Dies. And pamper your taste buds with varieties of Popular Indian Sweets Around the World reading the lifestyle and relationship details. Our hopes and promises of bringing informative, entertaining and exhilarating pieces from the past few weeks have kept us enlightened all through. I am gratified by the Feedbacks and support you have shown, over the years. Wishesh Magazine is not just a news update on events from India but it is a way of life for Indians and everyone else. Everything you may have missed or have wanted to follow with captivating and gripping details, are compiled and presented hence forth. Fall in love with Indian culture, tradition and delicacies as we bring you some spectacular details on things which are close to our hearts and our souls.
Enjoy reading through and don't forget to share your views.
Best!
Kiran..
Read, Relax, Rejuvenate and Enjoy!!!
-KIRAN E, EDITOR IN CHIEF Contact me at kiran@wishesh.net
WISHESH WORLD NEWS MAGAZINE
EDITOR IN CHIEF Kiran Eti HONORARY REVIEWER Shruthi Byra DIGITAL DESIGNER Srikanth Reddy G COORDINATORS Sidhu , Manikanta
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Minu Manisha Babel, Kavita Radhakrishnan, Kalyani Sharma
TO CONTRIBUTE / ADVERTISE / BACK ISSUES & ENQUIRIES Kiran E kiran@wishesh.net
Special thanks to contributors, our advertisers and readers for making this magazine possible.
-KIRAN E, EDITOR IN CHIEF Contact me at kiran@wishesh.net
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16-31
Indian Diaspora works from Assam Hindu Wedding Ceremony Religious symbols
32-37 Cover Story Bollywood Icon Sridevi Boney Kapoor Dies
38-45
Story for Kids Sudama and Krishna
46-49
Healthy Living Offbeat exercises to get in shape
50-53
Indian Food Popular Indian Sweets Around the World
54-59
NRI Profile Meera Nair
76-77
Desi News Grand And Auspicious Sri Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam
CONTENTS
78-83
In Business
Justin Trudeau India Visit Highlights
84-89 In Focus Nirav Modi and the
90-95
Freedom Fighter Tipu Sultan India’s First Freedom Fighter
96-101
Indian Yoga Weird Kinds Of Yoga
102-105 LifeStyle
12 Laws of Karma
106-115 Romance
Powerful And Interesting Valentine’s Day Facts
116-121 Relationship
Sexless Marriage
122-129 Travelogue
Lakshadweep
130-133 Indian History Rani Padmavati of Chittor
134-139 Technology Latest Facebook Updates Which Are Too Much
140-143
Automobiles
Top 15 Safe CarsRight Now
144-149 Indian vasthu History of Vastu Shastra
150-157
Indian Spiritual Contrast and Comparison Between Spirituality
CONTENTS
158-159 Indian Events Bala Ramayanam
160-165 Fashion Pushbutton Spring -2018
166-173 Special Movie Raid Rangasthalam Bharath Ane Nenu
174-181 Movie Review Aiyaary Tholi-prema Touch-Chesi-Chudu
182-183 Hollywood Tea News La-La-Anthonys Vanessa-Hudgens Selena Gomez
186-187 Star Gazing
CURRENT AFFAIRS
SARAS- Light Transport Aircraft, Completes The Second Test-Flight Successfully: SARAS - India’s indigenous light transport aircraft on February 21, 2018, was positively test flown for a second time. The flight took off for a text book flight from HAL’s airport in Bengaluru. The flight test was commanded by Wing Commander U.P. Singh, Group Captain K.P. Bhat and Group Captain R.V. Panicker of Indian Air Force- Aircraft and System Testing Establishment. This was the second of the 20 test flights scheduled for SARAS PT1N, before confirming the production version. The first successful test was reported after it was carried out on January 24, 2018. The highlights of the SARAS Aircraft are: • CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) is doing the design and development of the aircraft. • The production model design of the aircraft is likely to be ready by June-July 2018. • NAL has integrated various design modifications and enhancements on the aircraft like 2x1200 ship engines and 104-inch diameter propeller gathers to cater to second segment climb gradient requirements. • The aircraft also features better-quality flight control system, rudder area, main wheel and brakes to cater to 7100 kg AUV, indigenously technologically advanced stall warning system, etc.
ICC Rankings: Virat Kohli crosses 900 points in Tests,ODIs • Virat Kohli , the India captain became only the second batsman after South Africa’s AB de Villiers, in the history of Cricket to cross the 900-point mark in Tests and ODIs, as per most recent ICC ODI player rankings. • Pacer Jasprit Bumrah snatched the joint-top position among bowlers. • Kohli consolidated his top position with 558 runs in the 5-1 series win over South Africa, during which he banged three centuries. • Virat Kohli is now a good 22 points ahead of Sachin Tendulkar, whose ODI career high was 887 points which came against Zimbabwe in January 1998.
Union Agriculture Ministry launches six new user friendly features of e-NAM Platform: The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, on February 21, 2018, Radha Mohan Singh launched six new features of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Platform with a purpose to make it additional users friendly. The new and user-friendly features of the e-NAM platform are MIS Dashboard for improved analysis, BHIM payment facility by traders, mobile payment capacity by traders, greater features on Mobile App, integration of farmer’s database, eLearning element in e-NAM website, etc.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Newborn baby mortality remains high: According to the UNICEF’s new report on newborn mortality, there have been worldwide deaths of newborn babies which has remained frighteningly high, predominantly among the world’s poorest countries. Babies born in Japan, Singapore and Iceland have the best chance at survival, while newborns in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central African Republic (CAR) face the worst chance. Although pointing out the global condition for new born, the UNICEF told that the number of deaths amongst children under the age of five in the past quarter century have been halved, but then again similar progress have not been made in ending deaths among children less than one month old. The UNICEF in its report said that since majority of these deaths are inevitable, and hence, we are failing the world’s poorest babies.
World is failing newborn babies: UNICEF As per the UNICEF’s new report on newborn mortality, worldwide deaths of newborn babies remain frighteningly high, particularly among the world’s poorest countries. Babies born in Japan, Iceland and Singapore have the best chance at survival, while newborns in Pakistan, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Afghanistan face the worst chance. While pointing out the global condition for new born, the UNICEF said that the number of deaths among children under the age of five in the last quarter century have been halved, but similar progress have not been made in ending deaths among children less than one month old. The UNICEF in its report said that since majority of these deaths are preventable, and therefore, we are failing the world’s poorest babies.
UNICEF Report “As per report, in low-income countries, the average newborn mortality rate is 27 deaths per 1,000 births all across the globe. However, In high-income countries, newborn mortality rate is 3 deaths per 1,000. Newborns from the riskiest places to give birth are up to 50 times more likely to die
than those from the safest places. The report highlighted that more than 80% of newborn deaths are happening due to premature birth, infections such as pneumonia and sepsis or some complications during birth. These deaths can be prevented with access to well-trained midwives, along with proven solutions like clean water, disinfectants, breastfeeding within the first hour, skin-to-skin contact and good nutrition. The report also notes that 8 of the 10 most dangerous places to be born are in sub-Saharan Africa, where pregnant women are much less likely to receive assistance during delivery due to poverty, conflict and weak institutions. If every country brought its newborn mortality rate down to the highincome average by 2030, 16 million lives could be saved.�
CURRENT AFFAIRS
India 7th most targeted nation for Web Application Attacks: In the list of targeted countries for Web Application Attacks (WAA), India has been placed at the seventh spot - according to a new report titled ‘Akamai State of the Internet Security Q4 2017’ that was released on February 21, 2018. The report states that nearly 40 per cent of over 53,000 cyber-attacks in India occurred in the financial services sector during 2017.
Key Highlights • The report tells that security happenings such as phishing, website interruptions and defacements, virus and ransomware have targeted the fast growing of the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) segment in India. • It also indicated that the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack frequency in the BFSI sector has amplified by 50 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2017 as compared to the last quarter. • It also located India seventh in the list of the top source nations for WAA. • While India continued the same position in the third quarter last year, the attacks sourced saw a fall of approximately four million in number as equated to last quarter.
Type of Attacks DDoS Update / Circulated Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: These attacks can take down websites, interrupt businesses, and divert resources, sometimes aiding as cover for more insidious data or systems breaches. Web Application Attacks Update: In comparison to DDoS attacks, web application attacks usually target application vulnerabilities in order to steal data or otherwise negotiation the underlying system. These attacks are way more common than DDoS attacks, with attackers often just scanning the Internet for susceptible sites to victimize.
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INDIAN DIASPORA FINE ART
Terra-cotta
works from Assam 16
“Terracotta” is an English word. The word Terracotta has been derived from Latin and Italian words. ‘Terra’, which is Latin word-means ‘Earth-Soil’ (specially indicates the ‘mud’) and ‘Cotta’, which is Italian word-means ‘Statue’ (it may be noted here that ‘Cocta’, which is also a Latin word-means also statue). In local dialect of Assam it is called Pora Matir Shilpa.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
“Terracotta” is an English word. The word Terracotta has been derived from Latin and Italian words. ‘Terra’, which is Latin word-means ‘Earth-Soil’ (specially indicates the ‘mud’) and ‘Cotta’, which is Italian word-means ‘Statue’ (it may be noted here that ‘Cocta’, which is also a Latin word-means also statue). In local dialect of Assam it is called Pora Matir Shilpa. Assam has two different communities? hira and the kumar in the clay and terracotta craft. Both have two different methods of working. The hiras follow the compression method and prepare the household articles and this craft is carried out by the women of hiras. . The kumars follow the wheel method and produce beautiful pottery articles which are first made on the wheel, dried and cooked in the bhattis or the ovens. The most commonly used pottery products include plates, earthern lamps, clay dolls, chains, diyas, pitchers,
cups, incense ? sticks holders and many more items. The clay modeling industry that had occupied a prominent position in field of art and culture in ancient and medieval age, by degrees handed over to generation after generation, old and new by these people having knack in iconology. To meet the daily necessities, these potters make various materials for householdworks, religious-purposes, children’s toys et cetera. Especially, these terracotta articles made of clay has wide range of usefulness and bear great importance in the villages that is, rural life. In every household, both men and women use these earthen articles. At the initial stage, the artisans did not know how to make these articles. To make clay models, images and earthen articles, the potters are needed to follow the following procedures. At first they collect the soil (that is, a special type of glutinous clay for loaming
soil) from the riverbank side and then mixed up with water the clay-modelers shape the different types of figure without the help of any mould with their uncovered soft hands. After that, these goods or models are dried in the sun and burnt in fire and finally different colours are used to decorate them. In previous time, the clay modelers did not use colour on their earthen goods. In fact, they were totally ignorant of this. Later on, they used only red and black colour to decorate these earthen materials. However, the modern artisans have started to use new technique and new colour to make this art attractive. This wonderful handicraft is originally a ‘woman’ creation. When the maleheads of every family remain engaged with cultivation and small trade or business, the womenfolk used to spend spare time in making different utensils, toys etc. with mud and clay. Consequently the women who were wise and thoughtful started to translate their imagination into different images of clay, pillar, even clay fort. As per Hindu Shastra, the earthen utensils once used in any ceremony or festivals are not allow to be used again and so, glaze is not use in the materials for religious bigotry. This is why; these terracotta articles MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN DIASPORA FINE ART bear crudity. In fact, this crudity helped to increase its attraction and demand too. During the rule of the Hindu rulers, like Chandra Gupta Maurya to Chandra Gupta-II, et cetera the use of terracotta articles were vehemently in vogue. The people of that time made utensils, playing materials, images, religiousestablishments, statues et cetera of terracotta. There are still many houses and buildings, temples, forts, pillars, monuments where there are immense specimens of using things made of clay. Even, it bore equal importance during British period. 18
The appearance of various metals and mental made goods brought decline in terracotta articles. The incident also happened in India. But after independence (that is, 15th August, 1947), its importance began to increase when the ‘West’ inclined to its use. In India, the state of WestBengal became a great patron of terracotta articles. The potters of West-Bengal took the leading part in this culture. The articles of Bankura in Bankura district under West-Bengal State, the relief images of Rajasthan State and the Dhubri, Goalpara districts of Assam State have occupied a pivotal position in terracotta market of WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
the world. Even, terracotta an art of earthen ware or clay modeling came into existence from the rational art look and faculty of imagination of our forefathers, who had exhibited their excellence of intellect in building city or town found at Horappa in Sindh province, now in Pakistan country. Terracotta as a medium has dominated the handicraft scene of Assam since time immemorial. The tradition itself has been handed down from the generation to generation without break. Assamese terracotta products are exquisite examples of immaculate craftsmanship. Household articles, toys, dolls and images of worship are the main products. Gauripur is the centre for terracotta products in Assam. Today we have the descendent of such families engaged in improvised terracotta versions of various common figures of gods and goddesses to mythological characters, while toys, vases, etc have also found a new life. Dhubri in Goalpara district of Assam State have occupied a pivotal position in terracotta market of the world. The Assamese terracotta art and culture took its birth at
Asharikandi, a small village near Gauripur town in Dhubri district. More than 80% families of this village are engaged in this ethnic-art (handicraft) and pass their life after sell these Terracotta products in the national and international market. Who have originated from the then East-Pakistan, that is, EastBengal, popularly known as, Purba-Bangla or Purbo Bango, presently, Bangladesh and they live upon pottery. Most of these people belong to ‘Pal’ community. In Assam, pal means Kumar (that is, potter). Of them, 10 to 15 per cent family get themselves attached with terracotta art and culture. The people of this village plunge into great distress during rainy season when flood occurs in Gadadhar, a tributary of the river Brahmaputra blows beside this village. The Government has declared this village as a model village. As per Hindu Shashtra, the
But the story of terracotta art and culture of this region will remain incomplete unless and the people speak anything about Saralabala Pal and her son, who are at the root of ups and downs of this Assamese ethnic art, terracotta in this connection.
earthen utensils once used in any ceremony or festivals are not allow to be used again and so, glaze is not use in the materials for religious bigotry. This is why; these terracotta articles bear crudity. In fact, this crudity helped to increase its attraction and demand too. In fact, this art and culture grew especially at the help and inspiration rendered by the famous ‘Baruah’ family of Gauripur Raj Paribar. As this place is situated on the Assam – West-Bengal interstate border, so the influence of Bengali terracotta art and architecture is marked here.
Forms of Clay and Terracotta works in other states of India: Longpi Coiled Pottery of Manipur Manipuri pottery is unique in style and technique. Unlike in other parts of India, the craft is practiced both by men and women. The potters of this area do not use a wheel and, instead, use the.
Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Rajasthan
came to Jaipur from Persia and Afghanistan via Mughal Courts.Blue Pottery is made from quartz and not clay. Materials that are used include quartz, raw glaze, sodium.
Terracotta of Kutch Terracotta of Kutch is famous for its lovely craft workmanship. Artists here dry the clay in the bright sunlight and later these articles are painted and baked. Thanagarh is famous for ceramic items.
Clay & Terracotta of Delhi Delhi artists who have migrated from different parts of the states produce traditional terracotta craft in the most traditional way. A variety of earthen objects such as cut-work lamps, money banks.
The Persian Art of blue pottery
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INDIAN DIASPORA FINE ART
20
This wonderful handicraft is originally a ‘woman’ creation. When the male-heads of every family remain engaged with cultivation and small trade or business, the womenfolk used to spend spare time in making different utensils, toys etc. Clay & Terracotta of Uttar Pradesh Among the clay products of Uttar Pradesh, pottery of Gorakpur is very famous. The potters of this region make animal figures like horses and elephants with handappliqu?d ornamentation. Figures of.
Clay & Terracotta of West Bengal
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
The finest patterns of terracotta panels can be found in Bengal towns of Murshidabad, Birbhaum, Jessore, Hooghly and Digha. The theme is generally folk and the patterns are fairly highlighted with.
Clay, Terracotta & Ceramics of Haryana Haryana produces a large variety of terracotta products such as lamps, pitchers, flower vases, pots, musical instruments, clay toys, goblets, human and animal figures, plaques, medallions, and wall.
Clay & Terracotta of Goa Goan artists design attractive earthen ware, with its deep, rich, red surface. Water flower pots are the main items and are the hot selling item. Panels are also made here in a unique artistry way.
Clay, Terracotta, Pottery of Jammu & Kashmir Of the two distinctive types of pottery available in Ladakh, one comprises of large images and icons painted in bright colours which are made for Buddhist monasteries while the other comprises of.
Hukka Crafts of Haryana Hukka, chillums or the smoking pipes are very commonly used by the men and the women folk of this state. These hukkas are made out of clay and has an earthen pot in the centre where the smoking.
Votive Terracottas of Molela, Rajasthan Murtikala, the art of making votive murtis or idols of gods with terracotta, exists in Molela, in Rajasthan. While the murtis were originally standing idols of local deities and various Vishnu forms.
Terracotta & Ceramics of Punjab The main centres of attraction for this craft are Mohali, Ropar, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur and the products include matkas, flower pots, diyas, miniature temple structures and toys that are beautified.
Clay & Terracotta of Himachal Kangra, Mandi, Kulu, Chamba, and Shimla have many migrated potters who have been living here since
elegant black pottery.
Clay & Terracotta of Andaman & Nicobar The earthen pots of Chowra are hand-shaped by the women, with clay taken from the neighbouring island of Teressa. These are low fired using sticks and leaves. The finished pots have a smooth, shining.
in the production of clay utensils�;� these occasionally produce toys and dolls as well, particularly at the time of various festivals and.
Clay & Terracotta of Andhra Utilitarian items of daily use are made in clay and terracotta with Chittoor being the main centre for the work.
Clay & Terracotta of Clay & Terracotta
decades. These potters are locally known as kumhars. The products commonly made include pots, toys.
Glazed Ceramics
Madhya Pradesh
of Assam
The age old craft of clay and terracotta art is practiced even today in its traditional way and with passion. Tribals of Madhaya Pradeh region make traditional clay temples called dhabas which has a.
Assam has two different communities? hira and the kumar in the clay and terracotta craft. Both have two different methods of working. The hiras follow the compression method and prepare the household.
of Tamil Nadu &
Pottery &
Pondicherry
Terracotta of
Southern India has its own distinctive glazed pottery. Vellore in North Arcot district has a tradition of black and red pottery. Usilampatti in Madurai district has black pottery painted over with.
Clay & Terracotta of Maharashtra Dharavi in Bombay and Bhadravati in Chandrapur district are concentrating on artistic pottery on co-operative lines. These units manufacture a large variety of painted and truly
Karnataka In south India terracotta pottery has maintained its traditional as well as commercial value. Food cooked in the pottery is considered good for health. Red clay is commonly used in designing images.
Clay & Terracotta of Bihar & Jharkhand The potter?s community known as Kumhars is generally found in large settlements of Jharkhand. There are wide varieties of items made for household use to decorative items. A large size pot is very.
Clay & Terracotta of Meghalaya A number of pottery units in the Garo Hills are engaged MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN DIASPORA TRADITION
22
Key components
of a
Hindu Wedding Ceremony Weddings are a celebration of love and commitment, and can also be a celebration of the couple’s religion and culture. One such ceremony that you might not be so familiar with? A Hindu wedding. Whether you’re invited as a guest, attending as a member of the wedding party, or are simply curious, there are a few key components you’ll see time and again. Here, our experts break down a Hindu wedding ceremony for you. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
lineage. Hindu weddings are long processes, with various rituals that may take days to be executed. Every single custom and practice in a wedding ceremony has deep philosophical and spiritual significance. Throughout the world the Hindus adhere to these set of rituals and continue on the traditions of marriage that is unique amongst those in the world.
Marriages, according to Hindu beliefs are made in heaven, and once you are married, the bond is supposed to last for seven lifetimes. It is considered to be a turning point in an individual’s life as he enters the second important phase or ashram of his life – the ‘Garhasthyaashram’. A lot of importance is associated with marriages in Hinduism as it is considered to be one of the most important duties of a man’s life. Through marriage he is paying his debt to his forefathers, by procreating children and ensuring continuation of his family’s
Traditional Hindu weddings fall, generally, along two lines: North Indian Hindu weddings and South Indian Hindu weddings. While both ceremonies are incredibly colorful and might require taking a few days off of work to attend the full range of festivities the rituals themselves vary. Here are a few rituals you may see if you’re celebrating a Hindu union.
Types of Hindu Weddings according to sacred texts: According to Hindu sacred texts like Asvalayana Garhyasutra and Atharvaveda, eight different types of marriages are recognized by the ancient Hindu society. Four of them were categorized as ‘Prashasta’ or proper marriages conducted by following appropriate religious
customs.The various types of Prashasta marriages are as follows -
Brahma– It is the marriage that takes place upon receiving mutual consent from both bride and groom’s families. It is considered the most appropriate form of marriage in Hindu society.
Daiva – The daughter is dressed up with fine clothes and ornaments and is offered as a sacrifice fee to the Deity. This type of weddings was prevalent during yajna sacrifices in ancient times.
Arsha – The father gives away his daughter in exchange for a cow and a bull from the groom’s family. The groom takes an oath to effectuate his commitment towards the bride and her family.
Prajapatya – Here the couple get married by uttering Sanskrit verses promising eternal love in presence of their families. This is similar to a modern day civil ceremony where neither priest nor religious rites are performed.
Variations in Hindu Weddings across India Weddings among Hindus in India are a set of complex customs and vary considerably from region to MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN DIASPORA TRADITION
24
region. Each community has their own spin on the basic Hindu wedding ceremony based on geographical location and cultural influences. While in some communities, it is a simple but elegant affair, in others, weddings spell grandeur and pomp. In North India the wedding proceedings are generally termed as ‘Vivah Sanskar’ whereas in most of South India it is referred to as ‘Kalyanam’. Hindu weddings are basically a Yajna ritual with the Fire Deity or Agni as the primary witness. The rituals are primarily handled and carried out along with Sanskrit Mantras, according to guidelines laid down thousands of years ago by sages who created the Vedas. In some cultures weddings take place during daytime, while in others they are held only after sunset. In some communities like the Kerala Nairs weddings are matrilineal instead of patriarchal which the norm is almost everywhere else. While most north Indian weddings are big on fun, frolic and colors, weddings in South India are comparatively demure and modest.
The Wedding Mandap The wedding mandap is a temporary structure constructed for the purpose WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
of the marriage ceremony. It may appear on an elevated platform, and is decorated with anything from flowers and greenery to fabric and crystals.
Mehndi During the mehndi ceremony, henna is used to apply intricate designs to the bride’s hands and feet. The mehndi ceremony usually takes place one day before the marriage will be held, as the application can take hours!
Jai Mala This is the part of the ceremony during which the bride and groom exchange floral garlands. The exchange of floral garlands is particularly important in South Indian Hindu weddings.
Kanyadaan
Otherwise known as the moment when the bride’s father gives her away, the father of the bride symbolically places his daughter’s hand into the hand of her fiancé. He may also pour water into the bride’s hand, which will flow through her fingers and into the hand of her groom.
Saptapadi An important ritual in North Indian Hindu weddings, at this point in the ceremony, the bride and groom have their garments tied together, then take seven steps together (or make seven circles around a ceremonial fire) as they make vows to one another regarding the happiness and success of their marriage.
Sindoor This is the red-orange powder applied to the part of a woman’s hair, symbolizing
Each community has their own spin on the basic Hindu wedding ceremony based on geographical location and cultural influences. While in some communities, it is a simple but elegant affair, in others, weddings spell grandeur and pomp.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN DIASPORA TRADITION
In some cultures weddings take place during daytime, while in others they are held only after sunset. that she is married. It is applied to her part for the first time during the marriage ceremony. 26
Dhruvadarshan At the conclusion of the ceremony, the priest directs the newlyweds’ eyes to the pole star, which remains steadfast in the sky though the stars around it move across the sky. So shall their new marriage be steadfast, though others may change around them.
Vivah-Homa: The sacred fire ceremony ascertaining that all auspicious undertakings are begun in an atmosphere of purity and spirituality.
Pani-Grahan: The groom takes the right hand of the bride in his left hand and WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
accepts her as his lawfully wedded wife.
Pratigna-Karan: The couple walks around the fire, the bride leading, and take solemn vows of loyalty, steadfast love and life-long fidelity to each other.
Shila Arohan: The mother of the bride helps the bride to step onto a stone slab and counsels her to prepare herself for a new life.
the sacred fire by the bride while she keeps the palms of her hands over those of the groom.
Parikrama or Pradakshina or Mangal Fera: The couple circles the sacred fire seven times. This aspect of the ceremony legalizes the marriage according to the Hindu Marriage Act as well as custom.
Saptapadi: Marriage knot Laja-Homah: Puffed rice offered as oblations into
is symbolized by tying one end of the groom’s scarf with the bride’s dress. Then they
take seven steps representing nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, long life, and harmony and understanding, respectively.
Abhishek: Sprinkling of water, meditating on the sun and the pole star.
Anna Praashan: The couple makes food offerings into the fire then feed a morsel of food to each other, expressing mutual love and affection.
Aashirvadah: Benediction by the elders.
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INDIAN DIASPORA CULTURE
Religious symbols and
Their Meanings 28
Religious symbols and their meanings are sometimes lost on us. Very often, we see a holy symbol and don’t really know what it means. In other cases, some common religious symbols become so popular that their actual meaning is lost in history. In fact, some religious symbol means can also shock. So in the holy signs of a religion, we can sometimes find traces of its history. Symbolism thus works by popularity and interpretations. Sometimes, old holy symbols acquire a new meaning in the light history.
1 Swastika The Swastika is a Hindu symbol of peace and prosperity. All home entrances and the ‘Kalash’ that stands for Goddess Lakshmi is adorned with this symbol. It represents everything WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
auspicious and pure.
2 Star of David The famous 6 pointed star is called the ‘Star Of David’. It is an emblem of the Israeli flag and marks Jewish graves. The interlocking of the lines represents the joining of David and Benjamin.
3 Trident The trident is a Greco-Roman symbol of power as it used to be held by Poseidon, the god of Oceans. In Hinduism, it is seen as the symbol of Lord Shiva. In Christianity, the
trident stands for the Devil and is called a ‘fork’.
4 Christian cross The cross is the most popular signs of Christianity. It represents the suffering of Christ who purged the sins of Mankind with His own blood. This is perhaps the best known religious symbol on the planet because of its simplicity. Although the Christian cross represents that cross on which the religion’s leader was put to death, it is also a common symbol that predates Christianity. The cross represents the unity of two
Ahimsa Hand
Menorah
Om
Swastika
Trident
Star of David
Khanda
opposite lines, and in some early religions represented fire as it can be seen as two sticks being rubbed together. Although the graphic design logo is associated primarily with Jesus Christ, as you can see it has significance that goes beyond this meaning.
5 Khanda Khanda is a Sikh religious symbol and its meaning is related to power and purity. The Khanda has a crossed kirpan in it that represents political power. The double edged sword repents belief in a single god.
6 Star and
Crescent
The star and crescent is the best-known symbol used to represent Islam. The symbol is not Muslim in origin, it was a polytheistic icon adopted during the spread of Islam, and its use today is sometimes controversial in the Muslim
world. The crescent and star are often said to be Islamic symbols, but historians say that they were the insignia of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole. The words “Allah” in Arabic script or characters can be regarded as visually representing Islam as a symbol.
7 Om ‘Om’ is a Hindu symbol that stands for the entire Universe. This symbol is actually a mantra that is pronounced from the core of your soul and represents Lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe. The Omkar is a symbol of the syllable ‘Om’, which is significant in the Hindu religion as well as many other Asian religions. This word is written in Sanskrit in this symbol, which is the language used for sacred Hindu writings. This graphic design logo defies description, using none of the archetypical shapes and symbols seen in other religions, which establishes Hinduism as MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN DIASPORA CULTURE
Star and Crescent Christian cross
Fish or Ichthus. Sikh Khanda Logo Design
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fundamentally different from other world religions, a positive impression for modern people who are always looking for something different and better.
Buddhist Lotus Flower Logo Design.
8 Pentagram A pentagram is basically a 6 pointed star surrounded by a circle. This symbol stands for the Holy Feminine, but is also used in occult practices.
9 Fish or
Ichthus Wheel of Dharma
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Yin and Yang
Lotus Flower Logo Design
symbol of Taoism without understanding the role that duality plays in this religion.
The lotus flower represents many things to Buddhists and other Asian cultures, including the purity and symmetry that are universally associated with blossoms. Because the petals unfold and eventually give birth to fruit, the lotus flower and other flowers represent the growth and unfolding of the self, as well as one phase of life giving way to another. This graphic design logo is heavily symbolic to Buddhists while also an attractive image for any religion to portray.
12 Ahimsa Hand Pentagram
The ichthus or fish is the earliest symbol for Christ. This could be because all the 12 original Apostles of Christ were fishermen.
10 Menorah The Menorah is a Jewish symbol that looks like a candle stand. Apparently, God revealed the design of the Menorah to Moses in His dreams.
11 Yin and Yang This Chinese sign basically symbolized the balance of Nature. It is also seen as a representation of male and female energies. The circle is a symbol of unity, while the dark and light symbolize the marriage of opposites, such as male and female, dark and light. The small circles of opposite color within the larger color sides represent that all things have a little bit of their opposite characteristic. It is impossible to see the
This is a Jain symbol that is very common in India. Jains believe in total non-violence and the stopping gesture of the hand is a reminder of the pledge against violence.
13 Wheel of Dharma or Chamaru In Mahayana, Buddhist figures and sacred objects leaned towards esoteric and symbolic meaning. The Mudras are a series of symbolic hand gestures describing the actions of the characters represented in only the most interesting Buddhist art. Many images also function as mandalas. Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist art frequently makes use of a particular set of eight auspicious symbols,ashtamangala, in domestic and public art. These symbols have spread with Buddhism to the art of many cultures, including Indian, Tibetan, Nepalese, and Chinese art. Wheel of Dharma or Chamaru in Nepali Buddhism represents knowledge.
14 Buddhist
15 Sikh Khanda Logo Design The Sikh Khanda features several symbols that are important to the religion as well as one more commonly recognized symbol. First, the graphic design logo is in a generally circular shape, with the circular Chakkar in the center, which shows the harmony and all-encompassing nature of the religion and culture. In the center is the double edge sword, a common symbol in this warrior culture. The two swords on either side represent the dual nature of the guru that leads the religion.
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COVER STORY
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WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
“An Era Is Over”: Bollywood Icon Sridevi Boney Kapoor Dies
Sridevi was in Dubai along with husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi, to attend the wedding of nephew Mohit Marwah. As per the report, Boney Kapoor, who had left Dubai for Mumbai, came again on Saturday evening to surprise his wife. He supposedly woke Sridevi around 5.30 pm and the couple chatted for around 15 minutes, the report says. Then Boney Kapoor asked her to dinner. The 54-year-old bollywood star went to the washroom to get ready. When she did not come out for some time, her husband knocked the door, then forced open to see the actor “lying motionless in a bathtub full of water”, according to the Khaleej Times. The report says, quoting a source on Sunday, February 25, 2018 “He tried to revive her and when he could not, he called a friend of his. After that, he informed the police at 9pm.” She could not be revived. Her shocked family says she never had any heart condition.
The funeral of superstar Sridevi, who died in Dubai on Saturday evening, is expected to take place in Mumbai. Her family, in a statement said, her body will be brought back to India today. Sridevi, 54, collapsed in her hotel room in Dubai on Saturday evening and a medical team had failed to revive her. She was affirmed dead when she was taken to the hospital, Indian ambassador in UAE Navdeep Suri told NDTV. Sridevi’s brother-in-law and actor Sanjay Kapoor said she had no history of heart ailment. The sudden death left her legions of fans and the film industry shocked and MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
COVER STORY heartbroken. Many people from Bollywood visited Sridevi’s brother-in-law’s home in Mumbai on Sunday. Shock and sorrow hit the country today as Bollywood icon Sridevi, loved by millions for her roles in movies like “Mr India”, “Chandni” along with “Himmatwala”, died of a cardiac arrest in Dubai. The 54-year-old, who had taken a long break from the movies after her marriage to Boney Kapoor, had returned to the silver screen six years ago with “English Vinglish” and worked in three films since then. 34
Sridevi’s sudden death has left millions of fans in India and elsewhere in complete shock. In countless tributes, she was billed as the first female superstar of Indian cinema. Older daughter Jhanvi, who is debuting in films, stayed back in Mumbai for a shoot. The family waited on February 25 for the legendary actor’s body as Dubai authorities carried out an autopsy. The body will be flown to Mumbai today for the funeral.
About Sridevi Sridevi Boney Kapoor (born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan; 13 August 1963 – 24 February 2018) was an Indian WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
actress and film producer. Sridevi’s mother was from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Her father was a lawyer. She has a sister and two stepbrothers. In 1996, Sridevi married Boney Kapoor, a film producer who is also the elder brother of actors Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor. They have two daughters, Jahnvi and Khushi. Sridevi starred in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada films. Regarded as Hindi cinema’s first “female superstar”, she was the recipient of five Filmfare Awards. Sridevi ranked amongst the highest-paid actors in the 1980s and 1990s and is considered to be the most popular actress of the era. Sridevi started her acting career with M. A. Thirumugam’s 1969 devotional film Thunaivan at the age of 4, and continued to act as a child artist in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films. She made her Bollywood debut as a child artist in Julie (1975) and played her first adult role at age 13 with the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu (1976). Sridevi established herself as one of the leading actresses of Tamil and Telugu cinema, with leading roles in 16 Vayathinile (1977), Sigappu Rojakkal (1978), Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1980), Meendum Kokila (1981),
Premabhishekam (1981), Moondram Pirai (1982), Aakhari Poratam (1988), Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari (1990) and Kshana Kshanam (1991). Sridevi’s first starring role in Hindi cinema came with the 1979 drama film Solva Sawan, and gained wide
attention with the 1983 production Himmatwala. She went on appear in a series of commercially successful films, including Mawaali (1983), Tohfa (1984), Naya Kadam (1984), Maqsad (1984), Masterji (1985), Nazrana (1987), Mr. India (1987), Waqt Ki Awaz (1988) and Chandni (1989). She
also received praise for such films as Sadma (1983), Nagina (1986), ChaalBaaz (1989), Lamhe (1991), Khuda Gawah (1992), Gumrah (1993), Laadla (1994) and Judaai (1997). Following the role of the titular protagonist in the television sitcom Malini Iyer (2004–2005), Sridevi returned to film acting in 2012 with the
successful comedy-drama English Vinglish. She then starred in her 300th film role in the 2017 thriller Mom. She earned critical acclaim for her performances in both films. In 2013, the Government of India awarded Sridevi the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
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accolade for her contributions to the entertainment industry. Honourary awards were also conferred on her by the state governments of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Sridevi was also voted ‘India’s Greatest Actress in 100 Years’ in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted in 2013 on the occasion of the centenary of Indian cinema. She was married to the film producer Boney Kapoor, with whom she had two children. Sridevi died of cardiac arrest on 24th February 2018 in Dubai. Sridevi started her career as a child actor at the age of four in the Tamil movie WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Thunaivan playing the role of young Lord Muruga and acted in many Tamil and Telugu movies from then on. Sridevi made her debut in Tollywood as a child artist with the 1970 telugu film Maa Nanna Nirdoshi. Baby Sridevi’s performance in Poompatta (1971) in Malayalam won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist. Kandan Karunai (1967), Nam Naadu (1969), Prarthanai (1970), Babu (1971), Badi Panthulu (1972), Bala Bharatam (1972), Vasantha Maaligai (1972) and Bhakta Kumbara (1974) are the most notable films of her
career as a child artist. In 1975, Sridevi debuted in Bollywood with Julie, where she played younger sister to the protagonist Lakshmi. She acted with Jayalalitha in Thirumangalyam, Kandan Karunai and Adi Parashakti. Sridevi’s body scheduled to arrive in Mumbai at 4.30pm. Rajinikanth arrives in Mumbai for Sridevi’s funeral at 11.03 am. Same time, Dipti Naval, Farah Khan and Farhan Akhtar with his mother Honey Irani arrive at Anil Kapoor’s residence. Rajnikant tweeted “I’m shocked and very disturbed.
I’ve lost a dear friend and the industry has lost a true legend. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I feel the pain with them #RIPSridevi... you will be missed.” Kamal Hassan tweeter “Have witnessed Sridevi’s life from an adolescent teenager to the magnificently lady she became. Her stardom was well deserved. Many happy moments with her flash through my mind including the last time I met her. Sadma’lullaby haunts me now. We’ll miss her.” Amir Khan tweeted “deeply disturbed and saddened by the untimely and tragic passing away of Sridevi, I have always been a huge fan of her work. Equally I have always been an admirer of the grace and dignity with which she conducted herself”
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
STORY FOR KIDS
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Sudama and
Krishna
Eternal Bond of True Friendship Indian mythology proliferates with colorful tales and lore, each having a hidden moral or lesson to learn from. While some of these stories deal with valor and heroic deeds; others relate in detail, instances of love and friendship. In this present day a true friend is one who is the most difficult to find and keep.
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We have several hundreds of friends, both online and offline, but only the really lucky ones get to meet that one friend and companion who will stay by their side, no matter what happens in their lives.
Sudama: Early Days Sudama, who was also known as Kuchela in South India, was a childhood friend of Lord Sri Krishna. Legend has it that Sudama was Narada, who took birth on Earth in order to enjoy and participate in the many lila’s of Krishna. Narada is a divine sage and eternal devotee of Lord Vishnu. Sudama was born in a poor Brahmin family, to Matuka and Rochana Devi. Krishna, on the other hand, hailed from the royal family and hence, enjoyed the highest possible social status. However, this difference did not in any way hinder their friendship - the two were inseparables all the way through the tenure of their schooling while in Vrindavan. They studied together at Acharya Sandipan’s ashram.
A Visit to the Forest Krishna and Sudama once went to the forest to gather brushwood. They stayed on there for long, walking and chatting with each other,
while also enjoying the beauty of their environs. It started getting quite late and Krishna got hungry. Sudama, in the meantime, had some grams with him. However, he felt embarrassed to offer this simple food to his friend, who hailed from a royal family. Krishna kept telling him how hungry he was and asked his friend if he had anything at all to eat. Sudama denied taking along anything to eat. Krishna knew very well that his friend had some food with him. He also knew that the boy too was hungry, so he dozed off for a little while. Sudama immediately opened his little pack of food and stealthily ate up some of it. Krishna noticed all this but said nothing. Both the boys then collected the brushwood and left for their homes. After finishing with their studies, they lost touch for several years. Krishna moved away from Vrindavan and went on to Dwaraka, where he got married. He then became the King and a military leader of great repute. Sudama, though, remained as impoverished as always and stayed on in the same village; continuing to dedicate his life to religious austerities, mantra, japa and developing a spiritual attitude toward life. He also continued thinking of Krishna and loved him as always.
Sudama’s Life after Marriage In due course of time, Sudama got married to Susheela and became a householder. However, he never had any interest in accumulating wealth. He was happy to live frugally, desiring no material gains. He accepted his financial status and preferred to spend time in the contemplation of the Supreme Godhead. He had not much money to spare for his wife and children. There were many times when the family did not even get two square meals. The children often cried out due to hunger and drank a lot of water to try and satiate themselves. Sudama’s wife repeatedly requested her husband to visit his old friend Krishna and beseech him for some financial assistance. She would remind him that he being a true Brahmin, a devotee and longlost close friend of Krishna, the latter would be only too willing to help him in his time of trouble. Susheela, like her husband, was not bothered about acquiring material treasures; but she was concerned about the health of her family, especially that of her children.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
STORY FOR KIDS Sudama Defies the Arrogant Knight
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An arrogant knight lived in the same town as Sudama. He hated Krishna’s popularity and the fact that so many were devoted to him. Since Sudama was one of the most ardent devotees of Krishna, the knight hated him too. He once called Sudama and told him that the latter would get anything he wished for, if he would only chant the former’s name. However, Sudama chose to defy the vain man and firmly stated that he would chant only the Lord’s name and no one else’s. The knight kept threatening him with dire consequences if he continued with his defiance, but Sudama did not waver and stood firm with his beliefs. In the meantime, Susheela kept begging her husband to visit his old friend Krishna, knowing that he would help in their time of need. Sudama was reluctant to ask such a big favor of Krishna. Besides, his view was that, Krishna being God, he would already know everything and would be aware of their suffering, without them having to go and complain to him. The knight was further enraged by Sudama’s utter lack of regard for him and decided to teach him a lesson. He went over to the latter’s home and began hitting WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
him. At the very moment, Krishna, sitting in his palace with his wives Rukmini and Satyabhama, felt the actual physical pain of the knight’s attack on Sudama. He knew all that Sudama was going through, but kept silent, wanting the latter to approach him first. Each time the knight hit Sudama, Krishna bore the brunt silently. His wives wondered why he was repeatedly wincing, but he nevertheless kept mum and did not explain the reason for his strange behavior.
Sudama Visits Krishna
happily left for Dwaraka.
The knight continued punishing and hitting Sudama for days, but the latter yet refused to visit Krishna. Finally, not able to take it anymore, Susheela ordered him to leave forthwith and request help from the Lord. He eventually agreed to visit his long-lost royal friend at Dwaraka. He realized that it would not be nice to go empty-handed to visit the King and so, he asked his wife to prepare some foodstuff that he could present before Krishna. Having nothing to eat in the house, she picked up some flattened rice or “poha” and packed it in a little piece of cloth. Sudama took it and
Reaching Dwaraka, Sudama stared in amazement at the massive gates of the palace, and then entered therein, passing through several military camps and residential quarters on the way. Once inside, he saw Krishna seated with Rukmini. The Lord immediately got up and warmly received Sudama, fondly embracing him. The palace attendants were shocked to see their King behaving in such a fashion with this humble, obviously very poor Brahmin. Sudama was completely overwhelmed by the rousing welcome that Krishna gave him.
the adventure they had had together during their time at their Guru’s ashram.
The Lord asked him to be seated and, in traditional fashion, washed Sudama’s feet, as a mark of respect for a Brahmin. Krishna then took some of the water used to wash his feet and sprinkled it over his own head. He then offered Sudama food and drink to refresh him after his long journey.
Krishna and Sudama Relive their Childhood Days Krishna then seated Sudama on his own plush bed and then both settled down to remember their days of childhood. The latter was thrilled by his friend’s memory of the wonderful days gone by; of all
The Lord recounted several incidents during their time together, including one where the boys entered the forest to collect dried wood, on the order of their Guru’s wife. They got lost in the forest and could not find their way back. All of a sudden, there was a vicious dust storm and then thick clouds covered the sky, with thunder and lightning making the entire atmosphere even more eerie and unsettling. Sunset arrived all too soon and the dense forest stretched never-endingly before them. It soon started to rain heavily; flooding the entire area. The young boys were dismayed by the devastation all around and decided to stick very close to each other. Holding each others’ hands, they tried in vain to find their Guru’s home. They were trapped in the forest all night and the next morning, the Guru sent his other disciples to look for them. After a long search, they found the boys, utterly shaken, tired, sleepy and hungry. The Guru was very touched by the boys’ devotion to him and blessed them with all goodness and knowledge. Krishna talked in detail about the incident, relating how lucky they were to find such a spiritual master and how
his blessings had helped them achieve much in their own lives. Sudama was wonderstruck by the Lord’s own humility and how simple he was, in spite of being the Lord God; the Controller of the whole Universe. They talked for a long time, after which Krishna finally asked Sudama what the purpose of his visit was and the reason why he had come to see him.
Sudama Offers Puffed Rice to Krishna Krishna’s mood turned jovial and, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he asked his friend what the latter had brought him as a gift and if his wife had packed some nice eatables. Reluctantly and feeling very embarrassed, Sudama offered him the packet of flattened rice. Krishna, knowing what his friend was thinking, enthusiastically opened the packet and was very happy when he saw the contents inside it. He decided he would partake of the rice and then richly reward Sudama for the same. The Lord grabbed a handful of the foodstuff and happily ate it up. When he tried to put in a second mouthful though, his wife Rukmini, the Goddess of Fortune, held his hand and shook her head ever so slightly. She meant to tell him that with one handful of the MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
STORY FOR KIDS rice, Sudama would become extremely wealthy in his present life. But with a second handful, he would continue to reap riches even in his next life. She was already obliged by Sudama’s offering, to stay in this Brahmin’s house and shower her grace in his present birth. She did not wish to continue doing so in his next birth as well.
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Krishna understood what Rukmini was trying to tell him and, with a gentle smile on his lips, kept aside the packet of rice. He then fed his friend a lavish meal, asked him to rest for a while and then spent some more time talking with him. Sudama, in the meantime, was in a state of transcendental bliss and so, actually forgot the reason why he had come here in the first place. He spent the night at the palace and left for his home early next morning. Krishna lovingly bade him farewell, though he did not offer him anything in material terms. On the way, he was completely happy and absorbed thinking of the wonderful time he had spent with the Lord. He thought that Krishna had desisted from giving him money and other material things, as he probably thought that those things may spoil his own attitude and make WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
him too proud and arrogant; finally making him forget God. Thinking thus, he continued on his way back home.
A Palace of Gold Awaits Sudama As he neared his home, Sudama was dismayed to see that his humble little cottage was missing. In place of that was a large, gleaming palace, made of gold, stones and jewels. His poor and shabby neighborhood had been converted into beautiful gardens and parks with lovely lotus-filled lakes, filled with flocks of different multi-colored birds! Regal-looking men and women were strolling around the parks and divine music was playing somewhere in the background. Sure that he had come to the right place, Sudama wondered where his little home had disappeared, virtually overnight. As he stood there taking in the sights, his wife ran out of the palace to greet him. She was dressed in opulent, rich silks and heavy gold jewelry and seemed to him like the Goddess of Fortune herself. She affectionately led her amazed husband inside the palace. Its chambers were beautiful and ornate, fit for Indra, the King of the Gods. The palace consisted of
several ornamented columns and pillars, with rich silk and velvet canopies hanging from the windows. Sudama then understood that all of this was Krishna’s doing. The Lord had been silently watching him and his suffering for all these years. But his small, seemingly meaningless offering of the poha had paid rich rewards. He had been bestowed wonderful and incomparable riches and a palace, beautiful beyond human imagination. Sudama then prayed to Krishna, promising that he would never forget his Lord
in the midst of all this wealth and opulence. He accepted Krishna’s grace as prasadam and also resolved to use the money on serving the Lord. He lived peacefully with his wife and spent the rest of his life in luxury. However, he did so with a permanent and unwavering sense of gratitude and devotion toward the Lord, never once falling into the trap of ego and greed that wealth, power and position invariably bring with them. The Lord’s grace proportionately increased day after day, bestowing more wellbeing, happiness and peace on him.
Sudama and Akshaya
Tritiya It is believed that Sudama met Krishna at Dwaraka on the sacred day of Akshaya Tritiya. This day occurs just once a year and falls on the third day of the bright half of the Vaishakh month, during April-May, according to the English calendar. On this day, the Sun and the Moon are in exalted position and shine at their brightest. The word “Akshaya” signifies unending, imperishable or eternal. It is considered that valuables bought or new beginnings made on this day bear fruit and bring
immense success and good fortune to the doer. This is why people traditionally purchase gold, silver and other valuables on this day. Akshaya Tritiya is also considered an auspicious day for conducting weddings, begin new business ventures and even undertake longdistance journeys. On this day, many Hindus bathe in holy rivers, conduct elaborate Poojas, make charities, and offer barley in havans (sacred fire rituals). Lord Ganesha, the ElephantHeaded Lord and Devi Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth are also worshipped on this day. MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
COVER STORY
Why Sudama Suffered Poverty
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Sudama suffered immense poverty for most of his life. This suffering was due to his karma. As mentioned earlier, during their childhood, Sudama had once eaten his food on the sly, without sharing the same with a very hungry Krishna. Sudama, being young himself, had not known the omnipotent and omniscient nature of Lord Sri Krishna and so, had not understood that this was all a mere lila or divine play on the part of Krishna. The latter had known all along what his friend was doing, but he had kept silent, only so that Sudama could finish his life’s karma by way of this incident. However, when Sudama offered Krishna a handful of poha; Krishna, the Supremely Benevolent One and the caretaker of his devotees; immediately rewarded him with unimaginable wealth and riches that would last him a lifetime. Since Sudama had by then realized Krishna’s divinity and started spending his newfound riches on charity, the latter kept showering him with even more grace and wealth that lasted all his life.
Moral of the Story WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
The story of Krishna and Sudama contains several hidden lessons that we could learn from. Some of them are as follows: All are equal in the eyes of the Lord and He does not differentiate between people based on petty caste, wealth and social status. We too should learn to respect each individual, as each one is a creation of that Supreme Being. God always rewards good deeds; however, He is also bound by the Laws of Karma. He knows when to bestow His grace on us. It may take a while for us to reverse negative karma and start enjoying the fruit of our good deeds, but it is bound to
come to us in time. Till such a time arrives, we merely need to keep up with good karma. Bhakti or devotion toward God is the only thing that will lead us to His grace. Also, praying and conducting elaborate Poojas expecting material gains in return will never help us attain the Lord’s grace. Instead, being pure of thought, word and deed and offering our heart and soul to Him will give us everything we would ever need.
Sudama’s Gift of the Poha Some may wonder how a handful of flattened rice would be enough to grant
story from this angle, Krishna was only returning Sudama’s favor. Sudama had come to Krishna, merely to express his love toward him. He had nothing to offer and yet, he did not beg for anything. Instead, he actually ended up feeding the Lord Himself. Krishna too knew very well that true, selfless love and friendship such as Sudama’s would only give and never take. The Lord himself was impatiently waiting for his poor friend’s arrival, so that He could liberate him from all his negative karma.
good karma spanning over several lifetimes. Here is an explanation for the same: It is said that Annadaan or the act of offering food is the greatest ever charity man can perform in his lifetime. By offering the Lord a handful of poha, Sudama had unknowingly done the greatest deed of feeding the Universal Form of the Lord Himself. With this handful of the rice, Krishna, in his Universal Form, fed all the creatures of the world. This act of Sudama wiped out all his negative karma in one single moment of time; while also earning him enough good karma to last several more lifetimes! Sudama was extremely poor
and could not afford even that packetful of poha. His family would go hungry for days on end, sometimes drinking only water in an attempt to satiate their hunger. In his case, therefore, the fact that he took the trouble to feed the Lord in spite of his own destitute condition was enough reason for him to earn a tremendous amount of good karma.
While Krishna’s gift was rare and precious, Sudama’s gift was invaluable and priceless. The Lord knew the amount of difficulty his friend would have gone through in bringing the packet of poha to him. Knowing Sudama’s pure and undiluted love and devotion for him, he had to respond with much greater love and affection.
This shows that a true devotee’s love invariably forces God to bestow several Was Sudama’s times more love and grace on him. While God is in no Friendship eternal? way committed to respond to As mentioned above, it was everyone’s prayer, He simply extremely difficult for Sudama has to respond to a devotee to afford even a small packet of who showers this level of love rice to offer to his friend Krishna. and bhakti on Him. Krishna, on the other hand, was a King and so, bestowing so much wealth on Sudama was easy for him. Looking at the MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
HEALTHY LIVING
Images by: http://www.straitstimes.com
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Offbeat exercises to get in shape
When it comes to physical fitness, I’ve always opted for the tried, true and traditional. I’m perfectly happy with my light weight-training and a good jog in the park. The weight-training makes me feel buff and invigorated and the running helps me clear my head and get my heart rate going.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
But apparently I’ve been missing out on a whole new wave of inventive, fun and sometimes hilarious workout routines — from “aerial yoga” to “booty ballet!” I had no idea that hula hoops were back, and I certainly didn’t know that bouncing across the room like a kangaroo — on “jumping shoes,” no less — would earn me anything but strange stares. And those are just a few of the unusual new fitness trends that have workout enthusiasts across the country twisting, twirling and bounding their way to better bodies and better health. Of course, fitness crazes are nothing new. Ever since Jane Fonda released her hit workout series in the ‘80s, experts have been inventing new ways to get in shape. Sometimes it’s just a matter of modifying an existing sport into a fitness routine — like spinning, boxing or rock climbing — but other times the ideas are a little more creative. So, if traditional workouts have run their course for you, take a look at some of the more unusual fitness trends we found that are inviting folks to have a little fun while breaking a sweat. Who knows? Maybe one of these workouts could be your ticket to fitness.
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Parkour
Also known as “freerunning,” this French import has you climbing, jumping, and maneuvering over and around whatever obstacles that stand in your way. It’s an awesome total body workout— and you’ll be more than ready for the zombie apocalypse.
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Sandbags
The unwieldy heft of a sack filled with sand forces primary movers and stabilizing muscles alike to fire like no other. It’ll get you ready for a mud or militaryinspired race, and it’s great preparation if you’re ever called on to aid in a flood. Make your own bag and put it to good use with our DIY sandbag guide.
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Vertical Climber
Similar to a neverending ladder, it’s the absolute toughest cardio machine out there, training the core and back muscles and torching calories like no other, with virtual no impact on the joints. Hunt around the gym floor for this tall, angled apparatus (likely made by Versaclimber), politely unhook the treadmill dude’s coat from its handle, and give it a whirl.
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Aerial Yoga
The fabric sling supports whichever body part you have resting in it, so it’s easier to get
a good stretch even if you’re not naturally flexible. Not to mention: bendy chicks in tight clothes. Look for it in your area under its other pseudonyms Unnata Yoga and Antigravity yoga
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Barbell Landmine
A barbell anchored at one end to a pivot point on the ground is ideal enhanced core training, while allowing potentially greater loads than you can safely control with free weights. Check the far reaches of the gym for a landmine base collecting dust, or simply wedge the end of 45-pound barbell in a corner and go to town.
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Oddlifting
Creating fitness tasks to do with heavy objects like rocks, cinder blocks, and full kegs preps the body to handle any circumstance in which strength may be called upon; after all, how often are you deadlifting or overheadpressing heavy objects in your day-to-day with perfect gym form? Think Strongman competition and you’ve got the idea. Wait, did you say “full keg”?!
Outdoor Rock 7 Climbing
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
HEALTHY LIVING
Ever since Jane Fonda released her hit workout series in the ‘80s, experts have been inventing new ways to get in shape.
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Scrambling, reaching, pushing, and pulling your way over and up craggy terrain challenges your core, coordination, grip strength...and sense of fear. Take it outside and skip the ropes and harnesses in favor of bouldering, which trains your body laterally, a movement pattern no one does enough of.
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Krav Maga
The Israeli martial art teaches hand-to-hand combat skills that inflict maximum damage. All the while, you’ll get in crazy-good shape, thanks to calisthenics drills that begin every class. Look for a training center near you.
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Snowshoeing
Trudging through the snow wearing soles the size of tennis rackets is both aerobic and strength training and it makes bad weather no excuse for WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
skipping your workout. Plus, you can tell yourself it’s the scenery that’s actually taking your breath away.
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Battle Ropes
Who’d have guessed that whipping a super-thick rope as hard as you can into the ground would work not just your arms and shoulders but your entire body, and leave you panting for air? It’s also aggressively loud, and who doesn’t love to make some noise?
Underwater Running and Aqua Cycling
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The water added resistance without impact, for heartpumping cardio and killer calorie burn without day-after soreness. Both are great cross-training for marathoners and triathletes as well as for anyone who’s rehabbing from injury.
12 Tractor Tire Flips It may seem super-weird, but think about it: In order to launch these enormous tires end-over-end, you have to squat, deadlift, row, and overhead press, all in one fluid motion. It’ll also prep you for a side gig with the pit crew at the
monster truck rally.
Gymnastics Rings
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Used in CrossFit and making their way into mainstream gyms and even for sale on Amazon, the rings offer instability that allows for intense bodyweight strength training. And no matter one’s opinion on gymnastics as a sport, everyone thinks the iron cross is totally badass.
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Chi Running
This unexpected blend of the Chinese martial art tai chi with jogging, chi running emphasizes posture, alignment, stride efficiency, and yoga-like breathing to improve running form and prevent injuries. ‘Cause let’s face it: No matter your age, you’re not getting any younger.
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Weight Sled
Pushing or pulling a loaded contraption against the friction of the ground trains the whole body for sheer strength and power. And who knows when you might need to be your own tow truck? Find a sled at your local gym, rig one up by flipping over a box and stacking it with weight plates, or MacGyver your own from
stuff you buy at the hardware store.
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Capoeira
This Brazilian art of self-defense was disguised by African slaves as a traditional dance so its practitioners could get away with becoming killing machines. You’ll work on your coordination, flexibility, and strength by kicking, chopping, and flipping through the air.
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A Zombie Race
What better way to encourage yourself to run harder than being chased by the undead? Some of these races also throw in mudrun-type obstacles for an added
challenge. All told, it’s probably less life-threatening—and more amusing— than running from those Spanish bulls.
18. Wood Chopping Grab an axe and get ready to do your best Paul Bunyan impression. Splitting wood isn’t just a way to have fireplace reserves for winter: It forces your muscles to work in total synergy—the definition of functional training—and shred your arms, shoulders, and abs in the process. And who knows, if you get good enough, you could test your mettle at a lumberjack competition
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
Popular Indian Sweets Around the World INDIAN FOOD
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Weddings. Festivals. And any happy occasion, really. Indians sure know how to indulge their sweet tooth. What else could explain the sheer number of sweet treats that have their origins in India? Most Indians are known for having a sweet tooth. When it comes to having ‘something sweet’, we are all equally guilty. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
That is why there is an amazing variety of popular Indian sweets. These Indian desserts are in high demand all over the world. All the different popular Indian desserts hail from various parts of India. Almost every state in this country has its own variety of ‘mithai’ or sweetmeat. The list of popular Indian sweets is almost neverending. Some of these mithai enjoy global popularity. For example laddoos and jalebis are famous in very corner of India. Each of these of Indian desserts come in many different varieties. Laddoos can be made of boondi, atta, sattu etc. Here are some of the most popular Indian sweets that enjoy legendary status all around the world:
Gulab Jamun: Gulab Jamun is a delicious Indian version of donuts immersed in warm sweet syrup. As India’s most popular dessert, gulab jamun is a staple in most parts of the country. Gulab jamuns are served for almost every celeberation. Gulab jamuns can be served warm or at room temperature. From west to east and north to south Gulab Jamuns are a one of the most favorite Indian sweet dishes due to its silky texture, its dripping sugar syrup and its soft crust. The best Gulab Jamun recipe takes time to cook with the process involving milk solids or khoya to be cooked on slow burn until the water content has evaporated. Then the remnants are kneaded into soft dough out of which small balls are made out and then deep fried. Finally, the small balls are then soaked in sugary syrup which is flavored with saffron or cardamom.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN FOOD
Rasgulla: A very attractive way of eating carrots, gajjar ka halwa is another very popular Indian sweet dish in the northern and central parts of India. Originated in Punjab, it is usually made during the winter months and is a delight to have. Made out of carrot, milk, sugar and nuts it is cooked on a slow burner until the milk dries out leaving a mouth watering sweet dish to have post meal. Gajjar ka Halwa is a North Indian specialty with Punjab being the best place to have Gajjar ka Halwa on a cold winter evening.
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Payasam: Kheer, payasam, payesh or payasa, these are the many regional varieties of the same dessert. In Kerala, Payasam gets a dedicated space in the traditional thali during festivals like Onam or during the traditional Malayalam feast popularly known as Sadhya. In Tamil Nadu, payasam is served during most festivals like Gokulashtami and others. Traditional payasam includes ingredients like jaggery and coconut milk over sugar and dairy milk that is used predominantly in the North Indian variants. There is a wide variety of payasams: from the traditional recipes that include rice, vermicelli and moong dal to other preparations like jevvarisi payasam, thengai payasam, rava payasam.
Petha: Petha and Peda are an out and out Uttar Pradeshi dessert which is gorged upon by millions with great joy. It goes without saying that the best dessert found in Agra is Petha and that in Mathurais Peda. Pethas are like soft, sweet, white rectangular candies made out of white pumpkin. Mathura is credited with the origin of Pedas. They are circular semi soft discs made out of khoa, sugar and traditional flavorings, including cardamom seeds, pistachio nuts and saffron. Agra ka Petha and Mathura ke Pede are to die for.
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Rasmalai: Ras malai or rossomalai is a dessert originating from the Indian subcontinent. The nameras malai comes from two words in Hindi: ras, meaning “juice”, and malai, meaning “cream”. It has been described as “a rich cheesecake without a crust” Ras Malai is dumplings made from cottage or riccotta cheese soaked in sweetened, thickened milk delicately flavored with cardamom. Serve it chilled and garnished with slivers of dried fruit.
Jalebi A dessert among street foods of India, jalebi or imarti as it’s known across India, is a sweet gorged upon by millions every evening on Indian streets or at homes with a cup of hot tea. Imarti or jalebi is made out of Urad flour batter which is deep-fried and then soaked in sugar syrup. A gift of the Mughals, a jalebi causes an explosion of sweetness in your mouth.
Shahi Tukda or Khubani ka meetha The earliest visitors to India called it the land of milk and honey. Marut Sikka whips up a rich, saffron infused shahi tudka from Awadh. The recipe of Shahi Tukda is believed to have been invented out of a way to use up unused bread in the nineteenth century Mogul cuisines. ect
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
NRI PROFILE
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Meera Nair The Complete Profile
Mira Nair (pronounced Mee-ra Ni-eer) is the writer, director, and producer of award-winning films such as Salaam Bombay, Mississippi Masala , and Monsoon Wedding . Her films are studies in cross-cultural identity as her characters negotiate the complexities of life while also honoring their heritage. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Born in India, educated in the United States, and having lived in Africa since 1991, Nair is intimately aware of the conflicts and joys associated with nostalgia for home and outsider status. She explained to David Sterritt of the Chicago Tribune , “I’m interested in marginal people, or people who are considered marginal…. I’m interested in capturing the complexity of people and the complexity of life.” The youngest of three children, Nair was born on October 15, 1957, in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India. The small village in eastern India was, as she described to Alex Perry in Time International , “Even in Indian terms, it’s really remote.” Her father, Amrit, was a civil servant and her mother, Praveen, was active in social welfare which included organizing a home for the children of lepers. Growing up she was noted for her interest in the people around her and her energy. The village elders nicknamed her “Pagli” which is Hindi for “mad.” Her father described her role in the family to John Lahr of the New Yorker: “Even though the boys were older, she was the leader.”
wrote poetry, and acted in the local street theater. An excellent student, Nair was determined to get into a better school than the local one she attended. The teachers there expected her to do so well that they never noticed when she started putting nonsense in the middle of her written reports. With the help of her former headmistress she was able to convince her father to send her to an exclusive boarding school similar to the ones her older brothers were attending. Upon graduating from high school, Nair went to the University of Delhi but she felt a need to expand her horizons and began applying to schools in Europe and the United States. In 1976, she jumped at the full scholarship offered by Harvard even though she’d never even visited the campus. She started out in the theater department acting, but was bored with the staid productions of familiar musicals. She also found acting too restrictive to her need to have control over
her creativity. Moving out of the theater department she turned to photography and eventually to documentary filmmaking. She made four documentaries. Her first was Jama Masjid Street Journal , made in 1979. Nair took a camera to the streets around a mosque that is the center of life in the city of Delhi, India. The film contrasts traditional life and how it fits into the structure of a growing modern city. So Far From India , released four years later, shows the journey of a young Indian man as he travels to New York for work and his reluctance to return to India afterward. India Cabaret revealed the normal lives of strippers who work in a suburb of Bombay. Her final documentary, Children of a Desired Sex , exposed how the medical diagnostic tool of amniocentesis was being used to determine the sex of fetuses, and how those that were female were aborted. Nair spent a great deal of
Highly motivated and dedicated to whatever she put her mind to, Nair taught herself to type and play sitar. She also painted, MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
NRI PROFILE time traveling on her own to show her documentaries. She eventually tired of answering irrelevant questions about her nationality as well as the lack of creative control that comes with documentary filmmaking. She still wanted more control. Discussing her primary frustration with documentary film, she told Ann Kolson of the Philadelphia Inquirer , “Life controlled the film.”
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Working from the inspiration she found in the street children she met making her earlier films, she decided to make her first fiction film, which was called Salaam Bombay! . Her experiences as an actor, as a documentary filmmaker, and her respect for the children all came together in the film which had no professional actors. The actors were all taken from the pool of children found in the streets. She explained to the Chicago Tribune ‘s Sterritt why she used nonprofessionals: “It couldn’t be made with any other children … the inspiration that came from them was their spirit…. Also, their faces and bodies were a kind of map of the journey that they had traveled.” Making Salaam Bombay! called on Nair to pull together all her resources. There were logistical problems involved in WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
trying to film the movie around the schedules of pimps and prostitutes. As producer of the film, Nair had to pull in finances from three continents in order to keep creative control. And finally, there was organizing and filming with a troupe of actors who had never acted before in their short lives. The final product was a film that received the following review from Desmond Ryan of the Philadelphia Inquirer , “Nair has contrived the extraordinary feat of treating this blameless degradation with compassion while never turning mawkish or milking the more appalling moments…. This detached, almost matter-of-fact approach to a way of life … is devastating in its cumulative force.” In 1988, Nair’s first feature film went on to win the coveted Camera d’Or for Best First Film at the Cannes Film Festival, the first Indian film to ever win the prize. Its premiere at Cannes was followed by a standing ovation from the
audience. Other awards included the Prix du Public at Cannes, Jury Prize and Most Popular Film at the Montreal World Film Festival. Salaam Bombay! also received a nomination for Best Foreign Film from the Academy Awards. Three years later she was challenging audiences again with the story of Ugandanborn Indians displaced to Mississippi in Mississippi Masala . Instead of working with amateurs she had the luxury of working with names and faces familiar to audiences in India and the United States. The cast included Roshan Seth, who had starred in feature films such as the epic Gandhi and My Beautiful Laundrette , as the father longing to return to Uganda. Sharmila Tagore, a famous actress in Hindi films as well as many films by the Indian director Satyajit Ray, was cast as the mother. American actor
Denzel Washington had the role of Demetrius William, the love interest of Meena, played by Sarita Choudhury, in her debut acting role. While making Mississippi Masala Nair met Mahmood Mamdani, who owned one of the locations in Uganda where they shot scenes for the film. Nair ended her marriage with Mitch Epstein whom she had met in 1977 and married in 1981, and moved to Uganda to be with Mamdani. Their son, Zohran, was born in 1991 and Nair began making adjustments to her life on three continents. She and her husband teach at Columbia University through the school year. The family spends holidays in India, and then the rest of the time in Kampala, Uganda. Nair told Carrie Rickey of the Philadelphia Inquirer , “My clothes hang in three places, but I have a garden only in Kampala…. Where you plant your garden is your true home.” From 1993 to 1999, Nair made several films but none of them really seemed to hold the energy of her first two films. She made her first all-star film with 1995’s The Perez Family which included Anjelica Huston, Marisa Tomei, Alfred Molina, and Chazz Palminteri. Although the theme of displacement was one she had grappled
with before, the film was not as well received as her others. In 1996, instead of dealing with negative critical reviews, Nair spent months fighting the censorship board of India to get them to release her film Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love , the story of two strong women celebrating their sexuality. When it was finally released in India, she insisted that movie theaters that showed it reserve three times a week for women-only viewings to encourage women to see it. By the late 1990s, Nair was burned out on the films she was making. She wanted to return to her roots, and also prove a point to her students that a good film could be made without a huge amount of money. On her summer vacation she took off for India with a small crew and enlisted the help of many of her relatives and acquintances to take roles in the film. The result was Monsoon Wedding , which was made for one million dollars in the course of 30 days. Susan Stark of the Detroit News described the film about a Punjabi wedding and events surrounding it as “[s] wirling, loving, and brilliantly, sensuously colorful. [It] celebrates love, family, a culture that comfortably accommodates past and present.” The film won numerous awards and went on to make $30 million worldwide— the most money ever made by an Indian film. In 2002, she released Hysterical
Blindness . The made-for-HBO film starred Juliette Lewis and Uma Thurman. The members of the cast of the film won three Emmys and a Golden Globe. In discussing her work with Time International ‘s Perry, Nair stated, “My feeling is that I do what I do, then I offer it to the world. I hope people will be affected by it, watch it and are impressed…. I don’t think about the fruits of my actions. I just do the work.” In 2004, she was the creative force behind the remake of the classic novel of social aspiration Vanity Fair . The film starred Reese Witherspoon and took a different approach to the subject matter, casting humor and joy into situations that had previously been portrayed as dark and ugly. Nair also took liberties to add some Bollywood (popular Indian film) style to the film, introducing song and dance numbers to enliven the period piece. Never one to slow down, Nair began working on her next project while finishing up Vanity Fair . She described the situation to Amaya Rivera of Mother Jones , “I’d shoot Vanity Fair during the day— elephants, carriage, Reese Witherspoon—and at 6 p.m. I would say, ‘Goodbye, everyone, I’m going to my room.’ And I read and reread The Namesake .” The film was conceived during those MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
NRI PROFILE readings and within ten months she began shooting. Her cache with Hollywood had grown so much that she was asked to direct the 2007 installment of the series of films based on the Harry Potter books. She turned it down to continue work onThe Namesake which was released the same year. Nair next planned to direct the film Shantaram and produce Gangsta M.D. , both of which were scheduled to be released in 2008.
About Meera Nair:
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Mira Nair is an internationally accomplished film director, writer and producer born in India and currently based in the U.S.A. She has directed award-winning documentaries such as So Far From India and India Cabaret. Her debut feature film, Salaam Bombay! was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1988. It won the Camera D’Or for the best first feature film and the Prix du Publique for ‘most popular entry’ at the Cannes Film Festival besides 25 other international awards. Her next film Mississippi Masala won three awards at the Venice Film Festival. Her most recent film, The Queen of Katwe, which got released in October, 2016 in India, is about the journey of a young Ugandan woman who aspires WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
to be a chess champion.
Personal Life Mira Nair was born on 15 October, 1957 in Rourkela, Odisha. Her father, Amrit Nair, was a civil servant and her mother, Praveen Nair, a social worker. Nair moved with her family to Delhi at the age of eleven due to her father’s transferring posts. She is the youngest among her siblings. She left home at the age of thirteen to attend Loreto Convent Tara Hall, an IrishCatholic missionary school in Shimla, where she developed interest in English literature. Later, Nair went to Miranda House at Delhi University and earned her graduation degree in Sociology. She was offered a full scholarship to Cambridge University, but accepted a similar opportunity at Harvard University. Mira Nair met her first husband, Mitch Epstein, in 1977 at Harvard University. They divorced by 1987. Nair met her
husband Mahmood Mamdani in 1988 while researching for her film Mississippi Masala in Uganda. Their son, Zohran, was born in 1991. She lives in New York City near Columbia University, where she works as an adjunct professor in the Film Division of the university’s School of Arts. Apart from teaching and films, Mira also takes interest in yoga. In fact, when making a film, she makes sure that her cast and crew begin the day with yoga.
Career Mira Nair began her career with small-scale films. With time, she developed interest in direction and made a number of documentaries for television. Her first film, Jama Masjid Street (1979) describes the life of Muslims in Old Delhi. Her other noted film, India Cabaret (1985) revolves around the lives in Mumbai nightclubs. Salaam Bombay! (1988) is a critically acclaimed movie
that won numerous awards in international film festivals. Her 1991 film Mississippi Masala, starring Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury, won rave reviews. The Perez Family, which starred Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei and Angelica Huston, was released in 1995. She also directed a movie called Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love Story, which narrates the story of love life in India in the 16th century. Her movie Monsoon Wedding in 2001 was a major success and won her several awards, including the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice film festival. In 2006, she made The Namesake, adapted from Pulitzer prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri’s award winning novel, and it also drew positive response from film critics.
Awards and Recognition 1985: Best Documentary Film, Global Village Film Festival for India Cabaret 1986: Golden Athena, Athens International Film Festival for India Cabaret 1988: Audience Award, Cannes Film Festival for Salaam Bombay! 1988: Golden Camera (Best First Film), Cannes Film Festival for Salaam Bombay!
for Best Feature Film in Hindi for Salaam Bombay! 1988: Jury Prize, Most Popular Film and Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Montreal World Film Festival for Salaam Bombay! 1988: New Generation Award, Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards 1991: Golden Osella (Best Original Screenplay), Venice Film Festival for Mississippi Masala 1991: Critics Special Award, São Paulo International Film Festival for Mississippi Masala 1992: Best Director (Foreign Film), Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists for Mississippi Masala 2001: Golden Lion (Best Film), Venice Film Festival for Monsoon Wedding 2002: UNESCO Award, Venice Film Festival 2012: Padma Bhushan by Government of India
Philanthropy and other contributions: Wherever she goes, Nair also lends whatever support she can. After the making of Salaam Bombay! she created the Salaam Baalak Trust, which is run by her mother, to help the
children of Delhi who have been forced into prostitution and other horrible situations. In 2004 she launched the film lab called Maisha, based in Uganda. Set up similarly to the Sundance Institute, the lab is a home for East African and South Asian filmmakers to gather and learn new skills. In 2005, they hosted a screenwriting workshop and the following year a directors’ workshop. In 2007, they collaborated with the Full Frame Institute, which focuses on documentary filmmaking. Nair is passionate, driven, and creative. She travels the globe from New York, where she teaches at Columbia University, to Uganda, where she tends her garden. Despite all that she is well-grounded in her work. In discussing how she approaches her work she told Ethirajan Anbarasan and Amy Otchet of the UNESCO Courier , “You do extensive research about a theme, feel it and then create a story that could become universal…. I believe in intuition. I follow my intuition absolutely in finding and developing stories to tell…. But finding a subject is not enough. The trick is to create a work situation in which intuition is allowed to reign.”
1988: National Film Award MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
NRI IMMIGRATION
Merit- Based Immigration
Amendments Moved To Immigration Bill
In an attempt to improve existing high-skilled, merit-based immigration laws, amendments are moved to a White House-backed immigration bill by a top Republican lawmaker named Senator Orrin Hatch. The proposal for merit-based immigration laws could be of a big benefit technology professionals from countries like India.
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Hatch aims to eliminate annual per-country cap for employment-based green cards, which helps skilled employees from the populous countries like India and China. This does not allow unfairly discrimination against applicants from other less populous countries. After moving the amendments to Senate Immigration Bill Hatch said, “I have long said, high-skilled immigration is merit-based immigration,” “It’s immigration targeted at the best, the brightest, and the most highly educated. The amendments, I filed today, are focused, common sense reforms that will make a real difference for our economy,” he said. The amendments would increase worker mobility for individuals seeking green card
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
approval. The workers can change jobs without getting out of the line for the green card. Existing regulations get codified regarding spousal work authorisation as well as the post-education practical training. As per the statement, the US master’s degree holders or others being sponsored for green cards are exempted under the amendments from the annual numerical limitations on H-1B visas. The amendments also penalize employers who do not employ an H-1B worker for more than three months during the individual’s first year of work authorisation. Amendments also updates 1998 law exempting H-1B dependent employers from non-displacement
requirements and other recruitment. The amendment raises the H-1B salary level to USD 100,000 from USD 60,000 where the salary-based exemption comes to effect, eliminate exemption for superdependent employers and lessens education-based exemption to H-1B hires with a US PhD. “In particular, they will help streamline the process by which a worker with in-demand technical skills can obtain a green card and will cut back on some of the troubling abuses we have seen with the H-1B programme. “These are important reforms that can attract broad support, and I intend to pursue every opportunity to include them in the pending immigration bill,” the lawmaker said.
White House Announces
End Of Green Card Backlog
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
NRI IMMIGRATION
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n a fact sheet titled ‘ending the economic harm caused by our immigration system’, the White House said, “President Trump’s framework would end the visa lottery programme and reallocate some of the visas to help reduce backlog of high-skilled, employmentbased immigrant cases.” The White house has announced that the immigration framework of the US President Donald Trump will end the green card backlog of high-skilled workers by ending the diversity lottery visa. The announcement comes amid the growing demand by the Indian H-1B visa holders for the removal of allotment as per the country-limit.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
In a fact sheet titled ‘ending the economic harm caused by our immigration system’, the White House said, “President Trump’s framework would end the visa lottery programme and reallocate some of the visas to help reduce backlog of high-skilled, employmentbased immigrant cases.” Trump called for ending the visa lottery system later in the evening nad tweeted: “Time to end the visa lottery. Congress must secure the immigration system and protect Americans.” Most Indian-Americans are highly skilled and enter the country on H-1B work visas. They were the most sufferers due to the the current immigration system with a cap on green card allotments or permanent legal residency per country. The current wait period can be as long as 70 years for Indian skilled immigrants for green card.
Raj Shah, White House Deputy Press Secretary, told reporters during his first ever White House press conference that, “I think the president wants to see legal immigration reform. He wants to see us move from a process that currently exists in law of extended family chain migration toward merit-based immigration reforms,” “We want to look at the educational backgrounds, ability to contribute to the workforce in a way that helps American workers. So the president wants to see reforms that improve America’s economy,” Shah added. As per the Senate Republican Policy Committee, an average of 50,000 green cards are alloted through lottery for people across countries who do not enter US through the merit-based employment visas
Hike Expected In US
‘Golden Visa’ Investment Limits Experts are in the view that there will be a hike in February 2018 in the investment limits under the EB5 visa scheme, popularly known as the “Golden Visa”. The deadline for the Golden Visa scheme has been extended by the US Congress last week till 8 February 2018. The last deadlines expired on 10 January 2018. Introduced in 1990, the EB5 scheme allows foreign nationals to apply for a green card by investing in the US. The Golden Visa scheme allows every individual to invest $500,000 in either of two Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) i.e. a high unemployment area in a US metropolis or a rural area outside of a metro or $1 million in a non-TEA area with the potential to generate 10 or more jobs and obtain the US citizenship in a shorter time compared to H1-B visa holders. Recently, the EB5 visa has been turning out to be the shorter route to citizenship, in the context of stricter norms for H1-B visa issuance by the Trump. According to Mark Davies, Global Chairman of Davies and Associates which also deals with EB5 applicants, the
number of Indian clients his firm handled increased from 99 in 2014 to 238 in 2015 and over 330 in 2016. “I expect this to be 500-plus in 2017,” he said. Davies explained that investors can apply for an EB5 visa in 2 ways, i.e. either through regional centres or outside of the regional centres. Regional centres hold licences and are authorised to implement projects under the EB5 visa scheme. Advantages that come with working with regional centres is that the
jobs created under the project concerned can be counted. “But on the flip side, there can be responsible or irresponsible regional centres, just as a person holding a driving licence can drive responsibly or irresponsibly”, Davies said Davies pointed out that the current deadline is applicable only to those who seek an EB5 visa through regional centres. And the direct route is open forever.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
NRI IMMIGRATION
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Investment Linked Visa Route
For US Residency To Get High Priced The recent development for Indian immigrants seeking investment based US residency is expected to see a change soon. Though the US government plans to continue the investment based Green Card in EB 5 category but it would get costlier by as much as 5 crore. The recent steps by the US government WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
which are vetting the visa applications under H1b Visa regime, boosted the EB5 visa popularity among rich Indians. This is the quickest way to US residency by just investing in US businesses with the requisite money and creating adequate employment for US workers.
The number of investment based residency visa have increased from 90 in 2016 to 174 in Sept 2017. In total 10000 such visas are issued each year by US. But from India the category of visa has increased considerably. There was a sudden uproar due to some tweets by the USCIS or the United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services, which gave a vague insight making people believe this EB5 program would also come to an end. One of the tweet stated, “EB-5 visas provide lawful permanent residence to foreign nationals who promote economic growth in the United States. We’re working to fix the programme.” Now USCIS has come up with clarity of the EB5 visa program and it stated “Our proposed rule would increase investment levels and end gerrymandering. The changes would help true high unemployment and rural areas,” According to draft rules; the minimum investment limit for EB5 residency was $1 million or 6.4 crore and now it is going to increase to $1.8 million or 11.4 crore. But in rural areas, presently investors are required to just invest reduced amount of half a million specially for those areas with higher unemployment limits. These rural areas are called target employment areas or TEA’s. Even here the proposed investment is now hiked at $1.35 million or 8.6 crore.
1- Established after Nov. 29, 1990, or
2- Established on or before Nov. 29, 1990, that is: Purchased and the existing business is restructured or reorganized in such a way that a new commercial enterprise results, or Expanded through the investment so that at least a 40-percent increase in the net worth or number of employees occurs” Under EB 5 Green Card program, any individual with the necessary investment amount can apply and become a lawfully permanent resident but not a citizen of the US. But
they must create at least 10 permanent full time jobs with their investment, for US workers. These individuals receive conditional lawful permanent residence for themselves, spouse and kids under 21 years of age. And after a period of two years they can reapply for uplifting the conditional status. Once their application is approved these individuals and their family can permanently live and work in the US Post the child turning 21, the individual can further petition for this child as unmarried over 21 of a lawful permanent resident. But the waiting period for such petition is to long so most families gift the investment amount to the child who then applies for EB5 Visa in her or her name to become lawfully permanent resident.
According to USCIS, EB5 visa classification includes; “all investors must invest in a new commercial enterprise, which is a commercial enterprise:
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
NRI IMMIGRATION
New Campaign By Indian-Americans
To Remove Green Card Backlog A new nationwide campaign was launched by a few eminent Indian Americans in the US for the removal of the green card backlog. The newlylaunched group is named the GCReforms.org. The motive behind the campaign is to create awareness about the huge green card backlog. According to them, the impact of the green card is on nearly 300,00 high-skilled Indian applicants. 66
The announcement for the nationwide campaign comes in the wake of the details of its immigration reform sent by the White House to the Congress. Sampat Shivangi, GcReforms. org President, said, “We not only support the physician groups involved in the immigration issues but also supports a fair green card allocation process for engineers and other professionals that are caught up in the quandary.” Ved Nanda, evans distinguished university professor from 53 years at University of Denver Sturm college of law, said “I Strongly Support the Cause” in a statement issued by WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
GCReforms.org.
innovation and job creation.
Read: Indian-American Adobe CEO Leads USISPF Board
Hindu American foundation director Rishi Bhutada said, “Many bright individuals who are hardworking and selfdriven are always under stress to keep the same job role.”
GCReforms.org, the newly formed group has said that as per the current regulation, skilled immigrants from India need to wait between 25-92 years for a Green Card due to per-country limits. Kiran Kumar Thota, one of the founding organization members, has said that the delays from the green card have to eliminated as this slows down American
The creator of From The Land Of Gandhi Film on Green Card backlog, Prakash Wadhwa, said, “The contributions of skilled immigrants to America and their issues need better understanding and recognition across America, coming together of the Green Card Reforms is a great initiative in that direction.”
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
WORLD NEWS
Russian oligarch backs lawsuit
against Olympic doping whistle-blower 68
The Russian oligarch who is the owner of Brooklyn Nets is bankrolling the lawsuit filed by three Russian athletes in Russia’s doping scandal against the main whistleblower in anticipation the whistleblower will be enforced to make his accusations in a U.S. courtroom. Grigory Rodchenkov, the whistleblower, is currently in a U.S. witness protection program. His testimony helped influence the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to strip Russia of participation in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. Three Russian biathletes who were disqualified from Olympic competition because WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
of alleged doping are looking for $10 million apiece in a suit filed Tuesday in a New York state court. “The objective of the litigation is twofold,” mentioned Scott S. Balber, attorney for the plaintiffs. “Obviously, we want to adjudicate the matter, but we also want full-fledged discovery, documents and depositions to demonstrate the falsity of [Rodchenko’s] claims.” Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov was the chief promoter of the Russian biathlon program in the run-up to the 2014 Winter Olympics, which were held in the southern Russian resort city of Sochi. A source familiar with his role
mentioned it to the NBC News that he is the chief financial backer of the lawsuit. Post the first of the three biathletes, all women, were forbidden by the IOC in September 2017, Prokhorov said he would be keen to finance such a suit. “I am sure that one of the court proceedings could be opened in the United States, [where] Rodchenkov can be questioned during the trial,” Prokhorov said to TASS. “Our athletes should have an opportunity to personally face the man whose words provided the basis for the outrage of sporting lawlessness.” He also
added saying “I am prepared to hire the best lawyers to defend the interests of our biathletes in any country of the world, where it will be most appropriate.” The Wall Street Journal reported in December, Rodchenkov alleged in sworn testimony that Prokhorov funded a Russian biathlete millions of rubles not to reveal the elaborate doping scheme. Prokhorov strongly denied the story. As per the source, even though, the suit has a limited chance of success, Prokhorov and the plaintiffs want to make Rodchenkov “face his accusers.” They want to make him give sworn testimony in
confessions or, if the case reaches trial, in open court.
aiding prosecutors in criminal investigations in the United States and elsewhere.
Balber told he expects the Justice Department to put in efforts to keep Rodchenkov off the stand. The DOJ mentioned that the U.S. government “does not confirm or deny the participation of anyone in the Witness Security Program,” and disagreed to comment on the suit.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Andrew Weiss said Russian oligarchs have not used the U.S. court system very frequently, trusting instead on the British courts by their “more favorable British legal standards on what constitutes libel or defamation.”
As per the senior law enforcement officials, Rodchenkov is facilitating prosecutors with criminal investigations in the U.S. and in a different place. Since 2016 He has been in witness protection in the U.S. According to senior law enforcement officials, he is
Weiss said “Rodchenkov is Enemy Number One in Moscow these days and the government has launched a full-scale effort to make him, not the secret statesponsored doping program, the focal point of their rebuttal to the IOC’s decision to ban Russian Olympic athletes”
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
WORLD NEWS
Measles cases in Europe tripled The World Health Organization says Measles cases more than tripled in Europe last year, with eruptions and epidemics fueled by low vaccination rates. WHO said that more than 21,000 people caught the virus in 2017, and total 35 people died of it. The numbers shocked officials after a record low of 5,200 cases in 2016.
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Advisers met on 20th February to talk about how to increase vaccination rates in Europe. Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, mentioned in a statement. “Every new person affected by measles in Europe reminds us that unvaccinated children and adults, regardless of where they live, remain at risk of catching the disease and spreading it to others who may not be able to get vaccinated,” “Over 20,000 cases of measles, and 35 lives lost in 2017 alone, are a tragedy we simply cannot accept.” Europe has been struggling to regulate measles for years. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
One of the worst recent years was 2013, when there were more than 10,000 cases across Europe. But 2017 had more than doubled that number.
measles. Last year, 86 people were diagnosed with measles in the U.S. and so far this year 9 cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Europe has been struggling to control measles for years. One of the worst recent years was 2013, when there were more than 10,000 cases across Europe. But 2017 had more than doubled that number.
The CDC says “The majority of people who got measles were unvaccinated. Travelers with measles continue to bring the disease into the U.S. Measles can spread when it reaches a community in the U.S. where groups of people are unvaccinated.”
The worst recent year in the United States was 2014, when there were 667 cases of
Bermuda lawyer goes to court to
challenge gay marriage reversal
According to a court document seen on Monday, A Bermudian lawyer has filed a legal motion with the island’s Supreme Court to undo a new law banning same-sex marriage. Bermuda’s Governor John Rankin on Feb. 7, in the wealthy British overseas island of 60,000 people accepted the Domestic Partnership Act (DPA), which was a rare reversal of a trend amid Western countries of legalizing same-sex marriage. Domestic partnerships may be shaped under the law that will offer equal rights as marriage, the government says. The lawyer Mark Pettingill, challenging the act is representing Roderick Ferguson who is a Bermudian
who lives in the United States. Ferguson is not currently trying to marry, but desires to be able to avail him of gay marriage privileges in the future, Pettingill said.
Pettingill, a ex attorney general, won Bermuda’s wedding equality case in May 2017 in the Supreme Court, only to see it inverted nine months later.
Pettingill said on Monday “My client has the right to the constitutional protection of the law and that has been infringed as a result of the DPA.” He pursues to render the DPA void for contradicting Bermuda’s constitution, which promises freedom from discrimination. The motion was filed on February 16, against the Attorney General, whose lawyers attend as legal advisers to the government. A government spokeswoman did not instantly respond to a request for comment on the motion.
The Supreme Court ruling on wedding equality was celebrated by the Atlantic island’s small gay community, but also annoyed many, leading to protests outside parliament. Bermuda was first settled in 1609 and is the oldest British colony, having rejected independence in a 1995 referendum. Rights groups and some British MPs have criticized the bill, mentioning the United Kingdom should have stopped the legislation.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
WORLD NEWS
Donald Trump Jr. Tells
India’s Poorest
Have something special
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Donald Trump Jr. applauses ‘spirit’ of India’s people during promotional trip to the country to help sell luxury apartments featuring his family’s name. Poverty-stricken people in India might teach some of the world’s richest a message according to him. Trump Jr. said “I don’t want to be glib but you can see the poorest of the poor and there is still a smile on a face,” the president’s eldest son said in an interview with CNBC TV18. “It is a different spirit than that which you see in other parts of the world and I think there is something unique about that.” He further added saying “I know some of the most successful businessmen in the world, and some of them are the most miserable people in the world.” As part of his trip, Trump Jr. is due to see with Indians who have already bought units in Trump-branded expansions.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
A barrage of glossy full-page ads in Indian newspapers assured that buyers who order apartments in that development by Thursday will get “a conversation and dinner” with Trump Jr. a day later. “Trump has arrived. Have you?” read the frontpage advertisements in almost every single major Indian newspaper. The apartments are luxurious and expensive— though not shockingly so in the overheated real estate world of India’s wealthy elite. An apartment in the Trump Towers complex in the New Delhi area of Gurgaon runs $775,000 to $1.5 million.
The mediocre person in the territory of Delhi now earns around $4,600 yearly, this was reported by the Times of India last year. That numeral was about three times the national average. On 23rd Feb., Trump Jr. has organized to make a speech about Indo-Pacific relations at a New Delhi business summit. Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to communicate at the same event later in the day. After his father became president, Trump Jr. procured
the running of the Trump businesses together with his brother Eric. Contrasting his sister Ivanka Trump, Trump Jr. has no official role in his father’s administration. The Trump Organization has certifying agreements with all its Indian business partners, who construct the properties and obtain the Trump name in exchange for a fee. The group has five projects in India, making it the brand’s largest market outside the United States.
The projects that Trump Jr. is endorsing in India were inked before his father was nominated. President Trump has promised to avoid any new foreign business contracts during his term in office to escape potential ethical conflicts. Trump Jr. did express his frustration at the inability to build the business in India while his father is in the White House. He said “It is unfortunate we are not able to do new ones because there would be no shortage of business that we could do, but it is an understandable opportunity cost of some of the
other things that we are doing that are also important.” Ethics specialists have long seen the use of the Trump name to endorse even existing business ventures as tricky territory. An extravagant luxurious complex with the Trump name is already open in the central city of Pune, with other expansions in varying stages of construction in the coastal cities of Kolkata and Mumbai, and two in chrome-and-glass in Gurgaon.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
WORLD NEWS
Keep a check
North Korea
keeps getting better at Hacking
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WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
In the most recent indication that North Korea’s cyber operations are more sophisticated and refined than commonly realized, computer security researchers have recognized a group of government hackers and spies in the hermit kingdom that are skilled to steal documents from computers that aren’t connected to the internet. Leading cyber security firm FireEye says its iSight intelligence arm has stalked a national-security related spying arm it calls APT37 that has “expanded its operations in both scope and sophistication.” That hacking group, which is different to the one that attacked Sony Pictures entertainment in December 2014, has been active since 2012 and concentrates on defense targets in South Korea, FireEye says. CrowdStrike, one more top cyber security firm, informed the NBC News it identifies the group by the name “Labyrinth Chollima.” CrowdStrike intelligence paper says. “Their malware is quite sophisticated and is capable of stealing documents from the air-gapped or disconnected networks,” In
addition “Primary targets include government, military, defense, finance, energy and electric utility sectors.” Protecting sensitive information on computers disconnected from the internet is a primary method of guarding it from hackers. Experts say the ability to jump that “air gap,” was once restricted to a small number of sophisticated countries, but it has become more common. For example, last year, researchers showed how a tiny drone can steal information by reading a computer’s blinking LED lights. FireEye’s manager of analysis, John Hultquist, informed NBC News: “There is no question that North Korea has become increasingly aggressive with their use of cyber capabilities. They are not just focused on espionage – we’ve seen them use it for attack, we’ve seen them use it for crime. A lot of that has been a fairly well-known group that’s been tracked fairly well.” APT37 or Labyrinth Chollima, added, “isn’t as well known, has always been South Korea-focused, has stayed in the shadows.”
“They are showing up in places outside South Korea, continuing to expand capabilities. If we don’t pay attention to this actor, we risk being surprised again.” The group has frequently exploited what are known as “zero day vulnerabilities,” Hultquist said — previously unknown flaws in operating systems that let hackers to crack defenses and can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars on the black market. The U.S. intelligence community is also stalking North Korea’s cyber operations. In a worldwide threats assessment this month, intelligence agencies mentioned that “We expect the heavily sanctioned North Korea to use cyber operations to raise funds and to gather intelligence or launch attacks on South Korea and the United States. Pyongyang probably has a number of techniques and tools it can use to achieve a range of offensive effects with little or no warning, including distributed denial of service attacks, data deletion, and deployment of ransomware.”
However, he also mentioned,
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
DESI NEWS
76
Grand And Auspicious
Sri Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam Event In Phoenix
JET Arizona; a global non profit organization invited everyone for the grand Sri Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam on Saturday Jan 20th 5:00 and 8:30pm. JET or the Jeeyar Educational Trust founded by Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, aims at “Worship
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Your Own, Respect All” “Serve All Beings As Service To God” This auspicious event held on Saturday Jan 20th, at Stetson Hills School, 25475 N Stetson Hills LP, Phoenix was a free and open for all one, inviting mandatory registrations for attendance.
Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam is celebrated at the end of Dhanurmasam to mark the marriage of Goda devi, who is Lakshmi Devi’s incarnation, with Lord Sri Krishna in the form of Lord Ranganatha. Goda Kalyanam was the final episode of Goda Devi’s mission where her phenomenal union with
Lord was actualized! Her accomplished mission benefited not only her, but the entire mankind because it defined the right way to live. This ultimately creates a better world for everyone and paves path towards eternal bliss for the one who follows her path. The event began at 5pm with a stunning performance by Kala Dhwani School of Fine Arts proceeded by Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam. Later followed by a mesmerizing dance performance by JET Prajna Kids followed by fancy dress competition. At the end was the Maha Prasadam and this wonderful event concluded at around 8.30pm.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
IN BUSINESS
78
Justin Trudeau
India Visit Highlights Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on Friday. The meeting came towards the end of Mr Trudeau’s first official visit to India, which has been far from smooth.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Canada caused upset earlier in the week by inviting an alleged Sikh extremist to an official dinner; an invite it later rescinded.
reason - Mr Trudeau arrived doing Bhangra, a popular Indian dance that he is known to like.
However, the Canadian PM has thrown himself into the visit, including by performing an impromptu Bhangra dance.
The crowd cheered him on but Twitter he had a mixed reaction, with lots of Indians and Canadians seeming to disapprove of the display.
Both countries have denied speculation that the Canadian PM has received a lukewarm reception in India. Mr Modi has, on many occasions, personally received visiting government leaders at the airport. But he welcomed Mr Trudeau on Twitter, a day before the two were scheduled to meet. The leaders finally met six days after Mr Trudeau arrived in India, and signed a raft of agreements reiterating IndoCanadian ties.
Mr Trudeau and his family have also been in the news for wearing traditional Indian outfits several times on their trip - a decision that has amused some Indians and annoyed others. Many tweeted to say that Indians do no dress up like people in Bollywood films. Mr Modi received him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, in Delhi.
They met again later on Friday, along with other delegates, to discuss trade, defence, climate change and co-operation over civil nuclear energy. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, normally the darling of Western media, has been roundly, and sometimes savagely mocked for a trip to India that included cultural, fashion, and political blunders at every turn. Right off the bat, Trudeau’s trip got off to a bad start. Indian Prime Minister Nandera Modi, known for his social media savvy, did not make any posts welcoming Trudeau, who was greeted off the plane by a low-level agricultural minister.
Mr Trudeau’s trip has been marred by criticism that his government is soft on Sikh extremists. He said the Delhi dinner invite sent to Jaspal Atwal, who was convicted and later acquitted of trying to assassinate an Indian minister in 1986, was a mistake. The dinner, which was hosted at the Canadian High Commission on Thursday night, then drew attention for another MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
IN BUSINESS
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, normally the darling of Western media, has been roundly, and sometimes savagely mocked for a trip to India that included cultural, fashion, and political blunders at every turn. On Tuesday, Trudeau’s wife Sophie posed for a photo with convicted terrorist Jaspal Atwal, a Sikh separatist. Back in Canada, Trudeau’s liberal party has ties to the country’s Sikh minority, some of whom support the Khalistan movement, which backs a new Sikh state in India’s Punjab region. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
wore black suits. When Outlook India magazine pointed this out, they found themselves disinvited from a dinner with Trudeau. “Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau feted the world over as the new face of ‘liberalism’ seem [sic] to find it difficult to accommodate critical media coverage,” the magazine wrote. But the political blunders paled in comparison to the more visible cultural and fashion missteps. On several occasions Trudeau and his entire family appeared dressed in traditional Indian clothing, something other Western politicians don’t usually attempt with such vigor. Prominent Indian personalities expressed their distaste for Trudeau’s dress, with India Today calling it “tacky.” Trudeau showed up at an event full of Bollywood stars in full traditional dress, while the movie stars themselves simply
On social media, popular Indian personalities put it more bluntly , calling for Trudeau to “have some chill” and calling his outfit choices “fake and annoying.” At one point, Trudeau, wearing traditional dress, broke into the Indian dance called the Bhangra , to a mixed reaction on Twitter. “I don’t know if Justin Trudeau thinks that international trade missions are reality TV shows, but they are not,” Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer, Trudeau’s main opponent, told Reuters. On CTV, a major Canadian news broadcaster, host Don Martin said that “ If this is Trudeau putting Canada ‘back’ on the world stage, we should get off .” Trudeau’s hometown paper, the Ottawa Citizen, compared his trip to India to George
H.W. Bush’s 1992 trip to Tokyo, when he vomitted on Japan’s Prime Minister. “As for what ‘the work, achievements and objectives’ of this cavalcade of embarrassment might amount to, it would have been better, in hindsight, if Trudeau had gone to India alone, invited himself to dinner with Modi, and thrown up in his lap,” the Citizen wrote .
3
Mr Trudeau, who is on his first state visit to India, will fly to PM Modi’s home state, Gujarat. Besides a visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram on Monday, Mr Trudeau will also visit the Akshardham Temple in
Gujarat and lead a discussion at the Indian Institute of Management on “Education and Investment Opportunities” with students.
4
Over the rest of the week, Mr Trudeau will participate
Five days into the trip, when Modi finally acknowledged Trudeau’s trip on social media, he did so with a picture of Trudeau in normal dress from 2015.
Developments of the visit 1
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was welcomed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh and Indian Ambassador to Canada Vikas Swarup.
2
Mr Trudeau is accompanied by his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and children Hadrien, Ella-Grace Margaret and Xavier James Trudeau. “For me to be able to be here on an official trip while bringing my kids with me to share this is really special and being able to enjoy this as a dad with my kids is really nice,” Mr Trudeau said after the visit to the Taj Mahal. MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
IN BUSINESS
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in business round-tables in Mumbai to promote trade, investment and job creation. He will also meet representatives of Indian Film industry to explore opportunities in the field of cinema.
5
His bilateral meeting with PM Modi is scheduled for February 23, during which the two leaders are expected to focus on trade, defense, civil nuclear cooperation, space, tackling climate change energy and education.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
6
Counter-terror cooperation is also expected to be a key focus area. India’s concerns over Sikh radicalism in Canada is understood to have figured in the meeting between the National Security Advisers of the two nations held a few days ago.
7
A number of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet colleagues are accompanying him on this visit. Three of them are Indian origin -- Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, Defence Minister Harjit Singh
Sajjan and Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi. Besides Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Science and Sports Minister Kirsty Duncan are also part of the team.
8
In 2017, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and India amounted to $8.4 billion, split equally between exports to and imports from India. India was Canada’s eighth largest destination for merchandise exports.
9
Mr Trudeau’s agenda is also expected to include a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and Delhi’s Jama Masjid and a cricket ground. The cultural component of the visit is seen as an outreach to estimated 1.4 million people of Indian origin settled in Canada. India is Canada’s second-largest source of immigrants.
10 Ahead of the visit, Mr Trudeau tweeted, “Wheels up for India and a busy visit,” attaching a photograph of his wife and three children boarding the aircraft.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INFOCUS
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Nirav Modi and the
PNB fraud case Who is Nirav Modi: Modi, 47, shot to prominence in the past decade when he became the first Indian to feature on the cover of a Christie’s auction catalogue in 2010 for a Golconda diamond necklace that fetched $3.56 million at its auction in Hong Kong.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Born in India and raised in the Belgian city of Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world, Modi is a third-generation diamantaire. After dropping out of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, he joined the family business of his maternal uncle Choksi at Gitanjali Gems. Choksi, director at Gitanjali Gems, is also one of the accused in the ongoing CBI investigation. It was his initial nine years at Gitanjali Gems in the 1990s that laid the foundation for Modi’s own jewellery business. Incidentally, a PNB complaint said the Gitanjali Gems group companies used the same methods as the Modi companies to secure guarantees or comfort letters. Since 2010, Modi’s fame only increased as he became a jeweller to the rich and famous. Many of India’s biggest business families have been buying diamonds from him for years. In October 2012, his Riviere Diamond Necklace was sold for $5.1 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong. In 2013, Modi entered the Forbes list of billionaires. Competing with the likes of pedigreed luxury jewellers such as Tiffany and Co. and Cartier, Modi went on to set up Nirav Modi boutique shops
around the world. His clients include Hollywood star Kate Winslet, who wore diamond creations by the jewellery designer for her red-carpet walk at the 2016 Oscars.
The PNB Fraud case, how it unfolded: On the morning of St. Valentine’s Day when many young Indians were preparing to exchange roses and presents, a horror was unfolding at Punjab National Bank (PNB), the nation’s second largest lender.
Three minutes after 9 am on 14 February, when the local stock markets opened for trading, the governmentowned lender informed the stock exchanges that it had detected a fraud of $1.8 billion (around Rs11,400 crore), shaking the financial community and the nation at large. As the day progressed, it became clear that the PNB fraud was engineered by companies of diamond tycoon Nirav Modi, helped along by bank officials at its Brady House branch in Mumbai, the country’s financial capital.
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INFOCUS At BSE, Asia’s oldest stock exchange located a stone’s throw away from Brady House, shares of the bank fell 9.81% by the end of the day, dragging down shares of other state-owned banks as well. In the week since then, PNB shares have lost 28%, while the BSE’s benchmark Sensex has slipped 1.33%. For Indian banks creaking under a mountain of bad loans, the news could not have come at a worse time.
Modus operandi
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According to the bank’s complaint, the PNB fraud surfaced after one of the key accused bank officials retired. When Modi’s executives came calling for a letter of undertaking, or LoU (essentially a bank guarantee against which another lender gives a foreign currency loan), the new official in charge demanded the mandatory collateral. Modi’s executives insisted they had never given collateral before, raising a red flag. An internal investigation showed the bank had issued hundreds of unauthorized PNB LoUs to Modi and his uncle, Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali Gems Ltd, baring the bank fraud that proceeded undetected for the past seven years. “Nobody seems to be talking WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
about what precisely needs to be done. This is important because the scam clearly shows that supervisory process at public sector banks failed to detect the fraud and, hence, it needs to be improved,” said Abizer Diwanji, partner and national leader (financial services) at EY India. On Monday, 19 February, when a MintAsia reporter visited the Brady House branch, the branch that was at the epicentre of the PNB fraud, bore the look of a makeshift jail, with shutters down and the branch sealed. The Brady House branch that exclusively serves midsized corporates barred entry to customers, while inside, officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s federal detective agency, pored over papers and questioned bank officials. Financial frauds are not rare
in India. The central bank’s June 2017 Financial Stability Report says losses from financial sector frauds rose 72% in the five years to fiscal 2017 to Rs16,770 crore. Banks have filed recovery suits worth Rs64,743 crore against wilful defaulters. Wilful defaulters are those defaulting on bank loans even though they or their promoters have the ability to repay, or they have siphoned off money, or put it some other use than was agreed on. Still, PNB’s innocuously worded stock exchange notice stunned the nation. The bank fraud is the second largest in India after governmentowned UCO Bank was found to have advanced $3.2 billion in export advances to Iran against overseas sales that were never made. The PNB fraud showed the ease with which fraudsters could game the system.
The PNB notice to the stock exchanges, without naming anyone, said it had detected fraudulent and unauthorized transactions “for the benefit of a few select account holders, with their apparent connivance”. The bank termed it a contingent liability. Things became clearer during the day, when it emerged that the fraud the bank was referring to was the same one it had flagged two weeks earlier. On 1 February, CBI had registered a case against Modi and some related entities for allegedly cheating PNB of Rs 280 crore through unauthorized transactions. The bank had said at that time that it was investigating further to see whether there
were more such transactions. The Rs280 crore turned out to be just the tip of an iceberg. As it investigated the case internally, before the public revelation, PNB found two junior branch officials had issued LoUs to foreign branches of Indian lenders, on behalf of firms associated with Nirav Modi and his uncle, Mehul Choksi. These bank guarantees were essentially to help these firms raise buyer’s credit from these overseas banks to pay for their imports. PNB’s complaint to CBI named two bank officials—Gokulnath Shetty, a deputy manager in its foreign exchange department; and Manoj Kharat, who operated the financial messaging system SWIFT. Both have since been arrested.
These individuals, says PNB, had issued LoUs without getting proper approvals and without making entries in the core banking system (CBS), the software used to support a bank’s most common transactions. It also acts as a record keeper. SWIFT stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. The scam happening via SWIFT went undetected since it was not linked to CBS and because checks failed at several levels, said experts In the normal course, when an importer goes to a bank for such a guarantee, one of two things happens. One, the bank asks him for collateral, which could be land or a fixed deposit. Two, the bank
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INFOCUS
sanctions a credit limit after a credit appraisal. Here, neither of these procedures were followed.
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The bank claimed Modi did not use the funds obtained through this method for the intended purpose of paying import bills. In many cases, PNB alleged, the funds were used to settle earlier loans. In effect, every time a Modi-related firm asked for a bank guarantee, it was to settle an older loan taken through a previous bank guarantee. According to the PNB complaint, the scam had been going on for about seven years. When the new man at the bank spotted it, the amount had ballooned to around Rs11,400 crore. “There is tendency among bankers to only monitor and supervise funded exposures. Processes related to transfers must also be made more transparent, and banks must have a grip on technology controls,” said Diwanji of EY WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
India. “Additionally, certain disciplines such as centralized processing of SWIFT messages only through CBS, must be put in place. Unless these changes take place, it is difficult to prevent such incidences.” As federal investigative agencies stepped in and skeletons started tumbling out of the cupboard, it emerged that Modi and his family were no longer in India. The CBI approached Interpol to issue a so-called diffusion notice against Modi, his wife Ami Nirav Modi, brother Nishal Modi as well as uncle Choksi, all four of whom had left India in the first week of January. A diffusion notice is a request for arresting or locating an individual, or providing additional information in relation to a police investigation. Separately, the ministry of external affairs
suspended the passports of Modi and Choksi for four weeks The PNB fraud has snowballed into a political controversy, with the opposition Congress party, which led a coalition government for 10 years until 2014, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which came to power that year on promises of ending corruption, trading charges. The Congress claims the actual size of the PNB fraud is Rs21,306 crore, and has turned up the heat on the prime minister and his government for Modi’s escape.
What Modi says On the night of 19 February, when CBI officials were still holed up at the Brady House branch, a WhatsApp message started doing the rounds. It was a letter purportedly written by Modi to PNB. MintAsia could not verify the
authenticity of the letter, but a person familiar with Modi’s legal strategy said it could be genuine. In the letter, Modi blamed PNB’s “overzealousness”. He said the bank’s premature action has shut the doors on his ability to clear his dues. He said his companies owe only about Rs5,000 crore and his relatives named in the complaint had nothing to do with the operations of the firms under the scanner. He also emphasized that there had been no default on part of any of these firms over all these years. The letter also refers to the extended discussions between him, and between his representatives and the bank officers, besides his emails of 13 and 15 February, according to a Press Trust of India report.
immediate effect for a period of four weeks on February 16 and given one week’s time to them to respond as to why their passports should not be impounded or revoked. “Since they have not responded so far, their passports have been revoked,” a senior ministry source said, noting that in its notice to Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, the ministry had made it clear that their passports would be cancelled if they failed to respond. Ministry sources said that future course of action will be
taken on the advice of the investigation agencies. Modi, Choksi and others are being investigated by multiple probe agencies after the fraud came to light recently following a complaint by the Punjab National Bank. The complaint alleged that they cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of Rs 11,400 crore, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank. The Central Bureau of Investigation and the ED have registered two FIRs each to probe the case. The duo had left the country before the criminal cases were lodged against them
On its part, PNB had said in response to Modi’s first letter, that he had made only vague commitments on repayment. While Modi’s commitment may have been vague, investigative agencies have claimed to have seized a good portion of his assets.
Passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi revoked: On the advice of the Enforcement Directorate, the ministry had suspended the validity of their passports with MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
FREEDOM FIGHTER
Tipu Sultan
India’s First
Freedom Fighter
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Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore well-known legendry for his bravery in the wars against the British East India Company. Renowned for his courage and valor, he is regarded as the first freedom fighter of India for his fierce battles against the British who tried to conquer the territories under the sultan’s rule.
The Treaty of Mangalore, that Tipu sultan signed up with the British East India Company to bring the Second Anglo-Mysore War to an end, was the last occasion when British was dictated the terms by an Indian king. Being the eldest son of Sultan Hyder Ali of Mysore, after the death of his father in 1782 Tipu Sultan ascended to the throne. As a ruler, he instigated several innovations in his administration and also extended the iron-cased Mysorean rockets which he WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
planned to later deploy against the advances of the British forces. His father, Sultan Hyder Ali, had diplomatic political relations with the French and consequently Tipu Sultan got his military training from French officers as a young man. After becoming the ruler, Tipu Sultan continued his father’s policy of supporting with the French in their fight against the British. He fought numerous wars against the British and tried his best to protect his kingdom from falling into the hands of the British East India Company. Loyal to
his country until the very end, he died while he was fighting in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. It is said that the day was particularly hot when the clock struck 1:00 on May 4, 1799. In a flash, there were 76 Redcoats who crossed the four-foot-deep Cauvery, and were followed by columns of the 73rd and 74th Regiment of Foot. They stormed the fort of Srirangapatnam. It took the attackers not more than 16 minutes to scale the westside wall and barge in the fort
simple tiger. He was a tiger who indeed could bite, he could claw, and he could severely attack the lion that came from across the seven seas – the British. Tipu Sultan and his father Nawab Hyder Ali were known to be great warriors and Generals. Hyder Ali was known to be higher than Tipu in terms of military knowledge, approach, strategies and battle tactics. However, Tipu was recklessly brave. This was indeed something that struck fear in his rivals and something that demonstrated to be his undoing eventually. Nonetheless, the Anglo-Mysore battle is perhaps the most enthralling episode of modern Indian history. through a breach, shocking its defenders. About almost two hours post this; the fort had fallen, its most famed defender falling along with his 8,000 comrades-at-arms with many musket and sword wounds. Tipu Sultan, the ‘Tiger of Mysore’, was dead. Talking about the political environment in India today, which is indeed way more vicious than it was some years ago, it is challenging to talk about Tipu Sultan without incurring the aggression of certain sections of the society. Tipu rouses extreme liking among some who believe and see his uncompromising fight against the Britishers as something worth worshiping. But he also stimulates extreme hatred among those
who perceive him as an oppressive Muslim ruler perturbing his majority Hindu subjects on the basis of faith and faith alone. Tipu’s heavy-handed dealing of those siding with the British and his immodest talk about mass conversions or implementations of nonMuslims are often quoted as proof by his modern-day detractors. But the actuality about him lies somewhere in the middle. Tipu was gifted with amazing compassion and generosity, but he was likewise capable of amazing brutality, particularly on those he didn’t consider his own. But if we ignore and keep aside this debate, the Tiger of Mysore was no just
Hyder Ali was overwhelmed with the British and wanted their military aid to modernize his army. The British were unwilling, which led Hyder to strive for help from the French. With French service, Hyder rationalized his infantry and weaponry, but unlike other Indian powers of the day that overlooked cavalry, Hyder’s focus was constantly on his cavalry and he used it with excessive skill, always leading it from the front. In fact, the Mysore cavalry, with its rush and daring, had put together for itself a fearsome reputation among its enemies. In the 1770s, Hyder Ali had 20,000 cavalry, 20 battalions of infantry and an unidentified quantity of guns. Even the English reluctantly admitted Mysore cavalry’s dominance, though they mentioned to its MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
FREEDOM FIGHTER
actions as that of a swarm of locusts on crops. 92
Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali also abandoned the common Indian practice of engaging militias raised up by provincial governors in warfare time and went for a fully centralized hiring and training system. A very elementary form of regimental system was also followed. But by Tipu Sultan’s time, Mysore artillery had accomplished a high degree of skill. Tipu gave birth to a rocket artillery corps organized in kushoons. Tipu’s guns were also known for their extended range and accuracy. It’s not known how many artillery pieces he had; but at the fall of Srirangapatnam and Tipu’s death in 1799, the British found 421 gun carriages, 4,12,000 iron round shots ranging from four to 42 pounds, and 176 12 WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
pounders inside the fort. But the one thing Mysore or any Indian power lacked that British had and could not be could matched was officer leadership. The British educated a culture of officerleadership—where officers were expected not just to lead their men into battle, but also undergo hardships with them and even succumb. The British officer corps, in India and in another places, used to suffer atrocious casualties in war. But by willing to make the supreme sacrifice even before their men, the British officer used to earn enormous respect from the troops he was in charge. And it isn’t that only the young subalterns were pushed into harm’s way, the drill was alike for the general officers too. If one reads accounts of the many
battles that shaped part of the Anglo-Mysore or AngloMaratha wars, he would discover proof of this. The infantry divisions had to be withdrawn from Europe after a little over a year of service even during the First World War, when the Indian Army went to the Western Front. One of the explanations for that were the depleting ranks of British officers who could speak the language of their men. Officer wounded in both the Indian and British armies were quite high in this war. Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali knew the power of the English. That’s why on that May afternoon, the English who broke Tipu’s capital saw him upright at the ramparts and shooting down British
officers. His attendants were giving him one musket after another as Tipu shot his rivals as if he were in a hunting game. But that was too late. Tipu died a soldier’s death. He could have withdrawn or escaped to fight another day. And indeed, that would have remained wiser perhaps. But he picked death over dishonour (read surrender). And at that instant, the king so despised by the English suddenly became one they admired. The Seringapatam Medal issued to all British and Indian troops contributing to Tipu’s defeat had a lion (British) trampling a tiger (Tipu) on the obverse. Although this may be in the realm of conjecture but the tiger symbol that the British used to denote India may have been inspired by Tipu. This was perhaps a great tribute to the Tiger of Mysore.
Hyder Ali, who himself was uneducated, was very particular about giving his eldest son a good education befitting a prince. Tipu Sultan got education in subjects like Hindustani language (HindiUrdu), Persian, Quran, Arabic, Kannada, Islamic jurisprudence, fencing, riding, shooting. His father had political associations with the French and thus the young prince was skilled in military and political affairs by highly efficient French officers. He was just 15 when he accompanied his father
against the British in the First Mysore War in 1766. Over the years, Hyder went on to grow into the most powerful ruler in the entire southern India and Tipu Sultan played important roles in his father’s successful military campaigns.
Accession and reign of Tipu Sultan The British captured the French-controlled port of Mahé in 1779, which was under Tipu’s safeguard. Hyder Ali opened oppositions against the British in retaliation in 1780, and achieved important success
Tipu sultan’s Early Life and childhood Tipu Sultan was born in Bengaluru Rural district to Hyder Ali on 20 November 1750. His father, in 1761 who was a military officer in service to the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India, promptly rose in power to become the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.
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in early campaigns of what became known as Second Anglo-Mysore War. However, as the war advanced, Hyder Ali became ill with cancer and died in December 1782. Subsequent the death of his father, Tipu Sultan was made the leader of Mysore on 22 December 1782. He instantaneously started working on military plans to check the advances of the British by creating alliances with the Marathas and the Mughals. In due course he was prosperous and successful in signing the Treaty of Mangalore with the British in 1784, bringing an WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
end to the Second Mysore War. As a ruler, Tipu Sultan proved to be an effective one. He accomplished the projects left behind by his father, built roads, ports, bridges, public buildings etc. and also made numerous military improvements in the use of rocketry in wars. Through his strong-minded efforts, he built a challenging military force that inflicted serious harms to the British forces. More determined by now, he planned to expand his territories and set his eyes upon Travancore, which bestowing to the Treaty of Mangalore,
was an ally of the British East India Company. He launched an attack on the lines of Travancore in December 1789 but was met with confrontation from the army of the Maharajah of Travancore. This marked the start of the Third Anglo– Mysore War. The Maharajah of Travancore fascinated to the East India Company for help, and in response, Lord Cornwallis shaped alliances with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad to oppose Tipu and put up a strong military force.
The company forces attacked Tipu Sultan in 1790 and soon took charge over much of the Coimbatore district. Tipu counterattacked, but was not much fruitful in his campaigns. The conflicts sustained for over two years and ended only after he signed the Treaty of Seringapatam in 1792 which lead to in his losing a number of territories, including Malabar and Mangalore. Even though he had lost many of his territories, the brave and daring Tipu Sultan was still considered a formidable enemy by the British. In 1799, The East India Company, in alliances with the Marathas and the Nizam attacked Mysore in what resulted into known as the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, and captured Srirangapatna, the capital of Mysore. Tipu Sultan was killed in the war. He was a valiant and heroic warrior and proved his mettle in the Second Anglo-Mysore War. Dispatched by his father to fight the British forces, he exhibited great courage in the early conflicts. His father died in the middle of the war in 1782 and he succeeded him as the ruler of Mysore and successfully ended the battle with the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784. The Third Anglo-Mysore War was another main war he fought against the British
forces. This war, though, proved to be a major letdown and cost the sultan dearly. The war concluded with the Treaty of Seringapatam agreeing to which he had to give up about one-half of his territories to the other signatories which comprised the British East India Company, representatives of the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Mahratta Empire.
More about Tipu Sultan’s personal life Tipu Sultan had many wives and numerous children including Shahzada Hyder Ali Sultan, Shahzada Mu’izz-uddin Sultan, Shahzada Muhiud-din Sultan, and Shahzada Abdul Khaliq Sultan. A courageous warrior, he died on 4 May 1799 in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War while fighting the British
forces. As one of the first Indian kings to have died on the battleground while shielding his kingdom against the Colonial British, he was formally recognized by the Government of India as a freedom fighter. While he is respected as a hero of the Indian independence movement in numerous regions in India and Pakistan, he is also regarded as a tyrannical ruler in some regions in India. The British Army’s National Army Museum graded Tipu Sultan among the greatest enemy commanders the British Army ever confronted. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, titled Tipu Sultan the innovator of the world’s first war rocket.
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INDIAN YOGA
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WEIRD KINDS OF
YOGA YOU WILL
BE SHOCKED TO KNOW WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Ever heard of weird kinds of Yoga? We all know yoga has its own benefits for your body as well as mind. It is great for meditation or brings in flexibility to your body etc. Yoga has been a popular form of exercise since around 1980s in the western culture and is ever since growing after there was an interesting spike in the year 2001.
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INDIAN YOGA Yoga has never stopped surprising us with the weird ways to mix it with the traditional beliefs and modern lifestyle. From new moms to animal lovers, from laughter yoga to naked yoga, there is yoga for almost everyone.
Check out all the weird yoga practices that we have put together that makes the simple traditional yoga out of ordinary.
1 Naked Yoga: Yes,
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don’t be too shocked as this is exactly why we called them as weird yoga practices. This yoga is practiced in naked form. This has been practiced in one or the other ways and form since ancient times. The naked yoga was practiced in Europe in mid of 1980s which was common amongst the naturists. Along with the many benefits of yoga, the practitioners claim naked yoga when practiced, multiplies the health benefits and also trains the practitioners in accepting their body and others along with achieving the sense of separation from the worldly possessions and calms the mind and thoughts. This in the modern day could get difficult to adjust to since the classes are usually open to all genders. This is also called as Noga and known for WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
its freedom of expression. Freedom of movement, beauty of human body and greater awareness of your skin and exploring much more with Noga. Take a look at the account in Instagram Nude_Yogagirl to understand why thousands are falling for Noga.
2 Laughter Yoga: We
know the saying laughter is the best medicine, but did we know laughter yoga is as well? The more developed unusual style of yoga which has its own “Laughter Yoga University” as well is indeed something you want to give a try. Laughing not only increases our blood pressure but also helps burning calories and releasing endorphins and stimulating immune system and stimulating brain. Isn’t this list enough to prove all the benefits? Another great logic behind this Yoga is to fake until you make it. Which means it could be embarrassing to start with but you must never underestimate the power of laughter and laughing!
3 Beer Yoga: Wow! As
incompatible as it sounds, it is a great success in Germany which is also a beer motherland. This is as well growing in Australia and many more other places around the world. No wonder,
the followers do not find it contradictory since both of these could be their passion – beer + Yoga which is indeed centuries old known for “therapy of body, mind and soul”.
4 Doga: The very
famously known as “Yoga Doggie Style” and the one type which you practice with your dog. Doesn’t your joy double to do anything with your lovely pet? What better than exercising and practicing yoga with your loyal best friend! The type of Yoga which was developed by Suzi Teitelman, and calling it as a partner yoga class where you have dog as your partner. Your pet would take part in the yoga too and you help them either by holding the pet through the different poses or through massage. You will be impressed with how much the dog learns too and capacity to do the asanas that you teach them. Doga is obviously much shorter a session as compared to the conventional yoga for about 20 minutes but it has health benefits for both the dog and you. Doga lets you share the benefits with your dog and strengthening the bond between the two of you. Trending in Instagram now a days is the picture of dog on top of you while doing yoga to strengthen. By far, when it
comes to unconditional love and relaxation along with strengthening, Doga is the best.
5 Cannabis Yoga: The
story goes back to Hindu Mythology where Lord shiva was known to consume cannabis before he entered into deep meditative state. Applying the same principle here, the Cannabis Yoga is trending in more states and increasingly sanctioned legally usage of drugs. There is a Yoga session in Los Angeles – 4:20 Remedy Yoga that encourages you to get
high before getting started with Yoga. Also known as “Ganja Yoga” where many practitioners from California also have got legalized Marijuana. It is said that conscious use of Marijuana or Cannabis enhances your practice in many ways. It has benefits that cannot be ignored like increasing the relaxation and inner peace, sharpening the focus and concentration power, reconnection with your body, getting you into practice faster and easier and increase awareness and energy flow in your body taking the whole experience into a new level and intensity.
6 Hoga: Also called as
Equine Yoga. The special practice of yoga with the connection and interchange of energy with a horse. It is believed that this form of yoga is from the ancient tradition of “Doma India” which was specialized in the taming practice of South America. This style of yoga is growing and spreading so fast among all the horse lovers and believe it, there is already a whole 100h Holistic Equine Yoga Certification available in Costa Rica. The participants are expected to develop a MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN YOGA skill to stretch, connect and heal with their horse and among many others. The horseback yoga encourages bonding with the partner and maintains a mental and physical harmony with the equine partner. There are different classes which usually involve standing with a horse in the yoga poses while concentrating and focusing on the breathing. This is to establish one foundation with the horse and human. The main focus on maintaining the balance with the horse through its movement is a challenge to the human to stay focused and balanced. 100
7 Tantrum yoga: The
most emerging type of yoga that involves dance and vocal exercises along with the traditional routine of breathing and stretching their body. The tantrum yoga encourages one to release the stress by screaming, shaking and yelling along with chestpounding, and stomping. This is the best way to let go off the emotions and especially the older ones that sit in your head and bother. These stuck emotions in our head effects our body and changes it into stress or disease etc.
8 Mum/ Dad Baby
Yoga: The practicing of Yoga with baby can be one of the best ways to tone your body WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
post pregnancy. When the baby develops motor skills and rocking motion of some movements, pretty much the same as that of inside the womb, helps improving relaxation and helps in sleeping easier. Of all the above, the best is to aim at inner peace and deepens the connections and bounding between the mother and the baby. This yoga is also called as mommy and me yoga which is designed to strengthen both the kid and mother with the healthy workout. Stimulating the overall development for both, this is a highly trending type of yoga all over.
9 SUP Yoga: This type
of yoga where you stand up on a paddleboard and balance your body while stretching and doing asanas is indeed incredible. The whole focus and strength of your body is needed along with strengthening the flexibility and reflexes of the body. Standing on the paddleboard is itself very difficult however mastering to perform yoga on this unstable surface in the middle of the ocean could make your muscles workout automatically while being soothed by the sea. It is indeed a relaxing experience that improves the sense of connection with the nature and body while on the ocean. Doesn’t this sound great and tempting to do?
10 Aeroyoga or Aerial Yoga: This type of yoga
where you defy gravity and have a total new experience exploring the new sensation by performing yoga while hanging on a belt or hammock. An extremely fun to practice with the numerous health benefits strengthening you mentally and physically. This improves and works on your spines specifically to have advance asanas safe and easily. Antigravity Yoga where you achieve a total body workout is not like any other exercise. Giving you a fit and fabulous body and fun added to it.
11 Karaoke Yoga:
Incredible as it sounds indeed, a fun activity where you practice yoga by singing, dancing, stretching and sweating your way to joy and physical fitness. If you think Yoga is taken too seriously, this is the right thing for you.
Letting go off your fear and connecting to your heart is simple way of enjoying the yoga. While the karaoke yoga could be a little easier than the conventional yoga, as it includes dj, tv screens to call out the lyrics and even sometimes air guitar. The traditional yogic objective here is to connect with your body, focus and balance. It is all about being you and being yourself.
12 Hoop yoga: this type of yoga where you practice with a Hula hoop can be fun to do. The Hoop Yoga is full of energy and helps improving the coordination, creativity and body along with the immune system of the body. This Hoop yoga helps in strengthening both the core of the body and inner joy. Can you imagine doing the Hula hoop alone, and on top of it, some Yoga? Wow! Incredible won’t that be
13 Kilted Yoga: This type of yoga id very special yoga where it helps you to strengthen up completely.
The Yoga which is a freedom mix of Scottish and Indian traditions that turn out to have common values of freedom, serenity, strength and connecting with nature.
14 Harry Potter Yoga: Are you excited reading the name already? Well, yes this is a type of yoga where you get to practice your magic spells in warrior pose. While listening to the passages of the Harry Potter Saga in the class and perform “Downward Dumbledore” is one of this types. The Harry Potter soldout classes which was started by Isabel Veltran has opened up doors to various other or rather any type of themed yoga classes.
15 Yoga raves: Rave and Yoga would never as such mix in any sentence usually. But now since we spoke about the weird yoga practices, this tops in the list too. The Art of Living Foundation have found this where the two – yoga and rave go together. While you have the four hour rave, you
are expected to meditate and burst out your moves, even chow down on some gourmet vegetarian feed. At the party one could enjoy dance, music and silence. The yoga begins with a warm up to the body and continues with an easy meditation which is guided, leaving the attendees relaxed and slowly connecting to the music. At the end of the night, there is another meditation to relax and calm.
16 Stripper pole yoga: The weirdest of the names, we have stripper yoga which uses a stripper pole. Technically it is all about the connection here. Be it on an animal, or on water, the more you are able to balance, the more focused you are, and stronger. The strength similarly will be needed to hoist self around the pole adding more strength to your core and fun to your yoga routine.
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LIFE STYLE
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12 Laws of Karma
That Will Change Your
Perspective About Life We all have read those karma memes on graphic tees and wondered who are we actually cursing here. Well! For everything we know, Karma is a Sanskrit word that means our actions, deeds or works. It is a spiritual science and is based on the principal of cause and effect. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
For every action there is a consequence and it affects the future of an individual. No matter how hard you try, everything you do comes back in the form of future good of bad. Your bad intentions contribute to bad karma and sufferings and your good karma brings you happiness and prosperity.
Understand the 12 laws of karma that govern your life: There are beliefs and religions which lay emphasis on karma and how to improve our actions and deeds for eternal happiness. Karma can be explained as a spiritual interpretation of Newtons 3rd law; to every action there is equal and opposite reaction. So it means all our negative energies will come back to bite us. Karma is not a punishment or a crime. For a more psychological significance, karma is educational. How to be a good person and use positive energy for making ourselves a better person. The 12 laws of Karma are:
1- The great law: As you sow, shall you reap. This law is also known as the law of cause and effect. It simply implies, our thoughts and actions have consequences. Whatever you
put into the universe comes back to you. If you want happiness, love, friendship, peace and care; you ought to give happiness, love, friendship, peace and care. This is the factual law of karma. Karma works like a boomerang. The consequences may not be immediate but eventually it comes back to us.
2- The law of creation: What we desire comes through participation. That means life requires our participation to happen. It doesn’t happen by itself. We are blended with the universe, inside and out. Our inner state is defined by whatever we surround ourselves
with. Be what you want to have around yourself, and that is how karma works
3- The law of humility: Refusal to accept what is will still be what is. Accept the circumstance in order to change it. Acceptance is a virtue or a belief that makes us strong enough to participate and bring about change. If you just focus on negatives in a person that you are not focused on higher level of existence.
4- The law of growth:
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LIFE STYLE Wherever you go, there you are. Spirituality means changing yourself rather than changing people, things or places around. We only have the power and control for ourselves, and that is the only thing given to us. We must first change who we are and then life follows eventually. Our growth is above any of our circumstances. Just make an effort and commit to change yourselves first, and only when your heart changes things will change around you too
5- The law of responsibility: 104
Our lives are our own doing , and nothing else. If there is something wrong in your life, its just because there is something wrong within you. To change your life first change your frame of mind and your surroundings. We reflect what surrounds us and whatever surrounds us reflects within us. Just take responsibility of whats in your life.
6- The law of connection: Everything in the universe is connected. Even if you do anything inconsequential, it must be accomplished as everything is connected. Each of your step leads you WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
further to the next step and life goes on. All the steps from beginning till the end are equally important to get the work done. Get the initial work done with the same courage as the end task. Your past, present and future are all connected.
7- The law of focus: One cant direct attention beyond a single task. You cant grow spiritually if you have negative thoughts and actions. Direct your full attention to accomplish all your desired tasks. You cant have greed or anger if you focus on spiritual values.
8- The law of giving and
hospitality: Demonstrating our selflessness shows our true intentions. Our beliefs must manifest into our actions. Here we put all what we have claimed as our learning into practice. We cannot grow spiritually if you do not have selfless nature. We need to practice what we preach.
9- The Law of change: History repeats itself unless it is changed. Stay committed to change and continue on a constructive path to direct positive energies towards you.
10- The law of here and now:
Present is all what we have. Stop looking at the past and plan about the future, as old thoughts prevent us from having new dreams. We need to live in the present. This will never let you move ahead in life. Live in the moment to enjoy and cherish it, as that is the only thing you have under your control.
11- The law of patience and reward: All rewards stem out of initial toil. Nothing important of value can be created without a patient mindset. Toiling away cant be surrounded by wishful thinking. All your rewards can only be achieved through patience and persistence. And rewards are
not your true results but true joy comes from knowledge of doing the right. You must know what you are supposed to be doing, for true joy.
12- The law of significance and inspiration: One gets back from things they put in. The best reward is the one that contributes to the whole. Every bit of personal contribution is also a contribution to the whole. Loving contributions inspire the whole beautifully. Energy and intentions are the true components which define the significance of end results. Treat others how you want to be treated by others.
Karma is a lifestyle choice, you get whatever you put into it. Karma promotes positive energy as it reflects our deeds and actions. Adopt self reflection to resolve your problems in life. Learning and adopting karma can lead to freedom from all sufferings. The 12 laws of karma state, Correct all your actions and make your mind positive. Check out how yoga has transcendental effects, and adopt yoga and meditation to improve your lifestyle. Even if the action doesn’t look positive but if the mind if positive, that action is a positive one.
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LOVE & ROMANCE
Powerful And Interesting
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Valentine’s Day Facts Come February and here we are, thinking about the way we would celebrate this valentine’s day with our beloved. But wait! Have you read these interesting valentine’s day facts yet? If not, then why not reading them here; as these interesting facts about valentine’s day are sure to charm you, surprise you and even to some extent shock you. So get set for a roller coaster down the Valentine’s day celebration path. How this day came into existence and why is it celebrated the way it is, why some groups do not like this celebration and why for some it is the most special day.
more enchanting with some stunning facts from valentine’s day mention. Not all of these facts as some of them are weird too only the lovely facts about valentine’s day which would add more fun to your celebration with your beloved
So lets make this year’s sweet nothings even
Interesting Valentine’s Day Facts We Must Know About:
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
From the Roman times to the British traditions valentine’s day has so many interesting stories attached with it, that reading about their gripping details becomes so interesting for us. And not just the sweet nothings but the brutal and the barbaric too, which comes in as a historical fact associated with the advent of Valentine’s day.
Check out some fun facts about valentine’s day here:
1- Valentine’s day is celebrated on Feb 14th in remembrance of Saint Valentine who is the patron and saint of all lovers around the world. But Feb 14th is the day when he was martyred for supporting the men in Claudius’s kingdom to marry. Roman emperor Claudius prohibited marriage and love for men as it deviated them from their path so he ordered the killing of Saint Valentine
2- The phrase ‘wear your heart on your sleeves’ has a literal relevance to it. Historically in the kingdom
of Roman king Claudius marriage was deemed illegal. For Claudius considered that men who were unattached were better soldiers thus he encouraged temporary coupling so the draw with names of women came into being. Men would draw the name for the festival, and that name stayed on their sleeves for the rest of the days of this festival which stated that women is his partner for the time.
3- In the earlier times, it was believed that if you were single you would end up marrying the first single person from opposite sex on this day of the year which is the Valentine’s day.
4- Chocolate is shared and gifted on Valentine’s day not just for its taste but it was considered to be Casanova’s favorite dessert. Casanova is known as a womanizer and had complicated affairs with them
5- Why red roses on valentine’s day; well! If scripts are to be believed, Goddess Venus favored red roses above other flowers and also red symbolizes love and passion.
6- Around 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged in just US every year on Feb 14th.
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7- Average spending by a man on Valentine’s day is around $120 and men spend twice as much as woman on this day, for gifts. Average men spends $156 while an average women spends $80 only.
to their pets on Valentine’s day.
11- The symbol XOXO dates back to
stemmed roses spurts around 30-50% more than their regular prices and can even go upto $75 and more
the medieval times when they came into being. An X was placed on enveloped, notes and at the bottom of letters to mean kisses. It signified honesty, love and faith. So symbol XOXO relates to kisses and hugs, where X is standing for kisses and O is hugs. X symbol looks like puckered up lips and when it is paired with O they look like embracing a kiss on the face.
9- Condom sales are highest around
12- Around 75 % men and 25% women
8- Around Valentine’s day, prices of long
Valentine’s day, approximately 30-40% more than usual. Also more pregnancy testers for home are sold in the month of March than any other month.
10- Between 3-5% pet owners give gifts WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
buy flowers and of those 15% women buy flowers for themselves.
13- Teachers receive the most Valentine’s day cards followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts
16- Number of roses in a bouquet on Valentine’s day signifies something too. Giving two roses means you are apologizing, 12 roses are for marriage proposals and 36 roses imply true love and the crazy 101 roses bouquet implies craziest love ever.
world capital of love and Valentine’s day. Historically the celebration was barbaric and would encapsulate lust over love. “Loterie d’amour’ or “drawing for love”, as they called it, would mean single men would fill houses with women. And men will then pick their match for the day.
17- Erotic gifts also see a rise 2- Italy: in their sales. Around 1 sex toy is sold every minute in the first 13 days of February.
18- The world record for largest group kissing was made on Valentine’s day in Mexico in 2010 with over 40000 people participating.
19- Feb 14th 1929 is known for its Valentine’s day massacre for the shooting of 7 Chicago gangsters. and pets
14- Around 2.5 million proposals are given on Valentine’s day each year
15- Why did the phrase playing cupid come into existence. Cupid is the great creator of lovers in the entire universe, he is the son of Venus who is the goddess of beauty and love. Cupid is almost a mini-god of love. Cupid is a little boy with wings and bow & arrow, when we say play cupid about someone it implies they are bringing two people together to start a romantic relationship.
Stellar valentine’s day celebrations from around the world: Every country has their own specifics of celebrating a day of love, while many nations have their own specific dates when they celebrate love, but Valentine’s day continues to be a very important and romantic festival. Check out some popular ways nations around the world celebrate valentine’s day:
1- France: France is actually the real
Italians celebrate this awesome day of love with spring festivity. From enjoying music, poetry and exchanging gifts to kisses it is all what we can dream of for love. There are also some old traditions which state the first man a woman sees actually married her later.
3- Germany: Lovers in Germany are not the usual orthodox of conventional, they gift Pigs in addition to chocolates, flowers, cards and more. Pig in German culture represents love and lust and from figures of pig to pig shaped chocolates and cards anything can be given.
4- China: Chinese are known to have celebrated this day differently in past, but now they have come to make it almost fit in the way Western world does. Their day for celebrating love falls officially the night of seven or the seventh day MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
LOVE & ROMANCE of seventh lunar month. Traditionally lovers would get a chance to see each other only on one day, and women pray to find good husband’s on this day
5- USA: Valentine’s day is an extremely popular festival in the US. People observe a holiday to honor St Valentine and his sacrifice. People express gratitude and love for teachers, parents, spouses, beloved, partner and even friends. Thus Valentine’s day has come out as 2nd major card giving and gift sharing festival in the US next only to 110 Christmas. The above facts are not just weird but interesting too, while some of us just love the idea of celebrating Valentine’s day with our beloved and family for others it is more about the customs and rituals. The Valentine’s day facts compilation is a tribute to this auspicious day where love shines and smiles above everything else, no matter how old or young you are. Have You Read About Valentine’s Day Week List Yet And here again, I wish for a scintillating Valentine’s day celebration this year. For the day is not just about gifts, WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
chocolates, cards and flowers but as day to celebrate love, joy of togetherness and the essence of relationships. So here comes yet another stunning and interesting compilation on Valentine’s day week list which is not just all rosy but not so good days ahead of Valentines. This is the full Valentine’s week list of 2018 beginning from Feb 7th and continuing until Feb 21st with every day being special for some prominent thing. Lovers and friends all around the world share these special items on these particular days to celebrate their love for each other. So as a tribute to the enchanting feeling of love and passion here comes an insight into February special days for lovers Valentines day date sheet gives an idea on how the days beginning from Feb 7th are special for lovers. Each day emerges from history of valentines day back from even the Roman times. And the current Valentine day schedule is just about feeling special, that warm of your relation must be celebrated each moment each day for it is not just you two in love but the entire universe arranging for your love to prosper. If you believe in true love, and you have faith in finding the right one at the right time, here is the time to put yourself into your relationship. For a true relationship must be cherishes
and celebrated by the two people madly deeply in love. The Valentine week days are structured in a way that it gives you a step by step guide to confessing your love for your beloved. And for some other people the week ahead of Valentine is about losing or breaking up with someone you may not be in love with.
What is Valentine’s day? And What is the history of Valentine’s day? Valentine’s day from Historical Roman times as early as 4th and 5th century when this celebration was so strange where it meant to hit woman literally for being blessed. Then came the era where romanticism and passion rules along with Shakespeare and Milton. Everything comes up to the meaning of Valentine day, why doe we celebrate Valentines day on 14th Feb. Well! This day is believed to be the day when Saint Valentine was killed for supporting love and marriage in those times. The Roman King believed single and unattached men would give better performance than the ones who are in love so he prevented the soldiers and other men in his kingdom from falling in love and getting married. With it Valentines day has become the second most popular and celebrated festival around the world.
Every country has its own traditions and rituals but largely it all comes at sharing valentines day gifts and flowers and confessing your love for your partner, spouse, parents, siblings, friends and specially teachers who make up for the most preferred receiver of Valentines day cards.
What is the meaning of Valentine’s day: Simply, when you love someone unconditionally you mean to share your feelings and passion. And what better way than to have a day dedicated for all the expression and love you can bestow in addition to being in love always. For children Valentines day is all about bringing on their creatives selves and putting
out some really artistic cards and gifts for their teachers and fellow class mates. This day happens to be the most wonderful day for schools, where teachers are the ones who get the most number of cards in the entire US. Then for college kids and teens this day is a pleasing and delightful way of celebrating their first love, or someone special they just found or met recently. They have the most curiosity and anxiety for they are just beginning to understand love, passion, relationships and attraction. For them it is more about trend and flings as they are still not up to that level of feeling pure love For adults it is all about their true love, the one special person they wish to spend
their life with. The meaning of valentine day schedule is just about bringing their true emotions and sharing with their beloved. And for elderly, Valentines day is all about celebrating their lives, the love that has matured and bloomed all through ups and downs in their relationships and yet come out stronger than ever.
What is the valentines day date sheet, and how all day of valentine week progress: Valentine day has become not just a one day celebration now but a rather 15 day ritual with each day holding some specifics. So the 15 point valentine day list comprises each day be celebrated for something specific. All of the MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
LOVE & ROMANCE first 7 days add up to valentine day celebration and the next week takes it ahead to break up day which is not necessarily what everyone plans for but for those single or unhappy in love this can be a way out. Check out the Valentine week days and Valentine date sheet followed by most all over: 1. 7th Feb– Rose Day 2. 8th Feb– Propose Day 3. 9th Feb– Chocolate Day 4. 10th Feb– Teddy Day 5. 11th Feb– Promise Day 6. 12th Feb– Kiss Day 7. 13th Feb– Hug Day 112
8. 14th Feb– Valentines day 9. 15th Feb– Slap Day 10. 16th Feb– Kick Day 11. 17th Feb– Perfume Day 12. 18th Feb– Flirting Day 13. 19th Feb– Confession Day 14. 20th Feb– Missing Day 15. 21st Feb– Break Up Day The above details about valentine’s day week list suggests how to propose a girl by first approaching then befriending and then slowly taking tit forward to reach 14th Feb which is the D day for lovers. And then base don your experience you slap the next day and in a span of 7 WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
days reach at a point where you break up if you do not feel your relationship is true. Before we proceed, we wish a very happy valentines day week with hopes of finding your true love. Let us look at the days of valentine week which not just have social media trends to set in but also to roll out the love and passion you have for your beloved: celebrated on 1 Rose Day Feb 7th: Rose day is the day which begins days of valentine which will progress from 7th of Feb until 21st Feb. All that red crimson cherry and scarlet on top of wooden sticks is sought out and given to the beloved. This is not just a day for showing your lover how passionate you are but to share love with friends and family too. So giving red roses is the way ahead from this day. And commencing
the valentines week ahead with rose means you wish for the relationship to bloom and reach its glory. Rose day is celebrates with lot of zeal and enthusiasm, that the sale of roses goes to never before high and one long stemmed red rose can cost as high as $75. For some red is just not the color yet, for their relationship is just at the beginning so begin with yellow and proceed to red in the course of time. History behind giving red rose just at the beginning of Valentine week date sheet: Goddess Venus who is the Roman goddess of love, sex, beauty, desire, fertility and victory. And she favored roses for they depict immense love, passion, desire and seduction. Also red color is a symbol of passionate love, so the tradition of giving red roses came in.
Day celebrated 2 Propose on Feb 8th: Propose day is the second day in valentine day date sheet. You approach your beloved and confess your true love for him or her and then you propose them for a relationship based on passion, intimacy, love and admiration you feel about them. Organize your proposal in a way that reflects your true passion, have something special set up and propose straight from your soul to show how much he or she means to you. So pour in your heart on this day, for you know you have met your lobster. Chocolate day 3celebrated on Feb 9th: Heart shaped Chocolates are the true inspiration for us every valentines. And they represent the sweet and bitter combination which is what life is. Every relationship symbolizes the taste and depth of the chocolates.
Your love is sweet and strong, passionate and filled with excitement and also has some downs of bitter days when all you need is to hang on and carry yourself forward without losing it. History behind giving Chocolate on the 3rd day of Valentine week date sheet: Giacomo Casanova is famous in the history as a womanizer who has elaborate affairs with woman. He represents love and lust with the element of pure passion. And chocolate was the favorite dessert of Casanova, so it is believed that sharing chocolate came in just because it somehow represented some strong form of love and passion. Chocolate is also believed to be good for heart and instigates desires in us. So to get steamy and feel the passion, gifting chocolates on valentines came into being day celebrated on 4 TeddyFeb 10th: Teddy bears represent warm hugs and most woman like
teddy bears a lot. To make your beloved feel special, teddy bears are just the right choice, to show how much this relationship makes you feel the warm and love. Teddy bear colors also signify so much more than just love: Orange teddy bear: You are all set to propose your beloved White teddy bear: You are already booked Black teddy bear: Your love is rejected by the person Red teddy bear: Love is mutual and he or she also feels the same passion Green teddy bear: He or she is waiting for you or your answer Blue teddy bear: Your love is so deep and passionate Pink teddy bear: your proposal is accepted
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Purple teddy bear: Better luck next time Brown teddy bear represents broken hearts Yellow teddy bears means break up is official day celebrated 5 Promise on Feb 11th: The fifth day of valentine is promise day. This day is all about promises and accomplishing them. Promises is an extremely vital part in your relationship, and when you commit to something and accomplish your promises you make your beloved believe that you are the one for them. Do WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
not make false promises as its not just making a promise but keeping it up too celebrated on 6 Kiss day Feb 12: Kiss is the silent language of the heart. And it conveys so much to our beloved, in addition to love and passion. It reflects love, passion, affection, greetings, wishes, peace and good luck; so many things. Interestingly the marriages are sealed with a kiss stating affection, love and commitment for each other. Gentle kiss is an intimate expression of love.
kissing your beloved have some historical significance too. XOXO makes your face turn just like you are kissing someone. So show your affection and tenderness by locking lips this valentines celebrated on 7 Hug day Feb 13th: Hug day is celebrated to show the warmth and love you share with your beloved. Go ahead and give them a tight hug for your love and passion must be shown deeply for the celebration of Valentines.
8 Valentines day
History related to kissing during the valentines day and XOXO:
celebrated on Feb 14th:
Writing XOXO on envelope and
And finally, all of this
culminates into the day filled with so much love, passion, admiration, affection and desire. Feb 14th is the day Saint Valentine was killed and to honor and respect his belief and faith in love this day came into being. Historically Valentines day dates back to Christian saints and Greek and Roman mythology. Cupid the son of Venus (god of love) was a mischievous boy and he carried bow and arrow to which the mythology states he points the arrow and makes people fall in love. That’s how the term playing cupid came into being.
a proposal it represents a slap in the face. This is more like the face palm moment when you did not approve of the progress someone not so dear made towards you
10 Kick day on Feb 16th: This is a very strong way to show what the other person did or is doing again and again is not accepted. This is the worst day for any lover, and this certainly is not an expression one would wish to undergo not at the giving end and most certainly not at the receiving end.
11 Perfume day on Feb 17th:
Anti Valentine’s day list: Yes for some valentines day does not come up like the most rosy and passionate time. And their life may not be as lovey dovey as the others. So there is a social trending thread on anti-valentine’s week. The week just after Feb 14th when you know it don’t work out for you or worked out the wrong way. Here are your days for valentine not so happy happy though:
9 Slap day on Feb 15th: When things do not go right and you end up experiencing things which ideally you should not have, well! A slap represents a push back to the one who came in at the wrong time with wrong emotions. When a guy or a girl rejects
have hurt him or her. Many couples wait for this day to confess anything they did
14 Missing day on Feb
Missing your beloved, well this is the official day to miss someone near and dear to you. Not literally you can celebrate this day but this day reminds you of those people with whom you spent some special part of your life. Who may or may no longer be that part of your life anymore.
15 Break up day on Feb
After that not so wonderful kick lovers share perfumes to experience fragrance of peace and harmony. Gift perfume on this day to allow a ore friendly relation to begin after that ugly spat.
12 Flirting day on Feb 18th: So after that ugly wind up its time to begin afresh. Begin flirting as you have to find someone soon. Both men and women flirt on this day to find someone new someone they can fall in love with.
13
Confession day on Feb 19th: This day is not just for those who fell apart but also for those whose proposal was accepted, it is time to confess what you may have done intentionally or unintentionally which may or
20th:
21st:
Well for all those relations which were not on the right track and even the beautiful days taking upto valentines day could not sustain the love and passion it is time to call it quits. Breaking up may be extremely painful but right thing to do when no one among the two is happy and there absolutely seems no future together. So this ends valentine all days list here with, though it seems painful with break up but when we talk about love one thing is for sure, “ Love is happiness for some pain for others, passion for some refrain for others and no matter how deeply you feel it may or may not be reciprocated by all”
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Sexless Marriage When it is about happy marriage, it is more about the intimate bond that you share with physical, emotional, and spiritual union of two individual. Although there are no theories to suggest how important it to be sexually involved for a happy marriage, however is, statistics indicate that having sexless marriage might eventually lead to separation or divorce. Long time ago, sexless marriage was mainly to control the size of a family and there was less or no much difference between partners. Passionate wedding or marriages and compassionate marriages are both pretty successful and could as well be failures in their own ways and details. There is nothing such a thing called as success mantra for happy marriages. But for the very conventional marriage, sex is the most important part of matrimonial bliss. Not just physical expression but also emotional one to significantly show love and
keep the marital life happy, mesmerizing and exciting. It is indeed a journey to balance love, affection, emotion and support throughout. But when it comes to sexless marriages, here are some ways to deal with it and tips to keep your marriage strong and charming. Surviving sexless marriage is more on the mental strength, courage than about anything else. The importance of physical bond for marriages is understandable, but the existence of some dry spell when our otherwise passionate wedding turns into a sexless marriage sometimes. It could as well be a temporary situation
where all you need to do is be patient and give it some time for the relationship to breathe; else coping up with a sexless marriage could lead to split eventually. There are ways in which you could live in a sexless marriage without stressing out. Talk and talk it out with your partner– the very important bit in a relationship is to be friends to each other. There could be something which is worrying and disturbing causing some tension at work place for your partner which you might be oblivious to. Days and months have passed since you had your last sex but there is no discussion or MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
RELATIONSHIP encounter again. any specific details laid out by either of you to each other yet. Thus, talking and break all the shackles is the most important bit here to find what, why and all those questions to your sexless life. Check out when was the last you had sex. Not that you need to maintain a calendar, however, remembering when was your last moment of blissful experience with a pure bliss of climax, passion and love for each other. You might also remember the things that led to something and afterwards post consummation. Try to 118 check if there was anything that went wrong or either of your felt stressed about it, or if there was any other marriage problem you might have to think about. Check for any erectile dysfunction. Let us not be awkward about talking about something which is a psychological condition. Not being able to consummate is a big cause of men drifting from sex and also erectile dysfunctions lead to moving towards sexless marriage. This could get emotionally stressing for the man. Your man would not be able to carry it through the climax and due to the awkwardness, and embarrassment, he could avoid attempting sexual WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Understand that you are not alone in this, there are many others sailing in the same boat. The most important rule of dealing with sexless marriage is to be stable emotionally and not feel alone. Do not blame everything to you, it is important that you know you are not the only reason to this and not to feel guilty about it. You are aggravating your woes and situation by causing unwanted stress. Did you have a baby yet? Just after the delivery of your first baby, the initial few months are pretty challenging to involve in sexual desire and time to have time to fulfil it with passion. Kids are a big responsibility and with them being cranky and fussy most of the time, it is difficult to find some free lone time with your partner to share intimate moments together. Gradually the desire starts to fade away and a time arrives when months would have been passed since the last you had sex however, you just continued to live as a married couple. Do not pressurize yourself or the partner to have sex. Sex is not any intimate bonding factor that you share with your partner. Extra physical intimacy can be
gained with many other ways. All you need to do is to keep your gestures alive that makes you feel physically satisfied. Hugging, cuddling, touching, holding hands and just playing around can be simple and great ways to destress and also reduce the tension that your partner or you have been facing past sometime about your sexless marriage. Do not discuss your sex life everywhere. The more you talk negative about your sex life, the more it becomes
a subject of easy contempt. The more you think about it and try to analyze, it only leads to frustration and you feel bad about your sexless marriage. As a grown up and a matured person, you must understand that this is a personal thing and only you or your partner have the rights to know and determine the cause or the reason of it. Seeking help from the counselors or therapists help but do not intend to make it a subject of gossip. This only leads to damaging your
relationship further. Honesty is the best policy. Your partner is your best friend and you have to start discussing of what you think and feel. You must not start avoiding sex talks with your partner. Either of you would have lost interest or avoiding sex but you have to free up and be honest with your partner as to what you feel and why. Your relationship has to progress and build on the layer of trust. Do not ever force your partner to be passionate but
instead, give them the time and support to get back to routine. Try and find some alone time by sneaking out and spending more time together. Whatever could the reason be, you need to be happy in every stage of your married life. As a couple, you need to spend more time and alone time preferably. Each stage of life and marriage has its own challenges and different tricks that help and work like a date night, walks together, MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
RELATIONSHIP road trips, movie nights, holidaying, backpacking or simple romantic dinner or anything that you like to do together. Keeping your efforts on is important to make your partner believe that you need them and that they are important to you. Maybe the busy schedule and lifestyle along with the daily grind has got into their nerves and this eases them out.
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Keep yourself busy. An idle mind is a devil’s workshop. Haven’t we heard of this? Indeed, the best way to keep yourself busy is to take up some hobby that keeps you happy and gives you a sense of accomplishment over the day. You must have sometime given to your partner to work on their routine and get back, meanwhile, get busy doing something you like. Picking up hobby always works. Let your thoughts and creativity flow and help shift your focus to it allowing yourself and the partner to cope up with the sexless marriage stress. Either of you have an extra marital affair? Well this is something you must make sure that your partner isn’t cheating on you. An extra marital affair simply could be one of the biggest causes of WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
the sexless life. There is a possibility that the partner’s sexual interest has shifted and does not find you sexually attractive. Try some ways to turn your partner on. Yes, there has to be something extra ordinary you could do to impress your partner and lead them out of the monotonous routine. Your style and looks might be uninteresting for your partner to get turned on and might have stopped finding you attractive. Time to change your style and wardrobe to adapt to something they like and feel glamorous. Wear sexy lingerie and night wear and take the lead. Relax with some romantic music, candles and champagne. Make the mood lighter watching some romantic move, it helps in giving those passionate moments and makes you feel intimate and close to each other. Do not try to pull your partner into sex immediately; rather indulge in some passionate loving moments. Take it easy and slow and one at a time.
the union of hearts and body and soul. It must be a blessed sacred thing and not just a challenge or a task to execute. Enjoying the process is more about it rather than thinking about the outcome as a whole. Do not get into wrong habits or any addiction. Smoking or drinking could be very tempting but you must understand that it is not the right thing to do resolve. Addiction to drugs isn’t going to resolve your issue nor will it ever. Finding the cause and working for it to release the stress is the crux. Staying off any such stimulants is the best for your health and your partner too. Remember, above all, expressing your feeling and adopting to some ways of physical affection is not usually sex. Check with a marriage counselor and sex therapist for more help.
Never force your partner to have sex. It is not about conquering someone. It is more on what you feel,
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INDIAN TRAVELOGUE
Plan your Next Trip to
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Lakshadweep – the name itself is enough to imagine its serene beauty and heavenly marine life. Lakshadweep means ‘a hundred thousand islands’. Indeed, some big, some small, few are far and others being closer, some are inhabited and some are not. MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN TRAVELOGUE
History of Lakshadweep Travel to Lakshadweep will be incomplete without knowing the beautiful history of this place. Lakshadweep does not have any tribal group or aboriginal inhabitants. The islanders in Lakshadweep came down to settle at some point in history. There are several legends around how this happened, more recent story about Lakshadweep says that the islands were successively invaded and captured by the Arabs, Portuguese and then finally 124 British. The influence of these countries is evident in predominantly Hindu and Muslim population and culture here. Being a part of India, it is most obvious to have their local dialect which is derived from Malayalam which is language of the state of Kerala in India. These descendants are mostly from either Arab or Indian ethnicity. Lakshadweep tourism is a recent phenomenon on the islands.
Know Lakshadweep Better Lakshadweep is located off the coast of Kerala which is the southernmost WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
tip of India. These islands of Lakshadweep are bestowed with miles and miles of beautiful, heavenly sun-kissed beaches which are magnificent and not so crowded. The glorious lagoons of Lakshadweep have turquoise blue water full of colorful marine life.
Lakshadweep which is India’s smallest union territory has 10 inhibited islands and 17 uninhibited islands with attached islets and four newly formed islets plus 5 submerged reefs. Lakshadweep is one of the most beautiful and prettiest destinations that you could
ancient churches
attractions for the tourists.
visit as your next holiday destination. This union territory is in the Arabian Sea that has twelve atolls and three reefs with five submerged banks. The excellent marine life, the lovely villages, amazingly comfortable and heavenly Lakshadweep resorts and the mosques in this place are few of the must go
The name as we said does stand for one lakh islands. Few parts of this marvelous Lakshadweep are kept out of the tourism deliberately to preserve their rich and serene natural habitat. Seeing the aerial view of Lakshadweep is mesmerizing like the emerald embedded on a turquoise sea into the deep sapphire ocean. Agatti is the only airport at Lakshadweep. The islands of Lakshadweep sport a luxurious growth of tropical vegetation. The local inhabitants are very friendly and warm at Lakshadweep, welcoming you to their beautiful place. Both music and dance in this place is deeply influenced by the Islamic culture. Since this place is pretty close to Kerala, the culture remains
similar to that of Kerala. Parichakali dance, Lava dance, Kolkali dance and Opana dance are few of the famous dance forms which are performed during the marriage celebration or festivals. The vivid culture could also be seen during the occasions like child birth, ear-boring or marriages. Their tribal dance and folk music portrays the culture of Lakshadweep. Coir, shells, corals, oysters or even ornaments, jewelries and other decorative items which could be purchased from the road side handicraft shops near the beach. By now, you must have guessed that coconut and fish is found in abundance at Lakshadweep. The food is known to be spicy and tangy with many varied MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN TRAVELOGUE flavors unlike at any other place.
Best Time to Travel to Lakshadweep Lakshadweep best time to travel is usually from October until March. December being the peak season to travel to Lakshadweep as it is cooler and drier. Although, islands like Bangaram and Agatti are very pleasant during the monsoon months, Lakshadweep overall has a humid tropical climate mostly throughout the year with not much variation to the climate. The sea is usually calmer during the months of March 126 until October with very pleasant weather allowing you to indulge in various water sports and activities. From March until May the temperate varies from 22 degree C to 36 degree C. August is the peak monsoon season at Lakshadweep and might not be a very good time to visit this beachy location. Lakshadweep tourism sees a decrease in the number of tourists mostly in this period as the weather is pretty rough due to the rains. Also during the peak monsoon, most ferries are closed usually. But there are chopper facilities if you still want to visit during the off season. It is recommended that you confirm your plan and fix it before reaching.
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How to reach Lakshadweep Every traveler needs a special permit, Indian or otherwise to visit Lakshadweep. The easiest way by far to book is via a package tour through the government’s tour operator sports or you could arrange it from the hotel as they are pretty good to get it sorted for you. The foreigners must have advanced booking to be allowed to visit as a prerequisite. Foreigners are restricted to the islands of Agatti, Kadmat and Bangaram with a only transit permit of 12 hours in Kavaratti. However, Indians may visit the other parts of Lakshadweep islands as well but they have very limited accommodation. Almost everyone going to Lakshadweep have to pass via Kochi which the capital city of Kerala, in India. You could take a ship or plane from Kochi to Lakshadweep. If you are wondering, how to go to How to go to Lakshadweep, Air India has 1 flight to Agatti from Kochi which is the only one airport in the islands of Lakshadweep. Part of the beauty of Lakshadweep islands is the limited connectivity. Although, it is not so ill-connected, they are not so inconvenient either. These Air India flights are six days a week, making it easier. While you are going via Kochi, why not spend a few days to take a look around the “God’s own country” Kerala? Another amazingly
beautiful place you must not miss to visit. Ships and ferries from Kerala or boats, ply to Lakshadweep for the local people. There are occasional cruises as well directly from Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi or Vishakhapatnam. Now you know how to travel to Lakshadweep.
What to do in Lakshadweep Lakshadweep tourism is centered primarily on the various water sports. Lakshadweep has so much to offer on the activities and you can as well indulge in the underwater experience by scuba diving, snorkeling or glass bottom boat ride. Parasailing, kayaking, fishing, water skiing, sailing, deep sea fishing are few of the many more activities that Lakshadweep has to offer to its tourists. There are pretty much amazing excursion tours that you can indulge in the nearby islands like Thinnakara, Bangaram, Parali or Kalpitty. Lakshadweep being one of the best places to find the coral reef formation. The multi-hued and very beautiful underwater experience it offers is indeed very promising. The water is super clean and you can see through very easily to where the beautiful vibrant reefs are. Due to the corals present in the bed of the sea, the water is shallow and makes it easy for the novice swimmers or kids MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN TRAVELOGUE to wade into. The richness of coral formation and fantastic marine life only adds to its mystique. But one thing that you must make a point and know that picking up coral is a punishable offense by law and thus you must fight your temptation. Along with all these activities, the next best experiences of the Lakshadweep travel guide come up to enjoy the serene beach. Relaxing and soaking sun in the beaches of Lakshadweep is one of the blissful experiences to have. Make sand castles with the creamy soft sand or simple get on to your mission for a 128 perfect tan. Lakshadweep has so much to offer to relax and rejuvenate you and making you long for more. The never leave this place feeling is indeed true with almost every tourist who visit this heavenly place. The lagoons around the islands make the pictures perfect! A camera with extra pair of batteries or long lasting one and enough space for memory is a mandatory checklist item for you to pack. You will not be able to stop yourself from clicking pictures every 5 minutes. Lakshadweep although does not offer a lot of reasons to party as there are not much pubs or clubs around. Also a big point is that alcohol consumption is prohibited WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
except on the Bangaram Island. There isn’t a big shopping market which is a not so cool thing about a tourist spot or that you will not find many alluring and fancy restaurants to stop by. Nevertheless, you find beautiful skillful artifacts and handicrafts made of the palm fronds and coconut coir for your souvenirs.
What to see in Lakshadweep Agatti Island: This is the island that you are going to land the first and is a great one located around 459 km from Kochi, Kerala. Agatti Island being 6km long has surplus fishes and lets you enjoy the bliss of seafood here. Fishing is the main occupation here for the people who live. The island has some amazingly beautiful and best beaches for swimming in the whole world. Tourists love to indulge in water sports here and find huge lagoons too. The beaches are clean and the water is deep blue here with the most colorfully diverse underwater world you can find.
Kadmat Island: This Island is one of the most popular ones for the tourists to visit. A huge lagoon in the west side of the Island which is
about 10 km from the Amini is amazing too. You find dolphins cleaving through the beautiful clear blue sparkling water with some sea turtles and flying fish in the sea.
Kavaratti Island: This Island being one of the most developed ones in Lakshadweep makes it the administrative capital. The population at Kavaratti is dominated by the nonislanders. Plenty of Mosques in the island which numbers to about 52 are incredible. Ujra mosque is the most beautiful one out of the 52.
Kalpeni: This place is located at a distance of about 76 km from the south of Androth. The place is well known for its locating being in an extensive
and shallow lagoon. This lagoon is indeed world famous for its beautifully rich coral reef and marine life.
Bangaram Island: This island is a beautiful tourist attraction too and world famous for its smooth sand beach. The amazing tall palm grove backdrop just makes it perfect for plenty of pictures and scenic beauty. The smooth sand here is caressed by the waves of the multi colored sea. This picturesque destination is around 8km from the north side of Agatti Island. From shipwreck snorkeling to the hidden beaches with hermit crabs and bluest of the ocean to the lagoons full of sea turtles make it a wholesome
experience for the visitors.
Pareli 1 and 2: These are tiny islands which are surrounded by shallow lagoon towards one side where as the other having a deep sea. You can cover this island by walking for 15 minutes. The shallow lagoon makes it a beautiful home for numerous sea turtles with the deep sea being homes for the stingrays and sharks or flying fish. This island is as well full of hermit crabs and sea turtles.
Thinnakara: A small and cozy island making it a perfect paradise for the vacation is isolated and has very limited accommodations or cottages on the shores. This island offers a perfect escape
especially for those who want to be out and far from the rush of life. Snorkeling, kayaking, playing volleyball or relaxing in the hammock and gaze in the deep horizon are few of the best things this island offers.
Minocoy Island: The beautiful coral island which is in the Arabian Sea and full of the coconut groves along the long beautiful stretch of powdery beaches is one of its types in the world. This island is famous for the center for Tuna fishing. Another attraction on this island which is an ancient Lighthouse which was constructed in 1885 gives you a breathtaking view of the island.
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INDIAN HISTORY
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Rani Padmavati of Chittor
Padmini, also known as Padmavati, was a legendary 13th–14th century Indian queen (Rani). Several 16thcentury texts mention her, of which the earliest source is Padmavat, an epic fictionalized poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540 CE.
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Padmani’s husband Ratan Sen dies fighting the siege of Alauddin Khalji, and thereafter she leads a jauhar. In these versions, she is characterised as a Hindu Rajput queen, who defended her honour against a Muslim invader. Over the years, she came to be seen as a historical figure, and appeared in several novels, plays, television serials and movies. However, while Khalji’s siege of Chittor in 1303 CE is a historical event, many modern historians question the authenticity of the Padmini legends.
Versions of the legend
The Jayasi text describes her story as follows: Padmavati was an exceptionally beautiful princess of the Singhal kingdom (Sri Lanka). Ratan Sen, the Rajput ruler of Chittor Fort, heard about her beauty from a talking parrot named Hiraman. After an adventurous quest, he won her hand in marriage and brought her to Chittor. Alauddin Khalji, the Sultan of Delhi, also heard about her beauty, and laid siege to Chittor to obtain her. Many events occurred during the period of the siege, till the fort was finally taken.
Meanwhile, Ratan Sen was killed in a duel with Devpal, the king of Kumbhalner, who was also enamoured with Padmavati’s beauty. Before Alauddin Khalji could capture Chittor, Padmavati and her companions committed Jauhar (self-immolation) to protect their honour. After her sacrifice, the Rajput men died fighting on the battlefield. Many other written and oral tradition versions of her life exist in Hindu and Jain traditions. These versions differ from the Sufi poet Jayasi’s version. For example, Rani
Several 16th-century texts survive that offer varying accounts of Rani Padmini’s life. Of these, the earliest is the Awadhi language Padmavat (1540 CE) of the Sufi composer Malik Muhammad Jayasi, likely composed originally in the Persian script. The 14th-century accounts written by Muslim court historians that describe Alauddin Khalji’s 1302 CE conquest of Chittorgarh make no mention of this queen. A variety of legends are found in the regional oral tradition from about 1500 or later, remembered and retold in multiple languages, legends which evolved over time. Subsequently, many literary works mentioning her story were produced; these can be divided into four major MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN HISTORY
Categories: Persian and Urdu
and Antiquities of Rajas’han. His version was based on the information compiled from the oral and textual traditions of writers employed by the Rajput chiefs.
adaptations
Bengali adaptions
Between 16th and 19th centuries, at least 12 Persian and Urdu translations or adaptations of Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s Padmavat were produced. More Urdu versions appeared in the 20th century, all adhering to Jayasi’s love poetry tradition.
From late 19th century onward, several Bengali versions of legend were produced, when James Tod’s work reached Calcutta, the capital of British India. These Bengali narratives portrayed Padmavati as a Hindu queen who immolated herself to protect her honour against a Muslim invader.
Rajput ballads 132 In 1589 CE, Hemratan
composed Gora Badal Padmini Chaupai, the first Rajput adaption of the legend, presenting it as a “true tale”. Between 16th and 18th centuries, more Rajput versions of the Padmavati legend were compiled in present-day Rajasthan, under the patronage of the Rajput chiefs. Unlike Jayasi’s theme of courting and marriage, the Rajput adaptions emphasized their honour in defending their kingdom against Alauddin Khalji.
James Tod’s version During 1829-32, James Tod included a colonial re-telling of the legend in his Annals WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Lesser Known Things About Rani Padmavati There are a number of contesting stories about Rani Padmini. While on the one hand, the Rajput community maintains the sanctity of everything related to her, historians often say that her life was nothing but a poet’s imagination. Padmavat, a poem in Awadhi was written 1540, more than two hundred years after Khilji’s death (1316). Before Padmavat, none of the historical annals, whether the annals of Rajput history or the Islamic rulers history in India had the mention of Padmavati or any figure like her. The Rajasthani folklore songs
about Padmavati are believed to be derived from the 16th Century ‘Gora Badal Padmini Chaupai’, a Rajput adaption of the Padmavat which presented it as a true tale. As the debate whether Rani Padmavati ever existed or she was just the imagination of Mallik Muhammed Jayasi - who wrote Padmavat an epic poem about the siege of Chittor by Delhi Sultan Allauddin Khilji in 1303 continues, lets us take a look at some of the lesser known things about her.
1. Padmavati was a Sri Lankan The poem Padmavat, begins with a fanciful description of the kingdom of Simhaladvipa, where a princess named Padmani lived. Simhala (Sinhala)-dvipa falls in the Ceylon of yesteryears and present day Sri Lanka. Padamavati, according to Jayasi, was a “perfect woman” whose beauty was such that even goddess would envy of.
2. Rani Padmavati had a talking parrot Jayasi writes that Padmavati had a talking parrot named Hira-mani who was one of the closest confidantes of the princess. Not only Jayasi’s Padamvat, but many epics or love poems, including Milton’s Paradise Lost and the Arab poem of Hateem Tai have shown animals or birds speaking the language of the main characters. Hira-mani narrated Padmavati’s beauty to Chittor King, Ratan Singh. Being completely mesmerised by Hira-mani’s account of Padmini, the king longed to marry the princess and managed to do so after a long series of dramatic battles and adventurous trials.
3. King Rana Ratan Singh went to Simhaldvipa and won her Padmavat explains at length that how Rana Ratan Singh, who might not have
known about the existence of Simhala-dvipa before the parrot told him went to participate in Swayamvar of Princess Padmavati. There he defeated many princess and kings who also sought Padmavati hands on several competitions and won the hand of Padmavati.
4. Raghav Chaitanya, the sorcerer who instigated Khilji Raghav Chaitanya served in Rana Ratan’s Singh’s court as Raj Purohit. But he was a sorcerer in real who had a great hold on black magic. After Ratan Singh came to know about his reality, he banished Raghav after insulting him. To avenge his insult, Raghav reached Delhi and told Alauddin Khilji about the beauty of Rani Padmini. Initially, Khilji didn’t buy his story as he had plenty of women already in his harem. But the poetic description of Padmini’s as the most
beautiful forced Khilji to think otherwise and he, according to Jayasi, thought of attacking Chittor.
5. Padmavati wasn’t the only reason behind Khilji attacking Chittor A 1990s documentary serial, Bharat, Ek Khoj talks about five ratnas at length. The episode is loosely based on Khilji siege of Chittor to get Padmavati as told by Jayasi in Padmavat. These five ratnas were: A Swan who could sing poems, a gem filled with nectar, a stone called Paras which could turn anything into gold, one hunter named Shardul who could kill any animal at king’s behest and one large yet royal bird Lagna who could kill small animals and birds with ease
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
TECHNOLOGY
134
Latest Facebook
Updates
Which Are Too Much
Do you as well wonder why does Facebook constantly keep updating its application every other day for the Android users? The first 2018 update which was in January might indeed be the biggest one of the year. Over throwing the mindset of the News Feed algorithm, a decision by Mark Zuckerberg to change it and prioritize news from family and friends at the expense of public content, marketers, and news publishers is “The Thing� that everyone is talking about.
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If you are into Facebook marketing, a thing you might want to know and understand is Facebook algorithm. The Facebook algorithm is quite helpful in the huge number of posts that businesses and people share each day and choose the posts that they want to show in our News Feed based on a number of factors. A developer might have many things in mind to update the Android App. Mostly it is rolled out when they have an overall bug or when there is a big bug related to a particular group of people like a notable phone which has a problem with the current version of the application due to some specific reason. The improvement in the codes and fixing the bug mostly comes out as a new version. You get to see the details in the Google Play Store while you try to update the application. Facebook, pretty much has same reasons too. And, Facebook is always striving to make it high quality content with the images and other media stuff. Although we have seen many trying to degrade their application to the older version due to various reasons like the older version were faster but unfortunately sometimes they are not able to find any. But the newer version being slow might simply imply that they are taking time to load
as they have increased the quality. People generally as the stats go, are very happy to use the apps even when the consumption of internet is high or increased with the update due to the better quality of data and content. There’s 3G, 4G and what not in the market now and apps feel kind of faster. However, the ones using slower internet speed like 2G still find it slow and high loading time. Most of the time, you do not see any significant update when they say “fixed major bugs” in the updated version. They are of course the backend logic and mostly the user interface that you see on your screen remain the same. Let’s go back to understand what happened in the month of January in the Facebook update. Are you concerned that it might affect your business? Well, you should not be. The usual resolution of “New Year, New Me” has changed into “New Year, New Facebook” at least for Mark Zuckerberg. One of the public posts of Mark Zuckerberg says as on Jan 11, 4:28 PM (PST): “We’re making a major change to how we build Facebook. I’m changing the goal I give our product teams from focusing on helping you find relevant content to helping you have more meaningful social interactions.
As we roll this out, you’ll see less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media. And the public content you see more will be held to the same standard — it should encourage meaningful interactions between people. If we do the right thing, I believe that will be good for our community and our business over the long term too.” So, what are these Facebook Algorithm Values that we have been talking about? Understanding the algorithm of Facebook begins from the point of knowing the core values that Facebook applies to guide their thoughts and work. These could give you a hint of what is the content that does good and what will not on Facebook.
Giving you a brief summary of the new feed value of Facebook: Family and Friends come first: More than anything, the objective of Facebook here lies to connect the people via the News Feed which is friends and family. Thus the posts from the friends and families are prioritized on this social media platform. After these, the posts that Facebook finds that people want their feed to inform and entertain others.
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TECHNOLOGY A platform for ideas sharing: All types of ideas are welcome by Facebook like the genuine stories over the misleading ones, or the spammy ones. You have a control to your experience: Facebook gives the individuals what they need and what they think is the best for them. Facebook created a feature to “see first” or “unfollow” to let the people customize their preferences and Facebook experience. Constant iteration: Like you say, change is the new constant. Similarly, Facebook is determined to constantly collect feedback and put it across for 136 the improvement and ease of the users. Facebook aims at offering its users a “vibrant” experience but for the advertisers and marketers it becomes more difficult to reach out to their audiences and seek their attention. This is not any disadvantage as it does not mean you will have to face hardships with the ads. All it aims at is the fact that highlighting the right content to the right audience could make an effective campaign and a big difference in the marketing world. To make it simple for you to understand the Facebook WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
algorithm, we have a list of factors for your that we assume might have an edge on your posts showing up. The Facebook algorithm likes when: Facebook Posts with lots of Likes, shares and comments Facebook Posts that go viral in a short time. For example, the ones receive a high volume of Likes, comments, or shares in a short span of time. Facebook Posts that are Liked, commented on, or shared by an account’s friends Link posts Post types that one networks or interacts with often Posts that are well-timed or reference a trending topic Posts from Pages that the users interacts with often Post types (e.g., photo, status update, or videos) which the users seem to prefer more than the rest. Also, the videos uploaded to Facebook which receive huge number of views or extended viewing duration Posts from other Pages
with complete legal profile information Posts from Pages where the fan group overlaps with the fan group of other known highgrade pages To wrap it up, the pages might see a decrease in the content of video watch time, referral traffic etc. However, the impact will surely vary from page to page depending on few factors like the type of content they have and how people interact with any particular post. No one like spammy posts on the social media, especially Facebook like you ask the readers to “comment and share the post” or “like this post if you are …”. Such tactics which are known as “engagement bait” try to seek the advantage of the News Feed algorithm by boosting the readers to get greater reach. Although, according to the Facebook update, more of these posts are expected in the Feed, however, luckily this does not happen. Know why? This is because; Facebook is an intelligent thing where they have created thousands of categories for the posts to have a machine learning model which detects different ways of this engagement bait. Posts which utilize this tactic or methodology will be shown lesser in the news feed. Facebook is getting closer to its mission with each update:
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TECHNOLOGY
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giving their users a more meaningful and authentic interaction between the people.
Is Facebook building music communities? Facebook lately announced their partnership with Universal Music Group, and then the contract of the largest major music publisher in the world, Sony/ATV. These partnerships with the music world give a new musicrelated experience for the users of Facebook. Also giving new platform for the artists and songwriters to build up a stronger profile and connect to the communities around music.
Facebook’s campaign budget optimization: Facebook announced this already back in November but the related tests have been going slow, so the features are being rolled out gradually to some Ad Account (take a look at yours!) But what is budget optimization? The process which is similar to what is already being done by Facebook with your ads such that depending on the performance of the ads, more
budget will be allocated to the “winning” ad by Facebook. Now this allows you to decide to do the same with AdSets too where you set a budget for the entire campaign and mention that you would like to optimize it. According to Facebook, this could be a good solution under the following conditions: Set a campaign-level budget and have more flexibility on the expenditure of your budget across the AdSets in the process of campaigning. Get the maximum results possible from your campaign. Ease the set-up of campaign and save time by lowering the number of budgets you manage manually. There is so much more to this, but all we know that Facebook is really working hard to get their social media for the right purpose and the right direction. Expect a lot of more big updates from Facebook, however, keep enjoying it as you always did!
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
AUTOMOBILES
The 2018 Kia Fort
140
Top 15 Safe CarsRight Now The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety comes up with a handful of names every year of the vehicles which list in the top for the safety. 3 SUVs and 12 cars ranging their make from BMW to Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Lincoln, Subaru, Kia, Genesis, and Toyota have topped this list earning a distinction from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the year 2018. These cars range from small economical cars to large and luxury sedans. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
The protection of the driver and co passengers has become one of the priorities in the last few years and we have seen improvements coming our way over the past decades. IIHS president Adrian Lund mentioned, “All automakers now recognize the important role of safety in consumer choice, and they are increasingly receptive to working with our engineers to understand the next steps in keeping people from harm in motor vehicle crashes and to make real changes in their vehicle designs.” To get into the top list of IIHS safety, the vehicles have to mandatorily offer industry-leading front, side, roll over and read crash protection. To add to this list, the cars should have feature proactive crash prevention along with advanced headlight technology. IIHS puts its main focus on the passenger safety this year owing to which additional small over new overlap front passenger crash test has been included. As per Lund, this test was included in the list when the institute clarified that there were some manufacturers who were not paying enough attention to the safety of the passenger as much they do for the driver’s safety. He mentioned “Drivers expect that their passengers, who are often family, will be protected just as well as they are,” Lund said. “Manufacturers have been taking this issue seriously since we first shed light on it, and we’re confident that good small overlap protection will become the norm on the passenger side, just as it has on
the driver side” For the year 2018, there are only 2 manufacturers who stand above the rest of them in the list. Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands lead the way with another six Top Safety Pick+ finalists and winners. Subaru, being the second one to follow after the four winners. Take a look at the 15 IHHS Top Safety Pick+ Winners for the year 2018.
The 2018 BMW 5 Series
The 2018 Genesis G80
The 2018 Genesis G90
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AUTOMOBILES
The 2018 Subaru Legacy
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The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2018 Kia Soul WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E Class sedan
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
The 2018 Toyota Camry
The 2018 Subaru Outback
The 2018 Lincoln Continental
The 2018 Subaru WRX MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN VAASTU CORNER
History of
Vastu Shastra 144
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The origin of Vastu Shastra goes back to thousands of years. Vastu Shastra is increasingly popular these days and known as conceptual science that helps creating the harmony in setting homes or work places.
Vastu Shastra, which is also the origin of architectural science and direction, is now very new. The first reference of this particular science was made in the Vedas, and hence, we say Vastu Shastra as a science was developed thousands of years ago. Vastu Shastra being the science of space and architecture supports the physical and spiritual health and prosperity. The art of Vastu according to the modern day historians, Ferguson, Havell and Cunningham, this architectural science was developed in the period of 6000 BC and 3000 BC. The principles of science which has been made evident now were based purely on the effect of sunrays then (talking about thousands of years ago). These observations and corrections were noted and concluded after the complete aspectual screening and in-depth knowing of the situation. The learned men of those
days might not have houses to live in those days but they most definitely had the dedication to live their lives according to the development of science now popularly termed as “Vastu Shastra” or “Vastu”. Vastu is a part of the Vedas which is believed to be more than four to five thousand years old. Through repentance and meditations of that period, Yogis had acquired answers to the beliefs that have come from the cosmic minds. Thus, we heed Vedas as divine knowledge. The knowledge an art of Vastu Shastra originated in the Stapatya Veda which is a part of the Atharva Veda. Vastu Shastra being a Vedanga, the body of Vastu is full of knowledge of lakhs of shlokas which were handed down to the generations succeeding by hand written monographs and word of mouth like: Manasara Shilpa Shastra by Manasara Mayamatam by the Mayasuras Vishwakarma Vaastushastra
by vishwakarma Samarangana Sutradara by Raja Bhoja Aparajota Priccha which is a dialogue between Viswakarma and his son Aparajita and written by Bhuvanadevacharya Silparatna Agni Purana and other treatises and work by Kautilya and Sukracharya are not much popular even though they followed from the same document mentioned above. All these differ in the basis of style as they are based from different places of origin of the Text. Myamatam and Mansara Shilpa Shastra which are considered Dravidian as they are from the Southern part of India whereas, Viswakarma Vastu Shastra is considered to be Aryan as it is from North Indian origin. Mayamatam and Vastu Prakash were known to be the best because of their extensiveness and coherence. Mayamatam was then edited by hierarchy of MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN VAASTU CORNER Architects who were known as the Mayasuras while Vastu Prakash was then edited by the well-known and most esteemed Architect of ancient India- Acharya Vishwakarma. Vastu Prakasha however was a notable Text; it is known to be an individual’s concept which has its own limitations whereas, for that of the Mayamatam, it is a hierarchial one originated from the Ramayana era to the Mahabharata era and past. Thus, Mayamatam as a theory has a span of hundreds of years and has been evolving since centuries and is considered the most 146 relevant one today. India is the mother of Vastu. Sunlight, energies, and all five elements of nature to be balanced and taken the maximum benefit of were something that was considered by the sages. The following lines depict the importance of Vastu Shastra: “SHASTRENANEN SARVASYA LOKASYA PARAM SUKHAM CHATURVERG PHALA PRAPTI SHLOKSHCH BHAVEDYUVAM SHLIP SHASTRA PARIGYAN MRITYOAPI SUJETAAM VRAJET PARMANAND JANAK
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DEVANAMI DIMIRITAM SHILP VINA NAHI JAGTISHU LOKESHU VIDYATE JAGAD VINA NA SHILPANCH VARTATE VASAU PRABHO” The meaning of this phrase is: “Because of Vastu Shastra, the whole universe gets good health and happiness, all round prosperity. Human beings attain divinity with this knowledge. The followers of Vastu Shastra get not only worldly pleasure but also experience heavenly bliss” The above shloka clearly says that Vastu Shastra is universal. It is not just confined to any particular group of people in the progress of human being, irrespective of caste, religion or creed. Reference of Vastu Shastra has also been found in the great Indian epic Ramayana. The formation of the holy city of Ayodhya which was the capital of the kingdom of Lord Rama, has the similar plan written in the great architectural text “Manasara”. “Ramsetu” of Ramayana was as well based on the Vastu principles. Mahabharata, which is considered to be the biggest and the most popular epics of ancient India also, has
references of Vastu Shastra. It has been denoted that Indraprastha, which is the city that was built for the Pandavas also had most of the houses constructed using this architectural science. Those houses constructed in the city of Indraprastha stood tall and looked majestic. These houses were kept off any obstructions and the compound walls were high and of uniform heights. The doors were decorated with the metal ornaments too. Even, “Maya Sabha” of Mahabharata was built as per the ancient principles of Vastu Shastra. It is considered that it was built by the great sculpture called “Mayan” as per the Vastu Shastra and was built in square shape. Buddhist literature makes a number of references to the buildings based on Vastu. There are a number of ‘Viharas’, temples, houses and buildings in the Buddhist texts that were based on Vastu Shastra. It is also said that Lord Buddha, delivered speeches on architecture and were pretty conscious of the construction of the buildings in order. Lord Buddha, a firm believer of these principles of architecture himself, often mentioned to the architectural science in the teachings. One of the facts that say Lord Buddha gave the course
and prosperity, and help the well-being of all persons and animals living in the house. These houses were free from obstructions and had big compounds with great walls.” In the ‘Matsya Purana’, following eighteen scholars of Vastu Shastra have been mentioned. They are Bhrugu, Atri, Mayan, Vasistar, Viswakarma, Naradar, Nagnajit, Visalakshan , Purandaran, Nandikesawaran, Sounakar, Brahma, Kumaraswamy, Bhargavar, Anirudhar, Vasudevar, Sukran and Brahaspati.
tips to his disciples was to personally supervise and make sure all activities related to the construction of the buildings.
also called as ‘shlokas’ as we mentioned earlier. These are meant to provide protection, prosperity and happiness to life as well after death.
Excavations in the ancient time, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were also indicated to be influenced by Vastu Shastra on the Indus Valley Civilization which shows some specific planning and construction. The basic rules and in the culture of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan civilization are pretty much comparable and similar to the Indian origin.
This ‘shloka’ below in Rig Veda says: ‘Rig Veda’ Script
Vastu – the word comes from ‘Vastoshpati’ which is used in ‘Rig Veda’ which is one of the four sacred vedas in Hinduism
“VASTSHPART PRATI JATI HACHASMAN TVAVESHO ATBHIVO BHAVATAH, YAT TVAMEH PRATI NATRO JUSHSVSHAN NO BHAV DVIPAD SHA CHATUSHPADE” The meaning of this phrase is: “Oh God of structures and building, we are your devotees. Listen our prayer, make us free of disease, give wealth
Ancient Books about Vastu Shastra Even though many ancient books are available, they contain information and formulae for constructing palaces and temples only. May be during those days these rules were not followed for small houses or not reachable to common peoples. Many such important principles and ‘Shastra’ were kept as secret and provided only for the kings and ministers in ancient times.
Indian architecture The science of Vastu is considered an integral part of the Indian architecture. This science developed during MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN VAASTU CORNER
the period of 6000 BC and 3000 BC as mentioned earlier. Being a technical subject, it was confined only to the architects and handed over verbally or in the form of hand-written monographs. The principles 148 of construction, architecture and sculpture, as enunciated in the treatises on temple architecture, have been incorporated in the science of Vastu. From ancient literature, we gather that Vastu was treated as the science of construction of temples and royal palaces.
Brihadsamhitha This book was written during ‘Guptha’ kingdom by Varahamihira. This great work has hundred and six chapters, about all subjects of human life. ‘Vastu Vidya’ comes as the 53rd chapter of this book and it is one of the largest chapters. It describes formulae for the WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
construction of bungalows, palaces, art works, etc.
Viswakarma Vastu Shastra This book was written by Viswakarma and period is unknown. It contains lot of calculations and formulae for constructing palaces, temples, and sculptures according to Vastu Shastra.
Samarangana Sutradhara A king named Bhojan during 11th century wrote this book. It describes various methods of architecture, engravings, construction methods of temples and paintings.
Silparatnam This book is supposed to have been written during 15th century.
Aparajithai Britcha
This book was written during 12th century and may be later to the book ‘Samarangana Sutradhara’. It describes Vastu Shastra principles and formulae as a question and answer type. The discussion is between Viswakarma and his daughter Aparajithai.
Manushyalaya Chandrika Thirumangalathu Neelakandan Moose wrote this book in AD 16th century. The precious volume contains the scientific principles of Vastu construction of houses.
Tantra Samuchayam Chennaas Narayanan Namboothiripad wrote this book in AD 15th century. The renowned volume specifies the implementation of Vastu in Temple constructions.
Jayabritcha
This was written in olden days in South India and explains Vastu principles to be followed in building houses.
Mayamata Mayan wrote this book in AD 11th century. It is an inevitable reference to Temple construction, building of houses and ascertainment of plots.
Manasaram It contains only the voluminous descriptions of Vastu Vidya calculations.
Architect of Gods), wrote this book. The period is unknown and it describes lot of formulae for the construction of temples and sculpture, and explains principles of living.
Silparatnam These are writings on interior decorations of Temples by Sreekumaran. Few other great ancient books based on Vastu Shastra are Brahmana Manjari, Vasturaja Vallabham, Vishnu Dharmottara Puranam, Mandana Sutradhar, Rajasimha Vastu, Deeparnava and Kashyapa Shilpa.
Viswakarma Prakashika Viswakarma, the ‘Deva Shilpi’ (Principal MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
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Contrast and Comparison Between Spirituality and Religion
Being Spiritual and being religious are two concepts that people generally relate with one-another, contrary to popular belief they are in-fact different. Most modern day Christian fundamentalists like to delude themselves with the belief that they are devoutly spiritual because they have a “relationship� with their Holy Father.
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This concept of being spiritual has been lost through the tradition of modern day Christianity and many Western Religions. Spirituality is defined as being an inner path that allows one to become in-tune and harmonized with their body, mind, and soul. Being religious, on the other hand, often associates with fixed external values that someone may shape their belief system around. In essence, religion is a belief set around an external source where as spirituality is a transcending experience one must find from within. Spirituality does not require the concept of being religious where as many religions often try to associate themselves with spirituality. Religions that teach the concept of true spirituality are primarily of Eastern descent including Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. These religions teach guided meditation as a way to calm the mind and harmonize with their energy where as many Western religions throw around the word meditate as an alternative to focus or comprehend. One way that each are alike is that they both encourage the concept of a total transformation that begins at point A and ends at point B. One popular idea is that there exists a distinction between
two different modes of relating with the divine or the sacred: religion and spirituality. Religion describes the social, the public, and the organized means by which people relate the the sacred and the divine while spirituality describes such relations when they occur in private, personally, and even in ways. Is such a distinction valid? In answering this questions, it’s important to remember that it presumes to describe two fundamentally different types of things. Even though I describe them as different ways of relating to the divine or the sacred, that’s already introducing my own prejudices into the discussion. Many (if not most) of those who attempt to draw such a distinction don’t describe them as two aspects of the same thing; instead, they’re supposed to be two completely different animals. It’s popular, especially in America, to completely separate between spirituality and religion. It’s true that there are differences, but there are also a number of problematic distinctions which people try to make. In particular, supporters of spirituality often argue that everything bad lies with religion while everything good can be found in spirituality. This is a self-
serving distinction which masks the nature of religion and spirituality. Religion vs. Spirituality One clue that there’s something fish about this distinction comes when we look at the radically different ways people try to define and describe that distinction. Consider these three definitions: Religion is an institution established by man for various reasons. Exert control, instill morality, stroke egos, or whatever it does. Organized, structured religions all but remove god from the equation. You confess your sins to a clergy member, go to elaborate churches to worship, told what to pray and when to pray it. All those factors remove you from god. Spirituality is born in a person and develops in the person. It may be kick started by a religion, or it may be kick started by a revelation. Spirituality extends to all facets of a persons life. Spirituality is chosen while religion is often times forced. Being spiritual to me is more important and better than being religious. Religion can be anything that the person practicing it desires. Spirituality, on the MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
INDIAN SPIRITUAL other hand, is defined by God. Since religion is man defined, Religion is a manifestation of the flesh. But Spirituality, as defined by God, is a manifestation of His nature. True spirituality is something that is found deep within oneself. It is your way of loving, accepting and relating to the world and people around you. It cannot be found in a church or by believing in a certain way. These definitions aren’t just different, they are incompatible! Two define spirituality in a way which 152 makes it dependent upon the individual it is something that develops in the person or is found deep within oneself. The other, however, defines spirituality as something which comes from God and is defined by God while religion is anything that the person desires. Is spirituality from God and religion from Man, or is it the other way around? Why such divergent views? Even worse, I’ve found the three above definitions copied onto numerous websites and blog posts in attempts to promote spirituality over religion. Those doing the copying ignore the source and disregard the fact that they are contradictory!
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We can better understand why such incompatible definitions (each representative of how many, many others define the terms) appear by observing what unites them: the denigration of religion. Religion is bad. Religion is all about people controlling other people. Religion distances you from God and from the sacred. Spirituality, whatever it really is, is good. Spirituality is the true way to reach God and the sacred. Spirituality is the right thing to center your life on. Problematic Distinctions Between Religion & Spirituality One principal problem with attempts to separate religion from spirituality is that the former is saddled with everything negative while the latter is exalted with everything positive. This is
a totally self-serving way of approaching the issue and something you only hear from those who describe themselves as spiritual. You never hear a selfprofessed religious person offer such definitions and it’s disrespectful to religious people to suggest that they would remain in a system with no positive characteristics whatsoever. Another problem with attempts to separate religion from spirituality is the curious fact that we don’t see it outside America. Why are people in Europe either religious or irreligious but Americans have this third category called spiritual? Are Americans special? Or is it rather that distinction is really just a product of American culture? In fact, that is exactly the case. The term itself came to be used frequently only after the 1960s when there were widespread revolts against every form of organized
occurred constantly throughout American history.
authority, including organized religion. Every establishment and every system of authority was thought to be corrupt and evil, including those which were religious - but of course, Americans weren’t prepared to abandon religion entirely. So, they created a new category which was still religious, but which no longer included the same traditional authority figures. They called it Spirituality. Indeed, the creation of the category spiritual can be seen as just one more step in the long American process of privatizing and personalizing religion, something which has
It’s no wonder that courts in the America have refused to acknowledge any substantive difference between religion and spirituality, concluding that spiritual programs are so much like religions that it would violate the to force people to attend them (as with Alcoholics Anonymous, for example). The religious beliefs of these spiritual groups do not necessarily lead people to the same conclusions as organized religions, but that doesnt make them less religious. Valid Distinctions Between Religion & Spirituality This is not to say that there is nothing at all valid in the concept of spirituality - just that the distinction between spirituality and religion in general is not valid. Spirituality is a form of religion, but a private and personal form of religion. Thus, the valid distinction is between spirituality and organized
religion. We can see this in how there is little (if anything) that people describe as characterizing spirituality but which has not also characterized aspects of traditional religion. Personal quests for God? Organized religions have made a great deal of room for such quests. Personal understandings of God? Organized religions have relied heavily upon the insights of mystics, although they have also sought to circumscribe their influence so as not to rock the boat too much and too quickly. Moreover, some of the negative features commonly attributed to religion can also be found in so-called spiritual systems. Is religion dependent upon a book of rules? Alcoholics Anonymous describes itself as spiritual rather than religious and has such a book. Is religion dependent upon a set of written revelations from God rather than a personal communication? A Course in Miracles is a book of such revelations which people are
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INDIAN SPIRITUAL
expected to study and learn from. It is important to note the fact that many of the negative things which people attribute to religions are, at best, features of some forms of some 154 religions (usually Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), but not of other religions (like Taoism or Buddhism). This is perhaps why so much of spirituality remains attached to traditional religions, like attempts to soften their harder edges. Thus, we have Jewish spirituality, Christian spirituality, and Muslim spirituality. Religion is spiritual and spirituality is religious. One tends to be more personal and private while the other tends to incorporate public rituals and organized doctrines. The lines between one and the other are not clear and distinct - they are WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
all points on the spectrum of belief systems known as religion. Neither religion nor spirituality is better or worse than the other; people who try to pretend that such a difference does exist are only fooling themselves. There are no rules to Spirituality. As opposed to following a specific ideology or a set of rules spirituality simply lets you follow your heart, it encourages you to listen to your intuition and do what is right for yourself and others around you. It truly sets you free to be the best you can be and to be a good person with no promise of punishment or reward. The reward is simply your own inner happiness. Spirituality is based only on love and not fear. Dotted throughout religion there is lots of fear. Fear of the consequences of
your actions, fear of what might happen after you die if you don’t live your life accordingly. Well, with spirituality there is only Love, it encourages you to focus all of your energy only on the good, and to act only based on love. This is a key point for me as any choice made out of fear will not be good for your soul. Whereas decisions made out of love will empower you, make you braver and feed your soul. It shows you how to stand despite being afraid, how to move on doing what you feel is right despite the consequences that may come. Religion tells you the truth – Spirituality lets you discover it. As opposed to telling you in black and white how the universe was created and why we are here Spirituality lets you discover these questions and answers for yourself. It empowers you to find your own truth in all things and sets no limits to how deep you can go in understanding all there is to know.
Religion separates, Spirituality unites. Through our world there are many religions and they all preach that their story is the right story. Spirituality sees the truth in all of them and unites them because the truth is same for all of us despite our differences and uniqueness. It focuses on the quality of the divine message they share and not on the differences in details of the story they speak. The difference with Karma and Punishment. Instead of talking about punishment or the threat of hell Spirituality only talks about Karma. It’s the Law of Attraction, you get what you give. Simple. Walk your own path. Instead of ancients stories about angels and Gods, spirituality encourages you to make your own path and create your own stories. This sets you on a journey of enlightenment and self-discovery to which the only limits can be set by yourself. It encourages you to trust your heart and follow it wherever it may lead you.
If you look at religion it all stems from a deep spirituality. Jesus and Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) for example all had deeply profound spiritual journeys before they embarked on their own journeys. So I do believe that all religion has truth in it, and that many people can be both truly beautiful souls and religious at the same time but ultimately anything that separates you or creates division is not good for your soul and definitely not good for the greater good of mankind. Spirituality reminds us that we are not separate, there are no borders, no races and no cultural divides. All that is true is that we are all one and the only constant is Love. Some more comparisons on religion and spirituality: There is not one religion, but hundreds There is only one type of spirituality
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Religion is for those who want to continue rituals and the formality Spirituality is for those who want to reach the Spiritual 156 Ascent without dogmas Religion is for those who are asleep Spirituality is for those who are awake Religion is for those that require guidance from others
actions and assume the consequences Religion threatens and terrifies Spirituality gives you inner peace Religion speaks of sin and of fault Spirituality encourages “living in the present� and not to feel remorse for which has already passed - Lift your spirit and learn from errors
Spirituality is the food that you you seek, that satisfies you and is pleasant to the senses Religion is not God Spirituality is infinite consciousness and all that is - It is God Religion invents Spirituality discovers Religion does not investigate and does not question Spirituality questions everything
Spirituality is for those that lend ears to their inner voice
Religion represses humanity, and returns us to a false paradigm
Religion has a dogmatic and unquestionable assembly of rules that need to be followed without question
Spirituality transcends it all and makes you true to yourself
Spirituality invites you to reason it all, to question it all and to decide your
Religion is instilled from childhood, like the soup you do not you want to take
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Religion is based on humanity, an organization with rules Spirituality is DIVINE, WITHOUT rules Religion is cause for division Spirituality is cause for union
Spirituality makes you transcend Religion seeks you so that you create Spirituality causes you to seek Religion continues the teachings of a sacred book
Religion makes you renounce yourself to the world Spirituality makes you live with God, not to renounce him
Spirituality seeks the sacredness in all the books Religion is adoration Religion is fed fear Spirituality is meditation Spirituality is fed confidence Religion lives you in your thoughts
Religion is to continue adapting to the psychology of a template
Spirituality lives in your conscience
Spirituality is individuality.
Religion is in charge of the “to do”
Religion dreams of glory and paradise
Spirituality is in charge of the “to BE”
Spirituality makes you live it here and now
Religion is a dialectic Spirituality is logic Religion feeds the ego
Religion lives in the past and in the future Spirituality ives in the present, in the here and now Religion lives in the confinement of your memory Spirituality is LIBERTY in AWARENESS. Religion believes in the eternal life Spirituality makes you conscious of all that is Religion gives you promises for the afterlife Spirituality gives you the light to find God in your inner self, in this life, in the present, in the here and the now… Author Information Added By Information
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BHARATANATYAM DANCE DRAMA
Bharatanatyam being one of the most famous Indian classical dance originated in Tamil Nadu, India. Natya Nrithyalaya had announced “Bala Ramayanam”, 2nd Bharathanatyam dance drama program on Sunday, Feb 25th 2018 at Mesa Arts Center. It was indeed mesmerizing to see the dance program.
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The event was a huge success with the audience applauding and appreciating each dance performance. It took place at the Mesa Arts Center, Ikeda Theater, 1 E Main St., Mesa, Arizona 85201. The event organized by Natya Nrithyalaya was a fund raiser event for Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona. The event started on time at 4:00 PM.
HEELS FOR WHEELS - A CHARITY HIKE A beautiful fund raiser event like this with the goal achieving to raise $5,500 allowing 200 disabled and impoverished individuals in India to gain access to multi- functional wheelchairs giving them mobility.
GAUR PURNIMA - ISKCON OF PHOENIX The international society for Krishna consciousness (ISKON) is known for colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava Hindu religious organization. ISKON was formed in the year 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is described in the scriptures as the most merciful incarnation of Lord Krisha, who descended in the world in the year 1468 in Sri Mayapur Dham, West Bengal, India. He appeared as the devotee of Krishna in the mood of Radharani to teach the art of loving devitoonal service
(bhakti yoga) through the congregational chanting of the holy names –
get one with all the followers and offer your prayers to Lord Krishna.
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare”
IACRFAZ - HOLI CELEBRATIONS 2018
“Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”
The big event for celebrating Holi this year has been organized on the 3rd March 2018. Celebrating Holi this year is going to be super exciting and the IndoAmerican foundation of Arizona is about to take it to new level this time. The event is planned to take place at Indo-American Community Center, 2809 W. Maryland Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017. This festive has free admission for all and is called as “Festival of Colors”.
He established chanting of the holy names as the most effective means by which one can achieve spirityal perfection. This is considered as one of the most auspicious days in the Gaudiya Vaushnava Tradition. The event is expected to take place on the 1st March at 5:30 PM till 8:30 PM at the ISKON of Phoenix Temple, 100 S. Weber Dr, Chandler, AZ 85226. The invent is expected to start with Abhiskek to the Lord at 5:30 PM followed by Spiritual discourse at 6:30 PM and Arati at 7:00 PM. There is a cultural program planned too at 7:30 PM for an hour followed by dinner Prasad after 8:00 PM onwards. Be a part of this great even to
There is going to be music and songs and enough fun for you to rejoice this day. Colors and water guns for one and all to participate in the festival of colors with variety of food for you to get your taste buds excited. You could go and attend this function with families and friends while enjoying the color this year. MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
Fashion & LIFE STYLE
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New York Fashion Proenza
Schouler Fall 2018
Ready To Wear In breaking away to show in Paris for the second time, Proenza Schouler got the jump on the New York Fall ready-to-wear season again. Funnily enough, though, their status as Americans showing in Paris had caused them to reflect on what the culture of couture might mean in the USA. Jack McCollough said they’d seen an exhibit of the work of the great American textile artist Sheila Hicks, and that she had been the catalyst. Giselle Williams-Thomas is a Celebrity Style Editor and Staff Writer for Fashion Bomb Daily.
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Raid Raid is an upcoming Indian crime drama film written by Ritesh Shah and directed by Raj Kumar Gupta. It features Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'Cruz and Saurabh Shukla.The principal photography of the film commenced at Lucknow and Raebareli in September 2017. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on 16 March 2018. Director Raj Kumar Gupta
Music Amit Trivedi
Cast & Crew Ajay Devgn Ileana D'Cruz Saurabh Shukla
Tanishk Bagchi
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Baaghi 2 Baaghi 2 is an upcoming Indian action film produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under his banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and directed by Ahmed Khan. The film features Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani in lead roles. It is a sequel to the 2016 film Baaghi. It would be released on 30 March,2018. Director Ahmed Khan
Music Amaal Mallik
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Cast & Crew Tiger Shroff Disha Patani Randeep Hooda
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Director
Cast & Crew
Koratala Siva
Mahesh Babu Kiara Advani Rama Prabha
Music Devi Sri Prasad
Bharat Ane Nenu The movie is tipped to be an interesting political drama. Koratala Siva who earlier gave a blockbuster to Mahesh in the form of Srimanthudu is teaming up with the actor for the second time. The director is expressing a lot of confidence in the project and he wanted to make sure that the film becomes another blockbuster. Mahesh is going to be seen as a Chief Minister in the film and the makers updated that the next schedule of the film will start from December 13th and will continue till December 26th. MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
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Rangasthalam Rangasthalam is an upcoming Indian Telugu period drama directed by Sukumar and starring Ram Charan and Samantha Akkineni in the lead roles, while Aadhi Pinisetty and Jagapathi Babu play crucial roles. The music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad. The movie will see Ram Charan play a villager and is an action thriller story set in the country side. The movie was launched by Chiranjeevi in February and commenced shooting in April 2017. The film will have Ram Charan playing as a deaf villager who is an engineer.
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Director
Music
Cast & Crew
Sukumar
Devi Sri Prasad
Ram Charan Samantha Akkineni Aadhi Pinisetty
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3.25/5
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Padman Pad Man is a film that will connect and appeal to all the sections of audience for sure. A strong and thought provoking film and is a huge box-office winner. Story : Pad Man is all about a young aspirant Lakshmikant Chauhan (Akshay Kumar) who wishes to create pads for his wife and his family members. Coming from lower middle-class, buying pads is not affordable for Lakshmikant. In this process he takes some bold steps which shakes the nation. Pad Man is the journey of a man who turns a revolution and is all about how he ends up successful crossing many barriers. Watch Pad Man to know about the complete story.
Analysis : Pad Man is a honest attempt and has been laced with several realistic episodes. There are several moments that connect to all the sections of audience and men will not have any hesitation for them. The movie portrays about our wrong thinking from the past few decades. Right from the locations to the costumes, each and everything looks realistic. The first half takes time to build up the characters and the situations that made Lakshmikant turn Pad Man. After a decent first half, Pad Man takes strong and has nothing much to point out in the second half. The film wins the hearts of the audience and is a treat for the audience for sure. The final speech of Akshay Kumar is sure the major highlight of Pad Man and will be remembered for ages.
Final Word: Pad Man is a film that will connect and appeal to all the sections of audience for sure. A strong and thought provoking film and is a huge box-office winner.
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Aiyaary Analysis :
Aiyaary is one film that will not appeal to all the sections of audience and will end up as a disappointment. 176
Story : Aiyaary is all about Major Jai Bakshi (Sidharth Malhotra) and his mentor Colonel Abhay Singh (Manoj Bajpayee) who takes a secret mission. Both of them get labelled as traitors to the army. Tariq Ali (Anupam Kher) and Baaburao Shastri (Naseeruddin Shah) turn special tricks and the rest of Aiyaary is all about the mission and where this heads to. Watch Aiyaary to know about the complete story and what happens next.
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Neeraj Pandey seems to have been left with the hangover of A Wednesday, Baby and his other films. The first half of Aiyaary has been extremely confusing with the tricky screenplay. The films switches back frequently and this leaves the audience puzzled. With the film having multiple layers, some of them have been convincing while others dip down. On the whole the first half looks confusing and decent at times. The second half of Aiyaary dips down with too many layers of the film. With some of the covert operation scenes doing well, the other episodes have been extremely badly narrated and they make no impact on the audience. Aiyaary is one film that will impress limited section of audience. The second half gets deviated and ends up as a boring feast.
Final Word: Aiyaary is one film that will not appeal to all the sections of audience and will end up as a disappointment.
2.5/5
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2.5/5
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Touch Chesi Chudu Analysis : Ravi Teja tops the show in a boring action mass drama called Touch Chesi Chudu which fails to make much impact. Poor and predictable second half make the film fall flat. Story : Touch Chesi Chudu is the story of Karthikeya(Ravi Teja) who loves his family and keeps them his first priority. He falls in love with Pushpa (Rashi Khanna) and when things are extremely smooth, he meets a deadly don Irfaan. The rest of Touch Chesi Chudu is all about the dreaded past between Karthikeya and Irfaan, all about the real story and what happens next. Watch Touch Chesi Chudu to know about the complete story.
The first and the biggest disappointment with Touch Chesi Chudu is that the film offers nothing new in terms of script and the screenplay. The first half has been laced with decent family emotions and entertainment. The songs miss the melody though some of them have been shot well. The interval episodes look decent and the first half of Touch Chesi Chudu looks impressive. The second half of Touch Chesi Chudu falls flat with no interesting stuff. Ravi Teja tops the show with his energetic performance but that alone could not save the film. Though the flashback episodes have been well narrated, the film looks dragged and boring as it nears completion. On the whole, the second half of Touch Chesi Chudu fails to stand up and falls flat.
Final Word: Ravi Teja tops the show in a boring action mass drama called Touch Chesi Chudu which fails to make much impact. Poor and predictable second half make the film fall flat.
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Tholi Prema Analysis :
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Tholi Prema is one of the finest romantic dramas in the recent times that should not be given a miss. Varun Tej and Rashi Khanna impress the audience big time with their performances. Story : Aadhi (Varun Tej) is a fun loving guy who is quite concerned about his studies and future. He falls in love on first spot with Varsha (Rashi Khanna) during a journey. Though he misses her, the duo meets again in college after a gap of six months. However in a shocking move, Aadhi and Varsha part ways due to an unfortunate incident. It is after six complete years, the duo meet and the rest of the film is what happens next. Watch Tholi Prema to know about the complete story and how they end up re-uniting back.
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The first half of Tholi Prema looks extremely fresh and engaging throughout. Right from the first frame, the film looks racy and colourful. The performances by the lead actors are the major assets. The songs and the cinematography strike hard and the interval episodes turn emotional. The first half of Tholi Prema will appeal to youth big time and has all the commercial ingredients packed in right amounts. The second half of Tholi Prema starts with a bang but it runs on a slow pace throughout. Focussed mostly on entertainment and emotions, the second half of Tholi Prema will appeal to family crowds big time. The songs once again look extremely stunning on screen and the grand production values make Tholi Prema a sure shot winner. The climax looks emotional and decent. On the whole, the second half looks matured, clean and emotional.
Final Word: Tholi Prema is one of the finest romantic dramas in the recent times that should not be given a miss. Varun Tej and Rashi Khanna impress the audience big time with their performances.
3.5/5
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HOLLYWOOD
TEA NEWS Vanessa Hudgens Have Vanessa Hudgens and her fella Austin Butler gotten engaged?! The beautiful brunette has been sporting a very distinctive ring on on her left ring finger since around her birthday on and we can’t help wondering if, this year, Austin decided to give her the best present of all — a proposal!
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La La Anthony
Nicki Minaj Nicki Minaj is shocked that Farrah Abraham would resort to the shady tactic of bringing her 6-year-old daughter into their feud.
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La La Anthony, 38, was recently reunited with her ex Carmelo Anthony, 33, as she cheered him on courtside as the Thunder played the Knicks. A source close to her EXCLUSIVELY told us that the two had a more intimate reunion after the game at his hotel room. “La La went back to Carmelo’s hotel with him and they ordered room service and watched a movie,” our source said.
Kim Jong-hyun who is better known by his stage name, Jonghyun, was found by police after attempting to commit suicide the Gangnam police confirmed in a statement, according to The Mirror. “Jonghyun’s older sister reported to police that her brother was about to commit suicide,” the statement read.
Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian has become synonymous with contouring, but lately her highlight has been especially gorgeous. Find out which product her makeup artist uses for her glow below.
Zendaya Zendaya, 21, showed that she is a style icon at the British Fashion Awards, held in London, England She showed off her quirky and experimental fashion sense in a black and gold Vivetta dress. The top was sheer, except for two perfectly placed horse heads that covered her chest. It was sexy and subtle, with just a hint of cleavage peeking out — underboob, if you will! She accessorized with Harry Kotlar diamond stud earrings and a MARLI white diamond ring. MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
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Balmain launched a stunning advertising camapign for Fall/Winter 2015-2016 collection.
WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
Star Gazing ARIES Your ability to take the lead and push through obstacles is thwarted this month by numerous responsibilities. This can cause frustration and irritability. For you, the month begins with one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas pedal. By the Spring Equinox, all stops are resolved and you can exuberantly express your passion to manifest a new reality.
TAURUS You like to be comfortable, and this 186 dynamic trend of transformation may unsettle your senses. Cultivate present moment awareness, and you can be a strong anchor in the winds of change. There is a focus on career this month. New projects may be in the visionary stages. You are given the blueprint, the big picture, for long term projects. Your talent to build, stabilize and beautify will be called upon as the year unfolds. Run all projects through your practical side.
GEMINI Finances may be an area of delay and frustration, but you are in a position to resolve these issues as the month unfolds. Your easy-going and personable style can go a long way in career developments. Exciting possibilities in this area can be tapped through your strong communication skills. Slowing down to connect with another person’s perspective brings out new direction for both of you. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
CANCER You are in the home stretch of a two year challenge. Don’t quit! Assess your direction, implement decisions and find solace in contemplation. Especially curb frustration March 6 -9. Release what is not worth keeping. Yes, the Sun will come out from behind that dark cloud by the midSummer. Use the New Moon on March 10 to activate your strong intuitive skills, and plant new seeds of creation. Your hard work in providing security for others will pay off in the long run.
LEO Your relationships are up for healing this month Leo. Your ability to take charge is hampered by hidden motives. Valuable insight comes as a result of looking beneath the surface of things. You are in a better position to determine the truth. Remember, “All that glitters is not gold.” Listen, truly listen, to the heart of another, and your lion-hearted nature will light the way for others to be more of who they are. The work area needs some organization, and you are up for the task at hand.
VIRGO Your no nonsense approach to life is thrown for a loop. People come out of nowhere, requesting your services, and diverting attention to their needs. Although this month is a balancing act for you, there is much to learn and receive in the reflection of another’s life. There is a tendency to over-commit, and work may stand in the way of social engagements. Keeping all in perspective, this month takes you out of the doldrums into a larger range of activity.
LIBRA You are running in different directions this month trying to keep your world in balance. If you only focus on keeping other’s happy, you may miss the gifts of personal growth. This year brings benefit in new contacts and alliances. Your natural social grace is enhanced in work and play. Developments in the work arena are new and exciting. It is important to know where you really stand. Honesty begins with self.
SCORPIO Your home brings great comfort this month. Creative juices are flowing. Children benefit from your deep sensitivity and intuition. This is the month to dream, play and explore your capacity for intimacy. Holding onto resentment does not get you where you want to go. Stagnation gives way to movement and relief. Important communications take place.
SAGITTARIUS Your gypsy days are over, at least until Spring Equinox. Problems revealed November – January are finally resolving. Reflexing back into repetitive and habitual behavior leads nowhere. The powerful trend of transformation is re-making you from the inside out. Truly, you are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Take some time to retreat into the inner sanctuary of your spiritual home. Revelation, healing and understanding are to be found within.
CAPRICORN Everyone deserves a break now and then. The only problem, Capricorn, is you may continue to run the treadmill. If so, you can miss the opportunity for sweet reflection that leads to a new view of your life path. Avoid the temptation to be negative during the first ten days of March. Know there is a deep river of creativity within you. Ideas flow like water, and nourish the seeds of new projects.
AQUARIUS You are on a roll Aquarius. Despite conservative trends, you are in the right place at the right time. Trust your vision for a humane future. Your global perspective is enhanced by strong intuitive energies. But, resist the temptation to save others. Peace really does begin with you. Genuinely love yourself, and you are free to sow seeds of compassion in your world.
PISCES Happy Birthday Pisces! With Uranus in your Sun Sign for the next seven years, creative juices are flowing. This is the month to recognize your dreams and let them unfold in new directions. Be on your toes, and open to positive surprises. Universal guidance is very strong, and at your fingertips. In order to receive, activate your Divine gift of receptivity. This is the month to illuminate ideals, hold them to your heart, and don’t let present reality get you down. MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
Yellow Pages Catering Services
Bombay Takeout 600 W 100th St, New York, NY, United States, 10025 Ph: 201-890-6995 www.bombaytakeout.com ................................ Shloka Restaurant And Catering Freehold 24 South St, Freehold, NJ, USA, 07728 Ph:732-812-5220 www.shlokafreehold.com .................................. Aroma Restaurant 53 Mountain Blvd, Warren, NJ, United States, 188 07059 Ph:908-731-6570 Email: minipavithran@ gmail.com .................................. Dosa And Biryani House 350 Market St, Saddle Brook, NJ, United States, 07663 Ph:201-885-6302 www.dosabiryanihouse. com .................................. Hot Breads 1700 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ, United States, 08899 Ph:732-844-9619 .................................. Kohinoor Grill Freehold Borough, NJ, United States, 7728 Ph: 516-336-4261 Email : kohinoorgrill@ gmail.com .................................. WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
Clothing Stores Beautician Services Libaas E Almas Luxe Lash Bar Franchise Opportunity
1028 Reeves Street,
Belden Village Mall, Canton, OH, United States, 44718
States, 18512 Ph: 860-787-5223 Email: info@ libaasealmas.com .................................. Ria Fashions
Ph: 812-308-4070 Email: knarsing16@ gmail.com .................................. WeddingDramma Nutley, NJ, United States, 07110 Ph: 551-227-3324 Email: www. weddingdramma.com .................................. Sakhi Beauty 1 Highland Dr, Parlin, NJ, United States, 08859 Ph:732-702-3699 Email: www. sakhibeauty1@gmail. com ................................... Aricha Beauty Salon 613 Ridge Rd, NJ, United States, 08852 Ph: 732-422-5510 .................................. Makeup By Anu Sarin East Brunswick, NJ, United States, Union City, NJ, 7087 Ph: 732-860-5473 Email: WWW. AnuSarin@gmail.com ................................. Aysh Makeup North Brunswick Township, NJ, USA, 08902 Ph: 848-224-6178 ..................................
Dunmore, PA, United
18 Windsor Pond Road, Princeton Junction, West Windsor Township, NJ, USA, 08550 .............................. The World Colors Columbus, OH, United States, 43215 Ph: 860-607-0466 Email : brunobeona@ gmail.com .................................. Foreign Bazaar 1921 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19103 Ph: 215-515-0497 .................................. Dance
Desi New Years Gala - A Bollywood Style Venetian Masquerade Ball BOWLMOR - CHELSEA PIERS, 59 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011 Ph: 9084251603 Email: www. DESISATURDAYS.com .................................. ROYAL BALL - Annual #1 Rated & Ultra-Exclusive Desi New Year’s Eve Party in New York City The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, New York, NY 10016 Ph: 9085915190
Email: WWW. DESINEWYEARS.COM .................................. New Year Eve - Family Celebration Mirchi Restaurant, 1655 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820 Ph: 732 757 0655 .................................. Holiday Celebration & Cultural night Royal Alberts Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Edison, NJ 08863 Ph: 1-512-788-5300 Organizers:Federation of Telugu Associations USA .................................. Astrologers
Lady Astrologer Begum Jasmin Ji 7801 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX, USA, 78752 Ph: 404-869-2036 .................................. Expert Black Magic Removal & Ex Girl And Boy Love Attraction Specialist From India Sairam Guruji 1430 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, NY, United States, 11226 Ph: 929-322-2737 .................................. Pandit Murali Varma Astrologer 106-14 Liberty Ave, Richmond Hill, NY 11417, United States, 11417. Ph: 347-434-2115 .................................. Shiva Indian Astrologer & Spiritual Healer United States, 33309 Ph: 347-657-9757 Email: Indianshiva32@ gmail.com .................................. Famous Astrologer Priti Joshi
Yellow Pages 98 Madison St, Iselin, NJ 08830, United States, 08830 Ph: 973-987-6836 .................................. Desi Beats Entertainment Lessons/Tuitions Roselle Park, NJ, United States, 07204 Ph: 908-224-1322 Email: desibeatsentertainment@ gmail.com .................................. Dushyant Trivedi Vedic Astrology 7801 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752, USA, 78752 Ph: 404-348-4836 Email: trivedi_dushyant@ rediffmail.com .................................. Lady Astrologer Noori Begum Ji 1002, Candler Rd SE, 30317 Ph: 478-217-7228 .................................. Pritis Ecademy 9494 East Taro Lane, Phoenix, AZ, United States, 85255 Ph: 732-588-8446 Email: support@pritisecademy.com .............................. Kids World Learning Center 2051 N. Arizona Ave #101, Chandler, AZ 85225 Ph: 480-855-4000 Email:vennila@cox.net ................................... Nimalka Sivakumar, MD 10200 N 92nd Street Suite #102 Phoenix AZ 85258 Ph: 480-314-1033 ................................... Shivark Virtual Academy Fremont, CA, United States, 94555 Ph: 844-744-8275
................................... Silicon Andhra Manabadi 23122 Westheimer Pkwy, Katy, Texas 77494, United States, 77494. Ph: 844-626-2234 ................................... Internet Based Service
The Mobile App. For All Of Your Gift-finding Needs 82-29 259th St, Queens, NY 11004, USA, 11004. Ph: 718-513-9048 ................................... The Unique Culture 2742 Jeanetta St, Houston, TX 77063, USA, 77063 Ph: 480-452-6379 www.theuniqueculture. com ................................... Dance
THE BEAT GURU Chicago, IL, United States, 60196 Ph: 224-766-1751 Email: info@thebeatguru. com ................................... Dj Karan Entertainment Stelton Rd, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States, 08854 Ph: 732-943-1850 Email: karan@ djkaranentertainment. com ................................... Magic Mike DJ International 8 Eisenhower Rd, Closter, New Jersey 07624, United States,
Religious & Community Services
Asthivisarjan 37-51 72nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY, United States, 11372 Ph: 718-682-7926 Email: asthivisarjanny@ gmail.com .................................. Shastri Arvind Maheta. Wayne, NJ, United States, 07474 Ph: 201-744-2466 Email: mahetaarvind@ yahoo.com .................................. Apni Puja 2811 Brian Lane, Montgomery, IL 60538, United States, 60538 Ph:630-880-9274 Email: krishnasulakhe@ yahoo.com ................................... Food & Catering
Phyphar Inc 29 Walter Hammond Place, Waldwick, NJ, United States, 07463 Ph: 201-949-7266 www.phyphar.com .................................. Goswami & Associates 3100 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, CA, United States, 94538 Ph: 415-391-0228. .................................. Prem Tax & Accounting – Services For Individual & Business 4260 Westbrook Dr, Aurora, IL, United States, 60504 Ph:312-925-2532 www.smalltax.com/ .................................. Patel Business Services 128 S Oak Ave, Bartlett, IL 60103, USA, 60103 Ph: 847-807-1337 info@patelbizservices. com .................................. Travel & Accommodation
Saver’s Club Liquor Locker 1665 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ, United States, 08820 Ph: 732-882-7231 www. saversclubliquorlocker. com .................................. Indias Grill Kennedyi 3437 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609, United States, 33609 Ph: (813)872-8222 Email: info@ indiagrilltampa.com ................................. Financial & Legal Services
Travel Today Inc 14100 Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly, VA, United States, 20151 Ph: 703-971-7809 Email:discount@ traveltodayinc.com .................................. Astrolog Vastu NRI’s Express 19 Kestrel Lane, Westford, MA 01886, USA, 01886 Ph: 614-441-7256 Email: contact@ nrisexpress.com ..................................
7624
Ph: 646-693-5005 ................................... MARCH 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET
Yellow Pages Accounting & Taxes
190
Aashish Parekh, CTP MBA EA 4425 E. Agave Rd., Bldg 4, Ste 117(NE of 44th St and Ray Rd), Phoenix,AZ 85044 Ph: 480-829-0020 Email: info@ certifiedtaxpro.com ................................ Anand & Anand, CPA PC Ron Anand, CPA Indu Anand, CPA 15215 South 48th. Street, Ste 160 Phoenix, AZ 850449139 Ph: 480-759-5432 Email: info@anandcpas. com .................................. FacTS: Finex Accounting and Tax Services 1403 W. Orchid Ln., Suite D (NE side of Ray and Dobson) Chandler AZ 85224 Ph: 480-221-8076. .................................. Greg A. Patel, CPA Patel & Ruben, PLLC 2390 W. Ray Rd. Ste 4 Chandler, AZ 85224 Ph:(480) 917-0918 Email: greg@ patelrubencpa.com .................................. H & S Accounting, LLC 1.Yogen Jain, CPA 506 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85012 Ph: 602-285-9622 Email: yogen@ hsaccounting.com .................................. Hirsch & Shah CPA’’s LLC 4527 N.16TH St, #101, Phoenix,AZ-85016 Ph: 602-277-5255 .................................. Nitin Gupta, CPA WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018
16841 North 31st Avenue, Suite 161, Phoenix, AZ 85053 Ph:602.482.9101 Email: nitin@apcpa.net .................................. Ram Shembekar CPA Renu Shembekar CPA 14301 N 87th St, Ste #317 Scottsdale,AZ 85260 Ph: 480-626-5888 .................................. Sanjay Jawa, CPA P.C. 1425 W. Elliot Road Suite 107 Gilbert, AZ 85233 Ph:(480)831-9545 .................................. Shital B. Sheth, CPA 3928 E. Half Hitch Place Phoenix, AZ 85050 Ph:602-350-1629 Email: sheetalpcpa@ gmail.com ................................... SRI Tax Services Ph: 480-282-8533 Info@sritaxaz.com .................................. Consultant - Vastu Science and Feng Shui Name: Dhaval Parekh Aashish Parekh, CTP MBA EA 4425 E. Agave Rd., Bldg 4, Ste 117(NE of 44th St and Ray Rd), Phoenix,AZ 85044 Ph: 480-829-0020 Email: info@ certifiedtaxpro.com ................................. Anand & Anand, CPA PC Ron Anand, CPA Indu Anand, CPA 15215 South 48th. Street, Ste 160 Phoenix, AZ 85044-9139 Ph: 480-759-5432 Email: info@anandcpas. com
.................................. FacTS: Finex Accounting and Tax Services 1403 W. Orchid Ln., Suite D (NE side of Ray and Dobson) Chandler AZ 85224 Ph: 480-221-8076. .................................. Shital B. Sheth, CPA 3928 E. Half Hitch Place Phoenix, AZ 85050 Ph:602-350-1629 Email: sheetalpcpa@ gmail.com .................................. SRI Tax Services Ph: 480-282-8533 Info@sritaxaz.com .................................. Consultant - Vastu Science and Feng Shui Name: Dhaval Parekh Ph: 480.544.4695 Email:parekh_dhaval@ rediffmail.com .................................. Astrology & Vastu
Horoscope / Kundli Contact: Sanjay Ph: 602-971 4780 Email: horoscope@cox. net .................................. Rajesh Khanna Ph: 602-774-4159 .................................. Shastri Kanhiyalal Dave Ph: 480-636-7574 .................................. Vedanga Astrology Contact: Latha Sridharan Ph: 408-834-8540 Email: vedanga. astrology@gmail.com .................................. Vedic Astrologer Contact: Jeff Harman Ph: (520) 743-1054 Email: jeff@jeffharman. com
Beauty Parlour
Ahseia Adina Ahseia Adina Professional Makeup Artist Ph: (480) 719-0118 Email: ahseiaadina@ gmail.com .................................. A1 Certified ART teacher +Mehendi Artist Ph: 623-583-0055 .................................. Anita Singh Business Name... Naturalle Beautique 5710 West Bell Rd, Glendale, AZ 85308. Ph: 480-203-1359 .................................. Art of Mehandi Ph: 480-370-4177 Email: artofmehandi@ gmail.com .................................. Bollywood Salon & Spa Ph: 602-502-8073 .................................. Bridal by Deena Deena Mali 1112 E Sheffield Ave Gilbert,AZ 85296 Ph: 602-502-8073 Email: bridalbydeena@ gmail.com .................................. Bridal Mehndi Ph: 602-628-4066 .................................. Hair and make-up artistry 7th Ave/ Indian School near downtown Phx. Ph: (623)521-5934 .................................. Henna by Purvi Galiya 5240, w. Ironwood Dr. Glendale, AZ 85302 Ph: 602-628-4066 www.hennabypurvi.com .................................. Images Boutique Salon and
Yellow Pages PARTY NAILS SALON 3875, W RAY ROAD, (SOUTH EAST CORNER OF RAY & McCLINTOCK ROAD) CHANDLER, AZ 85226. Ph: 480-238-1152 .................................. The Henna Shoppe The Henna Shoppe 425 S. Mill Ave Suite #108 Tempe, AZ 85281 (NE Corner of Mill and Fifth) Ph: (480) 370-4177 Email: info@ hennashoppe.com Child Care
Kids World Learning Center 2051 N. Arizona Ave #101, Chandler, AZ 85225 Ph: 480-855-4000 Email:vennila@cox.net ................................... Nimalka Sivakumar, MD 10200 N 92nd Street Suite #102 Phoenix AZ 85258 Ph: 480-314-1033 Catering
Inchin Bamboo Garden Acacia Creek Village Shops 10050 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale,AZ 85253 Ph: 480 306-6883 ................................... India Palace 2941 W. Bell Road Phoenix, AZ 85023. Ph: 602 942 4224 ................................... Party Universe Contact: Raj Sullhan 4939 W. Ray Road
Chandler, AZ 852226 Ph: 480 961 8138 ................................... Sahasra TakeOut Llc Kalpana Kumar Ph: 480-284-8836 ................................... SnS Catering Ph: (909)2-SNS-PHX Email: snscatering1@ gmail.com ................................... South Indian Vegetarian Food 5423 W Geronimo St, Chandler AZ 85226. Ph: 480-496-9090 ................................... TiffinIndia.com Los Bisteces 10649 N 43rd Ave Phoenix AZ 85029-3944 Apsara Dance School Contact: Ramya Sri Ph: 480-452-6379 Email: apsara.az@gmail. com ................................... Contact :Asha Gopal Email: ashagopal@cox. net ................................ Contact:Swati Pandey Ph: 480-628-4983 Email: swati7300@ hotmail.com ................................... Dance
Ph: 602-293-3756 Email: almagul2001@ yahoo.com ................................... Inspiration Dance Institute Ph: 650-465-4840 Email: Preranakulks@ yahoo. com,preinspiration@ yahoo.com ................................... Kalaa Kendra Contact:Radhika Kotiwal Email: kalaa.kendra@
gmail.com ................................... NAACH DANCING Contact Person: Shikha Rathi Ph: 480-280-5125 Email: naachdancing@ yahoo.com ................................... Padma School of Odissi Dance Ph: 480-309-9925 Email:rajulramkumar@ yahoo.com ................................... Sampradaya Dance Of India Paragon Dance Studio 931, E Elliot Suite 101 S.E Corner of Rural & Elliot Tempe AZ Email: nita.mallya@ gmail.com ................................... Sanskaar Nritya Dance Academy Ph: 480-707-9001 www. gauribhobesardesai. webs.com .................................. Silambam Contact : Srimathy Mohan Ph: 602-971-4357 Email: srimathymohan@ yahoo.com NAACH DANCING Contact Person: Shikha Rathi Ph: 480-280-5125 Email: naachdancing@ yahoo.com ..................................
Matrimonial
27/5’5”, AGGARWAL girl w/strong Indian values, smart, charming, caring. B.Tech (IT) educated, presently doing MBA in Cleveland, Ohio. Invite suitable
matrimonial proposals. Email biodata w/recent photo: Email: ekbansal@aol.com .................................. AFFLUENT, distinguished, caring family of high achievers seek well-settled, handsome, accomplished, educated professional, preferably in Texas/ California, over 5’10”, age 37-44; for very fair, beautiful, slim, 38/5’9”, U.S. born, never married, Harvard educated girl. Email biodata/photos: Email: USAmatch2218513@ yahoo.com .................................. BENGALEE Hindu, USA educated, 36/5’2”, fair, slim, beautiful, MBA, vegetarian, Indic values, Federal Govt manager, accomplished, never married. Suitable groom around Washington, DC desired. Email biodata / recent photo: Email: bridehindu@gmail. com .................................. LOOKING groom for Brahmin girl convent educated, MBA International Finance, Training at UNCC Charlotte, & Singapore. Date of Birth: 27/11/87, 09:15 AM, Ludhiana, 5.15”. Upper Caste no bar. Only High business family/good Job. Email biodata w/recent photo: Ph: (301) 793-8050 (USA) India:+ 919417221069 Email: jaimatakirs@yahoo. com
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WWW.WISHESH.NET | MARCH 2018