Shaky weekend

Shaky weekend!

 

Well this was the first time we experienced a major shake on the eighth floor and my first reaction was, ‘something is wrong with my health, my head is spinning’. A few seconds later, my husband also felt the same, and then we noticed the fans and lights in our drawing room moving and there was no hint of wind outside. And we echoed together EARTHQUAKE! My son was watching his favourite cartoon and it was difficult to explain him why the hell the earth was moving. My husband quickly took his purse, ATMs and house keys. The first thought that came to my mind was, I cannot go out in my nightwear in case I have to stay in a camp, as flashes of such severe occurrences that I watched on Discovery and news channels came to my eyes. In such a scenario, my jeans and T-shirt were the most handy and comfy.

Well, it turned out to be a serious issue as the quake was 7.9 on Richter scale and that too the epicentre was in our neighbouring Nepal, the biggest one to hit that country in eight decades. But as we went outside, a few observations around made me smile even in such a serious scenario. One of my neighbours shared with me the same thought, ‘even she changed her dress’. Someone said even UP has been hit, I felt like saying ‘We are also in UP though we call it Delhi-NCR and Delhi and UP are neighbouring states’ but controlled my tongue. By then almost everyone from our 12-floor apartment was downstairs and discussions were on whether our building was earthquake-resistant. No matter what the discussion was, deep inside everybody knew there is no way of escaping in case a major one hit us, as Delhi is located in seismic zone 4. Meanwhile rumours were doing rounds on social media; the irony is that educated people do not stop themselves from forwarding such messages even knowing nobody can predict earthquakes.

As we returned to our daily chores, the first aftershock came and again we had to run outside. This time nobody was in their night wears and some women even managed some touch-up. Well, women will be women after all! 

Once I was in office and the moment someone said ‘earthquake’, the whole office was outside. But I was on my seat trying to feel the earthquake, whether it was a real one. As I belong to Assam and earthquakes are quite a common occurrence there, we are too lazy to move out before a major shake.

This time one of my journalist friends messaged sarcastically, ‘hope our boss does not ask us to do a campaign -- Stop earthquake’. Well, journalists will be journalists always.  On a serious note, seismological experts are saying there will be a more aftershocks, especially near the epicentre and after that the magnitude will recede gradually, as this is how the earth reacts after a major shake. Till then hope we all are safe from such tremors and realtors build earthquake-resistant buildings only as it is said earthquakes do not kill people buildings do. And hope there is more awareness about what to do in case of tremors in the future.    

NE Today article on street fashion in Guwahati

Shop till you drop but be street smart

Street fashion in Guwahati

  

health article on cycling ---maxposure group magazine --- DLF Promenade magazine

C for Cycling

Want to stay fit but hate going to the gym or dislike doing those heavy aerobics? Just pick up the cycle, stay fit and do your bit for the planet.

 

Kakoli Thakur

When you choose cycling as your fitness mantra, you not only become fit but you also have a satisfaction that you are doing your bit to protect the environment and save fuel. Cycling has multiple health benefits and keeps your doctor away. It’s not that it’s too hard to learn cycling. There are many who know cycling but with time, they get out of touch. Taking the first step is very important.

Manas Arvind, a nutritionist from Gurgaon, has been cycling for the last five years. As a kid, he used to cycle regularly with friends but with age, he lost touch. When he crossed 30, health issues started cropping up due to weight and his sedentary lifestyle. That’s when he noticed his cycle lying idle in a corner. He never enjoyed the gym but cycling was always his passion and he loved going outdoors.

Initially he started for half an hour and then he met some like-minded people. And then there was no stopping. He now participates in long-distance trips regularly, he became fit and life became more interesting.

Manas says cycling gives new freedom, new dimensions. When you go on a long-distance trip, you push yourselves to finish the challenge and once you have started you cannot look back, you have to finish, he says. “Once we were on a trip from Corbett to Kumaon, it was very challenging, the route had lot of ups and downs. After every step we felt we would give up but ultimately when we succeeded it gave us a new high to accept more challenging trips. There were also two women riders with us.”

Cycling, besides keeping you fit, is also a recreational activity. Unlike the gym, running or rigorous aerobic activities, it’s a low-impact type of exercise and easier on your joints but it still helps you get into shape. That is why it appeals across ages.

The best way to build your cardiovascular fitness on the bike is to ride for at least 150 minutes every week. For example, you could cycle to work a few days a week or do a couple of shorter rides during the week with a longer ride at the weekend or simply ride to work. You'll soon feel the benefits.

In Delhi, cycling is anyway a major mode of transport for lakhs of people from the economically weaker sections as it requires zero fuel cost and almost no maintenance. A Delhi government survey says there are around 30 lakh bicycles in the capital. “Not just low income group, well-off people also use cycles. I know a scientist who travels 25 km one way to his workplace daily.”

Manas shared an experience: “We went on a 1,200-km ride and as it was time-bound (in 90 hours), we could not relax. There was one 55-year-old lady and we were very doubtful whether she would be able to complete it. But finally only two people succeeded and she was one of them.”

It’s not too difficult to find time for cycling. Just give 2 per cent time from your 24 hours. Give priority to cycling over dinner with friends and social networking. Don’t go for fancy bikes, go for a normal bike with which you are comfortable with and right size is very important. Ride in groups and look forward to encouraging new people every day. This is his advice for amateurs.

Besides health benefits, cycling also helps in reducing pollution and saving fuel and ultimately saving our planet.

Nalin Sinha, traffic and transport expert, has been cycling since 2006. He has been into transport policy planning and was working on a sustainable mode of transport but somehow he could not tell people to cycle because he himself was not cycling. Once he was invited at the launch of a new bicycle at a hotel. It was there he bought a new bicycle and rode 10 km and realised the charm and got familiar with the hassles of cyclists on Delhi roads. Once when he was even hit by a dumper, he realised how safety is very important.

Nalin is associated with Delhi Cycling Club that has members varying from 9 years to 80 years. “Once we were cycling in Chanakyapuri, and we saw Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra cycling. Our group got excited and started cycling with them and their security had a hard time and went on alert mode,” he recalls.

Starters, he says, if out of touch should take basic training, or attend some workshop and then start regular cycling. Knowing traffic rules and how to be safe is very important.

Nalin Sinha feels that to encourage cycling there should be a connected network, proper infrastructure like a separate lane for bicycles.

 

Why cycling?

·        Sleep more deeply

·        Look younger

·        Boost your bowels

·        Increase your brain power

·        Beat illness

·        Live longer

·        Save the planet

·        Improve your sex life

·        Heal your heart

·        Avoid pollution

·        It means guilt-free snacks

·        You’re developing a positive addiction

·        Get (a legal) high

·        Make friends and stay healthy

·        Feeling tired? Go for a ride

·        Spend quality time with your partner

·        Be happy

·        You can get fit without trying too hard

·        Boost your bellows

·        Burn more fat

 

Benefits

·        One of the easiest ways to exercise

·        Builds strength and muscle tone

·        Increases muscle tone

·        Builds stamina

·        Improves cardio-vascular fitness

·        Eats up calories

·        Improves heart health

·        Improves coordination

·        Reduces stress

What to keep in mind

·        Start slowly and then increase your cycling

·        Increase speed gradually

·        Right equipment is very important. Head gear, kneepads, elbow pads should all be in place when cycling

 

 

What to see in Shirdi, Mumbai and Goa

Coastal sojourn 
       

   When you think of western India, you cannot escape Shirdi, Mumbai and Goa. We did the same when we planned our first Goa trip, we added Shirdi and Mumbai in our itinerary too. Do read our plan trip at the end

Two years back we missed our Pondicherry trip as we could not confirm our railway tickets till the last moment. So this year, we planned our trip much in advance. First we zeroed in on Goa and then we added Mumbai to our itinerary. Then we thought, if Mumbai why skip Shirdi? We tried to book our train tickets exactly two months in advance but in spite of that, our tickets from Delhi to Shirdi, and Goa to Delhi landed in the waitlist. But as we were in the first 10, we thought no issues. But till the last moment, our position did not move even one seat forward. And on the last day, we were waiting with our bags packed and bated breath for the tickets to give us green signal. Exactly two hours before the train’s departure, we got to know that actually our trip was actually on. By then we were already thinking of alternative destinations. Everybody who knew about our trip were advising us about ‘positive affirmation’ and that if Sai Baba wants, we would definitely go as our first destination was Shirdi.

But we almost missed our train, we thought it was scheduled for 12 noon on the 9th of June but actually it was 12 midnight between 8 and 9. Luckily, we noticed the timing 00:00 hours just hours before and we couldn’t stop laughing. When my mom-in-law heard about it, she too said: ‘How can you not spot 00 hours’. She once missed the train because of the same confusion, so she sounded more cautious now.

At last, we were waiting for our Sai Nagar special train at Nizammuddin station at midnight. The train got little late but it was okay, as at last our journey started. Since it was only a five minutes halt, we caught the train in DDLJ style and our six-year-old son found it very funny. Throughout the journey we got to hear tales of Sai from our co-passengers as how their belief on Baba got stronger. Passing through the ravines of Madhya Pradesh was by itself a riveting experience. As we entered Maharashtra, we passed through banana and sugar cane fields and we got busy showing our son the humble living of villagers. We entered Shirdi dot on time, may be with Baba’s blessings. Though it was 10.30 pm, there was a feeling of safety and there were no touts around. We got an auto and we reached the Maharashtra tourism hotel exactly behind the Sai temple and as luck was on our side, we got a good room too. We did not miss dinner just by few minutes. After a simple vegetarian fare, then we set our alarm clock for 4 am and within seconds we were in deep slumber. We reached the temple premises at 5 am but the queue was already endless, as if people started pouring in since midnight. After two long hours in queue, we had our Sai darshan. Everything was smooth except for a few overenthusiastic devotees who tried to bypass others, the security guards who did not allow us to stand near Baba’s statue even for five seconds, and the pujaris who did not even put our flowers on Baba’s feet. The two days in Shirdi were over-relaxing as we had nothing much to do except for our evening stroll, street food and observing people.

Our next stop was Mumbai and we boarded our train on time. This time, we decided to skip bus journeys as trains are always better and less tiring. Our co-passengers were decent Keralittes and we heaved a sigh of relief. Around 9.30 pm, we thought of slumping into our berths as there was nothing much to do. Suddenly one man came from nowhere and said he had a berth in our compartment. He argued that it’s in the railway rule book that we cannot sleep before 11 pm and we should let him and his friend sit. We protested and told him that he cannot bring an extra passenger even if he has a single berth in a reserved compartment. He tried to raise his voice and give a different logic but we knew we were right so we did not give up and he had to give up his ‘itna to chalta hai’ attitude. Later we got to know that he was without ticket and shifted to a different train with his grumpy face, maybe he faced a protest of this sort for the first time. He surely would remember this for quite some time. It was a small triumph for us and we were all smiling from ear to ear.

In the morning, we moved into a hotel near CST (the hub of Mumbai) but as the check-in, check-out timing was 12 noon, we had to pay for an extra day. The charges were quite high but the room was not even decent. Moving around in Mumbai, unlike in Delhi, is always a smooth and pleasant experience as taxis can be flagged down anywhere, they would seldom refuse passengers and would religiously go by the meter.

 Our Siddhivinayak, Haji Ali darshan was smooth without much crowd. We were disappointed when we reached Gateway of India it was barricaded because of the high tide. We planned a boat ride in the seas like we used to do when we were Mumbaikars a few years back, but everything was closed due to the high tide. As we were walking near the Taj, a huge wave left us all wet, washing away all our tiredness. We had hot tea from a roadside vendor and hopped into a taxi for Girgaum Chowpatty. The sea made me forget all my worries. People from even conventional background were seen soaking their feet, enjoying the waves -- some even bathing, leaving all their tensions behind. Mumbai has two sides like a coin -- one that was in front of us and the other we see in movies.

A lot has changed in Mumbai since we left the city six years back. The Bandra-Worli sea link, flyovers at critical clog points, metro, the long elevated freeway from CST to Chembur and wider roads have made commuting in the congested city much smoother. But it was the swanky new airport that left has awestruck.

Finally, it was destination Goa and I was busy dreaming the Goa scenes that we see in glamorous Bollywood movies. After we reached Madgaon station, we hired a taxi for south Goa. The one-hour journey was breath-taking with greenery all around with beelines of coconut trees and we inhaled as much oxygen as we could. It somehow resembled my home state Assam as the small towns back there have a similar landscape.

My husband then explained me the theory that this region and Assam was once part of the land mass millions of years ago but due to constant changes during the formative stages of earth both the regions got separated, but the climate and landscape remained the same.

After the hotel in Mumbai had left a bad taste, when we climbed up the stairs to our guest house room, we were a little sceptical. As we entered the room, we were left amazed. With a huge balcony and a studio apartment look, it made us more satisfied. The beach was just two-minute walk away and in fast forward mode, we freshened up and headed towards Palolem beach. I could not believe my eyes as we entered the beach. The water was crystal clean along with the beach and there was hardly any crowd. My first question was, ‘Is this Goa?’ My husband smiled and asked ‘Why?’ I said, “The Goa I have seen in movies and heard from friends is supposed to be ‘hot and happening.’” But the place was just the opposite with simple living and helpful people all around and a very few tourists. His simple explanation was: “You have come to enjoy the beach, just do that. We are lucky that not many people have yet explored this place.”

There was a restaurant on the beachside and the waves were rocking its door step. Monsoon was about to strike and the sea was showing its rough side. All sea activities were put to halt so we kept our adventure side to rest till our next visit. We stayed for four days but we never got bored walking on the beach, soaking ourselves or admiring the waves sitting on the sea-facing restaurant. One day while we were walking on the beach, some black sticky sand got stuck on our slippers my husband’s journalistic mind immediately started working. ‘Something is fishy’. Our guest house owner cleared our doubts. It is this time of the year when ships in high sea shed old grease which makes its way to the shores because of the rough waves. And this is why this is considered as an off season.

We also went to old Goa to have a feel of the majestic famous ancient churches of the city and experienced peace of mind sitting inside and admiring the statues of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary. We also went to Colva beach in central Goa which was little crowded and my husband asked me, ‘Are you feeling like Goa now?’ But somehow I liked the beach near our guest house more after the busy noisy Delhi. The free culture in Goa also amazed me, the local people were simple, traditional but were least bothered about what people wear or do and there was no eve teasing, which was so unlike Delhi. On our last day, monsoon struck Goa and it turned into a breezy hill station. We admired the continuous rain through our window panes, switching off our AC and fan. At last it was time to say bye Goa and with heavy hearts we packed our bags with a dream to spend our retirement in this small sleepy town near Palolem beach. No harm in dreaming right? As our return tickets were not confirmed, we again returned to Mumbai by train and from there we then took a flight to Delhi. Mumbai also attracts my husband a lot but I am somehow tired of shifting but can’t say what future has in store for us. At last we were back to hot and burning Delhi and read that monsoon was delayed. Welcome back to the grind!

Our travel plan

When we planned our first Goa trip, we added Mumbai and Shirdi to our itinerary too. We boarded the Sai Nagar special train from Delhi’s Nizammuddin station at midnight. Passing through the ravines of Madhya Pradesh was a riveting experience. In Maharashtra, we crossed banana and sugar cane fields. We reached Shirdi around 10.30 pm the next night. The town had slept by then but there was a feeling of safety despite the emptiness. We took an auto to the Maharashtra Tourism hotel right behind the Sai temple. After a simple vegetarian fare, we went to bed early. If you want to experience the morning aarti, which calms your spirit and mind, you have to enter the temple before 4 am.

For the palki procession, you have to stay in Shirdi on a Thursday. During his last years, Sai Baba used to spend alternate nights at Chavadi, near Dwarkamai mosque, from where the palki procession of Sai Baba along with his followers was carried out. The procession happens even today on every Thursday.

When in Shirdi, you can also visit the Shani Shingnapur mandir, around 65 km away, by bus or taxi. Interestingly, this village has no doors in any of the houses or shops. People here believe that their Lord Shaneshwar is always present, protecting them from all the evils.

The Sai Heritage Village in Shirdi showcases the major events that took place during Sai Baba's lifetime in the form of statues.

Our next stop was Mumbai and we took a train from Shirdi. In the morning, we moved into a hotel near CST Station (the hub of Mumbai), which was rather expensive. There are cheaper ones if you look around near Dadar and other places. Moving around in Mumbai is always a smooth and a pleasant experience as taxis can be flagged down anywhere, and they would religiously go by the meter.

Our Siddhivinayak, Haji Ali darshan was smooth. We were disappointed when we reached Gateway of India as it was barricaded because of the high tide. If there is low tide, you can plan a boat ride in the seas nearby. Walking near the Taj or riding a horse tanga is an amazing experience. We had piping hot tea from a roadside vendor and hopped into a taxi for Girgaum Chowpatty.

 

The Bandra-Worli sea link, flyovers at critical clog points, metro, the long elevated freeway from CST to Chembur and wider roads have made commuting much smoother. The airport also has a swanky look.

Our stay in Mumbai this time was short as we had already lived in the city for three years. There are many places to visit in the dream city: some of them are Marine Drive, Essel World, Elephanta Caves, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, etc.

 

Finally, it was destination Goa. We reached Madgaon (Margao) station by train, which was very clean, and hired a taxi for Palolem in south Goa, where we had booked an apartment at a guest house. The one-hour journey was breath-taking with greenery all around.

 

The Palolem beach was just two-minute walk away from our apartment. The beach was spotlessly clean with very few people as we visited in the monsoons.

 

There was a restaurant on the beachside, where we spent the time, glancing at and the waves rocking its door step. We stayed for four days but we never got bored walking on the beach, soaking ourselves or admiring the waves sitting on the sea-facing restaurant.

If you are a party person you should stay in north Goa.

We went to old Goa to have a feel of the majestic famous ancient churches of the city, which include The Basilica of Bom Jesus.    Popularly known as the St. Francis Xavier church, Se Cathedral, church of St. Francis of Assisi, Catherine's Chapel and Augustine Tower.

 

Then there was the capital of Panjim’s Latin quarter Fontainhas, full of snaky alleys and colourful Portuguese villas with balconies and red-tiled roofs.

 

We went to the Colva beach in central Goa, which was a little crowded, and the famous Mangeshi Temple, which houses Bhagavan Manguesh, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and the spice market in Margao.

 

Other prominent landmarks in Goa are the Reis Magos Fort, which offers stunning views of the Mandovi river, Calangute, Baga, Agonda and Candolim beaches, Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Church of Our Lady Of Hope, the Saturday Night market, and the local spice and fish markets.

The milky Dudhsagar Falls on the Mandovi River is 60 km from Panaji by road and a must visit.

On our last day, heavy rains hit Goa and it turned into a breezy, cold hill station. We returned to Mumbai by train and from there took a flight to Delhi.

 

 Follow my blog: Mixed Bag

My article on Durga Puja fashion, published in Northeast Today

My article on Durga Puja fashion in Northeast Today

My Tai Chii article in Maxposure group "Tridhatu" (Tathastu) magazine

My Tai Chii article in Maxposure group "Tridhatu" (Tathastu) magazine

Gracefully Tai Chi

 

Extremely beneficial for both the mind and body, Tai Chi is gaining popularity these days. But if you are expecting magic overnight, this form of exercise derived from martial art is not for you. A slow but graceful art, people sometimes tend to get bored as it requires patience and leave halfway but if you are under the right instructor, you will definitely continue. So it’s better know more about it and then take the plunge.

 

Kakoli Thakur

 

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi can best be defined as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. Originally derived from an old Chinese martial art form, it is a sequence of movements performed slowly and gracefully. The main aim of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of this 'chi' within the body, enhancing the health and vitality of the person. It also helps to foster a calm and tranquil mind.

Tai chi is not like yummy fast food and you cannot learn it in 15 days, so do not get fooled by people who tell you it’s possible. “You have to understand the essence, there is a whole process and you have to go step by step. You cannot jump from A to B. You can learn B only when A is already inside you clear. Don’t go by the glamour of the dress or the institute, check the credentials before joining any classes,” says expert Kanishk Sharma, who has been practising Tai Chi for the last 26 years.

“Dedication, understanding and loving of the art is important when you want to learn Tai Chi. It’s very important from whom you are learning.”

Talking about one of his favourite students, Buddha Paul, he said, “I found this homeless boy in Pune. He was hungry for martial arts and some Karate guy was fooling him. I trained him for two years and now he is training the boys in the Indian Army.”

Different studies across the world have shown the benefits of Tai Chi. It helps in mind-body coordination, it increases inner body strength, generates inner strength.

A study from Ireland found that a combo of exercise, meditation, and breathing helped relieve anxiety and depression among participants.

It helps increase muscle strength, flexibility and balance and tackles diseases like anxiety, arthritis, fatigue, joint stiffness, muscle tension, poor posture and stress – common among the fast-paced lives of executives and corporates.

Says Tai Chi expert JK Singh: “There is no age factor, people who prefer soft martial art due to old age can prefer Tai Chi.”

Tai Chi has different levels but it takes around six months to learn basic course. After that people can practise at home for fitness.

According to Tai Chi expert Rajeev Sabharwal, Tai Chi is a self-healing art. “It is slow meditation through hand and leg movements. It helps people who have blood pressure, arthritis, spine problem, dizziness, etc.”

The problem is that people get excited after reading about it a lot but since these are slow exercises, they get bored, he says. “People should be matured enough to know its benefits, I would say if they are above 18 they can understand its depth. To maintain fitness we teach 18 moves, which takes around 20 to 25 classes to learn. If one practises between 20 and 40 minutes on a regular basis, it’s enough,” Sabharwal elaborates.

But when one wants to take it professionally, it’s like a journey; it can be 10 years, 15 years or even more. “Though I am an instructor I still feel I have a long way to go,” says Sabharwal.

In layman terms, the breathing exercises along with hand and leg movements help to open all blockages inside our body, it’s a fight between muscles to generate inner strength.

People even with heart ailments and other chronic diseases should practise Tai Chi.

Rajeev Sabharwal shared an experience, “Once a woman from China came to me and said, ‘I am from China, I know the health benefits of Tai Chi, I have cancer, please teach me so that I gain inner strength to fight the cancer inside me.’ I was touched. While practising Tai Chi, we breathe in and out again and again through slow exercises. The oxygen we take in again and again helps in healing any disease.”

 

Different types of Tai Chi styles:

Most beginners think of Tai Chi as just one art form and don’t realize the multitude of styles available.

The five major Tai Chi styles are:

Yang style is widely practiced worldwide.

Wu style emphasize small, compact movements.

Chen style is the original style. It alternates slow-motion movements with short, fast, explosive and appeals youth and martial artists.

Hao style is rare. Its primary focus is on internal chi movements with physical motions being much less important.

Combination styles mix and match movements from the four other styles.

 

Fee structure:

·        Fee varies from institute to institute. Generally starts from Rs 3000 per month.

·        The fee varies from instructor to instructor. Can be anything between Rs 500 and Rs 1000 per class.

 

Why Tai Chi:

·        Movements are low-impact and gentle and put minimal stress on muscles and joints.

·        The risk of injury is very low.

·        Can do it anywhere, anytime.

·        It requires very little space and no special clothing or equipment.

·        Can do it at own pace.

·        It's non-competitive.

·        It can be done in groups or alone.