An HMT watch was much more than just a device to track time. Considered as one of the most valued possession, the watch would be transferred from father to son, and from there to the next generation. It is the end of an era as the government decides to shut down HMT Watches. We take a walk down memory lane to relive some of our nostalgia about the legendary timepieces.

HMT Watches Limited, manufacturer of the closest-to-the-heart possession of almost every Indian at one time, will soon be shutting down.

The legendary watchmaker of the time machines that ruled Indian wrists and hearts for five decades was suffering continuous losses since 2000 due to the very competitive market and new brands. A government-owned subsidiary of the Hindustan Machine Tools, it saw a loss of Rs. 242.47 crore in 2012-13 and was unable to pay salaries to its employees.

 “The government has decided to shut down HMT Watches Ltd. and HMT Chinar Watches Ltd. The Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) has already recommended it and the board of directors has also given the go-ahead,” a senior official told The Indian Express.

An HMT watch was once a status symbol in the country. Fathers would hand over this valued possession to their children and they would then give it to the next generation, keeping the watch in the family as a tradition.

HMT Limited came into existence in 1961 in association with Citizen Watch Company, Japan. The then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, introduced the first ever HMT watch and the company has captured the hearts of everyone in the country since then. They set up the first watch manufacturing unit in Bangalore and an amazing 7-meter wide clock at Lalbagh still catches the attention as soon as you enter the main gate.

The HMT watch at Lalbagh, Bangalore

Picture Source

The Timekeepers to the Nation

The tagline was true to its words as the attire of office-goers would not be complete without an HMT watch, our grandparents would not step out of the house without stylishly wrapping their wrists with this piece of “jewellery” and birthdays and celebrations would not be considered complete without an HMT watch being presented as a gift!

I remember the day my father’s favourite watch stopped working. Unlike his usual calm and composed self, this time he actually reacted. He looked sad, restless and could not wait to take the watch for repair.

“Why don’t you wear the new watch I gave you last month? It’s time you got rid of that old one you have been wearing for ages,” I said casually.

He just said these four words, “It is HMT Janata.” And the sparkle in his eyes showed me that to him, it was much more than just a watch. Gifted to him by his father, it was a family tradition which he planned to keep forever. Luckily, the watch got fixed and we all got to know what “HMT” really meant to him.

Janata was also the favourite brand of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who loved its simplicity. Apart from the popular Janata watch, it was the “dowry watch” Kanchan which was always in demand. This ‘automatic’ model was so popular that it is believed people would line up in front of the showroom with a letter of recommendation from various political leaders stating that the Kanchan watch should be given to the bearer of the letter. Not only this, in some families a marriage would not happen if there was no Kanchan watch given as a gift to the groom!

At a time when Apple is launching the iWatch and our smartphones have replaced these wrist accessories, can you imagine an era when something as small as a watch could hold such importance?

Do you remember the gold-plated Sona watches by HMT and how wonderfully they used to go with every outfit? The thinnest model made by HMT was adored by all.

HMT was the first in India to launch a hand-wound mechanical watch, a quartz watch, an automatic watch, a women’s watch and a Braille watch. In fact, since its inception, it has produced over 115 million watches!

How and why did the watch stop ticking?

HMT had a very successful run until the 1990s era of liberalization, when newer and more advanced companies started to take over the market.

HMT somewhere failed to understand that watches are slowly becoming a fashion statement and not just a machine to track time. Its efforts to launch new designs and models also failed when production at its Srinagar factory stopped and it had to face a working capital shortage in the early 90s.

HMT Watch Business group was restructured as HMT Watches Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of HMT Limited in 2000. But, this also could not help the company come out of the falling demand. A revival plan was proposed which was approved by BRPSE in 2006 but was not supported by the Finance Ministry and Planning Commission.

ICRA Management Consultancy Services Ltd was appointed to draft a revised proposal but the company failed to show significant improvements and continued to bear losses on a regular basis, which finally led to its demise.

“HMT had all the right ingredients to succeed. It had outstanding engineers who knew the art of watch-making, possessed good technology, retail network, servicing and distribution. It just had to redefine itself to come out of the glut,” says Bhaskar Bhat, Titan’s managing director.

With HMT shutting down, it sure is the end of an era. Those who have this watch value it all the more now. For those who missed out on flaunting the tradition, you still have a chance to glimpse into the world of these amazing watches here. You can also learn how these iconic timepieces were manufactured in this short documentary from 1976:

All Pictures Source

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The festival of lights is just around the corner. Who doesn’t like to celebrate Diwali? But is it essential to have the smoke, noise, waste? Is there a better and more responsible way to celebrate? Watch these young and old help you bring back the essence of Diwali.

Shared by: Aniket Jaiswal.

The video is a collaboration of Old Delhi Films with Gurmeet Sapal Productions.

Christmas is around the corner and to make it more special here some of the lesser known but amazing delicacies from different corners of the country. From Andhra Pradesh’s Poornalu to Goa’s Bolinhos and Manipur’s Gak jan with King Chilli, get ready for a delicious holiday season.

Christmas – the very word conjures up images of a beautifully decorated tree, gifts wrapped in red and gold, twinkling fairy lights, and a table full of finger-licking goodies. So, what would you like to have for your Christmas feast this year? The same old roast chicken, baked veggies, gingerbread cookies and plum cake? Take a break from this customary fare and go for an exotic, yet easy-to-prepare meal, which has dishes picked up from across the country.

As is usually the case in most Indian homes, it’s the women of the household who spend weeks planning and preparing for the extra special festival meal. While the fare is pretty much standard – there’s lots of fried savouries, rich and luscious meat curries, sides of seasonal vegetables and an array of sweets to round everything off – what is clearly evident is the influence of the local ingredients and regional favourites.

Be it any state of India, Christmas celebrate homecoming, happiness and the spirit of togetherness.

For instance, if coconut is the star of all dishes in the Goan cuisine then aromatic spices abundantly available in the north east Indian states form the basis of their preparations. Then again, in Andhra Pradesh, traditional southern favourites like the Pulihora (lemon rice) and Garelu (lentil donuts) are served with the evergreen favourite Hyderabadi mutton biryani.

In Manipur, the countdown for Christmas has already begun and Hiam Riamei, 23, a resident of Tameng Long and a native of the Zeliangrong tribe, can’t wait to tuck into Gak Jan (pork curry) with dollops of King Chilly chutney and sticky rice.

“We generously use local spices like King Chilly, Sangchagu, Tamik and Dahngengthainui in pork and beef curries to give them a typical flavour and aroma,” says this secondary school teacher. The food, according to Riamei, is made by kitchen assistants at the neighbourhood church, locally known as ‘langars’.

Even as the fiery chilly rules the palate in Manipur it’s the coconut and semolina that combine to create a variety of dishes in the land of the sun and sea, Goa, which, incidentally, is also the most sought after destination during the season.

“Around here, Christmas festivities begin from December 19 onwards, which also marks Goa Liberation Day,” shares Cleophas Caiado, 26, a local resident of Ribandar, a picturesque town located between state capital Panjim and Old Goa. Of course, the prep for the quintessential rum-and-raisin cake happens at least five months in advance with the soaking of the dry fruits in the liquor. The traditional Goan feast is quite elaborate with distinct Portuguese flavours. Sweets are the pièce de résistance of the spread. Caiado, a journalist with an English weekly, says, “There is a whole range of sweets to choose from – Dodol, Doce, Bolinhos, Neuros… all of which are homemade.”

Not just in Goa, the celebratory dinner down south, too, is very much a homemade affair. “Things around here are quite different from the western world,” remarks Sheena Sannihitha, 23, from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. “Whether it’s the food or the clothing, we stick to the Indian stuff,” says the young data analyst, who plans to wear a hot pink ‘pattu’ silk sari on Christmas. “It is the cultural diversity that makes Christmas in different parts of India so rich and traditional,” she adds.

Age-old Andhra culinary traditions are reflected in the Christmas platter that constitutes savoury snacks like Garelu, curries like Kodi Kura (chicken curry) and Gongura mutton, rice staples Pulihora and Biryani, and sweets, Payasam and Kharijakayalu. “Of course, like elsewhere in the world, the entire family goes to Church at midnight and attends the morning mass,” she reveals.

From Kurnool, where local flavours dominate, let’s go to Mumbai, where Debbie D’ Cruz’s family follows the English traditions to the T. Talking about grand the Christmas lunch organised in her home every year, the content planner with a music company, quips, “It is like a reunion for the whole family – cousins from across India and even abroad descend here – and that’s why the table is groaning with items made with every possible meat we can lay our hands on. There’s beef roast, fish, chicken, pork… We include a few signature dishes like mashed potatoes, rum-and-raisin cake, milk cream toffees, date rolls and rose cookies. The recipes have been passed through nearly seven generations.”

Although cultural influences differ, lending their own unique twist to the festive treats, the spirit of sharing joy and camaraderie on Christmas remains the same everywhere. As D’ Cruz, 27, puts it, “Be it any state of India, Christmas feasts celebrate homecoming, happiness and togetherness…”

Worked up an appetite for the exotic? Looking to take a break from the customary fare and go for a different, yet easy-to-prepare meal, with dishes from across the country? Savour the diverse flavours of Incredible India through these select recipes… go ahead and cook up a gastronomic storm this yuletide.

GARELU (LENTIL SAVOURY DONUTS/ANDHRA PRADESH)

Garelus are fried savoury lentil donuts that form an important part of traditional Christmas feast in Andhra Pradesh

Ingredients:

* 1 cup urad dal (skinned white lentil)

* 10-12 black pepper corns, lightly crushed

* 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, lightly crushed

* Salt to taste

* Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Soak the dal in water for one-and-a-half to two hours.
2. Strain the water and grind the dal to a paste sprinkling very little water. To the paste, add salt, cumin and pepper and beat till fluffy.
3. Heat oil in a heavy bottom vessel. Once it reaches smoking point, reduce the flame to medium heat.
4. Wet your hands with water, take a lemon-sized ball of the batter and flatten it into an oval shape on a greased sheet or banana leaf. Make a hole in the centre so that it cooks evenly all over.
5. Slowly drop them into the hot oil and fry it on both sides on medium heat to a golden brown. Fry 4-5 vadas per batch depending on the size of the vessel.
6. Remove them onto a serving plate. Serve while the crust is still crisp and with chutney and sambar.

Cooking time: 20 min

Makes: 10-12 vadas

(Source: http://www.sailusfood.com)

POORNALU (TRADITIONAL FRIED SWEET AND SAVOURY SNACK\ANDHRA PRADESH)

Golden Poornalus are a popular Andhra festive sweet made with rice flour and jaggery.

Ingredients:

* 2 cups channa dal (Bengal Gram lentil)

* 1 ½ cup grated jaggery

* 1 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder

* 1 cup fresh grated coconut (optional)

* 1 cup urad dal (skinned white lentil)

* 2 cups rice flour

Method:

For batter:

1. Soak the rice and urad dal for about six hours.
2. Grind them into a smooth and thick paste with a batter consistency. To this, add salt and keep aside.

For Poornam:

1. Pressure cook chana dal with water. Cook one part dal with two parts water till four whistles.
2. Once it cools off, remove any excess water and mash it nicely by hand or in a blender. Now add grated jaggery, shredded coconut and cardamom powder. Cook it again stirring in between till it becomes a thick paste.
3. Let the dal mixture cool. Make them into medium size balls.
4. Heat oil in a pan. Dip each sweet ball in the rice and dal batter and fry till golden brown.
5. Serve them at room temperature.

(Source: http://simplefoodbowl.com)

GAK JAN WITH KING CHILLI (PORK CURRY\MANIPUR)

Gak Jan, a delectable pork curry, is a local Manipuri favourite during Christmas.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 kg pork

* 250 gram fresh turmeric root

* 150 gram ginger and garlic crushed

* 1 dried king chilli (crushed)

* 10 tbsp fermented bamboo shoot

* 2 potatoes (diced) (optional)

* 5-6 tamik Leaves

* 5-8 dahngengthainui leaves

* 1 bay leaf
* 1 sangchagu (wild root) (crushed)

* 1/2 litre water

* Salt to taste

Method:

1. Cut the pork into small pieces and marinate it with fresh turmeric, ginger and garlic. Leave it for 10-15 minutes.
2. Put the marinated pork in the pan and stir for five minutes till its fats are released.
3. Add the crushed dried king chilli (or any other if this variety is not available), bay leaf, dahngengthainui and tamik leaves, sangchagu [these are also optional] and salt. Stir for about five minutes.
4. Add the fermented bamboo shoot and stir. Once the ingredients are mixed well, add water and cover the pot. Cook for 30 minutes.

Serves: 4

(Courtesy: Hiam Riamei)

SANNAS (STEAMED LENTIL CAKES\GOA)

Fluffy snow white Sannas are a celebration staple in Goan homes. (Credit: Rinku Naveen)

Ingredients:

* 1 cup parboiled rice

* 1/2 cup urad dal (skinned white lentil)

* 1 cup rice

* 5 grams dry yeast

* 1/2 teaspoon sugar

* 1/2 cup coconut milk

* Salt to taste

Method:

1. Soak both the rice and urad dal separately overnight.
2. Drain and grind them separately using enough water to make a smooth and thick batter.
3. Mix the batters well in a deep vessel. Place the yeast in a bowl with sugar and two tablespoons of warm water. When it begins to froth add it to the batter and whisk well.
4. Add coconut milk and salt and mix. Set it aside to ferment for about five hours or till it doubles in quantity.
5. Heat sufficient water in a steamer. Grease the idli moulds. Pour the batter into each mould and place it in the steamer.
6. Cover the steamer with the lid and steam on medium heat for about 15 minutes or till done.

Cooking time: 26-30 minutes

Servings: 4

(Source: http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com)

BOLINHOS (COOKIES\GOA)

This Christmas, whip up a batch of Bolinhos, crunchy Goan cookies, made with coconut and semolina.

Ingredients:

* 250 grams rawa or semolina

* 200 grams coconut flakes

* 400 grams sugar

* 4 eggs

* 200 grams butter

* 1 cup milk

* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

Method:

1. Boil the milk and stir in the sugar. Then add the coconut to the mix and let it cool.
2. Roast the semolina lightly and keep aside to cool.
3. Separate the egg yolks and whites.
4. Beat the two separately.
5. Beat the butter till smooth and creamy.
6. Add the yellows into the whites and beat.
7. Add the butter to the egg mix.
8. Add vanilla essence, baking powder and sweetened milk, and then mix.
9. To thicken the batter, add a little semolina. To thin it, add a little milk (if needed).
10. Take the batter in your hands and make small balls and put in a baking dish. Use a fork and add a few lines to make a design
11. Preheat the oven to 175 Celsius and bake for approximately 25 minutes till brown.

(Source: http://bongong.com/)

DATE ROLLS (MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA)

Get a taste of the exotic with these easy to make Date Rolls.

Ingredients:

* 2 cups grated, pitted dates

* 1 cup powdered almonds

* 1 cup powdered cashew

* 2 tbsp clarified butter/ghee

* Dry coconut powder to roll the dates mixture

Method:

1. Keep a pan on medium heat and heat the ghee. Add the grated dates. Soften them up for 5 minutes.
2. Add almonds and cashew powders and mix well.
3. Shape this mixture into rolls and dust them with dry coconut powder.
4. Cut into small round pieces and store in an airtight container.

(Courtesy: Debbie D’ Cruz)

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Rann Utsav, Hampi Festival, Hornbill Festival, Losar Festival and many more. Which of these 14 events tops your list? Pack your bags and get ready to experience some of the most amazing carnivals in India this year!

1. Magh Mela Festival

Source: http://blogs.sacbee.com/

Magh Mela is known for bathing of hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus in the rivers. Organized on the banks of Sangam (the meeting point of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati) in Allahabad, Hindu mythology considers the origin of Magh Mela to be the beginning of the universe. Organized every year in the month of Magh (January-February), this festival is also known as the mini Kumbh mela. While the Kumbh mela, considered to be the largest peaceful gathering in the world, is organized once every three years, Magh mela is an annual event. If you want to get a glimpse of what the Kumbh looks like, you should not miss the Magh mela!

Dates: January 5, 2015 to February 17, 2015

2. Desert Festival of Jaisalmer

Source: http://www.utsavpedia.com/

When the beautiful deserts of Jaiselmer call you for a three-day extravaganza, you have to visit the golden land. Camel polo and dance, a turban tying competition, some of the most amazing performances on traditional instruments, some unbelievably long moustache displays, puppetry, folk performances, moonlit concert and what not! Get ready for an amazing experience.

Dates: 1 Feb 2015 – 3 Feb 2015

3. Pushkar Camel Festival

Source: Facebook

This annual five-day (af)fair with lots of cultural events is much more than just a livestock fair. Held in Pushkar town of Rajasthan, it is one of the largest camel fairs in the world. Every year, lakhs of visitors witness the amazing carnival full of colour and celebrations. Amusing competitions like “matka phod”, “longest moustache”, etc. are some of the interesting attractions. Pushkar lake, where the event is held, attracts a large number of tourists during this festival.

Dates: November 18, 2015 – November 25, 2015

4. Torgya Monastery Festival, Tawang

Source: Facebook

Celebrated by the Monpa tribe at the Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh, this three-day annual festival is all about dances, amazing performances and grand celebrations. The festival signifies the destruction of evil spirits and harmful forces. A group of monks dressed in splendid robes and masks perform the choreographed dance in the courtyard of the monastery. Chamm, a choreographed sacred dance, is the main attraction of the festival followed by the amazing feast.

Dates: January 17 – 19

5. International Kite festival, Ahmedabad

Source: Facebook

One of the most famous events in the country, the International Kite Festival is an annual event that attracts kite connoisseurs from across the world. The festival marks the day when winter ends, which is known as Makar Sankranti. It is considered to be one of the most important harvest days in India. Also called Uttarayan, Ahmedabad has been hosting this magnificent festival since 1989 and has seen some of the most amazing kites in its sky. A master kite maker and flyer, Rasulbhai can even fly 500 kites on a single string. Various kite making and painting competitions and workshops are other attractions of the day. The rooftop of every house is crowded and there are so many kites flying that you can barely see the clear sky.

Dates: January 7 – January 15

6. Hampi Festival

Source: Karnataka.com

Here is yet another opportunity to pack your bags and travel. Not just because the festival is amazing but also the place is mesmerizing, and you should not miss out on its beauty. Puppet shows, folk dance, mud wrestling, classical music performances are some of the amazing events at the festival. Water sports, rock climbing and rural sports are gradually finding a place in this carnival too. This three-day event is the largest festival in Hampi and is definitely worth attending.

Dates: January 9 – January 11.

7. The Story Of Light Festival, Panjim

Source: thestoryoflight.org

This unique and probably India’s first science-meets-art festival in Goa will host 45 artists and scientists from around the world who will put up installations in the public spaces of Goa. The festival will be full of visual play, dance performances, installations with light and colour, photography workshops, and live projections. It aims to raise awareness about the breakthroughs in light science, its applications and its importance to mankind. In an effort to unravel all the mysteries of light, scientists and artists from all over the world are congregating in Panjim for the unusual event.

Dates: January 14 – 18, 2015

8. Khajuraho Dance Festival, Madhya Pradesh

Source: Aminami/Wikipedia

The perfect combination of culture and heritage, Khajuraho Dance festival organized by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad at the splendid Khajuraho temples is a week-long annual festival. The event features classical dance performances like Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali. Even if you are not very well versed with classical dances, this is an event worth experiencing for its sheer beauty.

Dates: February 20 – February 26

9. Bihu Festival

Source: Facebook

The Bihu festival is organized in three parts every year in Assam – Bhogali Bihu, Rongali Bihu and Kongali Bihu. Considered to be the most important festival of the region, it involves Bihu folk dance and songs and represents three different sets of culture. People of Assam come together for this festival irrespective of their caste, religion and faith.

Dates:
Bihu 2015: Thursday, Jan 15
Bhogali Bihu: Jan 15, 2015
Rongali (Bohag) Bihu: April 14, 15, 16, 2015
Kongali Bihu: Mid October

10. Hornbill Festival

Source: Facebook

The most popular festival of Nagaland, the Hornbill festival showcases the stunning beauty of the state and the rich culture worth witnessing. Organized in the first week of December, it is also called the “festival of festivals”. The festival is named after the bird, Indian Hornbill, and the aim of this festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions. Colourful performances, displays of art and craft, cultural shows, Naga wrestling and traditional archery are just a few of the activities in this grand carnival.

Dates: Dec 1 – Dec 10

Read all about the Hornbill Festival here: The Hornbill Festival – A Visual Treat

11. World Sacred Spirit Festival

Source: worldsufispiritfestival.org

If you want to go on an extra ordinary musical journey, this event is for you. Organized in mesmerizing Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and the Ahhichatragarh Fort in Nagaur, the splendid sufi performances by world famous artists will take you to the spiritual and musical journey like you have never experienced before.

Dates: 
Nagpur: February 9 to February 11
Jodhpur: February 13 to February 15

12. Rann Utsav

Source: rannutsav.net

This is not like any other festival which lasts for a few days and bids goodbye. Rather, the the Great Rann of Kutch hosts the Rann Utsav for a whole three months on its amazing white land. The glowing white Rann in the full moon night with various cultural performances, handicrafts and outdoor activities make this a must-go destination. A perfect combination of adventure and leisure, you can visit the Rann of Kutch with your family and rest assured that you will have the experience of a lifetime.

Dates: December 1, 2014 – March 7, 2015

13. Goa Carnival

Source: skymetweather.com

This four-day festival full of music, dance, colour and celebrations is not like other conventional festivals in India. Streets are filled with people wearing costumes, huge parades, musicians, street shows, etc. Celebrated throughout Goa, the festival is enjoyed by people of all communities and it brings out the vibrant culture of Goa. The carnival adds to the already beautiful Panjim. You have to attend this festival to see Goa in its brightest form!

Dates: February 14 – February 17

14. Losar Festival

Source: wikimedia/Nichalp

Ladakh never fails to amaze you with its splendid beauty. But what adds to the splendour of the ravishing land is its Losar festival. It marks the beginning of the new year in Ladakh with various ancient rituals, dance performances, stage fights between good and evil and amazing music. Ladakhi Buddhists make religious offering before their deities in the domestic shrines or Gompas. The preparations for this most-awaited festival start months before this fifteen-day long event.

Dates: The festival’s dates are tentative but it is likely to begin on February 18-19

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This year, celebrate the festival of colour in a unique way. Here are five ways you can start your Holi celebrations in a more eco-friendly way and make a difference while you make merry. 

Regular turmeric turns into vibrant colours like red and orange after a “secret process” of blending, Henna and Neem give you amazing shades of green and chandan leaves you with a great fragrance and also a glowing skin. Meet Himanshu Verma, who is going back to the traditional roots to make herbal and eco-friendly colours.

Every year, two to three months before Holi, Verma, founder of Red Earth, a Delhi based independent private arts organisation, would spend a lot of time coming up with different blends and combinations of colours.

Using traditional and natural materials, this is Verma’s small step to make the festival more responsible and take people back to their roots where flowers and home made colours constituted a major part of the festival.

Photo: myexam.allen.ac.in

“The organization is 10 years old but I started making rang just four years back. The idea is to revive the natural and traditional recipes to make colours,” says Verma.

Using flowers like marigold, rose, etc. Verma comes up with amazing products every year. And when we ask him about his secret ingredients to bring out the best colour from the ingredients, he says,

“The process and how we blend is the secret USP of our products. But if people want to do it themselves and make their own colours, they can use simple turmeric, henna, flowers, chandan, neem, etc. to mix and match and get different colours,” he says.

Verma has taken his love for traditional recipes to a new level through his small enterprise. But here are a few interesting ways you can also celebrate a more healthy and eco friendly Holi this year-

1. Make your own colours

As Verma suggested, making colours is not that hard and can be done instantly. If you don’t want to spend weeks (or it’s too late!) to dry flowers to make colours, then use simple turmeric, chandan and henna to make various colours. Mix, match and use your imagination to make the most unique colours. Here is a video that will help you get started-

If you don’t want to make your own colours, you can also order them from various places like eCoexist and Red Earth.

2. Play Tilak Holi

Photo: festivals.iloveindia.com

The Holi festival is more about spreading love, joy and happiness rather than colouring every single person you meet. Play a different holi this year and put a simple tilak on your loved ones. Imagine how much effort and water it will save once you are done playing with colours.

3. Use less water and balloons

Photo: TBI Archives

Using water balloons not only creates unnecessary garbage and wastes plenty of water, but can also cause injuries. And it does not even give the satisfaction of colouring someone with your own hands. If you still must use water, then make sure you plan your celebrations and decide beforehand the amount of water you will use.

4. Don’t throw colours on animals

Photo: dogwithblog.in

No matter how amusing it might look to you, colouring innocent animals is never a good idea, especially with those chemical mixed colours which cause immense harm to their bodies. Be more considerate this year and celebrate an animal-friendly holi.

5. Play Community Holi

Holi of Vrindavan

Photo: TBI Archives

What could be a better idea than playing Holi with all your friends and family? More the merrier, right? Also, it spares you the trouble of cleaning the after-Holi mess in the house. Pick a common outdoor ground and play with your community there. This will not only add to the fun but also reduce your efforts of cleaning the dirty house.

Or, if you really want to make the festival count, you could spend the day with some kids at an orphanage or elderly at old age homes who would be spending it all alone otherwise.

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Do you know why we make a Swasthika in front of our homes? Or why we throw rice at weddings? Or why do Muslim women wear a black burqa? Here is how Mahek Mahendra Shah demystifies the ‘religious’ practices of India through stories, folklore and logic showing that they were probably never religious to begin with!

My fascination with researching cultures began way back in 2002, when I started researching about population growth rates & patterns across the world. The human population growth rates in the past few centuries have been responsible for large scale humanisation of Earth (colonisation by Humans). I was looking into various cultural practices, to find non-violent yet effective solutions, which can bring about a societal culture change to arrest this human population explosion.

The following cultural practices may have logical geographical relevance in the context of time (history) & geography of the region. The following stories have been written for illustration purpose only, in an attempt to try & capture the essence/roots behind cultural practices/rituals.

1. WHY DO MEN WEAR DIAMONDS IN KUTCH / RAJASTHAN?

Photo: rajasthantrip.com

Why would men wear an ornament?

This thought struck me when I first noticed men wearing large diamond earrings during one of my trips to Kutch. I dug a bit deeper and learnt that only men in Kutch, west Rajasthan & some parts of Sindh have this tradition. What is common to these three regions? The Thar Desert.

What could a diamond offer to people of a desert for it to become a cultural practice, their biggest challenge being avoiding dehydration? All a diamond can do is refract light far & wide (at multiple angles) or cut hard things.

One Possible legend: So, many many centuries ago, a traveler wearing a diamond fell due to dehydration in the desert. Another man gets curious on observing a flickering light in the desert, and approaches the light source (light from the diamond), only to find a human in need of help. How a diamond saved a man in the desert becomes a local folklore, and slowly this idea spreads through the relevant geography (the desert). Eventually, wearing a diamond became a cultural practice, endorsed by local leaders and temples.

So next time, you see a man wearing a diamond in India, muse on this, that probably his roots are in the Thar desert & the above story maybe his family fable! Nothing religious about it – just a way to call for help in the vast desert.

2. WHY IS RICE SHOWERED IN WEDDINGS IN SOUTH INDIA?

Photo: storymotion.com/ www.maharaniweddings.com

Considering that most weddings in North and South India recite same sanskrit shlokas (by Vedic Saints) for any wedding, this practice of showering of rice stands out in the South.

Lets go back one step. Before the Vedas were compiled, what are the specific geo-things for which South India could be known for? Heat and Rice.

Rice cultivation was widespread throughout central-south India. It is also well-known that agricultural produce has always been lagging behind its market demand, which makes rice, a stand-alone monetary unit, worth equal to copper coins to both a small farmer and a big Zamindar (landlord).

One Possible legend: So, many many centuries ago, a local Zamindar, during the wedding of his only daughter, throws around rice, to show the world, that his love and pride for his only daughter is much more precious than his wealth (rice). Soon the news of this spread across the relevant geography (South India), that in any wedding, the true pride and social status is reflected by the family’s show of throwaway ‘rice-wealth’. Nothing religious about it, just showing off, like all Indians do at weddings!

3. WHY DO MUSLIM WOMEN IN INDIA WEAR THE BLACK BURQA?

Photo: www.jihadwatch.org

Many parts of Hyderabad are not well-lit with street lights, and on one such night, I almost had a road accident with a burqa-clad woman. Fortunately, the accident was averted on impulse of seeing flying hands crossing the street, but this thought remained with me, that the Burqa had made a woman totally undetectable to the naked eye. Why would a culture/religion want to make a woman invisible?

The Saudi Arabian culture is essentially nomadic at heart. For centuries, nomadic warlords had been grazing the dunes, profiting from trading between Africans and Persians/Indians. The profit percentage of trading goods were outrageous as it involved facing the risks of a desert, which also means that raiding/looting such traders would be extremely profitable. In a nomadic desert environment, it is highly likely that women would avoid desert journeys, making them precious possessions.

Photo: cache.boston.com

One Possible legend: So, many many centuries ago, a Saudi caravan carrying dark African weaved textile in its entourage was raided by bandits. The caravan’s watcher had alerted the warlord about an imminent attack, just in time for him to order many of his entourage women to drape themselves in the black textile & merge with the night of the desert, to simply avoid rape. The story of how a majority of the woman avoided detection and rape at the hands of barbaric raiders became a local legend and many women accepted this invisibility (black robe) as a step towards personal security and mental comfort. Who knows, the black robe might have been a ‘feminist revolution’ back then!

Subsequently, in a council of all war lords a few years later, it was officially proclaimed that a woman would wear all-black to remain undetected in the darkness of night while men should wear all-white, such that they are spotted easily, and women, the frequent social victims, can take more effective evasive precautions. Nothing religious about it, just social security!

4. WHY ARE THREADS (RAKHIS) TIED TO ‘THINGS’ DURING A FESTIVAL?

There are a few ‘weird’ Indian practices (weird by Western standards) that are so inherently innocent that one cannot simply unfollow or criticise them. ‘Ayudha Pooja’ and ‘Saraswati Pooja’ are among the ones which probably will never disappear from the Indian culture.

One can easily find numerous religious folk stories of ‘Ayudha Pooja’ (meaning ‘Worship of Implements’), in which worship of vehicles, hardware, weapons, ammunition and most recently, software, happens. Now why is the practice of ‘Ayudha Pooja’ still prevalent, even though it is so simplistic and feudal in nature?

Lets put all the cards out on the table. The festival is celebrated at the end of Navratri, on Dussera/Dasami. It is celebrated generally in the months of September or October.

One Possible legend: So, many many years ago, a strong noble King, lets call him Vijay (meaning ‘Victory’), who had reigned over the peninsula prosperously for over 20 years, was defeated at the hands of an invader, who had a much smaller army. The result decayed the growth of society, literature and arts, and eventually ended up ruining the economy. The reason for his defeat was simple: due to extended periods of peace, the army had forgotten to clean/patch up its inventory regularly. The rain in this season (Monsoon) was bountiful, and with rain comes water, which provides life but rusts weapons, rendering them useless in a fight.

So, when Vijay’s grandson reclaimed the throne and restored peace, he announced the practice/ritual of cleaning up all things which protect and bring stability to family and society but could rust. So a farmer started practicing the ritual of cleaning ploughs, a warrior maintaining weapons, and a home-maker cleaning utensils – all of them being grateful to ‘things’ which secure their society & make their lives less laborious. So nothing religious about it, just instilling of good habits.

5. WHY IS THE SWASTIKA DRAWN OUTSIDE HINDU/JAIN HOMES AND BUSINESSES?

Photo: freerepublic.com

All symbols have hidden meanings. Some have multiple hidden meanings or can be interpreted in multiple ways. Swastika is a positive cultural symbol in the Indian sub-continent but is associated with fear and hate in many parts of Europe.

One such interpretation of Swastika, in the Indian context, is that it represents the ‘harmony of an Indian family’, due to its quality of ‘rotational symmetry’. The Hindu society has been traditionally divided into a ‘caste’ system: Laborer (Dalits), Intellectual (Brahmin), Trader (Vaishya) and Warrior (Kshatriya).

Swastika, in one its simplest representations means, “There is harmony in society when there is balance between the four pillars/castes.” The pillars are indicated by the red bindus (dots) in the swastika.

So when you draw a Swastika outside your house/shop, you are pledging for harmony in your society (nothing religious about it). Also, you use red coloured powder (kumkum) because red has represented purity and passion of thoughts in India. So all in all, there is nothing religious about it, you just have good social intentions!

These are just some of many simple yet awesome cultural practices which have adapted/survived religious/political onslaughts. Every cultural practice is a survival tool/ precaution/inference/intelligence/learning from a socio-geo-hazard, religion is simply a tool to periodically discipline this into people, through the fear of the unknown.

- Mahek Mahendra Shah

Featured image courtesy: steadystableerraticconsistency

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Seeing a snake during this period is considered extremely auspicious and people usually offer money to the charmer and milk to the snake.

“What most of us do not know is that these snakes are caught by snake catchers almost a month before and sold to the snake charmer after they brutally remove the fangs and sometimes even cut off the venom sac. The mouths of the snakes are invariably stitched, to make it convenient for them to be carried around by the charmers,” says Avinash Vishvanathan, the General Secretary of Friends of Snakes Society, Hyderabad.

The absence of its venom apparatus and severe infection resulting from its injuries, results in the snake being unable to eat its natural prey or even drink water.

Caution: Graphic images below

By the time Nagpanchami is over, the snake is extremely weak, severely infected and the snake charmer, after making his money, just throws the snake away, thereby letting it die a very slow and painful death.

“Once the mouth is opened, all the infection is cleaned and the cobra is allowed to rest in one of the large boxes in the facility. Over the next few days we have to keep a close watch on each and every animal and regularly clean their mouths. Clean water is provided to them and once their oral sores get better they are provided with feed.”

- Prahlad, a volunteer at Friends of Snakes Society, Hyderabad.

Fortunately, over the years, with concerted efforts in creating awareness and pro-active action by animal welfare and wildlife groups in various parts of the country, there has been a discernible decrease in the number of snakes being exploited by these charmers.

Photos Credit: Avinash, FOSS

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This year, the festival took place in the Dhalpur grounds and both men and women were invited to perform and take a pledge to work for the cause of the girl child.

What was unique about the dance party was that the oldest member was an 85-year-old lady named Bali Devi, while the youngest was a 16-year-old visually challenged girl, Nand Kala.

Photographs courtesy: Urmil Lata

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Participate in this Unique Social Media Campaign – Burst Hunger Challenge

In Hyderabad, Use This Website to Order Your Crackers – They Plant a Tree for Every Order

Light up the Lives of Many Marginalised Children in the Country

Photo Credit: Abhinaba Basu/Flickr

Think out-of-the-Box When Going Diwali Shopping

Photo Credit: Sunciti _ Sundaram/Flickr

Bengal's Diwali Will Be the Quietest. Follow This State's Example in Your Neighbourhood

Photo Credit: Nachiket Kapre/Flickr

Engage Children in Activities Much More Interesting than Bursting Crackers

Photo Credit: Gursimran Sibia/Flickr

Go Green When Planning Your Rangoli

Photo Credit: Rajesh_India/Flickr

How about making Diwali a day of other people's happiness?

Photo Credit: Vinoth Chandar/Flickr

Don't Buy Sweets from Just Any Shop

Photo Credit: Anshu/Flickr

Or, just go Old School and Make Sweets at Home

Photo Credit: Rishabh Mathur/Flickr

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1. When Hindus and Muslims Shared Some Moments of Grief Together

Source: Wikimedia 

2. When Muslims Paid Respect to a Hindu Martyr

Picture for representation only. Source: Wikimedia

3. When Hindus and Sikhs Helped Repair a Mosque

Picture for representation only. Source: Wikimedia

4. When Hindus Helped a Muslim Couple Deliver a Baby

Picture for representation only. Source: Wikimedia

5. When a Muslim Man Performed His Friend's Last Rites Following All Hindu Rituals

6. When Ganesh Chaturthi and Bakra-Eid Were Celebrated in the Same Pandal

Source: Facebook 

7. Beyond Caste and Religion, the Inmates of a Jail Fast for Ramzan Together

Photo: Flickr

8. When a Muslim Decided to translate the Hanuman Chalisa into Urdu

Source: Flickr

9. And a Hindu Man Decided to Write Prophet Muhammad's Biography - in Marwari

10. And Finally, This Muslim Performer Who Sings Kirtans

Source: YouTube

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1. Andhra Pradesh

Source: Wikipedia

2. Arunachal Pradesh

Source: Flickr

3. Assam

Source: Facebook

4. Bihar

Source: Twitter

5. Chandigarh

Source: Tripadvisor

6. Chattisgarh

Source: Jashpur Tourism

7. Daman and Diu

Source: Twitter

8. Delhi

Source: Wikipedia

9. Goa

10. Gujarat

Source: Facebook

11. Haryana

Source: Twitter

12. Himachal Pradesh

Source: Wikipedia

13. Jammu and Kashmir

Source: Tripadvisor

14. Jharkhand

Source: Wikipedia

15. Karnataka

Source: Wikipedia

16. Kerala

Source: Wikipedia

17. Madhya Pradesh

Source: Wikipedia

18. Maharashtra

Source: Wikipedia

19. Manipur

Source: Wikipedia

20. Meghalaya

Source: Tripadvisor

21. Mizoram

Source: Wikipedia

22. Nagaland

Source: Flickr

23. Odisha

Source: Wikipedia

24. Puducherry

Source: Twitter

25. Punjab

Source: Wikipedia

26. Rajasthan

Source: Udaipur Diocese

27. Sikkim

Source: Official Sikkim Website

28. Tamil Nadu

Source: Flickr

29. Telangana

Source: Wikipedia

30. Tripura

Source: Facebook

31. Uttar Pradesh

Source: Twitter

32. Uttarakhand

Source: Tripadvisor

33. West Bengal

Source: Wikipedia

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What is going on here?

"Land is gold in Goa. So it doesn't take much to realise that this move by the government is yet another step towards making way for the real estate lobby," says Anzil Fernandes, an assistant professor at St. Xavier's College in Goa.

People are expressing their protest in various ways.

Photo source: Facebook

Meanwhile, here's what Goan cartoonist Billy Joe Fernandes is doing to express his dismay over the issue:

Photo source: Facebook

1. Maharashtra, 2015

Source: Wikimedia

2. Goa, 2015

3. Tamil Nadu, 2014

Source: Twitter

4. West Bengal, 2013

Source: Twitter

5. Uttar Pradesh, 2014

Source: Facebook

6. Delhi, 2013

Source: Facebook

7. Bihar, 2012

Source: Facebook

8. Chhattisgarh, 2007

Source: Facebook

9. Uttarakhand, 2014

Source: Facebook

10. Karnataka, 2013

Source: discover-india-info.blogspot.in

11. Telangana, 2015

12. Manipur, 2010

Source: PIB

13. Jammu & Kashmir, 2010

Source: PIB

14. Gujarat, 2015

15. Indian Railways, 2015

Source: Twitter

16.  Central Public Works Department, 2011

Source: PIB

17. Ministry of Agriculture, 2014

Source: PIB

18. Ministry of Earth Sciences, 2014

Source: PIB

19. Defence Research and Development Organisation, 2014

Source: PIB

20. Make in India, 2015

Source: Twitter

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1. Pune Heritage Festival

Photo source: Facebook

2. Queer Pride Guwahati - 2016

Photo source: Facebook

3. Indo-Turkish Festival of Language and Culture - Bengaluru

Photo source: eventshigh.com

4. Kathakar International Storyteller Festival - Delhi

Photo source: Facebook

5. Touch - Exhibition - Delhi

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“Hi everyone. I often wonder how fear gave Neerja courage. I would love to hear your stories in 15 second Instagram videos,” Sonam Kapoor said, adding that that she will share the most fascinating and touching stories on Instagram.

Here are some of the responses she received, from her fans as well as other celebrities:

#MyFear #fearvsneerja

A video posted by Ishita Dave (@ishitadave1) on Jan 28, 2016 at 9:20am PST

#myfear #fearvsneerja A video posted by Neha Gandhi Roy (@neharoy_) on Jan 28, 2016 at 10:14am PST

Happy to share the story behind fear, courage and reason why we do what we do. #Aishapads #SaralDesigns #fearvsneerja

A video posted by Suhani Mohan (@suhanimohan) on Jan 28, 2016 at 10:40am PST

#Neerja #fearvsneerja Stay true to yourself and don't try and fit in. 😇 @sonamkapoor #wordsofwisdom #myfear A video posted by Rahul Sarraf (@_rahulray) on Jan 28, 2016 at 11:19am PST

A video posted by Amrit D. (@amritdfitness) on Jan 28, 2016 at 2:37pm PST

"#fearvsneerja .. help !! i have ..ARACHNOPHOBIA!! Actually.. Petrified of anything that has more than 4 legs ." - Emraan (Twitter) ❤️ - #emraanhashmi #twitter #video #bollywood @therealemraan A video posted by @emraanhashmix on Feb 6, 2016 at 1:59pm PST

@aliaabhatt ・・・ One of my biggest fears! @sonamkapoor #FearVsNeerja #BiggishFear #veerareview

A video posted by Veera Review (@veera_review) on Feb 8, 2016 at 12:09am PST

A video posted by Parineeti Chopra Fanbase 💫 (@parineetichopraa.fb) on Feb 8, 2016 at 5:06am PST

My fear of losing memory.:) #fearvsneerja

A video posted by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) on Feb 9, 2016 at 3:25am PST

A video posted by Daisy (@shahdaisy) on Feb 10, 2016 at 7:39am PST

I don't know how to confront this one @sonamkapoor #fearvsneerja Looking forward to you telling us the story of a tremendous girl, a genuine #braveheart #neerja #neerjabhanot All the very best and much love! Xoxo

A video posted by Swara Bhaskar (@reallyswara) on Feb 10, 2016 at 9:47am PST

A video posted by Yesha Pandya Mehta (@thinkyesha) on Feb 11, 2016 at 11:30am PST

A video posted by Nistha Kowlessar (@namaste.nistha) on Jan 28, 2016 at 1:09pm PST

A video posted by Tehmur Mohammad (@tehmur1) on Jan 30, 2016 at 5:12am PST

A video posted by Supriya Bohra (@supriaaa) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:18pm PST

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1. Hindi is the 2nd most spoken language in the world (ahead of English and Spanish), Bengali the 7th most and Punjabi the 10th most.

Pic Source: www.visualnews.com

2. Hindi was known by different names at different stages of its evolution in different eras. It was known as Apabhramsa at its earliest stage.

Pic Source

3. Did you know that Malayalam, the language spoken in the southern Indian state of Kerala, is the longest palindrome (a word that reads the same backwards and forwards) in the English language?

4. In Mumbai, there is a Gujarati family, that speaks only in Sanskrit. In Mattur village in Karnataka, people speak in Sanskrit to each other.

Pic Source: www.topentity.com

• NASA scientist Rick Briggs once said that Sanskrit is the only unambiguous language in existence.
• Sanskrit is the most computer friendly language.
• 14 universities in Germany offer Sanskrit as a subject.
• Sanskrit uses many synonyms for each subject. For instance, there are 100 synonyms for the word 'elephant.'
• Sanskrit is the state language of Uttarakhand
• Sanskrit is supposed to belong to the same family as Latin. That is why there are many words ending in 'um' in both languages.

5. Brahui is a Dravidian language, with its roots in India, spoken by approximately 1 million people in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pic Source

6.  In 1999, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day to commemorate the Bengali Language Movement in 1952.

Pic Source: abac.bd.com

7.  Did you know around 99% of Urdu verbs have their roots in Sanskrit and Prakrit?

Pic Source: urdu007.blogspot.com

8. George Bush, former President of the USA, had allocated a budget of $114 million for teaching Hindi in the US.

Pic Source: www.livemint.com

9.  All Indian scripts come from the same script - Brahmi. Writing came much later to India than to other parts of the world. Hence, both Tamil and Sanskrit have extremely strong oral traditions.

Pic Source

10. Kannada language has the second oldest written tradition of all vernacular languages of India. More than a thousand notable writers have contributed to the wealth of the language.

Pic Source: oocities.org

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“I want to change the way museums are perceived today. Museums tell a story and it should be an interesting one,” he says.

“We noticed that museums have not changed at all since decades in India. I have no living memory of visiting museums in my childhood and today we need to engage children with our museums and cultural spaces at a very early age. We work with the government and non governmental organisations to redesign existing cultural spaces and to develop new ones in order to conserve our heritage,” he says.

Matrika Design Collaborative is now developing one of the first dedicated textile museums that showcases the history and conservation of embroidery from the western region of Kutch, Gujarat at Bhuj.

"If we intend to showcase their culture and traditions it is imperative for us to involve them at various stages of inception. A classic example is how the LLDC museum in Kutch has been developing around documenting the lives of embroiderers by recording their oral histories, their art and lifestyles," he says.

Overall, by using presentations, online art guides, mobile apps, and making the places more comfortable for people with special needs, Abhishek and his team are making museums both physically and intellectually inclusive.

The bus is fitted with exhibition cases, audio video hardware, etc. It will cater to municipal schools, adult education camps and artists' conclaves in rural districts of India.

"We have designed unique solutions where children are given an understanding of the science behind weapons and fortification systems, categorically ruling out their association with violence and war," says Abhishek.

The team has dedicated a complete gallery to children's activities. The 100,000 square feet museum is also completely accessible to people with special needs.

"We need to redefine the experience of the cultural space by reinventing the narrative and this can be achieved when policy makers, curators, archivists, designers, and users come together in a collaborative format to work out the best ways to tell the story of our culture and heritage through tangible and intangible ways," he concludes. 

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This Village Plays with Scorpions

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Turmeric Water, not Colours

Human Pyramids

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Cow Dung and Flowers

Show of Strength

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Elephants and Kings

Featured image source: Flickr

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This bold, pioneering move in a small, otherwise sleepy hamlet in Pune district of Maharashtra is the upshot of a unique intervention that had been underway in the region through which the men have been encouraged to shed their patriarchal mindsets and root out inequality.

Credit: Vijay Kavhe

“I used to be short tempered and stubborn to the point of cutting off my nose to spite my face. It’s only after I started sitting in on the meetings that I eventually opened up to seeing another point of view,” says the kinder, gentler, and a more egalitarian Hinge, adding, “I understand why people say that ignorance is bliss. Changing status quo, especially when it is not in your favour, is not an easy thing to do.”

Today, nearly 97 per cent homes are in the name of both the husband and wife. These days, there is talk of holding joint bank accounts as well.

Credit: Vijay Kavhe

His wife Kalpana adds that whenever their son gets married they’d wish for his bride to be educated and aware, too. “We would love to have a registered wedding, but will have to naturally take into account the bride’s family wishes. But as far as dowry is concerned, there will be none,” she insists.

Such an open and accommodating outlook is quite uncommon in most traditional families.

Credit: Vijay Kavhe

Vijay Kavhe, who works with Nari Samata Manch as a facilitator and handles 10 of the 20 project villages, is happy to see young men like Borge and Samir Awhale, 22, keen to adopt a gender sensitive approach.

Picture for representation only. Source: Sayantan Bhattacharya/Flickr

“We have animators with ages ranging from 20 to almost 60,” says Kavhe, adding, “The mix works well as the exuberance of youth is countered by the wisdom that age and maturity bring. We have spoken about issues such as health, addiction, superstitions, and so on, in different villages and it is starting to take root. But we need to continue reaching out to the community because any kind of social change takes time.”

Featured image credit: qzprod.files.wordpress.com

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Asaf Ali Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg are the places to go to if your eyes are longing for a glimpse of a beautiful second-hand copy of a classic or if your fingers wish to trace someone’s thoughtful writings along the margins of a fairy-tale.

Source: Ivan Lian / Flickr

Be warned, though – this isn’t the place for you if you’re only looking for a specific title. The Book Market is a wondrous dive into the unknown, and full of splendid possibilities.

Source: Koshy Koshy / Flickr

It’s always a good idea to lug around a backpack because books are sold for as cheap as 10 rupees (yes, you read that right.)

Source: YouTube

Featured Image Source: Mridula / Blogspot

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