The Indian Panorama

Category: Blog

  • US consumer confidence rises despite Omicron, higher prices

    US consumer confidence rises despite Omicron, higher prices

    WASHINGTON (TIP): U.S. consumer confidence rose this month as Americans shrugged off concerns about rising prices and COVID’-19’s highly contagious omicron variant.

    The Conference Board, a business research group, said Wednesday that its consumer confidence index — which takes into account consumers’ assessment of current conditions and the their outlook for the future — rose to 115.8 in December, the highest reading since July. In November, it registered 111.9. Consumers’ view of current conditions dipped slightly, but their outlook for the next six months brightened.

    Their expectations for inflation actually dropped this month — perhaps because gasoline prices have fallen in recent weeks — even though the government reported that prices rose in November at the fastest year-over-year rate since 1982.

    “Despite high inflation and the rising Omicron wave, consumers are bullish on 2022,” said Robert Frick, economist with Navy Federal Credit Union. “This reflects growing economic momentum, as job openings remain high and prices are dropping at the pump. This is further evidence that consumer spending will keep rising and be the main factor fueling the expansion.”

    It was the first reading taken since COVID-19’s omicron variant started spreading rapidly around the world, threatening the unexpectedly strong economic recovery from last year’s coronavirus recession.

    “Looking ahead to 2022, both confidence and consumer spending will continue to face headwinds from rising prices and an expected winter surge of the pandemic,” said Lynn Franco, the Conference Board’s senior director of economic indicators.

    The Commerce Department reported last week that U.S. consumers slowed their spending from October to November — but kept shopping ahead of the holiday season despite rising prices and widespread shortages. However, the November retail sales report did not capture any impact from omicron, which emerged in late November. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden convened a meeting of his supply chain disruptions task force virtually and in-person in Washington, where he touted what he said was significant progress in alleviating bottlenecks at the ports and other issues that had created shortages of goods and contributed to higher prices for consumers. Biden said that retail inventories are up 3% from last year and on-shelf availability for products is at 90%, close to where it was before the pandemic.           Source: AP

  • Fake News Hyperventilating or Constitutional Crisis, with Brutus lurking in the Ides of March?

    Fake News Hyperventilating or Constitutional Crisis, with Brutus lurking in the Ides of March?

      By Ravi Batra
    The cascading events, generally are layered and rarely, as now, erupt into a crescendo from an approaching constitutional crisis.

    Initially, let me disclose that I am a registered Democrat, and seeing how Hillary’s team, including, DNC, illegally mistreated Sen. Bernie Sanders, and how Huma profited by quitting as Hillary’s deputy chief of staff and was immediately rehired as a “special government employee” and simultaneously got paid to work for the Clinton Foundation and Teneo Holdings – unethical and corrupt – I voted for Donald J. Trump to shake up the Establishment who, like Marie Antoinette, wanted Americans to “eat cake” when they couldn’t afford to “buy bread.” No hardworking American can get such a sweet Huma-Deal, soaked in conflicts of interests and influence peddling, without being shamed and maybe, going to jail. Leave aside Bill’s famous Tarmac Meeting with AG Lynch, forcing her recusal, and causing Comey to act as he did in 2016, where he, Comey cut Hillary a huge break by not indicting her for her planned-private email server, her housekeeper printing classified emails for Hillary’s review, and with full access to Bill to know all confidential matters without any “pillow talk” or an “audit trail” – due to password-sharing by Hillary to her housekeeper (and perhaps, Bill and Huma, etc.). General Petraeus ought get a presidential pardon from President Trump.

    I also admit that I didn’t like Preet Bharara being “fired,” after he was re-hired, as that hurt everyday New Yorkers from getting a government Lincoln decreed, while making those in power feel above-the-law again.

    Now, I turn to the issues at hand. Here is what we know, based upon the fast and furious reportage by The Washington Post, of Watergate fame, The New York Times and CNN, etc.

    President Trump likes General Flynn; even, after terminating him for lying to the Vice President. Perhaps, he likes Flynn too much. We know that Obama administration was told about Flynn-Russia contacts by our Special Allies in Europe. We know Obama warned then-president-elect Trump about Flynn. Yet, Trump as president appointed Flynn NSA, only, to fire him 18 days after he knew Flynn lied to the Vice President, with a termination oddly soaked with Flynn-love.  The bizarre Comey-termination, after a prior failed Loyalty-Pledge Request, was immediately followed by the incredulous Lavrov-Kislyak Oval Office visit with American Media barred, and POTUS later admitting to NBC’s Lester Holt that he, DJT, was thinking of the Russia Investigation when he fired Comey, hence, admitting his invisible state-of-mind worthy of self-immolation.

    If I was personal counsel to Donald J. Trump, not White House Counsel to the Office of the President of the United States, which requires the fiduciary duties protect the Office of the President and not necessarily the man who is president, I would want to know the answer to one critical bifurcated question, to wit: “Donald, did you create or approve of a plan, during your presidential campaign, that a “reachout” to Russia ought occur because you want to: (1)  “restart” US-Russia relations so as to defuse the ever-warming resurgence of the Cold War, as a matter of future US policy to cause Crimea’s return to Ukraine, NATO to refocus on defeating Terror, and Russian nuclear-armed submarines, ships and planes to join United States and NATO to enforce global peace and security? Or, (2) win the 2016 election with help from a foreign power, that is hostile to the United States, in violation of American democracy and rule of law and become the Manchurian President – remote-controlled by Russia?

    If Donald’s answer is YES to (1) and NO to (2), then he is like Nixon in 1968 delivering his famous China Speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, later to open up the world to China in 1971 and switch Taiwan’s United Nations Security Council seat from ROC to PRC. It’s all legal, even as history judges China the winner over Nixon, as China, instead of being a counterbalance to the then-Soviets, pulled a Veto along with Russia in 2013 in UNSC after Syria’s chemical war crimes.

    If Donald’s answer if NO to (1) and YES to (2), then he is in worse shape than Nixon’s Watergate Cover-Up, as here, it would be Trump’s Crime with Trump’s Cover-Up.

    Assuming DJT’s answers are YES and NO, not NO and YES, then I would advise him to cut loose everybody as President Reagan did in the Iran-Contra Affair, and let everybody, especially those who sought to make individual side profits from such Russian engagements to face the music, Congressional and Special Counsel Robert Mueller. For saving the Trump Presidency may be valuable to America and everyday Americans. Just look at what he has accomplished in his First foreign trip with the mature and uniquely capable Rex Tillerson by his side in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Just a few years ago, Saudi Arabia was so sick of our non-action against Syria, that after winning the coveted UN Security Council seat, Amb. Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi made history by declining the seat and Riyadh considered setting up an alternate multilateral system of government, given the void of American leadership in face of heart wrenching suffering caused by Syria and ISIS.

    However, there is a unique weakness that President Trump faces, that neither Nixon nor Reagan faced, in this early onset of the Impeachment Season: Both Houses of Congress are in Republican control. This is not so much a strength for the disruptive president, as it is a weakness. The Republicans want more than anything to retain both Houses in the 2018 Mid-Term elections. So, after getting the Tax Cut, they prefer to cause Impeachment to start out of righteous indignation, as then they get the normal-Establishment Mike Pence to be president – assuming he is not tainted and already-resigned by knowing about Flynn as Chair of Trump Transition Committee (for how could Flynn have lied to the Vice President in 2017, when Mike Pence already knew about Flynn-Russia and Flynn-Turkey in 2016) – well, then Speaker Paul Ryan is President. So, Mr. President, “beware the Ides of March” as “Brutus” lurks. Julius Caesar Act 1 Scene 2.

    (Ravi Batra, an eminent NY attorney, is a former NYS Commissioner, Joint Commission on Public Ethics; Chair, National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs)

  • MahaVastu tips for an auspicious griha pravesh

    MahaVastu tips for an auspicious griha pravesh

    Mahavastu is an upgraded, tested and bug-free understanding of vastu shastra that I have distilled from more than 12,000 case studies in the last 25 years. A rational understating helps to maintain equilibrium with nature; with simple yet powerful remedies without demolishing buildings. MahaVastu propagates that five elements are present in directions in our living spaces and the imbalance in these elements leads to the sickness of mind and body. It basically balances all these 5 elements for harmony in life.

    Before buying a home or an office one must check the location of entrance, e.g., an east or a north – east entrance is very auspicious, it brings in money, profits and success. On the contrary, an east entrance of a house leads to fire, accidents and unexpected losses for the inhabitants. According to MahaVastu, south or south – east entrance brings immense prosperity whereas entrance from south creates negative effects on the kids specially the boys of the family.

    In general, houses and buildings facing north-east, south and the west are considered good for the residence.

    Toilet

    Toilets in the north-east direction should be avoided completely.

    Kitchen

    The fire place / kitchen should ideally be located in south east zone of the house. An underground Water tank should ideally be placed towards the north, north – east, east and west zones of the house.

    Bedroom

    Bedroom should ideally be located in the south zone; however, for a newly wedded couple the north or north – west is the ideal direction.

    Kid’s room should ideally be in the east, north – east, west or south – west directions.

    Office

    An ideal location of entrance(s) is north, north – east or north -west zones. This would bring good luck and positive energy. The main door of the entrance should be facing the north or the east. The reception should always be in the east or the north – east.

    Location of toilets should ideally be in the south or south -west vastu zone of disposal. The toilet seats should ideally be placed in either south to north or west to east direction.

    Location of Pantry ideally should be in the southeast corner or zone of the building

    If a house is not built according to vastu , what should they do?

    Simple remedies can help you to correct vastu flaws. Mahavastu has some very simple yet effective remedies like changing the colour of the main entrance, painting a particular portion in a colour to balance the five elements, e.g., the elemental strip technique proves instrumental when it comes to removing the bad effects of entrance locations and toilets. Hanging green sceneries towards north attracts growth and new opportunities. Mahavastu believes in giving you proven vastu formulae for instant results without any demolitions and reconstruction.

  • DID LORD SHIVA REALLY TAKE AVATAR IN DWAPAR YUGA?

    DID LORD SHIVA REALLY TAKE AVATAR IN DWAPAR YUGA?

    As mentioned in Linga Puran, once Lord Brahma asked Lord Shiva as to why he never reincarnated in a human form that involved him living among human relations, like Lord Vishnu? Lord Shiva in all his calmness replied, “Not once, but many a time I have taken the required avatar for the advantage of humankind.”

    Even though, there’s no significant evidence to prove these claims, but it is believed that Lord Shiva did appear not once but under 28 dwapars. Following are the excerpts from Linga Purana, where Lord Shiva explains all his avatars.

    “I shall incarnate as Shwet-Mahamuni during first Dwapar Yuga of Vaivaswat manvantar. My abode shell is at Chhogal peak of Himalaya mountain. I shall have four disciples who will be proficient in the Vedas.”

    “I will incarnate as Sutar during second dwapar. At that time, Saddyojat Prajapati will be holding he post of Vyasa.I will have four sons- Dundubhi, Shataroopa, Richika and Keluma.”

    “During third dwapar and at the time when Sage Bhargav will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Daman. I will have four sons- Vikrosh, Vikesh, Vipash and Papnashak.”

    “During fourth dwapar and at the time when Sage Angira will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Suhotra. I will have four sons- Sumukh, Durmukh, Durdhar and Duratikram.”

    “I will take incarnation as Kank during fifth dwapar and at the time when Sage Savita will be fulfilling the obligations of Vyasa; I will have four sons- Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanatkumar.”

    “During Sixth dwapar, I will take incarnation as Laugakshi. At that time Sage Mrityu will be holding the post of Vyasa. My sons will be Sudhama, Viraja, Shankh and Padraj.”

    “Sage Shataritu will act as Vyasa during Seventh dwapar. I will have four sons- Saraswat, Megh, Meghvah and Suvahan.”

    “Sage Vashishtha will be the Vyasa during eighth dwapar. I will take incarnation as Dadhivahan. My sons will be- Kapila, Asuri, Panch, Shikhomuni and Vashkal.”

    “Sage Saraswat will act as Vyasa during nineth dwapar. I will take incarnation as Rishabh. I will have four sons-Parashar, Garg, Bhargav and Angiras.”

    “The 10th dwapar will see Tripad fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. I will incarnate as Bhavita Muni. I will have four sons-Bala, Bandhu, Niramitra and Ketu.”

    “Sage Trivat will be the Vyasa during 11th dwapar. I will take incarnation as Ugra. My sons will be- Lambodar, Lambaksha and Lambakesh.”

    “Sage Shatateja will perform the duties of Vyasa during 12th dwapar. I will have four sons- Sarvagya, Sambuddhi, Sadhya and Sarva.”

    “Dharma will be the Vyasa during 13th dwapar. I will take incarnation as Bali and live at the hermitage of the Balkhilya. I will have four sons- Sudhama, Kashyapa, Vashishtha and Viraja.”

    “In the 14th dwapar, I will be born as sage Gautama and the responsibilities of Vyasa would be fulfilled by Sage Tarakashu. In this avatar I will have four sons- Atri, Devarudra, Shravana & Srivishthak.”

    “Sage Traiyyaruni will obligate the duties of Vyasa and I will re-incarnate as Vedshira in the 15th dwapar. My sons would be named- Kuni, Kunibahu, Kusharir & Kunetrak.”

    “Sage Deva will perform the duties of Vyasa during 16th dwapar. And, I will be Gokarn and would have four sons-Kashyao, Shukracharya, Chyavn & Brihaspati.”

    “The 17th dwapar will see Kritanjay fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. I will incarnate as Guhavasi. I will have four sons-Utathya, Vamadev, Mahayoga & Mahabal.”

    “During 18th dwapar and at the time when Sage Ritanjay will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Shikhani. I will have four sons- Vachashrava, Richik, Shyavasva & Yatishwar.”

    “I will take incarnation as Jatamali during 19h dwapar and at the time when Sage Bhardwaj will be fulfilling the obligations of Vyasa; I will have four sons- Hiranyabh, Kaushal, Laungaksi & Kuthumi.”

    “Sage Gautam will perform the duties of Vyasa during 20th dwapar, and I will re-incarnate as Attahas. I will have four sons- Sumantu, Varvari, Kavand & Kushi Kandar.”

    “During the 21st dwapar, where I will incarnate as Daruko, sage Vachashrava will disembark on the journey of fulfilling the duties of Vyasa. My four sons would be- Ramapksoda, Bhayani, Ketuman & Gautam.”

    “During 22nd dwapar and at the time when Sage Shushmayan will be acting as a Vyasa, I will take incarnation as Langli Bheem. I will have four sons- Dharmik, Mahayotri, Bhallavi, Madhupinga,Shwetu, Ketu & Kush.”

    “Trinabindu will be the Vyasa during 23rd dwapar. I will take incarnation as Kalanjar. I will have four sons- Ushik, Vrihadashva, Deval & Kavirevach.”

    “When 24th dwapar would begin, I will re-incarnate as Shooli, while Vyasa’s duties would be fulfilled by Riksha. I will have four sons- Salihotra, Agnivesh, Unasva & Sharadvasu.”

    “I will incarnate as Dandi-Mundishvar during the 25th dwapar. At that time, Shakti will be holding he post of Vyasa. I will have four sons- Chhagal, Kundak, Kumbhand & Prawahaj.”

  • CHAITRA NAVRATRI

    CHAITRA NAVRATRI

    Goddess Shakti is worshipped and offered prayers during the nine days

    CHAITRA NAVRATRI IS MORE POPULAR IN NORTHERN INDIA. IN MAHARASHTRA CHAITRA NAVRATRI BEGINS WITH GUDI PADWA AND IN ANDHRA PRADESH IT BEGINS WITH #UGADI

    Chaitra Navratri is nine days festivity which starts on the first day of Hindu Luni-Solar calendar and falls in the month of March or April. Chaitra is the first month of Hindu lunar calendar and because of it this Navratri is known as Chaitra Navratri. Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasanta Navratri. Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama usually falls on the ninth day during Navratri festivity. Hence Chaitra Navratri is also known as Rama Navratri.

    All nine days during Navratri are dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Shakti. Most customs and rituals followed during Shardiya Navratri, which falls in the month of September or October, are also followed during Chaitra Navratri. Ghatasthapana Puja Vidhi for Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri is same.

    Chaitra Navratri is more popular in northern India. In Maharashtra Chaitra Navratri begins with Gudi Padwa and in Andhra Pradesh it begins with Ugadi.

    Ghatsthapana, Shailputri Puja

    The first day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will fall on March 28, Tuesday. Goddess Shailputri is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. Just like the Shardiya Navratri, most of rituals and traditions remain similar during the spring festival celebrations. Ghatasthapana Muhurta is the most important ritual which is to be followed dedicatedly as it marks the beginning of Chaitra Navaratri festivity. Ghatasthapana is an invocation of Goddess Shakti and to be done only in shubh muhurat time. Ghatasthapana is also known as Kalash Sthapana or Kalashsthapana.

    Chandra Darshan, Brahmacharini Puja

    The second day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will fall on March 29, Wednesday. Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navratri. Dwitya also marks the 2017 Chandra Darshan, the first day of moon sighting after no moon day also known as Amavasya. Goddess Brahmacharini is believed to be controlling Lord Mangal, the provider of all fortunes according to Hindu legends and hence worshipping the goddess brings happiness and prosperity.

    Gauri Teej, Chandraghanta Puja

    The third day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will be on March 30, Thursday. Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She is believed to govern the shukra (Venus) planet. According to ages old mythology, she drives away the spirits troubling her devotees with the sound of the moon-bell present on her forehead. The day is observed as Gangaur also known as Gauri Tritiya. Gangaur festival is widely celebrated in Rajasthan and some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.

    Varad Vinayaka Chauth, Kushmanda Puja

    The fourth day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will be on March 31, Friday. Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She governs the God Sun and is the source of energy and direction of Sun. Kushmanda Puja and Varad Vinayaka Chauth is celebrated on Chaturthi. Varad means “asking God to fulfill any desire one has”. Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped with her favourite red coloured flowers.

    Lakshmi Panchami, Skandamata Puja

    The fifth day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will be on April 1, Saturday. Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. This form of Goddess Parvati, Goddess Skandamata governs Planet Budha (Mercury), and red coloured flowers are also used to worship her. Devotees worship Skandamata also gets the benefit of worshipping Lord Kartikeya. Panchami is also widely celebrated as Kalpadi Tithi. Chaitra Shukla Panchami is also known as Lakshmi Panchami, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Among Tamil Hindus, this day is celebrated as Skanda Sashti or Kanda Sashti Vratam 2017 as Skanda, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is a favorite deity.

    Yamuna Chhath, Katyayani Puja

    The sixth day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will be on April 2, Sunday. Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. She governs the planet B?haspati (Jupiter). Roses are the favourite flowers to worship Goddess Katyayani. The day also marks the birth anniversary of Goddess Yamuna and celebrated as Yamuna Jayanti. Yamuna Chhath is a popular festival celebrated in Indian city Mathura.

    Maha Saptami, Kalaratri Puja

    The seventh day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will be on April 3, Monday. Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. Goddess Kalaratri is also known as Goddess Shubhankari and worshipped with night-blooming Jasmine flowers. She is believed to govern planet Shani (Saturn). She is one of the most powerful and ferocious forms of Goddess Parvati and said to remove the darkness from the lives of her pure-hearted devotees and wrath hell on the evil-doers.

    Durga Maha Ashtami, Mahagauri Puja

    The eighth day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will be on April 4, Tuesday. Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. This form of Goddess Parvati governs the planet Rahu (Neptune). Masik Durgashtami 2017 also falls on the day with devotees fasting during Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha. The day also marks the Sandhi Puja, which has a special significance during Navratri festival puja. Sandhi Puja is done at the juncture when Ashtami Tithi ends, and Navami Tithi starts.

    Rama Navami, Siddhidatri Puja

    The ninth and final day of Chaitra Navaratri festival will be on April 5, Wednesday. Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri. Siddhidatri is believed to provide energy and direction to planet Ketu (Uranus). She can award ultimate power and fulfill every wish of her devotee. 2017 Chaitra Navratri Parana is done with the end of Navami Tithi ends, and Dashami Tithi begins. The day also marks the birth of Lord Rama, the human incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rama was born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month and the day is celebrated as Ram Navmi festival across India.

  • ACNE-CAUSING HABITS YOU SHOULD STOP

    ACNE-CAUSING HABITS YOU SHOULD STOP

    Not washing your face properly : It is important to use good medicated cleansers twice a day, but hard cleansers and washing too frequently can make the acne worse and face drier.

    Using dairy products on a daily basis : Dairy products have abundance of hormone IGF 1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1) which is specially found in milk. It can cause inflammation in humans. Milk causes insulin spike in humans that makes the liver produce IGF 1. This can cause excess sebum production causing more clogged pores and thus, the acne. Try to reduce dairy product consumption.

    Using smartphones too much : Smartphones are one of the common causes of breakouts. This is because when your phone is placed on skin while talking to someone, you press bacteria into your pores and ultimately, get pimples. So, use ear phones to keep a check on breakouts.

    Applying body cream on face : Many body care products can give you acne on your face. Some people apply body products on their face to get some more beauty benefits. But it is better not to use body products on face. Feel free to use face cream on dry patch of body, but using a body lotion on your face could cause acne.

    This could specifically be the case if your skin is sensitive and the facial lotion you generally use is oil and fragrance-free, and then you reach for a scented and thicker body lotion in the hope to achieve the same hydrating results.

    Diet issue : Sweet food items may not always be good for skin. Diet rich in sugar or food with high glycemic index can be a cause for acne. Avoid sugar, carbohydrate-rich food and starch for acne-free skin. Eat small meals with diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

    Here’s how you can choose your night cream smartly

    Night time is when one’s skin gets the maximum rest, repair and time to rejuvenate. So always remember to wash and deep cleanse your face before you apply your night time moisturiser for the best results. But how do you decide what constitutes a good moisturiser? Divya Mehta, co-founder of skincare brand Epique, shares tips to keep in mind when deciding on a good night cream:

    It doesn’t need to have the word ‘night’ to describe it : The difference between a night cream and any other is that it doesn’t have UV protection or any sunscreen ingredients in it. Hence you don’t necessarily need to use a cream that uses the word ‘night’ to define it. So long as the cream does not contain sunscreen, works well with your skin type and is rich in active ingredients, you are good to go!

    High concentration of active ingredients : Look for components such as boswellia serrata, coffee bean extract, centella asiatica, andrographis, liquorice, coleus forskolin, horse chestnut, oils, vitamins like E and C and other antioxidants to name a few (in your night creme). In addition to these, actives need to be highly concentrated to address specific mature skin issues.

    Deep penetrating and light weight in texture : Ensure the cream texture is light, penetrates deeply and is comfortable for your skin. Try avoiding creams that sit on the skin’s surface and don’t get absorbed well, causing the skin to feel oily.

    Choose a night cream that is compatible with your skin type : This step may require some trial and error. Whether your skin is oily, dry or combination, there is a perfect solution for you out there. Find a moisturizer that is compatible with your specific skin type. Try testing the cream on the back of your hand before you buy it. The product should sink into your skin easily and leave a dewy look. That is a good sign that this cream may work well for you.

  • He Accomplished Daunting Tasks of Protecting and Promoting Diversity

    He Accomplished Daunting Tasks of Protecting and Promoting Diversity

    A Tribute to Guru Gobind Singh, Creator of Khalsa. Sikhism is the Fifth Largest Religion of the World.  The Sikh Guru’s 350th birth anniversary falls on January 5, 2017

    In the times of Mogul empires India was in great danger of eclipsing its cultural and religious diversities. Mullahs in the court of Mogul king Aurangzeb were creating havocs in converting everyone living in their empire to their version of Islam. To fully appreciate the extent of this widespread bloodshed in today’s context, one may view the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as the mission of then Mogul empire was similar.

    In order to conceptualize the mentality of ISIS and its tactics, look no further than daily pictures of horrors and insanity throughout the Middle East and the Western world. Only just in the past few months the rise of ISIS became a revelation to the West. Commencing with the self-proclamation of Caliph by its leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, and finally the surge in Iraq and Syria, each day is bringing bloodshed, beheading, and burning of live innocents. It is occurring withoutstop once it was launched.

    To those who know the Indian history it will be obvious that the theology and actions during the Mogul Kingdom were reciprocal of ISIS as well asthe Wahhabi religious doctrine that governed the days of Aurangzeb in India. Then too thehostility towards other religions was very evident through Mullahs’ orations and fatwas such as: “It is incumbent upon Muslims to take as enemies the infidel Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Sufi Muslims, and other polytheists, and to avoid their amicability,” and “Shi’ites are the most polytheist, and none of the people of passion are more lying than them, and more remote from monotheism, and their danger on Islam is very great indeed.” Such was the common rhetoric and propaganda used during the kingdom of Mogul Aurangzeb. It was militant legitimization for superiority of one religion. It was there to eclipse any sign of diversity among religions and cultures.

    A SCHOLAR’S TESTIMONY

    Daulat Rai, a social historian of the Pakistani Punjab, entitled his book ‘Sahibe Kamal Guru Gobind Singh’ (1993 edition) in order to exemplify Guru Gobind Singh as an extraordinary prophet. Guru was so recognized not only on account of his forward looking lead to religious thoughts but similarly extraordinary undertakings to promote and protect diversity in opposition to forced bent on bringing uniformity. His boldness and commitment to his cause cost him his parents, his children, his beloved followers, and eventually his own life.

    DIVERSITY: HALLMARK OF FUTURE SOCIETIES

    It is now accepted universally that the next generations of humanity would create a new global village in order for diverse type of societies to live together in peace and prosperity. This prosperity would be both in worldly and spiritual domains.

    In illustrating the greatness of Guru Gobind Singh, I cherry picked a few facets; to fully comprehend and describe Guru’s greatness may take a lifetime commitment to such pursuit. In limiting the scope, I will select issues that impact particularly the civil societies across oceans even though they are illustrated through examples of the practices prevalent in the Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu societies of Indian sub-continent.

    Contrary to the prevalent beliefs of proving one religion superior to another, and imposing one belief at the cost of the other, Guru Gobind Singh called upon all religions to engage in the service of whole humanity. Let me illustrate with a few examples.

    GURU’S FIRST SERMON

    From his childhood, young Gobind took to the ways of inter-religious dialogues and engagements. According to our history books, the recognition of Guru’s divinity was first acknowledged publicly in an important inter-religious event.

    It all began with the installation of infant Gobind to his prophetic rank. Contrary to established practices of initiating a child prophet by the clergy of the faith of his forefathers, in this case a renowned Muslim saint, Syed Bhikhan Shah, was given this honor in case of Gobind Rai. Mind you that Guru was not born to Muslim parents.

    The story goes as follows.

    One day, followers of Muslim Pir Bhikhan Shah observed their holy man to bow towards the East during his morning prayers. Certainly, it was contrary to the established Islamic practice of bowing in the direction of Kiblah.

    When his followers looked astonished, the Pir responded and explained his unusual act. He said that a special child, the savior chosen by Allah, was taking birth in Patna located to the East that he faced to say his prayer. He further disclosed that he was inspired by Allah to make his way to the child’s birth place in the East India, Patna, to bless the newly born Gobind, and to pronounce him a prophet.

    The Pir gathered his followers and led them to the pilgrimage of Patna in order to view the newborn. In Patna, although unusual for mothers of a newborn to do so, Guru’s mother accepted the Pir’s request and brought out the child for public viewing.

    The Pir presented a pre-meditated riddle. He placed two bowls of candy before the child; one bowl was purchased from a Hindu’s shop, and the other from a Muslim’s shop, thus signifying the two major religions in India. The riddle sought answer to an unspoken question of seeking guidance as to which religion this divine prophet would belong to. The proper response would permit the Pir to pronounce the Guru’s divinity and his prophetic authority to lead those very people.

    To everyone’s admiration and deep gratification, the infant Gobind Rai placed his hands in both bowls, thus indicating that he would not profile people among religious divides. Further, it signified that all religions would be likewise dear to him. Also, he would honor a holy man of a religion different than that of his ancestors’ to become the intermediate of his new message.

    The Muslim Pir and his Muslim companions as well as Hindu neighbors who had gathered there were thrilled and fulfilled.

    The point is that in his very first public message Guru Gobind Singh laid the path to inter-religious engagement that sanctioned inter-religious appreciation and accommodation. Further, he chose symbolic language over the languages considered sacred by two religions to communicate his first public sermon. There too he chose to tell it through a profound public demonstration.

    Although minimizing the religious divide was Guru Gobind Singh’s first sermon, it was neither a one-time sermon alone nor the first time in the Sikh tradition that such a sermon was aired.

    Then onward all congregations of the Guru always consisted of diverse audience.

    SIKH TRADITION

    Divinity of Guru Nanak was first recognized by a Muslim holy man, Rai Bullar and not by his parents. Similarly, when Guru Nanak made his first debut after receiving the divine ordination at the banks of River Vein in Northern India he gave the following sermon to those who gathered to welcome him as a prophet. Guru Arjan paraphrased this sermon in the following hymn.

    éÔîÇÔ§ç±éî°ÃñîÅé¢ÁñÔðÅîÕ¶Çê§â°êðÅé –

    Guru Arjan, SGGS, p. 1136.

    I am neither a Hindu, nor am I a Muslim (Christian, Budhhist, etc.). My body and breath of life belong equally to Allah and to Raam -the God of both religions.

    In the most popular painting of the founder of the Sikhi reformation, Guru Nanak is always shown with his two companions, a Hindu companion, Bhai Bala, and, a Muslim companion, Bhai Mardana.

    Guru Gobind Singh reiterated the same doctrine of not profiling people into religious categories. The writers and historians amply documented Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings in this respect. He is said to teach as:

    ÜÅå¶Û±Çà×ï¯ízîÀ°ðÕŨÇåÔÁÅ×ËÇÔ§ç±ÇÕÁÅå°ðÕŨ

    When one gets rid of the false beliefs one ceases to profile people into Hindu or Muslim (Christian, Jew or Sikh).

    Bachitar Natak, p. 157

    GLOBAL IN SCOPE

    Guru Gobind Singh further believed that when such an enlightened person looked around far and wide through all lands he would not find anyone other than the same divine spirit. A poet described this as:

    ÃÅð¶ÔÆç¶ÃÕ¯ç¶ÇÖðÇÔúîåÕ¯À±éç¶ÖÆÁåêzÅéêåÆÕ¶

    (Tav-Prasad Savayeaa)

    So, that no one may have any doubt, Guru Gobind Singh is said to refer, by name, various geographical regions, many linguistic and cultural groups that spread all over the continents to make one humanity. For example, Guru is described to pronounce various sects, denominations or ethnicities as all adoring the same Creator.

    ê±ðìÆéêÅðêÅò˺ÇԧװñÅÇÔîÅñËÇèÁÅò˺ׯð×°ðç¶ÜÆ×°é×ÅòËºå¶ ð¶éÅîÔ˺¨

    ܯ×Æܯ×ÃÅèËêÀ°éÃÅèéÅÇÕå¶ÕìÅèËÁÅðìÕ¶ÁÅðìÆÁðÅè˺å¶ð¶ éÅîÔ˺¨

    ëðÅÕ¶Çëð§×ÆîÅé˺էèÅðÆÕ°ð¶ÃÆÜÅé˺êÛîÕ¶êµÛîÆêÛÅé˺ÇéÜÕÅ îÔ˺¨

    îðÔàÅîضñ¶å¶ðÆîéïºåêÇÃÁÅÕðËÇçzóòËÇåñ§×ÆêÔÚÅéËèðî èÅîÔ˺¨

    ì§×Õ¶ì§×ÅñÆÇëðÔ§×Õ¶Çëð§×ÅòÅñÆÇçñÆÕ¶ÇçñòÅñÆå¶ðÆÁÅÇ ×ÁÅîËÚñåÔ˺¨

    ð¯ÔÕ¶ð°Ô¶ñ¶îÅØç¶ÃÕ¶îضñ¶ìÆðì§×ÃÆì°§ç¶ñ¶êÅêê°§ÜÕ¯îñåÔ˺¨ ׯÖÅ×°é×ÅòËÚÆéîÚÆéÕ¶ÃÆÃéïÅòËÇåµìåÆÇèÁÅÇÂç¶Öç¶ÔÕ¯ çñåÔ˺¨

    ÇÜéËå¯ÇÔÇèÁÅÇÂúÇåéËê±ðéêzåÅêêÅÇÂúÃðìèéèÅîëñë±ñî¯ ºëñåÔ˺¨

    The inhabitants of the East could not know Thy limit, the people of Hingala and Himalaya Mountains remember Thee, residents of Gor and Gardez sing the Praises of Thy Name.

    The Yogis perform Yoga, many are absorbed in doing Pranayama and people of Arabia bound by Holy Quran remember Thy Name.

    The people of France and England revere Thee, the inhabitants of Kandahar and Quraishis identify Thee; the people of the West recognize their duty towards Thee.

    The inhabitants of Maharashtra and Magadha perform austerities with profound affection; the residents of Drawar and Tilang countries recognize Thee as the Abode of Dharma.

    The Bengalis of Bengal, the Phirangis of Phirangistan and Dilwalis of Delhi are the followers of Thy Command.

    The Rohelas of Rohu Mountain, the Maghelas of Magadha, the heroic Bangasis of Bangas and the Bundhelas of Bundhelkhand abolish their sins in Thy devotion.

    Gorkhas sing Thy Praises, the residents of China and Manchuria bow their heads before Thee and the Tibetans end the sufferings of their bodies by remembering Thee.

    Whosoever meditated upon Thee, they obtained perfect Grandeur; they prosper greatly with spiritual wealth, blooming flowers and ripening fruits, and praiseworthy place of ultimate abode.

    Akal Ustat, 254-255, Dasam Granth, p. 13-14. The above hymn speaks the universality of the Guru’s recognition that the faith message is beyond man made boundaries and territories.

    MANY SCENARIOS ONE PURPOSE

    Guru Gobind Singh’s ecumenical teachings continued as solidifications and extensions of what he told as an infant and what his predecessor gurus initiated to tell centuries earlier. He worked tirelessly to restore society’s confidence in the time-tested human values of unity in diversity, freedom of faith practices, justice and compassion. He challenged the wide-spread religious bigotry among all world religions. His teachings as defined below emphasized that in the eyes of Creator there was no difference among various people.

    Õ¯À±Çíî°§âÆÁÅçÇéÁÅÃÆÕ¯À±Ü¯×ÆíÇÂÕ¯À±ìzÔîÚÅðÆÕ¯À±Üå ÆÁé°îÅé쯨ÇÔ§ç±å°ðÕÕ¯À±ðÅëÃÆÇÂîÅîÃÅëÆîÅéÃÕÆÜÅåÃì˶ ÕËêÇÔÚÅé쯨ÕðåÅÕðÆîïÂÆðÅÜÕðÔÆîÂÆç±Ãð¯éí¶çÕ¯ÂÆí°î ízîîÅé쯨¶ÕÔÆÕÆöòÃíÔÆկװðç¶ò¶Õ¶ÕÔÆÃð±êÃì˶ÕËܯ åÜÅéì¯

    Many believed that they became superior by accepting celibacy or undertaking many modes of meditation, by giving up material comforts, by making themselves look different, or by wearing long and matted hair or no hair. Others feel higher by joining a sect of Islam as, Shia, Sunni, etc. But no one should overlook the basic fact that followers of all religions are the same human beings. The Creator of all provides for the needs of all humans. There is one God of all and that God alone should be worshipped. Do not remain an ignorant and believe in anyone else except the One. All humanity is equal, each one of us carries the reflection of the Creator in us, and we are all manifestations of one Creator.

    Akal Ustat, In: Chaunnvee Banee Dasam Granth, Ed. Lal Singh, Nav Yug Publishers, Delhi, 1987, P. 92.

    To spread his message of a perfect egalitarian society based on one-ness of God that celebrated diversity in all its myriad forms, Guru Gobind Singh is said to relate the origin of all diversity to the One Being.

    ÜËö¶ÕÁÅ×å¶Õé±ÕÅÕ¯ÇàÁÅ×À°áÇÔº,

    ÁÅ×Õ¶Õé±ÕÅÇëðÁÅ×î˺ÇîñÅÇÔ׶¢ÜËö¶ÕÇèðå¶Áé¶Õè±Çðê±Çð Áå,

    è±ÇðÕ¶Õé±ÕÅÇëðÇèðÔÆÃîÅÇԺ׶¨ÜËö¶ÕéÇçå¶åð§×Õ¯ÇàÀ°êÜ å,

    êÅéÕ¶åð§×ÃíêÅéÔÆÕÔÅÇԺ׶¨åËöÇìÃòð±êå¶Áí±åí±åêz×à Ô¯ÇÂ, åÅÔƺå¶À°êÇÜÃìËåźÔÆîËÃîÅÇÔº×Ë

    As out of a single fire arise millions of sparks; but all merge back into the same fire. As out of same dust arise millions of dust particles; but all merge back into the same dust. As out of a single ocean arise millions of waves; but all merge into the water. So from God’s form, emerge all creation, animate and inanimate; and all of them are in equilibrium with the Creator.

    Akal Ustat, Chhand 87.

    DIFFERENCES ARE DECEPTION

    Guru Gobind Singh believed that the differences among humans in terms of color, appearance and ethnicity were due to God’s creative process; all human beings had a moral responsibility to cherish and preserve this sacred creativity. He underscored the unity of human spirit despite many apparent distinctions. He is said to state:

    îÅéÃÃì˶ÕêËÁé¶ÕÕ¯íðîÅÀ°ÔË

    All human beings are one and the same, although there is a deception of differences.

    Akal Ustat, Chhand 86. l. 2.

    Guru Gobind Singh was a champion of the human right to be diverse. He advocated freedom of culture, religion and thought for every individual. He is known to explain that the differences in our outward appearance, clothes, customs and practices are attributed to the choices that only we make:

    ç¶òåÅÁç¶òܵÛקèzìå°ðÕÇÔ§ç±ÇéÁÅð¶ÇéÁÅðËç¶ÃéÕ¶í¶ÃÕ¯ êzíÅÀ°ÔË

    ¶ÕËéËé¶ÕËÕÅé¶ÕËç¶Ô¶ÕËìÅéÖÅÕìÅçÁÅåôÁ½ÁÅìÕ¯ðñÅ À°ÔË

    Many are gods or demon, or celestial musicians. There are heavenly tribes and the learned people or the artists. They may be seen as people of different religions as Muslims (citizens of Islamic nations) or Hindus (natives of Indian subcontinent). They may all look and act differently, but their apparent differences are due to the influences from their countries and cultures, or in the clothes they wear.

    Akal Ustat, Chhand 86. l. 3.

    Thus, the worldview of Guru Gobind Singh was all inclusive. Indeed, Guru Gobind Singh’s ideal of appreciation for diversity as a pivotal feature of all human activity was also a new age ideal. We must never forget to defend it. As torch bearers of his teachings we must harp on all imperative slogans that he is known to give us.

    îÅéÃÃì˶ÕêËÁé¶ÕÕ¯íðîÅÀ°ÔË

    Recognize all humans as one and the same race.

    Akal Ustat, Chhand 85. l. 4.

    POLITICS MEANT TO SERVE WITHOUT PREJUDICE

    To Guru Gobind Singh, finding and protecting Truth was a desired political doctrine and a national heroism. Noble purpose of political life and/or religious mission can be pursued both by spiritual pursuits and/or by sacrificing acts to serve humanity. To seek to be a community leader he pointed out that, faith and humility would be necessary virtues. Similarly, great heroes would be bold, courageous, and sometimes audacious in their determination to succeed; but they must also be humble in their awareness of their real mission.

    To the Guru, a person must never violate spiritual laws while pursuing a noble purpose-the means must be as moral as the ends.

    For his purpose, Guru Gobind Singh recruited ordinary people-farmers, peace-keepers, shopkeepers, teachers, business professionals, parents, citizens – to ennoble them for what they could do by being mindful of deepest meaning in a life of service as a common trait within all diversity.

    Guru Gobind Singh showed a deep concern of godless rulers and their brand of governance. He was very vocal critic of the monarchs who ruled without regards to the universal teachings of love for God’s creation. For example, Guru Gobind Singh conveyed the following in response to a letter from the Mogul Emperor, Aurangzeb.

    Hama ko tura padshahee badad, bama daulatey deen panahee badad, Tura turkatazee be makar va riyaa, mara chareh saazee be sidak vafaa. Na zedad tura naame Aurangzeb, xe Aurang Zeban na yabad fareb.

    By Whose grace you are made king and your writ sweeps everything, His very grace endowed us to protect the faithful and the low. When your aim is to loot and plunder, to cheat and fraud, we are there to shield, save, and protect. Our arms are the Truth and faith in Almighty. You do not really deserve to be a king when you resort to hoax and fraud and thus betray the trust of God as a king.

    Duggal, S.S., Fathenama

    As is illustrated in his letter, the Guru’s displeasure with the mogul emperor was not so much because the emperor forcibly took over the governance of the Hindus or the Sikhs, but rather, that the emperor had forsaken the tenets of a true religion during his reign and warfare.

    It is a clear example that Guru Gobind Singh held the rulers of the day responsible for leading others to be God-fearing and believers of the faith in the politics that they practiced. With strength of their belief in the Creator, they were held responsible for the protection of the people and their rights to be safe.

    In this way, Guru Gobind Singh concluded the mission assigned to him by his predecessor gurus as is evidence in the following verses.

    ÃÇÚÁÅðÅç¶ÇÂòÇâÁÅÂÆÔÇðèðîÇéÁÅÀ°ÕÆúǨÃíÔÇðÕÆ ÕðÔ°À°ÃåÇåÇÜÇé×ðÆìÁéÅæðÅÇÖñÆúǨÜËÕÅð°ÕÆúèðîÆ ÁÅÕÅêÅêÆÕÀ°â§â°çÆúÇÂ

    God bestows glorious recognition upon those who are truthful and promote righteous justice. Everyone should praise the Creator who asks to protect the poor and the lost. He honors the righteous and punishes the culprit.

    Sri Guru Granth Sahib (1604), p. 89.

    Sikh theologian, Bhai Gurdas observed this order being implemented in real practice.

    ×°ðî°ÇÖÃÚÅê§æ°ÔËÃÚ°ç¯ÔÆÃÚ°ðÅÜ°Õð§çŨ

    The nation of the Guru-oriented people is the nation of the truth. Their slogan is Truth and their kingdom based on the laws of Divine Truth.

    Bhai Gurdas, Vaar 26, Pauri 1

    CONCLUSION

    The prophet lived at a time (1666-1708) when religious fanaticism in South Asia was at its height. It was endlessly posing a grave threat to the human spirit of freedom and liberty.

    The innate human desire for individual expression and diversity of belief was severely curtailed. Those with faith practices different from the misguided rulers were persecuted and the religious places of one religion were replaced with those of others. Practice of pluralism and multicultural life was in peril.

    Guru’s great-grand-father, father, four sons and countless followers were put to death by the powers. It was a dark, grim and ominous period in human history.

    Guru Gobind Singh worked tirelessly to restore society’s confidence in the time-tested human values of unity in diversity, freedom of faith practices, justice and compassion. He challenged the ruling and dominant powers with grit and determination. With equal might he challenged the wide-spread religious bigotry.

    Indeed, Guru Gobind Singh’s ideal of appreciation for diversity as a pivotal feature of all human activity is also an American ideal. We must never forget to defend it.

    While celebrating Guru Gobind Singh we can see clearly that the Guru was obviously establishing institutions with multiple ramifications. The self-righteousness which comes from dividing the world into us and them had no place in Guru Gobind Singh’s vision. His sacrifices made a great difference and diversity was preserved in opposition to uniformity throughout Indian sub-continent.

    Sikh scholar Bhai Santokh Singh, a great historian of India rightly observed.

    ÛÅÇÂÜÅåÆ?Õ¶åÅÁé¶ÕåÅÇìñŶÜÅåÆ,

    Ô¯òåÆÕ°ÚÆñåÅÕåì¶éÕ°ðÅéÕÆ.

    êÅêêðêÕÜÅå¶, èðîèÃÕÜÅå¶,

    ìðé×ðÕÜÅå¶ÃÅÇÔåÇìèÅéÕÆ.

    ç¶òÆç¶òÇçÔ°ð¶Ã§å¯ÖÇçØç±ðÔ¯å¶,

    ðÆåÇîàÜÅåÆÃíì¶çéê°ðÅéÕÆ.

    ÃzÆ×°ð±×¯Çì§çÇçØêÅòéêðîñð, î±ðåéÔ¯åÆܯêÇÔ,

    Õð°äÅÇéèÅéÕÆ.

    Were Guru Gobind Singh not there at the critical junction of Indian history, there would have been all uniformity; the diversity in religious spheres, diverse scriptures and diverse modes of worship would have taken wings. In favor of one religion, the others would have been destroyed and their holy places smashed. Sin would have replaced the virtues.

    Bhai Santokh Singh, Suraj Parkash.

    http://www.sikhiwiki.org/images/4/4b/SG PS_Ayan_1.pdf

  • Predictions For The Month Of January 2017 – Horoscope & Astrology By Bejan Daruwala

    Predictions For The Month Of January 2017 – Horoscope & Astrology By Bejan Daruwala

    Aries: March 21 - April 19Aries: March 21 – April 19 | Ganesha says you will put your house in order, truly speaking now. First, you overhaul and revamp your finances to make provision for future security and immediate income. Next, you get all the gadgets, furnishings, gizmos that will make your home a haven of comfort. Even of luxury – you love beautiful things and spend willingly and wisely on them. You will enjoy yourself hugely in the bargain.

    Taurus: April 21 - May 21Taurus: April 21 – May 21 | You see your wishes coming true, your popularity raising and yet rock – steady, ties of family likewise. You are close, intensely so, with your special love / mate / spouse that makes you feel so wonderful. You can deal with anything at all – any minor conflicts arising now will not even make a dent in your overall feeling of happiness, joy, laughter. There is a total absence of bitterness. You are in one of the rare sweet phases that Ganesha blesses us with!

    Gemini: May 22 - June 21Gemini: May 22 – June 21 | You are self – confident, very, very focused and in full control. What’s more, you have the energy, power, insight to sustain this. Both work and pleasure are handled with this mindset, not to forget love! You will get praise, approval, recognition from those around you as you sail past deadlines, targets, goals. Also you’re feeling great and so do others, when they deal with you. You’re really having a dream run!

    Cancer: June 22 - July 22 Cancer: June 22 – July 22 | Your optimism, enthusiasm, sheer driving energy known so bounds, and you are now looking firmly and confidently ahead at future plans, values, the way you want your life to go. It is a time when you are going to re-think about your priorities as well as your goals in life. These must be made to confirm to your new outlook, philosophy and self – perception. The beauty of it all is that you are thankful and grateful, modest and gracious.

    Leo: July 23 -August 21Leo: July 23 -August 21 | Leisure activities, sports, holidays, fun, merry-making, especially in the company of young people, or your own children – if the cap fits. In short, all your relationships will be infused with a special closeness and warmth, making you feel pretty good about it all! There could be a special relationship growing, too; it might lead to a wedding. This could be your own or that of someone very dear.

    Virgo: August 22 - September 23Virgo: August 22 – September 23 | In this mood of joy and gratitude for being so greatly blessed, you are so deeply and sincerely spiritual that it is an expensive in itself! It is almost transcendental! At the same time, there will be successful and efficient handling of capital, funds, trade and export spinoffs, investments for the future. In fact you’re creating investments in this world and reaping heavenly rewards, too, courtesy Ganesha.

    Libra: September 24 - October 23Libra: September 24 – October 23 | You know that even dream runs come to an end. Any rational, thinking person knows that – and you’re prepared for it – but in a unique way. You’re only grateful it’s happening, and won’t let it get you down when it stops. The joys of special love, of family togetherness, of ties of both kinship and friendship are still of yours, and you revel in them! Funds and finances, domestic issues will all be handled with style, finesse, daring.

    Scorpio: October 24 - November 22Scorpio: October 24 – November 22 | Finances have steadily been improving over the last period and will continue to do so now, too. Future benefits will be your main concern, and in this you’re not alone. Your family are strongly with you – in every other way, too. That is how true progress happens – with shared vision, hopes and wishes. Funds, extra earnings, taxes, rentals spin-offs, joint investments will all be handled well and wisely.

    Sagittarius: November 23 - December 22Sagittarius: November 23 – December 22 | Another of my pet phrases – hard work and matching rewards – could sum up the entire forecast. I must, however, fill in some of the important details. I have to give you your money’s worth, after all, and pay my dues to Ganesha, who inspires the whole exercise! You have the confidence and the energy, the vigor to think of fresh ideas and innovations and implement them, too.

    Capricorn: December 23 - January 20 Capricorn: December 23 – January 20 | What is your major gain now is the greater clarity of focus and sense of direction that you have. It has been growing and developing over the last period and is clearly apparent now! You are, in fact, quite happy and contented with your achievements at work, in family life, in love and marriage. However, you realize that you have to work constantly to maintain even the status quo, leave aside the hopes you have for even better things in the future.

    Aquarius: January 21 - February 19Aquarius: January 21 – February 19 | You have gained much in terms of prestige, achievements and status in the last period. It does not engender any sense of complacency in you, though. On the contrary, you fall prey to a kind of restlessness rather than discontent per se. You are fascinated and attracted by the occult, the esoteric, the world of tantra, mantra and spirituality. There could be a danger lurking there of deviating from the proper path to salvation.

    Pisces: February 20- March 20Pisces: February 20- March 20 | You are very good with people. They are charming and gregarious, genuinely caring and yet sophisticated. You can enjoy being alone, but you need to fill your time with creativity and beauty, with enjoyment of fine things, of art, of music, of craft and creative pursuits. You will find this a really good phase for all of these, and for your genuine enjoyment and appreciation of them. You realize how much people matter to you, and strive to keep your relationships sweet and your interactions meaningful.

    bejanBejan Daruwalla is world’s most famous astrologer today. He appears regularly on world wide TV shows. Bejan who has been a professor in English, has authored a number of books on astrology. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi , on March 29, 2012, lunched one of Bejan’s books, ‘2012- End of the World? Bejan contributes to a number of journals and newspapers in many parts of the world which include Berkley Communications (London) Times of India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai) and The Indian Panorama ( New York and Texas). Bejan’s predictions have mostly been correct and people the world over rely on his predictions.

    As early as 1998 the publishers of the book, had said in the introduction of Bejan Daruwalla “Ganesha devotee, Bejan Daruwalla and Pete Sampras, the tennis champ, can now only compete against themselves. Today the whole world knows that Pete Sampras has created a history in the Wimbledon by winning the title for the 7th time and claiming a record breaking 13th grand slam title. Ganesha Bejan Daruwalla can never be wrong! Here’s what he had to say about Amitabh as early as November 15, 1999 in the outlook magazine. Good news for suave Amitabh……. From June 2000, his period of joy starts and 2001, itself is going to be proverbial cornucopia of plenty. In family drama he will make his mark, steal the thunder and slice his critics into silence! That’s for sure! I see the red carpet again for him. Ganesha nods in agreement.

    BEJAN DARUWALLA CAN BE REACHED AT  +919825470377 BETWEEN 2 & 5 P.M. AND 9 &11 P.M. (INDIA TIME)

    E-MAIL: INFO@BEJANDARUWALLA.COM

  • FRIENDS YOU DON’T WANT YOUR PARTNER TO MEET

    FRIENDS YOU DON’T WANT YOUR PARTNER TO MEET

    Let’s admit this. We all have some friends that we never want our boyfriend to meet. “There are some friends that stir up a sense of insecurity within us and creates a feeling of discomfort,” says relationship expert Madhu Kotiya to TOI.

    Here is a list of the variety of friends we need to be more careful of :

    1. The jealous lover friend
    We all have that one friend, don’t we? That friend who secretly likes us. The friend we deliberately don’t mention in front of our boyfriend. And if we don’t even mention him, making him meet the man would only cause problems, which we do not want, right?

    2. Your ex who’s NOW a friend
    You would never want to do that, would you? Making your ex-turned-friend meet your current boyfriend?Think again, ladies! It does NOT seem to be a good idea. After all, the ego game could be too strong to handle!

    3. The Third-wheel
    Yes, we all have planned dates with our best friend in tow sometimes, but all the time? Not a bright idea! We want our time alone with our man and would really not want a third wheelie tagging along, always!

    4. That super hot friend
    Sounds too familiar? There is always that one friend who is too hot to handle and somewhere inside us, we’re jealous. The last person we would want our man to meet is this friend. What if he finds her better?What if that perfect figure lures him into changing his mind about you?

    5. The unnecessary flirt
    There’s that friend, the one who will flirt with anything from the opposite sex moving. This kind should be strictly off-the-list. Do not even consider this option.

    6. The ‘Frenemy’
    She may be at a better job or better looking. And she doesn’t leave a chance to prove that to you. This is the breed which can turn out to be dangerous if introduced to your one true love. Why? Because all your insecurities will be standing right in front of you and staring.

    7. The ‘always correct’ friend
    Aren’t you already used to being the ‘always correct’ diva? Familiarizing this category will make you look like Ms Lost-erson. Avoid this kind, as much as you can.

  • Predictions For The Month Of December 2016 – Horoscope & Astrology By Bejan Daruwala

    Predictions For The Month Of December 2016 – Horoscope & Astrology By Bejan Daruwala

    Aries: March 21 - April 19Aries: March 21 – April 19 | Ganesha says you decide it’s a time when you need to consolidate your truly phenomenal gains. Steady, sustained work is quietly embarked on, with a minimum of flash / fanfare. Family and extended family make demands, legal and / or property matters have to be worked out, responsibilities fulfilled. Like – minded people rally round you and your plans are set in motion. Organization, public skills, are always your trump card and you put them to good use; even in the fields of charity, humanitarian causes, social concerns.

    Taurus: April 21 - May 21Taurus: April 21 – May 21 | You are in a strong financial position and that makes for a sense of security. It helps you direct your energies once again to welfare, philanthropy, humanitarian causes and rope in a fine, active support group, too. Closer to home, family dependents, older people, kin and cousins, children and pets have to be cared for – you just love doing it anyway! Shared efforts, shared funds, shared ideals would best sum up this period.

    Gemini: May 22 - June 21Gemini: May 22 – June 21 | You are secure and happy in the love of those who matter most to you. There is a great easing of the strife and tensions that others may have foisted upon you. Good friends, companions, contacts will extend support, cooperation, new ideas. In this happy mood, you seek to improve your own skills, knowledge, working methods, professional competence.

    Cancer: June 22 - July 22 Cancer: June 22 – July 22 | Communication is loving, sincere and joyous in this period. Love and romance, too, are dazzling and glorious. What is even more pleasing is that you may have to truly lead from the front; put your own charisma to work and your own neck on the block. That it’s a paid off is due to your own work, efforts, leadership, and Ganesha’s blessings.

    Leo: July 23 -August 21Leo: July 23 -August 21 | You are on a real binge, hitting the shopping malls in a big way! It is a source of joy and satisfaction to be generous and giving, and it’s for others, along with yourself that you get gifts, jewels, gadgets, fun objects, accessories for home comfort. Your family, friends, loved ones are thrilled with it. It is another matter entirely that you gain prestige in the eyes of the world – it’s not that you’re buying in this way.

    Virgo: August 22 - September 23Virgo: August 22 – September 23 | Love is complete, intense, mind – blowing in its depth and glory and best of all, it is returned in full measure. What a way to go for a period trend! Equally promising and thrilling could be the initiation or taking off of a marvelous new project or venture. You’re likely to suffer from an overdose of affection and pleasure this period. Pray to Ganesha not to bring you back to earth with a thud as you float gloriously on Cloud nine.

    Libra: September 24 - October 23Libra: September 24 – October 23 | New projects once again, and you are firmly the initiator, displaying not only leadership qualities but tact and charm along with authority. The thrust is macro-level finance and big-time deals. Cooperation and sharing come to you and are extended into the money angle, too. Public esteem, lots of goodwill come to you. In personal life, too, the give and take continues. Family life is full of reciprocal affection and you glory in it.

    Scorpio: October 24 - November 22Scorpio: October 24 – November 22 | What you’re going through is truly far beyond a winning streak or dream run. It’s pure glory, no matter how you look at it. Communication is loving, warm, joyous and fulfilling. The same adjectives will apply to personal equations, love and romance, family bonding. Good money, accomplishment of deadlines and targets with ease and dexterity, success in your ventures and in love.

    Sagittarius: November 23 - December 22Sagittarius: November 23 – December 22 | Ganesha has decided to leave nothing out, as far as you are concerned, not at the moment, anyway. Glorious optimism, a vision that can survey practically this work and the next, are yours this period. Religion, study, metaphysics, arcane and esoteric subjects of research, tantra and mantra, even cybernetics and man-made intelligence – your vision accommodates them all!

    Capricorn: December 23 - January 20 Capricorn: December 23 – January 20 | Lots of spheres are energized and activated for you, in this period. Let’s look at the money angle first. Venture capital, loans, joint-funds will work out. So, too, will love where you invest practically your whole heart and some of your soul, too! You might move away from and into an entirely different kind of personal relationship. Talking of moving / shifting – it could also include home / house or office, perhaps even a relocation or settling outside the country.

    Aquarius: January 21 - February 19Aquarius: January 21 – February 19 | Ganesha can be quite a prankster. Or, at least, He has a sense of humor. Lighten up, is His message to you now. Enough of hard work seems also to be the message now – though I must say that you guys love hard work and enjoy it, too. But relaxation, ease of mind and body, recreation and fun are what He gives you this period. Plenty of good times, conviviality, parties with friends and good companions.

    Pisces: February 20- March 20Pisces: February 20- March 20 | You’re gearing up now to hit the big – time, but Ganesha says that you will have to wait a while more. You use this period to build up, or perhaps lay foundations for, plans, deals, projects for future gains. Ideas will be implemented with the help of people you value. You’re at work with a will, relaxed and refreshed after calling time out last period. Even legal matters will be untangled patiently and pleasantly. It’s a good feeling you have now.

    bejanBejan Daruwalla is world’s most famous astrologer today. He appears regularly on world wide TV shows. Bejan who has been a professor in English, has authored a number of books on astrology. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi , on March 29, 2012, lunched one of Bejan’s books, ‘2012- End of the World? Bejan contributes to a number of journals and newspapers in many parts of the world which include Berkley Communications (London) Times of India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai) and The Indian Panorama ( New York and Texas). Bejan’s predictions have mostly been correct and people the world over rely on his predictions.

    As early as 1998 the publishers of the book, had said in the introduction of Bejan Daruwalla “Ganesha devotee, Bejan Daruwalla and Pete Sampras, the tennis champ, can now only compete against themselves. Today the whole world knows that Pete Sampras has created a history in the Wimbledon by winning the title for the 7th time and claiming a record breaking 13th grand slam title. Ganesha Bejan Daruwalla can never be wrong! Here’s what he had to say about Amitabh as early as November 15, 1999 in the outlook magazine. Good news for suave Amitabh……. From June 2000, his period of joy starts and 2001, itself is going to be proverbial cornucopia of plenty. In family drama he will make his mark, steal the thunder and slice his critics into silence! That’s for sure! I see the red carpet again for him. Ganesha nods in agreement.

    BEJAN DARUWALLA CAN BE REACHED AT  +919825470377 BETWEEN 2 & 5 P.M. AND 9 &11 P.M. (INDIA TIME)

    E-MAIL: INFO@BEJANDARUWALLA.COM

  • THE POWER OF THE GAYATRI MANTRA

    THE POWER OF THE GAYATRI MANTRA

    The Gayatri Mantra is considered the most sacred of all mantras in Sanaatana Dharma (Vedic Hindu religion). Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that among all the mantras, He is the Gayatri. The Gayatri Mantra originates from the Rig Veda – the most ancient of Indian scriptures and the Mantra’s power was revealed to Brahmarishi Vishwamitra.

    It is known as Gayatri as it is set on the Vedic meter called ‘Gayatri’. It is made of three lines with eight syllables in each totalling twenty four syllables. It is also called ‘Savitri Mantra’ as it invokes ‘Savitr’ –a Vedic God who is often linked to the Sun God ‘Surya’.The Gayatri Mantra is unique in that it is a praise to God, a spiritual practice, and a prayer – all 3 rolled into one. It goes as follows.

    “Aum Bhoor Bhuvah Svahaa

    Thath Savitur Varenyam

    Bhargho Devasya Dhee Mahi

    Dheeyo Yo Nah Prachodhayaath”

    Basically, the meaning of the Mantra is “We behold the illuminating radiance of the Sun God (i.e., Savita). May He inspire our minds and lead us onto the righteous path”.

    The first part of this mantra is a praise to the Almighty who created the three worlds –the earth, the astral world and the heavens respectively – and who is that divine force that created everything and worthy of our admiration. The second part is a yogic practice which requests the Almighty who is the brilliant destroyer of sins to descend and grace our minds to remove our sins. The third part is a prayer to Gayatri Devi to enlighten our minds and raise our intellects to the highest levels possible towards righteousness or Dharma.

    This mantra, when chanted after knowing the meaning, makes the aspirant access the whole cosmos in a few syllables, draws the aspirant’s minds first outwards to the three major worlds, and then after the consciousness expands from dullness, it brings us back inwards with a spiral energy flow requesting the divine to burn the darkness in the aspirant’s brains and then elevate the aspirant’s consciousness outward again to the highest level possible – now as an individual soul more integrated with the Divine spirit present everywhere.

    Only twenty four sages since creation have been credited to have understood the essence of Vedas and obtained the grace of Gayatri Devi. Sage Vishwamitra was the first and Sage Yagynavalkya was the last.

    The perseverance and austere Tapas (penance) of Sage Vishwamitra are world recognized. As per the Indian epic “Ramayana”, He achieved in a single birth what was considered an impossibility – a warrior class person elevating to the higher Priest class by austerity and selflessness alone. Sage Vishwamitra was able to form a new heaven and new stars with constellations in the sky through the power of the Gayatri mantra. He also imparted various spiritual lessons and secret weapons to Lord Rama which was to help Sri Rama in his wars later for reinstating righteousness (Dharma). The Buddha pays homage to Sage Vishwamitra as one of the Saptrarishis (7 Highest Sages) who understood the Vedas and their messages. More recently, the author Hemad Pant also pays his respects to all Brahmarishis and Maharishis to bless the Sai Satcharita – which is the primary biography of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba’s holy life (Sage Vishwamitra is among those in his list).

    Gayatri Devi – the Goddess personifying the Gayatri Mantra, is the essence of everything i.e., Brahman -the Universal Spirit. She is depicted with five faces and is the equivalent of the Hindu Trinity of Gods –Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. She is also worshipped as the unified form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati – the Goddesses who are consorts of the Trinity of Gods. It is well accepted for thousands of years that Gayatri Devi removes sufferings and adversity of whoever prays to Her and She motivates that devotee gradually towards the path of righteous wisdom.

    The All World Gayatri Pariwar – created by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya provides valuable guidance on Gayatri awareness, spiritual practices and self-realization Saadhana.

  • Bagalamukhi: The Goddess of Hypnotic Power

    Bagalamukhi: The Goddess of Hypnotic Power

    There is nothing like a Goddess scorned. And in case of Bagalamukhi (called the One who checks the mouth), she can be a towering personality to behold. While she protects her devotees, she can be the face of evil in case of any wrong doer. She is the eighth of the ten forms of the goddess known as dashamahavidya. Some ancient scriptures also call her crane faced. She is focused on her intent and gaze like the crane who waddles in the waters looking at its target. Those who pray to her whole heartedly, get the same kind of physiognomies to silence their enemies. But they can be granted their wish only when they are able to fulfill the rituals and manage to appease her long enough to grant a blessing.

    bagalamukhi-the-goddess-of-hypnotic-powerRecognizing the Goddess

    It is not only her crane face that is identified as her main feature. She is called Peetambari devi or Brahmastra Roopini in some of the northern regions of India. This is because she wears yellow colored clothes and has a golden aura around her. Her throne is also made of yellow lotuses. She has a crescent shaped moon on her head. In some images she is shown having two arms and in some she is four armed. In west Bengal her worshippers see her as a demon slaying demi goddess. She carries a club in her right hand and looks ferocious. With her left hand she is puling out the demon’s tongue. With this image one knows that the Goddess is capable of quashing her adversaries and has the ability to paralyze them completely. In a way her powers are such that a person who uses speech for evil doing is made silent. She can overturn failure into success. And in a metaphysical way she can also reveal the significance of life in death. She can transform defeat into victory for her followers.

    Goddess Bagalamukhi is a perfect example of duality – the ying and yang. One can easily find peace and balance in lie following her principles. In a more metaphysical way she embodies the consummation of the unborn into the uncreated.

    Legends about the Goddess

    Every God and Goddess is associated with some legend. How Goddess Bagalamukhi came to earth is an interesting tale. Eons ago there was a raging storm on earth. It was so strong that it would have wiped out all creation from it. The Gods were perturbed and held an emergency council to stop the flooding and destruction of Mother Earth. The meeting was apparently held in Saurastra (western India). The storm had to be weakened. From the Haridra Sarovar emerged the form of Goddess Bagalamukhi. This event has been faithfully recorded in the scriptures of Peetambari Peeth in Madhya Pradesh. As the power of the Goddess grew she assumed responsibility for her followers. They started to dedicate temples for her.

    Temples in her honor

    The most important shrine of the Goddess is in Guwahati in Assam. The temple is very close to Kamakhya where high ranked tantrics meet. She is also worshipped in Newar city (Patan, Nepal), Bankhandi (Himachal Pradesh), Peetambar Peeth (Datia, MP) and Nalkheda (Shajapur, MP).

    How the Goddess blesses her followers

    Most of the deeper religious texts in Hinduism deal with Tantra either in the dualistic or non-dualistic forms. An ordinary mortal identifies himself as a dualistic entity. They are different from the universe or any other form of divinity. In the higher stage, the duality is no longer existent. Now there is no separation between the divine and the mortal being. They are One. The followers of the Goddess have gone beyond the stage of duality and have become One with her. The use of the potent mantra is used to silence their critics and enemies alike. The hypnotic gaze and power of Stambhana (paralysis) allows things to be balanced.

    For the neophyte, non-dualistic followers the enemy is the ego. This called for ‘sadhana’ or meditation. It develops the follower into a more stronger being. With the continuous chanting of the mantra the breath is regulated and it is easier to get self-realization. This is the strength of the mantra. There are many other spiritual benefits that Her devotees get.

    Benefits and Blessings

    Goddess Bagalamukhi is pleased when she is respected and followed in the right manner. The correct recitation of the mantra has many benefits. It helps one to conquer the internal demons and external adversaries too. Mortal human beings suffer due to greed, lust, pride, enmity, and different attachments. Some relationships become toxic. Most humans forget that the goal of life is to get liberated eventually. Only the practice of meditation and regime of sadhana are useful to get self-realized. This way the cycle of birth and death are reduced. It is said that even Lord Krishna and his Pandava friend Arjun worshipped her.

    It is not easy to seek self-realization alone. The help of the guru is vital in this achievement. Even before starting the mantra jap, proper initiation is important. With the right kind of devotion to the Goddess, the soul moves on the path of enlightenment with guidance. As the kundalini rises, so does the soul.

  • Do you feel sleepy post meals? Blame the proteins and salts in your food

    Do you feel sleepy post meals? Blame the proteins and salts in your food

    Meals high in protein and salt can promote sleep and lead to longer naps, claim researchers.

    According to researchers, based in the US, at the Scripps Research Institute in the USA, what we eat influences post-meal sleep and its duration.

    After testing the consumption of salt, sugar and protein in fruit flies — insects used for their genetic similarities with humans — the scientists found that meals with higher levels of protein and salt could promote sleep and lead to longer naps.

    They identified a certain type of neuron— called leucokinin neurons — that play a role in the post-meal sleep mechanism. “A subset of leucokinin receptor (Lkr) neurons was necessary to initiate post-meal sleep in the presence of protein specifically,” explains first author Keith Murphy.

    “While we expected that flies defective in protein sensing would experience post-meal sleep in a similar way to those fed only sucrose, we found instead that they had a waking response. Our analysis suggests that ingested protein promotes both sleep and wakefulness, and that the wakefulness is counterbalanced by Lkr neuronal activity. “

    The research provides a starting point for future work investigating the genes and circuits that link meal size, protein and salt to post-meal sleep. Source: AFP

  • WORKOUTS THAT SLOW DOWN AGEING

    WORKOUTS THAT SLOW DOWN AGEING

    Let’s admit it, we all dread ageing. Expensive creams, beauty treatments, desi hacks, we do everything in our might to cease the incoming of the devil called wrinkles. A slow metabolism, declining stamina, setting in of chronic illnesses are some more troublesome signs of ageing. While you can’t do anything about the growing numbers in your age, you can do a lot to stop it from showing. How? A steady fitness routine. Creating a regular exercise routine helps you steer clear of chronic diseases, helps build stamina and strong muscles, and keeps you physically agile and just like that hide years off your age.

    Frank Frisch, PhD, director of kinesiology at Chapman University in Orange, California says that exercise makes you feel younger than you are. Here are some workouts that will keep the real age from showing.

    YOGA

    Yoga does not work on specific body parts but on your overall well being. Yoga experts believe that yoga helps you stay younger for longer. There are specific facial yoga asanas that help keep the wrinkles away. Agrees yoga expert Dinesh Dagar, “Stress is the biggest killer today. Yoga helps reduce stress thereby not letting its after effects reflect on your face and body.”

    WEIGHT LIFTING

    Most women shy away from weight lifting but that should not be the case if you want to have good bone health. Fitness experts as well as medical experts believe that weight training helps combat the onset of osteoporosis. However, make sure that you practice weight training under proper guidance.

    SQUATS

    Squats target the biggest muscles in the human body. They not only burn calories but also keep your legs strong. Most of us squat a lot during the day without even realizing, which makes the perfect squat posture all the more important. Picking heavy grocery bags or lifting a kid, they all require you to squat. An incorrect squat posture can lead to injuries and you surely don’t want that.

    WALKING

    There have been studies that say walking reduces the risk of dementia by one third. Not only does it protect you from that evil, a recent study stated that walking also helps improve your cardiovascular health. A healthy heart is a great means for a youthful body.

    COMPOUND MOVEMENTS

    Celebrity fitness instructor Deepesh Bhatt says, “Compound moves are extremely effective as compared to isolation moves. They give you an intense workout in a shorter span. It makes you hit more muscle fibers and makes your workout more effective.”

    CARDIO TRAINING

    Cardio is recommended even by many beauty experts for a younger looking skin. Cardio workouts such as swimming, cycling and dance up your heart rates, as a result pumping more blood in your body. Better circulation helps strengthen our heart and give us a beautiful skin.

  • Beauty usage of Mustard Oil

    Beauty usage of Mustard Oil

    Imparts a natural Skin Glow: Since centuries Indians have been applying Mustard Oil as body oil for massage before their baths. One can use it to massage dry areas prior to a bath. For removing tan, mustard oil can be mixed with besan, yogurt and lemon juice and used as a body pack.

    Prepping your skin: Dry patchy skin is a common problem that we all face during harsh winters and this can be a major hindrance while getting ready for a party. One can apply a few drops of mustard oil and rub it along the face, let it remain for few minutes before washing it in water. The skin becomes smooth and ready for applying foundation and make up.

    Perfect Hair Care: Who doesn’t want a glossy healthy mane to go with that perfect dress and makeup? Applying mustard oil regularly on the scalp takes care of winter hair woes like dandruff, itchy scalps, hair fall etc. One can do a hot oil treatment at home with mustard oil and wash off hair with a mild shampoo to experience healthier, shiny locks this season.

    Protects your lips: Chapped dry lips can play havoc on the overall appearance. Applying a few drops of mustard oil can heal chapped lips and is safer than packaged lip balms. Ironically, one of grandmothers’ old remedies say that sleeping with a drop or two of mustard oil on your naval will give you baby soft lips in the morning.

  • WHY LAKSHMI AND GANESHA ARE WORSHIPED TOGETHER?

    WHY LAKSHMI AND GANESHA ARE WORSHIPED TOGETHER?

    On the day of Diwali Lord Ganesha is worshiped with Goddess Lakshmi instead Lord Vishnu. There are many questions arises, why Lord Vishnu is not worshiped with Goddess Lakshmi and what is the relation between Lakshmi and Ganesha? The answers of all these questions can be answered by one mythological story.

    Mythological Story

    Once upon a time Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakhmi were having conversation in heaven and Goddess Lakshmi was praising herself and telling Lord Vishnu that she is the most worship worthy in the world and by her grace, a person can get all the pleasures of this world and becomes happiest person. By hearing the self praising by Goddess Laksmi, Lord Vishnu said to her for reducing her ego, “You are having all the qualities, still you did not feel the joy of motherhood till now and for a lady, the motherhood joy is the most important thing in this universe.”

    The comment from Lord Vishnu made Goddess Lakhmi become disheartened and in this pain she went to her friend Goddess Parvati. After listing the problem of Goddess Lakhmi, Parvati asked her, “How can I help you?” Goddess Lakshmi said, “You are having two sons and if you could give me your one son you will still have one son and I could get the grace of motherhood. So, in this situation you can help me out.”

    By listing her Goddess Parvati said to her, “I’m having two sons Kartikeya and Ganesha. Kartikeya is having six mouths (Faces) and because of this he needs to eat all the time. My second son Ganesha is very naughty, if I missed to keep eye on him for a bit, he ruined everything. And you cannot stay at one place for a long, so tell me how can you take care of my sons?

    By hearing this Goddess Lakshmi said to her, “I’ll keep your sons close to my heart and will shower my all love on them either Kartikeya or Ganesha. I can take care both of them. All the servants of heaven will serve them day and night so please give me one of them as my adopted child.”

    Maa Parvati knew her both the sons very well so she gave Lord Ganesha to Goddess Lakhmi as her adopted son. Goddess Lakshmi became very happy and said to Goddess Parvati, “From today onwards I’m giving my all accomplishments, luxury and prosperity to my son Ganesha. Also, Riddhi and Siddhi Lord Brahma’s daughters are alike my daughters will be married soon for which I give my word to you.

    I will fulfill all the desires of Ganesha. In all the three loks which person shall not worship Lord Ganesha and do back biting, I will be miles away from him. Whenever my worship will be performed, Lord Ganesha’a worship will be a must. Who will not worship Shri Ganesha along with me, he cannot get Shree or myself. By listening this Maa Parvati become too much happy and handed over her son Ganesh to Laxmi Ji. As such at Deepawali Poojan or Luxmi Poojan, Ganesh Poojan is a must.

    Katha of Diwali

    lakshmi-and-ganesha-1Take some flower and rice grains in hand after the worship, listen the following story(s) and sprinkle the flowers and rice on the statue of Lakshmi-Ganesha.

    Once upon a time seven brothers was living in a village. All these seven brothers were living in a poverty. One day the youngest son get married to a nice girl and he took his wife to his home. After sometime festival of Diwali was about to come. The youngest daughter in-law called up all the brothers and told them all that from now onward she is there to manage their house hold works but all of them should have go out for work and get at least one thing, what so ever they will get outside.

    By listening this they all went out for work and that Sister-in-law started cleaning the house. At evening all brothers came back and get something with them. One brother get the cow’s dung and sister-in-law asked him to keep it in a courtyard. Second brother get a dead snack sister-in-law asked him to keep it on the roof and other brothers gets some milk, vegetable, broom, paddy grains and wheat grains. The sister-in-law cooked for them and served dinner to them.

    Next day, there was a public proclamation by beat of the drum, that one eagle picked up Queen’s nine lacks necklace when she was bathing in a river so who so ever will find out the Queen’s necklace will get reward from the King of the state. At the same time eagle who picked up the Queen’s necklace was flying above the brothers’ house, dropped necklace on their roof by seeing the dead snake, picked up the dead snake and fly off.

    All the brothers were very happy and they all said that they will go to return Queen’s necklace but sister-in-law said that no one but she herself will go to return the Queen’s necklace. All brothers agreed on it. When Sister-in-law went to the palace to return the necklace, King was very happy and he said to her, “I’m very happy with you and now tell me, what would you like to get in return?” Sister-in-law replied, “I wish that on the day of Diwali whole city should be in dark and should not light a single lamp except in my home.” King granted her wish and on the day of Diwali, Sister-in-law cleaned whole house except one room and made her brothers-in-law clean.

    At night Lakshmi ji came to the city, whole city was in dark and she was looking for the little light; she found light on that Sister’s-in-law home and went there. Her door was closed so Lakshmi ji knocked her door, sister-in-law asked from inside, “who is on the door?” Lakshmi ji replied,”it is me Lakshmi, please let me come into your home, whole city is in dark and I very scared of dark.” Sister-in-law said, “No, I’ll not open my home for you, you are not staying at one place, today you are coming to my home and there is no guarantee that tomorrow you will be staying at my home.” Lakshmi ji was very scared and she promised to her that she will never go away from her home and will stay there forever.

    When Lakshmi ji promised to stay at her place, Sister-in-law opened the door for Lakshmi ji, she offered the best place of home to her with full of lights and worshiped her devotedly. After worshiping the Goddess Lakshmi. Thereafter Sister-in-law went to the dark room of the house and started beating the Daridra/Narak and kicked out him of the house; she also warned him to never return to her house.

    So as Sister-in-law filled her home with prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi must make each and every person to be happy.

  • Pakistan Tourism Industry Hit after India’s Surgical Strikes: Nawaz Sharif

    Pakistan Tourism Industry Hit after India’s Surgical Strikes: Nawaz Sharif

    Islamabad: Shortly after Lt General Ranbir Singh, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), announced at a press conference that India has carried out surgical strikes across Line of Control targeting terror launchpads, Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has criticized India sharply for their behavior. Mr Sharif has said that this is a direct attack on tourism industry in Pakistan and it will not be tolerated.

    Thought from Pakistan: Such is our infamy that whenever there is a lunatic who blows himself up in a foreign land, we wait anxiously, our fingers crossed, hoping that the perpetrator is not one of us. Our country accounts for more suicide bombings than Iraq or Afghanistan and has more than its fair share of sectarian and other hate crimes.

    We keep blowing up our schools so that our girls don’t get an education, keep silencing our moderates who preach tolerance and keep living in the false belief that the world is out to get us. The fact is that for most of the rest of the world, which in any case is moving ahead, we are not more than a headache that refuses to go away.

    Tensions have been high across LoC after the terror attack in Uri earlier this month and now India has responded by striking on terror launchpads on the other side of LoC.

    “First they came for our agriculture by reviewing Indus Water Treaty, then they came for our manufacturing by reviewing MFN status, and now they are directly attacking our tourism industry by targeting the terror camps. Terrorists from all over the world come to Pakistan to enjoy our hospitality. Now India wants to scare them away through such attacks, this is an act of war”, Pakistani PM Mr Sharif said at a press conference.

    image“We suffered huge losses when our esteemed guests like Osama Bin Laden, Mullah Mohammed Omar and Mullah Akhtar Mansour etc were killed inside Pakistan. However, USA pays us more than what we earn through terror tourism so we didn’t make much noise about our losses then, India to paise bhi nahin de raha humein. We worked hard and somehow managed to rebuild our industry and convinced terrorists that we are still a safe and enjoyable place to visit. However, this direct strike by India really jeopardizes things and hurts our economy”, Mr Sharif added.

    When someone asked whether Pakistan is preparing any response to the surgical strikes by India, Mr Sharif said,”That is a question for the wrong Sharif, I don’t decide things here.”

    Except for the comment the article was first published by First Post and is a satire or Fake News

  • Detox your skin and hair with your favourite beverage

    Detox your skin and hair with your favourite beverage

    While a shot of coffee instantly uplifts your mood and a cup of tea can relax you after a hard day at work, have you ever imagined the wonders it can do if you applied these on your skin and hair? Read on to know more about these beauty secrets…

    Coffee

    For your skin: “Caffeine helps in treating dark circles and is often found in most cosmetics, which are imported. It also helps reduce the build-up of blood under your eyes, which contribute to eye shadows,” says beauty professional Nishi Karamchandani. Apart from this, it contains anti-ageing properties, which delay the signs of ageing. Phytosterols

    (friendly plant sterols and stanols that blocks cholesterol absorption in our system) promote moisture and provides chemical-free sun protection. It also reduces the appearance of cellulite and tightens the skin. One can also use coffee beans as scrubs for the face and body.

    For your hair: It has rich antioxidant properties, which aid in repairing damaged hair and prevent breakage. Coffee also stimulates hair growth and thickens the mane. One can use coffee in hair packs as well. Several beauty parlours use coffee along with other ingredients when applying henna on a client’s hair. This adds shine and lustre to the hair. It is also an antioxidant that counteracts the effects of pollutants in the air.

    Tea

    Green: Apart from aiding in weight loss, tea also protects the skin from damage and reactivates dying skin cells.

    For your skin: EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) in the green tea reactivates your dying skin cells. It also protects your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Moreover, it gives a glow to your skin. It contains antioxidants, which help rejuvenate your skin and protects it against free radicals. Karamchandani says, “Green tea is also used as a skin toner, especially for those with oily skin. Soak green tea leaves in hot water for half an hour. Cool, strain and use the liquid to tone your skin.” Green tea bags can be dipped in water and applied over your eyelids like eye pads for instant cooling and relaxation. They help reduce the puffiness around your eyes and add brightness. Neha Matang, skin professional, says, “Green tea also serves as an exfoliator. If you use it in the form of a face mask, it will naturally help in getting rid of unwanted toxins and make you look healthy and add shine.”

    For your hair: This tea may also be used as a hair rinse, as the tannin in the tea helps to add lustre to your hair. Boil used tea leaves again in enough water. After boiling, cool and strain the water. Then add lemon juice to it and use this as a last rinse after shampoo. Matang says, “Green tea helps in reducing dandruff. It also stimulates hair growth and softens your hair. It contains vitamin C, vitamin E and panthenol, which are used as common ingredients in hair conditioners.

    Chamomile: Chamomile tea helps you achieve those golden streaks. Steep two chamomile tea bags in two cups of hot water for 5-10 minutes. Then add two tsps of lemon juice to the mixture. Use this as a final rinse on your hair after using a normal shampoo and conditioner. But do not rinse it out. This will help you bring the natural blonde or red tones in your hair and slightly lighten your hair without looking drastic or fake.

    Black: It helps fight free radicals that fasten the process of ageing of your skin. If you need a quick-fix for your under-eye bags, instantly dip two bags of black tea, cool and strain and put these on your eyes. It also serves as a natural astringent. All you need to do is make some tea, cool it and then splash it on your face for instant refreshment.

    Ginger: The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help your skin against acne. Highly antiseptic in nature, it keeps your skin clean and blemish-free. Ginger is invigorating and stimulating to your skin, it is also used topically to treat cellulite. Ginger tea is excellent for your hair as well. It increases scalp circulation and encourages hair growth. It also helps get rid of dandruff. Rinse your hair with ginger tea at least once a week.

  • DON’T HAVE A PARTNER? MAKE DO WITH A BOYFRIEND PILLOW!

    DON’T HAVE A PARTNER? MAKE DO WITH A BOYFRIEND PILLOW!

    Move over animal pillows —pooches, cats, caterpillars and foxes. It’s now time to embrace the odds! And, we literally mean the odd. Recently, an online shopping portal went berserk with the sale of boyfriend pillows. BT lists out some of the interesting options that you can snuggle up to. Coz, hey!Comfort doesn’t have to be boring.

    Boyfriend pillow

    You don’t need a boyfriend anymore to cuddle up to. This pillow is in the shape of a guy’s arm that you can roll over your neck while sleeping. Make sure that you spritz a men’s perfume on the arm for that ‘little romantic’ effect!

    Hunky guy pillow

    Similar to that of a boyfriend pillow, if you fancy a muscular man, the hunky guy pillow is your best bet. This is also in the shape of a guy’s arm, just that it’s got those extra muscles!

    Tissue dispenser pillow

    When you want to have a good cry, there’s nothing like hugging a pillow that dispenses tissues. So, the next time you have a cold or want to vent out after a break-up, you know what to get for yourself.

    Make-out pillow

    If you want to get kissed to sleep, grab hold of a make-out pillow. These pillows or rather cushions have a man’s lips popping out of the cushion. This pillow allows singletons to practice their snogging skills!

    Lady lap pillow

    Shaped like a woman’s lap, this leggy pillow is for all the men out there. This is a cushiony mini-skirted human substitute, which is shaped like a pair of a kneeling woman. Apparently, this pillow was first created and sold in Japan and then caught on with the rest of the world.

    Hand pillow

    Shaped like two hands, this pillow is ideally used by parents to put their babies off to sleep. So, if you want your baby to have a sound sleep, while knowing that you are there to protect him/her, put these hands around your baby and watch him/her snoring away to glory!

  • DECORATE YOUR HOME WITH THESE INDIAN HANDICRAFTS

    DECORATE YOUR HOME WITH THESE INDIAN HANDICRAFTS

    Decorate your home with Indian handicrafts and boast the beautiful, interesting and intricate handicrafts which are made by rural artisans of the country. Add jute, brass and clay handicrafts to your home, says an expert.

    Brass handicrafts

    Brass provides a durable and sturdy decor option. There are so many brass handicrafts and show pieces like vases, table tops, wall art, lamps, ornament boxes, plates, bowls and figurines.

    True brass tends to oxidize quickly when exposed to air and hence check that the brass product you are buying has been given a clear coating of lacquer.

    Any brass product will have to be regularly polished to keep the shine intact and remove any tarnishing.

    Jute handicrafts

    Give a wow factor to your drawing room with one of the most affordable natural fibers Jute. There is a huge range of jute products which includes bags, rugs, lamps, tables, office stationery, curtains wall-hangings and many more.

    Jute products are eco friendly and offer a natural, green way to decorate the house.

    Clay handicrafts

    Clay pottery is supposed to be one of the most ancient forms of handicrafts in India.

    You can choose from lovely terracotta planters or clay serving utensils to beautiful vases to decorate the house. Not only these products look beautiful but food cooked in the pottery is considered good for health.

    There are multiple types of clay pottery – terracotta, red, black and grey pottery.

    Wooden handicrafts

    Decorate your house with wooden furniture, toys, utensils, decorative pieces, jewellery and many more designer household goods like lamp shades, candle stands, vermillion boxes, jewellery boxes, bangle holders.

    Carved wood furniture is a treasured furniture item in a lot of homes.

    Dhokra handicrafts

    Dhokra is one of the oldest forms of handicrafts. Dhokra candle stands, pen stands, ash trays, horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious images, measuring bowls and other show pieces give an extra edge to the corner of your house.

    Dhokra cast metal and ironware has a rugged vibrancy about it. It looks beautiful in any corner of your home.

    Marble handicrafts

    To enhance the beauty of your house decorate it with marble decorative vase, marble elephants for the drawing room, pooja thali, idols of god for the spiritual room.

    Art and metal ware handicrafts

    Wall art designing for living room is a new trend. One can choose from varieties of designs to go in sync with your living room.

  • Can sex outside marriage save your relationship?

    Can sex outside marriage save your relationship?

    As part of my upbringing, I grew up believing that Mahabharata had answers to all the complications related to life and relationships. Intrigued with the concept of open marriage while reading a celebrity scoop, I felt like delving deeper and naturally referred to the epic saga – Mahabharata.

    Draupadi with her five husbands and an entire epic revolving around her, stirs varied imaginations. How did she handle the physical relationship with five husbands? Were the brothers not jealous of each other? Did Draupadi have a favourite among them and most importantly, how did she handle the emotional and physical dynamics associated with it ? It surely doesn’t sound simple.

    Were our ancestors much more open-minded than we are or was Draupadi a victim of circumstances? An open-marriage often puts the sanctity of a husband-wife relationship under scrutiny.

    When Nena O’Neill and George O’Neill first wrote about the concept of an open marriage in 1972, their focus was on honesty and openness in a marital relationship. They viewed the concept as one that preserves each partner’s freedom and right to grow as an individual in the marriage. Transparent, open communication and role definitions were seen to be essential for a healthy and open relationship. Although, this included the possibility of a sexual engagement outside marriage, the focus lay in preserving the privacy needs of each partner and on ‘meaningful commitment without destructive jealousy’.

    But the concept of an open marriage, now, largely means ‘having sex outside marriage’.

    Psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo says, “Generally, couples get into this practice to rejuvenate their sexual life as well as to avoid breakup or divorce. This type of relationship concept primarily arises when both the partners realise that they cannot be sexually satisfied by their partner and mutually agree to keep their marriage and love alive.”

    Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie had once openly said, “I doubt that fidelity is absolutely essential for a relationship. Neither Brad nor I have ever claimed that living together means to be chained together. We make sure that we never restrict each other.”

    “Generally, open marriage is not a pre-involved decision where people rarely decide to have open marriage and then get married, rather it’s a resultant of a fast changing lifestyle and relationship perception across the globe, including India. Some find it difficult to accept the decline of sexual performance that their marriage may see over the period and hence they do not find their extra-marital involvement wrong or sinful. Instead of breaking their marriage, they decide to mutually accept and be transparent in extra-marital sex,” adds Sadhoo.

    So, it is when couples do not want to fall out of love and marriage because of a bland sexual life that they opt for an open relationship. Over the years, we have read about such relationships prevailing in our Hindi film industry too. Since in India, marriage is a religious commitment more than a relationship, celebrities have always kept such issues under wraps so that they do not tarnish their public image.

  • Bigg Boss Season 10 To Begin From October 16, Here Is All You Need To Know

    Bigg Boss Season 10 To Begin From October 16, Here Is All You Need To Know

    The wait for brand new season of the famous reality television show, Bigg Boss 10 will finally be over in October.

    According to reports, the new season of the show will hit the screens on October 16.

    With opening Bigg Boss house for the common man for the first time, the show has fallen into the list of much awaited programmes of 2016.

    According to reports, the program will be on-air every Monday to Fridayat 10:30 pm.

    List of the contestants will also be out on the premiere night.

    In past ten years the TV show has gained popularity in India. There are nine seasons that are already broadcasted. The Big Boss house is a well decorated house. That usually has one or two bedrooms, kitchen, activity area, gym,swimming pool and a big garden.

    Below is list of probable contestants of bigg boss 10:

    • Sana Saeed
    • Shiney Ahuja
    • Kabir Bedi
    • Radhe Maa
    • Sunil Grover
    • Rahul Raj Singh
    • Nakshatra Bagwe
    • Armaan Jain
  • PARTHIV LINGAM

    PARTHIV LINGAM

    Parthiva Linga is the most supreme among all the Shiva-Lingas. All the aspirtions of he deities as well as men are fulfilled by the worship of Parthiv linga. During the era of Satya, jewel was considered to be of prime importance, where as during Tretayuga and Dwaparyuga, gold and mercury had the prime importance respectively. In the present era of Kali, a Parthiva Linga hold this place of honour. The worship of Parthiva Linga begets more virtues than even penance. Just as Ganga among the rivers, Kashi among the sacred places of pilgrimages, Omkar among all the mantras are considered to be superior, In the same way Parthivalinga is considered to the supreme among all the Linga. Worshipping, a Parthiva linga with a ‘Nishkam bhava’ helps a man to attain liberation.” ~ Shiva Purana.

    Parthiva Shivlinga is a Shivlinga made from mud/sand. Parthiv means Earth and worshipping a Parthiv Shivling liberates devotees of all sins committed in birth. Lord Rama worshipped a Parthiva Shivling to seek liberation from Brahmahatyamahapatakam, the sin of killing Ravana who was a Brahman. Parthiva Shivlinga is also known as Saikata Lingam. Parthiva Shivlingas are considered as one of the most auspicious, sacred and divine amongst all Shivlingas. Worshipping of Parthiva Shivlingas leads to liberation from karma and achievement of Moksha. Worshipping a Parthiva Shivlinga also provides relief from malefic Navgraha Dosha and provides peace to soul of ancestors. After bath in the morning, a man should wear a rudraksha garland in his neck and apply bhasma on his forehead. He should then worship the Parthiva Linga. He should chant the various names of Shiva, while worshipping the Parthiva Linga, like Har, Maheshwar, Shambhu, Shoolpani, Mahadev. After worshipping the Parthiva Linga, it should be immersed in the river, Then the mantra – OM NAMAH SHIVAY should be chanted with complete devotion. This is the method which has been described in the Vedas.

    Forms of Shiva

    “In Me the universe had its origin In Me alone the whole subsists In Me it is lost” — Shiva

    The Timeless, it is I Myself Shiva in his ParamShiva state is Swayambhu, which literally means self-manifested, without birth or without origin. Shiva is not born, he manifests on his own. Hence Shiva is not result of Shaktis manifestation. Shiva is birth less, attribute less, formless and he is so because of his own nature, so he is Swayambhu , ????? ??. There is a verse in Vedas singing 3 well known names of God as SHIV, SHANKER, SHAMBHU. One of the verses in Yajurveda invokes God through 6 names including 3 highly popular names,’ Shiv Shanker & Shambhu. Millions of devotees daily chant these names while worshipping God. God has been described in 6 forms.

    1- SHAMBHAV (well being)
    2 –MAYOBHAV(manifested as the forms of delight)
    3 – SHANKER ( creator of well being)
    4 – MAYASKER (creator of delight)
    5 – SHIV (peaceful & unmanifested form of God)
    6 – SHIVTARA ( the form further beyond the Shiva form ).

    Three names of Lord Shiva are always fascinating Svayambhu, Tejaswi and Akshar.

    If you talk of Shiva as one of the Trinity, then these names may not attract you much. When we talk of Lord Shiva, as Param Siva (which is called Mahavishnu by vaishnavas), then the names have great meanings. Shiva is the origin of the universe. It is He who manifests as Ardhanariswara and then Shakti separates from him and the universe starts unfolding. It is then that the trinity is born and then other devas and asuras and all living being takes birth.!

    Achaleshwar Mahadev where Toe mark of Shiva is Worshipped

    Achleshwar Mahadev Temple, Mount Abu Sirohi , Rajasthan where the toe of Lord Shiva is worshipped and a brass Nandi is located there. The temple more than 2500 years old is the only place on earth where the great toe of Lord Shiva is worshiped, that is estimated to be going to the centre of the earth. Near the temple there are three stone buffaloes standing around a pond. It is believed that the Achleshwar temple was built in the 9th century and legend has it that it was built around a toe print of Lord Shiva. Achleshwar contains a natural Shivalinga. It is the proud possessor of the glory of rich mythology, theology, folklore and even history. Miracles happened in its hallowed precincts. Its Nandi, made of an alloy of five different metals, is credited with the marvel of repulsing the Muslim invaders by releasing millions of bumble bees to attack the Muslim marauders!

    The most remarkable fact is that the Shivling placed here changes its color thrice a day. In the morning, it is red; then it changes its color to saffron in the afternoon. And in the evening, the color changes to wheatish. It is said that no one knows how deep the roots of this Shivling are. To find out the same, devotees once dug down the surrounding area deep but even after that they could not reach the other end. And finally the devotees had to call off the excavation process. People believe that the Lord Achaleshwar Maharaj fulfils the wish of every devotee, especially when unmarried boys and girl pray for their successful marriage.

    Lingaraj Temple

    parthiv-lingam-1The Lingaraj Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is said to be known as one of the oldest pilgrimage centers in the city. Located in the midsts of several ancient monuments in Bhubaneswar, the temple sees a large number of religious tourists throughout the year. The shrine’s main deity is known as Lingaraj, which literally translates to the ‘King of Lingas’ in Sanskrit. Apart from the spiritual and devotional significance that this place holds, the architecture displays a work of a genius. The tall rising ‘gopuram’ that overlooks its surrounding scenery, accompanied with intricate craftsmanship, is said to be a common feature of the Kalinga architecture. Around the vicinity of the shrine, there are different gods and goddess of Hinduism. It is supposed to reflect on the importance of each and sends out a universal message of ‘one God in different forms’. Read the article below to know more about the Lingaraj Temple.

  • VICTIM OF HACKS AND SCAMS? THE DOs AND DON’TS OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA & APPS

    VICTIM OF HACKS AND SCAMS? THE DOs AND DON’TS OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA & APPS

    Social networking sites and applications are increasingly becoming a part of our everyday lives. We use them to communicate with people around us, network for jobs, and connect with others with similar interests.

    However, using social networks and apps can be fraught with serious security risks, both for your person and your data.

    Here are some tips to make your social media experience better:-

    Do’s

    • Use a strong password and use privacy settings. Insist your friends do the same.
    • Do not share everything on social media or upload anything you wouldn’t want everyone to see. Make sure only your accepted friends or followers can see what you put up on Facebook and Instagram. On Twitter, share your opinion carefully so as not to hurt others’ sentiments or share something which is radical in nature.
    • Even after taking adequate “precautions”, leaks, hacks, and privacy policy revisions are not unheard of.
    • Don’t assume what you post is secure, despite the settings. Ensure that it is HTTPS protocol when connecting to social networking sites, especially when using public hotspot. Be wary if your social networking service only uses HTTP for login credentials.
    • Whenever possible, organise contacts into “categories”. Most of us do this between friends and family anyway, but from a security standpoint it might also make sense to separate “best friends” from “person I met yesterday afternoon”.
    • Verify friend/follower requests. Most scams start with someone bluffing their way into your friends list. Be sure of who you are sharing your information with. Verify links, attachments, downloads, emails; in short, anything you receive. Set up proper spam filters or report abuse or spam wherever applicable.
    • Even trusted friends could have had their accounts hacked. Don’t wire that “emergency money” until you can voice-verify. Investigate exactly what information any third-party add-ons, games, extensions, etc. will be privy to.
    • Does that poker game actually need access to your contacts list?Read up on the security tips and instructions provided by the social network itself, as well as what trusted security professionals and sources have to say.

    DON’Ts

    • Don’t give away your password or use the same password for any other services.
    • If a leak at Facebook causes your password to become public, you don’t want a hacker being able to use that same password to log into your gmail or Courseworks.
    • Don’t put more information about yourself than is absolutely necessary. Hackers, scammers, stalkers can use that information to do anything from guessing answers to security-questions, to impersonating you when trying to scam another user.
    • On that same note, be careful how much live information you’re putting out there.
    • Don’t advertise when you are going on vacation, when your possessions might be left unattended, or boast about that super expensive thing you just bought.
    • Be aware of auto-geotagging. Some services will automatically tag your status updates with GPS information.
    • If you don’t want everyone to know where you are, make sure your social networking service doesn’t turn on this “feature” for your “convenience” automatically.
    • Everything you post, share or upload stays on in the virtual world, nothing “disappear” from the internet. Even the picture that you deleted from your account is still sitting on Facebook’s server somewhere.
    • In a professional setting, be mindful of inadvertently letting slip sensitive information such as new security software, procedures, that could harm your company or may get you fired!
  • PLUMP UP YOUR LIPS

    PLUMP UP YOUR LIPS

    From using lip-liners, signing up for surgical procedures and employing natural remedies, here’s a roundup on the best ways to plump up your lips for that perfect pucker.

    Many of us have sighed enviously at Angelina Jolie’s pout. Not to mention how Priyanka Chopra’s lips were made for lipstick. In a stark contrast, many of us lesser mortals are reduced to faking that pout so that we may stand out in that group selfie. (Also, considerable time is spent practising it in the mirror). Fuller lips top many girl’s wish list (and every man’s). Blame it on the selfie obsession, or garnering those 1000 likes on social media, but lips are the new eyes. While we agree that a few lucky ladies are blessed with that perfect Cupid’s bow, help is at hand for those who are not.Ranging from simple DIY options, to more long lasting cosmetic ones, there are plenty of ways to owning that luscious pair of lips.

    DRAW THE LINE

    An easy way to enhance one’s lips is to trace within, outside or along the natural lip line. For instance, to create the illusion of a larger upper lip, draw a line slightly above the top lip and exaggerate the Cupid’s bow. The key, however, is do this in a way that your mouth looks natural.Makeup veteran Cherag Bambboat, founder, Magic Makeovers, suggests creating a 3D or ombre lip effect to make lips look plumper. “Start by gently scrubbing the lips with a toothbrush to get rid of dead cells and dryness.Powder the area around the lips to create an even canvas and prevent bleeding. Pick a lip pencil in a shade or two darker than the natural lip colour for the corners and soften the centre with a lighter hue. Blend the colour outwards from the centre using a lip brush.The gradual saturation of colour from light to dark will create an illusion of fullness,” he says.

    GIVE ME THE GLOSS

    A hint of shimmery gloss at the centre of your upper and lower lips will plump your pout in an instant.But even better than glosses are lip plumpers that would make even Megan Fox turn green with envy. Infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, cinnamon and peppermint, these magic wands boost the lip’s natural production of collagen, stimulate blood circulation and give the lips an instant plumping effect.

    Note: Most lip plumpers come with a sensation that can go from warm, burning to cool, tingling, so choose your product wisely. Just for the monsoons, it’s always better to play safe and stick to a gooey lip shine that’s long-lasting and is smudge proof.

    CONTOUR IT!

    “Contouring isn’t just for the face.

    With this technique, you can create a faux shadow to make your pout look fuller,” says bridal makeup artist and beauty blogger Akriti Sachdev, founder, Mesmereyes Makeup.

    “Ombre lips the rage this season. Once you’ve created them, dab some contour powder on the Cupid’s bow for that wow-worthy pout,” she advises.Kanishka Ramchandani, beauty blogger, recommends doing a perfectly accentuated and petite `Clara Bow’ by contouring the lips with nude pencil or concealer pen.”Blend it out for an ombre effect, overdraw the lips with a lip liner to create a heart-shaped pout and fill it in; top with a nude shiny lip balm or clear gloss to add dimension. If you’re in a mood to make a bold statement, dab some gold-toned eye shadow or shimmery powder on the top of your lip colour to draw light to the centre of the lips and blend well,” she says.

    FILL ‘EM UP!

    While makeup is a good way to enhance the pout, not all women like to spend hours before the mirror every morning. In such cases, lip fillers are a good idea. “The most commonly used product in lip fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that is naturally found in the skin. When injected into the desired area with precision, it gives the lips a fuller appearance. The entire process takes about half an hour and its effects last between nine months to a year, after which your lips return to their original shape. The good thing is, these fillers are non-permanent and can also be removed within a few minutes if you’re not happy with your new look,” says Dr Ashutosh Misra, plastic surgeon. While dermal fillers are temporary, fat grafting is a more permanent surgical method that involves extracting fat from one area of the body and injecting or surgically placing it into the lips. The damage for both procedures could range between Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the measure of lip augmentation. Lasers, lip lifts and lip plants are other ways to flaunt a luscious pout.

    COLOUR CODE

    The lighter the colour of your lips, the bigger they’ll look. It’s as simple as that. “Always go light. A light natural shade like a nude rose or a warm peach will reflect light and create the illusion of a highlighted lip,” insists Sachdev. Before applying lip colour, create a base by filling the pout with a nude lip liner or a foundation. “While baby pink goes well for a fair skin tone, corals do wonders for a wheatish complexion. Women with a dusky skin tone can take a pick from maroon, aubergine or even bright orange,” says Bammboat.

    GO NATURAL

    Want to make a DIY lip plumper at home? Get your hands on essential oils like cinnamon and pepper mint. Both cinnamon and peppermint are known to stimulate lip capillaries and make them swell slightly. Add a drop of cinnamon or peppermint essential oil to your regular lip balm or petroleum jelly and apply the blend for a fuller pout. The flavours might cause a temporary tingling or burning sensation but it won’t last very long.Exercises like whistling, puckering and grinning not only help to tone up facial muscles, but they also tone the pout in a natural manner. Keep smiling.