Destination Infinity's Blog, page 15

Uniquely Decorated Barbie Dolls in India: Suvidha Crafts

Suvidha Crafts is located in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh, India) that specializes in creating unique Barbie Dolls.

Their dresses and decorations for barbie dolls are handmade. They use old fashion dresses and sarees to make designer dresses for dolls that look so nice on the cute dolls.

These Barbie dolls are exhibited in functions like Marriages, puberty functions, engagement functions, birthday functions and can also be used as gifts for different parties.

“Once, I have exhibited 40 cute small dolls made by me to a customer on the occasion of her granddaughter’s birthday.”

Founder, Suvidha Crafts.

I have displayed a couple of their beautifully decorated dolls in the above image, but there are more. You can find them on their Instagram Page [click].

You can post your requirements and suggestions to their Phone/ WhatsApp No – 9494767620.

Suvidha Crafts also makes Kobbaribondam (Coconut Shell) decorations, Pasupukumkum items, Gel Candles, and other gift articles.

We met the founder of Suvidha Crafts during our recent Virtual Vanitha Vyapaar Event (July 2020) as a fellow exhibitor. Since theirs is a creative venture, we thought it needs more visibility and hence this blog post. Please support creative businesses.

Virtual Edutainment Events @ VS Cube

VS Cube is a Chennai-based venture that organizes Virtual Education + Entertainment (Edutainment) one-hour events for everyone. Here is what Swathi, its founder has to say –

“Due to the current COVID-19 situation, there are hardly any entertainment options available.

We at VS cube have found an innovative method where everyone can have fun even from the comfort of their own homes.

We conduct Virtual Edutainment (Education + Entertainment) programs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month.

In our programs, there are a lot of online games and special contests. For the special contest, participants need to send their entries in advance and the judges announce the winners during the event.

Our programs are generally for 1 hour, consisting of

A lecture for 10 minutesOnline games for 30 minutesTambola for 10 minutesSpecial contest winner announcements by the judge for that program.”

Their next event is coming up on Aug. 2. Here are the details –

We met the founder during Vanitha Club’s Virtual Vyapaar July 2020 event as they were our fellow exhibitor. Since this is a useful and creative initiative we decided to write a blog post to spread the word.

They are looking for sponsors (prize distribution). For further details, you can visit VS Cube’s Facebook page [click] or contact through phone – 9600048172/ 9176473498. Also, please do attend their events.

NIOS Board Launched at DAV Gopalapuram, Chennai

NIOS refers to the National Institute of Open Schooling. Since I am an alumnus, I received an invite to the zoom meet launching NIOS curriculum of studies at DAV Gopalapuram campus, Chennai, today.

Update: [Here is the full Recorded Video of the Zoom Launch – Start from 7m 20s]

What is NIOS?

NIOS is an alternative to the CBSE board of Education. They admit, provide study materials, conduct examinations, and issue certificates equivalent to 10th and 12th Standard in other boards.

Do Collages Accept NIOS Certificates?

NIOS is managed by the Ministry of HRD which also manages the CBSE board in India. It has been in existence for more than 30 years and its certificates are accepted in most major Universities including IIT, JIPMER, etc.

Why is there a need for NIOS?



NIOS offers Open Schooling where students can apply and get admitted online, study from home, and receive certifications equivalent to 10th and 12th Std. Alternatively, if students wish for school environment and teacher guidance, they can get admitted to a Learning Centre accredited to NIOS like DAV Gopalapuram in Chennai which conducts regular classes from 2 PM to 6 PM. This flexible school timing enables the students to spend time pursuing their passions or alternate career options in sports, music, arts, etc. more seriously right from a very young age. Students can study and complete NIOS courses faster or slower (up to 5 years for each certificate) depending on their capacity and availability of time. Admission is quick and Online-based. Students can select the courses they want to study and change them mid-stream if they wish to – Online. Students can opt for courses in vocational streams like Home Sciences, Painting, Data Entry operations, etc. A full list of available courses can be found here [click]. Flexible (Twice a year) and On-Demand examination system – even the dates can be rescheduled if needed.Online educational support system including access to recorded audio lessons and video lessons anytime.NIOS is apt for differently-abled students and slow learners. Students who fail in certain subjects in other boards can write and pass in only those failed subjects and obtain a NIOS certificate.



For whom is NIOS useful?

NIOS is for anyone who has passed 8th Std. in other recognized boards.

It could be more useful to people who want to pursue a career in sports, arts, etc. which demands a lot of time away from rigid academic schedules of regular boards.If your child is a fast-learner or if they want to spend more time preparing for competitive exams like IIT JEE, NIOS could be useful. If your child is a homeschooler, slow-learner, or would like to specialize in vocational subjects not available in other boards, NIOS is a good choice.

For Frequently Asked Questions about NIOS, refer to this page, and here is the link for NIOS Chennai chapter website.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert in NIOS and neither am I one of the five lakh students passing out of this board in India every year. I wrote this article based on the information available on the NIOS website and the info I gathered during today’s zoom meeting. For up to date information refer to the linked pages in this article.

Destination Infinity

Free Online Doctor Consultation in India via Video Call [Incl. TN, Kerala]

A National Teleconsultation Service is being operated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Here are the links,

Website: https://esanjeevaniopd.in/

Android App: eSanjeevaniopd on Google play store

So the eSanjeevani OPD is an Online Telemedicine service by Govt. Doctors who interact with you via a Video Call and/or chat, know your health issues and generate an online e-prescription which you can use to procure medicines.

This service is free of cost to any Indian citizen. You will be attended by a Doctor from your state (if/when available online).

There are specific timings for Doctor availability in each state – see this page for state-wise Doctor availability and timing details.

I visited the website on a Sunday evening and I still found 49 Doctors from Tamil Nadu and 8 Doctors from Kerala although they were supposed to be available only on weekdays!

Here are the Salient Points you need to know about eSanjeevani Video Consultation with Doctor Health Service in India –

First you need to register your mobile no. online or on the app. You will get a patient ID which will be your permanent record no. You can request a token for an appointment with your patient ID and you will receive a token no. You’ll have to wait until your turn [You can see the token no. being serviced currently] and then dial into a video call once intimated about your turn. You can do that directly from a chrome browser on a computer/laptop or via the Android app. [The website says iOS app will also be launched soon]You can interact with the Doctor via the Video call or chat [You can talk to a general consultant or a specialist consultant – if available for your state, based on your selection while requesting for the token]The doctor will generate a prescription that you can download or take a screenshot. In case you are not able to dial into the video call for 120 seconds after your turn arrives, you’ll be pushed a few slots down the queue. You’ll receive sms throughout the process. Don’t delete these.You can upload your current health records and maintain everything digitally in a single place through this service for easy access in the future.

I think this is a good initiative that can be very useful during these lockdown times (or even in normal times) to get a first/initial consultation or opinion.

You can also register your old parents or little kids as family members and consult on behalf of them too. Right now this service is restricted only to allopathic doctors.

I didn’t try this service yet, but I may. I’ll update this page if I do.

Destination Infinity

Advantages of Lockdown

Although the lockdown due to the pandemic is affecting many people health-wise, and economically, I have come to realize that there are a few advantages of lockdown too.

1 . My expenses have halved when compared to normal times.

Let’s admit that there are innumerable temptations when we step out of the house. We go to this event, we buy that unwanted shirt, we eat outside, we have petrol/travel expenses, etc. etc. All of those expenses are not applicable during a lockdown.

2. We don’t eat outside

That means our eating habits have become healthier as we mostly eat home-cooked food and avoid junk food/snacks, etc.

3. Rethink our Business direction

Due to the criticality of the situation, sometimes, we end up strategizing better and end up refocusing our efforts on what is important.

Many people let go of expensive/inefficient businesses and pivot to a new model or a new business altogether. Maybe isolation from the noise of the world enables us to listen to the inner voice more clearly.

In my case, I have pivoted from focusing on video creation to focusing on content and graphic design.

4. It is possible to do so many things Virtually

The realization that we can attend meetings virtually, get trained virtually, work virtually, and even attend schools virtually, has reduced the traffic, noise, and pollution drastically. Earth has become much greener.

5. Long Distance Traveling

Since there are no buses or trains, it is now not easy to travel outside one’s district/state. During the normal times, I used to travel outside my city at least twice a month – some function, some birthday, or some event will always come up.

There is an obligation/pressure to attend. Now no one expects us even to visit – time and money saved!

There are two sides to each coin. Look at what bad times have to give/teach us, instead of just lamenting about all the bad luck.

Opportunities are sometimes disguised as obstacles.

Destination Infinity

[USA] Saving for College Education: 10 Mistakes Parents Make

Saving for College Education is a major challenge not only in the U.S. but also across the world. This blog post will enable you to learn the biggest mistakes parents make about a college education. Make sure you don’t make these.

Ten Mistakes/False Assumptions Parents make about Saving for College Education –



Not planning to save money regularly for children’s college education, from at least 10-years before the child is scheduled to join a college. Not accounting for inflation and the increase in college fees and other expenses right from the beginning. Assuming that student loans will take care of the child’s education, while in actuality it cripples the ability of the graduate to make bold work and lifestyle choices, and keeps them in debt for as long as two decades after college. Thinking that all courses lead to a job after completion of the college degree. Liberal Arts degrees, for example, do not offer plum jobs like Engineering/Tech related Degrees. Paying more for the same degree at a highly rated private institution. Public & Community colleges can give the same education at a much lower cost. Depending on scholarships. While these may be the only option for low-income families to get a decent education at a school of their choice, scholarships are often insufficient. Thinking that tuition cost is the only major component of a college education. Living expenses often exceed tuition costs for most students. Not accounting for textbook costs that can soar up to $1500 to $2000 USD per year, for certain courses. Not accounting for high rental expenditure on and nearby campuses. That’s the reason why you should encourage your children to live slightly far away and share their accommodation with friends. Thinking that children would manage on their own for food and other essential day-to-day expenses. While this is theoretically feasible, often children skip meals or eat inexpensive & unhealthy fast food. That’s why it’s important to budget for nutritious food, and make sure it’s utilized effectively.

As you can see, there are so many variable costs in your ward’s college education. If you don’t plan for all these costs and save accordingly, trouble is imminent.

But how do you even know how much you ought to set aside for your children’s education every month?

That’s where Pigly’s Education Savings Plan Calculator [click] can be useful.

As shown in the above image,

If you enter your details like Years until College, Current Savings, Annual Income, Type of College, and a few others,

Pigly’s Education Savings Plan Calculator would show results like,

Total Future Tuition Cost, Monthly Deposit Required, Percentage of Annual Income you need to save, etc.

Pigly has many more Financial Calculators that enable you to figure out your finances in a simple and easy to understand way. Don’t forget to check their detailed guides below each Calculator!

Evil Superstitions of India [19th Century]

In his book, ‘Ramblings and Recollections of an Indian Official‘ by William Sleeman, the author recollects 3 Evil Superstitions of India. These were horrifying superstitions that were existent during the first half of 19th Century India when he was in active service.

I guess you know about Sati, but I am not sure if you have come across the other two.

Thuggies – People (gangs) whose profession it was to kill and steal .

The author Mr. Sleeman was acutely aware of the methods of Thuggies because he was the British officer in charge of the office of suppression of Thuggies.

These gangs mostly stole in highways and isolated places. The difference between these gangs and normal robbers is: They kill people first and only then steal.

The author recollects a case where a small thuggie family comes to visit a small roadside Temple built by a poor man, poisons the man and his son, and loots the little possessions available with them. Luckily the man survives to tell the tale to the author.

The author says in his book that the British tried and hanged 1800 such professional Thuggies in just one year. That was the major reason for their decline. I wonder if Indian rulers would have been able to take such a hardline stance.

2. Sati – Burning of widows along with the pyre of their husband’s body.

I guess you might of heard of this practice. I think this started during the medieval times in certain clans like the Rajputs. The Middle Eastern conquerors, once they kill the men and conquer forts used to take all the women as slaves. Sati was probably invented to avoid this.

But some unscrupulous people tried to force this practice in the name of tradition. Actually, as per the author’s account in the book, Sati was chosen voluntarily – in most of the cases.

The British had banned this ghastly practice in the beginning of the 19th Century itself. However, isolated cases of Sati seem to have continued till 1850s without the knowledge of the British.

The author recollects a case where a woman was forced into Sati by her village members. Somehow she manages to escape but accidentally drowns in a river. She was picked up by a boat with British officers and given medical treatment.

Knowing this, the village surrounds the British Officers home where she was treated and demand that she be released. This happens in the night so the officer is unable to get immediate help.

So, tactfully, he speaks to the people in their own language. He tells them that as the death of the girl was rejected by both the fire god and the river god, what right did they have to put her to death?

This pacifies the crowd and they decide to leave.

3. Human Sacrifice – Killing people as a sacrifice/offering to God.

The lesser said about this pathetic practice, the better. One reason why this was practiced was – Childless Women used to pray to God that they would sacrifice their first son if they start giving birth.

Already they don’t have kids. I don’t understand the logic behind why such people would want to ‘sacrifice’ their first-born!

In such cases, it seems, the mothers would inform their kid once they become 10 or 11 years old. The kid is expected to voluntarily go and jump off at certain sacrificial sites (yes there were sites specifically for this purpose).

If the kid doesn’t feel ready for this yet, they were allowed to go on pilgrimages for a few years until they become ready. This is what the author says in the book. Of course, this was also outlawed and abolished by the British.

Two points to end –

These practices were rare and were practiced only at certain places. It was not as common as we assume. But it was existent. We ought to give the British the credit they deserve for abolishing these evil superstitions with an iron hand. I guess some Indian rulers my have also tried, but it was the British who finally finished the task that they clearly couldn’t.

Destination Infinity

How did the British Capture India? [Book Review]

The British did not capture India. The East India Company, which was perhaps the world’s first private MNC with shareholder capital, did. The British Government took control over the East India Company’s possessions (Indian peninsula) much later.

How did a private company, which was not even given proper audience at the Mughal court of Humayun who favoured the more prosperous Dutch and the French even for trading, take administrative control of India?

That’s what’s been discussed at length in the book – ‘The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire’ by William Dalrymple.

Here are a few highlights of what’s covered in this book,

How did Robert Clive transform the (until then) East India Company that was only involved in trading, into a military imperialist power?How tact and luck both favored the British in their initial wars where they were outnumbered at least by 1:10 by the enemy forces?How the anarchy resulting from the disintegration of the Mughal Empire paved the way for the English to capture and rule (the then) rich provinces of East & West Bengal, Bihar, and Patna? How the continuous invasions of Delhi by Afghans reduced the Mughal Dynasty into puppets — in the hands of the British?How the powerful confederacy of the three strong regional powers of India – the Mysore Kingdom, Marathas & Hyderabad, led by Hyder Ali of Mysore almost drove the British out of one of their first settlements – Madras?How the untimely death of Hyder Ali led to the ultimate capture of Mysore Kingdom in spite of the heroic acts of Tippu Sultan? How the infighting between the prospective successors of the powerful Maratha Kingdom enabled the British to play one against another and ultimately topple the formidable force?How the French, who had a powerful presence in India before the British arrived, and even up until the beginning of the 19th Century when they were aiding the Indian opponents of the British Empire, failed to expel the British?

The book, in spite of being non-fiction, is a page-turner — thanks to the storytelling abilities of the author. I listened to the Audiobook version which ran for 16 hours. In spite of the length, I finished it within a week.

Now I have a good idea about how the British captured India.

They took advantage of the anarchy resulting from the disintegration of the Mughal Empire and created their own anarchy where the focus of the profit-oriented share-holder corporation was to send all the wealth in one direction.

Here are the links to the book on Amazon India, Amazon US.

Destination Infinity

How did the British Capture India? [Book Review]

Now I have a good idea about how the British captured India.

URL:
https://amzn.to/37SfaA8

Author:
William Dalrymple

Editor's Rating:


5

The 90s: My Top 15 Music Albums (Movies) in Tamil, Hindi & Telugu

Jeevan tagged me on Facebook a while ago to list my Top 15 Music Albums (Movies in which I loved all the songs). Since I was actively listening to music during the 90s and early 2000s, most of my selections are from that era.

Movie (Language) – Music Director

1. Mouna Raagam (Tamil) – Illayaraja 2. Chinna Thambi (Tamil) – Illayaraja 3. Thiruda Thiruda (Tamil) – A R Rehman
4. Bombay (Tamil) – A R Rehman
5. Minnale (Tamil) – Harris Jeyaraj
6. 7G Rainbow Colony (Tamil) – Yuvan Shankar Raja
7. Nerukku Ner (Tamil) – Deva

8. Geethanjali (Telugu) – Illayaraja
9. Gulabi (Telugu) – Shashi Preetam

10. Baazigar (Hindi) – Anu Malik
11. Dilwale Dulhaniyan Le Jayenge (Hindi) – Jatin Lalit
12. Rangeela (Hindi) – A R Rehman
13. Lagaan (Hindi) – A R Rehman 14. Taal (Hindi) – A R Rehman
15. 1942 – A Love Story (Hindi) – R D Burman

Just choose any of the above movies and listen to any song in it – you’ll love it.

Those days, more than the movies, the songs connected with me. I wonder why I dropped this passion later on, except for a short while in 2011 when I did a Top 10 Songs every month and for the year. I have neither been an active listener nor have I followed the trending songs – unless they reach me somehow.

Time to reconnect

Life in India during the 19th Century [10 Startling Facts]

Here is an Infographic I created on ‘How was Life in India during the 19th Century’ [1870-90 CE to be more specific].

I gathered this information in the audiobook, ‘A Glimpse of India’ by Clara A Swain, an American Medical Missionary to India, and the first person to start a hospital for women and children at Bareilly.

She later went on to live with the Royal Family of Khetri at Rajasthan for medical support, due to which I was able to get an idea about Royal Life in British India, too.

Actually this book is a collection of private letters written by the author to her sister in America. So we can assume that the details are fairly accurate. But these inferences are mine.

The above infographic shows 5 Startling Facts about India in 19 CE. I will repeat them again with more insights. The remaining five facts are below that.

10 Startling Facts about Life in India during the 19th Century



Betrothal was done for 3-Year old Girls. They were married at 10 or 12. [Not always, but mostly. Add a couple of years to these numbers for boys]While shifting homes, many people could fit all their belongings in one wire-bed. [This was mentioned by the author in the book, but the upper-middle class and royalty had much more possessions]Except for the husband, other men were not supposed to see a woman’s face. [So they didn’t want to visit a male doctor and that necessitated women medical professionals and hospitals, the first of which was built by the author] Birds, Insects, Reptiles, Monkeys were commonly found inside Homes [Due to the heat and lack of electricity, they had to have large windows and keep them open for ventilation]Elephants, Horses, Camels, Oxen and People (who carried others in palanquins) were used extensively for transportation [Although Rail and Ships were there, there was no motorized transportation available yet. The huge no. of people employed to carry others on mountains, deserts, etc. would startle you!]In addition to cash, people paid for services with fruits, veggies, flowers, etc. [Barter was common.]It was normal for local people NOT to be familiar with the English. Although the latter exercised central authority and collected taxes, people were still ruled by the local Kings. [Contrary to the movies today that depict the English forcing people to pay taxes – directly]Female infanticide was sometimes practiced when the no. of girl infants exceeded a certain number in some families. [There is only an indirect reference to this in the book as the author is requested by the Rani of Khetri to speak to and convince a group of women that this practice was wrong.] In Royal Families, boys were separated from their mothers at the age of 3 to be educated and trained in the arts of warfare. Royal Weddings were grander affairs than we could ever imagine. It involved thousands of people/animals, and millions of rupees even back then.

The book is quite amusing, do read when you get the time. It offers a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors almost 150 years ago – during the British Raj. Here is the link to the book on Amazon.com

A Glimpse of India by Clara A Swain

Here is an Infographic I created on 'How was Life in India during the 19th Century' .

URL:
https://www.amazon.com/Glimpse-India-...

Author:
Clara A Swain

Editor's Rating:


4