Is there a manuscript in your bag which you had started some time ago, but could never finish it? Have you experienced how sometimes you sit in front of your laptop screen to write and, all of a sudden, your words freeze to silence? If yes, then you are not alone. There is simply no finish line to the number of obstacles awriter can face, in his dream path.
The chaos of urban life or a nine to five monotonous routine may sometimes bar your creativity from manifesting masterpieces. So there are some wonderful writing retreats in India that will relieve you from the shackles of writer’s block, or from the flowing hours. These places are a great way for fledgling as well as professional writers to keep their creative juices flowing. So here are 5 amazing writers’ retreats in India that will help you find your muse, and keep your creativity flowing.
1. Himalayan Writers’ Retreat
The Himalayan Writer’s Retreat lies amidst the breathtaking beauty of Uttarakhand. It was founded by two published authors, Chetan Mahajan and Vandita Dubey, in the year 2016. The retreat organizes a number of writing workshops every year, where writers can participate as per their personal taste and requirement. They start from 3 days and may end up to 10 days retreat. The soul-craving solitude and surroundings of the Himalayas can be a great source of inspiration for writers and poets. There is also a choice for custom writing getaway where you can go and stay at any time of the year.
The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat is an annual event, hosted every year by Social Lite House LLC, Maryland – a literary and publishing company. The picturesque view of Panchgani triggers the writers to find their lost inspiration and also helps them de-stress, which helps them to write better. The retreat provides the writers with a cozy homestay, with home-cooked vegetarian meals and meditation and yoga sessions for spiritual well-being. In short, it renders a peace of mind to the inhabiting writer which helps them articulate their emotions perfectly. In addition to this, the retreat also hosts poetry, creative writing and memoir workshops which completely optional.
3. Sangam House, Bangalore
In Sanskrit, the word ‘Sangam’ means ‘going together’. So the intent of this writing retreat is likely to bring together writers from all corners of the world so that they live and work together, in an uninterrupted peaceful setting. The residential programs are designed to provide an influential platform to the unsung poets and writers from different cultures and regions of the world. The unique art-inducing environment provides space for wonderful experiences, inspiration, and bonds. The retreat also houses a poetry community by the name ‘Poetry at Sangam’ where aspiring poets can infuse their unique flavor to various topics for writing.
4. Bound Writers’ Retreat
Bound Writers’ Retreat conducts a week-long program in the Divar Island of Goa. It is founded by Tara Khandelwal, an editor, and writer, who has worked with prestigious houses like Penguin, BloombergQuint, SheThePeople.TV and more. Her retreat provides an amiable platform for writers and poets, encouraging their inner creative bud to flower. It also conducts also conduct in-city workshops and discussions that provide an effective audience and advice to the writers. Twelve writers come to participate in this 5-day residential program, under the guidance of three professional mentors which fuels their creative side and strengthens their craft.
5. Preet Nagar, Punjab
The idea of the village of love, Preet Nagar is credited to Punjabi writer, poet, and visionary Gurbaksh Singh, and was once a thriving cultural center. He was originally the editor and publisher of the first Punjabi magazine, Preetlari. Preet Nagar was the pride of Punjab and was planned in 1930, during the pre-independence era. Artists from all over the country come and stay in this creative hub, which includes musicians, filmmakers, writers, poets and more. The ‘season’ time for Artist residency begins mostly in September every year and ends in early March. Summers are not enjoyable in this area, thus, it is not usually preferred.
So these are some of the places in India where you can transform your writings to masterpieces, as there is abundant inspiration lurked within these fabrics of nature’s wonders. If you have reached this far, then you are definitely an aspiring writer. So pick up your favorite retreat and enroll this summer.
Maintaining one’s hygiene is of utmost importance especially among women. Hygiene is important because it keeps you healthy and protected from the bacteria and germs that may enter your body. These may lead to several health problems of the genitals that may take a serious turn if not paid attention to and treated well. Women are biologically more prone to being diagnosed by several intimate vaginal diseases and problems such as the UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) and many more which may be the result of lack of proper hygiene. As is well said, “Prevention is better than Cure”, we have enlisted 10 important hygiene tips that women should follow every day to maintain their vaginal health and well-being.
Always keep your Undergarments dry
All
women must ensure that you wipe your vagina dry after urinating. Not wiping the
vagina may leave drops of urine that may wet the undergarment. This may lead to
not just bad odor but also cause several vaginal infections. Therefore, make
sure that you always dry your vagina with a soft cloth or the toilet paper and
in return keep your underwear clean and dry.
However, remember that the vaginal discharge is the way of the body to keep everything healthy down there. In such cases, excessive wiping off of the vagina may lead to dryness and itchiness. This may also lead to higher chances of injury and pain during intercourse. It was even proven in one of the research that excessive use of talcum powders in order to keep vagina dry may lead to higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Douching is a No
For all those who don’t know, a douche is a term used to refer to a device that fills up the vagina with water in order to cleanse it of vaginal secretions. Douching the vagina also involves certain chemicals. These chemicals may lead to a disturbance in the pH level of the vagina. This results in the disruption of the normal bacteria in the vagina. To add to this, no solid evidence has been provided that douching helps in cutting down the risk of acquiring vaginal infections or sexually transmitted diseases.
Don’t use soap to wash your vagina
While cleaning the vagina, one should strictly avoid using harsh and scented soaps. Using soaps that are full of harmful chemicals like the glycerol, antiseptics and perfumes, may have a harmful impact on the natural bacteria of the vagina. It may also lead to alteration in the vaginal pH level which may lead to excessive irritation and give rise to unhealthy bacteria as well. Instead of all this, one should make use of the healthy and plain soaps and wash the vagina with lukewarm water.
Changing Sanitary pads after every 4-6 hours is necessary
According
to several gynecologists all over the world, changing the sanitary napkin after
every four to six hours is of utmost importance for all women who have a normal
flow during their cycle. This also is applicable to the days when the flow has
reduced and is light. However, for women who have a heavy flow, changing the
sanitary pad every three to four hours becomes a necessity. In case, one is
using tampons, it needs to be changed after every six hours without fail.
Women must also ensure that the vaginal area is cleaned at every visit to the restroom during the menstruation period. If the tampons and the sanitary napkins are not changed timely, it may lead to bad odor and rashes in the skin. Besides, it also makes you more prone to catching several vaginal infections. There are several women who also use reusable cloth sanitary napkins that should be avoided but if in case in use, should be washed and dried properly before use. For women using menstrual cups, make sure that you clean them in hot water well and boil them in hot water. After this, dry them and then use them.
Clean your vagina after an intercourse session
Every time you indulge in any kind of sexual activity, make sure that you clean and wash your vagina well. The reason for this is that, certain particles of the condom and body fluids can result in irritating the skin around and of the vagina. Besides, not cleaning after indulging in activities of sexual nature can increase the chances of you contracting vaginal infections. Therefore, make sure that you always clean your vagina after sex in order to avoid being victim to infections such as the UTI and to have good health.
Always practice Safe Sex
Engaging
in unprotected sexual activities can lead to several sexually transmitted
diseases and infections (STDs and STIs). These may include warts, herpes,
gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Therefore, simply using condoms can help in avoiding the risk of getting
vaginal infections, STIs and unwanted pregnancies as well. However, when you go
to buy a condom, before using make sure that you are not allergic to any of the
material used in its production and choose the one that would suit you.
Other than the condoms, you should also not use lubes as they may lead to contraction of vaginal infections and health disturbances. When using lubricants, the glycerin content of the lubricant can lead to an irritation and damage of the vaginal cells, which increases the risk of STIs like the herpes and the HIV(2). Do not engage in sexual activities with your partner if he/she has any sexually transmitted diseases, unless the symptoms have subsided or else as advised by the doctor.
It is suggested not to use scented feminine hygiene products such as vaginal deodorants and scrubs and scented vaginal wipes for protection of the vagina. They do not do much good and instead increase the risk of you getting more infections. Another thing you should remember is that using such products, especially vaginal scrubbing can lead to the peeling of the skin, which makes you more prone to catching infections.
Avoid wearing tight undergarments and clothes
Most
of the medical experts suggest that you should not wear tight clothes. The undergarments
should be of light materials like cotton that allow the skin around to breathe.
The reason is that the clothes and inners that have been made from synthetic
fabric and are tight clothes reduce air circulation and this may lead to
sweating.
Excessive sweating in the vaginal area may lead to growth of bacteria and yeast which may result in infections. Make sure that you do not wear a wet bathing suit, leather pants or tight spandex for very long. Make sure that you always change your clothes after any exercise or workout that involves a lot of sweating.
If you notice any symptom or sign of vaginal infection, make sure you see the doctor immediately. The signs and symptoms include colored vaginal discharge, stinky smell, and excessive discharge from the vagina. Other things that you should always report to a doctor is include an itchy vagina or if you have any kind of pain in the vagina. These signs may indicate an underlying health condition that needs immediate medical assistance. It is very important to keep up with the doctors and get yourself regularly checked.
Do not go for Self-medication
There
are many women who feel shy and hesitant in going to a gynecologist to seek advice
about their vaginal health issues. These infections, diseases and issues may
include itchiness, dryness, pubic lice infection, ringworm infection, and many
others. Therefore, they may resort to one or the other home-made remedies and
solutions. This though, is not at all recommended. One must strictly not use
any kind of antifungal ointments or creams because they may have an adverse
effect on the skin and the vagina itself. Immediately consult a doctor in such
a case.
Healthy Vagina, Healthy You!
We
hope that the article was useful for all the readers. It is necessary for all the
women to follow these simple hygiene tips and maintain themselves. If your
vagina stays hygienic, it will be healthy and so will you be. Thus, practice these
on a daily basis and also spread awareness among other women regarding health
of the vagina. Stay healthy and safe at all times and always take medical
advice and care!
Astrology is a study of the influence of stars, planets, moon and sun on the lives of humans and other animate entities. It studies the movement of stars, planets, moon and sun, and their changing patterns and traits to discover their effect on human lives. Astrology, by common acceptance, is believed to be a science involving the prediction of the possible future events in the lives of individuals by the observation and the interpretation of their planetary positions.
Astrology plays a pivotal part in the making of human horoscopes, which involve the outline of every human’s life as per his / her planetary positions. It is generally believed that a human horoscope contains every single detail about a human, such as one’s nature, one’s aspirations, one’s weaknesses, one’s past, present and future, one’s strengths, predictions about one’s health, career, financial position, married life, and so on. Apart from this, an astrological horoscope contains all the details regarding the earthly life events which according to the planetary positions of an individual are going to happen / or happened / or happening in his / her life. The experts, scholars and believers of astrology have a firm faith on this discipline that astrology has the power to affect, alter, mould and modify the lives and destinies of people.
Why Astrology?
In the modern times,
astrology has become a highly popular study. People now – a – days do not take
astrology as a study, but as a necessity. Astrology, as already discussed, is
believed to have the capability to modify human fate. It is believed that by
following astrological predictions and warnings at times and by performing
astrological remedies (based upon the planetary requirements), one can avoid
unfortunate circumstances and events. For instance, suppose it is written in
one’s fate that one is going to have a major accident on some particular date
at some particular time. But if the person takes proper astrological guidance
in advance through his / her astrologer, then s/he may get to know the
possibility of the accident in advance along with some suggested astrological
remedies to avoid / lessen the effect of the mishappening. In such a case, if
the person performs the suggested remedies in advance, then astrology says that
the accident surely will happen (as we cannot stop what is destined), but it
will happen at a very minor level. Performing astrological remedies will convert
the major accident to a mere minor bruise or scratch. That’s the magic of
astrology! It is believed to be the cure of everything. It simplifies human
life in very easy ways. All one needs to have is just a fistful of faith and
patience.
Use of Astrology in Different Arenas
Many people confuse in the
use of astrology. They simply assume it to be similar to vaastu shastra or fengshui.
Some think that astrology is just a way of knowing about future. But in real,
astrology plays a highly significant role in a plethora of arenas like, health,
education, career, wealth, relationship, etc. Discussed below is the role of
astrology in different areas:
• Astrology
and Health
Astrology plays a highly
crucial role in regard to human health. Under astrology, it is believed that
every planet and house of horoscope is associated with different body parts. Moreover,
every zodiac sign is associated with different body parts and illnesses. The
ones having a certain planet placed in a certain house and / or the ones having
some certain zodiac sign along with some other combinations are believed to
suffer from some certain illness / illnesses. For instance, it is believed that
the ones having Saturn placed in a malefic position in their horoscope
generally have quite weak eyesight.
Another example is that
the ones having Mercury placed in a malefic position in their horoscope, or
Mercury sharing a common house with its enemies or other malefic planets
generally have tooth and / or skin problems, depending upon the extent of
malefic effect. However, the cure of almost everything is possible in
astrology. A simple way in astrology to strengthen one’s Mercury is to
regularly feed green gram dal to birds. Sounds simple, no? But one is advised
never to perform any astrological remedies without proper guidance from an
experienced astrologer as all remedies aren’t meant for everyone. But the
astrological remedies are really simple for everyone.
•
Astrology and Education / Career
Astrology is believed to have
a crucial effect on one’s education and career. Students and professionals
often face problems like, lack of confidence, inability to concentrate in a
proper manner, confusion, double – mindedness, etc. All this happens as per
one’s planetary positions. But astrology says that by doing the prescribed
astrological remedies meant for one, one can get rid of all the problems that
obstruct one’s educational / professional life. For instance, it is believed
that applying saffron tilak on one’s forehead strengthens the position of
Jupiter in one’s horoscope and turns its effect to be positive, which
consequently improves one’s concentration and boosts one’s confidence.
•
Astrology and Wealth
It amazes many people that
how some children are born with a silver spoon, whereas some are born in
extremely poor families. Well, all this is a game of fate, and fate is inevitable.
But astrology holds the power to turn the tables for those struggling with
financial issues. By doing proper astrological remedies after consulting some
expert astrologer, one can easily overcome one’s financial problems as it is
believed that one’s wealth is destined as per the planets in one’s sukh and
laabh sthaan. Apart from this, many people often incur huge losses whenever
they make investments. But doing astrological remedies in advance gives one
proper sense to invest in the right place at the right time, which consequently
helps one in prospering in life.
• Astrology
and House
It is the dream of almost
every person to have a home of one’s own. But only a few become able to live
this dream. Astrology says that the position of Saturn in one’s horoscope
determines one’s fate and fortune regarding the yog of own house. Some people
have such planetary positions that their horoscope states in advance that they
can never get the sukh of living in their own home. But astrological remedies
can solve this issue as well.
• Astrology and Relationship
/ Marriage / Child
Astrology has always been very popular as a way to solve relationship, marriage and child issues. It often happens that one faces several issues in one’s marital life / relationship. But there exist numerous astrological remedies to solve such problems. Also, some parents struggle a lot due to maanglik dosha in their child’s horoscope, which delays his / her marriage to a great extent.But all this has solutions in astrology. Also, the one’s struggling in a childless marriage find solutions in astrology, and get blessed with child.
In conclusion, it can be
said that astrology is a kind of healing science which helps us get rid of our
problems in just a handful of easy steps. All we need to do is to consult some
good astrology expert and perform the prescribed astrological remedies with
complete faith and patience.
The oldest city in North America, the capital of Newfoundland, St. John’s, is the city that must be on everyone’s bucket list. Supremely aesthetic, is how this city is defined. In contrast, from Saint John of New Brunswick, this city overlooks one of the world’s finest natural harbors, which makes it exceptionally different as the ships, with ease, tour the heart of the city. From knowing about St. John’s fascinating history to its famous attractions, this feature provides A to Z details for all those who are fond of exploring cultures and enjoys being in the proximity of nature.
History
Beginning from the basics, a name like that of this city’s is based on the Venetian explorer, John Cabot, who, with his son, Sebastian Cabot, became the first people to sail into the harbor on 24th June, in the year 1494. From fishermen who used to set up seasonal camps to harbor visits by the Europeans during the latter part of the Italian Renaissance followed by Portuguese’s series of expeditions, this city was highly known for its commercial aspect. Due to St. John’s exceptional fishing grounds, it became a trading outpost for the Spanish, French, Basques, and English who were into the business of fishery along the western side of the North Atlantic. Known as a major commercial and service center for the Newfoundland fishery throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the slow increase of the population became a highlight as the fishery was the only priority of this location until then. St. John’s, in the nineteenth century, was established as the commercial and political capital of Newfoundland. In this period, the city experienced three extremely gruesome fires in the years 1816, 1846, and 2892 which they recovered from very gracefully and rebuilt after each incident. It was in the year 1921 that St. John’s was officially declared a proper city with the passage of the City of St. John’s Act passed by the government of Newfoundland. Remained as a center of commercial trading in the fishery arena and the development of the city as a whole was the crux of the twentieth center, and it continues to be the same today.
Now that we are well versed with the knowledge of this city’s intriguing past, it is time to know what they offer to the visitors, today! Below are the top 10 attractions and locations that are a must-visit when touring this lovely city of Newfoundland, St. John’s.
Signal Hill National Historic Site
Overlooking the entrance of the harbor, the location that has several interesting areas to wander is the Signal Hill National Historic site. This place with a 360-degree view of the city, harbor and the sea is not only essential for learning about the history and culture of St.Johns via the Visitor Centre but also leads in exploring different monuments of which the most popular is the ruins of Queen’s battery which was built in the early 1700s followed by scouting over to the Cabot Tower. Placed on the top of the hill, this tower, which was built to signify the 400 th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage in the year 1898, has exhibits about Guglielmo Marconi, which in the year 1901 received the first transmission from England in St.Johns and the first transatlantic wireless broadcast. Not only this, but during the summers, the traditional Noonday gun is fired daily beside the tower as well as the commemoration of the last battles of the Seven years wars is done by recreating the military drills of the 1800s with marching bands, cannons, and musket fire are extremely significant.
Known as the most easterly point in North America is Newfoundland’s oldest sustaining lighthouse, which symbolizes Cape Spear, is found on a cliff, just southeast of St. John’s. Rising from the center of the keeper’s house, the lighthouse built in the year 1836, with a unique design of that period, represents the life of a lighthouse keeper belonging to the 19th century. Accompanied by this, is the Fort Cape spear. Built as a World War II Coastal Défense Battery that guarded St. John’s and its harbor from German U-boats, it is now a popular destination for spotting whales, icebergs, and hiking along the coast.
The Rooms
Located on a ridge that looks over the city, the Provincial Museum, the Provincial Archives, and the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador all come under one roof, which is known as The Rooms. From trying out samples of the famous Newfoundland foods, hearing traditional music, learning to play a new instrument, or trying out new art forms, innovation is what defines this museum as it houses numerous interactive programs and exhibits that leaves the visitors with an amazing memory and experience. With a lot of activities to engage in as well as having an observation deck that offers a view of the entire harbor, this place is highly suitable for the whole to family to enjoy their day out.
Quidi Vidi
The local artisans and the craftspeople rule the shore on the north side of Signal Hill. Not only for shopping quality gifts and souvenirs, but this place allows the visitors to interact with the artists who, with pleasure, are ready to demonstrate and discuss their work followed by answering any related queries. Dating back to the year 1780, the restored Quidi Vidi Battery of today was once used as a garrison by the British, who as well strengthened the battery before their withdrawal from Newfoundland in the year 1870. Built-in 1740, it is considered as the oldest house in British Canada. Due to this place’s association with the Quidi Vidi lake, the oldest sporting event known as the St. John’s regatta is held here.
Maritime Music on George Street
A style with strong Scottish and Irish influence, the Maritime Music is the core of Newfoundland. A combination of instruments such as fiddle, guitar, and often a piano creating a variety of sounds and rhythm makes the music is extremely addictive. To experience this rhythmic delight, one must head to the active entertainment district, which is on the two-block George street. Complimenting this traditional music, there is a specific time around early August where the top Newfoundland bands gather for five days and nights of ear-pleasing music in the festival known as George Street festival. Adding on to this is the Mardi Gras festival, which takes place in October and is undoubtedly popular in the category of groovy music. Festivals are simply an excuse. To experience these intriguing melodies, visiting George Street’s restaurants and terraces will quench the desires. However, it is crucial to know, the street remains off-limits in the afternoon due to traffic but is open throughout the night.
East Coast Trail
Running along the east coast of Newfoundland, the 300-kilometer East Coast trail is one of Canada’s most adrenaline-pumping hikes. Beginning from the north of St. John’s, the developed portion ends at the south of Cappahayden with several mini trails in between for people preferring shorter hikes. Not only the towering cliffs and headlands for trail covers, but trekkers can experience sea stacks, seabird colonies, lighthouses, abandoned coastal villages, whales, icebergs, puffins, archaeological digs and the most popular, caribou herd.
Johnson GEO Centre
Flow below the Signal Hill and into the 550-million-year-old rock bed to experience numerous interactive exhibits revolving around Earth’s geological and cultural history as well as learn about the life in Newfoundland in the most interesting location, the Johnson GEO center. There are a variety of exhibits found here, of which the most famous one is the Amazing Earth Theatre that utilizes special effects to recreate the time and space when Earth was simply a molten mass. The Future of space, the Titanic, the Solar System, constitute other exhibits that must be explored. From adults to children, this destination suits everybody.
Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Built-in between the years 1842 and 1892, the Roman Catholic Basilica of St.John the Baptist falls under the category of the most important architectures in Newfoundland. Known as a National Historic site today, it is in the form of a Latin cross that is accompanied by two 46 meters high slender towers. The ornate gold-leaf ceiling and the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which was a gift from the Portuguese sailors after they survived a major shipwreck with some other finer statues, are the most crucial features of this location.
Puffin and Whale Watching
Newfoundland’s east coast serves as an apt location for North America’s largest puffin and kittiwake colonies. Considering overall, around two million seabirds use this place for nesting, breeding, and feeding their little ones, small, herring like fish known as the capelin which are found here around June. Following the footsteps of the Capelin, Whales, and other fishes migrate into the waters around Newfoundland’s coast annually; thus, in June and July, these water beings can be witnessed easily. During these months, boat rides generally turn into whale watching; however, there are specific companies that solely function in locating these mammals wherever the water is deep enough. Bay Bulls and Witless Bay are the water bodies where firms provide puffin and whale watching cruises.
Memorial University Botanical Garden and Pippy Park
To experience gardens and trails with themes of the ecosystem like a bog, a marsh, and other various forests, one must visit the Memorial University Botanical garden, which is located on the outskirts of the city, in a large land called Pippy Park. From native wildflowers, plants to displaying the beds of cultivated annuals, perennials, and herbs, this place is essential for all nature lovers. Visiting the location will lead to the most splendid display of rhododendrons. Complementing this is the Fluvarium, located at the edge of the Long Pond, it is an underwater viewing station that provides a close-up view of the fishes, insects, and plants who live in the water.
From excitement to relaxation to being culturally aesthetic and pleasing, this city has the ability to cater to all types of visitors. With its intriguing past and interesting present, this city can hold the attention of its people, which is why touring St. John’s of Newfoundland is an absolute must. So, head-on, and pack your suitcases right away!
Goa, one of the most sought after tourist destinations lies on the western coastline that stretches along the Arabian Sea. The capital of the state is Panaji. Goa is famous for its scenic beauty. This is a creation of the popular beaches and popular stretches that range from the Baga and Pololem to the fishing villages such as the Agonda. As mentioned above, the state of Goa is the most sought after destination and it is for all the right reasons! So if you are planning to go to Goa anytime soon, make sure that you go to these must visit places.
Calangute Beach
The Calangute Beach is the largest beach of North Goa and is also one of the most recommended beaches of Goa. The beach is famous among the local as well as the international tourists. Calangute beach is the busiest beach and is flooded with people during the peak season. The beach is also much commercialized to suit the needs of the visitors. There are shopping outlets, restaurants, and shacks for tourists to enjoy themselves fully. The beach has an amazingly long coastline and the view of the sea from the beach is worth the watch! This beach has several water sports and activities to enjoy as well. The ‘Queen of Beaches’ is the name given to the beach and is the most popular beach in Goa. Therefore, do not forget to visit this beach when you find yourself in Goa!
Deltin Royale Casino
The Deltin Royale Casino ship is largest casino boat out of
all in Goa. The boat is the ultimate paradise for all those wanting fun day and
night. This is because the fun never stops at the Deltin Royale Casino boat and
the services go on 24 hours non-stop. The area is spread over 40,000 square
feet and there are three levels of gaming. These three levels of gaming have
live fun and a total of 850 gaming positions. During the peak hours, the
restaurant floor offers the visitors live performances.
In order to gain access to the casino, all you need to do is to buy an entry. Along with that you need to play package to gain access. Another interesting fact is that you can choose to stay at hotel Deltin. In order to this you need to buy stay and play package which will also be your ticket to access the casino. However, make sure you do not plan to go to the casino on a national holiday. The casino remains closed on all national holidays.
Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada is Portuguese Fort that is situated on the Sinquerim Beach in North Goa. The fort is a seventeenth century port that was built as a defence system to the Dutch and the Maratha. The fort features great battlement and it used to be one of the most prized fort of the Portuguese. There is deep dry moat that surrounds the fort. The two things that are a must visit inside the fort are the lighthouse that is 13 metres high and was built in the year 1864. The other being the vaulted cistern which is said to have a capacity of storing ten million litres of fresh water. An interesting fact about the Aguada Fort is that it was converted into a jail which has somehow contributed to its preservation. It is still considered to be the largest jail in Goa.
One of the most popular churches in Goa without a doubt is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. All the tourists who visit Goa do not forget to leave the state without praying at this beautiful historical church. Since Goa is was and is largely an erstwhile Portuguese colony, churches are considered to be an important part of the legacy of the state. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is not just a place of worship, but it is also a strong and standing representation of the historical and the cultural significance of the place. The church is considered to be one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Basilica has the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. These remains have been preserved here for long and are revered by several locals and tourists as well.
Dudhsagar Falls
The Dudhsagar Falls is a 4-tiered waterfall. This is located in the 4th tallest waterfall in India. The word ‘Dudhsagar’ literally means the ‘sea of milk.’ The Dudhsagar Falls are located at a distance of 46 kilometres from the Madgaon. The falls look magnificent in the monsoon season after the rains have well fed the water of the falls. A railway bridge passes from right in front of the fall. This gives passengers of the passenger trains passing from the bridge a breath taking view. The drivers of the trains slow down a little to help the passengers experience the scenic sensations from viewing the falls. However, although it is on the list of the top places to visit, there is unfortunately no platform constructed near the falls to help tourists get a better view of the falls.
Chapora Fort
Remember that iconic scene from the Bollywood movie “Dil Chahta Hai” that made us all go crazy over a Goa trip with friends? Well, the scene features none other than the Chapora Fort situated on the mouth of the Chapora River. Although the fort is not as great in terms of maintenance as it used to be, the Fort offers a beautiful view of the coastline from the top. This view of the coastline attracts several tourists and photographers to the location in order to capture the beauty in their eyes or in their lens. Make sure that you do visit the famous Chapora Fort when you are in Goa and get yourself clicked in the Bollywood pose.
Arpora Night Market
The Arpora Night Market was originally started by the hippies because they wanted to earn a means of living. This they would do by engaging in the practise of barter system or by simply selling off their goods. Now, the Arpora Night Market is one of the biggest tourist markets in the whole of Goa. There are several fleas markets in Goa that are an important part of tourism in the state. Out of all these, Arpora emerges as the most famous market of all.
This market is more preferred as compared to the Anjuna Market that is held during the afternoons. This is because the Arpora market is held from 6:00 pm onwards till late night on every Saturday. The market also offers a centre stage which has live performances for the entertainment of the public and many food stalls selling delicious local cuisines at an affordable price.
Naval Aviation Museum
The Naval Aviation Museum of Goa is the only Naval Aviation
Museum in the whole of India. Not only this, the museum is one of a kind museum
in the whole of the continent. However, not a lot of tourists are aware that
this museum offers the visitors an amazing experience like never before. The museum
has an outdoor as well as an indoor section. These sections display a range of
7 different types of aircrafts, armaments, pilots’ outfits, bombs, rockets,
parachutes, protective gears and much more. The place is a visual treat for all
those who want to pursue a career in the aviation industry and the defence
forces.
Best Way and Time to be in the state
In conclusion, we would like to say that besides partying and having fun simply at the beaches there is so much more to do at Goa. Visit the places mentioned above and explore the state to the fullest extent. You can access the state by use of metros, trains, roads and flights from all the major cities. The international airport of Goa is located 29 kilometres from Panaji at Dabolim. The rail head of the state is at Madgaon and Vasco da Gama and these are the two railway stations of the state.
The winter season is the best time to visit Goa. The state looks stunning during the Monson season attracting many tourists at this time of the year as well. However, during the monsoon season most of the water sports remain closed but there is white water rafting open for public and this happens only during monsoon. The summer season being the holiday season is majorly popular amongst the families with children. You can get other details about Goa by visiting the website link given below:
“What is it that draws one to a mystic? What is it like to know at close quarters a man whose powers are beyond the conscious mind? What does it feel like to be fulfilled spiritually, to feel understood, to stand revealed?”
‘Om Swami; As We Know Him’, is a memoir co-authored by two disciples who have described their experiences and life with Om Swami, a great monk and bestselling author of our times.
Book name – Om Swami: As We Know Him
Authors – Ismita Tandon and Swami Vidyananda Om
Genre – Memoir
Category –
Spiritual
Publisher – Harper Element
Release date – 10 July 2016 (1st Edition)
Rating – 4.8/5
About Om Swami
Om Swami is a mystic yogi who resides in the foothills of Himalayas. He was already a multimillionaire at the age of 26, but that was not the supreme goal of his life. No comfort or money could buy his inner search for the ultimate truth of life. He abandoned a life of enormous wealth and luxury to pursue his only goal of self-realization. The every day Himalayan challenges and hardships failed to obstruct him from his sadhana, which ultimately led him to discover his own truth. You can read his autobiography ‘If Truth be Told: A Monk’s Memoir’, where he has beautifully shared his journey of self-realization.
About the Authors
Ismita Tandon is an award-winning poet and author who left her MBA to refuge in full-time writing. It was after a torrent of immense sufferings and losses she faced in her personal life, that she crossed paths with Om Swami. She became more spiritually inclined under the divine umbrella of Sri Badrika ashram, which urged her to write this book. She took sannyasa from Om Swami in the year 2016 and is now known as Sadhvi Vrinda Om. She currently writes beautiful poetries on her Facebook page ‘The Song of the Sufi Masroof’ portraying her emotions and her divine love for Sri Hari and her Guru.
Swami Vidyananda Om has grown up in Bangalore and had been deeply religious all his life. After spending some years in Bangalore ashram, he went to Haridwar where he lived as a priest in a Shiva temple for some years. But within the deepest core of his heart, he was in search of his guru for a very long time. And his search ultimately ended after meeting Swami Ji. He is the foremost disciple of Swami Ji and resides in Sri Badrika ashram under His blissful and divine tutelage.
About the Book
The first part of this book portrays the spiritual journey of Ismita Tandon from her ‘Purva ashram’ (life before renunciation) to being an honest and true disciple of Om Swami. She has narrated some of the crucial glimpses of her life around her selfless father, who was a colonel in the army once and her loving mother, who was once the only umbrella of her flood-laden life. After a series of events like a failed marriage, the death of her father, followed by her mother’s, she was left completely broken and forlorn in this ruthless world. Her life had crash-landed into deep waters of loss and loneliness.
And one day her
life took another path after she came across Om Swami’s blog, followed by
emails of hope and life. The rest of the book describes how Swami’s grace saves
her from drowning into the ocean of life-long suffering and pain; and her
transformation from Ismita to Sadhvi Vrinda Om, flanked by a cascade of
miraculous experiences in the path.
‘After meeting Swami, everything I held to be true about life – its very meaning – was challenged, it was reduced to dust soon. Soon, I had to admit that the universe guarded many mysteries far beyond the scope of my rational mind’.
– Ismita Tandon
Swami Vidyananda Om is not just-another-disciple of a just-another-guru in this complex world where spirituality has become just another means of marketing. Vidyananda was an ardent devotee of the divine mother at heart and was in search of a guru who would guide him to have the divine mother’s vision in her entirety.
He left Bangalore and came to stay amidst the bustling crowd of saints and sadhus in Haridwar, with his only purpose of God-realisation. His experiences and journey are contrary to the life of Ishmita, who was a complete disbeliever of God. His life took a drastic turn when he came across Om Swami in Haridwar by chance. The second part of the book covers his entire journey with Swami, mushroomed with day-to-day miracles and mysterious experiences under his divine grace.
Ismita and Swami Vidyananda have beautifully portrayed the greatness of a monk, who has devoted every minute of his life to the service of mankind. Nothing can beat the kindness and compassion of a monk armored with simplicity and truthfulness.
“Who are you Gurudev? Please tell me!” Upon being asked this question by Vidyananda, Swami pats him and says, “I am a simple sadhu in a complex world.”
My Review
I would give this book a rating of 4.8/5. In my eyes, this book is a beautiful bundle of happiness and a feeling of ‘awe’ at the same time. The life of Om Swami has touched my soul deeply, and this book has become a true source of inspiration for me. It is a book that cannot be forgotten. Those beautiful experiences of Swami’s disciples have infused hope and life into my little heart. This book is for believers, who believe in spirituality and the subtle mysteries of the universe. I could clearly relate to Ismita, and I believe we all have an Ismita in us, who are going through a great deal of outer or inner struggle in this Ferris wheel of life.
Las Vegas is a mecca for sensorial experiences. It is teeming with attractions, ranging from the simply sublime to the completely over-the-top. It is also brimming with high-octane energy that’ll have you exploring every part of the city. Now, if you do visit Vegas, we want you to make the most out of your visit. So here are some interesting sights for you to take in.
Take a stroll around LINQ Promenade
IMAGE CREDIT: @linqpromenade
CNN Travel suggests LINQ Promenade is more than just a shopping center, as it is an attraction in its own right. It starts off on The Strip, and stretches all the way to the famous High Roller, which is, at 550 feet tall, the world’s tallest observation wheel. It is lined with high-end shops and boutiques, where you can do some shopping, as well as a range of dining options — In-N-Out Burgers, Flour & Barley, and Benihana to name just three — for plenty of tasty meals. Although, before dining out you might want to try Fly LINQ first. It is a heart-stopping zip line that’ll have you soaring over the Promenade at a staggering 1,800 feet.
Watch a classic
IMAGE CREDIT: @kristina_ivanova_dawson
Las Vegas isn’t the Entertainment Capital of the World for nothing. It is the ever-gracious host to concerts, plays, and all sorts of entertaining productions. But among these shows is one true classic: Mystère. It is one of the six resident Cirque du Soleil shows, and features energetic performances that include a teeterboard act, some high-wire acrobatics, and lots of dancing. This thrilling ride starts with Brian Le Petit, Mystère’s resident clown doing some, well, clowning around. The rest of the show transitions into a breathtaking experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
Visit a casino
IMAGE CREDIT: @caesarspalace
A visit to Vegas will invariably lead you to its world-famous casinos, where the star attractions are their range of gaming options, notably the abundance of large-scale poker rooms. Poker has become very popular in India in recent years, where it appeals to the country’s Millennials. This younger demographic enjoy the competitive aspect of poker. But its inherently social nature can’t be dismissed either, and it is something you can enjoy, too. Poker is a fun way to spend a night and socialise with others at the same time. In fact, the memes on PPPoker’s Instagram account are a testament to just how fun and hilarious poker can get. This is the other side of poker, and can be enjoyed in any one of Vegas’ many casinos. However, don’t worry if you don’t have much experience playing poker. These casinos offer other enjoyable table and slot game to keep you entertained. Not to mention, most of the casinos are integrated resorts anyway, so you can check out their amenities or dine in some of their high-class restaurants.
Check out some quirky sites
IMAGE CREDIT: @theneonmuseumlasvegas
Vegas is home to some quirky attractions. Three you ought to check out are The Mob Museum in Downtown Vegas, the National Atomic Testing Museum at E. Flamingo Road, and the Neon Museum at Las Vegas Boulevard. The Mob Museum will introduce you to the notorious mob underworld, and its historic characters like the infamous Al Capone and Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. The National Atomic Testing Museum, on the other hand, will show you everything that happens during an atmospheric blast, while The Neon Museum showcases famous neon signs that have been retired over the years.
Explore a dreamy desertscape
IMAGE CREDIT: @springspreserve
Last but not least, why not explore the desertscape that is the Springs Preserve? This 180-acre attraction houses a botanical garden, a museum, several art galleries, and a few nature trails. It overlaps Las Vegas Springs, the city’s original water source and is owned by the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Exploring this particular place lets you be at one with nature, and learn about sustainability and conservation at the same time.
Oil painting has been the most dominant and popular art medium used in the history of the art world. This particular medium is largely lauded and celebrated because of its versatility, property to create a wide and varied range of opacity, and intensity in the art through the combinations of infinite colors and forms. Moreover, this handmade artwork started a whole new art movement to be followed by many.
If you are just starting to build a passion for the painting world, here is a simple definition of oil painting.
Well, it is the layering process of paintings with colors that are bound seamlessly with a medium of drying oil. The most commonly used oils for the process are linseed oil, walnut oil, poppy seed oil, and safflower oil.
History of Oil Painting
The history of oil painting dates back to ancient times when humans just started to try their hands-on in the painting work. It’s been recorded that the first handmade artwork of oil paint was used for the Buddhist paintings created by both Indian and Chinese painters. The record of this has been found from the fifth to the tenth centuries. However, it gained popularity only after the 15th century as the art style migrated towards the west during this period.
Oil painting ultimately became the prime intermediate used for the creation of the magnificent artworks after its advantages became widely famous all across the world. As a medium in its modern form, Belgium painter Jan Van Eyck developed oil painting by mixing linseed oil and oil from nuts with diverse colors. The Belgian painter was not the first to experiment with oil paint; rather he was the one who perfected the technique and medium.
Pioneers of Oil Paintings
When it comes to famous oil painting artists, oodles of names strike our mind. Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Jan Van Eyck are among the popular names associated with the oil painting. The possibilities of creating masterpieces with oil paints are actually limitless and know no bounds.
But perhaps, it seems almost impossible for someone to craft a masterpiece more fascinating than the world-famous Mona Lisa by the legendary artist Leonardo Da Vinci or ”Starry Night” by Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Such artworks are very costly and almost unaffordable to the commoners, however, the replicas of these masterpieces have been generated to make them available at a lesser cost.
The medium of Oil Paintings
One of the beauties – or you can say it a mystery – of oil painting is the use of the veritable plethora of mediums available. These mediums can be oil or spirit-based and are perfectly blended with the paint as the painting process starts. Poppy and sunflower oil, Linseed oil, Walnut oil, Turpentine, Thinners or White Spirits are some of the best known and available mediums for oil painting.
These mediums are used to alter the properties of the paint, such as transparency, consistency, drying time and others. Linseed oil is the best-known oil medium due to its flexibility and resistance to cracking. Similarly, poppy oil and safflower oil are used to avoid the yellowness in the painting due to the linseed oil and they tend to take a longer time to dry and have crackling properties.
As for spirit-based medium, turpentine is the old-fashioned solvent that has been used by artists all across the world to create and dilute the paint. It is mixed with a little pigment to a thin wash so that the color dries quicker.
Why is Oil Painting famous?
The most obvious reason behind people liking and purchasing oil painting is due to modern fashionable thinking and an intense desire to beautify their homes. Oil paintings have always been considered to showcase a high status to the homeowners. Besides people showcasing their classiness and elegance through oil paintings, they are also very popular among genuine art-lovers. They tend to purchase the artworks based on their personal taste and their understanding regarding the art piece.
Pioneer in Oil Painting Reproduction
With the arrival of online shopping, numerous online art-galleries have started all over the web. With the origination of these online art-galleries, the art-lovers do not need to walk around the street art-galleries to purchase or get your favorite oil painting and made-to-order oil painting reproduction.
What’s better about the reproduction masterworks created using oil paint is that they help you décor the house with the art piece that you have always instead of owning the original that cost fortunes. This art movement lets you gift your loved ones a portrait of them, a family picture for the wall gallery, or a painting by the famous artist.
In the end, oil painting is not going to fade away in popularity anytime sooner, and the previously stated masterworks will always remain idolized by everyone.
It’s been a long way since we have left behind traditional marketing and shifted to Digital Marketing to market our products. Marketers can’t rely on print ads, billboards, flyers, and pamphlets to reach new and potential customers. As technology keeps on advancing, so does digital marketing.
Digital Marketing is soon going to replace traditional marketing completely. Since the advancement in technology like social media, people prefer digital content. This is the reason why traditional marketing is disappearing slowly. Marketers can’t ignore this fact and lag in this corporate competition.
Digital marketing is the marketing of products using electronics, like online marketing. Providing your target audience with creative and updated content digitally won’t let you or your product down. You might find it vague at first. It is a vast medium, and you need to understand its various platforms or types to target your product and market it effectively.
Types of Digital Marketing:
Content Marketing:
Content is anything that is created and distributed among the target audience the order to market the product. This content can be sent to the audience through any media like Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, etc. Readers won’t accept any kind of content. You need to be very careful with the content you provide them. People nowadays don’t prefer old content. They love to be updated with the latest trends. Also, they won’t accept offending content. You need to carefully craft your content and place it in front of them to woo them.
Content marketing is also included in other forms of digital marketing, like Social Media Marketing, SEO, etc.
You need to keep in mind your target audience, your brand, and then only create your content. Your content needs to be relatable and relevant. If your audience finds it relatable, they will think of buying your product.
For example, a young college student will be convinced by a video on YouTube showing youngster’s life. At the same time, an old man won’t even think of looking at it.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
SEO is merely optimizing the content on your website in such a way that it reaches maximum viewers on the Search Engine Results Page. When we search for something on the search engines, it shows us the results page, and we choose the first result to know about it. The first result is most relevant, and people usually prefer it over the results placed below on the result page.
If the content on our page is most relevant, then readers will be interested in visiting the page more often. For this to happen, the content needs to have certain keywords. Keywords are the words that people search for or maybe the word which is most related to the name they are searching for. If you include such keywords in your content, then there are pretty chances of your content being shown on the top of the results page.
Writing SEO based content is not difficult, but it is not easy as well. You need to k ow the technique of writing such content in order to reach more viewers. In this way, you can market your product to the maximum audience.
Search Engine Marketing is the technique where you can increase the visibility of your website using paid methods. Unlike SEO, here you have to pay so that your website is placed on the top of the Search Engine Results Page. You must’ve seen the websites placed on the top have a small box with ‘ad’ written in it. These websites pay the search engine to place their websites on top and drive traffic.
Social Media Marketing:
Social Media has become an integral part of people’s lives. We can’t imagine a day without using Whatsapp or without logging into Facebook. As I have said above that people love to remain updated with the latest trends. This has made it mandatory for a marketer to create content and make it available on social media in order to reach a wider audience. You will gain more reach if you post engaging content. There are departments in many offices that work to manage and handle social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.
Affiliate means to connect or relate. Many e-commerce websites use affiliate marketing for marketing their products and increasing sales. Here, an affiliate shares a unique link through social media or any media, with his/her family, friends, or other contacts so that they can buy the products through that link. If they buy the product through that link, then the affiliate will get some amount as commission.
To become an affiliate member for e-commerce is totally free of cost. The e-commerce websites have a platform where you can get started with affiliate marketing. All you need to do is open the website, register yourself, choose the product, and then generate a unique link. Now, you can share this link with as many people as you want using your social media handles. If you are a content writer or a blogger, you can add this link to your website so that it will direct the people to the portal or buy products. You can mention this link on any of your websites or even your YouTube description box.
The link that is generated is unique and personalized. It helps to track the number of people who get engaged with the link or buy a product through that link. So this helps the affiliate to gain a certain amount of money or commission.
Viral Marketing:
We see many videos or posts online. You must’ve observed many trending, funny, and viral posts on social media. These posts are often relatable to the current affairs or our lives. Using such trends to market products online is viral marketing. Every day new things get attention on social media and become trending. Choosing from one of those viral things is not easy. We need to take care and avoid hurting anyone’s sentiments, or it will ruin the brand image. A wrong word or a wrong post may spread a message we do not intend to spread.
Email Marketing:
You can connect with your customers through email marketing. Through email marketing, you can mail your customers about the latest products or services. You can gain the brand loyalty of customers through email marketing. You can gain these email subscribers through your content and websites. Once they subscribe to your email you can update them through emails. This is one of the most popular digital marketing tools.
Influencer Marketing:
Influencer marketing is a type of digital marketing that is now gaining popularity. As the name suggests, it refers to the marketing done with the help of influencers on various social media platforms. An influencer is any person who is popular among people and whom people trust. They can promote your products or services. People follow these influencers and get influenced to buy the products they use. Companies are now hiring these influencers because of their reach. You need to check and do research in these influencers before you hire them. You cannot hire any influencer. You need to choose the right influencer so that you can reach your target audience.
Mobile Phone Marketing:
Other than the above-mentioned marketing types, another type of digital marketing is mobile phone marketing. Companies can send messages to customers and update them with the latest offers, sales, or other information about the brand and product.
These are some of the types of Digital Marketing. Digital Marketing Is a vast field, and it had scope since brands can’t afford to rely on traditional marketing only.
When buying something, being picky is a sign of intelligent business. You’re pouring in your hard earned money. So it better be worth it. You never know who is waiting to cheat on you and get away with the bucks they make this way. So going shopping can be time consuming and test careful observation.
But in the age of online shopping, we seem to give in to tiredness. After work pressure, assignments, late nighters and struggling to make time for family, free time is almost non existent, let alone time for shopping. Automatically we fall back on online shopping, where we look at an image of the product, sometimes refer to reviews given by others, and buy them.
Despite reviews and return policies, it seems online shopping can be a great disaster at times. Here are such instances when customers were stunned by what they received.
A Face Mask for Liliputs
Thanks for the mask. My Barbie Doll loved it.
A Colour Changing Cup?
This man thought he was buying his wife a cup that changes colour. Because that’s what the image said. But guess what?
So…This is a Blanket
Apparently it is supposed to accomodate a three member family, if only you figure it out right. Or, is it?
A Decor for my Room
This man thought he is giving a gala regal look to his room when he ordered this rug. Didn’t realize it was meant more for a doll house because, obviously the seller never said it.
A Beautiful Dress for the Party
Is Thata Tank Top?Is That an Extremely Tight Dress?
This guy probably wanted to show off how his hours of hard work at the gym were paying off. Can’t say his wish wasn’t fulfilled, but this wasn’t exactly on his mind when he tried to make his wish a reality.
Discreet Packaging, Did You Say?
This person just wanted to make sure her mother got a nice surprise. So she wrote instructions accordingly. But the dude responsible had one job, and he messed it up.
Here’s a Nice Pillow for Your Kid
This adorable dinosaur pillow would have been really cool as a gift for kids, except the fact that the product description didn’t clarify which one is the pillow and which one the design on the pillow.
Is That a…Dress?
This woman ordered a “Fur Wolf Tail for Halloween Dress” but things did not go like they said.
Not Another Badly Printed Cup!
Uh, yep. Another badly printed cup.
A Beautiful Ocean…Wait WHAT!
So the buyer did not take a close look at the small thumbnail provided on Wish when she ordered a wall tapestry. Well, when it arrived…you can guess what a mess it was. But the mess was not just funny but also quite adorable.
Back to School, For the Cat Maybe?
This person ordered a converse bagpack for their son since he would be starting school after vacations. But probably the bag was never meant for humans?
Flowers for Your Loved Ones
Maybe these aren’t very ideal situations when you are going on a much anticipated date, or a special party. But things online can get pretty messed.
Eternal Memory of a Loved One. No, Eternal Scare!
This boyfriend wanted to make a memorable gift for his girlfriend moving to university. Turns out, it wasn’t a great idea.
Where is the Freaking Size Chart!?
These pair of jeans weren’t really specific on the website. So the buyer was misled by the size chart.
Some Deceptions Cost Much
This person paid $750 for a failed pair of shoes. But well, it seems like the seller was clever in taking the display picture. Tallied with the real image, it doesn’t look so different.
What is That Dress Again?
This dress seems nice on the website. What could go wrong, right? WRONG. Everything went wrong.
Dress for Daughter?
This person wanted to buy their daughter a nice lace dress. But apparently it wasn’t even good enough for the pet cat.
E.L. James May Have Some Serious Competition Here
Because this version of Fifty Shades of Grey clearly outdid the original book. Eh?
Yet Another Dress Fail!
Once again the customer has been baffled by the stark contrast between the display picture and the real product.
Well, all that appears cannot be always trusted. But regardless, online shopping has multiple perks, and most often people get what they want. The trick is to check as thoroughly as possible before ordering, and read the reviews carefully. When trying out a new website, it’s better to inquire others about their experience. And if, despite all these steps, you do become a part of such online shopping fails, it’s best to keep images of the experience and get refunded. Share your story so that the world can get to know more about the hilarious yet sad cases of online shopping.