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“Modern” Education System: an Enemy to Humanity?

By
kellybrown
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0

Dear reader, you are now reading an English article on the Internet. Based on this info about you, it is safe to assume that you have received some level of education be it in public or in private educational institutions of our nation. As such, I ask you solemnly-are/were you entirely satisfied with the quality of education being imparted into our country?

Your answer is probably- NO! Did I guess it right? It’s quite easy to guess your answer, your story is perhaps similar to thousands/millions all over India! The reasons behind this “NO” could be:-

  • Unemployment even after higher education
  • Unaccomplished high grades in school/colleges
  • Your compulsion to study a lot
  • Hatred of “Rote-learning“
  • No encouragement and/or facilities for co-curricular activities
  • Poor quality of teachers

The list of reasons is vast and each reason can be the topic of yet another large essay! Some of these reasons maybe dismissed by cynics as being a “personal” matter/inability, but I ask you if it is a “personal” issue, wasn’t the educational system supposed to address these “personal” issues/inabilities?

In fact, the very pillars of the education system in India can be considered faulty. Here are some noteworthy points in this regard:-

(1)INFLUENCES FROM OUTDATED SOURCES:-

"Modern" Education System: an Enemy to Humanity?

The foundations of the Modern education system were laid in India by Lord Macaulay in the beginning of the 19th century. He based his system on the existing system in England. The slight modifications made were done so as to establish a section of the Indians as a “glorified” labour force to help them in administering our country. This English education system had in fact been the product of the views of many random  “outdated” thinkers and religious theologians of the time. Even now education is mostly imparted in the form of a fixed body of knowledge and any curiosity is curbed. Many of the basic tenets of the education system still remain same today. For instance, Sunday was Church Day so it was declared a holiday for schools, and it still remains a holiday though we have forgotten the reason why!

(2)THE ATTITUDE OF -“NO DISPUTE”:-

The statements in our textbooks and the delivery of our lessons is done in such a way as to discourage any curiosity and creativity on the student’s part. A student is supposed to be a receiver of a fixed, unchanging body of language. The course-load is immense and the evaluation procedure so rigid that the poor student has no time either in class or in his “free” time to question, innovate and wonder- the seeds of human progress remain asleep.

(3)LITTLE ATTENTION TO CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:-

"Modern" Education System: an Enemy to Humanity?

How many of our parents encourage us to pursue our passions in co-curricular activities in preference to academics? Very few! Most would never consider their child’s career in music, dance, arts etc.

In fact,it is not entirely the parents’ fault-it is also the fault of the entire society as a whole that has resulted in a job scenario that demands solely academic excellence. All other achievements are usually considered inferior to the “holy” academics!

The irony is that even excellent grades in top institutes nowadays do NOT guarantee a good job! The employers tend to look at traits that were discouraged in school and colleges!

(4)BASIC HUMAN LIFE PROBLEMS IGNORED:-

Three basic human problems are ignored completely by almost all educational institutions. Sadly, it is these problems that they ought to target. These three problems are:-

  • The problem of how to maintain healthy and happy relationships with the family as well as the society.This is the primary problem faced by every human being-a barrier to happiness and contentment.
  • The problem of managing money! Both the poor and the rich alike must know to manage MONEY, which is essential to lead a fulfilling life. In fact.such knowledge may easily help eliminate many social evils!
  • The problem of DECISION- based on a better understanding of oneself as well as outside trends, to be able to choose a job best suited for the person. The job that both guarantees personal satisfaction as well as financial independence to the highest degree possible!

The problems mentioned here are but the tip of an iceberg. A vast sea of other problems exist to be tackled with. These problems together act as a major hindrance to the great engine of human progress. Together, they threaten to tear apart the very fabric of personal life as well as social and economic harmony.

Fortunately, each problem can also be looked upon as an opportunity-an opportunity to bring about a change in the world. It is important also to mention countries like Finland which have taken various reforms and adopted very innovative methodologies in the education system. The first thing you can do to solve the problem is to notice it and to see its roots. That’s exactly what YOU have done today!

Beware: If You See This In Your Car Door, Here’s What You Need To Do

By
kellybrown
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0

People in America (USA) have been finding coins into the passenger door handles of their vehicles which certainly seem harmless but it is something every one of us needs to be aware of. Car thieves are always trying to find new ways for getting into your car to steal your luxurious Sedan or your new sporty SUV.

  1. When you wake up early in the morning the first thing you need to do is approach your car and check the passenger and rear doors properly. Car thieves have become more and more advanced and are using smart tricks to steal your cars.
  1. Car thieves just happen to fix a penny between the car door which will normally be on the passenger side or rear doors of the car.
  1. What it does? It prevents that particular door from being locked properly and leaves the door unlocked for the thieves so that they can get inside your car.
  2. The thief will just wait till you get back from work, park your car and lock it. That way, all the doors would be locked except the one in which the penny was fixed.
  1. They won’t even follow you everywhere, what they will do is wait for right opportunity. When you’re asleep in your home blissfully, they would steal your car. It’s a smart move by the thieves but if you’re vigilant and clever enough you can stop it and won’t repent.

5 Most Annoying Types of Co-passengers You Meet During Your Travel

By
Aaliya Thahseen
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packing travelling
ivabalk / Pixabay

Travelling is that one thing which can give you immense experiences. One of them is the tremendously different variety of co passengers you meet during your travel. While by chance you may some of the best co passengers on earth, but there are times when you do meet the most annoying ones. And I am sure, if you travel a lot, you definitely would have met at least one of these kinds of people who just bore the hell out of you.

1. The “I am so wise” types

Mostly middle aged to elderly, this type of passengers claim that they have had the most enriching experiences in life: they have utilized every bit of their time and talent to the fullest and have gained enough wisdom in their life to preach others. They will preach you on life, career, education – just about anything you can imagine of, every time mainly focusing on how they are right and you are wrong.

2. The “I need all the favors” types

Mainly seen as young to middle aged women, these female passengers are filled with the attitude that they belong to the feminine gender so they should have all the favors – they should have the seat by the window, they won’t bother climbing to the upper berth, they need every best option possible. And every favor they ask for, they have one big reason – “because I am a woman”.


3. The “My kid is a genius” types

They are some people, I personally consider to be the most annoying of all. The only thing they have to talk about are their kids: how they can do everything and are the best in the business. What’s even worse? They would make their silly little kids perform those acts in front of you. They would make the kid dance, sing, recite a poem, show off every kind of talent imaginable, claiming to entertain you to the fullest but actually irritating the hell out of you.

4. The “awkward-personal-questions” types

The most awkward type of people to deal with while travelling, this type of co-passengers just go on asking you any and every kind of questions about you and your life. They are so keen on knowing everything starting from your salary to your love life to your family history that they just forget when to stop.

5. The “overtly extrovert” types

They are great conversion starters, no doubt, and are quite good to pass your time chatting with. But everything is fine only when it’s within a limit, and this is when these people become annoying. They don’t know when to draw the line and go on blubbering making it a point not to stop at any cost. Totally irritating!

And the next time you are travelling, beware of these kinds of co-passengers!

Don’t let anything ruin your travel. Enjoy every moment and learn from your experiences.

Happy travelling folks!!!

10 Signs Your Partner Is Treating You The Way They Should

By
Priyanka Priyadarshinee
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0

Relationships can work only when there is mutual understanding between couples. When we are in love the most magical thing that happens is that we find someone for whom we can do anything just to bring a smile on your partner’s face. Love is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a person. Ladies, the only sort of man suitable for you is the one who sees you as his equal and gentlemen the only sort of woman suitable for you is the one who cares for you the most in the world and can do anything just to stay with you.How do you know your partner is treating you the way you deserve to be treated?

  1. Your Partner Loves Surprising You

Well everyone likes surprises. Be it a special birthday party or a romantic date on the eve of Valentine’s Day your partner never misses a chance to surprise you. That is really awesome as when a man makes a point to surprise you he understands the importance of keeping the excitement in a relationship alive.

  1. Your Partner Consults You Before Taking Big Decisions

Decision making must be mutual in a relationship. One just cannot dominate and take all the decisions alone. If a man really values you well then he will definitely include you while taking the most important decisions of life. This also gives an indication that he values your opinions and sends a strong message that he wants you to be a part of his future.

  1. Your Partner Gives You Attention From The Moment You Wake Up

Girls love a bit of pampering especially from their partners. They definitely feel special when they get someone’s attention. A kiss on the forehead or a tight hug early in the morning will definitely make their day. They get a sense of security when their partner makes them feel special. So boys make it a point to give your loved ones that extra attention because it may really make them feel special.

  1. The Only Time Your Partner Makes You Cry Is From Happiness

There should be nothing in the world that breaks his heart like watching you cry. The best way to know if your partner is treating you in perfect manner is, he just cannot see tears in your eyes. He will go on asking you what the matter is and would definitely go to any extent to solve it and bring back your precious smile back. So girls if a guy is that caring then don’t lose the opportunity he is the perfect one for you. Never ignore such a guy because ‘sometimes going for the stars you might lose the moon’.

  1. Your Partner Makes You Feel Safe

Whatever may be the difficulty or problem, one tight hug from your partner would definitely make you feel safe and secure. You will get a feeling that at least there is someone who is not going to judge me and your partner is there to protect you from all other difficulties. Your partner may not be the tallest, the fittest, the fastest or the strongest guy in the world but if problem arises he will be the first one to save you from being hurt or harassed by another. Your partner is just possessive about you. He will not allow any other guy to flirt with you and will also ask you stop interacting with that guy because he is just  too protective for you.

  1. Your Partner Feeds Not Just Your Body, But Also Your Mind

A perfect partner would not only buy you a dinner but he will read your mind perfectly. Your partner should understand what is going on in your mind even if you don’t utter a single word. That can be termed as eternal bonding which is an integral part of successful relationships.

  1. Your Partner Spends Time With You Because He Wants To, Not Because He Feels Obligated To

Despite all such busy schedule and meetings your partner will make it a point to spend time with you everyday because you are his first priority and all other things take a backseat. Your partner treats you fair if he takes out time from his busy schedule just to spend time with you then it gives a clear indication that you are his first priority and the most precious gem of his life.

  1. Your Partner Doesn’t Lie To You

Whatever may be the situation your partner makes it a point to share each and every detail with you. Your partner must be like an open book to you and no fact of his past is hidden to you. Trust makes relationship lasts long and it is the biggest driving force for ensuring a successful relationship.

  1. Your Partner Tells You About His Day And Asks You About Yours

A perfect partner shares every detail of the day to his beloved and expects the same in return. He wants to know about your life because he feels by knowing your day; he is, in a sense, becoming a bigger part of your life.

  1. He Keeps His Promises

He will make it a point to keep all his promises because he knows you trust him and have faith in him. He will never disappoint you. He will not make many of those promises but when he would make one he will definitely deliver on that.

5 Steps to Grow Your Hair Healthier Naturally

By
kellybrown
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0

1. By using onions:

This home remedy might not seem that appealing but it has been successful treatment for hair loss for decades. Follow the procedure make onions into small pieces and take those in an exceedingly fine juicer, squeeze out juice and take away tougher half using tissue or thin cloth. Apply it to scalp and do massage for five min and leave it of for 15-20 min and wash your hair with shampoo. As it is simple and more effective you can find change in four weeks from the time you started using it.

Image result for onions for hair

2. With the help of Milk:

Milk has protein content that helps your hair look shinier and make it longer. Apply milk to your hair and keep it for twenty min then wash your hair you’ll be able to see the distinction with in a pair of washes. It is temporary hair straightener.

3. Coconut oil at the side of hibiscus:

Your hair desires nourishment to grow longer and shinier.  Do massage for ten minutes with coconut oil soaked with hibiscus flower that should be dried in sun until it may be created into powder and leave it off overnight. Take a shower at morning this provides hair nourishment. if you find it difficult to find hibiscus flowers then you can simply use coconut oil instead.

Related image

4. Fenugreek seeds at the side of curd :

Soak fenugreek seeds in curd for all night. Morning make paste of fenugreek seeds with curd, make sure that you simply don’t add a lot of water. Apply the paste and stay for half an hour. Take a shower later this reduces hairfall and even makes your hair silkier.

5. Use of Soapnuts (Reetha) :

Use natural shampoo that’s soapnuts by which your hair is protected against sulphur in shampoos that damages your hair heavily and leads to breakage of your hair. Soak soapnuts in warm water for 15 minutes and use the squeezed liquid as shampoo.

Image result for Soapnuts in water

 

5 Signs that You are a True Foodie

By
kellybrown
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0

You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy food which is equivalent to happiness. Pizza, ice-cream, burger, waffle, doughnut or butter chicken; whenever you heard these names, a certain glare comes in your eyes and you start picturing these tasty delicacies and you crave for them, then my dear you are a true foodie but in spite these there are other signs as well which prove you are a foodie by heart and soul.

  1. You are a food guide to your friends

Your friends depend on you for latest food trends and ask for your suggestions before trying a new place rather than checking that on Google or Zomato. In every squad there is always one such bhukkad who knows everything about food and new eateries in the town, and always end up telling people about them.

  1. You have nothing to talk about except food

Last weekend when I went out with a few of my friends for a brunch, while having food they started discussing the latest hot topic and everyone’s favorite was Big Boss, and I was just enjoying my food while looking at their faces and listening to their opinions because I had no idea about it and when asked for my opinion I started telling them about the new restaurant coming up in West Delhi. Isn’t it quite obvious that I am a big food lover? 😛

  1. You have explored almost all the eating joints you could

Your sole motive to live is just to explore all the food present on earth before you die, and for that you would have surely made the plans and the checklist as well. No matter how hectic your schedule is, you always take out time to visit the newly opened restaurant in the vicinity after all food is you first love.

  1. Dieting is a big no

For you dieting is a big no, in spite of the fact that you know your weight is increasing day by day, your parents are after your life because of your insane food habits but still you ignore that. Sometimes you make your mind to restrict your diet, but whenever you see a picture of your favorite food or you even heard of it, you just can’t ignore that and bursts the dieting bubble.

  1. You love watching cooking shows rather than daily soaps

While your friends like watching Game of thrones or F.R.I.E.N.D.S, you love watching master chef, and other cookery shows. While having a normal discussion about Television shows with your mother, she tells you about the problems faced by the protagonist and you tells her about the latest difficult challenge in Master Chef Australia.

Bhimashankar: An Overview of Beauty

By
kellybrown
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2

The Bhimashankar Temple is located 127 km from Shjivai Nagar of Pune in Maharashtra in the Ghat Region of Sahyadri Hills. It is a hill fort and a hard trekking spot. It is located 3500 feet above the sea level. There is a belief among people that sweat fallen from Lord Shiva made the river Bhimarathi.

Bhimashankar: An Overview of Beauty

Temple of Bhimashankar was built according to Hemad Panthi style. The temple is around 1000 to 1500 years old. One can find beautifully carved statues and beautiful paintings on the roof of the temple. It is said that the temple was formed during the war of Bhima and Shiva. Shiva killed Bhima and the latter was turned into ashes by the former one. On request of all the Gods, Lord Shiva transformed himself into Jyotirlinga of Bhimshankara. The Bhimashankara Temple  consists of old and new structures in the Nagara style of architecture. Excellent display of skills by ancient Vishwakarma sculptors can be seen. It was a modest temple but yet a graceful one. The sabha mandap was developed in the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis. The shikhara was built him as well. It is said that the great Maratha ruler Shivaji made endowments to this temple to facilitate worship services. Saint Jnaneshwar is said to have visited Tryambakeshwar and Bhimashankar.

In front of the temple, a unique bell in Roman style can be seen. The bell has an idol of Mother Mary with her son Jesus. The large bell was presented by Chimaji Appa, who was the brother of Bajirao Peshwa I and uncle of Nanasaheb Peshwa. One can find Buddha style carvings of Amba-Ambika, Bhootling and Bhimashankar in the hills of Manmaad near Bhimashankar situated at a height of 1034 meters. Places that can be visited in this area are Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, origin of river Bhima, Bombay Point, Nag Phani, Sakshi Vinayak and a lot more.

Bhimashankar is a reserved forest which comprises of area of 130.78 square km. The forest was declared as wildlife sanctuary in the year 1985. This sanctuary is a part of Western Ghat, so it is very much rich in floral and faunal diversity. A variety of birds, animals, insects, plants can be seen in this zone. A rare animal Malabar Giant squirrel which is locally called as “Shekaru” can be found in the deep jungle. Bhimashankar is worth visiting tourist spot for jungle lovers and trekkers as well as for pilgrims. This temple is very popular in Pune and people from all around the world come to visit this temple. The Bhorgiri Fort is situated close to Bhimashankar. There is a shrine called Kalmaja near the Bhimashankar temple. Kalmaja is a goddess who is dedicated to a tree named Kalamb. It is a local tribal goddess and many other stories were formed after the influence of Hinduism religion to this region. The Mokshakund thirtha is located behind the Bhimashankara temple, and it is associated with the rishi named Kaushika. There are also the Sarvathirtha, the Kusharanya thirtha where the Bhima river begins to flow towards the east, and the Jyanakund.

There is so much to discuss the beautiful Bhimashankar Temple of Maharashtra. It takes pages after pages to explain the artistic features of the architecture and its surroundings. This is a must visit spot for a trekker or a photographer. Please do visit the temple and enjoy the aura of it.

Movie Review: RAEES

By
Meghna
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0

Raees directed by Rahul Dholakia and starring Shahrukh Khan is a fascinating story of a rise and rise of a small time bootlegger, into one of Gujrat’s notorious liquor baron and also ironically into a revered Robin Hood like figure. If you ever wondered what the lovechild of a staunchly realistic filmmaker and Bollywood’s most unabashedly populist star might resemble, you should watch Raees. Dholakia who directed and wrote deeply affecting film Parzaniya, which was about a Parsi family which was caught in the Godhra riots of 2002, brings the thorough understanding of the times and the landscapes that the film is set in.Shahrukh meanwhile who is also a co-producer of this project seems clear about the tone he wants to take. The result is a mostly compelling drama that is fast paced despite feeling over plotted and bloated at times. Now we are first introduced to our protagonist as Raees as a young boy in Fatehpur in the 1970’s. He is poor but industrious and works as a runner to a local bootlegger. The signs are all there, he has a short temper, holds on to grudges and resents being referred too as battery, although he wears oversized spectacles. By the time he is older and has some practice in the field, he starts smuggling alcohol in and out of the state and branches out to set up his own business which was emboldened by his mother’s teaching that no job is too small. He is also reassured by a mentor that he has got a ‘baniye ka dimag’ and ‘miabhai ki daring.’ The film’s first half is riveting stuff as we watch our anti-heroes expand enterprise on the strength of Raees’s quick thinking and sheer ruthlessness.

These are the precise qualities that makes him such a magnetic figure. But post interval, it appears like the makers decided to trade his grey shades and blunt his edges to make him more likable. By now Raees becomes angel for his people. The monster with a heart of gold, the staunchly secular humanist. The plot too sinks into repetition and predictability and characters like the corrupt ministers and other venal characters come out as caricatures.

It is the presence of Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Majhmudaar, as an incorruptable police officer who was obsessed with taking raees down. Chilling interplay between both men keep audiences invested despite these bumps. Exploiting his relationship with powerful political figures, Raees repeatedly thwarts Majhumdaar’s plans, but the cop remains steadfast in his force. The scenes between both these actors which features terrific clap-trap repertoires are easily the best trips in the movie. Nawazzuddin who appears to be having a blast, cast against type seems to have really sink himself in the part, and once again improves his gift of vastly improving a film by merely being in it. The other supporting cast does not have it as good as Nawaz.

Mahira Khan is confident as Raees’s love interest but her role does not need much heavy lifting. Meanwhile a consistently reliable Mohommad Zeeshaan Aayub suffers on account of underwritten role which is reduced to a side kick as Raees’s loyal friend. The movie expectedly is powered by a star wattage by Shahrukh Khan itself, as most of his movies are. From his entry scene which shows him lacerating his back during a Mohorram scene, to a shootout featuring all guns blazing, to his many moments simmering with rage, Shahrukh commands viewer’s attention. In more pensive moments and a quiet breakdown scene, he reveals the actor behind the star.

Evidently the movie is inspired by the true life of Abdul Latif who was the illegal kingpin of liquor king of Gujrat, who was charged with involvement of 1993 blasts of Gujrat, this movie shrewdly steers clear of naming names and only hints at true events. Still the movie excels due to the director’s quality of having a keen eye for period and atmospheric details. As a throwback to those thrilling gangster films from the seventees, many of which starred Amitabh Bachchan and scripted by Salim Javed.

All in all, Raees delivers ample bang for your buck!

Its All About 2017 Elections

By
Mandeep Kaur
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0

These beautiful words by Abraham Lincoln “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters”, have encountered me with a thought that elections are very important for a country’s democracy. Without elections  we can’t expect good governance. So there is cyclic chain between election-democracy-good governance.

India is one of the biggest democracy of the world. But still there are so many citizens who didn’t have voter id card . About  one fifth of people don’t vote because of various reason like no voter id card, laziness and bad weather, loss of faith in governance etc. Some of the people vote in order to click selfies and  post them on various social networking site, so that they can show off in front of their friends. There are so many people in India who vote according to their family’s choice without having their own choice.

its the biggest reality of our nation that there are so many people who don’t even know about the election’s date and list of candidates who have stood in the election. These people are those only who criticize government law.

Now lets get to the point ,This year there will be  elections in 7 states of India . These seven states include Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand. Now let us discuss each and every state one by one so that we would have the rough idea about the elections in 2017.

  • GOA-The Goa Legislative Assembly election, 2017 will be held on February 4, 2017 to elect the 40 members of the Goa Legislative Assembly, as the term of current Legislative Assembly ends on March 18, 2017. This time there will be 4 parties i.e. BJP, INC, MGP, AAP.
  • GUJARAT-The fourteenth legislative assembly election will be held in 2017 to elect members of the 182 constituencies in Gujarat. This year also the Elections might take place in November-December 2017. There are 2 major parties BJP and INC.
  • HIMACHAL PRADESH-The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, 2017 will be held in late 2017, to elect the 68 members of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, as the term of current Legislative Assembly ends on 7 January 2018. There are two major parties INC and BJP.
  • MANIPUR-The Manipur Legislative Assembly election, 2017 will be held on 4th March & 8th March 2017, to elect the 60 members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, as the term of current Legislative Assembly ends on 18 March 2017. Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines will be used along with EVM in four assembly constituencies in Manipur.
  • UTTAR PRADESH-The 17th Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election will be held from February 11 to March 8, 2017 in 7 phases. There are 4 parties that are battling in UP i.e. BJP ,BSP ,SP alliance with Congress.
  • PUNJAB-The Punjab legislative assembly election, 2017 will be held on 04 February 2017 to select the 117 members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. The results of the election will be announced on 11 March of Punjab Legislative Assembly. There are 4 major parties BJP along with Akali Dal , Congress,BJP and AAP.
  • UTTARAKHAND-A Legislative Assembly election will be held on 15 February 2017 in a single phase for the 70 seats of the Vidhan Sabha in the state of Uttarakhand in India.There are only 2 major ruling party INC and BJP.

Patriotism doesn’t mean fighting on borders . We all can’t go to borders and show how much we love our country. If we seriously love our country we should respect our governance and the rights that our government has given to us .There are so many countries in the world where people are fighting for democracy . We are very blessed that we are born in that country where government is for the people, of the people and to the people. So don’t waste the sacrifices for this right and choose whosoever  is best according to you. Please Vote and show what public can do. Remember every vote counts.

The World’s 10 Most Expensive Houses

By
Priyanka Priyadarshinee
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0

The owners of the world’s most luxurious houses can be a mysterious bunch. We all know who owns Buckingham Palace, but does anyone recognize the name Tim Blixseth? Or does anyone know the Indian billionaire who built a 27-storey apartment building just for himself? Well the mystery ends here. We have got a rundown of the world’s 10 most expensive houses-modern castles and the people lucky enough to own them.

  1. Buckingham Palace(Value-: $1.55 billion)

Buckingham Palace is the London residence and principal workplace of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. The palace has 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 52 bedrooms, 188 staff rooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The garden is the largest private garden in London and the queen’s residence was valued at roughly $1.5 billion by the Nationwide Building Society in 2012.

  1. Antilia (Value-: $1 billion)

Antilia is a private home in South Mumbai. It is owned by Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries and includes a staff of 600 to maintain the residence. It is deemed to be the second most expensive residential property after Buckingham Palace. It is the world’s most expensive private residential property as Buckingham Palace is designated as a government property.

  1. Villa Leopolda (Value-: $750 million)

The Villa La Leopolda is a large detached villa in Villefranche-sur-Mer, in the Alpes Maritimes department on the French Riviera. The villa is situated in 18 acres of grounds. The villa had several notable owners including Gianni and Marella Agnelli, Izaak and Dorothy J. Killam. The estate includes “a commercial sized green house, a swimming pool and pool house, an outdoor kitchen, helipad and a guest house. The villa is currently owned by Lily Safra, a Brazilian philanthropist and widow of Lebanese banker William Safra.

  1. Four Fairfield Pond (Value-: $248.5 million)

Ira Rennert’s home, dubbed Fairfield, is located in Sagaponack, New York. Rennert named his home after the adjoining body of water, Fairfield Pond. The house faces the Atlantic Ocean and its grounds measure 63 acres. The buildings, which total over 110,000 square feet, including the 66,000 square feet main house, have an Italian facade, 29 bedrooms and 39 bathrooms. The house has a dozen chimneys and a Mediterranean style tile roof as well as a 91 feet long formal dining room, a basketball court, a bowling alley, two tennis courts and a $150,000 hot tub.

  1. 18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens (Value-: $222 million)

Kensington Palace Gardens is a street in west central London with some of the most expensive properties in the world. This property was purchased by Lakshmi Mittal- The head of Arcelor Mittal, the world’s largest steel manufacturer in 2004 at whopping price of $128 million. This particular residence has 12 bedrooms, Turkish baths, an indoor pool and parking for around 20 cars.

  1. Ellison Estate (Value-: $200 million)

The Oracle founder, Larry Ellison arguably the world’s most avid collector of real estate, built his 23-acre Japanese-style estate in 2004 with 10 buildings, a manmade lake, a tea house, a bath house and a koi pond. The property is currently assessed at just over $70 million.

  1. Hearst Castle (Value-: $191 million)

Hearst Castle is a National and California Historical Landmark mansion located on the Central Coast of California, United States. It was designed by architect Julia Morgan between 1919 and 1947 for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. The 27-bedroom castle used in the movie The Godfather has hosted John and Jackie Kennedy, Clark Gable, Winston Churchill and many other famous personalities.

  1. Seven The Pinnacle (Value-: 155 million)

This property would be heaven on Earth. This sky chalet is the biggest estate in the elite private ski and golf community “Yellow Club”. It includes a number of amenities like heated flooring system throughout the house, a huge wine cellar, a gym and fireplaces in all bathrooms, an indoor and outdoor pool and a massage room. It has ten lavish bedrooms. It is located in Monatana, United States. It is owned by Edra and Tim Blexseth, real estate developers, record producer and song writer.

  1. Kensington Palace Gardens (Value-: $140 million)

Located on London’s Billionaires Row, the already tricked out pad will soon add an underground extension with a tennis court, health center and auto museum. The owner of the estate is Roman Abramovich– a Russian billionaire and owner of private investment firm Millhouse LLC. He is probably best known in the West as the owner of the English Premier League’s giants the Chelsea Football Club.

10. 7 Upper Phillimore Gardens (Value-: $128 million)

Owned by Elena Franchuk, Ukaranian oligarch and friend to Sir Elton John. This 10 bedroom prep school turned mansion has an underground swimming pool, a sauna, gym, cinema, and even a panic room. That’s all in addition to an interior covered in marble, gold and priceless artworks.

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