Say ‘Yes’ to alcohol but ‘No’ to being alcoholic. There is a massive difference between the two. Fortunately, a very gradual change in the acceptance of this fact is being observed. Nonetheless, majority of our country does not directly refer to the term ‘alcohol’. They either speak in hush-hush tones or use absurd synonyms. Why is it considered almost profane? The answer is simple:-

• lack of knowledge
• absence of logic and rationality
• genetic obstinacy
• age-old beliefs

When a child enters the adolescence period he is warned against alcohol and taught how members of respectable families stay away from such indulgence. When a father drinks at a business party, he comes home feeling guilty. When a man brings a bottle of wine home for presenting it as a gift to his boss, he stealthily stuffs it into some dark hole where discovery becomes impossible. For a woman of a respectable family, drinking is unthinkable. These surreptitious measures serve as an evidence of how we cling to certain values which are illogical. Our fore-fathers have laid down a set of rules that define honorable and dishonorable. Some of these ideas are also promoted by our Hindi television drama- the flawed concept of ‘sanskar’.

 I am not contradicting our tradition or values or disrespecting our elders, but just trying to put across a point that sometimes we need to question certain customs and beliefs which are based on hearsay. Sometimes we need to probe deeper and excavate the logic behind certain set rules. Our parents blindly followed them, we should not. We belong to an age where we are being educated not just to earn but to bring about a change, a revolution. We must think, reflect, question, protest, demand and stand up for we think is right.

Caution against misinterpretation

This article is absolutely not asking you to become a drunkard! Drinking on an everyday basis is harmful. If you do that, you become an alcoholic. It does not make you characterless. It only damages your liver and brings you closer to death. An adolescent should be warned against alcohol not because it is dishonorable but because an adolescent is immature and may not know the limits of consumption. Moreover, a growing body is delicate so one needs to be cautious. There is no need to feel any sense of guilt if you are a mature adult and you know the precise reason of why, when, where and with whom you are drinking. You must apply your discretion there.

Taboos related to alcohol

• It is impure. (Are you trying to think what is impure in alcohol? My suggestion- Try to think how many hair you have because that is going to be easier.)
• Touching or drinking it pollutes you, so unless you wash your hair after drinking it, you should not enter the temple. (How does it pollute? Causing some ozone layer depletion inside you? And washing your hair purifies you. Wow! Kudos to that!)
• Girls who consume alcohol are not ‘sanskari’ but that rule does not apply to boys. (No comments!)

 Science of alcohol- Get Educated!

Alcohol is made from fruits, vegetables, sugar, rice and other kind of cereals. Either in its rotten form or fresh, they are sometimes squashed and sometimes cooked. Then, a micro-organism belonging to the fungi category called yeast, is added to it. Yeast is also used in the preparation of breads so do not get scared at the mention of fungi. When the yeast reacts with the other ingredients, it produces a liquid which is called ethanol or ethyl alcohol or simply ‘alcohol’. It is prepared in air-tight places from where it can only release the carbon-dioxide formed without letting the air in.

If this is how an alcohol is prepared, how does the consumption of alcohol become blasphemous? Yes, consumption in large quantities is not advised because it obstructs the transmission of signals from the nerve cells that control balance, thinking and movement. So, if you know you are about to drive, you should not drink as it will make you dizzy. In fact if you drink occasionally in very limited quantities, not only will you be in control but it may have some positive effects on your body as well. Studies reveal that limited consumption of alcohol raises good cholesterol, prevents against cold, reduces risk of gall stones and diabetes, and protects against erectile dysfunction at times.

    Final words

So, there lies the difference between taking alcohol and being alcoholic. Please do no form opinions about people who drink. A form of liquid has nothing to do with upbringing, values and character. Also, this article did not intend to hurt any religious sentiments. We all have a right to opine. This was mine.

Feminism, a word coined and first used in the 1890s has become quite popular now-a-days and is heard almost every day. Authentically put, feminism is not that simple a word. Feminism in itself is not just a word- It is a thought, an action, a movement and most importantly in today’s world, it is and should continue to be – a change.

So much has this word been used, that it now stands on the verge of being nothing more than a cliché. It is most trending and yet most are unaware of the basic meaning, essence and virtue of feminism. It has become one of those words that might earn you recognition. In midst of debates, fights, arguments and discussions, people forget what Feminism is really about.

For all those already lost, let’s start with the basics.

Feminism aptly and simply is the equality of gender. It is not in favor of any sex, man or woman. According to feminism, both genders should be provided with equal opportunities, respect, freedom, rights (political, social, economic) etc.

The supporters of this idea are called feminists and movements that promote the ideas are called feminist movements.

If the meaning is so simple, why write an entire article on it? Why are there so many protests chanting this word? If there is a word like this, there must have been some disparity amongst the sexes. This disparity was in support of the males. Let us talk about India.

Wrongs against Women:

It is true that our society is patriarchal to some extent. Unequal wages, opportunities for job and education, lack of freedom of choice (both personal and social) etc. are some examples which are testimony to the same. The society is biased towards men.

A girl is tagged a slut if she wears something revealing or talks to a few boys openly. A child is killed just because she is a girl. A girl is judged as characterless if she expresses her desire to marry a particular guy or if she has been intimate with someone before marriage. She is decided to be unfit for marriage if she has been divorced before. A widowed woman cannot even think of getting married again for the fear of society pressures.

A woman is tortured for dowry. She is judged as arrogant if she does anything against the wishes of her parents, in-laws or husband. You might have heard someone saying, a well-educated woman cannot be a good bride. In a few areas, a girl who sits on a bike with legs on both sides (like the rider) is considered a whore. Even in urban society, a girl cannot reveal that she has a boyfriend in front of her parents as openly as a boy.

All of the preposterous ideas mentioned above would still make sense or at least have been debatable, had they been applied to both the sexes.

Why should a girl go through all this? A boy talking to different girls openly is tagged as a stud! A divorced or widowed man gains enough sympathy to remarry without hesitation. Hell, a guy can rape and yet be married in India.

In a land where we worship innumerable goddesses, where we adorn a bride with innumerable jewels, where we consider our daughters-in-law as our own daughters, a land in which we seek and worship girls during kanya pujan, a land in which our mothers are considered supreme, where rakhi is celebrated as a symbol of love between a brother and a sister with a promise of protection from the brother and a land which is considered a woman itself – Bharat Maa, why are there so many atrocities against woman?

Flip side: Wrongs against Men

That being said, men are not spared from misdirected hatred either.

Why should there be alimony if there should be no dowry? Why should men suffer due to false dowry cases? Why should every man be considered and labelled as a potential rapist?

Why should every man who says anything remotely against a woman be considered a “male chauvinist pig”?

Why should a man be considered an ATM card who is fit to marry only when he has enough money, a well-paying job, and a house? Why does a man get immediately beaten up on the streets even if a girl makes so much as a plea? Why are there laws which allow women to go as far as kill a man even at the slightest of doubt of physical assault? Why should a man suffer public shaming on news and social media just because a girl accused him of something without being proved?

Every guy has a MAA-BEHEN, but every girl has a BAAP-BHAI too! The way to resolve years of atrocities is not by making new ones. Feminism is not about revenge for what has already happened, it is about bringing equality so that such atrocities don’t repeat themselves. Across internet and you will find numerous articles about how women have always been victims of the system and how men have always been at the better end. True, women have suffered, but that does not mean men have not. Ask a man who earns less than his wife, how he is shamed in the society. The concept of house-husband does not even exist in the Indian society, the wrath, if it is introduced, is only unimaginable. Ask a man how his side of the story is neglected when a girl accuses him of something or how he is deemed a pervert when a girl leads him on falsely, intentionally, and he makes a move.

People, please stop this “War of the Sexes”. Learn to be rational. Learn to not be judgmental. Learn, not to generalise. Learn, to treat everybody as an individual. Let us all grow together to make this world a better place and a world without sexism.

Business is a big responsibility to handle, for that like bike needs petrol to run, human body too needs food to keep going. And struggling for food every morning to pack for lunch is not a good idea. Here are few things which will satisfy your hunger and add nutrition to your meal.

• Roasted chickpea and peanuts

Chickpea contains all the nutrients which contribute in building and maintaining bone structure and strength i.e. iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin K. Consumption of chickpea lowers the amount of low density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood.

The store house of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants, peanuts help in lowering bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol in the body.

Adding peanut to your meal benefits health in many ways. To keep dangerous diseases away and for staying fit, add a minimum of 2 tablespoon of peanut butter in your meal each week.

• Vegetable sandwich

Thinking about having a sandwich, a whole list of veggies will come in your mind, being a busy person which are easy to make and yet are healthy for the body.  Starting from mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumber, bean sprouts to corns you can stuff your bread with any of them and a slice of cheese will be cherry on the cake.

In a vegetable sandwich you get a whole of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients.

• Oats

What else can give you strength and energy to carry on with a hectic schedule? Over a past few decades, oats have proved to be a healthy food, loaded with dietary fibres and cholesterol lowering properties. One cup of dry oats (81 g) contains approx. 307 calories and adding milk to it will add the nutritional value.

Oats help in lowering the cholesterol level and stabilise blood sugar level. There a lot of ways in which you can enjoy this meal like you can add you favourite nuts and fruits in a hot bowl of oatmeal.

• Soups

Soup is also an important part of meal, just like salads, having a bowl of soup has a lot of health benefits.

First of all it is very tasty and you can add all the veggies to it which you don’t like to eat in your regular meal.

Natural, homemade soup is always a good option but if you have lack of time instant soups are readily available in the market.

• Cucumber fruit salad

Just chop cucumber and fruits (your favourite ones) add fermented milk (optional) and spices (as per taste) and mix well, a healthy platter of salad is ready to satisfy your taste buds as well as your hunger.

Cucumber which is a good source of vitamin B, rehydrates the body, replenishes daily vitamins and most importantly helps in preventing cancer. As we all know fruits are a cure for every health problem and when mixed with cucumber will always prove to be life guard of your body, easy to make and a healthy meal to hoop on.

What do you think when you plan to go on a trek? Which trek will be easier, which one will have the most beautiful sights or which one is worth visiting even if it’s the most difficult one? Following are some of the treks which are beautiful, a bit tough but worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

1. DODITAL TREK

DODITAL is a freshwater lake in Uttarakhand, India. The trek originates from the Bhagirathi valley, which is settled at an altitude of 1,350 meters, and passes through a mysterious forest and ascents gently to a height of 4,150 meters to Darwa Top. Dodital is often called Ganesh-ka-Tal and is considered as one of the sacred lakes in the Garhwal Himalayan region as it is believed that it is the birthplace of Lord Ganesha.

Area: Garhwal Himalayas

Duration: 7 Days (5 days trekking and 2 day travel)

Best Season: Round the year except July and August

Altitude: 4150 mts/13612 ft

Total Trekking: 54 K.M

2. BEAS KUND TREK

The Beas Kund, which is regarded as a holy lake is located in the Kullu Valley and is the original source of River Beas. It is believed that Rishi Vyas used to take his daily bath in the pristine water of this lake. The Beas Kund Trek, which is considered as one of the easiest treks in the Himachal Himalayan region is also a short trek of three days from the popular hill station of Manali that is placed at a height of 2,050 meters.

Area: Himachal Pradesh

Duration: 6 days (2 days travel & 4 days trekking)

Best Season: Mid May – Mid October

Altitude: 3650 mts/11972 ft

Total Trekking: 30 K.M

3. FROZEN RIVER CHADAR TREK

Featuring a dreamlike environment of nature colours, the Frozen River Trek, commonly known as the Chadar Trek, is one of the challenging treks in the Ladakh region. The Frozen River Trek, which is one of the popular winter treks, is also one of the longest trekking trails in the Indian Himalayan region that covers an entire stretch of 90 kilometres in 8 chilly days. Like a walk to paradise, the Chadar Trek fulfilling several trekkers’ dreams making it a part of their diary. 

Area: Ladakh Himalaya

Duration: 13 Days (4 days travel/9 days trekking)

Best Season: Mid Jan – Mid Feb

Altitude: 3850 mts/12628 ft

Total Trekking: 80 K.M.

4. DARMA VALLEY TREK

Darma Valley trek, relatively an unexplored trek, is known for offering mesmerizing scenic beauty. Religious for some and adventurous for other, Darma Valley also holds a strong religious connection. The trek passes through flower scattered fields, water streams, and ancient towns, which makes it an absolute delight for the trekkers.

Area: Kumaon Himalaya

Duration: 12 Days (4 days traveling/8 days trekking)

Best Season: Mid April – Mid October

Altitude: 3470 mts/11390 ft

Total Trekking: 60 K.M

5. VALLEY OF FLOWERS TREK

The beautiful valley situated at an altitude of 3300 mts to 3650 mts is the paradise of nature lovers. The valley is exceptionally rich of the flowers wealth and has the largest collection of wild flowers species. There are about 520 species of flowering plants and the area was declared as a National Park in 1982. The animal like Himalayan black bears, musk deer’s, brown bears, Bharal and rich variety of birds and butter flies are found in this National Park.

Area: Garhwal Himalayas

Duration: 07 Days

Best Season: Late June to Early September

Altitude: 4328 Mts

Total Trekking: 50 K.M

THINGS TO CARRY FOR THE TREK

• Sunglasses

• Sleeping bag

• Torch

• Water bottles

• Trekking Shoes

• Sneakers

• Note book with pens and pencils

• Lip balm, moisturizer and sunscreen

• Toiletries

• Personal medicines

• Thermal wear

• Vitamin tablets

• Woolen sweaters, hand gloves

• Undergarments

• Comfortable T-shirts and pants

• Windcheater

• Plastic bags

• Caps or scarf

Since our early childhood days, we had been taught to always aim “big”. ‘Dream big kids, the sky is your limit’, our moms and dads would always say, “I want to have a big house”, “I want to have a big car”,” I want to have a big amount of fan followers”, “I want to be successful big time”, etc. were the things we would tell our peers, parents, relatives and anyone who asked us what do you want to do in life?

However we quite failed to define what this “big” actually meant, and consequently in our race to pursue this “big” dream, we chased nothing but an empty space occupied by an undefined idea. We were so blinded by this idea of “big” that everyone and anyone would want to do things that were big, and however continued to ignore the small things that counted.

The same goes for love, when we fall for someone we always have a very vague idea about how it would happen, thanks to Bollywood, majority of us have always imagined of love as this big thing. Where songs play in background, where everything happens in slow motion while the lovers meet amidst the beautiful scenery of Switzerland. See big idea of love again!

When in love we aim to do great things for our better half or the person we have feelings for, there is nothing wrong in that, but we often forget the small things that count.

What are these small things? And why do we undervalue them? It is not our fault as it is something that comes in built. For example proposing someone for marriage is always considered something like a big step, but what after that? Does our love end with this big step?

What if I tell you every step in a relationship is the one which makes all the small steps big, the way you do it and how you do it counts, again it need not be big. Just a good morning text, with a have nice day, or I love you can make your lovers day. And don’t do this occasionally make sure its everyday, because that makes the other realize how their day starts with you. Well there is nothing cheesy about it. Followed by a goodnight, even if the two of you haven’t spoken the whole day, because it shows that no matter how busy you two are, your day ends with thoughts about each other.

There are many small things that we ignore but they count, trust me it can vary from saying “you look great” even if your partner is a total disaster, a small hug when they feel low, a cup of coffee when you see them distressed, a stroll in the park when you think he/she is having a bad day. And even sometimes just listening to what they have to say about the horrid experiences of the day. Cooking your lovers favorite meal, it does not have to be restaurant quality, the amount you spend on it and your concern is all that matters, however, girls and guys out there, do appreciate when your partners make a special effort for you, they might not be master chefs, but however they love you too much to make such an effort. Even when ordering food sometimes compromising what your better half or your lover wants to have for your choice might be a small step, but shows your care for the other and their happiness.

Appreciation does not necessarily mean lying all the time, or reciprocation, while guys have a hard time being expressive trust me as easy as it looks it is not easy for girls either. Sometimes just saying I can’t believe you did so much for me, or what have I done to deserve you? Yeah this might sound cheesy, and might not be what you are trying to say, but when you say it the other might be on top of the world, on cloud nine, just happy they are appreciated by someone who matters.

We all are not billionaires, that we can afford all the five star restaurants for dates, sometimes a stroll on the beach along with eating “bhutta” or roasted corn can be a very romantic experience, or for that matter ice “golas” or ice candies, when both of your tongues are nothing but a colorful rainbow, and you just laugh at each other. Sometimes a power cut can be a great excuse not for grumbling but a candle light dinner at home, yes it might be 40° Celsius, outside but its great excuse for date at home, no matter what age you are.

 A cup of tea early in the morning together, or coffee, keep your newspapers aside for god’s sake, and just talk. Trust me the world can survive without you not acknowledging what happened for a couple of minutes. Make a no phone policy when with your partner, you might be VP in some hot shot bank or even some very important minister, or the most popular one in your college gang. But when your with them make sure your just with them, because they are your special ones, this does not mean a total give up on your phone, that would mean toppling down of your world, but just surrendering it when you two want to share some quality time.

Fights can be “big”, but it is just the small steps which help you solve them, when I was a kid and mom and dad had a fight, no matter how harsh it got they would always set the dinner plate for the other, even when in their silent zone, just a silent reminder of how they care for each other.

Even if you are not married just a small question like, did you have dinner? Did you sleep well? How are you? It does not demean you, or is not beneath the self respect, and trust me, do not confuse your initiation for sorting out the fight as a question of hurting your ego, it is not. It just shows you’re a more mature person then your partner. Never make fun of your partner’s weakness, not everyone is perfect, you might be better at something than them, help them rise, don’t demean them, relationship is equality, don’t demean their incapability, but appreciate their capabilities.

Hence these might just be small things but they have a long lasting impact, however this does not mean that you do not give big surprises to your better halves or anyone you love for that matter, but only when you don’t crave or do it for something in return remember it is only love when its selfless, I know the idea seems too utopian for this selfish and pragmatic world, but hey who said love was ever so easy, because if it is not selfless it is not love and hasn’t Bollywood actually taught us love is not logical, it truly is not, because it is made of feelings, and searching for logic in feelings would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

“To be brave is to love unconditionally, without expecting anything in return” – Madonna