Lifestyle

By Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag (J&K), March 24 (IANS/ 101Reporters) At a time when the Central government has banned several single-use plastic items to reduce littering, Sadiwara village panchayat in Hiller Shahabad block of South Kashmir's Anantnag district has come up with a unique idea of offering a gold coin for collecting plastic waste.



Sarpanch Farooq Ahmad Ganie, an advocate, devised the 'Give Plastic and Take Gold' campaign to cope with the challenges in solid waste management. Under the scheme, any person collecting 20 quintals (2,000 kg) of plastic waste from the village will get a 10 gm gold coin. There is also a smaller reward of 5 gm for 10 quintals.

Unfortunately, this cannot be a lasting solution to the waste menace as the plan does not involve measures to curb plastic use. If at all a success, it can only promote plastic wastage as individuals get rewards for collecting waste, and not for adopting a sustainable way of life.

However, Ganie reasoned that people needed some motivation even for collecting waste. "Their mindset should change in such a way that they collect plastic instead of throwing it into rivers or vacant plots. This is as important as shunning plastic because the accumulation of such wastes is directly linked with water and land degradation. We cannot let our rivers choke and dry up by not taking timely action," Ganie told 101Reporters.

He said the gold coin idea had the approval of Dr Basharat Qayoom, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Anantnag. "We discussed it with the DC, and he was very supportive and appreciative. He formally launched the campaign at a function organised by the rural development department on January 7, 2023."

Things picked up pace when the village administration organised three community participation programmes within 15 days of the campaign launch and cleaned up at least 10 spots within an area of one km in Sadiwara. A local river, Pranigam, originating from the centuries-old Vatsta spring, was also cleaned.

In a bid to raise awareness about the campaign aimed at making the village green and clean by year-end, Sadiwara administration enlisted at least 30 volunteers, including members of youth clubs, local awqaf bodies, senior citizens and irrigation department employees, to clean rivers and roads. They were honoured with mementos for their work.

Social media, a public address system and spreading the word through masjids were all part of the plan. Presently, the gram panchayat does not have a proper system to dispose of plastic waste. Through the gold coin campaign, the civic body plans to streamline waste collection and disposal.

"We will adopt a systematic waste disposal strategy and will supply to factories… Three cloth bags will be given to each household for their daily use. Even raddiwalas (recyclable waste collectors) can collect 10 or 20 quintals of plastic and earn a gold coin," said Mohd Afzal Bhat, a member of ward number 7 of the panchayat.

Asked about the funding of the gold coin, he replied, "We have started collecting a user fee of Rs 30 each from the over 400 households present in the village. There is also a plan to collect a construction fee of Rs 3 to 5 per square foot on new constructions. Moreover, the panchayat gets an annual PRI Capex of Rs 23 lakh from the central government through UT administration which is used to develop the infrastructure of the village.

Bhat said they would use the residual balance in the panchayat account to buy an automatic electric baling machine, which has a better capacity than the two manual machines presently in use. The purchase of a machine to make plastic tiles from polythene is also on the anvil. The larger plan is to use the tiles to beautify village lanes.

Meanwhile, Qayoom told 101Reporters that the panchayat was turning plastic waste into compact packages of specific sizes using the hydraulic press system in the manual machines provided by the administration. The machines cost around Rs 60,000 each. "Apart from employing these machines, the panchayat ensures full cooperation of youth and other stakeholders in the cleanliness mission, which is a good step."

Administrative backing needed

Rao Farman Ali, a researcher, author and social entrepreneur, felt that plastic littering has affected agriculture, the main economic activity of the rural populace in Anantnag district. Polythene menace has brought down fish population in Lidder, Arpath, Bringhi, Sandran and Vishav rivers that flow through the district, thereby affecting the livelihood of the Hanji community.

"The sarpanch's novel approach is commendable, but administrative support is what matters the most. Right now, the administration has a look-busy-do-nothing approach. It is not clear how the plan will be executed. Neither the coordination process between executing agencies is clearly outlined nor are the villagers properly sensitised. The sense of ownership, which is beyond any reward, is missing in this idea," Ali opined.

Dr Mohammad Rashid-ud-din Kundangar, former director (research and development), Jammu and Kashmir Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, told 101Reporters that grassroots-level work with a focus on proper methods to discard or recycle wastes, as prevalent in Western countries, was needed. A multi-pronged approach to implement a strict plastic ban and measures to reuse plastic or introduce recycled plastic should go hand in hand, he said.

Dr Kundangar informed that an investigation that he carried out in an individual capacity five years ago had found that Anantnag town generated 57 cubic meters of solid wastes, mostly polythene bags, every day. However, the town area committee collected only 18 cubic metres daily, only to dump it near Eidgah or under the bridges.

"If villages take up solid waste management, the result will be clean freshwater springs and streams. Vacant lands and wastelands will also be freed from heaps of solid wastes," he said.

Lauding the initiative, Abdul Basit Reshi, Assistant Professor in Environmental Science at Government Degree Collage Dooru in Anantnag, said, "We are safe as long as our environment is safe and pollution-free. This initiative will definitely work, especially because people are very fond of gold."

Looking forward

Sadiwara is the first panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir to launch the 'Give Plastic and Take Gold' campaign. "It will be implemented in all panchayats of the district," Riyaz Ahmad Shah, Assistant Commissioner (Development), Anantnag, told 101Reporters.

Ward number 4 member Showkat Ahmad said the collected plastic could be melted at a high temperature and mixed with bitumen to lay roads. Volunteers and panchayat staff will segregate the collected waste and pack it according to the plastic type. These compact packages will be supplied to the recycling unit at Lethpora in Pulwama, where they will be made into granules for further use," he explained.

"If successful, this will be an excellent example of how small communities can make a positive impact on the environment and create a more sustainable future," Shah hoped.

Local residents Parvaiz Ahmad and Shakeela Bano expressed happiness over how they can do their bit to protect the environment and earn from it. "It has the potential to make our society healthy and wealthy," Ahmad claimed.

Sadiwara Youth Club's president Wani Shakeel said locals of all age groups had shown interest when the panchayat exhorted them to collect plastic waste from garbage dumps, rivers and roads.

(Sameer Ahmad is a Kashmir-based journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.)

--IANS
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Tokyo, March 24 (IANS) Using heated tobacco products -- an alternative to traditional cigarettes, similar to e-cigarettes or vapes -- is more likely to make you susceptible to Covid virus and require hospitalisation or oxygen, according to a study.

"This study shows that the use of heated tobacco products may have an impact on SARS-CoV-2 infections and disease progression," said Kazuhisa Asai, Associate Professor from the Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan.

"We hope this report will encourage people to think about tobacco use in the context of the added risks due to coronavirus infection," Asai added.

Heated tobacco products do not burn tobacco leaves, but rather allow users to inhale the vapour produced by heating the tobacco leaves.

People choose heated tobacco products to avoid the smoke and odour of burnt tobacco as well as the expectation that they pose fewer health risks than traditional cigarettes.

However, the long-term health effects of heated tobacco products, particularly the new risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, have not been clarified.

To address this concern, a research group led by Asai conducted a study focusing on the relationship between using heated tobacco products and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The research group investigated the relationship between tobacco use, including heated tobacco products and traditional cigarettes with SARS-CoV-2 infection and possible exacerbations of Covid.

They administered an online survey of living conditions in February 2022 to 30,130 participants aged 16-81 years, who were randomly selected from the general population through an online survey according to a representative distribution, and conducted further statistical analyses.

From their analysis, published in Scientific Reports, the research group found that users of heated tobacco products -- including both people who use them exclusively or in combination with traditional cigarettes -- had significantly higher rates of Covid compared to non-users.

Furthermore, among all tobacco users, those who used both heated tobacco products and traditional cigarettes had the incidence of severe illness -- requiring hospitalisation or oxygen due to Covid-19.

--IANS
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New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Right-handed batter Robin Uthappa has revealed an interesting fact about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saying that the former India captain is quite weird when it comes to eating.

Uthappa and Dhoni have known each other for two decades, with the former witnessing the latter's meteoric rise from close quarters and fondly recalling the time they spent together.

"His simplicity is something that's always been there and it's something that hasn't changed. He's just as simple today as he was the first time I met him. Dhoni is the most uncomplicated person in the world," Uthappa said in an episode of 'My Time With Heroes' on JioCinema.

The former India batter shared the story of meeting Dhoni for the first time in 2003.

"The first time I saw MS was in 2003 at an India camp at NCA Bangalore. He was batting against Munaf Patel back when he used to bowl really fast with the sling action. Other fast bowlers were also bowling. MS was batting and hitting long sixes off them. He actually ended up injuring S Sriram. Sriram was bowling to him and Dhoni stepped out and hit the ball extremely hard. Sriram touched it with his hand and the ball went 10-20 yards back.

We thought Sriram was running after the ball, but he ran past it and straight into the dressing room because he broke two fingers. We wanted to see how much power MS has and it was explosive. At that moment, I knew he was going to play for India. He's a special batsman," the 37-year-old recalled.

"We used to always eat together. We had a group: Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Piyush Chawla, Munaf (Patel), MS and me. We would order dal makhni, butter chicken, jeera aloo, gobi and rotis. But MS is a very rigid person when it comes to eating. He would eat butter chicken but without the chicken, only with the gravy! When he ate chicken, he wouldn't eat the rotis. He is quite weird when it comes to eating," he added.

Dhoni enjoyed phenomenal success as a captain, both for India and CSK, and Uthappa explained the reason for this.

"He has sharp instincts and he backs his own instincts. That's why he's been such a successful captain. He takes responsibility for every outcome, whether it is a win or a loss. If he makes a bad decision because of his instincts, the man can't sleep for a few days. He starts overthinking. If a good captain's instincts are sound 4 or 5 out of 10 times, Dhoni's instincts are sound 8 times or 9 times," former CSK player said.

Uthappa also spoke about Dhoni's other traits and shared the first conversation he had with Dhoni after the IPL auction a few years ago.

"MS is a very open person. He does not hesitate in speaking the truth, even if it hurts you. I remember when I was signed by CSK in the auction, he called me and said, ‘I am not sure if you'll get a chance to play because the season is still far away and I haven't given it any thought. If you do end up playing, I will let you know.' By now, I had enjoyed 13 successful years in the IPL. Still, he told me to my face what he had to do. I still appreciate that a lot," he said.

About his time at CSK in Dhoni's presence, Uthappa said: "In the first season, I saw everyone in the squad calling him Mahi bhai. I went up to him and asked if I should call him Mahi bhai too. He dismissed it saying, call me what you want, it makes no difference. Please call me Mahi only."

--IANS

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By Jaishree Sharad
New Delhi, March 7 (IANSlife) Holi is a festival of colours and one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the country, especially in North India. Holi is also symbolic of the triumph of good over evil.


Aptly called as the festival of colours, it is that time of the year again when people come together, rejoice and apply colour on each other to share their joy. However, a lot of people use heavy metals and chemicals instead of organic colours and this may be detrimental to the skin and eyes as well.

Let us see how to take care of our skin during Holi:

Skin issues due to holi colour which is not organic :

dry skin

dry hair

brittle nails

rash hives

irritant contact dermatitis

allergic contact dermatitis

flare up of acne, dandruff, atopic, psoriasis

The black paste has lead oxide, Green has copper sulphate, and red has mercury sulphate. The shimmering given to these colours is by mica and powdered glass, which are meant for industrial use. All these can cause skin irritation. There can be itching, a red rash and irritation on the area of contact.

Skin care before playing with colours :

First of all, it is advisable to use natural/skin friendly and organic colours or the ones made by reputed companies using natural products. Colours made from flowers and coloured vegetables like beetroot are the safest.

Apply a moisturizer with ceramides and occlusives such as oils (coconut oil, mineral oil, almond oil, etc) butters (shea butter, cocoa butter), waxes such as bee's wax, white soft, yellow soft, paraffin, petrolatum, silicones prior to playing Holi to all exposed parts of the skin. Occlusive ingredients form a barrier on the skin which shields the skin from harmful chemicals.

Follow it up with a waterproof sunscreen which has SPF of at least 50 and is broad spectrum ie it provides protection from UVA, UVB, infrared and blue light.

Make sure to wear clothes that cover the maximum part of your body.

Petroleum jelly should be applied under nails and soles, elbows and other dry areas of the body.

Use oil on your hair too. People with long hair can tie their hair into a bun or ponytail. This will prevent the colour from harming the roots of the hair and will also ensure that the colour from the hair washes off easily.

Apply dark colour nail paint to your nails so that the nails do not get coloured.

Skin care after playing with colours:

Use a gentle cleanser or a cream cleanser to cleanse your face. You may also opt for baby oils to remove colour. However, if you have acne prone skin, use a cleanser with aloe vera or grape seed extract instead of baby oil to prevent clogging of pores. Avoid using foam based cleansers and soaps . They can alter the skin pH and cause dryness and irritation. Do not rub the skin vigorously. Avoid using hot water to wash your face or to bathe.Hot water could rip off the moisture from your skin. Use lukewarm water or water with normal temperature instead. Do not try to remove the colour at one go if it doesn't come off. You could always try the next day.

Shampoo your hair immediately after you play holi. Make sure you use a conditioner too.

Remember to use a good ceramide-based moisturizer on the entire body after a shower.

For irritated skin or minor rashes, apply a mixture of calamine lotion. Apply an ice pack on the irritated skin. If the condition persists, go to a dermatologist.

In case of any rash or allergy, treatment would include taking a non-sedative, anti-allergic tablet, like Cetrizine or fexofenadine (allegra).

(Dr Jaishree Sharad, Internationally renowned cosmetic dermatologist, Author, TEDx speaker, Founder of Skinfinitii Aesthetic Skin and Laser Clinic)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
New Delhi, March 7 (IANSlife) The season of colours and love, 'Holi', is here. Numerous legends and stories associated with Holi celebrations make the festival more exuberant and vivid. During the festival, people across the country love to travel and celebrate the festival with friends and family. The most favourite means of transportation in the country, trains, get overflooded with people, and seat availability becomes next to impossible.


However, the well-designed network of roads and the expansion of bus services have provided a great gateway for people to get to their desired destination and add happiness to their lives and the lives of their loved ones by celebrating Holi together. Rohit Sharma, COO of, AbhiBus shares insights on top destinations in India where travellers can celebrate Holi.

Vrindavan and Barsana: Vrindavan, a sacred city perched on the Yamuna River's bank, is a well-known destination to host the Holi celebrations. Those who enjoy a joyous Holi festival travel to Vrindavan city because it is home to the deity of Lord Krishna. The city of Vrindavan is the finest location to celebrate Holi at renowned mandirs, including Banke Bihari Mandir, Prem Mandir, and Radha Raman Temple. The Holi festival lasts a week in Vrindavan, which is well connected to the transportation system due to its proximity to the nation's capital. People from around the nation can easily travel by bus to their location and enjoy a fantastic Holi celebration.

Barsana, one of the best locations to celebrate Holi, is close to Mathura and is connected to various roadway networks. In Barsana, one can witness the famous Lathmar Holi, in which women beat males with sticks in good humour. In addition to Lathmar Holi, visitors can also celebrate Ladoo Holi at the Shriji Temple in Barsana, where laddoos are given out to worshippers to commemorate Lord Krishna's journey from Nandgaon to Barsana to meet Radha. Along with bhajans honouring Lord Krishna and Radha, people in Barsana also sing many folk songs in Braj Bhasha to celebrate Holi.

Udaipur: Udaipur is encircled by the Aravalli Range and awash in nature's splendour. Udaipur is well connected to the rest of India via air, rail, and road. The city, along with gorgeous lakes like Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake, is a must-visit location to celebrate Holi, also known locally as Dhulandi. The celebration's vibrant colours are enhanced by the city's white marble. Individuals can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience by participating in the festival of colours at historic forts.

Jaipur: Jaipur is a popular tourist location for Holi festivities. It forms an important portion of the well-known Golden Triangle tourist route, making it very accessible to reach there by bus and train. The vibrant streets of Jaipur display a recurring pattern of cultural changes, making it an ideal location to enjoy the festival of colours. The city is filled with well-preserved historical forts and regal legacy, surrounded by besieged walls and rugged hills, which gives the celebration a new fragrance.

Varanasi: Varanasi is an amalgamation of spirituality, religions, art, culture, history, and communities. From its divine temples and ghats to the eclectic quarters of free souls and saints, the city is the perfect getaway to celebrate Holi. People in Varanasi throw 'uptan' into the fire, which is believed to keep people disease-free for the rest of the year. The Holika ash is later used to mark a tilak on the forehead of all attendees and then prepare for Holi's grand celebrations the next day.

Allahabad: The city of Sangam is not to miss as a destination to celebrate Holi. Historically rich, it presents the right setup to enjoy the festival with your loved ones on the pious bank of the Ganges. The city is located very strategically and has been one of the most well-connected cities in the country in terms of transportation since ancient times and continues to be easily reachable through bus and train services.

People across the country travel in the major volume to celebrate this festival. Bus services have emerged as a major alternative to allow people who plan to celebrate at their destined location and face difficulties to get their hands on train and flight tickets. Furthermore, the widespread roadway network has made it possible for bus service providers to offer people travel access to any part of the country and become a part of the unique celebration.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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Kanpur (UP), Feb 17 (IANS) In an interesting incident, a pigeon carrying a letter was found in Kathara village of Bidhnu in Kanpur.

The pigeon with a piece of paper around its neck, and having some Urdu text written on it along with blood stains on the other side, was found perched at the entrance of a local resident's house on Thursday.

According to reports, farmer Dharmendra Kushwaha of the village was feeding the cattle, when he found a grey pigeon sitting at the entrance of his house. It was constantly cooing. On giving a closer look, he found a piece of paper tied around the pigeon's neck with a white thread.

Later, Dharmendra caught the bird with the help of some neighbours.

"I thought it was a love letter for someone. On opening the piece of paper, I saw that there were seven lines in Urdu written in blue ink. The whole text was written in a square box," he told reporters.

"There were some blood stains on the other side of the paper," he added.

The villagers put the pigeon in a cage and alerted the police control room.

At the same time, they also started searching for Urdu experts to decipher the meaning of the text.

ACP Ghatampur Dinesh Kumar Shukla said, "The pigeon was carrying a 'tabiz' (amulet) around its neck. The police tried to release the pigeon, but it kept on returning."

--IANS
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Los Angeles, Feb 17 (IANS) Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly desperate to overhaul his reputation for only dating models and actresses aged under 25.

The Oscar-winning 'Gangs of New York' actor, who is turning 49 in November, has been mocked by commentators for his habit of dating women around half his age, and faced a backlash from his critics when he was this month linked with 19-year-old Israeli model Eden Polani, following his split from Camila Morrone after she turned 25, reports aceshowbiz.com.

On Thursday, February 16, a source close to Leo told DailyMail.com about how he's "not pleased" with constant jokes about and criticism of his love life, "Leo is very single right now and he is not keen on the hype suggesting that he is seeking out these very young women."

"He is looking for something more mature in the relationship department. It is just ridiculous because he cannot go anywhere without being linked to the youngest beautiful woman there. He wants to ditch this image once and for all and he is really bothered that this continues to follow him. Leo wants something like he had with Camila, something real."

After the actor's split from Camila he was photographed with models including 25-year-old Victoria Lamas and most recently Eden, who several sources have denied is in a relationship with the actor. An insider told DailyMail.com at the time about how Leo wasn't dating Eden, "They were seated next to each other at a music-listening party There were a number of people at that event."

Leo's dating life hit the spotlight after he starred in 'Titanic' and, two years after its release, he started seeing the then-18-year-old supermodel Gisele Bundchen when he was 24. Their relationship lasted five years before they split in 2004 when she was 23, and a year later he started dating model Bar Rafaeli when she was 20.

Again, their relationship lasted five years before they broke up when Bar turned 25 in 2010 - kicking off a similar dating pattern for Leo that has lasted until now. In 2011, he dated actress Blake Lively when she was 23 before he got together with model Erin Heatherton, 22, for a few months.

He moved on to German model Toni Garrn when she was 22 before they split in 2014 when she was 24. In 2015, he went out with actress Kelly Rohrbach, who was 25 at the time - before they split when she turned 26. His romance with actress Nina Agdal that started in 2016 ended two years later when she was 25, and Leo then started dating Camila - before splitting with her last summer, a month after she turned 25.

He then briefly dated model Gigi Hadid, 27, then again went back to younger women when he was linked to actor Lorenzo Lamas' daughter, Victoria, 25, from whom he was said to have split last August.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANSlife) No matter what, we all deserve to be loved and valued. Make sure to take the time this year, whether you're single or in a relationship, to express your love in unique ways.


Spend some time expressing your love and gratitude to those around you. Making breakfast in bed for your loved ones can be as simple as delivering a handwritten message. Relationships can be strengthened significantly by demonstrating care.

Reach out to loved ones; whether it be through a phone call, text message, or a handwritten note, spend some time to let them know that you are thinking of them and value them. Give the people you care about the gift of time, connection, empathy, compassion, and a safe place to be vulnerable.

Dr Chandni Tugnait, a Psychotherapist, Life & Business Coach, & Founder-Director of Gateway of Healing, shares 14 ways to help you create meaningful memories:

Have a spa day: Treat yourself and your loved one to a relaxing spa day, complete with massages, facials, and other pampering treatments.

Plant a tree: Plant a tree together in honour of your relationship or friendship. This can symbolise growth and remind you of the love you share.

Do a puzzle: Working on a jigsaw puzzle helps enjoy each other's company and boosts the satisfaction of completing a task as a team.

Have a photography session: Have a professional photography session together or take candid photos of each other throughout the day.

Go stargazing: Find a secluded spot away from city lights and spend the evening stargazing and discussing your hopes and dreams for the future.

Write a song: Write a song together, either from scratch or by remixing a favourite song to make it your own.

Plan a scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt for your partner or friends, leading them to different locations with unique gifts and special memories.

Create a care package: Put together a care package for someone you love, including their favourite treats, a cosy blanket, and a handwritten note.

Create a memory book: Collect photos, mementoes, and memories from your relationship or friendship and create a memory book that you can look back on for years to come.

Have a movie marathon: Choose a selection of your favourite romantic comedies or heart-warming films and spend the day with your loved ones.

Play games: Play games together, such as board games, card games, or video games. This can be a fun and playful way to spend time together.

Make handmade gifts: Create handmade gifts for each other, such as a painting, a photo album, or a knitted scarf.

Take a dance class: Sign up for a class together and learn how to salsa, tango, or swing dance.

Perform acts of kindness: Plan a day of random acts of kindness, such as leaving positive notes for strangers, paying for someone's coffee, or donating to a charity.

Dr. Chandni Tugnait suggests celebrating everyone who brings happiness and joy into your life - friends or neighbours who have been by your side during tough times or family members who keep filling your life with laughter. Remember to be kind to yourself too! Give yourself the same amount of love and kindness that you give others, and don't put yourself last on the list constantly. Treat yourself well - it'll make all the difference!

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANSlife) Shoes contribute a lot to your style, not only do they elevate your look but they also say a lot about your personality. Most people are judged by the shoes they wear. There's an old English proverb that points towards the same and holds to date.


It is also said that shoes affect your mood. The shoes you wear can reflect your style, mood, personality, attitude, and much more. If you want to leave a strong impression, a versatile shoe collection can do the job, they add a lot of depth to your personality. You can unknowingly create a negative impression of yourself with your shoes. Hence, it is recommended to never laze around the shoe matter.

Take things into your own hands and start building a fantastic shoe collection today. If you are extremely unaware of shoes, Kuldeep Singh, Founder and CEO of San Frissco outlines a collection of shoes you should own and what they convey. Let's dive in!

Sneakers

Sneakers are the most frequently worn shoes these days. They usually represent a happy, sporty, and comfortable attitude. They are best paired with casual outfits. If you want to look professional, it is better to avoid these. Sneakers are comfortable, cozy, and stylish. They convey an extremely relaxed vibe. From your friend's birthday party to your workouts, you can wear them everywhere. You need to invest in a sneaker to complement all your styles.

Chappals and Sandals

Leather Sandals or Chappals elicit an extremely comfortable, chilled, and relaxed attitude. They are perfect for beach vacations. Additionally, they are the most suitable for your feet during summer. Apart from a beach vacation, you can also wear them for daily activities. They are street-friendly, and even celebrities and influencers are opting for them.

Boots

One of the best additions to your shoe collection, boots are a sight to behold. They work well in both personal and professional settings. They convey a strong, professional, chic, and charismatic attitude. You can style it with denim, pants, or even dresses. You can wear a pair to the office and even parties. They convey extreme confidence as well.

Loafers

Loafers never go out of style. They can easily convey a casual and light-hearted attitude. They are perfect for get-togethers and parties that involve your near and dear ones. They are minimalist yet stylish. They can give a confident and chic vibe with chinos, denim, and even a well-fitted suit. They are extremely comfortable and you'll feel confident in your skin.

Heels

Heels have been a status symbol since time immemorial. Kings and Queens wore heels to denote their high status. It was also used during dances. Even today, heels represent confidence, boldness, and even a high status. Women who wear heels are deemed more attractive as well. Thus, wearing heels can convey a strong, attractive, and powerful attitude. You can pair them easily with dresses, jumpsuits, and even denim.

Shoes can convey more than you know. You should always keep a good check on your shoes and wear the most suitable pair. You need to dress up according to the situation, surroundings, and people. Only when you can do that, you can create the desired impression with your shoes.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANSlife) There were five European communities or colonies along the Hooghly River's banks: British colonies, French colonies, Danish colonies, Dutch colonies, and last but not least, Portuguese colonies. Their colonies were mostly created for training purposes.


Native artists learned how to use oil colours and to paint on canvases instead of little paper miniatures through exposure to their artistic expertise and practise. Wealthy European or indigenous merchants and zamindars were the primary patrons of European artists.

They were adopting new subjects even though they were primarily painting portraits. These paintings are now referred to as "Early Bengal Oil Paintings" or "Dutch Bengal Paintings," which is the more common name for them. In Calcutta, formal art instruction first began in the 19th century.

Native artists had European-style art training before turning to their own traditional themes of Gods and Goddesses and personality portraits. The artwork on display in this exhibition dates from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries.

The historical context of the Indian Art Movement and the artistic practise of the early works in the genre of oil painting in India can both be observed and appreciated through this show.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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