Lifestyle

By Archana Batra
New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANSlife) "The way to someone's heart is through their stomach," this quote is accurate, but planning a lovely and delicious evening for a partner who prefers to keep their calorie intake under control, may be a bit difficult, especially on Valentine's Day.


Let's make things simpler for you, here's what you can cook for your gym freak partner or health enthusiast.

Strawberry Mojito

We've all heard how strawberries complement a Valentine's Day menu. They are sometimes referred to as the "fruit of love," thus a Strawberry mojito is all you need to rekindle your memories with your love.

How to make it?

Start by slicing a lemon into small pieces. Next, slice your strawberries very thinly. Add the strawberry slices, lemon slices, and some fresh mint leaves to a glass. Muddle the ingredients in the glass gently and add a dash of honey or brown sugar.

Then grab a tall glass of water. Add some of the muddled strawberry mixtures to it. Pour in a low-carb soda or sparkling water as well as some ice cubes. Lastly, garnish your mojito with a few more strawberry slices and mint leaves. If you want to make it into a margarita, add some tequila to it.

Humus Egg devil

With this hummus-filled egg dish, you can add a Lebanese twist to your Valentine's Day menu. This could become your partner's favorite starter. Egg devils look fancy on the dinner table. They appear to be simple, but they are the perfect start for your lavish meals.

Hummus is a wonderful source of organic protein. It contains vitamins and elements such as calcium, iron, folate, and zinc. Tahini, a source of vitamin E, is found in hummus. It is also beneficial to gut health because it contains prebiotic fiber, which helps to nurture and sustain the good bacteria in our digestive tract.

Normally, you may use any type of filling for your egg devil, but humus is the ideal filling to go with if your partner is cautious about their health and fitness.

How to make it?

Boil the eggs for around 7-8 minutes. After the eggs have been boiled, set them aside for 12 minutes, then transfer them to an ice-cold water bowl. This makes egg peeling quick and easy.

Peel your eggs and cut them in half and remove the egg yolk.

Next, in a bowl, mix the hummus with cajun seasoning, mustard, a pinch of paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything properly. Fill a piping bag halfway with the hummus mixture and delicately pipe it down on each half of the eggs.

Garnish with chives or parsley and your delectable appetizer is ready!

Cod Fillet

Cod fish is a low-fat protein food, making it a good choice for people who prefer to manage their fat intake. Therefore, this dish could be a fancy yet healthy option for your beloved. Cod helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and avoids artery-clogging, thereby enhancing heart health. It contains a high concentration of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Cod has a significant proportion of iodine, which is essential to regulate thyroid hormones.

How to make it?

First, season the Cod Fillet with olive oil, dried oregano, lemon zest, salt & black pepper. Then bake it at 350F for 15-20 minutes.

Following that, we'll make a butter sauce. Heat the butter in a saucepan until it melts and turns brown, giving off the aroma of a nutty flavor. After that, add the lemon juice and parsley. Mix them well and your sauce is ready. This will take roughly 3 minutes.

In the meantime, grease your non-stick pan with olive oil. Put in the minced garlic, chopped bell peppers and asparagus, and a handful of baby spinach leaves.

Gradually add your seasonings (black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, and salt as per taste). Saute your vegetables for a few minutes before adding low-fat cream cheese and parmesan cheese. Then sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley. Combine them well so that all of the ingredients are amalgamated.

Finally, arrange your vegetables on a dish and top it with the fish filet. Garnish with lemon zest, butter sauce, and plenty of love.

Roasted Bell Pepper Whole Wheat Pasta

We all enjoy pasta, but it is packed with carbs. If your valentine enjoys both pasta and fitness, whole wheat pasta is the best alternative to regular white pasta. The usual white pasta is prepared with refined flour, which has a large amount of fat. Whereas, whole-wheat pasta is prepared from wheat grain kernels and is a great source of nutrients like complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

How to make it?

In a pan, heat about a tablespoon of oil and toss in the onions, roasted bell peppers, and three garlic cloves. Cook for three to four minutes, then season with salt, oregano, paprika, and black pepper. Combine all of these ingredients until the vegetables are well-cooked and mushy.

After that, set this aside to cool. Once cooled, place it in a blender and puree until it resembles a sauce-like consistency.

Once again, heat a spoonful of butter/oil in your pan. Then add the blended sauce and simmer for around 2-3 minutes. After that, gradually pour in the vegetable/chicken broth, almond milk, and red wine vinegar. Give your sauce a thorough stir and bring it to a boil. Finally, put in the whole wheat pasta and some fresh basil. Stir your pasta well and serve it hot! Always feel free to add your choice of protein or vegetables.

Banana-Peanut Butter Munchies

Most people enjoy peanut butter, as do protein-rich bananas. Peanut butter contains a plethora of beneficial minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium, and vitamin B6. Bananas, on the other hand, are high in potassium, fiber, and iron, and fitness enthusiasts choose them as part of their daily diet.

So merging the two will give you a great sweet snack to relish with your sweet love.

How to make it?

This is the simplest to make. Simply chop the banana into little chunks and cover it generously with peanut butter. Then freeze it for at least 4 hours till your delicious snack is ready. You can also use dark chocolate coating along with peanut butter to enhance the taste.

Grab a bite and end the evening on a sweet note!

We all appreciate a delicious meal on special occasions to remember and cherish. Try these incredible meals for your fitness-obsessed lover without making them feel guilty about their diet.

(Dr. Archana Batra is a Dietician, and a Certified Diabetes Educator, who has 13 years of experience in nutrition and diet counseling.)

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

--IANS
archana/tb

By Husain Minawala
New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANSlife) Valentine's Day is often associated with sweet nothings between lovers, chocolate, and flowers. However, the only emotion worth honoring on Valentine's Day is Love.



Even in the most mundane aspects of our everyday life, love may be found in a number of shapes and forms. For example, we can feel love in friends' compassion as they console us when a coworker provides a helping hand when we feel we can't handle things on our own, or when we are playing and snuggling with our pets.

Why not take advantage of this opportunity to perform small acts of kindness for people dear to us at a time when we need to care for ourselves and others more than ever?

Here are some suggestions:

The first love is for you. It's not at all selfish to take some time off for yourself to do something you enjoy. Recharging your batteries ever so often is even necessary. Take some time this Valentine's Day to pamper yourself and care for yourself because you deserve it! Have you run out of ideas? Plan a soothing evening by placing a takeout order from your preferred restaurant, watching a calming film, and then unwinding in a sumptuous, ultra-calming bubble bath. Go shopping. Give yourself permission to splurge a little. Buy yourself something special that you always wanted for yourself. Make a list of 3 things that you love about yourself. Whether it's a part of your body, something about your personality, or a special talent you have - write it down and show yourself some love. Be selfish and do something that makes you happy without caring about what others might think of you. It could be a yoga class, Zumba session, or cooking. The point is, you, do you.

Happiness in our love nest. The pandemic might have strained your relationship because everyone was working from home. Valentine's Day is the ideal occasion to break from the norm and indulge in a little extravagance as you celebrate the miracle of your relationship. Why not have formal gatherings for yourself at your house? Put on some clothes, put a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator, and order a fine-dining meal suitable for a king or queen. Don't forget to catch this lovely occasion on camera with a few pictures.

Loving on our little ones. In your family, showing affection is something that happens frequently, even in the tiniest actions. Why not make Valentine's Day a huge celebration of love to please your young children and school-aged kids? To manufacture decorations for the house, such as garlands or greeting cards, assist the kids. For each member of the family, you can include heartfelt messages and praises. Prepare red foods for the day to make it even more joyful, and don't forget to give lots of hugs!

Asserting our friends with gratitude. They support us in both good and bad times, which makes our friends so priceless. Take the time to appreciate your friendships on Valentine's Day. This is the ideal time to send a heartfelt note of appreciation to each of your pals, praising them for their encouragement, openness to your ideas, or sense of humor. Mention how having them in your life has improved it. Your letter is complete once you've included hilarious stories and images you've shot together. It's a given that you'll make others happy.

Increasing our contact with those who loved us first. Parental and geriatric love is so wonderful and priceless because it is unconditional. Since the first day they took care of you, they have been able to watch you develop and flourish. Take this opportunity to let them know you care about them on Valentine's Day. By gathering the pictures you have of them, you may show them your thanks and affection. Then, you can send the photo album together with a heartfelt note. They'll be excited to share all those lovely experiences with you when you look back on them.

Thanking those who are a part of our daily life. Our ability to collaborate with our co-workers differently as a result of working from home has taught us to think of them as family. Express your gratitude for their support and thoughtfulness to them this Valentine's Day. Why not provide them with a coupon that they may use to purchase a homemade meal or a restaurant meal at a later date? It's always appreciated when people make little gestures like this! Offer your favorite workers a delicious baked treat or a lovely plant to spruce up their workplace, if your work environment permits.

Spoiling our fur children. Through the good times and the bad, our four-legged friends never judge us and always stand by our sides. They've had to adjust to our increased house presence in recent months as they've frequently joined us for our numerous video sessions. That's not always simple to do! Give them a special treat or a fun new toy on Valentine's Day. There will be kisses!

Rendering love to those who most deserve it. Why not show some love to people outside of your network that is in need if your circumstances permit it? There are a lot of people and important causes that could use some love and support, whether your heart goes out to homeless families, elderly people living alone, or animals in shelters. If you want to lend a hand, you can volunteer a few hours of your time, bring extra food to community kitchens, or donate to an organization that you care about. It's incredibly satisfying to give. What a wonderful method of sharing the love!

(Husain Minawala, Founder of Beyond Thoughts)

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

--IANS
husain/lh/tb

By IANSlife
New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANSlife) With Valentine's Day around the corner, it's time to bust out the old shakers and turn up with a cocktail that is sure to wow your partner. Be it your first valentine's or your 10th, there is nothing more special than making something unique and flavourful to mark the special occasion. Whiskey, in particular is a brilliant base if you are looking to create a cocktail that is unique and enticing, and share a unique drink this Valentine's Day. We have Poonam, NeuWorldSpirits to show you a few whiskey base cocktail recipes to help you have a glass full of whiskey and a heart full of love.


Whiskey Old Fashioned

Made with whiskey, sugar and bitters, the whiskey old fashioned is a classic drink that will never go out of style. The smooth taste of whiskey coupled with the strong aromatic elements of the bitters is perfect for those cosy evenings with your loved one, especially if you both like the classics and know exactly what you love.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz downing street whiskey

1 Sugar cube

2 dashes angostura bitters

Few dashes plain water

Preparation:

Place sugar cube in old fashioned glass and saturate with bitters, add a dash of plain water.

Muddle until dissolved

Fill the glass with ice cubes and add whiskey

Garnish with orange slice, and a cocktail cherry


Classic Whiskey Highball

For those who like their whiskey fizzy, the classic whiskey highball is the perfect way to kick-start your Valentine's Day evening. The dash of lemon coupled with sparkling water is sure to leave your loved one wanting more on this special day.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz downing street whiskey

100-150ml sparkling water or soda

Strip of lemon zest

Ice cubes

Preparation:

Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the whisky and then add the sparkling water.

Drop in the lemon zest to garnish and the mint leaves

Stir in a gentle folding motion to combine the flavours


Hot Toddy

Made with whiskey, honey, lemon, and spices, it's a soothing and cosy drink that's sure to warm you up on a cold night. The warmth of the drink coupled with the aromatic flavours is sure to spice up your evenings and make your Valentine's Day more fun.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Downing Street Whiskey

3 tsp Honey

1 Cinnamon Stick

Juice of Half Lemon

2 cloves

Preparation:

Whisk the whisky and honey together and split between 2 heatproof glasses.

Add half of the cinnamon stick to each, then top up with 200ml boiling water.

Add a splash of lemon juice to each.

Finish each with a slice of lemon, studded with a clove, and serve immediately.


Whiskey Highball

Typically served in a high glass with ginger and lemon, the whiskey highball is the perfect drink for those who want to enjoy a refreshing new take on whiskey like never before. A whiskey highball is traditionally made with whiskey and a mixer, typically carbonated water or ginger ale, and is perfect for those who aren't too big on the stronger taste of whiskey and want something that neuters down the taste, just a little bit.

Ingredients:

2 oz whiskey

1 can of ginger ale

Ice Cubes

Preparation:

In a tall glass, add the whiskey, ice and top it off with ginger ale

Stir in a gentle folding motion to combine the flavours


Penicillin

Ginger and lemon are one of the best flavours to compliment the smooth oakiness of scotch, which is why the Penicillin has become one of the most loved whiskey based cocktails in recent years. The combination of ingredients also contributes to a holistic power packed flavour, giving you everything you need to have a beautiful Valentine's Day, right here.

Ingredients:

2 ounces Blended Scotch

3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

3/4 ounce Honey-Ginger Syrup

1/4 ounce Single Malt Scotch

Preparation:

Add the blended scotch, lemon juice and syrup into a shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled.

Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Top with the Islay single malt scotch.

Garnish with a piece of candied ginger.

Whiskey cocktails are perfect for Valentine's Day because they offer a warm, and comforting feeling, perfect to share with your loved one. Giving your loved one a whiskey cocktail on this special day is sure to lighten your mood, and give you a perfect way to enjoy your special evening.

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

--IANS
IANSlife/tb

By Vivek Tripathi
Varanasi, Feb 5 (IANS) Benaras has got a 'roti ATM', a first-of-its-kind initiative to feed speechless stray dogs and cows.


Grootguardian, the organisation which Gaurav Rai set up along with his four friends for the noble purpose, now houses 40 youths.

Grootguardian President Gaurav Rai said that he got inspiration for the work from his friend Siddharth Singh who passed away in a road accident.

Rai said that Singh was an animal lover and wherever he used to see hungry animals, he used to feed them biscuits and jaggery.

"We have started this ATM after his sudden demise. We feed the food collected in the ATM to stray dogs and cows," Rai said.

First ATM is installed in a society in Pandeypur in Banke Bihari, in which around 100-150 chappatis are being collected. The next ATM will be installed in Shivpur where 200 families reside.

"We are being supported by around 40 people including Prajwal, Harsh, Aman, Mrintujay, Vikas, Kavish, Sadas, Avinash, Shivani, Tulika , Akshara, Kritika, Himalaya and Nihal," he said.

Prajwal said that organisation was founded in 2019 and during the Covid pandemic, they used to feed the stray animals and distribute ration to the poor people.

"His team is continuously working for animal welfare, women and child education and enviornment conservation," Prajwal said.

--IANS
vivek/svn/

By IANSlife
New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANSlife) The last two years have been extremely challenging for a lot of people around the world. From losing loved ones, livelihoods, and hope, these few years have been one of the toughest in recent memory. What kept us going in the midst of this crisis are acts of generosity and kindness that have come to the fore and built a sense of community and interconnectedness. This crisis has put a spotlight on how crucial these community care networks are for providing healing and supporting a thriving and more connected society.



GivingTuesday - a global generosity movement that envisions a world built on radical generosity and shared humanity through its study of generosity over the years has found that giving is an important way in which people address their uncertainty. Expressing generosity-whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or charitable donations-gives people agency, allowing them to feel hope and connection in a time that many have felt hopeless and disconnected. As the New Year dawns upon us, there has never been a better time for people to embrace generosity, in all of its forms. GivingTuesday highlights a few ways one can make a resolution to incorporate generosity in everyday life:

Offering small acts of kindness: Random acts of kindness are all about sudden inspiration and good intentions. It is important to pay attention to the people around you and take note of what you can do to make their lives a little easier. Sometimes a kind word or act is all you need to create a ripple effect that lasts throughout the day.

These include acts such as offering your seat in public transport to a pregnant woman or a senior citizen, holding the door or elevator for someone, checking in on an elderly neighbour, or bringing dinner to someone who has fallen sick or is going through a rough day, dropping off a little baked treat to neighbours, morning bus driver or to your household. Any small act of kindness or a simple gesture can brighten someone's day.

Volunteering and Community Engagement: One of the most effective ways of giving back is by volunteering for a cause you believe in. This could be at an awareness drive, beach clean-up, food distribution, animal shelter, etc. Volunteer work is also flexible, so you can participate as per your schedule, and you can choose opportunities that fit your interest.

It also helps to volunteer with other so that it can be an enriching community experience, and socially beneficial at the same time. It is also important to find your right interest cause, and not give up if the first volunteering experience does not match up to your expectations. Volunteering is a small step that goes from knowing an interesting cause to make sure that the cause comes into action.

Giving your time: People tend to misunderstand that generosity should only include the donation of money. Giving your time to someone in need can also be an equal act of generosity. Acts like spending time with senior citizens at old age homes, teaching intellectually disabled kids, collaborating with local non-profits, etc, can also be impactful acts of generosity.

There are also organisations where one can volunteer to cook a meal for homeless guests. Taking the time to help prepare or serve a meal can be of great help to people who need it. With a wide range of options for people to spend time on, the key is to make some time for things that matter and can make a difference. Giving your time for a noble cause is a beautiful act of kindness, and supports the spirit of giving.

Using your skills for good: The most underrated yet the most innovative and impactful form of giving is to use your skills for good. Teaching a subject or basic reading/writing practice to underprivileged children, using your marketing/ logistics skills to help a non-profit, supporting a fundraiser drive by using your financial skills, or helping a charity or non-profit get more funds for a cause they are working towards.

You can also teach your skills to people who would need them in their lives, and give them mentorship as and when required. Not only is this a noble generosity effort but also helps someone gain life skills. Every hour you spend using your skills for someone turns into an hour of changing someone's entire life for good.

Using your voice to promote giving: Give your voice to amplify the concept of giving on social media, and engage as many people to come forward and contribute to it in whatever way they can. Be a part of organisations or movements of larger social impact such as GivingTuesday, that aims to grow more generosity, and encourage people to adopt, recognise, and practice generosity as a way of life.

Voicing acts of kindness and generosity will raise awareness about the movement and make people more inclined towards being more generous and practicing small acts of kindness in their day-to-day lives. Sharing one's feelings about the acts of kindness that they have done, or seen around can inspire people to adopt this virtue as a part of their lives.

However one chooses to incorporate generosity; your time, compassion, and service will be appreciated more than you may ever know. An act of generosity comes from a place of service and genuine kindness and has the power to change someone's life for the better.

May this coming year encourage all of us to make a resolution to practice generosity, and enable us to embrace this virtue-not just on one day or during a calamity, but throughout the year. Small acts of kindness and a whole heart of generosity can bring the change we all wish to see with each New Year.

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

--IANS
lh/tb

Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS) TV actress Rishina Kandhari, who is currently seen in the show 'Na Umar Ki Seema Ho', gets candid about her interest in wildlife photography and recalls her first wildlife safari to Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and spotting five tigers.

She shares: " My interest in wildlife photography came in immediately after the lockdown got over. When I went on my first wildlife safari in 2020, I had no idea what it was going to be like. But to my surprise it was beautiful, call it beginner's luck I spotted 5 tigers."

The actress says that the experience was so good that again she went to Pench Tiger Reserve. She adds about the skill of capturing animals taught to her by a guide.

"Wildlife is mesmerizing and one can get lost in its beauty. While capturing a tiger, my guide asked me to click the picture as it won't wait for us or pose. Luckily in the nick of time, I clicked one shot and I was so happy that the picture came perfectly. I realize that it is very important to enjoy wildlife with your eyes for a blissful experience. Yet I do like taking pictures as I have learnt it professionally. "

Apart from the current fictional drama, she was also seen on 'Diya Aur Baati Hum', 'Ye Un Dino Ki Baat Hai', 'Tenali Rama', 'Gehraiyaan' and many more.

While sharing her experience of wildlife photography, she talks about a few points to be kept in mind.

"Things to take care of when you visit such parks are first and foremost safety. You should have a perfect guide and a driver who is confident of driving well in the jungle because the paths are uneven. Secondly, whenever you go to these parks you are always sighting in an open jeep, though there are canters that are covered. Also wildlife photographers prefer sighting in an open jeep so that they can capture good pictures," she adds.

"One should never get down the jeep because it's a high risk of distracting the animals. You must wear covered clothing, your cap, and your mask to protect yourself from the dust storm and water which is very essential. Avoid talking loudly or you might chase the animals away."

"Wildlife photography is all about patience, one has to be patient enough to wait for the animals to come out. Sometimes people get dry safaris where they don't get even a single sighting. One shouldn't get disheartened as it's a game of luck. Wildlife photography is like an addiction and trust me there is no rehab for it," she concludes.

--IANS
ila/uk/

By IANSlife
New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANSlife) The winner of Big Blues Hunt - one of the most-awaited features of Asia's largest blues music festival, the Mahindra Blues Festival (MBF) - is finally out and unveiling them is our most-loved Blues musicians and judges of band hunt - Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa. What makes this accolade all the more prestigious is that the selected band gets to share the stage with legendary blue bands across the globe.



As winners of the band hunt, The Karan Mahajan Band will have the golden opportunity to perform on both days, i.e., on the 11th and 12th of February, alongside renowned blues artists, including Buddy Guy - one of blues music's all-time greats, as well as Arinjoy Sarkar and the Arinjoy Trio, Ivan Singh, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, and Grammy Award Winner Taj Mahal, truly making this year's edition a celebration of the past, present and the future legacy of blues music.

Keeping the tradition of discovering, encouraging, and providing a platform to emerging blues artists alive, the MBF had opened entries for its digitally-run 'Big Blues Band Hunt' contest. The initiative helps rising blues acts share the stage with global music legends across borders digitally via the world's largest blues community, The Mahindra Blues community, with a following of more than 2,00,000 people.

This year's online contest saw aspirants from across the various nooks and corners of the country participate by uploading videos of their acts. The top 3 bands from among them were chosen to perform live for the final round, which took place at antiSOCIAL, Lower Parel, on 16th January 2023. Here, the bands were to prove their mettle to popular musicians Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa, who made up the esteemed panel of judges.

Talking about the performances, Ehsaan Noorani said: "Blues is a beautiful genre and requires finesse when it comes to strumming the strings. As a Blues musician, you create masterpieces by just manipulating strings to bring out true emotions with impeccable songwriting. It was indeed riveting to see aspiring Blues bands perform and showcase the culmination of their writing, playing, and singing skills in the final round. And, of course, the winner is one who managed to ace on all three fronts."

Loy Mendonsa mentioned: "It was surreal to witness bands from across the country perform live to win the coveted Blues Band Hunt contest, and I was only too happy to be a part of it as a judge. While what makes this win memorable for The Karan Mahajan Band is the chance to share the same stage with legends like Buddy Guy, I am looking forward to their future performances and hope they can keep the legacy of Blues alive!"

VG Jairam - Founder, of Hyperlink Brand Solutions added: "Mahindra Blues Festival brings the best of Blues music and musicians under one roof. And this year, the Blues Band Hunt saw astounding participation from aspiring bands from all over India. Each performance was praiseworthy, and it was indeed tough to pick the best among the best. The winning band managed to impress the judges with their stellar performance and stage confidence. We look forward to seeing them perform at the main event!"

Over the last decade, the Mahindra Blues Festival has been celebrated as a cultural movement that anchors blues music in India, attracting audiences from across the country and the world. A mainstay of the Indian blues music scene, the festival's stage often witnesses a convergence of established and rising international and homegrown blues acts.

MBF returns to Mumbai's iconic Mehboob Studio for its 11th edition on the 11th and 12th of February, 2023.

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

--IANS
ianslife/tb

By IANSlife
New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANSlife) India is one of the most rapidly growing toy markets in the world, and the industry is predicted to grow to $2-3 billion by 2024. The existence of toys in India dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization around five thousand years ago. The earliest toys included whistles shaped like birds, toy monkeys and small carts which were made from materials found in nature such as sticks, clay and rocks.



In recent years, the advent of advanced technology and machinery has encouraged manufacturers to produce modern and innovative toys. India has one of the largest young populations in the world, owing to which, the toy industry in the country has witnessed rapid growth. The market is brimming with a wide array of both conventional and modern toys. However, with evolving trends, there has been a shift from traditional toys towards innovative and hi-tech electronic toys.

Another year is practically in the rear-view mirror, and for toy makers, it's been a busy one. After finding creative ways to overcome obstacles brought about by the pandemic's uncertainty, the Indian toy and stationery market remains optimistic that 2023 will bring about a positive change to the industry. Understanding how children will play and learn in the future is an integral part of our trend forecasting process, particularly while developing seasonal design trends for the kids' market.

Shobhit Singh, Director, Stone Sapphire India Private Limited shares some of the upcoming trends that we can expect will rule the toy and stationery sector in both, Indian and global markets in the year 2023:

Sustainability in toys and stationery continues to be a predominant part of the industry: It is impossible to disregard plastic completely from toy products, henceforth most companies are coming up with ground-breaking ways to emphasize the importance of sustainability. Toy manufacturers are finding new ways of fabricating new products without adding to the plastic waste issue. In order to go with the trend of sustainability and build a greener earth, today many toys are being composed of eco-friendly materials like bamboo, sugarcane fibres, biodegradable paints and many other sustainable raw materials. It is predicted that going forward, there is certainly going to be a boom in this space as more and more companies are getting innovative.

Playing Dough, taking the Indian toy industry by storm: The Indian toy manufacturing industry has always come up with something that alongside being fun also doubles up as an exceptional and safe learning technique for your children. As far as playing dough is concerned, the benefits associated with it are plentiful like the development of fine motor skills, encouraging creativity, improving social skills, supporting literacy and numeracy, and promotion of playtime. There are many companies that undergo a host of methods and ideas in constructing a colourful playing dough that is not only nontoxic but also sustainable, thus getting the end product that is absolutely safe for kids to use.

Do-it-Yourself Kits will be the next in-thing: Do-it-yourself kits facilitate children in discovering new hobbies, allow them to reconnoitre their abilities, and above all help them to tap into their creativity. STEM-based toys or DIY kits tend to provide a practical, hands-on learning approach to young developing minds. This facilitates them in easily grasping concepts like mathematics and science, thus imparting a holistic approach. Additionally, playing with these toys will also help in refining life skills like confidence, problem-solving attributes, better communication skills, and persistence to name a few.

Futuristic Toys perceives an uptick in sales: Kids tend to learn best in an interactive environment. Hence next-gen technology learning tools have today substituted blackboards, books, and homework. Gamification of toys enables children to understand serious subjects through gameplay. Intelligent technologies like AI, AR and VR have today been transforming the landscape of learning, thus allowing kids to remain lifelong learners.

Toys that Promote equality: In the coming years, gender-neutral toys and multiplicity in objects of play are being fortified to serve as a more accurate illustration of the real world, aiming to familiarize children with new experiences. Such play fundamentals help in cultivating empathy and responsiveness amongst children.

Kids of the contemporary age are digitally-savvy and exposed to an assemblage of things on a universal scale, that is nothing but impacting their buying behaviour. This clearly states that it is imperative for toy and stationery makers to continue to keep up with the shifting times through constant innovation and market trends.

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

--IANS
ianslife/tb

Jaipur, Jan 19 (IANS) 16th edition of Jaipur Literature Festival has returned to Pink City after a year ushering in a festive feel as it brings along 350 speakers from across the globe associated with literature, music, art and film from across the world.

This unique festival shall continue from January 19 to 23 at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur.

The inaugural ceremony on Thursday was addressed by Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah in Front Lawn from 9:50 a.m. onwards. The theme for this year is 'Utsav' celebrating the colours of Rajasthan and displaying bright colours. Indian weddings make statements with its vibrant colours, extravagant celebrations, resonating music and sharing the happiness of a new start.

With its decor, Jaipur Literature Festival 2023 tried to replicate the same joy for the audience which they take away from an Indian traditional celebration. The entire decor and theme for this year is an amalgamation of Indian cultural heritage and its vibrant nature.

The speakers will discuss global issues along with art, literature and music. Since the theme this time for the Jaipur Literature Festival is Utsav, Hotel Clarks Amer has been decorated with Rajasthani colours and artefacts.

Producer of Jaipur Literature Festival, Sanjoy Roy, said that this time the festival is being organised on the green concept in which no card is required. People will be able to attend the festival by just showing their barcode after online registration.

Once they enter, they shall get to see colourful cultural programmes along with contemplation and brainstorming issues related to literature, art and music.

Some of the key sessions include The Essential Abdulrazak Gurnah in which Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah will be in conversation with British publishing legend Alexandra Pringle. Gurnah fled Zanzibar as a teenager following the Revolution of 1964. His striking and formidable works include Memory of Departure, Pilgrims Way, Dottie, Paradise, By the Sea, Desertion, and his most recent, Afterlives, which examines the German colonial force in East Africa and the lives of Tanganyikans - as they, work, grieve and love - in the darkening shadow of war.

The other sessions include Seven Moons of Maali Almeida in which Shehan Karunatilaka will be in conversation with Nandini Nair, Sustaining Democracy; Nurturing Democracy in which Shashi Tharoor will be in conversation with Tripurdaman Singh.

Overall, 350 speakers will participate in the festival. A total of 21 Indian and 14 international languages will be presented in the 16th edition of the festival. Speakers and panellists include last year's International Booker Prize winner for 'Tomb of Sand' Gitanjali Shree, Gulzar with Booker winner Bernardin Evaristo, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shobhaa De, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Shashi Tharoor, Aanchal Malhotra, Amish Tripathi.

Well-known faces like Sudha Murthy, Ashwin Sanghi, filmmaker Onir, Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah and former Special Director of the Indian Intelligence Bureau Amarjit Singh Dulat will also mark their presence in the event.

Many musical and cultural programmes will also take place during the five days of the literary festival.

--IANS
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Mumbai, Jan 16 (IANS) Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez, whose film 'Shotgun Wedding' is directly heading to the OTT bypassing its Indian theatrical release, has shared that she liked the idea of flipping the gender roles in the film.

Written by Mark Hammer, the film captures an extravagant destination wedding on a tropical island being hijacked by criminals. In the midst of it all, the couple discovers why they fell in love with each other in the first place.

Talking about the script of the movie, JLo shared: "Our couple, Darcy and Tom, have finally made it to the big day at their exotic destination wedding with all their loved ones in attendance, and basically nothing goes to plan. There are a lot of twists and turns and very unexpected things happen, but that's what makes the ride so much fun. I just loved the script. There was a wit and a realness in the dialogue in the way Tom and Darcy went back and forth. And I was excited about the idea of doing a romantic action comedy, which is something I hadn't done before."

Shedding light on her character in the movie, the Hollywood superstar said: "Darcy is a lawyer who fights for other people, but when it comes to what she wants, she's usually willing to give in. She puts on this really tough exterior, like she's fine with all of that, but really she's not taking care of herself. She doesn't know how to say no. I liked the idea of flipping the gender roles - where instead of a bridezilla, you have a groomzilla. It is the woman who is afraid of commitment and not sure about the actual idea of marriage. Darcy does love Tom, but she's not really sure if that's what she wants."

'Shotgun Wedding' will be available to stream in India on OTT platform Lionsgate Play from January 27, 2023.

--IANS
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