Lifestyle

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANSlife) Today, there is a whole gamut of skincare solutions available in the market, both for your face and your body. From oils to serums to creams to balms, the choices are endless! And sometimes, these never-ending moisturizer choices can frustrate you and really get under your skin.



Some people are minimalists - they buy one face cream, apply it all over, and they are done. Others invest heavily in their skincare regime, layering products like toners, face serums, and creams. And to top it off, they religiously apply eye creams or undereye creams all over the thin skin around their eye area.

But do you really need to purchase an eye cream, or will your regular face serum do the job? Are eye creams an expensive fad? Or are they a must-have in your skincare routine, like your favourite beauty influencer insists? Let us try to peel away the layers and solve this mystery with Dr. Priti Shenai, Founder of Skinworks, a leading beauty, and dermatology clinic based out of Mumbai.

What is a face serum?

Dr. Priti: Face serums nourish, hydrate, and protect your skin. They have a thin consistency so that they can be absorbed quickly by your skin. Another feature of face serums that sets them apart from face creams is that they have a higher concentration of active ingredients like skin lightening agents, exfoliating acids, vitamins, etc. So, by using a face serum, you can expect results much faster than a face cream.

Is it okay to use a face serum around your eyes?

Dr. Priti: The skin around your eyes (eyelids and under eyes) is thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your face. So, it shows wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, and other signs of ageing sooner than other areas of the face. So, you must take great care to keep this skin moisturized to prevent dryness.

Since the eye area is more delicate than the rest of your face, certain types of face serums can be harsh on them. Highly-concentrated serums with active ingredients like retinol and exfoliating acids (such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid) are not gentle on the eye area! So, if you use such a face serum, do not apply it around the eye area. Instead, use an eye cream.

What is an eye cream, and how is it different from face creams and serums?

Dr. Priti: Eye creams are specially formulated to treat (or prevent) skin conditions that affect the area around the eyes.

They treat common skin woes such as:

. Dark circles
. Wrinkles
. Puffiness
. Sagging skin (eye bags)
. Sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, it will not react well to face serums and greasy creams

Eye creams have a thicker consistency than face creams and are much oilier than face serums. They are also much gentler and contain active ingredients like retinol in a smaller amount.

The bottom line: should one buy an eye cream?

Dr. Priti: If you want to banish dark circles or reduce wrinkles around your eye area, then it is definitely worth investing in an eye cream. But, before you spend big bucks on products that are trendy or are being promoted, consult your dermatologist. They will recommend fast-acting, genuine products that work best for your specific skin type and solve your skincare woes for good.

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)

--IANS
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By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANSlife) Cooking in a bamboo hollows has been their tradition for a long time, and even with time and advancement, food aficionados enjoy experimenting with the flavour of food cooked in various pots and pants and definitely cooking in a bamboo hollows.


Celebrate the flavour and essence of cooking in a bamboo hollows with these recipes on World Bamboo Day, which is commemorated annually on September 18 with the goal to raise awareness of bamboo globally.

Shahi Murg Bamboo Biryani By Chef Jerson, Director of Culinary, Novotel Mumbai

"One of the simplest yet most interesting and delectable recipes learned during my forest camping days when Bamboo was the only source of steam cooking a perfect dum style biryani. This is a very unique biryani for the style in which its cooked, the earthy flavours from the marinated meat and delicate textures of the long grain basmati rice marinated with roasted spices and yogurt marry each other really well promising to give a punch to your taste buds connecting you with the scent of nature. I have given my own little twist of taste, texture, and flavour to this biryani by cooking it over a live charcoal fire using dried coconut shells as fuel," says Chef Jerson.

Ingredients for marinating chicken

3 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp biryani masala
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 lemon
250 grams with bone chicken
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 cup fried onions
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup mint leaves
1/4 cup coriander leaves
4 to 5 tbsp oil
4 cardamoms
1- inch cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1/8 piece nutmeg
2-star anise
1 flower mace
Salt as required

For rice cooking

1 cup basmati rice (1 cup=250ml)
4 tbsp oil
4 cardamoms
1 kapok bud
1-inch cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1/2 mace
1-star anise
1/8 piece nutmeg
Salt as required
1/3 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp biryani masala
1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 onions
2 green chilies
1/2 cup mint leaves

For assembling

2 tbsp oil
1 cup of water
Aluminum foil to cover
2 to 3 bamboos green

Method

Marinate the chicken

Take chicken into a mixing bowl.
Add whole garam masala spices, salt as required, turmeric powder, red chili powder, biryani masala, ginger garlic paste, coriander powder, fried onions, half a lemon, yogurt, mint leaves, coriander leaves, oil, and mix well.
Leave the marinade for an hour.

Marinate the rice

Take raw basmati rice into a mixing bowl.
Add oil, salt, whole garam masala spices, ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, biryani masala, onions, green chilies, and mint leaves, and mix well.
Keep it aside for an hour.

Assemble

Clean the bamboo until you find no dust inside.
Grease the inner part with oil.
Put 2 spoonsful of chicken marinade first and then 4 to 5 spoons of rice. repeat the process again.
Add 1/4 cups of water.
Water runs down to the bottom through the gaps.
Cover the bamboo with aluminum foil.

Making Bamboo Biryani

Set fire using dry coconut shells over charcoal and put the bamboo on it.
Leave for 30 to 35 minutes turning in between.
Later remove it from the fire and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes.
Serve hot on a banana leaf.

Chef's Tip- Clean the bamboo by boiling it in hot water for 15 mins and then apply oil inside and leave it aside to rest before filling it.

Bamboo Chicken Biryani, By Chef Makhan Singh, Novotel Visakhapatnam

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, South Indian
Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients for Bamboo Rice Biryani

100g Bamboo Rice
100g Chicken curry cut
1 Onion small, finely chopped
1 Tomato small, finely chopped
2 tsp Ghee
1/2 tsp Oil
Salt as per taste

For Grinding

1 Garlic Clove
1 Green Chilli
2 bsp Coriander Leaves
2 tbsp Mint Leaves
1/2-inch Ginger
1/4 tsp Coriander Powder
1/4 tsp Garam Masala Powder
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder

For Tempering

a small price Cinnamon
2 Cardamoms
2 Cloves
1 Bay Leaf

Method

Soak the rice for 3 to 4 hours.
Heat ghee and oil in a pressure pan over medium flame.
Saute the tempering ingredients for 30 seconds.
Grind the ingredients given for grinding to a smooth paste and add to the pan.
Stir well for a minute.
Add the onions, and tomatoes and saute for a minute.
Add the Chicken curry cut and pour 1 cup of water.
Add salt and simmer for a minute or two.
Now add the rice and bamboo cooked in a clay oven.
Cover it
Switch off the flame.
When the pressure has reduced, open the lid and gently fluff up the rice using a fork.
Serve with raita.

Bamboo Shoot Sundal & Bamboo shoot Varamilagai (red chili) Fry, By Chef Saravanan Ranganathan, Executive Chef: Novotel ibis Chennai OMR

In Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma, bamboo shoot is a common ingredient. It is also used in many Indian dishes; the recipe below focuses on Tamil dishes. In Tamil, the shoot is known as Moongil Kuruthu. After harvest, the shoot is sliced and steeped in water for two to three days to eliminate toxins before being pickled.

Ingredients

Bamboo shoot cubes- 100gms
Sunflower oil- 15ml
Mustard seed- 5gms
Urad dhal split-3gms
Dry Red chili- 3gms
Asafetida- 2gms
Curry leaves- 5gms
Grated coconut- 10gms

Method

Dice & blanch the Bamboo shoot.
Heat Sunflower oil in a Pan, Add Mustard seeds, Urad dhal, Dry red chili, Asafoetida, and Curry leaves, and toss the Bamboo shoot in the pan.
Add Grated Coconut to it immediately.

Bamboo shoot Varamilagai fry Ingredients

Bamboo shoot slices- 100gms
Sunflower oil- 300ml to fry
Red chili Powder- 5gms
Coriander powder- 10gms
Turmeric Powder- 2gms
Ginger & Garlic Powder- 10gms
Rice flour- 20gms
Lemon juice- 5ml
Table salt- 7gms
Curry leaves- 5gms

Method

Take Bamboo shoot slices in a Mixing bowl.
Add Chilli Powder, Coriander powder, Turmeric Powder, Ginger garlic paste, Lemon juice, Salt, and Curry leaves.
Mix Rice flour with the marinated Bamboo shoot.
Heat Sunflower oil in Kadai, fry the Bamboo shoot to crisp, and serve hot

Stir-fried Bamboo shoot with Pokchoy by Novotel Imagica

Ingredients

Bamboo shoot 150 gm.
Oil 50 ml
Garlic 15 gm
Onion 20 gm
Pokchoy 50 gm
Thai chili 2 gm
Aromat Seasoning 2 gm
Red Bell pepper 10 gm
Yellow Bell pepper 1 0gm
Sugar 2 gm
Oyster sauce 5 gm
Light soya sauce 2 ml
Red wine Vinegar 2 ml
Potato Starch 5 gm
Spring onion 10 gm
salt to taste

Method

First of all dust the bamboo shoots with potato starch, and deep fry it.
Now heat oil in a wok, add garlic, onion, thai chilli and saute it. Pour 100 ml of water once sauted.
Add bamboo shoots, bell pepper, pokchoy and other seasoning. Toss it on high flame and finish it with potato starch and red wine vinegar.
Garnish with burnt garlic and scallions.

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)

--IANS
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London, Sep 18 (IANS) A healthy lifestyle may reduce the risk of dementia in people who have type 2 diabetes (T2D), finds a new study.

The study found that individuals with T2D and an unhealthy lifestyle were much more likely to develop dementia than people without T2D and a very healthy lifestyle. However, a healthy lifestyle almost halved the likelihood of people with T2D developing dementia.

"Adhering to current dietary, physical activity and sleep recommendations is key to good health and it may contribute to a lower risk of dementia in people with diabetes," said researcher Carlos Celis-Morales from the University of Glasgow.

"We have shown that following these healthy lifestyle guidelines also significantly reduces the increase in the risk of dementia experienced by people with diabetes," Celis-Morales added.

For the study, presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Stockholm, the team tracked almost 450,000 participants of the UK Biobank study for the development of dementia.

The 445,364 participants (54.6 per cent female) had an average age of 55.6 years and were followed up for a median of 9.1 years. All were free of dementia at the start of this period.

Both T2D and an unhealthy lifestyle were associated with a higher risk of dementia. Those with T2D were 33 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those without T2D.

An unhealthy lifestyle was even more strongly associated with dementia. The participants with the least healthy lifestyles were 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those with the healthiest lifestyle.

Further analysis revealed that a healthy lifestyle appears to reduce the risk of dementia in those with T2D.

Individuals with diabetes and the healthiest lifestyles were 45 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those with diabetes and the unhealthiest lifestyles.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANSlife) The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual cultural cum award ceremony, Gata Rahe Mera Dil, has grown in popularity. During the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" programme, former union ministers Shri Prakash Javadekar and Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi honoured numerous chosen Bollywood artists and journalists with the PHD Utkrishtata Samman.


On Thursday, the programme was held at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where a melodic musical ambiance was established so that attendees could fully appreciate their favourite tunes. The songs "Chahe Meri Jaan Tu Le Le," "Goriya Re Goriya Re," and "Chandni O Meri Chandni" were sung by Jolly Mukerji to the point where the listeners were submerged in the musical sea.

Shailendra Singh transported the audience to an earlier era of music, while Hema Sardesai filled the room with soulfulness with songs like "Awara Bhawre," "Main Kudi Anjaani Hoon," and "Dama Dum Mast Qalandar." With songs like "Main Shayar To Nahi," "Humne Tumko Dekha," and "Hoga Tumse Pyaara Kaun," he captivated everyone.

Poornima Shreshtha connected the audience with devotion and spirituality with 'Itni Shakti Hume Dena Daata' and everyone's favourite 'Sona Kitna Sona Hai'.

Mohit Chauhan mesmerized the audience with his popular number 'Tumse Hi' while Sonu Kakkar made everyone dance to the tune of 'London Thumakda'.

Apart from this, Kishore Bhanushali entertained the audience with songs like 'Bhanware Ki Gunjan', 'Jeena Yahan, Marna Yahan' and Minu Bakshi sung 'Awaaz De Kahan Hai', 'Lambi Judai' etc. Vibhor Parashar and Bhupinder Singh Bhuppi also enthralled the audience with their captivating style and melodious tunes.

Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI and Mukesh Gupta, Chairman, Entertainment, Media, Art & Culture Committee, PHDCCI said, "This is the 6th edition of PHD Utkrishtata Samman. To encourage the industry as well as to promote entertainment, media, art and culture, every year this grand event is organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry."

On this occasion, Nandita Jain and Arshad Nizam, Co-Chairs- Entertainment, Media, Art & Culture Committee; Former Presidents- Dr. D K. Aggarwal, Suman Jyoti Khaitan, Sharad Jaipuria, Gopal Jiwarajka, Sanjay Bhatia, K. S. Mehta; and many business dignitaries were present.

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

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANSlife) Chaitanya Nallan, Co-Founder & CEO, SkinKraft Laboratories will clear your doubts regarding what you should apply first, either moisturizer or sunscreen! We all know how important the application of sunscreen is. Sunscreen needs to be applied not just in summers but throughout the year, yes, even in winters. However, it might be confusing when you are layering your skincare products.


To keep things simple, there are 2 types of sunscreens, physical sunscreen and a chemical sunscreen. You must apply your moisturiser first if you are using a physical sunscreen and for a chemical sunscreen apply the sunscreen and then over it you can apply your moisturiser.

Vipin Sharma, Senior Product and Research Manager at Fixderma will guide through the same. Skincare is always dynamic and experimental. With changing formulations and innovation, the steps and method of doing skincare also keeps changing. It has always been CTMS-Cleansing, Toning, Moisturiser and sunscreen. Yes! There has been an addition to the old CTM routine; Sunscreen. Sun protection is indeed the most important step in skincare routine. Any skincare is not 100 per cent effective if you do not seal it with sun protection. But how and when to use a sunscreen is also very important. The thumb rule always goes from treatment to protection. So, one should always start with a serum, then a moisturiser and finish it off with a high protection sunscreen.

But with the changing game of skincare, now even we have moved away from traditional straight forward sunscreens. Sunscreen not only come as per skin type but also now in different concoction. There are sunscreens which are infused with moisturising agents like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E. In such cases, one can skip moisturiser and directly go for sunscreen. But sunscreen always has to be the last step in your skincare routine.

"With the rising trend of following a skin care regime, the question you need to ask yourself is whether you are layering your products in the right order to achieve the desired result. Let us throw some light on the most used products in any skin care routine, Moisturiser and Sunscreen. What is the order of preference? The answer isn't exactly cut and dry, but my choice is justified by some scientific reasons based on their properties. Application of the moisturiser first will bridge any gaps in the stratum corneum and make the skin soft and supple. Also, moisturisers are typically reapplied every 10-12 hours. Sunscreens on the other hand, if applied directly over a dry skin would increase the dryness further leading to irritation of the skin. Additionally, sunscreens should form the outer layer as they can directly scatter/reflect/absorb the UV rays depending on their physical properties. And sunscreens should be reapplied every 2-3 hours for maximum efficacy, especially in tropical countries such as India where increased sweating is characteristic. At present, there are moisturisers available with SPF and vice versa in the market. Nonetheless, as a rule I prefer to layer moisturiser and sunscreen separately, each catering to its own purpose," adds Dr. Gagana B. Gopal, Consultant Dermatologist, KAYA.

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

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANSlife) With the pandemic situation under control and the implementation of postponed vacation plans, the demand for wellness has grown exponentially. The appeal of wellness travel is fueled by the fact that people are more aware of their health than ever before.


Across the nation, hotels and resorts that are dedicated to a creative and all-encompassing approach to wellness are growing healthily. The 'India-genous Travel' poll by Agoda earlier this year found that 37 per cent of travellers wanted to rest and unwind from the hustle and bustle of their daily routines, making wellness one of the top four reasons Indians travel.

A break from the day-to-day grind that is planned with a special wellness focus is increasingly becoming a mindful choice for all those with wanderlust. It can include spa treatments, therapies, healthy eating, culinary events, fitness activities, adventures in nature and educational programs that share ways to incorporate healthy habits into our everyday lives.

Here are three destinations, situated in different parts of the country that are ideal for one's much-needed wellness vacation.

Captivating escape to nature at the Western Ghats, Maharashtra

Charming and soothing, the stunning Western Ghats region of Maharashtra is perfect for nature lovers and indeed for anyone wishing to get far from the madding crowd. The entire area is known for its canopy of green hills which create a refreshing haven to visit. This picturesque destination offers respite to travellers from sultry weather and exhausting daily routine and thus is an ideal short break getaway.

Spirituality and adventure at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Whether it is the spirituality that you are seeking or adventure, a quaint romantic holiday, or a trip with your gang; Rishikesh offers the best of all the worlds that there are. While the flowing Ganges and its white sand beaches surrounded by the hills lure nature lovers, river rafting, morning Yoga and local food are what attract many to India's yoga capital.

This region is rich in exotic flora and fauna and is well known for eco-tourism and wildlife tourism. Some of the well-known national park sanctuaries in the vicinity are The Corbett, The Rajaji National Park and the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kerala: God's Own Country

Amid lush vegetation and coconut trees, Kerala is the land of wellness. Globally renowned for offering wellness therapies including traditional Ayurveda and Yoga, Kerala never fails to replenish and re-energise travellers' spirits. God's Own Country is often referred to as the birthplace of Ayurveda. The destination takes visitors closer to nature. It is the perfect place where one can actually recuperate from stress and strain.

An equable climate, serene beaches, tranquil stretches of backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife are the major attractions of this land. Classical art forms, colourful festivals, and exotic cuisine are some of the cultural marvels that await travellers.


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

--IANS
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Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 (IANS) After a year of successful operation of the Kozhikode Breast milk bank, the Kerala health department on Saturday announced that similar banks will be set up at the Women and Children hospitals at Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur.

State Health Minister Veena George on Saturday after visiting the Kozhikode breast milk bank said this bank has been a huge succour to many mothers and kids.

The whole purpose of this state-of-the-art breast milk bank is to promote breast feeding and to give all the support to kids and new mothers. The Kozhikode breast milk bank since its opening a year back has so far helped 1,813 kids with 1,397 mothers donating breast milk to the bank. So far 1,26,225 ml of breast milk has been collected and 1,16,315 ml has been distributed," said George.

This bank provides collected milk to the needy babies, after all the mandatory tests are conducted at the state of the art laboratory attached to the Kozhikode Medical College hospital.

George said similar banks will very soon open at Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur.

--IANS
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Chennai, Sep 17 (IANS) Rashmika Mandanna, who was running between the shoot of 'Varisu' and the promotions of 'GoodBye', has been enjoying the delicious food the national capital has to offer.

Recently, Rashmika travelled to Delhi for the promotions of 'GoodBye'. The actress had a great time in the city and shared a picture on her social media with a lot of food on her table. She added a note with the image that said: "When in Dilli..let's hog on-dal makhani, butter chicken, paneer bhurji, seekh kabab, makai di rotti, dahi kabab...Okay I ordered a lot."

As she got ready to depart from Delhi, Rashmika wrote: "Thank you Delhi you were too sweet! Next time, let's go for a momo date."

On the work front, the actress has an interesting line-up with films like 'Pushpa 2', 'Animal', 'Goodbye' under her kitty along with 'Mission Majnu' opposite Sidharth Malhotra, and 'Varisu' with Vijay.

--IANS
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Srinagar, Sep 16 (IANS) It's that time of the year again when the green of fields and the blue of the skies change their colour like a chameleon to the brightest hues of red and the dullest shades of yellow. Known as Harud in the local tongue, Autumn is the time to wrap up the year's walnut and saffron produce.

The process of tending to walnuts in this final phase is a tedious activity made bearable only in the company of fellow fruit-pickers.

The tradition is to sing songs in the glory of nature and her bounty while working on fields.

Migratory birds from Siberia, Eastern Europe, China, and the Philipines also chime in adding to the environment. Therefore, walnut picking is more than a mere activity, it's a celebration in Kashmir.

Known as Dooeyn in Kashmiri, the walnuts produced in J&K are of the best quality in the world.

Approximately 2.66 lakh metric tonnes of walnuts are grown on an area of 89,000 hectares in the Union Territory every year.

This season Kupawara recorded the highest walnut production in the Valley at 30,894 metric tonnes. The UT is responsible for more than 90 per cent of walnuts grown in the country. The three main varieties grown here are - Vonth, Kaghazi, and Barzul.

Vonth is grown predominantly for oil extraction, Kaghazi for its large fruit, and Barzul for its creamy flavour. The nut is grown organically without the use of chemical fertilizers which sets it apart from the rest of the world.

During the insufferable period of Covid-19, the walnut industry of the Valley was in gloom. To add to the loss, the unusual heat of the summer and flooding July rains added to the setbacks. But the J&K administration has come to the rescue through various interventions to revive the industry.

The administration with the help of the Department of Agriculture and Fruit Growers Association will help farmers to sell their produce in markets outside of J&K.

The produce that remains unsold will be purchased by the government at a predetermined price. The government is in process of setting up a dry fruit zone in the Valley to convert this unorganised sector to a regularised one with the least interference from middlemen. This way the farmers will be able to get the best price for their production.

To preserve the quality of walnuts the Department of Agriculture along with experts from SKUAST-Kashmir are coming up with a packaging solution.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of doubling the farmer's income, is setting up a committee of experts within KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras) in the Valley to bring about a scientific intervention in the propagation of walnuts.

In the past few years, unfortunately the famed Kashmiri walnuts have suffered stiff competition from cheaper varieties from China, Chile, Turkey, and the Netherlands. This has forced farmers to sell their produce at throw-away prices. To counter this, the administration will impose a 100 per cent import duty to protect the local farmers.

The new hybrid varieties of walnut trees that will help pick up the pace of the industry are in the final phases of testing.

In Kupwara, this 'Chandler' breed of walnuts which are smaller in size with better yield will be encouraged starting the next season. They will be offered to farmers at subsidised rates.

The scientists are also researching the hybrid varieties that will allow farmers to graft the traditional walnut trees.

The Horticulture Department is providing a subsidy of Rs 7 lakh to growers for building walnut nurseries. The department is also rolling out high-density walnut trees which can produce a crop within three years of plantation. With this, the farmers will be able to grow 300 walnut trees per hectare instead of 100 trees per hectare.

With the growing interest of the youth in Agri-preneurship, J&K is witnessing a revolution in its horticulture landscape. Educated youth are returning to their farmlands and experimenting with new techniques of farming fruits, nuts, mushrooms, etc.

The trade and export policy 2018-2028 together with government schemes directed at efficient production and marketing are creating new benchmarks for J&K in the international market.

The last three years witnessed 55 per cent growth in exports, of which agri-produce held the dominant chunk.

Further, the government has introduced machines for post-harvest management including handling, grading, processing, and packaging of walnuts to improve the price of the final product in the market. New walnut processing units will also be raised in J&K. The sick orchards will be rejuvenated and fresh walnut plantations will be drawn on the pattern of apple orchards in the Valley.

In 2022, the government provided safety equipment for tree climbers and made it mandatory. Only skilled labourers with safety gear were allowed to take down the fruit. Helmets, ropes, anchors, and nets are being shared among farmers to prevent life-threatening hazards.

Dooeyn are an indispensable part of the Kashmiri culture. During festivals and celebrations, walnuts are distributed as blessings.

With the latest technologies and scientific interventions in walnut propagation, J&K is sure to reclaim its first position as the top-quality walnut-producing state in the world.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANSlife) It is just as important to dress your bed as it is to dress yourself. A bed is your sacred space, which you want to protect to the best of your ability. It provides you with a sense of comfort and is cosy; it serves as a safe haven for you. A bed is also the first thing that anyone notices when entering a bedroom.



According to statistics, you spend 3000 hours on your bed in a year, can you imagine that?

Rajiv Merchant, President Domestic Retail, Boutique Living, Indo Count Industries says, "Your bed is the most important aspect of your home, because it's where you spend most of your time. It's crucial to have a bed that emits comfort. When you come home after a long tiring day, your bed helps you feel relaxed and keeps you calm. Comfortable and luxury bed linen will be the way to help you achieve the same."

Here are a few tips that would help you make your comfort zone into a bed that looks straight out of a home decor:

Mattress Matters - A great quality mattress is something that should be invested in without giving it a second thought. How it looks is equally as important as how it feels in terms of comfort and luxury. Experts recommend investing in 100 per cent cotton fabrics as it is breathable and provides more comfort as compared to synthetic fiber mattresses.

Pillows Talkin' - The secret to a good night's sleep is hidden in the pillows. Waking up with a sore neck because of uncomfortable pillows is the worst nightmare for many. It is essential to invest in, not just good quality but good looking pillows as well to add that luxurious touch.

Duveting it effortlessly - Switching up the looks of a space is often very exciting but Quality duvets are not always the cheapest. A great solution to this is investing in Reversible Duvets. Neutrals, prints, shapes - there are so many to choose from. When a reversible duvet is styled correctly, it looks tres magnifique!

Throw in some colour - Colourful and chic throw ons are a minimal yet great addition to a beautiful looking bed. Coordinating pillows and throws according to theme or patterns is the key. They should look like they belong together and not clash with each other in your space.

Bedspreads - Bedspreads are minimal yet they add so much to the beauty. Textured, coloured & patterned bedspreads are always a good choice. Laying it at the bottom half of your bed and placing it carefully will make your bed look and feel like it's straight out a Pinterest Board!

Colour Scheme - Colours are beautiful. Incorporate them in your bed's theme, when everything placed follows a colour scheme, it just falls into place and makes a big beautiful picture perfect bed!

Make your bed! - Now this might sound like a task but trust us, all you need to do is fluff up the pillows, straighten the bedspread, adjust the duvet and voila! You're good to go.

Layers & Layers - Layering doesn't always mean a cluttered space. Balance while layering holds great importance. Knowing where to place which element can bring your layering game to a 100!

It's in the Details - Pay attention to even the smallest of details. An uncut tag, a popped out zipper or a button - the smallest things could stand out like a sore thumb in your aesthetic setup.

Finishing it off - The key to a beautiful trip to slumberland is a great scent. Find yourself some calming scents like lavender, that smell great, feel luxe and help you fall asleep faster. A great book by the night stand helps too!

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

--IANS
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