Lifestyle

London, April 15 (IANS) Six pets in Portugal and one in the UK were carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria similar to those found in their owners, according to a study.

Dogs, cats and other pets are known to contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that can cause human disease.

In the study, researchers at the University of Lisbon in Portugal found bacteria resistant to third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems in dogs and cats and their owners.

Cephalosporins are used to treat a broad range of conditions, including meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis, and are classed among the most critically important antibiotics for human medicine by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Carbapenems are part of the last line of defence when other antibiotics have failed.

The finding underlines the importance of including pet-owning households in programmes to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance, said researchers.

"In this study, we provide evidence that bacteria resistant to third generation cephalosporins, critically important antibiotics, are being passed from pets to their owners," said Juliana Menezes from the varsity's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

"Owners can reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria by practising good hygiene, including washing their hands after collecting their dog or cat's waste and even after petting them," Menezes said.

The team tested faecal samples from dogs and cats and their owners for Enterobacterales (a large family of bacteria which includes E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) resistant to common antibiotics.

The prospective longitudinal study involved five cats, 38 dogs and 78 humans from 43 households in Portugal and seven dogs and eight humans from seven households in the UK.

In Portugal, one dog was colonised by a strain of multidrug-resistant OXA-181-producing Escherichia coli. OXA-181 is an enzyme that confers resistance to carbapenems.

Three cats and 21 dogs and 28 owners harboured ESBL/Amp-C producing Enterobacterales. These are resistant to third generation cephalosporins.

In eight households, two houses with cats and six with dogs, both pet and owner were carrying ESBL/AmpC-producing bacteria.

In six of these homes, the DNA of the bacteria isolated from the pets (one cat and five dogs) and their owners was similar, meaning these bacteria were probably passed between the animals and humans. It is not known whether they were transferred from pet to human or vice versa.

In the UK, one dog was colonised by multidrug-resistant E. coli producing NDM-5 and CTX-M-15 beta-lactamases.

These E. coli are resistant to third generation cephalosporins, carbapenems and several other families of antibiotics.

ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacterales were isolated from five dogs and three owners.

In two households with dogs, both pet and owner were carrying ESBL/AmpC-producing bacteria. In one of these homes, the DNA of the bacteria isolated from the dog and owner was similar, suggesting the bacteria probably passed from one to the other. The direction of transfer is unclear.

All of the dogs and cats were successfully treated for their skin, soft tissue and urinary tract infections.

The owners did not have infections and so did not need treatment.

The study will be presented at the ongoing European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

--IANS
rvt/uk/

New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Over 130 women students of Delhi University defied the curfew timings of their hostels and PG accommodations to join the Women's March organised by the Students Federation of India (SFI) on April 1 midnight at the Faculty of Arts, a student and SFI activist Mehina said on Sunday.

"The march on April 1 midnight was aimed at reclaiming the night (hours) and the streets that were previously kept away from women, and to raise awareness about women's safety," she said.

According to Samaa, a member of SFI Delhi state committee, the Women's Night March was organised entirely by women to give them a platform to voice their concerns and to empower them to take back their freedom to move around at night.

The march began with a rally around the Faculty of Arts at midnight, with participants singing songs to celebrate the strength and resilience of women, she added.

The women then gathered at the Faculty of Arts gate, where a range of cultural events were held to showcase the talents of female students and to promote unity and solidarity among women.

"The event was a resounding success and received widespread support from the Delhi University community," the SFI said.

"As a progressive students organisation, we see the Women's Night March as a testament to the resilience and strength of women in the DU, and the SFI hopes that the event will inspire more women to speak out against gender-based violence and work towards creating a safer and more inclusive society," the SFI added.

"It is empowering to see women breaking curfew and reclaiming their right to move around at night. The Women's Night March is a strong statement that women demand the right to live without fear and to occupy public spaces without any restrictions," a woman student said.

--IANS
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New York, April 2 (IANS) SARS-CoV-2 infection is not alone behind long Covid conditions, psychosocial factors such as low physical activity and loneliness may also contribute, according to a study led by an international team of researchers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines post-Covid-19 condition (PCC) as the persistence of symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnoea, and what is commonly referred to as "brain fog" occurring three months or longer after infection with SARS-CoV-2.

The study, published in the JAMA Network Open, showed that the prevalence of long Covid conditions was equally high among people without a history of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting contributions of other factors.

The prevalence of PCC six months after acute Covid was approximately 50 per cent, but was equally high in a control group of comparable SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals (47 per cent).

Acute Covid was not an independent risk factor for PCC, the researchers said, noting that low physical activity and loneliness were also associated with the outcome.

"These results suggest that factors often labelled as psychosocial should be considered risk factors for persistent symptoms," the researchers said.

However, "this does not imply that PCC is 'all in the mind', or that the condition has a homogeneous, psychological aetiology. Rather, there might be heterogeneous biological, psychological, and social factors engaged in triggering and maintaining the symptoms of the individual," they said.

For the study, researchers, including from Akershus University Hospital in Norway, University College London, UK; and University of Sydney in Australia, used a prospective cohort study involving 404 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 105 who tested negative.

The team evaluated the participants during the early convalescent stage and at six-month follow-up.

Study subjects underwent clinical exams, including pulmonary, cardiac, and blood tests to examine immunological and organ injury biomarkers.

Researchers also conducted cognitive functional tests.

The team didn't find any biomarkers specific to viral infection at six-month follow-up. The main risk factor for PCC was symptom severity at baseline.

--IANS
rvt/prw/dpb

London, March 29 (IANS) People suffering from flu could be at more than six times higher risk of heart attack a week after, than in the year before or after, a new study suggests.

The study, led by researchers from the University Medical Centre Utrecht in The Netherlands, said the results underline the importance of the flu vaccination programme, as well as awareness of heart attack symptoms among doctors treating patients with flu, the Independent reported.

"Our results endorse strategies to prevent influenza infection, including vaccination. They also advocate for a raised awareness among physicians and hospitalised flu patients for symptoms of heart attacks," lead author Dr Annemarijn de Boer, from the University was quoted as saying.

"While it isn't clear from our results if those with less severe flu are also at risk, it is prudent for them to be aware of the link," de Boer added.

The findings come amidst rising cases of flu in India, driven by the H3N2 virus.

For the study, the team analysed lab test results of 26,221 cases of influenza between 2008 and 2019, and compared them with death and hospital records.

About 401 patients had a heart attack in the year before or after a bout of flu -- some of them suffered more than one heart attack with the researchers noting 419 heart attacks in total.

Of the total heart attacks, 25 were in the first seven days after flu diagnosis, 217 within the year before diagnosis and 177 in the year after flu diagnosis - not including the first seven days, the report said.

About 35 per cent of patients who had a heart attack died, of any cause, within a year of being diagnosed with flu.

The findings will also be to the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Copenhagen in April.

According to a previous study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, flu virus plays a role in rupturing plaque, causing heart attacks. Annual flu shots, however, were found to reduce the risk.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, March 24 (IANSlife) The first time you hold your little bundle of joy in your arms is one of the most beautiful experiences you will ever have. Once you have your infant in your arms, you will find yourself examining every detail of their face, savouring their scent, and comforting them with your words and love.


Even though all of these actions may come easily to you, they are crucial for forging a bond with your newborn after birth. You should keep a lot of skin-to-skin contact with the infant during this period as it can help with bonding and support breastfeeding for mothers. Experts from Cetaphil discuss the value of skin-to-skin touch and how it can strengthen relationships.

Skin-to-skin contact in a nutshell

Skin-to-skin contact is the practice of drying and placing a baby directly on the mother's naked chest after birth, when both are wrapped in a warm blanket and left for at least an hour, or until after the first feed. Skin-to-skin contact can benefit babies for months after birth. Some experts also advise waiting three months for full-term newborns and six months for preterm babies. So, cuddle up with your newborn child and relish the pleasure of becoming a parent.

The link between bonding and skin-to-skin contact

Skin-to-skin contact not only helps keep the baby warm but is also the best way to bond with your newborn child. It has a direct influence on the mother-infant relationship. In addition, giving your baby a nice soothing massage is essential, the massage should always be about bonding, loving, and respecting your child. Furthermore, doing their skincare after a bath and allocating a certain time to do so will allow you to focus on your baby amid all the hustle and bustle, as well as soothe the baby. Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion, formulated with calming organic calendula and natural oils, is a gentle baby lotion that will soothe and nourish your baby's skin all day long. Bonding also aids your baby's mental and physical development. Touching, cuddling, talking, singing, and staring into each other's eyes, for example, can cause your newborn's brain to produce hormones. These hormones contribute to your baby's overall brain development.

Benefits of skin-to-skin contact

Aside from bonding, skin-to-skin contact provides several other advantages for both the mother and the baby. Here are some of the advantages:

Calms and relaxes mother and baby: it stimulates oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone," to be released in the mother

It aids in the contraction of the uterus, which lowers bleeding, as well as warms the mother's body,

Regulates the baby's heart rate, breathing, and body temperature, allowing them to better adapt to life outside the womb

Stimulates digestion and interest in feeding


Benefits of skin-to-skin contact for fathers

Skin-to-skin contact's benefits are not just limited to mothers. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact for fathers include bonding with their infant, feeling more confident as a father, and experiencing a rush of protectiveness towards their kid. Dads can provide the same benefits as mothers in terms of regulating their baby's temperature and heartbeat while also developing an emotional bond with their child.

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

--IANS
ianslife/tb

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
sameer/dpb

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
rvt/ksk/

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
jaishree/tb

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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