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What are your goals for 2019? Posted by Nitya on Dec 12, 2018
The new year () is fast approaching and if you are like most people, you are probably making a list of resolutions () for the upcoming year (). It’s a project we all love to work on … to begin a new year with hope () and positiveness and to make up for the past…
Ethnic Lac Jewelry Posted by Nitya on Nov 30, 2018
If you have made a trip or two to India, you’ve probably noticed that there are as many crafting traditions (शिल्प की परंपरा/shilp ki parampara) as there are states in the country. Rajasthan is famous the world over for its sandy dunes, historical palace residences and vibrant folk attire. However, Rajasthan is also a haven…
Mud Fort Building — A Unique Diwali Tradition Posted by Nitya on Nov 20, 2018
This November is a season (ritu/ऋतु) of many festivals (tyohar/त्योहार) including Diwali and Thanksgiving. Members of the Indian diaspora around the world celebrates Diwali with the same fervor as in their home country. Traditions and rituals (parampara aur anushthaan/परंपरा और अनुष्ठान) may vary from region to region, however the essential significance (mool mahatva/मूल महत्व) of…
India’s Statue of Unity Posted by Nitya on Nov 12, 2018
India’s newest claim to fame is the Statue of Unity which was unveiled and inaugurated (udghaatan karna/उद्घाटन करना) by Prime Minister (pradhaan mantri/प्रधान मंत्री) Narendra Modi on October 31, 2018. The Statue of Unity is a statue (pratima/प्रतिमा) of Vallabhbhai Patel, who hailed from India’s western state of Gujarat. Vallabhbhai Patel was a barrister (vakeel/वकील)…
The Asiatic Lion in Gujarat’s Sasan Gir Forest Posted by Nitya on Oct 23, 2018
The state of Gujarat in India’s (paschhimi/western) (kshetra/region) is (prasiddh/famous) as the (ghar/home) of the majestic Asiatic शेर (sher/lion). Once found in other parts of the world and in (poorvi/eastern) and (madhya/central) India, it is now believed to make its (vishesh/exclusive) domain within the confines of the (Gir van raashtriya udyaan/Gir Forest National Park) in Gujarat…
Stay on the Alert for Crimes Posted by Nitya on Oct 8, 2018
I’ve recently been watching a धारावाहिक (dhaaravahik/television series) in Hindi, which is telecast जिसका प्रसारण होता है (jiska prasaraN hota hai) on one of India’s प्रचलित (prachali/popular) television networks, Sony Entertainment. This कार्यक्रम (kaaryakram/program), called Crime Patrol, is a cinematic recreation of how India’s police force has solved (mostly) भीषण (bheeshaN/gruesome) crimes. Some of the प्रकरण (prakaraN/episodes) are presented…
Call Me By My Tune Posted by Nitya on Sep 22, 2018
Meghalaya मेघालय (Meghalaya) is a beautiful state in the northeastern region पूर्वोत्तर क्षेत्र (purvottar kshetra) of India. This state is also home to the indigenous Khasi people known as one of the largest groups who follow a matrilineal मातृवंशीय (matruvansheeya) tradition परंपरा (parampara). A recent news item shed light on another unique tradition अनोखी प्रथा (anokhee pratha) practiced by the Khasi people living in and around…