THE DAILY SAFARNAMA

घर में तो सिर्फ़ पत्नियों की चलती है, मानता हूँ ये बात सब पतियों को खलती है, अगर पति नहीं मिलाते हैं हाँ में हाँ, गलती होते ही आवाज़ आती जाती है मैंने कहा था ना••• पत्नी चाहती है बुरे वक्त के लिए बचाना, पति सिर्फ़ पूरा कर पाता है दिनचर्या चलाना, घर ख़र्चों से बचाकर पत्नी इकट्ठा कर लेती है ख़ज़ाना, घर में परेशानी आते ही पति को देकर कहती है मैंने कहा था ना••••• पति चाहता है अपने दोस्तों को बुलाना, पत्नी चाहती है बनाना कोई नया बहाना, पत्नी के कहने के बाद भी ज़्यादा हो जाता है पीना-पिलाना, दोस्तों के जाते ही आवाज़ आती है मैंने कहा था ना••••• - कर्नल विनोद धीमान, सेवानिवृत्त।

The Plan It was the 2nd of August, 2024, a Friday, and as usual, Noida was bustling with traffic, giving off the typical weekend rush vibe. My sister and I had just come to a café for some snacks, breaking the monotony of our usual dal chawal lunches. I was in a hurry, eager to meet my college roommate, Joseph, who had returned to India after a long time. I was also expecting another old roommate, Sheetal. Back in college, we had shared a room and spent countless nights, gossiping, and having fun, never worrying much about our careers. Little did we know then that life would keep us apart for the next eight years. I was telling my sister how these clever guys had suddenly made plans while I was in the middle of my fourth-semester MBA exams at college in Kerala. I, too, was thrilled to see my long-lost friends, and we had even planned a trip to Himachal. There had been a lot of news about landslides in Himachal at the time. Sheetal didn’t seem to care much, but Joseph was hesitant, esp...

After so much of evolution in India post-independence, even today, the stigma of caste among Hindus in India is a significant issue, specially in rural areas and smaller cities, although it has diminished in urban environments due to modernization, westernization and economic development. The repercussions of caste-based discrimination are severe affecting from social mobility to access of resources and consequently leading to social segregation. Caste often determines socioeconomic status, with lower castes historically having less access to economic opportunities, education, and healthcare. We still see, interactions between different castes to be limited in certain areas perpetuating a lack of understanding and empathy between communities. At its worst, caste discrimination many a times leads to violence including honor killings and caste based violence during communal conflicts. In such a society, our politicians benefit a lot by appealing to caste sentiments to m...

Summers in India can be merciless. As the mercury rises above 40°C, we bring you a carefully curated list of places to visit in India in summer. Given the vast geographical and locational diversity, it can get confusing to decide where to go. This is why we have picked up spots from every corner of the country so that there is something for everyone. Read on to find out the top under-the-radar destinations to skip the pollution and crowds this summer vacation! Best summer places to visit in India Hemis, Ladakh Kalimpong, West Bengal Mount Abu, Rajasthan Chembra Peak, Kerala Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh 1. Hemis, Ladakh Snow Leopard spotted at Hemis National Park (Source - www.nativeplanet.com) Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and alpine forests of Birch and Juniper, Hemis, or Hamis, is a treat for the eyes during summer. One of the coolest places in India during summer, it is ho...

In the journey of manifesting our desires – whether it be wealth, relationships, career accomplishments, or personal goals – there exists a paradoxical wisdom that often many people do not understand: the concept of detachment. Rooted in spiritual teachings and psychological theories, detachment encourages us to let go of our grip on the outcomes we desire and instead embrace life’s evolution with a sense of ease and trust. Understanding Detachment Detachment, as advocated by various spiritual traditions and also discussed in the context of modern concepts like the Law of Attraction, is fundamentally about letting go of our tight grip on our desires and expectations. It’s about understanding that true fulfillment and happiness do not depend solely on the achievement of specific outcomes. When we attach ourselves too much to how things “should be,” we inadvertently create emotional blocks and resistance that can impede our progress. In the Indian context, where spiritual philosophies su...

Tibet, a region rich in historical and religious heritage, has transformed itself into a story of struggle for independence and protection amid Chinese political dominance, with a tumultuous history. Located on the high plateaus of the Himalayas, Tibet's distinct cultural identity and geographical importance have made it a focus of global debates on human rights and regional stability. Historical Background The story of Tibet's integration into the Republic of China began in the early 1950s, under the leadership of Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong. The 17 Point Agreement of 1951, which has been controversial and considered to have been reached by force, established Tibet as an independent region within China. This agreement initiated decades of tension and conflict between Tibetan leaders and revolutionaries. Central to Tibetan cultural and spiritual identity is the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who is revered around the world. Afte...

Illegal wildlife trade has emerged as a major global crisis. Its consequences are devastating to biodiversity and ecosystems around the world. In India, this illegal industry has turned into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. It is fueled by high demand for exotic pets, traditional medicine ingredients and luxury wildlife products. Surprisingly, illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth between $7-23 billion annually. It is the fourth-largest international crime after drugs, human trafficking and counterfeiting. More than 1,800 species are protected in India under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Yet, the trade continues unabated Poaching of iconic species such as elephants, tigers and rhinoceroses has reached alarming levels. Their populations are declining rapidly. Lesser-known species such as pangolins, the most trafficked mammal in the world, are also heavily targeted. Over 1 million have been killed in the last 15 years. Traditional Chinese medicine, which uses tiger bones ...