Deepavali celebrations in Korea.

Thousand miles away from home, unable to relate to either the Korean culture or break free from Indian roots, many lonely hearts shed a silent tear to the beautiful times and memories of Deepavali. The sound of the feeble fireworks penetrating through our calls to our beloved ones back home strike a chord bringing back memories of what is amiss in our life away from home. The fun and frolic attached to the festival, the variety of sweet display, display of the latest fashion attire and the fireworks! Sigh! And many more such sweet memories. The need to recreate the festive atmosphere of Deepavali connects you back with your roots and creates the home away from home atmosphere. My experience being part of various Deepavali programs in South Korea in the last two years have been no different — I cherish those wonderful memories.

Deepavali is sort of the culmination of the fall festive season. The Indians community in Korea geared up for the festive season and decided to recreate India in Korea. These events also become an opportunity to explain Indian culture to the curious non-Indians. In fact, at these events you would typically find many non-Indians, some fascinated by Hindu-festivals, some simply love the Indian food and some other just love to dress up the Indian way.

The Deepavali celebrations were done on a massive scale on 17th November with much enthusiasm and fervor by the Indian Community, at the Hyundai Foreigner’s Compound Clubhouse premises in Ulsan. Buoyed by generous sponsorship from FLIK and Hyundai Heavy Industries, the Indian community hosted a rather late Deepavali celebration which actually was on 9 November 2007.

People from all religions and various nationalities; regardless of their differences, came forward to celebrate this vivacious festival of lights. The clubhouse was a sight to behold with a riot of colors and traditionally clad guests who relished the various cultural activities. Deepavali is a time for family, festivities, and intrinsic to all Indian festivals, food! In recent years it has become an exercise in conspicuous consumption. To have a real feel of the festival, the guests were treated to mouthwatering Indian dishes and unlimited sweets catered by Chakraa, an Indian specialty restaurant from Seoul.

The evening started on a solemn note with a traditional prayer, diwali speech and gained momentum with an array of cultural events with foot thumping music and dance performance by the kids. Many of our VIP guests from HHI and FLIK also had a few words on Deepavali and expressed their interest in the Indian festivals. The highlight of the evening was the power packed Dandia dance performance which symbolically represents the sword fight between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. The sword is replaced with a stick in the dance and the dancers whirl and move their feet and arms to the beats of the music. The evening also witnessed many budding singers and dancers with more audience joining the dance floor to test their skills with the Singing competition and footloose dance competition. The evening came to an end with a Tambola game and a grand fireworks display. Deepavali is a time for sharing and giving gifts. Keeping the theme in mind, all the guests were given a valuable take away gift which will keep the memories of the evening fresh in their minds.

The festival of lights is finding new life among Indians across the world. The lights, the sweets, the new clothes and parties, it is one of the many festivals of light at this time of year, and a reason for Hindu kids deprived of Christmas gifts to cheer. The essence of Deepavali in India has been ardently followed in the celebrations also. It is a time to spread happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to partake in the celebrations and sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame. The Deepavali celebrations in Ulsan fulfilled these to the utmost benefit with the active participation of all the Indians in Ulsan.

Jeju Experience

One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is to resort to nature. And where else can you find nature at its best than Jeju Island. Imagine this: an amazing island, tropical weather, no cares in the world, an open mind, for a week. Popularly know as the “Hawaii of Korea, me and my husband set out to discover if Jeju stays true to the hype. You can get to Jeju either by ferry or by Air. If you choose to go by ferry there are various terminals to board from like Busan, Yeosu and Mokpo. We started our trip with a long bus ride to Mokpo followed by a mystic ferry trip to our holiday destination.

The ideal way to see all that Jeju Island has to offer is to drive along its coastal highway. With views of the deep blue sea and black basalt cliffs, a leisurely drive is the highlight of the trip. Whether you choose a luxurious Jeju tour by car or a budget tour by bike, it is all about enjoying the natural beauty of the coastline. Both have their positives: Cruising around in a car and sightseeing in style guarantees comfort with ease, while riding around on a bike is a fun-filled, youthful way to explore places where a luxury car cannot gain access.

Jeju is abundant with scenic spots and the main cluster is around Sagwipo-Si, South Jeju which offers many cheap motels and Inn’s, offering a decent place at around 20, 000 to 30,000 won per night. We stayed in a small motel called Jeju Hiking Inn. In addition to a Korean traditional room, we had access to free internet, laundry and a common cooking area. But do not expect much help from the Inn owner who prefers to mumble and crib when it comes to information to tour Jeju or any sort of help. We hired a bike for 25, 000 Won per day as it seemed a cheap and fun-filled way to start our tour. There are many places to rent a car in Jeju, but the options are limited when it comes to renting a bike and the cluster of bike shops are found in and around Sagwipo area.

We start by visiting the nearby Cheonjiyeon and Cheonjeyoen Falls. Though they sound similar they have two different scenic pictures to offer. We were much impressed by Chonjeyoen falls though, mainly because it provides a small walk through the lovely woods that looks more like a scene out of movies. The Teddy Bear museum has an impressive collection of our favorite Bear dressed up in all personalities you can think of. It is cute but gets a bit boring. Dragon head cliff or Youngdulam Rock and Jungmun Beach are a paradise for nature lovers and we were right on time to see the sunset at Oedolgae Rock. For adventure seekers, Jungum Resort offers a variety of water sports like Paragliding, jet boat ride, Scuba Diving, Banana rides, penguin show and submarine tour.

Jeju was once a volcanic island. Owing to this fact, stone is an important material and many stone statues and figures are found all over the island. Often, they are meant to protect the islanders or pay tribute to ancestors. To learn more, we decided to visit Mokseogwon, a stone museum followed by Gwandeokjeong, historically a Joseon Dynasty provincial government complex. If you find this too boring then you can head to the Museum of Sex and Education with topics ranging from Sex education to techniques, but sad it is all in Korean and for the huge entrance fee it is a big disappointment. If you are touring with kids then the Sex Museum is a bad idea. Instead you can head to Mini Theme Park, Chocolate Museum and Hallim Park. One spot that we marveled at was Jeongbang Falls which claims to fall directly into the ocean. I would truly say it was worth the walk to the falls.

Day three starts with a visit to one of the famous craters on the island, Sangumburi Crater followed by Ilchunbong, a must see for nature lovers. But plan ahead and start early as to take in the view you need to trek for two hours. The same goes with Udo Island, a famous sunrise point, but you need to start very early to see the sunrise or you might land up baking in the sun. Manjanggul Cave is a lava tube tunnel which can get pretty cold inside. Be prepared for the difference in temperature and for the weird shaped stalagmites. A wonderful experience on the whole to see people preserving nature.

Mt. Hallim, the highest mountain in South Korean territory is the main tourist attraction of Jeju, but we decide to skip it as we are not the most adventurous types. We do not go to the top because it's getting on in the day, but we do visit the Mysterious Road. This is a place where cars in neutral appear to go up a hill. It’s an optical illusion that is very mysterious indeed! And the roads surrounding the mountain give you the true pleasure of driving amidst the dense forest and the cool breeze. It is a true encounter with nature at its best at all seasons.

A piece of advice for tourist, you can get discount coupons on arrival at the Airport with prior booking. It offers 40% discount to most tourist destinations and proves light on the purse.

After a week of moksha, we leave Jeju with pleasant memories. A packed week, mixing sightseeing, sports, culture, art, live entertainment, museums, history, and shopping among other things: in sum, my ideal vacation! Bliss!

Self Defense for Women

According to research, 1.5 Lac crimes against women are registered annually in India, out of which half are sexual exploitation. Of the registered lot only 2 out of 100 are convicted. There is no actual data available on the number of rapes occurring in the nation, credit to the fact that majority of them get buried unreported pertaining to the family and societal fear. Though many cases have seen quick trials in recent times, a vast majority gets lost among the dusty files or overplayed by the media.

In the fast paced world, it’s next to impossible for women to be too careful or too well-versed about self defense. Every piece of information gives you a bonus point in surviving an attack and moreover gives you the confidence that you are much safer and better equipped to deal with an intruder. There are even things you can do to deter potential attackers. You have the power, the right and the responsibility to keep yourself safe.

Learn basics.

One of the best ways to learn self defense is to take a class where you can learn and practice actual techniques from the experts. The instructors of good self defense classes are trained to help you gain a greater sense of control over your own safety, enhancing your confidence coupled with practice sessions. A comprehensive self defense class will teach you to think effectively on your feet, which is a vital component of any approach to female self defense.

Trust your intuition.

Trust your instincts even though you might look paranoid to others. If you’re getting a strong signal from your gut that something about a situation makes you uncomfortable or afraid, don’t second-guess that message. An intuitive red flag is often the first indicator that you may be unsafe.

Be aware.

No matter where your day takes you, it’s important to stay conscious of what’s happening around you. When walking to your car alone, for example, hold your head high and scan your surroundings as you walk. Be aware of the people around you, as well as places where potential attackers could hide. Identify safe places and avenues of escape wherever you are.

Think in terms of prevention.

Dark, isolated, compartmentalized spaces are areas where danger is increased, so don’t be alone in areas like this. As an example, if you are leaving a building and making your way to your vehicle and feel unsafe don’t hesitate to ask for help. Ask a member of the building’s security staff to escort you to your car. Remember that you are not troubling them or being paranoid. It is their job to keep you safe.

Protect your valuables.

If you know you’re going to be spending a lot of time in public, like walking in a downtown area or using public transportation, prepare appropriately. Don’t wear expensive, eye-catching jewelry or carry valuable electronics (such as laptops and MP3 players) in plain sight. When you purchase something, secure your wallet before walking away from the register. Indian women often use jewelry as a status symbol. But not anymore. The more you display, the greater your chances of being targeted.

Lock your house and car.

Never leave your car door unlocked, even if you’re just hopping out to return a movie ticket or grab your dry cleaning. Hiding in someone’s car is a technique frequently used by violent criminals. Always check your vehicle before entering it. The same goes for leaving your home unlocked, even if it’s just for a minute or two. Sex offenders in particular will do whatever they can to get you alone in a secure, private space.

Do not multitask on the street.

Talking on your cell phone indicates to a potential attacker that you are distracted, that your attention is at least partially focused on your conversation, therefore making you easier to sneak up on. Reports suggest that more attacks are committed on women talking on cell phones or carrying a lot of bags or packages. A woman wearing her hair in a ponytail is also an attractive target because the attacker can easily grab her by the hair, causing pain and catching her off guard.

Carry a simple weapon

It’s always smart to carry pepper spray in your handbag or on your keychain. A simple umbrella or handbag often proves as an effective weapon. In most cases, keys are used as a simple tool to attack the intruder. Hard, dense objects like coins, powder compacts and cell phones can be used to throw or bludgeon. Sharp objects you can use to stab and scrape are extremely useful and damaging – look for things like pens, pencils, knitting needles, keys and hair brushes.

Be resourceful.

You may not have time to find a personal self defense item in your purse or car, but you can use the same principles to use items in your vicinity. A handful of dirt, sand or gravel thrown into your opponent’s face can sting his eyes and render him temporarily blind, giving you a chance to get away. You can strike him with a rock, brick, ashtray, bottle or glass. If it’s hard or sharp and you can pick it up, chances are you can use it to strike, scratch, stab or throw.

Use your environment.

When an actual physical attack ensues, there are no rules about right or wrong ways to get out of the situation. Staying alive and getting away are the only real goals. He may or may not end up injured and he may or may not be apprehended, but the only thing that truly matters is that you get out of there alive. Location is the first aspect of environment to consider. Do everything you can to stay in a public or semi-public location. If it appears that your attacker is trying to get you into a car to take you to a more remote area, focus your efforts on staying out of the car, disabling the car or interfering with his ability to operate the vehicle. Your chances for survival are much greater if your opponent can’t get you alone.

Use all your powers.

Yelling, screaming, kicking, punching and biting are all advisable. Show your opponent that you will use everything at your disposal, including all your physical strength, to keep him from harming you. For most criminals, a target that fights back relentlessly becomes less and less worth the effort and risk. Your attacker’s eyes, nose, solar plexus and genitals are particularly sensitive areas where not much force is required to cause him a great deal of pain and distraction.

While being attacked is never the victim’s fault, there are things women can do to reduce their chances of being the next victim. Violent crime against women is a fact of life in today’s world. Regardless of why these crimes occur and what happens to the criminals who are actually apprehended, women have an obligation to themselves to own their power and learn about self defense.

Coping with Cancer

A diagnosis of cancer is a devastating experience. When you are first told that you have cancer you may feel shocked, numb and unable to believe what is happening or to feel any emotion. When cancer is diagnosed, it takes away one’s sense of security and control and this can be very frightening. There is no type of cancer from which people have not recovered. The road to recovery generally is not very easy and requires real determination. Statistics show that over 50% of all serious cancers can be cured.

Once diagnosed, the biggest and the hardest single thing that you will be required to do is to make up your mind to really fight it. You must, on your own, make the commitment that you will do everything in your power to fight the disease. To give up requires no commitment. Fighting means a complete change of lifestyle, absolutely leaving your comfort zone. Fighting cancer is not a simple matter of thinking positively, wishing it away. It is a matter of knowledge. It is a matter of educating yourself about every detail and mustering all your resources. Use every drop of energy in an organized fashion to constructively concentrate on getting rid of cancer.

The main hurdle to most cancer patients is the cost factor associated with it. Cancer diagnosis and treatment is expensive all over the world. The same applies for India. For western countries, the cost of cancer treatment is met by medical insurance company, which is not the case for the bulk of Indians. While some of our patients have private medical insurance and state-run mediclaim policies, the bulk of the cost of treatment is borne by the patient himself. There are, however, a number of societies providing financial help for patients seeking cancer treatment, including cancer support groups. A few organizations that I recently bumped upon are www.indiacancer.org, www.cpaaindia.org, www.canceraid.org and I am sure there are many more like this. Patients can contact them and register with them to get help from the kind hearted people. They are many hospitals that offer the same kind of treatment at a subsidized cost. For example, Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai, allocates funds to treat the patience based on the family income. Now, don’t mistake it for the treatment, it is just the cost that they consider and not the treatment. Media also plays a vital role in helping people with treatment costs. A few months back there was news in CNN-IBN about a small kid named P.Subash, who was suffering from Leukemia and required funds for immediate treatment which the middle class family was unable to afford. The news got so much response and funds poured in to help the kid. Wish it could have saved the life though.

Once the financial part is taken care of, its upto the individual to build a positive outlook towards life. Positive attitude works wonders. Nothing is more wondrous than the billions of neurons in the human brain and their ability to convert thoughts, hopes, ideas, and attitudes into chemical substances. Keep yourself mentally and physically active during the term of your recuperation. It is important that you exercise regularly. Recognize in advance that your recuperation will not always be a smooth easy road. It will have its ups and downs. Don't mistake the side effects of the treatments for the symptoms of the disease. Many treatments can make you tired, weak or upset your stomach. This is absolutely normal and expected and could even indicate that the treatments are doing their job rather than the disease is getting worse.

Cancer is often an eye-opener, teaching us that life is too short to postpone what we really want. It starts us thinking about how much we really enjoy life. In that respect, it can really be a positive experience because those who have cancer can use it in positive ways, to grow and to change their ways for the better and to profoundly affect the lives of loved ones around them in deeply positive ways. There is an old saying, "Worry is like a rocking chair. It keeps you busy but gets you nowhere." If we allow ourselves to feel like a victim, we feel we have no control over our situation. We can't control everything in our lives, but we can learn to become an active participant and have a strong influence on what happens to us.

60 Years of Freedom.

August 15th, India’s 60th Independence Day. It's that time of the year when we take stock of our progress as a nation. It’s a day where eminent writers, newsreaders and our “Nethas” will attempt to articulate whether we have made progress and chalk the road map ahead. Former President Abdul Kalaam had challenged the country to first begin envisioning as a country by sharing his 2020 vision. Now we have people beginning to talk of India in the next 60 years. I believe, we have made a lot of progress (with Indian democracy, Indian mentality, culture and tradition), I am not unhappy with what we have achieved till now. And I'm optimistic about the road ahead. But will dreams alone reap results?

India has been independent now for 60 years. Like every young country it has been through ups and downs. It does have serious challenges, but it also has some strong confidence accumulated in the last few years. The biggest challenge India faces is building its physical, social, and educational infrastructure. And the challenges here are truly monumental. Yet life remains nasty, cruel and short for far too many Indians. India languishes in the bottom third of the human development index. Poverty levels are horrific, illiteracy is still a major problem, access to safe water and sanitation remains a dream for most people, and disease is widespread. The public sector is too large and parasitical, public debt too high, and the labor market far too rigid. Bribery is rampant. Petty corruption is especially prevalent at the lower, clerical levels of administration.

We are proud of being the largest democracy in the world in the sense that we have elections every five years or sooner, but a good question to ask is if the common man thought that this was adequate enough, then why would insurgency flourish in so many parts of the country? We have the right symbol in the shape of a reasonably fair electoral process, but without giving people a sense of belonging and emotional integration, we don’t quite have the substance of democracy. Primitive and tribal beliefs are still deeply embedded in our psyche. In dress and demeanor, we have become modern but mentally we remain tribal and barbaric.

India is a country with strong intellectual traditions, good cultural values, and reasonable natural resources. It definitely deserves better leaders than it has and had at least for most of its independent life. Democracy is its strength and unfortunate in democracy, one can not blame leaders because people elect them and India has been electing leaders and changing them. Hopefully, India can really build on all the positives of the last few years and get rid of the problems that are hurdles in building its social, educational, and physical infrastructure.

Happy 60th birthday, India!

Child Labour Laws - A brutal joke on the poor.

Child labour is a grave developmental issue worth arguing, especially in India where you invariably bump into a kid slogging to earn a penny when he is supposed to be working on his math and science. India is the largest example of a nation plagued by the problem of child labour. Estimates cite between 60 and 115 million working children in India - the highest number in the world. What are the causes of child labour in India? How do governmental policies affect it? What role does education play in regard to child labour in India?

Certainly, children should not have to work for a living. Childhood is a phase which should be dedicated to nurturing, schooling, playing and exploring the opportunity to grow both emotionally and physically. When children are forced to work, it hampers their growth, stunts their psychological and intellectual development, and prevents them from realizing their full potential. Child labor is an unmitigated evil and any society which suffers from it should be ashamed of that fact. I am crippled by the fact that my nation is plagued by this epidemic and I am helplessly watching BBC and CNN flashing brutal images of India to the world.

Child labor is a disease and not a catastrophe. The problem lies elsewhere and unless the problem itself is addressed, it cannot be cured. The children who have to work are most certainly the children of desperately poor parents or orphaned kids who work for survival needs. Poor people do not love their children any less than rich people, its infact more. It is dire necessity that forces them to take that drastic step. It is a choice that they make after considering the alternatives. It is a rational response to an unbearable condition.

Consider a situation where a10year old boy working for a tea-stall manages to fill his stomach with left over food and is able to support his siblings from starving. Naturally his parents do not have the money or an executive job to educate their children. Then the social workers intrude into the situation and the kid loses his job at the stall and forced to rummage among the garbage bins around the city to stay alive, leave alone supporting his siblings. His parents work long hours in construction sites with not much time to spend around the kids wherein they are consumed by other social elements. From an already bad situation, they find themselves worse off. The combination of poverty and the lack of a social security network form the basis of the even harsher type of child labour -- bonded child labour. For the poor, there are few sources of bank loans, governmental loans or other credit sources, and even if there are sources available, few Indians living in poverty qualify. Here enters the local moneylender. For an average of five thousand rupees, parents exchange their child’s labour to local moneylenders. Since the earnings of bonded child labourers are less than the interest on the loans, these bonded children are forced to work, while interests on their loans accumulate. A bonded child can only be released after his/her parents make a lump sum payment, which is extremely difficult for the poor.

From the time of its independence, India has committed itself to fight child labour. Article 24 of the Indian constitution clearly states that "No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment" The Bonded Labour System Act of 1976 fulfills the Indian Constitution’s directive of ending forced labour. The Act "frees all bonded laborers, cancels any outstanding debts against them, prohibits the creation of new bondage agreements, and orders the economic rehabilitation of freed bonded laborers by the state". All of the policies that the Indian government has in place are in accordance with the Constitution of India, and all support the eradication of Child Labour. The problem of child labour still remains even though all of these policies are existent.

That law would be welcomed if it prevented the child from working as domestic help, and if the child was provided the opportunity to go to school, live in an adequate home, and receive sufficient nutrition. But that law does not do any good if the alternative to working as a domestic help is starvation and slow death. There are many factors when we delve deeper into the issue. First, their incomes are low. These people may then have too many mouths to feed. Low status of women in society leads to more children than can be reasonably cared for. Oversupply of unwanted children leads to a low “price”, that is, they are under-valued.

The concept of compulsory education, where all school aged children are required to attend school, combats the force of poverty that pulls children out of school. Policies relating to compulsory education not only force children to attend school, but also contribute appropriate funds to the primary education system, instead of higher education. The Indian state of Kerala distinguishes itself from the rest of India with its educational system. The government of Kerala allocates more funds to education than any other state. It is not only the expenditure of more funds, but where the funds are used that makes the difference. Kerala spends more money on mass education than colleges and universities.

Child labour cannot be eliminated by focusing on one determinant, for example education, or by brute enforcement of child labour laws. The government of India must ensure that the needs of the poor are filled before attacking child labour. If poverty is addressed, the need for child labour will automatically diminish. The rational solution would involve, first of all, implementing policies which prevent the birth of too many unwanted children. “Family planning” must be vigorously implemented. Make a law that a child laborer has to be paid the same wages as an adult which would give employers no reason to employ children when they can hire an adult for the same. Third, schools must provide meals at schools for all children to eliminate the need to work for survival. Our government must provide very poor parents a monthly stipend if their children attend school regularly. This would help them make ends meet without having to depend on their children to make ends meet.

No matter how hard India tries, child labour always will exist until the need for it is removed. The development of India as a nation is being hampered by child labour. Children are growing up illiterate because they have been working and not attending school. A cycle of poverty is formed and the need for child labour is reborn after every generation. India needs to address the situation by tackling the underlying causes of child labour through governmental policies and the enforcement of these policies. Only then will India succeed in the fight against child labour.

Pride and Prejudice - Language Divide

Life has a weird way of throwing surprises at you. Sometimes it makes me stop and wonder if there is a grand plan according to which every event in our life happens. Of late I have been surprised repeatedly by the offensive hatred posts in Rediff news between the North and South Indians. I was faintly aware of the divide but didn’t realize the extent until I joined the bandwagon of the NRI genre. It is more specifically North India vs. Chennai (which most assume as the representative of South India!). Our North Indian counterparts seem to have a general hatred for many things South Indian including food, culture, skin texture etc and South Indians seem to be indifferent to North Indians.

Whose fault is it anyways? Browsing our history, back in the sixties, the government of India was trying to come up with an official language that was Indian so as to phase out English. Since Hindi was popular in the North and due to its similarity to Sanskrit, which again is the origin for many Dravidian languages, the government assumed that South India would be fine with Hindi as an official language. While, Hindi was being drafted as an official language, a simultaneous movement to popularise Hindi as the national language sprung up. The states of South India, particularly Tamil Nadu took exception to Hindi being touted as the national language and that's where the whole language issue began. Please note that nowhere in the Indian Constitution is it stated that Hindi is the national language of India. The Indian government tried to incorporate Hindi into the school curriculum but the Tamil Nadu government revolted against this and took to enforcing English in the school curriculum, sidelining Hindi. At the same time, North Indians revolted against this anti-Hindi campaign and hence reinforced Hindi and side-lined English. It's interesting to note that Bengalis shared the same intensity of pro-Bengali/anti-Hindi feeling as Tamilians did for Tamil apparently for the same reasons of cultural and historical significance.

Indians love to laugh at another person’s failures, while we are standing in deep shit. Why do most of us have this attitude that “We have the best culture, language, community; and that we are the best analyzers, psychologists” and of course rest of the world lives in Stone Age. I consider my great nation and my fellow Indians to be a little more tolerant and accommodative. I believe that a majority populace makes a genuine effort to patch up some words and strike a conversation with a neighbour in Hindi, even though most of the words are those used in the movies and news from Doordarshan. I too joined my voice to the saying - "Hindi is the national language - Rashtra Bhasha. And everyone should know it" because atleast in that way we Indians can stay united. But the question that lingers in my mind is why choose Hindi as the Rashtra Bhasha? Because a majority of people speak it! Simple isn’t it? So what about the minority? Be it a minority or majority, every person and race has an identity which is unique to them and represents who they are - a sum total of their upbringing, values, habits and beliefs. Is it fair to force anyone to give it up? Probably not. The counter argument is that there is a difference between being accommodative and giving up your identity. Are the south Indians forced to give up too much? Why does not a North Indian learn Kannada, Telugu or Tamil even after living in a place for a decade in some instances? While I have seen many South Indians living in Mumbai speaking Hindi, even knowing that they are mocked at their accent. They know that it’s important to speak the language of the land to survive. It is rather surprising to see someone going to Germany for a short stint take German language classes, while the same can only mock at the other languages even if he is to stay there for a lifetime.

We can pool in lots of inspirations from other developed nations like European Union who have succeeded to come up with a common currency inspite of their diversity. Indians have the same currency across the nation, but still have our boundaries and drift further into small States and independent entity. We stubbornly refuse to look beyond our boundaries. There used to be a time when the Nation as a whole watched Buniyaad and Hum Log which spread unity among the populace. Recently my friend forwarded an old song – “Mile sur mera tumhara….” a multi-lingual patriotic song aired in DD. How many people watch Doordarshan nowadays? Probably a hand few to watch test cricket matches and that too has been taken over by tear-jerkers like Chitthi, Kyunki Saas bhi Kabhi Bahu thi etc.

India is a mélange of multiple worlds and that is something we keep forgetting. We cover ourselves with an illusion of One India, India Shining and Incredible India slogans. While ideally, all of it is true - we are a million worlds jam-packed into one small nation. How long are we going to accuse each other on a trivial issue like language? We tend to forget that every state has its share of culture, traditions and values. As long as you don’t appreciate and blend in, you remain an outsider living in India. We cannot stop this vicious cycle unless one side steps down for a while. But the bigger question is how deep is the issue? Does it matter at all, now that most people in India are familiar with English and its variants such as Hinglish, Tanglish, etc. We have various goals to achieve together and not dispute amongst ourselves. Let’s voice our views to greater causes and rise above trivialities.

My Observation of Korea

Staring out the window at the busy life of Seoul, I just can’t resist thinking how beautiful India can be. Korea is not a very big country. The mountains are not very high. There is not much wildlife. However, the Korean countryside has some of the most beautiful landscape that I have ever seen. What strikes me more is the fact that the Republic of Korea is well-known for its remarkable economic achievements. It has grown by more than 8 percent each year since 1960s, making it the fastest growing economy in the world. Korea's performance is considered particularly impressive because it has achieved in spite of obstacles such as Japanese colonial rule, the devastating Korean War, political turmoil and heavy military expenditures under national partition.

More laudable would be the Government’s keen eye on the finer details for providing a comfortable life to its people and the people’s effort to sustain the same. Koreans obey traffic laws guided by the GPRS system which keeps them at bay. Clean roads, excellent drainage systems, garbage segregation and waste management, subways and buses running at the stipulated hours, trustworthy taxi drivers who do not take you for a ride and so on. All transportation system follows a card system making it easier to travel around. People follow queue system everywhere and do not fight over a seat.

Koreans have high regard for safety and have installed anti-skid roads on dangerous bends and curves, and even on every staircase that you happen to take. Subways have a special facility for the disabled to travel with ease and a special escalator to accommodate them along with their wheelchair. Every subway station has been equipped with a detailed map of the city, escalators and clean toilets with ample running water, tissue papers and wending machines.

It can be said that South Korea is an absolutely safe country. The crime rate is very low when compared to the other countries and there is absolutely zero corruption in all levels(as far as I know). There are literally no mosquitoes, no stray dogs, no wild cats, no birds (except for magpies), or any other insects.

Generally, the Korean diet uses a mix of grains and vegetables which add fiber and protein. Koreans have a generous helping of beef and pork in their diet and compensate with green tea and Kim chi to balance the same. Korean food has moderate calories, low in fat and moderately sweet, seemingly a healthy and well-balanced diet. Koreans are very active and health conscious. It is very common to bump into oldies on your trekking expedition or might even compete with you in a marathon.

Another distinguishing feature of Korea is the abundance of gadgets. It is very common to sight a school kid sporting the latest mobiles, mp3 and PMP. Every possible route that you can think about is available on the Net including maps of long lost gullies.

It is said that if you struggle to earn one penny then you know the value of money and you would cherish it. The same applies to the Koreans. After suffering and losing many lives in the war and literally demolished by the wars, the Koreans have struggled to reach to their current status in the world and are reaping the benefits. .The patriotism and unity hold the nation together.

It's an irony that India has not become a developed nation in spite of having all kinds of potential and natural resources to be rich. With a long coastline, vast agriculture lands, tourism and pilgrim potential, India could have easily achieved a developed nation's status. India has the third largest resource of scientists and technocrats in the world. India has the largest number of professionals working overseas in various fields. But all these things have not helped improve the quality of life of majority of Indians.

The main factor attributing to the current status is the lack of core human values among the Indians. A sense of patriotism, obligation to fight poverty and backwardness, discipline and voluntary spirit etc, which are the essential ingredients to make a healthy nation are close to nil. Developed nations have got their present status by hard work, discipline and patriotism. Mahatma Gandhi said that without nationalism no nation could achieve internationalism. Look at the plight of India and the unity of the Indians. India has numerous political parties with ridiculous ideologies. When the whole world is moving towards a global village India is lagging way behind and is dividing further into narrow pockets in the name of caste and creed.

The whole world is looking at Bhagvad Geeta, and Ramayana to inculcate human values among the youth and here we are aping the Westerners in the wrong way. We ape their lifestyle and follow Bollywood and Kollywood in the lines of Hollywood, why not follow them in their development strategies. Yoga and spiritual philosophy has become the integral part of many western and European institutions, while we are busy munching on the French fries and burger.

We have the power to imagine a different future even if our leaders don’t. More so, we have the power to make that dream a reality. There is no point in just cribbing about the pathetic state of our country or getting adjusted to it. It is in our power to change our Nation. With a clear mind and will to achieve we can make India proud. If not us, who else will?

A Frugal way of Life

What is it about being frugal and saving money, why do it at all? Actually, some people don’t do it at all, they have decided that what they want and desire is what they are going to get and they feel they deserve it. I have no trouble with that. However, for me, I find little value in the things around me.

When I was a teenager, things were my identity. But with time, as I got older and through one situation or another I have learned to separate myself from the items in my home. Ever since my childhood I have never once felt the need for money or luxury as I got abundance of love from my family. And being raised up in a middle class setting I was thought to judge a person by their character and not by their material possession. Since that time, through losses of one thing or another, I learned that my own self worth or value isn’t based on what I have around me.

Of late there seems to be an abundance of articles on how to live frugal, cheap or stingy. Now don't misunderstand me. I have a healthy respect for remaining financially sound. But where do you draw the line between living too well for your income or denying yourself the simple pleasures that money can buy and that you can afford? The emerging cult of folks who earn good money, yet think it's pathetic to save them, confound me.

One strange attitude of people that strikes me hard is their misconception that excessive spending and holding high interest cards are the in thing and if you don’t do any of these then you do not belong to the cool list of people. As per my observation, most people leave behind their loved ones and their land to work in an alien place with the only hope of earning money to fund proper education for their kids or to repay debts. There are few handfuls that also enjoy working abroad for the heck of it or due to great opportunities the job provides. Just because one spends 1000$ per month does not mean that he is superior to those, who manage their living within 200$ per month. Infact one must learn to appreciate their skill in understanding the value of hard earned money and learn from them.

Extreme frugality or penny pinching is also bad. I truly believe that excessive frugality is some sort of mental disorder. It appears that these folks do not feel deserving of material pleasures and are guilty about spending money. This kind also hates to spend money on heating and air conditioning. Imagine leaving your home because you're too guilty to live comfortably. I guess when it comes down to being frugal or not, the question needs to be asked, “Does this fulfill me?” For me, less is more in my world; less to worry about, less to find space for, less to keep up. But, again, that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Your level of tolerance for less may be higher than mine. I could easily whittle down my needs and wants, throw them in the car and go. That is how little I really need, besides a roof over my head and a steady stream of income. Frugal living is not a dreary task. I think we need to reward ourselves here and there. Frugality in my opinion is also about moderation. Moderation is key no matter if I am eating, drinking, watching TV, going to movies or exercising. Excess is what happens when I stop controlling my life and let something else run it. It’s about keeping things in check, whether it’s my reasoning for buying an item or getting caught up in the good feeling a TV commercial gives me. It is a temporary way of life for some until they get back on their feet, for others it is a day to day necessity for who knows how long and for myself and others it is a voluntary decision.

You would fall under the frugal list if you do any of the following:
It is living below your means; living on 80% of your pay instead of 100-110%.
It is being conscious of your spending and making sure it is a need and not a want.
It is giving yourself time to research the best deal so you don't waste money.
It is seeing treasure in items with as much as you can imagine using your creativity.
It is not living a life you dread waking up to.

It is not thinking that money controls you, but instead you control it.

It is not about what works for you but will work for everyone else.

Because I live frugally, doesn't mean I don't spend money and don't find enjoyment. I become more thoughtful about my decisions and how it will impact me in the future. I decide if this item is something I need or can use multiple times. Frugality is about restraint, discipline, finding the best value and using the item up till it can't be used anymore. It is a way of life and not a curse. Happy living.

Ginseng – The Mystic Panacea

“Korean gold”, mystic “root of life” and mysterious “elixir of eternal life” are a few fancy adages given to Ginseng. Even the most casual of visitors to Korea would have bumped into the light tan, gnarled root, often resembling a decapitated human body, with stringy shoots that look like arms and legs. Hundreds of years ago, herbalists took this appearance to mean that ginseng could cure all human ills, and it has, in fact, been used as a “cure-all” in many different cultures. The Chinese call it “Ren Shen”, in Korea it is “In Sam”, and in English “Ginseng”. The Chinese & Korean name refers to its shape and usage “man root”. It has long been considered a panacea for virtually any human condition.

The Gyeong-dong Oriental medicine market near Dongdaemun has over 1,000 shops selling Asian medicines, roots, herbs, spices, and ginseng. Many of the merchants grow the items themselves. Ginseng, which can be bought at over 300 of the shops and stalls, is brought directly from the areas of production and can be purchased cheaper than in department stores. Fresh ginseng, ginseng extracts and ginseng tea are some of the bestselling goods.

Korean InSam is one of the most widely used and acclaimed herbs in the world. Its scientific name is Panax ginseng, which is the species from which Chinese, Korean, red, and white ginseng are produced. Chinese and Korean ginseng are the same plant cultivated in different regions, and have slightly different properties according to Oriental practitioners. White ginseng is simply the dried or powdered root of Korean ginseng, while red is the same root that is steamed and dried in heat or sunlight. The latter is said to be slightly stronger and more stimulating in the body than white.

Scientifically speaking, Korean ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family of plants, which also includes closely related American and Siberian ginseng, both considered by herbalists to be different herbs than Korean, and are said to have different effects and healing properties in the body. To add more confusion, there are eight herbs in Chinese medicine which are sometimes called ginseng, including black, purple and prince's ginseng, some of which are not at all botanically related to Panax family, so consumers should choose the products with awareness.

A typical Korean ginseng reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm, with light colored fleshy root. The taste of the Korean ginseng root is sweet with a bitter aftertaste. Only the ginseng root is used for medicinal properties which is available as powdered form, half cut and dried roots and as liquid or powder extracts. The older roots are said to contain more healing properties and are highly valued and sought after. Folklore suggests that the very old roots glow in the dark, revealing an inner light.

According to a local Oriental practitioner Dr.Hong Yul Kim, the main active ingredients of Korean ginseng are ginsenosides. These steroid-like phytochemicals are said to have adaptogenic properties, which enable the wonder root to counter the effects of stress. To summarize the numerous research findings, Korean ginseng has been shown in studies to have significant effects for:

Physical improvement and performance enhancement for athletes.
Mental performance improvement and mood enhancement.
Anti-fatigue and anti-stress actions.
Lowering blood sugar.
Antioxidant properties.
Cholesterol reduction.
Anticancer effects and immune system stimulation.
Physical and mental improvement in the elderly.
Impotence and induces sex drives.

Ms.Ugh, a retail seller of ginseng products, says that “Roots should be sliced and boiled in water for up to 45 minutes to extract all the beneficial nutrients”. She further adds that ginseng should be taken between meals for best assimilation. It is recommended that ginseng be taken in cycles and not continuously. Likewise, Korean ginseng should not be taken longer than two months at a time, after which one month's rest period should be allowed before resuming the cycle again. Oriental practitioners recommend that ginseng be taken primarily in the autumn and winter months.

A Word of Caution

Before using ginseng, it is advisable to analyze the different forms of the root, and which type is best suited for each individual. Herbalists do not recommend Korean ginseng for those people who have “heat” disorders in their bodies, such as ulcers, high blood pressure, tension headaches, and symptoms associated with high stress levels. Korean ginseng is generally not recommended for those with symptoms of nervousness, mental imbalance, inflammation, or fever. It is also not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, and women of childbearing age, as some studies imply that it can influence estrogen levels. Also, Oriental practitioners typically only prescribe ginseng to older people or the weak, as they believe that younger and stronger people do not benefit as much from it and ginseng is "wasted on the young”. Please note that it is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying Ginseng. Ginseng is traditionally combined with other herbs, to create a beneficial balance, when prescribed by herbalists. Successful prescribing depends upon a close understanding of the patient’s symptoms. For this reason, it is not advisable to buy ginseng over the counter without a personal consultation.

Remember that herbs alone are not the saviours of health. Whole food diets are the cornerstone for regeneration of body and mind. Herbs are only an adjunct to the regenerative process. They are often powerful herbs with strong medicinal content and should be used cautiously in the normal diet.

Global Warming: A Melting Issue.

“Climate change melting fabled glaciers”, “Alps said to be at warmest in centuries”, “Warmed-up oceans reduce key food link”, “Rising sea level big concern along the Pacific”, “Growth rate of carbon dioxide emissions doubles since 1990s”, “Global warming killing seagulls”… These are just a few of the headlines hitting the news stand everyday. Global Warming is a BIG issue and it is affecting us. Giving it more serious thought, it is not difficult to experience it. We are well past into the second month of the year and still haven’t witnessed snow… In fact, autumn has failed miserably last year with many ripe green leaves withering without a trace.

At one time climate change was a lot of ifs and thens, but now things are much more frighteningly concrete. When the idea of global warming was first proposed by British physicist John Tyndall in 1859, it was more of a speculative scenario. Today there’s enough evidence that the earth is warmer than it was 100 years ago. Direct evidence is available from melting glaciers, thawing permasnow, and shrinking sea ice.

For those who are not familiar with the concept; “Global warming" refers to the rise in the Earth's temperature resulting from an increase in heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. Our fossil fuel use is the main source of these gases. Every time we drive a car, use electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heat our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the air. The second most important source of greenhouse gases is deforestation, mainly in the tropics, and other land-use changes. Since pre-industrial times, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent. Over the same period, atmospheric methane has risen by 151 percent, mostly from agricultural activities like growing rice and raising cattle. As the concentration of these gases grows, more heat is trapped by the atmosphere and less escapes back into space. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate, causing altered weather patterns that can bring unusually intense precipitation or dry spells and more severe storms.

Sitting in the comfort zone most of us just ignore these warnings and carry on with mundane issues. Time for some reality check! Humankind has never known such high temperatures. Floods, droughts, the extinction of many species, and a rise in sea-level by about 7 ft, destroying coastal areas are some of the possible consequences. The earth now is warmer than it has ever been in 420,000 years. We don’t fully understand what might happen. But we do know that things were never so hot for humankind before. Once deep forces come into play in unleashing further global warming, it won’t be possible to prevent bigger consequences. Whatever the cause, loss of sea ice is a disaster for animals, such as polar bears, that depend on it for habitat. Polar bears cannot live long on land and they are adapted to an ice-based ocean way of life. They have trouble reaching the ice when it is as far out as it is today. Polar bears are predicted to be extinct within 50 years if this scenario remains unchanged.

Some examples of observed climatic changes are:
Increase in global average surface temperature of about 1°F in the 20th century
Decrease of snow cover and sea ice extent and the retreat of mountain glaciers in the latter half of the 20th century
Rise in global average sea level and the increase in ocean water temperatures
Increase in the frequency of extreme precipitation events in some regions of the world
Examples of observed physical and ecological changes
Thawing of permafrost
Decline of some plant and animal species
Earlier flowering of trees
Earlier emergence of insects
Earlier egg-laying in birds

Many possible solutions have been proposed to stave off global warming, should it actually be occurring. Some are very practical, while others are grandiose, to say the least. What is certain is that as the world's population continues to grow and developing nations develop, the world's need for space and energy will continue to grow. The need for space will accelerate deforestation. The need for energy will almost certainly increase the rate of fossil fuel burning. There are a number of proposed "solutions" to combat global warming. Governments can adopt a range of options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including increasing energy efficiency standards, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar power), eliminating subsidies that encourage the use of coal and oil by making them artificially cheap, protecting and restoring forests, which serve as important storehouses of carbon.

Clearly, global warming still involves many unknowns, but the remaining uncertainties in our scientific understanding no longer warrant a "wait and see" stance. Science tells us with increasing certainty that we are in for a serious long-term problem that will affect all of us. And there is much we can do now that makes sense in terms of the economic bottom line while helping to reduce our impact on the global climate and on our local environment and health.

Project Earth

It is a bright sunny morning. Just as you wake up thinking that it is such a beautiful earth after all, you see someone dumping garbage right in front of you. You do nothing but just grumble and mumble. The garbage will help breed pests and a stench will emanate, and yet not a single soul thinks of some action. You keep bragging about how you can change the world for the better if given an opportunity and blaming the government for all the garbage you dispose. Think again. You don’t have to be the President to make a change. There are many ways you can help make the earth a better place to live in. Most people don't help because they simply don't know.

Seoul is known for its pollution and urbanization. Everyone who lives in Seoul would love the romantic setting of the stream that runs through City Hall. Cheonggyecheon, which means "clear valley stream," has mirrored Seoul since Chosun times, then better know as a place for laundry, gossip and kids at play. The government began landscaping it with stone embankments along the stream mainly to prevent floods. As Seoul expanded, the water grew foul, becoming little more than an open sewer after the Korean War, when refugees built shantytowns along its banks. After South Korea's development kicked into gear, authorities were quick to hide the stream with the highway, a symbol of Seoul's rush to modernize regardless of the environmental cost. Surging a need to change the environment for the economic growth paved way to the now beautiful cutting-edge, clean-running transit system. Besides the restored Cheonggyecheon, which opened last October, the city has helped plant some 3.3 million trees since 1998 and recently developed Seoul Forest, a $224 million patch of urban woodland. The Government is doing their part to save our planet. If just a third of us take a handful of meaningful actions in our daily lives to conserve, to stand against the gravest threat in human history, and decide to do our part in a systematic way, then we can make this world a better place to live in. Following simple rules can go a long way in conserving our planet:

REDUCE GARBAGE
Recycle - buy things in packages that can be recycled or are made of materials that have already been recycled.
Wash, reuse, and recycle glass bottles and jars in the kitchen.
Instead of using paper towels, keep a cloth towel by the sink and use it to dry your hands or wipe up spills.
Recycle paper and cardboard items like empty cereal boxes, notebooks, newspapers, and magazines.
Use a lunchbox instead of a paper or plastic bag to bring your lunch to school.

CUT BACK ON ENERGY
Turn out the lights when you leave a room.
The next time you need to go somewhere, think twice before you ask for a ride. Walk or ride your bike whenever possible.
On the first cold fall day, check windows and doors for drafts. If you can seal off leaks, you'll use less heat and save on heating costs.
Open the fridge when you've decided what you want to eat and not while you decide.
Check the temperature in your fridge: it should be set between 38 [degrees]-42 [degrees] F. Any colder, it freezes food and wastes electricity.
Warming something up? A microwave oven uses one-third the energy of a conventional oven.

SAVE WATER
When you brush your teeth, wet the brush, and then turn off the water until you need to rinse. You'll save about five gallons of water!
Install a toilet dam (from hardware stores) or plastic bottle inside your toilet tank. This displaces water in the tank. You'll save about two gallons of water each time you flush.
Choose wisely: A shower uses 3 to 5 gallons of water per minute. A full bathtub uses 36 gallons.
If you water a lawn, do it in the morning or evening when water won't evaporate as easily.

The adage “Ignorance is Bliss!” has gone for good. The most important thing you can do for yourself and for the world is to get EDUCATED! Learn about things such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation. Then pick something that interests you and you feel you can become active in. Everything you do insures that you leave the earth a habitable place for your children, your grandchildren, and everyone after them. We can make a difference.

Cup of Good Health

Do you think that tea is just a wad of dried leaves stuffed in small bags? Or a hot beverage to have with breakfast? Think again! Tea is actually much more than that. Did you know that all the tea drunk in the world, no matter whether it is white, green, red, brown, or black, and no matter where it comes from, is made of the leaves of the same evergreen tree or bush? Browsing through ancient Chinese legend, the first cup of tea originated in 2737 B.C., when the leaves of a black tea shrub accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water prepared for Emperor Shen Nung, known famously as the father of Chinese medicine. Ever since, Asian monks and herbalists have used teas to treat various ailments, from curing flu to correcting complexion blemishes.

Korea, like its Pacific neighbors, is also an ardent tea-drinking country with a rich ceremonial tea culture. It owes its tea heritage to the enthusiasm and devotion of Buddhist monks who traveled the globe spreading Buddhism and popularized tea as a form of meditation tool. Being in Seoul, you would have definitely paid a visit to Insadong which is a shopping paradise for antique lovers. It also houses many tea specialty shops and tea houses. Bumping into one such specialty shop, I was literally lost in the myriad forms of tea. Never in my life did I imagine that there could be tea made of lotus leaf, lotus root, chrysanthemum, azelia, mulberry leaves, dandelion, mugwart, mulberry leaves, bush clover, jasmine tea, rose tea, and the list is endless. All one has to do is to step into the shop and state the kind of ailment that you suffer from. Voila, the remedy is just a step away. Every kind of tea has it benefits pasted right below the rack it is placed on and the friendly english-speaking lady in the shop is too glad to help you locate one suiting your needs. The best part is, you also get to taste one before you make your mind.

Although there are many theories about the health benefits of tea, scientific research has only recently begun to uncover evidence that might support these claims. Here's what we know, and don't fully know about our favorite cuppa.

Like the Rust-Oleum paint that keeps your outdoor furniture from rusting, tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution. Flavonoids in tea are proven to help protect body cells from damage by free radicals, which occur in nature and which form naturally when the body uses oxygen and offers protection from cancer, heart disease and stroke.

If drinking coffee gives you the jitters, causes indigestion or headaches or interferes with sleep, then it is time to switch to tea. Whether consumed hot or cold, a cup of tea contains caffeine, about half as much as a cup of coffee. The actual amount depends on the tea blend, its preparation method and the brewing time. Moderate amounts of caffeine pose no health risks for healthy adults. If you need or choose to cut back on caffeine, look for decaffeinated tea.

Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Unwanted blood clots formed from cholesterol and blood platelets cause heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea may help keep your arteries smooth and clog-free, the same way a drain keeps your bathroom pipes clear. Vote for tea for a healthy smile. Tea can supply a significant amount of fluoride, important for keeping tooth enamel strong. Tea leaves contain fluoride, extracted when tea is brewed. Tea offers protection against cancer. Thank the polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea, once again for their cancer-fighting effects. Tea is calorie-free

Spiced tea is the best remedy for soothing digestive ailments. Ginger, known as "the hot root," warms you from head to toe and stimulates digestion-aiding enzymes. It also cures both morning and motion sicknesses. And look no further than your spice rack for relief from menstrual cramps, gas and heartburn. Fennel, anise, coriander and cardamom all have antispasmodic properties and help create movement in the intestines.

The quest for retaining youth has always been a fascination for humans from time immemorial. Here is a simple solution. Tea made from rose hips is the ultimate age-defying and skin-hydrating brew, thanks to nutrients such as longevity-promoting vitamin K and free-radical-damage-fixing bioflavonoids and citrics. Revive lackluster hair, skin and nails by drinking tea prepared from this prehistoric plant. Make it work double duty by placing warm tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness. If your hair is dull from product buildup, try a rosemary tea rinse. Rosemary cleans hair follicles and promotes hair growth.

Having spoken loads of benefits of drinking tea, here are some negatives about the same favorite cuppa. A word of caution for people who have sensitive stomachs. Though tea vendors strongly go against this theory, the caffeine content could cause side effects like nervousness, insomnia, an increase in blood pressure and rise in heart rate. Pregnant women should stay away from green tea as the caffeine contents in tea may be harmful to the baby. Though the friendly vendor at the local tea store bragged on about tea cleaning the respiratory system, it is also said that Green tea may worsen asthma.

It is always better to be cautious than to suffer in ignorance. These are a few myth busters about tea one needs to keep in mind before venturing on its medicinal properties. Remember, anything consumed in moderation is better than overloading your body with unwanted stuff. With all the hype about the pros and cons of tea, I should admit that a hot cup of tea is all I need to revive my body and soul after a tiring day. So go ahead and enjoy you cup of health.

Surviving in Seoul

Have you ever felt that the whole world knew something that you were clueless about? Ever felt that something was going on right in front of your eyes but you simply could not comprehend it? If you have dared to travel to another country, sooner or later you will acknowledge these and probably felt the same thing. The feeling that everyone was going in one direction and you were going right opposite… Or even worse, you were just standing in one spot and felt completely lost in the myriad crossroads scribbled in an alien language that your mind fails to register. If all your answers were yes, then welcome to the community called FOREIGNERS.

Culture shock is an interesting phenomenon that doesn't affect everyone the same way. Culture is not just food, clothes and language. It's what time you show up for a dinner appointment, and how late at night you can call someone on the phone. It's body language and seating patterns and whether or not you talk to people in an elevator. In short, culture is the entire milieu of customs and values through which we live our lives and relate to other people.

It’s been nearly ten months since I shifted to Seoul and I never once felt that I suffered from culture shock, personally. I always felt it was more like culture fascination rather than culture shock. I was amazed with everything that I saw and encountered. I often felt English signs would be very helpful for me and also for other foreigners. What I didn't think about was that the people that live here can read the signs just fine, and it certainly isn't necessary for them to change them all just for me.

I still remember my first day in Seoul when I left the comfort zone of our new home in search of food. Strangely I was taken aback by the persistent smell hanging mid-air leaving me gasping for breath. With a conservative Indian upbringing, my appetite is limited to vegetarian food with the addition of only milk products. My greatest challenge in Seoul was to survive with my meager dietary patterns. The foods which I am used to eating are hardly heard of in the place that I presently made my home. I had quiet a few Korean pitying me for my so-called bad food habits and assumed that I literally starved. What they didn’t realize is how many dishes one can make out of Potato other than French Fries and nuggets. I often wandered aimlessly across streets staring at people relishing live octopus and silk worm stew. To add on to it, even the so called vegetarian food Kim chi, is said to contain star fish powder in it leaving me with no other option than packing my own food wherever I go.

Shopping in Seoul is a big adventure for me. I try reading the ingredients on the back of a package though I don't understand the language. Supermarkets are usually swarming with friendly local co-shoppers pondering into the ingredients and often try to be of some help to foreigners or to pick up a conversation, even though uncalled for. I have learned to basically ignore everyone versus being pulled into conversations I can't possibly understand, or respond to with any sense. Normally this procedure works because I can briskly walk away from whomever, and be on my way out without any embarrassment or misunderstanding. But mostly I fall prey to such conversations and after failing to understand the question three times or more, I land up explaining in my best possible Korean and body language, that I do not understand them. It’s the same situation while asking for directions also. Once we were lost trying to locate a pizza outlet and no amount of body language worked. After many attempts we bumped into an extremely helpful Korean couple who spoke little English but did not know the place. To our astonishment they hired a taxi and dropped us at our destination and helped in ordering our pizza too. Friendly people, polite children, nice pets etc. are few things which are very rare to witness.

Being a foreigner in any country has its positives too. I remember feeling so peculiarly excited on my first step abroad that I could talk whatever I felt like in my mother tongue without anyone understanding me. It is such a relief to let out your frustrations in your own language, right in front of the person causing your anxiety. After the initial thrill and novelty wears off, almost all foreigners experience the same problem, the need to communicate with people of a similar upbringing. This, however, might be difficult to achieve before one gets used to the surroundings, the new culture and starts looking for people from the same country. Nationalities also play a social role. I often found myself socializing with others from my own country for no other reason than that they share a common flag and find them also reeling under culture shock. Everyone indulges in a few good whines from time to time, but when that’s all the conversation is about, I often land up asking myself: so why do I stay if I can’t stand the country or its culture?

Realization struck me rather a bit late and I learned to rise above pettiness and gossip. I realized that in all matters of culture, there is no right or wrong. Just difference! And that applies to members of an international community who make different choices in the way they choose to live abroad. I figured out how to work around it, lead satisfying lives, and most important of all, I learnt to laugh about it. I started to marvel at the technological advancement of the country with the latest gadgets and gizmos in the hands of a school kid. While this form of culture shock is all too real, so is the privilege of living abroad. In the depths of this shock, I remind myself on a daily basis of my good fortune to be leading a luxurious life that most can only dream about.