The Writer’s Flight

  By Namrata Kohli  Have you been to a museum which only talks about thought over things, spirituality over materialism, intangible rather than tangible, and is all about philosophy rather than artefacts. I am referring to the just opened country’s largest museum dedicated to Jain philosophy which is 50 km from Pune.  A visit to  Abhay Prabhavana Museum in Pune, spread over 50 acres with a built up area of 3.5 lakh sq ft, is a journey inwards rather than outwards. After all, e very trip need not be about going to Goa or Bali. Travel should also allow us space for spiritual growth and development.  Located along the scenic banks of the Indrayani River, in the historic lands of Pune, near the ancient 2,200 years old Pale Jain caves, the Abhay Prabhavana Museum is poised to become a global cultural landmark, which will give the visitors a sense of profound Indian values, as seen through the teachings of Jainism.  Just as art lovers plan special trips to  The Louvre in Paris or the Van

  One of the most disturbing trends in our society today is the bystander syndrome- the phenomenon of staying silent in public in an acute crisis moment of anything from an accident to animal abuse to sexual violence. People choose silence over speaking up, reserve over reaction, muteness over utterance.  It's as though the whole society has gone numb. Perhaps their heart draws them to the site of dire disaster but equally soon the brain rejects their reflexive response and nudges them to move away and ‘mind their own business’. And this has become a culture of sorts and a defining mob mentality or herd behaviour. Who  will break the ice? I feel that women have it in them to lead this change. After all, as mothers, as caregivers, as role models, your  acts of kindness and service publicly, will set an example, particularly for younger generations. Even as the society is relegated into shadows of self-doubt, silence and mute spectatorship, the onus is on you to become the change tha

  Audio Nirvana Are you besotted by the unique charm of vinyl records- the crackle, the warmth, the nostalgia. Unlike traditional “collectables” lists defined by monetary value, these are records picked for their importance as artefacts, whether rare, revolutionary or representative of an era By Namrata Kohli   “I’m quite fond of vintage records, especially LPs (Long Play) and EPs (Extended Play). My collection includes a stack of Hindi film and classical music gems such as Guide, Teesri Manzil, duets from old films, are some of my all-time favorites collection but I have a special place for a collection ‘Talat Mahmood in Blue Mood’. The warmth and depth of his voice, captured on vinyl, is unparalleled. It's this love for the golden era songs that inspired me to organize the Talat Mahmood memorial show, a tribute to the timeless melodies of Talat Mahmood on his centenary year,” says culture curator Sudesh Chawla who recently hosted a tribute to this legend at Kamani on his centenar

A-first-of-its-kind knowledge center based on philosophy of Jainism was inaugurated on 5 th November by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at Maval, on the outskirts of Pune in Maharashtra . Established by  Abhay Firodia, Chairman Force Motors,  a Pune based leading automotive company, this Museum represents a significant milestone in preserving and promoting India’s spiritual legacy as seen through the lens of Jain philosophy.  An alumnus of Scindia School, this “Museum of Ideas”, dedicated to Jain values  was inaugurated on Abhay Firodia's 80 th birthday.  The inauguration was graced by Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister and Maharaja of Gwalior, Justice Dalveer Bhandari, International Court of Justice, The Hague, Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh of Mewar; Padma Bhushan D R Mehta, Founder of BMVSS; and Padma Bhushan Anna Hazare, Gandhian leader, Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, Government of India. The event received spiritual ble

  Happy Diwali. This festival of lights I will not say light the world. Or burn like a candle and keep spreading goodness etc etc. Instead, I will just say awaken the light within. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Nourish and nurture yourself. Self-care is not selfish; it’s essential. By ensuring your own cup is full, you can better navigate responsibilities and offer your best to others. Societal expectations often place a high value on nurturing others. But I feel women must attend to their own well-being first, to effectively support their families, careers and communities. Take charge to recharge yourselves--- emotionally, mentally, and physically. I have seen so many housewives relegating and sulking in the shadows of self doubt, low self-esteem, self-deprivation; often guilty to ask for either time or money for their own needs and desires, be it shopping, beauty care, or even meeting their kith and kin. We cannot hopelessly romanticize burnout and self-sacrifice, because that s

The return of the Big Fat Indian Wedding is making waves this season, with couples and families going all out after a period of quieter celebrations during the pandemic. Lavish multi-day events, extravagant venues, designer outfits, and a resurgence in traditional customs infused with modern twists have redefined the 2024 wedding scene. By Namrata Kohli Delhi based top tier marketing professional Rahul Wahi is getting married this November in New Delhi. He has taken two months off to plan his wedding and everything is being micro-managed by him and his fiancée Kanika. They want all of 150 people for their wedding, keeping it an intimate affair with close friends and family. But small doesn’t mean simple... it is as lavish as it can get-  qawwali  night for the Sufi music enthusiasts and then head banging cocktail. This wedding season is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet, with a 20-25% increase in bookings compared to last year, says Vikaas Gutgutia, Founder and Managing Directo

The country is making giant strides in electric vehicles adoption as it looks to combat climate change and cut reliance on fossil fuels. As consumers shift gears towards more responsible purchases post pandemic, there is a genuine intention and interest in purchasing EVs By Namrata Kohli Have you noticed how celebs in the west usually drive an EV when driving to an event (esp when it’s a self-drive). So, whether it's Leonardo DiCaprio riding his Polestar 2 or Cameron Diaz being often spotted driving a black Tesla Model S, it’s fashionable to be known for your commitment to cleaner transportation and green living. These celebrities highlight a growing trend toward electric mobility, demonstrating that EVs are both practical and stylish, encouraging fans to embrace eco-friendly alternatives. EVs are here to stay. Whether they are adopted by you sooner or later, it's only a question of time before everyone has one EV in their garage.  A global shift toward electric vehicles (EV) w