Do you wish to run away from reality? Head to Leh-Ladakh for a mesmerizing experience!

Till now, whichever places I have explored in India, there are two of them that I have found the most beautiful like no other in the world. Kerala is one such among beaches and Leh-Ladakh among hills, in terms of beauty, culture, and serenity. I undertook the memorable journey to Leh-Ladakh in June 2019. Well, being honest a trip to Leh-Ladakh is not easy as it is an unconventional destination. 

It was 1975 when tourism began in Ladakh. Today travelers from all over the world visit this place to enjoy the breathtaking views of this place. Surrounded by snow-covered barren mountains, Ladakh offers pristine views of nature. 

I took a holiday package through Oyo Rooms for 6 days. This comprised of return trips from Delhi, accommodation, and sightseeing. Here is the mentioned-below day-wise itinerary of the trip.

Day 1-Leh: Our flight reached Leh at 8 am. The Leh airport is governed by the Indian Army. We were attended by our travel guide who accompanied us to our hotel Dimbir Regency. Our few hours were spent in acclimatizing to the climate and high altitude. 

In the later part of the day, we went to Shanti Stupa, a white-domed stupa located on a hilltop. Located in Chanspa, this stupa is a symbol of harmony and peace. From this place, you can enjoy panoramic views of Leh and witness the beauty of both sunrise and sunset. 

To satisfy our palettes, we gorged onto some local food such as momos and kehwa at Shanti Stupa Restaurant. This restaurant has a cozy ambiance where you can feel the warm vibe of the city. Travelers can visit this restaurant if they wish to unwind after a hectic day. 

Then, we headed to the local market of Leh, known as Leh Market which has shops selling different products such as artifacts, jewelries, and pashmina shawls. You can collect as much souvenirs you want from here for your loved ones. 

Day 2: The next day we headed for an excursion to Sham Valley that includes the confluence of Indus and Zanskar, Magnetic Hill and Gurudwara Pather Sahib. 

The sight of witnessing the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers was not less than a dream. The green color stream of Indus River meets the muddy water of Zanskar is an extremely beautiful sight. The glorious view of the confluence is a ­must visit for all the travel enthusiasts who are looking for a photographic view. This site is definitely worth it.  

Then, we headed to Magnetic Hill which is located somewhere in the Leh-Kargil highway. I heard a lot of interesting facts about this place so I was curious to experience it. There are several theories with respect to the unique phenomenon of magnetic force theory. As per this theory, the hill transmits some amount of magnetic energy that pulls the vehicle that is within its range. To minify our curiosity, our driver put the car in neutral we noticed the vehicle going uphill. For bikers, this place can give them an overwhelming experience. 

Any trip is incomplete without visiting a religious shrine. One such beautiful shrine located in Ladakh is the Gurudwara Pather Sahib that is located at an altitude of 12000 ft. This gurudwara is devoted to Gurunanak Dev Ji. There is a famous legend associated with this religious place that makes it a famous pilgrimage spot. Paying homage to this pilgrimage gave us a feeling of divinity. 

Next, we visited Hall of Fame­ which is a museum dedicated to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the India Pakistan war. It is not merely a museum comprising of weapons and souvenir shops. It is a place that gives you a glimpse into the history of the struggles faced by the Indian Army and the conditions in which they work. 

Image courtesy: tourmyindia.com

Hall of Fame is something that you should not miss when you are in Ladakh. You will surely feel patriotic after visiting this place. 

Day 3: Well, if you are talking about Ladakh and you haven’t seen snow, then your trip is incomplete. The next destination in our itinerary was Khardung La Pass. This place is located at an altitude of 17,582 ft. above sea level. It is considered as one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Visiting this destination through a bike is an inspiration for every biker. Reaching Khardung La pass is not less than a task. But, the beautiful view on the way to the destination makes the journey worth experiencing. Surprisingly, I got see snow in the month of June. Traveling altogether from Delhi to Leh made me view extremities of both the temperatures. 

Since it is situated at such an altitude that you might feel altitude sickness. Hence, it is advised to carry a Diamox in order to avoid such situation and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. While, on the way to Khardung La, I felt sensation in the lower part of the face. But, it was temporary as it lasted till that day only. 

In the evening we headed to Nubra Valley where we stayed at Hunder Village, which is a remote village. Snuggled in the heart of sand dunes, Hunder village appears like a marvel of nature. We went for ATV ride and camel ride which was quite a thrilling experience. You will get to see double hump Bactrian camels that you will see nowhere in India. This place is at least 160 km from Leh and you have to cross Khardug La Pass. During the night we stayed at camps with basic facilities. Later on, we indulged in bonfire sessions with our co-passengers. 

Then, the next day we returned to Leh as per our itinerary. 

Day 5: On 27th June, we left for Changla Pass and from there we were supposed to go to Pangong Lake as per our itinerary. Changla Pass is said to be the third-highest motorable pass in the world. This spot was named after a famous sage named Sadhu Changla Baba. A temple has been constructed at this pass that is dedicated to him. 

Some places to see around are Pangong Lake, Hermis Gompa, and Nubra Valley. You will get to see picturesque views of this region. While on our way to Pangong Lake, our driver halted at a field where a herd of yaks were happily grazing. The place was so beautiful that I cannot describe it in words. The picture below would do justice. 

Our next destination was the ‘3 idiots lake’ also known as, Pangong Lake which is situated at an altitude of 4350m. The lake is at least 160 km in length of which 1/3rd part is in India and the remaining 2/3rd belongs to China. It is said that this lake shows seven different shades of blue. The water is so pure that you can easily see the reflection of clouds in the water. The child winds was suppressing my feelings to spend time in the lap of nature. I was in no mood to stay indoors but the biting cold of Pangong Lake made me rest indoors and enjoy the view through the windows. 

We had a night stay camp at the Spangmik village. It took at least 5 hours from Leh to reach Spangmik village. The blue water of this lake looks so serene that we were spellbound by its existence. No doubt, the Ladakhi people consider this lake as holy water as its water is pious. It is believed that the view of sunrise at Pangong Lake is mesmerizing. So, I got up early around 6 A.M. to view the sunrise. 

On the same day, we returned to Leh and on 28th June it was my last evening in Leh. After visiting and looking at the geography of Leh, I realized that I never took geography as a subject so seriously. Each place has its own charm, history and a story to tell. Ladakh is not a luxurious destination, rather it is more of an adventurous destination. Traveling to Ladakh may make you ditch the luxury of staying in a suite and skip fine dining experience. Ladakh is a hill station that is so beautiful that its beauty will stay in your memories forever.  

With every passing year, this place is flourishing as the favorite destination among travelers. I only wish this place should not lose its charm and become just another tourist destination. 

Is a girl’s virginity a sure sign of marital happiness?

Image courtesy: Broadly.vice.com

From long back, a woman’s virginity is considered to be her owner and prized possession. Even today in the Indian society, virginity for girls is considered a big hype. But with the changing time and for a large number of young men and women, sex is not a taboo anymore. And for our generation, pre-marital sex is not a problem. Nowadays, couples who are in a relationship do not hesitate about getting sexually intimate with each other even after knowing that the relationship might not result in a marriage. However, when the question of marriage arises (more in the case of arrange marriages), a woman with a sexually active history is always questioned. How come virginity is a big deal then?

Being a virgin in the 21^st century

In today’s time being a virgin is like being a unicorn. With the recent time, India has gone through a dramatic change that has made people quite open-minded when it comes to sensitive topics like sex and virginity.

Whether you are married or not, to be sexually intimate with somebody you need to be comfortable with the person and on your own. But somewhere we all are afraid of being judged. Can’t help it, we Indians are judgemental. 

Being a virgin depends on your choice. Yes, it’s your decision. No matter how people take it, but for people who are in love, it’s the first time you give your body to someone. In the purest of intentions, it is the most you can give to someone you love the most.

Is virginity a must for a happy married life?

Virginity of a girl has always been synonymous with her character. On the other hand, this is not the case for men, to judge whether he is virgin or not. Since old times, men are told to marry a virgin bride. This kind of mentality is prevalent because of the traditional values that are embedded in Indians. Most men ask how can know whether their girlfriend of a wife is a virgin or not? If people are not okay with accepting the fact the girl is not a virgin, and then they should not accept or indulge in the trend of pre-marital sex as well (makes sense).

Image courtesy: Hatebeingsingle.com

Moreover, in a relationship, it is very important for a couple to give priority to things like honesty and trust. If a woman admits to her being sexually active in the past, then it should not be held against her. Instead, she could have hidden it; it clearly means that she is being honest.

Always remember that virginity is not the measure to base a happy marriage.

Everybody have their first time

You get only one first time. You should always wait for your first time with the perfect person and in the perfect moment (the intention here is good). Young women should be persuaded to not have sex with men who do not value them. Or even if a woman decides to stay a virgin until her marriage, her decision is entirely based on her faith and personal experiences. It is not a big deal to be a virgin until your marriage. Remember, your identity does not lie in being a ‘virgin’, ‘single’ or ‘married’, but as a human.

Image courtesy: India.com

Closing thoughts

Virginity is not something you brag about nor should you be ashamed of your own choice. There should be no guilt associated when it is about a female’s sexual desire. So with virginity, just like everything else, nobody else is going to decide for you. Above all, your body is all yours.

Men and women both want love, intimacy and commitment based on respect. Always look for something meaningful in your relationship and life choices.

How the Idea of Love has Changed With Time?

What is love? Just like we see in movies a boy meets a girl, eventually, they end up falling in love, walking down the aisle and living happily ever after. But this is not the same anymore. With fast paced lives, working to live up our dreams and aiming for the best – we seem to have forgotten to do this one thing that is as special as life, ‘love’. To be honest, love is not so easy; it needs a lot and lot of work. But our generation has left behind the concept of love. We definitely can have a long lasting relationship, but the reality is that we often give up before standing in the test of times.  Our generation, though slowly, is losing faith in love.

Where has all the love gone?

What is the idea of love? Two people come close to each other realising that everything around them is just so beautiful. Indulging in long chats and the phase of discovering each other seems to be just perfect. If everything goes well, you gradually become a couple. But now, things are different. You meet someone, exchange numbers, go for a date, make out, have sex and then lose interest. Everything then ends.

The reality is that in today’s time the idea of love is totally screwed up. Most of us are in love and still fail to understand its meaning.

Our generation is so obsessed with materialistic things, today we would rather want to have an iPhone than a partner. Secondly, we are afraid to get into a commitment, afraid to move out of it (if a relationship doesn’t work for a couple) and even afraid to be dumped. Earlier we used to crave for a relationship but now we do not want to get into a trouble of labelling relationships.

Dating apps like Tinder, TrulyMadly and OKCupid have made all of us available for parties, late-night conversations and casual hook-ups. But hey, what next?

The idea of love is not that complicated. If you decide to put equal efforts in a relationship, then things would definitely get into something more meaningful. Try to overcome differences and work together to find the lasting love in your relationship.

Are Bollywood movies fair in portraying love?

It’s true that Bollywood films have romanticised love stories to such an extent that they can become love goals for all of us. Movies like ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ had some of the beautiful love stories that teach us a lot about love and romance. But now, as a 25-year-old matured person, after watching films like Love Aaj Kal, Shuddh Desi Romance and Befikre, I am perplexed, what is the definition of love in today’s time?

Image courtesy: bollywooduniverse.in

Bollywood has come a long way in showcasing love stories in today’s time when there is no such thing called love. Considering these two films, DDLJ and Befikre, both are way too different from each other in terms of characters, storyline and most importantly, the ‘love’ element. DDLJ’s Simran and Befikre’s Shyra are poles apart from each other. From 1995 to 2016, this change in the attitude is a reflection of not just Bollywood but also a change in generations.

Closing thoughts

Just like these movies, people today are living their lives in the same manner. They crave for love but run from commitment. Agree to it, love in real life is as pious as described in books. Don’t expect love to be perfect, it makes you laugh and makes you cry as well because love is crazy, with no conditions and expectations.

Image courtesy:7-themes.com

I would say, delete Tinder, go out and meet people (instead of those you met on social media), indulge in conversations and give a chance to love! Love will surely find its way.

Love Thy Skin

Who does not want a glowing skin? Some people are blessed with flawless skin and some go to depths to do that glow. Sometimes we feel that why our skin does not have a mind of its own? It looks normal one day and the other day it looks dull. Summers are around and monsoons are here, now the heat continues to be unabated. You need to take care of your skin when the mercury is very high.

  The most basic skincare routine that anybody would suggest is to follow a step by step basic routine. Some of the skincare tips are:

Drink plenty of water: In summers, your body tends to lose moisture so it is important to refresh your skin by having lots of water. Drink a lot of water and let your skin stay moisturized.

Cleansing: The most basic skincare routine is cleansing. We often do injustice to our skin, that we under-cleanse and over cleanse it. Experts suggest that we should cleanse our skin twice a day, once in the morning and once in the night. Cleansing at night is important as you feel to get rid of all day’s ingrained dirt. One should avoid very cold or hot water to wash one’s face.

                         

Exfoliating: Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the top of skin. One should exfoliate once in a week. Use a skin friendly scrub and use a little amount of it to clear dead skin cells and hidden impurities. One can even try to make home-made scrubs and exfoliate to get a glowing skin.

Toning: Toning helps to close the pores on your skin and makeover to avoid dirt. Skin experts suggest that one should be strict in choosing toners as they come in various brands. One should use toners for some days and then decide whether to use it as a skincare routine or not.

Moisturizing: Moisturizing is most basic step for skincare. Depending on your skin- dry, normal or oily choose a moisturizer that suits your skin. During daytime, you can use moisturizer with SPF that works a s a sunscreen as well. For night, you can avoid using sunscreen and allow your skin to breathe.

Avoid Aerated drinks: In the scorching heat and humidity, people have the tendency to drink cold aerated drink to quench their thirst. It is better to drink fresh lime, juices, coconut water to stay hydrated. These aerated drinks contain lots of sugar, one should avoid caffeine too.

          

Apply sunscreen: Between 12 noon to 4 pm, sun rays are the strongest. One should not forget to apply sunscreen before you step out. You can choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.

Eat Healthy and sleep well: The holy mantra for a glowing skin throughout the year. Apart from following the above tips, one should take a balance diet, exercise and should take a sound sleep at least 7-8 hours. Drink at least 8 glasses of water in a day.

                                    

So, enjoy summers like other seasons and stay beautiful.

Miles to go…As There Is a Way Ahead

“Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see”.

                                                                                                              -Arthur Schopenhauer

A great mind sees no barrier to knowledge. Some people are born with the intellect to change the world. Therefore, later their names are echoed in future for the rest generation to follow. Indians are born with an intellect that makes them precedent for the years to come.

Here I will be discussing about few great men from India who have made their nation proud of them by working hard and have used their knowledge for the betterment of society. Have a look in some of the inspiring stories.

Anand Kumar: Anand Kumar is a mathematician and columnist for numerous journals and magazines. Born in Patna to a post office clerk in Bihar and attended a Hindi medium government school. He has submitted papers on Number theory, published in Mathematical Spectrum and The Mathematical Gazette. He is best known for the Super 30 programme, he started in Patna.

The man was highly determined for his capabilities. He even secured admission to Cambridge University, but could not attend due to his financial conditions. But as they say where there is a will there is a way. For his diligent efforts, his work has been broadcasted by Discovery channel. He is been selected by Focus Magazine of Europe as one of the global personalities who inspire talented people.

Dr. Naresh Trehan: This man is a famous cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon and presently Chairman and Managing Director, in Medanta. Graduated from King George Medical College, Lucknow and went to practice at New York University Medical Center USA from 1971 to 1988. He has received various awards like Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Award in the medicine field. He has also awarded with Honorary Fellow Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Australia.

KC Singh: Another great mind is Ambassador K.C. Singh is a Master’s in English Literature and a Bachelor in Law. He joined the Indian Diplomatic service in 1974. He has also worked as the post of Secretary in Ministry of External Affairs.

He has served in different capacities in Indian posts /Missions Cairo in New York and Ankara and served as Deputy Secretary to the President of India (1983-87). He has even worked for different positions at headquarters like that of Joint Secretary for administration, head of Consular, Passport and Visa division and Spokesperson of the Ministry.

Karan Thapar: Karan Thapar is a renowned journalist and television commentator. He is an alumnus of The Doon School and Stowe School. He has been Editor-in-chief of The Doon School Weekly. He graduated from Economics and Political Philosophy and also a doctorate in International Relations from St. Anthony’s College, Oxford.

He has won Onida Pinnnacle Award for Best Current Affair Presenter in Chat Show and received an International Press Institute Award in the field of journalism.

G. Parthasarathy: A known author and an Indian diplomat and has worked as an Ambassador of India to Myanmar, 1992-95. He started his career as a commissioned officer and later joined Indian Foreign Service. Presently, he is a Visiting Professor in Centre for Policy Research and a Senior Fellow at Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

The inspiring stories of these men really inspire a person from within. We often see examples in social websites that a daughter or a son of an auto-driver or a vendor qualifying IAS examination or cracking IIT-JEE entrances. Knowledge and brain is given equally to each, it depends on the individual that how he takes his knowledge and use it. Knowledge has no bars, and a wise person always makes his way through some way or the other.

“Power” is the matter of concern

Lucknow is growing and so its problems. The roads are in bad shape and river Gomti is polluted. Another problem of power shortage is making conditions miserable for the residents. The residents of the city are facing power cuts at regular intervals following by water scarcity in half of the city. After the storm on 30 May, power supply in many areas is still very irregular. Areas like Alambagh and its nearby areas are not getting normalise power supplies. Load shedding is still prevailing in the city to save system from crashing during peak hours. Areas like Tehripulia, Moti Ngar, Alambagh, Rani Ganj and Naka hindola are facing prolonged power cuts. According to the LESA officials, the load of transformers at several places has been increased because of the power demand has increased.

To find a solution to the power crisis, the Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav may urge the centre to make electricity available from the discretionary quote. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. (UPPCL) officials have prepared a letter to be sent to the centre on behalf of the CM. It is estimated that UP gets at least 1500 MW of power from discretionary quota but could not get more power because of grid constraints.

Besides power shortage, another crisis is of water supply that is affecting the city. On Monday, a sharp scarcity of water was noted in the areas of Purana Qila, Kashyap Nagar and Kalyanpur. Residents are also complaining that there is no water supply for two long days. In many areas, dirty water is being supplied. As we all know that, water and electricity are two major needs of human, for rich and poor both.

With the announcement of the results of General Elections 2014, the city folks are in hope that    “Achche Din Aane Wale Hain”, but it seems that “Achche din” are far away.

Lucknow is the state capital and it is the duty of Lucknowite and government to save it from degradation. Our dream is to make Lucknow clean and green. The beauty of the city should be alive again. It is our city, our pride. So, wake up people. 

Bhutan: A kingdom of happiness

From the inspiring beauty of Paro Valley to the streets of Thimphu, Bhutan is a Himalayan kingdom where people pride themselves on their happiness quotient. Situated close to the border of West Bengal, Bhutan is the shortest distance foreign land that can be visited. Bhutan looks as a unique piece of land surrounded by wall of mountains. It looks like a fantasy ending at Paro Airport, an international gateway to Bhutan, is locked by land on all sides. Bhutan is the last kingdom in the world by neighbouring countries like China, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sikkim. Bhutan is rich for its scenic beauty making it a tourist destination. The flavours of the country are vibrant, red chillies are an ingredient in every Bhutanese dish. Ghos and Kiras are the national dresses of Bhutan.

The Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is known as Land of thunder Dragon due to the experience of storms because of Himalayas. The country is blessed with nature’s form of rivers flowing through different parts of the country. Scenic surroundings and peaceful environment are not only factors that encourage 

Bhutan tourism. The culture dominated by old traditions, rich heritage of local people and lifestyle make the country a charming place.

Plums cafe and Druk in Thimphu serve traditional Bhutanese fare like Chicken chowmein, delicious momos, spicy Datshi (national dish of Bhutan) in different versions. In the streets of Thimphu, there is a Swiss Bakery that offers delicious almond cakes and rum cakes. The hotels in the country offer picturesque view of the mountains and access to shopping and entertainment. The clock tower road in Thimphu has variety of shops selling antiques and grocery items. The textile is world famous and is quite expensive. A weekend market takes place from Friday to Sunday, on both sides of Wang Chhu.

Bhutan tour packages are available to visitors for tourism and as it is one of the romantic places. For honeymoon couples, Bhutan trip is enthralling. A stroll through the towns and cities can be an unforgettable experience for you. Bhutan is a land that can be explored in your way. One can go for scenic nature or explore the big cities and restaurants. In Bhutan, one does not need a travel guide, but one can visit top sites like Paro, Phutentsholing and Punakha. One can go for an elephant ride or jungle safari and can then start for Phutentsholing. Evening is the time to explore local markets. Other places like Buddha View Point, Memorial Chorten, National Library and Punakha Dzong are the site scenes which are included in the package.

The best time to visit Bhutan is from October to May when the climate is sunny, as in December and January snow may block mountains, and travel is therefore restricted.

How to reach Bhutan?

By road: Bhutan can be reached from west Bengal. Buses and cars are available from Siliguri. One can take Jalpaiguri train to Phutentsholing, it takes three hours to reach the station.

By flight: Flight to Paro international airport is available from Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu.