Sustainable Living- An Insight

The design is an aesthetic world that describes imagination, concept & allure to modify things around us & turn the world into a better place. It fascinates us with its brilliance & relates us to the product. On the other hand, we being the creators are well aware of the limitations posed by a certain design and the impact it is going to cast on the environment. Therefore, a smart designer would always push his limitations & come up with a creation that stands for the environment- one of the prime concerns at the moment.

The world is facing a constant threat of global warming, and ecological imbalance lately, which has also led to frequent natural disasters and the madness continues to increase. We are already under severe threat from the growing concerns like the rise in water level, contamination of aquatic world & the leftover discharge from oil & other livestock industries. The issue of smog in China, which led to the complete closure of their capital city, was nothing less than a beeping alarm for India. Capital city Delhi reeled under similar circumstance earlier this year when the residents gasped for breathable air for close to two weeks.

Today we can’t afford to overlook the increasing disparity triggered by our acute selfishness. Speaking of ecological imbalance the recent fire outbreaks in Uttarakhand (India), USA, And Australia could also be termed as a byproduct of the hazards that we raise during the quest to overthrow our competitors. It would be clear from the fact that these fire outbreaks failed to get proper media attention, the reason could be widely eminent, political lobbying or the self-interest. Similarly, ivories worth millions of dollars were burnt down in Kenya recently, 105 tons of tusks precisely. Today, the world pays for illegal poaching.

Asia is doing fine and the example can be seen in the form of Hong Kong that ranks as the continent’s second-most sustainable city, after Seoul, according to the new ranking of world’s 50 leading cities. Singapore & Malaysia are also leading by example. Leaders across the world have already gotten into the defensive mode, which was visibly eminent at the 2015 United Nation Climate change conference in Paris. It was also treated as the last warning that if we don’t act soon, everything is going to be engulfed by nature’s fury!

Sustainable living includes our ability comply with:

1.    Ecological Value

Before getting into anything, we must acknowledge the grave seriousness of ecological imbalance. The prominent ones of them being Whaling, Oil spill in the ocean, Carbon Footprint, Afforestation, and Water-electricity harvesting.

Speaking of whaling, we are aware of the fact that killing & trading of the giant mammal is very much in practice in East Asian & island nations. What we don’t understand is, when a whale is killed thousands of gallons of its blood is spilled in water, which spreads & contaminates it, and results in the demolition of aquatic habitats. There are several organizations & volunteers seeking justice for the same but this has to stop sooner. The oil spill in the gulf region is another concern that poses a severe threat if not less. Call it accidental or the casual approach devised by the giant conglomerates. The oil spill contains the potential to demolish everything in its vicinity, and the after effect stays for quite long. 

Given the fact that marine life accounts for a chunk of nature's ecology, we can't afford to overlook this threat. The dangerous chemical components of the fossil fuel become too much to handle for the aquatic life.

Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses produced to, directly and indirectly, support human activities, and usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). So, it is the summation of all the activities that we perform to sustain life on earth & the CO2 emission that it causes. For example, the vehicles & transport system that we have must be in a top-notch condition so that it’s carbon footprint is minimal.

We are cutting the trees at an unprecedented pace and aren't really bothered about afforestation, which doesn’t augur well about us.  The lesson can be learned from the likes of Pornhub, which was in the news recently for the right reason, yes they are planting a tree for every video watched on their site. Look, it has to be some way or the other that we practice sustainable living in every way we can else nature is going to come hard at us.

Developed countries have also been in the news for bullying the weaker & third world countries for their support. So it becomes quite predictable that they aren’t going to speak against them even when their monopoly over continuing with environmental hazard continues.

E-waste- the threat caused by the rising quantity of e-waste is another issue that needs out attention. Mobile technology has leveraged accessibility around us. The life has been simplified and we stand testimony to this transformation, but do we care where do all the obsolete & scrap phones & gadgets go after we discard them? Of course not! People these days prefer to change their smartphone at least once a year & the obsolete version just lies around us emitting harmful radiations. Yes, the heavy metal used in the phones & other electronic gadgets do emit radiation causing serious health hazards.

As a matter of fact, many African countries & also the parts of coastal India are the favorites for developed nations to send across the waste where further scrapping process is carried out. We can't ignore the fact that lots African countries are affected by such deadly diseases, thanks to the selfish & pathetic step taken by the likes of developed nations.

2.    Minimal consumption of Non-Renewable energy

 The primary objective behind the advent of sustainable design is to make our surrounding sustainable & environment-friendly. By environment-friendly I mean to say that the more the use of renewable energy, the better it’s for the mankind. 

The increase in the amount of Co2, vegetation in the Arctic & Antarctic region is another major concern that leads to the depreciation of ice caps. Which leaves us with limited options & that includes the use of renewable source of energy & keeping the environment in top notch condition. That way our dependency on fossil fuel or non-renewable sources of energy subsides, which ultimately leads to a sound ecological balance in nature. The ideologies that make us yearn for a better tomorrow.

3.    Smart usage of Eco-Friendly products

My prediction here is, if there would be a war next time, it would be because of water. So conserving it is not just a responsibility, it’s the utmost necessity. We must protect & conserve water thinking at least of our future generation.

Among others, the basic objective of sustainability is to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environment. Truth be told, if we don’t pay attention to this now, the day is not far when earthquake & landslides would be termed as man-made disasters.

4.    Enhanced indoor environment

Let there be light but limiting it according to the required need never hurt anybody. Your living spaces could be well lit up with Led bulbs and 5-star rated appliances coz they reduce the electricity consumption marginally.

Every unit of electricity saved could light up a home. It's a practice that would eventually lead us to a better world handpicked by responsible people & lots of conserved resources.

Tesla is one such conglomerate that is initiating towards a sustainable world propelled by rechargeable batteries & electronic gadgets. Tesla broke ground on the Gigafactory in June 2014 outside Sparks, Nevada, and they are expected to begin cell production in 2017. By 2020, the Gigafactory will reach full capacity and produce more lithium ion batteries annually than were produced worldwide in 2013.

In cooperation with Panasonic and other strategic partners, the Gigafactory will produce batteries for significantly less cost using economies of scale, innovative manufacturing, reduction of waste, and the simple optimization of locating most manufacturing process under one roof. It intends to improvise the standard of living by taking the power reserve capacity to the next level. Yes, tesla's Gigafactory is the next big transformation, which would take care of our basic electronics necessity, bringing sustainability to the fore.

5.    Optimized operational and maintenance practices

For a better living, we must step up to make the world a better place. The minimal usage of fossil fuel is certainly a positive step towards making things right. Developed countries have already started the practice of commuting to nearby areas by using the bicycle. For cycling is not just good for health but it also contributes towards the environmental cause. This reminds me of the fact that few European countries such as Denmark have started the practice of constructing the dedicated highways for cyclists.

Waste management- Denmark has been in the news for all the good reasons and they are the examples that we definitely look up to. They have set up a subtle facility that does the waste management & the waste isn’t left to contaminate the atmosphere. Yes, it does include organic as well as inorganic waste. Producing electricity from waste is also another feasible method that adds to the cause of sustainable development.

6.    Passive Strategies

Passive strategies could also include strategies that support innovative yet environmental friendly design. I recently read about Green Design, which includes next level architecture & a giant step towards the promotion of sustainable design. Green Design includes an efficient condensing boiler, a green roof, efficient water fixtures, high-performance lighting, and low-irrigation landscaping. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is one of the most popular green building certification programs used worldwide. The program has been widely used by the likes of giant builders who comply with its guidelines.

Then there is the idea of Green Building. Green building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) refers to both a structure and the using of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. So when we actually think of a feasible yet killing sustainable design, the idea of Green Design tickles our gray cells in the first place.

7.    Sustainable materials

So, these materials are those materials that provide, environmental, social & economic benefits while protecting public health & environment. Given the current situation & the constant threat from the environment that we keep asking, there is hardly any room for escape unless we start acting soon. 

Being aware of the fact that plastic & polysubstance are nondegradable, we are left with only 2 choices. Either deal with it & recycle or stop using it completely. But we don’t seem to be buying any of these ideas. Therefore, it’s pretty justified if government forces it upon us. The need of the hour is that the use of plastic bag & bottles must stop sooner and biodegradable materials like paper & jute bag must be used widely.

Emma Watson’s wardrobe at the Met Gala was made up of recycled plastic bottles. It was anything but a hint how we must recycle the plastic & shouldn’t just throw it away anywhere.

Hemp- The non-psychoactive cousin to marijuana, hemp has been an illegal crop for decades even though we are aware of the fact that this hemp is multiple benefits in one body. It is still illegal in most parts of the world, the reason being it contains less than 0.03% THC- the marijuana variants have a higher content of tetrahydrocannabinol.

Hemp has multiple uses as it can be refined into products such as hemp seed foods, hemp oil, wax, resin, rope, cloth, pulp, paper, and fuel. The USA & some European countries are already making good use of Hemp. India is yet to fight its cannabis demon before acknowledging the fact that alcohol does much harm than THC.

Use of clay has become a rare sight, which must be initiated & used on a wider scale. It's cost effective, promotes local and small-scale industry, looks trendy (to me at least) and destroys completely.

It’s easy to cry foul or make promises but we often end up falling short on our grounds. Lack of dustbins is another major concern & precisely the reason why most of us end up littering the garbage at random places.

8.    Health & Wellness

Health & Happiness for all is the mantra for a happy life. Yoga is a habit that has kept us fit & sound since the time unknown. It not only enables us to stay in perfect shape but also opens the door to mental peace & wellness.

Living off the grid- a lovely facet of life that has started trending recently. People, who are tired of the bustle & chaos of a city life full of pollution, escape into the peaceful retreat. They flee to a place that is secluded & is located in the countryside or maybe the woods. Those who have already lived that life have spoken high of it. Imagine yourself waking up to a mild & mystic environment, perspiring leaves lit up by the bright sun and your aspiration taking a leap into the valley of tranquility. Who doesn’t want to draw breath in such locale! Well, it’s time you started looking off the grid!

Livestock industry- the likes of PETA are already working towards the cause but it wouldn’t be possible if the urge doesn’t hit us from within. Animals are beneficial to us in multiple ways. They yield food products and help us with our daily needs but we aren’t realizing it. Yet we kill them for the beautiful & soft skin with which they are blessed. Poaching for ivory, skin & horns would certainly meet our short-term economic concerns but it’s only going to pose a security threat to the particular species in the longer run thus creating an ecological imbalance. See how things are connected! I don’t understand why do we need to intervene with nature’s exclusive system.

9.    Sustainable Transport

Transport, pollution, and below par air index! Yes, they are choking us to slow & painful death eventually. Automobile giant Tesla has already initiated for the complete electrification of cars and, they have launched a couple of models on the same lines. 

Rechargeable roads- The British government is also getting ready to test out new road technology that would allow electric cars to charge as they drive. The goal is to help drivers with electric and hybrid cars avoid frequent stops to recharge their vehicles.

Cycle Super Highway- People living in Greater Copenhagen will now have a great time cycling to work or study, thanks to the region’s new network of cycle lanes. The country’s first Cycle Super Highway and among few in the world – which gives cyclists a safe, smooth ride and eliminates as many stops as possible, is now open, connecting central Copenhagen with the suburban town of Albertslund, 22 km outside the city. It must act as a lesson for people across the globe. Cycling must be promoted on a wider scale.

Carbon Mono-oxide gas emitted by the vehicles increase with each passing day, thus making the breathable air scantly available. Unfortunately, there is no stopping this. So the best we could do is inventing more vehicles powered by solar, geothermal, wind and electrical energy. Vehicles that would use sustainable energy source & make the world a better place to live.

India & few European countries’ initiative for complete electrification of transport by 2030 is already taking its shape. Yes, that way the environment could also be decarbonized & fresh breathable air would be a treat.

Nature has been engineered in such a way that tampering it & meddling it creates the unbridgeable gap which only widens with the passage of time. We must understand that things at our disposal are for our convenience, therefore, keeping it in perfect shape is not a mere prerogative but also our moral duty. Nature has already started giving up on us, it’s time we realized & worked collectively so that we could offer our future generation a beautiful Earth live.

P.S- I might have missed out on some of the vital aspects. Please feel free to share your opinion.

Trends For Summer-Spring

Fashion Trend is an attribute of the New Season. The fresh season arrives with a bounty of goodies for every one of us. Apparently, the trend you sport is the trend you become. The recently concluded Lakme & Amazon Fashion Week saw some of the most impeccably crafted grabs for men & women hitting the ramp. A closer look led us to the designs that men & women aspire to wear in the upcoming season. As I followed the week, I found some of the dress patterns & colors that stood out and are likely to rule the streets this season.

Trends for Women

Women, being one of the finest creations of the almighty exude effortless charm & elegance around. Make no mistake; a lady’s wardrobe depicts her subtly. Having said that, there are a few trends that have stood out of the recently concluded fashion weeks.

Geometric Pattern

We dreaded the geometry at our high school but the same pattern looks beautiful now as it flourishes on our dress. Unusual pattern with line, circle, dot & triangles is pretty much in trend, and you may consider parading few of them.

Polka Dots

Polka Dots is one of the few patterns that have been an integral part of several collections & has remained a designer’s delight from the good old days. Be it retro 60s, clumsy 90s or the ever-latest 21st century, bold dots have kept adorning our wardrobe in different forms. True to its bubbly shape, the dots have been a delight for men as well as women.

Wide-legged Pants

What goes around comes around. The trend of wide legged pants justifies the belief, how fashion repeats itself. The golden 70s & 80s exemplified men’s bell-bottom trouser. Designers today have adhered to the same aesthetics with good & stylish modifications while designing wide legged pants for women. It looks clumsy, super relaxing & is currently a rage among women.

Tea-length Skirt

Tea-length skirt has remained of the attractions of won hearts & has given designer enough of space to exercise their grey cells. These skirts cover the length & get as attractive as it could! It goes along with round neck, scoop or bateau top with a subtle matching color. An ideal accessory for any outing, tea-length skirt is definitely a hot pick for your closet this season.

Cropped Jacket

Jackets have acted as an enhancer of almost every grab and they make a subtle yet stylish statement. The recently concluded fashion weeks saw models exhibiting some of the classiest cropped jackets in Denim, White & Pastel. They make some of the most desired combinations with the contrasting variation of leggings, jeans or formal trousers. Nevertheless, for an unplanned hangout, it goes along with wide legged pant as well. The choice is for you to make.

Trends for Men

Men command, they hold the reigns and define themselves with the attire they don. To be the man of the moment, your clothes have to be exceptional that would make you the allure at parties. Make no mistake & stay updated with the season’s trend.

Grey

Of late, Grey has gained the confidence of men and is truly a rage among men this season. They appear warm & epitomize elegant mild, good enough to deck up the man of the moment. Be it a party dress or a workout outfit, grey has won the curiosity of men all around.

Man Bun

Braids & beards have been here for quite some time and look like they are here to stay. The man bun, also known as a braid along with hipster beard is still ruling the trend charts & men have always been up for it. It projects you immaculately & always makes you feel good about it. What else could one ask for?

Sports Luxe

In continuation of the previous, a bun or a beard doesn’t go easily with a lean frame & to push for an adept look we perspire & train ourselves harder. Work hard & play harder, and let your hood contain the charisma. Sports Luxe is one of the hot favorites & could be one of your go-to grabs for a casual getaway.

White

White stands for regalia & has been the color of the royals. Apparently, white keeps the heat at bay. This summer, adorn yourself with the white linen & buy yourself some moments of solace. Be it any season, a designers’ affinity for white surely gushes out in the form of exceptional creations. I would put my money on white linen. You go man!

Embroidered Suit

Suits & jackets are the must have for any official meeting or a formal get together. Persian embroidery & motifs have been around decorating the antiques & designer accessories. This time, the presence of popular motifs gave the suits the elegant appeal. A formal office meeting wouldn’t be a great place to display it but weekend show or a friend’s wedding could be some of the aptest places for you to demonstrate it.

Floral Shirt

Floral prints are here to stay & are one of those sections that give stylists enough to explore. Not only does it portray you cool, it also pleases the eyes of the beholder. So, whose apple of the eyes would you become this season?

Trends are already here, who are you waiting for?

Lakme Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016- A Synopsis

Summer's here & so are the much-awaited design collections from industry’s ace designers. The coming of a fresh season brings us the trends, leading us to the fashion weeks- a week-long event where models exhibit creations from top notch fashion stylists.

Having said that, the recently concluded Lakme fashion week (30 March- 03 April 2016) saw trade's top designers manifesting some of the promising collections for the upcoming Spring-Summer season. 
Eminent names from the industry rocked the ramp walk. Designers adhered to the basics, and their collection drew inspiration from the traditional acronyms. Also, the able company of elegant showstoppers enabled them to unveil their work comprehensively. 

The Fashion Week!

Lakme Fashion Week has left us with multiple options of interesting designs, thus enabling us to choose from a myriad of different & refined collections. The beginning of fashion week saw shades of silver and white gaining the confidence of celebrities. On the other hand industry’s ace designers came up with fascinating creations for the fashion aficionados.

The stage was all prepared at the Mehboob Studio for the likes of Manish Malhotra, Masaba, Rohit Bal, Anita Dongre & Monisha Jaisingh. 


Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2016 started with Manish Malhotra showcasing his collection titled "Elements". Manish's designer ensembles were inspired by four elements – Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire. Shades of blue and white were prominent on the ramp. Jacqueline walked the ramp for him & looked drop dead gorgeous in a shimmery silver evening gown that she wore under a slight pink cape while Arjun looked handsome in a dark blue sherwani with a plain silver jacket accompanied by a dupatta.

Delhi designers Shivan and Narresh seemed immersed in the traveling character as they presented luxury swimwear and destination wedding essentials - a segment they have taken the lead in. This time around, they experimented with many textures including brocade, while retaining their signature prints in some of the resort wear.

For luxe evening styles, Mumbai-based designer Monisha Jaising brought onto the runway the dripping-in-gold-70s-vibe, something she is synonymous with. Her collection moved from daywear to night, and while the first section of embroidered jeans and crisp cotton shirts made for a smart look, the gold, copper and metallic grey gowns came as a surprise. Jaising also made use of traditional south Indian weaves in the dresses, and the white gowns with nude coloured stars looked chic on the catwalk.

Well, to make things more tempting, Jaising had not one, but two showstoppers as former Victoria's Secret model, Karolina Kurkova attend the show.

Having said all that, of all the days, the show generated maximum vibes on Friday, which happened to be Anita Dongre's show. It was nothing less than a party ably complemented by all the basics in its place. A beautiful setup, foot tapping music, star-studded front row and high-spirited showstopper Sonakshi Sinha, one couldn’t have asked for more.

Image Courtesy: Cinemamasthi

Anita showcased her collection "Love Notes", inspired by her favored place Rajasthan. Renowned Bollywood names like Juhi Chawla, Swara Bhaskar, Mini Mathur, Sangeeta Bijlani, Kabir Khan, and actor Shahid Kapoor's wife Mira Rajput cheered her on. To set up the summer-spring mood, Bougainvillea was installed throughout the sides of the ramp.

Anita captured the poignant emotion of love told through the musings of a young woman, who is exploring the changes her lover is likely to bring into her life & Sonakshi turned out to be her flawless muse in a royal blue skirt teamed up with white jacket choli, featuring designer's signature gotta-patti work.

While Sonakshi Sinha walked the ramp for designer Anita Dongre, Sidharth Malhotra walked for Kunal Rawal & the Mehboob Studio lit up like never before. 

Next up was Masaba Gupta’s show, which saw the inrush of an exceptional amount of energy if not less. The enthusiasm at her show oozed from every corner of the studio. Masaba’s collections were mostly centered around dresses, tops, jackets, trousers & saris holding the prints of chillies & garlic.

Shraddha Kapoor walked the ramp for the celebrity designer for the first time at the Lakme Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016. Masaba’s was inspired by the works of Matthieu Venot (ace French photographer) & Katrin Bremermann (celebrated German artist). Over the years, Matthieu's work has captured graphics with facets of color blocking and the same was fused in the collection in various shapes and forms of print.

In her collection, Masaba has renovated contemporary Indian handloom like Ikkat patterns on fabrics, ranging from fluid natural crepes and coarse cotton. The colour palette was a mix of red, baby pink, lilac and a coffee brown. The collection aimed at bridging the gap between Indian and modern wear curated for a travel addict. For the show, Masaba collaborated with Fit Bit, a San Fransisco based company making wearable technology devices.


Finally, it was ace designer Rohit Bal along with Kareena Kapoor Khan who gave an astonishing closure to the Lakme Fashion Week 2016, with his line stunningly portraying the essence of life and existence. Rohit Bal, who is celebrating his silver jubilee in the fashion industry this year, turned the finale designer for the fashion week after 2012.

Hogging the limelight

The show left a casting spell on all the fashion pundits. Mehboob studio is no lesser-known place when it comes to the hosting glam sham events of the tinsel town. Unquestionably Lakme Fashion Week is the most awaited fashion week of the country & given the kind of designers & showstoppers it brings, there isn’t any room for speculation about its repute. 

The designs exhibited during the show were a proper blend of contemporary & conventional fashion. While the models brimmed with lots of charm, they gracefully donned the ensembles that boasted of European inspiration & traditional Indian art. Right from the golden vibes of the 70s to the traditional Rajasthani designs, the show unveiled the best of the designs. Mild & soothing colors, floral & distressed pattern were widely eminent! Do I need more reasons to reaffirm the caption presented here?

The inference!

The week brought everything for an avid fashionista in us. Cropped tops, dresses, or blazers, were designed without a shoulder seam, and individually looked fanciful! Among others simple braids were also noticed at almost all the catwalk shows, making women look divine. Several designers made use of a huge variety of fascinating drapes this season. Almost all the well-formed silhouettes were elegantly draped making the look as flattering as it can! Quite contrasting to the drapes and easy flowing silhouettes, Colour blocking played a major role this season. Boxy silhouettes strong contours were teamed up with colour blocked hues in bright hues. Watch out! This is the season’s exceptional trend for sure!

Lakme Fashion Week has not only presented us with a variety of subtle designs rather has successfully managed to hold on to the artistic grandeur that India boasts of. 
Time to embrace the summer-spring collection & step out in style.

Top Rated Mobile Apps For 2016 That You Need to Watch Out

In our ongoing effort to simplify our lives, the hunt for the newest and most exciting apps out there continues...

Let’s face it. Technology has taken over our lives to such an extent that we rarely see beyond the illuminated screens of our many gadgets, particularly our smartphones.

Thanks to these, today, we can fix our daily appointments, order groceries and even connect with friends across time zones, all from the privacy of our washrooms.

Our steady fixation with technology, however, has led to a plethora of apps of every kind being let loose in the online market, making it difficult to choose the ones we really need.

No phone can accommodate every single app out there, and your requirements may be far different from your friend’s. Besides, there are apps that are simply over-hyped and only serve to take up space on your phone.

With that in mind, we listed out some of the newest and smartest apps out there which claim to make your lives easier and more fun. Most of these should make the tech bug in you very happy.

Memrise:

Learning a new language is now at your fingertips. Memrise is the perfect app for the avid learner in you. Even as you play a game, the app aims to make you wiser by 44 words per hour. And you get to choose from thousands of courses available for over hundreds of languages. Memrise is designed by the famous memory-coach Ed Cooke and it makes use of a wide range of memory-enhancing techniques to make learning simple and fun.

Ios/Android

Ultratext:

Calling is a thing of the past, and texting the only way to go. But chatting isn’t just limited to alphabets. With picture messages, GIFs and colorful emojis coming to the fore, messaging has never been so much fun. Ultratext allows you to create custom-made GIFs, choose over a vast range of emojis and even send in-app selfies.

Ios/Android

123D Catch:

Behold the vividness of life around and transform your everyday into a 3D model.

123D Catch breathes life into the pictures of your camera roll and automatically transforms them into interactive 3D models that can be shared with friends, family, and other 3D photographers. You can also test out a wide range of photo filters and effects.

Ios/ Android

Splitwise:

Finally, you can get rid of all the minute calculations that come with living in a rented apartment with friends. Splitwise takes all the pain of computation and sorts out everyone’s share of the rent, groceries and group trip costs. All you need to do is add your expense and share it among your flatmates or friends. It’s easily one of the most useful apps in the store.

Ios/Android

Sleep Cycle:

Waking up after you have had just right amount of sleep is an incredible feeling, but your alarm clock wouldn’t understand that. It will still attempt to rattle you awake at 6 am even if you crashed just two hours before. Sleep Cycle is an intelligent alarm clock that analyzes your sleep patterns and wakes you when you’re in the lightest sleep phase. This means you wake up feeling rested and relaxed.

Ios/Android

Runpee:

Ever felt terrible because you had to go take a leak during the most crucial scene in a movie? So have many others and that’s why we have RunPee. Basically it tells you the best time to run and pee during a movie so that you don’t miss the drama. Updated constantly with new theater releases, it buzzes silently to tell you a good time to go to the loo mid-movie and also provides a synopsis when you return.

Ios/Android

Cocktail Flow:

Relish the moment, and let happiness flow! If you are homebound with some leftover tequila, cranberry juice and vodka and can’t really figure out how to make a drink, Cocktail Flow will do the math for you. All you need to do is mark the ingredients you have at home in the cabinet page and the app gives you step-by-step cocktail recipes that you can make with them. It also helps you figure out ingredients for new and varied cocktails for your next party!

Ios/Android

Now, look, didn’t I just simplify your life a little?

Women Only Bar in Delhi

It Takes a ‘Theka’ to Cure Women’s Liquor Blues

God created humans & humans created bars where they decided who gets in & who stays barred. As it happened, males proclaimed themselves as the mightier creation. Alas! That was anything but reassurance.

Post creation, god conferred men & women with most of the things alike except for some of the vital body components. Taste buds & cravings were instated alike, but not everyone was allowed to harness them willingly.

As a result, women were subjected to stay off the limits in most of the instances. The one obstructed privilege being visiting a liquor store.

The good news:

So cheer up ladies! Here’s the good news for you. In a first, Delhi got its first 'daaru' mall dedicated to the females. Located in the heart of East Delhi, the star city mall distinguishes itself for the liquor store that serves exclusively to women.

A first look revealed the quirky interiors & fancy glass ensembles that the 'theka' houses, ably accompanied by the comfy couch laid aside. The message on pink stripe reads out aloud ‘exclusive section only for ladies’.

Considering the kind of suppressed life that most of the women lead, this sounds like a rejuvenated move coming from the stereotypical society. Right to equality & freedom are the two eminent clauses that flash at the top of the fundamental rights recognized by the Indian constitution & I don’t find ‘males’ being mentioned there. So, why restrict women from visiting ‘theka’?

Boosting the store’s women-friendly aura are female security guards & a 28-year-old sales representative, who feels more relaxed knowing the fact that she only has to interact with women.

“Lots of women come here looking for vodka, wine, and champagne. Some buy whiskey as well. Sometimes if they come with male companions they buy beer too. But girls generally prefer tequila,” she says, adding “tequila shot” with an extra grin on her face. Sales have so far been moderate, but the store owner believes that it’s just a matter of time before the pace starts picking up.

An insight:

The independent liquor stores are more of an arena where men love to outdrink themselves & then indulge in some pointless ruckus. And we live in a city where men get aroused at the sight of a 6-year-old kid to an 80-year-old woman, so there is no point arguing if a woman is safe while visiting these treacherous places.

The women only liquor store is a respite for them from the pervy & ogling eyes. It not only offers them a comforting retreat but also allows them to get drunk & still stay safe willingly. Unlike the regular stores where people elbow, shove & muscle their way in a desperate attempt to buy the bottle of their choice, the women-only store allows the luxury to browse through the section & pick one of their choices- an added luxury for those who don’t already know what they want.

What the store presently lacks, however, are pocket-friendly options, which has been a concern for many women. But at the end of the day, the women-only ‘theka’ is a giant leap towards the ideological boost of typical Indian mentality who enjoy leading a life inspired by western culture but are left wanting on many fronts.

So, let's not deny them of their fundamental rights because they too have the privilege to drink & of-course, drink-independently.

Another stupid who is also an opportunist

Everybody loves to wear their opinion. I too have one just like you Kanhaiya! 
Let me tell you in the first place, JNU doesn’t regulate the ideology of the nation, neither does the opinion of a few hundred people make the viewpoint of 125 crore people.

A while ago I watched that hate induced speech of yours, which less fruitful & more of a hate talk. Merely harping on amidst a couple of thousand like-minded people doesn’t make you a potential leader. I am saying this after recently watching you make shrewd political statements. 

As I speak I don't have a second thought in my mind that we witnessed a wannabe leader who literally decried all & held the government guilty for everything going around in the country. If that was any less, then he went on to lambast the prime minister. 

Dude, honestly speaking, the way you spoke, it seemed like you were least concerned about the cause that you voiced & more of a representative of anyone opposing the BJP. Yes, it's appreciable that you brought out the problems rightly, but you can't go on an accusing spree and blame the current government for everything.

Yes, I agree that you have the backing of the ‘been there done that’ (I obviously mean jail here) paraphrase but neither you are the face of 125 crore people nor you are the voice of the citizen of the nation. So in a way you made yourself look like a random desperate citizen of India who wants to gain sympathy by projecting himself as the weakest. You invoked your poverty & stated yourself as the son of a farmer, which you are, but the country has already had enough of the chaiwallah, & aam aadmi gimmick, so this will take some time to get absorbed.

Coming back to the well-maneuvered chaos that you tried to spread with the slogan of Azadi (independence). During the initial days, it wore the pitch of independence from the country.  Later, it was described as freedom from the anomalies of society. 
All because of BJP (mind you, every single word of yours was directed towards them), as if they created some havoc during the 2-year regime. 

Kanhaiya, I really doubt if you existed before 2 years. When India was literally in tatters & corruption was all time high, farmers committed suicide & inflation won't cede. Where were you then boy? 

Today when somebody is genuinely trying to fix the condition of the country by bringing in Technology, Investment, improving Railways, & projecting India as the power on the face of the earth then you are purposefully trying to decipher it in the ugliest possible way that you can. 

Why can’t you keep things straight that just like any other politician you are trying to meet your goal, the purpose to sneak into the parliament. I understand that media has upheld you as a national hero but I pity myself as I speak of them, they are the bunch of retards who would stoop to any level to gain a record TRP. 

The irony in India is that an entertainer mocks a godman & gets arrested while a criminal mock the prime minister & media upholds him as a hero. I suppose nobody would have any qualm about India's tolerance now at least!

Well, If you that by shouting on mike for 45 minutes immediately after your bail makes you a national hero, you have been misled by your thoughts. In fact, by consistently talking crap & inducing hatred,  you have portrayed yourself as a despicable loser who is nothing but a big opportunist.

Meet Your Bottled Genie in Red Wine

Where the mind is without fear and the wine is held high ... Into that freedom of enchanted compassion, dear Lord, take me, hostage!

Wine has long since been regarded as the holy sip of gods, and we, being their finest creations, strive to follow suit. A detailed look at the vibrant history of mankind reveals that wine has managed to remain the toast of distinctive occasions for centuries.

Having said that, a section of our society is still caught in the ‘to-drink-or-not-to-drink’ debate. All right, folks! We’re going to reveal some of the lesser known benefits contained in a bottle of wine, which is sure to make you reach for one.

1. Long live thee!

Who doesn’t want a sip of elixir that makes them immortal? No, wine won’t make you live forever, but it can account for a prolonged and healthy life. A Finnish study among 2,468 men over a 29-year period, published in the Journals of Gerontology, 2007, coerces the fact that wine drinkers have 34 percent lower mortality rate than drinkers of other alcoholic beverages.

2. Beauty and health counsel

Meet your ultimate blood stimulator! That’s right: a good wine facial cleans up your dead skin cells and revitalizes your blood flow. Wine also boasts of detoxifying agents that reverse the ageing process and help to de-tan and de-stress your skin.

So instead of splurging a hefty portion of your paycheck on grooming kits, consider buying a few bottles of wine. I bet that would be a better investment.

3. Wine combats cancer

 Red wine contains a component called ‘quercetin’ that keeps lung cancer at bay. It also lowers the risk of breast cancer and reduces the growth of cancerous cells due to the presence of resveratrol.

4. Sleep in peace

Red wine gives you peaceful sleep due to the presence of melatonin, a substance that stimulates your body clock. Consumption of a moderate amount of red wine (50 to 100 ml) before retiring to bed can guarantee sound sleep.

5. Goodbye, fat days!

Studies have revealed that people who prefer drinking wine are less susceptible to putting on body fat. Moderate wine drinkers are more likely to boast of narrower waists and flatter abs as compared to those who gulp down other alcoholic beverages.

6. Cold company

When you have the sniffles, wine is a better friend than humans. Researchers have confirmed that red wine can help you fight nose blocks and cold, and make breathing easier.

Wine can also lower the risk of other health issues, such as cataracts, colon cancer, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.

But let's not forget that the biggest benefit in a glass of red wine is that it makes socializing fun! So, don't you whine, but treat yourself to some superior red wine.