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Call of the Colliery

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Amid the fast running and incessantly competing world, we could barely realize when we lose our existence and become one of those prime partakers in the race of survival. Thus, it becomes an essential responsibility to take a break and breath for a while.

I have always made it a point to take a small weekend break whenever it’s possible and come back rediscovering myself over and over again. While hanging out in a cafe in Guwahati, three of us friends were planning one such revitalizing weekend trip. Options like Cherapunjee, Shillong, Tawang, Ziro flashed out in our minds. But I was thinking of doing it off the beat this time.

Why go to the same common places where we have already been so many times! Suddenly something popped up in my head. I flashed back to one of the school picnics we were taken to, a place called Tipong, near Margherita. It was in the year 2002. The lovely place surrounded by gorgeous hills and frothy streams came alive in my imagination. And we decided to relive that school picnic again; this time in a better and more elaborate fashion, and for three days.

DAY 1:

Summer was at its peak in Guwahati. We packed our bags and boarded the evening train to Tinsukia at 7:45pm. Three of us snored away the 13-hour train journey overnight, and we finally reached Tinsukia the following morning around 9am. Following some refreshment at a nearby restaurant, we hired a cab to the small town of Margherita.

The small town in Upper Assam is merely 50kms from Tinsukia. But the views are breathtaking! As we crossed the town of Makum, and were gradually approaching Margherita via the NH 38, we witnessed a road that was no less than a spectacle.

Our car raced along a geometrically precise straight road with the deep green lustrous tea gardens festooned on both the sides of the road. In fact, the road is considered to be one of the longest stretches of straight roads in the world.Digboi-tipong

Driving through that stretch would any day be paradisiacal. I soaked myself in the sights, sounds, and smell of nature that pervaded the journey. Following one of the most pleasing drives, we finally reached Margherita at around 12pm. We checked in at Hotel Bluemoon on the NH 38 because of its strategically convenient location. By then we started feeling jaded and realized that we were starving. So, we took a quick shower and went to the Singpho Villa restaurant, famous for ethnic delicacies.

And the Villa stood up to its fame! The steamed rice wrapped in an aromatic leaf called Tora paat, the chicken salad and the traditional Singpho pork curry simply blew our senses. As we walked out of the ethnically designed huts of Singhpho Villa, our filled appetites promised to head back to the place soon.

From there, we decided to take a trip up to the oil town Digboi, which is only 17kms from Margherita. To be specific, we took a trip to the Digboi centenary Museum. Located close to the Historic Discovery Well No. 1 in Digboi, this museum is a one of its kind in India.

DAY 2:

Day two started with a heavy breakfast as we expected some desolate hours in the unconventional area of Tipong. Looking forward to reliving that school picnic, we packed our lunch boxes and set out to explore and embrace the tranquility of Nature.

Digboi-tipong

Tipong Colliery is located near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, and is operated by the North Eastern Coalfields division of Coal India Ltd. It is listed among the operational underground and opencast collieries in the Makum coalfield, which was first commercialized by the Assam Railways and Trading Company in the 1880s. The coal mines were nationalised in the year 1973. Tipong is only 20kms from Margherita. Hence it took us hardly 40 minutes to reach the area in our cab. Tipong is unconventionally beautiful.

The medium hills, the thick wood, and the river crisscrossing at the bottom of a steep valley are nothing less than eye-soothers! The colliary that remained suspended for a while was about to be re-opened shortly during our visit. The broken metre gauges were under reconstruction. And the haggard little coal trains were getting a new makeover. It was an entirely new experience to explore the old tainted machineries used in the colliery. Imagining the kind of work that must have been carried out in the colliery with the help of those machines brought about a feeling of joy and amusement. How it must be to witness the work there, I thought!

The Tipong colliery has a community life respond of its own consisting of hillside housings, schools, Hindu temples, mosque, shops, post office etc. And how can I not mention about the beautiful picnic spots, the memory of one of which is still ingrained in my mind since childhood.

Digboi-tipong

The surrounding hills, the deep green woods, and the shallow streams flowing over a legion of river stones, make for a surreal experience. As our eyes scanned through the wild timbers and berries and the captivating aroma of the wild orchids and dancing butterflies, “Aaahh……Paradise on Earth” was what went whirling in our minds. We paved ways towards the narrow pathway that opened up to the stream. SPEECHLESS!

For the next few minutes we stood there numb and dumb. It was like the scenario from Keats’ “Ode to Autumn” that unfurled before us. With the August sun blazing over us, surrendering my body full flat into the stream was a welcome relief! The clear cool water of the stream coupled with the rustling sound of the leaves had a spa-like effect on all the senses. We sat in silence listening to the sounds of Nature, breathing in deep and absorbing the quiet depth of the surroundings.

The silence was broken by a curious passerby who stopped by us and indulged in a friendly acquaintance, telling us about the whereabouts of the locality. A while later, a few other locals joined us too. While sharing our lunch box with them, the extremely amiable and effervescent locals introduced us to their ethnic food habits, especially the rice been It was during our lunch together that we got to know from then about the suspended colliery waiting to get resumed soon! It was heart-warming to see how excited the locals were about the restart of the colliery. It appeared as if their dreams and aspirations were deeply rooted to the resumption of the colliery.

The trip to Tipong surely broke my myth that the summers aren’t cool in the plains. When the endowments of Nature are respected, nature blesses us back. Following a full day of rejuvenation at the Tipong colliery, we made our way back to our hotel in Margherita in the evening.

DAY 3:

We packed our bags and made our way back to the town of Tinsukia. We decided to put up for the day in the tea town dedicated to shopping, good food and movies at the ATC Mali. While the day passed off spending some fun buddy time together, we boarded the train to Guwahati at 8pm the same day. The 3-day trip was enough to pump me up for another few months of non-stop labor and mundane life before my mind, body and heart called for another weekend break.

 

Submitted by: Abhijit Boruah

Edited by: Satarupa Mishra

The Kinky Controversy

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Whether it is Cold Lunch, Golden Shower, or going gross with the Alabama Hot Pocket, there are a number of wacky kinky moves that would instigate one to engage in a steamy and bed-rattling lovemaking session. And at the same time, disgust one to even think of these sizzling strategies to reach a peak.

Living in a multi-cultural society, however, there are different ways of expressing one’s sexuality and interests. Keeping aside vanilla sex, some may call these unusual practices as perverted acts, while others may consider these as mental disorders. As the saying goes, “There is pleasure in pain,” BDSM is one such kinky practices that involves intense torment and distress. Camouflaged by taboo, social rejection and animosity, the term apparently came to spotlight after the successful launch of E.L. James’ bestseller “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

From a historical viewpoint

While a number of bizarre sexual practices and acts have been carried out in different societies and cultures or sub-cultures, certain sexual engagements and acts have been observed as paraphilia or aberrant. Paraphilia, which is described by sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors, involve protracted, extreme and harsh sexual engagements that may last for more than six months, causing significant trouble and torment to their counterparts. Some of the sexual behaviors that are standing tall in the list of paraphilia or deviant behavior and acts include- homosexuality, exhibitionism, voyeurism, fetishism, necrophilia, transvestism, zoophilia, zoosadism, sadomasochism, pedophilia, and a host of such peculiar behaviors.

Teaming the terms “Bondage with Discipline”, “Dominance with Submission” and “Sadism with Masochism,” BDSM practices were found to have been in existence for thousands of years. The “kinky sex” to “edge play” practices of BDSM was however not on the move, until in 1886 when the terms “sadism” and “masochism” were introduced.

The symbolic painting from the 490 B.C. called The Tomb of Flogging (Tomba della Fustigazione) at Etruscan tomb near Tarquinia, Italy, and the mention of different types of hitting practices in the erotic literature of Kamasutra, executed to enhance pleasure, explains the prevalence of the sadomasochistic practice in those times. Moreover, the existence of sadomasochistic exercises in the 9th century B.C. has illustrated the presence of kinky practices in ancient Sparta.

Why do such deviations emerge?

Typically, there are numerous opinions, beliefs, and suspicions prevailing in the society about the mental status of BDSM practitioners. While some consider them perverts, some call them mentally ill. In fact, several pieces of studies and meta-analysis have been carried out to explain the sprouting of such deviations in selected minds.

Some of the studies tried to correlate past child abuse, the prevalence of emotional disturbances, or the derangements of specific biochemical in the brain or endocrine dysfunctions. Further, it was also found that because of their extroverted and less neurotic nature, BDSM enthusiasts scored well on several personalities and psychological tests.

It was also reported that engaging in BDSM practices do not signify any sexual difficulties, rather considered as a simple sexual interest. But on another flip of the coin, another study considers the power and control practice as a predisposed repercussion of mental issues like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or personality disorder.

Whatsoever, whether you engage in plain vanilla sex or take a step higher to complicate with blindfolds, cuffs, chains, and floggers to fall, crawl, break, bleed or tremble, spice up your sex life as you like it. Introduce a barrel-load of fun and excitement in your relationship. Lastly, don’t let the thrill go.

A restaurant in Guwahati abused its customer for complaining about food quality

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Over the years, Guwahati has developed gracefully with a number of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and clubs blooming amid the support of its inhabitants. These wings have flapped smoothly with time, offering excellent services and hospitality to its customers. Consequently, there are also some restaurants, who, with their appalling services, have disheartened many of the city’s food fanatics.

I remember visiting a café in Rajgarh road, Guwahati, sometimes back. As a café hunter, I popped to this restaurant in search of good coffee and ambiance. To my utter disgust, I was served with green chutney and chickpeas (chola) salad with pasta cooked with an emptied bottle of parmesan dressing and a cup of error-filled coffee.

I left the place and swore never to go back there or recommend anyone. But when I thought to drop a review on Zomato, I was surprised to see their enormous all-good reviews with four and five stars. And later that evening, a magazine carried an exclusive article praising their food. Horrible!

Another grievous tale

With tight deadlines and demanding schedules, it often becomes an arduous chore to balance family and career life. As a means to connect with those lost dots, 23 YO Rahul Rajkhowa, a musician by profession, thought of taking his family on an elegant dinner to a restaurant called Chung-fa, located in Zoo Narengi Road, Guwahati.

Because one pays a substantial amount to spend quality time with their loved ones, how can they not whine the uncooked food that was served after an hour of waiting?

On complaining about the “rubbery” under-cooked noodles, the waiter called the manager who instructed him with, “Array Garam kar de, phir kha lenge.”

When they questioned about serving them cold food and re-heating it, the waiter started arguing why they can’t eat that food or packed it home. And later with emotive throws like “You cannot talk to me like this just because you are from a stable economic background.”

As they moved to the cash counter, the owner, hiding behind her computer, began tossing them with rebukes. Furthermore, the waiter, along with another waiter started attacking him and his parents with abuses of being a liar.

Rahul took his social media account to shared his sour experience with Chung-fa restaurant.

This is what he wrote:

restaurant in guwahati, bad review

More horrifying abuses

 

restaurant in guwahati, bad review

 

Isn’t it distressing to pay a hefty food bill and earn such harassment in turn? Well, this reminds me of the scam momo sellers of Guwahati perform. The dispiriting onions and cabbage fillings (in the name of chicken and pork momos), covered with thick-unhealthy layers of maida, makes one realize how terribly these restaurants have deceived them.

And then comes the servers, who often gives you the feeling that you work for them, and your job is to feel fortunate whatever you get.

What are your views to change such a degrading scenario?

Let us know in the comment section below.

 

Unique Gift Ideas That Will Blow Anyone’s Mind

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gift box

It’s that time of year again when people feel pressure to buy the perfect gift for their friends and family. While buying a gift seems like an undemanding task, like gifting your mom a cookbook, your dad a bottle of wine, or your sister some chocolates, it is actually the toughest thing to do. Particularly, if that person seems to have everything and you are looking for different and unique gift ideas.

Luckily, we have compiled a few unique and quirky gift ideas that are sure to please anyone on your list!

What are some of the best gifts ever?

While there are a lot of great gifts out there, some stand out above the rest. These are the gifts that will blow anyone’s mind and make them remember you forever

  • The best gifts are those that are unique and personal. Something that shows you took the time to think about them and what they would love.
  • A gift that is both useful and beautiful is always a winner. Something they can use every day and treasure forever.
  • A gift that makes someone laugh is always a good choice.
  • A heartfelt gift from the heart is always cherished. Something that comes from a place of love and sincerity will be remembered forever.
  • Sometimes, the best gifts are those that we don’t even know we need until we have them.

Choosing a good and useful gift

When it comes to choosing a gift, however, it is important to think about what the person you are gifting enjoys. A good gift is something that shows you have thought about the recipient and what they would like.

If you are struggling to think of a good gift, here are some tips:

  • Consider their hobbies and interests: What does the person like to do in their free time? Is there a hobby they are passionate about?
  • Think about their personality: What kind of personality do they have? Are they shy or outgoing? Do they prefer simple or luxurious things?
  • Take into account their age: Age can play a role in what kind of gifts people like. Such as, younger people may prefer something trendy or unique, while older people may appreciate a more classic gift.

By taking these factors into consideration, you will be able to choose a gift that the recipient is sure to love.

The Best and Unique Gifting Ideas

If you’re looking for a gift that will really wow your friends and loved ones, look no further than these unique gifts! From personalized items to one-of-a-kind experiences, these gifts are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

For the foodie in your life, why not give the gift of a gourmet meal delivery service? With this gift, they’ll be able to enjoy restaurant-quality meals without having to leave their home.

For the fashionista in your life, a custom-made piece of jewelry is sure to be a hit. Whether it’s a necklace, earrings, or bracelet, they’ll love wearing something that’s been specifically designed for them.

Know someone who’s a couch potato and loves to snuggle under their blanket all day long? Gift them a Mermaid Tail Blanket. They’ll embrace this lovely gift throughout this winter and until the end of their Netflix subscription.

Is there someone in your life who loves to travel? Give them the gift of an all-expenses-paid trip to their dream destination. Whether it’s a city break or a beach vacation, they’re sure to appreciate this generous gift.

Do you have a friend who’s always complaining about how stressed they are? Why not give them the gift of relaxation with a spa day or weekend getaway? They’ll be able to forget all about their troubles and come back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

And here are a few more gifting ideas

Unique Gifts for Your Significant Other

When it comes to finding the perfect gift for your significant other, think outside the box. Instead of opting for the usual suspects like flowers or chocolates, try something unique that will truly surprise them.

One option is to get them a piece of customized gift that reflects their personality. You can choose a personalized moon lamp or a piece of jewelry. Another is to get them a subscription to their favorite magazine or an online streaming service. Or, if you really want to go above and beyond, you could arrange for a private chef to come and cook a special meal for two in your home.

Whatever you do, make sure it’s something that they’ll truly appreciate and remember. A thoughtfully chosen gift will show them just how much you care about them – and that’s priceless.

Gifts for Men, Women, and Everything in Between

Finding the perfect gift can be tough, but with our unique gifts, you’re sure to impress anyone on your list. From men to women and everything in between, we have compiled a gift for everyone.

For the men in your life, Bigsmall.in has a great selection of gifts that will suit their style. Whether he’s a gearhead or a gadget guy, they have something that he’ll love. For the women in your life, you can select beautiful jewelry pieces and accessories that will make them feel special. And for the little ones, there are a variety of fun and educational toys that will keep them entertained for hours.

You can check their website here https://www.bigsmall.in/

Time-Honored Classics

There are some gifts that never go out of style. Whether it’s a hand-crafted piece of jewelry or a vintage book, these time-honored classics are sure to impress anyone on your list.

For the jewelry lover in your life, consider a one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet. There are many talented artisans who create stunning pieces using unique materials and techniques. Support a local artist and give a gift that will be cherished for years to come.

For the reader on your list, look for a rare or first-edition book. You can also go for vintage bookends. You can often find these at thrift stores, estate sales, or online auctions. This is a gift that can be enjoyed now and passed down through the generations.

retro gifts, bookends

Whatever you choose, take the time to find something special that will be remembered long after the holiday season is over.

Quirky and Unique Gift Ideas

If you’re looking for gifts that are both unique and quirky, look no further! Our list of gift ideas is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. For the Harry Potter fan in your life, why not try a pair of socks or a quirky table clock? These eccentric merchandises are sure to put a smile on their face when they open it.

harry potter gift set

Is your friend working from home? Why not help them out with an office gift box? This little gift box has a charging cable keychain, light-up car charger, silicone mobile wallet, clock, air freshener, and a water bottle. Isn’t this perfect?

corporate gift set

These are just a few of the unique and quirky gift ideas that we think would be perfect for anyone on your list. So whether you’re shopping for a Harry Potter fan, a foodie, or just someone who loves unique gadgets, we hope you found something here that will make them smile.

You can also check these beautiful bags if you are looking for a useful gift for the woman of your life.

A tale of victory over depression

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depression

After an arduous four years battle with depression, he finally got estranged from its claws. Numerous relapses and a mulish addiction to alcohol, brought him miseries that he could barely imagine in his wildest dreams.

“Depression strolls in one’s life begging for its existence. Once it senses any hint of odd, uncovers its majestic form, under different highs and lows.” He said.

An abusive father, bad companions, and maltreatment in school made the ground of depression fertile for him. He was one of those, who would suppress his emotions and cover his thoughts, no matter how devastating they are.

In the beginning, he was totally clueless about the series of unwanted events happening with him. Craving for high-calorie food, sleep issues, increased argument with his girlfriend, feeling numb and hazy every time, became his regular routine.

After much contemplation, he could match signs with depression. Spaced out, he decided to disclose the matter to his parents. But his surprise jumped in amusement when his dad brought him a Brainolia (a kind of memory enhancing syrup) while his mom massaged his scalp with Navratna oil (a soothing ayurvedic hair oil).

Finally, seeking a psychologist was his only choice left. He was prescribed with antidepressants. For four years he soaked in antidepressants, with higher doses every week.

A conversation about his struggle with prolonged depression

As he says, “Depression is all about self-esteem. We have a monitor in our mind. When we do good, it feels good and when something bad happens, it feels bad. But once you learn to distinguish between good and bad, learn to stand for yourself, that self-esteem gradually builds up.”

Q: How was depression, your old friend?
A: I broke up with her now. There are times when she didn’t let me sleep for days. That phase was horrible but it taught me many things.

Q: How did it all end?
A: I was drained, both mentally and physically. Depression had taken away my health, sleep, and my life completely. And antidepressants, they deteriorated the situation more. Around 4 am, one day, I was lying in bed and staring at the ceiling. Out of sheer frustration, I walked out of my home. Kept walking, heedlessly. After few hours, I felt good. And then, there’s no stopping since then.

Q: Did you get hook on to any sort of drugs?
A: Yes, I was an extensively into alcohol and marijuana. In one instance, I drank a full raw bottle of whisky, with a hope to gain some sleep. But woke up with wide eyes within two hours. However, I am all clean now.

Q: Did you experience any suicidal ideation?
A: I felt total numbness but there were no suicidal thoughts. Also, I was not afraid to die. It was like let things happen their way.

Q: How were your parents and friends? Did they support you?
A: My parents and siblings were quite supportive, unlike my friends. When I discussed my condition with my friends, they lend a hand with alcohol. They were just waiting for me to get well. When I was recovering, still battling, they influenced me toward alcohol, once again. Further, relapse knocked.

Overcoming depression

After the fourth cup of coffee, he put forth some of the important practices he followed that helped him in his battle. Below are some of them:

  • Journaling helps a lot. I jot down all my good, bad, and ugly feelings. These anecdotes now help me in making music.
  •  Stay away from bad influence and from any sort of drugs. Eventually, you will fall into the trap of addiction, further depreciating things more.
  • Avoid narcissistic people. Learn about narcissism and co-dependency.
  • Avoid any kind of spiritual modality. You will likely fall prey to these. Be VERY CAREFUL.
  •  Exercise is a must. You will feel lethargic, not want to even think of it. This is a very slow process. It took me a year. But exercising augmented my thought process and helped in enhancing my self-worth. I started loving my life.
  • Self-counseling helps. I treat myself as a child. I ask questions, about things that hurt me, why did I feel bad about something that the other person had said, is it good? Is it bad? Then I come to the climax.
  • Know that you cannot please everyone. Society is a huge problem. Prejudices like you are too good to revert to an elderly person’s (wrong) views, would subsequently want you to restore their faith in you.

There have been numerous times when he was raped, mentally. After four years of living in absolute darkness, Ankit finally defeated his demons. He is now happy to embrace the scars left by his kick-boxing practices than by those dreadful four years.

Struggle of distinguishing depression

The word “depression” is powerful enough to frighten anyone. In a world with more than 300 million people struggling with depression, only a handful of them dares to speak up about their mental status. And others? They suffer in the shadows of misery, despondency, and ultimately seek suicide as their final destination.

Camouflaged by societal stigma, prejudices, and indifference, people battling with depression or any other mental clutter could barely distinguish their problems or seek professional guidance.

There are people who may not even realize the signs and intensity of depression and in turn, can fall in the vicious cycle of drug or alcohol addiction. Thus, it’s imperative to know and understand the signs before it is too late.

 

Editor’s Take: We will update an article on the signs and symptoms of depression in our health section soon.

Also, don’t forget to share this article. Help us reach this story to others in need.

Beans to Brews: Explore Coffee Lady’s World of Brewing Excellence

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Coffee lady

In the heartland of Nagaland, a captivating aroma wafts through the air, drawing coffee lovers and curious souls alike to a place where coffee isn’t just a beverage but a passionate journey curated by the Coffee Lady of Nagaland, Miss Atsi Jamir.

Atsi, the brainchild behind this extraordinary coffee venture, embarked on her odyssey into the world of coffee in 2019. It was then that she established her very own specialty coffee cafe in Medziphema, a quaint town nestled amidst Nagaland’s natural beauty. Fuelled by her unwavering enthusiasm for coffee, Atsi has transformed her pretty little cafe into a hub of coffee expertise.

With qualifications rooted in the deep knowledge of coffee from both the United States and India, Atsi’s journey has been a meticulous quest to perfect her craft. A notable feather in her cap is her certification from the Specialty Coffee Association in Irvine, California, an accolade that makes her Nagaland’s sole certified female coffee expert.

However, what truly sets Atsi apart is her commitment to nurturing coffee culture in her homeland. Atsi, who believes in “embracing the beauty of simplicity and nurturing community needs” has left her mark as a professional barista, sharing her wisdom in Kohima and Dimapur. At the same time, her current endeavors see her collaborating with and training coffee farmers in Mon, Mokokchung, and Dimapur districts. Atsi’s expertise spans the entire coffee value chain, from the cultivation and processing of coffee beans to the art of brewing and the diligent pursuit of quality control.

Here are the five core areas where the Coffee Lady brand shines:

Barista Training Programs

At the heart of Coffee Lady’s mission is the commitment to imparting knowledge. The brand offers comprehensive Barista Training Programs, equipping coffee enthusiasts with skills in brewing techniques, espresso preparation, latte art, and the art of exceptional customer service.

Business Planning for Coffee Cafes

Coffee Lady extends a helping hand to budding coffee entrepreneurs. Atsi and her team assist in developing effective strategies for coffee establishments. They optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and provide invaluable insights to drive profitability.

Special Services

Coffee Lady specializes in crafting unique and personalized brewing experiences. They guide sourcing high-quality coffee beans and curating exceptional coffee moments that leave a lasting impression.

In-Depth Equipment Recommendations

Choosing the right equipment is crucial in the world of coffee. Coffee Lady offers technical knowledge and guidance on selecting the perfect equipment for consistent quality and operational efficiency.

Virtual-Strategy and Training Sessions

Coffee Lady believes in continuous improvement. After project completion, they provide virtual sessions to track success and refine operations. Through strategy discussions and targeted training programs, they ensure that excellence becomes a habit.

Here’s What You Can Expect in a Pouch of Coffee Lady

Besides an aroma-filled cup and the freshness of the Naga hills, here are a few things that make Coffee Lady a distinctive brand.

  • A Passionate Pioneer: Atsi Jamir, the visionary behind Coffee Lady, isn’t just an entrepreneur; she’s a passionate pioneer. Her coffee journey started not as a business venture but as a genuine love affair with coffee. This authentic passion infuses every aspect of Coffee Lady’s operations, creating a brand deeply rooted in a love for the craft.
  • A Commitment to Community: Unlike many other coffee brands, Coffee Lady doesn’t merely source its beans; it nurtures them. Atsi’s involvement in training coffee farmers in Nagaland is a testament to the brand’s commitment to empowering local communities and ensuring the sustainability of coffee cultivation.
  • A Taste of Nagaland: Coffee Lady’s specialty blends and curated coffee experiences offer a taste of Nagaland’s rich culture and natural beauty. They seamlessly blend global coffee expertise with local flavors, creating a truly unique coffee experience that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

In a world where coffee brands can sometimes feel indistinguishable, Coffee Lady emerges as a shining example of what sets a brand apart. It’s not just about the coffee; it’s about the passion, community, and unwavering commitment to excellence that infuse every cup and every consultation. Coffee Lady isn’t just a brand; it’s an experience that leaves a lasting imprint on the coffee world. With their expertise and attention to detail, they are dedicated to delivering results that speak of quality and excellence in every cup.

Currently, they are available in a few stores in Nagaland, however, you can also place your order by directly messaging them on their Instagram handle, @coffeelady_coffee.

Hope you have an amazing Coffee Lady experience.

9 amazing reasons why it’s awesome to have a Bengali guy friend

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Your female friends might disagree to your opinions, spill beans behind your back, puke out your dark secrets and deny helping with assignments. But in contrast, a guy friend would stand all your useless tantrums, lock your secrets safe in their hearts, listen to all your boyfriend problems, help in assignments and in fact do everything that a girl friend will definitely disagree. And cherry in the cake is when your guy-friend is Bengali and you have amazing stuffs to explore about him.

    1. SWEET AS MISTI:

      They are generally the out spoken people with their tongue is as sweet as Rossogulla and Misti doi. They are friendly people and you will be left with no silly reason to not love their company. You will rarely find them engaging in any controversial activity and they profoundly preach non-violence.

    2. BRAVE AT HEART:

      You will always feel safe in his company. Although he isn’t muscular like the Punjabi guy, he will always protect you from every street whistles and ‘wo dekh maal jaa rahi hai’ eyes.

    3. THEY ARE MUSIC FREAKS

      They are the extreme music freak taking interest in various genres. And whoa! Your bong guide is always by your side to help you in updating your playlist with fresh tracks.

    4. THE UNIVERSALLY BHAIZONED ELEMENT:

      They are the universally Bhai zoned class and their ‘dada’ factor will forever amuse you with their caring attitude. They will defend every obstacle standing your way.

    5. CLASSINESS AT ITS BEST:

      In other days, he is just the plain simple guy chomping with Nutella all over his face but his pataka look during festivals, aaye haaye will leave you droll your eyes in wonder. He will bet your hunky boyfriend in terms of classiness with his traditional features.

    6. THE TOPPERS:

      They are generally the intelligent class compared to rest of your circle. With him by your side, you will never have to worry about bulky assignments and deadlines ever again.

    7. LAZINESS IS SYNONYMOUS:

      They are lazy people which actually make your life easier. Unlike your impatient boyfriend, you can get ready for a party without any 50 messages and 100 calls with him. The Indian tradition of always getting late and the logic behind one minute equals one hour can be equally be applied with him

    8. CULTURALLY ENLIGHTENED:

      They have been taught to respect women and treat them with courtesy since childhood. They are highly cultured and would acquaint you to every values and tradition whenever you step the wrong route.

    9. FOODIE:

      Bongs are great foodies as well as master chefs of their kitchen. You will be introduced to different relishing delicacies and styles of cooking by him. Befriend his mom so that you can invite yourself for a sumptuous dinner with illish maas’ r sorsori.

Let us know your views about this article in the comment section below.

Lavazza- Redefining the aroma of Guwahati

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Lavazza coffee

A coffee mug is something that always stands on my desk, irrespective of whether I am at home or at my workplace. I wasn’t a coffee fanatic until the caffeine rush hit me during my finals one day. And since then, it has been my favorite choice of beverage.

Growing café culture of Guwahati

While Guwahati is blooming in the different spheres of trade, communication, and lifestyle, advancement in its sub-categories, too is rising rapidly. In the last two-three years, Guwahati witnessed a massive growth of cafes, restaurants, and hotels. But often it is disheartening to discover that behind those gracefully crafted cafes, its visitors could barely track down a good cup of coffee. Only a spattering of cafes like 11th Avenue, Kalita Café, or Café brew bakes tends to serve an aromatic cup.

In the quest to procure a pure cup of caffeine, oftentimes, people here, dive into a puddle of pesticides and chemically preserved coffee. I realized that the veil draped by instant coffee is hard to tear when my mother complained about the freshly grounded coffee packet that I brought from Nagaland. To my horror, she said she had replaced the packet with a Nescafe jar.

An aromatic entrant in the city

lavazza Coffee workshop

Beyond the flawed practices like brewing coffee in boiling water or drinking plain premixes, Guwahati brewed a neat aroma on 24th May. Lavazza, since 2008, has been cultivating better coffee brewing culture in India. Consequently, with a brisk upsurge in café trends in Northeast India, the company hosted its first-of-kind coffee workshops in Guwahati and Shillong.

Baristas, chefs, café owners, and coffee fanatics from the eight states, are connected to brew an impeccable essence in the region. It was rewarding.

Abdul sahid khan
Coffee connoisseur, Mr. Abdul Sahid Khan

Coffee connoisseur and Training Manager of Lavazza, Mr. Abdul Sahid Khan, adroitly persuaded the participants to brew luscious aromas all over Northeast. He narrated how by playing with different techniques, procedures, and equipment, one can experiment and invent recipes of their own. Besides guiding to attain flawless shots of espresso, he also demonstrated frothing milk and supervised latte art.

Cooking with chemicals

Coffee Cavier, prepared using the molecular gastronomy method

Among those numerous coffee recipes that he exhibited, what thrilled me the most was the molecular gastronomy technique. A concoction of my curiosity and fate mingled with astonishment when I ate espresso. Coffee Cavier is an exclusive recipe of Lavazza. It is prepared by converting liquid to a solidified state. This process is done using calcium chloride with alginate.

Spoon of cavier
When I ate espresso

The workshop was a pure indulgence of bliss and contentment, in particular. This workshop was a much-needed grasp for the region that believes in pouring a fantastic cup of coffee.

About Lavazza

Ruling for the last 120 years, Lavazza is one of the biggest manufacturers of coffee products from Italy. The company combines coffees from different parts of the world. These are then harvested, processed, mixed, and roasted to create several different and balanced blends, as well as satisfy the coffee-tooth of every fanatic.

Here are some of the pictures from the Guwahati as well as from the Shillong session.

lavazza workshop lavazza workshop lavazza workshop Lavazza workshop in Guwahati

Lavazza workshop in Guwahati
Participants from different states of Northeast India

lavazza workshop

Note: If you are in Northeast India and wish to get hold of some finely roasted beans of Lavazza, you can ping Jyoti Brothers (Jyotishman: +91 9864311100) or Sumon Bora (Area Sales Manager: +91 9707639828).

Also, feel free to knock us for any queries or questions related to coffee/coffee making. Until then, like this article and don’t forget to share it in your circle.

Rebuilding the post COVID-19 economy- An analysis

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The global shutdown has impacted numerous countries, countless industries, communities, economies, and people, leading toward a slow paced system. Due to this pandemic, it is quite evident that the economic damage will be far more challenging and devastating for most countries and rebuilding the post COVID-19 economy is no easy play. However, the hardest hit will be on countries like Turkey, India, South Korea, or Iran where the public health issues are a major concern. 

The corona crisis has exposed some major inline flaws of the international structure. From having the type of job, to the community people live in, or the country they reside, the pandemic has affected everyone differently. 

One of the biggest challenges the lockdown has endured is massive unemployment, which subsequently means reduced demand, supply, and consumption, thereby leading to slash in production and investment and a shrunk economy. Released data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighted that the unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 14.7 percent last month – the highest since the Great Depression.

Navigating the economic fallout- job loss, mental health condition, and more

There is no clear picture of a “normal life” in the horizon or how a “new normal” life will look like. Substantial job loss, looming mental health issues, inflated assets, healthcare deficiencies, are already murking the world with its ugly strain. With all these issues that every country is grappling with, analyzing the economic fallout caused by the pandemic will be massive and prolonged.

Aside this, the world economy is predicted to lose about $8.5 trillion output in the next two years. The pandemic is likely to expunge almost all gains of the previous four years, a study highlighted. This will subsequently push millions of people to extreme poverty by the end of 2020. A scientific report underlined that the disease could last for 18-24 months and will keep rolling until 60-70 percent of the human population is immune to the virus. This forecast may sound bleak but the only hope that exists amid this crisis is community resiliency to rebuild the neighborhoods, cities, and then the country at large. 

Rebuilding the post COVID-19 economy through sustainability

Fancy promises or believing in magic will not help in reviving the losses, rather, a sharp, flawless, and a long-term plan will diffuse the challenges and hurdles standing on the forefront.

Needless to mention, the post covid world will be distinct from the present setting. The “new normal” should focus primarily on building a better backbone to support such startling occurrences. A fundamental theme that we need to learn is to prepare ourselves physically, economically, and mentally to confront such a crisis. 

This pandemic is not the last one to affect humankind. There are several warning signs impending unprecedented economic disasters such as climate change, future virus outbreaks, biological warfare, and so forth. 

While an overwhelming recession is evident in most countries, it is also imperative to note that advanced sustainable goals and resilient societies are crucial to impede future catastrophe. To rebuild the lost economy, government and policy makers should build progressive economies, one that is clear, strong, and contains a long term sustainable plan. The strategy should focus on improving the past track records.

Focusing on the 2030 agenda for sustainable development can turn out to be a great action plan to strengthen universal prosperity and reduce extreme poverty. Besides, countries should strengthen the public health system, i.e., more affordable and accessible basic public health along with investment in education and skill development for the driving forces of the country.

Do you have a sustainable plan to revive the crisis? Let me know in the comments below.

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post covid economy, rebuilding economy

Humanity is dead. Take care.

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Skimming the morning newspaper and at the same time, scrolling the Facebook newsfeed is my daily bustle. As I quaff my morning tea, curiously, I asked my husband if he has any idea about what is taking both our newsfeed to a storm. I did not bother to read or click the links people had shared. When he swiped right to an office call, I leaf through the links, the shared posts, photos, and videos.

What grabbed my attention is the word “xupadhora,” in one of the posts. Subsequently, this reminds me of those afternoons at granny’s place when she would ask me to sleep. Refraining which, she would narrate stories about a xupadhora that roams the streets during afternoons and pick kids who disobey their elders. Quite a decade and I have bumbled on this word today.

Welcome to the rotten world of humanity

I didn’t watch the video because I could not. Because it was atrocious, because it narrated degraded humanity, because it exhibited a blood-starved lowbrow breed of beasts lynching two faultless youths.

Were they kidnappers? Or terrorists? Or did they rape anyone?

NO.

Their only fault was to visit a graceful village in Karbi Anglong (Assam) that was thronged with illiterate and uncultured psychopaths.

In conjunction, one will exasperate to learn that the duo was whipped to grave because the perpetrators “assumed” them to be (xupadhora) child traffickers.

Gruesome, how the two budding artists had to yell their identity, had to plead for their lives in their own land. How merciless have people become!

Wake up before time flies

The appalling incident of Nilutpol Das and Abhijit Nath pronounces not just the bitterness people hold for their fellow beings but also the dread of fabricated social media propaganda. This is disheartening to see how a culture of fear, abuse, bitterness, and retaliation that permeates too little of harmony, have prevailed in this society.

I will not mind if robots take over this planet in near future because humanity has given up the ghost. Those last words, “Moi Axomiya,” will haunt Assam in perpetuity.

Today it is someone’s son, tomorrow it might be your sibling, parent, or a friend. It is never too late for a noble stand. Fight against cruelty, against hatred, against violence, not against free minds. If this doesn’t wake you up, what will?

nilutpol Das Abhijit Nath