The morning beams that penetrated through the gauzy curtains interrupted my dreams. It was late morning when I woke up. Although I was never a morning person, hectic job schedule and demand to maintain punctuality in office compelled me to dispose off my late-night routine.
And thus, weekends became my savior. I would sleep my heart out, keeping myself aloof from all the earthly pleasures. I would always ward-off the plans for joining someone for coffee, hanging out for parties or shopping, or mingling for a weekend getaway with friends with my lame excuses.
Likewise, it was another weekend of my life. I made a cup of hot chocolate, and augmented the tempo of my newly bought JBL Bluetooth speakers. Life would have been such a comfortable bed without any responsibilities, I wondered, trying to warble the Spanish lyrics of Despacito.
The phone’s beep depressed the sound of the song.
“Pack your bags; we are leaving at 6 pm,” Prasanta texted.
And before could I write my excuse text, he interrupted with another one.
“Don’t take it as a request. Because I am not going to listen to any of your post- menstrual mood flicks. Get ready; I am coming to pick you in an hour. Biswajit and Sarvanu will join us too.”
It was around 6.30 in the evening when we headed to, well, we did not have a map to Cherrapunjee or Dawki, so Meghalaya would be precise.
Meghalaya, as they say, is all about floating in abode of clouds. As we waved goodbye to Guwahati, a dark night, stirred with a blanket of mist and grey glimpses enveloped us in no time. Although I had been to this peppy paradise before, the experiences are vastly different on each call. Remarkably, every time I pick a trip to this paradise, I grab a story along with me.
It was late November. The roads were inundated with fog. Visibility of the surrounding dimmed with each rotation of the car’s tires. A little later we realized how terribly the clouds had convoluted us.
Prasanta uttered, “When confusion strikes, go left!” Unable to decide which way to take, we decided to pick the road less traveled.
Prasanta, deciding which way to take.
It was late midnight, around 2 o’ clock. Subsequently, we got the picture of a grey blanket of fog that had covered us, completely. Even the white divider line that we were following, became indiscernible.
The fog became denser with each passing moment. After much contemplation, we grasped that there was no way to surpass the thick mantle as one could barely see the other person or object standing near them.
Biswajit stopped the car. Everyone got down. It was a No Human Land where the hills came alive with its giant spells.
The sight of an indistinct light at a distant, landed us to an eerie-looking house at the cliff of a majestic hill. Being an ardent fan of horror movies, stroked me to envisage how the house carried every trait of an eerie scene. Dimmed lights, indistinct chirps of birds, drops of water tripping at a vessel from the roof, four torn-out couches at the veranda, a dog loitering around and sniffing, reminded me of psycho killers of the Wrong Turn movies.
Anxiety started knocking us, brutally. Before long could we wait for any of us to get hit with a panic attack, we rushed to our car. Although it was difficult and risky to drive with such hazy visuals, nevertheless, Biswajit decided to take the risk as it was a better option than getting our heads chopped and bodies minced.
After driving for nearly three hours, we saw some lodges, lights, and heard voices of people working. That was a huge heave of sigh for all. Biswajit halted the car and we decided to rest our weary eyes for some time.
I woke up at Sarvanu’s boisterous voice, “Yaay! We are finally in Dawki.”
It was an absolute respite for all. While Biswajit and Prasanta yearned for few minutes of rest, Sarvanu decided to get tea for us.
Morning tea at Dawki
The latter part of the day followed with a series of amusing adventures, capturing breathtaking views, gobbling with traditional delicacies and street food, and more. This was one of my wildest adventurous trip that snarled in my memoir cozily, until date.
Below are some of the snaps from the rest of our journey.
Editor’s call: Do you have an adventurous story to tell? Write to us at [email protected].
Amid the dark alleys and illuminated cities, there is a section of folk trapped in the woes of prejudices, humiliation, and stigma. They are often interrogated with bizarre curiosities, gawked at their appearance and gestures, judged for carrying themselves uniquely, and particularly, for not matching rhythms with the general public. Yes, I am talking about the LGBTQ community.
“The presence of the third gender has numerous evidence throughout history. Significant books like Kamasutra or the Rig Veda holds accounts on such, yet people of the present day do not want to accept us.” Romi muttered with a long sigh.
As I take my second bite of paratha, Annie ba (Romi’s sister) narrated how ruthlessly passerby rebuke or look down upon at her brother, as if he were an alien. She, despite knowing about her brother’s interest in makeup, dolls, and pink, acknowledges his preferences and treasure his needs wholeheartedly.
Unlike his peers, who confine themselves to certain limitations in regard to their sexuality, Chow Poran J. Gogoi, also known as Romi, despise leading a pretentious life.
“My life holds a series of unfortunate events interlaced by melancholy.” As he talked in detail about others from his niche, I didn’t lose the chance to learn in-depth about his life, about this life- often unheard, secretive, and full of mystery and myths.
Here is the not-so-quick question set that he replied without any hesitation.
A very basic question, when did you first realize that you are a gay?
I never realized or had this idea that I was different from the rest. It is a feeling that was given to me by this society. According to them, I did not fit in their shoes. For them, I was neither a straight man nor a straight woman.
Precisely, during my growing stage, I felt an inclination toward my feminine side more. I felt I am trapped in a wrong body. Things were very indistinct. I was in class 9 or 10 when the internet came in Guwahati. After I researched numerous websites, finally found out that I am different from others or probably others are different from me.
How was the struggle during those initial times?
It was like fighting with your own self. You have an inner feeling that constantly tells you that you are normal and absolutely all right. But then when you have to prove yourself or act a certain way to make others happy, a perpetual battle between your own psyche and existence drink you down entirely. It was such a depressing phase. It broke me completely. I even tried to kill myself. I would just do anything to be invisible.
My parents’ demise, on the other hand, compounded more fuel to the flames. When people ask me about my happy moments from childhood, I literally have to think. It’s a phase that I don’t want to recall.
Gay men are often projected or considered hyper-sexual. Is it true?
Gay men are more visible. Men, compared to a woman, are much more active, sexually. While heterosexuals celebrate their sexuality openly, gay men do not have the same liberty. They have to put the kibosh on their desires and wants. Thus, in an attempt to convey their feelings, they often end up being perceived as sexual connotation by others.
How is the scenario in Guwahati?
We have a very strong community in Guwahati but not everyone wants to come out. Some are open, some are not. We even gather for get together to share our spaces. Gay men from different background attend these meetings, talk about their issues, and discuss about creating awareness among general public.
What happens in such gatherings?
Gatherings like these are mostly about empowering this community with emotional support. People talk about their feelings and celebrate this life. Here, the members of LGBTQ break all restrains and connect to their own self.
Do straight men approach you?
Oh, very much. *giggles* Almost 98% of men who had flirted with me, are straight men. Maybe because they consider me a girl or probably find me trustworthy. I enjoy those attention very much. *laughs*
Have you tried making out with a girl? How did it go?
Well, yes. I did this social experiment when I was 18. She said it will be fun. After the initial step, it became difficult for me to hold on to it and we dropped the idea halfway.
Why do gay men talk or act with gestures that are too much feminine? Are there any rules that gays have to act in a certain way? Is it attention seeking? Or is it some sort of practice?
This is no rule, practice, or attention seeking. Not all, but some gay men feel that their body is very fragile and soft. Even if they speak or move, it will be very rhythmic and soft. They are way too soft. That’s extreme girly and happens naturally, mostly with gay men who are overmuch in touch with their feminine side.
I have seen that most makeup artists or fashion designers who are gay are loud, rebellious, and emphatic. Why is it so?
Initially, I was vulnerable and angry, made both jaded and wary by my solitary life. But with time, I have learned to depress and ignore those mocks and taunts. But some gay men are fed up with regular suppression and ridicules. Eventually, they become boisterous and loud and are laced with profanity. They don’t give a damn. If they like someone, they will profess, no matter how obscene it appears to the other person.
Some are being patient, waiting for a miracle to happen whereas some have accepted the fact that no miracle is going to happen. Society is never going to change so they should be as bad to them as they are.
How helpful is Assam Government toward the LGBT community?
*Laughs* Assam government doesn’t even have a freaking clue about LGBT. There is no help from the government. They don’t know about LGBTQ. The pride rally that happens every year, is nothing less than a joke for them. And louse Assamese media, for the sake of creating a sensational news, would bombard with obnoxious questions like “What are you doing? Why are you parading? What are all these masks and makeups about? Oh, these guys want their rights.”
That’s it.
Ever given a chance, will you prefer a sex change operation?
There are numerous risks associated with such surgeries. And even if you get your sex change operation done, you won’t be considered a woman. You will be considered a trans woman, leading to only a fistful of men approaching you for marriage.
Sex change operation is something that not every gay men desires. It is a personal choice. I would not want to opt for sex change. I am happy with my body. But kudos to the ones who dare to take such risks.
What kind of remarks do you receive from people while stepping out of home?
People stare at me, every time. And staring is something I can’t stand. I even tried putting on the beard, still, people stare. Even when I am not putting makeup or wearing my pink skirt with a pink pouch, people gawk at me.
There was a time when I badly wanted to be popular, wanted to be seen, wanted people to know me. But now, I literally want to be invisible.
How do you respond to people’s curiosities?
Oftentimes, people ask me how it feels like being a gay. I say I feel like a mutant, I feel fantastic. People are so much curious to know what I do in bed, how I do it. People even ask me how I perform in bed. It was so uncomfortable when in an interview I was asked how sexual intercourse takes place between two men.
Would you like to mention a humiliating moment of your life?
I was called to judge a fashion show. As always, I was dressed up in a flamboyant manner. While the other two judges were duly felicitated, I was overlooked. They forgot to felicitate me, and I was standing there for nearly 20 minutes. Then later, they are like “Oh we have one more judge with us.” It was such humiliating for me. Had I not been open about my sexuality, I would have got the same amount of respect as the rest. Such things, when they occur at the initial stages of one’s career, breaks their self-esteem completely.
Gays are often assumed as predators of sex. Can you explain this why?
If people see a girl and a boy holding hands or kissing in public, they will let it fall between the cracks. But in cases of gays or transgenders, if people find them holding hands, they will create a huge ruckus.
If I like a guy and try to pass a comment or flirt with him, like any other human, it is so normal for me. I was only trying to make a connection. Trying to tell him that look at me, I am interested in you. But to the other person, it appears as if I am approaching him for sex. At times, when I compliment a guy that he’s cute or hot, he’ll be like “How dare you to call me hot.” But if a girl says that, he will take it as a compliment.
Do you think people’s mindset toward this community has changed over the years?
Things have rather turned sour with time, largely due to its grotty projection and people’s ignorance. Gay men are frequently being exhibited in the Indian entertainment industry as a travesty. Whenever there’s a funny, hilarious, or embarrassing moment, gays are being placed with a funny background music. We were never projected in a respectable manner. People think gay men are nothing but an object of ridicule or mockery.
What do you expect from the government?
Create more awareness about LGBTQ. If the government start speaking about it, the mass will follow anyway. There should be certain public forums or mediums where people from urban or rural areas both, can know about the difference and division. If section 377 get abolished and people start talking about it openly, they will get to know about our existence and in fact, several traditional beliefs will get dissolved over time.
People should know that being a gay (a lesbian, bisexual, or a transgender) is not contagious. It is not a disease, a phase, a decision, or a life choice. We are born this way.
And supporting gay rights will not make anyone a gay. People should be more tolerant, kinder, and acceptable. They should broaden up and accept us because we have and want to offer so much to this society.
Describe your life.
My life is nothing less than a melodramatic movie. It is such unfortunate that even if I like someone or want to make out with him, things have to be under wraps. I can’t talk about my love life. If I like someone, I can’t express it. Had I put my love life on social media, I would be slapped with criticisms and insults. It has become tiresome now. Eventually, I feel deserted. Whatever stamina or energy is left, I apply it in my chores.
What gives you happiness?
Being honest with myself and sleeping sound at the end of the day, knowing that I haven’t lied to the people around me, knowing that I am pure and true to my very existence. For me, breathing with layers of lies and secrets underneath is frightful.
Dejected, depressed, and oppressed, people from the LGBTQ community often face the wrath of societal prejudices. This community has an abundance to offer the world. But despite their substantial attributes in numerous grounds, they always have to crawl in the vicious cycle of abuse and mere mockery at the end of the day.
Every time you see a loud and rebellious person from this community, remember, it’s you who made him/ her like this. Everyone deserves to be loved. Respect and see magic happen.
Have a question? Feel free to comment.
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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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
It has been 23 years, Bryan Saunders‘ Drug-Influenced Self Portraits still garner contemplation on the internet. The artist had locked on to create at least one self-portrait every day and continue until the rest of his life.
From March 30th, 1995 he has created over 11,200 of them. Like fingerprints, snowflakes, and DNA they possess disparate properties. No two of his daily-self-portraits evoke similar features.
Artists, for hundreds of years, put themselves to represent the world around them. Whereas, Saunders believes in creating a paradoxical world. He places the world around him to represent himself. As he says, “I am more concerned with channeling experiences than I am collecting memories but I do both and much more.”
What’s inside an artist’s mind?
Creative minds, call it of an artist, a poet, a musician, or of a writer’s, are rarely tidy. The road to producing something unparalleled or exclusive is stuffed with inexhaustible rumination. Consequently, taking that imagination to reality require chewing over several predicaments. Over time, they are trapped in a cycle of undiagnosed mental health issues and addiction with mind-altering substances.
Saunders was another such artist who channels his anxious mind to visual art and musical performances. A way to deal with his demons.
He experimented with different drugs each day and sketched his portraits under its influence. The portraits narrate a powerful message- the power of addiction.
Here are some of the illustrations from his “Near Death Experience” album.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
Participants from different states of Northeast India
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.
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarettes or vapes) is a kind of electronic device that is used by heating the liquid that contains nicotine. The liquid then becomes vapor and stimulates the sensation of smoking a cigarette. Compared to a traditional cigarette, e-cigarettes does not comprise of the hazardous cocktail of compounds found in tobacco.
In recent times, e-cigarettes have gained much popularity mostly among the younger generation. But little did they know that vaping extensive amount of flavored smoke produces a high level of toxins.
However, according to a study from the University of California, San Francisco, e-cigarettes, which are sold in a variety of flavors, produces the excessively hazardous level of Formaldehyde and carcinogenic compounds that are known for causing numerous health hazards.
Highlighted below are some of the health risks that may subsequently affect one due to unseemly use of e-cigarettes.
1) Chemicals such as benzaldehyde and vanillin, used as flavoring agents in these cigarettes are known to cause respiratory issues. Besides, the World Health Organization reported that vaping kills more than 7 million people each year.
2) There are about 7,000 different varieties of flavors available for e-cigarettes. In a study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspective, highlighted that the flavoring substance, diacetyl, is linked with “popcorn lung” disease. Popcorn lung disease is a serious disease that causes coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It is a condition that causes scarring of tiny air sacs in the lungs thereby resulting in thickening and narrowing of the airways.
3) Even a single puff of any of the flavored e-cigarettes can produce the unacceptably higher level of dangerous chemicals like aldehydes.
4) Vaping causes inflammation in the lungs and over time can result in serious lung disease.
5) A study conducted by the University of Connecticut found that nicotine e-cigarettes and unfiltered cigarettes are corresponding to produce significantly higher levels of potent tobacco carcinogen that are likely to cause substantial damage to one’s DNA.
6) According to National Center for Biotechnology Information, people who vaped fruit flavors had higher levels of acrylonitrile, a highly poisonous compound that is extensively used in manufacturing plastics, adhesives and synthetic rubber compared to those, who did not use those flavors.
7) Vaping can inflame cells of the mouth in such a way that could severely elevate one’s risk of getting tapered by gum disease. Consequently, gum diseases carry the risk of destroying tissues of the teeth, thereby leading to loss of the tooth.
Although e-cigarettes are considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they still carry the risk of causing chronic and stern damages to one’s health. In fact, a recent report shredded light on the risks carried by these vaping devices. The report said that although e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine, youngsters who smoke e-cigarettes expose themselves to substantially higher levels of cancer-causing chemicals.
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Dating a writer can be tough as well as an amazing journey one can travel through. These moody, stubborn, serious, sulky and exasperated creatures are not at all easy to handle. But once you enter their trusted zone, they will take great care of you, just like their grammatical errors.
Writers are the smart, intelligent, witty, and creative specimen of the human race you would love to hang around with. Coffee is their best friend while creativity keeps them awake. They are mostly shy, introvert, and short tempered but once you learn how to reach their comfort zone, they will sketch joy and vitality in your life. This intense category of species would make you scream in joy as they make love to you with their words.
Explore the aisle below and know the benefits you can avail from your better half:
Experience and Experiment: They are always in search of new things and their life is filled with series of adventure and experiments. A story created with events that have happened or experienced brings liveliness to it. Don’t be surprised if your writer behaves weird at times or do things that are awkward. Those might be the things they want to witness before capturing in their writings.
Changing moods: Once you date a writer, you will learn the true usage of every single emojis of your keyboard. Your writer love is always buried deep with new ideas and thoughts and thus you tend to be extra careful while using your movement and tone. Your slightest distraction can result in a violent war.
Romance through vocabulary: If you want to romance, romance with a writer. They can explore depths of you and make you swim in a sea of fascination. You might not even realize how deeply you have drowned in their words. They will trap every emotion of you in their writings.
No demands, no complaints: They hate dominating bosses and bitchy colleagues. And that is why they choose writing over a 10 am to 6 pm job. They love being independent and won’t pester you to take them for parties. They won’t demand or complain even if you don’t buy them expensive gifts.
Coated with ideas: They are layered with creativity, imagination, and artistry. Whether a party decor or a story outline, never hesitate to ask them anything. They can enlighten you with the best-experienced ideas and opinions. Each of their creations requires a lot of research- digging out the best shopping sites to matching footwear, restaurants, music, etc. So in case you tremble with your choice, ask for their recommendation!
Patience is sweet: Sometimes it takes days to get their desired plot and twist for the tale. They know that the fruit of patience is always sweet. They won’t fume with rage if you reach late on a date someday.
Great observers: Writers are great observers. They notice minute details of you just like the grammatical errors. From your deep dark snipers to bulged out belly, they will paint every strand of you in their mind.
Romance runs in their veins: They are mostly dreamers and fantasizing is their favorite hobby. The romantic message that you texted last night would be transformed into a poem with amalgamated feelings and volumized vocabulary attached to it in the next morning. They will preserve every speck of you in their writings.
At your service: They are good listeners. Whether your terribly poor jokes or sad tales, they carry boatloads of patience to stand every story and provide their expert opinions. In fact, they will take interest in everything you say and are always at your service, even when you lag behind with your assignment’s deadline.
You are the hero: And lastly, be prepared to see yourself as a lead character in their next story, because writers fall in love with people they find a serene bonding with.
Dating a writer means you will learn a lot of cool new words. You will receive grammatical error free text on your phone. You will get the best of Valentine or anniversary dedicated messages. You do not need to rush to the shelf to get that heavy oxford dictionary. They are at your service for all your vocabulary problems.
While your friends talk about their dummy partners’ activities, you can delightedly stand as a proud boyfriend/ girlfriend alongside your writer love. Let us know your experiences in the comment section below.
Accessories within an accessory! Isn’t it just fascinating? Yes, Zouk’s bags are all about spacious compartments, elegance, and sturdiness.
Women, over time, have evolved with their possessions. They have become more precise and strident with their choices. Be it their life decisions or petty preferences, the color or quality of a particular product, they are much oriented than before.
You will hardly come across a woman who hasn’t matched her outfit with her accessories or paired her perfectly manicured nails with her jewelry. From their floral scrunchies to their motif handbags and plaid footwear, they cherish every belonging with pride.
Conversely, with several prominent brands rolling in the market, there’s a gamut of options to embrace. While some may prefer contemporary quirky designs and colors, some may find classic patterns and shapes intriguing. There’s a sea of choices to favor. In any case, it has become a challenge for brands to meet the expectations and demands of their target group.
However, Zouk’s timeless bags are unmatchable beauties. For the trendsetter woman, Zouk’s collection, ranging from pretty slings, backpacks, tote, office bags, laptop, and handbags are an absolute muse. Read on!
Zouk’s bags- the perfect piece to adorn any occasion
Create that seamless statement with the varied flo motif, Mughal motif, or abstract patterned bags that are just perfect to dazzle any occasion. Stylish yet affordable, the handbags give an absolute experience to express yourself amid the crowd.
Moreover, the bags are designed keeping in mind one’s daily convenience. So, don’t worry if you have to carry your beauty essentials, sanitizer, extra masks, wipes, chocolates, and more to the parties or office meetings. Zouk holds it all.
What the modern women prefer vs what do Zouk offer
Accessories within an accessory! Isn’t it just fascinating?
Gone are those days when women looked out for just bags to carry their essentials. Now, they lookout for a number of aspects. Of course, everyone loves pockets in their dresses and a lot more pockets and compartments in their bags!
From being the trendy pick to incorporating all the key features like being spacious, lightweight, sturdy handles, pretty designs, and having generous pockets, Zouk is simply the best choice for anyone who is looking to invest in a good handbag.
And more for the office goers
Most women spend their time out of home or in the office. Accordingly, a bag that is functional, sturdy, as well as elegant is something women always hunt for. This flo motif laptop bag comes with a detachable strap which makes it versatile. The padded laptop compartment inside along with front, back, and inbuilt pockets make it an ideal laptop bag, office bag, messenger bag, and daily use bag.
More about Zouk’s bags
Talking about sturdiness, Zouk’s bags are made of 100% vegan leather. That is, they are PETA-approved, completely cruelty-free, and responsible. So, when you are grabbing affordable handbags online from Zouk, you are buying ethically manufactured products that hurt no one.
Luxury to fast fashion, the trend of chicest handbags is bucking up. And Zouk, with its high-end styles in vogue, is reveling in all the attention. After all, won’t you cheer for a bag that holds your big club sandwich, a laptop, your scribble notepads, all your skin essentials, and also that pair of extra sleepwear for your weekend sleepover plan with your bestie!?
A great number of articles on women seeking gender rights, or a feminist trying to clear the clouds of hypocritical blurs, revolve around the web almost every day. From dawn to dusk, you will definitely stumble across a piece of news or even a placard in social media, of a female seeking her rights, complaining against the odds of the chauvinist society she lives in, and more. There are a number of stories that narrate the skeptical mindsets of the society overlooking a girl as an object of malediction- be it her clothes, her way of interacting with people, her thoughts and ideas, or her personal affair.
“Menstruation,” snared in a paradoxical affair of curiosity, ignorance, exaggerated abhorrence, and stereotypical beliefs is one of those popularly romanticizing words of all centuries. Remember how our mothers would abstain us from going out or indulge in outdoor activities during those days?
However, a recent news about a woman named Kiran Gandhi jaw dropped everyone when she completed 26.2 miles running for London Marathon during her periods, bleeding freely with blood-soaked thighs without a tampon. She did it as a means to raise awareness for those women, who lack basic reach to feminine care products.
But menstruation is still a taboo in India
The Ambubasi Mela, which is being celebrated in the advent of monsoon, is a celebration of “Menstruation of Mother Earth”. During this period, the female cycle is being celebrated and worshiped. But in other days, it lies in the dark tunnels of societal norms, frightened and dejected.
In many regions of the country, a menstruating woman is treated like an “outcast.” Once on my visit to granny’s place, I had noticed my aunt staying aloof from the rest of the family members. On being asked, she claimed of having her periods and that for about five days she shall have to wake up before dawn, sweep the house, wash all the clothes she had touched, abstain herself from religious stuff, from the kitchen, even out of homes, eat on separate utensils and sleep on the floor.
Oh! Haven’t you noticed how the shopkeepers wrap the sanitary pad packet with 2-3 layers of newspaper and handing it on a black-colored polyethylene bag, despite the fact that the pad making companies manufacture with sealed packages (of course not broken or singled out)?
What’s so fancy about period blood?
We live in a society where social media can accept Kim Kardashian’s nude pictures but not the menstruation blood. An earlier hype made by a temple official’s sexist comment “Women would be allowed access to temples only if the machine that can detect her purity would be invented” outraged a section of the society to protest against his sickening statement with #HappyToBleed campaign.
In another instance, an Instagram picture of a woman with stains of period blood on her pant portrayed the gross mindset of people, when the website censored and removed her post twice, claiming a violation of their policy guidelines.
It is said that during Ambubasi, Mother Earth is extremely powerful and is in a process of regenerating and purifying her body. She is being bathed, dressed with new clothes and served with whole devotion. The Prasad (blood-soaked pieces of clothes) distributed on the fourth day is considered as sacred and is being kept in temples or other worshiped areas of the house.
Unveiling the secret
During those times, a female is often seen prohibited from doing physical activities or moving out of the house. Know why? Let me break the ice.
In olden days, it was believed that doing physical activities such as cycling, playing, or engaging in outdoor activities may break their hymen, the “purity claiming license” of a female; which would eventually pull them to the dock. Typically, concealed under layers of vague beliefs, the underlying truth is that exercising or involving in physical activities like hitting the gym, engaging in yoga and meditation ( except for the inverted postures), is actually beneficial in boosting mood, killing extra fatigue, and lessening the symptoms of period cramps.
A woman is never impure when she bleeds. It is a natural process that rejuvenates a female’s womb, making way for a divine life. Instead of nurturing the misogynist beliefs, pamper her during those days. And ladies, when you have won the race against those 100 million sperms and dared to break the amniotic sac to find your place on this earth, why do you hesitate to break the face of stereotypical beliefs if it hinders your way?
