Kanye West cannot stop making headlines ever since his divorce from Kim Kardashian. The ‘I am a God’ rapper was seen making outlandish comments against her ex-wife and then about her boyfriend when Kim started dating Pete Davidson. Kanye was seen calling Pete Davidson ‘Skete’ on several occasions on social media which sparked a slew of memes across the internet. Everything up until now was considered an amusing banter amongst Ye fans and other internet users (of course, not Kim) but things took a steep left turn when the rapper was seen making anti-semitic comments while making public or podcast appearances. The internet quickly turned its back on Kanye with platforms like Instagram and Twitter deleting some of Kanye’s hate-mongering posts and ultimately banning him from the platforms altogether. Now, Ye has yet again made headlines for a controversial reason as he has decided to acquire the right-wing social media platform, Parler.
Kanye Acquires Parler
Just shortly after Kanye West was banned from mainstream platforms for sharing anti-semitic posts, Kanye West has made a bid to purchase the right-wing friendly social media platform, Parler. West, who is now legally known as Ye will now be gaining control of Parler allowing him to share his unrestricted thoughts. In his official statement, Ye noted that “In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial, we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves”
Parler was introduced back in August 2018 but it did not gain mainstream traction until 2020. The controversial platform was taken offline due to its connection with the US Capitol violence, but it quickly relaunched in a month. Ye and Parlement Technologies, who run Parler have not stated the exact price for which the former has acquired the platform.
Right now, there is no way to know whether Parler will be making its way to the mainstream climbing up the social media ladder already crowded with multiple platforms. Parler is currently collecting the crumbles left by platforms like Twitter and Instagram as people banned from those platforms usually make their way to platforms like Parler. However, the platform can soon become irrelevant as Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition could bring relaxation to its content moderation policy.
Imagine you’re sitting amongst a group of friends, sharing a cold beer or two and talking about life. Suddenly one of them has a story to recite – what are the chances that said the story is about a travel experience? I’d say the chances are pretty good. When you travel, you have more to talk about. You never have to worry about running out of things to talk about because you always have a journey no one’s heard about up your sleeve. People speak with utmost passion about their travels because there’s so much they’ve taken from them. With each trip, their outlook towards changes for the better – unless you got mugged or lost your passport on your journey.
And honestly, even the most terrible occurrences can sometimes be our most significant teachable moments. My psychology teacher always used to say, “Close your eyes and imagine one of the worst experiences of your life.” Then after a pause, looking at our disgruntled faces, she said, “wasn’t it also the best experience of your life?” I didn’t understand it on a cold winter morning sitting in a classroom, but 4 years later today – I think I do. It becomes the best experience of your life because of the things you take home from it – what you learn from it, the survival instincts you develop and how they help you grow as an individual. It’s for you to understand the vision in the face of adversity.
Quoting Yogi Raman from the book ‘The monk who sold his Ferrari’ – “There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There is no such thing as a negative experience, only opportunities to grow, learn and advance along the road of self-mastery. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a wonderful teacher.” When it comes to academic knowledge, there’s no better place to learn than in school; it’s meant for that. But when it comes to life, there is quite literally no better teacher than travelling. Be it the people you encounter, the cultural shift you experience or the heavenly local food – everyone and every place have a story to tell if you’re willing to listen. Haha – maybe that’s why schools take you on all those trips during Christmas!
Travelling forces you out of your comfort zone. You leave your little nest and go out in the world to see what it has to offer. Sometimes, all you need is a gentle push to discover who you truly are. And even if you don’t, at least you had a good trip. Meeting new people is the best part about travelling – they motivate you to do all sorts of things, and you think they’re achievable because you’re listening to them first-hand. They also push you to try new things, which is a good thing because let’s face it – we’re all tired of having the same old pizza from a game and a hut (if you know what I mean) every Friday night.
Please allow your taste buds to take a leap of faith when you’re outside your own city/country. The place you’re visiting has people who know what they’re doing – they won’t feed you anything that’s not good when they watch your face shout ‘TOURIST’. Travelling teaches you time management like no other office seminar or timetable can – don’t believe me? Try missing a flight and then watch your pocket burn a big hole. Time won’t stop for you; it hasn’t stopped for anyone (except Doctor Strange, lol) – so make the best of it while you can, or you’ll find yourself stuck in an endless loop of “I have very little time, and yet so much to do.”
Ditch the popular spots when travelling. Visit the local flea market, and stroll on one of the few known promenades. Ask questions – in life and when you’re travelling – the more questions you ask about what to experience and where to experience things to the people who’ve been living there for years, you might just find yourself on a uniquely fantastic adventure. Sure, go to the tourist spots and take a picture for the gram that’ll garner a few hundred likes and comments from your best friends, but don’t do just that. I can’t emphasize this enough – Explore! Go to your tourist attractions at a time when no one’s there – visit the Eiffel tower at 6 or 7 in the morning and absorb what it has to offer. Take the longer route or the road not taken – stop to smell a flower, interact with a stranger and learn about their life, eat a speciality that looks peculiarly unappealing and do every odd thing you can think of doing because those moments aren’t coming back.
When you have been pigeonholed all your life to fit in a box and tick all the boxes according to societal norms, travel is your escape. It gives you a clean and fresh start to be the person you choose to be. Go make a fool of yourself – dance on the streets, make a snow angel and eat without worrying about sauces rolling down your hands. Give yourself the vacation you deserve – unrestrained, void of norms and replayable. They say, “Live each day as if it were your last because tomorrow may never come.” Now they don’t mean to scare you; it’s just that when you live your life to the fullest each day, you become utterly grateful the next. You realize that you’ve been given the gift of being alive for another day, and it is your job to make it count. Let’s see if you’re worth your salt.
Last but not least, travelling teaches you gratitude. You come back home craving a warm plate of food served by your mother because of all the noodles, pizzas and pastas you’ve had. It instils a sense of respect and regard for the things you already possess and how much you might have neglected them. You become more objective and appreciative of your homeland and surroundings. To me, travelling is like reading a book – you get exposed to new ideas that provide valuable learning experiences. You transport yourself into an alternate world and confront whatever is offered to you, no questions asked. How you apply these learnings in your life is entirely up to you, but they’ll stay with you for the rest of your life; because reading can tell you that sugar is sweet, travelling lets you taste it.
Travelling is all fun and games when you’re a kid or a teenager. Most of your care is taken by a concerned parent or guardian or teacher (on a school trip) for you to have the best time of your life when on a trip. But things are not the same anymore now that you’re an adult, are they? A day before traveling is filled with a number of chores you’d rather avoid but gotta do it anyways and still miss out on a few things! Trust me, we’ve all been there!
The butterflies of landing in a new destination can soon become a nightmare if things go south. While I definitely do not wish any of these upon any traveler, it is important to note the things that could go wrong during a vacation trip. We make our way to a much-needed holiday after hustling our months away at work and it’s heartbreaking if things go wrong, especially in a different country if you’re traveling across borders. Below are some things that COULD go wrong during your next trip:
Transport
We know getting reliable transport in any big city in India itself is a challenge, let alone in any international country. It doesn’t matter where you are around the world, transportation is not perfect. Be it not being able to catch a cab or missing out on reroutes not shown on smartphone maps, there are a number of things that can go wrong in transportation. You can plan out every little transportation need and something could go wrong as it is largely out of our hands. One way to minimize any damage from a possible transportation problem is to plan ahead of time. Be flexible with your transportation and do not fixate upon one mode of travel. If your booked cab fails to reach you on time, a bus or a train could help you out. Knowing who to contact if your train is canceled or you’ve missed a bus is also important as you would not want to sit worried in a foreign country.
Currency Exchange
Gone are the days when vacationers would have to sign traveler’s cheques in order to make purchases on foreign land. Currency exchange has become much easier over the past few years but each country has its own process of currency exchange. Getting acquainted with the system beforehand would make it far easier for you. Just walking into a country with a load of cash hoping you’ll get it exchanged easily is not a tactic I’d like you to take. Whereas, walking around an unknown country with a wad of cash can also attract trouble. Before traveling to a different country, make sure you know all the rules and regulations of currency exchange. Some banks will also exchange your cash if they’re ahead of time.
Local emergency protocol
Dialing 100 on your phone when you’re in New York and need urgent assistance is not going to help you in any way. While we all hope to have a positive trip when we travel, it is better to be prepared for any outcome cause the last thing you want to go through during an emergency is to feel deserted and helpless. One should definitely get acquainted with all the emergency numbers of the country you’re visiting. If there is a language barrier, one thing that could come in handy is having the number of your country’s embassy or consulate. Your embassy can help you communicate with the local authorities and help you get medical or any other required assistance.
Sickness
Trust me, you do not want to fall sick when you’re traveling. While the majority of that is not in our hands, it is surely important to be prepared for sickness. Heat exhaustion, altitude sickness, food poisoning, etc. are some of the most common illnesses which affect people while on a trip. While all the common illnesses are usually resolved in a day or two, it is a day or two you would not want to miss. So, if you’re climbing a mountain for your holiday, make sure you drink plenty of water and eat light meals. Take a few days to get adjusted to the high altitude before challenging your body. If you’re in a place known for its outlandish cuisine, stick to your staples as you do not want to get food poisoning. Whereas, if the adventurer in you takes you to a hot place, make sure to cool your skin down by spraying cold water on yourself, also, make sure to stay out of direct sunlight from time to time.
Airport headache
The final mention in my list has to be for the airport. One of the most annoying factors of air travel for me is the weight limit. Why put restrictions on me when all I am trying to do is bring an entirely new wardrobe from Italy? But it is what it is. You firstly need to pack light while leaving for your trip as you do not know what you’ll bring back from there. Getting distracted at the airport is yet another issue. I get that the duty-free alcohol is tempting but missing a whole flight cause you were busy checking out your favorite wines is outlandish. Your airline can also sometimes lose your luggage which is a nightmare. Failing to carry any important documentation could result in you staying back while your family boards the flight to Paris.
Ultimately, there are a number of things that could go wrong on your next trip. But instead of making those elements a deciding factor for you to go on a vacation or not, I advise you to preplan. Planning your trip beforehand to the most minute detail can surely be tiring or ‘overdoing’ for some, but it saves you from a lot of trouble. In conclusion, even if you end up not caring about any of the things mentioned above, just make sure to have emergency numbers handy as you never know what happens. As they say, “Expect the worst and hope for the best”.
The travel bug bites us all! But it surely comes with a price. Most of us want to travel to a different country but budget requirements constrain us. Sure, I’d like to go to London or Paris to spend my hard-earned vacation but it’ll definitely cost a dime. Globetrotting is a dream many people have but they may be discouraged from making it a reality as traveling abroad is perceived as costly. But what if I told you there are some locations around the world where you can travel spending as much as you would on your Goa trip? Sounds outlandish but it is true!
I understand that traveling on a budget can be challenging, but the experience counts! The next time your friends are discussing their international travel stories, you too will have something to add there. In this month’s travel edition, we wanted to compile a list of affordable travel destinations for tourists from India. Read on:
Nepal
Unlike other countries on the list, Nepal does not require Indian citizens to show their passports. Though it is vital to carry a passport, users can also possess other documents. A voter ID issued by the Election Commission of India or any photo ID proof issued by Indian government authorities can also be used to enter Nepal. Some of the oldest temples in Nepal are the Pashupatinath and the Boudhanath Stupa, they are also tourist attractions given their cultural heritage. But that is not all as there are a number of other options like monasteries, wildlife sanctuaries, and trekking at the highest peak of the world, the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic views of Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. This trip could cost a person in the range of ₹25-30K. Meals in Nepal could range between ₹250-500 depending on which cuisine and place you select. A decent hostel room in Nepal could cost you anywhere between ₹1,000 to 2,000. If you’re looking to kickstart your world travel journey on a budget, Nepal is your best option!
Vietnam
One of the best places to visit for people on a budget is Vietnam. This Southeast Asian country has colorful markets, fascinating caves, widespread topography, and shimmering nightlife which can be every traveler’s paradise. The round-trip flights to Vietnam from India can cost in the range of ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 if planned two months in advance. Whereas, a decent hotel stay can cost you around ₹1,500 to ₹3,000. Travelers can immerse themselves in yacht or boat cruises, caving, cultural tours, wildlife tours, or local market tours. Nha Trang, Mekong Delta, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. The highlight of the Vietnam trip can be Ha Long Bay which is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ha Long Bay comprises 1600 islands and islets which form into a picturesque seascape mostly of limestone pillars, a sight to behold for sure! We estimate that a 7 days and 6 nights trip to Vietnam could cost one person around ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 if flights are booked in advance.
Bhutan
I would like to experience a country that publishes its happiness index. Indians surely have an advantage here over other International destinations as Bhutan offers passport-free travel to Indians. The country possesses a wide range of unexplored terrain coupled with breathtaking natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for Indian tourists on a budget. A return flight ticket to Bhutan costs cheaper than a few domestic flights around the country. Decent hotels in Bhutan cost anywhere around ₹2,000 per night. On the other hand, you can also opt for homestays which can cost around ₹1,000 and ₹1,200. So what can you do in Bhutan? The country has an abundance of tourist attractions from cultural tours to local sightseeing. The adventurer in you can also be challenged by going on a Himalayan tour. Wildlife enthusiasts can indulge in wildlife-centric tours. Bhutan also has a UNESCO heritage site where tourists can experience the Drametse Mask Dance where colorful costume depiction of gods, demons, animals, and heroes takes place. Haa Valley, Rinpung Dzong, Thimphu, and Punakha Dzong are some of the places you can visit. The trip can cost you approximately ₹35,000.
Thailand
Thailand is one of the most traveled tourist destinations for people on a budget. Thailand is definitely not limited to its depiction in the ‘Hangover’ film and offers you a set of diverse cultures and activities to experience. Be it turquoise-watered beaches, street food, vibrant markets, authentic spas, or happening nightlife, Thailand has it all! Some of the places to visit in Thailand include Bangkok for its party culture, Pattaya for its crazed nightlife, Chiang Rai for the adventure-head in you with mountain trekking, and Koh Samui for its beautiful beaches. To indulge in local cuisine like Tom Yung Goong (shrimp soup), Tom Kha Kai (chicken in coconut soup) or Gaeng Daeng (spicy red curry) is surely not to be missed. The trip can surely cost you a buck if you’re traveling around the entire country but winding it down to two or three cities can surely make it an affordable trip. We say Bangkok, Phuket, and Tarutao should be on your list if you’re on a trip to Thailand. A 5-day round trip flight ticket from India to Phuket can cost you around ₹12,000. The total trip can be wound up in around ₹40,000.
Philippines
If you’re a beach bum, the Philippines is the place for you! It is a land full of islands with over 7000 islands ready to leave you spellbound! As a vacation destination, the Philippines are unique as there is so much to choose from which can leave you confused. Be it beautiful surfing spots to emerald rice fields to volcanoes and a vast number of beaches, you’ll surely never run out of options for things to do in the Philippines. The nature enthusiast in you will surely be the happiest here as the country is full of beautiful tourist attractions which can be enjoyed through a sightseeing tour. You can simply hop in a car to take a countryside tour around the island of Bohol, in this tour you can see the Chocolate Hills and cruise along the flowing Loboc River. You can also simply walk around the city of Intramuros in Manila and learn about its rich colonial history.
Oman
Oman is surely not the spot that pops into your mind when one thinks about vacationing in the Middle East but it surely has its own surprises! With mountain views, spectacular mosques, and white-sand beaches, Oman should definitely be on your list for budget travel. A round-trip from Mumbai to Muscat can cost you around ₹16,000. You can also secure a decent hotel room anywhere between ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. The country is filled with tourist attractions like desert safari, beach visits, cultural tourism, and more. If you’re heading to Oman, do not miss out on the Wahiba sand tour. It is known as the adventure playground of Oman. You can experience the pure amber shades of sand as seen in movies! Oman also has a number of UNESCO world heritage sites like the Aflaj irrigation system and large burial grounds of Ay-Ayn, Bat, and Al Ayn. Dining is comparatively costly in Oman as a decent meal can cost you around ₹1,500. We estimate a 5-day trip to Oman can cost around ₹50,000 to ₹60,000.
You won’t believe it, but years before Alfonso Cuaron won an academy award for directing Gravity (2013), he was known for a Mexican road film named Y Tu Mama Tambien. A self-discovery film released in 2001 depicts the story of two upper-class teenagers who go on an impromptu road trip along with an older but attractive woman, where they explore a thing or two about life, friendship, sex, and each other.
Into The Wild (2006)
A biographical adventure drama directed by Sean Penn was based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name written by Jon Krakauer. The thought-provoking film unfolds the story of Christopher McCandless, a man who hiked across North America into the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s. The film belongs to the lead, Emile Hirsch, who carried all the load on his shoulders and impressed us with a breakthrough performance.
Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
The Motorcycle Diaries is an inspirational road movie based on memoirs by Che Guevara (yes, the revolutionary “El Che”) and his travelling companion Alberto Granado. The coming-of-age film unfolds the 1952 expedition of two friends on a motorcycle trip who discover the purpose of life and the social status of Latin America through their observations, which they would have never encountered otherwise.
On The Road (2012)
The Brazilian director, Walter Salles, has a thing for travel films, and every time he comes up with a travel-based film, he makes sure no one returns home with a disappointed face. The 2012 released film is an adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s 1957 novel On the Road and shows the journey of a budding writer Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), and how his life changes when he meets a wild, free-spirit wanderer, Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), who takes odd jobs.
The Beach (2000)
You may have known him for playing the role of Jack from Titanic, but he had done a couple of other good movies, too, before he had a dadbod. The Beach is an adventure drama film based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Alex Garland. The film starts with a shot of Richard, a young American seeking adventure in Bangkok, where he meets a young French couple, and together they travel to Ko Samui, a secret island.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
You can not skip the movie that strikes the nerve of everyone who watches it, even after 30 years of release. The female buddy road crime comedy-drama film is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Susan Sarandon as Louise and Geena Davis as Thelma. The movie depicts the story of Thelma and Louise, who go on an adventurous road trip where Louise kills a man who tries to rape Thelma at a bar and what happens ahead.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
The comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson describes the story of three estranged, wealthy, and spoiled brothers who agree to meet in India a year after their father’s funeral. The wacky film depicts their adventurous train journey where nothing is going right, but the crazy encounters along the way finally put things into the pipeline. The movie is known for its picturesque shots, making you visit India immediately.
Every travel voyage has a tale to tell. When it comes to India, the country has always been the favourite destination for explorers due to its traditions, hospitality, and colours. Being a country that believes in the rituals like “Atithi Devo Bhava”, we’ve always welcomed every traveller to our country. Besides British travellers, who were more into imperialism, the rest of the travellers who visited India were here to seek knowledge and wisdom and to know about the customs and education system of the country. They documented their experiences and spread the word about India to the rest of the world with their travelogues, i.e., first-hand accounts or compilations of visitors’ experiences.
Marco Polo
He was an explorer, merchant and writer from Venice who needs no introduction as he is one of the most celebrated travellers in the history of mankind. He travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. He visited India while he was on his way home from China and explored the country from 1288-1292 AD under the reign of the Pandya Kingdom.
He was one of the first guys who described, ” The country has had a custom of keeping a specific leaf called Tembul (paan) in their mouth most of the time, which they chew and spit out the saliva that it generates.” He also mentioned in his travelogues about how royal people lived in India, “The nobles and great folks wear necklaces made of precious stones around their necks”.
Abdur Razzak Samarqandi
The first attributes of the Vijaynagara empire were described by Abdur Razzak Samarqandi, a Persian traveller who visited India around 1440. He was the ambassador of the Shahrukh, the Timurid dynasty ruler of Persia and was sent to the Kingdom of Kozhikode in the South Malabar region of India. On his Indian voyage, he also visited the Vijaynagar Kingdom at the time of Dev Raya II.
He wrote about his travel experiences in the Matla-us-Sadain was Majma-ul-Bahrain or The Rise of Two Auspicious Constellations and the Confluence of Two Oceans. He also wrote a 45-page travelogue of his mission to India, where he described the life and events in Zamorin of Calicut (Kozhikode). He described the grandeur of the ancient city of Hampi as wealthy and spacious.
Ibn Batuta
Ibn Batuta was and still is a renowned traveller who wrote one of the world’s most famous travelogues, the Riḥlah. He travelled worldwide when travelling wasn’t an easy job to do, and that too without any travel gear. He ventured into over 40 modern-day nations while voyaging via the sea, on camel and foot. He came to India in 1333-1342 AD through the high mountains of Afghanistan during the reign of Mohd Bin Tughlaq.
He was one of the few medieval travellers known to have visited the lands of every Muslim ruler of his time, and, being precise, he journeyed more than 75,000 miles (121,000 km), surpassing the travelling record of his near-contemporary Marco Polo. He described in his travelogue that the Indian cities were full of opportunities for those who had the passion, skills and resources.
Megasthenes
Megasthenes was the first ever foreign traveller to India. He visited India between 302 and 288 BC and served as Seleucus Nicator’s envoy at the court of Chandragupta Maurya. The world got to know about India through Megasthenes and his reputed work ‘Indica,’ in which he mentions Kerala as ‘Cherme’. In his travelogue, the Greek traveller also mentions India’s two major rivers, Sindhu and Ganga.
Hiuen Tsang
You must have heard about Hiuen Tsang, as his voyage through India was part of our history textbooks, making him one of India’s most celebrated travellers. He visited India in 630 AD to learn about Buddhist beliefs and practices and ended up staying on for 15 long years. He was popularly known as the prince of pilgrims as he spent most of his time in India studying the caste system of the country and wrote the book ‘Si-Yu-Ki.’
Hiuen Tsang studied at the University of Nalanda and travelled through the Deccan, Orissa, Bengal, Kashmir, Punjab, Bodh-Gaya, and Sarnath. In his accounts, he described India as a prosperous country. He described Kannauj as a beautiful city and Indians as lovers of education, literature and fine arts. He documented that “the houses were of varied types and constructed with wood, bricks and dung.”
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10. It was first observed back in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. The objective behind this day is to raise awareness about mental health issues and destigmatize the topic to have an open discussion about mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. Here at Exhibit, we’re all about tech, and of course, technology does play a role in mental health. In today’s world, social media seems more happening and fun than people’s regular lives which led to a rise in these platforms having a strong link with issues like depression, loneliness, and negative feelings in general. However, social media does not comprise tech as a whole and there are many ways in which tech can play a major role in improving your mental health. Below, we’ll take a look at the way technology can help with mental health:
Apps
The search for mental health services on the internet can be intimidating, especially in a world that is so driven by technology. However, if you’ve wanted to address your mental health issues but are nervous to do so in the real world, there are many remote options at your service. Be it taking therapy online or using mental health apps, one can get help virtually if not physically.
Mental health apps are convenient and accessible, they can prove a source of support for people to occupy their minds, relieve stress, track their mood, or maintain a routine. An example could be the meditation apps which allow people to improve breathing and relax. There are also apps like Fabulous which allow users to build a daily planner and practice self-care.
Websites & Helplines
People with access to the internet and their phones can avail of a number of services to help them through a mental health crisis. People can use the tools available on the internet to find information about mental health problems, symptoms, and treatment options. In India, there are a number of online portals like Suicide Prevention India Foundation and The Mitram Foundation which provide confidential emotional support to people going through a mental health crisis in their lives. People seeking immediate mental health support in India can reach out to the numbers listed below –
Mitram Foundation – 08025722573 or 9019708133
AASRA – 91-9820466726
Lifeline Foundation – 9088030303
E-Therapy
The internet has made mental health treatment more accessible. E-Therapy programs have made it easier for people to access therapy and do so without having to leave the comfort of their homes. People do not necessarily need to sit with a therapist face to face and can get help with the help of the internet or mobile devices. E-Therapy has also allowed some people to tackle the stigma that has been attached to mental health issues for years.
Virtual Activities
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people into their homes, a rapid rise of virtual events was witnessed. There were virtual music shows, stand-up comedy events which were hosted from the comedian’s home, and much more. These virtual activities have now become a part of pop culture and surely help people with managing their mental health issues as they help in reducing anxiety and depression.
Every year millions of tourists and travellers visit India, but only to explore the celebrated places of the country. When Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, came back to India from South Africa, he travelled throughout the country to understand the ground-level situation of the villages. Do you know why? He preferred to visit villages instead of cities because he knew the real India lies in its villages.
Even today, after 75 years of independence, a large number of our population prefer to live in rural areas, where the natural beauty of the country rests peacefully. India is amongst the top 10 countries in the world when it comes to the number of World Heritage Sites. Recently, India became the world’s fifth-largest economy by overtaking the United Kingdom, the country that once slaughtered India and treated Indians as enslaved people.
Come on, enough of history, it’s time to take a look at the 10 most beautiful Indian villages!
Kalpa
We’ve many beautiful places to explore in our country, but only a few stay in our hearts. Kalpa – the winter home of lord Shiva, is a scenic town situated in the lap of Himachal Pradesh and is considered one of the best-kept secrets of the state. The stunning town offers mesmerizing views of the Kinnaur Kailash range of the Himalayas, and the climate here is perfect for people looking for a chaos-free vacation.
Mandawa
Naah, we’re not referring to the beautiful beach town of Alibaug here. The place we’re mentioning here is located in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan and was once home to wealthy Rajasthani merchants. The town of Mandawa is known as an “open art gallery” due to its beautiful grand havelis. The havelis were built by Shekhawati rulers and consist of exquisite paintings, murals, and various other captivating artefacts.
Khonoma
We all are aware of the natural beauty that lies in the north-east region of India. Khonoma is one such stunning town located on the 20 Km west of Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. The town is known for the valour and courage of its people in the past. Due to its initiative to conserve flora and fauna of the region, today, the village is called a green village, where hunting and logging in the forests are strictly restricted.
Munsiyari
Wanna experience snowfall on your next vacay, then Munsiyari, an offbeat hamlet in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, is the perfect place for you. The name ‘Munsiyari’ means a place with snow in the local language. The beautiful town is famous for its eye-catching beauty and trekking spots. The popular hill station is situated at the base of the great Himalayan mountain ranges and offers surreal views of the Kumaon hills.
Kuttanad
The first village on our list is in the god’s own country, Kerala, and is hailed as the rice bowl of Kerala. Kuttanad is a delta region of about 900 sq. km situated on the west coast of Kerala State and is famous for its paddy fields and red water lilies. The area covers Kottayam and Alappuzha districts and bears a solid resemblance to Holland regarding geographical features; that’s why it is also referred to as the Netherlands of Kerala.
Mawlynnong
You might have seen an image of a living roots bridge somewhere on social media and have spent at least a minute thinking about it. Well, that’s not a processed image, Mawlynnong, a town in the state of Meghalaya, actually has it, and it’s about 1000 years old. The town is often referred to as one of the most beautiful towns in India and is called God’s own Garden. The town remains untouched by human interference, making it more exotic.
Hodka
Sometimes the beauty of a place lies in its emptiness, and Hodka, a desert town situated in Gujarat, matches the description of the moment. The place is home to the Meghwals, who are known for their contribution to embroidery and the textile industry. The town has one of the most beautiful traditional houses in the country, and they are constructed in such a way that they stay cool from the inside during summer and warm in winter.
Dha & Hanu
The rumour says, Brokpas, the people who live in Dha, Hanu, Darchicks, and other nearby towns, are the pure Aryans, the actual descendants of the Alexanders army who stayed back in the valley. Amongst all the Brokpa towns, only Dha and Hanu are open to the public as the Brokpas are obsessed with purity. Come here to experience the cultural diversity and don’t forget to bring your cameras as the place is extremely beautiful and the people who live here are very friendly.
Majuli Island
Majuli, nestled amidst the mighty Brahmaputra River, is the world’s largest freshwater island. It’s a must-visit place for every travelling enthusiast because, due to climate change, in the next 20-25 years, the lush green and pollution-free island may completely disappear from the earth’s map. The green fields and the water bodies of Majuli island will stay in your heart for a long time, and you’ll feel blessed for the rest of your life.
Varanga
Villages in the southern region of India are the most picturesque, and Varanga has its charm, thanks to the several Jain temples. The hilly village is surrounded by a backdrop of a mighty western ghat and is situated in the Udupi district of Karnataka. The town is famous for housing the historic 850 years old Kere Basadi – the lake temple. The temple is built amidst a man-made lake as a four-faced symmetrical structure and is dedicated to the Jain Lord Parshwanatha.
Marvel fans rejoice! Hugh Jackman will be reprising his role as Wolverine for the upcoming Deadpool 3 film. Jackman had retired the role back in 2017 with Logan and was vocal about not returning as the character was killed off. Thanks to the multiverse exploration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Jackman can reprise his role, though it is yet to be seen if this Wolverine is an MCU original or jumping straight from the Fox X-Men universe. Ryan Reynolds, the star of Deadpool movies and an acclaimed marketing genius took to his social media and shared the video announcing jackman’s return to the role. Check out the video below –
Several rumors about Jackman one day returning to play Wolverine have been running across for years. Whereas, Ryan Reynolds too was vocal about wanting to share screen space with Jackman’s Wolverine for a long time only for it to take years to finally become a reality. This won’t be the first time Ryan and Hugh appear together in a superhero project. The duo had appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine where Deadpool’s mouth was famously sewn shut, which is something Ryan still has a funny gripe about. While sharing the Deadpool 3 update, Ryan captioned the post as “Hard keeping my mouth sewn shut about this one.” referencing the infamous film.
The video opens with Ryan Reynolds greeting the fans and expressing his sadness over not appearing at Disney’s D23 event. He adds, “we’ve been working very hard on the next ‘Deadpool’ film for a good long while now,” Reynolds said in the video, seated on his couch. “I’ve had to really search my soul on this one. His first appearance in the MCU obviously needs to feel special. We need to stay true to the character, find new depth, motivation, meaning every Deadpool needs to stand out and stand apart. It’s been an incredible challenge that has forced me to reach down deep inside.”
Then we see Hugh Jackman casually walking behind Reynolds as he asks “Hey, Hugh, you want to play Wolverine one more time?”
“Yeah, sure Ryan,” replies Jackman.
Disney had previously shared that Deadpool will be integrated into the MCU, however, fans were unsure if he’ll get a standalone film or appear in cameos. The release of Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse of Madness also saw rumors about Deadpool making his MCU debut going around the internet. Now, it’s confirmed that Deadpool 3 will be released in September 2024.
Star Wars fans around the world know that the franchise’s big baddie, Darth Vader is voiced by the legendary actor James Earl Jones. The actor has been voicing the iconic character since 1977. He first voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV) and it’s been 45 years since then. It was back in 2019 when the actor mentioned that he was ready to let go of the character. James Earl Jones, 91, has now decided to move on from the character and allow Disney to replicate the voice using another actor or voice artist. However, the company has decided to use an AI-voice modeling tool to get the job done.
AI Darth Vader Voice
Disney has surely had a strange history with CG characters, especially in the Star Wars franchise. Be it the unconvincing render of a CGI Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian or the CG Princess Leia in Episode IX, the franchise has surely caught itself in some troubled waters. While it’s understandable that the iconic Star Wars character cannot be recast, CG iterations of them in the uncanny valley surely do not get the job done. The company also faced social media backlash as one of its flagship franchises, Marvel’s She-Hulk featured less than impressive CGI. But visuals and audio are two different ball games altogether.
Disney reached out to Respeecher, a Ukrainian company to replicate the voice of Darth Vader. The company trains text-to-speech AI machine learning models to replicate the voices of actors who no longer want to play certain film/show parts. The interesting part of this story is that the company was working on replicating Darth Vader’s voice all while Ukraine was under the Russian invasion. The company used archival footage recordings of James Earl Jones and fed them to an AI algorithm to create new dialogues for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
As a result, the company was successful in recreating the Darth Vader voice identical to its first appearance decades ago. It won’t be wrong to assume that Disney will now be sticking to using AI to create Darth Vader’s voice as the character is surely not going anywhere. James Earl Jones, on the other hand, is all set to voice another iconic character of Mufasa, in a standalone Lion King film.
