Summer is almost here and it is time to ditch those woollens for bright shorts and lace dresses.

Shorts in big prints

Flaunt your legs this summer with a bright, eye-catching set of printed shorts. Balance them out with a relaxed solid blouse. Dont overpower your colourful shorts with pop colour. Instead, this summer is about whites and neutrals with only one article of clothing that pops!

Ice cream colours

Think gelato while shopping next. This seasons twist comes in the pastel pile-up that saw parma violet, lemon sorbet and pistachio from head to toe. Open your wardrobe door, select every pastel item in sight, and stack those ice cream shades one on top of another like a triple scoop. Another way to do this well is stick to one shade of pastel from top to bottom.

Dark, selvedge denim

Indigo, light blue and whiskered denim are fashion faux pas this season. Remember the dark, selvedge denim you wore circa 2000? Thats the colour of denim to look out for. Its a lightweight, fluid cousin of its rugged counterpart. We never thought wed see the return of tailored denim but then we didnt expect it to look this good the second time around.

Crayon colours

Paintbox brights are still going strong: the new primary colour palette celebrates fashions power to generate confidence, and the effect is irresistible. Adopt the look from head-to-toe by mixing and matching. Be happy about showcasing your favourite pencil colour shade.

Pencil skirts

Pencil skirts are making a comeback, but you cant style it the way you did six years ago. Throw away the peep-toe pumps and stilettos that you are so used to sporting with a pencil skirt. Even dump the stockings. Instead pair it with a swanky pair of mules, open or closed. Socks are a way to go too, with block heels of course!

Trim and textures

Time to get frivolous. A horde of designers have fussed over all the trimmings for spring - from marabou ripples on hems, feathers sprouting from shoes and collars at, fringing on everything and exploding polka dots. Head to the trims store and add tassels wherever you like. Be tasteful though.

Slip dresses

If you dont already own a slip dress or two from last season, heres an opportunity again. Slip dresses still have mileage, judging from the spring catwalks. But this time they are less come-to-bed and more
if-looks-could-kill. Trimmed with crystals, sequins, patchwork and tulle, theyre now a discotheque staple. Note: Strappy sandals required.

Peek-a-boo lace

Lacey dresses, jumpsuits and jackets with classily placed windows of suggestion work well. The preferred location of these windows is on the lower back, upper chest and shoulders.

What is love?" I pondered while looking out of the window of my aircraft during a flight from Mumbai to Delhi. Is it what I feel every time I leave this "Maximum city" that has given me much by way of name and fame, or is it the love I feel for Delhi where I am greeted by the warmth of many friends and family.
Is love that pang I feel for my son when I leave him at home when I travel - even if it is for just a couple of days, or is it what I feel when a friend of mine calls me after seeing a contemplative post on Instagram, enquiring if my mood has been prompted by anybody being mean to me â€" with the attendant promise to "fix" whoever may be the cause of my rumination!

Well I dont know what the answer to any of the above is, but I do know one thing - that love is that comforting blanket which envelopes you with a sense of security every time you feel happy or sad. Love is actually everywhere, it surrounds us all the time but most of the time we fail to acknowledge it because love manifests itself in strange ways which are often not obvious.

Even though we celebrate love with aplomb on occasions like Valentines Day, I believe that the power of love is completely underrated. We think of love only as a fairytale synonym and not as the go-to emotion that helps us sail through life!

We often hear people complaining that no one loves them; I would urge them to look around. Its impossible that there is no one in their midst who loves them. We often dont recognise love even when it stares us in the face.

We all meet so many people who, in some way or the other, have touched our lives and have changed it for the better. Havent we? But we never use the word love in this kind of context and behave as if love is the preserve of immediate family and close friends. Love is present in every minute act of kindness, in sacrifice, in words of appreciation, in sharing, in giving and even in receiving.

Which brings me to another description of love, one which Im not in complete agreement with - love is unconditional. Well, when love is not reciprocated, it hurts, whether one wants to acknowledge it or not. When you invest your time, energy and emotions in someone, whether its your lover/spouse, children, parents, or friends, you would like them to love you back, wouldnt you?

A close friend once said to me, in the middle of a friendly argument, that it was quite shocking that I barely knew anything about what her family members did. My immediate reaction was "But I know everything about you". Pat came her retort "My family is a part of me and true friends should make an effort to get to know them better". I have to confess that at some level I agreed with her but I would not have realised this had she not brought it up.

Sometimes its important to let others know what you expect as unfortunately, but at a subconscious level, we humans have a tendency to be self-centred. Sometimes one just forgets or is too busy to go that extra mile to reciprocate and that can hurt the other.

So this Valentines Day lets try and give back, even if it be in the smallest way, to all those who have given us something that has made a difference to our lives. I will end with these beautiful lines by Rumi - "Love is the bridge between you and everything." So go on, build that bridge, give more than what you expect to receive but dont make it a one-way track, be open to receiving too; trust me youve earned it.

Amrita Raichand
(Chef and TV personality)

I worked as a software professional earlier and wasnt fond of the work setup. I used to work for 13 hours and come back and try to whip up and bake something to relax myself. It was my stress outlet and gradually I started baking for pleasure, especially for friends who placed orders.

Slowly I realised that the baking world gave me more joy than anything else. Once I quit my job and set up Cake My Heart, the journey moved ahead and soon I was making interesting cakes and unique desserts. I started making gourmet cakes and my interest grew as my grandmother was my continuous inspiration.

The very fact that one can experiment so much while baking was intriguing for me. Bite-sized food always fascinated me. I find them challenging and special to work with as they need a lot of precision, patience and carry a personal touch. Be it macarons or handmade truffles, they are petite which adds on to the excitement. One can also enjoy as many of them as they are smaller in size and thus lower on calories.

My love for these cute sweet treats and my undying passion for coffee, (something that I cannot do without), is what led me to dish out the Kahlua Coffee Pots. Made from a coffee-flavoured liqueur, these bite-sized desserts will be delight for any coffee lovers. The familiar flavour of coffee in a dessert will feel like a mystery unfolding in your mouth.

So, what are you waiting for? Get going and whip up a storm.

Recipe:

Kahlua Coffee Pots

Ingredients
To make the Kahlua
filling
Fresh cream- 125 ml
Milk - 125 ml
Instant coffee - 2 tsp
Dark chocolate - 100 gm
Butter - 12 gm
Brown sugar - 2 tbsp
Corn flour - 1 tbsp
Kahlua - 2 tsp
Salt - ½ tsp
Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

To make the sponge discs (Makes 18)
3 eggs separated
Caster sugar - 75 gm
Flour - 90 gm
Vanilla essence - ¼ tsp

To garnish
Whipped cream
Coffee
Chocolate shavings

Method
To make the Kahlua filling
*Pour milk and cream in a saucepan and bring to boil. Take off the heat.
*In a separate bowl, whisk sugar, corn flour, coffee and salt.
*Gradually whisk this mixture to the milk and cream. Add it slowly so that there are no lumps.
*Set over medium heat; bring to a boil while constantly stirring. Take off the heat.
*Add the chopped chocolate, butter, Kahlua and vanilla to the mixture and whisk until the butter and chocolate has melted and the mixture is completely smooth.

To make the sponge discs
*Preheat oven to 180 C and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
*Place egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and cream together until thick and pale.
*In another bowl beat the egg whites until stiff peaks.
*Fold the egg yolks to the egg white mixture.
*Sift flour and add vanilla essence to the egg mixture.
*Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1 cm/ ½ cm round nozzle.
*Pipe little blobs on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 mins.
*When cooked, peel off the sheet and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
*If there is excess, refrigerate in an air tight container.

Assembling of the pots
*In pretty medium sized cups, arrange the sponge discs to cover the base.
*Pour a few teaspoons of Kahlua (or coffee syrup) so that the sponge soaks in all the liquid.
*Spoon the Kahlua filling into the cups till the brim. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up.
*Pipe little swirls of whipped cream, dust with coffee and sprinkle some chocolate shavings.

Sandhya Parthasarathy

Every few years, celebrities are nominated as MPs on the strength of their achievements in realms other than politics.

And once they get to Parliament, they make no speech, espouse no cause, make no contribution to the national discourse.

Rekha

Another notable absentee is Rekha, Bollywood diva. Her charm doesnt compensate for her attendance record: an abysmal 5 per cent. She has asked no questions, introduced no bills, and taken part in no debates. The government has spent more on her than on any other MP nominated with her. Dhana Rekha, eh?

Sachin Tendulkar

He was the most popular Rajya Sabha member on Facebook in 2017, but that is certainly not because of his oratorical skills. A member of the Rajya Sabha since 2012, he made news just by showing up in Parliament in August 2017; such was his track record in attendance. But as luck would have, the master batsman made his maiden speech on a day the House was drowned in chaos. Timing, sir, timing!

Notable exception

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan has more than 400 questions to her credit and an impressive attendance record as well. In June, she was named Woman Parliamentarian of the Year. Jaya has fared way better than her husband Amitabh Bachchan, who got nominated and then eschewed politics altogether. He was unable even to complete his five-year term. His family was named in the Bofors scam, and he eventually got a clean chit. Movie celebrities Govinda, Hema Malini, Dharmendra, Jaya Prada and Dara Singh have also failed to make a mark.

Amit Shahs pakoda debut

Often hailed as the Chanakya of Indian politics, BJP president Amit Shah delivered his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, a full seven months after he was inducted. He had remained silent throughout the winter session and opened his account only on Monday.

During his 90-minute speech, he made a particularly insightful observation on employment - saying it is better to sell pakodas than be unemployed.

Mary Kom

Olympic bronze medal winner Mary Kom was nominated in 2016 and has participated in two debates. While she is yet to ask any question, her attendance averages a decent 60 per cent.

Mithun Chakraborty

The actor who made his name as a disco dancer didnt do so well on the floor of the House, his attendance being just 10 per cent. He did not participate in any debate, and resigned in December 2016, citing poor health.

Notable exception

MPs get a monthly salary of Rs 50,000, besides a host of freebies and allowances. Their canteen is unbelievably cheap, and they also get free water and electricity. Their pay will soon go up by 100 per cent. And a new rule proposes automatic revision of their salaries every five years.

Campaign in UK draws attention to non-biodegradable material

A campaign in the UK has brought to the surface aspects of tea drinking hitherto ignored.Teabags, which we assume are made entirely of paper, also have nylon, thermoplastic, PVC or polypropylene. And every day, teabags are squeezed and dumped as food waste. Plastics take centuries to decompose.

Tea drinkers would like to have their teabags plastic free, but fully biodegradable paper teabags are expensive. Loose tea is the answer, say experts.

Gaurav Saria, owner, teamaster and chief, Infinitea says, "I am personally against teabags, and have not used them at Infinitea for 15 years now."

For optimum benefits, he advises loose leaf tea from a good estate that takes care to pack in the nutrition in the tea. "Teabag consumption is predominant in the developed world. In India, it is just 2-3% of the total consumption," he estimates.

Saria feels the price of biodegradable teabags is too steep for it to become mainstream in India soon.

Shashank Rawat, COO, My Tea House, emphasises whole leaf tea is of a higher grade than what is packed in teabags.

He makes it a point to serve whole leaf tea.

"If you really want to understand the character of tea, it has to be steeped at a certain temperature and that is possible only with whole leaf tea and not teabags," he says.

Campaign victory

The campaign against plastic waste in the UK is at a turning point.

"A major retailer is in the final stages of developing a fully biodegradable paper teabag that does not contain plastic," reports The Guardian.

The retail co-operative is making Fairtrade 99 teabags, free of polypropylene, it says.

Polypropylene is a sealant used across the industry to enable teabags to hold their shape. The guilt-free brew is due to go on sale by the end of the year, the paper reported.

Scientists take

Plasticizers are substances added to teabags to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. Many studies have proved the links between cancer and the toxicity of plastic teabags. I feel lack of ethics has pushed many industries to be ruthless. They take advantage of ignorance. There are viable environment-friendly alternatives to plastic teabags.

Dr TV Ramachandra
Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science.

No plastics

Metrolife contacted Tata Global Beverages to ask about the plastic in teabags. Their response: "Sustainable sourcing is very important to us. Our teabags sold in India are made of chlorine-free paper and are therefore 100% biodegradable. They do not contain any harmful chemicals or plastics."

I prefer tea leaves

Juhi Chawla, Actor
Tea bags apparently are bleached to look pretty, so when you dip them in boiling water certainly some of that is leaching into your tea. I have avoided them totally ever since I heard about this. I prefer to use tea leaves as they are. I look for something in a glass jar. That makes me feel the tea company values quality over convenience and sales."

Teabag material

* Manila hemp
* Plastic
* Wood pulp

(Manila hemp is a species of banana. Ingredients in a tea bag, according to BBC)

Children taking the wheel is a growing problem across India. A 16-year-old boy driving his fathers car mowed down a 25-year-old cook in Delhi last week. In Bengaluru, a minor was killed when he and his friends were racing cars borrowed from their fathers. They crashed on the Hosur Road expressway in September last year.

Thats just one of many cases, and the numbers are on the rise. Bengaluru has registered 4,221 cases of underage driving in 2017 alone, a big jump from 1,591 the previous year.

Underage driving mostly takes place in the wee hours of the morning and in the afternoon, after school hours. A senior traffic police inspector says, "The youngest offender we caught last year was 13 and the oldest 17."

The most recent case was a 16-year-old boy driving an SUV rashly on Hebbal flyover last weekend. Underage driving is rampant near Hebbal, Sarjapur, Marathahalli, K R Puram and on Nice Road and Tumkur Road. Boys beat girls when it comes to the offence. "They usually take out vehicles saying they are going for tuition or special classes. They then take the vehicle for a spin," the officer says.

The officer attributes the increasing number of cases to lack of supervision. "Parents should keep tabs on their children. That is where the fault lies," he says.

Clipped wings, dried pools of blood, a scattered pile of feathers. What used to be this birds neck - the white stalk that boasts an inflated gular pouch during a males mating display - is now reduced to a bone sticking out between a sliced head and torso. This is all that was left of the regal bird that is the ambassador of our grasslands, one scorching summer in the Thar desert, under a high-tension power line. This crime scene is of one critically endangered bird, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), whose global population hovers at around the hundreds.

The culprit yet again is the 220kV power line it flew into in the Khetolai village of Rajasthans Pokhran district, in December 2017. This events occurrence in the last week of 2017 reflects the birds fate and foreshadows its future: in the past decade, nine GIBs have been found dead due to collision with power lines. Dont let the single digit take away from its bearing, for it represents the wiping out of close to 9% of its global population.

Looking at the data

The Thar desert is a battleground for the GIB, which is also its last refuge. Its skies have armies of high-tension power lines criss-crossing through the aerial corridors of the birds habitat, closing in on the birds remaining populations. For a low-flying bird with poor frontal vision, the mesh of thin power lines is difficult to spot from a distance, making collision or electrocution all too easy. On the ground, where the bird lays one egg a year and only in grasslands, its offspring have a low survival rate due to the threat of nest predation by feral dogs. A vision for developing the Thar, and increasing accessibility of electricity, water and roads to the remotest corners of the landscape have pushed its flagship species to the brink of extinction.

Whats great about the Great Indian Bustard? One of the heaviest flying birds of the world, it once roamed far and wide across rural landscapes and grasslands of India. Today, it has been wiped out from 90% of its previous range. A few birds still exist in Gujarats Kutch and Maharashtras agricultural landscapes. The Thar desert grasslands, on the other hand, are home to around 75% of their remaining population. These places are the birds last hope for survival. In the Thar, these birds are largely concentrated in two patches. While one set of the bird lives in less than a third of the 3,162 sq km under Desert National Park, the other set lives in the grasslands of the Indian armys Pokhran field firing range. The area between these ranges is dotted with heavy presence of power lines and wind turbines, further isolating the two populations.

Deserts and grasslands are unique and thriving ecosystems where hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles have adapted to survive. The Thar too has a unique biogeographic construct: it shows high avifaunal diversity and falls in the migratory flyway of many bird species. It is no surprise, then, that the drastic alteration of the desert and grassland ecosystems over the last decade, in big part due to infrastructural expansions, has come at a massive cost for its wildlife. By 2022, the government aims to reach its renewable energy generation target of 175 GW, of which nearly 160 GW is expected to be met via solar and wind energy. Infrastructure associated with both these forms of green energy now defines the Thar expanses, and has been fatal for its rich avifauna. Can this be called green energy, if it is driving a critically endangered species to extinction?

An unpublished study on bird mortality due to power lines in the Thar was conducted by Dr Sutirtha Dutta, a wildlife biologist at Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and Mohib Uddin, a Masters student at University of Kota. It was found that for GIBs and other endangered birds, rates of mortality due to collision with high and low-tension power lines were high. For the study, 100 km of power lines in the GIB habitat in Thar were surveyed and carcass detections were carried out in this landscape.

A total of 98 bird carcasses were detected in one month, including that of two GIBs. Worryingly, the highest number of carcasses found were of the Egyptian vulture and common pigeon. Carcasses of other endangered birds like the white-rumped, red-headed and Indian vultures were also spotted. Extrapolating this collision rate from 100 km to 3,600 km of power lines in the GIB habitat, it was found that an estimated 18,778 birds are dying due to power lines every month.

Power line mitigation

"There are solutions to the power line issue," remarks Dr Sutirtha Dutta, "but the rate of implementation is nowhere near it should be, given the striking urgency of the problem." When WII began highlighting the issue in 2013, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change published the Bustard Recovery Plan which is the central advisory document for GIB conservation planning. In a May 2016 meeting between the Rajasthan Forest Department, the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RREC) and scientists from WII, consensus was reached that no new energy infrastructure would be established in GIB priority habitat.

It was also agreed that existing power lines will be marked with diverters and that the possibility of undergrounding power lines will be explored. After a pilot installation of 30 diverters, they were to be installed across power lines in the Thar that exist in GIB habitat, by the RREC and associated power companies. "Everything is agreed upon on paper," adds Sutirtha, "but implementation is extremely slow. As of January 2018, after much delay, the pilot diverters have been installed, but it remains to be seen how expeditiously the large-scale installation is done." Down south in Gujarats Kutch in 2017, a bustard radio-tagged by WII flew into a 33kV transmission line, which is associated with wind turbines in Naliya, and died. This turbine is located at nearly one km away from the Lalaâ€"Parjan Sanctuary - the only refuge for GIB in Gujarat. Due to pressure from the Forest Department and conservation organisations, the companies that had installed the power lines agreed to put the electricity line underground. Here too, says Sutirtha, the power companies are shifting responsibilities and passing the buck on implementation, due to the costs associated

There arent many studies in India, but power line mitigation by underground-cabling and usage of diverters has shown positive results for avian populations in other parts of the world. Time is running out for the GIB - some argue that it already has. The question, then, is whether timely, immediate and organised action by all stakeholders will save the bird or if we will silently watch the bustard vanish from its grasslands.

There was a time when water sports enthusiasts of Karnataka had to go to a distant place to ride the waves. Not any more. On the contrary, people from across the country, and even outside, are visiting the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada to explore places that have emerged as the finest spots for water sports.

There are several beaches in this region that have a great potential for tourism and adventure activities. Right from Someshwar beach near Ullal (in Dakshina Kannada) to Majali beach in Karwar (Uttara Kannada-Goa border), there are more than a dozen beaches that could be the best in the country. Tannirbavi, Panambur, Surathkal, Mulki (in Dakshina Kannada), Kaup, Malpe, Maravanthe (in Udupi), Murudeshwar, Bhatkal, Gokarna and Honnavar (in Uttara Kannada) are a few to name. Besides, rivers such as Nethravathi, Gurupura, Nandini, Shambhavi, Swarna, Udyavar, Seetha, Sowparnika, Chakra, Kali and Sharavathi also offer water sports opportunities.

Unexplored areas

Though Jack Hebner, popularly known as Surfing Swami, started Mantra Surf Club or Surfing Ashram - Indias first surf club - in 2004 in Mulki, and famous people keep visiting the club, the sport came to limelight when Mantra Surf Club organised the first All Cargo Indian Open of Surfing at Sasihithlu beach in 2016.

The competition, recognised by the International Surfing Association and Surfing Federation of India, and supported by Karnataka Tourism Department, saw the participation of over 100 surfers from India and abroad. While surfing is a multi-billion dollar industry abroad, it was virtually unheard of in India until a few years ago. Because of the efforts of Jack and others, coastal Karnataka has emerged as a popular surfing destination today.

Besides surfing, stand-up paddle (SUP), kayaking, bodyboarding, wakeboarding and jet ski rides too have been introduced in some beaches and rivers of the region. Other recognised surfing training institutes in the coastal region include Shaka Surf Club in Kodi Bengre, Udupi, Stoked Surfers Club in Tannirbavi, and the one managed by Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project in Panambur beach.

Amritha Vidyalaya in Mangaluru is collaborating with Mantra Surfing Club to start surfing, kayaking and stand up paddle activities, and to include the same in the school curriculum, said Yathish Baikampady, chief executive officer of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project. He also said that when the plan materialises, it will be the first school in the State, perhaps in India, to include surfing in the curriculum.

Till recently, scuba diving was considered as a foreign sport (even though the Andamans and Goa had the facility). Uttara Kannada district administration facilitated scuba diving in Murudeshwar (Netrani island) last year. Two more places (an island about 8 km from Kaup beach, and Sadashivgad in Karwar) followed suit. Plans are on the anvil to start scuba diving at about 16 km away from Panambur beach in Mangaluru. "A trial run has already been done," said Yathish.

Snorkelling activity is also organised in all these places. Snorkelling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water with a diving mask and a shaped breathing tube called snorkel.

Uday Shetty of Tourism Department, Dakshina Kannada said that the district administration has given permission to maintain beaches in Panambur and Someshwar to two companies and they can take up any activity on the beaches with appropriate infrastructure and adequate safety measures. He said that plans are also on the cards to start a surfing training centre in Mangaluru.

Anitha of Tourism Department, Udupi said that there is a good response for water sports activities in the district. House boat at the backwaters of River Swarna near Kallianpur too is becoming quite popular, she said.

Safety measures

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada district H Prasanna said that some of the beaches including Murudeshwar, Om (Gokarna) and Karwar are safe for water sports. "Due to the existence of islands nearby, tides are normal, following which they are ideal and safe for water sports activities," he said.

Stating that there are three operators in Uttara Kannada for scuba diving, Prasanna said that the district administration has been providing training on life-saving skills, first aid and rescue operations so that the operators are better equipped to handle emergency situations.

"I was thrilled and fascinated to see a different world just 30 feet below the sea surface near Nethrani island. Colourful fish, pelagic fish and coral reefs mesmerised me," said Shivamogga District Information Officer Shafi Saduddin, who recently tried scuba diving at Nethrani island. He is also happy that such a facility is available in the State.

Water sports in River Kali is the most sought-after among the urbanites, and people visit the place for activities like kayaking, speed boat and rafting. Dr Rabindranath Tagore Beach Development and Conservation Committee in Karwar, in association with Leisure Routes in Mangaluru and Uttara Kannada District Tourism Development Committee, has been organising kayaking for tourists.

The kayaking festival organised last year in Dandeli evoked an overwhelming response, with the participation of more than 100 enthusiasts from India and abroad. The route for kayaking is from Siddar to Karwar on River Kali, crossing picturesque locations and tiny islands. There are two island stop overs during the trip. To ensure the safety of riders, life jackets are provided and life guards will also be present. Interestingly, it is not compulsory for the participants to learn swimming for kayaking or scuba diving.

A park, pathway, watchtower, food park and other water sports on the bank of River Kali near Karwar, just before the river joins the sea, are an added attraction for tourists. With Karnataka emerging as a destination for water sports, adventure enthusiasts can head to scenic places this summer to experience the adrenaline rush.

In 2009, Chimamanda Adichie, a Nigerian novelist, gave a TED talk called The danger of a single story. She made it clear that there is a great risk in reducing complex human beings to a single narrative. While she spoke of the narratives in a cultural context, her central idea, I think, has a broader application. Around the world, our education systems are clinging to a single story of academic ability, based wholly on test scores.

Its a story as old as time, but one that has a very high-stakes ending. If you score well in tests, youll go on to succeed in college and in your career and live happily ever after. If not, then your life will be upturned and you will live miserably thereafter. This story is the reason why the testing culture has become overwhelmingly predominant in our schools. Rather than using tests as a diagnostic tool for instructional support, test scores are being used to rank childrens academic ability on a very narrow spectrum. Throughout their school years, children do various tests with goal of increasing their score and not necessarily to improve the quality of their learning.

Tests overemphasised

In the US, for instance, children who attend public schools take an average of 112 state-mandated tests between pre-kindergarten and grade 12. The number of tests are so high that teachers, teach to the test and spend over a month preparing students for each state-mandated exam. In China, the test culture is so stressful that students who attend the National Higher Education Entrance Examination (known as Gaokao colloquially) resort to extreme measures such as attaching themselves to IV drips for energy boosts. And recently in India, scores of parents scaled school walls during an examination to provide their children with answers to the tests.

The problem with overemphasis of testing is that it often obscures the true purpose of assessment. The only function of assessment is to inform the students of what they know and can do during or at the end of a unit of learning compared to what they should know. Formative tests are meant to act as a diagnostic tool to improve instruction. From this, the instructor can identify muddy areas and modify the methods to better suit the learners needs. However, the form of tests that we have today takes a more judgemental tone rather than a diagnostic one, and has a demoralising effect rather than an empowering one. Test results should reveal the complexity of learning rather than reducing them to a single number or grade.

When we reduce students intellectual ability to a single number or grade, we overlook the diversity of talents and strengths that they inherently possess. This is mostly because our education system assesses only for a certain kind of intelligence, while excluding other kinds. Howard Gardner, a professor of cognition and education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the person who developed the multiple intelligences theory, once said, "We must proceed cautiously before we place students minds and hearts at risk with tests of dubious quality whose meaning can be over-interpreted and whose consequences can be devastating." To avoid this, he said that educators and parents should value the "development of knowledge and skills that go beyond a single test."

Diversity of talent

Our education systems take a very narrow definition of what constitutes as intelligence and ability. Einstein once wrote, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Our education system currently has a few students who fit perfectly well into our notion of intelligence and ability, while the vast majority are disenfranchised by the system.

According to a report by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and Global Education Monitoring (a United Nations institute based in Canada), 47 million youth of secondary and higher secondary school-going age are dropping out of school by Class 10. Continued enrolment in 2016 alone dropped from 77% to 52% in each high school grade level. These large dropout percentages demonstrate that our education systems are failing our children.

How can this be changed? The solution lies in changing the narrative. Firstly, we need to agree that the purpose of education lies outside the culture of relentless testing. Jiddu Krishnamurti once said that education must reveal two worlds to young people: one that is within them and one that exists around them. A lot of our education system focuses on the external world. But we fail to address the inner world that lives within our children, that holds their own strengths, talents, hopes and dreams.

Secondly, to bring our childrens strengths and talents to the surface, we must broaden our understanding of the range of human diversity that naturally exists. According to creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson, "Human communities depend upon a diversity of talent, not a singular conception of ability. At the heart of the challenge is to reconstitute a sense of ability and intelligence." Children prosper with a broad curriculum that draws out their various talents, not just a small range of them. Non-academic classes like sports and the fine arts need to be given equal status and weightage as traditional academic classes like Maths and Science.

Thirdly, we need to help children learn and thrive by investing in their strengths while reducing our fixation on their deficits. The culture of testing on a narrow spectrum of academic ability lays an overemphasis on our childrens shortcomings, while their strengths are rarely revealed to us.

A deficiency-based approach to learning through test scores focuses heavily on what children do not know or cant do. If we dont offset this with a strength-based approach, students will be at a risk of being lost and disengaged from learning altogether. If we can shift the goal of education to drawing out strengths of students, we can then recognise the different paths and destinations they have. There isnt one ending set in stone for students who score well or poorly on tests. Life is a lot more than that. While nations around the world are grappling with how best to educate our children, it may be beneficial for all of us to reconsider the dangers of a single story.

(The author is director, Vidyashilp Academy & Vidyasagar preschools, Bengaluru)

In recent times, the education sector has witnessed a massive transformation with the inclusion of multiple boards that cater to different needs. While there is no one-size-fits-all curriculum, parents now have various options to choose from. Here are pros and cons of some of the Boards:

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)

Understanding the need of the hour, the framework adopted by the ICSE Board allows schools to adopt a flexible curriculum keeping the students growth in mind.

Pros:

* ICSE allows schools to follow any textbook of their choice.

* The ICSE Board offers a larger variety of subjects to choose from.

* ICSE adopts an inquiry-based learning. It also adds an emphasis on language proficiencies.

* With structured information and equal focus on Languages, Arts and Sciences, it is favoured by those who are more interested in hands-on learning.

* With its flexibility in choosing subjects in higher classes, students with learning disabilities have an option of either dropping subjects or choosing a suitable level in their subjects.

Cons:

* With the new regulation of an exam in grades 5 and 8, there may be more stress on students for the academic year 2018-2019.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

CBSE conducts All India Secondary School Examination for Class 10 and All India Senior School Certificate Examination for Class 12.

Pros:

* It has standardised textbooks. These are published by National Council Of Educational Research And Training (NCERT).

* The biggest benefit of opting for CBSE is that every major competitive examination like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is based on this syllabus.

* A certificate from the Central Board of Education is recognised throughout the country. This is mostly favoured by those who relocate often in India.

Cons:

* As the teaching approach is theoretical, students may not have an understanding of a concepts real-life applications.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

What makes the IB curriculum stand out is its focus on analytical skills, language, arts, humanities.

Pros:

* IB is offered in three levels: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Class 1 to 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Class 6 to 10 and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) for classes 11 and 12.

* Questioning is encouraged in the classroom and so is student discussion.

* Emphasis is laid on hands-on learning.

* The IB curriculum offers students the opportunity to choose how they want to study a particular subject: at higher level (HL) or standard level (SL). While SL courses expose students to the core syllabus of a subject, taking a subject at a higher level allows students to explore the subject indepth.

n IB mandates a maximum classroom strength of 25 students. This makes it easier for the teachers and students to interact closely.

Cons:

* While it has an established presence abroad, it is a fairly new board in the Indian educational environment. So, experienced and trained IB educators are less when compared to other Boards.

* The fees for an IB school is expensive.

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE)

The CAIE offers IGCSE, O Level, International AS & A Level and Pre-U exams.

Pros:

* Usually, CAIE exams are conducted in May and June. However, CAIE allows Indian students to appear for the exam in the month of March so that they can get their results early and meet the admission deadlines of various universities.

* Students have the opportunity to choose subjects based on their interests, career aspiration and aptitude.

Cons:

* The fee structure is a bit expensive. Hence, this curriculum is often not accessible to everyone.

Secondary State Certificate (SSC)

The SSC Boards syllabus is prepared keeping the requirements of the students of a state in mind.

Pros:

* Unique to every state in India, SSC attempts to accommodate students of varied capabilities.

* Another advantage of a state board is that the states history is taught and its primary language is given importance.

* Additionally, the fee structure is lower than other Boards.

Cons:

* The syllabus might not be comprehensive enough compared to other curricula.

* SSC curriculum does not focus on the practical application of knowledge.

* The classes are large, with each class having around 70 students. This makes it difficult for the teacher to give individual attention to every student.

With these details in mind, choosing the right Board for your child can become easier. However, it is important for parents to choose the appropriate curriculum that suits their childs interest, abilities and skill set.

(The author is with D Y Patil International School Network, Mumbai)

The 21st century workplace has taken a significant departure from the past. The pervasiveness of technology and the connected nature of global economy has transformed the job market into a more complex one.

As a result, ones career no longer follows a linear path that was common until a few decades ago. Previously, a fresh graduate used to be hired as a trainee and would then climb up the ranks, based on performance and seniority. But today, we are witnessing a vastly different scenario with a large part of manufacturing and labour-based jobs transforming rapidly, and knowledge and service-based careers on the rise.

The first job

So, what does all this mean to millennials? They can no longer afford to think in terms of one job and they will need to rethink how they wish to pursue their career path. Without a doubt, choosing the first job is going to be a big decision. The World Economic Forums 2016 Human Capital Index report states that the in-demand occupations or specialities of today never existed a decade ago. Further, this pace of change is only going to get faster due to rapid advances in fields like robotics and biotechnology.

Hence, it is understandable that a millennials first job is an idea fraught with uncertainty. How do millennials handle this uncertainty? By thinking like a designer. This is because the demand for critical thinking, creativity, and digital and presentation skills from potential employees has increased dramatically over the past few years. Several employers are now demanding problem-solving and enterprise skills from young graduates. Hence, millennials will have to make choices that will impact their future options. These include looking at what subjects to study at the senior secondary level, what courses to take for graduation and what kind of internships to undertake, among others.

While none of these choices are irreversible, they are important because they collectively shape a millennials career and employment options over time. However, a change can be made by undertaking relevant online courses offered by many reputed institutions. These make it easy for millennials to upskill themselves by choosing appropriate courses.

Whatever choice the millennials are making now, they should remember that the era of a job for life is over. Most of the millennials will have to move between roles throughout their careers. In fact, according to the Foundation for Young Australians 2016 report, millennials entering the workforce today might change their career five times and make an average of 17 job changes over the course of their career. This shows how many of our skills can be applied in different industries.

Need of the hour

Choosing a particular academic course is not enough to make millennials immune to the vagaries of the global economy. The key to being future-ready is creative thinking and design solutions. Design thinking is a forte that builds an immunity within your skill set and protects you from sudden changes caused by automation and globalisation in workplace. Ones adaptability to the rapid changes taking place is enhanced by creative thinking.

The need of the hour for millennials is a combination of formal training, on-the-job training and experiential learning to develop specific technical skills and soft design skills. The world is changing faster than ever. In the midst of these shifts, designers have the crucial task of thinking about what our future will look like and how we will interact with it. The future belongs to design. So, make sure that you too belong to the future.

(The author is with Pearl Academy, New Delhi)

CEO contest

Wooplr invites aspiring entrepreneurs among Indian college students to join the hunt for Wooplrs next CEO. For more details, visit ww.wooplr.com/ceo.

Education fair

Education in Ireland is coming to India for the Education in Ireland Fair. Representatives from 20 Irish institutes will be in Bengaluru to shed light on various courses and scholarship opportunities. This will take place on February 18, from 12 noon to 5 pm at Vivanta By Taj. To register, visit www.educationirelandevents.com.

BSc courses

Indian School of Business & Finance invites students to apply for its three-year BSc courses in Economics and allied programmes. The last date to apply April 8. To apply, visit www.applytoisbf.com.

MBA scholarship

Strathclyde University is inviting Indian applicants to apply for a scholarship to undertake a Strathclyde MBA (one year, full-time study) in Glasgow, UK, commencing September 2018. For more details, email sbs.admissions@strath.ac.uk. The last date to apply is July 6.

Content writing internship

Treebo Hotels is hiring interns for Content Writing profile in Bengaluru. Students can apply by February 16. The stipend is Rs 6,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-209.

IT internship

Happy Adda Studios is hiring interns for Information Technology profile in Bengaluru. Students can apply apply by February 16. The stipend is Rs 12,000-15,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-210.

Admissions

Ranga Rao Memorial School for Disabled by the NR Foundation is inviting applications from students across Karnataka for admission in the academic year 2018-2019. For application, call +91-8438148810 or +91-9886367129.

AIYSEE 2018

All India Youth Scholarship Entrance Examination (AIYSEE) invites applications for AIYSEE 2018 from Class 12 pass students appearing for engineering or medical examinations. The last date to apply is February 10. For more details, visit www.aiysee.com/about.php.

NCPCR competition

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) invites applications for NCPCR Short Film, Still Photography, Poster Competition 2018 from any Indian citizen above 18 years of age. The last date to submit is February 13. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2n4vAye.

IRMA fellowship

Institute of Rural Management Anand invites applications for Fellow Programme in Rural Management (FPRM) 2018 from the postgraduate applicants. The last date to apply is February 15. For more details visit www.bit.ly/2EMLF3V.

NASA contest

NASA invites applications for NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest 2018 from students studying in Class 7 to 12. In this contest, a student needs to develop space settlement designs and related materials. Individuals and teams can participate. The last date to submit is February 15. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2ntbuh8.

National IT exam

Pratibha Education Society invites applications for National Information Technology Exam 2018 from students studying in Class 5 and higher. The last date to submit is February 15. For more details, visit www.niceedu.org/nite.

PG scholarship

The J N Tata Endowment for Higher Education of Indians invites applications for J N Tata Endowment Loan Scholarships 2018-2019 from students who want to pursue full-time postgraduate studies abroad. The last date to submit is March 12. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2ErMpO6.

Scholarship test

Brainztorm Technical Excellence introduces the All India Pre-medical Scholarship Test (Secondary) 2018 for medical aspirants. The objective is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students of weak economic backgrounds to study in top medical colleges in India. The last date to apply is February 28. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2Bc0Iod.

Scholarships

The University of Sheffield, UK is offering competitive scholarships to students from India. The last date to apply is June 15, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2w6MbrR.

HR internship

PUMA Sports India is hiring interns for the HR profile in Bengaluru. Students can apply by February 12. The
stipend is Rs 5,000 per month. To apply, visit
www.bit.ly/DH-207.

Indo-US fellowship

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and Indo-US Science & Technology Forum (IUSSTF) together invite applications for Indo-US Fellowship for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) 2018 from female applicants studying or has a PhD degree in STEMM. The last date to apply is February 28. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2E9l1RE.

Radboud Scholarship

Radboud University, the Netherlands has announced the Radboud Scholarship Programme 2018 for non-EEA students to pursue an English-taught Masters degree programme at the university. The last date to apply is March 1. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2liM6IF.

Business scholarship

Imperial College Londons Business school has announced the Entrepreneurship Scholarship for full-time MBA candidates having a solid track record of entrepreneurship. The last date to apply is March 16. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2DgAxLZ.

LAMP Fellowship

Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament (LAMP) invites applications for LAMP Fellowship 2018 from students having at least bachelors degree and is not more than 25 years of age. The last date to apply is February 18. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/1DTmoNR.

Engineering scholarship

Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia invites applications for ECU Petroleum Engineering First Cohort Scholarship 2018 for BE in Petroleum Engineering (Honours) degree programme. The last date to apply is February 26. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2xTwyVp.

IASA scholarship

Insurance Accounting and Systems Association (IASA) invites applications for the IASA Scholarship 2018 from applicants pursuing bachelors degree and preparing for a career in the insurance industry. The last date to apply is February 28. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2GUOSiv.

CSIR Innovation Award

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India invites applications for CSIR Innovation Award for School Children 2018 from students below 18 years of age. The last date to apply is February 28. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2FSS9xt or email ciasc.ipu@niscair.res.in.

Distance education

The Directorate of Distance Education at Bangalore University invites applications for various UG and PG courses. The last date to apply is March 10. For more details, call 080-22961261.

Since my childhood, I have seen people dear to me losing their loved ones to cancer. Hence, I wanted to make an impact on people who are battling cancer every day. When I moved to Purdue University, USA for my undergraduate degree in Biological engineering and Biotechnology, I was a step closer to achieving this dream.

Here, I joined as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr David Thompsons lab since my first semester and worked on two different research projects. My research areas are focused on cancer research and biochemistry. I am currently working on developing a biomolecular nanoparticle that can deliver nucleic acid anti-cancer agents. I specifically work on designing, synthesising and assembling the nanoparticle.

Fulfilling an inner urge

However, before I started working as a researcher, I wasnt even sure how I would be able to make a mark in the field of cancer research. But after working in the lab and getting experience through different research internships, I discovered my passion and became even more determined
to pursue my career in this field.

I come from a business family. Prior to me, no one in my family had ever thought of entering research field. Therefore, when I informed my parents that I have got a position as an undergraduate researcher, they werent very sure of what I would do in future. I am sure that at the time they might have thought that it was not something I was serious about and it is just a momentary decision. Although my mother was very supportive from the very first day, it was when I got my research paper published and obtained scholarships that my family gladly accepted the researcher in me.

Apart from my time in the lab, my engineering professors have helped me realise my strengths and supported my career switch from engineering to pure science for my postgraduate degree. Through programmes like the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and Discovery Park Research Internships (DURI) run by Purdue, I was able to get a glimpse of a PhD students life as a full-time researcher. I also obtained scholarships for research. The supervisors in the lab have
become my mentors and helped me know in depth about the PhD programme and the ways how I can achieve my goals.

Service learning

Reflecting on my journey so far, I have gained much more than mere experiences in the lab and grades on my exams. I have been able to grow into a person who is culturally sound with good leadership and organisational skills.

I developed many of these skills by participating in extracurricular activities and by being a part of learning communities like Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) and Women in Engineering Programme (WIEP). For instance, through EPICS I was able to put these skills to use by partnering with international teams. In my third year, I was appointed as Boiler Gold Rush international (BGRi) team leader to mentor and assist incoming students for the orientation week.

Such experiences acted as a catalyst for me to apply for the International Student Peer Coach (ISPC) position in the College of Engineering. Through this position, I was able to mentor both international and domestic students while fortifying my professional skills and underwent Cross-Cultural Leadership Programme which certified me as an intracultural communication leader. It was a life-changing experience as I learned to respect diversity yet embracing my own cultural roots. As I am also passionate about dance, I have been a part of Purdue Bollywood dancing team, Purdue Junoon.

All the opportunities I have gained here at Purdue, through my classes and work, have helped me develop both personally and professionally.

(The author is an undergraduate research assistant, Purdue University, USA)

Dear Sir,

I am a Class 9 student. I want to become a navy officer. Could you please guide me as to what I should study to take up this career.

Sanjana

Dear Sanjana,

Girls can join the Indian Navy after their graduation, but only for Short Service Commission (CCS), which is renewable from 5 to 14 years. Engineers, pilots, logistics and education officers are recruited every year through the UPSC exams (see www.nausena-bharti.nic.in).

Since selection is highly competitive, start building up your general knowledge, physical fitness and communication skills.

Dear Sir,

I am a second year BA student. Please tell me the procedure for studying law in Delhi University and where I can get previous year entrance exam question papers.

Akash

Dear Akash,

As a graduate you are eligible to join the three year LLB degree in Delhi or any other university. Selection is through individual tests by various colleges, and it is always better to get the latest rules and dates directly from them. For Delhi University, you can log on to their official website www.du.ac.in.

Dear Sir,

I am a Class 12 student (PCMB). I am very keen on Biology-related fields. After my PUC, I would like to take up Nutrition sciences for my degree. However, I am quite concerned that there seems to be not much scope for it. Is there any other professional course that could land me in the same field? My parents are advising me to take up Microbiology or Biotechnology considering the huge scope these two fields offer. Could you please let me know about any such related courses? I am very confused right now. Please guide.

Gowri

Dear Gowri,

Please do not go by the scope factor, as it keeps changing from time to time, and you will have a working span of at least 50 years after you qualify in any field. You should select your career based on your interest and aptitude. Nutrition is steadily growing as a career, with employment opportunities in hospitals, schools, old age homes, food industry, sports, etc. There are many good colleges offering nutrition courses, and the prime institution for postgraduate studies is the National Institute of Nutrition (see www.ninindia.org/training.htm). You can also explore careers in agricultural sciences, paramedical fields, wildlife etc.

Dear Sir,

I am a PUC II student (PCMB). I aspire to join Indian Air Force (technical field). I need to do Aeronautical engineering. But Im a little weak in Maths and so, my parents are suggesting not to study the subject. Is aeronautical engineering tough? I want to be in the defence sector. So, please guide me.

Shirisha

Dear Shirisha,

Aeronautical engineering, like most branches of engineering, obviously involves quite a bit of Maths. And entry into Indian Air Force (IAF) is highly competitive, requiring extensive preparation. Whether you can improve on your Maths depends on what is holding you back, that is, are you poor in the concepts, do you make silly mistakes, is your motivation level low, etc. You can take the help of a good teacher to evaluate and tell you. If you feel you cannot improve your Math, then it may be better to take up graduation in any other field, and you can still join the Indian Air Force in non-technical and non-flying branches.

Dear Sir,

I am a PUC II student. I have taken Physics, Chemistry, Maths (PCM) and Electronics as my electives. Im not interested in Mathematics. Im totally confused about what to do next. Im people-oriented and have good managing skills. Also, I wish to work independently. Is engineering the only option after opting for PCM? And please let me know about the entrance exams I must take.

A Student

Dear Student,

If you are a people and management oriented person and not very happy with Mathematics, you may explore courses other then engineering.

You can consider making a career in fields such as mass communication, psychology, event management, travel and tourism, and HR management. Most of these courses are available in many reputed colleges who conduct their own entrance tests. Your study of PCM will not go waste as it has given you a stronger foundation in science and can be used anywhere.

Dear Sir,

My son is studying in PUC I, with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Computer Science as his electives. He likes Physics more than any other subject. But he is not able to do well in Maths. Can you suggest some courses based on Physics that he can do after PUC II? Is there any scope for those courses?

A Parent

Dear Parent,

Do check with him if he is interested in going into pure Physics as a full-time career. If so, he can take up a BSc degree, an integrated MS degree or even a four-year BS in Physics from any reputed institution. But keep in mind that you should also evaluate his other traits to know whether after his studies, he would like to be in research, teaching, product development, quality control, etc. The courses he takes up should be based on his long-term goals. If he is genuinely committed and talented, he can have a good future.

Dear Sir,

I am a Class 12 student. I had to attempt Class 11 twice due to carelessness. Currently, I am preparing for National Eligibility Entrance Exam (NEET). But I am not sure about it and am quite scared. Even if I do not get a seat in MBBS I still want to enter the field of biology by studying Biotechnology. Does it have a good scope in India? Also, which degree should I pursue? Please guide.

A Student

Dear Student,

Firstly, it would be good if you can introspect and evaluate why you had to repeat Class 11, and which subjects you are poor in. This will help you to select fields where those subjects are not required. NEET is a highly competitive all-India exam and you should be prepared for extensive preparation if you wish to qualify.

You can also consider paramedical fields such as radiology, optometry, speech pathology and dialysis technology, which are offered as professional courses and are three to four years in duration. Biotechnology is a very wide field encompassing microbiology, biochemistry, genetics etc. Find out whether you would like to be working in health, agriculture, animal or wildlife, forestry or research sectors. Accordingly, you can select the degree course most suited to your goals.

We decided to have a Sunday brunch at Kamath Lokaruchi, a vegetarian restaurant which is located on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. This is my favourite eat-out as I am a fan of their Jolada rotti and Yennegai.

It was a pleasant long drive on a hot sunny day, although a stretch of the highway is congested due to flyover work. We reached there at about 2 pm and enjoyed an authentic North Karnataka banana leaf meal. While having a Sunday lunch at Kamat Lokaruchi, we heard pleasant folk songs from the adjacent Janapada Loka. My parents told me that I had once visited Janapada Loka with them when I was a tiny tot. Upon my mothers suggestion, we decided to pay a visit to this place.

The entry ticket cost ₹10 per head. My brother was excited because it was his first visit and for me too it felt like the first visit as I didnt remember anything from my first trip.
As we took a stroll in the cool, shady green park, my parents recollected how playful I was back then. When we walked past some tall plants, my dad pointed out details like how a tiny sapling had now grown into a tall shrub. My parents were astonished on seeing the total makeover of the place from their last visit.

On the trail, we came across many Kannada riddles. It was joyous to solve them as we walked along. We then came across a stone clock, one of the attractions which my parents remembered from their last visit.

On the right, there were models of village huts with some figurines of villagers working and domestic animals. This a good place for posing and clicking pictures and selfies. One of the two houses had a porous bamboo wall which separated the kitchen from the rest of the hut, while the other one was just a small room. The restroom was outside the hut. I often wondered how calm and peaceful a village life could be amidst the green. After seeing the hut with primitive utilities, no flooring, no electricity, wooden walls and a wooden stove, I began to appreciate a luxurious and comfortable urban life. In fact, the restroom had no place to bathe.

Later, we visited a row of museums. In the first one, we saw pictures of different tribes in Karnataka and some of their practices like harvesting festivals, Sati and their different folk dances. In the second one, we came across a collection of primitive village utensils, measuring units, household items and tools for fishing and farming.

In the third one, we looked at the different costumes, masks, puppets and props used by the folk dancers. We also saw coins from the pre-British, British and independent Indian era. There were some Dasara dolls, village jewels and items of worship. My mother recollected seeing some of these items in her grandmothers house. She also told us about the many old coins that she has in her coin collection.
Another attraction here is a pond, which has now dried up. There were some statues of how oxen are used to draw water from ponds and lakes in villages and how earth is tilled for farming in villages, near the dried up pond.

We took a peep into the Doddamane which depicted an old typical Indian villa. There was a huge kitchen, many rooms and an open portico in the middle. Some of the other attractions that we came across were statues of paddy winnowing, black smith, oil milling (using oxen), pottery, earth tilling (using oxen)and water drawing (using oxen). We also enjoyed a live pottery session.
When we came across figurines of village women using stone grinder and mixer, my mother described that as an age old Indian gym for women. There were more tools used for fishing and farming near the pottery barn. Under a tree, a model of a typical village panchayat meeting is a unique attraction here. At the exit, we visited a farm fresh millets store. It had a variety of millets that Ive never heard of before. There was a gift shop and a Channapatna toy store. We spent about three hours here. It was a pleasant and refreshing place on a hot sunny day amidst the green. It is a good place for a picnic with family or friends.

Bollywood actor Pooja Chopra made her debut in the Tamil film industry with Ponnar Shankar. Pooja then did small roles in Madhur Bhandarkars Fashion and Heroine. She gave impressive performances in Commando,
Yea Toh Two Much Ho Gayaa and Ouch.
She will soon be seen playing the character of Captain Maya Semwalin in Aiyaary which is scheduled to release in the third week of February.

Musician
Arijit Singh
"I have lost count of the number of songs of Arijit Singh that I have on my playlist. I can listen to him anytime and anywhere. Singer Shaan is also another favourite. I know almost all the songs that they have sung by heart. I use
music as a tool to uplift my mood and there are a few songs that leave a positive impact on me. I listen to music whenever I am working out or travelling."

Cinema
Shah Rukh Khan
"I have immense respect and regard for Shah Rukh Khan. He has, through his roles, set the perfect picture of a lover, husband and a romantic. And he has set the bar really high, because I know of a lot of women who wish to have a husband or a boyfriend like him. He started with nothing and he has through sheer hard work built an empire for himself. He has set an example of sorts through his contributions to Bollywood."

Travel
Bruges
"There is something magical and mystical about Bruges. Its a small town in Belgium. The canals, parks, market places and landscape have a fairytale finish to them. I had visited Bruges during Christmas time and it was snowing. This added to the charm of the place. I also like the energy and vibe of Sydney. I hope to visit Leh Ladakh soon."

Author
Rhonda Byrne
"I am not a voracious reader but there are a few books that I enjoy reading and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne tops the list. I began reading this book when I was working towards the Miss India pageant a few years ago. It helped me believe that dreams can come true and it did well to boost my confidence."

Inspiration
Neera Chopra
"It may sound a little cliched but my mother Neera Chopra is a huge inspiration. My energy and confidence comes from her. Even at 65, she juggles between two jobs and is always on her toes. Theres never a dull moment when she is around."

Food
Rajma chawal
"Nothing can beat homemade Rajma chawal. I dont like eating out too much. Even during shoots, I always prefer to carry food from home. I am a salad person and I like making my own salad. There are a few dishes down South that I particularly like and that includes Bisi Bele Bath, Pongal and Butter Idli. I can also have coffee and green tea at anytime of the day."

Comedy-crime film Samhaara is releasing on February 9. Its trailer has already won praise. It shows Chiranjeevi Sarja first as a visually impaired chef chopping vegetables and later featuring in a thrilling action sequence.

Kavya Shetty and Hariprriya play the female leads. Chikkanna, playing a cop, weaves comedy into a serious investigation.

Director and writer Guru Deshpande says he set out to make a film that would not only entertain people but also offer food for thought. Deshpande has earlier directed Yash in Raja Huli (2013) and Yogesh in John Jani Janardhan (2016). "Four characters throw light on socially relevant issues in the course of a revenge drama. Every character undergoes a transformation," he explains.

The director hopes the blend of action, comedy and romance will make Samhaara an interesting watch.

Chiranjeevi Sarja
says, "In the first half, I portray a visually impaired chef. He undergoes a transformation in the second half after his vision is restored. I enjoyed
playing a chef because I love cooking in real life. So cutting, slicing and cooking came naturally to me. The challenging part was dealing with the fight
sequences as a visually impaired person. I had to tweak my expression and body language."

Kavya Shetty
says, "I play a journalist. I come across as an extremely playful, happy-go lucky girl. I didnt have to take any extra effort to play my part. Theres
comedy, romance and a suspense element smuggled into the film. Its a
gripping story."

Hariprriya says, "I am the heroine and the villain. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the bad girl. My transformation from an innocent-looking girl to someone
with an agenda wasnt easy. I had to work on my expressions. I felt one with my character only after I got a hang of how to go about it."

Nina C George

Rebound relationships---relationships that people rush into in the wake of break-ups---have become a big cause of concern in the era of dating apps.

Kala Balasubramanian, counselling psychologist and psychotherapist at Inner Dawn Counselling and Training Services, says dating apps provide instant gratification and bring with them a set of new problems.

"At a young age, people want to experiment. These apps provide a platform for no strings attached relationships," she says.

Easy hook-ups also mean easy exits, and
new relationships are developed without much thought.
"Rebound relationships seem to provide support during a period of loss and grief," she says.

Ghosting refers to ending a relationship by withdrawing from all communication.

It is a common practice, says Kala. "It lowers the deserted persons self-esteem and can also aggravate chances of depression," she explains.

In a month, she sees three or four young people with problems directly associated with dating apps.

Is that really you?

Some come with dashed hopes after they meet people whose pictures they have seen online.

"Photo editing software on apps helps people project a better image of themselves," she says.

But it is not just looks that cause problems. It could even be differences in what individuals are looking for.

Basanth Ramamoorthy, a musician, talks about a friend who started dating a girl he met on Tinder. "Within a few months, she had his Netflix password and bank account details," he says.

The boy was devastated when he came to know she saw it just as a casual relationship. "He took his life," says Basanth.

Palak (name changed) uses dating apps, but is careful when it comes to choosing whom to meet. "There is usually a lot of filtering before and after I speak to someone," she says.

She met a boy and dated him for a month, but called it off when she realised their attitudes dont match.

"Dating apps dont help you gauge a persons background," she says.

Girls seek self-validation with online likes

Shashikiran Kalyanpur, relationship expert, has two or three coming to him for
help every day. They are all between 16 and 18.
And 90 per cent of them are girls. Especially now, as the exam season has
begun, they come saying they cant focus on studies."

Girls seek self-validation on dating apps, and measure their popularity by the number of likes they get.

In case of rejection, they believe it is perhaps because of their looks. This
is extremely harmful and can lead to depression in the long run.
He finds many of those consulting him addicted to dating apps.

On the positive side, the apps help the more introverted types.

Approaching someone face-to-face is more difficult than approaching someone
online." Many young people are awkward and dont know how to conduct themselves in public, he observes.

Avoid bad experiences on dating apps

*Be clear about what you are looking for â€" marriage, casual relationship or committed relationship.

*Be sure your potential date has similar expectations from the relationship.

*You can be abandoned without notice -- or ghosted. Be prepared for it.

*No matter what the profile says, talk and spend time before emotionally investing in a relationship.

With three consecutive hits with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, actor Ranveer Singh says he wants to create a "vast legacy of memorable films" with the director.

After working with him in "Ram Leela" and "Bajirao Mastani", Ranveers latest collaboration with Bhansali, "Padmaavat" has given the actor his biggest hit and one of his most critically-acclaimed performances.

Speaking at an event here last night, Ranveer told reporters, "I am ready to do anything for Mr Bhansali! I understand too well that our collaboration is very special, and a lot of people recognise that, I recognise it too. I hope to do more films with him, and I hope that I am able to create a vast legacy of memorable films with such a special filmmaker."

As Alauddin Khilji, Ranveer garnered lots of praise for his performance in the recently-released "Padmaavat". The film, which already crossed Rs 200 crore at the box office, has overwhelmed the actor.

"I dont get too carried away with success, neither do I get too bogged down by failure. Whats most important for me is that you deliver on your promise to the audience. I have pledged to try and be the best entertainer that I can possibly be, and to see the kind of response, love and praise that people are showering on our performance is extremely heartening for me.

"It fills me with more motivation to go out and work even harder and keep doing good work. Of course, "Padmaavat" will be a gem in my filmography. It is one of those rare successes that get the kind of critical acclaim that it has, as well as the commercial success. Its been an avalanche of love coming from everywhere and it is quite overwhelming," he added.

The actor is currently in the midst of shooting his next with Zoya Akhtars "Gully Boy", in which he plays a street rapper.

"I havent really had the time to celebrate, I have been shooting "Gully Boy" every day and it is going extremely well. Things are just flowing along sparklingly, delightfully with Zoya (Akhtar) and Alia (Bhatt). I am really enjoying the shooting process.

"Honestly, what more can I ask for, it is my greatest gift that I can go to a film set every day and do what I love doing," he said.