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A man named Pingali Venkayya was born on 2nd of August 1876 in Bhatlapenumuru near Machilipatnam of Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh. After High school he went to Colombo in Ceylon to study at Senior Cambridge. He found work as a railway guard, clerk at a Government office in Bellary but decided to further his education as he didn\u2019t find any happiness in them. He joined Anglo-Vedic College in Lahore and learnt Urdu and Japanese, after that he got himself a double PhD. He had an immense knowledge in geology. One of his Ph.Ds was in geology too. His expertise in Agriculture impressed the British overlords as well. So much so he was bestowed honorary membership of Royal Agriculture Society of Britain.<\/p>
He served in the British Army during Anglo- Boer wars in South Africa, a period during which he met a young man named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Ring any bells?<\/p>
Well he was the one who came up with the idea of India having its own flag. During the meeting of National conference of Indian National Congress held at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on 31st March 1921 and 1st April 1921 Venkayya suggested the idea. His friend who he met in South Africa, Mohandas (now Mahatma) Gandhi was very much impressed with his suggestion. Mahatma asked Pingali Venkayya to come up with the design of National Flag.<\/p>
<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1499161885221","data":"595b65d700d5f"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1499161889141","data":"
Support wasn\u2019t unanimous however; the National Congress didn\u2019t officially accept the tri-colour. Pingali Venkayya first designed the flag in two colours of saffron and green representing the two major religions in India, Hinduism & Islam. Gandhiji liked it and insisted on adding a white strip to the flag representing the other minorities. <\/p>
During the National Congress conference in Karachi in 1931 Venkayya came up with a modified flag putting a Dharma Chakra (the emblem of Emperor Ashoka) in place of the Charkha at the centre of the flag. Saffron representing courage, white representing truth and peace and green representing faith and prosperity. The flag was finally accepted as National Flag after passing a resolution. <\/p>
This local freedom fighter popularly known as \u2018Diamond Venkayya\u2019 passed away on the 4th of July, 1963 in poverty, forgotten by the society and the Congress party he helped establish. His family didn\u2019t see the light of pension for years after his passing nor was a memorial built in his home town. A forgotten warrior is an understatement. In the year 2009, a postage stamp was issued to commemorate him but too little too late in my opinion. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1499162038800","data":"595b6610c9fb1"}]
Moving countries is no easy task. Uprooting your contacts, infrastructure and growth and transferring them into an alien land is an uphill battle. Unmistakably, one of the biggest hurdles in that battle is the finance part of it all. Converting your funds from one currency to another will almost always burn a hole in your pocket. Consider this, as a student going from India to America, we have to convert our Indian rupee into the American dollar for immediate disposal in the country. Or in the setting where tuition fee has to be paid by our guardian or donor to the university, the tentative cost of education keeps changing because of the constant change in the relation between the rupee and dollar. <\/p>
Purchasing power parity is a theory in economics which explains the worth of the money that you\u2019ve accumulated not by the face value or the number of commas it has but by the purchasing power or purchasing capability of the money you possess. This theory is in turn based on the \u201claw of one price\u201d. For example, if your Rs. 120 are good for purchasing a basket of goods or services in India, and you get the same services for $2 in USA, with the market conversion of dollar to rupee is 1 dollar = 60 rupees, then the system is in parity. That is, the cost of a basic commodity equated in India costs the same in another country, in this case, America. <\/p>
Lets assume that the cost of doing the task or buying the commodity in ameirca is more than $2, let\u2019s assume its $4 for something that costs $2 in India, but the conversion rate remains the same ($1=Rs. 60) which means that the cost of the commodity is twice in America as compared to India. This would trigger more and more businesses and individuals to purchase said commodity in india as compared to America. This would create more demand for the Indian currency, increasing the currency\u2019s standing and stability in the global market. By the improvement in economic importance of the Indian currency, exchange rates with the American dollar would plunge. I am no economics expert so I can\u2019t speculate to what extent these exchange rates would drop. But this is in an ideal system, where the market responds very rapidly to changing purchase methods, where business entities pursue the cheapest option no matter what. This is not sustainable or realistic though, in the real world market place, currencies are undervalued or overvalued based on the difference between the exchange rates and purchasing power of the money. <\/p>
Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and a few other organizations tabulate charts specifying the comparison between the two variables. However, they should not be taken as \"definitive\". Different methods of calculation will arrive at different PPP rates.<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1499105918684","data":"595a8be49f525"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1499105925194","data":"
One of the biggest and arguably the most popular index for PPP was the Big Mac index popularized by The Economist in 1986. the notion that in the long run exchange rates should move towards the rate that would equalize the prices of an identical basket of goods and services, in this theory the Big Mac by McDonald\u2019s, in any two countries. Burgernomics was never intended as a precise gauge of currency misalignment, merely a tool to make exchange-rate theory more digestible. Yet the Big Mac index has become a global standard, included in several economic textbooks and the subject of at least 20 academic studies. <\/p>
India ranks in the top 15 most undervalued economies in the world, sitting in a state slightly better than Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. Egypt is the most undervalued economy on basis of this Big Mac theory, while Switzerland is the most overvalued market. <\/p>
So, when you step into the United States of America it is important to understand that your money\u2019s worth. Don\u2019t go buying stuff because it costs lesser number of notes as they do in India\u2026and converting the cost of everything you see in the market place with a price tag in dollars, into rupees isn\u2019t exactly healthy either. <\/p>"}]
It is usually said that pain is inevitable, sometimes even necessary. Whether it be falling down a flight of stairs as a child or getting your heart broken as an adult, we have all been scarred by the act of living at one point in our lives. And while pain is looked through a negative perspective by a majority it is, rather, essential in order for us to better ourselves. Ultimately, pain is the road to transformation. <\/p>
You see the thing about pain is that it demands to be felt. It tests your strength to overcome it, it challenges your ability to fight it, and most importantly it has a tendency to make you question the source that initially brought you to experience it. Some of our biggest life lessons are learnt through experiencing pain or in some cases, the fear of experiencing pain. For instance, it takes a death of a loved one to understand the value of life. While it is unfortunate, the pain produced from the situation may very well impact your next life decision through opening a bigger-eye. In one way or another, pain can be considered as a gift of enlightenment for at the end we emerge as a stronger person ready to make wiser choices.<\/p>
In his book, Twilight of the Idols<\/i>, Friedrich Nietzsche mentions \u201cThat which does not kill us, makes us stronger.\u201d It turns out he was, in fact, right. As infants learning how to walk for the first time, we typically fall down one or more times in the process. At the same time, however, we come to a mental understanding with ourselves that we do not want to experience the falling yet again so we learn to grab onto to nearby objects to gain a sturdier base. Our experiences of such pain as children help us grow in adults who walk on our own two feet. Bottom line is that pain is an universal element of human experience. We learn and grow from it.<\/p>"}]
Our college has been given the name 'Adi Shankara' on behalf of the great Indian sage that existed centuries ago. A college which is situated in the heart of Cochin known as 'Kalady'. A small town with great principles and sacred place that unleashes the divine globetrotter within you.<\/p>
A place which is entirely secluded that makes one want to give up on the the technological world and be more into the scenic beauty. As one arrives into the college they're greeted with huge Banyan, Teak, Eucalyptus trees which surrounds the entire college campus like a sheet and gives one shade from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun and also depicting the environmental face of the college. This is a perfect place for environmentalists as they can sit underneath the tree and think. The international airport is just five kilometers from the college so we can see the air crafts arriving and departing and showing us the vast runway. And if we are lucky we can see supersonic planes such as MIG-21, Sukhoi etc from the Air force and the Navy. For foodies, there are a lot of cafes and canteens in every nook and cranny of the college where it cleanses your palette with a list of delicacies that you sit there actually craving for more and then finally relax for sometime and then go for your classes.And if you climb your way to the terrace of the college you can see the 'Periyar' river flowing meticulously with the great footsteps of the sacred sage and finally making its way to the Arabian Sea. A trip to our college is one of a kind that you can actually enjoy being there. For birdwatchers one can witness rare species of birds from time to time jumping from one branch to another branch. A fifty acre campus which has a lot of beneficial items in our respective lives and which has amazing people with a good mentality.<\/p>
The trip to our college is something amazing and on the way to it you can see passing cattle , ducks, hens etc, which is truly beautiful. It is something worth experiencing in life.<\/p>"}]
Mannheim, Germany. A city in the southwest part of the automotive powerhouse country. Home to almost 300,000 people, home to some major corporations like John Deere, Caterpillar, IBM, Roche, Unilever, Siemens and many others, was ranked in the top 15 most inventive cities in the world by Forbes magazine is a city which holds an understated importance to the automobile industry. It was in this little place that Karl Benz, regarded by many as the father of the automobile drove out the first rendition of an automobile. On July 3rd, 1886, Mr. Benz drove out his 3-wheeled, 4-stroke, 0.75 HP, one cylinder engine automobile as a refined form of the four stroke gasoline engine envisioned by fellow German Nikolaus Otto (known for his Otto cycle in thermodynamics). This horseless carriage was a water-cooled internal combustible engine with tubular framework, tiller steering and buggy-like seats. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1499000125282","data":"5958ef8c88c0e"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1499000171111","data":"
This primitive work of art laid the foundation for centuries to come in development of the automobile into the mechanical beats as we know them today. The electrical ignition, differential, mechanical valves, carburetor, oil and grease cups for lubrication and the braking system all stemmed from this first model. <\/p>
In the years that followed, the improvements in safety and engineering went through the charts. Evolving every nut and screw in the process. <\/p>
In 1900, the steering tiller Benz used in his first automobile was re-imagined into the steering wheel. <\/p>
The first electric headlamps were introduced in 1898 on the Columbia Electric Car from the Electric Vehicle Company of Hartford, Connecticut, and were optional. <\/p>
In the year 1911, hand cranks in almost all vehicles got phased out for electric self starters. First seen by the Cadillac Motor Company. <\/p>
Year 1913 saw the invention of the moving assembly line, throttling the Model T\u2019s production from 7.5 cars an hour to 146. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1499000240420","data":"5958efc31ad06"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1499000244232","data":"
Dodge Brothers Company in the US conducted what is now considered the beginning of the crash-test for cars. Their version involved driving one into a brick wall at 20 mph. <\/p>
Almost 25 years later, automatic transmission and air conditioning were incorporated into the vehicles. <\/p>
The increase in emissions saw countries and states take up emissions laws. <\/p>
In 1974, Air bags were introduced to improve passenger and driver safety. At the same catalytic converters become common place standard feature in cars to reduce emissions. <\/p>
In the 1980s, On board diagnostic systems would illuminate a malfunction indicator light if a problem was detected but would give no insight into the nature of the problem. However with the introduction of OBD II, in 1996, the technicians and home mechanics could find out exactly where the problem was, reducing the hassle in troubleshooting. <\/p>
Also in 1996, Mitsubishi, a Japanese car manufacturer born from the crumbles of the Second World War, proved to the entire world that a differential system could be electrically controlled. The Active Yaw control as it was called was available on the high performance Evolution model made by the company. This active yaw control helped the vehicle\u2019s torque to wheel in any amount at any moment. Improving handling and drivability. <\/p>
The 1990s saw the introduction of Anti-lock Braking and Global Positioning Systems which made driving a more comfortable experience. <\/p>
In the early 21st century, Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) offered the benefits of a traditional automatic transmission with none of the draw backs. DCTs were used even in the 1980s. Volkswagen was the first company to popularize this system and use them in pedestrian cars. It was launched with VW\u2019s 2003 GTI. <\/p>
Advanced Turbocharging, one could say were the final evolution of the turbos used on production cars in the 60s. Compressors, running on the vehicle\u2019s exhaust output, force more air into the working cylinders, combining more fuel with air, inturn producing more power. In the year 2008, Ford introduced small turbocharged engines with better and lighter parts which were way more responsive than the turbos of the old. <\/p>
Rear view Backup cameras, better and integrated connectivity to mobile devices, cruise controls and cabin electronics all made quick and incisive additions to our current understanding of a car. But all this is till now, what about the future?<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1499000511779","data":"5958f003bb198"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1499000515590","data":"
Toyota, in 1998, came forward with the Prius, a hybrid-electric automobile which has transformed the nature of the car industry. When it first came into the market with a 1.5 liter engine combined with an electric nickel hydride battery, it didn\u2019t truly break the market. But the ideas that went into its creation have truly changed the game. The future is truly one with hybrid power-trains. Innovations such as Regenerative braking , \u201cHybrid Air\u201d engines and automatic start\/shutoff are helping the field of hybrid cars improve in terms of performance and efficiency. With more and more major car companies adopting the technology in their consumer as well as flagships, it doesn\u2019t seem as though development will stagnate anytime soon. Companies like Telsa and Faraday have proven that electric cars can reach performance numbers only dreamt of in conventional petrol engines. <\/p>"}]
When you show up at college for the first time you are forced to believe that there won't be anyone matching your same wavelength and vibes. But, thankfully there are some people exactly sharing the same genes as you.<\/p>
There are several groups in our college, but the popular ones are given more interest so, that we can learn their motive and be humorous and chill just like them. First ones are the jocks, who are so keenly interested in maintaining their body features by hitting the fitness centres and who play great football and constitute the football team as well. It is mainly a group of fit and strong final year boys who will gouge our eyes out if we have to impersonate them. Secondly, there are the geek nerds who love to game and solve the conceptual problems of engineering. The ones which are loved by the teachers because of their technical skills and their highly advanced intelligence which leads the normal and as well as average students to be more like them. They have no problem if we try to replicate them because they happen to know that no one can beat them in solving all these complex problems and they are the best. Thirdly, we have the fashionistas who focuses on the recent trends in the fashion industry and becomes the official trendsetters of our college by posting their new try-outs and opinions about the new releases on social media and on seeing this, a normal person go to their nearby shops and buy the item so that they won't be left out.A group led by the final year fashionistas and if you are trendy enough you get to join no matter which year you are. No age barriers. Fourthly, there are the art nerds who believe that the rhythm of art can heal the soul and that makes you actually crave for more which is pretty great because we have a fully functional art room which has the different pitched out ideas and a list of items which one can join for. The group is led by the art Secretary followed by the respective years of students. Last and not the least we have the pet lovers association who have set up a mini room so that they can preserve the beauty of the God's creation and they're obviously animals. A small room is set up for them so that they can bring their pets and show them to the other students and provoke them to follow their path. Something so beautifully was done that, there is a small glass pitched room, where these pets are kept such as birds, hamsters, bunnies and aquarium which are keenly under the supervision of college and from time to time students, can feed them and pet them during their breaks.<\/p>
College life is strictly the best life you can ever have because you'll never get anything like them. The part of it will be missed especially how the students classify oneself into several groups and proclaim to be trend setters which is fun. So, having a group is fun it is more like how Harry Potter gets into Gryffindor and the rest all depends on the hat! Sometimes a hat can decide your life, so choose wisely before the hat decides for you. Maybe some can be Slytherin as well.<\/p>"}]
Indians travelling to the US are soon going to receive a bit of breathing space in terms of immigration checks after landing in the country. As an outcome of the recent meeting between the two heads of state, President of the United States welcomed India\u2019s entry into the International Expedited Traveler Initiative (Global Entry Program) citing closer business and educational growth between citizens of both countries. The statement released by both nations released after the talks mentioned and applauded the innovation of Indians and Indian-Americans that helped both communities. Now what is the Global Entry Program you ask? It is a US Customs and Border Protection program that allows speedy clearance for low-risk passengers on their arrival in the US. The low-risk factor of the applicants is determined after a rigorous background check and an in person interview before the travel. Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry programme. <\/p>
<\/p>
This GEP is applicable to certain international airports most of which are major hotspots or favorites for Indians to arrive at. They include New York, Newark, Washington, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Las Vegas, Miami and Seattle. This GEP isn\u2019t exclusive to Indians alone; Colombia, United Kingdom, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea and even Mexico are countries that are included in the programme. On reaching the shores of the US at either of these major airports, the travelers can proceed to a Global Entry Kiosk present their machine-readable passport or US permanent resident card, get their fingerprints verified and complete a customs declaration. After which, you can collect a receipt issued by the kiosk, collect your luggage and proceed to exit. <\/p>
<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1498802371487","data":"5955ea5dee18b"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1498802375524","data":"
Risk Based Security system has shown realistic and commendable numbers in helping passengers receive expedited screenings. The TSA has stated the 9\/11 report\u2019s notes on how risk-based priorities would protect transportation assets, and implement the most practical and cost-effective programs to protect them. By applying RBS, TSA has increased the percent of passengers receiving some form of expedited screening from around 10% in 2013 to 50% by 2014.<\/p>
However it is important to note that an application or individual can be denied membership in case the Border Protection or US Customs finds any false information. A previous criminal record or any connection to a money laundering case would also make your application for the programme invalid. Any individual who has violated customs, immigration or agriculture regulations is also barred from taking advantage of these new freedoms. <\/p>"}]
Medicine has come far. From the 70 odd medical works from ancient Greece associated with Hippocrates and his disciples to the ultra-advanced developments of the bionic eye, precision guided cancer treatment and seizure stopping NeuroPace. And yet. Doctors in this country do not get the respect or the credibility they deserve. No matter how many degrees or specializations they work on, there will always be a faction of the crowd to disregard their opinion for an ill-advised sadhu or priest. Here\u2019s my bone to pick, centuries of proven scientific evidence and theory fuelled by research should always be preferred to unproven unscientific palm leaf fiction rooted solutions to health problems. Not the other way around. <\/p>
Doctors are and should be the gleaming lights of science\u2019s progress. To not admire the profession or the person because they disproved your false pretense is laughable. I grew up in an environment where in the summers, my lunch would be set with a backdrop of a surgery playing on television from a CD (Yeah when they were relevant). Not for a moment was I grossed out nor angry, but was in awe. In awe of precision and responsibility in the surgeons hands. In awe of the unforgiving and unrelenting work ethic. In awe of the selfless and challenging aid to society. Yet they are still mistreated, targeted and ridiculed for the job that they do. <\/p>
Not all doctors are deserving of the praise however, if doctors they can be called. False certificates, tainted medicines and greedy professionals have plagued the reputation of the job. Mistreating patients, playing god and prolonging agony are crimes few commit, but implicate many. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1498882946608","data":"5957242c9adb7"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1498882949832","data":"
Image from the many protests Doctors went on to voice their concerns<\/p>
Even after all these accusations, it doesn\u2019t justify our society\u2019s lynching and violence against resident doctors and nurses. They did not embark on the journey to pursue classical medicine to put up with blind believers in herbal pastes and \u201cmedicinal\u201d crystals. But yet they do. They do not banish believers of \u201cfish medicine\u201d or \u201cblack and red potions\u201d to the mercy of nature. Their profession requires the unique, and sadly so, nature of treating all as equals. It requires no one to be discriminated on the grounds of colour or skin and caste or religion. If a doctor does infringe these, they should be ashamed. <\/p>
The system isn\u2019t perfect. Every day we come across news of \u201ctoo little, too less\u201d for patients. While the reasons for each case have to be viewed in their own light, solely pushing the blame on one individual is hardly acceptable. To arguments of non-compassion or privatization, each doctor has to exercise a degree of non-attachment to do their job perfectly, not to allow the flurry of emotions to cloud their best medical judgment, each establishment requires to be as credible and answerable to the rule of law and ethics as any other. <\/p>
Becoming a doctor and doing it perfectly is no easy task. At the end of the day, we are all human. We humans are prone to err. So here\u2019s to all the doctors in India on World Doctor\u2019s day. <\/p>"}]
It's the age of startups, where you, the common men and women of this country, and people like you, come together and solve the problems of this country through your efforts and your product. Of course, it is not always easy, the path you've chosen is a long and arduous one with many obstacles, often quite well hidden from sight until the very last moment. <\/p>
But that is the spirit of entrepreneurship, the ability to deal with unforeseen consequences and push forward, harder and stronger than before. Now, it's only natural to ask yourself how exactly will you manage to achieve this feat, this task of running a startup. <\/p>
Therefore, it brings us great pleasure to introduce the #BeAChatur Contest by Chatur Ideas, a Startup Enabling Platform. <\/p>
#BeAChatur is an intensive four-month business plan competition where individuals and early stage startups can evaluate their potential ideas in a risk free environment. The individuals or early stage startups that qualify will be mentored by Chatur Ideas vast pool of industry veterans and experts as well as business plan feedback. The team or individual that makes it to the final stage will be duly rewarded. <\/p>
The party, however, is just getting started. The top three winning entries will be rewarded Rs. 3,00,000, Rs. 2,00,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 respectively. However, the top 10 entries will be eligible to raise up to Rs. 1 crore in funding in front of Indian and Silicon Valley investors, and the top 50 entries will be eligible for a two day exhaustive mentorship program where their business idea will be evaluated. <\/p>
We could go on about the benefits of having a risk free environment where your B-plan is put to test, but we'll just give you the registration link instead. Have you ever had a startup dream? Now is the time to achieve it. Spread your wings and fly!<\/p>
Oh and we almost forgot mentioning the best part: Most of the contest is online, and a meet and greet will be arranged once you qualify further! What are you waiting for? Click here to apply! <\/a><\/p>Below is the contest timeline!<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1498822929732","data":"5956396d2d5eb"}]
Below is the contest timeline!<\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1498822929732","data":"5956396d2d5eb"}]
Fast forward to June 2017, the Reserve Bank of India has ordered for the new bills to be printed in a government owned facility. As the new currency notes of 500 and 2000 trickled into the system via re-calibration of the ATMs spread across the country, the 200 notes are to be distributed only via the banks and bank branches. The motive being keeping the current system as it as and not disturb it. <\/p>
The Indian currency and its denominations have placed the public in an awkward position. The 2000 denomination is not preferred by many for transactions due to the high value of the note and the lack of smaller denominations in abundance hand out change. <\/p>
\n\"A minor part of that has been replenished by 2000 rupee notes and a larger part by the new 500 rupee notes, though not in full,\" said Ghosh. \"The introduction of 200 rupee notes will replenish the missing middle, triggered by the withdrawal of the old series of 500 rupee notes.\"\n<\/p>
The announcement of this new denomination should be good news for businesses and consumers alike. However, it is important to note that the addition of another currency between the 100 and 500 denominations was in the works even before demonetization was announced. Some economic reports even correlate the large gap between the two denominations as a factor in the inflation. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1498810204386","data":"5956085e5ec7d"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1498810207687","data":"
*Picture courtesy Social Media. Not Authentic. <\/p>
\"For day-to-day transaction purposes, the introduction of 200 rupee notes will add to the ease of operations,\" said Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economist at the SBI Group. \n\n\n <\/p>
The printing of new currency is conducted in either printing units run by the government run Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd or at printing presses in Mysore and Salboni managed by the RBI-owned Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Ltd. These printing agencies are also adding advanced security features to further prevent counterfeiting. Some of them on an experimental basis. <\/p>"}]
Another year, another Coachella, another trend hindered in cultural appropriation. As for this year\u2019s craze, bindi\u2019s made quite the statement. And yes, while it may be some aspect of fashion it also entails identify, confidence, and spirituality. <\/p>
The bindi is not your go to music festival fashion accessory. It is of something with generations of significant cultural value, one that is definitely not meant to be so easily white-washed. <\/p>
Being a Hindu brought up in America for the majority of my life, it wasn\u2019t an unfamiliar sight to see my mother receive countless amount peculiar looks for wearing a bindi outside of the house. We would constantly get glared down by people while walking across the grocery aisle or entering a store in our local shopping mall. It never bothered me though. To me, it was the culture I was born into and it was the culture I was proud to be a part of for I was to embrace my identity. Until one day I wore my bindi to school to show my friends. Contrary to what I hoped they would be fascinated with, I essentially ended up going home drenched in my own tears. I was criticized for wearing \u2018a dot on my forehead\u2019 in a land that was not mine yet nowadays the same people that once tormented me parade around representing my culture in a way that is not only hypocritical but offensive. <\/p>
While there are a few people amongst many that do, in fact, recognise the symbolism of a bindi as a concept of wisdom and spiritual development, the majority seem to cross the fine line that separates appreciation and appropriation. This problem tends to arise when one fails to understand that they are deemphasizing the spiritual aspect of such objects through blatant ignorance and candor. Depriving the Hindu aspects that are held in a bindi to merely make it an American fashion trend shows just how must respect you have for a culture. <\/p>
So to the people who consider bindi\u2019s to be displayed as accessories or bangles to be worn as bracelets, let me remind you that these physical symbols are a celebration of a culture. Nevertheless, they are not something to be stripped of respect by being made into something as trivial as the next and oncoming fashion statement. <\/p>
It is not, after all, just a dot.<\/p>"}]
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