#Kolkata Food Trucks

[akshaymehndiratta]

Akshay Mehndiratta - Food trucks in India every foodie must visit

India is a country of diverse cultures, cuisines, and flavors. With so many delicious options to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go for a great meal. Don’t worry Akshay Mehndiratta is here to help. He has been traveling around India for years and has compiled a list of the most unique and delicious food trucks that every foodie must visit.  

Bombay Food Truck, Mumbai

The Bombay Food Truck is a popular food truck near Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. The Bombay Food Truck has been a reason for happiness at a lot of Huge Events like Sula Fest, SunBurn, and more. They serve delicious street food with a twist. From vada pav to Samosa Pav or the Classic Pav Bhaji, the truck offers a range of unique and tasty dishes. Their butter chicken fries and bacon-wrapped sausages are also worth trying.

Location: G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex

The Lalit Food Truck Company, New Delhi

The Lalit Food Truck Company is the most popular food truck in Delhi. The Lalit Food Truck Company is a gourmet food truck that offers a range of international cuisine, including Mexican, Italian, and Lebanese. Akshay Mehndiratta says, They offer dishes such as Pizzas, tacos, Burgers, and pasta. They also have a range of desserts, including churros and crepes. After getting an overwhelming response in Delhi, they’ve recently launched The Lalit Food Truck Company in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Jaipur.

Location: Barakhamba Avenue, Connaught Place, New Delhi

The Spitfire BBQ Truck, Bengaluru

If you're a fan of BBQ, then you have to visit The Spitfire BBQ Truck in Bangalore. They offer a range of BBQ meats like pulled pork, smoked chicken, and beef brisket, all cooked to perfection. They also offer a range of sides like coleslaw and mac and cheese to complement the main dish.

Location: Kammanahalli, East Bengaluru. 

S.W.A.T. Food Truck, Hyderabad

S.W.A.T. is a food truck in Hyderabad that offers a range of fusion food. Their menu includes dishes such as tandoori momos, pizza dosa, and chicken tikka tacos. The truck is a great option for those who are looking for something different and adventurous. 

Location: Jeevan Bima Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka

The Rolling Kitchen, Mumbai

Akshay Mehndiratta says, The Rolling Kitchen is a popular food truck in Mumbai that serves up a variety of delicious street food. From crispy dosas to pizza dosa, their menu is sure to satisfy any craving. They also offer Chinese and Italian food.

Location: Mulund West, Mumbai

The Cheese Truck, Pune

Akshay Mehndiratta says, Cheese Truck is a popular food truck in Pune that serves up a range of cheesy delights. From grilled cheese sandwiches to mac and cheese, their menu is perfect for cheese lovers. They use a variety of cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, and feta to create delicious and flavorful dishes. They also offer unique options like the Spicy Chicken Cheese Melt, which is made with grilled chicken, jalapenos, and a blend of cheeses.

Location: Wadgaon Sheri, Pune

The Kati Roll Company, Kolkata

The Kati Roll Company is a popular food truck in Kolkata that specializes in kati rolls, a popular street food in India. They offer a range of options like chicken tikka, paneer tikka, and egg rolls, and paratha bread layered with a griddle. Their rolls are bursting with flavor and are sure to satisfy any craving.

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Gypsy Kitchen, Bengaluru

Gypsy Kitchen is a food truck in Bengaluru that serves up a range of global cuisine. Their menu is inspired by different cuisines from around the world and is perfect for foodies who love to try new and unique dishes. One of their most popular dishes is the Spicy chicken sandwich and BBQ chicken burger.

Location: Kammanahalli, Vasanthnagar, HSR Layout from 5:30 onwards

According to Akshay Mehndiratta, Food trucks have become a popular food trend in India and offer a range of delicious and unique food options. From sandwiches to biryani, churros to shawarmas, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So next time you're out and about, be sure to keep an eye out for these must-visit food trucks in India.

[gssoftwareposts]

Top Commercial Kitchen Equipment Manufacturer in Kolkata: Quality and Innovation

Running a successful food business not only requires passion, perseverance, and a keen understanding of your customers' tastes but also the right Kitchen equipment for producing the best quality food. Shiv Shakti, a leading commercial kitchen equipment manufacturer in Kolkata, offers a comprehensive range of products that cater to the diverse needs of the food industry. From bakery equipment to gas pipelines, we provide high-quality, durable,  solutions designed to enhance the productivity of any commercial kitchen.

Let's have a look at our comprehensive range of kitchen equipment, particularly industrial cooking equipment. From bakery ovens and grills to high-capacity fryers and versatile food processors, we cater to every aspect of modern food preparation. and streamline operations in busy kitchens.

Types of Equipment :

Display Counter :

The food display counter by Shiv Shakti, constructed of durable materials like stainless steel and glass, is easy to clean, hygienic, and ideal for a variety of food items to be accommodated without overcrowding. The designs of this display food counter are ergonomic with controlling temperature mechanisms like refrigeration or heating elements to ensure that food stays fresh.

Food Cart :

A well-built food cart food truck crafted from sturdy stainless steel for durability comes with an efficient gas burner and ample amount of storage for food ingredients. Shiv Shakti is the best food cart manufacturer in Kolkata that provides high-quality food trucks or thela at an affordable price making it the top choice of Street food vendors in Kolkata.

Coffee Machine :

Coffee lovers will understand that it's not just any coffee machine that can deliver that perfect frothing every time. As the manufacturer of quality Coffee machines, Shiv Shakti uses components like high-grade brass, copper, and BPA-free materials with an advanced brewing system.

Refrigeration equipment :

Commercial glass door refrigerators are made for commercial settings such as cafeterias, convenience stores, etc. Made from sleek metal frames complementing the glass Interior LED lighting is often incorporated to illuminate the food and drinks. Shiv Shakti Commercial Fridge manufacturers, suppliers & exporters in Kolkata also provide double-door commercial refrigerators and 4 door commercial refrigerators.

Bar Equipments :

Shiv Shakti, a leading bar equipment manufacturer in Kolkata specializes in producing and supplying equipment and supplies for bars. Bar Setup like Cocktail Station, Mocktail Station, Blender Station with Sink, Glass Dump, bar mats, plastic stirrer, silver and bakery bar equipment.

Kitchen Exhaust and Gas Pipeline :

Our commercial Kitchen exhaust fan installation plays a crucial role in maintaining air quality and removing smoke, odours, and grease particles generated during cooking. On the other hand Gas pipeline systems withstand the pressure and flow of gas and are manufactured to meet safety standards.

As a food business now, when you look for the best commercial kitchen equipment manufacturer near me Shiv Shakti is here to meet the specific requirements of commercial kitchens, considering factors such as kitchen layout, size, and ventilation needs. A team of experts who can provide guidance and support throughout the selection, installation, and maintenance process.

[franchiseavscompany]

INVEST IN CHAI GARAM FRANCHISE

If anyone is looking to invest in a pocket cafe franchise then “CHAI GARAM” is the best option for investors, CHAI GARAM was established in 2008. With a presence in Asia, predominantly India they are serving customers through 250+ outlets over 60+ cities. Their main focus is to serve the customers a cup of freshly handmade tea.

INTRODUCTION

ABOUT “CHAI GARAM”

Annual sales of Tea amounting to 600 Billion.

Tea consumption is growing at a CAGR of 6%

Tea café is now an 1800 core Industry.

Freshly brewed handmade tea.

Fresh tea leaves & spices.

Budget café- value of money

Hygienic & fresh snacks.

Highly scalable

Strong Franchising Model

They serve their teas the way Indians like best freshly brewed, handmade teas.

MULTIPLE FORMATS

Over 10 format variants are available:

Kiosk

Cart

Retail outlet

Outdoor Kiosk

Food Court

ATM space

Shop-in SHOP

E-rickshaw

Food Truck

Kickstart kiosk

Outlets

They have 250+ outlets over 60+ cities in India & Abroad. Over 15 years in food & beverage Industry. Penetration in 60+ Cities Delhi, Noida, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Hoshiarpur, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Agra, Jaipur, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Dhaka, Leh Ladakh, Roorkee, Kolkata, Guwahati, Indore.

THEIR PRODUCTS

Chai, Cold Coffee, Lemonade, Poha, KitKat shake, Sandwich, Lassi, Soup, Maggi, Burger etc.

COMPLETE SOLUTION FOR ENTREPRENEURS

REAL ESTATE

VIABILITY TASTE

LEASE & SET UP

F & B SERVICES

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY

SALES & PROMOTION

BENEFITS OF PARTNERING

Budget Café: GARAM CHAI café typically offers affordable food & drink options in a casual setting.

Low Rental Risk: Low rental risk refers to the likelihood of encountering problems or difficulties associated with renting a property. Properties with low rental risk typically have stable demand, strong, rental markets, & are well-maintained with good management practices in place.

Low working capital: Low capital refers to a situation where a company has limited funds available to cover day-to-day operational expenses & short-term liabilities. Companies with low working capital may struggle to meet their financial obligations.

Low Initiate cost: Low initial cost refers to the situation where the upfront expenses required start & invest in a project, business, or endeavor are minimal.

Large Consumer base: A large consumer base refers to a sizable & diverse group of individual or household who are potential customers for a product or service.

Strong Cashflows: Strong cashflows refer to a situation where a business consistently generates significant amounts of cash from its operating activities.

Modular Design: Modular design is an approach to product or system design that emphasizes creating components or modules that can be easily combined.

CHAI GARAM FRANCHISE COST & INVESTMENT

Investment INR 10–20 LACS.

Franchise & Brand Fee 2 lacs.

Royalty & Commission 4%

Contact Information

If you are interested in investing in the GARAM CHAI franchise, you can contact FRANCHISE AVS through their official website www.franchiseavs.com, or email franchiseavs@gmail.com. you can also reach them by phone at 9205434226.

Conclusion

Partnering with GARAM CHAI is a profitable opportunity for investors looking to be a part of a well-established brand in India. With a secure investment, attractive profit margins, & support of the Franchise.

[adakglobaltrading]

Top  wholesale markets for fruits and vegetables in Kolkata

Best Vegetable Wholesaler in Kolkata

When it comes to sourcing fresh and high-quality vegetables in Kolkata, finding a reliable wholesaler is key. One of the top vegetable wholesalers in Kolkata that stands out for its consistent quality and wide variety is Adak Global Trading. With a strong network of local farmers and a commitment to freshness,Adak Global Trading ensures that their produce is always top-notch. Whether you're a restaurant owner looking for ingredients or a household in need of fresh vegetables, Adak Global Trading has got you covered.

Here are some reasons why Adak Global Trading is the best vegetable wholesaler in Kolkata:

Extensive Variety: From seasonal favorites to exotic imports, Adak global trading offers a diverse range of vegetables to cater to all your needs.

Quality Control: It has stringent quality control measures in place to ensure that only the freshest and finest vegetables make it to their customers.

Reliable Delivery: With a fleet of refrigerated trucks and a prompt delivery service, It ensures that your vegetables reach you in pristine condition.

 Top Fruits Wholesaler in Kolkata

In addition to vegetables, having access to fresh fruits is also a vegetable and fruits supplier and wholesaler in Kolkata. When it comes to sourcing the best fruits in the city, one name that stands out is Adak Global Trading.It is known for its wide selection of fruits, excellent customer service, and competitive prices. Whether you need a bulk order of apples for your juice bar or a variety of berries for your dessert shop,It has got you covered.

Here's why Adak Global Trading is the top fruits wholesaler in Kolkata:

 Freshness Guaranteed: It  sources its fruits directly from local farmers and ensures that they are delivered to you in their freshest state.

Seasonal Specials: With a keen eye on seasonal produce, It always offers the best of what's in season, ensuring optimal taste and quality.

Customer Service: The team at It goes above and beyond to meet their customers' needs, providing personalized service and support.

 Conclusion

 When it comes to sourcing the best vegetables and fruits in Kolkata, Adak Global Trading is the top choice for quality, variety, and reliability. Whether you're in the food industry or looking to enhance your home cooking, these wholesalers have got you covered. Next time you're in need of fresh produce, look no further than these trusted suppliers in Kolkata.

[virtual-office-space]

Unlocking Entrepreneurial Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide to Business Ideas in Kolkata

Are you considering starting a business in Kolkata or looking to settle in the city? Look no further! We've got you covered with all the details you need.

Kolkata, often referred to as the cultural capital of India, is a city brimming with energy and burgeoning business potential. Its rich history, growing economy, and strategic position as the industrial and financial nucleus of eastern India make it an ideal destination for startups and small businesses alike.

But navigating from idea to implementation can be daunting, especially for those operating on a limited budget. Fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we'll unravel a myriad of innovative business ideas tailored for Kolkata's dynamic landscape.

Understanding Kolkata's Business Environment

Before delving into specific business ideas, it's crucial to grasp the economic and entrepreneurial landscape of Kolkata. With its mix of traditional industries and emerging sectors, Kolkata offers fertile ground for startups and small businesses. From the bustling markets of Burrabazar to the tech hubs of Salt Lake City, the city pulsates with entrepreneurial energy, fueled by a resilient spirit and a penchant for innovation.

The Power of Small Investments

Contrary to popular belief, launching a successful business doesn't always require a large initial investment. Many successful entrepreneurs have built thriving enterprises from the ground up with minimal capital. In this guide, we'll explore the concept of bootstrapping and examine strategies for launching and scaling businesses on a shoestring budget. Through real-life case studies and expert insights, we'll debunk the myth that big money is a prerequisite for entrepreneurial success.

Fantastic Business Ideas for Kolkata

Now, let's dive into some fantastic business ideas that require minimal investment but offer great profit potential in Kolkata:

Food Truck:

Kolkata's streets are renowned for their delectable street food, making a food truck an excellent business opportunity. With a modest investment in a food truck and some mouth-watering recipes, you can cater to the city's foodies while enjoying flexible working hours and low overhead costs.

Handcrafted Jewelry:

Tap into Kolkata's rich heritage of handcrafted jewelry by investing in quality materials and unleashing your creativity to craft unique pieces that cater to the city's discerning clientele.

Home-Based Catering:

If you have a flair for cooking, consider starting a home-based catering service. With a modest investment in kitchen equipment and ingredients, you can offer delicious meals for small gatherings and events, tapping into Kolkata's love for good food and celebrations.

Personalized Gift Shop:

Set up a shop specializing in customized products, capitalizing on Kolkata's penchant for thoughtful gifting. Invest in a small retail space and offer personalized items like mugs, t-shirts, and keychains, catering to the city's demand for unique gifts.

Tuition Classes:

With education highly valued in Kolkata, tuition classes are a lucrative business idea. Provide quality tuition classes to students seeking academic excellence with minimal investment in teaching materials and conducive learning space.

Mobile Repair Service:

Given the ubiquity of smartphones, a mobile repair service is a lucrative business idea. Invest in basic repair tools and offer efficient, affordable repair services, catering to the city's tech-savvy population.

Fitness Trainer:

As health and fitness gain prominence, becoming a fitness trainer can be rewarding. Invest in fitness certifications and offer personalized training sessions, helping clients achieve their fitness goals while reaping substantial rewards.

Event Planning Service:

With Kolkata synonymous with festivals and celebrations, event planning is a lucrative opportunity. Curate unforgettable events for clients, capitalizing on Kolkata's festive spirit and demand for professional event planners.

Digital Marketing Agency:

In an increasingly digital world, businesses in Kolkata seek to enhance their online presence. Offer services like social media management and SEO, helping businesses thrive in the digital landscape while ensuring a profitable venture for yourself.

Conclusion:

Kolkata's entrepreneurial landscape is brimming with potential for aspiring entrepreneurs. From artisanal ventures to digital startups, the city offers diverse opportunities for those with vision, passion, and determination. By harnessing creativity, resourcefulness, and community engagement, entrepreneurs can embark on a transformative journey of entrepreneurship in the City of Joy. Whether you're a local resident or a newcomer, embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship and embark on a rewarding journey of business ideas in Kolkata.

[ecobagsofindia]

Best Food Boxes Manufacturer in Kolkata- ECO BAGS & PRINT PVT. LTD

Looking for eco-friendly packaging solutions in Kolkata? 

 Then, Eco-Bags is here to meet all your needs with our premium-quality, eco-friendly, and biodegradable paper bags and food packing boxes.

🍱 Our food boxes are perfect for restaurants, caterers, food trucks, and more! Made from sustainable materials, they're not just good for the planet but also keep your food fresh and safe.

🌟 Why Choose Eco-Bags?

Eco-Friendly: Our products are made from eco-friendly materials, helping you reduce your carbon footprint.

Biodegradable: Say goodbye to harmful products! Our boxes break down naturally, leaving behind no harmful residues.

Durable & Reliable: You can easily rely on our products that are durable and budget-friendly.

Customizable: You can customize your products with us according to your choice.

🌱 Choose Eco-Bags from the best food box manufacturer in Kolkata today!

📞 Contact us now at 9830022165 or 90735 60244 or visit our website https://ecobagsofindia.com to place your order and start packaging your products the eco-friendly way!

[vegabazaar]

Temperature mapping services for reefer vehicles involve the systematic and comprehensive analysis of temperature distribution within the refrigerated compartments of these vehicles. Reefer vehicles, also known as refrigerated trucks or containers, are crucial for transporting temperature-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals, perishable foods, and other sensitive products. The purpose of temperature mapping is to ensure that the internal temperature remains within specified ranges to maintain the quality and integrity of the transported goods. We also Provide in Reefer Vehicles temperature Mapping Services in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Goa, Noida, Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kochi, Indore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Maharashtra, Thane, etc. visit website : https://vegabazaar.com/category/Temperature-Mapping-Services/

[drsohinisastri]

Your Cancer Zodiac Sign Guide: Everything to Know About the Heartfelt Water Sign

According to the best astrologer in Kolkata, It's Cancer season once the Summer Solstice ushers in the longest, sunniest days of the year. The sun moves through the fourth sign of the zodiac, Cancer, symbolised by the crab, once a year, between June 21 and July 22.For many, the first four weeks of summer are spent at a local beach or pool with family and friends, munching on favourite seasonal cuisine (hello, BBQ).

Cancer, a water sign linked with organic sensuality, sentimentality, and an appreciation for life's simple pleasures, especially food and family, influences this life-loving atmosphere. These characteristics are attributed to the moon, Cancer's ruling celestial body, which is known not only for its gravitational pull (which impacts the tides), but also for its power to guide our emotions and intuition, sense of security and safety, and instincts.

Cancer Personality Traits:

Those born between June 21 and July 22 have the solar sign Cancer as their zodiac sign. (It's not exacted since the sun changes signs on different days each year.) Also, while we often refer to ourselves as our sun sign, it's simply one aspect of a natal chart, which is essentially a unique snapshot of the sky at the time of your birth. However, it's a minor feature that contributes to your overall sense of self, identity, personal style, self-esteem, and confidence.

 ·       The homebody of the zodiac:

Nurturing, sensitive, self-protective, security-seeking and providing, caring, and demonstrating a silly, ingratiating sense of humour are all characteristics associated with the sun in Cancer. These attributes correspond to the topics of Cancer's Fourth House of Home Life. Our domestic life, our nests, how we were parented and may parent (literally or figuratively) in our lives, and emotions and memories from childhood that may influence your current reality are all covered by the Fourth House.

 ·       The natural-born caregiver:

Because Cancer's attitude is so strongly influenced by the emotional, mother moon, the water sign tends to prioritise — and occasionally twist themselves into knots — making the majority of people in their life feel even little more comfortable and secure. They'll put as much effort into caring for plants and pets as they do for loved ones. They specialise in cooking or baking meals and goodies with a lot of love, but if the occasion calls for an emotional card, bouquet of flowers, or FaceTime catch-up session, they'll be there. And, while these emotional homebodies are fiercely devoted and will always be there for their pals, family comes first for them.

 ·       The cardinal water sign:

A quality (cardinal, changeable, or fixed) is attributed to each sign, which explains the sign's underlying energy. Every element contains a cardinal, mutable, and fixed sign (fire, earth, air, water). Cancer is the cardinal water sign, giving them a go-getter attitude and a big-picture mindset. They have the ability to think in an artistic, ambitious manner, therefore they're naturals at making big plans.

 Cancer's best personality traits:

You can count on the Cancers in your life to offer a shoulder to cry on and freshly baked cookies. Compassionate, often sweet, always deeply feeling, and capable of cracking up their inner circle with their offbeat or goofy sense of humour, you can count on the Cancers in your life to offer a shoulder to cry on and freshly baked cookies. Care packages, romantic emoji-peppered letters, and warm-hearted discussions over a hot mug of chamomile tea are the zodiac's purveyors. They're the obvious date for that food truck crawl, the pal who won't question a random tirade about that eighth-grade crush, or the considerate, emotionally present partner you can count on for unending cuddles and an endless stream of sweet words suggested by the best astrologer in India.

Cancer's worst personality traits:

When rubbed the wrong way in a particularly sensitive, agitated condition, Cancer's profound connection to their emotions has a negative side, which is a tendency to be irritable and snappy (they are the Crab, after all). They'll retreat into their shell whether they're worked up or drowning in their emotions, frequently as a result of feeling that their giving nature has been exploited. They might utter a harsh remark before putting their phone on 'do not disturb' and ruminating. A chance to rest, regroup, and perhaps even ruminate a little before returning their loving heart to everyone they come into contact with is the cure for Cancer's most foul mood.

What Cancers Are Like in Love:

Cancer is a romantic kind. You might be seeing someone born under the influence of emotional, loving, family-oriented Cancer energy if your date frequently sings the praises of their loved ones, is always daydreaming about the perfect summer day spent near the water, and already has names picked out for their fur babies or future kids. The water sign can't help but wear their emotions on their sleeve, as evidenced by their flirting. They're overflowing with love to give, and they've probably fantasised about their perfect mate — and, by implication, home life — since infancy. Their happy place is home, so there's nothing more romantic to them than finding someone who fits well into their domestic world. Anyone hoping to build a future with the Crab would do well to hit it off with their loved ones and show appreciation for life's simple joys that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home.

Cancer's ideal date, on the other hand, is one that is both comfortable and full of sexual pleasures. They're the masters of the ultimate date night in, eager to stock their refrigerator with gourmet goods for an Instagram-worthy, unforgettable supper. If they're the type of Cancerian who prefers to order takeout, they'll make sure you get the tastiest tacos or Thai around. While they're friendly and open to new experiences, they might prefer to invite their VIPs over for a glass of wine and a game of Cards Against Humanity rather than going out to a bar or club.

 Cancer Compatibility:

·       Signs most compatible with Cancer:

Signs that share the same element tend to be the most in sync (e.g. two earth signs, like Taurus and Capricorn). This is especially the case for two water signs, both of whom lead with their emotions.

·       Signs least compatible with Cancer:

Opposites attract, as they do with most zodiac signs, and Cancer and Capricorn are typically drawn together by their mutual desire of dominating in their professional lives and creating a satisfying domestic life. However, because they are both cardinals and extremely ambitious, they feel as if they aren't genuinely seeing each other or are resentful that they aren't each other's primary priority.

Cancer is also square (the most challenging angle that can exist between two signs) conflict-averse air sign Libra and competitive fire sign Aries. Unless they have other positive aspects in their natal charts, Cancer can respect these two other cardinal signs for their bold, visionary perspectives on life, but they'll struggle to find harmony emotionally.

Cancer Moon:

The moon, which stays in each sign for two to three days, has an impact on your emotions and instincts. It's easy to get caught up in your emotions if your Sun was in Cancer at the time of your birth. You also take great pride in looking after your loved ones. While anyone born under a strong Cancer influence will be aware of the moon phases, you are particularly sensitive to them.

Cancer Mercury:

Mercury, which spends about two to three weeks in a sign, shapes your communication style. If it was in Cancer when you were born, it's not tough for you to put what's in your heart into words. You're likely also a natural comedian, finding a lot of happiness in your ability to make loved ones smile or laugh until they cry with your very human, silly, occasionally slapstick-oriented sense of humor.

Cancer Venus:

Venus, which is in a sign for three to five weeks, has an impact on how you interact with people and how you attract others. If your sign is Cancer, the planet of love and beauty, you're likely nostalgic, keeping scrapbooks or memory boxes full of theatre tickets, dried roses, and love notes. You're all about romantic details from love notes to candlelit meals. Your fashion sense is also timeless.

Cancer Mars:

Mars, who stays in a sign for six or seven weeks, has an impact on your vitality, strength, sexual style, and courage. If you were born with the fiery, dynamic, fighting planet in cardinal, watery Cancer, you're fiercely protective of the people you care about and feel compelled to remain emotionally centred in order to achieve whatever tasks are on your to-do list. You value productivity and large picture thinking while working with others, and you'll frequently volunteer or be asked to mentor someone younger according to the best vedic astrologer in India.

[hwangskz]

Bangladeshi, but yuss about the food😂 I really like the the sweets I had in Kolkata, especially langcha (did I spell it right?)

ooooo langcha omg i rlly like it too (and yes! u did spell it correctly!!) next time u come to kolkata u should DEFINITELY try the aamer doi at balaram radharam mullick (pretty sure i spelled that right...) !! i don't rlly have a sweet tooth but GOD their sweets are so good 👌👌👌 OH and also the chocolate mishti (the chocolate chip one) at gupta brothers is just *chef's kiss*

[mohantarpkolkata]

The Best Kinds of PVC Tarpaulins That Dealers Made For 8 Stupendous Applications

When it comes to the industrial need many little and so-called inefficient things become the most vital as well as unavoidable features ever. Tarpaulins are one of those raw materials which are the essential element of many industries. 

 Let’s have a look into how many types a tarp can be used.

In How Many Types Of Tarpaulin The Dealers Are Producing For Different Sectors?

1. Agricultural Use:

Storing is the ultimate goal of every agricultural activity, apart from the cultivation. Tarpaulins are the best material to store the vegetables as the vegetables become air packed after packing in a tarpaulin bag. Sometime, some agro items are manure or dried up in the sun with a tarp. 

2. Animal Nurture: 

Tarps are one of the indispensable products of animal farms. The animal foods are kept with big tarp bags as the product is easy to clean. It is kept as the floor covering of the farm as the animal make the place dirty and a tarp is easy to remove and to make dirt-free. 

3. Vehicle Covering: 

The scenario of an automobile showroom and the factory are not the same. While you find the beautiful showing off manner in the showrooms the factories are found to gather the vehicle with a waterproof covering individually. And the PVC tarpaulin ate the first choice of all automobile manufacturers. No matter, it the beautiful car or an expensive bike all are covered by different shaped and sized tarps, 

4. Transport and Logistics: 

The carrying process of huge metallic goods needs proper covering to protect the machineries from rust. On the other hand, any transportable good need to cover while they are imported or exported by huge vans or trucks. The tarps strong and lightweight for transporting only. 

5. Factories and Industries: 

Many industries need some temporary storehouses that are easy to erect and easier to dismantle. And the first thing that comes in the mind is the PVC tarp that is the best product for rough handling and easy removing. 

6. Temporary Tent House: 

Erecting tents in the workshops, seminar or outdoor classrooms are one of the vital project works of the international school of business or engineering. They are hiring the tarpaulin to organize the temporary programmed. 

7. The Trade Show or Fairs: 

Have you ever been the Book fair in Kolkata? Probably yes is the answer. But you perhaps not notice the amount of using tarps there. Well, any trade shows or events or fair cannot be organized without the use of good quality tarps. 

8. Camp for the Explorers: 

Camps for camping and expedition are the best friend of a mountaineer. All mountaineers or the explorers use the tarp tent for their base camps. 

 Some Features of waterproof PVC Tarpaulins: 

·         Lightweight And Easy To Install. 

·         Strong and Flexible. 

·         Waterproof. 

·         Fungus or Rot Proof. 

·         UV Ray Protected. 

·         Maintenance Free. 

[brajeshupadhyay]

Over the last six weeks, they have crept into our consciousness. They have inspired pity, anger, hectoring and indifference. That they lived all around us was a detail we were barely conscious of before the nation-wide lockdown was put into place. They cleaned our homes and washed our cars, served us at restaurants and eateries, sweated and slaved away in the many small and big factories and workshops that one finds all over the urban sprawls that our cities have become. Many of us were similar to them in that we too do not hail from the cities that we now live in. We, or someone in our family, had moved there to seek employment or start a business and then stayed put or ‘settled down’ as we, the well-heeled, put it. We then grew roots, purchased an apartment or built a home, sometimes two, and came to feel that we ‘belonged’. ‘They’, on the other hand, were birds of passage who did not put down roots or try to belong. Sure enough, when the lockdown was announced, and then later, extended, they sought to ‘return’ home. The stories of their journeys which have been documented in the news and on social media have been gut-wrenching. Walking or cycling for days on end, on little food and water, families and meagre possessions in tow, sometimes collapsing and dying with their destination in sight, mowed down by trucks and run over by trains, the migrants have been the lockdown’s most unforeseen casualty. A century-and-a-half ago, many Indians — indentured labourers all — made similar journeys in cattle-like conditions on steamships, hoping to find paradise in a distant land where they would have sufficient food, perhaps a plot of land and enough money to tide them through rainy days. Most ended up being cheated and denied a fair shot at life. The journeys of migrants during the lockdown mirrors those journeys across the seas. One was the shame of the British Empire, which had set out to ‘civilise’ the ‘natives’ but ended up enslaving many of them. The current dispensation has shamed the citizens of the Republic of India and the hallowed Constitution, which the citizens gave unto themselves. The system of indentured labour (a ‘second slavery’ as many scholars have rightly termed it) originated in the 1830s when slavery had run its course in most of Europe and the larger public had expressed their outrage at the persistence of such an exploitative system. The destinations for indentured labourers were the Caribbean islands, Mauritius, Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa), South America (British Guyana and Suriname), Fiji and Malaya. This system sought to legitimise itself on the back of a contract, unlike slavery, which treated human beings as commodities. That the contract specified exploitative terms — poor wages, limited or no leave, loopholes in the clauses concerning release from contract etc — was given little consideration, since the parties were entering into it ‘willingly’. But given that those who assented to this contract were unlettered men and women, mostly from India and China who did not understand the contract’s fine print, was a detail that was conveniently swept under the rug. A second slavery was thus put into practice, and in 1834, the first group of indentured labourers was shipped to Mauritius. To find workers willing to under such contracts (or ‘girmit’ – a homonym for ‘agreement’), a recruiter (‘arkati’) fanned out into India’s poorest districts painting a pretty picture of their work destination. For a desperate populace on the verge of starvation, it was a chance worth taking. Then came the process of explaining to the workers the terms of their contract — a shambolic process. Often, groups were brought in front of a magistrate who inquired if they had understood the contract, without bothering to inquire further. Coached to say ‘yes’, almost all labourers assented and placed their thumb impressions on a sheet of paper. Few knew what they were getting into. The ordeal then began. Before the advent of the railways and its penetration into the Indian heartland, labourers walked from their villages in present-day Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to Calcutta (Kolkata), where a ship awaited them. This first leg of the journey took 30 to 40 days, almost entirely on foot. Journeys from the districts of present-day Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to Madras (Chennai) were shorter, but grueling nonetheless. Sometimes, if there were no ships ready to sail, migrants waited at the emigration depot for up to three months housed in less than favourable conditions. These potential emigrants were kept under close watch and not allowed the free run of the city. Desertion upon hearing horror tales of the ‘promised land’ was a possibility, as also the chance that they would contract contagious diseases, thereby laying waste the efforts of the ‘arkati’. Once a ship was available, a medical examination followed, and then hundreds of labourers boarded the ship. In the early years, wooden sailing vessels of teak were used. Conditions on the ships were similar to those on slave ships. Totaram Sanadhya, who spent years in Fiji, writes in Fiji Dveep mein Mere Ikkis Varsh (My Twenty-one Years in Fiji) of the cramped conditions in the ship – each person had ‘a space one and a half feet wide and six feet long’. Four ‘dog biscuits’ and ‘one-sixteenth of a pound of sugar’ (about 150 grams) were handed out on boarding, a ‘welcome package’ of sorts. The ship then sailed. On the seas, the labourers were expected to make their own meals with the provisions provided. The toilets too had to be cleaned by them, and refusal to do so resulted in beatings. Two bottles of fresh water were handed out daily. The question of asking for more water in case of need did not exist. One had to make do or suffer silently. Sea journeys ranged from ten to 20 weeks (journeys to Malaya were shorter than ten weeks). An 1878 British Guyana report records that in that year 17 ships arrived. The length of their voyage ranged from 78 to 128 days and the number of passengers varied from 493 to 652. Deaths on the ship were a common occurrence, dysentery, measles and cholera being the frequent causes. Bodies were thrown overboard when deaths took place. Perhaps a religious-minded fellow traveller uttered a short prayer. Otherwise, there was little dignity in death. In 1878, 18 deaths (including 15 children) out of a total of 611 passengers took place on the Hesperides. That the ship had taken 128 days to complete the voyage probably had something to do with it. That same year, 19 deaths took place on the Plassey, which took 92 days to complete the voyage and had embarked with 627 passengers. Still, these conditions were better than the conditions in 1856-57, when the average death rate for Indians travelling to the Caribbean was 17 percent. As many as 11 children were born on the Hesperides during the course of the sea voyage. The Plassey witnessed nine births. To begin with, most of the labourers were men. Only a few women made these journeys. How these women managed the exigencies of childbirth on board a rollicking ship with little water, food and privacy is too terrible to imagine. Given that almost every one of these ships records the deaths of children, it is perhaps fair to assume (since no clear details are available) that many of these deaths were of newborns. More horrors awaited the labourers when they reached their destinations. Poor wages, pathetic living conditions, insufficient food and the dishonouring of the terms of their contracts were commonplace. The indentured system was a system of continuous and prolonged exploitation. When the system came to an end in 1916, close to 1.5 million had made the journey. A significant number had perished en-route or in their new homes. Many stayed back after their contracts ended. A small number returned. Every single one of them had undergone untold suffering. Even as a callous government and an even more callous middle class continue to wallow in utter indifference, a tragedy has unfolded in our times which historians of the future will use to pass judgment on our generation. The indentured system was a telling comment on the tyranny of the white man, the excesses of the Empire and the blood and sweat on which the pretty structures of the West have been built. The current tragedy is our Fall from our fraudulent Garden of Eden.

http://sansaartimes.blogspot.com/2020/05/migrants-across-eras-exodus-caused-by.html

[yatayaat]

Top 10 hacks to simplify your house move

If you’re moving house this summer and are reluctantly starting to think about the ‘big pack up’, why not take a look at our tips to make sure your home move goes as smoothly with Packers and Movers Mumbai to Kolkata, and ease your mind!

1. Pack up your wardrobe

If, like us, you have enough clothes to dress your whole family for the foreseeable future, then the thought of packing it all into storage boxes will understandably fill you with dread. However, fear not! All you need to do is stock up on bin bags – then you can put these over your already hanging clothes to keep them together. And this way, they’ll be ready to hang in your new wardrobe as soon as you move in (double win!).

2. Take lots of photos

If you can, visit your new house before you move in and take lots of photos of both the interior and exterior of the property. This will help you to decide where you want to put your existing belongings before you move in to speed up the unpacking process. Plus, save these photos somewhere safe to help you when you move out (if you’re renting) to get back your deposit.

We would also recommend taking some pictures of your old house for the memories!

3. Stop yourself from getting locked out

We’ve all experienced that annoying moment when your front door swings shut behind you, leaving you on the outside, juggling a pile of cardboard boxes and debating whether or not this is too early to break into your own home. So, as you’ll be going in and out a lot whilst packing up your house, try tying a rubber band around the door handle to stop this. Or, alternatively, invest in a doorstop – our personal favourites are these brightly coloured animal ones!

4. Label your chargers and plug sockets

These days, most of us will have many charging cables for phones, laptops, tablets, speakers – the list goes on! Equally, when you’re unpacking kitchenware, desperate for the kettle for that cup of tea, you’re not going to want to start untangling wires! To avoid time consuming sifting, label them as you pack! You can use the tabs of loaves of bread, sticky tape, or if you’re feeling fancy, you could use colour!

5. Protect your bed

Moving house can be very tiring; all that you’ll want to do as soon as you’re in your new home could be to collapse into bed for a good night’s sleep. So, to prevent your mattress from getting damaged or dirty on the move, invest in some cheap fitted sheets and put them on both sides of the mattress before it’s loaded into the truck.

6. Get rid of nail holes

For many of us, adding a personal touch to a property can make the difference between living in a house and living in a home. However, when taking down photos and decorations from the walls you may spy a number of holes left in the walls. A quick and easy way to get rid of these is by scrubbing across the hole with a bar of soap until it’s filled!

7. DIY box handles

What could be worse than packing a cardboard box full of your kitchen crockery, and then dropping the box as soon as you go to move it because it’s so hard to hold?! Simple answer – make the box easier to carry! Cut handholds in two sides of the box, like these examples below.

8. Put string underneath tape

One of life’s eternal struggles is definitely trying to remove sticky tape that simply won’t budge when you’re unpacking. To avoid this, leave a tail of string hanging out from the tape, so that it can easily be ripped off when you come to unpack.

9. Get rid of clutter

Moving time is the perfect time to get rid of all the things in your home which you haven’t used since your last move! Whether this is clothes, furniture, food, or your child’s baby toys, if you de-clutter before you pack you’ll shave hours off your packing time. Plus, you will have more space in your new home. You could have a car boot sale to raise some extra cash, give your belongings to charity, get onto an auction site online or give them to friends (to blackmail them into helping you move!).

10. Be greedy!

It’s surprising how much space food and drink can take up when you’re packing. So, to eliminate this issue, consume everything in your cupboards (Oh, is that Chocolate Fudge Cake? Well… needs must!).

[safeblogtrends]

Top 10 hacks to simplify your house move

If you’re moving house this summer and are reluctantly starting to think about the ‘big pack up’, why not take a look at our tips to make sure your home move goes as smoothly with Packers and Movers Kolkata to Patna, and ease your mind!

1. Pack up your wardrobe

If, like us, you have enough clothes to dress your whole family for the foreseeable future, then the thought of packing it all into storage boxes will understandably fill you with dread. However, fear not! All you need to do is stock up on bin bags – then you can put these over your already hanging clothes to keep them together. And this way, they’ll be ready to hang in your new wardrobe as soon as you move in (double win!).

2. Take lots of photos

If you can, visit your new house before you move in and take lots of photos of both the interior and exterior of the property. This will help you to decide where you want to put your existing belongings before you move in to speed up the unpacking process. Plus, save these photos somewhere safe to help you when you move out (if you’re renting) to get back your deposit.

We would also recommend taking some pictures of your old house for the memories!

3. Stop yourself from getting locked out

We’ve all experienced that annoying moment when your front door swings shut behind you, leaving you on the outside, juggling a pile of cardboard boxes and debating whether or not this is too early to break into your own home. So, as you’ll be going in and out a lot whilst packing up your house, try tying a rubber band around the door handle to stop this. Or, alternatively, invest in a doorstop – our personal favourites are these brightly coloured animal ones!

4. Label your chargers and plug sockets

These days, most of us will have many charging cables for phones, laptops, tablets, speakers – the list goes on! Equally, when you’re unpacking kitchenware, desperate for the kettle for that cup of tea, you’re not going to want to start untangling wires! To avoid time consuming sifting, label them as you pack! You can use the tabs of loaves of bread, sticky tape, or if you’re feeling fancy, you could use colour!

5. Protect your bed

Moving house can be very tiring; all that you’ll want to do as soon as you’re in your new home could be to collapse into bed for a good night’s sleep. So, to prevent your mattress from getting damaged or dirty on the move, invest in some cheap fitted sheets and put them on both sides of the mattress before it’s loaded into the truck.

6. Get rid of nail holes

For many of us, adding a personal touch to a property can make the difference between living in a house and living in a home. However, when taking down photos and decorations from the walls you may spy a number of holes left in the walls. A quick and easy way to get rid of these is by scrubbing across the hole with a bar of soap until it’s filled!

7. DIY box handles

What could be worse than packing a cardboard box full of your kitchen crockery, and then dropping the box as soon as you go to move it because it’s so hard to hold?! Simple answer – make the box easier to carry! Cut handholds in two sides of the box, like these examples below.

8. Put string underneath tape

One of life’s eternal struggles is definitely trying to remove sticky tape that simply won’t budge when you’re unpacking. To avoid this, leave a tail of string hanging out from the tape, so that it can easily be ripped off when you come to unpack.

9. Get rid of clutter

Moving time is the perfect time to get rid of all the things in your home which you haven’t used since your last move! Whether this is clothes, furniture, food, or your child’s baby toys, if you de-clutter before you pack you’ll shave hours off your packing time. Plus, you will have more space in your new home. You could have a car boot sale to raise some extra cash, give your belongings to charity, get onto an auction site online or give them to friends (to blackmail them into helping you move!).

10. Be greedy!

It’s surprising how much space food and drink can take up when you’re packing. So, to eliminate this issue, consume everything in your cupboards (Oh, is that Chocolate Fudge Cake? Well… needs must!).

[entrackrme]

Big Basket News – All you need to know in 2020

As the nation enters the second day of the lockdown due to Covid-19, online basic food item merchant BigBasket has declared that it be continuing their conveyance administrations in certain pieces of the nation including Delhi from Thursday. Different retailers incorporate Zomato, Swiggy, Grofers, MedLife and others as per Big Basket news.

According to Big Basket News - BigBasket additionally gave an announcement reporting that they will be restart their administrations in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Coimbatore, Indore, Mumbai, Mysore, Noida, Surat, Vadodara . However, as the interest is exceptionally high there will be delay in administrations for upto seven days.

It expressed that however they were not working in Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Nagpur, Patna, Vijayawada right now it is relied upon to start very soon. No declaration has been made about continuing conveyance administrations in Chennai, Pune, Kochi, Vizag and Ludhiana.

Conveyances for online retailers had stopped in the course of the most recent three days as satisfaction focuses were shut, on-ground staff and conveyance work force couldn't proceed onward the streets, and trucks conveying supplies across state outskirts were pulled up as mentioned by Big Basket news.

Some conveyance staff had griped about police whipping them for carrying out their responsibilities. As indicated by reports, the conveyance administrators will be given character cards gave by their organizations which can be appeared to the police and security when required. This will help in the conveyance of basic things to the individuals' doorstep.

Flipkart too has started its conveyance forms subsequent to requiring it to be postponed for at some point. According to Big Basket News, Online basic food item merchant BigBasket on Monday confronted breakdown because of flood sought after in the midst of the coronavirus episode. Following the heap, the organization limited access of administration just for existing clients.

"We are as of now encountering remarkable interest. Considering this, we are limiting access to our site to existing clients as it were. It would be ideal if you attempt again in a couple of hours," it said.

According to Big Basket News, BigBasket is figured out how to have gotten $50 million from its current financial specialist Alibaba as a component of a scaffold cycle, two individuals aware of everything stated, when the online basic food item advertise is seeing exceptional interest during an across the nation lockdown. An extension round is a middle of the road subsidizing intended to cover momentary costs as the organization searches for a bigger speculation check.

While the dedication from Alibaba came through pre Covid-19 infection episode, the most recent implantation comes one after another Web based life firm LocalCircles.

Internet business mammoth Amazon and Alibaba-supported BigBasket have endorsement to convey alcohol in West Bengal, as indicated by a report. Online staple stage BigBasket said this will be the organization's first raid into the nation's alcohol conveyance fragment. The freedom additionally flags Amazon's entrance into the space, likely for the first in quite a while.

State-possessed West Bengal State Beverages Corporation Ltd (BevCo) welcomed the two organizations to consent to the arrangements for empanelment for home conveyance.

While in Bangalore, India's online basic food item market could top $3 billion in deals this year, a 76% expansion over a year ago, as the spike sought after for home conveyance of new produce and staples seen during the across the nation lockdown is relied upon to continue through the remainder of the year, investigators and industry administrators said. The $1.3 billion in extra online staple deals could be the greatest driver of generally speaking web based business deals, which is relied upon to develop by just $2 billion out of 2020, Forrester Research said. < ..

 According to Big Basket News, the e-grocer site on Monday confronted breakdown because of flood sought after in the midst of the coronavirus episode. Following the heap, the organization limited access of administration just for existing clients. "We are as of now encountering extraordinary interest. Considering this, we are confining access to our site to existing clients as it were. If you don't mind attempt again in a couple of hours," it said.

 In another instance, BigBasket and Grofers, India's greatest online food merchants, have almost multiplied the quantity of every day conveyances contrasted and a month prior, as more purchasers hit the web to purchase basics in the midst of the progressing lockdown.  Even commercial centers Flipkart and Amazon have additionally ripped into the online basic food item space. Walmart-claimed Flipkart has scaled up conveyance of staple goods to about 400 urban areas from five urban areas preceding the lockdown, as per Big Basket News.

Entrackr is one of the leading blog that covers Big Basket news as well as updated Startup information. To know more, visit the Entrackr blog.

[glittergummicandypeach]

Emeralds and desperation: My mother and Sathya Sai Baba | Religion | Al Jazeera

She ran through the Mumbai airport and checked each airline.

It was winter of 1984. We were visiting India from the United States and had been in Mumbai for two weeks. I was eight years old.  

"Do you have any flights to Madurai?"

Madurai was the nearest airport to Kodaikanal, only 120km (75 miles) from where Sathya Sai Baba resided. But there were no flights to Madurai. 

Possessed with a mad sense of urgency, my mother's next plan was to find a taxi. A private car must have been too expensive. She dragged me along as she approached taxi after taxi outside the airport and peered into each car to assess the driver. She wanted to make sure he was someone she could trust, someone who would not rape or rob us.

She found a taxi wallah, a kind old man dressed in a tattered lungi who warned us of bandits who kidnapped women during the night and stole from tourists. A long, clean machete sat next to him as he drove.

I curled my body onto the back seat, but I did not sleep at any point during the 24-hour car ride.

Instead, I watched the scenery of India pass us by as we drove from north to south. My skin melted into the tattered vinyl of the seat; my sweat mixed with the heavy air.

Every hour or so, I would carefully raise my face to the windows and look at all the lorries that drove past us. I wondered if they were filled with men who might mutilate us with their long knives. I somehow knew the definition of rape, how it was a violation of skin. I imagined men taking my mother somewhere into the jungle and irrevocably harming her. I shook with terror at the thought.

I watched people on autorickshaws, men on scooters, the way all the cars and trucks kicked up dirt and formed a never-ending cloud of dust.

It was so different to where we lived in Pasadena, California, where the roads were wide and evenly paved and the white and yellow lines clearly demarcated where cars belonged, the sleek sedans and beat-up Camaros.

In California, there were no lorries painted primary colours of blue, red and yellow, no automobiles that recklessly weaved around each other, no trails of smoke and dust that illustrated in which direction each car was headed, as if writing the story of their vehicular lives.

Later, I would realise that being in a taxi, rather than a rental car, made us safe; we blended into the local language of vehicles.

Rani and her mother pictured in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu during a trip to meet the Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba [Photo courtesy of Rani Neutill] 

We had been going to see Sai Baba every year but this particular trip was frenetic. While we were in Mumbai, an astrologist told my mother it was an auspicious time and we needed to get to Kodaikanal to see Sai Baba.

My mother believed this was the time he was going to bless us, choose us - take us into his big home, answer her questions, yield a brilliant diamond and grant her wishes. This was what fuelled our trip down the subcontinent of India.

It was when I was five years old that my mother, a widowed Bengali immigrant in the US, became obsessed with Sathya Sai Baba, a philanthropist who claimed to be the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi. The original Sai Baba lived without worldly possessions, a true fakir. He was a saint with followers from both the Hindu and Muslim faiths and combined the teachings of both religions - a sort of peacekeeper in a nation that would become increasingly contemptuous and violent toward its Muslim minority.

Sathya Sai Baba did not live like this. A chauffeur drove him around in a Mercedes. His houses and cars were gifts from wealthy admirers in India, Western Europe, and the US. He always wore a full-sleeved, long orange kurta that shimmered with cleanliness. His massive coif of hair pointed into the air like lines of electricity drawn by a cartoonist. His presence was loud and boastful. So was his lifestyle, with lavish homes in both Puttaparthi and the hillside tourist destination of Kodaikanal.

Sathya Sai Baba died on April 24, 2011. Devotees of the Indian guru, including Sonia Gandhi, the former president of the Indian National Congress, paid their respects at an ashram in Andhra Pradesh [Adnan Abidi/Reuters]

As my mother's belief in Sathya Sai Baba grew stronger, she used her inheritance from my father to travel to various places in India and abroad. Our trips involved seeing my dida, my mother's mother, in Kolkata and visits to Sai Baba's compounds at least twice a year.

Each visit to see Sai Baba was the same. He separated his followers by gender. Women and their children were always huddled together. We walked into the enclosure that surrounded his mansion and sat down; the hard earth beneath us - a feeling of groundedness that dissipated when Sai Baba arrived. Our bodies tensed and roused with anticipation. I desperately wanted to see his bare feet approach us, to feel the stroke of his hand on my hair and receive his good tidings. My mother raised her hands in prayer. I copied her movements and lifted my hands in worship. We waited for his acknowledgment.

He walked around and waved like a beauty queen, his long orange kurta gracing the dust and dirt on the floor. My mother always held a note in her hand, hoping he would take it from her.

Please keep us financially stable.

Please let Rani get a good education and find a husband.

When will I die?

He randomly chose people to bring into his mammoth home where he performed small miracles. He made fancy goods like diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and vibuthi - a holy ash - magically spring from his palms. I never understood how he produced these riches. I suppose it might have been a sleight of hand.

Sai Baba was well known for his philanthropy. He accepted money from his wealthy devotees, built hospitals and schools for the poor. An educated elite of doctors and teachers donated their services in exchange for his blessings.

Devotees hold flowers to place on a sand sculpture of Indian spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba, created by sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik, on a beach in Puri on April 24, 2011 [Stringer/Reuters]

There were also rumours of sexual misconduct, of his interest in teenage boys; allegations that were denied by Sai Baba and many of his followers.

I later learned that we did not have the money to give to his charities; whatever we had was rationed for travel.

On that frenzied trip, when we eventually arrived at our hotel, we met a white American couple. They were there to see Sai Baba as well. They had a baby, a little girl. She could not have been more than five months old. The wife wore a large emerald ring encrusted with tiny diamonds wrapped around her index finger. My mother looked at the ring, and the woman looked at her. The woman's blonde tresses stood out in contrast to my mother's night-black hair, the woman's blue eyes piercing, my mother's dark brown eyes overflowing with desire. The woman knew that the look on my mother's face was a question.

"Oh, this? Yes, Sai Baba made this for me."

The woman explained how Sai Baba had brought them into his home and performed his small miracles, the emerald ring and a tiny figurine of some god. She pulled the statue from her purse, and we marvelled at it. I held the idol in my palm and imagined it was a medallion worn by a superhero, that by holding it I would be granted good luck. The woman told us how her family was chosen, how they had bought Sai Baba a car in return for his blessings. There was a hint of superiority when she narrated this story, glancing at my mother with what I can only describe now as pity.

Rani's mother [Photo courtesy of Rani Neutill]

In our hotel room, my mother fiddled through our belongings, searching for some paper and a pen to write down all the questions she had for Sai Baba. I was exhausted, cold, and very hungry. A big bed called out to me to lie down. I begged for room service. My mother ordered me my favourite meal, masala dosa, which arrived on a stainless-steel thali with steam twisting through the air. The smell of potatoes and onions mixed with curry leaves, black mustard seeds, and green chilies, all wrapped in a long crepe, overwhelmed me.

I stuffed my face, dropping pieces of the dosa into the coconut chutney and sambar it was served with. Soon after, I began to throw up, heaving the food I had just devoured into the hotel toilet. I lay on the floor, peered up at the ceiling, and wondered if my mother would find the answers she came for.

The next morning, my mother pulled my shivering body up a hill. We were 5km (three miles) from Sai Baba's home.

"We must see him today," she said. "Today is the day. I know it."

I tugged the edges of my wool shawl to tighten it around me. I was weak, dizzy, and dehydrated from throwing up the night before. My mother did not notice. She had a look that I had seen before: a desperate plea for answers, a belief she was nearing an opportunity. Her hair stretched back into a messy bun, wisps of it defining her round face. Her deep brown eyes were a panorama of hope and wonder, her cheekbones high and alert.

I gazed at the path before me. A canopy of lush emerald-green trees marked the horizon. Clusters of fog surrounded us. I reached out to capture a handful of the tiny droplets that waltzed through the air. They disintegrated into nothingness.

As I gathered the breath to continue to move, my mother grabbed my wrist.

"I'm trying, mama. I'm trying," I said, in my eight-year-old voice. I knew I had to follow her. There could be no childhood resistance. She was the only thing I had. I was attached to her mind and body, and I only wanted to please her.

I shuffled my feet forward.

"Mama, can we take a taxi? I don't feel good."

"Na, sona, the fresh air will be good for you," my mother declared, perhaps to convince herself that my illness might be cured by the journey to see Sai Baba and the consecration he might grant us.

"We must walk, we must live minimally, the way Sai Baba has advised us."

I did not understand but trusted that my mother knew best. As we walked, I felt dizzier and dizzier from the elevation. I paused to regain my balance and tensed my legs to make them strong enough to carry me. A shiny white Hindustan Ambassador approached us and slowed its pace. The couple and their baby were in the car. The wife turned to look at us. My gaze met hers and lingered on her face and that of her child. She looked healthy and happy with her perfect nuclear family. Suddenly, I began to vomit. They drove away.

I would never feel the desperation that plagued my mother during those trips to find salvation. At that time, I did not know it was because demons lived inside her, demons that grew in her mind and ultimately led her to a tragic death. But when the car drove away, vomit splattered at my feet, my mother, distracted, filled with longing for someone to tell us our future, it defined my relationship with religion and revealed dynamics of wealth and race.

I now understand that my mother's fierce desires were tumultuous and dangerous. But at eight, I just noted the difference in race between my mother and I and the couple in the immaculate car. Mostly I felt confused: how could they leave a small girl and her mother behind? A sick child who should not have been walking kilometres to see a man who represented an almighty force? I understood the meaning of hypocrisy - even if I did not possess that word.

I wondered how Sai Baba could believe that these were the kinds of people that deserved his attention. And though I felt dirty and sullied from knowing the couple did not want me near the creamy leather of their shiny vehicle, I also felt rage. My legs suddenly felt strong and propelled me forward towards Sai Baba's compound. I felt the desperation that my mother felt; I wanted to prove to the couple that we were worthy of Sai Baba's love and attention. We were not unwanted.

When we finally reached Sai Baba's home, hundreds of people entered the arched columns of his compound. We sat on the floor. A chorus of men played instruments and brought Sai Baba in on a velvet throne. He was placed directly before us and assumed the posture of an idol, his hands in front of his chest, clasped in prayer. Eventually, he climbed off his regal chair and walked around and pointed at those he wanted to bring into his home.

Sai Baba asked the white woman with her baby to rise up and join the chosen few. My mother looked at her with desire and anticipation that the astrologer's predictions would finally materialise and Sai Baba would gesture for us to join this woman and we could rejoice. But he did not pick us.

He never would.

This content was originally published here.

[vsplusonline]

India to restart industry engine from April 20

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/india-to-restart-industry-engine-from-april-20/

India to restart industry engine from April 20

New Delhi: The Narendra Modi administration on Wednesday took an important step towards resumption of normal economic activity by partially lifting restrictions on manufacturing and construction, and further eased movement of goods traffic from April 20.

Nearly 80% of India’s export units located in special economic zones, export oriented units (EOUs) and industrial townships and clusters could resume work in some form by April 20. Government officials say around 1,000 units in special economic zones (SEZs) could become operational.

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Wednesday set out detailed guidelines for partial resumption of economic activity with the nation divided into hotspot and non-hotspot districts. The ministry of health and family affairs has identified 170 hotspot districts — called red zones — with highest incidence of Covid-19, 207 yellow zone districts with some cases and 359 green zone districts with no cases in last 28 days. The new permitted activities can begin in these green zones, subject to permission from state or district administration.

While the industry will be somewhat relieved, many restrictions will remain in place, especially on factories, establishments and service industries operating within city and municipal limits.

All industrial activity in rural areas and outside municipal and city limits has been allowed, including manufacturing of essentials such as drugs, medical supplies and equipment.

Food Processing Units, Cargo Movement Food processing units in rural areas have been allowed to resume. All cargo movement through road and railways has been permitted, including loading and unloading at major ports and land ports. Highway dhabas and restaurants will be allowed to remain open and movement of trucks has been permitted.

The government has also allowed construction activity to resume in rural areas and outside city and municipal limits and industrial parks, including those under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in another major decision that will impact rural livelihood and incomes.

Restrictions have been lifted on construction of renewable projects, and construction firms and real estate companies have been asked to resume work in places where workers are available on site and don’t have to be brought in from elsewhere.

“I am happy to see the notification by MHA. I am glad that this gives us some clarity on what could happen after April 20,” TV Narendran, MD, Tata Steel, told a television channel.

At present, around 400 units in SEZs which are in essential sectors such as pharmaceuticals producing PPEs and power are already active while 2,000-odd units in the information technology sector are functional but their employees are working from home. “In the first week beginning April 20, we expect 1,000 units to become active but that depends on many factors such as the kind of industry and if they can maintain social distancing,” said an official.

India has 232 SEZs with almost 6,000 units.

Development commissioners of SEZs have begun talks with industry, especially with nonoperational units, and the next 4-5 days will see extensive discussions on transportation, logistics and how labour can be used in a staggered manner. Once these talks are over, the units can come forward and state if they can observe those norms and requirements.

“These units will not become 100% functional. As of now, even the essential ones are working with 20% labour,” the official said, adding that the government will facilitate the opening of units within the prescribed rules.

As per Federation of Indian Export Organisations, around 80-85% exporting units, mostly in engineering, pharmaceuticals, electronics and chemicals, are likely to become operational with the government allowing manufacturing and industrial establishments in SEZs and export oriented units (EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships to resume operations after April 20.

While units can restart work, exporters have suggested once-a-week pass for firms with Importer Exporter Code (IEC) so that they’re able to submit the required documents with banks for payments to get processed.

“Since in exports, documents are extremely important to show proof of delivery and negotiation, exporting companies having IEC number may be allowed passes for two persons, once a week, to collect documents from the office for submission to banks, shipping lines, courier companies,” said Sharad Kumar Saraf, president, FIEO.

SEZs and EOUs provide direct employment to more than 25 lakh people with investment of more than ?5.5 lakh crore and contribute ?7.87 lakh crore to India’s export basket, which is one third of total national exports.

“The guidelines now allow manufacturing as well while only exports were allowed earlier. However, they don’t provide clarity on domestic tariff area. We are waiting for states’ orders,” said a Kolkata-based engineering goods exporter.

As per another exporter, industry wants clear and simplified guidelines from states on areas where movement will not be allowed. “Only 5% of the units are in EOUs. Also, we will need around 7-10 days to prepare for our units to begin work such as cleaning and sanitising,” said EEPC India chairman Ravi Sehgal.

India’s exports in FY20 declined 4.8% to $314.3 billion, with a whopping 34.57% in March to $21.41 billion.

The MHA guidelines have also introduced important caveats with major restrictions remaining in place across the country. Domestic and international air travel will remained suspended till May 3. Road travel through buses and rail travel will not be permitted. Inter-district and inter-state movement of people will also be banned.

Restrictions have been lifted on all agriculture, horticulture and fisheries, providing a huge fillip to rural economy during the crucial harvest season. Work can also resume in plantations.

The government has allowed companies and units located in access-controlled SEZs, EOUs, industrial townships to resume work, provided they maintain social distancing norms, arrange transport and a place for workers to stay within the township.

Production at coal mines, oil and gas sites, refineries and units which require continuous process will be allowed, the government said. Manufacture of IT hardware will also be permitted while IT and IT services companies will be allowed to resume work with 50% strength. Work can resume in ecommerce firms and vehicles used by these firms have been allowed to ply. Courier services have also been allowed to operate.

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