INDIAN EDUCATION FUTURE

From the ancient time India remains the father of education, at that time the gurukuls were in trend which teaches only that subject that a particular want to learn and he or she gets skilled in that particular subject whether it’s academic or related to any physical activity. Nowadays schools have taken place of the gurukuls in which the students are forced to learn some common subjects against his or her interest that is why in India the grades matter more than the skills. Students are forced to carry heavy bags to schools due to which there is a great loss in their both physical and mental health which is becoming a blockage in their future. If we see towards the future then there is lots of work that has to be done in the field of education. We are blending toward smart classes or online classes today that has to be done a several years ago, that is why Indian education system is lacking in the field. If we talk about present the government is taking every step in the field of education to help children make their life. According to the survey, India has the more number of youngsters than any other country in the world. Despite being the youngest country in the world they are failing in the field of education. If we want to achieve that position then the education must be formalised now so that its effects can be seen in the future. World is expecting more from India and it is the time for all the young Indians to prove them wrong. The ways government are taking steps then in the upcoming 50 years the education will be democratised and done online only through home and they can gain knowledge from any part of India

SMART RING

Smart Rings are the only possible tech solution, to discover something smaller than the smart watch. After a lot of attempts ,smart rings were actually created with useful technology. Smart Rings are not a totally new concept, but it’s been revolutionalized over the years.

History has been evidence how so many Startup companies despite repeated attempts ,failed either due to lack of funding, legal disputes, issues related to packaging sensor, health tracker ,everything in a small space, which kept on popping up from time to  time. We can easily sync them  to our mobile phones, via Bluetooth. Smart Ring is endowed with different functions. Some may track sleep, pulse rate, heart rate, whilst others may not. The smart ring would be a relief from the mobile phones, as we’ll get to know whenever there is a message or e-mail.

5 BEST SMART RINGS

Motiv Ring($99.99) –this one is the best smart ring available , in terms of it’s price ,features. This  was announced way back in the year 2017,and comes in mainly three colour variations-slate grey, titanium and Rose gold. It can not only monitor our heat rate ,but also is a fitness tracker. It keeps record of all our activities and moves, and since it’s data is stored in our phones, it can be viewed later. It’s has a battery life of upto 5 days, and is water resistant. It’s highlight is its sleek design ,8 mm width and comes in 7 sizes fit for both men and women. It even helps us to log in to our facebook, google accounts. It’s very easy to wear , and stylish.

Oura($275)-this smart ring provides us readiness score for the day by using our data from phone. It comes in two models, the recent  one being sleeker, and slimmer. It comes in sizes  from US 6-US 13.it comes packed in four sensors-gyroscope,3D accelerometer, infrared pulse measurement and body temperature sensors. It’s highlight is the focus on mainly three areas –activity, sleeping and readiness.

The recent innovation of Oura is a initiative by the NBA , against the pandemic. Players would get a notification, when something infected in in their 6 feet radius, and it gives signals on detecting early signs of Covid-19.According to the survey conducted on 2000 workers ,it can observe body associations between fever, cough and heart rate ,temperature.

NBC Open($85)-this smart ring comes with two Intags .The private one is used for sensitive stuff, like smart door lock and for payment purposes. The other one is for public information like email address. It is waterproof resistant.

Amazon Echo Loop($129.99-$179.99)-Amazon is amongst the more popular ones, it’s packed in microphones and speakers. It interacts with Alexa smart assistant, and comes with all day battery life, with water resistant feature.

ORII Smart Ring($199)-This smart rings allows us to take a call by holding our fingers  to our ears, by using the bone conduction technology. Available in different colour variation like red, silver, grey , and is available in different size forms fit for both men and women.

Addiction😬

Yesterday, I was sitting in window and enjoying Rain. I was thinking about what can I do? At that time suddenly my brother came and he suggested to play PUBG. I was like… Are you kidding? How could girls play PUBG? On that sentence he delivered me a whole lecture. He said there is no age limit to play any game… Blah.. Blah.. Blah.. But I was not interested & he also know that didi was not going to show any intrest . So he went on his friends house and continued his work. At that time, I was thinking where is the future of these people? Really they don’t have anything to do apart from playing games 🤔.. Actually, I am not against of games. But there is word called “Limits” If we are spending our whole day with headphones & smartphones then this is wrong. I respect those gamers who choose their careers in this field. But what about that people who are spending their whole day in this. According to me, games are just for Entairnment purpose. So we should play it only for Entairnment. I want to tell you one case related this, in our colony there is one boy who is just in 5th standard. But he is totally addicted to PUBG. His mom beat him very badly everyday but no effect. He used to spend his whole day in PUBG. One day his father decided to take his smartphone and his parents took his smartphone & also they decided not to use smartphones. After 2 days he was completely psychologically disordered. He was breaking everything, running anywhere & making horrible faces and many things. He was completely mentally retarded so now he is in hospital. After taking whole treatment he is returning home. So I kindly request you all people who are addicted towards games like this please be aware & save your future as well as life.

SOUTH KOREA FINDS BOLTON’S MEMOIR DISTORTED

Accounts by former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton of discussions between leaders of the United States and the two Koreas in his upcoming book are inaccurate and distorted, South Korea said on Monday.

In the discussion in the book Bolton provides specifics before and after three meetings with the U.S.  President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong Un of North Korea, and what was the cause for the falling through of their second Vietnam Summit .

The novel, “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Autobiography,” is expected to be published Tuesday but excerpts have been released by various media outlets. Reports have cited Bolton as writing that Moon, who is keen to improve relations with North Korea, had raised unrealistic expectations for his own “unification” agenda with both Kim and Trump.

“It does not reflect accurate facts and substantially distorts facts,” South Korea’s national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, said in a statement referring to Bolton’s description of top-level consultations. Chung did not elaborate on specific areas South Korea saw as inaccurate but said the publication set a “dangerous precedent”.

“Unilaterally publishing consultations made based on mutual trust violates the basic principles of diplomacy and could severely damage future negotiations,” he said.

Trump and Kim met in Singapore for the first time in June 2018, raising hope for efforts to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. Yet their second summit, in early 2019 in Vietnam, failed after Trump refused Kim ‘s bid to give up North Korea ‘s primary nuclear facilities in exchange for lifting certain sanctions.

Bolton reportedly cites Chung as relaying Moon’s response to the breakdown as, on the one hand, Trump was right to reject Kim’s proposal but on the other, Kim’s willingness to dismantle the Yongbyon facility was a “very meaningful first step” toward “irreversible” denuclearisation.

South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea, or ROK) is
One of the most significant strategic and
commercial allies in Asia. The U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty , signed at the end of the Korean War in 1953, promises the United States to help South Korea defend itself, especially from North Korea (officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK), and the relationship helps the United States advance its interests in East Asia and around the globe. For eg, ROK troops got fought in US-led military conflicts alongside U.S. troops.

About 28,500 U.S. soldiers are deployed in the ROK.
The U.S.-South bolster the strategic alliance Free-trade agreement with Korea (KORUS FTA). South Korea is the seventh-largest trading partner of the United States and the United States is the second-largest trading partner of South Korea, behind China.

Under the administration of Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in, policy cooperation between the United States and South Korea has been inarticulate. In May 2017, Moon, a progressive, had been elected President.

Although the two sides have generally managed to navigate differences , for example over trade and North Korea policy, underlying tensions on a range of issues continue to surface. Most recently, the U.S.-ROK “Special Measures Agreement” (SMA) on how to split the cost of basing U.S. troops in South Korea expired at the end of 2019, and subsequent negotiations were not successful.
Moving to a consensus. As a result, in April 2020 around 4,000 South Korean workers were furloughed on US bases. The Trump Administration has demanded Seoul increase its payments by 400 percent, and Trump publicly said it is debatable
Whether the presence of US troops is in the interests of the U.S.

Source: 1.https://in.reuters.com/article/northkorea-usa-southkorea/south-korea-says-boltons-memoir-on-trump-kim-summit-is-distorted-idINKBN23T0F0.

2.https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IF10165.pdf

PLANNING IN MANAGEMENT

Planning is deciding the objectives and methods to achieve them. Planning involves deciding in advance what is to be done, how is to be done, where is to do, how is to done and by whom is to be done and it makes things happen which may not occur otherwise and it bridges the gap between where we are and where we want to go, the process of planning includes two things:

             1. Deciding objectives

             2. Choosing best from available alternatives

Planning is a fundamental managerial function planning implies an arrangement for doing something as considered in advance and simple words, planning is deciding in advance and Prof. Urwick rightly said: “Planning is fundamentally a mental predisposition to things in an orderly way, to think before acting and to act in the light of facts rather than guesses”. Thus, a plan is a predetermined course of action and it is an attempt on the part of a manager to anticipate the future to achieve better performance, and planning is based on the principle, ‘Look before you leap’.

CONCEPT OF PLANNING

Planning requires goals and it focuses attention on purposes and determines ways achieving them and planning is necessarily a problem of choice and it involves the selection of the most feasible course of action from all available alternatives. Planning is a means of building a bridge to span the present position of the firm with its desired future position. It implies the work of both problems solving as well as decision-making. Man possesses a unique power of reasoning and he often evaluates the pros and cons before proceeding further into the matter.

NATURE OF PLANNING

1. Planning focuses on achieving objectives:

 Planning is to facilitate the attainment of objectives of the organization and planning focuses action on purposes. Planning is merely an empty mental exercise if it loses sight of the organizational objectives and every plan should contribute towards the achievement of company goals. Thus, all plans are directly linked with the goals and objectives of the enterprise and contribute to its attainment and if there are objectives, there is no need for any planning.

2. Planning is a primary function of Management

 Planning is a primary function of management and a manager must perform efficient and intelligent planning before performing any other managerial activities. Thus, planning comes before the execution of all other managerial functions. Planning function of management has the distinction of establishing objectives and all managerial efforts of organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling are directed towards their attainment.

3. Planning is pervasive  An element of planning can be seen behind every human activity in an organization and God has gifted man with the faculty of reasoning and this enables a person to measure the consequences of his planned actions and we can quote several examples where planning precedes individual or group action. Planning is a pervasive activity covering the entire enterprise will all its segments and every level of management. Top management does strategic planning, middle management looks after the administrative planning and the lower management concentrates on operational planning.

Darkness tries to Eclipse light but as long as there is love shadows REMAIN illusion.

An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object or spacecraft passess by the Sun or The Moon.An eclipse is either the result of an occulation (completely hidden) or a transit ( partially hidden).The term eclipse is most often used to describe either a ‘Solar Eclipse’ or ‘Moon Eclipse’.A Solar eclipse occurs when the portion of the Earth is engulfed in a shadow cast by the Moon which fully or partially blocks the Sunlight. This occurs when the Sun , Moon and the Earth are aligned.Such alignment concides with a new Moon (Syzygy) which indicates that the Moon is closest to the ecilptic plane. In a total eclipse the dusk of the Sun is fully obsucred by the Moon.In partial and annular eclipses, only part of the Sun is obscured.On 21st June 2020 Solar eclipse marked one of only 5 such instances where a maximum Solar Eclipse was visible from India in a time frame of the next 100 years.The annualar part belt of the eclipse passed through cities like Joshimath, and Dehradun in Uttrakhand,Sirsa in Haryana and parts of Rajasthan it was almost visible from ever part of the country.India witnessed the magnificent “Ring of Fire” and saw the skies turn dark as the Moon overshadowed the mighty Sun.

You can do it baby 🤟💯

Twelve-year-old Gwenyth has dark brown eyes and a fierce desire to change people’s negative perception of sharks. She attends West Oaks French Immersion school in Ontario, where she and about a dozen other kids who test as gifted, spend three days every other month exploring topics outside their usual curriculum. Most recently, they studied forensics, searching for clues, avoiding red herrings, and learning how scientists test for DNA evidence.

But it’s sharks that fascinate her. She’s determined to be a marine biologist some day and has given considerable thought to what she’ll need to achieve this. Her teacher, Mrs Ensing, who is optimistic about Gwenyth’s prospects, routinely tells her elite group that they can be anything they want to be.

Gwenyth likes her teacher but is troubled by this philosophy. ‘You can’t be anything,’ she says, ‘if you don’t manage to get the marks good enough, or if you have the wrong idea about it. There was a guy on YouTube who wanted to be a veterinarian and they made him watch a video of something happening to an animal and he fainted, so he didn’t get the job.’

Her skepticism is well-founded. A 2012 LinkedIn survey showed that roughly one in three adults are working at their ‘dream job’, which means that two in three are not. Gallup’s most recent State of the American Workplace poll came up with similar results when it concluded that 30 per cent of employees are ‘engaged’ in their work, while 52 per cent are ‘not engaged’ and 18 per cent are ‘actively disengaged’.

‘When you tell somebody: You can be anything,’ says Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of Generation Me (2014), ‘that “anything” they’re thinking of is rarely a plumber or an accountant.’

Indeed, a 2011 survey of more than 5,000 children around the world revealed that while almost half of children in developing countries dreamed of becoming doctors and teachers, more than a quarter of American children aspire to such careers as professional athletes, singers and actors. When a grown‑up asks the inevitable: What do you want to be when you grow up?, most kids have an answer: video‑game developer; astronaut; back-up dancer for Rihanna. And many grown-ups will congratulate them for dreaming big, assuring them that, with hard work and a can-do attitude, they can be anything they want.

When your child is four or five, barring intellectual disabilities or severe behavioural diagnoses, anything does seem possible. A child shows an interest in art and we imagine his work eventually hanging in galleries. A talented runner, we think, might make the Olympics. Kids who love science are given microscopes and we begin to wonder if we should start saving up for college fees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Backing our hopes and theirs are the culture’s cheerleaders, led by viral convocation speeches and a steady stream of ‘overnight’ successes unveiled on reality shows and YouTube, all urging us to dream big and never give up.

Consider Steve Jobs’s commencement address to Stanford graduates in 2005. He was, of course, talking to the high achievers who had already earned a degree from a prestigious university. But with more than 22 million views on YouTube, his advice – ‘find what you love… Don’t settle’ – has resonated with the masses. Oprah Winfrey, whose own rags-to-riches tale gives her moral authority, insists that if we follow our passion, achievement will follow. Even Dr Seuss left us with Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (1990), which has become the go-to graduation gift for millions, assuring kids that their imminent success is ‘98 and ¾ per cent guaranteed’.

Andhra Pradesh is one of the most huge states in India both socially and fancifully. The southeastern state has a few spots, strict tourist spots, and landmarks. A great many pioneers visit the express each year as it has verifiable spots like Tirumala Venkateswara Temple the holy place of Lord Vishnu arranged on a peak.

festival of AP

Andhra Pradesh is one of the most visited Indian states on account of its enormous range of societies and celebrations. The province of Jasmines has a particular flavor with a social hardening. Celebrations in Andhra Pradesh have their own one of a kind scent that charges a great many adherents and visitors, alongside the neighborhood move structures like Kuchipudi.

12 Festivals In Andhra Pradesh

Here we are drilling down 12 most broadly watched celebrations in Andhra Pradesh. On the off chance that you are wanting to take a productive outing to Andhra Pradesh, at that point you may coordinate your timetable as per these celebrations to see the energetic culture rehearsed here. The excellence of these Andhra Pradesh celebrations is that they are completely celebrated with tremendous grandeur in the state making it an enormous incredible sight. Let us presently talk about in detail a portion of the acclaimed celebration of Andhra Pradesh that may intrigue you.

  1. Pongal – Observed At The Inception Of The Harvesting Season
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in almost every part of India

Pongal or Makar Sankranti is praised in pretty much all aspects of India. It is one of the well known reap celebrations of India. Individuals of Andhra Pradesh observe Pongal in an exceptional manner. They spruce up in old characters present in their folklore, and visitors are welcomed for the blowout and dispersed desserts.

  1. Ugadi – Celebrated As The New Year’s Day
Gudi Padwa in some parts

Ugadi otherwise called Gudi Padwa in certain pieces of India is a broadly praised celebration in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Individuals in Andhra Pradesh observe Ugadi as per the lunisolar schedule in Hinduism, Lots of flavorful desserts are made on the day like Puran Poli and Bhakshya.

  1. Vinayaka Chaturthi – Marked As The Birthday Of Lord Ganesha
most widely spread festivals of India

Broadly known as Ganesha Chaturthi in Maharashtra the celebration is one of the most generally spread celebrations of India set apart as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Individuals of Andhra Pradesh call it Vinayaka Chaturthi, Vinayaka is one of the titles gave to Lord Ganesha. On this terrific happy day, individuals of Andhra Pradesh adore The Lord with leaves, blossoms, shoe glue, vermilion, kheer, and so forth.

  1. Visakha Utsav – Amazing Cultural Festival In South India
one of those cultural festivals

This is one of those social and renowned celebration of Andhra Pradesh which is sorted out by the state government. The four-day celebration began in 1997. Individuals come in huge numbers to observe social shows, games, conventional artworks, a display of pieces of clothing, bloom shops, and a few legacy visits.

  1. Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam – The Festival Of Lord Brahma
vastly celebrated Hindu festival

This is an endlessly observed Hindu celebration at the Tirumala Venkateswara sanctuary in Tirupati. The celebration of Lord Brahma goes on for nine days consistently in October. It is accepted that Lord Brahma was the first to begin this celebration in the sanctuary. A few customs are followed during the nine merry days in Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam. On the most recent day of Brahmotsav, an enormous group comes to observe the happiness scenes of the parade of Lord Venkateswara which pass by a few roads before arriving at the sanctuary.

  1. Lumbini Festival – Highlights Buddhist Culture
Buddhist festival

This Buddhist celebration is sorted out by the Department of Tourism of the state government in Andhra Pradesh. Buddhism had an incredible noteworthiness in medieval Andhra Pradesh so this celebration is an exertion of the legislature to feature the Buddhist culture. The Lumbini celebration is commended in the area of Hyderabad (presently the capital of Telangana) and Nagarjunasagar.

This three-day celebration sees the footfalls of thousands of guests consistently in the period of December and is one of the significant celebrations in Andhra Pradesh.

  1. Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival – Biggest Art Mela
dedicated to Crafts

This the greatest Art Mela in Andhra Pradesh devoted to Crafts, Food and Cultural Dances. The individuals of the Chittoor locale assemble at the Rayalaseema district to be a piece of extraordinary shows and presentations. In 2016 Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival was recorded in the best 5 Indian Food and Art celebrations.

  1. Deccan Festival – Dedicated to Hyderabad’s Art And Crafts And More

Deccan Festival is one of the most celebrated and well known celebration of Andhra Pradesh. It is a multi day long celebration celebrated in numerous significant places in Hyderabad. The celebration is devoted to Hyderabad’s specialty, food and culture. Numerous neighborhood fairs and shows are held at a few spots. Food celebrations are additionally celebrated to love to stunning cooking of this state.

  1. Christmas – Commemorates The Birth Of Jesus Christ

Christmas isn’t just a significant celebration for the individuals of Andhra Pradesh yet for the whole world. It is seen to recognize the introduction of Jesus Christ on Earth. The day delightfully begins tuning in to the congregation ensembles portraying the frightened deeds of Jesus.

Numerous melas and fairs are additionally composed during this time in the state. What makes the Christmas one of a kind in Andhra Pradesh is that the Syrian Christians watch this celebration with vivid umbrellas, very much brightened elephants, and heartfelt strict rhythms

  1. Diwali – The Festival Of Light

Diwali is another celebration celebrated with much eagerness in Andhra Pradesh. Otherwise called the Festival of Light, it is one of the most significant Hindu celebrations commended all around the globe on the new moon day known as Amavasya. During this astonishing time, you can discover a great deal of firecrackers. The claim to fame of the celebration is the delicious Diwali desserts of this state and the fairs which are directed at different spots. It is among the most well known celebrations of India.

  1. Maha Shivratri – A Festival Dedicated To Lord Shiva

Maha Shivratri is a celebration committed to Lord Shiva and is praised the evening of Krishna chaturdashi. Individuals quick on this day and visit the sanctuaries to offer their petition. A great deal of shows and exhibitions are sorted out in the sanctuaries around evening time. It is accepted to be perhaps the most seasoned celebration of Andhra Pradesh.

  1. Dussehra – Celebrates The Victory Of Good Over Evil

The celebration of Dussehra is prominently known as Vijayadashami and Dasara in the south. Vijayadashami is commended for 10 days where individuals offer their appreciation to Goddess Durga. Individuals of the state visit the sanctuary of Goddess Durga and wear lovely conventional clothing types. Another significant viewpoint which individuals of this state follow is to set up the ‘Bommala Koluvu’ at their homes. This is a delightful course of action of dolls and toys. This 10 days celebration is considered as one of the mainstream celebrations in October in India.

SHILLONG

Location

Shillong is a hill station in the northeastern part of India and the capital of Meghalaya, which means “The Abode of Clouds”. Shillong lies on the Shillong Plateau, the only major uplifted structure in the northern Indian shield. The city lies in the centre of the plateau and is surrounded by hills, three of which are revered in Khasi tradition: Lum Sohpetbneng, Lum Diengiei, and Lum Shillong.

It is the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district. Shillong is the 330th most populous city in India with a population of 143,229 according to the 2011 census. It is said that the rolling hills around the town reminded the British of Scotland. Hence, they would also refer to it as the “Scotland of the East”.

Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya is just 100 km from Guwahati, which can be accessed by road along NH 40, a journey of about 2 hours 30 minutes through lush green hills and the magnificent Umiam Lake in between.

History

The Shillong Municipal Board has a long history dating back to 1878, when a proclamation was issued constituting Shillong and its suburbs, including the villages of Mawkhar and Laban, into a station under the Bengal Municipal Act of 1876. Inclusion of the villages of Mawkhar and Laban (Lumparing, Madan laban, Kench’s Trace and Rilbong) within the Municipality of Shillong was agreed to by Hain Manik Syiem of Mylliem under the agreement of 15 November 1878. But, there is no trace of Shillong in the British era maps dating back to 1878, up to 1900.

Shillong was also the subject of the great earthquake that occurred on 12 June 1897. The earthquake had an estimated moment magnitude of 8.1. Twenty-seven lives from Shillong town alone were lost and a major part of the town was destroyed.

How to go

By air: Shillong Airport in Umroi is a small airport that is available for the flights and is located at a distance of 40 km from Shillong. Bus services are provided by Meghalaya Transport Corporation from the airport to the various cities of the state. There are regular flights from Shillong to Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and various other destinations.

 By rail: There are as such no proper rail lines in Meghalaya. Guwahati railway station is the nearest railway station situated at a distance of 105 Km from Shillong. The city is well connected to all other major cities of the country via rail medium. There are also taxi as well as bus facility for Shillong.

By road: Assam State Transport Corporation and Meghalaya Transport Corporation run buses from Guwahati to Shillong. The main interstate bus stand is located near to Guwahati railway station. Reasonable prices for different types of buses like AC, AC Sleeper, luxury and Volvo buses are available for Shillong. Some of the places nearby which you can visit are Cherrapunji and Jowai.

Places to visit

Umiam Lake: Umiam Lake, a mesmerizing man-made reservoir, is located at a distance of 15 kilometres north of Shillong which is the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya. The lake was formed after a dam was constructed to generate hydroelectric power. The scenic Umiam Lake is encircled by lush green East Khasi hills that form one of the best panoramic sights for nature-lovers in the country. The sunrise at the lake is a treat to watch and shouldn’t be missed. The Umiam Lake has a park adjoining it which is a hotspot for picnics and frequented by locals for a getaway from their busy scheduled.

 Elephant Falls: Named after an Elephant like stone at its foot, the Elephant Falls are amongst the most popular falls in the North-East, situated next to Shillong. It is a tourists’ paradise with three layers of the falls accessible to the layman from different vantage points. The Britishers named this fall so owing to the presence of an elephant-shaped rock on one side of the fall. However, the stone disintegrated and was washed away due to an earthquake in 1897. Elephant Waterfalls is a superb place for spending some time in the midst of nature while capturing the incredible moments for your keepsake.

Police Bazaar: Police Bazaar is the major market of Shillong, and a popular shopping haunt for locals and tourists alike. In addition to an array of restaurants, hotels and big brand stores, the Police Bazaar also has a flea market section which is pocket-friendly and draws the maximum number of tourists owing to its traditional handicrafts stores, exquisite Meghalaya merchandise, regional apparels, junk jewellery and the like. The colourful market is thronged by shopping enthusiasts as well as foodies.

Laitlum Canyons: Perched on the East Khasi Hills, Laitlum Canyons is a less explored but one of the most picturesque tourist and trekking destinations in Shillong. The canyons are located about 21 kilometers south of Shillong which is about a half-hour drive away. Literally, translating to ‘End of hills’, this exotic viewing site offers the best panoramic views of the whole of Meghalaya embraced by the majestic hills and valleys. The spot is secluded and serene, ideal for quiet and peaceful getaways. It can be visited by families, friend groups as well as couples. To catch this place at its best, visit Laitlum Canyons either during sunrise or sunset.

Shillong Peak: At the height of 6449 ft or 1965 m above sea level, Shillong Peak is the highest point of Shillong. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city, the Himalayas, its waterfalls as well as of the Bangladesh plains. A telescope is available for tourists to get a bird’s eye view. Trekking up to this semi-circular Shillong Peak is highly recommended for the best views but it is often bounded by heavy fog.

Mawphlang: Mawphlang, home to Meghalaya’s Sacred Forest, is a beautiful village situated 25 kilometres away from Shillong, the capital city of the north-east Indian state of Meghalaya. The village lies in the district of East Khasi Hills and is famous for its sacred groves. The village is named Mawphlang as it is one of the several monoliths in the Khasi Hills. The name Mawphlang means Grassy Stone and is a land of legendary stories, sacrifices and unique culture. For the ones who want a glimpse of the tradition, culture and lifestyle of the Khasis that is fading away in the modern world, Mawphlang is the place to visit.

Ward’s Lake: A pretty artificial lake surrounded by gardens is an ideal evening get away! Also known as the Polok Lake, it is usually flocked by couples, picnickers and locals.

Don Bosco Museum: Hailed as Asia’s largest Museum of Indigenous Cultures, the Don Bosco Museum is the house of the beautiful culture and tradition of North East India. It is conveniently located in the Mawlai area, near the Police Bazaar. With its seven storeys, it rises into the skyline of Shillong and flaunts 16 laid out galleries that showcase artifacts, paintings, figures significant to the Northeastern culture. Not only do these provide a feast to the eyes of the visitors, but also give an insight into the lifestyle of the North-Eastern people.

David Scott Trail: Most popular trekking routes of Meghalaya, this path was originally laid by David Scott, a British officer as early as in the 1800s. It is still used to commute between Assam and Bangladesh.

Mawlynnong: Mawlynnong is a small village situated around 90 km from Shillong in the East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya and is also known as God’s own Garden. It was declared as the cleanest village in Asia in 2003 by Discovery India which certainly which makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Indian state. Mawlynnong village is a community-based ecotourism initiative where the entire community made collective efforts in making and maintaining the cleanliness of the village.

Why visit Shillong?

Rarest and friendly tribes: The Shillong population mostly belongs to the Khasi tribe, who are predominantly Christian. There are also a significant number of Assamese, Bengali and Nepali minorities. An interesting aspect of the Khasis is that they are a matrilineal society. Therefore the mother’s surname is passed on to the children and the youngest daughter inherits the ancestral property.

Can you imagine the celebration the birth of a daughter entails? And the special pampering the youngest daughter receives?

Thrilling peak: Located at a height of 1,496 meters above sea level, Shillong is a great destination and a treat for nature lovers. Situated 10 kilometers from the city, the Shillong Peak offers spectacular views of the city from a lofty height of 1,965 meters above sea level. Being the highest point in Shillong, it gives impressive views of lush greenery and cascading waterfalls. On a cloudless day you will be able to view the majestic Himalayan peaks and the forever inundated Bangladesh plains in the distance. The Indian Air Force has its radar station here.

Cherapunjee: Meghalaya or the Abode of the Clouds is famous for Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, which are the wettest places on earth. This makes it a popular monsoon destination. Cherrapunji, which lies 15 kilometer to the east of Shillong, offers guest houses, resorts, cottages and home-stays for visitors. Eating in Cherrapunji is a great experience. You can enjoy the succulent Khasi cuisine like pork rice. Sohra Pulao, which is rice cooked with oil and vegetables without spices, should not be missed.

Living Root Bridges: Deep in the dense tropical forests of Meghalaya, and shrouded in cloud and rain for much of the year, are some astonishing natural wonders. Known as living root bridges, and preserved as UNESCO heritage site, these roots of ancient rubber trees or Ficus Elastica have been trained by the Khasi tribesmen, to grow in a tangled mess, which have then been intertwined and intermingled to form double and single decker root bridges that are intriguing the world. Strong as they are, the bridges take 10 to 15 years to become functional enough to hold the weight of more than 50 people at a time. The wonderful bridges are alive and still growing and thus get stronger over time.

Mawsmai Caves: Meghalaya has the longest cave system of India situated in the Jaintia Hills. Of them all, Mawsmai are easily the most favourite caves for many travellers, as it is one of the few caves one can explore without a guide. Just about 6 kilometers from the main town of Cherrapunji and an enchanting drive through golden autumnal grasslands, one finally reaches a thick grove. Mawsmai, the limestone caves, lie hidden beneath these trees! The cave has a wide opening but it soon gets narrower and is best avoided if one is claustrophobic, has health issues or weight problems.

The cave is a one way road, so the adventurous visitor enters from one end and goes out of the other. In the middle, there are places where you’ve to bend and squeeze yourself out. The channel gets narrower and the walking pace is slow, but there is no turning back! The cave is well lit with electricity and you can see each and every detail of the rock formation.

The colours and shapes come alive and you can interpret different figures for the fun of it. Rocks glint in the light as water drips down from the stone tips. It’s a marvel how these tiny drops change the appearance of hard rocks, working on them tirelessly for decades like a patient artist. With bats and insects flying around, tiny passages where one shrinks and crawls, shadows and shapes filling the air and the thrill of being inside a cave, the mere 150 meters of the cave length appears unending and hugely exciting.

So what are you waiting for? Pack up your bags and set out to seek the unknown!

NORTH KOREA AND SOUTH KOREA RELATIONS

Tension between North Korea and South Korea rose further when North Korea blowed  up the joint liaison office built for peace in the border town, Kaesong. This came days after North Korea threatened to close the office and the projects between the two countries. The office was a symbol of Inter-Korean Cooperation, and exploded with the motive to show that they’ll no longer cooperate with South Korea.

Seoul was accused of scattering leaflets and material, which were anti -North Korea. The leaflets seemed to have content oppressing against their supreme leader, Kim Jong-un. The material along with mini-radio, USBs were sent to make their citizens aware of their Government system and nuclear weapon programs. They wanted to convey the message that their Government is only concerned about their own comfort, and nothing else. This made North Korea angry about the cunning and treacherous behaviour from them. According to the spokesperson, these leaflets  poses serious environmental risks and endangers the private property. They even warned them about scrapping their military agreement. The destruction broke all the acceptance of   long term inter-Korean relations and peace. North Korea have even plans of deploying the deploying troops at the border. North Koreans  had cut their hotlines ,before exploding the office.

Photo of the liaison office getting blown out.

A day after the blow, South Korea’s Blue House commented this to be an senseless and unreasonable behaviour by North Korea, which have damaged the trust built by the two leaders. This whole non-lethal and dramatic action comes after, South Korea sided up with the US on sanctions. History has proven how North Korea pressurizes South Korea ,this time because over failing to extract concessions from the US. North Korea’s  relation with US went down after the second summit in Vietnam in 2019, as the disputed were regarding the number of sanctions to be lifted in return of Kim’s dismantling of nuclear complex. South Korea holds North Korea responsible for breaking the treaty of peace. South Korean President Moon was even called “the Mongrel dog: and accused him of being a US flunkey. South Korea have even after the explosion offered about maintaining cordial relations, but North Korea was not in a mood to do so.

It is very likely for North Korea to blame other countries for any kind of  failure. According  to reports ,more than 10 million citizens  of North Korea are struggling for basic aids of life, but North Korea have sealed all the borders ,in fear of the pandemic. This led to a stop to all the imports, making the lives of the citizen miserable. North Korea eventually is blaming South Korea for this downfall. All the actions were ultimately motive to end for US, attack on South Korea is just the soft target. History says that North Korea always have an incentive before it does crazy things ,or lethal attacks. This time since the US is busy handling its own problem, related to the Pandemic and the anti-racist protests ,North Korea thought of taking a blow against the South Korea.