Happy New Year.....Fiji Islands........Bula......

2015 is almost ending. Vacationing in Fiji Islands. Bula, Bula the smiling Fijians welcomed us when we arrived in Nadi.

Fiji has connection with India. In 1879, the first batch of plantation workers came from India. Several historians have written about the different ethnic groups that came from the southern and Northern part of India.

The Fiji today is an amalgamation of  Melanesian, Polynesian plus Indian and other indigenous tribes adjusting to the modern age of Internet and Tourism. Suva is the capital city located about 189km from Nadi where the International airport is located. Planning to do the island hopping and to visit the villages to get the glimpse of the culture.  Will be continued....


       
                        Merry Christmad & Happy New Year!

                                        PEACE ON EARTH!


All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Mon coeur va aux victimes à Paris

November 13, 2015,  another heinous crime committed on innocent public with simultaneous shootings on different neighborhood of Paris. Why?  Are we moving towards another World War?
It is high time for the World leaders to put aside their difference of opinions and to act in unison to curb terrorism.

It is a shocking reality that the terrorists managed to infiltrate into the city with an organized plan.
It is a crime committed to the whole humanity.  Just like the twin tower attacks, this was not a random shooting.  My heart goes out to the victims families and all the people in France.

PEACE ON EARTH

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Antwerp....Ruben....Diamonds....

A visit to Belgium is not complete without experiencing Antwerp that thrives from the middle ages.  Antwerp or Antwerpen is connected to the North Sea and is the second largest port in Europe. My visit was a day trip from Brussels and can be easily reached by car in 40 minutes.  The river Scheldt winding around the city and provide the uniqueness of any city that was found near a river with its immense use of transportation, providing water and the parks and natural habitats.     

 My main intention to visit Antwerp was to see the birth place of Ruben and some of his original paintings that are still kept in the famous Cathedral of Our Lady.  The Cathedral stands tall in the city center surrounded by cobblestone streets.  I was awestruck  by the life like painting “Elevation of the cross”. Peter Paul Ruben is famous for his baroque style of painting with all grandiose and attention to detail on the human anatomy.  Also visited the birthplace of Ruben converted into a Museum to look at some of his other great art.  Next to it is the Grote Market and historic baroque style buildings almost like an open air museum. 

The diamond district with its hustle and bustle is a showcase of various ethnic communities that co-exist to trade and trade… Hasidic Jews, Indians, Lebanese, and other artisans and traders own shops, cut and polish diamonds and sell. The Antwerp Diamond Bank and the De Beers are famous in the diamond trade all over the World.  A compressed carbon still rules the World!

Contented with a great lunch and Belgian Chocolate ice cream, I started my journey back to Brussels. 

PEACE ON EARTH

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Brussels....Ghent......Bruges.....

My third trip to Belgium began around the Memorial day weekend.  This time, the plan was to spend more time in the unexplored cities like the Ghent, Bruges and to visit the World War II historical sites and memorials.

 

The culture is a co-existence of  hard working Flemish and artsy French.  Even the monks in Belgium are famous for brewing beers! I was offered the Westvleteren ale referred as Trappist beer. As usual, anything vegetarian I have to try and needless to say, got blessed by the monks!! 

Ghent and Bruges are recognized as the UNESCO historical sites.  The canals in Bruges reminded of Venice but much cleaner and nicer. The movie "In Bruges" was filmed here.  In Ghent the attraction is the gothic and baroque churches.  One must see the "Adoration of the mystic lamb" in St. Bavos cathedral, painted by the VanEyck brothers in the 14th century. 

Brussels is flanked by Paris and Amsterdam, yet it is quite and laid back compared to them.It was a nice experience to be in the Jazz festival week. The city center at Brussels was vibrant with music lovers till the wee hours of dawn.  After, a decade it is great to visit a city again that has not changed very much.

  

Happy July 4^th!

PEACE ON EARTH

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Earthquake.....Nature......Nepal.....

It is sad that the recent earthquake took toll of many lives in Nepal.  Earthquakes are known phenomenon across the World. Nature has no distinction between whether it is Chile, USA, Nepal or Japan.  But, whenever and wherever there is an agonizing human loss and suffering we feel sad and helpless before the colossal laws of nature.

We are now concentrating on the study of core earth more than before and the environmental impact of constant mining, and groundwater depletion that impact the core. More research should be done on minimal impact building structures and education on handling the earthquake scenarios and aftermath. 

Help Nepal.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/ps0215-d?donationProdId=prod10001&flow=oc1&pgver=psearch&scode=RSG00000E017&subcode=grantdonationsgeneral&gclid=CITJieeMlMUCFXQV7Aod8SIAUA

https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/content/nepal_earthquake/?gclid=CKzA_r2MlMUCFRHl7AodpSkAoA

http://www.nycmedics.org/?gclid=CLX4rdmMlMUCFY09gQod14MAsw

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indian-armys-aid-to-quake-hit-nepal-named-operation-maitri/articleshow/47056645.cms

PEACE ON EARTH

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Solidarity....Empowerment......March 8th.....

Mosuo Women - Courtesy: The Guardian

When humans started living in groups, the Matriarchal and patriarchal societies evolved based on the economic and social needs.  In Lugu Lake in South West China one can find the remnant of a matriarchal society even today. The Mosuo tribe carries the tradition of empowering women and the property is handed down to the women. In Meghalaya, the North Eastern State in India, Garo tribe is another example where women own the land in this unique matriarchal society.  

By and large these examples are exceptions. It is not that we need either of the extremes but a more egalitarian society where everyone is treated and respected as a human being.

Political empowerment began with women's suffrage movement. Few noted examples are:

August 26, 1920 - 19th amendment. Ballots were given to women in the USA

1918 - Britain granted voting rights to women above 30. In 1928 women and men were considered equal for voting rights.

Interestingly, France granted the ballot to women only in 1944. French women had to wait for a long time after Voltaire proclaimed Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity!

There are many women who have pioneered to overcome the gender, racial, occupational, educational, political bias that formed a barrier. Today is the day to salute all women who have touched one's life in one way or the other.  

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day!

PEACE ON EARTH

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Goodbye February.....Welcome March.....Feeling Positive.....

O'HARE

Busy February is ending.  Blizzards, wind chill, snow and cold as usual put me on a litmus test during travels. I braved it whether it is a weather related flight delay or getting stranded in an airport during a layover.

Manhattan view

Being calm is the essential ingredient to face the unknown during travels.
February is a month that gives one a first ray of hope for spring. It begins with the Ground Hog's day. Theories about global warming also float during this month when a bizarre blizzard or icy rain strikes.

After new year, January literally push us to execute the resolutions made during the New Year! First 10 days are very intense in executing the diet plan, exercise schedule and after that the enthusiasm slowly fades away.  Then comes February with its sudden spurt of  cold weather and freaky snow storm and life becomes normal. An excuse for not going to the gym, lounging and blaming the weather!

On a flight to CT

Today is the last day of February and it feels good to step into March. March usually brings another surge of optimism to end the quarter successfully both in business and personal life, to learn from the mistakes and think positively. Life goes on - teaching us to adapt to nature, smile and  not to blame the weather when we know very little about the grand design of the universe.

Spring is not far!

PEACE ON EARTH

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Tears.....Faith.....Je Suis Charlie.....

My Prayers to the families who lost their loved ones in this act of terrorism. We all need to stand up for freedom, democracy and liberty. There is always a non-violence means to reconcile the differences or express opinions than killing.  

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty".

Mahatma Gandhi

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.