Author: Pozicool Raga

A Birds Soliloquy

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment



I was born in a nest on a tall tree. When I opened my eyes to the world, I heard squeals from my brothers and sisters. The “cheep-cheep” sounds around me were all I heard for the first few days. Our mother would fly away and bring us fresh worms to eat. Our father used to guard the nest, flying in and out to check on us. All we did was open our mouths when we were hungry and go to sleep. Then, barely a few days later, our mother started teaching us to fly. 

Our wings had grown, and we attempted to open and flutter them. Slowly, one by one, my brothers and sisters flew from the nest to newer places. The world outside the nest was unknown to me. Whenever some of my brothers and sisters came to visit, they would fill me with exciting stories – some scary and some exciting. I also wanted to explore the world, but…

So, I was one of the last ones remaining in the nest. My mother had tried to push me out of the nest many times but failed to. I would often reach the edge and retreat. Angrily, my mom finally made me off the perch with her sharp beak. I managed to fly a little but crashed to the ground. I almost thought I had broken my wings as I touched the soft mud. When I recovered from the fall, I looked around me. It was all green bushes around, and I heard shouts and excited squeals from tiny humans everywhere.

I saw many small pairs of eyes staring at me – some straining their necks to see me, reaching out to touch me with their hands. I got scared and retreated into the grass. I started feeling sleepy and went into a deep sleep. A while later, I found it all dark around me after I awoke. It had started raining heavily. I got scared and started crying. I became hungry and started shivering because of the cold too. I kept crying through the night. When I fell, I almost thought I would not have survived the fall. Throughout, I kept remembering the time my mother used to teach me to fly. Sigh! If only I had learned to fly! 

The first lights of the day opened my eyes. I got growly and hungry. I suddenly saw two tiny humans peeking at me and exchanging looks. My loud cries must have attracted their attention. There was a more significant human who had something in her hand. First, I got scared, thinking the human would attack me. After a few minutes, she dropped some water in my mouth and happily gulped it one after the other. The tiny humans looked happy and started jumping joyfully, looking at me drinking water. A bit later, I got a few rice grains in my mouth that I could barely swallow. I continued crying throughout that morning. Two humans scooped me up a while later and took me to another place. It looked like a bright place, and my humans placed me in a small room. The room had a small window too. They fed me food that I hungrily gobbled and water to drink. 

Soon, I fell fast asleep, deep in my dreams. I imagined my mom and dad with my brothers and sisters. We happily played until a bright light came, and all went dark suddenly. I awoke with a start, hearing loud sounds of tiny humans screaming around me. I peeked outside the window to see more eyes looking at me.

Sigh! I miss my family so much!

This is for all those tiny chicks who get separated from their mothers. The bird is a cuckoo baby who I am currently fostering. 

——

Priya is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet, and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is the single parent of an 8.5-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a freelance Content Consultant. Priya is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author and maybe a scriptwriter someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

Finding Zen In The Kitchen 

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment



“I love cooking. It gives me a lot of peace.” 
“Cooking is therapy, and I feel good about it.” 
“Cooking gives me goals to do, things to think about. The process of cooking helps re-center me, diverting me from all negative thoughts.”
“Cooking is meditation.”

If you resonate with the above, you are a mindful cooking practitioner. In other words, when cooking, you only concentrate on the food, the pots and pans, and the kitchen. The kitchen is your sanctum sanctorum for making food, and you experience peace there. I know many friends who tell them that cooking helps them de-stress. It allows them to take time out for themselves. 

It is one space where they can be themselves. Of course, the condition being no one is around to disrupt their thoughts, and the place is not chaotic. To truly experience the aromas and flavours of every dish, one must be there whole and soul! Your mind must be in that place rather than elsewhere. They say you need not be a skillful or a good cook but a mindful cook. When you begin cooking, you know precisely what you put in the dish. 

1. Start grounding yourself

There is no better way to begin the day than going for a nature walk, letting the first rays of the sun fall on your face, walking on bare grass and earth, and spending time in the water. Grounding is the best way to absorb nature’s positive energies and nourish your food.

2. Practice Gratitude

Taking a moment before beginning cooking is a great way to bring in mindfulness during cooking. In addition, you can thank the Universe for giving you all the ingredients to cook and appreciating the nutrition you are receiving from the food grown. 

3. Set the intent  

What is intent? It is a purpose or goal that you set before beginning any task. The same goes for cooking. What do you want to prepare today? Is it something that you would like to eat? Is it for someone in your family? Either way, the intent must be positive in anything you cook – something that makes everyone happy, including yourself. For instance, you can say, “I want to prepare a nourishing, delicious meal for my family.” You can make similar statements or affirmations and display them in your head before beginning to cook.

4. Being in the present 

As you cook, feel the warmth in the kitchen, breathe in the aromas and flavours, and feel the taste of the texture of the food on the tastebuds. If you think of all these, you are entirely into cooking.  

5. Shut off external distractions

There were no gadgets in earlier times, so one leisurely did cooking. We knew what we were cooking and what we ate as well. Cooking minus any external distractions (of course, there can be emergency calls, but avoid social media distractions) is the best way to practice mindful cooking.

6. Make it a sensory experience

Using all your senses – sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound – helps immensely in mindful cooking. For instance, noticing the colour of the vegetables, feeling the texture of the grains before and during cooking, tasting the gravy after you add salt and spices, and finally listening to the sizzling pan or the spluttering of seeds in the hot oil before you do the garnish, and smelling in all the spices, will engage all your senses effectively during cooking. Old timers vouch that they could make food without tasting it.

7. Pen down recipes

You may say that you are looking at a YouTube channel for recipes, but most of the time (be honest!), you spend more time before the screen, browsing other videos. Once you select the recipe you like, you can copy the recipe/write it down in a diary first (old-fashioned pen and paper!) before entering the kitchen. You could even pick the ingredients out while watching the video. Then, when you begin the process of cooking, you can have the diary around with you. It was an excellent old-fashioned method used in the days of zero digital devices by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers. They often remembered recipes verbatim thanks to this habit. So that rules out your need for a gadget for cooking.

8. Slow cooking

Stirring a gravy, kneading the dough, boiling rice, making a salad, chopping vegetables, and setting the table are all a part of slow cooking. It sounds impractical to do slow cooking when you are running against time to complete your deadline. But the solution may be to keep some time off for cooking alone. In your limited time, consciously keep away all kinds of distractions. That is why many love slow cooking on an open fire as well. No wonder our parents always insisted on waking up at dawn!

“Cooking is not just about the food. It’s about the intention, the love, and the energy we infuse into every dish.” 

How accurate is this statement? Think about how many days you have practiced mindful cooking. If you still need to and are caught up in the daily, monotonous routine, it is time to reset and start all over. If food nourishes the body, soulfully made food enhances both mind and body! 

——

Priya is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet, and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is the single parent of an 8.5-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a freelance Content Consultant. Priya is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author and maybe a scriptwriter someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

Culinary Tourism Is Fun

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment

Are you a foodie or a travel nomad? If you are both, you are the one to be all kicked up while enjoying varied multi-culinary experiences during all your travels. As you pass the streets, your tastebuds must get excited by various cuisines’ scintillating aromas and flavours. Whether street food or fine dining, you love trying new foods on the go.

I am a food traveler – I love sampling local delights. The last places I visited were Deolali (Nashik) and Kochi. Wherever I go, I love small street food corners and make it a point to mention in my social media posts as well about the local cuisine. So, I call myself a culinary traveler. Though I am not much into learning recipes, I love eating food from locals. Trust me; I look forward to traveling. Food is a brownie point for me and motivation to travel.

If you are a seasoned traveler, you must be the one to schedule a visit to the local streets of the place you intend to visit. But, even if you are not, you can still experiment with local foods. So, what is culinary tourism? It refers to travel experiences exploring local food and drinks in a region. Culinary tourism has caught up with all travel nomads interested in trying new, unique dishes and learning about the food, history, art and culture, and traditions of different regions of various countries. 

This is a different type of tourism genre that has suddenly become popular in India. For example, as a part of culinary tourism, food travellers go to food festivals, visit local markets, and attend cooking classes and food tours arranged by locals or startups. 

Farm-to-the plate

Many cities in India have opened local farms and markets where people can sample fresh produce or dine at restaurants specialising in local cuisine to promote culinary tourism in the region. This offers the opportunity to enjoy delicious food and drinks and provides better insight into the local culture and way of life. This way, tourists gain a better perspective of the history (passionate about heritage), traditions, and customs of the places they visit while supporting local businesses and farmers. In addition, home stays in hill stations will provide you with food made from fresh farm produce.

Eco-friendly

In addition, culinary tourism can have a positive impact on the environment. It promotes sustainable farming practices, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with food transport. Overall, it offers a unique and immersive way to explore new destinations and experience different cultures through food.

Local art forms and culture 

The best way to court the local art and culture of the place is to live in art villages. Most cities have started culture centers that promote music, fine arts, and the visual arts for tourists who want to know the place better. In addition, heritage walks and food walks are organized by government tourism organizations. While booking accommodation in a place you want to visit, you can check local attractions and events popular in the region. Many times, there may be folk artists who sing and dance. You may get a schedule on the region’s website for the same. 

Food tours

Some groups organize walks in areas of the city known for popular food joints catering to the local palate. It is the best way to scintillate taste buds. Some groups even allow people to learn the regional recipes cooked for generations. Then, you can observe the cooks make unique dishes.

Meet the natives

As a food explorer, you will love meeting people born and raised in the region. Imagine you are getting to meet the local tribes and getting to hear stories of the yore and local folklore, the legends, and the lesser-known mysteries of the region. The elders of the group would love to narrate their stories about the local culture and history that is unavailable on Google, Wikipedia, or any other search engines.

Food bloggers

These days, social media has become the Yellow Pages, Sulekha, and Just Dial of yesteryears. The 90s and 2k generation will relate to these websites, equivalent to phone directories for all local contacts in a city. The only difference is here. You get audio and visual details too of the said places. Influencers use Facebook and Instagram to share all travails and stories of various cities and countries they visit. Several food bloggers and V (video) bloggers regularly post videos and photographs of the food they eat and their top recommendations. If you follow them on social media, it can help you plan all your travels effectively. They even mention significant and popular events and festivals in their posts. You also can become one if you love food and traveling.

Tips from Culinary travellers

  • Make a schedule. You will not miss going to places
  • Prior research helps – blogs, reviews
  • Look for sites less visited
  • Avoid foods commonly available; choose local food that you will not get outside the region
  • Go on Food walks
  • Check for the appropriate season to see the area (avoid getting a heat stroke/ice bite!)
  • Lastly, be open to trying all foods and flavors

Signing off with a food byte. “You have to taste a culture to understand it.” – Deborah Caterer So go ahead and become a culinary traveler. Enjoy scintillating foods and join hands with the natives in promoting local cuisine this summer!

——

Priya is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet, and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is the single parent of an 8.5-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a freelance Content Consultant. Priya is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author and maybe a scriptwriter someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

Jogging Down The Memory Lanes Of Summer

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment

“Those Were the best days of my life” from Bryan Adams’ “Summer of 69” play as soon as the words “summer vacation” pop into my head. 

Summer holidays were a scheduled time to relax, frolic around, play with friends, gorge on “goals,” packet Pepsi, kulfi, and ice creams, and enjoy the little games we invented every day. It was a time to meet friends, catch up on our respective schools and exchange colony gossip. The best time to reload our last summer vacation memories and think of ways to make the current one memorable!

I fondly remember how I looked forward to my train journeys from Nagpur to Mumbai for my summer vacations. Two months were bliss for me. Mumbai being my birth city and home to most of my childhood friends, I have always had a soft corner towards it. So I made my first best friends there and got my best college buddies.

Apart from enjoying our favorite street food – pani puri, pav bhaji, cut raw mangoes in salt, and candy from the local shops – we loved window shopping in gift shops and roaming around markets. It was a time to invent the top games for our gang, sometimes reinventing old card games too. We played everything from pretend play to doll games and even trading books.

My summer memorabilia always included shells, stones, and various colorful items we got while playing in our colony. Summer rains were common in this region, and I loved getting drenched and dancing with friends. We just needed an excuse to get wet. So digging out shells from wet mud would be our pastime. When we reached home, we would be in on an excellent blasting from our families, looking at our muddy appearance. But nothing affected us as children. We took in all the yelling and even some bashing but did not give up our wild selves. Following the first rains, we fell sick, too, but the moment we recovered, we returned to our naughty tricks and antics. 

Such was childhood – those innocent, carefree days when our only worry was getting a scolding from elders, being grounded at home, or being told we would not get a particular meal. The one way we mostly escaped grounding was our friends ringing the doorbell or yelling our names from below the balcony to come to play. Our parents mostly gave in to our rapidly rolling tears and friends’ pleading voices, letting us go down to play. 

Summers had another attraction – mangoes! My grandmother would pre-order mango crates (unripe ones) a month ahead, and by the time we arrived during the summer holidays, we could dig into the juicy mangoes. Almost all meals had mangoes – cut pieces of ripe to eat, raw mango pieces dipped in salt and chili powder, the famous aamras (mango pulp), aam panna (juice from raw mangoes), murabba (grated mangoes made with either sugar or jaggery, cardamom, cloves, and kesar/saffron), Chanda (a word in Marathi for sweet and sour grated mango pickle) and a myriad variety that she made lovingly. I have eaten practically all Indian types of the King of Indian fruits, but the Konkan variety of mangoes plays another level of magic on our tongues. We would blissfully sink our teeth into luscious ripe mango flesh or even squirt juice on our friends as we ate them. 

Magic of first rains

The smell of fresh rains falling on hot soil is priceless. The way we all waited for thundering clouds to rumble and the slow fall of those tiny raindrops reflected our raw and unfiltered happiness (minus smartphones or who is clicking our photographs). Raincoats and gumboots were our favorites when we wanted to dig shells from the wet mud while cats and dogs were still raining. Nothing deterred us – getting a fever, cold, and cough – from going and getting muddy. 

Apart from the rains, even the hot sun did not limit our activities. We would go walking around in the colony, spy on “other kids” at times, do pretend to play, or if we felt like having a cold drink, we would quickly cross the streets to buy a bottle of either Gold Spot, Duke, or Rasna – one bottle shared amongst us. Even the taste of a few cold drops from the bottle was enough to send us into ecstasy mode! To get fancier, we sometimes would buy the sweet, mint-flavored Phantom cigarette (not the real one) and pose as if we were smoking.

Holiday homework blues

None of us were spared the “vacation spoiler” – the excellent holiday homework to be submitted on the first day of school. Our biggest villain for the summers but also a personal challenge we set among friends as to who would be the first to complete the homework. So, it became fun since all of us were sailing the same “homework” boat. It was another way of convincing parents to let us play for extended hours (till dusk). A motivation every morning to wake up and finish our activities at “Godspeed.”

Every night, my childhood friends and I would sit and talk about everything under the sun (I do not even remember the topics we spoke about now). As we grew older, our conversations extended to studies and life beyond school and chosen careers. We had come a long way from dolls to creating jokes and playing pranks on friends. Yet, in our almost 35 years of friendship, we have not yet lost our old bonds and essence – that is magical to us. Our gang still catches up now and then with each other – this time over jobs, children, and respective families! 

All my diaries were filled with memories shared with my buddies during the summers – one of the best times of our lives.

Indeed, I want my son to have the same sweet childhood memories. I love telling my son this: “There are only 18 summers in childhood. So, make each one count!”

——

Priya is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet, and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is the single parent of an 8.5-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a freelance Content Consultant. Priya is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author and maybe a scriptwriter someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

Looking For Your Body Double

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment



Hey, by any chance, did you visualize a stunt artist when you read Body Double? I did, too, when I came across the term. There is another meaning to this term as well. Welcome to the virtual world terminology.

A body double is your partner/buddy helping you complete your work just by being around you. For example, in the corporate world, a buddy is assigned to you when you join a company. This person will have similar job skills and resembles your job profile too. They will pair up with you for work or projects. This concept has been used for ADHD (Attention deficit/Hyperactive) individuals as well, who are unable to focus on one task for too long and often get bored with work routines. A buddy helps motivate them to work harder and be on time for work too. 

Post the pandemic, we all have gone into shells and walls in the virtual world and working on targets and deadlines isolated. So body doubling has also been a great initiative in boosting work productivity and morale. So, are you the one to procrastinate on your work? Do you need more motivation to finish daily work tasks? Then you need a body double to help you out.

When I first heard about the term, my first image was of a stunt artist who doubles up for an actor on screen. In this case, the body double will have your physique and even resemble you, so the audience will think it is the actor doing the stunts. But can we have a Body Double in real life too? The answer is yes, you can!

Though there is a difference here, a body double in the reel world or celluloid does stunts for you, whereas in real life, your partner, a.k.a Body Double, will do their tasks on their own, but make sure you complete your deadlines too, sitting next to you – in another screen and different part of the globe. 

Honestly, the virtual world does not cease to surprise me. I loved the idea of me working with another stranger in a different time zone. All you need to do is chalk out your tasks and deadlines. Your partner will not even talk to you. They will be simply there in the same chat room quietly. I found a website for Body Doubling, registered there, and booked a session. The website usually matches you with a person available at the time. I got a partner from Australia. We both worked for 25 minutes together. At the end of the session, we exchanged notes on how much we had completed and parted ways. It was so simple. After that, I re-booked another session for a longer duration this time. 

Body doubling is a boon for those working from home who need daily motivation to work. It has also benefited people with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). So, a Body Double can help people re-center their focus whenever their minds gravitate elsewhere. It is like having your best friend or buddy next to you in the same room. The only rule of websites hosting Body Doubling services is that you will not socialize or talk. Just do your work and exit the chat window after the session. It makes your work time extremely productive, and you do not feel sad at the end of the day. A few registered users on websites and apps for body doubling have given reviews, saying how it has helped their business immensely and completing daily tasks flawlessly. 

This is the online world. You can also choose to go offline and have body doubles in the real world. 

Most big metros and cities are witnessing a sudden trend of co-working spaces in various parts of the city. Many are willing to rent out or lease out spaces of their houses/apartments for people who want to work from outside office settings. Many may not want to work from home, and such spaces are a welcome change from the usual dull ambiance. You share work spaces with people you may or may not know from different walks of life and professions. It’s fun to interact with them and complete your work as well. Experts have said this is the best way to improve morale and work productivity; hence, companies are now open to the hybrid work model. It is a win-win for both employers and employees. Work getting completed on time and happy employees who can be more relaxed finishing targets and daily deadlines. Body Doubles can be anywhere if you don’t get busy socializing or dating during work hours!

Perks of Body Doubling

1. Improved Focus and Concentration

Having a partner ensures you will keep your mobile away and focus only on the work and the clock!

2. Accountability

By the end of the day, you can proudly tick off your completed deadlines and targets. But the best part is you can be accountable only to yourself.

3. Boosts Productivity

When you improve your deadlines and target time, productivity gets boosted, and you also complete more work. But, of course, the disclaimer is not to overwork as well ‘coz “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

4. Collaboration

Co-working sometimes leads you to get a work buddy and a future professional collaboration. Once you know the person well enough and they are from the same field as you, then you can even work on projects jointly!

5. Better Zeal To Work

Once you know another person is working as well with you, you tend to work better. 

Historically, there is evidence for the practice of Body Doubling. Interestingly, one of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, is known to have used this technique to improve his work productivity. He would set a timer and work with a friend. He had a rule not to take any breaks in the time set for work. Initially begun for people suffering from attention difficulties, this is now useful for all those who are into target-based or deadline work and are working from home. 

You do not need to go online to find work partners or Body Doubles. You can go offline too. Find your work buddies in your area, and share the rent for a co-working space and work. Thanks to the pandemic, virtual co-working has become a blessing in disguise for everyone. But, unfortunately, it has shrunken the world a wee bit more than earlier.

As Benjamin Franklin said: “Lost Time is never found again,” so I say, ‘Go find your Body Double now!’

——

Priya is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet, and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is the single parent of an 8.5-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a freelance Content Consultant. Priya is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author and maybe a scriptwriter someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

Paramaguru Sisters-Books Are Us

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment

Thank you for taking the time for the interview. Excited about your Community Library Project. First, tell me, who are Ridhi and Sara? Describe yourselves.

Ridhi: Hello I am Ridhi Paramaguru. I am studying in 8th grade. I am a curious girl with artistic views and expressions. I value the knowledge and wisdom I get from books. My favourite book genres are mystery and fantasy. I love trying new things; my favourite hobbies are drawing and reading.

Sara: Hello, I am Sara Paramaguru, a 4th grader. I am very conversational with friends. Sometimes, I am shy and need to be more open with new people. I love to try different food and read comics and fantasy books. I am enthusiastic and confident in what I do.

Paramaguru Sisters Ridhi & Sara On Their Journey
From Home To Community Library

Pic by Paramaguru Thangavelu

1. It Looks like both of you are book enthusiasts. Who introduced you to reading?

Ridhi: Our parents introduced us to books, especially many popular children’s authors. We always went to the library as children, which is how our love for books began. 
Sara: Yes, our parents. They are the people behind our interests. Going to the library as a kid impacted me a lot.

2. The next question will not surprise you. Who are your favourite authors?

Ridhi: Roald Dahl
Sara: Geronimo Stilton

3. Who is your favourite character from a book, and why? 

Ridhi: My favourite character is Luna from the book “The Girl who drank the Moon” by Kelly Barnhill. I love Luna’s viewpoints and how she formulates matters and looks at nature. It is inspiring to me. Another book I have just begun reading is “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd. It is about the perspective of a 13-year-old girl, and it explains the world of racism. She is in a world of racists as a white girl and her viewpoints about how it is not fair to segregate people are pretty reasonable. She also learned about motherhood. 
Sara: Since my favourite book is Geronimo Stilton, my favourite character is Geronimo Stilton, a cute mouse.

4. What inspired you to start a community library, and how did you get started?

Ridhi : When we shifted to India five years ago from the USA, our dad got us a lot of books to read. We had a home library in the first house we shifted to. We both finished reading all the books and wanted to begin a library. But it did not happen. Then, a few years later, my school recently asked us to do a community project on something we liked to do or share with our community. I realized the place (where we live) needed a library for kids who enjoy reading, and I also love reading books. 

Another thing that I have noticed is a lot of children read books on the screen or on the internet. One thing we cannot vouch for is that the internet is not the right place to look for books since it may only provide age-appropriate books sometimes. A library is always the best 'go-to place' for readers since books are appropriately catalogued and segregated by age. Children must read books meant for their age.
Pic by Paramaguru Thangavelu

5. How can we encourage kids to read books?

Ridhi: By bringing in the current favourite authors whom children love reading and letting them read books of their choice.
Sara: We also thought of rewarding them with prizes so that they would get motivated to read more books. 
Ridhi: Oh Yeah, to begin with, for instance, if they read five books, they would get a gift or a prize. After that, the number could increase to 10 or more. Another point we thought of was weekly quizzes. Quiz topics or themes would be based on books in the library, and questions would be based on those topics. Till now, we have had History, Geography, Politics, Sports, Food, and culture, and the next coming up is Space. Teams have been created with unique names, motivating children to ace the quizzes for their teams and motivating them to work harder each week. Points are given and marked on the whiteboard.

6. What are the current popular teen titles?

Ridhi:Harry Potter and Geronimo Stilton are the most popular and sought-after titles being read. I am not aware of the others. These days, many teens are watching series and hence not reading. It was also one of the reasons to begin the library; to bring them back to print.

7. What difference do you find in the behaviour of children coming to read books in the community library now vis a vis to when you began it?

Ridhi: All kids have become inquisitive and are learning to ask questions. There is more participation in the weekly quizzes we conduct in the library.
Pic by Paramaguru Thangavelu

8. Do you think this project must be taken up by other communities, too, and why?

Ridhi : We lived in the USA, where there were libraries everywhere. Reading habit in children is inculcated quite early on. So, when we came to India, we struggled to find a library here. Libraries are incredibly resourceful, especially if you have to do a lot of research. It becomes easy if you have one near you. The distance in our city makes it challenging for parents to drive children to a library regularly. So, we thought, why not begin one in our area?   
Sara: Our teacher had once told us how she often struggled to get books and had to travel a lot to procure books. This was because there were no libraries in her vicinity.
Ridhi: There must be libraries in other communities. I believe it helps develop children’s minds and helps them grow into more responsible and knowledgeable citizens in the future.

9. What is your dream? Any message that you have for parents and children?

Ridhi: I want to become like my dad, a software engineer working in an IT company. A message for all parents is that a good book is enough to change the children. Do give age-appropriate stories to children to read and maturity levels. 
Sara: Either a scientist or a software engineer. Like my dad.

10. Thankyou for this fantastic chat. I hope the Community Library will continue to bring all kids in your area together. 

Ridhi: Thank you for having us.
Sara: Thank you.

Pictures clicked by Paramaguru Thangavelu

Priya is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet, and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is the single parent of an 8.5-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a freelance Content Consultant. Priya is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author of a book and maybe the scriptwriter of a film someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

New Dating Slangs To Remember

/ Pozicool Raga / 2 Comments

A friend re-entered the dating pool a few years back. The last she dated was her husband, whom she met at university. Since then, everything has changed. So thus, she needed to learn about the new dating scene. A few from her circle suggested a few app names and requested she creates an online profile. It would be a real “quickie,” her friends had told her. A quickie in current lingo means a short and concise act of lovemaking. A quick one. Sounds exciting and exhilarating, having sex in a few minutes wherever you are.

So back to the topic. Now, she had to “swipe” left or right. Well, it depended on what she wanted to do with the profile or potential match in front of her. A super exciting adventure where all she had to do was set a location preference, and pictures of dates would appear. And thus, she began dating. 

Dating for the current generation could be anything from a quickie, an ONS (One night stand), or an open relationship to it’s complicated. Of course, you can customize your profile bio depending on what you want.

For millennials, dating meant meeting potential dates in pubs, bars, plays, cinemas, cafes, or restaurants. Some metros and a few small cities back then had started speed dating events (present in a different form today) where you encountered people face-to-face and spent a fixed period (10-15 minutes) at each table in cafes and yet find your love or romantic interest. 

Online dating was in its early phases. Yahoo and MSN chatrooms were dating hubs where potential partners exchanged A/S/Ls. For the unversed, A/S/L is age, sex, and location. Orkut was blooming, and social media had just been born. Creating attractive profiles with eye-catching bios was the norm. When Facebook made its entry, it took over the dating scene. It was one of the biggest social media platforms then. Potential dates would check photographs and videos (no reels then) of people and approach them. Slowly audio and video calling features were added, making the dating universe much smaller. People sitting on different continents or countries across the globe could match potential partners in seconds. And now, there are millions of apps around the world.

Just like the definitions of romance and love have undergone profound changes, the vocabulary has changed significantly since we crossed from the Gen Ys and Gen Zs to the present Generation Alpha. The medium of romance is no longer only phone calls and text messages via SMS, Whatsapp, or Messenger. In addition, one has multi-dating options thanks to dating apps and many others. 

The vocabulary and terminology have profoundly changed from the Lost Gen, Greatest Gen, Silent Gen, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, to Gen Alpha. Suppose you belonged to the 80s/90s or Gen X/MTV generation. In that case, these are the terms you may be familiar with (there may be more, too, depending on all the countries and continents across the globe), thanks to the million sitcoms we watched back then. On the other hand, Gen Alpha (born 2010 till now) is an app-based, quickie generation – whether it is health, lifestyle, travel, or even dating – life is at the fingertips of gadgets.

You can create an attractive profile on any dating app and swipe left/right for potential dates. All you need is a photo or a video for verification from the dating app, and you are all set to meet your date. Mention your city, sexual/gender preference, and why you want to date; you will be matched better with dates accordingly. Like-minded profiles will pop up for you to check. Unlike the good old days when you exchanged phone numbers, now you can preserve your anonymity and chat till you are prepared to meet your date. Until then, you can use the chat interface of the apps.  

Top 10 New Generation Dating slangs

1. Ghosting

When someone suddenly stops communicating with their romantic interest without any explanation or warning.

2. Benching

When someone keeps a potential romantic partner “on the bench” or in reserve without fully committing to them, while continuing to explore other options.

3. DTR – Define The Relationship

This is when two people talk about what their relationship means and what they expect from each other.

4. Cushioning

When someone keeps multiple romantic options as a safety net in case their relationship doesn’t work out.

5. Catfishing

When someone pretends to be someone else online to deceive someone into a romantic relationship.

6. Slow-fading

When someone gradually decreases communication and fades out of a romantic relationship without officially ending it.

7. Cuffing season

The time of year, typically in the fall and winter, when people seek a committed relationship for the colder months.

8. Bread-crumbing

When someone gives just enough attention and affection to keep someone interested but doesn’t fully commit to a relationship.

9. Love-bombing 

When someone overwhelms their romantic interest with excessive attention, affection, and gifts, usually in the early stages of a relationship.

10. Stealthing 

The act of removing a condom during sex without the other person’s knowledge or consent. This is a form of sexual assault.

Knowing the language of dating allows you to communicate effectively with potential partners. It helps you understand what someone means when they use a particular term and will enable you to express yourself clearly and accurately. Different dating terms and phrases can have different meanings for different people. Understanding these terms can help you know what your partner is looking for in a relationship and their expectations. Dating terminology can be confusing, and it’s easy to misinterpret what someone means. By being aware of the language of dating, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure you are on the same page with your partner. In the modern dating world, there are many new and different ways to meet people, some of which can be risky. Knowing the language of dating can help you navigate online dating apps and websites and be aware of potential red flags or signs of danger.

Here are a few more SLANGS to know

  1. Orbiting
    When someone continues to engage with their former romantic interest on social media without communicating directly.
  2. Haunting
    Similar to orbiting, haunting is when someone lurks on their former romantic interest’s social media, even after the relationship has ended.
  3. Zombieing
    When someone who ghosted their romantic interest suddenly reappears, often months or years later, as if nothing happened.
  4. Submarining
    When someone who ghosted their romantic interest suddenly reappears, but with an explanation or apology for their previous disappearance.
  5. Thirst-trap
    When someone posts a photo on social media to receive attention and validation from others, often sexually or suggestively.
  6. Gaslighting
    When someone manipulates their romantic interest into doubting their perceptions, memories, or sanity.
  7. Monkeying 
    The practice of quickly moving on from one romantic interest to another without taking time to process or heal from the previous relationship.
  8. Paperclipping
    When someone who ghosted their romantic interest suddenly reappears without any explanation or apology for their previous disappearance.
  9. Stashing
    When someone keeps their romantic interest a secret from their family and friends, often indicating that they’re not serious about the relationship.
  10. Kittenfishing
    When someone presents themselves online in a slightly more positive or exaggerated light than their true self, without necessarily pretending to be someone else.

In recap, knowing dating terminology can help you communicate effectively, understand your partner’s expectations, avoid confusion and misunderstandings, and more importantly stay safe while dating.

——

She is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is a single parent of a 7-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a Content Consultant/ Communications-PR Manager. She is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author of a book and maybe the scriptwriter of a film someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

Creativity To Inspire And Imagine

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment

You do not need to be a writer or artist or be in any creative field to be creative. Each one of us have creativity hidden in all our mental crevices. 

I have often heard my friends and close acquaintances tell me how they want to be creative, how they are not clever enough, or how their brains are not wired for creativity. So many such statements float around in the Universe, and we all get attracted to negative words first. Right? I am sure most of you will resonate with this.

So how do you define creativity? Creativity is subjective and different for all. For some, it can be words, and some can be sketches, singing, dancing, photography, or even graffiti. It is a release of energy in a constructive manner using various tools and mediums. Creativity helps break the same old mundane routines – a break from doing ordinary chores. 

According to the dictionary, “Creativity is the ability to make or otherwise bring into existence something new, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form.” 

In modern terminology, there is a term called “Creative Explorers.” They are those who can invent and invent original ideas. Are you one? What is your definition of creativity? What do you think makes your creative juices flow? Do mention it in the comment section.

In my early days, creativity came in writing and doodling (drawing and scribbling). Between classes in school and while attending boring lectures in college, I have often dawdled and scribbled designs. Old textbooks were filled with Warli décor (my favourite tribal art). Doodling gave me ideas to study concepts, ideate for a new project and help friends in their romantic adventures (I shall come to that later) too. 

  1. Nature Walks
    Mother Nature can be highly inspiring. Flora and fauna, insects, and all elements of nature can give you many ideas if you look closely at each. The designs, contours, colours, texture, and sounds can evoke you to create the best creations.
  2. Music
    At times, you listen to a particular music piece in your playlist, and it will make you freeze in your tracks and make you think. So keep your journal and pen handy. Jot down the first word or concept that comes to your mind. 
  3. Crossword Puzzles
    If you have been stuck while writing a novel or trying to fit a piece in a jigsaw puzzle, solving the mystery of a missing object, weaving threads of a relationship, or healing a part of your unresolved traumas, sit down with a crossword puzzle. While solving the crossword, you might stimulate your brain and think of something you never thought of before.
  4. Dance  
    If you are a kinaesthetic personality who loves to move around and think or do things, dance may activate your brain and help you solve problems. So many a time, we get saturated thinking in one spot. Dance movements will help re-center your body and mind, making you come up with out-of-the-box solutions.
  5. Painting
    Colours have a beautiful effect on humans. You can develop mindfulness and concentration, solve problems efficiently, act as a stress buster, and connect with yourself more. Painting is akin to connecting with one’s inner self since you spend much time filling a canvas with drawings and colours. They say an artwork reflects an artist’s soul on the canvas.
  6. Graffiti 
    It has become of the best mediums to express one’s thoughts and opinions. Apart from being a hobby, it is being explored professionally by people in ad and digital marketing companies for social media campaigns. It gives people a sense of individuality and uniqueness, helps them come up with offbeat ideas for doing social projects, connects with the masses easily during campaigns, and helps boost self-esteem. Caution is to do graffiti on old walls, unused warehouses, old structures in cities, and legally designated public spaces.
  7. Photography
    A camera is a medium for a person to capture moments, people, animals, and all elements of nature. A photographer’s pictures reflect their soul, they say. The photographs captured show how they want to express their thoughts. Each frame has a part of them frozen with other elements in the picture.
  8. Cooking
    I know many friends who enter the kitchen to get inspired. They say food inspires and stimulates their imagination. It kicks up their creative abilities when they try a new recipe in the kitchen. Baking, grilling, or cooking something completely new even helps solve a lot of unresolved doubts in their mind. It is also a beautiful art form.
  9. Do-It-Yourself (DIY)Art
    If you are into making handmade things for yourself, the house, or your loved ones, then DIY is for you. Try making things from scratch, and the excitement that gets fired up to create something different will bring out all your creative juices. Of course, it can be just picking out raw materials for your DIY craft, but it will stimulate all your senses.
  10. App Designing & Video Games
    Both these are the current trend among teens and Gen Alpha. It is one of the biggest stressbusters from studies and usual routines. There are dozens of video tutorials to guide you to do the same. You can learn a new skill too and, in the long run, help your friends create and design apps, video games, and anything tech related. You need not be a tech geek for this. All you need is a laptop and online tools to develop web programs. A lot of tutorial videos break tech concepts into plain non-specialist language. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get creative, and make your creations this summer!

Signing off with a favourite quote I read:

“Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.” – Bruce Garrabrandt, artist, author, and speaker.

She is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is a single parent of a 7-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a Content Consultant/ Communications-PR Manager. She is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author of a book and maybe the scriptwriter of a film someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

Workcations And Top 10 Destinations India

/ Pozicool Raga / Leave a comment

Have you been on a working holiday? Yes, you read it right. Workcations or work combined with a holiday is the rising trend in the workforce across the globe now. Welcome to the generation of digital nomads. It is the best bonus you can ever get if you love traveling while working. All you need is your laptop, a data connection, and you! 

Workcations provide an opportunity to combine work and leisure, leading to increased productivity, better work-life balance, networking opportunities, skill development, and reduced stress levels.

You can be in any part of the globe and continue to meet deadlines. However, in the last two years, businesses have also noticed rising productivity of employees despite working remotely. Remote work began during the pandemic and is continuing even now. So once various countries opened up to tourists and locals after the pandemic, some travelholics, aka travel nomads, chose this as an opportunity to travel and work. It became a double bonus because they got to work and enjoy some leisure time – a refreshing change of scenery for employees. This is one reason why many companies began switching to remote mode. Some even went hybrid (a mix of remote and working in the office) because they found work productivity improving and conserving office resources.

So, are you a travelholic? You heard that word right—a term for people who love traveling and take off whenever time permits. If you are a travelholic, you will always have a browser window showing maps and new locations on your laptop. Another window will also show searches for a cheap flight and train tickets. After being holed up at home for almost two years during the pandemic, tourism has revived in most parts of the country. 

Workplaces have opened up, and bosses slowly recall their employees in hybrid mode. Thanks to the hybrid work model, people can work from anywhere. This has spelled good news for all travelholics. They can now pick their favourite destinations and work from anywhere with a decent internet connection and a laptop. Deadlines can be the same except for a change in scenery.

Gone are when people needed to report daily to their bosses in person. People can now pick co-working spaces or go on a holiday and still work in leisure. As long as deadlines and productivity are met, you can travel anywhere.

tips for those who want to try a Workcation

1. Early Travel Planning
Plan well in advance. When you pack your bags and move to a different location, especially for work, you must also have a working map. For instance, planning the work, scheduling realistic deadlines according to the time you stay there, and planning a pleasurable time off work. In addition, do enough research on the place you go to. Preferably go to a familiar location where you already have been earlier to save time on R&D!

2. Choose A Budget Boarding
Wherever you go, the accommodation must be comfortable. Choose service apartments (if need be) or a budget hotel (depending on your pocket and the time you intend to stay). If you need to stay longer, an internet-friendly destination must be preferred - a boarding with good Wi-Fi. Also, make sure eateries are easily accessible so that you don’t spend too much time away from work.

3. Set Precise, Realistic Work Schedules 
If you are a freelancer, do make sure you set realistic deadlines for yourself. If you are working for someone, mention realistic deadlines that you can meet, including the time off work.

4. Creating A Comfortable Workspace
Once you have the working blueprint and finalize your location and accommodation, create a well-lit workspace. Then, visualize yourself in that space and accordingly set it up.

5. All Work And No play Leaves One Dull!
It is time to explore your inner self if this is a solo workcation. Even with friends, look for mini treks near your location or local cafes where you can lounge without work. Sample local cuisine, or enjoy your favorite treats if it is a familiar location.

6. Start A Self-Care Routine
Follow a new skincare or hair care routine for yourself. Pampering yourself is equally important. Since you are off the office routine, you can relax and indulge yourself. It is essential irrespective of gender!

Top 10 Workcation destinations in India 2023

1. Goa

Goa offers an ideal combination of natural beauty, good weather, connectivity, affordability, culture, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers. 

  1. Scenic Beauty:
    Goa is known for its beautiful beaches, lush green forests, and serene backwaters. This natural beauty makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers who want to work in a peaceful and inspiring environment.
  2. Great Weather:
    Goa has a tropical climate, which means it enjoys warm weather throughout the year. It is an excellent place for people who want to escape the cold winter months in other parts of the world.
  3. Good Connectivity:
    Goa is well-connected by air, road, and rail to major cities in India and other parts of the world. It makes it easy for people to travel to and from Goa for work.
  4. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Goa is relatively inexpensive. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.
  5. Vibrant Culture:
    Goa has a unique blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, seen in its architecture, food, and festivals. It makes it an exciting and culturally rich place to work and live.
  6. Growing Startup Scene:
    In recent years, Goa has become a hub for startups in India. It has led to the development of coworking spaces and other amenities that cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.

2. Dharamshala

Nestled in Himachal Pradesh, this quaint little town – a potpourri of residents and tourists from all cultures, can be one of the serene locations for working. Strung by Buddhist shrines, cafes, and local markets, it is a great place to relax and work. Look for homestays if you are looking for a longer time. Else there are great options for budget hotels too. Dharamshala offers an ideal combination of natural beauty, good weather, connectivity, affordability, culture, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers. 

  1. Scenic Beauty:
    Dharamshala is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and is surrounded by lush green forests, snow-capped mountains, and pristine waterfalls. This natural beauty makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers who want to work in a peaceful and inspiring environment.
  2. Pleasant Weather:
    Dharamshala has a moderate climate throughout the year, which makes it a great place to work and live. It is prevalent among people who want to escape the scorching heat of the plains during the summer months.
  3. Good Connectivity:
    Dharamshala is well-connected by road and air to major cities in India. The nearest airport is Gaggal Airport, about 13 km from Dharamshala. It makes it easy for people to travel to and from Dharamshala for work.
  4. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations around the world, Dharamshala is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.
  5. Spiritual and Cultural Hub:
    Dharamshala is home to several Buddhist monasteries, including the Dalai Lama’s residence. This makes it a popular destination among people interested in spirituality and wanting to learn more about Buddhist culture.
  6. Growing Startup Scene:
    Dharamshala has emerged as a startup hub in India. This has led to the development of coworking spaces and other amenities that cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.

3. Rishikesh

Another hilly destination in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand is a popular holy town. The town is famous for river rafting, cafes, and restaurants. You can get suitable co-working spaces there. Rishikesh offers an ideal combination of spirituality, natural beauty, adventure, connectivity, affordability, culture, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. Spiritual and Yoga Hub:
    Rishikesh is known as the “Yoga Capital of the World” and is home to several ashrams and yoga schools. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in spirituality, meditation, and yoga.
  2. Scenic Beauty:
    Rishikesh is situated on the river Ganges’s banks and surrounded by lush green forests and mountains. This natural beauty makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a peaceful and inspiring environment.
  3. Good Connectivity:
    Rishikesh is well-connected by road and rail to major cities in India. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 35 km from Rishikesh. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Rishikesh for work.
  4. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Rishikesh is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.
  5. Adventure Sports:
    Rishikesh is known for its adventure sports, including white water rafting, bungee jumping, and zip-lining. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to take a break from work and indulge in some outdoor activities.
  6. Growing Startup Scene:
    In recent years, Rishikesh has emerged as a startup hub in India. This has led to the development of coworking spaces and other amenities that cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.

4. Udaipur

This city of lakes and palaces in Rajasthan is another place recommended for a workcation. This popular tourist destination has suitable co-working spaces and areas to relax. Slow evening walks along the lake can be a bonus after a hard day at work. Avoid the summers, though, for a vacation or a workcation. Udaipur offers an ideal combination of cultural and historical significance, natural beauty, connectivity, affordability, cuisine, and hospitality, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. Cultural and Historical Significance:
    Udaipur is known as the “City of Lakes” and is home to several palaces, forts, and temples of historical and cultural significance. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in history, culture, and architecture.
  2. Scenic Beauty:
    Udaipur is situated in the Aravalli Range and is surrounded by lush green forests, hills, and lakes. This natural beauty makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a peaceful and inspiring environment.
  3. Good Connectivity:
    Udaipur is well-connected by air, road, and rail to major cities in India. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Udaipur for work.
  4. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Udaipur is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.
  5. Growing Startup Scene:
    In recent years, Udaipur has emerged as a startup hub in India. This has led to the development of coworking spaces and other amenities that cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.
  6. Cuisine and Hospitality:
    Udaipur is known for its rich, diverse cuisine and warm hospitality. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to explore different culinary traditions and experience the warmth and friendliness of the local people.

5. Varkala

A beautiful beach destination in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Varkala, is highly recommended for working and holidaying. One of the top tourist destinations, it has the perfect recipe for a workcation – resorts, cafes, and local markets. Varkala offers an ideal combination of a beach destination, connectivity, Ayurveda and wellness, affordability, local culture and cuisine, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. Beach Destination:
    Varkala is known for its pristine beaches and scenic beauty. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a relaxed and peaceful environment.
  2. Good Connectivity:
    Varkala is well-connected by air, road, and rail to major cities in India. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 50 km from Varkala. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Varkala for work.
  3. Ayurveda and Wellness:
    Varkala has several Ayurvedic clinics and wellness centers. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in holistic healing and wellness practices.
  4. Growing Startup Scene:
    As an emerging startup hub in India, Varkala has led to the development of coworking spaces and other amenities that cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.
  5. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Varkala is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.
  6. Local Culture and Cuisine:
    Varkala is known for its rich and diverse local culture and cuisine. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to experience different culinary traditions and learn about the local customs and traditions.

6. Pondicherry 

Beaches, Auroville, markets, cafes, and French colony are the words on search in Google whenever you look for this quaint town in Tamil Nadu—also known as Puducherry, and this may be your perfect getaway for work. Sample local cuisine and take long walks on the beach when you get off work. Pondicherry offers an ideal combination of French heritage, natural beauty, connectivity, affordability, yoga and meditation, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. French Heritage:
    Pondicherry was a French colony until 1954 and had a distinct French influence in its architecture, cuisine, and culture. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in history, culture, and architecture.
  2. Good Connectivity:
    Pondicherry is well-connected by air, road, and rail to major cities in India. The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport, about 135 km from Pondicherry. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Pondicherry for work.
  3. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Pondicherry is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.
  4. Beaches and Natural Beauty:
    Pondicherry is on the Bay of Bengal and is home to several beaches and scenic spots. This natural beauty makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a peaceful and inspiring environment.
  5. Growing Startup Scene:
    In recent years, Pondicherry has emerged as a hub for startups in India. This has led to the development of coworking spaces and other amenities that cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.
  6. Yoga and Meditation:
    Pondicherry is home to several yoga and meditation centers. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in wellness practices and meditation.

7. Munnar

If you love cooler climes, you can go to Munnar. It is a popular hill station in the Western Ghats in Kerala—a perfect summer getaway for working away from boring office settings. Cool climes, scenic tea and coffee plantations, a hot cuppa of your favourite beverage, and a cozy workstation are all you need for a fantastic workcation. 

Munnar offers scenic beauty, mild climate, adventure sports, Ayurveda and wellness, affordability, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. Scenic Beauty:
    Munnar is known for its picturesque landscapes, tea plantations, and lush greenery. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a calm and inspiring environment.
  2. Good Connectivity:
    Munnar is well-connected by road to major cities in South India. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is about 110 km from Munnar. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Munnar for work.
  3. Mild Climate:
    Munnar has a pleasant climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. This makes it an ideal destination for people who want to escape the hot and humid climate of the cities.
  4. Adventure Sports:
    Munnar offers adventure sports like trekking, camping, and rock climbing. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers who want to engage in outdoor activities.
  5. Ayurveda and Wellness:
    Munnar has several Ayurvedic clinics and wellness centers. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in holistic healing and wellness practices.
  6. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Munnar is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.

8. Manali

If you want to explore hill stations in north India, you must visit this one. Located in Himachal Pradesh, this cute hill station is conducive for undisturbed work while exploring local cultures and cuisines. You can take the weekend off and even trek to nearby hills if you are a trekking enthusiast. There are small cafes too. Do watch out for bikers. It is one of their favourite biking routes as well. Manali offers scenic beauty, adventure sports, a mild climate, yoga and meditation, affordability, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. Scenic Beauty:
    Manali is known for its beautiful landscapes, snow-capped mountains, and picturesque views. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a serene and inspiring environment.
  2. Adventure Sports:
    Manali offers several adventure sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, trekking, and paragliding. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers who want to engage in outdoor activities.
  3. Good Connectivity:
    Manali is well-connected by road and air to major cities in India. The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport, which is about 50 km from Manali. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Manali for work.
  4. Mild Climate:
    Manali has a pleasant climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C. This makes it an ideal destination for people who want to escape the heat of the cities.
  5. Yoga and Meditation:
    Manali is home to several yoga and meditation centers. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in wellness practices and meditation.
  6. Affordable Living Costs:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Manali is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.

9. Shillong

Called the “Scotland of the East,” this beautiful hill station in Meghalaya northeast is famous for its tea plantations and varieties. Most people take a break to go there to attend concerts and music festivals. Many rock bands come there to perform—a great place to unwind and work. Shillong offers an ideal combination of scenic beauty, culture and heritage, music scene, affordability, and infrastructure, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. Scenic Beauty:
    Shillong is known for its natural beauty, rolling hills, waterfalls, and picturesque views. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a calm and inspiring environment.
  2. Good Connectivity:
    Shillong is well-connected by road and air to major cities in India. The nearest airport is Shillong Airport, about 30 km from Shillong. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Shillong for work.
  3. Mild Climate:
    Shillong has a moderate climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C. This makes it an ideal destination for people who want to escape the heat and humidity of the cities.
  4. Culture and Heritage:
    Shillong has a rich cultural heritage and is home to several museums and historical sites. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in history and culture.
  5. Music Scene:
    Shillong is known for its vibrant music scene and is often called the “rock capital” of India. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in music and nightlife.
  6. Affordability:
    Compared to other popular workcation destinations worldwide, Shillong is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.

10. Alibaug

This last destination is one of Mumbai’s best weekend getaways. Surrounded by the sea, Alibaug (formerly known as Kolaba and has a fort with the same name) can be easily added to your workcation destination lists. With a peaceful ambiance and work-cum-leisure time, Alibaug has some of the best beaches. Alibaug offers an ideal combination of proximity to Mumbai, beaches and nature, historical and cultural attractions, affordability, and wellness activities, making it a popular workcation destination for digital nomads and remote workers.

  1. Proximity to Mumbai: 
    Alibaug is located just a few hours away from Mumbai, making it an ideal weekend getaway for people living in Mumbai. This also makes it a popular destination for people who want to work and live near Mumbai but in a more peaceful and scenic environment. 
  2. Beaches and Nature:
    Alibaug is known for its beautiful beaches and natural scenery. This makes it an attractive destination for people who want to work in a calm and inspiring environment.
  3. Good Connectivity:
    Alibaug is well-connected by road and ferry to Mumbai. The nearest airport is Mumbai Airport, about 100 km from Alibaug. It is a little far, but connectivity makes it easy for people to travel to and from Alibaug for work.
  4. Historical and Cultural Attractions:
    Alibaug has several historical and cultural attractions, such as forts, temples, and museums. This makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in history and culture.
  5. Affordability:
    Compared to popular workcation destinations worldwide, Alibaug is relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all reasonably priced, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads and remote workers on a budget.
  6. Wellness Activities:
    Alibaug is home to several wellness centers and spas, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers interested in wellness practices such as yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda.

So, take a break from your stationery routine, take off to an exciting destination, meet new people, get inspired, and go on an offbeat work path!

She is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is a single parent of a 7-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a Content Consultant/ Communications-PR Manager. She is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author of a book and maybe the scriptwriter of a film someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran

In love With A Non-Conformist

/ Pozicool Raga / 2 Comments

I have been one of those people who always had a crush on non-conformists (err, and vice versa never happened!). Yeah, they are the ones who do not follow society’s rules and follow their heart. I admire people who choose their queues, routes, people, partners, careers, and life choices. Yes, this list is endless! These people stand out from the crowd in physical appearance and thinking. If you walk into a crowded party room, you can notice them instantly. They will also be the first to discuss with you and lead a date.

This is what your non-conformer date will be like

  • Loves to do crazy things impromptu and is spontaneous
  • Someone who has chosen an off-beat path – education/job/career
  • Taken a road that none have taken before to reach a destination
  • Has a quirky sense of humour
  • Whose idea of a date is a trek/hike/spending time in noble causes together/a road trip
  • Deals with conflicts and crises in a relaxed, unconventional style
  • Has a unique dressing style and stands out in a crowd – loud and outrageous to subtle outrageous too
  • Who rebels openly
  • Flexible and open-minded to unpredicted situations
  • Unplanned yet logical
  • Honest to the core
  • Unafraid to be their raw, genuine selves
  • Loves new creations

So, if your answer is “yes” to all of these or even most of them, you are romantically attracted to non-conformists – those not following conventions and rules of society and are one yourself too. They love being themselves without feeling the need to justify or explain themselves. You may be one, too, just like I have been. But unfortunately, most of society still doesn’t accept non-conformists.

A non-conformist is “a person who does not conform to prevailing ideas or practices in their behaviour or views.” For example, recent studies and research have found that people prefer “bad boys or girls” to be sexy and attractive, making them prospective dates and partners. So that is the label for a non-conventional person who does what they feel is right. 

So how do you identify a non-conformist? Sometimes it is by their appearance, clothes, attitude, gait, behaviour, friends, hobbies, and the career they choose. 

A disclaimer here: Following are general traits of non-conformists. They aren’t written in stone. Some of them are the traits I have observed (gender no bar, sex no bar). You may or may not relate to these. 

Clothes 
This may change from individual to individual. Mostly, you may find them pairing unique combinations of clothes. In short, they have their individuality and the style of dressing, their way of paring  

Hobbies 
Most love travelling, meeting new people, photography, writing, art, craft, etc. They are also mood-based in pursuing their hobbies. They love multitasking a lot.

Attitude 
They cannot stand silent witnesses to any injustice happening around them and will raise their voices verbally or silently. For instance, vocal on public platforms or and social media, they don’t shy away from being honest. They are also highly confident about themselves. Attitude speaks louder than words.

Motivational 
They love pushing people to do better and make intelligent choices (read: different or unconventional). They are great public speakers as well. They also only linger a little bit on failures. Instead, they keep trying to improve each time to reach their goal. They have a clear blueprint of how they want to be without following the bandwagon or getting influenced by peers/family/society.

Work/Profession 
Entrepreneurs, photographers, social workers, artists – fine arts and visual arts, and writers are the most common fields they choose. However, there can be others as well.

Activists/Change-makers 
They will take the lead to start a new revolution or bring changes to the existing systems around them.

I say, “to each their own and their choices,” always follow your heart and be a non-conformist! Signing off with this beautiful quote “be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t.” A non-conformist once is one forever!

She is a quirky writer/photographer/closet poet and singer who has traversed a non-conventional path. As a former entertainment journalist who has worked in print and online media for a decade, Priya loves talking to people and writing their unspoken stories. She is a single parent of a 7-year-old son settled in Tamil Nadu and a Content Consultant/ Communications-PR Manager. She is also an informal mentor to parents in her local parenting network. She dreams of being an author of a book and maybe the scriptwriter of a film someday!

Follow Priya Rajendran