Wellness

The Year 2020—A Blessing in Disguise

It has been a year of ‘firsts’ for most of us but for children it has been a complete paradigm shift from the physical classroom experience to online classes from the comfort of their homes. While there has been a downside to this ‘new normal’ with compromised education, lack of social interaction and physical activity, this year has also given rise to a silver lining for young children. Shaliya Bhandari shares some stories…

Many proactive parents have taken the situation in their stride and turned 2020 into a year of learning. The free time on hand is being used to develop life skills, pursue hobbies, short-term professional courses and overall personality development.

The online platform has successfully done away with geographical boundaries, thereby exposing children to a world of options—courses, instructors, teachers, industry professionals and talent building opportunities. Some of the hot favourites have been learning foreign languages like Spanish and French. Many youngsters have been jumping onto the ‘çoding’ bandwagon. We have also come across young budding home bakers and chefs discovering their newfound passion, young Picasso’s in the making filling up canvases with talent. Children choosing to train for an hour in Hindustani vocals over an hour of watching television to children experimenting with science at home—we have also come across children attending a variety of workshops on creative writing, public speaking, debating, dancing, yoga and chess. There have also been takers for this talent in online exhibitions giving these children an opportunity to display their creations, online art auctions where children see their artwork being sold for charity.

The free time on hand is being used to develop life skills, pursue hobbies, short-term professional courses and overall personality development.

In our quest to discover new activities and interests being pursued by children this year, we came across five originators who have indeed used their spare time to their advantage.

Nethra Reddy, 11 years

Besides her flair for art and her new found love for photography courtesy her father, also a photography enthusiast, Nethra has mastered the art of baking delicious fudgy brownies in the past few months. She watched and assisted her mother bake through the lockdown and drew her inspiration from these mother-daughter baking sessions. In her words ‘’I learnt the tricks from my mom and wanted to bake independently. After receiving positive feedback from family and friends, I wanted to do it on a larger scale.”

Both her parents were very supportive of the idea as long as it did not come in the way of her studies and thus came about Nethras Brownie Box, which did a record sale of 50 boxes over the first weekend. This 11-year-old entrepreneur has bigger aspirations of growing up to be an eye surgeon just like her father. ‘‘The appreciation I get for my brownies is immensely satisfying, and I admire the way my father loves and cares for his profession’’, says Nethra. And we say the world will definitely be a better place with a dedicated eye surgeon who bakes yummy brownies! Want fudgy brownies? Order them now on Instagram @nethrasbrowniebox

Anaira Jain, 9 years

Anaira has productively spent most of her free time playing educative board games. Her favourite being ‘’Ticket to ride’’ which helped her learn about different countries. This 9-year-old wants to grow up to be a singer and is training professionally in Hindustani vocal and has even begun learning the harmonium through the online medium of teaching.

The highlight of the lockdown for her was when she got the opportunity to meet her idol, renowned singer Anuradha Paudwal. Singing in her presence and earning encouragement from the legend was a defining moment for Anaira, thereby leaving the little girl with fond memories of the lockdown. Anaira’s parents are very mindful of her talent and eagerness to learn and have ensured her free time is channelized in the right direction.

The online platform has successfully done away with geographical boundaries, thereby exposing children to a world of options in courses, instructors, teachers, industry professionals and talent building opportunities.

Aryansh Bhandari, 12 years

One fine morning in April, Aryansh came across an advertisement—“Be a coder and Design your own games”— an idea that caught this young gamers fancy. He then enrolled for a free trial class and thought he had found his true calling of becoming a video game designer. The deeper he went into the course, the more he enjoyed it. Of course his aspiration of becoming the next Steve Jobs started to take some shape in his impressionable mind. His focus also encouraged his peers to give the course a shot.

“A popular Rapper” amongst his friends, Aryansh used his free time to record videos and upload on YouTube, thereby making him a YouTuber, another latest fad with this generation. In words of this young boy, “I am loving the lockdown. It has given me enough time to experiment with gaming, YouTubing and coding. Basically equipping me for the new world. But more than all this I am proud that I have learnt to make tea for my mother, cheese sandwiches for my younger sister and popcorn for myself!” Aryansh, unfortunately, misses all his outdoor games and is yearning to go score goals in his football-coaching centre, but looks at the brighter side and says, “Yes that’s another thing the lockdown has taught me, patience!” You can check out Aryansh’s latest Rap video on Youtube – https://youtu.be/PT3oB8sR-sw

Viha Rathi, 10 years

A self-confessed foodie, Viha tasted various cuisines dished out by her master chef father during the lockdown. She also honed her badminton skills and spent quality time with her grandparent’s playing cards. This 10-year-old dog lover then decided to learn baking and raise funds to feed stray dogs. She then created an Instagram page with the help of her elders to build awareness about hungry homeless stray dogs.

With this noble intention, she began her baking journey with remuneration not in money but in the form of dog food. So every time you buy her tasty treats you pay her back in dog food and she, in turn, treats a stray. Now that’s what we call an inspirational leader in the making. “I love dogs; I want to train at the Victoria Stilwell Academy and become a dog trainer. Till then I want to bake and be able to support as many street dogs as possible,” says Viha and we wish her all the best. Order her delights today on Instagram @vihabakes

Yohaan Marda, 11 years

Although Yohaan misses his school and friends immensely, he has learnt to be more creative with his time. He helps his mother cook and has started maintaining a journal on wildlife news. This little 11-year-old has taken his love for the wildlife a step further by starting his own blog. “As a family, we are nature lovers and we love holidaying in the jungles. My dad is a wildlife photographer too,” says the young wildlife aficionado. His mother played a pivotal role in keeping his passion alive during the lockdown by encouraging him to write and blog.

In the absence of the physical jungle experience, this came closest to keeping Yohaan productively engaged. “I want to grow up and work for forest conservation and maybe someday own a jungle lodge in my favourite jungle reserve, Kabini,” says Yohaan. You can check out Yohaan on Instagram @yohaanmarda_photography

December 26, 2020

#Learning, #Pandemic, #PersonalityDevelopment, #wellness

Morning Rituals Win the Morning Win The Day

Modern lifestyles are often dominated by work, causing us to overlook essential routines that form the foundation of a healthy life. In the constant hustle whether driven by work pleasure or pressure we tend to neglect the growing importance of our well-being. As MANOGNA REDDY reminds us, taking control of our mornings is the first step toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Enough of the hustle it’s time to prioritise yourself. Mornings offer the perfect opportunity to engage in rituals that energise and ground you for the day ahead. Begin your day with intention, and you’ll start to see meaningful and lasting changes. Do Not Snooze Waking up early grants you precious time to focus on personal health, wellness, and hygiene often the first things we sideline on a busy day. Hitting the snooze button may offer a few extra minutes of rest, but it often steals away time, leaving behind guilt and a rushed start. Embracing an early start not only adds structure to your day but also brings a sense of clarity and control that sets the tone for everything that follows. Hydrate Begin your day with a hot glass of water. This as a practice flushes out toxins from our body and helps aid digestion. You may also add lemon, ginger, or tulsi leaves depending on what suits your body best. Hydrating first thing in the morning awakens your internal system and gives a fresh kickstart to your metabolism. Exercise Give your body the movement it deserves. You don’t need a full gym session just 10 to 20 minutes of stretching, yoga, or a brisk walk can work wonders. Exercise not only strengthens your muscles but also refreshes your mind and uplifts your mood. It also helps you stay disciplined and keeps laziness at bay throughout

Wellness

Ayurveda Silence and Stars: A Journey Back to Self at Santani

They say just five minutes in nature can start healing your body. At SANTANI WELLNESS Resort, Kandy, it takes even less. Tucked away in the lush hills of Sri Lanka, four hours from Colombo, this isn’t just a resort it’s a sanctuary where modern stress is gently undone by ancient wisdom. When I was invited to review Santani, I was simply expecting a luxurious break. What I received was a transformation of body, mind, and rhythm. Join SINDURI VUPPALA on her journey into one of the world’s most conscious wellness destinations. When the invitation arrived in my inbox to review Santani Wellness Resort, I paused. The name itself intrigued me. Santani a Sanskrit word meaning “in harmony with” immediately hinted at something deeper than just another luxury spa retreat. As a journalist constantly on the move, my mind cluttered with deadlines and devices, the promise of “balance” sounded too good to be true. I needed it more than I realised. Getting to Santani isn’t a spontaneous affair. It’s a four-hour drive from Colombo airport, winding through misty hills and sleepy villages. But every mile feels like a slow unravelling of the stress that city life knots into your body. As we drove up the final stretch, literally skimming the edge of a mountain range, I rolled down the window and inhaled deeply my first real breath in weeks. The view: endless, green, alive. I didn’t know it yet, but I was already beginning to heal. We were welcomed not with cold towels or champagne flutes, but with something far rarer genuine silence. No music. No chatter. Just the soft murmur of wind through the trees and the gentle bow of a staff member who led us directly to lunch. The chef greeted us personally. “Tell me what your body feels

Wellness

Rice as Medicine: Choosing the Right Grain for Your Health Needs

Rice isn’t just a staple food—it’s a healing grain that’s been part of Indian diets for centuries. Different varieties offer different nutrients and health benefits, making it possible to tailor your rice intake to combat specific diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Hashtag magazine tells you how different Indian rice types support various health conditions: 1. For Diabetes Best Rice: Black Rice, Brown Rice, Red Rice, Sona Masoori (semi-polished) Why? Tip: Avoid highly polished white rice. Pair with pulses or vegetables for a balanced meal. 2. For Heart Health Best Rice: Red Rice, Brown Rice, Matta (Kerala Red Rice) Why? Tip: Use these for regular meals instead of white rice to protect your heart long-term. 3. For Iron Deficiency / Anemia Best Rice: Black Rice, Red Rice, Bamboo Rice Why? Tip: Cook with jaggery or dark leafy greens for added iron absorption. 4. For Bone Strength & Joint Health Best Rice: Matta Rice, Bamboo Rice Why? Tip: Serve as a porridge (kanji) with ghee for enhanced benefits. 5. For Weight Management / Obesity Best Rice: Brown Rice, Sona Masoori, Red Rice Why? Tip: Try portion control with hand-pounded rice + salads and protein for effective weight loss. 6. For Digestive Health Best Rice: Gobindobhog, Indrayani, Kalajeera Rice (Baby Basmati) Why? Tip: Use these for curd rice or lightly spiced khichdi. 7. For Antioxidant Boost / Anti-Ageing Best Rice: Black Rice, Red Rice, Wild Rice (where available) Why? Tip: Great for beauty diets and detox routines. 8. For Pregnancy & Lactation Support Best Rice: Parboiled Rice, Gobindobhog, Kalajeera Rice Why? Tip: Make porridge with these during third trimester and postnatal period. 9. For Mental Well-Being & Sleep Best Rice: Kalajeera Rice, Indrayani Rice Why? Tip: Light evening meals using these rice types can aid better sleep and relaxation. 10. For Protein Deficiency (Supportive) Best Rice: Bamboo Rice, Brown Rice (paired with dals/legumes) Why? Tip: Always combine rice with dals or fermented foods for

Wellness

Increased Hair Fall in Summer and How to Control It

The sun is out and vacations are planned, but there’s one summer guest we never invite—excessive hair fall. If you’ve noticed more strands on your pillow, in the shower drain, or on your hairbrush during the hotter months, you’re not alone. Summer brings with it a slew of hair woes thanks to rising temperatures, increased sweating, and exposure to heat and humidity. The good news? It’s preventable and treatable with the right care, Hashtag magazine gives you a lowdown… Why Does Hair Fall Increase in Summer? 1. Sweaty Scalp and Oil Buildup:Excessive sweating clogs pores on the scalp, weakening hair roots and leading to hair fall. 2. UV Ray Exposure:The sun’s UV rays can damage the scalp, weaken the hair shaft, and cause dryness and brittleness. 3. Dehydration:Your hair needs moisture to stay healthy. If you’re not drinking enough water, your strands can turn weak and break easily. 4. Pool Chlorine and Salt Water:Frequent dips in the pool or sea? Chlorine and salt strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dull and vulnerable to breakage. 5. Change in Diet and Routine:Holiday binging, skipping meals, irregular sleep patterns, or high stress levels can also cause hair to shed more. How to Control Hair Fall in Summer 1. Keep Your Scalp Clean and Sweat-Free 2. Hydrate Inside Out 3. Cover Up When Out in the Sun 4. Avoid Over-Styling and Heat Tools 5. Oil Massage Once a Week 6. Use a Hair Mask 7. Eat Hair-Loving Foods 8. Avoid Tight Hairstyles 9. Use Satin Pillowcases When to Seek Help If your hair fall is sudden, or excessive, or you notice bald spots or thinning, it’s wise to consult a dermatologist or trichologist. Summer hair fall is common, but sometimes it could be masking underlying issues like hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems, or