A Trip To One Of The 7 Wonders of WORLD

                                A Trip To One Of The 7 Wonders of WORLD 

Hello everyone! My name is Carlotta, I am a 22-year-old Italian student, recently graduated from the University of Padua. Following my graduation, I decided to apply as project coordinator at the non-profit organization HEEALS, in India. I would like to share with you one of the wonderful experiences I was able to have, during my internship. 

A trip entirely organized thanks to HEEALS, with an experienced guide, meals included, and a private taxi driver, made it possible to realize my dream of seeing the beauties of Agra City in one single day.

My journey began at 2 a.m., when the taxi driver picked me up directly from my accommodation and drove me to New Delhi, where I met the second driver and those who would be my traveling companions.

From here, my overnight journey officially began. After meeting and exchanging some small talk with my traveling companions, I was finally able to relax and admire the scenery outside the window with the dark and half-empty roads of the night. It is fascinating to think how the same roads, which are crowded with cars, motorcycles and tuk-tuks during the day, can empty out completely at night and make way for an almost unreal silence.

The trip took 3 hours in all, and I woke up at the crack of dawn. After a few minutes, the car stopped and a guide joined us. We had finally arrived in Agra! The first place we visited was, of course, the Taj Mahal!

We left our backpacks in the car and immediately headed for our first destination.

Sunrise is the best time of day to see and photograph it. The sunlight reflects off the white marble from which its octagonal walls are made, and makes it bright and radiant.

The guide gave us some time to take some pictures with our cameras and after that he began his explanation.

The first thing we were able to admire was the Guest House (or Darwaza), that is completely built of red sandstone in contrast to the main building in the center, the mausoleum, and that is perfectly simmetrical and of the same appearence and proportions of the Mosque, which is located to the east of the Taj Mahal. The gateaway of the Guest House is positioned so that the arched door forms an artistic frame for the Taj Mahal.

In contrast to these two structures, the Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble and meticulously decorated. It is a perfect symmetrical planned building.

What impressed me the most were the detailed floreal patterns carved in the marble and the elegant arabic calligraphy at the tomb entrance.

Entering to the mausoleum, we could admire the tomb of the empress consort Mumtaz Mahal, located exactly in the middle of the octagonal structure, and on the left side, constructed 30 years after, the tomb of the emperor Shah Jahan. It was surprising to know that these ones were only illusory, in fact the real sarcophagi of the two emperors were situated in the crypt, in the lower part of the chamber. Unfortunately, tourists were not allowed to take pictures here.

At the end of our guided tour, we went to the roof terrace of the Taj Mahal and, after walking into a small dome, we had an amazing view of the Yamuna river and of the Mughal garden. The beauty of such a landscape left me speechless.

We had some time to rest and to take some other pictures before the ending of our journey.

Before leaving, we had also the opportunity to buy some little gifts for our loved ones at the very recommended shop “The Silver Hut”, where I bought two tiny and colored elephants that could remind me the colours of this city. I only wish I will have the opportunity to visit it again, in future!

For the moment, it has been a unique experience that I will never forget. 

Thank You HEEALS!

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Gender Equality In India: the importance of education in creating empowered women

 

Gender equality in India: the importance of education in creating empowered women

• by Valentina

 

Gender equality has always been and still is a crucial issue in the development of a fair society, but education can and must play an active role in shaping it.

However, despite a high growth rate and various Government measures to encourage gender equality, the gap still exists in India. The fact is that educating women can play a very significant role in the improvement of the country, helping to reduce inequality and functioning as a way to upgrade their status inside the family and throughout time.

The empowerment of women has therefore become a worldwide topic of discussion, but this inequality and discrimination against them is an eradicated centuries-old global issue.

Thus, the question is, what do we actually mean by equality? 

Generally, women and men should be treated equally in terms of work, education, marriage and politics. However, although the Constitution doesn’t make distinctions between them, the society has deprived the females of basic rights theoretically granted. As a matter of fact, the Indian Constitution considers equally the rights of its citizens, but in reality women and their representation in public roles and politics are still marginalized, leading to a lack of central control. 

The EMPOWERMENT process can really make the difference by enabling each kind of individual to reach his full capacity, bettering his social, economic and political participation. Women can be the key element able to move the country forward and to funnel it in the right direction and transformation. They are needed for the living humanity and therefore it is imperative for them to be educated.

But how can we make a change?

By moving from marginalization, underestimation and weakness towards the exercise of power. And the most useful tool to do so and change the status of society is of course education, whose encouragement can help minimize the gender bias in the educational environments. It can also foster the concept of women participation in public roles for the attenuation of discrimination based on gender.

Another factor of fundamentally determinant in the Indian gender gap is POVERTY. According to data, the percentage of women in the total number of poor is 70%, a number which is strongly and directly correlated with the lack of employment chances and possibilities. But poverty means also lack of food resources and therefore malnutrition, hunger and other health problems, as well as an increase in mortality, homelessness and exclusion.

Finally, gender gap is also influenced and fostered by the absence of decision-making involvement of women, which could contribute to a better social, civil and cultural way of living.

All this said, the backwardness of females in the education system, as long as it continues to exist, will always be seen as a reason to not invest in the development of women's knowledge and to keep considering their role strictly bound to marriage and family.

And maybe, unluckily, this could be the starting point to solve.

Please Join Us To Make Gender Equal World In Terms Of Social, Economical & Political .

Be A Part Of Our International Internship /Volunteering/Volunteer travel program At HEEALS Please Contact Us At : communications@heeals.org Please Come Join Us!

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We Request To All The People To Help and Support Our Work .

Please Donate / Support Us In Anyway You Can. Spread Share Support #HEEALS Donation Details Are Below:

DONATORS LOCATED IN INDIA 

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INTERNATIONAL DONATORS Please email: communications@heeals.org Forward this message to your contacts to help this campaign reach its goal! 

Thank You!

World Religion Day.

  World Religion Day.

The aim of World Religion Day, held on the third Sunday in January every year, is to promote inter-faith understanding and harmony.Our World has hundreds of nations with thousands of cultures that stretch back into pre-history, and throughout all that time we’ve had countless religions rise to prominence. Whether you’re Hindu, Jewish, Catholic, Shinto, Buddhist, or one of a million other faiths, World Religion Day is your chance to share your culture with others and take an opportunity to learn from others about theirs.

Religion Day is not about conversion, it’s about learning about the religions that shape the world around you,maybe do a little research into your favorite culture to learn a bit about its foundational religions. Whether you’re learning about the Hindu faith with its thousands of Gods, or precisely how the thousands of denominations of Christianity grew out of the Judaic faith thousands of years ago, Religion Day is your opportunity to broaden your horizons.

Obviously, this includes taking this opportunity to speak to others about your religion, but remember as you do so that Religion Day is not about conversion. Speak to another with an open heart and open mind, and share what your religion has to say, and then take the time to listen to them talk about theirs from a place of understanding and love.

Be A Part Of Our Internship /Volunteering/Volunteer travel program At HEEALS Please Contact Us At : communications@heeals.org Please Come Join Us! Facebook Page :https://www.facebook.com/Heeals/ Twitter Page:http://www.twitter.com/heeals Instagram: @heealsindia

Kindly Donate To Sustain Our Work In Corona Pandemic Donation Details Are Below DONATORS LOCATED IN INDIA Account Number: 002101200566 Bank: ICICI Address: ICICI, Gurgaon Branch Sco-18 & 19 Sector -14, Huda Shopping Center, Gurgaon -122001 RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE: ICIC0000021 INTERNATIONAL DONATORS Email: communications@heeals.org

"ATITHI DEVO BHAVA" (The Guest Is God)

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA

India is a country of a kaleidoscope of cultures with umpteen variations in food, clothing, language, music, festivals and religious beliefs. The country is home to four of the world’s biggest religions and each individual has the right to practice their own rites and rituals. The variations in climatic condition, land structure and political set-up have resulted in considerable differences in dress, food habit and social customs and practices. With religion comes the spirit of celebration. Major festivals are celebrated across the country with equal fervor while several others are celebrated locally with great enthusiasm.

In short, the variations of India’s cultural diversity are strung together with the string of peace and harmony. India is indeed an ‘embodiment of unity in diversity’.

Keeping the spirit of ‘ATITHI DEVO BHAVA’ (the guest is god) alive, India has always provided opportunities for people across the world to volunteer in several fields across the country. Not only are people able to experience the cultural diversity of the country, but also witness the extravagance of our festivities. Thus it is a two-fold opportunity that provides a chance to learn and while having fun. Doing voluntary work in India can help you get a feel of Indian culture while doing your bit and bringing about a change in the lives of those in need. Several non government organizations across the country invite students and professionals from across the world to work and learn with them.

Volunteering can be done in several domains

1. Teaching children
2. Contributing to Community Development
3. Empowerment of  Women Throughout India
4. Working with Children with Disabilities
5. Providing Healthcare Services
6. Becoming a Dental Volunteer
7. Combining Yoga & Volunteering
8. Helping with Construction Projects

If you are willing and able to donate your time, there are almost endless ways you can volunteer for a worthy cause in India. Whatever your skills and interests, you’re likely to be able to find a volunteer program that will enable you to provide concrete assistance as well as have a meaningful and memorable time. Travelers who have participated in this experience have enjoyed the sheer variety of sights and experiences included, traveling with others and making friends, as well as the professionalism of the organizations.

To experience the vibrance of colors and the spirit of brotherhood in the upcoming festival of Holi, tourists from across the world travel to India and actively engage themselves in the festivity. This naturally becomes an excellent opportunity to make your travel worthwhile. Holi is known to endorse the spirit of giving. Thus one can make full use of every opportunity by filling the lives of the needy with happiness through little efforts.

So we at HEEALS invite people from across the world to come enliven the spirit of Holi while contributing their bit to society and experiencing the beauty of

‘Incredible India’.

By -Tvisha

KUMBH - The Largest Peaceful Congregation Of Humanity!

KUMBH - The Largest Peaceful Congregation Of Humanity!

Join Our Volunteer Tourism Program  & Get an Amazing Experience Of The Event !

Kumbh is a symbol of peace and harmony amongst all human beings. The Kumbh Mela has been inscribed on the list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2017. This reflects the significance of Kumbh worldwide. Kumbh at Prayagraj encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, social and cultural customs and practices making it extremely rich in knowledge.

Kumbh also signifies the coming together of people from various cultures from all across the world and participating in the spectacle that is the largest peaceful congregation of humanity. Participating in the ritual of the holy bath at the Ghats is an honor and a privilege.

UP Government has envisioned Divya and Bhavya Kumbh scheduled from January 15 to March 31, 2019. We have resolved to provide an unforgettable pilgrimage experience to crores of devotees visiting Kumbh. Blending the grand traditions of Kumbh with the deployment of modern techniques and solutions so that the kalpavasis, spiritual gurus, dignitaries, foreign visitors and the pilgrims have a life emancipating experience during their visit to Prayagraj .  “Discover Kumbh,Discover India,Discover Yourself” 

Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. The geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimages on four sacred rivers as listed below:

Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand

Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh

Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra

Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh

Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter. The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism. The Kumbh Mela is an event that intrinsically encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and socio-cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge.

Pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela come from all sections of the religion ranging from Sadhus (saints) and Naga Sadhus who practice ‘sadhana’ and keenly follow a strict path of spiritual discipline, to Hermits who leave their seclusion and come to visit the civilization only during the Kumbh Mela, to seekers of spirituality, and to common people practicing Hinduism.

During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place; the traditional procession of Akharas called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during ‘Shahi Snaan’, and many other cultural activities that attract millions of pilgrims to attend the Kumbh Mela.

Do's

Please check on the website for movement plan, accommodation, key event dates etc. and download the mobile app

Travel Light and carry medicines if advised by the doctor

Be aware of the facilities like Hospitals, Food, and Emergency Services etc.

Know emergency contact numbers

Use only the Bathing areas/ Ghats that are authorized by the Mela administration

Use toilets and urinals available

Use dustbins for disposal of Waste

Use signage for way finding

Use parking spots for parking of vehicles and follow traffic rules

Use the Bathing Ghats nearest to place of stay in Mela area or the city

Inform the Police or Mela Administration if any unidentified or suspicious object is found

Follow the rules, regulations and instructions given through the Public Addressal System or any other mode

Cooperate with the Departments involved in organizing the Mela

Be attentive towards your belongings and Use Lost and Found Centres for loss of beloved and belongings

While making any travel plans, include enough buffer time

Don'ts

Don’t carry valuables, unnecessary food and clothing

Don’t trust strangers, don’t eat at unauthorised places

Don’t attract unnecessary conflicts by provoking peers

Don’t venture into the river beyond permissible limits

Don’t pollute the rivers by using soaps, detergents for cleaning/ washing purpose or by throwing Pujan Samagri

Don’t be in crowded places if suffering from contagious disease

Don’t use plastic bags in the city and mela area during the Kumbh Mela

Don’t defecate in the open

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Source : https://kumbh.gov.in/en