"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."

- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

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Positive Reads

Chandigarh Chairs: The Swiss Architect's Design That Became an Indian Heritage Symbol

The iconic Chandigarh chairs, designed by Swiss architects Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, have become a symbol of Indian heritage. These chairs, initially created for government employees, have now gained global recognition for their minimalistic design and aesthetic appeal. When Chandigarh was established as the capital city of Punjab after India's independence, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret brought their unique designs to the city. Le Corbusier, known as the 'Town Planner of Chandigarh,' was entrusted by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to create a city that would bring order to the aftermath of the Partition. The Chandigarh chairs, with their V-shaped legs and simple teak and cane construction, were introduced as part of the residential designs. They blended minimalism with functionality, providing seating options for the growing number of offices in the city. These chairs quickly became a common sight in middle-class homes and offices across Chandigarh. However, as time passed, the chairs faced the risk of being forgotten. In the 1990s, they were neglected and left exposed to harsh weather conditions. Fortunately, international dealers and auctioneers recognized their value and started collecting them, giving the chairs a new lease of life. Today, Chandigarh chairs are highly sought after, adorning some of the most elite rooms worldwide, including that of celebrities like Kim Kardashian. Their legacy as a design icon and a part of Indian heritage continues to grow, with each chair holding historical significance and fetching high prices in the market. The Chandigarh chairs stand as a testament to the vision and craftsmanship of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, showcasing their contribution to India's architectural and design heritage.

12 Jan 2024
Positive Reads

5 Yoga Practices For Office Workers

Yoga has become a popular form of exercise and relaxation for people with office jobs, as it offers a way to counter the negative effects of sitting for long periods of time and to reduce stress. It is a great way for people who spend most of their day sitting in an office to stay active and healthy Here are five of the best yoga practices for people with office jobs: Cat-Cow: This is a simple and easy yoga pose that can be done right at your desk. Start by sitting up straight and placing your hands on your knees. Inhale and arch your back, lifting your head and tailbone towards the ceiling. Exhale and round your back, tucking in your head and tailbone. Repeat this movement for several breaths, to stretch your spine and release tension in your back. Chair Yoga: This type of yoga is specifically designed for people who spend most of their day sitting in a chair. It includes a series of poses that can be done while seated, such as twists, forward folds and shoulder openers, to help release tension in the neck, shoulders and back. Downward-Facing Dog: This is a classic yoga pose that can be done anywhere, including at your office. Start by standing in front of your chair and placing your hands on the seat. Walk your feet back until you are in an inverted "V" shape, with your hands and feet on the floor and your hips lifted towards the ceiling. This pose stretches the entire body and can help to energize and rejuvenate you. Child's Pose: This is a gentle and restorative yoga pose that can be done on a yoga mat or on the floor. Start by sitting on your heels and then lean forward, stretching your arms out in front of you. This pose can be especially helpful for people who experience tension in their shoulders and neck, as it helps to release tightness in these areas. Breathwork: Yoga is not just about physical movements, but also about breath control. Office workers can practice deep breathing exercises, such as alternate nostril breathing, to help reduce stress and improve focus. By incorporating these five yoga practices into your daily routine, you can help to counteract the negative effects of sitting for long periods of time and reduce stress, allowing you to perform better at your job.

17 Jan 2023
Positive Reads

Star Citizens

Historic Milestone: First Indian Recognized at Cambridge University with Building Name

Cambridge University has taken a historic step by naming an entire building after Yusuf Hamied, the chairman of Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla. This prestigious honor marks the first time in the university's 800-year history that a building has been named after an Indian figure. Hamied's contributions to the field of medicine, particularly through Cipla's affordable antiretroviral drugs that have saved the lives of millions of AIDS sufferers in Africa, have earned him this recognition. The grand opening of the newly named "Yusuf Hamied Court" at Christ's College was attended by Lord Simon McDonald, the Master of the College, along with approximately 25 distinguished scientists, primarily chemistry professors. During the ceremony, Hamied shared a touching story about his family's connection to Cambridge University. He recounted how a meeting with Professor Alexander Todd in 1953, where his father expressed his desire for Hamied to study at Cambridge, ultimately shaped his life's path. Hamied pursued his PhD in Chemistry from 1954 to 1960. Standing in front of an esteemed audience at the inauguration of the Yusuf Hamied Court, he expressed his gratitude and reflected on the enduring bond between education and benevolence. The announcement of the Cambridge building being named after Hamied received an overwhelmingly positive response from netizens. Social media users hailed the recognition as well-deserved and applauded Cambridge University for making it a reality. It is worth noting that Cipla's impact extends beyond this honor, as the pharmaceutical company has also played a significant role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamied's family legacy, which includes the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University in India based on the principles of Oxford and Cambridge, further adds to the significance of this momentous occasion. Through this recognition, Cambridge University pays tribute to a remarkable individual whose contributions have touched the lives of countless individuals worldwide. The naming of the Yusuf Hamied Court serves as evidence of his enduring legacy and the values of education, philanthropy, and innovation.

21 May 2023
Star Citizens

From Tragedy to Triumph: This Indian Braveheart Achieves the Impossible, Breaking Guinness World Record

Sujith Varghese has achieved an incredible feat that has captured the hearts of thousands of viewers on Instagram. In just sixteen hours, Sujith created the largest GPS drawing, covering the streets of Dubai and passing by iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa neighborhood and the Dubai Mall. His achievement has earned him a place in the Guinness World Records. He broke the previous record by traveling 8.71 kilometers in his wheelchair. Sujith's achievement is even more inspiring because he has been paralyzed since a bike accident in 2013 which rendered him confined to a wheelchair. Despite facing enormous challenges, Sujith's determination and perseverance allowed him to overcome his limitations and set a new world record. His achievement sends a powerful message to everyone that, with the right mindset, anything is possible. In an interview with Guinness World Records, Sujith explained that he was inspired by Dubai's commitment to promoting accessibility for people with disabilities. He saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate that athletes with perseverance can overcome any challenge. In the video, Sujith is seen using his wheelchair to trace out the icon of a wheelchair user, sending a powerful message of inclusivity and empowerment. Sujith's achievement is proof of the strength of the power of the human spirit and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. His story has inspired thousands of people worldwide to overcome their own challenges and pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles in their way.  Yasushi Takahashi of Japan held the previous record for the largest GPS drawing, which measured an impressive 7163.67 km in length. Mr. Takahashi created this image on June 9, 2010, with a unique purpose in mind. He wanted to propose to his girlfriend in a special and memorable way. The GPS drawing spelled out the words "Marry Me" across the entire length of Japan, with a heart shape covering the island of Hokkaido. Thankfully, his girlfriend said yes to his romantic proposal. 

21 Mar 2023
Star Citizens

How an Injury Induced Disability Led a Young Man To Make His City Disabled Friendly

When Prateek Khandelwal suffered from paraplegia due to a spinal cord injury in 2014, he became confined to a wheelchair. That is when he realized that the differently abled are unable to socialize and participate or contribute to the affairs of society due to a lack of proper facilities. Khandelwal made a speedy recovery and soon found a startup - RampMyCity to make life easy for the disabled. RampMyCity, launched in 2018 promotes inclusion beyond infrastructural changes and makes establishments wheelchair accessible. Mr. Khandelwal while describing his journey said that a wheelchair became a part of his life when he became paralyzed, and he couldn’t leave the house due to a lack of proper facilities for the differently abled.  Thus he was inspired to launch RampMyCity so that other disabled persons wouldn’t have to undergo the inconveniences that he was subject to. In India, there are significant gaps in the accessibility of buildings for people with disabilities. According to Khandelwal, over 300 locations, including schools, police stations, and more than 75 eateries, have been made accessible to disabled people in the last three years.    RampMyCity promotes inclusivity by holding workshops where employees and staff of an organization receive practical training, understanding, and sensitization to help them transform their attitudes, behaviors, and thought processes toward people with disabilities.  

21 Nov 2022
Star Citizens

Good News

A Six-Year Dream of Disability Activists Is Realized at Marina Beach

It is said that the voice of the sea touches the soul and the touch of the sea is wonderful for many. Now, even the differently abled will be able to go near the sea independently as a permanent ramp has been inaugurated at Marina Beach in Chennai on Sunday. The permanent ramp is reportedly India’s first CRZ-compliant permanent ramp for people with disabilities and the culmination of a six-year dream and struggle by disability activists, including the Disability Rights Alliance (DRA) and the Municipal Corporation. The 263-meter facility was built for about Rs.1.14 crore using Babool, Red Meranti, and Brazilian wood. The viewpoint is 10 meters from the water, and it also features a handrail for people who might require assistance. Smitha Sadasivan of the DRA stated that this ramp was a dream come true for them as they had put in six years of work and coordinated with stakeholders to get the ramp constructed. She added that the ramp is a permanent facility and she is delighted that it would improve the mental health and well-being of many people. Sadasivan also hopes that an assistance booth or help desk, a beach wheelchair storage container, trained lifeguards, Mobi mats (non-slip pathways) near the viewpoint, accessible drinking water, and permanent toilets are also put in place.  

29 Nov 2022
Good News

IIT Madras Develops a Revolutionary Wheelchair That Helps Differently-Abled Persons to Stand

Imagine the discomfort of people bound to wheelchairs for a long duration. They are unable to stand without assistance and therefore, do not adopt the standing position as frequently as they wish to. Being in a seated position for a long time leads to other health problems like poor blood circulation and pressure sores. Now, they can heave a sigh of relief as IIT Madras has invented a wheelchair that will help them to stand on their own. IIT Madras in collaboration with Phoenix Medical Systems has launched India’s first indigenously designed standing wheelchair which enables a differently-abled person to shift to a standing position without any assistance and in a controlled manner. Called ‘Arise’ the standing wheelchair was launched at IIT Madras Research Park in the presence of Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, researchers, students, staff and faculty of IIT Madras. Standing Function Arise is designed in such a way that the user when seated, can actuate it to standing position by the power of his/her arms. With optimal one-time fitting, the effort required is no more than that required to propel the wheelchair. A gas-spring was a key element in reducing the effort expended by the user. The prototype was first tested by able-bodied persons. Safety Features Many safety features have been incorporated into Arise which includes the interlocking mechanism. This mechanism ensures that the wheelchair remains in a locked state even if the knee block is not in position. The dimensions of Arise were made adjustable and adequate safety features were incorporated. To ensure that the device would be rugged and of high quality, rigorous mechanical testing was done. This wheelchair will be a boon to differently-abled persons who use a wheelchair as they will have the ability to stand on their own at their will without any assistance from others. Image Source: Inceptive Mind Video Courtesy: Tech Tak

22 Nov 2019
Good News

Kudos to the Indian Army and J&K Police Who Helped a Kashmiri Wheelchair Basketball Player Reach Selection Camp in Time

The Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir police and retired military officers helped a Kashmiri wheelchair basketball player in reaching a selection camp in Chennai amid the ongoing restrictions in Kashmir. Selection Camp In Chennai Ishrat Akhter was paralyzed from the waist below after a fall in 2016. 20-year-old Ishrat Akhter is a wheelchair basketball player from Baramulla in Kashmir who has been selected to represent India for the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Thailand in October. She had no words to describe her joy when she realized that she would be able to finally travel to Chennai for a selection camp. Due to the restrictions imposed in Kashmir valley, Akhter had lost all hopes of travelling from her remote village to Chennai. Collective Efforts Akhter’s trip was made possible by retired naval captain Louis George, who is the head coach of the Indian Women Wheelchair Basketball. He informed Colonel Isenhower that one woman player, Ishrat Akhter has not reported for camp in Chennai owing to the restrictions in Kashmir. Mobile communications were disrupted and she needed to be located and sent to Chennai by flight. Colonel Isenhower, who had served in Kashmir for a long time promptly initiated efforts to locate her. He sent out WhatsApp messages with available information about Akhter to all his contacts. The matter was taken up earnestly by Brigadier Nietzche Balan (retired) who along with  Poonacha, a former colleague in Kashmir, met Senior Superintendent of Police Aijaz Bhatt who in turn swung the J&K Police in action. Soon, just hours after the message was posted, Akhter was contacted and given permission to travel. With the help of the police, she reached Srinagar from where she took a flight to Delhi and another from Delhi to Chennai where she was received by coach George and other team members. It is really commendable that the defence and police officials went out of their way to help a sportsperson to reach her destination in spite of the stringent restrictions imposed in the area. Image Source: Times Square Chronicles

2 Sep 2019
Good News

Global Inspirations

These Firefighters Went Out of Their Way to Help a Wheelchair-Bound Woman

The members of the Webster Groves Fire Department in Missouri were responding to a call when they noticed a wheelchair-bound woman falling over when she was trying to get inside her home. The kind firefighters were concerned that this could happen again and they decided to help the resident. They saw that it was due to the multiple stairs and uneven terrain that led to the house which made it difficult for the helpless woman to get inside. Fortunately, the woman was not injured, but the firefighters knew that this incident could recur. They decided to make the way to her home easily accessible for her. They went back to her house a few days later with shovels and concrete and spent several days digging out and constructing a sidewalk for her. Now, the house is wheelchair accessible. The resident has a level pathway and ramp making it very convenient for her to gain access to her home. The best part about this beautiful act is that the good firefighters didn’t do it as part of their job. They did it in the weekend during their off-time and weren’t paid. How touched and blessed the woman must have felt at this thoughtful and selfless act of the firefighters.

28 Aug 2019
Global Inspirations

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