World Tourism Day 2017

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
― Marcel Proust

According to UNWTO, the United Nations General Assembly announced the adoption of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Tourism can contribute to all the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental.  It can fulfill each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set up by UN. Not only does the tourism sector spearhead growth, it also improves the quality of people’s lives. It can bolster environmental protection, champion diverse cultural heritage, and strengthen peace in the world.

World Tourism Day 2017, being celebrated on 27^th September, presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the contribution of sustainable tourism towards development among public and private sector decision-makers and the international community.  At the same time;  mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change.

The UNWTO Secretary-General annually sends out a message to the general public to mark the occasion. Many tourism enterprises and organizations, as well as government agencies with a special interest in tourism, celebrate the event with various special events and festivities. This year the message is to celebrate World Tourism Day by taking the pledge to Travel, Enjoy and Respect the Environment.

Different types of competitions, such as photo competitions promoting tourism, as well as tourism award presentations in areas such as ecotourism, are held on World Tourism Day. Other activities include free entries, discounts or special offers for the general public to any site of tourism interest. Government and community leaders, as tourism business representatives, make public announcements or offer special tours or fares to promote both their region and World Tourism Day on or around September 27.

We at the Apeejay institute of Hospitality have been celebrating the World Tourism Day as a day of Community Lunch. The students get dishes from their regions whereas the hostlers make their traditional food at the institute kitchen.  The delicacies are then served to their fellow students, the institute staff as well as the hotel HODs. The celebration is ‘quite a spread’ of the rich cuisines from across India. Everyone not only relishes the sumptuous meal but also learns about the different cuisines of India. Recipes are exchanged between the attending members, people sharing the ‘mother’s secret recipe’ which generally remains within the family. One gets to see and sample dishes such as avial, neer dosa, poran poli, Sindhi kadi, dal pakwan, dal bati churma, gatte ki sabzi, salli murg, biryani, thepla, chhole puri, Goan fish curry, masale bhaat, chokha and sattu to name a few. This activity of community lunch not only creates a bonding between the diners but also people get inspired to learn more about the different regions and their cultures, often prompting them to travel. The main idea of tourism is to create harmony and understanding, isn’t it? It is said that wherever one goes the place becomes a part of him or her somehow. Travel brings power and love back into your life.

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.

~Mark Twain

This year, we organized an elaborate program in addition to the community lunch, wanted to use it as a platform to understand sustainable development and drive the message home to our students, staff and guests to travel more, enjoy the destination, it’s culture and food. And respect the environment while doing so. We decided to add elements and events that’d do exactly the same. Mr. Pramod Dalvi, Vice president, Public Relations, Kesari Tours, was invited to be the chief guest for the event and address the students. Mr. Dalvi brings with him four decades of rich experience in the Travel and Tourism sector. He delivered a very powerful and enriching speech, which was accepted very well by one and all present. Am sure everyone is motivated to travel more hence forth. Mr. Ravi Rawat, General Manager of The Park Navi Mumbai, also addressed the audience. He emphasized on the importance and impact of tourism on the hotel industry. This was followed by the Vice Principal of the Institute Mr. Shirish Bokde, who spoke about what tourism meant to him and what he wanted people to start doing from their end. The Cultural program put up by the students was next in the list of events. The finale was the poster designing competition where we received many entries from the students. 

A day well spent amidst good food, enlightening talks and entertainment. 

PS Some pictures are taken from Google, with due credits

Clean air - a must for a beautiful home!

I recently attended the International Housekeepers Summit held in Mumbai. An amazing platform created by Clean India Journal. Where professionals from the fraternity, come together for knowledge sharing, ideating as well as discussing the future trends. The participants are generally hotel General Managers, Executive Housekeepers, Laundry Managers, Purchase and Materials Managers, and suppliers, manufacturers of products used by the hospitality industry. They were extremely fruitful two days. This year everyone spoke about environmental sustainability, that's the need of the hour. The discussions involved the importance of eco friendly practices to going Green. The main focus was on the 3 Rs of being eco friendly, namely Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. These practices not only have a great impact on our lifestyles but also on the environment, which is actually a loan that we have taken from our future generations. It's important for us to protect and preserve it. Going green also is being economic in the long run even when the initial cost may look a bit on the higher side.

In fact this year’s World Tourism Day, held on 27 September, will be focused on Sustainable Tourism– a Tool for Development. Celebrated in line with the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Day will be dedicated to exploring the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Coming to the immediate issues at hand, the number one concern that defeats the purpose of going green and sustainability is pollution.

When you hear the word pollution, what comes to your mind?  Pollution is making the environment unsuitable for humans or other life forms; that is contaminating air, water or land.

Being a hospitality professional dealing with hotel housekeeping; maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetic upkeep of the rooms has been a part of my professional responsibilities. Now being a trainer it is also important for me to share this knowledge with others. In hotels we try to achieve this level of cleanliness and hygiene with the latest technology, trends and techniques available. But it’s also equally important to achieve that level of cleanliness and clean air at home too. A clean home adds to the health and wellness of the people living there. Healthy home builds a healthy nation.

The air we breathe when we go out of our homes is filled with numerous pollutants from the traffic, industries, domestic waste, sewage and many other sources. It is said that the air inside our homes is almost 5 times as polluted as the air outside. It came as a surprise to me but did check the facts and they were valid. In fact indoor air pollution can be a cause of many health hazards as compared to the outdoor air pollution. These can be allergies, contagious infections, toxic reactions or hazards due to harmful radiations.  Due to these one can experience lethargy, fatigue, respiratory disorders or very serious health issues. Some of the most common home pollutants are Carbon Monoxide, Molds, Pollen, Formaldehyde, Tobacco Smoke, Building construction materials like asbestos. Simpler ways to understand this, common things can lead to indoor air pollution such as dusty furnitures, dust mites in bedding, a poorly ventilated kitchen range, aerosol sprays, strong cleaning chemicals, scented candles, dust mites, pet shedding (hair and skin) and air fresheners.  

Ways to reduce indoor air pollution

Super clean your home

Clean your home regularly paying attention to the dirty dozen. Keep your home clutter free. It is a good idea to use a low-emissions vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter regularly. It sucks pollutants like dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and decreases the concentration of lead pollutants in your home. Dust furnishings regularly with a damp rag or an electrostatically charged duster. To discourage dust mites, encase your pillows, mattresses, and duvets in  dust-mite-proof covers. Use hot water to wash dirty linen, it improves the quality of wash and makes it free of pollutants and irritants.

Facilitate Good Ventilation

Ventilate your home sufficiently to allow fresh air to come in. Fresh air circulation cleans and purifies the  air. Cooking, cleaning, using hair spray, and polishing your nails can release volatile organic compounds that are linked to a variety of health problems. Use exhaust hoods or fans in the kitchen and bathroom to reduce your exposure and minimize humidity that can cause mold and mildew. Poor ventilation can allow pollutants to stay in the air and you are constantly breathing this unhealthy air.

Keep outside pollutants out

Make it a habit to remove your shoes outside your door as people pick up many outdoor pollutants with their shoes and these pollutants can enter your home and make the indoor air polluted. Infact in India culturally we have been doing this.

No smoking
Don't smoke or allow others to do so in your home. More than air pollution it has adverse impact on one’s health. It makes sense to make your house a no-smoking zone. If you are are a smoker, it is certainly a good idea to try quitting it now.

Eliminate odours 
Find the source of bad smells and clean it up instead of trying to mask them. Whenever possible, use a box of baking soda in the area instead of air fresheners, which cost more and can contain VOCs and phthalates. Whenever we get a foul smell we pick up the air freshner and get overboard with it.

Seal what you can 
Seal cracks and crevices and put food away. This will keep the pests away and reduce the need to use pesticides which are harmful chemicals. In case you need to use pesticides use the ones that are environmental and human friendly.

Limit chemical usage

Laundry detergents, cleaning agents and air fresheners can make your house and clothes clean and smell good. But with the repeated use of these products the indoor air quality will deteriorate significantly. It’s a good idea to use fragrance-free or naturally scented detergents and air fresheners to control the release of these chemicals in the air.

Go Green

Use eco friendly products at home specially cleaning agents or air purifiers. Plants can contribute to a healthy air within your home apart from adding to the aesthetics. Indoor plants like aloe Vera, English Ivy , Boston fern, Peace lily etc  are known to purify air naturally. Not only will your house look green but you’ll also breathe purer air.

Paint your home

Paint can purify the air, doesn’t this come as a surprise to you? In fact it can be a solution that you were looking for a long time. Asian paints have come out with a handy solution in maintaining indoor air quality.

• It’s Activated Carbon technology reduces harmful pollutant Formaldehyde and makes air cleaner.It is tested and proved by third party lab that Royale Atmos can reduce formaldehyde levels by 80-85% in 24 hours under standard test conditions. Further it will continue to reduce formaldehyde for up to 2 years post application!
• It makes air fresher by absorbing malodors and foul smell.
• It gives smooth matt finish to walls and has a fragrance, instead of regular chemical smell.
• It comes with Green Assure Seal which means that it is VOC safer and environmentally friendlier.
• It is equipped with Teflon which imparts excellent stain and scrub resistance.

Now decorate and purify your home in your favourite colour  with Asian Paints RoyaleAtmos 

#RoyaleAtmos  #CleanAirBeautifulHomes

Visit https://www.asianpaints.com/atmos  for more details.

PS. Pictures are taken from Google

Navratri 2017

Navratri, the time of the year when I get transported to another world, a world that’s full of hope, love and peace (I believe so!) In the past couple of years I have been dedicating a post on my blog to Maa, Goddess Durga. This year too let me touch another aspect of my life that revolves around Maa.

This is the festival dedicated to the worship of Maa Shakti, Maa Durga, Maa Parvati as she is lovingly called by her beloved devotees.  The word Navratri means 9 nights in Sanskrit. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Maa Durga , are worshiped.  It is believed that Maa Durga visits earth during these pious days. The 10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra. 

The nine forms of Maa Durga invoked during the festival 

First day of Navratri we pray to Maa Shailputri

Second Navratri is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini

Third Navratra is devoted to Maa Chandraghanta

Fourth one is to pray to Maa Kooshmanda

Fifth Navratra is for Skandmata 

Sixth Navratra one prays to Maa Katyayini

Seventh Day of the Navratri is dedicated to Maa Kalratri (Maa Kali)

Eighth day of the holy period is devoted to Maa Mahagauri

The Ninth day is for the 9th form of Maa Shakti, Sidhidatri 

The festival is celebrated all over the country in many different ways 

In the Northern part of India, these days are celebrated by way of fasting for 9 days and worshiping the different forms of Maa Gurga. In Gujarat and Maharashtra it is celebrated by having the Garba and dandiya for the 9 nights. In Eastern part of India especially among the Bengali community, It is celebrated as the Durga Puja. The festivities here are for 5 days and they are community celebrations. The idols are huge and exquisitely crafted. They adorn the huge pandals (Shamiana) where they are worshiped and then the idol is immersed in water on the 5^th day. In the Southern part of India Bomma Kolu (Golu) in Tamil, Bommala Koluvu in Telugu, Bombe Habba in Kannada. They do a doll and figurine display in their homes, it is customary in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh .

I look forward to the celebration of the Navratri each year like a lot of other women. Mumbai women have over the years developed their own style of celebrating this festival. They follow the colours for these nine days. Each day there is a different cololur, the list is published in the Maharashtra Times. Among the career women, who rush to their work places by the local trains hardly dress up in their traditional finery. 

Just the other day, I received a Whatsapp message titled ‘Colours of Navratri’ sent by a colleague to all the ladies working in the office. Following this list we’ll be wearing our traditional sarees or salwar kameezs in those colurs. Every office here in Mumbai has a similar story, all women whether married or not will be trying their best to adorn the colour of the day. Some may even buy outfits that they don’t have in their wardrobes. Come Navratri, the moment we step out of our homes we’ll find the women wearing the colour of the day. On reaching the local train station it’s certainly a beautiful sight to see the women adorning the colours of the day and dressing up in their best sarees. Some of them don’t even wear footwear for the entire period of the Navratri.

Evenings are generally the time to visit the local dandiya ground. Where, the dandiya begins in the evening around 7.30 pm with Arti of the Devi and then playing the favourite music, an old classic or just the flavor of the season.

Children look forward to the daniya nights celebrated in their housing societies. They are among the first dancers on the floor. Mumbai is different during the Navratri, dandiya fever is in it’s peak. In fact one gets to hear the music much before the first Navratra, as the bands comprising of college students and working people, practise each evening preparing for the festival. For them it is also a way of enjoying the festivities as well as making some good bucks!

At the Dandiya venues the people generally wear the Gujarati style chaniya cholies and men wearing the trational outfits. It’s fun to see how couples come colour co-ordinated. The jewelery is generally the oxidized one. The young girls pick their jewelry as well as the outfits for the 9 days from Gujarat, or in Mumbai, places like Bhuleshwar Market.

So Navratri is round the corner and I am looking forward to welcome the Devine Mother in my home. We begin the festival with keeping the kalash and sowing  barley in an earthen pot (which will grow till the tenth day and this will be used for the Dussehra puja at home). The Mandir (temple) at home will be decorated with the best of flowers; will light the akhand jyot (the oil lamp) which will be glowing for the next 10 days. Will have a kirtan at home in the afternoon, where we invite all the ladies and they sing the bhajans of Maa Durga and other deities. This will be followed by the Arati and distribution of prashad to all the ladies. Most of the women fast during this period so prashad generally consists of fruits, dry fruits and milk. The women also get the ‘Suhagi’ (bindi, sindoor, mehendi, nail polish, glass bangles tied together with a red ribbon) and anything else the lady of the house wants to give to the women attending the puja.

This year Navratri will be celebrated all over the country from  21st to 29th September 2017. It's the time for fasting and feasting and pleasing Goddess Durga and seeking her blessings! 

Colours for Navratri 2017 

1

Navratri Day 1

September 21, (Thursday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Yellow

2

Navratri Day 2

September 22, (Friday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Green

3

Navratri Day 3

September 23, (Saturday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Grey

4

Navratri Day 4

September 24, (Sunday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Orange

5

Navratri Day 5

September 25, (Monday)
Navratri color of the day – 

White

White

6

Navratri Day 6

September 26, (Tuesday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Red

7

Navratri Day 7

September 27, (Wednesday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Royal Blue

8

Navratri Day 8

September 28, (Thursday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Pink

9

Navratri Day 9

September 29, (Friday)
Navratri color of the day - 

Purple

Wishing everyone a very happy and blessed Navratri.

PS: pictures are taken from Google

Doctor Doctor You Could Be God!

Knee story - Part 1

Mumbai was in water on 29th August 2017. It received the highest rainfall after 1997 on one single day. How is it memorable for me?  I was in office along with a few colleagues, there were news updates about how it was going to get worse as the rain had not stopped. Finally people were asked to leave for home. I stay close by barely 10 minutes away. I left around 5 pm and was home in 20 minutes, took longer than usual due to traffic. I stepped into the house with wet feet, failed to notice some water on the floor that had come through the window. There I went flat on the floor twisting my knee so badly that it was numb; I couldn't feel anything. The pain was just too much. My father in law was right there he held me by both my hands. My children saw me fall and cry so much ;they both started crying too. Mom in law rushed  in to check what had happened. They picked me up and made me lie on the bed. There was swelling and intense pain. Decided against going to the hospital as it was raining and traffic was bad everywhere. I thought it was a bad twist so it would take a while for pain to subside. Next morning I went to see an orthopaedic surgeon. The moment he examined me he said that he feared that it was an ACL (Ligament) tear. He said that he was going for the same surgery. I didn't want to hear that. He added that I needed to get an X ray done but that wouldn't show the ligament tear so I had to go in for an MRI too. I was at loss  of  words.  Had not thought of this even in my wildest dream. I told the doctor that I was too scared of the MRI machine. He asked me to tell the technician that; he added that for knee MRI there was no need to get into the machine completely but they'd use an attachment on my knee only. some solace there.

I rushed to the hospital, Xray came normal. Then went in for the MRI, I know if dad or my husband was with me I'd have created a scene but here I was with a friend who was accompanying me. All emotions under check.  It took half an hour for the process. The report was expected the next day. I met the doctor the following day with reports. It said complete ACL tear and MCL grade 2 injury. Doctor said that I might need a surgery but it wasn't something that needed to be done immediately. I asked him if there was no other way, told him that I had a very strong will power and would do whatever it took to ensure that I recovered. He wrote his prescription. I asked him if I could go to work and also told him about an important seminar that I had to attend. He gave me the green signal with an instruction that I shouldn't strain myself too much. I left his clinic and followed his advice. Got in touch with the physiotherapist too but didn't start it immediately. Finally came 8th and 9th September I did summon all courage to attend the International Summit. Took ample rest to recharge my batteries.

Sent my reports to a couple of doctor friends and guess what? Almost all said that it would need a surgery and long rehabilitation. My inner voice kept telling me it couldn't be that bad as I was feeling fine, wasn't experiencing any great pain either. At least 3 friends called me and shared their experience of the same inury and the subsequent surgery. Yet the stubborn inner voice kept telling me that  each one was different..... I was certainly DIFFERENT!

I was to see a physiotherapist on 11th September. Thought of sending her my reports in case she had some other advice for me. She did call to tell me that my injury needed a surgery but for rehab she'd help me. I shared with her what I really felt. Hearing that she advised a second opinion. I cried my heart out thinking of the consequences and outcome of this whole episode. I had to be brave. When the sailor husband is out at sea, old in-laws are taking care of you and you have two children to look after, you have no choice but to be brave. I zeroed on one orthopedic surgeon that my sister in law had visited a couple of months ago and a friend shared his feedback too. Guess what, both of them didn't remember the doctor's name. They told me where they had visited him. I googled him and got his details. Immediately called him to take an appointment. He asked me to see him at 7.15 pm that evening.

There I was well on time to see Dr. Mahesh Maheshwari. Had to wait for my turn. Finally he examined me and the way he spoke made me feel extremely comfortable. He said that I didn't need a surgery. I held his hands and thanked him, tears in my eyes. As if this was what I had longed to hear. I know for sure that one must allow the body to heal on it's own, giving some time. If that doesn't work then surgery can be the last resort. I was ready and willing to give it a try. He wrote his prescription and showed me 3 exercises to do and asked me to see him in 10 days. I am in this phase at the moment. Religiously doing the exercises and taking it easy. Going to office wearing a hinged knee cap and taking the support of a walking stick. Don't know what's happening inside the knee but the person in me is extremely optimistic, looking forward to a fabulous and speedy recovery.

Knee brings some humour

Husband called through video chat the same evening I fell. He didn't show his fear or concern but I could read his expressions and see it in his eyes how worried he was and how helpless he felt. After asking me what had happened he said, "Tum sab jagah apni tang adati ho nah, isliye yeh hua." (You poke your nose everywhere that's why it happened, in Hindi we use leg instead of the nose bit). I gave him one dirty look then but have been smiling thinking of that. He asked me to get second opinion also check with doctor friends. Above all be strong and follow the doctor's advice. He is checking on me every single day to ensure that all's fine.

Where can sons be left behind? They cried so much when I fell down, one kept saying that I was the best mom in the world as if someone would listen to that and not punish one good mother. I continue to feel nice about that innocent expression. The elder one who is into football, the moment he saw my report that showed ACL tear; quipped, " Mumma so many footballers have got that injury Kurt Zouma,  Ruud Van even Neymar Jr. has got many leg injuries:.  I felt as if he took pride in my achievements! I come in the league of such greats. What if the fall was inside the house and not on a football field, It's the spirit that matters after all!

The 50/ 50 Game

The people who are close to me, know me well kept saying that I won't require a surgery. They were even more hopeful than me. That included my parents, in laws, my boss as well as work colleagues and a few friends. The ones who use more logic and referring to case studies told me that surgery would be a good idea. I listened to all but wanted a validation of what I felt from a doctor and Dr. Maheshwari did that for me. I am grateful to everyone for their concern, love and all the caring. Infact a friend who has gone through a similar injury told me that even if I felt good didn't mean that the wound was healing.

Happy to be in the 40s

Dr. Maheshwari said that if I was in my 20s and very active like Sachin Tendulkar, may be he would've suggested a surgery but not at my age and the kind of lifestyle I led. He then asked me how old I was. I said ," 41, infact 41 and a half so that made it 42!". He laughed saying that to avoid sugery I was adding an year. I am glad it was me who had a fall in the house that day and not my in laws or kids as I could  handle it better than them. Also thankful that I am in my 40s though I have never felt older than 21. 

Way forward

It's been three weeks and have a few more towards recovery. I am doing the exercises and feeling better in spirit and have things to look back and laugh at. In fact a friend who is a VP in a company holding a very important portfolio says, "Nazar lag gayee"( evil eye). She also added that everything can't be perfect always. A few ups and downs are a part and parcel of life. Well said indeed. This is a passing phase. Each phase leaves you with something profound. This was probably a message to me to slow down a bit, to value what I had in life and that nothing mattered apart from good health. Lessons taken, in fact absorbed and digested. Thankful for the fact that I have some great friends, colleagues and relationships;  all that's my earning, my rewards!

Doctors are next to Gods

Being a doctor is certainly a noble profession. Doctors play such an important part in our lives specially in the downs, the sorrow and sufferings. They can bring about changes, they were truly called the Gods. It's so important for the medical fraternity to remain true to their profession, cause and mission. They also need to have good counselling and inter personal skills. Which I feel some of them lag. These qualities are so important when dealing with patients and their families. Rehablitation is as important as the medical care, sometimes even more. I am a trainer and I can certainly do something in this direction. In fact I have decided that I'll take up training sessions for doctors and contribute whatever I can towards them dealing positively with patients as well as towards  their rehablitation.

Second opinion

My advise to anyone dealing with a complex medical condition would be to take second opinion, in fact take third, fourth or fifth if need be. Also listen to what your heart and mind says. Being positive always helps and placebo effect is known to all. All things being equal your attitude and your mindset contributes towards your recovery. Each individual is different and will response differently to the treatment. No harm in giving some time and having patience, if your doctor feels so. 

PS: This blog is only a feel good post, it might help some people reading it as some people's experiences helped me. It is not a medical advisory but my experience with an injury and how I am dealing with it. 

Pictures are taken from google with due credits