"Who is Shiva and Why Does He Matter?" ~ Sadhguru

This video looks at Shiva, the first yogi, and his contribution to raising human consciousness, an effort that is still alive and thriving across the world today.

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A rickshaw named desire - Kali and Brenda’s love story

Illustration: Jayachandran/Mint

“What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?”

A blank look for a fleeting moment precedes the answer. “Every day is Valentine’s Day. But on Valentine’s Day, I would go out of my way to do something special. Like, probably plan a surprise or something,” says Kali*.

“Really, you’d do that?” asks Brenda, slightly bemused. Her hair is short, but falls in waves, a lock apiece over each eye. “Your love is lovely. But you suck at giving surprises, my dear,” Brenda laughs. The 30-year-old charmer plays the guitar and bartends occasionally, performing both roles with equal flair in pubs and house parties. By day, she sources clothes for a million-dollar company. There is much to her that can’t be described in a few words. Such as, she loves Kali to death.

Prashant believes he did too. He had been Kali’s boyfriend since college. The arm-twisting, neck-grabbing and suicide threats had been going on forever, yet Kali’s family almost heaved a sigh of relief when she agreed to marry him. Ever since the death of Kali’s father when she was 9, her mother and two elder sisters had formed a tight band of three. There was too much disquiet in Kali (now 30 years old), which they hoped marriage would quell.

Straight-haired, high-cheek-boned Kali’s smile lingers long after she whacks Brenda for being honest.

Love isn’t easy business in a country which defines whom to love and how best to avoid facing possible jail time. There is a section that’s 153 years old, which keeps it straight and narrow, missionary style. Kali and Brenda don’t love straight and narrow.

Their love story has several starting points. It started in a rickshaw ride when Brenda dropped Kali home a few months after Kali’s engagement to Prashant. It started when Brenda looked up sharply on hearing Kali’s voice for the first time at a corporate meeting in office, a few weeks after Kali joined (she was playing Angry Birds, as she is wont to do at such meetings). It started over a plate of poha that Brenda ate each morning waiting for Kali to show up at the seventh-floor canteen. It started when Kali walked away from Prashant, after he pinned her to a wall when she told him she couldn’t marry him. Actually, wait. That’s when it almost ended. Maybe.

Prashant’s parting gift was to tell Kali’s folks about Brenda. Did he know, even before Kali did, that the two loved each other? Or was he just an assh*** who wanted to make matters worse for Kali? Brenda feels the answer to this lies somewhere in the middle. “Prashant had issues, and Kali wanted always to keep the peace. Prashant couldn’t take Kali’s final—and real—rejection, although he always imagined himself unwanted.”

After a pause she adds, “I’ve also dealt with the end of a relationship.” Brenda doesn’t divulge details, but offers broad brushstrokes. It happened a few years ago. It ended abruptly. It came as a shock. It was as if her lover had pulled the plug without so much as a by-your-leave. “It’s not easy. Break-ups, I mean.”

Kali looks on as Brenda gesticulates emphatically. “Prashant and I weren’t Valentines,” says Kali. “In all the 10 years we were together, I never wished to spend time with him.” Brenda may be quick with the repartee, but Kali’s humour is dark and well-honed.

Kali’s family summoned Brenda after Prashant’s disclosure, which included a memorable “Brenda performs hypnosis and Kali is under her power”.

“That was one long rickshaw ride to her home,” Brenda recalls. “I went with a friend. I was scared.” Brenda makes little of the fact that she went in the first place. The way she sees it, she had no choice. The friend was asked to leave, and Brenda was asked a number of questions, including whether she could release their daughter, who clearly was under some sort of spell.

The duo had already decided in the rickshaw ride to work the previous day that they wouldn’t admit to being in a relationship. They’d stick to the “good friends” story. “It’s very important to set the right context when you’re telling your family about something that they may not want to hear,” says Brenda. Prashant had ensured the context was a battlefield. The best that Brenda and Kali could do was prevent further bloodshed.

Brenda, accordingly, asked them what on earth they were talking about. She was seething, but she smiled. Kali’s mother smiled back, hesitantly.

Kali remained silent all through the conversation. She imagined, instead, the following day’s ride to work. She would be prattling away to Brenda in the rickshaw. Brenda would be holding her gently by the waist as they jumped in unison over the city’s potholes. She wasn’t seething, but she didn’t smile. Her mother wailed at her to speak. Kali remained silent.

Over the following days, Brenda and Kali debated over what to do next. Kali’s sister was keen to take her to a counsellor. Kali had just ended a long relationship, and though she said nothing, there was something inexplicable about the way Brenda and Kali occupied the room together. Yes, they were sitting on different sofas, but it felt as though their bodies turned to each other of their own accord.

The visit to the counsellor turned out to be beneficial. The doctor asked Kali’s family to re-examine their notions of happiness. Physical abuse doesn’t make for a happy relationship. The gender of a partner doesn’t make for an unhappy one. Whose side are you on, the counsellor asked Kali’s sister, who requested a private meeting after one of Kali’s sessions. The sister stopped accompanying Kali to his clinic.

In the past year, Kali’s folks haven’t relaxed the curfews they’ve set for her, but they haven’t tightened them either. When Kali spends a night with Brenda and her other queer friends, she tells her folks she’s attending an office party. Kali is a pragmatist. She knows that they know the truth, but she also knows that they don’t want to know it. She doesn’t question this and, one might say, she’s too angry with them to rage against their prejudice. But she doesn’t let it bring her down any more either. It’s not a truce, but it’s the beginning of one. Both parties know they’re walking on eggshells. Still, it’s a status quo they’ve come to accept.

"The duo had already decided in the rickshaw ride to work the previous day that they wouldn't admit to being in a relationship. They’d stick to the ‘good friends’ story"

Brenda and Kali began calling themselves a couple a few days before Valentine’s Day last year. Brenda had hoped to take Kali to a beach in Goa, and offer her a ring. She had even bought a tuxedo for the occasion. That didn't quite pan out as planned, but Brenda has something new up her sleeve this year. Kali tries not to reveal her excitement at the impending surprise, but she can’t stop smiling. All she needs to know is the outline of the plan. If it involves a trip, she needs to start sending out feelers to her folks soon—probably talk about an out-of-town conference that may take place in the second week of February.

They've been through an abusive former partner, hostile family members, a supportive counsellor, gruelling work hours, and several autorickshaw drivers who've been terribly unconcerned about them.

“Sometimes the only place I feel most at home in is the rickshaw,” says Kali.

You’ll find them there almost every day. Twice.

(*All names have been changed to protect identities.)

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An Illegal Mountain Constructed Atop a 26-Story Residential Building in Beijing

While most property and homeowners might be lucky to erect a small fence, add a new wall, or plant a few trees without applying for a permit or checking local zoning laws, things in Bejing are apparently quite different. For the last six years an eccentric doctor built a sprawling mountain villa on the roof above his top-floor flat in this 26-story residential building, all without asking permission of residents or local authorities. The enormous addition covers the entire 1000-square-metre roof and was built using artificial rocks but with real trees and grass.

Residents of the high-end Park View apartment block in the city's Haidan district have complained that the two-storey house could cause structural damage to the building and have been regularly disturbed by noise from heavy machinery on the roof.

The villa's owner is reported to be a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, who is quoted as saying: “Since I dare to live here, I am not worried about complaints." If the structure is not removed or its legality is not proven it could be forcibly demolished.

It only took six years of complaints from neighbors who suffered from the noise and vibrations of heavy construction machinery, water leaks, and other disturbances to finally get the attention of authorities who recently gave the man 15 days to remove the mountain or else it will face forcible removal.

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King Abdullah petroleum studies & research center by Zaha Hadid

the modular structure is a living, organic scheme where 

expansions grow and multiply like cells

Construction is well underway at the ‘king abdullah petroleum studies and research center’ (KAPSARC) in the saudi arabian capital of riyadh. the complex forms the headquarters of KAPSARC, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to researching economics and technology across all platforms of energy. designed by zaha hadid architects, the modular structure is a living, organic scheme where expansions to the building are allowed to grow and multiply like cells – without compromising the visual integrity of the project.

the scheme is composed of a network of three-dimensional six-sided cells

sheltered courtyards bring natural daylight into the center of the project

Composed of a network of three-dimensional six-sided cells, the project is based on the concept of connectivity. the center rises above the desert landscape, emerging as a cluster of crystalline forms which evolve in response to environmental conditions. the spatial program of the design ensures that each component is suited to the function it serves. the exterior’s shell-like façades conceal the porous interior, where sheltered courtyards bring natural daylight into the center of the scheme. these buffer zones allow a gradual temperature transition between outdoor and indoor volumes.

Internal zones are programed to foster meetings, both planned and accidental, establishing small areas of congregation and the collision of thoughts and ideas. the conference center will also be outfitted with a large multipurpose hall and a variety of smaller halls and meeting rooms.

 internal zones are programed to foster meetings,

both planned and accidental

an area of congregation within the design

‘king abdullah petroleum studies & research center’ at night

CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS:

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Real Madrid set to redevelop Santiago Bernabeu stadium

Real Madrid football club has unveiled plans which would transform their existing santiago bernabéu home, reestablishing the arena as a worldwide sporting landmark. the proposed scheme will be jointly developed by german practice GMP architekten, and spanish firms L35 and ribas & ribas arquitectes. requesting a new identifiable and energetic appearance, the brief called for the complete remodeling of the historic site. furthermore, it was requested that the work would be carried out without interrupting the use of the current stadium.

The curved forms of the design’s asymmetric steel façades reflect light, creating ever-changing patterns. the dynamic marked lines surround the new structure, expressing an energy synonymous with athletic activity. at night an LED lighting system will lend the façade a soft glowing light which will vary in both color and intensity – radiating internal illumination. the system will convert the venue’s elevation into a giant screen projecting large scale multimedia.

A newly installed retractable roof will allow the venue to be used for a wide variety of events throughout the year. the canopy will be made using a PTFE membrane in the exterior sections, with a series of slats positioned on top, adding sun protection. the covering will be transparent in the innermost sections, achieving a balance between natural light and solar protection during daylight hours. a translucent membrane will be placed on the inside to hide the stadium’s structure and services, leaving a central area with a transparent finish. the result is that of a mega-structure which appears to levitate effortlessly.

‘the idea of excellence was another strong inspiration. the ‘galactic heroes’ of real madrid made us think of a polished gemstone, a magic skin with a changing light and color hues that actually protects a treasure’, stated L35. ‘energy efficiency, integration with the surroundings and new technology are the principles upon which the design team based their innovative proposal. “we feel incredibly proud to have met this challenge and we are convinced that the new image of the bernabéu will stick in people’s memories”’, assures tristán lópez-chicheri, managing partner at L35.

The scheme also includes the construction of a new hotel which will offer direct views of the pitch, in addition to a shopping and leisure center, an underground car park and the integration of landscaped public spaces. construction is scheduled to begin in june 2014, with a tentative completion date scheduled for 2017. recently, the madrid team’s great rivals, FC barcelona, revealed their own stadium development plans.

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Famous Portraits and Paintings Recreated with Found Objects - Jena Perkins

UK-based artist Jane Perkins produces incredible pieces that recreate classic works of art and portraits of iconic figures using thousands of multicolored found objects. Each of the artist’s creations is a compilation of numerous objects that range in color, size, and texture. She works with anything from buttons and beads to LEGO pieces, shells, plastic spoons, and clothespins.

The key behind Perkins’ incredible work is her keen eye for color and the ability to arrange each tiny plastic elements in visually cohesive configurations, as she never manipulates the pigments in any of the small figures she uses. The hue of each component is its original color. The work simply relies on Perkins’ skilled eye and hand to assemble it all together. In the end, each piece is a work of art that can be appreciated both from afar and up-close, much like an Impressionist painting.

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19 Life Lessons From The Dalai Lama

Here are 19 Life Lessons from the Dalai Lama that he wishes to share with you.

The Dalai Lama is regarded as the spiritual leader of Tibet and has spent his life helping people around the world reach happiness and enlightenment. Here are a few life lessons he has to share with all of us.


1. Take into account that great LOVE and great ACHIEVEMENTS involve great risk

2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson

3. Follow the Three R’s:

• - Respect for Self
• - Respect for Others
• - Responsibility for all your actions

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules, so you know how to break them properly

6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship

7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day

9. Open your arms to change, but don’t give up your values

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past

14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality

15. Be gentle with the earth

16. Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before.

17. Remember the best relationship is one in which your LOVE for each other exceeds your NEED for each other

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon

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Jarawa tribe now face sexual abuse by outsiders on Andaman Islands

India's threatened Jarawa tribe is facing a new danger from intruders in its jungle home. International attention has previously focused on the danger to the tribe from the daily human safaris that take tourists through the Jarawa's reserve on India's remote Andaman Islands, a phenomenon exposed by the Observer two years ago. But now a rare interview with a member of the tribe has revealed that they are also under attack from their own neighbours on the islands.

In the first public interview since the Jarawa began to make contact with the outside world, a member of the tribe has come forward to protest about the sexual abuse of young women from the tribe by outsiders. The man, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of those who helped him give his interview, claimed that other Andaman islanders and poachers had started to enter the forest to harass the tribe.

He alleged that the outsiders had introduced alcohol and drugs into the reserve and were sexually abusing girls from the tribe, which numbers about 400 and whose members only started to come out of the jungle 16 years ago.

"The girls say the outside boys press them lots," he said. "They press them using hands and nails, when the girls get angry. They chase them under the influence of alcohol. They fuck the girls. They drink alcohol in the house of girls. They also sleep in Jarawa's house. They chase the girls after smoking marijuana."

The tribesman spoke out days after eight Jarawa girls were allegedly kidnapped by men who landed at Jao Khana in dinghies. Seven men were arrested. That incident followed several other reports of the sexual exploitation of women from the tribe.

The interview is published in the Andaman Chronicle, whose editor, Denis Giles, has campaigned for years to prevent abuse of the Jarawa. He said the man who came out of the jungle did so because he was concerned about the incursions into their territory. And he said the interview showed that the threat to the Jarawa's existence now extended beyond the human safaris that run along the Andaman Trunk Road, which passes through the heart of their reserve. "Until today the world has confined the idea of the exploitation of the Jarawa to the trunk road, but there is another very real exploitation going on in the background," he said

Two years ago India was scandalised after the Observer exposed the human safaris by publishing video footage of girls from the tribe being coerced into dancing semi-naked in return for food. The safaris were condemned around the world and the Indian government promised to take action.

A year later the country's supreme court banned the safaris, only to row back on the decision after the island administration offered assurances that the Jarawa would be protected from the prying gaze of tourists. Hundreds of vehicles still pour through the jungle every day, packed with tourists whose main purpose is to see and try to photograph members of the tribe.

Giles said the trunk road remained the biggest problem facing the tribe. He said the island authorities were stalling on providing an alternative sea route to bypass the Jarawa's jungle, which is supposed to be completed by March 2015. "Andaman administration do not speak about it. They are confident that it will never take place and blame it on official delay," he said.

"But while the road is a major cause of exploitation, the other part is while the authorities were trying to cover up the road issue, they took it easy with exploitation being done by local poachers, in spite of being aware of it."

Poachers, many from Burma, are known to have been regular visitors to the Jarawa's territory, but this is the first public indication of the scale of the interaction with the tribe. Anthropologists and human rights groups have been concerned about the effect on the tribe of contact with outsiders. Disease and the effects of the introduction of alcohol and drugs have been cited as reasons for assisting the tribe in perpetuating its isolation until members are ready for greater contact.

However, other powerful voices on the island have argued for integration, insisting that the Jarawa should be drawn into the mainstream.

The first interview with a member of the tribe was in 2003 with a young man, Enmai, who had broken his leg on a raid on a neighbouring settlement. Since then no one from the tribe has spoken publicly.

The Jarawa is one of the four tribal groups on the islands. The others are the Sentinelese, the Onge and the Great Andamanese (themselves originally consisting of 10 separate tribes).

Sophie Grig, of Survival International, said: "This is shocking first-hand testimony that Jarawa women are being lured with alcohol and drugs and sexually exploited by poachers on their land. These revelations are just the latest example of the Andaman administration's failure to adequately protect the island's most vulnerable citizens.

"Exactly four years ago, the last member of the Bo tribe of the Andaman Islands died. The Bo were one of the 10 Great Andamanese tribes, and were devastated by diseases brought in by the British when they colonised the islands in the 19th century. Many Great Andamanese contracted syphilis after being sexually exploited by the colonisers. Numbering more than 5,000 when the British first arrived, only around 50 of the Great Andamanese still survive today.

"We must ensure that history does not repeat itself and that anyone caught exploiting the Jarawa is prosecuted."

source: [...]

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Vienna Airport Control Tower, Schwechat, Lower Austria, Austria

The construction of the new air traffic control tower was necessary to see the overview of the happenings of the extended apron - to ensure - due to the terminal development "Skylink". The optimal position of a piece of land was fixed in direct access to the airport area. This prominent location of the new tower offered the opportunity to create an urban character with signal character in the entrance to the airport area. Combining the functions of air traffic control technology in the base and the actual control rooms in the head of the building emphasizes the tower character and the desired symbolism. In association with the transport aircraft (speed, power) of the tower developed a vertical dynamics. The base of the building is based on the Baufluchtlinien, the head of the tower after the main viewing direction of the pulpit. The approximately 45 ° - rotation of the two segments to one another presents itself in the transition zone of the two directions and outer contours in the form of a membrane. This measure results in a building that is more like a skyscraper than a "classic" corresponds in its character Tower. 

In addition to the articulation of the building as a coherent overall form is made ​​visible through the membrane zone, the rotational movement between the different parts of the building. goal of this design was above all, the tower its own identity, to give a distinctive appearance. Vienna International Airport is to receive with construction of the new tower a building that equal a lighthouse emits signals to its environment. Depending on light conditions, the membrane skin looks opaque. At night, the center piece is corporeal by lighting or projections and developed a life of its own. Possible Bespielungsszenarien are artistic interventions, useful information such as weather reports, or lucrative Billboard. Due to the special building height of 109 meters, it is visible from a great distance, and serves as the orientation of the incoming travelers and the people inside the airport.

General Information

Structural Type: Membrane structure 

Function / usage: Airport traffic control tower

Construction method:  

shaft: Slipforming 

Built: 2003 - 2005

Status: in use

                  

Dimensions : Total Height 109.00 mts.

Material: 

shaft: reinforced concrete 

membrane: PTFE-coated glass-fiber fabric

Sources: Images: [...]

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