Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Tuesday, 26 November 2019

List of Festivals of India

List of Festivals of India

StateMain Festivals
GujaratModhera Dance Festival, Saptak Music Festival, Kite Festival, Holi, Navratri.
HaryanaBaisakhi festival, Surajkund Craft Mela
AssamMajuli festival, Dehing Patkai Festival, Ambubasi festival, Bohag Bihu, Baishagu festival.
JharkhandSarhul, Dansi, Karma, Hal Punhya, Rohin, Bandna.
GoaLadainha,  Fontainhas Festival of Art, sunburn festival, Mando Festival, Ghumot fest, Chikalkalo, Gokul Ashtami, a feast of St. Francis Xavier
BiharBihula, Chhath Puja, Rajgir Dance festival, Madhushravani, Sama Chakeva, Jivitputrika.
Madhya PradeshTejaji Fair, Khajuraho festival.
Jammu and KashmirDosmuchey festival, Matho Narang, Gemis Festival, Galdan Namchot.
OdishaKonark festival, International sand art festival.
KarnatakaPattadakal Dance festival, Gudi Padwa.
KeralaOnam, Nishagandhi festival, vaikathashtami festival.
RajasthanBundi Utsav, Desert festival, Gangaur Festival, Matasya festival, Braj festival, Shekhawati festival.
MaharashtraKalidas festival, Chikoo Utsav, Diwali.
Tamil NaduPongal, Thaipoosam, Jallikattu festival, Natyanjali festival.
TelanganaBonalu, Ugadi, Bathukamma, Kothakonda Jatara
MizoramChapcharKut Festival
NagalandHornbill Festival, Moatsu festival.
Uttar PradeshKumbh Mela, Ram Leela.
PunjabLohri.
ManipurYaoshang, Chavang Kut, Bihu, Porag.
SikkimSaga Dawa
West BengalDurga Puja, Nandikar National Theatre festival.
DelhiQutub Festival, Bharat Rang mahotsav, Sabrang Utsav, Siffcy, Jahan-e-Khurau
TripuraKharchi Puja
Arunachal PradeshSolung, Losar Festival, Murung, Reh, Mopin, Boori Boot, Monpa festval.
UttarakhandGanga Dusshera
MeghalayaWangala Festival, Ahaia festival, Nongkrem Dance Festival,  Bob Dylan festival.
Andhra PradeshBrahmotsavam, Sri Rama Navami, Deccan festival, Ugadi or the Telugu New Year, Dasara,  Durga festival.
source:https://www.toppr.com/guides/general-awareness/indian-culture/important-festivals-and-events-in-india/

Thursday, 21 November 2019

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF READING

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF READING

Read-a-thon_Tackle_Your_TBR_New
I’m an avid reader and I always have been. So when someone says to me, with a vaguely superior air (and this happens surprisingly often): “Oh, I don’t read fiction. I don’t have time for that. I’m too busy; I have more important things to do…”, well, this is how I feel:
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I’m sorry…what did you just say?
Today’s post is my contribution to Tackle Your TBR Read-A-Thon , a super fun reading challenge hosted by Tressa’s Wishful Endings and Colorimetry. And, to my fellow Read-a-thon-ers, I’m pretty sure your reaction to a self-professed “non-reader” is about the same as mine.
I know. It’s barely comprehensible when someone says they don’t read, that they don’t have time for fiction.
Because you and I know the truth. We know there is nothing like it. It’s enriching, relaxing, entertaining, enlightening…so many things. And, here’s a little secret you can keep tucked inside your pocket, to use as ammo should the need ever arise: there are health benefits to reading.
Yep, true story.
Research has recently started unearthing bona fide health benefits to reading on a regular basis.
Besides being a published author, I’m also a family doctor. Helping people stay healthy is my day job. Of course I’m always recommending healthy behaviors like exercise and eating veggies, but I also frequently recommend reading. And here’s why:

READING REDUCES STRESS.

Reading has been shown to reduce stress by 68%. In a British study in 2009, reading was found to be a more effective de-stresser than going for a walk, listening to music, or having a cup of tea. One of the researchers was quoted as saying: “Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation.”
I can personally attest to this. In the middle of a pretty stressful phase of life–when I was a medical resident working 100-hour work weeks and doing regular stints in the hospital that stretched on for 36 hours at a time (yes, really)–I turned to reading for stress relief. That’s because when I was on call, in the middle of the night, if I got a chance to slip up to the call room to grab an hour or two of sleep, here’s what I found: I couldn’t fall asleep. My brain was still churning away like a Vitamix blender. So I started bringing a novel with me to the hospital. Even though I was so busy and had precious little time, if I crawled into the call bed and read just a few pages of a novel first, I’d be able to drop off to sleep without difficulty.

READING IMPROVES BRAIN FUNCTION.

Non-readers sometimes like to suggest that reading fiction, in particular, is a waste of time. The argument being: if you’re going to read, it should be something intellectual, something non-fiction at the very least, if you want to actually benefit from it. But the fact is, reading fiction provides a whole lot of cognitive benefit, and exercises completely different areas of your brain than non-fiction. There’s imagination, processing, emotional response, comprehension, association…it’s like giving your brain a workout. It also improves your vocabulary, and stimulates your creativity.

READING KEEPS YOUR BRAIN YOUNG.

Research has shown that creative and intellectual hobbies, like reading, slow down the cognitive decline that happens later in life. Adults who read books on a regular basis have a 32% slower rate of mental decline as they age than those who do not.
That’s a whole lot less “Now where did I leave my keys…”

READING IMPROVES YOUR SOCIAL SKILLS & EMPATHY.

Two studies published this summer showed that reading fiction exercises your empathy muscles. Researchers found that reading even a few pages can boost empathy, improve decision-making, and make you more comfortable with uncertainty. Here’s why this happens: when you read a story, you vicariously experience a character’s feelings, ideas, and thoughts. For your brain, it’s like experiencing a slice of another life.
In short, the hobby you use to escape real life may actually make you better at living it. Instead of being an anti-social habit, reading is an activity that enhances your social skills. Take that, judgy non-readers.
So there you go. Permission to read: granted. (I can write you a prescription if you need it.)
One last bit of good news: in the spirit of the Read-a-thon, I’m doing a giveaway of my debut novel A BEAUTIFUL HEIST (Agency of Burglary & Theft #1). I’m giving away one paperback copy to one lucky winner. Yay!
To enter, hop on over to Colorimetry and enter via the Rafflecopter box. I should mention that this giveaway is only open to registered participants in the TYTBR Read-a-thon–if that’s not you, it’s not too late to sign up!
Also, I’d love to stay connected with you! Jump over to my Facebook page or find me on Twitter, and be sure to tell me you’re a TYTBR Read-a-thon-er.
Happy reading.
SOURCE:https://kimfoster.com/the-health-benefits-of-reading/

BENEFITS OF READING BOOKS

  1. FE

Overcome Your Book Fear and Know the Important Benefits of Reading

This article talks about the advantages of reading books to groom your personality and widen your knowledge. Know how reading can change a negative thinking to positive one, enhance the constructive thoughts within you nad strengthens your memory power. You will also learn why books are meant to be made best friends of life.
JUL 20, 2018 15:52 IST
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 Book Fear and its solution
Book Fear and its solution
Every person connects to the books right from their childhood. Starting with the school books, story books, we learn about the value of books. Books can act as a good companion and help to break the monotony of life. Books are also very good guiders and philosophers. They are the real stress busters. Thus books give us a pleasant company when we feel lonely, amuse us when we are bored and correct us when we go astray. With the world full of imaginations and creations, books help us to enjoy the beauty of life.
Here we are  discussing some of the prominent reasons why we should engage ourselves in reading books:
1. Good Entertainer and  Stress Buster:
When you read a fiction or a story, you are just enthralled by the story frame, its characters and events.This way your mind shifts gears and distracts from all the stress. Books uphold and encourage you when you feel sad and pessimistic.
2. Memory Booster and a Dose for Healthy Brain:
Just like any other muscle in the body, the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy. The habit of reading a good stuff acts as an exercise for your mind and keep you mentally fit. While reading a book, you have to remember the various characters, their backgrounds, ambitions, history, sub-plots that weave their way through the entire story. This way your brain is trained to work to its full potential.
3. Makes Your Verbal Skills Better:
Reading the books helps to come across a varied range of words to express your inner feelings and represent your point before others. This way you may improve your conversation skills.
4. Makes You a Good Speaker:
By reading the books, you can consume a huge amount of research and analysis. This way you are instilled with a vast set of knowledge with which you will be able to engage a wider variety of people in a conversation.
5.Increases Your Focus and Concentration:
Reading a book draws your whole attention to its content. Thus, closing off the outside world and immersing yourself fully in the text, helps improve your focus and concentration, i.e., strengthens your attention span.
6. Provides tranquility:
Reading can soothe like no other in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Just choose your favourite genre, take a seat and be still. Now feel the relaxation that accompanies reading a good book. It will bring about an immense sense of calm and tranquility.
Besides numerous benefits of reading books, the above dictated would be enough to tell you the importance of reading books. So if you want to select a best friend of your life who will provide you a company in all your good and bad times, then, its time to select books as your best friend. If you have never given it a try then always remember that it’s never too late to start a good habit.

6 reasons why you should start reading short stories

6 reasons why you should start reading short stories

6 reasons why you should start reading short stories

Benefits of reading short stories
Short stories have many benefits that make them a great read in the digital times. Here are the most important ones.
Nowadays, short stories have one certain benefit: they are short.
And “short” doesn’t only mean the number of words or characters. It also means the fast pace, the single-minded plot, and the concise form.
Someone may say a short story is a substitute for a novel. Oh, it’s just like YouTube is a substitute for the cinema. Or a Facebook chat is a substitute for the real-life conversation.
Let’s face it: digital reality is switching our lives. And when it comes to reading, the balance is switched to the benefit of short-form fiction.
In times of traditional publishing, a 25-page short story was not serious enough to bear the cost of printing and distributing it as a separate publication.
Nowadays, authors can publish any piece of writing in a digital form, no matter how long – or short – it is.
It changes the perspective. A short story published as a Kindle Single is a fully-fledged electronic book – with a cover, blurb, and reviews. And when you finish it, you can say: Hey, I’ve read a great book!
It’s not justified to say that we face the revival of short stories. But short stories may turn out to be the most effective tool of a revival of reading in digital times.
50 short books for busy people

Read also 50 short books for busy people

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Best short books you can read in less than three hours. Novels and novellas you can't miss, short stories, and most interesting non-fiction books.

6 benefits of reading short stories

1. A certainty you’ll read the entire piece

Many people who don’t read books share a common attitude: This novel sounds interesting, but I won’t have time to read it, so why start at all?
Having no time to read is one of the major reasons people stop reading books. Sometimes it’s just an excuse – every time you watch YouTube videos or go through the Twitter timeline for hours.
But there is one essential difference between reading a book and exploring a social network. The end of the latter is when you decide so. The end of a book is fixed.
In a novel, the last line is hours, days, or weeks away. It depends on how long your reading sessions are and how often find time for books.
In a short story, it may be in the next 15 minutes. Sure, it may take longer, but the time range is short. Short enough to imagine when you’ll finish reading and in which circumstances (by the time I leave a subway, this evening in a bath, etc.).
You may find it hard to finish the entire novel. But you may also try very hard not to finish the entire short story.

2. A pleasure of finishing a story

Why is finishing a book so important? Because when you give up reading before the end, you feel discouraged.
You may try one or two more times and, eventually, come to the conclusion that reading is… well, you don’t have time for reading.
What happens when you finish a story? No matter whether it’s a novel, a novella, an essay, or a flash fiction piece, you expect a wonderful feeling to come. It’s a feeling of accomplishment.
Moving forward by accomplishing goals one by another. It’s what life is about, isn’t it?
There is one more thing. Reading fiction is about visiting unknown, exciting worlds, full of characters you’d love to meet in person. Reading a book is like going on a journey. The feelings and dynamics are the same: from expectations to excitement, to doubts, to fulfillment, to nostalgia.
Imagine you can fly to one of these unknown worlds and come back safely before you finish drinking a cup of coffee.

3. An incentive to reach for the next read

People who are stuck reading several books rarely reach for the new one. They are right thinking it’s not right to leave behind something that’s not finished.
A green – big and bright – light to read the next book turns on when you finish the previous one. Hey, you are now free to move forward!
It’s after finishing the last sentence when you are fully justified to evaluate the book.
When you conclude the read was great, you’ll try to find something similar: from the same author, genre, or something that deals with the same topic.
When the story hasn’t met your expectations, you will be more open to trying something completely different.

4. A convenient way to try new genres and authors

It’s where short stories come extremely handy.
What do you do when you are not satisfied with your last read? You are thinking about how to refresh your reading list. Why not trying titles, authors or genres you never knew would ever get interested. By the way, have you read anything from planetary romance, nanopunk, or tech-absurd?
A common way to get acquainted with a new genre or author is to buy its most prominent work. But why buy the book if you’ll not like it in the end?
Obviously, with digital books on board, you can always download a free sample. Well, free samples are not quite suited for exploring literature, because they often end before the author introduces the main character or starts a leading plot.
Any other ideas? Check out the short stories or short story collections from genres or authors you plan to read.
Short stories with their right-to-the-point plot and concise form are a convenient way to learn about the style and characteristics of the literary work you are about to discover.

5. A great read between the novels

It’s true that as an activity reading is more demanding than other daily pleasures, such as watching TV.
Sometimes, after finishing a long, fascinating, and deeply involving novel, it’s good to make a break.
Having a break from a novel doesn’t mean you have to make a break from reading. You can reach for an easier and less challenging read – a short story.
Refreshing the mind is all about changing conditions, and leaving the path.
You can read one short story and make one short and intensive step aside. Or you can read a short story collection and dive into unexplored lands for just a bit longer.
When you are finally back on tracks, you’ll eagerly reach for the next novel of your favorite author, or the next volume in a book saga you’re reading.

6. A way to bring back the habit of daily reading

Take a look around. Having a minute of spare time, people take out their smartphones and check out their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
It’s an example of a highly effective use of time. Why not give the book a try? And it doesn’t mean you have to keep the book in your purse or backpack. You can download a free book reading app and place its icon next to Facebook’s.
Now, it’s all about what you expect. When you open Facebook, scrolling through a couple of latest status messages makes it already a finished activity, no matter when you decide to stop.
When you open a book app, you imagine the time you spend reading – five minutes or half an hour – is a tiny little percent of what is left.
Short stories are suitable to be read in short chunks. A single chunk may be a substantial part of the entire story.
Even when you read a short story for five minutes, you see the progress – and this is encouraging to reach for it the soonest you’ll have the next few spare minutes.
Download a short story collection to your book reading app. Reading one story might take less time than going back home from work on a subway.

Conclusion

Maybe, for avid readers, short stories will never become a serious kind of read. But for occasional readers, they can be a serious chance to find some space for reading books among other daily activities.

Benefits of reading short stories – infographic

Feel free to share this infographic on your site (Creative Commons license).
The benefits of reading short stories #infographic

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