India's Unique Multiculturalism - Shashi Tharoor

Complete video at: fora.tv Prolific Indian author and diplomat Shashi Tharoor discusses the unique levels of pluralism evident in Indian culture and government. ----- Shashi Tharoor discusses The Elephant, The Tiger, and the Cell Phone: India, the Emerging 21st Century Power. Asia Society and the South Asia Journalists Association (SAJA) host the New York launch of Tharoor's new book. Tharoor shares his insight into the complex and intriguing culture of this rapidly evolving nation. The event includes excerpts from the book and a conversation with Pramit Pal Chaudri, a Bernard Schwartz Fellow at Asia Society. Over the past twenty-five years, India has moved from a largely impoverished, underdeveloped country to a bustling, innovative, fast-changing society. In his new book "The Elephant, the Tiger, and the Cell Phone: India, the Emerging 21st-Century Power", celebrated author Shashi Tharoor discusses and demystifies the vast changes that have taken place in India to transform this once sleeping giant into an emerging world leader. - Asia Society Shashi Tharoor is chairman of the Dubai-based Afras Ventures and former Under-Secretary- General for Communications and Public Information at the United Nations. His UN career began in 1978, when he joined the staff of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He was also a senior adviser to the Secretary-General. He has written hundreds of articles, op-eds, and book reviews in a wide range of publications. A contributing ...



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Unique Gift Ideas For Your Beloved

Are you searching for unique gift ideas this holiday season? Maybe you're looking for something extraordinary to give to someone you know and love. There are plenty of unique gift ideas in store for you online.

Once you decide the general direction of your holiday gift ideas, consider making that list more specific. There are plenty of special and unique gift ideas that will put a smile on anyone's face. Whether you're shopping for friends, business associates, or family, you can find the perfect gift online.

Unique Gift Ideas for Loved Ones

The best gifts are the ones that aren't commonplace. You'll want to find gift ideas that show you have given the recipient full thought and care as you've shopped. Thankfully, there are plenty of great gifts out there for purchase.

In fact, some of the gifts available on the Internet are so unique, you can be sure no one else will purchase them. From digital cameras to appliances to exercise equipment, each gift you'll find online is completely special. That's because online vendors have unique wholesalers supplying to them--so they can offer you awesome gifts at the best prices.

Even if you're looking for something more popular, you can find those gifts online, as well. The best part is that internet shopping offers you rock-bottom prices. Add onto that exceptional deals on shipping, and you've got a winning recipe for gift-giving success!

Corporate Gifts for Business Associates

If you're seeking corporate gifts, there's no better way to purchase than the online marketplace. Not only are these gifts tasteful and unique, but they also have direct shipping options. That means that no matter where your clients or associates are, they can receive your gift quickly.

Perhaps your business is based in New York, and you have clients in California. You can ship your corporate gifts directly to them at little charge. Your clients receive a thoughtful gift, and you avoid endless hassle with shopping and shipping during the holidays.

Over the years, you might have seen some pretty off the wall gifts that are too bizarre to be appropriate. You can make your gift stand out without showing bad taste. There's a fine line between tawdry gifts and those that are funny and different. To avoid this situation completely, opt instead for something that you really put a lot of thought into, rather than risking offense.

No matter whom you're shopping for, you can find easy solutions to your gift buying needs online. Peruse the Internet to find the gift that's perfect for your particular recipient. Then sit back and relax, assured that your recipients will receive their unique gifts with plenty of time to spare.

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Author is an experienced online sending gift to India expert.

Rakhi Celebration With Unique Gifts

Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is a traditional Indian festival in which sisters tie a sacred thread of protection around their brother's wrists. By accepting a thread from his sister, the brother is bound to protect his sister from harm.

The sanctity of the thread that the sister ties to a brother's hand makes the relationship glow with noble thoughts and blessings of love, devotion and duty of the brother towards his sister.

People in India celebrate this festival on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana. The frail rakhi thread is considered stronger than iron chains in India as it binds brothers and sisters in a bond of everlasting trust and love. Sisters apply 'tikka' on their brothers' foreheads and brothers reciprocate by giving them gifts and tokens of cash.

In turn, sisters buy gifts and sweets for their brothers. The meaning of this festival has expanded, so those who do not have brothers tie rakhis to others and initiate a new brother-sister relationship that usually continues for a lifetime.

This festival also has an important social significance, because it underlines the notion that every one in society should live in harmonious coexistence with each other as brothers and sisters in society. The best way forward towards attaining this social goal is to initiate a lifetime bond that makes men and women, young and old alike with pious feelings towards each other.

The aim of Rakhi is to achieve a harmonious coexistence for everyone and removal of social strains. Simultaneously, it strives to cultivate noble thoughts in society and imbibe feelings of brotherly as well as sisterly love for members of society.

The festival is rooted deeply in the psyche of every Indian since the past. Legend says that Rajput and Maratha queens have send rakhis even to Mughal kings who despite their personal differences, rose to protect them from harm.

Another story has it that Lord Indra - the ruler of the heavenly realm, was almost on the verge of losing a long drawn battle against the demons. Indira's wife came forward to help her husband and tied a talisman on his wrist. This helped Lord Indira win the war against the demons.

Yet another legend has it that Lord Yama, the God of death had a sister Yamuna. On every "Shravan Purnima", she would tie a rakhi on her brother's wrist. Since then it became customary for sisters to tie a rakhi on their brother's wrist.

There are a lot of rakhis available in the market encompassing both traditional and modern themes. These include thread rakhis, moti (pearl) rakhis, silver rakhis, silver coin rakhis and more. There are rakhis even for children such as chocolate rakhis, Superman, Batman, Pokemon, Krish, Mikey mouse rakhis, and so on.

On this day, brothers and sisters send cards and gifts to each other. Traditional gifts mark the occasion. These gifts include rakhi baskets with ethnic stuff, fashion jewellery, gift hampers, ethnic dresses like sarees, kurtis, Punjabi suits, dresses and dress material, traditional puja thalis, Indian Sweets like Kaju Katli, barfi, pendas, boondi laddoos and such, dry fruits such as cashew nuts, raisins, almonds, pistachios, and such.

Other gifts include apparels, watches, perfumes, etc other due to the influence of the present day modern culture. On this occasion, brothers also give a token of money as appreciation for their sisters. Sisters also purchase return gifts for their brothers, which includes men's items such as perfumes, kerchiefs, sunglasses, watches, mobiles, shirts, trousers, wallets, belts, apparels, electronic items, and such.

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Unique Gift Ideas For Holi

Holi gifts, or for that matter gifts to commemorate any social occasion is a matter of measured choice. While your whim or fancy in choosing a gift can work out lucky for you, more often than not, the receiver of the gift praises your choice because it is polite to do so, and because she or he wants to see you happy. So, to pick up that real winning gift from the confusingly huge number of options is both an art and a craft. Your choice of gifts should not only express your own personality, but must also take into account the receiver's choice as well as what is culturally right on the day of Holi.

For example, I have never seen the color "black" associated with Holi except of course the griming of faces with oil and the soot from Holika Dahan bonfires. But that, is an entirely different affair. Bright colors are most often associated with Holi and yellow and red receive special favor with Vasanti or Basanti (cream color with orange shade) being the culturally perfect color for Raslila the actual color festival. Vasanti is the color of Spring which is named Vasanta in Sanskrit, and Holi, or Raslila, or Dolyatra are all forms of the original Vasanta Utsav, the Spring Festival. So, without any doubt the presence of the Vasanti color on any presents has cultural significance.

Holi gifts are as numerous as artisans and manufacturers. Of course, a nice Pichkari and colors are welcome, but they are more Holi equipment than gifts, unless the Pichkari is a work of art and can grace a living room as a curio or art object. What would you prefer as a gift idea? Remember that the main reason of the color festival of Holi is the exchange of love between Radha and Lord Krishna. Holi symbolizes love, and laddus, though significant and symbolic, may not be sufficient Holi gifts.

Since sweetmeat packages and flowers are an invariable part of every Indian social occasion, nicely gift-wrapped packages of sweetmeat are of course good presents that are socially acceptable. But, that is more cultural than individual. When you are thinking of a unique gift, it must stand out from the crowd and draw comments. Even a single white rose can be a great option and more appreciable than that non-stick tawa your wife had been eyeing for quite some time. Utility oriented articles really do not fit in gracefully as Holi gifts but things of art and beauty are in tune with the festival of love and colors.

A Holi gift, of course, does not need to be tangible. Taking your family out for a dinner can also work as an appreciable gift. It's not all about necklace or bracelet, nor are they about cars or houses, or money. Holi gifts are more about love and your appreciation for your family members. So, visit some malls and online gift stores, keep a lookout for things that may impress and cause joy, and find that unique Holi gift that will speak a million words.

And just a parting warning, when choosing your Holi gift, please keep away from Baltis and Handis. While they will surely prove to be quite unique as Holi gifts, the effects may not be what is desired.

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Indika Tree of Life Applique Unique Gifts to Help a Chari...

Indika's Tree of Life Applique Wall Hangings caught Daily Grommet's attention because they're hand-made by a cooperative of women in India who keep traditional skills alive while working to find self-sustainable ways to improve their quality of life. The result is a breathtaking artisan piece representing the connection between mankind and the environment; it's the perfect gift for any pivotal life event. www.dailygrommet.com



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