There Is Now A Device That Will Let You Taste The Food That You Google

It was only last month that two researchers from the National University of Singapore presented a smart little device at ACM User Interface Software and Technology Symposium in Tokyo. This little box was packed with a food revolution of its own - it was packed with a battery that powered electrodes that, in turn, could stimulate taste receptors.

This means, you can now taste that chocolate cake you've been secretly googling ;) 

The device, a prototype at this stage, has a 9V battery plugged into a circuit stacked with four different elements that trigger temperature changes of 5°C when applied to the tip of the tongue. This change in temperature creates a sweet taste. The credit for the invention of this device goes to scientists Nimesha Ranasinghe and Ellen Yi-Luen Do from the National University of Singapore who fiddled with thermal stimulation, seeing food online is not so virtual a reality anymore.

The electrodes when placed on the jaw, stimulate jaw muscles that help us chew food. It was found that food felt tougher when high frequency pulses were triggered, and it, alternatively, felt more elastic in texture with longer pulses.

The idea behind its creation is pretty noble too - to help those with health conditions, even those on a diet.

"We believe this will be especially helpful for the people on restricted diets for example salt (hypertension and heart problems) and sugar (diabetics)," Dr Ranashinghe told MailOnline in an interview.

Source

Ever Wondered Why Asians Have Different Eye Shapes? Here's Why

Eyes are the most beautiful part of the human body and it differs from person to person. Not just in terms of color but also in terms of shape and size. 

Have you ever wondered the reason behind the difference of eyes in terms of shape and size? Here's why.

That distinctive Asiatic eye look is caused by a variety of things, including strong, forward projecting zygomatic arches, relatively large epicanthic folds, smoothness caused by fat around the eye socket, and a flatter nose bridge. Not everyone has all of these traits, or has them to the same degree, but these traits all tend to reinforce each other visually, leading to a distinctive effect. 

In theory, these effects are presumably caused by a combination of continentality and sexual selection for neoteny. The exact way this happened is still the subject of some controversy, but the correlation is well established.

The story goes that ancestors of the Asiatic peoples (that is, the people who live in modern day East Asia) migrated, in prehistoric times, from somewhere around Central Asia or Siberia to their current locations. That area is the place on Earth which is the farthest inland, and as a result experiences large seasonal swings in temperature. They would have adapted to deal with dry, cold winters, hot, bright summers, and dust. They would have had to deal with dust in the summer and glare from sunlight reflecting off snow in the winter, under conditions where survival was fairly difficult.

If environmental effects were all that mattered, moving south-east like this would have resulted in these Asiatic people losing their distinctive features as an adaptation to their now more temperate environment. But that wouldn't be instantaneous and environment is not the only factor in play. When these prehistoric Asiatic people reached more temperate and coastal areas, which were capable of supporting a larger population, they underwent a population explosion, which allowed sexual selection to take over. The Yellow River Civilization, for instance, which is the ancestor to the modern nation of China, had a relatively high population for many thousands of years.

Sexual selection is a mating preference. That is, cuter people (as judged subjectively by the pool of potential mates) are more desired as reproductive partners and therefore are more likely to pass on their genes. Social selection in connection with infanticide in times of famine might also have played a role.

So we can say that features which originally arose as adaptations to an extreme, dusty climate were probably exapted through sexual selection.

Source

This Indian Actress Has An Important Message For Us All

Women have always been subjected to the profanities of the society.  Our so-called modern and educated society judges a women’s character based on a long list of stereotypes.

Saloni Chopra - a well-known Indian actress raised her voice against this mentality of our society through her bold photo shoot and urges all of us to think about it.

Part 1/5 Here's a little tribute to all the women out there. Women that I adore, and am inspired by. Women that are unique and independent. All of you... You are strength. To read the photo article I've written, log onto salonichopra.in - link also available in my bio. Don't forget to share it!! Over the next few days, I'll try to upload all the different avatars of women from my post on Instagram. But I would really love it if you read that too. Happy Independence day! Excerpt "I am a Virgin. I may not look like one, so what? What’s a virgin girl suppose to look like anyway? Am I not suppose to dye my hair, just because I’m a virgin? Should I not open my legs, or smoke a Cigarette? Sure, smoking is injurious to your health, but don’t say it like it’s injurious to only “women’s health”. I am sick and tired of being judged. You see me walking by, and you think i’m the kind of girl that’ll flirt with you, or i’m high on drugs, or that I’m a lesbian (which is none of your business), just because of the way I look. So I like making a fucking loud statement, what has sex got to do with it? Yeah I’m a virgin, and maybe I will lose my virginity tomorrow, or maybe I won’t for the next 5 years. But i’ll dress the way I like, and I don’t give you the right to judge me for it." #IndependenceDay #wordporn #women #independence #inspired #motivate #bethechangeyouwishtosee #love #photoarticle #educate #awareness

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra 🎈 (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 15, 2016 at 10:59am PDT

Part 2/5 I hate pants. I hate bra’s too. I am so much more comfortable when I throw on a pair of shorts and a tshirt and walk out of my house to buy my groceries, instead of having to wear a bra, put on a pair of jeans — I hate it. I like my body just the way it is, i’m more than comfortable in it. But clearly, you have a problem with my comfort. You want me to cover myself up all the time. Even though your mumma’s got the same things I do, but why is it that when you see me you get aroused without reason? Do you feel weird seeing me in my underwear? Would a bikini be okay for you? Why is it that you assume, when you see a girl like me, in clothes too small (but one’s she’s happy to be in) you automatically assume that I’m a slut. You assume that it’s okay to touch me, and tease me. You want to teach me a lesson. You call me characterless, a slut, or a whore. Firstly, no girl, even if she does do the things you disapprove of, is a slut or a whore. It’s her body and her choice. Secondly, my clothes don’t define me. I am an introvert. I am shy as fuck. I can’t start a conversation with a stranger at a party… that’s not me. And it bothers me, that you think I have no character, just because you can see my underpants. They cover my ass, and they sure as hell cover my vagina. The problem lies within you, not me. I do have character. I just may not be able to ever say this out loud to you — because that’s not who I am. I am not that bold, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t hold the right to be respected in this society. Courtesy, every girl out there that is shy, but loves her body too. Because you can be both, without being ashamed of either. To read the entire Independence Day article I've written, log onto www.salonichopra.in #independenceday #introvert #awareness #beyou #bethechangeyouwishtosee #selflove #wordporn #photoarticle #theslowlife

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra 🎈 (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 16, 2016 at 4:48am PDT

Part 3/5 "All my life, they told me what to do. I was raised very well with all necessary etiquettes & requirements that a wife should have. I can cook, clean, stitch, feed, lift and provide pleasure, as and when needed. I am well aware, that I am not suppose to have a sexual drive of my own. That’s not what I am here for. But what if, that is what I want to discover right now? My own sexuality? Because I like the act of sex. There are still places where I could be killed for saying that out loud. Definitely be looked down upon. But why is it okay for me to have sex just to please him, but not want to do it when I am aroused or horny? What about my hormones? What if I am not just this body of mine? I don’t even know if it is men, or women that I desire. And I will never know, because I’ve always been petrified to find out. I am too scared to ask. I am shunned down from it. Who am I? What if all I want to do is travel the world, work in villages, help people, and explore my sexuality as I go? I don’t think I want to have kids, or to ever cook again. I do not want to lie down under him for the three and a half minutes that I do, I want to moan and scream. I want someone to explore not just my body, but my mind and my soul. I want to be touched, without being entered. I want to learn everything there is to learn, outside of what I know. I don’t want to be his trophy, or his slave. I want to be me. And I don’t want to be ashamed of telling you that I want to have orgasms. This is who I am. My culture, or my history will not change that. I am proud of where I belong, it's not the place, but the people that are bothered. If The Kama Sutra can emerge from our Culture and History, then why can’t I? Give me the freedom… to be me." - Courtesy every woman who has ever been scared of becoming herself. To read the entire Independence Day Article, dedicated to the wonderful women that are strong, but are scared of becoming - log onto www.salonichopra.in #bethechangeyouwishtosee #desire #selfawareness #theslowlife #wordporn #shootmode #awareness #photoarticle #women #beyou

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra 🎈 (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 17, 2016 at 8:11pm PDT

Part 4/5 (This is a Tribute. Not My Story). So it happened. Was it easy? No. Did I suffer? You don’t know the inch of what I went through. You don’t even know what rape is. It isn’t physical. It wouldn’t be painful if it was. As women, we are capable of producing a child out of our vagina’s — a penis can’t hurt me. But it did. Because I shut down. My mind shut down, so did my body. I cried for weeks, months. I couldn’t look anybody in the eye. I couldn’t trust anyone. At first I didn’t talk about it. But when I did, my family suffered the consequences. The shame, the disgust. As though I had committed the crime. No one cared who he was. The neighbours didn’t care about my pain, they wondered what was I wearing? Nobody looked at me the same way again. My colleagues, my teachers, my friends. Overnight I went from being the girl with big dreams, to the girl that had been raped. Did you know there are more chances of adolescent girls being raped within the family, than there are of it happening outside? That's right. But you know what? I am sick & tired of being ‘That Girl’. Who will marry That Girl? Who will drop That Girl home? Yes! It fucking happened. Yes, it was traumatising. But my rape doesn’t fucking define who I am. I am beyond that. I am more than just the act. I am fucking wonderful. I love strangers bcos they don’t look at me as the girl who got raped. They look at me & they see my smile. They see my shining eyes. They see me flick my hair, they hear me laugh. They ask me about my dreams & goals in life. There is much more to me than just that one night. I am not ashamed of being a rape victim, I am not scared & on most days, I am not sad either. Why should I be? I’m not the one who did it! I am going to live my life to the fullest & enjoy every moment like it’s the last, bcos I deserve the best. And one day, I want to be able to walk into a crowded place & admit that I have been raped, without being judged or labeled. Without your pity. Yes. I am That Girl. I am That Girl, who still doesn't forget to smile. - On behalf of every girl who's ever been too scared to say the truth. You're stronger than you think. Full article on www.salonichopra.in

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra 🎈 (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 18, 2016 at 4:23am PDT

Part 5/5 I wanted to be a teacher, and an astronaut. I wanted to become a dancer. I wanted to plant trees and have kids. I was the girl who ordered coffee right before you at the Starbucks this morning. The girl that broke the traffic light last night at 10 pm. I was travelling in the auto next to yours, three nights ago. You tried to chat me up last week at the bar down the street. You also almost sold me a credit card this afternoon, but I was running around at work and I hung up before you could. I am the girl with the parents that live far away, in Amritsar. I am the girl who grew up with six siblings. And I am also her, who has nobody. I could be somebody’s sister, wife, daughter, mother — but what if I am not? Do I only not deserve to be raped and abused by the relationships I have? Is my relation to a man the only thing that defines me? What if I am not a daughter, a sister, a mother or a wife? What if I am just… me? Yes, I am that virgin who likes to make a statement with her attire. I am the shy girl, comfortable in her skin. I am dying to explore my sexuality and yes, I'm the girl thats been sexually abused in the past. I am not just that I am many more. I am studying for my exams. I am travelling back drunk at 3 am from a party. I am standing outside a bar, crying over a bad break up. I am working in a call centre, to support my younger brothers education. I have been in love. I have dreams and goals and ambitions. I am an individual. I am strong. I am every girl that has ever been touched, teased, slapped, abused or raped. I am also every girl that is scared of being alone on the streets, because I am scared of being objectified. I am a goddess, you say. Then why am I so scared of your presence around me? Why am I not safe? Why am I not… Independent? Today, on the 69th year of our country’s Independence, this is all I ask of you. My freedom to breathe. To live. To be Me. To not be ashamed of who I am. Because I did not, do not, and never will deserve this. #TributeToWomen #Part5 #bethechangeyouwanttoseeintheworld #independenceday #india #feminism #educate #girls #TheSlowLife

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra 🎈 (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 18, 2016 at 11:14pm PDT

So free yourselves from these stereotypes of the society and #JustBeYou

Source

Now A Map Reveals What Countries Are Best Known For- India For Bananas And Pakistan For Gay Porn

If there was ever a thing to unabashedly challenge your view of the world, it'd have to be this global map that apparently knows more about these countries than you ever did. And the difference is as good as a 360 degree flip.

India's not known for how colourful it is or how helpful its people are or even the Taj Mahal. According to this map, India's popular for its bananas. Our errant cousin and neighbour, Pakistan, apparently loves its gay porn. Now, who would've thought...

       Image Source: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/

This 'International number ones' map was created by David McCandless, and is a collection of data from sources that include Guiness World Records and the World Bank, to name a few. The index on the bottom of the map goes as high up as straight up 'nasty.'

Other audacious facts: France isn't the most romantic in the world. It's the most drunk on whiskey! And Colombia's not reeling under the weight of an oppressive economy; it's actually quite happy. 

Source

This Short Film Has A Powerful Message For All Of Us

“Women don’t get raped because they were drinking or taking drugs. Women don’t get raped because they weren’t careful enough. Women don’t get raped because they want to.  Women get raped because someone raped them”. 

From then on it becomes very difficult for them to lead a normal life. She will be haunted every day, every moment by the nightmare she has been through which for boys was just an act of pleasure.

According to United Nations, 250,000 cases of rape are recorded by police annually and the number of unrecorded rape is very huge.

Also 1 in 3 women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, usually from a male partner (WHO).

An unborn girl child through this video #DearDaddy tells her father how he is trying to protect his daughter against all odds and in-spite of all his efforts someone will call her a whore or a slut as she grows up.

Source

When the Taboo in the Society about Sexuality Caused a Divorce!

Since a girl is born, at every point of time people keep her reminding that she is born for a great purpose- to get married, to serve her in-laws and keep her husband and family happy. Oops.. sorry. Super happy!

 “ You don’t know cooking? Then what will you give you in-laws to eat?” As if they are on a hunger strike until a girl marry to their son. “You are so indiscipline, how you gonna survive after marriage?” ...and so on. 

But between all these lines, they never ever mention about the sex, an integral part of a healthy marriage. That is banned in girl’s dictionaries. 

However, after marriage, you're supposed to have as much of sex as you can and have a big family. 

In Indian culture they think it as the act of sin to think or discuss about sex before marriage. And this thought is so deeply rooted inside some girls psyche that they find it difficult to make this move after after marriage. 

Many times before, few of the newly wed brides have shared their depressing experiences and recently I got to read a story where a husband decided to open up on this and narrate his experience with his wife on Quora that how the taboo around sex in our country broke his marriage, and it is really heart rendering. 

We hope that no other girl is brought up to believe that sexuality is a sin.

Here it is in his own words:
 Our family arranged our match when I was 27 and she was 25. She seemed like a beautiful, educated and well spoken woman. Before our families made the match official, all I asked her was if she wants to get married out of free will (as opposed to family pressure) and if there is someone else she wants to be with.

image source

We got engaged and had a 4 month courtship period. We chatted and went on dates. I have female friends and I know how confusing this time can get for girls. I wanted to respect her space and didn’t make a move to get physically intimate. She said she was a virgin. I, too, was a virgin so I thought she might be feeling shy talking about the details.
Cut to our first night and we were at my parent’s home. I talked, showered her with compliments gifts and sang for her. After making the atmosphere extremely romantic, I leaned in for a kiss. To my horror, she jumped back. I was horrified that I had scared her. She said she didn’t feel comfortable, so I let it be.

image source

A week later, we kissed. Another 2 weeks later, she was *letting* me take off her clothes. I tried to stimulate her by caressing her breasts, back, neck in a lot of different ways but she never seemed to be aroused. In fact one day, to my horror, she ran into the bathroom and I could hear her sobbing. I felt guilty.

3 months passed and we still hadn’t had sex. I tried everything. I got her flowers, chocolates, gifts, cooked, sang for her, took her to dates, invited her friends over, cuddled and talked with her. I did everything Google came up with when I searched ‘romantic’. I was a good husband.

She couldn’t give me one reason for her behaviour because according to her she did love me & was attracted to me. She went to her parent’s place as we needed some time to clear out minds.

Then we finally had sex. I was ecstatic but she lay there with an expression like she was tolerating it. I dismissed it as the discomfort of her first time.

image source

About 8 months passed, she was still unresponsive. She never initiated anything and was always reluctant about anything new. After months of me nagging her about not telling me what she liked or disliked so that I can make sex better for her, she one day had a mental breakdown. She broke down crying loudly and didn’t stop for 2 hours. Between her mumbling & shouting, all I could understand was that she hated sex and felt dirty every time I touched her.

Next day, I took her to a psychiatrist despite her revolts. The way she was reacting was not normal, but very scary for me. After 2–3 weeks for sittings, the doctor said that she had spent all her life hiding away from her own sexuality and that she has become averse to sex. She suppressed her sexual feelings to stay a virgin. So she couldn’t embrace her sexuality even when it was with her husband.

image source

The doctor said this complex is very common with Indian women and is never diagnosed. When porn, sex scenes in movies, masturbation, premarital sex is seen as something ‘bad’, it subconsciously makes sex an overall toxic thing for women and they suffer through it only as part of their wifely duties.

Despite being educated, having male friends, and a normal middle class upbringing, my ex-wife had suppressed her sexuality. She was averse to sex for a decade of her life after puberty, and society’s approval of marital sex didn’t make sex ok in her mind.

image source

Having sex with me was torture for her. And it would have gone unnoticed if I didn’t keep pressuring her to be more responsive and involved.
Today we are divorced. We talked intensively among ourselves, discussed with her psychiatrist, and went to couples’ counselling. It was the best decision for the both of us. She is single, happy, successful at her job, regained the health she lost during the year we were married, and sees a psychiatric to become a healthy sexual adult. 

Even if she stays celibate all her life, she is now on the road to feel more free and unburdened everyday.

image source

I can only imagine the trauma my ex-wife went through before her diagnosis. I just hope we someday live in a world where sex isn’t seen as a sin and girls aren’t subconsciously taught to be virginal and submissive. I hope no girl has to go through this trauma again. ”


source : Quora

Exchange of scrapped notes ends, deposit them in banks till December 30

Over-the-counter exchange of high value notes, which were scrapped earlier this month, will stop from Friday, the government announced on Thursday. However, it also extended use of the Rs 500 note for some specific purposes up to December 15. "It has been observed that over-the-counter exchange of old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations has shown a declining trend," a finance ministry statement said after the government reviewed the situation.

"It has further been felt that people may be encouraged and facilitated to deposit their old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in their bank accounts. This will encourage people who are still unbanked to open bank accounts," it said.

From November 25 onwards, old notes can only be deposited in banks until December 30.

The government had permitted various exemptions for certain transactions and activities, such as buying cooking gas cylinders and railway tickets, payments at government hospitals, pharmacies, toll plazas and petrol pumps where payment could be made through old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes up to November 24. It has now decided to extend the use of only the Rs 500 note for these transactions up to December 15. Use of the Rs 1,000 rupee note will not be allowed.

You can also use old Rs 500 notes to pay school and college fees. These entities must be central, state government, municipality or local body schools or colleges. Old notes can also be used for pre-paid mobile topup to a limit of Rs 500. 
Source

GREY – The New Shade For Indian Brides!

Have you ever seen an Indian girl in Grey bridal dress? Yep, you heard right. GREY!!!!

Image Credit : Meow Studio

Many celebrity brides had worn different colors other than red for their engagement and wedding and set the trend. But this Grey is definitely something new and will become yet another successful example of deviance from the colors other than red, pink, golden, yellowish and orange.

Image Credit : Meow Studio

Author Swati Kumari was looking stunningly gorgeous in her Grey Lehnga teamed up with a peach dupatta at her engagement.  She carried it all off so effortlessly and graciously.

Image Credit : Meow Studio

“Author begins the next chapter of her real life love story!” wrote Meow Studio sharing her engagement pics on facebook. 

While the young authors in India debut with the love stories, Swati Kumari’s first novel was a realistic women fiction. She has also authored Amayra- the essence of life, the world’s first photo-story book on depression and suicide prevention that is a self-help book in the form of fiction. In an interview with Winner Hands, Swati had said that her next book would be a love story. However, this news is about beginning of her real life love story.

Congratulations Swati and Prabhat We hope to read a love story from you soon!

Image Credit : Meow Studio

© Winnerhands.com

Wonderful Masterpiece created on the walls of Danapur Railway Station by the Artists of Walk for Bihar is getting viral on the social media.

Pictures of the wonderful masterpiece created on the walls of Danapur Railway Station by the artists of Walk for Bihar is getting viral on the social media. It is amazing to see such beautiful art in Patna. The Street Art at Danapur station is dedicated to the great mathematician Aryabhatta.  

Image Credit : Meow Studio

People of Patna will see more of this Street Art in the town by the end of November. You can also see one being made on the walls of NIFT, Patna. It is being made by famous Street Art artist Artez, who is from Serbia. There are many more places in town.

Who are the artists of Walk of Bihar?

A group of film makers and Artists from Mumbai who are organizing a month-long, massive Public Art Festival in Bihar’s capital city, Patna. Each Artist will produce larger-than-life original Artworks on the facades of public and private buildings. With the help of innovative and radical Street Art, Sculptures and Video Installations, they aim to give a clarion call for realizing Bihar’s potential in development, social justice and human liberty.

“Aryabhatta,one of the scientist of ancient India, who digitalised the world by inventing the number 0.
Yes, "I WAS HERE", in the land where 0 was invented. I am so glad that I got a chance to paint the full facade of Danapur Railway Station  in WALK FOR BIHAR festival in my own style of comic book illustration. The wall stands there talking about the forgotten hero.” Says Nilesh Kharade. 

Visiual artist Nilesh started painting at an early age of 8. After persuing his Diploma in Fine Arts from Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya, Pune, he worked on realistic and gurative compositions where he made a mark in producing water colour textures and patterns. Nilesh is deeply inspired by renowned Indian artist Vasudeo Kamat. He has handled socially driven subjects like music, humanity, forms of energy, local heritage,global warming, terrorism etc. through his art. He also spent few years teaching at Sai College of Art, Pune.


Later Nilesh found his inclination towards Street Art as a form of expression and aspires to make his art reach out through the form of street art. Worked for many corporate offices and painted numerous public locations in Pune under the Street Art fraternity, today Nilesh works as a full time visual artist out of his studio in Pune.

Painting and Sculpture Locations in Patna

source

Ranveer-Deepika Put An End To Breakup Rumours In The Steamiest Way Possible

Rumours of Deepika Padukone going through a rough spot and Ranveer Singh happen to be doing the rounds since a while. While both the celebrities have rubbished these reports inside their own manner, this news shows the love is more powerful than ever.

According to report in Stardust, Deepika and Ranveer were recently spotted together near a car showroom and seemed to be enjoying each other’s company to the fullest.

They held hands and kissed each other quite passionately. Now, that’s how you put an end to all baseless rumours and make a statement. Way to go Deep-Veer!

On a related note, Deepika is currently gearing up for the release of her maiden Hollywood film 'XXX: The Return of Xander Cage'. In it, she will be seen opposite Vin Diesel.

As far as Ranveer is concerned, he will soon be seen in Aditya Chopra’s ‘Befikre’. In the romantic-drama, he will be seen opposite Vaani Kapoor.

Interestingly, the two will also be seen in ‘Padmavati’, which is slated to hit screens next year. Touted to be a period romantic drama, it also features Shahid Kapoor in the lead.

Source

Why thousands of women in Iceland walked off the job at 2:38 p.m

For thousands of women in Iceland on Monday, fighting for equal rights meant ditching out on work early. 

Women across the country powered down their smartphones, closed their laptops, and canceled meetings at 2:38 p.m. to protest the gender pay gap, according to an Iceland Review report.

Women in Iceland come together to fight for equality, shouting OUT #kvennafrí #womensrights pic.twitter.com/vTPFwfSoVk

— Salka Sól Eyfeld (@salkadelasol) October 24, 2016

Why 2:38? The protestors didn't just choose a random time.

Women in Iceland make roughly 18% less than their male counterparts, according to the latest European Union data. Which is good, compared to a lot of other countries — including the United States (which ranks 28th on the World Economic Forum's Gender Gap Report; Iceland is first). But still pretty unfair.

Unless, of course, their work day was 18% shorter. Which means they'd get out at 2:38 p.m.

This isn't the first time women in Iceland have gone on strike.

❕❕❕

A photo posted by Áslaug Lárusdóttir (@aslauglar_) on Oct 24, 2016 at 10:04am PDT

In 1975, labor unions and women's rights organizations in the country organized the first Women's Day Off. According to a BBC report, 90% of women in the country participated, including domestic workers and stay-at-home mothers. The strike paralyzed the country, forcing many men to take their children into the office.

"Probably most people underestimated this day's impact at that time — later both men and women began to realise that it was a watershed," Styrmir Gunnarsson, a former newspaper editor, told the BBC.

Iceland's (and Europe's) first female president, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who joined that first protest 40 years ago, believes the mass demonstration helped pave the way for her election five years later.

This 2016 protest is the fourth time Iceland's women have gone on strike — and the time of the walkout has gotten progressively later with each one as women's relative wages have increased.

In 2005, protestors walked off the job at 2:08 p.m. In 2008, they left at 2:25.

But 2:38 p.m. is still not late enough!

Frelsi og feminismi. Við systurnar viljum jafnrétti núna STRAX!

A photo posted by Dóra Júlía Agnarsdóttir (@dorajulia) on Oct 24, 2016 at 8:46am PDT

At that rate, the wage gap in Iceland will take more than 50 years to close on its own. A WEF report estimates that the global wage gap may take as long as 118 years to sew up. But if the first protest changed the way the country values women's labor, then perhaps the pressure from more massive events can speed up the clock.

Women of Iceland are gathering at Austurvöllur today to protest against the gender wage gap #kvennafrí

A photo posted by Reykjavik Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) on Oct 24, 2016 at 8:54am PDT

Perhaps on a Women's Day Off not too long in the future, they'll be skipping out at the end of the day with their male colleagues.

source

This Short Film On Celebrating Diwali Will Make You Miss Your Childhood

Diwali festivities don’t just bring along the fragrance of sweets and the beauty of lights, but also takes us on a trip down memory lane.

One thing that makes Diwali even more special is recalling the excitement we shared for this festival while we were kids. From getting ready early in the morning and waiting for the puja, to bursting firecrackers, every memory gets us nostalgic even today! Amidst these cherished childhood memories, what really gets us emotional is remembering how we celebrated Diwali in school with our friends.

Every year Diwali arrived a little early in school as the corridors rang with laughter. For all those who spent their childhood in boarding schools, Diwali brought along mixed emotions. The happiness of going home and the sadness of saying goodbye to your close-knit family away from home was definitely a bittersweet moment. In a beautiful short film, Snapdeal has captured this very emotion that every student and teacher goes through when the time comes to part during the festival. This film will surely leave everyone teary-eyed.

Source

Beauty lies in the Mind-Blowing art of the photography as well..!!

Being a photographer is much more than clicking a picture. The genius photographers like  Felix Hernandez Rodriguez illustrate their fantasy as a magical realism who is known to take small objects and photograph them with a very different outlook.
    

When you see the photos clicked by him in the exotic locations, it is unbelievable that the locations are nowhere other than his studio.

Even when Audi asked him to photograph their new $160,000 sports car Audi R8, and he did it with his own approach and used a $40 toy model of the car instead of using an actual car for the photo shoot

About Felix:

Felix Hernandez is a commercial photographer, digital artist and graphic designer based In Cancun, Mexico. He produces creative concepts and imagery for clients of his own creative firm as well for other ad agencies and clients around the world. He also has wrote articles by assignment for different photo magazines like: Retouched Magazine, DOCMA, Digital Camera, Digital SLR Photography, Digital Photo, Good Light Magazine, etc..., and has been published in sites like; Fstopers, petapixel, 500px, DIY Photography, Retouching Academy, Canon, Audi Deutschland, Daily Mail, amongst others.

 In recent years his work with scaled models (toys) has gone viral, shared and published all over the world. Working at studio or at location he mixes traditional "on camera" techniques with digital manipulation to achieve realistic images and bring his scale models to life.

Felix puts special attention to the concept creation as well to the technical side. For him, photography is not to portrait what there exists but to portrait what exists in him.

    

Image Credits: Felix Hernandez Rodriguez

 © winnerhands.com