Parag's World

Fitness has many forms today. Gyms, running tracks, and online workouts fill our screens. But for centuries, India has had its own way to stay fit — Yoga. Long before fancy machines, people here turned to the mat for strength and calm. A Practice Older Than Time Yoga’s roots go back thousands of years. It finds mention in ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita . In those verses, Yoga was more than stretching. It was a way to bring body and mind together. Today, that same idea sits at the heart of modern wellness. Simple Yet Powerful When people see Yoga poses, they often think it’s only about twisting and bending. But Yoga is deeper. A simple pose like Savasana looks easy. You lie still. But staying still is the hard part. Like in the book Autobiography of a Yogi , peace is often found in silence. The Global Spread Yoga didn’t stay in India. Slowly, it crossed borders. In the West, people found that Yoga balanced their busy lives. Books like Eat Pray Love show how travellers came to Ind...

 Throughout history, religion has provided answers to life’s most profound questions: Who are we? Why are we here? What happens after we die? The answers to these questions differ across cultures and religions, with each faith offering its own interpretation of existence, the soul, and the afterlife. In this exploration, we examine how various world religions view these themes and how they shape followers' attitudes toward life and death. Life and Purpose in Major Religions In Hinduism, the concept of life is deeply connected to the idea of reincarnation and karma. Every action in life affects one's future existence, with the ultimate goal being Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Buddhism shares a similar view, where the end goal is Nirvana—freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. In contrast, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have monotheistic views that focus on life as a gift from God. For these faiths, the purpose of life is to serve and wo...

India has a long and rich history, but it often remains locked within textbooks or limited museum exhibits. Shivsrushti, located in Ambegaon near Pune, stands as a vibrant exception. Conceptualized by renowned historian Babasaheb Purandare, Shivsrushti is a unique historical theme park dedicated to the life and contributions of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Designed across 21 acres, the park goes beyond traditional storytelling and brings 17th-century Maratha history alive through modern digital elements such as holography, sound effects, projection mapping, and scale models of forts. What makes Shivsrushti especially significant is its experiential approach. It allows visitors—especially students and young citizens—to immerse themselves in the events, values, and administrative decisions of Shivaji Maharaj. These are not just chapters from history but foundational principles of leadership, strategy, governance, and cultural pride that still hold relevance today. In an age when cultural...

  We live in a world that encourages bold opinions and strong stances. From personal values to career choices, people are expected to “stand their ground” and “stick to their beliefs.” But what often gets lost in this push for certainty is something deeply human: the freedom to change your mind . The Fear of Appearing Inconsistent Changing your mind is often seen as weakness. There’s a social fear around it—that if you backtrack, you're indecisive or untrustworthy. In politics, it’s called flip-flopping. In friendships, it’s seen as flaky. In careers, it’s considered disloyal or non-linear. This fear is amplified in the age of social media, where every opinion is documented. Once you say something publicly, changing your stance can invite judgment—even mockery. The pressure to be consistent can be so strong that people stay committed to ideas, jobs, or relationships long after they’ve outgrown them. Growth Is Supposed to Change You But here’s the truth: evolving is natural. In...

  In a world overflowing with choices, noise, and fast-changing trends, minimalist fashion has emerged as a quiet yet powerful movement. Its clean lines, neutral palettes, and intentional styling have found a permanent place in modern wardrobes. But minimalism in fashion is more than just an aesthetic—it's a mindset. As the fashion industry evolves, the shift toward simplicity is gaining ground, and all signs point to it being more than just a passing phase. Understanding Minimalist Fashion Minimalist fashion is rooted in the idea of “less is more.” It focuses on timeless designs, neutral colors, and versatile pieces that prioritize function, quality, and comfort over excess. The goal isn’t to have fewer clothes but to own pieces that you actually wear—often and well. Minimalist wardrobes typically include staples like white shirts, tailored trousers, monochrome dresses, and neutral-toned outerwear. This style rejects flashy logos, over-accessorizing, and fast fashion cycles. Inste...

In a world where social responsibility often takes a back seat to short-term success, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation stands as a clear example of focused, grounded, and impactful philanthropy. Active across Maharashtra, the Foundation works with communities to make education more engaging, culture more accessible, and opportunities more equal. Among its standout efforts are the LearnByDoing STEM initiative, the Maheshwari Scholarship Distribution, and support for Shivsrushti, a cultural heritage destination in Pune. Abhay Bhutada’s Vision for Real-World Change At the core of these initiatives is Abhay Bhutada , a well-known finance leader and philanthropist. As the founder and chairman of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, he believes that every meaningful social intervention begins with asking, “What does this community truly need?” His efforts are marked by precision, long-term thinking, and real impact. Along with his leadership role in the financial sector, Bhutada has focused on creating...

There’s a widespread myth that you can “catch up” on sleep during weekends to make up for weekday deficits. While sleeping in might feel satisfying, it’s not enough to restore what’s lost—especially if sleep deprivation is chronic. When you get inadequate sleep regularly, your brain and body miss crucial cycles of rest that impact hormone regulation, immunity, memory processing, and even decision-making. One long sleep on Sunday can’t rewind the cognitive wear and tear caused Monday through Friday. In fact, irregular sleep patterns—going to bed late on weekdays and sleeping in on weekends—can confuse your internal clock, leading to something called “social jet lag.” This makes it harder to fall asleep at the right time and can affect mood, digestion, and concentration. So what actually helps? Consistency. Going to sleep and waking up at roughly the same time every day allows your circadian rhythm to stay in sync. It’s also important to reduce screen exposure before bed, avoid heavy ...

  History often finds itself confined to the pages of textbooks, with dates, names, and events listed chapter by chapter. But in today’s world, students need more than facts—they need to experience history to truly understand its meaning. In Pune’s Ambegaon Budruk, Shivsrushti is leading the way in making historical learning dynamic, engaging, and inclusive for all learners. Education That Goes Beyond the Classroom Traditional teaching methods rely heavily on repetition and written assessments. But Shivsrushti introduces an alternative form of learning that is both memorable and impactful. Through immersive storytelling, realistic recreations of forts, animated battle scenes, and life-size depictions of events from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life, the theme park turns academic history into an emotional and visual journey. Students visiting Shivsrushti aren’t just learning who Shivaji Maharaj was—they are understanding how he thought, why he acted, and how his legacy continues t...