Island Hopping in Andaman - Port Blair, Havelock Island, Neil Island

 

The first thing that strikes you about Andaman is their tri-colour beaches. The sea starts with a whitish tint because of the white sand, then has a light-greenish turquoise blue colour, and then a dark blue colour.

Tri-Colour Beaches in Andaman

It was 3 nights, 4 days trip and we first landed in Port Blair (South Andaman). We first visited the Cellular Jail. We got a glimpse of the tiny cells in which people were kept. There was a demo area which had the different machines on which the inmates had worked.

Photo Display in Cellular Jail

Video (3.5 mins) of Brain Corals, Cellular Jail, Jet Ski, Beach, Fish, Moving Shells, Nature, and Sunrise from Flight in Andaman. 

Next, we island hopped in the air-conditioned Nautika ferry and went to Havelock Islands. We visited the RadhaNagar Beach in Havelock islands. This beach is known as the Beach No 7 or the Seventh Best Beach in Asia. It was picturesque, and we clicked few photos by ourselves and hired a photographer for the remaining pics. All the beaches in Andaman have photographers whom you can hire.

RadhaNagar Beach - Havelock Islands

Then we visited the Elephanta beach in Havelock Island that had lot of adventure sports like snorkelling, glass-bottom boat ride, jet ski, and floats in different shapes like octopus and dragons. The glass-bottom ride gave a beautiful view of the corals in the sea that had grown and branched out like undersea trees. The corals were in shades of cream and light brown and were not multi-coloured. You get a glimpse of beautiful coloured fish too.

Corals view from Glass-Bottom Boat

Then we island hopped to Neil Island. In the Neil Island, Laxmanpur Beach No 2, we saw the Natural Bridge or the Howrah Bridge formed by corals. This bridge area is surrounded by ankle-depth water filled with different types of corals like brain coral and jackfruit coral. We saw a very small pink coral among the other corals. That was the only coloured coral in this area. This beach also has starfish, shrimps, nemo, and sea pineapple. We hired a guide who showed us all the corals and fish. Jelly fish were found in all the water areas in Andaman. The guide said that few of the corals glow in the night.

Natural Bridge or Howrah Bridge in Neil Island

Sea Pineapple

From the resort, we could see the beautiful sunset at Laxmanpur Beach 1. We wore Andaman T-shirts and kept artificial flowers on our head and clicked few pics in the Beach 1.

Laxmanpur Beach 1

Sunset at Neil Island

We again island hopped and went to Port Blair. We visited the Cellular Jail twice. The second visit was by night on the third day to view the sound and light show about the jail inmates suffering and life. The show was projected on the real walls of the jail and it was awesome, touching, and moving all at once. The lights and sound moved from one cell to another as they traced footsteps of people walking. The screen in the center and a tree were also used to focus the images. No photos and videos of the show were allowed.

A Cell in the Jail

We could not find 1-litre water bottles in Andaman. Most of the bottles were 2-litres and difficult to carry around. We did not come across any specific signature dish of Andaman. But we tasted lobster. Of course, there were giant-size tender coconuts and we had one every day during the trip. For shopping, there were different accessories, decorative items, and bags made of shells and pearls. There were magnets shaped like the cellular jail, tortoises, and shells.

Lobster 

Magnets

Shell Accessories

The trip was really therapeutic with a view and walk among the scenic and clean beaches and breathtaking corals.

Nautika Ferry

Dutch Painter Van Gogh Immersive Experience at EA, Chennai

Visited the Van Gogh Immersive experience at Express Avenue, Chennai. Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch painter popular for his colorful paintings. The immersive experience happened in a very big hall. The paintings of Van Gogh with animations were focused on all the four walls and also the floor. It was a beautiful experience. The experience was shown in a slot of 30 minutes.

They also had a café themed with Van Gogh’s paintings. The cakes, pastries, plates, and walls had Van Gogh designs on them. There was also an area selling gifts like T-shirts, flasks, diary, magnets, and other souvenirs with Van Gogh’s painting designs on them. Near the entrance there was a room with his paintings that had details of his life story.

Apart from the famous Starry Night, Van Gogh also painted a lot of self-portraits. A painting of his postman friend Joseph Roulin in his uniform also tells his life experiences. Here are videos and photos from the show. 

Here are the 5 videos taken at the immersive experience including Starry Nights.

 

Cafe

Diary

Interview with Peace N Passions Founder Narmadha

 

Narmadha - Founder Peace N Passions

You have a technical background but did your postgraduation in psychology. What motivated you to make the change?

For most 80s kids, parents told children what they have to study and that is how I completed my B.Tech degree. It was not my favourite field of study. But I had logical thinking and programming skills. So, I had a successful career as a software programmer for 3 years. Today I look back and see I could manage to do well in a field which I had no passion for(laughs).

Coming to the question of why psychology…

After my wedding, I could not manage family responsibilities and work at the same time. Few years later, my kid had started to go to school and I joined Inner Wheel, an International Women’s service organisation. I was the President of Inner Wheel Club of Madras Fort during the year 2013-14. This was when I started to contribute to the society. I was working with underprivileged children, by teaching them life Skills, giving them career guidance, helping them to sort out challenges they faced in their own families and many more. Once I found I was able to create a positive impact, I extended my work to include adults too. Then I felt the need for a degree in Psychology. I wanted to have proper theoretical base for the work I do. So, I did my masters in psychology and also got trained in Transactional Analysis.

My motivation to make the career change was to empower people using the experiences from the challenges I faced as a woman in this society and expanding my knowledge about human beings and their behaviours. It was more a realisation of what I am supposed to do in this life!

 

What all psychology-based courses and interventions you offer at Peace N Passions?

Narmadha Conducting Training for Engineers

I do individual counselling, and also group sessions in a classroom environment for the psychological and holistic empowerment of people at Peace N Passions.

Peace N Passions 

Coaches professionals in handling workplace challenges

     Guides youth in facing life challenges about career choices, better relationships, family issues

Educates school students about Life Skills, Experience of Adolescence, Time management, facing exams, Managing one’s roles and responsibilities

Explores and enhances skills and talents of people

Helps to identify one's Life Purpose and much more.  

You are a member of International Transactional Analysis Association. Tell us a little more about your interest in Transactional analysis.

PnP Logo

I started learning Transactional Analysis to have a theoretical and scientific base for my work with people. As soon as I started learning it, I realised that it has answers for most of the problems we face in our lives, both personal and professional. So, I got more interested in it and it is more than seven years I have been into TA.  I am working for my international certification in Transactional Analysis now.

TA is less known in India, especially Tamil Nadu. I am keen in empowering people here and spreading the knowledge I gained through TA, in my country.  

What are the most common psychological problems the youth of these days face? What are your suggestions to overcome those?

Narmadha Interacting with School Kids

Humans were originally neurologically wired to live with nature, but the recent advancements, moves human beings away from nature. The transition from the life in real world to a virtual living, result in most of the psychological problems of youth in my opinion.

Today’s urban youth were raised by parents who lived in a time when children learnt many things only in schools. Teachers were the elders who taught life to children. There was no concept of virtual world. But today, lives of people especially in urban areas are technology driven. Teaching and home works given by teachers can also be completed only with the use of technology, especially after Covid times.

There are mobile apps for communication, shopping, getting your favourite food in minutes, or whatever you need! For people who were born before the 90s, these are recent developments. But for kids born after 2010 this is the life they know.

This is the basic setting in which children, youth and their parents live. For the parents and other elders, this life seems absurd with less or almost no real-life connections. The youth feel their parents and elders are outdated.  

Virtual relationships are unreliable, youth lack experience in life and are easily cheated. But the psychological effects of getting cheated does not change with technology! Youngsters are resentful towards the parents. But they also do not have a go-to person to help them face their challenges.

My suggestion to overcome this is simple: “To become aware”!.

The older generation must become aware of the changes in today’s setting. Hence, they cannot expect the younger generation to lead the life like what they did.

The younger generation must respect the experience of the older generation and the fact that they lived in the “real world,” which was literally “real” and has its own values. The older generation people have deeper connections with whatever they relate with. They sense real world things intuitively and with their experience which the youth must understand and integrate with their lives.

When the old and young synergise, lives will be more peaceful !

As a co-founder of NGO Nanneer, can you tell us a few words about the organisation and its initiatives?

Nanneer NGO Members

Nanneer is a registered public charitable trust operating under The Indian Trust Act 1882. Our foundation is built upon the shared objective of advocating for water sustainability and contributing to climate mitigation strategies. Our diverse team comprises dedicated professionals hailing from various disciplines, including Engineering, Management, Education, Psychology, Community Service, and Rural Development. We are excited to leverage our collective knowledge and experience to drive positive change in both local communities and the global context.

Activities of Nanneer

* Green Infrastructure Development

* Waste Management Solutions

* Public Awareness Campaigns

* Research and Innovation

* Community Workshops and Training

* Carbon Footprint Reduction

* Ecosystem Restoration

* Community Engagement and Participation

 

I was very intrigued about the TownBuzz of Nanneer when you first mentioned it. Can you tell us more about the TownBuzz?

Townbuzz

At the heart of Nanneer's mission is Townbuzz, a revolution on wheels, embodying real structures to promote Rainwater Harvesting, Greywater Recycle, Solar Power integration, and a fully-equipped Water Testing Lab.

Townbuzz also has

·       Audio Visual Display Materials

·       A Stage for Performances

·       Mini Library

·       Water-Saving Fittings

·       Models and Demonstrations

·       Rain Simulation – Sprayer

Townbuzz, moves around Tamilnadu to spread objectives of Nanneer.

Your Nadhiyin Osai Podcast in Tamil is very informative and you share ideas in a friendly manner. Tell us about the different topics you cover and what motivated you to start the podcast?

Nadhiyin Osai Logo

From my rich life experiences, I understood that psychology is important for every individual to lead a harmonious and holistic life. I consider it as a basic requirement like food, water, and shelter. But in our society, it is not even given a minimal importance. I started doing what I can. I started Nadhiyin Osai Podcast.

Nadhiyin Osai speaks about the life skills we need to concentrate on, the important things we ignore in our lives and many more…  in a simple language and in a conversational style, understandable by all people who understand Tamil. The podcast is available in multiple platforms and listeners also communicate to me about what topics they need.

I request the people who read this, to listen to Nadhiyin Osai episodes and give me feedback.(smiles)

 

Can you share your experiences about the International Teacher’s Olympiad?

I became an Educator by choice. Though I have got some certifications in Education, I wanted my skills to get validated. So, I registered for the International Teachers Olympiad in which teachers from about 90 countries participated. The Olympiad questions were based on real-time situations and we were evaluated based on our answers.

I was placed in the top 30 percentile globally, which gave me the satisfaction of being evaluated as a good educator by an organisation, internationally. 

 

You are a singer. How do you sing more and how do you give back to society through singing?

I am happy that you call me a singer.(laughs) I have been listening Tamil film music from childhood. It was after 35 years I realised that I can sing and started practice.

I learn and sing for my own satisfaction and happiness.

But I have sung for destitute elders in old age homes, orphanages and for charity organisations.

Anything more you would like to tell the readers… from your experience?

I would like to share what I practise in my life:

“Be clear about your values and ethics and follow them. Let your inner voice guide you. Do not get carried away by society or others. You know yourself better than anyone else in this world.”

Thank you Anitha for the wonderful questions that made me connect with myself and for giving this opportunity to share the work I do with the world. 

Contact:

peacenpassions@gmail.com

Instagram: nadhiyin_osai

Spotify : Nadhiyin Osai (Tamil)

YouTube: Nadhiyin Osai

Linked In: Narmadha A , Founder Peace N Passions

Chennai Flower Show 2024 at Semmozhi Poonga - A Photo Essay

 

The Chennai Flower Show took place at Semmozhi Poonga. Here are a few clicks from my visit there.

Santa Claus is Here - A Christmas Story

Kevin is eagerly waiting for his gift from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. What was the gift Santa gave him? 

 To read the story, Santa Claus is Here, click here. 

Interview with Creative Art Classes Founder Meenakshi Gupta

Meenakshi Gupta has been teaching different art forms through her Creative Art Classes organization since 2003. Let us learn about her journey with different art forms and her students who come from as far as Alaska. 

Meenakshi Gupta

 

When did your art journey start?

I have been drawing from my childhood. I did my postgraduation in Fine Arts from Stella Maris College and completed my B.Ed also. In 2001, Malaysian art companies such as Global Art and World of Colours came to India. I was trained by original artists from those companies.

 

When did you start Creative Art Classes?  

I started Creative Art Classes in 2003. We have Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Courses in drawing and colouring. A few of our courses are pencil Shading, colour pencil shading, oil pastels, soft pastels, acrylic Painting, and glass painting. We have 3 levels in colour pencils class. Indian folk-art classes are also available. Art forms like Warli art, Kalamkari Art, Gond art, Pitchwai, Madhubani, Bheenti Chitra, and Chitra art from different states are taught.

We have craft classes such as Clay modelling, Papercraft, M-Seal craft, Bottle painting and designing, Macrame, Crochet, Fridge magnets, Quilling, Tie-dye, and more.  

The students are right from 5-year-olds to teenagers and adults. The courses for kids are well structured to enhance their creative development, their drawing, and colouring skills along with observation skills.

What are the different drawing and colouring techniques you focus on?

I focus on drawing and colouring skills, perspective, shapes, standing lines, sleeping lines, and zig-zag lines. The way we draw a perfect circle with our hands shows how confident we are. We discuss colours from the same family, colours from different family, and primary, secondary, or tertiary colours. We teach the kids to combine shapes to create an object.  

Tell us how your creative drawing class sessions develop wholistic skills in the student.

The student first draws and colours a picture. Then they write a story about the picture. Then they make a colour shade card of the different shades of colours used in the painting. Finally, to improve their public speaking skills, I make them narrate the story. So, it is a complete package that includes drawing, story writing, storytelling, and colour shades awareness.

 

What are the different types of students you have?

I teach around 30 kids now. There are 4 kids in a batch. I have students both in India and abroad. Three or 4 students are from Texas. I have a student in Alaska also. Some children learn slowly, some quickly, and there are ADHD students. One student never follows instructions. If I say draw the Sun’s rays from the top, he says it comes sideways. We have to talk about overlapping, composition, and line of horizon.

There may be accents and a bit of vocabulary changes in different parts of the world. But, children are the same all over. I conduct both online and offline classes. I use a laptop and a phone for my online classes. The software used is Google meet or Zoom. Then I use a stand, pen, and paper for drawing.  

Have you conducted any online workshops and real-time exhibitions?

I have conducted online workshops on pencil shading for online groups Coto and TapArtist using Zoom. Have launched many exhibitions with the paintings of students at the Ambassador Pallava Hotel. Have conducted many offline workshops also.

Clay Modelling

What advice would you like to give to women who want to start art classes?

Go ahead and start. The advantage of being an entrepreneur is you decide when and how much to work. The disadvantage is you have to do all the admin work apart from teaching.

Tribal Art from Madhya Pradesh

 Tell us about your family.

My husband has a florist shop and we are involved in wedding decorations and other events. I have a son and a daughter. My daughter is an advocate in Chennai High Court.

 We wish Meenakshi Gupta and her Creative Art Classes astounding success!

Insta handle - @creativeartclass2003

E-mail - meenakshigupta2470@gmail.com

Phone - 9941951515