Anagha Vasista

Youth is the gift of nature but age is a work of art! This quote by Polish poet Stanisław Jerzy Lec is a beautiful and profound reflection on the different stages of life. In the grand tapestry of life, youth is the dazzling thread woven by nature's hands, vibrant and full of promise. It's a time when the world stretches out before us like an uncharted canvas, waiting for us to splash it with our dreams and desires. Yet, as we journey through life, we discover that while youth may be nature's gift, age is the masterpiece we create. It's the transformation of raw potential into a work of art, shaped by the hands of experience and wisdom. It suggests that youth is a precious gift that we should cherish, but that age is also a time of great beauty and wisdom. Youth is a time of endless possibilities. We are full of energy and enthusiasm, and we have the world at our feet. We are eager to explore and learn, and we are not afraid to take risks. We make mistakes, but we also

Humanity’s Biggest Challenges - Nature’s Proven Solutions Biomimicry is the science of applying nature-inspired designs in human engineering and invention to solve human problems. The goal is to create products, processes, and policies—new ways of living—that are well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul. The best ideas might not be ours. They might already have been invented, because a sustainable world already exists in nature. That’s the core idea behind biomimicry. Biomimicry is the future. Biomimicry is a technological-oriented approach focused on putting nature’s lessons into practice. For Janine Benyus, biomimicry sees nature as: A model -  it studies nature’s systems and imitates them, using them as inspiration for designs or processes with the goal of solving human problems. A measure - it uses ecological standards to judge the rightness of human innovations. A mentor - it is a way of observing, assessing and valuing nature. Here are some common examples of biomimicry:

Stepping into the exhilarating world of motorcycles is a rite of passage for many young adults. As an 18-year-old eager to explore the open road, I embarked on a thrilling adventure of learning to ride a motorcycle. This blog narrates my experiences, challenges, and triumphs as I defied stereotypes and embarked on a remarkable journey of learning to ride a motorcycle in India & delved into the world of two-wheeled freedom. India, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, is also famous for its love affair with motorcycles. The thrilling sensation of riding through bustling streets, picturesque countryside, and winding mountain roads has captivated the hearts of countless individuals, regardless of gender or age.  The Initial Fascination: We have always had a motorcycle in our house & my Dad loves to ride them! He frequently tries to inculcate the philosophy of “ Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass: it’s about learning how to ride in the

In the YogaSutras, the great Indian sage Patanjali writes about the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga. In these limbs he creates guidelines for walking the yogic path, which are contained within these eight essential elements called limbs.  The first two limbs of Ashtanga yoga are known as the yamas and niyamas . The yamas and niyamas are behavioral observances, or disciplines, that we want to follow in order to lead a spiritual life.  Yamas: The External Ethics Ashtanga Yoga identifies five yamas or restraints: 1. Nonviolence (Ahimsa) 2. Truthfulness (Satya) 3. Refraining from stealing (Asteya) 4. Celibacy (Brahmacharya) 5. Refraining taking things or possessions (Aparigraha) Niyamas: The Internal Ethics The Five Niyamas of Yoga are: 1. Shaucha (Purification and cleanliness)  2. Samtosha (Contentment)  3. Tapas (Asceticism and Self-discipline) 4. Svadhyaya (Self-study and Self-reflection) 5. Ishvara Pranidhana (Devotion and Self-surrender) Yoga is something that has at

I am blessed to have been born into a family that loves pets. The love a pet can provide is unconditional & eternal in my experience.  I had a pet waiting to welcome me as I came home for the 1st time from the hospital just three days after my birth. Crystal, a gorgeous white lab, greeted me with a woof, sniffed me thoroughly, curiously inspected me by circling me & decided we would be long-term friends! She & I were a team during my toddler years. I only ate when she was around & learned to walk using her for support…We were an inseparable pair! Crystal When I was two years old, Crystal delivered eight puppies! Oh…those fluff balls. I had the absolute best time with them. Sharing, caring, being responsible & bonding came so naturally to us that they were not buzzwords in our family! Two of Crystal's eight puppies And then, my baby brother came along… He & Crystal completed my circle of love…To cut a long story short, we have always had pets throughout my ch

"There are no free lunches" is a line that has greatly impacted my life. My grandfather, an army officer, introduced it to our family. It became ingrained in my mother & uncle, & they  passed this life lesson on to their children.  When I was younger, “no free lunches” made zero sense to me. Lunch was at 12PM at home every day, and I got it right in mouth, with clockwork precision. As I grew older, I thought it meant that food is expensive and we have to pay for it.  However, only recently did I realise that the quote is in fact not about lunches, or food or money in any way! No free lunches refers to the fact that nothing in life is ever "free". No one ever does anything without expecting anything in return, even if they are very generous. We should be especially cautious of the “free” things, as they always have a hidden cost to them. This might seem like a very pessimistic view of the world, but our world is not utopia. Thus, this becomes a practical and

War is the cowardly escape from the problems of peace! It is a symptom of Man's failure as a thinking animal. War has a catastrophic effect on the health and well being of nations. Studies have shown that conflict situations cause more mortality and disability than any major disease. War destroys communities and families and often disrupts the development of the social and economic fabric of nations. The impact on society, economy, environment & civilisation is devastating! We all know that violence has no justification & communication can solve most misunderstandings! But, wars have almost been a norm in our history, whether it were the world wars in recent history to the great battle of panipat or even the mother of all wars - The Mahabharatha in ancient history. Even though all thinking & rational human beings despise war & know that a “War never determines who is right, only who is left!” . Wars have always been the time honoured way to settle a conflict! All th