Latest news with #TanajiMalusare
India.com
05-07-2025
- India.com
Craving Peace? Here Are 6 Pune Spots So Silent It's Almost Unreal
Pune is often referred to as the 'Oxford of the East' owing to it's bustling infrastructure and metropolitan lifestyle, but the city has its serene and calm spots too. Besides being renowned for it's culture, IT industry, and educational institutions, Pune has some gems where you can find peace and solitude. These places will help reconnect with yourself whether you are a professional, student, or just someone looking for respite. Here is a roundup of the best places in Pune, that give you an opportunity to zone out without any distractions. Teerth Park Osho Teerth Park is one of the best places to go if you want to be alone. Located in the lush green are Koregaon Park, the park is a small piece of heaven in the city. The park is open to anyone and is maintained beautifully with meditating areas and nursing water bodies. Along with the Well-Kept pathways that help you unwind, the gentle flowing of water, and the rustling leaves further provide comfort. Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (open only to resort guests and day visitors) Best Time to Visit: Best experience is on weekday mornings or late afternoons. Fun Fact:The park is modeled after Japanese Zen gardens and has other wonders like exotic flora and trees. Fort A historical place which offers stunning views of the Sahyadri mountains and the modern marvel of Pune city is Sinhagad Fort. The fort gives a sense of peacefulness which provides relief from the modern day hustle and bustle. Although climbed to the top is moderately challenging, the sights of the valley is worth every step, along with the peacefulness. After reaching the fort, one can explore it's ancient structures. One can also sit and soak in the panoramic views while feeling the gentle winds and cool air along with hearing the melodious sounds of the birds chirping. Distance from Pune City: 30 km (approximately 1.5 hours by road) Best Time to Visit:The fort can best be visited during monsoon or early winter for ideal weather conditions. Entry Fee: Free Fun Fact: Did you know that Tanaji Malusare, a Maratha warrior, single handedly fought the famous Battle of Sinhagad back in 1670 at Sinhagad fort? Lake With regards to nature, Pashan Lake has it all. This tranquil lake located at the Pashan area is a birdwatcher's paradise, and a great spot to relax. Trees and greenery surround the calm waters of the lake which sets a pleasing atmosphere. You could settle by the lake and observe the migratory birds or walk along the peaceful pathway. The lake is especially beautiful during early mornings or late evenings when the gentle light dances on the surface of the water. Timings: Open all day, but early mornings and evenings are the best times to visit Entry Fee: Free Best Time to Visit: Winter months (November to February) for birdwatching Fun Fact: Pashan lake is home to over 100 species of birds including flamingos, kingfishers and herons. Dam If you wish to enjoy the solitude offered to you by nature, Khadakwasla Dam is the place for you. Located on the peripherals of the stunning Pune is the marvelous view of water assembled with Sahyadri hills that gives off a perfect scenic vibe. By the dam, you can unwind with a pleasant walk while enjoying the cool breeze. In the evening, the sight is especially serene, with the sun slowly fading away dazzling the water with a golden hue. Distance from Pune City: 15 km (approximately 45 minutes by road) Best Time to Visit: Monsoon or post-monsoon for lush surroundings Entry Fee: Free Fun Fact: Khadakwasla Dam is one of the major providers of water resources for Pune city. Garden In the Camp vicinity lies Empress Garden, a broad expanse of greenery that serves as a darling escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The garden contains a pleasing assortment of shrubs, trees and flowers that makes it an ideal site for any nature admirer. You may stumble upon a tranquil bench located beneath a tree, providing you with the perfect opportunity to read a book, or capture the beauty of the surroundings while melting your stress away. The garden experiences fewer visitors on workdays which makes it a wonderful spot to feel socially detached. Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM Best Time to Visit: Early mornings or late afternoons Fun Fact: Empress Garden was constructed in the nineteenth century and occupies an area of 39 acres of land. Hill Undeniably one of the most recognizable sites of Pune, Parvati hill is the finest place to go when craving a dash of solitude. Aside from the ancient Parvati Temple that can be found on the hill, the view of the temple combined with the landscape has established the peaceful ambiance which is frequently desired by many. The hill top is quite easy to climb and atop the hill, the view of the city is elevated to another level. Weekdays when the area is less crowded Parvati hill is even more beautiful. Timings: Open all day, but early mornings are the best time to visit Entry Fee: Free Best Time to Visit: Early mornings for a peaceful experience Fun Fact: The Parvati Hill heritage site is one of the oldest in Pune and its temple was built in the 17th century. Final Thoughts The attribute that gives Pune its uniqueness is its blend of a bustling city life with areas that offer the much needed peace and quiet. You can meditate, think, or just relax, and these spots will provide the needed silence. The next time you feel overburdened by the workload and confusion within the city, go to one of these spots and relax. After all, self introspection can work wonders for oneself.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
NCERT new textbooks for Class 7 introduce games, activities rooted in Indian culture
Class 7 students will now learn traditional games and activities rooted in Indian culture from the new textbooks introduced by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). In line with the requirements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, indigenous games from various States have been incorporated in the Physical Education and Well-being textbook titled Khel Yatra. Unit 1 of the book, titled Foundational basis of physical education and well-being, includes three traditional games from Maharashtra and Southern India. Among them are 'Ghorpadiche Shepoot' or a Lizard's Tail. The game is played between two teams, each with a line of players holding the person in front of them by the waist. One team's head (the person leading) tries to tag the other team's tail (person at the back) without getting caught. The textbook includes a reference to Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare using 'ghorpad' or a lizard to win the castles. Legend has it that Tanaji Malusare and his troops scaled Sinhagad fort at night with the help of a pet monitor lizard. They tied ropes to the lizard and crawled up the fort. Another game from Maharashtra is titled 'Gidhada Gudkavan', or Hawk and Chickens — it replicates a chase between a hawk and chickens popular in rural areas. The content mentions that this encourages agility, teamwork work and strategy as the hawk tries to tag the chickens, while the mother hen leads the chickens to safety. 'It is fast-paced and passed down through generations as a playful way to stay active,' the textbook mentions. Another inclusion is 'Nalugu Rallu Ata' or Four Stones Game, which is a traditional game played in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This involves strategic movement of players in the court to avoid being caught by the 'denner', while collecting stones. Unit 2 — titled Physical and Motor Fitness — lists four more traditional games. These include 'Dhaan ki Bori' or a sack of grain, where pairs of players race against each other with one player carrying the other one on their back. 'Atya-Patya' — described as having a traditional 'Bhartiya' — is a tag and running game, where runners have to cross as many lines in a court while defenders try to tag them out. It is also called 'Dariya Bandha' and is referred to as a game of agility and strategy in the textbook. 'Dapo Nyarka Sunam', a traditional wrestling game played by the tribes of the Northeast, where two players engage in a contest using a bamboo stick as their primary tool, has also been included. The two players, facing each other, grip one end of a bamboo stick and attempt to push the opponent out of the marked circle while maintaining balance and control over the stick. The textbook states that bamboo wrestling teaches strength building, technique and strategy. 'Madhu and Manu' is a tag game where two teams race to their respective safety zones without getting tagged by the other team. While Units 3 and 4 deal with fundamentals of Badminton and Football, Units 5 and 6 are dedicated to Kabaddi, Yoga and Asanas, as well as Pranayama. 'The textbook is designed to develop motor skills and engage children in team sports of Badminton, Football and Kabaddi. Age-specific aspects of Yoga are designed to lay the foundation for healthy living. Khel Yatra emphasises the importance of physical activity and the values and dispositions essential for life. It incorporates cross-cutting themes such as inclusion, gender equality and cultural rootedness,' NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani has stated in his foreword of the textbook. Another textbook, titled Kaushal Bodh, introduced in Class 7 for Vocational Education, introduces concepts like Puppetry, Tie and Dye Fabric Printing, Gardening, Artificial Intelligence and so on for students. In the section Storytime with Puppets, the textbook mentions the excavation of a puppet-headed bull belonging to Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation, at Karanpura in Rajasthan. In the section Tie and Dye, students are taught to create patterns on fabric of 'Leheriya' and 'Bandhani', popular in Rajasthan and Gujarat, as well as 'Batik', in Madhya Pradesh. The section also mentions a community that migrated from Gujarat, centuries ago, to Tamil Nadu and is involved in 'Madurai Sungudi', cotton tie and dye patterns used for sarees.
