Good News

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Mumbai Auto Driver's Heartwarming Gesture to Beat the Heat Goes Viral

In a world that can often seem cold and impersonal, it's heartwarming to see acts of kindness that restore our faith in humanity. One such act was recently displayed by an auto-driver in Mumbai who went above and beyond to help his passengers beat the heat. Instead of just providing a ride, he made sure that every passenger was comfortable and hydrated during their journey. By installing small bottles of packaged water and snacks at the back of his auto, he made sure that his passengers didn't have to suffer in the sweltering heat. Nandini Iyer, a Twitter user, was one of the first to share a photo of the auto, which showed small bottles of packaged water and snacks installed at the back of the driver's seat, with the text on the water holder mentioning that the water was available for free. Iyer wrote, "Gesture Matters, Mumbai autowala giving free water. It's immensely satisfying to see. #SpreadKindness ." The tweet quickly went viral, garnering over 2,000 likes. People praised the auto-driver for his selfless gesture, with many expressing their admiration and gratitude for such a thoughtful act. As temperatures soar across the country, the kind gesture of this auto-driver is a reminder of how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life. The auto driver's gesture reminds us that a small act of kindness can go a long way in brightening someone's day and spreading positivity. It's a reminder that even in the most difficult of times, we can all do our part to make the world a better place, one small act of kindness at a time.

6 Apr 2023

Good News

Global Inspirations

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Vending Machines in America to Provide Healthy Options to Counter Obesity Problems

Obesity is a growing problem all over the world which leads to other ailments like diabetes, heart disease and more. Taking note of the increasing cases of obesity in the US due to unhealthy eating habits, its vending machines will offer healthy snack options from January 1. The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) recently announced that they are committed to public health and will substantially increase the percentage of “better for you”  options across all of the nation’s vending machines. The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) NAMA represents nearly 1000 member companies including many of the world’s leading brands that make popular snacks. It serves snacks and beverages every day 24/7 through nearly four million vending machines across the country. NAMA has now collaborated with Partnership for a Healthier America and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation—two nonprofits dedicated to curbing obesity rates in the US in order to meet the growing demands of people for healthier snack options. ‘Better for you’ Options NAMA has decided to increase the percentage of “better for you”  options to its customers from January 1st across all of the nation’s vending machines. Under the commitment which is to be implemented over the next three years, one-third of all snacks will meet at least two recognized public health standards. Greg Sidwell, NAMA Chair, said that they will continue to collaborate with public health partners and encourage food manufacturers to support this important initiative through new products that meet the commitment. This initiative to offer healthy snacks in vending machines will go a long way in curbing obesity among the people. Image Source: CBS News

4 Nov 2019

Global Inspirations

Positive Reads

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Winter snacks in India

It is time for the bright and colourful shawls and woollens to emerge from the deepest corners of your wardrobes and cupboards as winters have set in. As the cool winter breeze envelops us, our minds drift towards the delicious winter snacks that are equally delicious as well as filling. Vegetables like cauliflower, carrots and peas are found aplenty in this season. Nothing is more satisfying than a plate of warm delicious pulao or a bowl of hot soup made from these vegetables. Leafy greens also abound in this season and hence tasty and healthy methi(fenugreek leaves) or mooli(radish) parathas, palak (spinach) puris become the breakfast staple. As the days get colder and shorter and the body starts to crave more sugar and warming nuts and oils, let us know more about some mouth-watering winter snacks. Gajak : Gajak is a confection prepared with sesame seeds and jaggery (or cane sugar) with a method of preparation which is time-consuming. It takes about 10–15 hours to prepare 5–8 kilograms of gajak. The dough is hammered until all the sesame seeds break down and release their oils into the dough. This sweet which originated in Madhya Pradesh requires great skill to prepare. The mixture of sesame and jaggery is set in layers and the end product needs to be absolutely brittle and light. Chikki: Chikki is another popular confection prepared in winters with groundnuts (also in season) that are set in jaggery or sugar in denser squares than the gajak.  Lonavala in Maharashtra is famous for chikki, although now it is prepared and savoured throughout the country, especially the North of India. Daulat ki Chaat: Daulat ki chaat is a real treat that can be made only in the winter season. The long process starts in the evening when milk is boiled and mixed with some cream and left to cool. It is then filled in a clay pot and left in the open under the winter sky to set and soak in the dew. Early in the morning, when the milk has been set for about six to eight hours, the milk is churned constantly for three to four hours to transform the milk into a whimsical froth, solid enough to hold in soft peaks. It is said that the dew drops add lightness to the milk and help in aeration while blending. The soft topping of the milk is scooped out and mixed with sugar and dry fruits to yield an exotic delight that just melts in your mouth. Masala Chai: A cup of masala chai (tea) undoubtedly lifts everyone’s mood in the gloomy winters. Spices like cinnamon, cloves black pepper, cardamom is crushed and added to tea which not only makes the tea flavourful but also provides warmth to the body and helps to stave off seasonal illness. Dal chillas and halwas: Pakodas (fritters)  made from moong dal, sautéed moong dal, sprinkled with chaat masala, onions and chillies, dal Chilas and dal Halwas also start making an appearance at popular halwai stalls this time of the year.

20 Nov 2017

Positive Reads