Holi For Kids

Okay, grab your biggest mug and settle in. I’ve been working on this awesome children's book, and honestly, I’m dying to tell you about it! It's called "The Festival of Colors: Anya's Holi Adventure," and it’s hitting Amazon KDP soon. If you've got little ones (think preschool up to about second grade) or you're just looking for a really beautiful, genuine way to share the magic of Holi, you have to add this to your list.

We all know finding books that truly represent and explain cultural holidays in a way that’s simple and super engaging can be tough, right? I wanted to create something that felt authentic and fun, not just educational. That's why I created Anya, a sweet, energetic little girl who basically invites you right into her family's celebration. The book follows her from the night before Holi, watching the Holika Dahan bonfire, all the way through the joyful chaos of throwing colors the next day. Seriously, the illustrations are this soft, vibrant watercolor style they just make you smile. You can almost feel the texture of the gulal.

Dhanteras and Diwali: A Celebration of Light, Luck, and New Beginnings

There’s something special about this time of year. As Diwali approaches, the air feels different softer somehow, filled with the scent of diyas, incense, and freshly cleaned homes. You can almost feel the excitement building up. Families are busy polishing silverware, shopping for gifts, and deciding which sweets to make. And before Diwali night itself, it all begins with Dhanteras the day that sets the tone for the festival of lights.

Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, marks the first day of the 5 day Diwali celebration. The word Dhan means wealth, and Teras refers to the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight. Together, they remind us that abundance isn’t just about money it’s about blessings, health, and hope. According to Hindu mythology, this is the day Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, emerged from the ocean during the divine event known as Samudra Manthan. It’s believed that worshipping her on this day invites good fortune and positive energy into our lives.

India’s New e-Arrival Card: Everything Travelers Need to Know

If you’re planning a trip to India, there’s an important update you should know about. The e-Arrival Card, recently introduced by India’s Bureau of Immigration, has officially replaced the old paper disembarkation forms. This new system is part of India’s digital transformation to make international arrivals faster, simpler, and paper-free.

Below is everything you need to know about what the e-Arrival Card is, who needs it, how to fill it out, and a few practical tips to make your entry into India completely hassle-free.

What Is the e-Arrival Card?

The e-Arrival Card is a digital form that every foreign traveler entering India must now complete online before arrival. It collects basic arrival details such as your name, passport number, contact details, purpose of visit, accommodation address in India, and the list of countries you’ve visited in the last six days.

Previously, travelers had to fill out a small paper disembarkation card during their flight or after landing. Now, the process is entirely digital. By moving online, India aims to make the immigration process faster, more efficient, and eco-friendly.

This new digital system also helps immigration officers verify your information ahead of time, reducing queues and waiting times at arrival counters.

Why We Celebrate Diwali

Every year, when Diwali comes, something changes in the air. The evenings start glowing with tiny lamps, the smell of sweets fills the lanes, and people’s faces light up in a way that words can hardly capture. Diwali is not just another festival; it is part of our soul as Indians. It brings back memories, stories, and the sense that good always wins in the end.

The name Deepavali comes from the Sanskrit words Deepa meaning lamp, and Avali meaning a row. So it literally means a row of lights. These rows of lights have been shining across generations to remind us that light always triumphs over darkness, and truth over falsehood.

Most people in India connect Diwali with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. When he defeated Ravana and came home with Sita and Lakshmana, the people of Ayodhya decorated the whole city with lamps. Imagine that joy an entire kingdom glowing in welcome. Even today, when we light our diyas, somewhere deep inside we are part of that same homecoming.

The Sir Creek Dispute Between India and Pakistan

 

Historical Background

The Sir Creek dispute dates back to the colonial era and stems from ambiguous boundary agreements made under British rule. In 1908, the princely state of Kutch (in present-day India) and the Sindh province (in present-day Pakistan) quarreled over rights in the Sir Creek area. The British administration attempted to settle this with a 1914 resolution by the Government of Bombay but this document was internally contradictory. The map attached to the 1914 resolution placed the boundary along the eastern bank of Sir Creek (implying the entire creek fell in Sindh, now Pakistan), whereas the textual description stated that the border ran mid-channel according to the thalweg principle, the idea that a navigable river’s boundary follows its deepest channel. This unresolved ambiguity laid the groundwork for future disputes.

Upon Partition in 1947, Sindh became part of Pakistan and Kutch (later part of Gujarat) remained in India, but no clear demarcation of Sir Creek was achieved. Tensions over the marshy Rann of Kutch region (adjacent to Sir Creek) led to a brief armed clash in 1965. A UN-sponsored tribunal in 1968 adjudicated the Rann of Kutch boundary, awarding about 90% of the disputed territory to India. Crucially, however, that 1968 award explicitly excluded Sir Creek from its scope, leaving the creek’s boundary unresolved. From the mouth of Sir Creek to the top of Sir Creek, the border remains undefined. What seemed a minor leftover dispute at the time would later gain outsized importance with the advent of modern maritime rights.