Sweethearting is a method cashiers use to pass on goods to friends by failing to bill one. They do so by passing two items, and obscuring the barcode of one, so it goes unnoticed. Earlier, security had to be alert to check for such items going out of shops, but now, there are machines to pick out sweethearting. The security …

Sukkot is one of the three “Pilgrim Festivals” in the Jewish tradition. Celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishri, i.e. late September to late October, it is a reminder of the type of fragile dwellings in which the ancient Israelites dwelt for 40 years after the Exodus from Egypt. The festival lasts seven days. The first day …

Story goes that Lubdhaka – a poor tribal man and a devout worshipper of Lord Shiva once went into the deep forests to collect firewood. As the darkness engulfed the jungle, Lubdhaka lost his way and could not find his way home. He became extremely terrified as deep growls of animals began to fill the jungle. Seeking protection till daybreak, …

It is an enormous ancient monument, built in Southern England over 3,000 years ago. The monument consists of many large stones, some weighing up to 100,000 pounds, arranged in circular patterns. It may have been used to observe the monuments of the sun and moon and then to create calendars, may be! Stonehenge is a mystery no one really knows.

The Puli is a medium to small-sized breed of Hungarian dog known for its long, corded coat. Usually it weighs around 10 to 15 kg. Pulis are intelligent, acrobatic dogs that are quick, agile and able to change direction instantly. They make very good watchdogs and herding dogs.

The Garden City of Falkenberg is a housing estate in Berlin, Germany designed and built by German architect and town planner Bruno Taut (1880-1938). In the complex, Taut applied the garden city concept he learnt from England. The most striking aspect of this architecture is its use of colour: each part of a building bears a contrasting colour with respect …

High in the Andes mountains, 12,507-ft (3,812 m) above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake. It lies between Bolivia and Peru, covering an area of about 3,200 sq. miles (8,300 sq. km). Both ships and traditional reed boats use the lake.

It’s the increase in marketing of beauty products, which use scientific jargon that confuses consumers. This works on the premise that using words that sound scientific may be considered more effective by the consumer, and help justify high prices.

The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV. It’s best known for being the location of papal conclaves, for the election of a new Pope. It is famous for its architecture, evocative of Solomon’s Temple of the Old Testament and on its decoration which has been frescoed throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Raphael, and Sandro …

Singlism is a term used to describe discrimination against employees who are single. Also spelt single-ism, it is the negative stereotyping of single or divorced people which leaves them feeling left out at the workplace or other places where conversations or events tend to steer towards that which is more couple-oriented.