All about India 4

This time we will talk about the goddess Saraswati.&nbsp;

If you want to know more about Saraswati, check out our sources for this podcast:

https://www.yoga-vidya.de/goetter-und-meister/hinduistische-goetter/saraswati/

https://vedanta-yoga.de/indische-goetter/saraswati-devi-goettin-von-weisheit-musik-lernen-schoenheit-und-kunst/

This time we will talk about the goddess Saraswati. Podcast by Stefanie MasnikIf you want to know more about Saraswati, check out our sources for this podcast:https://www.yoga-vidya.de/goetter-und-meister/hinduistische-goetter/saraswati/https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarasvatihttps://vedanta-yoga.de/indische-goetter/saraswati-devi-goettin-von-weisheit-musik-lernen-schoenheit-und-kunst/

Makar Sankranti: Celebration of Sun, Harvest, and Renewal

From Uttarayan in Gujarat to Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Magh Bihu in Assam, Lohri in states of Punjab and Haryana, and Khichdi Parv in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, one harvest festival, known by various names across India. Makar Sankranti embodies the spirit of unity in diversity, showcasing India’s rich cultural landscape. What is the significance of Makar Sankranti?Makar Sankranti is primarily a harvest festival, celebrating the arrival of longer days and the end of the winter solstice. It is celebrated to mark the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar in Sanskrit). This solar event usually occurs around January 14th or 15th each year and holds profound cultural, spiritual, and religious significance in India.There are various significances of Makar Sankranti in Hinduism. Culturally it represents the marks of the harvesting season, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. It brings communities together. People engage in collective activities like kite-flying, bonfires, traditional dances, etc., fostering a sense of unity and togetherness.Spiritually, Makar Sankranti is closely tied to the movement of the sun. Sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn symbolizes the journey towards enlightenment, knowledge, and the triumph of light over darkness. It is considered a time of renewal and purification. Many take ritualistic dips in sacred rivers, such as the Ganges, believing that it cleanses them of sins and promotes spiritual well-being.In Hinduism, Makar Sankranti is associated with the sun god Surya. Devotees offer prayers and perform rituals to honor the sun’s energy, which is considered vital for life and agriculture. It is believed that on this day, the deities begin their northward journey, signifying a shift in cosmic energies and the arrival of auspicious times.How is Makar Sankranti celebrated across India?Each region in India has its unique traditions, customs, and festive foods associated with the celebration.In states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, the festival is known as Uttarayan, celebrated with the Kite-Flying festival. On this day, the sky becomes a canvas of vibrant colors as people engage in friendly kite battles with full zest. Gujarat also hosts the International Kite Festival during Makar Sankranti in Ahmedabad, where kite enthusiasts from around the world participate in this grand celebration.Uttar Pradesh and Bihar also celebrate it with kite-flying competitions and sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery, such as Tilgul and Revri.In Maharashtra, people exchange Tilgul, while saying, “Tilgul ghya, god god bola” (Take Tilgul and speak sweetly). Married women often host Haldi-Kumkum gatherings where they exchange gifts and apply turmeric and vermilion on Ajna Chakra between the Eyebrows.People in Karnataka prepare a special mixture called “Sankranti Ellu” made of sesame seeds, groundnuts, dry coconut, and jaggery. This mixture is exchanged among friends and family. In rural areas, cows are adorned with colorful garlands and worshipped as a symbol of gratitude for their role in agriculture.In Punjab and Haryana, the day preceding Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri. People gather around bonfires, sing and dance, and enjoy traditional foods. Special dishes, including sarson da saag and makki di roti, are prepared and shared with family and neighbors.In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a four-day harvest festival; families cook the Pongal dish, made with newly harvested rice, in earthen pots. Homes are adorned with colorful kolam (rangoli) designs, and cattle are decorated and honored for their contribution to agriculture.In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Poush Sankranti, where people take dips in holy rivers and offer prayers. The Ganga Sagar Mela is one of the largest fairs during Makar Sankranti.In Assam, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Magh Bihu. The festival is marked by traditional Assamese folk dances, and the Meji bonfire made of bamboo, thatch, and wood is set ablaze to mark the end of the harvesting season.In some tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh, the Bhagoria Festival coincides with Makar Sankranti. It involves traditional dances, music, and matchmaking.Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Tusu Parab in Jharkhand. The festival is marked by the singing of Tusu songs, and Folk dances, which depict various aspects of rural life.The Makar Mela at Makar Jyoti in Konark is a significant event in Odisha. Pilgrims gather to take a dip in the Chandrabhaga River and offer prayers at the Konark Sun Temple.In Haryana, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Maghi. People take a dip in sacred rivers like the Sarasvati and participate in fairs and festivities.In Kerala, Makar Sankranti is associated with the culmination of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Pilgrims visit the Sabarimala temple to seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. In Thiruvananthapuram, women participate in the Attukal Pongala, a ritualistic cooking of sweet rice porridge as an offering to the goddess.Andhra Pradesh and Telangana celebrate Bhogi, where people discard old and unnecessary items by burning them in a bonfire. It symbolizes the removal of the old and the welcoming of the new. Decorative rangoli patterns called Muggu are created at the entrance of homes, often using rice flour or colored powders.Makar Sankranti is a truly unique and cherished festival across India. Each state adds its distinct rituals, traditions, and festivities to honor the spirit of the festival, keeping the central theme of expressing gratitude for the harvest and celebrating the sun’s transition.Personal Perspective on Makar SankrantiBeing born in a Maharashtrian family, Makar Sankranti was synonymous with the sweet aroma of Tilgul, by saying ‘Tilgul ghya, god god bola’ and the exchange of gifts between friends and family. I vividly recall the early morning rituals, the scent of incense, and the warmth of the sun on my face as we offered prayers to Surya Dev. Through Tilgul, kites, and age-old traditions, the festival connects us to our roots, creating a blossom of memories that we carry with us.Black is considered inauspicious by Hindu ideologies. However, it is kind of customary to wear a black color outfit on Makar Sankranti to fight back evil. So in Maharashtra, women wear black sarees during the Haldi-Kumkum ceremony. And as it is still cold in mid-January, people must wear black as it absorbs heat and keeps them warm, which could be another significance.As I live in Germany, It’s nearly hard to see the sun in January. On this day, I woke up early and took a Ubtan bath. After that, I offered prayers to lord Surya through prayers and mediation. I performed a Surya namaskar and decided to fast to purify my body inside. Later, I went for a long walk in the fresh air to feel connected to nature.Sometimes the greatest fulfillment in life comes from simple everyday routines. And this is the greatest luxury in life, in my opinion. Morning rituals, mindful eating, staying active throughout the day, practicing mindfulness and meditation, connecting with nature, and engaging in activities that boost creativity are some joyful things.Makar Sankranti, marking a transition and new beginnings, can be an excellent time to start incorporating healthy habits into our lifestyle. The journey towards a healthier lifestyle is a personal and ongoing one, we can start with one or two habits, gradually incorporating more over time.I wish you all a prosperous Makar Sankranti, let it inspire us to release the weights of the past, spread our wings, and soar toward a brighter horizon, where endless possibilities await our courageous journey forward…Written by: Vrushali  SambareCover Photo: CanvaOther Photos: Canvahttps://www.vrushalisambare.comDisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

From Uttarayan in Gujarat to Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Mag

Tips and Tricks for finding a Job in India

For job seekers without an Indian passport, finding a job in India can be quite a challenge. A whole set of requirements must first be met in order to even be eligible for starting your career in South Asia’s largest country. These include bureaucratic hurdles when applying for a visa as well as the challenges that can arise in the process of obtaining a work permit. There are two types of visa that allow foreign nationals to work in India: an employment visa or a business visa.A Business Visa allows you to work as a freelancer in India. In addition, it can also be used to initiate your freelance business or to set up your own company in India. Such a visa is issued for a maximum validity of 5 years and can be extended on site upon request. The costs are €100 for up to one year validity and €209 for up to 5 years. More details on how to apply for a regular business visa can be found here on New2 India. In addition to this regular business visa, it is now also possible to apply for an electronic business visa. For more information, you can also have a look at our article on e-visa for India. Although this e-business visa is only valid for a maximum of one year, the waiting time until the visa is issued is usually significantly shorter and the bureaucratic hurdles have been reduced. You can find more detailed information on how to apply for this e-business visa on the Indian government’s official website.An employment visa, in turn, entitles the applicant to work as an employee in India. It can be issued for a period of up to five years, with extensions possible if the requirements are met. In order to be able to obtain the visa, your annual earnings must amount to at least 1625 million rupees (approx. 20,000 €). In addition, the salary must be paid in rupees within India. In a separate article, we have put together a detailed list of the necessary documents that you will need to apply for an employment visa. In addition to these documents, a fee of 100 € (up to 6 months), 167 € (up to 1 year) or 250 € (up to 5 years) must be paid, depending on the validity of the visa.All these requirements can best be fulfilled if an employment contract has already been concluded with an Indian company so that this company can provide support. However, you should ensure that the respective company is already experienced in employing foreign staff. Otherwise, it can easily happen that you are left alone with the formalities and your visa will be issued with a great delay or even not at all.International organisations as well as German and EU institutions that are active in India can be an interesting alternative for international job seekers. Although the application process for these organisations will often take a lot of time and many applicants will compete for a single position, the effort can be worth it: National and international organisations that send employees abroad have decades of experience and established structures, making it much easier to obtain an employment visa for India. Government institutions, such as the German missions in India, or institutions commissioned by the German government, such as the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), employ entire teams that are specialised on arranging work permits and visas for their employees abroad.So, if you are interested in long-term employment in India, you should keep an eye on the job offers published by German and international organisations. A useful tool for this is offered by the German Federal Foreign Office in the form of its international job pool. On this website you cannot only search for job offers from many international organisations, but you can even create your own job profile in order to receive regular updates concerning suitable job offers. The Federal Foreign Office itself has set up a complex application process in several steps for starting a diplomatic career, which is carried out once a year. You can find all the details on this at this link. The GIZ has many job offers that are available on short notice, including positions in India (mainly in the capital New Delhi). On the organisation's public job portal, all the vacancies can be filtered by location, allowing you to directly find employment opportunities in India. The German political foundations offer another possibility of starting your career in India. These institutions, each associated with a party represented in the Bundestag, such as the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung or the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, all operate from India’s capital New Delhi. With six offices in India, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) is one of the largest foreign chambers of commerce in the country. Here, too, it is worth taking a look at the job advertisements. Other organisations are the Goethe-Institut (called Max-Mueller-Bhavan in India), the DAAD or international schools (such as the Deutsche Schule Bombay).German companies that are based in India also often send employees to India. Since India usually does not seem very attractive as a destination country, you have a good chance of being posted here. The advantage is, as with the organisations mentioned above, that the companies will handle the bureaucracy - from visa to housing to Indian SIM cards, everything is taken care of.Have you ever worked in India before, or would you like to discuss job opportunities available to you in India? Do not hesitate to write to us at info@new2app.com or use the comment function below. Written by: Ferdinand SchlechtaCover Photo: Unsplash – Scott Graham, Nitin Mendekar Last update: 10.07.2022Disclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

For job seekers without an Indian passport, finding a job in India can be quite a challenge. A whole

Smartphones in India - your constant companion 

Most people who have lived in India for some time might be familiar with the following question: "What is your mobile number?" or more simply "Mobile number?" In fact, there are almost no private or public services in India that cannot be arranged by using a mobile phone. Be it setting up an online account with the local municipality or logging into a public Wi-Fi network, you almost always need an Indian SIM card in order to be able to receive a so-called OTP (one-time password), which is required for verification. This system even goes so far that you need such an OTP for using the public Wi-Fi at Delhi International Airport, which means that international visitors will usually face difficulties in accessing the internet at the airport. However, India would not be India if there was not always a creative solution to such problems: It is usually pretty easy to find a helpful person whose phone can be used to receive the OTP for accessing the public network.Check our article on how to get an Indian SIM card here! An Indian SIM card is therefore one of the most important things that should be arranged at the beginning of your stay in India. But even when you want to buy a new SIM card, it becomes apparent that this might be a challenge without already owning an Indian cell phone number. This is because a mobile number must also be provided in order to be able to receive the OTP for registering the new card. Hence, you might quickly find yourself in the absurd situation that, without an Indian SIM card, no new SIM card can be purchased. Of course, the question quickly arises as to how the “first” SIM card could ever be sold. But in India, such bureaucratic problems are usually solved with a lot of improvisation and creativity – for example by asking other customers or even passers-by for their cell phone number. It is not for nothing that the word jugaad has established itself in colloquial Hindi, for which there is no exact translation in many languages, but which roughly means solving a problem with creative means.However, once you have got hold of an Indian SIM card, many everyday situations in India can be mastered more easily. At the latest since the onset of the Corona pandemic, delivery services have been ubiquitous in India and an Indian telephone number is usually required to use them. From food deliveries with providers such as “Zomato” or “Swiggy” to ordering groceries, electronic devices or clothing – almost everything can be conveniently delivered to your home with an app on your smartphone. The service provider “Dunzo” offers a special service: With this app you can order everything that is currently in stock in the retail shops in the area around your home. “Dunzo” acts as an intermediary between the delivering agent and the customer. You select a product category such as fresh food or medical products and the appropriate shops in the area are displayed. A delivery agent makes his way to the desired store and sends photos of the desired products to the customer. He or she in turn confirms the order and pays for it directly in the app. The delivery person can then bring the products to your doorstep.Apparently, pretty much anything in India can be ordered or arranged with a mobile phone. Nowadays, almost no business, no matter how small, can do without a sign with a QR code, which means that even the smallest amounts can be transferred quickly and easily with the help of a digital payment app. It is a pity that due to national security regulations, an Indian identity document is mandatory in order to be able to use such a digital payment service. Unfortunately, service providers that are popular in Germany, such as “PayPal”, cannot be used in India.Are there any other topics within everyday life in India that are of particular interest for you? Please comment below or write to us at info@new2app.com!Written by: Ferdinand SchlechtaCover Photo: Unsplash - Yogendra SinghDisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

Most people who have lived in India for some time might be familiar with the following question: "Wh

The necessity of stereotypes and the danger of prejudices 

Living in another country and culture will at some point bring the issue of stereotypes and prejudices to the forefront. Not only the ones held by us, but also those that affect us. Dealing with stereotypes and prejudices can serve as an impetus for reflecting on your role in the new culture. Stepping out of your comfort zone can make your own boundaries clear and the better you know yourself, the better you will be able to process crossing these boundaries.In this article we explain what stereotypes and prejudices are and what impact they have on living in another culture.Living in a foreign country is not always easy. If you need support, check out our article on depression of migrants by NLP trainer Aabha Agarwal!Why we need stereotypesCoping with a complex and globalised world can quickly become overwhelming - not only at home, but especially when living in a foreign country. Our perception of the world is subjective. Categorisations help us to classify and process what we perceive. These categories simplify and reduce the complexity of reality. First of all, the categories help us not to be overwhelmed by all the impressions around us. Hence, they help us to navigate our world.Stereotypes serve precisely this aim of categorisation. They relieve our everyday consciousness so that we don't have to make new judgments over and over again. We can thus assess situations at a glance and draw conclusions about further behaviour or characteristics of people. And here lies the crux. As helpful as stereotypes are in the initial assessment, they also harbour the danger of generalisation, misjudgement and prejudice.Why prejudices are dangerousPrejudices are judgmental presuppositions about something or someone. They differ from stereotypes, which only serve to order the world, because prejudices are the formation of a judgement without prior knowledge. Thus, prejudices also differ from judgements, which vary depending on the situation. Prejudices are often normative and moral in nature. This is why from a theoretical point of view they are also referred to as social judgments.The formation of prejudices usually takes place outside a rational framework and without empathy for the group about which the judgement is made. Generalisations are made on the basis of characteristics of a person or group, which lead to conclusions about further behaviour. This generalisation (especially of large groups) leads to depersonalisation. In contrast to this group, one's own group is usually perceived in a much more differentiated way and the context plays an important role in the evaluation of behaviour. In this context, prejudices serve the positive self-image in distinction to the others. The evaluation often takes place on the basis of one's own standards and in the comparison of one's own group with the other, one's own behaviour is seen as a positive measure of value.Prejudices do not necessarily have to be negative. However, if the prejudices are negative, contact with the respective group is often avoided. Discriminatory behaviour is usually an expression of prejudice. Discrimination can take place on many levels and on both a large and small scale.The danger of prejudice is that it becomes entrenched and difficult to resolve. Counter-arguments or information, or even contact with the prejudiced group, often cannot break down the prejudices. Self-reflection and a relativisation of one's own point of view must take place. Intensive engagement with other cultures, ways of life and patterns of behaviour can lead to understanding, whereby prejudices soften and eventually dissolve.Find out what work culture in India is all about to be well prepared for your stay! What we can doThe first step is to become aware of one's prejudices. As they are social judgements that have become entrenched in society, no one is completely free from them. Recognising prejudices makes it easier to deal with them and the groups they affect. Living (and even travelling) in another country and the experiences one has there can be an impetus for self-reflection. Placing oneself in a new context requires positioning and ideally creates sensitivity to the reproduction of prejudices, stereotypes, and global power relations and racisms.Once we have recognised which prejudices we have, it is important to dismantle them and deconstruct generalisations in order to be able to look at individuals with their characteristics, behaviour and within their circumstances in a differentiated way. Contact with these very people can open up new perspectives on the world and is in any case an enrichment.In summary, you should keep in mind: Stereotypes that serve as orientation in the world are necessary, but they should not turn into prejudices that divide people and cause discrimination!If you have questions, want to share your experiences or need help, please write to us at info@new2app.com!Written by: Tanja HolbeCover Photo: Priscilla Du Preez - UnsplashDisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

Living in another country and culture will at some point bring the issue of stereotypes and prejudic

Work Culture in India - Never without Chai and Chapati 

In Germany, India is well known as a stronghold of the IT industry as well as for the many highly educated workers belonging to the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering. But a closer look reveals that the Indian workforce and companies are a lot more diverse than the cliché of gigantic open-plan offices with hundreds of call centre employees would suggest.In contrast to the widespread prejudice, India has made great progress in many sectors of the economy within recent years and has achieved many impressive successes. For example, the digital industry as well as the start-up scene belong to the most dynamic in the world. In 2021 alone, 44 Indian start-ups have achieved so-called unicorn status with an enterprise value of at least one billion dollars. In the e-commerce sector in particular but also within the sectors of the fintech industry or the digital health economy, many up-and-coming companies have been able to establish themselves on the market, which has turned India into the third-largest start-up market in the world.As a result, India has also become an attractive destination for expats from Germany, since German know-how is in great demand, especially in the engineering professions. Starting a job at an Indian company or at an organisation operating in India with many Indian employees is usually much easier if you familiarise yourself with the Indian work culture beforehand. With this article we want to share some tips and tricks with you so that you will quickly settle in your new job in India.As in many other areas of everyday Indian life, you will also find clear hierarchies in most Indian offices. Although Germany is also known for rather strict rules in the workplace, the situation is fundamentally different in the two countries. In Germany, the formal work culture often finds expression in the clear distinction between leisure and work situations, which is particularly recognizable through the use of “Sie” as a formal address as opposed to “Du”.Also read our article on New2 Germany which explains the correct usage of “Du” and “Sie”.In India, on the other hand, things can sometimes be more informal within a workgroup, which is also due to the widespread use of English in office jobs. Within the company as a whole, however, there are often even more levels of hierarchy than in Germany. In most offices, you will not only find employees with different levels of work experience, but also a lot of support staff who perform activities such as transporting documents within the company or maintaining the workspaces. In many Indian offices, there will even be an assistant preparing chai – deliciously spiced black tea with milk – for all the employees. In addition to the great variety of tasks performed by the staff members, there can be large differences in the level of qualification of the people working at one and the same workplace. This can lead to greater disparities, and thus often steeper hierarchies, between the employees of a company than you might be used to in Germany.Another important aspect of everyday work life in India is based upon Indian food culture. The love of Indians for their diverse cuisine can also be experienced in the office or at the factories when all colleagues share their home-made food with each other at lunchtime. An ordinary cheese sandwich would be just as unthinkable as eating lunch all by yourself. Everything is usually shared, so everyone can enjoy dal, rajma (a vegetarian dish made with kidney beans that originated in Punjab) or various types of sabji (cooked and spiced vegetables).Intrigued by Indian food? Check out our article on the variety of vegetarian food in India!In Mumbai, the bustling economic and financial capital of India, local residents have come up with a particularly sophisticated delivery system to ensure that the masses of office workers can enjoy fresh home-cooked food even at far away workplaces. The so-called Dabbawalas (Dabba means box or food container) have been rushing through the city with handcarts, bicycles or aboard local trains since the end of the 19th century to deliver home-cooked dishes from the workers’ homes to their workplaces. The food is usually prepared by the spouses in the morning and then delivered to the destination at lunchtime in stainless steel containers called dabbas or tiffin boxes. These containers will not only keep the food hot, but rice and chapati (Indian flatbread) will not mix with the curries and dal dishes because the tins have multiple separate compartments. Deliveries follow a complex colour and symbol marking system, which means that almost no delivery is lost or misdelivered. Even researchers from Harvard Business School travelled all the way to Mumbai to study this extremely precise system.Do you want to experience the local train ride in Mumbai together with the Dabbawalas? Read our guide to Mumbai’s public transport system here! Have you ever worked in India before and do you want to share your experiences with us? Please comment below or write to us at info@new2app.com.Written by: Ferdinand SchlechtaCover Photo: Unsplash – Smartwork CoworkingOther Photos: Unsplash – Ricky SinghDisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

In Germany, India is well known as a stronghold of the IT industry as well as for the many highly ed

Varanasi's Vishwanath Corridor Project 

In Germany, there are many controversial construction projects such as Stuttgart 21 or Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie. In India, too, large-scale prestige projects have made headlines in recent years, such as the Central Vista Project in New Delhi (find our article here) or the so called Statue of Unity – a massive effigy of the Indian politician and independence fighter Vallabhbhai Patel that has been erected in the state of Gujarat. The latter was inaugurated in October 2018 with an impressive height of 182 metres which earned it the title of the world’s largest statue. This monumental statue, made of reinforced concrete and bronze, easily exceeds New York’s famous Lady Liberty in size.The public debate concerning the statue points to the more general question of what India’s political orientation should look like. Not only the enormous size of the building and the associated costs of almost 30 billion rupees (approx. 380 million euros) have attracted criticism. In addition, the allegation was made that the statue for Patel would cast a shadow on the political legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the Nation. For many Indians, however, the statue symbolises their pride in the Indian nation and their reverence for the India’s independence fighters. In addition, the statue now attracts many tourists and thus strengthens the economy in the state of Gujarat.Read about the Indian state of Gujarat here! At the end of last year, another major development project attracted nation-wide attention when the first phase of the Vishwanath Corridor Project in the northern Indian city of Varanasi was completed. In March 2019, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for this prestigious project in the famous pilgrimage city on the Ganges river. Two and a half years later, Modi once more travelled to Varanasi to attend the opening ceremony. The project, with a total budget of 8 billion rupees (approx. 95 million euros), is aimed at improving access to the centuries-old Kashi Vishwanath Dham temple as well as to the sacred river for the masses of pilgrims visiting the ancient city each year. For this purpose, extensive construction work has been carried out, in particular to widen and modernise the connecting paths between the temple complex and the Ghats on the riverbank. As part of the renovation, several buildings were newly built, such as a tourist centre, a museum, a viewing gallery and a food court.Due to the scope of the project and the importance of Varanasi as one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in all of India, media coverage on the project has been extensive right from the start. It therefore does not come as a surprise that the project is accompanied by political debates and has not only received praise but also criticism. The construction site covers an area of almost 50,000 m² and thus exceeds the original size of the temple complex by far. Therefore, more than 300 pieces of land had to be acquired and old buildings were demolished. According to the BJP government, which has initiated the project, around 1,400 shopkeepers and homeowners were compensated during this process. In addition, over 40 ancient temples were discovered and restored. In contrast to the government’s statement, however, critics complain that the compensations are inadequate and that age-old cultural artefacts have been lost as a result of the construction work. The necessity of carrying out the project on this scale has also been questioned as other development projects are considered to be more urgent. Other critical voices claim that the project could be instrumentalized for political purposes and point to the fact that Narendra Modi’s own electoral constituency is in Varanasi. After all, the elections for the state parliament of Uttar Pradesh have taken place in spring 2022 – an important indicator for the national elections in 2024 and therefore of great importance for the ruling BJP.Read more about the state of Uttar Pradesh and its significance for Indian politics here! If you have any questions regarding the projects mentioned or if you want to share your opinion with us write it in the comments below or leave us a message at info@new2app.com!Written by: Ferdinand SchlechtaPhoto Credits: Ferdinand SchlechtaDisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

In Germany, there are many controversial construction projects such as Stuttgart 21 or Hamburg’s Elb

How do the People in India Cope with the Current Heat Wave?

India and Pakistan are currently being hit by the worst heat wave since weather records began 122 years ago. In parts of northern India, maximum temperatures already surpassed the 40° Celsius mark at the end of March – and thus unusually early in the year. In mid-May, a weather station in India’s capital New Delhi reported an enormous peak value of 49 degrees. Very high temperatures are not unusual on the Indian subcontinent from April to June. In particular, the north of India and the wide plains of Pakistan heat up to over 40 degrees at this time. However, the current extreme temperatures exceed long-term averages for this time of the year by up to seven degrees Celsius, which can even have deadly consequences. According to meteorologists, the current heat wave will only cease with the onset of the monsoon rains that are expected to arrive in northern India by July. As a result, the residents of India and Pakistan have to brace themselves for more weeks of extreme heat. In this article we would like to introduce you to some of the centuries-old home remedies and techniques that are used to survive these sweltering summer months.In contrast to Germany, the weather in most parts of India is characterized by three instead of four seasons: winter, summer and monsoon. In the tropical south of India, the daytime temperatures usually do not fall below the 25 degree mark even in winter from October to March. The only exceptions here are the mountain ranges of the Western and Eastern Ghats. In the north, on the other hand, temperatures can fall below 10 degrees in December and January – in particularly cold years, Delhi residents might even see snowflakes falling from the sky for a few days. From the end of February onwards, temperatures rise sharply, especially in the north of the subcontinent, before reaching around 40 degrees in the summer months of April, May and June. Only the massive rainfall of the annual monsoon, which arrives in the south from end of May and in the north from July, will bring some respite from the heat.Before the monsoon season arrives, Indians who can afford it will try to spend their summer vacations in the mountainous regions of the subcontinent. In the south, the Western Ghats with their dense rainforests and 2000 meter high peaks are among the most popular destinations. The metropolis of Bengaluru also ranks among the prime destinations in summer, as it is located on the elevated Deccan plateau and thus benefits from milder temperatures. In the northern Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the peak holiday season falls in the summer months. The main pilgrimage season also starts here from May onwards – a time when hundreds of thousands of believers set out to visit the sacred springs and important sites on the upper reaches of the Ganges river.For those who cannot escape to the mountains during the summer months, there are a number of traditional recipes in South Asia that help to naturally reduce heat in the body. One of the best known traditional thirst quenchers in India is the coconut. On almost every street corner across the subcontinent you can find a wooden wagon on which the large green-brown fruits of the palm tree are piled up. The coconut water, called nariyal pani in Hindi, is not only very refreshing, but also extremely healthy, mainly because of the many minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium. We also have a little tip for you so that you can enjoy your next coconut even longer: When you have finished drinking the water from the nut, do not simply throw it away, but ask the seller to break it open. Sometimes the white, soft flesh is hidden inside, which you can then spoon out.While nariyal pani is available for purchase in many places throughout the year, other drinks are only found during certain times of the year. This includes the refreshing juice obtained from the Bengal quince (usually called Bael Fruit in India). The oval-shaped fruit resembles a pear, but has a hard, thick skin. Inside is the orange-yellow flesh, from which the juice is extracted using a blender. The Bengal quince is particularly rich in proteins, vitamins C and B as well as minerals and fiber. Due to its high content of minerals and vitamins, Bael juice has been used in South Asia for centuries as a natural remedy for dehydration. The juice also has a beneficial effect on human digestion and supports the blood circulation. The Bengal quince is therefore a real miracle cure that naturally supports the human body in defying the unrelenting summer heat.You can discover even more Indian summer drinks here. If you want to delve even deeper into Indian cuisine with all its diversity, then New2 India has a number of interesting articles for you: From tips and tricks around food in India to special dishes at popular celebrations such as Sankranti or New Year’s celebrations in India.Do you know of any other home remedies used in countries to cool down in the summer heat? Then please comment below or write to us at info@new2app.com!Written by: Ferdinand SchlechtaCover Photo: Unsplash – Hari NandakumarOther Photos: Unsplash – Meimei IsmailDisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

India and Pakistan are currently being hit by the worst heat wave since weather records began 122 ye

An Image of India

In the German-language media landscape, India is often portrayed in a relatively one-sided light. Thus, topics such as backwardness, the oppression of women and the many religions often appear as themes. Agenda-setting research from the field of media studies states that media play a central role in shaping public opinions and perceptions of the world. In this process, certain topics are emphasised and "fed" by the media more than others. Through constant repetition, these themes manifest themselves as cognitive schemata (ideas). These often stereotypical schemata have an unconscious influence on the perception and description of the world and are firmly anchored in society as narratives.In the context of tourism, Noel B. Salazar has assigned the concept of tourism imaginaries to these narratives. He defines these as representations and imaginaries that are often shaped by historically formed stereotypes and discourses, such as Orientalism, a term coined by Edward W. Said in 1978. In the discourse of Orientalism, the representation of the constructed Orient takes place. Inherent in this discourse are certain narratives that appear in scholarly texts as well as in fiction, political texts and travel literature and films.At the beginning of the 20th century, ethnographic educational films became a means of introducing India to German audiences as a distant place of longing. One of these films is the short documentary "Indiens steinerne Wunder" (1934) by Heinz Karl Heiland.On 6 May 2022, this film will be shown in a newly digitised form at Babylon Berlin, followed by a discussion on pictorial appropriation, the handling of Indian cultural heritage and the question of the image of India that should be conveyed to the audience at that time. Can conclusions be drawn from the image conveyed here about the Germans' self-image and global-political claim to power in the 1930s? How is this "difficult heritage" dealt with today? And which images still persist in narratives about India?The event is organised by the Kunstgeschichte der Moderne of the Institut für Kunst- und Bildgeschichte at Humboldt University Berlin. Admission is free and no pre-registration is necessary. The film will be subtitled in English and the discussion afterwards will be bilingual. Please find the flyer attached (German/English).If you have any questions about the event or want to discuss the topic more, please write to us in the comments, directly to info@new2app.com or come to the event!Written by: Tanja Holbe, excerpts from her Master's thesis on "The Image of India in Travel Blogs - The Continuity of Orientalist Discourse in Narratives about India in German Travel Blogs".Photos: from the flyer for the eventDisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

In the German-language media landscape, India is often portrayed in a relatively one-sided light. Th

Celebrating Easter in India

At Easter, Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, sacrificed himself for mankind and revealed himself as the redeemer through his resurrection. Therefore, Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified, and Easter Sunday, the day of his resurrection, are of particular importance and are accordingly celebrated with various traditions and rituals.There are a variety of Easter traditions in Germany, which differ from region to region (You can read our article about Easter in Germany here). India, on the other hand, is often perceived primarily as a Hindu country, but this image is far too one-sided. In fact, India is home to an enormous diversity of cultures, traditions and religions. Sizeable Christian communities have been living in some regions of the Indian subcontinent for centuries. These include Goa on the west coast, the north eastern states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as big Christian communities in metropolitan Mumbai and the southern coastal state of Kerala. Overall, Christians only make up around 2.3 % of India’s total population, but they nevertheless constitute the country’s third largest religious group – way behind Hinduism and Islam.According to Christian belief, Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, is regarded as the founder of Christianity in India. He is said to have reached the Malabar Coast in the southwest of the subcontinent by ship in 52 AD. Scientists assume that larger Christian communities had developed on the coast of present-day Kerala already by the 6th century. Due to the growing influence of the European colonial powers in India from the 15th century onwards, various Christian denominations were able to establish themselves as minority religions in India. Because of the centuries-long Portuguese influence in Goa, a lot of Catholics still live in this state and in the coastal regions of the neighbouring states. The Goan Carnival is famous across India for its colourful costumes and boisterous street celebrations. On India’s eastern coast, France had established trading posts which served as the gateway to introduce Christianity to this part of South Asia. As the second largest Christian denomination after Catholicism, the Anglican Church was able to expand with the help of British colonialism. For this reason, the most important Christian churches in India are located in the old capital of British India, Calcutta (nowadays Kolkata), as well as in Goa, which has a strong Catholic tradition.Easter has its own traditions in India. Painted Easter eggs and Easter bunnies, which are ubiquitous in Germany, are rarely found here. However, Christians in India also exchange small gifts and wish each other God’s blessings at this special time of the year. Some Indian Christians also follow the Christian tradition of fasting, which is very common in Europe. Similar to Germany, many Christians in India refrain from eating meat during the fasting period before Easter and on Good Friday. A special feature is the tradition of serving a bitter drink on Good Friday, which often contains vinegar. The bitter taste symbolises the mourning over the crucifixion of Jesus. In addition, plays are often performed that tell the story of Jesus' passion and redemption.Since India's Christian population is spread across the country, Easter traditions also vary from region to region. Goa is known for the particularly lavish decorations adorning the Portuguese churches. On Good Friday, the way of the cross is re-enacted in Old Goa: Believers carry a massive wooden cross and an image of Jesus through the streets to commemorate Jesus' sacrifice for mankind. After attending church service on the morning of Easter Sunday, Goa’s Christians gather at their homes for a big feast, as part of which home-baked Easter cakes and meat dishes are eaten. In Kerala as well, meat may only be eaten on Easter Sunday. In addition, specialties from the Kerala cuisine are consumed, such as the rice pancake appam, baked bananas and the famous egg curry. The predominantly Christian north-east of India, on the other hand, has its own traditions. In the state of Meghalaya, folk songs are sung and traditional dances performed at midnight. In Mizoram early in the morning, music bands of the salvation army play Christian songs to awaken the faithful and create a solemn atmosphere for this special festival.Do you know of other special Easter traditions from India or any other country? Feel free to write to us in the comments or directly to info@new2app.com.Written by: Ferdinand SchlechtaCover Photo: Unsplash - Anantha Krishna ADisclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

At Easter, Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, one of the corn

Jaggery - India's traditional sweetener

India is known all over the world for its diverse cuisine, which can delight us with its enormous wealth of intense spices. Indian restaurants have been an integral part of the cityscape of European metropolises for many years. For a long time, Indian restaurants in Germany did not serve much more than the classics of North Indian cuisine, such as palak paneer or chicken tikka masala, but in the meantime India's enormous regional diversity of food and cooking traditions has found its way to Germany as well. If you look at the menus of Indian restaurants in big cities like Berlin, Hamburg or Frankfurt, you will increasingly find regional delicacies such as southern Indian Dosas and Idlis or the lentil dish Matki Chi Usal from Maharashtra in the west of the country. In some restaurants and street food markets you can even try the so-called chaat – savoury snacks that are usually offered at street stalls in India. However, special caution is required here, because the chillies that are used for these Indian snacks have already brought tears to many people’s eyes.Check out our Tips and Tricks around food in India! However, Indian cuisine is not only characterised by the frequent use of fiery chillies and intensive masalas (spice mixtures). While strolling through one of the many bazaars in India’s towns and villages, you will surely smell the sweet scent of mithai (Indian sweets). These sweets are an integral part of Indian cuisine and are very popular with young and old. While ordinary sugar is often used in Germany to prepare desserts and pastries, in South Asian countries, such as India or Sri Lanka, jaggery is used instead.Jaggery refers to unrefined sugar that is extracted from the sugar cane plant using traditional methods. In addition, the sap of the date palm and the so-called toddy palm is also used to make jaggery. The sugar cane or palm juice is heated to a temperature of up to 200 degrees, while stirring frequently, until a viscous yellow mass is formed. This is poured into large moulds, left to cool and can then be sold in large blocks. India is the world’s leading producer of jaggery and even has the world’s largest jaggery market in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This traditional sweetener is used in a variety of dishes in Indian cuisine: This natural sugar is not only used for sweet mithai, but also for savoury dishes such as sambar and rasam, which are a part and parcel of many south Indian meals. The sweetener is also often used in Gujarati cuisine to balance out spicy, salty or sour tastes.Do you want to see how Jaggery is produced? Check out the video in our Youtube Channel, in which you can see the process from the sugar cane fields to the yellow Jaggery! It does not come as a surprise that jaggery is so popular in South Asia. After all, it is said to have many health-promoting properties, whereas excessive consumption of white granulated sugar, by contrast, can lead to serious diseases such as diabetes. In India's traditional Ayurvedic medicine, jaggery is primarily used to treat throat and lung infections.If you want to try jaggery yourself, you can buy India's traditional sugar in one of the many Indian supermarkets in Germany. Jaggery can also be purchased in special Ayurveda shops and of course there are a couple of online shops that have added jaggery to their product range. By the way, you can also use jaggery for German cake recipes and thus replace the unhealthy white sugar!Have you ever cooked or baked with jaggery yourself and want to share your recipe ideas with us? Then feel free to write to us in the comments or to info@new2app.com.Written by: Ferdinand SchlechtaCover Photo: Ganesh Partheeban - Unsplash Disclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

India is known all over the world for its diverse cuisine, which can delight us with its enormous we

All about India #2 - Brahma

The second episode is about the god Brahma.Podcast by Stefanie Masnik

The second episode is about the god Brahma.

Dilli Log / Auf engstem Raum interreligiös leben

All about India #1 - Holi

In our very first episode we will talk about Holi. Have fun :)Podcast Stefanie Masnik Foto: Nora Preisger

In our very first episode we will talk about Holi. Have fun :)

Maithili Thakur Live Concert at Babylon Berlin

On 25 September 2021, Maithili Thakur gave a live concert during the IndoGerman Filmweek at Babylon and thrilled the full house. Together with her brothers Rishav and Ayachi Thakur, she sang Indian folklore and long-forgotten old Indian songs.Maithili and her family spent 11 days in Berlin. If you want to know more about her experience in the German capital, read our article here!Disclaimer: Unless otherwise indicated, website designs, audio, video, text, photographs and graphics on the site (collectively, the 'content') are owned by or licensed to New2, and are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

On 25 September 2021, Maithili Thakur gave a live concert during the IndoGerman Filmweek at Babylon 

What ist New2 ?

The New2 app for integration offers digital support to help expats and students find their way in their new society. New2 is a platform that brings together information, services, and networking opportunities in one space. We recognise the need to highlight a country’s unique cultural features, offering newcomers practical advice for everyday life so that they can quickly settle in and feel at home. We believe that intercultural skills and cross-cultural sensitivity are crucial for social integration.Our texts, podcasts, and videos have been created to appeal to everyone from students to skilled employees, providing authentic insights into national culture. We want to rouse our users’ curiosity, not just to learn about their new society, but to widen their horizons fundamentally.The New2 team offers guidance on a journey between and among cultures!Our project is supported by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany.

The New2 app for integration offers digital support to help expats and students find their way in th

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