Honoring Cuba's dancers

Cuba is home to some of the world’s best ballet dancers. Here are breathtaking photos of Cuba’s legendary ballerinas dancing in the streets:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ballet-in-cuba-photos_us_571f95f1e4b01a5ebde36cde?section=india&utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

One guitar legend honors another

What better tribute?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/david-gilmour-prince-comfortably-numb-purple-rain_us_571eb607e4b0f309baee5c98?section=india&utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

A sensitive and thoughtful act

An Asda supermarket in Manchester is introducing a "quiet hour" to help autistic shoppers who can feel stressed by noise.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-36129448

These, too, are normal kids

They want to play and write....they fight and cry...just like children would normally do. They can be unbearable, incredibly funny or unbelievably lovable. Just kids.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/i-spent-three-months-_b_9771612.html?section=india&utm_hp_ref=world

India's ancient stepwells

Victoria Lautman's favorite pastime, or "obsession" as she calls it, is finding stepwells, large often cavernous wells in which water may be reached by descending a set of steps. Dating back as far as AD 600, these incredible architectural feats of design have been largely forgotten -- until now.

 "In its heyday there were around 3,000 stepwells throughout India. Now, there are about 1,000 left," she estimates.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/06/architecture/victoria-lautman-wells/index.html

A fresh and open look at Filipinos

'Doctors, nurses, housekeepers, babysitters, in so many cases, people who you'd call "caregivers" but who, in every case I've ever heard of, actually care....'

Read Anthony Bourdain's personal mission to the Phillippines:

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/22/travel/anthony-bourdain-parts-unknown-manila-essay/

How Streisand Became a Symbol

A book by Neal Gabler

For those of us who love her. Here is her story of courage and determination...... A story we too can draw from!

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/books/review-how-streisand-became-a-symbolby-neal-gabler.html?emc=edit_th_20160421&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=58824118&_r=0

Historic

Harriet Tubman would be the first woman to be honored on paper currency since Martha Washington’s portrait briefly graced the $1 silver certificate in the late 19th century. Tubman was a former slave and abolitionist who helped rescue slaves in the late 1800s.

A must read---

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/women-currency-treasury-harriet-tubman.html

19 April 1966

Fifty years ago, Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb defied the rules and ran the Boston Marathon. She finished without incident in 3:21:40, ahead of two-thirds of the male field.

Check out Bobbi's story and be inspired...

http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/04/bobbi-gibb-first-woman-ran-the-boston-marathon-50-years-ago.html?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women&mid=huffpost_women-pubexchange_article

The Zohra orchestra of Afghanistan

An ensemble of 35 women at the Afghanistan National Institute for Music play both Western and Afghan musical instruments. Their leader is 19-year-old Negin Khpalwak.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/afghanistan-female-orchestra_us_571508c0e4b06f35cb7019aa?section=india&utm_hp_ref=world

Looking back with pride

at something we take for granted....and some people we take for granted...

Starbucks.

Set the time machine back to 1971...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03q0430

A 5,000-Year-Old Himalayan Secret

Jaipur-based photographer and writer Shubham Mansingka found the elusive Brokpas, a 5,000-year-old tribe of Ladakh, believed to be the last of the ‘original Aryan race, living in a remote part of the Himalayas.

Intoxicated by their uncomplicated existence, Mansingka said there was much that the rest of India could learn from the ancient community that accorded their women a higher stature than men, and “is calm even in the face of minimal development. They have been sandwiched between Kargil and Batalik, and that has greatly hampered their progress, yet they remain cheerful and work hard,” he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/04/14/brokpa-himalaya_n_9678660.html?utm_hp_ref=india

Greek grandmother welcomes refugees into home in Idomeni

82-year-old, Panagiota Vasileiadou is welcoming refugees into her home. In absence of a common language, refugees simply call her “Mama”. A new lease of life for many.....

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greek-grandmother-welcomes-refugees-into-home-in-idomeni-a6984496.html

Mukku bags

Abdul Muqeet  is on a mission to protect his world. After learning about the terrible effects of plastic bags on the environment, Abdul decided to take a stand. Since he was 8-years-old, Abdul has been making paper bags from recycled newspapers. To date, he has completed over 5,000 of his “Mukku bags,” donating them to local grocers.

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=5787

We still have our royalists

Meet Indian royalist, 93-year-old Indian restaurateur, Boman Kohinoor. He was desperately keen on meeting Their Royal Highnesses William and Kate. His plea was posted on the Internet. Their Royal Highnesses were very touched and invited him to the Taj to meet with him. Royalty at its gracious best...

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36017662

There is no alternative to Grandma's cooking

Roberto Panizza, Pesto maker.

Not only does he make his own pesto, but with a group of like-minded friends, he has set up the Palatifini Association ("palatifini" means "refined palates"). "Half of my time is to produce pesto and the other half is to promote pesto. Pesto is my life!" he says.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36014143

An all-male bastion breached

Pakistan: Women decide to go to all-male teahouses.

The ladies interviewed were quite clear in their minds about their decision:
'If I am comfortable in my own skin, in my own city, and am okay with people staring, why not?'
'Why should I just be bussed from one place to another, or hurry from one place to another...'

Way to go girls!!!!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35942068

Tolerance in the time of intolerance

Real tolerance is when you stand up for one another no matter what the differences....This is especially meaningful in a world that is fast moving into the age of intolerance.

The place - South Orange....Travelling on the "Midtown Direct" train to the Big Apple.

Check this out:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160411/jsp/frontpage/story_79512.jsp#.Vwsxt6R97IU

A cut above

First female master tailor opens shop on Savile Row.

Kathryn Sargent, who has dressed royalty, actors, politicians and business leaders, opened her premises in Mayfair, central London.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/06/first-female-master-tailor-opens-shop-savile-row-kathryn-sargent

Poet of the common man

And one who defined the west coast country sound of the 70s...Merle Haggard passes on his birthday surrounded by his family and friends.

Fantastic human being. Read on:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/06/merle-haggard-dead-country-music-icon

The next uppercase to go

AP will no longer capitalize 'Internet' and 'Web', effective 1 June 2016.

http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/ap-will-no-longer-capitalize-internet-and-web?utm_source=GG20160405&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=grammargirl

Wheelchair odyssey across China

Quan Peng, a 29-year-old paraplegic man, is traveling more than 3,500 miles (5,670 kilometers) across China -- by wheelchair.

The goal of his epic journey? He wants people with physical challenges like him to be treated like anybody else.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/16/travel/china-man-travel-around-country-by-wheelchair/index.html

Olivier Awards: Record eighth win for Judi Dench

The veteran actress won a record eighth Olivier for her best supporting actress role as Paulina in Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's production of The Winter's Tale.
No-one has won as many Oliviers for acting since the awards began 40 years ago.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35954147

A tradition that dates back to the 1930s

A baby box

The baby box has been credited with helping Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates. And now more countries are going in for this.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35834370