Fit, Fun and Fashionable

Lean is in has become an axiom for the majority of youth today. They sweat it out, hit the treadmill, go through those arduous cardio regimen to lose the flab and look fit as a fiddle. But along with the intrinsic fitness, the extrinsic appearance also matters. Hence, the gym attire becomes the cynosure.
Here, I'd be sharing some keys to look dapper while working out without causing a hole in your pocket.

Be it men or women, all the gym hitters have become conscious about their "work-out" look. So it becomes imperative to list what's in and what should go to a bin.
Here we go:

1. The faux paus of the oversized shirts and shorts is over. So, dare not step into them again and look like an indolent beam bag trotting around.

2. The key factor is comfort, so try to keep it as uncomplicated as possible. Don't try to embellish your attire with pretentious accessories. A wristband or at most a head band is fine.

3. Synthetic is the preferred fabric as it accomplishes the triple goals of being easy drying, repels sweat and are body hugging.



4. Though cotton is another alternative but, it takes longer to dry and the fit is not apposite, consequently less fashionable.

5. Use a mild deodrant to prevent the embarrassing moments.


6. For men:To further increase the comfort quotient, chose your boxers/underpants and socks with great discretion. Socks are generally given the least importance and are overshadowed by the tops and the shoes but don't commit this folly.

7. For women (especially): Use minimal or no make-up. You're heading the gym lady, not a gala party. Shoes should not be heeled and offer a firm grip with a super elastic sole that slides and glides well on any surface. Go for sturdy looking shoes instead of those that make you look like Japanese school girl.

8. Refrain from wearing psychedelic colors to gym. Use subdued colors that are easy on eyes and are insulating so as to keep you cool and airy.

9. Kind of exercises you pursue and the volume you sweat out also have a say. So, keep these parameters in mind while zeroing on your attire.

10. If you're going for a jog on a chilly morning, do wear a trendy sports jacket with track pants. All major brands like Nike, Reebok, Adidas and Puma give ample options to chose from. On the contrary, always wear a SPF while out on a sweltering day.

11. A light colored seat absorbing towel finishes rounds up the list.

Keep in mind the above mentioned points while going to your daily rigor. Do not pay too much attention to what you wear, just keep comfort and weather and pertinence in your mind. Don't let attire give you the sweat, dumb-bells are there for this purpose :)
Stay fit, stay fashionista !!




This post is written for blog contest by Jabong.com, online shopping store in India on the occasion of unveiling their exclusive Sports collection inspired by the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Torchbearers of change

“It is not enough to be compassionate – you must act.”
- His Holiness The Dalai Lama


In this world, which is embroiled with avarice, embellished with paucity of time and inundated in the ocean of solipsistic desires and buried under the shroud of egotism, the humane characteristics, that once st us apart from our ancestors-the primates- act as a fuel of hope to humanity and goodwill. 
One of the many heroic stories that we come across; pertaining to changing the social demographics, ameliorating the condition of the poor and the neglected and becoming of revolutionaries and harbingers of peace and prosperity, one tale is of a young Gujarati crusader, Mittal Patel.

Barely 30, she gave up the comforts of a comfortable office job as a journalist in the city and decided to fight against the bureaucracy and the constitution that had denied the rights of the nomadic and the backward tribes. Her organisation, VSSM was instrumental in bringing out a change through innovation and determined goal-oriented approach. 
With the amendments in the revered Constitution of India in 1952, the status of the nomadic and de-notified tribes was manifested and they were exculpated, but unfortunately these provisions were apocryphal. On the hindsight they were still ostracized and treated as vexatious species, those who had to be devoid of any civil liberty and privilege. The fate of 10 crore people was under grave danger. Danger of being born and wiped out without a stain or tear. There existence was not even ephemeral , it was the lack of it.

Taking the troglodyte approach even into the age of space science and information technology, the lawmakers were determined not to allow these inferior communities be an integral part of India. Ignored in the census stats, deprived of any formal education or skill, with the gradual devaluation of their traditional skills like that snake charmer or a knife mender and the advent of alternative modes of entertainment, the situation worsened further. It eventually culminated to a stage where the female members of the community resorted to flesh trade. The apathetic so called " privileged" classes still undermined this atrocity. With the tradition of 'no marriage for girls', the future overlooked a giant precipice, the doom was nearing.

The state of constant consternation was accentuated by the indifferent and indolent attitude of the people who are responsible for providing basic rights and amenities to human beings.
The intransigent law makers as well as the law- implementors were so prejudiced about what they shouldn't have, that they forgot what they ought to have: the right to live and breathe with a certain degree of pride.Seeing the abysmal conditions of the hinterland, Mittal Patel had her work cut out. With her team, she did a detailed study of the eugenics of the issue and found how deep the fissures were into the flesh of these people. She knew that he had to fight it out vehemently with the forces who had coerced unthinkable ignominy to these communities and tribes.

The url http://www.ftideacaravan.com/  gives us a detailed analysis as to what Mittal Patel had to encounter during her course of action against the obnoxious governing agencies. Due to her consistent efforts, the government finally succumbed to their demands and gave election cards to 20,000 people from these nomadic tribes. Now, they had a rudimentary proof of their existence: an address. The next major change was emancipation of the women in Vadiya, the town staring down the abyss because of flesh trade and trafficking. The age long tradition of abstaining from sex trade once married was utilized by Mittal Patel. Her resolve resulted in about 8 marriages and 10 engagements (first of a kind) ,thereby giving a new ray of light to these depleted women VSSM also runs alternate schools about 1500 students; also 30,000 members of these tribes have got addresses. VSSM also has provided schemes that grant lands to the nomads. Her mission has been accomplished but their is still territory left to be explored....

This might be one of the gazillion issues that have entrenched the mainland of India waiting to be sorted out.  The video of the TED-X event where the harbinger of change, Ms Mittal Patel vents out the difficulties  might make ones eyes moist. But, a change is not caused by being sympathetic towards an issue. A change is caused when one swipes those tears and with a crystal clear objective treads down on a harsh terrain to achieve the improbable.
Hats off to the iron lady.


A country is elevated only when the society is elevated and efforts such as VSSM truly serve the cause. We talk about strengthening the defence, launching supersonic missiles and producing more engineers and doctors, but what about the grassroot level. It is rhetoric but the irony is that villages which formed the crux of our nation through the history have been despised. The emergence of urban India has overshadowed the significance of villages. But, the stark reality is that we need villages and villagers to feel at an ease and treated with equality as respected citizen of our country. Only then can we talk about holistic development.
Initiatives like Gramya Manthan, Teach for India and others work for women emancipation and education of the underprivileged. Youth needs to become a core participant in all these endeavors. Afterall, the future lies in our hands.




This article has been written for the Indiblogger initiative the ideal Caravan. Check the you tube video: http://www.ftideacaravan.com/ for more.



Udit Bhatia