Diwali The Hugely Celebrated Festival Of India (Hindus)

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Diwali is the most celebrated festival in India – especially for Hindus and Jains. The term being derived from the Sanskrit word “Dipavali”, which means the row of lights, the main festival happens on the no-moon day of the dark half of Kartik ( name of a month) as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Celebrated insanely in India, Diwali is also celebrated in many other parts of the world like Mauritius, Thailand, Fiji, Japan, United Kingdom, UAE, Netherlands, Myanmar, Malaysia, Australia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, New Zealand etc. Even in USA people of Indian origin celebrates Diwali with great pomp. What is most interesting in this regard is that the US house of representatives has passed a resolution recognizing the spiritual, religious and cultural significance Diwali. Mr. Joe Wilson, who is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said, “My resolution acknowledges the international, religious, and historical importance of the festival of Diwali as well as the religious diversity in India, the United States, and throughout the world. It shows our support for the strong and growing partnership and dialogue in international efforts between the United States and India”. Know as the “Festival of Lights”, Diwali symbolizes the dominion of good over evil and the light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance.

The most common activities that encompasses the Diwali celebration are exchanging Diwali gifts, making special Diwali sweets, purchasing new cloths, decorating homes and not to forget enjoying the dazzling fireworks. Although most of the crackers emitting huge noises are banned, some others such as sparklers, flashes, fountains and aerial rockets are still having sky touching demand all across India and abroad. Although distinctive prominences are given to celebrate the Festival of Light in different region of India, the spirit of celebration is always at its peak when it comes to Diwali.

While it is commonly known as the Festival of lights, the esoteric essence of the festival lies in the awareness of the innermost lights. As the central theme of Hindu philosophy being the existence of Atma – the soul beyond the physical body, the main purpose of Diwali celebration is to celebrate the presence of the inner lights, awakening the people and bringing them to the light of goodness.

Diwali is a 5 day festival that usually starts with Dhanteras, which is a day that is set apart for the worship of Lord Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth. The Second day of the festival symbolizes the Day of Strength and hence is spend worshipping the Lord of Strength – Goddess Kali. The third day being the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar is spent to celebrate the presence of the inner lights and victory righteousness. That is why the homes and the patios are adorned with lamps, candles and diyas (the earthen oil lamp). Illumination and fireworks are the main attractions for the day err night, although in many parts of India, people usually start playing with fireworks. The fourth day of Diwali is again one of the most vital days, as it marks the beginning of a Hindu lunar new year. It is on this particular day that the old business accounts are settled with starting off with new books and accounts. The last day of Diwali (Balipratipada), is used to remember and honour an ancient Indian king called Bali. He is remembered for his philosophy and good deeds.

Herbal Beauty Products

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Herbs are nature’s gift to mankind. They are highly potent and have healing qualities. Herbs and their derivatives are proven to be safer than other cosmetic products, and have negligible side effects. Herbal beauty products have their source in the ancient Indian system of medicine called Ayurveda.

Herbal beauty products are a combination of dried powders, flowers and roots in an oil base. They contain no preservatives, and are ecofriendly. They are not tested on animals and can be used on any skin type. The most sought-after herbal products are those that contain aloe vera. It is an essential ingredient in most herbal preparations.

Other well-known herbal products include cleansing agents made from spearmint and lime, moisturizers made from lavender and ginseng, and exfoliating scrubs made from the seeds and pits of fruits, and cleansing grains like oatmeal, corn meal, and tapioca. In addition, herbal moisturizers containing cucumber and cantaloupe are mild, light, and equally effective against dry skin.

Some herbal products help with mild conditions such as color patches, wrinkled skin, dull skin, and acne. These herbal products have their origin in flower and plant extracts.

For those who would prefer to make their own herbal concoctions at home, a wide variety of recipes are available on the Internet and in book stores. Some of the simplest recipes include two to three ingredients such as sage and sea salt, or apricots and water blended with skim milk powder, which can be easily found in stores.

Beauty products are not essential, but they are a luxury that most of us can afford. If you use beauty products, try to find some that have herbal ingredients, which will cater to your concerns while taking care of your body.

How to Open a Bike Shop

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Wondering how to open a bike shop and take advantage of the ever-increasing popularity of cycling? Wherever you are, there are certain steps you must take and issues to focus on before you can run a successful business. Here’s how.

Organize Your Business

Any new business must decide how best to organize: corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, and so on.

You might decide to form a sole propriership for your cycling shop so that you can retain full ownership over the business. However, be advised that a sole proprietorship provides no form of liability protection: if a customer should sue your business, it is you personally who will be sued. And a sole proprietorship in most cases cannot be passed on; it remains connected to one person.

For this and other reasons, many bike shops form as limited liability companies: this business structure provides limited liability protection to its owners, flexible cash-flow options, and a reputable impression in the eyes of some consumers. An LLC can last forever, further reassuring customers.

Of course, every business is its own unique situation. It’s always best to seek professional advice tailored to your own small bike shop business when deciding whether to form a sole proprietorship, corporation, or limited liability company.

Sales vs. Cost of Goods

At the end of the day, when a struggling business just can’t get a let up and fails financially, the reason boils down to this: for whatever reason, the business doesn’t make that transition from operating at a loss into that elusive break-even point. The money coming in isn’t covering the money going out.

There is a period of time for which a new bike shop — any small business in general — should reasonably expect to not make a profit. Personal salaries are often sacrificed during this initial struggle to grow into the fulfilling, self-sustaining bike shop business you want. But you need to have a considered plan so that you have an accurate understanding of how long you can wait for your cycling shop to catch its momentum.

(The National Bicycle Dealers Association has put together a price breakdown for a typical bike shop’s annual expenses, which you should definitely take a peek at just as a self-check that your budget is on track.)

Business Plan

So how do you ensure a cost-effective business? Real-world results, of course, are impossible to predict — but your best defense is a solid business plan.

While compiling this document is, admittedly, a long and arduous process, it is an important road map to running a successful business. Each section will take a bit of research, some more than others. But when you’ve compiled your entire business plan, you’ll know you’re as prepared as possible to face the future.

The Maine Small Business Development Center has provided an excellent sample bike shop business plan that any bike shop will find valuable, no matter what state you’re in.

Local Rules and Regulations

Depending on your state, county, and city; your industry; and your organizational structure, you could be required to hold any number of business licenses or permits. Make sure you adhere to all jurisdictional requirements.

Get the word out!

Now that your bike shop is ready to operate, go make sure those cycling enthusiasts know who you are and what you do!

Simple Beauty Tips Anyone Can Use to Improve the Condition of Skin and Hair

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Your personal beauty starts with the look and condition of your skin. To improve the condition of your skin and to protect it from the damages caused by your environment there are several skin care tips that you can follow. First you will want to use a quality moisturizer every day. This moisturizer should be formulated for the type of skin that you have. For example if you have oily skin you will not want to use an oily moisturizer. You should also look for a moisturizer that has SPF in it. This will help protect your skin from sun damage throughout the year. Proper cleansing of the skin is also important to do daily. For this you will want to use a mild soap or skin cleanser that is designed to remove dirt and oil from your skin without drying it out. An exfoliant is another skin care product that you may want to use periodically to remove dead skin cells.

In addition to lotions, cleansers and exfoliants you may also want to use beauty products that are designed to address specific beauty problems. For example if you want to improve the firmness of your skin you can use a skin firming lotion. Many brands of lotions offer a skin firming formula. These products are fairly effective at tightening up loose and sagging skin. However, results will vary from person to person. Other beauty issues that can be addressed by using an over-the-counter beauty product include products for sunless tans, products for acne and products that reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

The third category of beauty tips deal with cosmetics. Your cosmetics should be used to de-emphasize features that you don’t like and to enhance the features that you do like. The type of cosmetics that you use should be based upon your coloring, the type of look you are after and the type of skin that you have.

The final category of beauty tips deals with hair care. Your hair is one of the first things that people will notice. To put your best foot forward you will want to make sure that your hair is healthy and that it is cut in a style that flatters your face shape. You should use quality hair care products and you should select hair care products that are designed to meet the needs of your hair texture and type