The AICUF Story!

You’ll be interested to know that I work with you. You often hear about me from your dear ones, I go ear-to-ear; sometimes, if a person is passionate about helping others, they will tell you about me; sometimes, you pay to get me; and very rarely, if I feel too bad for you, I simply show up to be your friend. Depends on the kind of suffering you’ve been through, I suppose—karma, as you say. I’m not bragging but my job is the most important in this world, and the hardest, too. In simpler words, let me explain the ground reality of the work I’ve been tasked with. I remove chewing gums from walls. People have a nasty habit of sticking their own dirt on a property that was never theirs to ruin in the first place.  Why should you know about me?That's a fair question. If you must know my sob story: I’m dying. People are killing me and my profession—they are choosing to live in filth because if they allow me to do my job, they would have to be better people too. You would have...

  “Put a finger down if all you’re excited about during festivals is getting ready.” Of course, every day is an occasion to get ready. However, the fragrance in the air is a little different during the festive seasons. One cannot deny that true joy comes when the city glitters with lights. Diyas glowing on window panes to the dazzling lights adorning the street. Perhaps the approaching wedding season makes the family churn with enthusiasm. You may whip up your lehengas and twirl in them daily. But their shine is exceptional in such celebratory moods. If you are someone who reserves the more admirable outfits for special days, these festivals become all the more necessary to document. Also, who doesn’t like to jazz up a bit? We all have an inner Bollywood diva waiting to unravel. Even a dramatic maang teeka or a cute dupatta draped gracefully is enough to awaken the Bole Churiya girl within me. All in all, the winters in India could never leave a speck of dullness. There’s always ...

Diwali. The festival of lights. Whether intended or not, we all have developed a connection to this festival, something we look forward to. It’s a time where everything is a little brighter, whether it’s the sweets flooding in, family coming together, that childhood album you forgot about that shows up during Diwali cleaning or at least the long-awaited vacation to finally execute all your plans. It’s celebrated across religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Newar Buddhism, though associated with different stories and practices. All in all, however, this festival signifies the victory of the light over darkness; Good over evil; Knowledge over  ignorance.       (Credits: htoindia.com)   However, many interconnections, stories and even scientific and historical significances are attached to this festival that we must not overlook. For example, different people interpret Diwali as the victory of good over evil for several reasons. The popular legend talks ab...

Hello to November! The etymology suggests that it's the ninth month, which is unfortunately not the case. The year is reaching its end. However, since the month doesn't match the etymology, you can choose to ignore the construct of the calendar. This shall keep us all on Cloud 9. We hope you'll remember all the birthdays and anniversaries coming up because November has a lot to offer in 2024! 1st November: Diwali  Credits to Kshama on pinterest.com  This Indian festival of lights needs no introduction. This festival potentially started being celebrated more than 2000 years back! It's also known as Deepavali, derived from Sanskrit and translated as "low of lights". From Sydney to Times Square,  Diwali is celebrated around the world on this no-moon night. It spans over 5 days, each with their own significance; Dhanteras (or Dhanatrayodashi), Naraka Chaturdashi (or Chhoti Diwali), Lakshmi Puja, Annakut or Govardhan Puja and Bhai Duj. Buddhists too, celebrate this...