The English dictionary defines charity as the voluntary giving of help, in many cases charity is monetary and is often fulfilling for the person who makes the donation. In today’s world where there are so many needy and underprivileged people, donating to charity is considered a noble act. It is imperative that we try and be of service to another fellow man. Charity does not always imply the giving away of money, one can give away anything to someone in need. People donate cars, books, clothes and even food in the name of charity and it also has its own benefits. It is not always that a person can afford charity but as a citizen of this world one should always look to give when they have more than what they need. Let us now look at the top ten reasons to donate to charity.

10. Grow your own self worth

Donating to charity will help a person add to their own self worth. It is not often that one gets a chance to help a fellow being but when a person does get a chance it is a fulfilling exercise. It can help increase a person’s self worth in many ways. However it should not be out of the need for self worth that one should donate, instead it should be a sincere desire to help someone in need.

9. Helps earn respect

Donations can help you earn respect in many areas. Philanthropy is a noble act that only people with a good heart can fall into and it also earns you a lot of respect from your peers and society in general. Other than that it will also earn you the undying respect of the people or organizations that you donate to.

8. Charity boosts motivation

Charity will help you boost your own motivation to go further in life. A lot of people all around the world work diligently towards the charities that they have an interest in. Since it is a very fulfilling act to give, it will help you add to your own personal motivation too. People who donate are often driven to donate more and a person can only donate more if they have more.

7. An opportunity to give something back

Charity is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the world that we take so much from. Charity can be given to your old community, your old school or even your old neighborhood. It is also a sign that you have not forgotten where you come from and are grateful to your past.

6. Charity reflects on your own inner values

For many people charity is a direct reflection of their own inner values. It is a deeply fulfilling exercise to be able to give to a cause that you are passionate about. In many cases people reflect on their own troubles and give away to charities that they can relate to morally. It also offers an insight into your own self and the areas where you could improve and get help.

5. A great way to commemorate love

Love is a much needed emotion in today’s world and it is always welcomed. Love for a fellow being is a sublime emotion that everyone should inculcate. It is a great way of cashing in on your own moral savings. Many people donate to charities that they are passionate about, they also donate to remember a loved one or to remember their own troubles. It is one of the best ways to show the world that you do indeed care about something.

4. Great way to publicize oneself

Although it should not be the primary motive behind making any donation, it is a great way to publicize you. If you are planning on philanthropy then giving away to charity that you care about is a great way to let people know of your intentions. It is also a good way to get some positive reviews on you in society.

3. Helps you meet likeminded and interesting people

Donation simply does not mean that you give away something material. Many people volunteer for charities and spend time working at different organizations or even on their own. This form of charity is also a great way to give and you get to meet likeminded people who share the same interests.

2. Tax benefits

Tax benefits are also a big draw for people as a reason to donate. Most charitable acts are given tax rebates by governments all around the world and it is a good way to save up on some taxable income too. Most organizations that accept charity supply their benefactors with the tax saving options that they have beforehand which also lets you choose the charity that you would like to donate to.

1. Because you can

The most important reason of all as to why a you should donate to charity is because you can. People amass wealth and luxury all their lives but are unable to give it away to charity because of their own greed. It is important for everyone to see that the world that we live in is our mother in many ways and we should give back to her in whatever way we can. It is often seen that the people who don’t have much are the ones who are willing to give away the most. It is the duty of the privileged to help those that are underprivileged as it is the only way that we can make our home a better place to live in not just for ourselves but also for the future generations that are to come.

Corporate gifts are a good way to build and strengthen customer relations among businesses and they are also an all important part of all promotional merchandize gifts that are given away. There are a lot of choices available in the markets for corporate gift ideas and it can prove to be a daunting task to pick out a good corporate gift for your client or business associates especially if there is more than one person to give such a gift to. Corporate gifts should also be customized wherever possible as a customized gift has a greater value any given day. Let us now look at some of the best corporate gift ideas.

10. Organizers and diaries

Since organizers and diaries are an all important part of any business person’s stationery it is always easy to pick them out. Diaries can easily be customized to a great deal and they make a gift that has some practical worth as well as some visual appeal. It is also a gift that leaves an impression because of its use and also constantly reminds the recipient about the gift giver. It is also easy to pick out diaries and organizers in bulk.

9. Card holders

Business card holders are an all important corporate accessory that everyone uses on a regular basis. They are easy to pick out and come in many different inventive and attractive designs. The card holders can easily be printed upon or engraved for a greater amount of customization and personalization if needed.

8. Mobile phone holders

Mobile phones are soon becoming a universal object that everyone has. A mobile phone holder is an extremely thoughtful corporate gift to give away. There are a lot of different designs available in the markets today and the technology behind making them is also pretty impressive. They are also easy to pick out in bulk amounts.

7. Photo frames

Photo frames are a great business gift that also lets your clients and associates know that you care about them. Customized frames are also easy to make or order and they can deliver a personal sentiment with the greatest of ease. The many varieties of photo frames available in the markets are easy to pick out and can also be customized to a great deal.

6. Paperweights

Paperweights today have become a much prized collector’s item and even though less and less paper is used in offices today it makes for a great gift nonetheless. Designer paperweights are attractive to look at and can brighten up an office space too. It is also easy to pick out paperweights in greater numbers and make for easy yet thoughtful corporate gifts.

5. Cuff links

Cuff links are a very well known fashion accessory especially in the corporate world. Although good ones can be a tad expensive as compared to most other gifts, they are a great way to let your clients, associates and customers know that you care about them. Personalized cuff links are also easily available and make for some of the best corporate gifts to give away.

4. Coffee mugs

Although a simple gift, they are highly popular as corporate gifts. Customized coffee cups are well known to be great gifts that can also express a personal sentiment to customers and associates. Coffee is a great social stimulant and will remind the person about the sender every time they drink from a coffee mug.

3. Ties

Ties make for a classy corporate gift. Corporate often use ties as a gift as they are easily available and can be picked out in larger numbers also. They are frequently used in the corporate world and have great value to people who wear them regularly.

2. Polo shirts

Polo shirts make good gifts to give away and also show off some amount of class. Polo shirts are also fashionable and last long. Apart from the fact that they are durable they can also be easily customized with embroidery and can be given to any person. It is a simple yet highly effective gift that can also be picked out in larger numbers.

1. Pens and pen sets

Pens are perhaps the classiest corporate gifts to give away. The executive pen set is a great promotional gift that has stood the test of time. Most pen sets come in a neat box or a holder which adds to the class of the gift. Their everyday requirement and use makes them highly valued corporate gifts. Personalized and customized pen sets are also easily available in the markets and add a great deal of value to any business gifting occasion.

Procrastination has become a disease of the masses. Very often procrastinators find themselves involved with listless activities instead of important pending work. With the advent of social media and the availability of tones of things to do online, procrastination it seems has become an epidemic. A lot of people also find it easier to put off things for another sunrise and it can be a fatal error and could develop into an equally fatal habit that can affect a person’s life in many ways. It can severely deplete a person on the professional front too and can prevent people from achieving the fullest of what their potentials are. Here are some of the best ways to avoid procrastination.

10. Always finish what you start:

If you start out with a particular task, finish it before you take on the next one. It can be a hassle if you take on too many things at the same time. It is easy to get drawn into doing more than one thing at a time, multi tasking only works in a controlled environment and unless you have that try and take on one task at a time. Finish what you started so that you can easily move on to the next thing that you want to do. Indeed, this is a crucial way to avoid procrastination.

9. Do not complete things unnecessarily:

There is never a perfect time to do anything, there never will be. Understand and accept this simple fact so that you do not fall prey to what could have been. Many people face this problem of over thinking things and waiting for the perfect moment to accomplish a task.

8. Assess your goal constantly:

Assessing your targets and goals constantly will help you gain the impetus you need to complete things in time and with efficiency. It is easy to procrastinate and lose track of your goals, if this happens then there can easily emerge a huge gap in between what you want and what you are currently engaged in. Reflect on your goals as often as you can so that they don’t go out of focus.

7. Do not hesitate to seek help:

Seeking help from someone who has already achieved their goals is also a good way to avoid procrastination. It is also a good way to understand your own goals more as it gives you a realistic picture of what you need to do or what can be done in order for you to achieve your goals.

6. Put away your distractions:

If you feel that something is getting in the way of your tasks, identify and isolate it from yourself. Make an effort not to indulge in those things as much as possible especially when you need to focus on your work. Take notice of the little things that take you away from your work and put them aside.

5. Break down your goals:

Break down your targets and your goals into smaller simpler ones. It is easy for you to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of some goals, so break them down into smaller goals. It will be easier for you to set small targets and eliminate unnecessary pit stops if you have a short term goal that is linked to a long term one. Always look at the task in hand not something that you will come face to face with in the future as it can easily prove to be a deterrent.

4. Make a schedule and follow it:

Make yourself a schedule and make it a point to follow it as much as you can. Be realistic in the creation of a schedule and try and follow through with it. When you make a schedule make sure that you give yourself enough time to take a break when you need to.

3. Confront your negative feelings:

Reflect on your own thoughts so that you can notice negativities that exist in your own mind.    Calm yourself before you reflect on things so that the brain does not bias itself. It is easy for anyone to get carried away with emotion and especially negative emotions which can cause serious damage to your goals. If and when you have such negative feelings, do not hesitate to take a break and calmly assess yourself.

2. Take responsibility for your actions:

It is important for you to take responsibility for your own actions. Remember that at the end of the day it is you who has to suffer the consequences of your actions and you alone will have to face whatever situations are created. If there is a delay in your work then make sure that you acknowledge it. Do not lament on delays instead try and make the most out of the present by making up for it.

1. Tackle the hardest tasks first:

If you are able to take on the toughest tasks in the very beginning then the rest will be easily accomplished. Be brave and look at daunting tasks in the eye. Do what you have to first so that later on you will have time for whatever you want to do or whatever you feel you should do. Quite a number of people take on tasks that are easy without hesitation but falter when it comes to the difficult ones. Make it a habit to not put off things that seem difficult, grit it out as soon as you can so you can complete easy tasks at leisure.

Okay, now it’s time to chuck out the old same old fashion of “doing it” on your bed, and to move ahead for something different, spontaneous, exotic and sensual. Kicking off the conventional theory of “size matters” and hugging the brand new concept of “location matters,” TopYaps is tracking down the ten places where you can drag your partner and enjoy the “ride.”

10. Library:

Well, library is the most adored hook-up spot among students where they get intimate with their crush while hitting the books. Other folks in library are most probably busy in ramming their books or straining to complete a paper due the next morning – and it clearly indicates that they won’t be paying attention for the “fiction” section going right behind the stacks. But yeah, make sure to cup each others mouth at required moments, otherwise it can spoil the pleasure of your most “classically executed” act.

9. Movie theatre:

Find a movie that has low viewers, book the “most popular” seats and enjoy the bliss of freaking fluids. Ahem, you should be considerate about your neighbours and must remember that your garments have to stay on while you perform your art beneath the projectionist. Don’t forget to clean the mess off afterwards because it might happen that you guys are walking out of the theatre and there is “something” dripping down her legs.

8. Cemetery:

Spooky, eh? Now, let me clarify. Sex and death, both are natural things and what is wrong when you are celebrating your life at the place where dead people reside. There isn’t even a single living soul around you; only you guys are alive and engaged under the most natural act possible. Move ahead, may the spirits bless you!

7. In an elevator:

Indeed, an elevator is the most thrilling place to get a quickie, but you must require balls for it. Before starting your mission, you should procrastinate the elevator, whether it’s going up or down. And if you’re making your steamy love session in a moving one, then just hope no one else stops it to hop in.

6. In a balcony:

Okay, it’s not a safe idea, but going crazy for a few minutes on the balcony of a really high floor is extremely adventurous in itself. As the sky gets darker and the bodies get hotter, you can easily feel the thrill of your make-out. Try it, and you’ll relive the golden old days of a carefree teenager.

5. Kitchen:

Pretty fun, and cool. Getting “down and dirty” on your kitchen platform or floor is a stirring way to fuel up your love life. Making love in kitchen depicts that how spontaneous you really are, and moreover it ensures that you’re getting both your meals at the same time. But cowboy, keep your kitchen counter safe; you are most likely to ruin couple of dishes while cooking something else.

4. In a nightclub:

Well, you can have this hedonistic experience in any corner of the nightclub with few stares of voyeuristic curiosities. But who’s there to take it seriously? Everyone along with you is busy in partying. You guys can also sneak into the bathroom, cutting down every single social interaction down to an excuse to f***. But you have to get out of there in a certain time, otherwise other folks can climb toilet cubicles, shouting on you guys to stop humping. And if you are taking too much time; they will certainly do their business in the most undeserving places.

3. In a car:

Now listen up folks, if you’re skilled in the art of car-a-sutra then you can make your “ride” amazingly easygoing. Doesn’t matter you’re on a highway, at a parking or a private-enough location; the “auto arousal” phenomenon is adequate to spice-up your sex life. But yeah, your privacy is of paramount importance so avoid being clipped by a passerby.

2. In the bathroom:

Whether you’re a nut just looking for a thrill or a sex addict of the Tiger Woods kind, the bathroom can definitely drive you crazy apart from all the rooms in your house. Make her lean over the sink, approach her from behind, and enjoy her bubbling facial expressions with the help of the mirror while she takes you in. Move on and you’ll realize that there is really something storming to have that type of love making escapade: no complexities, no hurt notions, just felicity and a quick release.

1. On a beach:

There are number of “naturalist” beaches in the world that are topless technically. Amid the breathtaking combination of sand, turquoise surf and sun; you can hype-up your romance factor almost vertically. The stunner surroundings of a beach is capable enought to make you strip off and force right down to the business almost instantly. Go for it, you’ll enjoy the bliss like a Greek god.

Mocktails are the perfect party drinks for people who are not used to consuming alcohol. These non alcoholic cocktails are a big hit among the non drinking, party going population in places around the world. Most mocktail recipes contain at least one or more fruits or fruit juices. Mocktails can also be consumed by people at home as they are easy to make and can also prove to be refreshing health drinks. It is also a social practice to keep the summer temperatures down at various events and gatherings by serving these non alcoholic beverages.

10. Virgin Daiquiri:

A perfect Virgin Daiquiri is the perfect non alcoholic drink that people can enjoy during the summers. It is a frozen drink made of lime, strawberries sugar and ice. Pineapples are also used from time to time with the other ingredients and it is served in cracked or shredded ice. The contents can easily be blended in any blender/mixer and using fresh ingredients instead of canned or syrupy ones is recommended to get the best refreshing effect that this drink provides. It is a big hit even for people who drink alcohol.

9. Virgin Mint Lemonade:

Another summer hit, this drink is easily made within the space of a few minutes. It is made of 2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of fresh lime juice, 6 cups of water, ½ a cup of mint leaves. The preparation involves mixing 2 cups each of sugar and water to make syrup. Mix the remaining 4 cups of water and 2 cups of fresh lime juice separately. Mix the two together and then serve with ice or refrigerate for an hour to serve chilled. The alcoholic version of this mocktail can be served with 2 cups of vodka and is also a popular drink too.

8. Atomic Cat:

This simple mocktail is made from mixing equal parts of orange juice and tonic water. The drink can be served by pouring it into a glass of crushed ice. It is again better to use fresh juice instead of canned juices and orange juice is also very easy to prepare right at home. It is usually served in trendy glasses and presentation is an important aspect of serving this drink.

7. Bellini:

It is the non alcoholic counterpart of the well known Venetian cocktail. The Bellini is made up of 2 ounces of peach extract or nectar mixed with equal or higher portions of sparkling apple cider. It is a well known drink for all seasons and is served chilled in the summers. It is a very trendy drink and is usually served in a very trendy champagne glass.

6. Pomegranate spritzer:

The pomegranate spritzer is known to be a very cosmopolitan drink and is made up of different flavours. Its ingredients are one lemon, pomegranates, ginger ale, seltzer and ice cubes. Mix around 2 cups of ginger ale in pomegranate juice, crush the ice cubes and fill them into wine glasses. Add the seltzer to the mix of the ginger ale and pomegranate juice and pour into the wine glasses. Use a peeler to peel off the skin off a lemon and drop a small twist of the lemon peel into each glass.

5. Virgin Sangria:

Sangria is a well known refreshing drink that can be made in large quantities and served during the summers. It has a host of ingredients which range from apple, bananas, grape juice, peaches, mandarins, lemon and some cinnamon. The ingredients are mixed in their different proportions and usually kept and stored in a pitcher. The pitcher can be refrigerated or some ice can also be added to the mix. Keeping it in the fridge is usually better. The mix is an irresistible drink that can be served to the whole family. For alcohol a drinker, Sangria is made with some form of wine in the mix.

4. Virgin Mary:

The Virgin Mary is the non alcoholic alternative to the Bloody Mary which is also an immensely popular cocktail. It is made by mixing 4 ounces of tomato juice, a dash of lemon juice, half a tablespoon of Worcester sauce and a couple of drops of Tabasco sauce and is served in a glassful of wine.

3. Non Alcoholic Fizz:

The Non Alcoholic Fizz is the alternative to the Madras cocktail and is highly popular with women in all parts of the world. The drink is made from 3 ounces each of orange juice, cranberry juice and club soda. The mix of cranberry and orange juice is shaken with ice and strained into a glass; the club soda is added to the mix and then served. The drink can also be garnished with a lot of different garnishing such as orange slices, pineapple or kiwi chunks etc.

2. Mojito:

The non-alcoholic Mojito is known in many parts of the world by this name. This drink has the same ingredients as in a Mojito save the alcohol. The mix includes 8-10 mint leaves crushed in 1/3 glassful of ice, 3 ounces of lime juice, a couple of spoons of sugar syrup which can also be easily prepared and some club soda. The drink is cool and highly refreshing and is also very healthy because of the mint and the lime. It works well on sultry summer days to help bring the heat down.

1. Classic Shirley Temple:

The Classic Shirley Temple is a drink that adults and kids enjoy equally. It is a simple drink made up of a cup of lime, 2 tsp of grenadine, 1 tsp orange juice and a slice of orange or cherry. The drink can be served in a glass of ice crushed or otherwise. The presence of a cocktail stick or a slice of lime also adds well to the drink.

A cocktail is a drink that has one, two or more alcoholic drinks combined into larger proportions of juices and flavours. Cocktails have become some of the basic necessities for parties now days. Not only are they highly popular among regular party goers but also with the people who visit parties and such occasions rarely. The main reason why cocktails are popular is perhaps the fact that the presentation in terms of the look and the taste for the drink is given a lot of importance. The mixing up of the cocktail is also an elaborate process but it is also simple to do in many ways and practically anyone can make their own cocktails.

10. Bloody Mary:

The Bloody Mary is one of the most well-known cocktails. It is a simple combination of 3 parts of vodka, 6 parts of tomato juice and one part of some other spices for flavours. Some of the different ingredients used with a Bloody Mary are olives, salts, horse radishes, cayenne pepper, lemon juice and black pepper. Apart from these ingredients many others are also used to make a Bloody Mary and it is often known as one of the most complex cocktails ever made.

9. Mojito:

An all popular cocktail, a Mojito is made in different ways around the world. The main ingredients of this cocktail are white rum, sugar, lime, sparkling water and mint or mint leaves. In different parts of the world however there are many extras added and the original recipe which comes from Cuba spearmint is used instead of the mint. It is a popular summer drink and white rum is used more often to make a mojito. Different forms of the drink have been developed over the years and it exists today in variations like a dirty mojito, an English mojito, apple mojito and many others.

8. Tom Collins:

The Tom Collins cocktail is a simple one and yet is loved by people all around the world. The cocktail has itself been around for more than a hundred years. It is made up of 2 parts of gin, one part fresh lime juice, 2 spoons of sugar syrup and carbonated water. The cocktail is served in a Collins glass which is among the tallest glasses known for serving cocktails. It is usually served with crushed ice but can also be served with regular ice cubes in a glass.

7. Long Island Tea:

The Long Island Tea is by no means similar to any kind of tea in the world. In fact it is a cocktail that is made by mixing gin, vodka, tequila and rum. The drink is called a tea because it looks like iced tea, but it is a mix of the four ingredients served in a tall glass with ice. Usually garnished with a lemon slice in a tall glass this cocktail or highball as it is known can be ordered in different concentrations of the ingredients.

6. Margarita:

The Margarita is a Mexican cocktail that is really easy to make and is enjoyed by people all around the world from the comforts of their homes too. The cocktail is a mix an ounce each of lemon juice and Cointreau with an ounce and a half of vodka. This mix is shaken and drained into a cocktail glass which can also contain ice. Margaritas are also prepared in large quantities by people in some places in a blender and served as a party favourite.

5. Daiquiri:

The Daiquiri is a summer favourite and is enjoyed by people in the western hemisphere. It is a Cuban originated drink that has an ounce and a half of rum mixed in an ounce of lime juice which is sweetened with a teaspoonful of sugar or syrup. It is then added to a glass which contains crushed ice and garnished with a lime slice. This drink was very well known during Roosevelt’s days as the American president.

4. Whiskey Sour:

The main ingredient for this cocktail as the name suggests is whiskey. Bourbon, Irish whiskey or scotch can be used to fix up this mix. An ounce and a half of the whiskey is mixed with equal parts of freshly squeezed lime and a spoonful of sugar. The sour taste in the drink is because it is strained into a sour glass. The adding of egg whites is also known to make this drink taste sourer.

3. Cosmopolitan:

The Cosmo as it is also popularly known is a much loved drink by the ladies. The drink can be made by combining 2 ounces of vodka, one ounce each of Cointreau and cranberry juice and half an ounce of lemon juice. It is drained into a glass and garnished with orange or lime peels. It is a very popular drink because of the look of the drink too and is found in most bars in the world.

2. Screwdriver:

The first ever screwdriver was stirred with a real screwdriver and hence it gets the name. The drink is very simple to make as it is made up of 2 parts orange juice and one part vodka and is served in a glass full of crushed ice. The drink exists in many different forms around the world in different concentrations of juice and vodka. It is served on the rocks and is garnished with a slice of orange or lemon. It can be seen in different sizes around the world too.

1. Irish Coffee:

Irish coffee is a fairly common cocktail that can be found in many parts of the world. It is a mix of Irish whiskey, hot coffee, and sugar which is topped off on top with cream. The coffee is served in a coffee mug and is a wonderful winter cocktail which is rare as most cocktails are served with ice and are popular during summers.

Gifts are always hard to pick they say, especially when it’s a loved one you are picking it out for. The many considerations that you have to make when choosing a gift for somebody make the process of gifting a harrowing experience for some people. Although there are some gifts that are good for all seasons, some would not fit. When it comes to choosing out gifts for men, the specifics can get very complicated to say the least. That is why we have decided to compile a list of the top ten gifts for men.

10. Colognes and perfumes:

Colognes are always a unique gift to give to any man; perfumes can be included as a surprise gift. It is highly popular almost all around the world to drop in an extravagant perfume or his favorite cologne as a great and cheap gift. Certainly a winner in all seasons and in all regions, it’s bound to be liked even by a first time user.

9. Sports Accessories:

Men love some kind of sport or another and also like to take part in some form or another. The list of sports accessories that are available is very nearly infinite and varies from person to person. Golf accessories for instance make for great gifts and have become very popular as gifts for men. Memorabilia is also a good option in case you are going for sports and accessories.

8. Electronic Gadgets:

It’s a very popular and yet a very easy gift to buy nowadays. It requires little or no knowledge and we have a world of gadgets to choose from. Gadgets like mp3 players, cameras and many others would make a great gift for a person of any age and this is one of the more universal gifts that have become highly popular.

7. Front Row Seats:

Front row seats to his favorite sport are a hot pick for many people. It is a wonderful surprise gift which can do wonders for men of all ages. The best way to drop in such a gift is to quietly sneak it into his belongings for him to find out and if you really want to make it special for him, pretend like it wasn’t you till the game ends.

6. Watches:

Watches come in many different kinds and you can choose from modern gear like watches to the classical look. It can be a great gift for a person who has one and also for a person who doesn’t. There are some exquisite designer watches available and for the slightly fashion conscious, it would make an amazing gift.

5. Cigars:

Although a tad on the unhealthy scheme of things, cigars nonetheless make for a great gift. A classy feel is exhibited by some of the finest cigars and have always made for great exclusive gifts to give to men.

4. Expensive Alcohol:

This is again a gift that is only recommended for people that are legally allowed still are a very popular gift in all parts of the world. It is perhaps the touch of exclusivity that is the main ingredients of gifts such as this that make them popular. While for a person who rarely drinks, it becomes the capped bottle to keep for years, for the drinker, it is a delight.

3. A Weekend Getaway:

A getaway to a new and exciting place is a great gift to give to anyone. It can liven up a person in ways more than one and can also make for the perfect change which is required sometimes. The getaway can also be something entirely different from the surroundings and can do wonderful things for any person male or female.

2. Cars:

Cars are not the most inexpensive gift that you would give to a man but is certainly among the most desired. It is a great gift for a first timer and an even better one for someone who already owns one, just make sure it’s not the same car and a higher model. Cars and speed are two things that can excite most men at some point in their lives, and a gift car would make it all larger than life.

1. Something handmade:

Making a gift is a wonderful way to show a person that you care. It does not matter who you are giving the gift to, it is a great and yet a simple way to show them that you care and this is the greatest gift that can be given to anyone.

The variety that is found in food all over the world is extraordinary in every sense. The immense variety that exists not only provides for a very interesting eating for travelers but sometimes it can also be quite the adventure. For the food loving person, there is really no end to what they can try as cuisine from different parts of the world. It is understood well that some people like to eat things that other people would simply detest. There are strange foods that make the process of eating not just a tricky one but also one that needs a fair amount of courage. The top ten strangest foods found are listed below:

10. Haggis:

A menu of bugs is easily found on the streets of many south East Asian nations and even in many parts of Africa. Assorted, fried and given different flavors, people eat crickets, roaches, spiders, scorpions and even worms. Made popular on TV shows by many reality shows, the practice of eating bugs is a very old one and a rather interesting on at that.

Wine is a part of any menu, but would you have this wine on your menu? Rice wine with a poisonous snake floating dead in it for a few months is a popular medicinal variety of wine that is made especially in Vietnam and surrounding countries. This wine is not dangerous to the human body as ethanol neutralizes the venom of the snake in it.

A full camel is stuffed with a lamb, the lamb is stuffed with chickens and the chickens are stuffed with eggs and rice to make what is arguably the largest dish on any menu in the world. This Bedouin dish is rarely served on major festive events or celebrations now days as the preparation of is extremely tedious in most senses.

Fermented fish is consumed in different ways all around the world and is known to be unpleasant in odor. However nothing can quite compare to Hakarl, it’s the fermented block of a gutted shark or some other larger fish. The Icelandic delicacy is well known to have brought down many an eater with the rather strong smell of ammonia.

4. Casu Marzu:

Cheese is also well known to be very difficult to eat because of some of its peculiar qualities at times. This Italian cheese found only in the city of Sardinia is one such cheese which has live larvae added to it to increase the rate at which fermentation happens. Be careful when you try to eat this one, the occasional white, translucent larvae may just jump at you.

The sea parrot which is also known as puffin is a unique bird. It feeds the popular sport of sky fishing in Iceland where the tradition is to break the neck of the catch and then rip its heart out so you can eat it raw. The cooked meat is a stronger version of chicken but the heart still beating, would you eat it?

A lethal toxin inhibits the body of this fish which is eaten raw in Japan. It needs to be prepared under expert supervision as even a touch of the toxin can mean instant death for a person. Otherwise a bland tasting fish this is a dare that every serious foodie has thought about doing at least once in their lifetime.

Indian fashion industry has come of age. The hard work and dedication of the people involved is appreciable. Fashions fade but style is eternal so go ahead and read top stylish models who have defined and redefined fashion again and again.

10. Gauhar Khan :

Gauhar Khan, one of the top models from Pune, is probably known mostly for her critically acclaimed role in the Ranbir Kapoor starrer Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. Apart from this, she has been seen on TV as a contestant on the dance-show Jhalak Dhikla Ja. Her infamous wardrobe malfunction at the Lakme Fashion Week a couple of years ago brought her into focus. Since then, she has  come a long way from a model to a VJ to an actor and she wishes to have a career in films with meaningful, lead-oriented roles.

9. Carol Gracias :

Carol Gracias still looks fresh as a daisy with her youthful effervescence and guileless charm and it is hard for many to believe that this model from Bandra, Mumbai has had a career spanning over ten yeard now in the world of glitz and glamour. She won over the fashion fraternity with her catchy enthusiasm and determination which soon designers were vying for her to be in their shows.

Carol was thrust into the limelight after she won the Femina Elite Look of the Year in 1998 and soon had her first campaign with De Beers. What started off as a means to gain independence soon became a vocation which had her travelling to various locations for modelling assignments. Her lithe frame, exotic features, olive skin and the tremendous poise with which she carries herself has gained her respect and popularity in the industry. She has been called the “perfect clothes-horse” and has herself ackowledged that clothes hang well on skinny people. She is extremely impressionable and she has the potential to carry off any sort of garment with the right attitude.

Carol received a certain amount of bad press after a fiasco on the catwalk in terms of a wardrobe malfunction in 2006. Many accused her of trying to pull a cheap publicity gimmick and charged her and the Lakme India Fashion Week alongwith the designers for promoting obscenity. But the grace with which she handled the whole situation is truly commendable. She did not release any press interviews justifying herself but remained silent throughout and let the storm blow over. She won several hearts in the process. She no doubt suffered a great deal of embarrassment and humiliation but she did not let that dampen her spirit and carried on with a chutzpah worthy of an applause.

She has been seen on reality television when she appeared on Big Boss and Fear Factor-Khatron Ke Khiladi 2, and in cinemas in small roles- a cameo in Being Cyrus and in a music video for Bluffmaster. She was probably the most loved person on Big Boss for standing her ground against the often loud Rakhi Sawant. She is not averse to a future in television or movies but feels that unlike some of her contemporaries, she is not made to dance around trees or be someone’s ‘Maa’ or ‘Bahu’.

Her reservedness has at times been misinterpreted as arrogance but the people close to her will vouche that none of that is true. She has made friends in the industry but states pragmatically that not all can be one’s friends. She remains cordial with most and tries to maintain a low-profile.

8. Tupur Tapur Chatterjee :

Tupur and Tapur, the identical twins and the grand daughters of veteran film maker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, were exposed to the glamourous lifestyle of Mumbai from a very early age. They are named after Rabindranath Tagore’s poem “Brishti pore tupur-tapur” or “pitter-patter the rain falls”. They are probably the only supermodel twins in the fashion industry and also the most coveted. Tupur is older to Tapur by 12 minutes. Their portfolios are quite impressive and have done commercials for Titan Raga watches, Lakme and Park Avenue along with numerous other fashion features in magazines like Elle, Cosmopolitan and Femina. Even though they have been offered roles in films, acting is not their prerogative. These Bengali babes are not without brains; Tupur studied genetics from St. Xavier’s while Tapur is a commercial artist from Sophia College.

7. Nethra Raghuraman :

With a career in the glamour world spanning for around a decade, Nethra Raghuraman sure is going places. She got into it in the year 1997 when she won Look of the Year and the rest is history.

Primarily a model, she has appeared on television as well as the silver screen. She was recently seen on Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, which she won, and has a few films such as Thakshak, Bhopal Express, Avgat, Inteqam, Tum Ho Na to her credit. She finished filming a show with National Geographic but maintains that the runway is her first love.

6. Nina Manuel :

Nina Manuel, from all over the world (she has been schooled in Bahrain, Kuwait and Trivandrum) first got recognised from the Sam Miguel ad as the sexy waitress. She came back to Mumbai to finish her graduation and was on the way to becoming a lawyer, when her mother one fine day asked her to participate in Femina Look of the Year contest in 1995, and there was no looking back after that. She has done a lot of ramp shows and modelling campaigns for Sam Miguel, Levi’s, Coke, Indian Express and Kodak and done shoots and music videos with Baba Sehgal, Remo and Anaida. She has diversified quite a bit and has hosted a couple of shows such as Late Night V and After Hrs on popular TV channels.

5. Sheetal Mallar :

Sheetal Mallar, 36, came into limelight after winning the Femina Look of the Year and Elite Look of the Year, both in 1994. This dusky beauty was discovered by photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha for a shoot with Danabhai Jewellers. This was followed by many other campaigns such as LG Electronics, McDowells and Gold Flake and currently she is the face of Maybelline Cosmetics. She has retired from ramp modelling out of her own free will but continues to do ad campaigns.

4. ­­­Jesse Randhawa :

Jesse Randhawa, or Jasmeet Kaur Randhawa, 39, is a Sikh Jat from Mumbai who moved to Canada with her family at a young age. She came back to India to participate in the Femina Miss India in 1994, the same year in which Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen won the title crowns. Even though she did not make it, she started receiving modelling offers and thereafter, her career in the showbiz jumpstarted. Her look was quite different from the typical Indian women models when she started in the 90s; the ones with the long hair, fair complexion and light eyes were usually preferred in those days. The designers were unaccustomed to Jesse’s trademark short hair and her initial years were spent in a struggle to find enough work to sustain herself. A lot has changed since her induction in the fashion industry and it can be very safely said that Jesse Randhawa indeed revamped the notion of beauty with her very modern androgynous look. She has been seen on the silver screen in films like Chot, Gulaal and Love Khichdi but is yet to make the full transition primarily due to her appearance and her refusal to wear wigs for a role combined with the fact that she is not comfortable with the idea of starring in Bollywood clichés. A furore broke out when, in 2006, Randhawa wore a see-through top for a fashion show. A more recent controversy was in 2009 when she accused Britney Spears of trying to steal her man, Sandeep Soparkkar, a choreographer of international fame, who she is now married to. In her free time, Jesse loves to dance and has a flair for Latin Ballroom.

3. Noyonika Chatterjee :

Also known as the Naomi Campbell of India, Noyonika Chatterjee is one of the earliest models who is still in the profession. She received her first modelling offer in 1988 and thereafter was flooded assignments. At a time when fair-skinned models were in demand, she was the one to break the stereotype, justly earning the title of ramp-queen.

Besides modelling, she has also trained beauty contestants, now Bollywood stars, such as Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza. She has also choreographed many beauty events.

2. Viveka Babaji :

This vivacious beauty, who passed away last year (2010) in June, hailed from Mauritius and came to be a known name in the fashion world after she won the Miss Mauritius in 1993 and represented her country in the Miss World same year. She was one of the contemporaries of supermodels such as Ujjwala Raut, Nethra Raghuraman, Carol Gracias, Mehr Jessia, Jesse Randhawa etc.

Viveka Babajee maintained a low profile tending to stick to her business and so not much is known about her personal life. But we do know that she had a fruitful career as a model including the runway, several music videos and print campaigns out of which the most popular one remains the Kamasutra ad. She also appeared in a B-grade movie Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat. She, however, realised that fashion is something she was good at and chose to stick to it. Later she diversified, trying her luck as a fashion choreographer and an event manager. She was the Director/Proprietor for Vibgyor Entertainment till the time of her death.

In her spare time she loved to pamper herself in MNG, Soul to Soul and Tres Mode. But she didn’t let the labels decide her choices and remained an avid flea market shopper. According to her, flea markets were a “treasure trove”. Viveka always said that she was not guided by the ever shifting fashion trends, her style being the evergreen classic.

Viveka was in the news a few years ago for dating Rohit Jugraj who, many reports claimed, was already married. Towards the very end of her life, she decided to steer clear of controversies and make her profession the driving force of her life.

1. Ujjwala Raut :

Ujjwala Raut, a quintissential model, dusky and tall with a face you would die for and a body you would kill to have, is one of those first few to represent not only Indian but the Asian modelling industry in the international market. She had a humble beginning in Mumbai, coming into the limelight in 1996 in the Femina Miss India Paegant at a young age of 17. She went on to captivate the global fashion scenario with her mysteriousness and enigmatic personality. She has been tagged as “the perfect model” by Anaita Shroff Adjania, the Fashion Director of Vogue India and Atul Kasbekar said about her-”one of the finest models we have produced in this country”. At 32, Ujjwala is at the peak of her career and plans on seizing the runway for a couple more years.

Not satisfied with a dynamic and hugely successful career in India, Ujjwala decided to move to Paris and then later New York to try her luck there. After a few years of struggle her breakthrough finally came along and soon she was walking for world renowned designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Diane von Furstenburg, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Victoria’s Secret, Cynthia Rowley, Tom Ford, Manuel Angaro, Angelo Tarazzi, Paco Rabanne, Claude Montana and Chanel among many others. She was also seen in the campaign for the cosmetic brand, Yves Saint-Laurent and stated that “it was huge deal for an Asian face to represent a cosmetic brand abroad” and that “it never happened in the past” especially since racism has always had a huge part to play almost everywhere. She has appeared in the covers of several magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Harpar’s Bazaar etc.  Today, Ujjwala has a highly coveted portfolio and is a dream model of almost every designer.

On top of a successful runway profession, she has done prints, editorials and campaigns as well. Ujjwala says that she knew she was bad, the knowledge of which was extremely important for her improvement. What makes her unique according to Anaita Shroff Adjania is that she uses her length extremely well and to her best advantage, coupled with a strong work ethic which makes her the best. Her well-wishers in the industry have only praises for her claiming that she can pull off almost anything with her universal and highly adaptable nature.

In her personal life, Ujjwala married Craig Maxwell Sterry, a fashion model-turned-entrepreneur in the summer of 2004 in a quick ceremony in New York which was graced by stars like Iman and her singer husband, David Bowie and close model friends. She had a daughter soon after in 2005, Ksha. However, distance killed the match made in heaven when Sterry and Raut’s profession’s took them to different locations and in 2009 both the parties filed for a divorce following an ugly and a very public fight in Goa. Ujjwala has moved back to Mumbai with her daughter and is working from here now.