Latest news with #Westernization
India.com
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
World's most expensive party ever took place in…, hosted by…, had 18 tonnes food, 25000 wine bottles, 2700….; cost more than Mukesh Ambani's parties
The parties and family events hosted by the Ambani family showcase some of the finest in wealth, luxury, and extravagance. Hosted by Asia's richest family, these events are not simply private celebrations; they are high-profile spectacles that attract the global business tycoons, sports legends, and even royalty. Before the Ambanis established new benchmarks for extravagance by hosting weddings costing in the billions of rupees, there was a king of Iran who threw a party so indulgent that it is still in the record books as the most expensive party ever hosted! It featured 18 tonnes of food, 25,000 bottles of wine, and over 100 planes involved! It made headline news worldwide. It was considered a benchmark that has never been beaten. But who was this king? Who Was the Ruler Behind the World's Most Expensive Party? Fifty years ago, Iran was an entirely different country. During the early 1970s, women walked freely in Western attire; Iran was considered modern, progressive, and friendly to the rest of the world. Then came the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the rise of the Islamic Republic brought about radical changes to nearly every aspect of political, cultural, and social life, particularly concerning women's rights and personal freedoms. Iran went through a dramatic change after the revolution of 1979 that saw the downfall of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. This gave rise to Ayatollah Khomeini. One of the key events that set off public anger was a lavish celebration hosted by the Shah—the party was perhaps the most extravagant celebration ever thrown. To showcase the richness of Iranian culture and an increase in global stature, the celebration inadvertently showed the disconnect between the monarchy and the people. When citizens were struggling to meet their basic needs, the extravagance of the Shah's party was viewed as insensitive and hurtful, and only intensified public anger. The open inequality fostered by the celebration helped catalyze the revolution that brought down a 2,500-year-old monarchy. Who was Mohammad Reza Shah? Mohammad Reza Shah was crowned as king in 1941. He was a man of considerable wealth and ambition, and planned to modernize Iran and remake it into a modern, progressive state. Seeking to adopt Western values, he implemented liberal reforms, modernized, and made systematic attempts to destroy tradition, which of course included the hijab. This zealous form of Westernization provoked strong resistance among religious clerics and conservative groups, who felt that he was threatening the cultural and spiritual integrity of Iran. Mohammad Reza had no tolerance for dissent. Punishment for critics, whether vocal or nonvocal, who attacked his reformist values was met with censorship, imprisonment, or simply being banned, which instilled in people's minds fear and totalitarianism. Why Was the World's Most Expensive Party So Controversial in Iran? In 1971, the ruler of Iran, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, threw what many still believe to be the most extravagant party in human history: a quest to commemorate 2,500 years of existence of the Persian Empire. In the archaeological ruins of Persepolis, it gathered royalty and representatives from 65 nations, all flown in to see a concert and spectacle the world had never seen – and would likely never see again. Who Were the VIP Guests at This Once-in-a-Lifetime Event? However, underlying the gold-tasseled tents and bedecked chandeliers was a different story: thirst for power and growing disquiet. The media put the price of the party at around $100 million; outrage rose in Iran. With many citizens dealing with poverty and inequality, the ostentatiousness became a metaphor of the gap between the monarchy and its people, and the moment of revolt against the object of revolution.
India.com
14-07-2025
- India.com
The Most Beautiful Story Walk In Shimla Walls Windows And Secrets To Discover
In the heights of the Himalayas, Shimla is known to be more than just a simple hill station. It is a living museum. Every corner has a street that holds a story, so does every wall. The town looks like a sepia photograph where history and modernism are beautifully blended. That's the reason lovers and travelers are captivated. The place is famously called 'The Queen of Hills,' and on taking a stroll in the town, you will realize why. The architecture itself tells a story of the British rule and Indian culture that has molded it. The fainted weathered walls, royal structures, and murals are a part of a big tale of love, struggle, and resilience. The Building Heritage From Colonial Times No one can fail to mention Shimla's distinctive colonial buildings. These structures are not mere echoes of history, but instead represent the legacy of Shimla's status during the summer period of the Raj. Mall Road, the main street of the city leads to Christ church which boasts its height and splendor and catches your attention. The church, with its stained-glass windows and elaborate wooden constructions, calls to mind Sunday services attended by officials in Victorian England in stunning suits and ladies in elegant gowns. Astonishingly, every other building in the area seems to tell a historical tale. The Indian Institute of Advanced studies, which used to be The Viceregal Lodge, is stationed at the peak of Observatory Hill and provides splendid views of the bordering mountains. Serving British Viceroys as a residence and being the place where thorough India policies were formulated, this sandstone wonder had its share of creating India's fate. Strolling in its corridors today, one can easily imagine one hearing the powerful voices of fierce debates that passed through its walls. Even the tiniest structures, like the charming cottages and bungalows that sit on the hills, have their part to tell. Most of these structures still have name plates of their previous inhabitants – British officials, traders, and even missionaries who used to reside in Shimla. At first sight, these simple dwellings appear mundane, however they conceal secrets of lives that once existed, which are now lost in time and are waiting for someone to uncover them. Mural Painting – Untitled Documentaries Apart from Shimla's British vintage buildings, the city's skyline also boasts of modern art. Lately, dull walls have been transformed with bright and bold murals, making the walls more appealing and adding liveliness to the streets. They often portray themes out of the local culture like rural scenes, celebrations, and folklore legends unique to the Himachal region. These pieces of art are a symbol of Shimla rooted memories, their existence serves as a reminder of unfading connections even with Westernization. Consider the renowned 'Wall of Stories' close to Lakkar Bazaar. In this location, dull surfaces made of concrete have been inundated by artists who have approached this place like a canvas over which vivid art pieces or poignant imagery has been splashed. One mural shows a shepherd looking after a flock of sheep under a starlit sky. In contrast, one shows women empowerment through strong portraits of tribal women decked in traditional jewellery. These works of art motivate people to stop for a moment in order to cross between different age groups and instill the feeling of pride in the community. Hidden Gems and Forgotten Tales In Shimla, there are equally captivating stories hidden away from the well-traveled pathways that most tourists frequent. If you wander from the main road, you might discover paths which are filled with old shops that deal in customized shawls as well as fragrant spices. Sideways such as these are testimonies to the everyday life of Shimla, as they are far removed from the constant hustle and bustle of the tourist attractions. The Ridge is a perfect place to view historical constructions and is what could be termed as a town gem. Not only is it popular with tourists, but locals love this area as well. It is rich with photo opportunities but what many people seem to overlook is the network of tunnels built during WWII below them. These tunnels still remain largely unexplored, and serve as an escape route in case of emergencies. The tunnels, along with the beautiful landscape, serve to elevate the Ridge to new levels of mesmerizing. Similarly, the Jakhu temple is also popular among locals and tourists. Not only is the temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the location at which it is built is simply stunning as well. One of the most famous myths surrounding the temple is the impression Lord Rama supposedly left in the region during the search for Sita. It is believed he rested at Jakhu hill and left an imprint of his feet. Devotees of all kinds trek to try and receive blessings as this place seems to be spiritual. Nature's Canvas Because of the dense cedar forests, rivers that flow like waterfalls, and mountains shrouded in mist, Shimla provides quite a fascinating backdrop to tell a story. During winters, the city is covered in a blanket of snow, transforming it into the perfect fairytale setting. Even the trees within Shimla seem to come alive and whisper secrets with the rustle of their leaves, releasing bits and pieces of conversations that happened ages ago. An example of this is the leisurely walk along the Kalka-Shimla Railway track, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this route there are little modern villages where life moves at a slower pace. Everything along this narrow train line will allow you to appreciate the essence of nature and the beauty of rural simplicity. Wrap up The special walk within the city of Shimla is like skimming through the pages of a comic book where every chapter unveils something that can take one by surprise. From breathtaking street art, temples, colonial architecture, to secret tunnels, every element within Shimla makes it what it is. However, what really sets Shimla apart from the rest is its ability to immerse you into its astonishing story. Next time you find yourself at this lovely hill station remember to look deeper. Listen to the stories the walls tell, the mountains help guide you, and let shimla enchant you with its magic. Certainly in this city every step tells a unique story and each story transforms a part of your soul.
The Mainichi
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Mainichi
Less rice, more yogurt: Tokyo families' diets change as price of staple remains high
TOKYO -- Bowls of cooked rice and rice balls -- essentials in typical Japanese meals -- are appearing less frequently on dining tables in the country as rice prices remain high. While many might expect a switch to other staple foods, it is not bread or noodles that are seeing increased consumption. Westernization of meals as rice consumption declines Tokyo-based research firm Lifescape Marketing Co. released data in April on a survey examining menu changes between January and March in households in the greater Tokyo area. Of the 214 households that responded, 30% said they reduced rice consumption by over 10% compared to the same period last year. Another 29% said they reduced consumption by 10% or less. In total, nearly 60% of the households, or 127 families, reported eating rice less frequently. In these families, yogurt saw the most significant increase in consumption. In households that reduced rice dishes by more than 10%, yogurt appeared on their dining tables 2.7% more often compared to the previous year. Those that reduced rice consumption by 10% or less also had yogurt 1.5% more frequently. When limited to breakfast, yogurt's appearances increased by 4.9%, significantly outpacing other items including potage soup (up 1.7%), tamagoyaki Japanese omelets (up 1.5%), mochi rice cake (up 1.0%) and sandwiches (up 0.8%). Conversely, breakfast items that declined included rice (down 5.1%), rice balls (down 4.0%), rice with toppings like raw egg (down 3.9%), traditional Japanese dishes such as miso soup (down 3.3%), natto fermented soybeans (down 1.3%) and simmered dishes (down 1.2%). This suggests a trend toward Western-style meals as rice consumption decreases. But why has yogurt, in particular, gained traction? Emphasis on gluten-free diets and time efficiency Akiko Furutani, an associate professor specializing in chrono-nutrition at Tokyo's Aikoku Gakuen Junior College, suggested that the gluten-free trend might be reducing bread consumption, and added, "The recent trend is to limit carbohydrates and consume more protein. Yogurt is chosen as an easily accessible source of protein." More people are apparently opting for yogurt or cereal over rice and miso soup for weekday breakfasts. Analyzing the reason for this, Furutani said, "In addition to high rice prices, there is a growing focus on time efficiency, leading more people to prefer quicker and easier breakfast options." In fact, Meiji Co., the industry leader in yogurt sales, reported that sales of its flagship plain "Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt" series have increased by about 10% each month year on year since April 2024. Morinaga Milk Industry Co. similarly reported that sales of its small four-unit packs of "Bifidus Yogurt" increased by about 20% on average from January to March 2025 compared to the same months the previous year. A representative expressed surprise at the significant increase, speculating, "This may be the result of people seeking satisfaction by eating (yogurt) after meals as they have reduced rice consumption, and Westernization of meals, which involves switching from rice to bread for breakfast." Despite trend, expert says morning rice consumption preferable Lifescape Marketing's survey found that the reduction in rice dishes was least pronounced at dinner, with a 13% decrease, compared to a 29% decrease at lunch and a 33% drop at breakfast. A representative said, "This indicates people feel that even if they cut back on rice at breakfast and lunch, they still want to have rice for dinner." However, from a chrono-nutrition perspective, the opposite is preferable. Furutani recommends eating rice in the morning rather than in the evening, explaining, "Consuming carbohydrates in the morning resets the body's internal clock, allowing the person to be active from the start of the day. Eating heavily at night can raise blood sugar levels and disrupt sleep." Since having just yogurt for breakfast is insufficient for carbohydrate intake, Furutani advises, "Alternatives like barley flakes or other grains, or even pasta, can be good substitutes for rice. There are many options, so aim for a balanced diet."
Japan Forward
28-06-2025
- General
- Japan Forward
Explore Meiji-Era Elegance at Osaka's Former Public Hall
このページを 日本語 で読む Meiji-era Japan (1868–1912) was a time of rapid Westernization. This influence reached even architecture. A perfect example is the main entrance of the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall in Osaka's Kita Ward. Today, it's a popular wedding venue and a symbol of early Meiji design. Until June 30, 2025, visitors can also enjoy dishes recreated from Meiji-era menus at the hall's retro and elegant restaurant. I visited in early May. From Minami-Morimachi Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line, it's just a short walk to the building, nestled among lush greenery. Its impressive main entrance is recognized as an Important Cultural Property and features six Tatsuyama stone pillars and grand doors. Across the street stands Senpukan, another Important Cultural Property. It once served as a guest house for the Japanese Mint Bureau. Together, these buildings create a charming atmosphere that feels like stepping back into the Meiji era. Inside the public hall, a lavish restaurant illuminated by sparkling chandeliers awaits visitors. The staircase handrail is said to be the original from when the building was constructed. Built in 1935 as the Meiji Emperor Memorial Hall, the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall incorporates the main entrance from the early Meiji period Mint Foundry (now the Mint Bureau). This entrance was preserved and relocated here when the foundry was demolished. The large doors and lighting remain intact, just as they were originally installed. Today, the building is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The hall, where Helen Keller once spoke, closed in 2007 and remained unused for many years. Osaka City, the owner, eventually sought a company to manage the site. Novarese took on the challenge, renovating and reopening the hall in 2013 as a wedding venue and restaurant. The main entrance of the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall, featuring six impressive pillars, is designated as an Important Cultural Property. Because only old blueprints remained, there was little information about the original interiors or usage. Restoration was difficult. Still, preserved ceiling decorations and careful design brought the era's atmosphere back to life beautifully. "Welcome," said Tetsuya Ozaki, General Manager of Novarese's Osaka and Ashiya districts. The featured menu, called the "Meiji Feast," recreates dishes from the Meiji era based on historical records. It is available from April through June. I had the chance to enjoy a seven-course meal. A course meal inspired by a Meiji-era menu. The appetizer was steamed salmon chaudfroid — salmon gently cooked and topped with a mayonnaise-based sauce, resting on consommé jelly. Its charming retro presentation matched the harmonious flavors: rich salmon, tangy mayonnaise, and light consommé. For the fish course, I had sea bream stuffed inside red eggplant. The tender fish and potatoes were baked inside a tomato, balancing sweetness and acidity. Interestingly, during the Meiji period, vegetables were served before dessert to close the meal. The menu honors this tradition with asparagus, offering an experience of the dining culture of that time. Ozaki proudly noted, "This is the only place where you can enjoy Meiji-era cuisine in a building connected to Emperor Meiji [Mutsuhito]." Immersed in this historic atmosphere, I savored the luxurious, carefully recreated dishes. Author: Saki Maehara, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan Today
23-06-2025
- General
- Japan Today
Japan leads world in a number of ways ... but not all good
By Michael Hoffman 'Japan as number one' – you'd think we were back in the 1980s. Japan entered that decade the world's third largest economy; by 1988 it was second largest; would it supplant the U.S. and be first? A matter of time, thought many Japanese and more than a few Americans – Japanese with pride, Americans with varying degrees and combinations of fear, mistrust, envy, admiration and occasional spasms of outright loathing. A generation earlier Japan had been rubble; now the nation that had defeated it was itself facing defeat. It was a challenging and tense moment. It passed. Japan's bubble burst, America's fortunes revived, and 40 years later Japan finds itself an aging, sagging, it's not too much to say doddering, has-been. Number one? Number four, economically speaking, and if a second economic miracle is on the horizon, it needs a visionary to see it. But there's more to a nation's life than its economy, and Shukan Gendai (June 23) boldly declares, 'The Japanese are number one in the world' – in a number of ways, not all of them good but that's not the point; distinctiveness is, and give Japan its due: after a century and a half of 'modernization,' 'Westernization' and various other forms of trashing its own past and large swaths of its native culture, Japan remains Japan – which is to say distinctive, which is to say unique – number one, if you choose to put it that way. To start, as Shukan Gendai does, with the obvious: it's the world's longest-living nation, one of the safest, arguably one of the cleanest, and possibly the trimmest, only 25 percent of its population being overweight as against 70 percent of Americans and just over half of Europeans. Thank rice for that, says the magazine – a point to which we'll return in a moment. Another 'number one' leaps off the page at us: Japan is the nation most protective of nature. Really? That too invites a pause for reflection. Let's consider sex in the meantime. Japanese couples are 'the world's most sexless.' Marital sex, broadly viewed, is tepid, occurring on average 45 times a year, according to a global survey by the condom-maker Durex. What would Greeks think of that? They're the world leaders at 164 times a year, roughly as far above the world average (103 times) as the Japanese are below it. Not surprisingly, Japanese seem to be the world's least satisfied with their marriages and their romantic lives in general, 24 percent declaring themselves satisfied versus the world average of 44 percent. But then there's this, proof if any were needed of the old silver-lining-behind-every-cloud adage. Unerotic and unsatisfactory Japanese marriages may be once the novelty wears off, but there are grounds – at least Shukan Gendai finds some – for declaring them possibly the world's most harmonious. The evidence? Marriage counselors claim more than half their clients – 53 percent – consult them as couples rather than as individuals. Husband and wife visit the marriage counselor together, and togetherness… well, is its own reward. Japan is said to be the least religious of nations. Not so, says Shukan Gendai. On the contrary, it leads the world in belief in 'spiritual entities' – not God in the monotheistic sense, or gods in the classical Greek or Roman mode, but real nonetheless, to believers, (or better to say, if 'belief' is too forceful a word for what is going on here, to those breathing the air that nurtures those spirits who are no less real and possibly more so for being, most of them, nameless, formless, undefinable; impossible, in short, to pin down in the way the West likes to pin down its existent beings and things.) Japan is different, roots of the difference going back to ancient Shinto and its 'myriad gods' – kami in Japanese, a word which 'God' or 'gods' translates most inadequately; 'spirit' or 'spirits' conveys their amorphousness better. Ambiguity, a Western vice, is a Japanese virtue; Japan may be the world's most ambiguous nation. So much the better if it is, and better off it may well be for rejecting 'the West's tendency to call everything either black or white.' In philosophy it's known as the Law of the Excluded Middle: either a proposition is true, or its negation is true. A statement is either true or false, a being either existent or non. Why impoverish life by rejecting contradiction? Japan embraces it and is the richer thereby. Kami were (still are, if Shukan Gendai sees true) everywhere; they did everything; not by accident was this 'the land of the gods.' Kami were 'birds, beasts, trees, plants, seas, mountains and so forth,' wrote the early-modern Shintoist Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801); human too, sometimes. They came and they went; here today, they might be gone tomorrow; amorphous yes, but 'all things in this world, such as the changing of the seasons, the falling of the rain and the gusting of the wind, as well as the various good and bad things that happen to countries and people, all are entirely the august works of the gods,' wrote Norinaga; there were some 'that shone with the luster of fireflies and evil kami that buzzed like flies,' says the 8th-century chronicle 'Nihon Shoki.' That's part of the heritage Japan rejected as it modernized – maybe not completely. Shukan Gendai at any rate finds traces of it in the Japanese character even today. And on that note we can return to rice and nature. Rice traditionally was sacred; so was nature. The one was more than food, the other more than natural. It was (they were) supernatural, alive in ways lost to us. What we gained in mastery and abundance we lost in sacredness. The gods fled – or perhaps didn't, not all of them, not entirely; they drop by from time to time to see how we're doing, sometimes declaring themselves, more often not. Individuals never fully escape their childhood, nor nations their past. The facts remain: rice consumption has declined steadily since the 1960s, lagging now behind bread as a breakfast choice, and as for nature, the Japanese can respond as they like to surveys measuring their reverence for it, the visual evidence is plain: they reverence concrete more. © Japan Today
