Amp up your <keyword id="30873" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-decor">home decor</keyword> by adding these <keyword id="11684238" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="traditional-stools">traditional stools</keyword> to your home setting. These are hand-crafted with traditional techniques that make them look attractive. The eco-friendly material used makes them lightweight and easy to carry. Also, their compact size makes them suitable to fit easily even in small spaces. To help you choose the best <keyword id="11684237" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bamboo-stools">bamboo stools</keyword>, we have curated a list.<br /><br /><bulletContentEmbed name="B073BW1FXV" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B073BW1FXV_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Lightweight" msid="84595217" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B073BW1FXV</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B073BW1FXV_body"><bulletContentRow name="B073BW1FXV_6259419560523494"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Pushkar Handicraft Exclusive Product Bamboo Cane Bar Stool- 2 Pieces</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This handmade bamboo cane bar stool from Pushkar Handicraft claims to be made from eco-friendly material. It is said to have a seat height of 40cm which should let you sit comfortably. Its lightweight should make it convenient to carry conveniently. The ethnic and traditional design should add grace to the decor.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B073BW1FXV_8351790875266761"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Its lightweight should make it easy to lift.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><br /><br /><bulletContentEmbed name="B089F6LK5D" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B089F6LK5D_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Eco-friendly" msid="84595238" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B089F6LK5D</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B089F6LK5D_body"><bulletContentRow name="B089F6LK5D_4688193126623141"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Handmakers! Natural <keyword id="11684232" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bamboo-mudda">Bamboo Mudda</keyword> Stool with Beige and White</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This traditional style mudda stool from Handmakers is said to be made of eco-friendly material. Its compact size should make it fit anywhere, which also makes it easy to move. It is said to be suitable for sitting on a balcony, living room, garden, etc. The natural and eco-friendly material used should make the sitting comfortable.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B089F6LK5D_4293855892298648"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The material used should help you sit comfortably.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><br /><br /><bulletContentEmbed name="B08KLVZKLH" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08KLVZKLH_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Hand-crafted" msid="84595253" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B08KLVZKLH</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08KLVZKLH_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08KLVZKLH_9580858258724064"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Kam Home Bamboo Mudda Stool</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This contemporary style bamboo mudda from Kam is said to be hand-crafted from bamboo and rope. Its gracefully and cleanly bound design should elevate the look of your living space. The 16 by 16-inch height and 5kgs weight should make you carry conveniently and effortlessly.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08KLVZKLH_5634182660079486"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Its neat design should make it look attractive.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><br /><br /><bulletContentEmbed name="B08LW243JV" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08LW243JV_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Traditional Design" msid="84595270" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B08LW243JV</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08LW243JV_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08LW243JV_3508406078278768"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Yash Mudda House Handicraft Bamboo Chair</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This traditionally designed bamboo chair from Generic is said to be hand-crafted from bamboo material with traditional techniques. The superior quality material used should make it easy to clean with a damp cloth. The material used should make you feel relaxed and help you provide comfortable sitting.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08LW243JV_3219146472579838"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It is easy to clean without any hassle.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><br /><br /><bulletContentEmbed name="B06XB7TZMZ" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B06XB7TZMZ_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Compact Size" msid="84595311" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B06XB7TZMZ</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B06XB7TZMZ_body"><bulletContentRow name="B06XB7TZMZ_1261185124493702"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Rang Barse Cotton Rajasthani Handmade Patchwork Stool</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This beautifully designed handmade patchwork stool from Rang Barse claims to be made of bamboo material. It is said to be covered with a 100% cotton material with a traditional design to make it look attractive. Its compact size and lightweight should make you carry or move conveniently and fit comfortably.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B06XB7TZMZ_2044282172455497"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It is easy to carry due to its compact size and lightweight.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><br /><br /><bulletContentEmbed name="B08R3R2BSL" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08R3R2BSL_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Low Maintenance" msid="84595410" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B08R3R2BSL</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08R3R2BSL_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08R3R2BSL_8262790821745185"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Ahaan Creations Cane bar Bamboo Mudda Eco-Friendly Handicraft Stool</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This cane bar bamboo mudda from Generic claims to be made from eco-friendly and durable material to make your sitting comfortable. Its lightweight should make you carry and move effortlessly. The traditional techniques used in the making should make its appearance eye-pleasing. Also, it does not require any effort for cleaning or maintaining.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08R3R2BSL_2065728673051973"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It should make your sitting comfortable and convenient.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed><br /><br />

Best bamboo stools to buy in India

<p class="financial-disclaimer"><i>When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/commerce-on-insider-inc/">Learn more.</a></i></p><p><a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/uplift-v2-bamboo-standing-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow nofollow"></a></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I've been using the <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Uplift Desk</a> since 2018 after getting tired of sitting all day.</li><li>The base price isn't cheap at $629 and add-ons will get the price even higher, but it's been an investment into my productivity and overall health as someone who used to sit for hours. </li></ul><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5cf55e3d11e20513bb29f4e2&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe>Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky<p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-sitting-sedentary-lifestyle-is-so-bad-for-you-2018-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Studies suggest</a> that sitting for long stretches at a time can be bad for you. And with more people working from home, there's less incentive to get up for a stretch or take a lunchtime walk.</p><p>This is where a <keyword id="1591011" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="standing-desk">standing desk</keyword> might be able to help. While standing desks aren't the miracle for soreness from sitting for hours at a time (<a href="https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/188/3/537/5245876" target="_blank" rel="noopener">standing has its own set of issues</a>), they can help in certain ways. </p><p>As a full-time freelance product reviewer who's in front of the computer for hours at a time, my Uplift standing desk has made a big impact on my day and productivity.</p><h2>Specs</h2><p>You get to customize just about every aspect of your electric height-adjustable desk. The boilerplate desk is a one-inch-thick carbonized bamboo rectangular top approximately 48 inches by 30 inches. From there, it's easy to pile on the options and go a bit crazy. I went a bit crazy.</p><p>With all of the add-on options, my desk came to more than $1,000 if I were to purchase it. Since I was able to customize the desk for free through the company as a member of the press, I chose the following components that most people would benefit from. Certain options aren't available since I first reviewed this back in 2018, so I've noted them below.</p><ul><li>A 60' by 30' desktop with a slight curve on the front</li><li>One power grommet (Note: This is no longer available, but there are similar options)</li><li>An advanced digital memory keypad that remembers four preferred desk heights and will automatically adjust to them with the push of a button</li><li>A basic wire management kit, which comes with adhesive cable ties, screw-in cable mounts, reusable cable ties, cable dropdowns, a six-outlet surge protector power strip, a cable coil organizer, and an under-desk hook (Note: This kit has been trimmed down to just cable management tray, cable ties, and anchor plates.)</li><li><a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/half-circle-desk-drawer-by-uplift-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Large half-circle desk drawer</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/2-drawer-file-cabinet-with-seat-by-uplift-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Two-drawer rolling file cabinet with seat</a></li></ul><p>Uplift also has accessories like <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/standing-desk-mat-with-heel-grab-by-uplift-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow">standing desk mats</a> and <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/bamboo-desk-organizer-set-by-uplift-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow">bamboo desk organizer sets</a>, and if you really want to go wild, you can even add a <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/lifespan-tr1200-dt3-standing-desk-treadmill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">desk treadmill</a> or <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/lifespan-solo-under-desk-bike/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow">bike</a>.</p><p>Everything arrived in six boxes, and the whole assembly process took me about 80 minutes. The directions were fairly straightforward except one point where I confused the adhesive pads and cable clips. This was a fairly minor error on my part that didn't cause any major problems but I mention it so you might learn from my mistake.</p><p><a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/uplift-v2-bamboo-standing-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow"><div type="image" title="Screen Shot 2018 10 08 at 9.16.18 AM" height="650" width="866" msid="77535340" hostid="261"></div></a></p><h2><strong>Review of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VRLL1QD/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_100818_uplift-desk-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07VRLL1QD&amp;linkId=2f00a4c233f01d33593b15b9f19d63bb33f01d33593b15b9f19d63bb" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Uplift Desk</a></strong></h2><p>One of the most important aspects of an adjustable standing desk is its height range. The advertised height range of the Uplift Desk is 24.5" to 50.25." It's my job to not take brands at their word so I measured it myself. From the top of the desk, I measured the range to be 25.5" to 50.5" — pretty close to what Uplift Desk says it is.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/standing-workstation/art-20088544" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Mayo Clinic</a>, your desk should be around your elbows whether you're sitting or standing. As a six-foot-tall guy, I can verify that the Uplift Desk was at these levels. Though there was only half an inch to spare, the desk even accommodated me when I was standing on the motion board, an excellent tool for staying in motion while working.</p><p>The digital memory keypad was easy to set even without reading the directions and remembered all of my preferred heights. And, as the height adjusted, there was little sound. I did not have a decibel meter at my disposal, but Uplift Desk states that the sound is 50 decibels while the desk is in motion, which is about the level of a normal conversation, and that seems accurate in my experience.</p><p>The desk has a weight capacity of 355 pounds, so you can place everything you need and not worry about straining it. Most people won't get anywhere close to this weight limit, and with my normal usage, it never seemed to strain. There was no wobbling either, I never had any concern that it might fall over.</p><p>If you experience any issues with 30 days, you'll have 30 days to return it. The desk also comes with a seven-year limited warranty. </p><p><a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/uplift-v2-bamboo-standing-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow"><div type="image" title="Screen Shot 2018 10 08 at 9.15.52 AM" height="652" width="869" msid="77535344" hostid="261"></div></a></p><h2><strong>Cons to consider</strong></h2><p>There aren't many features to dislike about the <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/uplift-v2-bamboo-standing-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow">Uplift Bamboo Stand Up Desk</a>, but I did have a few incidents with the curved "ergo edge."</p><p>Basically, along the curved front edge of the desk, the bamboo tapers from one inch thick to three-quarters of an inch thick. It's slight enough to not notice visually, but enough to cause drinks to spill, which happens on occasion. If you're someone who keeps food and drinks nearby while working, make sure to avoid putting them near the edge of the table. </p><p>While the desk itself is all-around solid, for anyone who likes matching chairs to the desk, I would recommend the <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/vert-ergonomic-chair-by-uplift-desk/" rel="nofollow nofollow">Uplift Vert Ergonomic Office Chair</a> over the <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/motion-stool-by-uplift-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow">Uplift Motion Stool</a>, both of which I'd tested. </p><p>The stool was nice to take a load off when standing for a while, but I wouldn't recommend it as your main desk chair because there's no back support. I sat on the stool exclusively for a few days and wasn't getting the back support I needed, so I would wake up the next day with soreness. I was pretty impressed with <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/vert-ergonomic-chair-by-uplift-desk/" rel="nofollow nofollow">Uplift Vert Ergonomic Office Chair</a> for its comfort and support.</p><p>Lastly, it takes discipline to stand. Some people just stop using the standing feature of adjustable desks if they just approach it as a regular desk. If you're going to invest in a standing desk, set an alarm to remind yourself to stand or sit every half hour. I found it worked well to alternate half-hour shifts of sitting and standing. <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/e7-motion-board-by-uplift-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow">The motion board</a> kept me moving rather than just standing in one spot, and we have a guide to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-standing-desk-mat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the best standing mats</a> as well. </p><h2><strong>The bottom line</strong></h2><p>Overall, I strongly recommend the <a href="https://www.upliftdesk.com/uplift-v2-bamboo-standing-desk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow nofollow">Uplift Bamboo Stand Up Desk</a> if you're tired of spending all day sitting. The height range is enough to accommodate most people, there are dozens of customization options, and the desk is built with sturdy, high-quality materials.</p><p>Though it starts at around $500, Uplift Desk backs their product with a seven-year warranty so you can count on the desk lasting you well into the future.</p><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5cf55e3d11e20513bb29f4e2&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e724922c4854032f862575b&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e724996c485401d0a4b12f9&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e724a0cc485400429087b02&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e724ae0c485401e66578d67&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe>

The Uplift standing desk is one of the best additions I've made to my work-from-home setup

By Ananya Sengupta <p>New Delhi, Jun 21 () Equipped with handheld showers, mosquito nets, bio-toilets, power sockets, oxygen cylinders and more, the Railways' COVID-care coaches have it all to keep patients comfortable – but only if they can withstand the summer heat trapped inside the metal 'boxes'. </p><p>In an effort to augment the government's efforts to build infrastructure to deal with the spread of COVID-19, the Railways has converted 5,321 non-AC sleeper class ICF (older design) coaches and developed them into COVID Care Level 1 centres for patients with mild symptoms or those suspected to have the infection. </p><p>Suspected and confirmed cases will be kept in separate coaches, officials said, adding that 960 coaches in five states have already been deployed. These include 503 coaches in Delhi and 372 in Uttar Pradesh. </p><p>The coaches are "ready to move in' but there are no takers yet. Two or more air-conditioned coaches will also be provided for the medical staff to rest in. </p><p>June is a hot month, the hottest in many parts of the country, and the biggest challenge is how to make sure the patients are comfortable. Officials are hoping the monsoon sets in to bring some relief from the infamous Indian summer and some said in hushed tones that the coaches might well be useless otherwise. </p><p>Using non-air conditioned coaches was mandated by the Health Ministry, they said, adding that temperatures inside the coaches could reach 43 degrees Celsius, making it unbearable inside. </p><p>The Railways is now experimenting with a variety of options to bring down the temperature inside the coaches. These include bamboo blinds on windows and bubble-wrap on the roof as well as heat-resistant coating and portable coolers. </p><p>It has also used cover-sheets over the coaches to keep the heat out and the interiors cool. </p><p>These measures will, however, bring the inside temperature down by up 1 degree Celsius only, an official said. </p><p>The Northern Railways has also coated the roof of isolation coaches with heat-reflective paint as a trial and found that the temperature inside can be reduced up to 2.2 degrees Celsius using this method. </p><p>Trials are being planned for another coating developed in association with IIT-Bombay. </p><p> A trial has been carried out by placing portable coolers inside the coaches as well, the Railways said, adding that temperature reduction of up to 3 degrees Celsius was achieved using them. </p><p>While efforts are underway to cool things down, officials said they are praying for rain. </p><p>Giving details of the measures taken to adapt the coaches for COVID patients, they said the middle berths have been removed. Each sleeper coach is divided into eight bays or "cabins" with each having the capacity for 16 beds. Each coach will have three toilets - one western and two Indian style and one bathroom, complete with handshowers, bucket, mug and bathroom stool. </p><p>The Railways is working to neutralise the risk of infection being spread, officials said. Chlorine tablets have been placed in the chambers of the bio-toilets, which also have bio-enzymes in their tanks to take care of human waste. </p><p>The Railways has got clearance from the Environment Ministry for a one-time exemption for disposal of biodegradable material generated during patient stay. </p><p>Space has been created in the coaches to hold IV fluid bottles, extra bottle holders and clamps have been provided to hang them. Two oxygen cylinders with clamping arrangement have also been provided. </p><p>For segregation of medical waste, there are three different colour-coded dustbins. Mosquito nets have been installed on windows. </p><p>Bright LED lights and low noise fans have been installed with 18 mobile charging points per coach. </p><p>Railways will maintain the coaches, provide linen and maybe food as well, depending on feasibility, if requested by states. It will also provide security and wifi connection. </p>According to guidelines from the Health Ministry, coaches will be decontaminated daily with disinfectant -- freshly prepared with 1 per cent hypochlorite -- and detergent solution. Surface mopping of floors and cleaning of bathrooms, underside of beds and other related items placed in the coaches will be carried out scrupulously, officials said. ASG MIN MIN MIN

Bio-toilets and oxygen cylinders for COVID coaches, but Rlys wonders how to beat the heat

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In India,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-9-most-unconventional-courses-in-Indian-colleges-you-can-pursue/articleshow/51442075.cms"> several professions</a> being passed on within families from one generation to the next have become redundant in 21st Century modern India, thanks to the economic restructuring. The last two decades have completely transformed India's cities. Traditional industries have been rendered redundant and new technologies have outdone the need of laborious tasks. <br />
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We bring you pictures from the new book, <em>The Lost Generation</em>, by author <keyword id="3295934" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nidhi-Dugar-Kundalia">Nidhi Dugar Kundalia</keyword> and those by photographer <keyword id="1759466" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="clare-arni">Clare Arni</keyword> – both of whom have been chronicling "dying professions" of India.<br />
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First up - Those by Nidhi: <br />
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<strong><keyword id="58099" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Scribes">Scribes</keyword> of Old Delhi</strong><br />

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<br /> Back in the Mughal era, <keyword id="52564" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="calligraphy">calligraphy</keyword> was considered a virtuous and pious act. Members of the royal family often learnt calligraphy from the finest experts and offered them high positions in their courts. Wasim Ahmed, a scribe and teacher of Urdu, Persian and Arabic calligraphy, has been practising the art for over 30 years now. He once inscribed books and made hand-drawn posters and they then went to the printers to be replicated and were sold to people who believed the sacred verses would bring them good luck. But Mr Ahmed and others like him have long lost the patronage and the benefits that came with calligraphy after the introduction of Urdu font on computers.<br />
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<strong>Professional mourners of Rajasthan</strong><br />

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In the Thar desert in the western states of Rajasthan, where women from privileged and upper-caste backgrounds are expected to preserve their dignity by not exhibiting their emotions in front of commoners, the lower-caste rudaalis are called in to mourn for them. They cry out aloud, toss their heads, and wail to the heavens, beating their chests and slapping the ground in front of them. This goes on for 12 days after a death. Over the years, families now prefer sophisticated, quieter funerals with rising literacy rates and migrations. Rudaalis are therefore increasingly losing their relevance.<br />
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<strong><keyword id="3295936" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="street-dentist">Street dentist</keyword> of Baroda</strong><br />

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Amrit Singh's humble office is a street shop outside MS Baroda University. There's no mortar-and-brick structure, no ritzy chairs, no surgical light head. What you find is a few dentures, bottles and a tin box that holds extra dental tools. He makes his patients sit on a bamboo stool boot out any pain from their mouth with his corroded set of pliers. The street dentists in modern India learned their skills mostly from the Hubei community of China, who came looking for work in India in the early 1900s. Post-independence, regulations in dentistry practices were introduced, rendering street dentistry illegal but they continued to thrive in the dark underbelly of the country, tending to those for whom licensed dental services are still unaffordable.<br />
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	<strong>Genealogist of Haridwar</strong><br />
	
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	After a death, male members in Indian families travel down to Haridwar to cremate their kins by pouring their ashes in the Ganga. The ceremony conducted by the family "panda" - priests who double up as genealogists. They are also in charge of the family register, of updating the family's genealogical tree with details of marriages, births and deaths. The reason for their existence has to do with the Hindu belief that the family is everlasting and comprehensive and that each Hindu must "look out" for his ancestors and perform ceremonies for their journey heavenwards and immortalise them by recording their names in the genealogical registers known as "vahis". Over the years, digitisation of their records and increasing scientific worldview are eating into the pandas' work but those like Mahendra Kumar continue to work.<br /><br />
	 
<strong>Ittarwallah of Hyderabad</strong><br />

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Before they bought a box-sized shop, Syed Abdul Gaffar's ancestors sold ittars from a wooden box that hung around their necks, walking the streets. They moved about the lanes of the old city that were lined with the homes of nobles and relatives of the Nawabs. The ittarwallahs would be invited in and the women would buy their scented wares - a vial of "raat ki rani", a flowery scent reminiscent of breathing the warm night air, or jasmine that would lure their husbands to their beds. Mr Gaffar now sells the ittar (perfumes) he makes to the few discerning customers who still have a nose for it. There is an increasing demand for branded synthetic perfumes which are more cost effective. But he refuses to make them, says it’s immoral.<br />
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Next up are those by British-born Clare Arni:<br />
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<strong>Tinning Process, Delhi</strong><br />

	<div type="image" msid="51526491" hostid="261"></div>

<br />
Copper is one of the best metals for conducting heat and was often used in cooking vessels, so that the heat spread evenly across the surface of the pot. The metal can, however, react with acidic foods to produce toxins, so in workshops like these the pots are lined with tin on the inside. This profession is now vanishing due to the availability of cheaper stainless steel vessels.<br />
 <br />
<strong>Woon Son Shoes, Kolkata</strong><br />

	<div type="image" msid="51526526" hostid="261"></div>

<br />
Christopher Francis Lin’s card said that he was an ‘Expert footwear designer and shoemaker’. At one time, each of the shoe moulds – or lasts, as they're called in the trade – were custom made to the shape and size of the customer's feet. But now, they sizes are standarised. “Then it was good money.”<br />
 <br />
<strong>The Potter, Duza Siguiera, Goa</strong><br />

	<div type="image" msid="51526506" hostid="261"></div>

<br />
Several members of Duza Siguiera family work together in a small red laterite workshop producing hand-pinched pots. The market has become less as everyone is using plastic and stainless steel despite the fact that it’s good to use terracotta for health. <br />
<br />
(Image source: Clare Arni)<br />


The 8 dying professions of India

<p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c3507ecad049e2e2105b0-1004-502/sina-weibo.png" border="0" alt="sina weibo">China's government heavily censors its internet - and a<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">mid recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, online freedom of speech in the country has deteriorated <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/28/6859993/instagram-reportedly-blocked-in-mainland-china-following-hong-kong-protests">even further</a>.</span></img></p>
<p>Netizens have long gone without YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, but one website stands as China's largest social media network: <a href="http://s.weibo.com/">Sina Weibo</a>.</p>
<p>The site, which operates much like Twitter, has <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/10/business/china-weibo-user-base/">10 million "core" users</a>. But even they face restrictions. </p>
<p>In his 2012 book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blocked-Weibo-Suppressed-China%C2%92s-Version/dp/159558871X">Blocked on Weibo</a>," researcher <a href="http://www.jasonqng.com/">Jason Q. Ng</a> compiled a list of what the site suppresses and why. The <a href="http://blockedonweibo.tumblr.com/">project started as a Tumblr</a> and quickly spilled onto actual pages. </p>
<p>We chose 16 weird terms that Weibo banned at one point - and likely still does.</p>
<h3>1. "Fifty cents" <em>(wumao)</em></h3>
<p>Short for "50 Cent Party," this pejorative term refers to internet commenters hired by the government to post favorable comments about the Communist Party and China in general.</p>
<p>These hired guns supposedly earn 50 cents for every post. The Chinese government has implicitly acknowledged their existence, and people often use the term as a snarky response to any pro-China sentiments online.</p>
<h3>2. "Four gentleman" <em>(si junzi)</em></h3>
<p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c75fc6bb3f7734ecea301-502-251/four-gentleman-2.jpg" border="0" alt="four gentleman" width="800" /></p>
<p>This refers to four plants: orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum blossom, which represent a Confucian concept about virtuosity. Roughly translated into English, the teaching means "gentleman." Chinese paintings commonly show the four flowers together.</p>
<p>During the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, four men, referred to as the <em>si junzi</em>, stood on the students' side. Using the term signifies deep respect. </p>
<h3>3. "Victoria" <em>(Weiduoliya)</em></h3>
<p>In Roman mythology, Victoria was the goddess of victory. So does Weibo block the name because of that? The lingerie models? No, it's blocked for Hong Kong's Victoria Park. </p>
<p>Every June 4, Victoria Park acts as the site for a candlelight vigil commemorating those who died in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Other demonstrations frequently use the park as a home base, too. </p>
<h3>4. "May 35" <em>(Wuyue sanshiwu)</em></h3>
<p>Since May has 31 days, the date "May 35" would technically be June 4 - the day the army arrived in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989 to deal with demonstrators. </p>
<p>Since June 4 is obviously blocked on Weibo, users found other ways to discuss the date: "day four," "the beginning of June," and even phonetic translations of the words "six" and "four." All of them have been, or still are, blocked.</p>
<h3>5. "Meow" <em>(mimi)</em></h3>
<p>Known to Westerns as the sound a cat makes (or an oboe-like folk instrument), "meow" in Chinese is roughly the equivalent to "tits" in English. </p>
<h3>6. "Dew point" <em>(ludian)</em></h3>
<p>Certainly not blocked for its scientific meaning, "dew point" is slang in China for "reveal a little bit (of skin)."</p>
<h3>7. "Rich woman" <em>(fu nu)</em></h3>
<p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c730a69beddb1602f2294-588-294/guo-meimei.png" border="0" alt="Guo Meimei" width="800" /></p>
<p>Often used to criticize the wealth of the wives, mistresses, and daughters of corrupt businessmen and government officials, Weibo blocks the term because of a specific woman: Guo Meimei. </p>
<p>In June 2011, Meimei had been posting about her glamorous lifestyle for months: horseback riding, Hermes purses, an orange Lamborghini, and so on. But she listed her job title as manager of the "China Red Cross Chamber of Commerce." When netizens realized the disconnect, they began wondering where their donations had gone. </p>
<p>While the government maintained the existence of her alleged organization, the real Chinese Red Cross launched an investigation, which turned up irregularities. The scandal shook the entire country's confidence in charities. </p>
<h3>8. "Never forget" <em>(wu wang)</em></h3>
<p>These two words begin a classical Chinese idiom, known as "<em>chengyu." </em>Literally translated, it means "don't forget that you're in Ju." </p>
<p>Ju was a Chinese city in the Qi state during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warring_States_period">Warring States Period</a>,  a centuries-long struggle between the various states of China. Ju suffered heavily.</p>
<p>Turning this phrase now intends to motivate the group on a losing side of a battle - rooting for the little guy, if you will.</p>
<h3>9. "Empty stool" <em>(kongdeng)</em></h3>
<p>This references the empty chair that sat between two people during the 2010 Nobel Peace Price ceremony. </p>
<p>The recipient was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_Xiaobo">Liu Xiabao</a>, a Chinese writer, professor, and human rights activist. He was, and remains, in prison. In one of the most iconic images to come from the day, chairman of the Nobel Committee, Thorbjorn Jagland, placed the medal on Xiabao's empty chair. </p>
<p>Netizens started using the phrase "empty stool" as a tribute to Xiabao. </p>
<h3>10. "Hair bacon" <em>(mao larou)</em></h3>
<p>Strange as it seems, this phrase references Mao Zedong's body on display at the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.</p>
<p>The Chinese character for "hair" is also Mao's surname. And the character for "bacon" literally means "preserved meat." </p>
<p>Thus, "hair bacon" means the "preserved meat of Mao."</p>
<h3>11. "Calico cat" <em>(sansemao)</em></h3>
<p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c74ad6bb3f7da4acea30a-640-320/calico-cat.jpg" border="0" alt="Calico cat" width="800" /></p>
<p>Searching for any color cat is actually blocked on Weibo. They reference Chinese revolutionary Deng Xiaoping's famous 1961 proverb: "It doesn't matter if the cat is black of white; so long as it catches mice, it's good." </p>
<p>In the statement, the mouse represents economic prosperity and national advancement, while the cat is the system used to achieve it. Xiaoping likely meant it as a mockery of China's China's socialist system. </p>
<h3>12. "Canadian French" <em>(Jianada Fayu)</em></h3>
<p>In traditional Chinese, the characters for "Canadian French" inadvertently contain another character meaning: "national constitution," which also happens to be an abbreviation for Falun Dafa, a.k.a. <a href="http://www.falundafa.org/">Falun Gong</a>, the outlawed cult. </p>
<p>The author uses this as an example of the <a href="http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Scunthorpe_problem">Scunthorpe problem</a>, in which algorithms block innocent terms that simply contain banned words.</p>
<h3>13. "Dry your mother" <em>(gan ni ma)</em></h3>
<p>The characters for this phrase can mean "grasp you" or "grasp your mother," too. All are ostensibly the equivalent of English's "f--- you." </p>
<h3>14. "Hoobastank"</h3>
<p><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c74fb69beddb8692f2293-1024-512/hoobastank.jpg" border="0" alt="Hoobastank" /></p>
<p><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The American rock band's name contains the word "tank" - one of the many military-related terms banned on Weibo. It's the Scunthorpe problem all over again. </span></p>
<h3>15. "River crab" <em>(hexie)</em></h3>
<p>This actually refers to the mitten crab, an edible crustacean common to China's eastern coast.</p>
<p>Despite its invasiveness, Weibo bans this animal's name because of its similarity to the Chinese word for "harmony." Communist party leader until 2012, Hu Jintao, made that his chief message. S<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">keptical of his agenda, people quickly started using "river crab" as a sort of code to discuss the situation online.</span></p>
<h3>16. "Color of leopard" <em>(sebao)</em></h3>
<p>The English equivalent is "animal print," or "leopard print, and the author has no idea why Weibo bans it.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></p>

16 Terms That Show How Heavily China Censors Its Internet

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Sina Weibo" title_caption="The homepage of China's version of Twitter." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c3507ecad049e2e2105b0-960/sina-weibo.png"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c3507ecad049e2e2105b0-1004-502/sina-weibo.png" border="0" alt="sina weibo" /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="http://s.weibo.com/">Sina Weibo</a></span></p><p class="caption">The homepage of China's version of Twitter.</p></div><p></p></div></div>China's government heavily censors its internet - and a<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">mid recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, online freedom of speech in the country has deteriorated <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/28/6859993/instagram-reportedly-blocked-in-mainland-china-following-hong-kong-protests">even further</a>.</span></p>
<p>Netizens have long gone without YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, but one website stands as China's largest social media network: <a href="http://s.weibo.com/">Sina Weibo</a>.</p>
<p>The site, which operates much like Twitter, has <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/10/business/china-weibo-user-base/">10 million "core" users</a>. But even they face restrictions. </p>
<p>In his 2012 book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blocked-Weibo-Suppressed-China%C2%92s-Version/dp/159558871X">Blocked on Weibo</a>," researcher <a href="http://www.jasonqng.com/">Jason Q. Ng</a> compiled a list of what the site suppresses and why. The <a href="http://blockedonweibo.tumblr.com/">project started as a Tumblr</a> and quickly spilled onto actual pages. </p>
<p>We chose 16 weird terms that Weibo banned at one point - and likely still does.</p>
<h3>1. "Fifty cents" <em>(wumao)</em></h3>
<p>Short for "50 Cent Party," this pejorative term refers to internet commenters hired by the government to post favorable comments about the Communist Party and China in general.</p>
<p>These hired guns supposedly earn 50 cents for every post. The Chinese government has implicitly acknowledged their existence, and people often use the term as a snarky response to any pro-China sentiments online.</p>
<h3>2. "Four gentleman" <em>(si junzi)</em></h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Wikimedia Commons" title_caption="Chinese art featuring one of the " four="" gentleman="" the="" chrysanthemum.="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c75fc6bb3f7734ecea301-960/four-gentleman-2.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c75fc6bb3f7734ecea301-502-251/four-gentleman-2.jpg" border="0" alt="four gentleman" width="800" /></a><p class="source"><span>Wikimedia Commons</span></p><p class="caption">Chinese art featuring one of the "four gentleman," the chrysanthemum.</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>This refers to four plants: orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum blossom, which represent a Confucian concept about virtuosity. Roughly translated into English, the teaching means "gentleman." Chinese paintings commonly show the four flowers together.</p>
<p>During the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, four men, referred to as the <em>si junzi</em>, stood on the students' side. Using the term signifies deep respect. </p>
<h3>3. "Victoria" <em>(Weiduoliya)</em></h3>
<p>In Roman mythology, Victoria was the goddess of victory. So does Weibo block the name because of that? The lingerie models? No, it's blocked for Hong Kong's Victoria Park. </p>
<p>Every June 4, Victoria Park acts as the site for a candlelight vigil commemorating those who died in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Other demonstrations frequently use the park as a home base, too. </p>
<h3>4. "May 35" <em>(Wuyue sanshiwu)</em></h3>
<p>Since May has 31 days, the date "May 35" would technically be June 4 - the day the army arrived in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989 to deal with demonstrators. </p>
<p>Since June 4 is obviously blocked on Weibo, users found other ways to discuss the date: "day four," "the beginning of June," and even phonetic translations of the words "six" and "four." All of them have been, or still are, blocked.</p>
<h3>5. "Meow" <em>(mimi)</em></h3>
<p>Known to Westerns as the sound a cat makes (or an oboe-like folk instrument), "meow" in Chinese is roughly the equivalent to "tits" in English. </p>
<h3>6. "Dew point" <em>(ludian)</em></h3>
<p>Certainly not blocked for its scientific meaning, "dew point" is slang in China for "reveal a little bit (of skin)."</p>
<h3>7. "Rich woman" <em>(fu nu)</em></h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="YouTube/China Uncensored " title_caption="Pictures from Guo Meimei's Instagram. " class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c730a69beddb1602f2294-960/guo-meimei.png"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c730a69beddb1602f2294-588-294/guo-meimei.png" border="0" alt="Guo Meimei" width="800" /></a><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poz7DVmpKko">YouTube/China Uncensored </a></span></p><p class="caption">Pictures from Guo Meimei's Instagram. </p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Often used to criticize the wealth of the wives, mistresses, and daughters of corrupt businessmen and government officials, Weibo blocks the term because of a specific woman: Guo Meimei. </p>
<p>In June 2011, Meimei had been posting about her glamorous lifestyle for months: horseback riding, Hermes purses, an orange Lamborghini, and so on. But she listed her job title as manager of the "China Red Cross Chamber of Commerce." When netizens realized the disconnect, they began wondering where their donations had gone. </p>
<p>While the government maintained the existence of her alleged organization, the real Chinese Red Cross launched an investigation, which turned up irregularities. The scandal shook the entire country's confidence in charities. </p>
<h3>8. "Never forget" <em>(wu wang)</em></h3>
<p>These two words begin a classical Chinese idiom, known as "<em>chengyu." </em>Literally translated, it means "don't forget that you're in Ju." </p>
<p>Ju was a Chinese city in the Qi state during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warring_States_period">Warring States Period</a>,  a centuries-long struggle between the various states of China. Ju suffered heavily.</p>
<p>Turning this phrase now intends to motivate the group on a losing side of a battle - rooting for the little guy, if you will.</p>
<h3>9. "Empty stool" <em>(kongdeng)</em></h3>
<p>This references the empty chair that sat between two people during the 2010 Nobel Peace Price ceremony. </p>
<p>The recipient was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_Xiaobo">Liu Xiabao</a>, a Chinese writer, professor, and human rights activist. He was, and remains, in prison. In one of the most iconic images to come from the day, chairman of the Nobel Committee, Thorbjorn Jagland, placed the medal on Xiabao's empty chair. </p>
<p>Netizens started using the phrase "empty stool" as a tribute to Xiabao. </p>
<h3>10. "Hair bacon" <em>(mao larou)</em></h3>
<p>Strange as it seems, this phrase references Mao Zedong's body on display at the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.</p>
<p>The Chinese character for "hair" is also Mao's surname. And the character for "bacon" literally means "preserved meat." </p>
<p>Thus, "hair bacon" means the "preserved meat of Mao."</p>
<h3>11. "Calico cat" <em>(sansemao)</em></h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Wikimedia Commons" title_caption="This cat hates socialism. " class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c74ad6bb3f7da4acea30a-960/calico-cat.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c74ad6bb3f7da4acea30a-640-320/calico-cat.jpg" border="0" alt="Calico cat" width="800" /></a><p class="source"><span>Wikimedia Commons</span></p><p class="caption">This cat hates socialism. </p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Searching for any color cat is actually blocked on Weibo. They reference Chinese revolutionary Deng Xiaoping's famous 1961 proverb: "It doesn't matter if the cat is black of white; so long as it catches mice, it's good." </p>
<p>In the statement, the mouse represents economic prosperity and national advancement, while the cat is the system used to achieve it. Xiaoping likely meant it as a mockery of China's China's socialist system. </p>
<h3>12. "Canadian French" <em>(Jianada Fayu)</em></h3>
<p>In traditional Chinese, the characters for "Canadian French" inadvertently contain another character meaning: "national constitution," which also happens to be an abbreviation for Falun Dafa, a.k.a. <a href="http://www.falundafa.org/">Falun Gong</a>, the outlawed cult. </p>
<p>The author uses this as an example of the <a href="http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Scunthorpe_problem">Scunthorpe problem</a>, in which algorithms block innocent terms that simply contain banned words.</p>
<h3>13. "Dry your mother" <em>(gan ni ma)</em></h3>
<p>The characters for this phrase can mean "grasp you" or "grasp your mother," too. All are ostensibly the equivalent of English's "f--- you." </p>
<h3>14. "Hoobastank"</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Wikimedia Commons" title_caption="There's 'A Reason' Hoobastank is banned." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c74fb69beddb8692f2293-960/hoobastank.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/542c74fb69beddb8692f2293-1024-512/hoobastank.jpg" border="0" alt="Hoobastank" /></a><p class="source"><span>Wikimedia Commons</span></p><p class="caption">There's 'A Reason' Hoobastank is banned.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The American rock band's name contains the word "tank" - one of the many military-related terms banned on Weibo. It's the Scunthorpe problem all over again. </span></p>
<h3>15. "River crab" <em>(hexie)</em></h3>
<p>This actually refers to the mitten crab, an edible crustacean common to China's eastern coast.</p>
<p>Despite its invasiveness, Weibo bans this animal's name because of its similarity to the Chinese word for "harmony." Communist party leader until 2012, Hu Jintao, made that his chief message. S<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">keptical of his agenda, people quickly started using "river crab" as a sort of code to discuss the situation online.</span></p>
<h3>16. "Color of leopard" <em>(sebao)</em></h3>
<p>The English equivalent is "animal print," or "leopard print, and the author has no idea why Weibo bans it.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></p>

16 Surprising Terms That Are Blocked On China's Version Of Twitter

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/575bf8ccdd089567738b4573-1200/img_9446.jpg" alt="The Bunyadi" data-mce-source="Chloe Pantazi/Business Insider" /><p class="source"><span>Chloe Pantazi/Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">The inside of the restaurant</p></div><p></p></div></div></span>I'm not a naturist. I've never sunbathed topless or visited a nude beach. I don't even walk around the gym changing room undressed.</p><p>And yet, here I am, sitting completely naked eating vegan food in a cubicle with two strangers somewhere in central London.</p><p>I'm at <a href="http://www.thebunyadi.com/">The Bunyadi</a>, the city's first nude pop-up restaurant that opens to the public today (Saturday, June 11).</p><p>Since <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/londons-naked-restaurant-the-bunyadi-2016-4">the pop-up was announced in April</a>, 46,000 people have applied for tickets, which cost £69 each. But The Bunyadi, open in a secret location for three months, only fits 42 people at a time.</p><p>The idea is that <em>everything</em> is naked - from the decor to the food, made with raw ingredients and cooked naturally. There's no electricity and no phones.</p><p>It's a place to "experience true liberation," Seb Lyall, the restaurant creator and founder of the pop-up company Lollipop, said in a press release.</p><p>Business Insider went to a press lunch at The Bunyadi to see what it's like.</p><h3>The experience</h3><p>When I arrive, the foyer is packed with people in white bathrobes. A man hands me a robe and slippers, and directs me to a small changing room. I undress behind a curtain and put on the gown, stuffing my clothes and bag in a locker.</p><p>At the bar, a smattering of nervous-looking journalists sit in robes knocking back cocktails. While a few people talk to each other, most frown at their phones. Occasionally, a tattoo-covered waiter - naked, except for a pair of beige briefs adorned with fig leaves - rushes in and out of the room.</p><p>One of the few fully dressed people there, Seb Lyall asks for the room's attention and welcomes us to the restaurant. Although nudity is optional, he says, "about 80% of customers do de-robe," before reminding us that we're not allowed anything with us in the room.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/575bf8ccdd089567738b4574-1200/img_9488.jpg" alt="Seb Lyall" data-mce-source="Chloe Pantazi/Business Insider" /><p class="source"><span>Chloe Pantazi/Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">The Bunyadi is a place to "experience true liberation," Seb Lyall, the restaurant creator and founder of the pop-up company Lollipop, said.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Without time to dash to my locker, I leave my iPhone behind the bar, and join the dining room queue, where I make conversation with a couple behind me.</p><p>A waitress - topless, in the same uniform as her male counterpart - appears from behind a black curtain, and leads the three of us into the restaurant.</p><p>Behind the curtain, the restaurant is illuminated by candles dotted about the floor and walls, and divided into mini-rooms formed by bamboo screens, with a small white curtain hanging in the doorway for privacy.</p><p>Arriving at our cubicle, we sit on stools at a wooden table laid with clay tableware and a candle. Initially, we keep our robes on, and for perhaps 10 minutes - without my phone, I've no way of keeping time - the conversation is somewhat staggered. But soon enough, the small talk gives way to discussions about travel, food, even politics.</p><h3>The food</h3><p>The first course on both menus (the table agrees to try the vegan and non-vegan versions) is a garden salad with pickled apple, salted cucumber, radish, and a "forbidden fruit," along with a cold soup. The appetiser is designed to evoke the Garden of Eden, our waitress explains. I drink the soup, which is like fruit juice, in one go, but I'm not keen on the salad. Though it tastes fresh, I don't enjoy that I can barely see my food.</p><p>Next, the waitress brings asparagus, salted almonds, pickled red onion, and watermelon; the non-vegan option is a cured salmon and seaweed salad with whipped spirulina mayonnaise. While the non-vegan mayo and salmon are slimy, the asparagus and watermelon in the vegan dish are deliciously savoury yet sweet.</p><p>By now, it's stifling hot in the room, thanks to the thick robes and the lack of air conditioning. The three of us agree to take off our robes, and we count down, "3, 2, 1," before untying our gowns.</p><p>As well as a wave of relief from the heat, I feel hyper-aware of my nakedness. I make a conscious effort to sit up straight and hold my shoulders back. (It turns out, eating in front of people naked does wonders to one's posture.) I'm also now grateful for the darkness, which mostly covers me. Though I certainly can't forget I'm naked, I soon begin to relax and focus on the food.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/575bf8ccdd089567738b4575-1200/img_9431.jpg" alt="The Bunyadi food" data-mce-source="Chloe Pantazi/Business Insider" /><p class="source"><span>Chloe Pantazi/Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">The second course on the "naked vegan" menu: Asparagus, salted almonds, pickled red onion, and watermelon.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The main is a goji-berry, coriander Steak Tartare with basil and wild nettle oil, while the vegan alternative is sun-dried tomato stuffed courgette flowers with cauliflower couscous and seaweed flakes. With this meal, I discover as my spoon breaks, the cutlery's edible (up until now, I've been eating with a cocktail stick). I enjoy the fruity berry flavour in the Steak Tartare, but find the vegan dish bland.</p><p>The first of two desserts, a "sweet and salt seasonal forage," is like eating a messy fruit salad, and I struggle with a slice of blood orange that still has the rind on. However, the second dessert - blackberries, coconut and chia mousse with raw crumble ;- is my favourite. The coconut's wonderfully fresh, and the mushy berries combined with biscuity crumble creates a lovely texture.</p><h3>The verdict</h3><p>At £69 a head (not including wine), The Bunyadi is an expensive dinner - especially if you're going for the food, which feels secondary to the experience of being naked.</p><p>Though the restaurant's back-to-basics theme is a bit pretentious - I don't quite feel like Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the clay cups ruin the taste of good wine - being without my phone and clothes feels rather liberating. While I'd just met the people I shared a nude lunch with, I feel I can express myself more frankly than if I were at a regular restaurant. But I'm not sure if this is because I'm naked or because I don't have my iPhone.</p><p>Either way, it's an interesting social experiment, one that I was initially reluctant to take part in but that now fills me with a sense of achievement, as someone who's often self-conscious about her body. Although I'm not going to become a nudist - or a vegan - anytime soon, the experience has made me more comfortable in my skin.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/roller-coaster-restaurant-alton-towers-2016-6">You can now get your food served by a roller coaster at this UK restaurant</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="pqbzZ5MzE69Lhw5zPNfCD4v2vUviOpzG" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'pqbzZ5MzE69Lhw5zPNfCD4v2vUviOpzG',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

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