Sports

Jiya Rai Makes History: Swims from Sri Lanka to India in 13 Hours


Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu โ€“ In an awe-inspiring display of determination and endurance, 13-year-old Jiya Rai, a swimmer with autism, has successfully swum across the sea from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu, India, completing the 36-kilometre distance in just 13 hours.

Jiya’s accomplishment is not only a personal triumph but a historic world record that is capturing hearts and headlines across the globe. At such a young age, and with the added challenges of autism, Jiya has shown what relentless spirit and courage can achieve.

The journey, known for its difficult tidal conditions and strong currents, has defeated many experienced swimmers in the past. But Jiya remained undeterred. Supported by her parents and a committed coaching team, she pushed through the waters with unwavering focus and determination.

What makes her achievement all the more extraordinary is the symbolism of the route โ€” swimming from one country to another is a rare feat even among elite adult swimmers.

Jiya Rai is no stranger to record-setting swims. In the past, she has completed other long-distance swimming events, always with the intent of spreading awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and proving that being differently-abled does not mean being less capable.

Jiyaโ€™s swim stands as a shining reminder of the power of belief, perseverance, and breaking barriers. She has now become a national inspiration, motivating youth and adults alike to challenge the impossible.

#AllycaralFeature ๐Ÿ‘’

Come, Make a Wish at The Fountainhas Wishing Well


Hello Beautiful People!

Hope you all doing fine, this week I didn’t have a place in mind to feature, but as it is said by a wise man that if you conspire something with all your heart, you receive it. To all my beautiful people reading this post, your messages through emails, direct messages on twitter motivates me to bring before you every week a new feature. As I have introduced self care too on my blog in my recent post. Have you read it? Okay! Maybe read this one and then you can head to there.

So, as I told you that I was going through places to feature! It all happened of sudden, when my college mate surprised me by turning up at my office all of sudden and then so decided to catch up to take some time of and sit back and relax. We thought about some good places to visit but we didnt want to go that far. So, as my office is near this beautiful place of “Fountainhas” (Which I will feature soon) We thought of going back to those places in Fountainhas which we visited when we were interning together at a newspaper firm. It was during that particular time that I learnt a lot about the Panjim City and the commuting modes and most importantly being independent. As back then, we didn’t have a bike or vehicle and neither of us knew riding too. So that was an important journey shaping me and to get my things done with least of luxuries. I still remember it was during the internship, I had to do a story on Fountainhas – a beautiful place situated in the city of Panjim. It still has a great Portuguese influence which can be felt the moment you step inside this mesmerizing place. The colorful building, the ancestral houses or be it with the people! Several people in the place still speak Portuguese which is very much interesting! (Voces Fala O Portuguese?) Yes. Do you speak Portuguese? This was suppose to be a quick visit as we both were working on that day!

The first thought which came to our mind was let’s explore the ‘Wishing Well’ Believe it or not, Fountainhas has an age old wishing well, which is believed that anything that you wish by flipping a coin into the well, your wish comes true. We don’t have any clue, how far the same is true but the ambience makes you feel like you entered a fairy tale. Interesting as it sounds, the well was quite well maintained as compared to the last time we visited it. Okay! I interned about 5 years back. The place has transformed and beautification work is still in progress in this particular place. Shortly, will be featuring them all. By the way all of us are aware that we are in theย  season of IPL – The Indian Premier League, runs and wickets are always ‘umeed we dugana’ ( more than you expect.) So near the wishing well, if you move towards your right, you see a beautiful staircase painted in the colours of the rainbow. A beautiful site to watch and admire. And most importantly, it gives you a pictureย perfect stop. So click as many pictures as you want and share it on your social networking using #beingallycaral or as you’ll email and DM me too I will be more than happy to see your moments of joy! Exploring the places that I suggest you’ll.

HOW TO GET THERE?

I know, coming to the most important question is – How to Get there? Well, the location is simple, head towards the St. Sebastian Church, in Fountainhas and then take the right till you find the the red bricked wishing well with roosters mounted on the top of the either sides of the well.

TIP OF THE DAY:

  • Try to visit the place on foot rather than bikes.
  • The best time to visit this place is during the early evenings to enjoy the local people playing the guitar and violin at their windows. Thus, setting the mood for your pictures.
  • If you plan to visit this place in the afternoons, don’t forget to carry a hat along with you and water and the most important apply sunscreen to protect you from the sun!

#BEINGALLYCARAL at the Fountainhas Wishing Well

#AllycaralWednesdayWisdom ๐Ÿ‘’

Quote of the Week


Always try to see good in every situation!

#AllycaralFeature ๐Ÿ‘’

The Biggest Roman Catholic Church – Sagrada Familia, Barcelona


Hello My Beautiful Allys,

Today is a very pious day, the ‘Good Friday’ย A day when Jesus died on the cross, this indeedย holds a great meaning for the Catholic community.ย  I often get this question from several people, “If Jesus died on this particular day then why is it that, this day is called the Good Friday?” I’m sure several of you too have this question. The answer is simple, It is called Good Friday because Jesus gave up his life for our greater good and to save us from our sins.

Maintaining the posterityย of this occasion, I thought of bringing to you the most beautiful church in the making, it is already the largest Roman Catholic Church in the world. The construction of this beautiful architecture started in the year of 1882 and is so far predicted to be ready by 2026 which means that the church will take almost 144 years to be ready.

Situated in the majestic Barcelona City of Europe, this structure is the most visited site of Barcelona city.ย  And why not, this church is a masterpiece which is still in the making, yet open to visitors and tourist with guided tours into the church. Antoni Gaudi was the man behind creation of this massive masterpiece in the making. It was his idea about building the church by the money received in the form of donations. Yes! You got it right, this massive structure is constructed only with the funds received in the form of donations. That’s the reason the completion of this structure is delayed.

Gaudi’s idea was that as the initial construction started of this architecture the same would inspire the people to donate more in order to built the church and thus, the construction of the same started in phrase manner. And still continues to be built by the amount it received only through donations.

As mentioned earlier this is the most visited place in Barcelona, one can see thousands of people standing in long queues in order to visit the church from the inside, the best way to visit this church is book entry tickets for the same in advance. Like usually, it is always advisable to book the tickets atleast 5-6 days in advance to avoid waiting in long queues for the ticket on the day of your visit.

If one takes a closer look at the work of Gaudi, one can easily say that this man was inspired by the nature. The interior of the towers are built in the shape of trees. While the doors have leaves engraved with the chameleon resting on the handle of the door.

The massive structure has several beautiful statues, designs carved on the wall, in order to watch and observe the same with no rush spare atleast an hour an half and in case you plan to visit the towers upstairs ( that would cause you additional amount) spare another 30 minutes for the same.

Currently the Sagrada Familia has 8 towers built, but by the completion it is believed that the Sagradaย Familiaย will have 18 Towers. The tallest of them all representing Jesus, then the next Virgin Mary, following the four evangelist and lastly the remaining 12 towers will represent the 12 apostles.

Did You Know?

  • The construction of the Sagrada Familia will take five times as long as it took to build the Egyptian Pyramids or Taj Mahal.
  • Sagrada Familia is a foot shorter than the highest natural point in Barcelona, because of Gaudi as he believed that a human’s work should never exceed work of God.

TIPS OF THE DAY

  • Make sure you plan your trip during the sunset time, as the golden sun rays passes through the tinted glass of the church making it a splendid view to watch. Something total magical.

Indeed, if you have travelled to Sagrada Familia then hey! Share me your photos using #TravelwithAllycaral on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I would love to see them all. Also, have I forgot to mention anything about this beautiful structure, if yes! Go ahead and comment below and share your thoughts. Looking forward to hear from you all. Have a blessed Good Friday!

#AllycaralMonday Shots๐Ÿ‘’

Shot of the Week


You cry a little and then you wait for the sun to come out, it always does.

This Picture was clicked on a random Morning, when I was exploring the beautiful city of Panjim on foot. This is the window of theย ADIL SHAH PALACE,ย PANJIMย You can read about the same on post!