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यह कैसी स्वतंत्राता है ?

अधिकारों का बोध और दायित्वों में अबोध

चलिए साहब,आजादी की उम्र एक वर्ष और बढ़ गई! ‘द वायरल‘ की आप सभी सुधीजनों को स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक मंगलकामनायें.आज आजादी चैहत्तर वर्षीय बुजुर्ग हो गई.आशय यह कि,हमारे जिन पूर्वजों की मेहनत,त्याग और बलिदान से हमारा देश गुलामी की जंजीरों से मुक्त हुआ था,उनकी तीसरी-चैथी पीढ़ी आज स्कूलों-कॉलेजों में पढ़ रही है.क्या,पढ़ रही है? यह मत पूछिए.क्योंकि,आज भी हमारी युवा पीढ़ी के अधिकतर युवा देश के गौरवशाली इतिहास और परम्पराओं से अनजान हैं.हमसे कहीं तो चूक हुई है,कि हमने अपने देश की संस्कृति,परम्पराओं और इतिहास को दरकिनार कर आधुनिकता की दौड़ में शामिल हो गए.अच्छाई और कमियाँ सब में होती हैं.वह व्यक्ति हो या परम्परा.हमने अपनी गलत सामाजिक परम्पराओं में बदलाव किए,लेकिन दुर्भाग्यवश अपनी अच्छी परम्पराओं की अनदेखी भी की.यही वजह है,कि हम आज तक देश के नागरिकों को आजादी के दायित्व नहीं समझा पाए.लोगों को राष्ट्रध्वज,राष्ट्रीय गीत और राष्ट्रगान का महत्व नहीं समझा सके.इस नाकामी का जिम्मेदार किसे ठहराया जाए?देश में जन्मा और यहीं की नागरिकता से पहचाने जाने वाला नागरिक,यदि केवल अपने अधिकारों की बात करता है,तो इसका सीधा सा आशय यह है,कि उसे अपने दायित्वों के प्रति न तो कोई बोध है,ना ही वहइस बारे जानना चाहता है.ऐसा क्योंकर हुआ? कहीं न कहीं हमारी सरकारों और जनप्रतिनिधियों की वैचारिक सोच की कमी रही.कहते हैं ‘गीली मिट्टी‘ को मनचाहा आकर दिया जा सकता है.उसे नक्काशीदार खूबसूरत बनाया जा सकता है,लेकिन सूखने और पकने के पश्चात किसी भी तरह की न तो नक्काशी की जा सकती है,और ना ही उसे कोई दूसरा आकर दिया जा सकता है.प्राथमिक स्कूलों में पढ़ रहे बच्चे ‘गीली‘ मिट्टी सदृश्य होते हैं.देश की संस्कृति,परम्पराओं और गौरवशाली इतिहास के साथ-साथ समाज एवं देश के प्रति नागरिकों के दायित्वों की जानकारी दिए जाने की आवश्यकता है.यही बच्चे बड़े होकर देश के जिम्मेदार नागरिक बनेंगे हैं.उनके आचार विचार में यह सब झलकेगा.वर्तमान समय में मिशनरी और प्रायवेट स्कूलों में बच्चों को पढ़ाने का दौर है.सरकारी स्कूलों की तुलना में कई गुना अधिक फीस और अन्य खर्चों के बावजूद लोग,अपने बच्चों को इन स्कूलों में पढ़वाना पसंद करते हैं,तो कोई कारण तो होगा?सरकारी स्कूलों में सभी सुविधाओं के बावजूद सरकारी स्कूलों के शिक्षक स्वंय के बच्चों को मिशनरियों और प्रायवेट स्कूलों में पढ़ने भेजते हैं,तो इसका कारण क्या हो सकता है? स्वतंत्रता के चैहत्तर वर्षों बाद,पचास वर्षीय व्यक्ति को निरक्षर देखकर आश्चर्य नहीं होता,किंतु जब तीस-पैंतीस वर्षीय व्यक्ति की निरक्षरता सामने आती है,तब आश्चर्य से अधिक दुःख होता है । कि हमारे जनप्रतिनिधि,हमारी सरकारें नागरिकों को साक्षर बनाने के लिए क्या करती रही हैं?साक्षरता अभियान में अरबों रुपये खर्च करने के पश्चात हमें अपेक्षित परिणाम हासिल क्यों नहीं हो पाए? इस असफलता के लिए जिम्मेदारियां तय क्यों नहीं की गईं?आये दिन अपनी माँगों को लेकर कोई न कोई विभाग या सँगठन हड़ताल और धरना प्रदर्शन करता रहता है.अधिकारों की चाहत सभी के दिलों में है,किंतु क्या ये लोग अपने दायित्वों के प्रति भी उतने ही जागरूक हैं,जितना अपने अधिकारों के प्रति?देश को आजाद हुए,भले ही चैहत्तर वर्ष हो गए हों,किंतु आज भी बहुत से बदलाव बाकी हैं.जिसमें सबसे महत्वपूर्ण है ‘आम नागरिक की सोच में बदलाव‘ हम-आपको केवल अपने अधिकारों के लिए नहीं,बल्कि अपने दायित्वों के प्रति भी जागरूक होना होगा.यही हमारे-आपके अपने समाज और देश के प्रति जिम्मेदारी भी है,और दायित्व भी.

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सम्पादक

जनसंख्या विस्फोट

देश के लिए जनसंख्या वरदान या अभिशाप

जनसंख्या नियंत्रण का जिन्न एक बार फिर बोतल से बाहर निकल आया है. इस बोतल की ढक्कन असम ने खोलकर पूरे देश में सियासी गलियारों में आग लगा दी. उधर उत्तर प्रदेश में आगामी विधानसभा चुनाव के ठीक पहले हम दो हमार दो के नारे को हवा दे दी. ये हवा यूपी से चली तो मध्य प्रदेश में चक्रवाती तूफान का रूप धारण कर ली. अब लाजमी है कि विपक्ष तो चिल्म चोट करेगी ही. आखिर में विपक्ष ने वही किया कि सरकार पेट्रोल, डीजल के बढ़ते दामों, बेरोजगारी, भुखमरी जैसे मुद्दों पर बात करना छोड़कर क्यों जनसंख्या नियंत्रण जैसे मुद्दे पर बात करने लगी है.
पहले तो ये समझना जरूरी है कि आखिर अब ये कौन सी बीमारी है, जिस पर इतनी रार मची हुई है. दरअसल, असम में दो बच्चों की नीति सबसे पहले लाया, लेकिन तकरार उस पर नहीं मची. जब उत्तर प्रदेश में इस कानून की बात होने लगी तब बात विपक्ष को हजम नहीं होने लगी. यूपी में विश्व जनसंख्या नियंत्रण दिवस पर योगी सरकार ने कानून लाया कि 2 से ज्यादा बच्चों वालों परिवारों को राशन, सरकारी अनुदान, योजनाओं से लेकर अन्य सरकारी सुविधाओं से वंचित कर दिया जाएगा. हालांकि देशभर में तकरीबन 10 राज्यों में 2 बच्चों की नीतियां है, इसीलिए हैरानी वाली कोई बात नहीं है.
यदि हम आंकड़े की बात करें, तो हम जनसंख्या विस्फोट जैसी स्थिति को पार कर चुके हैं. पिछले दो दशकों में लगातार जनसंख्या वृद्धि दर और कुल प्रजनन दर गिर रही है. यानी 1950 से तुलना करें तो 2011 की जनगणना कुल प्रजजन दर यानी हर महिला के पीछे बच्चों की संख्या 6 से घटकर 2.2 बच्चे रह गई है. जबकि मौजूदा जनसंख्या के स्तर को बनाए रखने के लिए देश में 2.1 की प्रजनन दर जरूरी है. पश्चिम बंगाल, हिमाचल प्रदेश, महाराष्ट्र पंजाब के साथ तमिलनाडु केरल और आंध्र प्रदेश जैसे कई राज्यों में तो कुल प्रजनन दर पहले ही 2.1 से नीचे जा चुकी है. खैर ये तो आंकड़ों की बात हो गई है, लेकिन जब जनसंख्या नियंत्रण की बात होती है तो एक विशेष समुदाय को जरुर टारगेट किया जाता है. हालांकि यथास्थिति कुछ और ही दर्शाती है. साल 2011 की जनगणना के मुताबिक मुसलमान महिलाओं में कुल प्रजनन दर एक दशक पहले की में 5.3 फीसदी और हिंदुओं में 3.2 फीसदी गिरी है. अब आप आंकड़ा लगा सकते हैं कि कितना फर्क है. अगर हम आम तौर पर समझे तो आज देश में जनसंख्या वृद्धि की असली वजह कुछ और नहीं बल्कि अशिक्षा, आर्थिक असमानता, बेरोजगारी, भुखमरी जैसे कई पहलु हैं. हालांकि इन सब चीजों से ध्यान भटकाने के लिए बीजेपी शासित प्रदेशों में इस कानून को लाने की बात कर रही है. अगर वाकई में इसे लाना है तो केंद्र सरकार को चाहिए कि सदन में इस बिल को पटल पर रखे, इस पर विस्तृत रूप से चर्चा करे और अगर सहमति बनती है तो इसे लागू भी करे.
ध्यान देने वाली बात यह भी है कि आखिरकार बीजेपी शासित राज्यों में ही जनसंख्या नियंत्रण कानून पर चर्चा हो रही है. उसका कारण यह है कि बीजेपी बैकफुट पर नजर आ रही है, क्योंकि प्रधानमंत्री के कई भाषणों का जिक्र करते हुए कहा कि पीएम की नजर में देश की बड़ी आबादी कोई समस्या नहीं बल्कि एक विशाल संभावना है. पीएम मोदी ने 28 सितंबर, 2014 को न्यूयॉर्क के मेडिसिन स्क्वायर के मौके पर अपने भाषण में उन्होंने कहा था कि देश की 65 फीसदी युवा आबादी ही देश की दूसरी ताकत है. पीएम ने इसे ‘डेमोग्राफी डिविडेंड‘ कहा था. मोदी ने कहा था सवा सौ करोड़ की आबादी वाला देश पूरी दुनिया के लिए बाजार है. पीएम ने यह भी कहा था कि इसी शक्ति के भरोसे भारत नई उंचाइयों को छूएगा. ऐसे में सवाल खड़े होना लाजमी है कि आखिरकार वहीं पीएम आज भी हैं. क्या केंद्र सरकार से बिना विचार विमर्श से सरकारें इस तरह से कर रही हैं.
हालांकि विपक्ष इस पर भी सवाल खड़े कर रहा है कि जिन प्रदेशों में बीजेपी नेता बड़े जोर शोर से कानून लाने की बात कर रहे हैं, वहीं उन नेताओं के 3 से लेकर 8 बच्चे तक हैं. खैर मध्य प्रदेश में तो बीजेपी विधायकों के 9 बच्चे तक हैं. अगर उत्तर प्रदेश की बात करें तो 304 बीजेपी विधायकों में से 152 के 3 से लेकर 8 बच्चे तक हैं. इतना ही यूपी में बीजेपी की सहयोगी पार्टी अपना दल के विधायक 8 बच्चों के पिता हरिराम पटेल ने विश्व जनसंख्या दिवस पर तो बकायदा ट्वीट करके लोगों को नसीहत देने लगे. इसके अलावा 6 बच्चों के पिता विधायक रत्नाकर मिश्रा कहते है 5 बीवी, 28 बच्चे अब नहीं चलेगा. यूपी में जनसंख्या नियंत्रण कानून की पैरवी करने वाली ठश्रच् के 304 विधायकों में से 152 विधायकों के 3 से लेकर 8 बच्चे हैं. और यही विधायक दूसरों को ज्ञान दे रहे हैं.1 विधायक के 8, आठ विधायकों के 6,15 विधायकों के 5, 43 विधायकों के 4, 84 विधायकों के 3, 102 विधायकों के 2 और 35 विधायकों के 1-1 बच्चे हैं. 15 विधायकों के एक भी बच्चा नहीं. कुछ गैर शादीशुदा भी हैं.
मध्य प्रदेश में 230 विधानसभा सीट है. जिसमें से तीन सीटें विधायकों के निधन के बाद खाली हुई हैं. प्रदेश में बीजेपी के 40 फीसदी विधायकों 3 से लेकर 9 बच्चे हैं. 125 विधायकों में से 49 विधायक ऐसे हैं जिनके 3 से लेकर 9 बच्चे हैं. वहीं शिवराज कैबिनेट में शामिल 13 मंत्रियों के 3 से लेकर 6 बच्चे हैं. कांग्रेस के 95 विधायकों हैं. जिनमें 16 के तीन बच्चे हैं, 12 के चार, तीन के पांच बच्चे हैं. जबकि बीजेपी विधायक रामलल्लू वैश्य और कांग्रेस एमएलए वाल सिंह मैड़ा के 9 बच्चे हैं. बीजेपी विधायक केदार शुक्ला के 8 और मंत्री बिसाहूलाल सिंह के 6 बच्चे हैं.

Eminem – Stronger Than I Was

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Dj Dark – Chill Vibes

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love (Dj Dark & Adrian Funk Remix)

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Silicon Valley Guru Affected by the Fulminant Slashed

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

Watch Awesome Kate Go Full Cooking Pro in England this Week

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

The Next Wave of Superheroes Has Arrived with Astonishing Impact

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

The Weirdest Places Ashes Have Been Scattered in South America

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

How Nancy Reagan Gave Glamour and Class to the White House

We woke reasonably late following the feast and free flowing wine the night before. After gathering ourselves and our packs, we headed down to our homestay family’s small dining room for breakfast.

Refreshingly, what was expected of her was the same thing that was expected of Lara Stone: to take a beautiful picture.

We were making our way to the Rila Mountains, where we were visiting the Rila Monastery where we enjoyed scrambled eggs, toast, mekitsi, local jam and peppermint tea.

We wandered the site with other tourists

Yet strangely the place did not seem crowded. I’m not sure if it was the sheer size of the place, or whether the masses congregated in one area and didn’t venture far from the main church, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists in the monastery.

Headed over Lions Bridge and made our way to the Sofia Synagogue, then sheltered in the Central Market Hall until the recurrent (but short-lived) mid-afternoon rain passed.

Feeling refreshed after an espresso, we walked a short distance to the small but welcoming Banya Bashi Mosque, then descended into the ancient Serdica complex.

We were exhausted after a long day of travel, so we headed back to the hotel and crashed.

I had low expectations about Sofia as a city, but after the walking tour I absolutely loved the place. This was an easy city to navigate, and it was a beautiful city – despite its ugly, staunch and stolid communist-built surrounds. Sofia has a very average facade as you enter the city, but once you lose yourself in the old town area, everything changes.

Clothes can transform your mood and confidence. Fashion moves so quickly that, unless you have a strong point of view, you can lose integrity. I like to be real. I don’t like things to be staged or fussy. I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have a place to escape to. You have to stay true to your heritage, that’s what your brand is about.

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