Bluetooth

What is bluetooth?

 A technology right? to exchange your things on radiofrequency..

How energies can pass data..

Can they pass vibes?

May be they do..

Won't anyone want to bluetooth love, happiness and positive vibes... But they seem to take away from reality too... 

Still for rest and peace sake and for a goodnight sleep, bluetooth good vibes only.

Thanks speech (the one actors give when they collect awards!)

Today I'm really thankful to the internet and technology for making it possible for small time writers like me to get their work published without a cost. Thank you for giving me the opportunity for running my own blog and making technology easier. Whoever created it, God bless you darling!

It is big thing for me because I've not explored the writing avenues yet and basically doing volunteering work which is getting published. I'm telling you if it was some regular job and I was being paid not adequately, how frustrated I would have been. But, writing doesn't do that to me. I feel at a comfortable place with it.

This blog is my place. I've the control of it and let me thank again the unknown techno guy who rendered this service. Had it not been for this place, I would have never known that I could write and yes, get some good appreciation from friends (and some not so good appreciation too). Still to discover what you've got, this was and would be the place.

I have written endlessly few mails to scoopwhoop, storypick and other bloggers and websites for getting an opportunity to write with them. Never heard back from them. I missed the interview at HT because of bad health. I mostly now apply to selected jobs as this is something that doesn't tire me and gives me happiness. How do I know this?

I recently got this opportunity to write an article for Katha titled "Importance of story pedagogy for children belonging to high risk groups." As most of my childhood have been spent on reading books and Katha being a pioneer publishing house for children books, I took up this task to write it. I kept waiting for feedback and when it did not reach, I thought may be I've screwed up. May be it was not written like they wanted. Yesterday, I mailed them to at least let me know what happened and what I got totally took me by surprise. So my article was published on Dec 1. This time I was the 20th person sharing it facebook! (Earlier I've had to share it myself!) I was telling my friend "Do you get it? They have the control and authority to publish it and they did it!" I got good words from the person to whom I made the submission.

Here is the link:
https://kathasanchar.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/importance-of-story-pedagogy-to-teach-children-belonging-to-high-risk-groups/

I want to thank almighty. I doubt and don't understand you at times thinking why this thing happened to me. But, I've to admit that had things not happened with me, I would have never looked for different opportunities and I would have never discovered what I do today. I've to believe that your plans are bigger than mine and there is no reason to think anything opposite than this. Also, I would like to thank my family and friends who always look up to reading what I write. Special thanks to my friend Akansha for her encouraging words and fellow writers, Rohit and Srilekha for being critical and frank. To Srilekha again, for editing stuff for me. To Katha Founder Geeta Dhamrajan for giving me this opportunity to write for their offical blog. To Udyam Prayas, founder Neeru Juneja for giving me the chance to design their newletter and I could further talk about it at Katha and grab their opportunity. :D

School of thoughts

Today, I had a chance to witness different school of thoughts present at one place. This opportunity was rare for someone like me who is lazy and refuse to give up her sleep for a morning walk.

Recently, I visited this Patanjali shop near my house so as to purchase honey. Honey has become an integral part of my on and off diet plan. I saw this ad of free Ramdev yoga camp at a near by park. As I'm trying to improve myself these days, I had a word with the lady and she asked me to come from Monday onwards. I couldn't wake up on Monday after repeatedly snoozing off the alarm clock.

Finally, I made an effort on Tuesday. I woke up at 6.00 A.M (Big Deal!) As I went to the park, I saw middle aged people in that yoga camp and couldn't gather the feeling of joining it. But, I decided, now that I've come, I must take a round of walk and then go back home.

As I took the round in the park, I found many yoga classes going around. The one in which there were only 4-5 men doing yoga. Then there was another, with two men directing each other. As I moved around, there was one group consisting of an elderly women and two middle aged women. The elderly women was guiding the other two and was doing a round about of her body. I also happened to check the one which I was supposed to join. They were lying on the ground and then they sat to do the the laughing exercise "Hahaha". Then, there was this group of 20-30 people, the biggest batch doing some natrajasan lying on the floor.  (See, I know some asans. :P) This group had people from all age groups. The group squadron leader (meaning the yoga teacher of course!) was giving directions in mike.

All these people were doing yoga. However, all had different groups. Different school of thoughts in one arena and in one park! As for me choosing from such a perfect competition, I think I will continue with the morning walks. Let's for once do a fake one "Hahaha"!!! :D

Ask for more!

Never ask for less if you can ask for more. Why ask God for a clerical job when you can ask for officer's post. Why ask God for a last message from a girl when you can pray that she messages you everyday. Why ask for 10% increment when you know you deserve more. Ask more and don't stop asking.

This is one of the greatest lessons I've learnt recently. I could ask more but I asked easy things, ones which were possible and got them in return. Some of them did not even make sense. How I wish I had asked more. I thought things to be not achievable. I believed them to be of not my reach and then, I landed up with mediocre things. I could have got better had I at least asked for them. . Nonetheless, I'm grateful for things I've got. I'm just thinking that if the those things if they were possible, better and best things could also be possible.

Or is it the law of diminishing marginal utility, friends? Because, I've got what I wanted it's actual possibility is giving me lesser and lesser satisfaction. So, I think I could reach more and change my bundle of utilities and attain a higher satisfaction.

Wants are unlimited. Resources are limited." This is the first thing to be taught in economics. Should our dreams and desires be unlimited, given our actual world? Are they achievable? Should we be realist or dreamers?

I'm just thinking economics and philosophy together. Well, education has definitely made me do some critical thinking about life. Anyways, I think from now, I will ask more. I will ask about things I'm sure about so that it does make sense. I will ask things that I will grab once I get them.

Folks, please share your thoughts if the author should ask for more or is the author being greedy and should settle her mind with what she wanted? For now, these thoughts seems to be lingering in her mind.

(No hashtags)

PRAY. ASK. LIVE. BELIEVE => MORE
MIRACLES DO HAPPEN ONLY IF YOU ASK FOR THEM TO HAPPEN.

How Blue is my Sapphire

edited by Srilekha Kannepalli

The young lady was taking the elevator. She was 27 years old, dressed in corporate attire. She glanced at her watch and noted, 'Not a bad day. It's 8:00 p.m. here in NYC. I will go up to my apartment and call up my mother and chit chat on the happenings of the day. Mom must be awake by now in Delhi.' She has had a busy life. There were hardly any friends with whom she socialised. Everyone has been so busy, some married and some caught up in their careers. It is said that 'life comes a full circle.' But what is never told is how it is such a vicious cycle. It makes one realise that we need to prioritise and just spend time on those things and with those people who matter the most.

The door of the elevator opens on the first floor. She happens to see a familiar face enter the elevator and quickly gazes down, not too sure if it is him. She looks up again only to get a smile from the stranger and to her dismay, it is him indeed. She puts on a tough smile, the one you give to your colleagues, the way you say, 'I'm doing fine' to every 'How are you?' question put to you. The guy was tall and a little darker than her fair brown complexion. He was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. His face did not have the same glow that it had in his younger days. But when he looked at her, her heart beat was as fast as it had been in her teenage years whenever she happened to see him. She did not expect him to remember her and was startled when he started speaking to her.

“Hi! How've you been?” he asked.
“I'm fine. How are you?”
“I'm good. It's good to see you. It's been a long time.”
“Indeed. It's been thirteen years.”
“Oh! I thought it was more.”
She smiled again. In her mind, her reply was, 'Only if you cared to realise that I was away from you, would you know how many years, how many months, how many days, how many hours, how many minutes, how many seconds it has been.' She wanted to cry but couldn't. She wanted to hug like how old friends do. But, it was difficult to think of him as a friend.

They met every day in school. They had played together in childhood. It started with being acquaintances. It was hard to remember when she started liking him. May be the growing up years or may be when she saw many of her girlfriends getting into relationships. There wasn't exactly a name that one could give to their relationship. They never gave each other gifts. They never wished each other on birthdays; rather they were competitive in nature. They loved to outperform each other only for the sheer joy it gave them. She enjoyed those petty fights with him to prove to him that she is better than him. He too used to do the same. She had started realising how special he was to her more than a friend. She started noticing him as a boy, a boy she would love to spend the rest of her life with. Puberty hit her hard, her behavior changed and it made her irritable. She wasn't able to focus. She did not understand that how one boy could occupy her mind. She grew confused with her feelings towards him. She wanted to get away from them. So she started to ignore him for most part of grade 9.

As a kid, she never knew that nothing lasts forever. Her father got transferred to Mussoorie from Delhi when she completed her 9th grade. She left without a word. Life got busier than ever with the boards ahead and a career to ponder upon. Her mother had always advised her: “After you open up to the world, there is no turning back.” It was the reason she did not open a Facebook account. She knew that if she would, she would see old pieces of her life that are no longer a part of her. It would only lead to complications. It would only make her feel that how things have changed and how people have changed.

She came back to Delhi for college. Soon after she graduated from college, she had opened a Facebook account and contacted some of her old batchmates; but she never had the courage to contact any of those with whom she had shared a good relation. None of them had contacted her after she had left, even though they had her phone number. It pained her to see them online but not to be able to speak to them. However, wherever she lived and whatever she did, she had that guilt for not behaving her normal self with him in the days before her departure. The regret got even more for not being able to say goodbye. She always thought that maybe there would be another chance to meet him. Maybe this hadn't been their final goodbye.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that she did not notice the elevator stop. They both got off the elevator on the 10th floor. She had a lot of questions to ask him like 'Why he didn't contact her? or What was he up to in his life?' But then, all that seemed meaningless. She was quite unsure of her feelings. 'Was it painful to see him or was she happy that finally she met him?' Right now she had to get hold of her thoughts.

After a long pause, he asked her, “What's up? What's going on in life?”
She replied stiffly, “I'm here on business.”
“Cool!”
“What are you up to?”
“Oh! Me? I work for a PR agency here. Well, that‟s my bread and butter and may be more. It‟s such a surprise to see you here.”
He seemed very puzzling to her.
“It‟s a surprise for me too.” 'Was it mere coincidence or fate that they met here?'
“You've turned into a beautiful woman and I‟m not saying just because it is you.” He said grinning at her.
“Thanks.” She couldn't help but blush at the compliment. She thought of being calmer in front of him, lest she would look like a complete idiot swooning over his lovely smile.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. She wanted to know if he was living in the same building.
“I'm here to meet a friend.”

She had a sense of relief that he did not live here, relieved that there would be no daily tension and the constant butterflies upon seeing him time and again. Then she heard someone was calling him. She saw a young woman in her early twenties coming towards them and saying, “Hey, where were you darling? Why didn't you pick up my call, baby?” Suddenly she felt jealous of the woman and hatred welled up in her. Bitter though she had been in the recent years of her life, she cordially said to him, “I guess you've an important engagement. I got to go. It was nice meeting you.” A man of few words, as he always had been, he gave her a breathtaking smile. She too smiled.

She turned and went towards her apartment. As she turned away, there was a drop of tear and a heart mixed with sadness, relief and gratitude. There were so many things running in her mind at the same time. Seeing him again brought up old feelings and just for a sliver of a second she wanted to be with him. She wanted to speak to him and tell him what all had happened to her after she last saw him. She wanted to share her happiness, her turmoil, her insecurities, her fears and her love. Yet what she could see today was how things have moved on.

Time is not stagnant for anyone. But how has she held on to her memories. If fate had been with her today, the chance meeting could have blossomed into the love that she dreamed about in school. The thought that she has lost him again, made her feel sad and weak. He had never kept in touch with her though they had a wonderful past together. Expectations have always hurt her more. She realised that she had built expectations from a man who doesn't even know her reality of today.

It was her nature too that she did not convey her feelings to people. She believed people are best to be kept as memories. In this curious world, he too had not become a caring friend to her. Cautious of her actions as she always had been, she returned to reality from the world she was fantasising. While closing the door to her apartment, she told God in her thoughts, 'All of us live with our past. All of us allow it to shape our future. But some of us know how to shrug the past. I think that is who I am.'




PS: At times, one strikes a chord with the words of others. The story was originally written a month before the time when the author read a prompt in the Write India campaign by Times of India. She felt that the prompt indeed matches with the story and even the title. So, this story has been republished on 26 July '2016 here after much editions with the help of my dear writer friend Srilekha who I adorably call as Sri. No no, we didn't get a chance to win and publish it into a book. But then, the online reach in this virtual world have certainly kept our hopes high. Signing off as I can go on writing..

Life of a social butterfly

WARNING: READ WITH CAUTION!

Hi, I'm Jane. I've lots of friends.I have over 3000 friends on facebook and over 6000 followers in twitter, facebook and other social platforms.  My birthday goes on for days. One for the neighbourhood folks, one for the kitty folks, one for the college, one for the coachign, one for the school, one for the offcie and why one, I've multiple groups like sub groups in groups. I'm much popular everywhere.

Insta pics and insta likes are what I vouch for. Throwbacks and hashtags are the order of the day. I like those pout photos of mine. I look so cute in them that I feel like kissing myself!

Putting most of my pics on insta, I make sure I look good. I've straightened my hair. I love deep red lipsticks. If I go out, I've to put a check in and tell everybody that I'm having such a good time!

If I buy a branded stuff, I've to show to everybody on facebook. If I eat something delicious, everybody should know it. If I go especially to a foreign location, the check in is mandatory. After all, everybody should know that I'm doing great things.

I'm so busy that I don't have time to get bored. My weekends are packed with plans with my friends. I can't live even for a second without my phone. When I switch off my internet and when I turn it on, OMG!, I've 500 messages from my whatsApp groups and my friends. I'm their counselor. We gossip and discuss things and I'm the life of everybody. So, I've to be available for them all the time.

So my activities suggest that I've so many things about myself. These are the things that are part of my life and this is what I am. My life is fun. And yes, this is the life of a social butterfly like me.  The dictionary meaning says it all that it means someone who can fit with all, make friends and be friendly with everyone.

But, do you guys know that I'm very lonely! I do these things because I've seen others doing it. I do these things because I don't want to look like being left behind and most importantly, I do these things to look happy. Happy than I am usually.

I mingle with all because I don't want to get bored but be called up everywhere. I mingle because I don't get time to think off about things that disturb me otherwise. I mingle so I don't look like a boring serious person. I talk because I want to show my visibility even if what I utter is sheer non-sense. I work because I can't stand a single day sitting at my home.

I know myself that most people aren't of any use or they won't be there when I would need them but only because even they don't want to get bored. For this sake, I have a soft spot for fake people for that's what I am myself so that I don't get or even worse, perhaps, look like a bore.

Please forgive me oh lord, for being so.  #Earnest #Confession #Throwback #Tuesday #Instapic #Instalike #funlife #friends #forever

PS: Normal English looks so boring and my grammar is weak! :P

Comedy of Errors: Part 1

"Such kind of episode has never happened in my six years of career!" exclaimed my colleague Riya. We both guffawed at the whole episode. So, after all, what has happened today afternoon? Hang on till the end my friend.

All right. It was past 2 o'clock of the afternoon! I asked Riya if she had lunch. I like the company of Riya. She is experienced and is a realistic person and a fun friend at office. She replied hurriedly that she is too busy. So, I thought I should join my usual group for lunch.  I moved quickly out of my bay in 7th floor to the 3rd floor where the cafeteria is located. I like taking a break and having lunch there rather than staying on my floor and eating there.

As I entered towards the door of cafeteria, to the left, there was a long queue as usual for heating up the heavenly food inside the tiffins of people. I too grabbed a plate. But, to my dismay, I had to wait for my turn and damn, I was hungry. I just saw a lady adjusting the food of a guy with hers inside the microwave. Once she was done, I excused if I could squeeze in my glassware lunch box containing the vegetable and another one, containing the roti inside. The lady obliged and set the time as two minutes for the lunch of the three of us. In a minute, the guy took out his glassware lunch box and roti. I did not observe what he took out. But after a minute, when I opened the micro, I was in a state of surprise because methi was inside my lunchbox instead of bhartha. I just realised that this man has taken my food instead because our lunch boxes were similar. Even that girl was taken by surprise knowing this and jokingly said "Eat methi now."

I waited there thinking that he would come back recognising that he has taken the food that was not belonging to him. But the wait was done in vain. I was worried that he has taken my lunch box as well. More than that, I did not remember his face and that's what I felt. I started searching for him in the cafeteria which is big enough to occupy around 200 people. I just knew how my lunch box looked like. So, I started staring at lunchboxes of people inside the place while they were eating. Of course, they glanced back. It felt so awkward but did I have any other choice?

Sitting near the entrance of the door, I finally recognised the guy. Thank God for my memory that I could vaguely recollect his face The guy was sitting with his gang of people eating my lunch and was completely not observing that he is not eating his home made food but some xyz's person. I was profusely laughing at the whole scene while going up to him and telling him "Hey, you're eating my lunch." He was in such a state of shock. His face made me laugh at him so hard. Somehow, I composed myself and told him "You've exchanged the lunch boxes. You took it away and started eating too." The whole lot of people with him starting laughing so hard that it was actually a LOL atmosphere. But, the guy was very embarrassed that let alone mistakenly taking away someone's lunch box, he even started eating it so much so that he has half finished the food. He did not not even realise it until this girl came to claim her tiffin. He was so taken aback. He could hardly speak up. Slowly, he gathered some courage to say "Now, what could I do?" His brain had stopped working. I told him to take his lunch box and empty my lunch on his plate with whatever was left. After doing the same, he asked me what would I eat now. I said "I'll buy something.", forgetting that I'm not carrying my wallet. Before I uttered another word, his friend said "At least buy her a lunch." To which he earnestly got up but soon realised he doesn't have his wallet. Another friend of his gave him money and he asked me "What would you like to eat?" I thought that buying me food from his friend's pocket would cause further embarrassment for him. I told him "As I'm eating with a group, we will share our food and there is no problem." He agreed. I moved towards my usual group. They were just sitting in a parallel row to that guy. They too were laughing at the incident.

Riya pings me again that she can't stop laughing at the incident. I smile and laugh again in my mind for what has happened today. A comedy of errors and an anecdote to remember for a long time, for the journey of my career has just started.

The Wise tree

The wise tree
has stood so tall,
Come any season
summer, rainy, or the fall

People say you've lived
1000 years
Giving shade and fruit
that one endears

You saw people
You saw their stories
You have rich experience
of one's happiness and miseries

When men fighted
in disgrace,
You stood so firm
at your place

You gave good air
Your value never diminished
You recycled life
Never let it perish

Oh selfish men,
 You cut the trees and say Amen!
You built concrete structures
Forgetting the nature's treasures

Learn from the wise tree
Which gave all
Without bias
no boundaries and walls!

Ode to the mountains

Off to the mountains
Where nature begets
Peace in my mind
And no regrets

I've never been here
I was too busy
Starting in the car
I felt dizzy

As the car moved
Around the hills
To see more of it
I made a will

Slowly my mind
Got off the worries
I thought I've a lived
a life in utter miseries

As against the city
The life was slow
I felt fresh air
And happiness flow

School children
As they walk passed
Carefree, fearless
All there was

People with good physique
Hills made them walk
Come what may
a hill, river or a rock

Trees soaked in
first drop of water
Oh what a sight
was that of a shower

I take in my mind
 a picture of serenity of the hills
lakes, trees, animals,
the silence and the shrills

My end note
"Uttrakhand, A lovely place!
Go back to your roots
Don't forget your race."

11 things you’ll understand only if you are in a long distance relationship.

A long distance relationship requires an extra effort to make it work. Some stay away from it while some break up while experiencing it. Only few are able to sustain it with happiness. If you are one of those who have ever experienced it or are willing to go for it, glance through these 10 points:

1. Oh! Initially the restlessness: 
You wonder if they miss you and freak out if you think that they don't. You wait for their messages. Worse, you hope every buzz on your cellphones is their message but it's not.

2. Phone, your eternal love:
Phone becomes the air without which you cannot live. Your source of connection will be your cellphone. Skype calls would be the ones you would wait for. Your friends will wonder why are you always on phone and what is it that you talk about every time with your love.

3. Late night calls/Day Calls:- 

You try to make a call any time when your lover is free. No wonder, there are different night call packages provided by mobile operators as they understand your needs.

4. The most asked query:

 Kiske saath ho? (Who is with you?) will be the most asked question.

5. Sleepy head, oh no!:

You will be often caught asleep while your partner is still busy talking to you. And next day face the consequences and awkwardness that you felt asleep while s(he) was still eager to talk to you.

6. Those complaints : 

The fights on "Why did you not lift my call?" After a fight, you tend to over-think if this is the end. What if your partner finds a new one in their other world, is the question that often lingers on your mind.

7. And those doubts:

Stalking becomes a favourite hobby. You've to be careful about the excess information your partner did not give but you spied on!

8.  The starry night and the moon:

You look at the sky and wonder if your special one too is looking at the moon. This way it helps you to feel that no matter what the distance you both are under the same sky.

.

9. Hallucinations: 

You start developing illusions of your lover around you. You start talking to your lover in your mind as if you two are connected. You dream about your future with your lover. You meet each other in your dreams and in your self created images.

10. Developing new skills:

Oh! This can happen. Why not?

11. Surprises: 

You plan for surprises for meeting up. You plan about things you'll do for them when you meet them up. You prepare yourselves with gifts to pamper them on their birthdays, your anniversaries e.t.c.

Most people break up when they think about long distance relationship. But remember, nothing in life is permanent. If you truly love one another, just give it a try. You will learn aspects about each other that you had a blind eye on.

In the end, if this is your motivation, then you cannot avoid a long distance relationship.

PC: Photos available at:

Overtly attached girlfriend facebook page, 

Long distance relationship by Stephen Blake facebook page,

www.someecards.com,

http://datedaily.mate1.com/,

google images

Topic Courtesy: college ok please, Candid Marketing

Discussions and Ideas courtesy: My friend Swati Gupta

To sail through great laughter, do visit  "Overtly attached girlfriend" facebook page! :D

8 Common Phrases Used or Misused

There are certain phrases that all of us are tired of listening. Not because they are said often, but one starts doubting the intention of the speaker who uses it. Sometimes, they are nothing but lies. Let us have a glance through what I mean by those phrases:

1.

For anyone who speaks what comes in the heart and mind, it may seem that speaker otherwise doesn't speak much or hides something. I really can't get the meaning of this phrase, frankly speaking!

2.

Better know as "tbh" in the sms world, this phrase is quite a thing. One wonders if the speaker usually lies or whatever (s)he has uttered till now has been a lie.

3. "Can I ask you something, I hope you wouldn't feel bad." Or something like "First tell me that you wouldn't feel bad. Then only, I will ask you."

What do you want, my dear speaker? Do you want me to feel bad or not? You want me to be prepared because you know you're going to spoil my mood. Don't you?

4. "Can I tell you something? I hope you wouldn't take it personally."

You want to put personal remarks and you add that line.  Why else on earth will you take the safety measures?

5.  

Sometimes, you need to tell the actual condition or outcome against the expected one. But, more often in usual conversations, the usage of this word seems to be like you created something else in the mind of someone or you hid something. Now, you are telling the actual scenario. 

6. "I will call you back later."

Please add "if I don't forget" to the above line. Usually, people forget to call back later. It seems either you are very busy or I'm worthless. And, one shouldn't be feeling the second one. So, value the one who called you and stick to your words.

7.  

This is mostly said by your boss to his boss or his client or you, yourself. This is the way of talking in an organisation. It means that the person in question doesn't have an answer to the question at present. Whatever, he wrote in a report or whatever he said, he himself doesn't have 100% belief.

8. Aunty Acid puts this better!

These are just some of the phrases in which you can find the lies or the conviction people may have to things they've spoken. Of course, it depends from situation to situation. You get to know if a  person is speaking truth just like you get a hint when the other person is flirting, which is usually another form of lies. Buttering is another form of lies.

In the end, I would just wish for my reader, may your intuitions save you!

7 Points on why being a woman is an advantage after all.

WARNING: This is an article which portrays stereotypical image of women. It is not meant to offend anyone.

We've been hearing a lot about feminism lately. A lot of views on why being a woman is tough. Well, it might be tough. But who says, being a woman isn't fun at all?
Lets just start with the bullets:

1.) Skewed sex ratio doesn't help men but it makes us pass off the long queue:

We, women have the pleasure of this ratio because our queue is always shorter than the men's queue. A woman is happy about the short queue but of course, we aren't proud about national figure of 940 females per 1000 males when biologically, it should be the other way around. Nonetheless, karma will serve back for one's misdeed.  Men will feel the repercussions of a skewed sex ratio like China is feeling now with  little women left to marry off the eligible bachelors.

2. Being taken extra care of

Sometimes, I just love this part of being a girl. Your family and friends being protective and caring about you. Who doesn't love being cared for?

3. Dressing up:

Clothes, make up, accessories and more of it. Being a girl gives us an excuse for doing more and more shopping. (Actually, do we ever have more?)

For more fun on Girls Versus Boys, Watch Zaid Ali Videos. You may find them stereotypical but they are fun!

4. Being soft, being hard, doesn't matter in our own clan:

In our nation, people often joke on guys who are soft in their nature. However, on girls who are loud and doesn't like to dress up the girls way, the jokes are little comparatively. We can be the way we are until of course someone rings the wedding bells.

5. Women can be late

There are women who are always late everywhere. They get excused because it is believed women have extra work load at home and they do need some time more to dress up.

6. Women can drive the way they want:

On roads too, women drivers have it easier than men facing the wrath of other drivers. Often one finds the traffic policemen excusing the woman for flouting the traffic rules when he has caught a male driver at the same time. 

7. Multi tasking women:

This thing is something every woman is proud about. Even a man knows multi tasking. But we know it better because some of us will put our best make up, matching earrings e.t.c. even during critical times like exams.

 There are more points to cover and this article will see many alterations. But to conclude, isn't it cool being a woman? To woman, enjoy your womanhood. To men, enjoy your women. (hehe ;)  )

6 Reasons on why is Indian Television an Idiot box forever?

Idiot box, popularly known as Television, often makes us sit for hours only to realise that we have wasted our time. Sometimes, we do find educational things and entertainment as well, but most of the times we just have finger fetish over the remote control of our TV. With thousands of channels we are just changing them to find if there is something that will interest us. Our attention to things is short lived and we can't even stand the commercial breaks played on television. An Indian television is no different. Just count on the number of times, you sat for a long duration watching actually nothing that's meant to stay with you forever. Lets talk about how Indian Television is an Idiot box now and forever, unless we actually have God descending on earth telling us "Ab bas Karo!" (Now, stop it!")

1. Never ending soap operas:

These serials like the one above have lasted for years like oh sorry, I've lost the count. Serials like this have made us think "Kyunki hum bhi kabhi bachhe the". The stories were far too stretched to such an extent that they have become unbelieveable. 

2. The Melodrama:

The melodrama that these serials offer is commendable. Often, we will find reappearaaces post deaths and deaths again and again reappearances or re-births. No wonder, India has been a place of Gods and a land of miracles. The melodrama is supported by over the top background scores that bore us time and again. The cameraman too has a special job in these serials to zoom in and zoom out each of the character's face in case of a catastrophic event (in these serials, any truth or conspiracy revealed or even marriage is a catastrophic event!) You will also find saree clan women with full on make up at the middle of the night. Wow! It seems like normal people are always badly dressed.

3. The debates on news channels (Or are they really debates?)

The debates are more like wars than debates. We've high regards for journalists specially those who have a strong opinion and are fearless. But, in their debates, sometimes the only one speaking is they themselves. They should only be the convenor. But their opinion building nature makes them come to conclusions themselves. Media be it TV or print, has many a times, arrived at judgements even before the actual jury came out with its judgement. This is like playing politics and changing stance according to populist views. In addition, we find news channels playing one big news the whole day long. And, the sad part is, for TRPs sake, every channel showcases the same thing.

4. The Food Channels:

No offence to the food lovers. This point in not just for Indian Television but for the TV in general. One can watch different sports whole day or even a long match. One can watch travel shows, history shows, discovery shows because story is different. But one thing that seem to quiz me is that who can watch food channel the whole day or so? Even if the food item is different, food is still food. What else can you prepare other than starters, main course, street food or deserts or soups? TV has surely become an Idiot box with food channels.

5. Repeated Movies (Evergreen movies? Huh!)

Many of the channels show repeated movies on their channels so much so that the movies have become synonymous with channel's name. I read a facebook post recently "I'm watching IPL on Suryavansham Channel!". Channels are meant to entertain but they have started boring us like those soaps. These movies have become a legend overtime.

6. Reality Shows

We understand that for a talented person, performing on TV would be the biggest form of appreciation. However, too many reality shows on singing, dancing, adventure e.t.c. have made us feel most of the content on these shows is already seen. We're too bored with the same format, different seasons and same lines quoted by the judges.

So, how the future is being hit?

Television might become a story of the past with Internet media eating up its audience. The branding that Internet together has in line with the young audience is far ahead of Television. Start ups like Scoopwhoop, Storypick are becoming a rage with millions of subscribers. While television sought for a different channel for each type of interests, these channels are "one stop destination" for all kind of news, enterntainment. Young people especially those on laptops are switching from TV to these channels. You hit a like and follow on facebook and Twitter and you needn't switch their channel. They will come to you. There is no time constraint on them. It provides users with flexibility.

 They have become popular even with articles which have new edge over the traditional print media. They have recognised the taste of Indian Audience very well. They have even taken care of the short attention span with articles not very long and most of them in points format. They reveal the number of points in the title itself. They have changed the writing style of most bloggers with many of us, now writing in points format

 The kind of branding that they are doing is something amazing to study for. In coming years, we might find a case study or more on their success in the management schools. Most importantly for now, it comes free with Internet subscription. So, what more can you ask for? You want humor, sports, news, food or anything, just go for it. 

The NALSAR Chapter

My NALSAR journey was full of twists and turns. As my friend, Srilekha puts it "Life lessons", it taught me more than anything ever could.

In the first year, I started feeling I was living in a Big Boss House sans cameras. It wasn't the fact that the campus is far away from the city but because of the kind of emotions I would observe. Sometimes, hostel would be vibrant with happy faces, celebrating birthdays, watching movies, making fun of every other person. On the hand, there were days people were really sad, tensed and frustrated (Don't ask me with whom! This ;) grin is for my classmates!)

For me since the first semester onwards, I kept on being with different set of groups to know with whom I gelled best, only to realise later, that where you've a say and where people love and encourage and not ignore you, only be with them.

I, earlier, till my undergrad had this feeling that everyone is good. Be kind to all and talk and mix with everyone. But, it is in this place where I realised the importance of being judgemental. You can't be good to all because they are not good to all. It is okay to be biased because they are biased. At the same time, I learned the need to at least be in some talking terms with one another not because you want to but because you never know about something called time. You can't be friendly to all because people at times forget to appreciate other as a human and give unneeded advice.

I observed here the sets of friends one had: One for the movie, one for studies, one for the hostel, one for the hang outs, and what not.

So, I accepted the fact that I'm growing up. I'm becoming better at understanding different people but also, I'm absorbing a part of them in me. I said to myself  "I've to leave this place before it makes me too hard and too changed."

I learned about the sharing, caring, having patience, adjusting, to mention a few all of such characteristics in which I lacked.

Right now, it's my last night at NALSAR. The lectures, the class setting of especially first semester, the hostel , the lecturers, the friends, the fights, the outings, the hostel roof, the stadium, the football, the basketball, the gym, the birthdays, the exams, the food e.tc. are picturing in my mind. Oh, I'm going to miss this so much!

From a friend's mother comes a precious advice "Wherever you work, wherever you are, help others." We need to understand that it is upon us, the first batch, to take our Centre for Management Studies upwards to the heights we wanted to see it in. So, help your comrades and help your juniors.

Dear batch mates, Wish you all best of wishes in all your future endeavours. Now, let us bring down the curtains to this chapter, holding on to our memories. Let us embark upon a new journey!

With this, I bid goodbye to you until the next time I catch up with you, singing:
"Its been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again.
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again."      :)

What's your idea on God?

"Tu hai ki nahi?" meaning Do you exist or not? This question often lingers on our head. We all have been in situations where we ask if God really exist. Sometimes, its not any situation but just our state of mind.

Its been a while since I started observing that I've now started disliking going to temple. I'm not against God. But, God doesn't solve my problems. Moreover, the class difference I see in society especially when some people are not allowed to go inside the temple is something I disapprove of. Yes, I'm a Brahmin and this modern day Brahmin has no airs about who is entering the temple or not or with whom I'm sitting and having a lunch with. So, why such discriminations. We must realise that time has changed now. Those cultures and traditions that I do not understand, what significance do they hold for me? Frankly, nothing. Null. Void.

 I had written in my older post titled "God a boundation or a belief?", that modern day living leaves me no time to read to religious texts and seek meaning of life or problems. So these days, I read more of quotes on social media or blogs or some Guru's quotes. When I read the blogs, I find them more meaningful. I can relate to what a blogger has written. Random quotes too sometimes makes so much sense to me. Sometimes, I'm struck with  a thought on my head and can't find answer to it. Like I said before, I don't read a religious books but it is these quotes and blogs that help me. It makes me think that I'm no different. It suggests sometimes the things are just the way they are. If I'm not feeling good, talking to a friend, watching a good movie, a nice drama, uplifting and soothing music and awesome food helps me feel better. These are the ways sometimes, I vent out my frustration and sad mood. I see "God" in people and these little things and in its creations.God has created all the things and even those which makes me happy and feel better.  

However, I still feel as I don't get answers from my God in the same pace as my life is building up. There has to be a new religion to which most of us can connect asap! By religion, I mean it may be an idea. Today we need the idea that connects us and not discriminates us. An idea of being good. An idea which holds relevance for the present and for the future. My idea on God, I've already shared. So, what is your idea? Please post your views. I will be happy to engage in a dialogue with you.

10 Charms of being a Hyderabadi

I've spent the two years of my life at the city of Nawabs known as Hyderabad. I've had some long lasting memories here with Hyderabadis and how they are fun, loving and cool. Lets talk about what stands them apart from the rest of the world:

1. Well, to begin with do everything hallu se. (slowly). Yes, its a city but here its a slow life with people telling each other "hallu se chal" (walk slowly), "hallu se khaa" (eat slowly).

2. Sentences of hindi are too short as there are no "hai, hain, hu etc." Hindi is like "Tu dekhi" (You saw?" "mai toh paper mei kuch likhich nahi" (I did not write anything in the exam.)

3. Here , if people get angry you will get to hear words like "Kya houla bnaya muje" (You made me mad".  "Kya baingan bnaya re tu" (You made me a fool).

3. Hyderabadis are really cool people. You will often find them saying "Light le in hindi or light tisko in telugu (meaning  take things lightly, Chill)

4. We have talked too much on the language. Lets talk about the city as such. So, to begin with, amidst the hustle bustle, the pollution in any city, here lies a big lake Hussain Sagar at the heart of the city built by the great Nizam of Hyderabad. The lake is beautiful. My friend tells me it keeps the city cool. The eat street on the sideways and the buddha structure in the middle of the lake are the ambience to vouch for.

5. Awesome resorts and restaurants to go for. Alankrita and Leonia Resorts are the one I've frequented to for meals. Apart from that, city offers some of the exotic restaurants like A La' Liberty, Indigos to mention a few. See my friend's blog: https://foodventurerz.wordpress.com/ and I need not say more.

6. Hyderabadis love biryani. Most of them do. Paradise in Hyderabad is famous for its biryani.

8. Ramoji Film City is another attraction here. Its a place to recollect your movies and serials that were shooted here. Its big and its good for a full day outing.

9. The beauty of Charminar is appeasing to eyes. The market is full of vendors selling accessories , food, juices etc..

9. The love that Hyderabadis have for Telugu movies, songs and their culture is interesting to see. One word against their favourite movie star and they will protect him/her like their family.

10. The best part of this place are its people. Most of the local friends of mine were so caring and loving and they love to invite you for food. Some of them even go out of their way to help others.

The list is not exhaustive. These are those few of the many things that I'm carrying away with me for the rest of my life. If you really want to know, what makes this city so special in its own way, you should visit this place. With a heavy heart, I leave Hyderabad in 3 days. Counting 3,2,1........

11 bitter sweet truths that have stayed with me

Since morning I've been thinking about the writing this article on the sayings of few people who have been part of my life. Their sayings have echoed in my mind since the day they said them. Some of them well, one might have read somewhere but when it was said by that person, it actually meant something deeper. I'm not mentioning their names but one fine day I would. I don't remember the conversation in some cases. But, lets hear to what they said:

1.  "I don't cry often like you to make my tears less valuable. I cry only once."-  a masters friend.

That was said to me on being too emotional about things. Next time, I'm going to think about it before I cry. I hope he'll be happy to hear this!

2.  "A manager's first trait should be to have stability of mind." -my brother

Now this was said to have a calmness effect on me.

3. "Be happy, for you will get nothing less or more than what is destined for you."- my mother

This was to let me know that being in a positive state of mind is more important than getting a good paying job.

4. "I do what I like. I like what I do."- a school friend who has left his career in which he was academically inclined to a career in which he is passionately involved.

The DWYL (the do what you love) syndrome. This quote have been said by many inspirational writers. But, it really doesn't count much unless it comes from a person whom you admire as a person. Well, it was said on being quizzed about his sleeping hours duration and why he sleeps so little?

5.  "You don't live for yourself. You live for others." - my undergrad friend

This was said to me when I told her that I don't keep in touch with most of my friends. It is difficult for me to make a conversation once we've left talking for months.

6.  "All men are selfish."-My English teacher of high school

She just said this in between the class. This saying has stayed with me because at that time, I felt a pain in her eyes while saying this. Now that I've met diverse individuals in my life, I don't beg to differ with this line.

7. "And this (Sky pouring with rain) is called divine intervention. No more class. Go out!"
- the same English teacher

This was said in one of those extra classes that we had in class 12th. It was such a hot weather in May and it started raining. Windows opened on their own, thanks to the cool wind. And, when my teacher said this, the whole class went to the open verandah near the library and got drenched in the rain. That was true liberation!

8. "It is okay to be selfish. Everyone is selfish. But, it is bad to be self-centred."
- one of my school friend

While there is little difference between the word selfish and self centred with both words being used synonymously, the meaning that I interpreted at that time is what matters. Everyone thinks about their personal benefit but only thinking about yourself is something that is really mean.

9. "We can't do something good for others. At least, we mustn't say something wrong."
- my school friend

The conversation was about how selfish people deserve to get bad consequences.

10. "I don't know when you get older whether you remember me or not. But I'll come to your wedding to see you as a bride even if I'm forgotten to be invited."
-One of my aunt in my neighbourhood with whom I stayed when my parents were away for their jobs.

She said this when I was a little child. Ofcourse, at that time I did not understand anything because in childhood, you are not acquainted with the truth that nothing lasts forever.

11. "Ignorance is such a bliss." -my school friend

- I was like "Bang on!"

These people, many of them I don't talk everyday. Many of them, I've talked after years. But, that doesn't mean, I've forgotten them and their saying which had the bitter sweet truths of life. I'm sure these people don't remember what they said. But to whom, they said, it meant a lot.

Freedom you gotta give what you take!

(This article was written on Independence Day 2014. But, as the International Women's Day 2015 passed by, I thought of reposting it here.)

On this occasion of independence day, I ask myself " What does freedom mean to me?" Does it mean doing, talking anything that I like? No, it doesn't. It means doing something within my own boundaries. And, everyone has their own.

For long, women in our country have been deprived of many things, be it the right to take birth, to get educated, to choose a partner of their choice, to give birth to a baby girl and many rights are denied on a day to day basis. Today, our PM Modi has rightly said that when a women goes out of house, she is asked a thousand of questions vis-a-vis a man. What has happened to the society that being a women, we have unnecessary limits set on us? The everyday crimes against women leaves us appalled. I have heard many of my friends say why was I born a women and why doesn't it happen to men right from from their puberty days to their days as a grown up when they witness,hear, feel once or more the eve teasing, the rapes and what not!

While God can't be cursed for making us a women (it is a blessing in fact), men and even women in our world , definitely should be blamed for creating such havocs in our minds. On one hand, on ashtmi or navmi of the Navratri, the little girls are being symbolised as Devis and on the other hand, day after day, we hear of the heinous crimes committed against us. On a personal front also, women do witness one or other men playing Mr. Dominant role in their lives and most of the times, they are their own family members. Now, when they only do not give a chance to lead at least their own lives, how will women come out of their small chambers to speak of any wrong that has happened to them. Be it men or women, the stigma attached to even a small sexual assault is much.

Ours is a regressive society where discrimination has just become a culture, in fact, a habit. This has even led to a war of women against women.Once, while travelling in a train, a women told my friend (a girl) that girls shouldn't laugh that loud. She said nothing to boys. Ours is a collective society and mind you, suggestions come here for free whether you ask them or not. So, once, I was told to tie my hair by a lady to the the surprise of many young girls standing with me in the ladies coach of Delhi Metro. Now, when this is a scene in a cosmopolitan city, I wonder about the dismal stature of our rural and semi-urban areas.

While we call for feminism in our society, this emancipation of women has to be carefully cherished. Being equal, doesn't mean we too become dominant. In the name of equal rights, we should not compete in useless arguments to let men know that we are better. If we are being asked questions about our where abouts and told to be careful and to follow some kind of code of conduct, it is because we are being cared for. It shouldn't be taken as a restriction. Thus, freedom with boundaries should be okay for us.

In our society, men/ women right from their childhood should know about the other gender well. The communication between men and women should be much so as to in built the respect for the other sex. And, for all women, in the end, I would say, never indulge in useless thoughts of "Why me?" Enjoy your womanhood. God has blessed you with a warm and caring nature. So, love it! "Happy Independence Day."

PS: The author on this day of re-publishing this article has moved on from feminism. This is because she feels what we need at present is a level of righteousness as most women in the world are being denied even the basic rights. So, what do you think about it? Please post your comments.