Sunday, December 28, 2014

Saturday, December 27, 2014

The Award



There are lies, that you speak to avoid falling into a mess, and then there are LIES, that, after the initial escape, lunges forward and grasps your conscience so hard that you are entrapped in a feeling of guilt and repentance. The courage to speak the truth can take us through all situations, even though there might be initial hurdles. Persistence with lie, however small that might seem, brings us to a cross road where dilemma and sense of regret flood our shores.

I was in the eight standard, a phase where we embrace our teenage years, and gain understanding of the good, bad and ugly. You know how competitive school life is. Pressure to study, pressure to excel, and pressure to be ahead in the race. It’s this constant pressure that’s exhausting, but then, when you live up to this expectation, the feeling is exhilarating. Exhilaration, yes, was what I experienced when I scored a perfect hundred in my Mathematics paper, thus making me eligible for one of the Subject Topper Awards. The teacher praised me, the entire classroom clapped for me, and the jealousy in the face of my competitors made me soar in pride.

I was thrilled, I was glad. And, then came the ugliest feeling of all – guilt.

The answer sheets were handed over to each student so that they could evaluate their mistakes, and know where they went wrong. When I went through mine, I noted that there were two questions that I had solved incorrectly, but the teacher had mistakenly marked them as correct. Had she been more careful, I would have scored 90, not 100, and definitely not the highest in class. The accolades and cheers would then all go in vain, and the Topper’s medal too wouldn’t land in my hand. It would surely be a losing situation if I informed the teacher and made her revise my marks. I kept quiet.

However, the voice in my head didn’t stay silent. It shouted and screamed, urging me to do what is right, inform the teacher, so that the student who rightly deserves the Topper Award receives it. I tried to shut the voice in my head. After all it was the first time that I was receiving any award. I would by no means lose this chance.

Next day our Principal came into the classroom to congratulate me, and also a few other subject toppers who were from my section. I smiled at her, even though the guilt was weighing heavily on my mind. I thought she would leave after the customary greetings, but she stayed on. What was even more surprising was the announcement that came next.

The Principal, in her authoritative tone, announced, “Every year, we have the Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony in June. However, since our school will be hosting the All India Sports Competition that time, we will be awarding the winners in tomorrow’s morning assembly.”

If there is a moment when the heart really skips a beat, this was it. I looked around. Students were clapping, the teacher was smiling, and the guy who had the second highest marks in Mathematics, with a score of 98, had a dejected look on his face, even though he tried to look happy and bright. In that moment I knew how it felt to be on the wrong side of justice. If I accepted the prize tomorrow, he would be upset, but then, he would double his efforts to grab the trophy next year. What about me? Would I be happy? Would I jump in joy? Would I be able to proudly showcase the trophy in front of my parents?

Would I be able to beam in excitement when others refer to me as the Topper in Mathematics?

In that single moment, I got my answers. I stood up, and with a choked voice, and tears streaming down my face, said, “Ma’am, I am sorry, but I do not deserve this award.”

The entire class looked in shock. The room that was laughing and cheering just a few seconds ago, had suddenly turned silent. It was as if Gods from heavens had turned on the mute button on their remote. A pin fell somewhere, and I understood what pin drop silent really meant. This was it.

I narrated the tale of the mark that I had mistakenly received, and handed over my answer script for correction. The teacher and the Principal stared at me in utter disbelief. The two of them, then went out of the class. I looked back at the guy who had scored 98. He shrugged his shoulder, asking me why. I smiled back. Atleast, I could smile peacefully now, with no weight on my heart.

Five minutes later, the Principal and the teacher re-entered the room, and the former announced, “We are sorry for the error in marking. As correctly pointed out by Amrit, his paper was wrongly checked, and instead of hundred, his score stands at 90. The Maths topper for this year is Gaurav with 98 marks.”

The class cheered for Gaurav now. I too clapped at him.

“However,” the Principal continued, “it’s not easy to speak the truth, specially in today’s cut throat competitive environment. All of us want to win, by hook or by crook. We sacrifice our morals and values in the race to the top. But this young man here today, Amrit, has opened our eyes. Studies don’t just teach you to excel in studies, it should also teach you to excel in humanity, to be a better person, a better civilian of the society. It should teach you to adopt the path of truth, courage and honesty, and shun everything that’s wrong. Moreover, studies should teach every girl, every boy, every man and every woman, to be like this boy, who sacrificed the award and chose the path for righteousness. We are proud of you, yes, very very proud, and for your unselfish and truthful act, I announce a new category of awards this year – Honesty award. This goes to you Amrit.”

This was a moment of celebration, when I could proudly showcase my achievement to the world. True, I didn’t score high in Mathematics, but I did score excellently in honesty. Can there be any better award than that? After all, Kitna chain hota hai na sachchai mein.


This is my official entry to Kinley Happy Hours organized by Indiblogger in association with Kinley.

Check out the official page below:


Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Shooting Star



when a shooting star
glides across the horizon
they smile, wish and kiss


This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Stars.


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A Story Ends, A Tale Begins



how does it feel
to cover miles
in lonesome tracks
where real meets reel
how does it feel

a couple of miles
the sign board reads
a hazy path
where tracks would lead
a couple of miles

a bliss, a freedom
a light so divine
we, mere mortals
humbled by the shine
a bliss, a freedom

a story ends, a tale begins
the cycle runs
forever it seems
of life before, and thereafter
a story ends, a tale begins


This Poem is shared with




Sunday, December 21, 2014

Little Kitty Sleeps

(Image Source: http://homeornaments.com/)


under yellow stars
and colourful Christmas tree
little kitty sleeps



This Haiku is shared with



A Man Was Trying To Appease



A man was trying to appease
his wife, when he burnt the cheese.
The dish gone awry
Her rage, he was wary.
Hence, said he "Let's go out for lunch, please?"


This Limerick is shared with






Saturday, December 20, 2014

Glimmer

(Image Source: http://earthsky.org/)


"Sir, can we travel to the stars?"

"They are meant to be watched, watched from a distance."

"Err ... from this wheelchair that life has gifted me?"

There was no pain in his voice; instead, a glimmer of hope, and a refreshing passion adorned his eyes.

"Sir, I may not walk ever again, but I will definitely sprout wings and fly, someday."


This Micro Fiction is shared with Five Sentence Fiction - Glimmer.



Straw And Needle

(Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

amidst stacks of straws
needle was finally found
a sigh of relief


This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Straw.



Friday, December 19, 2014

Lost Forever



"It's urgent. We leave now."

She nodded. A moment later, two dark silhouettes trudged along the darkness.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"A quarter past ten."

"Ah. The cold breeze burns my skin. Are we there yet?"

Holding hands, they walked towards the Railway Station, their faint footsteps echoing in the moonlit silence.

"She should be arriving by the eleven o' clock express. And would you believe it? We just married last month, but have spent only a couple of days together, till our work commitments came in the way," his voice emanated with nervous excitement.

"Who are you, by the way?" he suddenly turned towards her, and the familiar sense of grief tugged her heart.

Alzheimer's disease had trapped him in the past, while she, his wife for fourteen long years, was lost forever, in this daily routine.


This 140-words Micro Fiction is shared with Succinctly Yours Week 195.



Six Days To Christmas

(Image Source: http://funmozar.com/)


the little child dreams
of Santa and his reindeers
six days to Christmas


This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Christmas Stockings.



Monday, December 15, 2014

Mirage

(Image Source: http://www.bhmpics.com)


amidst sand pebbles
he stumbled on a ruby
alas, a mirage


This Haiku is shared with Haiku Horizons - Ruby.



Friday, December 12, 2014

Winners - Review



To read the full review, click HERE.


Title: Winners
Author: Danielle Steel
Publisher: Transworld
Publication Year: 2014
Language: English
Binding: Paperback
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary Women
No. of Pages: 512
Price: Rs 399
My Rating: 4/5



Friday, December 05, 2014

Love Is Winter

(Image Source: https://wallpaperscraft.com)


They say love is divine. I say love is winter.

You were the snow flake that knocked at my window on that freezing morn. Through the haziness of the frost, and the dilemma of the mist, I welcomed you inside, opening the doors and unlocking the caskets that had accumulated dust over the years. I served you stories, and you promised completion, a happy ending for each one of them.

Outside, the mercury dipped. Inside, it felt so warm.

In this uncertain cold, I experienced bliss and pain and joy and fear, not realizing that summer had quietly crept in.

The snow flake vanished, just like that, leaving behind a smiling trail of the days gone by. Yet, I knew, that it was only a matter of time when it would reappear, knocking at my window on another freezing morn.

They say love is divine. I say love is winter.


Thursday, December 04, 2014

Bubbles



you and me are the bubbles
that bask in moments anew
destined by fate, bonded in rhyme
we collide in feelings so true

I promise you promises
in syllables we always knew
you and me are the bubbles
blessed in love's glittering hue


This Poem is shared with Magpie Tales - Mag 248.



Tuesday, December 02, 2014

A Hunger - Free Classroom



We were lucky we could go to school and complete our formal education. We made good use of our education, and the knowledge acquired, and have woven dreams for a better future. I wouldn't be wrong to say that we belong to the privileged section of the society who have the luxury to take their education for granted, adopting it into our daily routine and going with the flow.

However, often we forget that there is another segment of the society that dwells in deprivation. Go to a roadside eatery or dhaba, and there is a high chance of your meal being served by small children barely in their teens. In fact, you can even find kids aged ten or younger, doing the dishes, cleaning the tables and carrying the food around.

You can't blame the children. They are poor, and education isn't their primary necessity. Food is. One simply cannot study with hunger creeping across the souls like a deadly virus.

Though several initiatives have been launched by the Government regarding free schools for underprivileged along with meals, lack of dedicated resources plays spoilsport. However, we can not rest the entire blame on the Government. We, as noble citizens, should take up the responsibility of spreading education among poor children. Sure, we all are busy in our day to day activities. We do have work, family and other priorities, but a couple of hours a week isn't too much to ask for.

For example, we, along with our neighbors, can start up a basic schooling system for these kids. We can divide our time, and via a rotational policy of teaching, can impart education in an easy and effective manner. The results will be encouraging if the children are provided food along with their studies, and in this way, we can motivate the rest of the population to take up this cause and work towards it.

Every problem has a solution, and it's upon us to find it. Classroom hunger is a big nuisance, but it can be eliminated if we all unite and work hard towards it. Children are, after all, the future of tomorrow. If we can share the gift of education among each and every children, it will only guarantee a promising tomorrow.

And not only the kids, but we too would have earned a great satisfaction. We can wake up every morning, and smile in the mirror with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing fully well that we are playing our part in making India a hunger free, education rich nation, a perfect recipe for development.



I am going to #BlogToFeedAChild with Akshaya Patra and BlogAdda.



Sunday, November 30, 2014

Love Stu(m)bble

This incident dates back to a few years, when I, with a few of my friends, decided to shoot a short movie. No, do not have any grand idea. Neither was I stepping into Bollywood nor was I planning to showcase my work in the Short Films Category in the Oscars. We were just a bunch of youngsters with similar interests in films, and thus on a sudden whim wanted to try making something of our own.

Now, I was the chief planner. You can say I was in - charge of the direction, story and script. Hence, I penned down the meatiest role for me, that of a hero who could fight the baddies aka Salman Khan as well as romance his leading lady aka Shahrukh Khan. Yeah, the image of people whistling whenever I hogged the screen space was dancing in my mind.

However, we still had to find a producer, and with God's grace, we were successful. Mr. Rampal, the jewellery merchant and my neighbour, promised to don that hat.

As the D-Day approached, my excitement knew no bound. To tell you the truth, Rhea, the girl who would be playing the character of the heroine, was my childhood crush, and I had planned to propose her once the shooting was over. So you see, I had made a full proof scheme of winning her heart, to be her hero both on and off the screen.

I went to the shoot on the designated day, and found my other friends and co-actors engrossed in the script. I quickly changed into my costume. The first scene was an action sequence where I had to beat up three goons.

"Hey, you wore the wrong costume," Mr. Rampal said when I emerged out of the makeshift dressing room.

"What! The hero is supposed to wear this," I retorted.

"Yes, that's what I am saying," he replied impatiently.

"But ... but I am the hero, right?" I was surprised by his behavior.

He stared at me for a minute, and I knew the silence spelled doom. "Well, there has been a slight change this morning," he confessed.

"What change?" I was aghast. A change on the first day of the shoot, and I thought as the director I should be calling the shots.

"Manoj will be the hero for this movie. His clean shaved look is perfect, and thus I felt the role should go to him."

"And what about me?" I was enraged. I had sported the stubble intentionally to get a rough and tough edge, but now that proved disadvantageous to me.

"Well," Mr. Rampal scratched his head, and said, "Why don't you wear the costumes of one of the goons that the hero is supposed to beat up in the first scene?"

Needless to say, it was one of the worst days of my life. However, it didn't stop there, as fate decided to play a wicked game on me.

Rhea and Manoj are a happily married couple today, while I still await the entry of a heroine in my life.



This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette.

This post is in response to the tag by Simran. I tag the following bloggers to take up the #WillYouShave Challenge further:

  1. http://soumya-hintofme.blogspot.in
  2. http://jyotsnabhatia.blogspot.in
  3. http://myfriendshipsimran.blogspot.com
  4. http://artofleo.com
  5. godyears.net
  6. http://hummingwords.blogspot.in
  7. http://vaisakhimishra.blogspot.in


Saturday, November 29, 2014

Kill That Love

(Image Source: http://www.wattpad.com)


smoking kills
and so does love
time for you
to nip that bud
laid on a platter
a home grown skull
me, am the Captain
commanding the hull
follow my orders
like a blood sucking leach
how to kill that love
is what I will teach

go out of your way
burn those hearts
they are freaking potholes
obstacles on your path
you need them no more
times have changed
betrayal is the key
honesty to be feigned

kill that love, yeah kill kill kill
be the stone that hardly feels
tears won't take you far
smiles are a life long scar
feed those emotions to the evil chill

kill the love, today, now
free your mind of bondage how
wired in dreams
unreal realms
get up hey, romance isn't wow

embrace the dark, let the light fade
someday my friends we will all be dead
what good would it do to be so true
heaven and hell - do we really have a clue
demon is your strength, get rid of the angel
drain all noble deeds, relish as the devil
savour the wickedness, join the club
and I would teach how to kill that love


This Poem is shared with Poetry Jam - How To.



The Slogan Of Awakening - #AbMontuBolega




Cleanliness is next to Godliness, they say. Who are this ‘they’ by the way? Leaders, thinkers, philosophers? Aah, do not make wild guesses. ‘They’ are us, you, me and everyone.

We all appreciate the beauty and power of cleanliness. We share Facebook posts and tweet about initiatives that have taken place in our country on behalf of Swach Bharat. We, trying to be a part of the noble cause, wake up early with a broom in our hand, and determination lit large on our face, sweeping the streets in our colony, beaming with pride when we upload those pictures on social networking sites, gaining likes and appreciations from our friends. But is that all? Is our duty towards a clean India confined to a few minutes of social work?

Cleanliness isn't just a physical aspect. Rather, it’s also about our mental and psychological well being. And along with keeping our neighbourhood and country clean, we should also try to rid our mind with all sorts of pollution and obstacles.

It’s time to raise our voice, show our concern, sweep the broom and clean every nuisance in our society.  Strepsil’s new campaign #AbMontuBolega is an awareness drive to raise our voice and make a difference. It’s about performing our duties as citizens of this country, as well as human beings, standing up for what is right and admonishing the wrong. Let us ignite the Montu within us, and voice our opinions to make our country better.

For instance, there have been numerous debates on Black Money stashed in foreign bank accounts, and several promises have been made by our leaders to bring the money back to India, for the betterment of the country. We get to hear about these almost on a daily basis. But is that what we have been reduced to now – a blind spectator, a mute audience? It’s time to exercise our power as citizens of one of the largest democracies. Most of us have honest means of livelihood, but when we see dishonesty and corruption ruling the roost, our blood boils. With a large fraction of the country below the poverty line, we demand a thorough and quick probe, and to make this nation corruption – free as soon as possible, because #AbMontuBolega.

Potholes are often left uncovered, and there have been several accidents of kids and adults falling into them, losing their lives. Whom do we blame? The Government of course. This is something we need to change. We need to take responsibility at times. It’s easy to pass on the blame, but instead of doing that, we can spend a few minutes and cover those open potholes, thus saving lives on the way. Listen to your inner conscience, because #AbMontuBolega.

Talking of safety, how can we ignore the crime and violence against women? It’s sad how even in modern time and age, when girls and women have achieved such great heights, they still feel unsafe walking on the roads of our metropolitan cities. We can boast of developments in fields of technology and economic, but without ensuring our women a proper environment to live in, can we really feel proud of our society? Stricter laws must be implemented and harsher punishments should be meted out to culprits. Along with that, we also need to shift our mindset, respect women like we respect and pray the female deities and Goddesses, because #AbMontuBolega.

Swach Bharat isn't just a daily or a weekly or a monthly program, but an initiative that we should adopt in our heart, working for it effortlessly. Nothing is perfect, but everything can be made better. It’s time we clear our mind and get rid of all the clutter, focus our soul in the positive direction and raise our voice for the right causes.

We have been quiet for too long, and hence it’s time to speak up. Let’s unite and march ahead, and shout the slogan of awakening - #AbMontuBolega.


This is my official entry to '#AbMontuBolega' Happy Hours organized by Indiblogger in association with Strepsils.

Check out the official page below:

Like Strepsils India on Facebook:

Follow Strepsils India on Twitter:



Friday, November 28, 2014

Blizzard



in blistering blizzard
they seek warmth
by the fireplace
of memories

she, narrates stories
of frozen icicles
that melt with time
and promises
into dewdrops

his fingers encircle
the arc under her eyes
drawing lines
of velvet dreams
with colors seven
he carves rainbow
under the snow

in blistering blizzard
they hear love
knocking at the door

she hesitates
he hesitates
they hesitate

would it be wise
to be safe, and not squander
what's already in store


This Poem is shared with Magpie Tales - Mag 247.



Thursday, November 27, 2014

Remember - Review

In the midst of tragedy, memories can bring the greatest healing. Ashley Baxter is trying to forget.
A Deep Regret - Though Ashley vowed to start a new life when she came back from Paris, the mistakes she made there continue to haunt her. She has locked up her heart, convinced that no one - including God - could forgive her. But four unlikely people - Alzheimer's patients - find the cracks in Ashley's heart and slowly help her heal.
An Unthinkable Tragedy, then comes the nightmare of September 11, which forever changes the lives of the Baxter family, causing them to remember what is important and leading them to make decisions that are both heartbreaking and hope-filled.
A Steadfast Love - Landon Blake has loved Ashley since he was a teenager, but the heartache of her past has convinced her she'll never be able to love again. Landon tries to dull the pain of her rejection by immersing himself in the rescue efforts at Ground Zero. Will a new opportunity in New York keep him apart from Ashley forever.

About the Authors
USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's #1 inspirational novelist. She has written more than forty novels and there are over 15 million copies of her award - winning books in print. Visit her website at www.KarenKingsbury.com.
Gary Smalley, America's relationship doctor, is the cofounder of the Smalley Relationship Center and the author of more than forty bestselling, award - winning books, including The Blessing, The Language of Love, and The DNA of Relationships.



If I say that 'Remember' is the best novel that I have read this year, do not consider it to be an exaggeration. The feelings are true, and such has been the impact of this novel that I am still hung over its beauty.

Like the first book in the series ('Redemption'), 'Remember' charts the lives of the members of the Baxter family, through times thick and thin. While Kari was the protagonist in the series opener, the focus shifts towards her sister Ashley this time, unfolding her secrets and the events that had changed her life while she was in Paris. The shocking revelation is followed by the moment of realization, and then the subsequent healing. Her belief and faith undergoes a complete turnover, and we see the warm side of her personality.

But then again, that wouldn't have been possible if she wasn't blessed with a friend and companion like Landon.

Ashley and Landon’s relationship reminds us of Kari and Ryan, floating in a mist of passion and need, and the confusion that creates a distance between the couple. While the love in their hearts is true, and is eager to be shared, it’s the uncertainty of the situation that holds them back, leading to a sad beauty and poignancy that promises a lot, but takes time to fulfil those vows.

The story flows in a subtle timeliness, as the characters grow in experience over several events, both happy and sad. The chief turning point in the story is the terrorist attack of September 11 that shook not only the United States but created ripples of shock and disbelief all around the global. Can hope and prayer save the world from such attacks of evil, and does God have a plan for all our well being? The faith of Baxter’s family is questioned, and how they react to this catastrophe showcases their strength and bonding.

Another important segment that has been dealt with in 'Remember' is Alzheimer’s disease. Ashley joins a centre that takes care of patients suffering from this disease, and as you read their conversations, often repetitive, and yet, so full of life, you really need to keep your bag of tissues ready. Their words dab at your soul, and like Ashley, you, the reader, feel for them, and their pain. Moreover, these patients teach us a lot about life, how we dwell in self imposed negativity, complaining for things we don’t have, rather than feeling blessed for what God has gifted us.

'Remember' isn't just a figment of imagination, or a mere fiction. No! Rather, it’s one of those conversations that we have with our inner selves, trying to find who we are, what we want, exploring the questions that haunt our minds, forgetting that the answers take their own time to come, and we should just wait for the right moment. 'Remember' is real, the characters are rooted deep within us. There is an Ashley, a Ryan, a Landon, a Kari and a Luke in each one of us, often taking the forms of different moods and whims.

The cover of the book has this beautiful line – “In the midst of tragedy, memories can bring the greatest healing.” Once you read the book, the real meaning of it dawns on you, and a feeling of thankfulness and gratitude floods your heart.

This Thanksgiving Day, go and pick up this masterpiece, and enrich your life by savouring the beauty the world has to offer.


Title: Remember
Authors: Gary Smalley, Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
Publication Year: 2013
Language: English
Binding: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
No. of Pages: 412
Price: Rs 299
My Rating: 5/5



Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Thank You O' Lord

(Image Source: http://hdwallpaperszon.in)


Thank you O' Lord
For the love you share
Teaching us to care
Moments of peace
We smile in bliss
Feeding our need
Sheltering our greed
Holding our hands
Taking righteous stands.

You show us the way
Whenever we lose
Our paths astray
Showering us with light
Gifting rays so bright
Divine your presence
In our heart, and mind
We thank you O' Lord
For being ever kind.


This Poem is shared with Poets United Midweek Motif - Gratitude.



Monday, November 24, 2014

Play And Share, Share And Win



Mobile gaming has taken up the country by storm. The advent of new games that are addictive and socially engaging have made a deep impact in our lives. Gone are the days when we had to think of ways by which we could avoid boredom. Now, with millions of games available for download at the tip of our fingers, we can engage ourselves in moments of fun and excitement.

Most of the games allow us to post our scores on social networking platforms and share them with our friends. What if I tell you that a new concept is being launched in India that provides the players not just the opportunity to share their scores but also with a chance to win real prizes? Surprised? Well, don't be, 'cause Fat Cat Gaming is arriving to turn this dream into reality with the launch of Lucky 6.

At some points in our lives we have all played games dealing with lottery, aiming for the jackpot and hoping to grab the big prizes. They were fun and relied a lot on your intuition, and if luck smiled on that particular day, you won. Lucky 6 follows the same concept. The player has to first download the game on his Android or iOS device, post which he needs to create an account so that he can start playing. The game asks the user to select 6 brands out of a long list of popular ones like Castrol, Wipro, Samsung, etc. Now, on the game day, that player wins whose 6 brands see the highest gain in stocks on that particular day. Isn't that simple?

The best part of this game is 'Sharing'. Suppose you don't win, but you had introduced a friend to this game, and he or she wins the jackpot, then you also receive a bonus. So the more number of friends you introduce into the game, and make them a part of your 'crowd', the higher is your chance of winning a reward. Sharing was never so fun, right?

The user interface is easy to navigate through, and even a new player wouldn't need help or a guiding document to start playing. We all trust our luck, and this game takes the belief farther, giving us the chance to win big. It promises to invite us to Eureka moments of sudden successes, surprising us and our friends with lucrative rewards.

Lucky 6 looks promising, and is here to stay. Since this game doesn't need much of your time, you can create your Brand list for the game day in a few minutes and then focus on your other tasks. The game is addictive in a harmless sort of a way, and each day brings with it the new excitement to win. You can enjoy it with friends, family and relatives, and together engage in a healthy competition to see who ends up with the jackpot. After all, their happiness is your happiness too, for as I said before, even if you don't win, but your folks do, you still get rewarded.

Don't miss this chance at any cost. Download the game, play, and win.


This is my official entry to '#Lucky6' Happy Hours organized by Indiblogger in association with Fat Cat Gaming.

Check out the official page below:
http://fatcatgaming.com/


Sunday, November 23, 2014

That Rhyme And That Story

Way before I started relishing the science fiction stories of H.G. Wells, or the well crafted Hollywood films that quench our thirst regarding knowledge of the outer space, I was drawn to the night skies, and the stars that floated on it, beautifully, silently. As a small child, my interest in space and astronomical objects were fueled by one nursery rhyme - "Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars," and the thirst hasn't waned since then. What the rhyme did to me was ignite a curiosity, to seek answers beyond the obvious. Are there lives in planets that revolve around those stars? Will they ever come to meet us? Even today, when I walk in solitude, words playing on my mind, I often travel back in my time to my childhood, reciting the rhyme with my other class mates, animatedly, weaving a hundred dreams in constellations and galaxies. This rhyme was certainly one of my favorites, flooding the inquisitive bend in my mind with the thirst to know more and more.


So often in this fast paced competitive world, we are bogged down by failures. We sit and rue and curse our fate. However, we ignore the fact that the key to get out of tough times lies on us. In moments like these, the story of "The Clever Crow" inspires me to move on. Just like the bird found the answer to his thirst by putting pebbles one after the other in a jar of water that was half full, so can we too solve all our problems by working hard, and thinking of innovative ideas that might help. Life is a risk, and if we never fail, can we ever enjoy the taste of success? Hard work definitely pays, and with patience and perseverance, we can open the door to new opportunities and favorable circumstances. After all, every problem has an answer, and only by our willingness to solve the puzzle can we find the right solution, and unearth new happiness.




This post is a part of Kids Hut activity at BlogAdda.com.



A Ball Of Fur

(Image Source: http://sickhorses.com)


a ball of fur
purrs
nonchalant
on the kitchen window
as I stir
hot milk on the stove
my eyes
fixated on her

a ball of fur
disobeys
shoo, go away, I command
yet it stays
greedily
eager to leap
merrily
wickedly

a ball of fur
spilled madness on the floor
and waste
but today, am not in haste
if she can wait, so will I
play this patient game
the winner shall have it all
and loser will die of shame


This Poem is shared with dVerse - Defamiliarization.


Beyond School by Chitra Anand

Title:  Beyond School
Author: Chitra Anand
Category: Fiction
Publisher: Leadstart Publishing
Date: 2014
Price: Rs 124
Pages: 201
ISBN -10: 9383562404
ISBN-13: 978-9383562404



About The Book:
Beyond School centres upon the weeks leading up to 17-year-old Shail s final board exams, as his world becomes a pressure-cooker and the weight of preparing for the exams sends him fleeing rebelliously in the other direction. Along with Shail s journey from boyhood to manhood, Beyond School vividly weaves between the narratives of four main characters, seamlessly uniting the past and present of Shail, his parents-Urmila and Sushil and his mentor-Gladys, in a story that is honest, funny, heartbreaking and ultimately, incredibly human.

About the Author:
Chitra Anand was born in Mumbai. She is a postgraduate in Physics and holds an Education degree. Beyond School is her first novel inspired by her journey as an educator.

Copies Available at all online stores:
  1. Flipkart: http://www.flipkart.com/beyond-school/p/itmdtatf8zzznnj6?pid=9789383562404&otracker=from-search&srno=t_2&query=beyond+school&ref=f8d39981-787b-40fd-bff0-79ef448c52d2
  2. Amazon:  http://www.amazon.in/Beyond-School-Novel-Chitra-Anand/dp/9383562404/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415559658&sr=8-1&keywords=beyond+school+by+chitra+anand
Know More Inside Stories, Connect with The Author:
Twitter: @chtranand

Read the book? Write a review on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22597940-beyond-school



Thursday, November 20, 2014

Dusk

sitting on park bench
he bids goodbye to the sun
and welcomes the moon


This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Dusk.



Collegedunia.com - Review

The most dreaded question in the mind of every student after passing Class XII is - "What next?" Confusion, confusion!

While school provides us with basic education, it's in college that we hone our skills and pursue the course that would shape our future. Thus, every student, parent and guardian, should make the right choice when it comes to the selection of course and college.

With so many educational institutes around us, we are definitely spoilt with choices. However, we should know how to differentiate one from the other, so that we can measure the scope and feasibility of each institute and match them with our aptitude accordingly.

Wouldn't it be better if we could access all college related information from one place?



Collegedunia.com serves as the perfect guide for students seeking admission to colleges and universities to pursue their graduation and post graduation. The website has a simple user friendly layout. For example, clicking on 'Management' on the top bar, and then selecting Delhi as location, will open a list of M.B.A. colleges in Delhi.



If you click on any college, you get a wide array of information about that institute such as fees, rating, contact details, placement, facilities, courses on offer, faculty, etc.


Collegedunia.com also offers regular updates about entrance exams, so that the students can be aware and apply for the same.


A good characteristic of Collegedunia.com is that it doesn't focus on one particular stream of study. Rather, it aims to cater to the needs of students from different interests and backgrounds and thus showcases a wide range of fields that one can pursue. Students can gain information on institutes that provide courses in Management, Engineering, Medical, Arts, Science, Commerce and Law. Also, one can make use of the 'Search' bar and filter the searches to get a streamlined result.

Collegedunia.com serves as a one - stop destination for students. With a large number of colleges, it certainly presents a lot of options. However, the website should aim to continuously enhance their data, adding more colleges and universities to their list, so that it can provide a wider scope to the students. All in all, this is a good initiative that is pacing towards the right path, focusing to build the career and a strong future for tomorrow.



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Bring Back The Touch



Projects, deadlines, rewards and opportunities to roam around the world, life was definitely in full flow. Lucrative incentives and exciting bonuses surely ensured a healthy growth in my current organization, and I could only bless God for that.

I was in the midst of an important meeting with prospective cclientèleswhen her number flashed on my mobile screen – “Sapna Calling.” I clicked the red button on my cell and disconnected the call. However, it beeped again after a few minutes. I excused myself and received.

“I am in a meeting. What happened now?” I was somewhat agitated.

“Akash, I’m sorry. It’s … it’s just that we had planned to go out for dinner tonight, and its already 8pm …” she said.

I took a deep breath, and tried to keep my tone as calm as possible, “It’s ok. We can go tomorrow, or day after. No big deal, right?”

“Right,” she was quiet for a few minutes, and then said softly, as if measuring her words, “but tomorrow, or day after, isn’t our marriage anniversary. It is today, Akash.”

I sighed, “Yes. Ok. I will be home in an hour.”

We went to a Chinese restaurant, as per Sapna’s wish. I gifted her diamond necklace, and she smiled. We placed our orders, and waited. Meanwhile, I received a few mails from my associates regarding the meeting and its future course of action, and I started replying to them one by one on my smartphone.

“Akash,” my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by her voice.

“Yes,” I answered without looking up from my mobile screen.

“You know,” she said, “I have always felt so lucky having married to someone like you. You are such a nice person, doing good with your life, and have provided me with everything that I couldn’t ever dream of. But today, there is one luxury I miss the most.”

I looked at her. Across the table, was the girl whom I had fallen in love with, had proposed in only our second date, and together we had celebrated five years of togetherness. However, there was something amiss in that beautiful face of hers today. Something was not right.

And then I noticed. Her eyes, dabbed in forced smile, exuded a feeling of pain so humble that I hadn’t cared to notice it ever.

“Akash,” she continued, “the one luxury I have been missing today, and since the last few months, is you.” She wiped her eyes with the tissue paper.

I didn’t know what to answer. My voice choked, and my heart broke too. I placed my right palm over her left hand on the table, gently squeezing the tips of her fingers, circling her ring finger where the divine symbol of our union shone bright in golden hues.

“I am sorry Sapna,” I said, still holding her hand, caressing her, gently, warmly, “In all these work commitment I had completely forgotten about one commitment that I should have held the closest to my heart. I am really sorry, but trust me, I will make amends for this. I will never let you cry again. I promise.”

Out thumbs mingled, our fingers kissed each other, deeply entwined in a feeling of serenity, and I made a decision. I opened the Email application on my smartphone, and mailed my associates – “I will be on leave for the next seven days, and will not respond to emails or business calls.Thank You.”

Our dinner arrived, and we ate, looking into each others eyes, finally having found the missing touch in our relationship.

“What about another honeymoon, to rekindle our passion?” I winked.

Her eyes sparkled, “Wow. Where?”

“You tell.”

“Mauritius.”

“So be it Madam.”

We flew to Mauritius the next day, to #BringBackTheTouch into our love life, to relive the dreams all over again.


This is my official entry to '#BringBackTheTouch' Happy Hours organized by Indiblogger in association with Parachute Advansed Body Lotion.

Check out the official page below:



Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Toilet For Babli

We talk of progress, high end development, and initiatives to bolster the nation’s economy. There has been widespread improvement for sure, in various fields, and we have all benefited from that. However, one major issue that still needs to be dealt with is open defecation.

We, sitting in the luxury of our homes, may not be able to grasp the hazards of open defecation at first. We have toilets that serve our needs of sanitation. However, what about those who do not have these basic amenities at hand that we always take for granted. In several parts of the country, especially in rural areas, people still have to defecate in the open, just because either there is no toilet available at their homes, or the public toilets have become too dirty by constant use and lack of cleanliness. Poverty forces people to adopt such extreme measure which is unhygienic as well as unsafe.

Open defecation leads to several diseases like diarrhea, intestinal infections, typhoid, cholera and hepatitis. Due to lack of medical facilities in those areas, these diseases eventually lead to death. The worst affected are the women and the children. Open defecation leads to safety issues too, especially after sunset or before sunrise.

Women and girls have to search for places for open defecation when it’s dark, away from evil eyes, and that leads to several cases of crimes against them. Often we have read about incidents of rapes and sexual molestation when a woman or a girl goes out in dark to find a place for defecation. This in turn impacts their dignity and injures them both physically and psychology. Fear grows in their mind and causes serious repercussions. For girls, this constant fear often leads to depression, due to which they are not able to concentrate on their studies and other healthy activities.

Thus, as a responsible human being, it is for us to look into this matter and take proper actions. The Government surely tries its best, but we, the citizens too should act in a matured manner and work towards the betterment of our nation by undertaking initiatives related to areas like health, sanitation and safety. By utilizing our free times in such causes, we can surely make a difference in the lives of several million people.

Domex, the leading toilet cleaner brand of Hindustan Unilever Lever, has come up with a noble program named as the Domex Toilet Academy (DTA). The World Toilet Day is celebrated every year on 19th November, and Domex makes the day special with its well thought of initiative. It aims to build several toilets in villages and rural areas that do not have proper sanitation. Its pilot project in Junapani in Maharashtra is going in full flow, aiming to make it an open defecation free village. DTA plans to undertake similar measures in other parts of Maharashtra and Odisha, and then in the entire country. It is collaborating with various local groups to spread awareness and educate the villagers about the disadvantages of open defecations and the benefits of healthy sanitation.

You can bring about the change in the lives of millions of kids, thereby showing your support for the Domex Initiative. All you need to do is “click” on the “Contribute Tab” on www.domex.in and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.



This is my official entry to 'Toilet for Babli' contest organized by Indiblogger in association with Domex.

Check out the official page below:


Monday, November 17, 2014

No Snow ?!?!

The snow was supposed to be light.
Alas, no snow at all, was that right?
He wanted to stay indoors,
Watch the game, of course,
But, with wife he shopped to avoid a fight.


This Limerick is shared with Limerick - Off Monday - Light Limerick.



Health is Fun with Farmlite

My office was on the 8th floor. Every morning, I drove my way to work, parked my car in the garage, and then rode the elevator from the basement, with so many others. My work had been impressive, and my boss rewarded me from time to time. All's well you would say, right?

Wrong!!!

A colleague who frequented the gymnasium more than his work cabin, challenged me to a health test on a lovely Thursday morn. “If you can walk up to the 8th floor, right from the basement, without panting, a treat would be waiting from me.” He was the one who occasionally took digs at my expanding waistline, with me ignoring him, plain and simple. I accepted the challenge. It used to take only a few seconds in elevator. Thus, it wouldn’t be too tough to walk the entire length, I reasoned.

And my reasoning failed.

Halfway through the mark, I felt as if I needed an oxygen mask to go further. My breathing grew sharp and loud, my legs felt heavy, and I prayed to God for the turmoil to get over soon. ‘Soon’ arrived fifteen minutes later, only to find my colleague grinning at my feeble condition. Thankfully, he had a bottle of water ready for me.

That very day I pledged to take care of my body in the same manner I cared for my work. What would life be if we are unhealthy? A good health is the key to unhappiness, and though you may have all the riches in the world, this is one attribute that can’t be bought with money.

I immediately decided to do the following:
  1. Avoid use of elevator and instead take the stairs.
  2. Clean my house and car on my own, without anyone else's help.
  3. Stay away junk food as much as possible.
  4. Go jogging early mornings.

One important part of being healthy is to eat healthy. With junk food being the new craze among the current youth,  we hardly consider the ill – effects of them, something we may have to face in a not so distant future.

Why don’t we then adopt healthy habits that would benefit us, and also inspire others?


Health Is Fun With Farmlite





Talking of inspiration, I recently came across the ‘Health is Fun with Farmlite’ campaign by Sunfeast and God, I am totally in love with the conceptualization. We all know about the benefits of good health and maintaining a fit lifestyle, but how many of us actually follow it? We consider it to be a laborious task to work towards our fitness, and this is where the Sunfeast campaign breaks the myth. Through a series of well shot videos that entertain as well as educate, we get to know how easy it is to stay fit by just doing the daily chores which we often ignore.

Farmlite Bytes, the Fun - Fitness Short Film Festival is a novel strategy launched by Sunfeast that aims to inculcate the value of health among the people today. Burning of calories isn't an act that is just confined to the gyms; rather, they can also be undertaken by performing the household chores and the daily tasks.

If you check the 'Goodbye Bai' video by Tanuj Bhatia, you will know what I mean. When the household help goes on leave, it's left to the family members to clean the dishes, wash the clothes and sweep the rooms. And they do it in style, swinging to the rocking music playing in the background, ensuring that their cleanliness activity doesn't just ensure fitness but also fun.




With so many premier leagues running in full flow in our nation addicted to Sports, Manu Singh showcases how 'Striker Strikes Back' in the Carrom Premier League.The striker named Dubey Ji fails to hit the Queen in the first three instances. However, it results in a healthy warm-up and he scores in the 4th instance after losing some weight.


India is a land of festivals. 'Farmlite Navratri' video shows how one can enjoy these festivals and burn calories at the same time. Isn't that great, knowing you can have fun and undergo a fitness regime at the same time? Absolutely, this makes celebrating festivals all the more enjoyable.


Farmlite nails the campaign with its unique 'Augmented Reality' promotion. The below video shows how a seemingly normal looking newspaper advertisement comes alive in a hand held device, the animation resembling a high end 3D game, leaving you pleasantly surprised.


'Homework Kiya' by Anugam Goswami leaves you rolling into peals of laugher. A man frustrated with his unhealthy lifestyle suddenly gets to know the benefits of performing household activities like cooking and cleaning. He performs them happily as they burn calories and gifts himself a lean physique. Also, he gets more time to spend at home in a constructive manner.


'Fit Fighter' is a cute story of a couple whose interests are conflicting in nature. While the guy wants to spend his time playing computer games, the girl assigns him the task to prepare dinner. The guy wants to go to Poker Night with his friends, while the girl wishes to go out for a movie. Their fun filled banter leads to 'fight' and thus reduction of calories.


'The Great Laughter Sales Meet' showcases how laughter can burn calories. The team analyzes the sales target when the 'Sehat ki Ghanti' rings, and they imitate the famous 'Kitne Aadmi They' scene from Sholay to add a bit of laughter and fun to the discussion that's supposed to be serious, ensuring that achieving target doesn't seem a grave task and should be dealt with fun.



The Product

The packaging of Sunfeast Farmlite looks aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. With color combinations that fit to the T, the package looks tempting and inviting. 'Oats and Almonds' and 'Oats and Raisins' are the two flavours you can choose. Deliciously, healthy. Yes.

About Sunfeast Farmlite
Presenting Sunfeast Farmlite, the all new Healthy & Tasty cookie from the house of ITC foods. Now available in two deliciously healthy variants - Oats & Almonds and Oats & Raisins.

Sunfeast Farmlite - Salient features
Healthy & Tasty cookies made with Oats, Wheat, Almonds / Raisins. This combination is a first in the health category.


Check out the official page below: