How The Jungle Sways

rumbling winter storm –

Ents are dancing with their wives –
ancient limbs entwined

(~Paloma)

look how the jungle sways
woodpeckers flee in fright

(~Amrit)

This Tan Renga is shared with Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge.

 

Odd Even With Ariel

With the Odd Even initiative in full flow in the Capital to curb the pollution, I did have a thought, thanks to Ariel. Why should laundry be just a woman’s job? In fact, why should it be a gender specific task at all. We need fresh clothes, irrespective of whether we are male or female, and thus, keeping our clothes clean should be the topmost priority for both the gender.

I decided to go the Odd Even way for washing clothes. I told my wife, “Let’s take the responsibility to wash clothes on alternate days. While you do the laundry on Odd days, I will do it on Even days.”

My wife thought for a moment and agreed. It would be better this way. While one of us will perform the laundry task, the other partner can do the other household chores like cleaning and cooking. A good way to share the job, isn’t it?

We started the next day as planned. Since the date was 20^th, it was my task to wash clothes. I took a spoonful of Ariel and placed it in the detergent holder of our washing machine. I then kept all the dirty clothes in it and started the machine. Within a few minutes, the clothes came out shining bright and looking as if they were almost new. Meanwhile, my wife had started with her cooking, and I went into the kitchen to help her once the clothes were hung on the roof to dry.

Role reversal took place the next day. While my wife did the laundry activity, I prepared a sumptuous dish for the two of us. It was weekend, and we relished on an afternoon lunch of Khichdi and chatni.

“Odd Even has made our household tasks organized,” my wife commented, smiling to herself.

I smiled back. I had often seen the female members of the family washing and cleaning clothes. I was glad that the stereotype was slowly being broken. I suggested the idea to several of my friends and they embraced it with open arms. After all, when we advocate gender equality, there is no point in typesetting a particular work to a specific gender.

We are still going on with the Odd Even initiative, our smiles broadening, and the clothes shining brighter with Ariel Matic. With just one wash being enough, the laundry work is no longer a burden. In fact it is now one of the reasons for our happiness, a perfect concoction to our married life.

#LaundryGoesOddEven surely should be the way to go, in every family, in all households.

I am taking part in the #LaundryGoesOddEven Challenge by Ariel India at BlogAdda.

Sunset

such a still water
even the dragonfly
splash it with the tail
(~Tan Taigi)

I listen to the sunset
finding peace in blue ripples
(~Amrit)

This Tan Renga is shared with Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month - "such a still water".

Cuckoo's Song

the shrine
in the sacred grove:
a cool wind blows

(~ Chora)

a monk sways to

the cuckoo's song

(~ Amrit)

This Tan Renga is shared with Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge.

Ancient Walls

ancient walls

covered in parables

speak to those who see

(Janice Adcock)

I light a candle

and stories unfold

(my take)

This Tan Renga is shared with Carpe Diem - "ancient walls".

Machine

(Image Source: https://www.walldevil.com)

I held my head

clasped both wrists

gazing at the machine

rolled my fists

birds on the sill

were smiling sly

the fish of aquarium

offered me a chai

Escape and Enter

the keys I pressed

screen remained white

my irritation no less

hung hung hung

'this system is a dung'

rage filled my mind

and also poor lung

my cloth once white

now reeking in sweat

I took my decision

on the laptop's fate

it had made me cry

it had got me red

I threw it out the window

laptop, you are dead

to enjoy this victory

I rushed to the street

when a strange voice called

freezing me on my feet

the laptop was panting

breathing its last

it seemed to be crying

yet speaking out fast

"oh you foolish human

you take me for granted

one moment I am your pal

you regard me most wanted

I toil for you non-stop

your friend, companion and all

and yet you don't hesitate to curse

when thus sick I fall

is this the reward of my service

to die on this lane

you may not think of me as living

but am not devoid of pain

mend your ways, o human

you have already killed Mother Earth

machines are now the only ally

before it's too late, realize our worth"

This Poem is shared with

• The Sunday Whirl,
• Imaginary Garden - The Tuesday Platform.

You Are The Beauty

 

 

you smile
and blush
you call
and I rush
through stars
and waves
and hills
and caves
I seek for you
and search for you
I yearn for you
a feeling so new

you are the beauty
the salvation of a beast
you are the beauty
the prayer of a priest
you are the beauty
the light in a mist
you are the beauty
a poet's fantasy twist

This Poem is shared with

• Prompt Nights - Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is Art,
• Poets United - Poetry Pantry.

Savouring Pickles At PlaceofOrigin.in

 PlaceofOrigin.in is India`s first marketplace for specialty and ethnic Indian foods. They deliver iconic regional specialities directly from the original producer to the end-consumer, so that the product is as fresh as possible.

PlaceofOrigin.in has a range of Indian sweets, chocolates, namkeen, biscuits, pickles, preserves, staples, tea, coffee and health food to attract every palate.

PlaceofOrigin.in has the widest range of specialty pickles available online. Their range of pickles includes:

• Panipat's famous Achar pachranga
• Seafood pickles from Karma Foods, Goa
• South Indian style pickles from Mambalam Iyers, Chennai
• Spicy Andhra Chicken and Mutton pickles from Baria Foods, Secunderabad
• Mango Kasundi from Malda in West Bengal
• Gujarati pickles from Girivar Agro in Junagadh
• Fiery Himalayan Chukh from Himachal Pradesh
• Tasty spreads from Dibs Mash, Delhi
• And lots more !

With effect from May 16, 2016, PlaceofOrigin.in launches a special Summer offer with FREE SHIPPING on all pickles. That means, you can get your favourite pickles delivered direct from the original producer to your doorstep. They currently deliver in 20 states across India.

Visit www.PlaceofOrigin.in to discover India`s finest foods.

The range of pickles can be found here:
http://www.placeoforigin.in/staples/pickles

I Sniff Your Presence

 (Image Source: https://www.petsworld.in/)

tap tap tap tap

knocking on the door

I sniff your presence

rolling on the floor

beneath the carpet

on the table top

waiting for you

by the wet mop

summers are dry

and sweaty, perspire

I love when you snuggle

and how you admire

you scold me when angry

and when I am wrong

you tell me stories

and sing me songs

the past now vague

parents I don't remember

you have been the one

my mother, father and sister

strolling in the park

when the sun yearns to set

I am glad of the day

the moment when we met

tap tap tap tap

but why do you knock?

you must have the keys

of the main door's lock

perhaps its someone else

and not you who has come

I shall rest for a while

and chase a few worms

click tick crux tick

the door just opened

hurray it's you

with a bag of yummy bacons

I wag my tail

and jump in joy

you smear me with kisses

and say, "I love you my boy"

This Poem is shared with

• Prompt Nights - Nothing Is More Memorable Than Scent,
• dVerse - Open Link Night,
• Theme Thursday - Dogs.

Blossoming Stars

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

 even stars do blossom

humming a sweet lullaby

they hold on to light

This Haiku is shared with

• Carpe Diem Tokubetsudesu #79 Looking Back In Time - "Sparkling Stars",
• Haiku My Heart - Gathering.

 

Tie Me Up

(Image: Oleg Oprisco)

tie me up to this autumn

and I shall shed no tear

the soul in me walks afloat

I choose to abandon all fear

when leaves will cry

and the winds shall howl

when rain tries mercy

filling a thirsty bowl

the birds will hoot

and animals roar

I stick to this land

fallen, I soar

tie me up to this solitude

where men don't yearn to tread

the world promises to be better

smiles no longer dread

there will be some music

as the sun sets to the moon

I will dance with the flowers

and bees humming the tune

no worrying the destiny

nor fighting for a share

tie me up to this autumn

my kaleidoscopic layer

This Poem is shared with

• Mindlovemisery's Menagerie - Photo Challenge,
• Imaginary Garden - The Tuesday Platform.

Hope On The Kiddies Express With &pictures

 

George R. R. Martin once famously said, "Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well."

The summers are finally here; exciting, isn't it? Research has shown that the stress levels in today's children are higher compared to decades ago. School, academics, homework, society and other activities keep them busy. However, kids also need some time for themselves to chill and relax, and the summer holidays are usually meant for that, with plenty of fun with family and friends and lots of outdoor activities. Children love going to exotic picnics on beaches and resorts, playing with friends, swimming in the pool, playing cricket and exercising. After all these, they also look forward to enjoying their favorite TV shows indoor.

&pictures (http://www.andpictures.in/), India's premium mass Hindi movie channel, decides to gift some lovely summer afternoons to kids, presenting blockbusters with a subtle life lesson, guaranteeing entertainment galore. It’s latest summer movie festival, ‘Kiddies Express’, takes audiences on a fun-filled ride with entertaining global successes along with a lot of learning. Starting from Monday, 9th May, it will air daily at 12 noon upto Friday, 13th May.

So just hope on to the &pictures ‘Kiddies Express’ which will present the following five movies, transporting the kids into a land of imagination.

Kung Fu Panda

In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda, finds himself chosen as the Dragon Warrior despite the fact that he is obese and a complete novice at martial arts. The movie is directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne and stars the voices of veteran Hollywood talent like Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, James Hong, and Jackie Chan.

An excerpt from the film:

Po: “Maybe I should just quit and go back to making noodles.”
Oogway: “Quit, don't quit... Noodles, don't noodles... You are too concerned about what was and what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”

Madagascar

This film showcases the story of four animals who have spent their lives in blissful captivity in Manhattan’s Central Park Zoo. Chris Rock voices Marty, a jaded zebra is ready for a change after ten years of comfortable captivity at the Zoo. He flees for the green fields of Connecticut, prompting a rescue mission by his best friends: the Zoo's star attraction Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), a bossy hippo named Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith), and the clumsy, hypochondriac giraffe Melman (David Schwimmer). They are unexpectedly shipped back to Africa and end up getting shipwrecked on the island of Madagascar.

The film teaches us to rejoice everything that life throws our way just as like Kurt Vonnegut said, “Enjoy the little things in life cause one day you’ll look back and realise that they were the big things!”

Stuart Little 2

With subtle humor, loveable characters, a great script by Bruce Joel Rubin (Academy Award-winner, “Ghost”), Stuart Little 2 is one of the best family films of the summer.

The story begins with Stuart’s brother, George (Jonathan Lipnicki has given his voice) having found a new friend to play with, leaving Stuart (brilliantly voiced by Michael J. Fox) feeling left out. His mother Mrs. Little (Geena Davis’ voice) is overprotective of her minuscule younger son after he narrowly escapes an injury in a soccer game. His father (voice over by Hugh Laurie) sympathizes, but reminds Stuart of an old family adage, “Always look for the silver lining in the cloud.”  The silver lining appears when Stuart rescues a homeless bird named Margelo (voiced by Melanie Griffith) from the sinister Falcon. They become friends and all is well until Margelo disappears one night. Stuart is convinced that Falcon is responsible and ventures out with the family cat Snowbell (voiced by Nathan Lane) to rescue her. Stuart Little 2 is a must-watch film for its characters, dialogue, music, and animation and fun moments. Stuart Little is courageous and humble while Snowbell is hilarious.

This visually impressive film provides wholesome entertainment for kids with Stuart enlightening us with some serious friendship goals like determination, trust, respect, and acceptance.

Jumanji

Based on a gorgeous picture book story of the same name by Chris Van Allsberg, Jumanji takes us through a beautiful magical adventure and makes it into a thrilling ride that defies everything.  The excellent combination of adventure and comedy are the big attractions. A timeless adventure film, Jumanji is about two kids who play a magical board game. While playing it, they release an adult trapped in the game. They encounter various dangers which will come to an end only when the game is completed. The film was written by Greg Taylor, Jonathan Hensleigh and Jim Strain. It stars Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde and BebeNeuwirth.

Mr. Go

A crisp narrative and some truly amazing technical expertise combine to make Mr Go one of the best family films with big laughs, big emotion and even bigger thrills. Its engaging plot offers a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all ages. It is based on the classic 1980s comic '7th Baseball Club', the titular character refers to a 285 kg circus gorilla who is the first to be recruited by a savvy baseball agent to join the professional
Korean Baseball League.  Setting the stage for the gorilla Ling Ling's journey to Korea is the Great Sichuan Earthquake in 2008, which causes the death of 15- year old Wei Wei's (Jiao Xu) grandfather and leaves her in charge of his circus with a huge debt over their heads. As debtors harass her, Wei Wei is left hassled on how to save the circus and the forty other orphans who stay under its roof. And so, when the wily Sung (Korean actor Sung Dong-il) comes in to assist, she readily accepts his offer to transform Ling Ling into a baseball star. Dreaming of success, Weiwei and Ling Ling go to South Korea and Ling Ling quickly becomes a superstar in the baseball league.

What makes it a must-see film is that it makes you smile with its heartwarming, poignant and inspirational story.

Catch the ‘Kiddies Express’ from Monday, 9th May to Friday, 13th May daily at 12 noon only on &pictures!

Record Your Videos With Testify

Testify is one of the first apps in the world which lets you record, edit, share and explore 30 second videos by others. The app is released on Android Google play and already has 40000 users from all over the world. You can download the app from here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.testify.app&hl=en

The features of this app includes adding filters to videos, trimming, fast forwarding, slow motion, adding subtitles, adding cool stickers and discovering videos from other users. There aren’t many apps out there in the play store which provide you all these features together.

The founders of this app, Garima Juneja and Gaurav Mishra have previously founded and running a profitable digital marketing company, Viral curry since couple of years. They recently raised seed funds to create this innovative application owing to the increasing smartphone penetration and social media time of audience.

The team says they created this app when they wanted to edit and view short reviews of restaurants and apparel brands around them. They searched Youtube and got videos that were too long. They also found a need for such an app when their media clients and friends asked them to go and record videos of the brand’s clients, add subtitles etc and then make small 30 second - 1 minute videos and post on social media.

Things you can do on Testify:

• Trim your video
• Fast forward your video
• Slow motion your video
• Add subtitles to your videos
• Add stickers to your videos
• Rotate, mute your videos
• Follow other people, like, share, comment on their videos
• Explore popular videos from a fast growing community
• Share videos from within the app to Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Youtube.

There is a lot of scope for fun and value in the features that are provided in the app because people can create video chains of things, cultures, scenes and people all around the world on the same theme.

The app revolutionizes the way the world communicates with each other on same topics. If some-one in Paris records a video for support towards Floods in India, people from London, New York, Russia, and any other country can contribute their videos in a fluent manner and get famous fast.

You can contact the Founder, Garima Juneja at +91-9899064347 or write her at garima@testifyapp.org

She Is The One

(Image Source: http://m.flikie.com)

if she throws a tantrum

and sheds a tear

hold her tight

'cause she wants you near

often careful in her manners

but careless when with you

don't shout at her

she is open only to a few

she may fight with you

and miss you when away

she will fight for you

when things don't go your way

she can be tough

and tender too

she is the one

a love so true

This Poem is shared with

• Three Word Wednesday - Tantrum, Tear, Tender,
• Imaginary Garden - The Tuesday Platform.

Shameless Is Good : Get Motivated

Talkwiz Club's "Shameless is Good" India Tour (http://www.talkwiz.co.in/), in association with NDTV Prime/Profit, is a 90 minute talk to be broadcasted on NDTV Prime in shape of half hour episode by TEDx Speaker Coach Reety Wadhwa. It offers an absolutely radical take on life and all its chaos.The talk has already struck a special chord in the minds of the people from Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata, and now the talk is going to be held on May 15, 2016 in Hotel Rangsharda, Mumbai from 11 AM- 1 PM for 500 participants. This is primarily meant for people who crave for Wild Successes and who understand the importance of getting rid of speed bumps such as demotivation, skepticism and uncertainty for a wholesome existence. In that case, this seems to be a show for all, where each one of us can learn and adopt the teachings for a better life.


Key Inclusions

• You almost weren't but you are.
• Hyphenate your life.
• Woe to Win success stories that will  leave you awe-struck and inspired.
• Live in the trenches to fly the heights.
• Lets revisit the cliche.
• Dream, Desire, Dive.
• Yesterday you said Tomorrow!
• Shameless is Good.
• What is your story?

Attend the talk and take home loads of motivation to shamelessly and relentlessly pursue your professional and personal goals.


About the Speaker

Reety Wadhwa has been a public speaker connoisseur since 2012 mastering subjects like creative thinking and motivation. She banished her corporate life in favor of the profession of speaking and learnt the art of public speaking from Andy Harrington (UK's foremost public speaker). She has spoken to 1000's of people under her signature programs "Shameless is Good", "Think Better, Get Smarter" and "Rock the Stage: the Magic of Public Speaking".

She encourages participants to challenge before accepting, ruffle status quo and revisit the drawing board for life successes. Her talks have helped many move ahead in their careers and have instilled inspiration in many. Her contagious passion for public speaking reflects in her highly energized talks. She has delivered more than 200 talks and has successfully transformed many young minds and budding talents.


Video Snippets from Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata

Official Video Profile of the Speaker

Steps to Register

STEP 1: Enter your Name, Contact No. and Email id at the Form Link: www.talkwiz.co.in
STEP 2: Press the "REGISTER" button which will redirect you to our payment gateway page.

STEP 3: Select the no of tickets you would like to purchase by clicking on "+" button
STEP 4: Press the button "PROCEED", and keep a debit/credit card handy.


Last Date of Registration: May 1, 2016