बरसो रे मेघा-मेघा...बरसो रे, मेघा बरसो

I enjoy the rain...

It may disturb our routine life…. but it sets the whole year’s livelihood.

It may upset our daily journey… but it crafts a way for rivers to flow freely.

It may make our surrounding dirty & muddy…but it bestows a make-over to our mother earth…

It may avoid us from going out… but it gives us official break to be lazy at home…

It may make garments smell foul & musty... but it sprays the scent of rain on dry earth.

It may cautious us about food hygiene... but at the same time, it gives an opportunity to satisfy our taste buds with garma garam bhajiii & masala tea J…

So I simply love monsoon for its so many good reasons. This year too, I am enjoying this wonderful season with pre-planned to do list.  I am happy to share the same with you.

1. Take my son (Ronav) in the rain for the 1^st time and let him feel the joy of being wet in rain  J

2. Craft the paper boats for Ronav and set them free in water stream… which is slightly difficult as it’s not easy to find rain water streams around well concreted societies.

3. Plant few trees in our society 

4. Add more greenery & colors to my balcony by planting flower sapling in pots

5. Relish on variety of bhajjiiis (Fritters) without thinking much about oil & fat ;)

  

6. Enjoy long drive to Lonavala or Khandala J

बरसो रे मेघा-मेघा

बरसो रे, मेघा बरसो

मीठा है कोसा है, बारिश का बोसा है

जल-थल-चल-चल

चल-चल बहता चल !!!!

Happy Monsoon to all of you !!!

Dare, Deny & Do it again !!!

The other day, I was with my father to collect our parceled bike at Railway Station. After inquiring at quite a few counters, we reached at right place. The main handing over process was very short and hardly took few minutes. The person doing the needful just said pay Rs 50/- at the gate to POLICEMAN…. We tried in vain to speak to him about extra money being charged. However he seemed very busy to answer or else conveniently ignored us.

We did sense that he asked us to pay the money illegally. Though it was small amount, I was reluctant. I generally avoid giving hush money. I asked my father to quietly slip off to evade giving. ( I don’t know how I expected him to do that J ). He firmly told that it would not be possible. We had to face it. Let us speak.

Not much to our surprise, the policeman stopped us at the gate and asked for money. I started saying we have already paid. This money is for what? and all. With blank face he said “charges hai madam.. dena padega....”.

Then my father said “if it is as per rule, we will surely pay. Just give us the receipt of the same.”  With this visibly stunned policeman asked us to go….

Ahh ha… this particular moment has given me a sense of achievement. It really felt great; not giving bribe J…  It may not be big amount, but for me it was my baby step towards bribe free society.

I am in strong belief that the small amount of bribes are leading to big corruptions in our country. It has become our attitude to push money to get work done and to avoid few minutes' hassle. Unless we deny to pay, it would not stop. So it is a matter of changing our attitude and thinking.

Though many of us may find it impractical and impossible, but I think, small incidences like this surely help in long run. After this episode, I decide not to pay any illegal money.

So dare to do it once and be committed to the cause forever!!!

4 ways to Refresh your Routine Life

We very often say that I am bored with my routine life or hear the same from others. What we really meant is, our day to day life has become very monotonous, repetitive. There is nothing new, exciting.  We simply feel stuck in our life because of our concerns like career, money, relation etc.

Based on my experience so far, I have found out four ways that help me in such situations. I would like to share with you on how to dodge your routine life:

1. Get a new look: - I do remember, one of my friend had a complete makeover.  She did it because she had many issues on personal end and got frustrated with life, and she wanted some change in her life. Some may say that the situations won’t change merely changing the looks??  For them I would say, your looks are not only about what world see you. It is about how you feel for yourself, how do you identify yourself.  It is also about how you want others to perceive you. And believe me; it has helped her a lot. The whole act gave her a sense of confident and made her ready to face the challenges.

 

Even you must have experienced, that after having a good haircut, all the compliments come your way and along with the compliments. It brings happiness and feel of self confidence.  So wear a new look and get ready to face challenges.

  

2. Take a break: - It’s most known and implemented option. Take few days break as often as possible; explore new destinations, make adventurous trip else go wherever you will feel the change. But here is the gimmick, going out does not mean changing one hotel to other, seeing one location after other in stipulated time.  Don’t forget your intention of taking a break; dedicate quality time to introspect yourself.

They say in new environment, you get the solution very easily. So go ahead and enjoy your break, just don’t fail to remember the real purpose. Else it would be the same routine life after coming back from your so called break.

3. Lead more conscious life: - Saying again and again that I am bored with routine life, is like getting into a trap. Well it turns out into a vicious cycle, what we say, we feel and what we feel, we say.  It is like a boomerang. So be conscious about what you speak and what you feel. Initially we have to fake it but eventually it will become a habit. So fake it to make it. This exercise will lead you to more conscious life which in turns leads you to positive & happy life.

4. Spend an entire day in an orphanage: - Some time, we just get so fuzzy with our expectations from life, which makes us more unsatisfied and restless. Thus we create it our routine life. We become so self-centered and we don’t see any positive. At this point I will say, visit an orphanage and spend some time with kids. You will realize that you are so privileged and full with life. You don’t have any right to be unsatisfied with life.

These are my secrets to dodge my routine life and I hope if you follow them you will feel the same and it will also help you to have a wonderful life.

Well, the list is endless and you too can add a few tips to the list. 

Have a Grateful Day !!!

As Earth Day rolls out around the world, I would like to share an incredible video – Nature, Beauty, Gratitude. The other day I came across to this astonishing TED talk given by Louie Schwartzberg, an award-winning cinematographer, director and producer. 

Nature, Beauty, Gratitude

In daily life’s chaos, we overlook the Nature. We have become so mechanical, from the point we start in the morning till we drop on the bed at night. We fail to notice naive and mind blowing majesty of Nature. While we go closer and closer to nature, a real magic starts unfolding, as perfectly shown in time lapse photography.

Nature gives us in abundance. We are the one who have utilized it as and when required & in all possible forms. At the same time, we have conveniently neglected the fact that we owe to nature and we must give back. Most importantly, we forget to show our gratitude for Mother Earth for letting us to be a part of this wonderful nature. 

Let us pledge today to take care of mother earth forever. We will try to go closer as possible to nature and fall in love with it.  As very rightly quoted by Louie Schwartzberg, “Beauty and seduction, I believe, is nature’s tool for survival, because we will protect what we fall in love with.”

Have a Grateful Day ………

Reel Life Hero & Real Life Verdict

I felt a sense of relief, when Supreme Court of India gave its judgment recently on 1993 Bombay Bomb Blast case. Though it took over 20 years of judicial proceedings for sentencing the accused and more over the two main accused in the case, Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon have not yet been arrested and not tried. L

At first, it was little difficult to digest, that Sanjay Dutt has been sentenced with 5 years imprisonment in the same verdict. Reason being, I really like Sunil & Nargis Dutt’s this child, I really like his Gandhigiri.  After all, he is our most loved Munna Bhai. And he is the one who taught us a very new concept of ‘Jadu Ki Jappi’ and ‘Gandhigiri’.  Beside this, he has given a few fine films like Naam, Sadak, Saajan, Vastav etc. His character in Munna Bhai made us forget his wrong done all these years.  

After the verdict day, Sanjay Dutt became the most flashed news and debated topic. A group of people is still seeking pardon for him. They are reasoning that he is a changed man now, his family background and their work for society etc. But I am not in favor of letting him go away without any punishment. It will set a very negative example for society. Anyone can depart safely doing any crime. Anybody can seek for pardon for being his 1^st mistake and having particular family background. For me, committing a misdeed in first place is biggest crime; the term does not exist like my 1^st crime or 2^nd crime.  Mistakes are Mistakes.

I felt pleased by what he said in his statement that he respects the law and does not seek pardon. He would surrender himself in stipulated time frame. I am sure, before taking the final decision; he must have had a conversion with the spirit of Gandhiji in his typical Munna Bhai style. As we don’t expect such kind of wisdom from Sanjay Dutt ;)

Thus our Reel Life Hero has shown superhuman courage to accept the Real Life Verdict. On ending note I will say, being true fan of Munna Bhai, we will wait for you to get out of the jail. We will for sure welcome your comeback films with equal enthusiasm. Till then, all the best to face a tough life…

P.S. – I hope, the other pending cases against our superstars get the real justice soon, and they accept the verdict with equal heroic as our Screen Heros. J

Lovely Relationship – Mother & Son

I feel so happy writing about the topic which is very close to my heart : my toddler son – Ronav. It’s about the new born relationship between me and my son 1 year (+).  If I look back, I wonder is it only 14 + 9 month’s association???? However it feels like ages of togetherness JJJ

From last several months, I have not slept for 3-4 hours at a stretch, not done shopping for several hours, no movies, no long drives, not spent time with friends, no long chats on mobile, no parlour sessions, no leisure time, no news paper reading ( and Books – forget it). I really miss getting up late… L

But I don’t regret missing all these things because….. The moment I took this tiny divine soul named Ronav in my hands, he absolutely made me forget the 17 hours’ long labour pain. I could not thank God more. Though my day starts very early, it starts with wonderful smile which makes my day perfect. Despite the fact that I hate cooking, right now I have 3 recipe books of baby food and I have started enjoying cooking food. I don’t need TV serial drama for entertainment/Time Pass, I can spend hours just looking at Ronav’s cute and naughty activities (sometimes troublesome). Every time I think I wonder whether God takes classes of all tiny and unborn babies before sending them on earth -  how to cope up with new environment, how to cry, smile and to recognize mother and more ever learning new things step by step.

Earlier our life was just about both of us - my husband and me. But now it’s prefect family; Grand Parents, Parents and Ronav J. The grandparents have got the new duty of taking care of grand son when his parents are away for professional commitments. They really cherish spending time with him. When every morning, we both leave Ronav unwillingly for our respective offices, he completely supports his grandparents. I really thank him for that J… Our life revolves around Ronav. He has not only made us proud parents but he has started new chapter in his Grandparents’ Life. He has given wonderful reason to them to enjoy the life as a kid.

Ronav shows his affection for me in his unique way, I just can’t put it in words. But it’s amazing. They say that a relationship is always two way street. And I completely believe in the statement, except the Mother-Son/Daughter relationship. I know Ronav will have changed his priorities, once he is grown up, as we all do have changed. But for me, he will remain my heart beat and my first priorityJ..

Nevertheless Ronav has made me understand the real meaning of being a mother. Thanks Ronav JJJ… And Love you Aaai (my mother).

Celebrating being ME

If you are a woman, you may have been part of some or other event organized on the occasion on International Women’s Day. As a participant, you may have felt proud, encouraged, inspired, and acknowledged. I will say just don’t let your womanhood spirit die, within next few days. You are very privileged that you get the forums to get inspired.

The other day, I was thinking, do I really need this kind of Days, Events, Forums to feel proud about my womanhood.  Answer is big NOO. These may be just soft reminders.

We have grown up in a society, where we all worship Goddess LAKSHMI, SARASWATI AND KALI. We are the only one who can give birth to next generation. I can keep adding the attributes of womanhood. But we all are aware and understand the importance of the same. Still underestimate ourselves…..

Today’s scenario may have made us feel helpless, annoyed and little bit scary about our womanhood. But believe me; it won’t change unless we as women do some things. Making few laws, reservations and ample sympathy, will do nothing good for us. I want to share few points with you, which I believe, will surely help all of us:

1. Have faith in yourself, you can do any impossible thing in the world
2. Make yourself strong, mentally and as well as physically.
3. Be careful while choosing person to relay on. Don’t blindly have faith on anybody.
4. Am confident that you are inculcating a true sanskars/values in your child, but don’t forget to tell him that both the genders are equal, nobody is superior or inferior. Respect the other gender.
5. Being a well educated and having a supportive family, you are the most privileged. Don’t waste your this status quo, utilise it for other unprivileged women in our surroundings. Support them to come up by helping them in any means like knowledge sharing, mental support, economically if possible, guiding them.
6. Don’t keep any jealousy; they say ‘Most of the wars happened/happen in the world because of women and their jealousy’. Though I don’t believe it completely, still I will say be compassionate for each other.
7. Have zero tolerance for domestic abuse. Remember the person tolerating injustice is at bigger fault.
8. Always be well equipped. Carry most powerful weapons like knife, chili powder, even dust on the road can help you.
9. Be careful while travelling at night, I will not say, don’t travel at night. But take calculative risk.
10. Don’t neglect eve teasing on roads, harassment at workplaces. Take precautionary steps.
11. Be alert, let your presence of mind keep working all the time J
12. I can go on and on, adding the points to list, but most import is that have faith in you and be strong.  You are not less than superior.

Unless you don’t feel it within, unless you don’t believe it, nothing will change. So feel beauty within you, Celebrate the every moment of womanhood, Spread your happiness, Feel the strength within and Enjoy a bit of you……..

Because we all are unique, nobody can be like us.