Shopper's Stop New Advertisement

 I love it. I think every woman would. And why not! Have a look 

All the issues - on point. You go SS. I am and will be a SSS(Shopper's Stop Shopper). ;)

Let me tell a small story of my life - 

Our family before any outing -
He getting ready -
1) Get your self dressed 
2) Getting the car keys 
3) Good to go. 

Me getting ready - 
1) Get my kids ready.
2) Either the kids will spill water on their clothes or the younger one would want to go to the potty. 
3) So I have to undress and re-dress..in either case.
4) I put on my dress.
5) Fill a bottle of water
6) Take a small snack for the little one.
7) Get my bag
8) I am good to go. 

Forget makeup, I don't even get time to comb and you say I take time to get ready! 

Really! 
I do take a lot of time. 

Career Advise - 
I have been given career advice not only from my husband but from all the male members of the family. With their better halves struggling to be on my side - but then not sure types!

I feel.../According to me.../Are you really looking for so much trouble?/Who will take care of kids?/Why can't you just take care of kids?

AAAAaaagggggggggggaaarrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhh! Yes! That's exactly how I feel even when I think about it. I don't know about many ladies who opt out and succumb to the family pressure, but I think I am made of diamond. Very hard to break...you see!

It's my job, I am the one to decide. I have my dreams and I am determined to fulfill it now and in this life. I have not asked for any help, so stay away, I am determined not to take any of your suggestions.

Driving Issues - Whenever...there is a bad driver ahead, it has to be a lady driver. Whenever there is a driver who signals to go left but heads right, it has to be a lady at the driving seat. 

Before stereotyping us as a bad/confused/irresponsible driver, consider this - 

> Have you seen autorickshaw drivers - all men.
> The bikers - who are riding their bikes the footpath or while using their mobile - all men.
> The ones who drink and drive - mostly men.

According to a New York City Traffic Study, 80% of all automobile accidents that kill or injure pedestrians involve male drivers.

Yet! Yet!

Donot try us again and again. A few may listen, but most are standing tall and strong. It's our time! Thanks to Shopper's Stop for this wonderful advert. It's Bullseye!

What's the agenda of today!

It's 14th Feb. Love is all around. The radio is playing only love songs. Talking about the broken hearts or the mind blowing love stories. College students are all decked up and happy. Theater is packed, as in this heat, where else can you spend three hours comfortably.

Of course, it is the Valentine's day! Day to show every one that we have that one and we are loved. 

Well well....google has another head line for you.

It's Madhubala's birthday!
Her beautiful smile will brighten up your day if you open the google homepage. She is just perfect. Isn't it! I think so. Phursat se banaya hoga..banane vale na!

What's the one we all forgot?

We live in a free country...how much ever we crib about it, being exploited by someone is certainly not good. Of course, many of us are not happy with the pollution, population, poverty, politics, frauds, scams, judiciary and what not.

But when Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev were standing tall and strong, not afraid of the death in front of them, so calm, so poised, so confident that even if they die, there will be many more Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev who will live a life with pride. They will fight for what is wrong. If they feel the system is not right, they will straighten it up. If they are unhappy with the system, they will take charge. It is our country, after all!

Probably when we watched Rang De Bansanti, they certainly came alive in all of us, but that also lasted for just a few hours. We must have cried for Madhvan and the situation created after that, but what did we learn?

How many of us are taking charge for making this country better. There are n-number of issues. For me biggest issue is - pollution. For you it may be the reservation system or the scams or judiciary. It depends!

I want to keep my country clean. I am doing it. I don't litter around and I have taught my kids the same. As said, charity begins from home, so first step done!

Of course, change will not be seen overnight. Freedom also took time, Rome was also not built is a day. Issues like reservation or judicial delays or political cleanup is not a simple task, it is going to take a lot of time. Lots of participation. And a lot of effort to straighten it up. It's on you, how much can you bend for your cause? For Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Sukh Dev and many others - even death couldn't bend them.....India is a free country today!
 
Third.....the most important agenda of today, according to me - Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev gave their lives for me and for my family and for all of you - today! I am living in a free India, because of all of them, many known and many many unknown fighters.

Remember them, cause love may last till tomorrow, but this freedom is ours, forever!

Vande Mataram!


P.S.: Please don't think that I don't celebrate Valentines day as I am married and for me love is a most useless and overrated four letter word. It's all very cool! Just saying yes to freedom!

It must have been love!

She was in love with him. He loved her back. He waited for her till she came back from her office. He waited for her for breakfast, lunch(if she had lunch at home) and dinner. He followed like her own shadow. 

But one day, he fell ill. Doctor said, "It's time! He is thirteen now, equivalent to 90 for a human. You must let him go!" 

I cried the whole night! It was all over. He had been with me since thirteen years, since I was a school girl to a working women. I never ever felt so loved in anyone's company. He made me feel so special, beautiful, wanted and loved. Never fought, never ignored, never made fun of me. Yes, he was a dog and we loved loved loved each other. 

 It must have been love....for even after years, I still look out for him in the sky, and at times, he peeks from the clouds...with still the same loving, tongue-fallen-at-one-side, smile! Wagging his tail, saying I still love you. And my answer always, " Love you tooo...to the moon and beyond!"

The Bhabhi Ji!

Once I met a lady, who is ultra sweet, a complete sharmili Indian bahu who would do everything under the sun for her family. Like, everything (with everything, I mean all the household works.) Without much technology help. That too, happily. I was amazed by her dedication and the urge to do all by herself. And she took so much of pride in her work. A one very happy and confident lady she is!

I had promised her that I will visit her once, but I couldn't go. I met her in the evening and I said, "Bhabhi I am soo sorry, hum nahi aa sake." To which she gave me the answer, which I can't get over, even today - "Arre hum naraz hone vali bhabhi nahi naa hai! Aap kabhi bhi aao!"

Trust me, she is Bhabhi of the whole society. She knows everyone, everyone knows her. She always wears sari, always wears a lot of oil in her hair and when her mother in law is around, she also covers her head. 

Once I went for her daughter's birthday party. To my amazement, all the guests and kids were sitting around facing her, and then someone played loud music and she started dancing, focused to the camera. I was more than shocked! I wouldn't say she danced like Mallaika, but trust me, her confidence in her dance was no less that hers! With her shimmery sari, with all chamk dhamk jewelry, she danced very happily, freely and amazzzingly.

She is a happy person and that exactly what she exudes around her. And I guess reason for her happiness is - expectation. She is satisfied with what she has. She is extremely happy with being a housewife and doing all the work all by herself. Her expectations are that much from life. She doesn't take stress for things which are beyond her jurisdiction.

Once I had complemented her on her cooking and asked her to start a tiffin service, to which she replied ,"Arre, aap humko ghar parivar mein kush rahne dijiye." And we laughed.

The game player in everyone's happiness is - expectation!

If only, I had a machine to curb this expectation, I would have danced to my tunes in life. Right now, dancing on my own expectations' tunes! Yes, not that happy, always stressed with time, always running after something more, more and more! I wonder if it is worth! I wonder if ever I am going to lessen this burden of expectations! I wonder, if ever I am going to dance with soo much of confidence, charm and freedom. I wonder!!! 

What the crap - Sonu ke titu ki wedding!

Well, I don't do a movie review and neither this one is a review of the movie. This is just my feeling...

I saw the movie and for the first time in my life after watching a movie I felt anger....irritation and everything what I wouldn't want to feel, at least after watching a movie.

Hours have passed but my anger is not going away. I just want to ask the director, and writer and the producer....

What the crap was it!!!!

Why are you all trying to prove that girls are chalu or dominating or so bad.....funny part in the movie is...you didn't show any wrong act of sweety....she didn't misbehave with elders....she didn't fight with her beau....she was just tooo sweet. You had issue in her being tooo sweet????

Faltu kaa...haaa main chalu hu...vho chalu hai.

Tell me who in the world is not chalu...aren't you?

This actor...who is actually cute and should be doing more sensible movies, he is, for no reason trying to prove her bad.

Why?

Zabardasti ka.....drama. It really really didn't make sense.

You think no girl is that sweet, the whole movie ...without making any sense ....keeps going for more than two hours.

Pathetic....I think...the worst movie according to me was khusi ....this one easily beats that movie...

Disgusting movie.

Negative stars from my side. -5*****

I guess the director is heart broken or he lost his friends to other girls....

Its no body's fault. You please...stop demeaning girls.

There is a very very old song. These lines are part of that song...

Kissi we itne paas hai...
Ki sabse dur ho gaye!

Facts of life....

Log judenge aur karwa chalta jayega!

Of course Tutu and sweety would get married and they will be closest. Others need to understand and give some space.

Family and friends are life.....no second thought there...but even friends and family need to give space to each others to breath.

My requests:

To the pretty lady:
You are very pretty....but please don't do movies which demeans girls.


To the director + producer + writer
Please stop making films.

To the Sonu:
Please do better roles.

I wonder how no one for angry with this film. I wonder. Really!

Sridevi - rest in peace!

Recently, I started watching Desperate Housewives series, still wondering... Why.....Why!!!

Harm has been done.....no personal attacks but few episodes were really interesting in first season which forced me to watch an entire season.  As I watch season 2...after every episode I feel that there is sooo much darkness around the world. I don't know if it's postpartum depression or just a phase where I get sad easily.

Bree was my favorite one, of course after Susan. Well,  within few weeks into her husband's death, she starts dating. After 18 years of marriage, you can be so disconnected!!!!! It felt very strange.  Here on, I started feeling bad seeing the coldness in the relationships. Yes.... This is exactly what I feel after watching this.... Cold.

Of course,  life should go on.

And in middle of the series I heard about Sridevi and her mysterious death.  It took a lot of time for me to accept that she is no more.

My first thoughts were.... She is soo rich...she is soo fit..she is sooooo pretty
....how can she die?

I read a lot about her, analysed a lot.  But of course, benefit of doubt is a real thing.

Somewhere I felt some article will tell me it's all a lie.  She is just fine!!!

Maybe not!

My life was going like usual but then I saw sridevi's daughter birthday celebration pictures.  Trust me, my heart broke again.  I felt cold, again!

Maybe the family did the right thing by trying to get their life back on track, but my mind is unable to understand. Within few days!

Well,  they have lost their mother...i can't imagine the pain..So I am not going to judge.

I guess, life should go on....your decision to laugh or cry.. Isn't it!

Well. . ... I have bigger problems around me and I really don't know how to handle.. .

My daughter loves the title track of Prem Ratan dhan payo. My maid has been so angry with sonam kapoor for dancing on that number even on day her chachi passed away! She never forgets to remind me about her!

Whatever....i guess it's time for me to wind up desperate housewives and rest in peace, you beautiful lady.

Getting back to play with my little ones more rather than watching some series .. .Need much more warmth, you see...plus who knows.....kal Ho na Ho!!!

Super fathers!

Kangana....only one thing I can say....You go girl!

Well, it really doesn't bother me if her movies is a flop or a hit, to me she is a star, a shinning one. I will watch all her movies, in theater!

There were just two comments she made which I don't really accept. Well, I guess in India at least, doctor kaa beta doctor, engineer kaa beta engineer, actor kaa beta actor.....is there. You can;t beat that record. My parents are doctors and leaving me(Me:Engineer), everyone else is a doctor. 

Rahi baat nepotism ki, of course they have a easier life and get many chances to proof themselves, well those who have to successful, will be successful. Isn't it! Rest can take a back seat. 

The second comment was - when she made that comment on how a 43 year old man is hiding behind his father I was a little unsure about it. How is it possible?

When I was a little girl, whenever I had small little fights, my parents encouraged me to deal with the situation. I give same training to my little one. I will explain: My daughter is five and a half. Another girl, must be around her age, troubles her every single day in school. One way is to go and complain to the school authorities, but is it going to stop the issue. Well, not at all. So we encourage her to deal with it. Either stop bothering about it or give her back. Her decision. She is five and yes it is really challenging for her to understand what we mean. But she need to win her own battles. Right!

Finally one day she came and said, we are friends now. I don't know exactly how things changed but she looks more confident now. She can deal with her issues. Of course, we are her guiding light, but she needs to face it.

Well, at 42 or whatever age the actor is at, he should be talking for himself.

But before I could wonder why, I got my answer - when Rishi Kappor started talking about Ranbir Kapoor and blaming all the directors, with whom his kiddo worked with! Wait, did I call Ranbir a kiddo? Well, what else can I say, if you can't deal with your own issues and go crying to papa and papa starts finding faults in every little things - girlfriends, producer, director, marketing team and whole world, what name shall we call you with?

I really like Rishi-Neetu-Ranbir, all of them, but after his ho halla about how these directors are creating a mess out of his child's career, I am confused now.

I guess, if the silly-ex comment was just ignored, the issue would have been dealt in much respectful manner. Ignorance is the key to happiness. So, I guess, let's ignore Rishi-Ranbir! What say!

P.S.: I want to thank my dad-mom for making me realize the importance of standing up for myself. I would also like to thank my sister and brother for.....for ummmmm let me think, yes, everything!!! I would also like to thank......list is very long! So, let's just ignore!

Last thing, Kangana, I wish I had courage like you, I love you totally. More power to you...more films to you....cheers!!!

Being Healthy is being Happy!

Being healthy is not a choice, it is my way of life.

Let me introduce you to the little stubborn fat girl sitting inside my head - who loves to eat - fast food and fried food and hates the gym, not just hate, she hhaaattteeeesss the gym.

Of course, I explained that little girl to grow up and look beyond yummy fast food, at times I won and many a times, I lost. Once I enrolled her to the best gym where the crowd was awesome, the instructors were eye candy and the whole atmosphere was also soo healthy. Well, from inside my head, that little girl found a new excuses to avoid gym every day. Few excuses were:

·       

•  It's very sunny or It's raining or cold! (Yaa, there should be some special gym weather now!)
•  My mood is off, I can't go to gym like this. I will go tomorrow morning and tomorrow night. (Right!)
• Yesterday I slept so late, I should do some yoga here only, on my bed!(You mean sona-aasan)
• I have a bad hair day! What will that hot guy think! (Like anyone, keep that hot guy aside, is looking!)
• Did I eat anything? (No no...not much...just a little finger fries and few cheese sandwiches, bus!)
• Today is Tuesday or Monday or Friday or Sunday or so boring day!(Yeah!)
• I will run today, a little later. (Later...when is this later? Like never?)
• What if, he(who ignores me every single time) calls me and I am unable to answer, cause I am at gym. (OKAYYYY!)

I have heard many more. Trust me. I had to find a healthier way.

And then in all this tussle with gym and food choices and everything, I had my first child. Things changed automatically. The little stubborn fat girl in my head, started listening to me now (not much though, she still hateeessss gym and still loves eating). For the little one, I looked for various good healthy recipes and loved the fact that my kiddo enjoyed all of them. This was a gradual shift which I faced, from indulging in fried food to baked or tossed food. From no gym to playing around with the little one.

Gradually, I just loved the active life which I started to lead and the transformation was mind blowing. Few things, I guess are permanent, like my love for food and hate for gym, but wait what's wrong in both?

You may enjoy healthy food and lead a active fit life. My problem was solved as I found my solution, thanks to my kid. I started getting healthiest oil, better than paying at gym(where you will hardly find me) or paying any hospital charges. Whatever food I wanted to enjoy, well, cook at home....try new ways, bake or air fry or add healthier ingredients, use healthy oil.

Another major change in my life was - addition of workout! Well, God sent me a treadmill child literally, she keeps running and she makes me run too. She just can't sit at one place. She hates lift so we use staircase, and now even when she is not with me, I prefer stairs. Her favourite game is pakdam-pakdai, when all kids in the park get tired of playing it repetitively and are off to swings and slides, I run behind her. Yes you guessed right, she is never tired, never, never!

There are more - we race from drawing room to bed room to climb on the bed. We race till bathroom from where ever we are, for using it. We swim together, we go for after dinner walks and early morning badminton class together. She loves to dance on every music and makes me dance on hers.

The best part of being so closely involved with her is that she has no phone mania. She still has a very normal buchpan which I guess every child deserves - to play, laugh and live outside his phone/tab/TV.

Last but not the least, we do enjoy our pillow fights! They are great intense exercise. Trust me, try it today! Just trying to be active and healthy, apne tarike se push karo!

Oh and the little girl inside my head, she is totally happy with our routine and hardly ever give a miss to run behind the little one or to eat a healthy bite. After all, being healthy is being satisfied and being happy!

I am joining Saffola #ApneTareekeSeHealthy initiative and sharing my ways of being healthy in association with BlogAdda.

P.S.: Please don't judge the stubborn fat girl inside my mind! She is quiet cool. 

Grandparents Day!

It was a summery day. It was that time of the year when all your cousins and extended family would come to stay with the grandparents, who used to stay with us. Talking about the lazy summery afternoon, it was same like every day. It used to be hot and so quiet, only sound you would hear was the sound of crazy high-speed wind, which we called as - loo! No one was supposed to get out of rooms or even open the windows or doors.

In our house, there were 6 rooms and a big veranda at the center of the house, with 4 rooms at each corner on the veranda and two rooms on the first floor. The veranda was a big one. Flower beds with blooming seasonal flowers on all sides, a hand pump and a staircase on the opposite side, which led to the first floor. We were not allowed to go to the first floor, I still wonder, why?

We were 6 of us, locked in our grand maa's room. She was sleeping and all of us were supposed to sleep too and not make any noise. We were quiet obedient bunch of kids and we used to sleep every day. But that day...well, my cousins were to go the next day, we felt like this day should be different and special.

I remember, we were whispering and making some plans when we heard someone else whisper - "kulfi khaye?"

We couldn't understand, who whispered, dadi...wells she was fast asleep; no one other than us was there. Blaming our age, all of us were so scared at that moment, and we tried to hear again, someone whispered again - "kulfi khaye kya?" We became so scared that all of us hid our faces in the sheets, when suddenly our youngest brother started laughing. 

We were shocked. Shocked to the core! Stories of bhoot getting into small children was very common. We got so scared, we held each other's hand, big eyes and all of us were thinking, we should have slept! Ab kya hoga!

By now, the little one was laughing hysterically. It was quiet quiet scary. We were sure about one things .....hum bhi gaye aur ye chotu bhi gaya. And when we were about to get a heart attack, dadi woke up and started laughing along with chotu. 

Oh my  god. Daaaddiiii.

Damn yaar, sari izzat chali gai uss din tho.  

That afternoon was the coolest one, till date. We had many kulfis and world's best dadi's hand made  nimbu pani with a lot of hugs, laughter and love. No one in the house yelled at us, rather everyone joined us.

It was pure dadi power. You can shower love in heat and make it the coolest afternoon, ever, ever!

It was quiet sad that I could just share a few years with my grandparents.  All my growing up years, some or the other friend used to tell how their grandparents are their survival-strategies, how they help them when they get bad marks, or get extra money or any homework issues, or any extra love, hugs and kisses, their grandparents would just shower it on them, unconditionally, without asking, without need.

I still miss my grandma, wish even I had my entire growing up and always, with her love.

After I lost her, I had just one wish, at least my kids should enjoy and feel that warmth, love and fun with their grandparents. By God's grace my children's life is full of grandparents love. They don't stay with us, but my daughter literally stays with them. She will call her paternal grandfather whenever, to tell what all happened.  And whenever I say no for pasta, chocolate, TV or anything on her mind, she calls my mom and dad, and tada! Done! She is big enough to understand which number is to be dialed! Trust me, I just love it!

To make day special for dada-dadi, we arranged for video meet with the entire family in one frame. Getting all at one time is quiet a task, trust me, but worth it. For her maternal grandparents, we called the cook didi and asked her to surprise her with a packet of maggi. Of course, they avoid but all both of them are Maggi freaks.

Not only today, everyday is their day! I can't imagine getting up without their calls and sleeping before twe speak with each other sharing each detail of the day. Kya khaya kya piya, kya hua! These are not questions, they are just love, let us give back to the old friends, its our turn to #lovejatao! Not just today, but every single day!

No wonder the best trip for us always leads to our grandparents place. And why not! Happiness is where love is, love is where grandparents are!!! 


I look forward to hear from you how would you celebrate Grandparents Day. Do share a selfie with your grandparents on Sept. 10, 2017 on Twitter or Facebook with #LoveJatao & tag @blogadda to win a goodie from Parachute Advansed.

Dominos tune kya kiya?

Like every one, me and my whole family, especially kids at my place are soo fond of pizza and especially the ones from Dominos. They just love the pizza, the garlic bread, the dips and the sweet delight-choco lava cake!

Whatever be the family occasion, like if I visit my sister-brother place or if they visit my place or if a kid is sad for losing and we want to cheer him/her up or if they have done extremely well in exam, and no one is in mood to go out, then -  Pizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaa, which is quiet often!

Now, we have a set menu in our mind....pichli baar cheese burst tho iss baar bhi cheese burst...(what's pizza without cheese anyways ..isn't it!) topping would be - farmhouse or margaritta or delux veggie or cheese and corn. I guess we have never tried any other...we just can't get over these flavours.

This pizzaaa love has been going on for years. And suddenly something happened!

New Dominoes Advertisement!

 My sister called for pizza - from Pizza hut! She called me and told - "You know, we called for Pizza from Pizza Hut! Dominos vala bada dry rahta hai! Topping bhi kitna kum hota hai...This is much better!"

Really?

From all these years, she never felt this! Neither did I feel that way or any of the little ones or few friends of mine. Now, all of sudden, all of them has one song ... arre bada dry hai..topiing bhi kum hai...pizza hut is better!

Well, aur badha do aur badha do ...is still not ringing in their head.

I know this a good way to market, to show that you are breaking your limits to become better, but there are many who have started finding new faults in you!

Dominos my love for you is eternal! You were doing just fine!

Pic: My daughter's pizza love started when she was one year and few months!

Crying Baby or Pressurized Parents?

There has been an irked debate going on - on the Viral Video of a small girl crying and the mother teaching her in a harsh way.

When I saw the video, I didn't find anything wrong....I guessed the mother was teaching and I presumed that the child would be very playful and would not be learning at all. Not a very difficult situation to understand. Not that I didn't feel bad for the baby, but I guess every mother knows what's best for her child. She is the mother after all!

Many of my friends didn't like the video followed by many cricketers who condemned it.

Some may see it as it is, some may see beyond.

I choose to see beyond!

I have personally been at that mother's place many a times. I am crazy about my daughter. I love her beyond any description of words. There has been times when I have been a little harsh, given a few slaps to make her learn.

If you really want to stop all these....it's better to question the right things!

• ·         Why so much pressure on parents to teach children, isn't school for teaching?
• ·         Why a mother, of all people, hitting her child for teaching small little things?

Because Boss, this is India and right from nursery, you have about three books to be done. And just in any case you don't learn at pace of the best student of the class, you are labelled!

Weak in studies, weak student, doesn't concentrate, no focus, very playful, you should take care, very bad attitude and what not!

Schools are no more Gurukul, it is a business centre. There are 30-40 kids in one class and one/two teachers handle the entire class. Now, the class run at the pace of the best child's learning speed. Everyone needs to gear up. Leave the best student, the teacher has a topic to teach in class, and Vrrooom! The topic is done. The question/answers are also done. Next topic please!

It is difficult for all the kids to understand any topic or as a matter of fact, learn 1 to 5 at same pace. Some pay attention, they learn! Some are extremely playful, they lag behind. So, what if they lag behind?

This::

• ·         There are reminders in the child's dairy that his performance is below average.
• ·         For the primary or high school children, there are extra classes in school...on a Saturday which is actually a non-working day for the kids.
• ·         Worst of worst, children are divided into sections according to their ranks. The best ones or the cream students, as they are called, in section A and the "weak students" in section D/E/F(last one).

Can you even imagine the moral of a student who is in section D/E/F?  They know that entire school knows that they are weak students. These kids know that it's just not their parents who know that they are weak in studies, but every every parent has a easy way to find that out.

Random Uncle: Beta, tum kis section mein ho?

Child: Uncle, E!

Random uncle gives a degrading-sadistic look and says, "hmmmm, arre beta kabhi kabhi padh bhi liya karo!"

Trust me on this, it all happens!

It doesn't ends there. No no! There is much more to this - the syllabus....Oh myyyy God!

Can you just can't imagine a child who is 5, who doesn't know how to clean his own potty, is learning *@&%!*  FRENCH in school.

Common.........common!

My own niece and nephew are in standard 1, and looking at their syllabus, I feel, they will be 10-board-ready by next year. No, I am not kidding! These kids come back from school, eat and when they are about to finish their lunch, their tuition teacher comes. There is so much homework from school or there is test every Wednesday or some exam or competition, that they have to study for hours, after school. By the time they are done, it is already 7 PM. Eat, sleep and repeat. Really! 

In this race, if a mother is hitting her child to teach, is she wrong?

She is not, she can't be!

She is also scared, my child shouldn't be labelled. My child has all the capability then why will she be labelled. Same goes for me or for my didi or bhabhi or for any lady who yells, hits, pressurizes her child to put more focus on study.

If you really want to question.....don't go at the teaching style, please see the back drop!

Hope you leave the mother daughter video and end this debate. Hope you start the new one - Why so much pressure Boss? Bache hai, ease it out!

Abbu and Dabbu and Masti ki Pathshala

India has started dividing itself on basis of a new found category - English. Yes, those who speak in English and those who don't! Anyone, rich or poor, male or female, big or small, if they speak in English, they are looked up and are highly respected for the same. And why not, they know the language - jho anrgez bolte the.

My parents are doctors and they hate the fact that I am a at-home mom. According to their thinking, you can always outsource your responsibilities and do something worth your education and you must earn your bread. It keeps you as tall as your husband. True. Isn't it! Unfortunately, I am still finding out a way to outsource my responsibilities, back of my mind I always feel the push to do more.

No doubt on the fact that my parents are really upset about this fact, but one day they heard me talking, to whom I don't remember but the language of communication was - English. Their whole perspective about me changed that very day. They started giving me a little more bhav, just for the reason, that I knew how to speak fluent English. Suddenly after that day, they understood my issues. They started helping me to sort them. (English came to my rescue!)

Well, trust me, English is a turning point. At least, for us, Indians, it is a big deal if anyone speaks in good English. This is why there are many...many flourishing "Spoken English Coaching Centres." Trust me, they are minting money by teaching this language, English.

So getting back at me, one day my house help came and told me, she wants to buy an iPhone, no really! The day she mentioned it, I was shocked. I even blogged about the same. Now, of course, she didn't buy an iPhone, but she bought a Smartphone. The very next day she came and told me, "Didi, mera ek sapna pura ho gaya, ek bada phone le liya. Ab dusra sapna pura karna hai!"

I asked, "Aur dusra spana hai kya?"

She said, "English mein baat karni hai, iss phone se. Sabhi se!"

And she laughed and laughed. I smiled and said, "Tho chalo, Hum sikha dete hai"

She said, "Jub aap free hote tho main nai, aur jub main free hoti hu tub aap nai"

I said "Baat tho sahi hai. Chalo thik hai koi rasta nikalnege. Abhi pehele sapne ko enjoy karo."

She had a big smile and went to do her work.

Then I came across - Masti ki Pathshala. The best part is, actually there are many best parts...let me explain::

  1)     No fixed timings - you can learn as per your time convenience.

  2)     You can learn from the scratch - from how to greet others and so on.

  3)     The technique to teach is quiet innovative - Two cute kids Abbu's and Dabbu's image is formed in your mind and with their help, you learn how to speak in English.

  4)     You can go back, go forward or do a repeat, as per your pace of learning.

  5) Vidya Balan is teaching you man!!!

  6) You just need to give missed call to - Nihar Shanti Amla’s Pathshala Funwala’s toll free number 8055667788 and they call you back....almost immediately.

The best part is - IT IS FOR FREE.

What else, I guess my house help will pukka call me soon and say, "Didi, I am not coming today. I am not feeling well, you see! See you, bye didi!"

P.S.: And then she will smile broooadddlllyyyyy and do I tell my state? Phew!

“I am blogging about Pathshala Funwala by Nihar Shanti Amla Oil in association with BlogAdda”

Not Made in China

There have been a whole lot of articles and a lot of memes - on not using Chinese products, on how are army is being targeted by them and how if we don't use Chinese product, they will be at total loss.

Well, I really got affected by a few blogs and decided that I will, henceforth, not buy anything where it is written "Made in China". In all my small and big decisions, my partner in crime is - my daughter. She also promised not to buy any toy which is made in China.

Yesterday, I went to "Star Bazaar" and had to buy a toy gift for a little girl's birthday. The entire toy section had products marked "Made in China". I was about to take one...when my daughter reminded me...We are not taking China-Made products, right!

Right!

Just wondering - Why do these hypermarket keep "made in China" products? Of course, there are many products which are China-made - like phones, toy, plastics, shoes, electric appliances and about everything we can think of. But has the Chinese product penetrated so much that we can't take a back seat?

Thinking loud -

Why only customers need to take a step back, of course GOI can't due to world politics and all but for the hypermarkets are looking for only profits? Can't they stop taking in these products?

I know of one toy shop which has stopped getting all the Chinese products. It is running fine. Why can't hypermarkets, as their Corporate social responsibility, boycott these Chinese product?

I have made my contribution by not buying any Chinese product, now it's everybody's turn. Let's do it!

Horror Shows!

My daughter is five. When she was younger, she saw some cartoon where she came to know about ghost, vampires, mummy, witches et all. All at a cartoon level. It wasn't scary at all.

Recently, someone in my house was watching Zee TV and she was crossing by, when she saw some new program promotional trailer of a horror show.

Certainly, I didn't expect what happened next.

All of sudden my daughter became so scared that refused to go to the bathroom all alone, even in broad day light. She doesn't go the other room for playing, not even to her favorite place, where we would find her all the time, the balcony. 

We tried to find out the reason and she told us about that clipping she saw on the tv. 

Now, it is a big task for us to take her out of that shock and explain her that it is just a play, not real. Her mind is not ready to accept it though. 

Well, Zee TV is banned for all at my place now, at least when my baby is up and at home. Not only Zee tv, there are many music channels as well, which are a complete no-no at our place, cause they also telecast these trailers. I am not aware how many kids have watched these trailers and how they react but for us, it was bad...bad.

Wishful thinking : These scary trailers should be aired after 9 pm in any channel and not before that.  

Standing with GST!

There is a lot of noise with GST and lot of memes floating about GST is going to ruin us completely.
Before I tell, which side I am standing, let me share the meme which I founf the best::

Jab bhi those paise jama hote hai,

Kahi se ek awaaz ati hai...."Mitrrroooonnn!!!"

Isn't it damn funny!
Well, well, having laughed at this meme, I stand strong with this GST and this revolution.

At the consumer end, may be we have to pay a little extra for few specified services and goods but we are still at the advantageous side.

But being a customer/consumer you and I need to be informed.

Let me quote a recent incident - @ Lifestyle.

Lifestyle quoted flat 50% discount, with hardly a few items at that discount rate. I had a voucher and I thought, before these cards become useless and before GST, let me complete the shopping.

On the items which were on discount, Lifestyle charged extra 5%, claiming that these are new government rules. I am talking about the days before GST was implemented.

When I inquired the store manager about which rule is such, he had absolute no idea! Of course, the same thing was done at many other stores as well.

I really felt cheated. But what option I had?

I know post GST things are going to be a little chaotic, but one thing is for sure -

Do check your bills. Now, we only need to pay the goods and service tax. There are few smart shops who are going to charge you additional for - Service tax.

Be alert and careful. DONOT pay service tax. We just need to pay GST.

HONKING OR NO HONKING!

Before I learnt how to drive, I was at the other side. I used to wonder why people honk so much. It was quiet irritating and so seemed uncalled activity. Trust me, I actually felt, no honking is actually possible!

Really!!!

Of course, I am on the driving seat and who ever thinks it is possible to not honk, please meet me in person!!!

It is absolutely impossible in India. 

Absolutely impossible.

There are so many people who walks busy in their phone, not even looking if any vehicle is coming.

There are others who will just come from any small roads joining the big roads, in full speed; without any horn and there is full possibility of two vehicles banging. This is not all. You have given signal to turn, and someone will just walk in front of your car, if you don't honk.

If you don't honk in both these conditions, then bang-bang!

Really, for those who have visited the foreign countries, please keep these expectations till you remain out of India. Here, we talk loudly, we are a little in hurry all the given time and we can't do without loud HONKS.

So for everyone's safety, let there be some noise!!!!

MOBILE AND NO-MOBILE!

I was very very excited. I was going on my school trip - to New Delhi, Shimla and Chandigarh. My parents didn't want to send me. Luckily my brother had a school trip a month back - to New Delhi and Jaipur. The best part was he got permission to go for the trip.

My parents had a little choice, you see! If my brother can go, so can I.

Those were safe days. Girls and boys were safe. People had some faith in humanity, or maybe it was not reported. I don't know, let's not go there. Okay. So, it was my trip day.

That one instruction that I think all of us friends got from our parents was - Please call where ever you find a PCO. Teachers were requested to make sure that the children make calls to parents every day. Just once though.  

My parents knew where ever I reached. I called everyday and shouted on phone, "I am fine...I am at so-&-so location. Don't worry. I am good." Hang up. Pay the PCO person and done for the day!

THE MOBILE REVOLUTION

The mobile revolution has taken place. The revolution has its effect even on a two year old(mine started going crazy about mobile at that age...not sure about the little mobile-freaks age!) Small children who don't even have the proper bathroom sense knows how to unlock a phone and open a game app or YouTube and play rhymes!

Most of the school going children, talking about high school children, have a basic phone. When children of today go on a school trip, it's easy to reach them...except if the child and the entire team has switched off their phones in badmashi.

Even when we go to offices, we inform our families, we are here at office. Kya khaya, kya piya, kya kiya...etc etc... everything is shared. Not only calls, but social media has also made this place more accessible.

I can't place my child in my kind of trip. If she doesn't has a phone and if I am unable to reach her at my ease, it's difficult for me send her anywhere. Of course, the time has changed as well. But with all this mobile revolution we have become slaves to our phones and the habit of reaching out to each other at our ease has made us mobile-slaves.

Try this, leave your phone and go somewhere for sometime, a hour or two! Come back home and trust me, you will know how important you are! Everyone will yell and tell you, HOW COULD YOU LEAVE YOUR PHONE AND GO?  

If you are unreachable even for one hour, people go crazy! Indeed, gladly accepting that, I am too a big mobile slave! Mobiles ki jai ho!

STRESS IN A TINY PACKAGE!

If you think teaching is easy, try to handle a bunch of pre-primary kids.

I started taking after school learning classes and trust me, it was going great. Everyone was learning a new thing every day. Everything was under my control. Until the next boy joined.

He is very energetic boy with a little less sense of "NO". He gets angry on everything. He won't even do things as per my instruction. He loves to snatch. He loves to hit and bite. There has been no learning since he has come. He doesn't want to learn and he disturbs everyone else.

I wonder what shall I do. I don't know. My child is also his age, but she has learnt the basic lessons of how to handle her own self.

I really feel there is a big difference in being naughty and having behavioral issues. Or am I just too stressed cause of him, can't say!

Does anyone has any idea how to deal with such situations?