Life (Haiku)

New dawn after storm

Another bud opens up

Life has to go on

Image- thumbs.dreamstime.com

Superb Skin!

What shows the inner happiness of someone? It is not fancy clothes, high-end accessories but it is one simple thing and that is flawless skin. Hair and skin are two most basic parameters of health and well being of a person. No amount of make-up can substitute the glow that comes when skin is clear of problems like excess oil, pimples and blackheads. Unfortunately, in these times when pollution is setting new records each day and stress is taking its toll even in children, it is hard to maintain a glowing skin. We use a number of cosmetics but mostly, the end result is cipher because they are all full of chemicals. We need to go back to our wonderful roots and find something that can give us a natural boost. Certain herbs like turmeric are boon for the skin and this has been known for centuries. Face-washes and creams having such natural things only should be applied.

Apart from using a natural face-cream and face-wash, there are certain other tips that you can follow to keep to keep that enviable glow-

1.  Go Natural- Use Ayurveda based skin products as these contain many herbs that have no side effects even in the long run unlike synthetic cosmetics. Even after decades, they help maintain a firm and supple skin.

2. No Touching- It is a common habit but can cause acne breakout and blackheads. Constantly touching the face can be unhealthy for the skin hygiene.

3.  Separate Towel- Most people use the same towel for the whole body but one should use a separate towel for facial skin as it is many times more soft and prone to break-outs.

4.  The Wash Effect- It is a tricky thing because too much washing can strip the skin of oils and too little will cause dirt to accumulate deep inside the pores. So, after a few hours, one should wash skin with either plain water or a herbal face-wash.

5.   No Soap- They are very alkaline and should be avoided on face.

6.  Cold Water- Even in winters, one should prefer cold water for washing the face as warm water can cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear.

7.  Less Cosmetics- Wearing makeup day in and day out not only looks somewhat silly but is also very harmful for the skin. Also, one must not over indulge in cosmetic products and also, all makeup should be removed before going to bed.

8.  Soft Scrubbing- It must be done to exfoliate the skin and remove dead cells that block pores. This can be done with herbal or home-made scrubs as well.

These are some simple skin care tips that do not cost anything and as they say, precaution is far better than cure. Skin is the biggest and most visible part of our body and if treated carefully, it can make heads turn in awe!

Try VICCO Turmeric Cream for an awesome skin!

Check this out!

I agree to ensure (to the best of my abilities and circumstances) that this blog post remains accessible in an un-altered state for a minimum of one year.

That Lass!

There was once a bony lass,

Quietest in her whole class

She would feel awfully shy

And at drop-of-hat would cry

Though betrayed a content smile

But prayed God to change her life

Then she grew sick of her being

Of all banal and sheepish living

And of being a nervous wreak

For many days she told herself-

“Let the world go to hell

I’ll come out of my shell

And do my own thing

Sans a bit of bothering”

After that she just did not care

Of neither brickbats nor flatter

And self she started to adore

Her wings grew; she did soar

Anyways, it was also not her duty

To keep each damned soul happy!

Image-7-themes.com

Obey!

   Oh! Thanks dear love for being so sweet

For the nice dates in the uptown street

And all smiles you keep sending, though

There’s still a bit more you need to know!

There is another side to me that’s unseen

Boy, I tell you frankly, I’m a drama queen

I throw tantrums here, there and all around

You better keep away when swings are on!

You will have to cook and serve when I dine

Yes, I prefer things in order and well on time

And boy if you want to be my beau, my man

Just obey what I say, life’s going to be calm!

Image from-pinterest.com/sheikhhoney18

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"

Clark Gable 

(February 1, 1901 – November 16, 1960)

He was an American film actor, often referred to as "The King of Hollywood". Gable began his career as a stage actor and appeared as an extra in silent films between 1924 and 1926, and progressed to supporting roles with a few films for MGM in 1931. The next year he landed his first leading Hollywood role and became a leading man in more than 60 motion pictures over the next three decades. Gable won an Academy Award for Best Actor for It Happened One Night (1934) and was nominated for leading roles in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) and for his, arguably best-known, role as Rhett Butler in the epic Gone with the Wind (1939).

Read more@Wikipedia

Toil

A long walk in blooming greenery

With wild oak trees for company

Wind whispering secrets to lilies,

And streams humming tunes lazily

Isn't a solitary long walk catharsis

Relieving soul of many a menace?

Hold on! There is to it another face

Real truth is that life is a mad race

Toil is fated for us all, you and me

We have to work, quite inevitably

Be in office or in dust, we've to see

That kitchen fires burn comfortably

And this slog sucks each second

Of our rhetoric mundane being

Years pass and leave most of us

With mere dreams of walk-in-woods

Image- patheos.com

Bits & Pieces 4

Tu Mera Hero!  (You are My Hero)

Someone I know is all set to tie the knot with her intimidating and macho boyfriend very soon. This girl has been through all his temper tantrums and slaps, bouts of extreme possessiveness but still, like a dim-wit follower of a local pseudo god man, she is hell bent on marrying the boy who she  believes, is a hero and will make her life a secure heaven. Anyways, it is just one story amongst the millions where girls easily or rather willingly marry boys who are involved in brawls and even heinous crimes like rapes. The basic feeling that runs deep down is the point of ‘safety’ which, to most girls, means only physical strength and a dominating personality. 

Image- art.wallpaperhd.rocks

I feel such girls themselves lack confidence in their own selves or maybe they are too insecure and shudder at the very thought of a big bad world out there that gets them naturally and mindlessly attracted to men having such terrifying personalities. Surprisingly, they are often happy in facing physical abuse and severe excoriations all their lives and barter dignity for a sense of safety.

I discussed this with my friend and she gave me a solid suggestion for their wedding gift that made me laugh my ribs out! “Why don’t you gift her a year’s supply of Volini!”

Good one!

***

Didi! (Elder Sister)

On One sleepy afternoon, a few days back, two cute little boys rang my doorbell. I answered from inside and one said ‘Aunty, ball aa gai hai, please de do’ (Aunty, please return our ball) but before I could utter a syllable, another one promptly interrupted in somewhat hushed tone and said ‘Pagal, Aunty bolega to nai milegi, didi bol’ (Dumbo, she won’t return if you’ll call her aunty, instead call her didi). And both cried in unison ‘Didi…didi please ball de do’ and honestly, I could not stop giggling for an hour or so! Such instances of pure innocence can make one smile even after years pass by.

***

Blossoms!

I have of late grown quite fond of flowers and have even memorized the names of various types with much interest. I can name them like kids can tell you alphabet table- excitedly, in a single breath! Blossoms add a dash of color and style in other wise wilted and annoying days of scorching summers. I easily identified a wild flower growing in my neighbor’s garden. It was a white petunia (in pic) and for some reason seemed to me like an infant, too cute to avoid! There is another plant called ‘Chinese Lantern’ (in pic below) that has a box like net that covers the fruit and looks beautiful in fiery orange! Now, I have added to my ‘to-do’ list this task of buying new flower-plants from nearby nursery and placing them in beautiful pots (gamla) that are easily available in the markets now. I have plants in plastic pots but still I feel earthen ones are better. I prefer flowers in pots because of the ease in carrying and also you can arrange and place them as and where you wish, unlike rooted ones.

Images- castleofcostamesa.com and www.whiteflowerfarm.com

***

Airtel My App

In these times when almost whole the world is on the apps, or applications that run on smart-phones and can get you rid of many hassles, it has become quite convenient to download specific apps and get going! One such wonderful application is ‘My Airtel App’ that helps in managing numerable things like recharges, buying products, tracking bills and reports and many more things that we often need and utilize in day to day life. We all know Airtel as a company that provides quality services and products and one of the leaders in mobile networks. This free application has various smart features but these three attracted me the most-

1.     Airtel Surprises- User can receive coupons for every recharge! I often use recharge services and that means one coupon every now and then. Moreover, these coupons can be chosen from various categories like entertainment, shopping, food, wellness and the like. Top brands such as VLCC, Café Coffee day, Amazon, Flipkart and many more can be browsed for redeeming the coupons which I think is wonderful!

2.     Secured Payments- These days, with the advent of online payments, electronic theft and phishing have become common as well. So if an app provides a safe payment mode, there could be nothing better! One can have PCIDSS certification as well as real time bill tracking. Any bill, be it that of DTH, landline or mobile, can be paid within seconds with utmost security by this App.

3.     Movies and Games- If you use Airtel’s DTH service then you can easily order movies with this app. For gaming buffs, games too can be ordered with this app. Moreover, programs can be recorded as well. I am a movie buff, so this seems amazing to me!

This app provides a smooth and user friendly interface along with a plethora of features like faster checkout by storing card details, checking recharge history, addition or removal of services, one-touch internet and alerts on various things like due bills, low data etc. All these facilities can be used on your smart-phone! I remember an awesome Airtel ad where a wife whose husband is her junior in office uses Airtel services to surprise him with a superb dinner! This company has emerged as the market leader in mobile and communications domain and now this app will further elevate the company’s popularity.

This application can be downloaded from the company’s website for free. Once downloaded, the app will give two options- ‘Proceed’ or ‘Take a Tour’ and when you click the former, the app will ask for user’s Airtel details. Once the details are verified and registered, one can use the app easily! The other option, ‘Take a Tour’ will give you an introduction to all the features of the app.

This app has made managing Airtel products and services a cakewalk. All features are available on Android at this point of time and other versions are to arrive soon.

Explore and download this mobile application @ http://www.airtel.in/myairtel

I agree to ensure (to the best of my abilities and circumstances) that this blog post remains accessible in an un-altered state for a minimum of one year.

Image from- indiblogger

TWT Review

Thank you dear uncle Ashok Prasad for this review of 

'The Wedding Trousseau and Other Short Stories'  :) 

'Before I embark on reviewing this volume,let me make a declaration. Ankita is known to me and I treat her like a daughter. I have been a witness to her growth in the literary circles and it was a matter of enormous personal satisfaction and pride. to note that her first volume of short stories has been released . If therefore ,to some,if this review is lacking in total objectivity,I humbly plead guilty.

Debutante story tellers often tend to start off with diffidence and it is only with the passage of time they muster requisite confidence to be able to convey their message with elan. One of the strongest aspects of this volume is that Ankita does not suffer from this handicap. She retains a flow through all the stories and I doubt if anyone ,unless so advised, would be able to decipher that this is her first effort. For that attribute alone, she needs to be commended.

The 11 stories in this compilation cover different situations but Ankita has been able to deal with them with equal flourish. By far the most moving of the stories was The Wedding Trousseau -in terms of the plot, the narrative,the flow ,the excellent and eminently readable vocabularic selection and a thoughtful conclusion.

One other story The Site Visit dealing with the issue of  adultery was perhaps the most moving but its conclusion left the reader wanting to know more. Leaves was another very commendable effort dealing with a day to day situation that most can identify with in a deeply analytical manner.Perhaps Ankita should have taken up psychotherapy! My own edited compilation viz Literature and Psychotherapy has one story which deals with a very similar theme but Ankita does it here with more sophistication.

She also has not fallen into a trap that debutantes often do i.e. meticulous concentration of quality in the earlier stories which tapers as the book ends.Her last compilation Just Perfect is an example of an author who has striven for uncompromising quality control throughout.

I can foresee a budding story teller with abundant promise. I wish her the very best!'

A Virtual Cup Of Coffee!

Sometimes having coffee can be such a wonderful experience! However, here I am talking about 'A Virtual Cup Of Coffee' with madam Geetashree Chatterjee that was an interview that we thoroughly enjoyed. 

I am posting the link of our wonderful chit-chat regarding publishing, writing and my book 'The wedding Trousseau and Other Short Stories' along with her lovely review. Do check out!

Over A Virtual Cup Of Coffee and  Book Review