She - A Human Being

With the recently concluded "International Women's Day" and the numerous videos that have been going viral, there were hardly any that actually captured the very essence of a woman. As a woman, I feel that the term woman and feminism are highly over rated. By saying this, does this make me any less of a woman or feminist? I hope not.

Today, a woman is at par with her male counterparts. Trust me when I say, gone are the days when women waited and sobbed to seek attention from their partners. A woman today is well dressed because SHE wants to; a woman grooms herself because SHE wants to; a woman chooses to live alone because SHE wants to and not because SHE wasn't "found to be suitable". Yes even today we read heart-wrenching atrocities that a woman is subjected to but I also know of men who are at the receiving end too. It never comes out in the open because men are expected to be stronger among the two and they are expected to deal with it and not be "woman". The term itself is used in such derogatory statements by other women, i.e. "Don't be such a woman, man up". What does that even mean? Where is the celebration of being a woman when another woman thinks low of herself?

Its about time that the term "victim" is not associated with a woman alone. Abuse to anybody, be it male or female, remains as an abuse; Name-calling is bad enough, it does not matter where it is channeled at a male or female. I think it is about time "she" is treated as a human first; it is about time "she" is given the freedom to live by her choices; it is about time "she" is not stereotyped to a particular verb.

I was told by a graceful woman herself - "If a woman feels complete in whatever choices she has made, that is a woman you celebrate". To this, I agree. Like we do not need a particular day to celebrate love, we should ideally not be having a particular day to celebrate women. And, if you really insist on celebrating "us", then do us a favour and let us be - no judgments, no accusations, no derogation.

Until the next year when people suddenly realise how great we are, the "sacrifices" we make, how "worthy" we are and how nobody can live without us, more power to all you lovely women who have against all odds, persisted!

Devaansh

It was a morning of a normal working day in January 2015, when my sister called at my work landline. When the unusual happens (she usually calls me on my mobile) you always think of the negative. My receptionist transferred the line saying, "Pooja is on call", to which I replied, "Which Pooja". Well, that was just to prove how unusual it was. And then she was connected to give me THE BEST news ever. "You are going to become an aunt", she said. It took me a minute to fathom that, and then there was no holding back! I was ecstatic. I was sworn to secrecy but by the end of the day the entire world I think had known about it.
I knew it was a moment that she had been waiting for all her life; to see those double red lines show up on the pregnancy strip. From there started the journey of her motherhood. 10 months! And she had been amazing throughout.
I met her and her big tummy in the summer of 2015 and it was the most heart warmingly emotional vision. I had always dreamed of it. My sister pregnant, my sister as a mother. And to think that I could finally tell her, "My clothes wont fit you". Yes! I had to wait 27 years and her to be pregnant to be able to tell her these very words!
Days and months passed and before we knew it (She definitely knew it ALL), she went into labour and baby D was born. Secretly, though I wanted a baby niece, I was glad it is a baby nephew because I loved the name they had chosen, "Devaansh".
At 5:30 a.m. IST, my very proud mother, called to give me the news. I was an exhilarated aunt, my parents were blessed grandparents and my sister and brother in law were proud parents to the most beautiful baby we had known. Like all the firsts in our lives finds a special place, he being the first first boy, first son, first nephew and first grandchild has ensured that his place is cemented in an even more special place in our lives.
I finally got to see him in a photo hours later and what an overwhelming moment it was. I had to see him in flesh to actually understand the intensity of being an aunt to my sister's son! The most surreal, the most priceless. He is there, as our male muse. To hold, to nurture, to play and to make baby sounds with.
The geographical distance keeps me away during this prime time of his. But thanks to the photos and videos his mother sends me, I atleast get to watch his antics even though that makes me want to leave everything else and go be with him. Oh! He is the best that has happened in 2015.
My Baby D, Devaansh Jay Chandran to the world and rock star to his parents and grandparents. With his birth was born a lot of other beautiful relations and emotions. Thank you Lolo, thank you Baby D! You truly are a "Part of God", divine. 

The Year That Was - 2014

It would probably be an understatement if I say that this year has been the best by far. At the risk of sounding cliched, that is exactly what I want to say - It HAS been the best year by far!! Oh what a year 2014 has been. When I look back, the year started with the "good news" of my marriage being announced to the world. Was that the good part of the 1st day of the year? No. The good part was, I was officially introduced as his fiancee to the friends :) A day I had been waiting for a while, to be known to the world as "his". 

3 months later our family was introduced to another "good news" in the form of my now brother in law :) My sister later got married on the 30th of May. A bitter sweet moment for me because I truly could not imagine a life without her, a house without her nor a bed without her. That's the bond we share - bitter sweet :) Much as I miss her presence, I am truly glad that she found happiness with a good man!

In between all this, there was a trip that my mom & I took to India for two weeks. THE best all girls trip that we have ever been in. Mummy, I can't wait to go on another one with you :)

I moved to a new job, to a new challenge & to childhood because I got employment in a school. Having been a student of a school here, it was a moment of pride to be employed in a school under the same group. It felt like I was going back to where I came from. Yes, not the career option I had in mind for myself but who is to say what is meant to be and not meant to be?

The second half of the year went by as a roller coaster - truly! Before I knew it, it was the 1st of September and I was standing on the mandapam with Surjith surrounded by the family & friends we love. The "sindoor" found its place on my forehead and the "taali" on my neck; I was now a wife, a daughter in law, sister in law, aunt in law - to the best people! That day and the days forward was a whirlwind for us but thanks to the candid photographs and posed ones, it brings back memories of the love that was showered on us. Thank you ALL for being such a support. You know who you all are. 

Settling down with each other as man & wife has been the best bumpy ride ever. But I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything else in the world!

All along this year, I have made some beautiful relationships. Its beautiful because there is no pretense, no judgments & most of all no requirements. We just let it be & that's how we enjoy each other's faults. Thank YOU for that.

And this year, I finally met my self proclaimed Godson, Noel :) The baby who evoked feelings of motherhood in me 2 years back and even today only he has the strong ability to do that. I love you :)

Well, this was my year & trust me when I say, the year 2014 will always be etched in my mind for ALL the right reasons.

Elections 2014 - A Non Political View

DISCLAIMER:

The below contents have not been written to create any sort of political rage/debate. The writer (yours truly) apologises in advance for any sentiments hurt.

It has been a crazy period of 9 months! 9 months of planning, 9 months of apprehensions, 9 months of labour & 9 months of anticipation. If it wasn’t for the title, many would have mistakenly assumed it to be an article of a mother to be. The emotions though are more or less the same.

9 months back, my parents along with the family of my fiancé fixed the date of our wedding. But more than the date of our wedding, it is the date of 16^th May 2014 that has been imprinted on my mind, all thanks to an avid follower in the form of my fiancé. I have never really been a political person – which means, my opinion & knowledge on this subject is extremely minimal. I have never voted, despite having a voters ID, the same reason as to why I had decided not to criticize the Govt. The elections 2014 changed that perspective.

The frenzy that these elections have created is second to none that this country has seen, or so I would like to believe. Elections 2014 was about one man. It was the first time in years that there came a candidate who knew what he was talking about & there was so much conviction that you were  led to believe every word he spoke. It is no doubt then that this man is who majority of India feels IS the change. There was a point in time where I had wanted the candidate in the current ruling party to be the PM one day because I really believed he had the capabilities of attracting the youth and well, changing the face of the country. Unfortunately, I was in for a rude shock after having followed a few of his campaign speeches, guest speeches & his infamous TV interview.

An unexpected twist though was the party of the common man & the man who led it. It truly was the excitement of an “Aam” citizen who took on the role of a CM only to later decide that leading a state & its people was no child’s play. No, I am not writing him off. Give him another 5 years and he will, I believe, be a tough candidate to contest against. Now that, I am looking forward to.

Apart from the ecstasy created by the parties & its candidates, the NEED to vote became massive especially amongst the youth. As an onlooker, for me, it did not mean that the citizens of India were being responsible. What it actually meant was that the youth was only living upto the peer pressure of getting a selfie flaunting the inked finger so as to upload it on various social networking sites!

All said & done, the Elections 2014, created a furore among media circles, social circles and at all possible awkward silences. And to those of you who have voted, for reasons best known to you, I just hope you have clicked the right button – the button of change, the button to a non – corrupt India and above all the button to a democracy in its true sense.

Ati Sarvatra Varjayet

A term in Sanskrit that I came across while reading the third book of the infamous Shiva Trilogy. When translated, it means, "Excess should be avoided". What a marvelously simple statement yet the effect of it - intense. Since time immemorial, one has heard about man being greedy - greedy for all that is within his reach and beyond.

I used to be under the impression that it is this present time and age that has left man wanting for more - more time, more money, more space. more freedom, more of everything. But this sloka only proves that the "want for more" is not a time thing. It was born with man and will probably end with him. It is this want for more that ruins one's peace of mind, health and realising the simple pleasures of life. In our quest for a "more" comfortable life, we push ourselves to an extent that even we fail to recognize. Well! that is precisely when you should stop.

Personally, my need for more kills the happiness that I would have otherwise felt in my daily life. More attention, more communication and many more of such emotions. It is my "more" mode that probably spoils the moment many a times. Perhaps the fact that I do understand where the problem lies is why this term of excess be avoided caught my attention to this degree.

To know what to want, when to want it and the right amount of wanting it will definitely come with practice. Easier said than done especially when one has lived one's life in a certain way and to change that to adapt to a more cordial living can be quite a task. Maybe that is why it is essential to understand the deeper meaning of "Ati Sarvatra Varjayet" so that the journey of life which is much more important than the destination, gets an opportunity to reveal its purpose.

Real, Fake or an Illusion?

It is indeed a very funny world that we live in. We are all made up of the XY chromosomes yet the difference in each one of us from the other is plenty. At most times, it is these difference that brings us together & later its these very differences that sets us apart. And how!

In all these years of my very colorful existence, I have had the privilege of meeting people made up of the very same chromosomes as I and believe it or not, I have reached a conclusion that there is a chromosome Z as well in most people. I would like to be of the opinion that it is the Z chromosome which is responsible for the effortless "illusion" effect some people have the ability to create for themselves.

There are always three sides in a human being - the real side, the not so real side and a side that we are made to believe is real. Unfortunately, more often than I would have liked, the people I come across falls under the third category. Now this is a category that is filled with dream like people. The flawless, the ever loving, the too good to be true types. Actually yes! they are TOO good to be true. No, I am not being skeptical, merely observing that there are NO flawless people. Each and every being has some flaws or the other which makes them the real deal.

I used to be on the look out for that perfect person or the perfect people to hang out with. But the more I got closer to such beings, I started respecting the flaws in others. Atleast with them, I knew what I was getting into. Atleast with them, I was sure I would be grounded to reality sans the sugar coating. And with them, I also started realising that the facade of illusion eventually stripes off revealing one's real self making me believe that it definitely is not a "big bad world" out there. There definitely is place for genuinely flawed people.

On Turning 25...

The time - 8:40 pm, the year - 1988, the day - Thursday and the date 05.05. Well yes, that was the date and month given to my mother to bring me out into this world. And rightly so, I did come out on that very day though my mother enjoys talking about it as, "You came out after eating all the three meals of the day.. Even dinner"! Ah well, that habit has stuck on - that of eating. Its 25 years since the 5th of May 1988. A quarter of a century in this planet; living the good and the bad. Learning from the mistakes and ensuring that it is not repeated. Been quite a journey this 25 years. Met a lot of fellow human beings - some of them who remained just human beings while some of them became my soul mates/rock stars and a few others who found space as my extended family. I am thankful to each one of them. Yes even to those who remained as "just fellow human beings".
You would think 25 years is time enough to know the good from the bad. But if I was that aware, what would be the fun of life, isn't it? I never refused to learn, I just refused to learn it ALL at once! I am still in the process of learning how to be patient, learning how to be selfless, learning how to be understanding and most importantly learning how to be in peace with myself. The contributions of my family in molding these 25 years of my life is immense. If it wasn't for their constant support and encouragement in letting me do what I am truly passionate about, it would have been a tad bit difficult to realize those dreams and aspirations. Grateful for letting me be an individual; even more grateful for trusting me enough to pursue the choices.
25 years! In a way it is a long time to know the good from the bad. But hey! I never promised to be perfect; I only promised I would be a true incarnation of the person I am. Some wisdom, isn't it? All thanks to the painful way of turning wise (read wisdom tooth) on my 25th year.
Last but not the least, turning 25 does not make me feel any different from when I was 23 or 24. Apart from the constant reminder of, "You are 25! When do you plan to be married?" or "At your age, I was already a mother". The response to the aforementioned jibes would probably come as a blog titled, "On Turning 26". Until then, I am going to enjoy having turned 25 and my new found wisdom!

To Noel,

As I sit to write this, you are 4 days & 90 hours old. It might take you another 20 years & a lot more hours to read and understand what this post is all about. Well, the reason I am writing this today is because I want you to know what was happening around you while you started your journey in your mother's womb till the day you came out, through the words of your mother's companion who saw it all.

Your mother, more than being a wonderful soul, is a woman with a fierce sense of independence, love & positivity. When she shared with me her anxiety of possibily being pregnant, I was thrilled. She had her emotions in check and so I had to do that as well. Later that day, she confirmed the news and I couldn't have been more thrilled. That day, I was happy as woman for another woman who was embarking on her journey to motherhood. The first trimester, you being a little cell inside her, troubled her to a great amount of morning sickness. She was sick most of the mornings but never complained. Came to work regularly, waking up the people of UAE with so much energy that one would never realise by the voice that she had just finished her first round of morning sickness! Oh and by the way, your mommy is an RJ :-) She even got into the habit of listening less to our talks and more to soothing music in the hope that you become a musically inclined person. Well, I hope you have some good taste in music!! But instead, if you have taken a liking towards gambling, fret not, because mommy dearest enhanced her skills at playing cards whilst you were inside her.





I can't remember the exact day but it was a fine sunny afternoon, in her hurry to go home and sleep, she left back in office the first picture she had of you - the ultrasound scan result! I tried looking for you and couldn't but your mommy's "Muhbola Bhai" showed you to me & I smiled and "awww'd".


In the second trimester, the cravings began. Breakfast was ordered, not just for her but for everybody. Having breakfast together became a ritual. Like dinner time was family time, breakfast time in office was used to gossip, anticipate whether you would be a boy or a girl, give your mommy the confidence that she will be able to bring you to this world without any complications. As days went by, your demands grew and so did the intensity of her hunger pangs. "Breakfast Time" was cut short but yes we understood. She was eating and that's all we wanted. Towards the end of the second trimester and the early last trimester, you were a part of a dream. The dream of an extremely confident, talented & capable man. He was unitedly our philosopher & mentor and you made history by being the youngest being on the sets of his movie! It was a short film with a social message, "A Walk To Remember". Watch it, you will love it! During the post production of this movie was when I felt you for the first time. You kicking her from within her womb and me feeling it from outside, brought tears of wonder & amazement to my eyes and it gave birth to the motherly instincts in me. Your kick made me believe in miracles. Feeling you was a miracle.


Oh your mommy managed to make a enemies with a few restaurants as well because they did not satisfy "your" cravings and hunger on time. I told you, she is quite fierce. Well, in the bargain though, we discovered new ones. I should also add that incase you find yourself grooving to extremely feminine numbers such as "Chammak Challo" and "Chikini Chameli", don't worry too much. You are absolutely NORMAL & have all the rights to blame it on your mother for shaking her heavily pregnant belly (with you inside, obviously) to these songs!!


7 months passed by & it was time for her to carry you back to homeland where you would be born as a healthy & handsome baby on the 7th of Dec 2012. With you, you brought a lot of happiness, tears & joy, not just to her but to everybody who was involved in this journey of hers. Noel, you were loved even before we saw you. Your mother, the beautiful & loved person that she is, made us fall in love with you. "He is sleeping peacefully on me" (a message from your mother), made me want to be a mother. You along with your mother has filled so much positivity in my life, its unbelievable. Mother's are a child's best friend but your mother will be much more than that to you - she will be your confidante. Be a good human being & allow her to cherish having borne you and given birth to you.


With Love...

When Emotions Take Over Emotions...

I am a woman - in all sense of the gender. I think it is my right as a woman to always think I make sense & I also think it is my right to take out emotions, good or bad, to the person I love. What I sometimes, no make that everytime, fail to understand is that it is not necessary for the person at the receiving end to necessarily figure out what exactly triggers these emotions. The good ones are easy & pleasant to handle but the bad ones, oh boy! God save them. There have been numerous books on how men and women are different. Many of them have been read and all that is written is acknowledged with a "So true" exclamation. But the minute you close the book, it is back to reality & you continue doing things the way it always has been done.

It is only natural for a woman to have mood swings during particular days of the month. Men say women have mood swings every day of the month. Not true! For if it was, then a man and a woman would never be able to be together. Trust me when I say, it is ONLY a few days in the month. As a man, you would never understand the turmoils that happens emotionally to a woman during that period (pun intended) and we don't blame you. But what we would appreciate instead is for you men to at least act like you care, show that you understand. Don't ever try to reason out with us... at least not when we warn you not to! As a woman we know what you are going through & we really want to control it but when emotions take over other emotions we just burst. There are no two ways about it, it's just that! Man, I love you but no Vivekananda's speech can influence me during this time.

The Day Technology Took Over...

In this 21st century, I might have been the only one from GenX who thought being technologically handicapped was cool. Well, I, was the one who committed the blasphemous act of wanting a Nokia instead of Blackberry! If this wasn't enough to prove my ignorance towards the advancement of technology then take this - it took me an entire year to start using my blackberry as a "smartphone" rather than just a device to send/receive messages or for incoming/outgoing calls. But once I did get the hang of it, I must admit, getting away from it wasn't entirely possible. Though I do (or did) take pride in not succumbing to technology even then. And then THE day arrived - when the "smartphone" proved to be not so smart & crashed worldwide. My phone did not beep indicating that I had received a BBM or an E-mail. Neither was there any notification from Facebook or Twitter. How could it happen that a whole one hour went by without the phone beeping? It was impossible! I cursed the network with all my heart (apologies DU) only to realise later that it was RIM (Research In Motion) at fault & not the network. An entire restless day and two recharge cards later (yes with the blackberry in hand, recharge cards were less often bought) the services of my (along with the rest of the world) smartphone resumed. That is when the rude reality shocked & shook me. I was no more the odd one out. I had succumbed to technology with my limited knowledge!! I felt like I had sinned for life but I soon got over it and started to enjoy what my phone gave and continues to give me - company in unknown places, company when I am with strangers, company when I am trying to avoid somebody - basically companionship when I need it the most. Yes, my smartphone is proving itself to a still technologically handicapped person (a lot of my friends will vouch for this). But but but, technology I think, is slowly starting to take over & eradicate the handicap.

The Silent Treatment....

The most complicated challenge that one faces during a lifetime is to maintain relationships. And the most simple challenge? Maintaining relationships. Basically, it is as simple as you want it to be or as complicated as you make it seem. I have been and still am a part of some of the most amazing relationships. Be it with my family, my wonderful circle of friends or even for that matter my acquaintances. There is a certain level of comfort with every person I have made an effort to have a relationship with. But then misunderstandings creep in even before you realize it has. It is automatically followed by silent treatment and all you want to do is scream and say,"Just talk"!! Honestly, there is nothing better than sitting down and talking things through. And communication is THE most integral part of any relationship. Misunderstandings are usually the end result of (like a friend mine would say) possessiveness or distance. Never easy to maintain relationships when there is a physical distance but the point to be remembered here is that if you are taking that extra effort to maintain "a" relationship, then it definitely means the world to you. Then why let misunderstanding and ego take control when all you have to do is reach out to the person and say,"We need to talk". There is nothing more powerful than the art of communication and there is nothing less disheartening than NO communication. 
Treatments are supposed to cure but the silent treatment kills... It sees the end of some of the most beautifully pure relationships.. 
On a lighter note, there isn't much one can do when one is at the receiving end of the silent treatment..... Well maybe, you could blog about it, like I did :-)

Confessions of a Lovaholic... :-)

When I love, there is no other emotion that i want to experience but that. I take time to love a person, thing or place but when I eventually  do love them/it , I know it is going to be forever. I love like there is no tomorrow because the last time i checked with myself, it was an emotion absolutely free of cost. I do come across people who love to burst my belief but then I forgive them. I do that because we are both connected by the same emotion - Love. Some say time is priceless but I believe that LOVE is priceless. Why would one need time if they don't love what they are spending it for? When I fall in love, I find that inner peace. I cannot think of disliking or hating the person/thing/place that had once been at the receiving end of my love. For me, love is void of any validity or condition and I am not ashamed to accept it and express it. I do not believe in hiding love and I must be truly blessed to be blessed with this emotion in abundance. 
Love was never meant to be perfect, neither does it promise to be perfect. But it is the imperfection I love. My name is Parvathy and yes! I am a LOVAHOLIC...

A love story that never ended...

"I love you too. We will work things out". A dream statement for any person who is hopelessly in love or for somebody who has put their faith and trust in their partner. A statement that promises a happy ending. But in the case of this story, there never was an ending.
When i told my cousin of this title, she asked me who the protagonist was and I replied, "Me". She probed me a little and asked, "the male protagonist" and I replied, "whoever knows me will know who the male is and for those of them who don't, the story is enough". So stop looking for name starting from...Now! I have never wanted to blog about something that was too personal but I guessed I would rather write about it and let people know, "We have all been through this".
A break up is never easy. You break up because you know things are not going well between the 2 people involved. "The best thing about a break up is the break up itself" (according to Indian film star Ranbir Kapoor). But what happens if everything was going well? That brings me to my next question, the worst thing about a break up? When the person involved is left to assume that it is over. I have been the "victim" twice. At least the first time, I was "informed" about it via a text message much later. The second time round, I thought dating a matured man would save me these sort of juvenile behaviour but to my surprise i realised, it is not about the age but just the fact that "Men get cold feet..Period"! By the lack of interest in responding to my calls and messages, I knew it in my heart and mind alike that it was reaching the end of its validity period. Contrary to the Sim card where you can recharge, I knew there was nothing i could do to recharge the interest. But i never accepted it. I hoped, i prayed, I waited. I was in love for Pete's sake, I could not let go!
Today, I have better sense. I do not want sympathies. I did fine without it and I am still doing well. I have moved on. But I was in love and maybe that is why I am not sorry that it still hurts. I never had an answer to a question to myself and the people around me, "What did i do to deserve this"? Today, I have an answer, "He did not do anything to deserve me". Ending my life or doing crazy things was never an option. I wanted to live, fall in love again. 
I never fell out of love nor did I stop loving him. He just chose to deny himself of my love and leave our story with a lot of blank pages.

Love you till the end....

I take immense pride today in talking about a man who is not only my role model but also a role model for many others..My father! Father's are the most understated people in one's life. A silent member of the family who is looked upon in times of financial crisis or when things are messed up. But to me, my father is somebody who has been a part of lots of firsts in my life. The first man I have loved unconditionally and the first man I have ever danced with. Like every man, my father is a proud man too. But unlike every man, he is an epitome of patience, wisdom and positivity. As my sister and I were growing up, he was growing up with us too. From a father who wanted to protect his daughters from the big bad ugly world to the father who let us live our lives in our own terms yet never failing to catch us when we stumbled upon the mistakes we committed. Never the one to tell us "I told you so" he has always the one to tell us "Such is life, and you need to face it with courage". My father has been my knight in shining armour who has fought all odds to give us the best and protect us from the worst yet making us independent. Mother's love is definitely unconditional but Father's love, for me, is even beyond unconditional. 
There are numerous sayings on how God couldn't be everywhere and that is when he created mothers. Always made me wonder if I had to say something about my father in a sentence,what it would be. I now know what I would say. It would be "God had to personify himself and so he created my father". Happy Father's Day Acha!
I will love you till the end. 

Memories...That make Life!

As I pack my bag to enter the beginning of yet another phase in my life, I look back at the 10 months of my life that I spent in search of peace, happiness and freedom. What i eventually did find is love, respect and myself! I had lost myself somewhere in my quest for a better life. These 10 months has been a learning experience that has made me a better person and most importantly got me to understand my father better! I am taking along with me some of the most wonderful moments that I have been a part of with the people I love. Conversations over lunch, dinners and drives by the beach, sitting in absolute silence, arguments over petty issues, shopping, movies and ice creams on winter evenings! Quality time with the people I love was much needed to understand my relationship with them better. I know I am never going to get these moments back even if I want to. But I am wrapping these precious moments as memories and taking it along with me. They are my Life guru's that will remind me of my blessed past and beckon me to a wonderful future which is the result of a beautiful present.

How I know my Mother...

Its been 21 years and 10 months since I know "the" most wonderful human being in my life. The woman who gave me a chance to experience the magic called life. My mother! She has been the silent support for me throughout these years and has always ensured that even I voice my opinions on matters close to both our hearts. The woman I turn to in despair, happiness, anxiety and ecstasy. When i was younger, she held my hand and taught me to walk on the right path.  As i grew older, she let me find the path that i thought was right. She let me commit mistakes in the belief that I will learn from them and emerge as a woman who would be ready to take on the challenges that life would throw at me. She let me be independent in my thoughts and encouraged me to come to terms with the person I am.She taught me there is no stronger emotion than love and to love unconditionally is a virtue. She taught me honesty will always take me places and that trust in yourself and others is most important. Today, if I am loved and treasured by the people around me, it is because of the one woman I love and treasure the most.My mother!
They say, God couldn't be everywhere and so he created mothers. I say, God couldn't epitomise  love, trust, support and strength and so he created My Mother! I don't think I have thanked her enough for being the strength in my life and this is just an attempt to do just that. I love and respect you immensely Ma!Thank you for being "you" and thank you for letting me be "me".

Celebrating Womanhood....

"Behind every successful man is a successful woman". A saying that doesn't seem to have an expiry date. A saying that has the shelf life of time immemorial. But its not just a saying anymore. It is the FACT of life. One individual and various roles. Who better to play them than the species who supposedly comes from Venus and whom the Earthlings refer to as "Women". It is a woman who makes or breaks the family. It is a woman who holds the fort together when the storm decides to pay a visit. It is a woman who people turn to in their times of trouble and need. It is a woman who says that silent prayer for you. It is a woman who cries with you and laughs with you. And it is most definitely a woman who gives that love unconditionally. These days, I have even started to believe that Cupid has to be a woman. Who else loves the game of matchmaking or loves love the way a woman does? The world officially celebrates womanhood on a particular day. But all of you, take each day to thank the women in your life for whatever little they might have contributed to make you a better person. And to all the women, your God's best gift to yourself. Its entirely in your hands to make those efforts worthy!

Find Your Calling...

When i was in the 4th grade, I wanted to go to the US and do my medicine to become a doctor.It was my dream till the 8th grade. In the 9th grade I realised, science and I were never meant to be and so I let go of that dream. I am now pursuing a dream I have had since the 11th grade, to be a noted journalist. Supporting me in my varying dreams were my parents who let me decide for myself what I wanted to make of my life. Not everybody(associated with me or not associated with me)are lucky to have parents such as mine. "You have to become an engineer or a doctor. I could not become one, I want you to fulfill my dream" says the father. The child starts living the dream that the father saw for himself and eventually reaches a saturation point of frustration. What next?The blame game begins. Anger, curses, negative thoughts fills the mind. Why life a life of misery? You might as well live a life where YOUR goals and ambitions are given priority. Belief in yourself is all that it takes to convince whomsoever concerned. At the end of the day, a happy and successful offspring is what makes the parent proud and happy. Find your calling, pursue it, leaving no way for regrets.

30 Random Things About Myself.....

Due to the huge public demand to talk about myself, i have come up with a fun way of doing that.Have written 30 random things about myself so read on.This is the  closest you would get to knowing me up close and personal:)

1. I am a woman in the "REAL" sense of the word.
2. I do not mind telling my real age.
3.I HATE liars.
4. Be yourself and i will love you for that(If your meant to be loved by me that is:) )
5. I love chocolates and i am biiiiig Foodie!
6. You will NEVER see me out on a bad hair day.
7. Friends consider me their Agony Aunt.
8. I require perspective at regular intervals.
9. I am blessed with a wonderful family and absolutely great friends.
10. I love despite the fear of rejection.
11. I am addicted to twitter.
12. I fast for the Indian cricket team when they play an important match.
13. I love writing, reading and dancing.
14. I aspire to be a journalist one day.
15.I am very sensitive when it comes my weight .
16. I dont mind being criticised but u better have a valid point.
17. I HATE people being judgmental.
18. I am a true friend and i respect my friends and their space.
19. I can talk for hours and hours and hours...
20. I dislike people comparing 2 movies of different genres and language!
21. I cant stand people smoking!
22. I have recently developed a disorder called the "Obsessive cleaning disorder".
23. i am allergic to soft toys with fur.So any of you planning to date me,you know what not to give me:)
24. Nandita(nandu bear for me) my friend says i give the best hugs.
25.I am technologically VERY handicapped.
26. I am a night person.
27. I am an out-and-out F.R.I.E.N.D.S addict.
28. I love babies
29. Optimistic when it comes to others life definitely not mine:)
30. I love and respect myself immensely.

For the Love of Reading......

Reading has been a passion from time immemorial. Started with the light Archie comics and Sweet Valley series. Went onto the Enid Blyton's. Took a leap to the Danielle Steele's and Sidney Sheldon's. And now find solace in the Mills & Boons when the men in reality let me down! Books have always been my companion, for the better or for worse. Thankfully,I have been able to connect with the kind of books i read. I realised a little later in life that i enjoy reading books that are on the lighter side and not they heavy ones that keep my thinking cells active for what seems an era! An example of that would be the 2006 recipient of the  Man booker prize"The Inheritance of Loss" by Kiran Desai.Well the Booker prize was what convinced me to put that on my Birthday wish list. But 3 pages into the book and i realised, if i had to understand the book then i would definitely need an Oxford's or Webster's dictionary by my side. MORAL:" Never judge the book and your capability of understanding it by the accolades it receives". For me a book is a medium by which i relax, unwind. I can discuss a book alright, but not be judgmental. I have always been in shock when somebody has confessed to me that they do not enjoy reading. Never been able to understand HOW that could ever be. But as i grew older, I realised it is just how some people are and the sooner i accept it, the better. I am also aware that some of you reading this right now are not voracious readers, but well, it is a start. Today, you might be reading this for the sake of reading. But someday, just someday, you will do it for the love of reading!