Digital India

Intel supports the Digital India Vision

Intel supports the Digital India Vision and is committed towards our government's vision of a Digital India In order to foster the digital literacy among all the people Intel has developed mobile applications and offers training in five Indian languages.

What is #DigitalIndia and what are its vision? Here is a snapshot

Soruce - Google (Screenshot from digital India PPT)

Here is my future insight about #DigitalIndia

Automated Toll Road system:

Frustrated of paying at every toll booths?. In order to avoid this, Transit Ticket card can be issued (just like our Debit card) where we can load the card with money and once we enter a toll, the details of the time and distance will be recorded. When a person exit a toll, the amount will be calculated and deducted based on the distance between the start and destination toll.

Advantages:

1. Less waiting time
2. No tension of accurate change

Digital Transportation:

Olden day Google Maps

At Present... 

Olden days, we relay on people for address. These days Google map. And in future, Interactive map system which will suggest road condition, traffic situation etc will be implemented. Traffic cameras will be installed along all the roads which will send live data about the road condition, temporary closures, one way.

Studies and Work:

Current Situation

Right now, 50% of the students aspire to study aboard and all techies, doctors dream to work aboard. Why? Is it right? Lets not get into the debate right now.

Future – Foreigners aspire to study and work in India

If Modi’s dream becomes true, foreigners will dream to study in India. They might even have to crack exams like TOEFL in order to get admissions in India. And our generations, will not long to go abroad.

Agriculture will flourish:
Farmers will install Commodity Price app in their smartphone and will research about the item before cultivating. Forums for agriculture will be easily accessible to framers which will help them to get their doubts clarified in less time and with no cost.

Well, what about the employment opportunity then? If everything is digitized, wont it slave the employment opportunity?Of course, now we are at the stage of technological evolution. Humans will be replaced with hardware/Software that does the work 100 times faster, smarter and perfect. And Humans? They would take over inventing new tools or enhance their knowledge in upgrading those software/Hardware. At the end, we would live a lighter life on the universe. 

My Bucket List

What are the 10 things you want to do before you die was the popular post in Today's IndiSpire and here is my list. Click here to read my Top 5 things on my Bucket List 

1. To take one inspirational Video that would change few people’s life.  [Reached more than 3 lac views]
2. To start my Second Novel and get it published by one of the top publishing house. 
3. Leave all the Gadgets and Stay one month in Ashram
4. Take up Chadar Trek
5. Run a Marathon without Snail pacing.
6. To start a business. 
7. To Start organic/Terrance gardening at my home
8. Take my parents for a long vacation. 
9. To Bag the winner title in at least one of the Indiblogger contest.
10. Educate a Child. 

I am so happy to see this post displayed in the Home page of Indiblogger website with maximum voting. 

#WashBucketChallenge

Wash Bucket Challenge

A while ago, BlogAdda organized #IsLaundryOnlyAWomansJob activity and I have shared "5 Tips to make your husband help in Laundry"  and won the contest,

As a result of its success, Ariel in association with BlogAdda hunts for the Men who is good at washing. They open up a competition "India's Washer Number one" for all men. All they wanted to do is to take up the #WashBucketChallenge and share their experience.

P.S - India's "India's Washer Number one" is purely fictional and not intended to hurt any fan's sentiments.

All our famous personality takes up the  #WashBucketChallenge and are proud to share their experience. Like other competition,  this contest do have elimination round and only one will be declared as "India's Washer Number one".

First our Hero Rajini:

Rajnii to Directors, "Kanna, no more mass introduction or mass opening songs or heavy stunts or fight scenes or Deepika Padukone needed for my opening scene. All my future movie will opens with a washing scene. Because I love washing."

IWN Contestant Number One (IWN RJ 1)

Next Shah Rukh,

IWN Contestant Number One (IWN SR 2)

The complete "India's Washer Number one" set goes out of power and become dark. After few minutes, a bright light appears and the controversial god-man Nithyananda enters and shares his experience. 

IWN Contestant Number One (IWN NA 3)

Next Contestant, TamilNadu's Mass Hero Vijay.

IWN Contestant Number One (IWN VJ 4)

Next Contestant, "IWN VA 5", the Indian chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand

IWN Contestant Number One (IWN VA 5)

The competition comes to an end and the chief guest of the program Lord "Ardhanareeswara" is invited to talk few words about the Contestant performance, #WashBucketChallenge, #sharetheload and to declare the winner.

"I, Ardhanareeswara (Shiva-Parvati), androgynous form of the Hindu god symbolizes the equality of male and female as one. Indirectly, I am preaching every male to share the Load of laundry with the ladies of the house"

Now, its time to declare the winner. And the title "India's Washer Number one", goes to. . .
Goes to. . .
Goes to. . .

Tensed for Results...

"Everyone"
Each and Every one of you bags the title.

Whoever shares the load at home are the real champions. 

Here are the Top 5 Reasons for Men to wash their clothes:

1. Don't have to complain that wife has forgotten to empty important things out of the pant and Shirt pocket. 
2. No Tension of getting caught about Cigarette packets. (DISCLAIMER - SMOKING IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH.)
3. Pizza Bill, Movie bills spent with friends (if in case forgot to trash), can be caught by our-self and disposed while washing. 
4. "No Fear of wife's scolding in case of dirt". Before she scolds, you can switch on the washing machine, put your favorite cricket channel and wash (watch) the match and wash the clothes.
5. Consume less Cost (No cost) for cooling wife's rage. 

Here are the Five people I am nominating to take up the #WashBucketChallenge. 

1. My brother Vignesh
2. My Friend Anil Kumar
3. My Very little Sister's Son, Sanjith Raghav (Must say, he was inspired on observing my dad washing the clothes. He wants to wash his clothes by himself and hence I am nominating him to make him happy)
4. My Friend as well as my brother Siva.
5. Finally, My acquaint blogger RZ. 

And now the nominees, all you have to do is

1. Click a picture of yourself in the household using the Ariel Matic pack with your washing machine.
2. Post your experience of taking the #WashBucketChallenge in my comments section.

My Bother Vignesh, shares his experience of taking #WashBucketChallenge

My Brother accepts WashBucketChallange

"My Mom's always screech that I am 28 and I need to get married soon, so that my wife will take care of my things like washing and cooking. WTH? Do I need to get married for the sake of washing my dress and cooking? But I was not having a strong answer to reply back. After taking up this #WashBucketChallenge I can give her a reply, "Mom, Now, I know washing and can wash by myself. Can you postpone my marriage for another two years. Let me enjoy my bachelor's life"

Here is RZ sharing his washing experience,
"Rz is basically a cleanliness freak. Unfortunately, he is a conservative as well, so he did not wash any of his clothes, for he suspected that this guilt will kill him for loads of wasted water than the soiled clothes itself. Once in a bluemoon, he would send his faded faded jean to laundry service only when the blue jean looks faded brown. 

So today, his online acquaintance and an avid blogger, D, sent him the #WashBucketChallenge. Since NZ was playing it terribly anyway, and since the harsh sun seemed much friendly than reading some blog posts, he went and took the challenge head on.

The results were nothing short of the ordinary. The conservative he is, his washing utensil is just a tumbler of water, a spoon and a toothbrush. This makes microeconomic sense, though. Soaking for 2 minutes(Yes! less than the maggi making time)by applying just few teaspoons of ariel solution of water on the dirty spots of his jean and scratching with his old Cibaca toothbrush and VOILA! The jean was restored to garment factory fresh condition"

IndiBlogger - A Special Thanks & Dedication

Men are addicted to Cricket and Women are addicted to Shopping.
And
Bloggers?
.
.
.
.
.
.

They are addicted to IndiBlogger.

It was in December 2009, I started a blog with no purpose.  What to write about?

Cooking? Oh no, I am good only at eating.

Fashion? I am known for outdated styles.

Technology?  Oops. I am yet to find the answer for the question "How am I surviving in this software Industry?"

Photography? I am good only at posing for photos.

Parenting? I myself still a baby :P

Relationships?  Excuse me !!!

So, What to scribble about?

My sister's son was born in 2007 and even after 8 years, I always reminisce the baby’s first touch, his first whoop, his first roll-over, his first kiss. It flash in my mind like it happened yesterday. Penned about the excitement of his birth and posted my first article in my blog.

"My Fun, My Memories, My Life..." I added the title for my blog and decided to capture my opinions and thoughts. I am choosy and very bad at networking. Those days, I was not in social networking sites too. So I hardly had Zero readers. My mom and dad were always busy and never even looked at the link I mail them. My sister's automated recorded reply when I share my post link would be, "Will read later". Unfortunately, all my friends have an aversion to reading too.

But to be honest, I never bothered about getting readers. I feel content, when I complete an article and I loved that feeling.

Months Passed.. 

All work and No play makes Jack a dull boy. 

Same way, All writing and No readers made me a dull blogger slowly. . .

I don’t remember how I landed up in Indiblogger. I registered with Indiblogger and my blog was approved after few days. I remember the silly mistakes I did after signing up. I posted my blog link in a forum for which I got a warning from one of the fellow bloggers. As days passed, I learned the rules of the forum.

When I was a newbie with IndiBlogger (ie, one week old), I got an invite for The Surf Excel Matic IndiBlogger Meet (#SoakNoMore.)

The word “Bloggers meet” persuaded me. Since its on a Saturday, I did not give a second thought to register for the meet. It was the first meet in my life, that I was facing a big crowd. I have never been for a get-together too. It was a thrilling moment to see all bloggers at a place. When the Blogger meet kicked off, Anoop triggered his first question to the crowd, “Do we have any Bloggers celebrating Birthday’s this week.” I got goosebumps when I heard the word "Bloggers" and August 10th was my birthday, hence I got up from my seat.

“These birthday babies get a gift hamper from Surf Excel and Indiblogger” He announced and handed a big gift. Since I came with empty hand, I was concerned about carrying the gift back to my home. (Took an Auto to carry the gift back to my home :) )

Dear Indiblogger, 2011 was a dreadful year and hence I was hoping 2012 would be a good start. When I received this gift in front of 200+ people, I felt myself as a lucky charm. All the bloggers conveyed their advance birthday wishes. One will not understand my emotion, But that moment gave me a confidence for the future

Someone captured this beautiful picture of me.

@IndiBlogger meet

This picture gave me guts to upload my picture in Facebook. Till that time, I was not confident to display my face in social media and hence one could see Jyothika or Dog photo as my profile picture.

Each and every second I spent in that meet was spectacular. Not only our first bicycle ride, first love, first holiday trip with family, first smart phone experience are treasured(IndiBlogger's know, the reason for this mention :P ). But, first Blogger meet experience would be remembered by every IndiBlogger.

I must mention a point here, after a big tragedy that happened in 2011, I cornered myself at my home. This blog meet made me to come out of that. I decided not to Soak more in my problems.

After that meet, with full fledge I started writing more post, and promoted it Via Indivine.

Every month there were lot of competitions launched and I never fail to take part in it. Though I never bag the title, (one day I will) I love participating in it. I realized that my writing is getting better day by day and my creativity quotient is fostered.

Coming to happy hours. Before few months, the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night is to check my What's app and mobile. After the Happy hours launch, the first thing and the last thing I do is to check IndiBlogger website for HH contest.

I failed in HH too. My first 3 entries were continuously terribly rejected by Indiblogger. Then I learned my mistake and surmounted. When I won, 1500 voucher in Happy hours for the first time, the happiness I felt was phenomenal. I researched a lot to buy an item that I can keep as a momento for my IndiBlogger triumphant. I brought a photo frame and kept it as a memory. My parents feel so happy when I call and say, "Today’s happy hours also got approved."

Crazy Happy Hours

There were days, where I stopped my car in highways to submit my entry...

There were days where I rushed to nearest Airtel tower to get faster internet access.

My sister who was observing all these from long got motivated to start a blog. We never knew she was a good writer too. When we were kids, you were giving tough competition in academics and discipline. Now in IndiBlogger contest too. ITS NOT FARE!!!

Just kidding! All the best Sweetie :)

Thank you Indiblogger, for such a wonderful opportunities and memories..

You cheered my mood during my tough times...

You made me to believe that I have the capacity to scribble something...

You made my family members happy...

You blessed me with lots of blogger friends...

You gifted me with lots of prodigious readers...

Healthy Breakfast with Kellogg's Corn Flakes

I always admire Guptaji’s family. Everyday morning, they wake up at 4.00 AM, play Badminton with family and have breakfast together in the garden. I always admire their family members for their fitness. All were slim, fit and active. Whenever Gupta goes for shopping, she never forgets to buy Kellogg's corn flakes.
I am a typical software Engineer who works till late night and hence end up getting very late in the morning. My cab is at 9.40, but I am smart enough to sleep till 9.00 and get ready in 40 minutes to catch the cab. Hence I always end up missing the breakfast. My parents always says, skipping breakfast would result in major health effects. Hence with love she packs idly in the box and request to have it in Cab. But somehow, I feel shy to have idly in cab. My fellow co-workers would tease me.
One day my mother was complaining about this to Gupta Ji aunty. Then she suggested to give Kellogg's Corn flakes. This is just like snacks and eating in cab would not embarrass your daughter. But my mother is a typical south Indian who believes idly and sambar is the healthy Item and rest all foods are junk.
Then Gupta Ji explained about the nutrients and vitamins that Kellogg's contains. She also explained about the benefits of each vitamins and my mother started to dream about consuming all Vitamins like A, D, B12, B6 for breakfast. She was double happy. My mother now believed Kellogg's corn flake is the healthiest food in the world since it contains all the vitamins and nutrients.
Next day my mother brought 5 packets of Kellogg's in all different flavours like honey, chocolate, Mini-wheat’s and so on. It helped a lot for my rush morning. I was comfortable in having it in cab. Skipping breakfast never happened in my life again. I was not bored for having Kellogg's every day morning, since it comes in different flavours.

Image Source - #KelloggsWaleGuptaji

But one fine Sunday, I happened to visit Guptaji’s house. A sweet smell attracted me to kitchen. There I was saw her creativity in the breakfast. With just Kellogg's corn flake, she made a fantastic dish. All I knew was Kellogg's Corn flakes is to be ate only with milk. Sometimes, I add Almond and pista to it. But what I saw in Guptaji’s making was completely different. In Cornflakes she mixed apples, cinnamon in cold milk and served me. She in fact named the dish as Cornflakes Apple Cinnamon.



I was so excited to hear that she prepares many innovative items like this. To name a few, walnut cornflakes choco balls, Grapes cornflakes and much more. One evening, she gave me laddu. I ate that and asked was it prasad from any temple. Usually the laddus offered in temples tastes awesome. Gupta Ji replied that she made it with crushed cornflakes. I put the question other way round. Tell me one dish that you don’t prepare with cornflakes. She smiled and left the place. I am a die-hard fan of #KelloggsWaleGuptaji innovative corn flakes dishes.

#ChooseToStart with Moto E

#ChooseToStart with Moto E

It was in 2010, people were migrating to Smart Phones and I was the only odd women out who was genuinely contented with a basic version of phone.

“Phone is meant only to attend the call. Whether it’s a high-end smart phone or Nokia 1100, the purpose of accepting/receiving the call is going to be fulfilled.” This was my fixed answer when someone ask, “Why don’t you upgrade to a Smartphone.”

Well, I am a typical hi-tech software Engineer and you could easily make out people’s expression when an extravagant software techie use Nokia 1100. What’s app group was created for my team and they share team updates in the group. But every time, they send updates for me via normal messaging system. Even after repeated request for sharing picture, videos and files I never bothered to upgrade.

One day my Aunty asked in a concerned tone, “Is Software industry down?”

“No Aunty. Why?”

“Then why are you still using basic Nokia 1100?”

Other day, my sister son who is 8 years old was looking out for my sister’s Smartphone to play a game. I offered my mobile and asked him to play. He rolled out on the floor and said, “Do you have games in the mobile”

“Well Sanju, I have a Snake game”

“But my mom’s mobile has Temple Run, Candy Crush, Talkie Tom…”

"Enoughhhhh." I replied him and left the place immediately.

There was another incident which I could still remember. I got invite to attend my friend marriage. The marriage was in remote location and hence I note down the address in a paper and was wondering whether Auto drivers would know the address. I called out an auto driver and showed my paper that contained the address.

The auto driver took out his Smartphone, typed the address in Google maps and placed the mobile in the mobile holder and said, “Madam Ji, Just 12 KMS from here. Sit” He followed Google Maps directions and took me the exact place without any troublesome.

90% of the world including my entire family members got migrated to Smart Phone. But I never bothered to upgrade. When people see my phone, they treat it as if it’s something to be kept in museum. Unfortunately, spare parts for my phone had stopped and it’s not available in market too.

My friends were so speedy that they kept upgrading their Smartphone’s instantly when a new version of phone was launched. When they show their latest mobile for my review, I just flip it front and back ( as if I am looking at a groom), blush and say “Nice”

On the other end, there were many advantages in using this Nokia 1100. If I miss my phone at any place, no one takes or steals it. Even after a week, the position would be still the same.

December 2014...

I got promoted as a Team Lead and was offered with two year on-site opportunity. March 1st I was supposed to travel Australia for two years.

February 2015...

I took a break from work to spend my time with my family, since I can’t see them for the next 2 years. One day, when I got up, I saw a gift packet on my bed.

“To our lovable daughter Deepika” was written on the gift packet and I opened the box and found Moto E mobile. My parents entered my room and said, “Best wishes for your promotion and on-site opportunity and  #ChooseToStart your Smartphone journey AT LEAST from this year”

I flipped front and back and said “Nice” in my usual tone.

“We will miss you a lot, when you move to Australia. We would like to have Video call when we miss you. That’s the reason I gifted this smart phone” my dad replied.

 “I don’t want to gift you a black color. So, White color. Hope you liked it” My mom gave her justification for mobile color.

“Soon, install what’s app. I will search toy items online and will be send you the pictures of it through what’s app. You should place order it to my address” my sister son replied from his side.

“I know giving something to you is like giving it to a Monkey. That’s why we chose a display that has corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection with oleophobic coating.” My sister teased.

My sister second son who was just 3 months old was the only one who was left without giving the reason for choosing Moto E.

I turned towards the baby and asked, “Baby ma, do you have any reasons?.”

He drooped and giggled. I immediately opened camera and started to record the baby actions. Since the internal memory was build with 1 GB RAM, it was quick to process the operating system and the camera opened in Nano seconds. The video got recorded with high quality and with good audio. The baby voice was sweet at its best. I realized that I began to enjoy my Moto E smartphone journey.

I turned towards my family members and said, “Thanks for gifting this. I absolutely love it. After going Australia, this video will be cherished when I miss him”.

“At last, Deepika migrated to Smart Phone” my family members roared with joy. I took the camera to capture that moment and when I was about to click their snap, my sister’s son shouted, “My God, you are still behind the era. Join with us. Let’s take a Selfie.”

What does happiness mean to me

What does happiness mean to me

Image Source - Coca-Cola

I am a person who keeps me energized and happy always. The happiness keeps changing based on time and situation. 

When I was a small kid, I was happy when my dad returns home from his duty with snacks. 

When I was in higher education, getting century in Mathematics gave me happiness. 

When I was in college, going to a movie by bunking the class gave happiness. 

When I am in office, if the code I develop runs without any bug, the happiness I get is uncontrollable.

For me happiness always comes in two forms. 

1. when I help and make others happy 
2. when I do something for myself.

Above all, there is one thing that snaps out my soul with cheer and bliss. That’s driving. It’s the only thing that makes me feel paradise and it’s never fails to bring my motivation back during my tedious days.
I still remember my first Car drive. It was in a straight road and one could hardly see any vehicle passing by. My dad gave the car to me and asked me to drive. When I turned the key on and the engine started, a thousand watts smile stretched on my face. I felt as if I had manufactured the car. I caressed the steering wheel with love, held the gear with passion. When I pressed the clutch and switched the gear from neutral to one and released the clutch slowly, the car moved. I immediately turned off the car keys to stop the car and got down. I started dancing on the road with pleasure.
Just for an inch movement, I felt so happy. “Oh my god, I drove the car” I shouted in that empty road. Then I joined driving class and learned car driving. I brought a car for myself. The car, brand name, registration number, everything was of my choice. Since It was through my hard earnings and savings, I love it when I see it. It gives me a great joy when I drive in highway. I don’t like rash driving or neither going beyond speed. So I always drive in 80KM per speed in highway. The dividers are always fostered and nourished with plants. The roads are constructed well, and I love that smooth ride. I love it, when I swift the lane from left to right and from right to left. In particular I love the Bangalore to Pune highways.

Every week-end, one or the other friends call me to Nandhi hills. My trekking friends call me for trekking and my photography friends invite me to capture the sunrise in the early morning. We all start at 4.00 AM from Bangalore and drive towards Nandhi hills to capture the Sunrise. In a month, at least once we go to Nandhi hills, enjoy the sun rise and spend some time over there. It gets rejuvenated for the entire month. I also love to take a long drive at night-time.

Coca-Cola is celebrating International Day of Happiness, so why dont we join hands with them. Share what does happiness mean to you in the comments sections. 

Takeaway level: Singapore Short Stories.

Winner Announcement 

We are happy to announce top the 3 winners of  Takeaway level: Singapore Photo contest

The first prize goes to 

Second Prize 

Third Prize 

Top 3 winning stories of the Takeaway level: Singapore

Takeaway level: Singapore and the Pandavas

In Mahabharata, Kunti Devi instruct his five sons to share all the things among themselves. Pandas brings Draupadi to their home and without seeing the women Kunti says "share among yourself" and hence all the five end up marring same women Draupadi. All the people goes for honeymoon to Singapore. They heard a lot about Singapore cuisine they don’t want to order a single food and divide it among themselves. All wanted to try different flavours of the foods. At the same time, they don’t want to break their mother's order too. Hence they ordered the 5 interesting versions of Parta. Everybody relished and enjoyed the Roti Tissue, Roti Plaster , Chicken Floss Prata, Red Bean Prata, Prata Benedict. Their purpose was solved. They obeyed their mother order too and the same time, they fulfilled the wish of tasting different flavors.

Takeaway level: Singapore and Ghatotkacha hunger 

Ghatotkacha is a food lover and his taste buds was not satisfied with any of the foods. He is known for eating tons of laddu. This resulted in scarcity of food and hence the people went and complained to his dad Bhima. Bhima decides to sort of this issues. He suddenly thinks of an idea. He immediately applies Tourist VISA for his son Ghatotkacha and sends him to Singapore. Ghatotkacha visits Chomp Chomp Food Center and orders Grilled fish served with a tangy chilly sauce. The brilliant taste makes him fluffy and he gets lost in the taste. His taste buds gets satisfied for having mesmerizing food. Ghatotkacha hunger for taste rectifies and the people are happy.

Takeaway level: Singapore and Deepika's world. 

"Whale & Cloud" @Niven Road

Inside Whale and Cloud

Nothing could replace the taste of Tea offered in the glass at a road side tea stall. The only problem I face when I travel to Singapore which is the most innovative country in Asia and is famous for technology is the road side tea shops. To my surprise there is "Whale & Cloud" coffee shop at Niven Road (near to Rex cinema). This coffee shop is kept secretive and only few people knows about this shop. They don't have a website, Facebook page and they are open only on Saturdays. The ambiance gives us a homely atmosphere and you feel like you are in our mother India.

"Laurent Bernard Chocolate" is my favorite. The tempting aroma of chocolate dessert cafe filled with exquisite creamy chocolate with smorgasbord of cakes, pastries and ice cream is my all time Favorite.

The Power of Being #together

The Power of Being #together

Image Source - https://housing.com/

Img source - https://housing.com/

Do I need to mention that Steve Jobs is an inspiration and loved by everyone? It was in 2013, the movie Jobs (A movie about Steve Jobs)  was released. My friend Abitha and I decided to watch the movie on the first show of the first day. But unfortunately we did not get tickets on the first day. So, we decided to watch the movie on a weekend. In Bangalore, the movie was released only in few countable theatre. To my bad luck, it was not released in the theatre that was near to our home. I deadly wanted to watch that movie to get inspired and also I am a big fan of Steve jobs. After all, I get goose bumps when I read his quotes and read his life history. Watching his life in big screen would definitely make me crazy. Who knows in future I may start a Software and Hardware industry like Apple Inc and may become as famous as Steve. If Steve is for Apple, Deepika is for Strawberry. Okay, Jobs apart.

So for the above reasons, I cant miss the movie. Even though we need to travel 15 KMS from my home, I convinced my friend Abitha and booked a show at 6.00 PM. All went well. I still remember, to watch his movie I took 3 hours to get ready and wore a new dress. We zoomed our vehicle to the theatre and reached ahead i.e 5.15 P.M

Abitha suggested to have some food in KFC to kill the time, but I said I can watch “Jobs” poster for 45 minutes. She really got pissed off and took me to KFC. Sharp at 5.45 we went to the counter to collect the ticket. To our dismay, the movie show was cancelled and they are ready to refund the ticket. Abitha tried to check for the alternative. She suggested me to watch the other movie which was running in the theatre and we had one.  was Chennai Express. I was already upset for not watching my favorite Steve Jobs movie. But Abitha was upset as we travelled 15 KMS and don’t want to return back without watching any movie. Finally we decided to watch Chennai Express movie. When we went to the counter and checked about it, he said the movie has started at 5.30. Then we decided not to watch any movie and zoomed to our home. We both were upset to the core.

On the way to home, it started to rain heavily. We stopped our vehicle and we were wet already. There were few kids playing football in that rain. Without giving a second thought, we got into rain and started playing with the kids. The kids’ enthusiasm changed our mood. We played until the rain stopped. At that point of time, I realized that life may gift us with the things which we don’t love or not provide with the things we want. But, soon we need to come out of that sad state, look up the world with a positive spirit and keep us motivated. Of course, I missed watching my Steve's movie. But my day was filled with playing kids in rain which is still an unforgettable moment in my life.

The power of being #together with the kids gave me strength and motivation.

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Start A New Life

Start A New Life

When we are contented in a place, we never think of taking risk or try something new. Even when a good opportunity flows in, we tend to reject that offer thinking that the new opportunity may be risky. Everyone loves their first job. It's so true in my case. I was damn crazy about my company. My first company was a safe place for women. Work life balance could be easily managed. Whenever a person needs leave, she would be granted. If you want to take a break from work, yes can take minimum 6 months of break (without salary) and then join back. It had work from home option and more. Above all, it had that “brand name” that one person could feel proud about.

Three years went smooth. There was a challenging project which came to my team. My seniors had a fear to take up the project. I raised my interest to work individually on the project. Though my manager heisted to give that project, he had no other option left. I literally worked day and night for that project. I used to login at morning 10.AM and leave office the next day 7.00 A.M. My room was near to my office, so I used to go home just to take a nap, bath, get ready and reach office again at sharp 10.00 AM. There are no weekends for me. Every day was a week day. I forgot my home and dedicated my time for work for those 4 months. The project was developed by 9 people where as I was the only person who tested it single-handedly. The project went live into production. I got many appreciations from my onshore and higher officials. I felt happy. But during the June review, my managers said, blah blah reasons and did not offer me a good rating. In anger or frustration, I just told him that I will put my papers soon and came out of the meeting room. My manager felt that I will not leave the company at any case, for the love I had on that company.

The same weekend, I got placed with 180% of hike in another company. I felt happy but the happiness did not last for more than 4 hours. I was worried for leaving my adorable company. I got scared that I would be missing work from option and much more flexibility. But the rating which my manager gave was a slap on my face. So, I thought for some time and decided to resign from the company. It was tough decision to do so but I would say it was the bold step I took and it brought a big change in my life.

The new company was an excellent place to work for. No politics and employees were respected for what they are and for the work they do. Every day when I leave from office, I had a sense of satisfaction. I got an US opportunity within 1 year of joining the company. The company gave importance to work as well as extracurricular activities. They are a package of innovation. Since I was interested in sports, I participated in all the events and it kept me lively. Soon, I was nominated for a core committee member for the sports club. One decision at right time changed my life.

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How to keep a Baby Happy

In the journey of life, a couple's love initially binds them together, while the joy brought by their baby solidifies their bond and happiness. Witnessing a baby's innocent actions, such as crawling and babbling, has the power to alleviate stress and bring immense joy. The sheer cuteness of a child's laughter and their adorable drooling is unparalleled. In this blog post, I will share my personal experience in keeping my sister's son happy.

During the different phases of life, a couple's love evolves and takes on new dimensions. In the initial stages, it is their affection for one another that keeps them united. However, as life progresses, the love they have for their baby becomes the pillar of their happiness, fostering a strong and content family bond. Regardless of the level of stress one may be experiencing, the sight of a baby crawling and cooing in the most melodic voice has a remarkable ability to dissipate those worries. There is nothing quite as enchanting as a child's laughter and the endearing sound of their excited cheers. Even their drooling, which may seem ordinary to some, is an unequivocally heartwarming sight. In this blog post, I will share five tips that have personally helped me bring happiness to my sister's son.

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Sing a song:
Sing a Rhyme for the baby. "Ding Dong Bell" was my baby's favorite rhyme and when I sing that song he gives back a belly laugh. Body language and modulation is equally important. The first two words "Ding and Dong" has to be sung very slowly and the last word "Bell" should come with a rapid force. While singing, bring the forehead close to his forehead and smile at the baby.

Play peekaboo:
They go crazy for this game. I play this game, when the baby is in my sister's arm. I will hide behind my sister and pop up every 5 seconds and will call out his name. Every time, I pop up he giggles loud and I go weird on seeing his giggle.

Give him Attention:
Whenever the baby feels hungry, it will cry loud to get attention. The time taken for the milk preparation might be four minutes but since the baby is not aware that milk is getting ready for him, it will keep crying aloud until he gets milk.
In order to stop his cry, I take him to the kitchen and show the farex bottle and the feeding bottle. He immediately stops crying and observe calmly, understanding that the milk is getting ready for him.

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Be Around and make the baby rest next to the mom.
Since the baby is just 3 Months old, it sleeps well for almost 16 hours a day. When it wakes up, we make sure we are around him and play or chitchat with him. The baby feels so excited when it sees all the family members around him. It loves to be with the mother. One could actually make out the difference in the baby’s face when it sleeps in the cradle and when the mom sleeps next to him on the bed.

Pampers Baby Dry Pants:

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Though everybody loves rain and welcome with warmth we feel uncomfortable when we get our clothes wet. We look forward to reach home, change the dress and get dry as soon. Imagine how the baby will feel when it feels wet. Dry diaper helps a lot in keeping the baby happy.

Family Mood:
A family’s mood plays a major role in keeping the child happy. It’s impossible to avoid arguments, fights at home. That’s the reason, we made a rule not to fight or shout in front of the baby. If any one of our family members feels the argument is getting heated up, they leave the place. But the baby is extra smart and giggles looking at them. Do I need to mention that the baby’s smile made that person’s temper evanescent?

This post is written as a part of "Dry baby, happy baby" Contest organized by "New Pampers Baby Dry Pants" in association with Indiblogger.

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The moment that filled me with hope for the future

The moment that filled me with hope for the future

Life is an unpredictable journey; sometimes it’s showers with memorable incidents which we desire to treasure and sometimes it wraps us with painful incidents which we don't like to re-collect.
Few years before, there was one incident that palpitated my life. I was not ready for the worst. Like every other person, I stepped up only with positive hopes and not even in dream I thought it may go wrong.
Have you ever imagined the irreparable damage that occurs to a sprinter who runs at a fast pace collide down. Similarly, I was running towards my aspirations and goals with wild speed and since I was not ready for the worst it broke me down. When I turn back now and look at those days, it’s surprising how I got up and survived.
Life is always good when we run in a same pace and reach the finish line. Life is even tastier, when you fall down, rise back and still manage to reach the finish line. Just like the famous athlete Christian, who proved the real winning is when you rise up during the fall and win the game.
When a person is undergoing a tough times, it’s always a moment or small incident will bring back the ray of optimistic hope and change. Same way, it was “that” incident which brought my confidence back.

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Even though, I tried to take help from friends and tried to engross completely in some activities I was not able to come out of the incident. I nurtured aquarium at my home when I read it would reduce trauma. But, it did not help me. I involved in gardening thinking it’s a good relief for stress. But those seemed to be just a temporary relief.
Aug 2012, I wished to celebrate my birthday in a different way and decided to celebrate with kids. I opted to spend my day with a home or trust that was for mentally challenged kids. That day, that incident and those kids changed my life. I went to Arima Society Trust Rehabilitation Center for mentally challenge and there were among 76 Children in the home, whose parents could not afford for their treatments. It was a Rehabilitation Center for the mentally challenged kids. There were kids with different stages. Few of them were completely ill and few of them were recovering and few countable kids already recovered but were kept under their home guidance for few more months.
The kids were so innocent and their positive vibes were so strong. They undergo intensive motivational and recreational classes and their attitudes towards life are awesome. There were few kids who were in recovering stage and one among them asked me, "What do you do?"
When I replied I work in a Software firm the small kid replied, "One day, I will be like you sister."
There was another kid who came with his dad (who recovered completely, but was advised to stay for few more months) was crying and pleading his dad not to leave him at this home. His dad almost cried and convinced him. I am short of words to explain the pain I saw in his dad’s eyes. It was a slap on my face. The kids taught me how lucky I am. They taught me to live for the moment. They made me to realize, my pain is nothing when compared to others. Their will power taught me to fight back during our tough times. 
This post is written as a part of Look Up Stories organized by Housing.com in association with Indiblogger

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Take A Peek Behind The Silver Screen - A Guest post by Nancy White

Take A Peek Behind The Silver Screen - A Guest post by Nancy White

Movie buffs are a genre unto themselves. For them, movie is a religion. Movie buffs are self-taught experts on the movie industry and can spout movie facts and figures at the drop of a hat. They can tell you which was the highest grossing movie five years ago and who won the Academy award for best actor in 1990. Want to know when the next installment of the popular series “Pirates of the Caribbean” will be released? Ask them; they already know. How many of the facts mentioned in the info graphic below did you know already?

With the awards season well and truly underway we thought it would be a great time to to put together a graphic taking you through all the facts and stats we could find on the movie industry.

Everything from top grossing films, best paying job and even some info on those people whose name we see during the end credits that seem meaningless but must do something.

There are a ton of other facts and stats covering some of your favorite  films, directors and actors so let us know what you think and please feel free to share.

Infographic created by Meadows Farm Studios

Ramayana: The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams by Subha Vilas Book review

Ramayana: The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams by Subha Vilas Book review

OMG!! It has been years I read a good novel like “Ramayana: The Game of Life - Book 2 (Shattered Dreams)”. That was the first thought flashed in my mind after completing the novel.

Ramayana and Mahabharata are the two words that would make me to dodge. Though it’s a great epic of Indian history and people say a person’s education is incomplete without reading these two epics, I was always hesitant to read them. Neither had patience to watch movies or listen it from my grandparents. I had an aversion because I felt it’s a maze of stories, traits and character.  Remebering those manifold personalities names like Shatrughna, Sugriva, Surpanakha,Vibhishana and tenaciously following throughout the circuitous story was a tiring one. But Hats off to Subha Vilas for penning a wonderful novel with easy narration. It is definitely a must read novel of all age group. I loved the way the author has written. Simple language with so many positive and valuable lessons for life.

When I glanced the Author Subha Vilas profile and understood that he is a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker, I was not impressed much. With blank mind, I started reading the novel and was so impressed by the teachings he mentioned in the book. I always carried a pen and kept underlying the sentence that are very useful and up-lifting. I suggest all the modern youth should read this novel. It was such a valuable lessons for our life. If one follows the lines mentioned in the novel, I am sure, the journey of life will be crystal clear with peace and joy. It’s an excellent novel for these modern times.

PROS:

1. Language style - Simple and keeps you glued the story. Even a 6-year-old kid can read and grasp the story.
2. Motivational words and teachings that was used through the book.
3. Even if you don’t know anything about Ramanaya you will easily grasp the story.
4. Tempts and Plants a seed to read the Ramayana: The Game of Life Part One - Rise of the Sun Prince

CONS:

1. Felt capitalization issues at many places. Not sure, whether it was intentional. But it was annoying at places.

One liner about the book - Thank you Subha Vilas for such a useful novel.

About the Book:
Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana - The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.

Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.

With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.

Title:  Shattered Dreams, Book 2
Series: Ramayana: The Game of Life
Author: Shubha Vilas
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
Publication Year: 2014
ISBN 13: 9788184955316
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 387
Price: Rs 350

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

35 Ways to Respect your Parents

"35 Ways to Respect your Parents"

. Parents are the first person whom we should treasure and care with ardor. Parents are the only soul who wish to see their children happy and long for the welfare and happiness of their child. Whatever role we are in "an-obedient-parent" or "a-sincere-employee" or "studious-student" or "a-dependent-child" or "an-aging-person" its our responsibility to keep our parents happy.

I got the below "35 Ways to Respect your Parents" message from my friend and could not control myself from posting in my blog. Below 35 points are simple yet powerful tips to keep our parents happy.

35 Ways to Respect your Parents
1. Put away your phone in their presence
2. Pay attention to what they are saying
3. Accept their opinions
4. Engage in their conversations
5. Look at them with respect
6. Always praise them
7. Share good new with them
8. Avoid sharing bad news with them
9. Speak well of their friends and loved ones to them.
10. Keep in remembrance the good things they did.
11. If they repeat a story, listen like it's the first time they tell it.
12. Don't bring up painful memories from the past
13. Avoid side conversations in their presence.
14. Sit respectfully around them
15. Don't belittle/criticize their opinions and thoughts
16. Avoid cutting them off when they speak
17. Respect their age
18. Avoid hitting/disciplining their grandchildren around them
19. Accept their advice and direction
20. Give them the power of leadership when they are present
21. Avoid raising your voice at them
22. Avoid walking in front or ahead of them
23. Avoid eating before them
24. Avoid glaring at them
25. Fill them with pride even when they don't think they deserve it.
26. Avoid putting your feet up in front of them or sitting with your back to them
27. Don't speak ill of them to the point where others speak ill of them too
28. Keep them in your prayers whenever possible
29. Avoid seeming bored or tired of them in their presence
30. Avoid laughing at their faults/mistakes
31. Do a task before they ask you to
32. Continuously visit them
33. Choose your words carefully when speaking with them
34. Call them by names they like
35. Make them your priority above anything