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. 

#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.”

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.

Image source - Rewardme.in; wikihow; cliparts.co; dreamstime.com; pinkymckay.com;

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.

Image source - http://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers

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:

Image source - http://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers

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.

Click here to watch my Pampers embedded Video 

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.

Img Source - https://housing.com/lookup

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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My Family role for my better and self-reliant person

My dad always believed that a person has to be equally good in academics as well as extracurricular activities. That’s why when I was a kid, he used to take me to a stadium which was 5 KMS from my home. Those days my dad had only Bi-cycle. In Bi-cycle, he used to pedal to and fro and make me to run 3 rounds in the stadium. He used to run along with me and always encouraged me to take part in all the Athletic competition that was held in my School and in my local village functions. He felt proud when I bagged victory in running competition. He made sure, I take part in Zonal level, District level events and all inter school competitions. Though schools give training and encourage students, parents approval to take the kids outside the School was very important. I know my friends who are talented, but never take part in Districts matches since their parents never gave permission.

In that way, I am very lucky. My dad always took leave to his duty and used to visit the place where the match was taking place. Even though parents was not allowed inside the school, he used to peep from the school compound wall. He used to discuss later with my friends and family on my participation and my performance. His proud for my victory boosted my confidence and increased my enthusiasm for sports. If today, I am a avid marathon runner, its only because of my dad.

At a Marathon with my dad

On the other hand, my mom wanted me to excel in academics. She was a working women, still she used to teach me with stories however dog-dead tired she was. She always encouraged me to read the newspaper and discuss about the positive sections of the newspaper. My parents equally encouraged me to send articles to newspaper.

No wonder, their motivation should have craved deep in my heart. Because of that, I never miss any Marathon that happens in Chennai and Bangalore. Because of the reading habit, I am blogger now and have also written a Novel – Touch of Mist.

After the completion of my School, my dad made sure that I take decision on my own and stand on my own. That’s the reason, he joined me in hostel for higher studies so that I could live on my own and learn things. Because of those 3 years hostel life, I learned to wash my clothes, wash my plates and managed my issues individually.

Even now, when my dad goes to bank, he takes me with him and ask me to fill the DD forms for him. In that way, In future I will do it without anyone’s help. He makes sure I attend all my relatives functions and marriage so that I will know about my relatives.

He always discuss the financial issues and family issues with me and look for my opinion and suggestions. If I give some wrong suggestion, my dad explains why it was not a good idea. I really feel confident because of my family members guidance.

Click here to watch my  #MyFamilyMyPride ad film embedded Video

This post is written as a part of Apno Ko Apne Dum Pe Jeena Sikhao contest organized by Indiblogger in association with HDFC Life

#IndiHappyHours @IndiBlogger @HDFCLIFE #MyFamilyMyPride

Bedtime Rituals with Pampers

During the first week of my sister’s son birth, the baby was sleeping peacefully for 18 to 20 hours a day. It was an awesome moment to watch a new born sleeping. I eagerly wait for the baby to wake up, so that I can play and enjoy with his cute moments. But it hurts when the baby wakes up at odd time and cry for milk.

Pampers Baby Dry Pants

Making a baby sleep is like an art. My sister was very scared of diapers thinking that it would cause rashes to the baby. Hence during the initial days, she avoided diapers for the baby. But it was affecting the other way. Since it was December month and the climate was chill, the baby used to urinate frequently. Every one hour it will urinate and wet the cradle. The baby will awake immediately as it feels uncomfortable, soggy and start to cry. It used to wake up minimum 4 times at night and spoils his sleep.
Next day the baby will not be active since it did not sleep properly. That’s when my sister decided to go for diaper. With the help of diaper the baby sleeps so well and wakes only once during the night time that too for milk. It is very important for the baby to have a sound sleep at night so that it wakes up fresh - the next day. It also helps the baby to stay active the next day.

Source -  Pampers Baby Dry Pants

    In order to make the baby sleep peacefully below are the things I do.
Offer the baby a hot bath in the afternoon, so that the baby sleeps well in the afternoon.It will wake up by 6.00 P.M. and I play with him till 9.00 P.M. Then I nestle the baby in my arms and start narrating stories. I am very bad at remembering my nursery stories and hence I need to Google to get the one-line story. After reading from Google, I narrate the story in a sing-song way by roaring if the story involves lion, chirrup and chirp if a bird is involved in the story. One could easily hear different sounds like roaring, barking, whooping, and whistling when they cross my home during night.
I make sure all the mobile phones, electronics items like laptop are outside the room, so that radiation does not affect the baby.

Image Source - fisher-price.com 

I have brought the above picture recently and have attached it to the baby cradle. The Fishers price Precious Planet’s 2-in-1 Projection Mobile comes with a projector, Sweet soothing music and tiny toys like bear, whale, crocodile, lion, rabbit attached towards it. When it is on, the animals reflects on the ceiling and moves in a circular way. The baby lying on the cradle enjoys the animal moving around and talks with his own language. It tries to catch the animals that was on the ceiling and sleeps playing with those animals.

Click here to watch the Embedded video

This post is written as a part of Bedtime Rituals contest organized by Pampers Baby Dry Pants in association with Indiblogger. 

Top 5 things on my Bucket List

Below are the top 5 things on my Bucket List that I would do if I were #BefikarUmarBhar

Participate in Chennai Triathlon
Last year, I have participated in Vodafone Cycling Marathon and never miss any cycling event that happens at Bangalore. I am a big fan of running and never miss marathons that happen in Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore and Salem. Pretty much, I explored cycling marathon, running and Swimming separately. But all the three flavors in a single day, I never tired. Hence, I would like to take part in Chennai Triathlon. But it really needs lots of will power, determination and constant practice. Because one has to swim 5 lapses of 300 meters each i.e 1.5 KMS and immediately get out of the swimming track and jump to cycle and then 40 kms of cycling followed by 10 km of trail running.
Educate a girl child
Whenever I see a child working in cement factory, crackers industry, house constructions and in hotels for taking away the plates and for cleaning the utensils at home, I get pissed off. I wanted to punish the owner for employing the children below 18. But I am not a strong person to fight against them and leave the place with heavy heart.
Few months before when I visited my aunt house, I saw a 12-year-old girl employed for house cleaning. I scolded my aunt for appointing her and requested her to send her back to her parents. On hearing our conversations, the girl began to cry and started pleading my aunt not to send her back. She told that her salary of Rs.600 would serve food for her family of 4. Just for present, she is spoiling her future without studying. That day I decided, I should offer an education for a girl child. Right from her schooling to her higher educations. Let her wish to study Engineering or Doctor, I wanted to sponsor her studies.
To do organic Framing
Last year, I started Organic terrace garden at my home and was successful in growing the easy survival plants like Green chilies, Bitter gourd and Tomatoes. The taste of the tomatoes when cooked directly by plugging the vegetable from the plant without any pesticide and synthetic fertilizer is lip smacking. Who doesn't love to eat the fruits and cook the vegetable, herb that is fresh from farm? I want to cultivate vegetable and crops and grow them in a natural way, preserve the seeds and circulate them without genetic change. Finally, I will sit inside the green crops and will write more.
To make a Short Film
To make one sensible, heart teaching video about human relationship and emotions. The video should at least change few people's mindset about the way they look at humans and take people's feelings for granted.
Also, I wish to take many one minute videos to create awareness about organ donation, eye donation, blood donation and about the trending social issue like preserving trees, avoiding plastics and much more.
Fifth One - Its a Secret wish list
I should go on a journey all alone. A journey that I decide based on my intuitions. No destination and no targets. I should forget my responsibility, my family, and all gadgets. I should go miles away and stay in that place for a month exploring the new people and new place.

This post is written as a part of Befikar Umar Bhar Live The Life You Have Always Dreamed Of! Contest organized by IDBI Federal Life Insurance Company in association with Indiblogger.

Click here to watch my embedded Video 

#BefikarUmarBhar 

Social media on mobile vs web how it has impacted my life

Social media on mobile vs web how it has impacted my life

I am participating in the #SMWBangalore activity at BlogAdda in association with Social Media Week Bangalore.

Facebook:
1. Birthday Reminders:
I get wrapped up in hectic schedules and hence my friend’s birthday date slips off from my mind. Forgetting a friend’s Birthday would result in conflicts, misunderstandings and hurts. Once, I called my friend at sharp 12 and sang "Happy Birthday" for 5 Minutes. She politely listened and as soon as I paused, she started throwing all bad (censored) words. I thought may be my voice was horrible and that’s the reason she was scolding. But later, I understood that I wished her a month before. I.e. Instead of June 10th, I wished her on May 10th. She cursed me for spoiling her sleep.

• With the help of Social media on mobile, all the problems of forgetting birthday and wishing a month advance got resolved. 
• With the help of Facebook Birthday Reminders, I am able to order gifts for my friends well in advance and plan their special events properly. I can easily post a cute personalized message on their wall paper and Share their memorable photos from last year. 

2. Promoting my book:
My book sales have been pretty decent, only with the help of social media. The below picture would say the rest.

3. Knowledge about the events:
I owe a trekking club and Facebook helps a lot in promoting an event. It also, helps me to track all the possible events that are in and around Bangalore. I am a big fan of Preethi Shenoy and I longed to meet her once in my lifetime. I was following her FB page regularly and one fine day, I received a notification about her book launch event. I send her an email about my interest and received an
invite from her for the event. So, social media has helped me in meeting Preethi Shenoy, Chetan Bhagat at Half girlfriend book launch event.

• Social media help me to connect with like minded peoples like blogger, fictional Reader, Short story writers, film makers. 
• Every day, I am getting more new visitors to my blog and it’s because of networking. 
• I found my old school friends too. 

4. Helps me stay motivated:
There is nothing inspiring than starting a day with a positive quote. I follow the Positive & Inspirational Quotes, Positive Attitude Quotes pages in FB and the quotes which they share is a drive to keep me motivated throughout the day.

5. Stay in touch:
It helps me to stay connected with my friends and relatives who are in Singapore and United States. When my sister was out of country for 3 years, I never missed her since we were in constant touch through social media sites.

LinkedIn - 

• LinkedIn has helped me in finding a job. It also, helped to connect with people of my technology. 

Youtube: 
The embedded videos in Blog does not work in Web. It needs additional plugin to be installed. So, Youtube apps helps a lot.

• It again helped me to promote my book Trailer
• It has also made me a great chef. I always love watching Vah re vah cooking programs and try on it my own.  
• Technically, the TED talk videos have helped a lot in budding professionally 

     Though many people crib about social media as its kills our time, its spoils relationship, it shrinks our thinking. I would say, it all depends on how you invest your valuable time and be cautious.

Social media on mobile vs web. Here is a funny conversation between them.

Mobile APPS - I am the best and smart. People can take selfies and instantly share it on FB, twitter, Whereas you are an Idoit. People need to open a browser, enter the url and wait for it to load, then enter the user name and password, navigate to upload screen and then share it in Facebook. By the time they complete the task with your help, I must have got 1000 likes and 10 shares.
It’s even worse if they are using you in system. People need to Search for Data cable or switch on Bluetooth, transfer it from me and then share on social media sites.

Web -People love me for multi-tasking. People can open Facebook, Pinterest,Reddit, StumbleUpon, MySpace, Scoop it, Youtube,  Flickr, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus+, Instagram, Tumblr in a single browser. But people need to launch separate APP's for each. Moreover, You occupy more device space. 50 MB for Google+, 24 MB for Gmail, 20 MB for YouTube. where as I (Internet Web browser) take only 2 MB of mobile space.

Mobile APPS - What is the use boss? I eliminate the need to type the url. Just by pointing the camera at the QR code, URL is launched.  I am more user-friendly, attractive and give the user a pleasant experience.

Web - But people need to download and install in order to use you. They need to download QR Code Reader, to use QR code scanner. It’s an additional task. Moreover, I can be used in Mobiles, as well as in laptops and desktops.  

Mobile APPS - I do come with offers. In order to promote their app, they offer free talk time and other offers when they install few apps.

Web -Yes, they give you free virus too. They can easily hack your accounts, with any app. When a mobile is lost, they can easily access all your data. Whereas, I don't reveal anything, other than your browse history. Because of you, people are always online. You spoiled relationship.

Mobile APPS - I did not spoil relationship. Indeed, made relationship smooth. With the help of what’s app, I made love proposal so easy and have coupled many people. Moreover, I always give them notifications about new post, status, comments. People never miss any news because of me. I have also been a good companion for introvert people.

Web -But I am professional. I tend to give them a decent image. In office, when people are playing FarmVille or Fishville or PetVille game, others think that they are working sincerely. Whereas, when
they are even reading news on mobile, people tag, "You are always busy with mobile"

Mobile - I am cute pies for students. They can hide me inside their text book and play candy crush and share the score in FB. Parents think that, their children is always studying and appreciate them with the neighborhood. Students on the other hand, share this existing moments in FB and get likes too.

Web - Hey you Tiny object...  you spoiled the vision of many people. But my screen is bigger and never strained their eyes.

Mobile - Lol. What is the use. I have given lot of jobs for many people. I have played a critical role their creative factor. Every day people are developing new apps and improving their existing social
media apps. I am integrated with many good apps like weight loss, Budget management and they can share their achievements in FB or tweet it or share with social media sites instantly.

Web -But, I am needed to develop you. Without me, you are nothing.

Mobile APPS - Just give some days. My fans would sort out that issue too.

“I am participating in the #SMWBangalore activity at BlogAdda in association with Social Media Week Bangalore“.

Asus IndiBlogger Meet Experience

On January 24, I received an email from Indi-blogger, "It's raining Indi-Happy Hours in Bangalore - blog now to get yourself a Flipkart voucher worth Rs.1000!" This line did not excite me. But one line caught my attention. All IndiBloggers with approved entries will also get a special invite to the Asus IndiBlogger Meet 2015 at Bangalore."

Wow, Indi-blogger meet is back. My excitement roared to high. Because after many months, we got an invite for the Indi-blogger meet. Moreover, this is the first meet in 2015 and another interesting fact, it's in Garden city Bangalore. I concentrated more to crack the entry. Luckily my post got approved and I got a special invite from Indi-blogger.

The meeting was about to start at 5.30 and due to heavy Bangalore traffic I ended up reaching the venue only at 6.00.

The start of the meeting was welcomed with a cheer loud music after few followed by few ice-breaker sections. The program was well hosted by Anjoop.

The product manager launched the 2 products - ASUS EeeBook X205TA and ASUS All In One PC ET2040 and gave a brief introduction about the product.
Then came question and answer section and the bloggers were allowed to ask questions. All crazy questions like we are moving towards mobile, iPads do you think still PC and laptop has craze? How are you planning to manage the competition came up.

Finally, the group was divided into 4 teams and each team has asked to enhance an advertisement about blogging on the given theme. We got "300" movie as the theme. Every team performed its best in the given 10 minutes of preparation time.

Overall, It was an awesome experience to meet all the Bloggers and explore more about ASUS.

Click here to read about ASUS EeeBook X205TA and ASUS All In One PC ET2040

3 reasons why chat is better over a phone call

Three reasons why chat is better over a phone call

Though technology has developed a lot and people has become more social than earlier, we still prefer to have some privacy. When I got a Facebook invite or LinkedIn invite from my friends, I was hesitant to join though it was free. Because, I wanted my privacy not to be affected in any case.
I heard a lot about Quikr and in-fact advised my friend Abitha to opt Quikr for buying and selling during her Bangalore Shift. Everything about Quikr was good, but the only thing which was bothering me was the email id and mobile number was displayed public and anyone could see my number. But with Quikr NXT!  That issue has been resolved.

Below are the reasons why I would prefer to chat over a phone call.

1. Avoid lot of disturbance.

• While travelling in bus or when in traffic signals, it’s really difficult to talk over the phone. If the buyer says 10,000 I may end up hearing it as 1000. To avoid all this, chat is always a better way. Also, I also don’t like people over-hearing my conversation. 
• Privacy: When you are in the movies, malls or out with friends, you expect privacy. The buyers or sellers will not be knowing your availability or busy schedule and may end up calling at odd times. You may not be able to switch off your mobile, as you may get an emergency calls. With chat facility, you easily turn off the chat, without switching off the mobile and continue to enjoy the leisure time with friends. 

• Avoids wrong perception: Sometimes, When I talk loudly in phone, people tend to conclude that I am aggressive. In chat, that problem will be rectified and if you add a happy smiley at the end, the deal ends smooth 

2. Tracked/Saved conversations:

• Future Use The first thing I learned in my software career was to have written proof. When there is a bug/defect leaked to production from testing environment, the project team do an analysis. In the analysis, when I say it’s a valid one and it has been discussed in meeting and calls, people will toss a crap expression. They need written emails. Because people may change their statements based on circumstance. So, Chat will help us to have saved the conversation, which will help us in future use.
• Share Image: Best option in chat facility which will not be provided in phone calls. I can ask the buyer to send all the angles of the products and share the image instantly. 

3. Can do multitasking:

• Decide best option simultaneously: When you are talking on the phone, you need to pay attention to the caller. But In chat, you can do multitasking. I can chat with 5 to 6 people simultaneously and decide which the best option is.
• Concentrate on beauty: When the face pack is applied on the face, you are not supposed to talk. When you talk, there are high chances of getting wrinkles. Being a girl, face pack can’t be avoided. This chat facility will help me to apply face pack and have a conversation with the dealers without talking. 
• Make use of unavoidable situations:Can chat with the dealers, in a bored meeting or in uninterested training.
• Listen to music and chat with the dealers. 

Above all, there is one more attracting feature in Chat, i.e Chat comes with Free of Cost. Phone calls come with a cost, whereas chat is for free.

This post is written as a part of Get Quikr NXT! contest organized by Indiblogger. 

A Cute Propose by Deepika Muthusamy

A Cute Propose by Deepika Muthusamy

This Video is submitted as a part of Cupid Games 2015 (#cupidgames) contest organized by "Close up" in association with IndiBlogger.


More Info @ http://cupidgames.closeup.in/

Close-Up Cupid's Challenges:

THEME: (The Animal Attraction)
Get your furry friend to deliver a Valentine’s Day invite to your crush on your behalf! The more creative your manoeuvre, the bolder your move! 

Note : NO DOGS WERE HARMED DURING THE FILMING OF THIS VIDEO!!! 

Music Credits:

• 0:32 - 0:51  - Tum He Ho song from Aashiqui 2 movie sung by Arijit Singh and composed by Mithoon.
• 0:09 - 0:31  - Doggy Style song from Naaigal Jaakirathai movie sung by Gaana Bala.
• 0:55 - 1:42 - Jessie's Land from the movie Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa  by A.R. Rahman; and Megha

A Cute proposal on Valentine's day

A Cute proposal on Valentine's day

February 14th 
12.00 A.M
“Hi Karthick, Good morning. I am damn crazy about you. Can we meet sometime tomorrow?.” I called him anonymously.
I know for his attitude, he never considers even if someone proposes him directly. Is he going to take the blank call seriously?
“Well, thank you, But I have lots of work tomorrow and can’t meet you. Take care bye” He replied.
Beep. Beep. Beep.!!!
The call got disconnected. I am confident that, he will accept my love before the end of Valentine ’s day, because I had planned so well. The next day morning as soon as he got up, I knew he would come straight to the wash-basin to wash his face and brush his teeth. So, I had written “LUV You :) ” with close-up paste on the mirror.

Img Source - ilovecoffeebook

Karthick sister is my close friend and hence staying at his home was an easy task for me. As expected, Karthick ignored the writing on the mirrors concluding that one of his family members is playing pranks with him on Valentine’s day. His parents have gone out to the temple and only his sister and I were at home. I prepared a coffee with a heart art and offered him. He wished good morning, got engrossed into newspaper and started drinking the coffee without observing my coffee art.

PLAN 2 FAILED!!!
But I had another chance, I have written “LUV You :) ” at the bottom of the cup. Plan 3 too got failed, since he left a few of the coffee drops in the cup :(

I am sure Plan 4 will succeed. He got ready to office and walked towards his bike. He observed a greeting card and a gift box placed on his bike seat. He opened the gift box and saw 2 platinum rings. A person who is playing pranks will not be spending so much. He felt something was serious and called his sister to enquire about the parcel. We both acted, as if we are unaware of it.

www.wedding.com.my

If Karthick gets doubt on me, I would consider myself lucky. But its human tendency to ignore the things which is near to us, and search something that don’t exist. Karthick did the same, he did not doubt me. He took out his mobile and scrutinized his call logs. I called him from a private number, how would he find the details of the call that he received at 12.00. With puzzled look, he kick started his bike and rushed to the office.

ZOOM OUT
Before 6 Years.
“Hey Deeps, our seniors are looking for one person who is very good at dancing and I suggested your name since you were one among the top 10 contestants in the "Dance Machi Dance" show,” Evelyn said.
I gave her a bright close-up smile and went to my college auditorium, where they were practicing. A group of 3 guys and 2 girls were doing warm-up exercises. All of a sudden I was little nervous because all of them were my super-seniors. I snail paced towards the stage and among the three, one guy's dance style glued my eyes. I was immersed in his movements and did not realise the steps. My legs fumbled, slipped and fell on the floor. That’s is when I caught my seniors' attention and they came towards me for help.
After the help, Karthick (yeah, the guy whom I admired a lot) came straight to the point, “We have inter-College Cultural Fest in 10 days. With this leg, will you be able to dance.”
I was shocked, yet loved his attitude. On hearing my yes, he requested other to start the practice and narrated his conditions to me, “Well, we would be practicing day and night. I need your complete dedication for these ten days. Day scholar or hostel?” He did not wait for my answer. But continued, “If day’s scholar, please get a permission from our chairman to stay in the hostel for these 10 days. Past 3 years, we bag the prize for dance competitions and this year I want the same to happen”. 
I shook my head and then he played a song and requested me to choreograph and dance for it immediately. When my mind struck that he was keeping an audition for me, I told him, “I have been the top 10 in Dance Machi Dance show”
“So what? You did not win the title right? Every dance has its own style, and I want to check whether you are able to perform this dance style” 
What an attitude!!! I cleared the audition, but without my mind's knowledge my heart started developing a crush on him. He was my pair in the dance and I was pampered a lot, since I was the only junior in their gang.It was for a fusion of 5 songs and one of the song was for “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega” 

Karthick started liking after seeing my dance styles and dedication. He was in the final year and hence in 4 months, he would be completing the college. I thought of proposing on the last day but I felt I was too young to do. May be I must finish college. I told myself. After that Kartick left the city for his higher education and no contacts between us.

I willingly became friend with Karthick’s sister. Every month Karthick’s mom used to travel to Tiruvannamalai temple (which is 250 kms from Chennai) to circumnavigate. I followed her 2 months and for the 3rd visit, she invited me and thus I become one of the family members.

ZOOM IN
I know Karthick would be expecting a call from me(that anonymous call) and hence I called him once he reached office.
“Hi Karthick, it’s me again. Hope, you are ready to meet now?”
“Hmm, tell me where I should meet you”
“VGP Golden beach. Please come before the Sunset.”

5.00 P.M,
VGP Golden beach,

As soon as he reached the beach, a guys of 15 people started to perform flash mob. After 5 minutes, the song "Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega" played and I entered with the same dance slow and romantic movements which I danced with Karthick before many years in our college. The sun was about to set and the song was about to get over. I observed karthick going down with a bent knee and he took my hand and slid a ring on my finger and asked, “Will you marry me?”

Before I could recover from the shock, he continued, “I was in love with you, the moment I saw you for the first time in the college. And after that, it was all my plan. I willingly excluded one of my seniors from the dance so that I can include you in my dance group. Rest all you know.”
“So, you know that I am following you for past 6 years.” He smiled sheepishly and said, “And I enjoyed every bit of it”
“You” I took my hand to give him a punch and he pulled me closer. Romance Filled the air

This post is written as a part of Cupid Games 2015 Happy hours contest organized by Indiblogger.