8/03/2016

The Story of a Suicide by Sriram Iyer

"The Story of a Suicide"  by Sriram Ayer is a heart-breaking story of four youngsters Charu, Sam, Mani and Hari whose lives get messed up due to overwhelming feelings of love and betrayal, misunderstanding and revenge. The novel touches upon a sensitive issue - suicidal feelings in teenagers - and I could at once relate to the story because I had myself gone through similar feelings of low a few years back. It's a fact that most teenagers find it hard to deal with problems that life throws at them. They could be related to studies or could be relationships and breakups, misunderstandings in friendships of could be due to family problems. They are usually impatient and so often wish for quick solutions to their problems. They get very depressed and stressed up when they fail to find any and take the drastic step of suicide as a means to end their problems. However death can never be a solution to any problem. Because when someone dies, he or she doesn't die alone, there would be family and friends too who would get devastated. I wish the young guys could think about it before taking the drastic step.

"The Story of a Suicide" is a gripping story and keeps one on the edge of the seat. I finished it in one go though I had to remain awake the whole night but it was fast read, it doesn't bore you at all, Instead the moment you start reading the story, I bet, you will at once get hooked to it. Hari remains depressed and deeply pained from within because he had been a victim of sexual abuse by his own uncle when he was a child, but had been unable to share his sadness with anyone - neither with his immediate family his parents or his sister Anju with whom he was very close. But he finds a close confidant in Mani, his college mate and shares his bitter past with him. He had also never told anyone that he was gay and that he was attracted towards men. So was Mani and they fall in love with each other. Mani too had a sad past, he came from a poor background and had only his mother for family who had faced several hardships while raising him up. Mani was her only hope and she believed that he would one day become very educated and thus would end their problems. However Mani too tries to end his life by hanging himself from the fan in his college room because he was depressed due to his poor grades resulting from his poor English. Although he had been a bright student but he had not studied in English and so was finding it really hard to grasp the subjects. However Charu, his best friend, and their teacher Alex with the help of Sam, manage to save his life. That's how Sam and Charu stumble upon each other for the first time. All four youngsters - Charu, Sam, Hari and Mani study in the same college and Sam and Hari happen to be roommates too. Sam is a tech geek and he had been trying to develop an app named JARVIS just as the one that the movie Iron Man had, with which he could remotely access someone's cellphone or computer. Sam had recently broken up with his schoolmate Priya but he instantly falls in love with Charu right from their first meeting. Charu too loves him, however a misunderstanding between them results in a severe fight. Charu's posting about it on her social profile takes a nasty turn and Sam feels humiliated, he feels like he was used like a napkin by Charu and was thrown away for some other man (Alex sir). The problem with the youngsters of these days is that instead of moving on after a breakup, they keep holding onto their feelings of anger and bitterment. Sam decides to avenge his humiliation and so discreetly sends a trojan to Charu's cell phone through a photo and when she opens it, the trojan gets installed on her phone. Thus Sam is now able to see and hear all that Charu was doing through her mobile phone.
He starts harassing her by posting inappropriate photographs on the internet and so Charu takes the help of Alex sir and his friend who worked with a detective company.

Meanwhile Hari's wound from the past gets severely scratched when Mani literally rapes him like an animal, just the way his uncle used to do. What was really heartbreaking was that the very act gets uploaded on the internet through Charu's mobile phone. Sam's trojan had caused that to happen. Hari's trust had already got shattered by Mani's act but he goes into further depression when his own family disowns him when he reveals to them that he is gay. That proves as the final nail and he commits suicide.




7/17/2016

An Unforgettable Trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands

I can never forget the trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands last year that I took with my parents. It was one of the most enjoyable vacations I have ever had. I had always wanted to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at least once in my life time and my wish finally came true when last year Papa took us there. We had a splendid time there. I badly needed a break from the stressful routine that I was following. That I was accompanied by my parents added to the charm of the vacation. This vacation proved to be really special because we made some very fond memories for life. Years later I am sure, we would all love to relive those wonderful moments of the trip and cherish them when we would open our family album and look at the pictures we clicked there or while watching the videos we shot there.

I love travelling and have taken quite a few solo trips as well to some wonderful places but since the last few months, I had not travelled to any new place. In fact it had been a while since we went on a family vacation. We had all been busy with our own worlds. We hardly got time to sit down and have a good hearty conversation among ourselves. It was starting to feel like although we were living under the same roof, but we were living in different orbits. I would remain busy with my classes, my assignments and with friends while Papa would often go away on his official tours and mamma would be left back alone. She had proposed to both of us about taking a family vacation together but we would always come up with some excuse for not taking it. Either because we were too busy with our pending work or we couldn't agree on a place to visit.

But one day when I had a nervous breakdown owing to the work stress, the doctor advised me to take a break. He told me that I needed to get away from my daily routine because I was starting to feel both physically and mentally exhausted. Change of place would work wonders, he suggested. He was true, on papa's suggestion, we finally decided to go on a much needed week's vacation to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They were all correct, I felt so rejuvenated and stress free upon returning back.

All of us consulted among ourselves while choosing the place for the vacation and I couldn't have been happier when Papa suggested Andaman and Nicobar islands for the trip. We did all the planning together - the dates, the travel routes, the accommodation and the money that the trip would cost us. After carefully studying the options, we decided to catch a Jet Airways flight from New Delhi to Port Blair. It was an evening flight that left at around 8:30 pm and had a stopover at Kolkata. It took us took almost eleven hours to reach Port Blair. We reached there in the morning at around 7:45 am. Yes, the flight journey had made us all tired but as soon as we stepped out of the Veer Savarkar Airport, the natural beauty of the island refreshed us in no time.

Photo: http://ultimainfo.in 
One should visit the islands between the months of November and May as the weather and the climate during this period remains very pleasant. We checked into a government guest house and after having a filling breakfast, we thought of taking some rest till afternoon as we were tired after the long journey. After a good rest and lunch, we then went out to visit the cellular jail or "Kaala Pani" where the British used to keep the imprisoned Indian freedom fighters. We also visited the Navy Maritime Museum.

Photo: www.wikipedia.org
On the second day, we visited the Ross islands and the North Bay islands on a cruise. We were completely mesmerised by the the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of the islands. I was told that Ross Island used to be the headquarters of the British navy during second World War. We also visited Viper island and then North Bay where one would find plenty of coral reefs and mangroves. People visit the island primarily for snorkeling. It was an unforgettable experience. The food in the Andaman islands was also very good. One would find several eateries serving South indian food items as well as sea food. From there we returned back to Port blair to our guest house.

Photo: www.mouthshut.com

Photo: www.travelguru.com

Photo: www.tanayaholidays.com
The next day we started early for Havelock Islands. It is known for its sandy beaches and corals. We also visited Elephant beach where we saw how the elephants were being trained. It was such an exciting view to see so many elephants swimming in the sea. From there we moved to Radhanagar beach and spent quite a lot of time just walking around the beach and enjoying in the lap of nature. We had a great time in the island. As evening neared, it was time for us to return back to Port Blair. We spent another day in port Blair lazying around the city and indulged in some shoping too. Then the next morning we returned back to Delhi by Jet Airways via Kolkata. It was truly an unforgettable trip. All of us had a great time. So we have now decided that from now on, we shall be going on a vacation at least once in a year.

Vacations are indeed healthy and family vacations are even better for they pull a family together and the bonding between the members gets reinforced. Putting the daily routine aside for some time and just relaxing with your family - there can't be anything better than that. So one shouldn't let go of any opportunity to take a family vacation every now and then.

7/10/2016

Horlicks Growth+ - The new Health Drink to help Kids Catch Up On Lost Growth

"Is everything okay with my kid?"
"Is he growing normally as he should be?"
"Is there any health issue that is plaguing his growth?"
Are these questions giving you sleepless nights? As a parent, are you also worried about your child's slow growth? Are you concerned about the fact that he has fallen behind his friends in terms of height and weight?

Well, slow growth of their kids remains one of the biggest concerns for most parents these days. After all which parent wouldn't want her child to grow to his full potential? So to augment her child's growth, a mother usually feeds her child with all healthy food items so that her child gets the essential nutrients needed for his growth. However sometimes due to wrong choices of food, a child's dietary requirements remain unfulfilled. As a result, his growth gets impacted. Undernourishment is one of the major causes for slow growth in kids during childhood, although other factors like genetics, illness history, hormonal problems too can impact a child's growth.

Although a child won't grow more than what he has been genetically programmed to grow but then, if a child is given the right balance of nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, calories and minerals, he will be able to grow to his maximum potential. For instance, the protein-rich foods like fish, chicken, eggs, legumes and dairy foods can benefit a child in helping him grow to his full potential. However most children these days are found to be fussy eaters. So sometimes it becomes really difficult for parents to make their kids eat the right food and in right amounts.

The age period of 3 years to 9 years is very crucial for all the children because it has been scientifically proved that during this phase, children grow the maximum. It has also been found that children from the age group of 2 to 9 years need almost 1200 to 2000 calories in a day. So if a child remains under-nourished and these nutritional requirements don't get fulfilled, it will cause delayed growth.

However there is a great news for all parents. Understanding this need, Horlicks set out to develop a specialized health drink by consulting with several pediatricians and health experts and after considerable research, they could come up with this advanced nutritional product - Horlicks Growth+. This unique health drink has been specifically developed to help those kids in the age group of 3 to 9 years who are lagging behind other children of their age in height and weight. Containing high quality whey proteins, vitamins A, C and D, Horlicks Growth+ promises to help children to grow fast and catch up on their lost growth by fulfilling the nutritional requirements of the children. It has been clinically proven that upon regular consumption of this drink, a child's height and weight indeed increases considerably within six months. To top it all, it has no side-effects like obesity etc.

Photo: https://growthplus.horlicks.in/

It is available in two flavours - creamy chocolate flavour and the evergreen vanilla flavour and so is bound to become a favourite among the kids. One can have it both hot as well as cold. So if a parent wishes to buy Horlicks Growth+, he or she can buy it from either a pharmacy shop or from the e-commerce websites.


Photo: https://growthplus.horlicks.in/

6/21/2016

Value what you already have

Sometimes I think who am I?
When I look at the stars, I feel so small
in comparison
Even if I were as big as the earth,
I would still have been small as compared to the universe.

There are times when I think
how we become saddened by small failures
when there are scores of people
who face failures every day and yet are smiling.

Am I appreciating what I already have?
Perhaps not.
Why do not people value a thing when they have it?
Why do they only understand its value when they lose it?
We remain in continual pursuit of worldly pleasures
when we could have so much of happiness by simple acts.
Love makes it happen.

6/03/2016

Introducing Redi-GO, India's first Urban Cross

The first things are always special, especially for a girl, aren't they? Your first day at school, your first friendship, your first prize in a competition, your first scooter-ride, your first crush, your first date, your first internship, your first foreign visit and so on. All the first experiences remain etched in our memories all through our life. In a few days from now, I am going to experience another first - my first car-driving. Now imagine the joy I must have felt when the other day Papa promised to gift me a car as a birthday present! He had actually promised me a car last year if I topped my class in the graduation exam and so I did. Thus the prize. When he asked me to choose which car to buy, I literally jumped like a monkey, I just couldn't contain my happiness. I still can't believe that I am going to ride my own car!

However choosing that one right car out of so many available options is quite a difficult task. So since the last few days, I have been asking my friends for their suggestions and additionally I have also visited a few car showrooms with my father and have taken a few test rides as well, to check for myself how that particular car performs.

Driving a car on the Indian roads can be terrifying. Most urban cities in India have now become extremely congested and so also the roads. Wherever you go, you will invariably get stuff in the traffic. If that is not enough, the condition of the roads hardly gives one any joy of driving. Thus one probably needs a strong vehicle like an utility vehicle a SUV that can be driven on any road. However given the bumper-to-bumper traffic at most places, it won't be easy to navigate such a big vehicle in a busy street. A compact hatchback would probably seem to be a better option. How I wish I could have a car that is as strong as a SUV, has the capability of a crossover along with the best features of a hatchback! Am I asking for too much?

No, I am not, because thankfully, my prayers have been answered. In fact this is very soon going to be a reality, now that Datsun India has brought out its Redi-GO - a car that gives you the comfort of a SUV but with the convenience of a compact hatchback. Recently I came to know from an article about the launch of Redi-GO by Datsun. Thus one can now enjoy a hassle-free driving experience with Redi-GO, that's what I am expecting.

(Copyright - Datsun India)
I have already fallen in love with Redi-GO's sleek design. It looks so classy and yet very cute and cool. I am sure most youngsters will love this car. Its striking features like the ‘D-cut grille’, the headlamps, the tail lamps and the first in class daytime running LED lights - they all add to its aura and help it in standing out among its peers in the compact crossover segment.

Thanks to its powerful engine (0.8L three-cylinder engine that has been paired with a five speed manual transmission), the RediGO promises a zippy driving experience and on top of that, superb fuel efficiency. Because of its high ground clearance of 185mm, which is the best in this segment, the Redi-GO promises to offer the driver a comfortable driving experience as well as generous amount of interior space.

The car is also expected to be sold at an affordable price. What I hear from the news reports is that it is going to be priced within four lakh rupees.
I am eagerly waiting for the official launch of the Redi-GO in the Indian car market so that I can have a test ride. I am already imagining driving this cutie on the roads of Delhi, through Lodhi road all the way to Shalimar Bagh. That would be real fun. I hope the car meets my expectations so that I can bring it home as soon as possible.

Fun. Freedom. Confidence. The ultimate Urban Cross - Datsun redi-GO - the capability of a crossover with the convenience of a hatchback.

Will Datsun's Redi-GO be my first car? I am keeping my fingers crossed.

12/13/2015

The Cleanest City Chandigarh

Being the daughter of an army man, I have travelled and stayed at quite a few places for a considerable period of time. So when I got this opportunity from Tata Motors to choose and write about my favourite city in India, I was in a fix as to which one to choose. Because I have been in love with almost all of them. After giving a lot of thought, I finally chose Chandigarh over all other cities. Well, I do have a soft corner for Chandigarh because I spent some of the best years of my schooling period over there, but even otherwise, it is a very beautiful city. It has a unique distinction of being not only a union territory but is also the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana. Anyone would fall in love with Chandigarh given its cleanliness and greenery. It is surely one of the best cities to live in, in fact it is one place where I can live forever.

If I would describe the city in terms of its design, drive and connectivity,

Design:
Though it is not as big as the metro cities like Delhi or Mumbai, but you will be amazed to see how meticulously the coty has been developed. No wonder it is well acclaimed as the most well-planned cities in India. The city is known for its design and beauty. In fact it was the first planned city in India after attaining Independence. Its master plan was shaped by Le Corbusier, the famous Swiss-French architect and urban planner. The city is divided into various sectors that are very well connected to each other. It is designed in such a way that one would easily come to know which sector would come next i.e. finding the routes is easy to follow.  
Photo: www.topyaps.com
The roads are broad and there are enough number of service roads to keep the traffic flow in check. Add to that, the lush greenery on both sides of the roads make it a joy to drive. Thus without a doubt, the city stands up to its epithet of "the City Beautiful". 

Drive:
The Punjabis are known to be very industrious and Chandigrah epitomizes that very fact. Not only does the city boasts of having some well-known multinational companies and thereby generating opportunities for employment, it also lays emphasis on development of pollution free industries. In addition to that, there are also excellent educational opportunities in Chandigarh. The city provides a very conducive environment for work and academic development. Chandigarh already possesses an IT Park that houses some major IT MNCs like Dell, IBM, Infosys and TechMahindra. Due to so many good educational institutions in and around the city, there is never a shortfall of skilled manpower in the city. The quality of life in Chandigarh is one of the best you will find in India in the country

Connectivity:
Chandigarh is very well-connected to all the major cities and states in India through roads and railways. It also has air connectivity with all major Indian cities. It has got a well-maintained and a user-friendly public transport system (buses, taxis and autos). 
Not without good reasons do they say that once someone has lived in Chandigarh, she won't find any other city as beautiful or liveable.

No matter how many times I visit Chandigarh, I always look forward to going back again.

*** Written for "Made of Great Favourite city Zonal Wars" sponsored by Tata Motors. For more details, please visit http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

12/06/2015

Eat Caramel Custard without guilt - thanks to Sugar free Natura

Most of us, I am sure, at some point in time would have experienced intense cravings for sweets and desserts. While there are some who manage to hold themselves back and get satiated after having a tiny bite of a chocolate or a cake or some other sweet but otherwise probably most of us fail to control the urge to have some more. Since sugar is addictive, so we tend to not stop at having a restricted amount of sweets, rather we often end up indulging in a large portion. The worrying part is that sugar is not good for our immune system. Not only does sugar play a harmful role in tooth decay but excess sugar in our body also robs it of vital minerals, affects our pancreas, can lead to diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer and so also can make one feel weak and less energised. In addition to that, since eating sugar results in adding up empty calories, so it is one of the major contributors to obesity.

Thus if we wish to have a healthy and fit body, we will have to minimise our sugar intake. However that would mean that we will have to give up our favourite sweets and desserts. Wouldn't that be too harsh?

What if I say that we now have a healthier and safer alternative to white sugar - Sugar free natura - which not only gives the same sweetness as the normally available sugar but with the advantage of negligible calories. Also since it is made from sucralose, which is highly heat stable, so it is an ideal replacement for sugar to use for cooking and baking. Not only can the weight-conscious people eat desserts made with sugar free natura but also those having diabetes.

Since the last few months, I have been religiously trying hard to shed the extra kilos from my body. Therefore I have been exercising rigorously and so also have cut down on sweets and desserts. But every once in a while, I do treat myself a sweet dish or a dessert made with Sugar free natura. Not only do the taste good (just as sweet as they would have tasted if made with normal sugar) but also without the unwanted calories. I couldn't have wished for a better gift. Recently I prepared Caramel Custard using sugar free natura and it tasted very yummy.

Ingredients
Sugar free natura - 1/4th cup + 1/4th cup
Whole milk - 1/2 cup
Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Condensed milk - 1/2 cup
Vanila essence - 1/2 tsp
Corn flour - 2 tbspn

Procedure to make Eggless Caramel Custard with Sugar free natura

In a sauce pan or fry pan, add 1/4th cup of sugar free natura and to it, add about 1 tablespoon of water and keeping the burner on medium-high flame, keep stirring gently so that the sugar starts melting. After a few minutes, it will start boiling, keep moving the pan all around so that it spreads and melts evenly.

After abt 5 minutes of cooking, it will start changing its colour to slight golden. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, continue to stir it or else the sugar at the sides may crystalise.

When it becomes slightly brownish, take it off the flame and pour the sugar syrup to the mould (I am using a small sized steel bowl). Now move the mould around so that it gets evenly coated with caramelised sugar syrup.


Now in a mixing bowl, take 1/2 cup each of each of whole milk, yogurt and sweetended condensed milk - all of these need to be at room temperature. Then add 1/4 cup of sugar free natura, 1/2 tsp of vanila essence and 2 tbspn of corn flour and whisk everything nicely so that they turn into a smooth solution.

In the mean time, take a pressure cooker and add that much of water so that its height is approximately 2 inches inside the cooker. Place a stand as well in the water. Now heat the water over medium heat.
Then pour this custard mixture into the mould or bowl containing the caramelised sugar solution, cover it with an aluminium foil and place this mould or bowl inside the cooker over the stand.

After removing the whistle and the rubber gas kit of the cooker, close the lid and keep over low heat for about 25-30 minutes or till the custard gets ready.

To check whether it's ready or not, insert a tooth-pick into the caramel custard. If it comes out clean, that would mean that it has been fully cooked.

After 30 minutes, turn off the gas and give the cooker a standing time of 5 minutes. Then opening the cooker, take out the mould or the bowl containing caramel custard and remove the aluminium foil. Using a knife, loosen the sides of the custard from the mould. Now placing a plate over the mould, give it a flip, so that the caramelised custard comes onto the plate.


Now you may start devouring it





12/01/2015

Hold me tight

If a time comes when I become unable to express,
will you be able to read from my eyes?

If a time comes when I am left all alone,
will you be there for me?

If a time comes when I need a shoulder to cry,
will you lend me yours?

If a time comes when I feel really cold,
will you hold me tight never to let go?

If a time comes when I reach out for your hand,
will you hold it with love, never to leave?

If a time comes when I need a hug from you,
will you give me one?

Image Courtesy: www.rapgenius.com


11/23/2015

Life is Beautiful

Image Courtesy - Anja Roehrich
There are times when we would be feeling low,
and we forget to look around for inspiration,
We fail to appreciate the beauty around
We fail to notice the chirping birds,
and the gentle breeze of the evening
or the shimmering light of the silver moon,
But we ought to believe in life,
we can't give up hope so easily
Every moment gives us an opportunity
to see things differently, to start afresh
Each day gives us a chance to open our eyes
to this beautiful world and 
to make positive changes in our lives.
It means a lot to be alive
and if we keep carrying on with hope in our heart,
we will achieve our goals for sure...
We live and we learn,
we may fall down sometimes
but we can always rise again
If we can appreciate life's beauty,
we will never be short of inspiration.
We will find all the answers to our problems
There may be struggles along the path but
Life is still beautiful!

11/13/2015

My Guardian Angel

Image courtesy - catholicireland.net
All that I have asked for, wished for is love,
someone to love me and
someone to have to love.
All that I have ever longed for
is someone to hold me tight,
someone to keep me warm!
Someone who would understand
that my heart is fragile and so
it needs to be cared for and protected,
All I have ever asked from God is
someone who could read my eyes,
someone who see the pain
someone to reassure me that
everything will be alright
someone to have with me
when things don't go right,
Can I have someone, God, 
to give me company 
someone who wouldn't let me feel alone?
Someone who would guide me
through this maze and take me out
of this confusion?
I wish I had someone to hug me tight
someone wouldn't let fear
but I find myself all alone once again
like the countless nights that I have spent alone
I still wait for my angel to come
to take me away to the dreamland
and clear my heart of all fears, 
who would wipe away all my tears
When will my angel come
to help me understand the ways of life?
Will I ever have someone to care for me,
who would hold my hand and guide me
through this troubled land?

10/20/2015

Bring a Smile

Image courtesy - Godvine
Hey you... 
Yes, I am talking to you,
Yes, the one with a perfect smile,
Why do you no more flash it like before?
It's been a while since I saw you smile freely!
I hope you are doing good
and have no pain to prick you.
Are you feeling heavy in your heart? 
Are you feeling burdened?
Well, I want you to know that
you have a beautiful smile,
as beautiful as your heart.
and I want you to know that
you are only a day away
from a perfect tomorrow.
So don't let your worries and pain hide your smile,
Bring a Smile and see its magic, 
how it lessens your pain
and gives you courage to fight.

8/22/2015

Experience blazing speed with Airtel 4G Internet

I am not a big fan of TV watching, I would rather prefer to curl up in bed with a good book when I am at home. But I have got a TV and a cable connection too, meant for those days when my family is here or else they might get bored. Otherwise i hardly ever watch any programme on TV. However this Sunday it was raining vigorously outside and suddenly I felt like watching a movie. So I started surfing the channels. Just as I was going through the various movie channels, a particular ad playing on a certain channel caught my attention. 
This was the ad I am talking about - 



I was so wowed by the ad that immediately I ran to my laptop and searched for it on Google to know more about it. Before watching this ad, I had no idea that Airtel had already launched its 4G internet service in India. Actually Airtel has rolled out its 4G internet in 296 cities in India and very soon, it will be available in other cities as well. So in other words, we are going to witness an Internet revolution with Airtel 4G. Since early 2000, internet has been evolving quite fast in India and the Indians have been one of its largest users in the world. This launching of 4G internet in India by Airtel is definitely a significant landmark in that regard. 4G internet is said to be the fastest internet currently available and so now with airtel 4G, we shall get the fastest surfing experience anytime and anywhere. At the blink of an eye, we shall see webpages containing heavy graphics open up and heavy downloads finishing in mere seconds or a few minutes at best. They are saying that Airtel 4g is significantly faster (actually 10 times faster) than Airtel 3G. Wow. Isn't that great? 

More than my laptop I use my cell phone to access internet, mostly to read books or to access various social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and so on. But primarily for video chatting on Skype. I video chat with my parents at least two times every day and so I need a reliable and fast internet connection. Sometimes i face connectivity issues and my video calls get disconnected. With Airtel 4G having been launched in our city, now I won't have to worry about slow internet or network issues or disconnection of calls.

That is not all, Airtel 4G is being provided at a comparatively lower price. When Airtel announced that they will be providing 4G services to their users at 3G prices, I couldn't believe it at first and thought they were joking but that's true. Thus Airtel 4G is not just the fastest network in India but it is also the most affordable internet connection that one can get.

As a brand, Airtel has earned the reputation of being a very reliable service provider over the years, especially when it is about internet - be it the broadband network or its 2G and 3G internet over mobile phones. Now with the availability of its 4G internet, people will be able to experience blazing fast internet speeds for smoother and faster web browsing. It will also ensure uninterrupted streaming of HD videos, downloads and uploads of photos and other data files and so on.

Getting a 4G SIM is also fairly easy. In fact Airtel is providing SIMs for free. We only have to send a tweet to their official twitter id with a hashtag #GetAirtel4G and in turn, they will courier us the 4G SIM on our postal address. At present, Airtel is the only telecom operator in India to offer 4G services to its users. Like always, Airtel has once again set a high benchmark!

For further details, please visit www.airtel.in/4g/ 

7/09/2015

Go for Dabur Honey Diet to lose weight

Youngsters of my generation who grow up eating fast foods like pizzas, burgers, cakes and sugar-contained colas often end up with health issues, specifically due to obesity. Such processed foods do not have the essential nutrients that a body needs, instead they contain lots of calories and fat. Add to that a less-than-active life-style -- spending more hours before the computer screens and with smartphones, rather than doing any significant physical activity, and thus most youngsters these days are far from being physically fit. Now a days we have so many labour-saving appliances and gadgets at home that most of us don't spend much energy. Even to go to a nearby place, say to the colony grocery store or the vegetable market, most of us prefer using motorbikes and cars rather than using a bicycle or taking a walk to that place. Similarly we opt for taking the lift or an escalator rather than going by the stairs! But in the end, we pay a price for this laziness. As time passes on, we only end up adding kilos to our body weight!

When I was a teenager, I too had got into a lazy routine and almost abused my body like crazy - not only would I overeat on most occasions but I was also eating the wrong things - the junk foods. I would also often remain awake until very late hours in the night. Sleep deprivation also leads to obesity as the liver needs enough time to burn off excess fat. However when we remain awake until late hours in the night, it puts a lot of stress on the liver. As a result, our metabolism gets affected and slows down considerably, thereby storing fat instead of burning them off. I was never active at all and nor was ever serious about exercising. However gradually as I started putting on more weight than I had ever wanted and when my friends started making fun of me due to my shapeless body, only then did I realize the gravity of the situation.

One often feels embarrassed and ashamed when they get judged by others due to their body weight and outer appearance. One feels less confident about herself while facing others. Thus it often leads to low self-esteem and depression, which can affect their career as well as their relationships. I too experienced all of these negative emotions due to my over-weight. I felt as if I had lost control of my own life.

I realized that I had a responsibility towards my own body and that I needed to make changes to my habits. Initially I too was tempted to try crash dieting, for such diets often give fast results. However better sense prevailed and I chose to undertake Honey diet accompanied by physical exercising to lose my excess flab. Crash diets may give you fast results, you may succeed in losing weight quickly, but they would be only for a short period. You will eventually put on weight as soon as you resume your old, normal diet. Also crash diets are not healthy as the body misses out on most of the essential nutrients when you drastically cut down on your food intake. Such diets only induce a feeling of weakness and lethargy.

On the other hand, the honey diet is not only a healthy and better option because it gives positive results without causing any side-effects but it also provides you with energy. So you don't feel weak. Daily intake of honey improves your body's metabolic rate and so more fat gets burned. When you follow a honey diet (replacing the intake of sugar with honey, like taking a spoonful of honey with cornflakes and milk instead of sugar for breakfast; cutting down on all cakes, pastries, pizzas and other junk foods; drinking low skimmed milk (instead of full cream milk) with a spoonful of honey  and so on), you are bound to see positive results in quick time, actually in a few weeks. Not only will your skin get better but you will also feel very energetic.




With Dabur Honey, one can opt for Honey diet for an effective way of losing weight, instead of going for the unhealthy method of crash dieting! Visit their website to know more.

6/27/2015

Dream big but Dream real

Image courtesy - lovethispic,com
It's not wrong to dream big
but you shouldn't be sleeping all the time,
It's not wrong to try feeling all pain
but you shouldn't spend all your time in shedding tears
When you see a shooting star,
don't just stare at it,
Try catching it with all your might,
Let your mind, heart and inner-being
be ignited by its bright light.

It's alright to derive inspiration
but also try to be an inspiration yourself
Lend your ears and listen attentively
and you may become
the voice of a generation
It's alright to daydream,
it's alright to look beyond what all seem
but also act in time
and fulfill those dreams
Have some reign over yourself
and you will have your freedom for life
Keep your eyes on your goals
Dream as much in reality as in sleep
and you will be able to fulfill
most of your dreams!

6/18/2015

Will you hold my hand?

Image Courtesy - glogster.com
No one sees the pain behind my smile,
No one understands what it is,
No one has the time for me,
No one stops by to ask
what I need!
All I need is someone to hold my hand.
There is nothing more assuring
than having someone's fingers intertwined with yours
It makes you feel like
everything is okay and 
there is nothing to worry about,
One finds comfort in a togetherness,
You don't feel cold any longer
when you have the warmth 
of someone's hands in yours,
You no more feel scared and alone
when you have someone to tell you
that he won't let go of your hand,
that he will hold you tight.
I long for someone to hold my hand too,
I cry yearning for a hand,
knowing that if I have a hand to hold mine
my tears too will be gone
and my broken heart will get mended
I still wait for someone to come to me
someone who won't leave me alone
someone who will hold my hand forever...

5/19/2015

Lost in your Smile

Image courtesy - pinterest.com
I wait for that day to come
when my days would start with your smile
and when I wake up in your arms, 
No matter how sad I may be but 
the world seems so perfect when you smile,
I feel no more weak and alone,
you make feel secure and reassured,
Every time you give me that smile of yours,
I'm inadvertently lost in it
and time flies by
Sometimes I don't even know who I am anymore
As you lead me on a path that I'll never astray,
In each and every single word that you say
with your sea-deep eyes,
I find so much of love and warmth,
I forget my worries and find another reason
to be in love...

5/08/2015

Unanswered Love

Image courtesy: Quoteshunter.com
You see him from a distance
and your heart feels a twich
You love to see him happy
You go weak once again on his smile
and wish that he might be yours
even if for just a few moments...
How you wish that could be true!
If only he could see 
the love for him in your eyes!

How quickly things can change!
People become strangers in no time,
You see him coming your way,
Your heart skips a beat
and he goes past you
as if he never knew you!
You try to move on,
try with all your might to forget the memories
but your heart fails you yet again.
How you wish you could tell him
that you still love him...

How you wish he could feel your love,
You wish, you pray, you hope and you dream
about a day when he would realise
how much you love him
and value your love it always deserved!
If only he could see 
the love for him in your eyes!

4/29/2015

Let's paint our World

Image courtesy - Mariana Britto
Beneath the starry sky, I sit and write,
thinking about our happy times
and about the perfect world we dreamed of,
a world filled with only love,
a world where there would be
no jealousy, no hate, no anger
a world where everything would be divine,
Come honey, let's paint that world now,
Let's paint our own world
A world where the skies would be forever smiling
where the sun would always be shining
where the rainbows would greet me with a dance
where the colours would forever hug me...
Come, let's paint the sun with our laughter,
and splatter all colours across the dusky horizon.
Won't you help me paint such a world?
Won't you come to reside with me
in our love paradise,
the one we would paint 
With our own colors?

4/21/2015

I am glad that there are still Gentlemen around

It's such a huge mistake to judge a person on the basis of his outer appearance only but sadly we often do just that. Without knowing much about them, we tend to let our imagination get the better of us. But as someone had rightly said, "Do not look at the bottle, look at what is inside it". Not all men in Delhi are ruffians or potential molesters. But given the high number of cases of crimes against women that occur in Delhi, girls are often scared to trust a man, especially someone like me who is an outsider! One incident however proved me beyond doubt that there are still some gentlemen around.

Last December I had gone to Kolkata to my home to spend my winter vacations. That was right after my first semester had ended. After having a good time with my family and friends there, I boarded the train to Delhi on the penultimate day of my holidays. However like it often happens during the month of December, the whole of North India was in the grip of an intense winter spell. Most of the trains, including mine, were running late due to poor visibility caused by the dense fog. As a result, by the time, my train finally reached Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi, it was well past one o'clock late in the night. When I got off the train, the coolie informed me about another bad news - that i wouldn't find an auto or a taxi as they were on a strike since the last few days. He suggested me to spend the night at the waiting hall but I was such a fool not to believe him. I thought, he was lying and that I could find a taxi at the main entrance of the railway station. So he took my luggage until there and left. He was true, I couldn't find a single auto or taxi there. I waited there for a few minutes and then I thought I might find a bus if I could reach the nearest bus-stop outside the railway station. So I came out of the station and walked down the road for a few minutes until I saw a bus-stop. But given the time of the night and the winter chill, the station wore a deserted look, there was no one to be found. That was a grave mistake not to have stayed back at the railway station to wait for the morning, I realized that pretty soon. I was feeling nervous, I had stayed in Delhi only since the last six months soon I took admission in the college, I had no relatives in Delhi to call for help nor did I know any one. I didn't want to stress out my parents, they were so far away from me and could do nothing but would have only worried for me all night.

Thus I was stranded at the bus-stop and I didn't know where to go or whom to call for help. Almost an hour had passed but there was no sight of a bus. It wasn't a safe place for a girl to be out by herself in the dead of the night. Delhi is notorious in that respect.

Just then I saw a young man go past me but after having gone a few metres, he turned back and stopped his bike near me. I couldn't see his face clearly in the dark but he was of medium build and height and was wearing rather shabby clothes. I got scared when I saw him coming towards me. He tried to assuage my fears and doubts about him and told me that he worked in a BPO and was returning home after his late shift. That's when he saw me alone at the bus-stop and so he stopped. He then inquired as to why I was there at the bus-stop at that late hour of the night and when I told him everything, he informed me about the auto-taxi strike (just as the coolie had told me earlier) and so I wouldn't find one. He then offered to drop me at my hostel but I was reluctant. Though by his words he came across as a nice person but I couldn't still trust a random stranger! He then insisted that he too will wait with me at the bus-stop until I found a bus or some other reliable mode of transport, as he did not want to leave a girl stranded at a secluded place all alone at the dead of night.

We didn't talk much but his presence was comforting enough. I wasn't feeling scared any more. Another hour passed but there was still no sight of any night bus. I was already feeling fatigued after the long, strenuous train journey and this wait was only adding to my woes. I was only wishing to get back to my hostel room at the earliest. So finally I agreed to his offer and he gladly dropped me at my hostel. No words would have been enough to thank him for all the help hat he gave me. I was so wrong with my judgement about him, he was such a noble, considerate man and in fact came as an absolute Godsend. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't met him that night.

Thus gentlemen do still exist in the world. Sadly we live in an age when most people shy away from helping a stranger in trouble. So, if and when someone comes forward to help us during our times of trouble, we often misjudge their kindness, we assume that he is doing it with some ulterior motive. However not all men are bad, there are still enough kind men around, not for gains or with any bad intention but because it's their nature to help!

Housing.com too envisions a world filled with positivity. It tells us that optimism can be found all around us. Visit their website to know more.

4/20/2015

Starting a New Life

image courtesy Twitter
I think the first major and the boldest decision that I took in my life was when I decided to leave the comforts of my home and come over to Delhi to do my engineering. All young girls or boys perhaps at some point in their lives, wish to step out of their homes to start living on their own, to have a first hand experience of the "real life", whether for higher studies or to look for a job. I too wanted to taste the freedom, I too wanted to feel like a grown-up girl. That moment eventually came when I cleared the engineering entrance exam of the Delhi Technical University (DTU) and so needed to stay in the hostel. I was so excited about entering the new phase of life when I could actually act like an adult, I was so enthusiastic about the new skills that I was going to acquire, I was equally excited about the new relationships and new friendships that I was going to forge. However my parents weren't too keen to let their only daughter go and live so far away from them in an altogether new city. They have always loved me a lot but they were sometimes too protective of me to let me take a risk whereas I wanted to become an independent girl, I wanted to be able to take my own decisions, I wanted to do things on my own. I knew all the time that I would fail at times but I was ready to learn from my mistakes, I wanted to face the challenges of the real world and become confident, I wanted to stand up for myself. So I insisted on coming to Delhi for my engineering and though they were reluctant at first, especially momma, but they finally relented to my wish.

No doubt, it was n't easy at all in the beginning. I knew all along that it wouldn't be easy to live away from my parents, in a new place among strangers, more so because I had always been a shy and quite a timid girl. But I was prepared for the challenges and I was ready to make the compromises. More than anything else, it's the feeling of home-sickness that one finds the most difficult to cope with. I had always been treated like a princess at home, I had never lived away from my family, so getting used to the ways of the hostel life surely seemed a daunting task. It takes time to get out of the comfort zone of home-life. I didn't have momma to bring me breakfast to my bed if I wished to, nor did I have any maid to do my laundry. Thus hostel life taught me so many small but invaluable lessons that would help me in the future as well - like I learnt washing my own clothes, how to arrange and organize all my stuff within the two shelves that I got in the room, how to cut down on the unnecessary expenses and saving money to last an entire month. It might sound very silly but I had never purchased a thing on my own before, because whatever and whenever I needed something or wished for a thing, my parents used to get me that. So even buying the bucket for the first time, all by myself, felt so good that I called up my parents to inform them about my purchase.

There were other smaller and bigger challenges to face too. Like though I had always been a good student but I had my parents to motivate me all through. Both momma and papa were always there to encourage me to work hard so that I could achieve my goals, I always had them to give me the push when I needed it, while I was at home. Sometimes I would be too lazy to wake up early in the morning and it was momma who used to be my alarm-clock, and she did all that with so much love. Papa too would always be around to guide me whenever I faced any problem, be it with my studies or during any of my crisis-time. But here I was on my own. Of course my parents are always only a phone call away but still in the hostel, I am on my own. This situation actually acted as a blessing in disguise for me, because it taught me to become independent.

No doubt I still miss my parents and my home-life but the hostel life has inculcated in me the qualities of discipline and responsibility. It has also helped that I have Priya as my room-mate. I was apprehensive initially about how my room-mate would be, luckily I got a very friendly girl. Not only do we share the room and the other things but in her, I have found a true friend for life.

Thus hostel life has turned a naive, shy girl into a more matured person, it has given me an opportunity to learn so many new things that I didn't know earlier. Of course it involves making some compromises but it has also taught me some life lessons that would help me in the long run. The first time when I went home during my semester break, my parents felt so proud of me when they saw me become so organised. "Our little baby has now grown up into a sensible and independent girl, she has now learnt how to fly", remarked Papa.



Housing.com too teaches us about moving forward, living better, and giving ourselves the chance to be the best we can possibly be - #StartANewLife. Visit their website to know more.