Rediscovering Love Through Travel

 There are moments in every relationship when the humdrum of life overshadows the magic of togetherness. Adrian and I had spent the better part of the last year tethered to responsibilities, leaving little room for the travel that had always been our shared love language. Personal reasons kept us grounded, our usual travel plans shelved, and our spirits yearning for a break. It was in one of our late-night heart-to-heart conversations that we decided enough was enough. 

A one-day trip, we agreed, was the perfect antidote to the monotony. Initially, the plan was modest—a quick getaway within Mumbai. But as the idea brewed, we knew we needed something more. Somewhere quieter, somewhere nostalgic. That’s when Matheran came to mind. 

Nestled in the Sahyadris, this car-free hill station had witnessed the bloom of our love 14 years ago. Revisiting it felt like revisiting a chapter of our lives that never lost its charm. This time, we skipped the iconic toy train. Instead, we hopped onto Matheran’s new e-rickshaw service, a convenient alternative that gave us more time to take in the verdant forest around us. The ride was smooth, the air crisp, and the quiet murmur of the forest set the tone for what was to come. 

Matheran holds a special place in our hearts. It’s where, over 14 years ago, we first ventured out together, making clumsy yet precious memories. Revisiting those familiar trails, giggling over steaming cups of chai, savouring hot Maggie at roadside stalls, cuddling fur babies that followed us, and wandering aimlessly into the jungle felt like stepping back in time. The foggy mornings wrapped the landscape—and us—in a gentle embrace, reminding us that the most beautiful moments are often the simplest. 

 The magic began right as we stepped into Matheran market. Amid the bustling crowd and vibrant shops, two sales executives approached us with a scratch-and-win contest. We were skeptical but curious—after all, with our check-in delayed, why not? Adrian scratched his coupon and got a cheerful “Better Luck Next Time,” while I, to my surprise, uncovered a prize! It was such a whimsical, movie-like moment that had us laughing all the way to our hotel.  

This trip wasn’t about grand gestures or ticking off bucket-list items. It was about finding joy in the little things—holding hands during long walks, sharing silly stories from our early years, and rekindling the connection that sometimes gets buried under the weight of daily life.  

That serendipitous moment led us to discover a holiday planning service. Though intrigued by their offer, our years of travel had made us seasoned skeptics. It wasn’t until after thorough research and plenty of discussion that we decided to try their plan. But, naturally, the real test lay in how well it worked for our next getaway, or would it turn out to be a scam!

  This month, we set off for Goa through World Endless Vacation. The planning was blissfully simple—one conversation with our Relationship Manager (RM), a quick review of curated hotel options, and voilà! Everything was sort
ed in a few days. For someone who once became a travel planner and spent countless nights comparing reviews, tracking price drops, and switching between apps, this newfound ease was a revelation. I found myself enjoying the process of holidaying rather than dreading the planning phase. Their efficiency and professionalism made me realize how much easier life becomes when someone else handles the nitty-gritty, leaving you with nothing but pure anticipation for the journey ahead.  

As we sat on the sandy shores of Goa, sipping chilled beer, watching the sun dip into the sea, and listening to the rhythmic lull of the waves, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. For the journey that brought us here, for the love that grows stronger with each passing year, and for the ease of travel that we were gifted.  I realized how much these escapes mean to us. They’re not just getaways; they’re the threads that weave together the fabric of our relationship.  

To all the couples out there, let me say this: Travel is not just about seeing new places; it’s about rediscovering each other. Whether it’s a short escape or a grand adventure, make travel a priority. Let it be a resolution for the coming year to explore more, laugh more, and love more. 

As someone wise once said, "The best journeys in life are those taken with the ones we love." 

Happy New Year 2025!

Here’s to more journeys, more memories, more moments to treasure, and endless love. 💖

A Memorable Encounter in My Early Days as a Journalist

 Back in 2013, I was a struggling journalist, eager yet unsure, trying to carve out a path in the competitive world of journalism. One day, I was covering a press conference hosted by the State’s Social Justice and Welfare Department. The Maharashtra Government had just announced that the renowned Marathi actor Siddharth Jadhav would be the brand ambassador for its ambitious de-addiction campaign. Despite the significance of the event, only a handful of publications were present. The reason was clear—highlighting such news could jeopardize their ad revenues from powerful toxin giants.

As the event concluded, my photographer Kaka and I lingered in the lobby to get a quote from Siddharth Jadhav. While we were speaking to him, a gentle voice called out my name, "Pradnya... faqta Siddhu shich bolar ahes ka amhala pan yeun bhetnar ahes?" (Pradnya, are you only going to talk to Siddhu, or will you come and meet us too?). I turned around to see a warm, radiant smile from a lady dressed in a pristine white dress that mirrored her pure soul. That lady was none other than Varsha Gaikwad, affectionately known as Varsha Tai.

I had encountered Varsha Tai twice before at press conferences, but I was taken aback by her ability to remember my name. Her genuine warmth and friendliness caught me off guard. She mentioned that the next press conference would take a while to start and suggested we grab something to eat before it began. She graciously joined us in the refreshments area, chatting amiably.

From that moment on, Varsha Tai became a reliable source for me. Whenever I needed an opinion piece or a byte on any civic issue, she was just a phone call away. Unlike many politicians, she never displayed any arrogance or ignored calls. When I asked her about this, she simply said, "I am a public servant, and I will always be available for them."

Her words and actions reminded me of a quote: "You will always be remembered by the way you made someone feel, not by how you look or what you wear." Varsha Tai truly lived by this principle. She treated everyone with respect and kindness, leaving a lasting impression on me.

Though I typically refrain from expressing my political opinions, I am genuinely pleased to know that Varsha Tai is contesting for Mumbai North. Her dedication, approachability, and genuine care for people make her a commendable candidate.

Please note, this is just my personal experience, and I do not intend to influence anyone through this blog. I am simply sharing a memorable encounter that profoundly impacted me.

As I reflect on this experience, I urge everyone to take time out to vote on 20th May. Your vote is powerful and can make a significant difference in shaping the future. Let's ensure our voices are heard and contribute to the betterment of our community.

What Is Love?

Valentine's Day, a day of love, passion, and tender emotions, has become an annual celebration of affection and romance. It's a day when the world seems to adorn itself with shades of pink and red, and love stories unfold in myriad ways. But amidst the commercialised displays of affection, there lies a deeper essence of love, one that transcends material gifts and grand gestures.

 

 My journey with love has been a profound one, spanning over 13 years with my mate. We've traversed through highs and lows, laughter and tears, and in the process, discovered the true meaning of love and companionship. This Valentine's Day, as I reflect on our journey together, I am reminded of a poignant incident that encapsulates the essence of our bond.

It was a typical evening after work, and as we bid adieu to the bustling city streets of Mumbai, I found myself waiting for my partner, who was running a bit late. Surrounded by the rush of commuters, my gaze fell upon an elderly couple, perhaps in their seventies, looking lost and bewildered amidst the chaos. It was evident that they were unfamiliar with the city, and their apprehension tugged at my heartstrings. As someone who didn't have the opportunity to spend much time with my grandparents, I empathize deeply with senior citizens when I see them facing challenges or feeling distressed. They mistakenly got down at Marol Metro Station, and they had to go to Powai. During the peak hours, it sure is a task finding a rikshaw on this route, so I started looking for a rickshaw for them, but there was no hope. 

The love of my life arrived moments later and gave me the brightest smile, his presence a welcome relief. We shared a quick exchange before his attention was drawn to the elderly couple. I told him about the situation, and without hesitation, we set out to help them, navigating through the sea of cars, smoke and traffic. We pleaded with rickshaw drivers, explaining the plight of the elderly couple, but to no avail. I was almost tearing up as we were failing in our efforts to help them but then, I saw my tall, fair, handsome man drenched in sweat waving at me from a rickshaw that he managed to get from the other side of the road. The elderly couple appeared visibly relieved as they settled into the rickshaw, ready to embark on their journey. It felt like they were finally homeward bound, their faces beaming with contentment. I'm certain my significant other employed some form of threatening and domineering tactics to ensure the rickshaw driver carried them, lest it would have been impossible. 😜

As they drove away, relief washed over our faces, and a warmth spread through my heart, making my eyes flood with tears. As we rode home, the city lights flickering in the distance, my partner's question lingered in the air, "Happy?" In that moment, enveloped by the chaos of the city, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his compassion and love. That significant day was Valentine’s Day for me. His small acts of kindness and understanding for something that I feel deeply about made me realise that, "THIS IS LOVE"!

Savouring Life's Little Joys!

 As a senior copywriter, on my first day at the office, I was introduced to a quaint yet heartwarming tradition that had been a part of the workplace for as long as anyone could remember. Around 4 PM each day, the office would come alive with the arrival of the "chai wala uncle." It was a jolly time for everyone, a short break from the hustle and bustle of the corporate world.

The kind old man looked at me with a warm smile and asked, "Would you like to have some tea, madam?" I politely shook my head to say no. You see, I wasn't much of a tea or coffee person. Busy with my work and wary of the acidity these beverages often brought, I usually preferred to stick to water.

As weeks turned into months, I noticed that the old chai wala uncle would not interact much but often exchanged smiles with my colleagues while serving them their favourite beverage. He had become a beloved figure in our daily office routine. One day, out of the blue, he asked me, "Would you like to try some lemon tea?" I hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

The next day, he placed a steaming cup of delicious-looking lemon tea on my desk. I took a sip, and the burst of flavour surprised me. It was absolutely delightful, a perfect blend of zest and warmth. From that day forward, 4 PM became a sacred time for me. I eagerly anticipated my daily cup of elixir, lovingly prepared by the old chai wala uncle.

Time flowed like a river, changing the landscape of our workplace. Places changed, designations changed, and people came and went. But amid all these transformations, one constant remained - my cherished cup of lemon tea.

One day, a new joiner arrived at the office and curiously inquired about the lemon tea. "What is this? Can I have one too?" she asked the old tea vendor. With a knowing smile, he poured her a cup of coffee and replied,  "I prepare just one cup of Lemon tea every day only for madam."

My heart swelled with joy at his words. I felt truly special, cherished even for the little ritual that had become an integral part of my daily life.

This heartwarming experience taught me a valuable lesson. It reminded me that in the busy rush of our lives, we often overlook the small gestures of kindness and care that others extend to us. We fail to recognize the love and effort behind these seemingly insignificant acts.

It's a reminder that we should never take these acts of kindness for granted, no matter how small they may seem. We should always be grateful for the blessings, seen and unseen, that people knowingly or unknowingly bestow upon us. In the end, it's these little things that truly make life beautiful and meaningful.

Have You Become Slaves To Smart Phone And Social Media?

Growing up means bidding adieu to your childhood and disconnecting with all the childish activities that once made you comfortable. Shouldering the burden of being an adult sometimes gets on your nerve and then your childhood friends are the ones who come to your rescue. Speaking to them is a sort of antidote I inject in my lethargic body which instantly gives out positive results. During one such occasion one of my school friends initiated a conversation of how we have become slaves to social media.  No doubt that is a self evident truth but he had something more to add. According to my insightful friend it is social media that make us blindly believe any fact without cross checking for details. May be we are too lazy for it!! Hence we came up with a fun activity when he wished me “Happy Birthday” on a Whats App group. In no time I received several wishes also from friends who personally wished me just 3 months back on my birthday. Now should we blame social media or else the fast paced life we live?? I would not deny the fact that it was fun receiving all your heartiest wishes for the second time in the year.  Furthermore it is appalling to know that we get so much occupied with our daily life that we forget the recent happenings.

Speaking of being slaves to social media or smart phones, we’ve all had that experience in which instead of taking a moment and using our brains to try to come up with an answer we google it. There was a time when we remembered not less than 10 contact numbers of our near and dear ones at the tip of our tongue. Nowadays our contact list does that for us and therefore we are left with only relying on it. Same goes for birthdays and important events. The users remain at the mercy of the notifications for reminders .  Have you ever though what if we did not have reminders??? There is no dividing line between rational use and addiction, which results in stress and decreased productivity. Our brain can store a vast number of memories, so why can't we find these memories when we need to? That is only possible when we give it quality fodder to churn it into important information. Most important factor you need to cut off the clutter for at least 10 minutes in the entire day for yourself so as to be calm and refresh your memory.

So instead of making your smart phone smarter why not we make ourselves proactive!! Despite of depending on your social media notification why not spend more time with your loved ones to understand them better? What’s your though on it friends? 

The Vacant Chair

One task that I am being bestowed with every alternate month is to fill the vacant chair lying next to me. The delusions behind the chair are those that one sitting on the chair adjoin only to vacate it; they do not stay in the position at length. I don’t believe much in the superstitions that come along with it. Moreover, I feel it is ones adjustment to an underlying situation that he or she goes through during the course of his stay in his position. But I cannot blind the grim fact that, it is difficult to sustain in the harsh realm of the tyrant.

Loneliness chops you into pieces, and gulp you down its putrid throat when you have no colleague to share or discuss your work with. I would compare my condition to the Disney princess Cinderella in the golden castle; the hollowness of not having an associate ripped me off each day.

The Appointment of an associate would give me more happiness than the candidate himself. For finally, I was about to have someone to talk to, to share a bond and churn the duty hours into a fruitful outcome. Along with the happiness came the guilt of betrayal that stared deep into my eyes. As I knew about the atrocious circumstances, he/she had to go through. But the happiness of having an associate, a friend, a partner in crime surpassed it all.

Two years of my tenure led me to experience different kinds of people. It also taught me a lesson that unity is strength, and it cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences, in the quest for common goals to strive, with all our combined strength against that one malefactor. Though funny but true!

Every person has different peculiarities. Good or bad you get so much to learn from them. Their thoughts, ideologies, likes, dislikes, reasoning about various facts, opinions on issues that takes you through a different world. However, one thing that remains intact is hatred for the system which you tend to survive somehow.

I got to experience the world of five different people high on aspiration and plum with vigour. I would describe them as an effervescent dreamer, a chirpy go-getter, an exuberant storyteller, a sound effect aficionado, Daredevil Jatt (Identify yourself with the names that match your personality ;) ). Unexpectedly, two closest aides broke free due to baseless accusation. Their presence meant a lot to me, one was courage and other the hope; hope to sustain.  

Each one had a diverse area of interest to dive. Different topics to talk about, movies, likes of songs, manner of talking and the most interesting thing being a rebel to the draconian policies and rotten rules that changed according to the status and qualification of the person suffering from it.

Though we were associated for a short period together, but the memories that we share together can never be forgotten. I am happy to be a tiny part of your voyage. The moments shared with you will always be cherished and through the tough times one thing will always be remembered to be a shield for each other to protect during critical situations.

Here comes the time to break free. I know you are all out there hoping and praying that I combat the situations and come out of the den safe and secure. You all are right there to inspire me with the riches of the world outside. I cannot express my happiness to soon be the part of my luminous flock and experience the plunge of liberation soon. The moment that we all were waiting for is right here.  A new life, a new opportunity calling at the cold doorstep. 

At this euphoric moment I would like to thank all you rebels for the support and inspiration you bestowed upon me. I am grateful to you to have implanted the right pressure to the magma of vengeance which resulted in the outbound thrust as Volcano; for making me realise that the rags of the golden castle is not the place where I belong. I belong to the open skies, under the shining sun, merrily swaying on the green grass to achieve my resonant dreams.

By making a move for a better world and a better place I leave behind 4 vacant chairs. The number shall exceed because clever people are less likely to be victims and at the end good always triumphs over the evil.

Here's to the new beginning!!

Is Rock at your Priority list or Sand?

Prioritise your goals is what we have been learning since we reach at a stage where we could understand life and its bitter-sweet strategy. Looking at the past experience you had or the future you are planning, do you really think you have effectively planned your goals to achieve the desired outcome and success? Spare a thought at it!

We want to achieve a lot in our lives but all our plans lie in heaps at a corner. Achieving them is not so simple. You need to be firm and rigid to yourself. Making a plan is easy but following it is like climbing the highest cliff.

Planning, initiating and implementing those ideas is a later part first you need to understand what your priorities are. Which one to put forth and what can be considered secondary.

One fine day while attending an inspirational lecture at the University, I came across this story where the speaker explained the priorities of our life in a remarkable manner.

Now I share the story with you to understand and choose between the important things in your life.

This story holds a very important message regarding appropriately setting priorities in our lives.

A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter.

 He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was full.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life.

 The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.

You will only achieve your goal if you meticulously follow the path of your priorities. And your loved ones top the chart of priority.

Nurture your important relationships in such a way that when you tell the people that you care about them, you’re simply reinforcing what they already know based on how you have prioritized them into your life. 

Your health and happiness is as important as your family. You not been in good health will only hurt and concern your loved ones so take care of yourself to be available to participate in others happiness and sorrows. Dreams can be achieved with your passion and perseverance and most importantly support of your family and loved ones.  

Within you there is a formidable and undeniable sense of purpose. Happiness comes from making a solid and persistent connection to that purpose.  When your intentions are supported by a “why” that has meaning, you will find the “how” to bring them to life.

Make the people you love a top priority, always. Help them discover their own greatness in your presence. Everything else will follow. 

Onset of Spring May Turn Into a Death Knot for the Birdies

What would life be without the Trees, The Rivers, the Blue skies and the chirping birds? Birds exists in over 10,000 species worldwide who live along with us and share the same ecosystem that we do. Can you ever imagine life without these colourful, tiny creatures fluttering over and above you; twittering and being your natural alarm?

Birds have a predominantly positive connotation. Birds symbolize the power that helps people to speak reflectively and leads them to be focused on their goal with the help of calculative thought.  Just as birds are lifted up into the air by their feathers and can remain wherever they wish, the soul in the body is elevated by thought and spreads its wings everywhere. They represent the human desire to escape gravity, to reach the level of the angel. The bird is often the disembodied human soul, free of its physical constraints.

Most of us neglect their existence and consider their living as insignificant. They forget that they were persuaded through this petite birds humming on the window panel or their balcony in the infantile age to feed morsels of food by their parents. The ones who haven’t gained inspiration by the flying birds while growing up have missed a major lesson of life I would say.

We cannot fail to recall the worth of birds in the ancient times to transmit messages. Before letters and emails, Birds like Ravens, pigeons and eagles were used as message carriers. To the practical thinkers, the blue bird that is popping up always on your Mobile/desktop screen is also inspired by a bird. The Social networking site Twitter’s logo is a bird in flight. It is the ultimate representation of freedom, hope and limitless possibility. Major Brands of use to humans like Tiny Owl, Dove, Nestle, Kingfisher, Swarovski are all inspired by the specific features of the endearing birdies, in their creation and logo design.

Furthermore, on a broader perspective the technology and structure of the aeroplane is inspired by the physical elements of a bird. When these birds gave us so much to learn why do we gruesomely kill them?

Today on the occasion of Makar Sankaranti when the sun begins its northward journey, people all over the country celebrate this festival as a harvest festival. On the day of Makar Sankaranti it is an important ritual to fly kites. Kite is taken as a symbol of having high aspirations and elevated vision.  The festival spirit is showcased by flying the kites as high as possible. The real excitement lies in cutting the kites of others. The more you cut the kites the more is the gain for you in the coming year.  But what about the Birds that get strangled in the kite strings and lose their lives? Isn’t the onset of spring a duration of happiness in their lives as well?

 The string used to fly kites are gummed and coated with powdered glass, this strings are made dangerously sharp to slash the thread of an opponent’s kite mid-air during kite fights.

Birds fly into these strings or are entangled in them, causing deep cuts to their wings, nerve injuries, fractures, dislocations and, in many cases, death. These fragile creatures who come out in search of food for their young ones or for themselves are fed painful death.

During this holy festival we learn to feel our oneness with all creation; we learn to be unselfish and to tread the path of love, purity and forgiveness. We learn that our real wealth is the goodwill and friendship of those around us and the land on which our food grows. So let us eliminate the use of Glass coated strings to fly kites or moreover lets us celebrate Makar Sankranti by engaging in singing and dancing, meeting old and new friends and welcoming the spring season cheerfully.

Take an initiative to save our birds, because the sky appears much beautiful with the gracefully flying birds than the paper crafted kites.

P.S:  Fly kites in open grounds, carefully dispose strings entangled in trees in your neighbourhood and use uncoated cotton threads.

Novelty of the Year with a Fresh Appearance

Life does not get better by Chance it gets better by Change and Change is inevitable. With the commencement of the refreshing New Year when people are trying to change themselves in every possible way they can, new resolutions being made and struggled to be on it, I feel it is very important to revamp every single thing that is associated with oneself. The way you think, your attitude and nature changes with the upgradation you try to make to yourself. When you talk about change why to be attached to the look of your blog. Therefore, I decided to change the appearance of my blog with a vibrant and energetic design.

So, here is my blog with its new look. An elegant combination of ivy vines and saffron abstracts. It’s an Awesome Inc. template image by molotovcoketail  Powered by Blogger. Ivy Leaf design is inspired by the local natural flora. 
The Ivy Leaf signifies a strong and lasting relationship. This association is derived from its ability to stay attached to a rocky surface in even the most inhospitable conditions. The design is symbolic to the relation of my readers and friends that exude strength and endurance like the green ivy leaf.

The pink vine design on the right hand side of the blog represents compassion, nurturing and love. It relates to unconditional love and understanding, and the giving and receiving of knowledge that I and my readers engage in through my humble blog. Pink is a sign of hope. It is a positive color inspiring, warm and comforting feelings, and a sense that everything will be positive and indulgent.

An amalgamation of red and white creating an aura, pink contains the need for action of red, helping it to achieve the potential for success and insight offered by white. It is the passion and power of red softened with the purity, openness and completeness of white. The tinge of pink gets deeper exhibiting its passion and energy.

Pink is feminine and romantic, affectionate and intimate, thoughtful and caring; these are all the subjects lined up for my next blog post to keep you engaged in optimistic thoughts.

The bright green dots on the left hand side of the blog represents the blooming thoughts like the leaves of ivy. It is the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. The color green is a sanctuary away from the stresses of modern living, restoring us back to a sense of well-being. It relaxes the entire approach of the design.

The tip of the vines is colored yellow, which produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and generates muscle energy.

White color vines right behind the blog post gives you purity of thought and a positive connotation. White represents a successful beginning.

The color that have kept the design attached and attracted is saffron, the colour of illumination the highest state of perfection. It is optimistic and uplifting, rejuvenating our spirit. The color saffron holds all the colors in such a way that it captivates ones minds, brings spontaneity and a positive outlook on life.

Hoping that the new look of my blog brings in a vibrant blog post to keep you timely upgraded and connect with me in the long run. Looking forward to build a strong bond with you. New and stimulating article coming your way.

Wishing all my readers and well-wishers a very bright, thought-provoking and cheerful New Year.

Depths of Despair

Flesh, no bone scattered,

Lifeless no grief mattered.

Emotions soaked up, tears spread,

Out of the guilt the skies pumped red.

Wind blow across her face,

Tied up agitated throbbing with pace.

A sprout of the seed chopped sly,

With broken wings the soul fly.

The bright lights turn a glimpse of her smile,

Within Seconds she turn into a pile.

Dreams of the seed brutally torn,

What remains is a regretful moan.

It’s The Little Moments That Make Life Big

He:  Babey… Get all your work done before I leave for work.

Me: Ok!! Something important to discuss about?

He: No. It’s just that I get frustrated if I don’t speak to you before starting my day at work.

   (That just sparked a firework of happiness in my heart and made me grasp, “smallest things acquire the largest space in our hearts”)

The social networking fling has spoilt the charm of small things. Being able to easily express the feeling of happiness or sadness or frustration through status updates have brutally killed the lighter moments. It have only made us over exaggerate minor happenings into breaking news flair. We have by time forgotten that smaller means of happiness tend to linger in our mind which we need in our stressed lives than the extreme happiness that gushes in our nerves and is flown out with the same speed.

A passionate kiss or a bed breaking sexual stand would give happiness but only for that period of time. The effect of it withers after its repeated grace. What dawdle through your mind is his staring at you in the mirror image while you dress up beautifully, during an important score against FCB that he didn't wanted to miss. Showing you off as a trophy wife/girlfriend in a high-end party doesn't hold on to our emotion so firm but his angst for you while he makes you cross the crowded junction by gripping your hand tightly does.

Violence or abuse during a fight cannot be ever forgiven but accidently meeting of eyes after the fight and his agony of remorse makes you hold on to him. Considering you as his angel and placing a gentle kiss on your forehead after a long tiring day is an instant relaxant.

Your hormones may take you on an emotional roller coaster ride but his attempt at making you laugh with his quirky jokes during your mood swings make you sprawl with relief.

Life may toss bad, worse and worst instants at you and you may try to cope up with the rainy days but a comforting hand placed on your shoulder during tough times to make sure he is there for you increase your determination.

In middle of the movie scene his looking at you and smiling maybe to resemble you to the character cannot stop you blush and reminisce. Saving you a bigger piece of your favourite cheese pizza is much relishing.

His concern for you evidently drips of his face when he waits to wave goodbye until you get disappeared to a tiny self in the crowd. Waiting restlessly to get your attention over the road until you finish speaking to a lost friend you met incidentally reflects your importance in his life.

Nothing can be more romantic than him fiddling with your hair strand that flew on to his face during a light moment at the beach. Noticing your smudge kohl during a dinner date and wiping it out for you makes you feel more elegant while your heart swells with pride to have him by your side. Magic of the adorable moments of calling you out with weird names that you haven’t even heard of to sound cute will never be a passé.  Tirelessly nodding in agreement for the 10^th yellow kurta you tried on at a fashion outlet for the sake of your happiness and your love for the colour can only be understood by him. The quite conversations in a candlelit room, caressing your palms inattentively sitting at the beach are the velvety moments that nurture your relationship stronger at each step of life. 

Planning a surprise for you in his own special ways to see the astonishment on your face remains fresh in your treasure-trove of memories forever.

His waking up in middle of the sleep and calling you up after he had a bad dream shows how much your presence mean to him. A compliment pierced for you to smile in middle of a serious conversation though how minute but changes your mood promptly.

Holding you as close as possible to protect you in a crowded train; its love, compassion, care and passion in these small moments that counts.

The social network can only do so much. It may display the glossiest image of him holding you in his arms along with a flashy love quote from the bestselling novel as a caption but the fear in his eyes and the emotional preparation he had to go through before the proposal was well worn out through the finest editing app. You really need to know the priceless emotion behind his striking smile and the value of the tear that dripped off silently from the corner of his eye while he was consoling to have hurt you. Ongoing small gestures can mean so much more than one grand display of love. These smaller gestures that went unnoticed while you were expecting the bigger surprises from life are worth a million dollar; cherish them for life because once the time flies these small gestures can never be regained.

Learning from the Struggles Make Us Shine

One never gets too old to learn. Every day provides us with an opportunity to learn new lessons of life knowingly or unknowingly. All we need is to look at it in a positive manner.

The purpose of each one of our lives is to develop/create ourselves into a better person than yesterday. Life comes in with assorted difficulties, but we need to remind ourselves that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure; no man’s life is a cake walk. Learning from the experiences that our life throws at us and inspiring ourselves from the lessons learnt through that struggle will make us shine.

Every day is a struggle. Life is tossing out difficulties and unexpected troubles at me. Contemplating about the pipeline of issues, I came across an inspiring story which stimulated me. It gave me the strength to snarl back at the troop of difficulties. I have decided to not writhe in pain, but face the affliction with vigor. As the trouble will fall weak because it not only gives me the power to be determined, but gives me an opportunity to learn. So, I muster up all my strength for another opportunity to learn, to improve myself. This gives me a chance to make myself prepared for the future and learn from my mistakes. It rejuvenates me.  Leonardo da Vinci rightly said, “Learning never exhausts the mind.”

Here, I share with you the story so you look at your difficulties as an opportunity to rise and shine in the future. Hope you shape yourselves into a beautiful butterfly and spread the colours of your knowledge and happiness to the needy and deprived.

Many of us know that a beautiful and colourful butterfly comes from an unappealing worm! Here is the story of a caterpillar that was never able to live a life like a butterfly!

A little boy was playing outdoors and found a fascinating caterpillar. He carefully picked it up and took it home to show his mother. He asked his mother if he could keep it, and she said he could if he would take good care of it.

The little boy got a large jar from his mother and put plants to eat, and a stick to climb on, in the jar. Every day he watched the caterpillar and brought it new plants to eat.  

One day the caterpillar climbed up the stick and started acting strangely. The boy worriedly called his mother who came and understood that the caterpillar was creating a cocoon. The mother explained to the boy how the caterpillar was going to go through a metamorphosis and become a butterfly.

The little boy was thrilled to hear about the changes his caterpillar would go through. He watched every day, waiting for the butterfly to emerge. One day it happened, a small hole appeared in the cocoon and the butterfly started to struggle to come out.

At first the boy was excited, but soon he became concerned. The butterfly was struggling so hard to get out! It looked like it couldn't break free! It looked desperate! It looked like it was making no progress!

The boy was so concerned he decided to help. He ran to get scissors, got it and then came back. He snipped the cocoon to make the hole bigger and the butterfly quickly emerged!

As the butterfly came out the boy was surprised. It had a swollen body and small, shrivelled wings. He continued to watch the butterfly expecting that, at any moment, the wings would dry out, enlarge and expand to support the swollen body. He knew that in time the body would shrink and the butterfly's wings would expand.

But neither happened!

The butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shrivelled wings. It never could fly…

What the boy in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were nature's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If nature allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

In fact, it is the struggle that causes you to develop your ability to fly.

If we don’t want to undergo any struggle, we won’t be able to fly! 

I'm most proud of the blessings that God has bestowed upon me in my life. He's given me the vision to truly see that you can fall down, but you can still get back up. Rising up and learning from the fall gives twice the strength to fight back. Hopefully, I'll learn from my mistakes and have the opportunity to strengthen and improve in the next thing I do. One can lead a life with contentment by continuous learning as life never stops teaching.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT; THOUGHT FOR FOOD

It is said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. It gets even more difficult when the man is a culinary artist himself and you are a blank canvas when it comes to cooking! With being the youngest member of the family, the advantages grows manifold, so do the disadvantages. A quick stroll to the kitchen area is taken only to pick up a bottle of chilled water to quench my thirst or on extremely special occasions to “cook maggi” (it made me feel like an efficient chef). The ban on our favourite maggi rose a burning rage in me to cook so that I do not have to be a clay pigeon at each family function for my irritating aunts to say, “you know last time we went to Anju’s house for a get-together, her 12 year old daughter Ishika cooked amazing Sheera for us.” It always made me so resentful.

South Indian Style Vermicelli Upma

Cooking, I believe is not an easy task. It needs guidance, judgement and knowledge of the wide range of veggies, meats and spices. But, what is much more important is the inspiration to cook. No written recipe can be 100 % accurate, no matter how carefully it is written. The only secret to turn out a recipe perfect is to cook with your heart and soul.

There is no other thing in the world which smells as good as food. No living man can deny his love for the fragrance of the freshly cooked roti. Recently, I got engrossed into cooking. Main course will follow in due course; I am enthusiastically taking baby steps by cooking evening snacks.

Coming home from a strenuous job and engaging in other activities seemed difficult to me. But, rather than doing nothing, I chose to engage in cooking which I wanted to learn but had no eagerness to do it. First two days were difficult, as I had to start from a scratch with no guidance from my mom. Cutting, chopping, segregating, stirring, steaming, roasting, baking, step by step I am learning it all.

Cooking food is an activity that makes you use all your five senses. Cooking well shows that you have the creativity and intuition to please every sense. And if your recipe turns out to be incredibly awesome and your family cannot stop praising you for it, you sense the pride of mastering the art.

The sizzling in a pan, crisp of the coriander, colour of the freshly chopped vegetables, moist sense of soaked lentils, the scent of spices wafting into the air, the textures changing before your eyes, the fragrance of my fingers indulged in cooking, there can be no superior drug for my addiction of cooking.

There’s no better way to warm your body or your soul than cooking.

Radiant Streak Of Happiness

The colourful festivals have been illuminating our lives with moments of happiness. It has showered each one of us with unforgettable happenings and memories to last forever. Some moments good some bad, some unforgettable, creating a deep mark in our hearts. Every passing day not only make us old but also makes us more mature to comprehend life and situations the way they wade on us. Experience makes us headstrong to face each situation in our life.

When everything in our life goes smooth and as predicted everything looks easy but if unfortunately things go wrong, off the track everything looks difficult. It’s like the serenity of the still water but even a single withering leaf can interrupt the stillness and create disturbing ripples. These ripples do not stay for long but it is really important to inculcate patience and strength for it to be still again is in life. These festivals forge to rejuvenate our strength and capability which make us forget the bad phrase and lighten our lives with moments of happiness by inviting our near and dear ones to be a part of our joy.

The moments of joy are what keep the flame of love glowing in our heart. Contemplating the various instants of the blissful days we spend with our adored ones without fearing of the anonymous tomorrow is what gleam to indicate that the rays of the glistening sunshine after the twilight awaits for you, to strike through your heart and blossom the spores of happiness once again.

Life is all about appreciating the memories, learning as you grow and finding happiness.

Picture Archive: Building the Panama Canal, 1900s

Picture Archive: Building the Panama Canal, 1900s

Valentine Bliss

Paradise or wherever this is, is a beautiful place,

 I for now call it so for I am with you,

 I swim like a swan in the tranquil depth of your voice

 wishing it were to be so for eternity.

 I shall travel far and wide,

 if all I need is to seek a glance of your – eternal bliss.

 A nice spring day with a silver cloud

 Every time the hint of grey shifts and the sun shines down,

 it is as if your smiles.

Sparkles and twinkles here and there,

 lilies and daisies everywhere, I can’t feel the delicate flowers,

 or the frozen mist

 For in the warmth of your embrace my senses fail.

 With a silent confession, a humid kiss

 when you give a stare with your sharp sight,

 my heartbeat tends to miss.

A Bleak Nightfall

For the long three years of you convincing me and about a yearlong lovely relationship we had there was always this nagging and itching feeling that quietly devoured me.  I could never be the one close enough to you with whom you could share the pain deep in your heart. I remember during the last fight we had, I was gripped by the terror that it was the end of the blooming amour. You said I was no one to you and that the only person you were close too and cared about did not include me.  

Deep inside I felt happy as I held myself responsible for all the arguments you had with your mom these days; I didn’t want to be the spoiler. She acquires a bigger segment of your life which nobody ever can vigorously seize. I felt blown away by fierce wind with emptiness. You didn’t realize what you had uttered and how much your words had triggered deep in my heart. They were mere words for you that dropped out of your mouth and disappeared. But for me it was an explosion that got shivers down my spine my blood froze through my veins. You were the only one for whom I could lose everything I had.

Things changed gradually. Each day doesn’t remain the same. Change is the only constant thing in the journey called life. I spend precious moments with you with a smile pasted on my face; I was not the one you loved until the frosty midnight.

 On our first outing we got to know each other better when we spend an entire day together; so much love around me still a hollow heart lying next to you. You spoke about the fun, the memories the joy we had entire day; you realized I was numb. The next moment you broke down. I can still hear the silence of that awful midnight you held me against you and cried until you were breathless. You cried of how much an important part I am in your life.

The tiny fluttering’s in my heart that like a flame resided. It felt as if it rained after a prolonged draught. Tears gushing out of my eyes, I held you so close as if we were one soul. The frost of that midnight disappeared in your arms so warm and cosy. My depths of despair captivated with your immense solicitude. 

LOVE PREVAILS...

LOVE PREVAILS...


Gathering all the energy that stalled in me, i strived hard to get back to my hostel room. Food poisoning had killed almost all the rats in my stomach. After which i refrained myself from the unhealthy mess food. My roommate had gone to visit her aunt which was another disappointment for me. 2nd floor seemed like a mountain trek. Each step i took toward my room, it reminded me of my mom who's repeated efforts of making me to learn to cook had gone in vain. My hands were numb,feet cold, and mouth dry out of breathlessness. Darkness had started to overshadow in front of my eyes. This illness had become unbearable for me. i could feel my body heat up as chills ran down my spine.
All i wanted was for someone who could be with me at this difficult moment, who could provide me with all the love and care that i was starving for. cushioned warmth of someone's arms i missed so badly. I felt like a withered plant anticipating for a beam of sunlight. I was standing right in front of my door trying to locate the keys when my sight started blurring. As i opened the door i tried to reach out for my phone so i could call for help. All I can recall is, I had called up on the very first number  that was on my dial list. After a few rings the person answered my call and all i could say was "hello" and then I collapsed on the floor.
When i regained consciousness, i could hear a sweet voice humming. Slowly and gradually the song became clearer. It was a familiar song by a person very close to my heart . I found myself safe and cozy in his arms. With his hand caressing my hair tenderly, he gently kissed my forehead. I looked at him with twinkling eyes. My heart was engulfed with happiness again and with a smile on my lips i enunciated  
 “I LOVE YOU DAD."