A New Beginning

What a year it has been! 2015 has by far been the most amazing year I've lived in! Now that 2016 is finally here, I welcome it with open arms and pray that it brings prosperity and loads of success for each one of us! 

I stopped making resolutions a long time ago because I don't think I can handle the pressure that these resolutions bring in. Instead, I make tiny achievable goals and try my best to surpass them!
This year, I really want to do more of blogging, vlogging and reading.
This year I want to make a significant change in my lifestyle.
This year I want to spread happiness.
This year I want to live life
This year I want every one associated to me, be successful in all their endeavors.

I wish all my readers and well wishers a prosperous New Year. 

Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)

Bumpy Rides

In a country where every household owns at least 3 cars and a scooter/motorcycle, travelling in an Auto-Rickshaw is quite a fascinating thought! Around 2 years ago, I was really excited at the thought of travelling in Auto Rickshaws independently. Along with helping me commute from one place to the other easily, It also brought in a sense of independence, responsibility of carrying myself decently in the public place. It made me a bit more mature. I was now careful of what dress I am wearing, how much of money will I have to pay for a certain distance and how to be firm on giving a set amount and not budge from my decision! It's quite a task!

From my experience, I have learnt that these Auto drivers have made a business out of it! Its not the comfort of the commuter that matters them, Its the money they'd be paid matters. Some of them would even harass a lonely girl by either whistling or staring back from the rear view mirror. I am lucky enough to have not faced such a situation and I'd never want something like this to happen to any one!
The meter was made a compulsory device for all auto rikshaws but not even 1 (I guess I have traveled in a century of them!)  has had a working meter installed in it! If this is not harassment, then what is! We are being harassed to pay more than what it takes to reach our destination which could just be 5 km's away! 

The Government officials, police department can ensure that every auto rickshaw has a working meter installed in it, but to what extent? Isn't it the moral duty of drivers to ensure that every machine attached to their auto should be prim and proper? Shouldn't they keep humanity above their business mind?

This post has been written for the Blogging from A-Z Challenge  where excluding Sundays of this month, we have to blog everyday with a corresponding letter from the alphabet. More on it Here

   Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)

Wednesday Wisdom

I am starting a new tag on my blog known as 'Wednesday Wisdom' wherein I may share a picture/article or a quote that some how invokes in me the 'Aha' mode. Below I have posted a careercature published in today's supplement of Jobs and Careers (The Tribune) How aptly does it define the situation of current and upcoming generations!! 

With due respect to Mr Sandeep Joshi
(The Tribune)

'Sir, after doing B.Tech in Facebook and M.Tech in Twitter, I am training in WhatsApp '

What do you feel about this caricature? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!!

Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)

A to Z April Challenge

Had I stumbled upon it a month ago, I would have never thought of doing it this year. With 12th Board exams going on, I would be some one really crazy to even think of anything other than my books, exams and the questions I have to mug up. We are almost done with the dreaded month of exams- March and yet to my utter disappointment I am left with 3 exams. Ever since I have started taking exams, I am accustomed to a maximum of three study leaves.It is the first time ever (I do hope such a thing never happens!) I have a minimum of ten study leaves in between two exams. The whole day crawls by making me either watch TV, surf net or read a book. Its only the last four-five days before my exam that I really study and that too without any other activity on my mind.. We'll talk about all this on a later stage but today, this blog post comes with a purpose.

Since I have a lot of study leaves and all I do is waste time watching TV or surf net, I thought it would be wonderful if I could challenge myself to write everyday randomly yet based on the Alphabet? Since this is my first year at the A to Z April Challenge, I am doing it randomly. This challenge requires you to post every day from April 1st to 30th with Sundays being rest days. Removing 4 Sundays of the month, we are left with 26 days which enables us to write everyday using the alphabet.

A lot of factors inspired me to take up this exciting challenge :

• The Challenge is being run by a very professional team. Every year thousands of bloggers come together and contribute to make this challenge a big success. The instructions and guidelines are very simple, easy to comprehend. Interesting banners and badges tickle your creative instincts and you get motivated to write.
   
• Blogging changes your outlook. You tend to take a look at your surroundings from the perspective of a blogger, but to write every day for a month is where the real challenge lies. It helps your brain stay active and think of the content you can put up on your blog. You learn new things every day. Some issues you thought could not be written into a blog post, suddenly become the central point in your blog.You start envisioning things in a new light.
• It is a wonderful platform to meet new people, understand various blogging techniques, writing styles and the way people present an idea, simple as it may sound. 

Do challenges excite you? Do you have a thing for writing? If yes, you can sign up Here. I am sure we all will learn a lot from this challenge and work towards our passion of writing.

. Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)

Lets Quote it!

There are a few quotes which always leave a great impact on you. Some such quotes are given below

•  If we all could see the world through the eyes of a child, we would see the magic in everything.

• Keep people in your life that truly love you, motivate you and encourage you. If you have people not doing these things, let them go.
  
• You cannot be good enough for everybody, but you'll be the best for the one who deserves you.
  
• Don't compare your life to others. You have no Idea what their life is all about!
  
• The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. It is priceless & once it's gone you can never get it back, so choose carefully to whom you give your gift.
  
• Live simply, care deeply & treat others with kindness. You never know what other people are going through. Kindness has the power to lift their spirits.
  
• I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.
  
• Live your life, take chances, be crazy. Don't wait cause right now is the oldest you've ever been & the youngest you'll ever be
  
• Wherever you go, no matter what the weather is, carry your sunshine along with you!
  
• Behind every sweet smile, there is a bitter sadness that no one can ever see and feel.

Friends Forever

My very first attempt at poetry! Please share your views!

i love all my friends

i thank GOD for showing me this trend

of love and friends.

they are my lifeline

and help me outshine

in the rat race of  excellence

they spread their fragrance

as the rose amidst its thorns.

together we cry 

together we say hi!!

together we play 

together we say

FRIENDS FOREVER

AND EVER!!!

Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)

Speechless Saturday

Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)

Of religion and Belief

India being a diverse country has people following many religions. Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity to name a few. Each religion has its own rules, traditions, customs one has to follow. But there's one thing common in all religions, you are remembering that one supreme power, whatever name you may give!

We remember God whenever we are in stress, have been struck in a severe problem or are just not happy with the circumstances. We walk miles to reach a particular temple, spend a lump sum on donations. But is all this "Social Exhibition" worth it?  Are you really sure your prayers are being heard when at one side you leave no leaf unturned to become a proper religious person and on the other side you have dirt filled in your mind? You are not a balanced person yet you ask others to maintain balance in their life? Prayers said in silence, without letting any one know about it, without any one asking you to pray, are the one's which are truly effective. You can help the needy, distressed, and are always calm with everything you do- that's when your prayers (Verbal or not) are effective.
Praying 24*7 before your exams, in times of crisis and then forgetting about every single word you said in front of the Almighty- Is this your belief? Weren't we always taught the motto "Give to be Given"? You want God to help you, but do you thank Him in your happy times? Do you tell Him about the amazing happy moments you experience everyday?

If not, I am sorry, my friends, you are no way religious! You are just pretending to be one and it just won't help you!! There's a popular hindi saying "कर्म करते जा, फल की चिंता मत कर " If you do good deeds, No one can question your intentions and you will never ever feel the need to fake your feelings and become a religious person even if you are an atheist in your head!

Come my friends, lets understand the true meaning of religion and believe what our mind, heart wants us to do, not what our fellow people are doing. Following a religion is not at all bad, following it blindly and blaming it when you don't succeed is bad.

Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)

August Aagman

The alarm rings  and tells me its the most dreaded time of the day- 6 30 AM. I search for my phone all over my bed, turn off the alarm and go back to sleep. I then realize that the day I wait for, the whole year (after my Birthday) is finally here! Its the 1st of August, onset of the most favourite month after May.

A subtle smile spreads all over thinking about the various functions, parties, celebrations and holidays in the month! I really couldn't ask for more!!

To celebrate the love that I have for August, I pledge to write every single day till the end of August. I really hope, I'll succeed in this venture!!

Happy August guys! 

100 Random Questions

The thought that I had not posted anything on my blog for more than a month was haunting me. Lets hope these questions motivate me to update frequently!!


Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
whole week that you didn't have time to call me even once?
   
Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, What can you touch?
Window

    Before you started this survey, what were you doing?
Answering a Survey

    What is the last thing you watched on TV?
The movie- Maa-Beti

    Without looking, guess what time it is
10;05 pm
    Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
9:54 pm

    With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Fan

    When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Yesterday evening. Went to the market to buy books.

    Did you dream last night?
yes
    Do you remember your dreams?
yes--But i tend to forget them very easily. 
   
When did you last laugh?
A few hours ago

    Do you remember why / at what?
At something my sister did

    What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Photo frames of my sister and me. 
  
 Seen anything weird lately?
Nothing   
What do you think of this quiz?
Its interesting and motivating me to write!
   
What is the last film you saw?
Mission Impossible
  
 If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
I want to explore Southern India. 
  
 If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Would buy a lot of books, a luxurious house, and a car.
   
Tell me something about you that most people don't know.
I am a State-Level Carrom player and I aspire to write/Direct/Produce TV Shows/Movies. I love photography and glass painting. Reading books is my life.

    If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Make it a better place to live in with no attacks on women, Education to one and all, jobs to the jobless and giving freedom of wearing whatever women want regardless of the place they live in.   
Do you like to dance?
Sounds weird, but No, I don't like dancing.

    Would you ever consider living abroad?
Yes! I want to explore a lot of countries!

    Does your name make any interesting anagrams?
Many!

    Who made the last incoming call on your phone?
My father.
   
What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
An Interview of Sonam-Dhanush
   
Last time you swam in a pool?
Never
   
Type of music you like most?'
Soulful, meaningful and pleasant to the ears.  

Type of music you dislike most?
Mindless meaningless lyrics like chipka le saiya fevicol se, Laila, Munni Badnam.. One word for all such songs :- PATHETIC

    Are you listening to music right now?
No
   
What color is your bedroom carpet?
I haven't kept a carpet in my room.
   
If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do?
I would change the interiors and re renovate my room.
   
What was the last thing you bought?
An Ice-Cream 
   
Have you ever ridden on a motorbike?
Yeah

    Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
Both
  
 Do you have a garden?
Yes but its in a very shabby state. 
   
Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?
No doubts in that! 

    What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
Damn! Its time to get ready for school! 
  
 If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be?
Genelia Dsouza
   
Who sent the last text message you received?
Simran Goyal, (a very good friend)
   
Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
For that let me possess a Credit card first! 
   
What time is bed time?
Depends if I am reading a book or not! 
  
 Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?
Not Yet!
  
 How many tattoos do you have?
None.
   
If you don't have any, have you ever thought of getting one?
Not till I die.
   
What did you do for your last birthday?
Don't want to remember it.. :)
   
Do you carry a donor card?
No.
   

Who was the last person you ate dinner with?
My sister.
   
Is the glass half empty or half full?
Depends on what I have in it!
   
What's the farthest-away place you've been?
In reality- Hyderabad. In imagination:- Almost everywhere
  
 When's the last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
Heard it for the first time! 

    Have you ever won a trophy?
Yes.

    Are you a good cook?
Not yet

    Do you know how to pump your own gas?
Errr

    If you could meet any one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be?
Emperor Akbar, Author Preeti Shenoy 
   


Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school?
I still wear one!!  :D

  Do you touch-type?
Yes
   
What's under your bed?
Pair of slippers.
   
Do you believe in love at first sight?
No.
   
Think fast, what do you like right now?
Would want to write a Chapter or two!
   
 Where were you on Valentine's day?
At home, studying for an exam I had the next day!

 What time do you get up?
Depends on what day it is!
   
What was the name of your first pet?
Didnt have a pet ever!

    Who is the second to last person to call you?
Aren't you too obsesssed with what my Call history is? It was one of my school friend :)

    Is there anything going on this weekend?
I never plan! like it to be unplanned outing but sigh! I have projects due on Monday! 

    How are you feeling right now?
Angry at particularly nothing!

    What do you think about the most?
When will I actually get over with School!!

    If you had a Big Win in the Lottery, how long would you wait to tell people?
I find no point in letting the world know!

    Who would you tell first?
My parents and a niece. 
   

Do you sing in the shower?
Rarely.
    
What do you do most when you are bored?
I write or go for a walk!
  
 What do you do for a living?
Nothing as of now!
  
 Do you love your job?
Let me get one!
  
 What did you want to be when you grew up?
Always wanted to be a journalist/Lecturer/Writer
    
If you could have any job, what would you want to do/be?
English Lecturer.
    
Which came first the chicken or the egg?
Does it even matter?
  
 How many keys on your key ring?
None
   
Where would you retire to?
A place filled with serenity, calmness and a lot of greenery!
   
What kind of car do you drive?
Driven by my sister ;)
   
What are your best physical features?
I have a beautiful smile!
   
What are your best characteristics?
Straightforward, sincere, passionate, honest,  always keep my word,  caring, 
   
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go?
Any where out of India, Goa, South-East states of India.

 What kind of books do you like to read?
All kinds.

    What is your favorite time of the day?
3:00 pm to any time beyond 12:00 AM

    Where did you grow up?
In Chandigarh

    How far away from your birthplace do you live now?
I was born in Chandigarh.

    What are you reading now?
Nothing these days! Have read all books that I have on my shelf!! Its about time I order a few new books!

    Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Night owl.

    Can you touch your nose with your tongue?
No :)

    Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows?
yes :)
   
Do you have pets?
No

    How many rings before you answer the phone?
I really don't bother picking up the phone so it depends who is on the other side!

    What is your best childhood memory?
Going on a vacation with my Grand father

    What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life?
None 

    Any new and exciting things that you would like to share?
I am working on my book!

    What is most important in life?
Family and friends

    What Inspires You?
My father , healthy bodies,  Nature, Great Authors, My Grand Father, My niece

Feedback is welcome... It keeps me inspired.. Thanks for reading :)