Ten things you might find common between your child and you as a child...

Wish you all a very Happy Children's Day. Today for some reason I was remembering my childhood and was reading back the posts I had written long time back about my frisky and adventurous childhood memories- Childhood Discoveries, Teachings and Lessons...

With changing times plays, priorities and lives of children today have changed as well. But a few things may never change. There are times when you find a stark similarity between your child and your childhood . Here I have tried to point out ten such adorable similarities that have passed on between the generations...  

...and you smile during these times thinking back about the fond memories of your childhood!

Didn't we believe the same???

That is the time when you are amused and awestruck!

We all sail in the boat!!!

We all had a colorful home at sometime in their lives!!!

I remember doing this a lot of times...my mom does too...those guests do too... Gosh!!!

I have heard a lot of stories like this, as a child, as an adult... Can you relate to this?

A child with scissors is a child on the job!!!

Ready...Smile...Click!!!

Happy Birthday to all November-Borns.

Could you relate to above situations? Can you add more to the list?

Wish you all a very happy Children's Day again! 

P.S. There is an online community RapeRoko against rape and abuse. Do join the cause and create awareness:

To Smokers with Love -III

Dear smokers, 
Stop smoking in public.
Yours Lovingly,
Mango-People.

 There are many reasons why I hate smoking. This is one of them!

See Also:
-To Smokers with love-II, Thankyou for smoking
-To Smokers with Love...

Idle Moments

They were resting on a couch. Her head was relaxing on his shoulder; left hand holding one of his hands. She was playing with television remote from the other hand, her eyes were looking down digging the earth deeper, mind was lost in rumination. He was sitting idle besides her with his eyes closed and his idle hand was holding a business magazine against his chest.

“Have you never been in love with another woman, after I came in your life?”, she murmured.

A silent woman is a terrorist, who is planning to bombard the tranquillity out of your life. She believes her curiosities are good for her existence but in reality her idle mind is a threat to mankind.

With an effort he made Hmmm sound from his throat ignorantly, directing  to a careless affirmation . Somewhere he had become used to these small nuclear-bomb attacks on him. And as humans have evolve, he had come through a tough stage of evolution too.

“What ‘hmmm’? Answer me?”

“Yes I don't want to lie here. I fall in love with a new woman almost daily, I just can't help it.”, he answered her with a dragged voice still not willing to speak. Though proud and amused at his brave speech.

She straightened her head, her eyes were wide in shock trying to pierce his mind. Her reaction alarmed him suddenly thinking back on what he had said without weighing the repercussions of it.  He was still studying her expressions, she was staring at him in disbelief unable to understand what to do. Her mind fumbling the past events where she could find one moment, that single moment when he seemed disloyal, uninterested in her, arrogant or anything that can prove his infidelity.
He took a deep breath and calmly looked at her to understand the level of reactions that were taking place in that small nuclear reactor.

A while later he continued, “You are full of those threatening moods. You amuse me, threaten me, love me, and all of a sudden become a hurtful soul weeping badly. Sometimes you are a lioness saving your own pride, sometimes a rabbit scared of a beaming light. Don't you think you are  a new person daily?  You hardly give me any time or opportunity to think about anyone else in all this.”

She shyly smiled a little. His expressions were teasing her and his eyes were giggling at her. Her love for him made him one of the most desired men in her eyes, and herself so plain in his comparison! The feelings of mad-love and desire instilled a sense of insecurity in her.

She rested her head back on his shoulder, “There are so many women better than me around you...", she continued, "You never felt a temptation of knowing or falling for anyone? Though I know you will not tell me the truth now seeing my reaction a while back but I am just asking!”

His lips spread out. He was smiling as he sensed another fit of insecurity in his lady. Probably every woman faces this state once a while in her life. He repositioned himself, cupped her face in his manly hands, gazed deeper into her eyes and said in a very serious tone, “You are perfect for me.”
He paused a little. She was looking at him with a little smile, a little blush waiting to hear him further. “There must be thousands of men, I am sure, who are better than me in every respect. Better in looks, physique, humor, money, status or everything.  And there will be those who are even better than them. This has no end. Why you are with me is because you love me. Your love makes me perfect in your eyes. And as I can see it is making you insecure now. There may be hundreds of ladies who look fairer than you. But they are not you. For me you are fairest of them all. The way I feel for you, I don't think I can ever feel it for anyone else.” He kissed her forehead.  She was calmly smiling looking back at him, satisfied with his answer.

Women are like puzzles, daily sweeping through uncertainity and a new set of emotions. Sometimes love and assurance is all they need. She needed no more answers for the day, or weeks or may be for months to come...

Do Ghosts Really Exist?

Image: www.clipartlord.com

They flow in air, with either inverted feet or no-feet at all like a genie. They have supernatural powers and can do anything they want to from making you fly to entering in your body. When you feel a cold air passing through your body in warm summers, it is a soul/ghost as they are the cold things on earth. You can not see them because humans and ghosts have different vibration patterns. The ones who see them almost vibrate at the the speed of Ghosts. We all have heard of people who claim that they call the ghosts of the dead and talk to them. Have you heard/read all this and more?
The idea or stories of ghosts are quite intriguing. I heard the word Ghost for the first time when I was in 5th standard. Before that I was oblivious of what a Ghost really means! Being a tough kid with no fixed habits my parents used to scare me off with idea of a “Watchman”. Outside our home on a road a watchman used to stroll during fixed hours. But in his absence whenever I showed a reluctance to sleep, my father used to wear a shawl, take a stick and used to move outside the room of our bungalow with that “thak-thak” of hitting of wooden stick on the floor. My mom used to ask me to hide and sleep else the watchman outside will take me with him. That used to frighten me a lot to sleep on time, letting my parents get enough sleep before going to work next morning. It was almost a ritual, till I developed a normal sleep cycle. During that time a watchman was 'the Ghost' for me. 

Photo:www.osmeb.com

After listening to ghost stories(people claiming them to be real) I once asked my mother about what exactly a Ghost is! To which she calmly replied, “It is a matter of your faith. If you will have faith in God, you will see God. If you have faith in Ghosts, you will see Ghosts.” I never questioned her again. I developed strong faith in God (and that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in the theory of evolution).

The idea of Ghosts terrified me after seeing some of the Ghosts movies during childhood, and famous serial 'Aahat' later on. But I told myself what my mother told me years back and I didn’t believe in Ghosts  again.
Two years back during one of the philosophical and spiritual dialogues with a friend, Saumya, the topic of Ghost came in a full swing. We were very casual about the discussion when clock striked 1 O’clock at night. She said,” you know I have read ghosts are active from midnight till 4 am.” Listening that for the first time a chill ran through me. I told her that it did scare me this time. She continued, “ You know when you feel scared, there is an actual ghost around you.” I bid farewell to her for the night and waited for my fear to go away before using the restroom. Later I told myself once again, I trust my God more and if ever I will have an encounter with a ghost, it will be on a pleasant note. I don’t believe in interfering till then.

P.S. Once in the state of insomnia I thought of checking if we can see a ghost in a dark room. When I thought about ‘what if a ghost actually comes before me’, I quickly took a blanket on my face and slept. I was petrified. Was there a ghost?
P.P.S. I don’t discard the experiences that people share and I respect them of what they saw and I didn’t. Somewhere I am glad I didn’t.

HaPpY Halloween!!!Image:halloweenwallpapers.blogspot.com

Do you have a ghost story? Have you ever experienced a ghost in your life?
I am glad my mother didn’t scare me that time when I was young, which made me stronger. What would you tell your child, if s/he asks the same?

7 Creative Rangoli Designs I came across this Diwali. #HappyDiwali

Wish you all a very happy Diwali (Belated). As a ritual every year I share here the rangoli I make (from the time I have started making decent rangolis). This year I would like to showcase a few designs by people around me that added more beauty to the Diwali decoration (along with mine). If you too like them, post your views in the comment section. Here I go:

This was the first rangoli I saw, made by a friend Manisha along with her friends. She has become an expert with creative sketches of Lord Ganesha and she chose the same for her rangoli. Isn't is creative and beautiful?

 Made by: Manisha Raj and her friends, Software Engineer, Delhi.

I loved the use of mirrors in this Rangoli. With a big diya in the center, Pratima has artistically designed the surrounding space. Innovative!!! What do you say?

Made by: Pratima Tulsian, Owner at Parchment Corner,
Mumbai

I was looking at this charming & modern design again and again. Maitri has created an appealing design by wiping off colors at regular intervals. The color combination is striking too. Isn't it?

Made By: Maitri Chaturvedi, Physiotherapist, Wardha.

Who can miss looking at this attractive & vibrant corner of the house! Soviaa's rangoli looks amazing with lighted diyas around!

Made by: Soviaa D Mehta, 3D visualizer, Delhi

Arti shared her neihbours work that she made around the planted pots. Lord Ganesha's another depiction. I liked it.

Aarti Gandotra, Prof. at Ansal University, Delhi, shared her neighbour's artistic work.

Akshat shared the rangoli that bagged first prize in his office. You just can't stop looking at this mesmerising work. 

Shared by: Akshat Sharma, Software Engineer, HCL, Delhi.

 Manisha shared her friend's work. Next year, I would love to decorate a corner of my house with such beauty... Simple and elegant!

Made by: Amit Kumar and his wife Manisha, Doctors by Profession.

And this one is made by me this year.

Goddess Lakshmi holding Lord Ganesha.

I hope like me, you also enjoyed these artistic designs above.
Wish you all again a very Happy Diwali...

World Food Day- What if there was no food!

Today is 16 October and World Food Day. We all know how significant is food for our survival. But what if there was no food in our lives?

1. People who live-to-eat would not be here.



2. The famous 'way' to a man's heart would not be through his stomach.

Photo: snarkecards.com

3. People had lesser tasks and world had been free from the national/worldwide issue of "What to cook in the next meal".

Photo: www.justcookit.ch

4. There would be less expenses and more disposable income for other needs and luxuries.

Photo: forums.uberent.com
Average US Citizen spends $302 and average Urban Indian Rs.2,630 per month on food: Source Google.

5. We had only four senses. No Food, No Taste!!!

Photo: dailypicksandflicks.com

6. There would not be any lunch/dinner/coffee dates.

Picture courtesy:Dumpaday.com

7. Earth had been over-burdened without food cycle, though there had been no mass killing for production of meat.


8. There would be absence of kitchen in homes which would mean some more space for other things you love except food.

Photo: www.quickmeme.com


9. Source of energy was from small regular naps throughout the day, sunlight or may be through electric-shocks- Ouch!!!

Photo: memecenter.com


10. No birthday cakes, no pies/chocolates/muffins in gifts i.e. no grand sumptuous celebrations!

Photo:cupcakesmakemepuke.blogspot.com

Since life had been colorless, odorless and tasteless without food, I am glad we are blessed with tastes, taste-buds and food.
Eat healthy and stay healthy and remember:
“We are what we eat'!!!

Photo: Favim.com

P.S. If you can think of more points please add on to the list!

Author's Note: There is plenty of food on earth for every being here yet many suffer with hunger badly. While some struggle with what they will choose to eat today, others suffer with what will they eat. Talking about India here, a vast population sleeps on hungry stomach. We all see beggars begging for food on streets and have heard the stories of people turning into criminals for one loaf of bread. We all internally feel miserable when we deny them for the money they ask for from us but we have been advised not to give them money, reason being mafia working behind them. If you see a beggar and want to give them something- give them things in kind. You see a hungry soul while walking and if you have money, buy him some food. You want to do charity- either donate in an institution or distribute packets of biscuits or something else to the needy. Though some beggars throw away the food you hand over to them but not all do so.

Let no body die of hunger. Spread the word. A very happy world foods day.

Ichneumon Wasp

Ichneumon wasp (pronunciation: ich-new-mon)

I clicked this picture in October, 2013 in Kausani, Uttarakhand. It looked very photogenic to me hence I decided not to miss this shot. Since I saw this insect for the first time, it became more important for me to take it back home in my camera and find more about it. Somewhere I was scared too thinking, 'what if it bites and is poisonous?'  I came back and started digging the internet to find it's name and more about it.

According to the information available online a typical Ichneumon is only interested if you’re an appropriate host for its eggs - and humans are not its target species. This wasp lays its eggs on or inside another insect species like flies, beetles etc. As these larvae grow and develop, they kill their hosts. Ichneumons are beneficial to humans as they are natural pest controls and save crops and provide economic assistance to us. Their stings are harmless, and if they bite, one can wash the area with plain water.

Probably next time if you see this insect you know that these heartless species are safe and beneficial for us humans.
P.S. This is an awesome time to plan the tours in India. If you are planning to visit Uttarakhand- I hope these posts help you!

GREEN DELHI- A Photo Story

PART I

IT DOES NOT END

The story is an old one; it plays repeatedly on self-loop, only thing that changes is the people and the environments that are affected. Despite numerous laws around the protection of trees, the rampage never ceases. The cause is as old as ages, and there is zero will to implement these laws by the law enforcers.

It all started last year when MCD was constructing cemented roads in our society in Pitampura, Delhi. These people forgetting their duties and feeling omnipotent with their machines of destruction started destroying everything that came in the way, setting a model, an example before the other phases of construction. Despite our repeated pleas and reminders of the laws governing tree felling, MCD upon insistence of one of our neighbours –Prem Lal Khanna and his family felled numerous trees, and when we said we would file complaint, they hid the trees, and then quickly towed them away:

Step 1: When you are MCD, you savagely destroy anything in your way

(Contract in the hands of some Mr. Khan)

 Step2:  Hide in the park until tow truck comes

Step 3: Load it up, hide under dry branches and tow away

We made repeated calls to forest department, to the chief conservation officer, two representatives from this department came and said that at least the trees in front of our house would be protected, and we were pacified with this assurance and forest department itself took no action against these people.

PART II

IT DOES END

A year passed, our neighbours forever unsettled, were waiting for any excuse to fell the trees in front of our own house, their youngest son even declared that “I’m not my father’s son if I don’t get this tree cut off”.  Few weeks before today, some branches of one of our tree, started drying up, these were towards the side of this neighbour’s house, so anyone can guess what might have happened. Under pretext of some renovations, one day in the quite of a hot and humid afternoon, these people cut down two of  the trees that forest department so assuredly vouched for only a year before and created a shameless scene, embellished with all the name calling and vulgar obscenities as is the character of such people. 

 Fell in a moment what took years to grow

 On lodging complaint, the police has forwarded the case to horticulture department as this case is their prerogative. Quoting chief conservation officer, forest department Mr. A. K. Shukla, “Since the trees were not on your property, I can do nothing about it”. We had high hopes in these guardians of trees, reading glorified reports in the newspapers, but today, I’m disappointed, slowly turning impassive regarding any good change, I agree with forest officer, we really can do nothing about it. Delhi is definitely going green and greener.

  

 About Author:

Rochana Chaturvedi is a Professor of Computer Science in Delhi University since past three years. In her free time, she enjoys arts, nature, traveling and reading amongst many other. Besides being a good singer, she enjoys writing poetry though seldom publishes them on her blog. However, she can be caught blogging sometimes at http://rochanachaturvedi.blogspot.in.

Confessions of a Social Media Stalker

He was going through Facebook updates on a friend's wall when he saw a pretty face in the comments section. It was his second love-at-the-first-sight this week. He had been religiously following the other pretty damsel he saw in his Gali 4 days back. But this time, this time this girl seemed fairest of all the loves-of-his-life. He went through her page. She seemed to be a Facebook queen. 'Ah! Over 500 followers, 400 likes on her photographs. 70 likes on her status even when she just 'yawns' in it. I can see she is popular on Twitter too! I should send her a message- probably a HI…’ and he did what he thought. She didn't respond and he waited patiently for a week. Post a week he sent her a message again. Meanwhile he read comments on her updates and by the method of random sampling checked out profiles of her friends and of their friends. He found out two things about her; one was that she had a cool group of friends, and she had a breakup few months back.  He checked his message box, there was a dense dark silence again. Finally with no hope in hell he decided to send her a friend request this time which eventually got rejected. ‘Probably she doesn't know what she is missing. She looks young and naive, unaware of worldly matters.’ He decided to take up the task to help this innocent creature who has hazel eyes, long hair to find her a knight in shining armor- that was him of course. He had fallen for her and it was the time for her to return this favor, to love him back, to make the right-selection. He never felt so strongly for anyone else before, which he thought always after falling in new love once or twice a year, sometimes even thrice. He called up his relationship adviser, his best buddy- "I think she is the one I was waiting for all my life, have I ever said same for anybody before? No, right? Help me dost, I need you!" His friend like always agreed to help him out. She was his current rage, his madness. There was some sort of stark connection between them
 
He decided to message her again. She replied promptly- "Hey, I am sorry but I am genuinely not interested in you.
Bye Take care!"

'We have common friends and probably she replied because she doesn’t want to be misjudged. Ladies ah! They are scared little rabbits always thinking about the reactions of their family, friends and society on their deeds. She needs a person like me, who doesn't care about the world.', he thought to himself. He gave her his reference and told her what he does (besides stalking). He asked her the reason behind declining his request without giving him a fair chance- the chance he believed he deserved because he had fallen for her. She said she doesn't accept friend-requests from unknown people, besides that she has a freedom of choice. At the end of every message she wrote bye, take care. She was caring, like a girl should be. He thought about her soft face again. 'Her first point is no more valid since he I had given his introduction and now he was not a total stranger to her. Besides they have a Common-Friend on Facebook.' He didn’t lack anywhere. He was handsome, probably the most good-looking man on earth as his mother claimed. After looking at the reactions of his friends, how they laugh even when he abuse people, he concurred he was a uber-cool and popular too. His father was a rich man, which had exempted him from the worries of earning, saving and investing money. What else a girl needs! He decided to message her again, 

"If you weren't interested, you would have blocked me. Can we meet and talk about things over a cup of coffee?" 

He could no longer see her profile. 'She blocked me? Really!!! My friend said I shouldn’t have talked about blocking, that was rude. She might be upset with me.' He thought about it for two days, and then about their interactions for past months, her eyes, her smile and 500 likes on her last display picture. A chill ran through his body. First love always made him nervous like hell. He realized he over said something. He Googled her name, dug her email address and got her twitter handle,  her phone number, and her Email-ID. He re-tweeted her Tweet and mentioned Her in another tweet- this was start of their new interaction. When she didn’t respond to his internet gifts, he inferred that she was extremely upset. 'Ever swinging moods of these ladies- blame it on their hormones. I never said anything that bad', he reasoned her rude-reactions with his understanding of human nature. He sent her a mail and got no reply. Thinking, probably she hadn't checked her email, he sent her another message on her Whatsapp.

"Hi,
I am  terribly sorry for saying block-thing on Facebook. I hope you liked my tweets about you. You are really very pretty. I respect you and understand that you are quite busy and may be that is the reason you couldn’t check the message I had sent you on Gmail two days back.  I promise you I will keep you very happy. Can we go out for a cup of coffee as an apology? Waiting eagerly for your reply."

'She lost her temper saying she will call the police if I further stalked her. 'Stalked' was a very rude word but I understand, these women loose their cool when PMSing. She is my true love and I will not let her go like that, I know I will keep her happy...'

Image Courtesy: Google