Trust

Trust left me broken

Trust left me shattered
Trust put me into pieces
That could not be fixed ever

I trusted you blindly
I trusted you heartily
I trusted you than anything else
Only to be crushed mentally

Oh! Trust not anyone
To put yourself in affliction
Never lose your self to someone
Who has no obligation.

Few things a married woman should always remember

Getting married comes with a lot of responsibilities. In India, getting married to a man is like getting married to his entire family. You need to take care of their needs, likes, dislikes and have to keep everyone happy. Amidst all these, a woman becomes so busy that she finds no time for self. And sometimes, she remains quite when she is supposed to raise her voice.

Here is a list of things that a married woman should never forget.

1. Dedicate some time for yourself

  You may have too many responsibilities and a lot of day to day work to be carried out but it is not wrong to have some time for yourself. You need a change too from your daily routine. So once in a while take a break. Hang out for a movie or shopping or anything that makes you happy.

2. Be independent

How much ever supportive & caring your husband and his family are, it is very much important to be independent. Be independent and pay off your own bills rather than waiting for someone else to pay them for you. Be independent and make your own identity and you will know how happy you can be.

3. Have a social circle

No matter how occupied you are, take time and meet your friends once in a while. Get in touch with your old friends. Call them and talk to them. Reconcile with all your friends and cherish the memories that you created. Share things with your friends. This will make you feel happy. This will make you feel light. Having a friend circle will always make a person better.

4. Support your parents

Your parents might be independent but being there as a pillar of strength when needed is very important. Be it a financial support or a moral support never leave there side. You are what you are because of them. As a man has responsibilities for his parents, woman too has the same responsibilities for her parents. Since you are married off does not mean the responsibility is over. You should still take care of them and support them in all possible ways and make them feel happy.

5. Do what you feel is right

You don't have to stop yourself from doing something just because someone else does not like it. If you feel like doing something and if you are sure that it is not at all wrong then there is no need for you to be scared. You can go ahead and do what makes you happy.

6. Have kids when you are really ready

Don't have kids because someone else wants you to have one. It's people's tendency to give unnecessary suggestions and opinions. Have a kid only when you and your partner are ready. Remember a child is only your responsibility and no one who once asked you to have a baby will even bother once your baby is in this world. If you feel you are still not ready to take up a responsibility of a child then give it some more time but don't ever think of having a baby when you are not at all ready for it.

7. Raise your voice against domestic violence and when ever needed

This is the most important thing of all mentioned above. Unfortunately, even many educated woman face domestic violence yet keep quite without raising a voice against it. Remember, keeping quite will only encourage a person to continue it even in future. So be bold and talk about it to someone if you are into a abusive relation. Take help from your family and friends and put an end for the violence. Never keep quite and bear everything that is happening to you.

My most loved selfie

This is my favourite selfie of all and I am sure that it's gonna be my favourite forever. This selfie was taken in a place called Thekkady-kerala were we decided to babymoon before we welcomed our little bundle of joy.

I always have a special preference for travel and since the day my pregnancy got confirmed I was not allowed to travel much, it was just my home to office and office to home. And then even that had to be stopped as I was told to bed rest for a couple of months because of some complications. I was going mad staying at home between four walls literally doing nothing except eat and sleep. Though I had no physical activity, I was somehow mentally stressed and wanted to escape somewhere for few days away from everything and just relax. And after my first trimester when doctor confirmed that everything was perfectly fine and that I could resume back to my normal life, my first question was if I could travel and received a positive yes from the doctor with few safety precautions and guidelines.

I always dreamt of babymoon ever since I started planning my pregnancy and now I started making plans for the same. And when I put forth my thoughts before my husband, it immediately agreed to it and then we made proper arrangements and set for the most awaited trip. The pic above was taken on the last day of our babymoon. This pic will always be cherished because it was just me and my husband with freedom and liberty and doing things in our own time and our own way. And this pic was taken after I had a relaxing spa and body massage in Kerala which made me feel very light. And ofcourse, I was pamperd a lot at that time and i was given a special attention by everyone that made me feel even more special. Even now, we go on trips but it's always with a little one and we have to sync up according to her timings. Ofcourse, we love to travel with our daughter but it's not gonna be like before as we have our share of responsibilities.

Now, I wanna visit more places with my small little family and capture beautiful selfie with my husband and daughter using Mobiistar because Mobiistar gives an overall different selfie experience with its dual selfie camera having the capability of capturing a 120 degree wide angle shot. It is definitely going to be a lot of fun to capture beautiful selfies with our loved one's and making our selfie experience memorable. Everyone loves selfie. Who doesn't, right? Mobiistar will make our selfie experiences even more better to capture not just us but also everything around us. Wow! It sounds so exciting even to think of it.

Now, I am eagerly waiting for the launch of Mobiistar on Flipkart to order one and to experience the wonderful selfie moments. You can even visit http://mobiistar.in/ to know more about it's features. 

Z security #A2Z challenge

It was a dream come true day for me and for everyone in the college and across our district as missile man of India APJ Abdul Kalam was visiting our college and lot of events had already in place to welcome him to the college but our attraction was the Z security that was given to him.

Many security arrangements were unfolded a day before and we could see a lot of built guards with dogs and all our classroom doors on the premises were locked and sealed. And we saw a couple of guards standing with rifles at the balconies. The stage had a D shape in front it and no one was supposed to cross it and few gunmen were already standing there and there were high chairs set upon the stage. There were already more than 10000 people who were waiting for him.

The moment had come when APJ Abdul Kalam was about to visit us and I was privileged to be a part of escorting him. All of a sudden we heard a lot of sirens and escort jeeps arriving near us. There were around six escort jeeps and missile man was in the center of escort. The moment they Conway stopped, the Z security force was on their jobs and even we escorted him to the stage along with Z security. As he arrived on the stage he uttered to the people on the stage, by seeing at this incident all the audience stood up. The incident was, he asked the people on stage to remove the high chair and put up the normal plastic chair that was used for every audience. This was the simplicity of our APJ Abdul Kalam.

Opportunities #A2Z challenge

College is place where students can catch their dreams as they have lot of opportunities and scope to shape their carrier. Opportunities may always come in disguise.

I have story of a boy who was not good at studies and was regularly irregular to the classes. He was always into his own masti mode and just managed to pass his exams. But he got an opportunity to attend an interview in an MNC after his graduation though he had no minimum % required to get the job. To everyone's  surprise he had cracked the interview and sealed the opportunity and he was 1st one to get the job in his batch. This was all possible because, most of the time he bunked the class and played only computer games and he was so into those that he never brothered about studies or results and the MNC that had come for interview was into computer gaming. And that helped him crack the interview easily. Here I just want to say that opportunity will come in your way only if your best at that.

Youth leader #A2Z challenge

I call college as a Youngistaan as we find many youngsters there with great energy and enthusiasm. From the beginning of the year, we would volunteer in many events and others would actively participate in those. Even professors would have a youth like energy. There would be youth leader in the college who would decide the events and activities that has to be carried out in the college.

There would be elections conducted to decide the youth leader and voting would be with strict security. The tensions created in the college during this time was as if everyone were participating for the countries election. My friend had contested for the election and we used to go and talk on behalf of him to select him and that friend would treat us later in the canteen for supporting him. We would support him not because we wanted him to be elected but because we would be treated later. I hope many of us will have similar memories and have crossed the same lines.

Xerox notes #A2Z challenge

I have a great bonding with Xerox during my college. It was a tool that saved us in our crisis. We used to Xerox the text books instead of buying them and that too only during the exams or the internals we would Xerox the notes.

It was a real saviour when we had to appear for our lab exams as our class guys used to get the micro Xerox of all the programs and would help us also by sharing it. We had a micro processor lab which the entire class found it difficult to understand the program and execute it and the entire class was saved by this micro Xerox. Xerox was a powerful tool for everyone.

Work outs #A2Z challenge

Work out keeps us physically and mentally fit. During college life, we were involved in lot of activities and sports that kept us fit and active throughout, which I am missing now as I hardly find any time for myself even to excerise for 30 minutes.

We used to spend lot of time in the gym or in the play ground and equally we would eat a lot as we would feel hungry very often. I remember, I used to have 3 -4 chapati's and still I was fit. But now, I feel that I increase my weight just by smelling chapati as there are no work outs which are essential. I think, many of us have the same feeling.

Values #A2Z challenge

College and the hostel life teaches a lot of values in shaping a character of a person. Moral values, social and economic values will be inculcated if you are in a hostel because you tend to know that value of money, time, food, love and emotions as you will be away from your home sweet home. Hostel teaches a lot of these values in its own way and it might not be joyful at times.

I used feel home sick often and would expect things to happen as the way it was at my home. But, at the end college life taught me how to interact with people, how to negotiate things, my responsibilities and how to face challenges thrown at me which is valuable.

Unexpected moments #A2Z challenge

College life is all about accepting the unexpected. At the start of the college, we see every student as a stranger and looking at some will have a mindset that we don't get friends with each other but unexpectedly we get along only with that person very well. Similarly, exam papers and the results are also unexpected!

There are many incidents and one of them is I had prepared for Logic Designs paper with 5 out of 8 units. But most of the questions were asked from what I had not studied and that was unexpected but the result was expected that I just got 28 marks out of 100 marks.

Thrilling #A2Z challenge

Everyday of a college life is a thrilling experience. You never know what happens when or what you will encounter. Unlike school, which is planned and classes are carried out according to the time table, college is never like that. Though a time table is scheduled, classes always don't go according to that and their is always atleast one surprise lecture that happens and you are forced to sit in the class. 

It's thrilling even when you try to escape from your professors site and hide somewhere. It's thrilling when you do not submit your assignment but still manage to get good internal marks. And it's thrilling to eat the local food from the local vendors. You expose to so many things for the first time and each and every experience that interests you becomes thrilling.

Sustain #A2Z challenge

Once we are in college we learn to sustain numerous things. This is true atleast in my case. I have sustained the most difficult phase of my life. I have sustained all the hardships. I have sustained and moved on in so many matters.

Today I have sustaining ability and I give all the credits to my college life, my hostel life. There were days when all the pocket money would get over just few days after receiving it. Fear of asking again I have managed the entire month with the little money left and I learnt I can sustain any situation with proper planning. I have sustained the mental pressure, heartbreaks with friends by being strong. Today I see myself as a confident women who can sustain and handle any tough situation without losing hopes. And I am sure, most of you would relate to it that you have also learnt to tackle many tough situations from your college days.

Ragging #A2Z challenge

There is nothing wrong if I say that ragging is a part of student culture. Every senior wants to show their seniority first by ragging the juniors. Of course, ragging is not a good thing but still ragging is fun if it is not too personal, humiliating and abusing. And one should never cross the limits and keep it only for fun.

Like every junior, I too was a subject to ragging but in a funny way. No seniors crossed their limits of ragging and neither did we cross our limits with our junior. Certain ragging incidents still put a broad smile on my lips if I think of it. We were made to sing a nursery rhyme and dance while singing. We were asked to speak about ourselves for 5 minutes and after every sentence we were supposed to say "my seniors our great". And there were many more funny ragging incidents that I faced and enjoyed.

Ragging in a healthy way has helped in bonding with seniors and other friends. The relationships became stronger. College days became easier with the guidance of seniors.

Quarrels #A2Z challenge

Quarrels are very common in college. Though it looks like a horror show during that time, it sounds very silly now when we think of it. Like anyone, I also had quite a few quarrels with my friends, roommates, bestfreinds. All the silly fights and arugments over a silly thing would leave us broken for days together.

I remember having a bad fight  during my first year of engineering with a girl who was one of my good friend once upon a time. I, along with my two other friends had such a big argument with the girl that we did not sleep the whole night. The only silly reason for having a fight was that girl was attention seeker and she was upset that we had been for a movie without her. We were frustrated with her behaviour since beginning and removed all our irritation on the day we fought. Our fights reached the ears of our principal and the next day, we were sent a letter to meet him at the office only to be patched up. Though we pretended to be nice before him, we did not talk to one another for four years. Only in the final year gathering, we left all our ego's and spoke to each other. Such is the silly quarrels that I still remember.

Placement drive #A2Z challenge

This is the day which every student eagerly waits for. Everyone wants to get placed in the top company with a very good package. Before placements started in our college, we were given training on aptitude, a syllabus from the beginning was brushed up and we were guided on our presentation skills.

On the day of placements, everyone dress in their best formals and reach college with the hopes of grabbing a job. There is nervousness in every student yet there will be excitement that very soon everyone will be independent. The thought of earning my own money and becoming independent always made me feel like grabbing a job as early as possible. But getting an offer letter was not as easy as I thought. I had faced my own roller coaster ride. Attended interviews of few companies that came to the college. Got rejected by some and I did not accept a offer letter of some for my own reasons. And finally, I realized the happiness of finding a right job when I got placed in my dream company with the salary I had expected. My happiness knew no bounds.

During this period of placement drive and job hunting, I realized how desperate I was to grab a job, I experienced the pain of rejection, I came to know how waiting for something for quite a long time feels like, and also realised what true happiness is. After everything, most of us were flying with true colors. We were eager to finish our exams and wanted to join the office soon. Wanted to experience the happiness of receiving the first pay check and buying gifts for everyone at home. It was an amazing feeling of mixed emotions.

Network #A2Z college

College plays a very important role in building our network and making our network strong. Having a strong connection with other students of a college and other colleges are very important so as to learn various things. It also plays a very important role during interviews.

If there are any inter college fest organised, we make friends with many students coming from different colleges. They in turn invite us for their colleges during any event. With this, we build our confidence and do not hesitate to take part in various activities.

When a fest was organised in our college, I took part in paper presentation. I got an opportunity to make many good friends from other colleges. Through those friends, I got to know about various others events organised in different parts of our state and was also invited to their college. I happily took part. I could see my confidence and presentation skills getting improved. With this new friends our network started building and we made more and more friends and got close to some like minded people as well. We started hanging out together, going out for movies, dinner. In fact, this even helped us in finding a job as everyone of us would be informed about opening if any one person came to know about any.
Having a strong network is very essential which can be easily achieved in college life.

Mass bunk #A2Z challenge

When we enter college, missing classes are normal. For some people it becomes a habit and some don't like to miss even a single class. And there are others who don't attend even a single class but somehow manage to maintain a good score. I have seen some of the faces only during exams and then learnt that they were my classmates too.

But, at times there would be situation were entire class decides to miss a lecture and mass bunk. That is the best any student can ask for as no one will be caught the next day. And if at all questioned, the varied reasons coming from all the students would really be very funny. I very well remember when I was in college, sometimes, our lecturer itself would tell everyone that the class is cancelled and would ask us to be out of our prinicles or the hod's sight so that no one gets caught. It would be double the fun when entire class won't appear for the lecture.

Library #A2Z challenge

For me library was all about books, books and only books until when I realized it was something more than that. We used library just to escape from our professors and hid there. A girl and a boy would use library to see each other. It was more of silent fun and sign languages than reading. We used library for some serious studies only during exams. The set up in the library, the silence maintained there would always make me feel very drowsy.

But the best use I made from library was using text books. We borrowed text books from there and renewed it timely after the last date and saved some money given to buy the books. And there are times we were fined for not returning the book on time and the way we escaped from giving them any fine. Library was like a peaceful and silent adda for many students.

Kingdom of knowledge #A2Z challenge

Amidst all the fun and craziness in the college life, what every student earn is knowledge. Knowledge that is carried throughout one's life. Knowledge about subject, knowledge about various other aspects and there is nothing wrong in calling college as a kingdom of knowledge.

Being in college, one learns how to communicate in a better way, how to present things in a interesting way, how to be a responsible person. Of course, all these knowledge is gained from childhood, no doubt, but being in college we get more exposure and the circle increases and so does the opportunities.
Knowledge is not just being strong technically but how to efficiently use it which is groomed in a college. We are guided on a career path that is best and running in the industry. We are helped and taught which career best suits us based on our interest and we are guided accordingly. Without all these, it would be difficult for anyone to chose a right path.

Juniors #A2Z challenge

It was a treat for seniors when they spot juniors in the campus. Seniors always demanded to be treated like god and these juniors followed all that was instructed obediently. When freshers entered the college, a fresher party would be organised were every junior was made to do things that were demanded. There was no opposition either. Ragging was a part of junior-senior relationship.

Even in the hostel, as I entered as a junior we were supposed to have food only after seniors, watch tv only if no seniors were watching. We were given to write notes or assignments from our seniors that had to be completed by them and we could not deny that but we made sure to scribble it in such a way that nobody understood what was written.They were many rules made by seniors.

Amidst all these, there was also a very good bonding between us. We were guided on studies, assignments, projects. We could sense their affection and love and all that teasing part was just fun which gradually everyone started enjoying and which also stopped gradually. At times when we were home sick, we confronted our seniors who made us feel comfortable by helping us come out it. Oh! Such a wonderful times it was.

Internals #A2Z challenge

Internals were the next thing next to exams that troubled students a lot, in fact, every month. Students trying hard to get average marks was a big deal that time. I remember we had something called blue books in which we were supposed to give our tests and the same book would be used every month. Some of our classmates who stayed in hostel would leave the book empty and then at night they would collect the books from a attender and fill in the answers. Of course, they bribed the attender the same and I know this was not right what they were doing but there was no way to stop it either.

Looking the syllabus and portion and analysing what to study and what to skip became a routine during internals. Here, students did not attempt to score high marks but just the average because most of them were confident of getting good marks in the external exams. Everyone sat in groups and discussed what would be important topic and just read that. We tried to analyse how the professor is and how he will set the paper. At the end of internals, everyone would even try to be nice to lecturers thinking that would fetch some good marks which was never the case though.

The only best thing about internals were, it would just be for about 1 hour and the rest of the day was free so we did not have to attend any classes.

Hostel life #A2Z challenge

Staying in a hostel has helped me in many ways. I have learnt so many things. I still remember the day when my mom dropped me to the hostel for the first time and left the place. I wept uncontrollably. That was the first time I was staying away from my parents and being attached to my dad I did not know how I will survive without him. I was scared if I will make any good friends there and if there will be people to take care of me. But, as time passed I made some good friends and trust me they were like a family away from family.

During the days when I fell sick, my friends took care of me with utmost care and never made me feel homesick. Anyone who have stayed in hostel can always connect to how wonderful that life is. Maggie and bread always come as a rescue when you don't want to have the hostel food.

Being in a hostel has made me a strong independent woman. I have learnt to organise things in a better way, I have learnt to manage financial matters efficiently. I have learnt the value of relationships. Today, I am glad for I chose to stay in hostel for having learnt so many lessons and for carrying so many good moments today.

Gathering #A2Z challenge

Gathering is the most awaited day of every student in their college life. Those late night events, fun week before the main gathering day and all the cultural activities keep the students very busy and the college very colourful.

Gathering is the day where friends from different class enjoy the event together. Students and lecturers come together during this day without any differentiation among them. Professors take part in the games organised with great spirit. Events, games and other activities are planned from weeks togther and we get to see some hidden talents of many students and the lecturers. Overall, gathering is enjoyed by everyone with great spirit.

Friends forever #A2Z challenge

The best part of college life is we make friends who stay with us forever. Of course, we will have childhood friends in our lives but making new set of friends in college is something different. We get close with only whose frequency levels match with ours. And only after entering my college, I have got best friends in my life whom I can rely upon at any time.

Without friends college life would have been very dry and boring. There wouldn't be any gossips, bitching about our enemies, laughing at silly jokes, code languages that only you and your friend understand and overall there wouldn't be any fun at all. Friends stood by me through my up's and down's and still they stand by me. Thanks to my college for I have a wonderful friends for life. Even today, I have never ending conversations with friends though we talk almost everyday and the stories doesn't seem to end at all.

Exams #A2Z challenge

Exams! A word that every student hate and a word that every lecturer loves.
How nice would it be, right, to go to college without all these exams? But, these exams always came to ruin a student.

Those last-minute preparations, night out, group studies, studying only the important topics all these are a part of college life. Not to forget, staying awake late nights only to sip a cup of tea with friends, having maggie in the middle of the night while studying. Exam times were more of other activities than studying.

Though students thought exams to ruin their lives, it did build a colourful future for a student. Though exam gave us tensions, it did create some beautiful time.

#SayYesToTheWorld and create beautiful memories

I always love to travel and I am ready for it at any time. In fact, at the end of my every trip, I start making plans for the next trip. Travelling has helped me discover a new me. Travelling has helped me grow as a person. Travelling has changed the way I look at certain things. Though I have not been a world traveller till now, finding new destinations within a country has made me realise how beautiful our country is, how rich our culture is and loving our people are. Going to different places makes you broad-minded and I truly agree with that. You learn so many things.

With travelling, I have been benefited in various ways and have also learnt so many things.

1. Being an introvert I always hesitated to communicate with people and would shy away. But, travelling made me more open today and helped me in making many new friends.
2. Travelling has helped me gain knowledge on our culture, history, language.
3. I have become a strong and confident woman.
4. I learnt how to adjust and how to come out of my comfort zone and try new things.
5. Having taken adventurous activities with my trip, I discovered I can also do things that once I thought I couldn't.
6. Got to taste various cuisines and took back the recipes of few.
7. Met like-minded people and learnt many things from them.
8. Have got lessons from bad experiences.

#SayYesToTheWorld to know your true potential and spirit. Say yes to travel and see how beautiful the world is, how fun travelling is. Travel and make some wonderful memories that you can cherish throughout your life. Travel to relax your mind and soul.

Dating #A2Z challenge

Dating is a part of college life and a part of a teenager. Secretly seeing someone, having a crush on a senior, falling in love, dressing up just for that special someone to look attractive is all very common.

You bunk classes just to meet your love, you wait for days to go on a movie date or a dinner date. When there is love, there is also break up. And how can one forget crying over a broken heart, friends trying to cheer you up?

The funny thing I remember about this love, break-up relationships are, your friend's support your love and when the person breaks your heart, they start cursing your guy. Also not to forget, the dramas you do to gain sympathy and support from your love and you understand how cooperative your friends are in executing the drama.

Classroom #A2Z challenge

When I think of a classroom, not just a professor and students, blackboard and benches come to my mind but also chit chats during the class hours refresh my memories. Emptying the tiffin boxes sitting on the last bench, texting a friend over the phone and at times, getting caught from the lecturer all that comes to my mind. Sometimes, this small fun that we do during a class makes even the boring class interesting and keeps us away from drowsing.

I remember going late to every 1st class in the morning and pushing each other to enter the class first. Most of us hiding from professor sitting on back benches to avoid getting questioned, submitting an assignment at the last moment with the entire class having a same copied content. How I wish I can go back to college life one more time and have all the fun again.

When I look back I have so many memories and I feel happy that I enjoyed my college life. And all these fun and enjoyment I had in college did not stop me from achieving what I need. I feel toppers and studious people might have memories of only studying and completing assignments unlike last benches and other cool guys who have carried so many memories.

Birthday celebrations #A2Z challenge

From midnight phone calls and birthday wishes to cakes and the birthday bumps,  everything remains fresh in my mind.

Staying awake until 12 to see who wishes first, waiting for a phone call from near and dear ones and expecting a gift on a birthday makes college life memorable.
I remember saving up the pocket money months before birthday just to treat friends with all our favourite food in our favourite restaurant.

I now realise, the little pocket money that we got from our parents have created so many memories and happiness which our salary now cannot do.

Attendance #A2Z challenge

When we think of our college life all that comes into our minds our classes, fun, friends. Not to forget, attendance which is headache in a students life, especially back bencher's and friends trying to give proxy on behalf of us and sometimes getting caught too.

I still remember the long queues in front of our principal's office from students having a shortage of attendance to collect their hall tickets. Sometimes, I would also be one among them and I have no regrets at all for standing in the queue. And then cooking up some stories in front of the principal for missing classes. These memories remain fresh in my mind and make me feel like going back to college life one more time. People say it is bad to miss classes but I feel once in a while it is ok as far as you know the limits. After all, what fun is college without having some fun, Right?

Z security #A2Z challenge

It was a dream come true day for me and for everyone in the college and across our district as missile man of India APJ Abdul Kalam was visiting our college and lot of events had already in place to welcome him to the college but our attraction was the Z security that was given to him.

Many security arrangements were unfolded a day before and we could see lot of built guards with dogs and all our classroom doors in the premises were locked and sealed. And we saw a couple of guards standing with rifles at the balconies. The stage had a D shape in front it and no one were supposed to cross it and few gun men were already standing there and there were high chairs set up on the stage. There were already more than 10000 people who were waiting for him.

The moment had come when APJ Abdul Kalam was about to visit us and I was privileged to be a part of escorting him. All of a sudden we heard lot of sirens and escort jeeps arriving near us. There were around six escort jeeps and missile man was in the center of escort. The moment they conway stopped, the Z security force were on their jobs and even we escorted him to the stage along with Z security. As he arrived on the stage he uttered to the people on the stage, by seeing at this incident all the audience stood up. The incident was, he asked the people on stage to remove the high chair and put up the normal plastic chair that was used for every audience. This was the simplicity of our APJ Abdul Kalam.

Water is our life

I grew up in a small town in Karnataka where water problem was like a curse. We had to buy water every alternate day and store it in tank and barrels. So, I already had learnt how to use the water minimally and efficiently. But later, I moved on to a new location where there was no water problem at all. Whenever I turned on the tap the water would pour and I started enjoying it. Slowly, I ignored using water minimally and started using the way I want until one day I realised my mistake.

I was travelling to my mom's village on a very sunny day. I had a mineral water which was half empty. While drinking water I happened to drop the cap which became very muddy. I, instead of washing the cap and using it, discarded the entire bottle without even thinking twice with the hopes of buying a new bottle in some shop ahead of the journey. But to my bad luck, I found no shops till I reached the village. The scorching heat made me thirsty again. I badly wanted a sip of water but no way to get it. I regretted throwing away the bottle. Regretted wasting the water forgetting the lessons learnt about saving water.

As soon as I reached home, I drank water to my content. But the entire village looked very dry. I felt there is no charm at all in the village. In the evening when we went to the field, I see most of the plant's dried up. No crop growth. Most farmers are in loss and only praying and hoping for some rain. I felt pity looking at a plight of the village and the farmers. A farmer in that village even committed suicide as he could not repay loans since he was under loss just because there was no rain and he could not properly water the fields. I realised " no matter which part of the city we are, we should always use water efficiently and conserve it for future".

Saving water should not just start from home but from us no matter where we are.

Why save water?
Save water, not for you not for me but for the future. Imagine what will happen to the world, if the water gets depleted and no drinking water available. #cuttingPani is really necessary to save us, to save the future and to save the world.

I have signed a petition and have done my bit.

Now it's your turn to sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/cuttingpaani

College life - Theme reveal for A-Z challenge

As I am taking part in A-Z challenge, I had no idea how to start or what is it going to be like. As I received emails from blog chatter to decide a theme as that would help, I thought and thought for long, what should a theme be like? How am I gonna write revolving around the theme? And how to chose a theme? Finally, I made up my mind, stopped thinking more and chose College Life to be my theme. And that's it, I thought the theme is ready and in April I am gonna start with my posts.

But, when theme reveal is happening and I see themes from other bloggers as well, I too started writing a post on my theme and what to expect.

So, I will be writing 26 posts based on the theme college life, on how college life was, the fun in college, worries, tensions, happiness etc.

Watch out my space in April for more.

Lessons learnt from a baby

Babies are wonderful creatures from God. They are tiny, they can't talk yet they make everyone happy around them. They attract everyone with their toothless smile. They teach us many things in their own little way.

Things I learnt from my baby, that I feel everyone must keep in their mind.

To love unconditionally: Babies show their unconditional love to their parents, grandparents or to whomever they are attached to. They do not know how to fake love unlike grown up's.

To trust blindly: We all have trust issues even with our loved ones. Babies trust anyone whom they are attached to, a lot.

Lack of ego: Babies absolutely have no ego and everyone should learn that. When a mother scolds, or when the father beats up a child, he/she will still go to them crying and a small hug or a cuddle is enough to make them smile. As we grow, our ego's grow stronger and we need to cut it down and be like a baby.

To be curious: Yes, every baby is curious about what they see every day. And this curiosity leads them to explore things. If we can get curious like babies, then, we too will have an interest in learning new things.

Happiness in little things: When you give a baby a small toy or any small thing that she needs, she is very happy about it and feels on top of the world. Expectations don't get bigger or they don't show any signs of dissatisfaction.

These small changes, when learnt and followed in our lives, life will become simpler and peaceful.

An old man in the park

One evening when I had been to a park, I saw an old man in his 70's enjoying with his granddaughter who was around 3 years of age. The little girl was enjoying with her tiny friends playing swing, slide and all the other games. The old man was around the girl keeping an eye on her. The girl's mother was busy having a discussion with a group of her friends sitting on a bench at a little distance from the girl. She was so busy in chit chatting that not even once she looked up to her daughter to see what she was up to.

All of a sudden, the girl slipped off a swing and had a very bad fall. The old man immediately rushed to her, carried her and tried to console her. He panicked because the girl had a cut on her lips and she started bleeding profusely. Mother of the girl noticed the crowd after 5 minutes of the incident and rushed to see what the matter was only to learn that it was her daughter who was hurt. She immediately reacted and started shouting at the old man " Papa, how could you be so careless? Because of you, my daughter is hurt. You can't even do a small job of taking care of this girl. You don't know how to grow kids. For no reason, you were standing around her without protecting her".

Seeing her reaction, he felt ashamed and walked off putting his head down. The lady dragged her daughter's hand and started walking.

Noticing this, I had so many questions and thoughts on my mind. If the woman was so protective, then why was she busy with her friends without even looking at her girl? If the old man had no knowledge of how to grow a child, then she wouldn't be what she is today.

Accidents tend to happen which is out of our control at times. Reacting to this and hurting others does not serve any purpose. We all want our loved ones to be safe and secure and nobody does any harm intentionally. It is on us how we handle the situation. With these thoughts running on the mind, I just left the place disturbed.

Sympathy - In the innocent way

On a cold winter morning, a boy set out on a leisure walk to a nearby park. The little boy was fully covered with warm woolen sweater, hat, socks and muffler to protect himself from the freezing cold.
On the way to the park, he saw a bird sitting warmly on a tree and chirping peacefully. The boy felt pity on the bird and thought to himself.

Oh! Poor little bird, how can you protect yourself from this freezing cold the way I have protected myself with these woolen clothings.

From top of the tree, the bird spotted the boy as well. Soon, even the bird had sympathy on the little boy for he was only covered with a piece of clothing according to the bird. The bird thought to itself.

Poor little fellow has no feathers like mine to protect him from this cold. He is only covered with a piece of cloth which serves no purpose and felt pity for the boy.

Both the boy and the bird had sympathy for each other in their own innocent way being unaware of the fact that they had best protection from the cold.

#BlogchatterA2Z- a challenge to keep me motivated

Being new to a blogging world and twitter, I somehow learnt about blog chatter and signed up for it. Saw various posts about April's A-Z challenge that were doing rounds on Twitter. As an innocent newcomer, I kept wondering what this challenge is all about. I started watching videos that were posted and started reading all the tweets about it and slowly I learnt that A2Z challenge is to blog every day in the month of April except for Sundays starting from letter A up to letter Z. There were many enthusiasts participants each year who have successfully completed the challenge.

After knowing about it, I wanted to give this challenge a try and take my blog to the next level. But will I be able to do it? And for this challenge, where do I get motivation from to keep it going?
When these questions were striking me, I realized that this April challenge itself is a big motivation for bloggers to be regular and immediately registered myself for the same.

I have no idea how it works. I have set up a theme in my mind but I don't even know if that is the way it has to be. But whatever it is, I am going to give it a try and take part in this motivating challenge keeping my fingers crossed to complete it successfully. Fingers crossed not because I cannot complete it but because my 10 months old allows me to complete it.

" I am taking the Challenge of April with Blogchatter, are you? "

My experience with sleep paralysis

I laid straight on my bed trying to move, trying to scream but all in vain. I badly wanted to wake my husband up who was peacefully snoring but was not able to utter a word. I felt as if someone or something was sitting on me and choking my neck hard. For a moment, I started feeling that, it would be my last breath and this came as an indication. This is the worst nightmare of my life. I somehow wanted to wake up or move as I could hear sound from my husband, the sound coming from outside and wondered why am I not able to move or speak. Finally, with great difficulty, I managed to move my arms and everything seemed to be normal then on.

I walked to the kitchen and drank water to ensure I am alright. As I drank, I was wondering what was happening to me. I woke my husband and narrated all that I experienced. He chuckled it off saying that I was only hallucinating or probably I was dreaming and slowly he drifted back to his dreamland.

No, I was neither dreaming nor hallucinating. Something had just happened and wanted to know what it was to have a peaceful sleep for the rest of the night. Then came to my rescue was Google. I came to know that it was sleep paralysis which is not uncommon in people and then I was relieved that I am not alone and there are people who have experienced the similar situation.

But what is sleep paralysis and why did it hit me?
A person experiences sleep paralysis when he is trying to wake up or falling asleep where he cannot move his body temporarily. But he will completely be aware of what is happening around him and can hear things. It lasts for few seconds to 2-3 minutes.
Sleep paralysis can occur to anyone having trouble sleeping, changing the sleep pattern, jet lag, family history of sleep paralysis, sleeping in back etc.

Whatever the reason is, I was relieved that there is no harm in this and it is very common. Moreover, I was relaxed because now I know I was not hallucinating. I slowly went back to sleep and woke up fresh in the morning.

And finally! She is out of the abusive relation

Yes, Sanju was in a very abusive relationship. A relation where she had to undergo too much of pain. She was dating a guy for 3 years and in these years all that she got was tears and only tears. There was no single day where she slept without having any fights with. She was dominated and being controlled by the love of her life. But, she had no way to escape and moreover, she felt love to be stronger than the pain. 

She met her guy at her friend's party where she exchanged her number and started being in contact. Little did she know that she would end up being in an abusive relationship. Initially, things were fine and he showered loads and loads of love to her. She was showered with her favourite chocolates and gifts each time they met. As time passed, she started knowing his true colours. He started doubting her with every single guy, her classmate, her brother, an auto driver and everyone else. She was being dominated and rules were set on her. She had to change her number and he decided to whom she has to share the number with. He kept track of all her activities. He never allowed her to do things on her own and that she liked. She had to seek his permission for all the little things. 

Sanju tried hard to make him understand that she has a life of her own and that she needs some space for herself which ended up in a fight again. She finally wanted to give it a quit when he abused her for attending an interview without his knowledge and against his wish. He had already stopped her from attending two interviews saying what is a need for women to work, men will exploit her, she will have to talk to men at the office. But when third company came for placements, she attended the interview without informing him. She was successful in the interview and was placed with a very good package. Her parents and friends were all very happy except for him. He started showing his insecurities and started abusing her stating she cheated and lied to him. She realised this is not the life she is leading and deserves a better life. She thought to herself when her parents have supported her in all her dreams why is she spoiling it for a man who doesn't even respect her dreams. With this thought, she had to put a full stop to her relationship. 

She had given a lot of chances to her guy and would fall into the trap of his emotional blackmail. So she made a firm decision, went to her cousin's place to a different state for a month and kept her phone off. All this while she never contacted him and she spoke to her parents on her brother's phone. By the time she got back, she was over him and became stone hearted for his emotions. He tried contacting her several times but she didn't answer the call even once and she fully got over the relation.
Now, she is leading a very happy life and enjoying to the fullest. She has no one to script her life and control her. She has realized, when things are not worth it then there is nothing wrong with letting it go.

Happy birthday to world's best dad

Appa, no matter how hard I try I cannot be like you. You are a man of simplicity and down to earth. You have given a very rich culture to us (to me and akka) because of which we are able to survive in this world. You have made us strong and independent because of which we can handle any situation. I remember all your struggles and sacrifices you made just to make us smile. You are always there by our side as a strong pillar of support.

Today, on your 63rd birthday I wish you a very happy birthday. I just want to tell you that we love you a lot and Akka and I are very lucky to be your daughters. You are a gem of a person and you are loved by all for the way you are.
We love you appa and happy birthday.

Vacation! A much needed change

Post delivery my life was only revolving around my baby from feeding her to changing her nappies, from bathing her to putting her to sleep. I had no time for myself and I very much needed a small change. I knew I cannot take a break but at least I can have some change to relax myself. So planned for a vacation for 3 days with other couple friend of ours.

Once in a while, a small trip brings in a lot of difference.
People commented what different is it gonna be in doing the same thing at a different place. But I felt, even a small trip and change in place brings a lot of difference and trust me that did relax my mind and we had a great time. My little one also enjoyed a lot and played well.

We planned a trip to pondy and that place was a real stress buster. From beaches to ashram, food to shopping everything was great. With my cooperative baby, things were easy and the trip was even more enjoyed. 

Responsibilities are a part of our life. Sometimes, we are so involved in our work that we forget to enjoy our lives or live in the moment. We might get stressed out. So even if we have a baby, there is nothing wrong in planning a trip. Go on a small vacation and enjoy life.

Sexual harassment on women. Will it ever end?

We hear about women being physically exploited every single day. Not just women, but even minors and old ladies too. But why is it increasing day by day? Has man left with no fear in him? Or is it a poor law that punishes no man for this act?
Whatever the reason is, somehow we need to put an end to this. Most of the time, women fear and avoids sharing what she faced to others. Women should start getting bold and speak out openly about what is happening. She should not fear in letting the man get punished. In a public place, if she encounters an harassment, she should not hesitate to create a scene that attracts the public. Every woman should take a bold step to put an end to such activities.

No! I am not a bad mom

If you are a first-time mom, then you probably know how it feels like. Every day is a learning phase for you and every day you gain experience in one or the other way. Not to mention you also get stronger day by day.
The difficult phase of motherhood is protecting your little munchkin from all the illness. You do your best to keep her safe, away from common cold and flu, yet,  sometimes things are not in your hand and your little one will be suffering from fever or cold. If your baby throws tantrums to eat, then somehow by hook or crook you have to feed her, even if she is crying. Because every mom wants her little one's tummy to be full.
The worst part is, you start getting comments and opinions from others about your parenting skills. Each person has a different comment and suggestion. The same thing happened to me when my baby fell sick. I was being blamed saying I was careless. Sometimes, if the baby cries while having food, again I am blamed I have no parenting skills and art of feeding.
But, as a mother, everyone knows what is best for their child, how to keep her safe and how to feed her. Sometimes, things happen which is out of our control. Now, I have understood that people speak whatever they want and however they want. As a new mommy, I am doing my best and yes, I am not at all a bad mom.