Wednesday 8 July 2015

'Tranquility' is one word that I'm aiming at!

Just love the compliments flowing in when I am called yummy mummy or a haaattie!!! I'm sure we all want this in todays era, where looks, plays a vital role, I gladly confess that I love to be in shape. But I'm not a fitness freak either, nor do I believe in the crash dieting concept. All that I need is the healthy body to survive this tough life. And believe me these small steps help me alot.

Few things which I follow:

Waking up early: let me say I have acquired this habit from the last few years only. I also love to remain cozy in bed for lazy mornings, but comparatively, I have gained a lot of efficiency by waking up early. I could do a lot of productive work by waking up in the morning. And now I love to be ahead of schedule. Rushing in those peak hours is bye-bye now, because I start earlier than the office hours and provide all the mails to everyone before time! Hmm...... loved this relaxed life.

·         How to spend that "early morning half hour": It is crucial to plan these 30 minutes of your morning hours. Have hot water with Dabur honey in it, is tested way to reduce those extra layers (5 minutes). Meditate (15 Minutes). Exercise (10 Minutes) and you are ready for the day. Believe me, you are highest in your productivity, plan your day, jot down your priorities for the entire day during this time. If you are prepared then your actions reveal that smart worker within you, everyone can notice that change in you.

Have a colorful food: I love colors and let them reflect on food as well. Yes, if you believe in expert advice then nutrition experts also say that your food should have all the colors of the season. It will become a balanced diet. Most of us have help/ aids at homes, all we need is to have a planned menu at homes, so that we are planned when to bring what raw material, to stick to that menu. You will observe that with the increased variety, your portions will reduce and it is an actual way to eat healthy and have nutritious life.

Prefer source food than the processed food: We are opting for lemon juices, rather than preparing lemon juice at home. Grind mangos for that refreshing mango juice; this is better than opting for chemically processing mango juices. You will gain two things, one is reduced preservative intake and second, have control of the sugar content, while having these juices at home. Bring Dabur honey to your diet rather than use of sugar.

Fight Illness: Recently I had an infection in the body, this illness is unexpected and shocking for me, when I say that I follow a strict diet and disciplined life. But you cannot avoid the ever getting stronger virus and bacteria around, this healthy nutritional pattern helped me recover faster.

Healthy body or healthy mind: No choice we need both! Yes, we are born in pairs, husband and wife, cannot clap with one hand, similarly mind and body are complimentary to each other. If you focus only on your healthy body, but have a pessimistic thought process, you will never succeed, that I can bet you!


Try tweaking your routine, you will gain a lot professionally and personally as well! The balance that you will achieve is worth it.

You can log in to http://www.daburhoney.com/ for more healthy and easy options.

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Lessons from horse's mouth - About creative writing in digital world!!!


This story started from 2011, when I started writing. I actually have no clues what writing is all about. Over and above, there is digital writing, which is again divided into Website content development, blogs, e-magazines and articles writing. I have learned a lot of lessons while working in this industry.

Let me confess, no one in my family ever done business before. Yes, working in this industry is business only, as you will be writing business for them. Negotiating, sending quotes, delivering presentations about your work, are all what an entreprenur does. So, yes, you have entered into a business transaction.

There are a whole lot of styles and trends these days which are available. Something which is new, informative and crisp is what is liked by your readers. This is what I have understood from my experience. Adding these flavors to various writings makes a great piece!

1. You canNOT connect with everyone: You receive several queries, but the fact is the conversion ratio is only 2% - 5%. Yes a lot of times its the cost which is really driving force for a yes or no. Don't crib if you can't crack a deal, important is to focus on work. Clients will come to you.

2. Know your Customer - KYC: Yes, we are working at the age of the internet where we are interacting over telephones, skypes and mails. Understanding your customer becomes tough. You need to ask every possible question, that take you to depths about the client's past record of payments, their nature, urgency, and level of involvement. However, linkedins and other social sites are not that helpful, it is always good to get referrals.

Most of the people with whom I have been interacting are start-ups: It is always good to ask, how old are you in business. or questions like may I know more about you and your business! Generally people do not have idea about content, they are more worried about the look and feel of the website. I am not denying that look and feel are not required, but in the long run, it's your content which will be a savior from Google Giant. The content has to be fresh, informative, should have tag lines and an amazing headline.

3. Entrepreneurs cannot guide you in content development: What is the style of writing, how you want to convey is your domain. Don't ask these questions from them. 

Ask relevant questions: what is your USP, what is your business, who are your target customers, are you operational in other continents as well. Who are your competitors. 

4. Prepare 2-3 write-ups: Show the client which you don't like much, the chances are they will like that one the most. If they are asking for more samples than show them the other ones, from your kitty. 

5. Don't write About us in case of start-up's: Put your best foot forward, when your product or services are new or innovative or have something to offer them, showcase about that in your website. 

Add Tabs about: USP, Milestones, New features, Benefits, Testimonials. These things will add value to your website.

6. Good to have quotes finalized once you have understood the work: After knowing the work, you can say no as well. or you can buy time. Never show that you are in a hurry to have this assignment. During this time you can develop your quote, quotes should always be customized. Don't give generalized quotes.

These are some of the lessons i have learned from my writing in this industry.




Thursday 25 June 2015

How Indian girls turn into witches - after Marriage


I am a married woman with a kid. Well, thankfully I have been able to sustain this long... This subject comes to me as I was talking to a recently married girl who is so open to make all the sacrifices from her level to keep her new family happy and marriage a strong bond... I was wondering how every Indian girl in most of the cases does the same... where she first treats her in-laws at priority, then her hubby and lastly herself.

Suddenly, after few married years, everything turns vice-a-versa. You see this same lady now, taking care of her on the first hand, then comes her kid and then hubby then the in-law parents and finally her parents. Has anyone ever tried to find out the reason for this drastic change, some of the reasons are as follows:

For what, just to listen list of unfinished tasks from in-laws and also hubby also starts blaming her for not giving him time. She is generalized as being slow, remains unhappy, unorganized, mismanaged and lost all her charm of being a good wife... good daughter-in-law.


And then she has to loose job as unfortunately not only the family the corporate world also can't provide her paid leave.


Finally she decides that I have to start living for my interests, I need to have my body back in shape. I should have my job back, my charm and everything which I have lost due to marriage. I really don't know why, we the people living in urban cities feel this way. 
This has been an unfortunate fate with one of my very close friend who is struggling and I'm sure many of us around are leading this kind of life, where till the time a daughter-in-law is doing home chores, she is criticized but when she stops doing again she will be blamed.


When she was newly married, she has been taking care of her family, his hubby's family becomes her family, But there was no one who took care of her...She puts all her energy when she is about to go to bed at late night, but still hear whispers, she left doing this, she was not in a mood to do this, Her MIL gossip, that she never does whatever I say to her.

When her parents ask, she says I'm very happy doing great. All is good I have been able to make my place in my family, all are very happy. But she knows deep inside her that things are not so goody-goody, which is trying to portray to her parents.
Her relatives Buas, Masi, chaha's call her until a few months as they understand that this is settling period, but she is always remains busy with the in-laws family, gradually they stop calling her, and start asking for her well being from her mother and father only. By now, they start blaming her that she forgets us, don't stay in touch, never makes any call.
So she lost touch with her extended family whom we generally call Masi's, Mama's, Bhua's, Tau's and many more cusions, who used to be her best friends before marriage.
By 2 years of marriage, she managed to settle with the in-laws family routine and tries to move ahead in her profession and searching for a professional jump, but unfortunately again, no support, this time she hears the words of family planning from everyone, her family, her in-laws family her hubby and neighbors too!

This time the level of frustration reaches to a stage where she feels that why should I become a spare goat every time. There is no one who will take care of her baby as everyone is busy in their lives, including her hubby too!
No help will come to her ever, weather this way or the other way. I really feel pity for this vicious circle of our Indian society where it's only the women who is to be blamed for everything which went wrong, but never got solace or co-operation from anyone in her family.
Still, she maintains a warm smile on her face and never speak ill about her state with anyone around, because she still cares for her family. She doesn't want her kids to be affected by the daily fights and small matters to become public.

She doesn't have time for her best friends, office buddies or parties or to pursue her hobbies, she is busy making her husband's friends as his friends, his hubby's family her family.

Then at night the hubby wants his time when she comes early to bed to spend time with him, she again hears list of few things which were told to her are not completed.... Then hubby says "Ok, I'm sleeping" 

Is there anyone who can come to help her? No!!! All she is judged is the way he is working, but no one comes to her help, Reason - If she gets help how will she learn to take up responsibilities. It is a thought from the old school that its only the lady who will have to manage home, but this only stands true until she isn't working. Now, when she is working in stressful, competitive world, how in-laws can actually expect that she will have to do all the cooking, washing and other chores and then please hubby and in-laws too!

The Indian Girl feels: I will be able to transform my in-laws gradually, she feels that they will understand her one day, and remain quiet and continue to do all the daily chores along with her stressful job without complaints.

After six months, 

I want to ask everyone when an organization cannot work with one person, then how can we expect family to work with one person and that is "Woman" "Wife" "Daughter-in-law"....

Saturday 26 July 2014

Vote for my daughter

Hello everyone, My daughter is partcipating a contenst request you all to vote for her.
All you have to do is to click on the link and like.

http://www.parentingnation.in/baby-photo-contest-india/_Babyname_Dhruvika_Vats_97232


Friday 25 April 2014

Connecting dots, I visualize a possible end - for - final half story... #DOitRight



Till now Part 1: 



Our final Half Story is about a passionate principal, who runs a humble 3-room school, nestled among the mountains on the Indo-Nepal border, in a place called Megma. Despite shaky benches, faded and cracked blackboards and weak infrastructure, the students still walk in with huge smiles on their face. The principal, who despite retiring last year, still continues to teach them free of cost, and says that he will do this for the rest of his life! Let’s keep his dream alive of giving every home education. Complete his Half Story by giving this 3-room school stationery sets and blackboards.


Part 2


The second half of the story: One of the blogger picks the story, approach the principle back in that village to know the actual situation. Also to understand what kind of help can he do (His part) and fortunately this blogger has the network of people who can help him develop a Fb page for promotion. Secondly, they develop the blog in the name of the school, putting in photographs of the school, the children and the nature and places to visit around. Gradually they start getting recognized online.



Blogger guides the principle to volunteer for the "Teach India" project, from where he can actually gain better knowledge about how to teach these kids for employ-ability. Through blogs and other online promotional activities they are able to generate some income. 



"Megma village" is also publicized as a tourist spot where the tourist can halt and have the scenic relaxation while driving towards Tumling, Bordering Northern Bengal, Indo-Nepal border. 



I visualize that people specially halt to visit the school which is promoted at large. To visit the school, they have to pay fees of Rs.10/-. Leading to another source of income.



Blogger helped this principle in developing network with some wealthy tycoons, who have a heart to donate for a cause. 



Through the passing days/years this village becomes a trek ground for the trek lovers and can be spotted as an undiscovered destination. And a small tea break spot for tourist and gains its popularity over the coming years. The school principle was able to generate sufficient funds to keep his mission going. 



In my vision, this story has a great start and fresh approach towards its cause. Its not an end its the new beginning. This "blogger" whom I have been mentioning here repeatedly could be anyone from us. 


Why??? we have to tell others to do this and that, why can't "I" can teach myself to step ahead and approach this principle in his noble cause.... think about it.


My appreciation to Do Right initiative taken up by Tata capital and special mention to Indiblogger for taking us to the places where we cant reach but our blessings and help can. I wish my story helps in contributing my bit of help through completing the second half of the final story. 

Wednesday 9 April 2014

10 Deadly Questions, you hate being asked



I being a Girl that too Indian, doesn't always means that i'm liable for pleasing or answering every question being asked or thrown upon me.... I'm sure these 10 questions we all hate when they are asked or inquired about us:


1. When are you getting married, my child?
It's not you parents who are concerned, it's the relatives and the neighborhood, who is most interested in knowing out of all the people in the world. As if they are getting noble prize, once they know the answer to this precious question.

2. Was he your boyfriend?
Every Tom, Dick and Herry, with whom you were caught hanging around has its obvious implication that he is your boyfriend. And if you happen to be seen with different boys at various places, then you have those many boy friends. and hence forth, you the most rebellious kinda girl in eyes of the observers. No one can accept the fact, that he could be your cousin elder brother too. We as a society will not  give it a thought that this boy can be his friend ONLY.

3. What is your religion/ Cast?
With this answer we try to relate with the kind of actions one does. But is it really right kind of observation. Or is it required to be answered to become friends.

4. How old are you?
It is one obvious question, we all ladies hate to answer and we all know the reason I believe

5. If you are late: with whom, where you?
Oh, come on. a lady can also have official meeting in evening which can end up late than expected. A lady can also go to field job, where she is struck up in traffic jam.

6. What did you shop, without asking me?
A lady can' t donate for a noble cause, until or unless you take advice from your hubby or your father. Females are always considered as bad investors, as it is presumed that we can be-fooled easily, we don't have the right judgement power. Lack of understanding about human behavior.

7. Where did you drive this car?
A dent has happened in the car - it implies that it was lady driver who was a fault. However, the fact could be that a MAN driving was driving insanely. But I bet, you can't convince even one person, that it wasn't your fault.

8. Is this your baby?
A child you are with; implies that it's your baby. and suddenly all surprised looks will fall on you, as if you are the center of attraction, like chief guest

9. Do you bought this dress from so and so shop? I saw this there
When you have searched tons and finally bought a dress, which you were so sure that is the best and unique. and then in a party this question is asked to you, top of that when its in front of a group of elite colleagues. Crap, nothing worst could have been.

10. When are you coming back home?
When you are in middle of a meeting, or its your date that's going so perfectly, or you are having bang with your friends. then landing to this question, is something so annoying for you at times....


What's that smell, boss?








This is a story from the time when schools were in open. The classes were under the trees and the tent was the office for the principle. Yes the time when my father was young. So here revolves the story round Ajju, who was a small kid. He moved to school one day without taking bath and when the head master ask " what's that smell, boss?", he said I took bath I just forget to use "Ettr". That day he managed to escape the lie he told to the head master.

Few days later again the head master asked "whats that smell, boss?", He said, Sir I woke up at 4 am in the morning and took bath and then I helped my father in house chores". Head master let Ajju go but he wasn't satisfied with the answers. Head master moved to Ajju's bros's class and asked him, did your brother took bath today? The younger brother got afraid and he said, no sir, I was trying to wake him up since morning. And finally our father scolded him, in the rush to come to school he skipped the bath today.

Head master, was furious over Ajju and now he is confident of the "Reason" of the smell. He moved to the class room where Ajju was studying, took all Ajju's clothes and made him take bath in front of everyone under the school hand-pump. 

Everyone standing was laughing at Ajju and poor Ajju, put his clothes on and moved to his brother's class thinking no one will humiliate him. As soon he entered, everyone said to him: "Ajju, why didn't you took bath everyday?". Head master was asking your brother about this only!!! 

Poor Ajju!!!!

Head master did this to give message to every boy studying in that school, that to take bath daily and follow healthy personal hygiene habits. 

So people take bath everyday, you will save yourself from whole lot of disrespect.

This blog is written for Indiblogger Competetion: https://www.facebook.com/racoldthermoltd