Paradise on Earth

Kashmir is the most beautiful place on this earth I have ever seen in my life. Its mesmerizing beauty can enchant anybody and will bound to make you return to this heaven once again.

Despite the tense situation in Kashmir, I find myself quite lucky that I got a chance to visit this place with my family. Its beauty cannot be described in words but can only be felt.  After taking blessing from holy goddess Vaishno Devi Mata we booked taxi for Srinagar. On the way we were able to see majestic mountains, enchanting rivers and many trees. Rows of Chinar and Deodar trees added incredible beauty to the valley of the Kashmir.

After a captivating journey we reached Srinagar in the evening. To experience the scenic beauty of Dal Lake we rented one houseboat for two days. It was the most beautiful days of my life. I could see the Shikara and houseboat communities spread all over the lake.  Its beauty was enhanced by surrounding Mountain View. Experience of Floating houseboat over beautiful waterways of Dal Lake was amazing. It was freezing cold in the month of March and houseboat owner offered us “Kahwa Chai” made up of spices. It is a tea with an exotic flavour and is best for cold winter as it keeps you warm.

Next day in the foggy morning standing on my houseboat I could feel this is the most tranquil place I have ever visited. I could watch Shikara the Kashmiri gondolas floating over the calm serene water, garden boat that gave the impression of floating garden, Ravens and Hawks swimming on the lake to catch fish. Many lofty mountains partially covered with snow enhanced its majestic beauty.

Wonderful thing about houseboat is that you don’t have to worry about shopping. Salesmen come to your doorstep by paddling their boat and selling you everything like chips, chocolates, sweaters, Pashmina Shawl, fresh flowers, beads, etc. Kashmir is also famous for its dignified style of dress. Salesman came to our houseboat along with photographers to get us clicked in Kashmiri dress( Pheran and Pathan Suit) and it was fun.

Ride in beautiful Shikara at the sunset was wonderful. It’s a perfect place for Honeymoon couple. While taking a round in Shikara we noticed vegetables fields in the lake. While rowing boat many of them were singing melodious Kashmiri songs and I got lost somewhere in that harmony.

Next day we planned to visit around the city.Srinagar is famous for it’s lakes and gardens. Chasme Sahi, Shalimar bagh, Nishat Bagh are famous among them. Shalimar bagh symbolises as monument of love. We could see many newlywed couple enjoying its beauty. All three gardens were illuminated by electric lights which add to its beauty.

Pretty Kashmiri girls enhance to its exotic beauty. They are the most beautiful woman in India I have come across. Fair, pretty eyes, sharp nose, rosy cheek gave the impression as if many apsaras had landed on the earth. Sight of an Indian Soldiers with guns in the cities brought me back to the reality of this place.

Third day we went to Gulmarg, hardly 52 kms from Srinagar. To experience Snow beauty, this is the best place. Meadows of Gulmarg were laden with flowers and long deodar trees and even Himalaya top could be seen from this place.  Snow covered mountains with greenery at the bottom gave magical effect. I feel this is the best place for trekking, skiing and horse riding.

Fourth day we had to leave for Delhi and nobody was happy to depart from such lovely place.  Seeing all our gloomy face around my four year old cousin very innocently said, “Mamma I am missing ‘Kahmir “   and the way he pronounced Kashmir as “Kahmir” we all burst into laughter.

P.S- I will revisit this place with my Husband :)

My First Crush on a Teacher

First crush is always special and like all other girls I too had one in class XI.  Yes, you heard it right. You must be thinking class XI isn’t it too early??  But I was crazy that time, crazy, immature and dreamy.

Those crazy days are still so vivid in my mind.  I still remember the first day when he entered our class and I fell for him instantly.  He was tall, charming, whitish complexion and had masculine body.  In class XI we all were busy with “IIT Preparation” and he was appointed by our principal to get our physics doubts clear. As usual first class was just an introductory class and time just flew away.  At that time I wished I had some time machine so that this introductory class could go on and never stop :).

He used to take three classes a week and from then on last bencher girl (That’s me ) became the first bencher and I was always right ahead of time for the class.  Of course from then on Physics was my favourite subject.  Every time when he entered for the class my heart flipped, blood rushed through my body and my cheek used to become red hot.Well it’s kind of embarrassing but I relished those silly moments.Now an insincere student became sincere and to everybody’s surprise I had doubts which as usual I used to clear it after the class. I used to wait for this moment, only him and me discussing in a classroom. I had goose bumps all over my body when with his cute dimpled smile he used to say “yes Ankita what’s your doubt”.

Every day in school I hoped desperately for a single glimpse of him. Days passed by and this continued. My friends started teasing me with his name and with this, infatuation became stronger. Winter vacation came and we all had to leave for our home. I was excited about going home and sad about not getting to see him for one complete month. Luckily just a day before the vacation he came to take our class. I still remember he wore striped black colour t-shirt and light blue colour jeans that day. After the class I went to ask him what would he do for one month and his answer shattered my little heart. You all must be wondering what his answer was?? He was married and had one lovely daughter. I was heartbroken when reality struck me. Without even saying a word I just went away.

It’s been 9 years since I saw him and now I think how silly I was at that time.

P.S- Crushes are meant to be crushed..:)

Fear of Number 13

There is worldwide superstition that number 13 is an unlucky number. Some religion and civilisation consider it as unfortunate and evil. In India we never took it seriously and even in lotto game for fun we use to refer number 13 as unlucky number.

It’s a common belief that western culture is based on objective reality and is devoid of any superstition. I was in complete bewilderment when I found out there is no 13^th floor found in many high rise building of USA.  There is directly jump from 12^th to 14^th floor in high rise buildings.  Even many houses, rooms in hotels are not numbered as 13^th. 

Fear of Friday 13^th also exists among many Americans. It’s considered as the “Day of Bad Luck”. It’s quite surprising that 20 million Americans suffer from this fear and they usually avoid their normal day routine on this day. Superstitions do prevail here also.

P.S- I live in 13^th floor oops sorry actually 14^th floor of my building.

Hidden Beauty

Yesterday I saw a girl/woman in niqab and I could not take my eyes off her. Her twinkling light blue colour eyes could intoxicate anybody. Her beautiful innocent eyes left me wondering how beautiful she must be under her veil. Suddenly our eyes met and trapped in her gaze I could not stop myself complimenting her pretty eyes.  

Whenever I see a woman surrounded by a black material, curiosity and mystery scampers through my mind.  Who is inside it?? How does she look like?? Is she married or still single?? Which country does she belong to??  This lovely inquisitiveness continues for some time.

I vividly remember how in childhood days I used to wear Burqa made up of scarf just for fun.  I always wondered how it felt to hide your identity. I am quite choosy when it comes to clothes and I feel one good thing about veil is that you don’t have to care what you will wear next day. It also makes you comfortable inside as it prevents from staring eyes of the strange man.

Even though it has many advantages but at times it’s quite uncomfortable in summer. In many conservative societies women are forced to wear burqa. I feel it should not be made compulsory but left at their choice. 

Sea- My source of Inspiration

That's me having Fun

Since childhood I love to play in the sea and admire its beauty.It’s my dream to have a house near the seashore.  I am not poetic by heart but, through this blog I want to express my feelings about the beautiful briny sea. I feel this is the best place to get rid of all your anxiety and stress. 

It’s such a pure feeling to see sunrise spreading  light all over the sea and illuminating glittery gold colour on its surface.  Early in the morning when I see whooshing waves, smell salty breeze, feel cool breeze on my face, and look at sea horizon, it makes me exuberant.  I often look at sea and feel many lessons of life can be learnt from it. Our life is like sea waves. We all know when one side of waves go up eventually other side comes down, similarly ups and downs are parts of our life and it is inevitable. Instead of cribbing about our sorrow you should be joyful that this phase will be gone very soon and gleeful life is waiting at your doorstep.

I read in my favourite novel “Tuesday With Morrie” that failure is a part of our life and one should learn our mistakes from it. One should always try to rise by learning from its past mistakes in the same way as sea waves do.

The Ocean is an oasis of my life and I always share secrets with it. I feel lighthearted by sharing my sorrow and grief. I share everything with my best friend by writing it down on the wet sand and surging, retreating waves take away my secrets with it.  Best friend is one who is for you forever without even expecting anything in return from you, I feel the same when sea water breaks into foam just to touch your feet and be with you.

We all know to achieve success in life one should be adaptable to very situation. Like sea changes its colour from green to blue to gray with the change of colour of the sky we should also adapt to the situation. Ocean is of blue colour and blue colour symbolizes purity, sincerity and spirituality. I feel sea is the mixture of all three.

Have you ever experienced its serenity, purity, calmness?? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Double Dhamaal - Double Dissapointment

Dhamaal  succeeded in making us laugh from start to finish and definitely was a hearty pleasure movie. Through Double Dhamaal   Indra Kumar unleashes endless torture throughout the movie. It’s not a refreshing treat for movie lovers.

Double Dhamaal is a huge disappointment especially for those who have seen the first part. It’s a total waste of money and time.  It has got some cheesy jokes in it. The dialogues are not at all funny and few of them are repetition of the Dhamaal.  Even the music in the movie is boring except the “Jalebi Bai” song. The only scene which I liked the most is the gorilla act.

Instead of stress buster it turned out as a big headache.  The movie ended on the note that Indra Kumar will come up with the third series i.e. total dhamaal . I just hope that it should be a light entertainer with a good laugh. 

Copy Cats Indian Television Show

Originality, I think this word is missing in Indian Television show dictionary.  Why does it happen that most of the high rated TRP shows in India are copies of other country’s television shows? well its a well known fact that successful copied shows sell  like hot cakes and producers are not willing to take risk.  Why do they show their ingenuity in only saas bahu type serials??  Is it that brainstorming is not in their blood??

I agree viewers enjoy such shows and its definitely the hot pick for most of the young generations.Level of competition has increased among the various channels in India and to remain in the battle field their main weapon has now become the reality shows.  They are so obsessed with the reality shows that they have started copying it from other countries.

Few Channels do came up with their original freaking reality shows like “Desi Girl”, “Shaadi 3 Crore ki”, “Dare to Date” , “Emotional Attayachar”  which makes no sense and even couldn’t win the hearts of many viewers.  Copied reality shows could only gain much TRPs. When will they stop copying and mimicking shows from other parts of the world and come up with something original and make it a huge success.

I wish Indian Producer should come up with huge hit creative and original reality shows and other countries should get inspired from our shows.  

Here is an example of many rip-offs shows:

1. Is Jungle se bachao-   I am a celebrity, Get Me out of here!!!
2. Jassi Jaissi Koi nahi-    Ugly Betty
3. Indian Idol- American Idol
4. India’s got Talent- America’s got talent
5. Karishma ka Karishma- Small wonder
6. Kya aap panchvi pass se tej hain- Are you smarter than grade 5
7. Fear Factor- Khatron ke Khiladi
8. Kaun Banega Crorepati – Who wants to be a millionaire,
9. Master chef India- Master Chef Australia
10. India’s next Top model- America's next Top Model
11. Rakhi ka Insaaf- Jenney Jones and Jenney Springer Show
12. Zor ka Jhatka- Total wipeout
13. Seven- Heroes
14. Sach ka Samna- Moment of truth
15. Bindaas Cash Cab- Discovery Cash Cab
16. Pyaar ki ek kahani- Twilight Saga
17. Big Boss- Big Brother
18. Dance India Dance- So you think you can dance
19. Entertainment ke liye kuch bhi karega-  30 seconds to fame
20. Deal ya No Deal- Deal or No deal
21. Power 10- Dus ka Dum
22. Wife Swap- Maa Exchange
23. Roadies- MTV Road Rules
24. Jhalak Dikhla Ja- strictly come dancing
25. Rakhi ka Swayamvar-  The Bachelorette
26. Khulja Sim-  Lets make a Deal
27. Kismey Kitna Hai Dum- Night Fever
28. The Oprah Winfray Show- Koffee with Karan
29. Guinness world Record- The Guinness Book of World Record  

Lackadaisical Producers apart from copying the scripts they have started imitating sets as well.

100% cut-off!!! Students Worst Nightmare

This year cut-off for admission into Bcom(H) stream in Sri Ram College of Commerce is 100%. It’s unbelievable!!!! Similarly other top colleges have increased the cut off 5-10% higher than the previous year. Of course insane cut off has raised many questions on today’s education system. Imagine the pressure the prospective students will face from now on.  Apparently it’s unfair on their part.

Everybody is expressing their bemusement over such a high cut-offs.Students who have passed this year for them it’s like a nightmare.Think of the mental pressure they faced during the exam and it is not yet over with such high cut-offs.  When I retrospect my school days time, getting above 80% was a good achievement. But alas situation is not the same now.  In 1987, 10 lakhs students appeared for XII exams and SRCC had 800 seats and in 2011, 1.1 crore wrote XII exam and seats have not increased. Where are we lacking in our education system??

We all run after brand name and even parents insist their child to aim for top colleges. But seats remain the same in top colleges of India neither are we building more such top reputed colleges. Think of the mental trauma students will go through while preparing for the exam having known the present scenario.  Getting 100% marks is impossible for some and an ordeal for most of them.

In this situation students having less than 80% marks will have to Create College of their own named as “ F.A.L.T.U “. 

Reliving Old Childhood Memories

Yesterday when I was watching TV many advertisements was shown which took me back to my childhood days. There were few ads made in the 1980s and 90s still gives you warm and frizzy feelings about the past. Even now you feel nostalgic and yearn for the past days by seeing them.  You know you grew up in 1980s -90s era when you see them.  Those days were so pure and tension free compared to the fast life we have today. Here are some nostalgic ads.

          1) Shadi aur tumse huhhhhhhhh kabhie nahi?(gussa vich) (After eating pan pasand) Shadi aur tumse hmmmmm kabhie nahin(Softly) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0dtrTTabgo

        2)    I love you Rasna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKHo-2LNDi8

     3) Malgudi days : Tanana tana na na na Tanana tana na na na

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9koiLyUQFI

4)   Jungle Jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai. arre chaddi pehen ke phool khila hai phool khila hai...:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9RVgTX55vo

5) Hehehe Chai coffee sang ke saath bhye, karam kuram... kuram. karam.. Mehmano ko khush kar jaye majedaar lajjedaar swad swad me lijjat lijjat papad.hehehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSYMX6PmT34

6)  anek chidiyon ki kahani sunoge, ek chidiya ,ek ek karke anek chidiya .....

   

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK_TnmNJqao&feature=fvst

7)    Ramu kaka , aree bablu yahan kya kar rehe ho...sab gussa karte hain , main ghar chod kar jar aha hun............jalebi ..:) Jana to hai lekin......haan 20-25 saal baad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk8Z0WbSWV0

8) kuch khaas hai hum sabhie mein, kuch baat hai hum sabhie mein, baat hai khas hai kuch swad hai..kya swaad hai jindagi mein......Cadbury dairy milk asli swaad zindagi ka..:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T2sOdPoxug

       

9)  Doodh doodh doodh doodh doodh hai wonderful pi sakte ho roz a glassful doodh  Gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme wonderful doodh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM8s6v7kVi0

10)    Mile sur meraa tumhaaraa to sur bane hamaaraa   

          sur kii nadiyaa har dishaa se baha ke saagar me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gstRrEmTcBc

                                                                  

Syrian Revolution: The Call for Freedom

Revolution that’s what we have been hearing in the news across many countries in the North Africa and the Middle East. This revolutionary movement was completely unpredictable and unprecedented. The common mass has now wakened up and is demanding for better governance and accountability.

Tunisia and Egypt’s uprising stirred Syrian to protest against its own ruling government. They have tolerated Assad Family’s tyranny for 41 years and now their demand is nothing but democracy and political freedom. Under Assad family’s regime they have suffered poverty, unemployment, lack of freedom of speech, and even the emergency law was also imposed on them. Syrian opposition activists have shown their rage against their ruler for tightening of internet censorship, restriction on travel outside their country and the arrest of many people.

  

Mass uprising against the government has pervaded in every city of Syria. Merciless Bashar Al-Assad who is no less than Saddam Hussein has taken lives of hundreds of protestors with the help of  his savage security forces.  Thousands have been arrested and are brutally being tortured. Rogue soldiers have shown their inhumanity on small children and young women.  It is heart wrenching to see such brutality happen to innocent people who are demanding nothing but freedom.

Seeing the assault thousands of ordinary people have fled into the hills or have taken refuge in Turkey. Hundreds of them made the temporary camp close to the Turkey border for their safety. For them it’s like a nightmare and they never thought by sacrificing the lives of many martyrs they will pay the price of freedom.

The Syrian government is not allowing foreign journalists into their country. We can witness the atrocity only through videos uploaded in you tube. They have diplomatically snubbed UN access in this matter.

Ruling government is always seen as a beacon of human rights and here it’s just the opposite. God will not forgive Assad for his act of genocide.

From here we can only pray to Allah for ouster of Assad and to liberate Syrians from 41 years of indigenous dictatorship.

Virtual Learning System: The Future Warrior

Imagine a world where you don’t have to curse yourself for getting up early in the morning to attend classes. What if by simply turning on the computer as per your own schedule you learn about the various subjects through some renowned professors.

Yes you guessed it right I am talking about virtual learning system. It is a mode of online education using the internet and gradually it is becoming a new way of teaching and learning. Just think thousands of students learning from a single professor and exchanging their notes and ideas among themselves. Won’t it be a great fun??

Online education has now become a $34 billion industry and in a recent survey it has been found out that 75% of higher learning system has an online education system in their long term plan. Gradually it is gaining popularity because of accessibility, flexibility and the quality of education it provides. In US alone there are 3 million students who have enrolled in online programs.

There are various organizations taking the lead and their main motto behind this is to provide a high quality of education to anyone and everywhere. Khan academy is one among them. It has uploaded more than 2300 videos on you tube on various topics and it’s available for free. Many top elite colleges are offering open course programs for free. IITs and IISc have also uploaded their engineering videos over internet website named nptl.   

Now anybody can educate themselves with the way the internet is revolutionizing education. It will certainly make a big difference to the lives of poor students for whom affordability is the main concern.  All I have to say is if you are a highly motivated self learner then this is the best platform to educate yourself!!!