Thanks 2015!

2015 has taught me the following:

1. Motherhood is the best thing that can happen to a woman.
2. Aging is a difficult phase to deal with. Respect our elders.
3. From some point of time onwards, you stand to take responsibilities for the things that happened and did not happen in your life. Take charge of your life instead of letting others' opinions dominate it.
4. Love has to be earned. It cannot be forced from someone.
5. Do not get angry. It is a huge waste of your bodily energy and resources to react with anger.

Written for Indispire - edition 98 on Indiblogger.in

The apple of my eye!

There is one thing that nobody can choose not to be influenced by – a well rested baby’s smiling face! Whoever comes across it has something to admire about it – either the gleaming smile of innocence or the chubby cheeks, rosy lips, the fairness of skin or just the plain curious look of a baby. Every baby fills the air with infectious merriness and you cannot help but become a part of it. It is needless to state that a happy baby creates a happy environment.

As I mentioned, this can be possible only if the baby is healthy and well rested. The key is a good night’s sleep. And the things it does before sleep.

The following are the bedtime rituals I follow to put my baby to sleep:

Diapers

First things first, I change the diapers so that the baby does not wake up abruptly from sleep, when its pants are wet. This buys me some time to check back on the baby’s pants every once in a while during the nights so that the baby’s cry does not ring as an alarm to me and the wetness does not upset the baby’s sleep too.

Clean bed

I lay out clean sheets of blanket in multiple layers, preferably cotton that is soft and light. Cotton is easy to clean and is a natural fibre. Anything natural is always safe, gentle and non-allergic to a delicate baby skin.

Darkness

According to science, the prominent cues that a human body understands, before going to sleep, are light and darkness. It dictates the sleep rhythm/ cycle. Hence, it is very important to dim the lights before tucking the baby to sleep. I dull the lights out in my room as an important step for preparing my baby to sleep.

Rocking

A gentle rocking motion would lull my baby to sound sleep. I prefer my lap, this way the baby is very much in skin-contact with me and there is a good flow of affection and love. A baby that is unable to speak yet can always speak through a loving touch.

Music

I’m a good singer, though not capable of winning medals, I can sing decently. There is no living being on earth that does not love music. And surely, a baby does like a lullaby. I sing lullaby gently and smilingly so that as my baby dozes off to sleep slowly and steadily, it looks at me and feels the motherly warmth of love as it gradually blinks its eyes with the rocking motion. I love the sight of it!

Bedtime routine

Last but not the least, it is very crucial to have a regular timing for baby’s sleep. Doing the same relaxing things every night, makes the baby pick up cues that it is bed-time. It would not be too long before my baby is sound asleep.

Do check out the link https://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers for more tips on babies' growing up.

Written for Indiblogger.in Happy Hours. 

Quikr getting quickest!

Quikr.com is a website that provides a platform for a seller to sell his products and a buyer to buy his products. With its arrival, buying and selling of products, old or new, used or unused, have been revolutionized. Not to mention that it has made the process much more easier, it has also saved much time and fuss for people. From products related home and lifestyle to life-changing services such as matrimonial, Quikr has influenced lives in myriad ways.

Now, what’s new? Quikr.com has come up with a new idea of connecting the buyers and sellers through a chat facility – Quikr NXT. Human intervention is being reduced in many transactions to avoid middle-men, fraud and unnecessary incidences. When Quikr.com is a perfect example of it, it is further re-modelling the process through Quikr NXT chat facility. Thanks to technology, and many thanks to Quikr, the following can be the advantages of using a chat over the previous facility of phone call transactions.

1. Communication with privacy and safety (woman-friendly)

Generally, we are always afraid of revealing too much information to a stranger. A stranger is always watched for doing any harm to us, especially when they are meant for a short-term businesses like selling or buying. We want the business to be over in a professional manner. Here, a chat can help just keep business as business. Without revealing personal identity such as phone number, facial identity, residential address, a transaction can be completed without much ado. This can help us block off unwanted people from getting to know our phone numbers. Clearly, a transaction is ended when it is ended.

An annoying seller/buyer can be easily blocked off on a chat to avoid unnecessary disturbances without affecting our life. Whereas, a ringing phone can be a disturbance during important times of our days. With increasing crimes against women in the current days, chat is the best available secure option where a woman can feel comfortable without revealing her personal details.

2. Ease of communication
 
Availability of a person on phone can be variable in a day. A person available in the morning may not be available during another time of the day. Chatting helps leave a message for the person any time of a day so that the other person can check it whenever he is online. And he can inform the other person when he can be next available in cases that require any discussion. Otherwise there is always room for exchanging information at the convenience of their own times.

Two strangers who are not comfortable talking face-to-face are always comfortable on a chat.

3. Record of everything without paper and hence eco-friendly

There is always a record of everything a buyer and a seller have to share such as product specifications, product description, picture/video of a product. This can reduce fraud transactions and keep fraudsters at a risk of being caught and punished.

With e-governance invading every aspect of life, a warranty/guarantee form or a product form can be easily filled out online without paper exchange. An invoice of the product can be generated in e-format and sent to the customer on chat. 

Written for Indiblogger.in Happy Hours.

ASUS - The best things come in small packages!

I’m a tech-savvy person. Especially when it comes to tablets, computers and smart phones, I would love to grab the opportunity to marvel at the latest creations of technology. I’m a fan of ASUS technology and a proud owner of ASUS Google NEXUS 7 tablet. And I keep wanting more of the ASUS products as they never fail to surprise me with their wonderful features.

Why the choice?

Image Credit: www.amazon.in

It has been quite a while since we replaced our old desktop with a new one. Also, we had bought the PC with an external UPS which only lasted for twenty minutes after a power-cut. The UPS didn’t last for more than a year.  When I think of replacing this PC, what is more fashionable than ASUS All In One PC ET2040? Check out the latest design of the PC at the link ASUS All In One PC ET2040 and it definitely sets a trend. As it is, it is surely a space-saving design and in addition to that it comes with a built-in UPS with smart backup power up to one hour. I cannot find anything better that fits my choice.

With an Intel processor and a speed of 2.16 GHz, the PC won’t let me lag behind time. I get frustrated when my PC hangs for a long time and refuses to obey my mouse-clicks. ASUS ALL in One PC would become a quick assistant to all my tasks and I would soon be glad to be done with my work on the system and think of the next task in hand. A necessity in this fast-paced world.

We used to have TV with a remote control, but, how about this completely brand new idea of controlling PC from five meters away WITHOUT a physical remote control? Amazing gesture control feature of this PC is a feather on the cap. With a clarity of 19.5 inch- HD LED display every movie experience is a theater experience. I certainly have to give it to ASUS.

And like an icing on the cake, the PC comes with great built-in apps for work and play, balancing the needs of a family and a work place. The most attractive of the all, is the Windows 8.1 64 bit OS, this new year, certainly it is a great upgrade I would look forward to for a brand new start! It is never too late, is it?

ASUS EeeBook X205TA 

Image Credit: www.flipkart.com

  
Just check the price at the above link. Rs. 14,999! I had to stare at it to beleive it. This was the price I paid to buy a tablet. Had I known, that ASUS EeeBook X205TA comes with all the features of a tab and at this price, I would have definitely bought it.The colour variants, especially the gold, is very attractive. ASUS has its way with fashion at the same time not compromising with its quality -1.33 GHz Intel Atom quad-core processor with Intel Burst Technology up to 1.83 GHz.

And this comes as a package with less than a kilogram weight.
Sometimes, the best things come in small packages! 

Written for Indiblogger.in Happy Hours.

Bits of paper, bits of paper...

Bits of paper,
Bits of paper;
Lying on the floor,
Lying on the floor;
Makes the place untidy,
Makes the place untidy;
Pick them up,
Pick them up.

We were taught these nursery rhymes when we were little. But, litterbugs never outgrow their habit irrespective of what good rhymes they are taught.

Nenapirali, Idu Nimma Nagara!

The most common work of BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) that falls in sight in Bengaluru is the above statement. It says, “Remember, this is your city.” 

A litterbug reads it and smirks. Of course, this is your city, not mine, so feel free to litter. 

If Mahatma had to re-incarnate on Earth, he would change the basic principles that he emphasized to the world – Truth and Ahimsa. Probably, Ahimsa and Cleanliness would be his next lifetime’s mantra for salvation. He would re-write his autobiography of “My experiments with Truth” to “My experiments with Dirt.”

Litterbugs are the reason we realize the value of cleanliness. If it wasn’t for litterbugs, why would we have Mahatma Gandhi starting a revolution of clean India. Of course, our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became famous through his Clean India Campaign. Many thanks to litterbugs, they are the assets of our society, and yes, our country possesses many of them.

Job opportunities 
 
Litterbugs help keep dirty places dirty. And they make sure that clean places are soon dirty for the non-litterbugs to clean. They create job opportunities for others. Road, malls, theatres, public places have housekeeping personnel because of litterbugs. When there are people appointed for cleaning tasks, they give them enough work to keep them busy on their job.  Whoever thought unemployment is a major problem in India with increasing litterbugs!

Many organizations like National Cadet Corps (NCC) have volunteered to clean streets of India because they are littered. School children and adults alike have taken this initiative during their free time like weekends or holidays. Otherwise, how bored and jobless would they be on their holidays!

Matter cannot be destroyed. It can only be transferred from one place to another.
 
See how scientific-natured litterbugs are? They do not destroy/ process any waste. They either dump it around their house or in their surroundings. And these wastes in turn are either carried away by garbage collectors or by natural agents such as wind, rain, animals etc.

Quick solution to waste disposal 
 
Litterbug’s life: If I’m in a car and eating a banana, where do I throw the peel? Of course, I don’t have a carry cover with me. Feel free to litter, not in the car, but on the road. Sorry I have neither patience nor the virtue of cleanliness to keep it and throw it later. My car comes first and the road next. 

Image Credit: Google

Yes, they are environmentally challenged, they just “can’t” keep the city clean.

A litterbug’s view on dirtied Ganga River:
 
The river is the most extolled and the most sacred of all rivers. So, why should we maintain it clean? If it can carry away your “invisible” sins, then it has the power to carry away the visible dirt too. We worship Ganga irrespective of whether its water is clean or not.
 
Please do visit http://greatindian.timesofindia.com/ for more fun thoughts on litterbugs.

Written for Indiblogger.in Happy Hours.

The wonder city - Melbourne

Whose eyes don’t grow bigger with the attractive sight of Melbourne? Melbourne is, indeed, one of the most beautiful places in the world. I have heard descriptions of the country Australia from many of my relatives who have settled there or visited the place. But, I have never got a chance to get there and bask in the marvellous views of the city and wonder what an amazing place this world is!

I have always had a wish to live at the topmost floor of the tallest apartment, however, I do not know whether the wish will come true. But, trying Eureka Skydeck, I would love to let my wish be true for at least a few minutes!  Standing on the top of the world I would love to touch all the landmarks of the city with my fingertip! The view from the 88th floor of a skyscraper! I’m certainly afraid of heights! But, the magnificent view would give a mixed bag of emotions of fear, thrill and excitement! And all with no real floor below! That would be a one-in-a-lifetime experience! Just take a look at the video below, Tanmay and Rohan’s Melbourne escapade. You will surely feel the rush to experience it at least once. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4LA3PbtRu0&index=15&list=PL2r0ptqQ1wBCimcqdfsBCks1YVaFDczLh

And again when it comes to heights, hot air balloon is a major attraction. Who wouldn’t think that it is a very romantic getaway.  What’s different about a hot air balloon at Melbourne is the panoramic view of the highs of mountains and the wide ocean blue. It has to be a view from paradise!
Tanmay and Rohan make it an absolute fun adventure with their humour. Check it at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFke1cDm5F4&index=18&list=PL2r0ptqQ1wBCimcqdfsBCks1YVaFDczLh

The next thing I liked is A Maze and Things. What a great idea to make use of space for physical interaction. It just adds more fun to the already interesting science theories! Optical illusions are a fun thing. It makes us realize how our own eyes and brain cannot be REALLY reliable! Everything in this world is relativity! Do take a look at the below video to find out how A Maze and Things is funny!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPIyEbiRL0o&index=13&list=PL2r0ptqQ1wBCimcqdfsBCks1YVaFDczLh

I’m more of a nature person. I would definitely love The Twelve Apostles! A huge stretch of ocean blue and there you behold the colour changing sand rock stack apostles! Nature plays wonderful games with light - the colour of the sky, the colour of the ocean, the colour of the sand during daylight and in shadows. Nature, I salute you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ8aD--efb4&index=14&list=PL2r0ptqQ1wBCimcqdfsBCks1YVaFDczLh

Puffing Billy is another exciting thing for whoever values antique pieces from history. It is the oldest preserved steam railway train. I love the hissing start of the engine and the sight of smoke covering the antique engine . I’m a big fan of train journeys. Peninsula Hot springs is a place to unwind and relax in the naturally flowing mineral rich hot springs. Panny’s Chocolate factory is a place for every chocolate-lover! They have chocolate city, chocolate toys, chocolate exhibits. What is common in all places in Melbourne is that it makes every visit a child-like experience. I would become a child awed by what the city has to offer.

Do take a look at all the series of Tanmay and Rohan's escapade at "Come Alive in Melbourne". Visit Tourism Victoria website for a complete guide of all the places to visit in Melbourne.

ATTENTION!

Lastly, I have a surprise for all the readers! A contest where I ask a question and the best answer gets a Rs.500 shopping gift voucher. And the question is as follows:

"Which of these places would you want to visit in Melbourne and why?"

The contest closes on Jan 4th, 2015.

Good luck, folks!

Road safety is everyone's responsibility!

Image credit: Google

Nissan Safety Driving Forum (NSDF) has started an initiative for road safety in India. A very much needed initiative in the days of rising road traffic issues and the number of vehicles on the road. Road rages and lack of safe-driving-sense is a common sight in the current days. Many thanks to NSDF team for initiating a noble cause and I am glad to be a part of this responsibility.

Due to over-population and a need to have one’s own vehicle for comfort, India is seeing a sudden crescendo in the number of vehicles that are put on roads. Hence, management of road traffic and safety-driving have become key players in the current scenario. And this should start from every driver who takes charge of his own life and his fellows while on wheels.

The following points can help bring about road safety in India.

1. Get proper training from registered driving schools on how to ride a vehicle. Such institutes should not only teach how to drive a vehicle, but also educate a driver on various traffic signs and signals.
2. Proper use of indicators while taking any turn. I have observed many drivers who do not show indicator signals of their vehicles and suddenly take a right or a left turn disrupting the traffic flow behind them, while also leading to accidents.
3. Follow traffic rules. This would be the first and foremost rule for every driver and the Indian Government has always emphasized its importance on traffic rules. Violators must and should be penalised.
4. Avoid drinking and driving. Though there has been a constant emphasis on this point, many still take it lightly. There can be innumerable rules and checks by officials, to check for road safety, however, safety starts from you. It starts from every responsible driver.
5. Regular education of drivers. For example, every 3 years or so, there has to be a school that certifies every driver-citizen to drive safely. It has to be made compulsory along with driving license.
6. Wearing helmet while riding a two-wheeler. This provides protection from major injuries to head in case of accidents and prevents the person life-threatening dangers caused by road accidents.
7. Wearing seat-belts in a car. It has to be made compulsory for all the commuters in a car to avoid risks caused by an accident.
8. Proper road signals and signs displayed clearly and visibly. This helps the driver to notice the signs without missing them and guides him on the road for safety.
9. Do not rush on roads. If you are supposed to reach a place on time, start few minutes earlier than required. This avoids a mad rush on roads in traffic jams, road rages and quarrels.

Maybe, every citizen realizes his responsibility towards road safety. Amen!

Written for The Nissan Safety Driving Forum on Indiblogger.in.

Borosil is in

Borosil glass. The thought that first strikes me is laboratory glassware. Yes, we used borosil measuring cylinders ONLY, because the measuring cylinders' graduations were precise for a successful experiment. Our labmates had tried using plastic measuring cylinders and were disappointed to find how 500mL of water in one plastic cylinder had showed 520 mL in another. Sorry, science cannot afford such inaccuracy. But, the case was different with borosil glasswares. They were accurate and made for scientific experiments.

The thought of using borosil for kitchen crockery is an interesting idea! The transparency of glass helps to keep the different colours of food visible and tempting. Salads of cucumber, carrot, onion cut into different attractive shapes and arranged in a dinner bowl set, look luscious. The red tomato sauce on the salad could add as a feather on the cap. A veg manchow soup, my personal favourite, would give away its secret ingedients through a transparent bowl. A vegetable-rich cooked rice looks very delicious in a borosil casserole. The green of peas and cucumber, the red of carrots, the golden brown of paneer and onions, offer your senses a feast. Cakes are a delight for eyes and taste buds when kept in a easy-grip-round-cake dish. One could excuse oneself for indulging in a fulfilling meal.

Children, especially, despise vegetables. By improving the appearance of food, we could attract them to nutritious food and a healthy lifestyle and alleviate the serious conditions of malnutrition. And, why not, make all mothers happy? If you are thinking, "Happiness comes at a price", says who? It comes at an affordable price here at www.myborosil.com.

Another advantage of borosilicate is that it withstands high temperature for microwaving food stuff and without giving off chemicals into food materials. What an alternative to cheap plastic containers that release harmful chemicals when heated!

I was attracted to especially the melamine wares. I had bought 5 serving plates of melamine as a gift to my cousins. They look catchy, trendy and like they say "kewl" (cool). The boring and monotonous steel containers and coffee cups make the kitchen look dull and so-less-of-life. 21st century is heading towards a revolution in fashion and colours, and it applies to kitchen too! Let's make our kitchen colourful and lively.

And the food cooked here will take care of the rest of the work.

Written for Indiblogger, My Beautiful food - www.borosil.com