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Monday 30 November 2015

My Literary Sojourn at TimesLitFestDelhi 2015




On a gloomy Saturday afternoon, the sudden spark which rightly poked me to turn on to the chirpy side was the invitation by writersmelon to attend TimesLitFestDelhi. Delhi talks literature.The venue, the schedule, the guests, speakers and the line of events actually could not keep me back seat. Turning off the mundane routines, shaking off those daily chores, I gathered my perfect literary spirit to arrive there.






With eminent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai





The venue- Maidens Hotel-The venue itself spoke of an expression which narrated ideas, intellect and as far as my eyes could see there were eminent writers, intellectuals, journalists, media personnel doing their own bit. That was the charm of Times lit fest. Delhi had turned from the political capital to the new literary hub.I was fortunate enough to be a part of  few events on 28th   November which started off with “Write India

The magic begins

Write India

This session was more of an interactive session with eminent Authors. Their very own touch and style of writing endowed the audience with comprehensive and synoptic methods and techniques for writing be it short story or novel. Also the winners of "Write India" were felicitated.



There distinguished panel consisted of Amish Tripathi who gave some quick tips on style, content, characterization, sentence construction and ideas, Ashwin Sanghi was witty enough to just give the crux by saying “Write a story which stops the readers from going to bathroom”


Write India

Thursday 8 October 2015

Finding smiles in stones-Qutub Minar



The whole week may push and chase us anywhere, everywhere but just when the weekend plunges, there is this blanket of monotony " flickering" from everywhere   ..."where to go" life in the four walls seems too obvious, the city dwellers run out of travel ideas when it comes to a day tour. "Malls...no not our zone", "The coffee shop"..."So how would that help my 9 year old"...."ok the nearby market place...".ok yes napkins, safety pins, tea-pot, "masala daani"...please give me a break"  left over refuge ......street hopping, bucket full of fried chicken or may be a chicken burger and a glass full of that insipid  drink and back home...that was all for a weekend outing? Was it all...not at all

At the entrance




So now what? The cliché prevailed “uff...don’t like the city life” just then the idea popped into our mind....why don’t we tour some of the heritage sites in NCR. Just a few kms drive. Exploring those relics, stone lanes, ancient historical sites, tombs, carvings, heritage, culture....all scattered in and around Delhi. Every time we passed by, our  fingers pointing out high from the window shield, showcasing those ancient glories to many outsiders or  NRI’s promising a visit next time and finishing off with "So many places to visit in India."



But just as those autumn leaves gathered, there was this faintest breeze all over, afternoon seemed a bit crispier, golden and it had this tinge of provocation. We planned this ultimate outing to our first historical site visit.


Green leaves of Autumn outside at the entrance

Destination-Qutub-Minar

Qutub Minar- Considered as the 2nd tallest Minar, the Minar is 74mts in height. The Minar has a unique blend of old world charm surrounded by lush green area and medieval monuments. It is called the queue complex which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Guide map






Tallest Stone Tower in India


Located at the Mehrauli area in Delhi, it’s an easy gateway for many residents who cherish and relish ancient and historical architecture. The very presence of such a unique historical monument amidst the hustle bustle of city  has its own relevance and charm.
The stone pillars with carvings





As we collect tickets and get inside, the whole surrounding has this inevitable charm blended with shades of ancient mughal carvings, archtecture and verses from Koran. The minar is made of red sandstone, built in 1193 by Qutab –ud-din Aibak.It has 379 steps.The base measures 14.32 meters and the top structure is 2.75 mts.The view from the top is one of its kind.

Snippets from Koran



The tower has 5 storeys; each one is embellished by 5 balcony and tapers.
At the foot of the tower is the Quwaat-ul-Islam Mosque. It was the first mosque built in India.


Carvings on stone
A brief history about the origin

With Bricks & Stones from Mughal Age


The controversial bytes

There is a doze of controversy saying  the inscription on its eastern gate was built with materials derived from demolishing “27 Hindu Temples”...may be

Controversy rules



The iron pillar was standing tall 7m high at the courtyard of the mosque. We actually had a few shots clicked amidst the minar and the iron pillar. The wish fulfilling area was actually in this place. Well, we had  some, we uttered those unaware, unheard in chaos, in solitude:)

Iron Pillar


Living in a concrete jungle and passing over  this monument every time, I had planned a visit but  never really imagined that it could have such an alluring view. A bygone era, those old scattered relics, the intricate carvings, the colours of the veteran bricks all  reminded us of history in flash of seconds. Away from the modern architectural sites, it was one of its kinds. 

One of the finest monuments in India, there were tourist spiralling here and there with their cameras hanging from their shoulders clicking shots of this wonder.

Qutub –ud-din Aibak the first Muslim ruler constructed the Qutub Minar in 1200AD but he could only finish the basement. Successor Iltutmish constructed 3more storeys. In 1368 Firoz Shah Tughlak built the 5th and the last storey.


The journey continues......

Friday 25 September 2015

Extra smiles comes in " Premium Pants" now

This Post is written for the Pampers#SoftestforBabySkin organised by  Blogadda.

The baby wanders around with his smile, his feet chasing those toys. I look back at him, console myself, smile back and then start off with my day. My smile has a unique sense of relief, of comfort, of peace. Thanks to Pampers premium care Pants. The baby is all in safe hands.

This is because I had this great opportunity to be a part of the launch  as a Parenting Blogger.
I was super excited to be a part of the launch event.
The launch event was organised by Blogadda

Venue- Vivanta by Taj Hotel




Place-New Delhi
Time-4-6
Host and eminent guests
softest moments
Had my excitement quotient a bit high as I was going to be a part of the  the prestigious launch, what more did I desire as a Mommy Blogger.

What I looked for as Mommy
What I looked for as a Parenting Blogger

As a mother all I was looking for is something different from the mundane, from the ordinary, from the routies. Something which every Mom desires for her baby, the best, the best from the rest.  For me my baby’s comfort is the most important aspect of my motherhood.  At the end of the day as a mother I  try to seek those little things which makes my baby smile, be happy, sing a tune and  eradicate what exactly makes her pale, sad or kindles her annoying spirits. 

There were bad days of rashes, but with the launch of the product and and preview of "Pampers Premium Care Pants"I really could see my daughter smiling and wandering around freely, sleeping with angles and waking up with fairies.

The Event

Exclusive Preview of the “New PampersPremium Care Pants’-Softest Diaper Pants ever, soft as a Mother’s Touch #SoftestforBabySkin 

What these Premium Pants would offer- The unique quotient




The Launch, the experiment 

The eminent personalities in the event

Actress & Celebrity mother-Tara Sharma
Child sleeps consultant-Ajita Gopal Seethepalli
Pampers R7 D Expert-Dr .Wising Long
Actress & Television presenter-MandiraBedi

Why is softness and dryness an important aspect in skin health among babies?

Skin health among infants is considered as  an important aspect in baby health & hygiene.Soft and dry diaper accentuates overall development and growth in a baby. A happy baby has a thousand smiling moments. A happy skin creates a smart child.

Ajita Seethapalli said – “The importance of a good diaper (in terms of softness, dryness and fit) should not be underestimated. Babies have to be physically interacting with their environment in order to learn and understand it. Diapering baby in soft and dry pants like pampers premium care can be a great way to help enable uninstructed exploration, giving him the giggling feeling of freedom you both love”

The Pampers panel and their expert researchers demonstrated with an experiment showcasing  Pampers Premium Care Pants as one of those joy kits which promised soft touch better and in a smarter way. 

Tara  Sharma and Mandira Bedi shared their experiences as mother's, the challenges they faced and how Premium Soft and dry Pampers helped them to overcome those hurdles.

My "pampering" moment


Ajita Seethapalli narrated how softness played a major role in baby’s over all development by creating a perfect environment for sleep. A baby undoubtedly performs better if he or she feels a senses of dryness, his overall activities narrates a better performance in every sphere.

A happy baby has a better mental, cognitive and physical growth than a restless and cranky baby.

Scientist & R& D expert Dr Wising Long promised that these premium care pants promised 12 hours dryness by an experiment indicating colour change.

The event concluded with great applause and cheerful faces. As a mother I could not hold on to my happiness when I was presented with the unique kit which had these miracle wonders.

The  launch  event and the preview of Pampers premium care pants  soaked away all my worries , absorbed my irritation with the magic spell of smoothness and softness ...it surely would make our bond more stronger.

Images-from the event

Thanks for a wonderful evening. "Pampers" pamper Mommies too





A bit of Pampering makes a whole lot of difference!

  1. This blogpost is written for the Pampers #SoftestForBabySkin activity in association with BlogAdda



Happiness is a relative thing. Each human has his or her own set of happiness. But there is no denying the fact that a Mom’s happiness is rightly proportional to her child’s well being. A happy child makes a happy Mom.

And what makes a happy child.... caring touch, soft embrace, a gentle hug and a lot of “pampering” . "Pamper me Mom"....and Mom replies back “I would love to my Honey Buny

I was among the lucky few who got an invite for the launch of “New Pampers Premium Care Pants” –Softest Diapers Pants ever, Soft as Mother’s Touch #softestforbabyskin 

Venue-New Delhi



Mummy's care, Pampers underwear

As a mother of a child, my greatest concern and challenge was to see my baby happy, free and cheerful all the time. Yes, for a while, for some time and for a few hours there were moments of freedom and relief but I wasn’t sure if my baby could hold to that happiness for a long time. 

As human's we crave  for  freedom and specially  babies demand an extra serving. As a mother I was always apprehensive “Oh, hope she does not do it again” “Ok just now she did ... I guess now I can be free and she too” but checking every 10 minutes if everything was fine was my ordeal. Well, is this freedom or a free living:)?

It was on 22nd September I was invited to the event and an exclusive preview organised by Blogadda #Pampers the no 1 diaper brand in the world presented a unique collection of New Pampers premium Care Pants.  There was live demonstration which surely caught my fancy and enthralled me to use it on my baby. As a mother I am always on a look out for something better, something best for my little one. 
While selecting those tiny little pants the two things which crosses my mind are “Hope it would treat my babies’ skin softly” and “Well this time let the dryness rule for some more hours


There were panel of experts who explained to us about the brand. Among them Tara Sharma and Mandira Bedi poured in their experiences and anecdotes. Baby sleep consultant Ajita Seethepalli narrated about the importance of  dryness and softness in the life of a baby. She said “Diapering baby in soft and dry pants like Pampers Premium Care can be a great way to help enable undistracted exploration.”

Scientist R&D expert Dr WeiSing Long highlighted the unique attribute of Premium Care Pants. It has the 5-star skin protection which  treats baby skin in the most precious way. This soft little bundle of joys have these special attributes-

  • 5-Star Skin protection promises to  twinkle your star with happiness.

  • 12 hour dryness with ultra dry base absorbant
    Dryness =happiness=smiley moments


  • Perfect fit-All round fit streches 360 degrees with leg cuffs
  • Softness of a mother’s touch-Carved and crafetd with softest materials
    Softness as body guard
  • Wetness indicator-Changes colour from yellow to blue
  • Soft Breathable Materials -Helps in circulation creating happy skin.
    With the goodness of Baby Lotion


So, for all those Mommies who are still struggling with the best lullaby...now it’s time to switch on to the other side...yes the lullaby rings a sweet tune but does the baby have a sweet feeling internally.
Happy Lullaby and happy pampering to all those mommies and babies...Dry nights are all about sweet dreams for both.



Mandira's take on the real show stopper







Here comes the " Real Star"



Gentle care is all about "Pampers" My happy moments

  Now softness for your baby is just a child's play #SoftestForBabySkin

Image-Myself at the  launch event at New Delhi -Taj 

Tuesday 25 August 2015

My tiny bowl with the big owl

This Post is written for "Food Tales with tinyowl" contest by tinyowl




That day I met my “Bua” who has been part and parcel of my life since childhood; she actually poured in the old magic. Yes, the old magic was displayed, an old magic which invigorated my senses and my gastronomical adventures every day. It’s not at all adventurous though but yes somehow it evokes my sensual pleasures and knocks my appetite every day, at that specific time. My Bua still knows it “ Half plate rice, a bowl full of daal, a mini bowl of salad and lemon, pickle drooling over the sides” My temptation, my sensation, my irritation, my magic spell and my food fix starts and ends here. And when she came with bowls howling with other delicacies, my shiny little plate showed its shimmering face, my tummy had got its adrenalin and I was fixed. My Bua with her gloomy face lamented “Why did I cook so much, if your   are still suffering your food fix.”






My Food fix...stuck on to "Daal Chawal"



My UK. trip, lots of memories, full day tour, sightseeing, gloomy weather, drizzling rain, alehouses, roadside restaurants serving typical English food, a delight for any traveller, fresh leaf salad, roasted chicken in hot mushy barbeque sauce all dripping flavours from the corners, mashed potatoes with butter swamping from the edges, a thin slice of lemon, dessert topped with  English caramel custard could knock any tongue...and just beside it stood a tall  cup of hot cappuccino...a treat for any  glutton and a gift for any traveller on a  cold English foggy afternoon. I was sitting with all and as I caught hold of the fork and knife my stomach nodded in apprehension, a bit of a hesitant tone, my appetite lost its vigour, rounding in u turn, it had squeezed its pangs, my eyes rolled and I was again in a fix, day dreaming in that cold foggy afternoon. My mom’s hand putting a plate.... half full of rice, my bowl of daal and  dollops of "ghee" and then it was a tiny green bowl of salad, the jar of pickle stood there smilling back at me. I was at fix. Why was I so stuck with a certain palate? Was it a tale of past? Was it some memories associated with food? Was it just the taste? Or was it the comfort?....Maybe all.
Temptations don't work when you are fixed with your own palate





Food habits are borne, adapted, inherited by individuals, culture and a society. A specific fondness for a typical kind of food or a staple food has a deep rooted psychological inheritance with an individual or culture. It gradually assimilates in one’s mind and taste. Supposedly a certain dish was served by my Mom during my childhood days, each day, every day, subconsciously my whole system starts recognising it, being a part of the whole culinary journey, right from her making the “daal” to the typical whistle of the pressure cooker when it would be switched off. The very peculiar “tadka” aroma stuck on to my smell buds...lunch was always scheduled at that very hour and the known aroma of rice, daal, freshly cut salad and achaar had all those much known stories, the anecdotes, the tales associated with the regular food safari somehow engrained it. It became a routine, a habit and then a fix...the typical food fix...which gave a high, which saved me from low, which made me salivate every day at that time of the day, which made me reminiscence childhood, my mom and my memories. I realize nothing compares to those simple dishes, in fact I could not relate to any other food...Food is my journey to past, food is my refuge from any storm, food is like a warm shoulder just like mom nourishing me with love. 

Food habits reflects a lot more than food...


Food is a thing which gives me high, kicks my spirit when low.


Now days it’s a different kind of story although, life has changed, tangling between household chores, job, family and other regular activities, it is almost a herculean task to have my way with my indulgence. An afternoon is all about hogging a sandwich with less butter, less calories, less nuts, less spice, less of everything including taste;)

Nights would be just ordering food from the stale old kitchen with their age old taste....insipid, the "daal" too has just water flowing from here and there, they take extra care for my nutrition, yes the extra touch either too much salt for my low BP or just a forgotten ordeal with no salt for high BP.
My daal, my rice and my salad bits are much of a forlorn story now, only when I save all the energy to push myself to the kitchen I am treated with my old love...how I miss good food, or at least eatable food, forget about my food fix, its fixed somewhere in my memory nowadays








My food fix  gave up to my "Food experiments"

But then a few days ago I was invited to my friend’s home, as usual my escapade from insipid food pushes me now days to my friends place just to say “hi” and that day it was this online call...She just asked me what I preferred ...I replied anything tasty. We were   discussing about something and I was relaxed that the food which had been ordered would reach when my hunger pangs dig out my appetite and throw it away and I might end up eating those strappy noodles but to my surprise the bell rang and I actually felt a sudden gush of a “food fix memory” running down my spine after a decade...aroma’s takes me down memory lane

I was treated with the best daal rice from   one of the best restaurant just at home, like home...I could not thank her enough, well she had a different food fix ...it was her oriental taste bud which only recognised Chinese delicacies...and I found it a hard job to move away my fingers from her plate too...it was one of those best oriental cuisine I had tasted after a long time...My appetite after so many days had actually thanked me..I asked my friend from where she ordered the name “TinyOwl” stuck me because it had touched my heart.

My B'day Cake was orderd from the app


The gallore of food delights in one "App





We live to eat, and at the end of the day if one is just starved after having spent bucks, then it’s  a worth less life. Feeding myself with those lovely delicacies, reasonably priced, delivery time minimum and also received cash back for starters, it made me a real food fix for this app. Now days I don’t always indulge in my daal and rice palate but I gush into other lanes too, may be someday it’s the typical Italian meal or just the authentic Punjabi Butter chicken palate, digging on to my kulfi pot, watching a romantic movie on a Sunday afternoon and relishing life is my new story...



 My Experiments with different cuisines and food.



I am relishing my life, my childhood and my whole existence again...and also have come out of my food fix but it is still engrained in my veins and blood in meagre amount and I do respect it ...yes I do feed those craving by just dialling the app “Tinyowl


My food fix is now more of a  fixed story with TinyOwl.
  • I can  pick and choose according to my cravings, my mood and my food fixation
  • I dont have to wait for the whole movie to end and slip into sleep till my bell rings, I can actually start my food with my film.
  • I can be over indulgent with my  food experiments. As I open the app, I am into another zone with variety of cuisines from all over the world  available at my city
  • Food is simply a thing which can be blindly  approved if the reviwes and ratings are done properly and here I get best of ratings and reviews, I completely blindfold my eyes and press the button and every time I have been lucky.
  • User Friendly apps,who has the time to slide lazily when its all about food, its just the "fata fat" app- slide, read, see, order, forget...bell rings, bliss begins.
  • Easily can go through delivery time which is apt for my busy schedule, delivery time is  narrated clearly  by restaurants accordingly.

The tiny owl has just spelled magic in my tiny bowl.

Find out which bowl enthralls you more here below through the links


PC- myself, google images





Wednesday 12 August 2015

A Man's survival story


A Man's Survival Story
She makes the best desserts and the crispiness of her “Parantha” has no equals. The perfect round shaped edges, smudging softness inside and the chunky  bites of evenly chopped coriander surely had the powers to cast a spell.” These were spoken by a valiant husband at a party (wife had managed to be in his arms just when these words were quoted)

He realized it a bit late, in the meanwhile he had tried hard to mince a few and cloak the name. His verbal intonation was spanked hard by defence mechanism, the gentle smile on the face faded into oblivion.  Innumerable vocal strings erupted “Oh, yes she is perfect”...... “And my Parantha’s are outlined by harsh borders just like my words, isn’t it?” “Even my chopped coriander does not sprinkle colours any more in your life...they are not cut evenly na?”




The Mother and Wife saga continues; torments the poor soul day and night. He lives in an evergreen “battle field”. He survives regular attacks, missiles from here and there, any time anywhere. He pushes hard, his efforts are boundless to get them misfired, struggling in the ever so gruelling war zone...each day with his adept skills.Last night the lights were on till late, firing shots were heard but there was one sided invasion signals. The pitch were touching all kinds of frequency and then there were monosyllabic aggressions “hmm” “haan” “ok”  again the refrains  “hmm hmm hmm”, ”yes, yes, yes”, and then a long pause, lights off, silence, maybe it was  lull  before  the  storm.



Dawn, sunrise, positive vibes, a warrior who has suffered attacks obviously has a gallantry award or at least the confidence is skyrocketing. Last night it was just a mock drill. He marches with unique poise and valour (someone who has survived amidst all battle) knocks the door, a sudden gush of an unyielding attitude prevails, a cup of tea and his words “She is good, she makes the best of “Puris” the outer edge of each “Puri” is just so soft, Mom, and last night her “Egg curry”..... “Hmm” “wow”, “weren’t the eggs so round and the gravy so full of chicken story, I meant “lovely”. Silence prevailed all over again...may be another attack.


Well, the husband left for the day...rest is history, he survives fearlessly every day, attacks are gruesome somedays, he still survives...his list of friend’s shows a rising slope. He relishes “Egg curry” and “Parantha” in his office canteen more in recent times. He is the most cheerful face while eating his lunch. But every evening, he calls up home and asks “What’s the menu for dinner, who is cooking?” And then he masters a short synopsis of adjectives for each dish before he enters the home. He does this with perfection every day taking turns. (Please skip the article if you are a hardcore  Feminist)J



 PC-Google


Carrying our world in our little pockets

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