The Nonpareil of Kindness and Selflessness!!

“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” ― Walter Cronkite

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” ― Anne Frank, diary of Anne Frank

Vasai, Maharashtra.

When Sapna, a tailor who earns a living by stitching blouses, and falls to the sarees, visited our local Sai Baba Temple, the poojari noticed her moist eyes framed by a tensed face.

The woman was a regular visitor at the temple. Always armed with a broad smile that spoke of its genuineness, and unadulterated greetings, she came to the temple with humble offerings; wild pink daisies, handful of chanaa wrapped in a small piece of newspaper, and a rupee or two. Touching the feet of the poojari for his blessings before leaving was mandatory to her. This routine was accompanied by a exuberance that mirrored a happy and a content soul.

That day the smile, the contentment were taken over by sadness, anxiety and a fear of something terrible. The lackadaisical change in her otherwise perky nature alarmed him.

He wanted to ask her....he had to ask her. He was certain something was gravely wrong with her or her family. Once she was done with her pooja she came to him, took his blessings, and turned to leave, he stopped her to ask, she looked at him. He could see in her eyes that she knew why he stopped her. Words weren't needed, yet he asked, hoping...praying, she would tell him and not hide from him whatever it was. 

"What's wrong?" In a very meek voice, barely audible, she told him about her plight. Her husband was jobless since three months. Initially she was sure things would fall into place eventually, but, now she had no hope. She was the sole earner of the household of six members now and her income was no longer enough. Their little savings had petered out as well. What she earned would not cover their, food, her sick mother-in-law's treatment and children's education together all at a time any longer. One of these needed to be sacrificed till her husband got employed again...and children's education seemed as the obvious choice for the family. Her children went to a private English medium school, a dream, a wish she once had for herself. "They would have to shift to municipality school", she sobbed with every word. Her body was shaking as tears rolled down her cheeks. Wiping away those tears she said a rather composed 'namastey' and left. The poojari couldn't wait for the other shoe to drop and made a few calls to the temple trustees and other people involved in the temple administration. That evening when they met, the agenda was crystal clear; Sapna's children's education must not suffer. In the next thirty minutes the solution to the problem was in front of them. They would raise a fund to cover the cost of the books, stationery, school uniforms, fees and at all for the entire year. It was March and they had three months before the next academic year starts. Driven by determination of achieving their goal one of them grabbed the black board which is used for notifying pooja timings, announcement of yagnas or other functions at the temple. Written in bold letters and large neat fonts with white chalk, the message was crisp and clear- 'Three children need money for continuing their education...Even a rupee from you would make a difference...Help educate them!!' The board was placed on the foot of the steps of the temple, where it grabbed attention of even those who had no intention of stopping by. In addition to that, from that day, every morning and evening the aarti was followed by an announcement on mike addressing people squarely on the fund raising topic. In just three weeks they lucked out; a good amount of money was raised for the siblings's education. Looking at the amount that kept pouring in it was decided they would continue and widen the fund raising to extricate other children who were in need.

May 2015, was when I saw the board for the first time. I did my bit and with June last week the board had some bhandara announcement written on it. The fund raising was closed, and would reopen again in April 2016, I was told. Though people were welcome to donate anytime if they wish to, my informer added. This bunch of people put a smile and contentment in the lives of Sapna and her children and many others like them by willingness. Willingness to serve humanity in ways they could afford to. These people for me are among the nonpareil of kindness and selflessness. Largely inspired and motivated by them many people have come together this year to make the fund raising more successful to help change lives of many more children. They taught me, empathy, willingness and an initiative, however small or big, can change the world.

With lots of inspiration and hope to see positive changes around me I've begun my new year with a smile full of life which one can again see on Sapna's happy and content face.

This post is inspired by http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/ for #SpreadTheVibe at Indiblogger.

The Force Awakened Little Siths!!

Every year in the first Saturday of January, all the children (they are many...all capable of taking over an entire planet single-handedly) of my housing society, with the help of a few grown-up(not old) members, i.e. the sweet souls like me, organize costume party. Mostly themed. Just kids in costumes walking on ramp, posing their characters and mouthing lines to convince the elder people who are cheering as audience and the panel of judges. A Halloween of our own!

This Christmas eve, while we were enjoying the season's plum cake and other goodies that come along with the happy-holidays, we the grown-ups(not old) sat down with the kids to discuss the 2016 costume party. This most important discussion of our lives was going on between the concrete floor of our society terrace and the dark starry sky of the Universe.

As the discussion began to ferment into a sour debate over the themes that were flying around us like UFOs, a star winked at me.Yes winked not twinkled. The mischievous little ones up there were conspiring on a stupendous idea for the party, which, once was zeroed in on, was telepathi-ed to me with a wink.

...and on here on Planet earth we had our theme. Star Wars. The iconic phenomena which from generations have dazzled us was going to rule our costume party.

P.C. Storehp.com

The theme was instantly received with utmost gusto by everyone. Now our intelligent brains were weaving together ideas on the execution. Stuck again- I thought. The last thing I wanted was a regular costume drama going around when we had the nonpareil idea. We had to make it exceptional, had to make it a Star Wars escapade for everyone that night.

Something Galactic then awakened the forces inside me. This time by an ad which was aired that morning. A dark metallic rectangular notebook flashed before my eyes. The new Hp 6th generation Intel Core i5 processor; Star Wars Special Edition Notebook. Oh yes!!! The one that's been making news all over. The special star wars edition would make our regular costume party an Galactic Empire Inspired one. While my brother got busy making arrangements to shop for one, I sat down with others to list the maximum use of the fully armed and operational Notebook we could make.

            

Coruscant

The Decor: The entire terrace had to be transformed in a way that it would transpire the feel of the Force and its Galactic Empire into every soul present there. The set designs that feature in the Notebook would come so much handy here. We picked Coruscant as the principal planet.

Death Star

My favorite egg shaped Death Star would also make its presence felt.
   

At-Rt walkers

The Vehicles, like the At-Rt walkers would land up in the corners. A special corner for R2-D2 on the stage was fixed. It seemed we could bring in his sound from the Notebook.  

The characters: Darth Vader, the ultimate Sith was mostly chosen by all, but it was decided not more than three children can opt for it else the event would end up looking like the Sith's party and not Star Wars'. Surely it had awakened the Siths in the kids!Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Qui-Gon Jin, Chief Jawa, Han Solo, The Emperor were picked next.

  

Darth Vader with Lightsaber

The Costumes: The Notebook offers designs on the costumes and hence, I knew it would be pretty easy to ensemble the entire cast if I had to.

The weapons: The lightsaber, the Ion blasters for the Jawa, Blaster pistol for Han Solo could be easily created. All we needed were the designs from the Notebook. 


  

Aurebesh

The invitations, the banners, would be typed and printed in the Aurebesh, the Galactic Based Standard Language, font which is loaded in the font library, with English subtitle underneath it.The Title theme track of the Star Wars and other tracks for every character and episode that would be showcased by the kids would be played from the Notebook ( yes! pre-loaded in it) all the time.

Woo-Hoo!!Star Wars Galactic Empire party it is. Now just awaiting my Hp 6th generation Intel Core i5 processor; Star Wars Special Edition Notebook.

         Meanwhile... I asked a DJ friend to help me arrange an assemble of StarWars title track and a few other tracks; the Darth Vader...The Imperial Attack...Cantina Band...and some such. From waiting for the Virar local, to boarding it, to securing a seat, till alighting at the destination has been giving me the experience of the galactic wars. Listening to the music would just temper the whole experience.

Ah! Here he comes, let me get to work with him on the music while you get your own Hp 6th generation Intel Core i5 processor; Star Wars Special Edition Notebook and #AwakenYourForce.

All the pics used in this post have been taken from wikipedia except the Hp Star Wars special Edition Notebook, which has been borrowed from storehp.com. 

UniverCell-y Appealing!!

Who would've thought a gadget store can be fun for someone whose enthusiasm of shopping strictly ends at apparel and accessories; let me tell you, I never did. My impression of the store was that of the same old boring gadget dummies at display, staring at you... promising latest features with salespersons listing it's worth in their mechanical-rehearsed tone. B-O-R-I-N-G.
So, when Indiblogger came up with this event to visit UniverCell store, I registered only with a prospect of meeting fellow bloggers and owning the cute little speaker that looks like a colorful wine barrel after I write about my experience of the store.

 

Boy was I in for a surprise or what...
With a blogger's mind, determined to grasp the best from the store to put it on my post, I entered UniverCell's Colaba branch. Indiblogger team member was already on the floor,and yours truly along with other early birds was introduced to the Vice-president, Saumya Menon, of the UniverCell. 
The warm and vibrant lady had taken it upon herself to give us a tour of not only every corner of her store but also about UniverCell's existence.

The very first thing that I heard about the store had my eye brows jump to fifth floor. UniverCell is about 18 yrs old, probably as old as the cell phone in India itself with 500 branches strongly rooted in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kerala...and now spreading itself in Maharashtra with 9 stores in Mumbai and one in Pune.
Do I already have all your attention to the hilt? I'm sure I do...so read on...

The Vibrant Lady, VP :D

A live store...
The eye brows which had by then settled on their home ground took another jump at the same floor, when we were told that the gadgets staring at us were not dummies...they were real. And customers could actually play them, hear them, touch them, tickle them...possibly do every legal thing to them that would not take them anywhere near the prison. Every phone or tab is installed with latest apps and connected to speakers where you can listen to music checkout what's new. 
Yes UniverCell is one of a kind...they were the first live store on this very earth that you are living in. Phew! Now why would anyone complain about my eyebrows not jumping back to it's place.

Drop a gadget...
Ahh!! unintentional dropping of gadgets won't make them kick you out or pay unnecessarily either. How cool and understanding UniverCell is. 

Kid friendly...
Touch me not...is so passe at UniverCell. And so, the kids aren't left behind; the kids from the era of gadgets who are smarter than adults with 130 IQ and are wise enough to handle a new phone making us adults look naive. UniverCell's target audience have today's kids in their minds and they have the access to this playground called UniverCell where they can fondle and play with the gadgets and gizmos. 

  

 Friendly staff

Customer in Mind...
Prioritizing customers' needs are their prime motto. Ergo, on of their cool services include them taking your bigda phone to the respective service center...and bringing it back to your doorstep if asked for...making this unwanted process hassle-freeeee...

We got framed...
The store is a fun zone not just because of being a live one but also because they have a section in their store where you can take fun pictures with your friends and family or even ask one of the staffs to click you if you are visiting solo. Just like we got framed *wink*

Thank you Tamara for posing <3

Fun Continues...
Our session came to an end and we had to leave. Leaving a live store after three hours of fun wasn't a welcoming thought but alas we had to do it. But, we weren't allowed to leave empty handed or should I say empty tummies. UniverCell thanked u with goodies; food and drink- a spinach corn sandwich, brownie, juice and water neatly placed in a brown paper bag from CCD- for the hungry souls.

  

Fun-smiley-wall

Bidding thank you-s to the staff and cya-s to fellow bloggers and carrying our goodies I walked out of the Live store called UniverCell along with fellow bloggers taking in an experience worth sharing not just for the tiny wine barrel (speaker) but because of it's unique appeal to people, which did reach to a person like me who otherwise dislikes being in gadget stores. So, peeps, just don't sit on your rears this weekend...get up and explore one of the UniverCell stores near you...even if you don't wish or plan to buy anything. Experience the live store and have fun. 

To get more UniverCell savvy you may click HERE. 

Gourmet and The Midas Touch!

The Tangra fishes lay in the runny masala curry.

Tangra looks gorgeous in Borosil Hot pot.

The juicy Chicken Rezella flaunts itself in the deep Borosil dish.

 

The Katla Fish Kaalia made it's grand entry.

Jeera Rice happily highlighting the main course.

 

  

Dahi Kadhi blissfuly settled in the Borosil gourmet bowl.

The last entrant was the strawberry-Vanila ice-cream with choco-chips serenely awaited for their turn in the Borosil squat glasses.

The main course fit for a gourmet had the Midas touch of Borosil :)

This post has been written exclusively for Borosil contest "My Beautiful food- Round 2" by Indiblogger.
To be more Borosil savvy click HERE.

P. S. The pics are property of the author of this blog, CoffeeBeans.

The Trance by Wicked Jalebis!

A beautiful bowl filled with very tempting and engaging Jalebis was kept on the dinning table. The aroma of desi ghee whispered their shudh-ness, a few fine green slices of pistachios hugging each jalebi promised perfectness. The warm crust confirmed its freshness. I was informed that the Jalebis were a treat by our neighbor for her son scored some good grades. Not caring about which neighbor and which son, I concentrated only on the tempting dessert that was smiling sweetly at me. Asking me to gobble them, and be a shameless glutton.

Without any hesitation I picked up one and bit on its outer coil. The orange sugary syrup trickled down my fingers and I licked all of it happily as the child within me had already woken up just by looking at the golden chaashni soaked sweet. Every bite was followed by a crunch sound declaring the perfect deep fried coils. All I wished was some rabri to go along with it. The killer combination of garam jalebi with creamy rabri is unbeatable. Alas, I had to do with only jalebis.

Somewhere in the room, I heard two male voices, probably my cousin and my dad, discussing pretzel being a copy of jalebis…eh! Who cares? All I cared now was about me and my desi ghee crispy sugary munchies that messed my fingers.
Licking every bit of the syrup from my fingers I said,"hmm…okay" to something that was told to me from a distance.
Then the voice rose and my trance was broken. Mom with knitted eyebrows and pursed lips was glaring at me.

"What?" I asked.
"Can't you hear what I told you about not touching those."
"But why? These are for us, aren’t they?"
"No. They are for Lata's son, he topped his class and we are treating him and you ate one fourth of the bowl."

The trance of my favorite dessert had played with my mind so wickedly that nothing that my mom had told me earlier had reached me.
I wasn't complaining.

"Um, the glassware made them look so delicious I couldn't control myself, Mom. Aren't they Borosil?"

Mom huffed and asked my dad to get some more jalebis, this time some for me too. I was definitely not complaining.

This post is exclusively written for My Beautiful Food (Alphabet Soup) contest by Borosil and Indiblogger. You can be Borosil savvy by clicking HERE.

An Affair With Prawn-Pakodas!

I lazily woke up from my Sunday siesta. It was 5 in the evening. I looked out of the window, the lowering sky threatened to lash out anytime. Every bit of the outside world was encased in gloom. A petite bead dropped on the glass of my window, making an unruly trail of its journey towards the window tracks. My lips twitched at the corners; a mischief expression now ruled my face.  "IT'S HOT PAKODA TIME" screamed my soul.

I jumped out of my cozy bed announcing my delicious intentions to the entire world, which was heard by only two earthlings. My parents who were sipping their hot aromatic Darjeeling tea broke their conversation and looked at me. With a childlike smile they echoed my fervor and began discussing which pakodas they would like to devour.  The options were many, from the clichéd onion to my much loved cabbage, from mom's favorite cauliflowers to dad's beloved pumpkin flowers and so on.

I hovered around the table listening to the century's most important discussion and eying the buttery ginger-oats cookies scattered on the beautiful glass plate, while my parents were still finding it difficult to zero in on one option. I picked one cookie and took a bite. It cracked and crumbled and as I chewed further, it melted in my mouth and I could sense a rush of fresh ginger gushing through my body. Just then a roaring thunder was followed by loud clattering on the windowpane. Sheets of icy rain were driving down with vigor.

I don't know whether it was the cookie or the rain or their combination, but it was that moment when enlightenment struck and my taste buds nudged me to decide on prawn pakodas. There was no question of further exchange of dialogues on this. I broadcasted my verdict which was received with two enthusiastic 'yays'. Before the ladies of the house could say "mirchi", dad in his manly baritone shooed us away claiming the kitchen. We were going to enjoy Prawn pakodas made by daddy. *smiles*

A bunch of prawns were quickly removed to defrost and masalas were all set. All we, the ladies, had to do now was sit beside the window, chit-chat and wait impatiently for the appetizing hot and spicy besan coated dumplings as rain lashed out at the transparent glass pane. Sounds of dishes, spoons clinking…clanking began to rise from the kitchen.

Eventually the whiff of deep frying prawns gingerly wafted towards the living room and oh-so sensually entered our nostrils, teasing our senses. My mouth filled up with saliva in no time and I feared I might salivate all over the dinning table. I looked up at mom; she was trying hard not to drool. We giggled and I shouted, "PAKODA PAKODA!!". Chuckling, dad begged to wait for 10 more minutes.

Mom and I now could hardly talk as our watering mouths were a big hindrance. Impatience was now crawling up our spine and even the intoxicating rain soaked mud from our house plants weren't of any comfort; they were just making the wait harder. And finally, dad arrived with a big tray in his hands. He placed it on the table, singing "Tan-Ta-Tadaan".

There they were, placed beautifully on a pretty glass platter, a bouquet of hot curled golden prawns ready to get ravished lovingly. Each of them, soooo inviting. They were all gathered together, some on top of each other, some resting beside another as if discussing who would score more with it's flavor.The tiny ajjwain seeds stuck to the coating enhanced their charm.
The three cute little bowls sitting beside them offered fresh green coriander chutney. With no further ado, I attacked the honey hued deep fried prawns. Picking the largest one I dipped it in the green chutney, parted my lips wide and placed it in my mouth. Etiquette forgotten.

The crispy outer crust crunched between my teeth and my tongue made it it's own. The flavor of the sea enveloped in spices burst in my mouth. The masalas, the ginger, the garlic, the ajjwain all exploded together and danced around my tongue.
The dash of the coriander chutney began its magic in no time and added delightful tang to the hot dumpling that was now paralyzing my senses with its sinful flavor. I munched on the coiled sea-dweller, pleasantly taking in every bit of its essence, not wanting to cut off the connection we were making at that moment. After some good chewing I slowly gulped down the heavenly mish-mash, pleasuring my throat.
 
I looked at the plate, four were already gone. Mom-Dad were gorging with amusing expressions on their faces. I took two this time, dunked them in the chutney and pushed them inside my mouth. My cheeks puffed up. Lady-like conduct forgotten. And the affair with prawn pakodas resurrected with new drive, new passion.
The rains outside continued to strike furiously and inside we continued to glut, finding new meaning with each pakoda.
Surely, an affair to remember!

P. S. Our Prawn-Pakoda Rainy Day saga couldn't have been so memorable without the elegant and stunning Borosil glassware, in which the delicious dumplings and chutney were served. *smiles broadly*

This post has been exclusively written for "My Beautiful Food (Alphabet Soup)" contest by Borosil and Indiblogger. To be more Borosil savvy click HERE and enjoy! :D