The Village Fair

Plan to share pics from this Mela (fair) that I visited in recent times. It reminded me of the fairs that my father would would take me to when I was a little girl. I hailed from a small town and these fairs were much looked forward to. 

There used to a large Merry go round contrast to the one over here. It used to be my favorite ride. Me, as 3 year old would not miss this and I would not move back when my parents tried to pull me. I had no fear of the heights it would take. My father used to be sit beside me holding me tight at times. But me, my eyes used to be wide-opened and stared indefinitely. My mother refused to accompany us in the ride. She did not held the courage and would watch us from the ground. This fair brought back memories from the past amidst the many amusement and theme parks that exist today.

And Here comes the Tinsel town for the Ladies

Below is the Balloon Shooting Arena 

As a kid I used to get this long gun with 10 pins to shoot the balloons. It used to be real fun. We felt privileged to have held a gun and went shooting, after all.

  

Watched A Play at the Theater

I always loved going for movies. However, I did not much chance of developing an admiration for theater plays until recently.

I watched PK a day before and also decided to go for the play on Macbeth in a nearby Theater the next day. I would perhaps surprise you by giving 5 more ratings to the Theater Play. It was incomparable. The lights, the sound and the one chance acts makes it a 100 percent show. There can be no re-take in a play and no mistakes are allowed.

The light-man, sound and other technicians have an important role in this all together mesmerizing effect. The play went on for around 2 hours. It was a breathe taken thing. I could not stop blinking for a while. The actors were very talented and lot of hard work was in it. Is this not called Team Work ?

The lights beautifully changed with the scenarios and made a real feel within us.

Christmas Eve 24th Dec 2014

It was lovely going out. Wonderful to see Christmas trees big and small continuously being sold out. There were Santas too. Large Santa, small Santa - whichever that fits your budget and space. And there was also a Dancing Santa to our much pleasure. Lights and lanterns were the charms of the season.

The shops were filled with people who seemed to have - less of time and more to buy. The market place looked very attractive. You just cannot not by-pass the decorative stores without walking-in. There were huge bright stary garlands, christmas lights, ornaments, tree toppers, sleige, chistmas stockings and so on. The Bakeries were doing great This Time of the Year. Simply love the irresistible Plum Cake on Christmas Eve!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lazy Winter Morning

With a nip in the air and chilled wind blowing upon our face, there's nothing more pleasurable than to bask oneself in the early morning sun-rays. The warmth of the sun greets us with so much comfort to our stone-cold bodies. It livens up our spirits making us look forward to the day ahead with a much-needed smile on our face.

I love to sit in my wide armed chair on the terrace enjoying the bright warm sunshine while gazing at the newly blossomed flowers in the pots. The new ones mark the beginning of a new day with hopes and dreams.

What If I am Born in a Village

I peeped through my window, I was overwhelmed to see the lush green paddy fields. These were neatly carved beautifully laid out fields for the crops. How much hard of work must have gone into this beautiful creation, I thought for a while.

What if I am born in a village in my next birth? Would I love it or feel wretched eyeing the rich? Or would I be gradually transform into a simple village girl content with her life unknown of the other world.  I wondered and submersed myself in these wild thoughts. Which one I am to choose -Technology or Nature? As if God had bestowed me with 2 boons to choose from. I could not  have both. To have one, I must forgo the other. This is actually the story based on Reality of  Life. We cannot have all that we want in life. Some are accomplished and a few are to be set free, in order to be happy and contented in our lives.

The Balloon Seller

As I fled past the roads lined with shops and vehicles in equal number, a man covered in balloons caught my glaring eyes. He seemed amazingly colorful with the large balloons all over him. The balloons were big and the bright shiny colors were equally tempting.

For few seconds, it let me forget off my age. However, soon I got back on my senses and took control of my inner self. In this chilling winter, it was a good warm sight for everyone. I recalled how as kids we used to run up to these toy-selling vendors and then in minutes, our hands would start rolling up on the up-stood cart. I envied myself a bit. Still on the verge to decide if I would buy one. I followed him a few paces. Yes, the people would certainly stare at me while I bring back home. But Alas! he was no longer to be seen. Faster and quicker than me and my thought process!

Kali Puja on Amavasya

Goddess Kali is worshipped widely across West Bengal. She is one of the first incarnations of Goddess Durga and is considered as the fiercest symbol of  Stree shakti (Female Power and Strength). There are small temples of Maa Kali at every road turn in Kolkata. People worship with immense sincerity and devotion. 

Kali is worshipped to ward off evil eyes, enemies and remove negative vibes within us and around. We seek Maa's blessings for health, happiness, wealth and protection. Goddess Kali is known to be very powerful and fearsome. She symbolises true female power. Each woman can be as powerful as Kali Maa. 

Hence, do not evoke the wrath of a woman. Do not test her level of patience. Fence a stop to the ongoing crimes she has been tormented for years. Have you not heard of the Kal Bhoi Nashini? She was invoked from Goddess Kali's forehead who fought fearlessly with the demons and adorned herself with the garland of the bleeding hands and heads of the demons or Asuras.

We pray for mental and physical strength in times of need. I love to listen to the loud chanting of the mantras.

Dehi saubhagyam aarogyam, dehi me paramam sukham 

Meaning

Grant me O Mother Good LuckSaubhagyam), grant me good health, make me disease free(Aarogyam)

Rupam dehi, jayam dehi, yasho dehi, dwisho jahi

Meaning :

Grant me beauty(Roopam), grant me victory/success(Jayam), grant me name and fame/prosperity(Yash), And eliminate my enemies(Dwisho jahi).

These beautiful lines and the words, fills our heart with purity and strength. 

Seize Every Opportunity You Aspire!

Ramesh had newly moved into the city. He dreamt of a luxury - a magical spell kind -which was waiting for him behind the doorway. He only needed to step out on time. Though he was not much of a day dreamer, he often had these visions and faith-ed in them. He was somewhere caught midway between between aspiration and reality. He had to bridge the both ends.

Ramesh belonged to a small village in Hisar in Haryana. He had been good at academics and managed to get a graduation degree from the local Government College. He read the newspaper regularly and stayed updated on the events/happenings around the world. To keep up with the English language, he joined a spoken English course in the nearby town. He had also done a 3 month course on the basic Computer skills.

Several of his friends had moved to Delhi in the recent years. Its been 3 months he too moved here. Putting up in a 2 room rented house in North Delhi, he was cram-packed with other fellow friends similar to him. A person who is brought up in a small village has more endurance in-built and adjustment capabilities within. There was only one thing that was worrying him day and night. Every morning he would wake up, take his bath, chant the Hanuman Chalisa (which he had been doing since he was 5), change his clothes and move out with his large Folder File to attend the interview scheduled. He often stood before the small mirror, wondering what the day had in-store for him today. He occasionally grabbed paranthas from the roadside food-carts, before hopping onto the bus.

While in the evenings, he would be seen walking down leisurely at a slow pace, tired and exhausted. He was no more the same. He would then go back to his room, sit quiet for hours and prepare himself for the next day again. His company of friends - his roommates would often cheer him back. Getting rejected at interviews, he could not understand where he was lacking behind. His score at the technical rounds would come high. He had improved his English. Then Why?

The above Sketch has been made by Sonali Bhattacharya

One similar day, as he was sitting on his bed, sad and depressed, he suddenly felt a gentle warm hands on his shoulder. "It's ok" said the boy " Hi". He turned and saw it was Rohan who lived in the next building. Rohan said "Would you mind if I ask you something? Just tell me everything. Maybe I can help you." Ramesh felt so much warmth in his words, he just blurted out every small little thing. There was so much pain and worry piled up inside him that he could hold no longer.

The next day happened to be a Sunday and a no interview day. Ramesh had promised to keep the day reserved for Rohan. Hey Dude! You Ready! said Rohan. Come, Lets go!. They made their way onto auto-rickshaw stand. After a much to do bargaining, they reached the Kamla Nagar Market. Ramesh's eyes dwindled seeing so many shops and eateries where people were hanging out with friends, having fun, talking and laughing to their fullest. There was so much happiness around.  Rohan took him inside a custom shop where he selected a pair of formal attire (formal shirt and trousers) for him. Next they headed to Shikanji shop they quenched their thirst with Masala Soda refreshing drink. It was almost 1 o' clock now and were hungry. They had lunch at the Bunty-da-dhaba with the traditional North -Indian menu. They returned home in the evening. They laughed recalling the funny incidents in the market. Ramesh went in for a shower and when he came, he saw there a gift wrapped in colorful papers left on his bed. On it was written "For my dear Friend Ramesh - from Rohan". He quickly removed the wrappers and out came the small box - A beautiful set of Gillette Men's Grooming Kit (Gillette Fusion Razor, Facial Moisturizer, After Shave, Series Gel). A small note - "Use this every morning, you shall see a sea change in you and your life".

As usual he woke up the next morning with hopes and dreamy eyes. He remembered yes - he had something new to try out - the gift from his friend. He cleaned all the long haired stubble that had been covering his face since weeks. He looked at himself in the mirror once more. He really had a good face. He wondered why had he stayed like this with all stubble. He looked polite and descent. He took his bath, put on his new clother, said his daily prayers, had the gobhi paranthas and headed to take the Metro. He reached the venue on time. There was a long queue of candidatees waiting in the hall. It was almost 1 hr 30 mins now. A voice called "Ramesh Sharma"..."Ramesh Sharma please". A shock swept passed him. He got up. He moved with confidence, heading straight. He greeted everyone well and took his chair. He rightfully answered all the questions. The personal round went good as well. The interview panel looked quite satisfied. They told him they would let him know in a few days. 

Its been almost 4 days since then. Ramesh continued with other interviews as well. He managed to get shortlisted in one more company this week. By the end of the 4th week, he had 3 job offers awaiting him. Hurray! Nothing could be more blissful than this. Now he was there to make a selection and accept one amongst them.  His joy knew no boundaries. He felt so much happiness within -  a goal accomplished.  He joined the company which was offering the highest and had a good name in the industry. He went to see Rohan with a box of sweets to share the good news. He described how grateful he was to him for the "Gillette Shaving Kit" which had made him look so smart and presentable. Success followed him everywhere as if were his shadow. He always remembered him for the wonderful gift throughout his life. 

This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda.com in association with Gillette

WOW- ‘If I had the Midas touch’

If I had the Midas touch, I would feel blessed by God for such a wonderful magical gift. My first step would be to enter the store room and transmute the abundant stock no longer used piles into gold. I would keep some and the remaining I would give to the poorer sections of our society. I would touch the outer walls of my old house whose wall chunks always seem wearing and tearing out. It would make it look like a palace I had heard in my childhood.

WOW! So Beautiful! I would live like a Queen. I would have many golden dresses. I no longer need to carry on with my job. I would be happy to be out of my Cranky Boss office and life. Yes, I could do more fruitful things. I could invest in a course in painting and journalism. I would have ample time with me. I would visit the most expensive parlours, have the best manicure-pedicure and make myself astonishingly beautiful. I would do lots and lots of shopping. Handbags, Accessories, Jewelry, Outfits and the list is endless. I dont need to work any longer. I would buy Aston Martin or BMW latest model.

When I fall short of money I would just use my Magical Midas Touch as I use my mobile or ATM today. I would go for tours abroad  - US, UK, Europe wherein Europe and Turkey would be my topmost destinations. I would flaunt myself at the best resorts and Spa. Hey! Joy To Myself and the wonderful Life! Thanks Midas Touch. A thousand dollars to you too.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda