Clean Bowled

[Continued from- The Match-Fixing]

(Story so far-

Facial-hair-sporting Raja has gone to Rani’s place with his family to “see” her and for suitable marriage alliance or match-fixing.)

Rani’s dog started barking seeing Raja. Also, Rani’s brother’s new-born twins started crying seeing Raja. 

It was embarrassing as Rani’s father explained, “They are used to clean-shaven people!”

When Raja and Rani were left alone in a room and were given a chance to talk, there was an eerie silence.  

Raja broke the ice and asked Rani to say something. Rani said, “Stubble reminds me of death in the family. I’m afraid I can’t marry you and then be constantly reminded of death everytime I see your face with the facial-hair…”

The Match-Fixing

Raja was on his way home, returning from his overseas assignment after a year.

His parents were eagerly waiting at the airport to receive him. They immediately set off to a girl’s place for match-making.

“Her name is Rani! Your names & horoscopes match perfectly! This is a match made in heaven!” Raja’s mom said. 

His younger sister, Rosy, didn’t look convinced. “Mom, we should have taken Bhai home. At least he should have been clean-shaven before seeing Rani.”

“We can’t lose the auspicious time for fixing the alliance and the first meeting between boy and girl!” their father said.

Raja said, “This is the first scene in the Hindi Movie- Holiday- when the hero is taken for match-making the moment he reaches the station! Did you watch the movie and get inspired by his parents? Real-life is imitating reel-life now!”

Rosy added, “Don’t forget- The hero rejects the heroine in the first meeting in that movie. I guess the reverse will be true in your case, Bhai!”

Their Mom said, “Rosy! Speak positive!”

Rani's Mr.Right

Rani was great fan of books & movies.

When her family was busy looking for a match for her, Rani prayed that they find her perfect Mr.Right.

She turned to her Gods. For the umpteenth time she noticed that all the Gods she worshipped are clean-shaven- Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva… OMG!

“Dear God, I do hope my Mr.Right is smart and certainly clean-shaven like all the characters I love- Sherlock Holmes, Mr. Darcy, Prince Charming, Superman, Spiderman, Batman…

Superman, Spiderman, Batman

Even like my favorite real-life people like my Papa, Grandpa and Superstar Heroes of the Hindi Film Industry viz. Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan!"

How To...

He was strolling in the lawn of his hotel,
When he saw the pretty girl on her cycle.

How to win over her love & her heart?
He thought & followed, hit by Cupid’s dart.

She entered a library and so did he.
How to catch her eye? Act crazy?

PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Randy Mazie

Connection

I wish to feel the sand beneath my feet,

The kissing sea-waves gifting a treat… 

The sun-rays' warmth on the sea-beach

Without my boots, I connect & reach! 

That's ME jumping on the beach!

Tower Room In A Castle

I love fairy-tales. I have often imagined living in a Castle like a fairy-tale heroine!

The explorer in me wants to travel, loves to travel and has many places on her wish-list to explore. 

Black Forest in Germany is one such place. 

We all might be familiar with the Black Forest Cake and might have tasted it.

Did you know that the name of the cake has been derived from the German dessert that literally means "Black Forest cherry-torte” that originated in Germany? 

As I love Black Forest cake so much, I have plans to visit its place of origin & try it out! Yummy! 
The foodie in me wants to eat such delectable treats!

After The Snowstorm

He was an "outsider", who had established a successful motor-repair shop, built with his hard-work and perseverance.

Copyright – Claire Fuller ; Photo prompt with permission from Friday Fictioneers

His friendly nature and excellent customer-service won him many new customers that was a source of great irritation for the other motor-repair shops.

Wishing to ruin him & his business, they set his shop aflame...

Rhymes Remind Good Times...

I have many fond memories associated with nursery rhymes and stories that I had heard when I was a kid.

I knew many rhymes. During my vacations when we visited my grandparents’ place, I was much in demand as everyone wanted to listen to the superhit rhymes rendered by my sweet voice!

I had many favorites and I knew so many rhymes that I was the cynosure of all eyes!

Some memories associated with the following two rhymes:

WAKE UP...

He pulls the rickshaw loaded with heavy goods.

She washes utensils and clothes & scrubs floors.

He attends to the fiery customer’s & owner’s wrath & beatings.

She inhales the toxic fumes while making matches & fireworks. 

He cycles long distances to deliver newspapers.

She collects steals flowers even from her notorious neighbor.

He carries heavy sacks on his tender shoulders.

She waits in the queue and fetches extra buckets filled with water.

Hyatt Regency Kolkata Experience

We co-cordially invite you for an experiential tour of ‘Food & Beverage’ outletito join us in celebrating our inaugural Culinary Competition.

Kindly consider this as an official invitation for the ‘Hyatt Culinary Challenge’. 

An initiative conducted by Hyatt hotels to engage with people who are passionate about cooking.

The passionate foodie in me was very delighted to find the above email invitation last week. This was followed by a telephonic invitation too and I found myself with some other Bloggers and Social Media influencers in Hyatt Regency Kolkata. 

This was my second visit to Hyatt Regency Kolkata and unlike my first visit that was for a Software Conference, I got to spend more time this time.

We got to experience the Hyatt hospitality. The close-knit team made us feel very comfortable as they took us around for the experiential tour. We observed that apart from great food, Hyatt Regency Kolkata has aesthetic interiors. Needless to say, we went click-happy! 

It was amazing to find 80 labels of wine with the wine cellar on display!

I loved the Bakery section with so many pastries, cakes, fresh bread etc.

One section of the Bakery with yummy fare!

7 Secrets Of The Goddess

I loved the title '7 Secrets of the Goddess' & the resplendent book-cover of Mr. Devdutt Pattanaik's latest book. Thus, I became interested to read & volunteered to be a part of the BlogAdda Book Review Program.

Mr. Devdutt Pattanaik, a doctor, consultant  & mythologist, juggles many roles with ease. 

I have been planning to read his previous books such as '7 Secret of  Shiva' & '7 Secrets of Vishnu'. Thanks to BlogAdda, I got introduced to the latest book of the author.

As I haven't read any of his previous books, I cannot compare his latest offering with the previous ones. This is an advantage.

However, I committed a mistake of judging the book from its cover. On the cover, seeing a beautiful Goddess (from the book, I learnt later that she is Goddess Balambika- the daughter of humanity), I felt the book is only about Indian Goddesses.

7 Secrets of the Goddess - Book (Cover)

'7 Secrets of the Goddess' has the word "the" in the title.

 It's not about one particular Goddess. It's about the Goddesses all over the world.

'Never judge a book from its cover'- I again reminded myself.

Driving Me Nuts

I really wish I hadn't met you!
Then, no losing myself or feeling blue...

You are driving me nuts- is all I can say.
I find myself dreaming of you night & day.

You are present on every road I find...
Even in every nook & corner of my mind!

Pic used with Permission from Magpie Tales

The Little Santa

Little Mili excitedly came from school.

“Mom guess what? Remember the Story-writing competition I had taken part? I won the first prize- Rs 500!” 

“That’s wonderful, dear! How do you plan to spend it?” her Mom asked.

“Tomorrow is Children’s Day. I wish to buy some Parle G biscuit-packets, Note-Copies, Nataraj Pencils & Erasers and distribute amongst the slum children,” said Mili.

Her Mom had tears in her eyes as she hugged Mili.

It was that Special Children's Day programme on Doordarshan that they had together watched a few days ago that had highlighted to the young impressionable mind of Mili how needy some kids are… Many don’t have access to even basic facilities and requirements like Roti, Kapda, Makaan (Food, Clothes, House) leave alone school or education. That day Mili had asked her Mom how they can help the children. 

Prathamastami - Festival Of Odisha

Incredible India has some incredible festivals.

Odisha, a state of India, has some unique & interesting festivals.

Today is the eighth day in the Odia month of Margashira (8 days after Kartik Purnima). It is celebrated as Prathamastami. (Prathama means first & Astami means eighth day)

Prathamastami is celebrated in Odisha for the wellness, long-life & prosperity of the first-born or eldest child in a family. Gender is not an issue, qualification needed is one has to be the first-born child of her/his parents!

First-borns have some special privileges and are entrusted extra responsibilities in India. Being the eldest has its perks too - rewarded with extra “share” called the “Jyeshta-bhaga” (Part/share of the eldest).

Prathamastami makes the siblings jealous when the eldest sibling gets the attention & new clothes! Who doesn’t want new clothes, good food & special treatment?

Their argument- Why should the first-borns have all the fun? ;)

In some families of 4-5 members, where both the parents happen to be the first-born, a majority in the family is first-born! They celebrate Parthamastami for all their kids so that the younger ones don’t cry or feel left out! 

Blog To Feed A Child - III

We can help eliminate classroom hunger by providing good food to all the children.

Classroom hunger implies much more than a child's hunger when in a classroom... It is successfully addressed and satisfied in many schools in India.                     

Food served in the schools i.e. the mid-day meals happen to be the sole meal of the day for many children as their parents cannot afford food to feed them.

Thus, one of the important reasons why the child is in a classroom in the first place is to drive off hunger.

Blog To Feed A Child - II

Today, November 14^th, is celebrated as Children’s Day in India to commemorate Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary. 

Globally, Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20^th each year. On the same date in 1954, the declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. 

The fact is that after so many years of India’s independence and also United Nations' adoption of the  Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, many children, especially in the Indian sub-continent, are yet to experience a good quality of life. 

Many don’t even have access to basic necessities like water, food, clothes & shelter...

Blog To Feed A Child - I

Poverty has its repercussions and a direct impact on hunger & education.

It is sad that millions of children have to choose between hunger and education everyday.

Attending school ought to be every child’s right.  However, the Right To Education & attending school is the privilege of a few lucky children.

Why can’t we ensure every kid is ‘lucky’ this way? 

Is it so tough to ensure that every child gets even one square meal a day?

For a majority, attending school entails missing out on a major part of the day & hence missing to contribute to the family-income. Tiny hands happen to be the helping-hands and support system that need to be “employed” to help sustain their family. Their parents have no option as they too are driven by basic necessities like hunger…

‘Peyt ka sawaal hai’(It’s a question of the stomach).

Mango Vermicelli Kheer

Both my daughter & I love desserts; desserts fill us with glee!

She loves Kheer (Indian dessert- sweet Pudding) & Custard also like me!

One day, I had an idea- a dish that would be a happy combination! 

I added Mango Custard powder to my Vermicelli Kheer preparation!

My family loved my innovative Mango Vermicelli Kheer dish!

Now this dish appears often on our dining-table as per majority's wish!

On popular demand, here's the recipe!

Jaws Of Death

She was a femme fatale; the head of state's desire.

Pic used with permission from Magpie Tales

Actually, she was a spy at the jaws of death & fire.

Queen's Queer Quest

The river-bank had a visitor- a royal guest.
The Queen was working & looked busy.
The onlookers had no clue about her quest.
They felt a Queen's life is fun & easy.

Everyone had a quizzical expression on their face.
What's the Queen searching like one possessed?
Picking pebbles seemed like some queer chase...
Collecting pebbles made the Queen feel blessed?

Happy New Year – Movie Review & Lessons

The multi-starrer Hindi movie ‘Happy New Year’ (HNY) directed by Farah Khan and produced by Gauri Khan, is a typical Bollywood masala movie with a mix of emotions, drama, comedy, at-the-edge-of-seat moments, thrills, action, song & dance sequences.

HNY is about a team of five ‘losers’ attempting to be ‘winners’. They try a heist of diamonds worth Rs 300 crores while managing to secure a place amongst the WDC- World Dance Competition in Dubai. Does their ‘Duniya ka sabse badi chori ka rehearsal’ (the rehearsal of the world’s biggest theft) succeed?  If yes, how do Charlie & his team pull off the plan?

She Danced

She danced wonderfully as she danced from her heart.

She rehearsed sincerely & that set her apart...

She earned praise, medals, awards & many a trophy.

All this was also accompanied by cartloads of envy.

Power of Worship & Prayer

IndiSpire Topic#37- Why do we worship god? Share your reasons for worshipping gods #FaithvsFear 

I pray & believe in the power of worshipping God.

For me, worshipping God = praying.
I feel we can worship anywhere, though being in a Temple, Church, Mosque, Gurudwara etc. certainly helps.

Though I spend very less time in my Puja Room as such, as compared to that spent by the elders in my family, I focus on prayer in that time.
I also believe- 'Work is Worship.'

My Mom used to say, "Give 100% attention to God in the time you pray...What is the point if while praying you are thinking of other worldly things - like the phone-ringing or what you need to cook!"
 

Source

Odisha Sambalpuri Products

I was happy & felt special when Team BlogAdda shortlisted me for the Quikr activity.

I had to shop for Rs 5000 using Quikr and then blog about my experience. 

But, then, I was also very concerned.

This was because of my not-so-good experience with two leading online-shopping sites in the recent past. Shopping with one, I have paid higher price for the products & in the other, I am yet to receive the product I have ordered 5 weeks ago.

Thus, for this online-shopping activity with Quikr, where the time-frame to submit the post was less than a week, I expressed my inability based on the fact that the product may not even reach me! How will I blog about my experience then? 

My concern was proved wrong as I learnt many Lessons from Quikr:

Lesson#1-

Team BlogAdda advised that I should pick product(s) from Seller(s) based in my city or near my city so that the process is expedited & is QUICKER! 

I logged on to Quikr.