Oh My Diwali!

They blamed me and said things are not fine.
Just because I was dark, the night was dark too.
I thought - can't they see the extra stars shine?
To brighten up the night, don't they have any clue?

Waxing & waning is my nature; always been so!
Why so many people are complaining tonight?
What's so special that they want me to glow?
Why this demand to view my form that's bright?

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How To Make New Friends

Before you think that this post is inspired by Dale Carnegie's best-selling book- "How To Win Friends and Influence People", let me tell you that you are on the wrong track! However, this post does have some novel ideas that you can incorporate to make new friends!
Disclaimer- This writer does not claim responsibility for any nice/nasty experience you might encounter in your quest to conquer the new 'Kingdom of Friends'! Follow these tips at your own risk!

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Okay, so you are still reading this post! It means you are really serious to make new friends! 
Don't tell me that I didn't warn you! 

Blessing in Disguise

She was rushing as she didn't want to miss her carpool to school.
"I have be on time for my exam".
While hurrying down the stairs, she tripped and fell.
"Mama! I have twisted my ankle and can't move my foot!"
"Never mind. You take rest today. All will be well. We'll visit the doctor", her mother assured.
"What about my exam?"
"But, you can't even walk with your sprained foot... By now your car must have left. And even if I leave you by alternate transport, you can't possibly walk up to your classroom that's on the third floor of your school."
Bearing the throbbing pain, she knew that her mother was right.

Durga Puja 2017 At Bhubaneswar

Durga Puja is an important festival of eastern India. It marks the victory of good over evil.

Goddess Durga is Maa Durga i.e. Mother Durga. She had the powers to vanquish the evil demon named Mahishasura.

Durga Puja and Dussehra is celebrated with much fanfare and excitement at Odisha, India.

Capital city, Bhubaneswar, and its twin-city and former capital, Cuttack, have hundreds of Durga Puja Pandals. 

This Puja, I could manage to visit only half a dozen Pandals out of the hundreds!

Though it was raining heavily, the rains couldn't dampen the festive spirit. As the public flocked happily, the Pandals were teeming with ardent devotees.

Parking is a nightmare. But, Pandal-hopping is so much fun!

Bomikhal
The Bomikhal Pandal was like a white palace with angels on its walls beckoning us.

 Maa Durga and her team looked resplendent in gold.

Shhh! Don't Tell Anyone

Chosen as a WOW Post HERE

A Std-IX girls party was on in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

"Truth or Dare?"

When Siddha chose "Truth", her friends asked her to reveal a secret.

She had to share a secret which she never wanted anyone to know.

The honest girl that she was, Siddha did share what she had kept hidden for long.

Even her closest friends did not know.

"My nickname is 'Bayani'."

There was a pin-drop silence and then all the girls burst out laughing. 

'Bayani' means 'mad girl' in Odia language.
It is quite the same as the word 'Pagli' in Hindi language.

Anyone who knew Siddha, could vouch how mismatched her nickname was with her know-it-all and responsible personality. Her great grandmother had zestfully nicknamed her 'Bayani' and the name had stuck with her extended family. Her parents called her 'Siddha'- that means 'an ascetic who has achieved enlightenment'. 

The girls were laughing out loud as if it was the funniest joke they had heard.