Celebrate Blogging

Today morning, the hashtag all over my Twitter TL was #CelebrateBlogging. Soon #CelebrateBlogging was the top trend!

Pretty interesting, I thought! Blogging anyway is a celebration of the self that gives us wings, yet keeps us grounded. 
It is but apt that Blogging be rewarded too and that we #CelebrateBlogging!

The occasion was BlogAdda 's birthday celebration. What better way to celebrate than to #CelebrateBlogging ?

We were offered cake! BlogAdda promised, "We are going to #CelebrateBlogging and our birthday today. The cake is on us, whenever you say." I tweeted, "Many Happy B'day Wishes your way!" There was no missing this. Enthu followers joined in happily to send Happy Birthday Wishes to BlogAdda and of course tweeting answers to the questions posed by BlogAdda using the hashtag!

The first question was what does Blogging mean to us.
Blogging means an outlet of emotions- ranging from silly to smart!; expressing the cacophony of voices in my head & melodies playing in my heart! I tweeted this to BlogAdda and realized that I had forgotten the hashtag!

I then admitted- "Oops I forgot the #CelebrateBlogging hashtag! Blogging sets us free!...even from hashtags!" There are no characters or word-limit constraints! Blogging just leaves us like a free bird...

Blogging is an emotional flowchart that taps all the faculties of our minds and hearts to lead our journey in Blogosphere just like a horse pulls a Cart!

Blogging gives a great opportunity for celebrating 'I, ME, MYSELF' & also people and things in everyday life and own country and world!

Answers were myriad.  Here are some of them.

 Then, BlogAdda posed more questions. And many contributed their honest, serious, crazy, humorous, creative...answers!

 

It was thoroughly enjoyable to #CelebrateBlogging with BlogAdda today!

As Blog looks great updated and as the new home of the feelings & conversations in our head, I felt I had to create a post about this! Thanks BlogAdda for giving a chance to share & express the said and the unsaid! 

Happy Birthday again, BlogAdda !!!

JYOTSNA

She makes everyday so easy for me,

She listens & shares my sorrows & ecstasy…

Home-Management is tough without her-

She is my Lady-Knight-In-Shining-Armour…

She has a dazzling smile on her face,

Completes the tasks swiftly with grace…

My above lines are dedicated to a very important lady in my life- Jyotsna, who makes her work beautiful...

 

Life is about the little joys and celebrations that we wish time would bestow on us more often. I do get my share thanks to God’s benevolence. Jyotsna also has a BIG hand in it. Her name ‘Jyotsna’ means- ‘Moonlight’. She has proved to be so for me! Jyotsna works as a maid in our building. She sweeps, mops, washes utensils, chops vegetables, cooks, washes clothes…and does other odd jobs in ten flats in our building. In my place, she does the first four. Jyotsna is my choice of Mia Woman. I know mine will be the most different entry & some may scoff … Jyotsna is a Mia woman as she is independent, confident, a quick-learner, open to change, ready to help, is a pillar of support and strength, is trustworthy and super-efficient… Like Mia Jewellery, she is 'light and unflashy', yet has a sparkling personality of her own. She returns my smile even at the end of a hard day's work! Yes, she works very hard for a living. Jyotsna can afford to buy Mia Jewellery; but she perhaps never will…That will entail blowing up her entire month’s salary… She has four doting kids and a very loving husband. Work is worship for her. Yesterday was Independence Day. No independence from work for her even on the supposedly National Holiday! Jyotsna doesn’t take holidays just like that (unlike the other maids in our building). If she does have to be absent, she calls up to inform. Yes, she does have a cellphone that she smartly uses! She is keen to learn how mobile phone works and to use the advanced features. The other day, I taught her how to ‘block’ the number of the driver of the Nano-Car by which she travels. The guy was bothering her as she travelled to work in his Nano-Car and had to occupy the front seat beside him! Just because she has a very affable nature, it's easy for people to fall in love with her! When she succeeded in blocking him, I could see the shine on her face, the unmistakable glow of empowerment!  I had seen the same when Jyotsna had opened her own bank-account. She now religiously deposits her monthly savings. Initially, she took my help to fill up the deposit-slips. But, now I am so proud that she is a pro! 

If I am not at home, Jyotsna just takes the keys from my neighbor and completes the house-keeping works, leaving behind a neat and clean welcoming home for me. And if I have forgotten to give vegetables for chopping, she demands that I do…will not leave till she has completed her scheduled works! If I have not eaten lunch, she gives me a good scolding as she doesn’t have any utensils to wash in the afternoon!!! I like to save a part of the goodies and share everything with her- even a piece of chocolate cake or snacks or sweet! The other day, when I made Kheer, after serving the first portion as prasad for God’s worship/Puja at home, I kept the second helping for Jyotsna. When I revealed this to her, she was very amused and said, “So my importance for you is after God!” She wasn’t very far from the truth... For me, Jyotsna is God's angel for me and a part of my family. God has been really kind to put Jyotsna in my life. I can continue working as I please on my Research or on my online activities, while my part-time house-help helps maintain my home! I must share that she has happily been a part of my Videos and photos, that I have specifically shot for contests, by patiently acting & posing, including for this Tanishq contest! She provides her feedback during development stage and cheers for me when I win! And I must add that she wears the Saree really well. On request, she helps everyone wear Sarees and is much in demand especially during important functions or events in our Society! I do know how to wear Saree and people say I manage pretty well. But, when my Saree gets the professional Jyotsna-touch, the pleats are better, my tummy is fully & smartly covered and the overall get-up looks excellent! I get more compliments, just like I do when I wear Tanishq Jewellery!

Jyotsna is a Mia woman in my life and I am so delighted…

This post is for the Blogger Contest- Mia by Tanishq. 
You can watch the Mia TVC here- http://youtu.be/Qq3Kh-tHsyk 
Visit the Mia site- http://mia.tanishq.co.in/

This Post won the Consolation Prize and this beautiful Winner Badge in the Contest!

Chennai Express Journey Again!

I took part in a Twitter Contest last week just to win the delectable prize- Chennai Express movie-tickets! 

As we had been waiting pretty eagerly for the film, I thought it made sense to take part in the ongoing Chennai Express quiz and win the tickets and make it to the first day... 

I was delighted to be amongst the 10 winners in the top trending topic for that day! All 10 of us had managed to win the movie-tickets! Yaay! I sent my address details anticipating to receive Movie-Voucher that would help me book tickets as per my convenience. Getting on the train looked easy!

As Chennai Express was to release on August 9th 2013, I was in regular touch with the said team. My wish was to watch Chennai Express the very day of its release. I got no response from them. The days passed...

 

On August 8th, I realized that there would be Preview shows available for the film that evening. Tickets were pricey! So what?! In the morning itself, I booked two tickets for me and my enthu kid for the first Preview Show at 6 PM! It was raining very heavily. Still, we went ahead with our long-planned plan! We watched and liked the movie, like the rest of the public responsible for the nearly House-Full board! 

 

I shared my review of Chennai Express- http://anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/2013/08/chennai-express-review.html

I shared the 10 lessons I learnt from Chennai Express- http://anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/2013/08/lessons-from-chennai-express.html

 

I thought when I would win my Voucher, I would gift it to my father & sister, who could watch it in my hometown.

Yesterday evening, I got a mail from the team about my Chennai Express Ticket Details! 

But, Hello! What was this? I had got no voucher! They had mailed me a ticket with all details!

 

Note1- Just one ticket! Not even couple-tickets!

Note2- My plan to gift it to my family, living in another city, was murdered in the planning stage!

Note3- The movie-hall isn't near my home!

Note4- It was a morning 9 AM show for the next day i.e. for today- August 14th 2013! Not even for August 15th- a holiday!

I requested the team if they could provide for alternate City or Date/Time. They said now that the ticket had been booked, there would be no change. I shared my feedback that had they given Voucher, we could have selected the Movie-Hall closest to our home and also the Show's Time & Date as per our convenience.

 

Disappointed that I could not gift it to my family, I decided to gift it to any of my friends & well-wishers here. I started calling up all my neighbours, friends, ex-colleagues, my kid's friends parents...even my newspaper delivery-boy and neighbourhood shopkeeper...! 

Some had already watched it in the weekend. Some wanted an additional free ticket as they wanted to go with a friend! Others cited problem with the time-factor- that it's not suitable for office-goers on a Week Day! Still others had issues with the distance they had to travel to the Movie-hall! One of the youngsters, who was keen, had his exams! While another never picked up his phone nor bothered to call me back. But, everyone else whom I communicated with, thanked me profusely for the great offer, while expressing regret that they could not avail themselves of it! Some even asked me to contact them the next time I won anything! I blew up quite a major part of my phone's available talk-time/balance! Much more than the cost-price of the Morning Show Movie-ticket!

"If I were you, I would never offer it to anyone else. I'd have gone on my own!", my kid shared her view!

As no one else volunteered to use the free ticket, I did Self-help service and went for the treat yet again though I had watched it barely 6 days ago! I started out from my home & raced to reach the Movie-Hall as if my life depended on it! 

"Get on the train, Baby" beckoned me as I like watching a movie from the very beginning!

This is how I compulsorily used up the free Movie-ticket I had won! 

A prize is a prize! Very special!

My Motto- Prizes better be gifted away  or be used up by self!

 

Yes! I watched Chennai Express for the second time today...

I admired Deepika Padukone's & SRK's acting again & laughed at the same jokes, enjoyed the colourful songs & cool dances and still got scared when SRK was bashed up in the Climax...

It was good to experience the charming Chennai Express Journey again!

Happy Ending

"Appreciate those who love you.
Help those who need you.
Forgive those who hurt you.
Forget those who leave you."
- @ObeyHerSwag on Twitter

Life gives us choices and opportunities. If we do not grab them at the right time, we may not have the chance again! We never get a second chance to make a first impression. 

We are all in the race, competing to win at our own pace! But, in the process, we make choices, sometimes listening to the wrong voices. What is wrong and what is right? Perceptions differ from person to person- dependent on their vision and their understanding of problems and solutions. One man's meat is another man's poison.

Self-interests are paramount. To achieve them, we ignore the rest- sometimes even the people who love us best. When the realisation dawns, it's usually too late! We wish to be transported to a better state! But, wishes are not horses, else we could ride! Better be grateful and take care of what we possess and are privileged to have by our side. 

How difficult it must be to see the love of your life getting attention and appreciation from someone else. Why allow such a situation at all? The person you took for granted, now occupies prime-position in other's lists as popular & most-wanted! 
For what you have no time, someone else will be willing to devote all the time in the world.
What you don't wanna do, someone else is praying for an opportunity to do with all the sincerity...

All the riches and 'profits' in the world become meaningless with the 'loss' of a loved one. No amount of wealth can buyback our loved one for us...also the lost time is forever gone, sunk without a trace. No doubt we suffer a loss of face...


My previous post- http://www.anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/2013/08/goodbye-hi.html was a short story that dealt with lost opportunities...

I was surprised to discover the untold first part of my story, mentioned in vivid detail, in my friend, Sunakshi's story in her Blog- http://veiled-chapters.blogspot.in/2013/07/and-why-he-couldnt-stick-to-his-promises.html

I now have the complete story...

But, the story can be different with our positive intention and action- as we can assume all the roles to make our story superhit...Be the all-in-one actor, director, writer...

Yes, it flashed like a 'Pearl in Darkness'! 

We have the power to ensure our life's complete story has a happy ending...!!!
I love happy endings!

Goodbye & Hi!

"I gave you wings so that we could fly,

But, you chose to walk & we said goodbye...

Journeying down your lonely road,

Lift your eyes up to the sky

And watch me flying with someone else

Where you once had the chance to fly..." 

- Source Unknown*

Aditi looked at Raj. She recognized him at a glance. All those memories flooded in a flash!

How could she forget what he had done to her... The above lines summed up her story pretty well.

It is all about opportunities. We tend to maximize our profits. 

What seems wonderful at one point may prove to be terrible later. But, who has the luxury to choose the best? In her case, letting go, that was bitter once, proved sweet later!

Aditi had become philosophical. She had moved on in life. Raj was now her past...a chapter she would rather not revisit. Sad that she had to encounter him thus...

The seemingly forgotten pain was again remembered in full detail...

Raj turned his head and saw Aditi! It was the same story for him...

Ah! Aditi! The love of his life! How could he not recognize her then!? 

He was blinded with greed & material things...

Why had he done this to her? Could he make amends? 

Could he turn back time & fly with her again?

Raj approached Aditi with high hopes of the past familiarity...

Aditi said 'Goodbye' while Raj said 'Hi!'...


*Poem shared by my friend, Pooja Garg on Twitter.

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

Lessons from Chennai Express

1. “Never under-estimate the power of a common man”!

   “Meri Dictionary mein, impossible ka shabd hi nahi hai!” (There is no word ‘impossible’ in my Dictionary!) Even the common man must not feel he is any less powerful! Every person has the energy and potential to achieve anything. It helps to adopt the right values like SatyamevaJayate (Truth always Wins). In the end, the common man, Rahul, triumphs against all odds!

    

2. One can reach the right destination even after boarding a wrong train! 

   Our Journey is more important – the people we meet and greet and what we learn on the way… Life is a great teacher and adopts different means to teach us lessons. Rahul had boarded the train- Chennai Express, just to befool his grandma. He was supposed to be travelling to Goa with his friends. However, the same train proved to be a learning experience and put his life on the right track!

    

3. Sincerely adhere to traditional customs & fulfill wish honestly without cheating. 

   There is a right way of performing duties – religious or personal or related to any sphere. It’s best that we give it our best rather than neglecting or falsifying expectations. Doing the wrong things or things in the wrong way can only prick our conscience and make us feel guilty. 

    

4. “The best way to escape your problems is to face them”. 

   We cannot run away from problems; we must have the guts to face issues and seek solutions. “Bhaag ke nahin jayenge; Kab tak bhaagenge?” ( We won’t run and go; Till when will we run?) “Bhaagte rehte hain Marathon; Phir ek din sabko chhod ke chale jaate hain.” (We keep running Marathons; But, one day we leave everyone behind and go.) That is why Rahul takes Meena back to Kumban Village.

    

5.  “It is good to be important, but more important to be good”. 

   Goodness of mind, heart and actions has more value than the importance in the Society.

    

   

6. “Power is Bullshit” if we can’t win the respect of our own family.  

   Social power and prestige and hierarchy means nothing if we are unable to command the trust, support and respect from our own family and near and dear. Meena’s father has great power, but scores zero when it came to his own daughter’s respect towards him.

    

7. To stop the Train, pulling Chain is ‘common’.

   “Hum log jahan pe khadi hoti; Station wahi se shuru hoti!” (Where we stand, the Station starts from there!) It is illegal to pull chain in the Indian Railways and the people who indulge in the same can attract heavy fines/penalty. However, taking this in the context of life, sometimes we need to decide where to stop our vehicle in the journey of life. 

    

8. Body doesn’t have to be big (like Thangabali); one needs a big heart (like Rahul)! 

   External Body-proportions look small in front of inner beauty and a large, benevolent and gracious heart. It’s better to cultivate and possess a kind and generous heart as in the end the ‘Dil-wala’ (one with the heart) wins! After all, Dilwaale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge! (Those with hearts will win the brides.) Ultimately, Rahul wins over his ladylove, Meena.

    

9. No subtitles are needed when the conversation is direct Dil-Se! (from the heart!) 

   No matter which part of India or the World we belong, we can communicate with anyone direct from our heart. No sub-titles are needed for that…

    

10. “There are 1635 languages spoken all over India. But, love has no language”!

    The Universal language of Love conquers all hearts- irrespective of age, gender, region, religion, caste, creed… Let’s spread the language and message of love!

     

Similarly, a train like Chennai Express doesn’t differentiate us on the basis of our background! We all have a right to board it and enjoy the journey while waiting for our destination. Let’s make the most out of life’s journey!

 

Watch Chennai Express and enjoy the fun-adventurous ride! Ready, Steady, Po!

            This has some of my lessons from the Chennai Express, 2013 Film.

I have also shared my Chennai Express Movie Review -  

http://anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/2013/08/chennai-express-review.html

 

If you liked this post and my Blog, request you to please post comments below and do follow my Blog! Click on the 'Join This Site' Button under 'Followers' on the right hand side of this page. Thanks!

Chennai Express - Review

Chennai Express is the very first preview show movie for which I ventured on Thursday. Reaching the Multiplex on time, I discovered that the show was almost Houseful! There were fans like me who have waited too long for the movie to release, wanting to watch it and form their own reactions before the rest of the world does!

Chennai Express is the story of a 40 year old Punjabi man named Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), who needs to fulfill the last wish of his grandfather and  immerse the former’s ashes in Rameshwaram as per a request of his grandmother (Kamini Kaushal). He sets out from Mumbai on the Chennai Express to befool her, but later realizes that the joke is on him. His Goa-trip plan with his friends goes awry as he literally helps Meena Lochni Azhagasundaram (Deepika Padukone) to hop on the train a la DDLJ style. But, he also helps four hefty men (her cousins) who are following her! Meena is the “bada twist” who changes his life. 

 

Meena is the daughter of a local Don (Sathyaraj) of Kumban village with wide Southern influence. Turns out that Meena is on the run as she doesn’t wish to marry her 'Appa-ke-Friend-ka-Beta', Thangabali (Niketan Dheer), a groom her father has fixed to better his power quotient. 

Meena claims- “Bhaagne mein mera bahut experience hai!” She concocts a tale with 3 untruths that she’s in love with Rahul. Needless to say, what began as lies, becomes the truth later! 

But, Rahul is even ready to change his nationality to avoid the Kumban village!

 

What happens next? 

How is Rahul’s journey? 

Is he successful in completing the task at Rameshwaram? 

Does Meena get what she wants? 

Does her father oblige? 

What are the twists and turns of this story?

 

All is well that ends well with the ultimate aim- ‘Kalyanam!’ (Marriage) as the Don acknowledges that Rahul is the “REAL Man”. 

“You Win- Meena Tera”, he says. 

That’s when I felt that Meena is an ‘item’ that can be won!  In an earlier scene, to save his life, Rahul is ready to hand over the ‘item’ to Thangabali. But, now he cutely asks her consent for Kalyanam!

 

This Rohit Shetty directed-film had to have fight-sequences involving bangles, plastic items, steel goods, glass, cold-drinks, Tea, Burning Shop, Car-Explosions & overturning, Steel Bucket, Sickle, Spade…

It also has great acting by all the characters especially the lead actors- Deepika and SRK. I felt this was Deepika Padukone's one of the finest roles. She is emerging from strength to strength with touching performances. The songs with Vishal-Sekhar’s music are already making waves! 

I noticed that after Rahul's Nokia Lumia 920- phone loss, Chennai Express has no touch with any digital technology. No computer or cellphone anywhere in the picture; just traditions and village-life.

Likes

• Chennai Express is a simple, honest, neat and clean movie in which the power of the common man wins! 
• We can watch it with the whole family. 
• I loved the choice of the locations where the Chennai Express movie has been shot- lush greenery, nice scenery, superb aerial views, authentic look and feel village-setting.
• Loved the dialogues, witty-one-liners, humour, performances & cinematography, picturisation. 
• Rahul says- My name is Rahul & I’m not a Terrorist!
  
  
• Style is conversational & witty– “Shuruat se shuru karte hain!” 
  
  
• Super-energetic, peppy songs with unique comic facial expressions & jhakaas dances with a riot of colours! Special mention to PriyaMani, who has danced so well in the song- '1-2-3-4-Get On The Dance Floor!'! Really urges us to do just that! I loved the bright 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' song picturisation with Indian Cultural display - Kathakali Dancers, Tiger-Stripes-body-painted dancers... (Did anyone wonder- how come Meena’s accent  & pronunciation in all the songs is so good?! Don’t underestimate the power of Hindi films!)

• Rahul upholds values and does not run away with Meena!  Proves himself to be worthy of her and earns her hand!
• Chennai Express echoes current sentiments. Climax Scene has reference about the ‘66^th Year of Independence’ and taking daughters’ ‘Marzi & Khushi’ (consent & happiness) into consideration.
  
  Chennai Express is a typical Masala Film with Action-Comedy-Romance-Emotions-Drama in good proportions! It's a fun roller-coaster ride! 

Notable scenes-

1. Song Messages!
   
2. ‘Meet me at the Store-Room’
   
3. Rahul's head-nodding based on Meena's explanation
   
4. Meena’s night sleep ‘problem’
5. Temple Steps Scene 
   
6. Meena heading inside the home to get Rahul's grandfather's ashes.
   
7. Climax Scenes -Rahuls’ conversation with Meena’s father; Rahuls’ offer for fight for Meena; Rahul’s sweet but comic 4-Question Kalyanam proposal to Meena

Concerns

-          Lots of Tamil without Sub-titles- Though Meenamma & Inspector Samsher do the translating in some scenes, there are many scenes in which I wished there were sub-titles on screen.

-          Lots of power-packed action in the Climax-  Rahul is shown to be mercilessly  beaten up & crashed into so many stalls and vehicles by Thangabali.

-          TTE getting shockingly thrown out of the train- Why throw the TTE out at all? Later, I thanked God that he was safe.

-          Overdose of DDLJ-  Deja-Vu…Wanting to live as per own wish & see the world (Rahul says this to his grandma), Helping-board-the-Train sequence, DDLJ tune/music, taking consent of girl’s father/family, getting beaten up by the girl’s fiancé...

 

-    I was disappointed with Rahul’s initial attitude towards his grandparents. Imagine planning to immerse the Ashes in a river in Goa that would ultimately carry it to Rameshwaram! Luckily, Meena’s responsible nature and sensible talks brings about the change in him to do the right thing, just as per his grandparents wish. I loved it when Meena responsibly collected the Ashes-container.

 Some Gyaan-

1. ‘The best way to escape your problems is to face them.'
   
2. 'It is good to be important, but more important to be good.'
   
3. 'Never underestimate the power of a common man!'
   

Note for you- 

Travel light on Chennai Express without carrying any load or baggage & just sit back, relax and enjoy the journey! You are guaranteed to cover miles with action & smiles! 

Have you boarded the Chennai Express yet? Come on, Ready, Steady, Po!

This has my views of Chennai Express. If you liked this post and my Blog, request you to please post comments below and do follow my Blog! 

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