Am I Ready?

"Are You Ready?" 

"Am I Ready?"

"Is It Ready?"

How often have we pondered what to answer when posed these three words.

Questions hit us whether it concerns the submission of a paper, a report or project, or getting ready for a function, etc. usually when there is less time...

We are most conscious when we are attempting something for the very first time, say, taking the driving test, or an exam that means a lot.

No amount of preparation can actually make us truly ready.

People solve mock-tests, and go through several drills, but being ready or preparation-level is known only when we are actually doing it- and facing what means everything.

Source: Boldomatic

Check Before Calling - Beware of Fraud

Last week, I was busy when I received a call from the mobile number- 995416754.

The caller "Sanjay Manjhi" said there was a parcel in my name.

I asked if the delivery agent had reached my address.

He said that he was calling from the head-office, and the delivery agent was unable to find my address.

--

The caller requested me to call the number of the delivery person that he had messaged me.

The caller said that the agent was close to my home but unable to locate my address, and it would be nice if I called him and guided him.

I asked him to call the agent and to ask the agent to call me.

He could search for our address on the map, as it is very much registered online.

I have been receiving parcels from delivery agents without any issues.

He asked where is the address?!

I said he would have my address as the address must be on the parcel!

As the caller requested me to call the number he had messaged, I opened my SMS inbox.

I found the message, and there were some extra characters apart from the phone number.

I ignored the *21* & # namely the extra non-related digits in the message, and I simply copied the 10-digit given mobile number and dialled- 8434909230

That number was switched off.

I called "Sanjay Manjhi" and told him that I had called that number and it was not reachable, and asked him to communicate to the agent directly.

He asked me to dial the numbers in the entire message given in the SMS i.e. *21*84349 09230#

Why was he so insistent that I call the agent using those very characters and numbers?

If this were a genuine case, they would have done the job of reaching out, instead of creating a sense of urgency and requesting and even threatening that the parcel will be returned!

I calmly and firmly said that I was not going to dial any other numbers.

"You will not call that number?" He sounded flustered.

"No, I will not call", I replied being very sure that I was doing the right thing.

By then, I had suspected that this was a fraud call, and that the scammer was trying to do Call Forwarding.

I immediately checked online- what *21* was.

My guess was right.

It was indeed their plan to activate call forwarding and gain access to my number's messages.

And that plan was foiled as I did some quick checking and thinking.

You can see the SMS conversation:

He tried calling me twice.

But, I did not receive his calls.

I understood *21* with # caused Call Forwarding.

I found-

The code *#121# is the code that can be used to check the status of unconditional call forwarding on your mobile device.

Dialing this number and pressing “Call” will show if your calls, SMS, and data are being forwarded to another number, along with the specific phone number it is redirected to.

One can disable active forwarding by immediately dialing ##002#

I checked the Call Forwarding status on my phone.

Nothing is active now, as it is "Disabled".

May Karma Reward You!

So now you have suddenly become a champion & so tall!

Why and how did this happen? You'll never reveal!

You've started showing off; that's your smart call!

Hiding mistakes & ignorance; appropriating is your skill!

Source: Pinterest

Be The Force

It is a new day, time to write a new chapter.

What is gone is gone; no point in running after.

I just want to share this and let you know-

You are never too old to do the new & grow.

World Social Media Day

June 30 is celebrated as World Social Media Day each year.

This day highlights the impact of social media globally.

But, we all know the importance of social media everyday.

It has connected people worldwide and is an important part of the web.

WWW - Worldwide Web.

Family-members, friends, relatives, business associates and even strangers are on the same platform now.

This is like- “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”- the world is a family.

The first Social Media Day was first observed by Mashable in 2010. The website was created to promote social media and to connect people worldwide without any boundaries or borders. 

Social Media Day is celebrated by many.

Meets are organized.

More people are using social media to express, share info, images etc. and connect.

Social Media Day is an apt day for discussing about Social Media on Social Media! 

Some people are doing Social Media detox! They are taking sanyas- staying away from social media!

Social Media is time consuming and demanding.

It can put some people in depression.

Some start comparing others lives seeing the posts and judging and believing. 

They do not realise- Not everything is true. For example the saree worn by that model does not belong to her! Or that complexion sported in that viral pic may be accentuated with filters or makeup, No need to compare! Live your life well. Focus on yourself. Show your true self on Social Media. Do not pretend!

Plus, some do not understand social media. They take the help of family or friends to post. This is contrary to the inclusion that’s needed for a well-knit society.

Received this message via WhatsApp today-

Seems to be someone’s FB post-

 Some lives revolve around Social Media - and their likes, shares etc data.

Social Media can be used for positive issues and for making a change in society and also lives.

Enjoy Social Media Day!

Just like the other days when we use Social Media! 

Justice For Ketan Agarwal

A recent case has shocked everyone.

A 20-year-old to-be-married, Siya Goyal, plotted and planned with her boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhury, and pushed and killed her fiancé, Ketan Agarwal, from a fort in Pune.

We are extremely sorry to learn about the tragic end of a promising young life.

From the videos shown in news channels, it can be seen how smitten with love the young man Ketan was. He seems to be in love and looking forward to a life with Siya.

Doesn't Siya look equally happy?

A destination wedding had been planned worth crores.

Also, a pre-wedding shoot was scheduled abroad.

Siya Goyal had even taken Rs 1 crore for wedding shopping from her fiancé, Ketan Agarwal.

And handed over the entire amount to her boyfriend, as he was not in a good financial position. The idea was to empower Chetan at Ketan's expense.

Financial irregularity and funds theft was one angle.

Killing her fiancé, Ketan, is quite another level.

And thereafter behaving as if it was just an accident. And even posting on social media and garnering support and earning sympathy!

The Shore Swan

They had known her worth & extracted their pound of flesh,

Her knowledge, skills, ideas, even the design of her dress!

They said she's no good, after they stole & their work was done!

Instead of rewarding/mentioning/acknowledging her contribution!

She at the Seashore- Source: Pexels

Revised Spellings of 64 Places of Odisha

Odisha Cabinet has approved the list of revised spellings for 64 places.

There have been distortions and some places have 2/3 spellings! Many English spellings are yet to correct with the Odia pronunciation and spellings.

Take “Pipili” for example.

The English spelling used in the Geographical Indication (GI) application is “Pipli”.

Once can well predict what the Hindi spelling will be if only the English spelling “Pipli” is believed to be true, and other language spellings are based on it.

Have been sharing about the need for uniform spellings and correct representation.

The complete list of revised spellings as follows:

Angul → ANUGOLA

The Girl Who Survived And Sang

A true story , I believe.

November 15, 1945.

Six months after the war ended, a baby girl was born in Bjørkåsen — a Norwegian village so small it didn't appear on most maps.

Her mother was Norwegian. Her father was a German soldier who had occupied the village during the war. By the time the child arrived, he was already gone — back to Germany, unaware she existed.

In post-war Norway, children like her had a name: Tyskerunge. German children.

They were not simply unwanted. They were despised. Living reminders of occupation and shame. Their mothers were spat on in the streets, publicly humiliated, sometimes dragged to town squares and shaved. Their children were targets before they could walk.

Her grandmother understood what staying meant.

She smuggled the infant across the border into Sweden. The mother followed. They thought they had escaped.

Surprise

Why is my room in such a mess?

Why can I no longer fit into my dress?

Why does everything seem in distress?

Why am I eating so much more instead of less?

I surprise myself by not being myself!

I continue my wayward ways without help!