A Healthy Child Makes a Healthy Home

There is a famous English Proverb that goes as, "The soul is healed by being with children."

Children make our heart soar with happiness, contentment and joy. They not only lift up our spirits but in ways unknown help us to be better adults. There is a child in all of us, after all we too were once children and our parents nurtured us to grow into healthy adults. 

We had a home, our parents who took care of our every need. Right from our clothes to our nutrition. But what about kids who don't have a home? Or who stay in an Orphanage or better yet a Shelter Home. We all know home is a place that resonates with the joy of being with family, our parents. However, not every kid is fortunate enough to have parents, does it mean they don't have a chance at a being a healthy nutritious choice? They do, they have  every right.

So why this post or what reminded me of it? Last year I used to teach in a Shelter "Home" and those kids stayed away from their parents for 6 months at a stretch and till the time they stayed there we taught them. And believe me, teaching was not mere teaching like going and coming back home, it was so much more. I was attached to the kids and the kids to their teachers. 

There was one such incident that reminded me of this, I had a student who was very mischievous, he couldn't sit in one place for long always jumping and reading chapters which were yet to come. He looked like a 5th std kid but in reality he was a class 8th student. Somewhere around mid-term suddenly for more than two consecutive days he wasn't coming to the class. The class sudden;y seemed dull, I mean it was class of mere 4 and in that too one child missing, it is tough. Finally no longer being able to control my concern after my class ended I went to Brother and asked him where Blaise is; he was unwell. 

In brother's word, three days ago when he was playing football with the other children he was dizzy and fell to the ground. They took him to a local doctor and he said this happened because he wasn't getting the nutrition required for a thirteen year old boy. He gave some vitamins and other iron supplements. With this he even said that they could give him some Dabur Chyawanprash, this is clinically tested and proven to boost immunity and supply the necessary nutrients to developing kids. 

"A healthy child makes a happy home", this is true not only for kids who stay with their parents. Every child deserves a bright future and being healthy makes the journey less trudging. After all, home is where the heart is, and that shelter home is his Home. 

This is the nutrient supplement that the doctor suggested, 

https://www.liveveda.com/daburchyawanprash/

  

Book Bond With Ashwin Sanghi - Prelude to Tata Lit Live

Photograph Credit: Vaisakhi Mishra

The most awaited International Literature Festival in Mumbai - Tata Literature Live has finally arrived. This is the Fifth consecutive year that the fest is being held, this year the dates allotted are Thursday 30th October to Sunday 2nd November 2014. The schedule is out and the venue is NCPA and Prithvi Theatre. Each year the festival has more add-on's that highlight the beauty of literature surrounding us and connects it to the masses with collaboration with media.

The festival is an enriching platter full of various speakers, award winning novelist, journalist et al. A sneak peak into the fest that connects over 125 artists under one roof. The speakers would be Amir Or - The multi-awarded poet whose written 18 poetry's in Hebrew and whose work has been translated in over 40 languages, the bestselling author Anita Nair, the young Eurig Salisbury who won Welsh Children’s Poet Laureate) 2011–13, Amish Tripathi, Ayaz Memon and Barkha Dutt to name a few.

As a prelude to the upcoming festival, the Tata Lit Live team organized a Book Bond meet and greet event with author Ashwin Sanghi (Chanakya's Chant and The Krishna Key), for bloggers in Mumbai. The event took place on 20th October at Vivanta by Taj, Mumbai. The whole session that lasted around say roughly around 1- 1.5 hours was a captivating and an interactive one.

It started off with Anil Dharker, Mumbai based writer, columnist and the director of the festival initiated the evening discussion. The session heavily focused on the Indian literature, our outlook towards it, the current and the past trends of publishing and the center of it all - The Indian Author and the Publishing Industry. The discussion sifted effortlessly on how we have evolved both as a reader and an author, still not losing touch with our history and the deep rooted mythology. There was a considerable amount of time devoted to mythology, as Ashwin Sanghi has structured his stories around them, countless discussions of God and sharing of funny incidences from both the authors and bloggers lives enlivened the evening.

One of the best part was that, this discussion had a bit of an informal touch where we came to know a bit more about Ashwin as to how he started of with being an accountant to a novelist. And how his maternal grandfather gifted him a book till he passed away. Now I'm not so good at remembering numbers but the round figure what he said was somewhere around 370 or 377, and the best part being he still has all those copies (he remembers not because he still has that book keeping streak in him but also because the books are numbered.) I was totally in awe of his grandfather and how he shaped Ashwin to what he is today, a brilliant author and an equally humble man!

Photograph Credit: TataLitLive

Coming back to the discussion, we not only came to know how the Tata Literature Festival was conceived or about Ashwin's journey but a lot of other minute things that we tend to neglect. The discussion was thrown open to bloggers, with several new questions that brightened the evening further. And giving a world view of different perspective. Along with prose even poetry was subject touched upon  where Anil Dharkar said, “Poetry is the final distillation of Literature, of thoughts. But very few get it and poets are even less.”

Anil Dharker officially announced the shortlists for 3 coveted Book Awards – Tata Literature Live!

1. Book of the Year (Fiction & Non-fiction),
2. Tata Literature Live! First Book Award (Fiction & Non-fiction) and
3. Tata Literature Live! Business Book Award

Photograph Credit: TataLitLive

Alas! All good things come to an end, and so did this evening. But is any literary event complete without a book? No right, the highlight of the evening was the autographed copies of ‘Private India’. by Ashwin Sanghi co-authored with James Patterson,

Awaiting the festival that commences tomorrow! Keep on reading and re-reading.

-Fatima

Social Media Week Mumbai 2014

I've always been interested in Art, Culture, Media and Literature. There is something about media that when blended with society brings about a change, a betterment. Being part of NGO's I can say I've been part of this social movement, bringing about change in the most basic of ways. Be it either teaching young shelter home kids or elders who wish to improve their communication in English so as to raise themselves to a better employment sector of our society. In a way, it helped me view the lives of people at the grass-root level thereby understanding them and bringing a smile on their faces. But despite all this, I never did get a chance to explore it in the media way, I always heard about various organizations fighting for trafficking or rape victims but never got a chance to interact with them directly. Then apart from that there is always a factor of blogging, being an avid blogger myself I wanted to socialize and venture more into this arena.

Blogadda gave me this opportunity to attend social media week, (me thinks if I didn't get this opportunity I wouldn't have found time in my schedule to even attend it). The Social Media Week was held in Mumbai, at Novotel Hotel, Juhu.

So, I registered for 4 events that could fit my schedule but call it bad luck I could attend only 1 of them as I fell ill on the third day of the event :-/ and have just recuperated just yesterday. (Started off with mild fever and cold and went onto allergies that eventually banned me from leaving the bed). So end of this sob story, let's continue on the workshop I attended.

   
This is the pass I was given at the entrance and could be used for attending all the workshops and events. The event I attended was "A Perfect Bite" - A masterclass on Food Blogging by Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal. Ring a Bell? Nah..Okay let me stop the misery, she is a food blogger, an amazing one at that. Her blog is full of small notes and filled with personal touches as well as mouth watering recipes.

What I remember the most of her amazing session is this line, "Being a curator of information." She began the presentation by focusing on what is Blogging all about, how to be a blogger, make a blog and other smaller things that make a blogger.

Ten minutes post  this, the presentation on Food Blogging finally began. Never being a food blogger, this one had me hooked; I wanted to know that how's and what's of food blogging. And who better teacher than the speaker herself.

Some of the points she spoke to be a Good Food Blogger were; Being a writer, A recipe creator, Food Stylist (how you present it to your audience), a photographer (very essential), Designer (plating and all is important) and finally a marketer. And finally every post should motivate the reader, motivate to try the recipes and eventually experiment their own recipes.

I would like to end this post on both a happy and a sour note. Happy because I agree with the speaker, that Blogging gave me an identity. And sad because I really wanted to attend this event,  "CASE STUDY ON CITIZENS AGAINST RAPE, MOLESTATION & ATROCITIES (CARMA)" The speaker also the founder of CARMA Ashwin Mishra is a friend, we used to teach at MAD together and I had heard a lot about his organization with him, but sadly bad health made me miss this one; one which I deeply regret.

But I sincerely thank Blogadda Team for giving me this opportunity to attend this event, even though I attended one, it helped me realize that media is what we make of it.

-Fatima  

North & South

What happens when things collide? When two extremes cross each other? Either we are shocked and bewildered or it's a pleasant surprise full of euphoria! This is exactly what happened to me on a certain 23rd August when I after lot of coaxing and cajoling by my blogger friends decided to lift my lazy self on a fine Saturday morning, boarding a Southbound train to go Colaba Causeway the shoppers delight in Mumbai. But I don't really love shopping so what could be of so much interest there that I dragged myself all the way till Churchgate that didn't tempt me into getting into an empty Northbound train..Obviously a cell phone store Univercell Sync nestled in the historic side of Mumbai, right next to Regal Cinema! <Shoppers Delight>

I'm sure you must be wondering, what's so different about this new store  that could set it apart from the already existing mobile stores all over? Well you got to visit to it :D but since, I already visited it; I take it upon me to be your esteemed tour guide and help you navigate through the store.

One of the best things of Univercell Sync is that you get everything and anything about phone under one roof; be it accessories, comparing different models, being able to choose the best one you prefer out of the rest, simple clarity if you are confused as to what to purchase. So, lets go step by step. The store in general is divided into 6 major sections.

1) Snap n Share:

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so it is told. For someone who loves clicking photographs be it selfie or otherwise, this is the one section where they need to hunt for the best phones in market irrespective of the brands. Rest assured you need not go online to compare the picture quality, the screen size etc it's all there at your disposal.

2) Muzik :

If music be the food of love, play on. Shakespeare believed in it, and chances are even you do. If, you're someone whose life is music- heart and soul. This is definitely where you can get not only the best sound quality phone depending on your taste but even all the accessories required; earplugs, headphones, soundshooter and even speakers.

Can you imagine, that there can actually be a whole section dedicated to phones just based on their sound quality? Well I couldn't before I experienced Univecell Sync.

3)  New New Brand New

  

This is one of those sections that houses the latest models of phones in the market. These cell phones are the ones which are new in the market with promising features and quality. And the best part about this section is, it catches your eye the moment you step inside. 

4) Popularity:

This section has the popular phones in the market. Right from Nokia Lumia to a Nexus or a Samsung phone. Another feature of this section, is that it's visible from the outside <reminds me of window shopping tempting the shoppers to have a more closer look> 

   

5) For You & Me

As the name suggests, this is the aisle where you can view and compare phone that can everyday average user needs. Pocket friendly and covering every aspect required in a phone. Phone in this arena include models like Samsung I8262- Core Duos, Samsung Duos S and even brands like Karbonn and Micromax that have recently emerged in the Indian markets.

6) Tab Zone:

 This is an area that concentrates more on the tabs that are currently in market. The main focus of this section, are kids, as these days the classrooms are more eco-friendly and e-based. This zone helps them experience the different tabs and their efficiency depending on their usage.

In addition to all this, the store is very simple and the decor as well as the placement of the phone is very subtle and sophisticated without any clutter. There are fun zones like the emoticon wall covered with all sorts of emotions for us emotional people :P I personally liked the store, it was both cozy and friendly even the store people seemed at easy and knowledgeable <most important isn't it :D >

So next time, you have a confusion which phone to buy and dunno where to go; hop into the nearest Univercell Sync store and rest assured you will be leaving the store with a good phone and a smile on your face :)

 The Address to the Store I visited is given below:

          UniverCell,
          Cecil Court Building,
          Next to Regal Cinema,
          Cause Way, Mumbai.

P.S. - This post has been written as a part of the Univercell Sync Mumbai Store Review for Indiblogger.com

-Fatima

The Wizard of Oz err Skyscanner

Her: Dude I'm tired, I need a break. I so so wanna go on a holiday!

Me: Duh, didn't you just go to Kashmir and Goa? It's me who needs a break...poor me couldn't even go to Goa Zest trip :-/

Her: Yeah, poor you. *lost in a faraway land* You remember we had this bucket list back then in our 12th std.

Me: I do, visiting so many places. Though I so wish I could go to Leh Ladakh or Sikkim now. 

Her: Omg omg! You are a genius Fati, let's go to Sikkim. 

Me: Hey Varsha take a breath, what are you saying? You've office I have college. How on earth? When..

This is how it all began two months ago, impromptu out of the blue deciding that come October we'll be packing our bags and going to Sikkim a place from our bucket list. Booking Airline tickets, car travel, hotel booking, sightseeing.. Ah! Easy Jet Set Go. It's a smart fast forward world, travelling is such a cake walk.

The Tsomgo Lake, The Rumtek Monastery, the Flora and Fauna...gosh the evening sky, the simple way of life..away from the hustle bustle of Mumbai... I could just imagine how blissful our trip was going to be!

*What was I thinking? Was I in my right mind? Why-o-why did I agree with V that I'll plan our whole trip, right from bookings  to everything else :-/* 

This is exactly what I was going through since two days, what for a mere 4 day tour. I just couldn't decide which flight to book, or which is a good hotel everything seemed like a big fat jumble mumble. Let, me let you in on a secret or the root cause of everything evil; I and Vaisakhi we are a little stingy and combining together we had only Rs. 1 Lakh to spare.

Frustrated to the core and on the verge of scrapping our trip or just yelling at someone. I suddenly came across something, something that seemed like a rainbow in the cloudy gray skies. It felt like magic, like it had a magic wand that vanished worries replacing them with joys and mirth! A wizard to aid me weave my modern travel tale, it felt like I was Glinda and the rescuer the wizard of Oz or in my words skyscanner.

Everything that seemed like an impossible task earlier now seemed to vanish in sight! Not only was I able to book my airplane tickets, I also pre-booked our car service and did the hotel bookings. And that too in a record time of 1 hour (well had to consult it with Varsha the developer too :D ) And at last I went on jotting down the places we would definitely visit.

Hold on a moment, you don't believe me do you? Gosh do not worry I knew you wouldn't and hence I have evidence to prove my truth! *she couldn't believe me too :P*

Actions Speak Louder than words so I will do my travel wizard do the talking :)

Mumbai -- Bagdogra Airport -- Car/taxi to Gangtok -- Enjoying Sikkim -- Returning back home

First thing First - The Flight Bookings: Mumbai to Bagdogra flights are the fastest ! There were plenty of flights, sadly none were direct. While going it was less time, but while coming home it was more. Then it dawned, this is like a blessing in disguise as we decided to meet our friends from Delhi during the 2 hour halt at Delhi airport on our way home. And the best part...it was cheap? Yes and also it was so easier to compare ..no need for tedious algorithms or comparing techniques.

Second thing- Going from Bagdogra Airport to Gangtok:  Now this is important, if we don't reach Gangtok we don't get to see Sikkim plus we can't splurge more..uhu how are we to travel the exotic land then ! So then, I search the car hire section! Lo and Behold, not only am I able to book a cab but hey it was almost just Rs. 2200 approx so it was effective, the best thing was it wasn't about to shoot up around Rs.3000 :D

 Hotel Reservations: Princesses need royal treatment and hence, the perfect hotel for the perfect girls. We decided a well connected hotel that even serves breakfast was a good option. Dual beds and beautiful gardens..hard to resist.

For 3 nights, Rs.1 short of Rs.30,000 (Rs. 29,999) was a blessing !

Being the less spending people we are, I looked into our expenditure
Total Money Spent: Just Rs.73493 *Is this for real? 1 hour ago I could fit anything in our budget and now our kitty has some money left..miracle!*

Can't help but share how much we saved, an oh my dear god amount of Rs. 26507

Just think now, we have so much saved that not only can we visit our favorite destinations but can also do a little shopping. Which girl doesn't love to shop and when there are not one but two, you can imagine :D

When now I'm busy packing up my bags, coordinating with V and checking if everything is in place. But I promise you, when I'm back I'll share all the beautiful pics of all the beautiful places we visited!

As I sit, to pen down my diary for the night I see this post of mine written some time ago! Feels like a complete circle, I wished to visit Sikkim and my wizard made it all possible! Who said magic is wands and fairies, a timeless folklore written to soothe young children. I felt that too earlier, but skyscanner made me believe, believe that magic exists, if only we know to look for it! Magic is indeed there and it's Special!

There are places and then there are places. Every person we meet has a story to tell, likewise every place has a story of it's own. Some stories we are able to see and read about in scriptures while the others are only to be felt. Every time we talk about travel all I usually hear is "I wish to go to Venice or I so wanna go to Malaysia or Dubai" but me I beg to differ. I wish to experience and explore my own motherland before I venture outside. There are loads of places that I visit and capture in my memory album, though there is one that outweighs the rest. I read this on some website about this place, "Good things come in small packages that's what describes Sikkim the best." And believe me nothing describes it best!


This post is a part of Skyscanner travel wizard activity at BlogAdda.com

-Fatima

Magical Black

I simply can't get enough of black and my list just keeps on increasing, someday it is black coffee (which is readily available) then the order day it is a black audi (a distant dream). With all my wishes cramping up and no space to store, I thought about penning it down in a list, at least 5 of them which I think every girl should have.

1. Black Iphone 5S: There is no comparison to Apple, it is by far the best in the market and unfortunately the most expensive one. Where people around me are gushing on the golden Iphone or the Silver one, all I wish for is the black. Not only does it add to the alluring mysterious classic factor, you aren't tagged girly or common by everyone.

2. Black MacBook Air: I am a gadget freak *alright not that much* but when it comes to computers and mobiles, yes I am. And just like my craze for a black Iphone, I equally yearn for the MacBook Air in black. My best buddy loves the silver one and keeps on gushing about how sexy it is, but hey isn't my favourite black supposed to be that? Duh! And I so so wish that the Apple people start creating one in black. *praying hoping wishing land*

3. Black Watch: A watch is an item that describes your personality, at least I am someone who looks at people's watches and tries to decipher them. Wearing floral watches is fun, but sometimes in a formal setting a black classy Titan watch can do wonders.

4. Black Bose AE2 Headphones: Music is my life, or at least I consider it to be. And what better way to enhance the experience other than buying a Bose one. Although I agree white is in vogue, nothing beats the ever trending black. You don't even need to bother if it get stain marks *if you are not an organized person and tend to keep things anywhere without a care it matters.*

5. Black Gucci Bag: Girls and shopping are synonymous, I am no different than others in this one. A black Gucci bag not only sounds cool, awesome and costly but it is worth it. Flawless black can be teamed up with any color dress and tada you are the spotlight of the party.And I so so wanna buy one someday.  

-Fatima

This post is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at  BlogAdda.com

Dark Paradise

The world is an amalgam of black and white, whilst white is all about peace there is something mysterious about the opposite that allures me. The mysterious black creeps up and engulfs me like the sky envelopes the bright stars at twilight.

I'm not like that wicked vampire who hunts at night, notoriously nocturnal is what I call myself. Black tempts me into submission and I do not shy. Black night sky, black heels and even all black gadgets. And though I'm a pretty zesty person full of tang, there is a part of me that craves to be kept hidden as,

Black is sexy, Black is rare..

With all the notoriety surrounding it..

I'm tempted to open my Pandora's Box..

And list out all that I voraciously crave and care..

Black Piano:

I believe in music the way that some people believe in fairy tales!

I still remember the very first and the only time I played a piano. I was in my 5th grade, and me being one of the naughty kids, ventured to an abandoned corner in the school and came across this ancient worn out piano. Something in me tickled, tempting me to run my hands on the rough broken keys. I don't remember the sound much, as I was caught soon after. But it stuck with me. Even today after such a long time, I yearn to learn to play the piano and own one in a startling black colour. 

Dreams dreams day dreams, one that I hope comes true one day! :D

Black Net Saree:  

Sarees gosh I gush over them like anything. Not only are they the perfect ensemble with an earthly ethnic charm. To me they are the perfect sensual symbol. And what more than a black saree. Believe me even a Miss red is sultry girl like me lusts over the perfect black net saree..

Black Arabian Stallion:

Regency Era, Victorian Era and till the early 20th Century is the time period that fascinates me the most. I've grown up reading about those amazing Jane Austen novels to Elizabeth Gaskell. Not to forget the fairy tales where Prince Charming comes riding on his Arabian Stallion. My love for horses began due to my love of historical classic fiction where the girl goes riding with her chaperon adoring her special riding habit. 

This is one of the most weirdest wishes of them all but I do hope that someday I get to own my own horse. Go riding in the country side, of course with a chaperon else I would drive the Stallion mad making him throw me down with a bang :P

Black Teardrop Pendant:

I don't like the concept of "the more the merrier" and hence I prefer wearing no or minimal jewelry. Out of all these essential items, one thing that I wish to have in my collection is a black teardrop pendant. Not only is it simple and poised, it looks pretty too.  

In fact, I can easily imagine myself wearing a black net saree with the teardrop pendant necklace! A truly suave and sophisticated combination!

Black Tea Set:

Did I mention that I'm a tea freak; Earl Gray, Camomile , Simple Indian Masala chai each one of them. It soothes me down when I'm hyper, helps me sleep when I'm insomniac and fills my tummy when I'm hungry (tea & biscuits :P) Coupled with it the fact, I like that make your own tea according to your taste. 

Not to forget that, I'm a sucker for traditional royal way of drinking tea, in delicate cups saucers and a cute little kettle. But then there are days when I can't handle all the flowery texture on them and for days like those I dream to own one black tea set; simple elegant and classy. Well if only, my dearest mother agreed and let me buy one in suave black.   

These things in the mysterious black..

Are the ones that adorn my dark paradise..

The only ones that keep me wishing..

Wishing, on a wishing star..

-Fatima

This post is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at  BlogAdda.com

A Zillion Zests !

I have to admit that there are about a "ZILLION" things and activities that add zest to my not so changing everyday life. And since I can't help but talk and share, here's some more!!

DREAMS.........

Midst all those 'pushes' and 'punches' and BETTER than daily soap, free of charge fighting lessons in train, I just get lost in those adventurous dreams of mine which rejuvenate me instantly. I always end up imagining myself next to Tom Cruise as his co star in all his Mission Impossible series with a amazing gadgets and gizmos battling the bad guys and then jumping and boarding an already airborne helicopter which is getting away.... and what not. And then dancing like Madhuri with all eyes fixed at me. It surely makes up my mood and I'm full of zest. I have to confess that I'm a bit afraid of heights but it is my inner most dreams that I want to fulfill and that is SKYDIVING. Amazing isn't it?? Even the thought of falling from a height say 50,000 feet gives anybody a cold feet, it gives me too but with that it also fills you with enthusiasm that can make your day.

SHOPPING !!!!!

Ok I might have never mentioned it before but those sparkling heels surely puts my heart in race. No matter how bad my day was or no matter how much I'm tired, but never ever deny a friend who needs my company for shopping. Amazing collection of anarkali's coupled with matching dangling earrings with perfect stilettos are a dream come true. An entire day spent in mall or market is worth it.

FASHION WEEK 

Since I'm a shopaholic this shouldn't surprise you  :D. Now since I'm not so fortunate enough to physically go there and attend the best of best brands by the designer, I quench my thirst for fashion by RELIGIOUSLY watching the fashion week on T.V.  My favorite...Milan Fashion Week.

TREKKING@@@

Putting on those trekking shoes and heavy backpack stuffed with energy bars and drinks I end with a few friends on a green mount top posing for funny but pictures of enthralling locations. It's not something I do very often but once or twice a year is enough for the beautiful memories to gather and surround me in a boring or lonely atmosphere. Now since it's raining that amazing fragrance that arises when water droplets touch the soft soil is intoxicating. And anybody..ANYBODY is sure to feel the wave of zest through his or spine when cold breeze brushes through your hair and touches your soul with this fragrance....

FRIENDS

Last but not the least. Even if the above mentioned things don't workout for me sometimes, my friends always do. They are like your part of soul. Aware of every fault in you but still love you flawlessly. even if I irritate them to fullest they always take a revenge which leaves a big smile on my face, tears in my eyes, red cheeks and a terrible pain in my stomach which I can't stop. Surprisingly I never want that pain to go away because that pain is fuel to my feeling full of zest. Of all the best moments and times of my life, I owe 98% of it to them. So hats off to my amazing friends!!!!


This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest and BlogAdda.com

-Fatima

Zesty Like Citrus

“What is this life if, full of care. We have no time to stand and stare.” 

Life passes by us, just like those tiny hands of the clock slowly ticking away. Moving in a monotonous pace, living the mundane life is what most of us do, don’t we? Home-Work-Eat-Work-Home. Tada! The day is over. Where is the enthusiasm, where is the zest?

So on this ‘mundane’ Sunday I sat on my usual isolated location surrounded by books and kept on
pondering. Is there nothing that keeps me motivating, prodding me to look ahead to each new day or is there something that triggers me into welcoming the morning sunshine with a sleepy yet satiated smile? And the answer was instantaneous, what maybe be boring to someone may be tangy to someone else. Here, the someone else being me :D

So since, I’m such a zesty person with so much gusto let me even be a little less lazier and share it out here on my blog.

Reading:

Reading anytime, anywhere as long as it is not a boring non-fiction or a business journal. You’ve got me hooked. I am such a novel freak that even though my poor smartphone is overflowing I have overstuffed it with e-books. The other day my friend exclaimed, what you don’t have Candy Crush Saga in your phone! Embarrassing moment it should have been but it wasn’t, the love the feel of losing myself in a book, paperback or electronic. Even after a long tiring day, reading a book cheers me up. If it’s a classic it’s a boon!

Watching Movies:

Now I ain’t saying I’m a die-hard movie buff or someone who no matter what watches the “First day First show.” Nah I’m not that kind of a girl but there are days when even reading seems painstaking and I’m drooping. That’s what those movies come to the rescue. 3-4 back to back and I’m bouncing back letting go of my aridity. It’s a bliss and I totally fall in love with cinema and life all over again.

Cooking is Therapeutic:

I’m not a big time foodie but I’m a very choosy picky eater. Throughout my life I’ve bugged my mum, sometimes I still do coz I don’t like the way she makes it or it’s not my favorite. This was how my love for cooking was born. Experimenting with various cuisines, whipping something yummy with very less ingredients; in short cooking gives me a high. The first time I cooked something was way back in my 8th std. believe me it was a disaster apart from me no one ate it. But over the years, not only has my cooking evolved but my family looks forward to my cooking. On a very secretive note, I think my mum is very happy as she has got a break from her cooking, as she just gets to enjoy like a good patron and I’m the poor chef.

Silver Moon and Sea:

I’m a true romantic and I live in place where the lord has bestowed us with sand n sea. Fusing them together, I love strolling along the sea side at night, with the stars shining bright. Not only is it pleasurable and refreshing. It even drains out the fatigue of the long hard day. Though this delightful activity is not possible daily, I try to take out time on weekends to unwind.

Chatterbox: 

I simply cannot help it. I am undoubtedly and blatantly a talkative. It’s not like I haven’t tried to curb it or in the most lower it. It simply does not happen. My report cards have been constantly been having this remark, “She’s talkative or She’s a chatterbox or She’s simply too exuberant.” I don’t really know if it’s a good thing or bad, but even when I’m low or sad I’ll be talking. Hell I end up talking more than usual then. It might come across as a turn off to someone silent, but chatting make me lively and vivacious.

I would like to end on this note, zest is different for everyone else. For someone it might be the loud pumping music of a disc, for another a quiet night curled up with a book on a couch would provide the same high. What matters is what elevates you and gives you a high.

This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest and BlogAdda.com

-Fatima

Zindagi Gulzar Hai

"Zindagi bahot si ajeeb baton ka majmua hai, ajeeb baatein itefakat mojze. Baaz dafa samhaj nahi aati, agar isko kisi ek jumle mei bayan karna pade toh wo kya hoga? Zindagi Gulzar Hai.." 

This statement has never felt so powerful before with all emotions wrapped in one tight ball, like it did on this very day. I watch a lot of cross culture, across the border drama's with no motive other than feeling connection. My tryst with Pakistani TeleFilms began around past 2-3 years. I still remember a friend of mine residing in USA went on talking about "Humsafar" and how amazing it is. At first I thought it was some drama aired on DD in the olden days as it was based on Episode format, and then came the realization. It's an across the border creation. I couldn't stop myself from searching it on youtube and watching.

It would be mild to say, that I wasn't moved by it, or that it didn't strike a chord with me. It left me mesmerized and this is how I fell in love with the drama's. Always talking about them with one of my blogger friend Kiran (she's from Pakistan) and discussing various drama's too. Sometimes, I longed to see them on the big screen alas! that didn't seem to be possible. Imagine my surprise when Zee launches Zindagi, priceless!

And then came another big surprise, 22nd June, 2014 was one of kind when Indiblogger in collaboration with Zee Zindagi announced the #JodeyDilonKo meet.  

Excitement, anxiousness, the high of getting to meet friends after long coupled with weird nervousness is what I entered the premises of the venue, "The Leela" The moment I entered everything flew out of the window for Indiblogger is known to throw impromptu surprises. There were team of technicians (what for I thought earlier) banners of various drama's that are to be telecasted;  "Zindagi Gulzar Hai" , "Aunn Zara" and "Kitne Girhain Baaki Hai" to name a few.

This meet was no different, it started with lunch, making our presence known on the famous social networking website. Still one thing that was totally amazing was that Delhi was having the same meet side by side with the advantage of VC.

What began as merriment between Mumbai and Delhi soon turned to a war, with each city defending their pride. Almost matching the intensity of India vs Pakistan cricket match. Debating right from which men has the most handsome men to the best street food. And though it looked like soon World War Three would break out, the arrival of the imminent personalities saved the country literally :P  

The Zee Zindagi team arrived, introducing us to the world of Pakistani serials that would soon be aired and the idea, how it was conceived and finally brought to fruition. And then arrival of the most awaited guest of the evening (gosh at least for me :D) Imran Abaas Naqvi. I couldn't believe that he was actually in front of me, flesh and bones not behind a laptop screen. I felt like I was falling in love with him all over again *la la land*

His brown eyes with tint of hazel, mesmerizing playful smile, the cool and collected way he interacted with everyone present irrespective of the nature of questions thrown at him. What I really liked about him, was the way he handled the questions that focused more on political relationship between the two countries and gracefully navigated the focus to Arts and Entertainment. Personally, it didn't come as a shock for me that Indian Entertainment is hugely followed in Pakistan, that there are so many ardent fans of Bollywood. It really made me go aww when he told us that he has a collection of old evergreen songs by famous Indian artists like Mohd. Rafi, Kishor Kumar and others. It was sweet and touching in its own simple way.

Not only did we meet him, we had the privilege to voice talk to Sultana Siddique (producer and director at Hum TV) whom he fondly addressed as "Sultana Aapa" his mentor, his guide and someone who molded his career and life. I'm sure it was a proud moment for her too seeing him receiving love across the border.

The man was like a Pandora's Box to me with so many hidden talents being unfurled as time passed. Not only he is an amazing actor, we learned about his awesome singing abilities. His voice was soulful, and a pleasure to listen to. He sang two songs "Aisa Des Hai Mera" and "Tum Hi Ho", but I only took the voice recording of the song. Owing to Deepti Verma I got the idea to post a song of his that someone else took a video of. Thanks Dee :D You too should listen to it, the video is posted by Meghana on youtube, thanks sweetheart for recording it :))

How could the meeting be complete without Anoop's witty sense of humor and pulling Nihal and Delhi's leg everytime some competition came up. Also there were goodies, that some lucky people won not me though! People *including me* clicked pics with Imran Abaas personally and some even took his autograph as a symbol of memory :) And though I await the release of his first Bollywood movie alongside Bipasha Basu, I've heard it's horror and if it's true I think I'm gonna miss it *sheepish smile*

I am really looking forward to seeing some of the shows again and some brand new ones that I had not seen on Zindagi :) At the end of the day, what I realized was though we are from two different nations we are very much the same. I remember Imran's words "Hum do alag mulko zarur hai, lekin hamara khoon aur hamari mitti ek hi hai." 

As a parting to this post, I post this small poem in Urdu by me

Zindagi ko par laga do,

Wo hai udne ko tayaar..

Zanjeero mei nahi hai bandhna,

Isse sunni hai panchion ki pukar..

Aasmano ko hai chuna,

Pehen-na hai bulandiyo ka taj..

Wo sarhad par se pukaare,

Hum unki awaz sunne ko hai bekarar..

Jahan aman ki asha pukare har ek dil ko,

Wahan zindagi jodey dilon ko..

-Fatima