The Great Indian Litterbug

I have a very vulnerable hate speed, i.e. the speed with which I can start hating a person is very fast. Usually these are people I don’t know, people I just observe on the roads, the streets, the markets etc. And my hate speed is directly proportional to how big of a litterbug they are. Though the reasons for which I may hate a person are many, but the most irritable nuisances committed which I just can’t tolerate are the various modes of spreading “beauty” that people in India are accustomed to.

Broadly categorizing, there are 3 main types of such litterbugs in India.

1. The Great Indian Pee Panthers

These are commonly men, who have the nature’s advantage to be able to stand and pee. And for the same that goes for all the other advantages men claim in the society, this is also considered a birth right by most of them. These people, surprisingly, have no set range (pun not intended). They may vary from a construction laborer to an educated businessman to a policeman himself! These people would never care to control it in for some time and look for a public toilet. In fact, they have their own favorite and convenient spots- public walls! Ironically, many walls have been covered up with tiles portraying religious idols to stop this practice! Yet another example that people in India need religion to remind them of their social responsibilities.

2. The Great Indian Gutka Giants.

These are people fond of chewing ‘paan’ or ‘gutka’ or any such so called delicacy. Even if we ignore the gross activity itself, but the fact that they spit it out on public roads is invincible. Our roads and streets have become more red than grey. The walls bear emboss color outbursts of their gutka. If you’re having a bad day you might as well step on one such fresh pulp of red and curse your existence!

3. The Great Indian Tetra Troubleshooters

This, according to me is the most heinous social crime. One can argue that the urge to pee or to spit 

out waste is uncontrollable (even though prevention is better than cure) but the practice of throwing Tetra Paks , plastic bottles, vegetable and fruit peel offs, etc on roads is unforgivable and any excuse to justify it is utterly baseless. While one can easily carry such packets home and throw them in a bin, most of us chose to get rid of them right away. But we forget the most important thing- when you throw dirt, you lose ground!

It is because of these litterbugs that revolutionary movements like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan bring about but a little change. It takes so much time and effort for many people together to clean up a road. But it takes only one unconcerned brain-dead person to litter it down again. As unfair as it is, we, the anti-litterbugs, just end up cursing our own government and citizens and find opportunities to run abroad.

But we need to do this:

Ridicule the litterbugs! Show them that they are gross and unclean. Whenever you see a person littering the surroundings, even if it is somebody you know, make them an ugly face; say ‘Yuck! You’re such a litterbug’; and move away from where they’re standing.

Social isolation and mockery is the best way to prick their conscience!

You must watch this video - The Great Indian Litterbug Pledge , a hilarious initiative by Times Of India and IndiBlogger .

http://greatindian.timesofindia.com/.

Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash

Just imagine. You're going out for a party. All dressed up in pretty clothes and good make up. You look absolutely perfect. But that one pimple that flashes on your face spoils the whole idea of looking beautiful. We all have faced situations like this. During my puberty days my face used to be red. Not because a rose berry blush or something, but with pimples. Even though I believe that beauty is from inside but pimples are a different matter altogether. I was fed up with trying all kinds of medication to get rid of them but nothing seemed to work. Around that time Garnier had launched the first Pure Active Neem Face Wash and it was just a matter of few weeks for my pimples to vanish in thin air! What an exquisite feeling that was!  

Since then Garnier has been favorite beauty care brand. For me it is the tried and tested brand we can rely on for our needs.

So when I got this opportunity to blog about the Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash I was more than happy to do so. 

We all know that acne is a curable problem and we can easily fight it back with the right tools. So don’t need to worry about those little spots. You've got this perfect product to your aid.

Firstly, you need to know how the Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash helps your skin.

It fights germs, pollution and removes oil as it is enriched with real Neem Leaf and Tree Tea Oil extracts. So after washing your face with it, you will get a fresh and glowing skin and you will eventually get rid of your pimples.

It is important to use the right product in the right way. Here are the steps to use the Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash:

*Gently massage on damp face using your fingertips carefully avoiding the eye contour area.

*Rinse thoroughly.

*For best results use twice a day.

It is a superb product priced reasonably and cleanses the face without depriving it of its natural moisture. Also, a very small amount is required for every single wash hence it also provides value for money!

I have myself used this product and it has proved to be extremely useful. Now I confidently step out of home with a clear skin. I don’t have to worry about extra make up for hiding my pimples and I don’t have to cry over pimple marks. All thanks to this awesome face wash!

This blog post is a part of my Blogger Activity at IndiBlogger

http://bit.ly/GPABlogLinkIndiBloggerActivity

http://bit.ly/GarnierPureActiveNeemWebsite

20 Facts About Myself

1. I am a very filmy person; so filmy that this point made it to the top of the list. My conversations very often contain dialogues from films.

2. I am a tomboy and I hate the color pink just for the girlish feel of it.

3. I am a big time foodie. After breakfast I think of lunch and after lunch I think of dinner!

4. I fantasize that violins will be playing when I meet the love of my life.

5. I am that friend who’s always single but looked up to for relationship advice. Love guru, you may call it!

6. I am very fond of my singing but others are not. You will always find me humming to an old 90’s song.

7. I may seem jolly and strong but I’m a very sensitive person. Even a little argument or insult can take its toll on me.

8. I love it when somebody writes something for me. I am an ardent reader and if it is about me, all the more wonderful!

9. I really like if I’m able to make people happy and lessen their sorrows.

10. I love experimenting new styles with my hair but they are just not meant for that!

11. I don’t like if somebody hates me. No matter how much I pretend I do give a damn about that!

12. I am a very confused person. I’m always in double minds about making a decision and after 

making it always think if the other option would have been better!

13. I am a single child to my parents and pampered beyond limits. But that doesn't make me a spoiled brat.

14.  I am very, very punctual. I hate getting late and because of this I often end up sitting in a party where no one else has yet arrived.

15. My favorite author is Mitch Albom. I have many favorite authors but no one ever reaches close to this man.

16. I am a loud and boisterous person. I am calm only when I’m sad or deeply pondering over something.

17. I hate the winter season. Too much of procrastination!

18. I am a very opinionated person and really love discussions.

19. I was a Humanities aspirant and really loved studying History, I still do. Somehow ended up with Commerce.

20. And but of course, I love writing! ;)

I thank Vani Devraj for nominating me for the 20 Facts Challenge. She blogs at Plain Jane. I don’t have 20 people to tag. But I will just nominate three of my friends Yashasvi Shailly who blogs at Randomness and Beyond.. , Pallavi Bhatia who blogs at Reckless Serenade and Prerna Rawat who blogs at shewritesaboutherself . Also if you are willing to take up the task, you can mention it in the comments below and I will tag you too. :)

There is a place in the heart that will never be filled

It is yet another year

So I try to count the losses I bear;

Not of gems and pleasures

But of relations I treasure.

There was a friend,

I loved her dearly

But as time played the role of sand;

And swayed her away from my hand

She is too distant to be anymore,

my gleaming lamp of Aladdin.

As I behold the Bible she gifted

resting on my lap,

I miss the times when she had my back;

Yet I moved on

A girl I met in 8^th grade

Fragile and lone she was

Firmly clinging to my Olive leaf

She confided in me through thick and thin.

A swirling roller coaster our friendship was

It went up and down

But came all the way round

As gullible and hateful as she was

The ride came to a halt.

The roller coaster stopped,

But I moved on

My mother’s family is close to my heart

And closest was the man

whom I revered more than my dad.

A man of his words,

he was my guardian angel

He inspired our philosophies of life

But death patronized suffering

And I willed myself to move on

The nonchalant strolls of a charming boy

had secretly made way to my heart

A mere fleeting glance intoxicated every part

of my miserable scarred senses

Babbling gibberish talks all day

I would go mute, cold as clay

on the sight of his distant silhouette

Oh my, how the heart did sway!

But as the bubble of infatuation 

burst out to reality,

I moved on.

And with all these people I leave behind,

a part of me is left behind

And as Charles Bukowski said

"There is a place in the heart that will never be filled"

Thus, I shall move on.

Wake Up

We all have read about the 16 December Peshawar tragedy. 7 militants of the Taliban entered an army school and killed around 145 people including students and staff. They later tried to reason it by saying that they were seeking vengeance against the Zarb-e-Azb operation being conducted by the Pakistani Armed Forces against militant groups. 

Much has been said about the excruciating step taken by the terrorists that has once again defied all the laws of humanity and has brought invincible shame to the one true God they supposedly worship. 

Such militant groups lure many youths into joining them by claiming of bravery and courage in terms of enforcement of their definition of religion. Such people do not realize that there is absolutely no courage in the butchering of 136 unarmed and indefensible children. True courage is what all the prophets of our religions portrayed in history by uniting people in a common faith of brotherhood. True courage is what those commandos portrayed who rescued the children on that unfortunate day. True courage is being a savior, not a murderer.

This incident reminded me of a very stirring song by John Lennon:

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky

Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

It’s high time to realize that violence is futile and revenge begets revenge. If we want to show God we love him, the best way is to love his creations, and not destroy them.

Come, fall in love

"Aisa pehli baar hua hai satrah athrah saalon meinUndekha anjaana koi aane laga hai khayalon mein"


Some 1000 weeks ago, Indian cinema was divided into two eras. Pre-DDLJ and Post-DDLJ.

So basically, we are 1000 weeks into the post-DDLJ era and it is certainly something to be proud of. I have only three regrets in life and one of them is not being born early enough to be able to watch DDLJ in 1995. I can imagine myself going to a theater to watch DDLJ and coming out teary-eyed. It would have been a gem of a moment! If you’re one of the people who have been that much lucky and reading this blog, please let me know in the comments below.


In the 90’s, Bollywood had the air of those silly Karishma Kapoor Rom-Coms (Some of them were epic, though). And DDLJ came as a breath of fresh air. Everything about the Aditya Chopra directorial was so overwhelming, so new. It had never happened before; neither did it happen ever after. The movie gave us some of the most incredible scenes and dialogues that act as a thumbnail of Bollywood in the 90’s.

Not only did the movie scored aces at the box office, it was a turning point in the careers of almost the entire cast and crew. Aditya Chopra has established himself as one of the most successful directors and is leading YRF to the heights. Kajol has had a clear steady stardom ever since. Right from Mandira Bedi to Farida Jalal, they all cherish a career worth being grateful for. And of course, pre-DDLJ who would have thought that the long-haired lad from Fauji would make it this big in Bollywood? Like literally, he is the KING!

Now, I can go on and on rambling about DDLJ and you might just sleep.

So as my little tribute, I would like to share some of my favorite elements of my favorite movie:






Amrish Puri’s Grocery Store

The very famous scene where Raj peaks into the grocery store and runs with a bottle of beer was shot in Trafalgar Square, London. And this place is on my to-visit list since forever!






Raj’s Violin

All through the movie, Raj’s violin was a character in itself. Not only do we all fantasize it, but the very holding of the violin by SRK added on to its sex appeal.

The ‘Palat’ scene


"Agar ye tujhse pyar karti hai, to ye palat ke dekhegi. Palat. Palat. Palat."

And that glance was the moment-of-realization for Simran.

Karan Johar!

Very few people must have noticed the blink-and-miss appearance of Karan Johar in the movie. He plays the role of Raj’s buddy, Rocky. However, in the scene before the song Ruk Ja O Dil Diwane starts, he’s got dialogues too! xD This is how far back Aditya-Karan-SRK friendship goes.







The Sarson Ka Khet!

The mustard field in the movie has got a career of its own. When Simran runs through all those plants and embraces Raj, the Sarson ke khet just add to the whole moment.







The feeding of the pigeons by Amrish Puri
Bauji starts his day by feeding the pigeons. But then one fine day Raj tries to replicate. And then we got it. Aao. Aao. Aaao.

LAJWANTI and CHUTKI

Remember the geeky looking little sister of Simran? She acts cupid in the love story and we all loved her in the movie! She is Pooja Ruparel , a cousin of Sonakshi Sinha. And Lajwanti , Simran’s mom, was played by the evergreen Farida Jalal. The cutest mother in Bollywood!






The Railway Station scene


This whole scene was the best. Starting from the Raj-Baldev fight that still causes Goosebumps, to Bauji’s holding back Simran; and then, finally, Simran’s running frantically to reach Raj’s hand. Isn't it magic?








Have you watched the new trailer of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge launched by Yash Raj Films? If not, you're missing something beautiful. So here is the video for you:
















- celebrating 1000 weeks of DDLJ :)

Once Upon A Time

One of the fondest memories of childhood includes the bedtime stories and rhymes our granny used as a lullaby to transcend us to our world of imagination. Reading and reciting them were our first step to the realm of fiction and hence on, we have embraced the world of stories.

Little Red Riding Hood

Remember the little girl who was caught in a trap by a wicked wolf on her way to her grandmother’s house? We all have heard this story, but never looked through it. We can still relate to the story if we read between the lines. We all are like the red riding hood, fragile and naïve. There are many wicked wolfs in the world out there waiting to devour us. But the question is, that after being deceived once, do we actually learn from our mistakes or repeat them? The Red Riding Hood made a mistake by going deep into the forest off her path even when her mother had forbidden her to do so. We all often defy our parents and regret it later. But we must remember that the only people, who will love us even if we wrong them, are our parents. They know what is the best for us, yet we deny it. The red riding hood rectified her mistake and taught a lesson to the wicked wolf. She also made it a point not to repeat the mistake again. So the story, in its own simple and sweet way, teaches us to be wise and learn from our mistakes. And that makes it my favorite childhood story.

If You’re Happy

This song is my favorite even now. The sudden outburst of energy the moment I listen to it is just amazing. I study in a convent school and rhymes have been a major part of my formative years of schooling. I still remember when Sr.Noila used to teach us this song along with the actions that go with it. The music Hall echoed with our voices, some melodious and some like mine, that were just offbeat. Sr.Noila’s voice was as sweet as her heart. All the students used to clap and thump their feet and sing in full fervor. I just wonder when my childhood went away. Was it when I stopped singing If You’re Happy? Perhaps yes. But with this blog post, I have revived my childhood memories. As I write this blog post, I am also thumping my feet and singing if you’re happy and you know it, pen it down!

Watching the videos of my favorite story and rhyme from the childhood was nostalgic. I wish I was small all over again. 

This post is a part of Kids Hut activity at BlogAdda.com