My newspaper articles

Shravan End Tribute

As Shravan concludes and Bhadrapada Amavasya ends, this piece is dedicated to Goddess Kali, remover of all darkness from our lives thereby protecting us at every step.

Why I sincerely adore ,The Angry Indian Goddess from my Heart ?

Empowerment has become the buzzword with changing times and existing society norms. Indian Mythology depicts how Goddess Parvati took forms of Durga and Kali to put an end to ‘Asur Raj’  who sought to create mass destruction in Universe. A conversation with my elder brother gave me deep perspective because he stated how women show empowerment in name of ‘Kali’ but in reality She midst of destruction and chaos did not realize having stepped onto own Husband, Shiva. But i beg to differ with him because like any other male chauvinist pig he failed to see that headstrong Women conquers the Universe but Her devotion and love for Her Husband is equally vital.

The name Kali is derived from the Sanskrit word, 'Kala' or time. She therefore represents Time, Change, Power, Creation, Preservation, and Destruction. "Kali" also mean "the black one", signifying remover of darkness from one’s life.

 The legends tell saga of demon named Raktabija who had created havoc among devas. Devas attempt in various ways and with a variety of weapons failed to destroy him. They soon find that they have worsened the situation for with every drop of blood that is dripped from Raktabija he reproduces a clone of himself. The battlefield becomes increasingly filled with his duplicates.  In order to combat the demons and evil forces creating mass destruction ,Goddess Kali emerge on Earth.Kali consumes Raktabija and his duplicates, and dances on the corpses of the slain. She is given the epithet Chamunda, i.e. the slayer of the demons Chanda and Munda. Kali was so immersed in complete destruction of evil and negative forces that her anger took wrath much to the fear of all Devas. To pacify ,Kali ,Mahadev lies down on Her path and without realizing She steps on Him and sticks out Her tongue upon realization that She had accidentally stepped on Her husband . This depicts the empowering Goddess with a compassionate heart who loves and is deeply attached to Her family.

Ma Kali wears a garland of skulls and a skirt of dismembered arms because the ego arises out of identification with the body. In truth we are beings of spirit and not flesh. So liberation can only proceed when our attachment to the body ends. Thus the garland and skirt are trophies worn by Her to symbolize having liberated Her children from attachment to the limited body. She holds a sword and a freshly severed head dripping blood. Her black skin represents the womb of the quantum unmanifest from which all of creation arises and into which all of creation will eventually dissolve. She is depicted as standing on Shiva who lays beneath Her with white skin (in contrast to Her black or sometimes dark blue skin). He has a blissful detached look.

Three different forms of Goddess Kali – Dakshina Kali, Mahakali and Smashan Kali.

"Om Kreem Kalikayai Namah” meaning I bow my head to the Goddess Kali.

Would like to end write ups dedicated to Mahadev during Shravan with explanation of Natraj.

By the 12th century AD, Natraj achieved canonical stature and soon the Chola Nataraja became the supreme  statement of Hindu art.

Lord Shiva, the King of Dances, predominantly features in the Indian dance forms. His cosmic dance conglomerates creation, preservation and destruction. Nataraja's dance is the symbolic representation of human life, which depicts that ultimately, the good and the evil are neutralized. 

Lord Shiva is dancing, with his left foot elegantly raised and the right foot on a prostrate figure — 'Apasmara Purusha', the personification of illusion and ignorance over whom Shiva triumphs. The upper left hand holds a flame, the lower left hand points down to the dwarf, who is shown holding a cobra. The upper right hand holds an hourglass drum or 'dumroo' that stands for the male-female vital principle, the lower shows the gesture of assertion: "Be without fear."
The dance of Shiva can be divided into two common forms - the Lasya (gentle form of dance), which is related to the creation of the world. The second form is Tandava, a dangerous dance, which is associated with the destruction of the world. Both the types of dances have their own significance in the Mythology.Apart from being a popular art form, the dance of Nataraja is one of the most respected in the Indian culture.
Om Namah Shivaya _/\_

P.S - Some info has been extracted from various sources. Regarding Goddess Kali, several things are in-depth and I only touched upon how empowering women is also balanced home maker. Regarding Natraj, pictorial representation would do better justice but I tried to share on its meaning.
Har Har Mahadev _/\_ The image of Goddess Kali is from temple in Kolkata wherein it depicts 1000 hands of the deity.

The Holy Shrine of Kamrup – Maa Kamakhya Shaktipeeth_/\_

[Kamakhya Devi Pranam – Mantra]

Kamakhya Barade Devi Nilaparbata Basini. Twam Devi Jagatam-Matar Yonimudretute.O!

Goddess Kamakhya, dweller of the Neelparvat, mother of the world, Joni Mudra, I bow to Thee.

The Kalika Purana, an ancient work in Sanskrit describes Kamakhya as the yielder of all desires, the young bride of Lord Shiva, and the giver of salvation.

It is believed that no Tirth Yatra(pilgrimage) is complete without divine blessings of Goddess Kamakhya meaning "beloved goddess of desire". The Holy Shrine of Kamakhya is situated in Nilachal Hill located in Assam. The Present Assam was referred to as Kamrup in many of the ancient Indian literature. Beautifully Mythological tale is weaven which denotes the significance of the land of Kamrup.

Shiva-Siva, meaning "auspicious one" is a major Hindu deity and is "the Destroyer" or "the Transformer" among theTrimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. He is considered the Supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations in Hinduism.The crescent moon on His head symbolizes the consciousness in human beings, the Ganga symbolizes the Life Force and the snakes on Shiva's body represent the myriad of living beings. "Neelkanth" His another name as He drank entire poison churn in the sea to protect the universe and mankind.

Shiva,Lord of Dance as Natraja is usually worshipped in the an iconic form of lingam. He is described as an omniscient yogi, who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash, as well as a householder with a wife Parvati, and two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. Legends tell the tale of eternal Love Saga of Shiv-Parvati but Parvati being reincarnation of Sati, daughter of Daksh Prajapati who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Sati was married to Shiva and lived in Kailash presently located in Tibet, now under the Chinese dominance.

Daksh intended to perform Yajna, a sacrificial rite to which all the deities except Shiva were invited. Sati expressed her desire to go for the Yajna but when Siva forbade her to go, she flew into a great rage and transformed herself into Shyama or Kali. When Mahadev (Shiva) sought to escape her wrath, she assumed ten different forms, the Dasamahavidya, and surrounded Him. A helpless Shiva finally allowed Her to go to Daksha's yajna. However enraged Daksh insulted Shiva to show his displeasure towards his son-in-law. Unable to bear Her father’s nasty remarks for Her husband Shiva, She sacrificed herself in the holy pyre of the Yajna. Upon receiving the news of Sati's demise, furious Shiva changed Himself into the fierce Rudra and came to the yajna, destroyed the sacrificial ground, and beheaded Daksha. But following the fervent plea of Daksha's wife, He restored him to life by joining the head of the sacrificial goat upon his body. Driven insane with grief, He placed the dead body of Sati upon His shoulders and roamed the Three Worlds. An alarmed Brahma and other Devas (divine beings) approached Vishnu, the preserver, to restore the balance of the world. So Vishnu sent His Sudarsan Chakra (discus) which cut Sati's body to pieces. Wherever the pieces of her mutilated body fell on Earth in 51 different places also denoting 51 Alphabets in Sanskrit, it came to be regarded as a "Shakti Peetha", with immense sacred relevance. Each became a sacred spot  the divine decree.Her, yoni (reproductive organ of Sati, genitals) fell on the Nilachal Hill. This hill was said to represent the body of Lord Shiva Himself, and when Sati's genitals fell on it, the mountain turned blue and came to be known as the Nilachal or the Blue hill (nila meaning blue; achal meaning mountain)

As Shiva continued to do penance, the other Gods became afraid that He would never come out of it and hence darkness in entire Universe prevailed. They sent Kamadeva, the God of Love, to make Shiva fall in love again, and thereby break His penance. Kamdeva succeeded in his mission by sending cupid arrow, but Shiva was so enraged at the result that he burnt Kamadeva into ashes by a fiery glance of his third eye. Kamadeva eventually regained his life and his original 'form' (Rupa) in Assam and the land where this took place become known as "Kamrup" ("Kamarupa")

There are so many tales written in different books regarding construction of temple Kamakhya. Kamdev erected the temple with the help of Biswakarma(Lord of Machineries) which is famous as a temple of Anandakshya. There is also another opinion that the temple was made in the ruling period of king Narakasur. It is said in different books that there are four gates on the hill of Devi such as Tiger Gate, Hanuman Gate,Heaven Gate and Lion Gate which were made by king Narakasur. Mythological scriptures believe that Narakasur was born in semen of God Narayan in the form of boar, in the womb of Goddess in the Golden Age.

There is a fascinating story how Goddess appeared before Narakasur and he proposed to her being attracted by her beauty. Devi said if he is able to construct four stone paths round the Nilachal hill within a night itself she will marry him. Narakasur started his work rapidly and Goddess thinking that he soon will accomplish the task given so with her magical powers send a cock to call the dawn.  Hearing the cock crowing , Narakasur became furious and ran after the cock to kill it crossing the river Brahmaputra. At last, Narakasur killed the cock with a sharp instrument and that  place has been famous as “Kukurakata Chaki” where the cock was killed.

Later Narakasur was killed by Lord Vishnu and Devi Mahamaya for his tyranny. Presently, on the way of climbing up on the Kamakhya hill from Pandughat, there is a tom stone near the Liongate besides the statue of God Ganesh which bears the remembrance of Narakasur till now.

Bhag Dutta took possession the throne of Kamrup State after  death of king Narakasur. He believed in Baidik religion of Aryan Race. The power of Kamrup State gradually decreased after the death of Bhag Dutta. At last family of Bhag Dutta was abolished and his state divided into small states.

Kamakhya temple was destroyed in early 16th century, and then rebuilt in the 17th century by King Nara Narayana, of Cooch Bihar. Images of the builder and related inscriptions are seen in the temple.

Later at the time of invasion in another era, Maharaja Biswa Sinha discovered the temple of Goddess Kamakhya on the Nilachal hill near Guwahati. The temple which was earlier built by stone destroyed and became a heap of earth. King  Biswa Sinha was engaged in war with king of Ahom, they deviated their path and came through the stone path made by Narakasur that reached at the Nilachal Hill. The king and his brother were very thirsty and saw old woman engaged in deep prayers under Banyan tree.The old woman seeing them directed towards fountain nearby to quench their thirst and asked them to rest under the tree. She told them that the heap of earth was the seat of a living deity Devi Mahamaya. If one takes shelter in the feet of the Goddess and with single minded devotion prays from heart, devotees prayers definitely gets answered. The king wished to be reunited with his soldiers and get the kingdom back. He promised to Devi that he will construct a Godlen temple dedicating to the Goddess after his wish is fulfilled.

Mystically King’s wish was granted but however he constructed the temple with bricks instead of Gold. Having violated his promise to Goddess the temple collapsed overnight and Devi warned king about his promise of Gold to which the king honestly said he is unable to afford the same. Goddess told him to keep one rati of gold between each brick and later magnificent temple came into existence.

Within the temple premises, we can also find two full size representational statues of Malladeva and Sukladhvaj. According to a folk legend, the Goddess Kamakhya, assuming the form of a beautiful woman, used to dance within the closed doors of the Temple at the time of the evening prayers. The Koch king Malladeva and his brother Sukladhvaj desired to see the dancing Goddess and as suggested by the chief priest Kendu Kalai, they peeped through a hole in the wall. She, however, got offended by the intrusion and tore off the head of the priest and turned the King and his brother to stone. According to another version, the King and his future descendants were henceforth, forbidden 'to cast a look even at her very hill' the Nilachal or they would die. Even today, descendants of the Koch royal family pass by the hill under the cover of umbrellas.

Festivals at Kamakhya Temple : Apart from the daily Puja offered in this temple, quite a few special pujas are also offered. They are-

• The Durga Puja is held here for sixteen days on a stretch during the month of Asvina (September- October).          
• Kali puja is held here during the month of Ashwin (October- November) and is observed with great devotion.             
• Durgadeul- During the month of Phalguna (February-March), this festival is observed.  
• Pohan Bia- A symbolic marriage between Lord Kamesvara and Kamesvari during the month of Pausa (Dec- Jan)           
• BasantiPuja- This festival is held during the month of Chaitra (March-April)
• Madandeul- This occasion marks the special puja for Lord Kamesvara. It takes places during the month of Chaitra.            
• Manasa Puja- It is observed from the Sankranti of Shravana and continues upto the second day of Bhadra(July-August)

During the annual Ambubachi Mela((Tantric Fertility Festival), the Temple precincts are closed to the worshippers as it is believed that the Goddess, along with the Earth, goes through her menstrual cycle. During this festival held in the month of June (the seventh day of Ahar according to the Hindu lunar calendar), during the height of the rainy season, the red haematite present in the soil mixes with the water of the natural spring that moistens the yoni, leading credence to the commonly held belief of a menstruating Goddess. After the temple re-opens, the devotees rush into it to gather the unique’ prasad’; parts of the cloth moist with the menstrual fluid of the Devi. This piece is regarded as highly auspicious. Each year marks around 5-6 lakhs pilgrims during annual Ambubachi Mela at the Holy Shrine-Shaktipeeth Kamakhya Temple situated at top of Nilachal Hill (Gateway of North East) about 800 feet above the sea level .

The practice of Tantrik rites is also prevalent on the Nilachal Hill. Tantricism flourished in the area during the reign of the Pala dynasty. To attain heavenly bliss, they indulged in orgies, relating to the practice of animal sacrifice, the eating of matsya and mamsa (fish and meat), drinking of madira(alcohol) etc. In past miraculous escape of a baby girl later named Tara after the Goddess was about to be sacrifice by mentally ailing father claiming as Tantrik  for blind superstitious belief that he will be immortal.

Recently, evil terrorists demons carrying bombs were caught by Cops near the locality of Kamakhya and devotees in fatal bus accident post darshan at the hill but no death proves the fact "Prayer is stronger than Reality" _/\_ Jai Maa Kamakhya Devi.

The Nilachal is also the abode of the Dasamahavidya or ten forms of the Goddess Uma. According to the Brihaddharma Purana, when Uma (Sati) wanted to attend her father Daksha's yajna (sacrifice) and Shiva forbade her, the ten different forms, the Dasamahavidya, came out of the third eye of Sati to frighten Shiva into granting consent. These different forms of the Mother Goddess, namely Kali, Tara, Mahavidya, Sodasi, Bhubanesvari, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Sundari, Bagalamukhi and Dhumavati are enshrined in different temples dedicated to her on the Nilachal. They contain no image and are known as Sakti peethas. The object of worship consist of a stone each moistened by a natural spring. According to the Pithanirnaya, the names of the Bhairavas associated with the Goddess Kamakhya are Umananda, Sivananda, Ramananda and Ravananda. The Nilachal Hill also has a number of temples dedicated to the different forms of Kamakhya's consort Siva. They are the Ghantakarna, Kedar Kshetra, Amratakesava, Kamesvara, Siddhesvara, and Kamalesvara. In the middle of the Brahmaputra river that flows beside the Nilachal, on the island of Bhasmachala (Ash Hill), are the shrine of Umananda, Haragauri and Chandrasekhara.

Thus, the abode of Kamakhya, at the Nilachal, became the centre of worship of the Mother Goddess in ancient Assam, a tradition that continues even today. The Temple received continuous royal patronage from pre-historic times up to the advent of the British. Along with the Goddess, her consort Shiva in form of Umananda situated at the peacock island amidst mighty river Brahmaputra is worshiped. The Temple sees a regular inflow of tourists every year from India and abroad including celebrities like Anil Ambani,Rani Mukherjee. There is a belief that newly weds must visit this Holy Shrine seeking Maa Kamahakya's blessings for marital bliss.The Kamakhya Temple has gained a worldwide repute due to its rich historical relevance,mysticism and uniqueness to have evolved as one of the most sought after pilgrims in the nation and worldwide.

There is a very special connect of mine with the Holy Shrine of Kamakhya as my mom seek blessings of Goddess Kamakhya and i was born :-) My life has been full of ups and downs but i am fortunate in a nation where female infanticide is common , my family wanted a daughter. With deepest gratitude i had pen down the following poem in honour of Maa Kamakhya _/\_

ODE TO DIVINELY DEITY-JAI MA KAMAKHYA_/\_

Jai Devi.....kare sabki aur jag ki raaksha.....

MA ki Mahima aapaar.......

Bhaktjan kare Jai Jai kar..............

Meri Ma ne mannat maangi thi godh main ek Beti..........

Dhanyabad Jai Ma Devi.....

Mujhe aapne diya aati sundar jeevandaan

Aur har janamdin jate karne Aapke Shubh Darshan....

Lekin isbar daud daudke Nilachal Parbat upar chadke,Ma ke Janam din par meri biniti aur mila nasseb main man chaaha Darshan.....

Kumari Puja Ho ya Sankranti...........

Ambubachi Mela mein bheed jaise-Himachal se leke Kanyakumari..........

Chaade Bhog aur bhi Bali..........

Dekha maine jab thi choti khoon se latpat bakri :-(

Kya maine khana uska maansh tyaag..........

Aur aankh bandh ki maine us chale purani vidhi..........

Sirf apna kartavyaa nivane ka socha aur ho usme siddhi..........

Bas Ma ke charan main aab ek hi iccha............

Woh hain Bharat Desh aur pure sansar main Aaman ki aasha...........!!(Composed by Ronmi dated September 2012-near Mom's birthday 11thSept)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• From The Earth-Illumination-Trumpets of Divinity's Home (Stories from the Indian Scriptures: the Puranas) by Sri Chinmoy
• The Holy Shrine of Kamakhya - Dharanikanta Devsharma
• http://www.kamakhyatourism.com/
• http://kamrup.nic.in/
• http://www.bangalinet.com/kamakhya.html

Advertising Mania :-)

"Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else does." Steuart Henderson Britt (Marketing Management and Administrative Action)
On the contrary also, "Sometimes money spent on advertising is like winking at a gal in the dark.What's the use if she can’t even notice the efforts” :-)

Life is all about signs. Some see them & some don't. This well-researched, compiled & analyzed study shows us just how lesson-worthy our adverts are. And how sometimes, we are totally missing the point.

1. You can't eat chocolate unless you use all your 10 fingers & your entire face.

 

2. Girls want to achieve a hell of a lot of things, especially while they're on their periods.

3.  Gone are the days when moms hated washing your dirty clothes. Now moms just laaaaav it!

4. Mother daughter bonding is at its strongest while they both flaunt their hair or discuss effective shampoos.

5. Who said swapping phones can lead to confusion, loss of energy, time & can be really pissing off?  In fact, it strengthens bonds & cements mutual understanding between people. Now who would have thought that!

6. Every car is No.1, every goddamn car. So people, go buy all them cars.

7. Experts love their lab coats. They wear it all the fucking time. Because your trust is directly proportional to their lab coats.

8. One does not simply be happy with white teeth when you can have extra-white teeth.

9. You will impress the CEOs of this world if you apply skin whitening cream. CV? What is a CV? Qualification, go away!

10. Now why would a girl love a man with intelligence, wits & charm? Why? She would only respond to his deo. That’s just human nature, you know!

11. Having pan masala can make you buy cars, buildings, palaces & even countries.

12. Relief people! Our celebs are as normal as us! Kareena has serious dandruff issues, Katrina has dry hair problem, Shilpa has hairfall problems and Priyanka has oily skin. Joy to the world!

13. Your toothpaste has nothing except salt in it. You are brushing your teeth with nothing but salt. Salt is all you got.

14. Thums Up is always out of stock & you have to pull off weird stunts to get your hands on it. Because who wants to just walk up to the nearby store & ask for it?

15.  If your daughter is not ready to get married, take her to a jewellery store & that's all she'll want to do.

16. Always remember to close your door while brushing your teeth. Because curious TV reporters & their camera crews love storming into people's bathrooms at any given time.

17. Always keep your toilets squeaky clean unless you want a surprise toilet-check from your friendly  neighbourhood reporter & his crew. Also avoid looking like a Grizzly bear at all times.

18. Salman Khan can go all the way to the Swiss Alps wearing just a warmer and chappals. Dabang x 2400000000

19. You & your neighbour could have lots of things to fight about. But the greatest battle will be to out-do each other's super-whitest-white detergent.

20. If a stranger on a bench offers you chocolate, please don't question him. Take it & eat it. Maybe it's spiked but you never know.

21. The length of a car is measured by the number of 'A's in its name. Not baaaaaaaaaaaad.

22. SUVs are only meant to be driven on bad roads, high mountains and through deep water. And you better drive it like you're about to kill the big machine. Refrain from normal roads because then the car will run normally, nothing like you planned.

23. Parents can't enter their kids' electric bubbles unless they O-D on ice tea & remix.

24. And lastly, parental guidance. Stay away from mangoes. Because they make you want to say things & do things & *beep.*

Source: Inspired by this totally awesome Quora post

- See more at: http://www.scoopwhoop.com/story.aspx?menuid=2&contentid=70#sthash.gnwIXLgr.MiTxENR4.dpuf

21st Century PARVATI

First & Foremost  I would like to extend my BIG THANKS to one of my great true buddy SHIV SHANKAR in real and one of our random conversations resulted in penning down this article which took a while as I wanted to first visit Birth Place of Sati(Parvati is Sati's reincarnation) in the pure land of Kankhal close proximity to Haridwar.

I always keep telling Shiv, there might be millions of ShivBhakts in the planet but why am I queen of co-incidences (title given by Dear Maari who also bestowed on me BEGUM RON for my crazy fondness for Urdu & Nawaabs :-) So I was destined to visit birthplace of SATI(my Universe Mahadev’s first consort) and back of mind was the topic “21st Century Parvati” coined by Shiv meaning sarcastic title for girls seeking rich bloke for own easy secured reasons ahead.

Parvati  means 'of the hills' who is Sati’s reincarnation symbolizes “Eternal Love”. Sati sacrificed herself in the holy pyre as she could not bear insult of her Hubby Dearest, Lord of thy Universe Mahadev by her arrogant father Daksh Prajapati which led to the mass destruction around. Shiva picked up her lifeless corpse and wandered over the whole world, holding her aloft. Vishnu followed Shiva and taking his Sundersan Chakra , He cut off pieces of Sati’s body, limb by limb. Shiva realized that there was nothing more in his arms so retired to the mountain and went into deep penance refusing to meet anyone. Those places where Sati’s limbs had fallen came to be known as Shakti Peethas, where the power of the divine mother was most keenly felt. Later Parvati took rebirth and did not care about the hardships she had to face to get her true love-one & only Shiva and she worshipped for years to win His trust and love. 

Above mentioned is a brief backdrop of the eternal and purest form of Love story which has always inspired me till date but alas I can’t take such penance as Amarnath is out of reach for me and Marine Drive in Mumbai being total Mumbaikaar ain’t suitable, lol but jokes apart, i asked myself  is someone so worthy to undergo such sacrifice? Once one of my close school buddy Nilu bluntly said Parvati sacrificed immensely to please Lord Shiva and why is it that women always has to undergo all kinds of trial and tribulations to please a guy but now I got actual answer I was seeking for Nilu's sake. The guy was no ordinary one, it was Lord of this vast Universe Shiva who loved Sati truly,madly,deeply and Parvati was none other but Sati’s reincarnation. But Nilu’s thought provoking query is much valid in today’s era where Divorce and hitting court room seem like another mundane ordinary affair. Zero tolerance, will have it always my way kinda attitude and lack of compromise is resulting in lack of trust in sacred institution as marriage. If we always compare why me then road shall never reach the actual destination of Happiness but only obstacles of Ego will be loads on the path and instead of overcoming we succumb to most common route of Break Up.

Coming back to the real essence of 21st Century Parvati, I really don’t have the exact answer if it is appropriate to call a girl seeking only financial security and wanting only a  rich guy irrespective of the fact he respects her or not as some prefer the easy social butterfly tag and page 3 kinda lifestyle as perfect definition of today’s generation Parvati.  Or a girl who is super independent, breaking away from social norms and not comprising with any dumb head just to get the social status of Mrs in her twenties and ready to wait even post 40s to meet her Prince Charming and even better single and no strings attach with bindas attitude always? A homely naïve girl who is your mom’s choice but not yours and you decide to compromise to please your folks back home but carry on with extra marital affair with existing snooty girl friend? A girl struggling with daily affairs with zero savings as she is the only sole bread earner of her family and has to just forget the idea of meeting her Prince Charming and happily everafter ways as she has five younger siblings and ailing mother to look after?

I remember this interesting lady, Beauty Parlour owner i met recently who said nowadays if love is only not pure how can we expect materials like shakha pola bangles, sindoor that signifies the lifelong bond of marriage-a promise to be together not just this birth but seven births thereafter to be pure? Her comment made much sense to me so in nutshell, 21st Century Parvati is one who compliments her Shiva in every era of her existence.

"When a husband is happy, his wife will be fulfilled. If a husband is a thief, his wife will become one too. This is not a matter of this life alone. A husband and wife are as close as a form and shadows, flowers and fruit, or roots and leaves, in every existence of life. Insects eat the trees they live in, and fish drink the water in which they swim. If grasses wither, orchids grieve, if pine trees flourish, cypresses rejoice" In other words, two people stay together, share their lives or experience their combined karma together but they don't just get together randomly. Ideal relationship should be reciprocally be nourishing(Source- Article on Soulmate by Soka Gakkai International member)

P.S i want to leave the conclusion to the thinking minds of the readers..... And as in who fits perfectly under the title-21st Century Parvati? While breaking your heads you can also rewind yourself with the latest remix-HAR KISSIKO NAHIN MILTA YAHAN PYAR ZINDAGI MAIN.......!or i should also add SAACHA PYAR ISS ZINDAGI MAIN....!

A girl in the street and her Rangoli.....This Diwali!!

Maryada Purushuttam Ram's Homecoming, hustle bustle and bursting of crackers and symbolic festival glowing with lights everywhere........What strucked me while sitting in Marine Drive after three years, enjoying solitude and feel away from Family during festive joys, i decided to acknowledge the distinct side of Mumbai........True that Once a Mumbaikaar always a Mumbaikaar and always i have been vocal about the vibrant colours, multifacets and independence in Maximum City but it is also the same soil where we see tall skyscrappers and next to it slum dwellers as well........On one hand we have beautiful Chowpatty or Worli seaface residents and also people struggling to make both ends meet and other middle class travelling daily towards town or CST from beyond Virar or Ambernath, Kalyan junction too.

Krrish ek soch hain.......post Krrish 3 effects but the message in the movie about Humanistic appeal is thought provoking indeed.........As undergoing self reflection amidst testing times and braving winter to greet spring at earliest I was wondering what is real meaning of celebrations? Do all get to celebrate in reality? Slumdog Millionaire majority raise eyebrows saying how can Firaang Director show India in that manner and earn accolades but was he totally wrong?

Lost in deep thoughts as I was walking as if main aur meri tanhayee aksar yeh baate karte hain I bump into some street kids…….Had few sweets in my bag and as I distributed one young girl with two babies had tears, my heart pained seeing such plight……….Why the hell we crib, ok  stability will happen though taking time but atleast we have a roof upon us, good education and being physically fit, touchwood. I decided to stop complaining being away from family during Diwali as Maa is just a phone call away.

Then as I was about to board the local train from Churchgate, I came across a beautiful girl in the street making Rangoli alone and as I walked up to her with a sweet left in the bag and as from heart I felt it’s a real Diwali wish coming direct dil se and her way of saying Thank You and SMILE lit up my Diwali in all these years of existence. Sometimes celebrations is not just posing with glass of wine,uploading fancy pics in Facebook to show the world as though celeb lifestyle we too have and happening times 24/7. But sometimes its just random person in street whom you will never meet or even remember the face in the huge crowd but the serene thought within remains and feels way too contend. So I take back with me, Krrish ek soch hain  and Mumbai(one of the world’s most expensive cities) main acchi locality and hygienic conditions main rehne paana past acche Karam hain :-)

NRI(Non reliable Indian) FAD & Marriage Market.....!!

Recent Tele Saga creating waves in recent times in the idiot box-Bani....Ishq da Kalma revolving around dream for NRI groom and losing true desi love in the process and not just protagonist Bani but 1000s of innocent girls across Bharat fall easy prey to this common NRI trap for having coveted desire for easy global high standard of living. Due to increase in number of fraudulent cases at an alarming rate, a parliamentary committee has recommended a separate law for NRI marriages so as to curb any case of fraud by NRI party, hence emergence of the standard full form-NON RELIABLE INDIAN(no offence) no disrespect to any third party of whomsoever concern and dwelling in videsh. 

When Turkey's consul general Ozen visited India she was amused with the term-ARRANGED MARRIAGE and asked with great curiosity-Who will arrange the marriage? Can’t blame her mindset as in west this concept is rare. One of my very close buddy from East Timor was surprised that in India many people tie the knot in this manner. Life is indeed gamble and its like in matters of love, two hearts play and if meant to be they win in the sense of establishing a lifetime bond of everlasting commitment. But in this era where the word “TRUST” seems having got deleted to be replaced by antonym to be used as synonym instead “DISTRUST”. A young woman dreams of a healthy bond of marriage was shattered when she discovered after going to USA that her husband was a gay and he agreed because of family pressure. But what was this poor girl’s fault? She immediately returned to India and filed for divorce and does left her bitter taste towards life. Plenty are aware of incidents of shady men who put up fake profiles on matrimonial websites with an ulterior motive of sexual encounter. Even Aamir Khan's show "Satya Meva Jayate" hightlighted several cases especially where the girl's parents splurge over crores for dream wedding and the guy was settled in USA, only to torture her later, not providing food and she had to struggle to return back to India and file a lawsuit. The list of such sad plight and cases seem endless.

I am surprised at myself that I am writing article regarding anti-NRI when there was a time I suggested my eldest cousin sis to think regarding NRI-Australia rishta for her over desi counterpart but thankfully listening to her mom’s advice she made conscious decision and now happily ever after. Now as for me from all the glitters and immaturity, happy go lucky girl I have transformed into much wiser woman now especially after understanding the depth of true love even it was meant to be or not. Bottomline-In this wide world Moms are always right except Bani shown in the serial where her mom chasing NRI groom dream was so blind not to recognize genuine local guy’s true feelings for her daughter. May be one should watch  “HIYA DIYA NIYA” regional Assamese movie very popular smash-hit highlights this NRI Craze through a heart touching tale of childhood sweethearts.

Of course not all NRIs fall in the category of non-reliable Indian because one can’t help if to earn better bread and butter they have to seek greener pastures but wants to settle with own nationality girl and craving for ghaar ki daal and chawal over burgers.

What amused me most was when one of my friend mentioned about www.dowry calculator.com and honestly I had no clue that something like this actually existed or its sarcasm? Its really sad and disheartening that something sacred as marriage nowadays is prey of material gains and as if one is going to carry all the wealth when he or she shuts the eyes when God wills.

Just flipping through the pages of a magazine saw article of diva Madhuri Dixit Nene and so much respect for the matter of fact, rare actress with perfect gait, talent, dancing queen and charming eternal classical beauty who balanced both superb career and life post marriage with equally capable intellect surgeon and also NRI(exceptions are always there J And now raising two kids again she is back with stupendous bang tapping feet to the rhythm of GHAGRA showing her Jhalak with youth icon RANBIR.

Obviously back of the mind, we common girls next door wonder, why dream things beyond reach and consider Madhuri as idol etc? But its not just seeing perspective from BOLLYWOOD DIVA but yeah she got married at 32 and mother at 37 and if we say these kind of statistics to our dear Bharatiya aunties they will be like Oh Gosh post 30 is too late blah blah and chuck Madhuri she can afford things but so can we, can’t we? Atleast not necessary we may not have palatial mansion at Marine Drive but we can sustain ourselves and priortize work and Right Guy will obviously walk in at the Right Time rather we chasing it and getting stressed regarding age. I was told once “Right Guy will knock at your doorsteps for sure”. Early marriage doesnot guarantee success neither too late a baby at times but what matters is compatibility with the partner to sustain through turbulent times and have doubtfree Faith. 

So bottomline before NRI or Desi guy EMPOWER yourself FIRST, my dear girles and don't depend your happiness on a guy coz we are solely responsible for ourselves. Please stop being prey to this huge marriage market and dowry & unwanted unhappy adjustments and shift  focus on yourself and your priorities first. Like in Three Idiots punchline "Kaabil Baano, Kamyiyaabi Jhaak maarke peeche aayegi" and in similar context "Trust yourself, love yourself wholeheartedly and be as you are with beautiful mind and the most eligible bachelor in town would go down in his knees and will ask you that million dollar question :P And you might be in that position that you might just turn him down as he might be that same fellow who never understood your worth when you were chasing him or could be also HAPPILY EVER AFTER. But don't forget post marriage another challenge awaits but it will be a cakewalk for you as you are strong, courageous, confident and inspiring women of 21st century prior saying "I DO" :-) Cheers!!