How I Wish To Raise My Son!!

Recently I read a wonderful article about Girl child and how we as society should raise them and give them all the equal opportunities.

I feel today at this point of time it's very important to nurture and prepare our children in  such a way that more than stressing on girl of boy we should first raise them as a sensible,responsible and strong person.
At the same time they should also understand human values.

I am a mother of two boys and  i really don't  wish to raise them in a stereotype way ,I want to take efforts and make them understand most important things in life. I want them to know that woman is not an object but a person and  should be respected always . They should know how to wipe others tears, they should have epathy towards others emotions. I want them to know that being strong doesn't mean a person who never cries , it means it's ok to shed tears sometimes and pour your heart out than suffocating inside .

I want to them to wear and enjoy whatever colours  they like.

My son loves Pink colour so I try to buy pink stuff for him whenever I get. Colours  can never define any gender it's all about ones choice. And it's very important to give them freedom in selecting their own stuff , be it their water bottle,pencil box or colour of their room curtains  ask them how they want it to be.

I want to give cooking lessons to my son's because  cooking is not only a female's domain but because it is a skill which can never go waste in life. I feel nowdays most women are working  and are independent  so boys should atleast have basic knowledge of cooking so that they dont have to depend on others and if need arises can cook and fill their stomach .

I want to tell them that it's ok to play in mud and enjoy rains while getting  drenched in it . I want  them to learn that life is precious and we should never compare our life with others. Each person has own battles to deal with which we dont know. So its important to live our life fullest and try to find  happiness in each and everything around us .Life is all about simple things after all.

I wish to teach my son the value of adjustment in life. Every relationship on this earth thrives on love ,respect and little adjustments on the part of various  people involved in it. As a person its not just woman's sole responsibility to make compromises for the sake of relationship. So they should be ready to take the responsibilities and share burdens happily. 

I will  teach my sons to accept failures. Their participation and effort to achieve something will also be applauded in the same way if not more than their first position. I want them  to be independent,select the profession of their choice and work hard to achieve their own goals .

I want them to get married to the girls of their own choice. I really don't want them to become our  retirement package or old age stick . I want them to feel that their parents are always with them no matter what comes in their lives . I want to give them warmth of the nest which they fondly call "home "till the time I m alive, other than moving in their home and expecting them to take care of me all the time . Being their mother was certainly my choice and my decision for that I don't want to emotionally blackmail them for the sacrifices I make everyday for them.

I just want them to know  and remember that their mom is the person who loves them most in the whole world and this love will always be unconditional and without any expectations!!

Kojagiri Poornima-A Shower of Nectar!!!

Every year the day of Kojagiri purnima takes me back to my childhood times. Our growing years and occasions which  we celebrate during our childhood days always have a great impact throughout our life.
Nowadays due to social media we get intimation of each and every festival in advance.  But few years back when social media was not in existence and life was very simple ,but still people used to notice lunar calender and panchang regularly . Our mother or grandmother never forgot to celebrate these important occasions . I remember we used to stay awake whole night listening to different stories related with Kojagiri/Sharad  Purnima.

The Sharad Purnima concerns worship of Hindi Goddess of wealth Lakshmi as it is believed to be her Birthday. Sharad Purnima is also known as Kojagiri Purnima mainly is Maharashtra and neighbouring states .
It is believed that on this  day ,The moon showers Amrit or elixir of life of the earth.
The moonlight of Sharad Purnima is believed to possess amazing medical and nourishing properties. It is said that by staying awake throughout the night on this day under the moonlight is believed to rejuvenate the body. People make kheer or sweet milk and place it under the open sky to absorb the moonlight throughout the night and then consume it to get the miraculous powers of moonlight for health and happiness.

When I was in second standard I remember celebrating Kojagiri at my grandparents house. The whole family  gathered together on the terrace ,where we had dinner, sweetened milk and chatted till very late in the night. And then  we slept on the terrace that night...starring the beautiful big moon and listening to the stories.
There are so many mythological stories and beliefs related with the celebrations of Sharad Purnima.

But I always remember one fictional story which we used to hear from our grandmother,  which is a folk story about Kojagiri. I would like to share it here.
It was a story about a Fisherman(koli ) and his wife .So this fisherman was a very honest and simple person. He and his wife were big moon worshippers. after many years of marriage they didn't have any kids . Fishermans wife would always go to the sea shore during moonlight and sit there for a long time. Her eyes would welled up with tears thinking about a child. It continued till very long time. One day it was a Kojagiri Purnima when she prays Lord Moon for a long time and then goes back to home and sleeps. She gets a dream in which she sees  Lord Moon happy with her worship and tells her that he is sending his own daughter on the earth for them on the same Kojagiri night near the sea where she sits every time and he also says that his daughter will stay with them for 14 years after that they will have to send her back to the Moonland . He takes a promise from her in the dream. Fishermans wife gets awake from her dream and tells her husband about it..he gets surprised but she tells him that they should go to the sea shore and see once...so they go there in the midnight of the Kojagiri Purnima and  couldn't believe their eyes,they see a very beautiful and fair baby girl in the sand.  Her beauty was exceptional, her white skin was glowing the beaming moonlight. Fishermans wife happily takes her in her arms and thanks Lord Moon million of times in her prayers. They keep her name "Koji" in the rememberence of Kojagiri night . Everyone in the Fishermans town gets happy to know about their baby girl. People would drop their jaws after seeing the beauty of Koji. Day by day she was getting more beautiful. Fisherman and his wife couldn't believe their destiny ,Koji was their heart and soul. She had a moon like charm and was a very sweet loving girl. Sometimes fishermans wife would get upset thinking how  she would live without Koji after 14 years. But Koji would try to console her.Everyone in the Fisherman's town loved koji as their daughter. Time passes and finally the day comes when Koji turns 14 years old on the same Kojagiri Day. In night everyone gathers to bid adieu to Koji with heavy heart. Fisherman and his wife couldn't control their tears ,Koji calmly consoles them that she is equally sad but she has to go back to her Moonland to her Father. But they couldn't let her go..everyone is their town get upset. After seeing their grief and listening to their prayers  Koji promises them that she would come to meet them on earth every year on the same Kojagiri night if they happily celebrate this beautiful day with enthusiasm and spirit. And then she gets dissapeard. After that every year all people of Koliwada (fishermans town) would gather and celebrate Kojagiri festival to meet their Favourite Koji .
It was such a beautiful but sad story. Every year on this day I remember this story.Whenever i see the Moon on Kojagiri i try to see the hidden moonland of my dream and Koji in it. Although it was a fictional story but it certainly holds an important place in my memories.Even today when I will  narrate it to my kids I know I'll go nostalgic.
I am sure each one you must be having your memories and stories associated with Sharad Purnima. It is true that the brightness of the full moon brings special joy and happiness.
Wishing you all a very happy any Joyous Kojagiri Purnima!!

First day of the school!!

                   First day of the school.

Recently my kids school reopened,as I dropped them to their school on the first day , it took me down memory lane straight to  my school days.I remember how I used to feel on the very first day of the school, that feeling of sadness,excitement,homesickness,anxiety all together at the same time.
First day of the school ,which used to be 13th of June.I still remember rainy morning of 13th June,when unwillingly I had to get up early to get ready for the school after long summer break. My mother's sound from kitchen, and my father's instructions used to be an indirect announcement of the end of our freedom.
I remember before one week of the school ,there used to be "Mission Shopping".  On the previous Sunday whole family used to go for our school shopping to Crawford market area to buy books, school bags uniforms,tiffins,Stationery and so many things.

I still remember how I loved the touch and smell of new notebooks and textbooks. When I smell my kids new books now it really makes me nostalgic. And after completion of Mission Shopping ,next Mission was putting brown paper covers and labels on textbooks and notebooks. I remember my parents used to do this when we were small and then we started doing it gradually. Now I m doing it for my kids...how things change!

We always relive our childhood through our kids..they make us feel those moments again in life. I never liked going to  school in my childhood despite of being good in studies. After 7th standard i started enjoying my school more .On the other hand my sister loved school since the beginning. We used to go by same school bus. In monsoons due to heavy rainfall and water logging problem in mumbai  many times our school bus driver could not reach our place and we used to get holiday to school. There was no fun like Staying back at home and playing in the rain with friends, that too on a week day. That used to be the happiest moment for us during monsoons.

The only thing I liked about First day of the school was meeting my best friend and other friends again after long vacation. Whole day used to fly quickly with our never ending talks,sharing vacation memories,Meeting our favourite teacher and showing new Tiffin boxes and water bottles to each other. 

I always feel teachers play very important role in our liking or disliking of school since beginning.  No doubt discipline is an integral part of education system  but during initial academic years its really important to make the child feel warm and comfortable at the school. If the child  feels comfortable and positive in the school it surely helps in boosting his/her confidence level and kids start loving their school.

Each one of us has so many memories associated with the first day of our school, some good memories and some bad too. Let's live it once again with our children. Let's give them strength and confidence to face the new academic year of their life from the first day of the school.

Let's do this on World Menstrual Hygiene Day !!

Today 28th of May is known as Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated worldwide to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene.
As we know in India even today discussing about menstruation is considered a taboo. In urban areas due to awareness and literacy the menstrual hygienic condition is better in some areas but at the grass root level ,ignorance still seems to prevail specially in areas like slums ,villages,tribal pockets etc. Women still neglect their health and do not follow proper hygiene during menstruation. They cannot afford Sanitary Napkins and use unhygienic cloth pads during menstruation.
According to World Health Organisation 70 per cent of all reproductive diseases in India are believed to be caused by poor menstrual hygiene.
It is very important to follow proper hygiene during menstruation . And the very first step towards it, is using Sanitary Napkin. Though Government agencies & few voluntary organisations are trying to  provide low cost sanitary napkins in some areas through various schemes but most of the women are still deprived from this facility.
One thing which i feel we all can do to contribute towards this good cause, is to bear the sanitary expenses of one woman per month. Like the way many of us help poor kids for their education
purpose and bear their educational expenses,  same way we can adopt one underprivileged girl or woman for four days in a month during her menstrual period and provide her free sanitary pads and knowledge about menstrual hygiene. It can be a small but effective initiative to promote menstrual health awareness around us.
You can choose any girl/woman who is poor or underprivileged like your housemaid,staff at workplace,contractual labour or any needful woman. It will surely help her to have happy menstrual cycle.
As we know Menstruation is a natural phenomenal.But it is unfortunate that it is not discussed openly like other issues. Ignorance and shame are main reasons behind it. Now it's time to change this attitude ,we have to take small small initiatives to change the scenario.

On World's Menstrual Hygiene Day make sure you get involved in the conversation on this very important aspect in our life and from next time  start buying extra set of sanitary napkins to  make one more  woman feel comfortable and happy.

Accentuate Food Studio - Expect your Best Treat ever!!

Every place has it's own story..some places straight away take you to a different world for a moment and you don't feel you are in a same city anymore. "Accentuate food studio" of Aurangabad is the best example of this.
Once u enter this small studio which has been done tastefully considering Mediterranean and European menu which chef Mohib serves here, you will feel you have come to some Mediterranean country. Dim lights, Mediterranean music, soft colours on the walls,beautiful unique tableware,warm hospitality and amazing FOOD in Accentuate food studio creates an awesome ambience for your perfect evening. The tiny set up is done so beautifully and the best part is you will not find anybody else accept you ,your  family or friends. Chef Mohib has made the arrangements in such a way that only a group of seven people can sit and have dinner comfortably at one time. There will be no rush , no crowd and you can perfectly enjoy and have your own peaceful time. You have to book the table in advance and choose the Eight course menu veg or non veg according to your choice. Then the  menu is designed and customised as per your instructions. Once you reach there you get your customised menu on paper with your name and date mentioned in it.

The Eight course menu consists of three stages, you will find a new twist in each preparation with concepts and combinations like never before. Chef Mohib of Accentuate food studio  is preparing and serving world class cuisines in his studio  with lot of hard work and creativity. As he serves each dish he explains its name,ingredients , its origin and stories related with the dish,which makes it more interesting. Each preparation in his studio is Super delicious ,authentic and unimaginable. All the ingredients are used thoughtfully and their combinations are mind blowing. Everytime the food is served it is a work of art!!

All the delicacies are out of the world but i would love to mention about " Thai mushroom Consomme" which is an Instant Tofu liquid being extruded into the hot Thai mushroom Consomme at the table forming noodles easily which is just Unbelievable. And even the watermelon ,Greek Feta ,Iraninan Pistachios salad ready in the jars before going through a cold smoke of Apple wood!! All the other delicacies like Zucchini tart,Ajo Blanco,onion and thyme cake ,Cannelonni etc. were simply excellent ,and for Dessert lovers it is a divine experience!! Chef Mohib creates magic with every single preparation he dishes out.
Accentuate food studio is the best place to rejuvenate your taste buds. It is a  paradise for Food Lovers who love to enjoy world class authentic cuisines. A place you must visit if you are in Aurangabad!!!

Bucket list 💖

Do you have bucket list- A bunch of things you'd like to achieve before you die?
It may include anything from big things like Mount Everest trek, scuba diving,meeting  your favourite Hollywood star, Goan Sunburn festival or Alaskan cruise Or small things like learning music, watching your favourite play or show again or reunion with childhood friends ?? I m sure you all must be having long list of things you'd love to do in life. We all  have a list of things to do..sometimes things in the wishlist or bucket list are so weird to even mention others  but we still want to do it and we should do it because our wishes and dreams are ours and there should be no control over them.
A major issue with the world we live is that when we grow up, it is expected to leave our childhood fantasies behind. Our dreams and wishes are expected to be thrown under the rug of other responsibilities. People get dragged into routine because all they want to do is make life work. Sometimes life is stressful , but it is also blissful. There is a huge ,wonderful world out there just waiting for you to embrace it. The importance of goals and adventure still hold true. One way of narrowing these down is having a bucket list. Having a bucket list is important because it will help keep your spirit of adventure going, it keeps your goals and dreams alive.

Recently I read a news about a couple who has just finished their world tour at the age of 99 and 101. I mean I was amazed to know about this and in their interview they said that it was in their bucket list since many years but due to other responsibilities and financial crunch they  couldn't make it earlier and so decided to do it after 100 yrs of life..what a spirit!! There is no limitation for you when you really decide to do something from your heart.
It was a news item in the morning newspaper - about a lady who has started learning  classical dance at the age of 60 and doing really well. It really takes lot of courage and guts to do what you really want to do that too without any guilt.

The idea of bucket list itself is so thrilling,I feel we all should make it once in a lifetime .It frankly tells us what exactly we are looking for from our life.Most of the times , we spend our  life doing things which we really don't enjoy..so its important to take time for things you actually  enjoy in life. Whatever you will have in your bucket list the main purpose is being happy in life .In the end , the goal is to make the most of the life we are living. Make sure your bucket is full of your accomplished dreams, goals and hopes before you kick it.

OCTOBER - A beautiful story🍁🍁

Recently saw a beautiful film October..concept,direction and brilliant performance by everyone. It makes you think a lot about our society and its fixed sets of rules and regulations. Most of the times we are expected or forced to do certain things for our blood relationships only. Most of the times person do it only because of social pressure. It is expected from us all the time to fulfill our responsibilities towards our blood relationships only, if we try to go beyond and take extra efforts to care for someone who is not related to us, people or society cannot tolerate it, people make you feel guilty for being nicer to the person other than your relative.
In the film Dan's mom gets restless and upset to see her son giving his precious time for his collogue Shivli ,who is on deathbed . She ask him why you are doing this for that girl? You haven't done this for me ever?
It makes you think that if the person tries to go beyond boundaries even parents are not ready to accept this fact?Why we behave like this? Why his mother gets upset instead of being proud of her son who is unconditionally helping his friend who is struggling for life? Why  there is always a burden of blood relationships over other relations?
Sometimes in the journey of our life we meet some people and feel connection with them. Some relations make us feel happy where there is no burden of expectations and responsibilities. We make some relations like friendship or soulmates who are extremely close to us but we are not connected by blood. It's based on unconditional love and affection. Even the  relation which we share with our lifepartner becomes most important for us than all other relationships.
Every relation  is precious in the journey called life whether it's a blood relation or love relation but when the burden of expectations and responsibilities are imposed on the person  specially towards blood relationships and it is socially unacceptable to go beyond its boundaries it slowly slowly kills the love and affection in relationships..and after certain time no love remains and person only tries to fullfill the expectations of society and people around just to be acceptable by our society.
This movie has raised very important issue, it gives a beautiful message that if you want to be there  for someone you dont have to be related with that person, you don't need any relationship certificate from the society, YOU JUST HAVE TO CARE!!!

On World Earth Day.....

        Happy Earth Day!!!!!

The Earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth.
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. 

Earth day is honouring our planet and reminding us to handle it with care.
This Earth day let's promise mother earth few things which are small but really important to protect mother earth and conserve it for future generation.

1-Plant  more trees and protect them for life.
It's not about just planting a tree, it's very important to take care of it after plantation.

2-Say no to plastic bags, bottles,containers,utensils etc.Start using biodegradable materials from now. Get earthen utensils and pots from local vendors it will not only look cool but also protect you from harmful effects of plastic.

3-Save electricity for one hour every day...switch off all the lights,fans,A.C.,Television and other electrical goods and enjoy natural sunlight and fresh air.

4-Save water as much as you can.Try to avoid wastage of water. 

Get yourself an Earthen pot (matka) this summer and say bye to fridge water.

5- let your kids play in the sand more than gadgets ...Let them feel earth,water,wind all the elements.

6-Take your kids to farms, forests, mountains,lakes,Waterfalls....spend more  time with Mother earth. Teach them to protect ecology over
7-Grow your own veggies and fruits. Have a family gardening or a farming day in a week ,involve ur family and friends.

8-Once in a week have one meal under the sky in your farm, garden or jungle. Feel more connected with the nature.

9- Keep some water and food on the windowsill,balconies and terrace for birds. It can save the lives of many birds dying due to dehydration.

10- Treasure every little thing nature offers you, be it fresh air, water, food ,flowers, scenic views etc.

There is no joy other than spending time with Mother Earth,so hug her with wider arms and open mind.
HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!