Cashify - A one stop shop for your gadget sales!

In this fast-paced world today, with technology advancing by leaps and bounds, it is almost impossible not to remain in touch with the latest advancements. With the advent of internet, we have moved to an era of simplification, with a multitude of solutions at our fingertips. With the changing dynamics of the world around us, a lot of conventional practices have been changing - for example, 15 years back, I wouldn't have even thought of buying things from some e-commerce site simply by selecting them and adding the items to my cart, having the option to make payment via net banking, credit/debit cards or even cash on delivery! Leave alone the thought of returning any item! My idea of shopping back then, was going with my parents to the nearest store - having a touch and feel of things that I was looking for, and ended up buying the things I liked. With the advent of online shopping, it is not only clothes and accessories that we are limited to, we even have the option of buying a variety of electronic gadgets as per our specifications! What is even better is, whenever we feel like buying something better or having had enough of an existing gadget that we have, we can even make money off our used gadget by selling it online! Thanks to sites like Cashify, selling a phone/tablet/laptop is so easy and hassle free, it can be done as quick as under 60 seconds!

Cashify - For a quick, hassle free selling!

So this experience happened with a friend of mine who wanted to sell a used i-pad which he had brought from a similar site. He had brought it a year back for Rs. 10,000/- just on a mere splurging spree. He was in need of money recently and was ready to sell the i-pad since it was not a necessity. He had uploaded the pics of the I-pad on common online buying/selling sites, but the problem was he was not getting any suitable quotes. I suggested him to check Cashify, which he did, and got an instant quote for Rs. 7250/-! Moreover, on the application of coupon code CLEANCASH, he got an additional Rs. 250/- on the sale of his gadget! The i-pad was promptly collected from the address he had provided - all for free, and was immediately handed over the cash amount (there is also the option of selecting payment of your choice)! Overall, he was a very happy and satisfied customer of Cashify!

Navigating the Cashify site is so simple, you just have to sign in, select the gadget that you want to sell, it will automatically navigate you to further queries like the brand of the gadget, the model, a variety of options to choose from in case there are defects with your product, if not, simply proceed to the next query checking the age of your device, and the in the box accessories along with the bill and validity, if you have. What is even better is, after selecting these simple options, you get a consolidated list of the features of your product - which you just selected across the queries that you just answered, and an instant quote as per the specifications of your product is shown on the screen. You can then move on to the "Sell Now" option, also there is a choice to apply a coupon code if any. What is even better is, to establish that you are a genuine seller, you need to verify with your phone number and you have the option to login via Facebook or Google+. You can also refer your friends, and earn Rs. 150/- every time they make a transaction! Cashify is so user friendly, it avoids the hassles of waiting for a quote of your satisfaction, unnecessary chats with strangers and the hassles of meeting up with the buyer and handling the cash - gadget transaction!

It also has other options like getting your gadget repaired as well! All you need to do is, select the specifications of your device, and the issue, and you will be given options of available vendors and the price they charge! They have an interesting Anti-theft feature as well! So if you want all your gadget selling/repairing needs in a single place, Cashify is your go-to place, you will not be disappointed!

For further details on Cashify, check out the following videos which will help you make a smarter choice while selling your gadget - Video 1, Video 2. 

Visit Cashify!

Include the Coupon code - CLEANCASH to get an additional Rs. 250/- on the sale of your gadget!

#CleanUpCashOut this Diwali! :)

The Newcomer!

Fighting, yelling at each other, kicking and scratching! These are the "lovely" memories I've shared with my "loving" sister since as long as I can remember! :D As the eldest daughter to my parents, it was a teeny weeny bit difficult for me to share all that limelight and attention that I had enjoyed for the four whole years of my sibling free life, which had led me on the track of becoming a spoiled princess! All of a sudden, there was this new baby (not as cute as me of course! Dad had asked me to hold her as soon as mom came home with her and she was all little and pink and either crying or sleeping all the time!) that everyone was crooning at and new toys were brought, new powders and shampoos and little clothes being gifted for that new comer by all my uncles and aunts who used to buy me chocolates and toys and any and everything that I asked for, till now! All of a sudden, I felt completely ignored and left out. Even mom had started to carry the new girl around all the time with her, except for while she slept. Not MOM too! MY mom! Dad was away at office while I was away at school (I was in Upper Kindergarten) and when I got back, either it was dad or mom who was holding her all the time. Till now, I was always restricted from watching TV for more than an hour by mom, but now that she was so busy and tired all the time, she couldn't always keep her watchful eye on what I did. Even Tom & Jerry were not making me giggle anymore.

I decided I was not going to talk to anyone at all. They could talk to "her" all they wanted. I decided I would run away from home, and that was when they would realize how much they would miss the best little girl they had! I had it all planned out - even though they would beg me, plead me, and give me all the chocolates in the world, I wouldn't come back. I was going to be an Indian in the forest (I had recently seen them on Cartoon Network - all their faces painted and hooting and dancing around a fire all the time - that did seem fun! And the forest was the garden in front of our home that had grown wild) and cook by myself and not give it to anyone. Finally when they would not leave me, then I would agree to come back if they gave back the new girl from wherever she came from. And also demand the new Barbie doll that my friend had recently got - I was not going to let them get off the hook so easily, oh NO!

It was around three in the noon when I was watching TV and all these bright ideas were springing up in my head, and  I decided to put my plan in action at once.I took up my teddy bear bag that I saved for special occasions like picnics, and ran to the kitchen to fill up my water bottle and also decided to pack in all the biscuit and snack packets that were there for me to take at school to munch on during recess. I definitely was not going to let grandma and grandpa give them to her as lovingly as they gave me. So it was done, my bag all packed and I was ready to leave. I decided not to tell bye to anyone either. I could be mean as they were! I felt like crying a bit, but then, it had to be done, and so I did.

I moved out silently and ran behind the farthest mango tree, making sure nobody had spotted me. I put the bag down and opened it and started eating the biscuits. The two packets that I had got over quite easily and it was a little late by the time I realized that. So I decided I would save the Lays packet for dinner. I was thirsty now and sipped water from the bottle. Now that I was quite full, I started getting bored hiding and siting behind the tree. I observed I would be too easy to spot, so I started gathering leaves to cover myself up.Unfortunately, after endless hours of struggle of trying to cover myself, the leaves always ended up in a pile on my lap. Also, I found an ant on one, and after a painful bite from it, I left the idea of the leaves. It was almost getting dark now and I could hear my mom calling out for me. Hah! My plan had started working. Now the calls were tinged with an edge of anger and I felt sad that she was not missing me. Now, no way was I going back even though I was starting to feel lonely. This time I heard dad. I loved him a lot, and we shared everything together, but this time I could not. Even he was spending a lot of time with the new baby. Voices grew louder now and I heard papa asking my neighbors if I was at their place. I silently smiled at myself and thought that it served them right, and I was hoping that they would find me soon - I was starting to get a little scared now - I hated being alone in the dark. I heard footsteps coming closer and I thanked God!

Together Forever! :)

Dad found me out and I started crying on seeing him. He shouted to everyone that he had found me and to stop worrying and he would bring me home in a couple of minutes. He sat beside me and asked me why I was here and had not responded to their calls. An emotional outburst came out from me and I shouted that I hated the new girl and they had to give her back. He smiled and told me that it was not possible, she was here to stay. I told him firmly that I wouldn't come back till she left. He placed me on his lap and held me close and told that it was going to be nice that I had a little sister, I could teach her many things, I could share things with her - which I instantly refused of course. He explained that now I would have someone to play with, when I felt lonely, and that I would have company to go to school as well. He told me that I could have all her gifts as well, as she was a bit small now to use them. I was happy with that, and a little content. I agreed that as long as everyone was always with me and not with her, I would come back (actually I was more worried about the thought of sleeping alone outside there and I was hoping that he would agree to my plea!). Dad agreed and said that when one of them was with her, everyone else would be with me. I immediately agreed to that and he lifted me on his shoulders and took me home. Back home, he told everyone that it was a little hide and seek that we had started earlier and he had forgotten that it was his turn to seek and now that he had found me, things were alright now! That was when I remembered the Barbie! Oh no! I had completely forgotten her!! I softly called papa aside and asked him that I wanted a Barbie and he agreed to it, thankfully.

So that was the end of my little adventure and over the years, both - my sister and I have grown fighting and playing and watching TV together and she has ended up learning quite a lot, thanks to me! (Even though, her fashion sense is something that I have emulated her later.) That talk with my dad that day, had changed my attitude towards my sister - he taught me that sharing was fun, that having a sister of my own to play with, to teach new things, to show her how fun different things were was something not everyone had or could enjoy. Although the fighting still tops the charts, there is also a lot of love and concern for my little Disli (That's what I call her). Thanks Daddy, for teaching me the most important lesson of my life - to adjust, to share, and to learn to be happy in whatever new situation that comes up in life! :)

This post has been written for

https://housing.com/

for those who cherish optimism and Togetherness!

It's a NEW Life, a NEW Beginning

You have always had that one dream of owning your own house - something that is all YOURS! A little nest of your own - to cook your choicest food at any hour, to throw parties, invite friends for staying over, dance, play loud music and of course the singing in the shower at the top of your voice! So did I! I was moving away from my own home - moving away from the warmth, love and care of my family, as I had landed a job in another city. I was on my own from now on! It was a scary thought, VERY scary! A new city, new people, new environment! Everything NEW!! Yikes! Luckily for me, I was not totally alone, my friends from college had got jobs in the same city in the same IT Park - 6 girls and 8 guys. At least somethings were old in a good way! :D

Even though leaving our respective families and moving to a new city was very difficult, we didn't have a choice and thus we started off to Chennai - The land of the scorching sun! It was a place with new language, English communication was slightly difficult, also if you did not know Tamil, it definitely was quite a problem! Luckily for me, what are friends for?! ;) We decided to stay together in a paying guest facility, and we checked out one which we found good enough and started staying there. It was all nice and and new for the first couple of days, but then started the complains! The food was not good - either too spicy that you actually would breath out fire or too oily, and we all know how girls are with oil in the food! :D We started eating from outside regularly - extra expense, and not so great for health! Another problem was, we are a set of wildlings, playing loud music and randomly shaking a leg at any song is a ritual - and singing out aloud to it! A late realization that it was not possible with your peace and quite loving neighbors who complained to the PG owner who gave us a lecture on the DO's and DONT's really started to get on our nerves. The final blow came when 2 of my friends found their laptops missing after we got back from work. That was it! We decided to move out of there and find an apartment of our own - where we could eat what we liked, at any time we wanted, sing and dance to our hearts content and at mainly - not have our valuables stolen!

Friends For Life

The guys were already settled in a rented 3-BHK in a lovely gated community - with a pool, a gym and a kid's play area and all! They suggested us to try finding a place in the locality - we went there and checked the place - quite safe a place for 6 girls to stay - with families nearby and not so near that they would complain of loud music! The cost was more affordable for 6 of us pooling in for all our expenses together and thus it was a dream come true!! We moved in immediately and it was the happiest moment of our care-free freedom filled life. All 14 of us - hanging out together practically all the time - at work and at home - Going to the movies for the night shows, walking on the way back home at 12 in the night - 6 girls at midnight walking on the streets - it was like we could actually bend the rules (of course when you have 8 guys with you, nothing seems impossible), celebrating all our birthdays together, having parties with music and food that we made and actually liked, hanging out in the kids' play area (sneaking up actually, for having a go at the swings when nobody was looking) - this was endless fun! It became a home away from home in all ways, a live party all the time! And thus it was #StartANewLife for all of us, with the happiest continuing (rather than ending).

This post has been written for 

https://housing.com/ 

For those who love changes in a good way.

Someone to open the doors

It has been quite a few years now, since I have started staying away from home. It all began with college- a completely new world, new city, new people and new faces. I had to move away from my home city and practically start a new life filled with everything out of the blue. Hostel - a place where there is no mom to wake you up and say- "Hurry, get dressed fast, or you'll get late for school", no loving grandparents to let you have what ever you want that is restricted by your parents, and no siblings to randomly pick up a fight for the control over the TV! Heavens! There is hardly time to watch TV itself!! And of course, no little puppies barking and jumping madly as soon as they hear you arrive and dance around you and come to lick you all wet, there's no excuse remaining for not taking a shower then! The first few days in hostel were quite dull - what with your own homesickness, and to top it, other girls around you with the same mood and some even crying out!

The first few weeks went by getting to know different people (some of whom were to be friends for a life time, just I you never thought it would be them! :P), adjusting to the new environment and trying really hard to wake up by the ring of the alarm, dressing up real fast and getting just in time to have breakfast and in class so to occupy my seat so I wouldn't have to end up in the first benches!

Friends, fun, classes, studies, bunking, assignments, canteen, and the dreaded of all - EXAMS!! All these were the new routine, not that I didn't have them earlier, the difference here was, I was on my own! The little birdie had flown out of the nest finally! Night outs were most common during end-sem exam weeks and the euphoria at the end of each one was inexplicable! That just became one more subject you did not have to worry about, for life! (That is with conditions apply- Only if you were sure you wouldn't land any supplementary! :P) And at the end of the horrible exam path lay the lovely bed of roses - the holidays! Something everyone badly waited for! Just to rush back to the loving and caring warmth of home, the place were food means actual proper food - "THE" happy place now.

It was the end of the first semester and I had my tickets all booked in advance, bags packed on the last day of the exams, and was all ready to leave, bidding my friends good byes and "see-you after the holidays" greets. It was a night journey on the train, so I would be home early next morning, not wanting to waste any part of the holiday staying in hostel. I stepped on to the platform with my bags and was filled with nostalgia - the smell, the noise, the din and the hurry - of the city I had practically spent my entire life till a few months back. Dad was waiting for me and we drove home - the ride filled with me narrating how the exams had gone by, how I hoped next sem I would not have the same teacher, how excited I was to eat simple mom-made food - and this was all at 4:00 AM in the morning!

I reached home and while dad was parking the scooter, I rushed to just get to the door! I was quite surprised to see my grandma (Dadima) was already standing at the door (She had gotten up early by an hour, just to greet me at the door!) She immediately hugged me and said "My little darling is back home!" It was simply bliss to be there at that moment. And of course Julie barking madly and starting her licking! (The little puppy that was featured a while back - the same! ;) ) That moment filled me with the warmth of love and care and of course puppy boogies (never mind that), be it a human or a puppy - all my loved ones just wanting me to be back home, to be re-united and to make the family complete again. It is times like these, when you feel that you are unconditionally loved and cared for - there are truly some things that money can't buy!

Semesters flew by, I graduated from college, got a job, moved to a new city, started again with a new life and luckily the best buddies I had in college, were with me in the same company and city and became my new flatmates now! Lots of things changed, but one thing that remains unchanged till date, is that the doors are always open with a smiling Dadima, waiting for me to be back home - a moment I eagerly look forward to - now and forever! :)

Home Sweet Home

This post has been written for

 https://housing.com/lookup

Who value positivity and optimism!

Peshawar Mourns it's Innocent

The world came to a stand-still when the most inhuman, dastardly and cruel act was carried out on the Army Public School in Peshawar on Tuesday. 16^th December 2014, will be remembered as a Black Tuesday, for not only a HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE humans were brutally murdered, it was innocent lives that were claimed- those who went to school to learn and teach, to gain and give knowledge and to give wings to their dreams. Little did they know the morning, when they were leaving for school, that it was the last time they would do so. That they would never be able to come home, throw aside their bags and watch TV, never play their favorite games and sports with their friends, never hug their parents again!

Fathers who proudly carried their children on their shoulders, mothers who gave birth to them, and took care of them, families who watched their brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren grow, were seen running barefoot on the streets of Peshawar that day, in constant prayer and hope, that this was all a bad dream, a cruel lie that was being displayed in front of them, that their children were safe and sound, and would return to their beloved homes soon.

What has humanity come to?

Is this all that was left? A cowardly retaliation and that too, on little innocent children whose only fault was that they studied in an Army Public School? That they dared to be just helpless children who could do nothing about what was happening to them at that moment? That they were the apple of their parents’ eyes?

Nations showed their solidarity and to Pakistan in their moment of grief, people sent out messages of support. But will that help return those lost lives? Will it prevent the massacres from continuing to occur? Will it prevent those heartless terrorists from carrying out their vile and dastardly activities?

This is not something that happened in some corner of the world, this can be us tomorrow! It will make us exist, rather than LIVE, in constant fear, to protect our loved ones.

A few parents in Peshawar, who were able to speak out their grief, were proud of their children who were snatched away from them, are a constant inspiration to the rest of us.

“I’m proud that my child became a martyr. He gave his life to save his friends.”

“My elder son was taken away from me today. But I will still keep sending my other children to school.”

“They took his life, they were never able to take his soul.”

All those little souls will forever be a constant reminder to us that the only way out of this, is to fight terrorism and uproot it completely. Else, such acts which are ugly blots on the face of humanity, will continue to prevail and haunt our lives.

May your souls Rest in Peace.

A toilet for Babli

Hi All,

I am Babli- a 6 year old girl from the village of Junapani.

My daily routine consists of waking up at 6 in the morning, going about with nature's call in the field that my Baba owns - Amma tells me that I have to be very careful in finding the perfect spot so no one can see me.After that, I get fresh, and help Amma draw water from the local pond located on the outskirts of the village and then after reaching home, I have the rotis Amma makes for breakfast. After that, Amma sends me to school, even though I really don't enjoy Masterji's lessons. But the best part about going to school is meeting my friends, and playing with them during the breaks and after school.

I have a lot of friends from school- Chunni, Lalu, Dabbu, Rajjo, Chintu, Pinky..

But now, Pinky is no longer with us..

I asked Amma where she went after she was admitted to the hospital. She tells me, Pinky went to God's home. She was my best friend! We used to play many games after school, and walk home together after that, we are neighbors - her family and mine. But now I have to walk to home by myself..

Pinky was not keeping well much before she left for God's home. She used to complain of tummy aches frequently. I asked her what was wrong, but she never knew exactly why she was not well.

Once I heard Amma speaking to Pinky's mother about her. Aunty was crying that the doctors at the big hospital said that since we did not have toilets, and went to answer nature's call in the fields, Pinky had contracted some infection, that they were unable to cure. They said it was important to build toilets and keep our surroundings clean, so that we could avoid getting such infections. He said something about a big term, I couldn't pronounce it properly, but I think it was something like sani-station. I don't know which station this is, as I've been to the only railway station of our village when we go to Nanima's home. That evening, I asked Baba whether I will also go to God's home if I get an infection like Pinky. I don't know why, but Baba was shocked and he did not reply for my question, but a few days after that, he built a closed small room a little away from our field, and inside the room, there is a white pit and two foot-rests on either side of it. When I asked Baba about it, he told me it was called a "Toilet", and we were to answer nature's call only inside that room, and not out in the field, as we did until now. I was so happy when he said- "Now you won't have to go to God's home. Because now, There is a TOILET for Babli"!

Toilet For Babli

I felt proud the next day at school, when Masterji told everyone in class that our family had got a toilet, and how everyone else also should use one, like us. I just wish all the families in our village get a toilet soon! You can also help us by clicking the link below!

This post is written for the "Toilet For Babli" IndiBlogger Happy Hours contest.
 
You can bring about the change in the lives of millions of kids, thereby showing your support for the Domex Initiative. All you need to do is “click” on the “Contribute Tab” on http://www.domex.in/ and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.

Healthy is Happy

"Mom.. Mom.. Where are you?!! See what I got from school today, Mom!!"
Roared my little brother - Kishan, and thundered past me in his eager search for mom, as I saw a blur of brown rush by, and a glint of gold in his hands as I moved past, to give way to the whirlwind that just swept past me.
Finally when our mother appeared out of the kitchen after she had made evening tea for the family and milk for us- she believes growing children need milk to gain strength (although she won't hear a word when I say my growing up years have long by gone and I now have a job in an MNC after graduating as an engineer), did the hullaballoo in the house die down. In his hands was a golden trophy (the size of an average mug) but for him it was "This huge trophy" (he's in the fourth grade) that he had won in the inter-house competition at his school. Apart from the joy that erupted from our grandparents who were so proud to have such a champ of a grandson, and dad who would come back home after work and say how his little boy was following his footsteps, mom was more observant of the brown mud stains covering his white uniform, which would be a botheration to her later. On further inquiry, he sheepishly agreed to have imitated his favorite foot ball star who does the knee-skate on the ground after scoring a goal, but in his case, he ended up skating on freshly wet earth as a result of the drizzle during the race. (Hero-worshiping does effect mothers in a very troublesome sort of way, I agree!) He flopped down on the sofa to elaborately explain his moments of victory- how close he came to nearly slipping down on the wet ground, how close his competitor-cum-best friend- Sahil nearly beat him to the finishing line, but had started sneezing towards the end of the race because of the rain, and thus he lost speed and how he- my brother, put on his full effort and ran and finally how he gained sweet victory. At the end, he dedicated his "amazing" victory to mom and added - "Thanks mom, it's because of you that I won. It's good you make me eat Dabur Chyawanprash everyday, and because of that, I did not sneeze during the race, or I would not have won!

Thus, a big Thank You DABUR CHYAWANPRASH from our whole family, for giving us such moments of joy to cherish in the victory of our loved little ones! :)

This post is written for the "A healthy child makes a happy Home" IndiBlogger Happy Hours contest. For more information, check https://www.liveveda.com/daburchyawanprash/ .

Love- a life worth living for

They walked together, on the wet street, lit with the street lights that were glowing as the sun sank low. It was a beautiful evening, the sky was painted with streaks of orange and red, across a growing dark blue, which would slowly turn into black, with the little shimmers of silver spread across the blanket of night. A slight drizzle started and she pulled out her umbrella- a blue with floral pattern across it. He immediately took it from her and held it so as to cover them from the oncoming pellets of water- he did his best to cover her properly and both of them walked beneath the sole umbrella. A slight breeze swept by them and she felt a shiver- her hands were visibly covered with goose bumps. A slight pause- he put an arm around her and brought her closer to him to try and make her feel warm. He looked at her face, a smile covering it was the only response he got- which meant the world to him, and they started walking again, she with her hand slipping into his, slowly as they passed various stores with their multicolored, beautiful clothes on display.

More than the colors they saw around them, her heart was filled with possibly every color from the rainbow one could make up. She wanted the world to know how lucky she felt, right there, right then, walking beside the man she truly loved and who cared for her so much. Never in her life had she even remotely thought of anything like this happening to her, but happen it did, and she was really thankful to God for him being a part of her life. It was through mutual friends that they met, slowly started up a conversation- she was shy, he was funny- a slight comment about something she didn’t even remember now, and he made her feel at ease at once, and that was the beginning, which later turned into many conversations, and before they knew it, they were in love!

The road is forever

They crossed a family- a little girl hardly a year old in the arms of her mother, cheerfully making her first attempts at coherent speech, looking at her father who was holding out balloons of various colors, in front of her. She looked at them and a nostalgia sunk in- how her life had flashed by- the wedding, settling into the new family, arguments- yes, they had had their fair share of arguments, but neither held it for long, quickly getting over it with a hug and that settled matters for them. The greater part of their lives had gone by in parenting! She remembered how they had been- a nervous couple of first timers- who didn’t know what to expect- it was hard for her to digest the fact that they were about to have a baby! She still felt like a child herself- pampered by her loving hubby. Before long, he was walking nervously up and down the length of the hospital wing, with both their families waiting outside, when the nurse had come out and congratulated him. He immediately rushed in the room, and kissed her on her forehead, for gifting him a lovely baby boy and from then on, life had passed by so quickly, she didn’t even realize the time fly by- it was sleepless nights, cerelac bowls, his first faltering steps, playschool, graduation, and one fine day, it was time for THEM to be grandparents!

There had always been ups and downs on the way, it was not a bed of roses always, but he was always there with her, holding her hand in every aspect of life, always there to support her. He was her everything and the best gift that life had given her. She looked up at him and smiled, silently thanking him for just being there. He looked back at her and reciprocated, and they slowly moved on, towards their destination, hand in hand, walking down the street, both of them cherishing the moment they were living in.

Bro-5!

It was a random day, I can’t remember the date nor time when we met for the first time, but it just happened. We met through a common friend and the first impressions weren't exactly what you would term as “great” from both the sides. It turned into a casual hi-bye each time we met next- be it walking past in the college corridors or going to each other’s class to meet somebody else. Only God knows when exactly it was that we actually sat down and had a proper conversation! Maybe it was that particular day when a teacher was absent, and we were given the opportunity to relish one of those heavenly moments of one complete hour of freedom! It turned out to be that both of us were bored and had nothing else to do except chat with each other, even though we were surrounded by at least 30- 40 other people in that loud and noisy classroom. It so happens, that his girl friend is a very good friend of mine, so the talk started with her being the common topic. ;)

From there it led to common talk about likes, dislikes, etc. Being normal college students who watch TV series, both of us also shared a common interest of watching a particular show called “How I Met Your Mother”, and that is how it all started! It is what I would like to term it as we “clicked” and a new relationship born right then, right there- the most sacred, the most pure, and to describe it aptly, it was a pair of Bros made in heaven! :D (Thanks to you Barney- brother of all Bros, we owe it to you, big time!! Dude, you are AWESOME! ;) ) .

AWESOME!!

From that day started the Bro-Dom that we shared, the bond of the honest wing-man  (not so honest here, as he loves to get a laugh at my expense! :P ) be it walking in the corridors or on the road, and you could hear him tell me, 6 o’clock, 6 o’clock, quick!! And I would turn my head that way to find some guy walking by (no offense, but let’s just put it in as “not my type”! :P )

There goes 1! ;)

And since he already has a girl friend, I was saved the trouble of finding him a girl not because I would not have liked to find him one (Oh yes I would have loved to, given the chance! ;) :D ), but because his girl would kill me if I were to even suggest that, and of course, I would definitely like to spend more time on earth! He made it his mission in life to be my “Break-up” bro (I have to keep reminding him that for a break-up, I should first get hooked up with somebody! :P ) just for being unique, and not like all the rest of the bros. (Can you believe my luck! ) But jokes apart, he has been that friend, guide and philosopher (Yes, AGAIN- My luck! :P ) and both of them have been there through and through whenever I was feeling low or unhappy, always those special friends there to bring a smile on my face and remind me that they were always there.

College is over and we have moved our separate ways, he is enjoying in the U.S with his girl (both are supposed to be there for their so-called “Higher education”), but even now, the Bro-code between us remains strictly followed, and he is still on the look-out for trying to break me up in case I've finally got somebody! (Tough luck bro, not yet! :D)

Fragrance Of Nostalgia

The first few faint smells that my baby brain registered were with the light and sweet fragrance of the baby powder that my mom used to apply on my body. And thus grew the slow but steady relationship between me and the various smells the world around me had to offer. It was like a kid being presented with a giant box of magic tricks- all of it to keep for herself, her very own treasure to be safely preserved in her tuck box of memories- each one unique in its own way, more surprising than the previous one- the plethora of fragrances, aromas, perfumes and even a few not so great smells that I would like to remember.

My memories as baby revolve around the very first smells that I was subjected to- ranging from soap to oil- anything that the various baby care products my parents brought for me, had to offer. As I began to crawl around the house, so began my exploration of my home- venturing into the kitchen was an exciting adventure in itself. What attracted me to this particular room were the different colorful objects stored in bottles of many shapes and sizes, all neatly lined up on a shelf- the white salt, the red chilly powder, the yellow turmeric powder, the brown tea powder, the green gram- oh the list was endless! All these objects were mixed up somehow into creating a very tasty meal whose delicious aroma filled the whole place instantly! It was heaven for me, when I was able to recognize the strong but mouth watering aroma of the Pav-Bhaji - which became an instant favorite. This wonderland was my most important discovery- it was not only filled with objects of all shapes, sizes and colors, but also was rich in aromas of all kinds, all of them tempting, with every meal made in there. 

As I grew up a bit more, it was time my grandma decided she would try and enhance my knowledge about the Almighty, and how to be a good girl and pray to God for all that he has provided us with. Thus, I was introduced to the pooja-room of my home. On entering the room, my nostrils were immediately filled with a scintillating fragrance which I was not able to place. I inquired about it and found out that it was the Incense sticks that my grandma lighted during her pooja everyday. The next milestone in my growing up and in my collection of smells was achieved when I was sent to school for the first time. It was the month of June, and my mother was getting me dressed up, when it started raining. My mom was worried about how I would be dropped to school on my dad's scooter, and went to ask him, leaving me to discover something new that day. As I stepped on the lawn, it felt refreshing and cool, more importantly, I immediately fell in love with the refreshing smell that the earth was emanating as the rain fell on it, thick and fast.

Refreshing, delightful

The next unique treasure that I found in my growing world of smells was that when I was introduced to the world of books. I loved opening, closing and again re-opening my brand new books again, just to get a whiff of the fresh paper. It was on another occasion when I was granted the permission to explore the garden outside my home, that I became aware of the sweet fragrance of the lily and the rose. As I was growing up, my parents took me for outings at the park and the beach. This was another new smell added to my growing collection- the one of the salty air at the beach. Another one- which I'm not exactly proud of, was of the burnt curry that I made when my mom thought she could leave me in charge of the kitchen!

Further additions to my collection came along when I decided to take science as my option in higher secondary school. The chemistry lab with all the acids and chemicals. The sour HCl acid, the disgusting smell of rotten eggs from the Hydrogen sulphide, the sweet smelling Carboxylic acids.. It felt like a collector's paradise! On the way back home with friends, I used to go by an auto, and we had to cross a bridge, and just below it was a hotel. Even if we were blindfolded, we could recognize any day, that we were travelling over the bridge. The lovely and delicious aroma of food wafted from the chimneys and was very inviting to our nostrils. Back home, the inviting smell of coffee- so completely refreshing and more than drinking it, I always end up smelling the coffee a lot! Come college, and I am reminded of the mirchi bhajji shop that my friends and used to love on a cold rainy day. You could never pass by the shop without ordering one plate atleast!

Moments come and go, but memories live with you always. I just need to go through my tuck box of the the various smells in my memory, and instantly I am transported back into the world that existed in the past. The nostalgia of all those small, sweet but significant memories come flooding up instantly, and remind me of the various milestones I have covered in my journey of life, and it ends up leaving a smile on my lips.

This post is written for the "Smelly To Smiley" contest on IndiBlogger. For more information, check  https://www.facebook.com/AmbiPurIndia

This REALLY Did Happen To Me!! PART- IV

When they were chatting up with my mom and grandma on their health and I entered with the tea, all eyes fell on me and I found myself ending up as their latest topic of discussion. As all grandmas are- loving and adoring their grandchildren, mine was no different, and immediately started telling with pride on how well I was managing the home (the breakfast was forgotten and the other mess, she was thankfully unaware of!), without anybody’s help. I was getting happy that finally all my hard work and effort would be appreciated and I would be nothing short of a star in front of all.

I turned towards them with a smile waiting to hear them laud praises on me, that’s when one of them spoke up- “How nice, she’s getting trained up for the future. So, how’s the feeling, managing a home like we do? ” That’s when it hit me that what I had done was no big deal and all this was being done by these home-makers sitting in front of me, DAILY! And that too, with perfection, there was no place for making any mistakes by them! That’s when I realized that passing B.tech was nothing compared to what these women- our moms do daily! And imagine the condition of a working mom!  Apart from all the work, they managed to find time for family and children, taking care of everybody’s likes and dislikes, every single moment. These women truly made buildings of bricks and stone to what we call a HOME. That day definitely increased my respect for all the moms and home-makers- who do so much and do it selflessly, with no expectations in return of any rewards or praises. Silently I paid them all a big Roadies salute, well deserved by all of them.

Well, the story doesn’t end here. As they say- “Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost...”, so is this one. There was dinner yet to be made! After the completely tiring day, the best I could come up with at night was making the humble porridge, (well they were sick, after all!) and I made it quite alright. And for my siblings and me, well, a packet of Maggi noodles was for dinner that night. Did not the ads claim that it was a wholesome meal and all that? Well, I completely agreed with them! So that was that!

Finally the day ended with me preparing beds and putting off everybody to sleep, praying fervently to God that whatever happens, make my mom alright! :P

And thankfully God heard my prayer or my mom felt pity on me - I don’t know, she got back her strength, and was back to normal the next day. And THAT was the end of my disastrous day in the kitchen, and a day of realization!