Friday 27 May 2016

Laundry Goes Odd Even - A Wonderful Initiative

#ShortStories  #LaundryGoesOddEven

PC: www.huffingtonpost.ca
Ariel has taken  a big initiative of making laundry not just 'women's chore'. Unlike the super flop
Delhi's odd even rule, Ariel's "Laundry goes Odd-Even" is a wonderful initiative.

In most households people believe washing clothes is a women's task and so is being promoted by many other players like Surf Excel, Tide etc. Even in an advert of Surf Excel they say - 'we cannot wash clothes better than your mom', as if a mom's hands will add magic touch which will magically disappear all stains. The perception is wrong and the concept is wrong. And Ariel is trying to change it and hats off to this initiative.

My family is very different, I believe it is one of the very few families in India where my father supports my mother by doing laundry and my husband supports me. It's not like they wash it with their hands but doing so using washing machine is also a huge help. Every woman (working or homemaker) will agree. However, I have seen so many other families of my friends and relatives where still the husband sits on the couch watching TV /reading something /or just pretending to do so while the wife works her ass off. We should stop that and all husbands should understand that if they will act like this, similar will be the situation of their daughters.

Laundry is just one part of daily chores and all men should understand that in today's world where women go out and work equivalently with men, men should also help equivalently at home.

I am taking part in the #LaundryGoesOddEven Challenge by Ariel India at BlogAdda. 
And in this initiative I received a complimentary 1KG pack of Ariel Matic which both my husband and I used alternatively. Given its just us in our home we don't get many soiled clothes to wash every day to follow odd - even by dates, but we have decided to go odd - even on turns to wash in a loving peaceful way. I wish every couple decides to do this and not just by dates or days but through turns. Because, I wonder (not accusing anyone) if, for example, all odd days are assigned to men, will any clothes be ever washed on those day ;)

This initiative is a big step in right direction and we all hope it brings a positive change in Indian culture.


I hope this post/video/initiative brings some change in your household too.

Love and Cheers


Wednesday 25 May 2016

Poem - Her Melancholy

#MyPoems

When you are harassed
Nothing comes to mind
Just that you are alone
And the world is blind

The same she feel some days
Some days when she is sad
Wondering if things will go back ever
To times when it was not so bad

As the loneliness surround her
And misery envelopes her to core
She hopes he realizes her pain
And let it not become a chore

It's not him who is at fault
She is miserable because of his name
He still loves her to his soul
But sadly he is only the 'one' she can blame

~~Kritika Rajat Sharma

PS: Not written basis personal experiences

Love and Cheers








Friday 20 May 2016

Book Review: Beyond by Honey Tripathi

#BookReviews
Indian Bloggers

Title: Beyond
Author: Honey Tripathi
Publisher: Power Publishers
Pages: 37
Price: Rs. 90
My Rating: 2.5/5

Blurb:
This is a story of a young lady in her early 30s, who one day out of inquisitiveness enrolled herself into one stress management course and experienced altogether different world. This book is based on her personal experience. The book starts with some funny incidents that took place during the five days journey and ends up on some thinking notes. Hope u enjoy reading...

Review:
When I was offered to review this book I was intrigued. I have been reading books forever and never have I seen a book of only 37 pages. Yes, you read it right, the book is simply 37 pages. 
As stated in blurb it revolves around a girl who enrolls in a meditation class and the story is about her experience. What I liked about the book is the ultimate message, that 'through meditation and being yourself you can get closer to almighty' and if you are an amateur in the field, instead of taking it on yourself or using Google, start meditating with an expert. He/She will guide you properly.

The story is a rather simple one but it is definitely thought provoking. After reading it, the first thing that came to my mind was, Yoga and meditation once were  the golden crown of India, however, now we have to pay and motivate people to indulge in same. It is a shame how this wonderful practice has been lost with years. 

Overall it is simple read and I really liked the pictorial representation. And given it is only 37 pages (actually only 25 pages of novel to be precise) you finish it like in 10-15 minutes tops.

On the flip side, there are a few drawbacks in the book which forced me for the rating on a little lower side. To start with, grammar. Yes, the language is simple but there are a few spelling mistakes.
The narration is on the down side. While reading the book like this, you would expect to learn something of your own, however, the book doesn't say what the girl learnt. There are some brief narration of her experiences but that's all - which I found very disappointing.
The story felt a little torn at places i.e. the continuation was flawed. Also, it would have been great if author would have indulged a bit more in the story which would have helped readers to connect.

And not to mention the price, Rs. 90 (paperback price) for 25 pages book feels a little too much. Ebook still feels better prices, Rs. 49.

Well, with above opinions, my rating is 2.5/5 but you can have total different opinions. Basis the overall message, the book can be considered a good read. You can grab your copy at:



The book was sent to me by Anuj Kumar, Kalamos Literary Services..

Love and Cheers

Wednesday 4 May 2016

Book Review: The Mortal Instruments Full Series

#BookReviews

I have written review of first book, City of Bones couple of weeks ago, and I planned to write each part individually. However when I was second book I could not stop myself and review each individually. I read them in continuation and here is my review of all 6 books.

The set of six books comprises of:
  1. City of Bones
  2. City of Ashes
  3. City of Glass
  4. City of Fallen Angels
  5. City of Lost Souls
  6. City of Heavenly Fire
And all six are awesome.

To start with story line is brilliant. You will find yourself mesmerized from start to end. It is one of those fantasy worlds that you want to live in, however, given it is full of danger you might don't want to :P. And given it is full of all mystical creatures like Angels, demons, shadowhunters (i.e. part angel, part human), vampires, werewolves, warlocks etc. It makes it even more interesting.

The characters are beautifully woven. The love story of Jace and Clary is just as romantic as it is complicated. You can feel the need for them to be together, sadly that doesn't happen till the end but still. Even the story of Isabel and Simon & Marcus and Alec is wonderful. You don't feel lost anywhere. I really like the whole plot with Simon and all weird stuff. It was crazy...!

The antagonist change after first three books. Valentine was a ruthless villain but Sebastian, the villain of next three books is even worse, pure devil if I might say. You should read to know...

In terms of write up, just like any other author you can see how Clare has matured as a writer in each book. Where first book 'City of Bones' was all haphazard, the last one 'City of Heavenly Fire' was perfectly written.

The only drawback of the book is at place it is stretched. Where you are aching to know what is happening with your beloved characters, the scenic description gets in between. At some places it even got boring for me so I had to read real fast through them, but it was only at a few places.

Overall, it is an awesome read and you would definitely fall in love with one Jace - well I did...

My rating for the book - 4.5/5. I actually miss it a bit ever since I finished it, so I might read it again, bit slower this time. Ha! Ha.

You can grab your copies here:


I hope you enjoy them too.

Love and Cheers