Relive the spirit of Holi

India is a country famous for its Holi festival or the festival of colors. This festival is a major attraction for the foreign tourists who not only love to watch this unique colorful festival but also take great delight in taking part and playing Holi. So many visitors time their visit according to the occurrence of this festival.

This is a festival which has been celebrated with much grandeur and aplomb by the royalty in the past as well as the masses. Each and every festival is a means of releasing tensions of every day life caused by myriads of reasons. But this festival of colors is one that spells full masti and enjoyment. It is indicative of throwing away of your cares just as we throw the gulal in the air which forms a cover to envelop us.

The weather is changing and so is the spirit. After being closeted in your homes during the winter months it is now the time to stretch yourselves in the open. It is the advent of spring and the harvesting of crops. So what better way is there to celebrate than the festival of Holi. Originally this festival was celebrated using flowers and gulal only. Steadily people started tampering with the traditional way of celebration and took to using crude objects like paints and grease and mud. This not only hampered the spirit but also created a bad and ill feeling. The main purpose of the festival which was to share happiness and love began to be tainted.

Whenever I hear the word Holi the scene of little boys running in the lane below my house flashes before me. They looked so cute with their hair well oiled and pasted close to their heads. It was a motley crowd as they belonged to different strata of society. Seeing them together one could not appreciate any difference between them as they were all friends. They stood below my house displaying their colors to each other but two or three of them were empty handed. Seeing their empty hands the other boys immediately made packets from their colors and distributed to them. Their smiles spread bigger smiles of happiness on to the faces of the givers. They looked at each other like conspirators. Then one boy came running with his small pail of water and the group pitched in to put colors into it. It was a scene that shook me to the core. This was true bonding when the social status did not come into the way of friendship. Happily they marched off to color others with their love. After a few hours I saw them returning. All of them were painted red, blue and yellow and seemed contented with their day’s outcome. As they were passing by my house I called them up and gave them Gujiyas to eat. After all it was Holi.

This year I am going to invite the little ones of my neighborhood to my place so that we may play #KhulKeKheloHoli and keep the spirit of Holi alive by playing it in the traditional way.

“I’m pledging to #KhulKeKheloHoli this year by sharing my Holi memories at BlogAdda in association with Parachute Advansed.”

Live it Up This Holi

There is no other festival like the festival of Holi. It is one of the most ancient festivals being celebrated in India yet it is youthful.It has tramsended generations yet it has survived or shall I say almost done so.

If I try to trace the way it was celebrated there was a lot of fervor in the time of our parents and grandparents.

Take for instance the Holi song from the 70's blockbuster Sholey it was a pivotal and important part of the film .All the villagers are collected and playing together the festival of Holi. There was an element of fun in the air.

Even the lyrics of the song suggest that there was an element of fun in the atmosphere .Looking at lyrics of the song which go like this.

चलो सहेली

चलो सहेली

चलो रे साथी

चलो रे साथी

यह पाकड़ो

यह पाकड़ो पाकड़ो पाकड़ो पाकड़ो

इससे ना छ्चोड़ो

अर्रे बैयया ना तोडो

ओये तहर जा भाभी

अर्रे जा रे शराबी

क्या हो राजा?

गली में आजा

होली रे होली

भांग की गोली

ओह नखरेवाली

दूँगी मैं गाली

अर्रे रामू की साली

होली रे ःओलिःओलि के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

गीले शिकवे भूल के दोस्तों

दुश्मन भी गले मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैनःओलि है!गोरी तेरे रंग जैसा

तोड़ा सा मैं रंग बना लून

आ तेरे गुलाबी गालों से

तोड़ा सा गुलाल चुरा लून

जा रे जा दीवाने तू

होली के बहाने तू

जा रे जा दीवाने तू

होली के बहाने तू

च्छेद ना मुझे बेशरम

पूच ले ज़माने से

आइसे ही बहाने से

लिए और दिए दिल जाते हैं होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैनःओ ... ओह हो!

हो ... ओह हो!यहीं तेरी मर्ज़ी हैं तो

अच्छा चल तू खुश हो ले

पास आके चूना ना मुझे

चाहे मुझे डोर से भीगोले

हीरे की कनी हैं तू

मट्टी से बनी हैं तू

हीरे की कनी हैं तू

मट्टी से बनी हैं तू

छूने से जो टूट जाएगी

काँटों के छूने से

फूलों से नाज़ुक नाज़ुक

बदन च्चिल जाते हैनःओलि के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

गीले शिकवे भूल के दोस्तों

दुश्मन भी गले मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

होली के दिन दिल खिल जाते हैं

रंगों में रंग मिल जाते हैं

Which translates to

Let's go girls

Let's go girls

Come on mates

Come on mates

Grab her

Grab her, grab her, grab her, grab her

Don't let her go

Careful don't break my wrist

Hey wait up sister-in-law

Hey get lost you drunkard

What's up dude?

Meet me in the alley

It's Holi, it's Holi

We'll have sweet balls of hash

Hey tantrum thrower

I will abuse you

Hey Ramu's sister-in-law

It's Holi, it's HoliOn the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

Friends let's keep aside our resentment

Even enemies hug each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each otherIt's Holi!Your skin is so fair

I will create a colour to match it

With your rosy cheeks

I will steal some pink colour

Go away you romantic fool

Using Holi as an excuse you

Go away, you romantic fool

Using Holi as an excuse you

Don't taunt me shamelessly

Ask the world

With this excuse

Two hearts play give and takeOn the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each otherHo ... oh ho!

Ho ... oh ho!If this is what you wish

Then fine you be happy

Don't get too close to touch me

You can spray me from afar

Are you an egg of diamond

Are you made of clay

Are you an egg of diamond

Are you made of clay

That you will shatter when I touch you

When thorns touch

The soft flowers

Their skin gets scrapedOn the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

Friends let's keep aside our resentment

Even enemies hug each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

On the day of Holi we are happy

As the colours blend with each other

It sure did capture some of the essence of the festival of Holi be it the element of saving oneself and applying color on to others .People used elements like bhang and thandai to get intoxicated.

There was not only playing with colors but also teasing but all in good fun.

I never got to see a Holi like this .Maybe it was too filmi to be true. As for the best Holi festivals that I can think off the best Holi festivals used to be the ones when all of us brothers and sisters would get together. We would arrange for large drums of water and put them either in the backyard or the terrace. These would be filled with water and color would be added to it and thoroughly mixed. Then all of us brothers would use brass pichkaris to throw colored water on each other. This was a fun filled activity.

All this running about  made us very hungry and just for hunger pangs like these my mother would keep ready home made gujiyas (Karanji), Kachodis and Samosa's and there would be lots of thandai to drink that would invigorate us and we would re start the next session of play after the snack break. So much time has passed and nobody plays Holi in that fashion anymore. I miss those good times and with the intention of reliving those happy times once again. I have decided to call all my brothers & sisters at our place and together we would like to re create the holi magic by #KhulKeKheloHoli and re live those happy moments once again.

“I’m pledging to #KhulKeKheloHoli this year by sharing my Holi memories at BlogAdda in association with Parachute Advansed.”

If you care then its time you share

I never saw my father get up to pick his own glass of water. It was my mother’s “job” to serve him. He would always eat dinner first, and then when he was done, my mother would sit down for her meal. My father would proudly proclaim that he had no idea where anything was in the kitchen, and that he couldn’t even boil an egg. I observed this same dynamics, time and again, in the homes of my friends and other family members. There was a time when women used to stay at home taking care of household chores and family members. Times have changed, women now share equal responsibilities along with men in every sphere of life. Most of the families now run on dual income basis where both husband and the wife take care of financial necessities. Not much has changed. Housework is always considered a woman’s work. Indian men believe laundry is a woman’s job, and would prefer to watch TV over doing the laundry. My partner criticized me for one instance of my watching two hours of TV  while laundry and dishes were in the clothes washer and dishwasher (so  things were getting done, in fact) when he watches TV every day while  things need to be done around here.  I do 90% of the work, as I do the  dishes, cleaning counter tops, cleaning sinks, cleaning bathroom,  changing diapers, nursing the baby, and shop for groceries, cook  dinner, and he sometimes takes the baby when I need to attend to my  older child or do another chore. I feel like the workload is mostly on me. As we are living with in-laws, my husband is rebuked by his people and therefore feels embarrassed to help me with the household chores, even if he really wants to. A sense of bonding between husband and wife can blossom more easily if they are on their own, where they can share their lives freely without any inhibitions or ego hassles. It is because of the deep rooted social
setup that we all live in where a man is supposed to be the bread-winner and a woman is expected to stay in the confines of her house to take care of her family. It is simply not fair. If you have the resources, hire some help. If not, try to make it clear to your partner that it is not acceptable for you to be doing 90% of the work. Explain to him that you need his help in #ShareTheLoad.

 “I am joining the Ariel #ShareTheLoad campaign at BlogAdda and blogging about the prejudice related to household chores being passed on to the next generation.”

Sharing for a cause

The lamest excuse men give for not doing their laundry is that it’s not a
men's job. Men don’t sort the clothes into lots of whites and coloreds and let the dirty clothes lie. Men should now share more of the load. Detergent and washing machine makers and media should aim at this group. Children should be encouraged to do their laundry.
‘Mom! Where are my fresh socks?’
This is what we hear in every household. Children mimic the behavior
of their parents. The onus is on the parents to set the right
example. It is time to end the cycle of prejudice surrounding
household equality. Today when women are doing jobs outside the home and
managing the house also then why are they burdened with the laundry job of
the household. Dual earner couples should share the housework
equally. For society Laundry is a feminist issue.
Our society is responsible for this statistics
76% of married men in India believe that not helping with laundry
at home still makes them a great role model for their children.
I don’t agree and I help my wife with laundry and this makes our
bond stronger and I will make sure I teach my kids the importance
of doing the job themselves and sharing the load of the house. No men
should burden any women with their work or laundry.
I’ve heard working mothers who are tired and complain wearily about
how they can’t keep up with their family’s dirty clothes, or
apologizing at dinners for the allegedly messy, dusty state of the
house. Women still do the most housework, and men still use the
‘incompetence’ ruse, men also do say they believe in gender
equality. Unfortunately, women have been taught to believe that they
are primarily responsible for housework and child care.
78% of girls in India agree that they should learn laundry as they
will have to do it when they grow up.
I have seen how Mummy does so much cooking and cleaning. I want my
daughters to grow up knowing it’s not a women job only — how to wash
their clothes and scrub a bathtub.  I just want them to see it for
what it is, not a women’s work. It is just housework.
2 out of every 3 children think that washing clothes is a mother’s
job. I am happy that my favorite brand Ariel is furthering the cause
of equality within the households to get men and women across the
country to #ShareTheLoad. This is unfortunately often an overlooked
issue. It is also equally important to address the root cause of this
prejudice and prevent it from passing down from one generation to
the next.

“I am joining the Ariel #ShareTheLoad campaign at BlogAdda and blogging about the prejudice related to household chores being passed on to the next generation.”

A hug for my dad my wall of support

My papa is my hero, my super hero. He is a perfect man. He has spent so many sleepless nights to take care of me when I was a little kid. He always sacrificed his own wishes to fulfill my desires. He was my first teacher and guide, my mentor. He made me confident of myself and taught me to follow my dreams. He is my role model. He raised me with utmost love and care. He always believed in me. He is my real hero, my best friend, my inspiration and the best person in my life. I am his heart throb. He keeps calling me from his office to enquire about my welfare. He makes sure I take my lunch on time. Our needs, our demands are his top priority. He has made many sacrifices just to give us happiness. There are not enough words to describe him. He has been through very bad times but he never lets us feel his pain. He taught me to set my goals and focus on them. He looks tough from outside but he is very soft and kind hearted just like a coconut.

All the childhood memories are still fresh in my mind. He was and is still the real reason for all my happiness, joy, success and achievements in my life. He is a unique father, the best father. I am very lucky to have him as my father. My papa always says, "Think before you act" so I always did. He is always with me like a wind beneath my wings. With his help, I can tackle the world. My papa is always behind me like a giant "WALL". He gives me immense confidence and boosts my courage. Life is impossible to imagine without him. DAD, you are my life!!! His guidance is the only reason for what I am today; He encourages me to be independent. My father is someone who holds me when I cry, scolds me when I break the rules, shines with pride when I succeed, and has faith in me even when I fail. He has always taught me to remain calm and be myself. He has taught me never to be jealous and to always help others. He has worked day and night without complaining. He is ‪the World's Best Papa. I thank you for everything papa. You mean a lot to me. I love you papa with all my heart. You are the greatest dad in the whole world. I always see a friend in you and consider myself to be the luckiest daughter. Be like this forever. I love you a lot. You are the only inspiration in my life. I thank you dear daddy for being there always for me. It's so hard to find a man that can love me like only you can! I appreciate everything you did for me. You are the greatest dad in the whole world. Sorry for the things, words or actions that I ever said to you which has made you sad.
I feel I am the luckiest person in the whole world because I have got such a great and loving father. I want to wish you a very great Father's Day with lots of love. You have given me everything and no material gift in return can compensate it. Today I just want to hug you and say “Thank You for everything".

I am participating in the '#HugYourDad' activity for Vicks in association with BlogAdda.

A hug for my Superhero

My father is a very simple person but I call him my super hero. He has always been a good listener, understanding my thoughts, trusts me and advices me. He taught me to be self-reliant and courageous. He makes sure we all have dinner together. He has taught me many valuable lessons on positive thinking and makes me apply it. Those who don’t believe in Superheroes should meet my father. Superhero, my best friend, the one and only one – who can make me smile in any circumstance, is my father. My whole world revolves around him. I was not good in studies but since my father started teaching me I have not only started getting good marks but I have become popular among my teachers and class mates. He is a great man. He supports us, his family in every situation. He is the one who sacrifice a lot for the happiness of his family. He is the strongest man I will ever meet in my life. When no one supported me, he was always there with me and made me stronger and gave me confidence to overcome my fears and rise above them,when he proudly says you are my son not only daughter I feel very proud. Dad you are my guide & a real superhero. I love you Dad. My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. He taught me to always have faith in my own abilities. Love yourself and always put a smile on your face he always told me, he's been my mentor, my teacher, and my best friend. I can only aspire to be just like him. He is a wonderful person. In times of difficulties, in ups and down he has stood by my side. He made my world a much better place to live in.I loved each moments spent together, the secret smile when at play & the healing touch he gave me yesterday & today so proud to have a father like him. I love you today and will always. Gods have many names like Krishna,Shiva,Rama,Jesus,Allah but he is one so is my papa. Father, Papa, papaji, Dad, Daddy, Pops. I have called him by many names but he will always remain the one person I love and admire the most. He has always been with me with or without reason and in all seasons.

I can only say that my father needs my hug for all of these reasons.
My father is my anchor who protects me against the wind of the difficult time.
My father is my light who shows me the way in my tough time.
My father is my caretaker who cares and loves me without any condition.
My father is my teacher who teaches me good morals
In a nut shell, my father is a protective shield for me to live in a tough world

I am participating in the '#HugYourDad' activity for Vicks in association with BlogAdda.

Impressing my MIL with Ambipur

There is nothing a women dreads more then her mother in law’s first home visit. I discovered this when I moved out of my in laws place and into my own home . This momentous moment came when my husband switched jobs and got himself a better job in another city. My mother in law was vociferous about the fact that I am naïve about household matters and would not be able to look after the household or her son. I took this as a challenge and as if trying to prove my ability to look after my house and husband invited my dear mother in law to come and stay (read inspect) my new home and my skills to look after the household . Was it self confidence or had I made the biggest folly of my life only time could have told. It was decided that my mother in law was to visit us after a month this would give me thirty days to set my new house and make it tidy, neat and clean. I felt that it would be enough time to set up my new world and showcase my skills to my
mother in law and the rest of my family but at the back of my mind I also knew that my mother in law is very particular about cleanliness and orderliness. She had the eyes of a hawk when it comes to finding mistakes and can pinpoint even the minutes mistake which others often overcome. Thus from day one I meticulously started setting up my new home. The house that we moved in had been locked for many months thus it had a mustly smell. The kitchen was so positioned that the aroma and odors of whatever was cooking in the kitchen found a way to reach the living room. Even the bathroom had a damp smell which invaded even our master bedroom. So in the process of setting up the sofas,curtains, carpets and rugs I started a regime of having the entire household swept with phenyl . This reduced though not entirely the persistent disagreeable smells but also made my house smell like a hospital ward .As the time was running out I began to panic and as it is said
“Jab dava nahin toh dua kaam karti hai” meaning when medicine does not work prayers do so I started burning incense sticks in every nook and corner of the house. The new concoction made the home a notch better but it was no where close to acceptable levels.  As the D Day began to come closer I began to panic and sought advise from my mother . She suggested that I use the Ambi Pur Air Effects Spring & Renewal Aerosol Air Freshener. Heeding her advice I procured the product from the market. Knowing fully well that this was the last opportunity to save the day. I used it around the house and waited with baited breath for my mother in law to arrive. The moment she entered she took a deep sniff and smiled at me approvingly. After all I had been intelligent enough to pick my mother in laws favourite aromas that is jasmine to wipe out all the bad odors and make my house smell clean and fresh. This was a great learning experience for me that taught me that
no home is complete without Ambipur and that picking up your mother in laws favourite is one of the ways to get her approval. Thank you Ambipur for saving the day for me.

 “I am blogging for #SmellyToSmiley activity at BlogAdda.com in association with Ambi Pur