Aurat Band Day

The 23-years old continue to suffer in the hospital. Have you ever hurt your knee? A small scratch and the pain is severe, so much that you may moan for days, complain about not being able to move. Here we have this girl, whose internal organs are damaged and she may not be able to lead a normal life, even if she survives. She suffers thus because she lives in an unsafe country such as India, where the law is so slack that men continue to be lusty, attacking women like mad wolves, punishing her for moving around city after dark. This will continue to happen, or it may even get worse if no action is taken by Government to curb this violence. There have been protest in Delhi and Mumbai by young people but no action as yet.

But they will have to listen to the cry for help towards making our city safe for women, and for the future generation where we know that woman will contribute to the development of the society. She has a great potential to give her best, that will mean that she will be willing to work at any hours of the day, attending corporate meetings and late dinners perhaps. She needs her own independence to move around the city that should be safe for her. Men who try to obstruct her path or try to dominate her should be punished. There should be some law that should force the man to respect the independence of a woman and she will not rest till she finds herself secure.

Respect woman.

How many corporate houses have only men working for them? There are stenographers who keep all the paper work in order, keeping tract of all the assignments and making important calls. There are women who serve coffee and may even clean the corridors.

How comfortable are men who are bachelors and living on their own? Are their cabinets and wardrobes clean? What about their kitchen? Do they eat well?

There would be poor economy if woman did not shop. What use will the malls be if there were no shoppers? Men get bored of shopping and run to the food courts as soon as they can escape, it’s the women who keep the shop running.

Women are important in every aspect, they can make the world come to a standstill.

You still don’t believe it?

Well, be ready for ‘Aurat Band’

 Making a point


Women don’t be seen\heard or work. See how India works then! Aurat Bandh. I’m saying let’s give them what they want. Go on an aurat bandh! Let all women not b seen or heard. No shopping, no housework. Nothing. 
— Huma Qureshi, actor

Aurat Bandh declared across India. Request all women 2 support it...skip work and show your support and fight for our safety. 
— Chandan Roy Sanyal,actor

AuratBandh on 26 DECEMBER! Yes, women out there raise your voice against crime. No work on 26 DECEMBER. Spread the word. Show them what you are. 
— Kriti Thukral

Yo women! Guess what? NO WORK ON DEC 26! Even if you’re a home maker, DO NOT work! Let’s see how they function without us! AuratBandh! 
—PalomaSharma

Discussions about auratbandh... right or wrong...worth it or not... well...if this isn’t, then nothing is— Akanksha Shukla

Women strike work. This is a good way to protest. Nation will certainly come to a halt 
—Chitra Narayanan

Santa Visited Me This Year

During my growing up years, every Christmas I wished that I were born a catholic, especially when I met my friends who showed me cabinets full of toys and beautiful range of dolls that Santa gifted them each year.

Yes, I was greedy for gifts because I never received any, not even on my birthdays, nor any awards at school, nor from my family members who came from abroad. Gradually I lost interest in gifts and my expectations came to zero when I realized that I could afford to buy whatever I wish and didn’t have to depend on anybody to shower any gifts on me. Now, I have a rule for visitors that if they come to see me, they are not allowed to bring any gifts for me. Thank you.

Nevertheless, I was pleased when Santa visited me this year and dropped me a book. Okay, I admit there is neither a chimney in my house, nor an open window, but an unknown person sent me through post (what else) and I was surprised.

Do you believe in Santa? 

The one who is dressed in red with white moustache is a happy fat man who laughs ‘Ho Ho Ho’ but he is to get the children in good spirit.

My Santa is an unknown person, whom I have never met, a member of the group ‘Marathon Bloggers’ where bloggers decided to blog everyday during the month of December. A secret Santa was created in the group, sometime back where we were asked what we wanted this Christmas. I asked for ‘Good health’. 

My wish of ‘good health’ was to divert my attention from pain to cooking good food, in the form of a book called ‘Classic Tamil Brahmin Cuisine’ that had won a prestigious jury award in 2009. The book has collection of vegetarian dishes with extra tips on buying and preparation authored by Viji Varadaranjan and Padmini Nataranjan.

A beautiful handwritten note added at the inside cover revealed (through my handwriting analysis skills) that person who sent the book is a meticulous person with beautiful mind and thoughts. When she was selected to choose a gift for me, she visited my blogs to know my taste, such effort (I am so grateful to her) only those who care would do.

I have added her to my friends’ list on FaceBook and nurse a desire to meet her some time in future.

FaceBook is my virtual space where I find beautiful pearls and Meera Prasant is the new friend who shall remain in my circle.

Cheers to all my virtual friends……..

You Are in my Prayers

"We can't go back to school," one little boy told Rosen. "Our teacher is dead. Mrs. Soto; we don't have a teacher."


Six kids saw their friends die and I can imagine the trauma they must have faced as they witnessed the killing.

Dear Friends, fellow bloggers

I am one of the blogger who is taking part in observing silence for the innocent victims who lost their lives on Friday’s shooting rampage at Connecticut.  Like you we cried as the news reports come in. As a mother of two, it is really hard for me to imagine about how somebody can hurt those innocent 6 and 7 years old. Who supposed to be laughing at their Christmas gifts wrapped under the Christmas tree and long waited holidays? In the time of happiness we are mourning for the loss of these tiny angels.

Their life was cut short, their dreams were crushed. Those late night kisses and wonderful smiles when you pick them and light sadness when you drop them in the school is going to be missed forever to that little angel’s parents. Also to those moms, wife, grandmas, friends who lost their lives doing their duties as teachers and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary school.

We know that no words, no gifts, no act of service will ever take away the pain, but we, as bloggers and also parents collectively want those affected by this to know how close to our hearts they are

We love you; we pray for you, we are so heartbroken for your loss.

To honor the memory of the lives cut short, we choose to step away from our blogs and computers today to celebrate the gift of life and those we love the most, our children, families, good friends and community. We’re holding our kids little tightly, reaching out to neighbors and giving thanks for the moments we have together. Thank you for stopping by today, we hope you will join us in remembering, praying and gathering close. We wish you and your families a safe and blessed holiday.

Chota Bheem's Return Gift

Chota Bheem is the two-year-old child, grandson to my sister, who keeps me busy with his innocent chatter.

“Don’t call me Hyerank, I am Chota Bheem” he says whenever I call him by his real name.

The kid is smart, having mastered all the puzzle games on his ipad, sliding his tiny hands on the screen with efficiency. He watches all the TV cartoons with interest; his favorite show is ‘Chota Bheem’ and he identifies with the protagonist.

All the kids are smart nowadays especially those who get lots of attention from their families and at play groups.

There are theme birthday parties held regularly where these kids seem to have fun, a big banquet hall, or an area around pool is selected as a venue. The parties are celebrated on a large scale where the parents and helpers are also invited. There is separate area of the room reserved where all the helpers are grouped together and are served cuisine that is different from what other guests are offered. The helper will be offered only ‘Tang’ drink and one samosa while the other guests will enjoy a plateful of assorted delicacies.

“With 50 children there are 50 ayahs, the party becomes too expensive” complains the host.

Today Chota Bheem returns from one such fancy party with a return gift, guess what? hmmmn-

A fish bowl

During my growing up days, the return gift did not exist. It used to be small party with just wafers, cake and biscuits. The return gifts were introduced in the birthday parties during late eighties, but it used to be a small souvenir or bag of assorted goodies, but live fish bowl? Need I say more?

The fact is that kid is amused and watches with interest as the black shiny fish swims in the small glass jar.

“What will you name your fish?” I asked equally amused.

We start the naming game, with everybody suggesting and prompting him, soon the rare name is decided and now the fish is called ‘Chawal’

It’s Chota Bheem’s duty to see that ‘Chawal’ is comfortable and fed on time.

 Happy to share this post with group of Marathon Bloggers who promised to blog daily during the month of December.