Birthdays are Special

It was one of those mundane wintry mornings when in popped a mail. The guy needed content for some hotel listed with us. I obliged but who was this guy anyway? I asked around and understood he was the same guy who’d come next to my desk pretty much every day and talk about whole lot of TV series that he was currently watching and what must be watched. Oh! And he was also the same guy who had volunteered to help a fellow colleague out with cutting his SIM so that it could fit the slot followed by a joke created around what was this biotech engineer actually trying to achieve in his life. Funny it was. I saw him almost every day but never spoke to him or even asked his name. 

Time does have the power to change a lot of things. Soon enough, I found myself going with him for chai sutta breaks. Over those hundred of maggi sessions, I have no idea how much we would have talked. From the silliest and the most absurd topics to the most thoughtful of scenarios, we did manage to discuss it all. Sharing the common UP thread, we have laughed so much over certain things that I cannot even think of being silent when he’s around. It is said that a friend’s presence makes your life wonderful and his did that for me. 

He has somehow managed to be with me during my lowest of moments in the recent times, he has surprisingly also been the only point of contact for my parents when I fled telling no one about the Mcleodganj trip,and he has certainly made me realize that the strength of friendship sure as hell does not depend on time as long as you believe in the bond.  

Today, as you turn 24, here are a few wishes I want for you to come to true. May you soon fly overseas for your masters! May you get a sensible girlfriend! May you get some senses in your head! And this one’s for me – May you get a little less annoying!:P And also stop scaring me by pulling my chair hard every single day. 

Here’s wishing you a happy birthday silly :D

Dear World, please pour in your wishes for the birthday boy - Vageesh. 

P.S: I still have no idea why we don’t have a picture together.

The Small Little Joys of Dunedin

Back in Christchurch at my studio apartment on a Friday night, I was busy burying my disappointments and failures.  There was nothing unusual about this meeting; Fred, Natalie and I would meet up every second Friday and cry over a lot of issues. It was pretty clear that we were disappointed with our lives. It had been more than ten years that we had been working rigorously on our professions and had gained a lot professionally. But there were a lot of things we missed; a void had begun to develop in our souls that had a deep impact on our thought process. All this accomplishment and money wasn’t doing us good. None of us were in a steady relationship, how could we ever be? We had already got committed to our jobs. We had no time for ourselves, how would we ever give it to someone else.

“I think I need a break,” said Fred.

“Since ages,” Natalie added.

“I think I never wanted to be into this so called market research,” he carried on. The alcohol had started to affect him. In no time, I witnessed Natalie joining in.

“You know I’ve always wanted to watch birds,” she said.

“And I have wished to click as much of wildlife as I could. If it would not have been for my father, I’d have been a wildlife photographer.

I understood that we were all unhappy because we were not doing what we actually wanted to. We had been running after fame and money but no more could we put our heart and soul into it because we weren’t doing this for ourselves. I realized that as a teenager, I had always wanted to write about flora and fauna. I now knew there was another thing that made us gel so well, our love for nature and its inhabitants, keeping aside humans for some time.

At that moment, a thought struck my mind. I don’t know whether it was the whiskey making me take the decision or my heart but I blurted out, “Let’s go to Dunedin.”

Both of them looked at me questioningly. I remembered the famous environmentalist David Bellamy who had referred to this place as the finest example of eco tourism in the world.

“Ask no questions. Trust me, this is going to be the best place to unwind. I am pretty sure that it is going to quench our thirst,” I replied as a matter of fact.

We head off in the morning in a Toyota Corolla rented from Hertz since my humble hatchback had broken down last night.

The cool winds gushed and seemed to pierce our souls. It felt as if there was nothing more soothing than that moment. We drove turn by turn just to encounter the ecstasy of driving towards our ultimate destination. The smooth drive and the ambiance inside the car definitely turned our mood on and we couldn’t wait to reach there.

As we entered the splendid land of Dunedin, we understood why everyone recommended the place. It was no less than paradise on earth. Calm, serene, cool and soothing, I have no words to describe how amazing it felt to be in this beautiful place.

While I watched Fred capture the seabirds at Otago Peninsula, our first destination at Dunedin, I couldn’t help but thank the authorities for maintaining this place so well. We had the extreme pleasure of watching Northern Royal Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Wandering Albatross, White Capped Albatross, Sooty Shearwaters, Southern Giant Petrels, Bullers Shearwaters, Australasian Gannets, Fairy Prion among a range of pelagic birds.

Next, we moved on to Orokonui Ecosanctuary where we got a chance to see the flightless giant rails, Takahe that I had always read about. In a matter of hours, we had already gone berserk over the variety of fauna we had got to see there including kaka, tui, silvereye, bellbirds, brown creeper, grey warbler, rifleman, jewelled gecko, Otago skink, etc. A walk through the tracks of this sanctuary made me realize how less I had seen the beauty of my own land.

It was enlightening to see the little blue penguin touted as the smallest penguin in the world. I saw Natalie squeal in excitement when she saw the small little creature. While Fred’s DSLR came out once again, I found myself wondering at the miracles God had left for us on earth and how we misused it. I was amazed to see how a small little creature managed to give us a thrill and a chance to admire beauty at its best.

How do small little things in life give you happiness, I had always questioned people and now I came to know why the joy of owning  MAC lippies and Mango collection faded away but the weekend trip remained in my mind forever.

Note: This post came around out of nowhere. Probably because I have been fantasizing about this place too much :)

  

 

Press Release: Guess who made Parineeti’s Day?

Ever thought you’d wish for something and you have it at the drop of a hat? Jabong.com, recently extended their warmth and love to Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra, by delivering smile at her doorstep. Jabong.com, India’s leading fashion destination that caters to the fashion needs of modern India turned as a genie for the peppy and spunky Bollywood’s actress.

Stemming from a twitter post by Parineeti where she expressed her love for crop tops, Jabong made a selection from a plethora of fashionable apparel available on their website and delivered some trendycrop tops to Parineeti. How a simple imagination worked a treat for Parineeti!

The crop tops were sent across with a personal note by Mr. Praveen Sinha, Founder and MD, Jabong.com.

It is equally important to teach boys not to rape, to respect women and inculcate in them the virtues of kindness: Prachi Priyanka

When I got in touch with the vivacious Dr. Prachi Priyanka, I noticed she had a cheerful smile on her face. Within a few minutes of talking, I came to know its beauty of her heart that reflects in her face. A dynamic personality that she, Prachi happens to be the Creative Head at Morsels & Juices. She holds a doctorate degree in English literature and conducts creative writing workshops for young learners. She enjoys weaving articles on various topics ranging from art criticism to book reviews and relationships to recipes. 

Prachi is a contributing author in three short story anthologies: Crumpled Voices, Mighty Thoughts and The Zest of Inklings. Her articles, stories and poems have been published on several online magazines and journals. She writes with equal ease in English as well as Hindi and her works are published in both the languages. Conflicts and contradictions that emerge in human relationships fascinate her to the core and her writings are often spilled with varying shades of experiences that intrigue her. She is a fun-loving person blessed with beautiful family and a bunch of good friends. She likes to learn languages, read books, write blogs, watch movies, experiment art, enjoy cooking, make memories and stay happy.

In a candid chat with me, Priyanka reveals about issues close to heart and how we can help create a difference in the society.

1. How does it feel to be a part of 'Crumpled Voices'?

Fortunate, Fulfilling.Fearless.

2. Tell us something about yourself.

Thank you Harshita for having me here. I was born in the silk city, Bhagalpur, completed my schooling from De Nobili School, Chandrapura, did my graduation from Banaras Hindu University, and finally obtained my doctorate degree in English literature from Patna University. Presently, I am associated with Morsels & Juices as its Creative Head and also run English creative writing workshops for young learners. I like to take new challenges, explore possibilities, work hard, think positive and create happiness within and around me. I love to meet people, make friends and treasure memories.

3. Tell us something about your writing journey.

I dwell in the world of words. They hold me, haunt me, touch me, tease me, move, mould me – and make me what I am today. Writing came naturally to me – You can say, it’s in my genes! My mother writes in Hindi and has published several novels and poetry collections. As for me, I have always loved writing – in English as well as Hindi - somehow, finding it easier to communicate through written texts than spoken words. I have been writing on and off – working with the editorial team for school magazine, scribbling poems during college lectures, penning down articles for online journals and now weaving stories for various anthologies. Crumpled Voices is my first step into the world of publishing and I am especially grateful to Pulkit Gupta and Ila Garg for coming up with an anthology that revolves around societal evils – the need of the hour.

4. Tell us something about your story. What instigated you to pen down a story on this issue?

The complications in human nature have always appealed to me. My story ‘The Paradise’ is a thought provoking journey of a couple very much in love, and yet something is missing – and so it crumples.

I have been married for fifteen years and the story has found its way out from the issues that have engaged me often – something like: Is love enough to make you stay in a marriage? Can there be a perfect marriage? Should perfection be sought after? What makes a home a paradise? If you were to marry Apsara – would you have been able to live happily ever after?

5. Name one social evil that as per you needs major attention.

Though corruption is a global phenomenon, in India it thrives on the nexus between bureaucracy, politics and criminals. We all love to hate it, and yet ironically, corruption exists in us, deep rooted – following us like the hutch dog. Spreading like an epidemic disease; adversely affecting investment and economic growth of our country. The sad part is that we spend all our time blaming officials and the government – never take the onus. We need to realize that the change has to begin with ourselves.

6. What do you think can be done to curb such practices?

The sad part is that we spend all our time blaming officials and the government – never taking the onus ourselves. We need to realize that the change has to begin with ourselves. Taking responsibility instead of pointing fingers is necessary if we want things to change. ‘Crumpled Voices’ is an initiative to raise awareness on different social issues that curb our growth as individuals and as a nation.

7. If you were given a chance to help eradicate a social evil, what would it be and how would you fight the same?

The rise in rape victims making headlines all over India leaves me agitated – feeling terrible and tormented. Every day we encounter such cases of brutal and spine-chilling stories that disturb me as a woman. If you ask me how I would fight it – the only refrain is that the attitude towards women must change; the legal process of dealing with crime must speed up and men must be educated and sensitized about women’s issues. As a mother of two boys, I feel it is equally important to teach boys not to rape, to respect women and inculcate in them the virtues of kindness that will go a long way in building a beautiful tomorrow for our children.

8. Name one social organization that you feel is working in the most progressive manner.

I feel deeply for women empowerment and feel it is very important to support the cause of girl education. Illiteracy breeds ignorance and fear that only increases her vulnerability to be exposed to lifelong abuse, suppression and exploitation. I appreciate the noble cause of project ‘Nanhi Kali’,which aims to provide primary education to girl children in India. The Project was founded with a strong belief that educated women would not only contribute to the economy but also issues of population and social evils like the dowry system and child marriage would reduce as more women are educated. Established in 1996, the organization has grown hugely now to support the education of approximately 1500000 girls. I would surely like to contribute to more projects that support such causes and help in our nation’s development.

9. Lastly, is there a message you would like to convey your readers.

Follow your heart. Find your voice. Create new horizons. 

 

We wish Prachi all the success for life. May you accomplish your everything under the sun! :)

Purchase link of Crumpled Voices: http://bit.ly/1m5MnwV

Connect with her at prachi.writes@gmail.com