HOPE

Lock down has been inspiration, yes it was.... It is still. I started penning my thoughts on paper.I started blogging,  I started my online coaching as well as I learned a lot from various webinars. I got an opportunity  to explore online ativities.

Recently  I came across a social group which was related  to planting. I always wanted to have small terrace garden. We did plant some and loved taking care of them. During lock down when there was lot of negativity around those tiny little leaves always inspired us. When watered it  felt so amazing to eyes. Many smiles with blooming flowers gave peace to eyes. We have tried having a small kitchen garden also. I planted some essential  herbs like curry  leaves, coriander, mint, onion, garlic, and some creepers. With limited space we sometimes failed and sometimes the plant refused to grow in to small pots. 

I guess plants also felt that viral discussion in the air and decided to survive. Some amazing results of many stems and plants were seen when kept in water. It gave such hope.

Curry leaves always refuse to grow, no matter you get sapling. I call it the most adamant plant. But even the stick when kept in water showed small leaves grown on it. 

We have been associated with hope to get promotions, our children to grow upright way, get married and settled, we hope for a beautiful home to live in, a healthy body, and much more.

In the last some months we have been talking a lot about medicines, change in lifestyle, exercise, yoga, maintaining routine activities, correcting nutrition working from home, increasing immunity, and much more. Each of these things has shown their place but there is one thing that every human being on this planet has but do not much speak about it HOPE. We do not speak much but silently we have it within us hoping and wishing for things.

When it comes to any disease the thing that comes first is a big load of fear with it, Fear is exactly the opposite to Hope. Fear limits us to every positive thought. Hope heals in every possible way. People travel thought the world to treat diseases like cancer, TB, AIDS, they do so may treatments but the first and last much-needed thing which is not given is Hope.

Remember the doctors in the movie somewhere in 70’s would always say, you are late, Agar thoda jaldi atay to shayad Kuch kar sakte the, third stage pain hain, can’t help. And the patient would ask Kitna time hain mere pass?

Isn’t it losing hope completely and accepting? It’s almost a fear-induced market around. Saying this to the patient is taking away his hope completely.

Look around there are people who actually are living life to the fullest these days at home, in limited resources, just because they know the situation is critical and there are chances, of getting infected. Of course, there is a cure to Corona, but the fear that we see in the market is due to the phase that we have seen and have been through for months.

Remember Rajesh Khanna in ‘Anand’ the character actually lives the life to fullest when he comes to know that he has less time, he challenges the verdict of doctors and enjoys every moment of life. 

When a patient is told he has limited time at the time the patient’s body and mind give up. We have been listening to two types of people around, who have lost their loved once and those who have fought the Virus and came out of it successfully. While we feel low at the death figure, we do not feel good and inspired by the real COVID fighters……negative media.

Replace that FEAR with HOPE and a positive attitude.

You cannot live life like this just sitting at home getting scared of some virus. You can work on your body your physical as well as mental health. Take precautions and use various tools like Mask, Sanitizers, soaps, avoid crowding, have healthy food, and most important HOPE……HOPE that my month-old sapling gave me.

I thought it's dead  but it actually turned up today morning wishing me a good beginning of the day.... Felling so positive and full of HOPE.

Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all

Emily Dickinson

Ek smile de… thodi hass jara......

Smile a beautiful expression. The best curve of your body. And believe me it is contagious. It brings that spark to those plain eyes. Every individual today is struggling trying to find meaning out of life. We all have become so busy, so engrossed in our lives that we actually have forgot to live it.

In this rat race we our self have forgotten to smile, enjoy life, so giving that smile to some else is out of question, isn’t it?

There is book named “Who will cry when you die” Apart from what is inside the book, what do you the think title says? 

Think what will people talk about you when you are not around? GUESS?

What you want people to say about you is in your hands, you can do it by the way you want people to talk about you. Like if you wish people should say he/she was a good human being, very kind and lovely person, u need to be one.

If you want one to say you have lovely smile, you need to give that smile to people around. Today when all are dealing with social distancing issue, believe me people are treating each other so badly. Even I see people around me who hesitate to smile at each other.

People are closing doors on each other’s face. Social distancing has converted to emotional distancing. It’s ok not to touch each other as need of an hour, but treat each other as human.

I remember in 2020 due to pandemic how northeast girl was treated by a man at a mall when he literally spit at her. How could one?

Despite all the hurry in our life we can stop for a minute to make life beautiful and world a lovely place to stay, leaving a mark behind where ever you go. Here wherever means any place like clinic, market, park, school, and workplace. Help the needy, we are lucky enough to be one who can help than the one who needs help.

Sometimes our little gestures make a lot of difference, brings smile on some ones face. A small deed of random kindness can do wonders. Giving a tip at big restaurants is a style, or say a gesture that makes increases your status. Why not give some extra money to those who delivered milk, grocery, eggs and essentials to us during pandemic. While we were in lockdown they doctor, staff, sweepers helped us in recommendable way, give it a thought.

Some simple ideas can be complimenting someone. Complementing may make the person happy and make him feel more confident. A small help offered by you to unknown person will go long way. You may find many thieves in public places but you never know who is the real needy person?

We have a sunday market near my house, where we often go for veggies and some shopping. One day I lost my husband wallet to a thief. I was extremely low and cried my heart out. I was very low as I lost all his cards, and some heavy cash. I was feeling so bad that couldn’t forgive myself for that negligence.

To my surprise my husband explained me “You never know the person must be needy and may be money was needed in hospital or some good deed” I felt so amused at his way of thinking.

To our surprise he got call from unknown person wherein we got his cards and wallet back with no money. Thief had thrown it at some railway station. So believe in “Achay logon ksaath hamesha acha hota hain”

I had lost originals to a thief while I was travelling to office in a train, but I didn't get it back. Bad meee !!

Always stay positive, be kind have empathy. Universe is like a mirror, it reflects back whatever you give. So give out positivity, give good vibes and so will you get.

We say what you sow shall you reap”

Humans can go on and on talking about themselves, try a give an ear to someone who needs it. Offer advice wherever needed. Maybe we will have less suicidal news, Fewer thefts, less bad energy.

Do not hold yourself back if you wish to help someone. You will not lose by doing something good but will lose if you hold back.

Simple activity of removing the stone from midst of road may save accidents. What say?

Remember smile is key that fits in every heart. You cannot change the world by smiling but yes if you even smile at one person making a difference then go ahead and bless that one soul. Let your radiance flow wherever you go.

Social Media Trap

Social media allows people to be expressive in a virtual world, it is also important to be expressive in your real world, but it's easier when its virtual, don’t get confused, be you on and off social media, don’t become lost in the facade you create for the virtual world.

Social media is a boon and a curse. It really depends on what you are using it for and how you use it and how much you use it. You cannot make it in either side. Many people spiral into depression and sadness when they think their lives and what they have and how they are living is inadequate compared to the lives they see on social media, Which believe me is not real. 

Of course, you can use social media to learn, inspire, share, educate etc, and then you can use it to feel good about yourself or get locked into watching the lives of other people. Things you should remember, take care of when you are on social media--

The lives of most people, your social media friends would appear like they have done well, but a lot of them are lacking many things like they are really living off parents wealth, living in homes of their parents, flaunting clothes, Jewelry, cars, etc that don’t really belong to them. It's just that you can't see beyond. A lot of people own material things on loan, which in a way is not really theirs until they pay off the loan. It’s easy to take loans and show the world a life that is not real.

Everything you see does not have to be real. There are a lot of fake things around, which look real. Artificial things look lovely and interesting.

A lot of people search for validation on social media, and that's the worst place to get validation from, that is the virtual world. You need to connect with reality for your living and unfortunately most of the virtual world is nowhere close to the real world it's very far from reality of life. 

A lot of people have fake lives. Be careful of all the people who teach you ways to hack certain parts of your lives. These are lies. Certain or actually almost all aspects of your life need self-discipline, consistency and there are no shortcuts. THERE ARE NO Shortcuts.

Understand the power of light and photography and how it can make body’s and body parts look different from real life and don’t get sucked into that lie ...If you need to look to social media for constant advice on how to dress, how to date, whom to date, sex etc, your life is pretty shallow and you need to really work at less social media time and more time figuring out and being more of you, living the real you, using wisdom, instinct etc ....

If you constantly have to refer to social media all the time to validate every part of your life, you are empty, you don’t have a mind of your own and you need less social media time and more time healing. You need time away from the social media, be yourself. 

Then of-course you have apps that can make you think, lean, strong, skinny, muscular, fake abs, butts, lips, boobs etc .... and you see this in awe and then look at yourself and immediately feel inadequate. It's just a way marketing their product differently and earning making you feel, dull, obese, ugly and low. 

Before you start your day with social media sit back and reflect on why you are on it or why you are going to spend time on it. Enter it with a mission, be it to learn, share, inspire, motivate, pass time, or is it because it is going to fill some void in you ...know this, be mindful ....think patiently. 

Be aware of people who promise you quick money making schemes ....if they really worked or were sustainable, everyone would be doing it, but everyone isn’t, so be mindful about this.

Always remember to apply your mind, use your own common sense, wisdom, intuition and instinct. Social media is full of people’s opinions, including mine, but have a mind of your own, take what you need, leave what you don’t need everyone is different. What worked for someone doesn’t have to work for you.

A lot of fad spirituality shoes us that we need to give up on life and move to the mountains to find peace and happiness, it can work, but it's not the only way. The kingdom of heaven is within you and you should be able to be spiritually remain grounded amidst chaos and life. 

In short, most of the answers we are looking for when it comes to life, living, spirituality, will be found while living your life, your real life with consciousness and awareness ....so keep social media in balance, use it well.

Alexander and Porous

I was almost on clouds, like every girl is when she is about to be a bride. While I was ending my spinsterhood my new life was peeping in all newzz. New city, new relations and a new role. Everything was getting converted legally IN LAW….every relation now had that as suffix. Daughter-in-law, Sister-in-law etc. I was legally doing shopping now and no one was stopping me. I had so many thoughts about what I will wear and how I will present myself, prepare myself for new phase of my life.

I met my in laws when they had been to my place. A car stopped at our gate, while we directed to park it inside the compound, a  seventy year old royal personality got down from the car. He was in blue formals with no cresses on it and black shining shoes. His white hairs shined with the glow of his life’s  experience . He walked with pride followed by my Mother in law and his son. He had those sharp moustache turned upwards called Handle bar Moustache. Retired from a Bank he had that slow and steady but prompt ascent and choice of words while he spoke. During the very first interaction he asked me many questions but one I remember was do you cook non-veg or are only fond of eating? Followed by a sweet and mischievous smile. His love for non veg easily reflected from his question. He was very polite and used more of English language while he spoke, being more expressive and comfortable  in English.

While they were about to leave he got shoe hand from his car door cavity. It reflected their hygiene importance in life which normally gets ignored by that age. I really admired them for it.

I was shopping I was in discussion with my mother in law for choice of colours or their preference. Thou I was keen on my choices I was trying to understand their preference and culture as well. While  I was very much in discussion with my mother in law, I hardly spoke to my father in law. One day he grabbed the phone and asked me why did I did not talk to him often as I did with my Mother in law.

I had no answer for it, but I just explained it that I was discussing about shopping and she was the better one to answer those queries. Getting an opportunity to talk , I asked him, what should I call you? 

He Said, Have you heard of Alexander and Porus? I replied positively. He further added when Alexander had caught Porus, he asked Porus how I treat you. To which Porus replied “Treat me as a king would treat with another King”

So treat me as you treat your father, what do you call him? I answered Papa. He further added so you can call me ‘Papa’.

I found a father in Father in law while I stood in the selecting a Sari for my grand occasion.

My first interaction with him as a daughter in law was very memorable .what was yours?

My kitchen turned 🌈 rainbow

 

While lock down has tested everyone’s patience I am not different. My four year old and 35 year old kid both have joined to test my patience. It being almost four months my stress level has increased more than ever.

While the routine got disturbed completely in the beginning due to lot of lovey dovey activities and family time together, it impacted directly to my nerves. At times I wish I could beg Cinderella's fairy godmother  to have a  spell turning both of them to silent pumpkins. 

It took me equal time to get these two kids for breakfast, lunch and dinner on table. Minimum five calls was the limit. One day I actually thought I would fall short of voice and end up being Jaya Bhaduri of Koshish.

After almost two months when I gave up on cooking, utensils and mopping Finally Annapurna Goddess blessed my 35 year old to cook. Such things happen once in full moon and hence it is never the daily Dal Chawal menu, it turns out to be Chinese or something exclusive with many sauces and flavours. While he kept asking for every ingredient the moment I sat in the chair in drawing room. I preferred the list of things so that I can give at once, to which he smartly replied was no you don’t worry, I will find out you relax.

Musical banging and stirring could be heard along with utensils jumping from the kitchens slab. Before I could smell some burning the exhaust started covering the music and burning smell.

My four year old foal jumping all over feeling happy of something new happening around gave me the live commentary. She ran with messages from drawing room to kitchen and vice versa.

While relaxing I was giving him tips and alternate option for any ingredient. Finally after Two hours he came out with a fork with a testing food on it ,which was directly inserted in my throat. It tasted comparatively good as it was his first try.

I woke up to my dream when I actually saw my kitchen…seems it was something like a earthquake or like someone has just run over it or what my eyes couldn’t believe what was that.

I could easily count now how many pans, pots, spoons and dishes I have in my kitchen.....once I do my utensils. 

My black slab of the kitchen has turned into rainbow; turmeric had jumped on the chilli powder along with some corn flour sprayed on all the utensils around along with the handle of the fridge. The green coriander was decorated on the white wall and white marble has all spray drops like rain of all the tadkas he gave….wow that’s the day off from cooking.

 

Disclaimer: The blog is based on imagination and do not resemble to any person around you in your house. The person portrayed in the blog may seem like your husband but that’s a mere coincidence.  

Increasing Domestic Violence

The domestic violence act is made for the effective protection of the rights of women from any kind of violence. We have heard that domestic violence has increased like never before during the lockdown, what does that mean?

If you think you are not treated the way you should be resulting in physical or mental hurt, stress, or violence, it may be domestic violence. DV is a serious threat to women by husband, family members, or in-laws. It is not only heated arguments but physical torture, emotional, or even economic abuse.

Many times women do not even understand what is domestic violence and remain in the cycle of violence. She stays in abusive relationships because of society or family pressures. Remember the movie Thappad? Not only Tapsee Pannu’s character but also her maids’ character gives you a clear idea of self-esteem and domestic violence. Having self-esteem is very important for one to live a normal life.

Domestic violence is the best tool to fight against violence, gives power to women, thou there are some opportunistic women in society who try to abuse the legal system by misusing it. So it’s always a tool used in divorce cases. If you see carefully in the movie Thappad she never mentioned she was abused by domestic violence but was just against the slap she got form her husband, that’s self-esteem. 

Woman exposed to  DV goes thru a lot of guilt, confusion, self-blame, and shame as they love their partners. A lot of them feel hopeless, stuck, and helpless in such situations. But speaking about it is the only way out. Women think there is no way out of DV, but staying in abusive relationships may put her life at risk. It may extend to your family also, like Children always suffer due to violence and abusive relationships.

At times you feel abused in a loving relationship, but it is not clear if it really can be termed abuse. Actually in such cases the abuser, the husband also doesn’t understand he is doing wrong or even violating the women’s rights. The following points may help you identify and correct your abusive behavior. 

How to identify the red flags in your relation, here are some

• If your partner, in-laws, or family members are keeping a watch on you, like where you go, whom you meet, or other activities.

• Demanding your passwords to private emails, phones, etc, expecting you to reply to texts and 

         messages immediately

• Discouraging you to see your friends or parents.

• Discouraging you to go to work.

• Constant accusing you of cheating

• Losing temper every now and then without a factual reason, resulting in panic or abusive language.

• Controlling how you spend your money, medicines

• Demeaning you, controlling your personal activities like what to wear, etc, which, is normally decided by an individual? 

• Physically harming or threatening you, humiliating in front of others

• Destroying your property you care about

• Beating, shoving, slapping, kicking, or pushing you using any weapon against you.

• Forcing to have sex or intimate activities

• Abetment or forcing to suicide

There is help available, many  NGO’s and various organizations that deal with DV as the main function. I have been associated with one NGO for about two years, they worked for unfortunate women free of cost Legal Aid for DV. It fought for the helpless women who suffered and finally decided to stand for themselves. Domestic violence is seen throughout all societies may be rich or poor. 

They help you by supporting you in providing shelter homes, guidance, and even counseling. Free Legal Aid is also made available to abused women. You can talk to someone who has been trained to help. DV can be taken care of by counseling and talking before it gets into practice and piling up.

The link below can give you a clear idea and help if required.

http://www.facebook.com/safety/domesticviolenceresources

It is very essential to speak out rather than suffering. There always a way out and the world stands out to help you. You will have to take one step for your self to make your life worth living and your kids live a stress-free life.

Loneliness... Call, ping... Message... Just talk

Its not easy fighting everyday with emotions to make it seems better... In this panademic many people are facing a toughest emotion that is "loneliness" "detached from the social circle" and a feeling of " nothing matters anymore" .....

People are suggesting each other to stay positive , but its not easy to follow an advice just because somebody said so....the inner feelings at times are not being identified, it's just feeling unrealistic, unreliable, helpless and just running away with no end. We are so much isolated with our prolems and our thoughts that we complete  ignore the world around.

Coming across so many suicide news this time... I wondered , did they need somebody to talk to? Its just that we are realising this more in pandemic, else it's happening all around. It's just that we realised it more in film industry, bollywood, TV serials, but let us not forget our farmers who committed  suicide.

I had mentioned  in my earlier blog about getting rid of suicidal  thoughts and distract  yourself. 

Refer https://meshirish.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-life-loses-hope-suicide.html

Do u know what they needed at that time when they decided to end everything? Reason is not important, important  is the feeling they got .... loneliness. The fact to ponder upon is that they felt helpless and were sure no one on this earth can help them. 

One of the basic  reasons is the connect we have. The families are not close knit as they were earlier. We are approachable on mobiles and stay connected by various social platforms, still we lack the intensity and warmness in relations. 

A non - judging person who could have smiled and said , let make everything okay for u..! Don't wait for non judging person, don't worry about judging people.. Kuch to log kahenge.. Don't worry.

Everybody around judges you based your actions and acts. It's difficult to open up. In difficult times people do not find  anyone to rely on. 

Through this post I am trying to reach out to many of you...I will be happy to help even one person thru this. You can call up helplines  for suicidal thoughts. You can call or see some doctor, do not distance yourself. 

The suicidal thought may relieve you of something which is not as important as your life leaving you loved ones shattered. Think about everyone around who is waiting for your call, your smile, to hear from you. 

Before taking such harsh step, just look back what has taken you to reach this pedestral. Remember all the pains you or your family has been through  to reach this level.  Your family will never ever think of living without you or you finishing  your own life. 

Human mind is so complex and has so many facets.. it's time people gave mental health as much importance.. often people going through mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia or other disorders are labeled and stigmatized..some times even ostracized. 

I think we just need to start being nice to people..coz we don't know what someone is going through... Today unfortunately we all are in a phase where we are struggling, coping up, striving and some may be crumbling without showing any signs... let's all be a little more tolerant,less judgemental and simply be there for each other.

#mentalhealth

Please talk... Please help each other...! Please give each other a chance to breathe for each other...!! 

I am a phone call away... I promise I won't judge you or keep it with me. You can trust me. 

I am not a certified consultant or expert for any psychological studies but, I voluntarily offer my help to anyone in need of a positive emotional charge. I will try to talk and listen to you if in need for support. 

In case you need

Please stay happy and positive and Remember..this is not the end! 🙏

Ping! Call! Do anything ... But talk..!

Loss of companion...

My Neighbourhood aunty inspired me to write this blog. She is almost in her seventies, all alone. Uncle expired last year resulting her to stay alone. She had three daughters all married. 

She recently shifted near my place. Aunty was bit reserved earlier. She used to take tuitions for kids. Sudden announcement of lockdown stopped her tuitions and simultaneously blocked her mode of getting busy. More than money I guess it was her tool of spending her day. One day while I was cleaning the veranda, she also happened to open the door. I smiled and that is where conversations started.

I helped her with a self help book and started talking to her assisting her as and when needed. But I guess that was not enough. I wished I could do something more for her.

Finally the catch was she was suffering because of the loneliness. She kept thinking and that was hurting her. She was unable to sleep. After discussion with her, I happened to talk to of my husband’s uncle, whose wife –Aunty expired a year back. He was also alone but he was managing. He was also facing challenges living alone in his house.

Losing a spouse can be devasting whether the death is sudden or as result of prolonged illness. Between intense emotions, lifestyle changes and many practical considerations that accompany the death of spouse, one feels anxious and over whelmed about future.

It’s difficult to live without a partner with whom you have spend some years of your life to the extent of getting used to each other. It’s like a habit. You never know how death would come? Facing sudden change in life is very difficult  and painful. It can be overcomed by doing some things for your own self as follows-

Go easy on yourself: There is no right way to feel after your spouse is no more. Various variables contribute to your feelings like how long you both lived happily, about your children’s age and how dependant you are. You may feel heartbroken anxious and shocked. You may feel less fortunate to live without him/her. Your friend and family may not know what to say and how to console, doesn’t mean they do not care. You may want to talk about your spouse but they may avoid doing so to avoid hurting you.

You should have your individual routine: Many times we have collective routines. But your routine should not be hampered by loss of spouse or any others actions. Do not hold back, follow your routine strictly. Keep yourself busy, even resting should be part of your busy routine. Do not overload your or be harsh, just have your time, take rest have peace of mind, from where ever you get it. Have light activities to cheer your mood. Like playing with your grandchildren, just visiting park with them.

Dealing with your interests:  Your partner’s interest may differ from yours. You may or may not have taken up your interests when your spouse  was around.  You should be in touch of your interests. Give some time for your hobbies and ideas. Spend some time alone the ME time. It is seen that partners follow each others lives and dislikes. They actually  forget their  interests. You should have your list of things to do so that you keep yourself occupied. If you like reading, try read more positive books. Self help books in such situation can be good mind exercise. If you were associated with some activities go for it, like painting, gardening.

Practicing Yoga and exercise: Doing exercise and Yoga should be as important as we breathe. Yoga not only helps you keep physically fit but helps you keep your mind calm and healthy. You should have enough sleep, as resting is best tool to good health. Keep a fixed routine of workout; join yoga class or a walking group if needed to mind the routine. Having accompany may push you or encourage you to do activities keep you moving and healthy.

Having healthy diet:  Eating healthy food, having good diet, is very important to stay healthy. Always have fresh and warm food. Ensure you eat fresh vegetables and fruits.  Maintain your food intake rather than drowning in sorrow by excessive drinking or crying, or even thinking. You have no appetite but you will have to keep good diet.

Surround yourself with positive people: Always have good and positive people around you. Try and join a group may be Yoga class, Kitty group, Satsang, anything that interests you. Seek support avoid feeling lonely and depressed. You may likely turn inward, but you will feel better if you seek support, love, care from friend, family even religious committees. At times joining group of people who are grieving may also help. If you had some group you were a part of as a couple, share your feelings there, you may feel better.

Your care takers or doctors can assist you to get similar groups of your age to get associated with. It’s difficult to live without partner, but giving it a try to live healthy will help you have better life than burying yourself in sorrow and making life miserable. 

Remarry :I remember  some years back one old man stayed next to my mummy's place. He must be above 70's. He was staying alone and was quiet disciplined. One fine day it came to our knowledge  that he got remarried. Marrying at that age was the topic of gossip all around. I remember even his daughter we were married and settled  were quiet unhappy  about his marriage. I was too young to understand  but I could make out he did something  very wrong. Today I understand  how important  it was for him to have a companion at that age. I don't find anything  wrong in it. 

Due to pandemic many youngsters  have lost their spouse or partners. It very difficult  to console  them. But ideally they should go ahead and join their work, job, or respective fields than mourning for their deaths. That's the best way to keep themselves busy as life doesn't stop and no one actually can be there for you serving you and sharing  your sorrow throughout your life. 

Life goes on you will have live it. So make the best out of it. I know many people who have lost their spouse but have managed to stay stronger and keep up with good health and routine. So can you cheer up and move ahead.

I would expect the readers to share this with especially those who need it. Just a word of support  means a lot at such Phase of life. 

World through those tiny eyes...

Baba is not going to court for some days and mummy is also relaxed. She sleeps till late, there is no cooking hurry. There is no school. And everybody is at home but in their house. 

I have many friends in school and in my society. Daksha, Shuddhi, and Krishna are my best friends. Mummy says Dakshu and Shuddhi are elder to me, but as I am as tall as Dakshu is. I study in Nursery. I love my teacher but mummy says she is dumb. Maybe, because mummy wants her to speak in English in class, but she Hindi also. Now Krishna has gone to her grandparents. So I Dakshu and Shuddhi play every day.

Mummy did not allow me to go out of the house for one month. One month I played with mummy and baba. We had so much fun. We enjoyed so many new toys. Mummy and papa also played with me. I have so many new games. The treasure hunt is my favorite because I get some surprise gifts at the end of the game. Peppa pig gets gold coin chocolates. I have asked mummy to get me those coins.

I have a big house very very big such that we three can sit in it. I have a cooking set also, I cook for my toys. My dolls love my food, especially omelet. I have two more houses, one is a small house very very small, the tiny dolls stay in it another is a piggy bank. Piggybank doesn’t look like a piggy, it has animals on it. It has a tiger and elephant on it. Now I know tigers are stripped and leopard spots on it. I take all my dolls to play with me, I teach them. I am their teacher.

No one is coming out big virus corona has come. People feel ill if it catches them. My papa is a secretary and he works with Ganesh's uncle and his friends. They keep on telling everybody to avoid going out. But no one listens; I listen to my mom and dad. My society residents are going crazy to go out. Every day papa explains one person why we should not go out. 

Papa wears a mask every day, he got one mask for me also. When I wear masks no one recognizes me. I love my new mask. I have two colorful scarfs also. I have a small scarf for my baby doll also.

Mummy says it’s important to wash everything you buy from the market. She has asked me to wash hands frequently. I love my new hand wash, instead of washing hands I love making bubbles. Papa got me a new tiny hand sanitizer. He says using it will kill all bacteria and germs on my hand. I brush my teeth every day; papa says brushing regularly will kill the germs in my mouth. I brush twice a day; mummy says if I don’t brush twice my teeth would turn brown and black like one of my friends Manav. He has brown teeth. I have white teeth.

Mummy keeps running from one room to another, she says she is exercising. Baba also does exercise but we do it in one room. I also have dumbbells like baba. His dumbbells are very heavy. Mine is also heavy but I am very strong to pick them up. 

Nowadays papa helps Mumma a lot in her work, they are best friends like me and Daksha.Our kamwali aaji us not coming due to Corona. 

I and Dakshu love to dance. We have divided the song between both of us. We loved dancing in the rain also. We danced in the rain yesterday. I enjoyed dancing in rain but as the result of I had to drink yellow milk, mummy says turmeric is good for health. I will not get a cough and cold.

We have tied a bag with a long string in our balcony so that we don’t go out. Milkman puts milk packet in that bag and I love pulling it up. Today Ganesh uncle gave me chocolate in that bag.

Baba has grown a big beard. Mummy says it looks nice. Grandma doesn’t like it much. I also do not like. There is no place for me to kiss on his cheeks. I kiss his forehead for a good night.

Mummy and Papa keep doing some work on a laptop and they tell me they are studying. Its holidays but mummy makes me study every day. I miss my school but mummy says it is going to take time to reopen schools. They watch news early morning and become every serious. Then I put on my cartoon show. I love Masha and the Bear, Peppa pig, Fukrey kids, Ninja Hatori, and Puppy pals.

It is fun to be at home but I miss going to the garden . I miss all my friends from school. We do not to watch movies on the big screens now. I want to go out, but Mummy Papa also does not go out at all. So I need to be a good girl and stay at home. 

Grandparents are not babysitters

Grandparents, two elderly people in our family. Children are very fond of them; they are almost like good friends who enjoy playing with each other. The common thing is both are at the stage of enjoying their life. Grandparent support, guide and assist in raising children. My phone call with my in laws longs for more than an hour every day and ends with number of suggestions and advices for my kid by them. Today as both parents are working it becomes duty of grandparents to take care of children. Children love it when their grandparents pick them up from schools and classes. My daughter enjoys sharing each and every thing with her grandfather on phone call.

But, it cannot be their duty to take care of your children, they are not babysitters. They have done their part of parenting and so should we. Basically due to joint family system we tend to think that grandparents are supposed to take care of children when parents go to office. This thought process is just because we live together in one house. There is very clear order passed by Pune court against a maintenance plea by a lady saying’ its duty of parents and not the grandparents to take care of the children. They should not be burdened to babysit grandchildren by compromising their relaxation, entertainment and travel plans.

Almost 40% of ladies are unhappy if not getting support from their in laws in taking care of kids. They hold in laws responsible for putting children in crèche. Do they not have the right to enjoy their freedom in their own way? The fact is unknowingly we take them for granted. We should always have a system of asking before handing over the Child responsibility to them, ultimately they end up starting from scratch OF PARENTING.

Coming back to joint family, we actually expect them to skip their relaxation time, or Satsang time and run behind your little one, feed him till you reach home. You at times take liberty to send the last mail and reach home late, but they cannot have their own right to spend their time as they want.

Secondly grandparents may have different parenting approach and not all parents may be comfortable with it. Simple thing like afternoon nap to which you are not comfortable as the child may take long to sleep at night, but the oldies need an afternoon rest and may expect the child to have a nap.

We women want both the world our financial freedom and the family time and expect children to be bought up our way. You will definitely go through awkward situation in such case. Sometimes we are quite due to obligations, but at some point that may erupt in wrong way. Similarly, they may adjust for some time but later it may come up in different way of unpleasant experience.

A very thoughtful decision I took once I gave birth to my baby, I realized she is my husband and my prime the responsibility, hence I gave up my job to make peace with mother and carrier oriented girl in me. I was, and I am able to bring her up in my own way. Also, this avoided the unpleasant situation in me and my in laws. Leaving the job somewhere I felt like I lost my so-called independence in form of earnings, but with help my husband we both achieved happiness and peace of mind which I valued more over money!

During all this I realized grandparents need their own time personal space and would always love to live the way they want, like the way we want at this age. Growing older is not taking care of grandchildren. As a parent they must have sacrificed as we do for our kids, so why do they have keep doing same at this age of life.

You’re in laws may definitely adore your children more than you, but that doesn’t mean they would love to change diapers and feed them now and then. It’s primarily your duty and result of your decision. So take the decision of having a child only when you are ready to take the diaper changing responsibility.

Do not keep sulking about not getting their support, take charge of your parenthood. Believe me you will be a happier and peaceful Parent nurturing your child.

Oldies in our house are together for few more years. Yes that’s the fact, and they need to share some pleasant and lovely moments with each other. They may also have some memories to remember, some dreams yet to accomplish. They also had struggled life of their part and want to be at peace. Life is different now; we live in nuclear families, enjoy weekends, have parties, and live on our conditions. The generation whom we call grandparents lived in joint family, had more of social responsibilities. They had weekend but not like us to enjoy and party. Remember what your parents did on weekends. They are at phase where any one of them may leave another forever. They are more of friends now than husband and wife.

Let them live their way have peace and enjoy the retirement just sitting in the chair looking calmly at each other. 

Our new normal..

Change is the only a constant thing in our life. We change, adjust with the culture and as per surroundings we live in. Our food habits, our clothes, depends on the climatic condition, we wear Woolen in winter and cotton in summer. Circumstances change us as a human; we adapt the new lifestyle by accepting the change and doing necessary changes in our day-to-day habits. Human is also one of the animals on earth. We call ourselves developed, or advanced as we not only change but also adopt new things in life. 

As we all know shortly we all will be free to move around after two months or more. I am thinking about something beyond today and tomorrow. It is for sure that this pandemic will try our patience throughout the year. Let us understand this better and make life easier. New change in day to day life awaits us, for acceptance and following it with urge to overcome the hurdles of illness and pain and deaths around us. 

Daily activities may start like earlier but in some different way. Schools, college will function but from home that is Online studies. Corporate will function from home. There would be lesser traffic on road compared to the one before two months. 

But there is big list of things we will have to add in our daily routine and include in our day-to-day habits. 

We have heard a story Gulliver and Lilliput, remember the small tiny people Lilliput’s and the big huge Gulliver. I could not find anything better to compare or suggest for our future. Lockdown is called off in green zones but orange and red is going to take time, how much no one knows. Things are getting worse day by day, because of humans' negligence and misuse of freedom and opportunities given. Yes even now, I mean those big lines to buy liquor. Anyways this is not our today’s topic. Our topic is life is going to change from Gulliver to Lilliput.

Human has misused everything to extend from Gulliver to Lilliput. A grand big party for a one-year-old kid’s birthday is going to be like a real birthday now. Grand wedding celebrations inviting around a thousand people and a hundred variety of food are going to limit to maybe fifty with lesser food wastage. Weekend parties, visit to malls and movies, etc is going to be replaced by family lunch. It will be a totally different life, changed life that we will actually live. Holidays will be holidays and no more limited to shopping and Mall visits as Malls will be closed. If you meet any of your friends, you won't get the handshake or hug; it will be waving of hands, just a hi. We will have to see that we completely avoid it and join Indian culture by joining hands together saying ‘Namaste’.

While traveling, you will have companions, but no one will share your seat, or peep in your phone. You will be provided marks everywhere to stand on and be seated in metros and buses like we were given when we were in kinder garden, told by our teachers to stand on the mark.

It will be difficult to identify your friends as their face would be covered with masks. You may at times feel like attending the P. T class in school where you were asked to keep one hand gap in two people. Every entry and exit will be providing you hand sanitizers and sprays.

Welcome the new life with changes, but ensure you follow the 'MUST' things. Ensure the compliance to hygienic life, there may be no chance for error correction. The catch is the virus is spreading by touch and by cough and sneezing. The symptoms start with fever and throat infection. We need to stay away from anything that would cause throat infection and increase our immunity to avoid fever. If we take care of these basic rules we will definitely serve this pandemic. 

So Let’s see how our future is going to be, actually it’s going to be more of B2B… Back to basics, being more careful while following the class's first teachings. We will have to bring the good habits back which we have forgotten somewhere and miss at times due to other priorities of work. Hence, forth our priority has to be maintaining hygiene without any excuse. 

 Wash hand after regular intervals.

 Sanitize everything that you buy from the market...

 Avoid going to crowded places

 Avoid any family get together, function or events

 Remember to wash your hand before meals. 

 Cover your mouth with hanker chief when u cough or sneeze. 

 Always cover the food 

 Exercise daily

 Eat wholesome, fresh, and healthy food

Ensure you don't travel across unnecessary. Do not plan any event for the next year or two. If at all you are planning see that you do not make it a grand event, limit the list to few invites, or even avoid. Do not plan any outing a trip, picnic for next year.

The vaccine will be discovered but it will take more than a year to cover each and every person on earth. It's not going to be easy, our next year or more is going to be around the coronavirus. You will have to ensure you have good immunity so that you can serve this pandemic. You will have to be family person and will have to possibly stay at home. Plan more activities from home and avoid going out frequently or unnecessary.

It’s going to be tough but tough gets going…so practice. Try to make a schedule of shopping only needy things. This year’s all functions, festivals, and religious events are going to be on a smaller scale or even can be held back. The best example today stands at the GSB Ganapati festival which is postponed. 

You will have to behave that seriously like you behaved at the very beginning of the pandemic. 

Ensure 

 Only one person goes out of the house for household work, 

 Wash the used clothes immediately or keep them in sunlight for some hours, the same thing applies to anything that you buy. 

 For the next one year, you cannot add the grocery direct to your shelves, without exploring it to sanitizer’s sprays, sunlight, or detergent wash.

 To add on protective tools you will have to use full sleeves, along with hand gloves, scarf or masks, etc.

If at all anyone gets infection have empathy, support the person, and give him the willpower and hope to overcome the situation. Please mind that the recovery rate is good as compared to deaths. 

This is something we need to do for individuals, but what about our duty towards the nation. We are going to fall short of something like blood, beds in hospitals, sanitizers, and face masks. Food provisions, grocery, milk provisions, medicines. See how can we contribute. Contribute to National cleanliness by not spitting on roads.

As schools will start we will need books, why not have second-hand books as we do not know if due to lockdown the books are printed or not. Maybe our books can help some poor or just a needy who is unable to go out or unable to buy them.

It was a critical time, businesses have closed, people have lost jobs and the economy is at its lowest. Let us encourage and help people find the right jobs, direct them to the right path, help People fight depression. Things will take time to fall in place but we will have to show the strength and spirit. 

Some of you may come with suggestions, then why call off the lockdown, let it continue for a month or more. Guys, you must have heard of economic crises, we are not doing well economically. People do not have money, they have lost jobs, they have migrated back to their states, maids, drivers all are suffering. Government can't help everybody directly, we will have to take initiative and help people around us. 

One more important thing to consider while we were in lockdown we were served by people like doctors, milkman, sweeper, watchman, police whom we have always taken for granted. Respect and make peace with such professions. Do not forget to appreciate them.

We have lost much more than we thought but our steps to control the spread and serve the pandemic calls for applause for all of us. We may never have such a situation in the future, but serving one more year or two with courage is something we all should look forward to.