A Perfect Start

Sanitation and hygiene begins at Home!

The daily news on the TV was discussing energetically about the "Swachh India", a nationwide campaign for a clean and hygienic India.

Kavitha came out of the kitchen with a tea in her hand. She was headed towards her only son Rahul who was busy getting ready for his college.

"Didn't you mention me something related to this event, Rahul?" she asked her son pointing to the TV.

Rahul nodded as he took the tea from his mom.

"My class is participating in this event under my guidance starting from today. We will start cleaning our college and then slowly we will start volunteering to clean several parts of our city," he answered proudly.

Kavitha observed at her son for a moment.

Without wasting much time, she said "Just a minute son. I got something to show you," and she hurried towards his bedroom.

Soon, she came out calling for her son.

Rahul responded, but he stopped halfway and stood staring at his mom. He understood what his mom wanted to convey him. He sighed with a smile on his face.

"Oh, Mom..." he muttered. He then took the mirror from his mom and went inside the bathroom.

In a moment, he came out clean and fresh. Not even a stubble was to be seen.

Rahul's mom popped her son’s collar and said, "A perfect day starts from the perfect look and my son, you have it now". She looked pleased.

Rahul hugged his mom and went his way for doing his little bit for a cleaner and hygienic India.

This  post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at Blogadda in association with Gillette.

Accepting tag from Bhawya of Bhawish Kitchen. And tagging friends - Tarun, Bhawya, Someone is Special and Ganga.

A Profile Named "Arjun"

The screen in front of me shone brightly with the words “Bharat Matrimony”. It has been a day that I had created my profile on their website. And requests have already started pouring in.

But, I was busy typing something from my mobile on to the search bar.

Profile ID: xxxxxx

Arjun. He had called me in my mobile that afternoon in my office and introduced himself.

He said he liked my profile in Bharat Matrimony and gave his profile ID telling me that if I was okay with his profile, he could ask his parents to speak to my parents.

After that talk, I felt nervous and at the same time wanting to see his face. He sounded soft and well mannered.

That evening,

My heart was pounding fast. It seemed ages for the website to load.

And in a flash, his profile appeared on the screen

My sister who was standing nearby looked his profile closer and said,” Damn, he looks good but something is missing. Do you like him?”

For a moment, I was silent. Then I replied, “Yes, but those stubble…"

She chuckled, "Yes, It looks like he had a love failure or something.”

I pretend to be cross and said, “It does not mean that I hate stubble. It is not well trimmed to suit his personality.”

Suddenly, my mobile beeped and I saw a message from him, “Am I okay?”

Without a second thought, I messaged him. There was no reply. And I was blaming myself.

Next day, there was a reply from him asking me to see his profile again.

I rushed to my laptop. Arjun had updated his profile.

The well groomed face in the profile, without a word told that he was already in love with me. So am I.

----------------> Good Impression = Better chances for Arjun <----------------------

This  post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at Blogadda in association with Gillette.

"An instance when a stubble came in the way of a man's chance to make a good impression." 

Accepting tag from Someone is Special of Fewmiles. And to my friends who are interested in #WillYouShave, here is my tag - Vishal, Anita, Bhawya, Someone is Special and SG.

Predict your Luck with the Lucky 6 Game

Lottery - a word well known and is cherished by a common man for winning something big. But unfortunately, winning is very slim and not all are lucky to get returns on what they spend in buying the tickets. I have seen one of my uncle spend a little of his earnings every year on buying lottery tickets in the hope of winning a lottery. But, it has been a decade and he has not won much. Yet, his hope still remains. After all, in this materialistic world many things depend upon pure luck following hard-work.

I have often wondered what luck means and how wonderful is to be lucky. Though I am not a fan of lottery, there was one time I had been lured to try People Postcode lottery after reading about the high chances of winning through a reputed website. After that, now again I wanted to test lady luck as I had a chance of trying a new and unique app called as "Lucky 6" by Fat Cat gaming. To play this game, you don't need to spend a dime. The game is completely free and you also have a great chance to cash in.

Why lucky 6? I got the answer to this question when I downloaded the game to play. Lucky 6 is a unique concept which is crowdfunded and is an alternative to traditional lottery, or in simple terms it is a mobile lottery. And having played the game for some time now, I found the whole idea of the app was simple. It is not just luck but also depends upon your knowledge of the current stock market, a money minting word today.

My knowledge of stock market is too slim to explain how exactly it works and all thanks to the daily news which helps me know which stock rose and which slipped behind giving me a faint idea of the stock market. I also learnt about the large positive returns through stocks by people investing either through a broker or through the company they work. A lot of reputed brands and companies invest in stock markets today. And what you are doing with this game is predicting the brands that you think will make it to the top 6 which in turn reaps benefits either in terms of cash or holiday packs if your prediction is correct. How cool does it sound! And being a gaming app, it is all fun playing and moreover provides a chance to learn about stock exchanges.

How to download the Lucky 6 game?

1. Download and install the game either in your IOS or android device using the link - Fat Cat Gaming
2. Provide a username and passcode to your game to access the lucky 6 app.
3. Login to your game.

How to proceed with the Lucky 6 game?

Your dashboard is what you see from the above image.  Using "Selections" you will need to enter your play area wherein you are asked to select 6 brands out of some  98 to 100 brands listed in an alphabetical order.

Although the concept of the game sounds quite simple, you will need some basic knowledge of the current stock market to win in one go. In case if you do not have that knowledge, don't worry. You still can play the game for fun and even test your luck. All you need is to select any 6 brands that you will think will make it to the top 6 in the stock exchange in the week you play.

The six brands that you have selected will form what is called as "Tickets". You will need to confirm your ticket to place your bet. You can view your ticket and its score (after the game) in the "My Tickets" side menu. You are allowed to create about three tickets at the maximum.

Either your knowledge in stock market or your luck decides your future of winning something big. Yes, you might land in for some goodies or even a holiday package. The fun of the game is quite different compared to what I had been playing with my IOS apps and I personally feel this game as a mind challenge to research the market trend and then apply it to make your score to the top place.  It is like placing a bet on some random 6 brands and looking for them to make it to a complete ticket. You may never how lucky you might be. After selecting the 6 brands, confirm your ticket and keep your fingers crossed.

Result: 
The result was pretty quick . The tickets I had created did not win although I scored some points which are added to my Scoreboard but I had the learnt something about the game which made me confident to play it again. You can also see all about your scores, number of tickets and your reach under "My Profile".

This app game is a win-win situation and not like other gaming apps like Farmville or Candy crush which floods your Facebook feed to play without any returns. You can also invite your family and friends using the share and social icons you see at the top of your dashboard. And when you invite your friends and family, all they do is thank you for introducing them to Lucky 6.  And as the app says, even if your family or friends win, you still win. Though it looks like you are gambling, it is just predicting the stock market. The knowledge of stock marketing adds a lot of value to this game making you to win if you know where you are investing your luck. Another new and developing feature is QuizApp which is what the name say "Asking general questions testing your knowledge" which is still in the beta. Overall, I liked the game as it was something unique and different. You can also try testing the app and when you have done, do comment below on what you feel about the app. Good Luck with Lucky 6!

The post is a part of the Lucky 6 activity by FatCat Gaming and Indiblogger

Highway - haiku

twists and turns on path

road ride akin life journey

destiny en route 

destiny en route 

mystery life, lone and dark

wee hopes light the path

Feast or Famine Haiku

Image credit: Dick Blick Art

Slaughtered fleshes, war
win or lose, just remains left
alongside Nature

alongside Nature
mass massacre, then famine
ludicrous war

ludicrous war
feast for eyes, famine for land
Bruised Ecosystem


-written for Magpie Tales

Haiku - Insects

blood thirsty creatures
predators, lurked beneath leaves
hold on! crippled feet

Credits - Tropicalbats

Haiku written for Three Words Wednesday (Blood, Cripple,Lurk)

Note : Common, but medically inadvisable, techniques to remove a leech are to apply a flame, a lit cigarette, salt, soap, or a chemical such as alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, insect repellent, heat rub, or certain carbonated drinks.

Daily Chores and the Two Sides of my Face

The daily chores and the two sides of my face takes you to a poetic journey which takes you into a woman's daily chores to my worn out look and finally, how I manage to look good without make-up.

Read, Enjoy and give it a Thought !

Get up and run, there's no time to ruin

From washing to cooking, get all jobs done

Put onions, pumpkins and carrots to boil

Sip the soup and clean the mess, from dirts to oil

Now it's time for school, so get ready for a bath

Rushing through the time, I follow my usual path

Back home again, but gets chasing the kids to eat

Trust me! Putting the home back to shape is not a treat

The night time has arrived, yet I had things to do

Teaching lessons that seems to increase as the kids grew 

Although the day's work is over, I had mine to complete

For to blog, it is only on the night time I sit

The next and the next, days arrived and went by

One day, I stood to see my refection as I passed by

Mirror mirror on the wall, tell me how do I look 

She refrained, and reflected that I look more of a cook

All work and no rest, took its toll on my face

Dark circles and worn out look reduced my grace

I stand there looking at the so called image of "me"

Yes, I'm not 20 and I need more shine on my face, I agree

But, spending time on make up and other things

No, not for me as with short time look it brings

I complained and told that I looked for something better

That which does all-in-1 job and that which lasts longer

I stood near the mirror, munching on my thought

Sighing now and then on my pale skin and black spots

Snap! in a second the image from the mirror came alive

Rested something on my hand and said this is what I need to thrive

Slowly opening my hands, I saw a name Miracle Skin Perfector 

I looked to see the image getting back into the mirror and dissappear

I opened the tube and squeezed out a little of Garnier BB cream

Applying in circles on my face, feeling the smooth gleam

Ah! it is time again and I start to run around the home in and out

With the repetitive house hold chores, not one or two but a lot

Time again, I went past by the mirror and stopped to call

Mirror mirror on the wall, tell me how do I look once for all

She popped out her eyes and grinned at me with a list

Telling that she couldn't believe I had in me so much beauty that exists

She touched my skin saying that it looks noticeably smoother 

With good sun protection, the tone on my skin looked brighter

Furthur she added, that my facial contours appear more defined

With reduced lines and long lasting effect, I found all in one of the kind

It was her time to go, but now she disappeared not into the mirror but into me

Saying that it was now a younger and healthier woman, is what she sees

To what I had been once, to what reflection now I had seen

I assure that Garnier BB cream fits perfectly into my daily routine

Prompt - Written for “How does the Garnier BB Cream fit into your daily routine to give you perfect looking skin without the lengthy hassles of make up?" by Indiblogger and Garnier.

Haiku - Mirrors

Sand-witched, I admire 

through timelessness mirrors bring 

Reflection Matrix

Maier Vivian Self Portrait

- Haiku for Magpie Tales

Bittersweet Kiss

Image prompt from Magpie Tales

The sweetness of the lips

Bonds with the tartness

Opposites they are in taste

but holds the same look

Colors! Colors! Colors!

Is what makes them alike

like the skin of a man

which drapes his personality

You look, taste and grumble

But without those painless relief

that only colors can offer

nothing else seems to be the same.

It's a bittersweet kiss!
a dynamite combination 

- written for  Magpie Tales and Three Word Wednesday

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day !

You feel blessed whenever I smile
And for every tear drops of mine,
you suffer in  silence
Every time I evolve in this life,
you were proud of my achievements
And you always stay beside me
consoling whenever I'm desolated

You help me to move forward
And you follow suit
to my every footsteps
Just to catch hold of me
if I may fall down

What shall I do Mom?
Just like a root of a plant
you happen to react with my every moves
that I harbor in this environment

Maybe because of this reason
I cannot have just this one day to thank you
A Happy Mothers Day
but I do need a countless lifetime


- the above poem is the translation of what I have written in Tamil

Building Love With You

If I have wings to fly, I would fetch the stars
to bring some twinkling in your eyes
If I know to swim, I would build a coral swing
brought from under the deep blue sea
But all I could do is to use my legs
to walk with you, beside you always

I will write a couple of love songs
so as to sing to make you feel loved
I will run my fingers into your hair
Slightly brushing and playing as you sleep
I will spend time to decorate my dish
cooked with love and care to eat
In deep silence,
I would walk far whereever you lead me,
With not a word spoken,
but still feeling good around you.

We shall travel far to the Shakespeare village
To dance and sing ballads of love
Let's also travel far to Verona in Italy,
To feel love on Romeo and Juliet's balcony
Why not visit the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower
We shall propose and start our love all over again

Sometimes, I wish to escape to an island
where we both are all alone, just you and me
We shall make love drenching in the sea water
or become kids again building sand castles
We shall rise with the sun, and slumber
on each other arms watching the setting sun
Let's get started, to travel far away
Sweeping across the ocean bay
Even if  you can't promise me a Taj Mahal
We shall possess a family with love
Nothing more, Nothing less but all I want is
To be with you in a place where I'm just all yours

Photo Credit: Rapidlikes.com

PS: This post was written for British Airways, "Go further to get closer!"contest by British Airways and Indiblogger.

Memories

Wrenched skin
Broken wings
of things that once engrossed my childhood

They lay every where
on the ceilings and on the floor
the innocence of my life
engraved in woods and stones
Here is the sofa once my grandpa used
He liked it so much, it's his cosy zone
Right after work, this is where he rests in peace

That broken Tele, how can I forget
the cheers and the smiles, this gadget
aired my first cartoon show
as I sat watching from my grandpa's lap

Yes! I could smell those dishes
arising from my grandma kitchen
all cooked for us three, to eat and chat.
Oh No! but what remains are
those broken wooden tops
How much she adored those place

Years have passed and things have changed
but still there was life
in this locked up home and
inside these wrecked things
" Ah! My Memories"

Soon, I made up my mind
Not to sell this country side house
For which I have traveled far from west
These memories are not to be destroyed
but to be renovated and preserved.

The Rain Poem

Rain

Moist and cool

Cleans my wrath

Filling my heart

With unsaid music
Soaking in my pain

And beauty

Sings and unheard song

Making me wait for long
Soothe my form

“Shelter my soul”

Rain

A miraculous way 

Of washing dirt

That covers the earth
Grasses dances in mirth

Moistness empties the thirst

Of all the plants and the trees

Without you O’ rain

our energy will drain
Nourish every grain

“Shelter My Growth”

Image Credit : Socialming.com