Bonding with colors

Holi is a colorful festival which brings the spirit of joy and enjoyment along with it.In those childhood days we used to have a had lot of fun during the Holi festival.Now on this Holi we and our family members andour
neighbors as well have already got decided to save water and celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly way, hence on the auspicious day of Holi festival we will avoid the usage of water and harmful chemical based
colors for as children we were unaware about these facts and hence enjoyed the festival in the traditional way itself.Most of our family stayed in the same building in those days.Our neighbors were a part of our lives too. So, every year we played Holi with all of them.We called for a Dholwala and  bought loads of gulal and water balloons, Pichkaris. We started from 9 in the morning and continued  till 4 in the afternoon.
 At the end of the day it was difficult to differentiate the faces or tell , who's who.Music was in the air all day long,especially the old, nostalgia -oozing melodies like Rang Barse Bheege Chunariya or Aaj Na
chodenge...My mother always insisted on natural colors. Reds made from crushed rose petals, yellows from haldi, and beautiful pinks.So fresh and fragrant that it was pleasure to be drenched in rang.I
wish we could go back to the Holi of my childhood when the festival brought happiness..We had a blast, dancing, singing  and splashing color.It was a major bonding time.The entire family joined in the celebrations.that took place in our building. Holi is synonymous with smiles, gaiety and colors.Staying indoors on this festival of cheer is not a great idea.Holi was a day made for  pranks.We purchased a variety of pichkaris.A special shopping spree was arranged for us kids.Gulal made up of numerous colors such as pink, magenta, red, yellow and green were purchased.
In the olden times the household priest was invited to start the function.The men, women and children all assembled together in the courtyard.Beginning with the eldest member, each member went  around and sprinkled some gulal and colored water onto each individual.We children used to put color on the elders and
enjoyed the liberty of the occasion. Special eatables like gujia, papri and kanji-ke-bare were served.There was so much dancing and singing, the old and the young joined in the merry-making.Holi remains unique and special due to the spirit of it which remains the same throughout the country and even across the globe, wherever it is celebrated. Entire country wears a festive look when it is time for the Holi celebrations. Surely it is the one and only festival which is celebrated by the masses.The spirit of Holi stands for happiness and unity and we should ensure that this spirit is not spoiled by cheap gimmicks or making fun of other people.So let's keep it as the festival that bonds us together..
So let's  #KhulKeKheloHoli!

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

Romeo & Juliet could have lived if only...

Do you know Romeo and Juliet could have lived happily ever after? There was no reason why Anarkali could not have been saved from her fate of being buried alive in a brick wall.All tales of eternal love that met with an tragic end could have seen happy endings . Even Soni Mahiwal,Heer Ranjha and so many lovers who met untimely death at the cruel hands of society who opposed their union could also have been saved and lived happily ever after if only they had heeded to my advice seriously. After all our society is of stereotypes that oppose true love. So they spot you hanging from the balcony of your beloved and they kill you for being in love. If you are in love you are constantly under the scrutiny and cross-hairs of society who are always ready to pass judgments. They adhere to stereotypes such as the fact that laundry is a w omen’s job. Had this not been the case then why would
- 81% of married men in India agree that their daughters must learn household chores.
- 76% of married men in India believe that not helping with Laundry at home still makes them a great role model for their children
- 2 out of every 3 children think that washing clothes is a mothers job
-78% of girls in India agree that they should learn Laundry as they will have to do it when they grow up and
- 65% of married men in India agree that their children replicate their behavior at home
- 2 out of every 3 children think that household work is a mothers job.

So all you great lovers who got spotted on, balconies, gardens and so many places where the moral police were looking for you. Instead you could have chosen to do the laundry together and meet in the laundry room. As most of the society around us believes that laundry is a w omen’s job you could have easily escaped the cruel ends that you met with. Besides washing clothes together, singing love songs and then spreading the wet clothes to dry in the sun can be a great backyard romantic escape for the love birds.
At the same time your homes would have got rid of the dirty clothes.
On a more serious note guys be a man and share the load of doing the laundry. Be it you mom, your sister, girl friend or wife they need your love as well as your support by sharing the load of doing the laundry. I take this pledge that I would share the load of doing laundry at home as I strongly believe that if you love someone then shower your special one with love and do not burden them with dirty laundry

 “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.”

Who says men do not wash clothes?

Who says men do not wash their clothes. Look at the politicians, the actors, celebrities, and why go far you would find offices and perhaps every home with men who wash dirty linen in public.
Now that I have got your attention with my opening line let me take you to the main topic of discussion and let me share some alarming findings of a recently conducted survey that reports that
78% of girls in India agree that they should learn Laundry as they will have to do it when they grow up.
65% of married men in India agree that their children replicate their behavior at home
So how can the men of this country rest easy when their mothers and sisters are subjected to such a raw  deal and caged in the belief that 81% of married men in India agree that their daughters must learn household chores and knowing the fact that
76% of married men in India believe that not helping with Laundry at home still makes them a great role model for their children as a result 2 out of every 3 children think that washing clothes is a mothers job and 2 out of every 3 children think that household work is a mothers job.
These men are being insensitive to the rights of their daughters as they are proving to be poor role models for their children.
At the same time they are depriving themselves of the opportunity to spend some quality time with their family.
When I say this I am pointing towards the opportunity lost by so many men in this country.
Take for instance a boy who has his room littered with dirty clothes .his argument could be that he has no time to do the laundry or it’s his mother’s job to do the laundry. However when he decides to watch a match on his mobile, or laptop then he gets nagged for not paying attention on his studies. Instead he could multitask by dedicating portion of his time as laundry time. This could be on days when he wants to see the match. He could put all the dirty clothes in the washing machine and as he oversees the laundry being done he could watch the match or chit chat with friends and no one would complain about him wasting time. A cleaner room would be the added bonus.
For the ever so busy men spending time with wife and children as they do laundry together could be the key to spending some quality family time together that could go a long way if used properly. You could device a picnic around this activity where there could be food and drinks after you do a good job together.




“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.”

Know your rights and survive

It is said that if you do not speak up and in support of your neighbor when he is being subjected to a crime then you are next in queue so be ready to be subjected to the same treatment.

However when it comes to an act of Sexual violence the victim seldom speaks up. She invariably keeps mum and this silence lets the offender get away scot free.

So

1) Speak up and report the incident for it is not just a crime against an individual but against society at large. It is wrong to have been subjected to such an act and equally wrong to keep mum.

I know that people gossip, they also point fingers but then there are those who would stand in your support. Take the incident of the Nirbhaya rape case it united not just the entire city but the entire country in support of the victim and against the offender.

Public opinion is changing and help and support can be extended only to those who ask for it.

Take for instance the law about sexual violence has been modified to make it easier for the victim to file a complaint.

As against earlier times when a victim of sexual violence had to visit the police station that was the closest to where the offense occurred, now a days she can have a FIR lodged by visiting any police station she chooses. She can also use email or call up to report the matter.

On her behalf and with her consent , a friend ,a witness or a member of the family can also file a complaint. In such cases she would need to visit the police station and lodge the FIR later.

2)

Hiding a crime and not speaking up is an offense akin to supporting a criminal. By doing so you are only encouraging the criminal to repeat the crime and they become fearless that no action would be taken. Even the victim is always under risk of becoming a repeat victim of the crime. So it is important to register a complaint with the authorities and initiate legal action.

3) By taking legal action you are not just helping nab a criminal but also protecting other women from becoming victim to the same offender.

It mobilizes public opinion in favor of the victim and against the offenders. Every time an offender is nabbed and punished it breaks the morale of other offenders and future would be delinquents. It instills a fear of the law and makes the streets and the cities a bit more safer for every women and girls out there.

May the torch of knowledge be always be with you and keep giving you the strength to protect yourself from any harm that may be lurking out there.

“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”

We are all with you

Women of all ages have been subjected to sexual abuse and sexual violence. They have been victimized by men of all ages. Young girls especially tender young  girls are the most susceptible victims and even they are not spared from the humiliating experience of sexual violence. The violence often takes a tragic turn resulting in grievous injuries and also death. They are too innocent to understand the nature and enormity of the crime of which they are the victim. The offenders in these cases are often the neighbors, people known to them or even complete strangers. This makes it very important for the mothers to keep a sharp eye on their young ones. They can educate them not to allow strangers or people known to them to touch them inappropriately. In case of such an incident taking place they should immediately bring it to the knowledge of the mother who in turn should

report it to the police. If this is not done then there is a great chance the girl may be subjected to sexual abuse again and again. Usually such offenders threaten the young girls of further physical harm if they report the incident to their parents. They should be assured that confiding of such acts would protect them from further victimization.

The next lot to suffer is the girls of school and college going age. They when subjected to sexual abuse and violence keep silent fearing disgrace and shame and are afraid that they would become an outcast in the society. They should not keep silent due to fear  but report the matter at once without delay to their mother and family so that they in turn can report the crime to the police and also file a FIR to prevent the offender from repeating his shameful acts.

Women of any other age are not spared from this humiliation of sexual abuse and violence. There was a time when the victims had no support and could not confide in anybody.Today this has changed with law coming to protect the victims of such acts.Now

It has become very easy to report such crimes of sexual violence and abuse at the nearest police station and the presence of a lady police officer gives them the support and confidence to narrate. This reporting can be done by even a parent a friend or a witness.There is the option of reporting either in person or via phone and email.The women today are assured that they can report such crimes and expect legal aid to fight their cases.Today they have the assurance that they will get justice and bring the offender before the law. It is imperative that the women should not keep quiet but speak up for getting justice.This will not only protect the innocent children and girls and this will also result in other victims to come forward and report such offenses to get deliverance from such people and get justice.

Amnesty International has launched the #KnowYourRights campaign, which is a people’s rights educational program aimed at informing people of their basic rights via free educational modules on digital and physical media because knowing one’s rights gives one the confidence to take action. This will act as a morale booster and give women the power to protect themselves and if victimized then appeal for justice.

“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”

Protecting your baby's soft skin

The biggest concern for all the parents is how to keep their little ones happy. The most common cause of their unhappiness is discomfort due to rough and dry skin. Baby's skin is the largest and most valuable organ. The exposure to the sun, heat, pollution, dirt and chemical soaps make their skin rough and dry. The skin of a baby is very soft so dip a washcloth in soapy water and use it gently to wash baby's scalp with a baby shampoo.

 To clean the faces do use a moisturized cotton ball and gently dab with it. Once the skin is dry apply baby lotion immediately to seal in the moisture and prevent dry skin.

 Make sure to purchase products for babies which are fragrance free and also use tear free shampoos, bath gels and lotions,be watchful of the baby's reaction in case it is allergic. Always keep the baby skin protected. Its always a good idea to sprinkle a small amount of powder on the baby's bottom.

Always avoid perfumed, and deodorant soaps which are harsh for the child’s skin when a toddler. Baby soaps are the best.

In winters the dry weather can harm the baby's skin so give them lots of water to stay hydrated during the cold, dry months.

Dress the baby in layers year round so one can easily change them into proper clothing to shield them from sunlight, heat and cold. Always skip fragrant laundry detergents that might irritate baby's skin.

Diaper changing routine is often a nightmare for babies and one will find them crying during that time. Change child's diaper frequently, wiping gently but thoroughly each time with baby wipes. Dab diaper cream or put warm water on baby's bottom, gently pat dry. Wait a few moments to air dry so moisture doesn’t lead to irritating diaper rash. To avoid this bad experience I always prefer Pampers.
“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”
Pampers are safe and a high - quality product for the baby's safety. At Pampers and P&G, more than 700 scientists and professionals work with leading health experts - such as pediatric dermatologists - to ensure that Pampers products meet all safety and regulatory requirements around the world. Pampers evaluates all ingredients in the final product to confirm their actual use is within the safe range for both consumers and the environment. They conduct extensive testing to allow mums to experience their products in real-life situations and adhere to the highest industry standards for safety, performance and quality.

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”

5 Steps to keep your baby’s skin sof

5 Steps to keep your baby’s skin soft

My house was filled with happiness on birth of my niece. She looked like a little angel. She looked cute, adorable and soft. Elders were busy advising as to what is right for the little baby saying that the skin of the new born is very soft and sensitive. So it is very important to keep the baby's skin hydrated by bathing it in warm water for only three to five minutes. Never let the baby sit or play for long in soapy water. Always apply a lotion or moisturizer immediately after bath while the skin is still wet and then pat dry instead of rubbing were some of the things highlighted by the ladies of the house. 

Till the age of 3 the child's skin is very delicate and soft and needs a special care. Factors such as cold, wind, sun, dry air and pollution makes their skin rough and thus irritating them and the skin is sometimes prone to red blotches. Our first concern is to keep the baby’s skin soft, flexible and comfortable throughout the day and night. It should be just fun and no tears for the baby. We must use only skin care products that are specially formulated for a baby's skin, which are hypoallergenic and tested under the supervision of dermatologists and pediatricians.

 After baby’s daily bath time we must carefully moisturize the entire body and face using a moisturizing cream and body lotion. We should warm the products with the tips of our fingers so that the baby won’t be surprised by the temperature of the cream and accept it easily. The baby enjoys the gentle massage with moisturizing products and massaging oils until it has fully penetrated the skin. It is very relaxing and nourishing for the skin. 

It is very important to check the area behind the child's ears on regular basis as this area is often overlooked and prone to rashes and dryness. Baby's lips and exposed area's should not be overlooked. Always cover the baby's head, nose, throat, ears and hands with a soft scarf to protect them from cold and chilly air during winters.

 It is also important to keep the baby clean and dry. So we only rely on pampers as nappy area is vulnerable to infection and rashes. Should change your baby's nappy either just before or right after each feed, after every bowel movement, before putting them to bed and when they wake up after a long sleep. It may also be worth putting a fresh nappy on them just before setting off for an outing. We have been using pampers for the kids in the family as Pampers takes on the responsibility of ensuring that all its products are safe - for every baby. Pampers makes the baby wrapped in the softest and caressed in comfort.#SoftestForBabySkin

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”