The world is a stage!

Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you've never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground. - Judith

I fell in love with the words as soon as I got to read them, primarily few years back, and it got etched in my head as to the needs and aspirations that one should hold from oneself and from life, and also the need of experiencing the life in a way that would make it more wonderful, beautiful, colourful and delight to watch once looked back upon with an urge to further go ahead with the situations head on as they come up.

It is so important to #sayyestotheworld and set out on the beautiful journey that lays ahead which hold number of experiences to be made on without having iota of knowledge about the experience that one would go on to hold. #TheBlindList is a wonderful initiative by #Lufthansa that brings a lot of excitement to face on with such opportunities and set out on the explorations.

Traveling joys are amazing, and give plenty of experiences that one has quite a number of stories to narrate and quote from, sharing the fun of explorations are excellent memoirs that one carries throughout life and takes pleasure delving deeper into them as one moves ahead taking one step at a time, to holding a record of multiple steps. 

#SayYesToTheWorld would not be less than any adventure and setting out on unplanned and on a mysterious journey is a reward which one should welcome with open arms, as it would not only let the individual grow on personal grounds, but shall offer the plethora of opportunities by stepping out into the unknown.

Exploration of the world and the inventions and discoveries throughout the periods and eras in the history are a result of venturing into the unplanned and unknown. Thus, it would be a pleasure to get out on to the journeys and traveling experiences which would broaden my perspective of life in a better and fruitful way. 

The traveling could mean from mountains to beaches, to the forested lands, desert explorations, underwater experiences, trekking onto the top of the peaks, high sky adventures, festivals and culture explorations, educational tours, amongst a huge list, where each one to its own. Every kind of travel adventure and exploration is a learning which would bring one closer to the self, and present a better insights of the world. 

It is rightly said, a person needs to make a move to learn and grow, instead of being stagnant at one location. Taking one step at a time, builds up the route, and journey is set on. There is a child within each one of us, who wishes to set out of the comfort zone and explore the world of its offerings and learn the things as they come. Traveling is one of the best ways one can grow and nurture oneself. 

And as all kids, I have always wondered and carried that exploring nature within me, that as a kid I would hide onto the places least expected, would bring up things from here and there which anyone around me least expected, the questions and queries that I used to come up surprised everyone around, therefore, it is always a pleasure for me to set out on the journeys without planning and carrying little knowledge with me, and let the nature and world do that to me in its own devised ways and mechanisms that it deems fit and suitable.


Bucket List, Openminded, Enriching experience, Exploration, Travel inspiration, Exploring the world, Travel to explore, Self Exploration

For more details on lufthansa's #sayyestotheworld idea, visit - https://www.yestotheworld.in/?utm_source=IB&utm_medium=contest&utm_campaign=MRM_Blind_list_HY2&utm_term=Fixed

The World is a Book, read it #DefinitelyPTE way!

Saint Augustine once said that "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

Moving out and studying abroad is often believed to change the world as one knows it. Most people are exposed only to one country or place for years before they have the chance to go abroad. While this is a comfortable place to be, until a person leaves what they know, they may never get the full experience of what the world has to offer.

There are lot of opportunities that lays before an individual and one can make one's choices based on the dreams and promises of oneself. For those who dream of studying abroad or simply escaping from the peers, one is probably thinking it will be an easy transition. From personal experience, I can say that it is a lot of fun, but certainly not easy as it comes with its own set of problems, issues or hurdles as one may say.

To list, few of the problems can be-

• The currency issues and differences is a task to manage. 
• The language barriers that are to be faced come a long way in the process of settling and making choices in a foreign country.
• There are lot of times when one feels like an outsider.
• Being several thousands of miles away from the family and support system.
• The food and eating habits are a concern for a lot of individuals.
• The university applications and acceptance notices.
• Finding a place to stay and
• Identifying the social norms.

But when one pushes through the limits and the challenges, everything works out in the end if the choices are made carefully – and if nothing else would work out, one would have lots of stories to tell at parties. The whole process of moving out of the comfort zone is quite a blissful one and experiencing it one's own way is a blessing. 

It is rightly said the right choices must be made at the right time and at the right place. It is important to begin the process in a proper guided manner so that the whole process becomes fast and easy for the individuals. Once the foundation stone is kept strong, the whole building stands stronger.

#DefinitelyPTE is the foundation stone of the moving abroad life. This English Language Test is user-friendly and offers a variety of options and choices to the individuals to apply to the university of their choice as the scores are accepted at a lot of universities worldwide such as London School of Business and Finance, Toronto Loyalist College McMaster University Michener Institute Mohawk College Niagara College, amongst a long list of colleges.

The availability of test centres in number of countries makes it even more favourable among the test takers to go for the test such as Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, etc. 

There are lot of beneficial factors that one can take into account such as test can be completed in a single session.

 

The test evaluation is completely computer based, thus there can no bias in the marking pattern. The granular scale 10-90 is a very convenient way for the evaluation to take place. 

The flexibility offered in the test is praise-worthy. Also, the scores can be sent to a number of university without adding any additional cost. 

Also, the availability of the PTE Preparation Course is what makes it a good option for the test takers to go for PTE Academic as their choice of taking the English Language Test.

Thus, with lots of above mentioned advantages of PTE Academic over other tests, makes it a great choice for the test takers and it would be convenient for the individuals to go for it and make better choices right from the beginning itself. Therefore, #DefinitelyPTE. 

The need of the hour - Water Conservation!

As we go with the need of the hour, water conservation has come to occupy the top most place on the ladder. The foremost and primary reason for water conservation is that “we may die” without fresh water in just a few days.  And this is a fact for that matter! Each one of us knows that there is no life without water and no living being can live without water. If we do not learn to conserve water, a resource as important as life, we will soon be fishes without water and we know the consequences. 

• Wealth and Goodness of Mankind: Hence, it is quite important for us to conserve water not only for the wealth and goodness of mankind, but also for the animals and plants that are an important part of our ecosystem. Thus, it is recommended to stop contaminating the environment with continuous pouring of the pesticides and fertilizers, oils and other pollutants in rivers as it makes the fresh water unavailable and unfit for human consumption.

• Water saving also helps in energy saving: Government bodies use pumps to provide water that runs with energy. If water is not available in nearby regions of the pump, the pump will require a large amount of energy to get water which is also a kind of energy waste.

• Health maintenance: If there will be water crisis in the world, it will become very difficult for people to maintain their health and get rid of several diseases like kidney stone, migraine headache etc. Thus, keeping in mind that there are several health benefits of drinking water and keeping body hydrated, it is important to conserve this vital resource of human existence.

• Farming i.e Irrigation and Agriculture: Water is an important ingredient for irrigation and agriculture purposes on the fields. Agriculture is the only mean to grow food and this cannot be imagined without water. Out of 65-70% of water that we get from well and ponds, 50% is used in agriculture. This means, we need a large amount of good water for agriculture and irrigation. Here again, water conservation plays an important role.

• Pocket Friendly: Saving water also saves a lot of money. Yes! It does. Water providers serve water and charge according to the amount of water one consumes. If one does not waste water and use only required amount of water, one can surely save a lot of money that comes in water bill. 

• Basic necessity: Above all, water is the basic necessary to live life. No living being can be alive without water and it is extremely important for us to drink clean water. By drinking clean water, a person can stay healthy and fit. It is very important for you to get your drinking water connection from a certified water provider who provides clean and safe drinking water.

Some of the measures that we can take in our daily life range from the simple and basic changes that would make a huge difference such as 

• Storing excess water from the purifiers for gardening and cleaning purposes, feeding pets and birds by filling their vessels.
• Also, making the effective use of dishwashers, flushes and washing machines aids in water conservation. 
• Asking for required amount of water for quenching thirst, and filling bottles with the left amount.
• Educating masses through campaigns and programmes such as #CuttingPaani.
• Awareness is to be increased about the importance of conservation of water.

Fair deal with the nature is the need of the hour and we must not backout with this responsibility, instead must step ahead and do the needful in the best ways possible, before we run out of this vital resource of existence.

Come on India, #CuttingPaani is the need of the hour!! Let's learn to live with this mantra.

#CuttingPaani is a great initiative and platform by LIVPURE to begin the art of conserving water in innovative ways that would prevent the wastage of this vital resource. 

Water is the driver of the nature, it is where the life comes from.

To be a part of this intiative, sign the petition 

People Must Rather Believe Than Know!

One of the question that lurks me quite often these days is, "what is the use of a house if we have not got a tolerable planet to put it on?"

For the concern of matter on the table, this planet, Earth, breathes on a much vast scale. We cannot imagine the powerful rhythms that this planet possess and ofcourse, we meagre humans do not possess the humility to try, for it has its own ways of giving it back to us, not to forget the pacing up natural disasters every now and then. We humans are merely the residents here for the blink of an eye. We should make our experience worthwhile here, for if are gone tomorrow, the Earth shall not miss us.

To place the above question on the fore-front, despite several climate conferences across countries, global pacts, protocols such as Montreal protocol, agreements such as Marrakesh Agreement signed all across the world by UNFCCC, UNDP, UNEP, etc, we cannot deny the fact that the world is largely being marred by the nuisances of pollution and its effects can be largely seen and felt, there being the invisible changes as well along the same line. Adams Ansel once said we need to fight our own government to save the environment. His words come to find the place in administration quite aptly to day we have headed ourselves into.

"Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance." - Theodore Roosevelt.

Theoodore Roosevelt has so well put it down that reminds of so many beautiful places, and when I turn to Delhi for its heritage, nature, conservation, nationalism, culture, history, richness, variations, environment, amongst several other richly features that make it unique site on the world map, recently has fallen down on several parameters making it one of the most polluted cities across the world.

It is envisaged in our Indian Constitution in Directive Principles of State Policy in Article 48A which states that protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of Forests and Wildlife. Our environment contributes to the way we live our lives everyday - the people we connect to, the places we work, the air we breathe and even our over all perception of life as we know it. How well it has summed up and commented on our activities that we have become so accustomed to our routines, where we become ignorant of the environment we thrive in daily.

There are several measures that have been taken in Delhi by Delhi Government, along with several other agencies and organisations such as VODAFONE for the betterment of the citizens of Delhi and providing a cleaner and healthy environment for the citizens of Delhi. 

Some of the measures which have seen a huge impact and which could see a huge impact if the norms are managed and practiced as we are #CelebratingSuper can be seen as:

Air Purifying Bus Shelters: 

One of the leading organisation, Vodafone has come with an amazing effort to take the initiative of providing the city dwellers with the facility of Air- purifying bus shelters. The purpose behind this initiative has been to provide the people with non- polluted air during the waiting period for the bus. This effort has come in the light after the pollution level reached exorbitant heights. 

DIGITAL Revolution with Wi-fi Bus Shelters: 

An amazing initiative coming up in the times when the economy is on the verge and ways of largely becoming digitized and cash-less is that providing wi-fi shelter bus services in Delhi and NCR. This initiative is again the result of eminent individuals at Vodafone, where without any discrimination on that services being used by the customers, every customer is allowed to have access to data services for 20 minutes. This comes as a great effort in the times of DIGITAL REVOLUTION. This initiative reaps economic benefits at large. 

GREEN Diwali: 

With the recent ban of crackers in the city by the Supreme Court due to the alarming consequences of pollution levels, Vodafone came up with their another delighting initiative with the launch of the SUPER CRACKERS at their Vodafone stores which are filled with plant seeds. With the minimal efforts required from an individual's end, one can plant it and see it nurture right before them, convincingly a great measure for an eco-friendly effort of making the city clean and green.

The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with the seeds of faithful stewardship. We cannot say that we love the land, unless we take measures to make it lush green.

START-UP Revolution: 

This is a welcome initiative for the young entrepreneurs who are often captured in the fear of appropriate funding for their start-ups. Assistance and aid provided in the incubation period is the best help which can come up for any upcoming business. Vodafone is bringing in a great revolution by providing these companies with its products for helping them establish their setup in hassle- free manner. Some startups such as OYO and Zomato can be seen as being enriched with the services being provided by Vodafone.

Wi-fi and Hotspot Zones: 

With an aim of making  Indian economy as digitised economy, Vodafone is stepping in by digitally connecting Delhi and NCR zones by providing hotspots installed in malls, hospitals, public places, markets, airport, etc. The poor people can benefit a lot out of this facility, where they can learn and make use of the services and pave the way for making India a digital and cashless state.

Sense Of Belonging: 

This comes as a result of connectivity which brings to sense the belongingness and attachment. Here again Vodafone steps in and connects over half the population of Delhi with its superfast services which does an amazing work of binding, bonding and belonging. What more would an individual expect out from a place where one resides ? This is the reason Vodafone receives amazing response on customer appreciations aspect with the stats of 1/sec.

Effective Mass emission standards for vehicles: 

The BHARAT STAGE-III/EURO Norms are being efficiently put in practice across the city with NCR being kept in account, where only the vehicles complying with these norms are being permitted around the city. Also, encouraging the use of cycles provided at several metro stations, CNG vehicles to reduce vehicular emissions, etc are some of the measures taken to prevent harmful emissions into the environment. It is important to educate the masses about the importance of health measures and environmental measures which need to be followed simultaneously in order to have both working efficiently to meet up the demands of the growing population.

Fuel Quality Enhancements: 

The lead content fuels are being phased out from Delhi, with improved quality being provided to the citizens with low sulphur and benzene content which helps in bringing down the pollution levels. The improved quality of fuel would ensure proper functioning of vehicles as well as environment, both the units taken together. A city that destroys its air, destroys itself. We need to preserve the environment with the conservation techniques with forest and land management because forests are considered to be the lungs of the planet purifying the air and giving fresh strength to the people.

Mass Rapid Transport System: 

This is one of the most effective transport system which the city has seen connecting rail-based transportation system with other modes of transport, by providing hygienic conditions, wi-fi hotspots for connectivity, air shelters, amongst lots of services. 

Campaigns and awareness: 

There are several public awareness campaigns being organised by NGO's and governmental organisations to raise social, economic, cultural and political consciousness among the masses to educate them about the better health standards, better environmental concerns, entrepreneurial opportunities, employment opportunities. For instance Swecha Campaign in Delhi.

While all these initiatives across the implementation process, there are programmes such as National Mission for Green India(NMGI), National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC), Integrated Development and Conservation measures are phased out effectively with subsequent reporting on their progress.  National Green Tribunal, an active working body in concern to the environment has been coming up with recommendations and measures for the betterment of the quality standards of the environment.

Along with the above measures, it must always be kept in mind that "Our Environment" is a lagacy, is a responsibility on our shoulders we need to pass on to future generations in a manner in which the coming generations would be appreciative of their fore-fathers. 

For more details on the ventures of Vodafone, click on  https://www.vodafone.in/home-delhi

Pre-Cleaning and Diwali Celebrations

It is Diwali time and cleaning out of our homes is the first thing that hits any Indian mind at the beginning of the Diwali season itself. The weeding out of the extra, unwanted, old and unused stuff from the shelves, cupboards, beds and other underground places in the room. The yelling of mother and grandmother seems to come from all corners of the house to clean up the room properly and almost every time they see in the home. Therefore, I make sure at the onset of the Diwali season itself to clean up my room at the earliest and enjoy the rest of the season in the most wonderful manner, as Diwali is my most favourite festival of the year that I wish each day becomes Diwali, as it is the onset of cleanliness, happiness and purity inside and outside. 

This year as I completed my studies and got myself professionally settled, I had even better plans to clean and set up my room according to the present needs and for the coming times. I decided to get rid of my old gadgets and equipments that had been lying long with me in the despair that I might need them in case of an emergency, but now everything has been set and I am done away with the studies of school and colleges. It was the time I grew up and began to take up my responsibilities.

The gadgets included my 6 old phones from last 10 years, one set of speakers, one laptop, one mp3 player amongst other lab instruments. On my convocation, my father gifted me an iphone. It added on to my happiness and the question that came up to me was what would I do with my already collected old phones. I took suggestions from few of my friends and siblings. They all had different opinions which included both online and offline options. After hearing from all, as my usual habit of searching about it online, I found several options online. I was bit skeptical to begin with this but then there is always the first time to begin things.

I uploaded the details of my laptop and one of my old phone on Cashify which I no longer used, though both had been in appreciable and in working conditions, with minimum external damages to the products. To my surprise, I was quoted appropriate and expected prices instantly instead of waiting for hours to hear responses from the buyers. I could make a comfortable and fine deal for both of my gadgets at a reasonable price on Cashify. Next day the cashify agent collected the products and handed over the cash immediately for the products. I was happy to see my gadgets finding the right place who would put them to right use as I could see. It made me happy and I decided to do the same for rest of my used and unwanted gadgets. Slowly and steadily I could find potential buyer for all of my products. One of the half side of my cupboard went empty with taking away of the old unused gadgets, and their accessories. I had space for more things to place into my cupboard. 

Adding on the happiness and delights was the festival time of Diwali when I did lots of shopping with the cash I received by selling of my old products and gadgets, and brought in lots of other necessary things which had been on my shopping list. It eased out on my pocket and helped to bring a lot of happiness to my home for me, siblings, mother, grandmother, and servants. I would recommend Cashify upon my wonderful experience without any hassles, and helped me in a great way to clean my room.

To the best of joys, my room was a lot more cleaner and beautiful than ever. It was really a #CleanUpCashOut experience for me. 

For more details about CASHIFY, click on the following link: https://www.cashify.in/

For the readers: Use the coupon code CLEANCASH and get an additional Rs.250 on the sale of your gadgets.

By the Ganges at The Taj Gateway Hotel, Varanasi

One travels long distances not solely for large gatherings, but for something more intangible. There is a kind of magic about going far away and then coming back all changed. Traveling outgrows its motives. It soon proves sufficient in itself. You think you are making a trip, but soon it is making you - or unmaking you, in several ways. But there are people who take salt with their coffee. They say it gives a tang, a savour, which is peculiar and fascinating. In the same way there are certain places, surrounded by a halo of romance, to which the inevitable disillusionment you experience on seeing them gives a singular spice. You had expected something wholly beautiful and you get an impression which is infinitely more complicated than any that beauty can give you. It is the weakness in the character of a great man which may make him less admirable but certainly more interesting.

Nothing had prepared me for The Taj Gateway Hotel, Ganges at Varanasi. The Taj@Varanasi has all the hallmarks of a Taj property with their trademark hospitality which is their most striking feature and next is their administration. It splendidly provides a calming experience, away from the hustles and bustles of the city. The smiling and the calm faces, amazingly humble and courteous staff and an efficient concierge made the experience fulfilling. The dining room experience was first grade and the services there was top notch.

It was an experience of a lifetime for me to live by the river Ganges and enjoy the serene views of the sunset and sunrise. I reached the Taj Gateway Ganges Varanasi as a guest but later left as a family member. Apart from the superlative services at the hotel, the staff there did everything within their power to take care of my smallest wishes, which made my stay quite pleasant and memorable. I will carry the memory of this trip for a lifetime.

The luxury stay in the beautiful holy city was a mesmerising experience in itself and the scenes from the room are quite spell bound. The smell of the Ganges river, the blowing wind holding the calmness, the aura in the city is quite a thing to be cherished for lifetime. The traveling to other places near by got comfortable with the stay at this hotel which made the trip and the journey comfortable and favoured in jotting down the memories.

“I am blogging about my luxury stay experience for an activity at BlogAdda in association with MakeMyTrip“

The magic of the magical stories!

#colgatemagicalstories

When was the last time your child told you a story? It’s time to unlock their imagination.

The new Colgate Strong Teeth packs come with interesting sea creatures & some trivia inside them. There are 4 different packs. Kids can cut, play & learn. What’s more? They could do the story telling this time by weaving their imagination together.

This came as an amazing surprise for me as it led to the amazing innovations of the ideas at my place where my kid and his friends had fun with the four packs the colgate had sent few days ago. The children had lots of fun in cutting the characters and pictures from the packs of colgate strong teeth packs and started narrating and having fun around the characters. 

Along side, I joined the kids in listening to the stories that were weaving around one after the other. It was amazing as to see how amazingly the kids went on to discover best from the characters and framed different pictures and scenes from the characters on the packs. I prepared them coffee and snacks and it added to the fun that the kids were having. It was getting a great together for the kids, and by the evening even more kids joined the fun of story telling. The event of story telling around the four themes got even more interesting with the treasure hunt stories, magical mermaid stories, coral reefs and sea world characters. They even formed teams when there were several kids assembled at the house and it got even better. I became the host for the event and even organised a small competition for the kids where there awards for different categories of the story making. With this there was even more excitement and it also made the evening even more exciting and amazing. It not only helped me to build amazing memories but also helped kids to learn and come up with their talent of story telling. 

The kids went on to learn the art of team spirit, working together, weaving stories in unison and groups and saying out loud and putting themselves into the competitive spirit. It was great to see children learning these great qualities at an early age itself, which would help them in the later stages of life of presenting themselves at a higher level. It also brought in them the confidence and management ability, and also the excitement and fun that they were having during the activity. It was a pleasant surprise to see the amazing stories being built up with the characters on the table. 

Here, I came to learn how such group activities and such creative activities come as a great learning for the children along with the loads of fun that they had. It is important for the parents to realize that such creative activities should become the order of the day as it would help in the process of learning, growth and all around development of the child. It would lead to the habit of innovations and discoveries within the children at the early age. 

http://www.colgate.co.in/en/in/oc