http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/ IndusLadies is a global online community of Indian Ladies. Discuss and share ideas about topics interesting to Indian Women. They discuss about Cooking,Recipes,Pregnancy,Parenting,Shopping,Articles,Snippets,jokes,work from home,marriage and family,etc. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:05:47 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.IndusLadies.com/forums/images/006/misc/rss.jpg http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/a-miracle-or-a-coincidence-2644/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:02:04 GMT It was so dark, with the street lights definitely playing hide and seek and the road having such big puddles after the recent rains. Walking back after refilling my prescription from the medical shop, I was in a hurry to reach home as I had to yet serve dinner to the kids and FIL. I was... It was so dark, with the street lights definitely playing hide and seek and the road having such big puddles after the recent rains.

Walking back after refilling my prescription from the medical shop, I was in a hurry to reach home as I had to yet serve dinner to the kids and FIL. I was running late

I just looked ahead and saw, a lady stopping her scooter and helping her daughter down. I suppose they were coming back from some class, could guess it with the kid having a bag. She was checking it again…

The lady did try to start her scooter, but it did not budge. After a few minutes of thinking, I suppose she came to a decision and she started pushing the scooter down the road. I was just a few meters far from them. The kiddo was trying not to slip on the road while pushing the scooter from behind. The mom was asking her to walk next to her, as it was dark.

I could understand the mom’s protective instinct., but that’s not the point I want to make.
They walked for sometime, making jokes, and the girl prancing here and there on the road, and the mother just admonishing the girl not to run around and to be careful, it is a busy yet not so busy road. by then I was walking alongside them. I saw the girl to be around 6 years maximum.

Suddenly the girl said “Mom, why don’t you try to start the scooter again”
The mother told her she knows that it will not work.
The girl said “I have prayed to God (actually the whole thing was in tamil. and the girl says naan pillayarai nanna vendindean ma, ) and I am sure he will help us, do try once again..”
The mother replied “ok I will try once again..” she tried just to satisfy the daughter and it did start, and she said, “say thanks to pillayar (ganesha) and tomorrow go and tell him again” , let us get it checked at the mechanic shop (a few mts ahead) before going home.

Though many of you may think that there would not have been much of a problem to begin with, and could give me a list of issues and check list, I am not into the crux of the issue with the scooter.

the pillaiyar is the main deity of the temple I referred to in . Am I beautiful aunty The realization is about the faith the little one had on the pillaiyar. I did not know if she really knew how to pray, what she prayed but her faith is what gave me the reverberation of what I had written in the tango of faith and hope.

Why is that many of us lose our faith in things, the moment we come across a failure.

Was it a miracle or a coincidence.? I am still pondering, as I believe in both. ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/a-miracle-or-a-coincidence-2644/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/am-i-beautiful-aunty-2635/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:31:40 GMT We have a temple near my house. I see a small girl (should be 6 years) who comes along with her mother almost every other day. She came fully decked out today, in silk pavadai, jewellery and flowers, being her birthday. She did ask so cutely Am I beautiful, aunty,...this is my dedication to this... We have a temple near my house. I see a small girl (should be 6 years) who comes along with her mother almost every other day.
She came fully decked out today, in silk pavadai, jewellery and flowers, being her birthday.
She did ask so cutely Am I beautiful, aunty,...this is my dedication to this beautiful cutie and to many other cutie pies. (God bless)



How do I show thee, what I see?
How do I tell you, what I think?
Can I do justice I muse, with my response?
Am I beautiful you ask?

Should I tell you about
Your eyes that shine,
Like the dancing fire,
With mischief and warmth,

Should I tell about the
Crowning glories,
Like the fresh husk on a corn,
Like the silk spun so fresh,
Making the silkworm covet.

Should I tell you about the
Slippery satin skin,
Like the petals of roses,
Making the flower blush,

Should I tell you about the
Innocent smile,
Like the sparkling waters,
Like the shining stars,
That have gone hiding,

Forget what the world says,
Believe you are beautiful,
It is not in the color,
It is not in the shape
Nor in the size,
For they miss to see,
Inner radiance,a glow
from within. ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/am-i-beautiful-aunty-2635/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/branding-and-making-memories-2607/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:59:12 GMT This morning I was humming a tune, and suddenly cracked my brain about its origin. I finished my cooking, a little cleaning and then a little surfing, but it was niggling and itching away at the back of my brain. (it is a characteristic flaw according to DH, cannot leave things as they are.:hide:)... This morning I was humming a tune, and suddenly cracked my brain about its origin. I finished my cooking, a little cleaning and then a little surfing, but it was niggling and itching away at the back of my brain. (it is a characteristic flaw according to DH, cannot leave things as they are.:hide:) well then it flashed, it is the old vintage (according to me)

khuch khaas hai,hum sabi main,
khuch baat hain hum sabi main,
baat hain, khaas hain, swad hain zindagi..
(a beautifully written jingle kya swad hain zindagi..meaning tastes of life.) does these lines ring a bell if not here is the link,.

Well every time I see a cadbury’s milk chocolate, I tend to see this girl with her natural love of life expressions bringing out a smile always:-). Grew up seeing this ad, it was fresh, then a romantic ad at some point.

The next one was the bajaj ad, that has made a come back again. Jab main chota ladka tha,

YOU AND ME in this beautiful world.. the hutch ad.

Well none of us can forget the pug that leaves a virtual pug mark in your heart everytime it comes on the screen…

Today, you need to rope in the la crčme of the celebrity to appear in ads.
Do you think we need celebs to promote a product. A product will definitely speak for itself even without so much hoopla with celebs.(opinions do differ). Look at the new Cadbury that talks about you can enjoy because it is the first of the month (salary day) and the competitor (munch/perk) who goes to say you don’t need the first of the month to enjoy.


Ads are the results of the creative minds work to make them as brands on the viewers or customers memory. I once heard from a girl who worked in one of the agencies, that we the customer is at the end of the chain. In order to brand the memory of the customer, they work on a brand memory identity. The description of the best memory the customer should have of the said brand, and will talk about it and nothing else and is also prepared to pay a little extra.

Well there are lot of ads that are done to make people look stupid, foolish, jealous (remember the paint ad) and the onida beast (not anymore, they have new ambassadors)
whether we like it or not they have been successful in wiggling in and branding the memory isn’t it. AT the same time we do have very beautifully and aesthetically done ads.
A salute to all those great ad makers. The number of hours they toil to just get a ad that plays for a 30 second or 1 minute at the maximum.:thumbsup

Enough of these ads and brands, DS was asking me, how come I am not able to remember a few things while you remember them (I was telling him that he used to like that vegetable when he was a small kid..) I did answer him, that his mind was playing tricks and refusing him access to memories he does not want to recollect.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all of us can forget what is not necessary and remember what is necessary, impossible, so let us make something easier, let us make happy memories to be branded. Let us create and cherish the sweet memories, instead of going to the rewind button, let us touch the forward and play buttons more.

Oh god did not want to go this way ..but me being me..

BTW when did the admakers of the crabtree come and listen to a conversation at home. Every time the ad comes up, I get a SMILE you know from whom.:biglaugh. Do you have such ads??

Are you branding someone ??
]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/branding-and-making-memories-2607/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/when-did-my-boy-grow-2547/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:14:27 GMT The other day, my son in one of his outbursts just said that "I am not a child anymore, mom", I know what is wrong and right.(he is going on 12)

And I was left wondering, when did my Boy grow up. it is true as many say, in the eyes of the parent, the kids are always small. the illusion of parenthood i suppose.
I am sure n everyday when our child does something so responsible, matured and
many of us go through this question of what happened to that sweet bundle, who needed me always.:idea


These are few lines I wrote on behalf of both of us for our kids.

On the day you were born,
Our lives were changed in a second,
We still wonder how a small bundle could
Change the world so sweetly.
The love we felt then, has now blossomed and grown
So much that it overflows from our hearts.

You made us look back at our childhood,
Bringing out the child in us sometimes,
You were the reason, for the fresh outlook
On our lives’ priorities

We have had all the fun, the tears and laughter,
Through these years of growing with you,

Time flies away and suddenly you are here
as an adolescent, and we do not know how
to address you, so grown is our sweet bundle of joy,
We love you so much, and will risk even your love for us
To do the right thing for you.

It is not easy for us to stand at a distance and see you
Angry, frustrated or hating the rules and disciplines
That we force on you some times.

We give you guidelines, but will not force you to
Take decisions you are not comfortable.
We want to be there for you cheering silently
while choosing your friends, Your career,
and ways of life giving you the strength,
To be independent, to hold you when you need a hug,
To applaud you when you need cheering,

Though today you may think we are too strict,
Remember we want you to have the inner strength and character,
That will carry you through life’s trials and errors
And mould you into a great human being.

We know, deep down in our heart,
We may also be making mistakes as parents,
Like we did when we were kids,
But we are sure, we will learn and grow
Together with you, hope you understand.
]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/when-did-my-boy-grow-2547/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/relearning-the-joy-giving-sharing-2506/ Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:21:35 GMT Donate blood and enjoy the joy of giving screamed the pamphlets and the posters. The whole of last week, I have been facing the same joy of giving week everywhere. Be it papers, the cricketers, the schools everybody talks about the joy of giving. I go to pizza hut, they want you to... Donate blood and enjoy the joy of giving screamed the pamphlets and the posters. The whole of last week, I have been facing the same joy of giving week everywhere.

Be it papers, the cricketers, the schools everybody talks about the joy of giving.

I go to pizza hut, they want you to donate rs 10. (the amount is very small), but do you think forcing us to give is good?

Last week at Westside, I was asked if I would like to light a diya, and the proceeds of that would go to a needy organization. I told the guy, I would like to donate the diya also to the needy. he said that is not in their policy.

We are basically the most giving people in the world. When and why did we stop sharing and caring. We do not want to give a helping hand to the old lady who wants to cross the road because we will be late to the place by a minute??. We do not want to give the food that is left over, to the needy, but want to keep it in the fridge for a day/week, before you decide you do not need it and ask your maid to take it home. (This happens in many a homes.)

Navarathri, purattasi (the auspicious month to go to tirupathi). We have a inflow of people asking for help to go to tirupathi, perform marriage. The same person would have come the month before saying it is my sister’s marriage. I would have given 10/50 rs to them, and got scoldings for the same for being a miser too. When I question how come she is coming for the same marriage, she starts of scolding me so rudely in telugu (assuming I do not understand) and then I tell her, if you are in need of money why don’t you work, she says why should I, and who are you to ask me.

I give money, thinking my maid cannot pay the fees for her kid, and she takes it, and then I come to know that she gets a scholarship, and the money I gave goes towards getting her the latest clips, bangles and things
It does definitely leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Did we need a Mr.Venkat Krishnan, to start the Give India movement and then come up with the joy of giving week to awaken the dormant giving nature. I don’t know.:idea

may be the joy of sharing, giving, caring has got lost because of above stated incidents too.

How many of you did see this ad.
Each one of us would have been in the shoes of the boy with the lollipop, many a times. But overcoming the temptation to enjoy it and to give it to the boy on the street is the best form of giving. Just look at the smile on the other boy after receiving the lollipop. Well it may be a lollipop to you, but the smile says it is a treasure to the other kid.
Maybe we did need the week to tell us to rekindle the feelings of joy of giving..

Well giving a handful of what is in your overflowing basket, is not going to put a dent in your basket but starts filling an empty basket.

Here the basket, is figurative. Each of us can do our simple deed that makes a pleasant, satisfying feeling. The deed could be in kind/action.

I stand in the ration queue to get the oil, wheat, and other things, to be sent to the orphanage and old age home I patronize, collecting the ration cards of the neighbors too sometimes. The satisfaction, that this will go towards feeding a few elders and kids gives me the strength to stand in the same queue again again.

The simple prayer the orphanage says for my family (the person calls me when they say the prayer) makes me donate for a day’s meal almost every other month.

The more I reach out, the more I learn of things, and I enjoy the joy of sharing along with everybody.

It is nice to know that there are lot of individuals and organizations coming forward to think of giving back to the society. Look at goonj, where a revolution is taking place, A piece of cloth that does not mean anything to us is not just a piece of cloth, but is going to help a lady, a kid somewhere.

Let us leave the skepticism of whether what we give goes to the needy, do our part of giving with a prayer hoping it reaches the needy.

I have a prayer of pardon for myself..

Dear god, my intention in helping out was genuine, if somebody is misusing it, and if I am a part of it without my knowledge, please forgive me and show me the right direction.

Joy of giving should be felt all through life, not restrained to just this week. Don’t you all agree?? ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/relearning-the-joy-giving-sharing-2506/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/vocabulary-smart-2460/ Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:36:03 GMT Well wondering whether this is about Enghlish grammar. No it is nothing to do with the tenses, conjunction or preposition. I just shy away from the perfection of the perfect sentences these days nor it has anything do with any english grammar software reviews.. “The picture was a orgasmic... Well wondering whether this is about Enghlish grammar. No it is nothing to do with the tenses, conjunction or preposition. I just shy away from the perfection of the perfect sentences these days nor it has anything do with any english grammar software reviews..

“The picture was a orgasmic delight” squeaked my friend over the phone. I was wondering if the movie was a xxx only to understand that the picture was good and she wanted to convey it using the new word that she caught one of her team member using.:rotfl

Well many a times, we do come across new words that we need to use the universal almanac to check out the meanings, but we tend to use them in abandon without thinking if the particular word sets right in the sentence.

So what makes us use these big words that catch us unawares and get embedded into our vocabulary. Is it because the use of them becomes fascinating as well as addictive. Or is that it will ameliorate (improve) your image in front of your friends and nemesis??

Or does it give an ephemeral (short live) gratification.

Well few incidents remain in my memory when I think of the combination of smartness and vocabulary.

There was this girl who was working for a project under me, during my working days (12 years back). We were checking database structures and data I think. There were around 20 pages of printed data to be checked manually.

The girl said “Mam! The data is too voluptuous” I was shocked that she could think the data is sensual when it was so dryyyyyy and voluminous. Only later could understand she wanted to mean voluminous.

Another is a incident that happened with somebody at home. His office assistant came and told him “Sir you are a simpleton”, and he just asked the assistant to check it out online, and he came back and told “I am sorry, I meant you are so simple (straightforward)”.

I had joined a college that was not the la crčme in those days.. There was this administrator who was not so good with his English, and he wanted to ask me, why I was roaming in the verandah.. and he did question me to that effect, the memory never stops bringing a tickle of a laugh.
He asked me. “Why are you rotating on the verandah..”

There is nothing wrong in using these great big words, or any word, for that matter, when you are trying to better your vocabulary. In fact, it is proved that reading and using of these words in abandon helps in broadening the spectrum.

Today, there are many vocabulary classes being conducted as a part of communication and personality development courses.

Here is a simple way I try to keep myself practicing. Just take note of the new words I come across be it a blog, newspaper, then if I cannot infer the meaning, refer to the universal almanac Oxford English Dictionary. Reading a lot helps. It is said that a baby can pick up words from the 6 month and has high grasping power for languages within 6 years.

I definitely feel that education is a perennial process. I also feel, to stop increasing our vocabulary is to stop intellectual growth ??
(is it taking it too far?:crazy)

I like to keep it simple. And once I have advised a dear friend in IL to limit the exhaustive usage of big words as she was making me have my OED open even to read a paragraph of what she wrote, and thank god she did not take much offence and did reduce to a extent.

But on the whole a larger vocabulary helps in maintaining a very clever, incisive and cerebral (I was contemplating of using erudite/cerebral) persona whether you are a kid, teen, or an adult as long as it does not take a colorful glossary to another trajectory.

Well my friend, do you think, vocabulary smartness is a necessary tool?. ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/vocabulary-smart-2460/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/how-do-i-love-thee-2421/ Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:25:28 GMT How do I love thee, Maybe like the lily, blooming for the moon, Maybe like parched soil, Loving the first rains, Maybe like the jasmine, Smelling so pure and sweet, How do I love thee,
Maybe like the lily,
blooming for the moon,

Maybe like parched soil,
Loving the first rains,

Maybe like the jasmine,
Smelling so pure and sweet,

Maybe like the bamboo flute,
Loving the air that makes melody,

Maybe like the first dew,
That kisses the grass,

Maybe like the bird,
flying away freed from the cage,

Maybe like the creek that runs,
To meet the river,

Or the peacocks that dance,
Welcoming the rain,

Or like the seven notes,
That mix to create music,

Do I need to follow others
to love you, I ponder,
I love you the way
I only can, and know,
That you can understand,
As they say love needs
Only understanding between
Two souls… ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/how-do-i-love-thee-2421/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/what-drove-this-man-2400/ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:16:05 GMT Some people we come across leave you surprised with a big O, not because they are smart, handsome, it is something, beyond that.

I have been reading about few personalities, recently and a person made me go “O” with an exclamation for his determination.

May be you people will tell me…So before you answer my question, you need a little background information on this person I am talking about.

He was a farmer, who lived in a village near the rocky Galhaur of Gaya.

One day, his wife, came filled with sorrow as she could not bring water for quenching his thirst. When his wife, explained that she slipped and fell down and broke the pot, he felt so helpless, that his wife had to cross the other side of the mountain to fetch a pot of water, and it was this love for his wife, that started thecrusade.

He felt that nothing was going to happen by complaining or waiting for miracles or action from the government, and decided he was going to make a better way of reaching the nearby villages through the rocky mountain. He was in his early 20’s with a determination to do it.

He sold his goat to buy a hammer, chisel and rope much to the alarm of his wife and parents, who did not want him to go ahead with this impossible adventure. The moment he started chiseling, he was so engrossed that he forgot to eat. After a point he moved his hut nearer to the hill so he could continue without disturbances. There was no help from any of his villager friends. He was ridiculed for the effort. But he went on chiseling for 22 years.

He walked through the mountain, in 1982 after 22 years by carving a road a 360-ft long, 25-ft high and 30-ft wide road reducing the 50+km travel to 8 km... The villagers celebrated it with giving him fruits, vegetables and whatever they could. But the wife, who supported his cause, was not there to share the success.

His daughter was not so happy. She felt her father had not taken care of them. He had been more interested in making the way for the whole villagers. To this the farmer said, that he was happy that his work is reducing the hardships of many of the villagers...

Through folk lores that talk about the determination of this farmer and his love for his wife this man has become very popular.

The farmer was Dashrath Manjhi, who walked the whole distance from Gaya to Delhi, as he did not have the money for the ticket.

Manjhi did not give up.. During his last few interviews, has confidently said that the chief minister (who honored Manjhi his seat for his selfless tribute to his village) has promised to build a road which would allow cars to travel. And the road was to be named after him along with the hospital that was supposed to have been already completed.

He passed away in August 2007 after a brief fight with cancer. It is 2 years since his death, and not much has improved in his village.

I am sure many of you would have read about him. Some of us would have given a passing glance at this news. Very few would have stood, and tried to analyze what was this man made of...purely steely determination and resilience. Let us remember him, for he has proved it is I m possible and not impossible, if you have a will.

Was it the belief, that when the mountain does not come to us, we go to it?? ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/what-drove-this-man-2400/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/humanity-going-extinct-2373/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:15:44 GMT I am a little shaken with what I see around as I have already professed in my earlier blog on I object (http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/i-object-invasion-my-privacy-2321/), though I would have liked to put in more of my objections, something else has stirred a continuous disturbance... I am a little shaken with what I see around as I have already professed in my earlier blog on I object, though I would have liked to put in more of my objections, something else has stirred a continuous disturbance that I needed to release or else rise my Heart rate..

Many of you in Chennai would have already read/watched about the gruesome murder of a lady in south Chennai by her husband... The area is where I live. When I saw the picture of the husband and wife splattered all over the news channel, she was a familiar face too... not sure, may be I had seen her at one of the super markets or something or even some temple. Though there are many stories doing the rounds in the paper that the husband got so furious that he strangulated her for the simple reason that she was pestering him to move out of the joint family, the couple were working in good position, had a love marriage and also have a daughter. The arguments for leaving the joint family stressed out and angered the husband so much that he strangulated her with a mere towel.
But the confirmed story today is that the husband strangulated her and then left her in the backyard and created the evidence to point that she was killed for her jewellery. The husband woke his father in the morning and both of them did the plan and hid the jewellery and also made it look as if she was killed for the same. The ideas was given by the father to the son, to the extent they had discussed how to tackle the police. Now both the father and the son have been arrested.

How more cold blooded can we become?

What is happening to people? There is a father’s calling up the daughter and killing her because she married against his wishes. The mother and son killing, the father as he was not willing to part with money. The sister killing her siblings brutally for having them out of her way.

Everyday, apart from the accident deaths and terrorist attacks, there is news of somebody killing another for such silly reasons.

Are we slowly losing the humane aspect? Is humanity leaving the masses? No do not say, hey dear, do not start asking these question just because of these few incidents.

So who is a human? A person showing kindness, compassion, or approachability which definitely differentiates a human and a animal. An animal is exclusively focused on his survival. He wants to stay alive and he wants his children to stay alive. He is not bothered about the rest of the world or what is happening around.

A human is somebody who wants to protect the world along with the desire to survive and preserve. He is compassionate about things happening around him; worried about everything that affects him and his world.

Today, we are not even aware if our neighbour is hospitalized unless they come and tell us. Today we ignore the cries of the child on the streets while we feed our kids inside.

I used to teach my children, that you need to learn to be good human beings when they were kids. When somebody asked them what they want to be, they spontaneously said good human beings, in turn were laughed at and made fun of. It took me a long time to teach them wanting to be a good human being is the most important thing in life and every other ambition and success will definitely follow. But I have my own friends ridiculing that I am misguiding my kids. I really wonder am I doing something wrong. The argument from my friends is today you need to know the tricks of the trade to survive. It is the survival of the fittest, and you need to be shrewd, cunning, and selfish too.

Here I would like to quote William and also ask are we??

“An inadvertent step may crush the snail that crawls at evening in the public path. But he that has humanity, forewarned, Will turn aside and let the reptile live.”

I definitely would like to turn aside and let the snail live, if not at least a bigger step avoiding crushing it. Live and let others live, the way you want to live, is humanity.

I do agree survival of the fittest is true, but how do you define fittest. I define it as strong, honest, and able to stand by your principles and ethics and fight till the end... I do think most of my friends here agree, if not do tell me your views too. :idea

Do you think humanity is going extinct, like the species that have been going extinct? ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/humanity-going-extinct-2373/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/i-object-invasion-my-privacy-2321/ Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:01:15 GMT Well this is a series of my frustration at the things that are happening around me but how prepared and watchful is enough has lead me to write them. By nature, I abstain from even reading the mails that my DH receives unless he asks me to read them. I respect, my children’s privacy and do... Well this is a series of my frustration at the things that are happening around me but how prepared and watchful is enough has lead me to write them.

By nature, I abstain from even reading the mails that my DH receives unless he asks me to read them. I respect, my children’s privacy and do not open their school bags in their absence.

It was around 10 in the night, and I had to go down to receive a load of sand that was being delivered for some construction work going on in my flat... I see this person, standing near the compound wall and peeping into the neighbor’s house and watching what they are doing. I just walked away from there.:omg:

These days many are interested to know what is happening in others’ home. Before we were only curious to know the tidbits in the life of celebrities, today people want to know what is happening in the neighbor’s life. Is he affected by recession, what’s the salary, how much loans, and everything. I suppose they derive a satisfaction that they are not alone in the suffering????

I object to this kind of invasion of privacy.

The other day saw news on Sahara, where the ward boy of a hospital has been filming people who come in for changing before x-rays. One of the patients had a doubt and when she prodded the panel she came to know of the mobile that was set to film. I for one, always having to be in a hospital for some test or the other, was shocked, not at the filming, but they have not even left people the privacy to suffer their illness in private.

The other invasion is that the discussion of your medical problems that was discussed in private being discussed in forums.

I object to this kind of invasion of privacy.

I get a call on my landline. It goes like this.
Caller: Madam, we are calling from so and so…company, we would like to know if you are interested in investing.
Myself: I am not listed in the directories, how did you get my number,
Caller: I am just an employee calling in random from the list given to me by my boss.
Myself: Can I talk to your boss.
The connection was cut. I have not registered my phone number anywhere. I am not listed in the telephone directory.
Getting frequent calls from salesman, and sums from people with cheap messages is a real invasion of my privacy. People do sell all the details for a few bucks.

I object to this kind of invasion of privacy.

I get an email, from a source asking me details, and help. The concerned person has extracted my email from a list he has by chance got hold from one of his friends, being bombarded with messages from the person without my permission just because I was a id, in one of the mails of his friends I could understand if it was a single entree where a forward would have caught all the id’s but a repeated mails is also invasion of my privacy.

I object to this kind of invasion.

But being in the digital age, customer security is the least priorities with most businesses, the proof is found all around. Now the governments has plans to track the cyberspace, so within a very small span of time, what I browse, what I do on the net is going be a detail within reach for the government. (Already the government is asking for the net log from cyber cafes)

Though the government argues that they are looking into such details for the protection of the people of India, I personally feel my right to privacy is violated. Anonymity of the virtual world is a myth? and we can definitely be tracked and identified.

As an Indian citizen I have the right to privacy.

The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000) also contains provision for the justification of privacy rights. For example, if, a person authorized under the act, rules or regulations, secures access to any electronic record, information, document etc without the consent of the person concerned and discloses the same to any other person then he shall be punished with imprisonment up to 2 years, or with fine up to Rs.1 lakh, or with both.

Maybe we have not yet understood the seriousness of the invasion of privacy. Do you think I am objecting for no reason friends ???:confused2::?: ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/i-object-invasion-my-privacy-2321/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/everyone-needs-someone-like-you-2299/ Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:17:23 GMT With the papers giving so many ads, articles on friendship on the occasion of friendship day and many celebrities talking about their friends, their celebrations and hangouts for the day on the media, I am thinking about my friends, whom I cherish. I never made friends easily throughout... With the papers giving so many ads, articles on friendship on the occasion of friendship day and many celebrities talking about their friends, their celebrations and hangouts for the day on the media, I am thinking about my friends, whom I cherish.

I never made friends easily throughout my school or college, I always had that initial reluctance to proceed towards friendship from acquaintance. even some of my friends in IL think I am a head strong, too studious type though few of them have realized that it takes me a long time to forge a friendship. My DS makes friends within minutes completely opposite to me. Once the friendship network was introduced in IL, many of the members started friendship requests, and we accept some and reject some. Once my dear friend from IL did ask me, do we really need to be on this network to be friends, though I told her that it allows us to photo sharing features and all, I myself am still not convinced what am I really doing with this network, though if you look at my profile I do have around 70+ friends in my network and a few rejects though it is never with the intention of hurting them.

I cherish and respect friends and friendship more than I can express in words. I feel that there is no language for friendship. I have written so much about what friendship means to me, and also my close friend…

Friendship is something like a gift from Angels that needs to be cherished and treasured.

A ode to my dear friend…

Everyone needs someone like you,
A great person to be with,
A person who places smiles,
Replacing the frowns on the face,
A person who has a great kind heart,
Who never laughs at any attempts
Pats on victories and defeats alike,
A wonderful knack to decide,
When to offer advice,
When to silently support,
A soul who is always at guard,
Be it my life or my secrets,
Like they are precious gifts,
An Ear that listens to all my fears,
A hand that is ready to wipe tears,
The arms those are ready to hug,
When in need for assurance,
Distance never matters,
For you know to reach,
When a friend is in need.
A friend so great, inspires
Others to be a better friend,


A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself. IT is said that Friendship is never forgotten, and you can never say you have a lost a friend, if the friendship is capable of ending, it is because it never existed at the first instance. So choose your friends wisely and retain them. a small chat, a small note, a phone call, a mail or visit to say that your friend is in your thoughts and that you cherish them as they deserve.

Happy Friendship day to all ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/everyone-needs-someone-like-you-2299/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/i-wish-for-little-whispers-2276/ Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:48:46 GMT (This is a dedication from me to all those who are into *long distance marriage/relationships.. (http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/marriage-defying-distances-2275/)*.) I wish for the little whisper, “Hey dear I am here” That comforts me when, The day is so lonely ... (This is a dedication from me to all those who are into long distance marriage/relationships...)

I wish for the little whisper,
“Hey dear I am here”
That comforts me when,
The day is so lonely
And time drags..

The reminisces of all talks,
The voice that is a balm to me,
Whispers, hey, I am here with you,
Though it is in my thoughts

I watch the stars everyday,
Knowing that you are there,
Watching them at the same time,
Happy to cherish these moments,
With you whispering to the winds,
Hey, I am there with you,

I savor and store all the sweet talk,
To chew over them when
it is difficult to reach you,
Listening to your voice,
That is so full of love,
Though so far is next to my ear,

Every time I hear you say a hello,
When I call you over phone,
Though apart by miles,
they just vanish, to make me
Feel that you are here
Next to me, whispering,
I am here, standing next to you… ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/i-wish-for-little-whispers-2276/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/marriage-defying-distances-2275/ Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:41:53 GMT Absence makes it dearer they say, is it true, I wonder, when it is the case of long distance marriages/relationships (commonly known as LDR/LDM these days.)

Sustaining a `normal' marriage is difficult in these days of stress and fast lane life, many wonder how spouses living apart manage to make it work.

With the recession and other factors, there are many in my own friends circle who do think about taking the step towards a LDM but are worried to take the leap.

Though I had talked about breathing spaces, that Khalil Gibran, had written so beautifully , the spaces that come into relationship when one of the spouses is away miles apart, is threatening to many.

What makes a LDM, successful ??
Communication..what looks silly to be discussed when you are together, makes a interesting facet of your life to discuss with your better half, assuring him that he/she is still part of your moments, of your life even though far away. For example the lunch menu which would be appearing mundane to you. A phone call, a sms, a web chat has made this a more easier and religiously able to follow rituals. The cyberworld has made the communication network a piece of cakewalk for the person who wants to. A daily dose of emails, a phone call even if it was to say have a nice day is a morale booster to person who away.

Don’t blame your better half for every thing that is at fault at your end. Do not take out your frustrations by shouting at the other person. Remember when,sometimes shouting at each other in person, leads to drastic results, what harms could be done by taking it out on a person not around.

Trust, the most important ingredient for the success of any relationship plays a very vital role in a LDR/LDM. Never try to work a relationship when you have your insecurities about the commitment levels of your partner. Many people make very crude open jokes about infidelity in a LDM, little do they realize that they may be hurting the sentiments of the persons involved. Remember, that when there is mutual understanding, commitment, trust it keeps your head high above the turmoils in life.

If children form part of the LDM, you need to keep them involved in the communication so that they do not miss the absent parent, and also the parent does not miss much of the growing years of the children and involving the parent to be present in every step of parenting.

On a lighter note, I hear many saying that the people in LDM are very much lucky, as they are not in constant bitching, sparring and constant edge of making up.

(Definitely had to pen a few verses on the feeling of a person in a LDM)
]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/marriage-defying-distances-2275/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/waiting-for-you-2261/ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:42:10 GMT I have cricks in my neck, Craning, gazing out for you, For a first meet, that would Cleanse me of the suffocation, We are parched by your absence, Absence makes it dearer they say, How true, you are missed by everyone Do come soon, to quench our thirst, I have cricks in my neck,
Craning, gazing out for you,
For a first meet, that would
Cleanse me of the suffocation,

We are parched by your absence,
Absence makes it dearer they say,
How true, you are missed by everyone
Do come soon, to quench our thirst,

The ground is so cracked up waiting,
Like it hit itself out of frustration,
The trees and flowers so shy,
That they have drooped heads,
And some have gone hiding too..

The wells and lakes are so dry,
I cannot see myself complain,
the girls, frogs and the moon,
What is making you so late,
You were always here like clockwork,
Though not on days predicted..

Heard that you are visiting places,
where you have outstretched your welcome??
Your understanding of,
hospitality has gotten messed,
owing to Global warming??
Why don’t you come soon,
To cool Mother Earth who,
Is reluctant to forgive us,
For all the blunders…

Oh, Mr.Rain, do come in before,
Your absence makes people
Hate you for not being there
In times of need…..


This year the government has recently made an statement, we already have 25% shortage in the monsoons,which were late than usual..we are looking at Elnino, global warmings to share the blame, while we humans with our selfishness, reckless abuse of our abundant resources are mainly at fault.

The main blame should be borne by the government?? i suppose..with no desilting in any of the rivers, lakes/ponds, there is no way we are collecting the abundant rain water.

We need to learn and practice water conservation and rainwater harvesting.

Hope we learn faster from our mistakes..and try to rectify them. ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/waiting-for-you-2261/ http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/the-gana-saraswathi-from-damal-2247/ Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:47:43 GMT Are you wondering whom I am referring to..well it is 4 days since she attained the lord’s feet, and I was feeling miserable and was not in the frame to put in a few words of my condolences. She is none other than the fondly known DKP alias D.K.Pattammal who is actually Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal.... Are you wondering whom I am referring to..well it is 4 days since she attained the lord’s feet, and I was feeling miserable and was not in the frame to put in a few words of my condolences. She is none other than the fondly known DKP alias D.K.Pattammal who is actually Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal.

DKP hailed from a very orthodox family, and is one of the great women revolutionaries in her own right who could break the barriers that stood against performing on stage especially Brahmin women. It was Rukmini Arundale and DKP who take the credit of the first Brahmin ladies to perform music or dance on stage.

Her gurus were many, some inspirational in their own way like Naina Pillai, whose concerts she had been attending from the age of 5, Ambi Dik****ar, the great great Grandson of Muthuswami Dik****ar, though later she has been trained by Koteswara Iyer, appadorai Acharyan , Vaidyanathan(disciple of ARiyangudi Ramanuja Iyengar) and Papanasam Sivan ..

She gave her first performance in Damal, to a rapturous audience who did not stop clapping (ofcourse with her elder brother in tow)

Her second performance was a drama, where she played savitri, making the audience of Damal weep with her moving performance..

In 1929, DKP gave her first ever radio performance, and there had never been looking back.

Though she had many disciples, the late DKJayraman, her younger brother and first disciple is to be mentioned, along with her daughter in law and her grand daughter Nityashree mahadevan who are musicians. She has many disciples both Indian and foreigners of the lot Aikiko, a Japanese gets a special mention for being very impressive.

DKP, DKJ and Palghat Mani Iyer (Her Daughter in law’s father) made a great team.

Once during an interview, when she was asked how did her husband (Ishwaran) and home take her, away from home concerts.. She replied, “My mother-in-law used to be at home. We had a cook. For my husband, home was very important. Even when I had to go off somewhere on tour I had to buy all the household items before I left. When I was at home, my husband was particular that I took care of the house and everyone at home, even the cows:bowdown”

Even as I write this, Sujana jeevana rama, rings in my ears..

For a person, who had been conferred with the titles of Sangitha Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan, Kalidas Samman, and the great Padma Vibhushan, the title of Gaana Saraswathi conferred by the giant of Carnatic Music “Tiger Varadhachari” was very close to her heart…

Today all the three vidushi’s who were called the Female Trinity’s of carnatic music are no more. M.L.Vasanthakumar, M.S.Subbulakshmi and today D.K.Pattammal.

We have definitely lost one of the great pillars of carnatic music. An exceptional class of artist who was not affected by her fame and iconic status in the music world. A compassionate human being.

Truly Gana Saraswathi…. ]]> Shanvy http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/shanvy/the-gana-saraswathi-from-damal-2247/