Showing posts with label contest and prompts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contest and prompts. Show all posts

Oct 14, 2013

Delhi Manifesto - corruption free Delhi

For couple of years, our country and our capital has been in limelight for corruption. Anyone, Indian or non-resident Indian can talk at full length on corruption.

We all uniformly believe that the corruption is a root cause of many problems. Be it mid-day meal case or lack of women security; poor infrastructure or terms with neighboring nations. We believe that somewhere it is because of our politicians who eat up the entire budgeted fund and do not do anything in country’s favor.

We stood in support of Anna Hazare, pledge to vote Aam aadmi party, shared viral information from wiki leaks but we didn’t change ourselves.

When a cop stops us for over-speeding, we give him a hundred rupees note.
When a cop stops us for drunken driving, we give him another hundred rupees note.
When our bills are due for long time, we pay the teller at the department to get it signed off.
When we don’t get permission from department, we pay under the table to get approvals.
When we keep a tenant, we pay to local inspector and don’t pay house tax.
When we are stuck, we ask someone to call someone who knows a minister and get things moving.

From an auto-driver to a businessman, each of us, we do our bit to encourage corruption and then blame it on government.
Sometime for hide our mistakes, something to smoothen the process, sometimes to just show who the boss is. We all are corrupt in our small ways.

This is My Delhi Manifesto in association with BlogAdda.com.

Berries - Haiku attempt


berries o berries
you grow so beautiful
teach us to be purposeful 


This is my first Haiku attempt. I am not sure if I have understood the rules of a Haiku completely. I'd really like to hear the feedback and your inputs.

Oct 9, 2013

UBC Day 9 - Wedding - Part 8

This mail is continued from "Part 7 - Coping up".

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One year ago – Deepti was rushing out of the parlour. She was late. Cursing under her breath she made her way to the car. After all who gets late for her own wedding?

She sat in the car, on her way to the venue, bundled with nervousness and anger at the parlour. It was her big day. Deepti hated the constant ringing phone while Ritika shouted at each and every caller with same answer. “Where is Priya? Where is her best friend?” Deepti wondered.

Calming her nerves down, Shriya asked Deepti to close her eyes and relax. But relaxing was almost impossible. She thought of Harsh’s comment from the function yesterday when he said that her make-up was too much. She absently touched her face and prayed that there was nothing wrong with her make up today.

“Forty minutes late” text from Harsh read as they parked the car and Deepti struggled to get out.

She walked up to the gate where ribbon cutting was in process. She stopped in her tracks when she heard someone cheering and teasing Harsh. Priya?? Her best friend was really there!

Suddenly all her worries disappeared and she took a confident step ahead.

Though it was her wedding she managed to give a quick hug to Priya before going ahead to the stage.

She looked at Harsh. He looked just awesome. She extended her hand to hold his for a minute. He looked at her and gave her a mock glare. She saddened.

Deepti didn’t have to be sad for long. Long queue of relatives from both sides kept coming up, cracking few jokes, livening up things, clicking pictures. 

After a while, she realized that she hadn’t seen Priya ever since the ribbon cutting. She asked one of her friends to ask Priya and Nitin to come up too. She replied, “But last I saw Priya, she was going out to the parking.”


“What is wrong with Priya? Is everything okay? She has to speak to her, but how?” Deepti thoughts were stopped short as some friends dragged the couple to the dance floor.

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Where did Priya go? What's in the store for Deepti? Read more on Day 9.

Oct 1, 2013

Little (long) note of goals, achievements and awards

A new Ultimate Blogging Challenge begins today. 31 days, 31 post, one post each day… it took me quite a self-motivation to sign up for it. I remembered July and the nightmare of searching through topics, words and many times time and battery in my phone to do so. However, a round of conversation with my blogger friend Richa and I managed to sign up.

For last couple of days of September, I have been thinking about writing little achievements and goals.

For starters, somewhere in August I challenged myself to write 30 book reviews in 30 days. Though, the 30 days turned out to be 50 but with help of many fellow bloggers, I completed my last post yesterday.

September also bought me two little awards from my blogger friends.

First was Liebster Award shared by Meera of A Rat’s nibble. While sharing her award she asked certain questions…the answers to which go here –

1. What is the best word to describe you?
Talkative
2. Tell me your wildest fantasy.
To sit at northpole
3. What scares you the most?
Lizards
4. What is the best trick you think you have done to impress your crush but turned the other way?
I tried to draw attention by dropping the pen, but the teacher caught thinking I was cheating. It was a mess.
5. One ingredient for happiness.
Smile and let go.

Second award came from Ashish of My umpteen thoughts which was a Creative Blogger Award. I am frankly humbled to be sharing this, because if I ever have to describe my blog, creative will be the last word out of my vocab.

However, I’d love to share these awards with a few blogger friends.

Liebster Award – Preethi of A bit of this and that

Creative blogger Award – Richa Vikas Agrawal of The philospher’s stone and Nabanita of Random Thoughts



Moving on… I am sort of happy that I achieved my target of writing 30 post a month in September and reaching out to a target number of audience. Also, my first ever attempt on poem was appreciated, which made me really happy. Moreover, I resolved to start blogging for cause and encouraging others to do so. I hope I will get to read more posts on the same soon.

I am taking a little more pledge and moving on to explore the fiction writer in me. Starting today, I will write a story (how long I still don’t know) as part of UBC. I will need all the support for this story, and I hope you like it.

For my friends who share my awards… please take out time to answer my little questionnaire.

1. Describe why you blog in one sentence?
2. One place that you want to visit the most?
3. Which color defines you the best?
4. What is one thing that can cheer you up on a blue day?

P.S. This isn't my UBC post. It is just a mark of another begining. More like talking to myself and my friends here. Do come back to read the first post of UBC later today.

Sep 30, 2013

Letter unsent - letter to my darling sister

My dear Vani,

I got a prompt to write a letter to my sibling/closest cousin and well! I could only think of you.

With our age difference and lives in different hostels, we hardly ever spent our childhood together. My memory of our childhood together is mostly limited to summer breaks where all of us would meet once a year under the roof of our mother’s childhood home.

When you shifted to Delhi in order to complete your graduation, my first thought of that was of indifference. However, after initial shock (on your part) and indifference (on my part) we graduated to being more friends than sisters.

In last five years, I have shared with you all my secrets and embarrassing stories. I have had so much fun staying up late, eating/munching and chatting. I love the memories of times I spent walking around the GK market with you. Especially the winter evenings, with a coffee cup in hand, endless conversations while we took rounds of the park.

Last couple of years; you haven’t been as close as earlier in terms of actual distance but it hasn’t made much difference. For all I know, you are the first person I would call if I am extremely happy or extremely distressed. And we both know that it is both ways.

My dear sister, I have never said it in so many words, but you mean a lot to me. I love you. I would like to assure you once again that I am there if you ever need me. You can count on me like I can.

Love you,
Sugandha

Sep 29, 2013

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Happy New Year!!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… and I could no longer hear the crowd that was cheering. I wanted to believe that I was fine, but the sound of people wishing New Year to their loved ones was fading. I felt as if I was drowning. Slowly, slowly everything seemed distant.

I was alone, really alone. I was no longer excited. I was scared. I began to cry. I wanted to scream but no words came out. Instead came out a muffling sound. I finally heard an ambulance before I drifted off to a deep sleep.

                                                ----------------------------------------

It was New Year’s 2010. It was my first new years away from my family. I had managed to convince my parents and left for Goa with my buddies on 28th morning. Next four days were going to be the best holiday ever of my life.

Next two days were full of unlimited drinks, music and dance. Goa was amazing. Beaches, great weather, amazing crowd, larger than life parties, all that a small town guy like me had seen for the first time.

Finally it was the New Year’s Eve. We all wanted to do something bigger, something better, something different than the parties that we were attending for last two nights. My friend found out that the best party in entire Goa is at a private beach of a business tycoon, but the entry is strictly by invites.

Driven by the adrenaline rush, we vowed to gate crash. We dressed up well, and reached the venue. After twenty minutes my friend managed to get us an entry by convincing one of the bouncers.

Inside was a party that we had never ever imagined. Everything was on house. The “Who’s who” of the Bollywood and corporate world were there. Page three media representatives, photographers, skilled bartenders, five star caterers… think and they were there.

We were having a great time. It was 15 minutes left to New Year’s when someone offered us a smoke. I took a drag and realized it was not a cigarette. I thought of returning it back but yeah! It was New Years. My friends encouraged and tried a drag each. I smoked off rest of the joint in style.

Soon after that someone took me to a corner where several people were bent on a table. It was exciting. I was handed a roll and encouraged to bend down and inhale. As the DJ began the countdown 10, 9…. I bent down. 8, 7, 6… I inhaled and got up. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Happy New Year!!

                                                         -----------------------------

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

This post is written to highlight increasing availability and usage of party drugs. (Photo source - Google)

Sep 23, 2013

If only you were here...

So many stories untold,
So many sagas unheard.
So many songs unsung,
So many minutes unloved.

If only you were here,
I’d tell you what you mean to me.
If only you were here,
I’d share my dreams and fantasy.

Each day I miss you,
Every night I cry.
If only I knew,
While I continue to try.

The distance between us,
Cannot be measured in miles,
Life and death did not part,
But I couldn’t control your heart.

If only you remained,
I’d tell you no lies.
If only you were here,
I’d give you my life.


(My first attempt at a poem, written in one go without editing, ending only at 99 words...written for Write Tribe 100 words on saturday. Based on the prompt "If only you were here"
100 Words on Saturday - Write Tribe

Sep 9, 2013

Friends and Italy- my happy traveller wishlist

I have always been an elaborate planner. Especially when it comes to travelling, one of my favorite pas-time is to plan holidays. I sit for hours in front of my laptop, searching for fare prices, reading travelogues, contemplating over finances and making a list of dream destinations.

I recently listed seven places I really want to go to. But when for Indiblogger competition "Creating Happy Travellers" by http://www.yatra.com I had to pick one that will be happiest – I’ll pick Italy.

Few years ago, with release of Eat Pray Love, Rome became a famous destination. But if you are as big a Mario Puzo fan as I am, your love for Italy is as much as your own nation.

Sep 7, 2013

Seven unique characterstics of Delhi

I am quite upset about the end of this festival. I have had a great time writing and reading. But today, I don’t feel like writing at all. Keeping in mind that this is the last post for the festival I decided to go a little expressive about the city I have come to love even after its unique characterstics that amuse me.

This is a personal list, so I hope I am not offending anyone.

Sep 6, 2013

Seven blogs bookmarked on my internet browser

Now that I have established that my attention span is very small, I guess it also gives me right to establish that my mood to write changes… therefore, I am not writing about one of promised topics but today I am celebrating my favorite blogs.

I have a practice. If I like a blog, I follow. And when I really like a blog, I bookmark it. I suddenly realized yesterday that I have full seven blogs on my favorites bar.

Sep 5, 2013

Seven super - teachers in my life

My original post planned for the day was seven people I love the most. But keeping in mind that today is teacher’s day celebrated in India; I change my post to seven teachers of high importance in my life.
Since everyone we meet, knowingly or unknowingly, whether we like or not, teaches us something, my post is categorized into groups who taught me a certain thing. This isn’t a first or second list, it is in the order of when I met them in my life.

Sep 4, 2013

Seven things that I hate in myself

Or I’ll put it like this…seven things I am trying to change in me.

More than once, I blame my nature and behavior to my zodiac sign. I am a Leo and being one I have certain good and bad issues with my personality. There are a few without which my life would be happier. Probably listing them down and getting to read will help.

Sep 3, 2013

Seven arguments for and against my country

In light of the recent debate upon depreciation of value of rupee, corruption, lack of security, etc. I often found myself loathing the nation that I was born in. I no longer remembered the moments of proudly singing the national anthem and saluting to our national flag. I started comparing my life to those who are settled in developed countries. But then amidst all this something happened – a discussion with a friend who is totally anti-India made me think that somewhere within me is someone who still believes in the greatness of this nation.

This post is a mere reflection of turmoil that goes inside my brain and maybe yours too.

Sep 2, 2013

Seven places I want to travel to.

This is going to be a tough post. I mean my list of must visit places is so long that it seems impossible to list down top seven. Most of these places, I have been planning forever now. I once read in one of the cards that I should include my travel plans in my prayers and I will get means to fulfill my dreams. So here is an attempt to list down top seven.

Aug 29, 2013

Tale of tangy mango pickle

I received a package from home. Someone was visiting so my mother decided to pack a few things for me. We sibling often call it as “Maa ka Pyaar package”. The package usually contains some food items, maybe some clothes that she bought for an occasion, some cash as blessings and a letter.

I know we are in 21st century and almost every Indian who can afford a decent meal can afford a phone connection. I speak to her each day, but we still prefer to write letters time to time.

Each time I get to know that there is a package coming, I can hardly wait. Food items are always a surprise and as always mom knows the likes and dislikes best.

So today it was. I received the package through my uncle and I could hardly contain my excitement. I could already smell the oil and tangy mango pickle. Summers have just gone by and she must have made some fresh pickle.

Aug 21, 2013

Food for Soul

I had been desperate. Over three weeks in village and my book finished long ago. The remote villages had the highest rate of illiteracy in the country, thus let alone a book story, there wasn’t a stationary in about 8 km radius. Last week I spoke to my mother for hours. It is surprising that the mobile phone networks have reached where schools couldn’t.

Yesterday I rode to the post office to check for my office mails and parcels. There was one from my mother. It contained three hard bound books. I got my food for soul. Love you Mom.
****************

She had been working in my house for over a year. A little over 15, her main job was to hang around and take care of my niece. Each time I went home I saw her looking at me with her inquisitive eyes. I often wondered if they had some request.

Late one night, I was thirsty and I stepped into kitchen for water. The lights were on already, and there she was, sitting with an open book, reading out loud as she tried to pronounce each English word, slowly rocking as she read, feeding herself on food for soul.


100 Words on Saturday - Write Tribe

The two short posts are written for 100 words on Saturday by Write Tribe and the prompt was "Food for Soul".

P.S. Have you dropped by at my ongoing project 30 days 30 books?

Aug 17, 2013

Midnight phone call

At the stroke of Midnight my phone rang. The voice on the phone sang, “Happy Birthday to you…” the voice was so sweet that I couldn’t bring myself to say that it was a wrong number.

It was only when I replied after her song got over she realized that she had got the wrong number.

She was the girl in my class who was wanted to wish birthday to her best friend and accidently dialed my number.

Aug 16, 2013

Freedom of Expression - a gift for writer/bloggers in an independent nation

What does freedom of expression mean to me as a blogger/ writer?

The question reminds me of the case of a cartoonist who was put behind the bars for mocking a political leader. It also reminds me of several writers who are banned from their countries, whose work are banned for creating social or political unrest. It reminds me of books that are criticized to be meaningless, thoughtless, etc.

I always think that as a writer (if I ever become one) if I put my heart and soul into a work and publish, how important acceptance to me is.

Aug 11, 2013

Eyes and heart

She has really pretty eyes. I have told her this several times. However, they aren’t something I would fall for. Today she stood there with expectations in her eyes and I had a sudden urge to laugh just when she was about to cry.
Sadly, not always the heart is as beautiful as eyes are.

**************

I don’t understand why he has to lie and hide things when the truth is fairly simple. He tells me that my eyes are pretty but I know he thinks that I have a heart of stone. I don’t care what he thinks of my eyes but I care what he thinks of my heart.



This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

Aug 9, 2013

Letters unsent - letter to my best friend/s

Dear Best Friend,

Or should I say best friends? It has always been a challenge for me to describe best friend as singular. In my journey called life I have shifted many places and each new place has given me a new set of friends. Amongst this each new set of friend, I have somehow many to always find at least one best friend which has left me with a list of best friends rather than one particular best friend.

One of you best friends always questioned and criticized me on this point and did not understand how “Best” which is superlative can be plural. I have wanted to explain you that as many people I meet in every new space, I leave behind a trail of familiar faces, happy memories and friends who have set out to different journey than mine.