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Showing posts with label Others. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Others. Show all posts

Tuesday 26 September 2023

10 lesser known facts about Anxiety

 Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While some aspects of anxiety are well-known, there are also many lesser-known facts about anxiety that can provide a deeper understanding of this complex condition. Here are 10 less known facts about anxiety:

1. Anxiety is a natural response: Anxiety is not always a negative or abnormal condition. It's a natural response to stress and can serve as a survival mechanism, alerting us to potential threats and helping us prepare for them.

2. There are different types of anxiety disorders: Anxiety is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are various anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias, each with its own unique symptoms and triggers.

3. It can manifest physically: Anxiety doesn't just affect your mind; it can also manifest physically. Symptoms can include muscle tension, headaches, stomachaches, and even cardiovascular issues.

4. Anxiety can have a genetic component: Research suggests that there may be a genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders. If you have a family history of anxiety, you may be at a higher risk of developing one yourself.

5. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety: Prolonged exposure to chronic stress can increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder. Chronic stress can alter brain chemistry and make it more susceptible to anxiety.

6. Anxiety is linked to other mental health conditions: Anxiety often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

7. It can affect memory and cognitive function: Anxiety can impair cognitive function, including memory, concentration, and decision-making. This can make it challenging to perform daily tasks and make important decisions.

8. Physical exercise can help alleviate anxiety: Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety levels.

9. Avoidance can worsen anxiety: Avoiding situations or places that trigger anxiety may provide temporary relief, but it can reinforce the anxiety over time. Facing your fears through exposure therapy is often an effective treatment.

10. Anxiety can be managed and treated: Many effective treatments are available for anxiety, including therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medication, and lifestyle changes. Seeking help from a mental health professional is a crucial step in managing anxiety.

Remember that anxiety is a treatable condition, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for guidance and support.

Sunday 24 September 2023

Anxiety in India: Top 10 Causes and Concerns

Anxiety can arise from various factors, and it's essential to note that individuals may experience anxiety differently. Here are ten common reasons for anxiety in Indians, along with relevant examples

1. Academic Pressure: High expectations to excel academically, competitive exams, and parental pressure.

Example: Stress and anxiety among students preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, JEE, or board exams.

2. Workplace Stress: Heavy workloads, tight deadlines, job insecurity, and demanding superiors.

 Example: Anxiety among IT professionals facing project deadlines and layoffs.

3. Financial Concerns: Struggles to meet expenses, repay loans, and save for the future.

 Example: Anxiety arising from mounting credit card debts and housing loan EMIs.

4. Family Expectations: Traditional family values, marriage pressure, and career choices.

 Example: Anxiety due to pressure to marry within a specific caste or community.

5. Health Issues:  Worries about personal health, family members' health, and healthcare costs.

 Example: Anxiety over a family member's serious illness and the financial burden of medical treatment.

6. Social Pressure:  Fear of societal judgment, conformity, and maintaining reputation.

 Example: Anxiety about not meeting beauty standards or societal expectations.

7. Relationship Problems: Conflicts with partners, family, and friends, and fears of loneliness.

 Example: Anxiety arising from a troubled marriage or a difficult relationship with parents.

8. Political and Societal Concerns: Concerns about political instability, social issues, and communal tensions.

 Example: Anxiety over the political climate and its impact on the nation's future.

9. Climate and Environmental Concerns: Anxiety about climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation.

 Example: Stress stemming from worries about air quality and water pollution in cities.

10. Technology and Information Overload : Overexposure to digital devices, social media pressures, and cyberbullying.

 Example: Anxiety among teenagers due to social media addiction and online harassment.


Tuesday 5 September 2023

Top 10 Symptoms of Anxiety

 Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can manifest in various ways. Below are ten common symptoms of anxiety, along with details and examples to help you understand them better:

  1. Excessive Worry:
    • Details: Constant and uncontrollable worrying about everyday events, often accompanied by a sense of impending doom.
    • Example: Worrying excessively about a presentation at work, even though it's well-prepared and not particularly high-stakes.
  2. Restlessness:
    • Details: Feeling on edge, fidgety, or unable to relax, often accompanied by physical restlessness.
    • Example: Constantly tapping your feet, pacing, or being unable to sit still during a movie.
  3. Rapid Heartbeat:
    • Details: Increased heart rate, heart palpitations, or a pounding sensation in the chest.
    • Example: Feeling your heart race before a job interview, even though there is no physical threat.
  4. Muscle Tension:
    • Details: Experiencing muscle tightness or tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, or back.
    • Example: Feeling your neck and shoulders tense up before a social gathering.
  5. Sweating and Trembling:
    • Details: Excessive sweating, trembling, or shivering, especially in stressful situations.
    • Example: Shaking hands or profuse sweating when giving a speech in public.
  6. Shortness of Breath:
    • Details: Feeling breathless, having difficulty taking deep breaths, or experiencing chest tightness.
    • Example: Feeling like you can't catch your breath when entering a crowded room.
  7. Gastrointestinal Issues:
    • Details: Digestive problems such as nausea, stomachaches, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
    • Example: Frequent stomachaches or diarrhea before social events or important meetings.
  8. Sleep Disturbances:
    • Details: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless, anxious dreams.
    • Example: Tossing and turning all night due to worries about the future.
  9. Cognitive Distortions:
    • Details: Irrational thought patterns, such as catastrophizing, overgeneralization, and all-or-nothing thinking.
    • Example: Believing that making a single mistake at work will lead to immediate job loss and financial ruin.
  10. Avoidance Behavior:
    • Details: Avoiding situations, places, or people that trigger anxiety to prevent discomfort.
    • Example: Refusing invitations to social gatherings because of the fear of judgment or humiliation.

It's important to note that everyone experiences anxiety differently, and symptoms can vary in severity. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety that significantly impacts daily life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support

 

Monday 4 September 2023

Top Home remedies to cure anxiety

 Home remedies for anxiety can be helpful for managing mild to moderate anxiety symptoms. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you have severe or persistent anxiety. Here are some home remedies for anxiety:

  1. Deep Breathing Exercises:
    • Technique: Find a quiet place, sit or lie down comfortably, and take slow, deep breaths. Inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four. Repeat several times.
    • How it helps: Deep breathing can help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.
  2. Aromatherapy:
    • Technique: Use essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or bergamot in a diffuser or apply a drop or two to a handkerchief to inhale.
    • How it helps: Certain scents can have a calming effect and reduce anxiety.
  3. Herbal Teas:
    • Options: Chamomile tea, green tea, valerian root tea, or passionflower tea.
    • How it helps: These teas contain compounds that can promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
  4. Exercise:
    • Type: Regular physical activity such as jogging, yoga, or walking.
    • How it helps: Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters and stress reducers.
  5. Meditation and Mindfulness:
    • Technique: Practice meditation or mindfulness exercises to focus your mind on the present moment.
    • How it helps: These practices can reduce racing thoughts and promote a sense of calm.
  6. Limit Caffeine and Sugar:
    • Action: Reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugary foods from your diet.
    • How it helps: Excessive caffeine and sugar intake can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
  7. Magnesium Supplements:
    • Dosage: Consult with a healthcare professional for the appropriate dosage.
    • How it helps: Magnesium may help regulate neurotransmitters and reduce anxiety.
  8. Chamomile Supplements:
    • Dosage: Follow the recommended dosage on the supplement label.
    • How it helps: Chamomile is known for its calming properties and can be taken in supplement form.
  9. Valerian Root Supplements:
    • Dosage: Follow the recommended dosage on the supplement label.
    • How it helps: Valerian root can promote relaxation and alleviate anxiety symptoms.
  10. Journaling:
    • Technique: Write down your thoughts and feelings regularly.
    • How it helps: Journaling can help you process your emotions and gain insight into your anxiety triggers.
  11. Social Support:
    • Action: Talk to friends or family members about your feelings.
    • How it helps: Sharing your thoughts and emotions with loved ones can provide comfort and support.
  12. Progressive Muscle Relaxation:
    • Technique: Tense and then relax each muscle group in your body, starting from your toes and working your way up.
    • How it helps: This practice can reduce physical tension associated with anxiety.

Remember that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's essential to experiment with these remedies and find the ones that work best for you. If your anxiety persists or worsens, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or psychiatrist. They can provide you with tailored strategies and, if necessary, medication to manage your anxiety effectively.

Top of Form

 

Monday 21 August 2023

Anxiety Counseling and Resources

 1. Encourage Professional Help

The first and most important step is to encourage the individual to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. They can provide personalized strategies and support tailored to their specific situation.

2. Self-Help Resources:

Educational Videos: Share reputable sources of information on anxiety disorders. Websites like TED-Ed and YouTube have numerous videos on understanding and managing anxiety. There are few TED videos which explains what happens in your brain when you have anxiety.

Books: Suggest books like "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund J. Bourne or "Feeling Good" by David D. Burns, which provide practical tips for managing anxiety.

3. Relaxation Techniques:

Deep Breathing: Teach deep breathing exercises to help manage immediate anxiety symptoms. This video can guide them through a simple breathing exercise.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Here's a video demonstrating progressive muscle relaxation, a technique to reduce physical tension associated with anxiety.

4. Mindfulness and Meditation:

Encourage daily mindfulness or meditation practice. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer guided sessions.

Share a beginner's guide to mindfulness, like this one.

5. Lifestyle Changes:

Exercise: Suggest regular physical activity as it can reduce anxiety. This video offers a 10-minute home workout.

Diet: Eating a balanced diet and reducing caffeine and sugar intake can help manage anxiety.

6. Support System:

Encourage the person to confide in friends and family members for emotional support.

Suggest joining a local or online support group for individuals with anxiety.

7. Journaling:

Recommend keeping a journal to track their thoughts and emotions. Journaling can help identify triggers and patterns.

8. Medication (if necessary):

Emphasize the importance of discussing medication options with a mental health professional if anxiety is severe or significantly impairs daily functioning.

9. Professional Counseling: Mention that online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, or traditional in-person therapy can provide structured support from licensed therapists.

Wednesday 16 August 2023

10 Best ways to reduce stress in just 5 minutes

  • Deep Breathing: Find a quiet place, sit comfortably, and take slow, deep breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Focusing on your breath can help calm your nervous system and reduce stress.
  • Mindfulness Meditation: Close your eyes and focus your attention on your breath or a specific sensation in your body. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back. Mindfulness can help bring you into the present moment and ease stress.
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Sit or lie down and progressively tense and then relax different muscle groups in your body. Start with your toes and work your way up to your head. This practice can release physical tension and induce relaxation.
  • Quick Physical Activity: Do a brief burst of physical activity, like jumping jacks, jogging in place, or even stretching. Physical movement releases endorphins, which are natural stress relievers.
  • Visualization: Close your eyes and imagine a peaceful, calming scene. It could be a beach, a forest, or any place where you feel relaxed. Engage your senses to make the visualization more vivid.
  • Use Aromatherapy: Inhale a calming scent, such as lavender or chamomile essential oil. Aromas can have a direct impact on the brain and can help you relax quickly.
  • Listen to Music: Put on a soothing piece of music that you enjoy. Music has the power to influence your mood and can help you unwind.
  • Positive Affirmations: Repeat a few positive affirmations to yourself. These can be statements like, "I am in control of my stress" or "I can handle whatever comes my way." Affirmations can shift your mindset and reduce stress.
  • Laughter Yoga: Even if it sounds a bit silly, try forcing a few hearty laughs. Laughter triggers the release of feel-good hormones, promoting relaxation.
  • Cognitive Reframing: Challenge and reframe negative thoughts that contribute to your stress. Replace them with more rational and positive perspectives. This can help you see the situation in a different light and alleviate stress.

 

Sunday 13 August 2023

A Glorious Evolution: Tracing the Rich History of Indian Football

Football, often referred to as the "beautiful game," has woven its way into the heart of India's sporting culture over the years. From its inception during the colonial era to its modern-day prominence, the history of Indian football is a testament to passion, resilience, and a nation's undying love for the sport.

Colonial Roots and Early Beginnings: 

The seeds of Indian football were sown during the British colonial rule. British soldiers and officers introduced the sport to the Indian populace, leading to the formation of the Indian Football Association (IFA) in 1893. Clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal rose to prominence, marking the early stages of organized football in the country.

Post-Independence Challenges and Triumphs: 

With India's independence in 1947, football became a symbol of national unity. The Indian football team's journey to the 1948 London Olympics was a watershed moment, reflecting the determination of a newly independent nation. Despite the challenges, India's participation in the Olympics was a testament to its unwavering spirit.

Emergence of National Competitions: 

The 1990s saw the inception of the National Football League (NFL), which later evolved into the widely popular Indian Super League (ISL). These competitions not only brought international attention to Indian football but also fostered a new generation of football enthusiasts. The ISL's format, featuring marquee players and international coaches, brought glamour and excitement to the sport.

Indian Football's International Presence: 

Indian football players earned recognition on the international stage, with notable talents like Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu achieving commendable feats. The rise of Indian players in foreign leagues and the national team's participation in prestigious tournaments like the AFC Asian Cup showcased India's growing potential in global football.

Grassroots Development and Future Prospects: 

While Indian football has made strides, the focus on grassroots development remains crucial. Initiatives like "Khelo India" aim to nurture young talents and provide them with proper training facilities. With increased investment and interest, there's hope for a brighter future where India can compete at the highest echelons of international football.

Conclusion: A United Passion for the Game:

The history of Indian football is a tapestry woven with the threads of dedication, passion, and the unyielding spirit of a nation. From its colonial roots to its present-day achievements, Indian football's journey reflects the nation's commitment to the sport. As the sport continues to evolve, let us celebrate the milestones, honor the legends, and eagerly anticipate the triumphs that lie ahead.

References:

  1. "Indian Football's Golden Age: 1951-1962" by Novy Kapadia
  2. "Barefoot to Boots: The Many Lives of Indian Football" by Novy Kapadia
  3. Official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF)
  4. "Indian Super League: A Brief History" by Rupin Kale - Sportskeeda

Friday 2 February 2018

SOBHA HRC Pristine: Live close to nature within luxury of a city


Home, a word that lends a soothing feeling no matter how stressed one is. Having a home makes a family more confident and more connected to each other to enjoy the good moments and also face all odds. For any resident, home is as important as its surroundings, and which family would not want greenery and open landscape as their surroundings. SOBHA HRC Pristine by SOBHA Limited caters to exactly this need of a home buyer.

SOBHA Limited, established in 1998 and one of the leading and most reputed real estate developers in India are known for delivering quality home projects for many years in premium and luxury segments in various parts of the country. SOBHA HRC Pristine, one of their new ongoing project located in Amruthahalli Road, Jakkur in North Bangalore is being developed based on the same values and qualities.  



SOBHA HRC Pristine is being developed with a goal of providing an excellent living standard to its residents especially in terms of natural surroundings with lush greenery everywhere. This can easily be determined from the project proposal which shows the outdoor landscape to boast of trees like silver oak, teak and mango making it akin to a natural habitat for residents. As with all the SOBHA Properties, SOBHA HRC Pristine is being developed with world-class model architecture making it a beautiful place to live for everyone.

When it comes to project details and plans, SOBHA HRC Pristine has total 395 units being developed in 4 different blocks having 2BHK, 3BHK, 4 BHK, 4 BHK Penthouse and 4 BHK Row houses which makes it a one-stop destination for different type of buyers having varied budgets and needs. It is located in Jakkur which is very close to the Bangalore International Airport that is well connected to various significant hubs of the city like IT parks and other business centers. With growing metro connectivity, this neighborhood will soon become the center of developmental activities and growth in the city.



SOBHA HRC Pristine will have a meandering stream, a bio-pond, bird’s nest coves, reflexology trails, palm garden, STEP PLAZA, outdoor activity plaza and many more such nature-friendly things which will make it a blissful experience for its residents.



Apart from the basic amenities like covered car parking, clubhouses and indoor activity spaces, SOBHA HRC Pristine has made great use of its landscape to offer some fantastic outdoor amenities like a cricket pitch, a basketball court, outdoor fitness corner, maze garden and climbing wall.

If one wants to feel the serenity of forest and nature within the luxury of a metropolitan city, SOBHA Pristine is the place to be. Staying here surrounded by nature will add to a healthy lifestyle especially for kids keeping in mind the increasing pollution levels in the city. One of the best things about projects developed by SOBHA Limited is that they do not purchase the raw materials from outside as their own plants produce the most of the raw materials used. Also, the doors, the window panes and other basic components are made in-house. They also provide options to take services of in-house interior designers so that a home buyer can get all the services at one place and have a comfortable home buying experience.



To summarize, SOBHA HRC Pristine as a residential project, exceeds expectations of a buyer looking for a luxury apartment in a city like Bangalore. Along with the comfort of spacious rooms and various amenities, the wide landscape filled with greenery and outdoor activity spaces makes it a great place to live for every age group. In a time when people are looking for weekend getaways with an intention of connecting with nature, SOBHA HRC Pristine seems like a one stop solution to nature lovers. Its offering makes it a wise option whether it is for housing or a long-term investment, especially considering the rapid growth of a city like Bangalore, booking for SOBHA HRC Pristine is open for everyone and keeping in mind, the rising demand for housing properties in a fast-growing city like Bangalore there is a good chance that this project is going to be fully subscribed very soon. People who are looking to buy a home in Bangalore should not miss out on this opportunity as this A wise investment will yield great benefits to not only the current generation but also the future generation of the owner’s family.

Monday 26 June 2017

Team Indus – Towards Moon with Young legs

When I googled about Team Indus few weeks back, in search result I got many links and purposely I decided to ignore original link of Team Indus website and hopped on to some other links and in one of those links I read this statement “Team Indus is an Aero Space start up “.  Wow, doesn’t this sound really cool ?:) My cursorily to know details about “Team Indus” got even bigger than the curiosity of scientists to know about Moon and Mars.

The invite to satisfy my curiosity was there in my email box and it read “Team Indus Open House” and few days later there I was in premise of Team Indus near to Bengaluru Airport. The place looked really cool from outside and to be honest looked different from various other office premises. Sessions went one by one and I could see how curious people were to know about Team Indus including many kids. We got to see various sections inside the campus having different space equipment, It was a new thing for me personally seeing such stuff from naked eyes.

Space Rovers
We got enlightened about how all these spaces programs work including some really tough scientific terms which I have no idea about :). We got to see Rovers used to read surface and environment on moon, we got to see their development corridor and also probably one of the most important part of any space program, the mission control system. Every member of team was eager and more than happy to answer any questions throughout the sessions.

About Team Indus :

Team Indus is funded by many groups and is guided by many acclaimed scientists like Mr. N.S Hegde who was mission control director of ChnadraYan- 1. They have people across age groups, from people in their early 20s to experienced people, people from different streams of technology like IT, Mechanical and even medical. They are working on mission to send first Indian private rover on moon in order to compete for Google Lunar Prize and It Is only Indian team competing for the Google Lunar XPRIZE. The $30M Google Lunar XPRIZE is a global competition to challenge and inspire engineers and entrepreneurs to develop low-cost methods of robotic space exploration. Team Indus has been trying to promote young talents along with their growth and have done many programs for same purpose like inviting young students to send instruments they would want to send on moon and how that instrument can be useful.


  • Founded in 2010 by Rahul Narayan.
  • Have been funded and supported by many Organizations
  • Only Indian company in last 5 for Google Lunar XPRIZE competition.
  • Have done Partnership with ISRO’s commercial section “Antrix Corporation” to launch its mission craft on 28th December 2017.
  • Individuals can be part of this open mission in many ways.
The Mission Control System

As I am not a Sci-fi person at all, it’s not easy for me to write about mission details and how it is going to have an impact on space research growth but to see a startup in this field is not usual at least in India. The best people to answer all these will be Team Indus members itself and they are always active on Social media to help anyone who wants to know more.

Team Indus does many informative sessions on Twitter, do follow them if you want to know more about space. 

Wishing all the best to them and hoping that 28th December will be their date to remember for lifetime. 

Friday 16 June 2017

A short Q and A with Shradha Sharma of YourStory

Shradha Sharma is founder of Yourstory Media, a company that gives platform to various type of startups and help them get recognized. Before starting YourStory she had worked with Times of India and CNBC TV 18. She has won many awards in media and startup space like Fortune 40 under 40, ET promising entrepreneurs of India Award, Loreal Paris Femina Online Influence Award, Villgro Journalist of the Year.


Pic: Facebook Profile 

Here is a short fun Q&A with her mostly related to personal side of her rather than the entrepreneurial side. 

Q : While starting young did you ever plan for where you have reached today or did you even imagine it? (Like motivational speakers say that visualize what you want to be in future 😊)

A : Actually no, I have let life happen to me, in fact, to tell you the truth I still don’t know how people can answer what will they do five years from now etc. I have lived in moments and max months etc. Though, have given everything to those moments.

Q : What worries you more when you are alone ? except ghosts

A : Oh, ghosts do worry me :-) losing my close ones, having experienced it once, i know its reality, though I have still not been able to accept it, and probably will never be.

Q : Given a chance to go back in time, what age would you go back and what different you would do?

A : My current age, I have totally, madly loved all the ages I have lived in. Childhood and growing up years were tough, but I wouldn’t be me if it was not for those years. No turning back :-)

Q : What is the best compliment you have got from anyone for your work?

A : That I am very perceptive and kind in most difficult situations, can see compassionately even people who are trying hard to sabotage me :-) And it may be hard to believe, but this has helped me professionally.

Q : Have you ever received any awkward comment for work? what was that ?

A : oh, all the time, mostly, she doesn’t have what it takes to get there :-) or I am too emotional, too clumsy, too stupid, too money minded, too clever, too shrewd.. its endless…. blah blah blah, honestly, it hurts a lot less now.

Q : One thing you want to tell that no one knows about you yet?

A : I am a romantic through and through :-)  believe in magic and love

Q : Funniest Startup story you have heard of?

A : So many, in fact, let me narrate you a story that happened to me many a years back, like initial years of YourStory, I interviewed this amazing, driven, young  entrepreneur on the phone and towards the end of the call I told him, please send me the best photograph of yours. And lo and behold, he sends me his marriage photo while he is sitting in the shaadi mandap, holding his bride's hand :-) and the other one was him climbing on the tree and posing. Even writing about it makes me laugh.. still..after so many years. What an adorable memory. And between I am still in touch with him.

Q : Are Facebook and twitter blocked for personal use in Yourstory during office hrs ? 😊

A : hahahaaa, of course not.

Q : Put yourself in shoes of an employee of YourStory, what would be that one thing that you want to change in your boss?

A : Haahahaa, so so so many things, one would be to have more time to interact with each and everyone. To spend quality time together. To be less emotional. 

Q : You get offer to exchange YourStory for something? What it would be for?

A : NOTHING. YS is the magic that I live everyday.

Q : What is one thing you hate most about your job ?

A : Time management, I suck big time at it. Sometimes, I want to run away to a jungle and sleep for hours and hours in the nature.

Q : Why did you agree to give this Q&A interview? 😊

A : Because, I like you and you have “still” not given up on me.

Q : Any one question that you want to ask yourself ? and also answer too ? 😊

A : What is my state of mind most times?
      Hopeful !

You can follow her on Twitter @SharmaShradha

Tuesday 18 April 2017

The Indian way of living - Personal Experiences

We all never miss opportunity to say that we are proud Indians, do we? We are really proud of our culture, our way of living and how we manage everything somehow despite all odds. Indian way of living has helped each one of us one way or the other, in one situation or the other though we might have never realized.

Now to start with most common thing, it is in Indian culture to wake up early and there are many assumptions written about benefits of waking up in Brahma-Muhurata ( 1.5 hrs. before Sun rise). I might not have read what those documented benefits were but when I started applying it from my 11th standard in college, I was thrilled to see change in myself. It helped me in being energetic for whole day and also helped me in managing my studies much better. The power of spending 15-20 mins in peace before sun rise with cool breeze blowing is immense and it helps you to feel good about life and makes you realize importance of being a human. Try it for one week whole heartily and I can assure that you will start to feel changes in the way you think or the way live your life. Since that day I didn’t have to wait for my parents to wake me up forcibly in early morning as I was doing it myself for my own selfish reasons explained above.

The next thing which I embedded into my daily routine was prayers and chanting of few mantras. It came more or less from being from a Brahmin family in North India but I didn’t start doing it just because I was a Brahmin, I did it because I felt the magic of doing it. Chanting of "Om" every day 5 to 7 times made me realize how relaxing feel it gives and since that day I never looked back. I have been practicing it almost every day as part of my daily routine. I am not a religious person but yes I think chanting of few mantras and praying in peace for few minutes gives one immense calmness and time to realize about oneself. I don’t do prayers to ask for something, I do it just to feel the peace within myself in those few mins.

Benefit on the spot: 

Now apart from these somewhat serious values of Indian system there were many times when one belief system or the other helped me to come out of a tough situation and trust me I am not making it out just for sake of it. Here is one such incident which took place when I was travelling from Allahabad to Delhi in night train to catch my early morning flight to Bangalore and that was my first ever flight. It was winter time so heavy fog caused trains to be late and though I had anticipated for 5-6 hours delay, it turned out to bit more than that. I can’t recall the timings precisely but I guess around 1 hour before flight departure time I was still in train somewhere in outer part of Delhi. While I was in all this anxiety of losing my flight booking money and wasting my day, I saw a beggar in the compartment and guess what?? I gave him 10 Rs 😃. This might sound normal but before that day I never gave money to beggars or never even donated in any temple thinking that was waste of my hard earned money. Somehow in few minutes train reached to station and then I started searching for my cab driver as I was not much familiar with Delhi. After few mins of zigzag running I found the driver waiting and he dropped me to the airport 30 mins before flight departure time ignoring all the speed warning popping out in his cab speed control system and then thanks to Airlines staff I managed to get the flight just in time. All these things happened so suddenly that I didn’t get time to realize what was happening and why. I had lost all hopes of getting flight when I was in train and was trying to cancel the flight to save whatever bucks I could save but as there is a phrase in Bollywood derived from Indian value system of compassion that “If you give 1 paisa, you will get 10 lakh back”. I believe this is exactly what happened with me that day and saved not only my hard earned money but also my day getting wasted.

In our everyday life we follow values of our Indian belief system, many times unknowingly. Indian culture is so vast with so many values that it has answer for everything happening. Unfortunately when the West is coming to understand and adopt some of the best values of our cultural system, we are trying to ignore what is rightly ours. This TVC from Lufthansa says it so beautifully that world is trying to replicate the way we live our life after seeing the growth we as a country are making and they have realized that to win over us world has to be like #MoreIndianThanYouThink .



Be proud of our belief system doesn’t matter how old it is. If it made sense thousands of years back, it makes sense today and it will make sense in years to come.

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Tata Hexa Experience - Bangalore 2016

I have been blogging and tweeting actively for over 3 years now and have covered many events in this time, so invitation to attend Tata Hexa event in Bangalore came like any normal invite for me. I was excited for it like for any other event but after going through all details I was bit more excited especially with the promise of getting  chance for “Off Road drive experience”.


On 24th December as scheduled I was there along with many fellow bloggers and the place was full with Car enthusiasts of Bangalore who came at venue to experience new Tata Hexa. After doing with formalities of registration we were let loose to roam around the venue and feel the vibe there. The event had different Tata Unit stalls like Croma,Tata Motor Finance, Tata Value Homes and at the center of venue was the brand new Tata Hexa. This black car was attraction point of everyone and all of them got opportunity to see the car from inside as well. From inside Hexa really looked spacious enough for a family including good space at back for luggage and from outside it looked really decent.


There was Digital Zone where one could experience Tata Hexa car inside out including all the features just by sitting on a computer and also Tata has launched “Tata Hexa” app with which anyone can see all feature on their phone. One can see specification of everything from minor to major related to car and also can operate those to see how it works, for example one can use Light option to change color of light inside car and immediately the backseat light will become of that selected color.

Tata Hexa Digital Zone

Exploring Tata Hexa digitally
There was also kids zone to make it a perfect family outing. There were few games for kids to make them feel part of the event and next to that was Pet Adoption drive where stray dogs were put for adoption as a noble cause and that place was getting many eyeballs of pet lovers.  


Pet Adoption drive
One of the best part of this event was great music being played continuously with different singers and band performing. We spent more than 1 hours sitting there and just listening to some melodious singing.


Then it was time for stuff that I have been waiting for and that was the crux of Hexa Experience event, It was time to go for “Off Road drive” experience in new Tata Hexa Car. When I had filled the declaration form while registering I was asked to sign a bond that if something goes wrong Tata Motors wouldn’t be responsible and as soon as I reached by side of ground where the drive was happening I felt that the form filling was genuine, yes the drive looked really risk prone and tough from outside and it was not for everyone. 

Glimpse of  Off road drive experience
There was inclined hill like ramp, a muddy road full of water, driving over Stairs, driving on 30 degree side inclined road and driving on rough surface made with tyres and bricks. If I have to describe this experience in one word then it must be “Thrilling”.  Driver was expert enough to drive through these placed obstacles while explaining us qualities and uniqueness of Tata Hexa car. While sitting inside the disturbance was not much felt as Car has been designed keeping such tough terrain in mind. The suspension, the seating space and the height of car was good enough to make traveler comfortable while driving on any type of road or even off road. Here is the video of off road experience in new Tata Hexa.



Overall the event was somewhat different from other events that I had attended including some of car companies. Getting personal experience of Car’s capability and uniqueness made it exciting, so if you love going on trips with family then this Tata Hexa car is for you and if you and your family has adrenal rush then it is must have car for you.  

Find my tweets related to the event at #HexaExperience

Sunday 11 December 2016

#BergerXP Indiblogger Meetup - Change the way you Paint

We all love painting, don’t we? Even if we suck in it, given a brush and few colors we would paint something which would definitely look colorful. Well, painting on art paper is much easier than painting a house in terms of effort, precision and way of painting. We all have witnessed the pain of our house getting painted once in few years. It is such cumbersome, time taking and get- dirty process that many of us detest to go for painting for our house.

Berger Paints, one of India’s leading paint brand has decided to solve this problem for us with its Express Painting feature. We bloggers of Bengaluru were invited for meetup with Express Painting team of Berger Paints hosted by Indiblogger on 10th December to get to know more about Express Painting and the event was full of informative session and painting related activities.

The meetup started with some nice lunch along with networking opportunity for bloggers and then it was time for the real stuff for which we were invited. Indiblogger team introduced few of the bloggers randomly by identifying them with their Twitter accounts to make moment lighter before Berger Paint team starts their presentation.

Representing Berger Paints team was Chandranath Banerjee – Service Head – Express Painting and he explained about how this idea of Express Painting came into consideration and how they went ahead with it when no other competitor was willing to try it. As any new idea is just a thought to solve an existing problem, so was Express Painting which was to solve the problem of normal house painting process which is messy, tiring and very slow.

Chandranath Banerjee,Service Head – Express Painting

About Express Painting:

Express painting uses skilled painters along with specifically designed tools to paint houses and buildings and the best thing about this is that it is cost effective. The main moto of “Express painting” is to make panting less hazardous, faster, cleaner and better. As per Chandranath Banerjee, the amount of time it takes to paint anything with express painting is 40 to 50% less than what it takes in usual way of painting and in this way it also reduces the labor cost which is major factor in deciding cost of entire painting process. For specific purposes Express Painting team uses different kind of tools like SANDING MACHINE, MULTIPURPOSE MIXER, AUTO ROLLER, HIGH PRESSURE WASHER and AIRLESS PAINT SPRAYER.

Different tools that are used for Express Painting 

Some of the benefits of Express Painting in their own words:
  • 40 percent faster than traditional painting
  • Trained painters for efficient and better painting
  • Cutting-edge vacuum suction-enabled sanding machines keep your house dust-free
  • Better coverage and smoothness guaranteed each time
  • All these benefits and more offered at no additional cost

Activities:

Like many other Indiblogger meetups, this was filled with activities too and this time it was time for some hard work along with the fun part. The first activity was to smoothen a rough surface coated with some white paint using scrubbers. This activity was to make us feel how hard and time taking is the manual old process of painting and to our surprise we did finish it in quick time :)


The second activity was to do some painting on art paper using any of the themes and our team painted on theme “Colors of India” and it was appreciated by both Berger Paints and Indiblogger team. The painting was done using paints and colors of brand Berger Paints and we were given a brief about how to mix water, paint and colors to make it smooth for painting, the same way experts at Berger Paints do. 



The event ended with winners getting cool vouchers like in any other Indiblogger meetup and thanks to Berger Paints team and Indiblogger team for smooth conduct of entire event and it was a great way to spend weekend for all of us. All tweets related to event can be found on twitter at #BergerXP and don't forget to checkout this really funny TV ad of Express Painting. 


*All Pics credit to Indiblogger Facebook Page.