A Desired Change

Going back to the college after almost a week is as difficult is eating the pizza and not getting the last bite . Anger , disappointment , and the feeling of rewinding the time .

Now that am sitting in the train , i wish i could spend some more time at home . I would miss my loving , caring, unpredictable mother and my angel - my dad . But this time am going of  the hope coming back after exactly a month with my terminal exams getting over . 

While waiting for the train on the platform , i realized i am sad because i have to leave home for just a while , with the fact of knowing that i would come back after a month . But there i saw people who had no HOME !

You never realize the importance of something until you see people who don't even enjoy that luxury that you take for granted . 

I saw a mother and her child sitting on the station platform . The girl gently asked her mother if she had something to eat . The mother gave her a 10 rupee note and asked her to get something for herself from any of the shops on the platform . The girl at once snatched the 5 rupee coin kept beside and told her mother that its enough , the month had just started up .
I felt really  bad and that very moment gave the girl a 50 rupee note and told her  to get  good lunch for her mother and herself . My dad asked me - " Do you really believe she is not gonna misuse the money you gave her ? " Yes dad . was my blunt answer . A person can't misuse the money he has when he is empty stomach .
I really want to do something for the children who work in different shops, glass factories , etc . I want to see an INDIA free of child labor .
I really do salute those thousands of people of work away from the limelight in their very own way to eradicate this . I really wonder if they would ever get their due credit for their work ! ( P.S. - Read  "Tamasha over Talent" ) .
Read an interesting story of how a lady in her 30's has done great work of eradicating child labor from the lucknow railway station . I don't have words to express how much respect i feel for her . At a time when everybody is interested in making money and scoring to fame , there are people amongst us who are interested in working to make our society a better place to live in .
India has still paved a way of getting some really well people who are supporting different  NGO'S and acting as great philanthropists .
I wish someday i can see my country as one which is free of Child labor and i want to do my bit in seeing this change .

Officially yours !

Never had i given much thought about the beauty of my hometown - Jammu . But now since am living and studying outside my state , i realize of what i miss now . I miss the essence of the place and the positive vibes .
There's this particular feeling that you feel in your hometown - the place you are born .
You feel complete , mentally at peace .
But i realized that i never tried to look out for the knowledge - the history , background of the place .
So , now after looking out and talking to people , my grandmother , grandfather , the people who have seen this place grow . I am sharing the beauty of this place with you people now .
People presenting Jammu and Kashmir for you .

Jammu city :-


 Jammu is known as the city of temples . I remember learning this fact in school classes . The city was founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan in the 14th century  . My grandmother told me this sweet unique story about the origination of the place .
According the legend , while the Raja was hunting one day , he happened to witness a tiger and a goat drinking water side by side from one and the same point . He was so struck by this extraordinary phenomenon that he at the very moment decided to build a city at this site so that the strong and the weak could live together in peace and mutual tolerance .
 While my grandmother was narrating this story , she was both surprised and happy . I could sense that . Surprised of why i have suddenly got so much interest in asking about the history of our place and happy that of whatever reason i now want to now all about it .
Then , i ask her about the various and famous temples of the city . She getting all excited tells me about it .
1.Vaishno Devi :-
It was not possible that it was not  no.1 on the list . The temple is near the town of Katra , in the Reasi district . Approximately 8 million pilgrims visit the temple every year. I remember going with my family to the temple and the best part always used to be the travelling part .
Trust me , it one of the best temples you'll ever see . From the journey to the Bhawan .

2. Raghunath Mandir :-
Amongst the temples in Jammu , the Raghunath Mandir takes pride of place being situated right in the heart of the city. She tells me that the temple was built in 1857. And the most amazing thing that she tells is that though the temple is 130 years old , it has one of the richest collections of ancient texts and manuscripts in its library . Its infrastructure is influenced by the Mughal architecture while the interiors of the temple are plated with Gold.
3. Bawey wali mata :-
Now , if you were born in Jammu , you wouldn't be surprised . The famous temple is situated inside the Bahu Fort .
 Smartly , my grandmother smiled and told me that it is her favourite temple in the city . My grandmother more elaborately tells that the present temple of Bawey Wali Mata was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gualb Singh , in 1822 .
4. The Peer Baba shrine :-
Okay , before telling you about the history of this place , i would like to tell that i personally have a special place for this shrine in my heart . I used to go with my dad to this place when i was a kid .
My grandmother explained that it is said that the Ali Shah shrine is said to protect the people from mishaps and evil spirits . A friend of Guru Gobind Singh , it is said that Peer Baba lived his entire life on milk alone and lived to the age of 500 years .

City Centers and Attractions :-

1. Mansar Lake :-

Mansar Lake is a beautiful lake fringed by the forest - covered hills . It was my most favorite  place to visit in summers with my family . Besides being a popular excursion destination in Jammu , it is also a holy site , sharing the legend and sancity of Lake Mansarovar .   

2 . Bahu Fort :-

Bahu Fort ,  which also serves as a religious temple, is situated about 5 km from Jammu city on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. This is perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in Jammu city. Constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 300 years ago, the fort was improved and rebuilt by Dogra rulers. Inside the fort, there is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali, popularly known as Bave Wali Mata, the presiding deity of Jammu. Every Tuesday and Sunday pilgrims throng this temple and partake in "Tawi flowing worship". Today the fort is surrounded with a beautiful terraced garden which is a favourite picnic spot of the city folk.

Bagh-E-Bahu located on the banks of Tawi river, is a Mughal-age garden. It gives a nice view of the old city and Tawi river. Bagh itself is very beautiful. There is a small cafeteria on one side of the garden.

On the by-pass road behind Bahu Fort, the city forest surrounds the ancient Mahamaya Temple overlooking the river Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides a commanding view of the city.

Opposite the Bahu Fort, overlooking the River Tawi is a temple dedicated to Mahamaya of Dogra decent, who lost her life fourteen centuries ago fighting foreign invaders. The present temple of Bawey Wali Mata was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gualb Singh, in 1822. It is also known as the temple of Mahakali and the goddess is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power.

The Food :-

I totally love the Food . Trust me , you will find some of the best recipes here . 

The Jammu and Kashmir food is influenced by the cuisine of the various communities that have settled in the state. The food is rich in aroma and flavor and presents a varied banquet of delicacies in vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

The tradition of the Warzan is a specialty of the state and comprises of the course meal with 36 delicacies. The tradition was inherited from the artistic cooks who settled in the state during the rule of the Muslim rulers in the 15th century. The kitchen is led by the Vasta Waza who is the chief chef of the Warzan tradition. The cuisine is influenced by the specialties from the kitchen of the Kashmiri pandits who are the original inhabitants of the region. 

The Rajputs who settled in Jammu and Kashmir also present a host of delicacies that are still consumed in the state. The Kashmiris use spices like the asafoetida, aniseed, saffron and other additional and aromatic spices. The food is cooked in mustard oil that spices the food and helps to keep the warm in the cold climate. Curd and ghee are also used in the preparations.

Kashmir is known for the growth of fruits, which is used in the preparation of the sweet dishes. The Phirni is a popular dessert prepared in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The regular diet of the local people of the state comprise of rice and hak, which is the vegetable preparation. Morel mushrooms and lotus root are also consumed by the local people.

The flavored Jammu and Kashmir food is another specialty of the region along with tourist attractions and beauty of the natural surroundings .

 While hearing the stories , and looking out in different books , i realized the beauty of this place . Take pride in your culture . Be proud of it . 

I am what i am because of you . I owe it to you . You'll always be the special one .

                                                                            PROUD TO BE A DOGRA !

It must have been love !

Never have i given much thought about Love , the eternal unconditional feeling or so . But then , since i have written my heart out on my personalized views on Breakups , i have been asked by many of my friends and have received mails to share my feelings and thoughts on Love as well .
A deep silence followed by  goosebumps is the first things that follows . I believe everyone deep inside is afraid to think about Love . Everyone is scared of reminding those memories which they have ever experienced , and now which have been buried deep inside .
Ask someone who has ever loved somebody . No , am not talking about crush , strong friendship , attraction . I am talking purely talking about Love .
People do ask about the difference between them as many believe everything at first starts from crush or attraction only . Well , it may start from friendship also . There are a lot of iff 's and buts , but you can deny that there is nothing in world comparable to the feeling called Love .
There is a Hot debate among youngsters of why to fall in Love when there is so much of pain and complications in it . " Everyone wants to go to the heaven but nobody wants to die " , is my reply which puts a smile on their face .Strange ! People around us want to experience the little joys , moments , care , want to take a backseat when a little problem or complication follows .
I am no love expert of  what you must be thinking by now . But yes , i know am not among the other 90& population today who just pretends to be in love or deliberately make themselves believe that yes they are .
There are already so many things , situations and people in front of whom we fake for our own reasons . Please  let Love not be another one .
So , i have this what i call Love Test . Take it and am sure you will love it as well . It will help you to know , at least to an extent if you are in Love or not . Read on .

1. BABY TEST 
It can be performed by looking at someone else's baby . If you smile at it , you're in Love . If you growl until it cries , then you're not and probably would never be with the person you are imagining at this very moment.

2. TOILET ROLL TEST  
Make a note of your toilet roll consumption  and if it increases suddenly during the seven day period (because of new felt anxiety) , then you're in Love .

3. SIZE OF YOUR TIP TEST  
When you are with your lady or even otherwise , and if you tip the waiter more generously , you're in Love .

4. SMART ONE
And if while reading this , you were cross checking whether you feel or do this way with reference to a particular person , then you're in love my friend .

Lastly , the most frequently asked question - How to know if you're in love with your best friend ?
Well , it is very simple . Obviously , the time you spend with your best friend is worth enjoying and you have all the fun things together . But when , you lay your head on the pillow at night , do you still see his / her face? Do you count the steps when he / she walks away ? Your heart will tell you . Ask yourself , before you end up saying years from now , it must have been love !

And the Reason is You !

As i wake up in the morning and draw the curtains side to see the sunshine this morning ( Yes , they make me nostalgic ). I see a pamphlet of some random Insurance company . No, there's nothing amazing in this. But definitely the lines written on it do catch my eye - " We are what you have made us to be " .
Just a finish with the line , i get a flashback of all the people i have met or share special bond with .
Now , what goes in my mind is that if this is true , which certainly is , then you are what the people have shaped you to be .
  Take time . Think .
It is all true . When we are born , we are more of like the modelling clay . We come in hands and contact of different people . They shape and influence us . When we leave them we are no longer the same as when we had met them .
Initially , we are all free hearted , till the time people teach us the lessons of heart and emotions as well .

Some people give us fond memories , some give unconditional love , some teach you the laws of friendship , and some people make you believe you why loving someone is never a good option ( P.S.- Don't worry , am not gonna go  that side ) .
When you look back now , you realize there was always a sign board ahead :

But you yourself never saw that . And the change was because of all those people who were destined to meet you soon on the next level . And , it continues till we die .
So , take a moment today and think about the people you have met till now - in school , in tutions , railway stations , airports , food joints . Any place you can remember where you believe you met a person whom you remember till now . Of course , the person is that special that he has his marks left in your memory . Interesting thought ! Isn't it ?
Thank them from your heart for teaching you all the precious lessons of life . Even they don't realize what valuable things they have taught us and hence inculcated them in us.
And the next time , you meet the person who has a deep contribution in making you what all you are today , surely do tell them - " And the reason is you ". 

Its Breakup not Broken up !

                                         " If you can't save the relationship , at least save your pride " . 

Falling in love with a person is one of the most exhilarating feelings. It feels as if you have got wings to fly . But when the love ends you feel as if you have fallen down from the sky and left shattered.
Love is a divine feeling . It really is when you are with the one you love and who loves you back he same way for who you are . But when that divine feeling turns into pain in the form of heartbreak, life turns upside down .

Break ups can be tough and stressful. But there are some ways in which you can make them less painful. Read on :
1. Love Yourself.
2.Don't rethink over your decision.
3.Talk with your friends.
4.Pen down your thoughts.
5.Forgive the person.
6.Remove all the memory triggers.
7.Let go off the negative emotions .

The sad part is, more than the encouraging break up songs that help you get back to normal, there are more of the sad love songs. Still, here is a playlist of songs that can make you believe that there is life beyond love too . 
1.      Song Title - So What
         Artist - Pink
         Best Lines - Now that we're done, I'm gonna show you tonight. I am alright. I'm just fine. And you're a tool . I'm a Rockstar . 
2.     Song Title - Irreplaceable 
         Artist - Beyonce
         Best Lines - Baby, I won't shed a tear for you, I won't loose a wink of sleep, 'cause the truth of matter is replacing you is so easy.
3.      Song Title - Believe
         Artist - Cher
         Best Lines - What am i supposed to do ? Sit around and wait for you. And i can't do that. There's no turning back. And maybe i am too good for you 'Cause i know that i am strong. I don't need you anymore.
Everybody in life at some point of time feels let down in love. But to come out of it as a strong, mature person, is the best way to deal with it . Come out of the breakup as a person rather than one who believes that there's nothing left to hold onto now.
Sit back and analyze what all happened. Give it sometime. 
Have faith and patience. Always believe in God and remember - God has better plans for you than you have for yourselves . 


                                                           So, fall in love with yourself all over again .