Thursday, July 9, 2015

Khuljaye Bachpan



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Kids are called bundle of joy very aptly. Innocence and plainness of kids makes us assent them with open hearts. We don’t evaluate them, nor are vary of them, We don’t suspect their motives because they have none. They do the everything  by innocence with clean mind. When we met kids in public place in no time we start to engage them, to make them laugh,by making faces or varied sounds .What we really want is real reactions of joy,that's where we get the purity of smile 

Time has grown leaps and bounds ,so are kids. Today’s kids do hell lot of things we even didn’t knew .Exposure Level to Gadget , Gizmos ,Technology have made them learn things lot faster . Even Day care going kids are smarter then I was in Primary School. Maturity level are on acceleration. Gone are Jet age today its Jumbo jet age.

As a youngster I was unofficial baby sitter for all neighbors. Whenever Moms need to go to markets or do some cooking or go to fetch kids from  school. I was one, who was  called ,to look after the young toddlers. I quite enjoyed spending time with kids .Some were noisy who simply didnt stopped crying if they started .Other were quite content having me around .One of our neighbors had mentally challenged kid . His name was Abbas .He had some genetic problems since birth . Even at 5 years,he was unable to walk or Speak .He used to move around like crawling kid  with four supports with knees and hands . I had become  his  only friend. While other kids used to fear him due to his unusual style of walking ,I always used to play with him in my free time. 


At slight opportunity he would sneak out of his home and enter our house. He had no sense of direction i was told .But invariably i would find his way towards my house.  I was cricket crazy like majority of Indians, always watching one match or other .I used play with him all kiddie games while watching cricket on TV at same time .Many times I simply noticed  him glaring  at TV screen with amazement. I always thought the moving picture had caught his attention . 

We spent lot many days together ,also  played  host of games in his growing up years.One day he entered my house on his four-support style while dragging a cricket kit . I was surprised,he never brought any toys .His parent thought he is too innocent to understand toys .He took the bat for himself  and  handed me the ball , like every other kid who only loved to bat.He then walked far end of my room and started to take stance. I am not sure he completely understood what he is doing . He marked his crease.
He gestured showing two fingers first, then only one. Gesture used by batsman to ask how many stumps are visible while taking the guard .He took perfect stance like any seasoned  batsman would take .His eyes focused on me, Which indicated or I presumed that I have to bowl now .I , at first ,tried underarm ball .But he dismissed that  immediately with shake of a head . He gestured to bowl an overarm delivery. I obliged him , I was not expecting any thing great but was curious .He was up against  my dilly dolly delivery ,cutting it straight into wall of my room . Just like Rahul Dravid would have played square cut ,straight to the boundary. 

He had all smile on his face. He then walked towards me and shook my hand. I had seen number of cricket balls being  square cut to boundary but this was extra special. I realized  that unknowingly while watching game of cricket myself, helped a kid,to develop a passion towards game .A kid who world calls mentally challenged, had  learn how to bat just by observation .In some way ,the hand shake, a typical batsman gesture after hitting the shot ,was his way of telling me a thank you .But It was me who needed to  thank him .He made me realize that,if you have interest and determination there is nothing in the world you can’t learn. That day was revelation for me .I realized he understood much more than we think he does.I  taught him more things over the years .I tried to convince their parents to send him to special learning centre but in vain .I was very disheartened when they moved out from neighborhood . I fondly remember him for that square cut, which Rahul Dravid ,would be proud off.

All such experiences over the years made me lot more humane. Yes I mean it . Whenever people are fighting over issues we always say “ Bacho ki tarah kyon lad rahe ho “ meaning fighting over silly things .We are kids at heart all our life.We normally dismiss many things as childish behavior.’Abhi tak Maturity nahi aayee isme” .But purest emotions are that of kid.Time spent with Kids are real gold because that's what brings out the kid within us .World is Full of Things to learn you can learn new things from your Child and of course you can guide your Kid to do extra ordinary .

Kellogg’s Chocos, the breakfast cereal brand, has launched a new campaign, titled ‘Khuljaye Bachpan’, highlighting the win-win equation between mother and child, where they learn and grow together.  highlights a relationship of equals between mother and child, and uses Kellogg’s Chocos as a fun moment creator for mothers to bond with their kids

Chocos Facebook page



Kellogg’s Chocos is the great breakfast cereal for both mom and kids. While kids love its yummy chocolaty taste, and have fun with the way Kellogg’s Chocos turns milk super-duper chocolaty. Moms can feel relieved that they’ve given their child a nourishing breakfast because Chocos is now made with whole grain, provides fibre and is fortified with 11 essential vitamins and minerals.







Disclaimer 

Images of Child used are not that of Abbas but used only for cosmetic  purpose of the blog .

Images courtesy Kellogg & Daily Mail  

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

SCORE KYA HUA ?



I have my vivid cricket memories .I was fascinated about cricket like any young kid in India . Perhaps I was born in era where  Cricket in India was just realizing its craze  . I was just a year old when India Own The cricket World cupin 1983. India was beginning to take its cricket seriously .World was taking India as next big thing in Cricket which it did , eventually. India went on to win world series of Cricket next. The vision of Ravi Shastri Driving car in Australia  holding cup ignited many young Indian toward Cricket fixation .



I remember I was 6 six old rushing to home and asking for score .My Grandfather Cricket Fan himself was amazed at young age ,I was keeping track of ongoing series .Whenever I was away from home I was anxious to know the score. Transistor /radio was sole source in those days . Any one spotted with transistor was flooded with question over the scores. There hordes of people outside any household having television hoping to catch the score. I remember My family doctor had installed TV in his Clinic so that he won’t miss out on any action .In those day these were the ways people would keep track of scores.Keeping Tracks of on going in cricket crazy nations


When I went to college Mobile has made entry in our life . In those day only few had mobile that too it was  black and white basic version far from super computer we carry today To know the score we need to send SMS “CRIC “ to four or five digit special numbers . One such SMS costed around Rs. 3.Hence  frequency of SMS would depend upon the budget or pocket money. Thrills of ball by ball game was lost if you r away from television or radio .You have to go in search of such devices.
Then Internet hit us big way .We all have smart phones  in our hands  And With data packs and Wifi all around. All we need is web browser to Go check the cricket scores . Bal by ball thrill was back in our lifes . No mater where we are, we can catch on with live match by going to sites .

Games of Cricket Itself became more dynamics . Introduction of T20 games give us Thriller and edge of seat entertainment .Now End score  was not as important as in match tension . How many required in How many balls . No Mater what the run rate required there was always chance  and interest. Its not over till it was over .Hence not able to follow ball to ball analysis was heartening


Bal by l ball commentary ,highlights , Team Analysis ,Projected scores need of hour with various sites offering it .  But still you didn’t have one click approach . UC Cricket offers  this one click approach where just a click on browser will provide –
-Live Scores with auto update
- Fixture & Results
- Latest News
- Videos

This gives you clear whole some experience of enjoying cricket on the go . Cricket was never completely blended with you work schedule like this before





             






Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Book Review- Scion of Ikshvaku


Published: June 22, 2015  
Author: Amish Tripathi
Genre: Fiction


SCION of IKSHVAKU ,by Amish , comes after his  hugely successful Shiva Trilogy .Shiva Trilogy was Cult Indian writing, especially The Immortals of Meluha which was path breaking and  New Genre of Mytho-Thriller.Backed by brilliant content self published book went on to become the best sellers hence anticipation for New "Ram Chandra Series" was overwhelming.

Scion of Ikshvaku tells you the  story of Rama with twists at different points .There are spoilers ahead without which review won't make sense .Hence if you are planning to read  Book please don't read this review.

We all have seen Ramayan growing up .My generation is well versed with its characters and plot of Ramayan. Plot of the Book is all same as Ramayan.Rama is eldest son of King Dashrath ,clan of Raghukul .He has three wifes Kaushalya (Simpleton), Kaikaiye (Evil),& Sumitra (smart).He has Four Sons ,Ram .Bharat, Laxman Shatrughan..Kaikaiye wants Bharat to be King by hook or crook .However there is no enmity between brothers, who are ready to die for each other.Ram marries Sita after wining her Swayamvar which irritates Raavan .Ram is bansihed from Ayodhya for 14 year thereafter, proceeds to Jungle along with wife Sita and Laxman ..Sita is Kidnapped by Ravan by the end of story ,which  will continue in next series .


If you think there is nothing new in plot then you are not alone .This was first disappointment. Success of Shiva Trilogy was its thrilling plot keeping strong characters of Shiva ,Parvati, Ganesh , Nandi  intact introducing new characters such as Brahaspati & Kali .Here Since plot is over repeated,although  Amish tries to spices it up with twist .

Characters of Roshni  ,Rakhi sister of four brothers is introduced in the book .Then it follows plot of Nirbahya Case in the story However its conclusion is not very convincing .Also Manthara is powerful trader respected all over Sapt sindhu So how Royal patronage  and powerful clan which was worshiped in those day would be attacked  is quite unconvincing .Similar  incident is repeated when he  introduces Sita. Will Any one dare to  attacks Prime Minister to  punish a thief .That is quite baffling.

Biggest disappointment is Sita' s Swayamwar . Scene from Mahabharata is pushed in Ramayana. The scene is also described  unconvincingly .All of swayamwar seemed at formality .Why was anyone else invited , Ram  wins Sita in swayamwar after hitting Fish eye .. No one else  gets the chance even .

When you are writing a thriller you have to tie loose ends .Maithila is said to poorest and not so powerful, then why Raavan was interested in Swayamwar . Who sent him invitation and  why he lands in Maithila with Thousands of body Guard ? Why Raavan needs  thousands of  Body Guards who are well eqiuped to wage war .He has death threats from someone Why does not arrogant Raavan attack Maithila or even Ayodhya  afterwards to avenge so called  defeat .There so called swayamwar for adopted daughther but Urmila ,his biological daugther is married off to laxman without any fuss. Janak the King of Maithila is mere spectator he has no say even when they go to war with Raavan .

Characters of Vibhishan and Surpanaka are half cooked . No background or motives of two are specified in the story . They suddenly comes in story ,conveniently re kindle Ravaan enmity and to  justify Sita's Kidnapping..Why will Raavan wait 14 years without any action but fluster for Surpanaka's nose .

Character of Vaishist and Vishwamitra seem to have background which is not explained in this series . However Vishwamitra in Ramayan is Great Great Grand son of Kush , Son of Ram according to some legends .He introduced here as his guru even his motives are not specified .

Plot also include discussion on what is ideal society or what kind of rule is ideal .We are introduced to Masculine and Feminine way of rules Basically differentiating between democracy and presidential(if not dictatorial) type of government .But hardly finds the solutions in modern era.


Amish tries to rekindle memories by mentioning Nagas .Somras, Vayuputras , Lord Rudra  concepts which he introduced successfully in Shiva trilogy .However in Ram chandra series he fails to introduce such insights or justify extraordinary powers or events .He sticks to his Naga Theories without depicting the backgrounds of those characters . Jatayu for instances introduced and killed in equal hurry without back story . Hanuman is just introduced as Naga too .


Overall,i was more disappointed than happy. I want to read the Original Amish in full glory of Immortals of Meluha .I read the another book long ago " What got you here, wont get you there" which perhaps explains Amish predicament. 

Huge Expectation may have lead to my disappointment . I may not be literally Expert but humble reader with his own opinion