NO TV??? Give me the internet!

No TV DAY?? The news paper I subscribe to had me bowled over the idea of No TV day. Not that my kids are glued to TV on other days. Don't just think something like how sweet n all. Of course my kids would want to go on and on, on Animax or Pogo or just about any other channel on TV but I play the 'Mugambo khush hua' after turning it off or just jerking the smart card (tuner card) out of the set top box when I step out of the home. Ha, ha, ha. Oops, my little one is reading it right now and quipping, " Khud ko Mugambo samjhte ho!"

So, yesterday we decided to do some of the things that Hindustan Times had been advertising for over a fortnight. While some activities are part of our outings already there are some others which we can do even later, for which I have preserved all the related write ups and probably we will have a NO TV Day once a month. We decided to start our day with cycling to the Gateway of India. For my daughter it was her first time ride out of the cantonment. Once at Gateway, we looked for the Cyclists from Bandra. We could not. Probably missed them. My daughter was so charged and excited that she beamed, "I want to go to Marine Drive" So we went there. The dog lover that she is, she played with some dogs and befriended some. Then we rode back home in 25 minutes flat. Isn't it fast?

Then we readied along with the younger one for a Heritage Bus Ride from Jahengir Art Gallery. It was a long wait out there but it was worth, with the funny guy who was our guide. He showed us Sachivaliya...and said yahan upar se neeche tak koi sach nahin bolta... and that Vidhaan Bhawan was the WWE of the ministers. His narrative was hillarious . Though SoBo has very familiar sites, the bus deck gave a completely different perspective for me to take some good pictures.

After this we went to Ballard Bunder for a exhaustive trip to the The Indian Naval Ship Vikrant which is now a museum ship. The Naval guys were so cordial and good guides. People loved sitting in the cockpit of the Helicopter, a part of display in the museum. So did my girls. Par...yeh uda nahin...haha!! HT guys, next time please take me for copter ride over Bombay. I really want to take some good aerial shots.

More??? Are you crazy? Where was the strength left. Too much packed in one day. We headed straight home as I was craving for my good cup of lemongrass tea. Kids??? OMG, they were so tired. So everyone sat silent and then my younger girl suddenly picked up the remote to switch the TV on. "No!" I shrieked.
"Please mom I want to relax."
"Read a book No TV today, today is NO TV DAY."
"It was no TV day, now it is night."
"Sorry, the day will end at 12 midnight."
"Didn't we have a no TV week?"
We actually did but then today it was like a promise.

"Whatever! Please no TV today". That one came from my barely one and half year older to the younger one yet many years wiser elder daughter who is otherwise a avid TV watcher of Animax's Inuyasha series. That is on days when I don't play a Mugambo!!!

..........................and wait here's more, the little girl is a die hard negotiator. She said," OK, Can I have the internet then?"  ................................Abhi toh,  Momma has to turn Mugambo!!!

Mango Man celebrates Republic Day

Today I did not see the President taking a salute. Did not feel like watching those political criminals mocking a pseudo-patriotic emotion. I wanted to be a part of common man...mango man...aam aadmi's celebration and here it is how.

'What a beautiful day', thats how I felt riding on near empty roads on Republic day morning. Yes, I went riding on my cycle to Marine Drive. Met my Bandra cycle club friends. A group of young skaters came dressed wearing tricolor on their chests.

Came home and went back to Gateway Of India with my friends. Thats when we saw a stream of motorbikes  with tricolors zooming past near Regal.  At Gateway, we went from one group to another requesting them to join us for National Anthem. We sang the National Anthem with people from various provinces and states. Thanks to my friends and all those who connected right there, we had a great celebration this Republic day. Not a flash mob, because I did not want a rehearsed thing but an impromptu attempt by four of us saw a huge number of people singing together at Gateway. There was smiles all over. It was like mini India bonded together. The mango man celebrated the spirit of Republic Day.

At 4 pm, as an IAC volunteer, I am there one more time. PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN.

Jai Hind! Vande Matram!! Check out the pictures and one video on my timeline.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2555508173243

बहन जी, ढक के रखियेगा!!!

बहन जी, ढक के रखियेगा. ढक कर रखना जरूरी भी है.
आंध्र प्रदेश के पुलिस कमिश्नर ने कहा कि ढक कर रखेंगे तो बलात्कार कम होगा,
इलेक्शन कमिश्नर ने कहा की ढक कर नहीं रखा तो आचार (सहिंता) कम होगा.
खैर पुलिस कमिश्नर की बात पर तो विवाद हो गया पर बहन जी की हाथियों की फ़ौज को लबादों से ढक दिया गया.  कड़ाके की सर्दी में माया के हाथियों को गर्मी का अहसास खूब भाया होगा.

बहन जी का मायाजाल इतना बुरी तरह फैला हुआ है कि ढक ढक कर थक गए होंगे ढकने वाले. और कोई यह बताये कि ढकने वाले कपडे किस मिल से आये और उस का पैसा किसने दिया? इलेक्शन कमिश्नर ने?

भाई साहिब आप की समझ पर आश्चर्य होता है. बहन जी को मुफ्त में इतना भाव दे दिया. BSP के हाथियों को तो ढक दिया कांग्रेस के हाथों का क्या करेंगे. क्या सब को दस्ताने पहनवआएंगे? कसम से ताजुब्ब होता है कि देश किन लोगों के भरोसे छोड़ रखा है.

अच्छा एक बात और. कुछ लोग पूछ रहें हैं कि इस बार २६ जनवरी को बहादुर बच्चों को हाथी पे नहीं बिठायंगे क्या? अचार संहिता का हनन हो जायेगा अगर हाथी राजपथ पर चल दिया. क्योंकि हाथी सिर्फ मायावती का साथी बन के रह गया है.

एक गाना गुनगुनाने का मन कर रहा है. " नज़रों से कह दो आज कल ढकने का मौसम आ गया"

• Ritu Dadhwal Hath mein dastane aur paimane !!! Lekin Kamal ka kya karen ge? Suna hai chote size ke shower cap jaise kisi product ka bahut bada order place hua hai.LLLLLOOOOLLLL!!!!!!
  

  19 hours ago ·  ·  1
• 
  

  मृदुल प्रभा Has the order been placed already? I am going to start a Shower Cap making company. Actually I can start a company to make covers for all the election symbols. LOL>>>>ho ho ho ho...ho ho ho election bada sataye!!

Army Chief goes to Court against Indian Government

In an unprecedented move, the Army Chief has taken the age matter to the court. Its a disgrace to the ministry of defence and Indian Govt. PM Manmohan Singh has tried offering a carrot to the Chief by making him the Governor of Goa but Gen VK Singh has ignored the bait and decided to take the Govt head on. Congress is underplaying it but every body knows what game is being played. In any case do you think the corrupt and morally bankrupt Sonia's coterie would let an honest General continue in the office for one more year? If he does he will bring out many more skeletons, some of which may have matching DNA with the corrupt Government in the centre.

Every Indian must stand up for Gen. VK Singh. The country needs him more than he needs to continue in the office. If he stays in the chair for the term which is rightfully his, he will be handing over the baton to another very able and strong General in General Parnaik. 

sisiro A Common Man 

RT @mayaadvaita: AkAnthony wants a puppet army chief who will not question him.god save bharat frm the xian enemy within

29 minutes ago Favorite Undo Retweet 

syamjee Being Me... 

DOB issue of Army Chief is a creation of duck sitting by Defense Minister AK Antony, who never took any decision in his entire life...

Chellaney Brahma Chellaney 

By allowing a controversy over the army chief's date of birth to drag on since 2010, India's defense minister has showcased his incompetence

RoVatK Rohit Kashyap V 

Army Chief opposed UPA proposal to revoke AFSPA in Kashmir. That is the reason why the govt is desperate to send him out 1 year in advance

Shaelesh Shaelesh Prabhakar 

Nothing survives under Congress! One institution crumbling after the other! Now Army Chief goes to SC! Let us hang our heads in shame!

RoVatK Rohit Kashyap V 

If what the defence min says about Army Chief's DOB is right, then authorities who issued his SLC, driving license, passport, are all wrong.

writingdoll mridual 

#ArmyChiefAgeRow Holyshit! ExGenerals locked horns on national TV #IBN7 #IndianArmy what is this shame game?GenHoon sounds like a dictator.

Chalis Chaurasi 4084

That's the name of Naseerudin Shah's latest film. Just saw the film yesterday in a half empty, single screen hall with a drowsy audiences. Well, that still won't deter me from saying that I loved the movie. 'A good cinema' is how I rate it. I don't know the box office figures but it hit off well with me. Actually Naseer and the rest three guys in the film did. I love them all. Atul Kulkarni, Ravi Kishan and KK Menon are good actors and Naseerudin Shah is becoming dirtier, naughtier and bindaas with old age. Where did I read that he was to retire. I will say, "Oh, Please don't go!"

The movie has quite a dirty quotient of bad bad world. No, No....there ARE women in the movie but no heroine and frankly one does not miss having one on the screen. Some new bee gyrates to add the masala factor in the movie but cut it...thats an occasional dose. The men keep you busy with their anecdotes and interesting life histories. The story is racy and keeps you smiling till the end.

I actually loved Kulkarni crooning famous "Hawa, Hawa, aye Hawa, khushbu luta de".. Lemme warn you there is no good over evil ending. Its fun film with good humour. Enjoy!! Shall I say," Just chill!"

I ran and danced with Mumbai

I have been there on ground for four Mumbai Marathons. Ran once...ishhh...a Dream Run :) This time I was very late, thanks to my daughters. I had to drag them out to get the feel of it. So, when we reached the half Marathoners were already coming back to the finish line. It was great to see Mumbaikars sweating it out for fun. The women were beetroot red and looked so lively.

Just then the oldies, senior veterans, came running in their colorful teeshirts. Their josh wasn't any lesser. They waved to the crowds and ran like happy kids. We decided to move towards the music...Jazz by the way. That's where we had a real blast. A senior lady enthralled with her dancing moves and a funny guy sought attention with his signature 'snake dance and ghostly' dance. Right next to it was the Star Plus's Lavani....oops looked like Bar dancers. Isshhhhh...who says bar dancers can't do Lavani and vice versa :)...Of course it was Star..........and Plus.

Celebs Tara Sharma and Rahul Bose came running in Dream run. By now we decided to move to Marine drive to capture better pictures. The BMW lead the Dream-runners and one swanky BMW sat on the Marine Drive found a lover in my kids who went on to admire the beauty and posed with it. We danced some more and cheered the runners. There were many running without a bib number so when I could not control, we finally decided to run (without the bibs) and we did, all the way to the finish line.

My daughters said,"Next year we are running for sure!"

We will!

Mumbai Marathon!!! Got to run....

MUMBAI on the run for fun and for fitness. What a delightful dawn that will be. Tomorrow, that is. I will there to capture some moments. I love everyone who can wake up to welcome the morning sun and can take a stride to a healthy living. Wow!

I wish I could run a half marathon some day. Ran dream run year before last. Not very challenging and serious run yet it fills you with pride, especially if you ran after ages (and after aging).

Tremendous adrenalin rush! Oh, just watching the runners is what all I have to do this year. But I enjoy cheering them. Its smiles all the way. Hey lemme catch some sleep for I have to catch the event tomorrow.

Good night!!! Sleep tight, wake up bright, in the morning light!

"Hush"..that was when I lost my voice.

I am a chatterbox, I always had been. So it was very natural for my throat infections leading to Laryngitis in my childhood. The doctors always prescribed "VOICE REST" written exactly the way it is written here, bold and underlined. I still would n't learn to keep shut until one fine day I actually lost my voice and found it so funny to express myself in sign language. That was the prank God played upon me. Years later a reputed ENT specialist confirmed that I did suffer a partial paralysis of my vocal chords. As a result my vocal chords got distorted a bit, permanently. He explained to me why there was a husky feel to my voice and nothing could change it except a surgery with just 20% chances of recovering from the 'husk' and 80% chances of losing my voice permanently. Which was not a feasible situation. So he recommended that I learn YOGA and breathing techniques which I followed religiously for over two years in an yogashram because I was so conscious of my voice.

Although most people, women especially, still remark, "Oh you have a bad throat, is it?", the men actually compliment me about my voice and tell me that women, probably are jealous! :) My guy friends (dare I say Boyfriends? :)), even the one I eventually married, actually finds my voice so good that he wishes me to go on and on when we talk...oops its only I talk and he listens...rather loves to listen.

Another friend just made my day when he reaffirmed that my voice fills him with enthusiasm. Friends, thank you for all that......

Hey Guys, think its time to do some Podcasts!

'Do you have it in you?' Don't join the Indian army!

Hey guys, have you read the title clearly? 'Do you have it in you'....is what Army advertisement challenges you, dares you, asks you and pulls you towards, what is made to look very very attractive, a career in the defence forces. I tell you if you have it in you don't join the forces. The glossy painted picture of men in OGs and lush green golf courses seen on the billboards is purely for graphic representation, so are the other details like perks and free house. What an army ad never displays is a "Conditions Apply".

I have strong reasons for saying so. I am taking the case of this serving officer having given 20 years of his life to this organisation. A confirmed bachelor who does not intend marrying is being refused an army accommodation for his old parents. So, here is a condition that only married officers get accommodation. Quite a paradox because whether one has a wife or not, everyone has parents, right? To marry or not to marry is a personal choice. If the old parents are entitled to medical and CSD facilities, how can an accommodation be denied them? Every officer is entitled to a perk called accommodation. So why not a bachelor? More certainly, if it has to accomodate his old parents. For a bachelor old parents are his only family.

The army HQ says that this the first case of its kind and if they approve it,  it will be setting a precedent. So, they conveniently disapprove this officers plea to his right to have an accommodation for his parents. Wtf ! Do they mean to say that last 64 years we have never had a bachelor officer wanting accommodation for his parents? Not even one instance? Complete bullshit!

I will write more about the WHO"S WHO of army who are retaining the houses in the metros on pretexts for which many precedents would have been set. Fauj is in its own words "Fucked up". Its not for nothing that Army Chief ' s DOB details are messed with. The General has gone to the court. The officer who is written about here has taken the matter to court. Fauj, as they say, has really gone to the dogs.

Share this, talk about it in media.  You may do good to many soldiers who commit their lives to the nation unconditionally but offered perks on conditions.

Sign this petition please!

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Friends, 

I just created a petition entitled Indian Government: Rapists of Minors should be hanged., because I care deeply about this very important issue. 

I'm trying to collect 100 signatures, and I could really use your help. 

To read more about what I'm trying to do and to sign my petition, click here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/indian-government-rapists-of-minors-should-be-hanged?share_id=CFMeRlxJrR& 

It'll just take a minute! 

Once you're done, please ask your friends to sign the petition as well. Grassroots movements succeed because people like you are willing to spread the word! 

MRIDUAL
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