Feed a child

Child labour is prohibited in our country but still we find young children working on the roads, on construction sites, in small restaurants, in the fields, everywhere. It’s a dream situation where no child goes hungry and every child is educated but then, dreams do come true with efforts, intention and right direction. Nothing is impossible.

“There is no scarcity of food, we have plenty of rice, wheat, fresh vegetables in our fields but didi, we have food but there is no money. So I came here to work. Everybody works in the field but my daughter goes to school.” I could see my maid’s eyes sparkle as she said that they teach English in her school and she sings ABCD to her on the phone and loves going to school. She continued, “In her school they give a nutritious meal. I could never study because I had to take care of my younger brothers and sisters and also work with my parents but I won’t let this happen to my daughter. I want her to grow up into a responsible citizen, and earn money with a respectable job in a big office.”

She’s lucky that they don’t know hunger while there are a few institutions that have their own schools for mentally challenged children run by small missionaries where the parents leave their children because of their inability to take care of these kids due to lack of money.  Sisters work very hard with these kids and the schools are run with some grants and help offered by the locals.

Sometimes people visit to celebrate special occasions with these kids. Such celebrations are not only about sharing food but also about sharing love and joy and about bringing smiles to their dull faces.

If we can spend thousands of rupees in watching a movie, or on our personal well- being, it shouldn’t be difficult to donate the smallest amount to the institutions that take care of the basic needs of children.

I am going to #BlogToFeedAChild with Akshaya Patra and BlogAdda.

~~payal~~

It's irritating #WillYouShave ?

‘”Why do they keep such beards?” Sheena often got irritated whenever she encountered a man with a beard.

When she was asked the reason, she always said,” Nothing personal. It’s their choice to keep a beard, I understand. Just that I can’t see their lips when they talk , and it’s irritating. What’s the use when you can’t listen to the music in their words?” How true it felt in that moment.

That day was not different when a guy approached her and asked her something. She tried to help but felt helpless because  she couldn't decipher a single word because of his beard and had to walk away giving a weird look to the guy.

Ever-smiling, Sheena was deaf by birth but she was too good at lip reading. She understood every word and its rhythm. Passionate about singing and dancing, she took up music as her career. Her family and friends motivated her to an extent that she never felt her disability. No one could ever imagine that she was deaf. Always cheerful, she was an inspiration to everyone around.  

She used to spend most of her time with her students. One day she was invited as the chief guest in a music concert. Auditorium was full. She then looked around and heaved a sigh of relief. One by one the performers came up on the stage and gave in their best. She was enjoying the evening.

Just in between the truly amazing performances she started feeling uneasy when she saw the next contestant, with long hair and beard, almost covering his lips. Craziness of people could be seen as soon as he came on stage, but for her, his beard was a disaster. She couldn’t understand a single word sung by the artist just because of his long beard that made it almost impossible for her to read his lips. She couldn’t enjoy the concert anymore.

~~payal~~

'This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity
at BlogAdda in association with Gillette'.

Zest

                                                                                                   2014 image,Goa

 

Life is simple, it’s we who make it complicated.

During the rough weather, time is challenging, dullness fills the aura, and a few tears go wasted in some random moments while negativity gets its hold on me. Nothing seems to work right. I feel drained and then realisation dawns. I know where to go!  What motivates me and what I’m supposed to do. I choose to regain zest! That little spark that lightens the mood and brightens the life.

There are situations and things that help me to replenish my zest reserves.

Prayers- Zest for life radiates through the positive attitude while embracing life and accepting it as it is! We can’t change the situations, but we can lessen their effects! Whenever I am upset, I contemplate and pray. It protects me. It keeps me positive.

      

 

Appreciation- It’s easy to get distracted by the unfavourable situations. When I am kind, I feel better! Random acts of kindness, fills me with gratitude and helps me to appreciate my life. Appreciation given and received for little efforts in day to day life is motivating and fills me with energy. Who doesn’t like to be appreciated?

Coffee- Coffee or a good conversation with loved ones always do wonders. They are a rainbow in my sky who bring out the best in me. Gentle reminders from them through their presence, even a phone call or a message tells me that they are there with me in my journey. They help me fight with the tough situations.  

Music- I love music of the waves as it rush towards me and kiss my feet. Old songs play in the background and refresh my mood as I pour my heart out on paper.

Walking- Walk on. There are better things to do when situations turn bitter than to just sit and cry.  At times, I miss on certain valuable learnings, I go for a walk and watch the sunset!

Afresh! Anew!

      

~~payal~~

This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest and BlogAdda.com

Black

                                                                                                                        2014 image,Goa

Creativity breathes in the dark where black is the given colour for creation.

Shades of different colours reveal themselves with a little mix of black. In a game of chess, black takes a back seat always and white makes the first move with some advantage. I often wonder why? Black is equally important as white.

Black is mysterious and I love mysteries.  When the black veil of mystery is lifted, light fills the space.

 Black is graceful.

Black is powerful.

 Black is overwhelming.

Black is beautiful, it makes me dream.

Give me a black canson sheet of the night sky to let my fluorescent imagination come alive before it sleeps forever. I wish to create a little light in my space on a cloudy night. The whole day has passed with just a thought of the shining silver lining. Excruciating pain in the dark comes up to be settled when sight of the moon gives relief.

Black charcoal sticks to sketch the beauty of those kohled eyes that got smilingly smudged in wait of the sunlight. I wish to sketch the pain they reflect in thin lines of washed mascara and the joys in the drops of pearls as they rest on the cheeks.

Give me a little black ink for my dry quill to highlight the unfathomable depth of the scars and make it bold. Bold enough to fight with the scaled snakes of fear and judgements, righteousness and control that hold their grip tight and refuse to leave. They shall find their way out through the quill.

A black frame to cherish the happy sunshine smiles full of gratitude for yet another blessed day while facing the thunder storms and celebrating life. It would give the strength to survive.

Black olives as a symbol of peace and wisdom that brings along happiness, purity and harmony.
 Black! it’s deliciously beautiful! It's time to celebrate the shades of life!

~~payal~~

This post is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at BlogAdda.com

Hi dear,

Hi Dear,

Remember me? I was missing you so much today and wanted to speak to you. Do you remember the days when the first thing you did in the morning was to know how I was? Remember the day when I was not available and you kept on banging your head till you finally saw me, and yes, I know you jumped with joy. Come on! I know that you got addicted to me! Isn’t it true?

I have some confessions to make. It was quite difficult for me to survive in this competitive world . I tried to compete but I lost. I know I was creating problems for you all. Then you found others to take care of your passions and in absence of love and concern I got depressed and started behaving in a strange way. I tried, but I couldn’t get that love back .

Now, I’m going to leave you forever. I’m writing to you from my death bed.

Don’t be upset. I still have your photographs and letters. Crap! No scraps you called them. I know you are smiling.  

I heard you saying, “The good old orkut days!”  

Remember the day when I told you that your long lost friends are looking for you? Remember their first expressions when they met you? I cherish those days. You used to pour your heart out in one of my communities. Hey, you made some lifetime friends there! I know you still meet some of them and I am sure you all remember me still. Tell me seriously, did you ever find that love and concern that you shared through my communities? Few of your friends used to visit me and I know that you never found a community like Ah!Poetry.  You interacted on facebook too, but it was never the same. I see people going crazy these days. For so many years nobody bothered about me. I felt like a forgotten tale. No, no, I’m not complaining. It’s just a fact and facts are not complaints.

But I’m glad you all continue like a family. You are still in touch and that’s what really matters. I feel happy for you all !

Keep your passions alive.

Your’s truly

Orkut                                                               

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