Webseries - Queen

 I'm glad to have watched this before stepping into 2020. So much learning to take forward - the best one being "Do the best you can do while doing what you have to do".

Brilliantly portrayed by three lady artists, the protagonist's journey depicts what made her so strong and swashbuckling. Ramya Krishnan, as usual, has put up a flamboyantly charismatic performance. Inspired by true events, the script and screenplay are top notch! And it's a must watch, especially for women who seek strength and success.

Thank you - Gouthm Vasudev Meenon - for putting things together.

Movie Review Post!

My last full fledged movie-review-post was on 'Arjun Reddy'. And the last movie I have watched is 'George Reddy'. My life in between had revolved around handling two babies and two projects. Yet, nothing stopped me from watching a few movies. Thanks to Amazon prime, Netflix, Zee5, Hotstar and other online links. It's quite difficult to summarize my thoughts on all those movies. Let me try handpicking a few of them, which impressed and inspired me.

#Rangasthalam deserves all applauds for the attempt made to recreate village environment and personas. Charan and Samantha - I never found them as good before.

#Padmaavat released among havoc and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's depiction of Padmavati and Khiljee will stand tall for a few years to come.

#Mahanati is made as greatly as Savitri Garu herself is. Keerthi Suresh's brilliant portrayal of the yesteryear's actress is the best of all biopoic performances I have seen so far.

#Gudachary's script work is one of the awesome of its kind. Adavi Sesh is indeed the find of the decade.

#TheShapeofWater Not all movies which won Oscar convince you as much as this film does. How do they get these plot ideas! Beyond imagination, at least mine.

#Virus is a fine work of art that depicts a complex script in its simplest form. Couldn't believe the way they pulled off the climax sequences! Thought provoking.

#Uyare is a beautiful story of a girl with unbeatable conviction to become a pilot. And nothing, including a brutal acid attack, can stop her from believing that she makes an efficient pilot.

#KGF After Baahubali, this has been that Pan-Indian film, second part of which is the most awaited. What a dramatization and characterization of the lead protagonist! Mind blowing work especially in the second half of the movie. Yash has done a fantastic job. I'm too waiting for the Chapter - 2.

#GeetaGovindam Absolutely entertaining piece of cinema. Vijay and Rashmika make a beautiful pair on screen. Smartness overloaded in the direction department.

#Raazi Undoubtedly the best work of Alia Bhat so far. Very convincing she is in that role. The only song of the film is such a grandeur of music! Full marks to Meghna Gulzar.

#Raatchasi #Hitchki Must watch movies for all teachers, students and their parents. Every student is unique and some teachers have ways to bring out the best of each of their students. Jyothika's costumes and Rani Mukharji's act are the highlights of these films.

#Chichhore is a must watch not just for parents but for everyone else too. Interesting screen play and awesome performances makes this movie a great watch.

#MissionOverMars Ever since I attended the panel talk of women scientists from ISRO at Mumbai in 2016, I got connected to MOM project so well. No doubt I watched this series at one go, all eight episodes back to back. Awesome narration and depiction of the role of women scientists in the successful run of Mars Orbiter Mission. A mist watch for all techies.

#GeorgeReddy The forgotten history of an influential student leader of Osmania University in early 1970s is picturized in a brilliant and non-controversial way. Sandeep Madhav is the best fit and he filled the shoes aptly.

Looking forward to watch movies and write more about the artists' work in 2020

Our hobbies make our children - ParenthoodDiaries #18

 Our hobbies make our children and our fears break them.

What we are habituated to do is most likely what usually our kids pick up at an young age. I grew up listening to my dad's bedtime stories, and observing him reading books. I used think that he was telling me all those interesting stories from those books. I picked up the habit of reading books from him and I'm still hooked onto it. As I grew up, I picked up the habit of writing, again from my dad, and you know how I'm with that now.

While it's easy to guess what hobbies children pick up from parents, it's tricky to say what fears they are influenced of. There might not be a direct correlation of the fears they pick up, but somewhere or others the fears of parents and children do have a connection. I'm still not very clear of which ones I succumbed to. However, I'm sure I did. Those fears did become my limitations at times.

For our kids' sake, we must choose our hobbies wisely and try to be fearless from within, as much as we can.

Worth staying away from Kids - ParenthoodDiaries #17

I drop kids at creche on every working day's morning. Sometimes they cry. Many times they get on. But every time I drop them, I think of this: TODAY I MUST CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SOMETHING VALUABLE, WHICH IS WORTH STAYING AWAY FROM KIDS THE WHOLE DAY!

My perspective towards work changed, hugely, after kids. Earlier I used to perceive it to be my responsibility to do the task at hand well. And that was it. But after kids, I started seeing the work that I do as my contribution, towards the organization and society. When we feel we are responsible for doing something, exemplary work especially, we expect to be recognized and rewarded. When we feel it's a contribution, we expect it to be rejoiced and remembered.

After all, glory is in being remembered for the signature we leave through the work we do.

No one can deny... Take Home #675

We can be denied of an opportunity but not career. The risks we take and the compromises we make define our career, which is only in our hands and no one else is responsible for.

Introducing our boys...!

 The game of my life took an important turn when I got to know that I had conceived twin babies.

Surprise. Excitement. Tears. Fear. Urge to eat. Being dependent for almost everything. Planning the maternity leave. Preparing myself for the D-Day. Mom's handmade food. Hospital food and bed. C-section. Being told of the arrival of boys. Kissing the new-borns in the operation theater. Informing family and friends. Pains. Struggle to get up from bed. Painful first walk. Bleeding. Sleeping babies. Sleepless nights. Naming. Smiles of babies. Meeting friends and family. Clicking photos. Recording videos. Changing diapers. Sterilizing the mill bottles. Dressing up the boys. Bathing them. Noting down their important milestones. Amazon prime and Netflix at night. Rejoining the office. Creche. Driving with the babies in isofixed car seats. Maids. Visit to hospital. Cold. Cough. Fever. Laughs. Fights for toys. Handling two projects, two bosses and two teams with more rigor than ever. Cooking for babies. First steps of the boys. First birthday. And so much of inexpressible 'Larger than life' experience.

It's been a wonderful and engaging journey of 20 months which I have thoroughly enjoyed and lived. It's kind of once in a lifetime thing. Got help from many people during this time; cannot name all of them here but I will remember all of them and be indebted all throughout my life.

Soon after the delivery I realized that I had always dreamt of having twins, but never dreamt of raising them! It's not easy and it's not that difficult either. There has been will and the ways have been found out. It shall continue.

Introducing our boys... Shiva Bharat & Bhuvan Shambho.

From the Great Indian Culture to the Great Indian Hypocrisy!

Two recent incidents have made me thoughtful and then made me write this post! No intention to offend anyone; this is straight from the heart. 

Incident 1:

The creator of Facebook, Mr Mark Zuckerberg, congratulated his sister named Randi Zuckerberg for an achievement of hers. He posted it on his Facebook page. Normally, whoever reads it, either they leave it there and move on to other posts or write a comment to congratulate  her. Some of the Indians found another way to react to that post, in all humiliation more to themselves and the Indian-fraternity than to the Zuckerbergs. Some of the Indians picked her name 'Randi' and confused it with its meaning in Hindi. They started posting all sort of inhuman stuff on Mark's post. Yes, some other Indians responded with rebuke but nothing could stop the other group of Indians from committing the socially-heinous act. Zuckerbergs did not react, and that's their take on it and a noble one, given the scenario. 

Incident 2:

Most of the cricket followers know about the ball tampering scandal that hit the Australian cricket an year and half ago. Cricket Australia had handed an year's ban on Australian cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner. They did apologize and served the ban; they are now part of the Australian cricket squad playing the World Cup-19 at England. During the league match between India and Australia, some of the Indian audience (Pro-Indian fans as media exactly called) shouted at Steve Smith - "Cheater"... "Cheater"...! Although he did not reciprocate, he must have been deeply hurt; one day we may get to hear from him on this incident, possibly in an autobiography or in a media-interaction! Indian captain Virat Kohli exhibited the professionalism and sportive-spirit at the post match talk by condemning this act by some of the Indian fans . 

First incident shows that some of us, the Indians, do not know how to let others live. The second incident show that some of us do now know how to get on with life. High level of hypocrisy exists with visibly no cure! Indian culture is a lot talked about in all positive sense in the current generation. If the incidents similar to the above continue to happen, Indian culture will continue to be talked about in the coming generations, but not for the same goodness as is today. While we continue to praise the past that had handed us with the Indian-cultural standards, we must continue to build them up with inspirational acts rather than pull them down with unappreciative acts. Otherwise, the time is not far away to see the Great Indian Culture being replaced by the Great Indian Hypocrisy! 

Rain and the Rainbow!

Pune-rains and the rainbows are incredible scenes to start the weekend with!  

The lack of it... Take Home #674

Neither time nor experience, often what we lack is "conviction".

Giving back to children - ParenthoodDiaries #16

In our walk of life, from childhood to adulthood to old-age, we come across many people who help us in different ways at multiple occasions. We may not be able to give back to all of them, due to various circumstances! Whatever that we cannot give back to them, we must give to their children. And that will be more than giving-back as far as a parent is concerned. Give back love. Give back help. Give back money. Give back everything except hatred. Only love must transcend the generations.

Parenthood and delegation - ParenthoodDiaries #15

Something that I have learnt, more in my ten months of parenthood than in my ten years of work experience, is DELEGATION.

Knowing what to do is the first baby-step towards delegation and the how part can be, rather shall be, left to the person whom we have delegated the task; if not always, majority of times! In my work experience I have seen people who have been successful in achieving the desired results by delegating. Having closely watched them and having seen myself improving my delegation capabilities over the last few months, one thing I can say confidently is that delegation is one of the skills every individual must possess and improve time to time, be it personal or professional life.

The crux of delegation is 'confidence on our eco-system of people' and the crux of confidence is 'risk-taking capability'. To become confident on our people we must understand them and help them strengthen their desired skill. Risk taking capability is something that we can improve only by taking risks!

There is undeniably high risk in child-rearing. It could go many ways and to let it go the way it is supposed to go, we must start showing confidence in the people involved; be it maids, teachers, friends of kids, or for that matter the kids themselves,  by letting them do what they need to do, while we observe and intervene on need basis. Instead if we micromanage, we ruin our children just like the way some managers ruin their teams!

Parents cannot be everywhere and do everything for their children. But parents can make their presence felt by delegating right things to the right people at every juncture of their child's journey; this includes delegating certain tasks to the children themselves.

Advantages and challenges - ParenthoodDiaries #14

Weather it's twin babies or a single baby, or no baby for that matter, there are advantages and challenges in each scenario. The moment we let the challenges start bothering us more than what the advantages make us positive, that's the moment we must start validating our own thought process. Challenges are every where and solutions may be are around the corner or they may be are far off. The quick we realise that we must accept the challenges, the better will be our determination and the more time we will have to find out the solutions.

While the above said is in general applicable while handing any challenge, challenges related to kids are perceived to be the toughest by parents. And that's exactly why we must be really quick in accepting the challenges and be strong rather than getting pressurized and get weakened!

Birthday 2019 as a mom!

Many birthdays passed and it never occurred to me! Today as I have become a mother, I feel like saying this.

My mother was a teenager when I was born. She used to top her class and she had to miss her final exams since I arrived before the expected date of delivery. That was just the beginning of the streak of compromises and sacrifices. And I'm very happy that my mother continued her studies for another four years and became a teacher. She could do that because my grand mother, Vijayalakshmi, took care of me and my mom. My grandma did a lot for us, which I can't explain in few words. On October 10th, 2002, suddenly we had to face her day of death! I have deeply missed her ever since. Mothers do a lot for their kids. My mother and grand mother have done a lot for me. Saying thanks is never enough. I must and will do whatever I can for them.

I'm reserving about my father for now! One day I shall express about him, who's the most influential person in my life.

Sharing responsibility - ParenthoodDiaries #13

Husband and wife share the responsibility of be it home-making or child-rearing.

Ladies, next time when you are asked if your husband helps you at home, say this - we share the responsibility.

Helping and sharing responsibility are different not just by their literal sense but also by the way they are executed. Help is the assistance we get when we are solely responsible for a given task. Sharing responsibility is sharing of ownership; the act of being equally responsible.

Home-making and child-rearing are real fun when they are executed together by the couple. Also, they happen smoothly and sensibly when done together. Children are known for imitating and majorly learning from what they observe at home. They learn to be equally responsible as they grow and become a parent; after all, child-rearing is also about making the parents of next generation!

Mothers and their stories - ParenthoodDiaries #12

This post is not about kids but about parents, mothers to be specific.

I have been interacting with quite a few 'mothers' recently. The maid at my home, the cleaning staff in our housing society, women colleagues whom I meet at the company creche and few of my good friends etc are some of the mothers who have shared interesting insights about motherhood, majorly based on their personal experiences.

All I can say is, every mother has a story. Each one has her unique share of ups, downs, difficult decisions, streak of compromises and of course invaluable memories for lifetime. Life becomes unexplainably adventurous at times and mothers have to handle it no matter what. And they do, with love and passion.

These days there are some helpful aids available for mothers, like diapers, formula milk powders, creches, maids at pay etc. I wonder how mothers back in 20th century and before maintained their kids, and a number of them not one or two! I think mothers find the ways out to nurture their kids, sometimes with the help of family members and at times all alone as well!

ME time and its impact - ParenthoodDiaries #11

Not compromising on 'ME' time makes the time we spend with kids more joyful for ourselves as well as for kids.

Time waits for none. It keeps ticking. Kids wait for none. They keep growing. The time we spend with kids at every stage of their and our lives is going to be in all our memories for life. While we try to spend time with kids, we often compromise on the 'ME' time. It's extremely important to notice and prevent this from happening.

Each one of us have certain things to do for ourselves; by doing which we feel relaxed and rejuvenated. We must recognize those few things and make time to execute them, no matter how the rest of the time is going, so that we become joyful. Being joyful from within is one of the prime ways to make our kids joyful when we are with them.

Crying is the weapon - ParenthoodDiaries #10

'Crying' is the weapon children own by birth and eventually learn to use. Its good to let them learn that with crying, they may get what they need and may not get what they want.

People say that crying doesn't suit a man. Not really though. And for women, based on the situation, crying is perceived  to be  either  a weak-link or a strong weapon! Glad that none of this gender based generalization is applied to children yet.

They cry for many things like when they are hungry, sleepy, cranky etc. Whatever is the reason, they seek attention to their need or wish.

While we have to fulfill their needs, we may choose to delay or decline fulfilling some of their wishes. They may cry as we do so but eventually learn that they get what they need, and not always what they want. It's important for every child as well as parents to understand and differentiate needs and wishes.

Mother being a nurse - ParenthoodDiaries #9

If a doctor needs to be a doctor, and not a mother, while operating her children, a mother needs to be a nurse while nursing the babies.

Mother would want to feed the babies more; nurse would feed just enough. Mother would want to bath the babies for longer time; nurse do it in the required time. Mother wants her babies to sleep longer and longer; nurse would let them sleep for a sufficient time. Mother do not want her babies to fall sick; nurse handles the sickness with a smile. Mother would not want her babies to get dirty with dust and sand, nurse would let them have their share of happy play-time.

Mother tends to do more. Nurse does enough.

Mother tends to protect. Nurse treats. 

Mother tends to do the desired. Nurse does the required.

And while nursing the babies, mother better be a loving nurse.

Life is less difficult and more different - ParenthoodDiaries #8

With kids, life is less difficult and more different.

I keep wondering what would I be doing at the given moment if I didn't have my babies. Like in this moment, may be posting something else than my parenthood experiences. On weekends, may be watching a movie than keeping busy with the baby-tasks. In free time, may be clicking for my photography page than clicking the memorable moments of the little ones. At the mid of the night, may be dreaming aloud than feeding the babies. And so on!

I can't agree more that life feels difficult with kids, especially to those, like myself, who have had more years of bachelor life or had a few years of married life without kids. It feels difficult, less because it is, and more because it is different. It's different from that of the otherwise comfortable and well-set lifestyle.

Some experiences in life are worth the difficulty. Having kids is undoubtedly one of them. Realizing the difference and enjoying the same makes it less difficult.

The two tiny polio drops - ParenthoodDiaries #7

My first ever earning was 5 Rupees and that was when I executed the day-long duty at a pulse polio center as an NCC cadet back in 1998. Many women came throughout the day and did polio vaccination for their babies at our center. I never wondered then if the two drops of polio vaccine had been swallowed by the babies or not.

When I saw my babies taking those two drops of vaccine, I kept wondering during and after, if those two tiny drops had been swallowed properly or not!

The best part of my Parenthood journey so far is the sensibility  I have developed  towards every single task I do for the babies.  It does help to take care of the babies in a better way and also to develop the perspectives which otherwise would never occur to me.

Plan may not work but planning helps - ParenthoodDiaries #6

Plans may or may not work; yet planning helps.

With infants around, quite a lot of things go off the plan; and that's not the only time or reason though, for plans not to work. Our plans fail, quite a lot of times, even when we are alone. Reason could be either our inability to understand the situation or that something goes haywire.

With infants too, it's the same reason why our plans often do not work. With the basic things that they need, like food, clothing, sleep and play-time, there is a little chance of things going haywire. I believe, it's mostly our inability to understand their needs or doings that let our plans remain as plans. Infants communicate to the best of their ability, but we are not yet there to understand everything they communicate. That's the prime reason why we plan something and something else happens, often.

Well, we may not understand infants fully. Yet, making plans to the best level of our understating helps us a lot. It motivates us to keep doing better everytime. Also, it's rather simple to handle the situation when we plan, even if the plan fail, than when we don't.

Neighborhood and it's impact - PatenthoodDiaries #5

Since I started to go to hostel back in the year 2000 and until the last time I left home in Oct 2017, there were never as many people to bid farewell as today (9th Jan 2019), as we started to Pune with kids after staying for a memorable four months.

Children introduce our neighbors to us in altogether a different way. We think we raise our children but most of the time they are awake, they are nurtured by our neighbors usually. Neighbors play an important role in every child's development. We must choose the neighborhood carefully.