College time for parents!

It is that time of the year when more than the students, their parents are nervous. It is admission time. Parents can be spotted with their children running from one college to another.

The competition is getting tougher year after year. Each year the cut-offs are rising. Getting into reputed colleges like SRCC (Shriram College of Arts & Commerce) the student has to secure a perfect score! With all this hype surrounded around admissions even parents feel that their child should go to a reputed college and study an esteemed course. In a world where every profession is treated with respect, in our country, engineering and MBBS are considered far more superior. As a result, parents sometimes force their children to study a particular subject or course because they feel that studying this course would bring stability in their professional lives.

What parents don’t realize that sometimes their actions make their children pressurized and for the sake of their parent’s happiness they end up pursuing a course which they were earlier not interested in. This leads to disinterest in the course, bad results or ultimately dropping out from the course.

Parents should be relaxed. They should keep in mind that ultimately their children have to study the course they are being admitted to. It is really important for the parents to guide the children what they feel about a certain college or a course but, forcing your choices on your children can lead to disastrous results. So, parents should try encouraging their children to take up courses they are genuinely interested in.

Students who haven’t performed well in their board exams should be motivated and if they aren’t getting admissions in any university in the city, they should try looking at other different universities and cities. Parents should seek counselling for their kids if they are unable to motivate them. Students can even enrol themselves in specific professional courses like photography or environment studies. Parents should remember that if your child works hard there is scope in every field.

Do not be disappointed if your child is unable to fulfil your expectations. Success won’t come instantly. The most important thing is that your child should know that you have confidence in them and that you still love them.

Some parents might feel that children do not care about their future which is not true. They are always pressurized by the society to always perform well in academics. If you interact with your child in a different way you might be able to understand their choices better. Just have faith in your children, one day they will make you proud!

The Great Indian Sale

Mumbai is the fashion capital of the country and has great places to shop. But, the capital of the country has a different taste and style. Delhi doesn’t have Bollywood to inspire it yet; most of the trends start from here. Delhi wale would agree with this statement.

So, here are Top 5 places where you can shop in New Delhi. The prices are quite reasonable and make sure that you bargain at all the places mentioned below.

1.     Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat is basically an open-air craft bazaar located near INA Market. Here craftsmen from all over the country come together and put up stalls. You can find everything and anything in here. For example- furniture, Bihar’s Madhubani paintings, Kolhapuri chappals, Punjabi jutiya (shoes), Bags, Purses, Indian clothes, Kashmiri Carpets, Handicrafts, Hyderbadi Pearls or Silver jewellery... the list is endless.

In every two weeks the stalls are changed and new artists are given opportunity to showcase and sell their work. Also, there are various festivals are organized here the most famous being, The Mango Festival.

There is also an open-air food plaza which serves food from all over the country. Interestingly, the North-Eastern food plazas are a hit with the shoppers.

You need to pay 20 bucks as an entry fee but, after an amazing experience this money won’t pitch you.

2.     Janpath

Janpath is located near Connaught Place. This place is a hit with foreigners and Indian travellers, who are in love with Indian jewellery, Indian clothes and handicrafts. But, the shopkeepers here are very smart. From a 10 second conversation they can figure out whether you belong to this city or not. So, make sure that you don’t end up in loss.

An advice: - If the shopkeeper is not lowering the rates just walk out of the shop. In the end, they would follow you and ask you to take the item on your own rate!

There is a cottage emporium which is run by the government just around the corner. It is an interesting place to shop. Do check it out.

3.     Sarojini Nagar

I have a special place in my heart for Sarojini Nagar as I have been born here and lived 18 years of my life in this area. So, I find this place very homely for shopping.

Sarojini Nagar Market is one the popular markets of South Delhi. This is the only place in South Delhi which will give you good value for money. I can bet that this market is the most reasonable place in entire Delhi.

Though there are various branded shops but, people chose to visit ‘Export Line’ (Similar to Fashion Street in Mumbai but only with better clothing items and reasonable prices) 

There are shoe showrooms in the market which offer a vast variety of different kinds of shoes. The variety and quality found in these shoes can be a tedious task to find in high profile shoe showrooms.

The vegetable market is also popular amongst the locals. People living in a different area also come in to buy popular fruits and vegetables.

4.     Chandini Chowk

Located in the heart of Old Delhi, Chandini Chowk is the oldest market in the city. The market is divided into lanes. Again the USP for the place is that it provides quality item in a cheap rate. Katra Neel is a cloth bazaar where you can find different type of clothing material like Silk and Satin.

Many brides buy their wedding dress from Chandini Chowk. The most famous in this business is Kinari Bazaar and Meena Bazaar. Usually in these two places bargaining is minimum.

Dariba Kalan has jewellers which produce Silver jewellery and Silver household items. A jewellery lover would be confused while making choices here.

Another reason why foreigners visit this place is that there are lots of places here which offer electronic goods like old cameras, tripods and other accessories which are not easily available.

Don’t forget to visit the famous Paranthewali Gali for lip-smacking delicious Parathas.

5.     Khan Market

Khan Market is on the expensive side. It was rated as the most expensive place in the city (and probably in the country). It is a well-planned market. Leading national and international brands have opened their outlets in this market. Street shopping doesn’t exist here but this a good place for window shopping. And, if you have saved a little money by shopping at the places mentioned above then, go ahead pamper yourself.

A visit to Khan Chacha is a must. It serves the most delicious kebabs in the whole city. Many celebrities have been spotted eating at this joint.

And even after this you want to shop more you can also visit Lajpat Nagar Market and Karol Bagh Market.

(Above stills are of Dilli Haat, photographs taken from www.panoramio.com & delhidosa.wordpress.com)

India fourth most dangerous place for women

According to a survey carried out by the UK-based Thompson Reuters Foundation, India is the fourth most dangerous place for women in the world.  Afghanistan, Congo and Pakistan occupy the first three positions.

Our country has a woman president, four women chief ministers and many women are holding up reputed posts in political parties. Not only in politics, women in India have made a mark in significant areas like medicine, technology, civil service, sports, media and entertainment. This news has shocked the entire nation.

When I read this piece of news I was taken aback a little. Being a woman myself I am aware of the fact that India is becoming unsafe for women but, I had certainly not expected India to be so up the order. Why doesn’t India end up being No. 4 at Olympics? Why India has to be on this list?

According to the report, the main reason India made it to the list is because of unresolved issues like female foeticide, infanticide and human trafficking. According to estimated figures by CBI 90 per cent trafficking took place within India and nearly 12 million girls were aborted in the last three weeks. There are three million prostitutes out of which 40 per cent are minors.

India is surrounded by social evils all around. Child marriage is still prevalent in the country. Some girls in the interior parts of the country are married off before the age of 18. Sometimes politicians and police officers are invited by the villagers. Instead of taking legal action against the offenders they end up being a part of their ‘joyous’ occasion.

What the parents of these children do not realize that by getting their children married so early they are hampering their education, health and rest of their lives.

Even though women have carved a name for themselves in the society, female foeticide is prevalent in the country. Even educated women are not receptive of girl child. All they want is a son who will take their family name forward. The women who has daughters is till now frowned upon by the society.

Another issue is that some men in our country do not respect women. Most of the women have been eve-teased atleast once. They do not respect women walking on the road how we can respect such men to respect their wives, mothers, sisters or daughters? Because of this crime against women is rising rapidly especially domestic violence.

The thinking of such people has to change. No new acts or rallies or protest can change it. The change should come from within. There are bigger issues to be addressed in our country which no one takes seriously. If the situation doesn’t improve India might end up being at the top position of this horrible list.

Movie Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 4 out of 5

I am a huge fan of Roald Dahl.  Whether it is Matilda, Boys or the James and the Giant Peach I have adored his work. But, one of his classics that I have re-read numerous times would be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Until recently I had not seen the movie adaptation of the book. The reason being that I had imagined everything about the novel whether it was the chocolate factory or Charlie’s house. I didn’t want that a film should take away from me my ten years of awesome imagination.

But, after watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory my perception changed. The movie turned out to be exactly the way I had imagined. It didn’t ruin my imagination instead; it took my imagination to a different level.

Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) hails from a poor yet, loving family. His father works very hard to make both ends meet as he supports the family of 7 members which includes Charlie’s four grandparents. The family condition worsens after Charlie’s father loses his job at the toothpaste factory.

Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) is the owner of a world famous chocolate factory. He is very secretive about his factory and no one is ever seen going inside it. One day, he makes an announcement that he has placed five golden tickets in five random chocolate bars and the lucky children who find these tickets would be given an exclusive tour of the factory and also, lifetime supply of chocolates. At the end of the tour one special child would be given a very special gift.

Charlie ends up being a winner of the golden ticket along with four other children- Video game & TV addict Mike Teavee, Daddy’s spoilt girl Veruca Salt, overweight Augustus Gloop and ultra- competitive Violet Beauregarde.

The adventurous journey of these five children starts together but, only one of them is left with Willy Wonka when the tour concludes. Who wins? What happens during the tour? What special gift is awarded to the winner? All these questions form the second- half of your movie.

The performance in the movie by every actor is commendable. Freddie Highmore has played his character with such innocence that you sympathize with the boy’s struggle throughout the film. Helena Bonham Carter doesn’t have much to do in the movie. The children in the movie have portrayed their characters with ease. But, despite the presence of children in the movie Johnny Depp here takes away the entire cake. His portrayal of an eccentric chocolate maker who has unresolved issues with his father is simply marvellous. He has proven his versatility as an actor as his films are always of different genres. His facial expressions and the way of talking in this movie make his character even more interesting to watch onscreen. Look out for his one- liners and sarcasm. Also, watch out for Deep Roy’s cute performance as the Oompa- Loompas.

The movie also tackles issue like poverty, greediness and competitiveness among children these days. They have been tackled sensibly though there are some loopholes in the explanations given out in the movie.

Tim Burton’s creativity can be clearly seen in his direction. I didn’t encounter single dull moment in the movie.  Everything in the movie looks magical and colourful whether it is the shop from where Charlie buys himself a Wonka bar or the atmosphere inside Wonka’s factory. It looks like Burton has made sure that this movie becomes a visual treat for the audience and I think he succeeded in his endeavour.

From my side, this movie is recommended to adults as well as children. This movie has its heart at the right place.