How it Feels to be a Girl who was Thrown on a Garbage Dumb to where I have Reached Today

Today I am baring my soul and pouring out the secrets I have concealed in my hearts for what seems like eternity to me but it was important for me to speak this and finally I do summon all my courage to do so. These are some scars on my soul but which are ironically also my inspiration till present day and will not cease to be so until I perish. By writing this article I mean no offence to the people involved directly and indirectly, they are my family and though I have forgiven them long ago, this is also not to erode their respect, probably they would have been right in their judgement and in the social setup of their times.

I was born in a room in our ancestral home in a very small town of Uttar Pradesh without the aid of any doctor or a midwife. My mother did tell me how difficult it was for her when I grew up also because as her in-laws discovered I was a girl no one ever attended her and unfortunately this was the scenario in an educated well to do family. Next my grand mom who was a mother to six daughters herself wanted me to be abandoned on a nearby garbage dumb and wanted my dad to remarry as all possible dowry has been extracted from my mother's parents already. 

So this was how I was welcomed on this earth. When my dad came to know of all this he picked his tiny princess in his arms and his wife and bid good bye to his family promising himself to make his daughter the talk and envy of everyone in this very town. He named me Shweta and later Roma but that day he along with my mom wrote my fate and future by his very own hands and then never shied away from quoting and re-quoting it to me. I guess it was this promise of dad to himself that burnt like a fire in my heart. I was adamant to prove my worth.

Life was never a bed of roses for me as our beautiful nest broke and my parents couldn't get along together but I believed in the power of education and it gradually and eventually took me to my goals. In my final year of engineering I got my first job in Tata Motors and I had fallen in the feet of my parents for it was a result of their prayers and guidance and always considering me more than my brother, yes that's true.

Thanks to them I became a happy soul and had a successful career stint of about 10 years working in different parts of the globe India, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, Austria, Denmark etc and right when scaling professional heights became an addiction I gave it all up for my little angel who was growing up quietly without his mamma. I lost my mom around this period and I suddenly realised how important my presence will be for my child and I am so glad I chose to bring him up all by myself along with working from home.

But the fire in me still burnt alive and I knew I didn't wanna die unnoticed. I am God's chosen child and since I have been scribbling for almost eternity, I decided to become the voice of Indian Women through my blog because I didn't want more Roma's to be given birth in the anticipation of a boy and later chosen to be thrown on a garbage dumb...

Also because I didn't want more educated women like my mother continue to die an unnatural death some day and thus I wrote, wrote and wrote, all the stories mine, mom's , a neighbours' , a friend's, a stranger's everywhere possible on my blog, in newspapers, in awareness workshops, in magazines...I even started working with NGOs and got another new meaning of my life. 

And yes I didn't die unnoticed, working hard in my own small way and contributing to women empowerment wherever possible, I am still alive. Some years ago, Glenmark's VWoman Community noticed my work and I was awarded 'VWoman of the Year 2015' in Leela Palace in Mumbai, motivating me to work harder. This award brought me in touch with a lot of media guys who further aided me in my endeavours. After this, more and more Indian women and girls started writing to me and as I brought their true tales forth, my media friends actually helped in bringing respite to some of them and we continue our humble initiative - 'Face of Change'.

I also published an ebook on the life of 26 such Indian Women ~ Dare To Defy The Destiny which struck a chord with many and I was overwhelmed with the emails and messages I received for the same.

My second book this year ~ The Fragrance of True Love is also about a girl whose traumatic childhood always stands in the part of her glorious future.

Though I am happy, proud and content with whatever I am today, I know I have miles to go before I sleep....so that no more little angels are petrified before birth to enter this callous world.

My Perfect Destination to Pick Top 10 Colors, Art & Inspiration for 2017

I am sure many of you might me wondering where the social media fanatic like me who used to puff out her lungs almost every day on her blog has vanished; well my new home which is getting ready is keeping me on my toes, peeps. Earnestly I have been dreaming of its interiors, colour schemes and overall soothing ambience day in and day out and it is extremely satiating to do the nuances all by yourself. I have never been able to take out this much time for our abode for all the years I have been working and now hubby darling has happily rested the responsibility on my tiny shoulders and that undoubtedly leaves me elated because I am a painter myself though haven't had a ball with paints and canvas for over a decade.

I am a truly a sucker of peaceful pastel colours but at the same time I also love keeping pace with the newest and best colour trends both in town as well as internationally. The idea is to pick the Top 10 colours and then zero it down room by room with family. Thus, the best I could think of is to grab the latest Pantone Colour Guide from Designinfo.in who’s often less than 24 hours delivery and great discounts have both surprised and pleased me.

1. Woah, the latest Pantonef Fashion, Home+Interiors TPG Colour Guide FHIP110N has a total of 2100 plus 210 New Colours for me to choose from. These colours are arranged in a fan shaped hard cover book and the colours are arranged chromatically for easy reference. Each of the colours also had a unique name and number which aids me to place the right shade order while choosing curtains or say sofa fabric or some exclusive limited editions ceramic potteries. In fact this book is the most indispensable tool in the hands of designers in textiles and home/ interiors. One of my friends who is a leading interior designer of the nation recommended me to take a peep into this awesome guide and I am so glad I did. You can know more about it here on Designinfo.in

Pantone Colour Guide

I have other plans too concealed in my heart. I want to get back to my artistic instincts and being a designer only acts as an icing on the cake. I want to create a few masterpieces to stylise my new home and that too by my own hands and to enhance my creativity and reach the perfect shades I have ordered a....

2. Pantone Formula Guide whose new Plus Series GP1601N version boasts of as many as 1867 colours divided into two guides of the coated and uncoated(solid) versions.

Pantone Color Manager Software which has all the colour combinations and formulas, is included with the Pantone Formula Guide Set for me to enhance my creativity by playing around with the shades and even create some brand new ones. This series also finds great application in areas like

·         Logos and Branding

·         Color Sampling

·         Graphic Designing

·         Painting

·         Spot Color Painting

·         Packaging of Goods

Pantone Formula Guide

You can grab one for yourself too from one of the most trusted websites for the same Designinfo.in and let your creative juices ooze out in full and satiate your instincts or take your professional ambitions to a different level altogether if you work in any of these fields. I will sure love to share the shades I chose for my home sweet home in some of the forthcoming blogposts on Truly Yours Roma.

Best Time To Book for Indian Travellers Favourite Summer Destinations

·         Book 24 weeks in advance for a European summer

·         72% of Indian travellers don’t know how to get a good deal on flight tickets

New Delhi, 10^th July 2017: Leading global travel search engine, Skyscanner has analysed two years’ worth of travel search data from over 60 million monthly users to answer the one question that always puzzles travellers: when is the best time to book flights?

A recent survey of Indian travellers revealed 72% do not know when is the best time to book flights. Skyscanner’s survey further unveiled 69% of travellers incorrectly estimate the best air fares can be found less than 12 weeks before departure, when in fact the best deals are snapped up by travellers who plan in advance. Traveller’s eyeing up Bali for their summer trip can save up to 51% on flight tickets by booking 25 weeks in advance or risk paying 27% more than the average fare when they leave booking to the last minute. 

The same trend appears for air fares to Indian traveller’s favourite summer destinations, traveller’s looking to vacation in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok can grab flights for 35% and 33% less than the average fare, respectively, when booking 24 weeks prior to departure.

Skyscanner recommends booking 24 weeks in advance for travellers venturing to Europe or the USA for their summer vacations for savings of 22% and 18%, respectively.

Skyscanner also reveals the most inexpensive months to travel to visit some of Indian travellers’ favourite locations. November is the cheapest month to travel to Bangkok when flights 10% cheaper than the average fare, while visa-friendly Bali can be best enjoyed in April with a 10% saving on the average fare.

Commenting on the findings, Reshmi Roy, Senior Growth Manager, Skyscanner India said,“We hope Skyscanner’s data can provide travellers with clarity on how and when to get the best deal on flights and what to expect if booking is left to the last minute. After reviewing flight prices from the last two years, we can clearly see that it pays to plan. Booking at the right time can make a huge difference to one’s expenditure on their trip, up to 51% in some cases.”

About Skyscanner

·         Skyscanner is a leading global travel search company, providing free search of flights, hotels and car hire around the world

·         Founded in 2003, Skyscanner helps over 60 million people each month to find their travel options

·         Skyscanner is available in 30 languages

·         Skyscanner’s highly-rated free mobile app has been downloaded over 60 million times

·         Skyscanner employs over 800 staff and has 10 offices across the world: Barcelona, Beijing, Budapest, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Miami, Shenzhen, Singapore and Sofia

·         Skyscanner is part of the Ctrip Group

For more information, please visit https://www.skyscanner.co.in/bttb/best-time-to-book-in

Media Contact: Courtney.Lee@skyscanner.net

Isn't it Good To Share, mom? Fathoming The Deepest Dilemmas of Motherhood (Food For Thought Series Vol-9)

I was short of words when my drenched eight year old coyly responded to my questioning eyes as he got off his school bus, 

"Isn't it good to share, mom?"

Apparently his school bus-mate Riddhi hadn't brought her umbrella so this fellow had shared his tiny umbrella with her to save her from getting wet while it was raining cats and dogs and in the process forgotten to  protect himself. 

 His eyes were beaming with satisfaction as water droplets kept dripping down from his clothes and his muddy shoes squealed on our way back home from the bus stop.

Without loosing a moment, I helped him with a towel but the mom in me yelled within fathoming the deepest dilemmas of motherhood yet being overtly concerned for my little angel. I clinched my fists babbling to myself in the kitchen serving him lunch and down poured a series of devastating thoughts from the momentarily shaken momma.

Exams are approaching. Doesn't he know how easily he catches cold and cough with a soar throat which often goes on painstakingly lingering for what seems an eternity? He knew his was the last stop and he was going to be in the bus like this for a straight one and a half hour. How I would hate another round to the doc post a bout of fever. Is this the reason I diligently remind him to carry his umbrella each day? Why don't other parents give their kids umbrellas or raincoats when they know Pune would have rains almost everyday in monsoons? Period.

I gulped a huge lump of saliva and sucked in my emotions at the spur of the moment and rolled my eyes to be doubly sure they had not already given it away. 

"Yes, its nice to help! You did a great job!" is what I told him for I knew this lesson on humanity is going to stay with him for long and today I am sowing seeds for worthy citizens of tomorrow. Had I scolded him for his action, he would have been extremely demotivated to ever again get into an act of kindness. I am glad I managed to pull it off well. Sigh!

Though I kept fighting my own demons within to come out with a smarter win-win solution for him as practicality is what replaces innocence as we grow up, I enjoyed how his daily thought in his tiny blackboard in his room said 'Sharing is Caring' followed by a smiley. He soon forgot about this incident and got engaged in his play.

This little boy missed his school next day and is still coughing a week later today but his generosity evoked a million thoughts in me.

This world would have been such a better place if we kept ours hearts too as pure and as innocent as the little kids. Why can't we? Why doesn't 'Neki kar aur Dariya mein daal' meaning do good and forget it, comes easily to us anymore. There is so much we can learn each day  from these tiny buds.

Isn't it good to share? Is it that difficult?

Have you read our earlier True Tales in the #FoodforThought series? Find them here:

       1.When the negative energy around her breaks her down,

        what course must Radhika Take?

2.You Don't Love Me Mom

3.Confessions of an Unapologetic Mom

4.Indian Alice in Wonderland

 5.Dear Aaji, I miss you and your Golden Talisman

6.Some Wounds Never Heal

7.The Incomplete Feeling that lingers on... 

8.Is it ok to withdraw terming her a socially awkward child?

Brand New Cars in Sri Lanka : Best Affordable Fuel Efficient Cars

Gone are the days when Food , Clothing and Shelter were the only necessities. Now in the times of Fast Food , Faster Life and Fastest Journey .... Cars, that too trustworthy, affordable and Fuel efficient are prime necessities.

Brand Tata is synonymous with Trust. Any machine , especially car where safety & security of passengers is first priority, Tata Motors score high. People spend more time in travelling due to long distances between their homes and workplaces. Many times they need to rejuvenate in far away, naturally serene places which require long distance travelling. Imagine if this daily as well as leisure travelling is enjoyed luxuriously with Best affordable , fuel efficient cars from Tata Motors.
Tata Motors is one of the leading vehicle manufactures in Sri Lanka offering brand new cars and commercial vehicles. Tata Motors is among the largest selling passenger vehicles in Sri Lanka. We may explore a wide range of cars including GenX Nano, Tata Bolt, Tata Zest, and Indigo eCS available in petrol and diesel variant at great prices.

Have a look at the various Automatic Cars , Sedan Cars , Best Affordable Fuel efficient cars available in Sri Lanka :

1. GenX Nano : This is the first dream car for many. Those who dreamed of replacing their two wheeler with four wheeler , GenX Nano is a Dream come true. Nano's compact size is a boon for space crunch and while navigating the traffic jams. It offers the convenience of driving an automatic with the remarkable fuel-efficiency of a manual car . It is an advanced compact hatch. 

                
2. Tata Bolt : it's equipped with segment superior safety and security features. It has  Smart Rear Wiper and Comfortable Shoulder Seats. The Bolt gives you the right combination of power and mileage to put in a winning performance. You’ll love every second spent behind the wheel.

                                       

                            
3.  Tata Indigo eCS : It boasts of Stylish Exteriors and elegant interiors. Stylish, comfortable dual toned interiors with best-in-class space. Ideal for personal and commercial use. Exteriors high on style, interiors full of elegance and immense power under the hood - a never before sedan experience.

  

4. Tata Zest : it flaunts Best-in-class interior space , Speed Sensing Auto Door Locks , SMS Notifications and Readouts. Be stylish, be bold. The new LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are the first in this segment, designed to make the Zest stand out in a crowd.

Review of Life and Times of a Twenty Something by Reema D'souza ( A Lovely Account of a Girl Next Door)

As April was commencing I was enthralled by the myriad theme reveals of my co-bloggers and some of them really caught my heart's attention. One of them was Reema Dsouza's 'Life and Times of a Twenty Something' which I could relate to almost instantaneously. The pressure of the A to Z Challenge kept me on and off her posts but as soon as her ebook was out, I was elated to grab a copy and I am so glad I did. 

I love the candour and honestly of the author in pouring her heart out in this beautiful compilation of her thoughts as a twenty something. It undoubtedly transported me to several years back and I related to every ounce of it and in fact every girl would. It is such a pleasure reading about her dreams, her graduation, her note to her future husband, her Friday love and many such interesting topics that she had beautifully portrayed as an innocent gal next door called Alana. You may choose to finish the read in one go or savour it chapter by chapter one at a time. It is an ideal read for both the scenarios.

If you are looking for a beautiful autobiographical account of a lovely independent and suave Indian girl, this one's for you. You can download it from Blogchatter Ebook Carnival here.

Book Blurb : There is so much that happens in our twenties. Graduation, first job, first salary, staying away from home, dating, being broke, being bored with the job that you worked so hard to get, and relatives and neighbours sneakily trying to find a suitable bride/groom for you when you've no idea about what you want to do next in your life. You are a mess. You thought you'd have everything sorted; you had those dreams in your eyes when you graduated. But when you look at it you've nothing sorted, you don't know which way to turn and you constantly ask yourself "What am I doing?" Those dreams that you once wanted to turn into reality are still dreams.
But then you have those moments of pure bliss! Buying something for your parents with your hard earned money, being appreciated at work, excelling in a skill you never thought you had, realizing that you have friends who are real gems and are always there for you, and maybe finding the love of your life. Twenties may be a mess, but then when you look back they are a beautiful mess!
Alana is a twenty something too and there is a lot happening in her life. Read more about her journey in the book.

Hidden Hunger: The Perils of Micronutrient Deficiency Among Urban Kids

Hidden hunger, also known as micronutrient deficiencies, afflicts more than 2 billion individuals, or one in three people, globally. Hidden hunger is a form of under-nutrition that occurs when intake and absorption of vitamins and minerals (such as zinc, iodine, and iron) are too low to sustain good health and development. While undernourishment is clinically evident in impoverished children living in rural areas, malnutrition is the “hidden hunger” in an urban setting. We may think that infants are eating healthy but they may not be consuming the required amount of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis, which may be the primary reason for their nutritional deficiencies. According to National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau of India, over 50% of apparently healthy-looking children have sub clinical and biochemical deficiencies of micro-nutrients (like Vit A, B2, B12, vit C, iron, trace minerals like iodine, zinc, etc). Increasing dietary diversity by providing foods with adequate amounts of micro-nutrients is one of the most effective ways to prevent hidden hunger.

Shrouded symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies at an early stage

The percent ideal body weight index does not seem to be an adequate measure of nutritional status in children. In some cases, malnutrition is very mild and does not present any symptoms. Moreover, malnutrition can develop over a long period of time, so the symptoms may not seem obvious in the beginning. Early detection of deficits in nutritional status may result in the adverse effects of malnutrition on height and weight, and possibly clinical status, being prevented.

Infants fed on daily diet lacking enough micro nutrients do not meet the requirements for overall physical and mental growth, say doctors

In India, mothers generally focus on the physical growth of a child and not overall brain development and immunity levels. Diet normally followed in Indian households are rich in macro-nutrient supporting only physical growth but lack in micro nutrients essential for overall mental and brain development.  This translates to the fact that the child with normal height and weight may be suffering from a nutritional deficiency, which parents are not aware of. Gaps in daily nutrition with unsatisfactory nutritional quality results in nutrient deficiencies to set in at an early age.

Adequate nutrition planning by parents in early years is essential to complement child development

Micro-nutrients are a group of nutrients which are required in trace amounts for normal growth and development. Micro-nutrient deficiency is often referred to as “Hidden Hunger” because it develops gradually over time, their devastating impact not seen until it leaves behind irreversible damage. Millions of children suffer from stunted growth, cognitive delays, weakened immunity and infections because of micronutrient deficiencies. Primary food, therefore, must be nutrition dense as the need for nutrients are not fulfilled by mother’s milk after 6 months, making Infants susceptible to nutritional deficiency.

Eating patterns built during childhood serve as a foundation for life. More than 1/3rd of child deaths occurring annually, around the world, are attributed to malnutrition, specifically under-nutrition, which weakens the body's resistance to illness. If a child is malnourished during the first 1000 days of life, the child's physical and mental growth and development is slowed. This cannot be corrected when the child is older – it affects the child for the rest of his or her life. Fulfilling the micronutrient requirements of infants should be addressed on a priority basis, with parents and caretakers sitting up to the fact that a healthy and nutritious diet for infant is a requisite, not occasionally, but daily.

With micronutrients producing significant public health benefits, nutrition plays a vital role in the holistic development of a child. Moreover, good nutrition signifies a food which is a powerhouse of micronutrients.