The Shadow of Inner Beauty

What is beauty? Where does beauty live? Where should we travel to find it? Am I asking so many questions? Huh…absolutely nothing. Well I’m sorry I do think so.

Beauty doesn’t just mean- look. The lady whose beauty I admire the most is my “Grandmother”. Scars on her face. Lines on her forehead. Dull vision for her eyes but still pretty much expressive. White hair and still she is the most beautiful lady I have ever met in my life. She belongs from village. Now she is 70  years old but I know her for last 24 years and she is still the same. She used to sell fruits(Mango, Jack fruit, Jam, Coconut) all her life. Even as a child when I was in school I always used to spend my vacations at her place in Alibaug. In character, in style.. In all things, the supreme elegance is her simplicity. That simplicity comes from her- confidence-which she got it from her independence. Even though she was belonging from village she used to travel alone to sell fruits in nearby town. She has fought for that independent and she won. What we are always thinking about independent girl?  Probably the one who is financially independent or at least getting salary at the end of the month, the one who gets freedom to travel alone or the one who chooses her own decisions. But  what about the girl who works so hard to run the house or the one who is sharing her decisions with her close ones?

 

What ‘s it takes to be the most beautiful girl in the world? Makeup brushes ? Makeup kits?

Yes. All these equipment will help you to enhance your  beauty no doubt in that. I’m not going to stop you from buying anyone of these. We all have rights to look presentable and we can; but all of them only enhance our outer beauty and true beauty lies within.

Even though my Grandmother is belonging from village she is my inspiration in life. The amount of strength she possess at this age  is amazing and what she does every day from morning to night is unbelievable. She never ever tried to be perfect  and it was so much liberating not trying to be perfect. Just accept yourself as you are is the biggest lesson I learnt it from her. Even when my Grandfather died she was  the one who was running the house and she is still working hard. She is amazing mother, beautiful grandmother, helping sister as well as sister-in-law. Life is harder for someone and less harder for some but true beauty remains constant in heart. I learnt from her to work hard-really-really hard. Never expect anybody to work hard for you which you suppose to do; and sometimes do take pause. It’s a reminder to slow down, look around, taste, listen, and to open ourselves to new people and places. Live  boldly. Push yourself. Just live well and love.  All of this improves not only our quality of life but also the quantity of years we have. Value system is the factor on which she never makes any compromise with. Find your own stars in your bad days. She taught me not to compare myself with others because I’m unique soul. True beauty needs inner mirror to reflect all of your parts, both visible and unseen. It’s so true saying that, “beauty lies in the eyes of beholder”. I have become settled and comfortable in my own skin. She was always been imperfect but there is different kind of liberty in imperfection. She has serve me all my life and not only nourishes my cells but also nourishes my soul.

I believe every woman has TRUE BEAUTY within her in all the roles she plays. For over 18 years across 650 plus salons across the country, Naturals has been helping the Beautiful Indian Woman get more Beautiful.

Today Naturals Salutes the Beautiful Indian Woman.

Presenting Naturals TRUE BEAUTY… http://bit.ly/naturalsOF 

Thank you for reading.

Love + Respect,

Mayuri

Indian Army

Wrinkles on the foot; but great footsteps,

Wounds on the body; but service before self,

Forget about Sundays; Never ever they  expect  Holidays.

Boarder is the only home they have,

Discipline is the only furniture present in their huts.

Selfless is the only blood group  circulate in them.

Life for the Country is the only thought  in them.

Everything is live for them ; life doesn’t provide rewind button.

Hosting a tricolour is the proud moment for them,

but wrapping up in tricolour is the proudest moment for them.

They are the strongest being on the earth.

We wouldn’t be able to survive without their existence.

But still we lack behind to even say thank you to them.

Is it just about two national celebrations?

No. It’s all about each and every day.

Because we wouldn’t even able to say freedom, without them.

It’s not just about their stars on the shoulder; it’s all about their scars of bullet.

Those are the real heroes of India, who deserve salute before anyone else.

Jai Hind!

 

 

 

 

Commitment with My Past.

“Finally I got that precious Album Meera look here you are, the 22 years old Meera Kulkarni, in her last DST College camp.” My mother handed that album and went to kitchen. It’s hardly took a minute to go back in your past(even though people says past and people not in your control)and if your life isn’t exactly where you want it, it’s too easy to see what’s missing, and remember that time.

I usually used to spend my summer vacations at my grandma’s place in Konkan but after my Engineering I had to visit to Training Camp  in Pune for that summer vacation  along with my College professor and five other fellows from same college. On the Entrance everyone was busy collecting the passes of hostel and suddenly I started hiccoughing(probably my mother was missing me), someone from behind offer me water bottle – someone with his curly hair (which probably he didn’t comb for last one week),chocolaty skin, shabby loose clothes and most importantly Expressive eyes which were getting protected by his dark black spectacles. Everyone getting fascinated towards him and  watching him twice…not because of him because of his… Doggy.

“Who brings Dogs in Camp? Can’t you understand the seriousness of the camp?” I asked him quite angrily.

‘I understand the seriousness but I do understand the responsibility towards my Doggy. Bringing pets home is a serious decision and lifelong commitment.’ He replied.

“Every time you react like this on first impression?” He asked.

“No…It just that. Today is Monday. ” I replied.

He smiled and said Okay.

I felt  something  in his eyes which I never felt before, I was completely calm. We started walking at opposite side of the road staring each other and pretending  completely ignoring each other as my mother had already informed me to avoid strangers. I went to hostel where already two of my friends waiting for me. In night professor called us to go to bed as by next day we had our sessions. That call actually brought my mind in present which I had completely lost with Mr. stranger’s words.

The next day my eyes were searching him as if they had already set the fix programming to what to search now in such a huge session hall but my fortunate or unfortunate – I couldn’t able to find him. Professor started his session and  I forgot him till the end of the session. Once the introduction session began the alarm rang in my head with his thoughts. In the middle of the introduction session  I heard that mature voice again-

“Aarav, from Shillong.” He introduced himself with faceless expressions.

After the session I wanted to meet him but couldn’t  manage to because my professor and other fellows were so busy clicking pictures of entire group(probably with a hope to see those faces in next year college magazine) all over the campus and not allowing me to leave for a minute so I made up my mind to write a note for him in night. I think at one point in life we start doing the things we most afraid of doing.

I couldn’t able to concentrate on my project …I never knew such upheaval. After getting as usual reminder call from professor to go to bed early as we had session next morning; I started my note with the only reason I could probably gave him on note was- I don’t know why I’m writing this note to you, but I want to know more about you. I couldn’t stop thinking about you ; the more I try to suppress, the faster I emerge.  I kept that note in garden where he used to roam till late night with his Doggy. How could I tell my feelings  to the person about whom I knew nothing more than his name and native place?

In the next morning session we smiled looking at each other and he sat next to me, So have you written that note?” He asked me  confidently.

“I nodded yes.” (with the pleasure I never felt before for a stranger.)

“What do want to be, Meera?” He asked me.

(I got lost again by his question because I thought he probably didn’t even know my name.)

“Software Engineer and You?” I replied .

“Researcher. ” He replied, and then after there was silence. His answer create the void in my heart and again reality crashed the imagination. I didn’t said anything after that  even though  I loved to talk but I noticed he was noticing me the entire session. That was the last day of training camp and even the last day with him. That night I didn’t got any call from professor as the next day we supposed not to wake up early but I was awake whole night- encapsulating my love with tears. It required strong heart to dilute the hurt in yourself and people says  if your tears fall in front of them you’re not strong enough.(which I never believe)

In the next morning I got- an unexpected note at my doorstep from Mr. Stranger with his Doggy. To You..Keeping Suzzu for you. Hope you love her the way I do…With love…Aarav. I was totally confused but those two sparkling eyes were looking at me with hope. Fairly or Unfairly everyone was taking my side and advised me not to take Suzzu home and to save her…but later on I understand actually it was not me who had saved Suzzu…It was she who saved me. She brings the good in me. She given me purpose- someone to take care of. I completely fall in love with her. I returned home along with Suzzu and I found my mother was all time busy managing our old hotel to run the house. For no surprised my mother asked me hundreds of questions about Suzzu and I had only one answer –  because,  “This Doggy wanted to come along with me.” I had no idea how to train a Dog but I loved her. All of those years I offer her  homemade food instead of Expensive Dog food; but she never showed a dislike. I haven’t forgotten Aarav and he didn’t left me alone. My love was unconditional but we had settled our karmic account there. I often wanted to visit Shillong but in my dreams I meet him asking the same questions again and again, where were you all these years? Why you left Suzzu at my door? Perhaps he got married, perhaps he got settled in some other geography for research or perhaps he got died ;but till today he is always being the living thing with me in my memory.

I didn’t think I would ever fall in love again. I know that everyone says that after a heartbreak, but the difference is that I’m not heartbroken. I’m not cynical, or pessimistic, or sad. I’m just someone who once felt something bigger than anything else I’d ever felt and when I lost it, I honestly believed I would never have that again. But… I was 22 then and life is long. And I’m feeling things right now that I haven’t in a long, long time.

That camp began and end with – Love. Ever since every  summers brings monsoon in my life. Does love really hurt? If yes, then surely I wouldn’t be able to fall in love again ,Time heals?…No…only Love heals. In all of these  year people kept asking me, “Why are you single?” and the only answer I had  – “Who said I’m single? I’m deeply in love with Suzzu” Choosing Suzzu as my second love after Aarav had bring more happiness in my life than choosing  any other guy. Today I can share my feelings with her, I can share the late night road walk along with Suzzu(even couldn’t find anyone else better than her),I can have arguments with her(it is the way much easy than dealing with my clients), I can cry, laugh, travel and surely spend life with Suzzu and I can always count on her. I thought that life is giving you lessons you better learn from them and shouldn’t do that mistake again. But perhaps there aren’t any lessons to learn when it’s come to love-because love is not a Concept it’s a Feeling. It was not the end of my story , it was just the time when he left me with his heart, Suzzu; who love me unconditionally and I can depend on her Love. She even understand my raw feelings and she became my support system in my ups and down. Aarav is still in my heart along with what was in his heart but Suzzu is “Background Song” of my present. I often get hiccups…and my mother says – someone is missing you.(Does he?) It’s almost been seven years now, I was 22  and  I don’t believe that 22 years old get happy endings… they get beginnings. True love always emerge yourself…

Thank you for reading.

Window of My Heart

Inspiration?What is it good for?Huh…absolutely nothing.Well I’m sorry I don’t think so.It is both The support system to pursue your dream when obstacles are hitting you like anything and the one who helps your life to live it’s full.Well being so close to metro city Mumbai but then growing up in a small town near by Mumbai, I do believe the true India is not metro India which we are watching in Mumbai,Delhi,Hyderabad,Chennai or in Bengaluru.

The true India is the rural India which has inspired me to pursue my career in Technology. What motivate me in my tech-career is the challenges which are coming everyday which actually help me to circulate the blood in my body, to check my patience, ability, to let go things and accept the output(but not to give up at any cost). The love for technology started right from the beginning when the 75 years old lady who was my Typing classes teacher and the man who was running cyber cafe in my small town, the purpose of there profession was not to make profit and to get rich but to run house in a budget.That purpose motivate me a lot.If both of these has ability to pursue the technology of there ages and pass it on to next generation with the soul purpose to help people and to run there house.Why can’t I? The love for technology began from my school days where we had computer classes to learn basic Microsoft Office and the curiosity increases day by day as number of students were more as compare to available systems so to learn things quickly to teach my friends before ringing the bell of class end.The Linux classes where I was the only girl for Demo lecture help me to really pursue my career in Technology.Technology is such a vast thing – there is  so much to learn.According  to my experience(I’m 23 years old). Technology is giving one of the best platform for women to make career with less time frame.I love coding.I can’t think to live without it and I don’t want to live without it.

Thank you for Reading.

Please find out the window of your heart.All the very best.

All time favorite writer – Ruskin Bond

It’s been 10 years since I read Mr Ruskin Bond’s short stories. I still remember when I first time read the story of Mr.Bond , The Night Train at Deoli. When having “Bhel” as a snacks in school days cover up with the paper and was about to throw it but then read the end of the story and got excited to read the same story from beginning. I still remember the moment I completed the story I  fall in love(perhaps I didn’t even realize)  with the writer and was having a thought  in mind to meet the author of the story.

What makes him stand out from other writers?

In style, to commit the proper words on paper and in all manner what makes him elegant and best is his Simplicity (This is I think the rare quality found in writing).

Summary

• Beginning :

1.The wonderful nature of Dehra, Trains and those platforms of Ruskin bond’s stories (Towards which I always getting fascinated of).

2.Writer used to spend his summer vacation in Dehra at his grandma’s place.One will definitely lost in school days where we used to spend our summer vacation plus will remember your grandma.

• Story and Characters :

1.We don’t have to force ourselves to get connect with the characters. While reading the story you will deeply feel the characters and no longer it became fiction.

2. It’s a story of teenagers and Writer’s feeling for the unknown girl to whom he meet only twice at  Deoli station but was feeling that they both know each other from many births.

3.It’s a special connection writer found on a journey (We sometimes meet unknown people and feel as of we know each other for so long time).
Writer’s description about the girl will definitely make us fall in love with that girl.
4.Then again second time when they smiled at each other when writer was on return journey they pleased each other is really awesome feeling.
Finally even though writer has return back to home she(The magical girl) was “Living thing” for him.(Oh! Awesome).Does it really happens in real life?…Umm???Yes.
Don’t believe me.Experience it.

5.For the next vacation when he return back to Dehra. He says he was feeling, “Responsible” for that girl.(1 sec, I have a question. Isn’t it something different ?)
But the saddest part of the story is the ending…

• Ending-

1.Writer was deeply disappointed as on second time he didn’t find the girl on Deoli station for whom he felt a tenderness which he never felt before.

2.Ending is not actually the ending of the story , it is time for us to leave those characters (But I promise you.You guys cant forget this characters in your life.)

‘Yes,there was such a girl here, I remember quite well,’he said.(The owner of the tea stall).

‘But she has stopped coming now.’

‘Why ?’ I asked. ‘What happened to her?’

‘How should I know?’ said the man. ‘She was nothing to me.’

And once again I had to run for the train.

As Deoli platform receded, I decided that one day  I would have to break journey there, spend a day in a town, make inquiries, and find the girl who had stolen my heart with nothing but a look from her dark, impatient eyes.

With this thought I consoled myself throughout my last term in college. I went to Dehra again in the summer and when,  in the early hours of the morning, the night train drew into Deoli station, I looked up and down the platform for signs of the girl, knowing, I wouldn’t find her but hoping just the same.

Somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to break journey at Deoli and spend a day there.(If it was all fiction or a film, I reflected, I would have got down and cleaned up the mystery and reached a suitable ending for the whole thing.) I think I was afraid to do this.I was afraid of discovering what really happened to the girl. Perhaps she was no longer in Deoli, perhaps she was married, Perhaps she had fallen ill…

In the last few years I have passed through Deoli many times, and I always look out of the carriage window, half expecting to see the same unchanged face smiling up at me. I wonder what happens in Deoli, behind the station walls. But I will never break my journey there.It may spoil my game.I prefer to keep hoping and dreaming, and looking out of the window up and down that lonely platform, waiting for the girl with the baskets.

I never break my journey at Deoli, but I pass through as often as I can.

Writer is 18 in this story. I don’t think teenagers get happy ending.They get beginning.

The night train at Deoli also available as entire book of Ruskin Bond’s short stories.(Trust me you gonna love it.)

Note: The most amazing part is when I was reading this story as a teenager I used to read everything loudly…I started with the same…but the writer’s magic happened on me and I gradually started reading slowly and end the book reading silently.
Very rare books and stories have this amazing magic power.Please read it.It’s Simple but Amazing.

Thank you  for Reading.

 

Title: The night train at Deoli.

Author: Ruskin Bond

Publication: PENGUIN BOOKS INDIA

Source : amazon, Flipkart,ABCBOOKKART.COM

 

 

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