tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54629951475294444722024-03-19T13:21:31.940+05:30Resourceful - Direct Dil SeResourceful - Direct Dil Se...Tidbits from my personal and professional life.Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-84196986075944961222017-03-08T20:11:00.000+05:302017-03-08T20:11:54.356+05:30I'm Beautiful!!! <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
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After a long hiatus, here I am ... missed me? </div>
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Really overwhelmed with the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/internationalwomensday?source=feed_text&story_id=10212247577602208">#InternationalWomensDay</a> wishes pouring via SMS! They all want me to pamper myself today. Why only today??? I don't know.</div>
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Anyway thanks, Levi's - offering slim fit jeans but sorry I simply can't get into them; Kaira - lovely kurtas and kurtis but I did shop last month at your store and got poorer; Zivame - Ahem! I get so confused seeing the range and tempted with the lovely colourful UGs with buy 2 get 1 free offers but can never get the size of the colour I want; India Circus - I love you loads but the curated finery on offer is rather expensive and I don't need them today; Ola and Uber - you have become my lifeline but Humpty Dumpty had a great free fall, flat on face last week having tripped on a loose stone, nursing a badly bruised knee and toe, swollen foot, body aches, plain lucky not to have broken anything, so not moving out anywhere for a few more days; Lenskart - struggling to manage the spectacles so don't mind watching the blur images on TV, my respect for all who wear them has grown manifold, especially my husband; BEBE - can't afford now; Landmark - ordered books online, got better discount; Charles and Keith - chuckles ... Beauty products ... Na ... I'm beautiful... <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->:); Shoppers Stop - the conditions you have on minimum purchase to avail discounts makes me dizzy; Westside - why are you luring me? I anyway visit you, did that recently; finally Vijaya Diagnostics - cannot avoid visiting you but not today, not in the near future... Please, God!!! </div>
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Thanks all for your 10% to 30% discounts, vouchers, points... You make me feel so wanted and important.</div>
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Hey, where's my hubby? Didn't hear from him on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/womensday?source=feed_text&story_id=10212247577602208">#WomensDay</a>. What is this? No wishes... I simply cannot understand. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVTwQ0n_Cjc5Yzi-puUplhHUNDXi7H8SnMsVZAT5SzK9CxAM6TYrTFkrKYvW4JZp0X2avPwYcWa9AvST2xfIGP_JRiUC39V3zN0sNLolJb886lOqxEVPXsLpxhba6aiIHGOFrWhDvj2Gk/s1600/I%2527m+Beautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVTwQ0n_Cjc5Yzi-puUplhHUNDXi7H8SnMsVZAT5SzK9CxAM6TYrTFkrKYvW4JZp0X2avPwYcWa9AvST2xfIGP_JRiUC39V3zN0sNLolJb886lOqxEVPXsLpxhba6aiIHGOFrWhDvj2Gk/s320/I%2527m+Beautiful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-40641660503296731182015-05-20T23:49:00.000+05:302015-05-20T23:49:06.294+05:30Tough times were never tough because of you...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Mom,</div>
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Everyday is mother's day for me!</div>
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Your smile, no matter what, warmed
me with a feeling of security. The
hardships you faced in your life were full of challenges and constant hurdles,
but not once did I see you complain or cry over them. You were always a
fighter. Widowed at a very young age, with three kids aged 14, 12 and 8, you took all
the adversities in your stride and like a lioness protected your cubs. The
whole lifestyle changed from comfort to hardship. But there was not a day when
you made us feel of the big loss. Now that I am a wife and a mother, I can very
closely relate to what the loss was in your life and shudder at the thought. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcbycGRK5BwEEzgcwB1aZnw_attVAsK2bYHYMUULCZpnaMKPHkRGn3oE5pg7R9g1G5Bo14MEFNNyRTKVxOLCGpW-wwMBjG7GetbJphFCNY8m84iMx4apysXYVZeXZA-kw2basO0KwSxYN/s1600/62913_1619701570022_1160897696_31763376_4862316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcbycGRK5BwEEzgcwB1aZnw_attVAsK2bYHYMUULCZpnaMKPHkRGn3oE5pg7R9g1G5Bo14MEFNNyRTKVxOLCGpW-wwMBjG7GetbJphFCNY8m84iMx4apysXYVZeXZA-kw2basO0KwSxYN/s1600/62913_1619701570022_1160897696_31763376_4862316_n.jpg" /></a>Every moment I spent with you has
a wonderful memory attached to it. Those assuring hugs when things were tough
at study or work; our on the splurge shopping trips; you cooking me my
favourite dishes, such an awesome cook you were; the beautiful dresses you
designed and stitched for me forgoing your sleep at night and had to be up
early to wind up the household chores and rush to your work place, the school
in the locality. Your friendly demeanour attracted people to you. The respect
you commanded from your students and parents at school was simply inspiring. The
helping nature at times made people take you for a ride but that did not deter
you from continuing the good work and you stuck by your values. </div>
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You were always that giving and
forgiving person. I always wondered what stuff you were made off! </div>
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Challenges seemed to like you a lot. When everything
looked settled and happy, with your kids well educated, married, grand kids and
life was meant to relax and enjoy, breast cancer came into your life. Any other
person would have been shattered, but you took it in your stride. Thus began
the torturous surgery followed by a series of chemo and radiotherapy sessions.
Hospital became your home, the doctors, nurses and other patients your friends.
Again it was your endearing smile that was the bright spot. There was this
phase when a tumour in the brain had muddled up your sharp memory. You got
names mixed up, forgot many events, and remembered a few in bits and pieces but
the smile remained intact. You were this sweet six year old polite kid. It was
one of the most difficult times in the life of my siblings and me. But also some wonderful memories of seeing the
sweetest side of you and fighting pain like a true warrior will always remain
etched in my mind. You were just 59, it was too early to say good bye but you gracefully drifted away after a two year fight with cancer.</div>
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You #MyFirstExpert have taught me
to live life,and be a fighter. Thank you mom for every beautiful moment spent
with you. I believe you continue to guide me and take care of me from up there,
My Shining Star!</div>
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Love & hugs,</div>
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Your loving daughter.</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Note: I thank Godrej Expert <a href="http://godrejexpert.com/single_used_pack.php">http://godrejexpert.com/single_used_pack.php</a> for the opportunity to share beautiful memories of my mom #MyFirstExpert. It is my tribute to my super mom!</span></i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-29249639273992668242014-09-15T17:04:00.002+05:302014-09-15T17:04:40.845+05:30Dubai Metro - My Photo Contribution to Gulf News published!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am in total awe of the Dubai Metro! So when I read that Dubai Metro was celebrating its 5th Anniversary, and Gulf News on its various social media platforms was inviting people to share their experiences and snap shots of the Dubai Metro, I enthusiastically shared my views and snaps of the Metro, I took during my trip to Dubai this May.</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">"<span 12pt="" font-family:="" font-size:="" imes="" new="" roman="" serif="">I love Dubai Metro!!!</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Way back in 2007, during my visit to Dubai, I witnessed the ongoing construction work of the Dubai Metro, more closely near Burjuman. And on my next visit which was this year 2014, I was simply in awe of the Dubai Metro. The fabulous and well maintained Metro Stations and the Metro, the precision, the information kiosk, hassle free rides was thoroughly enjoyable. It was such a pleasure to be independent and confident travelling as a tourist, with such ease. The umpteen rides to the various shopping malls, my teenage daughter and I took on the Dubai Metro was fun time together.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Not to forget the time and energy saved travelling by Dubai Metro!"</span></i></div>
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<b>And Gulf News posted the snap on their Instagram handle @gulfnews <a href="http://instagram.com/p/s67lvgqwjM/">http://instagram.com/p/s67lvgqwjM/</a></b></div>
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<a class="sNameLink" data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.0" href="http://instagram.com/gulfnews" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(63, 114, 155, 0.298039); color: #3f729b; display: inline-block; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">gulfnews</a><span data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.1" style="color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.2:1" style="color: #222222; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.1.2:1.0"><b>The #Dubai Metro is likely to reach #AlWarqa’a if a recent proposal that is currently being studied by the Roads and Transport Authority (#RTA) is approved. Read the full report on www.gulfnews.com. Photograph by Manjula H., a #GulfNews reader based in Hyderabad, India.</b></span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-37379679975021829352014-08-22T16:03:00.000+05:302014-08-22T16:03:34.117+05:30Spectacular Shopping Malls of Dubai<div style="text-align: justify;">
My favourite destination "Dubai" is definitely a feel-good-factor, not just for its sheer magnanimity or a delight for an avid shopper like me, but for the time I can spend with my brother, sister-in-law and especially my 7 year old nephew, a Messi fan and my teenager niece, a diva in making!</div>
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I decided on taking my 13 year old daughter on a vacation to Dubai, as she hardly remembered much from her last visit as a 7 year old. She was very thrilled and eager to spend time with her cousins. Her agenda though, was very minimal - visit to the beach and play in the sea waters, Burj Khalifa, some shopping, eat loads of Ice cream and basically fun time with cousins.</div>
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And on my agenda was to tag her along and visit as many places as I could, which included the places of tourist interest and the amazing shopping malls of Dubai.</div>
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The Dubai Metro is simply superb! It made our travel within the city very easy, comfortable and fast. A Nol Card, a Credit Card and some cash (UAE Dirhams) was all that was required to confidently venture out on our own to some destinations in this safe city.<br />
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The Shopping Malls in Dubai have an exclusive characteristic to them and are architectural wonders that leave the visitor mesmerized. Some of the malls we visited were:<br />
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<a href="http://citycentremirdif.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mirdif City Centre</b></span></a><br />
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This is located in the Mirdif residential area on the Emirates Road. Has more than 460 retail outlets, food courts, play stations etc. iFlyDubai is the key attraction here. Weekends are jam packed with people pouring in from Sharjah due to its proximity. We travelled by car to this mall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsynCrDE8IiDwnAuckTaSoKuUF3FjA7q4rRu7_y0aUVE81uj3JBaCc588ArhssIydBcXbiLz5k_BUxoZFpSTrOoR-VjfhtKc1uiyQANCUsult_D6DW96V2gq123yaMO4wrQ_BDUHVVcxYn/s1600/IMG_20140516_192853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsynCrDE8IiDwnAuckTaSoKuUF3FjA7q4rRu7_y0aUVE81uj3JBaCc588ArhssIydBcXbiLz5k_BUxoZFpSTrOoR-VjfhtKc1uiyQANCUsult_D6DW96V2gq123yaMO4wrQ_BDUHVVcxYn/s1600/IMG_20140516_192853.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Mall</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://citycentredeira.com/" target="_blank">Deira City Centre</a> </span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwxG2j1hOncrKOCoKxzwbXECCaye1M9xN3C6Nhfq7c5lZ34HEk1SL9ueQ7sZLcd3VKGZIF-ein2GOOPY1U-qeMCbkgu_EUWGpH-f4E2y8nO2YyqddEPx7oMQl6WVIkGLBKqXIO8rMPx4M/s1600/IMG_20140522_110438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwxG2j1hOncrKOCoKxzwbXECCaye1M9xN3C6Nhfq7c5lZ34HEk1SL9ueQ7sZLcd3VKGZIF-ein2GOOPY1U-qeMCbkgu_EUWGpH-f4E2y8nO2YyqddEPx7oMQl6WVIkGLBKqXIO8rMPx4M/s1600/IMG_20140522_110438.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dubai Metro Station</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This</span> is the first of the mega malls in Dubai with shopping, entertainment, hotel and leisure under one roof. Started in 1995, it continues to be a favourite place for fun and shopping till date. We travelled by Dubai Metro train which takes you till the entrance of the shopping centre.<br />
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We did a fair amount of shopping at the French multinational retailer hypermarket Carrefour, which is buzzing with visitors looking for some awesome deals on everything under the sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWVUnFHxHwFAqLpEWYS9jipLliHdNMhLA9vZK0ZJRtZcOScknEkJFGNbY1tvvfYjSuWnTA9fMtWHjyry2jb5WjOOMNFpcDhOcj60kv-kk5OdqsOweNlLHDHUG-5YI-I8DP6xV-FElGWVO/s1600/IMG_20140522_145607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWVUnFHxHwFAqLpEWYS9jipLliHdNMhLA9vZK0ZJRtZcOScknEkJFGNbY1tvvfYjSuWnTA9fMtWHjyry2jb5WjOOMNFpcDhOcj60kv-kk5OdqsOweNlLHDHUG-5YI-I8DP6xV-FElGWVO/s1600/IMG_20140522_145607.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdauZXJvXSzimZYfuBnmr3HiTwB5mWhJZbNFp4TWetx-xhQnKWZBQv7vOkqPoC29gFEFN7p9kjw5hOAbkyAt24KPkyJBJaxUYqw1MT2uDRVZQM0dAbbaGY5KhInHWUvuGGxNPTau6JOgWL/s1600/IMG_20140522_150838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdauZXJvXSzimZYfuBnmr3HiTwB5mWhJZbNFp4TWetx-xhQnKWZBQv7vOkqPoC29gFEFN7p9kjw5hOAbkyAt24KPkyJBJaxUYqw1MT2uDRVZQM0dAbbaGY5KhInHWUvuGGxNPTau6JOgWL/s1600/IMG_20140522_150838.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the entrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?WeFB1NGMAjw/U_SHMJAmdFI/AAAAAAAACl4/09jhWekOJJM/s1600/IMG_20140522_140629.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image/*" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDICoQ7wmoPrEyAqK6JyhX1MjQqpiN7CF9i0C39NYcAPMvF4PHnZXLLSmthz46a1W4RRptbUBf9walEbi8LnpkJ9H5HbcdcCMUCsjR_VsV-6YlS4bqEjrpO4N8HK36hlvadpWhvaCQL0zE/s1600/IMG_20140522_140629.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toy's store at the mall<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.malloftheemirates.com/about-us.aspx" target="_blank">Mall of the Emirates</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="line-height: 16.00299835205078px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A lovely drive on Dubai's </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">Sheikh Zayed Road and at </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">interchange four, is located the </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">magnificent </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">Mall of the Emirates, the world’s first shopping resort, opened in the year 2005. The multi-level shopping centre features over 560 international brands including the department stores, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing outlets and the largest Carrefour in the city.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">The Dubai Metro takes you directly inside the mall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">The world-renowned Ski Dubai - the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and snow park is the major attraction and biggest claim to fame of this mall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">The mall has two adjoining hotels: the 5-star Kempinski Mall of the Emirates and the 5-star Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">The interior massive dome with natural light emanating is a feast for the eyes and an architectural beauty.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoqp7njECC-yQ2HwDvmuCUAj5fElV8V82IYZTkcAOLAdZS9fqhRL5g_zzOnLJ8B7k6qzj7g6hUUpE3UgY1e7jecbaxl4NtNE94IQssoAJIhvAdV_F-4WIGFzFtB_l7kBFgXr82kLMZDhN/s1600/IMG_20140527_141824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoqp7njECC-yQ2HwDvmuCUAj5fElV8V82IYZTkcAOLAdZS9fqhRL5g_zzOnLJ8B7k6qzj7g6hUUpE3UgY1e7jecbaxl4NtNE94IQssoAJIhvAdV_F-4WIGFzFtB_l7kBFgXr82kLMZDhN/s1600/IMG_20140527_141824.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WKI3umcUp0ByzgA_tTQFODrYe6iO54F8j1geYjvo9V-Sz5aRnfoTVkMc8kGNl2tk1K1Diy6HgfpIjWO3lzE3N2-z-sYarun6WJTtg_AaFzp2L83AbkIdhSEBzKSVGGed7sYVzb5Hia4f/s1600/IMG_20140527_141713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WKI3umcUp0ByzgA_tTQFODrYe6iO54F8j1geYjvo9V-Sz5aRnfoTVkMc8kGNl2tk1K1Diy6HgfpIjWO3lzE3N2-z-sYarun6WJTtg_AaFzp2L83AbkIdhSEBzKSVGGed7sYVzb5Hia4f/s1600/IMG_20140527_141713.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMt5qOuza4W9k8h7FkYNhdAScxfT6MZFCNzPrYUm34IGcJyWm16m3CieLHyLg6kiZbvMCMcysMQk8h3QqUu-UBmZCAESc8EhZkTTZS5x8GEjY_mGZHm0tfSjKJEYrSG8kcE5LaE-gIlYr/s1600/IMG_20140527_133428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMt5qOuza4W9k8h7FkYNhdAScxfT6MZFCNzPrYUm34IGcJyWm16m3CieLHyLg6kiZbvMCMcysMQk8h3QqUu-UBmZCAESc8EhZkTTZS5x8GEjY_mGZHm0tfSjKJEYrSG8kcE5LaE-gIlYr/s1600/IMG_20140527_133428.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKyTz9WdfQowUQfuI2IAIe6Sn_SBlARLlsAtr1AQaKWbRcwXWlGu2R0zAi-VkyFk5W-dwqtms13vDw4hYwcdpdJh2y4GkofUvc_R3xWMjfWCENFDxUgWWK2Fh6Y1c_tgjToQ5FxvpMyKX/s1600/IMG_20140527_133908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKyTz9WdfQowUQfuI2IAIe6Sn_SBlARLlsAtr1AQaKWbRcwXWlGu2R0zAi-VkyFk5W-dwqtms13vDw4hYwcdpdJh2y4GkofUvc_R3xWMjfWCENFDxUgWWK2Fh6Y1c_tgjToQ5FxvpMyKX/s1600/IMG_20140527_133908.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski Dubai</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;"><b><a href="http://www.thedubaimall.com/en/" target="_blank">Dubai Mall</a></b></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL4iIuP6J62IzcyO7BQXVzQajt40ee3XfQ4NptD9ehSxVT03GxEiFN95xWUOT_jSIxshU2MTTSjblCvUs-tidKTVH29DTkZVrIqwnzw71nmFavwrHQcATO50GU0XV48WV4NEtXNmD9Al3/s1600/IMG_20140525_112834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL4iIuP6J62IzcyO7BQXVzQajt40ee3XfQ4NptD9ehSxVT03GxEiFN95xWUOT_jSIxshU2MTTSjblCvUs-tidKTVH29DTkZVrIqwnzw71nmFavwrHQcATO50GU0XV48WV4NEtXNmD9Al3/s1600/IMG_20140525_112834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is the world's largest mall in terms of the total area of 12.1 million square feet. Started on 2008, it has over 1200 retail outlets. It features different themed shopping areas within, like The Village, Gold Souk, Fashion Island, The Groove etc.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL4iIuP6J62IzcyO7BQXVzQajt40ee3XfQ4NptD9ehSxVT03GxEiFN95xWUOT_jSIxshU2MTTSjblCvUs-tidKTVH29DTkZVrIqwnzw71nmFavwrHQcATO50GU0XV48WV4NEtXNmD9Al3/s1600/IMG_20140525_112834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL4iIuP6J62IzcyO7BQXVzQajt40ee3XfQ4NptD9ehSxVT03GxEiFN95xWUOT_jSIxshU2MTTSjblCvUs-tidKTVH29DTkZVrIqwnzw71nmFavwrHQcATO50GU0XV48WV4NEtXNmD9Al3/s1600/IMG_20140525_112834.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The major attractions at Dubai Mall are the entrance to At The Top Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world; Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo with the world's largest Acrylic panel; The Waterfall; Ice rink Multi purpose venue; Dubai Fountain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The <a href="http://www.thedubaimall.com/en/shop/SpecialtyStores/Emirates-Official-Store.aspx" target="_blank">Emirates Official Store</a> is located in the Dubai Mall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Chocolate and candy lovers should religiously visit the Candylicious shop.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Aikh_hMVaT8ajsUb0WIgpEEkaK3qDJ__T7DcrB9Xvva2XnFEmumvnoVclA8-Rxhr2q60Y4b269G9DIc8J04mhUK4sOrr0XBhIBDe_bvNeBres9X6r0oribLJg8Ska3ArpSL4GLpRMXVw/s1600/IMG_20140525_113911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Aikh_hMVaT8ajsUb0WIgpEEkaK3qDJ__T7DcrB9Xvva2XnFEmumvnoVclA8-Rxhr2q60Y4b269G9DIc8J04mhUK4sOrr0XBhIBDe_bvNeBres9X6r0oribLJg8Ska3ArpSL4GLpRMXVw/s1600/IMG_20140525_113911.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the 127th Floor of Burj Khalifa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Wn2DThyphenhyphenqwuLFQdaLe5rLaPO9gQPkDJIWdUIssFsDggphkgebd3GOZRVv8k0ZGgTTfDM814QZcsSqJL_jCeTa3kb8xGpopxuzIobfJT2aEkPuCh_yyix5Jh9KRNKij9sUZ2nasvq0KQi1/s1600/IMG_20140525_114355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Wn2DThyphenhyphenqwuLFQdaLe5rLaPO9gQPkDJIWdUIssFsDggphkgebd3GOZRVv8k0ZGgTTfDM814QZcsSqJL_jCeTa3kb8xGpopxuzIobfJT2aEkPuCh_yyix5Jh9KRNKij9sUZ2nasvq0KQi1/s1600/IMG_20140525_114355.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At The Top</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDCJQ2nqaJhwIxJdANYHmbPc2M96APzlNM6_5Ovxssy17hvLOt9wG2oDboxEkVk3LJUpNk2apAeMM1ddPrIKXjXuRAMySkCfZjkAvNnX518Lat4I-CxhXzaAw-MANUSKwkTW2rcF57ijw/s1600/IMG_20140525_130650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDCJQ2nqaJhwIxJdANYHmbPc2M96APzlNM6_5Ovxssy17hvLOt9wG2oDboxEkVk3LJUpNk2apAeMM1ddPrIKXjXuRAMySkCfZjkAvNnX518Lat4I-CxhXzaAw-MANUSKwkTW2rcF57ijw/s1600/IMG_20140525_130650.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burj Khalifa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYSLhWRhHFAKUp4CKsYVvpcAQZOvzdzGGYYmHeiOClMXJ9rzV2OLnAtf6wYlBZrpMh8Na9dXwwyZq942DO9AZHec1Va7TBNBG6Ui9CBJjEFYqTTrh9vdfMNosx7R48HS_yrJoc7qQBCMV/s1600/IMG_20140525_132325.jpg" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dubai Aquarium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1Xe4WPBjYGiAku_9EM52Ym89Avs7cXcaGEKqV-baRwo5MXxwNGsRXchMyCNJUK0VjpAPiB1OrGV_VtMjfG-AKxWYPPVwBxzLluDvFFPEEOmL0ZLcUN2qOKVZh2nF0fmJIH4eAvTFyjES/s1600/IMG_20140525_132706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1Xe4WPBjYGiAku_9EM52Ym89Avs7cXcaGEKqV-baRwo5MXxwNGsRXchMyCNJUK0VjpAPiB1OrGV_VtMjfG-AKxWYPPVwBxzLluDvFFPEEOmL0ZLcUN2qOKVZh2nF0fmJIH4eAvTFyjES/s1600/IMG_20140525_132706.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candylicious</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPHzUGSjqPt80_AcB9rXtJajWlWBPZM4P2XLBOXoWBzLb_zz0igP_Dkko-0qTzpUR0ApBC0RwgFQLjWoThQCb9Ij0a1Q5IgcLPirNDwlmo3PbaYx-dqnhEY8h7b3O178CMabtgEKQaNuM/s1600/IMG_20140525_135025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPHzUGSjqPt80_AcB9rXtJajWlWBPZM4P2XLBOXoWBzLb_zz0igP_Dkko-0qTzpUR0ApBC0RwgFQLjWoThQCb9Ij0a1Q5IgcLPirNDwlmo3PbaYx-dqnhEY8h7b3O178CMabtgEKQaNuM/s1600/IMG_20140525_135025.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vv-1Mqqgx2KsjpVESpORVGC55EHMh1Iwhx2ta3bGn4whGlAQ0QY9S1bSti7yQP91_RBMM3e0A7aJdX6utVHkz9ywvcAD6sMIhKjQrtdSrO2Lf7LsY2OTwMadQjxlWA6wfsZvRKQxlxQD/s1600/IMG_20140529_190657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vv-1Mqqgx2KsjpVESpORVGC55EHMh1Iwhx2ta3bGn4whGlAQ0QY9S1bSti7yQP91_RBMM3e0A7aJdX6utVHkz9ywvcAD6sMIhKjQrtdSrO2Lf7LsY2OTwMadQjxlWA6wfsZvRKQxlxQD/s1600/IMG_20140529_190657.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Across the road - Burjuman Centre</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Located in Bur Dubai. It's home to the high end fashion and exclusive luxury brands. Saks 5th Avenue and Zara are my favourite. My daughter and niece freaked out window shopping at this fashion mecca. Starbucks was on our agenda, so enjoyed a relaxed coffee with the two young divas. The courtyard, food court, fountains makes the place magical.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcjNl1PGuPGs2MgPxC3Axs9Bx5uz-CnbFQ7ERZbx_P6h-99NhP0ql4qSnA8FuFHP0TlvqLJzLt8aKLiBgPKO5-Q9Z0r7F7Swc-uecsh648AMfn1qDO6YFnwbkvH9Wg-rwJ52iBRudwSyn/s1600/IMG_20140529_204249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcjNl1PGuPGs2MgPxC3Axs9Bx5uz-CnbFQ7ERZbx_P6h-99NhP0ql4qSnA8FuFHP0TlvqLJzLt8aKLiBgPKO5-Q9Z0r7F7Swc-uecsh648AMfn1qDO6YFnwbkvH9Wg-rwJ52iBRudwSyn/s1600/IMG_20140529_204249.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH9dknM9T1lAj1VDOpDPlkhnS5p4GLgZfivBTmyZl_gqxmfZzZTNWpXbih4Cq5vkslLy_4TFkISD09GrWGR1Pb2ARnHsD1fVEQMVlmaLAispq_eEPTs4Gx9nU41MkDVYafWlNns9MkXu_/s1600/IMG_20140529_201003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH9dknM9T1lAj1VDOpDPlkhnS5p4GLgZfivBTmyZl_gqxmfZzZTNWpXbih4Cq5vkslLy_4TFkISD09GrWGR1Pb2ARnHsD1fVEQMVlmaLAispq_eEPTs4Gx9nU41MkDVYafWlNns9MkXu_/s1600/IMG_20140529_201003.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starbucks</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFI6uzwNkF5u1D8Z6YCAbXSq6MEM8vjNhv6YQewPsgOrWa2HUHCiziBOZlkOqNHK6JgetLqzK4Q2-W4mM2qEnqjXXUemHQIH0uGLDCXZXabW-pyz4A8KymgXMB_W_6cFfvFkOBjLnBq0I/s1600/IMG_20140529_204626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFI6uzwNkF5u1D8Z6YCAbXSq6MEM8vjNhv6YQewPsgOrWa2HUHCiziBOZlkOqNHK6JgetLqzK4Q2-W4mM2qEnqjXXUemHQIH0uGLDCXZXabW-pyz4A8KymgXMB_W_6cFfvFkOBjLnBq0I/s1600/IMG_20140529_204626.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHsQc4FZbMczxUC9ld2INuAPOEWjxC-F3zYCcnsyVpuOTGZkLz3wIPuRWAnQUx2bsaeJzhXHcKkEdjTphOq_qdsyvKEqNF_yNiU62AZPbKftcXmblW7Zi71CPGVgtXP0-1NtOaJG9nh76/s1600/IMG_20140529_205858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHsQc4FZbMczxUC9ld2INuAPOEWjxC-F3zYCcnsyVpuOTGZkLz3wIPuRWAnQUx2bsaeJzhXHcKkEdjTphOq_qdsyvKEqNF_yNiU62AZPbKftcXmblW7Zi71CPGVgtXP0-1NtOaJG9nh76/s1600/IMG_20140529_205858.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burjuman Metro Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FZuwAVT73SfuIbxYcR35YbvtqLxLCSQNbQvn8RAzbqxdwZAi21gLPeSmgfwij3mzphqfDtC24qoMM1jkEfqZcvU3UandpqtHHFFkaYQebbFLzLwcBXEaL6g6EVPrR9fop9EIwlZusraO/s1600/IMG_20140531_155156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FZuwAVT73SfuIbxYcR35YbvtqLxLCSQNbQvn8RAzbqxdwZAi21gLPeSmgfwij3mzphqfDtC24qoMM1jkEfqZcvU3UandpqtHHFFkaYQebbFLzLwcBXEaL6g6EVPrR9fop9EIwlZusraO/s1600/IMG_20140531_155156.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The real posh Burjuman Metro Station is the second largest of the forty metro stations located in Dubai. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/aboutthemall.html" target="_blank">Ibn Battuta Mall</a> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(Refer to the links of each court for the respective historical information on the Travels of Ibn Battuta)</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq09yHSQEqSSe-15lyzE4rc0RsuT7U6a9rgHQ-QwKgEIIgUBS3zljXT2SfQumwIVe0HfG0W32GQ-etI2feJ4U8uDmjYONT6RbFcaOBfJCtZV6Wj5OUsjkPRO35v_YzZmKBDrS_I-drwS8/s1600/IMG_20140528_124621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq09yHSQEqSSe-15lyzE4rc0RsuT7U6a9rgHQ-QwKgEIIgUBS3zljXT2SfQumwIVe0HfG0W32GQ-etI2feJ4U8uDmjYONT6RbFcaOBfJCtZV6Wj5OUsjkPRO35v_YzZmKBDrS_I-drwS8/s1600/IMG_20140528_124621.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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The World's largest themed shopping mall named after the Arab traveller and adventurer Ibn Battuta, located at Jebel Ali, took us 25 minutes by the Metro train from Al Karama Station. I recommend this fabulous place to anyone visiting Dubai. Just go savour the colourful multi cultural experience along with some amazing shopping.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEiBzroYaOc19FX_KW_AqpvnnVAozjMNEvnxFPLEXdrPfIoHt_RDTaDcii5M4jUnZMvaspMiDNpbJRE_vIh6dpDBFmVg3Z_NXxMkHqieEHJvNXByx8XaJ0c9FS-x3mCwbUt80F2KHtHQI/s1600/IMG_20140528_130909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEiBzroYaOc19FX_KW_AqpvnnVAozjMNEvnxFPLEXdrPfIoHt_RDTaDcii5M4jUnZMvaspMiDNpbJRE_vIh6dpDBFmVg3Z_NXxMkHqieEHJvNXByx8XaJ0c9FS-x3mCwbUt80F2KHtHQI/s1600/IMG_20140528_130909.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnabon</td></tr>
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The first thing my daughter did on entering the mall was to head towards the Cinnabon outlet at the Tunisia Court. We enjoyed the yummy Chocobon and Blueberry Cinnabon along with the refreshing Cold Coffee.<br />
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Now we were all energized to tour the six themed courts namely, Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6R1wh_jppFQV6m860BbPB1M9A0aVoyjmv-u8XtIY8PRKU9J0QKf3UihIBZEV6k69fkSYWcNf0c7FNoDzkImLRtyl0FK2C4HJSVUSD281DL5Mk9yB7NyE-ax9TUTcE3oJb0NLNsGgZAJc/s1600/IMG_20140528_152818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6R1wh_jppFQV6m860BbPB1M9A0aVoyjmv-u8XtIY8PRKU9J0QKf3UihIBZEV6k69fkSYWcNf0c7FNoDzkImLRtyl0FK2C4HJSVUSD281DL5Mk9yB7NyE-ax9TUTcE3oJb0NLNsGgZAJc/s1600/IMG_20140528_152818.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journeys of Ibn Battuta</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UodCFleNpGI_bbTJkN47365vW_xsbJ9sNq3iho7jfFvLwnt2xRyn3TRJoWoFYzGo07FxoUt4Q1Vay4e2F2PUdvaB97CMQYh-p7NwcGsbhjupcAY0-wsJJdBuxdhrr4_oqLVPp6lnzQYF/s1600/IMG_20140528_152716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UodCFleNpGI_bbTJkN47365vW_xsbJ9sNq3iho7jfFvLwnt2xRyn3TRJoWoFYzGo07FxoUt4Q1Vay4e2F2PUdvaB97CMQYh-p7NwcGsbhjupcAY0-wsJJdBuxdhrr4_oqLVPp6lnzQYF/s1600/IMG_20140528_152716.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYq4O5bjXR-mS1vwXkkftI9RPdcmfSnwhoalnBDLQrAA1QKrQ4iC97emCoqBAENbha6dAM861ixUW-CTEIPKHRkYY_DKQlkMVPZ6o3p-YcqisfE-95OwpEOVYytK8kJsqwwcqVV1JZ-D8/s1600/IMG_20140528_152755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYq4O5bjXR-mS1vwXkkftI9RPdcmfSnwhoalnBDLQrAA1QKrQ4iC97emCoqBAENbha6dAM861ixUW-CTEIPKHRkYY_DKQlkMVPZ6o3p-YcqisfE-95OwpEOVYytK8kJsqwwcqVV1JZ-D8/s1600/IMG_20140528_152755.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpgsdtPkKduFIJWaHt3l7HZaCmPwvTBjxdnBJOymNJcNtcZT5EmdgcWnBT7EEt4lO9bbIybACWhXbQqoAbStWKk_elE6lvnmGBmF1tFajj9VHIfEMj8z1IHGbLJx_b3VWCE1LUiNago1B/s1600/IMG_20140528_125858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpgsdtPkKduFIJWaHt3l7HZaCmPwvTBjxdnBJOymNJcNtcZT5EmdgcWnBT7EEt4lO9bbIybACWhXbQqoAbStWKk_elE6lvnmGBmF1tFajj9VHIfEMj8z1IHGbLJx_b3VWCE1LUiNago1B/s1600/IMG_20140528_125858.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/aroundthemall/whyibn/tunisiancourt.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Tunisia Court (North Africa)</span></a><br />
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The blue sky ceiling, the village environment of the coastal town of Tunisia is simply breath taking. The picturesque streets with street lamps and lanterns; the souks of the typical African marketplace; the stained glass interiors gives one a pleasant feeling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOs7OAhaHOeixIZ0TxMAPmRpNqS-DrDmUfKDMLHnK396vF4-91vmVji1gTL6W60At8mvmJ6RWeX4EJMI_qVr8lwfS-zLjKcV3dDVv5P3qG-Ah2QzAGCQEFjdAslj7VvM46sznz2WmTI3l/s1600/IMG_20140528_132209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOs7OAhaHOeixIZ0TxMAPmRpNqS-DrDmUfKDMLHnK396vF4-91vmVji1gTL6W60At8mvmJ6RWeX4EJMI_qVr8lwfS-zLjKcV3dDVv5P3qG-Ah2QzAGCQEFjdAslj7VvM46sznz2WmTI3l/s1600/IMG_20140528_132209.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/aroundthemall/whyibn/andalusiacourt.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Andalusia Court </a><span style="font-size: large;"> (Muslim Spain)</span><br />
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The "Horseshoe Arches" with intricate designs, the central ceiling shaped in the form of a star, the brass chandelier, motifs and more are inspired by the Great Mosque of Cordoba and the Alhambra Palace in Grananda.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu_0MDRbmW2xqB7Eav3Fphhaoc-Ik9KSDfqn4_krAfxp2lbzDrOpkkjL14xdNnF0UBwSBm3B9R1MtdB369IcvApd9cSpqKvJv0uNXEYpk8c3dKpmuQJdU36cycb8HbwoVKYZilT8R-0-h/s1600/IMG_20140528_133014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu_0MDRbmW2xqB7Eav3Fphhaoc-Ik9KSDfqn4_krAfxp2lbzDrOpkkjL14xdNnF0UBwSBm3B9R1MtdB369IcvApd9cSpqKvJv0uNXEYpk8c3dKpmuQJdU36cycb8HbwoVKYZilT8R-0-h/s1600/IMG_20140528_133014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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The main feature of this court is the "Lion Fountain" based on the fountain in the Alhambra Palace. The lofty marble columns surround the eight lion statues of the fountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QKW3tQJ1Ukn5wI8sjrDR5RJgdGF2K-PZW9iXOfgDnIb7TyL0FdmBmsglpsJrGCJmeGVlJQlm5DF-k8NQjuZ-GTySAl7pHgugXVgmiZbCrPROfQI1o6S-ZDZVphOCwNP3W38kblr7Jw8W/s1600/IMG_20140528_133212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QKW3tQJ1Ukn5wI8sjrDR5RJgdGF2K-PZW9iXOfgDnIb7TyL0FdmBmsglpsJrGCJmeGVlJQlm5DF-k8NQjuZ-GTySAl7pHgugXVgmiZbCrPROfQI1o6S-ZDZVphOCwNP3W38kblr7Jw8W/s1600/IMG_20140528_133212.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lion Fountain</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SHAWghIZRHEKzQO4ZOOWzIsOrFbxamKMxW2y3GDnyi8OhjAGg5yfVmn6LPugyd5qOI7zE334tnMUozMYH-TPW6q8_pKKlEkPpbigRFwFJoU2sYfLBS9L4HO5x2X-LJHvAzf2_UQ_wNKt/s1600/IMG_20140528_132950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SHAWghIZRHEKzQO4ZOOWzIsOrFbxamKMxW2y3GDnyi8OhjAGg5yfVmn6LPugyd5qOI7zE334tnMUozMYH-TPW6q8_pKKlEkPpbigRFwFJoU2sYfLBS9L4HO5x2X-LJHvAzf2_UQ_wNKt/s1600/IMG_20140528_132950.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDPUARFB67a_OiidCO3VgVIhULM1gtd_OHEgjbnK87vO9PHiU6Y7USGE-wmd3tpcfuAn3JlPRi5uca_Y5UAbOSFvm47LlX-ByqPdpiTd1ZXbIjPlEpM6vWWTofErUiIFYXXHomW9TiMq0/s1600/IMG_20140528_133232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDPUARFB67a_OiidCO3VgVIhULM1gtd_OHEgjbnK87vO9PHiU6Y7USGE-wmd3tpcfuAn3JlPRi5uca_Y5UAbOSFvm47LlX-ByqPdpiTd1ZXbIjPlEpM6vWWTofErUiIFYXXHomW9TiMq0/s1600/IMG_20140528_133232.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Daiso</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF4F1g27Kft3HcQW5aDmXx-lqazCBWJYMgLc-Qv07KwW0Advtq7K5uiAYZgQJ5KpcyZCrxgpqsfmM90XR9HbB3EIFDAu3dKLA7dQ6DkzqLsIlBUpt4JsffMUdsnQxwWarUBOHFaGhkoqV/s1600/IMG_20140528_151425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF4F1g27Kft3HcQW5aDmXx-lqazCBWJYMgLc-Qv07KwW0Advtq7K5uiAYZgQJ5KpcyZCrxgpqsfmM90XR9HbB3EIFDAu3dKLA7dQ6DkzqLsIlBUpt4JsffMUdsnQxwWarUBOHFaGhkoqV/s1600/IMG_20140528_151425.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>The Geant Hypermarket and also my favourite Daiso, the Japanese outlet with amazing, innovative stuff is located here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/aroundthemall/whyibn/persiacourt.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Persia Court </span></a><br />
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The huge arched wooden windows with natural lighting, the colourful mosaics made from glazed tiles, the brass lanterns adorn the street of the bazaar setting which is typically found in the Islamic town of Baghdad.<br />
The huge dome with turquoise and dark glazed tiles all over the interiors of this court is very much in sync with the Persian tradition and architecture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7xTUxd19Iv87mkpns2WcIUYskIEhno6UaxyAaFpTwOyMORJymQEKdPGRSp2bc8YtFze5UQ3tLzrIHgxdxpe2eqhullSZFcnLGCJ-qc8Lw47cmJQ1FzSVcGSVzZ-cp85grNmwyRoijrjk/s1600/IMG_20140528_152951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7xTUxd19Iv87mkpns2WcIUYskIEhno6UaxyAaFpTwOyMORJymQEKdPGRSp2bc8YtFze5UQ3tLzrIHgxdxpe2eqhullSZFcnLGCJ-qc8Lw47cmJQ1FzSVcGSVzZ-cp85grNmwyRoijrjk/s1600/IMG_20140528_152951.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib05KkoWSFXPnTUPVJMcrqo7xYIhdeo3rZ5J5nJ95S11ZgemdA-FMiCFfX7bdGG44kLO9CneCNsf54L6HvdWy-ItYZSMwk2aFGWlFwy4zhLtn9pqXHn2QtTvTJAkbdPrnju3vJNW8Ggqb7/s1600/IMG_20140528_152547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib05KkoWSFXPnTUPVJMcrqo7xYIhdeo3rZ5J5nJ95S11ZgemdA-FMiCFfX7bdGG44kLO9CneCNsf54L6HvdWy-ItYZSMwk2aFGWlFwy4zhLtn9pqXHn2QtTvTJAkbdPrnju3vJNW8Ggqb7/s1600/IMG_20140528_152547.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UodCFleNpGI_bbTJkN47365vW_xsbJ9sNq3iho7jfFvLwnt2xRyn3TRJoWoFYzGo07FxoUt4Q1Vay4e2F2PUdvaB97CMQYh-p7NwcGsbhjupcAY0-wsJJdBuxdhrr4_oqLVPp6lnzQYF/s1600/IMG_20140528_152716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7xTUxd19Iv87mkpns2WcIUYskIEhno6UaxyAaFpTwOyMORJymQEKdPGRSp2bc8YtFze5UQ3tLzrIHgxdxpe2eqhullSZFcnLGCJ-qc8Lw47cmJQ1FzSVcGSVzZ-cp85grNmwyRoijrjk/s1600/IMG_20140528_152951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9tEhqB7Fy81k70mPe349njZ_a098_1M3anjY4uBFQFdgUNoEbXkXRP2RsSHAcHLKlqdMPdACjWSYDgUPr-jWZBs30LB7iSXXCNfQXr3n9EDgm_ty6YWiJEhvkVniwXT3bdmg9Ix8NyBy/s1600/IMG_20140528_153138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9tEhqB7Fy81k70mPe349njZ_a098_1M3anjY4uBFQFdgUNoEbXkXRP2RsSHAcHLKlqdMPdACjWSYDgUPr-jWZBs30LB7iSXXCNfQXr3n9EDgm_ty6YWiJEhvkVniwXT3bdmg9Ix8NyBy/s1600/IMG_20140528_153138.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/aroundthemall/whyibn/indiacourt.html" target="_blank">India Court</a></span><br />
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The Indo-Islamic style of architecture with the extensive use of red sandstone and white marble can be found all over the interior of this court. The floral and vine patterns, geometric ornate decorated walls and columns carved in marble with semi precious stones inlaid, gives the aura of the Mughal period and architecture in India<br />
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The highlight of the India Court is Al - Jazari's Elephant Clock. It is a tribute to one of the greatest Muslim inventors and engineer of the 12th century Al-Jazari. He specialized in water raising machines and mechanical clocks. He compiled all his designs in his book "The Book of Ingenious Mechanical Devices".<br />
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The elephant clock is based on his works 800 years ago! The intricately carved wooden figures, dragons, phoenixes all come alive and move together in a synchronized manner, every hour. It is indeed a technological and scientific marvel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoqX9bIlyScBODlwLvl37SDMW-S3MQ_N9mZiMzeQFAR07Y3ezZrGeQN_NbH4Y76RHPnLC6ZZVc6EXpxicLde-QKtOre6bCbzfRLtnYqQpYsldxUXPlm1lEXnM77cnVISui-kznhn8TRs9/s1600/IMG_20140528_153338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoqX9bIlyScBODlwLvl37SDMW-S3MQ_N9mZiMzeQFAR07Y3ezZrGeQN_NbH4Y76RHPnLC6ZZVc6EXpxicLde-QKtOre6bCbzfRLtnYqQpYsldxUXPlm1lEXnM77cnVISui-kznhn8TRs9/s1600/IMG_20140528_153338.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Al - Jazari's Elephant Clock</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/aroundthemall/whyibn/egyptcourt.html" target="_blank">Egypt Court</a> </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFssIWYVxOhBANtaaUHyi5XF3PzWWNYu7uAkG3FwCwz7RnanvfI3Ezq3h5Tv-ucUey58y_aA0zF6ULkEcWw3xIdBqdi8vF2eXyf1nBVqOszwIiJeQKPub0vCoZ_7Kr6Ts3jeW83-WzXzKf/s1600/IMG_20140528_124834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFssIWYVxOhBANtaaUHyi5XF3PzWWNYu7uAkG3FwCwz7RnanvfI3Ezq3h5Tv-ucUey58y_aA0zF6ULkEcWw3xIdBqdi8vF2eXyf1nBVqOszwIiJeQKPub0vCoZ_7Kr6Ts3jeW83-WzXzKf/s1600/IMG_20140528_124834.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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A colossal sandstone gate, at the entrance, based on the Pylon gates, welcomes the visitors into the world of Pharaohs and Egyptian Gods. The interiors are inspired by the Islamic architecture of the Mamluk period in Egypt. The colourful display of painted frescoes depicting scenes of ancient Egyptian royalty, Papyrus columns, walls decorated with painted hieroglyphics add to the grandeur of the Egyptian architecture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmXzgCJyWzguZiKXlAwDoOXC8B-qYcJpSKD2kN0S31nh5sFmxFv8sVQWKxavBGlIa5CHtCBvr0X4AMlVS13YgznR4cm33mCjjqTCDxsb1M8gL6nIgQ5So-Ou0oyvZ2PQB3k-ip50thesK/s1600/IMG_20140528_125636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmXzgCJyWzguZiKXlAwDoOXC8B-qYcJpSKD2kN0S31nh5sFmxFv8sVQWKxavBGlIa5CHtCBvr0X4AMlVS13YgznR4cm33mCjjqTCDxsb1M8gL6nIgQ5So-Ou0oyvZ2PQB3k-ip50thesK/s1600/IMG_20140528_125636.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmXzgCJyWzguZiKXlAwDoOXC8B-qYcJpSKD2kN0S31nh5sFmxFv8sVQWKxavBGlIa5CHtCBvr0X4AMlVS13YgznR4cm33mCjjqTCDxsb1M8gL6nIgQ5So-Ou0oyvZ2PQB3k-ip50thesK/s1600/IMG_20140528_125636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKPQ1QJhLR4QAymndszW0xcwTvv-ia-4X0REtshXV7sZ_xW9YYvDRropusArdT6S-_sSfO9ZpfLer-W0teo8Hz8SKk5IL2Dsv202EPwGLk_wc1DefgrEATYa8XRSFOOE1YmdZoORdHcbS/s1600/IMG_20140528_153740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKPQ1QJhLR4QAymndszW0xcwTvv-ia-4X0REtshXV7sZ_xW9YYvDRropusArdT6S-_sSfO9ZpfLer-W0teo8Hz8SKk5IL2Dsv202EPwGLk_wc1DefgrEATYa8XRSFOOE1YmdZoORdHcbS/s1600/IMG_20140528_153740.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.ibnbattutamall.com/aroundthemall/whyibn/chinacourt.html" target="_blank">China Court</a></b></span><br />
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A riot of "Colour Red" greets the visitors as soon as one steps into the China Court. It is remarkably cheery and bright. A sign of happiness!<br />
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The pavillion like gates, the red and gold panels decorated with motifs of gilded phoenixes, dragons and intricate floral designs, huge medallion adorning the walls are characteristic of Chinese architecture.<br />
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The massive Chinese Junk ( sailing vessel) centrally placed in the main court takes the breath away. It depicts the voyage of Ibn Battuta on one of these Junks to China.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NywrIe37TsXLkutz0fMBoijqlyBPWzM2lhyphenhyphenRfvgI84DCvcFw6mu04F90ve5ncx35-Rm9MUlUTeSXyHTcSRGx5SpK4PlABu1z5U4bWwClXLg259DM3Jv-CA-4F7LouHZZpw2YqPT88mDr/s1600/IMG_20140528_154323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NywrIe37TsXLkutz0fMBoijqlyBPWzM2lhyphenhyphenRfvgI84DCvcFw6mu04F90ve5ncx35-Rm9MUlUTeSXyHTcSRGx5SpK4PlABu1z5U4bWwClXLg259DM3Jv-CA-4F7LouHZZpw2YqPT88mDr/s1600/IMG_20140528_154323.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Junk</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7l48hLp0M84Y0sSMvAs6R6D2-9cLxq4kUGQJuf-PjUBttgru8Dqf1qPZO02XU4fUG1CbCg5zH1zSfJJG2l7D_AxHHYvtUhD-oRLPiPEbgyC6SfB5C9OUU5TIIHDKJ3EvYy3bg5ecWFr1/s1600/IMG_20140528_160326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7l48hLp0M84Y0sSMvAs6R6D2-9cLxq4kUGQJuf-PjUBttgru8Dqf1qPZO02XU4fUG1CbCg5zH1zSfJJG2l7D_AxHHYvtUhD-oRLPiPEbgyC6SfB5C9OUU5TIIHDKJ3EvYy3bg5ecWFr1/s1600/IMG_20140528_160326.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf1WRVCpIfmzjI_6k6X6KOkGtVpSn__h6IxBie2jfhQxlzHDRNKacyLMjOrBwdrndnYbEEdfCoOpdh_OyQwdV0uZc7-Ah7YJOzDIqtaWkM18jFWaQe14D4My2p08GBsIg-roZaJ5jm0Qs/s1600/IMG_20140528_160411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf1WRVCpIfmzjI_6k6X6KOkGtVpSn__h6IxBie2jfhQxlzHDRNKacyLMjOrBwdrndnYbEEdfCoOpdh_OyQwdV0uZc7-Ah7YJOzDIqtaWkM18jFWaQe14D4My2p08GBsIg-roZaJ5jm0Qs/s1600/IMG_20140528_160411.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Chariot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC1pJsQPY2eW1Y5rEqHZUoqLKdK-B-nps2zwNvX6009FPqBMlj6mEL-deeXMydvx35HnoAQ7Mim522ae_xzEK2QPX6jsQ2PQw_Il0nlQvdFH6_qOc898_G_aWoR3G_3XWqX2gux-7Djmd/s1600/IMG_20140528_160833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC1pJsQPY2eW1Y5rEqHZUoqLKdK-B-nps2zwNvX6009FPqBMlj6mEL-deeXMydvx35HnoAQ7Mim522ae_xzEK2QPX6jsQ2PQw_Il0nlQvdFH6_qOc898_G_aWoR3G_3XWqX2gux-7Djmd/s1600/IMG_20140528_160833.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior of the China Court<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">More Shopping Centres </span></b></div>
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The shopping centres for reasonable and quality stuff; the places I swear by, are:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ikea </span></b>: The Swedish company that specializes in ready-to-assemble furniture, home appliances and accessories is an amazing place to spend an entire day. It is located in the Festival City. Just shop till you drop! That is exactly what I do shopping in Ikea. Every room in my house has an utility stuff from Ikea.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lamcy Plaza:</span></b></div>
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This is a fabulous mall for shopping, eating and fun activities for kids. The food court has some amazing varieties of cuisine. The Fun City is a delightful place for kids. Daiso, the Japanese outlet with mind blowing stuff is also located here, but is smaller than the one at Ibn Battuta.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIHtNhXpikV5kS_qPu8ewEpPipV-XEQ82OXGXsemH94Ku-SFewTDDXMHJiuEa6KCmM7TAymu1CcmM9uS2wF0u4HJ8hMSeOBygL3S_4MC4Xxaydtsk1aBNAMg06mZ7hGY4bPO0aSYsrggj/s1600/IMG_20140602_141507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIHtNhXpikV5kS_qPu8ewEpPipV-XEQ82OXGXsemH94Ku-SFewTDDXMHJiuEa6KCmM7TAymu1CcmM9uS2wF0u4HJ8hMSeOBygL3S_4MC4Xxaydtsk1aBNAMg06mZ7hGY4bPO0aSYsrggj/s1600/IMG_20140602_141507.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56xPil7PYCbXBt1NaYvmNXoIkoEMgjviEfpaD8py8CK0G7bQ_UBG8883xUbN_aQmTtZTQLYBNKUEfJ15KAkZTdb1XJoeNn7zlvJBqf9_yORJJUBfv-sH59qxelLpJAH8Exe0X2yTFEjLB/s1600/IMG_20140519_203353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56xPil7PYCbXBt1NaYvmNXoIkoEMgjviEfpaD8py8CK0G7bQ_UBG8883xUbN_aQmTtZTQLYBNKUEfJ15KAkZTdb1XJoeNn7zlvJBqf9_yORJJUBfv-sH59qxelLpJAH8Exe0X2yTFEjLB/s1600/IMG_20140519_203353.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><b> </b><b></b><b><br />
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<b>Lu-Lu Hypermarkets and Supermarkets, Day-To-Day, Karama Souk, Karama Centre, Spice Souk</b> are the best places to buy souvenirs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yHQoErxTHTvE64FTPTtWPUfHQeFMMiFSv72zwLnMuxAfL50YuWootqFcKtf7cOj4IBhKQo5fiMgUFPBNu9KiwKhy5n2ETrhg8_1gW2NujK2BfNiEwAcZ7ddsG60LBMka8v6YdneDVeCm/s1600/IMG_20140518_210102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yHQoErxTHTvE64FTPTtWPUfHQeFMMiFSv72zwLnMuxAfL50YuWootqFcKtf7cOj4IBhKQo5fiMgUFPBNu9KiwKhy5n2ETrhg8_1gW2NujK2BfNiEwAcZ7ddsG60LBMka8v6YdneDVeCm/s1600/IMG_20140518_210102.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjsiCTbTdjEqnSTPr7rQFM4rtvvcr6GrRDvyAC1BMnde4OrbVAq5MVKUfrRF1eaCiaQQyQnW_UtcTwRu_5OhoDOs9JMZpkAMSNtlYJyfOsoMnbf4PKxPbyVxhAZTk5lszWK296o_cw5Qu/s1600/IMG_20140516_200427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjsiCTbTdjEqnSTPr7rQFM4rtvvcr6GrRDvyAC1BMnde4OrbVAq5MVKUfrRF1eaCiaQQyQnW_UtcTwRu_5OhoDOs9JMZpkAMSNtlYJyfOsoMnbf4PKxPbyVxhAZTk5lszWK296o_cw5Qu/s1600/IMG_20140516_200427.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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There are many more shopping destinations in Dubai, which I will visit on my next trip :) Till then <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ciao!</b></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-75139119668580722342014-08-20T00:33:00.000+05:302014-08-20T00:33:26.651+05:30Back with a bang!!!Wall Art<br />
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Last month was my "Arty-crafty" time. My husband was breathing "FIFA World Cup 2014" and I was letting my creativity flow. Targeted the walls of my house, my canvas!</div>
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I really enjoyed dabbling with Asian Paints. The whole process was more a spiritual journey, enjoying my solitude, imagination woven with colours, totally at peace within and feelings of joy. </div>
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My daughter was surprised to see my passion and wanted me to take it easy. She was more worried about my back pain. I think pain takes a backstage temporarily when indulged in passionate pursuits. </div>
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My 7 year nephew Raghav, a creative child, wanted one of my old paintings. And I told him, art doesn't come free and it is important to respect an artist, blah blah blah... with the intention that he understands the importance of art and pursues it seriously. Raghav gave me an intent look and immediately called his dad, my brother and told him to make the payment from his pocket money so that he can carry the painting back home. My niece, Raghav's elder sister also liked one of them and expressed her desire to take it. </div>
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Raghav, paused for a minute after striking the deal and said, but I think you should consider "Buy one, Get one free". I am yet to get over this deal :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77SCoO_Ko5k8pR7UR17EA7C2-1Y6mctJHcFdXPt0yfroDFmhvmR9I8UsVNSQUF3JzBduLp3XAotWVjDIdGUFK1sG9YB_NEpHwM_wLq4pG6nrcDkIX3Ap13XGHUs2c_cX8J5i1qo_wpZkg/s1600/Fotor0819192535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77SCoO_Ko5k8pR7UR17EA7C2-1Y6mctJHcFdXPt0yfroDFmhvmR9I8UsVNSQUF3JzBduLp3XAotWVjDIdGUFK1sG9YB_NEpHwM_wLq4pG6nrcDkIX3Ap13XGHUs2c_cX8J5i1qo_wpZkg/s1600/Fotor0819192535.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The balcony of our abode. Mornings I see a couple of sparrows come closer to the painted flowers and fly away.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe8Jgk2iHeDwUcvd7xtSWqMJvYoS7yinMqmjfETWjj9qtS7plaTFiTNC30fmf3afhevoGpQF7HmDEdbleGtMmTV_0xOOXzMbv015WLp9qxCDMGE9OWEQ5BeHm6KgCC1NGcPBSjrX1DHGw/s1600/Fotor0819192852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe8Jgk2iHeDwUcvd7xtSWqMJvYoS7yinMqmjfETWjj9qtS7plaTFiTNC30fmf3afhevoGpQF7HmDEdbleGtMmTV_0xOOXzMbv015WLp9qxCDMGE9OWEQ5BeHm6KgCC1NGcPBSjrX1DHGw/s1600/Fotor0819192852.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My daughter's room brightened with the lovely Sunflowers</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Threshold - Welcome home :)</span></td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-69698480301015041962014-08-09T14:13:00.000+05:302014-08-09T14:13:21.801+05:30Blast from the past!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
Rummaging through the "Hidden Treasure"; my late mom's belongings locked up for over two decades, my sister-in-law and brother picked up a neatly packed huge packet and said, these are yours. And to my pleasant surprise and immense pride, I found my "works of art", nothing original, but my genuine effort and love for painting. I have some creative side to me, the gene thing, you bet, my creative mom! I have never ever had any formal training in painting and now feel a deep urge to pursue professional learning in this form of art.</div>
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My temporarily faded memory, suddenly became alert and I reminisced that most of the work was done during my undergraduate study years at Nizams College, Hyderabad. I also recalled that I had displayed them during the "Art Exhibition" organised as part of the Nizam College centennial celebrations. </div>
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Now as I look at them again and again, I yearn those carefree days when time was at my disposal, with limited multitasking roles in life. And also wonder, was it I who actually produced them ! Anyway there is a magical nostalgic feeling around me and I am loving it.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-16177202464141356212014-06-16T11:13:00.000+05:302014-06-16T11:13:16.727+05:30Letter to my Father<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_539e82dfe23d46924390098" style="display: inline;">
Dear Papa, </div>
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It is 30 years since you left us. Your face is in a haze, but memories of you still remain etched in our minds and hearts; your love for us, your emphasis on being honest, sincere, disciplined, and righteous; the importance of ed<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ucation, the pursuit for excellence, knowledge and curiosity to learn new things. With every new technological development that breaks out nowadays and the latest gadgets that rule our lives, I wonder how excited you would be! We your children have tried our best to some extent, imbibe the principles you believed and practiced in your short lifetime. I believe, we do make you proud. I again wonder with a smile on my face, what your feelings and reactions would be to see the antics of your grand children. We love you and miss you. Happy father’s day! </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">PS: My daughter today asked me – “Do you remember your Dad?”; “Do you miss your Dad?”</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-42759943132210134012014-04-19T17:17:00.000+05:302014-04-19T17:17:12.317+05:30Trimbakeshwar Jyothirlinga - An unexpected visit<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs8-UCCoA0tcuXEsAxN-lnK9DbKmMA8ErXYN-G59Tr_ZYdYqBnLunKaL2FpATAqFCSKmz7N_27NQvEN_7hGSXIMRhlWS6RHX9J6CndacBtGEB2-SqA9Alg0yZFjCSE5NNnkcydVhcMeOr/s1600/030120141295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs8-UCCoA0tcuXEsAxN-lnK9DbKmMA8ErXYN-G59Tr_ZYdYqBnLunKaL2FpATAqFCSKmz7N_27NQvEN_7hGSXIMRhlWS6RHX9J6CndacBtGEB2-SqA9Alg0yZFjCSE5NNnkcydVhcMeOr/s1600/030120141295.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My new year started off with an unexpected visit to Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik, Maharashtra on January 3rd, 2014. The one day trip to Nashik was to attend the 1st National & 6th State Level Nashik MVP Marathon 2014 organised by the Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj. I was accompanying Cricketer VVS Laxman who flagged off the marathon and distributed trophies and prizes to the winners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Initially visiting Shirdi was on the itinerary, but due to some unavoidable circumstances it had to be cancelled. I was disappointed as my visit to seek blessings of Sri Sai Baba is long over due. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Jan 3rd early morning, after the Marathon flag off, one of the organisers expressed that in the short time we had, after the flag off and before the prize distribution ceremony, I could squeeze in a quick visit to Trimbakeshwar and have darshan of one of the twelve Jyothirlingas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was very happy and just couldn't resist the offer. The driver escorting us, Rameshappa was more than enthusiastic and the organiser Mrs. Pooja Atkare, Principal of a leading educational institution at Trimbak, joined me and made necessary arrangements for our darshan. I am really grateful to both of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ride from Nashik to Trimbak was a rough one with the road in a terrible condition, due to a four lanes road construction work going on, keeping in view the ensuing Kumbh Mela in 2015. The distance approximately 28 kms was covered in about 40 minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We reached the temple located at the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain ranges, a magnificent grand structure built in black stone. </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">The temple was built by Shri.Nana Saheb Peshwa in 1755-1786 AD. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The spectacular view just took my breath away. An official at the temple escorted us directly to the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">"sanctum sanctorum" and we had a quick darshan of the the presiding deity Lord Trimbakeshwar. The Lingam is unique with the presence of three lingas, each representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. All the three lingas reside in a hallow space withing the Shiva lingam. The priest blessed us by giving prasad. I was overwhelmed having visited this holy shrine and having darshan of Lord Shiva in the beginning of the New Year. I had visited this place as a 10 year old with my parents, but couldn't recall the place. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">Just outside the temple premises is the sacred pond "Kushavarta" from where River Ganga is said to take route to rest of India. I just had a glance from the foothill, of the "Gangadwar" located on the Brahmagiri mountain, the birth place of River Ganga, known as River Godavari. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #3b3b3b;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I was delighted with this unexpected visit to the holy temple of </span></span>Trimbakeshwar. </span><br />
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Presto! A thought triggered in my mind, about so many people- friends, family, acquaintances I know, and most of them are doing some extraordinarily good work. And this is my applaud in acknowledgement of the talent, effort, dedication and passion displayed by these terrific human beings.</div>
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The first to go on my "Be Inspired" People Series is<b> Abhishek Bhaskar - The Beatboxer</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeDBeTskHEzd17flhMkbu2E8VUK2kie0lpR42-u5vvK9jqUOefRPc1AV9CGZsQn3IuSQTuZa3DhzZ9NpnRAcsZO1zGg-TFLaBLg6BpVxGkdisNDW8H1ZDX4HSoqPyeyyhyfw0XbgL5_7J/s1600/IMG02164-20140201-0925+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeDBeTskHEzd17flhMkbu2E8VUK2kie0lpR42-u5vvK9jqUOefRPc1AV9CGZsQn3IuSQTuZa3DhzZ9NpnRAcsZO1zGg-TFLaBLg6BpVxGkdisNDW8H1ZDX4HSoqPyeyyhyfw0XbgL5_7J/s1600/IMG02164-20140201-0925+-+Copy.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a>I met Abhishek a month ago in Bengaluru with regard to a CSR event I was conducting for Herbalife India, a direct selling MNC dealing mainly with Nutritional & Health Products. Herbalife has been very supportive of Sports Persons and Sporting activities all over the world. </div>
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We needed an Emcee and my specifications were for an energetic, lively and communicative youngster best suited for the event. </div>
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A day before the event, I met Emcee Abhishek, a polite, well mannered, intelligent 18 year old waiting patiently at the office to be briefed on the next day's proceedings. He was very quick to grasp the requirements and looked confident to deliver his best. Meeting him reduced half of my stress, giving me the confidence that he will manage the show with aplomb. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULnBbA0ZXjuD42K6cbQtfyH2LM1Olkc84j-PAQxq9Gkbi2NcfiaZNaWsbNRavpnpNiHRWCNrE6I5NpzNLfEUpf65T3gIHUo3RoJC7Ss8OFzygWmirltivFlTG4Lymnkh1tvWgOUK_0kIK/s1600/IMG02150-20140201-0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULnBbA0ZXjuD42K6cbQtfyH2LM1Olkc84j-PAQxq9Gkbi2NcfiaZNaWsbNRavpnpNiHRWCNrE6I5NpzNLfEUpf65T3gIHUo3RoJC7Ss8OFzygWmirltivFlTG4Lymnkh1tvWgOUK_0kIK/s1600/IMG02150-20140201-0820.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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We already had some fun and meaningful activities lined up for the Herbalife Founder's Day event, which was celebrated as Herbalife Kids' Day with the Guest of Honour, <span style="font-family: Wingdings; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">Paralympian
Silver Medalist </span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">H. Girisha, Herbalife
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T8M13hopq7-oKvdHIrJT8eJ0dMd26o4bNR8jhQFWa7E8FzpUD6YJhjJzpCKqV6EEwnEaIv8C00SEXl_rdBwPm6ZkBCUqphyqCmY25_jUtaBD5OdgoUXXw31ex5WxZ8hZ49sPcCNEnHZV/s1600/Founders+Day-143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T8M13hopq7-oKvdHIrJT8eJ0dMd26o4bNR8jhQFWa7E8FzpUD6YJhjJzpCKqV6EEwnEaIv8C00SEXl_rdBwPm6ZkBCUqphyqCmY25_jUtaBD5OdgoUXXw31ex5WxZ8hZ49sPcCNEnHZV/s1600/Founders+Day-143.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Abhishek gave some interesting inputs about some Ice-Breakers and activities that he would add and engage the participants (Herbalife employees, Special kids from Shraddhanjali Integrated School and Kids from Smile Foundation). I was very pleased with his display of enthusiasm.<br />
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In the process of our conversation Abhishek told me that he is studying Architecture, and he is a Beatboxing artist and CEO & Founder of a company called "Voice Box Productions".<br />
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I carefully listened to him and finally expressed my ignorance on "Beatbox", I found it very amusing and was eager to educate myself on this new form of talent.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Abhishek demonstrated his Beatboxing skills and explained as follows, " </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">Beatboxing is the art of producing the sounds of musical </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">instruments through one's mouth and nostrils.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> It involves the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">imitation of Turntablism, Singing, Horns, etc".</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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Well, I realised that I did know about this art but was ignorant about the name of this art form- Beatbox.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmj5xq5-wz_BPq3larYtV17RH2JfJEHRWZUvim61ufDyM4eeFc-AyTp33YKFHU88CtcYjn3My8quypSfbh0KyrvZzOOd5Y8mvg0V-G9aQToMXFfIPZGX-UUwCjy7WRg2M9-OcHhA2fiBH/s1600/IMG02165-20140201-0926+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmj5xq5-wz_BPq3larYtV17RH2JfJEHRWZUvim61ufDyM4eeFc-AyTp33YKFHU88CtcYjn3My8quypSfbh0KyrvZzOOd5Y8mvg0V-G9aQToMXFfIPZGX-UUwCjy7WRg2M9-OcHhA2fiBH/s1600/IMG02165-20140201-0926+-+Copy.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Abhishek is involved in conducting Beatbox workshops for Corporate and Students. It is indeed a stress buster exercise. He is busy performing this art form, Emceeing, studying to be an Architect; to sum it all multitasking very efficiently. In his own words, he says "I'm living the LIFE".</div>
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Abhishek deserves a loud Beatbox cheering - KUDOS!!!</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-53856768440358882182013-12-19T23:28:00.000+05:302013-12-19T23:40:17.349+05:30 Is Happiness Elusive ...or we just fail to find it!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="boldface"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>hap-ee-nis: </b>bliss, contentedness, delight, joy, pleasure, satisfaction...</i></span><span style="font-family: Muli-Regular, serif; font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf1OIPCv_uk3qMHASIbeEhFBMBJ_0QyjAVCPCs8QoY5mtMGjBDLtMExDIr1MDrOSwiKp-tvJvR6BDRuyoq327BISiutxgTprD1TMfFTB479Owno1R5EWq-tHkYFLErr2kCtp0hvWP5y-e/s1600/father+n+Child+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNf1OIPCv_uk3qMHASIbeEhFBMBJ_0QyjAVCPCs8QoY5mtMGjBDLtMExDIr1MDrOSwiKp-tvJvR6BDRuyoq327BISiutxgTprD1TMfFTB479Owno1R5EWq-tHkYFLErr2kCtp0hvWP5y-e/s1600/father+n+Child+.jpg" /></a><br />
The state of joy, getting hold of
a new comic book, delight seeing a new pencil, ecstasy munching a candy,
satisfaction playing with a friend, contentedness getting a new dress for festival
and the sheer pleasure of mom’s home cooked food. I am at times left distraught wondering,
where did I lose those little but precious moments of genuine inner peace.<br />
<br /></div>
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Lost maybe, in the growing up
process; some pleasant and unpleasant circumstances; the daily grind, losing our
loved ones, health issues, relationships taking a beating, so on and so forth. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Is it so difficult to smile and
laugh? At times, if you notice closely, we even forget to breathe properly;
such is the hurry, rush and preoccupation in our lives. The many roles that we
don and the balancing acts we put up add to and take its toll on our fragile
minds and souls.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I understand that all of us are not
born with sunny dispositions. As we grow, we learn that happiness is a state of
being, which is commonly construed and attributed to our experiences with our environment
– people, places, things... </div>
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<br /></div>
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I personally at times feel that being
nice, good and positive can be tiring and that one loud outburst displaying negative
emotions, like yelling, cursing, use of abusive words can give some temporary
power and excitement to the mundane, but most of the time causes exhaustion
to the self, more than to the target audience.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I believe, once in a while such
outbursts are healthy, but if the frequency continues then surely things are
not conducive to the self and to others in your life.</div>
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Every bit of emotions we experience,
like joy, excitement, stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, pain, are integral
moments. We as humans are capable of learning and un-learning from them, by
means of introspection and intent. It’s not easy for sure but nonetheless, trying
helps!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHhA9JmAkbFJDbPdqunhS2_9WagI0aDoukE8KWO9QpP50wASu00NzBnJpYbqc6FReHjakCku3-kbPfnbMLTzpJAL1CS-LobVSvscJTizgl2i5o175zkXmk7Tqd41AKmTD91iRMfaIw_oS/s1600/Bad+Memory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHhA9JmAkbFJDbPdqunhS2_9WagI0aDoukE8KWO9QpP50wASu00NzBnJpYbqc6FReHjakCku3-kbPfnbMLTzpJAL1CS-LobVSvscJTizgl2i5o175zkXmk7Tqd41AKmTD91iRMfaIw_oS/s320/Bad+Memory.jpg" width="320" /></a>Total bliss, the ascetic way is far fetched! Down the lane, I have learnt to love my pain and it helps me enhance my thinking, creativity, empathy
and determination to face challenges. But I also love my moments of peace and
cheer. </div>
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So in pursuit of some happiness, I
am working on a few aspects (tried, tested and shared by many, for sure) and
hope to achieve,<i> that something</i>, to soothe my soul and mind. It’s hard, very hard! </div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop anticipating negative
moments and reactions – It’s damaging to you and you alone.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop worrying, because most of it
does not happen – Even if something happens, damn it, you are capable of
catching it by its neck and throwing it away.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop getting caught in needless drama
that happens around – People like to pull you into it to entertain them.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop heeding too much to other’s
unrealistic and demanding expectations of you – Learn to say NO; there is no
end to what others want of you.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop caring too much about what
others think of you – Remember, you are a champ.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop neglecting health issues –
Health is indeed the first and foremost wealth.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop reliving the anger caused by
situations and people – Grudge will weaken your soul. If still it refuses to
leave your mind, then use it towards some positive, constructive and productive
means for you. (Read somewhere: Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent
free in your head)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop being scared or sceptical
about taking up new assignments – There is always a way when there is will.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Stop taking crap from people-
Make peace with yourself.</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8T8fr7rSha0SgrQ2zIhADswTSM-MJ95cl-uHs_Yo5jJ7Nw4XWS086gBqwsVMB5LnX8Dbrmy8UgqDPOK5RAYTSQz77jxMYahrSp4tikMYDfEQ5VDfx9RIzBnqVgjIPLrW3nEbZ3L9j_iK/s1600/karma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8T8fr7rSha0SgrQ2zIhADswTSM-MJ95cl-uHs_Yo5jJ7Nw4XWS086gBqwsVMB5LnX8Dbrmy8UgqDPOK5RAYTSQz77jxMYahrSp4tikMYDfEQ5VDfx9RIzBnqVgjIPLrW3nEbZ3L9j_iK/s1600/karma.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Give whatever assistance you can
to people less fortunate than you – Experience the joy of unconditional giving.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Give support to social causes –
It’s always blessed to give than to receive.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Give a thought to pursuing a
hobby – It’s fun and soothing.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Give praise, appreciation and
acknowledgement to that deserving friend, neighbour, relative, colleague, acquaintance,
your own kids, spouse, siblings and parents, for a good deed or work – Feel the
power of giving.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Give that friendly big smile,
nod, and a wave to all the people you come in touch with daily; the road side
vendor, maid, watchman, driver, milk man, paper boy, office peon – See the
magic of acknowledging a fellow human being.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Give some time connecting and
networking with friends and develop contacts – It can be enriching.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Give a thought to your blessings
and make gratitude an attitude – Explore the power of prayers.</span></li>
</ul>
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I am in the “Give” mode which
helps me maintain my mental equilibrium, but need to work seriously on the “Stop”
aspects to enhance the quality of peaceful living. It’s a long list;
just needs that nudge of conscious
effort, exercise and implementation.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> SMILE <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-57262251757802265252013-12-17T12:51:00.000+05:302013-12-17T12:51:12.269+05:30The Radiant Sun...Silk...Shine to Recharge my Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP94AjzSIdXLOXxAJ2dFSr9Zg16BaIWRVDXQSik4tTunx5o7yHNwGQags9hlAQKOP3qC-4Jyw1wUQEwiaM9B5jvHRxs3ips2LwzJjCgvZHhz9uy7QlEK-3np5pS4G131vD4CXaQF-jdGw/s1600/Bad++Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP94AjzSIdXLOXxAJ2dFSr9Zg16BaIWRVDXQSik4tTunx5o7yHNwGQags9hlAQKOP3qC-4Jyw1wUQEwiaM9B5jvHRxs3ips2LwzJjCgvZHhz9uy7QlEK-3np5pS4G131vD4CXaQF-jdGw/s200/Bad++Road.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source:The Hindu</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The road...more travelled, the journey
unforgettable, the cacophony unavoidable, the air non-breathable and the
destination inevitable – my work place! This sums up my everyday saga in life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1BgowTBIHufNp7lPnkhJxcgs-mxcoFVWLIkXgf94A_PUZQrPwxzKvUL5icDHdaero8swR5IlRtahXLZAQO7Ocmj04V3EMF03URTc_yc40IAAlQK6ZwU3I5dWA2WruunQQ9N-r_94kzKn/s1600/IMG01877-20131216-1733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1BgowTBIHufNp7lPnkhJxcgs-mxcoFVWLIkXgf94A_PUZQrPwxzKvUL5icDHdaero8swR5IlRtahXLZAQO7Ocmj04V3EMF03URTc_yc40IAAlQK6ZwU3I5dWA2WruunQQ9N-r_94kzKn/s200/IMG01877-20131216-1733.jpg" width="200" /></a>The morning rush hours, the craters
ridden dusty roads of my city, the mad traffic jams are a every day nightmare. To top it all is my old
sentimental scooter which bears the brunt everyday and helplessly passes on the
same to my bones and nerves. </div>
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The rattled and tattled me, en route to work every day
and back home on the faithful oldie is indeed, an ordeal. The ride is no less adventurous, than the Dune
Bashing, Roller Coaster Rides or Mud Car Racing.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzHbDvNUhFBk3T2VkeGu9rOatnzNSOK8BsTo5VkZFVgQ9Sl9U41mi1Q-V5K-c_sM94mgj5rRdjhDXpuwIckauJ4Y3AhgejaHOZvMhci6dwbpxRmYeptEVbgSzNAEG-4l2bkV0NPF5k73I/s1600/IMG-20131216-WA001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzHbDvNUhFBk3T2VkeGu9rOatnzNSOK8BsTo5VkZFVgQ9Sl9U41mi1Q-V5K-c_sM94mgj5rRdjhDXpuwIckauJ4Y3AhgejaHOZvMhci6dwbpxRmYeptEVbgSzNAEG-4l2bkV0NPF5k73I/s200/IMG-20131216-WA001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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But hey, once I reach my work
place and toss off my scarf and shake my stiff head and stiffer shoulder, the
soft lovely touch of my shining tresses bring the spring back into my steps. I
straighten myself and stride confidently into the office space. I feel like I have just stepped out from a chauffeur
driven car, directly from the top salon in town.</div>
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My hair is strong like the Knight
in Shining Armour, gives me that extra edge to hold my own, in spite of the drudgery I face, every day. The healthy shine and lovely fragrance of <a href="http://facebook.com/sunsilkhairexperts" target="_blank">Sunsilk Radiant Shine Shampoo</a> on my hair makes my day productive, and my mood as radiant as my hair, at its super best, all day long.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgEyWPVF0DhfQDHmVqCncG6_25PxudWLUOtvzHpV19QIIFts2oivIH099O_zOldQvGBeOIn0KtGpfWUnXWBC0C9VWI_XCnLCoyMx3GytJLdxWEYIGkaAvFHBc0-aWztswi0050yI0y9oI/s1600/IMG01884-20131216-1851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgEyWPVF0DhfQDHmVqCncG6_25PxudWLUOtvzHpV19QIIFts2oivIH099O_zOldQvGBeOIn0KtGpfWUnXWBC0C9VWI_XCnLCoyMx3GytJLdxWEYIGkaAvFHBc0-aWztswi0050yI0y9oI/s320/IMG01884-20131216-1851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://facebook.com/sunsilkhairexperts" target="_blank">Sunsilk Radiant Shine Shampoo </a>is
a part and parcel of my essentials and I recharge my hair with it, to keep
that enviable bounce and shine in my life. The
Sunsilk Radiant Shine; now and always, to look and feel my elegant best and geared to face any challenges in life with élan!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvd1VNW6auNp2e7TJRoBtPiVSY9YvoDXXYzaRtjE5RyUcgsE0m7KANcZ0v5vxg-bUJixj3rtBF_6UKxQrqw2Szyqw3wnrbTn9kdrVC81n17Uuui3COX-6o1A5lS7IugSf09En9qBVLhSf/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvd1VNW6auNp2e7TJRoBtPiVSY9YvoDXXYzaRtjE5RyUcgsE0m7KANcZ0v5vxg-bUJixj3rtBF_6UKxQrqw2Szyqw3wnrbTn9kdrVC81n17Uuui3COX-6o1A5lS7IugSf09En9qBVLhSf/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<o:p> <i><span style="color: blue;">* The Radiant Sun...Silk...Shine to Recharge my Life is a true narrative of my daily ordeal, commuting the roads of Hyderabad, written exclusively for </span><a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=97" target="_blank">IndiBlogger Contest "Recharge your hair Recharge your Life</a> .</i></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-37563605164888055202013-12-15T22:38:00.000+05:302013-12-16T14:04:34.991+05:30We Time ... A Lunch Date with My Beloved<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a sucker for contests! Especially where some scope for creative writing is involved. This is a childhood fancy carried into adulthood. In the process I have won quite a few goodies ranging from Stickers, Chicklet packets, pens, cinema tickets, gift vouchers and very recently "We Time" from TVS Wego.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It just happened on Diwali eve while browsing the Facebook page, I hit upon the Diwali We Time Moment Contest on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TVSWego" target="_blank">TVS Wego FB Page</a>. It said -</span><span style="color: blue;"><i>Tell us how you would surprise your loved one this Diwali.
The most creative and romantic idea wins!</i></span></div>
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Here is what I wrote in a jiffy that evening when my creative
juices were overflowing...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Close your eyes! I say to my beloved...hold his hands gently
and lead him up the stairway. A whiff of cool breeze and a sweet
fragrance lovingly touches my beloved's face and I see a faint smile appear and
feel his grip tighten my hand, sensing the warmth and some element of
surprise... we step on to the patio and I ask him to open his
eyes...Surprise!Surprise! his astonished face looks like a colourful sparkler.
Amidst all the lovely lit candles and roses, he sees his bunch of school
buddies standing quietly, suppressing their laughter on seeing his amazed
expression and go screaming and cheering loudly, which easily overpowers the
noise of the crackers booming in the surroundings! This is what I
have imagined as my romantic gesture, a memorable evening for my MAN, my BELOVED! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/tvswego">#TVSWEGO</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/diwalicontest">#DIWALICONTEST</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/entry">#ENTRY</a></i></span></div>
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I was somehow sure of emerging a winner (<i>cheeky, right?</i>) but was hoping the prize will be a TVS Wego to ride on for an all time We Time!</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu6zWEmMRtYRidrHAeGjK_aUkpkFUAyzwMd9V6qzn3_biD-e5orM9A71NiEq_UXBgz8170CRiq-AnEUj0RhlW3Jq4ghB7iRoK0JgbKcROUTnvF1KDd7AaZNlOYJw-rAvnlsZmXSgHGXfD/s1600/techspec-bike.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqu6zWEmMRtYRidrHAeGjK_aUkpkFUAyzwMd9V6qzn3_biD-e5orM9A71NiEq_UXBgz8170CRiq-AnEUj0RhlW3Jq4ghB7iRoK0JgbKcROUTnvF1KDd7AaZNlOYJw-rAvnlsZmXSgHGXfD/s320/techspec-bike.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.tvswego.com/">www.tvswego.com</a></td></tr>
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Anyway as expected, I emerged one of the six winners announced and the prize was a We Time lunch or dinner at The Marriott, Hyderabad. A tad bit disappointing but nonetheless an exclusive "We Time" in our busy ho hum lives looked good enough. </div>
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I informed my choice of date and time to TVS Wego and they promptly booked a table for two at The Marriott, Hyderabad for my lunch date with my beloved, my hubby. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwOO4oVhjJzkJoGWYfD_mr-UMy-wJH8Zjndt6shFJOWfy3u5syc-97oVcFowfB-jiwqiRIEA1Y6ehGGe5tUdj3zny0O31RZ7LRpCaKxlFWv5zJJJEwgR1lbOFlrKxHeHaNlVgV0nkqhWV/s1600/We+Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwOO4oVhjJzkJoGWYfD_mr-UMy-wJH8Zjndt6shFJOWfy3u5syc-97oVcFowfB-jiwqiRIEA1Y6ehGGe5tUdj3zny0O31RZ7LRpCaKxlFWv5zJJJEwgR1lbOFlrKxHeHaNlVgV0nkqhWV/s400/We+Time.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hydmc-hyderabad-marriott-hotel-and-convention-centre/" target="_blank">The Marriott, Hyderabad</a> is not new to us, but the exclusive date made it special. The staff at Okra, The Marriott were very gracious. They had a special menu for us. </div>
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We are vegetarians and were leisurely served a course of Sparkling Wine ( <i>both don't drink</i>), Tomato Soup (<i>Roasted tomato, mars Capone, focaccia crostini</i>), Chef's Salad (<i>Red Apple, assorted lettuce, micro greens with ginger honey dressing</i>), Pasta Spaghetti (<i>Aubergine, feta, confit tomatoes and pine nuts</i>) and last but not the least my favourite part of the meal, The Dessert (<i>Blue Berry Cheese Cake, bowl of fruits, a scoop of Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup</i>). </div>
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The Chef personally came over to our table to inquire on the food, which I thought was a nice gesture.</div>
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Our two hours of leisure <b><i>We Time</i></b> together over food was pleasant, thanks to TVS Wego and The Marriott!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-68609416330374200012013-12-09T16:04:00.000+05:302013-12-09T16:04:20.244+05:30The Rising Star of World Badminton - PV Sindhu<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PV Sindhu is currently ranked World No. 11 in the Women's Singles Badminton.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@ Lunch by Sindhu's parents celebrating her Macau Title</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This lanky, fit, all of 5 feet 11 inches towering tall, 18 year old kid is the rising star of World Badminton from India and more specifically Hyderabad; home also to Super Champ Saina Nehwal currently ranked World No.6; India's No. 1 & World No. 14 Men's Singles Champ P.Kashyap; Men's Singles India No.2 & World No.21 RMV.Gurusaidutt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They all train at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Court, Sindhu is determined to go for a win. In her own words, 2013 has been her best so far and there is no stopping from here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She lived up to her top billing by winning her maiden Grand Prix Gold title beating Singaporean fifth seed Juan Gu in the women's singles final of the Malaysia Open badminton on May 4th, 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86aBLw3twKAkz1yto0awjNiR-06hoFGGYeHVIA51v-Z4iPnoRrdzV-3A6k49zc8PL0i5PNs21l24vAgYXjDvDNTis6AiKvhOztRGbk_X9s6ChJtbM5iSOAdZ01oih6OYLQQbDcT8dGI_n/s1600/IMG-20130811-WA000.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86aBLw3twKAkz1yto0awjNiR-06hoFGGYeHVIA51v-Z4iPnoRrdzV-3A6k49zc8PL0i5PNs21l24vAgYXjDvDNTis6AiKvhOztRGbk_X9s6ChJtbM5iSOAdZ01oih6OYLQQbDcT8dGI_n/s200/IMG-20130811-WA000.jpg.png" width="184" /></a>On 8th August 2013, Sindhu defeated the defending champion, second-seeded <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wang Yihan of China, to enter the women's quarterfinals at the Badminton world championships. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She became the first Indian female to win a singles medal (Bronze) at the World Championships and broke into the world top-10 for a brief period.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PV Sindhu continued her winning streak and asserted that she is indeed the rising star of Indian badminton by clinching her second Grand Prix Gold Title, the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold 2013 with a superb win over Canada's Michelle Li scoring 21-15, 21-12 in merely 37 minutes, on Dec 1st, 2013.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqygaZBYvuDP-snmwhbF_EPAezegbnfJQ6iAl8IM7OlF1CvWhDw2WwLORQ37bRGTnGKq0ELTVVMAxJ4-IatF4WS37V-0-Oy4969KfZW9xaTjm6QIz0ynHUOpnxqPOzuvO54RdKAxglEhVV/s1600/IBL+SE+14X19+Poster+Hyderabad-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqygaZBYvuDP-snmwhbF_EPAezegbnfJQ6iAl8IM7OlF1CvWhDw2WwLORQ37bRGTnGKq0ELTVVMAxJ4-IatF4WS37V-0-Oy4969KfZW9xaTjm6QIz0ynHUOpnxqPOzuvO54RdKAxglEhVV/s200/IBL+SE+14X19+Poster+Hyderabad-01.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;">Sindhu was conferred with the Arjuna Award in September,2013.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h7t5ZXNUfbcevWckSIqQd4R1LrJk-CNf6foRA9l3nEApxpUkSA-mrJrtE-lXViIHaVLeL0eHOVsQ_aotGpRZkCpYOqzj3xYrrudxebmp3o0H4lYrWCw5FzowdchK2o0fOWQfiJvHKWlv/s1600/387784_10201492205964639_52608936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h7t5ZXNUfbcevWckSIqQd4R1LrJk-CNf6foRA9l3nEApxpUkSA-mrJrtE-lXViIHaVLeL0eHOVsQ_aotGpRZkCpYOqzj3xYrrudxebmp3o0H4lYrWCw5FzowdchK2o0fOWQfiJvHKWlv/s200/387784_10201492205964639_52608936_n.jpg" width="137" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She is the Icon player of the Awadhe Warriors </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Lucknow</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">, one of the IBL teams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">During my coordination of the IBL Shuttle Express Programme for School Children in Hyderabad, Sindhu launched the Hyderabad Leg at the Indus World School, the IBL School Partner here on July 16th, 2013. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She immensely enjoyed interacting with kids and readily obliged everyone with autographs and photographs; was at ease with the media during the press conference and enjoyed her lunch at the school's dining hall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the recently organised "Herbalife Kids Badminton Championship 2013" , the National Badminton Coach Mr. Pulella Gopichand and his prodigy Ms. PV Sindhu readily agreed to be the Chief Guests for the award ceremony, to the delight of the winners and runners up. Being Children's Day on November 14th, I asked her to say a few words to the kids and her spontaneous shy response was, <i>"I myself am a kid, what do I tell them" ; </i>I was very amused and realized she actually is a kid!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhUXj9Wp9wFlxQpvj3JcFt4ZOARdpnHZaTFfTVyNJFHRPK4s7Yvymehvt6_bQlMXP4d1GcCMPYNEHctx-QSQKztbxrpxJJLj1ydI2lGLXlZ5nImKMwpSGljAl-xUr_Gx2l3VEOsA9p237/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhUXj9Wp9wFlxQpvj3JcFt4ZOARdpnHZaTFfTVyNJFHRPK4s7Yvymehvt6_bQlMXP4d1GcCMPYNEHctx-QSQKztbxrpxJJLj1ydI2lGLXlZ5nImKMwpSGljAl-xUr_Gx2l3VEOsA9p237/s400/DSC_0365.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Off Court, she is a normal teenager, just a kid who enjoys her glass of cola and junk food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Her parents Mr. PV Ramana and Mrs.Vijaya, former National Volley Ball players should be very proud and happy to see their and daughter's hard work pay off in the form of her victories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">More accolades are wished for this young sports person.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-81239768547456052542013-12-02T17:10:00.000+05:302013-12-02T17:10:45.318+05:30My Childhood Confederate & Cherished Memories ... Soft, Gentle and Pure like a Dove!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I jog through my childhood
memories at the age of five, remember this little fella, two years younger, looked
exactly like Pee Wee <i>(the cute friend of Richie Rich) </i>and<i> </i>followed me everywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I still fail to comprehend my adventurous streak at that age, it baffles me no end whenever
I think about the shenanigans initiated by me and very diligently followed by
Pee Wee – my younger sibling!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQSh9hIiQzYmrqnddq9rbJpcf_V8hloah5LXWobHQDtAieEYduKFWsVyLRqsLfWn_NzwgRtpF7H218UaoZlCEjZ3Bkt0PYwvgdUPekhBxQdCvQFoTbAA0_KA0YdYdnR8STvbN87SgeZGb/s1600/1530863-pee_wee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQSh9hIiQzYmrqnddq9rbJpcf_V8hloah5LXWobHQDtAieEYduKFWsVyLRqsLfWn_NzwgRtpF7H218UaoZlCEjZ3Bkt0PYwvgdUPekhBxQdCvQFoTbAA0_KA0YdYdnR8STvbN87SgeZGb/s200/1530863-pee_wee.jpg" width="168" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pee Wee was the central character
to all my experiments, most of the memorable ones are at our Mom’s dressing table. The long mirror, the attached side tables
with drawers appeared like a magnificent throne. My little Prince Pee Wee <i>(read
guinea pig)</i> seated on the throne, all geared up for the grand game to begin. The
contents of the drawer, my mom’s prized possessions, lured me to pick and
cajole them with my artistic hands – a box of compact face powder, talcum
powder, kaajal, lip stick, cold cream, bottle of liquid red kumkum & nail
polish. Oh! What a treasure, waiting
just for me - <i>Their Saviour</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I begin with the compact face powder, followed
by all other ingredients that give Pee Wee; the killer looks <i>(really frightening,
I should say)</i>. Very satisfied with my artistic outcome on Pee Wee, I do the
same to my sweet and soft face. Our artistic endeavour is highly visible on the
dressing table, mirror and the floor. The <i>colour
riot</i> beckons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mommy dearest is busy cooking in
the kitchen, with intervallic voice call to check on our normal existence . Whenever there is pin drop silence, it is a obvious danger pointer. She swiftly sprints in search of the little angels <i>(actually read devils)</i> and find us, the dancing duo skating on
the <i>rink of talcum powder</i> with a pair
of socks adorning those nimble feet. The horror is apparent on mom’s pretty
face. The riot of colours on the faces
and surroundings instigate unexplained emotions in Mommy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, the memories
bring tears with all the laughing at those nostalgic and crazy moments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCBPUzv_EQCs9X6Bri_W35mJYFWE21deIuji-8Tf_6-p6GGFMI8pyNd7nKQn1aNJ_gzcU8807uXZATsAIm7JybQbSNHdlgTrTsoAfRhjbkd7174LGRKO5ZL93mBT44CqesG5bVgfC7kq-/s1600/Deeply_Nourishing_bar243X406440-389452.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCBPUzv_EQCs9X6Bri_W35mJYFWE21deIuji-8Tf_6-p6GGFMI8pyNd7nKQn1aNJ_gzcU8807uXZATsAIm7JybQbSNHdlgTrTsoAfRhjbkd7174LGRKO5ZL93mBT44CqesG5bVgfC7kq-/s320/Deeply_Nourishing_bar243X406440-389452.png" width="190" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My love for experimenting stayed
intact through my growing years. It graduated from gaudy colours to genuine
skin care. I began using only <i>Besan</i>
(Chick Pea Flour) on my face to prevent the wear and tear of skin caused by the regular toilet soaps. I vividly remember the launch of <b><a href="http://www.dove.in/en/Products/Bar-Body-Wash/Bar/Cream-Beauty-Bathing-Bar.aspx" target="_blank">Dove</a>,</b>
the soap with moisturizing cream way back in 1990’s when I was in college. The premium product was very enticing; the price frightfully expensive. But my mind was set
on experimenting <b><a href="http://www.dove.in/en/Products/Bar-Body-Wash/Bar/Cream-Beauty-Bathing-Bar.aspx" target="_blank">Dove</a> </b>and <b><i>#DoveFaceTest</i>.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I earned
my pocket money imparting tuition to neighbourhood kids and my mom permitted
my splurge understanding its true value; and here I am hooked to<b> <a href="http://www.dove.in/en/Products/Bar-Body-Wash/Bar/Cream-Beauty-Bathing-Bar.aspx" target="_blank">Dove</a></b> for life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Dove </b>was an indulgence then, very
carefully used and guarded. My Pee Wee was also not allowed to touch it and was
permitted once in a while to use it only on his face <i>(budgetary constraints, you see) </i>; moments when my soft and
gentle emotions were afloat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Dove</b> today is my necessity and a legacy, that I have passed on
to my daughter. Now, my Pee Wee is a Big Man <i>(wise from all the childhood histrionics</i>) and lives in UAE. Being my childhood confederate, he
knows my <b>Dove</b> obsession and hence by default, it is a part and parcel of the goodies
bag I get from UAE. More like a loving gift from my <i>Mayaka</i> (Parents Home). <i><b>Seriously,
I mean it!</b></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>* My Dove Story for <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=95" target="_blank">IndiBlogger Contest</a> "Dove Guessing game with my friend", is a true account of my childhood experiences and Dove is indeed my everyday necessity, the narrative shared on Dove is 100% true.</b></i></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-19940043734823477282013-11-05T23:18:00.001+05:302013-11-05T23:18:50.940+05:30Finding Love...The Platinum Way!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I gaze at the stars every night,
standing on the patio of my parent’s house and feel the cool breeze brush my
face. The still chill in the air brings a shudder and I sense a pair of eyes
watching me. I glance around, but see none. My heart feels hollow and my mind
makes a conversation – “What is this emptiness I feel?” </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I lead an active life professionally and socially.
My parents are the best, having given me, their only child, all their love and
unconditional support in all that I wanted to do and have in life. I have some wonderful
friends who care for me and are fun to be around. My work gives me solace and
is my spiritual journey. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I work to share my love,
affection, knowledge and to uplift the lives of young girls who have no home or family to call their own. I lead a privileged life and want the same
for my fellow human beings. My parents supported my decision of quitting the high
profile corporate world in my pursuit for a more meaningful completely
satisfying occupation that I love to breathe in and out daily. I think this is
my Karma!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But then, what is this <i>‘heart’</i> yearning for? What is this <i>‘emptiness’</i>, I feel? My thoughts
overpower me for a split second as I cross the main road to reach my work place
and in a jiffy I feel a strong grip on my arm which pulls me so roughly, that I
am consumed by anger, followed immediately by a gripping panic. I am alive, having
just missed being run over by the speeding city bus!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And suddenly a sense of warmth
creeps into me as I look around to find myself in the strong arms of a
handsome man<i>. Is this the <a href="http://www.preciousplatinum.in/en/about-platinum/platinum-day-of-love" target="_blank"><b>‘Platinum Day of Love’</b></a>!!!</i> His piercing brown eyes look familiar and I can sense anger and
concern in them. I am oblivious of the crowd gathered around me. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With a jolt, I recover from my
moment of clustered emotions, straighten myself, pluck his grasping hand off my
arm, murmur ‘thanks’ and run across the road to my everyday destination, my
work place. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I enter my office in a daze, gulp
down a glass of cold water and look for my mobile to call my close buddy and
share with her my eventful journey to work. Oh No! My mobile’s missing and I
remember to have dropped it on the road during the highly tumultuous moment of my
life. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Just as I get up still shaking
from the day’s event, to ask an office staff to go and look for it; I see my messiah
of the day or should I say my life walk into the office with my mobile in hand.
He gives me a big smile and hands over the mobile and I feel his finger slightly
brush my hand. And suddenly the <i>‘emptiness’</i>
in filled with some weird <i>‘heaviness’</i>. I say to myself, what the hell is this?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDPJVjUs9KMb966jImJ01ORdXEEN-cr48wzzQaDLqorVW6A5qUnmu7SZoLA_c7JSbWtrZgi8NhqpWoR1fo9c7HzRWCEmlcvPnxDhXGJeseOMXTqfdUaV3x3282m18BJxN71E8os9qlyDH/s1600/041013082404_20131004-lovebands-so.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDPJVjUs9KMb966jImJ01ORdXEEN-cr48wzzQaDLqorVW6A5qUnmu7SZoLA_c7JSbWtrZgi8NhqpWoR1fo9c7HzRWCEmlcvPnxDhXGJeseOMXTqfdUaV3x3282m18BJxN71E8os9qlyDH/s1600/041013082404_20131004-lovebands-so.jpg" width="200" /></a>Oh my God! I recognise those eyes.
He is that shy boy, my neighbourhood best friend when I was a 6 year old. I
remember howling for days, when he moved from the city with his parents as I had lost my best friend and play mate. I asked him was he the same childhood buddy and the way he
laughed and hugged me acknowledging the fact is something I cannot forget ever
in my lifetime...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Love is in the air, the stars are
shining brighter, the heart is full of joy and both of us coincidentally have
chosen Platinum Love Bands to bind us in togetherness! Yes, platinum for its
purity, rarity and preciousness, just like <b>‘<i>pure
love’</i></b>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am remembered of a quote by Robert Frost -<i><b> "In three words I can sum up everything, I've learned about of life: it goes on... "</b></i> Love for eternity...The Platinum Way!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p>*<i> <span style="color: blue;">A rare confession: This is a pure(ly) imaginative narrative by a hopeless romantic, i.e ME for the <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=90" target="_blank">IndiBlogger </a>Contest - <a href="http://www.preciousplatinum.in/en/about-platinum/platinum-day-of-love" target="_blank">Platinum Day of Love</a></span></i></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-92122329928285588482013-11-02T00:02:00.001+05:302013-11-02T00:15:20.306+05:30Very Very Special Face2Face - VVS LAXMANI highly recommend this motivational talk by VVS Laxman to all youngsters!<br />
<br />
<i>Source:</i> KKRmindstudio - Thanks to Dr.KK. Ramachandran, Director GRD Institutions, Coimbatore - TN<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/B4GH2kAu4qY" width="560"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-90218024540005293272013-10-29T23:32:00.001+05:302013-10-29T23:32:57.842+05:30US Universities Fair in Hyderabad, India by Linden Tours USA<a href="http://www.lindentours.com/fairs/2013/fall/india-tour/hyderabad" target="_blank">Linden US University Fair in Hyderabad</a><br />
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: small;">Date & Day: Wednesday, 30th October 2013</span></h5>
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><b>Fair Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm</b></span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br /></span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br /></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><b>Local Contact:</b></span><br />
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><div class="text_exposed_show" style="font-size: medium;">
Manjula Harpanahalli<br />
Tel: +91-8008988351 (10 am - 7 pm only)<br />
Email: hmanjula@yahoo.com</div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="font-size: medium;">
<br />
Location:Taj Krishna,Road No. 1, Banjara Hills,Hyderabad 500034,India</div>
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</div>
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<div style="font-size: medium;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Participating Universities:</span><br />
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica sans-serif"; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><tbody style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Name</b></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Contact</b></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Web Address</b></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Academy of Art University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Aaron Cardozo</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.academyart.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.academyart.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Sunder Raghavan</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.erau.edu/international" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.erau.edu/international</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Fairfield University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Christopher Johnson</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.fairfield.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.fairfield.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Fairleigh Dickinson University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Gayathri Attiken</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.fdu.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.fdu.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Florida Institute of Technology</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Stacey Reeder</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.fit.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.fit.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">George Mason University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Elena Agaragimova</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.gmu.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.gmu.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Iowa State University of Science and Technology</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Ann Gogerty</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.iastate.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.iastate.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">La Salle University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Robert Arcangel</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.lasalle.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.lasalle.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Loyola University Chicago</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Lindsey Simon</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.luc.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.luc.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Polytechnic Institute of NYU</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Abhyuday Pai</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.poly.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.poly.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">San Jose State University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Curt Anderson</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.sjsu.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.sjsu.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">State University of New York, New Paltz</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Beth Vargas</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.newpaltz.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.newpaltz.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">University of Colorado Denver</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Genny Parker</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.internationaladmissions.cudenver.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.internationaladmissions.cudenver.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">University of South Florida, Tampa</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Shifali Kumar</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.usf.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.usf.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #e7e7e7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Xavier University</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Daniel Marschner</td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.xu.edu/" style="color: #08387f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.xu.edu</a></td></tr>
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td colspan="3" style="border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</span></h5>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-31590989989683777552013-10-02T19:21:00.001+05:302013-10-02T19:21:20.087+05:30Mom - My Guardian Angel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8thVtKBpsMQkR5bobwyNjaCrVWh5ujPzdjYeSScKm9yzK5b19UIpxIxjuUtbR9EI26MI2w96Fv7nBSu3m017ZwQ43SFe8EC31Q78hJ2VOmK-G9Bo3x5Qs-DEhizReEoMANZuweaVuWYPS/s1600/picmix-292013-83439.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8thVtKBpsMQkR5bobwyNjaCrVWh5ujPzdjYeSScKm9yzK5b19UIpxIxjuUtbR9EI26MI2w96Fv7nBSu3m017ZwQ43SFe8EC31Q78hJ2VOmK-G9Bo3x5Qs-DEhizReEoMANZuweaVuWYPS/s320/picmix-292013-83439.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
MOM...been 5 years!!! Love You...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No words can express the love, affection, power, beauty, grit, goodness, contentment and majesty in the way you lived . You continue to be our guardian angel and guide. We know you continue to pray for our well being and safety and also that of all your loved ones. We miss you but again know you are within us! </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-51091307757347929792013-09-14T23:22:00.000+05:302013-09-14T23:22:11.942+05:30Hammock Shopping 2030 – The future of Shopping!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizai_US485GZEJ3IvaoEYaPyv9QiIRzarmcTDTxq5n_ENZKjlkfxZnMCHuRe4gvHw6FxgC8zES27_cSZvp2_uaaHcZcAh1qahRzerxbI14GJX1VQm4_Ur4xT0xUWzy0W_RCpDx06JLeVr5/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizai_US485GZEJ3IvaoEYaPyv9QiIRzarmcTDTxq5n_ENZKjlkfxZnMCHuRe4gvHw6FxgC8zES27_cSZvp2_uaaHcZcAh1qahRzerxbI14GJX1VQm4_Ur4xT0xUWzy0W_RCpDx06JLeVr5/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a>Imagine lazing on your hammock,
sipping hot coffee, relaxing holiday, reading a romantic novel and ... your
mobile rings, ripples your state of serenity. Hello! There you hear the
familiar baritone, the voice that made you skip a heartbeat, once again. That’s
your childhood sweetheart calling you from nowhere, and a loud cheering fills
the ear. The ‘Gang’ is all there, just cannot believe your ears. Your childhood
friends have connected with you and are all set to pick you up in the evening
for a gala get-together to reminisce the old days and celebrate the reunion! It’s
a pleasant surprise for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
You are just not in a mood to
lift your butt and drive around miles looking for that “Special Apparel”; but
first of all –What is it that you want to wear and look stunning to your
friends? Viola! ‘Yours Only’, the friendly app which can be used on a laptop
and a mobile; is your buddy, stylist & shopper; the all-in-one wonder is in
your hands and at your command.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
You activate the app on your
mobile and use your voice command to specify your requirements, size and your budget,
for the special evening wear and within seconds you have a set of apparel with suitable
accessories presented with the price tag for your review. The awesome stuff spread out for your
selection makes you elated and satisfied. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
You take your pick, pay and the
online shop promises to deliver your stuff within two hours and you go back to
reading your novel and keep relaxing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As promised, your shopping bag is
dropped at your doorstep and just not the stuff, but a personnel from the service
provider accompanies with some variant sizes, to make sure you get your best
fit. A very personalized and professional service indeed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Thud... I just fell from the
hammock. Hey, was I dreaming? Yep, but I think online shopping is just about
fun and immensely convenient even today. As I imagine about the future of
online shopping, I am browsing for a book ‘House of Cards’ by Sudha Murthy and
a 16 GB pen drive and my EBay Check, the official Google Chrome extension from
EBay India <a href="http://bit.ly/eBayCheck_Extention" target="_blank"><span style="background: #F4F4F4; color: #4d71b7; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">bit.ly/eBayCheck_Extention</span></a>
gives me the best price on eBay.in. I just compared the prices on other online shopping
sites and found it to be the lowest here. I shopped at <a href="http://www.ebay.in/" target="_blank">eBay.in </a>and my book and
pen drive was delivered in two days time at my doorstep. For real, no day
dreaming here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am a shopaholic and I do strongly
believe in retail therapy. So Happy Shopping 24X7! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-76795990695569500352013-04-24T12:45:00.000+05:302013-04-24T12:45:32.867+05:30Blame it on...It's been a year again, time flies and my resolution to actively blog failed. Alas! this time around I blame it on Social Media Sites and Smart Phone Technology- Facebook, Twitter, Blackberry Messenger, Skype & Whats App. They are like instant fast food, ready in two minutes, very tempting and addictive. Instant communication has become so easy and fast that my fingers are tap dancing all the time.<br />
<br />
I am hounded by my Laptop, Tab & Blackberry. They seem to follow me everywhere. Oops or is it me after them? Whatever...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftb0sg3tuK5CQZxSGZl7p5e3JYQYtyaNy98VNaqb3kvs4I8DJRMxvwd1A2cEyxtODhEjDf1NEKAjjcTSq14_lUrUxlbKrzvehji701MTONTKK_c0320jh8xHZ6qGfxWeXsniZSMw9wfnL/s1600/social+media.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftb0sg3tuK5CQZxSGZl7p5e3JYQYtyaNy98VNaqb3kvs4I8DJRMxvwd1A2cEyxtODhEjDf1NEKAjjcTSq14_lUrUxlbKrzvehji701MTONTKK_c0320jh8xHZ6qGfxWeXsniZSMw9wfnL/s320/social+media.jpg" width="320" /></a>The fun part is keeping in touch with friends and family on a regular basis by acknowledging their presence with 'Like' on their FB Status, sharing snapshots and messages instantly through Blackberry Messenger,Chat up on What's App and Skype with pals from any corner of the world and Twitter - Oh Lord, I am addicted. it keeps me updated on News around the World and an opportunity to interact and follow celebrities, like minded tweeple who are total strangers. It makes the world a really really small place. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-34218268945197415252012-10-20T21:32:00.002+05:302012-10-20T21:32:41.136+05:30US Universities Fair 2012 in Hyderabad - Linden Fairs<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<a href="http://www.lindentours.com/?page=38&id=271" target="_blank"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">US Universities Fair -HYDERABAD </span></span></a></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> Sunday, 21 October 2012</span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> Fair Time<br /> 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm</span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> Local Contact</span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Manjula Harpanahalli<br /> Tel: +91-8008988351 (10 am - 7 pm only)<br /> Email: hmanjula@yahoo.com<br /> Location:Taj Krishna,Road No. 1, Banjara Hills,Hyderabad 500034,India</span></span></h5>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-75193401422731260272012-03-23T13:53:00.018+05:302012-03-24T02:03:40.629+05:30revenir<div style="text-align: justify;">No better day than today, "Ugadi" the new year day for people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh; Gudi Padva for Maharashtrians (I am half-Kannadiga, half-Maharashtrian and living in Hyderabad,Andhra Pradesh for the past 27 years), to make a comeback to my world of blogging after 30 months...too long a time! Blame it on Facebook, Twitter & my roller coaster personal and professional life.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Excuses...excuses...excuses... No more. Truly missed being here and was itching to get back.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAvw65EPabgmPGaeVAcHG0KCwWZERshXyyO4X8AwNBprZxfYEQ9WOrcldJp0ed9aDfhyphenhyphenpNJRKAPTa9HXSbbPnW0cU01kUH-QnCRbcFamriNcZPyB5r3QgyCQd5EyvDPbEAAVSmZi6iHGX/s1600/P5290012.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAvw65EPabgmPGaeVAcHG0KCwWZERshXyyO4X8AwNBprZxfYEQ9WOrcldJp0ed9aDfhyphenhyphenpNJRKAPTa9HXSbbPnW0cU01kUH-QnCRbcFamriNcZPyB5r3QgyCQd5EyvDPbEAAVSmZi6iHGX/s200/P5290012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723141263856811730" border="0" /></a>Life's been full on, with helluva lot of changes. Last year we moved into our new home after all the hectic and tumultuous 2010. Still settling in...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84zQ4pWxUs-LhNN5aT4PwIVqF4g7c67_uK7aefFzZvci-d8t95_LhicHXUrzP1QGtiSvNLOwhUAhp1gsH4iNgunWGXl3LoDSNU0_e2N_nJl0zUqwcl-BQrX09OTkkVAnc1vLDAFP6D6MB/s1600/P6140022.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84zQ4pWxUs-LhNN5aT4PwIVqF4g7c67_uK7aefFzZvci-d8t95_LhicHXUrzP1QGtiSvNLOwhUAhp1gsH4iNgunWGXl3LoDSNU0_e2N_nJl0zUqwcl-BQrX09OTkkVAnc1vLDAFP6D6MB/s200/P6140022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723140621813256530" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoX3Rf7s-mLHPY-lTSBbsFqlh3qeHLgrgCdwvpYZY-uss-4ic8Bq05Rncn4rpbCbKyCojIe0V1iUCXny4UlB-7TahzGECWYbf68fsYgfVSLk6ys2252may_AtSuMmnhtwENtgAjDKIqGb/s1600/P6140014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoX3Rf7s-mLHPY-lTSBbsFqlh3qeHLgrgCdwvpYZY-uss-4ic8Bq05Rncn4rpbCbKyCojIe0V1iUCXny4UlB-7TahzGECWYbf68fsYgfVSLk6ys2252may_AtSuMmnhtwENtgAjDKIqGb/s200/P6140014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723140348603968866" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Over these years, some relationships have blossomed because of the unconditional love, help and trust demonstrated by the wonderful people in our lives and a few have turned sour because of some egoistic, slapdash and sardonic people ; I count both as blessings. Sour relationships, I believe is God's way of sieving the coarse unwanted stones, thus saving us from getting hurt further. I think life is precious and can be lead peacefully without complications, but it is this nagging human tendency to create complications and make lives miserable. I am in the process of learning to off load unwanted emotional baggage and take everyday as it comes. <span style="font-style: italic;">"Live and let others live with dignity and command respect, do not demand it"</span> is my favourite maxim for this season.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am truly blessed to have some fine people in my life who proved to be my spring boards to a productive professional life which keeps my faculties in-tact. I appreciate their presence, the opportunities that came my way and the cocktail experiences; syrupy, tangy and at times bland.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lVJqm6VKncwhaMilfGRddsOqgbtK7rB3iVXYKKo7qJ7lTQG7d-Og6ZNQhxeDHwnfJ0iOF4ZRfbj6g9bR1qI8bVYeTSRGyKy35NOUrnsLWq2vHFFwWYhwfz9YMNaPkhCZs1twOk6TFTND/s1600/30112011398.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lVJqm6VKncwhaMilfGRddsOqgbtK7rB3iVXYKKo7qJ7lTQG7d-Og6ZNQhxeDHwnfJ0iOF4ZRfbj6g9bR1qI8bVYeTSRGyKy35NOUrnsLWq2vHFFwWYhwfz9YMNaPkhCZs1twOk6TFTND/s200/30112011398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723161234700535602" border="0" /></a>Shared some fine moments with the lovely and dynamic Saina<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2pk0I9T-g5bXTgYZEIneAKV7qliRZhZMkBWT_t3DASzQgq8-EaM9rbbnDSxGQvv6ekER7DfGy_XdTU5C3ICaCl6AryGvrixjG7GOS3ThbfdQ-flbaTagElD8cMtPJozCDU9iPU1GBxwc/s1600/29112011379.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2pk0I9T-g5bXTgYZEIneAKV7qliRZhZMkBWT_t3DASzQgq8-EaM9rbbnDSxGQvv6ekER7DfGy_XdTU5C3ICaCl6AryGvrixjG7GOS3ThbfdQ-flbaTagElD8cMtPJozCDU9iPU1GBxwc/s200/29112011379.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723160162914912290" border="0" /></a> Nehwal. It was in 2009, to be precise August 8th, I met her for the first time, totally in awe of this young achiever. We touch base every day since then and travel together on her endorsement assignments. She is truly a gritty young lady, knows her priorities and is a very focused and dedicated sportsperson. I enjoy her funny chit chats aboard flights and in the vanity vans during her shoots.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgT6LmLCPT-cbGv3UTHnnCSwOs1oG2PiJh5wxf3JBBtrKJ0Ov26J26eHNubX_54dDITnxnd4SwSb-gS0iW3ZtJuar4bKOhS9BmP9NryGE5Kn8NMxEYqoIKeDrOnn23ZyVUhw_yBeEcU9X/s1600/P7300086.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgT6LmLCPT-cbGv3UTHnnCSwOs1oG2PiJh5wxf3JBBtrKJ0Ov26J26eHNubX_54dDITnxnd4SwSb-gS0iW3ZtJuar4bKOhS9BmP9NryGE5Kn8NMxEYqoIKeDrOnn23ZyVUhw_yBeEcU9X/s200/P7300086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723177119911882066" border="0" /></a>My family life has been spunky with my daughter's histrionics and my hubby oscillating between<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf6DhpuhIoQ3-rGajm7jKnCMs0NIS8qjAg8tJ94k_vwIsoR0U4nWZfvTRMNItxICYGCoAakAVH7AeD8Ut_8GqVOV1Ii_T_Kl_aUZWq3zgZkTWq-QpPZNnBGtZZyKTJNF4e9PLXQ-bX9hL/s1600/P7300071.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf6DhpuhIoQ3-rGajm7jKnCMs0NIS8qjAg8tJ94k_vwIsoR0U4nWZfvTRMNItxICYGCoAakAVH7AeD8Ut_8GqVOV1Ii_T_Kl_aUZWq3zgZkTWq-QpPZNnBGtZZyKTJNF4e9PLXQ-bX9hL/s200/P7300071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723176187350457410" border="0" /></a> the wifey and his girlie. Adithi is my stress buster, as well as giver, who hates me when I yell at her and wishes to punch me, whispers to her dad that "mom is over reacting, she can't be yelling like this to me", and looks suspiciously at me when I am in my best and pranky moods with her; enjoys it thoroughly and claims she loves me a lot. I kinda buy this statement! She loves our girlie-girlie whispers to tease her dad. My brother Ravi very aptly asks me over our tel cons, "What's the episode like today?", if nothing significant on any given day, then he says "Ok, it's the daily soap".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaD38X8va8-QUNEx-bYBXrplnsQcA_4D_EKPmrpYWoCMS7DKcvBTQBy4rrOiri5aLyN0OkJVLYcgBb3rEu5YKlyZ6pAbfgD4BsPAc5ppTFOGbA4n4G-MewnADZ8hgyOswac3b1UcNeLOe/s1600/P7300046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaD38X8va8-QUNEx-bYBXrplnsQcA_4D_EKPmrpYWoCMS7DKcvBTQBy4rrOiri5aLyN0OkJVLYcgBb3rEu5YKlyZ6pAbfgD4BsPAc5ppTFOGbA4n4G-MewnADZ8hgyOswac3b1UcNeLOe/s200/P7300046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723181083360655138" border="0" /></a>There is this little hero who is the center of our attention<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQqKTjGkgBLEAYu1WVcrwy71AJlKxXKLgNc6OB-HeHG7TGIGw8No1YQ6ZdMsmuFgX-0qLByP-vm_FUIGaSJV450pvJT8vg-rkG5cd1HTV8wnQkS32npyiRUojcfXSHh0WPK4Z-Y_Jwcne/s1600/349.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQqKTjGkgBLEAYu1WVcrwy71AJlKxXKLgNc6OB-HeHG7TGIGw8No1YQ6ZdMsmuFgX-0qLByP-vm_FUIGaSJV450pvJT8vg-rkG5cd1HTV8wnQkS32npyiRUojcfXSHh0WPK4Z-Y_Jwcne/s200/349.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723181914960225122" border="0" /></a> presently. Advait, my 18 month old nephew. Adithi adores him and has to see his snap and kiss it everyday, which her Ravi mama promptly posts on BBM. What a blessing this technology has been! My five year old nephew, Raghav is another live wire, like Adithi and she adores him equally. These two little fellas are truly delightful.<br /><br />The best about Facebook has been connecting with most of my childhood friends and bonding big time. It has been very emotional as well as exhilarating getting in touch with friends who you went to school with, from LKG to 10th grade; friends from college; family friends...friends...friends. More about them in my next blog. Keep in touch!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-16030005509333235172009-10-13T23:45:00.000+05:302009-10-13T23:45:27.376+05:30Symmo- A Super Guy!<div style="text-align: justify;">I had this wonderful opportunity to meet and interview Andrew Symonds, the highest paid player of Deccan Chargers and former member of the Australian Cricket Team; the so called bad boy of the cricketing world. My knowledge of Symmo was about his famous clash with Harbhajan Singh, his drinking habits, his fishing expeditions and what not! This was what I had read in the newspapers and watched on television. Anyway, I had not formed any opinion about him and went to meet this towering tall, very talented, and famous cricketer for the first time. My request to him was to give his fans a message. He added a bit of humour to our brief conversation . The second time I met him after a couple of days, was for a more formal interview .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Symmo came on dot to the venue and was polite and very cooperative. He sat on his chair and popped a Wrigley's bubble gum in his mouth. The day before some newspapers had carried photographs of Symmo distributing Wrigley's Bubble gums to Children from an orphanage at one of the Wrigley's and Deccan Chargers Event.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-qJQRJSCeTR8g-8ue_6WH71P_HXOtyX5ablqUvsyF9ujZHFa8zMd-ATNgSfpOy67JBKL0wW1zYto8qt4f9IvfSiL3qPPtKN5wqERLhC0nm0H5LV4_fOPtW5zoRGEALIK5n6YUY9jtrZA/s1600-h/PA040062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-qJQRJSCeTR8g-8ue_6WH71P_HXOtyX5ablqUvsyF9ujZHFa8zMd-ATNgSfpOy67JBKL0wW1zYto8qt4f9IvfSiL3qPPtKN5wqERLhC0nm0H5LV4_fOPtW5zoRGEALIK5n6YUY9jtrZA/s320/PA040062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392149013355261490" border="0" /></a>Symmo was requested by the video photographer <a href="http://www.directproductions.co.uk/">Julian</a><a href="http://www.directproductions.co.uk/"> Dismore</a>, not to chew the gum as it wouldn't look appropriate on screen. Symmo immediately agreed and disposed it. As a warm up, exercise, Julian casually spoke about the nice flavour of the gum, etc and I too added, they were good as they had different flavours, and how kids love them and I continued saying my daughter too likes them and I will take some for her. We then started off with the regular questions and Symmo answered them extremely well .<br /><br /><br />After the interview, I was waiting in the lobby of the hotel with a colleague and I saw Symmo walk by and after a few minutes he walked back and I was sitting alone at that moment. He quickly walked towards me and handed over an envelope and said these are for your daughter! I was pleasantly shocked! And before I said thanks, he was gone. Wow! what a sweet gesture from this man who is publicized as a bad boy of the cricketing world. I am glad to have experienced the very humane and wonderful side of Symmo, the dynammo...my title for this hulk.<br /><br />I am a Symmo fan! My daughter, Adithi too is...she loves him.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-70965837252813402322009-10-02T19:30:00.000+05:302009-10-02T19:30:28.530+05:30Remembering Mom...<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXQQ6ixCzJ9I6hu6U0ZtEgKIO04JTQoao-7_unvF5SVGlMIXRi55TcEXf75HWrIu_3aTbhoh2ylBRbI6vS-9_-x5DIad72aPXV_bcJmaU_YTcJEnEXXSJ4fTBvoFIUleQ18slY7Mt_j3_/s1600-h/ThoseDays3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXQQ6ixCzJ9I6hu6U0ZtEgKIO04JTQoao-7_unvF5SVGlMIXRi55TcEXf75HWrIu_3aTbhoh2ylBRbI6vS-9_-x5DIad72aPXV_bcJmaU_YTcJEnEXXSJ4fTBvoFIUleQ18slY7Mt_j3_/s320/ThoseDays3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387973188745810146" border="0" /></a>I miss you mom. I miss my daily telephonic conversations with you. I miss your ever cheerful voice. I miss your encouraging words. I miss your hugs. I miss your criticism. I miss your physical presence. I miss your prayers for our well being... But you are alive in my memories, heart and mind. A year has gone, but it seems yesterday I bid you farewell! I love you mom.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Having lost my dad very early taught me my first lesson in interpersonal communication. As a kid, I was in awe of my dad. Though we were close, I still maintained a distance, spoke little out of respect and sometimes out of fear. We were taught to speak carefully to elders, no back answers, no tantrums, etc. In the process, there were some positive aspects, like my creative side, my feelings for him, my thoughts that went unsaid. I still regret having not shared my feelings with dad.<br /><br />Since then, I have given a lot of importance to sharing my positive thoughts , experiences and feelings with family, relatives and friends. I value communication, networking and connecting which I think, makes us more human.<br /><br />As a Psychologist and Counsellor, I have encountered kids who find it frustrating having parents who are uncommunicative and overly occupied with their work life; kids who actually have no clue of their parent's work profile. One instance I remember vividly , the frustrating face of a student who went to attend the visa interview at the US Consulate and was rejected visa as he stood dumb, when asked about his dad's work profile. It was because he had no clue about what his dad actually did at the work place. And the student felt remorseful and angry about his dad for being aloof and non communicative.<br /><br />There are instances where kids complain of parents who hardly spend any time with them, in the name of heavy work load and often are subject to the standard speech, "I am doing all this for you, your comfort etc". Most of the kids loathe it. Some kids find it convenient having a parent, specifically dad, away from home as long as their materialistic needs are fulfilled. They don't want to be policed. It is really a sad situation.<br /><br />I am glad, my dad exposed me to his work environment. He was a mining engineer at Hutti Gold Mines in Karnataka State. He always encouraged learning. I spent fourteen years at this small and cozy place, since my birth. Hutti and my childhood memories of the place, have a special significance in my life. Those wonderful memories and people have resurfaced in recent times. I credit the Internet and social media networking sites for this.<br /><br />I am an avid blogger and active <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6InraMfaVfuSBPINNCg7qrCajUpxm2_WCIfdeMSLuOi2kaOBkFPka8Sm5lbJh0j3MjtrKP0jk_c3hdRfFx8btj6Wix1Mb2VfVVcLNQrHO-aUkbATQuY3UpPTFVIq5vPTfAnkjefPSxdb3/s1600-h/ThoseDays4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6InraMfaVfuSBPINNCg7qrCajUpxm2_WCIfdeMSLuOi2kaOBkFPka8Sm5lbJh0j3MjtrKP0jk_c3hdRfFx8btj6Wix1Mb2VfVVcLNQrHO-aUkbATQuY3UpPTFVIq5vPTfAnkjefPSxdb3/s320/ThoseDays4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387974469016601538" border="0" /></a>on Facebook. My write-up about my mom on this blog, surprisingly, had friends who knew my parents and were not in touch for years, messaging me here and conveying wonderful things about them, which I did not know or instances that had just faded away from my memory. It is indeed a feel good factor!<br /><br />Facebook has got me in touch with my childhood friends and people from our Hutti days. The old photographs posted on Facebook, transports you back to those golden days. Again, these are people who knew my parents and remembered such minute details about them. One of them described how pretty my mom looked when she first arrived in Hutti as a bride and also the colour of saree she wore for the wedding reception at the Hutti officers' Club. This event took place in 1969, 40 years ago! These are emotional and mind blowing moments for me. I feel blessed for having such wonderful parents. They were <span style="font-style: italic;">karmayogis</span> in the true sense. They lived short but meaningful lives.<br /><br />Don't shy away from sharing your feelings, experiences, achievements, concerns and thoughts from your loved ones. Let's share good things about our lives and keep in touch!<br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462995147529444472.post-9905742661780451992009-09-08T15:58:00.003+05:302009-09-08T16:48:19.955+05:30Lesson in Labour Management<div style="text-align: justify;">I am reading the English adaptation of the original Marathi book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Shri Sai Satcharita - The Wonderful Life and Teachings of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba</span> , by Govind Raghuanath Dabholkar alias 'Hemadpant' for the fourth time.<br /><br />Each time I read, I find something new and relevant. Today I was surprised to find a piece on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Labour Management</span> in the Chapter XVIII & XIX. The Sadguru appeared like a management guru to me. See how relevant, are the teachings of Sai Baba! It is very important for us to learn and implement the same in our daily lives, than just going to the temple and prostrating before him. Here, Baba's teachings regarding <span style="font-weight: bold;">self-behaviour, slander and remuneration of labour</span> is highlighted.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Baba's Advice regarding our Behaviour:</span><br />The following words of Baba are of general welfare and invaluable. If they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will always do you good. "Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away but receive them well, and treat them with due respect. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give but do not bark at him like a dog.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slanderer Condemned:</span><br />Sai Baba required no special place nor any special time for giving instructions. Whenever an occasion demanded, He gave them freely. Once it so happened that, a Bhakta of Baba, reviled someone behind his back before other people. On leaving aside merits , he dwelt on the faults of his brother and spoke so sarcastically that, the hearers were disgusted. Generally we see that, people have a tendency to scandalize others un-necessarily and this brings on ill-feelings. Saints see scandal in another light. They say there are various ways of cleansing or removing dirt, viz. by means of water and soap etc, but a scandal monger has got a way of his own. He removes the dirt (faults) of others by his tongue, so in a way, he obliges the person, whom he relives and for this he is to be thanked. Sai Baba has his own method of correcting the scandal-monger. Baba pointed out to him a pig, that was eating filth near the fence and said to him, "Behold, how, with what relish it is gulping filth. Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart's content. After performing many deeds of merit you are born as a human and if you act like this, how can Shirdi help you in any way?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Remuneration for Labour:</span><br />Baba said that, "nobody should take the labour of others in vain. The worker should be paid his dues promptly and liberally." If the principal taught by Baba, be followed, i.e. if the remuneration for labour be paid promptly and satisfactorily, the labourers will turn out better and both the labourers and their employers will be profited, and there will be no room for lockouts and strikes, no ill feeling between labour and capital.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Allah Maalik - Peace be to all</span><br /></div><br /><script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type="text/javascript"></script></div><script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer">Readers, your comments are welcome! Please post them on the blog.</div>Manjulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619186239694047785noreply@blogger.com0