Necessity is the mother of invention...

Idea Credit: Prashant Bhandare

They say necessity is the mother of invention, it's when we need something badly and it's not available at the moment our creativity works best in arranging the required thing. 

Like Vasco Da Gama discovered sea route to continue trade links when land routes were closed, here's our tripod while we didn't have the tripod handy to capture the sunrise at Fort Kochi.

Experience Bengaluru: KR Market (Chickpet)

Aerial view of the flower market

KR Market.. especially the flower market is one of the offbeat things to do during your stay in Namma Bengaluru. The KR Market has it's own charm while the people all over Bengaluru come in the early hours of the day to purchase items for their business may it be flowers, veggies, fruits or groceries. KR Market is the hub for all such things in Bengaluru.

Why did I end up in KR Market?
Past few weeks we had not done any travel and have been claustrophobic staying within the house during the weekend. So, we thought of an early morning photography plan at KR Market. Though we did not make it that early...Since we went on a Sunday morning, the market wasn't that crowded and no important functions in Bangalore or that would have been a pleasure to observe people carrying out their business. I love watching people from the the first or second floor of the flower market. 

There's nothing much I think of telling about KR Market. It's an experience visiting the busy and main market of any town and KR Market is one of such markets in Bengaluru. Few of my clicks from yesterdays market visit:

Loved the way they've arranged Mogra and Abboli (Firecracker Flower)

Seeing an STD booth after long, they still exist here

Din't know they make it ready to wear :D

Friday Gyan: The missing watch

Story:
There once was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch because it had sentimental value for him.

After searching high and low among the hay for a long while; he gave up and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside the barn. He promised them that the person who found it would be rewarded.

Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn, went through and around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch. Just when the farmer was about to give up looking for his watch, a little boy went up to him and asked to be given another chance. 

The farmer looked at him and thought, "Why not? After all this kid looks sincere enough." So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand! The farmer was both happy and surprised and so he asked the boy how he succeeded where the rest had failed.

The boy replied, "I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of the watch and just looked for in that direction."

Moral:
A peaceful mind can think better than a worked up mind. Allow a few minutes of silence to your mind every day, and see, how sharply it helps you to set your life the way you expect it to be!

Wedding Moments: Kilangi (Kalgi)

Wedding shopping isn't easy and especially considering the extreme summer all over India, there’s no way the bride and groom would want to roam all over the markets and malls for the wedding garments and accessories. So why not buy reliable products online? Through my blog, I try my bit to help everyone in locating the accessories required during the wedding. We have done extensive research before buying each and everything taking ample time and energy until we are satisfied with the product.

Kalgi or Kilangi is honored by the girl’s family to the groom as a royal mark of honor which is to be worn on the Turban, Pagdi, Safa or Pheta.  While we were searching the Kalgi, we found mostly poor quality or uninteresting patterns both online and in the stores. Even Manyawar did not have varieties. After browsing a lot, I found one distributor whose products seemed to be of good quality and I found those products on Flipkart and few other online sites. But to my hard luck, the Kalgi’s of my choice were out of stock. The product I’m referring to is from Orniza also earlier referred as The Art Jewellery.  

I liked the Kilangi and I tried to find details of the distributor and to my good luck, after posting an enquiry at The Art Jewellery website, I got a prompt response from them on my email. I contacted on the number listed on the website and Jilesh spoke to me and he whatsapp’ed me with the images of the Kalgi’s which was available with him. And they were good ones on which I get few things customized in minutes time. Few whatsapp images, a phone call, and with some quick fixes the Kalgi was ready to be shipped. The Kalgi was to be shipped from Mumbai to Bangalore, I made the payment online through Orniza link which Jilesh provided and in an hour’s time I received a message from Jilesh with the shipment reference number and the next day I had the product at my home. That was real quick. The prompt response from Jilesh and team from Orniza and their customer service made me write to honorable review. Of course, the quality of Kalgi for the price paid is worthwhile.

Kalgi options shared by Jilesh

Few things to keep in mind while shopping for Kilangi:

• The Kilangi’s can be pierced or pinned on the turban. Always check behind the Kilangi if they can pierced as the Kilangi’s will be heavy and it will not hold tight if it is pinned through safety pin.

• Ensure the needles are sharp which can be pricked onto the turban.

• Try to judge the quality of the metal through the pictures if shopping online. If it is very cheaper than the other, obviously the quality of the studded stones and metal will not be good.
• Prefer Silver with gold coating Kalgi’s which can long for years.

Note: I was not paid to write this review, this review is purely based on my experience and goodwill to Orniza.

Mangalore: How to pay MESCOM electricity online?

Finally Mangalore is getting digital though at snail’s pace it’s changing for better. Rain or Sun, now Mangaloreans does not have to think of walking or travelling to KEB (MESCOM) or any bill collection points to pay the bill. You can do it through your finger tips and keep a track of the electricity usage and bill payment details online. All you have to do is, follow the simple procedure below to register your MESCOM account and pay the bills hassle free.

Prerequisites:

• Working internet connection ;)
• Account ID – Account ID is a 10 Digit number printed on your electricity bill. The matter on the electricity bill is not aligned properly, so the digit number which is printed below the RR number is your Account ID.
  
• MESCOM URL - https://www.mescom.org.in/SCP/Myhome.aspx

Step 1: Click on the MESCOM URL and the page redirects you to the MESCOM Portal.Step 2: Click on Click here to Register link to register your account.

Step 3: Enter the Account ID and enter the Captcha code.

Step 4: Click Continue. Step 5: Verify the Personal Information. The name and address to which the meter is registered is displayed along with the Sub Division.



Step 6: Enter the Residence and/or mobile number and the email address.
Step 7: In Create a User Name and Password section, select the checkbox if you would like to keep the email address as your User ID and enter the password, re-confirm the password.
If you would like a separate User ID, enter the desired User ID,  enter the password and re-confirm the password.
Step 8: In Your Security Information section, enter the area pin code, Date of Birth, and select and answer a security question.
Step 9: Select the Terms and Conditions checkbox and click Register.
Successful account creation will take you to the Account Summary page.

You can View or Pay bill using the MESCOM Online portal. Along with these services, you can view the Billing and Payment History along with other services.

To pay the bill online, click on Pay Bill link.

Step 10: Select the Account ID, click on Terms and Conditions checkbox and click Make Payment.
The Payment Channel page is invoked.
Step 11: Select the Payment Channel and click on Pay Now.
This will take you to the Bill Desk Page, where you can enter the online banking details and complete the transaction.


Alternatively, you can pay the bills online without registering from the following location:
https://www.mescom.org.in/SCP/MyAccount/QuickPayment.aspx

You should be knowing your 10 digit account number to make the online payment without registering at MESCOM.

In case you have any trouble with the online transactions, you can contact the Customer Care at: 18004251917

Friday Gyan: Shake it off and step up

PC: Prashant Bhandare

Story:
This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!

This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...Shake it off and step up...Shake it off and step up...!" He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

Moral:
THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity...the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us! So whatever has happened in your life and whatever is going on right now, try to SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP...

http://cutemorningalways.blogspot.in/2015/03/friday-gyan-5-shake-it-off-and-step-up.html

Happy Women's Day!

Women...You’ve Got Everything To Take The World In Your Stride

Few flicks of the women of substance. #OneDayIWill see that there is no gender stereotyping, discrimination of any sort between the two genders - Men or Women.  #HappyWomen'sDay

Happy Women's Day!!!

Friday Gyan: Patience and Persistence

When we are demotivated, a little positive push is required. Here's the Friday Gyan to keep you all motivated. Be motivated and motivate others.

PC: Prashant Bhandare

Story:
In an Indian temple, when the priest had gone for lunch, the Idol of the Lord and the Stepping Stone (stone used as a step) were conversing. 

Stepping Stone: What a good fate you have. We both were the same lump of rock for millions of years. The sculptor carved an idol out of you and everyone is worshipping you. Look at me, I am a stepping stone and every one stands on me and stamps on. What kind of life is this?

The Idol kept smiling and never bothered to answer this now and then routine murmur from the stepping stone. But the stepping stone will never stop his constant bickering.

The Idol replied: But do you remember that when the sculptor set out to carve an idol, it was you he chose, first. You were so impatient. In one strike, you broke into two. But when he tried on me, I grinned and bore all the hammers and chisel strikes with PATIENCE. Here I am the worshipful and happy Idol and you are the Stepping Stone.

Moral:
The difference between success and failure is patience and persistence!

World Wildlife Day!

Today’s World Wildlife Day! 

Conserve nature and protect wildlife, making them comfortable in their environment. Few days back in Bangalore, there was an entry of Leopard into a school or vice versa there was a school in the Leopard’s environment. In the last few years Bangalore is developing drastically resulting in destroying the forest, cutting down the trees; moreover we have scorching hot summer, no rainfall, absolutely no winter in the last few years.

Wildlife, they need their environment and isn't it our responsibility to conserve nature bit by bit? 

PC: Prashant Bhandare

#FlipkartOutdoors - IndiMeet at MangoMist Resort

#FlipkartOutdoors - Last month, I was active on IndiBlogger and that's the reason I was able to register for the IndiMeet, coz IndiBlogger was smart enough not to send an email invite about the meet. ;) After attending the #FlipkartImageSearch IndiMeet at HRC, Bangalore I did not want to miss the blogger event. One for networking with the fellow bloggers and two Flipkart always has so much to give and three it's my first IndiBlogger Outdoors meet.

Here it begins, on 20th February Saturday morning we left early following the Google maps and it suggested an easy route through Electronic city - but it did not advise about the narrow roads. We reached venue on time, this time we had a mobile reporting through IndiBlogger and it was cool. They just had to scan the QR Code from our IndiPass and we receive a welcome message on our registered mobile. We also got time to time updates about the meet over the phone. Jai Ho technology. We then collected our wrist band and headed for the breakfast. The breakfast was decent considering there were two huge teams, 125+ IndiBloggers and a huge family team outing from one of the IT companies (Lucky they). 

After breakfast, our activities begin. Anoop as usual lively and energetic briefs us through the events of the day, continued by Vineet's hilarious warm up exercise. We were then divided into 7 groups and we dispersed to different Flipkart partners' counters. They were from Garmin, Samsung, Red Chief Mens shoes, Polaroid, AltecLansing, Sony,  and Coleman. We spent quality time understanding the products they had to offer, trying the devices, verifying and providing feedback if the device did not work well. 

Garmin - Our first visit was to Garmin counter where they had spread various Garmin Fitness Bands, we tried them and one of us were handed the device to test the features for rest of the day. The Garmin Fitness Bands are awesome and pocket friendly. The Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band which we tried monitors your moments and record your calories, heart rate, sleep with lot of easy to use features. And it's sleek and adjustable any wrist size. 

Samsung - A well known brand in India, who wouldn't want to own these smartwatches. They had variety of smartwatch collections with different price range obvious that a little heavy on the wallet but the features are awesome and reliable. It's a must buy for a fitness freak and one wouldn't regret buying Samsung smart watches.

Red Chief - They had variety of corporate casual shoes on display, cool shoes, we girls couldn't try them as it was manufactured on for men. So men's had an add on during the #FlipkartOutdoors.

Polaroid - Polaroid counter seemed cool to me, I was reminded of the olden days when they used to take the instant photographs after seeing Polaroid ZIP Zink Photoprinter. I'm sure I'm going to own this soon. 

Another cool device they had and the USP of the outdoor event was their Polaroid Cube, an apt device for your Outdoor ventures. They had a variety of add-on accessories to support the cube they were Helmet Mount, Body Strap, Monkey Stand, Tripod Mount, Waterproof case, Bumper case, and Bicycle mount. When we visited the counter only accessories left was the body strap, however, I tried them on my hand and I was able to shoot the action videos. It's a cool device, shock proof and easy to use having just one button for all actions.

AltecLansing - Altec Lancing Mini LifeJacket Wireless Speakers and Altec Lancing Bluetooth Active Earbuds were stealing the show. They were pouring water on the bluetooth speaker and the music still playing uninterrupted. This demonstrated that the device is apt for outdoor activities on any condition rain or shine. There was a contest for Altec Lancing Bluetooth Active Earbuds, they claimed that the gadget would not fall out from the ears with any kind of body moments. But our adventurous bloggers made sure to shake their heads as much as they can to drop the earphones down.

Coleman - Any outdoor adventure wouldn't be complete without the Coleman products. They had the Coolers, Tents which are easy to assemble, Quad chairs, and lot of takeaway for the winners like water bottles, head torch, tiffin boxes and so on. Each team had to participate in assembling the tent, Prashant's team won as they were able to assemble in 90 seconds. 

My team assembling the tent

Victory: Look at the satisfaction after entering the tent what we assembled

Sony - Sony action cam, one of the best during the #FlipkartOutdoors. They were rough and tough in the action camera category, also waterproof. I'll have you decide on the Sony action cam features seeing the video shot by Prashant Bhandare here:

After the entire product demo, real fun begins with the activities lined up at the Mango Mist resort. We tried Bamboo walking, hilarious land zorbing, paintball activities, and to end with a relaxing fish spa and the mist dance. Thank you #IndiBlogger and #FlipkartOutdoors, you rock.

P.S: Thank you #Flipkart for the coupons on #FlipkartImageSearch contest.

Wedding Moments: Silver Anklets – One of the sixteen adornments

PC: Nithin Suvarna

Jewellery is something that has to do with emotion.

That aspect of jewellery really interests me. - Ann Demeulemeester

Anklets (Payal in Hindi) is one of the sixteen adornments (Solah Shringar) of an Indian bride. I always believe that there’s some reasoning in  Indian beliefs so here’s a transcript of my understanding about wearing silver anklets. I’ve referred many blogs or website’s from where I got this information and translating as per my understanding.

Majority of women wear silver anklets and I believe this is the right metal to wear on your ankle. People say by wearing silver anklets one’s energy is not wasted and re-vibrated back to one’s own body. The wind chime like effect of the anklets might be the reason and Silver is a good conductor of energy and work as a mediator between the two forms of energy, earth and human body, it makes a woman more energetic while sending the negative energy to earth.

Anklets improve the womb, reproductive system, stomach, liver, and the feet. Women usually are involved in a lot of work more than men, who have to do a lot of running around or have to work standing up wear heavy anklets as it increases activeness.

Wedding Photography by: Dreamframes, Balmatta, Mangalore

Friday Gyan: Poisoning Mother-in-law

PC: Prashanthe Bhandare

During Lunch Break, Mother in Law will be the centre of attraction in my office cafeteria. And the ladies everywhere find so much joy in venting out their frustration by cribbing over the lunch. Somehow, they need to take this out. I've even witnessed words like I want to kill her but I don't want to go to jail kind of statements and my mother in law somehow wants to get rid of me but she doesn't know how to kind of statements. Well, they don't mean it but this is the level of frustration with them. Well, it's kind of entertainment for us who are not privileged to stay with our Mother in laws. We have a good laugh. 

Since, I used to share weekly Friday Gyan's earlier and now being intermittent with these gyan's, here's this weeks Friday Gyan dedicated to all those ladies. Enjoy the gyan:

Poisoning Mother-in-law

Story:
Long time ago in China, a girl named Li-Li got married and went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn’t get along with her mother-in-law at all. Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law’s habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly.

Moreover, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing the poor husband great distress. Unable to stand her mother-in-law’s bad temper and dictatorship Li-Li decided to see her father’s good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs. She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all. Mr. Huang thought for a while, and finally said, “Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you.”. Lily nodded and accepted his request.

Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, “I am giving you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. To avoid suspicion, you must act very friendly towards her. Don’t argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen.”

Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to plan her plot. Weeks went by, months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper, obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother. After six months, the whole household had changed.

Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She never had an argument in six months with her mother-in-law, who now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with. The mother-in-law’s attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love her like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law one could ever find. They both were treating each other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li’s husband was very happy to see all this.

Li-Li started feeling bad about poisoning her. So she went to see Mr. Huang to ask his help once again. She said, “Mr. Huang, please help me to stop the poison from killing my mother-in-law! She’s changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her.”

Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. “Li-Li, there’s nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her.”

Moral:
We take quick and random decisions in life based on our prejudices and judgments, most of which we end up regretting later and wish if we could not have done them. Letting go of a negative attitude, however hard it may be, can help us turn things around better down the line. Always keep a positive attitude and a proper state of mind while you take important decisions in your life. And remember to treat people with love and care because you always get treated by the way you treat others... 

Originally posted in my other blog: http://cutemorningalways.blogspot.in/2016/02/friday-gyan-13-poisoning-mother-in-law.html