Demystifying mysteries

Demystifying Mysteries

Mysteries have always enthralled us. It has always been the suspense in a story that makes a book unputdownable. Similarly, the mysterious climax of a movie is what enchants cine-goers.

Mystery is a preferred genre of most of the bookworms or film-goers. Perhaps it is the element of curiosity in fictional works that gets us excited. Since mysteries provide us a break from our daily mundane activities, many of us get attracted to it. Or, maybe because many readers love to solve a mystery.

It is difficult to pinpoint any particular reason.

But I do understand that hadn’t mystery been an aspect of our lives, life would have been plain boring. Mysteries are a rollercoaster in our lives as they fill us with thrill. We do not know when the plot will take a twist and throw the readers to the side.

This fascinating, attention-grabbing world of mystery isn’t limited to just fiction. Our universe too is full of mysteries. 

There have been strange incidents that keep boggling our mind. Many questions often pester us. Are UFOs real? Are ghosts a reality?

Mystery fictions pique our curiosity, while we rarely pay much attention to the non-fictional mysteries. How many of us have Googled the Bermuda Triangle, the Taos Hum or even about the Voynich Manuscript?

Though we fancy being surrounded with mysteries and love finding solutions to them, we do not prefer pondering on the mysteries of the world.

And, that remains a mystery to me.

(Published in The Gulf Today on October 8, 2016)

Home sweet home

What do you choose?

A house. A home. Two simple words. Considered synonymous. However, they carry different meanings. A house is made of brick and mortar but a home is made of hopes and dreams. We all know that, don’t we?

But I would dare to disagree. I think a house is not different from a home. At least not in the modern world.

Don’t get me wrong!

A house is supposed to protect us from elements, while a home is where happiness is nurtured. 

Therefore, a house is a house until a family starts living in it. Our love for each other, our hopes and aspiration, our care and concern for each other transforms a house into a home – sweet home, in fact.

But the sweet homes were built long before the modern gadgets were introduced. People used to live together and make merry with their family until electronic gadgets came in vogue. Earlier family was a priority. Now it appears that a home is nothing more than a house thanks to television and smartphone.

At dinner table we interact with our friends and colleagues through smartphone and, in turn, we tend to ignore our family members sitting around us at the dinner table. Our guests too start fiddling with gadgets rather than conversing with their host. And hosts don’t mind as if it has become a kind of norm.

I have noticed that the rise of the smartphone has created a nasty dent in the world called family. Now a sweet home is turning into a house without people realising it.

The warmth and love one used to feel sitting with one’s family beside the hearth during the freezing nights, hearing the peaceful crackle of the burning fire is no longer found in many houses.

Let’s find out ways to change our ways and work hard to convert a house into a home. Then only we’ll be able to sings songs like: “Home! Sweet Home!” or “Country Roads Take Me Home.”

(Published in The Gulf Today on October 1, 2016)

Let’s say grace – together

Let's Say Grace - Together

How many of us spend dinnertime interacting with our family members? I don’t think many of us do.

Since the evolution of mobile phones and the rise of the Internet, we have started paying less attention to our family members – even when they’re sitting just next to us.

During supper, we prefer to check the latest comment on our post on Facebook or watch our favourite daily soap – soaking in tears or laughing our hearts out – instead of sharing our day’s experience with our siblings and elders.

Doing so we enjoy ourselves, don’t we? Many of us feel keeping ourselves busy with electronic gadgets is the best way to relax. 

However, I don’t think it’s the best way to unwind. I prefer indulging in small talk at the dinner table waiting for the dinner to be served, and later praising the culinary skills of my mom or grandma. 

During the course of meal, we discuss a range of topics. These conversations help me to connect with our family and understand the world around me.  

I have noticed some parents set up their children in front of the television as a bribe for finishing their dinner. In my opinion, this is an unsavoury trend that parents need to avoid.

I wonder if the parents in question ponder the pros and cons of their action. Being a couch potato can have an adverse effect on children’s physical and emotional well-being.

On the contrary, when children spend time interacting with their parents, siblings and elders at the dinner table, it lifts their mood and brings about a lot of good behavioural and attitudinal changes. 

Light-hearted conversations at the dinner table boost children’s mental capabilities. They develop personality and even improve our vocabulary.

When the menu consists of delicious dishes and candid conversations – instead of a meal with free tickets to the “cartoon-world” – it can do wonders for physiological and emotional health of both parents and their kiddos.

However, children need to be respectful of their parents in order to get maximum benefits of dinnertime conversations. And, yes, parents should be engaging and supportive, rather than being intrusive, restrictive and judgemental.

So from now onwards, let’s gather at the dinner table and say grace – together.

(Published in The Gulf Today on September 24, 2016)

Rise of selfies

Hold your smartphone at a perfect angle, select the filter, put on your best pose ... and click!

Capturing a selfie is a piece of cake, isn’t it?

The art of taking selfies is probably the only art that almost the entire world has mastered. It has gained lots of practitioners in recent years.

Seriously, lots...

On Instagram alone, more than 30 million posts are just selfies. From celebrities to national leaders to regular folks - everyone is fond of selfies.

So, it didn’t come to me as a surprise that “Selfie” was declared the 2013 Word of the Year by the Oxford Dictionaries. But despite its popularity, selfies leave both positive and negative impact on its fans.

It has been observed that selfies boost self-confidence. However, they might even lead to narcissistic tendencies.

Selfies have the potential to improve our self-esteem. But, we should watch out for associating our self-confidence with the positive comments and “likes” that we earn upon posting selfies on social networking sites.

Some believe that selfies help teenagers develop their own identity. But don’t you think that the process of clicking and uploading selfies, which were meant to be casually taken photographs, becomes an addiction for teens, thanks to various social media apps?

I don’t know whether a selfie creates an identity, but it can take someone’s life.

Danny Bowman was one of the victims of this craze. The selfie-obsessed teenager almost committed suicide. Thankfully, his mother got there on time.

He was depressed. But, why? He could not get a perfect selfie after having spent 10 hours. Reportedly, he used to click 200 selfies every day. Mamma mia!

Often, people become oblivious to their surroundings while clicking selfies. A girl fell off a cliff into the sea while taking selfies in Mumbai. Selfies even caused several holiday-makers to fall at the popular Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Like everything in life, selfies too have their own pros and cons. So, indulge in some selfie fun, but be on your guard against its adverse effects.

I must confess that I take one or two selfies once in a while. Still I’m not a “SelfiNatic!”

(Published in The Gulf Today on September 17, 2016)

Take care of your bear

Most of us have spent at least a part of our childhood with teddy bears. No other toy could replace the warmth and affection radiated by a teddy.

Sleeping with the teddy bear. Cuddling on the couch with it. Talking to it like it’s your best friend.

Do you still have that charming toy with you?

If you do, then take it out, give it a proper makeover and go out with it while sharing interesting stories of your life with it. And thank this loyal companion for the company throughout your journey of childhood, for comforting you and for providing your childhood with immense fun.

And, don’t forget to apologise to it for all the rough experiences it went through when you were a child.

For Sept.9 is Teddy Bears Day.



The teddy bear was apparently developed by toymakers Morris Michtom in the US and Richard Steiff in Germany simultaneously in the early years of the 20th century.

And if the teddy bear has managed to survive for more than a century, that is because it has an appealing charisma.

This stuffed toy has even become the hero of children’s books. An iconic children’s toy, celebrated in stories, songs, and films. A companion to Mr Bean, a joyful character as Winnie the Pooh and as a living creature in the stories of Enid Blyton.

And above all, a best friend to you.

This charming creature has watched you all through its life silently and listened to your complaints without any say, it is time you understand its feelings. It definitely needs a better place to live than being left in a dusty corner of your house.

Take care of your bear, just like it did when you were a child.

(Published in The Gulf Today on September 10, 2016)

Make a difference

Ever helped a street beggar? Ever prayed for the unfortunate ones? Ever joined a fundraising drive for the differently abled? Ever... and so it continues.

But thinking about it, I realised that such small charitable acts give us heartfelt satisfaction.

A few days back, determined for a brisk walk, I came out of my apartment. The street was broadly lit. The breeze, caressing my face, invited me for the fantastic walk and the gratifying views. The mood was thus set.

Though the walk was pleasurable, it was pretty uneventful. All until my eyes fell on the latest issue of well-known British magazine,         Shortlist, displayed at the newsstand.

This issue was priced at Dh1. It was considered your contribution towards the betterment of the poor and needy.

One dirham. Not exactly special. You could have lost it while returning home. Or probably misplaced it among other things and you wouldn’t care much.

So why would a dirham be of so much importance? How could it possibly satisfy the people craving for food?

Think a dirham isn’t much? What if these single dirhams are collected together to create a huge sum? It would help those who lack even the basic requirements of life.

Thinking about the magazine’s initiative, I was pleased that many citizens of the world are still considerate about others. However, it would be better if everyone, not just a select few, paid attention to such things.

If all those walking on this earth, inhaling its oxygen and eating from it would do this, then they all can repay the favour bestowed by Mother Nature on them by bringing a smile to the faces of their co-citizens.

One should simply take an initiative.

(Published in The Gulf Today on September 3, 2016)

Role reversal

Last week, India erupted into celebrations as two of the brightest women earned Olympic medals while an Indian man won a beauty pageant.

Sounds ironic, isn’t it?

But that’s the truth.

On the one hand, Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu were receiving accolades for their victory in the Rio Olympics. On the other hand, Rohit Khandelwal was being cheered for winning the beauty pageant and earning the title, “Mister World 2016.”

“The times they are a-changin’...” as was once sung by Bob Dylan.

And in a country, where men usually returned with Olympic medals and women won beauty pageants, times have definitely changed.

These days, I have noticed many women searching for jobs in male-dominated careers while men are seeking “pink-collared jobs.”

A few days back, I met a man who was considering to start his own babysitting business. There are talks about many men who wish to stay “house-husbands” while their wives are out working.

On the other hand, women have proved their worth in sports once open only for male, such as wrestling and cricket. Recently, three women cadets of the Indian Air Force broke the barriers to etch their names in the history books, as they became the first women fighter pilots, a field once considered a male domain.

I had often noticed this interchange of roles but disregarded it.

But now that the victors have brought it back to my notice, I realise that the society has also changed along with time.

Where once people were discouraged and criticised for choosing professions dominated by opposite gender, they are now being supported and encouraged to go in for the same.

I wonder what changes we will get to see in the future!

(Published in The Gulf Today on August 27, 2016)

Let us be

We all are witness to the fact that one of the favourite pastimes of our elders is to point out negatives in us.

Agreed? If yes, let’s move ahead.

Socrates was in the habit of criticising the youth of his time. Yet the generation produced Plato, an equally great philosopher. Remarkably, Plato too criticised the younger generation of his time. But his generation produced Aristotle, a disciple of Plato. 

Aristotle, like his teacher, condemned the youth. However, Alexander the Great, who conquered a large part of the world, belonged to the same generation. 

Hilarious, isn’t it?

Here Bertrand Russell, one of the foremost philosophers of the 20th century, sees a pattern. The elderly have a tendency to berate the youth of their times. And they do it with great relish.

My grandfather often told me how he and his cousins were condemned by their senior relatives for slightest mistakes. My father too shared with me how his uncles used to lecture him.

Even today, our elders spare no chance to pontificate. Behave yourself. Rise early. Speak properly. Be the best in the classroom, brightest in the playground and smartest in the street.

As if...

People look down on our generation because we use WhatsApp and Facebook to communicate with family and friends. We write emails, instead of letters.

However, our elders should realise that our generation is using modern technologies. We also write a letter. And some of us write beautiful letters. Yes, the medium has been changed. We no longer use a pen and a paper. We shoot an email.

Sometimes my schoolmates and I get fed up with the rant: “hamarey zamaney mein to yeh hota tha” (Our times were so different).

As a matter of fact, every successive generation breaks free from the past. And creates a new path for themselves. This is how our civilisation moves forward and scales new heights. 

After all, there was a time when “mail-runners” used to dart to distant places delivering letters. Later, “post riders” (postal delivery system by horse-riders) were introduced and the population started to use them for communication. People stopped using these modes of communication once postal services came into trend. 

In fact, we try to adopt new modes, modern technologies and fresh ideas just like our forefathers did before in their own way.

So let us be. We won’t let you down.

We need to realise that our survival depends on how smartly we adapt. We have to move on with time and technology!

(Published in The Gulf Today on August 20, 2016)

Left is right!

Walter Benjamin, the German literary critic, essayist, translator and philosopher once said, “All the decisive blows are struck left-handed.”

Lefties. Left-Handers. Southpaws. They will be the same, irrespective of what you call this exceptional group of extraordinary people. Today, the 13th of August is a day dedicated to this unique set of people – the Left-Handers Day.

However, members of this exclusive group will always be odd-men-out, no doubt, as they are a minuscule minority in the world.

The concept of left-handedness seems to have been forgotten by the modern society. Awkwardly designed desks, modern gadgets designed for the right-handed and complicated scissors prove the point. Even the way some books are bound create hassles for the left-handed students.

Being a lefty, I would love to protest against this trend by punching my left hand in the air.

But at least this is better than the unfairness experienced during olden days when a lefty was considered a child of the devil. Being a left-hander could get you convicted for using witchcraft.

Parents used to tie the left wrists of children behind the chairs to discourage the use of left hands. Teachers smacked the wrists of students who used their left hand (thanks to God for not giving me such parents or teachers!).

Fortunately, these superstitions have subsided in the contemporary world. Probably that’s the reason today many famous personalities are lefty.

While surfing through the net on this topic a couple of days ago, I came across many internationally acclaimed left-handers. The list includes Queen Victoria, US President Barack Obama, Big B of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Mahatma Gandhi.

The legendary artist Leonardo da Vinci was also left-hander. Some historians believe his left-handedness added to his genius, helping him observe everything from a different perspective.



After noting this quality among such great personalities, I am convinced that in today’s world, the “left hand” has the “upper hand.”

So Happy Left-Handers Day to all lefties in the world, which also includes yours truly!

(Published in The Gulf Today on August 13, 2016)

Expectation hangover

Expectations often hurt. Thus, one shouldn't raise it to unrealistic heights.

A parent, who wants his child to become a doctor, is bound to get disappointed if the child decides to choose another profession. Similarly, a student might get disheartened if he fails to score as much marks in a test as he had expected.

The other day, I noticed a waiter dashing here and there in a restaurant. He was trying to please his customers with impeccable service. However, he was a bit frustrated when they left without giving him a tip.

One can notice such disappointments among cine-goers as well. Fans of many film stars are often left dejected when a movie doesn't meet their expectations.

Recently, it happened with legendary Indian actor Rajinikanth’s latest film, “Kabali.” Although, the film did brisk business at the box-office, it failed to satiate the fan-following of the South Indian Superstar. They termed it “just another Rajini movie.”

This is what happened recently with many Harry Potter addicts as well.

As the much-awaited book of the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” was going to be released, many of them rushed to the nearest bookstore to claim a copy of the book. They waited for hours in the queue before the global release of the book.

The fans had been waiting impatiently for that remarkable moment. Everyone was curious to know about the heroic antics of an adult Harry Potter. They had been imagining the plot of the novel for a while.

But the “muggles” were disappointed when they noticed that the book wasn’t what they had expected. It was, in fact, script of an upcoming play.

Another disappointment came when they noticed that the super-wizard wasn’t the protagonist. It was his son who carried forward the legacy in the book.

Though the book was interesting to read, it lost the appeal as it failed to match the readers’ expectations.

William Shakespeare had rightly said, “Expectation is the cause of all heartaches.”

(Published in The Gulf Today on August 6, 2016)

So, WhatsApp?

WhatsApp. I wonder whether it has a secret enchantment to keep its users glued to it. No matter where you are, you would definitely notice WhatsApp users. Be it your house or café, school or a playground, office or a clubhouse, everywhere you would find people exploring this app for one reason or another.

No wonder, this app has gained more popularity than Facebook, Twitter and Instagram could ever reach.

But this was not the reason that fascinated me. I got awestruck when I came to know that its popularity has grown so much because it is used not just for socialising but also for professional reasons.

I had never imagined that tailors, mechanics and drivers would be using it for professional purposes. It was my cousin who brought it to my attention when she narrated her experience.

On Eid, she gave her festive dress to the tailor for stitching. Considering the unprecedented Eid rush, she was concerned whether the tailor would be able to deliver the dress on time. Worried, when she called to enquire, the tailor asked, “Do you use WhatsApp?”

Soon, she received a photograph of her dress on her smartphone.

My aunt too faced a similar situation recently. While moving to a new apartment, she contacted a shifting and transporting company. As she started explaining the location to the driver, he suggested, “WhatsApp me the location.”

After this experience, whenever my aunt needs to book a cab, she simply sends the time and location to the driver using this app.

These incidents constantly remind me how easy life has become due to the advancement of technology.

When my father came here, he used to frequently write letters to people back home in India. Calling every now and then was not affordable. Now it is a thing of the past, to some it may sound like I am talking about a bygone era.

The arrival of the new millennium has revolutionised the communication industry. I wonder what time will bring next?

Till then, keep WhatsApping!!!

(Published in The Gulf Today on July 23, 2016)

Water, water, everywhere…

A poor orphan boy was running across the street. Barefoot. Hungry. Thirsty.

He went from one shop to another, asking the shopkeeper for a bottle of water. The lack of money prevented the poor child from buying water. It restrained him from quenching his thirst.

He slowly wilted like a flower without water.

Water. It is a simple word among many others found in a dictionary, but holds more significance than any other. It is a root to life. It is a cause of death.

How ironic it is that many do not have access to it, because of lack of money.

Agreed, money is very important in one’s life for food, clothes, shelter and many such things.

But is money required even for a single drop of water? Is compassion not enough to lend a poor boy a glass of water to let him quench his thirst?

Is money so powerful that its power wipes out the strength of compassion?

Today, the world has reached great heights. The new technologies have made it possible to cross the boundaries of the universe. But sometimes I wonder whether it is worth it.

We have hi-tech gadgets to assist us in life, wonderful books to read, easy access to delicious food. Thinking about it, we have everything required for a peaceful living.

But there are many who aren’t fortunate like us. Instead of ignoring them, one should show compassion, kindness, generosity towards them.

Compared to these qualities, the materialistic objects are futile. There is no use of such royal things when one cannot develop a humane nature for others.

If one doesn’t have any such virtues, then despite having everything in the world, he has nothing.

(Published in The Gulf Today on July 30, 2016)

Tagline trivia

“I’m lovin’ it!” 

“Just do it.”

Do they seem like normal sentences to you? Or do these taglines remind you of the delicious meal from famous brands. 

There was a time when taglines were used to remind us of the products they represented. But with changing time and transforming culture, I noticed that the significance and usage of these lines have altered as well. 

One of those recent usages is becoming a source of communication. With the evolution of texting and various emoticons, they have managed to achieve a new chore. Besides reminding you of the products, they are now frequently used for chatting.

Instead of typing a long message, many people just text a symbol of the brand that might convey the message through its Tagline. 

The other day my friend commented about a burger on one of my photos. Confused, I asked her. She instantly replied, “I’m lovin’ it!” Sometimes while working on projects, upon sharing an idea, my friends would send an apple as if to say, “Think Different.”

It has also been used for code messaging. I often notice some of my friends sending devil emoticons to others. When asked, they replied that it was Onida’s devil. It conveys the message of someone being jealous through its Tagline, “Neighbour’s Envy, Owner’s Pride.”

I remember when my cousin was moving to a hostel, her sister sent her a symbol of two hands as if to convey the message of Allstate, “You’re in good hands.”

However, taglines have not only provided meaning and a new perspective to meaningless emoticons and pictures, but also to meaningless words. 

Many such taglines have become so popular that these meaningless words have earned a new definition.

One such popular Tagline is that of India’s leading D2H cable service provider, “Isko laga dala to life jhingalala.” (Once you subscribe to it, life will become awesome).

I doubt there is any literal meaning for “Jhingalala” in Hindi. But it is now used to define a happy gesture. 

Thanks to these popular advertising jingles, meaninglessness has become synonymous with optimism, prosperity and a new beginning. 

Bingo!!!

(Published in The Gulf Today on July 16, 2016)

Festive films

With the release of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s latest blockbuster “Sultan” on Eid, the superstar’s fans as well as the lovers of Hindi cinema have gone crazy. It seems as if the festival of Eid has a special effect on the wonderful movies of Salman Khan.

It is interesting to note how various festivals seem to have influenced the success of movies released on those occasions.

Diwali. Eid. Christmas. For the past fear years, these major holidays have been booked for the release of movies featuring the Bollywood heartthrobs - the Khan trio. Where Aamir Khan rules the box-office during the week preceding Christmas and Shah Rukh Khan proves to be the king of Diwali, Salman Khan releases his movies on Eid. It has become a trend. Very rarely would these slots be shuffled.

Successful movies of Shah Rukh Khan, popularly known as Baadshah of Bollywood, such as “Jab Tak Hain Jaan,” and “Happy New Year” were released on Diwali. Similarly most movies of the Bollywood Bhaijaan, Salman Khan, ranging from “Wanted” to “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” were released on Eid.

Aamir Khan’s record-breaking films such as “3 Idiots, Dhoom 3” and “PK” were released on Christmas. His upcoming movie, “Dangal” is also scheduled to be released during Christmas this year.

These festivals seem to bless the actors. Most movies of these actors not released on the fixed slot could not fare as well as the other ones.

Salman Khan’s “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” released during Diwali holidays, or “Jai Ho” couldn’t receive as much credit as “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” or “Kick” that were released on Eid.

Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan’s “Dilwale” released on Christmas was not as popular as “Jab  Tak Hai Jaan” that was released on Diwali.

The actors probably choose these slots as they are major holidays and can provide a grand opening for their films. But if we observe these details, these particular days seem to be auspicious for them.

(Published in The Gulf Today on July 9, 2016)

Shopping Man-ia

Do you ever bargain from shopkeepers?

The American humorist, Erma Bombeck, once said, “Shopping is a woman thing. It’s a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.”

It is indeed the truth. Shopping and women are definitely interdependent. After all, women are the ones who love to buy as much as they can at a bargained price. They seem to be keen at following the motto, “Shop till you drop.”

Comparatively, men aren’t much interested in such activities. They tend to get distracted or eventually tire out within the first hour of shopping itself.

Or so I thought.

My perspective on male shoppers changed when a certain shopper proved that my hypothesis was wrong.

A few days ago, I came across a shopper trying to bargain with the shopkeeper as he wanted to buy a beautiful dress for his wife at a lower price. I noticed that both, the shopkeeper as well as the shopper, were adamant at the price each one of them quoted initially. After about half-an-hour, the shopper eventually emerged winner and bought the dress at a much lower price that the shopkeeper had initially quoted.

Later I came across the same person at another shop with loads of shoppers’ bags. Though his wife and daughter looked a bit tired, he seemed as fresh as a flower bud.

This surprised me. I often thought it were men who would eventually tire out from shopping. But here, it was the other way round. Very rarely have I seen a man participating enthusiastically in such an activity and a woman being fed up of it.

I agree people’s habits and perspectives change with the passage of time. But this was like witnessing the beginning of a revolution in the history of shopping.

So get ready to take your husband along on your next shopping spree, for a better bargain.

(Published in The Gulf Today on July 2, 2016)

The tie that binds

Father’s Day. An occasion celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year. A day when a child bestows on his father various gifts to express his love and respect.

But does just giving gifts to your father make any difference? Can giving neatly wrapped presents strengthen the relationship between the two?

I doubt so.

This Father’s Day was not different. I noticed many children presenting various gifts to their fathers. The gifts ranged from branded shirts and ties to smart phones.

I noticed this also in those families where the two would barely communicate the rest of the year.

It made me wonder whether the gifts are given out of respect and love or it is just for the sake of celebrating the Father’s Day.

I doubt they ever thought what gift their fathers truly need.

It is not an attractive T-shirt with his name printed on it. It is not a beautiful card, too. What he needs the most is your true love and a better relationship with you. A relationship that is filled with true understanding, true love and true respect for each other.

He wants a T-shirt with the names of both of you printed alongside to mark the everlasting love. He wants you to feel the words that are etched on the cards.

Often, children blame their fathers for interfering in their lives. Very rarely they would realise the reason behind it. Many fail to understand that a father always wishes the best for his child. 

That’s why I believe that instead of spending time searching for the “perfect” gifts, one should spend quality time with his father on this wonderful day and try to understand him.

Frank Sinatra, the famous 20th-century American singer, had rightly said, “The tie your father is interested in isn’t one he hangs around his neck. He is more concerned about the tie that exists between you and him.”

(Published in The Gulf Today on June 25, 2016)

Hiding your age?

I always wonder how many issues a woman can hide from her friends? Her savings? Gossip secrets? Or the most common, her age?

Uncountable.

The attempt to conceal their real age is perhaps the most commonly founded habit among women. This impression is so common that even when someone shares her real age with friends, they won’t believe initially.

And if someone reveals the actual age of a particular woman, she would react in a manner as if it was the end of the world.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a girl too. But I also fail to realise why do they tend to hide their age?

Once I met a pair of juvenile siblings. When I asked the boy his age, he replied without any hesitation.

But the girl replied, “Let’s ignore the question. I am a girl after all.”

Though I did not expect this answer, it didn’t surprise me.

To conceal their real age, many women have started using modern techniques. 

With one stroke of makeup, they get rid of the wrinkles. Thanks to various hair dyes, the grey streaks too disappear. On top of that, the modern clothes increase the essence of their looks. No one would be able to realise your actual age these days with all the new methods.

I become even more perplexed when I come across people whose age has remained stagnant for the past few years. Confused? Such people would continue to mention the same age for the next few years.

Once, while talking to my friend, I had pointed out this “mistake,” (I thought it was). But she cut me short by saying that age doesn’t matter.

Are women afraid that people would judge them according to their age? Or they simply want to feel younger?

I think I would never be able to find the reason behind it.

And going by the observation of the famous American poet Robert Frost, one should “always remember a woman’s birthday but never remember her age.”

(Published in The Gulf Today on June 18, 2016)

Is it worth ‘dyeing’?

Is it worth dyeing?

Modern world.  New trends. Various consequences. Yet people will first follow the trend and then think about the consequences.

New phone, new dress, anything new can lay the foundation of a new trend. These days, the trend seems to be about fashionable hairstyles.

Many people try to put marvellous hairstyles, whether they are at home, on the roads or at some mall. My friends too seem to have come into a trance of this trend. One day, I would find them putting a pony with a puff, while another day I would catch them braiding their hair.

This trend does not stop here.

With the help of modern equipments, people carry these trends even further as these equipments have made it a whole lot easier.

Going for a party? Curl your straight hair and put a beautiful braided bun. Your hair is ready.

That’s not all. The trend treads deeper when people realise that one can change the style, the shape and even the colour of their hair.

Now, many people seem to be “dyeing” to get their hair “dyed.” Some people with various curls hate their messy hair and change it into straight. While many other people won’t like their straight hair locks and convert it into a curly hair.

To keep pace with the trend, people have started losing the originality and natural beauty of their hair. They do not realise the consequences in store for them if they continue with the trend.

People don’t understand that their hair is slowly “dying” due to the constant “dyeing.” 

The chemicals sometimes react strongly against the hair, which often leads to serious skin diseases. Similarly, the heat emanated from a hair straightener may lead to hair fall or other related problems.

I fail to realise, is it worth “dyeing!”

(Published in The Gulf Today on June 11, 2016)

Defining desire

The past few weeks had been a blend of excitement and nervousness for the students of Grade 12 as they waited patiently for their results to be declared.

They were excited for the results as they were confident that they had given their best. However, they were equally nervous about their future, as it was the career defining moment.

Their conversations always attracted me. Many of them expressed what they would “like” to become while some of them shared what they “want” to do in their life ahead. There were a few who spoke about their “desire” for the future.

The usage of these three words - Like, Want, Desire - prompted me to pay more attention to such discussions. At first, when I heard these words, I felt they held the same meaning. However, when I gave it a second thought, I realised that there is a huge difference between these simple words. I realised that each word has a distinct sense of passion and a new tone of commitment which was way different than the other.

After hearing them for a while, I started to understand the significances of these three different words. “Like” was what expressed the tinge of preference in one’s voice. However, those who mentioned what they “want” to do had a much serious tone of commitment and displayed how much they wished to pursue their dreams.

And then, there were people who had the “desire” to do something special in their life. Their voice expressed enough commitment and passion to guarantee that no barrier can come in their way. They would eventually find an open door if they would find one to be closed.

I realised while everybody likes or probably even wants to do something notable in their lives, not everybody desires them. Thus, if we want to do something notable, we must follow our desire.

(Published in The Gulf Today on June 4, 2016)