A Trip for the Tastebuds

I was flipping through a travel magazine last weekend, gazing dreamily at the exotic locales of the South American continent. My eyes quickly fell on the potatoes - blue, pink, red, black... Was I really staring at a vegetable or some school kid's art project? I read later that South American countries (especially Peru) are abundant in tubers. I dreamt of planning my next trip to that continent, but my face fell when I saw the exorbitant airfares. How was I ever going to taste those delectable veggies without paying a bomb? I didn't know of any store in India that imported tubers of so many colours and types.

The next evening, when I was at a supermarket on my grocery round, I came across TERRA Chips. I first gazed at the unmistakably blue potato crisps on its cover. My heart raced, but I was still skeptical on its contents. I finally got my own packets of several Terra Chips bags to see if I was dreaming. I read through its ingredients and knew that these chips were indeed made of the real tubers that I always dreamed of eating. The chips were not coloured. They were real vegetable chips!

This is taking gourmet snacking to an interesting level! We have been gorging on the same old boring yellow/brown potato chips, with that odd dash of tomatoes or onions thrown in the mix. But Terra Chips brings exotic flavours to the table, at the same time, being a healthy snacking option. These crisps are gluten free and not made of genetically modified vegetables. That's a huge relief! I know of many friends who are gluten intolerant. I can now safely invite those friends over without worrying about what to serve them or seeing their faces break out. My friends in the West tell me they've developed several allergies due to the GMO-produce they live on.

My entire family has munched on these interesting chips now, and they all absolutely love it! It's not just the bright, rich colours, but also the distinct flavours that appeal to the foodie in me. I have now eaten taro, sweet potato, batata, parsnip, yuca and blue potatoes in the form of chips! The travel-hungry soul in me loves the fact that the veggies come all the way from the Caribbean Islands, Cuba, and other countries far away. Do take a bite off these delectable new chips if you are bored of your old flavours! It's an adventure that your tongue will love!

What Would It Be Like To Date redi-GO?

I have been single for a few months now, and my heart is getting impatient to date again. I am not planning to waste my time with anyone ordinary. I need to be charmed. I have started fantasizing about a unique car - 

Fun. Freedom. Confidence. The ultimate Urban Cross - Datsun redi-GO - the capability of a crossover with the convenience of a hatchback.

I will tell you today why I would like to take it out for a spin. Among the multitude of features that this cute car has, three appeal to me the most:-

1. Fuel Economy

I like to live large, but I also am mindful of reality. I like cars that don't guzzle too much of their favourite drink. redi-GO has a fuel mileage of 25.17km/L, all thanks to its 799cc engine. This means, our dates will not be too expensive. ;-)

2. Smart Air-conditioning

I like my companions cool and calm. It's hard to handle heat in the relationship in this hot and stuffy Mumbai weather! redi-GO has an integrated centre AC vent which evenly distributes air to all passengers - 50% to those in the rear seats.. It has an 89 cc aluminium compressor which has a high cooling capacity.

3. Smart Looks

No matter what everyone says, love is not always blind. Sometimes, the very thing that attracts you towards a prospective partner is physical appearance. Datsun redi-GO looks dashing, both inside and outside! Its modern dashboard has a digital tachometer among other things. Its upholstery is sporty and comfy to the touch, so you would want to spend more time romancing it. Also, its cool headlamps, tail lamps and daytime running lamps make it strikingly charming.

Now that I know I'd like to date redi-GO, I need to decide where to take this beast to. I would want to drive it as long as possible. So, an interstate trip through the North East of India would be ideal. It'll be nice to drive through narrow but clean roads surrounded by welcoming smiles of the locals and the beautifully clean environment.

This is also where I would test it. Testing is important to know long term compatibility and happiness. I would check its mileage and safety features - especially the airbags. A long term partner will stand by me through the tough times too, and not just the happy, successful times.

I have a feeling this new Datsun redi-GO can help me beat my urban driving blues. No more getting agitated on seeing a traffic jam in the middle of a slope. No more sulking about the pinching heat from the backseat! The smart AC can cool me down, no matter where I sit. Also, no more getting scared of the incessant honking when you try to take a turn on a busy road. The car is so compact that it is very easy to maneuver. It has a turning radius of 4.7 metres.

I think I'm all set to ask redi-GO out for a date drive. Who is your date for the weekend?

Ritesh Handa joins Wooqer as President - Operations, Finance & Corporate Development

Note: This is a press release.

Wooqer recently announced that Ritesh Handa has joined their company as President - Operations, Finance & Corporate Development, reporting to Wooqer Founder and CEO, Vishal Purohit. Ritesh comes to Wooqer from a leading Indian publisher Pearson Education India. With a proven track record of over 15 years, he has worked with Microsoft, GE and Rockwell Automation.

He is a passionate finance and operations senior executive with diversified business and management experience. He will be responsible for thought leadership by executing business strategies and operating plans.

“We are fortunate to have incredible depth and breadth of talent across Wooqer’s executive team. Ritesh is hands-down the best operations executive I’ve ever worked with.” said Vishal Purohit, Wooqer Founder and CEO.

Prior to joining Pearson Education, Ritesh was associated with Core Objects in the capacity of VP & Director, Finance. He was responsible for preparing monthly forecasts, annual and long-range financial plans at a country level resulting in financial plans that align with business/corporate objectives.

He holds a Master's in Business Administration from Faculty of Management Studies - Delhi and is also a Chartered Accountant from Deloitte.

About Wooqer

Wooqer is pioneering “end user computing” with an easy-to-use, do-it-yourself cloud based toolset that enables faster, cheaper and smarter execution. Wooqer makes non-technologically-sophisticated common man a programmer! That helps balance enterprise governance needs with team needs to simplify day-to-day work. Wooqer leads the space between the core systems for a business (dominated by software, hardware and services vendors) and consumer platforms (like Google, Facebook & others).

Founded by Vishal Purohit and backed by Indian business veterans like Mr. Harsh Mariwala, Chairman-Marico & BS Nagesh, Founder-TRRAIN as well as Silicon Valley legends like Michael Marks and Jim Davidson. Wooqer is among the most valuable B2B software companies in India as per iSpirit Index for two consecutive years. Harvard Business Review has developed a business case on Wooqer which is now taught in over 10 universities globally.

With Aditya Birla Group, Tata Group, Mahindra Group, HDFC, Adidas, Levis, Marks & Spencers and 150 more customers, Wooqer has global presence in India, UK, US, China and UAE. Today, “retail runs on Wooqer and soon will every business in India!” For more information, visit www.wooqer.com

For more information, please write to simplify@wooqer.com.

No Blind Faith in Education

It has been almost four years since I graduated from my college. My parents played a big role in deciding what I would study. They had my best in mind. But from where I am right now, I know that was perhaps not the best decision.

Despite a degree in Computer Engineering, I work at an investment bank, and my role does not require me to know programming. I would have done better to study Commerce. 

Of the umpteen reasons I have, I will give you five reasons not to blindly follow your parents' way when it comes to education:-

1. Times have changed

The economy does not thrive on the sectors that it thrived on 20 years back. Your parents' field may not be doing so well today.

2. You cannot keep living your parents' dreams

It is time to think on your own feet and do what your heart desires. Do not sacrifice forty years of career for four years of education.

3. We should aspire to be global citizens

More often than not, our parents' college-decision is based on myopic factors like job-placements and time-to-commute. They tend to overlook the benefits of going to a college that provides exposure and helps one #thinkBIG.

4. Parents tend to compare

How often have we been compared to our siblings, neighbours, and just about every other person of our age? Every individual is unique with her innate talents. Success does not mean the same thing to everyone.

5. You don't want to live with regrets

Take chances while you can. How will you achieve something your parents haven't if you keep doing only what they have?

This video drives home the message that your college-decision should be fashioned by its implications on your future, not just your present. Good luck!

Quality in Education

Many humans are literate, but very few are educated.

We have been told since time immemorial that our education determines the quality of life we lead. But very few tell us about the importance of quality in education itself. In an ever-increasingly connected world, it is imperative that our education is reflective of the awareness of the wider environment. It is no longer sufficient to know about one's own city or country. Unlike the traditional methods to teaching, the contemporary techniques that help one understand concepts better, are more interdisciplinary and involve active discussions over real world scenarios and hands-on experiences on live projects. You can no longer succeed in a silo. You must learn to interact, learn from other perspectives and share your own thoughts on matters that affect others.

S P Jain School of Global Management makes education a holistic quest with its blended learning approach which includes simulations and immersion courses. One of the defining features of the Global MBA program at this business school is the tri-city model. Every student has the opportunity to do one semester each in Dubai, Sydney and Singapore. Studying amidst a different cultural environment very strongly reinforces our minds to accept a wider array of opinions. Ideas, after all, are best when refined through multiple brains.

For those who have significant work experience, it is not the end of learning. There is still scope to upskill and gain corporate success. The Executive MBA offered at S P Jain refines your critical thinking and analytical reasoning capabilities, helping you take effective business decisions. The course spans 15 months to a year and can also be done part time. The school proves its mettle in its rankings. Forbes has ranked the Global MBA Program in the top 1% in the world for both 2011 and 2012. The Economist and Financial Times have also recognised the value of the 12 month MBA from S P Jain by ranking it in the world's top 100 for multiple years.

The MBA curriculum covers interesting and essential topics such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, financial accounting, marketing management, corporate finance and statistics. The success that comes after quality education is evident in the placement report. As per the most recent records, the average domestic salary is more than 14 lacs per annum, with the highest crossing 23 lacs. The highest international salary is over 38 lacs.

In these times of economic uncertainty, it is prudent to enhance your knowledge and employability through a world class MBA.

Esperanto to the Rescue!

We often hear words such as 'fantastico', 'perfecto', 'classico'. We know similar sounding English words and hence, can easily arrive at the meaning. But do you know that these words are not just colloquial or slang, they actually come from a language. This language is called Esperanto.

Esperanto is interesting and forward looking in many ways. It happens to be one of the youngest languages in the world. It came into existence in 1887 and is recognised as a constructed international auxiliary language. This means that the language was deliberately designed. Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto wanted there to be a politically neutral language which everyone could understand and which would be easy to learn.

He lived during a time when the relations among Russians, Poles, Jews and others were caustic. Europe was divided by language and political turmoil. Esperanto has a lot of words from Spanish, English, French, Greek, Latin and many Slavic tongues as well. It is written in the Latin script, which most of us can read without much trouble. We even have braille versions for texts in Esperanto.

Learning foreign languages is the latest fad

Esperanto is yet to become any country's official or even second official language, but it is recognised by UNESCO as the 32nd language of Europe. Most of Esperanto speakers are from Europe. San Marino even offers a course which is delivered in Esperanto. Most of the speakers learn this language on their own through online material. It is said that about two million people actively speak Esperanto and almost 2000 have been learning this since birth. Isn't that fantastico? :-)

My first interaction with Esperanto was through a cartoon series on Cartoon Network. I would watch roadrunner and the coyote for hours on end and hear the coyote exclaim a lot of words in Esperanto. I used to think he was speaking Spanish, but I found out later (when I actually went to Spain) that Spanish was quite different. I heard this language many times on different shows - mainly on Nickelodeon and Star World and Zee Cafe. A lot of the English sitcoms would regularly pepper the dialogues with Esperanto words.

My friends and I also started sprinkling our conversations with a nice doze of Esperanto. We thought it sounded cool. Besides, it was incredibly easy to form new words. For adjectives, we would only have to append an English adjective with the letter 'o'! Fantastic would become fantastico, drastic, drastico, and so on.

If your resolution this year is to learn a new language, and you are struggling with French, Mandarin or Russian, give Esperanto a shot. You will certainly have learnt an entire language before the year ends! I think the idea is absolutely fantastico! :-) Don't you?

How many languages do you know? Is Esperanto one of them?

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

CSR - Jest or Just?

CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility. The Indian laws make it mandatory for companies with a net profit of 5 crores or more to spend at least 2% of its profits on CSR. This came into effect in April 2014, and ever since, companies have been scrambling to meet this guideline in any way they can. This directive has proved to be a bonanza for NGOs as they can now access corporate funds without lobbying too much.

I have been in the working committees of the CSR groups in both of the firms that I have worked with, but I have been disappointed by the kind of impact we have had until now. So far, the trend among corporates has been to on board a bunch of NGOs, do the due diligence checks and get them approved by the legal department, and start doing whatever the NGOs recommend.

Three years ago, I participated in a railway station cleaning campaign in association with one of our empanelled NGOs. I thought we were going to do a spectacular job and inspire all the commuters and vendors to keep the Andheri Station clean. But alas, I was wrong. We spent most of our energy organizing the AC bus that would take us to the spot, fretting over how filthy the situation actually was, and complaining that the food ordered from McDonalds was not enough. Many colleagues just wanted to get their pictures clicked in aprons and gloves.Very few actually held a broom or did any real cleaning. The rest just turned up their noses and thought they were wasting a Saturday.

Do companies really wish to make a difference?

Even when the situation does not require us to get down on our knees an scrub, we (the corporate lot) are lazy. I now arrange volunteering activities with schools so our colleagues can go over and teach the kids a thing or two. Here also, most people worry about how many CSR-hours they can book. If they can count the commuting hours too. They want to have the entire class plan and material pre-designed for them. They also worry about the questions they may get asked by the students and insist that a teacher be present. And when we provide them all of this, they simply forget to show up! All because they woke up late or had a splitting headache or their cat vomited on their shoe.

If this is the sort of impact CSR is having on society, then it is farcical! We might as well just donate money and do nothing else. We need to stop measuring CSR performance of companies based on the money they give out or the number of people they impact. Impact should be measured on quality. If a company volunteers to teach students. Do not rate them based on the number of students or classrooms reached, but the test scores of the very students they interacted with.

Our approach to CSR must be just. 

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Some Tastes are Cultivated

Do you remember the first time you had beer? Did you like it? I hated it. I couldn't think of one reason why anyone would put up with something that tasted so horrible. My friend who was already a year into beer told me it took him some time to get used to the taste. I wanted to know why he wanted to get used to that in the first place.

Today, I love trying out craft beer. I make it a point to sample the locally brewed alcohol of every interesting place I visit. This transformation has taken time. But I have realized in this process that some things need time. Some tastes have to be cultivated deliberately. This is true not just for beer but for other alcohol as well.

How many people do you know who identify wines as red and white only? They do not know the discernible difference among wines produced from different wine regions or from different variety of grapes. Even the cask you store your wine in makes a lot of difference to the flavour. This sort of appreciation comes only with time and experience (with wines). You must be patient. You will not be an expert at identifying flavours or enjoying the bitterness in your drink the first few times. But you will certainly improve.

Not many like alcohol the first time

This cultivation of tastes is not limited to alcohol, but also applies to other beverages such as tea and coffee. The ordinary person likes to mix milk and sugar in his hot beverage. He tastes only what he has always known. He does not know the real flavour of the tea leaves or the coffee beans. An experienced tea drinker, on the other hand, never adds milk. She adds very little or no sugar. And she sips her tea like she would her wine. She does not gulp it down in one shot.

Liquids are not the only things which ask you to have an acquired taste. The same goes for solid food too! Not everything tastes peppy! As kids, we are taught to enjoy sweet, salty and tangy tastes. Our taste buds develop this way. But this peppiness is not sufficient to enjoy many other kinds of food. As we grow older, we start enjoying blander varieties of dishes. I remember how I grew up tasting the masaledar peppy food, spiced with a lot of chilies. But today, I like cheesey and more neutral flavours. I do not miss spices in my meals when I travel abroad. I love their salads and bland rice preparations. I absolutely adore mushroom dishes - especially risotto. I certainly have acquired a taste for blandness. I still retain my love for those peppy flavours though.

Have you cultivated a taste for something new?

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

5 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die

This won't be another listicle on how to enjoy the world outside. This one is for your inner pleasure. You do so much to keep your body fit. You exercise, you control your diet and take appropriate rest. You also know how to look good. You follow fashion trends and buy new stuff almost everyday. You know how to travel the world, what to eat where and which activity to pursue. But how do you take care of  your mind? Do you know how to relax? How to unwind? Today, I will share with you my personal list of songs from my music collection that help me feel better.

Some songs should relax your soul

Song #1: Set Fire To The Rain by Adele

This is the ultimate breakup song! When your wound is still fresh and you are longing to go back to your ex, you feel one with Adele's song. You are reminded of the pain and the love you lost. What makes this song so beautiful is the powerful music and the strong voice of one of my favourite singers.

Song #2: Party For Two by Shania Twain

This is my favourite hot date song! The tempo of the music is upbeat and Shania and Billy Currington do a great job with the singing. This song should ideally be played when you are a few dates down and are hoping to get to the next level. A nice number to play if just the two of your are going to dance.

Song #3: A New Day Has Come by Celine Dion

Celine has been one of my favourites since childhood. She taught me to love music. 'A New Day Has Come' was released when she had a baby. This song is so uplifting, it is perfect for when you learn to love again after your heart has been broken. The song's redeeming factor is the power in Celine's voice.

Song #4: Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus

This one came out way back when Miley was still a teenager. The song is a perfect party track and excellent if you want to create a club atmosphere at home. The song sends out a signal of courage. Listen to it when you are about to try something new or when you have to go a new place on your own.

Song #5: My Sacrifice by Creed

I love the amazing combination of chords and drums in this song. The lead singer of Creed is also a guy I have a slight crush on. He gets bonus points from me for his sexy baritone. This is a love song, and one of my favourites again.

What are you listening to at the moment? Don't forget to share your playlist with me!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Navigating Through Risk

When people find out I work at an investment bank, they assume I am a high roller and my job involves attending a lot of fancy parties. My mum thinks all I do is dress up for office, spout jargon all day at work and come home to plan my next foreign vacation. Only an insider knows my plight and how taxing it is to have a job like this! We don't lift heavy weights like masons do, but the kind of brain-work that is extracted out of us day in and day out, is enough to tire us. This is why we need so many vacations to recharge our batteries!

Big banks deal with lots of money. But they also navigate through a lot of risk. You are probably not interested in knowing how a bank works, but will you listen if I tell you I can help you better manage your money by applying the methods of the biggies?

Banking is not all about lavish parties and disco-lights

Whether your corpus is big or small is irrelevant. You are exposed to some amount of risk even if you do not invest in the stock market. Did you know that inflation erodes your wealth over time? India's annual inflation hovers around 6-7%, but retail inflation is much higher. Think about it. If you spent a thousand bucks on a formal shirt a couple of years back, you will be paying two thousand for something similar as of today! When you plan for your retirement, you tend to calculate most costs at present rate and save up accordingly. But if you account for inflation, the reality will hit you. Most of our grandparents are poor because they simply did not expect inflation to persist, or chose to ignore it. But you must be smarter.

Institutions have different methods of analysing capital risk. One is to classify them into credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, funding risk, etc. On a personal level, do not dismiss this step. You might argue that you have no credit risk as you don't lend money. But think again. The money you put in your provident fund is money that the government owes you. You are exposed to sovereign risk here. If your country defaults, you will lose your money. Sovereign risk happens to be the safest among all risks, as the chances of a country defaulting is rare. But the Greek debacle will warn you that such cases are not impossible, even if rare. Countries can often print more currency to pay back its dues. But that again stokes inflation and reduces the worth of that same money.

If you have fixed deposits, recurring deposits or simply a savings balance with a bank, you are exposed to credit risk on that bank. Now, if you invest in the stock market, you are really dealing with the world of risk! Market risk becomes immediately prominent in your collection of risks. Investment banks measure their risks on a daily basis and set aside sufficient capital to tide over these risks more often than not. Take a leaf out of their book and start a contingency fund of sorts, especially if you are a high roller in volatile markets.

Risk is only something you are unaware of and do not understand. If you know it, you will do something to deal with it. Do not be scared of the financial markets. This is where a lot of money is made. Master the tricks of risk navigation instead.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

My Dream Husband

I am twenty five. And even though I am lucky to not be pestered by parents or nosy relatives to get married, I thought I would draw up a list of qualities I would like in my future husband. :-P Only if the lucky boy meets all of the things in my list will I exclaim, "Fantastico! You can now propose to me." ;-)

Requirement #1: Must be intelligent

I don't think I will enjoy talking to someone who doesn't have at least my level of intellect. I might be happy with a cute looking guy for a few years, but what when he starts getting wrinkly and old? I will have to have real conversations with this man, won't I?

Requirement #2: Must believe in gender equality

This one's a no brainer. I won't stand a guy who thinks males are superior to females. Or even someone who thinks women should be put on a pedestal and worshiped. Gender equality in our case would mean respecting each other's ambitions and choices and believing in each other's strengths. I don't need my man to carry my luggage. I am a strong woman and can take care of myself and my stuff as well. And I want him to be able to do the same. We will not favour one person's career over another's. Equality also means I won't change my surname. If we need to keep one surname, we will both adopt a completely new one. :-)

I want someone who will spend lazy evenings with me

Requirement #3: Must fall in love with me

Now this is a tough one. It is very hard to find someone who truly loves you for who you really are. Most people who have a crush on you have their own image of who you are. My man must really understand me and accept me with all of my quirks and craziness. And I too will have to learn to do all of that. I don't believe in sacrifice. So, I will just keep looking until I find the perfect fit connect.

Requirement #4: Must love the environment

I have asthma, and I absolutely hate anything that pollutes the air. The air quality in my country is pathetic as it is. I don't like people burning incense sticks, or polluting the house in the name of purification. I also detest smokers and people who burn crackers during festivals. I will walk out of the relationship if my man forgets to even get the PUC check done for his car.

Requirement #5: Must know the art of handling money

I am a total pro in money matters, and I don't want the guy to ruin my credit prospects by the simple act of getting married to me. If he has unpaid credit card dues or similar things, he'd better look for another girl. Joint application for home loans consider the credit history of both the woman and the man. Despite being a darling saver, I don't want to live with a bad interest rate on my house because my man has been careless. When I demand equality, I truly mean it. I am not the type who will take her husband's wallet for shopping and everything else. By the same token, I don't want someone who doesn't take care of his health or has smoked so much he'll be spending the rest of his life paying medical bills. I lead an active life and make smart dietary choices. I won't be happy paying for the husband's hospital dues. If he has ruined his health, he must be prepared to pay for it!

There are a million other things I want in my guy. But once he clears these 5 hurdles, he'll have the opportunity to take me out on a date. I shall disclose the other hurdles if I like the place, the cuisine and the ensuing conversation. :-D

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Style Tips for a Fun Party

New Year's Eve party is over, but the year is long. There will be many parties and you will fret over what to wear and how to dazzle the crowd with your charm. I understand that the stock market is not doing so well these days and you are short on cash. This is why I have got some simple and affordable tips for you to style for those peppy parties and look dapper in 2016! :-)

My friends and I at a lunch party

Style Tip #1: Reuse Your Old Clothes

Looking great doesn't have to mean burning a hole in your pocket. If your old tops and trousers have gone out of fashion, learn to mix them up and create a whole new look. Remember those ponchos which went out of style many years back? Wear a strappy spaghetti underneath and don that see-though lacy poncho on top. This will surely pep up the tempo!

Style Tip #2: Add Colours to Your Eyes

When wearing makeup, we often ignore how creative we can get with our eyes. I have seen so many women dress wonderfully, only to fail when it comes to eye makeup. Why do we always wear a black eyeliner and leave it at that? Pep up your windows to the soul with eyeliners in pop colours such as blue, green, purple, pink and even white. You will be thrilled with the look you create with just a dash of colour in your eyes. Bright colours highlight your eyes the best.

Style Tip #3: Don't Be Shy to Try Red

Your lipstick doesn't have to be so neutral all the time. It's a party, not a boring office meeting, girls! Learn to go bold with a dark shade of red. Red looks lovely in the otherwise dull winter. Get inspired by mountain girls who wear only bright shades of red. I noticed this on my recent trip to Sikkim in December.

Style Tip #4: Make Your Nails Look Peppy

Are you still satisfied with plain, solid colours for your nails? That is so last season! Watch some quick YouTube videos and learn to apply nail art. You can wear different shades of the same colour on a nail, to give a liquid look to it. Experiment with polka dots and use anything from bobby pins to earbuds as dotting tools. Learn to dust glitter or other fancy material on your nails to go with your outfit for the party.

Style Tip #5: Accessorize Carefully

You cannot nail a look if you accessorize wrong. Do not make that fashion faux pas of carrying a random bag with a classy dress. You will not be holding your bag all the while, but you will get noticed when you walk in with that bag hanging from your shoulder. Your jewelry and shoes should complement each other, even if they do not match your outfit. You will be surprised how you can transform a look simply by changing the accessories.

You have the whole year ahead of you, so get out there and experiment! Be peppy this winter!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

How Did You Make Them Feel?

It is that time of the year when our year end appraisals at office are done, and we are waiting with bated breath for the announcement of potential hikes and bonuses and perhaps promotions. When you look back at the year and recount all the work you have done for your organization, you are overcome with mixed feelings.

You know there have been days when you have put in long hours at work and gotten home in the middle of the night. Some of us have not gone home at all, spending the entire night at work. We have had hundreds of mugs of coffee - decaf for some, extra strong for some others. We have slapped water on our faces to keep us awake when all we wanted to do was get some good night's rest in our cozy beds at home. We have argued with colleagues to get our work approved, lobbied to senior management to get our stuff recognized, mentored new joiners so they don't flee the crazy corporate world at the first sight of a challenge.

You think again and realize that you haven't been all that effective all this while. You have had days when you did nothing but spend all your time on online shopping sites, buying things your house has no space for. You have bought flights and hotel rooms for the entire year, not thinking once if you'll get those many leaves. You have used office chat to flirt with that cute guy on the floor and share random jokes with your office friends. You have even dozed off during long meetings and conference calls.

You think of all this, and get incredibly scared. Will you be the next one to get laid off? Will you have to take a pay-cut? Will you get poor projects in the coming months? Will that inexperienced bloke who joined after you did snatch your promotion from you? I cannot help you with what has already happened. But there is something you can do to better your chances next year!

How do you make people feel at office?

Instead on solely focusing on your hard deliverables, put some thought on the soft deliverables also. Your impact at office depends more on how people perceive you and your work, and less on what you actually do. Trust me on this. I have seen random people climb the corporate ladder because their bosses have liked how they handled a particular situation or kept their calm through a difficult project. For everything you cannot actually do, you can always learn. If you or your team are not equipped for something, you can outsource that piece of work. But you cannot outsource soft skills. That has to be developed within.

The next time you finish a task, ask for feedback. Don't let people go without getting a note from them on how they felt about your work. Do not sit still after you have accomplished a goal. Talk to your manager about it. She will remember how serious you are about your career when you are consistent. Logging a story on your annual performance portal won't quite have the same effect.

Make a resolution this year to focus on how you make people feel. You will have tackled 50% of the problem just like that!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Find Your Own Way

Do you use Google Maps? You will answer in the affirmative without a doubt. I love technology and how easy it has made our lives. But I also feel navigation technology is a double edged sword. Shall we explore how?

I remember how when I was a small school girl, we would stop at every turn en route to a hill station and ask the locals for directions. This stopping at every turn though, would come after a lot of debate. My father would pride himself on his navigation skills and drive without wanting to halt. My mum, on the other hand, would be sure we were heading in the wrong direction and insist on second opinion. I used think stopping to talk to the locals was an integral part of the travel experience. But that was a mere necessity, I would learn later.

When I was a little older and on my first solo international trip to Europe, I made it a habit to collect maps of every new city that I would visit. These maps were mostly free and sometimes, cost a few cents. Some were as small as an A4 sized sheet of paper, and some, as large as a bedsheet! But they were all very useful. My first boyfriend taught me how to read maps properly, and how actually to use them to find my way. Before his help, I would keep staring blankly at the confusing grids before me and try to spot where I actually was. Funnily, studying Geography in school did little to help me read a map. Despite knowing and getting some good practice of using paper maps, I would still have to stop to ask the locals many things. Sometimes, it was just to be sure. Then again, sometimes, I guess I just wanted to talk to them. :-)

Some roads have no maps to navigate them

With the advent of half a dozen digital map providers such as Google, Nokia and some Indian variants too, we have changed the way we commute. I cannot deny that it is incredibly easy to find your way a new place now without having to talk to a single stranger. Just key in the destination, and the GPS system detects your current location and shows you multiple ways to get where you want to! You also know exactly how long each route will take and when you will finally be there.

But these digital assistants are making us increasingly solitary. We don't stop as much on our ways to say hello to the indigenous people walking by. We remain smug and ignore well-wishers when they pipe in with their advice. We become so overconfident at times that we tell other tourists how they should be getting to a certain place. We have become a dangerous tribe, thanks to digital maps.

But this technology fails to help us when there's no data connectivity or wi-fi in remote and inaccessible locations. I remember once how when I wanted to reach the entrance to the Gir Interpretation Zone (Gujarat, India), my cellphone showed me a way that was through the middle of the forest! I would have been mauled and eaten by over 400 Asiatic lions had I not used my common sense and switched off the internet.

There are times when you just have to trust your instincts and do things the way our ancestors have done. You cannot always have faith in technology. On many roads, you just have to find your own way.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Music in Our Lives

What is music? Is it merely a compilation of tunes, a set of strings strummed together, a dalliance of different octaves? Or something more? Does music help us feel the way we feel? Does it change or affect our mental state? I will explore these and more questions in my discourse on music today. Join in the reflections!

I feel music enhances our experience of life as a journey. Music helps us remember events, ideas and people. We have a better chance of recalling arbitrary ideas and conversations when we have inextricably linked them to a song or a tune. Ever wondered why a certain song gets into your head when you are looking at a certain part of a wall or thinking of that certain someone? ;-)

Aside from reinforcing our memory-associations, music helps us define ourselves and what we stand for. The influence of music stretches farther than mere stereotyping of characters. We realize with time that a death metal lover need not be a drug addict, or a soul music lover a peace activist. The kind of music people listen to in public also differs from what they enjoy in private. I for one, love Latin ballroom tunes and pop dance numbers at parties, but listen to soft country sounds on a solo trip.

I found music in the middle of the night in an otherwise empty street in Prague

If you understand music well, you learn to refine your taste in it. You search for better music beyond the chartbusters. You learn to look for unknown artistes and unique tunes. You appreciate music so much that you pity those who haven't cultivated a taste in it. Music becomes just as luxurious, if not more, than vintage wine, rare art or an exotic vacation.

Music lovers are seldom lonely. Whether they are driving across countries, dining out alone, solo-kayaking downriver or taking that day-long flight. They know they have a friend in music. Sometimes also a lover. Perhaps they enjoy the music playing on their laptop more than the actual lovemaking they do with their partners. And they certainly are stirred by the background scores of movies more than the action on the big screens.

Music is not just a companion. It is more. It has unforeseen power. Foetuses have known to respond to music from the womb! Babies have a stronger sensory system if they have listened to classic compositions. Research gives a thumbs up to Mozart and Beethoven for making babies intelligent. Marathoners have attributed their perseverance to music in many cases. Music is also famous for bringing people back from death! Well, almost. There have been instances of people coming out of coma when they've listened to their favourite bands or tracks. The power of music also extends to love. You have a higher chance of falling in love with someone if you have a nice score playing when the two of you meet.

When music has been together with us through everything - our birth, pain, love, struggle and death, can it be reduced to a "background" score? Music takes the centre-stage in our lives. And we must recognize it for what it truly is.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

The Truth About Wind Energy

You must have been following the news on the recently concluded Paris Climate Change Conference earlier this month. The pressure on India to reduce its carbon emissions has been mounting. Instead of focusing all our energies on getting more leeway, we can look at this as a challenge to find cleaner ways of running the country. There are many alternative sources of energy, but my focus today is on wind energy.

This source, however is rather underutilized in India. We are blessed with a lot of land (being the 7th largest country in the world in terms of area) and good wind speeds in many empty fields. Despite this, we haven't harnessed the true potential of winds. We must take a leaf out of the book of the Dutch and learn to install windmills where we can. Unfortunately, there are some myths associated with windmills, which has contributed to the lack of focus in this direction. Let me tell you some truths:-

• Wind Energy is not as expensive as it is assumed to be. Technology has improved by leaps and bounds and windmill design has also undergone a lot of transformation. It is as cost effective as generating electricity from coal, and is set to get cheaper.
  
• Wind turbines don't make as much mechanical noise anymore, thanks to improved designs and better wind farming technology.
  
• Wind turbines last about 25 years, and are one of the cleanest renewable sources of energy.
  
• Wind turbines have been historically infamous for causing deaths among birds. But the climate situation today has proven to be far more harmful for birds!

The benefits of using wind energy is manifold. You can watch this video to know some more:-

It is evident from the clip that India stands to save a lot on foreign exchange expenses if it can become self reliant by producing its own energy through wind farming. We won't have to incur such huge debts importing crude oil from oil-rich countries. This will help us shore up our FX reserves and make the Rupee stronger. In addition to that, if we manage to produce excess energy, we'll be able to improve our export-import ratio. Job creation will also increase and our power bills will come down! :-)

To know more about wind energy, visit Windergy India - a digital platform to increase awareness on the Wind Energy sector in India.

Book Review - The Bestseller She Wrote

Today, I shall be reviewing Ravi Subramanian's latest book - The Bestseller She Wrote. Earlier this month, I received an autographed copy of the romance novel. You can also read my review of God is a Gamer by the same author.

Fast Facts:-

Title: The Bestseller She Wrote

Author: Ravi Subramanian

Genre: Romance (Fiction)

Publisher: Westland Ltd

Pages: 391

Price: Rs.295 (Paperback)

Key Characters:-

1. Aditya Kapoor: A successful author and banker
2. Shreya Kaushik: An MBA student and an aspiring writer
3. Maya: Aditya's wife and a teacher at an international school
4. Sanjay: Aditya's best friend from IIM-B 

The Review:-

'The Bestseller She Wrote' is not what you would ordinarily expect from Ravi Subramanian - the writer whose claim to fame is a series of successful financial thrillers. He writes his first romance novel, but the premise is still well within his comfort zone - writing and banking.

The story is explores a phase in the life of Aditya Kapoor, a bestselling author who also holds a senior position at a bank. He is handsome, charismatic and very lucky to have an understanding and loving wife in Maya - his B-school sweetheart. Theirs is a happy family with a toddler in the frame.

Aditya meets Shreya, a topper at IIM-Bangalore when he is invited to his alma mater to address the students and promote his latest thriller. Shreya is an attractive and intelligent girl who is fiercely ambitious at the same time. She pines to become a bestselling author of Aditya's stature. What in the beginning seems like an innocuous acquaintance, later turns into an adulterous affair. The plot is a result of coincidence and also deliberate scheming.

The book explores the delicate and dangerous world of adultery - how it starts, what goes on in the mind of an adulterer, if conscience and guilt make their presence felt, what happens when the cat is out of the bag, and if cheating can ever be forgiven. At the same time, the setting takes the readers through the nuances of getting one's book published and promoted. There are also the usual office scenes at the bank and the sundry issues you would expect.

The twist in the story is the sudden importance attributed to Maya and what happens to her. This is what keeps the book from going down the done-to-death route of a regular romance novel.

My Verdict:-

Perhaps I was expecting better stuff from the author, given my past experience with his writing. This is why the book disappoints me. Many cliches have been fortified in the book. Also, Subramanian seems to have made as little use of imagination as possible. Large parts of his story seem to mimic the life of Chetan Bhagat or perhaps his own. He casually indulges in name dropping - Ashwin Sanghi, Blogadda, HT Brunch and even Anurag Kashyap! The references seem jarring and distract you from the story as you wonder why he is irritating you with unnecessary third-party promotion.

The novel is not too bad though. It is fast paced and interesting enough to be carried along on a train journey. The interlacing of a certain global crisis is what kept me hooked to the book when my attention was wavering.

This book gets an overall rating of 6 on 10 from me. Here's a video-glimpse into the story:-

I am reviewing ‘The Bestseller She Wrote’ by Ravi Subramanian as a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

My Favourite Indian City

I have stayed in quite a few Indian cities so far, but for certain reasons, I like one more than the rest. This city is where everyone is driven by something, whether it is sports or politics or music or academics. This city is designed to accommodate every kind of traveller - the solo backpacker on a budget, the temple-hopper looking for peace, the water-baby who meditates by the river or the city-slicker who loves to party. The city is also well connected - it has metro, buses, trams, taxis, autos and rickshaws. You almost will never have to walk if you so wish! You must have guessed which place I am talking about - Kolkata.

Cycle rickshaws go where buses don't

Perhaps I am partial to Kolkata because it is my birthplace. But even when I think of it logically, I know I love it. The "drive" that fires people up is palpable. There is not a single soul I know who does not have a purpose in life. Most people have an opinion... on everything! Over chai, they will debate for hours on the political direction of the country or critique the latest movie based on a book. I love how well read the average Bengali is. They take great pride in their culture and traditions. The energy with which Durga Puja is celebrated here is enough to light up the country. There is drive also in people's career aspirations. The state has given the world one of its most famous poets - Tagore, a valuable economist - Amartya Sen, one of the country's favourite cricket-captains - Sourav Ganguly, and hundreds of great writers, directors, composers, dancers and singers.

Kolkata's design is an explorer's delight! There are streets so wide, you can find book-exhibitions on their paved edges; there are secluded, narrow alleyways too, for when you want to enjoy your Bengali sweets without having to share those with anyone; the Hoogly River (a distributary of the Ganga) flows under the eponymous bridge and Vidyasagar Setu - two industrial marvels; and there are temples at every street corner. Kolkata's nightlife is also something that makes it appealing. Design is not just in the city, but also in its food. The variety of delicacies available here is mind blowing!

Finally, what makes my city tick is the connect between its people. Everyone is always inviting every other person for some meal or the other! Bengalis just love to eat! And food connects people like nothing else does. Notwithstanding, Kolkata's infrastructure is laudable. Its metro is the oldest one in India. The city is the only one in India to have a tram network. The state buses are kind of rickety, but the ubiquitous cycle rickshaws more than make up for that. They do the last mile connectivity. Every seen an Indian city so well connected by so many means of transport?

Kolkata reminds me of the indigenous car brand - Tata Motors, They have succeeded thus far through their drive, design and connect.

Friends for Life

Disclaimer: This blog is for readers above the age of 25 years.

When we enter the wrong side of 25, we find ourselves in a strange position. We have a relatively cushy job that earns us enough to spend on foreign trips and expensive brands, yet we crave for the dream job which lets us do what we really want and be our own boss. Some of us get married or engaged at this time. Some even start having babies. Then again, there are those of us who are yet to find their life partners. With every passing day, we learn newer ways to dress, cooler apps to use, swankier gadgets to show off and funkier ways to party. But we cherish our old friends.

Source: Liveinstyle.com

When we look at the old photo albums from school or college, we are overcome with emotion. We recall our days of fun and frolic, of yaari and dosti. We remember fondly about our first crush, the first date and the first kiss. And then we look at the faces of all our friends - the people who helped us through bad days, who sneaked our love letters past the strict class teacher, who stood outside the class with us and shared our punishment. All for the sake of friendship. Let us not forget our friends in our busy daily schedules. Let us make a promise to ourselves today to make that phone call and get back in touch with all of those wonderful friends, and in turn, bring back all those priceless memories into our lives again. Our best friends should get an even better deal! We must go over to their place and give them a sweet surprise. We must hold them tight in an embrace and share a hug with them.

While we enjoy with them, we must let our hair down and shed all our inhibitions. We must be young and free again. Secrets should be shared with friends, not kept from them! When old friends meet again, the day should be celebrated with a grand party. But we must celebrate responsibly, for we are adults now. We have our freedoms, but also our sense of duty. At no instance must our sense of enjoyment overpower our sense of responsibility. We must remember that we are blessed with great friends so we can enjoy our lives to the fullest. So, let us preserve our bonds of friendship and keep our friends for life.

Christmassy Cornflakes - Recipe

With Christmas around the corner, I suppose you will be worrying about that perfect dessert to delight your guests with? To help you with your quandary, I present to you, my original sweet dish of Christmassy cornflakes! I first made this for my friends and fellow interns in Lleida, Catalonia about 4 years back. The best thing about this dish is how simple it is to make and how easy and readily available the ingredients are. Take a look at the recipe:-

Christmassy Cornflakes

Ingredients

1. A bowl full of cornflakes (or wheat flakes or muesli... whichever breakfast cereal you prefer)
2. Chocolate sauce - half cup
3. Honey - 2 tbsp (for glazing)
4. Sugarfree Natura (a low calorie sugar substitute)
5. Jam or jelly (for garnishing)
6. Almonds (8-10) soaked overnight in water (for garnishing)
7. Walnuts (8-10) soaked overnight in water (for garnishing)
8. A soft milk chocolate slab (for garnishing)

Apparatus (Utensils Required)

1. A large bowl (for preparation)
2. A white deep dish (for plating up)
3. A spoon (for mixing)

Time to prepare

15 minutes

As I mentioned, this dessert will not take up too much of your time. You will be able to enjoy the Christmas party with all your guests! :-)

Method

1. Add the chocolate sauce to the bowl of corn flakes and mix well. The dish tastes better when each flake is properly coated with chocolate.
2. Slice some almonds and walnuts and add them to the mixture. Make sure you soak the nuts overnight so they are soft, both on the teeth and for the knife.
3. Plate up the chocolaty cornflake mixture in the white serving dish. Let it set evenly all over the plate. It is advisable to use a deep dish.
4. Pour some honey into a spoon and lightly coat the top layer of the chocolaty cornflake mixture. This will give a nice glaze to your dessert.
5. Take Sugarfree Natura and lightly dust it over the dish. This will add some more sweetness to the mixture and also give a nice Christmassy feel to it. The fine sugar dust is symbolic of the December snow. You may use powdered sugar if you don't have Sugarfree Natura, but you will save on calories if you opt for the sweetener.
6. Take a slab of soft milk chocolate and cut it into thin stick-like sizes.
7. Arrange the chocolate slices around the cornflake dish.
8. Take the remaining almonds and walnuts and place them in between the chocolate sticks. Break the walnuts if you don't have enough whole ones.
9. Take a wisp of jam or jelly and softly place it at the centre of the dish. I used strawberry jam. You may use any flavour you like.

Clean the white portions of the plate so that it looks professional. Christmassy Cornflakes is now ready to be served! :-)

Christmassy Cornflakes

If you liked my recipe, do prepare it at your Christmas house party and tell me how your guests enjoyed it. I'm eagerly waiting for your feedback! :-)