Anyone who speaks to Ritu Kakar over the phone or interacts with her over messenger or chat will mistake her for a 16-18-year-old youngster who is bubbling with vivacity & passion. The positive attitude of this die-hard romantic belies her age. It probably has a lot to do with the environment at home. You know her as Ritu Kakar, the Contemporary Romance Author. I know her as a doting mother, loving wife, dutiful daughter-in-law, darling daughter, cute sibling and an amazing 3-am-friend. One chilly winter morning, I visited Ritu Kakar for a steaming hot cup of chai with Parle G biscuits & some gup shup. Rarely does one come across an individual who speaks with so much honesty, passion and innocence. I have had the honour of editing Love Unexpected for Ritu Kakar & it has been one of the sweetest romance stories I have ever read.
Why does my child need yearly shots of the flu vaccine?
Every parent loves their kids and is willing to do anything to ensure their safety. I am no different and thus I ensure that my children get yearly flu shots so that their fun times continue. #IPromiseToStopFlu
Social Media Etiquette 2020 | Choice is yours: remain toxic or learn to express assertively
Through this post, I want to convey the sheer positivity that life brings. There are and have always been reasons to worry about our future & our well-being. We are the generation that has grown up in one of the worst phases of India & since there was no outlet called social media, we learned to express ourselves in a socially acceptable & responsible manner to a closed group of people. If there was an issue, we tackled it the way it needs to be. We didn't go crazy pasting posters on the walls of people who disagreed with our opinions. Social media gives us the power to write anything on anyone's post & it's our choice whether we want to write/comment on a post. The choice is yours: remain toxic or learn to express assertively.
How to be happy & fit | Health Transformation and 2020 Goals
Eradication has been the cornerstone of my health transformation journey. The first thing I did when I started is to remove all negative people from my life. Especially toxic people who projected their own insecurities on me and were always in a hurry to predict my failure. Some of these were friends and others were even family members. Today, you all see me as a person who lost weight, I see myself as a person who overcame life's biggest hurdle - people.
Is the flu vaccine important for my child?
I live in one of the most crowded cities in India, the bustling city of Mumbai. Sure, it is the city of dreams, but it is dotted with filth everywhere. Even five-star hotels are right near dumpsters. Crowded trains, buses, high traffic on the roads is common. The flu virus could be carried by anyone of the many million citizens of this city, with the potential to affect my child or me. A kid's life is divided into two, exam time and fun time, flu is bad news in either of these. I, therefore, got the flu vaccine for both my children to ensure that they continue having fun and being naughty through their childhood. #IPromiseToStopFlu and therefore hope that this post will help other mothers to take a positive step towards their child's safety and health.
How to deal with toxic parents & family members?
Friends, it's easy to succumb to the excuse, 'my parents were mean to me so I don't really know how to be nice to my kids. They will hate me anyways.' Just as Sanjana made a choice, you too have a choice. You don't have to be the very same parent you hated. You don't need to be mean, rude and resentful towards your own children. I am hoping this post helps you to cope with your negativity & channelize it into a beautiful, positive bond between you and your children.
The bravest woman…
Her parents, neighbours and friends urged her to walk out of her marriage. However, none of them had the guts to stand up in front of this monster to protect her. She realised that these people won't keep her with them if she decides to leave him. Where would she go? Live alone? Easier said than done - he took care of her comfort and ensured every material need is fulfilled. ...Read on to know what she did next....
Deliciously Healthy, NO SALT Recipes that make dieting a JOYFUL experience! | Part Two
Recently, Mumbai Mirror featured me for my NO SALT diet since then, I have been flooded with questions on how I manage to live without salt. I realised that readers want recipes for a NO SALT diet. I am featuring one NO SALT recipe in this blog post. Do try it at home and share your experience with me.
Why is Janhavi Samant’s Faaltugiri a must-read for parents and children?
I was unable to attend the book launch of Faaltugiri due to work commitments and when Janhavi asked me to do a Memoirs workshop with her, I first asked her to send me the book before I agree for the workshop. I received a book specially signed for DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter and I must say, when I started reading, I just couldn't stop! Read on to know why this book is a must-read.
Deliciously Healthy, NO SALT Recipes that make dieting a JOYFUL experience! | Part One
Well, it has been a 19-month long health transformation journey. I am down by 23 kgs and have never felt healthier all my life! The focus of my health transformation has been FITNESS and weight loss was a healthy by-product of this journey. When Mumbai Mirror featured me for my NO SALT diet, I was flooded with questions on how I manage to live without salt. I realised that readers want recipes for a NO SALT diet. Here are Deliciously Healthy, NO SALT recipes that make dieting a JOYFUL experience. I have featured 2 recipes in the first part. Will feature more in the next blog post.
9 reasons why children should learn to play Chess
Parents often question: Why should children learn chess? What are the benefits of learning chess for children? What does chess teach a child? What is a good age to learn chess? Here are 9 benefits of making your child learn to play chess. We hope that we answer your questions through each of the points enlisted in this blog post.
The King Makes His Move | Dr Parinay Fuke | World Youth Chess Championship 2019
It is a great moment of pride for every Indian! For the 1st time, India will be hosting the prestigious World Youth Chess Championship 2019. Organised under the aegis of the All-India Chess Federation by the All Marathi Chess Association, a total of over 65 chess playing nations and 700+ players will be competing for 6 World Youth Championship Crowns. DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter got a rare opportunity for an exclusive interview with the Honourable Minister, Dr. Parinay Fuke who heads the All Marathi Chess Association - the main organising body of the World Youth Chess Championship. In addition to leading AMCA, Dr. Fuke is also Minister of Maharashtra State for PWD, Forest & Tribal Development. Through his extremely busy schedule, he always finds time to promote chess & related activities. Read on to know more...
Who says Jainism cannot be practised in Modern Life | Diksha Shah | Varshitap
On one hand, she is a devoted daughter-in-law, loving wife & doting mother of two wonderful kids. On the other hand, she is a well-read, well-educated, former head of a call centre, committed sportsperson, a modern woman and the life of any party. But there is a 3rd angle to her personality: she is deeply spiritual. On a rainy day in Mumbai, I had a chance to meet Diksha over a cup of coffee. The next one and a half hour, I was introduced to Jainism in a way I have never experienced before. Read on to know more...
Lose weight, not muscle strength: turn to FITNESS, weight loss is a byproduct
When I tell them that I need to lose 10 kgs more of fat and build muscle, their reaction is PAGAL HO GAYI HAI KYA?? Lol... It is not their fault. We are being fed with the wrong information – look around you, how many people actually talk about BUILDING MUSCLE STRENGTH & MUSCLE ENDURANCE? How many people around you talk of getting fitter? Is there a single advertisement that markets fitness? Nearly every advertisement talks about weightloss - the harmful effects are never highlighted. No one tells you that merely weight loss is not equal to gaining fitness or strength. People need to realize that weight loss is a by-product of your fitness journey.
Some mothers have a DARK side…find out if YOU have one…
#LetsFaceIt: Not all mothers are loving and kind. Some are TOXIC...very TOXIC. Some spew negativity unknowingly and a large percentage uses an array of emotions to manipulate and control their children. The relationship with the mother defines what the child becomes in life. A child's self-image and view of the world largely depend on this relationship. If it is toxic then it can put serious roadblocks in life.Do you have a dark side? CLICK to find out...
The girl who had no dreams | Vibhuti Duggar | Untold Story of Success
Imagine a girl wearing salwar kameez, meek, no confidence, no opinion about anything in life. She would very quietly agree to norms of the society like - not talking to boys, not wearing western clothes, not aspiring for a career, not going out after 6.00 pm. This was who she was until the age of 21. She could see her life forward very clearly wearing a sari, married to a businessman, cooking, cleaning, producing kids and managing life with a lot of compromises. That was the old Vibhuti for you. Read on to find out how this lady continues to transform lives through her training sessions and soul stirring poetry.
Romantic Poem: That Passionate Kiss…
A kiss is born when two souls bathe themselves in pure love and crazy passion. Does it ever die? Read on to find out...
9 things no one tells you about Senior Citizen Care
What noone tells you about Senior Citizen care: You are walking on a tightrope with a huge burden of responsibilities and just for fun, God has put grease on the tightrope!! You are expected to manage and smile through it all. After all, no one wants to show that their lives are in trouble or in chaos because they need to take care of their parents/in-laws.
How to make your home senior citizen friendly?
Just as you prepare the home for a new baby, the same way you need to prepare the home for Senior Citizen care. Did you know that the Fear of Falling (FF) is a serious problem in the elderly. How do you ensure that your home minimises the risk of falls?
Why do good people suffer? #AskRoshani
Dear Roshani, Is Karma real? If yes then, why do good people suffer and we see bad people happily doing things which are wrong? - NK
“I have been watching you….” | Women’s Day Poem
"I have been watching you...." Yes...I have... I observed how you make a million sacrifices that go unnoticed... I have noticed how you ensure your family gets more than the care they deserve...
What can help me create better positive thinking? #AskRoshani
#AskRoshani: I try hard to be positive, but my mind constantly thinks of negative things and I witness the negative outcomes manifesting in life. I am worrying most of the time without a reason. Why does this happen? And what can help me create better positive thinking?
How to boost your child’s Immunity & Creativity | PediaSure #UnboxGrowth
This post deals with a topic really close to my heart: how to ensure your child’s mental and physical growth is being taken care of? DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter discovered the unique DIY activity box by PediaSure. Nutrition along with nourishment for the right brain.
90% of fires can be prevented by intelligent facility management | Saurabh Agarwal | UNIFY
A fire, accidental or otherwise, is likely to cause 12 times more deaths than injuries as per 2018 National Crime Records Data. In 2018, the Mumbai Fire Brigade recorded 3987 fire calls from March to December 2018. Illegal constructions, fire non-compliant extensions, encroachments & material blocking exits, fire hazardous goods all contribute to the risk of fire says Mumbai Fire Brigade. 90% of fires can be prevented by intelligent facility management says Saurabh Agarwal, Director, UNIFY Facility Management.
How to let go of jealousy? #AskRoshani
Whenever someone around me receives praise or achieves success, I feel an intense and overwhelming feeling of jealousy towards that person. The feeling intensifies when I see so many people leading a happy life on social media. I feel inadequate, like a loser. Please help me to get rid of these feelings of jealousy.
Saroj’s Kitchen: #2 Secret to perfectly boiled potatoes | Cooking Tips
One of the common problems that one faces in the kitchen is, boiling potatoes to perfection. Many of our readers share that they either overcook or undercook the potatoes and some even said that the potato tears at the skin. Here are Saroj Mom's expert tips to boil potatoes perfectly:
Saroj’s Kitchen: #1 Stuffed Chilly Pakodas| Yummy and easy Indian snack in 6 steps
To beat the cold wave, we decided to begin this series with everyone's favourite dish. You can serve this dish as a starter or a snack. It's easy to assemble and make. Do try it and let us know how it turned out. For a North Indian, Pakodas are like Manna from heaven! Chai and crisp Pakodas are a favourite tea-time snack. During a sudden visit by guests, mom can put together a plate of piping hot pakodas in no time. Most of the ingredients are easily available at any Indian home. If you are reading this post from a location out of India, then you can procure these ingredients from any Indian superstore in your neighborhood.
Help! I am in a toxic relationship and it’s ruining my life!!: #ASKROSHANI
I am in a toxic relationship since many years. I know it’s killing me yet I don’t want to leave. I know many friends who are in a similar situation. Please guide me.
Falling sick often? Your office could be the cause | 7 Workplace Infection Risks
Your working environment is full of germs. Except if you work in a disinfected workspace, like an operation theatre or lab, you are exposed to millions of bacteria and germs each time you are at work. There is a high risk of being exposed to germs around the workstation from keyboards, phones, desks to the mouse. Microbes can be transferred through toilet faucets, microwave, fridge door handles, water fountain buttons, vending machine buttons among others. Read on...
Affirmations for Assured SUCCESS in 2019 | Kareena Punjabi
We all agree that 2019 is going to be a defining year for each one of us. Or at least we believe it will be. Most of us have prepared a long list of New Year Resolutions and are determined to get them ticked off one by one. This post will enable you to reach your goals faster.
7 Diet Modification Tips for assured weight loss| Avinash Khedekar
While fitness expert, Avinash Sir is a proponent of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, he also believes that minor modifications in the daily diet routine can help you transform faster. Here are 7 diet modifications that he believes will lead to assured weight loss and better health.
How will TRAI’s new regulation affect Indian TV channel viewers?
How will TRAI's new regulation affect TV channel viewers? TRAI's brilliant, consumer-friendly move will #StopTheLoot by cable TV operators. Viewers will stand to gain. I urge you to stop falling prey to rumors being spread by vested interests. Here is an informative blog post that will answer all your questions regarding this new regulation & clear confusion. Click to Read:
Christmas is NOT Santa Claus’s birthday | Why is Christmas celebrated?
Christmas is NOT about Christmas Trees and Santa Claus. It's much more than that. Its the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior. This blog post is an attempt to put Christ back in Christmas.
The 7 Big Digital Marketing Trends to Watch in 2019 |Hussain Kalsekar
Digital marketing is a fast, dynamic landscape. 2018 has been a year of improving and building off of 2017's social media trends. For marketers to keep ahead of their competition, boosting brand awareness and sales they need to keep up to date with current trends, technologies, and strategies. “What does 2019 have in store for us?” Noone can be sure, but I do have some thoughts on Digital Marketing Trends for the upcoming New Year.
An unbelievable story of change, impacting 30,000 lives: #InFocus: Goregaon Sports Club
I have breathed air that is free of politics and bitterness. And that is why this I decided to write this blog post. It is indeed IMPOSSIBLE to believe that there exists a space where ZERO POLITICS and MUTUAL RESPECT form part of the atmosphere. A wonderful space where people come together to have fun and promote sports and culture. If you still don't believe it, then NOW is a good time to step into Goregaon Sports Club and feel the change.
4800 surfaces in office buildings are officially dirty: UNIFY’s Saurabh Agarwal reveals shocking insights
Studies reveal that there are more than 4800 surfaces in office buildings that are "officially dirty". An average desk is 400 times dirtier than a toilet seat!! Saurabh Agarwal, Director, UNIFY Facility Management revealed some shocking insights about workplace hygiene. Read on to find out...
RAMAYAN – the epic, magnum opus LIVE show conceptualized by JD Majethia
Actor-Director-Producer, JD Majethia conceptualized the magnum opus play, RAMAYAN - the epic that will be performed at Goregaon Sports Club on November 24, 2018. “We live in a digital age today; our culture and traditions have got buried somewhere deep within the materialism and increased exposure to the western world. Quite an irony because the west is turning towards Indian traditions for peace of mind. We thought of presenting the greatest epic to today’s generation, in a format that they would love and understand. Thus, we came up with the concept of LIVE RAMAYAN – depicted in 80 minutes.” believes JD.
135 best Rajasthani wedding songs from grandma’s treasure chest.
A rare collection of 135 best Rajasthani/Marwadi wedding songs. While you were wondering how and where would you get the best Rajasthani wedding songs, 86 year old grandmother, Banarasi Devi Sagarmal Jangid was secretly wishing that the songs she knew, would remain here even after she was gone. Banarasi Devi shared her concerns with her distant relative, Pushpa Bhavani Shankar Jangid. Pushpa took up the mantle of sitting at her buaji's feet and writing down each wedding song while Banarasi Devi passionately narrated them.
7 foods in your kitchen that are secretly killing your family
The irony is that the very products you are buying to make your family healthy are the same ones that that are harming them. Here are 7 'healthy' foods in my kitchen that were secretly killing my family. I threw them out...read on to find out who the culprits were...
This Diwali, you can have your FIRE CRACKERS & eat them too!
This Diwali, Saarika's Baked Goods (Baked by Momz) brings to you eco-friendly, pollution-free handcrafted, edible firecracker chocolates. Yes! You read it right! Firecracker Chocolates!!
7 places I want to visit before I kick the bucket – #TheBlindList
Lufthansa’s exciting new campaign forced me to write down my #TheBlindList - 7 places I would like to visit before I kick the bucket. This is how I #SayYesToTheWorld.
Dear Moms! Let’s turn from Worriers to Warriors says Genelia D’souza Deshmukh #MomsVsFlu
Listening to celebrity mom, Genelia Deshmukh was an enlightening experience. It told me that anyone could be affected with influenza. Genelia emphasized the importance of aligning with the doctor for all health-related issues.
Genelia shared how she was a nervous wreck while bringing up her first child and, later for her second one, she was more confident and informed. I could totally relate my experiences to hers. I was a nervous first mom and later, transformed into super confident mother with the birth of my second child.
#FunnyPost: 6 hilarious reactions to the taunts every working mother faces
#FunnyPost Alert!
As a working mother, when someone taunted me, I used to get upset, but now I realise that there is another way to handle it. Here are 6 taunts that I get to hear and my reactions to them. You will LOVE this post if you have a good sense of humour. Rest of you, DON'T CLICK ON THE LINK...hahahahaha...:) 🙂
Remembering Gorakh Sharma – The original guitarist of the unforgettable tune from Karz
Who hasn't heard of the legendary tune from the Hindi film, Karz? Well, everyone I know has heard it and enjoyed it thoroughly. Most people recognize the tune, some of us know that the music is given by legendary duo, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, however, very few people know the name of the person who played the tune. When you hit Google, you see several articles about Kaka and loads of videos on YouTube. However, the general public still doesn't know about this great man. This post is a tribute to him and his legendary contribution to the Indian film industry.
State and Fate of Home-makers in India – International Literacy Day
There are two Indias, one where we speak of modern thought, path-breaking findings in Artificial Intelligence & technology, the emancipation of women, freedom from dogma & even legalising of homosexual relations. Deep inside every Indian home, there is another India, one that is never spoken about by the media & if it is, then it is eulogised to make it palatable. It's an India where housewives (home-makers) are treated like third-world citizens. What can you do to help?
“Not a single cheat day in 20 months!!” that’s how SR Shrikant lost 53 kgs & 44% body fat
DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter brings to you the third post in the Health Transformation series. The story you are about to read is about a high flying Global Consultant to Ministeries with no time for himself. He hangs out with the likes of Bill Clinton and has about 300 travel days in his calendar. Despite an extremely busy life, SR Shrikant lost 53 Kgs & 44% body fat in 19 months! Here is how he did it...
“Watching Shahid Kapur at work is like watching poetry in motion” Says co-actor, Swagata Naik #BattiGulMeterChalu
"On a personal note, Batti Gul Meter Chalu was a huge learning experience in that I learnt from Shahid’s attention to detail and complete dedication on set - his insistence on rehearsal and getting everything just right was inspiring."
says Swagata Naik. She represents the new age breed of talented entertainment professionals who are platform and role agnostic.
New-age millennials seeking to make it big are more concerned about the quality & type of work more than anything else. This explains how & why Swagata will soon be a name that every household across the globe will recognize. Read on & #StayInspired
FLAB to FAB: Mohit Anand lost 40 kgs! Know his journey & weight loss secrets.
In continuation to the series on “Stories of Health Transformation”, this time I bring you an inspirational story of a Punjabi foodie Munda, Mohit Anand, an aspiring actor, who once used to look away from the mirror, now romances it. He considered himself as his competition and has lost 40 kgs.
Let me run you through his journey, what inspired him to transform himself, from an extra sweet tooth based lifestyle to a fitness-based lifestyle...
Best ways to get rid of your nasal congestion (blocked nose) in children
The onset of monsoon season brings in much relief from the harsh summer heat. However, as a mother, it worries me when the sudden climate change brings its own set of challenges. Especially in a humid city like Mumbai, viral fever and the blocked nose is a common phenomenon. I used to spend a lot of sleepless nights tending to my cranky child who was unable to sleep because of a blocked nose.
Here are some of the best solutions that I have used for my children. Each of them has been effective and I hope you will find them useful too. Please consult your pediatrician before trying anything on your little ones.
IGTV Guide – How to use Instagram’s new feature? 14 tips to use it like IGTV like a pro!
With the introduction of IGTV, Instagram has taken away eyeballs from entertainment apps and YouTube in one single swipe. It provides the viewer with curated content and thus the algorithmic viewing ensures that the right TG views a video all the time. For creators, it is a boon in disguise since the existing Instagram follower base automatically becomes the viewer base for IGTV. However, many users are still struggling with understanding what IGTV really is & how to use it for their benefit. This guide should help you.
