Day 18, Today!! The 28th of February 2015

I miss my phone!! And how!! :( it's like I have been transported into a completely different world! Ans trust me.. It's not a good feeling.. But the husband says that I am better off without a smart phone.. No more whatsapp.. No more wifi.. So no more politics, or bitching or back biting.. And I guess that Hez right! He is always right when it comes to identifying the true characters and colors of people.. 

But we'll let that be.. Some other other.. I don't want to dig deeper.. Cause the only people who is getting hurt here is me.. 

Anyways.., #day18, #joyofgiving, For People staying in/around or frequenting Padmaraonagar, the lil Pani puri vendor (who is not so lil anymore) parked right opposite Pizza Xpress is quite well known.. The Bhutta puri that he serves is one of the best in the locality.. And I've been frequenting this place for almost 6 years now! I feel sorry when I see small kids working for a living.. Their childhood, their innocence is all lost in the race of making money for a living. But I've also noticed the amount of self respect a few of such people have. I so admire them for that. This lil fellow would never accept chocolates, or even old clothes that we used to try giving him.. Mera jitna banta hain, woh de do didi.. Is all that he says.. But today, somehow, he couldn't refuse the bag of potatoes that I took to him.. I told him that they were going waste and that he could use them for the Pani puri filling. Though hesitant, he finally obliged! And I feel wow!!! Must have been the real "imnotfeelingthatgreat" look on my face that made him decide.. Whatever.. A lil joy spread today.. And I miss my phone.. Oh! Haven't I said that earlier? Sigh!

Day 17

#day17, #joyofgiving, went and spent some quiet time with ammamma (maternal grandmom).. Which I normally do not get to do.. Felt real good! Took along some gummy bear.. Which is her favourite candy! She can finish the lot in a few minutes!! Lol!! But she refused to get clicked citing a bad hair day!! tongue emoticon

Day 16

Just look at the lil fellow!! Just look at the happiness on his face!! This is what happens when a random stranger walks across to you and hands over some balloons... He made my day..today..tomorrow and for a long time to come..#kidsbringjoy #joyofgiving #day16

Day 15

Volunteered with the prasadam and theertham distribution at the nearby Ramalayam with both the kids today. Two hours well spent! Found the calmness and peace that I had been searching for the past few days.. And the kids loved helping around.. No camera to clicks pictures.. But they don't allow photography inside temples anyways... #joyofgiving #day15

Day 14

I've gifted someone somewhere my mobile today! Not exactly excited about the whole thing.. But yeah, whoever has found my phone must be pretty pleased!! #day14 #joyofgiving..

Day 13

Chittattha!! #joyofgiving #day13. I'm too exhausted to type in a decent post today. My lovely aunt here has received a little something from me today. Her smile says it all.

Day 12

Sister's are so special.. I have not one, but four and I love them all to bits!! There are no secrets between us.. No lies and no manipulations.. Only a pure bond completely based on love, care and concern for one other.. They're loyal and they are lovely!!! I love them!! Here's to all the wonderful sisters!!!

This lil one here is twelve years younger to me.. I simple cant believe how time is flying and how shez all grown up!! Still remember carrying her, protecting her, fussing over her and pampering her.. Good news or bad.. Shez among the first ones whom I share it with!! I love u Lux.. U deserve this and much more..  
#day12, #joyofgiving — with Keerthana Hariharan.

Day 11

Kids and their play dates!!! I cant believe that they're growning up so soon!! Its such a joy watching them play and have fun! These cutiepies visited us today and all of them had a blast!!! E and I soooo look forward to having friends over. 

And cause Athithi Devo Bhava.. The Athithi doesn't go empty handed! #day11, #joyofgiving Aanya and Aisam here have been gifted things that they love.. Happy them.. Happy us!!! — with Naheed Muqeetulla.

Day 10

Went to Paradise to takeaway some biryani today. While waiting for my order, I saw this person here ( didn't get his name) sing the anthra of Abhi Na Jao Chod Kar... In perfect tune! With exactly the same smile plastered on his face!! Bought a couple of treats from the bakery and gave it to him to which he politely declined. I had to coax him a couple of times before which he sought the permission of his superior and accepted the same. Smile intact. 

#joyofgiving #day10

Day 9

Fellow Vidyaranyites!! Remember how during a certain day..during the festive season of Sankranti, we the students, were asked to bring in things like fruits., vegetables, cereals or pulses and then, the teachers combined them all and gave them away to the ayyahs in the school... I remember doing so every year.. The atmosphere used to be so festive.. With colorful rangolis, and marigold flowers, and Pai sir flying the gigantic kite made of newspapers and sutli!! And Subhashini teacher singing Banti puvvuki inta kaanti enduku!! Lol!! We had free classes all day and we just used to hang out on the grounds... Such wonderful wonderful wonderful memories... 

So today, taking a leaf from my childhood, I gave E's ayyah.. (Lakshmi didi as they call her..) some cereals, fruits, vegetables and other staples.. It really feels good when you do something for others..with them least expecting it!!! I feel soo happy.. 

Childhood revisited.. #Day9 #joyofgiving#foundationisthekey #Vidyaranya

Day 8

Ramu here is my maid, Parvathi's son. He was born with a nerve weakness. And so is not as physically fit as he should be. But he is an extremely bright and happy boy..always ready to help others. He is currently doing his 8th grade at the Hyderabad Public School. 

His mom, Parvathi works and cooks in about 6 houses each day to fend for herself and her family.. And yet, they are among the happiest of people I know. They prove a thing everyday.. You don't really have to be rich to be generous.. 

On #day8 of #joyofgiving, I gave Ramu and his favourite snack from his favourite outlet Dhabeli from Bombay Chaat! He is all happy happy.. And I am definitely all the more happy happy

Day 7

A week already!!! Even as some people try to pull me down, I am only so much more determined to shape the initiative that I have so much faith in.. Only a week down and I see so many people understanding the concept of "giving" and "sharing" rather than "asking" and "taking"... 

In the meanwhile, Divya here today has been gifted a goody bag on #Day7, #joyofgiving.. Nothing much..but a token of our friendship which, I know, is going to go a step ahead in the near future! Here's to a great beginning Divya! Lets do remarkable things together!!

P.S. Thanks for the immense joy that you have brought me today Divya! The genuineness of your smile is exactly what I was looking for! — with Divya Mahaan.

Day 6

No words can explain the pure joy that a true blooded INDIAN feels when India beats Pak! And the pride with which we celebrate India beating Pak in a World Cup match!! One day when every television everywhere runs only one Channel!! What a feeling!!! Priceless!!!

And coz everybody needs to celebrate an Indian win over Pak.. Coz everybody needs to celebrate the feeling of oneness'.. Coz everybody needs to celebrate INDIA... We went over to my aunt's apartment, where we gifted the watchman's kids (Shiva and Harsha) some Cake to celebrate the fabulous victory!!!

As I said earlier.. Everybody needs to celebrate today's win!! #joyofgiving #Day6 #proudIndian #bleedblue#IndPak

Day 5

I love my cousins! Haven't I said that a hundred billions times till now? Oh yes! I did! And again.. I love my cousins..  They cheer me up almost immediately! They are my biggest support system! The jokes that we crack! The food that we eat!! The places that we hand out!! Its almost like we are one person divided into several souls!! Let nothing and no one break us!! EVER!!

So on #Day5, I chose to gift my dearest, dearest, dearest sis..Malvika, her favorite body lotion! Look at the joy on her face!! Priceless!!

#joyofgiving #Day5 — with Keerthana Hariharan, Satya Kumar, Karthik Hariharan, Suchana Kolla, Malvika Naidu, Raman Manav, Sai Akshar, S.Sai Prateek andSatvik Yadav.

Day 4

It was a depressing day till I came across these ice cream vendors.. I bought an ice cream each from both their carts, inter changed them and gifted them back! They didn't understand what it was all about! "Par yeh toh aapke hain!" They kept repeating..

It took me a good ten minutes to get them to accept the fact that they had been gifted! 
I asked them how they felt.. They told me that no body had done something like this for them before!! The two friends gave me the brightest smiles ever..thanked me and sat down to enjoy their ice creams.. 

A day that ended well !!! #Day4, #joyofgiving..

Day 3

As random and as impulsive as it can get! Today's feat was something that I had never tried or experienced before.. Gifting a complete stranger was meant to happen sooner or later.. But so soon?

I had seen this lady before.. Many times.. Sometimes in our building.. Sometimes outside.. Who was she?? I did not know.. I did not care to know.. And why should I? I had nothing to do with her.. But we used to smile at each other whenever we crossed paths (or rather, she used to smile at my kids and I used to smile at that!) But today.. I stopped.. Took notice of what she was doing.. Where she was going.. Came to know that she was a maid who works for one of my neighbours.. 

 There! I knew just whom to gift a bit of happiness.. Nothing much.. Some fruit.. But when I walked upto her and gave her the fruits.. She asked me why?? I said I just wanted to say Hi!! And she said.. But nobody has done that to me ever!!.....

.....and saying so.. She gifted me exactly what I was looking for.. JOY!!

#Day3, #joyofgiving

Day2

Wanted to do this from so many days! Me, even as a parent, as a woman, tend to lose patience with both my kids at times.. The non stop hyper activity, the chatter, the wails, the tantrums, the fights are a bit too much at times even for a relatively composed person like me.. I wonder how their teachers manage them.. ALL of them.. Day after day..everyday!

I take this opportunity to thank all the lovely teachers out there for their selfless act. No wonder the kids love them as much as they love us, their parents.. Madhavi Joga , Sucharitha Joga , Malvika Naidu we are so proud of you..

And on #Day2 of the #joyofgiving initiative, I went ahead and thanked E's class teacher for being able to manage 25 pre primary kids each day and yet manage to keep the charming smile on her face intact, by the end of the day! A small bouquet of flowers and genuine appreciation for Mrs. Poonam Talwar.. You have given us immense joy Maam!

And finally!! My #joyofgiving initiative kicks off!! Wanted to do this from the time I was into the #100happydays.. Wanted to show everyone that simple gestures in life go a long way! A sweet smile, a lovely flower, a treat someplace they love, a real pretty gown which they liked..and many more.. I plan to shower the most unexpecting people with love.. A very small initiative.. But which we (both Raj N Kasala Dean and me) strongly believe in.. Spreading love will make the world a better place.. 

So here's a fellow mommy and a dear friend at E's school who has been gifted what she was searching for quite sometime now.. A pair of diamond shaped earrings.. Padmaja Mandarapu you have given me tremendous joy today!!Thank you!! #Day1 #joyofgiving

Joy Of Giving

A lot has been happening of late.. A lot, lot, lot!!! Haven't really spoken about it to anyone.. Haven't really trusted anyone enough to tell.. The diary let me down too.. Went into the wrong hands.. And hell broke loose.. But.. I'm not writing about all that now.. Joy of giving is what I'm talking about!! Put up the initial,few days on FB, but people just look to comment and criticise rather than give a thought to what the initiative is all about.. And anyways.. I'm not doing this to please the world.. I'm doing this for myself!! So from now on.., joy of giving would be a regular entry.., right here in the blog itself!! I'm so glad I revived blogging.., was really missing talkng to myself... :)

One thing that I have really learned in all this while is that DO NOT trust people blindly.. Do not let people become a priority in life when they just treat you as an option... Lesson learnt.. Once bitten, twice shy.. Just that I miss a friend.. :(