The Cheerful Family Day by Real Juices - A Prayas...

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November 14th, 2014, the day, will be one of those cherished memories for those 20 underprivileged children of Prayas, an NGO, who had come to attend The Family Day organized by  Real Greetings.

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It was a day of celebration for many reasons, dear to these children. Real Greetings had in store for them, a lot of memorable events to capture, that those kids probably had not imagined while planning for the day, which was to be special for them. The event was not only cheerful, momentous, and well organized, but also an emotional one.

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20 children from Prayas on one hand, and on the other hand there were a number of families invited by Real Greetings, to join the celebrations along with these children and to give these children some everlasting sweet memories. There were officials from Real, Prayas and media personnel. Real Packaged Fruit Juices is one of the division of Real Greetings that hosted this event, termed as “Family Day”.

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The purpose was to provide these children a memorable bouquet of familial moments that they probably had lost, due to some reason or the other. This “Family Day” was the part of “Cheer a Child Campaign” that was launched during the Diwali October 2014 to give these children good wishes and some joyful and quality time. There was lot of fun and frolic for these children who had been entwined much into the various cheerful activities that they forgot the painful moments of their routine life wherein they have to live without their family, each day. There were games, some arts' and crafts' activities, meal-sharing activities, gift hampers for the children and much more...

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Probably, a heartfelt “Dil Se Dua” never goes waste. :)

Rajan And Rina #BringBackTheTouch...

Rina has lost all her hopes of getting back that feeling of love, passion and spark in her life. Rajan has changed, though for first five years, he kept promising, day in and day out, that he will never. Rina and Rajan had a love marriage five years back. It went against all odds, as both the families were against it. But it was only the soul touching spark that they carried for each other, which made it possible. Rina was a model-turned actor and Rajan was running his own consulting PR firm. Rajan needed a fresh face to appear in his new ad for an MNC client. That is how he found Rina, in one of those late evening parties. It was almost love at first sight for Rajan, who had turned 35 a week ago. It was some platonic spark that happened all of a sudden, the moment he first saw Rina. She was stunningly beautiful. He could not stop himself and moved towards her as if he were a small piece of iron and Rina was a magnet, pulling him towards her, with full force.

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And this love at first sight turned into marriage soon. Obviously both had to move out of their joint families' homes, to buy a new home, for the newly formed nuclear family of two. Rina sacrificed everything related to her career to devote completely herself to Rajan. Rajan’s firm was doing well, progressively achieving new heights, and so was the love between the two. There was no ending of the passion between the two. But all of a sudden Rajan started getting more occupied into the business, coming late, going out early morning; and at times spending night at time. Rina was totally blank whether it was the pressure of business, or she has lost her spark to engross Rajan into her. Every prayer of her requested only one thing from the God - #BringBackTheTouch.

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It was Friday evening when Rajan came back home from his workplace, fully exhausted, tired and broke. He could feel, for last couple of months the missing piece of love between him and Rina. Rina was not that appealing to him as she used to be. But that was not the only reason for the gap between them. It was tremendous work pressure and overseas clients that were responsible for all this. But suddenly Rina had stopped smiling, talking and being normal. She was all the time, a spark-less entity, as if not at all connected with Rajan. From a bundle of radiant energy she had turned into a diffused spark. Rajan was thinking all this while having rest on his bed. Probably someone, somewhere had decided to grant the result of Rina’s prayers. She came to Rajan, put her hand on his forehead, and shouted – Oh my God, you are burning. High fever. She rushed to call the doctor. For two days Rajan was almost in a semiconscious condition. But he kept feeling Rina’s hand on his forehead, giving him medicine all the time, and probably felt sorry for the situation they had landed into. Finally the spark was back.

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When My Kitchen Came To Life...

When it comes to the Kitchen, supposedly the most spic and span part of the house, and if you get a chance to give it a touch of purity... 

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Nothing like it...

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The Kitchen is the most happening place in anyone’s home, where most of the creative and innovative ideas are born, where emotion establishes a connect with expression, and from where life itself, evolves. To get that touch of purity, you can bank on Porcelanosa, giving you a once in a lifetime chance to make your dreams come true with 24KLiving. 

More than that, everyone turns green with envy, seeing the grace, class and finesse of your dream abode...

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Would you not love to have a modular kitchen unit true to your dream, but the one that had been eluding you in reality? 

Would you not like to have the best-in-class flooring and wall tiles adorning your Kitchen?

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The same goes for the Kitchen furniture, chairs and tables or for that sake, even the sanitary ware - quality to fascinate everyone. 

The kind of Kitchen, probably only Heaven itself would possess! :)

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If you ask for my opinion on first-class Kitchen Furniture, I would definitely settle for not one notch less than the G490 BLANCO MATE and G680 ROBLE ESPARTO VINTAGE, courtesy Porcelanosa. The style, look, feel and satisfaction that you get after acquiring it, has no other substitute, anywhere else.

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Next, if you think of a modular kitchen that not only brings grace to your home, but is also top-notch, in design and finish; then you will definitely opt for one of the latest collection of Complementary Kitchen Furniture, that is bound to offer the most fascinating dining area. I had a wide variety to choose from, for my kitchen furniture, whether it was to be a Sink Mixer, Single Lever Sink Mixer, Floor Tiles or Wall Tiles. Each selection was unique in its own right.

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I decided to go for the Single Lever Sink Mixer with Pull-Out Shower and Swivel body that looked so beautiful on the natural wood floor finish and my Slim Blanco (or you could also opt for Slim Rojo) Kitchen Table.

It took no time for me, to fall in love with this beauty, the moment I saw TAO NEGRO Chairs for my Kitchen. These low - height chairs give you great comfort when you sit here to perform your kitchen work, or to have some food.

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And when it comes to sanitary ware, you have the Single Lever Sink Mixer with Swivel Spout in the Sink Mixers range, or Single Lever Sink Mixer for Osmosis System with Swivel Spout, branded as Osmosis-Cromo, or a Loop-Cromo that is a single lever sink mixer, boasting of a pull-out shower and swivel body.

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P.S. : All the images have been sourced from the link : http://www.porcelanosa.com/recursos/catalogos/PG_HOME_GB.pdf

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To The Many Babli's In Our Country...

For years, there have been millions, who have been suffering the pain of defecating outside, in the open, midst all kind of germs and infections, feeling guilty, embarrassed, and ashamed, only over the reason of not having a proper toilet in their home, or in the society they are a part of.

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Over 70% of the Indian population, inhabit a rural environment, and even 50% of this number, live in the remotest of areas where there is not a single facility of toilets, leave aside neat and clean washrooms. Hygiene word is far away from their lives.

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Children in rural India, the moment they learn to walk, they also become accustomed to accompanying their brothers, sisters, parents and other family members, at the break of dawn, to a far - off place, in order to relieve themselves.

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And, during the course of the day, they have to suppress Nature's Call, and their desire of revisiting the area, just for the simple reason, that it is not feasible to cover such long distances, leaving all work aside.

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For girls, like Babli, who are in their pre-teens or teens, how shameful and fearful this situation might be, one can imagine very well. On top of that, the unhygienic conditions call for a bigger risk, of fiddling with their well-being, health and hygiene. 

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Who knows, because of such routine unhygienic activities, one might even risk their life! Why should even one life be at the brink of illness for such a minuscule issue of proper washrooms, and toilets for their routine chore? 

Imagine a girl, along with her mother and other ladies of the family, conspicuously leaving home, early in the morning, at the break of dawn, or even before that, to relieve herself. The situation itself spells danger. 

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At the time of defecating openly, all the ladies crouch around a single place, ruining their hygiene. While performing their routine chore, in the dark, one has to be even more alert!

All the excreta is washed off, making its way to the nearby water body. How can it ensure a proper, hygienic surrounding?

How can a country take so long, even post-independence to get rid of such pathetic conditions?

Why is it so difficult to protect the dignity of the females of this Country?

Why is it so difficult to ensure basic security for a human-being?

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A Community Toilet in the rural area, ensuring hygienic disposal of excreta, could at least be guaranteed. But it has never happened.

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Gradually, some villages tried to ensure a safer and healthier environment, by implementing an out-of-house, enclosed quarter, so that, the kids, and females of the village could use it for defecation. But, again, the hygiene is being compromised with.

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That is why the Domex Toilet Academy was initiated, with a mission of installing 24,000 toilets in areas where there is no such provision to help the Babli's of our Nation. 

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Let us all join hands in spreading the good word and contributing towards this noble cause. I thus request every reader to join the “You Click Domex Contributes” Initiative. This meaningful mission, begun exactly an year ago, in November 2013 to provide hygienic and healthy conditions for defecation to all Bablis of the nation. Here's how you can join in...

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You can bring about the change in the lives of millions of kids, thereby showing your support for the Domex Initiative. All you need to do is “click” on the “Contribute Tab” on www.domex.in and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.

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Claudio Del'Era From Italy At SOIL India...

Recently, I visited SOIL (School of Inspired Leadership) to attend a session by Claudio Del'Era and his students. This was the last session for the first day of a 5-day long venture. The session was a workshop on Design Based Innovation. There were around 50 odd students from all over the country and all were quite enthusiastic to attend this interactive session with Claudio. The complete arrangement was done by SOIL's management at their campus in Gurgaon.

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In fact, this is not the only session that has been organized by SOIL. There are so many of such informative sessions organized from time to time with varying tenure to match the aspiring needs of the budding leaders of the country. Claudio had come from Italy and there he is fully engaged in multiple activities related to Design based Innovation, which is his favorite subject.

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Claudio is a well-known figure worldwide being one of the top few who have mastered the subject, 'Design based Thinking and Innovation’. He has vibrant energy when you discuss with him about his subject and the way he makes you understand about the ins and outs of Design based Innovation, probably you would get the know about it from the ground. The fundamentals about this subject were well explained by him at length with right fitting real life examples. Claudio carries a Doctorate in this subject and this is the field where very few dare to get into.

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Claudio works as a Co-Director of an interesting and a quite popular institute in Italy – MaDe In Lab which extends to Management of Design and Innovation Laboratory. He takes care of three major portfolios here – Training, Research, and Consulting. Besides this, Claudio is also working as an Assistant Professor at MIP Politecnico.

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Mobility, Courtesy Mahindra Comviva!

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Smartphones, tablets, etc. have endowed us with portability and connectivity 24*7, revolutionizing the way people ever thought about mobile phones beyond calls and messages. 

With upcoming technologies, which are faster and efficient, we expect more, in every possible way.

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For mobile financial solutions, one company that is known worldwide is Mahindra Comviva, which is a part of Mahindra Group. 

Mahindra Comviva is a subsidiary of Tech Mahindra, the technology arm of Mahindra Group. In mobility solutions, Mahindra Comviva have a stronghold to such an extent that they are having a substantial global share in the same and are the top rank holders consistently for years. Most of the organizations seeking mobility solutions in content management, information based entertainment, finance management and real time financial transactions, messaging solutions and mobile data management.

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There are many more than the above mentioned areas in which the mobile apps portfolio from Mahindra Comviva is known for, on global front. 

In B2B Mobility solutions, Mahindra Comviva has sustained its top slot in terms of its solutions worldwide. The innovative mobility solutions from Mahindra Comviva not only has helped their clients in gaining better experience from their client's customers in turn, but also has improved Mahindra's revenues. Almost all major mobile service provides and financial institutions in more than 100 countries are using Mahindra Comviva mobility solutions for enhancing their relationships with more than a billion of customer base.

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Some of Comviva's mobile solutions are as follows:

Mobiquity® is an award winning mobility solution from Mahindra Comviva that helps in financial transactions through mobile without any geographic constraints with an availability of 24x7. Mobiquity® is a wonderful product with multiple facilities like mobile wallet, banking, financial transactions, and much more on multiple mobile platforms and technologies.

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PreTUPS is their electronic recharge solution and makes it easy for consumers to top-up their prepaid account through which channel is convenient to them The channels included are the web, client app, kiosks, ATMs, STK and USSD. Through this they can even across the counter.

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PayPLUS is their chip-enabled comprehensive integrated payment solution that makes it possible for merchants, SMEs, and service professionals to convert their mobile phone into a Point-of-Sale (POS) device. This POS also accepts debit and credit card payments. PayPLUS also delivers promotional campaigns with offers and discounts, to customers, based on their location / proximity to the merchant store.

Screen Shot of the Live Demo Of PayPLUS at the Event...

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 According to Mahindra Comviva, the global leader in providing mobility solutions, the growth of mobility solutions is driven by factors such as increasing affordability, rising convergence of content and entertainment and growing need for mobile entertainment & social networking.

The growing mobile money trend is fuelling the upsurge of mobile financial solutions comprising of electronic prepaid recharge, mobile wallet, mobile banking and mobile payments.

Looking at the mobility strength and a tremendous success in B2B mobility solutions on global scenario, Mahindra Comviva is now looking at providing solutions on B2C front.

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Srinivas Nidugondi, Senior VP & Head of Mobile Financial Solutions, Mahindra Comviva said, “Consumer needs are constantly evolving, giving rise to the urgent need of   a highly robust, secure, scalable and feature rich mobile financial solutions platform that embraces mobile phone as a digital container for holding money and payment instruments - enabling service providers across financial and telecom industry to cater to the diverse financial needs of various consumer segments.”

Atul Madan, Head of Digital Services, Mahindra Comviva said, Technological advancements have changed the very dynamics of the telecom industry. The wide spread penetration of mobile phones, driven by lowering costs and advanced capabilities, and ready availability of a plethora of content-rich mobile apps to keep the user engaged on the go, is gradually transforming the role of a mobile phone into a lifestyle companion.”

Mr. Atul Madan on the dias...

To add to the fun quotient of the evening, legendary NRI Comedian, Papa CJ graced the event as our host...

Looking forward for Mahindra to break and set newer and higher benchmarks for themselves in the near future. :)

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When At SOIL...

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Thanks to SOIL, School of Inspired Leadership, where I got a chance to meet Mr. Anil Sachdev, the Founder and CEO of this unique innovative Gurukul to train professional youth in a direction to achieve new and impossible heights in their life.

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The main focus here in this temple remains of the student getting fully conversant with himself first. Because if you don't know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, you can never achieve your goals in desired manner. Without knowing yourself you cannot drive your life in your desired directions. And hence, in that condition, one surrenders himself to others, to get driven by them and that way all his ambitions, wishes and interests get buried inside and never see the light of the day. 

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We had a detailed interaction with Anil on his vision, mission and the goals he has set for this great institute with a novel cause. The students trained here, who have already a professional spread of 2-5 years, after joining, get transformed into someone they had never met with, never known and never thought of. 

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The transformation itself is a unique experience for each student in his or her own way. The curriculum is very structured to build the various pillars of strength within the student in such a way that the mind starts thinking in a unique innovative manner to achieve one's ambitions and goals of an individual's life.

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Unleashing The SHEROES Within Us...

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4 November 2014.

The Day, for when, an invitation was extended to me...

By the kind folks at SHEROESIndia and BlogAdda.

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Going by their philosophy, there is a SHERO within each one of us.

And, BlogAdda, as a Blogger's Network, was keen to bring those SHEROES to my city, New Delhi.

So that each one of us would abide by the motto - I Am For #SHEROES.

And, as soon as I encountered the tweet, concerning the event, on my Twitter TL, I made up my mind to attend the Event, whenever be it.

And, to my surprise, #SHEROES In My City fell on a weekday, but that weekday was a gazetted holiday!

So, I could wholeheartedly attend the event and support #SHEROES In My City! :)

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4 November 2014.

0915 Hrs.

We were there at the venue - well in time - Hubby and Me. :)

There was a good half an hour margin for the extensive and insightful discussions to begin...

This is what the venue looked like when we stepped in.

It was a day - long event and I was looking forward to an eventful day...

Here, have a look at the Agenda for the #SHEROES Summit in New Delhi...

And, let me also tell you, Anu Singh Choudhary, was to be our host for the day.

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First up was the founder of SHEROES, Sairee Chahal.

She was quick to outline the Motto behind SHEROES that motivates them to strive for a better future, each day.

"Every woman who makes a choice and makes it work for her is a SHERO"

SHEROES - a career destination for women professionals, committed to career success and individual work-life fit.

For women SHEROES is a gateway to the finest opportunities, resources and conversations.

SHEROES welcomes women professional across levels, stages and sectors to pro-actively access the largest Opportunity Scope for women.

There is a diverse and large range of opportunities to pick from — these include opportunities with women friendly employers, flex friendly formats, mompreneur programs, partnership programs and more.

The SHEROES Community gets access to career resources, information and community sharing. SHEROES Mentors engage actively to help women attain career success on their own terms.

SHEROES is committed to enhancing the quality and quantity of opportunities for women and investing in women professionals through various phases of their career.

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Also, she enlightened the audience with some key facts concerning the organization she'd founded.

For instance...

1. SHEROES was founded in January 2014. It is a 'new kid on the block', as you may call it, but it has emerged as one of the most prolific and energetic kid, in my opinion. Previous to that, Sairee had experimented with a start-up going by the name, Flexi-Mom, for Work-At-Home Ladies.


2. It aims to cater to the budding entrepreneurs in the Middle Income Group. That is because, the LIG has the Government working for their capital needs and the HIG fund their own start-ups. But, it's the MIG which has drawn the line, right in the middle.

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We begun with the Founder of MakeMyTrip.com, Mr. Deep Kalra...

He took us on a 'trip' to the roots of MakeMyTrip...

And, more broadly, on what were the key qualities of a successful entrepreneur, or which qualities should be on the check-list of a to-be successful entrepreneur.

He also strongly stood against the 'Yes Boss' Syndrome.

In a nutshell, one cannot grow until one is in someone's shadow.

Innovate Or Perish, was his Motto.

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Next up was Mr. Paresh Nath, the Editor and Publisher of Delhi Press magazines.

He spoke about his humble beginnings and had an elaborate discussion on how the Print Media was striving in the era of Digital Media.

And, how the potential #SHEROES had to muster courage to break free of their cocoon and develop a strong sense of self - confidence.

Also, he spoke on how, we had developed into a nation of Educated Illiterates.

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Next, we got to meet Ms. Tavleen of I-Mobility.

She highlighted the need for Sustainable Urbanization, with the aid of Smart Citizens from Smart Cities.

She'd begun with quite an interesting concept of Indian Gods and Goddesses and their vehicle, or वाहन.

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Next, we had Mr. James Joseph of Jackfruit365, who took to heart, the Work From Home concept.

His session's highlights were this...

...Penned by James, and, these...

...Munchies from Jackfruit365.

His key-points were...

An expertise is your wings - if you are an expert people will come after you.

Your work has to perform well.

And, even for Home-Office, Discipline is the key.

Work from home allows me to be a small fish in a small pond as well as a big fish in a big pond.

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The Power Couple Chat with Mr. Nikhil Mehra (of Shantanu-Nikhil fame) and his wife Vidushi, a former banker, who is now an actor (of Aisha fame), was on a slightly lighter note, as it was the post lunch session...

That's them, and their twins on screen! :D

Wise words from the conversation, by Nikhil...

Don't let down but let go.

If the intent in incorrect then the content would follow.

Just Be.

Dream all the time.

Good conversations ignite good relationships.

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And, some responses by Vidushi, who has donned multiple hats...

There can be only one diva in the family. I support Nikhil's career.

If you get to do what you really want to do, it's worth a million bucks.

I don't need the money, I need something to keep the fire on.

Every now and then I try to sync my schedule with my kids.

There will be always a trade-off. You have to choose well.

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The event was wrapped up, with the Cherry on the Cake...

The LAUNCH of the BIG SISTER Program.

And the Most Important A's for Working Women...

Ambition

Awareness

Acceptance

Appreciation

Attitude

Aptitude

Asking

Action

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That's the Mentors and the Mentees...

Neha Singh.

Salena Rathod.

Gayatri.

Kanika.

Vibha Singh.

Poornima.

Sangeeta.

Chhavi.

Suman.

Rupali.

The SHEROES Of My City.

SHEROES In My City. :)

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Thanks SHEROES India...

Thanks BlogAdda. :)

PS: The images without the Blog Watermark have been sourced from @SHEROESIndia on Twitter.