Online Shopping And Lucrative Deals!

Who, in today’s digital world would be unaware of Flipkart? In my opinion, even a kid who is aware of the strengthening grip of the internet and social media would definitely be knowing about Flipkart. Flipkart is one of the major online retail stores offering books, electronic gadgets, gaming consoles, mobile phones, movies and a lot more. Any relevant discounts, if applicable, are displayed on their portal against the respective item.

There is a better way of making purchases from online retail stores. If you have not heard about an excellent initiative taken by the team of 27Coupons, then you must make an attempt to know about it and experience it. For all kinds of online shopping endeavors, to facilitate and provide excellent benefits to online shoppers, 27Coupons has decided to provide a good number of coupons and deals for their customers. This initiative has been taken by the team of 27Coupons in association with Patrika, the India’s largest Hindi News Portal.

If you decide to visit the 27Coupons website and search for your favorite store to find the exclusive offers which will definitely provide a good benefit to you for any kind of online purchase, you will fall in love with it, for sure. In my case, when I visited the website, to check on the benefits I would get if I make my purchases from Flipkart via this website, I could find eight deals and one coupon.

This set of deals and coupons does not remain constant all the time. It keeps changing from time to time. Maybe, the next time I visit, I would find a different set of deals or coupons or both. These eight exclusive deals are quite substantial in nature. For instance, the first deal itself was quite appealing, as it offered a fifty percent concession on Cameras. The second one was similar, offering a fifty percent discount on women's apparel.

The next one stood at a fifty percent off on men’s apparel. To the left-hand-side of each deal, you find an indication to highlight if the respective deal has been an 'Editor’s Pick' or not. The first three deals were of course Editor’s Picks. It does not mean that the next deals in fray were not that substantial or lucrative.

The subsequent deals were about a fifty percent off on footwear, an eighty-eight percent off on watches, a sixty percent off on books and so on. Below each deal, there are two tabs – one tab, to view the deal in detail. The moment you click on this tab, it displays the item and the details of the selected deal. Similarly, when you click on the Deal tab, it opens up the details of the deal in a new tab.

Overall it is quite interesting to keep buying your favorite products from your desired online stores, without any compromises. And on top of that against each purchase you make, you get an additional discount in terms of a deal or a coupon.

Definitely, there is a lot in store for you once you visit here, scroll down to your favorite store and then have a look at the items you desire to purchase bundled with additional benefits for you. :)

Do You Fancy Mr. Gupta's 'Nashta'?

Who doesn't like a wholesome breakfast at the dawn of a new day? 

Who wouldn't want to begin their day on a pleasant note, with healthy and sumptuous food, at the breakfast table?

Same goes for evening snacks as well. :)

Fortunately or, unfortunately, health and taste do not always go hand-in-hand. 

These two picky ladies are well-known frenemies. 

Seldom do they adorn the same platter. 

To bring them together, in a single plate is a mean feat to achieve, for us ladies, to impress our families! :) 

~~~ 

On this front, Yours Truly has been blessed. 

Blessed with the gift of innovation. 

That aside, I've also been blessed with a humble man's initiation. 

I speak of Kellogg's India, this day, thanks to W.K. Kellogg who saw a revolution brewing, in a single grain. 

~~~ 

~~~

So, how would you respond to an invitation for you to come over for Mr. Gupta's अनाज का नाश्ता?

How about these five dishes being presented to you for some wholesome and appetizing breakfast or evening snacks?

~~~

How about some Strawberry & Banana Cornflakes to begin your day with smiles?

Mr. Gupta and his family call it the 'जगह बनाने वाला नाश्ता' 

Well, I'd say, the combination of milk and banana is itself heavenly, 

Strawberries enhance the bliss, coupled with our humble cornflakes. 

~~~ 

For fussy kids out there, who refuse to let something beneficial even touch the tip of their tongue, just because it is lacking in taste, there is the 'Best Family वाला नाश्ता' on offer. 

Apple slices and cornflakes form for a conventional combination. It is the cinnamon which adds to contemporariness of the good-old 'नाश्ता' 

~~~ 

It is said that a mother's world revolves around her children. 

It is no coincidence then, that 'नाश्ता' forms an integral part of a child's wholesome development, physically and mentally. 

It comes as a no-brainer when I say that it is very difficult to please kids. 

The humble 'Chapati' poses a difficulty for us mothers when it comes to convincing them. 

For such picky and choosy children, there is a 'नखरे वाला नाश्ता' too. 

For when there's no resort left for the leftover wheat bread, you ought to pair it with those magical Cornflakes! 

~~~ 

For the ones with the sweet tooth, pair Coconut with nuts, milk and Cornflakes to churn out a dish to charm the family - 'Best Tiffin वाला नाश्ता' - to please all the kids and the elders alike. 

With such a delicacy to conquer sweet teeth, your humble Cornflakes are sure to conquer hearts. 

~~~ 

Do you fancy some popcorn for an evening matinee with your family? 

Well, what better than these? 

'Movie वाला नाश्ता' 

Have you ever heard of such a unique concoction? 

With these Clusters of Popcorn, you are sure to divert your family's attention to the snack, from the movie's plot, for sure. 

~~~ 

Dear Reader, would you come over for some 'अनाज का नाश्ता' with Gupta Ji and his family? 

क्या आप आएंगे, यदि #KelloggsWaleGuptaji बुलाएँगे? :D

With the right amounts of health, deliciousness and creativity going into these delicacies for 'नाश्ता', I am sure, I wouldn't miss the chance, at any cost! :) 

Epicurean Display of Buffet Food in Ahmedabad...

The Gujarati Thali is already a known delicacy in the global arena but now, it has reached a new height recently after cashing in on the Modi factor. Gujarat is, in fact, famous for many things – food, dandia and tourism being prominent among many others. Ahmedabad being the commercial city of Gujarat, is one of its most happening cities. Around twenty years back it was very simple and untouched by the fancy lifestyle of metro cities. If you had visited Ahmedabad during those times, you would have fallen in love with the calmness and serenity of the city. And if you visit the city now, the new era modern colors have already painted the canvas of Ahmedabad. People are quite energetic, sober and calm here.

If you talk about buffet dinner in Ahmedabad, it is a specialty here. You enjoy a privilege of having a great variety of Gujarati food that is very tasty and sumptuous. I am really a fan of having it whenever I visit Ahmedabad. Usually, I keep visiting the place for various reasons. Finding a buffet restaurant in Ahmedabad is not difficult. Navrangpura is one of the best places to find one of the best restaurants. In the buffet too, you get a vast variety of food be it Dal-Bhati-Churma or Khakra. Basically, you name a Gujarati dish and are promised to have a lingering, unforgettable taste.

Though Gujarati food is available in many other states other than Gujarat but if you want to enjoy a real taste of it, never miss a chance to try having a buffet lunch in Ahmedabad. A lot of people keep visiting Ahmedabad for vacation or business purpose and the secret behind their frequent visit is to relish the real taste of Gujarati food here in Ahmedabad. Nowadays it is not at all difficult to find a good restaurant in any corner of Ahmedabad. Some of the restaurants are popular among the locals as they find the food available here to be as sumptuous and tasty as the one that is home made. If you have been there in Ahmedabad or are a resident, you really can’t afford to miss it. Give it a try and you will become a die hard fan.

Celebrating Each Day As 'International Day Of Happiness'!

Happiness. 

A universal emotion. 

They say, 'Smile, and the world smiles with you.' 

A smile carries with it a certain blissful aura. 

An aura which is guaranteed to let no individual escape from within its pleasant reach. 

~~~ 

In today's fast paced life, our priorities have changed. 

We've unlearnt the childish art of carefree exploration. 

We've unlearnt how we used to spend all day in the sun, whiling away our time while we traded it for some memorable, impulsive tiffs and momentary patch-ups. 

We've unlearnt how we too, used to drift away with the paper boats in that rainwater puddle. 

 ~~~ 
For me, happiness is an uplifting emotion. 
Somewhere among the grayest clouds of a depressing, tiring and gloomy day, recalling a precious memory or even being reminded of it, serves as the quintessential silver lining. 
~~~ 
There are numerous episodes which play through our lives in a miniscule span of one single day. 
I refer to it as miniscule as opposed to the scale at which events take place, all across the universe. 
Yet, in the miniscule, lies spontaneity. 
The spontaneity of that golden moment is enough for you to endure through the entire rough patch. 
~~~ 
For me, happiness lies in recalling those precious moments which I've treasured all this time - moments spread across my life-span, spent well with family, friends, and well-wishers. 
Once in a blue moon, I am reminded of random episodes, invaluable memories, and precious instances, and it is these random episodes which bring a smile to my face - ear to ear, without fail. 
For me, happiness surfaces from the core, when I come back home, to my daughter, for the time when we marvel at and share the happenings of each other's busy days. :) 
~~~
Of course, it is reassuring to know that you won't return home to loneliness. 
There is someone to listen to the proceedings of your day, with rapt, undivided attention. 
That feeling is the most comforting in the whole world. :) 
~~~ 
They say, 'Smiles are contagious.' 
I wholeheartedly agree with this ideology. 
Very unknowingly, but in all probability, if you see any random stranger smiling at you, you are sure to smile back. 
I say this because you never know, if your smile could make someone else's day! 
I believe in trying to better someone's mood, to lift their spirits and that is what betters my mood, and  makes my day happier and lighter, too. 
It is always better to smile your worries away! :) 
~~~ 
Receiving pleasant surprises brightens up my day and ushers in the happiness too. 
Surprises, for me, refer not only to the materialistic, but also to the unseen and unexpected happenings of the day. 
Sometimes, an unforeseen change of plans in the day's schedule works out properly too. 
And, if an impromptu variation does work out, it undoubtedly makes me feel happier and proud of myself too. 
For, you must fully equip yourself to deal with the unexpected and unseen, at all times in life. :) 
~~~ 
Stealing away some 'Me-Time' for the moments when I'm all by myself is a rare event. 
How do you feel when you are told that you possess something rare? 
You feel as if you're on top the world, right? 
I'm the happiest person when I'm all by myself. 
For, it accompanies with itself, a certain degree of freedom. 
The freedom, which tends to lose itself among the monotonicity of  a routine and the overly mechanized movement of thoughts and actions. :) 
~~~ 
With these, #IAmHappy and I celebrate each day as 'International Day Of Happiness'! :)

Smart Casuals For Style Conscious Men...

What one wears contributes a lot to his or her appearance. It is the same fabric and the same design which is created by a manufacturer that is bought by multiple persons across a larger area. But everyone has their own reasons for buying it. Some could relate it to the color of the fabric while others may give credit to its design. The quality of the fabric also could be one of the reasons for many whereas some buyers could be just loyal to the brand or be picky about their favorite. Though the reasons for the purchase could vary but the purpose remains the same. The fabric, whether it is for a trouser or a half-sleeve or full-sleeve shirt, is cut into appropriate size pieces and sold. Afterward, it is the stitching that is required to give proper shape to it.

When you proceed to stitching, you always have the latest trends and designs in mind. That is then, what you demand from your tailor - to stitch your shirt or trouser while keeping certain specifications in mind. Gradually, the research markets studied men’s behavior in ascertaining their choices and the top choices got translated into the readymade stuff that is made available in the market. Now, if you are getting a shirt or a trouser of your choice of fabric, stitched as per your specifications and designed as per your liking, then probably you won’t have any objection to buy it ready-made.

Over a period of the last decade, the readymade garments' business has boomed tremendously. For men, for instance, in half-sleeve shirt and jeans category, the ready-made garment stores carry all kind of possible shades, sizes, design, fabric, and style. The prominent ones get sold within no time. The credit goes to the perfection in styling and in designing of the half-sleeve shirt and jeans which had captured the market in men’s readymade garments section. There is an array of online stores that offer a tremendous variety among smart casuals for style conscious men.

When a man gets his choice of fabric and color, designed in his favorite style and that which is available instantly within affordable price range, then it makes sense to buy it. This not only saves time and effort but most of the times, money too. Imagine otherwise, when you don’t have any other choice than searching for fabric of your choice of color, visiting the store to buy it, then visiting your tailor and specifying your requirements  while he taking your measurements. How tiring the entire process would be, as opposed to if you could make a purchase online, effortlessly and happily!

24 Hour Cab Services In Delhi At Your Disposal...

In terms of GDP, Delhi is second, next to Mumbai when we observe the city wise GDP data of India. Delhi has a big heart. It welcomes everyone to come, visit and fall in love with it. You may come as a tourist or as a one-time visitor on a personal or official tour. On the other hand, a majority of youth come and stay in Delhi for pursuing professional or general education. Delhi is known as a major education Hub of India boasting of a number of prestigious colleges and universities in various streams – Arts, Science, Humanities, Economics, Science and Engineering etc.

Most of the youth who come here for higher studies settle here as getting a job in a metro city like Delhi is much easier as compared to going back to your hometown or remote village and seeking an equally valuable job.

Delhi has a great respect for talent. Anyone who has talent in any stream of life gets a good payback and long term assurance. That is why a lot of girls and boys come to Delhi to join any entry level job in any stream, get groomed and acquire skill in the field  of their choice and then obtain a better career to rise and achieve great heights.

In such a scenario where Delhi is always awake and life is moving with speed every moment, there is a high demand for proper night cab service in Delhi. Though it is true that with so much inflow of people from various small cities and villages, the city becomes much vulnerable in terms of security and safety but then it is the law and order that attempts to take care of it at every step.

Delhi also has some of the best hospitals, known not only India but also in Asia. Some are well recognized in the global arena. A lot of serious patients seeking specialized treatment come to Delhi along with their family members. For this sake or for any other reasons you will always find 24 hour cab service in Delhi. In fact with increasing political and public pressure, the law and order situation is getting better day by day and in turn demands a good amount of discipline from the locals and visitors in Delhi. Quick taxi service in Delhi is one of the sure phenomena because be it any time by your clock, you demand it and you get it. 

Is It Too Tough To #ShareTheLoad?

There have been times. 

There have been times,
When I looked into his eyes,
To convey,
To seek his help,
Washing the dirty linen,
Is not as tough as he feels.

That Laundry is not only 

A Woman's Job. 

#IsLaundryOnlyAWomansJob? 

No! 

~~~

There have been times,
When I tried to tell him
If he has the rights to demand
That his clothes be properly washed,
And ironed in time,
Then he too, has certain
Responsibilities, Duties.

There have been times,
When I demonstrated to him
How easy it is to wash
With the Automatic,
At home...

Soaking In The Wetness...
Of Water. :)

Keep An Eye On The Timer...
And On How You've Set The Controls. :)

That's How We Twist And Twirl!
We'll Be Spotless In No Time! :)

~~~ 

And how simple it would be
For him to chip in on his part
And doing it sometimes when
I swing on those moods
Or if health swings on me...



There have been times,
When he has understood,
What I wanted to tell, convey
And, demonstrate to him
But he followed only one path
Of moodiness, ignorance and denial.

~~~

I knew he had the Time to
Assist me..
I knew he had the Capability to
Help me...
I knew he had the Heart to
Support me...
But never knew,
The reason behind,
Reluctance, Unwillingness,
And Occupation With Important Tasks.

~~~ 

Excuses, Avoidance, Dodging. 

Belittling 'Sharing Is Caring'. 

Coaxing, Persuasion, Convincing. 

Mister, You Ought To #ShareTheLoad! 

~~~

A magic transformed the mundane. 

A magic brimming of,
A Breeze of fresh air.
When he himself broke,
Broke free of the shell.
The shell he had been seeking,
Refuge in.
Leaving me incapacitated.
Searching the zeal, the volunteer.
Seeking him always.

Sometimes a fistful,
A scoop of Magical Powder.
Changes a mindset,
Transforms your patterns,
Rejuvenates your partner,
Turning into,
A much-awaited boon!

~~~ 

Shell, Refuge, Cocoon. 

Broken, Freedom, Wings. 

Game Changer In Frame. 

Ariel Matic! :D 

Complete+ has the power... 

Whatever be the stain...
Matic's here to nullify your pain! :)

Shine Like New, Indeed! :)
3 Step Super Powers.
Clean, Fast, Deep! 

~~~ 

The family that prays together stays together!

So, why not a couple to wash the dirty linen together?

Revolutionary?

Yes.

Do you dare?

Take The #WashBucketChallenge!

~~~

That's his first pose, with our Mr. Magic. 

That's how the dirty linen went inside. 

That's how we twisted and twirled. 

We shook and stir Him too... 

To being his Responsible self. 

That is Mr. Khanduja for you! 

~~~ 

Post the magical episode,
There are times...
When I ask him,
If he needs my help.
To do the Laundry.

And he just smiles,
Holding up in the air,
That packet of magic.
As a sign of Victory,
Over the unwillingness, reluctance,
And says - 'No'.

Still, I'm there.
To assist him.
For, We...
#ShareTheLoad.

That's not just my Automatic.
It's OUR Beloved Automatic. :)

The Feel Good Factor...
Of Contributing To Household Chores.
An Achievement. 

~~~

Now it is just us,
Our automatic,
And that packet,
Of magic.

Doing wonders,
All the day,
The whole week.
The entire month.

Long live the magic, Ariel Matic Complete+.
Long live the magician, Ariel India.
Long live the initiative to #ShareTheLoad.
For us as a family,
Sharing is indeed Caring.

~~~

'This post is a part of the #WashBucketChallenge activity at BlogAdda.com in association with Ariel India' 

Yes. 

It's not over yet. 

Mister and I nominate these five people to get any male member in their family, or as a male member of the family themselves, to pledge to #ShareTheLoad by taking the #WashBucketChallenge with Ariel India. 

Kiran Acharya (with her naughty brother, Charuhas) 

Rekha Dhyani (with her husband, Vikesh) 

Sakshi Nanda (with her husband, Aseem) 

Hrishikesh Bawa (to surprise his mother) 

Anmol Rawat (to surprise his sister, Akriti) 

When The Gentlemen Jaunt...

Cricket.

The Gentleman's Game.

Cricket.

A game which is not so gentle anymore.

A game which is fine-tuning its pursuits by the day and improvising on its abilities by the night.

~~~

Cricket, as a sport has transformed its image, from a mere sport to a passion in its own right. As a game, it has seen many illustrious individuals attempting to start from a rough patch in life to scale the greener pastures on field while some had to retreat while biting the dust. 

Cricket, as a sport, sharpens skill and mentors a person to balance his physical, mental and emotional self. As a game, it had established its foot in the Indian subcontinent, with the advent of British oppression and with Indians attempting to acquaint themselves with the mannerisms, etiquette, routines, and playful interests of the Englishmen. 

From the lanes of monochrome in time, Cricket as a sport, has sprinted past its bland imagery of the past numerous centuries, to emerge as a zealous, energizing and engrossing pastime. Gradually, it has gained the status of a well-formed and well-received profession by the masses.

Cricketers today, have been fortunate enough to enjoy the celebrity status and the limelight too. Why shouldn't they, now that the boundaries between genres is diminishing. Any talented individual is by all means eligible for an applause for his effort, ain't he? And, why not if he's a part of the playing eleven, and an individual who is a part of a team that is representing the nation, across the globe! :)

~~~ 

We've seen higher benchmarks of performance being set year by year, series by series, match by match, and format by format. We've seen how a sense of competition has balanced itself with a healthy team-work spirit, over the years, without fail. :)

Having said  that the cricketing fraternity of today is no less than celebrities today, we've also seen a revamp of the wardrobe, an upward trend in consciousness of the self and its imagery among the masses. and an improved sense of style. Why not, when they're raking in, the green by endorsing a multitude of brands too? ;)

The game of Cricket has also wholeheartedly signed a pact with its partner in sportsmanship - Technology - in order to embrace an improved standard of playing - on the field and off it too. ^_^ 

Cricketers lead a fascinating life. Following their passion for the sport, basking in the pride of representing the nation. Not only that, they also get to set foot on the soil, where their inspirations, the past cricketing legends have previously played. Such soil profiles are spread all over the world! :D

All in all, cricketers are a unique species, who live their dream with each passing day. One can't help but look up to their performance, attempt to ape their style, marvel at the technological advancements in their game and aspire to set foot on the same soil which they've graced, some day in the future. <3

~~~ 

What happens when celebrities travel? 

The paparazzi follow them, don't they? 

What should happen when the gentlemen jaunt?
The great cricket holiday destinations must be revealed, isn't it?

And, these holiday destinations ought to be unique.
For, each one of them is introduced to us, by a gem in the precious Cricketer's League! ^_^

Let me tell you one more thing. We Indians are not mere Cricket fans. We are pure fanatics. We consider ourselves as devotees and Cricket as our only religion. And, this comes from a lady who has been your quintessential cricket lover, ever since the beginning.

It is the duty of every devotee to make a pilgrimage, is it not? ;)
There are places around the world where history has been made, legends have been equated to heroes from folklore and records have been shattered. The World of Cricket abounds in such revered places of pilgrimage.

~~~ 

So, would YOU like to know how we set sail to some pilgrimage spots for cricket fanatics over the globe? 

Let us embark with the Gentlemen to give us company, then! :)

~~~

It is today, one but the last day of the month of March, with the Cricket World Cup 2015 having successfully drawn to a close. 

Who won?  

Who lost? 

That is for you to find out through your morning daily.
But for now, its time for us to set out on the first of our multitude of destinations.

~~~ 

Fifteen Places Around The World. 

Fifteen Gems, Cricketers, Commentators Et Al. 

~~~

It is said that we must always pray to Lord Almighty, before setting out on a journey, in order to seek his blessings so that we may not encounter any troubles while we are at it. 

Which is our first destination, then? 

This, without a doubt. 

And, even though, it needs no introduction, we have this illustrious location waiting to welcome us. 

The Mecca Of Cricket.

The  Lord's Cricket Ground and MCC Museum, London.

Founded by and named after the gentleman above, with a smile on his face, Thomas Lord, Lord's, situated in the capital city of England, is undoubtedly, the Mecca of Cricket. Find its foundation being laid in 1814, by Lord.

The stadium is also home to another first in the world - the oldest sports museum - MCC, which was established in 1953, by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Marylebone Cricket Club Museum too houses a collector's delight in the form of some invaluable memorabilia, which include the Ashes Urn.

~~~

Now that his name finds a mention above, let us visit the Duke's place to get a taste of his royal lifestyle while in London.

Surprised?

Well, don't be.

We're referring to this Indian entrepreneur, Dilip Jajodia, who bought the Dukes Cricket Factory in 1987.

This factory was first established in 1760, at Tonbridge, Kent.

See, we even witnessed the making of the Ashes Ball, by Dukes, in the first person!



For quality cricket equipment, come to none other than Dukes! 
After all, witnessing the making of the quintessential cricket ball possesses a charm of its own. 
~~~ 
There's one last place left to visit before we depart for West Indies. 
Fancy visiting the only cricket pavilion in the world to be separated from the ground by a road? ;)
The Mitcham Cricket Green, London. 
Probably the oldest cricket ground, being utilized since the days of  yore, in 1685. 

We were told of this gem by the gentleman below. 
The person who is a former England Test cricketer and Test team captain, and current cricket commentator. 
Ian Botham. 

~~~

Let's leave for the Caribbean, shall we?

Our next destination is Grenada, to be precise.

We're to visit The West Indies Cricket Heritage Centre, Grenada.

West Indies is respected for the fact that they were the first nation to be awarded the title of World Champions, holding the first two World Cups, to their credit. WICHC is the only museum dedicated to their entire history of cricket.

Located in Beaulieu, Grenada, the museum houses the best memorabilia of Windies' history and is a part of the Spice Basket Museum.

The World is also thankful to West Indies for having given the cricketing fraternity, illustrious individuals of the likes of Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara and Vivian Richards.

We were introduced to this house of heritage by none other than Whispering Death.

Michael Holding, who gives us a 'How do you like it?' look...

~~~

Off to South Africa, now.

Tag along, people! :)

How about being overlooked by a Table Mountain and a Devil's Peak at Cape Town, while you enjoy witnessing your favorite game from the stands?

The Newland's Cricket Ground, South Africa. (officially, Sahara Park Newland's Cricket Ground)

We were led onto this beauty by a cricketer from South Africa, who has taken his bow. 

Shaun Pollock. 

And, he asks us if we find the backdrop scenic enough. 

How picturesque is your view? 
You tell us. 
~~~
But, for now, we're taking off for India! :D

We'll go from North to West to South to East.

Six of our cricketing destinations out of fifteen are located in India.

Our fanaticism is deep-rooted, you see. ;)

Picture snow-capped peaks and a surreal ambiance to surround you, paired with an unbelievably high altitude.

People, you're now in The HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala!

Situated at a height of 4780 feet, surrounded by the Dhauladhar Range, this stadium gives stiff competition to WACA, Perth, or even Lord's for that matter!

And, who awaits our presence at this scenic location? 

None other than India's most illustrious cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle. 

We Indians believe that - If our Cricket is a religion and Sachin Tendulkar is the God, then Harsha Bhogle is the high priest of cricket. ^_^ 

~~~ 

The Dukes from London have a distant cousin here in India. 

Surprised?

Well, don't be. 

The Dukes have not exactly set their work in India. 

Instead, we have our indigenous cricket equipment manufacturing factories. 

Where? 

Cricket Ball Factories, Meerut. 

With due permission, you could witness the making of cricket equipment, just like at Dukes! 

We were accompanied by a native sportsman, Umesh Yadav. 

He is all smiles to lead cricket fanatics to witness this treat to the eyes. 

Will you be visiting this factory to witness the effort and time which goes into the making of leather balls? 
Some day, you must. 
At least, an Indian cricket fanatic must. 

~~~

Wait a minute. 

If you've come to the land, where a sport is a religion, how could you not pay your respects to the God of the sport? 

Advancing to Mumbai, to visit the place where a boy honed his skills, to become a player. 

A player who became the God of Cricket. 

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. 

A God whose aura motivates young cricket enthusiasts with dreams in his eyes to diligently visit the Shivaji Park, Mumbai to practice every day. 

Youngsters who aspire to debut as a player with the Indian team also come and play in the hope of good luck. 

~~~ 

When we've payed respects to our God, can his inspirations stay far behind? 

Do you fancy the Little Master accompanying you while you take a stroll down the Wall Of Fame at The Blades Of Glory Museum, Pune? 

Everyone's all smiles as we marvel at some of the cricket kits, which various players utilized at the time of breaking records and setting new benchmarks. 

Wouldn't you want to be left awed, by a sight as inspiring as bats signed by all the World Cup-winning teams till date and also by the entire Indian and West Indian line up that was part of God's last match? 

Well, who wouldn't? 

~~~ 

Shouldn't we head South if I told you that we have a temple dedicated to Cricket AND Lord Ganesha? 

Excited, aren't you? 

So was our Cheeka, when we told him that we were heading for his state. 

Hop along, people! 

See, Kris Srikkanth is all pepped up to visit The Cricket Ganesha Temple, Chennai, with Tilak on his forehead! 

Imagine visiting a thirteen-year-old temple, which houses two different idols of the chief deity, one posing as a batsman (on the right) and the other as a bowler (on the left). 

How cool is that? ;)

If that weren't enough, there is also a deity with eleven heads depicting the 'Playing Eleven' on the field. 

The temple sees devotees who come to pray for their team to do well. 

~~~ 

If you've come to India, and not witnessed the energetic crowd at the largest Cricket Stadium in India which is also the second largest in the world, let me tell you, you're no cricket lover. 

The Eden Gardens, Kolkata. 

And, who better than The God of the Off-Side, Sourav Ganguly, to accompany you on this sojourn to Eden? ;)

See, he also knows that you're bowled over by the energetic atmosphere, here. 

Don't forget to call on Dada, when you visit Kolkata next! 

Next on the map - Australia! 

~~~ 

Which is the first cricket destination which comes to mind at the utterance of the word, 'Australia'? 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia. 

Undoubtedly. 

Established in 1854, MCG was the first stadium to introduce a color scorecard with instant replay displayed on the ground. 

And, who better than Shane Warne, to guide our way to the world's largest cricket stadium! 

Fancy posing with Warnie, with the MCG forming for a classy backdrop? 

Come over, some day! :) 

~~~ 

How about touching down at Perth, folks? 

Western Australia. 

What does that remind you of? 

The WACA Ground, Perth. 

Boasting of the quickest pitch and fast outfield, it also houses items from cricketing history, as well as memorabilia from histories of other sports at the WACA Museum. 

At WACA, to welcome us, we have James Brayshaw, a former cricketer representing Western Australia, who is now, an impressive cricket commentator.

Next, we'll be leaving for New Zealand.

~~~

Our destination here is Wellington.

We're here to visit The New Zealand Cricket Museum, Wellington.

The Basin Reserve is home to the New Zealand's historic Test venue and the New Zealand Cricket Museum.

It features cricketing artifacts from the 19th century, exclusive and unique memorabilia such as the large cricket boots of Sir Richard Hadlee. 

For introducing us to these cricketing artifacts, former NZ Captain, Jeremy Coney has come over! :) 

The Basin Reserve is a must-visit for the time when you jaunt to NZ. 

~~~ 

We had begun our journey with The Mecca. 

We'll draw a close to it by paying our respects to The Don. 

Which is the final lap of our journey? 

Well, the buck stops at The Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame, New South Wales. 

We are now paying respect to arguably one of the best batsmen to ever grace the game. 

Apart from Sir Donald Bradman's glorious legacy, the Museum now also exhibits the growth of cricket as a sport over the many years.

The museum incorporates interactive touch screen displays and state-of-art facility.

~~~ 

We've now come to the end of our globe-trotting pilgrimage. 

Or, have we? 

I'm sure we haven't. :) 
For A Sport. 
For A Religion. 
For A Fanatic. 
~~~ 
For An Improved Performance. 
For A Better Style. 
For An Advanced Technology.  For A Zealous Traveler. 

For a passion which is as timeless as the sport and these cricketing legends too. :)

~~~

All images have been edited by me and are the blog's copyright.

This post has been written for #BloggerDreamTeam, a campaign which aims to bring to the masses, the best of both worlds - Cricket and Blogging - at a time when we're all pumped up by the Cricket World Cup 2015. 

The campaign also attempts to showcase the prowess of the best bloggers in the nation by presenting their posts to ace cricket commentator and journalist - Mr. Harsha Bhogle - who will make his choice regarding the 'Harsha Certified Blogging Eleven',  to form his #BloggerDreamTeam. 

We Will Face It #Together...

Family. 

Friends. 

One is a six-letter word. 

The other is a seven-letter word. 

~~~

One statement has been heard, said and passed on from and to countless generations. 

Friends are the family you choose for yourself. 

~~~

As a matter of fact, it is another word that binds these two words - #together.

As a matter of fact, your family and your friends form the two scales of a balance.

You, my friend, are the essential pivot, which must attempt to hold the balance, intact.

For you may be faced with hiccups, many.

It is through these hiccups that you must attempt to emerge from.

It is through these hiccups that your family and your friends hold you steady. 

~~~

It is true that life is not a bed of roses.

It is also true that life is not a bed of thorns either.

You pluck the rose with the thorn, at all times.

~~~

There are some moments in life when you are forced to look deep down into the valley of despair,

It is at this time, that you need a support system in place.

Your support system could be formed by your family or your friends, or both! :)

This support system could then broaden your perspective and expand your field of view to look high up to the mountain peaks and the boundless skies.

~~~

More often than not, it is the thought that counts.

More, often than not, the fact that somebody's there by your side, is most comforting.

The reassurance that you have a shoulder to rest your heavy head upon, post a depressing day at work or after an out and out horrid sequence of events ransacking your personal life, is most hopeful.

~~~

I am sure all of us must have had such moments in life.

No matter how much we try to deny having seen the dark face of situations.

They exist as a part and parcel of life.

~~~

There have been numerous such moments in my life too.

I believe in keeping such trifles at bay, to prevent them from diverting my attention from the happier pursuits and brighter horizons in life.

For facing all such situations with a certain confidence and unmatched grace, my go-to person had been my mother.

For all of the seventy-three years of her existence, she had been my pillar of strength.

She used to catapult me back to the 'battleground' with renewed courage, thoughtfulness and a never-say-die spirit.

~~~

Such memorable interactions have been many.

All of them are as fresh as rain-drenched leaves in my memory.

But the day she left us alone, is the day I broke down in the true sense.

~~~

The entire week was then spent in revisiting the forlorn lanes of monochrome.

The entire week was then spent in reflecting upon life's ways and its transience.

~~~

The entire family resolved to look at the silver lining in the dark cloud that had encompassed us.

It did not take us long to then realize, that as a family - we'll face it #together.

~~~

Today, she is our angel, protecting us from above!

For, as a family, we are always #together! :)

~~~