#ShareTheLoad To Eliminate Gender Bias!

I am Reema. I was hardly a one-year-old when I first started understanding that all household chores are to be done by Mom. We are a joint family. My grandfather’s two brothers along with their families stayed in a three-storied building. Each of the brothers had one storey. Since my grandfather was the eldest among the three, our family occupied the top floor. The building was equipped with an exclusive lift. I can never forget the day when I wished ill against my father for the first time. It was in fact, a first time realization for me to learn about the mental blocks inhibiting him. Later I learnt that these mental blocks were not his fault. That is what had been taught to him right since his childhood days.

The incident was painful for me. It was evening time. I was crying as I was hungry. My father had reached home around half an hour back. He was working as a manager in an airline at that time. My mother was also just back from her work. She was working for an international bank. She had joined her office after a sabbatical of one and a half years. She had to be on this long leave because I had to land on the earth.

I was wailing at my loudest possible. My father was reading the newspaper in the adjacent living room. I could feel he was getting annoyed. I was wondering why he couldn't just stand up and boil milk for me. I knew Mom was just back from work and was freshening up. She would always take a shower after coming back from work. At times, she would be late at coming home from work. But, whatever be the time, an evening shower is a must for her. My father shouted ordering my mother to come fast to do whatever to console me. I was being even more restless. Finally, Mom came and boiled milk for me so that she could feed me something in order to comfort me.

Such incidents continued to occur for many years. Each task related to housework was Mom’s headache. Be it regarding the groceries, my school uniform, cleaning the house, or readying my father’s clothes for the next day at work. During one of those once-in-a-while healthy discussions, I was in my eighth grade and that evening I finally asked my father that if Mom could work and earn like him,  why he couldn't contribute to household chores like her. That one moment of truth brought a real transformation in him. He was dumbfounded and sought the answer to such a silently prevalent question. Today he not only contributes whatever little he can, in every chore like folding the ironed clothes, washing the groceries before cooking, preparing a simple breakfast as omelettes etc. at home but also sets an example for all the children at home, especially the boys and gentlemen in our joint family to ensure a balance in life and equal contribution to their respective mothers' or wives' efforts.

A few days back, when I saw an advert by Ariel, it brought back this episode's memory. I was reminded of this beautiful quotation by Benjamin Franklin:

Tell me and I forget,
Teach me and I remember,
Involve me and I learn.


As for me, I was involved at home by witnessing a loaded balance tilting towards and burdening my mother in my initial years, and I learned to condemn such gender bias towards the women of the family. I learned to appreciate the notion of #ShareTheLoad, which must even be propagated into the minds of the younger generation, in order to nip such prejudice in the bud, always.

~~~ 

I am joining the Ariel #ShareTheLoad campaign at BlogAdda and blogging about the prejudice related to household chores being passed on to the next generation.

Raising The Toast To Tea By Typhoo!

What?
Talk Over Tea, With Typhoo

When?
Friday, February 19

Where?
Oxford Bookstore, Connaught Place

This Friday afternoon was meant for a perfect beverage at the perfect venue. Tea and Books make for the ultimate combination and when UK's leading tea brand teamed up with an upbeat bookstore in Delhi, I could not refuse.

Tea, for some of us, parallels a nectar and marks a perfect start to our day. Typhoo, which is famous as UK’s finest tea brand, hosted an interactive session over the essence of Tea as a beverage and its benefits. The panel consisted of veteran Writer and Journalist Sharmila Chand, author of "Cheers :365 Cocktails and Mocktails", Dietician Dr. Neelanjana Singh, author of "Our Kids Eat Everything", and Mr. Subrata Mukherjee, spokesperson for Typhoo India. The dialogue was centered around the ancient beverage and its numerous beneficial properties.

Mr. Mukherjee, opionioned on how Typhoo teas and infusions were apt for health-concious and 'fit foodie' consumers. He also unveiled the new caffeine-free organic range in Chamomile and Peppermint variants.

Dr. Singh shared her anecdotes on how the 'wonder beverage' had far more significance than merely being a necessity to begin one's day; stressing how Tea scored over Coffee in rendering the body calm and how it worked as a sleep inducer, also speaking about the beverage's common methods of intake. During the session, it was made known that Tea had a high content of flavonoids, tannins, and anti-oxidants, while enhancing an individual's metabolism by five percent  and also working as a stress buster! :)

Sharmila Chand moderated the panel discussion, and as a fitting conclusion to the Talk over Tea, we had a variety of refreshing Tea mocktails from her book "Cheers: 365 Cocktails and Mocktails" and Typhoo served up their signature tea mocktails with its fruit and herb based Fruit Infusions range.

My most favorite concoctions were Sapphire Sunset and Tropical Paradise, consisting of a Lemony Zest and Blackcurrant flavor, respectively.

#IAmCapable, She Exclaimed!

~~~ 

The day had begun with the usual chant of prayers and the aroma of incense sticks filling the house. It was a special day, however. That day was to be when Deepti had to take the first step towards the professional world and her parents wished her well. Her mother had a certain wish for the Almighty, to make this walk of Deepti's life, a bit different from her past.

Within a few months of obtaining the title of being a graduate, Deepti had landed a job at one of the 'Big 4' firms. It was her 'dream job', so to say, and she hoped to carve a name for herself with her perseverance and sincerity towards work. 

It was not long after she had joined that she gradually proved her mettle to her seniors and received a promotion within a couple of months of her joining. But, blame it on her beautiful physique and elegant mannerism that her colleagues came to think of it as a case of favouritism towards her by the senior management. 

Well, such 'chinese whispers' spread like wild fire and it came as no surprise when Deepti found herself at the receiving end of such rumors as the one doing the rounds. She was, however, used to being judged on the basis of her beauty and being demeaned on the basis of talents she possessed. 

The people around her used to be stunned by her looks and were of the uninformed opinion that her looks were the only positive to her individuality, thus overlooking her efforts in every walk of her life. Her beauty had actually turned out to be the beast in her life, quite literally, thus hampering her concious attempts to make her peers look beyond her appearance. 

Her mother's disappointment knew no bounds when she learnt that Deepti had been subjected to the same false reputation time again. More often than not, it was Deepti who used to talk her mother out of such disappointment and this time around too, it was the same. Though she had always been bothered about such remarks all through her life, Deepti never let it reflect on the outlook and let her work do the talking. 

Deepti thus chose to break the stereotype by putting her desire to reach her potential in the limelight when she was chosen as a representative to a prestigious national summit and had to deliver a presentation on her firm's behalf. She then chose to silence her colleagues who witnessed her efforts and confidence, to realize that they had been in the wrong all this time. 

Now, she is on a much better, level playing field in her professional life and has been able to successfully overcome the judgemental perspective being offered to her. :) 

It's not just about Deepti's experience, but even statistics are of  a similar opinion that one must not judge a woman based solely on her appearance. Nihar Naturals #IAmCapable survey conducted by Nielsen India reveals the following startling facts: 

• 69% of men agree that their judgement of women is based on their looks. 
• 64% of women agree that the judgments passed on them have affected their ability to reach their true potential. 
• 70%of women agree that majority of judgments on women are from family members or friends rather than strangers. 
• 72% of women agree that working women face more judgments on their looks or their clothes than housewives. 

One needs to understand that the age-old adage 'Do not judge a book by its cover' holds true even today, and one must learn to look beyond appearances and appreciate the qualities and capabilities of a self-made individual, be it female or male. 

I’m breaking stereotypes based on appearance by sharing my experience for the #IAmCapable activity at BlogAdda in association with Nihar Naturals. 

Here's To #BeOnlineWithAircel!

What?
Launch of 'Be Online With Aircel' Initiative

When?
Friday, February 12

Where?
Striker Pub and Kitchen, Vasant Kunj

With the intent to augment mobile internet adoption in the country, Aircel through its ‘Be Online with Aircel’ initiative is continuing to encourage people to experience the benefits of mobile internet. Under this umbrella initiative, Aircel is aiming to drive mobile internet penetration in the country to the next level of growth through its path breaking products such as Free Basic Internet and Unlimited 3G @ Rs. 9 per day.

Aircel has also introduced a revolutionary data proposition of providing ‘1 GB for all’ mobile internet to all prepaid customers at a price which is affordable and will ensure that all customers can enjoy a meaningful internet experience of at least 1 GB, the validity of which will change as per the customer’s usage pattern. This unique offering ensures maximum customer delight and encourages customers to use mobile data more often.

Sunil Kuttam, VP-Marketing, Aircel, was present at the launch and commented that Aircel was taking lead in the mobile internet space with renewed energy and vigour with its ‘Be Online with Aircel’ initiative. Data consumption by Aircel customers had seen a dramatic rise – their unmatched offerings helped Aircel record 60 % data revenue growth and 65% consumption growth in 2015.

In addition, Aircel had witnessed 104% growth in 3G revenues and 167% growth in 3G users last year. This initiative has also fueled smartphone adoption in their base, which had grown by 61%. With Aircel’s new, attractive mass campaign that appeals to all to ‘Be Online with Aircel’, they have aimed to continue driving a much sharper growth this year, which will help Aircel take data to the next level of growth and acceptance in India.

#IAmCapable Of Breaking Stereotypes!

Being a professional since the past three decades, I've witnessed a lot many individuals, some of whom have been as swift as the wind, while the others have flourished and blossomed in their fields of work. In this regard, I had witnessed a naive junior once, whom I distinctly remember. Being a dusky, bespectacled girl who had a bunch of freckles on her cheeks, it came as no surprise to me, when I caught a few colleagues demeaning her, basis her appearance and simplistic dressing sense.

However, she was to be my mentee and under my tutelage for the initial days of when she had joined us. Going by my philosophy in life, I attempted to identify her abilities and interests during when she was learning the ropes, and guided her to hone her skills, besides trying to boost her confidence by interacting with her to the fullest. She's been in touch with me to this day and every time she meets me, she's all praises for the way I had taught her to care for no one but herself, but I believe that it's a role of one's own willpower and self-esteem to overlook such inconsequential remarks by others in such regard, in all walks of one's life.

There is a very thin line between passing judgements towards someone and demeaning someone. Men take it as their birthright to be judgemental about women. This is probably one of the weirdest superiority complex men have. That is what probably male chauvinism is all about. Why do men always feel as if they have waged war against women? Why do they always feel inferior to the extent that they keep convincing themselves the only goal they have in life is to demean every woman whom they come across in their life? Otherwise, why are they bothered so much about this divide right from childhood? And this undying zeal keeps accompanying them in every walk of their life. It never dies whether they have been dumped in a junkyard or have been able to achieve new heights in their life. It is foolish for them to take women this way because they too, belonged to a woman's being.

Why are men so eager to observe what a woman is wearing, how she appears to them, how she walks, how she talks and all such observations? They forget to look at her brighter side - what she does, what all has she achieved in her life, what barriers has she crossed and what a brave face she has put to all adversities. A woman is not a showpiece. She should not worry about others' judgements based on what she appears bodily. She should not really prepare herself to look presentable to others in terms of mere eye-candy. Despite all her good efforts, she is always worried about how will she be perceived. Every outfit she buys and wears burdens this prime notion on top of her all the time. Almost 70% of men accept that their judgement of women is based on their looks. Almost 65% of women agree that the judgements passed on them has a drastic impact on their abilities to touch their real potential.  70% of women agree that most impactful judgements on them are from men in the family and friends. 72% of women accept that working women have to face the bigger hurdle of this risk of judgements on their looks or clothes than homemakers.

That is the crux of the life. The reality is that it hurts men when they see women equalling them in talent, growth, prospects and career. In reality, they are brimming with an inferiority complex that was programmed into the mind of a young boy right in his childhood by none other than his own parents, knowingly or unknowingly. The parents are equal bearers in this lowly act. That is my philosophy based on which I never cared for the third person's judgements based on my looks because he foolishly overlooks the peaks I've conquered in my life.

I’m breaking stereotypes based on appearance by sharing my experience for the #IAmCapable activity at BlogAdda in association with Nihar Naturals. 

Gold Mornings Await!

Shine like Diamond, 

Glitter like Gold, 

Begin the good day with Almond, 

To the grey cells, it provides a hold, 

A glass full of lukewarm water to be honest, 

Works wonders to digestion, good old! 

Flex those muscles with a brisk walk, 

Or a round of quick exercise, 

As for breakfast, keep a hearty stock, 

Of cereals and nutritious pies! 

They say you must walk the talk, 

Early to bed and early to rise, 

With Colgate's latest Gold knock, 

You'll be healthier and wise! 

~~~ 

The humble 'Good Morning' is the most practised, antiquated pleasantry that goes around the block, being exchanged day after day. It is not however just a means of expression, but one must also feel good about the day's proceedings, in reality, to be able to take the eventful happenings of the day in their stride. One's outlook towards the day has to be energetic. The energy flow has to be consistent throughout the day so as to maintain the vivaciousness. 

There is a thin line between a 'good morning' and a 'gold morning'. Gold is one of the most precious metals on this earth. It is loved by everyone. If you are able to transform your morning into gold, you will be able to parallel being one of the most precious persons in this world. The people around you would be admiring you like anything.

There are different ways to convert your good morning to gold morning. There is no set pattern to it. An approach can be customized as per your style. Be alert toward your physical as well as mental health. Ensure that the intake and outflow of energies are balanced. Excessive vitality will mar your liveliness. Read good books. It keeps your thought process pacing ahead. Solve some puzzles to put your grey cells to the test. 

Keep yourself abreast of what is happening around. It is important to know about the good things happening around in the world. It makes you feel thankful to God. It is also important to be akin to the bad things happening around. It gives you an opportunity to differentiate and pursue the right path from the wrong and adopt positive traits to imbibe in your character. 

Don't forget to keep up with the eternal 'hygiene pact' by pledging to brush your teeth twice a day with Colgate 360 Charcoal Gold toothbrush, preferably. There's nothing better than #Colgate360GoldMornings! Meditate and exercise to pace up to a leaner you, too, as a healthy mind resides in a healthy body, after all! :)