When I followed my heart and made this Diwali a special one !

Follow your heart, an advice which we receive in our life many times. But how many times do we really implement it? Well it is worth thinking. But when we do follow our heart and listen to it, those decisions are one of the best decisions we ever make.

The one incident I recall when I followed my heart and made everyone happy is during the last Diwali. It was Dussehra, when a few of my friends had gathered at my home. Someone coined the topic that we should do something different this upcoming Diwali. May be to spread smiles beyond our family and friend circle.  Something similar was in my mind. To which we came up with the idea everyone contributing some amount and donating it to an orphanage or any such organization which deals in social service or buying something out that amount and donating it to them. Well, only four of us were present there and all of us agreed. It was decided to put the issue on our very own Whatsapp group. I took the initiative and drafted a message and sent it. To my surprise, all the 12 members of the group agreed upon it unanimously. We explored Aurangabad for such organizations. And then we finalized one of them. Two of us visited the organization and asked for their requirements. They listed out some of the rations which they needed.

One of our friend, Bharat; had his birthday during the four days of Diwali. My heart said that why not to visit and make our donation on his birthday to make him feel more special. Again everyone unanimously agreed. When you follow your heart, it seems like everyone agrees to you. May be everyone’s heart said the same thing.

So we contributed a specific minimum decided amount per head. Anyone who wished to contribute more, was allowed to do on his/her wish. One more thing I experienced that that when you follow your heart, you feel a sense of enthusiasm. In our case, it was everyone in our group was feeling it. One of my friend from Mumbai was so happy about our initiative, he sent his donation amount from net banking and assured that he will be personally present the next time. Another friend of us also brought some sweets and clothes for the purpose.

On the decided day, though it was Diwali, when everyone was supposed to be celebrating with family, everyone spared time and was present there. Two of us went to market and brought the rations which were required. And then we to make our birthday boy feel special, we entered his name in the register and also donated the stuffs by his hands. That smile on his face and of course on all my friends’ faces was indeed magical.

And that is when I realized that when you follow your heart, the magic which follows afterwards spreads smiles not only on your face but also your closed ones. Another decision which we took at the same time was to continue our activity on each other’s birthdays.

Note : We all really don’t want to brag about our work so the amount has been purposefully not disclosed.

“I am participating in the #DilKiDealOnSnapdealactivity at BlogAdda in association with SnapDeal.”

Best Video Ads I've ever seen

When it comes to Ads, we generally have a negative approach towards them. It’s because Ads are the one which stand between us and our entertainment, ads are ones which distract us while browsing by way of pop ups may be on computers or smart phones. But how often do we look at the Ads as a creative side of human brain. Many ads offer the best entertainment in the smallest of the time frame. It is just that we don’t look at them in that way. Many Ad campaigns have made the identity of the respective companies and have helped them build their image. So here are a few of the best TV Ads I have ever seen.

1.       Aaila Sachin by Pepsi – One of my favorite ads of my childhood by my favorite sports icon then and even today, Sachin Tendulkar. A gang of school kids (I was of the same age when it aired on TV) in their school uniforms with bat and ball in their hands are seen wearing a mask of Sachin Tendulkar. They open a box of Pepsi bottles and start distributing it among themselves. And when one kid hands over the Pepsi to one of them, the guy removes his mask revealing himself who is none other than Sachin Tendulkar. To which the kid’s reaction was, “Aaila, Sachin”. Down the memory lane, this ad by Pepsi is one of my favorite Pepsi commercials.

2.       Raymond’s Complete Man – Raymond’s Video ads have always been classy. Their ads depict a lot without words. The one in this list was aired last year. A young couple is about to leave for office in their car when the lady suddenly remembers something and runs back into the house. She comes and sits in the card and again realizes something and rushes back home. This time she takes a lot of time so her husband also rushes into the house. And then, the lady comes out and her husband comes out with their small son. The lady leaves for the office while her hubby stays home to take care of their son. And the only line which is spoken is, ‘Many things make the complete man, being there is just one”.  Truly an Ad which states Actions speaks louder than words.

3.       Google Reunion – Though a lengthy one, the best ad depicting the benefits of the internet or say Google search. An old man in India talking to his granddaughter gets nostalgic and tells her about his friend in Pakistan and how they were separated during the India-Pakistan partition. The girl searches the internet and gets connected to her Grandpa’s friend through his grandson. The friend in Pakistan arrives in India with his grandson to meet his buddy first time after the partition.  Throughout the Ad we can see how they are benefitted by Google for the wonderful reunion.

4.       Mauka Mauka Ad (World Cup 2015) – Cricket World cup always comes up with and ads that are remembered for ages. The Mauka Mauka ad series this world cup is also one of them. Though there were many ads in this series, the one for India Vs Pakistan match remains the best. Depicting a Pakistani cricket lover’s wish for the last 24 years of world cup of bursting crackers which never came true. Thanks to Team India that they can still feature the Ad’s next part in the next world cup as they still haven’t captured their mauka (opportunity) to burst the crackers. 

5.       Chalo Dekhe Fir Wahi Sapna by Sachin Tendulkar for ICC WC 2015 – It was his dream to win the world cup for India. For my generation who ages less than Sachin’s career it was also a dream to win the World Cup as we never witnessed the 1983 saga. But this time he was not going to be with team but with us cheering for the team. The ad touches the heart of every cricket lover as one can hear the chants of Sachin Sachin. And when he says,” Chalo Dekhe fir se wahi sapna”, those goose bumpswhich a cricket lover gets can’t be explained in words.

6.       Saurav Ganguly’s Pepsi Ad – Find me one cricket lover who was not touched by this ad. There was a time in Dada’s career when he was out of the Team India and was surrounded by many controversies. The ad starts with, “Hi, mera naam saurav Ganguly hai, bhule to nahin?” And further stating his efforts to make a comeback to team India. And also that he was going to support his team and appeals everyone to join the Blue billion cricket fans.

7.       Airtel’s cutest Ad ever- One of the cutest ad by Airtel was aired last year includes a bride and a groom talking over their phones. Amidst all the celebrations the bride is talking to the groom over the phone. The groom naughtily says that tonight he is speaking to his girlfriend for the last time as she will be his wife from tomorrow.  Then this smart bride brings to his notice that their marriage is today as it was well past 12. Though there were few more ads in this series, this one remains my favorite with the catch line –‘Kuch rishteen din raat nahi dekha karte’

8.       Candyman’s naughty kid – Kids and their naughtiness is an integral part of many ads and when it comes to chocolates or candies it is at its peak. The kid in this ad eats the candy (chocolate) and a middle age man who has his car in the reverse gear asks him whether the car is touching or not (Lag raha hai kya). To it this naught kid asks him to reverse it more and suddenly the car hits the wall. The kid then says to the man, “Ab lag gaya!” (Now you've hit it). The ad is naught just like the kid.

This Pepsi IPL, it's not just about cricket. It's time to crash with your own created ad! Make your own Pepsi ad & if it's chosen, it could play on TV during Pepsi IPL! And hey, it doesn't end here… Even if you're chosen as a finalist, you stand a chance of winning a prize amount of Rs.1 lakh! So what are you waiting for guys?

“I am joining in on all the Pepsi IPL action in my own style with the #CrashThePepsiIPL activity at BlogAdda.”

A lost opportunity

Will you shave or not? The question asked to most of the men. I am the one who personally believes men should be well groomed and have a clean shaven face. Since old times, men are considered the one who are the one who are not interested in grooming and all. In fact in many communities the moustache and beard are the symbol of being manly. But now-a- days things are different. Men are also interested in grooming and other like activities. But still many are criticized for keeping stubble on their face. I have the opinion that men are very lazing to do all these activities. It is not like all men love a stubble and unshaved face, but we are lazy enough to avoid this. It’s so time consuming.

I will like to share my personal experience regarding my stubble look.  Like all other men I am also among the one who is prepared and ready with a well groomed and clean shaved face for special events which are known well in advance. But like all others, I land into trouble when an unexpected special event arises out of nowhere.  I remember it was just before my 21^st birthday I missed an opportunity to go on a birthday date (Yes, a birthday date. I date on your birthday is a birthday date) with my crush. I had a habit of not shaving my beard (out of my laziness) for many days and keeping a bristled face. Just before my birthday I realized I needed to shave my beard. But then my inner voice said, “Dear, why are you in such a hurry? You can groom yourself tomorrow morning. Anyhow, the snaps will be taken tomorrow evening when the cake will be cut. No one will notice it till then.” And then I set aside the thought.

image source- internet

It was on the evening before my birthday, I got a message from my crush, Rashmi, - ‘Hey can you come along with me at XY Book Stores?’

How could I have said NO?

So I replied – ‘When?’

Rashmi – Right now! I’ll explain you everything once you arrive.’

Me – ‘Will be there in 10 minutes.’

I took my bike and headed towards XY stores. I didn’t mind to meet her in a stubble look. (Who knew that she will mind?) I reached XY Book stores on time. She was already there. She told that she was leaving for Delhi tomorrow and wanted to carry something to read along with her in the train.  After purchasing the books, she wished me a happy birthday in advance (So she had not forgotten my birthday).  I told her how unhappy I was that she will not be there at my birthday.

Suddenly a thought came to my mind. I told her I could take her out for the treat today itself.

I said, “Hey Rashmi lets go somewhere I celebrate my birthday in advance!”

She said, “Actually Vasant, I had the same thought in my mind before you arrived. But…”

I asked, “But what?”

Rashmi, “Let it be now”

I was like what the hell! Why not now? What’s the problem?

But I asked in a polite manner, “What happened?”

Being a very close friend she had a habit of being very frank to me. She almost shouted at me, “Look at you Vasant!!! Looks like you have just come out of jail and haven’t shaved up your face for ages”

There was no time for me to go home and come back as it was already late. Noticing my disappointed face she said, “Dear, it’s a punishment for you. Hope you next time keep yourself well groomed every time. A lesson to you a day before your birthday that in future, whenever you ask a girl for a sudden date, you won’t land into trouble.”

Before leaving, she said, “Wish you a happy birthday in advance dear. Enjoy your day tomorrow and keep in mind the lesson you learnt. Bye”

She left and I sat there like a dumb guy who lost an opportunity to take his crush on a date just because of an untrimmed face. 

'This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette'.