Nidhi Srivastava's Blog, page 14
September 23, 2021
An emoticon
Today in the morning, I finished reading one of the comic books on introverts recommended by my best friend. After completing the book, I dropped her a text about the book. Ohh, wait! I dropped an emoticon, and she understood. Well, we are generally talking in emoticons, and close ones understand those bare minimum emoticons. I have adapted the emoticon conversation from my best friend’s sister, who’s the same age as my younger sister. During that conversation, my best friend reminded me I missed uploading my blog yesterday. She even called yesterday to check on me. I couldn’t take up her call yesterday evening due to other engagements in my personal space. Her message made me smile, frankly speaking.
I have made some great friends in life. Once we grow old, our circle starts becoming smaller. I relate to this quote or statement. In my school days, I had a lot of friends. Later, as life happened, people stopped caring, and that’s when friendship subsided. Now, with some school friends, I stay connected on birthdays. Some of them are still my good friends, and we share family time. When I reached my corporate life, I got friends whom I call family now. They stood by my darkest days and have been silent and loudest cheerleaders to my success.
You must count on your friends and build the relationship stronger. With the pandemic, the most I have missed my friends most. You must call and check on your friends after reading this blog. Your call might give them a ray of sunshine if they are struggling within. Trust me, that call or even an emoticon might make your friend happy on a gloomy day.
September 21, 2021
Support local business
As promised, I am back here narrating an incident from today. Last month, I placed an order with a local business owner based in Gujarat (India). Everyone who has been following me on Instagram knows my fondness for social media. I started using it for a reason, and it soothes me during my 10 mins break during endless working hours. I landed on the business Instagram handle – “Dried & Framed“. Let’s head back to the order story. Last night, they sent me a follow-up stating that the order couldn’t be processed. The flowers were taking a long time to dry up in the rainy season. I was overwhelmed that they cared to inform me and even offered to refund. Seriously, I was disheartened as it’s amongst one of my favorite frames at their IG handle. I didn’t want them to apologize due to the weather. We cannot control nature; it is beyond our powers. They even called up to discuss options to create another masterpiece in return for the previous order. They are final-year architects who are managing a business, which is a commendable job. Promoting local business has been one of the positive impacts of the pandemic. I am glad that I chose “Dried and Framed” to curate frames for my new home. Whenever they call me, I am so confused because all the ideas curated by them is a masterpiece. I want to share this experience of being connected to a small business and blown by their modesty.
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September 20, 2021
How was your Monday?
How was your Monday?
I haven’t wrapped my head that Monday has come to an end. I am still busy clearing my task for the day. Time is flying past, and we are already in the 9th month of the year 2021. I have decided to write one blog each day till next year. I want to develop a streak as people do on Snapchat. I want to cherish every moment that day made me smile or write about moments that bring a tear.
My mother had an eye operation on Sunday, and now we have to take care of the household. We must give every homemaker a medal for managing the household amazingly. You have to check kitchen inventory, think about everyone’s favorite food, and primarily prepare lip-smacking food; each day for the rest of your life. Today while I was working and preparing lunch, my father told me to go and work peacefully. He would keep a check on the food preparation that was still in progress. My father goes out of the way for us. He was so tired himself running between doctor’s clinic and interior construction. It brought a smile to my face, and I headed back to work. How the world would change if we help each other in carrying the burden of societal pressure! I wonder!
September 18, 2021
Slothilda
It’s raining outside while I write this blog. All I can hear is the pattering of raindrops and thunder. The weather has turned cold and foggy outside as I look out of the window. I am already sleepy as I type this blog. I have had a productive Saturday so far, I can conclude. I wrapped up reading five comic books today. My mind is blown by all the authors’ imagination. Slothilda is one of the books from my reading list today. It talks so much about procrastination and writer’s life. The characters created for the illustration are Slothilda and Peanut (a Corgi dog). After I finished reading the book, I had an insane craving of eating doughnuts. I blame the author of Slothilda. Doughnuts are flying around in the book. Can you blame me for my cravings? Instantly, searched for Slothilda on Instagram and the website. Well, my stalking for today is completed. I wish I could send the products on Slothilda to my nephew, but he is too young to understand the context. For everyone else, I highly recommend this book. I received this book as a recommendation from a friend. She is currently taking up the job of librarian by sending me endless amount of books. I guess, with the current recommendations and reading, I would manage to complete my Goodreads Reading Challenge. I guess I needed Slothilda this weekend to help my soul relax. Let me know in comments if you loved reading the book too.
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Image courtesy: Amazon
Instagram image courtesy: Book (Dante Fabiero)
September 16, 2021
What’s your motivation today?
Do you plan your day on paper or in your mind before starting a schedule?
Have you ever been an efficient planner?
Currently, I am associated with an organization where I enjoy working. I idolize my manager for two reasons, to name a few. In my corporate career, I have never seen a manager come to work at 7 AM. [This incident refers to the time when we were going to the office]. She came to work early, organized her desk, and took out a planner to jot down tasks for the day. Another important fact was she had a priority to leave work at a specific time. It implies that if you log out, you have a dedicated time for your family. I am trying to keep up this habit during our work-from-home days. She has inspired me with her calmness during any panic situation. I believe it comes when you feel everything is under control and you have planned your work.
If we repeat a sentence in our head or jot it down in a planner, it would be impactful. “Yes, you’ve got did.”
Being inspired by my manager, I have also tried to inherit a habit of writing tasks in a planner. In this way, I know I am prepared for the day. If any arrow comes out of nowhere, I would be able to make room for that work.
We read the habits of some prominent leaders in the world. But we eventually forget to look around us. There are some leaders in making around us. You can learn from your juniors and seniors to improve as an individual. So, keep a planner handy where you go. You might want to jot down some good points made during a meeting or training session. We don’t essentially achieve as planned in life. But we can be better prepared for life ahead.
Keep inspiring people around you. 
Don’t seek affirmation
Why do you seek validation from others? Aren’t you loyal to yourself? A few weeks back, I read a newsletter lying in my inbox. The writer elaborately discussed her inclination towards validation. She is one of the famous travel influencers in India, yet there are hate comments on her profile. It has been weeks when I last read that letter. But I still feel connected to the context. In our work culture, it’s projected that everyone working with us should like us. Did anyone give perspective to self-validation? I guess nobody paid attention to the sincerity. A handful of people are sincere and honest about their job. Somehow, it is a world of sugar-coated words every place you go. I don’t have fans at work and even in personal space. This fact bothered me for a long time. Everyone cannot understand my intention or my personality. I have made peace with the fact that there would be haters for you everywhere you go. All that matters is honesty. I related to the lady who sent out that courage newsletter, despite the hate comments. Then, in life, I have always had my father to look up to in life. He has given us every possible luxury in life, given importance to education, and motivated to be an independent person. Honesty and sincerity towards your work are the traits he passed on along with his genes. I am grateful to have parents who believe in me, even though I have haters. “Work is worship” – I believe in this proverb I read during my school days, and I adhere to it. Call it human behavior, but a lot of us seek validation from others. In any case, human beings are judgmental. Don’t seek affirmation from a group that has nothing but hatred for you. Dwell where you feel! “Don’t lose hope in yourself. There are endless possibilities in this life.”
September 12, 2021
Book Review – I Came Upon a Lighthouse
Book title: I Came Upon a Lighthouse: A Short Memoir Of Life With Ratan Tata
Author: Shantanu Naidu (Goodreads Author), Sanjana Desai (Illustrator)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 232
Blurb:
An endearing portrait of an Indian legend
I told him that when I write a book, I would write about another side of him and not just historic events or business milestones. I would write about us and our adventures together, and how I saw him, colours and shades of him unknown to the world. Life beyond the great steel wall of ‘industry doyen’.
He agreed. ‘There cannot be one book that captures everything … So you do your thing, give your perspective.’
It was their shared empathy for homeless dogs that sparked an unlikely friendship. In 2014, Shantanu Naidu, an automobile design engineer in his early twenties, developed an innovation to save the local strays from being run over by speeding cars. Ratan Tata, himself known for his compassion for stray dogs, took note. Impressed, he not only decided to invest in the venture, but over the years became a mentor, boss and an unexpectedly dear friend to Shantanu.
I Came Upon a Lighthouse is an honest, light-hearted telling of this uncommon bond between a millennial and an octogenarian that gives glimpses of a beloved Indian icon in a warm light.
My Rating: 5/5
Review: The book has been on my TBR since its release. Firstly, I wanted to press a pre-release order, and later, I just wanted to impulse buy it. I could relate to the legacy Shantanu refers to in this book.
Generations working for the Tatas while he described a different city. I have another town that relates to the Tatas. We owe our existence to them. My great grandfather worked at Telco (now Tata Motors), my father followed suit, and now my sister also works at the same organization. I could relate to the enthusiasm of meeting Mr. Ratan Tata. I have never met Mr. Tata in person but felt his presence when occasions come up to celebrate the existence of Jamshedpur (Tatanagar as called to date). Recently, Mr. Tata visited the Jamshedpur plant. My sister saw him driving past in the convertible car, and she was mesmerized by just looking at his demeanors.
I loved this book more than anything I have read so far this year. I loved the simplicity and modesty reflecting in the book. Whenever working with Tatas was referred to in the book, I was nostalgic. None of my family members have met Mr. Tata in person. However, we are glad to be a part of the Tata family indirectly or directly. I always thought I could meet him someday, but I guess my sister has a better chance to see him. I have wrapped up reading this book in a single go. You would feel connected through beautiful illustration art throughout the book. I have fallen in love with this memoir. I related to the existence of Nano described by the author. At the Jamshedpur plant, the car was assembled, and many employees purchased Nano in the town.
There were instances when I thought the author mentioned Mr. Tata’s life in Mumbai and New York. But actually, he did forget a part of his life in Jamshedpur. I would love to read his thoughts about the city. The city owes its existence to the Tatas. However, overall I am delighted to have ticked this book off my TBR.
Review Goodreads
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September 3, 2021
Writer’s Block
A long time ago, I attended a micro tale writing workshop where we discussed writer’s block. Hoping it would solve problems for writers attending the workshop. Every writer has their shortcomings and creative blockage when it comes to creating content. I wish the writer’s life would be easy as it has been portraying. Matt Haig, the author of Midnight Library, has posted a picture of a blank page. He has mentioned in the post about his stress whenever he sat to write. Matt stated stressed feeling maybe due to the success of Midnight Library. I could relate to him when he showed us his blank page on the screen. I posted a similar picture ages ago when I promised myself to write every day. Well, I failed to stick to my writing schedule. All I do today is write work emails or post content related to pharma.
I suffer to pen down a page or even read without distraction. It is becoming a cumbersome process to cope up with the creative block. I have read various articles on writer’s block, hoping that it would solve my problems. All I need is fresh air to help my creative juices flow again. I planned to work on my manuscript, being inspired by authors who have published books after the pandemic. Well, we are still in a pandemic, and yet another year passes. I am sad by the fact that I have been unproductive in my writer life. I may have been productive in my professional life. But I failed to do justice to my first published book or myself, whose pre-occupied with stories but no words to bring those to life. I was reading a non-fiction book on the India-Pakistan Partition. I couldn’t hold my emotions, each paragraph filled with the blood and flesh of a writer. Aanchal Malhotra, the author of Remnants of Separation, has written a book breaking every record in the literary world. The book has been translated even into French to bring attention to the masses. I wish to be that author one day. I don’t know if I would ever be able to fulfill my dream of being a person who has done justice to her imaginative power. I have struggled to pen down this blog after months of holding back. I am not sure how people have worked with non-fiction books holding enormous facts. I have fallen short of words in my own stories. I have trashed stories that I have written in the past few months. I hope the rest of the year shows some mercy on my writer persona. I hope to find words that would bring my story to life. I hope one last time to start engines in my brain to manufacture a magic potion of creativity. I hope to end writer’s block one fine day and let the sunshine.
August 24, 2021
Book Review: The Bow of Rama – Book – 2
Book review: Ashwatthama’s Redemption : The Bow of Rama – Book – 2
Author: Gunjan Porwal
Publisher: Om Books International
Format: Kindle
Pages: 336
Blurb: Ashwatthama’s redemption: the bow of Rama is the sequel to ashwatthama’s redemption: the rise of Dandak. The story traces another action-packed br>Chapter of the journey of the immortal warrior, ashwatthama, son of dronacharya. The battle of dwarfs is over at a high cost for ashwatthama and his allies as they lose the only weapon that could have killed Dandak. They regroup and strategies to counter dander and the asura Army, and a new revelation sends ashwatthama on a journey to find answers to difficult questions. War looms over avanti and Hastinapur, and dandak’s reign of terror starts spreading across aryavarta. As the killing spree begins, loyalties are questioned. Ashwatthama must once again face his past to find the solution to this devilish conflict in the web of complex relationships, friends and foes. Magic and dark arts, divinity and sophisticated weaponry, physical strength and mental stamina, moral convictions, and strategic war-plans – all play a role in deciding who will win the final battle.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Review: ‘Ashwatthama’s Redemption: The Bow of Rama’ by Gunjan Porwal is the second book in the book series, where the story revolves around the conquest of acquiring weapons to defeat the most powerful demons. Dandak is the most powerful demon, who has conspired to kill the innocent coming along his way and capture kingdoms. The beginning of the book showcases the story from Book 1, which gives you a fresh background and also sparks expectations from this book. As you proceed in the story – you would comes across the confidants of Ashwatthama such as Rana, Vikram, Sherya, Urmila… and many more, who help him in achieving his goals. During the story, Lord Hanuman narrates the story about the bow of Lord Rama. Lord Hanuman serves as a guiding force for Ashwatthama during his search for the bow. The story takes its own course where the asuras plan and attack Avni, before the army could be prepared. The plot takes you back to the days of Ravan’s fight with Lord Rama, and journey of Pandavas to the road of heaven. The fight between Dandak and Ashwatthama come across as a nail biting event in the book. I would suggest mythology readers to grab this book as soon as possible.
The book is wholesome in terms of characters, plot, and climax. I remember reading book 1 took equally amount of time as there was so much to grasp from the plot. I have taken more time in wrapping up this book. I really enjoyed refreshing the memory.
Favorite quotes:
A sword is born for one purpose, and one purpose only—to kill. And it always yearns to fulfill its destiny.
Sometimes, it is not death that frightens you. It is the thought of the grief of the loved ones left behind that is scary.
Sometimes losing a battle was necessary to win the war.
A man leaves the world in peace if he knows there are people who will miss him when he’s gone.
How do warriors become brave? They do the right, not the easy, thing.
The greatest distance between two people is the distance between their hearts.
‘Dying is easy, Ashwatthama. It’s the burden of living that is harder.
Buy Amazon
Review Goodreads
I would like to extend my gratitude to the author for providing me the opportunity to review this book.
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August 19, 2021
Am I being sensitive?
How can we grief the loss of loved ones? Is there a set of guidelines? Or measurement of the amount of tears you shed? Do you think practically during that situation?
“Am I being sensitive?”
I have lost my loved one recently to death. I couldn’t hold my calm, thousands of memories ran through my head. Her voice rang in my head. I wished the news would be fake. I saw my father lost his calm, while speaking on the phone. I couldn’t hold myself, I had to console my sister and my family. That’s what we grow up and realize, that we are no longer kids. This is adulting. You mourn the loss of your loved ones. You listen people telling you to think practically. That night no one slept in my family. Her face kept flashing in front of my eyes. I kept asking her, “kyun chali gayi?” (why did you leave). Sometimes, there are moments when everything goes haywire. This was one such moment, my aunt left us one fine day. She was always worried about my marriage and now I feel anxious that I couldn’t talk to her for the last time. Now I feel why did we grow up? I couldn’t stop crying that day, nor the other day.
That night, I shared this news with few of my friend and one of them asked me, “were you close?” That question made me realize, people have lost their sensitive. I couldn’t come to terms that I am sharing an emotion with a heartless person. I couldn’t reason my friendship now. That night made me realize if you don’t have to share anything personal with emotionless people. People have lost their sense to grief or have become practical. Some emotions are to be shared with the ones who understand your loss, who make you feel strong during tough times. I have come to terms of being a cocoon, to protect my sensitivity from the cruelty of the world.
“Am I being sensitive?”
