Solo Sailing – Truly Inspiring

I came in contact with large number of people to meet my professional demands. I love to talk, gossip and laugh with almost everyone. But most of the talks, gossips and chitchatting I do not remember. Some I do which are inspiring, knowledgeable and witty. Only once-every-gazillion years, I encounter someone who leaves a lasting impression on my mind; someone who is undeniably #madeofgreat. I am talking about Commander Abhilash Tomy who is the first Indian, second Asian and seventy – ninth in the world to complete a nonstop solo circumnavigation under sail that too unassisted. He was honored Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second highest peacetime gallantry award.

During Sagar Parikrama -2, Abhilash Tomy went for the epic voyage of 23100 nautical miles crossing Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in 151 days without touching any port and without any outside assistance from November, 2012 to March, 2013. He travelled from West to East rounding the three ‘Great Capes’ Cape Leeuwin in Australia, Cape Horn in South America and Cape of Good Hope in Africa. Fighting with waves of 10 meter height and wind speed more than 100 kmph was an extremely difficult task. Battling with chilly winds was an intense test of physical stamina. Solo-sailing involves great physical strength, mental endurance and technological know-how. The voyage not only includes beating the rough waves of sea but also to fight the solitude and the imponderables of life at sea.

I was one of Abhilash Tomy’s thousands of followers who were keeping up with his remarkable journey on social networking site. I was awed by his adventurous trip as well as by the fact that he was alone, all by himself in the oceans for 151 days. He had no human to company him. Only bugs, sea creatures, dolphins and birds were his companions throughout his journey. It was extremely difficult to stay alone for so many days without losing mental strength and physical stamina. I have never been alone for a single day then what to say of 151 days! This time span seems to be very lengthy to me. 

During the last days of his voyage, he was facing the problem of shortage of drinking water as he was left with only 15 liters of fresh water because of contamination of drinking water with diesel. One such day, I commented on his Facebook status and asked, “What will you have in the lunch today?”

He replied, “I have ordered large sized pizza with mushroom, capsicum, corn and olives with extra cheese toppings which will be delivered any time from now.”

I really liked the way he replied me with a tinge of humor. I appreciated that he kept the things on light side in spite of all the difficulties he was going through. I was truly inspired by the way he was happy and cheerful even after facing all those difficulties and hardships of living alone on a boat in the vast ocean. I learnt from him that the sense of humor should not be lost even in extreme cases of hardship, loneliness and arduous situations.

He was sailing day and night. On boat, he worked for two hours and then took rest for an hour. He was not sleeping at a stretch but in spurts. That’s how he sailed continuously without any break. Through meditation he was able to maintain his courage, determination and mental strength. He was my inspiration behind my book on meditation namely ‘Japa Meditation – The Easiest Way to Calm the Mind’ in which I explain the age old deep philosophical teachings in a humorous way and complicated problems were sought out in a light-hearted manner.

What drives us from within is what makes us great! What do you think of Tata Motors’ association with Lionel Messi? Dear readers, answer this question to grab Amazon gift voucher of Rs.750/-.

Movie Review : Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Salman Khan in double role in ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ is a visual treat for Salman Khan’s fan. Salman Khan looks handsome in some scenes and quite mature in the rest of the scenes. His acting is good as a common man but not as a king. This movie is entertaining and engaging. All masala - drama, action, songs and romance are in good proportion. Like all Sooraj R. Barjatya film’s it talks about family values, morals and traditions.

Sonam Kapoor played the role of a princess of Mithila. She looks beautiful, innocent and graceful just like a princess. Her smile, her hand gestures and body movements all are Royal. She acted and danced well. In one scene, she is having her meal while wearing goggles on the dining table which look a bit odd. In a romantic scene, she looks very beautiful with white flowers in her hair and blue saree.

The romantic scene in the garden is beautiful and in the kitchen is awful. Emotional drama, a few songs and some silly scenes are the weakness of the movie. Some scenes are shot in Jaipur. If you have ever visited Jaipur then the places are easily recognizable. Sheesh Mahal set up is attractive. The end is easily predictable. The king gets his family and the common man gets his love.

The chemistry between Salman Khan and Anupam Kher is interesting and enjoying. Swara Bhaskar as Salman Khan’s sister has acted well. Armaan Kholi after Big Boss atleast has a small role to play as a villain in this movie. Neil Nitin Mukesh is handsome like a prince but his acting is not much like a prince.

Though entertaining but only one time watch movie, yes of course with the family!

Best Hotels in Manesar

A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking. - EARL WILSON

Most of the people go for holiday on weekends but I am different. I love to go on vacation on weekdays. Yup, you read it right! In the middle of the week!! The best part to have a holiday in mid week is perhaps not so much relaxing myself on a comfy bed in a luxurious hotel as to see my colleagues’ busy working in the office. I always want to be away from the hustle and bustle of life, business, noise and crowd. To have change in my routine, to have some moments of my own, to rediscover myself, I always yearn for a vacation right in the middle of the week. Chilling out in a luxurious hotel room, watching television, eating delicious food or wearing loose colourful T-shirt and pajamas all day without any disturbance from phone is the best part of one day vacation.

For spending a day vacation, these three are my all time favourite hotels in Manesar which is just 25 kilometres away from Gurgaon whenever I wish I can drive on butter like smooth Highway to rejuvenate myself.

1. Fortune Park Orange

This hotel is conveniently located right off the National Highway No. 8 and it is one of the finest hotels in Manesar with modern amenities. It is surrounded with lush green lawns and offers elegant decor to enhance the stay of the guests.

The tastefully furnished decor of the hotel immerses the senses. The warm colour colours of the interiors and the lavish furnishing always make my stay enjoying. Comfy bed and beautifully furnished rooms makes the stay more comfortable.

I can pamper my inner self to rejuvenate my tensed nerves by taking steam and spa bath at the hotel itself. I can have a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. Neptune is a perfect place to unwind and relax with drinks.

Fortune Deli is a contemporary outlet serving mouth watering delicacies and a wide range of light snacks, cakes, pastries and my all time favourite chocolates.

Orchid is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving delicious meals. The contemporary interiors, warm hospitality and elegant accommodation make this hotel one of my desirable option. A perfect place to spend a day!

2. Best Western Resort Country Club

The lush green environment set in the most picturesque surroundings make Best Western Resort Country Club a perfect place to spend one day holiday. What to say more it has earned many International Awards for Excellence in Quality & Standards for its facilities.

In this hotel, I love to spend a lazy afternoon while relaxing in hammock enjoying the chirping of birds. I like to spend time with nature and confront it in all its wildness totally away from the virtual world.

The picturesque view of trees, shrubs, beautiful flowers and a wide variety of birds are its main attractions. I can read, write and meditate in the serene environment. I can indulge in leisure activities both indoor as well as outdoor. It leaves its guest rejuvenated with the tranquil surroundings.

3. Heritage Village Resort & Spa

It offers an elegant and comfortable decor making it a perfect holiday destination.

To relax, the resort offers state-of-the-art indoor fitness facilities.

The hotel has a variety of restaurants such as Barahandi, a village-style eatery that serves up local delicacies and Surya Mahal, a restaurant that serves Mughlai cuisine. This hotel is a gorgeous step over!

A break from the boring and monotonous daily routine is what one yearns for! Let’s break the routine to have a vacation on weekends and have it right in the middle of the week!

Daily Workout

What a busy life, we all have! And we did all the activities from morning till evening but we can’t find time for our exercise routine. We put a cut there as it is the easiest to do and in the long run most harmful to do. Like breathing, eating and drinking is important so is exercising for our body. We have to find a few minutes to keep ourselves in perfect shape and health. Here are some exercises one can do when one wish to do exercise but have less time.

1. Exercise for whole body – With this exercise the whole body is warm up. You can start from three per day and slowly and gradually can increase it up to 100 per day. A quick way to remain fit. My advice is not to start with more than ten per day as the muscles will stretch and will result in fatigue and light pain in body. Go slow like a tortoise to be a winner.
2. Exercise for waistline – Easy exercise to reduce fat around the waist.
3. Exercise for stomach – Those who want to reduce fat around the stomach, can do these workouts daily. Those who have back pain are advised not to do these exercises as there is forward bending in it.  

Do these exercises daily to stay fit! :)

Simple tips for baby’s skin care

Have you ever touched a newly born baby? Do you want to touch that soft skin again and again? A newborn’s skin is too soft, sensitive and delicate. To maintain that softness parents must give special attention and care to baby’s skin. Parents should keep in mind the following points:-

1. Only baby products should be used on baby’s skin. No adult products should be used as they can harm baby’s sensitive skin as adult products contain irritants and allergens. Powder and lotion should be avoided on baby’s skin until and unless recommended by the doctor.
2. Do not bathe the baby too frequently as it can results in loss of natural oils that protect the skin which may further lead to the attack of allergen or eczema. Bathe the newly born baby once or twice a week. Baby clothes should be made up of tightly woven cotton fabrics. The cotton material is soft and good for baby’s sensitive skin. It is comfortable and durable. Wash the new outfits of baby before the baby wears them as they can harm the sensitive skin of the little one. Baby’s clothes should not be made up of synthetic materials or their blends. Parents should avoid fancy clothes and accessories for babies as they may harm baby’s sensitive skin.
3. Laundry items should be selected cautiously for washing baby’s clothes as they may cause irritation to baby’s sensitive skin. Fragrance and dye free washing agents should be selected. Baby’s clothes, bedding and blankets should be washed separately from family’s laundry. Try to rinse the baby’s clothes an extra time to remove laundry residues.
4. These days, markets are flooded with different types of brands of diapers. Parents are advised to select the diaper for the baby very cautiously. The diapers should be soft and good absorbent. Change the diapers frequently. Diapered area is sensitive area needs extra care. Cleanse the area not with wipes but with cotton balls and a bowl of water.
5. Protect the skin of newly born from the weather and insect bites. Whenever parents go out with the baby, they should cover the baby properly according to the weather. In summers, cover the baby’s head, arms and legs properly to protect the baby’s skin from the hot winds. Baby’s clothes should be of light colour as light colour reflects heat. In winter, cover the baby’s head with cap or scarf, hands with mittens and feet with socks. Put the mosquito net around the baby when he is resting and sleeping. It will protect the baby’s skin from mosquito bites.

Parents should try their best to keep baby’s world soft and safe.

Care for baby’s soft skin

You have just become a parent? Has no experience how to take care of soft skin of baby? Here are some pints to take care of your baby’s skin so that it remains soft and silky for longer time. The most important point to remember is protect the baby’s skin from harsh weather like hot sun, dry air, cold wind and hot wind. The skin of baby is very soft and it is irritated very easily. If not properly cared then some babies may develop redness and rashes, making the baby uncomfortable and unhappy.

Here are some tips to keep the baby’s skin soft, flexible and comfortable.

1. Use natural diapers for baby. Select the brand very carefully. Do not use wipes. They can make the sensitive skin red. Use cotton balls and a bowl of water to clean baby’s diaper area. Do not forget to change the water of bowl regularly.
2. The clothes of the babies should be soft preferably of cotton material. Cotton fabric is a good absorbent and soft to touch. Hence, it absorbs the precipitation and makes the baby comfortable. The clothes should not be too tight as they can harm the skin. The tight clothes with elastics can cause rashes on baby’s soft skin. The baby’s clothes should have strings or Velcro tapes so that the clothes can be easily changed without pulling and pushing of clothes with the soft skin of babies.
3. Parents should plan outdoor activities in morning or evening to avoid sun and heat exposure to baby’s sensitive skin. When ever go out with a baby in harsh weather protect baby’s skin with proper clothing. During summers, keep away your baby’s skin from direct exposure to sun by covering baby’s head with a cotton summer cap and baby’s body with loose fitted clothes made from tight woven fabrics. This will protect baby’s head and body from hot winds and direct exposure to sun. Summer attires of baby should be light in colour as light colours reflect more light and heat whereas dark colours absorb more light and heat. In winters, cover all the sensitive area of baby like head, nose, throat and ears with woollen caps, scarves etc. Do not forget to cover the baby’s hands with mittens and baby’s feet with socks.
4. Daily massage baby’s skin with oil to keep it moist and soft. Massage to relax baby’s body. Massaging gives an opportunity to bond with the baby. Avoid using soaps while bathing a baby. If you wish to use then select the brand of soap very cautiously. Avoid soaps with fragrance.
5. Give the baby to drink lots of liquids and make sure that baby is not dehydrated. Dehydration will worsen the baby’s skin problem.

These points will help you in making the world softer and safer for babies.

Chatpat Jhatpat McCain

While returning home from my office, I picked up my cousin from his school as my aunt was out of the town to attend a conference. The distance between his school and home was hardly of 10 minutes by walk even then at least ten times he repeated ‘I am feeling hungry’. Hungry kid! As soon as we reached home, I throw my bag in the cupboard and rushed in the kitchen to cook something for him. I got up late in the morning and like other days I couldn’t find time to do some preparations for lunch. Thank God! I have McCain packets in my freezer. I took out an already opened packet of McCain Smiles as he liked them very much. I quickly prepared them according to his taste buds.

Apple McCain Smiles

Ingredients

McCain Smiles – 4

Apple – 1

Tomato – 1 small

Butter – 1 tablespoon

Tomato ketchup – 1 ½ table spoon

Curry leaves – 5– 6

Powdered white pepper – ½ teaspoon

Red chilli pepper flakes – ¼ teaspoon

Salt to taste

For Garnishing

Coriander leaves – 2-3

Method

1. Cut the apple slices lengthwise.
   
2. Apply butter on upper side. After that apply a thin layer of tomato ketchup. Sprinkle salt, chilli flakes and powdered white pepper on it. Microwave it for 3-4 minutes.
3. Cut the tomato in semicircle and remove the seeds. Chop curry leaves finely.
4. Take out 4 smiles from McCain packet. Quickly make the tomato cut outs as smiling lips of smiles and fill the chopped curry leaves in the two holes on smiles with a help of toothpick. Spread a thin layer of butter with a help of knife on it.
   
5. Microwave them for 3- 4 minutes.
6. With a help of broad edged knife place the apple on the plate then put the smiley in the centre of the apple.
7. Place the coriander leaves in between the smiley and apple which will look like its’ green hat.
   
8. Beautiful and delicious smiles are ready. Serve hot.

“Did you wash your hands?” I asked him seeing him in a different dress.

“I not only washed my hands but face also.” He replied.

“Food is ready. Take it.” I handed over the plate to him.

“Beautiful flowers are blooming in the balcony garden. So, I will eat in the balcony. Today, my teacher told the students to spend more time near nature than on laptop, mobile and tablets.”

I arranged his table and chair in the balcony and asked him to have McCain snacks there. I returned in the kitchen to finish other chores. A few minutes passed, he came running to me with the empty plate in his hands.

“You finished it so quickly.” I asked with a surprise in my voice. “Did the plate fall off?”

“No. As I was about to eat Apple McCain smiles, a crow came from nowhere and sneezed it from my little hands before I could put it in my big mouth. I got scared and pushed my chair backward. Another crow, must be its close friend came and took away another piece from my plate.”

“Put this plate in the sink. Wash your hands. I will give you the two remaining ones.”

A big smile appeared on his face. “You have more.”

“Yup! Will you like to eat them near the nature or .......?”

“In front of T.V!”

After finishing those he said, “I am feeling hungry.”

“Oh! My God!!” I uttered. “I am damn tired.”

“My left side of stomach is still empty as the crow took my share. You can touch my stomach and feel. It is still empty.”

 “Your favourite smiles are finished. There were only four pieces left in the packet which I have already cooked for you.”

He opened the freezer, took out a fresh packet of McCain French Fries and said innocently. “I will eat it.”

I prepared this recipe for him.

McCain French Fries in Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

McCain French Fries – 15-20

Roasted Bengal gram powder – 1 table spoon

Peanut powder – 1 tablespoon

Coconut powder – ½ tablespoon

Powdered white pepper – ½ teaspoon

Mustard seed – ¼ teaspoon

Dry red chilli (crushed) – 2

Dry thyme – ¼ teaspoon

Dry rosemary- ½ teaspoon

Garlic powder – ½ teaspoon

Chopped curry leaves – 10-15

Sour buttermilk – 1 to 1 ½ cup

Butter – 1 table spoon

Olive oil – ½ table spoon

Canola oil – for frying

Salt to taste

For garnishing

Chopped basil leaves – 7-8

Sliced tomato – 1 small

Method

1. Heat canola oil in a pan and deep fry McCain French Fries in it. Take them out in a plate and keep aside.

2. Take coconut powder, peanut powder and roasted Bengal gram powder in a bowl. Mix them well. Add buttermilk slowly so that lumps are not formed. Add salt and powdered white pepper to it.

3. Heat butter in a pan. Add olive oil in it and mix them well.

4. Add mustard seeds when they start to splutter then add curry leaves and crushed red chillies.

5. Pour the already prepared mixture into the pan and stir it. Heat it to the boil.

6. Add garlic powder, thyme and rosemary in it. Reduce the heat. Gently put the fried French Fries in it and mix very lightly.

7. Take out the French fries in a plate.

8. Garnish it with basil leaves and tomato. Serve hot.

“This is more delicious. From now, McCain French Fries in Peanut Sauce will be my favourite!” He declared this with a beaming face.