India's vibrant ethnicity.

Source: Well, I wrote it but, not for the blog, I actually had an extempore competition so, I wrote the article as a speech. My school is having a celebration for Independence day. Even though it was on 15th August, but the celebrations still continue. Anyways let me get on with the article.

[it might sound like a speech]

Before I begin, I would like to ask all of you, what do you understand by the term ethnicity? The etymology of the word is from 'ethnic', which usually refers to common cultural and traditional values (according to the english dictionary). When I think of the word, the definition that I mentioned before is not what comes to mind. The word sends a chill of excitement down my spine, I feel rich flavours in my mouth, I picture vibrant saris and earthenware with the most extraordinary designs, I hear the soft music of tabla and sitar as a background music.

India as a nation has so much cultural variety, from Ghoomar to Bharatnatyam. There is variety not only the dance forms but also in the case of food, languages and dress code.

So many regions are famous for so many different things, like when I hear the name of Maharashtra, the first thing that comes to my mind is the thali and vadapav. When I hear the name of Tamil Nadu, I think of Bharatnatyam, picturing a woman dancing with a lot f grace and vigour.

Does it not make your mouth water at the thought of dal bati or any other food that you like?

Apart from this there is also diversity in the vernacular , from bengali and marathi to tamil and telugu. There is also a huge difference in beliefs and legends of the people. As you move northwards you find a lot of people have a strong belief in Lord Rama, but to the south people have a strong belief in Lord Shiva. In fact, he is termed as the lord of the dance and known as Nataraja. The way the sari is worn also differs from region to region,there is a difference in the jewelry as well. 

I could go on and on about this topic as it is so vast. But, that would probably take me more than today,so, I would like to conclude by saying, that there are many leaves but, one tree. And in the same way there are many cultures, but all of them solve the same purpose. To give India  a rich culture and heritage. 

First impressions

Hi! I know I am late in posting, I'm really sorry. So, anyways I lately have been surrounded by a LOT of WANNABEs. And I really, really, really feel sorry for myself. Apart from wannabes I am also faced with mean girls, weirdos , creeps and many more. There are so many people judging you at every moment, and first impressions are really important. There are certain things that we tend to forget when meeting people for the first time, we must also understand that what might seem okay to you could offend someone else. So, I decided to list down the things I keep in mind and the times when I forget them.

1]Smile.

    It is very important to smile when you meet someone, it makes them feel like their company is appreciated by you. And to be honest who doesn't like that?

2] Eye Contact.

     Always maintain eye contact, not only does it portrays you as confident but also like you are really interested in the person you are talking to.

3] Inquisitiveness.

   Keep asking questions about the person you are talking to, you can ask them about their hobbies, favourite band, songs, artists,etc.

This also, makes them feel that you are interested in speaking to them.

4]Forget The World.

  When you are speaking to someone block out the world and don't get distracted by what someone is wearing or anything as such. Keep your entire focus on the conversation.

5]Compliment.

   Complimenting does not hurt, go ahead and compliment their clothes , personality, hair, physical appearance or anything as such. Let them know you appreciate their existence.

6]Cut The Sarcasm,

   Lessen the sarcasm, it not only seems rude but also portrays you as mean.

Apart from having conversations with someone for the first time,there are times when you have to speak in front of a crowd.

I know, everyone gets nervous. I surely do. I can feel my heart pounding against my chest. But none the less you have to speak.

Whenever you enter a room always smile, let everyone around you feel that you are happy to be amongst them.

After that always try to look at everyone, if anyone holds your gaze smile at them, and don't stare. Sometimes when in a really crowded place you can pretend to have an imaginary friend to whom you may wave from the crowd, this makes people think you have friends and are good at socialising. 

When speaking in public always introduce yourself with a smile, and use expressions in your speech instead of talking like a robot.

Well, that is all for today bye!

The ideals of Beauty

Hi everyone! So, for this article I will be telling all of you about the ideals of beauty, and no, it is not a pretty face or a particular body type. There is way more to it. The inspiration for me to be writing this is a friend of mine, who posted a picture on instagram which said  " makeup makes girls better and break up makes boys better".

I was seriously offended by this. And I was really hurt when I read the comments, as lot of my friends thought the statement held true.
And this is when I realised how messed up the ideals of looking pretty are.

So, I decided to write an article to inform all you girls and guys out there that beauty is definitely not about anyone's physical appearance. This leaves us with the question "what is beauty?".

In my opinion, it is not a particular skin colour, body shape, length of hair, waist size or anything like that. It is more than that. Way more than that. It is the kind of person you are from within. You cannot call someone who looks like a Barbie doll on the outside and behaves like the wicked witch of the west pretty. They are not.
Beauty is not what pleases the eye but what touches the heart. People think that girls who are thin and have poofy lips are pretty but that is not true at all. Infact the only reasons these ideals are so messed up is because of all the posters and the celebrities. They literally paint themselves in makeup, they are faker than the wolf from little red riding hood. They make fantabulous appearances on red carpets and in movies and inspire girls all over. Infact the amount of makeup they wear completely covers their true skin. Infact what is disappointing is that the girls who are able to look like the ideal "pretty girls", keep ridiculing the girls who don't. No one is fat and ugly. Society is messed up if they believe in such stuff. 

Beauty is about the behaviour and personality of a girl. It is no use if your beauty is only skin deep. If people hate you then what is the point of looking like a doll? Being pretty is about making the other people want to spend time with you, about your aura and how people feel when they are around you. Infact makeup is not a way of looking like someone you are not, it is to make you feel good about yourself. How can anyone be satisfied by looking like any other barbie doll, when they know that all that makes them look like that is nothing that is their own, not their contacts,extensions, lip colour or the skin colour which they try to change using fairness creams. 
If you are truly good at heart you are beautiful. And you are way more than those girls who are like stick figures and poofy lips.

The day you see you in the mirror instead of seeing a girl who cannot look like Barbie, you will realise you are way more beautiful than Barbie.