Cashing In On School Years... Nostalgia!

As I hurried out of my hospital towards the parking lot one busy early evening, I happened to pass by the small playground of the adjoining primary school. The chatter and commotion created by those naughty brats made me retrace my steps and take a quick peek as to what they were up to. Apparently, it was a group of boys who had been punished for misbehaving in class & were arguing to clarify whose fault it was...... I smiled silently as I saw those young minds standing up to prove their innocence.

It took me back to my school years, the fun, the mischief, the camaraderie and the innocence. It all came back to me in a flash....Just like that I got all NOSTALGIC!!!

Everyone has varied memories of their school years. Some fade away, but some stay etched in your minds forever. Having been in the same school for 12 years before I graduated out, I have loads of memories attached to my school.

During my first few years, I remember how much fun we had experimenting with colours, playing in the park and listening to stories from our teachers. But a memory which stands out from the rest is the terror that the helper maid(Ayah) had struck in our minds...even the unruliest kids were scared of her and obeyed her orders. Recently I met her again,when I visited school and discovered that nothing has changed over the years...hehehe....

Sometime during middle school, I remember being punished along with two of my classmates for arriving late to class in the morning. We were made to stand outside the class. Instead of being ashamed for being punished, we took it as an opportunity to show-off how "cool" we were....not everyone gets punished, right???? Doodling on tables, throwing chalk pieces around when teachers weren't looking, passing chits in between class.....name it, we've done it.

High school came with its share of fun, tensions, studies and friendships. We were constantly chided for not being serious about our lives and careers. There were constant threats to us that we would repent for our actions later in life if we didn't study well now. Not that any of it affected us.... Studies were the last thing on our minds, after all the extracurricular activities, sports, competitions(which were more important as we represented our school!!)

After all these years, I feel that those were indeed the formative years of our lives. We are now those people whose seeds were sown back then. These bouts of nostalgia keep creeping up from time to time. Although I might not be in touch with every person who was a part of my life back then, they hold a special place in my heart, nonetheless. No matter what we do with our lives ahead, each time we meet up with a school friend, we go back to that most memorable phase of our lives.....Getting all nostalgic about our "School Years"!!!!

                                                          ------ By MocktailMommy Prasanna

I am taking part in The Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Blogging Challenge 

 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger

Linking this post to #FridayReflection hosted by Sanch and Corrine

Emerging Patterns In Investing

“INVESTING CREATES WEALTH”, catchy opening phrase, you might think. But more than catchy it has a real substance! Being a Banker by profession, I have witnessed the immense potential that simple investing has in its folds! 

Image courtesy Pixabay

Investment seems to be a gigantic word. People generally associate it with upper class thing. It is always linked with individuals who have excess money and not for common man. Whereas the fact remains it can be done by anyone irrespective of class or age. 

Let me throw some light on Investments basics, investment tools and investment patterns for all age groups from my experience.

Anything that gives you a return is known as investment. No matter whatever may be the amount of income invested or return earned. In simple words it is keeping aside a part of your income regularly and allowing it to multiply. Trust me friends you will realise the value only when you see the corpus accumulation over the years! It not only gives you return but also saves your tax depending on the investment you choose.

Important thing - diversify your investments.

There are multiple places to stay invested e.g. a bank account, a Trading account to invest in mutual fund and equities, Bank Fixed & recurring deposits, Postal saving schemes etc. These deposits are often referred to as safe investments wherein the risk factor is low. But that also translates to the returns being offered on such investments will be low. 

Always remember a thumb rule, higher the risk taken the greater would be the return.

Other investment options are real estate, Bonds ,Gold, Business ,Insurance and so on.

INVESTMENT FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS :

Every one has different priorities at different ages. One's priority changes according to one's growing age and similarly the investment patters varies. However, there are certain emerging patterns in investments by different age groups. 

Image courtesy Pixabay

You can also approach financial advisors for investments. They diversify your portfolio into difference sectors depending on your age and your risk taking capacity.

Age group (25-34 years ) : This is the age when we start earning. The younger you are the higher the risk taking capacity you should go for. In simple words your investment pattern has to be aggressive. For such age groups equities is the best option along with real estate. Life & health insurance at this age is a must without fail!.

Age group (35-44 years ): Here the priorities change as we have a family to be taken care of. This age groups should invest in child education considering the rising inflation. This is the right age to go for some sort of retirements plans.  Tough the investment term may look longer, typically say 15-20 years of duration,  you can decide on the amount according to your earnings. In other words your investment pattern has to be moderate to agressive

Age group (45-55) :One should go for PPF (Public provident fund schemes). Also stay invested in equity-debit investments with 75:25 ratio.  The investment pattern here shifts the gear to moderation!

Above 55 : Stay invested in Fixed deposits and NSC National savings certificates. Obviously the investment pattern here is nothing but "stay invested" and no risk.

The best strategy is to start early so that you can enjoy the returns over the periods.

A Chnese poverb says :The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”

However remember.... It’s never too late to do something!

------By MocktailMommy Smitha

I am taking part in The Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Blogging Challenge 

 #writebravely  #writetribeproblogger

Everything Is Going To Be Fine

The building shook for a moment and Raj seemed confused. He ran to the nearest window to see what had happened.

Just as he looked out, his phone rang. "The building's been hit by a plane!!! We need to evacuate ASAP!!" shouted Anita at the other end. 

The sentence was barely completed before Raj saw another airplane crash into the neighboring tower of the World Trade Center.

Totally shaken by this sight, all he could think, was about getting to Anita. He dashed up the stairs of the emergency exit to reach her floor. But he couldn't see clearly as the office was now covered in smoke.

Anita was cowering under her desk. "Don't worry honey. I am here now. Everything is going to be fine!!" He hugged her.

In the distance, a young man shot a video on his camera as the Twin Towers came crashing down!!

                                                      ----- MocktailMommy Prasanna

Word Count : 148

Linking this post to #FridayFotoFiction by Tina and Mayuri                                                  

Kaleidoscopic Navaratri Memories

I was putting away the sarees and jewelry. I felt a kind of emptiness. Past nine days and a week before just flashed in front of my eyes. As if watching a movie, my hands came to a stand still.

Picture courtesy Pixabay

Deciding which saree to wear on each day of Navaratri, jewelry that will match it the best was the project in my hand in those days. And it was not only for me but for my daughter too. I had to browse through her wardrobe to line up her dresses. Spending time later with her, discussing the line up, was such a joy. Mom and daughter fought, bonded, shared jokes, sang songs and what not in those days. Finally the wardrobes were put in order! 

Thanks to Navaratri that we both had the most precious moments, our own private treasure of memories for years to cherish.

Then came her preparations for the dance performances during Navaratri. Dropping and picking her up from dance class, discussion with choreographer, other moms, led me to a new set of friends.

Was it not that I was surrounded by so many Devies all the while, I wondered… only to feel so thankful that I have a lovely bunch of friends whom I can rely on!

In these days, I learnt and witnessed that there is so much of hard work involved in setting up a performance. The end result, the final performance is just the tip of the ice berg! I was humbled by the efforts put in by the performers and their teacher. I envy their passion to be honest!!!

One more pulse of gratitude. One more "Thank You"

My mind then wafted to the days when I was a kid. Navaratri was not such a grand affair in the small town where I grew up. But the charm of the nine days was the same. I loved and felt pampered when we, the girls, were invited at our near and dear one’s houses. Reason was “Kanya Pooja”. Having dount over such a grand status, I asked my mother, “Am I really the goddess?”. To this my mom, had replied, “Yes dear Kanyaka Parameshwari! You are and all the ladies, including your aunties, grannies… all are the Goddesses!”

The word “Kanyaka Parameshwari” brought dimples on my face. This fetched me to present too. How profound my mother was, I wondered. All the ladies in this world are a form of a Shakti, a force. We the ladies have to wear so many hats, avatars.  

We are mothers, epitome of love. We are teachers like Maa Saraswati. We are forceful and strong like Maa Kaali when it comes to fighting back with evils! We are the best chefs just like Maa Annapurna. We are the warriors like Durga Maa… have any doubt about this, check with your better half!!! Jokes apart, we are many in one… just like the Durga Maa! 

This thought made me thankful that I am a lady… and unique form of supreme power! 

I am also thankful that I am blessed with so many wonderful Devis in and around my life… my mother, my aunties, my mother in law and now my daughter! Each of them has blessed my life with Midas touch. I am and will always remain grateful and thankful to all of them!

Just two years before we were stay put at Pune, Maharashtra. Navaratri there is characterized by the chanting of stotras and visiting temples. I remember those magical moments with a great pride. Getting ready to visit a friend’s house for chanting Devi Stotras was divine feeling. And the chanting itself electrified the environment. It used to be followed by scrumptious offerings of Prasad to all the chanters. We started chanting on first day of Navaratri, i.e. Ghata Sthapana. And chanting on that day used to be at my residence. The positivity that was felt is just beyond the my mortal capacity to explain. 

I am so very thankful to all my dear friends for the divine Maharashtrian touch to Navaratri memories.

This tradition of chanting however, I had borrowed from my group at Sharjah. We were a close and knit group of 12-15 families. Everyone from different state of India, from Uttarakhand to Tamil Nadu and Kerala, from Maharashtra, Gujarath to Orisa and Kolkata. Festivals were the occasions to come together and celebrate. Navaratri was one of the most important festival that we celebrated with chanting. 

Thankful that Navaratri brought all the Indians together on foreign land, ushering in a patriotic touch!

We have been nomads since long. So just two years back, we shifted our base to the vibrant city of Mumbai, Mulund to be specific. Many Kutchis and Gujaratis  call this their home, next only to Gujarat. Society where we are staying right now, is no exception! Come Navaratri and enthusiasm is palpable. 

Thankful to Navaratri that I learnt Garba and Dandiya Raas! 

Garba... what an energetic form of worship of Goddess Durga. Every evening, all the nine days, is a celebration of color, vigor and social networking! 

Cant say thank you enough to these charismatic days touched with the sweetness of Gujarat!

This very city, introduced us to Durga Pujo! A family friend, a sweet Bengali husband and wife, invited us for Ashtami Pujo. I scouted you tube for learning to drape the saree in typical Bong style. Happy to say that, I now can drape the saree in Bengali style, effortlessly! 

Visiting Durga Pujo pandal was an experience of life time. Enjoyed “Sindoor Khela” too! And after all this, came the Prasad of hot steaming Khichadi, Brinjal pakoda, Rice kheer and Rosagulla! 

The taste still lingers in my mind making me thankful all over again. This dash of exuberance thankfully completed my kaleidoscopic view of the Navaratri memories. 

“Are we going to have lunch today on Dussehra or are we observing fast?”, duties came calling...bringing me back to mundane chores...Believe me it was so difficult, because...

My heart wished to bask in the glory of Thankful Navaratri memories for a little while longer…

------By MocktailMommy Anagha

This post is part of 

#ThankfulThursdays 38:Memories of Durga Pujo which Make Me Thankful

Linking this post to #MondayMusings by Corinne

Frozen

Born to the business tycoon, he was the one with a silver spoon!

The football arena, the basketball ground, an amphitheater, and what not. He had everything that a teenager may fancy.

His favorite spot was the steps of the amphitheater. Come evening and he would rush out to them. Standing on one of the steps, he would peep over the wall.

“Raghav, Saumya, Lalit, Henry. Come over” he would shout.

“You only have shooed them away. You are bad”, he would rant.

“Gaurav baba, come down. They will come”, requested the soft voice.

“I will ask Mom to send you home. I hate you. You don’t let my friends in”

“Are you going to complain to Madam from here?”, she would quiz.

Rest of the evening would then be spent running round and round every corner.

A fatal accident five years ago, froze Gaurav’s age forever!

---------By MocktailMommy Anagha

Word Count: 147

Linking this post to #FridayFotoFiction by Tina and Mayuri