Womenlines proudly welcomes Carlo Pandian as guest writer for womenlines. Carlo will take your kids in amazing world of Lego bricks and boost their creativity through guided tutorials-
Animals come in all shapes and sizes. This means you can either spend a lot of money trying to find rare animals for your kids or you can let them build them with some simple to find pieces. 
This gives your kids the advantage of being able to get more out of the pieces they have in their collection. It also means they have the ability to make modifications to these creations which gives them more flexibility in what they want. The following are some simple designs you and your kids can watch to start building your own menagerie
Lion
There’s nothing quite like having the king of the jungle in a display. It sits at the top of the food chain and makes an obvious centerpiece. This design comes from David Howard, the Master Model Builder from LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester. He covers the pieces you need along with instructions on how to build this ferocious beast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPAY_I5fUGk
Simple Animals
If you are going to have a king, you may want some subjects. Therefore Lunazd1 provides you with a wild assortment of animals. Each is built using some very basic bricks and colors. Each is rendered in a program so that the designs are crisp and easy to see. If you have trouble with any part of the design simply pause the video and watch the model come together frame by frame. Each animal’s design is set up like standard LEGO instructions, so it shouldn’t be a foreign experience for your child.
Zoo Animals
Continuing this parade of animals is Thesmiler37. They have categorized their animals into those found in a zoo. These creations also follow the use of simple elements. This makes it possible to make with some of the most basic brick buckets. Each part is highly recognizable to any child that is familiar with their LEGO bricks. This is important since many of their loose pieces are typically these standard elements.
Turtle
It is time to slow things down. Fun Toy Den brings you their brick built turtle. Not only is this a fabulous display piece on its own, but it scales extremely well with minifigures. There are enormous turtles in real life and even bigger ones found in children’s story books. Whatever your child wants, this turtle will fit right in.
Cow
There is one creature that often needs a herd to look right. Large farms don’t survive on a single cow. The problem is, if you’re going to populate a farm, you need a simple design that looks good. Brickitect gives you this on both fronts. He tells you how to make a nice cow as well as what set he used to make it from. From here just cut, copy, and repeat. In no time you’ll need to build a bigger farm.
Author:
Carlo Pandian is an adult fan of LEGO and freelance writer, and has previously published on The Brick Blogger, Bricks of The Death, and The Rock Father. He loves babysitting his nephew and getting him to build LEGO creations!
Credits
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester Lion by David Howard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPAY_I5fUGk
How to build simple LEGO animals by Lunazd1
How to make LEGO zoo animals by The smiler37
How to build a LEGO turtle by Fun Toy Den
LEGO Cow (How to Build) by brickitect
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
2. So when did you venture into this venture and what inspired or motivated you to take a plunge into this venture?
3. Can you share with us some of the challenges you faced during your initial days ?
4. So how do you balance your personal and professional life ?
5. What would you suggest to other aspiring women who want to venture out on their own ?
6. Is there any person who has mentored/supported/inspired you?
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Vacations are the most awaited period of the year by kids, whatever age they are into! 
It is time for kids to relax, to meet friends and to spend a day without any time limit Ask any kid which part of the year is his favorite and most of them will come up with vacation or festival holiday as an answer.I feel happy seeing that relaxed smile on my kid’s face during vacation time but as a working woman, and that too from home, my other part is overwhelmed with the challenges I am going to face during this period with my work. The most irritating aspect of any holiday is the frequent bombing of “What shall I do now, mummy?” periodically.How I can plan every second of my kid’s day when I am not able to do for myself, I just scorn at times. “Why can’t he think of his own ways?” or ‘I wonder how I managed my vacations without any instructions by my parents?”Such questions just hit me almost every other day of vacation.
Last year while making the to-do list for myself idea struck to me why can’t kids have their own todo list which they can depend upon whenever they are having free time.YES, WHY NOT! Literally, I really jumped with joy with the realization that my kid can plan his to-do list on his own by using his brain:). I discussed the idea with my kid and we drafted a rough chart and pasted then on wall. And every time when me or my son came across any activity idea we took a note of it.In fact, this will help them to think independently and he will understand himself better. What are their likes, what are their dislikes, what they love to do and when!
It is more than a year and I can tell you friends list is still on. As my son is growing he comes across some new activity and he wants to add it to his list. What are you waiting for?Start listing down your kids’ activities….best wishes from Womenlines:)!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Womenlines is grateful to Ms Pamposh Dhar for guest write up about her experience in field of Reiki-
Sometimes when you least expect it, something utterly fabulous slips quietly into your life. This is how Reiki entered my world. My mother was very ill and someone offered to do “distance Reiki” – no-one in my family had any idea what it was, but Mum said she would like to try it. That was my introduction to Reiki – something I didn’t know about and didn’t believe in; just something Mum had agreed to try out.
But then, a week later, Mum was fully healed! Her doctors had no explanation for it and I began to wonder if there really was something to this “Reiki thing.” I know now that Reiki is a wonderful, positive energy that helps physical and emotional healing, brings mental clarity, and supports spiritual growth.
The Japanese word “Reiki” means universal life-force energy. “Ki” is the equivalent of prana in Sanskrit or qi (pronounced chi) in Chinese. It is the pure energy that pervades the universe – it is not the energy of the Reiki “giver,” as many people seem to think. The Reiki practitioner is merely a channel for universal energy.
There are two ways of doing Reiki – hands on and distance. In hands-on Reiki, the practitioner gently places his or her hands on different parts of the body and uses intention and focus to channel the energy there. The person receiving Reiki may feel powerful energy moving within them or they may just feel very subtle energy shifts. Each person experiences it differently.
In distance Reiki, the Reiki practitioner uses focus and intention to channel the energy to the recipient wherever they may be in the world. One of the most wonderful experiences I have had as a Reiki practitioner was doing distance healing for a 19-month-old boy who had fallen head first onto a concrete surface from a 2nd floor balcony. I met the boy’s aunt in the Philippines just after the boy was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital in the United States. That night I did several bouts of Reiki for him.
In the morning I received an email from the boy’s aunt. “Somehow something amazing must have occurred last night/today because Anthony is now out of the ICU,” she wrote. “The doctors are really amazed at his recovery – it is completely beyond their expectations. He is now on the pediatric floor instead of the ICU, and will make a full recovery with time.”
Reiki is done not only to heal from illness or injury, but also for overcoming emotional hurt or supporting one’s growth as an individual. In addition, it works very quickly to release stress or relieve depression.
Reiki was established in the early part of the 20th century by Dr. Mikao Usui of Japan. Traditionally, there are three levels of Reiki learning in the Usui system: the first level enables you to do hands-on healing, the second to do distance Reiki and a Reiki Master is qualified to teach as well as practise Reiki.
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Pamposh Dhar
Pamposh Dhar is a Reiki Master, meditation teacher and counsellor. She runs the Terataii wellness centre in Singapore. Visit the website: www.terataii.com.sg or the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/terataii.reiki.development
Links:
My Reiki journey – http://terataii.blogspot.sg/2010/10/reiki-journey-to-health-and-happiness.html
Universal energy – http://terataii.blogspot.sg/2008/09/energy-healing-whose-energy.html
Manjunath is extremely sincere, soul-stirring and very real life story about how IIM graduate Manjunath was murdered for sealing a corrupt petrol station in Lakhimpur Kheri, UP.Hats off to Manjunath’s courage to fight with corruption. 
The movie describes the pain and anguish of Manjunath who wanted to do his job sincerely despite facing all odds. He was honest, hardworking, sincere and passionate about his job. Negative elements of the society tried their best to scare him of his death beforehand but ultimately were not able to digest his honesty and killed him brutally. Most impressive part of Manjunath story are the steps taken by IIM graduate Ms. Anjali , who was so stirred after going through stories in tv channels and newspapers that she decided to set up a trust to help parents of Manjunath to fight the legal case.
After Manjunath’s murder, two IIM graduates – Anjali Mulatti and Jaishankar – set up “The Manjunath Shanmugam Trust”, to secure justice for Manjunath by getting his killers punished.Anjali Mullatti (an IIML alumnus, ten years senior to Manjunath) is just another intelligent professional doing her work who had that courage to take this big step of setting the trust.It is big deal for any professional for taking the trouble of traveling from Mysore to Lakhimpur Kheri every month to attend the sessions court proceedings.She never met Manju also. Here comes Anjali’s stirred soul who forced her to take this step and help Manjunath’s parents getting justice!
Anjali Mulatti (IIML class of ‘93) and her husband H. Jaishankar (IIMB class of ‘92) are the real-life heroes, who played a crucial part in ensuring justice was done in the case. This feisty couple is based in Mysore, where they run a financial-education firm. Their need for justice was so strong that they took up the case when no one was willing to fight the corrupt system. Their die-hard determination not only earned Anjali and Jaishanker respect, but the case soon turned into a national movement. Justice eventually prevailed.
As per quote from Anjali-taken from website sisat.com-But the fight was far from easy. “Frankly, Jai and I didn’t know the difference between an FIR and a charge sheet before taking-up Manju’s case. And because we fought for an honest cause, we got tremendous support from the police and lawyers, who don’t exactly enjoy the best of reputations in our society. So, unless we experience and understand the reality nothing changes. If you believe in a cause, fight for it, you don’t have to fast unto death, just follow your convictions,”
Hats off to Sandeep Verma, FMS ’93 and CEO of Icomo Advertising, scripted, who raised funds and directed & produced Manjunath.
Women Lines congratulates and wishes good luck to Ms. Anjali and Mr. Sandeep for their respective roles in bringing a story of Manjunath to the whole world!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living – David Attenborough
Natural world is the ultimate source for happiness in life and what if we surround ourselves with all natural world products-our life will become so joyfull!
Market is full of variety of lifestyle products to ease your life and provide you comfort. It was a sad and painful transition, when power looms replaced hand looms, machine embroidery replaced hand embroideries, people stopped patronizing Folk Art, people turned to popping pills to cure themselves rather than look at natural remedies and our personal care items changed from what our grandmothers handmade with so much love with the choicest natural ingredients to a cocktail of toxic chemicals. Things give you pleasure in life but for a short time. Suddenly you feel surrounded with all artificial things which gives a feel of suffocation and search for peace starts again.
Nature’s Hand is a group of entrepreneurs in Singapore who are dealing which such products which can help you in brightening your life. Nature’s Hand group consists of entrepreneurs who are dealing with hand made products for health , interior deco, garments, jewellery, and other lifestyle products. One common factor which is in all products is that they are done with natural materials and thus having a super natural feel in them with all positivity to bless you with much seeked happiness which everybody is searching for.
Aham– Traditional & Wild is a philosophy and belief, more than an enterprise. Aham hand makes bath powders, body scrubs, tooth powders, tea blends etc using traditional and time-tested recepies. They source ingredients that are all natural and wild harvested like flours, flowers and herbs to cleanse and nourish the body. Because they contain no chemicals, they can be used on babies too, as young as 40 days old!
Swayam by Swati Palekar. Under the banner of Swayam, this gorgeous lady hand paints Indian Folk Art (like Madhubani, Warli) and has seamlessly integrated a traditional folk art with fashionable home decor.
Mystic Summerz by Charu Mehrotra who would be introducing Singapore to the glory of hand embroidered Lucknowi Chikankari. A traditional craft from the land of the Nawabs, Chikankari is one of those traditional Indian wears that has blended beautifully in the modern day world too!
Threadtalk by Sagorika Bolur Dasgupta,who is so much passionate about popularising the beauty of saris from India, which are breath taking, elaborate but unfortunately, lesser known than the bling that Bollywood promotes. Threadtalk is so proud to include line of jewellery made from botanicals (seeds and grains) from a social enterprise in the southern part of India. This enterprise is not only trying to revive the beauty of wearing natural, botanical jewellery but also generating employment for rural women in the region.
Essential Oil Remedies-Mission of Essential Oil is is to help people attain health, vitality and wellness in a safe and natural way .Essential Oil remedies is brainchild of Nana Lim who herself used alternative medicine to cure her illness as she was allergic to pharma drugs.And now she has so much trust on these oils which are botanical extracts derived from plants that she wants to reach out to community to benefit them.
Nature’s Hands group will be organizing monthly open houses to exhibit their products at various locations in Singapore.The first open house is coming up on 25th(10:00pm-2:00pm) and 26th April(2:00pm-6:00pm) at 03-03 Casa Meyfort at 79 Meyer Road. This Open House is Nature’s Hands group first attempt to bring those beautiful elements of art, fashion, health and wellness from the past into our present life!
The quote is so well said, “Key to happiness is not success , but key to success is always happiness.” We are not talking about happiness due to materialistic gains,but the natural soulful happiness , which is genuine and which is forever with us and Nature’s Hands group is always there to help you to gain that happiness!!:))
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Evernote is available in a paid version or a more restricted free version. Use of the online service is free up to a certain monthly usage limit, with additional monthly use reserved for paying subscribers Evernote allows users to capture, organize, and find information across multiple platforms. Users can take notes, clip web pages, snap photos using their mobile phones, create to-dos, and record audio. All data is synchronized with the Evernote web service and made available to clients on Windows, Mac, Web, and mobile devices. Additionally, the Evernote web service performs image recognition on all incoming notes, making printed or handwritten text found within images searchable.
Evernote says it has 50 million users around the world (a third in the U.S.) and is adding 100,000 a day. Operating on a “freemium” model, the company makes money primarily from the sliver of that user base that pays $45 a year, or $5 a month, for a souped-up version with more storage capacity. It has been profitable,
The real difference comes from Evernote’s ecosystem of apps, which let you do things such as scan receipts directly to Evernote or convert handwriting to text.
Life is really getting busier for everybody and thus Evernote has really a bright future as it is for sure going to save lots and lots of time and help you to manage your notes in digital form!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
It was such a pleasure accidental landing on the facebook page of Ms. Abha Maryada Banerjee, and I was so much exhilarated after reading her intro as First Indian Woman motivational speaker.
Considered as emotional fitness guru by media Ms. Abha Maryada Banerjee is India’s first woman motivational speaker of international acclaim, rated as one of the Top Ten Life, Business and Success Coaches in the Asia Pacific. An expert at Leadership, Human Peak Performance and Emotional Intelligence, having spoken at prestigious forums across Asia, she has coached and consulted top CEOs, Media personalities, Sports Stars, Business people, leaders in the making and has been closely associated with the spiritual aspect of Leadership as well. Called ‘Asian Oprah’ and the ‘Asian Woman Motivator’, she professes ‘Personal Mastery’ for individuals and ‘Emotional Fitness for Corporates’ for achieving human capital excellence. It is such an incredible achievement which has to be shared with the whole world and thus I decided to report in my blog to my readers. Read about Abha’s interesting journey in her own words-
book. I also intend to take the book across the World. Success India Leadership will work alongside these business’s to impart all kinds of help and training.
The next book will be focused on youth and children. Also, a book on Spiritual Leadership is in the offing.
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Losing weight without going to the gym is a dream for every individual who is looking forward for a healthy lifestyle. Time is a precious commodity in today’s times and efforts are made to save as much as possible. I was always in search of tips and guidelines where I can learn how to keep a hold on my weight by doing things at home. It’s a pleasure to share those tips with everybody- 
1.TV time can be used to carry out few exercises which you can do while watching your favorite programme.Especially the break time can be used very smartly by carrying crunches, jog steps or lifts.
2. Switching channels can be done on TV instead of using remotes. It will make you walk from one place to another.
3.Chewing your food properly will definitely help in proper absorption of nutrients.
4. Whenever get chance use stairs and avoid lifts. This is great way for exercising lower part of your body.
5.Cleaning House is a great activity which leads to calorie burn out. Attempts should be made to declutter home as many times it can be done.
6.Drink water as much and eat Oats as much.It’s a golden matra
7. Surya Namsakar is a great resource for burning calorie.
8.Shophouse grocery yourself and carry bags in your own hand. It’s a free exercise for your hands which can help in maintaining them.
9.Keep moving- Its not necessary to join dance classes at some school. There are many free videos available online which can guide u in right way.
10. Positive attitude and vision of having a perfect body shape play very important role in weight loss journey.
Readers are requested to share their tips and tricks which they follow for weight loss. Thanks in advance:)!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
As a mother, I have always felt a need to get new ideas which can help me engaging my kids creatively! 
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/ is an awesome website which will open you a world of beautiful ideas to enhance your kid’s creativity. To visitors, advantage website has categories on the basis of various ages and thus it helps visitors to choose activity as their kid’s requirement. The website is very suitable to l0ok out for various crafts, arts, DIY, coloring activities for different age groups of kids. The Very Interesting section is a section in which various days of the year are described with ideas how can you celebrate that day like, Earth day, Christmas, Father’s day etc.
The interesting part is that there is the section for Mom group also.Amazing recipes for food, tips for organizing home and to do activities with families. Womenlines strongly recommend this website for those parents who always search for new ideas for parenting. There is a facebook page too for the website- https://www.facebook.com/QuirkyMomma
Visitors are requested to share other links if they are aware of any kid’s activities related website!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!
Charu Mehrotra
Promoting Excellence in Women!