I just stumbled upon a video on facebook-

http://www.upworthy.com/scientists-discover-one-of-the-greatest-contributing-factors-to-happiness-youll-thank-me?g=2

Nobody could have guessed such activity can raise their happiness level to such a great extent. Such virtues were part of our school curriculum once upon a time. Remember those Moral Science books and classes during school days which was taken as the boring lecture at that time and we never realized that seeds were sown at that age. And now when we are part of that survival of the fittest mad race we are getting back to those simple virtues to maintain our mental balance:).

Gratitude is defined as the feeling of being grateful, thankfulness of blessings, and also emotion expressing appreciation for others. Showing gratitude is just not a mere act sake but it benefits the person who is showing it by infilling him with positive energy. At present every day, the real challenge lies for us to maintain our positive energy for our daily activities, interactions, dealings, and actions. When we are bombarded with so many negativities from surroundings then the simple act of gratitude can just bring us back to saner self. Researchers also prove that-

“Gratitude is what gets poured into the glass to make it half full. Studies show that gratitude not only can be deliberately cultivated but can increase levels of well-being and happiness among those who  do cultivate it.”-http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/gratitude

Maybe not for other’s sake but for your own happiness sake fill yourself with gratitude to multitudes of people around who have benefitted you in some way as it is well said -Gratitude is an opener of locked-up blessings.  ~Marianne Williamson

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

It was really interesting to receive this invitation in my mailbox by The Kidz Parade magazine in Singapore sometimes back.-      

“We have seen the world going through a few tumultuous years of financial issues. Isn’t it better if our children learn financial literacy when they are young? Join us for a fun, interactive presentation of financial literacy by experts.Kids and parent team invited.”

I was aware of the magazine ‘The Kidz Parade” which works for igniting CURIOSITY, promoting CREATIVITY and providing INSPIRATION to children all over the world.This program was part of their  Creative Chat. They conduct Creative Chat independently, at schools as well as different organizations on various topics. They also do Creative chat for professional development for teachers at schools.

I suddenly became mindful what they are talking about.  Financial literacy and that too for kids between 7-13 years group. Will it be really beneficial to them?I thought its better if they organize a class for women group:). Somehow I got curious and took my 8 years old son for the presentation and I am happy to say that it was a good decision taken indeed.

It is all about awareness at right time. I strongly believe that besides the bookish knowledge kids should be made mindful about practical knowledge too which is going to help them more in the long run. It is so true that world is facing a very tough time dealing with financial crisis. And somehow if we connect the dots at the backside it is due to lack of financial literacy on the part of youngsters. They were never taught how to handle money. If they had been taught about being mindful about concepts of spending habits, saving money, making buying decisions on the basis of necessity vs buying compulsion then the scene would have been different. I am grateful to Liam consultants (a group of financial professional who holds the belief that the foundation of financial literacy should be built from childhood) for delivering such an informative presentation. The activities organized by them in form of quiz, testing knowledge regarding prices of a various high end and daily use products was really eye-opening for parents and kids both. Discussion regarding traits for becoming a billionaire was quite interesting for kids. They were surprised to know that all billionaire not necessary come from rich families If kids have the right mindset they can also become a billionaire.

I had some apprehensions regarding talking about financial literacy to my kid as I thought it will make him materialistic. But after attending the presentation my thinking changed and I realized that there is no harm in making kids mindful of spending habits and prices about various products. After all, it is going to make them smarter and aware individuals.I am grateful to  The  Kidz Parade magazine for organizing such informative session.

Money matters after all:)!

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

Tulsi plant, an integral part of every Hindu home, has always been regarded as divine. Planting   Tulsi/Basil in the courtyard of the house is a thousand of years old practise. Tulsi/Basil plant creates holy living in the home environment and its aroma in the air destroys disease causing bacteria and other toxins in the atmosphere.

• • In cough and Sore throat keep the root of Basil plant in mouth.

• • In respiratory diseases Basil leaves with Black salt gives a good relief.

• • Chew Basil Leaves along with 4 roasted cloves to relieve cough.

• • In high fever, Chewing Tulsi Leave along with Honey every 3 Hours gives relief.

• • Drinking Tulsi /Basil juice ,1 teaspoon everyday prevents fever.

• • Tulsi and Ginger paste mixed with honey relives fever in cold.

• • Taking 10 Tulsi leaves along with 4 Black Pepper relieves malarial fever.

• • The medicinal properties of Tulsi juice contains Thaimol element which is beneficial in skin diseases.

• • To treat Leucoderma by Tulsi leaves have been used successfully.

• • Grind the roots of Tulsi and mix with water and add dry ginger .This mixture taken in morning helps in leprosy.

• • Leprosy which may be affected by basil leaves. Eat and rub the juice on the affected spot.

• • Tulsi Leaf paste applied on eczema is very beneficial.

• • Tulsi leaf juice mixed with orange juice and applied on face removes acne.

• • In case of vomiting Tulsi leaf juice with honey should be taken.

• • In Diarrhoea Tulsi leaf juice mixed with roasted cumin seeds to be licked with honey three times a day to get the benefits.

• • Tulsi leaf extract along with one spoon honey, taken every morning and evening removes headache permanently.

• • Tulsi Tea helps to remove headache.

• • Mouth ulcers and other infections are proven to be cured  by use of Tulsi leaves.

• • Dry Tulsi leaves mixed with Mustard Oil is used to clean teeth and remove bad breath.

• • Tulsi tea removes ulcers of mouth.

• • Basil helps to strengthen the kidneys. Kidney stones can be removed with the juice of Tulsi leaves (basil extracts) taken for 6 months with honey , consumed regularly in slips.

• • For painful menses, Tulsi seeds in a glass of boiled water, boiled till it remains half to be taken during menses to remove pain.

• • Ten basil leaves, four to five black pepper and a teaspoon of honey mix all and with half a glass of water to be taken in winters to recover from all types of heart diseases.

• • 4-5 Tulsi and neem leaf juice added in 2-4 tablespoon water, to be taken for 7 days in the morning empty stomach cures high blood pressure.

• • Tulsi is a blessing in heart diseases, it also regulates cholesterol in blood.

• • Ground Basil leaves and make a paste and apply on wounds , stops bleeding immediately.

• • Basil juice along with coconut oil , cook together on low flame till the tie it starts leaving oil, apply on pimples and leave.

• • Basil seeds on grinding and applying hot fills the wound.

• • Basil and camphor powder applied to wound dries it quickly.

• • In Children’s common ailments such as colds, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea etc. basil juice is beneficial.

• • Tulsi extract helps children in vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, cold etc

• Do not pluck Tulsi leaves at Night because it may cause body disorders as it’s electromagnetic waves are prominent after sunset.
• Do not drink milk after intake of basil, skin problems can occur.
• Do not warm Tulsi juice with honey because with the hot objects honey acts as a venom.
• Milk , radish, salt, onion, garlic, meat, citrus fruits are harmful to eat along with Tulsi.
• Do not chew basil leaves with your teeth , if you do eat, be sure to rinse immediately because the contents present in Tulsi destroys the enamel of teeth.

I wish a very Happy Birthday and a bright future to my country India on her 67th Birthday.I am proud to be Indian Woman and am full of gratitude for so many things in my life which happened because of my strong Indian upbringing and roots which are difficult to let go! 

Indian women are special in her own way. We can say that modernization has affected Indian women in a certain way and many attributes of her personality have changed. She is no more than a silent woman who used to bear all negativeness of life quietly. She has got a voice and she knows how to get equality in the society. In spite of modernization few values are been maintained by most of the Indian women and that too without any pressure. I would like to share about few values which I love to maintain and pass to my daughter too-

Being Indian has taught me the importance of culture and respect for each other in the family.Comfort level of elders in a family is given priority and Indian culture teaches to maintain it in the family forever. The festivity celebrations throughout the year bring happiness and mood of celebration in families. I love to pass this culture to my kids. I really want them to have a clear understanding behind the celebration of these festivals and celebrate it with full enthusiasm. My Indian heritage has taught me the love for the variety of food and I just love to have those special festive snacks cooked in my home as it brings reasons of smiles and celebrations in the family.

I am proud to be Indian woman because my Indian heritage has taught me the importance of family values which are very important especially when you are not staying in India. The unique culture of touching feet of elders not only teaches to have respect for them but also makes one more humane.No matter what atmosphere is in the country I am staying but my Indian upbringing makes me fearless and my family comes as a first priority in my life. I am proud of my Indian dressing and want it to be carried it by my daughter too. The grace which I feel in saree is incomparable to any other dressing in the world.

The list is long and there will be still many reasons for which I am full of gratitude to my country. Long live India!

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

Dear Singapore,

Happy Birthday to you! Its 48th year of age for you but you are getting younger and more beautiful every year.

The National day is one of the coveted events of the year which reflects your colorful spirit and sets a mood of celebration across the country in a colorful way. Initially, as an immigrant, I eagerly waited for this event as it came along a long weekend break which allowed me to plan my outings. After 6 fruitful years, I have fallen in love with you and want to express my gratitude for all the comforts and inspiration you have given me.

You are a lively country to stay with a family with kids. The government really pampers its citizens here to an extreme that at times I wonder how come any government can think so much about the wellbeing of its citizens! I love the fact that the moment any problem arises government focus shifts fully to find a solution to that problem. The way recently Dengue, Haze problems were tackled, kudos to instant government action plan which really helped in handling the problems in short time. I love the fact that government has done a wonderful job in opening libraries here. It’s a blessing to those who are avid readers like me. All books ranging from parenting to arts are available in libraries and can be borrowed from any library. I consider books as the best friends and the ease I have access to books here has helped me in gaining knowledge on the variety of topics. I love the fact that I can plan so many activities for my kids here and that too with so much ease. Going to Sentosa, beaches, bowling, fishing, adventure parks, cycling tracks, sports complexes, is always fun and kids just love to be at such places and enjoy their weekends. Besides playtime what I cherish most is the awesome family time spent together.  I am in love with you because I don’t feel alien here; all races respect each other and care for each other sentiments. The government has planned setup in such a way that everything is accessible with ease and this makes our stay more comfortable. I also love you for the reason that   I can celebrate my festivals with gaiety and joy as I do celebrate in India, as community centers around here do a wonderful job of organizing activities for festivals in the similar fashion. I love the fact that I can feel secure here at any place and at any wee hours. The government makes sure that security of women is taken care for in the country. Another reason I love you is your civilized society and you are a clean place to stay. The government has done the awesome groundwork to maintain the cleanliness of the country 24/7. I am in love with you because a government is regularly adding a new tourist attraction to keep the place lively. After staying for 6 years still, I have so many places to cover here and new places are getting added every year. I am assured that my family will never get bored of you.

I look forward to more wonderful years to come here with lots of lovely memories to remember for all residents. May God bless you!:):)

Yours truly,

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

3. Can you share with us, some of the challenges you faced during your initial days?
It seemed a mammoth task sourcing products from India, dealing with artisans and manufacturers, getting the products shipped, renovation of the store and finally set up. But patience and perseverance are what one needs always. Another continuous challenge is to hire and retain the right kind of salespersons and training them so they could do justice to your products. And of course who can forget the finances 😉

“Natural beauty is individuality. It is also glowing health and vitality, it is awareness and action, well-groomed looks perfectly nourished skin and a toned and balanced body.”

I read this definition of Natural beauty sometimes back!

To look beautiful is every woman dream and they can go to any length to achieve this dream. The beauty industry is thriving on billion dollars portfolio, consisting of an array of products which promises to return lost beauty like a magic.Somehow womenfolk get trapped easily as they readily believe the promises made by companies.I do believe that our skin requires care in terms of maintaining its moisturizer level, maintaining the tightness of skin, products to reduce fine lines and dark circles, products to manage hair quality. For all these problems makeup products come handy but not the only substitute.Our nature is abundant of natural recipes which if used with discipline will definitely help in taking care of our beauty in a natural way. I researched for some home based cures for skin and hair problem which I will love to share with my blog readers.  Lemon juice, Honey, Sandal powder, Multani Mitti, Tomato, Potato, Gram flour, Turmeric Cucumber so many things are there in our kitchen which can do wonders on our skin.Its all about taking action in a correct way. Aloe vera is the other wonder leaf which is the jewel of all products.I came across a golden tip by the very beautiful lady who has maintained herself wonderfully at that age too. Coconut oil is boiled with Aloe Vera gel till the time the color changes to brown and applied on hair regularly can do wonders in controlling hair fall.  Aloe Vera gel can also be applied on the skin for cleansing purpose.One other tip which I trust by heart is to rub face skin softly with a lemon, or tomato piece with little honey on it.It provides amazing softness to skin and glows too and above all, it is quick to do. Papaya is one other fruit which has amazing effects on skin and hair. Diced papaya used on skin helps in removing dark spots and softening skin. Mashed papaya mixed with mashed banana, honey, curd masked on hair provides shine and softness to hair.So if women are mindful and have a regular routine for basic skin care then they don’t have to spend a lot on cosmetics to enhance their beauty.

It’s not for the world sake women should strive to look beautiful. It should be for their own happiness sake.Women themselves feel confident, full of love, vibrant if they look beautiful and this helps them in growing in real terms.

This was all about external beauty. Internal beauty enhancement is the other way which can add value to personality. Inner confidence, relaxed mind, enthusiasm, mindfulness, gratitude all these virtues really help a woman in carrying themselves with grace.

Natural beauty now is the way a woman protects, reflects and projects her own body power and mental energy. So nature of mental energy has to be taken care and efforts should be made to channel that energy towards the positive path.

Start loving yourself gals and look how beautiful you look!

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

The Internet is a big world of knowledge as well as games and entertainment for children!

Every parent has concerns over constructive usage of internet by their kids. They themselves are not aware of what to show to their kids so that their time can be used constructively. Superaudio has come with the solution Kids Video Show, which is a source of series of animated educational content which makes learning facts about health, geography, science and general knowledge easy and fun.

Kids Video Show is a product of Super Audio (Madras). Founded in 1980 by Mr. Navin Daswani, Super Audio’s array of Audio and Video titles range from the richness of classical vocals to vibrant Vedic chants, from melodious pop to today’s new age music and of course kids educational videos. The first series of videos are the Tell me Why series.Tell me How Series will be launched in next step.

There’s no doubt that our children are our future and it’s our responsibility as parents to give them the best possible learning experience we can. But who says learning has to be boring? Fun element helps in enhancement of understanding in a learning process. Children remember easily and in lesser time if we give them a fun-filled platform. Instead of using internet time in playing games or surfing just like that children can go through these series of video and get answers to interesting questions. This will also help in creating interest for science in them.

It is created and compiled by psychologists and experts in the field of child-rearing and education. It ensures that your child grasps the fundamental principles of how things work in an easy to understand format. The series is guided by professor turtle and his friends as they embark on many Tell Me Why and Tell me How adventures.

The objective is to make education a fun experience for students and continuously work towards providing such content to children around the world.The targeted age group is from 3 years to 12 years.

Womenlines is proud to share about this video series and requests all parents to show this series to their kids.This content is up on YouTube to make it accessible to anyone anywhere in the world.

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/kidsvideoshow

Website Address: http://kidsvideoshow.com/

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!

Parenting is in fashion!

Yes, its so true that parents nowadays enjoy doing their job as a parent and are in look out for various ways how they can contribute in their babies wholesome development. Due to the limited knowledge they have, parenting books or parenting websites come real handy in absence of any elderly guidance in their families.

Parents’ job is considered to be a big job in today’s world. It’s not only looking after diet, good habits, good health but parenting requires wholesome knowledge about various topics which really helps in proper upbringing of the baby.

The world is no more a secure place for babies. They need proper care for their healthy development, emotional development, and physical development. Parents.com provides wholesome knowledge even on such topics which you as a parent will never think of. Skills required to do parenting is not possessed by all parents. Some skills like patience really have to be developed. Tips from parents.com really comes handy and is very useful

The Internet world is full of knowledge and tips that at times its so confusing which tip to follow and not.www.parents.com is one such site which I can trust for any guidance. I would love to share with my readers that this website not only shares and guide about topics related to various age groups of the baby , but also it guides about all round development of your child. Practical tips like how and what to play,  practical activities in which kids should be involved, how to improve motor skills and much more like that. I never came across any website which goes such a deep way in parenting.

As a parent, I don’t want to have a regret in the latter part of my life that I wished I knew about it and could have helped my baby. I am grateful to parents.com for coming out with a solution for my queries.Creative articles like the Super idea of playdates, Activities to do with your child while you are traveling by car, basic manners for kids and so much more open up parent’s mind and helps in proper nurturing of kids.

Parents.com is really a treasure of knowledge regarding parenting.

Charu Mehrotra

Promoting Excellence in Women!