There are many NGO s in IndiaBeing the real human in the real world is difficult. Thats why I try to find people who are doing their part. That’s what being a real Human is all about. Incidentally, that’s the name of their NGO Being the Real human. Being the real human is a foundation which believes in making their own corner of the world better. They do it with whatever resources they have.In conversation with Mr.Utpal of this NGO.
Q: Tell me about Being Real Human?
A: Being the Real Human Foundation is a registered NGO working towards improving the environment and Animal rights and focusing to bring some smiles on the faces of the aged.
Being The Real Human:NGO in Mumbai with a soul
Q: Who all are there in this with you?
I have small teams working all over Navi Mumbai who specialize in Animal welfare and Environmental issues. We have Doctors, Advocates and chartered accountants associated with us in our cause. As soon as people realize that we are doing this work, not for any awards or limelight, they tend to join us. There is a decent amount of people in the society who want to genuinely give back something to the society as a whole and these people are our strength.
NGO in India spreading the message of humanity:They know plants keep us alive
Q: How did you think about this project?
A: It all started with a cremation process of someone known to me. He was a young chap and his suicide came as a shock to all of us. While we were doing his last rites, this thought came to my mind…”We know the cycle of birth to death (clinically as well as medically), but do we know what happens after death? So is death the end? Or is it the beginning? Is it the beginning of a new journey which none of us are aware of, except the person who goes on it! This journey may be beautiful of very painful. The person going on this new journey will definitely not have us with him/her. So why not make the last days of the person leaving this journey beautiful. Why not send him/her happily for their new journey? Likewise with animals, why not see them off across the rainbow bridge with whatever love we can give them?”
Being The Real Human:Utpal taking care of hos four legged friend
Q: Who helped you do this?
A: No project happens with one person. There are always people who act as support pillars to make a shelter. My wife Prita who is the Vice president of the NGO, my friends Raju Naidu who is the Secretary, always accompanying Arun Revane, the helping sisters Laxmi Jha and Pinky Jha who are founder members along with Smita D Naidu who is our Treasurer.
Q: What work do you focus on through this NGO?
A: We Focus on Animal welfare, Environment conservation, and Old age homes.
Being The Real Human: A caring hand and smiling face is all the elderly need
Q: How do you manage it all?
A: By Gods grace, I should say. Since it’s a newly formed NGO, we are not yet entitled to any grant from the Government. It is the members, patrons, and well-wishers who contribute whenever possible and this keeps the show running.
Q: How can people help?
A: People can donate/contribute directly to the NGO’s account at :
People who want to do selfless service can request an application form to join the organization with a nominal- membership fee along with relevant documents and photographs.
Q)Tell me about Utpal Krishna who manages so much good work?
I am born and brought up in Mumbai, graduated from the Mumbai University and worked in the corporate world for about 20 years. I quit the corporate world in 2012 and started Full-time consultancy in Content management and Food. As a certified nutritionist, I have helped many stay fit and also work with corporates from time to time for their Food related content requirements. I run a blog at fashionablefoodz.com which is well known by now. After doing voluntary social service for over 10 years, I decided to start a NGO and in April 2017, Being The Real Human came into existence.
Disclaimer: All information about NGOs and charitable work is according to the information given by a member. Before making any monetary contribution, kindly do so at your own discretion.
Buying your own home is a dream for middle-class Bengalis.Its a sign of stability of having finally put down roots.For us, it was an impossible dream.But I read jagoinvestor with tremendous zeal and all Manish’s books made me realize we needed a plan.
Step 2: Avoid breaking long-running Fixed deposits or loan from PPFs, where the compound interest magic was happening.I planned my yearly budget with care.
Step 3: Ask family and friends for their advice and any personal loan at zero interest from them.But no wheedling, no bad feelings and no asking for free handouts.It just doesn’t work that way.
Step 4: Find the best home loan provider and their best plan.This one took as much research as both our thesis and some timely help from guardian angels.
Step 5: Have a brain map for the dream home .practical points and others.
Step 6: Make it a reality.The exact steps.
Step 7: Decorating my dream home, eco-friendly and budget-friendly.
Step 8: Always Love the Home you Have!
House Hunting in India: My experiments and experience
About Step 1
I was saving since 2007.That’s the year I cleared my PG and started getting a stipend.I used to save only 5k a month in a recurrent deposit.But when I bought my home in 2014, that amount was a life saver.It partly helped finance the down payment and helped us avoid the personal Bank loan trap.
I got married in 2008.Yes, have an old soul and actually started saving money for my home even before I got married.Since hubby was my medical college sweetheart and we were doing our PG in Delhi(different colleges under Delhi University) both had separate living and food expenses.They were considerable.Plus it was Delhi!
Getting married was romantic and also financially perfect.We saved money as when we lived in our co-ed hostel room.
Don’t be shocked.At Safdarjung PG hostel since many people were married, entire families could be found in the generous sized, but single rooms of the hostel.
I loved the energy of Delhi so much that I house hunted in Green Park and Bengali para CR park.But housing in Delhi was not fitting the budget.Also, we were still studying
That’s tough.Why? Because not having permanent jobs made home loan difficult.
Did it stop my enthusiasm? No!
Where did I search for homes?
Anywhere and everywhere.Where I liked the weather and people.Where it wasn’t crowded and had beautiful autumn winter, spring, and tolerable summers.
On my list was Chandigarh I loved this beautiful planned city and homes with gardens.Way beyond budget and I knew how to manage one room.A house could be an Amazonian challenge.Can you see I have ignored the sheer improbability of even getting a job or the financial logistics?But focusing on the basic housework and managerial skills needed?
I believed a house will become your home only when things fall into place.You may buy many houses , but your home is where you find peace and happiness.
My house hunt if not for my hubby could well have ended in Manali (if HP government gave us special provisions to make it affordable)
Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Shimla, Kashmir all have been rigorously researched.
Kashmir government doesn’t allow Kashmiri home buyers also it was not practical.Maybe!
Getting jobs in the above-mentioned places meant I would have to convince my mom to shift from Kolkata.
Another mountain which is Amazonian (currently favorite word)
Fast forward to 2010
We shifted base to Kolkata.Both got jobs.Mine didn’t pay much but practice was okay.Hubby got a job, changed job got a government job in 2011.Family planning started.House hunting physically put on hold.
99acres and magicbricks helped during these times.I still searched for homes in Manali and Chandigarh.Delhi was given up.Childcare would be a problem, traveling difficult, also mommy needed looking after.
2012 Baby born
Days and nights merged no house hunting.Luckily both our RDSands FDs were saving and I saved as much as I could.Did I buy my home ?How ?Where ?
Wait for my next post in this series.
Did you know my blog helped in this journey too?
Writing with you for ThankfulThursdays.Thank you note for the home I found!
#ThankfulThursdays Prompt this week
“How did you find your Home?Write a thank you note”
You can also link up other thankfulness posts you have written.Tweets and Instagram posts are welcome too.Just spread #Thankfulness.
Thankful Thursday 39 :Thankful for Househunting in India my experiments & Experience
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[bctt tweet=”When you say thank you & pray, its mindful conversation with God.It also draws all the positive energy of the universe towards you #ThankfulThursday” username=”misra_amrita”]
Mahatma Gandhi is a man who lives even after his death.At a time when few thought about right and wrong, he had the tremendous foresight about the importance of truth.
When I tell my daughter about Bapuji I realized humans are flawed.The magic ingredient is the flaw.The right amount of genius and flaw can change the world.The best way to learn and grow is by reading about great men.
The best way to avoid costly mistakes is to learn from the lessons and mistakes of successful men(searching for more words here).
Life Lessons from Bapuji & One Lesson I Don’t Agree With
On Education
Bapuji believed in Education which builds character.
He firmly believed that quality education helps society.Literacy alone helps little.For education to make a difference one must first be able to support herself/himself financially and then help others rise.
For my daughter
Study not only because you like to learn.Study also because you want to be independent.A good education will help you like nothing else.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
On social welfare, his words are Gold
[bctt tweet=” Be the change that you wish to see in the world _Mahatma Gandhi #writebravely ” username=”misra_amrita”]
In the exciting activity of criticising Reema, Meena, and Sumita, we forget that if all of us made our own homes and locality beautiful the city state country and the world will be beautiful.Mahatma truly believed that.
Cleanliness being next to Godliness
In this, he spoke not only about the physical world but also the mind.Allowing clutter and unclean thoughts to enter your minds you pollute your soul.
I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.
God resides in our souls.Every time we make our soul unclean by word or deed it breaks his heart.
About Ahimsa (nonviolence)
I am in two minds.Maa Durga just went home after slaying demons.She is a mommy and she takes up arms every year to save her children.I am all for ahimsa.But only when its living beings who don’t kill the innocent.If you hurt children then it’s going to be a different set of rules.A rapist is not human.A child molester deserves new ways to drive home the point.That’s a crime against the soul.The victim remembers forever.Her thoughts and memories are painful.That’s, not a crime which ahimsa can help.
Vivekananda said
One who commits a crime and the one who doesn’t protest,both are equally guilty.
Maa Durga slays demons.Terrorists are killing children without scruples.Difficult times and different situations call for different rules.
Gandhiji tells us about
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”-But sometimes that may be the only way.
He probably never met a mother whose child was molested!
Gandhiji’s teachings and the power of the mind
Mahatma believed in the tremendous power of the mind.Of the untapped energy of our thoughts.Men lacked the discipline to channelize it positively but all things are possible if you can control and direct your thoughts.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.”
A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.
His words give you hope in trying times.
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.”
“The future depends on what you do today.”
“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
And to err is proof of being human.You might be wrong.But you must
[bctt tweet=”You might be wrong.But you must try -Gandhiji #MondayMomyMoments” username=”misra_amrita”]
“Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it
But you can wake a man only if he is really asleep. No effort that you make will produce any effect upon him if he is merely pretending sleep.
Exactly what Lord Krishna had said about helping people
You can only help those who want to be helped.
On self-belief and having faith
Men often become what they believe themselves to be.If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even If I didn’t have it in the beginning”.
This is the most difficult lesson to learn.Because self-belief is a marathon, not a sprint.Faith is the framework on which self-belief stands.Parents have to walk the talk if they want to teach the right values.Even on the sunniest days being a mommy is not easy.
Writing this with #MondayMommyMoments.
The prompt this week
What can we teach kids from Bapu Ji’s life
Winner :
This week Geethica is our #MondayMommyMoments winner!Read her post here.
#MondayMomyMoments 40 featured winner -Geethica
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Durga pujo is always bittersweet.When memories are taken out of the mind either they look too rosy or too distorted.One thing I always felt about Durga pujo is the pull of Kolkata.Wherever I have traveled to, I had to visit Kolkata.Maybe not gone pandal hopping, done nothing but visit the neighborhood pandal, but pujo in Kolkata you must visit once.The colors, the different pratimas, the food, the crowd and the madness.If Gods come alive because man remembers, the Maa Durga is called fervently the year around and is easily our favorite Goddess.’
We love her like our mother and wait for her to come and make all things better.Life always looks rosier with Durga pujo around the corner.
Memories of Durga pujo are full of pandal hopping with friends, visiting Maddox square, eating out, getting scolded for coming home late at night.Fast forward to now, its full of prayers, planning on meeting family and friends(if we can get the better of the traffic) and then going somewhere after the pujo to unwind for a few days.
With the passing year’s new memories get added, all jostling for space.What remains unchanged is my faith in the Goddess, the belief she does make me stronger.Life can take many turns, what stays the same is my belief that she will always guide my path.This Durga pujo when sudden news of personal loss colors my thoughts, celebrations are subdued.Everything happens around the little one.She needs her memories.You never know when you need to conjure patronuses to fight our own personal demons.
Be strong.Get rid of those demons and rise.Till next week.
Announcement
We will be back to hosting #ThankfulThursdaysevery week from October!
#ThankfulThursdays Prompt this week
Memories of Navratri /Durga pujo you are Thankful for.
You can also link up other thankfulness posts you have written.Tweets and Instagram posts are welcome too.Just spread #Thankfulness.
Thankful Thursdays Durga pujo
My favorite posts this week are :
Vidhi wrote something which you must read.Read it here.Congratulations Mocktailmommies two weeks in a row you are our featured blog!
As Vidhi said #ThankfulHeart remains a Happy heart.
Thankful Heart Vidhi of Mocktailmommies
Rules of linky:
Write on the prompt and Link Up.We have a fun new option.
You can submit tweet links and Instagram posts too.
You can also link up other posts.Just comment on this post and my co-hosts post and any two of the posts in the link up.Share using #ThankfulThursdays hashtag.
We deeply believe in community spirit.Eagerly looking forward to visiting your blogs.
Follow @misra_amrita @twinklingtina, on Twitter
Prompts will be announced every Wed 20:00 hrs IST
Linky opens on Thursdays 00.00 hours.
The linky closes the following Wednesday 23.55 hours.
Write the post and Link Up with Amrita, Tina,
Generate your button code
By Joining the linky you are giving us permission to email and or tweet you a weekly reminder.
We share your entries on Twitter and other social media platform generously.
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Read, comment, share on the host and co-hosts posts and at least two more posts linked in the party.
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doesn’t like their blog to be read?
[bctt tweet=”God wants you to pray with heart and try harder.#ThankfulThursdays we pray together” username=”misra_amrita”]
Hindus celebrate Navratri and Bengali Hindus celebrate Durga pujo on the last five days of Navratri.What’s the difference? Oh, plenty.While fasting is a big part of Navratri all over North India, ask any self-respecting Bong what’s special about Durga pujo? Goddess Durga is loved as a mother, worshipped as Naari Shakti, warrior Goddess.The food-loving Bong has a Durga pujo and pet(tummy) pujo association.While the North Indians fast, we feast!
Mahishasura the Asur king was granted the interesting var(wish) of being un-slayable by any man in heaven or hell.Since men or asur , even in mythology refused to believe a woman could kill him, he became atrocious and started all sorts of evil.
The poor Gods came rushing to Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu(the Trinity and supreme Gods of all God ) to save themselves.The combined energy of the Great gods helped form Durga.All the Gods then gifted her their own favorite weapons to arm her against Mahishasura.Community support is always helpful!Important lesson there.
Now we still believe Maa Durga is Goddess Parvati (Shiva’s wife)who needed to be convinced to leave her happy home to prepare for war.Definitely no work at home options here.The war takes time, so being a mother she prefers to bring her sons and daughters, Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartik with her to earth, just like moms love workplaces with child care, so does Maa Durga.
Durga pujo in Malda: The one I loved!
Throughout this festival, I will share Pujos you must not miss.
Deshapriya park Durga puja
The famous D Park pujo which saw a stampede in 2015, has grown more and more popular.That fateful year the puja was closed off but we managed to catch a glimpse of the stunning work of art through cracks and crevices in the tarpaulin covering the perimeter of the park.
This year they have a Bahubali theme and it’s a work of art.Magnificent and stunning.
Deshapriya Park Location:
Reach this place by Metro.The best place to get off will be Kalighat station.If you are lucky enough to get an auto or taxi you will be dropped right at the footstep.But be aware there is often traffic diversions, close to the area so wear comfortable shoes.You will be walking for a significant distance
The upside:
After Deshapriya Park you can check out 3 major pujos within 10 minutes of each other, depending on diversions placed.Tridhara sammilani always a gorgeous pujo with plenty of artwork and special touches to make the trip worth mentioning. Ballygunj cultural and Samajsebi making a beautiful carnival-like atmosphere in Lake road and Lakeview road.The USP here is the ambiance and the transformation into a fairy tale like atmosphere, Bong style!
What should you wear?
Must: Comfortable shoes and clothes which keep you cool.
Pujo means Kolkata rocks the ethnic look.But you can actually wear pretty much anything.There’s a Boutique saree shop right next to the Samajsebi pujo, Indian Silk House Exclusives, which has some gorgeous silk weaves.They have exclusive pieces, so be ready for pockets getting lighter if you plan to pandle hop and shop.
Durga pujo:Top tip .go just before afternoon .When the all nighters are still sleeping and the morni g pandal hoppers are taking a break.
Eats ?
There’s no dearth of eating places.Plenty of street food vendors selling rolls, fries,phuchkas, chaats, Chinese Kolkata style, the Kolkata biriyani immitations and the mandatory ice cream.Other than that .you have two South Indian tiffin homes which are superb but have to wait and timings fixed.
Ramakrishna Lunch home and Udipi Lunch home.
Ecstasea: Delicious one of a kind seafood.They have take away too.
Marco Polo: Continental and Bengali with twists.Proper dining and expensive.
Tamarind: South Indian but not only the regular fare.They have the Chettinad cuisine in full glory with lip-smacking non-veg options.The problem is during pujo you may be offered a limited selection due to the rush.
Corner courtyard: Continental.Pretty decor, excellent service, good food.Expensive, small portions may keep you hungry.
Sweet shops plenty: Favourite is Bancharam.Interesting sweet and Bengali savory item will help keep you going if you are in a rush.
Cakes: Favourite cake shop near Menoka cinema hall.
5 Must carry in the bag :
For the look: Lipstick, lip balm, wet wipes and dry tissues(to get the shine off your nose before the pics).
Water bottle, since you will get thirsty.But take sips(you know why!).Glares, if daytime.
Plenty of change and cash to make your life easier.Small eateries and the street food vendors will be unlikely to accept digital payment.
UtsavApp : Claims it will cover 350 major pujos in Kolkata. You will find a guide map to these pujo’s with a backstory about the pujo to keep you updated.
It will also show the location-specific restaurants to keep you munching.
Emergency needs like police stations, hospitals and pay and use toilets are also being updated on this Social festival app.This app is launched in association with Kolkata police
You can upload your own pujo pics and share it on facebook too.It sounds amazing but I will be using it real time to review any glitches.
Download in Google play: It has a 4.3 rating and only available for Android at present.
Google map
MondayMommyMoments prompt 39
Share your Navratri stories, memories, and tips for pandal hopping !
Share your Navratri or Durga pooja, festival posts
I love traveling.But just like you can’t make all the mistakes in this world to grow wiser, you will be hard pressed for time and resources to travel all the places this beautiful world offers.
That’s where travel stories books and blogs are so loved.When I started reading Gayatri Gadre’s Off Beats I had little idea of what to expect.Offbeat places, we enjoy traveling to, but reading about them?Will it be entertaining?Will it make me a virtual traveler?Will it make me dream with eyes open?
Yes and yes.Gayatri weaves an Alice in Wonderland type travel story where you are offered glimpses into unique places, offbeat and still beautiful.
Magic seems to happen when travelers hear the stories from the monuments they visit when they can hear the whispering if the trees they pass.Gayatri has this unique ability to find the pulse of a place.It will not matter if you have never heard of it or maybe have no plans to visit it.But if you love to travel you will love reading this.
She tells the story of Anne Frank’smuseum and you can feel the hairs on your nape tingle.She describes the thrill of Paragliding, of wandering through London museums and French villages. Gayatri’s passion for traveling is evident in every word.Even if you are a seasoned traveler you will enjoy rediscovering India through Gayatri’s eyes.Of visiting Kaas plateau and tips on a road trip.Of getting lost and finding places!
What I wished for?
I was hoping for a little travel food stories too.About what she ate on the way and how it was she enjoyed on her travels.ButI will have to wait for her next books for more.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely!Off Beats is a book for the traveling soul.If you love to travel, if you enjoy the unknown, if you love history, nature and the warmth of real people, you will love reading this book.
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links.This means at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to purchase.Read my full disclaimer.
I would rather call myself an explorer than an author, writing just happened. It all started as a need, need to travel alone from Pune (where I was studying) to my village during every vacation. As I progressed in my education, I also progressed to traveling to Mumbai on my own. In most of these, journeys I would sit alone, gaze outside the window with nothing particular on my mind and would discover a hidden side of me. I struck a conversation with myself. As I discovered the joy in traveling, my hunger for more traveling increased. So here is a piece of my travel experiences, just for you. But in case it leaves you craving for more, you can always come back to http://www.gayatrigadre.com/blog/By the way, for a living I offer digital marketing services to companies worldwide.
Book Blurb
This book offers insights into how author through her own life drew a learning to travel and explore more. Her experiences helped us elevate her own living style. She hopes this book will inspire you to travel, as an individual as well as a couple, family since there is rarely a better way to learn more about the world and the wonderful creations of nature including the most intriguing ones – people.