Hey there fellow readers!
I know it’s been a while since I’ve been actively writing or reading. Rather than giving some lame excuse I would simply like to point out that I was a bit engaged in personal affairs…However I’m back and ought to keep writing,reading and getting inspired!

Now the header of my blog says A slice of cake or A slice of Life? which simply means we’d want both and in the best way possible but do we actually get what we prefer?

This entire year has been completely topsy turvy for all of us,in its own respective manner…Unfinished goals,plans or idea’s that might have been initiated early this year,everything takes a back seat for the unseen scenario!

Just like you order a soffule and a cheese cake is bought to your table instead!

We all want to eat all the yummilicious desserts out there but counting the calories or other threats to health we slow down or simply ignore and move ahead with our daily stringent diet. Simply put,like life we want it all Peace,Prosperity,Wealth,Health,Love,Affection,Joy etc but do we get it all?Nah, each of them have their own negotions and threats to it…

Now that its almost the end of the year and while we look back what do we see?A year full of disappointments,unfinished aspirations or maybe a break up?

Just like you order a sizzling brownie with vanilla ice cream but the brownie turns out to be hard as a rock!

That’s how life is too I guess as much as we would want to simplify it the rocks keep getting amplified!

Just like a bowl of custard!We refrigerate it thinking it’ll set perfectly but unfortunately when you pull it out its slimy…

This year has been a crazy crazy year for me!I’ve been shutting down and backing out of any or everything that comes in between my heart and brain while being feisty and unresolved!Left behind a few friends,relations,dreams not all of which can be blamed on the people surrounding me.To aptly put it relationships are nothing but a variable feeling being shared between both individuals thus maybe somewhere,I fell short and somewhere did the other…

Just like you put a cake in the oven to bake but at last its burnt and you keep wondering why?

A why can be gritty!Simply because either you can play the blame game or come to terms with what fell short in you!I know sometimes it’s hard to accept your own shortcomings but ultimately for the longer run its beneficial for you as next time you’d exactly know what to do or not…

Just like knowing the perfect ingredients to a subtle pudding for dinner!

But what’s upsetting or scary is what haunts us at the end of the day for what happened or what didn’t…

Just like feeling guilty after a bowl full of your favourite ice cream with nuts and raisens in it…

But nevertheless like we’ve almost got a hang of the new normal we’ll get a hang of the unfinished tales this year too! Learn,observe,realise,work on it and ought to start it in a new way with a new beginning next year because life,is the best teacher you’d ever come across!

Just like without no burns and cuts a perfect slice of cake is impossible…

The season of fall= Autumn also in a tropical country like India we consider it as winters stepping in…

Needless to say this year has been quite different for all of us in a lot of ways, more than we could think off.

But isnt that life?What we think might happen,it’s the absolute opposite to it…The way we decide things is usually not the way the wheels turn around. Infact, rare are those times when things actually happen the way we’ve chalked them out to be.

As this year goes by and I look back I only find myself in a situation or state that I wasnt expecting to be…I always had an affinity towards writing but never thought I’ll be out here penning down my thoughts…It would be extremely selfish on my part if I do not mention someone who always wanted me to write it in the open.It was that persons unquenchable push!

And when this lockdown happened a gush of emotions started my ink flow!With every change in my life I also realised relationships are just like water, they will exactly swindle away the way they are supposed to be rather than the way you would want them too..

This year has no such pleasant memories to be shared rather than the drastic changes that has happened and we call it as The New Normal…

But what is Normal Or Not who gets to decide that?What maybe normal to me may not be normal to you and vice versa…

I’ve seen the seasons to change,the adversities of Covid change,People changing,Relationships changing also surprisingly I’ve seen the way of celebrations change!

So this entire year has been full of changes be it professionally,personally or getting a hang of living in the New Normal.

But the important thing to question is what has it left us with?Happiness,Prosperity,Pitty,Anger,Hurt Or loss…

Like I’d say I’ve a mixed bag of emotions where there is Loss of losing people,Hurt over someone or something,Boredom and a heart and mind full of Hope’s…

That irrespective of what happens today my coming days will get better…

Just like the fall we must fall in order to bloom again in a better way!

And I’m not saying this because I belong from Kolkata but because during this time of the year people travel to see this festivity from all across the globe…

And everyone is welcome equally nobody is seen and discredited by caste,colour or creed.

Being a bengoli my heart bleeds to stay away from Kolkata especially this time of the year but I guess this year is going to be very different for everyone due to the Covid situation!

However,keeping the current situation in mind and people’s well being The Calcutta High Court has passed a rule; That the pandal will be no entry zones for visitors. The organisers are going to be the only people that are going to be allowed inside the pandals, limiting the number to 25 for big pandals and 15 for the smaller ones in view of the Covid19 outbreak! The court said all pandals will have to erect barricades at their entrances-the distance is five meters for small pandals and double of that for the big ones!

Non bengoli’s celebrate this auspicious festival as Navratri whereas bengoli’s celebrate it as Durga Pujo

All the grand and beautiful manmade pandals will be under lock and key this year to name a few Royalties would be- Bagbazar,Kumartuli Park,Mohammad Ali Park,Suruchi Sangha,Ekdalia Evergreen and there’s an endless list ahead!

However we often forget to give the devil it’s due,I mean the people behind it who come up with such magnificent concepts and people who actually carve them with their own hands Whoof!That definitely owes a bow…

There are still many Jamidar Bari’s across West Bengal who hold this auspicious festivity for more than 100years that are a delight to watch by itself!

Waking upto all these Instruments‐ Dhaak,Kashor,Shankha the sound of Ullu The smell of Dhuno,Kaash phool and Sheili phool,Rosogolla and many such sumptuous food we know Durga Pujo is here

My childhood and adulting years were all about
sleep ,taking a back seat during those 6 days starting from Panchami-Dashami only undying enthusiasm and energy takes place!Be it from dressing up,staying up all night long and again starting an early day next day,Midnight street food cravings,To wait for hours at a pandal and make your way amidst more than 100people to see a little glimpse of the great godess,From picking up nick nacks from the stalls and it’s an unending feel and emotion that I could ever Penn down!

However it’s been a while, I dont live in Kolkata and am not so fortunate enough to visit Kolkata every year during Durga Puja I think my last visit during Puja’s was in 2018 to be precise!But i learnt that every city has a bengoli association which holds durga puja.Either you can choose to be a visitor or an active member of it like I was back in Pune Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad where you are on the stage just 3/4 inches from the Beautiful and powerful idol. All the visitors that come along help with the offerings and prayers which makes me feel equally happy,excited and alive!

And all of this comes to an end with the final rites on dashami Sindur Khela,Dhuncochi Naach and the Bhashan Naach we all groove and dance while the idol is taken to the truck for her final immersion by the ganges…

And we all keep our heart in our hands with moist eyes and say Ashche Bochor Abar Hobe=Next Year it shall happen again We never really felt the essence of this line until this year where life taught us this-in the most literal sense. Usually this was said on a lighter note but this year we must say it in hope that next year it will be better,bigger and grander like before.

My heartfelt good wishes to all my fellow readers and their families may goddess Durga bless you all with good health and everlasting happiness forever to come!

I think rape is everywhere in the world! But unfortunately India is leading it…But why??? Is a woman only a piece of flesh or commodity to men?

There are many such cases across the globe, which not only chill our spines but we often contemplate how barbaric one can be??? The women is not only raped but also murdered. Sometimes after rape, to destroy evidence they are burned alive. Some rapists are sadists enough to insert rods in the internal parts of a girl. Sometimes the limbs of the women are cut off if they try to protest or fight against the rape. Small children bleed to death because of forceful penetration by the rapists.

It is not only pensive but also sad that no one is spared in such cases- whether it is a little girl, a young lady or an elderly woman. The age of a woman does not matter to a rapist neither the consent as long as they can fulfil their own selfish desires.

To these sick minds women are nothing but a prey for the day for their nasty desires!

The truth is that if it’s not consensual it’s a Rape and that’s about it… None of us have forgotten the Nirbhaya Case nor can we, especially woman in India…

This 2012 landmark case brought forward the areas where law is still lacking in saving women. This case proved that woman is not safe even in the capital of India. According to studies made by Government, most of the cases of rape are not reported. Some fear non-support from family and relatives while others bow down before the societal pressures. In our society instead of supporring the victim, they are slut-shamed. Before Nirbhaya case there have been many cases of rape where the accused walked away freely because of lack of evidence. One of the major issue in handling rape cases is that the victim does not have proper knowledge about the laws and how to deal with it. Many of the victims are unable to make a stronger case because the medical examination was not done on time. There are instances where the police instead of supporting the victim and their family, suggest not to file FIR and to settle it within themselves. Many women has also been victims of custodial rape. However, the Nirbhaya case set a new precedent in India and stated how rape cases and laws should be handled. After the Nirbhaya case some changes were brought in the then existing rape laws. The new anti-rape laws have been made more stringent in terms of punishment which also included death punishment for repetitive rape offenders.

The term ‘rape‘ is our living nightmare. We always have to be conscious about our dressing, talking or behaviour because rape is such an offence where instead of the offender, the victim is stated to be at fault. Such situation is prevailing in present times because firstly, the society has always been patriarchal which is till date does not value the opinion of woman and considered women to be secondary and secondly even if stict laws have been formulated, the implementation of such laws is still not upto mark.

What the society and its people needs to understand is that a woman is not a commodity. She is a person who deserves to live with dignity and should be treated with equal respect. There are some countries who have very strict and stringent rules for the accused and I, being a woman, salute them. In these type of cases no clarification or testification is required. Just punish them – it’s as simple as that.

Some gulf countries have open punishments to not only humiliate the accused but also to give a fair warning to those who even think of such things.

If you go through the stats you’ll be shocked! According to National Crime Records Bureau rape is the fourth most common crime against women in India. India alone had 32,033 rape cases reported and registered as stated in their 2019 annual report. But rather than being shocked lets take a stand and let me remind you there lies a marital rape also! In marital rape the wife does not even get the right to choose whether she wants to have intercourse with her husband. The society has always been patriarchal and therefore consent of women never mattered in terms of sex in marriage. Most of time the girl’s family does not suport the girl.

What is needed most at this hour is to educate everyone that woman deserves equal respect and dignity and strict implementation of anti rape laws. Only when we stand together we will be able to stop every offence committed against women.

We all know what it means,
But do we really keep that in mind?

Yes I know there are some people who are extremely strong willed and actually take notes from their past but,often as humans we give in to things thinking it wouldn’t be the same way but unfortunately things turn out to be the same maybe in a different way…

We all have dreams,aspirations or deep feelings for someone but whoever or whatever fails to give you a name and space from day one is never meant to be.

Does that mean we should stop trying?No, maybe we should try to look into things in a different light or perspective.

A different sight maybe scary at first but trust me it will turn out to be different than the past…We as humans evolve and learn something new every single day of our lives…Rather than taking notes from what has happened I think making a note of what Is happening is way more insightful…

Lets not make friends,colleagues or form any kind of relationships just for the sake of it.Relations are easy to make but very difficult to maintain!

It seems easy but trust me it isn’t, as everyday you’ll be thrown with a new challenge or situation to handle.Being impatient is the most deadly virus to your bond…

Sink in that and be open to understand and be in his/her shoes to feel or face the situation!

And if you cant please dont start something that you cannot finish.

Bidding a goodbye comes easy but saying a new Hello doesn’t!

Because we get coy and start contemplating on things in the name of being wise…Rather concentrate on what you’ve already build rather than thinking of a new structure!

But having said that if at any point you feel their is an inconsistency of the notions move ahead it’s not meant to be…

A future that’s so hazy cannot make your journey any easy!

You’ve been used in the past dont let it happen again hence watch,listen and observe and then take action…

But taking an action Is important be it for the future or present dont be a fool!

I know it’s easier said than done but there is no harm in trying…

Rejuvenate yourself first and then try to nurture the following because an empty mind and soul shall never be able to fill in the gaps…

Last but certainly not the least Once Bitten twice shy but do we really keep that in mind?

More than often we all at some point undermine ourselves,be it for comparison or some inferiority complex but that does not take away your own individuality!

We are humans hence we all have good and bad attributes no one is perfect, even the ones who portray to be.But the beauty lies in accepting your ownself in your worst…But there is always room for rectifications!

You’ll be told beautiful today and the next day the same opinion about you might change but dont give in.Your  beauty does not rely on someone’s judgement or opinion!

Give yourself the honour and respect that you are seeking through others…As change is the only constant you’ll keep changing in others’ eyes everyday but that does not mean you start believing in them…

Never forget who you are,or from where you belong. your background could be niche or not but that has nothing to do with your selfworth…

You’ll be wanted when people have their lonely hours and not when the hours turn busy…But dont get disheartened unfortunately this is how it is…

But amidst all of this do not underestimate yourself for anything or anyone because it’s just not worth it!

I’ve been to different cities in India as well and all of them are beautiful in their own ways but Pune really made me feel home after Kolkata…

A city where the local language is Marathi but I met a bengoli at every other step I took…Now I’m sure all of you know Pune has a lot of history and historical places to be visited, also it is known as one of the best cities for education (Symbiosis) being one of them and the most prominent one… Sancheti Hospital is considered one of the best hospitals across India for orthopedic treatment and their other medical facilities too…

There are many near by beautiful places for a perfect weekend getaway to name a few; Mahabaleshwar,Lonavla,Lavasa,Khandala,Panchgani and soo many more!

And there is soo much more to this city be it food,or the most hot and happening pubs/disc or places…

But coming back to my point when I first visited Pune,I never thought I’ll be able to adjust or even like this city but sooner than I realised I started growing an affinity towards this city and how!!!

It is also because of the people I met there and eventually became friends with there are innumerable memories that I’ve made!

I’ll be ever greatful to Pune for giving me such Beautiful people and memories! My heart bleeds to even think I no longer reside there or will be able to see my friends whenever I want to…

Being a bengoli I found a Fish Market lots of Sweet Shops and so much more!

I wasn’t aware that Pune held so many Durga Puja’s for Prabashi Bangali’s (Migrant Bengali’s) like me…

Oikyotan Bangiya Parishad is one of the bengali associations that arranges Durga Puja every year…

I love cooking hence I started a Tiffin Service in Pune as well, known as *Jia’s Kitchen* there are so many memories, things and people around this city that I’m going to cherish and miss forever…

For now I shall only pray Maharashtra recovers its present state of Covid19 and gets back to it’s own like it was…

I’m going to miss you Pune more than you’ll ever know or I’ll be able to Penn it down!

Today also happens to be Vishwakarma Jayanti & Ranna Pujo.

 Lord Vishwakarma is believed to be the creator of the world,weapons or machine. While Ranna Pujo is celebrated for the goddess of snakes Ma Monosha.

Now coming back to Mahalaya before I go any further I’d like to say more than i would want to explain what it is,its very important to know for my fellow readers that this day is more like an emotion to us where we get ready to rejoice this upcoming auspicious festivity…Most of us, the bengoli’s wake up at 4:30 in the morning to listen to Mahalaya, Shlok Chandi Part I remember back in my childhood when I was asked to wake up and hear this it felt like a torture and I had to be lured with something to listen to it but once you do,its nothing but magical extremely enticing…Late Mr Birendra Krishna Bhadra even today his recitation on chandi part is the most wanted or heard I guess no one can ever replace him,also walking down the memory lane from Mahalaya wearing new clothes were a must!Like Pujo is already here so why wait any further…

Blooming of kash phool Saccharum Spontaneum is a huge indication of Mahalaya,Durga Pujo The very sight of it triggers a Bengoli to get for it…

Its also known as Agomoni which means her start from Kailash Parbat to the earth!

Before Mahalaya we believe its Pitri Pakshya which in simple words means inauspicious it’s an offering period to our late ancestors for food and water which is practiced for 15/16 days it’s more like an moaning period It begins on the Pratipada (first day of the fortnight) ending with the no moon day known as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitri Amavasya, Peddala Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya or simply Mahalaya. 

At the end of Pitra Paksha Devi Paksha begins which means Mahalaya so on this auspicious day of Mahalaya I would only pray to goddess durga to look upto everyone whoever needs her and we shall all overcome this virus that we’ve been fighting for more than half a year now!

P.S-This is no regards to challenge/disrespect anyone’s mythological theory has everyone has one

And today I’m here to speak about my baby niece who turns 5 today!exactly 5 years ago on this very day at 10:43 AM,and such an irony she was born on a Monday and today happens to be Monday again!She comes into our life and spreads happiness like never before!And when I saw and touched her for the first time I was chocked crying my heart out,in ecstatism…

Because it was like seeing your own flesh and blood in a form of a little baby…Though she is not through me,but I believe she does carries a little bit of me…
Its said all you need is one reason to be happy and I guess I got mine…Even though her good name is Arirtree.Jia was given by me as her pet name but now a days, she is popularly know as Jia…

When she was born I was a 20yrs old young woman! Who had no head and tail of motherhood…But someone said it right “Its a child,who gives birth to a mother….

I’m her Aunt and usually we bengoli’s calls our Aunts as Mashi but I always wanted her to call me Mimi and so did she or let’s just say I was introduced as Mimi to Jia…

5long years and I’ve seen this girl growing up every single day!Be it through her highs or high temperature!I had no clue how to change a diaper but I learnt!I had no freaking idea that how important it is for a baby to burp after his/her feed but then I learnt!I had no idea colic pain in infants is very common and has some real affective home remedies to it but I learnt!And I keep learning something or the other every single day…My first hand experience in motherhood, is definitely through her…

A little note to all those mothers who are expecting and are anxious about how to handle a baby and are reading books and looking up at the internet for baby hacks!Dear to be mommies,calm down suggestions can definitely be a help!But trust me when you shall wear the shoes of a Mother you yourself shall know all the hacks!
As this little girl keeps me on my toes and vice versa!We share a bond that is beyond words which has all the notions possible be it love,hate,being scared or being crazy together…

But all that I want that this little girl achieves everything that she desires and soo  much more and makes me super proud which I’m sure she will…
Mimi only loves Jia

Happy Birthday My doll

Speaking about teachers is just walking down the memory lane…And my first journey started with Learning Tree Kolkata my kindergarten school…My very first Teacher Anuradha Ma’am,more than a teacher I found a motherly figure in her and it’s my utmost pride to say that I’m still in touch with her as on date! Then I started going to *G.D Birla Centre For Education (Ghyansham Das)..

My first teacher at G.D Birla Centre For Education was Madhudipa Ma’am and she continued to be my teacher till class 2…And I had many more lovely teachers over the years which was nothing but a blessing, I feel extremely blessed to have them in my life!

Back in school we never understood why our teachers are sometimes Strict N Stringent whatever they do or not is only for our betterment and that’s about it and beyond any comparison…

I only started to realise this when I dared to step into their shoes back at 28th August 2016 in Little Oxford (Ras Al Khaimah,Dubai) N then in 2018 Kidzee (Pune)…

Trust me I had no idea that a thing that looks so simple can be so challenging!Everyday is a new way with its respective challenges and turns around it…You cannot predict a child’s mood or thought process even though you happen to be his/her Teacher…

You’ve swindle away with a smile sometimes or make a frown to those innocent faces to teach them something…

I just Hope N Pray as much as I’m ever grateful to my Teachers every single day of my life because I strongly believe they’ve made me who am i today and the rest is how much I could pick up from it! At least my little ones have a smile on their face when they think of me if not anything else…

Happy Teachers Day, Dear Teachers Thank You for everything even though a little Thank You is not enough my heartfelt gratitude shall stay with you all until I live…