Bucketing Some Dreams

Okay, so first things first. This is my first attempt at writing for an IndiSpire topic. In the past, every time a topic which was to my liking came up, I would mentally attempt it, scribble a few lines in some obscure corner of my mind and then promptly abandon it there. I had almost abandoned this one too, after scrawling a couple of to-dos on the imaginary wall of the black hole that my mind is, but then something struck a chord and I had to reclaim it back. No, I thought, I was not abandoning this one, no I was not going to give up on this one too. And so here I am, bucketing some dreams for the first time in a long, long time.

So the topic for this edition of IndiSpire is: Ten things you must do before you die or else you would feel like a loser on a death bed. Let's share and motivate each other about life. Let's dream about life.

The cynic in me generally brushes aside concepts like bucket lists and must-dos, but I was tempted to indulge this topic for it said, 'let's dream about life'. The word dream not only inspired me to write, this clause also freed me from cynical dismissal of the concept of bucket-lists, since the word 'dream' gives me the freedom to pour my heart out and still be aloof from the pressure of going all out to make this 'bucket-list' come true. Paradox, isn't it? 

Anyway, here's my list.

1. Set up free tea and snack kiosks on the route from Katra to Vaishno Devi - One winter night, a couple of years ago, I was trekking up to Vaishno Devi temple from Katra, our small group tstopping in between for cups of tea to keep ourselves warm. Now, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has made decent arrangements for the the devotees to take a break while they are walking up the steep road to the temple. There are enough shelters and canteens where one can rest and refuel themselves for the walk/climb ahead. These canteens offer refreshments at reasonable rates, but even with the subsidized rates, for the porters who help haul up luggage carts as well as weak and old pilgrims, it leaves a dent in their already light pockets. So I wish that someday I am able to help set up enough free tea kiosks on this route, so that the porters and other daily wagers here can have tea and snacks for free. 

2. A road trip across the country - There's so much to explore in our country - from the ethereal Himalayas in the north to the mesmerising tea estates of the south, from the cascading sand dunes in the west to the pristine landscape of the east, from ancient ruins to intricate architectural delights, our country is a treasure trove full of natural delights. I wish I get a chance to travel to every nook and corner of the country and explore it all and make friends everywhere. How wonderful it would be to able to connect with people from all over the country! 

3.  Be an expert swimmer and diver - I know swimming all right, but I wish I could do it better.  I want to be a better and confident swimmer so I do not shy away from swimming in natural water bodies. Also I love diving but find the big pools intimidating. So this is one skill I really dream of mastering.

4. Be an expert driver - I keep forgetting the basics of driving all the time. I remember long long ago when I was learning to drive for the first time, the person who was coaching me had to coax me at every turn to go ahead and take the turn. And I would fumble every time, scared that I will bump into some hapless passer by. I am yet to overcome that fear and because of this I keep giving up on driving. I need to overcome this fear and I wish someday I am a driver confident enough to drive on the national highways on my own.

5. Own a book store cum cafe - Oh, I am sure many of us have this dream. So wish some day I am financially comfortable enough to set up a little book store of my own, and a cafe to go with it. Nothing fancy, just your basic tea-and-cookies kind, where one can sit and sip endless cups of tea while browsing through their favourite books.

6. Have a few travel books to my name - I should be prioritising this, but the procrastinator in me wins all the time. I have a travel blog but most of the times I am either too lazy or too zoned out to update it regularly. So I wish I win the war against procrastination and seriously get down to penning my big and small travel tales. 

7.  Explore Machu Pichu - Very few ancient sites have left me as intrigued as the Machu Pichu ruins in Peru. This 15th-century Inca site was built at the height of Inca empire but abandoned a century later. There are several theories about why it was abandoned. Every time I read stories about its rise and subsequent decline, and see the photos of the captivating ruins, I have a strong urge to trek up and explore every part of this panoramic site.

8. Sail across the world - I have never been on a ship and the idea sounds very brave and romantic. Given my love for history and geography, it would be a dream come true if I get an opportunity to sail across the world. It would be so exciting to see for real all the fanciful names I studied in Geography classes - Gulf of Alaska, Strait of Gibraltar, Bermuda Triangle, Baffin Bay, et al.

9. Own a small cottage somewhere up in the mountains -  Ah, this is a long cherished dream, to be away from the madness that city life is and set up a quiet life somewhere deep in the mountains. Why, I even wrote a poem on it! You can read it here.

10. Make efforts to make sure the nine dreams listed here come true.  Oh yes!

So I have finally made a bucket list and it was fun. In fact bucket lists are fun. I guess the term bucket list should be replaced with the words 'hope list', for they make you want to live. Okay, enough. Let me pull down the shutters before I start philosophising.

Little Black Things

Some call Black powerful

for royalty it stands,

some dismiss it as evil,

strengthening wicked hands.

When Blogadda asked bloggers to list 5 black items that they wish for, it got me thinking. What the black! Black is all around us - in sophistication and in mundane. From elegant couture dresses to expensive luxury cars, from sleek fancy gadgets to hi-tech DSLRs, from handmade footwear to rough and tough cookware, black adorns all aspects of our lives! From the physical to the metaphysical, from the tangible to the intangible, black is everywhere. A colour that is eternal. So if I were to wish for 5 black things, what would I wish for? I do not long for designer dresses, Lamborghinis, BMWs and Aston Martins do not tempt me, there's no longing for fancy accessories - watches, handbags, footwear, et al.

Fancy cars tempt me not,
gadgets do not score,
Little things make me happy,
and that's what I wish for.

Yes, it's the little things that I yearn for, and they make me happy. A cursory contemplation and 5 black things that I would love to have is ready. You might consider them mundane, but I know that they will make my many a dull days exciting! Here they are!

1. BLACK MARBLES

Glossy black marbles,
they glitter and they shine,
wish I had a bagful of them
So I could boast they are mine!

2. BLACK PUPPY

Tiny little puppy,

to love and care for,

We both will play together,

and none will be a bore!

3. BASKETFUL OF BLACKBERRIES

A basket full of berries black
would fill me with delight,

it's tasty and healthy too

Oh I am craving for a bite!

4. BLACK COUTURE HAT

Couture hats intrigue me,

so creative they are

a black piece I would love to own,

and act like a Hollywood star!

5. Black Tea

Black tea is healthy,
for body and for mind,
you would want to share a cup,
it's taste is so refined.

So this is my list of 5 little black things that I desire. Hope you enjoyed the post. There's another list too, but the items there are not so little! You can read that list here, and let me know what's your take on the items listed! :)

This post is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at BlogAdda.com

The Black List

Borne out of black,

to its solemnity we'll return,

Some will rest under the earth,

On pyres some will burn.

The colour black - solemn and eternal. Science calls it the absence of or absorption of light. The darkest colour, the opposite of white, it never ceases to intrigue. Generally associated with all that is intimidating, this mystical colour stands for the depths of the unknown, all that is beyond the earthy realm. But when it comes to fashion and luxury, black is big. It is bold. It's glamorous, it's royal, it's sophistication personified. 

When Blogadda asked bloggers to list 5 black items that they wish for, it got me thinking. The symbolism of the colour attracted me towards it - black magic, black humour, black cloak, a meeting with Sirius Black  - I wanted to it have it all. Maybe sometime in future. For now, here are the 5 black things I desire.

1. A Black Sheep

Baa baa black sheep,
Do not feel unloved
You have me to care for you,
Isn't that enough?

Strange that a thing so lovely and innocent epitomises worthlessness in our materialistic, obsessed-with-success world. The popular idiom related to black sheep describes someone who is an outcast in the family and society - someone who is not very mainstream and instead refuses to conform. I wish I have a black sheep for company, and together we will roam the distant pastures. Two creatures who are different and yet alike, an unlikely paradox. We will make for good company.

2. Black Belt

Training in self defence,

is now need of the hour.

To protect thyself from harm,

To fight back and not to cower.

Expertise in a self defence art is not a fancy skill any more. It's the need of the hour. Every day we are subject to atrocities of different kind, some subtle, some very in your face. Women are being manhandled, beaten and raped. For many, the atrocities are mental - in the form of harassment and verbal bullying. High time we all learnt a self defence technique - to not just equip our comparatively frail body to fight back, but also train our minds to always remain alert.

3. Black Clouds

The sun is beating down on us,

Heat taking a toll,

Black clouds come bless us please

Soothe our stifled souls.

I am yearning for black clouds. In my part of the world, the harsh sun is busy burning the already baked earth. Fear of a drought looms large. Everyone's listless - humans, animals, birds. Roads smell of burning tar, mirages far down the burning road are driving the drivers delirious, and the humidity is stifling. I want the black clouds to come rolling by, to stay put here for a while. Wish they come visiting soon, shower their ware around and make the wait worth the while.

4. Black Starry Sky

Twinkle twinkle little star,
The rhyme is now a myth
Cut down the skyscrapers please,
get a magical scythe.

My beautiful black sky has gone missing. It has disappeared beyond the many million skyscrapers. From the little windows of my house, I look up to catch some corner of the sky, but its the concrete of the neighbouring buildings that mocks me instead, smirking at my incredulous wish to gaze at the black star-lit sky. How I wish to go camping in the open, and lie down by my tent at night and gaze endlessly at the black sky with its many million glittering stars smiling down at me.

5. Black Box of MH370

A plane flying high,

disappeared from the sky,

its black box is still not found

despite many a try.

The last item on my black wishlist is the Black Box of MH370. This is just another wishful thinking, but how I wish this comes true and the experts are able to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. While this will not bring back the victims of the crash back, it will most definitely give a bearable closure to the family and friends of the victims of this baffling tragedy.

So this was my take on the 5 black things I desire. Hope you enjoyed the post. Do share your thoughts and also your black wish list. It would be fun to compare notes!

This post is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at BlogAdda.com

Memories That Zest Up My Life!

Happy memories zest me up. On dull mundane days, when it feels like inanity has crept all around, there comes a whiff of a happy event and nostalgia takes over, charging me up with energy and enthusiasm. On days, when nothing seems to be going right and self-doubt attempts to overtake my mind, I take a break and go back to the happy memories of achievements. These, and a good cup of green tea, and there I am, all zesty and raring to take challenges head on. 

They say every passing moment becomes a memory, while whatever we consider mundane gradually fades out, the special ones hinges itself to the prominent corners of our heart and mind and remain there, making an appearance and cheering us up very now and then. Here are the five memories close to my heart!

1. My First Swimming Lesson

It took me a long time to overcome my fear of swimming. My parents had been insisting that I learn this life-saving skil for quite a while, but no, I was sure I would not even last for a minute in the pool, and the 'life-saving' skill would actually turn 'life-taking' for me. Every time I convinced myself to learn this skill, paranoia  would strike the moment I got near the pool! But then one fine day, after enough of convincing and cajoling from parents, friends and the swimming instructor, I just gave in! Just like that! Some hiccups and there I was alternatively floating and splashing around in the shallow end of the pool! It was magical! And now every-time I am inside a swimming pool, leisurely lapping across its length, I cannot help but laugh at my silly notions!  While the thought that I was once mighty scared of pools amuses me, the fact that I overcame that fear fills me up energy and enthusiasm. It motivate me surge ahead and tackle all challenges head on.

Swimming pools are scary? No!

2. My First Job

What an incredible feeling it is to be called a professional, to be at work, and to be responsible for the growth of an organisation! I know, I know, you must be smirking here! For many of us a few years of working has already taken its toll, boredom or exhaustion has set in and this feeling of graduating from being a student to being a working professional has worn out, replaced by stoic acknowledgement of mundane office work-life routine! True that, but still every time I think of my first job as a news trainee at ABP News, it zests me up!

3. My First Salary

Oh the joys of receiving my first salary! The crisp SMS arriving in my phone announcing that my salary has been credited in my account! So many years and I can still recall the day vividly! Eating out with my own, shopping and splurging on gifts for my loved ones! And no one, absolutely no one to play spoilsport in my shopping spree! One happy, fulfilling and thankful day it was and the memory of the day 

4. My First Solo Trip

My memories of my first solo trip zest up many a travel conversations I have with traveller friends! I went all the way up to Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh and stayed there on my own for a couple of months.

The lovely family I lived with!

In Mcleodganj, I lived with a local family who took care of my lodging and boarding, and my days there were spent wandering deep into the mountains exploring the waterfalls and local tribes settled there. I also participated in quite many adventure and volunteering activities there. One volunteering activity that I always cherish would be working at a child care centre looking after Tibetan kids who either had a single parent going to work daily or were parent less. I think this was a great experience, contributing my bit as a traveller, and memories of this trip always keep inspiring to surge ahead and never shy away from trying something new.

5. Nano Drive With MTV

Tiger(s) spotting in Maharashtra, surfing on playful waves in Andhra Pradesh, scuba diving in rough Orissa sea and last but not in any way the least, ghost hunting in a West Bengal hill station - these experiences and a hundred more - I lived them all in one epic road trip that I was fortunate enough to be a part of. And this road trip was Nano Drive with MTV Season 2 – a travel show that involved 21 days of travel across the country in Tata Nano. 

Nano Drive with MTV - 21 days on the road

This was the best trip of my life! For one, never in my wildest imaginations I had ever thought that a road trip this long, covering this great a part of our country could ever become a reality for me. But as they say, strange are the ways of the world, I was chosen to be a part of the show with a few other travel junkies and experience India like never before! Whenever I feel down and out, exhilarating memories of this incredible trip do their bit to add zest to my life!

So that was a bit about my favourite memories! Hope you enjoyed the post! Do share thoughts about your favourite people, places, memories and experiences! Would love to exchange notes! :) 

This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest and BlogAdda.com

Raising a Toast to Mardaani

'I've often thought it unfair that women are expected to stay at home when there's a fight to be won. If a woman has the strength to bear a child, she can swing  a sword as well as any man.'

Karen Hawkins, How to Abduct a Highland Lord

We women are a strange specie. Fragile and yet strong, yielding and yet determined - the perfect paradox, that’s what we all are. But the fact remains that there are so many shades to our personality. Yes, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US has many different shades within us. We might be all laid-back for days, but push us to an extreme, and there you see a different woman, all geared up, picking herself up and emerging stronger than ever.  She’s a mardaani, for she refuses to give in and blame it all on fate.

And here I proudly present one such mardaani from amongst us - Mrs. Aarti Goel

Aarti Goel with her husband

Aarti comes across as a petite every-day woman, your friendly next-door neighbour who loves supervising the household chores, picking her daughter from the school and spending time with her family. So what’s so special in that – you must be wondering, and rightly so. So many us do these and more. Yes. But what makes Aarti special is the fact that when is she is not involved in the mundane household and office routines, she is trained enough to ply passengers on Delhi roads. You read that right. Aarti is the second registered woman auto-driver in Delhi.

Aarti Goel - Challenging stereotypes

Always ready to take challenges head-on, Aarti is an inspiration for all. I first met her while on a road trip to Lansdowne. We had stopped over for a tea break at the same dhaba. Her's was a regular family, chatting away delightfully about this and that, and since my friend and I were the only other people eating there, they invited us to join them for tea. And it was there, sitting with them, and lazily sipping my extra milky tea that I discovered that the husband whom I had started addressing as Sushil bhaiya, only had one hand. I also discovered that they too were headed to Lansdowne and it was the wife Aarti who was driving them all to their destination. There was an awkward silence after this discovery, and it was Aarti who dispelled the quietness that had suddenly taken over our group. Calmly she narrated to us how many years ago her husband had met with an accident, resulting in the loss of an arm. Initially she found it difficult to get over the cruel incident and faced difficulty coping with the unfortunate developments. But she soon realised that the onus to reclaim her family's happiness was on her. She had to get a grip on not just her life.

That's me with Aarti Goel and her daughter Samiksha Goel

And she had to start from scratch. While earlier she had been a happy-go-lucky middle class wife who was dependent on her husband for all things big and small, now it was time to take the steering wheels in her hand - literally as well as metaphorically. Soon she learnt driving and was assisting her husband at his petrol pump and motor workshop. One thing led to another and now she's a trained auto-rickshaw driver too.

Aarti Goel is a mardaani in every sense of the world. Like the proverbial phoenix, she has risen from the ashes to reclaim her family's happiness. She did not give in or blame fate for the misfortunes that came her way. Rather she worked around the misfortunes and wrote a new destiny for herself. 

Aarti Goel's story has been covered by a couple of newspapers already, but it would be great to see her story inspiring people beyond Delhi. Hope the stories of grit and determination of all such mardaanis motivates us all to be positive and determined in the face of challenges.

Mission Megma: Doing Right

The past week had been terrible. Unmet expectations, sundry drawbacks, exhausting but not adequately rewarding work pressure, and the big tug of war between the material and the immaterial needs. 'Disappointed' was the big word of the week. 

And with this down and out state of mind I sat down to read about the latest half story of Tata Capital's Do Right - Half Story initiative. This half story is about Mr. Chandrakumar Pradhan and his dilapidated 3-room school in Megma, a sleepy remote village located on the Indo-Nepal border, on the Singalila ridge at an altitude of approx 10,000 ft. above sea level.  A cursory glance through the story and I learn that Mr. Pradhan has retired as the Principal of Saraswati Mandir School, where he had been working since he was 19 years old. 

Even after retirement, Mr. Pradhan continues to teach the 20 odd students here, all for his passion for teaching. The humble 3-room school is in a state of disrepair, with walls peeling off, blackboards cracked up and not-so black any-more and benches that are all run-down and shaky. There's not enough stationary too. When the basic supplies run out, Mrs Neela, the only other teacher at the school, a mother figure for the students, helps them with practising their lessons on the floor, with chalk outlines and stones placed on top of them.

The run-down Saraswati Mandir School in Megma, on the Indo-Nepal border

Cracked and not-so-black blackboard in the classroom

The students come from economically weaker families but want to continue studying

The students at this school come from economically weaker families. There are days when they have to go without meals. They use their pencils right till they become stubs in their little hands, so the idea of good stationary items and a decent school kit is but a distant dream for them.  And this is just what Mr. Pradhan wishes for his students - basic stationary and supplies to keep their love for learning alive.

Mr. Chandrakumar Pradhan features in this video and shares his dreams for his school with the viewers. Despite the many shortcoming he faces everyday, the warmth and happy tilt in his voice and the light in his eyes lighten up my spirit too. 

 

The dedication and passion is inspiring indeed - but what warms up my heart is the selfless spirit - Mr. Pradhan does it all, and gives private tuitions too - without charging a single rupee for his services.  Wow! Here we are, the lesser mortals, expressing disappointment over this and that, and here's this gentleman - warm and encouraging with much passion for his work, despite the many challenges he faces everyday.

Mr. Pradhan's half story inspires us all. It inspires us to be selfless and to think beyond the I-Me-Myself syndrome that we have all got caught up in. It motivates us all to be more giving and to reach out to those who are less privileged than we are. So let us all help Mr. Pradhan in his selfless mission of educating the kids with lesser means and ensuring that every house in this remote village is educated.

 With the kindness of many 'Do-Righters', his immediate need of blackboards for the school and stationary kits for the 20 students has been met with. But we all know, a humble school with humble students has many a humble needs - uniforms, woollens, basic furniture...little things that make the process and experience of learning better and cherished. So do contribute whatever you can towards this noble cause. Let us all 'Do Right' and make Mission Megma our own. A happy ending to the Megma half story is in our hands.

Mr. Pradhan, working at the school since he was 19

About the Do Right - Half Stories initiative:

Tata Capital's Do Right - Half Stories campaign is a journey to identify unique stories of courage, perseverance and determination from some of the remotest parts of the country, highlighting the challenges faced by the individuals/communities living there and letting ordinary citizens step in and support their needs and dreams, effectively scripting a happy end to their stories.

For more details about this heart warming initiative by Tata Capital, please do visit the Do Right website. Details of how you can help and support the cause are given on the website.

Kotak Jifi Indimeet: Socialising Over Social Bank Accounts

The latest edition of IndiBlogger's very popular Indimeets saw coming together of over 600 bloggers (yes!) for the exclusive launch of Kotak Jifi - Kotak Mahindra's fully integrated social bank account - a first of its kind bank account that goes beyond conventional banking by incorporating social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter alongside mainstream banking.

Over 600 bloggers attended the exclusive launch

While Indimeets are always super fun what with the great camaraderie amongst bloggers on display, this Meet scored brownie points for simultaneously and seamlessly bringing together bloggers from three cities together (Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore), all at the same time. While the chief guest launched Kotak Jifi in Mumbai - bloggers from Delhi and Bangalore were part of it all through web streaming.

Welcome!

In Delhi, the venue of the launch was the trendy B-Bar, a hip place to hang out and grab a drink or two (or more!) with friends. The nicely done up bar welcomed us with drinks on the house! That bought smiles and giggles galore on many a happy faces and in no time the bar was overflowing with drinks and fun banter among bloggers. 

While the attendance at the bar counter steadily increased, members from the indiblogger team too was coming into its own, checking on the first timers, guiding them with the registrations and initiating many a fun introductions and idle banter! Let me share this here that it's very heart-warming to see how team Indiblogger ensures that every one is comfortable and that no new member feels out of place in the fun riot that many indimeets turn into before and after the meet agenda.

Needless to say, in no time everyone was happy and high enough to participate in the selfie contest that had just been announced - click selfies with new and old friends and if  you win, you get rewarded with cool goodies and shopping vouchers!

The crowded bar! Drinks on the house!

While the drinks and banter flowed, it was time to discover who the secret chief guest was - invited to launch Kotak Jifi - and it was none other than the acclaimed writer Chetan Bhagat, who himself is well versed with the demands and more of social networking platforms, with an overwhelming twitter follower tally of 2.42 million! So who better to talk about a bank account that is based on social media platforms than Chetan Bhagat. The ever so witty and soft spoken Bhagat not just took the bloggers through the concept and idea behind Kotak Jifi, but along with Mr. K.V.S Manian, Kotak's Consumer Banking Head, also fielded questions about the nitty gritty involved in banking through social media platforms.

The stage's set in Delhi, ready for the launch

Mr. Chetan Bhagat with Kotak's Consumer Banking Head, Mr. KVS Manian

And here's what Kotak Jifi is all about - a bank account on the go!

• Kotak Jifi is a first-of-its-kind online social bank account integrated with Facebook and Twitter.
• Targeted at the young tech-savvy crowd, Jifi is a 0 minimum balance current account.
• Bank account updates, cheque book requests and other account activities are all a tweet/message away - account holders can receive account updates on Twitter as Direct Message by simply tweeting to the bank's twitter handle a pre-determined hashtag. 
• Account holders can earn transaction and social points online transactions and on referring friends to open accounts.
• Besides social media integration, Jifi account holders will also have access to all conventional bank offerings including branch and ATM network, a platinum debit card and internet & phone banking access.
• And here's some more finer details about Kotak Jifi -  

Quick pointers on going Jifi-y!

Jifi's detail introduction done, it was time for lunch, where quite a few people had a tad tough time dealing with the limited menu and the chaos to not to miss out on the desserts. Nevertheless, a not so exciting lunch break gave way to the very exciting Kotak Premier League. Hold your horses if you think the bloggers padded up for a quick 20-20 match on B-Bar's polished floors! Hahah! For KPL was in fact a tweet challenge amongst bloggers divided into 6 teams - with all posting creative tweets about Jifi. The team with the maximum tweets took home the much sought after shopping vouchers!

And then followed the photo-ops! Plus lots of bonding and networking! It's so much fun when all the indibloggers came together to fit into one big photo - and it looks like a huge Indi family! One can only be there to have an idea of the good energy that fills the place!  Looking forward to attending more of these happy and happening Indimeets in the future too!

And it's all wrapped up with a group photo

That's all about the Kotak Jifi Indimeet! Hope you enjoyed the post, and if you were there too, then would love to read about your experience! 
This post has been written under the #JifiIsHereExperiences blogging drive post the launch of Kotak Jifi organised by Kotak Mahindra Bank in association with IndiBlogger.

Sunsilk Real FM - A Movie That Entertains, Inspires and Integrates

The film Sunsilk ReaI FM is a beautiful, inspiring story re-affirming the time-worn English saying - Where there's a will, there's a way. 

But before I review the film for you, let me very honestly start from the start. While on my way to the special screening of the film, I was pre-occupied with quite a few assumptions. And frankly, some of these assumptions were a bit cynical too.

• I assumed the film Sunsilk ReaI FM would actually be an advertisement stretched enough to call it a 'short film'.
• I assumed every few seconds the characters would break into paeans applauding the wonderful quality of each other's hair groomed with Sunsilk shampoo and conditioner.
• I assumed the film would  blatantly suggest to the viewers how Sunsilk would help redeem their dull and lacklustre hair.
• And yes, I also assumed that post the film screening, the bloggers present would be asked to write a review glorifying Sunsilk and how it had the potential to turn your nothing-to-write-home-about hair into your crowning glory!

And now, as I write this, an amused smile plays on my lips. And it's laced with some guilt too. For none of my assumptions about the film came true. Sunsilk ReaI FM is neither an advertisement, nor a short film. There's no blatant product placement either. In fact it is a warm film about three friends who come together for a cause - and succeed in overcoming all the odds that come their way.

Film written by Anurag Basu, directed by Akarsh Khurana

Again before I review the film for you, here's a something on how the film came about. Sunsilk ReaI FM is the result of a tie-up between Hindustan Unilever Ltd and MTV Films, to present to the the viewers an eclectic mix of films based on brand philosophies of different HUL products. And first film in this series of special films is Sunsilk Real FM, written by acclaimed film maker Anurag Basu.

And now about the film!

The story of Sunsilk Real FM revolves around three friends who come together during a tough situation to overcome all odds and take a challenge head-on. Rhea, one of the protagonist is a young vibrant girl who's leading a happy-go-lucky life with two of her best friends. Rhea's father (played by veteran actor Benjamin Gilani)  runs an FM station, where trouble has been brewing lately - while the revenue of the station is falling, the staff has been  aggressively demanding a raise. The situation turns grim when a large chunk of the station staff quits and Rhea's father, unable to bear the unpleasant development suffers a heart attack. Under such trying circumstances Rhea takes it upon herself to run the radio station. She seeks help from her best pals who all come together and decide to give it all a good shot, despite their apparent clueless-ness about how stations work.

Bloggers enjoying the special screening

But of course running a radio station is no easy task and more so on a super special day - 15th August. As the new programming team figures out how to work the studio machines, they also have to contend with the onerous task of churning out unique content for the Independence Day Special that they plan to run throughout the day. And the unique idea strikes just in time - play songs from all the 28 states! Unique indeed, but plausible? And therein comes the moral of the story - where there's a will, there's a way!

Let's take on the challenge!

Everyone at the studio channelises their networks across the city to reach out to singers from different states - from Bihar to Chattissgarh to Kerala  - they find them all! Facebook, twitter and the other social media platforms - they are all explored to source the singers, and indeed every single one of them comes carrying the earthy flavour of the state they belong to! In the end Mission Save the Radio Station is accomplished and how! Friends bond, old animosity is forgiven, the rouges tersely tackled and the good reputation of the station restored.

The 3 USPs of the film

It entertains -
Sunsilk Real FM kept me entertained throughout, and going by the laughter floating around in the screening whole, it was clear that everyone watching the movie was having a good time.  The plot is fast-paced and the one situation smoothly gives way to the next one. And yes, there are jokes and poor jokes (yes!) galore in the movie! Plus the subtle and sometimes not so subtle hint of romance too kept us all in splits! 

It inspires -
Sunsilk Real FM is an entertaining film, but it also carries a strong message - to never give up! The film inspires us all (and not just the women folk) to take all the challenges head-on and stand our ground! The happy-go-lucky Rhea does not buckle down when her fathers is hospitalised, rather she takes it upon herself to make her dad's radio station keep running. And in this, she uses all the resources she has at her disposal. And her determination also rubs off on the some of the staff who had earlier quit the station. They return and decide to give Rhea a helping hand.

It integrates -
Another big USP of the film is it's incredible music! The earthy folk/regional songs from across India! Where would one get to listen to the soulful strains of singers from Kashmir to Nagaland, from Rajasthan to Andhra Pradesh, all at one place. The music in the film is one big integrator! It's heart-warming to see all of India coming together under one big musical umbrella! As the songs from different states start appearing the audience too mentally starts putting together a list of the states yet to figure in the programme!

So while Sunsilk Real FM is definitely not a branding exercise, the film has beautifully and subtly incorporated the Sunsilk brand philosophy in its narrative. A very healthy amalgamation of creative content and commerce, indeed! 

This film review has been written under the #SunsilkRealFMExperiences exclusive screening organised by Sunsilk in association with IndiBlogger. Looking forward to more of these special screenings of interesting and offbeat film projects.