The Global Journey of Words: A Meeting with Mascow, Russia, and Soul Searching

 Every evening when I open my computer to check my blog statistics, my heart fills with a unique sense of contentment and wonder. Readers from 103 countries around the world have read my thoughts, and today 161 flags have been collected on my blog.   People often ask me how there can be 161 flags when there are readers from 103 countries. In web analytics, while 103 represents officially recognized independent nations, the additional flags belong to overseas territories, special administrative regions, satellite traffic, and unknown locations. Among these are readers connecting through satellite or unknown routes whose exact location remains a mystery, but their views prove that words transcend geographical boundaries and technology to reach far and wide.  

An incident this evening particularly touched me. Just three hours ago, a reader from the beautiful and historic city of  Mascow, Russia,  visited my blog and read an old article of mine. This article was published in the 2018 issue of Woman's Era magazine under the title "Shopping Bedsheets... Gracious Style," which I had scanned and shared on my blog.   When someone sat down in Mascow three hours ago to read this article based on the nuances of bed linen, thread counts, and fabrics, I fell into deep thought. As I began to reread my own previously written words, I sat down to evaluate myself. I began to think about how many milestones the journey of my writing and thoughts has crossed over time. Reading my own old post, searching for myself in the pages of the past, and connecting with unknown people around the world through this medium has now become a beautiful evening ritual for me.  

Cover page of Woman's Era magazine (July Second issue, 2018) featuring my published work.

The published feature article titled "Shopping Bedsheets... Gracious Style" inside Woman's Era.

Detailed pages from the magazine article focusing on bed linen tips, thread counts, and fabric guides.

Heartfelt gratitude to that unknown reader from Mascow and all readers worldwide for showering love on my words. 🙏✍️  

Have you ever looked back at your old writings or memories? How did it feel? Let me know in the comments section below! 👇

XOXO

'Love is a Gift': एक मार्मिक कहानी जो यादों और प्रेम का महत्व सिखाती है

यह लघु फिल्म 'Love is a Gift' मूल रूप से अंग्रेज़ी (English) भाषा में है।इस  के लेखक और निर्देशक फिल बीस्टॉल (Phil Beastall) हैं। क्रिस इलस्टन (Chris Ilston) ऒर नताली मार्टिन्स (Natalie Martins) इस 

लघु फिल्म के कलाकार हैं.मूल रूप से यह 2014 में रिलीज़ हुई थी। हालाँकि, यह फिल्म 2018 में सोशल मीडिया पर फिर से वायरल हो गई थी, जिसके बाद इसे दुनिया भर में काफी प्रसिद्धि मिली। निर्देशक फिल बीस्टॉल (Phil Beastall) ने इसे एक बहुत ही सीमित बजट में बनाया था, और इसकी मार्मिक कहानी ने लाखों लोगों का दिल जीत लिया।

'Love is a Gift' एक भावनात्मक और मार्मिक लघु फिल्म है जो एक व्यक्ति की वार्षिक परंपरा के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती है। इस फिल्म की कहानी के प्रमुख पहलू में गहरी यादें  हैं....

LOVE IS A GIFT - Christmas Short Film

यह एक ऐसे व्यक्ति की यात्रा को दिखाती है जो हर साल क्रिसमस का बेसब्री से इंतजार करता है। यह समय उसके लिए केवल त्योहार नहीं, बल्कि अपनी दिवंगत माँ से जुड़ने का एक माध्यम है।

कहानी का मुख्य आकर्षण वह कैसेट टेप है जिसे उसकी माँ ने बहुत पहले रिकॉर्ड किया था। हर क्रिसमस पर, वह इस टेप को सुनकर अपनी माँ की आवाज़ और उनके द्वारा दिए गए प्यार भरे संदेश को महसूस करता है।

फिल्म के अंत में, माँ की आवाज़ का एक बहुत ही भावुक संदेश सुनाई देता है, जहाँ वे कहती हैं कि यह उनका आखिरी टेप है। वे उसे अपने जीवन को पूरी तरह जीने और आगे बढ़ने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करती हैं, यह याद दिलाते हुए कि उनका प्यार हमेशा उसके साथ है ।

यह फिल्म इस बात को खूबसूरती से बयां करती है कि कैसे भौतिक उपहारों से कहीं अधिक कीमती 'प्रेम' की यादें होती हैं, जो समय बीतने के बाद भी जीवित रहती हैं।

यह लघु फिल्म एक बहुत ही गहरा और भावनात्मक संदेश देती है कि प्रेम और यादें दुनिया के किसी भी भौतिक उपहार से कहीं अधिक कीमती होती हैं।

फिल्म यह दर्शाती है कि सच्चा उपहार कोई वस्तु नहीं, बल्कि वह स्नेह और जुड़ाव है जो हम अपनों के साथ साझा करते हैं। जैसे माँ ने अपने बेटे के लिए कैसेट टेप के रूप में अपनी यादें छोड़ीं, वैसे ही प्रेम समय और दूरी से परे रहता है ।

 यह फिल्म सिखाती है कि प्रियजनों के चले जाने के बाद भी, उनकी यादें हमें आगे बढ़ने की ताकत देती हैं। मुख्य पात्र का हर साल क्रिसमस पर उस टेप को सुनना यह दिखाता है कि कैसे पुरानी यादें एक व्यक्ति के जीवन को अर्थ प्रदान करती हैं।

 फिल्म में माँ का संदेश उसे दुखी होने के बजाय जीवन का आनंद लेने और खुश रहने के लिए प्रेरित करता है । यह संदेश बताता  है कि अपनों को खोने के दुख में डूबने के बजाय, हमें उनके द्वारा दिए गए प्यार को संजोना चाहिए और जीवन को सकारात्मकता के साथ जीना चाहिए।

क्या आपने भी कभी अपनों के साथ ऐसी कोई परंपरा निभाई है? क्या आपको लगता है कि भावनाओं से बढ़कर भी कोई तोहफा हो सकता है? अपने विचार नीचे कमेंट सेक्शन में साझा करें। अगर यह कहानी आपको पसंद आई, तो इसे अपने उन दोस्तों के साथ शेयर करें जिन्हें इसकी सबसे ज्यादा जरूरत है।

आपके लिए क्रिसमस का सबसे खास तोहफा क्या रहा है?

अपनी राय साझा करें (Share your thoughts)

XOXO

Create a Beautiful Puff Flower Floor Mat from Old Clothes

Old t-shirts are incredibly versatile for DIY projects because they provide soft, stretchy knit fabric.

DIY - Beautiful door mat from old clothes | Floor mat with puff flowers | Recycling old t-shirts

Beyond creating puff flower floor mats (as shown in the video).

 You can weave or braid fabric strips to create rugs, baskets, or bowls. T-shirts are also perfect for making hanging plant holders, wrapped wreaths, or custom pillow covers to preserve sentimental designs. 

A simple way to repurpose a shirt is to turn it into a tote bag or market bag; many of these designs require no sewing at all.

You can refashion old shirts into stylish headbands, braided necklaces, or even transform them into new clothing items like pencil skirts or altered tops with lace and collars.Fabric remnants can be braided into durable dog toys, or shirts can be cut up to make eco-friendly cleaning rags and dishcloths.

Have you ever tried making something out of old clothes? Share your experience in the comments below!

How did you like this DIY mat? Do you have other creative ideas for home decor? Let me know in the comments.

What old item would you like to recycle next? Tell me your thoughts!

XOXO

From Ground Reporting to Accountability: The Power of Independent Journalism

In Haryana, there is a very apt and insightful local proverb: "Charon Kani Tan Boccha Band Kar Diya" (चारों कानीं तैं बोच्चा बंद कर दिया). In simple terms, it means "closing every single door or exit so that there is no way out." When an ordinary citizen gets trapped in an administrative maze or a complex web of rules where no one listens, this saying perfectly describes their situation.

We recently witnessed candidates or voters whose names had been removed from the electoral roll approach the country's highest court—the Honorable Supreme Court—seeking justice. The Honorable Court clearly ordered that their names be reinstated immediately. However, our administrative setup was structured in such a way that despite the court’s order and countless efforts, their names could not be added. Instead, the government and administrative machinery simply informed them that they had been issued 'Form 6'—meaning they would now have to register as brand-new voters! Just think about it: if an 80-year-old citizen is made to apply as a new voter, all their lifelong identity and logical records on paper get completely turned upside down. In such a situation, an ordinary person feels as if the system has blocked every exit and is saying, "Do whatever you want, we will rule as we please."

As mainstream media loses focus on real issues today, independent digital platforms like 'The Red Mike' are making a huge difference. Amidst this helplessness and situations like Goa, a significant change occurred when the YouTube channel 'The Red Mike' and journalist Saurabh Shukla delivered ground-level reporting through their series 'Delhi Deleted'.

In Delhi, nearly 33 lakh people were issued notices regarding 'Logical Discrepancies'. As a result, ordinary citizens—especially daily wage earners and underprivileged families—were forced to leave their work and livelihood behind to stand in long queues outside official ERO offices.

Following persistent coverage by 'The Red Mike', the Election Commission was forced to step in and make procedures easier for the public, and the administration has taken major steps to facilitate voters in Delhi. Under this initiative, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will now visit voters' doorsteps directly to collect and upload necessary documents. This move will free citizens from the hassle of visiting ERO offices or standing in long queues.

As part of these reforms, the deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi has been extended to October 30. Additionally, to make the system more inclusive, extra measures have been introduced, including special camps for homeless individuals, dedicated help desks, and options for online hearings if required.

Ultimately, it is clear that ground reporting by 'The Red Mike' is exactly what forces the system to answer to the public. Yet, looking at the Goa incident and that Haryanvi proverb—"Charon Kani Tan Boccha Band Kar Diya"—leaves a lingering ache in the heart. Why must a citizen of a free nation run from pillar to post just to claim their basic rights? Why are our rules and procedures so tangled up? It leaves us with a critical question: is our democracy truly as accessible to the common man as it ought to be?

📌 Watch the full video report here:

"To understand the complete ground reality, the intricacies of the issue, and the detailed report by The Red Mike, make sure to watch the full YouTube video linked above."

A Question for My Global Readers:

Distance doesn't distance us from the pain of seeing common citizens struggle for basic rights. No matter which part of the world you are reading this from, I welcome your feedback. How can we, as a global community, better support independent reporting that holds power accountable?

Do drop a comment below with your thoughts and suggestions. Your feedback means a lot to me!

Me make shoes

This video provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet comfortable slippers starting from a simple flat rectangle. The creator demonstrates the project using a size 7 US women's shoe as a reference.

Key Project Steps:

·         Foundation: Begin by chaining 28 and working rows of alternating single crochet and half double crochet slip stitches  until the rectangle reaches approximately 8.5 inches in length.

·         Shaping the Toe: Once the rectangle is finished, fold one-third of the piece inward. Use a running stitch to cinch the edge, ensuring the seam remains flat to avoid discomfort while wearing.

·         Ankle Construction: Fold the ankle section and use a combination of back stitches (for a snug fit at the top) and whip stitches along the edge.

·         Final Assembly: Turn the shoe right-side out. Fold the flap to the desired tightness, sew it in place, and finish by adding buttons for decoration.

Pro Tip: If making a pair, ensure the flaps for the left and right slippers are folded in opposite directions.

visual learners can make these shoes with the help of this video.

XO

sanjhi geet

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZUuDvhE5j-4?si=JI-4rp5WTZ07tHvf