Getting Senti(mental)

So recently, I've realized that I'm not Religious. At all. No, I'm not an Atheist either. But all the strong emotions that people of my country (& the neighboring country) attach to religion, I Don't have those. Like not even 5 % of that. and guess what.. i feel "blessed" for that.. ! hahahah :P

So, like a day back, a 21 year old got arrested for hurting "religious sentiments" of people in Maharashtra (post Bal thakeray's death ) read it here  . What exactly are religious sentiments?!?.. sentiments that i would attach to my religion?..or to god?..or both?..But why would my religion have "sentimental" value to me (or to anyone) anyway.. i mean what is religion?..its Faith..Its Belief...Its compassion.right.. Its just accepting that there is a power much higher than any of us humans..thats it.. PERIOD. And as far as sentimental value is concerned..I would probably attach that to something much more close to me..like maybe my grandmother's ring, or something i bought from my first pay check, or how people save their children's first shoes, toothbrush etc. THOSE & many like them are things with "sentimental value"..you cherish them or feel grateful for them or want to keep them safe..I don't understand how that works with religion.. (but that could be just my problem)

So, why attach "feelings" & "sentiments" to religion/ god..? why go out of your way and be head over heels over something that is not in our control. Whats the point?..Buttering the god does not help..believing in him does and even not believing will help as long as THAT gives you peace of mind. I see people, Hindus mostly, going out of their way to please the gods. Mata ki chowkis, fire crackers, and thousand & lakhs of money spent on arrangements for the same. Its a WASTE. How?--noise pollution, air pollution and what about people of other religions who are made to hear your "jai mata di" over the 10 loudspeakers you have installed all over your neighborhood..what about their "religious sentiments"..?.. not very secular..are we then?

Example..Today..its "chhat puja" ..now I don't know what that is. Frankly i can't care less. But I'm made to care ..as people somewhere near my house are praising this deity over weird songs through loudspeakers and also bursting crackers. And all I can think about is the exam tomorrow, which i clearly can't study for..Now, my parents have very nicely taught me to be religiously tolerant and thats why i tolerate the 5 time namaaz everyday coming out of the 2 mosques.. near my house. but when all this other religiousness accompanies it..i go MAD..yes..i hate it... Interestingly, I live in a posh neighborhood of South Delhi, and when you live in such areas you tend to not expect all this, but over the years..well, I've just become used to it..my tolerance is decreasing.. (as you can see from this Post) but as a civilized, non violent human being i'm sadly not gonna do anything about it (my declining tolerance & the events that are responsible for it), maybe except, write this post.

So basically, Hindus & Muslims in India at least,.. PLEASE keep your religion to yourself and don't go around arresting people who don't share your religious views. Learn something from other religions..like Sikhism & Budhhism. Also, stay true to your faith but let others stay true to theirs..Think of pleasing your god through helping others who are less fortunate & in need instead of disturbing your neighbors!. 

Lastly, I'm sorry if i offended you from what i've said above, that was not the intention. This is purely my point of view.

Peace

TM

color me green~ bags

If you've read my last post (here) then you would know this is not about a new green bag but about bags which are Eco-friendly. How do you differentiate between a normal bag & an Eco-friendly bag? well the latter are made of completely natural materials: mostly cloth or jute. Now don't confuse leather bags as Eco friendly!..coz although they are made of a natural material but they are anything BUT Eco-friendly..(remember PETA?!?)
Also, some people might include paper bags in this category but I just fail to understand HOW..I mean you make paper out of trees right?!?..and cutting trees is NOT EQUAL to Eco friendly!!

source: bodyshop website

Now jholas as they popularly known, are available everywhere these days. Taking Delhi in particular,   CP inner circle, Janpath, Dilli Haat, Pahaarganj and all the state emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Marg have the shops to stop at if you want a good one at a reasonable price. Also many brands like Accesorize,  are selling them. But its your budget that should guide you.

I've had many pretty jholas over the years..my friends would know..but sadly don't have most of them in pictures..here are some current ones  !

from BE for Bags Rs200/-
available at many sites online & Crossword stores all over Delhi

picked up from Tate modern Art gallery in London

Everything has its Pros & Cons but for these bags I really can't find any Cons. So I'm gonna try to convince you with the following:
1) Eco-Friendly..! In your own little way your (kinda) saving the environment :)
2) Available at VERY reasonable prices
3) Trendy
4) Available in all shapes,sizes, patterns, colors
5) Go well with Indian-wear (low-hanging-jholas especially)
6) Low maintenance--easily washable
7) Perfect for summer--they make the BEST beach bags ! ;)
8) Jute bags are perfect for carrying bottles

 buy it here

source

9) Helps local handicraft industry
10) Once they get old, can be used for household chores like bringing veggies, groceries etc! (see, like that ur ALSO saying NO to plastic..you should be proud !)

And anyway theres no dictatorship when it comes to using bags !....I personally have all kinds of them!.but as variety IS the spice of life, i would definitely encourage you to buy ATLEAST 1!

NOT what I have in mind ! :D
enjoy 

Anarkali !

Wassupp buttercups? We all know, Feb is a season of weddings and therefore anniversaries..I've been attending both. Some very happily & most because I should.."Social protocol" or whatever !
Anyway yesterday I went to somebody's 40th anniversary...sounds MAHA boring?..IT WASN'T :D
 This couple basically married very early and although both are in their early sixties, it appears they still feel like a couple of  twenty year olds ! It was a great party with brilliant music, awesome food & booze, beautiful people and the best part, a theme !! I love theme parties, its a great way to show your PERSONAL style..anyway..their theme was ' Anarkali & Salim'. A Mughal inspired evening on a cold winter night in Lutyen's Delhi..what can be better? :) Offcourse they could've just gone with 'Indian' but that would've  been super boring *yawn*.

All women were dressed in Anarkali suits, or a Sari tied in a very mughlia manner..and men..well they were a treat in achkans, sherwaanis, long bandgalas and this 1 uncle wore a formal suit n pants but "mughal-ized' himself with a big pearly necklace( u knw the kind which has multiple strings..) so kool ! :)

Yup, something like Dilip Kumar is wearing above :) Oh and some people, including the hosts wore these fancy-sultanate-hats too..!..anyway this is what I wore.

                              An  Anarkali suit (obvsly !) that I picked up from Bombay Selections.

Since my good camera is off with dad for a few days, i'm managing with this one..i know it doesn't do much justice but its ok :) 

The earrings I wore:

 These are from an antique-look gold collection from my mom's jewellery box and they match perfectly with                my suit. Not very long, but when worn, really pretty !

 I totally believe in raiding my moms jewellery box when I need statement pieces plus the antique-gold look really works well with Indian Wear. I suggest you to do the same ;)

This was another pair I was considering. the shine is too much in these pictures, originally  they are more subdued. One of most favorite pair of earrings from Accessorize.
Since it was  an Indian-ish theme I also wore a few bangles and jazzed up on the make up. Shoes were simple. What I really wanted was to put pics of me wearing it.. the entire look. But din't click anything yesterday so well..maybe next time !

Do you like Anarkalis too?  feedback is appreciated :)