Top things that fascinates the baby #ParentTalks #BabyTalks

You bought an expensive toy from Hamley’s for your little baby. And you are thrilled that it will entertain her and that she will love it. Its later that you realise how uninterested she is in it. Babies seem to be loving the random-est of all things. Its so funny to hear them baby talking, coo-ing, gurgling and giggling at things you don’t even care about. Here are the top 8 things that fascinates the baby more than that expensive toy you just bought.

1. Fan

It goes round and round, and its your babys’ first love. They love the fan, irrespective of which brand it belongs to. You might want to start their day by saying “Chalo beta, tell your fan good morning!”.

2. Curtains

It might not have been washed in a year. It might have faded. It might have holes. And it might even not look bright or attractive. But mind it, this is what your baby loves!

3. Lights

All kinds of lights. Be it the home tube lights or lights in their toys or the street lights on the road. Babies love lights and this one will surely help you ease their crankiness.

4. Ceiling

Since they keep staring at it in their initial few months, there is a bond between the baby and the ceiling. Again, the baby is unbiased, and loves it the way it is. The baby accepts the ceiling in all its flaws – water seepage, colour fade, cracks and spots – everything.

5. Wall clock

I feel it’s the ticking or the hands of the clock that catch their attention. Whatever it is, its ok till the time the baby is happy!

6. Teeth

Obviously you have taken the baby in your hands and made weird noises, and tried to talk to them in goo-goos and ga-gas. And they would have responded well too, with their endearing smile. But don’t be mistaken that they are understanding your silly talk. They are just simply getting amused by your teeth. Ensure you brush well before talking with the baby!

7. Photo frames

Not that they can make much sense of who’s who in the photo frame, but then who cares till the time the baby likes it. I feel that the baby thinks that she can talk with the photos. Let her be in that misconception if that’s keeping her happy. Right?

8. Clothes hanging behind the door

Especially when you close the door and the clothes that are hanging behind start flying like flags. Continue to keep them hanging till it amuses the baby.

Nathdwara – the home to Dwarkadheesh, its #Myths & #Beliefs

Nathdwara is a small village in Rajasthan. The nearest railway station is Falna, and the nearest airport is at Udaipur. Otherwise, there are plenty of buses from Ahmedabad, Udaipur and even Mumbai which stop here daily. If you always wondered that dhoti, kurta and kedyu are outdated and no one wears it in this age, you are wrong. This visit to Nathdwara will change your mind on not just fashion but also in the way you pray!

Krishna in Nathdwara is at his home. He is in the bal swaroop or in the child avatar, hence also called Bal Gopal. The priests and pilgrims also treat Krishna as their kid at home.

Krishna is known to play pranks and in this swaroop of Krishna, he has adorned many ornaments belonging to Radha. This can be interpreted as Krishna giving us the message that for him, both the man and the lady are one, without any prejudice and he not only accepts both of them, but is also in both of them. In today's talks, this could also be interpreted as Krishna being a Feminist (laughs). Krishna wears the nath, hair bun, necklace, baajubandh, toe rings and anklets that belong to Radha.

People here at Nathdwara, both men and women, call themselves as the Gopis and express their love for their Krishna. This is often visible when you stand in the crowded line for the darshan. The darshans are a little different here. The haveli isn’t open through the day. Krishna gives darshan in various time slots. Totally, there are 7 darshans which happen through the day. It is said that on a daily basis Krishna travels to Mathura in his rath to give the eighth darshan – Shayan.

1. Mangala
2. Shringaar
3. Gwaal
4. Raj bhog
5. Uthapan
6. Bhog
7. Aarti
8. Shayan

Its not compulsory to do all the darshans, and it is said that if a person makes it for the Mangala darshan which is generally around 5 am, it kind of covers all darshans! Its a sight at 5 am, the village is already awake and many will start their business post offering their prayers to Krishna. After you complete the Mangala darshan, you simply have to treat yourself to the garam garam poha, khaman and chai which is served in a clay glass (small matka glass).

The Shringaar darshan shouldn’t be missed as Krishna is the best dressed at this time. If you see the moorti carefully, you will spot a diamond twinkling at the chin. Many believe that in the olden days, the Kohinoor rested at the chin of this moorti of Krishna.

The Raj bog darshan is the chhappan bhog offering i.e. fifty-six food items offered to Krishna. It goes without saying that the Raj bhog prasad is the best of all!

Apart from Krishna darshan, Nathdwara has a lot more to offer. It’s a foodies delight! Its khau galli or chowpatty gives the most delicious purple yam (known as kand here) throughout the year. You will also find plenty of stalls making thandai, garam doodh, kanda kachori, jeera goli and chaat.

Nathdwara is also a shoppers delight – especially for women. You get a wide range of sarees, dress materials, kurtas, dupattas, mojris. The famous bandhani and lehriya sarees and dupattas are also available here. And the best part is, at a much reasonable cost. Even the clothes (known as vaagha in local language), ornaments and other accessories of Bal Gopal are available here, and these are really pretty ones. Apart from this, you get very good silver, wooden toys, and utensils.

When you visit Nathdwara, you are at Gods’ home. And you tend to forget all the dirt, cow dung and garbage. You embrace the divine village atmosphere in all its simplicity.

Jai Shree Krishna. Or JSK as its now called _/\_

Where are the NRIs shopping? #ecommerce #onlineshopping #ConsumerBehavior

That hep cousin or yours living in the UK and that aunt from Canada (pronounced as kaneda) who talks with a fake English accent, are all shopping. Splurging. And obviously showing off their sexy pair of orange Steve Madden loafers, white cut-work Zara dress and sequinned Mango pants!

Damn, they are rich! They can afford these brands. To top it, these brand stores have a better variety abroad.

However, the truth could be a little different though. The trend now is to shop in India. Many NRIs are now coming to India and shopping not just the Indian traditional wear but even the high fashion global brands.

What has happened that the NRIs now don’t mind shopping in India for these brands?

Simple. It’s cheaper here! Especially if they buy it online!! Yes that’s true, this is happening. We are becoming a fashion and shopping hub too (cheers to us *clinging the wine glass*).

There’s a reason why global branded clothes are a bit cheaper online in India. Several high fashion brands are taking the online route to enter India. They are taking the advantage of the absence of regulations around selling through third party portals and also other factors like lack of quality infrastructure and high real estate costs. Under current regulations, the global brands do not require a licence to sell in India through online portals if they do not have operations here.

A grey woollen overcoat from Dorothy Perkins costed 150 NZ $ in New Zealand (which is around Rs. 6,500). And its cost in India on a popular fashion website was approximately Rs. 3,100. It was cheaper shopping it online in India. It’s natural to grab these shopping delights and on the yearly travel to India, collect these and then show them off back home!

Sources:

 - Article named Top fashion brands take the online route to enter India by Anumeha Chaturvedi, published in Brand Equity, 02 May 2016

 - An NRI cousin J