DIY -- Mobile Bird Charm -- Sparrow Sorrow

 

One evening I was just sitting in my balcony, everything was right, a bit of light breeze, green plants, monsoon blooms, tinkling of the wind chime. I was enjoying myself relaxing, but something  was missing. That something was the chirping of little sparrows. Those tiny pretty things flying in and out of the house, sitting in the balcony. Growing up on the stories of sparrows, feeding them, being fascinated with them, watching them dance in the courtyard. I can never forget those pretty eyes and those tiny active, cute birds.

 

 It really saddens me that they no longer visit me or the neighbourhoods. It's true, sparrows have declined and are disappearing slowly. Reason being our lifestyle. It's strange how we compromise on the things we have to welcome new changes and new ways of life. It's very disheartening that we do not bother and many of us even fail to observe the absence of such a pretty tiny creature.

 

So wont we try to do something at least. To bring the sparrow tales and the pretty creatures back. To teach children to share their food with them the way we were taught in our childhood (the joys).

Just sitting their in the balcony the absence of this innocent creature made my heart ache with the desire to see it again living in harmony with us. I will try, I won't give up. A sparrow will be back in my balcony to share my food, to dance to the tunes of nature. I will once again be mesmerised by its beauty.

 I will try and I will do.

 

Some Facts:

Reasons for decline:

 

Rapid urbanization

Extensive use of pesticides.

Lack of food and nesting sites.

Lack of insects.

Pollution.

Decline in native habitat and trees.

These are some of the factors.

 

 

Small things we can do from our end:

 

Keep bird feeders, water, in your balcony, terrace, window.

Small nest boxes.

 

Do take a look at these sites to offer a helping hand in a small but significant way.

Greenosai

natureforever

indiatogether

 

 

 

Till the sparrows come back to my balcony, I cannot just leave it vacant.

So I made myself my very own mobile colorful bird charm by recycling worn table mats.

Have a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it pretty?

 

My very own bright birds fluttering in the wind.

 

If this is the effect of makeshift ones, the real sparrows and birds are magical. Lets value them and bring them back to our home, their home .

 

Happy weekend!

 

xoxo

Bhakti 

 

 

 

Perefect Road Trip Tips

My favorite type of vacation is a road trip, yes you heard me right.




Me and hubby dear we both are avid fans of road trips.
As we strongly believe that its not the destination but the journey that counts and embarking on a road trip is about the same.
The changing canvas of nature, myriad hues of the landscape are a refreshing breather in the otherwise mundane life. A true rejuvenating, exhilarating and exciting series of adventure, adrenaline and beauty encompassed in one.

Whether it be the comforts of a RV, SUV, MUV or any other car, the sheer experience of a road trip and the memories remain unmatched.
The magic the road trip creates, the romance, the excitement is unparalleled as compared to any other mode of vacation transport. It can be a romantic road trip for lovers, a fun filled one for family and friends or a soul seeking one for a vagabond. Whatever form it may be in, but it still remains enriching in every way.

Road trip is not for all though, one needs to be thoroughly prepared, easygoing and flexible to enjoy the true beautiful experience of a road trip.



Some things to remember for a memorable road trip:

Start early or late in order to avoid city traffic.
Remember to carry all the original as well as copy of required vehicle documents as well as license.
Make sure the vehicle is in proper condition for a long journey, get it serviced. Check and fill air and fuel.
Be sure to carry abundant supply of food and water - snack, energy bars, nuts, fruits, sandwiches, chips, energy drinks, chocolates.
Have a well equipped first aid kit ready with a list of the medicines to be administered for different things.( pain relief spray, loose motions, dizziness, vomiting, fever, cold , cough, allergy, head ache, band aids, nasal spray etc. and any other medicine required.)
Carry things for entertainment- board games, books, video games, cards, music cds, iPod, playlist, ball etc.
Sunglasses, spf, bug spray and other toiletries and essential cosmetics.
Pack light, carry clothes and shoes which are comfortable as you have to sit and travel for long hours.
Carry clothes according to the weather and the destination.
Invite friends and family, the more the merrier. it will cut down cost and add to the fun element.
Divide chores.
Navigation maps, traffic travel apps.
rope, travelling kit, Swiss knife, flashlight, extra batteries, umbrella.
Tool kit
sleeping gear, mattresses, blankets, towels, sleeping bags, makeshift curtains.
Toilet paper.
Camera, extra memory card.
Take ample of stops for relaxation, refreshment.
Sample different cuisines but with care.(you don't wan to fall ill)
Make pit stops for local tourist attractions.
Plan the trip to the T although spontaneity is what road trip is made up of, yet plan the route, halting places, emergency numbers, places to stay, budget.
Make detour to unexpected places and capture all your memories with the camera for a life time.
Do not forget to stock in on air freshener as so many people for so many days living mostly in the car can get pretty stuffy.
My favorite is Ambi Pur available easily in myriad fragrances.  facebook.com/AmbiPurIndia
Most of all Drive safely and enjoy your vacation to the hilt.



(Have a peek at my road trip here)

xoxo
Bhakti

 

Read India - Book in every childs hand

On a regular morning there was this email sitting cozily in my inbox titled 'The Idea Caravan' contest from indibloggers as a result of their partnership with-
Franklin Templeton Investments partnered the TEDxGateway Mumbai in December 2012.
for a very important cause- brilliant ideas painting a beautiful tomorrow.
This hooked me to my computer for a long time watching contestants and their ideas. The actions which were taken to bring in a change.

Ideas are the gateway to the future, umpteen possibilities, to an interesting, unimagined otherwise, beautiful and better life.

Although I was greatly inspired and admired all the other contestants, the ideology of one  
Rohini Nilekani truly resonated through me.
Rohini Nilekani is a founder and chairperson of Pratham books ( a non profit publishing house) with a motto of a book in every child's hand.

India being a country with a huge population where literacy campaigns are gaining strength due to low literacy owing to poor economic conditions in different strata's of society.
Literacy campaigns will be successful when children don't drop out of school due to lack of interest or not being able to read and therefore cant learn.
This will only develop through interesting reading material which will captivate a young readers mind motivating him/her to learn to read fluently.
People like Rohini have realized this and are acting towards the same through the Read India Movement.
There is a dearth of books available for such a vast population of children in India in so many languages. Pratham Books is working towards this.
Pratham Books has published 215 titles in English and 10 other Indian languages approximately 1500 books. Having printed over 8.5 million books, 10 million story cards and a readership of over 25 million. Most of their books are priced well below Rs 25 and hence are easy on the pocket. The books are available easily in villages and rural areas through partnering with different means and agencies, government, schools and innovative marketing. They have also got  books on creative commons, which can be read, shared, distributed, printed, saved hence helping children to read even in the areas having no access. They believe in creative collaboration and hence believe that every one can be a part of a solution and not a problem. With this mindset they invite everybody to create, retell, recreate, remix more stories on their site and help the children to read. Their vision is to reach 200 million children in India, to put 'a book in every child's hand' and believe this is possible with collaboration.

Every child has the right to that sparkle in the eye on seeing a new story book. Every child has the right to cuddle up with a book and be lost in the fantasy land. To dream, to let their imagination fly.
Every child has a right to a treasure house of memories. The joy of reading a story and its memory is sustained with one throughout the life. Living through the characters, fighting the villain, being the hero in our own fantasy land through our favorite book does make one of the most important part of childhood.
Lets do our bit in upholding this cause with Rohini and protect the childhood and its memories.
Lets give wings to little ideas and imagination which will build a beautiful future.




To know more visit on the link below ---

Rohini Nilekani http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BHqFGA78sEU

Pratham Books http://www.prathambooks.org/ We are the change, we are the solution. xoxo Bhakti