Delhi Slut Walk - Views, Photos, Video

Delhi hosted the Slut walk or 'Besharmi Morcha' today outside Jantar Mantar today to to protest sexual violence against women who are victimised on the pretext of dressing up provocatively and thus "asking for it".

The History of Slut Walk
Slut Walks have become a global phenomenon to protest against sexual violence after a police officer Michael Sanguinetti, in Toronto this year caused outrage by stating during a speech to York university students that women should avoid "dressing like sluts" in order not to be victimized on January 24, 2011.

On April 3, 2011, over 3,000 gathered at Queen's Park (Toronto). The day began with speeches before moving to the Toronto Police Headquarters. Although the website requested women to dress in everyday wear (to symbolize ordinary women, sexually assaulted in ordinary life), many women dressed as "sluts" in provocative clothing.

It soon spread to other parts of the world and became a powerful feminist movement and India was not behind.

The Slut Walk in Delhi
The protesters gathered outside Jantar Mantar for the Slut Walk. There were hundreds who had gathered, but the media was probably 20% of the crowd, and Delhi Police another 10%. The actual participants were few. There was no provocative dressing as such. People held strong messages in their placards. And there was a significant participation from foreigners as well. There were slogans, speeches, placards and street plays. Overall it did not quite have the magnum of an impact that I was anticipating.

The View
I am not exactly a feminist but I do support the cause. There is not even a single woman who ever traveled in public transport and did not face some form of a sexual abuse and of course it is important to promote awareness that the way we dress has little to do with the way we're treated (most of the times). Most of us at some point of time have felt scared while walking on a lonely road even during the day, irrespective of what we're wearing. It is obviously bullshit that a rape has anything to do with what the victim is wearing. Of course we should wear whatever we like, but I would still not suggest walking in a mini skirt in while walking on a lonely stretch, it could just catch some unwanted attention. I know we have the basic sensibilities and we all worry about our security.

Though I support the cause but I do not quite believe that the demonstration is going to really change things, it will only help us in expressing our disgust about the fact that the Police who are supposed to protect us actually made that statement (which is also important). What would help is improving the security in the city (The Dhaula Kuan police station was shifted to RK Puram after so many incidents took place there and the police could not do much, why!). I believe the Delhi police are already trying hard and have come up with multiple helplines to aid women in trouble or distress, but we still need a little more may be..

Also, I think we should all keep these helpline numbers handy. I had something that I had stored in my cell and I am sharing those here.

Delhi Police Women Helpline Numbers
9911135446
011-1096
011-1090

My Blog Awards..

Initially when I saw bloggers getting awards, I kept thinking, when would I get one!! And guess what, when I actually got one, I was so excited about it that I did not write about it for 2 months!! So a big sorry and a bigger thank you to Glamorous Barbie for the Sunshine Award! I know I am a little late in acknowledging this but better late than never :)

And..I got another award today..The Butterfly Award from  TickleMePurple05. Thank you so much, and I am very punctual this time :)

Since the rules of both the awards are more or less the same, I am clubbing them together :)

1) Thank the person who gave you this award and link back to them in your post.

2) Tell us 7 random things about yourself.

3) Nominate 10 bloggers (Butterfly said 15 though).

4) Contact these bloggers and let them know they have received this award.

5) This is for Butterfly only - Answer the questions given below..

7 Random Things about Myself

1. I am a movie buff, can watch almost any movie and can cry during the slightest sentimental scenes. However, I watch horror movies with my eyes closed :), can't bear the suspense..so usually I hold a cushion and peep from the side :)
2. I am married to my classmate from class VI. We used to be competitors for the first position in class. (I mostly won :)).
3. I loveee photography. I am not a pro but I wish someday, someone contacts me for one of my photographs for his/ her magazine :)..Is 'someone' reading..
4. Although I claim to blog about make up (amongst other things), I actually wear very little make-up myself.
5. I used to be very non-fussy and unfashionable as a kid, wore my school shoes even while going out and kept a boy cut till class IX.
6. Between beaches and mountains, I will any day go for beaches. Yes, they tan you but I love water!!
7. I am very talkative. Whenever I call my friends, it's me who does most of the talking..I always have loads to share.. 

Questions..

Name your favorite color – Different for different moods..

Name your favorite song – Everything I do..

Name your favorite dessert – Chocolate Souffle

What is pissing you off? – My break getting over :(

When you’re upset, you? – Cry..or stay absolutely quiet.

Your favorite pet – Not a pet person

Black or White? – Black

Your biggest fear? – 

My best feature is – People say..my eyes :)

Everyday attitude – Live and let live..

What is perfection – Giving your best!

Guilty pleasure – I love chocolates but they don't really make me feel guilty

Now for my nominations.. Well 10+15 = 25 nominations is a little tough..I will go for 8+8. Here they are, congratulations!!! They are not only my favorite bloggers but also have provided great support and encouragement to my blog. So a big 'Thank You' to all of you..

Sunshine Award

New Love

A Shopaholic

Addicted to Blush

Beauty at times is skin deep

Indian Beauty Central

Indian Makeupways

Fashion PhD

Cactus and Cucumber

Butterfly Award

Jewelryanalysis

Makeup Monologues

Poohkie's Place

shadows and sequins

Peaches and Blush

Vanity - No Apologies

Glamorous Barbie

Gingersnaps

My 'Nudes' Shopping - Colorama Nail Polish, Colorbar Lip Color, TBS Lip Protector

All posters are screaming 'Sale' and hence I couldn't stay without going to the mall at least once. I headed to the South City Mall with my mom and aunt. But it looked like the whole world was already there! In a 5 storeyed parking, we managed to get a slot on the roof, the last one!! But it wasn't such a bad thing, the view was very nice and I got to see the sunset, something that happens everyday and yet escapes our eyes because  either we're watching TV or at working at office or there are just too many buildings in front of the balcony :).

I stepped into the Van Heusen store and as usual, it was crowded and I can never find anything in a crowded shop. I start feeling claustrophobic actually. There was 30% off and a buy 2 get 1 free offer which wasn't bad.

Eventually I thought of checking out the Pantaloons cosmetics offers because the clothes section had to be super-crowded. They had 15% off on most of the brands like Colorbar, Maybeline. Faces etc. Almost every brand had some kind of an offer going on. I focused on the first two because had been thinking of buying a long-lasting lip color for a really long time and was swaying between these two brands. Finally these are what I picked. Hopefully they will not disappoint me. I have not even opened the pack. Will definitely review once I use them.

Maybelline Colorama Nail Enamel: Nude - Rs 85 for 8 ml

This is a pinkish nude shade. I generally like Colorama nail enamels because they have a nice range of colors, stay on pretty well and are very easy on the pocket. I don't wear nail polish very often and most of them dry out. So I generally don't go for expensive ones.

Colorbar Extra Durable Lip Color: Candid - Rs 450 for Color and Gloss (4.5 ml each)

This is also a pinkish nude color. It comes with a gloss and is expected to last till you remove it. From the swatches I have a feeling, it will be true. Rest, time will tell :) The review will come soon.

TBS Hemp Lip Protector - Rs 275 for 4.2 gms

Just like I complained of dry and chapped lips, so did my mom. TBS had 3 types of lip protectors sticks besides 9-10 perfumed lip balms. This one is fragrance free and is supposed to be the best for dry, flaky lips. 

The Hemp lip protector  is enriched with Community Trade beeswax from Zambia to moisturise and soothe even the driest lips. Rest mommy will tell.

Sunset from the South City Mall Roof, Kolkata

And here comes my inspiration! It's the pinkish nude shade of the sky that made me buy those things :)

View from the Sky (The Almost Missed and Shaky Flight)

I was almost certain that I was going to miss my flight. My airport trips are rarely normal, either it rains like crazy or the flight gets massively delayed and lands in the middle of the night. This time there was a massive jam on all roads for no obvious reason and the traffic would not move. And as you would know, these days the airlines don't listen to anything at all. It was just last week when I happened to sympathize with a friend who missed by flights because he reached the airport 40 min before departure instead of 45! And here I was, about to face the same and desperately hoping for the flight to get delayed. Simultaneously my mom was praying that we reach on time, a friend of mine was searching for the next possible flight and my old but cute driverji was driving as if he had just been injected with and overdose of testosterone (of course only where he found an at least a 200 m empty stretch).

And to top it all, airport entry points are always confusing. We were already late and then missed the correct turn and we were again moving towards the city. Anyway, my prayers were heard and I reached the airport gate at 11:17 for my 12 noon flight. I don't know how many people I manged to scare/ shock/ entertain because I was running as if a mad dog was chasing me and then screaming in the middle of the airport 'Where is the Spicejet counter!!'. Breathless and sweating (due to lack of exercise and Kolkata weather respectively), I reached the counter, still unsure whether they would let me check in because it was 11:18, but they were generous this time! Eventually the flight got delayed by 20 min.

The flight finally took off at 12:20 and it was a lovely and bright weather. I always take a window seat for two reasons, to enjoy the view and also so that I wouldn't have to get up when someone else needed to answer the nature's call. But today I just wanted to be on the flight, irrespective of the seat, and they had given me one on the aisle. But honestly, the view was spectacular and since I had my camera with me, I was really desperate to grab a window seat and take some pictures. That didn't happen and instead it started shaking a bit, then a little more and then a bit more. I got a roller coaster feeling in my stomach and honestly speaking was quite enjoying it. By this time most of the passengers gripped the handle of their seats and the woman next to me started praying. I was completely enjoying the shake though. Eventually it settled down in to the usual smooth flight.

We were making our way through the white clouds in the blue sky and it looked lovely. I thought the shape of each cloud represented something familiar and was trying guess what. Took a few pictures too, while the lady next to me who had the privilege to occupy the window seat looked at me with some suspicion. Eventually she snored away, and I thought 'what a waste of the wonderful view'. I looked around and guess what most people on the window seats were sleeping. Obviously I have seen that blue sky with clouds many times, but today I was in a poetic and serene mood. I guess the fact that I did not miss the seemingly impossible to catch flight made me believe in prayers being heard. And in the middle of all this, I was also checking office emails on my laptop, what an anti-climax!

Finally we landed at 2:20 and I was back from a lazy city to a tough city.

I know it has been a long read, just felt like writing like writing and not reviewing. Some pictures and what I think they look like. What do you say? In fact it is a little childish but still taking the risk. After all, we all have a child in us, who does wake up once in a while. It's my day today :)

This looks like a mountain

This looks like smoke coming from a dangerous fire

This one's funny, looks like a dolphin jumping out of the water to me :)

And this is even more funny, I think it looks like an elephant with a truncated trunk :)

My Google earth image: You can see one of the Dwarka metro stations

Another Google Earth image from my lens :)

Rediscovering Kolkata (Part 2: Around Victoria and Howrah)

The journey continues from here. Most of these places are located very closely and are the popular tourist destinations in Kolkata (hence called the island of attractions). I have also added a little bit of history (read the year of construction :).

Hope you enjoy these. By the way, I have added 'travel' to my blog description, guess it was time :). 

I guess you're all enjoying the bright Sunday. I am a little sad because this is my last day of my stay at home :(. Back to the work tomorrow. Planning to go for some shopping to help me get over the sadness of my break getting over (any excuse works when it comes to shopping). I don't think I am really going to find anything interesting in the malls, but still carrying my camera around, who knows.. I don't have a DSLR yet, wondering if I should actually go for one, it won't fit in my bag :( and this one's doing a pretty good job. What do you say?

1. Horses chilling out at Maidan, This probably the largest green stretch in the city.

2. Shikanji stall outside Victoria Memorial

3. A Park with Giraffe and Elephant, right outside Victoria Memorial

4. The Giraffe and the Elephant I was talking about :)

 St. Paul's Cathedral (Built between 1839 and 1847)

 St. Paul's Cathedral and it's Reflection

Birla Planetarium, Don't miss the rainbow!

 Calcuttan Skyscrapers..

The left one is the Tata Steel building, not sure about the right one. My Kolkata blogger friends can help!

 A glimpse of the Second Hooghly Bridge (also called Vidyasagar setu)

The cable-stayed bridge was commissioned in 1992 and is one of the longest bridges in Asia spanning 823m.

 Howrah bridge/ Rabindra setu: Built between 1937 and 1943 and spans 450m

 Racing through the Howrah bridge, behind the yellow taxis..

 This is a building near the New Market..Don't know the name

 Lonely gali

The Body Shop Body Mists Review: Aqua, Musk and Rose

I have heard some good things about The Body Shop fragrances and so thought of checking them out, and I wasn't disappointed. I have around 5-6 fragrances. I was looking for a body mist and they have 3 fragrances in the category.

Aqua Lily Body Spray: Rs 545 for 100 ml

It was a very very refreshing fragrance. I absolutely loved it. The fragrance is very fresh with a floral tinge and is appropriate for any time of the day.

Surprisingly, it is also cheaper than the other two body mists. I am not sure why TBS had to have different prices for the same product!

Aqua Lily: The Range

Anti-perspirant deoderant

Body lotion

Body spray

Eau de Toilette

Shower Gel

Moroccan Rose Body Mist: Rs 645 for 100 ml

This is a purely floral fragrance. It's strong, vibrant and very feminine. It is best for evenings, has an elegant and romantic touch. Being floral, it has a sweet tone and the fragrance 'precious oils from roses handpicked at dawn'. The range includes the following products.

Moroccan Rose: The Range

Body mist

Eau de Toilette

Shower Gel

Body milk

Body butter

Bath and Massage oil

Hand & Nail cream

White Musk Chiffon Body Mist: Rs 645 for 100 ml

This is a can't go wrong classic fragrance. But it felt slightly strong and too spicy in the beginning and then gradually settled into a soft and floral fragrance. I actually liked these fragrance the least. There is a huge range of products available in this fragrance.

White Musk: The Range

Anti-perspirant deoderant

Creamy cleansing body bar

Body lotion

Eau de Toilette

Eau de Parfum

Perfume oil

Sensuous body powder

Sumptuous Silk Shower Gel

Voluptuous Velvet Body Creme

Musk Chiffon Body Mist

The Body Mists in General

Body mists effect generally don't last for more than 2-3 hrs. In fact based on my experience, they last even lesser. But for a long lasting effect there are other products in this range like eau de toilette. All the body mists are non-greasy.

My Favorite

Aqua lily.. It is very refreshing and soft. Not too spicy, not too floral, it seems like a perfect blend.

Have you used one of these fragrances? Which one's your favorite?

All pictures from http://www.thebodyshop.in

Rediscovering Kolkata (Part 1: Victoria Memorial)

Calcutta was the city I was born in. I spent about a decade there before moving to Munger and then Delhi owing to dad's tranfer and my higher education. And Kolkata is the city I now visit a couple of times in a year to meet my family and to relax. (I still prefer the name 'Calcutta' though.) The city has changed over the years like all other cities, but it is still slow, lazy and still beautiful. It has some great heritage bulidings built in the British era. I always admired them but this time I decided to permanently store their beauty through my second set of eyes, my camera.

So I ventured out in the middle of the intermittent rains with my camera hanging around my neck and an umbrella in my hand to rediscover the City of Joy! I have to admit that I could barely capture 25% of the city's beauty because I was awetsruck by my first destination, the Victoria Memorial and spent most part of the day, doing one of the two things people go there for (making memories through making out or photographs). So this post is entirely dedicated to Victoria Memorial.

A Little Bit of History.. (Courtesy: Wiki)
The Victoria Memorial, officially the Victoria Memorial Hall, is a memorial building dedicated to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India. The foundation stone of the memorial was laid down in the year 1906. The monument was intended to serve as a tribute to the success of the British Empire in India.

The design of the structure represents a fusion of British and Mughal architecture. White Makrana marbles were used in the construction of Victoria Memorial Hall and the building was inaugurated in the year 1921. The massive hall is 338 feet (103 m) by 228 feet (69 m) and rises to a height of 184 feet (56 m).

Now Lots of Pictures!!

1

2

3.Victoria Memorial against the clouds

4.View from the Balcony

5

6

7

8.The Other Side

9. Enjoying the Rains and the Pebble Walk

10. The Garden 

11

12. King Edward VII Arch

13. King Edward against Victoria's Fairy

14. Every Cloud has a Silver Lining :)

Hope you enjoyed these and tell me the one you like the best!