Dear Human, I trusted you | The tragic tale of Kerala's Pregnant Elephant
Once, there lived an Elephant. Her humble abode was what they refer to as ‘God’s own country’. She was gentle, caring and did not harm anyone. She was pregnant, and had a month old foetus growing inside of her. One day, she was hungry and walked out in search of a few morsels. All she wanted was some ‘Food’. She trusted those whom she met along the way, and did not harm anyone. Her only aim was to find a little bit of food, enough for herself and a little bud, growing inside of her.
However, humans had other plans. A pineapple was offered to her, which the elephant gladly accepted with complete trust. But lo! It turned out to be a deadly trap, as the pineapple was filled with firecrackers. Little did the poor soul know that those people, whom she blindly trusted, would lead her to a tragic injury and ultimately - a very unfortunate death.
Even in torment, she did not harm. She did not ravage the streets or village. She did not trample or crush people in a fit of rage. Instead, she quietly walked up to the River side, and tried to heal the pain. For days, she tossed and turned, crying her heart out. She stood in the river water hours, trying to save herself from the excruciating pain. Alas! She lost the battle. Despite believing some wretched humans, and displaying kindness even in her final moments, all she got back in return was - Pain, Mistrust and ultimately - Death. And with her demise, a young life lost this battle as well, rather prematurely.
This is human race at it’s worse. Since the beginning of 2020, cases of animal abuse have come from every part of the country - be it the brutal killing of a Pregnant dog in Odisha (April), stray cats being killed by a Psychopath on the streets of Mumbai (May) or a pregnant Elephant losing her life due to a disgusting act committed in Kerala. Not that 2020 has been the only year where we’ve witnessed such heinous crimes. Those who’ve worked on animal rescues, horrific cases of brutality and witnessed animals going through torture - they have endless stories to narrate from the years gone by. And yet, despite all the rage and anguish, the criminals go home, completely free of any charges or severe punishment! Meanwhile, as you read this, an animal is being hit, dragged or pelted by stones, in some corner of the country. While all that some people can do is walk away in dead silence, and consider it as yet another "Yeh toh roz hota hai' incident.
One can make a change, only if they are willing to. Willing to speak up when they see an act of abuse. Willing to take a stand, and save a life! Willing to be a voice for the voiceless. One can only pray and hope that the authorities shall take a strong stand against this disgusting act. Without an impactful action, there will always be a section in this society, who will continue to feel empowered by such neglect. Such ignorance will give them the mileage to carry on and clearly, this brutality (animal abuse of all forms) won't stop.
Artwork by Bratuti
How difficult is it to understand that - Animals are not your property. They aren’t your source of entertainment. Try offering a helping hand, and stand by them. Make a difference! I hope, this incident teaches people to open their eyes. Despite all the inhumanity displayed by human beings, animals will continue to 'trust' the not-so-trustworthy race. Their loyalty, trust and love won't change. So, who's the 'real wild animal' here? Where's the so called 'humanity'? Think about it!
All Lives Matter. Learn to coexist!
Farewell, gentle one! Both you and the little one deserve a better place, away from the shackles of inhumanity and mistrust of some really cruel people. May god bless your pure soul.
Love,
The Dancebee
Haircare Routine for Healthy Hair | Home Remedies with Dancebee
Strong, luscious locks - a result of patience, nurturing and good hair care. Your hair needs all the goodness, in order to look healthy. While diet and other factors do play a crucial role, a basic haircare routine (using suitable products) also plays a key role. This is my haircare routine - simple head massage, using a blend of four oils, that I have been using on a fortnightly basis since age 16 (result of a random experiment, which worked wonders). It's an easy, fuss-free and inexpensive way to promote hair growth, keep it healthy and ensure your locks get some much needed pampering.
Ingredients: Coconut Oil (I use Parachute Advansed), Almond Oil (I prefer Dabur Almond Oil or Hamdard's Rogan Badam Shirin), Olive Oil and Castor Oil.
For full process, watch the video here.
Tip: If you plan to store this in a bottle (for use upto 1-2 months), do not heat the oil. For those who are using this only once, the oil can be warmed in a small bowl (for approximately 30-45 seconds). Remember - results may differ from individual to individual, depending on their overall health, hair care and other factors. Here's to happy, healthy hair!
Introducing - E-Learn with Dancebee | Online Masterclass
Hello, wonderful folks! I know the times are difficult. But, I hope you are safe and staying indoors with your loved ones. In trying times like these, it's important to ensure that we stay strong and encourage positivity, amidst all the negative news and crisis around us. Today, I am quite excited to introduce a project, that is very close to my heart. Since the past few years, I've had the privilege of conducting sessions on Blogging, Social Media and Content Creation for students, in addition to hosting some interactive and insightful corporate workshops. Keeping in mind the fact that self quarantine has given most of us the opportunity to learn, discover and grow; I felt it’s the right time to share this knowledge with all of you, through the virtual medium, and finally host an ONLINE MASTERCLASS. So, here we are. Introducing - #ElearnwithDancebee
The virtual workshop has been carefully designed, keeping in mind various factors and your feedback (from the polls created on Instagram and Twitter). Remember - there are LIMITED SEATS, in order to ensure there is room for personal interaction and Q&As. Plus, every participation who successfully completes this workshop will be awarded a 'Certificate of Completion', apart from a handbook of tips and best practices.
Sign Up for Batch II - Intensive Social Media 101 Masterclass
7 Years of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | Top Moments from the Film
"Main udna chahta hoon, Naina. Daudna chahta hoon, girna bhi chahta hoon ... bus rukna nahi chahta". A good chunk of Bollywood fans will agree that at some point of time or the other, they connected to this dialogue and found it rather relatable. Helmed by Ayan Mukerji, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani became a cult for almost every millennial, who continuously deal with the ordeal of maintaining the work-life-dream balance, every single day. The Ranbir Kapoor - Deepika Padukone starrer released on this very day - i.e March 31, exactly seven years back!
Apart from the memorable dialogues and melodious songs, YJHD became one of the highest grossing films of 2013, thanks to the fact that it also brought back erstwhile lovers - RK and DP, back together on the big screen. Plus, every fan will agree that the film showcased and celebrated some beautiful moments of love, friendship, relationships and even individual freedom. As Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani turns seven, we take a look at some of our favourite scenes - reason why we love this film.
Reasons Why We Love - Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
There ain't no Bollywood fan who doesn't love this film! As #YehJawaaniHaiDeewani turns four, we take a look at some of our favourite scenes - reason why we love this film. Tag your friends and Share to spread the #YJHDTurns4 love <3 . . . . . . . . . #4YearsofYJHD #ranbirkapoor #deepikapadukone #adityaroykapur #kalkikoechlin #dancebeetv #dancebeeexclusive
Posted by Priya Adivarekar on Wednesday, 31 May 2017
What's your favourite moment from the film? Share below or Join the conversation on
An Ode to stay-at-home Mothers
House wife, home maker, mother, stay-at-home wives / mothers; you may choose to address them in different ways, but what cannot be ignored is a very simple fact - instead of a regular, mundane 9 to 5 job, she does the "when I open my eyes, till I close my eyes" job. Housework is one department which often goes unappreciated. No one notices when the homemaker does it, but everyone notices or rather, ends up realising their folly, when she is unable to do the same (especially when she is sick). Being a son, living in a house with two other men (my brother and father, respectively), I have grown up admiring the only woman in my house, who chose to spend her life as a home maker - My Mom.
Currently, we are all going through a very tough time, and have been confined to the four walls of our respective houses. The entire nation has come to a standstill after the major outburst of Corona Virus. Ever since the lockdown has been announced, almost every company has been asked to follow the work from home mode of delivering and managing work schedules. Needless to say, this breakdown has impacted many people in various ways. Introverts are living their ultimate dream (kind of, no offence), as they don't need social environment anymore, while Extroverts are dying for social interaction and moving out of their homes. It's been almost 10 days, and we feel things around us have changed a lot. Some feel lost in their own homes, literally find ways to kill boredom, some choose to laze around and crib about the current circumstances. (yeah, despite my partner constantly telling me to avoid this, I've been through situations where I have cribbed and even accepted the situation, with the will to fight through it).
At the same time, many of us have figured out new ways to kill this boredom. While some continue to work hard, some have dedicated extra time to their hobbies, others are re-discovering their passion. Social media is packed with hidden master chefs displaying their new cooking skills and experiments, and some are, well, still fighting against the odds. However, this is just the tip of an iceberg. We still have a long way to go.
Just as I was carefully analysing the situation, an important thought crossed my mind, and struck me hard. My mom came up and I began noticing her routine. I carefully observed how she was taking care of all the small things. At the same time, she was also dealing with our random food cravings, irritation, talks on boredom among others. All this, while maintaining family balance and looking after every individual. Won't deny that we have proactively lend a helping hand, but nothing can match up to her skills. Yes, my mother is a house wife, or rather - a homemaker, by choice. And while we crib about our work from home routine, stay-at-home mothers like her have a work from home every single day. Beat that, will ya?
So many of us, including myself, have been cribbing about the lockdown and work from home since more than a week. But, they have been doing it since the day they chose this role and began looking after the family. It hit me that when all of us leave for work, Mom spends almost half the day alone, facing that same horrible boredom. No one to talk to, except a few phone calls here and there, and maybe a trip to the bazaar, for groceries and essentials. She gets everything together at home, while waiting for us to get back, enjoy dinner together and once again, get busy in the ever churning wheel of life.
Every single stay-at-home mom, whose efforts often go unnoticed and unappreciated, deserve a real round of applause for their selfless efforts. Time and again, every Mother (including mine and even those, who choose to balance work with their home commitments) have proved that none of what we do at our workplace, would be possible without their effort. She is not just a housewife - she is the real hero of every family. Without her, it just wouldn't feel like home.
A massive respect to their efforts, dedication, and selfless support (Remember, stay-at-home mothers don't even get paid to do all this). How about we go out and thank our mothers, wives and partners with a hug and some love? And remember, while you continue to work from home (or even otherwise), take some time out to appreciate them with a kind gesture.
I took the step and appreciated the hero in my life. Now, it's your turn!
The #DancebeeAnniversary Special | A Letter From Us, To You
Sometimes, the blessings showered upon us by the ‘almighty’ and an individual’s destiny - all of it works in unison to create special plans for you. I truly believe 'Diary of a Dancebee' was one such plan, that became a part of my life on this very day. This 'plan' gave me the chance to learn and grow as an individual. It gave me the opportunity to interact with millions of people from across the globe, who continue to make my day special with their appreciation, warmth and kindness even today. It gave me a platform to express my thoughts and more importantly, and the chance to fall in love with my work, every minute and every single day. As American author Ray Bradbury once famously wrote - "Love what you do, Do what you love." And ever since I focused on the process of creating content, I fell in love with every aspect!
Our website - Diary of a Dancebee has come a long way, and we are all set to enter a brand new year. From being a simple, personal blog to becoming one of India's most loved entertainment & lifestyle website and ultimately, winning multiple awards for all the hard work. Today, as I look back at all those memories of spending sleepless nights over designing the blog, learning new skills, editing posts and working on fresh concepts (which I do, even today. learning never stops); I feel proud. Proud to give my ideas a chance. Proud to have a strong voice, and of course - Proud to be a girl who dared to dream.
I am taking this opportunity to extend my gratitude to those, who stood by our vision and supported us at every step - the core group, contributors, guest writers, photographers and videographers; all the supremely talented people, who added wings to our ideas and joined hands to create content since 2014. All those faces behind numerous projects, shoots, interviews, and brands - that we have worked with. My friends, who never backed out (despite seeing days when I couldn't meet or spend time with them) and backed me up every single day (you know who you are). My wonderful parents, partner and loved ones - the OG mains, who have seen me struggle and shine, witnessed the roller coaster ride, and became the rock solid strength that I always wanted.
Gratitude to all the brands, agencies, companies and people we have collaborated / worked with. Nothing worth having comes easy, but all of you made it possible with your support. Reserving the best for last! YOU. Yes, all of you are the lifeline of this baby! Over the years, right from the inceptions of our blog to website and witnessing our social media pages grow - all of you have helped make ‘Diary of a Dancebee’ what it is today. Nothing would have been possible without your love and blessings, dear readers and followers! It means a lot to know that there are people who appreciate your work and your posts can help change a life somewhere or bring a smile on someone's face. Thank you for all the letters, tweets and posts, even on days when we faced hurdles. Your love has made us stronger!
Our website - Diary of a Dancebee has come a long way, and we are all set to enter a brand new year. From being a simple, personal blog to becoming one of India's most loved entertainment & lifestyle website and ultimately, winning multiple awards for all the hard work. Today, as I look back at all those memories of spending sleepless nights over designing the blog, learning new skills, editing posts and working on fresh concepts (which I do, even today. learning never stops); I feel proud. Proud to give my ideas a chance. Proud to have a strong voice, and of course - Proud to be a girl who dared to dream.
Gratitude to all the brands, agencies, companies and people we have collaborated / worked with. Nothing worth having comes easy, but all of you made it possible with your support. Reserving the best for last! YOU. Yes, all of you are the lifeline of this baby! Over the years, right from the inceptions of our blog to website and witnessing our social media pages grow - all of you have helped make ‘Diary of a Dancebee’ what it is today. Nothing would have been possible without your love and blessings, dear readers and followers! It means a lot to know that there are people who appreciate your work and your posts can help change a life somewhere or bring a smile on someone's face. Thank you for all the letters, tweets and posts, even on days when we faced hurdles. Your love has made us stronger!
And I quote Steve Jobs -
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do
Thank you for believing in us and our work. I fall in love with my job everyday and this wouldn't have been possible without you. Here's to many more amazing stories, learning new things and chasing dreams with Diary of a Dancebee!
Of course, keeping the Covid-19 global pandemic concerns in mind, we decided to drop all celebration plans this year. We are committed to supporting every measure taken by the authorities to protect this nation and it's citizens. Hence, our giveaways and other surprises shall be announced, once the situation improves. Won't deny the fact that I do feel disappointed, but the nation and humanity comes over and above everything. We need to fight against this 'Covid-19 war' together, and be responsible! However, we will be rolling out some interesting content and interactive sessions, all week long! Stay tuned and follow us, as we extend our gratitude and celebrate together.
Join the virtual celebration on Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat | Facebook
Of course, keeping the Covid-19 global pandemic concerns in mind, we decided to drop all celebration plans this year. We are committed to supporting every measure taken by the authorities to protect this nation and it's citizens. Hence, our giveaways and other surprises shall be announced, once the situation improves. Won't deny the fact that I do feel disappointed, but the nation and humanity comes over and above everything. We need to fight against this 'Covid-19 war' together, and be responsible! However, we will be rolling out some interesting content and interactive sessions, all week long! Stay tuned and follow us, as we extend our gratitude and celebrate together.
Join the virtual celebration on Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat | Facebook
Love,
Priya Adivarekar
Self Care in the time of Self Quarantine | Covid-19 Awareness
Mental and Physical health is an important part of overall wellness. For many, especially those who aren’t well acquainted with the process of working from home, the last few days haven’t been easy. It tends to get overwhelming for many, especially those who are used to the process of regular social interactions.
With an overload of information related to #Covid19 being shared everywhere, we often ignore the importance of small joys. In times like these, there is a need to focus on the importance of Self Care and filling our life with some positivity. So, while we #SelfQuarantine, how about we try and do the following:
Learn something new
Take up an online course, experiment with a new dish in the kitchen, learn that dance form by watching online tutorials, play with paints or just learn a new language. With digital courses and tutorials available across platforms, learning doesn't have to be confined to four walls and a blackboard alone.
Make time for our hobbies
Stocked up on new books in the past few months, but never got the chance to read? Or, is the guitar in your room pushed to a faraway corner, where dust often greets it more than you do? This can be the perfect time to live your passion and discover the small joys attached to it. We all have a hobby (or more) we love, which perhaps, had to be pushed in the back-burner due to various reasons, including the everyday work routine.
Stocked up on new books in the past few months, but never got the chance to read? Or, is the guitar in your room pushed to a faraway corner, where dust often greets it more than you do? This can be the perfect time to live your passion and discover the small joys attached to it. We all have a hobby (or more) we love, which perhaps, had to be pushed in the back-burner due to various reasons, including the everyday work routine.
Practice home workouts
Sulking because the gyms are closed, and there isn't anything that can be done? Well, if you have the motivation to stay fit, even while at home, then nothing can stop you. There are so many Apps (like Nike Training Club, Sweat) & even routines being shared by fitness experts (I personally love the routines shared by Cassey Ho of Blogilates). All you need is a workout mat, a bottle of water, and some energy to get going.
Be mindful to support your immune system
Eat healthy, practice breathing exercises, maintain hygiene, take a hot water bucket bath or start your day with a glass full of warm water with lemon; there are many ways in which you can ensure your immune system stays strong. Avoid binging on junk, while binge watching your favourite series, and do not touch your face to pop that pimple. Ensure you wash your hands from time to time!
Take healthy breaks from news
Constant sharing of updates & news tends to take a negative toll. Being indoors and change in routine is enough. You definitely don't want negativity to affect your mental health. Look at the positive side of life a little more often, and restrict the time spent on reading updates. Perhaps, you can reserve 30 mins - 60 mins, anytime during the day, solely for reading newspapers and catching up on all the world news.
Encourage quick breaks in between work
I won't deny - I am guilty of spending hours behind the laptop, working round the clock, even to the extent of forgetting my lunch. However, with more hours being spent indoors and absolutely no travel whatsoever, it's important that you take short breaks to refresh. Take a walk around the house, drink some water, stretch yourself, step out in the balcony to soak in some sunshine or just take a power nap (if you can master it - well done. Because I simply cannot).
Hydrate yourself from time to time
Well, this is a no-brainer. You need to stay hydrated, and ensure you get enough daily intake of water. You can also include fresh fruit juices, buttermilk and other items.
It's time to re-connect
How about calling your old friends and reliving some precious memories? Or, a video call to tell your bae how much you love him / her? Perhaps, play a virtual game with friends or just challenge each other to watch the same film. Or, just enjoy some good ol' conversations with the family. This could be a good time to relax, unwind and create a stronger bond with those who matter.
Be Kind!
Spread positivity & be kind to those around you. Encourage paid leaves for your domestic help, discuss the matter with your society secretaries to extend paid leaves to the sweeper, cleaner or other daily workers, who extend their services to you everyday. Generously tip those who deliver food and other items to your doorstep. Extend your gratitude to all those who have been endlessly working throughout the time of crisis - including emergency service staff, medical staff, army, government officials among others. It's time we give back to the society, be responsible, kind, and stay united. Remember - gratitude attracts positive vibes!
Spend time with your Pets
This is an amazing time to play, be goofy and crazy with your pets. Spending adequate time with your pets can be the most amazing feeling ever, as their love is pure and unmatchable. And no, they cannot carry the Covid-19 virus. Please educate yourself before abandoning pets, and be aware that as per WHO - animals cannot be infected with this viral disease.
Let’s be responsible and respect regulations for a better tomorrow. All this, while ensuring that we look after ourselves and encourage Self Care! Stay safe, everyone.
How are you taking time off during this period of self quarantine? Join the conversation by commenting below or on
Love,
The Dancebee
Covid-19 | Preventive Measures against Coronavirus
Covid-19 continues to spread across various countries, bringing many cities to a standstill and forcing us to change our everyday work routine. Several precautions being taken by health ministries and governments of different countries, states - ranging from shutting down cinema halls, to gyms, swimming pools and even educational institutions. Even certain companies aren't far behind - with many offering 'work from home' facilities, to ensure that their employees avoid traveling in larger crowds. Every individual is busy creating their own list of preventive steps. And no, chanting 'Go Corona' isn't a definite step. Nope!
While updates roll out, it is important to note - Social media is packed with tons of information. Well, that's a fact. The internet is filled with all kinds of misconceptions, rumours, fake forwards and suggestions - many of which are constantly churned out from the social media factory. As alert citizens, it is our duty to share the right piece of information and be aware about the integral tips that need to be followed. While you research and look at various factors behind this disaster, let's just understand one fact - We must follow the basic necessities first! As a socially conscious creator, I felt the need to compile and share some important protective measures against Covid-19 (key reference: World Health Organisation). Remember, we are in this together! Let's make this world a better place, and fight against Covid-19 responsibly.
And while you are at it - remember to save water and avoid keeping the tap on, while you use the soap.
Please feel free to share these tips with your loved ones. And remember - avoid spreading rumours! As alert citizens, let's be responsible for the content and messages that we share. Also, it would be great if we can integrate basic hygiene processes in our daily routine more effectively. Things like using a sanitiser or washing hands regularly as basic ways in which we can prevent many more diseases.
Follow World Health Organisation @WHO on Twitter for official information and updates regarding Covid-19. Alternatively, you can also choose to follow the official handle of your nation's health ministry (For India - you can follow Ministry of Health)
Stay Safe. Be Alert! Lots of love to each and every follower.
For exclusive updates and news, join the conversation on
Love,
The Dancebee
Music | The Ultimate Bollywood Holi Playlist
Holi Hai! It's that time of the year again. Beautiful colours all around, scrumptious sweets to gorge on, and some quality time with your loved ones. If you ignore the annoying revelry and focus on the cultural aspect of Holi, you will realise that this festival is truly beautiful. Also, it goes way beyond the usual elements - water, bhaang, colours - that the festival has gained popularity for. It marks the arrival of spring, signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated as a 'thanksgiving' by the farmers for good harvest. The festival is spread over two days - while the first day is celebrated as Holika Dahan, the second is known as Dhulvandhan. In some parts of the country, celebrations continue all the way up to Rang Panchami (fifth day of the second fortnight in the month of Phalguna).
Well, if you are among those who prefers celebrating the festival with loved ones, without the usual revelry, with just a simple puja, good food and some fun time with music or karaoke (Nope! Not the one with tower speakers), then we've got the perfect filmy addition for you. Over the years, Holi has played an important role in most popular Bollywood films. It is one of Bolly land's most favourite on-screen festival (Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri comes a close second). Some of our favourite characters have displayed various emotions, including love, fun, sorrow, drama and even revenge with Holi as the backdrop (and an entertaining track to go with it). With Holi coming up on March 9 and 10 this year, we've got the ultimate Bollywood dance / karaoke playlist for you. Read on to know if your favourite is on the list!
Balam Pichkari
Film: Yeh Jaawani Hai Deewani
Singer: Vishal Dadlani, Shalmali Kholgade
Music: Pritam
Is there anyone who doesn't love this chartbuster track? (or Deepika and Ranbir's fabulous chemistry)
Holi Khele Raghuveera
Film: Baghban
Singers: Amitabh Bachchan, Sukhwinder Singh, Alka Yagnik
Music: Aadesh Shrivastava
This one's our favourite for a group karaoke. And later, we shake a leg too!
Do Me A Favour Let's Play Holi
Film: Waqt - A race against time
Singers: Anu Malik, Sunidhi Chauhan
Music: Anu Malik
Don't tell me you haven't tried dancing to this track, while singing it in 'Anu Malik' style.
Badri ki Dulhania
Film: Badrinath ki Dulhania
Singers: Dev Negi, Ikka, Monali Thakur, Neha Kakkar
Music: Tanishk Bagchi
This one's a hit dance number, especially among millennials. This time, we are definitely dancing our heart out on this fun track!
Rang Barse
Film: Silsila
Singer: Amitabh Bachchan
Music: Shiv - Hari
The perfect Holi classic! This one never gets old. Who's up for some Sr Bachchan inspired moves?
Go Pagal
Film: Jolly LLB 2
Singers: Raftaar, Nindy Kaur
Music: Manj Musik
We are definitely trying out that fun signature step tomorrow! Who's up for this?
Aaj Na Chhodenge
Film: Kati Patang
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
Music: R.D Burman
This good ol' composition by Pancham da will top every single Holi playlist. Also, we can never get enough of Kaka aka Rajesh Khanna's signature moves.
Here's wishing all our lovely readers across the globe a very Happy and Blessed Holi - in advance! Have fun and make it a one to remember, without troubling the animals and humans around you. Also, please save water and other resources for a better tomorrow.
What's your favourite Holi number? Leave a comment below or
Join the conversation on Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat | Instagram
Join the conversation on Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat | Instagram
Love,
The Dancebee
