Book Review: 'The Bestseller She Wrote' by Ravi Subramanian

Indian authors have always been a topic of hot debate. Readers love to hate them and yet their sales speak a different truth all together. Keeping this an underlying subtext, Ravi Subramanian begins his latest thriller cum romance drama ‘The Bestseller She Wrote’. I started reading the book like almost every book reader does - judging a book by its cover. It’s beautiful, elegant and invites you in to delve into the story.

We begin with Aditya Kapoor - a banker with a very successful career as the Director of Branch Banking of National Bank, who is also a bestselling author of 4 thrillers. You can’t help but make a comparison with the author who is also a banker and a bestselling author of 4 novels. This alluring start to the novel gives a feeling of a true story being told as you constantly keep questioning yourself, maybe this fact is true from the author’ life or that one or this one. I liked this as it kept me guessing about the facts spread throughout the book.

Moving to the premise, we meet the 2 key protagonists to the story in the first few pages of the book. One is Aditya, the other is the smart, eccentric and bold Shreya Kaushik - a management graduate from IIM Bengaluru.

Their story begins with a heated debate and then we see the wildly successful author get smitten by the young and wildly ambitious Shreya.

Even though Aditya is married to Maya, a saint of a woman who left her promising career to boost Aditya’s, and has a kid, it doesn’t bother him to enter into an adulterous relationship with Shreya. As you keep reading, you slowly see Shreya’s real character coming out. We then get to know what Shreya is really capable of and Aditya realizing the real impact of his decisions.

What follows is a series of events straight out of Aditya’s nightmare as he starts to lose everything that he has so carefully built over the years. I liked the climax as to how it all came together, but was disappointed by a few character quirks and too much story being told in the end.

The book has an interesting start, but throughout the novel there are some chapters that have no overall impact on the story. I strictly believe that every line written in a story should affect it in one way or another. But in the book you read some stuff that’s just there for the sake of being there. This treatment to the story tends to reduce the overall immersion into the book.

However, I liked the pace along with a couple of interesting characters that include Aditya’s wife Maya and his close friend Sanjay.

After having read only one book by the author - The Bankster - I have to say, this was a better read in regard with story and character.

You can pick it up if you need a quick read and like romantic drama with a backdrop of a thriller.

I wanted to rate the book 4 starts but will take half a point away as there were some really badly written lines like ‘Then why is your face looking like a roasted brinjal?’

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Book Details:

Author: Ravi Subramanian

Genre: Fiction; Romance; Thriller.

Publisher: Westland

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 392

ISBN-13: 978-9385152382 , ISBN-10: 9385152386

I am reviewing ‘The Bestseller She Wrote’ by Ravi Subramanian as a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Drive, Design and Connect - My Bangalore

Living in Madikeri, a small hill station nestled in the heart of Kodagu district in Karnataka, I used to always hear the stories and vivid tales my friends and relatives used to share about Bangalore.  

“Oh, you have to experience the street food of Bangalore”

“The parties never end in Bangalore”

“There is a spirit of excitement that runs within the city”

Each statement like this made me imagine a Bangalore that was spectacular; that was a mystery; a place where there would be freedom; joy; and endless possibilities. And that is what made me choose it as a destination where I would begin my career.

Design: The first few days when I came to the city, I was awed by the sheer number of vehicles here. Everywhere I looked I would see people zip around the roads screaming and yelling; sometimes for good; sometimes for bad. But no matter where I went, the city was designed in such a way that I never felt like I would get lost. Everywhere I went; the places I shopped; where I lived; where I worked; they all felt like they were meticulously planned; designed to thrive. Every new road I ventured to was like a mystery I unraveled. I never felt alone.

Drive: The most impactful thing about Bangalore is the people that live here. Everyone here is driven by a sense of purpose. Their determination and passion towards the things they love seeps into you. Every time you interact with people like these you can’t stop but share their excitement. The city known as the Silicon Valley of India is like a shining star of achievement and purpose. You see 1000’s of startups everyday driven by a will to change things for the better. You see people come together from different parts of the nation and different parts of life to create something so creative and so amazing that you feel proud to be part of the city that has delivered such a change. You feel driven by such a change.

Connect: One of the things that have always attracted me to the Bangalore is the way you can connect with one another. The infrastructure and internet… oh the internet. Being a dial up kid of the 90’s and getting to experience the connectivity of Broadband and experiencing speeds of up to 100 MBPS is like living a dream. I am amazed at how we can connect to anyone from around the world in just seconds. With the power to connect to anyone, anytime, I am now able to talk, create content and work in such a manner that was previously impossible. The city has changed way we connect with each other.

This city has taught me to be brave. This city has helped me discover a new me; the real me. This city has made all my dreams come true. I love you Bangalore. With all my heart and soul, I love you.  

Check out madeofgreat.tatamotors.com to know how the latest Tata Zica can make you love your city even more. 

Image Credits: hourdose.com, headstart.in

Sooji ke Laddoo - A quick, tasty and healthy treat

Being from South India has its advantages. You get to experience a variety of food dishes combined from so many different sources that when you taste the end product you’re usually surprised that how all of these things came together to make this tasty treat. When I got to know about the Sugar Free Dessert Challenge, I was excited to make something which my mom used to make whenever we felt like eating something sweet but also healthy. So here is the recipe to make Sooji ke Laddoos. 

Ingredients

250 gms Sooji

50 gms Sugar Free Natura (Add more if required)

½ Cup Dry Coconut Powder

¼ Cup Cut Badam Pieces

¼ Cup Dry Dates Pieces

¼ Cup Kishmish

1 Cup Warm Milk

Method to Prepare:

Start by pouring the Sooji in a non stick Kadhai

Lightly stir the Sooji on a medium flame for 15- 20 mins. (Don’t let it reach a golden brown color as it will make the Sooji hard).  Take the Sooji off the flame and pour it into a large bowl.


Now add all the ingredients (Coconut powder, badam pieces, dry dates, kishmish, sugar free natura) except the milk and mix them well. Make sure that you add the ingredients when the Sooji is warm.

Now add the milk to the mixture and start making laddoos in your hands.

Place them on a plate and add Kishmish on top for garnishing (If required). Your quick, healthy and delicious Sooji laddoos are now ready for consumption.

Total Preparation Time: 30 mins

I had a lot of fun making the dish and everyone in our family enjoyed it after dinner. Hope your family does to.

You too can make your favorite dishes substituting sugar with Sugar Free Natura and enjoy your favorite treat without the worry of added calories. Visit http://sugarfree-india.com/ for more info.

How I discovered the meaning of Real Togetherness by watering plants with my parents

It always so happens that when we are kids, especially teenagers, we feel invincible. We want to do a hundred different things. We want to indulge in new experiences every day. But whenever that thing or experience comes from our parents, we feel we are forced to do it. We feel it’s a chore. I too was just the same in my teenage years.

Everything that my parents made me do it I felt it was a burden. I felt everything they suggested was an activity designed to suck all the fun out of my joyous life. But little did I know that I’d miss those very moments later in life; little did I know that it would be those very moments that would help me realize what ‘Real Togetherness’ is all about.

I remember the moment like it was yesterday. It was a Sunday afternoon and my parents were busy working in their backyard garden. They had bought this new type of rose plant that they were busy planting and I was busy listening to music and just lazing around on the bed inside the house. They kept on calling me, but with my headphones on I didn’t hear a word they said. It was more than 2 hours later when my dad, covered in mud, came to me and slowly slid my earphones away and said “I’m all done. You have to water the plants now.”

I felt that anger that teenagers feel – anger for no reason. I was about to say I won’t do it when my dad just walked out of the room. I ran towards him to protest when he just held up his hand and said “You can argue after you water the plants.”

Muttering under my breath I picked up the pipe and started watering. As I began I lost count of how many plants I watered. We had a huge garden filled with guava trees, flowers and ferns of different variety and more than 40 pots filled with different species of plants. As I watered them, I felt relaxed and calm. I noticed how my anger had slid away and I actually enjoyed the activity.

In my enthusiasm I was watering a little more than necessary for some plants. My dad noticed the same and came near me and showed me how to moderate the water flow.

It seems like such a small thing but after that day I took up to watering the plants every morning. My mom and dad would notice me doing it and would give me a smile that would just brighten up my day. I felt connected with them in that moment and it brought us together where we shared conversations and created memories everyday that hold special to this very day. Nature truly has a way of bringing people together and no matter how much technology advances ahead and tries to bring us closer, it can never bring us that calm and peace that nature provides us with everyday.

Thinking about that moment makes me feel like I should start growing a garden again. And with Kissan India’s effort to send tomato seeds to anyone who wants it, I feel I shouldn’t wait anymore. It would be fun talking to my parents and sharing those fond memories while we bite into juicy red tomatoes grown from our very own hands. Ah….nature! You are truly phenomenal at bringing people together. In short, Real Togetherness for me is all about conversations and creating memories with my parents while growing plants together in our backyard garden.

You too can order seeds online and discover how nature can bring people together. Log onto http://www.kissanpur.com/ Also check out this cool video from Kissanpur that showcases what discovering Real Togetherness is all about. 

LG NEXUS 5X - The Android Champion is back to sway us with its charm and performance

When it was launched way back in 2012, the LG NEXUS changed the way we look at mobile phones. It wasn’t just a Smartphone; it was a flagship; a reason of envy; a gadget unlike any other. With time we’ve seen better devices, but none has come close to achieve the charm which the first Nexus device had. But that changed on September 2015 when LG NEXUS 5X was announced.

The LG NEXUS 5X brings back the charm which the initial LG NEXUS devices promised, only this time the package comes along with the heart of a dragon – the Snapdragon 808 processor.

With the advent of Smartphone’s we’ve begun to speak in the language of pictures. Our expressions speak louder than words. The saying ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ has never been more true than today. This is the reason why I feel that it’s important that every special moment I share with my family and friends needs to be captured perfectly. And that’s where I feel LG NEXUS 5X’s 12.3 MP, 1.55μm pixel camera makes all the difference.

I mean look at those pictures captured on the phone's camera. They’re beautiful; amazing; simply stunning.

And its gets better as you can even capture videos in 4K with this Smartphone. How incredibly awesome is that! I mean to have the ability to capture everything in Ultra HD quality with a Smartphone…. The world doesn’t get better than this.

A good Smartphone is all about the performance it can deliver. And it all depends upon the battery it packs in. The LG NEXUS 5X comes with a powerful 2700 mAh Battery which is powered through a USB Type-C port for super fast charging.

In the modern world where everything moves at a lightning fast speed, it’s only fair that you have a phone that keeps up with it. The LG NEXUS 5X's USB Type-C charger is amazing in so many ways as you don’t have to figure out which way to plug it in. Why? because it’s reversible. And when I say its fast, I mean it. You can get four hours of charge after only ten minutes of charging. Yeah; it’s that fast!

And finally there’s one more thing about the LG NEXUS 5X that I love a lot – Fingerprint security through Nexus Imprint. With LG NEXUS 5X now featuring a fingerprint sensor, I can be sure that my data is secure every time. I can even authorize payments much faster than ever before and all it will take is just a touch of my finger on my Smartphone screen, and i'm done. The LG NEXUS 5X is not just a smartphone; it’s a gift from LG and Google that keeps on giving.

Looking at all these revolutionary features, you have to admit - the #ChampIsBack. Check out Smartphones other awesome features here: LG NEXUS 5X

“I am participating in #ChampIsBack activity at BlogAdda.com.”

Photo Courtesy: Nexus Image Gallery Image 1

                           Nexus Image Gallery Image 2

The beauty of good advice

Advice is a funny thing isn’t it? It’s free but it teaches the most valuable lessons in life. I realized the importance of good advice during my first job.

It was the summer of 2011 and I had entered the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore, with a heart full of hope and a mind full of endless dreams. To say I was scared would be an understatement. Never being out of my comfort zone, the city was alien to me. But I was fascinated with the promises it held.

For the first week of my new job I arrived well before on time. Nobody noticed my early arrivals. And so I thought, why get up early at all! So from the next week I started coming in late. 5 mins here; 10 mins there.  And it continued. I wasn’t aware that my boss was noticing my late arrivals.

One day I was exceptionally late, almost an hour, and I noticed my boss standing beside my cubicle. He called me and asked “This is your first job isn’t it?”

I nodded.

“Then how can afford to be late?” He said.

I looked up to him gingerly.

He met my eyes and continued “When you’re young, people expect great things from you. You might think that those great things can be achieved by doing something exceptional. But the reality is that they start from small habits; as small as being on time.”

I didn’t know what to say. He looked at me and kept his hands on my shoulders and said “If you dedicate yourself, you can do great things. But to do that you have to be disciplined. You might think 5 minutes don’t matter. 10 minutes don’t matter. They do. They matter a lot. So don’t ever waste your time.”

It’s such a small and simple piece of advice, but it completely changed the way I perceived time. After that day, I have always tried to reach somewhere as early as possible. And I must say, I have always been appreciated for the same.

So thank you boss! Your #SachchiAdvice​ was invaluable. 

You can check out the video below to know how good advice can be really helpful. Visit this link: http://bit.ly/1OFBZYZ

“I am blogging for #SachchiAdvice activity at BlogAdda in association with MaxLife Insurance”

The day my dad's #SachchiAdvice changed my life

If i have to talk about the one advice that changed my life for the better, it has to be the one where my dad pushed me to do my Post Graduate in Mass Communication and Journalism.

I had finished my college exams and was thinking: 'This is it. I am done with studying. Now i am all set to work.' The main reason for this was that i had studied till college in my hometown. I was like that frog in a well who knows everything around him, but nothing of the outside world. And according to me going to Bangalore to find a job was my ticket out.

I had communicated the same to my parents. They were kind of onboard with it and didn't mind my decision. Then a tragedy struck our family. We lost my sister to a cardiac arrest. The whole house was filled with gloom and i felt obliged to stay back and take care of them.

I remember that day clearly. We had come to Mysore to meet my aunt and i was sitting in the hall when the topic of my education came in. I boldly said that i will not study anymore and want to work. My dad sat down beside me and said "You know Thousif, you can work your whole life. But the time to study comes only once in life. Yes, you can study at a later date but once you start working, trust me, you can't go back to studying. Work is like that. It puts responsibilities on your shoulder that you can't abandon just like that. Work becomes a part of you and it's really difficult once you get settled into work routine."

We discussed for a long time. But that one piece of advice stuck with me and the next morning i went along with him and got the admission papers for a course in Mass Communication and Journalism as i loved to write.

Today, i am the Creative Producer in one of the leading explainer video companies in Bangalore and i have my dad to thank for it. The advice he gave me that day shaped my life and will continue to do so till the end of my life.

My father's #SachchiAdvice didn't just make a difference in my life, it showed me a new way to live life and i'll always be thankful to him for that.

Check out how good advice can make a difference in your life my visiting this link: http://bit.ly/1OFBZYZ

“I am blogging for #SachchiAdvice activity at BlogAdda in association with MaxLife Insurance” 

Experience the power of incredible speeds with Airtel 4G

It’s a fact that today’s generation is addicted to internet. From checking Facebook statuses to tweeting in movie theaters; from looking at WhatsApp messages every 5 seconds to browsing products in 10 different sites; we love to be online. Any chance we get, we love to log onto our favorite online websites and spend time. All this is awesome, but the biggest downer to this obsession is the speeds provided by mobile networks. The word slow would be an understatement of the year.

I was always on the lookout for the fastest network and had satisfactorily found it through Airtel. But now with Airtel introducing 4G services in India for the first time, I will be able to do so much more. I will be like the speed king among all my friends.

What can you do with incredibly fast network speeds you ask? (I hope you do :P)  How about everything that I’ve ever dreamed of!

I love finding the best deals online. With Airtel’s super-fast 4G speeds, I can be the first to find them across sites and get awesome products to all the members of my family.

Family reminds me of my relatives who are in the US. No more costly ISD calls. With Airtel’s 4G speeds, I can Skype with them almost daily.  I can learn about cool recipes my aunt makes and surprise my wife. I can annoy them each morning asking them when they’ll drop down to my place as it’s been such a long time. Simply put, I can do whatever I want as now I have speed in my hands, literally.

With my love for gaming growing day by day I will not have to wait to get home from office to watch the latest high-res video streams. I can do it right on my phone. No more 360p streaming. It’s going to be Full HD every time.

There are so many things to do! I mean now when my friends in the US boast about awesome internet speeds, I can too. And it’s all due to Airtel’s awesome 4G services available at 3G prices. How awesome is that?! Too awesome, I say. Too freaking awesome!

My wife will be the most happy I think as I can now prove how much more romantic I am by playing or downloading any song I want in less than 10 seconds. From the super cute Manwa Lage to the awesome Chaar Shanivaar, I can play music anytime I want and slow dance with her. Yippee!!

There’s so much to do with the fastest network ever - Airtel 4G. So why don’t you guys get onto the super fast network express too? You can easily get on-board by tweeting with the hashtag #GetAirtel4G and get the 4G sim card delivered right to your doorstep. Yes, it’s that easy.

To know more about Airtel’s awesome 4G services and packages log onto http://www.airtel.in/4g/.

Image Credits:

Tony Webster

Dont let a crash diet crash your body. Go for the Honey Diet instead with Dabur Honey

It's a known fact that junk food is bad for your health. But if you see the fast food joints spread around the city, you'll see people swarming to them like there's no tomorrow. We're all hostages to our tongues and I can't say I have always followed a healthy eating habit as fast food is irresistible at times. But i really feel bad when i hear my friends and family say 'I'm going on a crash diet' every time there's a family function or a big date coming up.

In India, the word diet is always associated with eating less. And crash diets seems to be the go-to option for a bride or groom-to-be. Many people may not know this, but a crash diet may seem miraculous in losing weight on paper, but it can wreck havoc to your body in reality.

Yes. Crash diets are notoriously known to lower your metabolism when you aren't eating and then speeding it up when you do eat, leading to GAINING MORE WEIGHT. It's called a yo-yo effect and has been proven to hurt your heart as per the International Journal of Obesity.

Did you know a no calorie or low calorie diet can make your vital organs sluggish and instead of burning fat, you may end up burning tissues of liver, heart, and even kidneys and brain? Would you want that to happen to you?

Everybody may think eating less is the key to a healthy diet. No. The key is to eat right; have a balanced healthy diet that can help you lose weight. And the best part is, you needn't start with eating vegetables like bitter gourd or broccoli. You can actually start your day by having something sweet. You can start your day with a Honey Diet.

As the name suggests, a Honey Diet is simply having a spoonful of honey (My favorite is Dabur Honey) with a glass of warm water at the start of the day.

Why honey?

Because honey is a great substitute for sugar as it has less calories and is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Crash diets can make your skin rough and dry, while regularly having honey can improve your skin. Honey is a great source of energy and can also improve your digestion.

So if you eat honey, is it enough? No!

Follow up your Honey Diet by drinking lots of water during the day. Eat leafy greens, fruits and stuff made out of whole grains. The key is to keep it balanced with a regular dose of exercise.

A healthy diet provides all the essential nutrients for your body to function properly, giving you energy throughout the day.

A healthy diet boosts your immunity, giving your body the ability to fight diseases in a much more effective manner.

A balanced diet can improve your mood, making you more happy. Isn't that a great way to brighten up your day and your loved ones too?

So take a pledge today and say no to crash diets and a firm yes to a healthy and balanced one, like the Honey Diet.

To know more on how the Honey Diet helps in improving your health and to generally know more about how you can keep your body fit and active, visit http://www.daburhoney.com/

Image Credits:

Siona Karen

medimanage.com

For the love of Cricket - UC Browser

In the world of sport, Cricket is the holy religion in India. Nothing can beat it; nothing can come close. And the fans, they will go to any length to watch their favorite team. I remember a time in college when it was the exam season and some daring folks including me had snuck in a couple of old time transistors. You could see the fear and the adrenaline rush on every students' face whenever the teacher passed by one of them. The voices would suddenly drop low when he was near and they would grow whenever he moved away. Crazy time indeed. Today the world has changed. You can keep yourself constantly updated, but all the apps and the browsers don't come close to the speed at which i want updates. They have to be like that - lightning quick - and the only valid solution that i have found for this is the latest UC Browser.

Check out the #YuviSurfsUC tv commercials to see what i'm talking about.

Just load up the ESPNcricinfo website on that browser and it'll load it in seconds. And for more dedicated fans like me, they have the option of UC Cricket. All you have to do is find UC Cricket on the home screen of the UC Browser and bam -  updates as they happen. They dont just provide scores, but also the latest news along with latest videos. It's a god send.

You might think i am saying that simply. But honestly, every time i am out now shopping with my wife and there is an important match playing, i don't have to miss a single update. I can just fire up the UC Browser on my phone and both my wife and me are super happy.

I don't have to search and pull her into stores that have a TV playing the match. I dont have to sit sulking expecting my browser will load now... the next moment... the next second while she is yelling at me in the background. 

Now I can take selfies with her. Give a big smile when she comes out of the dressing room and do so much more. Honestly i didn't think a single app would allow me to enjoy SHOPPING WITH MY WIFE.

I remember the time she always complained that i am not attentive. I am always distracted and stay home to watch cricket matches. But now look at the smiles that i can share with my friends and family. It's priceless.

Now i have the best of both worlds. I have an app that lets me be connected to the thing i love and also appreciate the beautiful moments of life with my loved ones. Amazing what technology can do, isn't it?

So as you can see with UC Browser you can track your favorite team's cricket score instantly. So what are you waiting for? Download the browser now at http://www.ucweb.com/ and check out UC Cricket option to get cricket updates as and when they happen.

Taazgi Ka Dhamaka with 9 super awesome songs to brighten up your day

Before I begin my post about why I’m writing this, take a look at the video below.

Wow. I’m all energized looking that Allu Arjun video. And if you ask me, every morning should start like that - with a blast of freshness. So I’m making a playlist of 9 songs that bring a Taazgi Ka Dhamaka whenever I listen to them.

#1 Manwa Lage by Happy New Year

Seeing that song just makes you feel all good inside, doesn’t it? It automatically brings a smile onto your face, helping you get a fresh start for the day.

#2 Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe – Junglee

From the second this song starts playing it’s a explosion of enthusiasm, excitement and just raw energy. There’s no other song that will make you wanna jump up and down as much as this one.

#3 Jalwa – Wanted

Anytime I’m in a party mood and just want to be stress free, I listen to this one. It lifts my mood right up. I even sometime make my cat dance to it. The poor thing might think what the hell I’m doing with it. But, I don’t care. Its fun and I love it.

#4 Dilli Wali Girlfriend -  Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Just look at that song, those steps and that super awesome moves. The movie was awesome, but this song; this song is something else altogether. It just delights you beyond measure.

#5 Rang De Basanti - Rang De Basanti

This song is like a breath of fresh air. How many times have you heard the song Rang De Basanti from different Bhagat Singh movies... But this movie and this song is amazing in the way its shot and executed. Brilliant stuff.

#6 Lungi Dance - Chennai Express

The combination of South with North. The perfect blend of crazy and insane. The song will jumpstart you out of your bed every day. Nothing like ridiculous dance moves to freshen your day right up.

#7 Dhating Naach - Phata Poster Nikhla Hero

The movie might not have been that popular but you can't deny Shahid's dedication to his craft. Superb music with fantastic moves. Anytime i feel low on energy, i listen to this and it jolts me awake.  

#8 Tamanche Pe Disco - Bullett Raja

I dont play this song in front of my mom because she will get furious and we always get into a long debate about the insane lyrics that are now called as songs in the modern Hindi films era. But i tell her 'It's entertaining mom. That's the whole point.' She will stick to her ever green Kishore Kumar or Rafi songs while me and my friends stick to this and just dance and dance and keep on dancing.

   

# 9 OK Go - I Won't Let You Down

Nothing is more fresher than an idea that lets you audibly go 'Wow. That was awesome.' Just look at the video and the amount of dedication that has gone into creating it. It's incredible. Freshest and the coolest idea of video treatment i have ever seen.

So there you have it. 9 incredible songs to freshen your day right up. Give it a listen and why not make your own playlist?

“I am blogging for #MaxFreshMove activity atBlogAdda in association with Colgate MaxFresh“

The Quest for the Odor Eliminator

It’s been a long time since I blogged and when I learned about the new mystery activity up at Blogadda, I was all excited. Curiously enough it was named #SniffSniff Activity.

My nose has won wide applause from all the members of my family on many different events, so much so that our neighborhood dog was jealous of me and scowled every time he saw me. So when I saw the activity, I thought ‘This is right up my alley. Bring it on.’

When I signed up I had no hope of getting selected. But there I was sitting in a crowded office quietly wishing to god ‘Please god. Let it be me this time.’ And God did listen and the fine Monday morning of June 1, I got the good news.

I was ecstatic when I learnt I would be getting clues to figure out what the final product would be. I thought it might be different smelling paper and we might have to guess the fragrance and many such things like that. So when the first clue arrived I was rather disappointed. It was a picture of man with a clothes pin on him. I opened to find out the cause. And it was about the lengths we go sometimes to avoid body odor. My mind immediately blurted out ‘The product is a Deo’. But the curiosity remained.

The next clue came in a slightly bigger box. And this time when I opened it, I saw that it was a small jute bag which smelled delicious. I quickly opened it and found deliciously smelling coffee beans. I said to myself. ‘Wow this is a nice little way to market products.’ And then sat down to send away my tweets and FB updates.

The 3^rd clue came in the form of another blue box that was slightly bigger than the last 2. I tried smelling it from outside to take a guess about what it would be. It smelled like nothing at all. I opened it to find a wild surprise. It was a mask. But I guess I should have guessed it would be that. So I fired up some more tweets. Truth be told I have never tweeted a lot. But this activity had me all acting like a social diva even though I have like only 50 or so followers.

I was now all curious about the final product. The day finally arrived and I must have called home like 10 times asking about whether it came or not. They were like “Be calm, son. Be calm.” But I was all antsy at office. When I finally raced home in the evening, there was another pretty little blue box. I quickly opened it and found this little boy inside.

It was a deodorant alright, but with a twist. It was the Nivea Men Body Deodorizer.

Let me tell you a little story.

I have had good days with odor (not really). I have had bad days. I have also had days when people have pushed me away where they would be like ‘Dude, use a deodorant.” And I would be like “But, I used it….. twice.” But that voice would be like smoke in the wind. There for once second; gone the next, never to be noticed again.

I had searched for any and every product that works, but most of them would play their magic for an hour or two and then poof, hello body odor. (Trust me I did not want to welcome it)

Today I used the Nivea Men Body Deodorizer. It had absolutely no gas and with 2 small little splashes I was set. I must have smelled myself more than 10 times in office, earning weird glances every time from my colleagues for the way that I was acting. But I didn’t care because my body odor was completely gone and I smelled good. I was super happy with the product.

Thank you BlogAdda and Nivea for fun filled good smelling adventure trip. It was time well spent.

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