Faridoon Shahryar's Blog


Tuesday, December 12, 2017

A parent's guide: Everyday health and hygiene essentials for your kid


Cleanliness and good hygiene are essential to maintain good health by getting rid of viruses and bacteria that cause illness. Basic practices such as washing hands properly are known to reduce serious and potentially fatal diseases such as pneumonia, scabies and other infections.
No matter what your child’s age is, maintaining good hygiene is essential for the overall health and prosperity of the kid. There are many precautions you can take as a parent to prevent your child from protect your child from insects.
Check out the following hygiene essentials for your kid-

  1. Use a Hand Sanitizer- This can be a good alternative to keep your hands clean while travelling etc. when you don’t have access to soap.You can use a sanitizer to clean your hands in situations like pre and post meals, while inserting or removing your contact lenses, treatingwounds, while handling soiled stuff or garbage and other such situations. Keeping your hands clean and germ-free is the primary and the most important hygiene step towards good health.
  2. Use WetWipes for your kids- Baby wipes are great for cleaningevery type ofchild related mess. Any time when kids spill or get dirt on their hands/face, grab a wet wipe to save the day!
  3. Keep basic medicines in case of emergency- While travelling, one must be prepared. Carrying a medical kit comes handy. Consult your doctor and carry appropriate medicines for situations like cold and flu etc.
  4. Carry your own bottled water- Basically, any or every disease caused is due to the intake of contaminated water. So it is necessary to ensure that you carry bottled water with you every time.
  5. Use mosquito repellents– Parents are hesitant to send their kids outdoors due to the problem of mosquitoes and other insects. Mosquitoes being the biggest cause of worry, proper precautions must be taken. Apply 4 dots of Goodknight Fabric Roll-On to ensure 8 hours of protection from mosquitoes.One can even use Goodknight Patches which are specifically designed for new born kids. Both the products are 100% natural and pediatrician certified and hence absolutely safe for kids.

Therefore, make sure you carry the above mentioned essentials to ensure the safety of your child at all times!

Thursday, October 26, 2017

A travel bug's essentials for a successful family trip

A travel bug's essentials for a successful family trip-

Travel is fun. Navigating to a new place, discovering unknown and exotic territories, meeting people with different cultures can be an experience to savour. Being a journalist I am always on the move. But, traveling with family demands more attention.

While discovering new regions and meeting various people can be the pros of traveling, if not planned properly it can be an absolute disaster. Therefore, I list down some of the essential things you need to carry with yourself on a family trip-

1. Mobile Phones, charger and/or a Power Bank- Mobile Phones are an essential commodity in today's times. It will help you stay connected to your loved ones in times of emergency.

2. Important documents- Scan important documents like driving license, passport etc and mail it to yourself. Store all the important documents in your backpacks or a small pouch tied to your waist. 

3. Medications- Pack your daily dose of medications(if you take any) or for any other family member. Keep a copy of the doctor's prescription with you.

4. Good knight Fabric Roll-On- Who knows how the climactic atmosphere is going to be when on a trip. So it is better to carry Good Knight Fabric Roll-On that keeps you mosquito free by just applying 4 dots on your clothes. It is also 100% natural and thus absolutely safe to use while outdoors.

5. Backpacks for everyone- Use the convenient, hands-free day backpacks for hiking, sightseeing, or carting towels and sunscreen to the beach. It can also double up to store your personal important documents. 

6. A reusable water bottle- By using a reusable water bottle you are not only helping the environment but also have an instant souvenir when kids slap stickers on it! It also keeps the water taste like "Water" instead of hot plastic.

7. Duct Tape- A small roll of the duct tape comes in handy for everything, from last-minute luggage repairs to babyproofing a hotel room.

8. Good knight Cool Gel- Another important essential to carry on a family trip is the mosquito repellent gel from Good knight. The Good knight Cool Gel is skin-safe, cooling gel that gives you an 8 hour protection from the dangerous mosquitoes that can cause dengue and chikungunya.

9. Credit/Debit cards and some cash- Carrying money on a vacation is a balancing act between safety and utility. Whenever possible, divide up your cash and credit/debit cards at multiple safe spots.

10. First aid supplies- In travel destinations, basic first aid supplies
tend to be overpriced, and it's not always convenient to hobble to a store post-injury in search of emergency supplies. Instead, make yourself a little first aid kit and keep it with your toiletries.

So now that you have the list of all the essential things to carry
when traveling, here's to hoping you're able to do some travel for yourself.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

This Eid Ul Adha, Sacrifice the animal within!

As we celebrate Eid ul Adha, it's so important to truly follow and practise the spirit of 'Sacrifice' that this unique festival stands for. The eagerness for sacrificing the 'animal' and having that Kaleji in lunch shouldn't be the mainstay. How about sacrificing the animal-instinct within? How about sacrificing that coveted material belongings and helping the poor and the needy?

I said it last year and I'd say it again, that if the amount of money that is splurged on getting the best goats (many a times, the price and size and breed of the goat is equated with one's status symbol) is judiciously utilized for spending on the modern education of poor Muslims then it can do a world of good to the community rather than mere show off of money by a few. They who don't do Qurbani (of an animal) are many a times looked down upon with and I am sure many people end up doing Qurbani out of societal pressures and to please the children (in spite of economic constraints). 

We haven't done the traditional Qurbani this year but our resolve to help the poor and the needy is steadfast. We shall help, not only now, but if we can, then right through the year. I am confident, Allah is with us, for our Neeyat is right.

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan starrer Kedarnath shooting to start on August 25

Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan starrer Kedarnath shooting to start on August 25
By Faridoon Shahryar

Prernaa Arora of Kriarj Entertainment revealed to me that the first day of Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan starrer Kedarnath will start on August 25 in Kedarnath itself. This is what she had to say about the film. 

Faridoon Shahryar: What's the latest on Kedarnath with Sushant and Sara Ali Khan to be helmed by Abhishek Kapoor? 

Prernaa Arora: Right now we are preparing for Kedarnath because 25 th of August is the first day of shoot in Kedarnarth with Sushant and Sara, so I am really happy that before the release of Toilet we completed Parmanu. 

Faridoon: Kedarnath is another film that has been in a lot of news because of Sara Ali Khan, and people have a lot of interest in her. She is creating a huge buzz as well!

Prernaa Arora: She is big star and daughter of a superstar. When you see someone for first time like when we saw Deepika in Om Shanti Om or Aishwariya , as soon as you see them you know that she is a star. Similarly Sara is also very talented plus she is a very different looking girl. She is a mix of a proper hindi film heroine like Deepika. Sara ke liye bahut noise hai abhi bahut log use dekhna chahte hai and it is a very big responsibility. We are blessed that we have her with us and let's just hope for the best. 

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Civil War

Civil War
A Poem by Faridoon Shahryar

Clouds are drifting with
An alarming pace 
And the march towards 
The jungle 
Is injected with an
Uncanny nervousness.
Why such a deluge 
Of people 
Camping in 
Inhospitable conditions?
Why are they ripping off
Trees and amputating branches?
Familiar faces, 
Who hung out together 
Are ready with archaic 
Stone age weapons
Pointing the chilling sharpness
At each others throats.
I could see a lion 
Sitting unconcerned 
In a corner
Knowing fully well
He doesn't need to hunt,
Once the flesh falls down
He just have to eat and chew,
A king sized life.

The animals have taken over the city
As the jungle is lit up by a
Fire of inhumanity 
The clouds are confused 
No amount of peace water 
Can douse the madness now!

Monday, May 15, 2017

The Fire that never was

The Fire that never was
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar

A fire tore into 
The middle of the tree
As a snake queue of flames
Hugged the forest,
The driver waded through 
A flood of smoke on the road
Assured, that the fire will 
Be under control;
Then the image of
A bunch of flowers 
Screaming for help
Shook me;
Emotions ought to be slaved
So say the wise;
Life will go on as usual
Tomorrow morning,
Flash bulbs are busy
Prostrating before 
Unreasonableness;
A mere forest fire 
Isn't newsworthy
So say the 
Know-all editors.

The forest cried hoarse,
The help never came,
Dew laden night 
Calmed the scars;
It's time to forget 
The gory details 
That's the recipe for happiness,
The only way out.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Sporadic selfishness of Roses and Lilies

Sporadic selfishness of Roses and Lilies
A Poem by Faridoon Shahryar

My eyes are hungry to
Capture beautiful landscapes 
Maybe to wipe out 
The worrisome horrors
That were inadvertently 
Peddled non stop 
By the misplaced ideology 
And the intolerant liberals

Parched breath
That was sapped
Of all moisture,
Aided by the glorious 
Perfume of life 
Is once again 
Lusting for 
The roses and lilies 
That were always there 
But maybe I was 
More keen on 
The incorrigible stench,
The blame lies with me
And I accept my fault. 

Call it an escape 
Or a form of weakness
But I am clinging on 
To a ray of respite.
I am open to fighting 
Selflessly...Again!
But let me also enjoy 
My share of sporadic selfishness. 



Sunday, April 2, 2017

Ironical, but true....

It is ironical when several Muslims in India complain that the majority community is increasingly becoming less secular. The fact remains that most of these complainants can't think beyond their own 'community'. The question you need to ask is that why should only Hindus be secular? Why can't you look beyond your very myopic world view and be consciously more inclusive, more respectful of customs of other communities? The right wing is dominating the narrative in India. The fact is that their economic, cultural and educational policies are in tatters and hurting aam aadmi big time. They are taking advantage of divisions in the society to further their illiterate goals. Instead of looking at your fellow countrymen with suspicion, join hands and genuinely make efforts at nation building and make the divisive forces irrelevant and obsolete. It may seem like a bit filmy but definitely holds true...Don't ask what the Nation has done for you, ask yourself what have You done for the Nation !!

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

An Extraordinary Death

An Extraordinary Death
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar 

Pain is not new 
Others have felt it before
Pain will flower 
Even when you're not around;
It is time to make
The lie of life 
One hell of a ride.

The bloody trail,
A fictitious tale,
Salivating scavengers 
Feasting on rumour mongering 
Go out and have 
Your day in the sun,
Yes I am willing to die
If that pleases you,
But I will dance,
A happy dance 
Till the last breath,
Rob me of all my rights
But I bet you can't 
Rob me of happiness,
A golden smile,
As if nothing happened.

If death is my fate,
I refuse to die 
An ordinary death.
Come get me!

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Nile:In search of perfection

Nile: In search of perfection 
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar

Boat of time 
Rests easy,
Creases of ripples 
Play hide and seek
On a gentle face;
Grace balloons
In slow motion 
Sunlight nudges 
Optimistically;
Smoke oozes out,
Tepid clouds of fire
Spoil the magnificence,
If only I could douse it,
If only perfection could exist.

Provocative Illusion

Provocative illusion 
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar

Fear App 
Has been 
Forcibly installed 
As that's what is 
Relevant now;
The victim App
Is increasingly 
Less in vogue,
The job is almost done.
Smartphone of emotions,
A playground for change 
Menacing ringtone 
Blood on the keypad,
A digital nightmare,
A catastrophic daydream.
'Don't react'
Silence screams.
'Provocation is an illusion,
Don't react'.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

A Dove, escapes...

A Dove, escapes..
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar 

A dove has taken a flight
The chaotic river flows 
Amidst cacophonous turmoil, 
Determined not to look below
The noise will die down anyways
Sky of possibilities beckons
Graciously opening its arms
Away from forked friends 
And poisonous foes
The uncertainty, 
The hope, 
The falsehood 
Its all behind 
Far behind, 
Time to escape, 
Refuel, 
Clouds of make believe 
Seem like a
Safe refuge.

The New Normal

The New Normal
A Poem by Faridoon Shahryar 

The ants are insignificant 
They always were
Now a bit more
No, the elephants 
Aren't afraid, 
Old stories are irrelevant;
The animals are the same 
But their roles have changed 
This is what is being called as
The New Normal. 

Predators propagate 
'We don't prey, we protect'
The jungle believes them 
Fear of deluge 
Besieges the hapless 
Announcements are made
Blaming the warped atmosphere 
On a known enemy
The night of calamity strikes
In the veil of darkness 
A tragedy is endorsed
Predators prey mercilessly 
Morning finds them wearing 
The garb of protectors 
Jungle echoes gratitude
This is what is called as 
The New Normal. 

A bunch of fools
Raised their voices
For they knew 
The pattern of deceit, 
No one believed them 
They were labeled as 
'Mischief makers'
The rotten apples 
Buried their voices
In the graves of 
Petrified silence 
This is what is confirmed as 
The New Normal. 

Morning awakens me
With an acute pain, 
I am trying to figure out
My new role 
In the new order
For I am neither
Predator, pretentious protector
Nor a worthless fool
All I know is that I am scared of
The New Normal...

An Unstoppable Wind

A poem dedicated to my mom Najma Mahmood who celebrates her 75th birthday tomorrow. :) 

An unstoppable wind
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar 

The wind was caged 
Inside four walls
Of a small town
A ray of light sparked 
An interest to spread 
The wings;
Window of closed minds
Burst open 
The sky was her own
An applause followed
And many a storms
There were options 
To get buried in the hot sand, 
Merge with the cold sea water
Hide in illusion of clouds
But this was a wind 
Meant to bring in Change 
Not out of any design 
She just refused to 
Buckle down under pressure 
Many an obituary were written, 
Yet, the journey got inspiring
The wind became a storm
When it was forced into submission
The opposition gave way grudgingly
Bugle of victory 
Can be heard from a distance 
Such triumphs are rare
The wind is simply unstoppable...

Friday, March 10, 2017

Can I trust you?

Can I trust you? 
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar 

I was woken up 
By a fear, 
And it had a face 
There was nothing untoward
Almost like a friend 
Yet the intuition lurked
In suspicion, 
I asked hesitantly, 
'Can I trust you?'

Get scared, or...

Get scared, or... 
A poem by Faridoon Shahryar 

The wind glared ferociously
Threatening to smash
My car window 
There was Arrogance 
In its eyes 
As if the protective glass
Didn't stand a chance;
Waves of discomfort 
Knocked at my heart 
An impulse urged to 
Get out of the car
And run, far away, 
Save myself, 
Find help, 
Maybe a respite, 
A shelter. 
Another knock,
Piercing scream, 
Monstrous wind
Laughing menacingly
As if provoking me 
'Get scared, or... '

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Inauguration of Jashn e Rekhta 2017 was a grand success

Inauguration of Jashn e Rekhta 2017 was a grand success
By Faridoon Shahryar

IGNCA, New Delhi was draped in the colors of Culture last evening February 17 as #JashnERekhta2017 was launched with fanfare. Books, couplets from great poets, a food court with food items that can cause riots and there was an air of vibrancy permeated with an indelible love for Urdu adab.

"Tehzeeb, tameez aur adab, ye hamaare desh ke zevar hain," said Amjad Ali Khan Sahab, the Sarod maestro who along with Gulzar Sahab launched the three day festival that has done amazing service to the popularity of Urdu, especially amongst the youngsters. Amjad Sahab addressed Gulzar Sahab as the "Ghalib of this generation." Now that is surely debatable. Firstly, the level of poetry that Ghalib practised is truly rare and there are very few poets in the last one and a half centuries who can come close. Gulzar Sahab is an extremely popular name due to his immense contribution to the world of films. He referred to himself as "Urdu ka aashiq". His heartfelt support to Urdu and its script (rasmul khat) is truly praiseworthy. He pleaded that the Urdu script (which is shrinking) must find ways to reach out to as many people as possible. "Gharibi mein navaabi ka maza deti hai Urdu," he said. He also said that 80% of language that is spoken in Bollywood movies is Urdu. Amjad Ali Khan Sahab also made a pertinent point when he said that Urdu shouldn't be assoaciated with any particular religion. "Ye hamaare desh ki zubaan hai," he said.

Sanjiv Saraf Sahab, the visionary behind Rekhta, made an important announcement when he launched 'Aamozish', an online learning programme for Urdu script. This was appreciated by one and all. Sanjiv Sahab also unveiled the new logo of Rekhta. Javed Siddiqui Sahab, Saurabh Shukla, Gopi Chand Narang Sahab, Shamim Hanfi Sahab, Prem Chopra, Sheen Khaaf Nizam and Farhat Ehsas Sahab were other dignitaries present yesterday. Ayan Ali Bangash and Amaan Ali Bangash performed their mastery with Sarod. Their rendition of Rabindra Nath Tagore's 'Ekla Chalo Re' was fascinating.

In the next day two days, prominent speakers like Irfan Habib Sahab, Justice T S Thakur, Salman Khurshid, Prasoon Joshi, Sharmila Tagore, Gopi Chand Narang and several more will talk about various aspects of Urdu. There will be various kinds of Mushairas, baitbaazi, theatre productions, Ghazal evening, movie screening... In other words, priceless nuggets of Urdu adab and tehzeeb are up for grabs. My session with Prasoon Joshi is on Sunday February 19 between 11 am till 12 noon at deewan-e-aam.