Navya The Great

Hello to all you lovely readers. 

My Purnima Didi is always propagating “Self-Love” and this is the best version I could come up with for my weekly writing. 

Well, I love myself a lot! I am 8 years old born in Chopra Family; a child to be pampered forever- “Navya the great”.
My hobbies are art and craft while my favourite subject is Maths. What is yours?

Oh again, I love to make slimes & I can create billions of them but the issue is that no one else really likes them which is so sad; their loss whatever! I am a very warm host; only to the people I like. Girl boss attitude, isn’t it? When my sister Vania’s friends visit, I make sure to entertain them by coaxing them into playing treasure hunt. Agreed that it is very confusing but also so funny.

My favourite grub is chicken that I can eat it three times a day. I can usually manage it for all my meals but only when Papa makes my favourite type. I like loose and short clothes like Vania Didi but muma makes me wear very tight outfits. Is it okay if I adore everything my big SIS does? I guess it is and I love her a bit too much.
In all, I am a very playful girl who calls my neighbours place my second home. Patience, peace and creativity are like my second skin; thus “Navya the great”.

TaDaa; bye-bye and remember to love yourself. 

School for scholarships of memories

My brother always used to repeat that school days are the best days of one’s life. I understand the WHY behind that statement today. Well for starters, do you remember our teacher’s day video for the dear Satyans? It made me cry and evoked an emotion towards a building which I can proudly say my second home. I miss it!

My sister can go on and on about her educational experiences ranging from being the Head Girl to bunking classes with her gang. The Big Brother used to think of himself as the cool guy of his batch and tell me nothing about his secrets. Their ranting about missing those days makes sense to me today when I am actually craving everything including that iced tea from the school canteen. 

One year of not getting up early, wearing uniform, sharing food, having unlimited banters and secret laughs. The exhausting bus rides, a 30-player ice water game, mimicking the teachers and wasting every games period; I left a lane of my memories there. While Netflix, Prime and HotStar can be my pass time, they fail to give me the warmth of friendship and connection to relish a life time. 

Now come on Covid, let us enjoy our SPM hood and leave now! I too want to create fulfilling adventures so I can tell my juniors to have the best of their time with the lovely teachers and much needed pals. We were told “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today” and I really need my institution now to sculpture my personality for a better tomorrow. 

To conclude, I have gratitude towards all my teachers, mentors, support staff and the management for nurturing us like the gentle flowers and only giving us the best. Hoping to see you all soon for a better year and again we all miss you SPM!

Written by: Vania Chopra

Edited by: Purnima Chopra  

Family. Emotions. Dadu.

It is often exclaimed that having an inspiration supports your personality. An anchor lets you keep sailing even in the storm. The roots of a tree helps in growth and the pillars of a building sets the height. All these statements narrow down to my old man who is my strength and blessing. 

Pandemic has hit us all differently. While I rant about missing my university all the time, I adore these moments spent with my partner. Since we all have learnt about how life is so unpredictable, I have gratitude for all the time I have had with this pure soul. Though I speak highly of him, we share a friendly and banter-filled bond. We tease, frighten, share, laugh, scold each other and what not!

Fun-fact: My grandfather can have 100 bear-hugs an hour and if his grandkids can top it with kisses then he is the happiest man on earth.

He is a man of love, respect and determination. The biggest moral I tend to take forward from his lessons of life is his faith in "SANSKAAR" (family values). Being the first born, my family was terrified to send their sheltered kid to London for further studies. 100 different thoughts haunted them but my Dadu was the one to have belief in his teachings and my morals. He declared that my daughter will go and only sore for greater heights. That is how practical he is and the reason why I am capable enough to narrate this bond to you all!

Fun-fact: He knows the whole world and invites everyone home. Cherry on the cake is that his aura pushes all his acquaintances to visit us too.

Mr. CEO Chopra has had rather a rough journey to come till this point. His sacrifices and stories about hardships only inspires his grandkids to pamper him and make him proud. I as an individual love to explore my talents and he is the man who motivates me to follow my passion. In fact he can sing praises about his kids. 

Fun-fact: He is a prankster in car to take you to his favourite places while confusing you with directions. 

In short I am proud to be his bugga, office partner, best friend (I hope because he is mine) and of course his grand daughter. I love you and thank you for this life of blessings.  

Head over heels in love with food

Gandhi once quoted “Whilst it is true that man cannot live without air and water, the thing that nourishes the body is food. Hence the saying, food is life”. I too believe that eating is important but to eat smart is what we all need to acknowledge for an active lifestyle.

Well, my mom encourages me into eating healthy by emphasizing that our skin is what we eat. Now that made an impact on me! In a layman language it means that our body related issues majorly depend on what we intake as our meals connecting me permanently on the path of healthy and nutritious food. Now, I can proudly say that I follow this quote and the lockdown has acted like the cherry on the cake for making me understand the importance a good appetite. The best habit I have developed is about eating an apple and drinking 2 cups of milk every single day. We all know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and milk is a wholesome product for providing all the good vitamins, calcium and nutrients making me a stronger girl!

Food for me is also for wellbeing. It is about good mood or mending every bad moment to a thrilling one. It helps me cheer up! 

Once my brother, my sister and my mom were being very rude to me, so I went upstairs in anger hoping that someone would come and give me some attention. Like, 15 minutes later, my brother came up and just picked me. Honestly, I was frightened that I might fall because I am pretty big to be in someone’s arms. Hahaha! Who knew, that they would surprise me with an early birthday treat- PIZZA AND CAKE! Uffff, it was a good meal and perfect mood charger!

Just to let you all know, I am very comfortable in easy foods. Like I have been eating curd, rice and sugar’s combination for a very long time now and I still love it. Its just so scrumptious! It’s easy to cook and fulfils the need for a healthy lunch. So whenever my mom is in dilemma and asks me for my meal I am like, Mama I’ll have  दहिन चीनी चावल (in a sing a song manner).

In short, for me food is life! What about you?

Finally, some bakers I recommend (In Ludhiana):

1. The Sweet Life Patisserie – Customised cakes, Red Velvet Cupcakes or Cake

2. The Little Bake House – Brownies, Belgian Chocolate Cake, Nutella Jumbo Cookies and Lotus Biscoff Jumbo Cookies

3. Nik Bakers'– Plain old brownies or New York Cheescake

4. Bon Gateau – All Cheesecakes

Written By- Vania Chopra

Edited By- Purnima Chopra

Always a little extra

Earrings have always been something to uplift my personality. A funky pair can add a spark to your outfit and make your appearance interesting. What do you think about jewellery adding that extra flavour?

Well, I came across this small business page on Instagram (@alittleextra.in) which deals in handmade and handpicked terracotta, fabric and beaded jewellery. I have been into promoting local businesses a lot and this one really caught my eye with their amazing collection & affordable prices. Ordered some pieces and loved each one of them. 

My order! I am in love for sure...

Their packaging is creative and empowering. The beneath message being that jewellery is for each one of you beauties; keeping aside the difference of colour, size or any stupid social parameter. 

As much as their products are buying worthy; the founder- Diksha Singhi is a woman to adore! She is all about body positivity and self love. We definitely need more women like her to encourage others to love health over everything and tell the fellow females that you are BEAUTIFUL! (alwaysalittleextra)

In all, I definitely recommend her ideas and products. Go check them out and if nothing do follow the right people.

https://instagram.com/alittleextra.in?igshid=17i75eio3zmzb

 

What about my future studies?- Part1

I have heard questions about choosing a course or career several times. I thought why not address these questions according to what I know!

For introductions, I am Purnima Chopra who is pursuing Fashion Business and Management in London College of Fashion. Now my course is purely business, giving me a go through about how things work in fashion industry. (PS. it is definitely not about designing or styling.)   

Okay, let us begin by the most common concern:

How should I know about which course is right for me after school?

1. Okay let us start by knowing the pros and cons of something you are passionate about, something you know can make you a promising career and your back up planner (For example: passionate career-fine arts, promising career- acting, backing up career- family business)
2. Well, now research. Our Indian system of education generally promotes cramming rather than original learning and creativity. Sit on your google space and spend every free hour to find your answers. (For example- the future jobs for fine arts or pay scale available for your interested subject and so so on).
3. Do jot down your learnings and discuss! Now here is the pro tip: always discuss these matters with someone who is ready to listen to your confusions, is open minded and does not force you. (Like for me it is my Mum.) 
4. It is advised that at this point to contact a career councillor. The first 3 steps will prepare you better for this as they are important decisioning and conditioning steps.

List of Councillors one can opt for:

• The Chopras Global (India & international)- https://student.tcglobal.com/login  
• Edwise International (Overseas)- https://www.edwiseinternational.com
• CareerWise (India and global)- http://www.careerwise.in/
• Career Achievers 360- https://careerachiever360.com

Usually the career councillors take from there to guide you towards the best shortlisted options. While you are with them, do not stop researching your own concerns. 

How and when should we start preparing the kids for careers?

Well, I think this should be very basic. Read below:

Foundation tips for building yourself (From class 8 onwards):

• Read and research a lot. It makes you wiser and confident.
• Write, create and learn basic skills like Blogging, Adobe, Microsoft.  
• Dream big and in multiple directions. Do visualise about that fantasy car but instead think of how will you earn it. 
• Know about what is a resume and how to make the best. Start now.
• Be passionate about careers and not parties (Though have parties too but passions should be constructive!)
• Follow good leaders and better examples. Instagram can be productive too... TRY!
• Eat healthy and be positive.
• Accept challenges and embrace yourself with a strong personality. 

Our futures are very bright if we start right :))

Next question-answer blog will be out soon!