HIDDEN ENEMY @ HOMES 🥺

 

With the development of technology people invented different types of equipment. As a result smartphones provide so many benefits and inbuilt facilities for people. It helps to communicate with people easily. Other than that, with the help of an internet facility we can find details within a few seconds. So without any argument we can say that smartphones are a multipurpose equipment for the people who are trying to fight with their busy schedule. But when we talk about the disadvantages of using smartphones, it causes not only for adults but also for the children. Nowadays providing a smartphone to children is a huge fault done by their parents. Because of that most children around the world are suffering from so many issues. Children in this generation think that they can show their status and wealth by the phone they use. They waste money to buy branded smartphones as a fashion.

Smartphones decrease the capability of children's educational skills. Day-by-day school children and teenagers are addicted to using smartphones. Unlimitedly they waste their valuable time for playing games. Also they like to spend all their time talking and chatting with friends. Therefore they lose the time to learn and do their homeworks. Some students carry smartphones to schools without any permission. During their class time they use phones to access the internet, social media and chat with friends. So they miss important lessons during the school hours as well. This directly causes for their academic purposes, tests, assignments as well as examinations. This happens because of their poor attention to studies. This is a bad situation that we should pay attention to as soon as possible.

Another fault that parents do is they provide a phone to calm down children when they are crying. Parents give it as a toy. So children spend most of the day watching cartoons and playing games using smartphones. But they never think about the side effects of it. They think that it is the easiest way to do household work and other work freely. Therefore, since their childhood they have become addicted to using phones day-by-day. This is an unintentional mistake done by their parents. As a result children are suffering from eye diseases, sight problems. It is directly harmful for their brain too. So they have to suffer physically and mentally.

Another point that we have to pay attention to is children addicted to using phones while walking on roads. Then they face road accidents. Because of this careless behaviour some of them get disable and some lose their lives too. 

Some children are tempted to watch images, videos, messages consciously or unconsciously which are not suitable for them. In time they will be more inclined to share those inappropriate stuff with their friends. By looking at those things, children are automatically tempted to engage in unacceptable doings. Other than that so many girls and boys are facing so many difficulties by uploading their pictures on the internet and social media. By hacking children's accounts, some people try to mislead children to do illegal activities such as child abuse, distributing drugs.

Likewise children have to face so many issues because of using smartphones. Nowadays parents should be more careful and think twice before providing a phone. Forgetting about the bad effects of smartphones, students can use smartphones for their educational purposes and improve their knowledge. But parents should be paying attention and be there with them while they are accessing the

internet. Moreover, without giving phones parents can let them play and engage in various leisure time activities with their friends and pets. Also parents should spend their free time with children. According to my perspective, it's not the time to provide a smartphone during their childhood. Don't give them a smartphone until they are mature enough to handle it responsibly. Let's give them a chance to stay as children without adding extra stress to their mind.

UNFORGETTABLE ACHIEVEMENT 🏆️🥇

Here I'm going to write about one of my unforgettable memories. After getting the circular, our sir informed us about the All Island School dancing competition which is held annually. Our sir said "As usual we are going to apply to the Girls' dancing group category. Also this time we decided to apply the solo drumming category." Then sir said that they had chosen me as the solo competitor. I was amazed after hearing that news. Sadly I missed the previous year solo competition because I did a small eye surgery. So I couldn't get a chance to apply for it. That year I thought, I will never get a chance again. But in 2013, I had the opportunity to represent my school, in the competition of low country drumming category. After I returned to home I happily shared this good news with my family. They were full of happiness and they supported me till the end of my final competition. 

I practised both solo and group items well. The whole competition consisted of three rounds. Firstly I participated in the zonal competition. In this competition our group won 1st place. We were so happy. After that I went to perform my solo drumming item. When I was on the stage I was a little bit nervous because so many competitors, teachers, parents as well as the judges were looking at me. Asap I forgot my fear and started my item. After I finished my performance we were waiting for the results. They said my name in the 1st place. I was so happy.

From the next day again we started our group practices with our sir. Other than that I practiced my solo item to achieve the next level. After a few months we participated in the provincial competition. Here we won the 1st runner up from the group category. Unfortunately only the 1st place can participate in the final round. Then I wanted to win my solo competition by showing my best talents. Luckily at the provincial level I was able to get 1st place with the help of my family and our sir. I was full of joy.

Then I practiced hard for my all Island competition. After getting the letter I got ready better than previous levels. Finally the day that I looked for arrived. It's a special day as well as a competition for me because it was my 1st time that I wore the traditional drummer's costume. Our principal madam also came to watch the final competition and her arrival was a great strength to me. I was the one who represented the western province. Rest of the 5 competitors were from five other provinces. Before my turn I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to compete well. I gave my best effort to do my performance. After I finished my item the hall was full of clapping sound and the panel of judges were looking at me very happily.

At the end of the day, they announced the 3rd and 2nd places respectively. Meanwhile I felt that my heart rate increased a bit because I was a little bit nervous. Oh no! They announced my school name and my name as the all Island 1st place. I was so happy. Even still I can't turn my feelings into words. I went to sir and my mother to get the blessings. So that was the 1st time that I got an all Island achievement. I'm very proud because I got a chance to add a value in front of my school name as well. It was my first solo competition as a dancer. Also it's added a valuable memory to my life.

AWAITED MOMENT 🤩😍

When I was a child I started my dancing life as a dancing student. Since 2001 I have had a chance to learn Sri Lankan traditional dance styles. Also I learned contemporary dance styles, different dance style forms from other cultures as well. When I was about 14 years old, I wanted to learn Indian Dance styles. As a result, I got a special opportunity to learn one of the North Indian dance forms; Kathak.

In 2011 our teacher started Kathak dance classes for us. After the "Saraswati Pooja" we all started to learn how to take the first step in kathak style. Without missing any day, me and my sister attended Kathak practices eagerly. It's a very calm dance style. It's a dance form basically based on footwork. Normally, bells which are named as "Ghungroo'' are tied to the feet of Kathak dancers. Indian Kathak artists give their effort to practise and improve their skills in different patterns of footwork. Me and my sister watched so many kathak videos to improve our  ability. Still both of us are interested in watching the videos of Indian Kathak experts and legends.

After around 1 year our teacher informed us about a good news. Wow! It was the news that we mostly awaited. That was about our "Ghungroo Pooja'' ceremony. She told us that it was the time to wear bells. Me and my sister were full of happiness. As a Kathak student, wearing ghungroo is a great opportunity. Before the Ghungroo Pooja our teacher traveled India to buy ghungroo for us. After she returned to Sri Lanka she taught us how to string our own ghungroo step by step. 

The day that we waited for arrived. Early in the morning I dressed and prepared  for the Ghungroo Pooja with my sister. It was held on our Kalayathanaya premises according to Hindu religious rites. It was done by a Hindu priest. First of all we worshipped in front of the statues of gods and goddesses because this dance culture is attached with the Indian culture and tradition. We went to our teachers and they tied up bells to our legs. After that teachers blessed all of us. Me and my sister were full of happiness. After the Ghungroo Pooja, we all finished the ceremony by showing our basic Kathak dance talents in front of our parents. It was our first Kathak dance act that we danced with ghungroo for the first time.

A BRAVEHEARTED HEROINE 👩‍✈‍

In my leisure time I usually like to watch films as a habit. Till today I have watched a lot of films in different languages. Among them one of my favourite Bollywood films is "Neerja", which is directed as a tribute to Neerja Bhanot. I have watched this film several times because it's a heartfelt film based on such a wonderful brave true story.

In this post I'm going to write a little about this film. This biopic film is based on a real situation that happened in India. Neerja was a part time model. Also she was one of the airline crew members. She worked in an Indian flight named as "Pan AM 73" flight. In 1986 this flight arrived from Mumbai to New York and was hijacked by a gang of four terrorists in transit at Jinnah International Airport. They came into the flight dressed as security guards. Within a few minutes Neerja was the one who recognized these terrorists. 22 years old bravehearted air hostess Neerja, took it upon to save the passengers from gunned persons.

Throughout this horrifying situation, she never gave a chance to show her fear towards them. This gang's target was the Americans in the flight. They instructed Neerja to collect all the passports of those passengers. She used her courage and effort to protect all the passengers by hiding Americans' passports under the seats. With her help many Americans got a chance to save their lives. Other than Americans there were small children, pregnant ladies, young-old foreign passengers also. Everyone was shocked and scared  because of the behavior of this gang. They didn't give a chance to distribute meals. After an argument between Neerja and the gang she got a chance to serve meals. While she was distributing food she passed some messages to passengers with the help of other air hostesses secretly. Around 17 hours later they started shooting down passengers because they couldn't find anything until that moment.

Meanwhile the plane lost the auxiliary power and lights went out inside the plane. After that she got a chance to open the emergency exit door. She had a chance to escape first, but she didn't do it because she cared about others. Secretly she let passengers escape. Unfortunately one of the terrorists saw this and started to aim small children. She ran towards the bullets and protected them. Finally she took them to an emergency exit door. She was critically injured. Finally Neerja lost her life in front of the survivors. They were so sad. It was a sad moment for me too. As a girl I'm so proud of her.

In this film one of my favourite actresses Sonam Kapoor acted as the brave air hostess Neerja. Ram Madhvani directed this film as a salute to Neerja's bravery. When I was writing this, I felt like I was watching that film again in my mind.

Bravehearted air hostess Neerja Bhanot

Actress Sonam Kapoor in the film & the real air hostess Neerja Bhanot

Hijacked "Pan Am 73" flight & air hostess Neerja Bhanot 

TREAT THEM TOO 🐶🐱

 

If we go outside from our home, we can see so many kinds of animals staying on the roads. Most of them are cats and dogs. If we think about why they live on the streets, it's because people leave them when they are small. That's why day-by-day the rate of street cats and dogs is increasing. They don't get the love that pets get. They spend night times as well as rainy days without shelter. They sleep wherever they find a place to lie. Sometimes people used to hit, pour hot water and throw stones at animals who stayed around their houses. So we have to think that they are the ones who are homeless. But the least number of people treat them in a good way. 

Street animals feel hunger and thirst as humans. But people forget about them and kick out. All animals are speechless. So they can't ask and beg for food using words. The only thing that they can do is they come door to door to prevent hunger. So we should be kind enough to treat street animals at least by providing some food. Some of us spend money to do useless activities or to buy useless things. If we prevent those things and spend money to feed street animals, I think it will be an example for others also.

Death rates of street animals rise every year. One of the main reasons for that is the cruel and careless activities done by the people. Some animals die because of hunger. Most of them eat garbage in dustbins and streets, and it causes their death. Because they include polythene, plastic material. It's very harmful to their digestion process. On the other hand, most street animals died in vehicle accidents on highways and roads. Another reason for increasing the deaths of street animals is that some cruel people hit them till their deaths. Also some shoot them just like heartless ones. We must stop and avoid these activities.

We know that it's difficult to keep every animal at our homes. But we can treat them in a good way. They need affection and attention as humans. Also they have rights to live freely. If we can help the centers and organizations who stand for street animals, it will be better than wasting our money for useless activities. Actually those organizations can't take care of all the animals in the country. So as people, we have a responsibility to allow them to be safe.

IMPRESSIVE MONUMENT 🕌

  I like to name India as a package of great artistic charm. India includes so many valuable and ancient places. Among those fascinating places, Taj Mahal is one of my heart touched places. This is a world heritage in India, which was designated by UNESCO. It is related to the North Indian region. This is situated near the Yamuna river in Agra. This was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. This stands as a monument of love between king Shah Jahan and queen Mumtaz. 

Queen Mumtaz Mahal & King Shah Jahan 

Taj Mahal was constructed after the death of queen Mumtaz. When we are talking about it's structure, this building is constructed using exquisite pure white marbles. It took them seventeen years to complete the Taj Mahal. Around 20,000 artisans participated to build this amazing place. Taj Mahal is 73 meters in height. Its entire layout was built like a fine majestic setup. I saw its entire design from some videos which were about Taj Mahal. I can't believe the beauty of it. Its structure impressed not only my eyes, also my heart. There is a series of enchanting water fountains in the middle of the footpath area. It's a nice scenery to see. It's added extra beauty to Taj Mahal and it attracts viewers' attention at once.

Not only Indians, most of the foreign people are also visiting and attracted to this wonderful place. This structure's sight looks glorious. Visiting Taj Mahal is one of my dreams. If I get a chance to fulfill my dream, I'll definitely visit this monument which was designed by king Shah Jahan and I'll watch the glamorous beauty of Taj Mahal with my own eyes.

Inside view of Taj Mahal

SELLIE'S FIRST EXPERIENCE 👩

✍️ During Sellie's last film 🎬

Sellie is a talented teledrama actress. She got a chance to act as a supporting actress in a film.

During the night of the day before her film shoot, she prepared her luggages with the help of her sister. That time she was a little bit nervous because it was her first film. After packing their luggages they went to sleep at midnight. 

Alarm started to ring during the crack of dawn. "Oh Sellie! It's time to get up dear. Today is your day, best wishes darling." She got up with her family members' lovely wishes. Short while ago Sellie got ready. Before sunrise she got into the van with her sister. While they were travelling to the location Sellie didn't forget to memorize her dialogues. So she took the script and practised with her sister. On the way they saw eye-catching sceneries on both sides of the road. Also they captured photos of them.

Meanwhile, the van stopped to have their breakfast. A little girl was walking on the road with her mother. This little girl recognized Sellie and she wanted to take a selfie with this star. After taking the selfie, that little girl said goodbye to Sellie very happily. Few minutes later, again they started to travel. During the midday they travelled to their guest house to keep their luggages. Then they walked to the location which was situated next to the guest house. Location was ready for shoots. Sellie was full of happiness because the production crew including all senior actresses and actors welcomed Sellie so warmly.

Firstly, they shooted the scenes of the main actress. Sellie eagerly awaited for her turn. After lunch time, Sellie got a chance to start her shoots. After her first scene everyone said, "Wow Sellie! You did a good job. As a junior actress, your acting skill is superb! You'll have a bright future. Keep it up, Sellie." Likewise, everyone appreciated the way that she acted. During the evening tea time she went to chat with senior artists. After the short break Sellie did the rest parts of the scenes till the twilight. Because of the sunset, her scenes got marvelous. At the end of the day, shoots ended as they aspirated. After that busy schedule, they returned to their guest house to have a rest.

A CELEBRITY I LOVE MOST ❤️

Every person in the world likes to be a fan of celebrities. So we all like to meet, chat and follow the famous star persons. Likewise, I like to follow one of the most popular Indian artists Mrs. Madhuri Dixit. She is a famous actress as well as a celebrity of Bollywood film industry. Also she is famous as a television personality, a producer and as a talented dancer. She is one of the current judges in reality shows.

    I love the way she acts and dances. Among the dance styles that she performed, mostly I attracted to the ability of her Kathak dance style. She is a traditional Kathak dancer. She learned this traditional dance style from the present Indian Kathak legend of the Maharaj family, Guru Pandith Birju Maharaj. Sir Birju Maharaj was a choreographer of some popular films that she starred in. Currently she has acted in between 70-80 films. Among those films "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun", "Dil To Pagal Hai", "Lajja", "Devdas", "Aaja Nachale", "Dedh Ishqiya", "Kalank" are some films that my heart fascinated so much.

I like the dresses that she wears and the jewellery fashions she matches according to her costumes. She wears simple designed sarees, simple jewellery for normal occasions she attends. This shows that she is a charming woman.

Another reason that I love to watch her films is, because of her facial expressions during the dance performances. She can change the expressions immediately from one character to another character. In movie songs, she expresses her emotions in a realistic way. Now she is in her early 50s. But there is no difference in the way that she acts, dances then and now. Still she is as energetic as her young ages. She received many awards such as Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Special Award in Filmfare and "Padma Shri" Award.

Moreover, I like to follow her dance videos and watch the reality shows which she attends. She has a youtube channel named "Dance with Madhuri" which is one of my favourite youtube channels. It's a huge opportunity to learn different dance styles and dance lessons via her youtube channel.

In addition, when we talk about her private life she is a kind and humble woman who stands for the rights of others. She established charity programmes for children and she tries to prevent child labour. I respect her charity work that she is doing towards poor people.

If I get a chance to meet Mrs. Madhuri, I'll never miss that. Finally I'm waiting to watch her upcoming new films and programmes as well.