We may be sitting at other side of the table and probably don’t have the right to comment on a sensitive issue of this sort. The person who may be reading it might identify this piece of content with the bad years which he has spent with his wife and would be recollecting all the memories and experienced he may have faced in his married life.

Discussing on the aspect as to why people get divorced after so many years is not my motive here. Rather my motto is to bring out those sensitive issues which compel a couple to such an extent that despite been married for so many years in their life, they are forced to part ways and move on with their lives, closing their chapter for ever in their book of life! Imagine the circumstances from which they have gone through which forced them to act in such a direction…a divorce after 20, 30, and sometimes even 40 years of their married lives!

For most of the people, divorce comes as a relief for a highly pressurized cooker, waiting to get burst after so many years! If you ask me, it is always better to start a fresh life, if you feel that after so many compromises, you are simply not able to gel with the person – a person whom you call your better half! What is the use of this “better half” when you simply can’t see his/ her face for even five minutes of your life? Every time you sit together, you people end up fighting over minor issues or just don’t match up with your common ideas. Is this what we call a better half – or rather HUSBAND OR WIFE?

A recent incident of Al Gore reminded me of this topic, and here I am, penning down my thoughts on this not-so spoken issue in today’s busy world. The couple is believed to split after 40 years of their marriage!

Okay, now let us discuss some of the reasons as to why couples tear apart even after so many years of their marriage:

• Extra Marital Affairs or Attraction outside the Wedlock: This is one of the biggest facets which lead to divorce, no matter how many years have passed after marriage. Either husband or the wife, who ever succumbs to the extra marital affair starts showing cold shoulders to the other one, hence leading to this ultimate demon called DIVORCE.
• Lack of Communication and Disclosure: This is another reason for parting apart. A lot of marriages begin as fairy tales, but when the main protagonists of this fairy tale start losing contact with each other, it leads to lack of communication. The gap becomes so long over the years that DIVORCE becomes the only solution!
• Not Showing Honesty: Some couples start hiding things. They start hiding minor issues which leads to the closure of even big important things in their lives. Eventually when the other spouse starts acknowledging these things, the matter leads to big fights and eventually SEPARATION!
• Significant Changes in appearance of the Spouse: It is true that emotional bond plays a huge role in marriages, but physical attraction is critical too. Both the spouses should look their level best, no matter at which stage of their marriage they are. Hence, the spouse gets indulge into Infidelity, as he or she doesn’t seem to be at all interested in the other spouse anymore.
• Boredom and Personality Shift: Some people are so restless that they want a new thing every moment. Spouse may be one of them. These people tend to get bore very easily and hence start looking for divorce. It depends on their personalities. They may all of a sudden depict their boredom after 20 years of marriage and say that they want a divorce. In addition, personality shift also plays a huge role in separation! “PEOPLE CHANGE AFTER MARRIAGE.”
• Children: After the honeymoon phase of the marriage is over, couples try to recreate their romance factor by creating children. But sometimes, this may have an opposite affect. The additional responsibilities may lead to extra burdens, more quarrels and hence BREAK-UP!
• The marriage becomes loveless after certain years of time. So, couples don’t care for each other anymore and hence, divorce becomes the last step of the ladder.

So couples just try and make sure that your marriage does not end up being victim of either of the above reasons! Cherish every moment spent with your spouse and try to rekindle love every single second!

Normally, even a worse kind of a movie will be liked by at least one of the sections of moviegoers and genders – children, teenagers and youngsters, middle age or older men or women! “Kites” will earn a rare distinction where it is liked by “NONE”.

And for those who do end up being in the Cinema hall, the disappointment will be immense as it comes from “Roshan’s” Kitty! Having an almost cent percent hit record of earlier movies, Rakesh and Hrithik Roshan lost the plot on this one. Though the collections of the movie may give a “HIT” feel factor, the fact is that people like me and my family and multiple others in the movie hall – would feel cheated. It is sheer marketing that will get this movie the audience it does not deserve.

Nothing about the movie is right. Three-fourth of this movie has dialogues in English/Spanish with sub-titles in English. This makes one wonder whether this should be called a Bollywood Movie in the first place.

It also makes you wonder the marketing mechanism of Bollywood and whether it is all becoming a case for “you scratch my back and I do yours’? For what else will explain comments from Karan Johar that this is an “outstanding” movie?

Talking about the storyline, it can be seen as an old wine in a new bottle. This is Spanish/ Indian version of very popular “Ek Duje ke liye” movie starring Kamal Hassan in mid-80. The director got confused between making a romantic cross border movie and action movie where car accidents seem to be happening all the time. Lots of money seems to have gone on shooting car sequences and tragically majority of them were not required in the script in the first place! The story is ordinary with a boy from Las Vegas wanting to grab quick money, but on his way meets the love of his life, who actually turns out to be some one’s fiancé! Now this guy wants money and the girl too!  The story unfolds into both the lovers eloping in the end, without the need to get rich or acquire any materialistic possessions! All in all, the crux states that LOVE stands above ALL!

Talking about the performance, Barbara is quite ordinary looking but has an upper hand over Hrithik. Hrithik Roshan over acted most of the time and even his dancing talent was not adequately utilized. This movie marks a down-hill journey for him in terms of audience expectations.

The problem lies in its ability to entertain the audience on a consistent level. The involvement reaches at its peak in one scene while in another it diminishes as if it never existed!

All in all, Anurag Basu has not done justice to the script as well as the characters! In fact, there is NO script! Watch the flick if you are a Hrithik fan and have some patience to watch one of his average movies.

When I first read this news, the story reminded me of the Bollywood movie Veer Zara: an eternal love story about a girl from Pakistan and a boy from India, the lovers who crossed all the shackles of religion, caste and differences, depicting that love knows no boundaries.

Here is the news: In a heart melting cross border romance, Chinese girl Yi Yan Yun crossed seven oceans all the way to meet her Indian beau Muhamed Jasim. The emotional part comes now. Both are physically handicapped; can’t hear or speak, but as it is said Love understands its own language…. they were destined to meet online three years back!

On knowing that her lover Muhamed had met with a severe accident, Yun flew all the way to India and took care of her sooo-fortunate lover all this while! Now such is the case that the couple refuses to part away from each other. Their bodies are separate but their souls are linked with each other, courtesy a pure bond called LOVE.

But destiny has something else in stored for them. Yun is facing serious Visa problems, just like the climax played huge hurdles in the relationship of Veer and Zara in the movie. Yun’s visa is about to expire and there are chances that she might be arrested after the recommended period of stay gets over! She has a choice of marrying her Veer (her lover), but the formalities under India’s Special Marriages Act would take a minimum of 30 days, which means the wait would prolong further.

Now all that the family is awaiting is a No Objection Certificate from the Chinese embassy so that the couple gets a green signal to be each others forever! We also hope that things work out easily for this unique couple in love!

At the end of the day, I just have one thing to say. Love has its own language of emotions. Despite being deaf and dumb, the intensity of their love crossed all the limitations and proved the world that no culture or religion has the power to separate them from each other. If one is destined to love, the cupid would strike you, no matter how many hurdles you have in your life! No language was required to define their love.

But what’s the solution to these problems? Do couples like Yi Yan Yun and Muhamed Jasim would continue to face similar situations in the future also? Should there not be special visas to deal with similar cases? Or we will have similar Veer Zara stories to be re written in future also? What do you say?

Are you are a movie buff? And you are in a mood to jump off to that surrealistic world of action and romance? Yet, you are not getting any good options to watch out for…If that is the case, then here are my recommendations of all time favourite movies which would definitely grip you to the core. More so, it would allow you to have your share of popcorns as well.

Ben Hur

Made in 1959, it is the first of the three movies to have won eleven Oscars till date. An adaptation of Ben Hur – A Tale of the Christ written by Lew Wallace in 1880, it is the story of Ben Hur, the prince of Jews and his survival in the Roman conquered Jerusalem. This magnum opus project, directed by William Wyler is a treat for all the classic lovers.

The Godfather Trilogy

This gangster tale by Francis Ford Coppola brought out in 1972 has all the reasons for not to be missed! Starring veterans like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton etc, this is a brilliant narration of the rise and fall of Michael Corleone, the youngest son of Don Vito Corleone who transforms into a gangster from an innocent lad. Unlike other trilogies, this one does not lose track of the story despite being continued to a next movie.

The Dark Knight

One of the best movies made in its genre! Based on the character by DC comics, it is highly suggested for Heath Ledger. A performance of a lifetime in his last movie! The sheer ease with which he plays “The Joker” and a mind blowing plot set in the city of Gotham, makes the movie as scintillating as it can get. This Chistopher Nolan movie is known for its brilliance in technical quality. Part of the film being shot in the IMAX format makes it is a masterpiece.

The Shawshank Redemption

One of my personal favourites, based on Stephen King’s book Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, it is the story of two men in search of hope. Set in 1947, the movie gives an insight into prison with some brilliant camera work. The backdrop of prison where in Andy and Red are seen spending almost twenty years of lifetime together at the Shawshank State Prison. Unlike his other jail mates, Andy who has been falsely convicted of his wife’s murder opens a library in the prison. The movie talks about the love and bonding between two male friends trying to analyse the psyche of a convicted person. A must watch for those who love something real!

Schindler’s List

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Schindler’s List is one of the most critically acclaimed movies of all times, perhaps the biggest in the career of Spielberg.  Starring Leam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes, it is the story of Oskar Schindler who is a German businessman who engages in saving lives of thousands of Polish Jews. The movie won seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. Watch the movie for its cinematography with the entire movie being shot in black and white to make the backdrop more real. Make sure that you listen to the original score of the movie!

The list does not end here…other movies include The Good, The Bad and The Ugly; Pulp Fiction; Casablanca; 2001: A Space Odyssey; To Kill A Mocking Bird; Gone with the Wind and many more. So get to your nearest DVD store or library and make your own collection!

The uniqueness of Ontario makes it one of the hottest choices when it comes to spending time with your loved ones. Ontario can serve as a romantic honeymoon destination for you to cuddle your beloved in your arms. Also, the place has the capacity to be applauded as an amazing adventure destination for all the thrill-loving geeks out there. For those who want both, Ontario is the place for all of them.

Let us start with the ‘adventure’ factor first. The unforgettable outdoors of, the majestic wildlife, amazing beauty and plenty of adventure to perform, Ontario is decked with some of the never forgetting moments for you. Gear up yourself and fasten your seat belts for some of the stupendous activities like cycling, hiking, water adventures, snow adventures, arts and wonders, rail adventures, to name a few. You name it and Ontario has it!

Fishing is Ontario’s USP when it comes to offering some of the relaxing and soothing activities. The scenic beauty of Ontario adds cherry on the cake for your adventure holiday!

Now let us talk about the romantic aspect of Ontario. Every place becomes romantic when you have ample love in your relationship! The Canadian winters act as a cherry on the cake to provide you with a perfect excuse to hug your beloved and cuddle her in your arms! It is not just about making the gateways romantic, but having fun at the same time. Starting from cottages, resorts, hotels, motels, secluded cottages, hot-tub in the mountain resort, etc., couples have plenty of options to choose from. Make every moment worth living in Ontario during your stay in this majestic place. Visit Ontario to witness various festivals and places like Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the Royal Canadian Henley, Canadian National Exhibition, Highland Games, Southwold Earthworks National Historic Site, Casa Loma, to name a few. In addition, Peterborough Lift Lock, The Big Nickel, Casa Loma, and Niagara Falls are some of the most popular tourist destinations for love birds.

Do all those things that please your beau and create some of the best moments in life with her. Don’t panic as to what to pack and what not to pack. Winters are chilling, so stuff as much attires as you can. With its majestic lakes and water bodies, awesome natural wonders, forests and beaches, Ontario leaves no stone unturned in making your holiday a perfect dream vacation for you!

Well, it is accepted that even the worst place on the earth can be seen as the best place when you are with the most cherished person of your life. Because, when you are in love, you have a positive outlook towards everything you do. However, this cannot be denied that the atmosphere and the beauty of a place have to do a lot when it comes to boost up the romance between you and love of your life. As New Year approaches, a lot of couples have been working out on which place to choose to celebrate the special day in their life. If you have already been in the process to look for the best destination you could consider, then you must have realized there is no dearth of romantic getaways. There is a huge possibility of getting even confused regarding which one to choose over the other. The best way to zeroed in on one destination is to cut down your hot favorites into, say five or ten. Need help in choosing the destination? Try the following list of five top romantic destinations in the world. Be sure to have a great time on this New Year, no matter which getaway you choose to visit. Here we go:

1. Think Romance, Think France: France has always been a strong contender in the race of the most romantic getaways in the world. This country has its own charm that caters to an array of travelers with a varied range of objectives. Needless to say, France holds romance in its air. The fact which makes the country more alluring is that it houses several cities within its boundaries that are just perfect for romantic holidays. So, whenever you are in France with your loved one, do not give it a miss to places like Paris, Loire Valley, St. Paul de Vence and Montsequr. For you information, the lover’s paradise, Paris must be visited during March, April, October and November.
2. Take an Oath Together In Venice: Well, if you are yet to propose to your love interest, nothing would make a better place than Venice. This ever-charming city in Italy has long been attracting couples from the far-flung places in the world. Apart from its romantic surroundings, the city holds some other attractions like its fantastic architecture. A visit to places like the Basilica di San Marco, Ponte di Rialto, Canale Grande and Ponte dei Sospiri would complete your exclusive romantic holiday.
3. Choose Bahamas for Romantic Caribbean Holiday: The Bahamas has always been favored as the best place for romantic beginnings. No matter whether you are looking forward to start a romantic relationship or bring that spark into your relationship, it will surely cater to all your needs. Nothing beats the spellbinding views and the maritime climate of the country, which just make the perfect blend for a romantic beginning. This New Year take your relationship to another level by taking your beloved to the Bahamas and tying the knot.
4. Vienna Is In the Race Too: It feels as if Vienna is always calling romantic couples and letting them rekindle the romance. When it comes to prepare a list of top romantic destinations in the world, Vienna could not be left out. For long, lovers have been overwhelmed by the beauty of this city. Apart from enjoying the romantic atmosphere, do not miss out on visiting major attractions of the city, including Museum of Fine Arts, Sigmund Freud Museum, Schoenbrunn Palace, St Stephen’s Cathedral, The Hofburg Imperia Palace and Belvedere Palace.
5. You Can Always Try “New York City”: New York in the US makes an ideal destination for lovers. There is hardly anyone who would not love this American city with a twist of European taste. Some of the famous attractions in New York are Grand Central Terminal, Central Park, Liberty Island and Skyline.

Romantic destinations have to be the places that hold magic in boosting the romantic mood within you and your loved one. You can always consider any of the above mentioned destinations as your romantic getaway this New Year, or anytime in the future!

Are you the one with that adrenaline rush through your veins and the zeal to do something exciting? If yes, then you have landed on the right page. Gear up to exploit and get rid of some of your worst fears ever. From trekking to river rafting all the way to paragliding – you name it! So, here is a list of some of the most enthralling destinations in India to test your guts.

Rishikesh

This holy place of the Ganges is the perfect combo of a pilgrim spot as well as for adventure. Feel the drill and the force of the Ganges with river rafting which gives that missing plunge in your life. With this, experience mountaineering or rock climbing. You can spend your nights camping surrounded by the mountains and the gushing sound of the river flowing in your ears. Feel the purity and sanctity of the place and rejuvenate your senses. Pump your energy with beach games such as volley ball, Frisbee and water polo, to name a few.

Billing

If you are for paragliding, Bir – Billing in Himachal Pradesh is the place to visit. Bir is the landing place for the Para – gliders in between the carpet of tea gardens. At an elevation of 200 km, you would find one of the best aero sports sites of the country at Billing. You can fly across the hills and experience the breathtaking view below. More so, feel the blood pumping through your veins as you perform the most daring tasks in your life. The place is also known for Tibetan handicrafts.

Leh – Ladakh

This place is the perfect offering for those who love the mountains and do not mind going that extra mile. Situated in the paradise on earth (Kashmir), Leh – Ladakh is one of the most exotic places which offer a combo of adventure and romance. From hiking to white water rafting, the place also hosts the highest motor road in the world for you to go biking. The hotspots to visit include the Nubra valley consisting of Diskit, Hundar, and the Pangong Lake which extends all the way to Tibet. Hunder also has a camping site that adds another feather in its cap. What’s more? Pack your bags and check out the place yourself!

Goa

The god of all vacation spots offers some of the best water sports to indulge in. With this, the picture perfect coastline along with other lakes and rivers offer enough for an adventure freak to enjoy. Get a taste of water surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, jet – skiing, boogie boarding and much more. Let out your enthusiasm beyond limits and have fun!

Tungnath

At an altitude of 3,680 meters, situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, it holds the highest ever shrine of Shiva. This place is one of the most well – known trekking destinations in India. Tungnath offers the perfect chance to test your limit and drain out all the innate stress. So get set and go!

All in all, these places were simply the cheery. The cake is yet to be exploited. So, all you need to do is venture out into the wild and experience it for yourself.

I could have given the title “The Best of Europe” to this blog, but “Alluring Destinations in Europe,” as a title brings out the romance in true sense! Here are some of the enthralling “must-visit” places in Europe.

• London: There are thousands of activities and places to explore in London. Let us start from Buckingham Palace as its majestic grandeur is worth witnessing once. Now let us move to the British London Eye, as visit to London is incomplete without the same. It has won various awards for National and International tourism. Other hot spots are St Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum and London Tower, to name a few.
• Paris can’t be left behind when it comes to “Romance.” This ever-charming city is a wonderful place to cuddle with your beau hand-in-hand! Seine River has almost become a kissing spot for all the couples who come here! You must have seen the same scene in various French movies. Try out the movie act yourself.  Chateau de Versaille is another luxurious place that you can not afford to miss. Plus there is the famous Eiffel Tower. Bon Voyage.
• Let us talk something about Venice now. Exploring Venice is like an experience that you would never forget at least in this lifetime. Some of the attractive places to scout are the Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, Campanile, and Museo Correr. Wrap yourselves in Venice attire and see how your mood takes an altogether different swing.
• Of course, how can you forget Switzerland? With its romantic “mountainscapes” of Alps and scenic beauty, it forms one of the most liked destinations amongst love birds. Make a point to visit Bern. In addition, the cuisines offer a blend of various cultures including French, German and Italian.
• Next comes Glasgow in Scotland. A brilliant place to be with your beloved, Glasgow is a charming hot spot to enjoy those special moments. It provides a true essence of Victorian architecture and exotic night life at one place!
• Athens and Troy are two most beautiful places to enjoy. Visitors can adore the history associated with Homer’s Iliad and relive the grandeur and love between Helen and Paris and Achilles and Briseis all over again.

The list is endless as Europe in itself is a place for the love birds. Just hire the services f a Travel Visa expert and go for the most awaited holiday of your life!

A destination becomes exotic with the presence of your loved ones by your side! I hope you all would agree with me. I have come up with some salacious and romantic places in India. Have a look:

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is a buzzing hill station and is a perfect place for all those couples who love to embrace themselves in the hilly winds of large mountains! The city has a population that forms a mix of Sikkimese, Nepalese and Tibetan people. The adventurous spirit of the city will never allow you and your beau to sit in a dull mood. A calm couple can enjoy their privacy in the soothing surroundings of the Ranipul River and enjoy the camp fire nearby!

Mussoorie, the “Queen of the Hills” is one of my favorites. It always offers a fresh ambiance every time I visit the place. The city is located 34 km from Dehradun, in Uttarakhand and serves as an enticing destination for people from all over the globe. Its cold and windy nights give you a beautiful reason to have a long walk on the Mall road while enjoying some of the mouthwatering street food with your beloved. Take a ropeway to the famous Gun Hill, get cozy with your spouse and enjoy the magical view of the Himalayan peaks. Kempty fall is another reason as to why you should visit Mussoorie. Just go for it.

Goa is next! When I think of Goa, the first thing that comes to my mind is the merge of mind blowing beaches, palm trees, fenny and delicious food! Now with all these things ready to serve you, Goa can be a perfect destination for you and your beau to enjoy those special moments of your life.  The place is divided into north Goa and South Goa and both are applauded for their amazing beaches and beautiful churches!

The God’s Own Country (Kerala) offers enchanting yet spicy feel to your vacation with your spouse. From the beautiful beaches and the backwaters to the coconut trees to the spices to the filter coffee and the sea food – get connected with a whole new world. Hidden in the midst of jungles, experience the peace in a lavish houseboat. More so, treat yourself to the aroma of the spices and the Ayurvedic spa treatments. What else, relax and rejuvenate! The places not to miss include the Athirampalli waterfalls, Wayanad, Allepey, Cochin, the Kovalam beach and much more!

Kashmir, the heaven on earth is another destination for the love birds out there. Explore the shrine of Amarnath cave after witnessing the serenity of Pahalgam with your spouse. Blessing of god are always a must for a true and long-lasting relationship. Ensure that you visit the famous temples of Anantnag, Deviangan, Bijbehara, to name a few. Proceed further to Gulmarg and enjoy its unparalleled beauty! Other places to see are Bandipore, Hazratbal Shrine, Shankarcharya Temple, Leh, Pangong lake, Jama Masjid Shopian, Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara, Zanskar, and Patnitop. Leh is more of an adventurous place rather romantic, though the scenic beauty will surely bring in the romance. It’s apt for adventurous couple. The list is endless. Go and explore yourself.

Let us move to Manali and Kasol (Parvati Valley)! Nature’s true beauty resides here! Manali is a wonderful destination located in the alluring mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Well known for its scenic beauty, beautiful hills, hot springs, temples, and monasteries, Manali is applauded as a perfect honeymoon destination! Other facets that hold the power to give you goose bumps are icy glaciers, road towards Rohtang Paas, Keylong, Kothi, Triloknath, Udaypur in Pattan Valley and Manali’s Baths! The food is just amazing! From Chinese to Tibetan to Indian, tourists can enjoy all the delicacies at one place.

Kasol, on the other hand, is more towards beauty and alluring tranquility. Situated approx 4 hours from Manali, Kasol offers a brilliant view of nature along with a holy ambiance near the bank of Parvati River. I have no words to describe this place. So it is best advised to visit the place with your beloved and experience it yourself!

Just cuddle in the arms of your spouse and head on towards the most enticing journey of your life!

Celebrating Christmas is really fun. The one aspect that I enjoy the most is spending time with loved ones. Of course, there is excitement filled with the aspect of “gifts” also! My previous blog dealt with some of the best gifts for boys. This one will throw light on some enchanting gifts meant for girls!

• Nothing more would please your girlfriend than a lovely pendant or a posh piece of jewelry cuddled in a classy gift wrap. Start saving now.

• When it comes to giving gift to a girl child, I would prefer a collection of cute booties, Barbie dolls, chocolates and charming ribbons, sprinkled with some hint of love, for that ultimate Christmas gift.
• ‘Twilight movie Jewelry’ is pretty in these days. And if your girl child is a Twilight fan, the gift would serve as the cherry on the cake.

• Kids just love having colorful Santa clothing and accessories in their wardrobe. Gift your teen girl some of the colorful Santa gifts available in the market and see how she flaunts the same throughout the year!
• Coming back to your girlfriend, women just love romance, but they always believe that their beloved don’t give them much as they would like! I hope all ladies out there would agree with me. This Christmas, give your girlfriend, a nice and romantic vacation on weekend. Trust me, she will surely love it.
• What about giving her an altogether latest mobile phone! She won’t for a single second keep her hands away from her new phone, which will remind her of YOU always!
• A colorful evening spent in a romantic movie and then a dinner out in her favorite eating outlet would be something she would cherish for a long time.

Look out the Window! Santa is on his way! The Countdown begins… 10, 9, 8…

Just try your own creativity and choose the best gift available out there!