Simran Srivastava's Blog

Philanthropy is a concept to help the poor for public good, material gain and quality of life, basically focusing on public services. It’s different from charity as it focuses on the root cause of problem.
The person who performs philanthropy termed as philanthropist. Philanthropy is different in different
religion but the aim is same as to serve for public.

Philanthropy in Hinduism

Hinduism considered as one of the oldest and third largest religion in the world. Some practitioners refer
it as Sanatana Dharma (beyond human history). In Hinduism philanthropy is being held since very long time, it is termed as ‘Dana’ in Hinduism as well as in Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.

Dana is giving to the needy when they are distress and in need. It’s any form of giving considering food,
clothes, money, etc.

Dana cannot be just ends with food, clothes, etc., it can be given for larger projects such as to build school, repair temple, building hospitals, students education, etc., in any forms to help the needy.
During festivals in Hinduism such as Sankrant, Navratre, Diwali, etc., Dana became a ritual even a
poor man give some for charity (helping others) as rice, wheat, vegetables, etc., which is not too costly
but can provide a one-time meal for the poorer.

Dana is done without any expectations for return.

In Bhagvata Purana (a holy book) Dana is said to be as in Chapter 23

“Giving to the poor is true charity; all other giving
expects some return.”

Philanthropy in Islam

Islam is the second-largest religion in the world with the majority of 51 countries with 24.9% of world’s total population termed as Muslims. Islam religion teaches that Muhammad is a messenger of God.

Philanthropy in Islam is consisting of two types:

Obligatory PhilanthropyVoluntary Philanthropy

Obligatory Philanthropy consists of two types Zakat and Fitrana.

Zakat:-

Zakat is a portion or share of wealth to give to beneficiaries, if they have more than specified limit.
In Islamic state, government collects for Zakat based on the assets of the individual. Zakat is one of the five fundamental requirements for practicing the faith of Muslims.

Fitrana:-

Fitrana is to pay for themselves or who is in person’s care; it could be their children, parents, anyone who
comes under their responsibility before the end of Ramadan month.

Voluntary Philanthropy

Voluntary Philanthropy is consisting of two types Sadaqa and Waqf.

Sadaqa:-

Sadaqa is dues on every Muslim as it’s beyond financial contribution, if he is not able to support then he needs to work and support for Sadaqa. Sadaqa beneficiaries do not be Muslim they can be of
any religion.

Waqf:-

Waqf is giving permanently a property of a Muslim, considering a dedication towards God by Islamic Law. The property used for mankind and it gets done with a legal contract which requires founder, trustee, judge and the beneficiaries.

Philanthropy in Buddhism

Buddhism is an Indian religion, runs on the teachings of Gautam Buddha, its fourth-largest religion in
world. Gautam Buddha or Siddhartha Gautam after getting enlighten discovered the path to escape the cycle of birth and rebirth and to release clinging and craving.

Buddhism consists of three types of giving:-

1.Material giving
2.Giving of fearlessness
3.Giving of Dharma

Material Giving:-

It involves food for hungry, house for homeless and money for poor and so on.

Giving of Fearlessness:-

Saving lives of insect, animal from drowning or getting serves as food.

Giving of Dharma:-

Teaching dharma by giving lectures, opening center’s and through publishing books.

Philanthropy in Sikhism

Sikhism religion is found in Indian Subcontinent, in Punjab and its fifth world’s largest religion. Basically
Sahajhari or non-khalsa Nankpanthi Sikhs developed on the teachings of Guru Nanak. Sikh considered as one of the most involved in philanthropy, they run Langar (offering food to people) for around millions of people on daily basis.

Langar:-

It’s an eating area in Gurudwara(temple) where food get offered to any religion of any caste either he/she is poor or rich. Golden Temple in Amritsar serves 3000 free meals to every visitor within every half an hour.

During the time of social causes or natural disaster Sikhs helps the needy with huge food camps for thousands of people.

Vand Chhakna:-

Act of sharing or giving to charity and Sikh considered is as their religious duty.

Sewa:-

Sikh considered Sewa as their selfless duty to help.

“One who performs selfless service without thought
of reward shall attain this Lord and Master”

Guru Granth Sahib

Philanthropy in Christianity

Christian or Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (God’s son).

Jesus said
“Love the Lord your God…and your neighbor
as yourself”

Christian philanthropy fits inside the secular philanthropy to care the poor considering human life has value and to achieve piece, equality and virtues. Whatever Christian do, resolves around the name of
Jesus such as racial healing, education, clean water and proper care of the planet.
There are two roots of philanthropy in Christianity are

1.Philos ( love and affection)
2.Anthropos ( mankind)

Both derive to love his fellow man apart from self-interest.

Hello lovelies,

Hope you all are healthy and fine!

Yesterday I went to Orchha, Madhya Pradesh for site seeing and visited this beautiful vila , which recently open in January. Orchha is known for it’s heritage and forts with palaces turned into hotels. Janki Vilas is one of them. The ambience of it makes me feels soo soothing with a royal feel. It’s beautiful as it’s designed on historic era with chandelier and colors, you can find the picture below, how it actually looks.

Janki Vilas Restaurant

Apart from its ambience the food was really delicious, we tried there Cheese Balls, Veg Hakka Noodles and Pink Sauce Pasta with Chocolate shake. We enjoyed the food and the service was also good. I give this Hotel a rating of 5/5. If you ever visit Orchha, check this out.

Address:- Janki Vilas, Kanchana Ghat Road, Orccha, Madhya Pradesh, India. You can google it for bookings and more. Check the pics below.

Please Like, share and Subscribe and comment down below .

Hope you all have a great day ahead!

Love Simran

Hello lovelies!

Hope you all are doing well..

Its been soo long I’m writing a blog, last year I took a challenge of reading 7 books in 7 days on May 16, 2021. The past was hell of a roller-coaster ride for me, I enrolled for MBA and because of the pandemic, it was really difficult to concentrate much but I completed reading the books in seven days. Yippie!

Starting with the reviews I must tell you all that every reader reads book with their own mindset, so don’t compare your views with others, just listen others but make your own choice.

1.The Second Chance, an spiritual read, the story of near-death experience as the title said itself. It’s written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder Acharya of ISKCON. The story is derived from Bhagavad Gita, an story about a man named Ajamila who was once a brahmana but got lost his path and married a prostitute, a second wife of his and had 10 children with her and at the age of 90, his younger son was just a toddler named ‘Narayan’. The story tells you about what to do or not and not to into ‘maya’. At the time of his death when Yamduta reached to take his soul, he start shouting for Narayan, his son and the Vishnuduta arrived. Vishnuduta told Yamduta’s even he committed a sin his whole life but just saying the name Narayan changed everything, even if he refer that to his son.

The whole book teaches us about meditation to attain spiritual perfection. Read it if you are into spirituality.

2.The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a classic of the seventeenth-century, a story about loveless marriage, sin, adultery. A story is of a woman named ‘Henry Prynne’ of Boston got pregnant while her husband was away, got shamed by the crowd but never revel the name of her daughters father. The letter ‘A’ was written on her bosom showing adulteress. The book give light on the society standards.

3.Sita, Warrior of Mithila written by Amish, is beyond your imagination, its not like any typical story you read about Sita in Ramayana but a really different ‘Sita’ Amish described who is none other but Vishnu. She is a fighter, a warrior became a goddess. Amazing one among all the book I read in the series of 7. Read it to know more. Will read the Ravan and Ram too from the Ram Chandra Series.

4.Sita’s Sister written by Kavita Kane, a story about Urmila sister of Sita and wife of Lakshman, brother of Ram. The story give light of the character of Urmila which seems to be ignore by all and we never heard her story. She was the real princess of Mithila but Sita was always being the first even she was adopted. Urmila was a woman who was left behind by her husband for 14 years , while he went to the forest with his brother and sister-in-law. The story tells about who Urmila really was, her knowledge, her skills and how she holds everyone together during 14 years and her love story with Lakshman. Loved reading it for sure, never got why no one written about such a character and Kavita Kane did the right thing.

5. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, a classic sets on the night of Christmas Eve, on a man named Ebenezer Scrooge who hates Christmas and harsh to others, never smiled. His nephew invited him for dinner for Christmas but he turns it away. While sitting in his apartment he saw spirit of his dead partner ‘Jacob Marley’ told him to be helpful and not be greedy otherwise he’ll be haunted by three spirits. The ghosts appears and show him his past, present and future and makes him learn the true meaning of life. The book describes us what life is and what we need to choose to be good or bad.

6.Wake up Life is Calling by Preeti Shenoy, great book I ever read, tells us never an outcome comes if our mind is our great enemy. A story is about a girl name Ankita, shifted to Mumbai and join a Creative Writing course, attempts two suicide and been through hell. She discovers a book in library which shattered her and she started loosing control on herself again and suddenly her past boyfriend appears to make it more worse. She again got weak. The story leads to an epic roller-coaster of her life from what happened in past and how it make things worse in her present. She start loosing again and her love too. It’s a great for people with mental disorders or those feeling low.

7.Bestseller by Ahmed Faiyaz, an story about Akshay Mathur moved to India to join Indian Publishing house for an year. The things are complicated as the publishing house is not doing good and suddenly the founder died too on the day of his arrival. Akshay with the daughter of the founder ‘Anya’ took control to make Kalim Publishing House again the top. Interesting read.

All the seven books have their own style of writing and concept. I never compare, every writer is great in it’s own way.

Thanks for reading!

Love Simran

Hey Everyone!

7 days 7 books

Going to do a Reading Challenge for seven days, starting from today onwards with these seven lovely books.

1) Monday 17, 2021

  A Second Chance by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

2) Tuesday 18, 2021

  The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel
  Hawthorne

3) Wednesday 19, 2021

  Sita by Amish

4)  Thursday 20, 2021

  Sita’s Sister by Kavita Kane

5)  Friday 21, 2021

  Christmas Carols by Charles Dickens

6)  Saturday 22, 2021

  Wake up Life is calling by Preeti Shenoy

7)  Sunday 23, 2021

  Bestseller by Ahmed Faiyaz

Will share my reviews about each book.

Do connect with me to know other more stuff about books.

Are you guys ready for this readathon

Comment below your views

Love,

Simran

Everyone will remember that movie under the name Simran, Dil awale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, the character of the female lead in this movie was named Simran.

When I was born, this movie was very much discussed and my great uncle named me Simran and everyone started calling me with the same name and got him writing the same name in school.

The mother who gave birth to me was not even asked what her daughter’s name should be, Mummy wanted to name my name ‘Anshika’ and it will remained a dream.

By the way, I have many names ‘nicknames’, everyone calls me by their choice of names.

‘Betu’ for uncle
So ‘simmi’, ‘simmo’, ‘semi’ for friends
My aunt grandmother used to call me ‘sumiran’.

At one time my name was also ‘Dolly’, the family of my mother’s side used to call me by this name but with time everyone started calling ‘Simran’.

Saying ‘Senorita’, my cousins still tease me today.

If I had the choice, I would have kept another name, by the way, the character of that name is also in my novel.

In childhood, I have insisted on keeping my name ‘khushi’.

The name Simran means very well ‘Meditation’ and the correct pronunciation of this name is ‘Sumiran’ or ‘Smaran’ which means to remember God.

If you searched this name on google, then what was associated with this name is exactly the same in me, so this name is perfect for me.

If you call this name, then somewhere you are remembering God, as Kabir Das has also said in his couplet.

“दुख मे सुमिरन सब करे, सुख मे करे ना कोई
जो सुख मे सुमिरन करे तो दुख काहे को होए कबीरा
दुख काहे को होए कबीरा”

Meaning:-

Remember god not only in sadness but also in happiness

Forgot to say one thing, my zodiac name is ‘Himani’, at one time my Facebook id was of the same name(For those who searched me on Facebook before).

Just as there are so many stories behind my name, so will there be behind your name.

Do share your story behind your name with me as well.

Comment below

Would love to hear.

Have a great rest of your day!

Love,
Simran

Hello there, How are you?

Today I am giving a Book Review and Recommendation of Wattpad novel ‘The Girl in the Hoodie’.

The Girl in the Hoodie is a Wattpad novel, written by life_is_overrated19 aka K. This novel received 12 million reads and 388k votes on Wattpad.

From the title, you already get that it’s a story about a girl, who wears a hoodie. Bailey Washington, a shy and a girl, known as mute and her presence was never anyone’s concern. But no one ever wants to get in her path. During school, everyone bullies her and tries to see her face, but she always hides her face from all.

Bailey is not like any other normal girl, her life is a living hell. Her father beats her and left her body numerous marks. He hates her because of his wife, who run away and he put all blame on Bailey.

One day Jax entered her life to cure her. He never tried to see her face and talked her through chits. Once Bailey reached home late and her father beats a lot. Next day in school, she collapsed and Jax took her to his house. His mother is a nurse and helps Bailey, without seeing her face.

Bailey and Jax soon get close but when her father know this what will gonna happen?

Well, you need to read it to know more. While reading it, you’ll feel the pain from which Bailey was dealing with from many years and a love Jax showered to a girl, whose face he never saw.

My ratings for the book is 5/5.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The book is free on Wattpad can be read offline as well. I’ll provide the like below. I highly recommend it.

https://my.w.tt/QV8dDN1pH9

For any query and inquiry, you can Contact me.

Have a great rest of your day!

Love

Simran

Hello there, How are you?

I always write blog’s about books, finance, entertainment, social issues but from now on I’m going to start write about the things which I actually do in my life.

Today I am going to share with you all the recipe of my one of favorite Indian curry ‘Bhandara Potato Curry’. Bhandara called to a religious feast in Indian and this curry is one of the important dish included in feast. Its filled with all Indian spices and flavors. So let’s start making our curry.

Ingredients:



1/2 tablespoon Mustard Oil2 Dry Red Chillies1 teaspoon Hing or Heeng in English ‘ Asafoetida’1 teaspoon Cumin seeds3-4 Bay Leafs1-2 Cinnamon3-4 Cardamom3-4 Cloves2 half cut Green Chilies1 teaspoon Ginger Paste1 teaspoon Black Pepper Powder1 teaspoon Fried Cumin Powder1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chili PowderRed Chili Powder according to your taste1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder1/2 teaspoon Turmeric PowderSalt for taste2 teaspoon Dried Mango Powder1 cup Tomato Puree 5-6 Boiled Mashed Potato1/2 glass WaterChopped Coriander for garnishing



Directions:

Hope you like the recipe, make it and share your comments with me. I am going to bring lots of new things in my bio from my day to day life.

Have a great rest of your day!

Love

Simran

Are you looking for books to read for free and buy it for free then you are at right place. I am going to tell you the Top 5 places from where you can buy books and read it for free.

1. Amazon:-

Amazon is the largest selling online store, all over the world and have many kindle books for free to buy, which mostly includes classics, children books, comics, learning books and motivational books.

Example:-

Little WomenA Tale of Two CitiesThe Invisible ManThe AlchemistAkbar and BirbalConfidence: How to Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs and Achieve Your GoalsMorning Rituals101 Amazing Facts1% Success HabitsNirmala, and many more.



2. Wattpad:-

Wattpad is one of the popular site for reading and writing. You will find millions of books to read for free and even offline to read it, in all the genres. If you are interested in writing then you can also start writing your own book for free and publish it. Many of the Wattpad books converted into movies and web series.

3. Juggernaut:-

Juggernaut is an online reading platform to read books. You’ll not find books mostly for free but still you get some sample chapters of the books, which will make you decide either you want to buy that book or not. Some limited books are free at Juggernaut, you need to search yours for that.

4. Google Play Books:-

Google Play Books sells book online but there are also books available for free in all genres, which you can buy and add it in your Library.

Example:-

NCERT Solution for Class 10 MathematicsSilent CrimeAgent ZeroHoly BibleThe War on HorrorTaking What’s HersThe Perfect WifeThe Morning HabitsIf She KnewThe Power of Pain, and many more.

5. PDF:-

Lots of Writers provide their books in PDF form, you can easily download it and read whenever you want, but don’t do that illegally, those writers who don’t provide their books for free, don’t read them. Because its their work and they earn from them.

You can easily downloads classics and motivational book PDF which are provided by the authors from google.

So these are the Top 5 places from where you can buy and read books for free and you can fill your libraries with millions of books and if you want to become a book reviewer you can easily will become of them.

Note:- Don’t read online books in dim light, it will effect your eyes.

For any related inquiry, you can Contact me.

Thank You!

Have a good day..