An App to secure your Child- eKAVACH A Review

An App to review... and the pestering begins...
Have. you downloaded it yet???
Etc...
Point of Contention-You need to buy your child a smart phone.
Sweet Child has my old Nokia 5233 ,which is as smart as a slow learner is compared to over achieves.

He managed to activate Whatsapp and Facebook and his own email account... that I can keep a tab on because his email account is a secondary account on my phone.
The rest...I keep tabs on.
Not so long ago ,my mum told me that a mother must be like an evil spirit...not with an intent to screw the child's happiness....but just to know everything that is happening in his life.
And after having worked with teenagers for a large part of my professional life ,I agree.
So the eKAVACH  app seemed to be a good idea.
As my son's phone does not support eKAVACH , we tried it on hubby dear's phone.( What a way to keep a check on phones lolzz??)
Mine was the primary phone and the other was the secondary phone.

 1. Heart beat and Geo locator
This feature allows you to track the physical location of your child and if you feel that the location has alarming coordinates you can quickly do something to ensure that the child is safe.

2 . Control over Apps and websites and safe search
You get alerts when your child downloads any Apps and accesses websites.  My son tried downloading the PlayStation app...and then accessing high violence video games.

I got notified for the apps downloads but not of the Access to games like WWE and God Of War etc.

However I received alerts for websites accessed.  You will have to define the websites your child can access according to his age group.And if your searches for red flagged words,you will be alerted.

3 . Family time.
This was the best thing I liked about the eKAVACH  app.  Turn off the Internet to be able to spend time together. So as a parent, you can turn off his Internet so he won't be surfing the net while you sleep or while the family gets to spend quality time together.

4.View Dashboard Stats
Another plus point...the child can not delete the history of the sites accessed and you know minute by minute that he or she is logging into websites for his homework and project research or knowledge or just wasting his time in social networking sites. And since you are remotely connected it is extremely easy to share info or suggestions so you can help with his homework and studies. This was the biggest plus.

5. Communicate with Parents
Why?Why do you need an app for this?Isn't that what phones are for??
If you need to communicate, talk ...or text ...or make time .
OK, this works when you cant talk...like when you are at a meeting or a party or just need some me time.
After realising that the App gave me more control than he was willing to surrender...messages like this kept popping up...

I will not post the conversation that carried on after this...
6. Cyber Bullying Monitoring,IM & Chat Room monitoring
This by far is the best thing that the App does. You need to know that your baby is safe...And be aware of the stuff going on in the chat rooms. Drugs and sex are the ugly words that exist in the real world. Even in small town India.

My opinion...
Well ,I'm old school.
I was not so impressed. If you must control everything that the child views on his phone, don't give him a smart phone. But there is more to it than meets the eye.
To avoid being "spied" on-as sweet child said...he can use his friend's smart phone... Or the computer at home...or a cyber cafe...


Remember, your child is smarter than the smart phone. My son took 15 minutes to uninstall the secondary app while my Parent eKAVACH  app was showing me that I had control.
So much for control.
All he had to do was make changes in the settings of the secondary phone.

I am not saying this is totally useless but if you do download the app ,don't depend on it with your eyes closed.
You should know where the children are , it would be a blessing to be able to track them even if they are with friends so you can keep them safe.
But when you are so concerned about the child's safety, know that eKAVACH  is not enough.
Bond with your child and win his or her trust.
Learn to read signs of change or depression or aggression or anger ...
Spend time together, be there for him or her -your child always needs you.
Love is the most important insurance policy you can apply for your child.

So do download the eKAVACH  App on your phones and learn to read the signs to keep your child safe.The app is available free on Google Play Store and on for Apple iPhone too.

'I am checking out the eKavach app as a part of an activity at BlogAdda'

Myntra App An Affair to Remember

My Myntra App... #ItsPersonal .
An affair to remember.
There are things that a woman and a man must share. Chores, sentiments, jokes, loans,dreams...whatever.
But never Clothes!
Nor a phone ,for that matter. Not that I am all for encouraging adultery and all that. I am a one man woman...but my phone I will share not! not my favourite T-Shirts- I don't want them getting shapeless.
I believe its good to share...unload all your troubles on him. After all that's what God gave men broad shoulders for...right?
So what they are supposed to ,they must bear.
But bless them ,they never understand our needs.
Needs.
SHOPPING NEEDS!
How many men do you know realize the importance of 65 pairs of shoes. Men can go through life in four pairs and never really know why they had four anyways.
For us women ,all those 65 pairs are significant.
I think women should be allowed to shop from their personal palm top devices aka smart phones without having to look over their shoulders ,because hubby dear will certainly not understand the 66th pair.
And the best thing Myntra can do , is offer night time discounts for women . So when hubby dear is snoring beside us...that would be the perfect time to shop.
And when stuff is available with offers...
Double Whammy.
I have another suggestion for Myntra App #ItsPersonal.
Limited Edition.
I don't want to see my colleague wear the same shirt as me. Myntra is not Chain Store.
So maybe myntra can note down our friend lists and filter out to not allow what I have bought to appear on my colleagues Myntra App Home Page. Let it be really #ItsPersonal!
Myntra should also start offering accessories to match the outfits. Imagine being able to pick and choose an entire ensemble at one time.
The most important thing should be the delivery.
Courier delivery only after checking if Hubby dear, Mom in Law etc are not around...what they don't know wont hurt them!
They are best kept to pay bills.
My shopping at the Myntra App has always been a good experience, with returns and product quality services that have always been excellent.
Here's hoping that my Myntra App #ItsPersonal experience is an Affair to Remember. 
Always.

5 Must-Visit Pubs in Mumbai -Ask Me!

5 of the most famous must-visit lounge bars in Mumbai are tabled here. So go ahead ,wear your party best ,your shimmery shiny disco beat shirts and visit these 5 Pubs in Mumbai. Just be sure to leave your trainers home...those stilettoes would be best suited for these places.

• Hard Rock Cafe ,Worli 

The very same from Hollywood. Its all about loud music, burgers and jumbo drinks. American Style.Music ,ambiance and crowd is awesome here. The atmosphere is sedate in the day and gets down right loud and energised as the night gets closer. Pulsating music, lights and memorabilia add to the experience. be sure to try out the Hurricane at Hard Rock Cafe while you are here. Not too sweet, but loaded with Rum.

Must have.

• Gallops, Mahalaxmi Race Course,Near Haji Ali

Situated near the Racecourse, the serene surroundings lend it an  old world charm.  You cant bring your Mobile phone inside the premises. It has to be deposited at the security counter. Come Racing season, August onwards, the swish set of Mumbai are either celebrating their bets or drowning their losses in the best cocktails available here. The  food is amazing,both Indian and Continental.The best thing here is that there is safe and an ample amount of parking. Western instrumental music plays in the background here .

• Trilogy,Juhu 

The only bar that is open till 3am , with psychedelic cube lights suspended from the ceiling,Trilogy boasts of a huge wooden floored dance floor. The Apple Mojitos are the best around ,at least in Juhu. Good crowd and great music,you are sure to have a wonderful time here.

• Royalty ,Bandra West

Royalty, Mumbai is a nighclub owned by Shilpa Shetty and her husband, this is huge. Loads of blingy gold highlights,that bring out the Royal connect.They have theme nights and international acts to change and pump the scene. The entry doors are padded ,plush and they have black clothed bouncers. The music is good and the food even better. Cover charges are of course lower for ladies as compared to stags. Royalty Rocks!

• Wink, Vivanta by Taj, Cuffe Parade

Finally SoBo, as south Mumbai is affectionately called. Sophisticated,Flirty and Elite. the best, I mean the best booze is available here,of course for a steep price tag. Wink is music,beat pumping,foot thumping area and a more sedate ,intimate lounge. No doors....just wink in and Out. They have Molecular gastronomy err Mixologists at the helm here. Definitely a place you want to visit, at least once. Wink is worth the experience.

Go on, get ready to party.

Remember My Words, My Son

 
Sweet Child ,
You are the blood of my soul, so you are the dearest. I may fret, I may fume but,my all my anger ,disappointment or disgust just disappears the second you reach out to hug me. You stand at the  threshold of this crazy world. Balancing on a fine thread.
Today, when you handed me that Mother's day card to store for posterity,I felt that I must give you something in return.
That may not be a party favor,but hopefully something concrete enough for you to build you life on and keep you grounded.
Something like the rock St Peter built Jesus' church on.
I know ,we are not an overtly religious family. But we are God fearing. And we believe that good comes around. So ,never forget these few words that I have penned here.
I keep saying these to you,but the written word has a deeper impact,no?

I believe its always easier to tell the truth.
Always.
That's what I have been doing...its easier on the grey cells. The greatest advantage of speaking the truth is that you don't have to remember what you said. Imagine having to to take notes to keep tabs on all the fibs that you have told. It will be murderously crazy , having to refer to your notes before you speak. Every time.
If you are honest, there will be no better gift you'll be giving to yourself. You will know exactly when to put your Percy Jackson and The Titan's Curse down to pick up your physics text book. After all, the grades and the glory will all be yours. I will only be able to brag about all A1s in your report card.
If you are honest to yourself,you will know which boys and girls you need to hang out with. Whether their being impressed with your Nike Air Max shoes is worth the the effort of having fair weather friends.
Remember, being honest will ensure that you have fewer friends and that you may not be the most popular boy in class, but your friends will always be good people.
If only honesty is so deeply ingrained in you,will you be able to tell right from wrong.
And today, where you stand, at this precipice ,it is of utmost importance.

I am your mother. I can tell when you are telling me the truth. Don't give me reason to be able to detect a lie. You know, I will forgive you murder. What I will never forgive, is your breaching my faith in your ability to tell the truth.
We are simple people.
You , me and your father.
That is what binds us together. We have not a conniving bone in our bodies. We work hard at what we do. We are honest in our respective professions. We make sure that our output is impeccable. We are honest to ourselves and to our work.That allows no one to pick any shortcomings in what we have done. So ,thanks to our honesty to ourselves we can look people in the eye and stand tall. neither of us has to bend over backwards to hide any misdemeanours. I want you to stand tall and strong. And I want people to think before they ask you to do anything dishonest.
Because they know you wont.
You were taught well!
Because someone taught me well too.

At the end of the day , remember ,it is all about  your peace of mind and courage of conviction.

So go ahead an do all that you are supposed to, and maybe a little of what you are not...but tell the truth. Always.
Especially to yourself.

#YoursHonestly
Mama

“I am writing a letter about how a mother teaches honesty to her child with the Max Life Insurance i-genius #YoursHonestly activity in association with BlogAdda.”