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Celebrate Motherhood with These Must Watch Iconic Mom Movies

LADY.LK — Thu, 05 May 2022 10:12:25 +0000

Mothers: There aren’t enough words we could find to describe them and all they do for us. This Mother’s Day, we decided to do a compilation on a few masterpieces from different cinemas around the world that encapsulate their humility, badass energy, and their selfless love as a tribute to all mothers!

අකාස කුසුම් [Flowers of the Sky] – directed by Prasanna Vithanage

Genre- Drama

Easily tops the list of the finest films to watch on Mother’s Day in Sri Lankan cinema, because of its International Award for Best Asian Film won in 2009. In a nutshell, Akasa Kusum is the story of a mother’s search for a daughter she has never met. The film eloquently captures the feelings of a wounded child and a regretful mother, showcasing how a mother’s poor decision can damage a child’s entire life. It also emphasizes the significance of parents, particularly mothers, being active in their children’s lives as the film’s ultimate message. Hence, this movie serves as a reminder for us to be grateful for the amazing mothers we have.

The story revolves around Sandhya Rani, played by Malini Fonseka. Sandhya Rani was a film actress who was once the silver screen’s sweetheart. However, now that she is no longer renowned or wealthy, she makes a living by renting out a room in her home and selling dumplings. When this faded film star Sandhya Rani finds herself entangled in a scandal, it surprisingly raises her profile. She meets her past demons, exposing her dark side to the public, including the fact that she deserted her child in order to pursue a career in the film industry. Now that her secret is out in the open, she embarks on a journey to find the child she abandoned who happens to be two months pregnant, unmarried, HIV-positive, and is employed at a karaoke night club.

Accompany Sandhya on her quest to reclaim her daughter and see what unfolds next in the lives of the mother and daughter.

Amma Kanakku [Mother’s Calculations] – directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Genre- Drama

Amma Kanakku is the Kollywood remake of Nil Battey Sanatta, a Bollywood film. The film offers a pleasant, lighthearted depiction of a lower-middle-class mother’s hopes and aspirations for her child. And, as the ultimate message of the film, it emphasizes the notion that everyone has the right to dream, and that education has the power to transform one’s life.

The story revolves around Shanti, played by Amala Paul who is a young, widowed mother who works as a maid. She dreams of a great future for her daughter Abhinaya. However, her daughter shows no interest in studies, so in order to encourage her to study, Shanti returns to school and enrolls in the same class as her daughter.

Is her daughter’s belief that she cannot afford a higher education going to put Shanthi’s efforts in vain? or will she achieve something great, as her mother desires? This is for you to discover as you embark on this masterpiece of a movie.

English Vinglish – directed by Gauri Shinde

Genre- Comedy drama, Family

The Bollywood film English Vinglish portrays a mother’s unconditional love while also addressing how we sometimes take our mothers for granted. It’s essentially an underdog story, with the mother as the protagonist, who is forced into a corner because of her inability to communicate in English, only to prove her worth to her family in the climax. As the core message of the film, it emphasizes that a mother can alter her life, love herself, and have her family love her back.

Brought to life by renowned Bollywood actress Sridevi, plays the role Shashi who is a typical Indian upper-middle-class housewife who lives with her husband and two children and owns a modest sweets business. Her only limitation is English. She is often subdued and dismissed by her husband and teenage daughter over her lack of knowledge of the language. However, she attempts to learn the language in order to reclaim her lost respect and originality.

Will a four-week English crash course help this Indian housewife who only knows Hindi, master the Queen’s language? Watch the film to find out.

Lady Bird – directed by Greta Gerwig

Genre- Comedy drama

This coming-of-age film reveals the bittersweet relationship between a girl and her mother, and the film beautifully highlights many aspects to which we can all relate, such as arguing with parents, being rebellious, naive, feeling out of place, falling in love, and so on. The class struggle and the daughter’s attempt to take control away from her mother, who is pressuring her in an attempt to control her and make her ‘perfect,’ are the main sources of friction between the girl and her mother. And, as the main message of the movie they show the girl’s ability to see her mother for who she is; a loving, caring, but imperfect individual who will never let go of her need for perfection. Unlike most rom-coms, Lady Bird is a fresh, charming film about self-discovery through the contours of adolescence, which is fueled by brilliant performances.

The story revolves around Christine, aka ‘Lady Bird,’ played by Saoirse Ronan, who is a compassionate, strong-willed, and outspoken Catholic schoolgirl coming of age in a small town in America. Lady Bird is determined to leave Sacramento, and travel to the East Coast, where she feels the culture thrives, and escape her strained relationship with her mother. In her desire to flee, she occasionally forgets to appreciate the beauty of life in the present moment and to cherish her mother. However, in the end, Lady Bird learns a lesson that we can all apply to our own lives: appreciating the efforts of our mothers and embracing our origins. Few films adequately explore mother-daughter relationships, especially those that can evoke empathy from audience. Lady Bird is one such film, so we welcome you to watch it and witness how Lady Bird’s perspectives and views change at the end of the film.

World Down Syndrome day

LADY.LK — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 04:55:27 +0000

This World Syndrome Day, let us celebrate someone who truly amazes us with her
perseverance and dedication to break barriers and achieve her dreams! Her name is Sofía
Jirau – world’s first ever Victoria’s secret model with Down Syndrome.
“I felt like a shooting star,” sums up Sofía Jirau as she catwalks through the world of high
fashion.

She is a Puerto Rican model with Down Syndrome who recently fulfilled one of her dreams
by becoming the first-ever Victoria’s Secret model with Down Syndrome. Not only that, she
is also one of the few models with Down Syndrome to be a part of New York Fashion Week.
Since then, Sofía Jirau has captivated the hearts of thousands of people, motivating others
like her to dream big. “When I was a kid, I looked in the mirror and said to myself, ‘I’m
going to be a model and an entrepreneur,'” she said. And, guess what? Now she is both a
model and a businesswoman.

Sofía was born with Down Syndrome, which happens when a person is born with an extra
chromosome. Unlike most babies, who are born with 46 chromosomes, those with Down
Syndrome are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, which can cause both mental and
physical challenges. She has a chromosome more than us. In a society where a child’s
mental and physical inability is considered a hurdle, Sofía broke all barriers and
stereotypes. The first model with Down Syndrome to walk the coveted Victoria’s Secret
ramp shook up the industry and proved that “beauty belongs to everybody.”

People with Down Syndrome, as well as other disabilities, are largely absent from the
beauty and fashion industries. Unfortunately, we still live in a society where inclusion is
not the norm, yet Sofía sees no such boundaries. She has paved a way! Breaking barriers
and changing the perception about Down Syndrome. She has fulfilled her dreams to show
people around the world that there are no limits and to inspire them to pursue their own
dreams. Whether we have a disability or not we should consider us worthy of a place in the
beauty and fashion industry.

When we judge someone based on a diagnosis we miss out on their talents, beauty, and
individuality. They have the same wants and dreams as everyone else. They can do anything
anyone else can do. We are more alike than we are different. And aren’t we all human?
Don’t we all deserve to be respected and treated equally? It’s high time that people with
disabilities get the representation and inclusion they deserve with equal opportunities in
everything we do in today’s world.

It’s about rejoicing and celebrating abilities, not disabilities.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

Do you know about Virtual Autism?

LADY.LK — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 04:46:53 +0000

Next time you give your mobile phone to a toddler, think again. You could be the one who kills their chance for a healthy, normal childhood.

Emerging threat to children

We live in a digital era where we cannot imagine how life would be without a cellphone, laptop or a tablet. In fact, most young parents use these digital devices to calm their babies down, from playing nursery rhymes to watching cartoons. Almost every day we hear stories about how toddlers are smart enough to unlock mobiles and open applications on their own. All these, sound like signs of an intellectual generation, yet according to child psychologists, this indeed, is the direct opposite of what we expect.

What is Virtual Autism?

According to several studies* conducted among children between 0-4 years, it has been revealed that toddlers who spend too much time in front of screens such as TV, mobile phones, tablets and computers, tend to develop symptoms similar to Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). One-year old’s viewing screens are at a 4.2% greater risk of getting Autism-like symptoms, than kids playing with family as revealed by a recent research. Pediatricians also state that too much on-screen time prevents brain development and create behavioral problems during early childhood.

Symptoms of Virtual Autism

Virtual Autism is believed to generate similar indications as ASD, which generally revolves around child development milestones. Children affected by virtual Autism mainly tend to avoid eye contact, do not respond when their name is being called, have considerably low attention spans, and may become oblivious to the surroundings even when they are in company. Mostly these signs are visible to their parents, child sitters or pre-school teachers specially when they are playing with friends or peers.

How can you protect your tiny tots?

The good news is, if you identify these symptoms in your toddler, you may still have a chance for a fast recovery. Child psychologists advice to limit the daily on-screen time as much as possible and add a human association periodically to create a distraction and boost social processing pathways. Establishing rules regarding TV and other digital devices helps to control your child and rewarding your little darling when he or she adheres these rules helps to have a positive effect on their behavior. Furthermore, as loving parents, we need to reserve a part of our day to bond with children and spend quality time which will not only help to develop healthy relationships, but also present you with a greater work-life balance.

Activities for positive growth

Child specialists state that adding more interaction to your toddler’s life will make him/her stay away from the screen. Fun games such as flash cards, arts and crafts, sing-alongs, role plays, and storytelling are seen as effective ways of cultivating creativity in a toddler while adding the element of excitement into their lives. Physical activities like field trips, picnics, mini sports events will develop your child’s overall motor skills while aiding his/her physical growth.

5 tips to shop like a pro this season

LADY.LK — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 03:48:16 +0000

Gifts, Parties, celebrations, more gifts… festivals are surely fun but the cost can add up as you tend to overspend on sales, promotions, offers, and seasonal deals. As we all know, the Sinhala & Tamil New Year is around the corner, so let’s take a step back and figure out some of the best ways to shop smart while keeping the magic of the season intact.

01. Have a gift budget

Planning is key for money management. That’s why making a list of gifts well in advance is helpful to figure out the budget you need to reserve. This not only prevents spontaneous purchases, but it also prevents overspending due to last moment panic. You can plan one gift per person which will help you to save more through bulk purchases in certain items.

02. Save gradually

We all know April is a month in which the expenses are high. A smart way to handle this crisis is to start saving from an early stage. If your planned gift budget is Rs. 15,000.00, it is easier to save Rs. 5,000.00 each for three months than making a dent in your pocket only in April.

03. Shop Online

For those who shop smart, online platforms can be a lifesaver. The downside of e-commerce is impulsive buying; therefore stick only with your gift list, while being mindful about data security, payment methods, reviews, and the quality of items. It’s always a good idea to select cash on delivery and redeem loyalty points whenever possible. Many sites offer free delivery after a target amount, you can even opt for a group order with your friends to enjoy these types of benefits.

04. Be collective

Festivals have a deeper meaning than gifts; it’s about making memorable moments to last a lifetime. If your whole family meets as a tradition for New Year’s lunch, each sibling can contribute by bringing in a tasty dish or a drink, rather than spending on expensive gifts. Be creative with paper craft decorations and hand-made ornaments; enjoy family time with sing-alongs and fun games while someone with a good eye takes tons of photographs to remember these great times!

05. Use technology to connect

Most of the Sri Lankan households are equipped with a smartphone, now more than ever. Why not make the right use of it by taking the tradition of visiting relatives a step further? Of course, it cannot be compared with physically seeing your loved ones, but a WhatsApp video call will at least ensure their health and safety during this challenging time. Add more love by sending a New Year card with a heartfelt note; which they will cherish immensely.

Summary

With all that said, do not mistake frugality for miserliness; you should not hesitate to spend where your priorities are concerned. This effort is to help cut down any unnecessary expenses with these useful saving tips during this Sinhala & Tamil New Year!

Are you HYDRATED enough?

LADY.LK — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 07:56:03 +0000

Does the afternoon heat drive you nearly insane too? The sun is directly positioned over Sri Lanka right now and the temperatures are running high as a result. Though it could have a positive impact on nature in terms of stirring blooms and flourishing harvests, for those who work outdoors – the news is not so good. That’s why it’s critical to keep yourself hydrated in order to stay fit in the sweltering sun, especially while you attend to that new year shopping session. We recommend keeping an umbrella close, but most of all, these are the reasons why you need to keep that bottle of water closer.

01. Why is it important?

Your body sends signals when it needs water, that’s why you get thirsty after staying out in the sun for a long time. Bodily functions are maximum within a certain temperature level, but when outside gets warmer, your body needs a mode to cool off to get back its balance. It increases your blood flow, stimulates sweat glands as a method of cooling down through evaporation. Therefore, replacing the fluids lost due to sweating will help you to prevent dehydration and avert getting heat-related illnesses.

02. What are the benefits?

Did you know that the solution for a number of health issues stem from drinking more water? From stress management to mood improvement, hydration can work miracles in your metabolism. So, the next time you feel grumpy, drink a glass of water.

It’s also good for your skin as it prevents premature ageing through radiant skin and ironing out wrinkles. Drinking water is a great way to lose weight too. By improving digestion, decreasing daily calorie intake, it paves way to a better figure which you crave for.

If you feel tired and sleepy, it might be the right time to consume more water. Fluids help to circulate oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, and support enzymes to generate more energy to perk you up. Furthermore, drinking water is a natural way of detoxification. As toxins can be flushed out through sweat and urine, keeping hydrated will purify your system in the most natural way possible.

03. How can I keep myself hydrated?

Drinking water can be boring or forgettable, unless you make a habit of it. Here are some useful tips you can try to increase your daily intake of healthy fluids. Carrying a small bottle of water when you travel, or keeping one on your desk can work as a constant reminder, or you can install an application on your mobile to set digital reminders and monitor your water habit. Water-rich foods such as cucumbers, grapes or low sugar smoothies are great hydration boosters which will also add variety to your diet.

Now that you know how important hydration is, we hope you add these useful hacks to your daily life and make it healthier. Don’t forget – Just like an apple a day, a gallon of water a day can also keep the doctor away!

What does your birth flower say about you?

LADY.LK — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 07:42:36 +0000

Let’s be honest. At some point, we all have been obsessed with our zodiac sign and its personality traits. Today we bring something pretty similar in content – ‘pretty’ being the operative word. The language of flowers, otherwise known as ‘floriography’ was a popular concept in the Victorian era, where specific blossoms were selected to represent each month of the year and were interpreted with different meanings.

01. January – Carnation

With ruffled petals in a vary of colours, Carnations stand for devotion, loyalty, hope, rebirth and love.

If you are born in January, it’s likely that you love deeply, and are loyal to your family and friends.

2. February – Violet

February babies, your birth flower is not rose, it’s violet!

Based on their meaning, you happen to be modest, faithful, wise and honest, making the world a better place.

03. March – Daffodil

Cheerful and optimistic are those who were born in the month of March.

Your birth flower is daffodil, representing luck, prosperity and new beginnings.

04. April – Daisy

Daisy is a symbol of purity and innocence, and these traits are associated with April-borns too.

You are sweet, kind and is the heart of the party with a great sense of adventure.

05. May – Lily of the valley

With its delicate blooms and sweet scent, this flower symbolises humility, sweetness, motherhood and hope.

No wonder people adore your nurturing nature and reliability.

06. June – Rose

June born ladies; you get the bragging rights in the floral department as rose is your birth flower.

You are born romantics gifted with beauty and devotion, thriving in meaningful relationships.

07. July – Delphinium

Just like your birth flower delphinium, July-borns know just the way to cheer up a day.

Representing positivity, these beauties attract new people and opportunities with their wit and charm.

08. August – Gladiolus

Gladiolus come in a rainbow of colours, which is evident in the plethora of qualities in August babies.

Goal oriented and intellectual, you have a strong character and moral integrity.

09. September – Aster

If you were born in September, star-shaped aster is your flower.

Patience and listening comes to you naturally, while people often respect you for your wisdom, faith and the strive for perfection.

10.October – Marigold

Stubborn and determined, October born people are creative, passionate and seekers of peace.

You are also hard working and driven, just like marigolds blooming in the chilly Autumn.

11.November – Chrysanthemum

Born in November? Chrysanthemums belong to you!

Similar to your birth flower, you have a soft core, with a tough exterior. You always protect and cherish the ones you love.

12.December – Holly

Falling in with the season, December-borns get Holly as their birth flower.

Though technically it’s not a flower, Holly represents fertility, passing its traits of good will, merriment and peace to December babies.

Understanding these characteristics will help you to accept yourself better, while respecting others for their individual qualities. Just like flowers, different personalities are the reason why this world is a colourful place.

Did we guess your personality traits right? If so, check out your family and friends too!

It’s time to make your ‘Boss Lady’ move

LADY.LK — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 05:36:48 +0000

Do you have great writing skills? Can you bake yummy cakes? Are you the fashion-guru of your girl squad? Then it’s high time you turned these talents in to money. On this special month dedicated for women, let’s talk business and how to run your own venture profitably. No matter what your dream is, follow these steps to become a boss lady in no time!

01. Begin from within

Make a list of your skills in a piece of paper, and match them with your passion. If you have a green thumb, think how you can start selling potted plants and herbs. Doing ‘what you like’ always helps you to perform better.

02. Opinions matter

Market research is mandatory in a business plan. You can do this by asking around if there is a real need for the business idea. If you are good at sewing saree jackets, talking with people around you will not only give a clear direction, but will also provide with some prospects.

03. Start simple

Remember, Rome wasn’t built overnight. Your business idea should start simple and then expand with time. All business giants had humble beginnings. Let your client base grow along with your industry expertise and experience.

04. Choose wisely

Instagram would be a great platform to make your name as a photographer, but for specialised ventures it would not give the same result. For example, if you offer content writing services, a small blog to show off your skills would be ideal than an Instagram page.

05. Stand apart

“How can I make my offerings unique?” is a question you should ask every day. Delight customers through small value additions such as colourful packaging or a handwritten card. Lady taxi drivers, add a daily newspaper or a refreshing drink on a few extra rupees, your clients will hail you every day!

06. Keep them hooked

Retaining a business is as important as its start. In most cases, the excitement decreases as the novelty wears off. For a wellness instructor, it is important to upload new content periodically in order to keep your audience hooked and to keep the hype going.

07. Collect goodwill

Did you know that it is five times more expensive to get a customer, than it is to maintain an existing one? The cheapest way to expand your audience is to let happy customers recommend you to others. A good caterer can always pick some leads through word-of-mouth, or in online terms, word-of-mouse.

08. Measure to manage

Yes, if you can’t measure it – you can’t manage it. A simple budget, a balance sheet draft will help you to get a clear idea of your income versus expenses, and help achieve your financial goals. What’s more, it will make you stay away from doing ‘simple favours’ or taking risks that lead to great losses.

Simple, isn’t it? Now it’s just a matter of rolling up your sleeves and becoming your own boss lady!

5 ways to be the best new-mom during COVID-19

LADY.LK — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 05:33:05 +0000

Becoming a new mother can be a big challenge especially if it’s your first child. The frustration doubles when a pandemic outbreak happens at the same time. If you are a mom of an infant, making ends meet by working from home while trying to give your best shot at parenting, then this article is for you. Today we are going to bring you some expert tips* on how to make things easier for your bundle of joy as well as for yourself during COVID-19.

01. Safety first

As a mother of a newborn, both of you are at high risk, therefore following the standard COID-19 safety protocol is crucial. Go out only for essential reasons such as work, food and medicine, and wearing face masks and washing hands are mandatory whenever you leave home. Upon return, change clothes and have a wash before you handle your child. Furthermore, keeping a list of important contact numbers taped to the fridge can come handy at emergency situations.

02. Communication matters

Give your undivided attention and try to embrace a childish attitude when you are with your baby. Observation, maintaining eye contact and listening helps to implement effective, two way communication. Innovative games such as singing along, role plays will strengthen the mother-child bond. Try to minimize your child’s ‘screen time’ since it has a negative impact on their early development as well as sight.

03. Work to a time frame

Creating your own daily routine is of key importance if you are a working-from-home-mom. Write down your time table every morning with realistic goals, and tick off the tasks once they are completed. It will not only help you to manage time in a productive manner, but also to ward off stress. Inform your superiors of personal commitments in advance, so that you maintain a good work-life balance as a new mother.

04. Pamper yourself

Priorities change drastically after you give birth. But remember to give some space to yourself as your wellbeing matters too! Celebrate small victories with a scoop of ice cream, or maybe a rom-com on TV. Having your favorite music at the background can help to lessen the burden too. Whenever you feel stressed out, take a pause and breathe deep. Trust us, it helps.

05. Stay connected

No matter how isolated you feel during these challenging times, you are not alone. There are numerous ways to connect with people who care for you. Set up group calls with your family, and share your little hero’s accomplishments with your friends. Most of all, don’t be afraid to open up and discuss your issues with people you trust.

In essence, it is normal to feel scared, frustrated and even angry at times because you are going through a new phase in your life right now with the additional stress of the pandemic. We hope these tips help you to embrace positivity and become the best mom your baby needs. Spread a little love by sharing this article with others too!

*Source – Coronavirus (COVID-19) parenting tips (https://www.unicef.org)