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Sonal Kalra

Articles by Sonal Kalra

A Calmer You, By Sonal Kalra: Don’t buckle under the pressure to marry

The wedding season is on in full glory. And it has brought along a truckload of stress, as always.

I toh anyway firmly come from the ‘shaadi is barbaadi public school’, but, I recently realised what a tension a wedding can be, for the bride or the groom’s single friends.

columns

Updated on Feb 22, 2020 06:49 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Stop repeating the same thing

Here’s a trademark habit of annoying people. Are you one of them?

It is people who have the habit of repeating the same thing over and over again — and not junk food — that has to be the biggest cause of hypertension in the world.

columns

Updated on Feb 15, 2020 02:30 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Messed up phrases mess up the mind

Are you sure what you are saying is what you’re actually trying to say? Here are a few ways that language criminals have devised to play with logic

Some of the most common expressions we throw in so randomly into our day-to-day language don’t mean anything at all. Some are downright dumb.

entertainment

Updated on Feb 08, 2020 01:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Are you also tired of being angry on social media?

Unless your exam syllabus covers the latest topics on which social media warriors are outraging, give yourself a break.

In the past few days, ever since students became the focus of a lot of politics and debates over nationalism, a lot of bitterness and negativity seems to have crept into the common man’s life.

columns

Updated on Feb 01, 2020 06:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: How to get even with odd people

There’s no need to tolerate irritating people when you can irritate them back!

We’ve all grown up on moral science lessons about patiently waiting for bad to turn good someday.

columns

Updated on Jan 18, 2020 03:14 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, By Sonal Kalra: Are you under Shaadi ka Pressure?

The only thing worse than marrying is marrying for wrong reasons :)

The only thing worse than getting married is getting married for wrong reasons, under pressure.

columns

Updated on Jan 11, 2020 02:36 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra:, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Sachcha pyaar, really?

It’s important to choose your life partner carefully. Run the person through these five tests to see if they fit the bill.

Most of us latch on to the first relationship that seems reasonably okay to us, and try to squeeze-fit it into the sachcha pyaar mould.

columns

Updated on Jan 04, 2020 05:53 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Beware, being popular has unpopular pitfalls

I have decided to not invest even a teeny-weeny bit of my time, effort or energy in being a ‘People Pleaser’. The more we try and make it an ideal universe around us by going out of the way for everyone, the closer we get to slowly ruining the universe within us

Slowly you begin to realise that even those for whom you are crossing boundaries to be extra nice, consider it to be their right and take it for granted

columns

Updated on Dec 28, 2019 01:23 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Quit the guilt and talk to your parents

‘You spend years wishing your parents would get off your back, only to realise they’re the only ones who ever really had your back’ — Anonymous.

You could be one among the many children, a son or a daughter, or you could be living with or away from them – at some point in life, the guilt of not doing enough for parents is bound to strike.

columns

Updated on Dec 21, 2019 06:16 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Mind your movie manners

What are the things that can spoil your movie experience? Sonal Kalra talks about the manners one should show while watching a film

Some movie-watchers decide to leave their manners, rather than their brains, home.

columns

Updated on Dec 14, 2019 03:45 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Say a big ‘thank you’ to all those jealous folks

No reason to hate people envious of you. I think they’re fabulous — you see, what they do is reaffirm all the good things about you, or happening to you, through their jealousy.

Someone being jealous of you is the biggest proof that there’s something right, and good, happening in your life.

opinion

Updated on Dec 07, 2019 07:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Meeting or date, better never than late!

And for those who joke that IST is ‘Indian Stretchable Time’, it’s not funny!

No matter what excuse we stammer and stutter, there’s actually nothing ‘valid’ about turning up late for something that’s scheduled for a specific time.

columns

Updated on Nov 23, 2019 06:13 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Kill bitterness with small acts of joy

Go on and help someone who may not be able to return the favour. Or help people overcome their little fears, without showing any condescension. It will make them, and you, happier than you imagine!

You see, we Indians are beautiful at helping

columns

Updated on Nov 16, 2019 08:05 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Till fights do us apart

Affection test: Lock your pet dog in one room and your spouse in another. After an hour, open the door and check who is happier to see you. Okay, just kidding!

So, I thought why not take a concrete step forward in improving your love life. No, I didn’t ask you to rush and get shaktivardhak (energising) capsules.

columns

Updated on Nov 09, 2019 02:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: When Diwali gives life lessons

I think the concept of exchanging gifts during Diwali has a crazy theory behind it

I think this whole jingbang of exchanging gifts during the festival gives us some very important lessons in life

columns

Updated on Oct 25, 2019 07:08 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: What to never say to your woman

Don’t even think of intruding into that territory. Well, that’s only if you want to stay alive

What exactly is it that men say to the female species that guarantees hell on earth

columns

Updated on Oct 19, 2019 02:40 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Can I have a tissue, please?

A Calmer You disclaimer: Before I begin, let me inform you that I’m a clean person, lest this write-up gives you a wrong impression. I brush my teeth daily and try to take a bath on most days. However, I continue to suffer from a phobia of those who have a phobia of germs.

I continue to suffer from a phobia of those who have a phobia of germs.

columns

Updated on Oct 12, 2019 03:39 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Is work working you up?

Take a break and go out for a walk instead. You’ll come back loving your job

Emotions are not meant for the workplace.

columns

Updated on Oct 05, 2019 04:18 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

Sadhguru: What’s wrong with actors and celebrities supporting us?

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev defends the support extended to his environment campaign by celebs at home and abroad.

cities

Updated on Oct 01, 2019 04:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You by Sonal Kalra: Love is not ownership!

Calmness tips to deal with a helicopter partner who is constantly hovering over your head.

Here are some calmness tips for those dealing with ‘helicopter’ partners, always hovering overhead and raking up loads of noise.

columns

Updated on Sep 28, 2019 05:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A young woman who played an aging Kasturba

Rohini Hattangadi played the character of Kasturba Gandhi in Richard Attenborough’s legendary 1982 film, Gandhi. Hattangadi revisits her memories of working in this iconic cinematic adaptation of his life.

Veteran actor Rohini Hattangadi at her residence in Mumbai.(Aalok Soni/HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Oct 01, 2020 07:06 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

Laughing away the pain, one STEP at a time

Does being in a hospital drain away your happiness ? Medical clowns are here to fill it up to the very brim

One of the few ‘medical clowns’ in India, the woman runs a volunteer group — the Clownselors to do distraction therapy for free at a government hospital for kids.

columns

Updated on Sep 21, 2019 03:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: How to fake-flash your IQ!

You may have heard of name dropping. But have you heard of ‘knowledge dropping’?

I found myself standing between two gentlemen who were behaving as if they are in a race to win some imaginary episode of ‘India’s most intellectual’.

columns

Updated on Sep 14, 2019 04:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: Break up but don’t break down

A relationship not working out means only one thing — another will.

Those who are in a relationship are equally dukhi if not more than the one who aren’t.

columns

Updated on Sep 07, 2019 05:08 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, By Sonal Kalra: Damn, the pain of one sided love!

Let’s try to get over it in a non-filmy way, for once.

Unrequited love, or in simple words ‘one-sided love’ is a pain that perhaps ought not to be seen as just heartache that will go away with time.

columns

Updated on Aug 31, 2019 05:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, By Sonal Kalra: What’s your quick fix for rude people?

After today, think twice before asking someone a personal question that leaves them embarrassed

columns

Updated on Aug 24, 2019 03:42 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

Our point of view creates our reality: Dr Dain Heer

By changing our outlook on life and things, we could change our life, says Dr Dain Heer, an author and co-creator of the self-help system Access Consciousness. He suggests using simple Access Tools, like asking questions, to create a life we desire.

Dr. Dain Heer is an author and co-creator of Access Consciousness(Sarang Gupta/HT)

lifestyle

Updated on Aug 23, 2019 04:54 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Delhi | ByMedha Shri Dahiya and Sonal Kalra

A Calmer You, By Sonal Kalra: Darn, these hunger games!

All those tortured by the online food apps, let’s gather and mourn.

We are touchy when it comes to food delivery vis-à-vis another e-commerce services.

columns

Updated on Aug 17, 2019 04:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

A Calmer You, by Sonal Kalra: We don’t know how to deal with loss

The loss of a loved one leaves most of us broken. Here’s some gyan on dealing with healing

Grief is an intrinsic part of our lives, just like happiness.

columns

Updated on Aug 11, 2019 12:38 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra, New Delhi

A Calmer You, By Sonal Kalra: Always in a rush. But why?

Of all the annoying species, the worst are those who impose their hyper behaviour on others, while travelling.

When it comes to acting weird, the lyrics of ‘We are the World’ song seem to stream into the subconscious of an American, a Chinese and an Indian alike.

columns

Updated on Aug 04, 2019 02:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times | BySonal Kalra

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Sonal Kalra

The wedding season is on in full glory. And it has brought along a truckload of stress, as always.

Here’s a trademark habit of annoying people. Are you one of them?

Are you sure what you are saying is what you’re actually trying to say? Here are a few ways that language criminals have devised to play with logic

Unless your exam syllabus covers the latest topics on which social media warriors are outraging, give yourself a break.

There’s no need to tolerate irritating people when you can irritate them back!

The only thing worse than marrying is marrying for wrong reasons :)

It’s important to choose your life partner carefully. Run the person through these five tests to see if they fit the bill.

I have decided to not invest even a teeny-weeny bit of my time, effort or energy in being a ‘People Pleaser’. The more we try and make it an ideal universe around us by going out of the way for everyone, the closer we get to slowly ruining the universe within us

‘You spend years wishing your parents would get off your back, only to realise they’re the only ones who ever really had your back’ — Anonymous.

What are the things that can spoil your movie experience? Sonal Kalra talks about the manners one should show while watching a film

No reason to hate people envious of you. I think they’re fabulous — you see, what they do is reaffirm all the good things about you, or happening to you, through their jealousy.

And for those who joke that IST is ‘Indian Stretchable Time’, it’s not funny!

Go on and help someone who may not be able to return the favour. Or help people overcome their little fears, without showing any condescension. It will make them, and you, happier than you imagine!

Affection test: Lock your pet dog in one room and your spouse in another. After an hour, open the door and check who is happier to see you. Okay, just kidding!

I think the concept of exchanging gifts during Diwali has a crazy theory behind it

Don’t even think of intruding into that territory. Well, that’s only if you want to stay alive

A Calmer You disclaimer: Before I begin, let me inform you that I’m a clean person, lest this write-up gives you a wrong impression. I brush my teeth daily and try to take a bath on most days. However, I continue to suffer from a phobia of those who have a phobia of germs.

Take a break and go out for a walk instead. You’ll come back loving your job

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev defends the support extended to his environment campaign by celebs at home and abroad.

Calmness tips to deal with a helicopter partner who is constantly hovering over your head.

Rohini Hattangadi played the character of Kasturba Gandhi in Richard Attenborough’s legendary 1982 film, Gandhi. Hattangadi revisits her memories of working in this iconic cinematic adaptation of his life.

Does being in a hospital drain away your happiness ? Medical clowns are here to fill it up to the very brim

You may have heard of name dropping. But have you heard of ‘knowledge dropping’?

A relationship not working out means only one thing — another will.

Let’s try to get over it in a non-filmy way, for once.

After today, think twice before asking someone a personal question that leaves them embarrassed

By changing our outlook on life and things, we could change our life, says Dr Dain Heer, an author and co-creator of the self-help system Access Consciousness. He suggests using simple Access Tools, like asking questions, to create a life we desire.

All those tortured by the online food apps, let’s gather and mourn.

The loss of a loved one leaves most of us broken. Here’s some gyan on dealing with healing

Of all the annoying species, the worst are those who impose their hyper behaviour on others, while travelling.

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