Indian Daddy's Blog

  Janhavi Samant is a children’s author, journalist, and content marketing professional with a deep passion for storytelling. Her love for tales began in childhood, listening to her grandma and parents share a variety of stories—funny, heroic, tragic, and even outright bizarre. These early experiences instilled in her a lifelong fascination with the power of stories to connect and entertain. As a mother, Samant has continued this storytelling tradition. She finds joy in retelling, recycling, and even creating new tales for her children at bedtime. For her, these moments are not just about entertainment; they are about building strong, enduring bonds between parents and kids. She believes stories are the simplest and most powerful way to foster imagination, empathy, and creativity. “Stories help us envision ourselves in different places and situations,” she says, “allowing us to grow our perspectives and dream bigger.” Janhavi Samant’s books resonate with humor, nostalgia, and the ...

Prerna Singh Bindra is more than just a writer—she is a wildlife warrior, an advocate for the planet’s most vulnerable creatures, and a passionate wilderness guardian. Known for her ability to merge storytelling with advocacy, Bindra has carved a niche for herself in the literary world, particularly with her work to inspire young readers. Her commitment to nature and wildlife is evident in everything she writes, and her dream is simple yet profound: a world where the innocence and curiosity of children meet the timeless wonders of untamed forests. The Storyteller Who Champions the Wild Bindra’s love for nature began early. She spent her childhood exploring forests, marveling at birdsong, and reveling in the beauty of India’s rich biodiversity. This deep connection with nature laid the foundation for her life’s mission: protecting wildlife and the habitats they depend on. Over the years, Bindra has emerged as a strong voice for endangered species and pristine wildernesses, working t...

Why Are Harmful Products Like Pan Masala Advertised?  A Conversation with My Son Neel  My son and I often take short trips within or outside the city. During these drives, we frequently come across advertising hoardings for Pan Masala (tobacco) featuring famous celebrities. What's puzzling, especially for my 10-year-old son, is the statutory warning behind the hoardings that says: "Pan Masala is injurious to health." This contradiction is tough to explain, but I’ve tried answering it in a couple of ways. Here's how I explained it to him, hoping it makes sense. In India, pan masala is a product some people have used for many years. It's especially common in certain parts of the country, including Assam. Historically, some communities have chewed things like pan masala or tobacco, which is why businesses advertise them. These companies want to sell their products to people who are used to consuming them. Even though we now know that Pan Masala is harmful to he...

We often expect immediate results from our actions in today's materialistic world. There are times, however, when we continue with our actions without expecting any tangible results. Since my son was a toddler, I've been telling him bedtime stories. Over the past six years, he has requested a story about life and love every night. In order to satisfy his curiosity, I devote a great deal of time to gathering knowledge from various sources, including children's books, TV shows, the internet, YouTube, and Facebook. Sometimes he loves the stories, and other times he falls asleep before they end, so I repeat them the next night. I told him a story about Lord Buddha one night: Lord Buddha was speaking to a group of people in the forest where he lived one day. It was usual for people to come from far and wide to listen to his wise words. A furious businessman was among the crowd that morning. The man was angry because his family spent hours listening to Buddha, whom he thou...

Week-1 Day-2 Enjoying Summer vacation by enjoying Bird Watching

Mumbai is now home to a groundbreaking institution designed exclusively for children – the Museum of Solutions, or MuSo. This innovative initiative, spearheaded by the JSW Group, aims to empower children by encouraging them to develop solutions to some of India's most pressing challenges. Nestled in the Lower Parel Area of Mumbai, MuSo spans an expansive 100,000 square feet across seven floors, offering a rich tapestry of exhibitions, activities, engagements, and learning experiences meticulously crafted for children aged three and above. A hallmark of MuSo lies in its incorporation of dynamic interactive spaces, featuring four state-of-the-art labs and a mesmerizing 'mangrove' tunnel. Adorned with enchanting fairy lights, the tunnel serves as a captivating introduction for children to native creatures while imparting valuable lessons about their crucial role in the ecosystem. MuSo, with its multifaceted approach, seeks to provide an immersive and comprehensive platform t...

Ken Spillman is a renowned Australian author, editor, and critic, widely recognized for his prolific and versatile contributions to literature. With an impressive portfolio of approximately 80 books, translated into around 20 languages, Spillman has made a significant impact on the literary landscape. His literary journey extends beyond borders, and India has been a frequent destination for him. Notably, he has crafted a series of books featuring sharp-witted young Indian characters, showcasing his ability to capture diverse cultural nuances and create relatable stories for readers of all ages. Beyond the pages of his books, Ken Spillman has become a captivating presence for young minds. Having entertained over 90,000 children, his lively presentations delve into the magic of books, emphasizing the gift of imagination, and extolling the numerous benefits of creative thinking. Through these engagements, Spillman goes beyond being an author; he becomes an advocate for the transforma...

In a remarkable discovery, a team of researchers, led by University of Otago zoologist Professor Hamish Spencer, stumbled upon a rare avian wonder during a leisurely holiday in Colombia, a country in northern South America. The unexpected finding unfolded when amateur ornithologist John Murillo alerted the team to the presence of a wild green honeycreeper. What sets this discovery apart is the bird's extraordinary physical characteristic: it is literally half-female and half-male. The left side of its body displays a vibrant green plumage, signifying the female attributes, while the right side boasts a striking blue plumage, indicative of its male characteristics. Capturing this incredible phenomenon on camera, Professor Spencer and Murillo documented the bird's unique appearance for the world to witness. The photographs taken during this unexpected encounter have since catapulted the rare bird into the spotlight, garnering attention and fascination from the scientific comm...

  Alarming Study Links Social Media Use to Risky Behaviors in Adolescents According to a recent study carried out by the University of Glasgow, adolescents who frequent social media are more likely to make risky decisions. Based on data collected from 1997 to 2022 and analyses of responses from 1.4 million adolescents aged 10 to 19, the study finds an increase in behaviors such as underage drinking, drug use, smoking, and antisocial behavior. Platforms and Their Influence This study sheds light on the pervasive influence of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Exposure to content that promotes unhealthy activities is a major factor contributing to these risky behaviors. There was a significant correlation between exposure to alcohol advertisements and increased alcohol consumption in the findings. Content that encourages unhealthy eating habits was also flagged as a critical concern. Startling Statistics A new study published in the BMJ provides stark statistics that...

There are a few tips to provide quality time with your kids: Develop a Plan of Action: Prioritize activities that your child enjoys and that encourage positive interaction. Plan age-appropriate activities that allow for shared experiences and meaningful conversations. Be flexible in your plan to accommodate your child's preferences and interests. Stay Dedicated Without Distractions: Create a designated time for focused interaction without interruptions. Avoid multitasking or engaging in activities that may divert your attention. Demonstrate genuine interest and active listening to strengthen the connection. Keep Away from Your Mobile Phone and Social Media: Set boundaries by putting away electronic devices during your dedicated time. Minimize the temptation to check messages or browse social media platforms. Show your child that they have your undivided attention, enhancing the quality of your interaction. Avoid Gossip: Refrain from discussing sensitive or inapp...

  MY FIRST VISIT AT THE ZOO My first visit with my dad at the zoo was incredible! I saw lots of different animals at the zoo, in my diary (where I wrote all the animals in) there were about 33 animals that we saw! And guess what? There are even more animals to see! One of the rare animals that we saw was a White Porcupine! It looked cool, not gonna lie. The funniest was the Hoolock Gibbon, it was shouting like Crazy 🤪 !  The animal that I liked the most was the Lion. It was with his lioness, and I got so excited that I accidently said hello to them… (I’m saying accidently because the lion could run over and grab me, don’t worry though he didn’t do that I’m fine.) He stared at me then returned to his business. I was excited because it was the first time, I ever saw a lion! Ok, the one that I did get scared a tiny bit was the Burmese Python, it scared me because mate it actually crawling on the ceiling light ☠ ️😱 ! Even though I’m actually not afraid of snakes. (That’s actuall...

  Title: " Nature's Voice" Characters: JASON , a high school student and nature enthusiast LUCAS , Jason's classmate and skeptic SARAH , a park ranger VOICE OF NATURE (VON), an otherworldly voice representing the natural world ( The play opens with JASON and LUCAS sitting in a park, surrounded by nature ) JASON: (excitedly) Can you believe how beautiful this place is, Lucas? The trees, the birds, the sound of the river. It’s like a symphony of nature. LUCAS : (skeptically) It’s just a park, man. What’s so special about it? JASON : (disappointed) How can you not see it, Lucas? This park is a sanctuary for wildlife and a crucial part of the ecosystem. We need to protect places like this. LUCAS : (sarcastic) Oh sure, because a couple of trees and some squirrels are going to save the world. JASON : (serious) It’s not just about the trees and squirrels, Lucas. It’s about the balance of nature and preserving it for future generations. (SARAH enters) SARAH : (approaching ...