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Author: Bhavik Sarkhedi

Bhavik Sarkhedi is the founder of Ohh My Brand, co-founder of Blushush Agency. His work has been featured in esteemed publications such as as The New York Times, Forbes, HuffPost, and Entrepreneur. He is the best-selling author of 'The Unproposed Guy'. Bhavik Sarkhedi is an accomplished and verified personal branding expert, award winning digital marketer, independent SEO writer, published author of 12 books, and storyteller known for his prolific contributions across various domains.

Love at first Carpool

Posted on by Bhavik Sarkhedi

Nowadays, carpooling is a big thing, and according to many, the need of the hour. However, I was never one a great supporter of it. I couldn’t understand that how can someone travel with a bunch of complete strangers, with whom you probably have nothing in common. So, no matter what the circumstances, I never went with carpooling option while booking a cab. Until one (un)fortunate day.

I remember that day clearly for many reasons. I was getting late and the nearest individual Uber was 20 minutes away. On top of that, it had started pouring half an hour ago. At that time, because I was out of preferable options, I checked the waiting for the carpool and much to my dismay it was just 5 minutes away. So, half-heartedly I booked the carpooling Uber and waited for it to arrive. Once it arrived, I saw that I was the first passenger. I asked the driver if he had any other pickup, he replied: “abhi bas 1 aur hai”. After 5 minutes we reached for that other passengers’ pickup. Turns out that passenger was an angel. Clothed in a white shirt and black trousers, she was dressed to perfection. Not even a hair was out of proportion.

Finally, she entered the cab and much to my surprise to the seat right beside me. The reason I was surprised was that we were in an Inova and I was in the last row. I had assumed that she would sit in the middle row but was happy that she was sitting near me.

Immediately after sitting, she started arguing with the driver, asking why was he 15 minutes late and that she always went to carpools and never had she had to wait for so long. In reply, the driver told that this sir, referring to me, too had booked the cab at the almost same time and since my place was closer, so he picked me first. At that very instant, I got the dirtiest and angriest possible look from her.

Imagine this, on one hand, I am fascinated and in total awe of this girl, and on the other she is fuming inside seeing my smiling face. And, what happened next did not help either one of us.

Remember I said it was raining, so guess what happened, traffic jam. Once the driver moved from inner lanes to the outer road, I was clear that we would get stuck in the traffic jam. We both tried contacting our offices for a leave or work-from-home, but surprisingly it was rejected and so no matter how late we got, we had to report to the offices.

Well, everybody knows that there is no way two people avoid each other if they are stuck in a small space, even if they are enemies. So, automatically after few minutes, the driver started some talking about the corrupt govt. and thereafter, the conversation started to flow.

After some time, I realised that this girl sitting beside me was a perfect combination of beauty with brains. And with every passing minute, I was more and more impressed by her. Busy in our conversation, we did not realise that the driver has just pulled in front of her office.

However, she did not immediately get down, as if waiting for me to say something. But me being me, was not sure what to say. Whether to ask her out or to just say goodbye. After almost 5 minutes, she finally moved to get down of the car and at that same moment, I gathered some courage to say something. But as my luck would have it, her phone rang and answering it, she left. Not once looking back. And, at that very moment, I realised that I didn’t even know her name.

Merging-Unmerging Paths

Posted on by Bhavik Sarkhedi

I am a firm believer in the saying “love can happen to anyone, anywhere”. Mostly, because I am 28 year of a single guy who is desperate to be in a relationship. Yes, a proper relationship and not just sex. Though I cannot say that had not had any offers of that too.

Now that I told everyone that obviously have no love life, what-so-ever, let me also just tell you that I am not big on money. The result of which I have to travel to everywhere by public transport so that I can save every penny for the future.

Probably now it’s clear that I am one of those million ordinary guys who live their life on autopilot mode in the hope of better future. Plus, being an ordinary decent guy means you have several friends who are girls.

One such “girlfriend” of mine was the one I met in a bus one day. Though our first meeting was accidental, our encounters ever since are the highlight of my day. Mostly because I am a quiet listener and she is a chatterbox. In the evenings, when both of us take the same bus (I consciously tried to manage my schedule according to hers) we have almost an hour before she gets down at her station. This kept going for a year, and both of us a formed a friendship that I know was special for us.

However, for me, it was more than just friendship. Only after a month knowing her, I knew that she was different and the kind of different that I was looking for in a girl. Every time I talked to her, I felt more and more drawn towards her. It’s like, she has a vibe that just regenerates every cell in my body.

You all must have been thinking I am a ‘loser’ for having ‘guts’ to ask out a girl about whom I was crazy. But, my friends, it is not as easy as seems. Not to sound too philosophical, but sometimes in life, you have something that is too good that you don’t feel like risking it. Well, for me, my friendship with her was like that, I couldn’t think about losing it. I was scared of thinking that would I be able to bear her rejection.

But, all the philosophical thoughts aside, the reality is that I am a guy and the guys are meant to do screw things up. And that exactly what I did.

One evening, on the valentines eve, I decided that I would ask her to meet me somewhere else, maybe for lunch or just coffee. Repeating the plan in my mind, I approached her. However, it was not until the bus was about to reach her station that I was able to say something to her. and, what I said was alien to my ears too, because what was supposed to be “let’s meet for lunch or coffee”, turned into “I love you”. She stopped right in her tracks and looked into my eyes. A smile formed on her lips but before exiting the bus, she uttered “Too late. Sorry”.

After that, I never saw her again and after pondering over our every conversation I realised that I was in fact too late to recognise all the signals she was sending me for a long time.

He is Unproposed, not Desperate- The Unproposed Guy

Posted on by Bhavik Sarkhedi

He drinks green tea, not just espresso.

He likes music, not just Despacito and cliché so.

He is funny but he fails to show it off to his girl.

She gets sweet gifts but he just can’t buy a pearl.

He loves it when the gown he bought makes a twirl.

Like everyone, he too needs a partner.

Unlike anyone, he wishes to be her armor.

Though he was a charmer, sharper and smarter,

Unfortunately, he becomes her kindergartner.

He drives her crazy in long rides, being himself with her.

Nonetheless, she considers him as her chauffeur.

He is not rude; he is straightforward.

Nevertheless, she thinks it’s awkward.

She has many friends in guys, he is insecure.

To get her attention, he skips his supper.

Her touch is ecstatic for him, he senses.

Her smile makes his whole day, feels head over heels.

Every time she calls on him, he drops what he does.

He wasn’t her best bud but that wasn’t the fuzz.

She can’t be her friend, he thinks.

Before he is friend zoned, he kneels.

So he proposes her and makes a jinx.

Like every other, she says ‘You are not the one’.

It was all over again when it was time to run.

He thought all his life he stood by her side.

But she just considered him Romeo who always lied.

He felt out of pride and the high tide rose inside.

Why is it so that his rhyme has to be perfect and his delivery flawless?

Why is it so that the burden is always on him who can’t seek solace?

Why is it so that he is devoid of love and care and becomes clueless?

He may not be Chandler Bing but he has a good sense of humor.

He may not be Sheldon Cooper but he has no brain tumor.

He may not be your fictional character, but he is a real funny narrator.

To all the ones who think ‘I lack that (P-Factor) Proposed-Factor’

Actually, you don’t lack anything because you are a New-clear reactor.

He may not be romantic because he ain’t plastic.

He may not take you to Atlantic, but he is fantastic.

<He may not be proposed anytime because he ain’t desperate every time>

Unpublished Interview of Bhavik Sarkhedi

Posted on by Bhavik Sarkhedi

[Date- May 15, 2015]

  • How does it feel when you are the author of a book, what is the response of your family, friends etc.?

Well, I would begin with the title of Chapter 5 “Patience & Persistence” from my book which depicts the importance of ‘Sabra’ in our life. Coming to the point, it feels bliss & ecstatic being an author because it’s like an additional feather to my cap where people say ‘There he goes-Summation of Engineer & Writer’.

Since I was a hidden wordsmith till my article was published in ‘Times of India’s Rajkot Plus’, I became really popular among my friends & colleagues-definitely

In fact, I was the reputed one in my family & relatives because wherever I go people would greet & appreciate me for my debut work.

Then, I say to myself giggling “what else you demand from this life?’

  • Did your family support you in your quest..?

It’s quite perplexing, you know when you have got 2 skills & your parents are still thinking ‘Is he going to make his passion into a profession?’, ’Is he serious about his passion or just a casual wish to fulfill?’. Yes, I must admire that Parents do care about my quest since they consider it as my special ability. They support me like anything & I still remember my father saying before my book was published ‘It’s Ok if you can’t do traditional publishing, tell me how much money will you require for the whole process?’

  • What is the exact procedure for publishing your first book?

Nothing special-It’s Self Publishing by Partridge India(Penguin Group)

After submitting my manuscript to many publications, I came to know that ‘Short Story’ Genre is never going to be accepted & moreover I was a newbie

Of course, I was demotivated like anything but you see when you have already written an inspirational content, what else stops you?,,,so I finally went for Self Publishing

  • What sort of media support did you get as an

    author?

Ummm… Nothing at all. I have tried myself promoting & advertising my book going personally to every store & sticking posters to the crowdy-famous public place.

I still can’t forget the day when my book was online & I was like OWOOOWOW for an instance but as days passed it was the bitter reality.

My Job timing used to be 7 AM-6 PM during those days & so after 6 I would pack my bag with book copy, posters & the portfolio of my writing career –visiting every good place of the city Bhuj where my book posters can be noticed.

And at 10 PM, I would come to my apartment tired despite having any negative feeling about the book but the only thing my head was filled was that I would write the second book which would be novel & I will write it so well that it will get traditionally published thus I won’t have to roam here and there again.

Not going to an emotional path, let’s say ‘It happened for a reason’& that’s why I am on my Next Meta-Physical Fiction Novel ‘Will You Walk a Mile?’

  • What inspired you and attracted you towards writing field?

OHHHH! Actually, I was an introvert since childhood and the only best friend I had was my personal diary( I have got total 12 of ‘em now from 2001/02 to 2014). Every time when I had my bad times-moments during school or at home, I would directly write it in a diary. I don’t know but I was innocent enough to think so fantasy that this diary would be read by God every night & my troubles-obstacles will be solved.

To be Frank, until today I write all the bad stuff haphazardly in my laptop secret file or in physical copy & yes “ It’s still having the same impact like childhood”. Thanks to God for giving me the Secret Special Weapon to slay the hindrance of my life.

  • Are you having any further plans for your next book?

As I told you that I am writing a novel but with a co-partner ’Shweta Suvarna’. She helps me in the Fictional Character plots while I am into the Philosophy part which is the main crux of this book.

  • In this scenario, where authors are a rarity how do you feel being an author?

Really ?? I don’t think so …HAAHAH. Lots of guys & girls are making into their future in the writing career but yes as a rarity, I feel special but I also feel frightened whether I will survive or not.

  • Being just an author can anyone survive for their lives without any jobs or business and just writing books …what are views regarding this?

Personally speaking, this is not possible until & unless you are born rich & have the money back up to live life. Because this stuffs asks time from you, a big huge period of time where you struggle from newbie to mediocre to expert professional.

I would make myself ensure when I would have only writing career that I have something that relates to my writing skills for example-Blogger- I have my own blog

bhaviksarkhedi.com/blog where I write something anything everything categorizing reality of life, risk, love, care, bliss, sorrow, aggression, emotion-In short the genre of my book

  • It’s a tradition in India that – “if you are not a doctor or an engineer you are considered a terrorist” …so what you have to say to the kids who are interested in creative fields and wish to be the freelance writers?

I would definitely support them personally if I get an opportunity since this is an era of ‘MultiTasking’, ‘Passion Pursuance’ ,’Creativity’,

I would just say one line to them’ It’s better to try once what you are capable of than to repent for the rest of the life because human beings always remember the thing they couldn’t do in their life than the things they did’

And by the way, I am a Mechanical Engineer too but look I am not late enough to accomplish this task. No regrets Engineering too…LOL but happy to got brothers like friends who made me know who I was & let my creativity glow.

  • What inspired you to write particularly on this topic?

Frustration, Depression, Stress & Tension to the generation who are even still not mature enough to know what the purpose of this life is. When I say I am emotional & philosophical by nature I surely mean it because I wish that if I am given a wishbone for life then I would make every people smile around me.

…Because nothing matters much

  • How is your family background? (describe your parents’ professional life, your professional life, any of your siblings and their attitude towards you as an author)

My father is an artist & I guess that’s why I am blessed with this creativity. He owns Textile Design Business in Jetpur-a small town near Rajkot. Yes, Chapter 12-The One with the Guts-A short tiny real-life story of my Father who is my icon & role model for life. I follow him & every one of his attitudes, ethics, etiquettes.

I go in my Flash Back when I got 73% in 12th Science & I was invited to PV Modi school for the awards but I didn’t. I was too stubborn & didn’t obey my parents who tried to convince me a lot. Because I thought that I deserved more scores.

Finally, Papa’s friend whose son was too in the same school came to me after the function & asks me to meet him personally, he said “You know what you have missed life’s biggest occasion because all the students above 70 % were called on the stage along with their parents & rewarded-pray to God if you can get the same occasion to prove yourself “

There you go, March 12, 2015, long long time after my 12th, I was called upon the stage along with my parents –it was my Marwadi College where my book was inaugurated. You can see my Goosebumps now as the glittering eyes of my parents is seen who is looking at me with proud thanking God for all.

My mother is a sweet, adorable housewife who stills pinches me on my ears when I get angry for no reason, still taunts me’Beta, bhale writer thai gayo pan mara mate to tu haji Lallu j cho’- Lallu My childhood pet name. She won’t forget to tell me daily on call’ Have you done your dinner with Punjabi or Gujarati food because be health conscious as I am not there to take care of you’.

My elder sister Heta is Married recently & I miss her so much because it’s like when you have friends –they can be your brother like but sisters are sisters-she loves me too because she stills waits for her surprise gift every time I visit her.

Though she is elder, she still begins kidding “Bhavik, now you have become an author hmm, do tell us the philosophical lecture when time permits…”

We are Joint Family & everybody wholeheartedly respects me like anything including Dinesh Uncle, Raju Uncle, my both aunties & their children.

  • Say something about your school life ? (Did you ever run after marks and grades…. Did you ever wish to be a doctor or an engineer..? are you satisfied with your career?

Oh yes man for sure, ask me again and I will feel more joyed.

I was a nerd and introvert till 12th  as  I already mentioned .Never came 4th in class till my 12th but frankly speaking thanks to the nature who made my destiny U-turn with the following friends entry-Disha,Samrat ,Chintan, Darshan, Sunny, Chirag, Bhavin,Mansi,Vimal, Nikunj.

I started becoming an extrovert after that & my College Grades were awesome & I shouldn’t say this clearly but my writing skills have made me achieve those grades.

Like every engineer, I have studied on the last night but the grades, oh my god the grades would be far more than last night study. Actually, I always wished to be a good engineer with good job for sure but now I think that I will have to give my second thoughts..hahha

Definitely, I am satisfied with the position I am in right now, because time is precious & that is what I takes advantage of –Utilizing every tinie tiny moment invasion. Like a war field

  • What more do you expect from yourself ? What are your family’s expectations from you? 

I am contended as of now. May be I am more ambitious towards the ‘Soul Soothing’ activity or deeply in philosophy language I feel good sleep if I do a work which makes other people happy, something that makes me say’Ah there he is..Virtual God’

I just wants to convey some of my good thinking to the society. Like Einstein said “ I want to know God’s thought the rest is details”

I expect nothing more than my capacity from myself because that would be injustice to my ability & creativity. My family is & will be happy with the way I may opt to choose willingly because they have faith and hope. And I must express ‘Hope sabse badi tope’

  • What do you think you must have at the end of your living…? Means what is your ultimate aim of life?

Seriously ? Ultimate aim? I would rather make it very clear the actual weird dream of my life which is unusual but optimistic : I love villages, I wish that along with my whole family, wives & children I live in the chirping birds, flowing river atmosphere (as I would have earned ample …lol conditions apply) & I would be the CEO or the President or the owner of a very unique NGO for the creative people “God’s creation”-to elaborate it “God has made every human beings unique and so they should justify of what they are capable of, unfortunately everybody doesn’t get chance or lose the hope mid-way. I want them to come up & show what they way. You see

  • Who turned out to be your pillar support for your book?

That’s toughy. I hope this is the final question as it would reveal all the secrets…hmm

A firm fight against myself :

To change from introvert to extrovert

An unknown to a popular

A nerd to the jolly one

A depressed to the optimist

A normal to the unique.

To all my friends family & everyone who nurtured me at every part of life proving me wrong & right at the specific situations, I would have been nothing without you.

I believe in Law of Karma & Everything Happens for a reason- just trust your guts because it never lies it just scares you –scares from the scars you may get but that scars stays life long, teaches you lessons, makes you stronger, enlightens your inner soul-conscience.

This journey has been full of amazement, ups, downs & grief but overall this 23 I can say I have proved something I deserved because sometimes ‘Intuition is just an Illusion’ you can trust you can’t –the only exigent thing is that you got to know when it’s true when it’s false

But sometimes ‘your faith is your fate’

Finally to the steve jobs , a line from ‘Jobs’movie( I tell it to every creative people  I meet in my life & to tell you the truth –they all adore it

Here’s to the crazy ones

The rebels, the trouble makers

The round peg in a square hole

The ones who sees things differently

They are not fond of rules

They have no respect for the status quo

You can quote them, disagree with them

Glorify or vilify them

But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them

Because they change the world

The push the human race forward

While some might see them as the crazy ones, we see genius

BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CRAZY ENOUGH TO THING THAT THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD ARE THE ONES WHO DO.

How was that?

Thank you….

Cheapest Destinations to go Backpacking in Gujarat [Updated]

Posted on by Bhavik Sarkhedi

It is said that the true essence of Gujarat lies in its food and people. And this is nothing but the truth. As you enter the lands of Gujarat, you can feel the soil embracing you into its culture. Every person you meet is willing to go an extra mile to make your journey comfortable and your stay unforgettable.

Being a solo traveler, there are some things which always have to be kept in mind. The conveyance, accommodation, safety, destinations to be covered, budget, food and the list goes on. This is where you will realize that Gujarat is the state that offers the convenience to your backpacking experience. With amazing infrastructure of perfect roads and well-maintained transport facilities, your travel won’t turn into travail. Affordable accommodation and the variety of authentic Gujarati food you get to taste is just the cherry on the top.

However, what also helps while backpacking is the list of places to be visited and the pre-acquired knowledge about them. So here are some of the cheapest destinations to go while you are on your excursion through Gujarat.

Kutch – Bhuj

Almost reduced to sands during the 2001 earthquake, the area has resurrected itself beautifully. As you walk through the streets of the city, you come across the rebuilt structures and some buildings having cracks telling the story of its past struggles.

Kutch is area of Gujarat famously known for its white desert and its winter festival Rann Utsav. Bhuj, being the major city in the area is the place you want to land first. The city treats with its magnificent culture and traditions. Aina Mahal built in typical Kutchi style gives you the glimpse of varied paintings and embroidery pieces. The highlight of the palace is the Hall of Mirrors which a blend of Indian & European artistry. The architecture with marbles, glasses, mirrors and candelabra blossoms a sight of pure bliss.

Other areas worth the visit include Wild Ass Sanctuary, Dholavira Stadium, Bhadreshwar Jain Temple, Ramkund Stepwell and Swaminarayan Temple. However, the main attraction of the area is the Great Rann of Kutch. Spread across the huge expanse of 10,000 sq meters, the White Desert gives you an ecstatic feeling. Walking on the beds of salt crystals and seeing it merge with blue sky is one of the magical moments of life.

With cheap hotels and available transportation facility in the city, Kutch-Bhuj qualifies for the list of backpacking destinations.

Dwarka

Located towards the south-western corner of the state, Dwarka is considered as one of the main pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. If lore is to be believed, Dwarka was built by Lord Krishna and is called the city of gold. The city is surrounded by a number of shrines with beautiful history and story.

Rent a vehicle and get into your travelling shoes. Or actually don’t, first visit the Dwarkadheesh temple and Rukshamanee temple which are the must visit if you are here. The beauty of the architecture takes to an era beyond our times. Move ahead towards the exterior of the town. You will find the Shivrajpura beach which is famous for its lighthouse and Becktel beach where you will find aquarium and turtle breeding reserves. Visit Gopi talav and hear the story of its significance. Take a ferry to Beyt Dwarka and witness the swarm of pilgrims in all their devotional glory.

Within 25 kms of Dwarka is the land for salt production. Tata Chemicals has converted the area into its very own white desert. You will find salt panes spread over wide areas in the vicinity of seashores. Okhamadhi is one such beach.

Being a solo traveller, Dwarka takes you all the way into the mythology with its temples and brings you back to present with its industries, beaches, reserves and advancements.

Veraval

Situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, Veraval is one of the major fishing ports. You ought to explore shorelines, full of chaos, smell of fish hanging in the air, fishing boats covering the backdrop, yet so full of hope and life.

Just 6 kms from Veraval is the Somnath temple which tells the tale of beautiful construction in gold, silver and wood by the Gods. Before its reconstruction for the seventh time in year 1951, the temple was invaded a number of times by foreign invaders. The architecture of temple is so beautiful that you can spend whole day admiring it.

Kissing the shores of Veraval is the Arabian sea. Be the spectator of the beauty of the Sun submitting itself in the embrace of the large ocean. Play with its waves and loose yourself into its serenity.

Veraval gives you the glimpse into the lives of fishermen, boat builders and the rural India

So get your backpack ready and take the voyage into the land of Gujarat.