Simran Bhargava has One Life to Love

“Coffee’s at seven, god’s in his heaven, all is well with the world.”There are the incredibly profound yet the silliest words penned by this lady who intrigued me the first time I saw her on television. Simran Bhargava is no stranger to anyone anymore. Her show on NDTV Good Times, One Life to Love, is one of the best lifestyle talk shows on Indian television.

Simran anchors for this work-life-balance kind of a show that deals with many topics that the current generation identifies with – Money, stress, work balance, spirituality, burnout, health, alternative therapies, books, arts, art of living, and more. Her style of presenting has been applauded as zara-hatke and continues to touch millions of viewers from all parts of the globe.

Serious insights, little humor, active listening and a million-dollar-smile are the trademarks of her show. Be it my tired colleague, my jhola-wallah friend, or my bosses, all are in awe to this elegant lady who has got the eyeballs and the TRPs right.

This makes me wonder – what makes her so special?

When I first saw the show, she stood out more than anything or anyone else. The show topics were unusual, the story board was not sleek enough, she did look like the typical show anchor, she was not conventionally dressed, and she was talking too much sense… how unconventional and how imperfect is that!

And that’s exactly what makes Simran Bhargava my favorite – one of best hostess in the Indian television industry. Watching her on TV does not feel like watching TV.

There is an immediate connection with Simran, as if we have known her all along. Is it to do with her way of talk, words, looks, dress sense, expressions, flashy smile revealing too many teeth or the whole bundle? We don’t care any less. I think we connect with her because she is imperfect.

She comes across as honest in every topic she covers. There is sincerity in purpose, which we seldom come across in our daily lives. She goes beyond the working-for-a-living concept by stirring in a bit more soul in her work.

We like the program because it not as jazzy as others and is a little less air brushed. We like her show because we too want to hear what her guests have to say. We like the laziness with which the show meanders from start to conclusion, leaving us delightfully enlightened. Her words and sentences strike an immediate chord with us. Most of the times she always says what was always known but unsaid.

The first time I saw one life to love, I was quite intrigued by the over-the-top anchor trying too hard to listen and make sense of what was being said. A little later when she responded back with her understanding of the topic and her addition to the gyan, it was more than obvious that this lady knew exactly what was being discussed and that she can speak her mind too. I liked her in the first episode itself. Even today when I am surfing channels (which I do), I make it a point to pause a lot longer than usual to catch the glimpse of the lady in question and the topic being discussed.

When I realised that the show topics were just too right for the emerging audience, I wanted to know more about her and if I can get to see more of her somewhere. Random Googling threw  disappointing results leading me nowhere. Wish I knew more of this wonderfully reserved lady. But hang on, what I did discover was that she was a famous columnist writing for the Financial Express. Good. Now, what did she write? Googled again.

It was quite a long time since I came across some good read and Simran’s writing just delighted me to the core. Her selection of topics and her style of writing leave me deeply impressed.

I was happy to read her past articles and read them again and again. That was when I realised what a wonder-power-house of talent she is. A case in point is her famous article on Coffee called In Search Of A Perfect Cup Of Coffee. It is such a joy to read it. Does not matter if you love or hate coffee, you will end up loving her for her love for the cuppa. I simply adore the way she puts her thoughts on paper. I hope to collect more of her works in future.

I guess Simran’s writing style mantra would be: Take one topic at a time. Love it. Live it. Love over it. Do it completely. Then put it on paper. Reading her articles is pleasure… which we do not get as often as we like. I guess I can never have enough of her writing.

Longing to return to roots, smell the jasmine flowers, feel the earth, walk barefoot, go-hand-in-hand, are some of the things I can associate Simran with. Her simple style of writing and presenting endears one and all. I am glad that her education in Stanford and her stints at the leading houses like Cosmopolitan, Financial Express, etc., have not ruined her. Simple and down-to-earth – Simran Bhargava is the quinssential what-you-see-is-what-you-get person. I do not think there is another facet of her, any less beautiful than this.

For now, Simran Rocks! I wish her good luck, good health, happiness and peace. I hope that I get to see more of her.

To me, Simran will always remain – a beautiful mind.

Here are some of the assorted articles by Simran Bhargava that I found on the web. I hope the links are correct/ no copyrights violated and that the works are indeed hers. Happy Reading!

Simran in Search Of A Perfect Cup Of Coffee

Simran’s musings – A Life-Changing Period Of Doing Nothing

Simran Bhargava in conversation with Deepak Chopra about Love

The Afternoon Apathy Syndrome by Simran Bhargava

Simran’s powerpoints on Bringing Business Presentations To Life

From Just A Short Decade Ago by Simran Bhargava

Simran Bhargava voices on The Power Of Speaking Well

Simran Bhargava’s take on The Great Indian Wedding Tamasha

The Art Of Personal Energy Management – by Simran Bhargava

If you come across any more exciting reads, please let me know :o) Thanks.