smaran

Muggu

2011-12-28T14:37:00.002+05:30

Surprise !

2011-12-21T18:11:00.004+05:30

When my kid was born,I was wonderstruck ! So small & innocent .So fragile, that I wanted to protect her from all & sundry.I would buy the prettiest clothes I saw& shower her with kisses.I would play with her & hug her endlessly.She also started showering kisses on me when she grew up a little.She would hug me tightly when I returned home from office to pick her up from the child care.Slowly & surely ,she has grown up .

And now ,I have to protect myself from her tantrums.I have to nag her for cleaning up ,for waking her up ,for her studies - in fact for everything.Nothing works unless & until I scream ! I am growing tired & still manage to nag her endlessly.Sometimes,I get the feeling that she has grown immune to my nagging & screaming.I have told her umpteen times that I will henceforth omit to nag her about everything & she can have her way.And the next moment ,I am back at the same old self.My insecurity about her future gets me & I begin afresh.

I know she has some talents.She is very creative & good at some subjects.She is extremely lazy.She would rather sleep than eat.She wants life to be one smooth ride, on a luxurious yacht She loves all kind of trash food & is figure conscious at a tender age.I just keep wondering as to how she has grown up to be like this when I or my hubby were never like this at her age.Perhaps ,they grow faster now, in these times.She opts for branded (steeply priced ) products.She is a geek - always seeking out latest smart phones on the net,etc.

Of course ,I am sure, all bad habits have been inherited from her dad like laziness,postponing tasks till the deadline looms like a sword, being untidy ,etc.Moreover, since bad habits ,get formed & copied early ,there is hardly any room for good habits to be inherited from her mother, that is me.One may ponder about my good habits.Well, if I were to list out my virtues ,I would run out of cyberspace ! Hence ,out of concern for others so that there is space for others to list out their virtue /s ,I am content with stating, that I am a fountainhead of virtues !

Still, all kids surprise their parents & even themselves, by their actions once, in awhile.That is what makes parenting & hence, life worthwhile.

Her class teacher had given project work to all students in her class.One weak student was assigned to each group of students for the project work.My daughter was the team leader.She coordinated with all her team mates in the project.She also made sure, that ,the weak student spoke about the project in the class in front of her classmates.For this ,my daughter constantly tutored her, to speak, telling her about the main points to be talked about.She also explained her about the project-all this was done during school hours ! The teacher was flabbergasted that the weak student spoke about the project in front of the whole class.She was all priase for my daughter.When I went to the school for the parent -teacher's meeting,she said,"I could only give her ten marks for having made that weak girl confident enough to speak about the project in the class.If ten was not the maximum marks ,I would have surely given more !"Needless to add ,I was overwhelmed ! The teacher remarked,"All think about themselves,very few think about others."This even as the teacher commented on how many kids including my daughter did not pay attention in class about important topics for examinations,was talking as the teacher taught & so on.

Another episode took place quite recently.One boy in my daughter's class is notorious for being absent.He stays with his grandparents who manage a small shop.There is nobody to take care of the boy.He attends school when it suits him & at other times ,he is roaming in the company of his elder brother.That boy attended school after the Deepavali holidays in December.The class teacher asked the boy to tell the class about himself.He was honest .He stated that he irritates teachers as he enjoys it.He also admitted that he hardly attends school as it is quite un inspiring.The teacher asked the class to clap for him as he was truthful.Then the teacher said that his name had to be included as the participant in the project done by any one student of the class.She looked around in the class.Nobody raised hands.The teacher kept looking around.My daughter raised her hand.The teacher was pleased.I asked my daughter ,"Why did you raise your hands ? What were you thinking ? " Her reply," Because mama,no one else raised their hands.So ,I raised my hand." It was so simple.I had not even thought about it ! I was thrilled & the mom in me commented ," You will surely get ten on ten for the project."My kid replied,"I have got a nine already ."

I would like to believe that my kid was inspired - by me.I share all my blogposts,photos,culinary adventures,etc on facebook.She sees me doing this sharing on a daily basis.Hence,she has learnt to share -howsoever little -as she is quite young.As she grows older, she will learn to share more, like all, on social networking sites !So,I am quite pleased -I am sure ,your kids have also surprised you.Please share them.This is the age of sharing - on the net !

Kolam

2011-12-02T10:59:00.001+05:30

Frozen flavoured yoghurt !

2011-12-01T13:35:00.001+05:30

I have become a convert to dahi, since quite some time.When I was a kid ,I did not like it.Partly, as it used to have cream or malai & I am allergic to it. Basically ,it is all, in the mind.

Slowly & surely ,as I started working at home & in office,I realised, that dahi, was a miracle food.It is good for digestion & provides calcium.I can set it, at home, without any fuss.I read, that home made dahi has maximum health benefits compared to that available in the market.So this makes me & other housewives, masterchefs ! Since most of us ordinary mortals can set dahi ,we are all superhuman ! After all ,dahi is a wonder food !

Dahi can be diluted & made into chaas & lassi.It can be concentrated by removing all the water & converted into yummy shrikhand ! Moreover ,sev batata puri,vadas ,etc taste so tangy with dahi ! In Maharashtra,the leftover water remaining after making shrikhand is offered as a cool drink named ,Piyush.Even candies are made from shrikhand ! Shrikhand is said to be from Gujarat .I tasted pineapple shrikhand in Vadodara & the delicious state still lingers ! Dry fruit shrikhand is all the rage.One can also enjoy amrakhand - mango flavoured shrikhand throughout the year, if not mangoes.

Dahi ,chaaas,lassi ,shrikhand are all cooling in nature & very apt for a tropical country like ours.Moreover ,in these stressful times,they provide succour to overheated minds & bodies.Moreover frozen,falvoured yoghurt hardly requires any cooking.So it saves energy-hence, it is green as well ! Even shrikhand needs no cooking.I feel ,flavoured dahi is the best dessert to be consumed .Guests will, welcome this, as it is for their well being ! Conclusion : frozen ,flavoured yoghurt is a unique dish - one of a kind ! It can be made in a jiffy, from dahi available at home.Even a kid can add honey or sugar on dahi as a topping or even gulkand or rooh afza & a tempting, dessert coolant is ready to be savoured ! Making this, is practically effortless !

I first read about frozen yoghurt in the press.It had become a rage in Europe & America.There were yoghurt parlours which catered to this yearning for this healthy food - yoghurt was topped with fruits & consumed.I started pining for such dahi.I got my chance, when I visited Gulf.I brought some trays of flavoured yoghurt - peach,apricot,strawberry etc.I would eat one or two cups daily .I had got addicted ! I never felt guilty that I was devouring this alone, as my hubby & kid seemed averse to eating frozen yoghurt.

When I returned to India,I was on the lookout for a similar product.I learnt about Amul has introduced Yogi ,its flavoured yoghurt in flavours like Strawberry, banana,mango etc.I fell for it -hook,line & sinker ! I would go to grocery stores like Apna Bazaar,& buy the Amul Yogi dahi cups in dozens.I would then consume one cup daily.My love for ice creams had given way to flavoured dahi ! So ,it is healthy & a dessert as well !Other companies have copied Amul & intoduced their flavoured yoghurt variants.Amul recently introduced probiotic yoghurts in cups.Well,health has never had it so good ! Amul Probiotic yoghurt goes by the name of Flaavyo! It is available in flavours like misti doi,vanilla,mango,pineapple & strawberry .As it is probiotic ,it aids in digestion & boosts immunity.It is a health food, as prevention is better than cure ! The best part is, it is so reasonably priced, for a price conscious Indian like me !

Very recently ,I learnt, that some parlours of frozen yoghurt have opened in a place nearby.I went there & had a blast - tasting the flavours ! I opted for fresh fruit as a topping on plain dahi .Another flavour ,I tried was blueberry -it had just a hint of sugar.This means, it can be consumed by diabetics as well, without any guilt ! It was simply superb ! I wish ,I could try out these things at home.I do not have any dahi vending machines -just like ice cream ones.I am surely going to make flavoured dahi at home one of these days .I will surf the net & find out home based procedures ! Alternatively ,I can freeze the dahi ,scoop it out into a bowl & top it with fresh seasonal fruits like mango ,strawberry ,banana,apple,pineapples etc.By adding fresh seasonal fruits ,I am adding fibre content of the fruit as well instead of the fruit juices ! I can also sprinkle powdered cinnamon .I can add a drop or two of honey as well ! The possibilities are endless & so simple ! Now, I can have frozen flavoured dahi any time - nah, everytime !

This blog post is my entry for contest.If you like my post,please rate it ,share it on facebook ,twitter etc,.If you are an IndiBlogger,do promote my post, if you liked this entry.

Saathiya

2011-11-15T10:08:00.001+05:30

Fulfilling life !

2011-11-14T12:49:00.000+05:30

Leisure is basically relaxation -doing our own thing -things which we like . Leisure is like a paid holiday ! In these stressed times,we pine for relaxation.

I have a washing machine,a microwave ,a mixer grinder ,a computer ,etc -many gadgets to make life easy for me.Out of these ,the washing machine is arguably the best as it has made me independent of my maid for washing clothes.I can put on the machine at my convenience.I can also wash ,towels,curtains,woollens, bedsheets- in fact, all types of fabrics-thick & thin.Moreover ,the machine wrings the clothes so dry, that it just takes a few hours to be completely dry.Earlier ,the clothes would be dripping water all over the house & one could sense a monsoon session in progress ! In our matchbox size flats,this is a pre -essential !

With the assistance of Surf Excel Matic,my washing problems have decreased many times over.I have to just rub it on the stain ,grease mark etc & put it in the washing machine.After the washing cycle is over ,I have to strain my eyes for the fabric which had got stained ! This also means, that now ,I have more time at my command than before.I have more time to unwind.I save money as I can wash stained clothes at home instead of giving the clothes to the laundry.

There are lots of things that I do in these extra hours that have become available .I am a book lover .I love reading.I have plenty of books & also keep adding to my bookshelves.I read books many times to relax & recharge.They widen my viewpoint & also add new perspectives.I love reading thrillers,humour,politics etc.

I watch reruns of shows on the idiot box if I have missed my favourite ones.I also chat with my chums on the net .I have started blogging too & that also needs that I continue reading a lot.Blogging has its rewards & how ! I am a participant, in this Surf Excel Matic contest wherein I have to list out things which I would do if I had two extra hours in a day !

I am in this contest to win prizes & get famous ! Also ,I make it a point to read blog posts of other contestants & promote their posts so that they in turn, promote mine ! I may not win .Still, this ensures that people, visit my blog.This in itself, is great, in this age, when it is difficult to command attention even for a few seconds ! All this reading on the net keeps me up to date !

My leisure has made me seek avenues to improve myself.One of this has been my improved cooking.From a reluctant cook to an innovative one,I have travelled far ! I even have a blog wherein, I note down my recipes with snaps of the dish ! I now find time to pray & draw rangolis which I click & put on to my blog.My Deepavali rangolis turned out pretty well & got compliments !

Since my housework has eased ,I recently applied for a home based job opportunity.I was initially skeptical about my sincerity.I felt, that after a long gap from work,I may be unable to do justice & that too from home.I have proved myself wrong ! I am thrilled to be working & I continue to add new tasks for myself.

Like yesterday evening only,I attended a meditation session.I got a CD there & I practised it in the morning.This will relax me further & make me more productive. I plan to continue my meditation to recharge myself on daily basis ! All said & done ,extra hours for me has improved & rejuvenated me ! I am happy now with my self .

All this has been possible, because of the many gadgets that I have & products like Surf Excel Matic ! I am sure ,many can find a renewed zest for life once they are able to relax & enjoy life ! Then life will be like child's play ! We must have the inclination,then obviously ,we will find the time for our passions,hobbies,ideas etal.This would make life truly fulfilling !

Deepavali Rangoli IV

2011-10-28T18:44:00.000+05:30

Have used techniques seen in rangoli videos...rangoli on doorstep.

Deepavali rangoli III

2011-10-27T09:58:00.000+05:30

Deepavali Rangoli II

2011-10-26T11:01:00.000+05:30

Free hand raangoli on my doorstep....

Deepavali Raangoli I

2011-10-25T08:10:00.003+05:30

Kahani kesh ki ....

2011-10-18T10:20:00.000+05:30

My hair was long, when I was a little girl.I used to detest its length in those times.This is so, as I recall, that once, I caught hold of a pair of scissors & cut some flicks ! Of course ,all at home were angry .It still made a fashion statement & that's how flicks became a rage ! My mom used to oil my hair once a week & give me a head bath with shikakai.

As I grew older ,my hair grew longer & my dadi forbade me to cut it.The moment ,I joined college ,I cut my hair up to shoulder length, so that, I could tie a pony & manage my hair.I had very cleverly avoided to learn making plaits .This was the excuse, I gave when my parents asked me, the reason of getting a hair cut.After that, there was no stopping back.I still oiled my hair regularly & the shampoo replaced shikakai.The shampoo would give a bounce & smoothness to my hair which I loved ! As I oiled my hair ,it made my hair shine & also greasy .I had no options then & life went on.

Later ,I started working after finishing college.I cut my hair even shorter.I felt emancipated.I now started taking more care.I would shampoo my hair twice a week & sometimes even three times if the weather was very humid.I tried out many shampoos.For some months ,I tried out a branded herbal shampoo which was highly priced.It did wonders to my hair .All in my office noticed it & complimented me ! I was elated ! Then ,I switched to another brand many months later as I was bored.I wanted to try out other brands.

Slowly & surely ,I started applying henna to my hair.I would buy from the market & even from my beauty parlor.Sometimes ,I would go & get it applied there.At other times,I would apply it myself.I loved the tint henna gave to my brown hair.Also it conditioned my hair so well ! Initially ,I applied henna once in six months.Later ,the gap reduced & it became once in two to three months.After marriage ,as my worries increased manifold ( as is the case with all females who enter matrimony ) I started applying henna regularly once a month ! My hair needed henna, as it was turning grey ! Nowadays ,I have a beautician, coming home regularly once in a month to apply it.She has opted for abranded herbal henna brand though it is more expensive.This is so, as there are fewer chances of adulteration in premium brands.

I love henna on my hair as my hair is brown & reddish brown henna colour nicely covers up my white hair.I have avoided chemical treatments of my hair like using dyes.I have never gone in for straightening or perms.I feel it is foolish, to soil my hair by paying such a fancy price ! It is like a double jeopardy !

My hair is responding well to my love & care.I regularly go for hair cuts & hence my hair has no split ends.I very lovingly massage it twice a week with oil & then shampoo it with a herbal shampoo.Whenever,I apply henna to my hair,I keep it on for three to four hours.Then, I wash it with plain water.The next day ,I apply oil nicely all over my hair & keep on the oil for an hour, before I shampoo.This is to maintain henna colour on my hair.This technique has given my hair, a very lovely look.I just adore my hair ! It has a bounce & a shine with that henna tint ! It sets beautifully & as the days progress ,that setting goes away.I have been advised to use serum .Though I was quite skeptical of using serum & even a conditioner as I felt, it would make my hair sticky ,I am better informed now.

I recently went in a spa & was informed about conditioning of hair & application of serums & masks to protect hair.That day, as my hair was blow dried after a hair cut ,the beautician applied a serum & my hair has stayed set for three days ! That's wonderful ! I have to just brush my hair & I am ready to step out.My hair looks superb : as if, I just stepped after a hair styling ! I am a convert to conditioners & serums now ! Even, I can look my best with minimum efforts !

Though I sport short hair ,my hair compliments me & adds oodles to my personality ! I have been gentle & loving to my hair & it shows ! My hair is now ,very soft & manageable.It has a lovely colour & suits my wheatish complexion.As I smile, at my lovely mane ,it reciprocates by shining !
Please "Like" this blog post on Facebook,share it on facebook ,twitter & and or comment on it .It can also be rated & or labelled as cool,funny or interesting.
This blog post is my entry for the contest organised by Dove & IndiBlogger titled :
Love is a two way street:Love your hair and it loves you back !

Rangoli

2011-10-12T16:27:00.001+05:30

Meri Padosan : Continues.

2011-10-11T12:55:00.000+05:30

I had to write this post - my friend told me that my acidity is due to stress .She also revealed that my padosan is the cause of all my stress !

My padosan will come & ask for my landline phone.Once handed ,she will fumble with it .She has to be told to press the "Talk" button & so on.Still,nothing works,& I am forced to transform into a telephone operator & dial the number & hand it over to her ! And mind you ,this is not the first time ! I have lost count of the numbers now ! Good -otherwise ,I would be expected to dial from memory !

When we were to go on our trip abroad,she was happy.There was a reason behind it.They had booked tickets for a tour which included Thailand.There was a civil unrest there.Hence, they cancelled their visit.The tour operators said that they will postpone it.Since we were travelling to that side of the world where Thailand is located,my neighbour was happy that we will be travelling & returning before they embark on their trip ! This in spite of the fact, that our tour package never included Thailand ! I used to be under the impression that only the lady of the house was eccentric & soon realised I was wrong ! Her hubby asked us, if all was safe during our tour as Japan had recently witnessed Tsunami & there had been civil unrest in Thailand ! We never visited Japan & neither their package tour included Japan ! After all this fius,they shopped like mad & got diamonds,shoes ,tees etc from their trip !

Last week, she rang my bell at eight in the night to borrow elaichi sorry to get elaichi.It is not borrowing as she never had an intention to return it ! She told me that as it was pitru paksh,all elaichis had been used up & her son ( who is an adult & employed ) wanted a sweet at that time ! I just gave in.I don't want people lying through their teeth .After all ,because she needed elaichis from me ,she lied.Sab paap mere sar par aa jayeega !

My padosi family is all of a kind - the borrowing variety.I had gone to the local pharmaccy store.My padosan's daughter in law who stays with her in laws was also at the shop.I brought some medicines at the shop & paid.My neighbour's bahu brought some shampoo ,cream,face wash etc.Then she enquired if the pharmacy store accepted credit cards.When that was refused ,she said that she will pay later & walked off ! I understood this as sangat ka asar- when a person stays in the company of another, even for some time, ,some habits,do creep in our subconscious mind .They , then manifest themselves into the conscious world ! This borrowing was handed over to her, by her saas.Her saas is notorious in our society for having borrowed money & things from almost all the residents !

Recently ,I made an egg less banana cake.I distributed to all my neighbours.My padosan came & praised my cake.I fell for it & told her the ingredients & that, I made it in the microwave.She asked me the vessel in which I had made it.I showed the branded glass ware which I had used.She hinted, that she might borrow it . When I mentioned this to a friend ,she quipped that even if the glassware breaks ,what are a few glass pieces, if peace can be brought with the padosan ? ! My neighbour is a non -vegetarian.She wanted to pass on the cake to her daughter's sasur ( father in law ) who is recovering at a clinic after surgey as he is a
vegetarian !

Next day ,my neighbour declared, that, she had brought all the ingredients for the banana cake & she wanted me to make it in my microwave & hand it over to her ! I informed her, that I had attempted it for the first time & by fluke ,it had come out well .She replied, that even if it gets spoilt,she will not mind.I tried to wriggle out of the situation by telling that bananns need to be over ripe for the recipe.Next day ,she said that she has pureed the banannas & she wanted to give it to me for baking the cake.I told her that the microwave has konked out .She told me that all her purreed banans were getting wasted.I told her to make sooji ka halwa ( rava kesri )& add pureed bananas to it ! That would be more yummy than the cake & does not need the microwave !

Now all my baking has to stop -lest my padosan learns, that the microwave is fit enough to make the banana cake !

Muggu

2011-09-14T13:17:00.000+05:30

The rat race

2011-09-13T07:47:00.002+05:30

We all are part of the rat race -we participate in it & keep complaining about it.There is no compulsion & still, we refuse to leave it.The social networking sites are a hit as all can jostle for fame on the net by joining them.Some like me are so addictive that they can overwhelm their emates by flooding their mail boxes with emails .Some people are so much a part of the rat race , that, they want to hog the limelight at all events at all times & at all places !

Recently, at a cultural event, organised in a housing society ,this was in full display.A couple, both of whom, are professionals were busy hogging the stage ,the mike ,the applause & the prizes !

Their kids go to day care.The kids are very smart- they know how to extract work from the tution teachers-they will demand, that the tution teacher get their homework completed.The kids also ask the tution teacher to assist them in school projects.The tution teacher also takes extra efforts in making the kids score better grades at school in assignments,tests & examinations. The kids are left by the busy parents at various venues during competitions & other parents are requested to pick them up.Obviously, as other parents, have ample time on their hands.

The said parents are so busy & stressed out that they park their vehicles without any care in the world ! Others are the receiving end if & when they ask the said professionals to show a little elasticity in parking.The professionals belong to a sect which is known for its emphasis on gentleness towards all .This just goes to show, that some, by their very behaviour, bring disgrace to the whole community.

Coming back to the cultural programme ,the said family has left the housing society wherein this cultural programme was held & still, the family wanted to bask in glory, at its former place of residence.They have moved on to a pent house in a much sought after neighbouring suburb.

In the cultural event,the kids were part & parcel of a majority of the plays ,the dances & the solo singing.The professional parents ,who are so busy, that they have no time to pick up their wards sang duets with their kids to an applauding audience.Really ,what were they trying to prove ? That though ,we are so busy ,we spend quality time with our kids & how ? In front of the whole society, lest they blame the parents !Other parents & kids are made to feel that they are uncompetitive & not up to the mark.Degrading others to upgrade oneslf is unfair & ugly. The parents were encouraging their kids on stage to sing, even though the kids were unable to recall the lyrics of the songs !This led to the whole of the audience clapping .The applause meant ,"No more ".Thankfully ,the parents encouragement just stopped short of "once more " !

Naturally ,after so much PDA ( public display of affection ) ,prizes were given to the said parents & the kids.

Many of us may not like to do what the said parents did.Really what is more important ? Passive appreciation too is good enough .Sometimes of course ,it is better to express it openly . And this type of expression /s, in front of the world, just amounts to vulgarity & comes across as very crude.Moreover ,in such a race towards the finishing line ,one tramples upon so many, that many get hurt.How long can one continue like this ? Agreed ,that human greed has no limits & yet, we must stop somewhere.As someone has rightly said ,"the trouble with the rat race, is that even if you win ,you are still a rat."

Saathiya

2011-09-12T13:58:00.002+05:30

Prajwala

2011-08-23T13:54:00.002+05:30

I was introduced to Prajwala by a friend through the net. As I read & understood ,what Sunitha Krishnan has done & continues to do ,I was filled with admiration & respect for her.

She herself was a victim of gang rape & she rose from the ashes to rescue others from trafficking.The tasks she has on hand are just too enormous.Her orgainisation has been instrumental in rescuing & rehabilitation of hundreds & thousands of women &children.

She has a blog titled "Sunitha Krishnan :The Anti Trafficking Crusader " where she recounts her experiences of rescue.Actually ,her blog is not an easy read.It is very difficult sorry impossible to read about small girls ( as young as four year old ) being raped by dads, uncles,brothers,cousins & neighbours.A seven year old was violently raped .Her blog posts can just shame us all out of our peaceful existence.The least we can do is spread awareness about the scrouge of trafficking.

We are a very proud nation, always boasting of our glorious past & the economic gaint we have become now.We seem to brush under the carpet ,the sins committed by us.Trafficking is increasing at an alarming rate & no one is spared.Girls are brought in from Nepal & sold to brothels all over our nation.The alarming part is that people who are involved in all this are the ones who are trusted by victims.

Fathers,brothers,uncles,grandfathers,cousins,neighbours,acquitances,friends -all are involved in this dirty business.In some cases,they are the ones who violate the victims first & then invite others to do so for a price ! Really how sadist can anyone get ? Many atimes ,the mother or female relatives who raises a voice are silenced by money or threats or rape or by death.Hence,the victims are utterly helpless.

The condition of the victims is worse than that of slaves ! The victims are subjected to the worst form of sexual abuse often accompanied by violence.It leaves the victims emotionally as also physically brutalised.The victims have to keep catering to many clients & end up with HIV/AIDS.Then, they are just discarded as they are now useless & cannot bring in any returns for their owners.

Sunitha's orgainisation 'Prajwala " has been rehabilitating the victims after rescuing them. Shelters have been built & a factory has been opened where skills like carpentary ,welding ,etc are taught to the girls.Prajwala also tries to unite the victims with their families.Sometimes ,the victims are not accepted back by the families owing to the backwardness of our views on women.At such times,Prajwala takes full responsibilty of such victims.Some women & girls are also married off by Prajwala in its endeveour to integrate the victims back into society.Prajwala also takes care of the last rites of the victims who pass away.In all these tasks,Prajwala faces stiff opposition from our society .

Prajwala works with police & other law enforcement agencies in this job of fighting commercial sexual expolitation.Prajwala never seeks publicity for the rescue of the girls.Prajwala lets its work speaks for itself.

Prajwala & Sunitha have won many awards for their exemplery work.They are now sought after ,the world over for rescue & rehabilitation of victims of trafficking.Even State governments are listening to Prajwala & Sunitha in prevention of trafficking.All this, will surely help in minimising this crime .

Sunitha has said time & again that the silence of the society towards human trafficking has to change.Let us become aware & appreciate Prajwala.

One can become a follower by joining Sunitha Krishnan's blog @http://sunithakrishnan.blogspot.com/.One can also 'Like" Prajwala on facebook to get updates on Prjawala.

Please spread the word around on the net- on social networks,through emails,through twitter ,etc.This will be our contribution to this noble cause.

Kolam

2011-08-17T09:01:00.005+05:30

Cheap Indulgence

2011-08-16T16:00:00.007+05:30

On the weekend ,I indulged in some shoopping at Khadi & Mrignaynee.Mrignaynee,the M.P Stae government showroom at World Trade Centre,Colaba,Mumbai had been advertising that there was a sale upto 50% off.As I had never been there before,I thought, that, I must go & have a look as the discount was too tempting. I landed at Mrignaynee & the first thing that caught my eyes were the jute bags .They were available for Rs 22/- & Rs 15/- each depending on the size ! I brought two of each -two big & two small ones.Next ,I moved to the clothes-very few readymade tops were available.Many were without sleeves.I had to make do with a simple parrot green & white coloured batik top.There were more batik prints in vibrant hues but all without sleeves & some were blouses.I got another top in white, with violet & pink block design.Both the tops cost me on an average Rs.100/-.Then, I brought some pieces of cloth for as low as Rs 50/-per metre each.These, I got as I want to stich salwar suits for wearing at home.All the clothes which I got are pure cotton .Some have stripes ,others are plain.The clothes feel very good to touch & the colours are simply vibrant.

Next ,I got a simple soft dupatta in plain blue shade for an unbelievable Rs 60./- only.My dad brought a cotton block printed saree in red,black & white block print for Rs.700/- only.The blouse piece is a part of the saree. The saree is one of the softest I have come across in these times of polyster & synthetic fibres.My mom had told us to get her a black saree & we got a chanderi black saree for her.That cost us less than Rs.2000/ as there was some discount.The actual price was Rs 3000/-.All in all,it was a fabulous bargain.The icing on the cake was that we were shown all the clothes which we brought by unfolding them so that we could see if there were defects like missing weaves ,tears,etc.

We then headed towards the Khadi Bhavan at Fort ,Mumbai.My dad needed sajara ( short kurtas with half sleeves ) for home wear.We enquired for them & were shown the same in typical khadi woven patterns in myraid shdes like blue ,buff,etc.We brought 5-6 of them at prices of Rs.200-250/- each.I brought one plain white khadi salwar for Rs 250/-.I always buy white salwars,& chudidaars from khadi as they last very long( because khadi is handwoven ) & are very comfortable for wearing in the hot & humid climate of Mumbai.Also ,a lazy person like me can get away without starching clothes as khadi clothes are thicker.I also brought two bath towels from khadi bhavan as they are thin , dry fast & absorb water better.My dad brought a set of five white handekerchiefs for Rs.120/-(for the set of five ).We also brought Agarbattis like Chandan ,Mogra,Gulab etc.there as I prefer even incense sticks from KVIC. We got white khadi pyjamas for my father from there for Rs 225/- each.Then we moved towards the billing counter.I just stopped at a sign next to the packing counter as it said "30% off".I asked the young lady at the counter about the things on sale at the discount stated.She pointed out to various salwar-chudidaar sets which were damaged or torn or very old were on sale.I chose one which was in a good state-a blue kurta with collar & beaded embroidery with a loose block printed chudidaar.I got it for Rs 400/- only.Next ,I asked her about pastel shaded bundles of clothes lying in the shelf ! She told me that they were all shaded salwars for Rs 90/- each.I saw them & was floored ! I brought four of them as I can mix & match with so many kurtas.The salwars are very soft -in fact the khadi used is super soft to touch & feel.My dad also brought another sajara at a discount there .My dad was lamenting that he would have got all sajaras at discounts if only he had known the presence of such a counter before ! We finally moved to the billing counter & paid our bills.

I would like to inform my readers, that, of late,Khadi Bhavan has stopped all discounts -there used to be 5-10% off on cotton khadi almost through the year.Now ,this is not so.Still,I felt that we got excellent stuff.Akin to Mrignaynee,the young girl at the discount counter was taking great care to make us understand & see the defects in the clothes which were on sale at 30% off.She simply refused to show us the white khadi pyjamas on sale there as she opined, that they were all smudged.To be really honest,I have found all this is missing in brands & malls.

I prefer going to Government emporias for clothes as one can buy clothes of the all the States of our great country at such shops.Hence, ,we can all become brand ambassadors for our handlooms.Moreover,only if we continue buying such handlooms ,can we hope to keep the precious arts & crafts of our artisans alive.Otherwise , we will lose all such traditional arts & crafts for ever.We have already lost many weaving methods & other hand crafting techniques as they were no longer sought after.Many people like the Holkar family,the Taj hotel group,& Fab India are trying their best to revive some of the forgotten ones.We can do our bit by buying handlooms & handicrafts.This will surely help in keeping these arts & crafts alive.

One more handloom shop that I keep returning to is the Co-optex handlooms .Co-optex hand looms showcases handlooms of Tamil Nadu .I buy bath towels,bedsheets,dress materials,kitchen towels from Co-optex.Just a month ago, I brought some unstiched dress materials with dupattas for less than Rs 300/each.The set included a dupatta as well.The tailor charged me a fortune,considering that I paid a pittance of Rs 300/-for the material .It cost me Rs 170/- to stich a salwar suit. Labour cost is moving upwards rather rapidly !

I also had a chance to visit an exhibition cum sale of Gurjari.Gurjari is the initiative of the Gujarat government to exhibit & promote its arts & crafts.I brought a small bag cum purse from there.On sale were rakhis,pretty torans,artificial jewellery ,semi -precious stones set in various necklaces,bracelets,ear rings ,soft padded purses-cum-bags ,folders,dress materials,bedsheets,dupattas,scarves etc.

I have also visited other State emporias like that of Orissa,Uttar Pradesh ,Karnataka etc .All have impressed me & the trend continues.I feel, that our homes will be as colourful as the rainbow if we can indulge in products of our many states.Moreover ,then our homes & in turn,we will, reflect unity in diversity !

Raangoli

2011-08-02T11:11:00.004+05:30

Bags

2011-08-01T17:48:00.003+05:30

Women are fond of bags ! We need a bag whenever we have to go out on errands.That bag is like a bottom less pit.This is so as it contains our identity card,make up kits,sunglasses,candies,address book,combs,brushes,bills,receipts so on & so forth.We just keep stuffing our bags or purses with so many things as we want to carry our world with us .

I used to long for a purse even as a kid.I recall that, I was gifted a small coin purse on my birthday.It was of lavendar colour . I loved it.It had a very simple design.As I went to college,I carried a bag, into which went my books as also pens,etc.The bag had a small side compartment in which I carried money for travelling in buses.

After college,I got a job. I brought a small leather purse for a princely sum of Rs.100/-.This was a rag tag bag in which many left over leather pieces of varying shades of brown colour had been stritched together.After that bag ,there was no looking back.I brought many bags for office use.They were big enough to carry many things including the daily newspaper which I could read during commuting to & from office.I would generally go & shop at Dharavi as it is famous for leather goods.

I soon discovered that one of the fringe benefits of being an officer in a PSU is a bag allowance.This is redeemed after one purchases a bag & presents the bill to the office.It was a pittance but still the fact that it was there, was reason enough to produce the bill.Thankfully,cash was handed over without producing the bag in evidence.There were some conditions like there was limit to the cost of the bag.Also ,it could be claimed once in every five years.Slowly ,the cost of the bag that could be brought was raised to reflect inflation.So also the period was raised to six years.The logic was that a costly bag would last for one more year ! Many did not buy any bag or suitcase & still managed to produce genuine receipts of well known shops.

Perhaps the bag allowance was meant for providing bags in which officers could carry work home.Many of the tribe believed that the moment they stopped taking work home,their bags had collapsed & could no longer take the load /s.Rules being rules,the office had to wait till the officers turn came to claim the next bag allowance.Till that time ,the office work suffered ! Just goes to show how any positives for employees can backfire on any establishment !

I have always liked big bags not small ones.I need my hands to be free to board buses & trains.Hence, my bag must acconmdate many things -almost everything .I have noticed that females who are short opt for big bags & who are tall opt for small purses.

My dad went to Chennai once & I requested him to get a purse in genuine leather from Chennai.He got one which was like a simple clutch in black leather.I never used it as it just wore out as I kept it for special occassion .The occassions came but I just forgot about using it.

My bhabhi once got a leather bag for me from abroad.I still have it & use it for keeping some things which I need once in a while.It is still looks good though the zip has given away.

On my first trip abroad,I got some bags in pastel shades.I gifted them to friends & relatives.I kept one for myself .The one bag which I intended to use later got spoilt due to my hoarding habit which encourages me to postpone using a thing to a later time.

When I started buying bags,I was crazy about leather.Now,I have changed & take care to buy bags made from synthetic materils like rexin ,plastic,fibre etc..When my hubby hinted recently, that I should buy a bag befitting his status ,I made my position clear.I told him, that, I will not buy a leather bag no matter how high the brand.I have joined PETA online & this was the least I could do.Apart from status,my hubby got this purse for one more reason-he expects me to carry his mobile ,his sunglasses,his passport & other knick knacks in it.After all,as a dutiful wife ,this is expected .Moreover since,he has paid for it,I am coerced into accommodating his things in my bag.

My hubby recently gifted me a branded bag.It has cost a neat sum.It is quite hilarious as the bag is quite bereft of the cash it has been paid for.It is more of a convenience, for all in my family.Everybody wants to be hands free of goggles,cell phones,identity cards,credit cards etc. So ,I am left with the unenviable job of carrying the baggage of all !

I read, that if a woman carries a large bag ,she is carrying her baggage (read past ) which she is unable to detach from.What it omitted to state, was that all women, end up carrying baggage /s of their near & dear ones - literally & even otherwise !

Saathiya

2011-07-08T11:21:00.003+05:30

Change is symbolic of progress.

2011-07-07T12:01:00.011+05:30

My laptop went bust more than a year back.I felt lost ! I tried getting it repaired.I was told that it was as good as gone.Repairs meant changing the mother board.My brother opined that the laptop had served us well for so many years.Now ,it was time for it to rest.I was getting withdrawal symptoms - I did not know what to do.It was nearly a week, since it had gone dead.I was not able to keep in touch with friends.No email,no chatting.I felt, as if, I was in some god forsaken place.I felt lonely & aloof.

I told my brother, that, I desperately needed another laptop.My brother is my IT consultant.He was very happy to assist me in choosing one.We finally got home a new laptop & all is well.I am still using it & in touch with the world !

I choose a laptop, as I had got used to one.Moreover in matchbox like houses,it occupies little space.Moreover,I have got WiFi now & it can be shifted to any room in my small house.It is very convenient.My brother, even got a mouse, for me which has a elastic cord.The cord can be shortened so that it fits small spaces.I can also stretch it , if need be. Initially, even, I had a Computer which commanded lot of space but now, I enjoy the laptop for want of space. Changing times get reflected in our choice of gadgets !

My cell phone is shocking pink in colour.It is so, as being a woman,I want it to be bright & colorful.It has an FM radio & a camera.The FM radio is a must, as I walk listening to FM radio in the evenings.The camera is fine for taking casual shots.It is reasonably priced for the features it offers.For better clicks ,I have the digital camera.With such a camera,there is no need to print the photographs.I upload all the clicks from the camera to the laptop & I am ready to share it with all, through email & now even on the social networking sites ! So fast & convenient ! It is also environmental friendly as no paper is needed ! The comments on the snaps by our near & dear ones are added bonus points !

In our choice of such instruments,we give ourselves away.They are our mirror images.The way we use them is also another way of knowing us.Some opt for branded items,some others for latest models & still others, want value for money. Some will change their models every now & then to keep up with the latest in the market.There are a few who will keep using a gadget till it is able to provide its basic service though it may be not fighting fit for the add on features.

Our changing needs get addressed by better models.New models have many features which makes them very handy.Laptops & mobiles have built in cameras now.This was not so, in models available some years back. Hence, change means progress - a step forward or maybe many steps forward ! Today's newspaper reports suggest that very soon, our computer would nag us -about our health,messy rooms & so on . Really, technology is taking us places !

I also use the microwave.I learnt making eggless date cake through it only.I also used it for baking methi muthia for undhiyon.Similarly ,I use my pressure cooker for making khichdi ,pulaos ,biryanis etal.I mix all ingredients & pressure cook rice recipes.I even have a small cooker for pressure cooking rajma,chana,aloo mutter etc.I find pressure cooker the best way, to cook healthy wholesome food.It saves fuel & also time ! Similarly ,the mixer grinder is a great tool for cooking .It grinds even raw veggies very finely.I experiment, by making pastes of carrots,tomatoes,kadi pattas,,adrak,green chillies etc.Even onions can be added to the mixture.Such paste can be added to veggies to make delicious curries.This is a boon for mothers, as kids keep removing veggies from their plates.In this form ,there is hardly any chance of doing that ! Gadgets have indeed, made, our lives simply convenient !

Dell has introduced laptops with changeable covers Pl visit Dell Inspiron (http://bitly.com/inspiron).
Some are ethnic like Mehndi,Sangeet,Shaadi while still others are funky ones with Lovers in the morning & even plain ones with colours like Horizontal Purple,Fire Red etal.Indibloggers are welcome to experience change at exclusive stores throughout India.. I think, this reflects the many moods of the people who would like their laptop to make a statement about them ! This is so, as all of us are unique in our own way /ways ! This is also a sign of the times we are in & in tune with it !

Chowkpurana

2011-06-28T09:57:00.000+05:30

Rang !

2011-06-27T12:57:00.009+05:30

I have this question for anybody who buys me any thing.What other colors was that thing available in ? I know, it is quite irritating, for the person but I persist.I just start imagining how that object would appear in that colour or colours.My imagination takes wings & goes soaring.I can also visualise the shades of the colour /s.But all this vivid imagination of mine has a flip side.Many people have sworn, never to buy me anything as I appear quite displeased with the colors of the objects they get for me.This despite the fact, that I have instructed them on the choice of colors !

I draw rangolis twice a week.It is basically a pattern by the rangoli powder on the black cuddappah.So ,the rangoli is black & white & embellished with specks of turmeric & kumkum ! In festivals,I draw colourful rangolis -all filled with an assortment of colours ! Hence,the festive rangolis are very eye catching, as they are all bright, in comparison to to the daily white rangoli designs.

When I look at photographs dating back to my childhood,I am struck by the utter simplicity of our bygone lifestyle.I keep wondering, how would it all have looked in colors ! Would the clothes we wore in those years have similar shades as now ? Was the sky as blue ? Were the trees & grass as green as now or maybe they had a different hue ? Moreover ,many of the photographs would be clicked in studios unlike now, when we just click them anywhere !

The advent of colour television in India during the Delhi Asiad was a milestone & we got our first idiot box at home.We fell for it -hook line & sinker ! So much so, that our studies suffered but slowly & steadily ,we got to ignore it every now & then.Maybe, we were so awestruck as we had only been used to monotone of black & white on the idiot box & that too with a lot of disruptions & awful reception back in small town India.The color television came with a lot of changes -reception was good & it was Asiad -a matter of honour to be hosting it ! After this visual treat ,I guess colour television became the norm in India, rather than the exception ! So mesmerising is colour !

Now ,one can even opt for colour in Xerox ! We ,Indians need record/s for anything & everything. Actually ,unless there is a record,we are skeptical of that person ,the event ,almost everything.Hence ,the xerox is our most valuable friend in these times ! Xerox was & continues to be the most valuable ally & colour xerox all the more so ! Now trust can be xeroxed in the original ! With colours !

Even computers come with colour printers & amp; mobiles are also with coloured screens -all are reasonably priced ! So all of us can enjoy colours without our pockets pinching us.In fact ,the advent of colours in all devices has made all of us equal in more ways than one ! It has brought in a kind of social equality !

I am sure ,as we get ahead in this age of social networking ,our lives will get colored all the more, in myriad shades ! It will also work as color therapy & make us better humans !

This blog post is my entry for the HP Take Flight with Colour Contest on Indiblogger.You can learn more @http://h20426.www2.hp.com/campaign/demand-more/in/en/index.html

Kolam

2011-06-05T17:15:00.002+05:30

Sit coms !

2011-06-04T20:54:00.004+05:30

Soaps have become so addictive that, I feel, I cannot survive without them ! It is just a routine.This despite the fact, that I am watching the idiot box only in the night-the prime time.Most of the soaps start with lot of promise.This is the honeymoon period - when the soap /s & the viewer /s enjoy the initial pleasant days .Very soon,to maintain TRPs,the story line is changed or rather adapted to suit demands of the day .Then the actors are replaced -sometimes the main actor & actress gets replaced with a new actor and or actress.This all causes a lot of hilarity as also confusion.

One particular serial is on cops & is aired on weekends.It has been on the television since years now.I used to enjoy it earlier & now I end up watching it though it is so mundane now.It is actually very comical.All the cops go after every suspect together rather than one cop going after the suspect.In one episode ,a vehicle which was used in a crime was left unattended while all the cops ran to investigate more in the vicinity.Just shows that there is not even a semblence of investigation ! In the soap,the cops go & ask the witnesse/s about the looks of the suspect/s ,the vehicle numbers etc.The witness will initially mumble about not noticing & or recalling anything but stern looks from the cops are enough to recall the minutest details ! How I wish ,the cops would confront me when I forget where I have placed my keys,files etc ! The cops are the best re-callers of memory ! In the soap,almost all shopkeepers ,garage owners ,schools,colleges etc maintain registers which have names,addresses & all other details which come in so handy to the cops ! Just goes to show, there are methods to madness ! If only our government departments had maintained records like this.Then ,all scams,crimes etc would have got solved in a jiffy !

Then there is a soap, which shows an ideal Indian housewife catering to the silly demands of all males in a family in Mumbai.The family owns & manages a saree shop !The bahu is the only woman in this male household.She does all work by herself-cooking,washing clothes,utensils,teaching the youngsters,caring the elderly et al.And all this, as she struts about in designer sarees with matching accessories ! She is always defending the males in front of her mom as well ! No male even considers the options of hiring a maid & or the washing machine to assist the bahu ,not even her hubby !Maybe they are unable to choose the washing machine from so many brands ! Maid ,is not being kept so that the bahu is able to stay fit by washing ,cleaning etc ! The amount of food she cooks for breakfast ,lunch & dinner is enough for a party ! In one episode,it was shown, that gunny bags of veggies were brought from the market as some three to four guests had been invited.They went on to show, that the bahu slogged to cook a sumptous dinner for all , without any help from the males ! This is the ultimate exaggeration so far ,idiot box style !

Another serial has gone in for selective amnesia to maintain TRP.I fail to understand, as to how, the hero can remember all in his family except his wife.She keeps dropping hundreds of hints but he fails to follow even one of them .In some family soaps ,all in the extended family are sweetness personified.So much so that the viewers get diabetic ! In other family soaps,all members are cunning -one up on the other & are always scheming ! It really makes one wonder ,how does one get so much time to conspire ?

In many serials ,the women are shown cooking the littlest amounts, though all are joint families containing many members. Moreover, all ladies are garishly dressed with all matching jewellery which has no connection with their economic status in the stories.

To maintain popularity ,the lead characters die bang in the middle of the soaps.But the character never dies.He or she has survived & is resurrected again later. So very much, like our shastras which believe that the soul never dies !

The serial are hardly aired for ten to fifteen minutes though the time slot is for half an hour.This is so, as sponsers take away half the time.The rest has to accomodate the current episode as also what happened in the last episode & what is going to be the next episode ! This is for the supposed benefit of the audience in case they have missed the episode/s ! Not that much happens in any episode.The story moves at a pace which will make a tortoise proud.This is aping us as, as we do not live in the present ! We are either recalling the golden past & dreaming about the better future !

Really ,I ponder ,is life imitating the soap or is it the other way around ?All said and done,these sitcoms are my prime source of entertainment ! The way ,they are aired, makes me laugh night after night ! That's why ,I have managed without joining any laughter club.You can also watch the soaps & get stress free just the way the washing soap frees the body of dirt &sweat!

Muggulu

2011-05-20T10:50:00.001+05:30

Soundarya

2011-05-19T17:59:00.012+05:30

What is really beautiful ? So many things ,if you look around - babies,nature,someone's hair, someone's skin,a face,a sculpture,a painting ,a design ,a piece of jewellery,etal.Actually ,there are so many things -both animate & inanimate which are pretty, to simply keep staring at.But soundarya is something else.

Nature is beautiful, as it is lovely to look, at its numerous features -the Sunrise,the Sunset,the meandering rivers,the snow clad mountains,the green meadows,the valley of flowers & so on & so forth.Nature is really beautiful, as it is our mother & takes care of us by giving us in abundance.When we go on destroying & exploiting it for our selfish ends,it gives vent to earthquakes,volcanoes, tsunamis ,cyclones & other natural disasters.

Human beings are beautiful basically .And as time passes ,one changes for better or for worse.Babies look lovely .They are curious & innocent.As babies grow up ,choices made, make them what they are.

A person may be beautiful in appearance .This alone cannot make up for bad habits or unhelpful nature.One must be positive in life.Then ,a smile lights up the face & the person looks pretty.Similarly ,helping others does wonders to appearance .It brings a glow, which can be seen by all.Health also is a big asset in keeping us pretty .If we take good care of our well being by eating right ,our body reflects it & we look lovely.Exercises like aerobics, dancing,pilates,walking,etc can help us loose flab & build up endurance.Yoga & meditation make up for mental calmness.A cool & calm mentality looks young Hence,there is no need to go for botox,plastic surgery etal to do away with wrinkles

Make up & cosmetics can only enhance assets like eyes,lips,skin,etc.Sometimes ,cosmetics may harm, as ingredients in the cosmetic may lead to allergies.Hence,one needs to be careful.It is preferable to use herbal products. Cosmetics cannot make a person look lovely -they can only highlight the beauty of a person who is already good looking. Rekha,the actress used to apply a big bindi on her forehead & it suited her so well ! Rekha has also been practising yoga since long & she looks young, even after decades !

Cosmetics used judiciously can also protect hair,skin,eyes,etc.In this also ,one can opt for products which are not tested on animals .This will be soundarya , as this is beauty, without cruelty.

Remember to check out Yahoo!Real Beauty @http://realbeauty.yahoo.com/ for some great ideas on real beauty.

The inner soundarya of a person, is the soul of a person.Diamonds are very beautiful & hard.Similarly, some may be very pretty & hard to please.Such people cannot be called beautiful.They will harm others & bring many to grief.Celebrities, who endorse fur, are cruel to animals.We must make our thoughts beautiful & this will show on our faces.One who is truly beautiful is one, who has the ability to bounce back after a debacle & get on with life.Such an inspiring spirit, is really pretty & needs to be emulated.

People who are spiritually inclined, are indeed really beautiful as they aspire for peace & calm.This calmness also reflects on their faces & they look serene.People who help others,are unselfish & kind to one & all are really pretty.That is why, soundarya or real beauty, is a perennial source of joy !

This blog post is my entry for the YAHOO DOVE REAL BEAUTY contest.

If you liked this post,please press the "Like "button @http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=58871.Each "Like" counts & will help me win the People's choice award in this contest.

Kolam

2011-05-15T15:34:00.000+05:30

Vote for Akshaypatra

2011-05-14T08:53:00.003+05:30

Akshaypatra is the boundless love for the less privileged .This is so, as it feeds the children across India sustaining them through their school years.This is a dedicated effort by all, who are associated with the mid day meal programme.

I am writing this blog post, to make readers aware, of the Chase Community Giving campaign which is going on at present.Akshaypatra has already won the round one in this contest.The second round begins on May 19th ,2011.I trust, that all will vote for Akshaypatra, making it the one charity which gets the prize money in the finals !

Akshaypatra is running decentralised & centralised kitchens at numerous places across the breath of our country.It is truly a pan Indian exercise .It has the most hygenic & modern kitchens wherein, food for school children is prepared.It has mechanised its operations in the kitchen so that, there is the least amount of human contact.This in turn, makes it one of the best community kitchens in terms of hygiene ! Please have a look at the video below - this is a silent visual on the Akshyapatra kitchen at Hubli ,a town in Karnataka.

Six kitchens of Akshaypatra have received FSMS ISO 22000:2005 certification.This is an achievement in itself, as this is the first of its kind certification given to food programme managed by an NGO in the world.Kindly take a look at the video to observe how mechanisation can make it possible to roll out 40,000 chapatis at Akshaypatra's kitchens in an hour !

This programme feeds 9,40,000 kids in over 15 places all over India in 5600 schools on a daily basis..This is the largest non profit feeding exercise across the world ! Just imagine, how many more children can be reached by supporting this charity ? ! The possiblities are simply immense !

The mid day meal scheme has made it possible to minimise dropping out from schools by kids.This will transform into a literate India very soon.So ,please vote for this foundation from May 19th ,2011 onwards.

Please click on the link below to vote for Akshaypatra as this will be our win ,a victory over illiteracy, a victory over hunger ,a victory for our future as the future belongs to our children !

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/10574950-the-akshaya-patra-foundation-usa?src=vote_share.

Raangoli

2011-05-06T09:59:00.000+05:30

Singapore : Sentosa & city tour.

2011-05-05T18:19:00.001+05:30

The next day ,we had a breakfast of toast & some diced yellow water melon & papaya.Yellow water melon is just like red water melon & is available in Malaysia.

Then,as many in our travel group were keen to take a ride on the Singapore flyer,we all stopped to enjoy the ride.Singapore flyer is a very gigantic wheel to which capsules have been installed.Each air conditioned capsule can accommodate 28 persons.From the capsule ,as the wheel moves slowly ,one can view Singapore city & also as far as Indonesia on a clear day.At 30$ Singapore dollars,the ride is highly exorbitant but one must experience it nevertheless.It is one of the latest tourist attractions in Singapore .The whole ride takes approximately 37 minutes but one can rarely feel the wheel moving.It is a safe & smooth ride.

Next,we stopped at Chinatown to visit a Chinese temple.There was inner sanctum wherein, we saw many incense sticks burning just like an Indian temple.The inside of the temple & even outside is very bright & red.Red is used very generously all over.Orange bushes wherein tiny & sometimes big oranges are hanging can be seen at the temple entrance.

The next stop was the Singapore gems factory.Various wall hangings which are three dimensional are on display.They make use of semi precious stones in the wall hangings.Also on display are numerous trinkets like jade bangles,bracelets,necklaces & ear rings.All in the group shopped around for small pieces of jewelery as a reminder of having visited Singapore.Then, we stopped, for lunch at an Indian hotel.

After lunch,we headed to the cable car station for going to Sentosa island.We got into gondolas & started our journey.Very soon ,we were up & could see the emerald sea below.We also saw some luxury cruise liners anchored below.The azure blue waters of the swimming pools in the cruise liners were so welcoming & we started imagining of how comfortable it must be to just laze around in a liner.After we landed at Sentosa,we proceeded to the Images of Singapore exhibition.

There are life size images of various communities like the Malays,The Chinese & Indians who immigrated to Singapore decades ago & contributed to Singapore's ethnicity.One can witness the images engaged in various tasks like trading,fish mongering etc.The exhibit is really very big . May tourists were busy taking snaps besides various images.We also took some photos.

Then we had tea at an eatery in the Sentosa island area.In,Singapore,no one cannot consume any drink and or eatable in the vehicle .Only water is allowed to be consumed at all places.In any tourist attraction,one has to consume any thing edible and a liquid by paying for whatever is available in that place.One cannot buy eatbles and or drinks from another place in Singapore & then consume it at any tourist attraction as this would kill the business of the eatery at the tourist attractions.Moreover this, also helps keep such areas litter free. That is why, even in buses & cars ,also nobody can eat or drink anything except water.

Next,we visited the aquarium at Sentosa.This was just like the one we had seen at Kaula Lampur.One is really left wondering at the numerous varied attractions available in a country which is only a city state.In one city ,people can visit an aquarium,a zoo,botanical garden ,ride the flyer,visit the Universal studios,gamble at the casino,etc.We were unable to visit the botanical garden ,the bird park & maybe some more places.

We also took snaps of the Merlion image -it is an animal-half lion & half fish.It has the head of a lion & the body of a fish.One can see the white Merlion image in all displays, which advertise Singapore as one of the most sought after tourist attractions.

Our last stop at Sentosa was the laser show which was simply spectacular ! The fireworks display at the end of the show was so dazzling that we were left wanting for more !Curtains after curtains of varying colours lighted up the night sky .The night sky sparkled with lightning that shot up & down with regularity at intervals !

After the show,we boarded our bus to reach an Indian hotel for dinner.Dinner over,we headed back to our hotel.Next day,we shopped in little India.We ate a South Indian meal at Komalas' restaurant.It consisted of rice,sambhar,rasam,papad,veggies,etc.It was at Komalas' restaurant.This eatery is so famous, that it finds mention, in most of the Singapore tourist guides as one offering ethnic South Indian meals.The food was sumptuous.

We then headed bacjk to our room to get ready to bid goodbye to Singapore.We reached the airport to learn that flight was late but Malayisan airlines had arranged for an alternate flight to Kaula Lampur from Singapore.This was done to avoid paying for our overnight hotel stay at Kaula Lampur,in case our flight from Kaula Lampur to Mumbai left without us.This was a distinct possibility as the connecting flight from Singapore was unduly delayed.

At Kaula Lampur,we strolled around ,had some snacks & then waited for our home bound flight. This flight was in time & we landed at Mumbai airport to witness the last overs being played in the World cup final.My daughter saw the last ball being played on the giant screen at the airport which catapulted us to victory. As we headed home in pre - paid taxi,we saw the city celebrating the world cup win on the roads making it a traffic nightmare.

All in all, a memorable trip but incomplete as Malaysia has many more places to be seen & so also has Singapore.Maybe another trips at a later date...

Chowkpurana

2011-04-30T08:27:00.000+05:30

Singapore :Universal Studios.

2011-04-29T11:49:00.001+05:30

The next morning,we left for Universal Studios.This is a new attraction in Singapore, replicating the Universal Studios of Hollywood . We had been told to dress in light summer clothes as we will be walking under the scorching Sun .We had been told to carry water from our rooms.We had done that as we would need to hydrate ourselves.We reached the Universal Studios at around ten.We were instructed to meet near the entrance after we had finished visiting the numerous attractions .The time for going back to hotel was four in the evening.We were handed over our meal coupons .We were told that there were Indian meals available at Oasis ,a cafeteria in the Egyptian attraction.We were given our entry tickets & a map.The map explained graphically the various themes around the place.

We all dispersed with our families & in groups to explore the Universal Studios.Some adventurous persons immediately headed for the thrilling rides.

The whole set up at the place is very surreal with various themes dotting the place.There is Shrek palace ,an Egyptian area with Egyptian statues,a Madagascar theme area,a dark mansion ride,etc.The roads are very wide & clean.There are toilets at every nook & corner.There are eateries at many places where one can buy cooldrinks,icecreams etc.Singapore is a place which is based on business. So outside eatables & drinks (except plain drinking water) are not allowed in all the tourist places.One has to necessarily eat at the tourist place at a restaurant there.

Our first stop was at a theatre where we were witness to an artificial storm.The storm was all generated by various machines -all mechanically in an artificial manner !In a few minutes ,a calm sea side was transformed into a shattered area as all windows started banging ,the boats were dangerously capsizing ,the sea waves were rising & collapsing at stunning speeds,the noise was so much that we were unable to hear each other.This show is meant to show the public, how the storms or any natural disaster is artifically cooked up in films.It was really amazing !

We went to the Shrek Palace.We enjoyed a 4D show there.4D means, that we can, actually feel, the bumpy rides the characters in the show are having as they travel on seas & on roads.There was a donkey in the show & as it sneezed,the droplets of his sneeze were felt by us all

As we came out of the 4D show,we entered into the shopping area of the Shrek palace & got some tee shirts for my kid.They were very expensive but since we had already selected them ,we paid up.

Next, we took some snaps by donning various headgear which are available outside a theme area .We saw that many people were also doing the same.We then went ahead & reached the Madgascar theme area where we wanted to take some snaps .As we were getting ready to shoot,we were stopped & made to have our photos clicked by the staff of the Madagascar theme area for a price.At some places in the Studios,snaps can be clicked by tourists and at other places ,one has to necessarily pay for the snaps to be clicked by the staff.This is how business is generated for the studios.My kid was thrilled to be photographed with the animals from the Madagascar film & so it was paisa vasool !

By now,we were dehydrated though we had been sipping water .We headed for Oasis to have our lunch.We landed at oasis to discover that there was only one lunch option for vegetarians.It consisted of aloo matar,biryani,papad,bhindi fry & a jalfarezi .The jal farezi was as good as uncooked.The bhindi was raw - there was too much fibre for us to even ingest ,forget digesting !There was a kheer as a dessert.This confirmed that no hotel ,restauarant or eatery can exist without aloo matar or any form of aloo veggie.

After that ,we again started strolling around the studios.We then took a ride in a scary mansion where it was pitch dark with skeletons & scary faces staring at us where they had some lights.It was a short tram ride.After that ,we were exploring some more.My kid was overjoyed to see Kung Fu Panda .we waited to atke snapshots of all of us turn by turn.We strolled some more & then walked to the entrabce as it was time for us to depart.Some people from our travel group were already there.We exchanged notes about what we had all experienced.Skowly ,all had started returning .We made our way to the bus.We got back into our rooms for the evening tea.My brother called up to say that he would come to pick us up at seven.

The evening time was free for shopping till dinner. We had told our group that we will not be joining our group for dinner.My brother arrived & took us to Mustafa where we shopped for a school bag for my kid.Mustafa is a very confused shop.The same set ogf goods are available at different places in the whole complex.So,if you have got an object from a particular place & want to bill it another floor ,there is lot of red tape .Mustafa has things of all kinds -one has to just name it & it is there at Mustafa.The Indian salespersons & availablity of all Indian goods makes it the ideal shopping destination of all Indians.

We steeped out of Mustafa & headed to Murugun for a dinner of idlis,vadas,chutneys ,sambhar,sweet & khara pongal.The items were too tasty especially after days & nights of tandoor food.After a sumptous dinner ,we headed back to our room.My brother then left for his accomodation.

Muggulu

2011-04-23T07:45:00.000+05:30

Singapore : Night safari

2011-04-22T17:51:00.002+05:30

We left for Singapore by our air conditioned bus at around 9 am.We had breakfast at the hotel, where we stayed in Kaula Lampur .The breakfast was toast with
butter,jam,ketchup,upma ( which always was half cooked -this was my feeling ),meusli ( a Swiss breakfast option ).It consists of oats,cornflakes ,wheat bran,etc which can be mixed with yoghurt or milk & honey,or fruits of one's choice.Cornflakes & seasonal fruits were also there regularly for breakfast & sometimes for dinner as an option for dessert.Tea , coffee,two to three options to choose for fresh fruit juices are also available. After a harried breakfast,we boarded the bus, when my hubby discovered, that he had left his sunglasses.He went back to our room, which we had just vacated & retirieved them.Finally,the bus started on its journey.

En route,we could spot palm oil plantations & greenery on both sides of the highway.We stopped after two hours for a tea break.We spotted many vendors selling local, fruits like jack fruit,dragon fruits,mangoes,jambul,etal.We brought some diced ,seedless gauvas packed in a plastic box.Before handing over,we were asked," Do you want masalas ?"That was so much like India !

We resumed our journey & reached Malaysian border where our passports were stamped meaning that we had left Malayisia.Our next stop was Singapore check post, wherein, we had to show our passports & visas for getting enteries stamped in them.We were tense, as Singapore is a "fine" country meaning for every trangression from rules,one has to pay a hefty fine.Stamping over,we got into the bus & resumed our journey .We could see Singapore skyline & the tidiness around on the roads .The greenery & the well designed roads,buildings,traffic signal,et - in fact, everything is just overwhelming !

We arrived in Little India, in Singapore, by lunch time.Little India is a place, wherein, many Indians stay & one can buy all Indian things - masalas,Indian clothes,jewellery,food stuff etc .Our luggage was carried away by a tempo to our hotel .As the check in time is three in the afternoon,we were taken for lunch to a tandoor restaurant.We had lunch which consisted of tandoori rotis,pulao,paneer veggies,dal,kheer,salad,etc.After lunch,we went to our hotel booked by our travel group.Nearly half an hour later,we were allotted our rooms.The card which was given to us for entering our room was to be used in lift also, to stop at the floor where our room is located ! Singapore is so very high -tech ! We entered our room & saw that it was smaller than the one at the Kaula Lampur hotel.It had a small refrigerator which had two bottles of coke & two bottles of mineral water.My daughter consumed the coke & then we saw the list near the electric kettle which stated the prices of the coke & the mineral water.We decided to pay for it when we would vacate our room.We had been instructed to use tap water for drinking as water all over Singapore is fit enough to be drunk without any fear of getting infected.We watched the news on the idiot box & then freshened up.We were to go for the night safari at six.

We prepared tea with the aid of the electric kettle & tea bags.Then we assembled down with our group.We boarded the bus wherein a Singapore tour guide briefed us about the night safari.We reached the zoo where we were to witness the night safari.

The story behind the concept of night safari is very interesting.The Prime Minister of Singapore was invited to the zoo.He was able to schedule his visit only towards the evening .He stated that many people can visit the zoo in the evenings after their office hours.This prompted the authorities at the zoo to come up with the idea of night safari.In this ,the nocturnal habits of animals in a jungle can be observed.

Our guide got tickets for us & we queued up for getting into the tram for the night safari journey.We were instructed by the staff that we should not use the flash to click snaps.The tram having seated our group & many others slowly wound its way through the jungle.We were looking sometimes, on the right & at other times, on the left to observe various animals like the lion,the tiger,the hippos,the rhinos,deers,& many others.We had to strain our eyes as it had become dark,the Sun having set.Moreover, many animals are shy ( flash or no flash ) & hide behind the thick vegetation of the equatorial rain forests.A running commentary about the various animals that we spotted was being given by the guide on board the tram.The tram goes very slowly so that we can observe & it is a feast to our eyes.The fences which run across the length & breath of the forest is so unobtrusive that animals only learn about it when they try to cross them.

After the night safari,a show on animals awaited us at an open auditorium.The lady who was to conduct it was a linguist.She started the show by welcoming all the audience.Then she greeted us in Hindi,Malay,Chinese,Japanese etal .Then, she called out to many animals who were trained to come on the stage accompanied by their trainers.There was a huge commotion when she & a trainer unearthed a python from under one of the seats in the auditorium. The show educated us about some more animals.After the show ended,our group assembled & we boarded our bus.We had dinner at another tandoor restaurant with a repeat menu .We were informed about the following day's tour programme which was the visit to Universal Studios.After dinner,we headed back to our hotel to retire for the night.

Saathiya

2011-04-19T08:12:00.002+05:30

Malaysia -Kaula Lampur tour.

2011-04-18T14:18:00.002+05:30

We left by luxury bus for touring Kuala Lumpur from Genting highlands after having a breakfast of bread toast with jam,spring rolls,fresh fruits like chunks of yellow & red watermelon & papaya.Tea was too light for our taste.Moreover,there is a big crowd at breakfast time & all are in a hurry.The tour operator is also breathing down our necks & one has to wait for the toaster to warm up the bread.Some like it light brown,others almost burn it.Moreover,the toaster toasts bread on one side at one instance & then one has to repeat the process again.This tires all & many opt for a light breakfast.This explains why breakfast is included in packages where one gets to stay.Breakfast is free means that the stay at the hotel is free of breakfast !

En route,we saw clouds as we came down Genting Highlands to the plains.It was beautiful ! The sceneries with fog ,mist & clouds was too lovely.We stopped at Bantu caves to witness the largest statue of Karthikeyan ,son of Shiva & Parvati.Bantu caves are natural limestone caves on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.The magnificient statue is painted with gold paint imported from Thailand.There are also temples dedicated to Lord Shiva & his consort Parvati as also Ganpati.The Karthikeyan temple is located at the top-after a flight of nearly two hundred fifty steps.The climb wears one down because the weather is quite sultry at the place.Monkeys roam about the Bantu carves & if they find a plastic bag being carried about,they pounce & steal it.Our guide informed us that monkeys are highly evolved & even drink coke by opening the cans.By evolution ,it was meant that anyone drinking coke is civilised.As time goes by,all evolution theories are being turned topsy turvy , but then, the guide alike many others , has, still to learn about them !

We also were taken to the biggest importer of Swiss watches .I brought a wrist watch but realised later that it carried no guarantee ! We also got perfumes - we were lured by the numerous perfumes & we selected two, just randomly, as our noses had refused to distinguish the various smells ! There were sunglasses also on sale but as I am a myopic,I refrained from buying one- the only wise decision, I took on this trip.Then ,we left for a photo session -snaps were to be taken with the Petronas towers in the background.It was very hot & we all had our sunglasses on when professional photographers clicked a group photo of our travel group.

We had lunch at another Indian restaurant.Gulab jamuns kept for dessert disappeared in a moment & later for all guests,the waiter got a pair each in bowls.This was to prevent another set of the dessert from doing the disappearing act.All this just goes to show, that diabetic or not,Indians feel, that, unless, one has consumed all the sweets,we have not had our money's worth ! We take great pains to diet at home so that we can binge abroad , never mind ,the enormous risks to our health.

Kaula Lampur is a very modern city with many malls & a beautiful skyline.It is very green as well.Initially,more than half of Malaysia was covered by forests but now,it has reduced to less than half after industrialisation but the equatorial climate makes for a lush green cover.After lunch,we visited the Chocolate factory wherein we brought chocolates. Malaysia is one of the largest producers of cocoa in the world.Some were filled with nuts.There were also chocolates mixed with chillies & other spices.We were told that these chocolates can be used in curries. The senior citizens in our group shopped more than the younger ones & took more time to shop .The chocolate factory & the watch buying only confirmed that the tourist guides earn hefty commissions whenever tourists buy from the said places.It is quid pro quo.

We had dinner in the night & went to sleep early as next day,we were to leave for Singapore by bus.We were given immigration forms to be filled in .We completed a major part of the packing in the night to avoid last minute hassles.

Muggu

2011-04-15T18:23:00.002+05:30

Malaysia-Genting Highlands.

2011-04-14T18:17:00.003+05:30

We had breakfast at eight in the morning & left in a luxury coach for the hill station.We alighted at the cable station to get into gondolas or cable cars which was to take us up the hill station.We enjoyed the cable ride as we got a panoramic view of the lush green equatorial forests below.

We were briefed about the outdoor theme park.We deposited the luggage in our hotel rooms.From there, were instructed, about finding our way through the Genting maze.All hotels are interconnected but it is all very confusing.There are many escalators before we can reach the hotel from the outdoor theme park.In fact,I had to climb up & down eight escalators when I wanted to return to my room to freshen up .In one instance,we saw a senior couple almost shaking near the escalators .Someone from our group escorted them on the escalators.The pay commission rise in pensions can be seen in actuality - many senior citizens are busy touring India & abroad.As our tour guide advised,it is up to the person concerned, to make choices about the type of rides to take .But then escalators are a necessity -stairs are not there at all places abroad.Maybe ,stairs are there but cannot be located easily.So ,Indian seniors should travel when they are fit .Abroad,seniors are used to escalators & other technological advances.This may be not true for a country like ours, though, now things are changing, but ,still, it is better to be cautious.

The things kept in hotel rooms are pretty & many guests just steal them ! After all,they argue that they are only stealing their money's worth ! Perhaps,this was the reason,the hotel room at Genting had listed the articles with the prices, on a list, in the room with a a warning ,"Should you like any article,please pay & buy from the hotel ."

We entered the hill station after being ticketed around our wrists.The tickets are the entry passes to the outdoor theme park.There were numerous thrilling rides,boating,tram rides,monorail, chocolate factory,etc. We indulged in paddle boating ,tram rides,monorail,etal.Then ,we had lunch at an international cafe in the park itself.International cuisine is largely for non-vegetarians & so one gets too cautious .This holds true even for desserts as most desserts seem to use eggs,etc.Though vegetarianism is on the rise & many have turned vegans,hoards of people gulping down chicken,meat ,beef,pork etc does tend to turn vegetarians & vegans off food.Also,all Indian travel companies seem to take their groups to the same tourist spots as others & all breakfasts,lunches & dinners become noisy crowded affairs.The hosts continue to look amazed at the Indian tourists as Indians break queues to get ahead first & will ask information which is already displayed.One gets the feeling, that Indians are just being tolerated but this may end pretty soon, if we continue with our errant ways & misbehaviour.

After lunch,we went strolling around the indoor park at Genting.There was a boat ride akin to the romantic canal ride in Venice,Europe.There were numerous video game parlours & also other rides.We also rode in Pirates valley in absolute dark where every turn sprung skeletons & demonic figures ! As the night wore on,there was a festive atmosphere with all lights decking up the indoors.We spotted many tourist-Indians as also others from Gulf,China,Korea,Japan etal.After dinner we attended a show, which had a magician,a woman who draws on sand & some dance & music.The woman was amazing as her drawings on sand were so life like & perfect.The tricks of the magician floored us all & we were mesmerised.Some of our group had visited the casino whilst we watched the show.Chinese are big gamblers & are known to gamble away all their life savings ! I am sure, some of our group did indulge in gambling .After all,life is the biggest gamble ,isn't it ?

We retired to our rooms & slept.Next day ,we were to depart for the city tour of Kaula Lampur .

Kolam

2011-04-12T21:35:00.000+05:30

Malaysia - first glimpses.

2011-04-11T16:18:00.002+05:30

Malaysia is very near to Singapore.As we were to travel to Singapore,we were advised by friends to visit Malaysia which is next door.We went through a travel company.This was done to prevent stress arising from booking flight,hotel,etc. But during the trip,we realised, that conducted tours, are more stressful as we want our money's worth.To get that feeling ,we sacrifice our sleep,our digestion ,- to name only a few.

At the Mumbai airport,we were greeted by the travel company representative,who handed us our free gifts namely a trolley bag & two back packs filled with snacks & tea bags.He also handed over our passports,visas & air tickets.The flight was scheduled to leave just before midnight.We cleared immigration,security check & boarded the aircraft.It was full.We also met the other family of three who were part of our travel company group.We tried to sleep but just as we were dosing off,we were roused awake to taste the dinner.Since we did not want to disappoint the crew,we made an attempt to eat what passed off as dinner.The dinner was absolutely worthless compared to precious sleep from which we were awakened.We tried again to sleep but very soon,it was time to alight.

As we alighted,we were surprised by the magnificience of the Kaula Lampur airport.It was bright & clean.There are numerous escalators & even horizontal moving tracks. There was a small metro train to take us to the other end of the airport from where we could step into the city.We made use of the toilets & the toilets were squeaky clean.The was always an attendent or two at the toilets to keep an eye on the tidiness.

We were met by the tour guide at the airport entrance .All six of us were bundled into a luxury coach & left for Kaula Lampur which is away from the international airport.En route,we stopped at Putrajaya for a sumptous breakfast of upma,idlis,dosa,sambhar,chutney,bhajiyas ,etal.We resumed our journey & reached Hotel Grand Season at around 11am.The checkout time being 3pm,there were no rooms available.We were curtly informed that for an additional fee of fifty ringtts (Malayisian currency) ,we could avail of a room immediately.The other option was to wait in the lobby till 3pm.We paid & were led into our rooms.We freshened up & came down for lunch.We had lunch at an Indian restaurant - dal tadka,rice,tandoori rotis,aloo gobhi,papad ,achar.This menu was to be repeated ad nauseum throughout the trip with little or no changes.We left to vist the aqiuarium as my friend had advised us to visit it.We were awestruck by the aquarium interiors where fishes are on display in numerous ponds.Also,one can travel on a horizontal moving track which slowly moves & takes one around the place.Above the moving track & besides the track, is a glass enclosure, wherein, the numerous fishes,tortoises,sea horses,are swimming.We also witnessed the feeding of fish by two crew members .

There was cleanliness all around & the staff was courteous.Frankly,the tidiness at all places in Kaula Lampur stares at us,Indians, as we seem to believe, that litter is a natural phenomena which increases as days go by.The Malays are very courteous to all.They speak softly, unlike us, who are very loud & rude.The Malays look like cousins of Chinese people with small eyes .They are of small to medium build.Many Malays being Muslims , the ladies wear head scarfs.But they seem to be liberal, as no woman could be seen practising purdah.The Malay ladies of other sects are very modern & stylish.Their clothes & accessories namely bags & footwear are very westernised.

We returned to the hotel & made tea with the tea bags provided in the room.There is an electric kettle in which water is boiled & then we added sugar,& the creamer & dipped the tea bags till we got the tea color we desired.This is a common feature at all hotels in Malaysia & also Singapore - an electric kettle with tea bags & coffee bags are provided in the hotel room to help ourselves.We switched on the idiot box & took turns to check our mailboxes on the net.Now,it was time for dinner.We were met in the lobby by our travel company 's Indian representative,Sachin who took us to another Indian restaurant.After dinner,we took some snaps with the Petronas towers in the background as the restaurant was nearby.The Petronas towers are made entirely of steel & can be clicked at varying angles in many shades & hues.We were told that unless one lies down on the road ,it is impossible to click the top of the Petronas towers but we managed to get some good shots.

We returned to hotel & slept as next day,we were to leave for Genting highlands,a popular hill station near Kaula Lampur.

Raangoli

2011-03-02T18:35:00.001+05:30

The family of the patient.

2011-03-01T14:32:00.002+05:30

My padosan always hides any sickness in her family from prying eyes.No,there is no noble purpose like containing infection,etc behind this.She has pure selfish motives in mind.She argues that if people come to know that someone is sick,the world comes visiting & the woman of the house has to serve guests more than the patient.

As my parents got older & started suffering from ailments in succession,I realised that my neighbour is right.When people arrive to enquire about the well being of the patient,the family gets impatient.The family members have to make small talk with the guest/s .serve tea & if the guest lingers even later, offer snacks,lunch,dinner ,etal.Some people are so concerned about the sick that they descend into the household from various towns & then the family has to tolerate the patient as also the guest.Perhaps they want to make sure that TLC ( tender loving care ) is being dispensed to the patient. In some instances,the family members may be unable to distinguish the guest from the patient.Even the guest will fail to recognise the sick.This is so, as the family will have already gone berserk in seva shushrusha of the patient & the sight of the guest will drive them bonkers !

There is this senior citizen who will keep enquiring about my dad's whereabouts when my dad goes out of town.I have still to figure out why he does not ask my dad when he is in town instead of asking me.His enquiries begin the moment, my dad goes out of station.I dread meeting the senior citizen as I have to grin & pretend in a very civil fashion.Recently,while my dad was recuperating in a nursing home,he visited the nursing home & as visiting hours were over,I had to bear the brunt of his gibberish talk.Thank God,he didn't arrive home to check up on my dad's health !

Some friends & relatives will enquire on phone about the well being of the patient.This is fine, but becomes an ordeal when this enquiry begins to resemble hourly updates.The concerned public demands a pleathora of answers about the doctors' opinion,the nurse's opinion,the consultant's opinion, the second opinion,the patients condition & so on & so forth.But they omit to ask the opinion of the person at the other end of the phone -for obvious reasons ! Actually, the family starts having second thoughts that they have erred in taking care of the sick.Some members may even feel like outsourcing the well being of the patient to the ever inquisitive relative,friend,etc as they seem to be doing a good job of it on the phone.The conclusion is they will fare excellently in person, in the task of taking care of the patient.

The guests & well wishers of the patient forget that in these booming economic times,when costs of groceries are breaking through the roof,the family is burdened with caring for the guest after paying the gigantic hospital bills.It is a double jeopardy for the family !The well wishers of the patient are therefore the unwell wishers of the family.So,next time,anyone of your near or dear ones fall sick,please show some patience yourself, lest you make other family members ill !

Saathiya

2011-02-10T08:49:00.000+05:30

Himachal yatra

2011-02-09T09:37:00.011+05:30

In our family none of us have seen snow.So,we decided that we will go to the north for a visit & experience snow.I was all for Kashmir but my hubby would hear none of it as he fears for our safety.So,we opted for Himachal Pradesh.But we asked the tour operator umpteen times about being able to see & feel snow in May in Himachal.

Being assured & reassured,we packed & flew to New Delhi.From there,our tour operator took us by bus to Chandigarh after some hassles.In Chandigarh,we halted at night & morning we left for Shimla.Enroute we visited the Pinjore Garden.It is landscaped like the Vrindavan gardens.All of us enthusiastiaclly took lots of snaps.We then restarted for Shimla.We reached in the night dead tired but having enjoyed all the lovely scenic beauty of the mountains & the valleys on the way.The next two days,we visited various places like the Mall road,Kufri,Himalyan zoo.My kid enjoyed the zoo very much looking at a variety of animals who are found in the Himalayas.The weather was just right with a nip in the air.We did some shopping at the Mall road.We also took turns identifying places wherein the film 3 Idiots had been filmed.It drizzled every now & then making us shiver !

The tall pine trees all over the place give shade & seem to stand steady watching us look up to them !One just wishes that we could imbibe some of their features.We then left for Manali.Enroute we stopped at a shawl factory at Kullu.All along the route,we got to see picture post card views ! The green pastures with cattle grazing & local Himachali ladies tending to their fields is just etched in our minds ! No photograph can do justice to those beautiful scenes ! We got some shawls,some woolen jackets,stoles ,etc from the shawl factory store.Actually,the items are very difficult to choose as all are too pretty.But we remembered that buying too many pieces will serve no purpose as we reside in a hot & humid place.Some of the pieces we brought were for gifting.

We reached Manali which was colder & we could feel the winter chill & that too in May .We felt blessed to be in Himachal as we were enjoying winter in May !The next day,we visited Hidimba temple -so ancient & made from wood ! It is carved fantastically & stands shaded amongst tall pine trees.My daughter got herself clicjked twice-once riding a yak & another carrying a rabbit in her hands ! She was simply too thrilled for words ! We also visited Gayatri Mata mandir where we were pleasantly surprised to see a woman as a priestess ! Himachali women are an empowered lot !

The next day,we were to finally play in snow at Rohtang pass.At last,we were to achieve the purpose of this journey.We equipped ourselves with all protective gear en route & landed at Rohtang pass.It was bitterly cold.We were barely able to speak or hear.As we tried to walk on the snow,our gum boots would get struck & snow seemed to be getting into our boots.It was getting scary.My kid was afraid & she started yelling that she wanted to return to the hotel.We some how managed to get back into our vehicle which was parked some distance away.We rushed back to the warmth of the hotel.So,this snow was a big dampener !

On the way back to the hotel from Rohtang snow point,we saw some people throwing plastic wrappers & bottles from their vehicles ! All places seem to be dumping grounds for plastic & other kinds of trash.The retail revolution in sachets is making us generate trash in wholesale ! This is a sorry state of affairs.We ought & should not litter around.As tourists,it is our duty to let the beauty of the place shine through .If not,very soon,all will turn into trash cans .

The next day,we left for Chandigarh.We flew back from Chandigarh to our homes as were too tired to travel by bus from Chandigarh to Delhi.

All in all,it was a memorable trip.We have so many snaps to look up whenever we get nostalgic ! Travelling is a learning experience .It is relaxing as well making us take a break from our monotonous life !I am sure,this yatra will evoke happy memories for my daughter as she grows up !

This blog post is my entry for the Cleartrip "My Purpose" Contest.

Have a look at the magnificient snow covered mountain at Rohtang pass @http://mypurpose.cleartrip.com/trips/32309?utm_source=microsite_trip_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=everytriphasapurpose

You can also share the purpose of your trip to win cool prizes .Do vote for me if you liked this post on IndiBlogger.

Kolam

2011-02-03T08:19:00.001+05:30

Kabhi khushi,kabhi gam !

2011-02-02T13:54:00.005+05:30

My daughter has changed & how ? ! Well,she disliked a majority of the vegetables except aloo & bhindi.She loves aloo parathas but that also sans hara dhania.I had to remind myself that she will just not eat the aloo paratha if she discovers even a single sprig of corainder ! But I was also glad that, she wanted plain aloo paratha as this meant, that I need not bother about cleaning the hara dhania.Come to think about it,I need not buy it at all ! So much labour & money saved !

I hate cleaning all green leafy vegetables.I love hara dhania in rasam,sabzi,parathas,uttapas,batata wadas,etc but I hate cleaning up the green coriander.So, I thought, there was no need to bring coriander & spend an hour cleaning it & storing it in the refrigerator to forget all about it till it gets dried off to be completely useless ! I can take everything in my stride except my labours getting wasted like this ! I could have done so many jobs in that one hour which I wasted on cleaning hara dhania.Even lazing an hour away is better than cleaning dhania or for that matter any hara pattedar sabzi ! I feel that whatever health benefits I will derive by eating the dhania is lost as I get stressed about cleaning it ! To put it bluntly,the stress is many times more than any benefit derived by consuming it ! So not buying dhania de stresses me !

I like many things about the dhania - its aroma,the fresh feeling that one gets when I cast a glance at it in the market or in the kitchens of others.The green colour which it has, is something so attractive that makes one buy it on impulse! The aroma of fresh coriander chutney,I can sense, as I near any chaat shop selling pani puris,bhel puris, wada-pav,bhajiyas etc is too tempting to resist. But I control my appetite, & find comfort in reminding myself that dhania chutney eaten with the chaat far outweighs any benefits accruing by consuming fresh coroiander ! On second thoughts,I will outweigh more than I can sustain by eating dhania regularly in chutney form in chaats & with any bhajias,bata wadas & the like ! In this form ,the dhania is a health hazard !

But the love for dhania ends here.The fact that it has to be cleaned thoroughly of its roots,the yellow leaves,the shoots,etc gives me the jitters ! Actually it overwhelms me ! The clean up task at hand that is ! Moreover,the size of dhania leaves is inversly proportional to the cleaning up needed.Smaller the leaves,longer is the period required for cleaning it !

So my days consisted of making aloo parathas or rather getting them made from the servant in maid on a weekly basis.The aloo would be mashed & a minimum amount of spices added so as to make it just tangy enough for my daughter.No hara dhania was added so that she will devour the parathas ! But since all good things come to end, faster than we can even comprehend,my kids aversion for hara dhania has transformed into a love for it !

I just added lots of hara dhania to aloo parathas recently as I had cleaned up some dhania donated by my neighbour who grows it in her kitchen garden.I was actually thinking of giving my neighbour a good lecture on other vegetables she could grow instead of the hara dhania but since the donation to me was the first crime she had committed,I forgave her ! My daughter relished those aloo parathas & declared that they were the best aloo parathas eaten so far ! I was thrilled, that she failed to notice the hara dhania in the parathas .But I was wrong !

The next week ,I tried aloo ki tikkis .My kid gulped the tikkis by garnishing the tikkis with fresh coriander ! I was aghast ! What has come over her ? I started having nightmares wherein I was surrounded by mountains of hara dhania & my daughter who was chomping away at it like a cow, chewing grass ! My daughter also started insisting that unless green chutney is made,she will not eat idlis .So,I started visualising myself wasting away, cleaning fresh coriander all my life! The sheer wastage of my precious time depressed me no end.

I had to bow down to her fancy for fresh coriander though with a heavy heart! This is so, as I was happy that her fondness for dhania showed that slowly but surely, her tastes were changing for the better.Moreover,hara dhania is very healthy & useful in controlling cholestrol levels,improving digestion, healing mouth ulcers.It is said to be anti -carcinogenic,anti -convulsant,anti-histamanic,etal ! With so many plusses on its side,I have let my kid have her way with dhania.But I suddenly experience pains & aches in my body as I sit cleaning up the hara dhania.My back hurts & my neck stiffens.My hands get so dirty that I feel that I have just played in mud like a kid ! I am sad about cleaning up but happy that my daughter is finally discovering taste !

I have started watching a stand up comedy show on the idiot box whilst I am engaged in the utterly useless task of cleaning hara dhania.The humour makes up, partly, for the tediousness of the job at hand.

But I am also thinking of other options like outsourcing the cleaning work of hara dhania & all other hari paate wali sabzis to my maid ! That way ,I can laze away & my maid can earn some more moolah ! But what if she has similar hatred for such clean up ? ! Maybe , fresh & clean coriander will make its appearance in tetra packs ,very soon....

I have written this blog post as part of the Close Up "Fire - Freeze" Contest.

Do visit http://www.facebook.com/closeupindia to share your thoughts.If you smiled, as you read this post , please vote for me on Indiblogger.You are also welcome to post your comments here.

Muggulu

2011-01-20T10:36:00.001+05:30

Dahi ,a wonder food.

2011-01-19T13:03:00.003+05:30

Curds also called dahi in Hindi is a super food .It is easily digestible .It lends itself to many uses.It can be given to kids,old & the young & also the sick.It is full of calcium & friendly lactobacilli.

Many people may be allergic to milk but can take curds without any problem.Dahi contains bacteria which reinstates our digestion after illnesses.So ,dahi is simply excellent ! Whenever, anyone has a stomach upset ,eating curd rice is the best solution .It is also like soul food for many south Indians.Partaking of dahi rice is a signal, that the feast has ended in south India.

It need not be consumed as curd itslef.It can be diluted & made into lassi or chaas.Many falvoured lassis are available now like Mango lassi & the like. Watered curd is also called as butter milk.Butter milk can be falvoured with jeera,pepper,fresh coriander,etal.It can be added to a variety of dishes.Even recipes can be prepared from dahi as a base.

Can anyone imagine tasty snacks dahi batata puri,dahi wadas,dahi bhalles without curds ? I ,for one, would love to survive only by eating these chat items lifelong !

Dahi, when it has turned sour can be transformed into tangy kadhi ! Some people do prefer their kadhi made with normal curds without any sour taste. Dahi can aslo be added to a variety of veggies to make many raitas ! Raitas are really very healthy as they have dahi,& veggies in good measure.Some raitas use raw vegetables while still others use veggies which are cooked.The simple tomatar,pyaaz & cucumber raita uses raw vegetables whereas a potato ,red pumpkin,carrot raita uses cooked vegetables.Even bhindi raita boasts of bhindi fried to which dahi has been added ! Obviously ,in all the raitas where in, cooked vegetables are used,curds are added after the cooked vegetables have been cooled to room temperature.My aunt makes a raita with dahi & pomegranate seeds ! I love the pineapple raita served at restaurants.Boondi raita is a hit, with the old & the young alike !

Dahi is the base to making shrikhand,a sweet dish highly popular in Gujarat & Maharashtra.Nowadays,it is more innovative, with fruit shrikhand & even dry fruit shrikhand.My mother has always been using dahi as a base for making fruit salad.And believe me ,it is thicker & tastier, compared to the watery fruit salad made with milk !

Avial is a dish from God's own country,Kerela.Dahi is added to an assortment of cooked veggies & a coconut green chilli mixture.My late neighbour used to make a very delicious vegetable called " Rishi chi bhaji " on the occasion of Rishi Panchami.She would cook a mixture of different vegetables including some green leafy ones & then add a helping of curds, to it, after the mixture was cooled.I still miss, that divine taste !

I myself have fallen for this simple fermented milk product off late ! I use it in almost all dishes ! I add dahi to the dough, while I make parathas of methi & palak .I make use of diluted dahi by adding it to upma.It gives it a fresh tanginess ! I also add dahi to pulavs & biryanis ! Dahi gives all my rice preparations a rich & creamy texture.It comes in handy, especially ,when the food has become too spicy.Curds lessen the spiciness !

I tasted fruit yoghurt on my trip abroad & fell for it -hook ,line & sinker ! Nowadays,whenever I spot flavoured yoghurt in any shop,I just buy them in bulk & consume them on a daily basis !

Of late,even probiotic dahi has come into the market.I am averse to milk but take chaas regularly for maintaining my calcium levels ! I am eagerly awaiting a new flavoured variety of curds which is opening its shop near my home ,very soon !

Kolam

2011-01-05T10:01:00.000+05:30

ABCDs ! ?

2011-01-04T20:21:00.002+05:30

A friend remarked the other day, that, no matter how high & mighty we pretend to be,we are all basically ABCDs.A is for aaya,B is for bawarchi,C for chaprasi & D means driver . Perhaps,sometimes we are more than one of these or better still all the four rolled into one !

Aaya is someone who cares for others like kids,sick & the elderly.Bawarchi denotes a person who cooks & generally takes care of the kitchen.Chaprasi is the sweeper who cleans up the dirt generated by others.Now,it is is upto the sweeper to sweep the dirt away or under the carpet.Mostly the latter.Most of us are indeed chaprasis as many a times we are busy hiding away our vices & exhibiting our virtues ( if any ).

This nomenclature stands good for men as also women.Men need aayas to care for them no matter how old they grow.Actually,the older the age,more is the care needed.Men are aayas only in one sense -they earn money which shows they care for the family.Very few males can actually take care of others.Doctors do care but as part of their duty.Men have an inborn innate tendency of not caring.They feel it is a job of the lady just like the other ones ! Men are bawarchis at times when they relax by means of cooking .Of course,some are bawarchis by profession .Chaprasi is an apt name for anyone who clears the mess .Men are chaprasis at the work place as they keep bemoaning that they are always cleaning up for the guy /s who left a mess or rather loads of it.It is another story, that the ladies have to perennially clean the trash ,that the men leave at home on a regular basis.Men drive women crazy & so they are drivers.Sometimes,they do drive vehicles as well but how well they do it is a matter of grave concern to one & all.Just one look at the accident statistics is enough to daze the daylights out of anyone.

Women are all rolled into one most of the times.They are aayas as they care for all at home .Women cook & so they are bawarchis as well.Chaprasis are ladies as they have to clean up the houses & homes after the kids & family members leave litter strewn all over.But some women think that these three roles are insufficient to desribe their talents.So they venture into driving .They end up being drivers also !

Our Prime Minister also fits into this nomenclature.He is an aaya as he the PM to take care of all Indians.At least,that is the oath taken, later forgotten, in other roles.He is the bawarchi as he has to cook up so many tales to counteract the opposition ,the media,the public & sometimes even his cabinet ! He is a chaprasi as he will always keep reminding us that he is too busy cleaning up the mess left by the previous rulers.This is to justify that this clearing job is so voluminous that no other work will get done ! He is also the driver as he is driving our nation & its people down hill !

I am an aaya for my kid & my hubby .This role extends to taking care of the extended family as well sometimes, just by the reason, of being conversant in the national language.I cook or rather pretend to cook & so am a bawarchi as well.Obviously ,the blog posts cooked by me, make readers suspicious about my culinary abilities as also my literary ones.Since my kid & hubby have no penchant for cleanliness,all the neatness is my forte.So,I am the chaprasi of the house.Whilst I worked in the Public sector,I realised that all of us - my boss included, were chaprasis earning inflated salaries.I am yet to own a vehicle & so cannot drive.But my hubby says that I drive him nuts by my adamant attitude.So I am a driver by my better half's classification.

We all fit so snugly into this.The next time anybody requests you or even orders you for any job ,just think what role is being demanded of you -aaya,bawarchi,chaprasi or driver ? Nine out of ten,it will be the work of a chaprasi !

Muggulu

2010-12-18T10:52:00.001+05:30

Akshaypatra : Feeding millions !

2010-12-17T13:14:00.002+05:30

There is a saying in Hindi "Bhuke pet bhajan na hoye Gopala ".It means that a hungry person cannot pray . The same holds true for every task that needs to be done.No wonder, kids cannot play, much less study, if their tummies are empty.

That is where Akshaypatra foundation has stepped in & has been providing sumptuous meals through the mid day meal scheme for school children .It started this programme of feeding schoolchildren in June 2000 .From a modest beginning of feeding 1500 schoolchildren,today, Akshaypatra is catering to 1.2 million children .What a stupendous success ! The number of hungry kids,Akshaypatra has managed to feed has increased 800 times in nearly 10 years! Initially,Akshaypatra started operations in Karnataka & today ,it provides mid day meals in 19 locations across nine States throughout India.

All this has been possible because many corporates have tied up with Akshaypatra to fund the mid day meal scheme in whatever ways they can.Some have provided mobile vans to transport food,some have donated cash & so on & so forth.This has been done as part of their corporate social responsibility.Individuals like housewives,mothers,fathers & even teenagers have also chipped in to do their bit to feed hungry kids.Some volunteer to write ,some do research,still others help raise funds, etc.

The mid day meal scheme in schools has been largely successful so far largely due to efforts put in by NGOs like Akshaypatra who provide healthy & nutritious food to kids in school.This assists the children to concentrate on studies.Moreover, the poor parents are more than willing to send their wards to school as they know that they will get one square meal only, if they go to school. So ,the mid day meal scheme is able to tackle the problem of child labour as well.If children get free food while they study,they need not work to earn for food.The mid day meal scheme has led to greater enrolment & also attendance at school as children look forward to the free meals ! Even the Supreme Court in November,2008 called up Akshaypatra to list the efficacy of the mid day meal scheme as Akshaypatra had already been implementing its own feeding programme in Karnataka by then.

The food prepared by Akshaypatra foundation is hygienic as utmost care is taken to prepare it.Most of the food is prepared in mechanised vessels so that less time is needed for cooking,.Mechanisation also minimises food handling by humans to & hence, food cooked is hygienic.It is then transported to the various schools in vans with security in tow to ensure safety.

Food that is prepared by Akshaypatra also takes regional preferences into account so that children relish the food.Akshaypatra has two menus -one for North India & another for South India.It is wholesome & so it is a boon in a country like ours where malnourishment among kids is rampant.Many children in India are malnourished & underweight.The food by Akshaypatra tackles all the problems of malnourishment & cleanliness.

Akshaypatra has tied up with numerous corporates to fund this mid meal scheme.The success in this venture shows that Public Private joint efforts can make a lot of difference in overcoming problems of hunger & malnourishment.

Lastly ,the impact of Akshaypatra has been tremendous.Enrolment & attendance in schools where Akshyaptra has been providing meals has been steadily on the rise.Even grades of children have improved.This has been shown by a study conducted by AC Neilson Org Marg Pvt Ltd,a reputed survey firm based in Mumbai.This means only one thing -with Akshaypatra leading the way in impelementing the mid day meal scheme, children have a great future !

You can also contribute in cash or by serving Akshaypatra .Please visit http://www.akshayapatra.org/ to know more .

For me,the best part about this blogging is that my writing about this , will help feed 50 kids -all thanks to Akshaypatra.I am already on cloud nine as this is my award !

Kolam

2010-12-15T13:47:00.001+05:30

Maaya

2010-12-14T11:50:00.003+05:30

The intercom rang & it was my acquaintance from the building where I stay.She asked " Maaya works for you ? " I said that she did but had taken a day off as there was a puja at her mother's place.My neighbour informed me that she wanted to speak to Maaya for enagaging her as a maid at her home.I promised that I will convey her enquiry & send Maaya across to her flat.

My parents were to go for the puja & I told my mother to convey the enquiry to Maaya if she gets to meet her at the puja.My mom forgot about it.I was angry as I knew that Maaya had few jobs now & she needed new ones.

The next day,the intercom rang again.This time around ,it was Maaya.She told me,"I will come to your home around eleven as my mother has not come in today." I said," Yesterday ,Smt.Sharma asked about you.She wants to employ you.Please go & talk to her ,now." Maaya agreed.I had urged her to go & meet Mrs.Sharma that moment as she had narrowly missed another job a few days ago as she had got late.

Maaya has been with me since seven years now.Though she is dark,she has a face which is pretty & lights up as she wears a smile all the time.I wonder how she can grin & bear it all.

She was married off to her elder sister's husband as soon as his wife expired as the kids needed to be looked after.She also has her own kids .Her daughter ( her sister's child ) was married but soon,she returned home owing to ill treatment at her husband's home. Maaya then paid a fortune & got her admitted to a nursing college so that she would remain enagaged in something useful.But after completing the course successfully,the daughter refused to go & join as a nurse anywhere .Maaya keeps telling her daughter that she can keep her earnings to herself but she must go for a nursing job so that she can feel confident.But so far ,the bitiya has refused to obey.Her neighbours opine that she has been so fortunate to have a mother who thinks only of her daughter's well being in such trying circumstances but to no avail.Maaya has yet to repay the loan which she had taken for her daughter's wedding which went wrong !

Maaya has never complained that she is the second wife.She is happy though she is more educated than her hubby.She is the only one amongst four sisters to complete schooling upto twelfth standard.She even applied for a Railway job but drew a blank as the exams she gave were cancelled for some leakage of papers.

She cooks for all at home before she leaves home for her maid servant's job.Her mother-in-law is an invalid & she needs looking after.Maya has three sons ( two of her own ) & one daughter who just lazes at home.Her hubby & eldest son are employed as drivers.Her hubby had met with a near fatal accident some years back but is back on his feet now .

Maaya used to do lot of vrats & upvaas -so much so that every alternate day,she was off food.This has led to severe acidity & insomonia.She has become obese because of this habit of fasting.Thankfully,now she has given up many vrats .She also suffers from aches & pains every now & then but I never heard her whine even once about her physical ailments.I only come to know that she was having severe pain in the neck when she said that she was taking a day off to go to the hospital for an appointment.

She is most sought after for her services as she goes about her work with utmost sincerity.That is why when her mother went to ask Mrs Sharma if she could work as Maaya was busy elsewhere,Mrs Sharma curtly said ," Let Maaya only do the work at my place as I had a face to face talk with her." What she omitted to tell Mayya' mother is that she had been impressed by Maaya's cleanliness at her neighbour's home wherein she had worked for a brief period.This she divulged to me when she rang me up to ask about Maaya's whereabouts on the intercom.

Though Maaya's mother can hardly be compared to Maaya in virtues,one must give full credit to her for having brought her up so well that Maaya is an asset to all ! This includes those households wherein she works.She scrubs the toilet which she uses for filling the bucket for floor wiping ! This despite the fact, that, I have still to employ her for cleaning toilets at my home .She will always clean the tea kettle which I have used for making tea for her, unlike, her mother .She will always take off by informing beforehand.

She is someone who emapthises with fellow maids .She lost a job at a beauty parlour as another maid got there before Maaya could go & meet the owner. Maaya was composed as she opined,"I am garib & so is she ."This positive attitude has stood Maaya through all these turbulent times.Perhaps, she believes, that the Brahamand is a Mithya -an illusion just like her name ! She has understood the Bhagvad Gita without even reading it .I wish I could say this about myself.Maybe, her association with me will make me comprehend that all the world is Mithya with certain exceptions.As a clichéd saying goes to state exceptions prove the law more than anything else.

Muggu

2010-12-08T12:46:00.001+05:30

Left overs

2010-12-07T13:25:00.004+05:30

I have constant arguments with my hubby about eating out .This is so, as I, usually cook the day's food in the mornings itself.In the evenings,if he says, that we can all eat dinner out ,I fume.I feel cheated after slogging in the kitchen.I know, that sometimes,my cooking is bad but then,why does anybody have to be so blunt about it by suggesting dining out ? Moreover, what should I do with the leftover food ?

No,I don't take hints howsoever openly given.I will try to find some recipe & give the leftover a new twist ! Leftover idlis can be crumbled into powdered form.Then, one can add a seasoning or vagaar of mustard seeds,urad dal,hing & haldi.One can also add fried onions & green chillies to get a little crunch & viola ,one can savour idli upma ! I swear, that this tastes better than fresh idlis due to the added veggies & oil !

Leftover idlis can be diced & fried- just like potato wedges & served with chutni and or sambhar.This is sinful as the idli pieces are deep fried but then, we need to sin, otherwise, how will we ever atone ? Moreover,since ,we rarely remember the Almighty,we need to sin & then plead for forgiveness.Sinning in terms of eating fried food wins hands down in this health conscious ( though practice has yet to catch up with the awareness ) age .

Idli batter can also be used to make dhoklas .One of my friends is an expert in making dhoklas & she vouches for the taste of idli batter dhoklas.It is also light as this is a steamed dish similar to the idli.

I make an upma of leftover chapatis as well.This is typical Maharastrian fare & I love it ! Left over chapatis can also be made into laddoos by adding little ghee & gur or sugar.I have tried to make this but have been unsuccessful so far.I tasted such laddoos once & believe me, they were heavenly ! It is said that leftover food at home is umpteen times better than fresh restaurant food ! Just goes to show why we all fall for restaurant food ! It is only leftovers ( how old is any body's wildest guess ) ) packaged to look presentable.On second thoughts,eating leftovers from home will prepare us better for withstanding restaurant food -as fresh as it was !

I once added kheera-tomatar-pyaaz raita to dosa batter .Then, I made uttapas with the batter thus prepared ! So ,one can get creative with kal ka khana.Mind you, the uttapas, were full of nutrition & yummy !

Many housewives add leftover dal to atta & make protein rich parathas for kids ! Sour buttermilk or curds can be converted into delicious kadhi ! Sour buttermilk can also be used as a growth enhancer for the kari patta plant.My neighbour had enlightened me that sour buttermilk is beneficial for the curry leaves plant.I would pour extremely sour curds ( diluted with generous amounts of water ) in my padosan's kitchen garden which had a kari patta plant.In turn,my neighbour, used to allow me to collect fresh sprigs of kari patta for my cooking ! So ,bassi khana has multiple uses !

I recall an ex -colleague recycling old pedhas .She would add chikkos & cream & make sumptuous chikoo ice cream !

Many rural folk feed bacha hua khana to cows but since in cities,this may not work out,it is better to have a complete makeover of the leftovers. Moreover,with food prices shooting up alarmingly,this is necessary for a financial makeover as well !

My dad jokes that in his home,bisi bele bhaath was a dish made from leftover rice & sambar ! Never does he remember to have eaten that dish freshly made .Haldi,hing,green chillies,urad dal ,peanuts & salt can be added to rice along with seasoning of mustard seeds to make delicious Phodni cha bhaath .Phodni in Marathi means vagaar.One can also add little lemom juice & grated ginger to make it more tangy.Gujratis make bhajiyas by dipping rice( leftover ) balls into besan & deep frying the rice balls to which hara dhania,lal mirchi,ajwain ,haldi & hing has been added. These are very crispy & a sure hit at breakfast time !

Leftover bread can be transformed into bread upma or bread patties.The possibilities of utilising bacha hua khana are too immense.I feel, the make overs are more tasty than the original fresh food item ! It is, as if, a zing has been added to the boring food ! I wish some net cook could start a blog only about utilising leftovers.I am sure, it will be rage on the various social networks ! The Government ought to lend a hand by givings loans & other support to such noble ideas ! Noble as these recycling fundas utilse food which is getting scarce .Worldwide food prices are rising & millions go hungry.Recycling food ensures that food is seldom thrown away. This will ensure, that, complaints about food inflation will reduce to a whimper.Not that our loud protests, so far, have made our Government lend any ear but then, we ought to be positive ,forever .

That is why, I have started cooking, more than needed by my family.This way,I am sure ,something, will remain uneaten .I then use my culinary skills to get creative ! My family members are also getting increasingly creative in refusing or rather opting out of eating my made over dishes ! But then,they are still to learn , what they are missing !

Raangoli

2010-11-24T12:48:00.005+05:30

Nidra

2010-11-23T12:01:00.002+05:30

Nidra is Sanskrit for sleep .I love sleeping.I wish I could be in deep sleep for hours without the tension of getting up from bed.But, alas, life is not as simple as that & I am forced to get up & get life going.

Sleep is defined as a state of rest wherein one is unconscious.So,in all probablity when we sleep ,we are relaxed without a care in the world .But this is not always so.We undergo REM ( Rapid eye movement ) which is dreaming .We also have fits of sleep & do get up .Some even sleepwalk.But one must admit that sleep relaxes our body & mind.It has been said that deprivation of sleep will lead to death faster than starvation or thirst.Hence ,sleep is very important for our well being-perhaps more than food.

I feel sleep helps in losing weight as well.If someone is awake most of the time,at least once( actually more than once ), that person will reach for some food.This will in all probability, be some unhealthy snack but if the person sleeps then there is no chance of indulging in this unhealthy eating.So ,those of you who want to shed flab,please try to sleep even in the afternoons.This is what the various health clubs mean when they advertise "No diets,no excercise for losing weight."So why empty your pockets by joining them ? You can sleep your way to a slim & trim figure .

For a good sleep,many conditions are stated.One can drink warm milk & try to sleep at the same hour .Some even take a light shower .Still others read books.Some may need a quiet atmosphere before their eyes close.It is better to switch off the lights & the idiot box before one tries to sleep as all this helps in creating the right ambience to relax.People who are on medicines are advised not to take certain medications at night as they might interfere with sleep.

I am someone who has got addicted to sleeping in the afternoon as well.This was not possible when I was in employment for obvious reasons.But now that I am at home,I have got addicted to the afternoon nap.My maidservants also cannot disturb me in this .I hate those who come knocking during afternoons when I am enjoying blissful slumber.I do have some sleepless nights & afternoons but they are few & far between.

My eyes are almost closed by the time I serve lunch to my kid .I generally cajole my kid to sleep as well.This is because,she will otherwise watch the idiot box which will disturb my slumber .She is no mood to do her schoolwork after her lunch.So I prefer that she sleep instead .Moreover,she gets tired & by late evening,she is ready to hit the bed without having even looking at her school work.The nap thus serves another purpose-it energizes us for the remainder of the day.

My niece is someone who takes offence if I ask her to sleep in the afternoon.She gets up early & is tense till she reaches school.My daughter on the other hand has to cajoled into waking up both in the mornings as also after her afternoon slumber.She keeps on postponing her waking up by telling me that after one or two minutes,she will wake up.These minutes can add up to half an hour.During mornings,my kid is ready to skip her breakfast as also her combing in order to wake up late.Such is her indulgence in sleeping.

My kid can sleep even in a moving vehicle.The movement of the vehicle lulls her to sleep.This is better as otherwise,she irritates by constantly asking us to update the distance we have covered & are yet to cover & so on & so forth.

Till date,I never had to take sleeping pills .Almighty has been kind to me as he has given me the ability to sleep so much.I wish I could sleep for ever but since I have to post my blogs,I have to wake up.Actually,if you are suffering from insomnia ,please try to read my blog posts.Guaranteed, that you will feel sleepy & doze off.I am actually doing social service by posting my blogs as many will prefer sleep to reading my writing.So,you see ,there will less of social strife as a result of all this.

What are you staring at ? Kindly forward the link to my blog to all so that all can sleep blissfully !

Deepavli raangoli

2010-11-06T11:13:00.003+05:30

Deepavali rangoli

2010-11-06T11:10:00.001+05:30

Allahabad

2010-11-05T20:36:00.000+05:30

We were received at the station by a person who had been updated by the travel agent from Bangalore.We hired four Vikrams to carry all the people as also the luggage to the place which had been booked .We were taken to the Swami Narayan Ashram.They had rooms to let us.We just shifted our luggage into the rooms & hit the bed.We were fast asleep.

The next morning,we were surprised to see the person who had received us at the station at the ashram.He informed us that he is a priest & he will perform the rituals of veni daan.He knew Tamil & spoke it too.This made things very easy for the men in my family as regards communication.We told him that we had already fixed it up with our priest at Allahabad.This made him angry & he refused to budge.This was partly because the travel agent had misinformed him that he should assist in rituals.Another reason,I surmised was veni daan ceremony involves a lot of things being handed over to the purohita who performs it.He also reminded us that he had come to receive us at the station at such a late hour. We somehow managed to convince him that our priest only will officiate at veni daan.There was some cash which was exchanged to cool him down.He in turn,spoke to the ashram attendants to see that we vacated the ashram by that evening itself.

Our priest had called us all at the ghat for veni daan.Veni means hair & daan meaning giving away .So veni daan means giving away hair.In the said ceremony,the husband parts with a small part of the hair of his wife.We enquired from the purohita about the significance of veni daan.He said that sumangali ( a wife ) has no right to a hair cut in her life time.But as per scriptures,all our sins reside in our hair.So by Veni daan,a sumanagali also gets an oppurtunity to get rid of her hair ,in part thereby parting away with her sins.Veni daan has specual significance in Allahabad as there is sanag,m of three rivers-the Ganga,the Yamuna & the Saraswati.I am someone who likes hair cropped short & have been keeping a short hair style since I joined college.This veni daan just confirmed that I had been right though I had to face stiff opposition from many of near & dear ones !

All the things had bveen kept ready by an assistant of the purohita who hailing from Allahabad spoke in Kannada.He had learnt it so that he could communicate with people from Karnataka.I felt that we could take a lesson from him & learn other languages.After ,our hubbies had cut a few centimetres of our hair,we proceeded to take adip in the sangam.We were all taken in a boat & reached the sangam in the midst of the rivers.We could make out the Yamuna which has a darker hue & the Ganga which has a light colour.Saraswati,is invisible & is said to be just joining the two from underground.As we lowered ourselves on the stone platform to take adip,we were surprised by the strong current of the rivers.We just managed to take two or three dips in the water-drowning our heads into the water .We climbed up & the bathing was done.We managed to do all this because of being ably assisted or rather propped up by the boatmen.

In the wet clothes,we reached the purohita's place .We changed into a fresh set of clothes.We then gave away our wet clothes to the purohita's assistant as per the tradition.Then each of us (each couple ) also gave a set of clothes to the purohita & his wife.This included a dhoti & a nine yard saree.After that,we went to the Mutt for lunch.It is located opposite to the purohita's home.The food was simply superb ! Sambhar had been prepared using karela but it was so yummy that I quite forgot about the bitter taste of karela.Lunch over,we headed back in Vikrams to our rooms at the ashram.

At the ashram,another drama began.The attendents demanded that we vacate the rooms as they had been told about our stay only till that afternoon.We told that even twenty four hours had not passed since we landed at the ashram but they refused to listen.Then my bhabhi called up the travel agent at Bangalore & umpteen calls later ,we were allowed to stay till that night.The Bangalore travel agent aslo transferred money to the ashram account before we were allowed to continue our stay further.

In the evening,five of us went sight seeing.All were unable to accompany us as some were not well & others were too exhausted.We went around in a Vikram & saw Hanuman temple,a Kali mata mandir etc.We also stopped to taste lassi at a namkeen shop.My hubby got some savouries packed for his family so that they could enjoy thenm during their train journey.As some people were not well,they wanted idlis .But we ere unable to get idlis.But nearthe ashram itself,they weree able to buy idlis.

After the sight seeing,we headed to the Mutt to partake of dinner.The purohita's home had Ganpati celeberations going on & they invited us for Bhandara ( grand feast ) at his place.So we cancelled our dinner at the Mutt.There was a big crowd for the feast.Ganpati aarti got over & as we were to leave for station,we were served the feast first.There was sabzi,daal,stuffed pooris,chutni etal.Our other family members had also joined us for the bhandara.After we thanked the purohita,we left for our rooms.We packed up our things & left for the statioin in four Vikrams.

I & my hubby were to leave for Delhi in Rajdhani.Other family members were travelling to Chennai from Allahabad.My hubby had booked & cancelled our tickets to Delhi.This, I was able to learn after many attempts.So,I tried my luck in booking tickets at the statiuon.I was able to book my tickets in another train which was arriving at three at midnight.The booking clerk made a passing comment about his happiness.I gave him a hundred rupee note as he had made me happy.We bade our family good bye as we left the platform wherein they waited for their train.Their train arrived just some ten minutes before our train.

We climbed into our Rajdhani.This is the original Rajdhani -from Kolkatta to Delhi.The interiors of the train delighted me .The toilets & seats & the whole train was spic spac.We reached Delhi by ten in the morning.We hailed ataxi & reached the airport.There was a lot of time as our plane was scheduled to fly to Mumbai only in the afternoon.We ate some snacks & just lazed around in numerous shops .My hubby brought a spectacle case as he had lost his case.We did try to book an earlier flight but none was available.

We finally boarded our flight & reached home by half past seven.My kid was delighted to see me & her dad.She hugged me tightly to tell me that she had missed me.I was also equally emotional.We had dinner & went to bed.Next day,we had to be on time for my daughter's school at seven in the morning !

Kolam

2010-11-03T08:48:00.001+05:30

Rangolis were drawn to prevent entry of pests into the house in olden days.

Gaya & Bodhgaya

2010-11-02T11:34:00.006+05:30

We reached Bodhygaya by midnight & took up our rooms in a hotel booked by the Bangalore travel agent.But the absence of lift in the hotel irritated us very much as we were dead tired.We immediately retired for the night as next day,early morning, the men had to perform Tithi in Gaya for their ancestors .

In the morning,I & my hubby ordered tea from the hotel & others had coffee prepared on the heater which they had carried from Chennai.I remarked to my hubby, that, his family is so fond of milk that they will just sprinkle coffee to pots of milk & expect me to drink it as coffee ! I for one, cannot gulp milk as coffee.So,I opted for hotel tea.Years of bombarding my hubby with information that milk is harmful has finally made him believe that milk is the most incomplete food.

My family had carried coffee powder,milk powder ,sugar,etc -all the way from Chennai for consumption during travel.This was because my family is highly suspicious about the cooks preparing vegetarian beverages whilst handling non-vegetarian food .Moreover some of my family keep speculating about who must have handled the milk,the coffee & the like.Why they do not think similarly about shares & stocks being handled by people who consume all -even pigs & cows is beyond me.Bluntly put,people who dabble in shares are cannibals ! They are swallowing whole humans with bones & skin et al ! On second thoughts,this is so, as the non -vegetarians are unable to reach their levels of consumption,that of man eating cannibals that is !

The ladies & kids took bath .We then left for Gaya which was a good half an hour away from the hotel.Bodhgaya is the place wherein Budha got enlightenment.One can observe a lot of statues of Budha in the lawns of the numerous hotels that dot the place.The Japanese government has also poured money in Bodhgaya for sprucing up that place.For the Japanese,this is a place of pilgrimage .This is so for other foreigners as well ,who are influenced by Buddhist ideas.One can see & meet foreigners on the roads & in hotels in Bodhgaya.

The transport vehicles in Bodhgaya are autos & more popular is the Vikram.It is what one can call as an extended auto wherein there is seating arrangement for nearly ten people.We hired two Vikrams & left for Gaya.Men were to take bath in the river .We landed at the Bodhgaya temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.The temple roof is made of wood & the structure of the temple is of stone.There were many priests doing shradha ceremonies & rituals for hundreds of people all over in the temple.We entered the sanctum sanctorium wherein one can view the footmark of Vishnu .Pind daaan was in progress there.Many were taking snaps.Still others were trying to touch the foot mark & paying their respects.We also paid our respects.

Men came accompanied by the purohita inside the temple.He made them take their places by the side of the gopuram where there was an elevated platform.The rituals of shradha started. Legend has it that shradha performed in Gaya is a sure shot way of attaining moksha .The story of Gayasura is witness to this .Gayasura was an asura but he was full of virtues ,no vices.He pleaded to Almighty that in spite of his virtues,he was always being born as a rakshasa. Brahma complained to Vishnu that virtues of Gayasura were equating him with the Devas.Vishnu appeased them all.He put his foot on the body of Gayasura.Whoever does pind daan on the foot mark of the Lord which got crytstallised as stone attains moksha.I quipped to my hubby," In this age also,appeasement is being done.A person who is equally strong is made the Deputy Chief Minister so that there is less problem.Now we know who taught us this method of pleasing all." My hubby only smiled as he has no compulsion to laugh.He was not going to accomodate me by laughing whole heartedly !

The rituals were nearing completion & the time had come when the participants have to give up some things for life at Gaya.Our family had many discussions on all this giving up.The priest enlightened us," Actually,one must give up greed,temptation,anger,jealousy,etal but since this is impossible for humans,one can opt for easier things." One has to give up a sweet,a vegetable & a fruit.In fact,the item must be one which is liked the most, but humans being very cunning,give up for life whatever they have hardly tasted or something they find tasteless or something which they resent for any reason .My hubby asked loudly what I will give up as he opined that I will not cook that anyway after giving up. He did nor want to give up something which I will disagree upon.I gave up sweet lime ( I find it tedious to de peel & eat it ), parwal ( I rarely eat it ) & basundi ( rasmalai-I hate all milk sweets -wherein milk is in liquid form with cream ).So ,in effect, I hardly gave up anything for life.One family member gave up Mysore pak.For this,my jeth has a solution.He said ,one can add maida to the besan & make Mysore pak.Then it can be consumed by the person who has given Mysore pak in Gaya as the ingredients of Mysore pak have changed.So,there is always a way /s out ! The rituals had ended now.

Then we all headed for prasada-lunch to the purohit's home. The food was sumptously declicious.Then we returned to hotel.In the evening,we came back to the temple.The temple had been scrubbed clean for the Tulsi shringar of Vishnu paada ( foot mark ) .We wanted to buy the printout on thin muslin cloth of the footmark & we got it.The Gaya temple is very spic spac.During day time also,it is scrubbed clean with water two to three times as the pind daan makes the sanctum place very sticky.

The evening at the temple was very pleasant as a group was singing bhajans & there was a gentle breeze .The stone floor was cool & we strolled in the temple.The next morning, we enquired about vehicles plying to Allahabad from Gaya & sensed that the rates were exhorbitant -more so, as we had already rail tickets for the journey.Rotis were baked on the roti maker ( the advertisements which all must have seen on the idiot box ) in the hotel room in Bodhgaya.I was afraid, that the hotel may raise objections but they just looked away.My family ate the hard chapatis & sugar & chutney powder.We also had poha & dahi..Our tummies full,we departed for the station at Gaya .

At Gaya station,my bahbhi & her hubby took ill-they vomitted.The train was late.So we all just sat on the platform & waited.Cool bottles of soda were purchased to aid digestion.All the family had it as prevention is better than cure.Some apples were also consumed.As we waited,a zip repairer came on the platform.My family got some luggage zips repaired.I got my sandals stiched.So,he made a killing in one hour.Many others also got their bags repaired.

Finally our train arrived & we left Gaya for Allahabad.We had second class compartment tickets as the travel agent had opined that the journey was very short.But nobody was able to rest with their feet stretched.We reached Allahabad by around eleven ,dead tired.

Rangoolya

2010-10-30T08:44:00.000+05:30

Rangoli tradition is supposed to originate from " Chitralakshana'-the collection of writings on paintings in India.

Varanasi

2010-10-29T11:57:00.020+05:30

The next stop of our yatra was Varanasi,a city which has been continuosly inhabited since ages.We were in train & in air conditioned comfort.oing piuja.Now,we were in the plains & so the topography had changed.There was elephant grass from which mats are made .Thse mats are used as asans for performing holy rituals.

We reached Benares in the afternoon.At the auto stand itself, there was a big argument. My jeth phoned his travel agent in Bangalore who had booked rooms for us at a hotel.The hotel name was heard as Van Shri .The rikshaw wallahs insisted that the said hotel was very far. My jeth said that it was just a stone's throw away from the station.Since we were getting stranded at the station without the argument coming to an end,we requested that we be transported in the autos to the hotel with our extensive bags .We were on our way & we indeed found that the hotel was very near but there was a hitch. The hotel 's name was Vani Shree. The auto wallahs had a good laugh as they repeated that my jeth had named another hotel .In all this fight,I had to intervene as my jeth cannot speak nor understand Hindi & obviously the rickshaw drivers do not know Kannada or Tamil. Since ,I know both Hindi & Kannada,I was the bridge over troubled waters.

We went to our allotted rooms .There was no question of partaking any food in the hotel as it served non-vegetarain food .By the time,we finished bath, it was evening.We decided to visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple.There were some auto wallahas who were attached to the hotel.They warned us that as it had rained heavily the last night,there was water logging all over the city & hence traffic would be so slow that it was futile to visit the temple.Then my hubby & his brother decided to go to a nearby hotel to pick up some idlis for all us to feed as all were famished.Idlis were accordingly brought & gulped down in no time.

Now,my hubby suggested that the men should visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple that day itself as the next day,the men would be busy in the tithi ritual ( shradha ).So,I was to accompany my hubby & his three brothers to the temple.I was needed to translate & make conversation understandable.We went by the same autos who were telling us that "Any road repairs including laying of drains yields results very late ( if ever it does,that is ) as this is U.P.-Maya nagari !"My visit alongwith the men was not taken too kindly by the other females but they just kept quiet as they did not want to question their hubbies.All were feeling that I was acting very smart because I knew Hindi .

As the Ayodhya verdict was going to be announced in a few days,there was a lot of security at the temple.We were told to deposit our belongings in private lockers available at the entrance & proceed inside.We had darshan & almost emptied our pockets of cash.Cash is allowed past all security ! Maybe, if there is no cash,all entry would have been banned.We are all Vaishnavas & so how did we visit this temple.Well,it is said that the Kashi Vishvanath Emple is worshipping Vishnu in Linga form ! The Shiv linga is actually a saligrama in linga form.So,that's how we were visiting the temple.Or so ,we Vaishnavas would like all to believe.I was glad that I was able to visit the famed temple of Kashi-Shiva or Vishnu does not matter.But I am impressed with this that Vishnu is worshipped in the linga form at Varanasi Vishwanth temple.If I possessed even an iota of this imagination ,I would have made a name for myself in the literary world ! Then we wound our way to the Annapurna Devi temple .& had a darshan.

I must mention here that Kashi is a very dirty city.All along the path or paths one takes to visit any temple,one comes across heaps of garbage piled up.I wish all pilgrims could atleast try not to make the city more dirty.After one looks at all the dirt around whatever pious thoughts that have arisen die a quick death.One just wishes to just look at the idols & makes hasty retreats.otherwise,the visits to Benares would be futile .I believe that the retail revolution in sachets is making us generate rubbish in wholesale ! Varansi locals are also extremely fond of paan .In addition to all the garbage,there are paan stains all around wherever one can look.In these days,paan is getting replaced by gutka in sachets.Gutka chokes lungs & the sachets clog the drains.So it is a double jeopardy.

Kashi seems to be a place wherein many generations seem to co-exist in this age .I saw that shops were selling unique brass toys like gas stoves,lamps water carriers -all of these were so tiny & unique that they can adorn the showcase.Moreover,shops were also selling readymade dresses for Gods & goddesses with ready made jewels to adorn the idols.Other shops sold imitation jewellery for the generation next.Hence,I felt hat the city existed in numerous time wraps.

We went to our Mutt after the darshan where we had upma .The next day,the men left for shardha rituals to be done to a Mutt.The ladies including myself went to visit many temples.We also shopped for small brass idols & copper pots of Ganga jal.Later we went to a Benarasi sari workshop.We got some sarees which were of silk but not the Banarasi silks.My family hailing from Chennai is quite skeptical about Silks other than Kanjeervaram.After that we left for the Mutt to have lunch there.The men also arrived there to join us.Food served at the Mutt is delicious though no rotis are served .It is basically rice,sambhar,rasam,a sweet like a kheer or Mysore pak,chutni,Gooju,curds,etc.In the Mutts,masalas are ground on a daily basis & used & this makes for tasty meals ! Moreover, all food is initially offered to the Lord who in turn makes it taste sumptous.

After the food,it was suggested that we take a boat ride on the Ganges to look at the numerous ghats dotting the city.There was a lot of bargaining going on .In the midst of all this,my impatient hubby ruffled some feathers as he felt that his family was interested in going in for free boat ride.We all finally took a ride & noticed the various ghats surrounding the holy river.We had heard that many bodies are burnt incompletely & thrown into the Ganges.We saw the ghats wherein the bodies were being thrown but as we were quite away,we were unable to see clearly.We also climbed up on the ghats to have a darshan at the Beni Madhav temple.

Then we returned to the hotel & started packing.We were to go by road to Gaya ,the next stop in our yatra.The vehicle had already arrived when we landed at e hotel but it did not have a carrier.It was too small to seat all of us who were nearly fifteen ( nearly as there were sixteen people including two kids ).It was the travel agent's plan that we should travel to Gaya by road.But the arrangements made by him were lacking in everything.So,hastily another vehicle had to be arranged which took two hours & we started our journey to Gaya.The luggage nearly occupied half the space in our vehicle .My family had brought all dhotis,sarees,brass pots etc to be given as daana to brahmins from Chennai.My opinion that we must give cash instead of carrying luggage did not carry any weight.My devar told me that new age brahmins are very particular that they must be granted cash generously & so dhotis & other items are given away.This does not mean that these things are cheap.Dhotis are also highly priced now.Some priests insist that dhotis costing above five hundred bucks are only suitable.Human attitude is to fleece a person /s completely once it is realised the said person is willing to loosen his purse strings.

We stopped enroute to pick up some bananas for consumption by men as next day ,tithi was to be performed at Gaya.For dinner,we stopped at a dhaba as ladies & the kids were hungry.The dhaba owner assured us that they served only vegetarian fare.Our discreet enquiries made him enquire if we would take raw onion as salad.A vehment no from me got him smiling as if he meant to say that he had got it right.We resumed our journey after dinner.The drivers also dined at the dhaba reluctantly as there was no meat or fish .

Rangoli

2010-10-27T08:05:00.003+05:30

I heard this on FM Rainbow : Rangoli drawn at the doorstep ensures that Goddess Laxmi ,the symbol of wealth & prosperity will always reside in that abode.

In Andhra,rangoli is known as muggu or muggulu.

Haridwar & Rishikesh

2010-10-26T14:37:00.004+05:30

We reached Badrinath on the second day after starting from Haridwar.The route is very scenic as it is through the Shivalik range.Clouds & mist play hide & seek .One can watch beautiful sunrises & sunsets.The Alaknanada seems to be following us all along the route.It also is dangerous as a wrong turn means a plunge deep down the valley but thankfully ,our journey was safe. Enroute,we had to stop at some places as it was night .It is advisable & safe to break the journey in the Shivaliks after sunset.

The driver who was a young Punjabi lad with a typical Punjabi accent had been instructed to stop at a lodge which served strict vegetarian fare.The lodge did not serve any food but there was a vegetarian dhaba next door.One or two relatives did not eat for reasons ranging from being unwell to doubts about food handlers.My family, being very orthodox, believes that food must be served by an insider meaning the family.Since this is impossible when one is in a dhaba ,hotel & the like,they fast.Some do compromise & eat.Anyway,I was instructed in Kannada ( hybrid version -with lots of Tamil) about the food, my family wanted. I, in turn, dutifully translated it into Hindi for the waiters.We ate our food with lots of talk about food only. This was because, I had to keep translating almost minute by minute to my relatives ,then to the waiters ,again to my family & so on & so forth. .Dinner over,we retired for the night. My hubby had taken care that the driver & cleaner also had their fill of food.

Next morning, we took bath & after tea,we left.By noon,we stopped at a place where there was this restaurant which served idlis & dosas.Orders were placed for one medu vada & two idlis for a majority.A kid had a sada dosa.The idlis were really delicious -even the sambhhar & chutney.But vadas were a disappointment as the oil used is different.We are used to groundnut oil & in the north ,sarson ka tel is the norm.My family made a face & gulped down the vadas. I have never liked vadas -oil or no oil.

We left the place after being surprised by wholesome South Indian fare at the restaurant. All kudos to the Jat driver .We reached Badrinath but insisted on being taken to our Mutt .We were taken there after a lot of explaining to the driver .He was sure, that we will have to carry a lot of our luggage over some distance as no parking was available nearby but thankfully,it was not so.We freshened up after being allotted rooms.All felt at home, as this was our community hostel.It was beginning to get cold.

We left by early evening to visit the temple having worn our sweaters .It was drizzling &It had become very cold.The temple is a simple structure -wooden & stone.The temple is carpeted as it is quite cold.The guards & attendents wear wooden sandals to keep warm.Badrinath ji is a saligrama which is annointed with chandan .So one can barely see the features as lots of flowers & jewels adorn the Lord.There is a whole entourage of dieties there alongwith Badrinathji.There is Kubera,Nara-Narayana,Lakshmi,Garuda etal.We learnt that we could be with the Lord for an extended period ,if we chanted the Vishnusahsranamnam in a group for which tickets are avaialble.We did that & had a relaxed view.I noticed that a foreigner ( white woman ) was also in the temple.She also was reciting the Vishnusahsranama but there was a difference.We were reciting from the books but she was doing it on her own. She knew it by heart !

The prasad is chana dal & sugar & murmura.,After partaking prasad,we went back to the Mutt. We were served upma which was truly lip smacking. so much so that we actually were left with just enjoying the upma mentally as there was no second helping.The cooks again made it as they realised that some had not not had it even once.Upma is an option for night as my hubby & brothers were to perform shradha the next day of their late father at Badri.So,,the night before they cannot have dinner but can eat upma,poha,fruits,etc. So, we all had decided to partake of upma.

The next day dawned & we were ready to go out. We had decidecd to take bath in the hot water springs ,next door to the temple.We had a refreshing bath in the ladies section as the men went in search of purohita for the shradha .The hot water springs are really amazing.The water temperature was just right for the cold there.But people seem to think that this bounty of nature can be abused.So,some people were shampooing,using soaps & detergents etc thereby polluting the hot water springs.Perhaps the abusers wanted to cleanse themselves of all their sins & hence used soaps,shampoos & detergents.But in the process,they dirtied the place & polluted the water .We are trying to get rid of our sins but by using chemicals we are sinning against nature.How do we absolve ourselves from this greater sin ? Moreover, where will the hot water springs turn to to get rid of all our sins which have been transferred from us to them? I felt, that prayers were needed more for cleaning up the hot water springs rather than anything else !

Men also had thei baths & they started the rituals of shradha -all bare bodies except for a dhoti & a shawl which would keep slipping from the shoulders.The drizzle was continuing.It was chilly & windy. .After the ceremony was over,we had prasad at the Mutt. In the afternoon,we went around to Vyas gufa,Ganesh Gufa at Mana village.Nights were terrible because the temperatiure would dip further & my family was shivering .Getting used to the extreme cold was impossible for them as they have been in Chennai till now.

In the night,dinner was again a nashta item as on the day the shreaddha is performed,the sons are to have only phalhaar ( no rice,dal,etc ).So,the mutt cook prepared avalakki pongal ( avalakki is poha ).The pepper in the dish was so much that whoever had got a cold got rid of it. It also served another purpose.We all ate a little less than we would have had it been less pungent.

We had been told to have a darshan at four -early in the morning when the saligrama of Badrinathji is bereft of all shringar .But the bitter cold prevented us from venturing out so early.My jeth had told us that the saligrama is in padmasana & one can also recognise facial features.

The next day,we left for Haridwar from Badrinath.En route,we stopped at Debvprayag to have a hand dip but only the men ventured to step out of the bus.On some hillocks ,we noticed that many kadipatta bushes were growing.How we wihed to collect them but they would have dried on our return journey home & so we just let the curry leaves. We halted at Rishikesh & went around Laxman Jhoola & Ram jhoola,We then resumed our journey.We reached Haridwar before the Ganga aarti was to begin in the evening.Rishikesh is also highly commercialised with many foreigners thronging the place.

Haridwar ghats where bathing is done are all filthy with rubbish heaps lying all around.Moreover it was rainy season & so everywhere there was muck & wetness which made our walking a really perilous affair.I felt that perhaps these Holy places need more miracles than we need in our lives to set things clean & bright.

Some pandas caught hold of us & looted us by making us promise daan- dharm as they pretended to make us perform some rituals.We managed to free ourselves before they could leave us penniless.But this bitter experience apart,the Ganhga aarti was a sight to behold as the whole banks of the river were lit up by numerous aartis .We watched spell bound.

We left for our Mutt in Haridwar where dinner was getting ready.The priest in charge seemed to be very relaxed.He sang many hymns,bhajans & even asked us to sing some.Our tummies had also begun singing for food but before this got vocal,we were served dinner. After dinner,the Punjabi lad & cleaner bade us goodbye at Haridwar station .We handed him some parting cash for having done an exemplary job in taking us to Badrinath & back safe & sound.

Rangoliyan

2010-10-20T12:35:00.004+05:30

I have managed to post this image.I feel there is some hitch in posting it from a file on my device. I am still to figure it out.

Rangoli is known as Puvidal in Kerela.

Badrinath dham

2010-10-19T11:13:00.002+05:30

My family had been planning about going to various holy places in Northern India since months & it had finally materialised.So, we were all set to travel in a group to Rajdhani that is Delhi & from there, we were to proceed further.

As orthodoxy & ritualism are our forte,we always tried to book rooms in our Mutts.In Delhi also,we were at Sri Raghavendra Swami Mutt at R. K Puram.The idea is that we request the Mutt for a puja which is chargeable & lunch is the prasad of that puja.We also give some more money as our share -actually, it is the Almighty only who makes us his agent so that we can indulge in some form of giving.We had our baths & we attended the puja followed by prasadam.Later ,as all in the familyn with a few exceptions are die hard coffee addicts coffee was boiled on a heater which had been brought especially for the purpose !

Then some of my family decided that they wanted to shop & off they went. I had called up a classmate whom I was just dying to meet after so many years ! She came & picked me up.I & she chatted non-stop.We did not know where to begin & when to stop but since I had a train to catch in the night,I had to leave. She deposited me safely in the Mutt .Dinner was on at the Mutt but since my chum had fed me generously,I refused even curds.After dinner,we left in Taxis which had been called up .Now,my actual work began.

My family is bereft of even a basic knowledge of Hindi .So, I was on the job of translating to the driver ,to the coolies etal.I did feel great but soon it gave way to irritation.Anyway,with my translation job & loads of luggage which involved bargaining with porters,we reached the station.We were leaving for Haridwar.Since,Haridwar comes fairly early in the mornings,we barely slept.At Haridwar,we all alighted after haggling with coolies about luggage .Then ,we had to make some calls to Bangalore as the travel agent was located there.He had made some bookings of accommodation as also about our travel to Badrinath from Haridwar.A bus had come to pick up but money was an issue.Anyway,the call had its effect & the driver dropped us at an ashram.Only problem was that it turned out to be the wrong one.We once again got into the bus & reached another ashram.I was allowed to go in first to ascertain if this was the destination.Thankfully,it was & we shifted our baggage & ourselves to various rooms that were allotted.The manager made a big fuss as he felt that six rooms were needed to divide our entourage but my family was adamant about taking only five rooms.We completely believe in the letter & spirit of accommodation -especially when it comes to hotels,lodges etc.I had to intervene a lot in this matter to sort it out.It was quite funny as I had to keep on telling the manager why my family felt five rooms were more than enough.The manager relented looking at my helplessness at translation & not because he was convinced.

We then had tea & left for the bath at the ghat.The Ganga was cold to touch but with a strong will,we ascended & had our dips .WE also performed small pujas to the river.Then we came back to the ashram to our rooms.We then took cash & handed it to the local travel agent as our charges for the onward journey to Badrinath.

In the early afternoon ,we left for Badrinath praying all the while that we must have a safe journey as many people had been struck for hours enroute because of landslides.

Kolam

2010-10-05T11:38:00.005+05:30

I had lot of problems in uploading this as I seem to have run out of space for my snaps on gmail.

Kolam is the name for Rangoli in Tamil Nadu.It is generally done with rice paste & sometimes even with rangoli powder.

On my Chennai visits,I have seen that women draw kolams outside their homes at dawn on daily basis after washing the areas.Even outside buildings ,this is done !

A home for Tink !

2010-10-03T13:33:00.001+05:30

Harini,my daughter has gone crazy.She has taken to Tinker bell,the fairy in such a big way that she sleeps,eats,drinks & breathes Tink .Really this is quite exhausting.Her exams are on & the only thing she can concentrate on is the fairy.

She coerced her dad to get her a VCD on the latest film on that two winged tiny creature & has watched it umpteen times.She also brought in her chums to watch it -obviously to get them converted like her.I dunno if she succeeded.But all this is going on in the thick of her exams ! How I wish she could concentrate atleast one tenth of what she does so passionately for Tink on her studies but then ,such is not my luck nor the teachers as they will discover from her answers.

In all this frenzy for Tink,Harini was inspired by the movie to build a house for her newfound love.She scrouged our house & got a cardboard box.From this, she cut out squares & rectangles to make windows & a door.She camr across squarish pieces of glass which she painstakingly added as windows.One of the galss piece is a sealed window & two other pieces are open windows.The door is of cardboard & is rectangular.

She took some cotton & made it into a bedding & a pillow for Tink. This is laid on a cardboard bed .The cardboard bed is a rectangle resting on four cardboard legs.On the cotton bedding she put a piece of velvet cloth-cut from her discarded dress sleeve.The velvet is violet in color.From the same sleeve,she cut out two more pieces.She punched it at one end with a paper punch to make holes.These pieces were to be the curtains for the open windows .She took a straw & hung the curtains after passing the straw through the holes punched into them.

Then she took a polythene glass & covered it with a circular cardboard lid .This was taped to the side of the house.This is the mail -box for Tink.Harini also built a table & chair -both from cardboard for Tink.On the table is placed a ceramic kettle & a tea cup & saucer.This tea set is a present from her cousin .The roof of the house has an opening covered with a polythene sheet so that one can view it from the top.

The door of the house has a grand stand resting on two cardboard props with a roof attached to the house.There is a bell hanging from this roof to ring.This bell idea is copied from the movie.

Then Harini covered the roof with newspaper & painted it blue.She also painted the house with green & yellow colour on the outside.I helped with painting.This was more out of compulsion rather than choice as Harini had taken out so much of paint from the tube that I felt compelled to use it.I also used brown colour to cover up things on the cardboard box.

She also put stars & other shiny embellishments on the walls of the house -on both sides of the door.On the side ,one can notice that it belongs to Tinker Bell as the name Tinker Bell is glued on the left side of the house in the snap.

On the door there are some flowers struck to make it look inviting.

The house does not have a floor -it is open from below.Harini uses the emergency lamp to light up the interiors of the home .Actually,she wastes a lot of energy on lighting up.A lot of other things were wasted in this venture-cello tapes.I am thinking of investing in shares & stocks of a cello tape manufacturer now.

But apart from that,all other material used is waste material .So this is a Green house -as it has made use of recycling waste materials.She did it fast in three to four days -a record time ,wouldn't you all agree ?

Moreover, she has painstakingly built it with lots of love for Tink .The result is, that the house that she built for Tink has become a home now !

On second thoughts, if only , our builders could take a lesson from all this ? !

Raangoli

2010-08-31T12:19:00.005+05:30

In Gujarat,rangoli is called Sathiya.I saw sathiya being drawn in Surat .They use colours also.

Painting.

2010-08-30T19:27:00.004+05:30

My parents & brother were desperate to get the flat painted.It never crossed their minds that my opinion should be sought as I am the one who stays in that flat.But then this is what happens when you are a tenant -you are always at the receiving end of all largesse of your landlord/s !

So,it was all decided to get it done. A brand was chosen.They came to inspect & told us that the flat desperately needed painting .The way they apprised the condition of the paint ( or whatever was left of it ) on the walls,ceiling etc,it made us wonder as to who was in greater need- they or the flat.Anyway,they stated that as it was too badly done up earlier,they will need a minimum of four weeks to make it look presentable.I could feel my blood pressure shooting up.

Well,the painting or rather the process of peeling the old paint began .Then they put up the plaster of paris. Then the primer which smelled so awful that I used to suffer from headaches.Now,this proved to me that I had a head which all suspected I never did possess ! Then the painting was done.Yet,it was not so simple.

My brother who is the owner had his own ideas about the colours he wanted on the walls of the bedrooms,the drawing room,the ceiling etal.Mind you,he was doing all this vide the phone from a neighboring city.As this was getting too confusing,we told him to email his choice of colours for the brand official to have a dekko .After all,he is the final authority.Unless he says yes,it is difficult for one to go ahead & suffer the results of ludicrous color schemes.It always helps to have some company in case,the color choice is decried by others ! That is one of the advantages of working as a team !

As the flat was getting renovated by painting,I discovered to my amazement that I had also got fairer. The plaster of paris,the putty were falling all over me & others at home as fine dust .So this was the secret which made us look like Nordic whites ! .I am sure , painting your house can make you much fairer than all fairness creams applied together .I am currently talking to the PRO of the company which painted this flat about how paints can give tough competition to fairness creams !

My feet also got fairer day after day.So,there was no need to get a pedicure done ! So,I saved at my brother';s expense .The painting left a hole in his pocket as one has to pay more for a branded product.Nah,the high cost one tends to pay for painting makes others conclude that a brand was chosen for painting ! But then ,the painting covered all, the holes on the walls & the ceilings.So,in effect the hole got transferred & transformed ! Small holes got transformed into a big hole in the pocket !

As they rubbed the walls ,ceilings etc,all the white powder which is a compound of calcium kept falling into everything below including our food .Now,that served another useful purpose.It was a calcium additive & at this age,we are in perennial need of calcium supplements .So,this painting also fulfilled our calcium requirements.If ,I had known this,I wouldn't have spent money on buying calcium capsules from the pharmacy.I am certain that immediately after this painting job got over,the calcium readings of all the members who were in the house must have shot up so tremendously that Calcium was in excess- in the bodies that is ! So,next time,our calcium levels hit rock bottom,I know what to do - get my house repainted !

There is one downside to all this -our hair also gets its fair share of the white powder .So all of us appear older than we really are.On second thoughts,we can blame the painting for all that grey hair ! Hopefully ,all that extra grey in the hair makes us appear wiser - more grey matter in the brains. But then we all know- appearances can be deceptive & in such cases,they certainly are !

The way the painting work was carried on left a lot of questions unanswered.They took four weeks to do up the flat but the speed had reduced midweek itself.I was left wondering if they were pretending to do a thorough job by taking a long time.It is like this in examinations- those who fill reams of paper are awarded more marks than others who write up to the point.One ponders if the answer sheets are indeed weighed before marks are granted.

Finally,painting ended & I sighed.Because,I realised that I will start looking my colour -so many shades darker as I will no longer have the benefit of superfine white powder which was like a halo around me ! Some had even mistaken it for some divine aura !

I will end here as I have to get a facial & pedicure done lest people begin to notice the difference !

Kolam

2010-08-22T20:14:00.003+05:30

Rakhis- strings of love.

2010-08-21T17:42:00.007+05:30

My earliest memories of rakhis, are those, which were sent by my neigbour, who is a very close family friend.She would, very lovingly choose the most delicate rakhis & send it across by post for me & my brother year after year without fail.The envelope would also enclose a letter written by her addressed to both of us.Her handwriting is lovely as ever . It is something, which compliments rakhis sent by her.

Inspired by her,I began by sending rakhis to my paternal cousins, as they pined for them. Moreover ,they had no sister.Also,I greedily awaited the gifts I will be showered with for tying them.I make it clear, that, I am just accepting their generous presents to please them & nothing more ! It always pays to raise one's esteem in the eyes of others .I have kept up this twin tradition - of sending rakhis & my pretense .

My own brother has never shown any enthusiasm for rakhis but, now, he demands rakhis for his daughter.I also send across many rakhis so that they can be forwarded to the members of his extended family.But my brother seems to believe, that members should visit & get rakhis tied to their wrists .This is akin to the thought that the thirsty must seek water as the well cannot walk towards those who are dehydrated.Moreover,having lived abroad, for a considerable period,he is skeptical about postal deliveries in time.

The story of Draupadi being protected by Krishna during vastraharan by Dushasana in the epic Mahabharata is one of the most enduring tales of rakshabandhan.Krishna is only a word of mouth brother ( muhbola bhai ) of Draupadi but when his finger is injured & starts bleeding,it is Draupadi ,who tears a corner of her Pitambari sari & ties it around his bleeding finger.His own sister,Subhadra, keeps searching for an appropriate piece of cloth as she opines, that she cannot tear her silk sari to be used as a bandage.Krishna vows to protect Draupadi & makes her sari so infinitely long that Dushasana is tired of disrobing her & lets her go.This katha, also illustrates that only a gesture, is enough to build a relationship that lasts for a lifetime.It need not be based only on birth.

I believe, that one can tie a rakhi to anyone -girl or boy.Nowadays,I send rakhis to boys & girls alike.When we no longer abide by gender stereotypes in so many fields, ,the same needs to be followed in festivals like Rakshabandhan as well.

In my erstwhile office wherein,I was employed,men used to run for cover during the festival as they lived in perpetual fear of having to dole out a gift to every female who would tie a rakhi.I would have preferred my clerical staff to do their office duties diligently in return of tying rakhis but that would be like asking for the moon ! In the work place, there is seldom anyone to protect us from overwork -inspite of rakhis even for that day !

For the last two to three years ,I have brought rakhis from Non Govermental Organisations, as I believe, that at least, on some occasions,I must do some selfless work.This makes it a double whammy- I earn brownie points for myself & NGOs are able to showcase the skills of their physically as also mentally challenged members .I feel, that I must do maximum philanthropic work with minimum efforts ! I have also convinced my friends, to buy rakhis from such orgainzations as I want them also to feel good as well. I have also started using rakhi envelopes specially brought out for Rakshabandhan by the Department of Posts.They are reasonably priced & save the expense of sending rakhis by speed post or courier .

In this age of retail bonanza,I recently received an SMS about a haircut for a cute sister at a plush salon for Rakshabandhan.One also comes across various advertisements which sell various kinds of rakhi hampers complete with tilak,aarti thali, mithai etc.Even chocolate boxes are sold in place of mithai for the new age siblings.Surely, but shortly,there will be virtual rakhis in a make believe world - isn't it ? But let's hope,that the simple thread of love is able to endure it all .Then only will relationships thrive & get stronger - among siblings,friends,etal.

Chaukpurna

2010-08-18T15:41:00.003+05:30

Rangoli is known as Chaukpurna in Madhya Pradesh.

Decoding men

2010-08-14T17:34:00.003+05:30

I have read & been told time & again that women are too difficult nah impossible to be understood.But men are ,well beyond our comprehension ! One has to constantly decode men.

My hubby keeps trying to convince me, that I am, much better than any female office goer as I am my own boss ( ? ).He told me that I can do whatever I please & whenever I want. There are no fixed timings for me.He also added, that I am not a slave to someone who is intelluctually & emotionally at a lower level than me.I felt overwhelmed by all this .Obviously,I did not admit this.But ,then, he keeps enquiring about some tasks which he has handed over to me & that is when I realised, that ,now also ,I have a boss & that is my dear husband & I am accountable to him alone unlike in office wherein I was answerable to many .The conclusion is that at home, I am in a very centralised set up wherein all jobs end up in delegation to me .So,ultimately,I am accountable for all the mess ! This is worst as in office, I was blamed for only a part of the problems which cropped up regularly .

I harbour this opinion that grandparents make a good job of caring for their grandkids & must do this in these times as both parents are working out of homes .But my hubby has very noble thoughts or so I believed.Witness his remarks," Grandparents need not look after their grandchildren.They have already fulfilled their obligations by bringing up their children .Now,after retirement ,they need to spend time in relaxation." I was glad, that, my husband was defending my parents who were unfit to take care of my kid in advancing years.I then asked my hubby if he will take care of his grandchild & he replied that he was never going to retire ! So ,he will never be there for his kid's child ! So,that is, why he is so full of sympathy for all grandparents ! Really,he is putting all shock absorbers in place before he gets there !

Whenever my friend goes out of town, her son goes on a detox diet.He goes off tea,coffee,et al He lives only on salads & fruits .That is, because, he finds making tea,coffee& other cooking jobs too much of a chore to do.Another of my friend's hubby takes another way out.He never tries to make his kid eat healthy home made food.He heads to the restaurant with the child to enjoy some tangy stuff as the child will relish the same.

My dad ,hubby & my brother never shop with us whenever the ladies are shopping as they have other work to do.But we must always accompany them, as we are good at picking up the things that are in ! The fact, is they are afraid that if we wander on our own ,we may shop beyond their credit limits !

So,next time,any man says something which is too noble or pious ,try to read , nah, hear between the lines !

Alpana

2010-07-28T19:37:00.002+05:30

This looks like an effort which was made in haste.

In West Bengal,it is called Alpana.

Puppy craze

2010-07-27T11:31:00.003+05:30

My daughter 's holidays had just begun.She was excited as there was a stray bitch who was pregnant.My daughter was sure that somehow,I will be cajoled into adopting a puppy.

A week later,she came home with the good news .''Amma, five puppies were born .They are so cuute."I told her," Please stay away from the puppies as the mother will be very protective."But my warning was all just swept aside.

It then became a daily routine.Every morning & evening,she would get up & go & have a look & come back to tell how the puppies were faring.It was also to keep me updated that they had no proper home.They had found a shelter in the shopping centre next door.

Since,all this failed to evince any affection from my side,she decided to demand food for the puppies.She would ask for milk.I told her that I buy milk for our use & not for charity.So,my daughter decided that she will forgo her share of milk.She would then give it to the puppies as their need was greater than hers.I also added that milk would be too difficult to digest for the puppies .So,my daughter devised a solution.She would pour the milk into a bottle .Then she would dilute it with an equal amount of water.This ,she opined was good enough for the puppies to digest.

Next,her friends also joined her in this job of feeding the bitch & her puppies.Sometimes,they would collect biscuits & feed the bitch while the puppies were fed milk.My repeated warnings about the bitch attacking were never heeded.My daughter clarified that they were trying to care for the bitch as well so that she would be friendly .It was clear that the said tactics were working as there were no untoward incidents .

My kid & her friends named the puppies -Custard,Brownie,Snowflake,etal. My daughter's pet was Snowflake,as it was totally white without any brown spots.My daughter is someone who has full faith in being discriminatory about colour.She represents the Indian mindset about fairness in colour.

Then the caretakers decided to phone a vet to enquire about vaccination-of the puppies.I put my foot down.I said that I will not pay even a paise towards all this.My daughter stated that since they were not vaccinated , I was constantly apprehensive about her safety.So,this was her attempt to allay my fears.Since,I was non-committal , my nightmares about kids getting bitten by the bitch continued.

My neighbours & other acquittance had started complaining to me that my daughter was taking too much interest in the puppies.Moreover,they opined that other kids were following in her footsteps.I was elated that she was exhibiting leadership skills at such a tender age .Actually,they did not mind, nah, were quite indifferent to my kid's forays into anything but since this was interfering in their domain ,they were objecting.I tried to reason with my kid but it was useless.

I then decided to join her .No,I did not adopt the puppies. I readily started giving milk & biscuits. One day,I took the photographs of the family .As I took the snaps,I knew why my kid had fallen for the puppies ! I too fell for them -hook,line & sinker. The puppies looked so innocent.They were all so vulnerable.They started following me & my kid as we snapped their pictures. I posted the snaps on the net.I asked my daughter's friends to look at the snaps I had taken .I Though the kids wanted to have a look,the parents refused to part with their email ids.They were sure, that I had also gone bonkers like my kid.

Anyways,the care shown by my kid & her friends proved inadequate.Very soon,two puppies passed away.The last straw was when my daughter heard the news that her favorite Snowflake had expired.She felt miserable as she heard about it on her birthday.

Aripana.

2010-07-24T08:45:00.002+05:30

In Bihar,it has a slightly different name from the alpana of West Bengal.In Bihar,rangoili is called aripana.

Security ? !

2010-07-22T14:12:00.004+05:30

A recent report by Washington Post says that after 9/11,US has in place a security system that has grown so gigantic that it is almost impossible to handle ! So,how can it handle security as it cannot manage itself ? !

The report states that structures of 250 security bodies have been changed since the attack in September,2001.Also,33 buildings have come up measuring 17m sq.feet for secret services in the Washington area.The report also adds that 51 federal organisations & military commands are working in 15 US cities keeping track of money flow amongst terrorist outfits.

Some 8,54,000 people including civil servants,military personnel & private contractors get top secret clearances which cannot be penetrated by any equipment.So ,the personnel are above scrutiny ! It will be so easy to just infiltrate such a set up & then do what the unit or rather units were supposed to prevent and or protect ! As usual,we will get wiser only after the catastrophe /s.The secret enterprise has a mission which is confidential.It is indeed doubtful if even the people who are working for it know the aims of the unit.Maybe,it was set up just like that & then as it progressed,they were sure of coming up with some ideas about the objectives of the set up ! After all,this is how all giants come into being !

Since,all are in the dark about the supposed objectives other than fighting Al Queda,there is hardly any need to determine if the set up has had any successes.This is a win -win formula for all the world to just emulate! How convenient -no questions need be asked & even if asked cannot be replied to as replies are top secret if not the queries !

Big money is involved so much so that the budget was two & half times more than what it was before 9/11.The many sub-units are unable to spend or maybe waste the said funds.So,the money could have been spent on better options.

But it has solved the unemployment problem atleast to a certain degree as a mimimim of 263 orgainsations have been refashioned and or created after 2001.This just goes to prove that some good ultimately comes out of any exercise /s in futility.We must therefore, always be optimistic.The Bush administrtation tried to get some hold over the giant but the law failed in giving authority to the director over individual units.There are battles amongst Pentagon,CIA ,NCTC staff.So after they have finished with their inter departmental wars,will they wage a war against terror.The flood of information is so immense that it is just being collected.The huge volume defies analysis !

Now,in India also after terrorist attacks,security has been a growing concern.No,we are not worried about our life & limb but about how to prove that we are not terrorists.Address proof is a big headache.Identity cards are needed to prove that I stay at a particular house.Now,if I am staying at a relatives place as a temporary arrangement,how does one prove residence ?

Residence proof is established by producing utility bills in one's name.If the staying is temporary ( not rented ),how will any utility bill be in that person";s name ? But such concerns are all brushed aside by the overtly secured fellows who insist on residence proof.Address proof is such a big issue that it is a must for opening an account, for entry at BARC, for securing a loan,passports, et al.

Mind you, that PAN card is not taken as a valid identity card.This is because PAN card does not state your address.So,the PAN card is a reminder of your duty towards the nation -the duty of paying taxes.But it fails to give you any right -even right of way even though,as a PAN card holder,you are a citizen.In all probability,the facility which you are seeking for which you need address proof has been funded out of your taxes !

Address proof is mandatory for all bank accounts,etc as Governments feel that with valid addresses ,money transfers can be checked to detect funding of terror outfits.But this is brushed aside for our netas who are regularly sending money to shady set ups in India & abroad.After all ,they are a shade apart from ordinary mortals like us.

The unenviable growth of our economy is raising the real estate prices so high that address proof will be given by terrorists only.Because only they will be able to afford flats,houses,etal.

At the passport office also,residence proof needs to be endorsed by utility bills.Actually,one feels so harassed that it makes you ponder if the passport office is going to fund your overseas trip.They do all that is possible so that you just leave in disgust.

Terrorists & criminals are able to procure as many passports as against us who find it impossible to even get one.The felons are able to don disguises which we can see through but not our officials at the passport office ! So much like the movies wherein the characters don false teeth,costumes,wigs et al & manage to fool their co stars but not the audience !

The traffic snarls which result whenever our highly secured leaders travel in & out of cities,towns & villages leads to tragic outcomes.Recently ,it was alleged that due to the PM 's visit,a boy could not be taken to hospital in time & he breathed his last.If this continues unabated,our netas may find that there are no people against whom they have to be secured !

The genuine public gets harassed in the name of security as our Government tries to secure itself ( leaders,their cronies & their ilk ) from all of us & that too by security personnel whose funding is made possible by the taxes we pay sincerely , year after year !

Chowkpurana

2010-07-12T09:09:00.002+05:30

Chowkpurana is the name for rangoli in Uttar Pradesh.

Deception in Mediclaim

2010-07-09T13:13:00.005+05:30

The headlines in the Times of India dated today said that many hospitals are off the Mediclaim radar as many are supposedly involved in false claims.There are related reports about increase in consumer cases because of rejected Mediclaims &Hospital charges being too exorbitant.

The insurance companies have resorted to denial of cashless facility. All this has led to a lot of hardships for the patients .Obviously after the fleecing by hospitals & TPAs,insurance companies have become bereft of cash - so cashless has suddenly got a new meaning ,for the Insurance Industry that is !

It has been reported that Hospitals have indulged in putting up fraud claims in collusion with TPAs ( Third Party Administrators) to whom processing of health related claims has been outsourced by the Insurance Companies.Patients are also said to be a party to the frauds.TPAs are a recent phenomena unlike hospitals which have been in existence much before.TPAs came in, when the Public Sector Insurance Companies announced the VRS ( Voluntary Retirement Scheme) some years back.The staff shortage due to VRS was tackled by outsourcing processing of health related claims to TPAs.

But the Insurance Companies seem to think that TPAs are doing a good job.Hence,the axe has fallen on the Hospitals. This is not to say that Hospitals are clean but to question this blacklisting of Hospitals.The TPAs ought to be taken to task .But instead of that, a TPA has investigated & based on that investigation ,Hospitals have been listed out.This is giving new meaning to the term " natural justice." Natural justice demands that no one should be a judge in his own case.In this instance,a TPA is the investigating agency & based on that ,so many are blacklisted.How can a TPA sit in judgement on other TPAs as also Hospitals ? The report omits to state if any TPAs have been blacklisted but still,this is all an eye wash.

What are the credentials of the TPA which investigated the fraud claims ? The said TPA is a later entrant compared to some TPAs .As happens sooner than later,the said TPA may be involved in bigger frauds or maybe get involved later.Perhaps, it wants a clean slate to begin.After all,aren't we too familiar with the brands which worked hard to get the ISI marks & once,they got it,it has just been downhill ever since.

The report also says that many Hospitals are in the dark about their status & some Hospitals have themselves opted out of the list due to strict norms.The insurance industry will soon inform its decision to the listed Hospitals but " soon" in Public Sector parlance can range from days to months to years ! So ,the stage is set for disputes about Hospitalisation in blacklisted hospitals as neither the TPA,nor the patient or the Hospital knows the current status of the Hospital.

Related reports speak about the rising number of consumer disputes about Mediclaim.About two thirds of all Insurance claims end up in consumer forums.This is a very sorry state of affairs.Claims are rejected for flimsy reasons like pre-existing ailments,excluded diseases,etal.Moreover,in Public Sector,decisions ( if any ) to delay & reject claims are lauded .Such actions also keep the bosses in good books of the audit & vigilance departments.The executives are preventing the drain of wealth thereby protecting the funds.But when the judgement comes,generally interest payment is also a condition But such small things do keep happening in big Public Sector companies.So,no one gets wiser.

It has been stated in the report that one can choose the TPA.But this is easier said than done.Many compnaies have only some TPAs on their rolls.So this may not be economical .Moreover,if I want a particular TPA,it may be taken to mean that I want to conspire with the TPA to defraud the Insurance Company.Moreover,how does one know if any TPA is good ,bad or ugly ? Many will tell you that all TPAs are chips of the same block.

Mediclaim is a drain & has been so for a long time.With the TPAs in it now,it has started burning huge holes in the pockets of the Insurance Companies. So what is the way out ?

One way is to start in house TPA cells manned by the employees of the Insurance Companies .Some private sector companies have set up such cells for processing Mediclaims.The TPAs should be strictly monitored as well, as before the TPAs came in,there were no such blatant attempts at cheating.Unfortunately,the TOI report seems to suggest that TPAs or rather the investigator TPA is calling the shots ! The said TPA Manager has spoken to the press & the Insurance Companies have no spokesperson to tell about their version /s ! One really wonders " Who is the boss -the TPA /s or the Insurance Companies ? The more things change,the more they remain the same or perhaps change for the worse.On second thoughts,we haven't yet hit the pits ,not yet !

Rangoli

2010-07-03T09:41:00.002+05:30

Sorry

2010-07-01T12:32:00.001+05:30

This is the age of saying Sorry .You must have seen it coming.All over the world,people from all walks of life started saying that they regretted the acts and or omissions committed by them or their ancestors or their countrymen etal in the past.This regret was then given official recognition by the head of the State saying 'SORRY " to the victims and or the survivors or the present day generations whose forefathers had been butchered.

Sorry ,I believe is a very convenient word .Convenient, as anybody commits a felony,an act or ommisssion to wrong another or others knowing it to be grossly unjust & then regrets by saying " Sorry ." Hence,it is the most abused & misused word of the English language.

Recently,the Canadian Prime Minister publicly apologized for being apathetic to the Kanishka tragedy.Now,the present Canadian Prime Minister was not responsible for the accident but he said he was regretful for the attitude of his administration .So ,in this case,someone who is hardly to be blamed takes the blame & expresses regret.Moreover,since it is done publicly & by Head of the State,it is a very strong apology.But do the victims feel that this is so ? Is it that all felonies can be done & then apologized in front of the world & so will be forgiven ?Also,as the government is expressing regret,all ought to be forgiven but is this workable ?Perhaps,this means that the said case or felony is a closed chapter now & all should move ahead.It also means that the victims need not keep harping about the same wrong doing.But naturally,there will be new wrongs which have been committed & will continue & so we must move on to those .

Similarly,the Pope has said that he regretted that children were sexually abused by the clergy in some European nations.The Pope probably means that such acts will not be repeated but how anyone can guarantee this is beyond me as the Pope has refused to bring the perpetrators to book.There is nothing which will debar anybody to repeat such wanton crimes .How are these perpetrators different from other similar accused ? Only that these are from the Church -they enjoy a position of trust & hence the crimes are more grave.What about the victims who have suffered for years & come out openly now to complain ? Just a " Sorry " will never be able to erase all the painful & horrific memories for the victims who were so vulnerable at their tender age.

Come to think of it-if US were to say sorry to Japan for the Hiroshima & Nagasaki attacks, Israel were to say sorry for the acts it keeps indulging in Palestine et al,& so on & so forth,there would be peace .The Nobel Peace Prize would then go to the word " Sorry " ! But since,we have to keep giving Nobel Peace Prizes to so many people so as to appear politically correct,we have to keep indulging in acts of war.Then we can pretend to be making herculean attempts at brokering peace & be the contenders for the coveted prize,if not the winner !

When our Prime Minister went to Canada,he apologised at a meeting about the anti -Sikh riots .The idea behind this was that the Indian PM,himself being a turbanded Sikh,his public apology will carry a lot of weight.But can the Sikhs forget & forgive one of the worst nightmares they have faced ? They have lost so much that one brutualised victim had gone on record to say that they had lost all & had nothing left to loose ! If the ruling party thinks that justice has been done by the PM's public apology,then we need no courts,no judges,etal.All public crimes wherein a large number of people were involved can be settled out of court by saying sorry.Only individual acts & ommissions need to be tried & punished.So convenient-our courts as of now have enough judges to try these individual cases.So much time is wasted in having commissions of enquiry ,committees & sub committtees on fact finding missions.But once we no longer need them, where will our retired but pliable judges,beurocrats,politicians go ? They cannot fade into oblivion like us,lesser mortals.So for their sake,we have to pretend that we are indeed serious about meting out justice to millions who were affected by riots,Bhopal Gas tragedy & the like.

In case of Bhopal gas incident which left millions dead,disabled etal,,I think all our ministers,politicians,bureaucrats are in overdrive.They are all trying to go to US to supposedly get Anderson's extradition so that he will tell sorry for the mishap ! But then ,this will perhaps be the most expensive sorry so far ! We might even create a world record for the most exorbitant regret ! No because,Anderson or Dow,the new owners will pay anything but because of all the US jaunts by our countrymen !

Since the ruling party has regretted the acts which led to the anti Sikh riots,will it similarly accept an apology for the Gujarat riots from the Gujrat CM ? This has been rightly asked by the safforn party.If the answer is in negative,may we know the reason.This is double standards-one for the ruling party & another for the opposition.No,I am not trying to say that the Lotus was right in the Gujrat riots & the Hand was wrong in the 1984 riots in Delhi.I am just highlighting the dangers of where all this regret in the public domain is leading us to.Our netas are having a ball as they can aid & abet riots etal today & say sorry tomorrow & be done .There is nothing to refrain our so called leaders from repeating such wanton acts ad nauseaum.

Now,if we could say sorry like our netas,we could get so many things done or undone in our private lives.Men especially find it difficult or rather impossible to say sorry .They believe that they are infalliable as they are of a superior gender (? ! ).Most of all,they never say sorry to their life partners.Rarely when they say it,it is just in the air.There is no feeling of regret.It is as if they are obliging their spouses.But in private lives also, an act or ommission cannot be just wiped away by a regret hows ever heartfelt,the apology may be.Because all said & done,one cannot travel back in time & correct that which has been done.Unfortunately,a bigger & more brutual act may make us forget an earlier less painful folly.

So,let us be very careful when we say,do or omit to do something which might lead to consequences which may need more than a lifetime or maybe many lifetimes to regret.After all, as long as we live socially,our acts & ommissions affect one & all.

Yes,even I have felt wronged.I am awaiting regrets - private ones but will I be able to forgive & more importantly forget ? Maybe, but, I am quite unsure.

Raangoli

2010-06-30T18:03:00.003+05:30

Hair style

2010-06-28T12:06:00.001+05:30

I have short hair now. It was different when I was at school.I had long hair & would tie them up into plaits like any other school girl .But I always wanted to cut my hair.I even took a pair of scissors & tried to snip my hairs at the forehead on both the sides.I have always suspected that I started this trend of having hairs falling on the sides of foreheads .But since I was too young to be honored,some one else walked away with the credits !

I was scolded for being creative with my own hair .Really,at home,nobody appreciates any imagination no matter how innovative you are ! But once you get famous,all at home will give interviews as to how they always knew in their heart of hearts that their ward,brother,sister etal is a creative genius ! Success attracts sycophants- one too many !

When I went to college,I was put up in a hostel .Since,I had taken care never to learn to make plaits,I took the only way out.I cut my hair up to shoulder level length.I would just tie a ponytail as I knew nothing else about hairstyling.I have always felt uncomfortable about leaving my hair untied.

Later,in college,I progressed further & went in for a bob cut.There was no stopping after that.I have always kept short hair since then.I have tried the shortest cuts that are possible.Sometimes,I did feel little embarrassed about a cut which had made my hair almost negligible but in days,hair grows back.So now,a bad hair cut does not bother me.

There are many advantages of having short hair.One needs less shampoo.One feels cool as hair makes you sweat more & you tend to loose your cool ( that is if you have it, in these stressed times ).So tresses make for stress.Moreover you need all sorts of accessories for keeping hair in place like clips,bands,hair pins etal.So you see,it is more expensive to maintain long hair.Cutting hair regularly makes it grow thicker & the hair looks voluminous & bounces ! Split ends can be done away with only by trimming hair periodically.

One thing you all must have noticed is hair which falls on the floor whilst combing makes a lot of mess.It combines with grime & leads to lot of litter.The same hair strands also choke our toilets etal.So ,short hair makes these problems smaller compared to longer strands of hair.I know, that we all take care so that hair does not get into our bathrooms & and floor but it does get there,isn't it. ? So short hair will reduce the mess to a great extent.

Short hair can be combed & set in a jiffy compared to long hair .So,one saves time on getting ready.I feel that I am in control as I have short hair .I don't feel vulnerable -yes ,my hair cut makes me believe that I am a savvy woman-in tune with the times.

My daughter has been clamoring for long hair .I have told her that as long as she combs her hair properly,she can do as she pleases.She will realise surely that short hair is the way to go in this age of short cuts to success !

Raangolya

2010-06-22T13:28:00.003+05:30

Raangolis are considered to be signs of good luck.That is why,rangolis are drawn on auspicious events like pujas,festivals,weddings, et al.

Renting out.

2010-06-21T12:59:00.002+05:30

There are umpteen flats in metros which remain unoccupied as owners are afraid of letting them out.This is borne out by stories overheard or experienced by them.But the flats lying disused get dirty ,& after some years almost become unlivable unless a few lakhs are spent on making them worthy of moving in.

I have a flat, which I had let out to a bank employee on leave & license for eleven months.The tenant went on to live there for nearly six years.The agreement was renewed every eleven months & we parted on pleasant terms.Of course, we had hiccups like any relationship.He wanted the house to be painted every 3 years & I was against it as he was unwilling to increase the rent payment as per my demands.He did increase the rent but very marginally.And he continued to stay, as he had his parents & wife & kid - in short,he was a family man.Initially ,he would come & hand me the cheque at the place where I was staying but soon,I had to ask him to deposit the cheque in my bank account.This was because,he swore by IST ( Indian Stretchable Time )-he would call up & say that he would reach at 5.30 pm but he meant that he would be leaving his house at that time.This led to my endless waiting till he reached my house to give me the cheque.Moreover,he would come on the day of his convenience - almost on the 15th day of the next month for paying the rent.I never complained & prayed that he should have better sense & my prayers remained unanswered.

My father had given his tiny flat to his bosom cousin's son for doing business.Later, when my dad requested his cousin for vacating the flat, as I needed the flat for staying,he flatly refused.He opined, that my dad was being unfair as his son had nowhere to go. My plight of being without a roof did not seem to cut any ice with him.Then ,my dad realised, that, he wanted money.My father was asked to pay the whole rent he had received till then.My dad repaid & I moved in.From that day onwards,we realised that one should avoid giving one's house to any relative.My father had rented out the same place to others -they were brought in by some friends but they vacated as soon as we requested them but blood being thicker than water,relatives want their pound of flesh !

One of our family friends had given his twin flats to a neighbor for some religious ceremony.The neighbour made a duplicate set of keys & has been in occupation of the said property since then ! He has greased the palms of the office bearers of the Cooperative Housing society wherein these flats are situated & also oiled the police station occupants.Moreover ,he has made an offer that he will give away one flat provided our family friend is ready to take back only one flat.The matter rests there, with no solution in sight, except knocking the doors of the courts .But our courts are so clogged, that, in all probability ,if justice ever gets done,it will be enjoyed by the friends' grandchild as the matter will get sorted out only some three to four decades later !

Corporate tenants can turn out to be worse than individual tenants.My ex-employer is in occupation at various places in & around the city .All these places are used as branch or divisional offices .But rents are paid at the same rates at which they were initially given out.The Company neither pay higher rent nor move out of the said premises.Some landlords then approach the courts for sorting out the issues.But in this also,the executives have an upper hand or rather hands as they keep wasting money of the public exchequer for lawyers fees et al whereas the landlord has to pay from his pocket .So many landlords prefer to suffer rather than approach the judiciary.Moreover,court matters take decades to get settled .Hence,many prefer to have their houses unoccupied rather than undergo mental torture.

I have again rented out my flat to a person now at a cheaper rate as I don't want my tenant to feel that my greed is overwhelming .To this,my friend quipped," You know,somebody like you rented his flat out very cheaply but now the tenant is refusing to move out as he feels that he will never get another place as cheap as the one he is living in."I had thought otherwise.Now,I am also thinking of either selling it after the lease expires or keeping it vacant ,just like others .

Muggulu

2010-06-17T11:42:00.001+05:30

Rangolis or muggulu ( Telegu for Rangoli ) are drawn to welcome atithi into homes.

Atithi devo bhava !

Baarish

2010-06-16T18:32:00.002+05:30

The monsoon is finally here -liberating us all from the heat of summer.How lovely everything looks ! All the leaves,the grass ,the trees are so clean & sparkling green ,as if they have sprouted just now.It is cool & pleasant.Nature seems to be at its best as it brings succor to the parched earth & quenches thirst of all the beings.We also keep our cool as we enjoy the outburst of the clouds.Have you noticed that when it is raining you can take shelter under the shade of a tree but the minute the rain stops,one gets drenched with droplets of water as the branches & the leaves swing merrily due to the gentle breeze.

I recall that in school days,we would be making paper boats & play with them in poodles of water that got collected on roadsides near homes when it rained.Of course,the added benefit was schools would declare a day off due to heavy downpour !

As we grew up & joined the rat race,we tried never to miss office but for a different reason.We would try & some how manage to reach office howsoever late ! Our bosses would be surprised that their subordinates were so sincere to have made it to the workplace by beating all odds on such a rainy day.We were there with a purpose far removed from workholism.We knew, that there would be no late marks on rainy days & of course with luck,we might be allowed to leave early .So ,on the rainy days,it was essential that we attended office to reach late & leave before time !

The fringe benefits of presenting oneself at offices in Monsoons would be ordering piping hot bhajiyas ,samosas,batata vadas,etal & endless cups of adrak ki chai.After all ,having braved the rains,we had to refurbish ourselves for the return journey home ! Ginger tea was a necessity as we needed to boost our immunity to keep attending office during the rains !This ,so that we could keep accumulating our sick leave for better purposes !

I was struck in office during the heavy downpour some years back. My office ,was magnanimous to put us all up at the office with food & bedding.The next night,we somehow managed to reach home.Obviously we took off the next day but later our employer declared those days to be special off s & we managed to save our leave as well.But that day,we bonded with absolute strangers & even put them up in our offices.This was done by others as well as that day,nature's fury transformed us all into comrades in arms !

In he city office,it was customary to organize the Sri Satyanarayan Pooja during Shravan -during the rainy season .Preparations would go on for weeks- funds ,contracts & the works.All were coerced to contribute by the numerous unions which swore by public display of Indian culture !Those who refused were branded as atheists.The higher the designation,greater was the money demanded.So,actually,the whole show was sponsored by the executives of the company.

The men would all dress up in Indian costumes like dhotis,kurtas,achkan etc & the ladies in silk sarees.So,there was fancy dress parade at the office .There were bhajans & kirtans as well - purportedly for the well being - of the employer,employees , the organisers etal.So all had a blast on the day of the pooja.Nobody worked - after all this was official that day ! Moreover,some did pretend to work but then such spoilsports were addicted to PDW ( Public display of work ) only once in a year -the Pooja day in Shravan.I am a devout person but have been unable to understand all this vulgarity.

Now that I am at home,I have to do work unlike when I was in office where I could get away with just signing the muster on rainy days.Of course with men,such problems seldom arise as they hardly work - at home as also at office -come rain or shine ! After all its a men's world !

I do keep watching rain from my windows now whenever I get time .Today, has been especially a bountiful day for rains -right from morning.Hopefully,the water scarcity will get over soon for this metro.The sky gets overcast every now & then & it starts pouring after brief spells of drizzles.

The rains will help our farmers as well & hopefully,this time around rains will be sufficient - neither more to cause floods nor less to lead to drought.But for that,we have to respect nature & not try to play God.

I better stop here.My daughter is demanding aloo bhajiyas & I have finally yielded to her demands.I will also have some & enjoy the rains.I may put on some weight but who cares !

Raangoli

2010-06-13T14:11:00.000+05:30

I have tried a circular pattern this time around & some symmetry is not right.