A khatta-meetha take on life around me through my presbiopic eyes!
This is an unusual sweet and spicy preparation ideal for winters.
Ingredients:
125 gms fresh ginger
1 cup milk
1 ½ cup sugar
2 tsp castor sugar
Wash and finely chop ginger. Grind ginger and milk in a blender. Add sugar to this mixture and cook on a low flame till thick. Remove from heat and add a little castor sugar and mix thoroughly. Put into a greased plate and let cool. Cut into small squares to serve.
Enjoy! Have a Healthy winter!
I read in the papers that 19 November was celebrated as International Men’s Day but from some reports suggest this seems to have been marked more as the International Husband’s Day. Read this news from the Hindustan Times.
Whoa there.. I was under the impression that it was us the weaker (and fairer) sex that was the one that were subjected to atrocities, dowry harassment and more. Countless zealous women’s welfare organisations must have obviously worked zealously for us to have reached this state. Is this really the state of affairs? Has the equation changed?
I read about an organisation called Purush Suraksha Sanstha in Maharashtra. There were many more and affected groups actually converged together to fight for their rights. Read this news. There are reports that like women, some husbands (and quite a frightening number that) committed suicide due to harassment. Bangalore based Save Indian Family Foundation has taken up this cause.
Times certainly are changing. It took quite some time for us to accept that men could actually turn tormentors to their wives but never ever did I imagine things going to this extent.
Divorce rates are increasing alarmingly as well.
Where are we heading?
Think about it.
How often have you been accosted by someone selling you insurance? I am not referring to telecallers but someone from your friend or family circle, an acquaintance? Quite often right?. Many times a person ‘buys’ an insurance policy just because all their neighbours were buying it. Some buy policies for their beloved without even inquiring mode of payment when the policy matures and how exactly does the beloved benefit.
Very few agents bother to explain details to you unless you ask. Even then some are not really clued up. Agents get ‘commission’ for all policies they sell. This may be up to 15-30% of the first premium you pay (can even go up to 60% in some cases!!). That means if you pay Rs 10,000 the amount actually going towards your corpus will be only Rs 7,000. Read this article on livemint.com for more. For some policies (called products) almost the entire first premium goes towards agents’ commission, marketing costs etc.
Did you know that? Did you ever find out?
I admit I did not.
Yesterday I watched a very interesting interview of Mr Swarup, Chairman PFRDA on NDTV Profit by Manisha Natrajan. The organisation is in the process of revamping the process of selling insurance in India. The entire exercise is totally focused on the consumer (you and me who buy policies). The aim is to bring in transparency and accountability to the process of insurance selling by agents. I was impressed by Mr. Swarup’s clarity of thought and determination. He has a tough job ahead of him as obviously agents will resist this move tooth and nail.
Visit this link for a PDF on a consultation paper the PFRDA has released on its website. It covers common minimum standards for financial advisors and financial education. Its long (30 pages) but very simply written and all of us MUST read and understand implications of this major and radical move by PFRDA.
Not many nations in the world have such systems in place but must we always be ‘followers’ can we not be ‘leaders’ in financial reforms?
When buying insurance understand what is it that you really need cover for, which products offer it to you, what does the fine print say, what is not covered. Most important, your agent has to answer all these questions and guide you to a proper choice. He also has to reveal the commission that he will get (that is embedded in the premium you pay). His job is not only to help fill up forms and give you service at home, he must give you service for the entire duration of the policy (15/20/30 years etc).
Don’t we pick and choose our potatoes and onions and look for the best bargain when buying a new HD TV?
Then why this laxity when buying insurance? In times of crisis this is what will help you.
Wake up. Be aware.
Everyone hates seeing and some fear signs of the march of Time on our bodies. That would explain the huge adspends (and revenues) of hair colouring products (removes grey) and anti-wrinkle, anti aging creams- just to name a few.
At least these people have had a chance to experience life for some years.
Nothing could be more tragic than a condition called Progeria- Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome.
Derived from a Greek word, it means ‘prematurely old’.
I guess that terms explains it all.
I met a child with Progeria in Bhuj, he was on his way for treatment to Mumbai. The boy was just past half way into his first decade yet had the appearance of a very old person. I shall never ever be able to forget him.
Progeria is a rare genetic condition that is fatal on average by the time the child is 13 years old. Most children with Progeria have a gene mutation (the LMNA gene) that encodes the protein lamin A. The cause is not known and children are usually born healthy. signs of aging usually appear at 1 and 1/2 to 2 years of age.
Research for treatment, ways to improve longevity and quality of life are on.
These are some useful links for more information:
The Progeria Research Foundation
The PL Deshpande Garden situated on Sinhagad Road Pune is probably the only one of its kind in Pune. It is open only in the morning and evening hours, charges an entry fee of Rs 5, visitors may not walk/play/sit on the grass and eating is not permitted in the wonderfully clean property.
So obviously this is not a place one can go on a picnic but is certainly worth a visit. I would say visit more than once and in different seasons.
Also called the Pune Okayama Friendship Garden, this beautiful garden is based on the 300 year old Korakuen Garden at Okayama City, Japan. The landscape is designed to give visitors a feel of changing nature throughout the year (do refer to the map at the entrance that gives a suggested route to be followed for the best experience). As one walks around one feels various elements like , stillness, light, hardness etc.
I must add that trees/bushes don’t carry botanical names so my walk around the park was challenging as I tried to identify names of various trees/bushes/ flowers planted here. The landscaping includes a small waterfall, a hillock, several bridges, undulating lawns and several ‘gazebo’ like bamboo structures where one may sit. The tiled walking track also has several benches where one may sit and enjoy the natural beauty.
Word or pictures obviously cannot capture the beauty of this garden. Visit it.
Cheers!
14 February is all about Hearts so marking the day as “Congenital Heart Diseases Day” is only logical.
The Congenital Heart Information Network based USA in works extensively and tirelessly on CHD. As part of planning for CHD Awareness Week in 2010 and planning for the week in 2011, the organisation would like opinion on several issues about a CHD campaign. Those interested in helping sharpen focus of their work do fill out a questionnaire available at http://tinyurl.com/yly46g7.
It won’t take long.
Thank You!
Several years ago we had a first hand experience of seeing forest guards in action at the Orang Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam when poachers were sighted. Rhinos are often killed for their horns that are said to have medicinal properties. Today’s dailies carry news of forest guards shooting two poachers at Orang. Click here to read the full news.
According to an earlier news that cited a census carried out in March 2009, staff at Orang had successfully increased one-horned rhino population at the Park to 64 (Click here for full news). Orang gets its importance as its the only viable home for rhinos north of the River Brahmaputra but has several issues that hamper local authorities from providing adequate protection to the threatened rhinos. Click here to read more.
Our experience at Orang was unforgettable and had a poacher element thrown in as well. Living in amidst the urban dazzle and rat race, we often discard such news as having nothing to do with us. Yet we need to contribute in any possible way to stop such atrocities. Contributing money to organisations working to this aim is one way. Another more effective one would be not buying artifacts or other products made from endangered species.
Every step counts. Think about it.
Have successfully tried some variations to stuffing for Karanjee (also called Gujiya). For those keen for a different take on traditional recipes, consider this…
Instead of the usual stuffing of fresh grated coconut cooked with khoya and sugar, cook fresh grated coconut with milk and very little sugar. Cool and add gulkand. Mix well and proceed with rest of the recipe as usual.
Another variation is to stuff with Doodhi halwa (bottle gourd) or Gajar halwa. Ofcourse this means some additional effort but the final product is yummy! Use ready made doodhi halwa to save time.
Rainbow coloured Karanjee. For this: divide the dough into as many balls as the colours you want and colour each ball. Roll out each one separately. Then layer the coloured ‘rotis’ one over the other with a coat of cornflour mixed with ghee in between. Tightly roll the final stack and cut into rings. Roll out each ring and stuff and fry as usual. Work on the kitchen platform or a table top when rolling for best results.
Nobody said this was a simple process… But karanjees with colour streaked covering are great to showoff your cooking skills.
Bake instead of fry your karanjee. Set your oven to 200deg C and bake till golden. (you may need to tweak the temperature depending on your oven performance)
Found this link to Baked Anjir karanjees. Click here for the full recipe.
Keep an eye on the calories else you will pay the price for the next couple of months at least…
Wish you all a Happy, Safe and Healthy Divali.
Fighter pilots are a rare breed of human beings. They lead intense lives fully appreciating each moment to its utmost. Up at the crack of dawn, they seem to have an endless store of energy even if called on to work 24X7. Flying over inhospitable terrain or unfriendly/enemy territory actually brings out their best.
One way to recognise a pilot away from his airbase, is from his characteristic Ray-ban Aviator sunglasses. This iconic brand is almost synonymous with pilots. Sunny or cloudy the weather conditions are immaterial…
The use of aeronautical jargon is often carried through into daily lives such as “what time do we leave?” is often replaced with “wheels roll time”; a sudden downpour is due to a CB (cumulonimbus cloud); all procedures need thorough SOPs (standard operating procedure) from making tea to emergencies like a hot water scald; a family picnic needs a ‘briefing’ for all members, each one is “detailed” for a duty (games in-charge, food i/c, tpt i/c)….
There are some other distinguishing personality traits that all of us from the IAF family have experienced. To name a few: attention to detail, a systematic manner of executing tasks (even its just buying subjee), a pathological disregard for inactivity, ready to take a joke about themselves…
Before you think I am prejudiced read these that were part of an email forwarded to me…
Jokes apart, we wouldn’t want things any other way….
Q: How do you know if there is a fighter pilot at your party?
A: He’ll tell you.
Q: What’s the difference between God and fighter pilots?
A: God doesn’t think he’s a fighter pilot.
Q: What’s the difference between a fighter pilot and a jet engine?
A: A jet engine stops whining when the plane shuts down.
08 October is celebrated as Air Force Day in the Indian Air Force.
Happy Landings!
In Maharashtra there exists a practice of exchanging ‘apta’ leaves. As always there are several mythological stories associated with this custom, but we shall talk about that another time. Today, the focus is on the tree. In view of extensive tree cutting going on presently, several nature lovers advocate against this practise. I wouldn’t blame them as people usually end up defoliating almost the entire tree and ruthlessly break up branches. It would take another year of growth before the tree regains its glory and by then the next festival is upon us.
Often the more common Kanchan (Bauhinia variegata) is mistaken for the apta (Bauhinia racemosa) tree and meets the same fate. Usually Kanchan is in full bloom in this season but that does not deter enthusiastic Puneites who get taken in by the similar looking two-lobed leaves. Click here to read more about the Bauhinia racemosa (apta). This plant also has several medicinal uses.
Apta trees are still to be found growing in some parts of Pune. Many farmhouses around the city too have this tree growing there. The above photo was taken at one such farmhouse.
Plant a tree. Make your city green.
Stay well!
