IndusLadies - Blogs - My Musings by Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/ IndusLadies is a global online community of Indian Ladies. Discuss and share ideas about topics interesting to Indian Women. They discuss about Cooking,Recipes,Pregnancy,Parenting,Shopping,Articles,Snippets,jokes,work from home,marriage and family,etc. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:03:43 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.IndusLadies.com/forums/images/006/misc/rss.jpg IndusLadies - Blogs - My Musings by Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/ The Mother in Me - Mothers Day Blog Contest http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/mother-me-mothers-day-blog-1842/ Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:33:57 GMT Image: http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/attachments/386d1239940341-il-mothers-day-contest-120x240.jpg God answered our prayers for a baby with a beautiful and lovely boy in our arms. Even as a tender infant he managed to make a glowing mother of me and in that moment I took pride for...

God answered our prayers for a baby with a beautiful and lovely boy in our arms. Even as a tender infant he managed to make a glowing mother of me and in that moment I took pride for having been born a woman and felt my purpose in life complete as I ushered in a soul clothed in a tiny body to walk this world and realize God through that walk.
This wonderful child was growing from infant to childhood when he fell seriously ill with both the dreaded diarrhea and vomit claiming his small frame simultaneously. Much to our anguish we could do nothing after the doctor almost gave up hope and our last resort was to pray and turn to God for help.
God once again smiled with benevolence and treated our baby boy back to normalcy.
Caught up with the trauma, I had however not taken into account the after effect all these incidents had on the grandparents of my child.
Both sets of grandparents embarked on a personal mission to favor my son with all his little heart might desire. Unknown to me an undercurrent of mischief had entered my child’s bloodstream with all the attention and pampering he received from his grandparents.
Being a new mother I chose to ignore the signs of this new growth of mischief within the soft and twinkling eyes and the cherubic face of my baby. Looking back I should have been more beware of this child’s seemingly innocent looks and deceptive smile.
For had I been anyone but a mother I would have caught on to the growing plots of mischief’s but alas I was a mother besotted with love over her little one who appeared the perfect and cherubic angel one could hope for.
Feeding my growing baby solid foods turned out to be an adventure I was unprepared for. Any form and shape of vegetable seemed unacceptable to him. He would close his lips so tight that not a smear or spear of vegetable could enter his system. However the sight of any fried food turned him into an eager and active participant in consuming food.
Papads were a must to make meal times a pleasant affair. And I learnt the art of being conniving by trying to sneak and hide the green vegetables into his meal while he seemed to focus on crushing the papads or creating a din with all the kitchen utensils as toys.
No sooner did my son start to move he resorted to rolling on the floor while other children his age crawled. In seconds he would roll beneath tables, chairs, beds and more. I had to embark on a military expedition minus the digging of trenches and soon I learnt to cordon of areas and then barricade the bottoms of beds. This I had to do only because when I went in behind him trying to retrieve him I could not back out from under the bed.
We did not have a phone at home and had to frequently visit the local grocery shop to make long distance calls to the grandparents. Visiting the grocery store was a favorite activity of his as that gave him the opportunity to put one of his several plans into action.
He had an obsession with the egg rack and no sooner had we entered the shop, he would spring into action. Heading straight towards those neatly stacked egg racks he would pull the bottom one swiftly thereby bringing the entire stack crashing down and converting those shiny white eggs into a messy gooey orange and yellow colored mess. This was his achievement as a two year old and he would stand with the perfect innocent smile on his face while the shopkeeper blamed me for the incident!
Soon enough he had mastered more mischief and moved one day into a new realm. Afternoons usually found me heading to the kitchen to get lunch ready after placing my son in a seat stroller in which he could walk and move along within the stroller. I usually went into the kitchen for a few minutes when one day, he shut the kitchen door behind me. We were living in a portion of a house and the kitchen door was a mesh door with a padlock on it. With the force at which the door shut the lock kicked in and within seconds I realized he was locked out.
The fear and anxiety in my eyes triggered the same in my child so much so that he started crying in a high pitch. I tried to shake the door open and then hit the door hard and tried everything but nothing worked. Presence of mind came to my aid and using my kitchen knife I cut through the mesh door and put my hand out and unlocked and opened the door and went out to scoop my treasure into my arms.
When the news of my being locked inside the kitchen by a 2 year old reached the grand parents they managed to make it seem as my fault while my child emerged a clear winner with his assumed air of innocence and captivating eyes and smile.
That incident should have been an eye opener to me and a harbinger of more things to come from my very own Dennis the Menace.
Fond mother that I was (and still am), my mind refused to accept the imp that resided in my son and to me he was the innocent, wide eyed little cherub with nary a bone of mischief in him.
Today he is taller than I am and I have to look up at him with pride while within my heart rests acknowledgement to the supreme power that makes everything possible.
There really is no easy way or guide book or manual on how to bring up a child.
My husband and I improvised as we went along. There were days when we made just a few mistakes and then there were days when we made a lot.
Through it all we knew we had to love and cherish our love for each other and through that love nourish a child to grow and prosper.
Happy Mothers Day!

Mothers Day Competition - IndusLadies

Mothers Day Competition - IndusLadies ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/mother-me-mothers-day-blog-1842/ <![CDATA[Phelp's mistake or not?]]> http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/phelps-mistake-or-not-1418/ Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:53:48 GMT Everyone who watched this great athlete Michael Phelps win the Olympic Gold medals held him in awe. The television stations then transmitted his rigorous practice schedule and his hours of swimming day after day after day. So the news that he smoked marijuana in a party , hit the headlines and... Everyone who watched this great athlete Michael Phelps win the Olympic Gold medals held him in awe. The television stations then transmitted his rigorous practice schedule and his hours of swimming day after day after day.
So the news that he smoked marijuana in a party , hit the headlines and everyone wanted to comment on his actions.
This incident recalls to mind the many public figures who face reprimands for their actions in the public eye. It seems to be the price to pay for their fame and fortune.
Much of the opinion was about Phelps being a role model.
It is my opinion that Phelps being a great athlete cannot be held as a role model for young boys and girls. However what can be held as a role model should be his discipline in practice and his hard work.
I really do not understand what the furor is all about. To me, he is an adult and is doing what many Americans do as a pastime. I do not condone the use of drugs and nor am I going to abuse it. In this instance, there is no doubt that it was Phelps right to choose really.
The only thought I had in mind was that he made a mistake in being photographed. If he had exercised discretion he would not have been recorded with his actions and would have been forgotten after the party.
That brings to mind many other famous personalities who during their time had been caught and then suffered the consequences.
So is it acceptable for an athlete to engage in drugs or other activities as long as they do not get caught engaged in it?
Is that the solution then to see that you do not get photographed abusing drug or engaged in any illegal activity.? Or should they behave like us normal people and never be in a position to abuse drugs and such?
Considering the circumstances of their lives and the party circles they live in , will this not be too much to ask?
Do share your views so we can engage in a debate as to what Phelp’s mistake was? The use of drugs or being caught using drugs? ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/phelps-mistake-or-not-1418/ <![CDATA[A Boy's Decision]]> http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/a-boys-decision-1390/ Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:09:10 GMT I stood stunned. I could scarcely breathe and could not even move. I stood still absorbing what that evil lady just said before she left. If she had stabbed me that would have been a kind act. She had chosen to kill me with her harsh words. “You are the son of a whore”, these were her exact words.... I stood stunned. I could scarcely breathe and could not even move. I stood still absorbing what that evil lady just said before she left. If she had stabbed me that would have been a kind act. She had chosen to kill me with her harsh words. “You are the son of a whore”, these were her exact words.
I lived with my mother on the edge of our village. My mother made ends meet by selling food to road side travelers. We managed. I always knew something was not right. We had no family call on us and my mother refused to talk about my father.
Her eyes wore a permanently sad look and despair hung around her like a cloud. I refused to go to school as the other kids were never friendly to me. I acted like a rotten kid with hair always unkempt and a foul mouth.
I hated my life and had always succeeded in letting my mother aware of it. She never reacted. Her life revolved around making ends meet to provide me with food and clothing and shelter. And of course love. She genuinely loved me and there was no doubt in my mind she was living for me.
I had wandered off in search of a playmate this morning. When I stumbled on a boy I knew some time back. He agreed to play and we were getting ready when his mother came and yanked him by the head refusing to allow him to play with me because “I was the son of a whore”.
We both stood there bewildered at what appeared as some accusation and the other boy found courage to ask the meaning of the word “whore” to which this lady explained in much detail with an evil look in her eyes and contempt on her face.
After they left me, I lost count of time and space. I must have wandered because when I got my senses back the light had started to fade.
I experienced a calm and serenity I had never experienced in my life before. It made sense us living isolated with no friends. My mother’s sadness and her hard work to educate me and make something of my life.
At this moment I knew I never cared what happened or how I was born.
All I could feel was gratitude for the life source in me. Indebted to my mother for all the sacrifices she made and the numerous taunts she must have put up with. For me.
I felt a resolve growing within me slowly and steadily till it spread through my blood and my bones to my heart.
I now realised I wanted to make good of this life. I wanted to work hard and become educated and take care of mother.
I no longer despised my life for not the way I wanted it to be. I embraced it the way it was.
I started walking steadily towards my village. My movements were strong and my head held high.
I walked into the barber shop. The barber looked up to see me but said nothing. I waited my turn along with one another customer who was the local school teacher too.
I asked this teacher about how to resume my studies and he appeared glad to help me and instructed me to come to school the next day so he can take care of the details.
When the barber finished cutting my hair his eyes showed appreciation for the direction I had chosen to take.
I then walked home. My mother was waiting outside her face grave with worry and concern. Even from the distance she could tell I knew.
When I went close to her I reached out to fall at her feet for giving me my life when she pulled me into a tight embrace.
We knew we would make it together. Against all odds.
When we turned to go back in to our home, I saw for the first time a glimmer of hope in my mother’s eyes and a joy for my having accepted her for who she was. Her smile turned upwards in gratitude for a prayer and so did mine. ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/a-boys-decision-1390/ Expandable Blouse http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/expandable-blouse-1373/ Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:34:36 GMT Technology and innovations have come a long way. I know how much has changed just in my kitchen. From the days I sat near the grinding stone which looked large and menacing while my grandmother used to grind batter for idli and dosa to the days when refrigerator is present in all kitchens. From... Technology and innovations have come a long way. I know how much has changed just in my kitchen.
From the days I sat near the grinding stone which looked large and menacing while my grandmother used to grind batter for idli and dosa to the days when refrigerator is present in all kitchens. From the small grinding stone present inside the kitchen to grind fresh coconut pastes for sambhar and kurma now we have not just the blender and mixie but immersion blender and food processors.
Not that I complain. I love all these which have certainly made life easier. Then there is the cell phone and recording features on t.v. Not the least being the internet.
I still wish for one small invention.
An expandable blouse.
Surely in the grand scheme of things its not too much to ask is it?
Ever since I can remember, the perfectly stitched blouse has evaded me.
Always the tailor used to make it a little too loose on the shoulder or little too tight near the arms or some small change and the fitting never fitted well.
When I did manage to find the perfect tailor it seemed the whole town discovered him too and then my blouse was forever delayed in being stitched and then delayed in being delivered.
Then there was a time that I could not find the blouse if I found the saree and could not find the matching blouse and so on.
This I fixed by spending countless hours organizing my tiny closet and prevented any other family member from stepping in.
Now there is a new kind of problem for me.
The blouse does not FIT.
The whole closet is perfectly organized and all blouses are present with their matching sarees.
But the blouse does not FIT.
If you belong to my family then your answer or suggestion would be to tell me to lose weight.
Since you do not belong to my family let us together explore this new possibility together.
Let us make a new discovery involving the blouse.
Make a new expandable blouse.
Then there is nothing to worry or fret forever.
The blouses would always fit and people like me need not speculate if the blouse would fit or not.
Truly its not too much to ask, is it? ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/expandable-blouse-1373/ Wake Up http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/wake-up-1351/ Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:18:35 GMT I am very popular in my neighborhood. Even in my small town. They call me “The Scrooge”. “Bah” I think to myself. “What do they know”. I was raised in a very well to do family and I had always had the best of everything. I had servants at my beck and call. I was driven everywhere by fancy cars.... I am very popular in my neighborhood. Even in my small town. They call me “The Scrooge”. “Bah” I think to myself. “What do they know”.
I was raised in a very well to do family and I had always had the best of everything.
I had servants at my beck and call. I was driven everywhere by fancy cars. I always got all the new toys and anything I asked for. I wore the best clothes and went to the best school.
I did not get the only thing I wanted though.
My parents were always so busy they had no time for me. I only wanted them to spend time with me. At first they did not have time as they were busy building their careers.
Then over the years as I grew up I became spoilt and rude with my tantrums. I became more and more unbearable as I tried to get my parents attention. This in turn repulsed them and I grew worse.
I was married to a beautiful and kind woman but I must have driven her to dislike me as we had no children.
She passed away and for many years now I am alone.
I again tried to get the attention of all around me. Which would be by being mean and nasty and cruel to all around me. This distanced all my relatives from me.
Over the years I had amassed a lot of money from my parents and from my investments working out.
I knew money would work wonders with many people and so it did.
Those who did end up staying with me, be it the cook or my driver or my assistant or the assorted friends or family, were all there for the money.
Or should I say hopes of getting money from me. And in that process they did put up with all my insults and rude behavior.
I took greater joy in hording my money and became as the locals referred to as the Scrooge.
I dreamt of sleeping with all my money and going to die clutching all my money and then taking them with me after I die.
That is when it happened.
I felt a touch on my shoulders and I WOKE up. There I was in the Presence of light and a place where I could not feel my old rude and mean self. I knew right then something had happened.
I heard the voice again. “Wake Up”.
Now I was “fully awake”.
No more familiar surroundings. “What happened? “ I cried.
“Your dream is over. So wake up”, said the voice , a voice so gentle and pleasing I have never heard before.
“What are you talking about? A dream? Now where is my money???? I asked the voice. I was trying to be more rude and get my anger back which seemed impossible in the presence of this voice.
“Your money and that life was but a dream”, replied the voice now gentling making me walk along.
“Then I don’t want to wake up” said I my adamancy coming back.
“Well you have to. When the time is up”. Now I felt a firmness moving me forward and I knew there was no going back.
I tried hard to forget all the money I had clung to. I now knew it was not going to be of any use for me.
We passed through many levels where I could see many others being in this divine place.
There were many divine looking people wearing stunning rich robes and engaged in meditation. Then we moved to a lower level where there were ordinary looking people wearing mediocre clothes engaged in music and arts.
Then we moved lower where there were people dressed shabbily and doing nothing much.
Finally we reached a place which looked terrible and dirty and untouchable. The voice then told me “You will stay here till you learn to move your way up”.
“WHAT STAY HERE?” I all but yelled totally shocked at the turn of events. Me who had so much money live in this hole.
“Yes” said the voice as if reading my mind. “If you had but tried to give just a little you would have stayed in the previous place. If you had given more than you had, you would stay in the top place. You chose not to. Now its time to repent. Once you have realized you will move up, though it might take time.
I settled down to a time where I would get a chance to look back and review every single word I said and every hatred filled action I took. I already could see me repenting for the cruel words I spoke and the hurt and pain I had caused others.
I thought, “Please give me another chance, GOD”. ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/wake-up-1351/ Stay Close Little One http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/stay-close-little-one-1323/ Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:37:07 GMT Children grow up so quickly and then they want to spread their wings and fly. Many mothers might have felt this anguish I feel that one day, not too far away, my little one too would want to fly away.So stay close little one. There is no need to rush to fly.Till then through my small poem let me... Children grow up so quickly and then they want to spread their wings and fly. Many mothers might have felt this anguish I feel that one day, not too far away, my little one too would want to fly away.So stay close little one. There is no need to rush to fly.Till then through my small poem let me hold my child longer.


They say a mother bird knows better
It makes its little ones to fly away sooner

What does that bird know I thought
I do not want to send mine far from my heart

Little steps they want to take
And oh they long for the freedom to break

Every small little step away from me you make
My heart grows fonder and wants to break

Stay close my dear little one
There is still so much more time

You will grow and maybe then fly too far
Till then every moment I will hold tight and near ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/stay-close-little-one-1323/ Waiting for a New Dawn http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/waiting-for-a-new-dawn-1293/ Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:53:23 GMT It seemed so bleak to stand out there You stood alone with no way out of here I pass by you wrapped in layers of clothes My eyes always saddened at your stance I have come to know of your fate today the council decides to cut you another day You had died I hear them say It seemed so bleak to stand out there
You stood alone with no way out of here

I pass by you wrapped in layers of clothes
My eyes always saddened at your stance

I have come to know of your fate today
the council decides to cut you another day

You had died I hear them say
and that you can never see another day



I stood up to talk and withstood their stare
To boldly say "Wait till Spring, To survive"

They agreed to do so, still glaring at me
I prayed and hoped you would rescue me

Not for me to hold my face up with council
but for me to hold hope in life through its perils

You made it through a severe winter
To come ever so fresh next year

All green and moist and fresh,
You came back in spring to refresh

You uplifted my hopes and dreams
You gave me a life to dare to dream

for now I know this winter I am in
Will certainly pass for a new Spring

]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/waiting-for-a-new-dawn-1293/ Detective Shamu and the Ghost http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/detective-shamu-and-the-ghost-1251/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:25:28 GMT The only thing Aunty Sheila and Uncle Ram could agree on was “Let’s call Shamu”. And so I was to pack my bags and head to the hotel they were staying in Washington D.C. Since their home was being renovated or to be more specific their kitchen was being renovated, Uncle had planned to take a few... The only thing Aunty Sheila and Uncle Ram could agree on was “Let’s call Shamu”. And so I was to pack my bags and head to the hotel they were staying in Washington D.C.
Since their home was being renovated or to be more specific their kitchen was being renovated, Uncle had planned to take a few days vacation and on a whim had booked the same hotel that the president elect had stayed.
This hotel was really expensive but Uncle wanted to give Aunt a special treat and moreover he managed to get a good deal through an old friend. So Aunt Sheila all excited set forth on this trip and her excitement knew no bounds when she learnt that from her balcony of her hotel room she could see a portion of the back of the White House. That is if she leant that much forward without falling down.
Everything went smoothly till they had checked in and the front service person handed over the keys to their room wishing them a good stay. He also added as an after thought “Hope you don’t see the Ghost”.
Aunt Sheila paled on hearing this that everyone thought she will faint. However she recovered and demanded a refund so they could escape this “Ghost”.
Uncle and the rest of the hotel staff tried telling her it was only a myth that the Ghost haunted that hotel.
That myth was enough to put off my aunt. She was totally miffed by this news and went very gloomy to their room. She even forgot to lean in the balcony to catch a glimpse of a portion of the back of the White House.
With great difficulty Uncle pacified her and she returned to a somewhat state of normalcy and with great caution got ready that night to sleep.
As was her habit she turned on her bedside lamp and soon Uncle and Aunt were immersed in their t.v watching and reading a romantic novel. Soon the room was quiet only filled with the mild snores from Aunty.
It was past midnight when it happened. The light beside Aunt turned on thereby waking up both of them, only Aunt started gasping for breath in a state of shock.
She vehemently asserted it was the Ghost that had entered their room and turned the light on and no amount of persuasion from Uncle would calm her.
Uncle then ordered some hot chocolate through room service and Aunt’s nerves were calmed after drinking the delicious brew. Soon they managed to return to sleep.
The next day Uncle took Aunt around the city and she soon forgot the tremors from last night.
That night as they settled in bed, Aunt swtiched on the bedside lamp only to watch it flicker and flicker. Now she grew really alarmed and refused to let Uncle convince her it was not a Ghost that did it.
Finally they both agreed to call me and I assured my Aunt I would be there first thing in the morning and hearing my voice she calmed herself to sleep.
Again Uncle was rudely awakened by Aunt’s scream that the bedside light had turned itself ON by the Ghost.
This time Uncle ordered Hot chocolate and Sweet chocolate bars also which Aunt consumed with a passion while repeatedlty claiming she had seen the Ghost.
Aunt must have been tired after all the drama and the Hot choclate must have drowsed them back to sleep for the next thing they knew was me arriving at their door.
“Shamu” my Aunt sighed with relief and gave me a big hug. “Shamu” my Uncle sighed with relief now that he knew I would handle his wife and he gave me a hug too.
I looked around the room and enjoyed the beauty of it and then headed towards the offensive and haunted lamp, all the time listening to my Aunt.
According to her the Ghost had popped into her room , 2 nights in a row, hoping to strangle her and had switched on the light to watch Aunt die a gruesome death.
I was now busy examining the light and I found that the holder was extremely loose fitting and started to tighten the holder.
In a few minutes I was satisfied that the lamp sat tight on the fit holder and then switched it on and then off.
My Aunt sat spellbound as I explained to her that since the lamp holder had been very loose, it had probably switched off the first night she went to sleep. She must have been too tired to notice that she did not switch it off. But because of some shake to the table, the light got switched ON again during the night.
The next night, the bedside lamp flickered again because of the loose contact.
Finally Aunt could see my reasoning and thanked me profusely for scaring away the Ghost.
My Uncle and I gave up on explaining the technical aspects and were just glad she was not as focussed on the Ghost anymore.
Now that she had got over the fright off the Ghost, she ventured into the balcony to get her sighting of the White House. She also wanted to take pictures of the Hotel and room and to write in her scrap book her stay in the Famous hotel and her encounter with The Ghost and the flickering lights! ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/detective-shamu-and-the-ghost-1251/ Super Food Combos http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/super-food-combos-1186/ Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:20:17 GMT Last week celebrating Karthigai I made traditional items such as Sweet appam, pori urandai, Adai and vadai and bonda, avial etc. Of all of these my usual standards for all these years are always appam and adai and avial. Some of friends who visited me commented at my choice of combination. I...
Last week celebrating Karthigai I made traditional items such as Sweet appam, pori urandai, Adai and vadai and bonda, avial etc. Of all of these my usual standards for all these years are always appam and adai and avial.
Some of friends who visited me commented at my choice of combination. I served Adai with jaggery and butter and avial.
Everyone present had adai with mulagai podi. Most of my friends are from Thanjavur so I thought to myself they don’t know the right combo to eat with adai. (just kidding if anyone from Thanjavur happens to read this.. no offense meantJ
My first memory of adai was watching my mother’s grandmother make it. She had a long kitchen in the village with red bricks for the floor. She would light the fire and then place a very blackened circular pan on it. All these would take time. Then she would make a big round ball of the ground adai and place it on one side of the pan and flatten it with her palm. More with the wrist bottom actually. Then she would place another ball and make another adai and would have atleast a few going at the same time. A round hole would be made in the center of the adai and then she would drizzle Gingelly oil around it and then flip them and remove from pan.
I could not even finish one since they would be thick and the paruppu (lentils) would not be ground very much. She always served adai with a dollop of butter and jaggery.
Then I have had with my grandmothers and have loved it too.
My father brought in this combo of adai and avial. He had lots of combo meals as we used to call it.
The other combo meal was Sevai and Morkuzhambu. Then there was Vengaya (onion) sambhar and Potato roast. Then there was aapam and coconut milk gravy. Thengai pal kurma. Puttu and Kadalai!!
For some reason I think certain combinations are unique and they work because they taste so good.
If you have never heard of any combination meals, you are welcome to disagree with my combo meal!.
If anyone else has heard of any of these combo meals or had any meals in your family as a special combo? Do share. ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/super-food-combos-1186/ Knife set http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/knife-set-1170/ Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:49:08 GMT My friend's daughter came to give me a demonstration for a set of knives. My friend had called and requested I see this demo by her daughter a college student.
By doing a demo she earns money even if the prospective customer does not buy anything. For my friend's sake I agree and so welcomed this young girl who came with a big bag.

In it were a big case of knives and then some literature about these knives.
They were very very very expensive the whole set that it. It seems they are being used in the White House!
I knew right then it was not for me!
And these knives also came with a life long guarentee and if you even suspected it did not work well you could get it replaced for free.
No questions asked.
There were knives of all shapes and sizes and looked really elegant and fancy.
I tried a few on cutting tomato and onion and capsicum and cabbage.
I always try on tomato for me to determine how sharp the blades are.
Boy did it just cut through the tomato like a swift action of blade going though and gone.
Really neat.
I wondered who would buy these knives , good as they were and the girl said she had sold many sets already in a 2 week time frame.
I know both my mother and late MIL managed with just one knife. If they felt it was not cutting well they would take it to the sho nearby and get it sharpened.
I have a few assorted shapes of knives. I have the habit of keeping one for tomato and one for onion and one for cabbage!

Still I was tempted looking at those knives.

How many do you think one needs? ONE or TWO or More?!
Do you think I should add it to my non existent wish list?:-) ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/knife-set-1170/ Winter vegetables and more http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/winter-vegetables-and-more-1155/ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:57:06 GMT Winter was definitely on the mild side in Chennai and Madurai where we grew up. We can really narrow the winter months to December and January at the most. Other months like November and February can be considered as Fall if so. Winter was marked by the vegetable we used to get then. One of the... Winter was definitely on the mild side in Chennai and Madurai where we grew up. We can really narrow the winter months to December and January at the most. Other months like November and February can be considered as Fall if so.
Winter was marked by the vegetable we used to get then. One of the famous, at least famous in my family was Koorkan Kizhangu.
This is a root vegetable similar to potatoes and its size was small more like baby potatoes even smaller. Would be dark in color and caked in mud and soil when we opened our gunny bag parceled from a town in Kerala for my FIL.
It was without doubt one of the favorites with my dh and FIL. So our relatives were kind enough to send it back then.
I was the only one who dreaded the arrival of this kizhangu as it used to fall on me to scrub and clean it under water. Trust me these Kizhangus strictly adhered to the dirt and soil so a lot of scrubbing underwent on the cold mornings of December.
Once scrubbed and cleaned it could be prepared so very tasty that there would never be any leftovers. Here’s how my MIL used to cook it.
The Koorkan Kizhangu would be pressure cooked and then in a kadai warm coconut oil and put the cut cooked pieces and fry with salt added.
If I were to cook today, I would still use Coconut oil for its flavor on this “Mezhukku Peratti” is unmistakable.
The other significant vegetable for me during winter was Kavathu. It was a must for “kali” and Kavathu for Thiruvadhiri.
My late MIL without any doubts made the best Kalee and Kavathu kootu I have ever tasted. I can boldly say so as my mother a really good cook is not going to read this.
These days I get excellent Pumpkins and Squashes.
The other event that marks winter is the Margazhi month bhajans and kolams.
I can not say I went along with the Bhajans or to the temples early mornings but I remember my grandmother did and brought back tasty sweets back from the temple.
I do however took part in all the kolams that went on early mornings. This I felt was more prevalent in Madurai than Madras.
We used to get ready the previous night cleaning the area to put the kolam in and mornings would be a race among same age girls.
Not the least that this month marks is the Music season in Madras. I have to say that we should be grateful to famous singers who grace the local temples for free concerts.
So does anyone else remember anything else with the onset of Winter? ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/winter-vegetables-and-more-1155/ <![CDATA[Rama's Choice]]> http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/ramas-choice-1138/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:36:58 GMT In Rama Rajya, one voice of protest and dissent was gradually making itself heard. It spread from one ear to another, from one house to the next, from one province to the next. Initially it created a faint rumble, but gradually the faint murmur acquired the intensity of audible words. And what... In Rama Rajya, one voice of protest and dissent was gradually making itself heard. It spread from one ear to another, from one house to the next, from one province to the next. Initially it created a faint rumble, but gradually the faint murmur acquired the intensity of audible words.

And what was it all about?

One washerman and his wife doubted the purity of Sita because she had stayed as a prisoner of Ravana! In the Royal Court, they declared:

"O Noble king, as a perfect master you should always lead the most ideal life, above any reproach. There should not be darkness under the lamp! Our culture and tradition does not allow infidel woman to stay with her husband. She must be deserted/banished. Sita has stayed in the custody of Ravana as a prisoner. What proof she has to prove her innocence and purity! Who will believe her? It will be better if you leave her. It will be in conformity with the noble tradition of Raghu Dynasty, as well as a just gesture on your part as the king of Ayodhya."

Rama and the whole court was stunned to listen to these inauspicious words of the washerman. But who can hold the tongue of the masses! Who can shut the mouth that speaketh thus! Rama tried to put an end to this useless allegation by informing the court and the assembly about the Fire Test that Sita has already gone through and passed successfully. But this did not convince everyone. An occasional voice of protest was still heard in the court.

Then Rama offered that Sita would take another Fire Test to prove her innocence and purity. To this Sita herself took objection. She said,

"O my lord, there will always be some one who cannot be satisfied by any 'test' or any proof. Their convictions are hard-pressed in their psyche and no amount of genuine proof will convince them about the truth, for they do not want to get convinced. They are born to raise doubts about the Truth itself.

Today this washerman has stood to cast aspersions on my character, tomorrow some one else is sure to follow the suit. He would want fresh proof. Then should I continue to pass the test every day? O noble lord, I appeal to you to make your own judgment and act accordingly."

Rama passed many sleepless nights. Sita was carrying his two sons in her womb. She was innocent, Rama knew and believed. But as a righteous king, as the caretaker of all, not only in matters of food and shelter, but also regarding their emotions and conventions he was accountable.
Ultimately, Rama decided to desert Sita, the Purity personified!!!

For many years I wondered if that was the right choice. Who can question someone with the stature of Rama? Does it mean that what he did was acceptable?

I was preparing a quiz on Ramayana last night when I came across this chapter and my question came back again.
I could never accept the decision that Rama took. It appears to me he took it based on his needs and his image as the King. He took it to justify his position in his kingdom.

Rama felt he was accountable as he was the king. Maybe the proper thing to do was to step down from his duties and remain by his wife.

But stepping down will result in his breaking his vows that he took when he took on the throne.
So are the vows he took as a husband any less serious and can they be bended? Or broken.

These days too many break their vows all around us resulting in divorces. It is slowly becoming an acceptable way of life.

Vows are not revered and given the sanctity they deserve. We do have a precedent in this in Rama. Or maybe I should not question so! What do you think? ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/ramas-choice-1138/ Come Catch me Fat Ghost http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/come-catch-me-fat-ghost-1125/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:55:32 GMT The first line of the song of Pandharicha Bhoot Mote means “The Fat Ghost that resides in Pandharpur”. Sant Tukaram displays his love for Panduranga with this Marathi Abhang (Bhajan) . Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Sant-Tukaram.jpg This piece is a fabulous poem written... The first line of the song of Pandharicha Bhoot Mote means “The Fat Ghost that resides in Pandharpur”.
Sant Tukaram displays his love for Panduranga with this Marathi Abhang (Bhajan) .

This piece is a fabulous poem written in the style called “Ninda Stuthi” in Sanskrit which means “Praise in the form of curse” or “Vanja Pugazhchi” in Tamil.
If you were ever to hear this song being sung, you cannot resist the idea of being carried away by the Ghost to see Vittala.
Which is what happened to me when I heard this sung by a talented carnatic music singer recently.
Sant Tukaaram is alluding to the Lord of Pandharpur – Panduranga Vittala – as the fat ghost that is going to catch you when you visit Pandharpur and will not let you go.
I first heard about Panduranga Vittala in the story of one Sakhubai who suffered hardships and harassment from her mother-in-law and how her devotion to Lord Vittala who for her sake served her people and transformed them.
How can I forget the manner in which Sakhubai was tied to the pillar, how she begged for the darshan of her Lord Vittala, how she was tortured by her mother-in-law and husband. Her cries to Vittala was the cry of an anguished person who had extreme thirst to experience Bhagwan as fast as possibe. Hearing her cry, the Lord himself takes her place and does service to her family as a servant while she goes with the other devotees to have darshan of the Lord.
Hearing the Bhoot moot song, I was transported to the times when Sakhubai lived and her desire to see God. The songs are so wonderfully worded by Sant Tukaram.
Her immense bhakti moved Panduranga to come and replace her. I was reminded of the words Nammazhwar ,
“Minnin Nilayila Mannuyir Ackaigal”
Meaning
The way lightening appears in the sky for a second and disappears; in the same way life is as short as the lightening and no one can even imagine at which fraction of second life will come to an end. So don’t waste your time anymore in materialistic things.
It is Sakhubai’s immense love for the divine that made Vittala come to her aid.
Sant Tukaram shows this love for Panduranga with his Marathi Abhang (Bhajan),
Pandharicha Bhoot Mote, and He tells us that once we go to that town and see the Lord Vittala in the Temple, we will never want to come back to our regular lives and would prefer to be merged with the Lord and to attain Salvation.
I am still waiting for that Ghost to catch me, Vittala. I may have years to travel and ages to cross and miles to walk before I see you dear Vittala.
Lord Vittala, few if any, can compare to that love and devotion of Sakhubai. Still I yearn for a place in Pandurang and I cannot wait for that bhoot to catch me, while I listen again and again to the song Pandharicha Bhoot Mote. ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/come-catch-me-fat-ghost-1125/ Dare to Dream http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/dare-to-dream-1113/ Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:22:21 GMT A few weeks back we were on a small cruise boat as part of a sightseeing trip. It was very very cold and the wind made it more colder than it really was. All of us were geared for these high winds and cool temperatures. Bundled up real good. Shortly into the waters, a small seagull flew over our... A few weeks back we were on a small cruise boat as part of a sightseeing trip. It was very very cold and the wind made it more colder than it really was.
All of us were geared for these high winds and cool temperatures. Bundled up real good. Shortly into the waters, a small seagull flew over our heads and all of looked up to see it. Then out attention was diverted to some small islands on the water so our eyes rested on these islands. When we looked up again , the bird was still there.
He was a small bird and we could tell he was fighting against the strong winds to remain there. His wings were stretched out to its limits and he was trying hard to hold them steady. Because of this his chest was lifted little higher and stood out against the wind making him more appealing to us.

Why could not the bird have been a she? Good question.

Only reason being Jonathan Livingston Seagull came to my mind on looking up at this bird.
I first read this book by Richard Bach in my teenage years and to say I was spellbound by the book and the narration and the concept behind it is an understatement.
It really struck my young mind of a world outside, the soaring heights a small bird could reach (or a human) and the perseverance of that small bird Jonathan Livingston Seagull.



The novel tells the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a seagull who is bored with the daily squabbles over food. Seized by a passion for flight, he pushes himself, learning everything he can about flying, until finally his unwillingness to conform results in his expulsion from his flock. He does not mind being expelled or an outcast but continue to dream that he could fly beyond what his flock tells him he could do.
One day, Jonathan is met by two radiant seagulls who take him to a “higher plane of existence” where he meets other gulls like him who love to fly. He knew that fact all along so he is overjoyed and knows in his heart he had always been right.
Jonathan then returns to earth to find others like to him to teach them and show them the endless possibilities in this great Universe.
The pictures in the text are from the internet and I have also attached a few here.
I can never try to do justice to the book but just wanted to give a brief story here. It is touching to read a small bird trying hard, when others from his flock shun it, but believes in himself and how he reached great heights.
This small bird that flew over us and stood above our heads , against a strong cold wind brought to my mind, Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
This bird lingered on for nearly a long time and each passing minute made us aware of the wind pressure he was facing and his determination to fly there.
He is a great example for children who should be taught to live and dream like Jonathan Livingston Seagull and should be encouraged to dare to dream.
In boldly following their dreams do children achieve greatness. Instead of being like the rest of the flock, who mocked Jonathan , we can put aside our differences and nurture our children to dream big and dare to live life the way they want to.
This small bird is one of nature’s creation teaching a gentle lesson of striving against all odds and holding to the beliefs and reaching a greater plane.



Above all the bird, Jonathan, did not rest happy that it had achieved its goal, but came back to Earth to help others like him. With that act of kindness and love did the bird really soar high in our thoughts and managed to stay in our minds forever.
Attached Images
  
]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/dare-to-dream-1113/ Shove from Nest http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/shove-from-nest-1108/ Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:09:46 GMT Lalitha opened her eyes to see Sekar had stepped into the room to sit beside his sleeping father. She closed her eyes again. They had admitted her husband 2 days back for bypass heart surgery and she was reclining in the sofa in his room getting some rest while her husband was sleeping after a... Lalitha opened her eyes to see Sekar had stepped into the room to sit beside his sleeping father. She closed her eyes again. They had admitted her husband 2 days back for bypass heart surgery and she was reclining in the sofa in his room getting some rest while her husband was sleeping after a successful surgery.
She remembered the first time she had met Sekar. He was five years old and had lost his mother recently. That was how she entered his life as a step mother. From the moment she saw him she loved him and had never stopped doing so even after the arrival of her daughter Vidya.
Society however chose to meddle with her affection for her step son and deemed it necessary to comment on her every move. Her late mother-in-law (MIL) led the case. When ever she tried to discipline Sekar, she was thought of being an arrogant and uncaring step mother. Her husband escaped the whole scene by being immersed in work.
Lalitha tried her best to work with Sekar and her own daughter and her MIL but to no avail. So Sekar grew up to being a very spoilt, rude and arrogant boy , pampered more by his grandmother while his father watched silently.
Vidya on the other hand grew up to be a confident and smart and very hard working young woman. Her grandmother acted as if Vidya did not exist and that her world revolved around her grandson Sekar who had lost his mother and had to put up with his arrogant stepmother.
The children had grown up and Lalitha’s MIL was busy searching for alliances for the 2 kids. She found what she thought were perfect matches. A very rich girl for Sekar and a middle class boy for Vidya. Now Lalitha was asked to make her views known. Lalitha had also met the girl selected for Sekar and she knew it was a disaster waiting to happen.
The girl was an only child brought up in a very spoilt manner and had grown to become a rude and obnoxious girl. Lalitha knew this would not be a good match for Sekar as he was also spoilt and did not know how to adjust.
On the other hand the boy selected for Vidya though not very rich was a bright young man brimming with confidence. Lalitha knew he was a good match as a person for her daughter and that money alone did not always matter.
Lalitha’s MIL took exception when she heard her hesitations about Sekar’s alliance. It was determined that Lalitha objected only because the girl was rich and so on and so forth. Lalitha thereafter kept quiet and witnessed both the marriages take place as per her MIL’s wishes.
Vidya soon settled down and worked very hard towards her married life and proved to be successful in helping her husband and her in-law’s and her new born twin son’s as well.
On the other hand Sekar’s marriage was on the rocks from day one as nothing seemed to make his new bride happy. Not a new house nor a new car nor a beach house nor fancy vacations. Sekar had only time to satisfy his new bride with new toys and no time to learn the business he was going to inherit from his father.
Lalitha remained an observer as she knew from experience what would happen if she voiced her opinion though she felt sad for her step son whom she loved as her own.
One fine morning Sekar found that his wife had left him for a younger man and he had to deal with it and bring up his small daughter as well.
Lalitha’s MIL was all set to meddle with Sekar’s affairs when Lalitha decided to step in. She told Sekar in no uncertain terms that he also owed responsibility for the mess his marriage had become and she demanded he stand up for himself and started taking care of his daughter too.
Both Lalitha’s MIL and her husband were witness to this speech and for a long time every one remained quiet. Sekar trying to get the easy way out looked at his grandmother for support.
For once she remained tongue tied as she could see clearly her own mistakes in raising Sekar. Sekar’ s father spoke up and told him to take responsibility and to work harder if he planned to work on the family business and inherit it some day.
Sekar looked like lightening had struck him. He walked out of the house carrying his small daughter. Today after 6 years , Lalitha was looking at him again.
She opened her eyes now to look better and saw he had aged a lot. His face had become more firm and his eyes clear and steadfast.
They quietly exchanged greetings and then Sekar said he wanted to thank Lalitha for waking him up and making him face his reality. Today he said he was a better person and was very proud of himself and his daughter.
They heard a mild laugh and turned to find his father had woken up and had been hearing all this. From the wide smile on his face, Lalitha knew everything was going to be alright, as her daughter and her family also walked into the room at the same time.
She knew from experience some children needed a nudge , some a push and others a shove from the nest to grow up into independent and good and responsible adults. ]]> Anandchitra http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/anandchitra/shove-from-nest-1108/