Times Raasrang Holi Utsav 2013

March 25, 2013, 9:56 pm

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Times of India in association with Delhi Tourism and UNESCO among others, hosted the Times Raasrang Holi Utsav at Dilli Haat, from March 22-24.

I happened to visit Dilli Haat on Saturday and witnessed how this festival of Holi cuts across all boundaries...all barriers and is just about Love. Love for melody, Love for Nature, Love for Life and Love for the true eternal One.

This event gave a platform to artists from different parts of the country and the world (there was a Bangladeshi troop that played on Friday) to share with people various traditions observed on this auspicious day and their Lokgeet (folk songs).

We had a little time before the show and wanted to capture the essence of this Bazaar....

Colours Abound

Organic holi colours

Lord Krishna Radha Sculpture at a Maharashtra stall

The first performance started just before the Sun was about to set in....the troupe was from Barpetta, a district in Assam. A group of Women & Men, young and old, dressed in their traditional attire came on to the stage and mesmerized the audience with their melody and simplicity...

The Barpetta Troupe Me, with the Barpeta group

Barpetta Folk songs are exquisite compositions in praise of Lord Krishna. Though the non-Bengali speaking audience could not understand much of their songs, their joyous vibe struck a chord with each and everyone in the audience...

The next performance was from the land of Braj, located between U.P. and Rajasthan, it is said to be the land where Lord Krishna spent his childhood...
Holi here is celebrated with lot of pomp and  show....with celebrations going on for a week!!

The audience was enthralled with their song and dance performances, depicting the love, fun and frolic of Radha-Krishna

Mayur Nritya/Peacock Dance

After dancing to the tunes of the Braj ke Geet, we proceeded to the food stall.
The Classis Holi drinks, Thandia (made up of milk and almonds) and Kaanji (sour drink made up of carrots) were everyone's favourite.

A very interesting Fried Palak ke Patte ki chaat was also on the menu

This wonderful evening at Dilli Haat left me enriched, as it opened another dimension to the festival of Holi - India's richness lies in its diversity, from the foot tapping and more popular Braj Holi to the simple yet soulful style of the East!! I left the place with a song in my heart and a yearning to discover more of India's Folk Culture!!

Wishing you all a very Happy and Colourful Holi!! *Love*

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Bura Na Mano Holi Hai!!

March 26, 2013, 12:42 pm

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With such hectic lives that we lead, we yearn for a day off from work!! This week we have two chuttis, the festival of Colours, Holi,  and Good Friday!! Hurrey!! :) :)

For those lucky few who could manage an off on Thursday, what are your plans for the long five day magical holiday??

I was never crazy about the Holi festival (except for eating Gujia, the traditional sweet especially prepared on Holi) but still as a kid I used to look forward to playing with friends, to run and scream and play hide and seek and in the end argue over who got the most colour on them!!

This enthusiasm has certainly died down, the celebrations are mellow...n start usually by getting up a little late, then catching up with friends and family and by the time you realize the day is about to end and you are back to your maniac Life!!

So today, take out some time, and share with me your fondest memories of Holi coz as they say ‘Remembrance is the sweetest flower...’…Who knows it may liven up the kid in you again!!

For long as I can remember, eating Gujias has been my favourite part of Holi. As a tradition we make Gujias at home and I am sure you’ll agree that nothing tastes better than homemade....Mom would make a huge container full of Gujias which would not even last a week!! :) 

Like I told you, I was never crazy about playing Holi esp the wet kind and as a result would always play Hide and Seek instead....I remember, once our whole extended family had come together to celebrate...irrespective of the age all were enthused and carried their Pichkaris, water balloons, colours and bucket full of water....Till noon I remained in hiding (in the bathroom) and came out only when the excitement had subsided...

Another yummy part of Holi has always been the Lunch...with Mutton and Dahi Vada stealing the Limelight!! The 'n' number of helpings till you are full till your throat!! :)
What contentment :) And then just laze around, day dreaming of many more such celebrations to follow!! 

So here was a peek into what were the best moments of my Holi celebrations....Would love to hear about your Holi Hangamas and Karnamas.....Till then, just paint your lives' canvas with every possible hue :) Holi Mubarak!!

Prawn Curry

April 1, 2013, 10:50 am

≫ Next: Let there be Light!!

≪ Previous: Bura Na Mano Holi Hai!!

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Hello Friends,

Here's one more quickie recipe courtesy my late night experiments and grumbling stomach....I would call this one a half success coz although it tasted superb something went wrong!! See for yourself below and do let me know where I flawed??

Prawn Curry
(Measurement is an estimate)
Ingredients:
250 gm medium prawns (cleaned, without tails)
10-12 leaves of curry patta
1/2 tsp rai (black mustard seed)
salt (to taste)
1tsp grounded coriander
1 tsp (level) grounded turmeric
1/2 tsp grounded red chilli
2-3 Tbsp mustard oil (for cooking)

Method:
Heat mustard oil in a Kadhai/shallow cooking pan. When hot, add the rai and curry patta and let it sizzle. Add the prawns. Add all the masalas. Cook on low flame for 5 minutes and cover and cook for 2-3 min till done.
Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with steamed rice.

Simple and tasty isn't it? But now the problem that i need your help with....The prawns shrunk ridiculously....this is not the first time I cooked prawns and I am scratching my head to understand what happened...Why did the prawns shrink to such a tiny size?? Please advice...Anticipating to hear from all you Culinary experts out there!!

Let there be Light!!

April 1, 2013, 11:22 am

≫ Next: The Magnificent City Palace of Jaipur

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The below snaps are from my recent trip to Jaipur. I loved the decor of the Guest House we were staying in and I tried to capture the morning light through my Lens...
The colured blue and orange wallpaper used on the ceiling and windows got me quite excited!!
What do you think??

Mirror Image

Mirror Image

Isn't this a tranquil space...I love how the light plays in every corner of the room...The use of Money plants in pots and glass bottles gives it a very earthy look....Also, the furniture, though not out of the ordinary, provides a strong solid structure to the otherwise humble yet elegant abode...
Love it!!
What do you think??

The Magnificent City Palace of Jaipur

April 1, 2013, 12:48 pm

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Jaipur has become the city of Weekend Respite for most of us Delhi-ites, and so it was for us too...
Our Family drove down to Japiur on a pleasant Friday morning to enjoy the extended weekend.
The trip was essentially planned to attend my sis-in-law's convocation at Jaipur National University on 30th March and it turned out to be a wonderful family trip!!

I've been to Jaipur twice before and have explored the city in phases...However, both the times I missed out on the 'City Palace'....and it has been a while that this Beautiful Royal Palace was on my Bucket list....So happy to have crossed out this one now!!

To give a very brief history, the palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II between 1729-1732, as the official seat of Maharaja of Jaipur. Sawai Man Singh II (along with the beautiful Maharani Gayatri Devi) was the last ruler of the palace until the princely state was merged with the new state of Rajasthan (after India's Independence, 1947). Although the Indian princes had relinquished their ruling powers, they remained entitled to their titles, and other privileges until the adoption of the 26th amendment to the Constitution of India on 28 December 1971. Accordingly, Man Singh II remained Maharaja of Jaipur until his death.

A blend of Indian, Mughal and European styles of Architecture, the City Palace captures this royal heritage and leaves its visitors with awe and admiration.

Leaving you with the below clicks of this magnificent Palace....Enjoy!!

Richly decorated entrance gate

'Diwan-i-Khas' (Hall of private audience) - Charmingly done in Sandstone and Marble adorned with chandeliers

'Chandra Mahal'

'Mubarak Mahal'

Delicate Engravings on the Mubarak Mahal

I spent good 15-20 minutes soaking in the architectural beauty of the 'Pritam Niwas Chowk' or the Peacock courtyard. The courtyard consists of intricately painted doorways/gateways in the four directions said to be depicting the four seasons - Autumn, Summer, Spring and Winter

Peacock gate representing Autumn

Lotus gate shows flower pattern and is said to depict the Summer season

Rose Gate depicting Winter

Rose flower pattern

Green Leheriya Gate representing Spring

The flamboyant construction provides us an insight into the life and times of the royalty. Apart from these structure there are many museums which show various textile/costumes worn during the era; Armoury of the Princes; exhibits of miniature paintings of those times; ancient texts etc.

This is definitely a must visit if you are in Jaipur. The history of Jaipur is incomplete without understanding the history of the City Palace....it gives the visitor a pleasant view of the bygone era...

Passersby

April 4, 2013, 3:14 am

≫ Next: Travellouge: Romancing the valleys of Kashmir

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You travel by Metro/Bus/Auto...you meet starngers....You give a glance and pass by....

Have these passersby ever left back an impression....?....you overhear conversations...you check out what they wear....in this 30-60 minute journey do you judge them...?...question their ways??

Do you smile....politely give your seat to an elderly...strike up a conversation...hold someone's bag...?...Or do you struggle...push and pull...run for that empty seat...whine and crib?

I have been travelling by the Delhi Metro for about 2 years now. I take the Noida - Rajiv Chowk route for work. Delhi Metro has definitely made travelling easy...you are not stressed by the maddenning and ever increasing traffic on the roads; however hurried you are, you can take a breather in the metro; you can catch up on your reading, listening to your favourite music...
For me it has become the most preferred mode of transport; More so because of the Passersby!!
I love to read their faces...catch tit-bits of their conversations...weave and imagine stories around them.

The little girl with two plaits, running across the metro, swing around the pole - carefree, innocent and oblivios to the world around her...
The old lady, wheatish in complexion with silvery boy cut hair dressed smartly in pants and kurti - independent, progressive yet restrained in her ways...
The two newly weds all dressed up with bright bangles and high heels, sharing with each other the stories of their new homes - excited, nervous yet confidently entering into a future unfamiliar...
The shy couple, standing in the space between the ladies and the general compartment, holding hands, whispering into each others ears, waiting for this moment to freeze, saddened by the thought of separating on the next stop - in love, content and hopeful of a future together...
The lonesome girl, standing by the door, peering out of the window, brushing away the tear - hurt yet standing tall...
The cheerful bunch of girls, dressed in the trendiest of clothes, chattering and laughing reminding you of your school/college days when your friends are your world - Joyful, Playful, Loyal and supportive...

A Mother. A Daughter. A Child. A Sister. A Daughterinlaw. A Friend. A Lover. A Granma...................
Happy. Solemn. Kind. Irritable. Tired. Excited. Forlorn. Anxious. Joyous. Bored. Talkative..................
Same Emotions. Different People.
Same Situations. Different Stories.
Same Characters. Different Actors.
I see these faces everyday.

And all I do is Smile :) I smile at these Passersby for who knows a smile may bright up their lives, perhaps make it more Beautiful...I may or may not get back a smile in return but as someone has rightly said "Today, give a stanger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day" (Quoted in P.S. I Love You)

Travellouge: Romancing the valleys of Kashmir

April 6, 2013, 3:10 am

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Note: I had written this travellouge in October 2012 post our visit to the beautiful valley that month. This was posted on India Mike as at that time I had not discovered the joy of one own's blog!! I have made a few changes (for the better) and added a lot more photographs (more the merrier!!) of the picturesque Kashmir for you to enjoy!!

Romancing the valleys of Kashmir 

Disclaimer: This is my first attempt writing a travelogue so please bear with me!! (Nervous)

Foreword

We had initially planned a 8 day trip to Rajasthan to celebrate our first marriage anniversary and eight years of love. But our friends and family advised against the same since it would be too hectic (with just my husband behind the wheels) and the desert weather still not favorable during first week of October.
So with not even a month at hand we were left with the overwhelming task of deciding on a place to go.
After two weeks of intense research on Trip Advisor and India Mike we were set to go to the valley of Kashmir, famed for its mesmerizing beauty and fondly called as the 'Paradise on Earth'
Trip Report

Day 1: 30th September

We departed from Delhi at 10:15 by Jet Airways. After a comfortable one hour we could see from the plane the cotton candy like clouds above vast mountains and snow clad peaks. We landed at the Srinagar airport around 11:30 and were welcomed by a bright sunny day!!

We had our taxi waiting to take us to our houseboat at Nigeen Lake(arranged by our houseboat for Rs500)

As you exit the airport you can find the TRC (Tourist Reception counter) at your right and another counter a little ahead on the left from where one can book the Gondola tickets.
We had planned to book our Gondola tickets from there but since the net connectivity was slow and booking is done online only we decided to book them later on the spot.
Traveller Tip: It is better to book online in advance through www.gulmarggondola.com. Rs 800/- per person for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.

My first impression of Srinagar City, that has stayed on still is that it has become highly commercialized and polluted. Yes the city has come a long way since the political and terrorist unrest in the past decades and though the city is highly militarized kudos to the people and the government for bringing normalcy to the city and for boosting tourism again!!


We halted for lunch in between at Mughal Darbar. It is located on the Residency Road and is one of the most famous restaurants to experience the Kashmiri cuisine. We ordered Tabak Maaz (didn’t know what we were getting into as the menu does not elaborate on the dishes), Yakhni and Kashmiri Naan.

Guessing that we were tourists fond of good food we were given Mutton Korma as a complimentary dish. For foodies like me and my husband, here's a little food review:
Tabak Maaz are deep fried lamb ribs, not very appealing for my taste. They were dripping with oil. Yakhni is mutton cooked in sour curd gravy, it had a nice strong peculiar taste and the quantity was more than enough for the two of us. Kashmiri Naan is not your ordinary Naan. It is as huge as the size of a plate and is generously layered with dried fruits and fresh fruits.

After contented tummies we got back to our taxi to take us to our Houseboat.

Our houseboat (Fantasia Houseboat) was located at Nigeen lake. Our host, Mr. Rahim greeted us at the bank and took us to the HB via Shikara Ride. Our first Shikara ride ever...we were mesmerized. I loved the calm, quaint surroundings, especially the variety of birds on the lake. We reached our Houseboat and were greeted by a hot cup of Kashmiri Kahwa. It is a special spiced tea with a hint of Saffron which gives it a unique flavour.
We had pre-booked this houseboat for 3 days (paying in advance only a night's charge) and had planned to commence the journey/sightseeing on our own. But my husband got talking to Mr. Rahim who offered us a decent package for the whole 7 days. Our accommodation was already planned for in Gulmarg and Pahalgam so the package offered to us was inclusive of 4 nights stay (with breakfast and dinner) + Srinagar sightseeing + Sonmarg + taxi drop and pick to Gulmarg and Pahalgam. If you ask me I think price wise we could have done better, but my husband sadly HATES to bargain..
But in a way the arrangement was brilliant and we didn't have to stress or haggle through most of our journey! 

We relaxed for a while in our cozy room (with inbuilt bathroom and to our surprise bathtub!!) in the houseboat. The houseboat was done up very nicely, smelling faintly of deodar wood. The carvings on the outside as well as the interiors were very intricate. Ours was the smaller of the two houseboats. Each boat is accompanied by a dining area and a living rom. TVs were there in the living room only and not in the rooms.

After freshening up quickly we moved to our first day tour. We covered Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Garden, Chashme Shai and Pari Mahal.
The gardens were beautiful and being a Sunday we got a chance to see several Kashmiri families enjoying a picnic on this sunny day. They had actually bought small stoves along with them and were enjoying a cup of tea with small eateries prepared from home. It was quite a sight!
In case one is not going in the full bloom season (best month to see flowers is March-April) and is short on time you can visit Nishat Garden and give rest of the Mughal Gardens a skip. Chashme Shai is the garden with the famous spring water supposedly with medicinal value but other than that it just a similar garden. Pari Mahal just for the views!!

Father and son enjoying a game of Cricket at Shalimar Bagh

View from Pari Mahal

View from Pari Mahal

Pari Mahal

We came back to our HB in time for the India-Pakistan cricket match!! The idea of having a common living room dawned upon me then!! We met two good families also from Delhi/NCR and cheered together to make India win. We also came across an academician from Australia who was on one month holiday and was going to Leh Ladakh the next day.

Home made dinner was served at the dining table. At the houseboat a common meal is cooked for all the guests and in case one has any specific requirement, they need to be told to the manager beforehand.Before going to the bed I enjoyed another Kahwa in the moonlight!!

More about Fantasia houseboat - I forgot to mention, other than the owner Mr. Rahim we also met Ms Anna who helps Mr. Rahim in managing and administering of the HB. She is basically from London and for the last 5 years has spent most of her time in Kashmir. She conducts organized treks in and around Kashmir. So while there you can enjoy trekking too!!

Day 2: 1st October

I got up early and watched as slowly the sun rose from behind the mountains (while my husband was fast asleep ) Oh so picturesque!!

Did a little exploring in the HB and found that they have a wonderful collection of German and English books (both fiction and nonfiction). I picked up 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald to read it during our trip!!
By the time our caretaker got our morning cups of tea my husband was up and we had a quiet tea time basking in the nature all around us.
Word of Caution: Except for Kahwa we did not get our usual Chai flavour anywhere. Almost everywhere we had tea it was those Lipton tea bags extra milky and sweet kind of tea....
Today was our Srinagar City tour day. We got ready and had a nice breakfast of Upma, Omelet and toast to get us started. (There is a unique flavour in almost all Kashmiri dishes and after having the omelet I figured out what it was. The Desi Zeera/Cumin. They had put some in Omelet too!! )
Instead of taking the Shikara and going to the other side of the lake, we were taken to the backside of the houseboat where we discovered a little garden and leading up to a road behind. We met our driver Hilal who was to be our guide cum driver for the next few days. Today's itinerary was Jamia Masjid, Shah-e-Hamdan, local market, Shankracharya Temple, Manasbal Lake and Kheer Bhawani temple. We would also have liked to cover Hazratbal Mosque and Badaam Vaer but lacked time.

All the above points are a must visit, here's a brief description/review:

Jamia Masjid - I found it more beautiful than the Delhi one and the architecture is beautiful. Very peaceful despite being in the centre of the city with old bazaars surrounding it.

Sha-e-Hamdan - one of my favourites. We weren't allowed inside but a peep from the window left us in awe. Beautiful mirror work with very intricate and colourful designs(predominantly green) and crystal chandeliers. We were told that this was one of the oldest Sufi shrines (originally built in 1395 and reconstructed in 1732).

Shankracharya Temple - It is sad that you are not allowed to take in Cameras cause the view is amazing. After a climb of almost 200 odd steps you can see the entire town. It is believed to be very sacred as Adi Shankracharya ji had visited this site. I had specially gone to fulfill my grandfather's wish as almost 25 years ago when he had visited Srinagar he was not able to go to this temple!!

We had our Lunch at Shamiyana Restaurant located at Boulevard Road. We also invited our driver to dine with us. We ordered Mutton Rogan Josh, Fish with mushroom and bamboo shoots. Both were very well prepared, the service was quick but the staff had a stern unfriendly look on their faces (??) Our driver had ordered Chicken Biryani which was quite spicy. He told us that Chicken Biryani is rarely prepared at their house and mainly they have Wazwan for dinner (which is like a multi course Kashmiri cuisine. How I wished to have that!! ) Our driver a young enthusiastic lad, very fond of cricket, got talking and told us that his family was in the business of shawls and stoles and they have counters at major stores of Bombay Selection in Delhi NCR and Mumbai.

After a pretty heavy meal we moved ahead to Manasbal Lake. We lazed around for a while in the backdrop of 'Pardesiyon se na ankhiyaan milana' being sung by some school girls who had come there for a picnic probably. You can take Shikara rides here too but it was too sunny and we were feeling quite lethargic...It is a good place to spend some time if you are in a group. 

Our next stop was Kheer bhawani temple. This is one of the most important temples for the Hindus of Kashmir. There were two three signboards outside which said that people who have consumed non-veg should not go inside so we were quite reluctant. Then one pandit ji came outside and we shared with him our dilemma. He gave us water to drink and made us wash our hands and legs and then told that we may go inside. Around the temple area there are many Chinar trees where one can sit and meditate. I was looking for some information booth where I could find some books/brochures on the temple and history (for my grandfather) but couldn't find any...

Our journey back to houseboat was delayed by traffic jams caused by passing sheep and goats....Back at our boats we rested for a while, had dinner at 9pm (though not quite hungry) and slept.

Day 3: 2 October

Our morning ritual remained the same...and we got ready by 9:00 AM to leave for Sonmarg. The journey itself was beautiful with River Sindh flowing along the road. You can stop in between to capture these amazing landscapes. 

There are also many Dhabas along the way and one can stop to freshen up and buy some chips, chocolates etc.
Taxis can go only up to one point at the base of Sonmarg. From there either you have to hire a pony or taxi or go by walk to the Glacier( we were told that walking was not an option, but we could see several enthusiasts walking...though mostly these were locals or those who were used to trekking). Even the local taxi (if you hire) can take you only up to around 4 kms, post that one can walk or take a pony.
Sonmarg is too commercialized and is run literally by the pony wallas (The dons of the area!!) Our driver introduced us to a pony walla and said that he will be taking you ahead. For a second we thought "Oh great, everything is arranged and we don't have to bargain" But we were so wrong. He quoted Rs1750 each for the last point (Glacier) and we were baffled!! After much negotiation (with a little help from our driver) we decided on Rs600 per pony. I was not happy!! Hmph!!
Anyway we decided not to spoil our moods and enjoy the nature around us. We were shown to point one where the Amitabh Bachan's movie 'Satte pe Satte' was shot and one where a famous song from the movie 'Ram Teri Ganga maili' (not seen but supposedly was quite a bold movie directed by Raj Kapoor) was shot. We stopped at some kind of base (some chai and maggi stalls available here) from where one had to walk to the actual Glacier. As we started to walk we realized we were actually on the Glacier. It was so muddy and dirty that one cannot differentiate!! We could see ahead us, the magnificent snow clad peaks and kept moving in that direction in hope!! It's all glacier you are walking on (once you scrape out the mud you can see clean ice ). Do remember to wear sturdy shoes and step carefully as one can easily slip. (Saying from experience ) We reached quite far from the base and we were the only ones who had gone so far but it was still a long way up...We sat on a rock amassing the beauty that surrounded us. Snow clad mountains on one side and lush greenery on the other side!! It was beautiful. We had few chips and biscuits and contemplated what to do...So Near Yet So Far....we decided to go back!! 

Glacier

We were not hungry so skipped lunch and decided to go back. On the way back we spotted a restaurant called 'Discover Point'. It is located beautifully but the restaurant was not so good and the service was cold. We just had tea and maggi, strolled in the park for a bit and left.

Once we reached Sringar, Mr. Rahim our houseboat owner asked us to drop at his shop/factory outlet. We got to know then that he was also in the business of exporting Shawls, carpets etc. His brother basically manages the business and they export majorly to UK and Australia. We didn't intend to buy anything so just sat for a while discussing politics and cricket over a cup of Kahwa.

With another exciting and long day ahead we decided to call it a night!!

Day 4: 3rd October

In the morning two shikara wallas came to our HB, One selling flowers and flower seeds and the other selling saffron. We politely refused and asked them to come back on 6th. We got ready quickly and left at 8:30 for Gulmarg. We skipped our Breakfast and took Bananas and Apples from our caretaker instead. We found traffic at the Srinagar-Jammu signal but other than that it was a smooth ride. We had initially planned to have breakfast at Tanmarg but didn't stop. From Tanmarg, Gulmarg is a 12 km very curvaceous road. We had pre-booked a JKTDC hut/cottage in Gulmarg and it took us a while to find our hut. We had reached there by 10:30 and though the check in time was noon we were taken to our hut where we freshened up quickly, dumped our bags and left to the Gondola ticket counter.
There was a separate queue for ladies and after a short while I got us tickets for both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Two-three guides came up to us saying that they could show us all the sightseeing points up there...one of them was quite persistent following us up to the cable chair itself!!
We were so thrilled to go up in the Cable chair...leaving the fine pine trees behind we were set to up to Gondola Ph 2 approx 13780 ft. It is a two stage ropeway. You have to get down at Ph1 and then go to Ph 2 by another cable chair. We decided to go to Ph2 first because the weather changes quickly up there which can affect your plans. 

And the weather did change and were in for a pleasant surprise!! As we reached Ph 2, we were welcomed by the season's first snowfall!! Woohoo!! Oh my God we were an excited ecstatic bunch of people there, jumping up and down with joy. The snowfall changed the whole landscape rapidly and we were not prepared for this...it got so chilly and numb but we enjoyed every bit of it.

From Ph2 one can go up to the frozen lake - Affarwat but due to the weather change there were announcements being made to return back quickly. I simply cannot describe in words what we felt. Both I and my husband had seen snowfall for the first time This was truly the highlight of our trip!!
We then went to Ph 1 (it wasn't snowing here up till now)and having realized we had not eaten anything since morning quickly went to the restaurants there. There are about 3-4 dhabha like restaurants lined together. We just chose one and ordered Kashmiri rice and Kahwa. After lunch we still had time to explore Ph1. Ph1 closes ay 5pm and despite what one hears there is no time limit as such. The wind was extremely chilly and we did not have proper shawls/stoles/caps to cover our heads and ears. We looked around if we could find a vendor selling anything of the sorts but couldn't find any. We anyway decided to trek up to Khilanmarg (about 6-7km of uphill walk). Not many people were going up there probably due to the weather but we found one beautiful family (Mr. Neeraj, his wife and two kids) who joined us along, making the trek more fun. It is an easy trek and highly recommended (prefer to walk over ponies). We could see above the snow now in Ph2. It snowed here too in bits and pieces for short intervals. We trekked up to the waterfall and played our own Fear Factor game....we removed our shoes and socks and went and stood in the chilly water...Oh God brain freeze for a second!! This was Mr. Neeraj's crazy idea, and I was unwilling to go but he was so delightfully persistent that I gave in and it was so fun!! The walk back was fun and we chit chatted throughout. We reached back to Gulmarg at around 5. By this time I was having a slight headache because of the cold, but we decided to walk around a bit, going to the temple through the Golf course. We sat in the temple for a while before walking back to our cottage.
The JKTDC hut was huge, cozy and clean and we had a pleasant night there. In the morning we were in such a rush that we hadn't seen the place properly. The living area was huge with a dining table, a sofa set, a T.V and a heater. One attached bathroom with hot water. There is one kitchen with the necessary utensils to cook a meal if one wants to. (All JKTDC properties provide only accommodation and no food) The bedroom was nice and cozy and spacious. After such a cold day we got the much needed rest in our wonderful beds which had electric blankets spread on them. While I rested my husband went out to explore and came back with packed dinner from a nearby hotel. He told me that the night sky was perfect with plenty of shining stars!!

We called it an early night after a 'beyond fantastic' day!!

Day 5: 4th October

We got up to a sunny morning and left the Glorious Gulmarg for our onward journey to Pahalgam at around 10:00. This was a long journey as Gulmarg-Srinagar-Pahalgam are in sort of a triangle and one has to touch Srinagar before going ahead to Pahalgam. We came across many apple orchards on our way and stopped at one to click pics and buy few apples.We also found there strawberry plants but being off season could only spot one or two. 

We also made a stop at a shop to buy walnuts and kesar. They were also selling cricket bats there and I pressed my husband to buy one. He is so find of the game but his busy office and sheer laziness doesn't give him the time to play. I thought once we buy the bat maybe things will change. However our driver secretly told us that the bat was not worth the price being quoted and he would take us to a bat manufacturing shop to purchase one. So our next stop was a bat manufacturing shop. After much deliberation hubby dear bought a bat for Rs900. Yayy!! 
We next went to Awantipura ruins. If you look closely the carvings are beautiful but there is not too much to look at as it is mostly completely in ruins. 

As we moved towards Pahalgam, the river Lidder accompanied us…glistening in the sun.
We reached our Hotel in Pahalgam around 4pm. We had booked Hotel Brown Palace and were upgraded to Cottage room. The Hotel had an old charm to it with mostly wood construction, cosy rooms with a fireplace and the sound of river Lidder which flows just outside. 
After a cup of tea we decided to explore the place by foot. The main market is a little away from the hotel at about 15 min of casual walk. We first went to Lidder view park, then strolled in the sreets hand-in-hand aimlessly. We then came across a small restaurant called Troutbeat. It is run by Hotel Pahalgam, one of the high end hotels in the area. Troutbeat specializes in serving Trout fish which is a rare river fish found only in few specific areas. Early morning the fish is caught from the local river Lidder in Pahalgam and so the variety of dishes/ quantity etc depends on that days catch. The ambience was very cool and funky with fish styled artifacts. We ordered one Trout and Chips and one Masala trout (comes with soft Parantha) which was more than sufficient for two. This is a must visit for Fish lovers.

With filled-happy tummies we started to walk again towards Deer Park. We were told that the Deer Park remained opened till 6pm but we reached around 5:45 and to our disappointment found it closed. We did spot few Deers from outside though. We then leisurely sat near the river enjoying the sights and sounds of the place...breathing all of it in. Purity. Serenity. Sublimity.

We reached our Hotel and rested for a while. They asked us what we would like to have for dinner and we had the option of having it in our rooms beside the fireplace. Their preparations were good and serving was also of good quantity.
The nights get cold in Pahalgam and we asked for an extra blanket which we were given promptly. 
End to Day 5!!

Day 6: 5th October

Today's itinerary was Kashmir Valley, Dabiyaan n Baisaraan by pony and then later Chandanwaari, Betaab Valley n Aru Valley by cab.
The pony was arranged by Mr. Ibrahim Raina(owner of Hotel Brown Palace) at Rs 500 per pony. So, after a nice breakfast in the garden we moved towards our sightseeing. Our pony wallah was quite a character!! He kept us entertained throughout, with many stories of the village and its life.
Baisaraan also called the Mini Switzerland was amazing! With the green meadow and majestic mountains surrounding it. We also did Zorbing there, which was quite thrilling!!

Back to base, our pony wallah left us at the taxi stand. We first had coffee and some pastry in Cafe Log Inn (another restaurant run by the Hotel Pahalgam) before taking the taxi. The taxi rates are fixed and we took a Maruti Omni for the three points. We first went to Chandanwaari. It is basically the point from where Amarnath Yatra starts and one can see the first steps to Amarnath. Rest we didn't see anything there as the road was under construction and the area was closed.
Next on list was Betaab Valley which got its name from Sunny Paji's movie - Betaab. We spent almost an hour here (our driver actually came inside to call us) - lying down, climbing trees n sitting with our feet in the water.

Our last stop was Aru Valley, which was in the opposite direction and quite an uphill road. The taxi leaves you at the base of Aru village; from there one can take a pony or walk. We decided to walk which turned out to be fun!! Once you reach the top you feel as if you are in another world, another time!! So far away from everything....
We reached back around 6pm....and then walked to our Hotel. Once again we had a nice dinner in our rooms while watching the West Indies-Australia cricket match!!

Day 7: 6th October

After breakfast, we checked out from our Hotel to go back to Srinagar. On the way, we wanted to go to the 'Mattan temple'. Our driver asked two three people including the CRPF men about the 'Sun temple' but they were not sure. We found one temple which said 'Mattan temple'. There was also a Gurudwara next to it. As you enter the temple, the first thing you notice is the massive clear ponds with numerous fishes in it. The temple is dedicated to the Sun God. It was clean and pristine, and we spent a little time there. Once again we sought to find some books on the temple but couldn't find any!!
We reached Srinagar around 1pm and decided to have lunch at Ahdoos. We decided to give one last treat to our taste buds...our last Kashmiri meal. We ordered Goshtaba, a huge meat ball in curd based gravy. We enjoyed the food, ambiance and service.

We reached our houseboat around 3pm and to our delight had been upgraded to the suite room. The room was enormous as compared to our earlier room (but my husband preferred the smaller room, it was more cosy). We rested for a while, had tea and left for a relaxing Shikara ride. The beautiful sunset, the crisp wind against our faces, the rhythm of the paddle....Some experiences as they say are Priceless!! 

When we reached our houseboat we had in store another pleasant surprise. Mr. Rahim and Anna had arranged for a small cake to celebrate our anniversary. We asked them to join us in our celebration and also had beer (on the house). This gesture of theirs truly won our hearts!!
Called it a night after an early dinner.

Day 8 - Goodbye Srinagar

We got up at 4:30 am, got ready and left on our Shikara to the floating vegetable market. It was so cold but thankfully the shikara had a nice clean blanket at hand. I was so sleepy and cold and was almost dozing off when our Shikara wallah got us Kahwa and Kashmiri bread out of nowhere. The Kashmiri Bread was round and fluffy, crunchy and sweet-salty in taste. The floating vegetable market was a unique experience. We could see almost all kinds of vegetables being sold there - from lotus stem, cauliflower, spinach to what not!! There were also few vendors selling Saffron, tea, Kashmiri Masalas, flowers etc.
On our way back to the houseboat I again dozed off for a while.

We were reaching the most difficult part of our journey - The goodbye. We got ready, had our breakfast and bid farewell to our wonderful hosts.
Our flight was at 2:00 pm and we left our houseboat at about 11:30 as the airport checks take almost an hour to complete. You have to go through 3 checks and at the last check your handbag is checked thoroughly and they examine all the handbags' contents.
We still had time to have some chips while we waited for our flight to be announced. On the first floor of the airport you have a few eating options and a bookshop.

Carrying with us the fond memories of Kashmir we boarded our flight back to Delhi, sure of the fact that we were going to visit the region again to discover its adventurous side!!

Afterword

Writing this TR has rekindled so many happy memories. With improving situation of the land I hope that the tourism keeps flourishing. Kashmir has lots to offer to all kinds of people. It has it famous religious sites, the beautiful landscapes, trekking and excursions for the adventure enthusiasts and provides a relaxing environment for those who just want to get away from their maddening city lives. There are still few problems that the government and the tourist industry need to take care of like preserving its natural ecology, discouraging touts and excess commercialization. And I think we travelers can help a great deal in this regards....Keep Traveling, Keep Exploring and Keep Sharing!! 
*Love*

Landfill Harmonic – The Recycled Orchestra

April 8, 2013, 2:55 am

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The world sends us garbage. We send back music. ~ Favio Chavez, Orchestra Director

Inspiration. Creativity. Courage. Spirit.....This is what you see in this video. A story about a group of children from a slum in Paraguay whose basis means of living is garbage collection, recycled waste and made harmonious musical instruments. Landfill Harmonic is an unusual orchestra band comprising of kids from a slum village made on a garbage landfill, who play instruments made entirely from trash - violins made from oil drums, flutes made from water pipes etc.

They have not only transformed their own lives but have brought thw world to take notice of the two devil issues of our lives - Poverty and Waste pollution.

RESPECT!!

To know more about them, visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/landfillharmonicmovie

From their website:

Our film will showcase the power of creativity, hope, empowerment, and community work. We began official production in 2011. We filmed some of the children who learned to play violin, flute, drums, cello, string bass, and more – all made from recycled metal drums, tin cans, and plastic pipes. Their spirits soar with each note they play.
We are returning to the village in 2012 to update the progress of three young children who recently entered the orchestra. Landfill Harmonic shows how trash and recycled materials can be transformed into beautiful sounding musical instruments, but more importantly, it brings witness to the transformation of precious human beings.
Our lives were changed in making this film so far – and with your help in allowing us to complete it, we hope to change yours.



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Peach Inspired Home Decor Ideas

April 8, 2013, 12:45 pm

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Wow!! Right?? My beautiful Peach Lilies in full bloom in my balcony garden.

This Lily flower pot was gifted by my Mom & the color of the flower was a surprise to me...PEACH!! Loving it!!
Soft, Gentle, Elegant and Romantic it's inspired me to give you some Peachy Home decor ideas!! :)

A peach paper lantern
I love the below pic from Martha Stewart but considering the onset of hot hot summers here in India,
I would prefer this lantern against a lighter background say white linen curtains...Watsay?



Peachy Accessories
This is what I'm talking about....Perfect combination of Peaches and Whites!!
Lovin the terra-cotta peachy curtains/shades...Courtesy Martha Stewart



Peach Wall Art
A Canvas painting/ Oil painting or a Vintage Photo, any of these peach inspired Wall Decor can add a bit of sophistication to your rooms...Courtesy Etsy

Aaahh Vintage Look!!

Peach with Black n White
I love the below sitting area. If you have a bold decor (by the way crazy about the majestic black and white high back sofa), you can simply slip in a simple peach cushion for a gentle touch!! Courtesy saragilbaneinteriors




Peach and Mint Green

Nothing defines freshness more than these cool colours...perfect for a summer home. Courtesy Zazzle


Salt n Pepper Shakers

A little something for our dining tables too....hand painted rose and peach rosebuds....
Aren't we cute?? Courtesy Etsy




Peach n More

Leaving you with one last peach inspired home space....Courtesy Myhomerocks
Very creative use of corner with apt use of Peach, White n Green....



I never thought of Peach as a home decor colour until my Lilies showed me the way....Would love to hear from you and know if you would allow peaches into your home this Summer??
*Love*

BREAK FREE from Struggling Mornings

April 11, 2013, 6:34 am

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I don't follow a fitness regime as such...Dancing is my only excercise!! I go for Contemporary, Jazz and Modern dance training four times a week and that's good enough for me (hmm... at least I believe so!!)
However, knowing the benefits of Yoga, which I had learned and practiced diligently before tying the marital knot (and not so regularly after that), I had decided as my new year's resolve (I know it's April already...how time flies) to practice Yoga every morning for at least 15-20 minutes.

Ahem...Didn't get started until today!!

Struggling with the cruel winters, battling the inner demons of laziness, facing the procrastination bully and finally fighting the urge to sleep that extra 10 min once you hit the snooze on your alarm, I finally emerged standing tall and Wow I feel good!!

This break free might also be viewed as a Divine Intervention :) with today being one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calender, the first day of the Navratri festival!!

I am writing this post basically as a reminder to myself and to stay motivated, with your kind help of course!! Please help me not to divert from this path and not to give in to the temptation of snugly morning bed!!
Stay Healthy. Stay Beayoutiful. *Love*

Here's what I did today (thought I should share and inspire you) :

Suryanamaskar 1 set
Crunches 2 sets of 8
Pilates 3 sets of 8
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Back bending) once
Sarvangasan (Shoulder stand) once

The Games we used to play...

April 12, 2013, 10:20 am

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In the age where kids, even those aged 3-4 yrs, can play games on laptops, iPads n play stations with so much ease, I think of the days when i was a kid...
Happy, Carefree, Silly :) n oh yes Imaginative!! Sigh...Nostalgic...

So many outdoor games...never getting tired of the crazy fun times we used to have with our friends.

Hide and Seek was one of the most popular outdoor game (indoor as well...if you consider, me hiding while my mom searching desperately for me during meal times to feed me, as one). I've played this for ages, up untill 9th standard if i can remember correctly!!

Just a simple game of Pakdam Pakdai was also a lot of fun with a group of friends, huffing and puffing and trying to dodge the catcher. Another version of the same was Chain-Chain...we certainly knew how to manage a human chain :)

Kho-Kho and Kabaddi were again two personal favourites. I remember once while playing a friend's tunic or shirt was torn...so fierce..err...or should i say so spirited we were!!

For us girls, doll play was a serious business... :) where our Barbie dressed up and went for High Tea or dinner dates with Ken!! Remember this song from AQUA....?? I also danced on this song with my sister during a colony function...imagine!!

"I'm a barbie girl, in the barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic!
you can brush my hair, and dress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation"   

Then there were the hand clapping games, played as a duo ending with one of us in 'Statue'                  Do you remember how the rhymes went.....


Uma Joshi, yay yay yay
My mother she told me, sixty years ago
There came an old man knocking at the door
With an ooh aah
I want some pah (pie)
The pie is sweet
i want some meat
The meat is rough
I want to go by bus
The bus is full
I want to ride a bull
The bull is fat
I want my money back
The money is green
I want some cherry beans
The cherry is red
I want to go to bed
The bed is  - white...I want to say good night...
                 - yellow...You're a dirty fellow
                    green -  You're a fairy queen


Ham Cheese Ham Burger
Sauce potato chip chip chip 
Sauce potato chip chip chip
Cream Roll Mutton Roll Chicken Roll Ham

Remember how we used to decide teams or the denner/catcher

In Pin safety-pin
In pin out...khelna hai toh khelo....varna get out!

Inky Pinky Ponky
Father had a donkey
Donkey died, Father cried
Inky Pinky Ponky

I'm literally rolling on the floor laughing....I think i'll just go and play a game with my sister and relive the good old days!!

If you guys remember any such games or any childhood silliness...do share!!





                                           

Happy B'day Daddy Strongest!!!

April 15, 2013, 10:24 am

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To Our Mentor, Our Guide, Our Friend!!

Dear Papa,

Just a small thank you....

For believing in us,

For letting us make our own mistake and learn from them,

For the independence to tread unknown paths and find our own way!!!

Happy Birthday Pa!!

Love you loads,

Aditi n Pavni :)

Chocolate-Orange Cake Recipe

Baking credits: Pavni Kaushiva
Beauty credits: Aditi Kaushiva

This yumilicious Cake was baked especially for Papa dearest on his B'day!! This recipe is always a winner... :)

Ingredients:

1 cup curd
1 3/4 cup maida/ flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil (vegetable cooking oil)
1/3 cup milk
1 cup orange juice
1 tspn soda bicarb
1 tspn baking soda
vanilla essence

Method:

Set oven to preheat at 170 deg C.
Seive flour and cocoa mix. Whisk in oil and sugar. Add curd. Add and mix portions of flour. Add milk in between and keep mixing the batter till rich and creamy. Add juice and essence.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour...
Decorate the cake with orange slices, grated chocolate or chocolate shavings and some powdered sugar.

ONE.TWO.THREE...BLOW THE CANDLES...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU DEAREST PA!!

My first Indiblogger Meet

April 17, 2013, 11:43 am

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I have been swamped with office work for the past 3 days, and though I have been itching to pen down the experience of my very first Indiblogger Meet, didn’t get the time till today…

So this 14^th April, I was feeling like a kid going to school on her very first day, excited  & nervous, unaware and  in anticipation of  how the day would unfold!!

My husband, supporting my child like enthusiasm, offered to drive me down to the venue…and so we started off on a dreamy sunny noon to Blue Frog, Mehrauli for the "Microsoft #MeetOffice365 IndiBlogger Meet". We reached without any bumps or stops…and well before time…The venue offers huge space …from a neon lighted super cool pub, to an open terrace, to a casual dining area. I explored the area and also got a view of the Qutub Minar, standing tall & mighty, carrying with it centuries old stories of history and culture.

Blue Frog

Ritu Chaturvedi

I got to meet few bloggers…got acquainted with Vivek,  Kundan, Mr. Arvind Passey, Mrs. Sangita Passey (who are now my twitter buddies too!! Thanks Kundan for getting me active on twitterJ)

Finally after much wait, the registration started and  I got my very first Indiblog tee!! (Super cool and have not got tired of flaunting it !!)

The meet opened with Anoop Johnson taking the stage, capturing us with his wit, charm and humour, distributing freebies to a numbers game…

After an interesting round of introductions (imagine the diversity…from IT to cooking to generic blogs; from people travelling from Hissar , Muzzafarnagar and Dehradun, with bloggers from backgrounds as varied as Army, Navy, Banking and  Advertising etc….Wooshh!!), we welcomed on stage Ms. Ritu Chaturvedi, Head, Microsoft Office 365.

I believe by the end of the session Ms. Chaturvedi must have been quite overwhelmed by the tremendous response and very apt questions posed by the bloggers.

Well, in a nutshell below is my understanding of the Office 365:

*  You can work from virtually anywhere, using the same applications that you use in office at your home PC, your mobile or tablet.

*All your files and folders are automatically saved online on a Cloud, so it is easy to access them anytime from any given place. Any changes or reviews that are made will automatically be synchronized at all your workstations.

*If you want to share your files with your colleagues/ clients/ friends, you can invite them to have online access; and control/limit as to who gets to see what!!

I work in the banking sector, and as someone had rightly pointed out in the session, given certain security concerns and RBI guidelines, Office 365 will take some time to create a market in this particular industry. However I see great scope and benefits of Office 365 for SME’s and other industry areas such as advertising and media.

We had one more brief presentation from Airtel, but we were all eagerly waiting for the session to end and lay our hands on the eats and drinks, so most of us weren’t paying much attention!!

Saving the best for the last, sumptuous non veg snacks along with beer and cocktails made for an excellent platform to engage with some more enthusiastic bloggers. I met Paromita, Ritu Lalit and few others and  enjoyed  chatting with all.

The fantastic evening ended with once again some distributing of tees and mice (Yes, Anoop that is what you kept on saying ;)) ,to my surprise a Nokia Lumia handset (That lucky girl…for tweeting a fab post….envious!! ;)) and a group photograph.

Just a month old in this blogging world, I never knew before that such a platform/community existed!! A community where anyone and everyone from any corner of the country can share their thoughts & opinions, their highs & lows, their dreams and fantasies, their hopes ad aspirations…

A heartfelt Thanks to the entire Indiblogger team for their continuous efforts and initiative in making this blogging community so interactive and fun, and giving all of us a platform to share our little worlds with millions out there just like us!!

Love...Life...& Music

April 19, 2013, 5:21 am

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My grandparents’ was a Love Story….A musical Melody!! My Dadi used to sing for the Akashwani during 1950-60 in Lucknow when my Dada ji fell in love with her sweet voice….and as they say, rest is History!! My parents, though a product of the arranged marriage institution, bonded and fell in love, over Music. My father a Music aficionado and my Mother a classically trained singer from Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya (Lucknow), are true examples of two completely different individuals coming together over Music!!

Music runs in our Family, it is in our blood…it is our way of Life!! No family get together is complete without a musical sitting. As kids, a duo of us sisters was a must….from Shaan’s ‘Tanha Dil ‘ to Shuba Mudgal’s ‘Seekho Na’ to Shania Twain's 'You're still the One' to Avril Lavigne’s ‘It's complicated’ !!

For me personally, music is everywhere…it’s the energy all around…from the morning sunlight that peeps into your room to the chirping of birds and swaying of trees, the sounds of children playing and the silence of lovers….

As Maya Angelou very rightly said

“Everything in the Universe has a Rhythm, everything Dances”.

 As a dancer, I believe that it is the Music that determines the body of Dance, Dance and Music compliment each other…Ask any dancer or choreographer, one first listens to the music, understands the soul of the song and then choreographs/designs the steps depending on his/her interpretation of the mood of the song.  What I’m trying to say is….Well, on second thoughts, I’ll just let the below quote do the talking, coz as for me…I can go on and on and on about Music!!

“Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear music”– George Carlin

The above post is for the HP Connected Music India campaign. Early this year, Hewlett Packard India tied up with Universal Music India and Hungama.com to give its users awesome experience of regional and global digital music. Can't wait to find out more about this service...eagerly waiting for tomorrow's HP Connected Music IndiBlogger Meet!!

Pan fried chicken breast with honey chilli sauce

April 21, 2013, 1:06 pm

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A relaxing sunday, a little self pampering...catching up with old friends n watching a

movie which has been sitting on your lappy for long....but the day doesn't end without a sumptuous meal!!! Unbelievably I cooked this in flat half hour....true that!!

Ingredients:

1 capsicum

1 onion

250 gm chicken breast

soya sauce

vinegar

chilli sauce

honey

olive oil

salt

pepper

ginger garlic paste

Method:

Cut the onions and capsicum in cubes. Heat olive oil in a pan, saute the onions n capsicum. Add salt n pepper as per taste. On a cutting board, beat the chicken breasts till flat. Add 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, 1 tbsp soya sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar and 2 tbsp olive oil. Mix well onto the chicken breasts (best u use your hands). Let this marinate while you prepare the sauce. 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp soya sauce, 2 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp chilli sauce...mix and done. Pan fry the chicken breasts till done...serve with the veggies...pour some sauce over n devour in the yumminess!! Cheers!! We are enjoying this with a bottle of chilled Carlsberg right now!!

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Fighting Cancer with Apollo

April 28, 2013, 1:08 am

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She would have been 25 this year....
When she was diagnosed, she was a teenager....Jovial, Spirited, Independent....Finding her way in this world, looking forward to stepping out of the school life, giggling over phone into the night over cute boys!!
Imagine the pain, disbelief, frustration and anger when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, that too in the later stage....

Sadly in India, Cancer is still regarded as a disease of adults and childhood cancer is not yet a major area of focus..... However, 1.6 - 4.8% of all Cancer cases in India occur in children less than 15 years of age!! (Source: www.cankidsindia.org). An important reason for the late diagnosis or mis- diagnosis in teens is that initial symptoms are not taken seriously, thinking it to be silly teenage mood swings mostly. Also, teens don't confide easily, feeling too embarrassed to discuss their problems with adults. One can never imagine, what they go through....on one hand they are seeking independence and have a new found love for the mirror, to suddenly becoming totally dependent again and loosing their looks, becoming bloated, loosing hair etc....

Having lost a dear friend to this demon, I appreciate and welcome any innovative approach to Cancer Therapy.

Early this year, Apollo Hospitals, India's leading healthcare provider announced its plans to establish a Proton Therapy Center in India.A first of its kind across South East Asia, Africa and Australia, it will give patients access to the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Recognizing, the demand/need for specialty cancer treatment hospitals in India, Apollo has once again led game changing developments in Healthcare (http://www.apollohospitals.com/cutting-edge.php).
Hopefully, the Proton therapy with its superior dose distribution and fewer side effects, will help in cases where treatment options are limited and conventional radiation therapy presents risks to patients.

Note: This post is my take on "How Modern Healthcare touch lives?" written for #ApolloTouchingLives.

Weekend Special: Chicken in creamy mushroom sauce & Broccoli soup

May 12, 2013, 12:43 am

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So we did our own special Mother's day lunch this Saturday itself. Mum had her PTM  in school and she had asked us to cook something yum for her....The after taste of chicken in white wine and mushroom sauce that I had had recently at Big Chill Cafe was still lingering...so I thought of doing my own rendition of it!!
To make it a healthy luncheon I included a broccoli soup n some sauteed veggies...

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (800g - 1kg),
1 onion (paste for marination)
4-5 garlic cloves (paste for marination)
About 3 cm of garlic (paste for marination)
Olive oil
Salt (as per taste)
Pepper ( as per taste)
Red chilli powder (1 level tsp)

2 tbsp wheat
1 1/2 cup milk (depending as per thickness of sauce)

100 gm diced mushrooms
One big onion finely cut

Method:
Marinate the chicken in olive oil, ginger garlic and onion paste, salt, pepper and red chilli powder. Cover and keep in fridge for half an hour.
In a pan roast the wheat. Let it cool. Add chilled milk and blend well. Once the paste is smooth, put on stove and cook till the desired consistency is achieved.
In another pan heat olive oil and add finely chopped onions. Add the mushrooms...it will let out water on its own. Cook till its dry and then add the white sauce.
Now cook the chicken. It already has olive oil so I din't add again. Cover and cook till the chicken is done. Now add the white mushroom sauce.
Ready and tempting!!

Broccoli soup credits go to my mausi. This soup is high on nutrients and antioxidants and so easy to make.

Ingredients:
2 full brocollis
Salt
Pepper

Method:
Cut the brocollis roughly and put it to boil with 4 cups of water. When done, blend it finely either in mixie or hand blender. Add salt and pepper to taste and we are set for a sumptuous luncheon.

This would go very well with a good white wine. Smile n eat to your hearts' content. Cheers"!

Turning Stones into Gems

May 13, 2013, 11:55 am

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Today, as I stood in this quaint and beautiful store at Sab Mall Noida, a haven to a rare collection of gems and crystals, I overheard the gentleman at the counter, speak to a fellow customer, mentioning his hometown as Lucknow, locality as Nirala nagar, and the house no. the next to where I grew up...I stood rooted for a moment. I couldn't believe he was one of those boys, our next door neighbour!! !! I waited until he was free and approached him with a knowing smile, "Hi, I couldn't help but hear you say that you're from Lucknow, are you one of the Maheshwaris?” After a series of excited and animated exchange of notes, of bonding over the old times and fond memories of our locale, a feeling of enormous respect and admiration encompassed me. 

Desh Maheswari, sixth in a family of eight brothers has come a long way from those days of selling malas. I vividly remember how all the eight brothers along with their docile mother, diligently, religiously, strung beads into a thread and sold these in the neighbouring houses. Day in and day out, this was their routine after school, their sole source of income. We sisters, found these boys a little strange. We never saw them outside their homes playing gully cricket or kanchas, like the other boys. Introvert and shy, we had minimal interaction then. So I was surprised when he inquired, “Are you the eldest of the three sisters? I always admired how your parents gave you three the best of education and led an exemplary life themselves.” Even as I responded to all his queries, I realised how he cared and knew quite a bit about our lives, whereas all we knew about them came from hearsay. Looking at him today, I realise Life is a Teacher in itself, providing much more valuable lessons than what textbook/school education can. 

As I look around his shop, which is incidently named after him, I could sense the sweat and the blood that he has shed to get to where he is today. The shop, though small in area, was well organized with an array of alluring gemstones in various shapes, strung out to form beautiful pieces of jewellery, each of which had its own merit and purpose, as explained to me by Desh. Agate, Amethyst, Tiger eye, Citrine, Moonstone – he could count off so many from the top of his head with a detailed explanation of their properties too!

A short while into our conversation, I see Desh, pulling out a file from his drawer, "Did you ever hear about my short acting stint?” he asked with a glint in his eyes. I recalled there was a rumour that one of the boys had gone to Mumbai to try his luck as an actor. Curious and bemused now more than ever, I glanced at the file he had taken out. It contained numerous cuttings from old magazines and newspapers. "I gave my first screen test in 1973" he said boyishly. This day was turning out to be quite thrilling. I resisted the urge to call up my Mom and elder sister to share all this and concentrated on what Desh was telling. He had acted as a child/teen actor in Hindi films Badla, Jagriti, Khoon Pasina and many more.

 

From the movie 'Jagriti'

From the movie 'Jeena Yahan'

From the movie 'Khoon Pasina' "Wow, so how did this journey from an actor to a jeweller come about?” I asked. "Sister, one has to come back to one's nest sooner or later. Since when I was a kid I had this fire in me to become something, to become Dhanwaan. That was the reason I was tempted to the’ Celluloid Capital of India’, and although I had bagged a few roles in small time films, yet there was no certainty in that line. So I moved to Delhi, to do what I knew best, threading beads to make simple jewellery, though now the beads had been replaced by precious stones. I gained knowledge about Gemology, healing stones, crystals and the lot. The more I studied about this filed the more it fascinated and intrigued me”. There is so much positive energy about him. It is all in the stones, Desh points out. "I started this shop in 2002, to introduce people to the power of healing stones and how this can help achieve physical and mental peace". With an experience of about forty years now, Desh has an infallible and unfaltering knowledge about natural healing and the inherent ability within each individual to self-heal themselves using their natural environment. Just being with him for a few hours, listening to his life journey one feels inspired, motivated and empowered to seek ones true God given purpose and not waste away the precious time that one has in hand.                                                                                                  Over a cup of tea we discussed about our children and families and I picked up a couple of elegant pieces of jewellery. The very next day when I wore one to school, I had no idea that there would be quite a few of my colleagues making a bee line to this amazing store of gems. Now, with a clientele which includes the rich and famous, and a business that is fast expanding worldwide, I marvel at how grounded this man still is. Not blinded by success, deep rooted in his culture, humble at heart – this entrepreneur has a long way to go. (Image source: Google and www.deshmaheshwari.com)

I wish to get my story published in Chicken Soup for the Indian Entrepreneurs Soul in association with BlogAdda.com

I want to Rise....

May 17, 2013, 9:33 pm

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18. I WANT to Rise .......Rise above all the pettiness, grudges, ego and hate all around and become a more loving and forgiving person each day!!

A part of the May Photo A Day Challenge

My Favourite View - Sunset!!

May 19, 2013, 3:39 am

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SUNSETS are my favourite time of the day!! Enjoying a cup of coffee as the sun goes down, one gets time to reflect on the day that has gone by...

This picture clicked almost a year back on a trip to the quaint and serene hill station Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh, India) is one of my precious ones!!

A part of the May Photo A Day Challenge