tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23098443437981659102024-03-15T18:09:25.104-07:00My Numberless DreamsI have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams...mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-47883527492099996842021-09-29T07:47:00.011-07:002021-09-29T09:56:02.818-07:00Aloha!<p>It's been a while I wrote and today I as I begin another chapter I find it hard to reconcile with my old posts. Just went through one and I already hate it. Is this mine! Did I write this ever! Disbelief hitting me hard. On the flip side, I am told that it's quite normal to disown our own writings after a while. When we wake up to another day our views, our ideas and our capability to see and conceive things change. We evolve everyday and I like to believe it's for the better. </p><p>I think, I should leave it at that and move ahead from there just as I have had from the pre corona times. It goes without saying that it had been an extraordinary times. A time of despair, lack of hope and loss of loved ones. People fell sick, people lost their job and people died. It was happening everywhere and no amount of riches could save people from the claws of death. How devastating can it go! </p><p>I too went through a harrowing time. I resigned from job after my father fell ill and after months of sleepless nights and earnest prayers he survived just about. As a primary caregiver it's been very exhausting emotionally. I was hoping for the best, trying to give in my utmost and gathering blessing from all around in hope of good times. And we survived the bad time. People were dying everywhere and we are indeed blessed to have passed through all of it. The dream board really paid back. </p><p>One day at a time.</p><p>This too shall pass.</p><p>Gratitude. Kindness. Prayers. </p><p>to be contd...</p><p><br /></p>mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-35004660822291744582018-07-03T01:51:00.004-07:002018-07-05T23:52:20.658-07:00Bengali style ghugni and a nutritious nostalgia <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday being Sunday was the day when I was supposed to wrap up my pending job from the week. In spite all my effort to extend the sleep time, I woke up at seven in the morning. Life is so strange - <br />
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on
working days I struggle to wake up in the morning but on holidays my eyes are
wide open at the wee hours of dawn!<br />
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So, I woke up around five in the morning, lazed on the bed till seven and when I finally found myself sipping the first
tea of the day it was already eight. It was around this time my mother found out that 'mashi', our cook, would not be able to come since she has to attend a mourning
in the family. Such days are a gift! When she is on leave, mom is at her best delivering some extra ordinary moments with some lovely, delicious food. So, I was quite elated but on the second thought I decided to take up the cudgel in my own hand and proudly declared that I would cook myself.<br />
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We decided on a simple Bengali
platter - teto dal (lentil with bitter gourd), kochur loti (a typical bengali
vegetable), mach bhaja (fish fry), mutton curry and ghugni. Today, I will only talk about ghugni though. Ghugni is a delicious, easy to prepare, nutritious food made from white peas or matar seasoned with some enigmatic Indian spices. It's nutritious, filling, cheap and is extremely popular with the students and the office goers.<br />
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For me ghugni is more than just a food. It's a nostalgia! One of the fond remembrances was the times when we were served yellow matar ghugni, with chopped onions and fresh lime juice, in a friend's house. After a sprightly play session when our hunger pangs used to be at the top, we found ourselves delving in it like we had not eaten for days. This is not an exaggeration of any sort. We did not miss any opportunity to visit that friend in anticipation of having to eat it. On retrospect, it was more of a camaraderie than real likeness for the food. This is probably because it was not cherished in our home as much. We were always eating either poha or bread or parantha. It was much later, when we were all grown up and had developed our own tastes, that we started to like it. Meanwhile my mother also whetted her culinary skills and mastered her own recipe of ghugni.<br />
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Ghugni was extremely popular back then. The easy availability of the not so expensive ingredients had made it a household favourite. What is more interesting - it used to attain a ritualistic significance during the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Puja" target="_blank">Bijoya Dashami</a> day when we were suitably contained in the food. After the idol immersion of Durga, there used to be a surge in eating ghugni. As a part of Bengal's most revered ritual we visited the elders and touched their feet. They, in turn, would bless us with all their heart and give us money as a token of love. And then the most exciting part - they would serve us with bountiful nimki, nakel naru (coconut laddu) and ghugni! Although, most of us no longer engage in such sweet little things nowadays but remember those beautiful moments with much fondness. Now coming to the recipe:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmT9fpsNROcy0KfNqxO9-Vr3MUakb8WOmPkB_wq5gsskmLkKeJl8ZAdUkqWgDiAiX8YCSPXq7MyJ6rRoi1uPqa7Dw1B-fmKhPCJK8gTad3RxSspVmsSelScgQ9HJirVAOfDCnSY1MfK0/s1600/IMG-20180703-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1052" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmT9fpsNROcy0KfNqxO9-Vr3MUakb8WOmPkB_wq5gsskmLkKeJl8ZAdUkqWgDiAiX8YCSPXq7MyJ6rRoi1uPqa7Dw1B-fmKhPCJK8gTad3RxSspVmsSelScgQ9HJirVAOfDCnSY1MfK0/s400/IMG-20180703-WA0000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>What you will need for ghugni</b></div>
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White peas (matar)Ginger (chopped)</div>
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Garlic (chopped)</div>
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Onion (cut into cubes)</div>
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Green chili (chopped)</div>
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Tamarind pulp</div>
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Coriander leaves (chopped)</div>
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Potato (cut into half inches cubes) (optional)</div>
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Tomatoes (chopped) (optional)</div>
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Coconut slices (optional)</div>
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Turmeric powder</div>
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<b>For ground spices (masala)</b></div>
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Cumin seeds whole<br />
Coriander seeds whole</div>
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Dry red chili whole</div>
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Bay leaves</div>
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Garam masala powder (optional)</div>
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Soak the white peas over night or at least 5-6 hours. You
may add a pinch of baking soda to help the peas swell nicely. In a pressure
cooker add the soaked peas, the potato cubes, cut onion, ginger, garlic,
turmeric powder and salt. Add double the water of the matar. Close the lid and
wait for one whistle and keep it aside till the pressure releases.</div>
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In a wok put mustard oil. Add cumin seeds, bay leaves and
allow it to sizzle. Pour the seasoning into the pressure cooker. Cook for 7-8
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Meanwhile heat the cumin, coriander seeds and the whole red chilies.
Grind them nicely and store in an air tight container to retain as much flavour
as you can. (You may add <a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2018/05/prepare-bengali-garam-masala-at-home.html" target="_blank">garam masala powder</a> as well.)</div>
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Sprinkle 1 tea spoon of ground masala and 1 teaspoon of
tamarind pulp in the ghugni, bring to boil and close the lid. Here, you can
add garam masala powder.<br />
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Serve this delicious ghugni with some finely chopped onion and coriander leaves. Sprinkle a dash of masala and tamarind pulp on the top
and enjoy it guilt free. I eat it with bread toast with generous spread of butter <a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-big-fat-surprise-myth-of-high-carb.html" target="_blank">(The Big Fat Surprise)</a> on it or just simple
hand made roti (phulka). This is mostly the case, when I am very hungry and want to eat some sumptuous comfort food. It definitely suits my needs, fills my tummy and calms me down in times of cranky hungry moments. Some other times, you will find me eating it outside, with friends, along with some nicely done aloo tikka. So, do look out when you come across a ghugni stall in front of <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304558-d6496362-Reviews-Vardaan_Shopping_Complex-Kolkata_Calcutta_Kolkata_District_West_Bengal.html" target="_blank">Vardaan Market</a> in Camac street in Kolkata. Trust me, that place sells the most amazing ghugni in the city.</div>
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Thank you for visiting. Do try and let me know and also, share your own recipe.</div>
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You may also like:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2018/05/authentic-bengali-shukto-vegetable.html" target="_blank">Authentic Bengali 'niramish' shukto recipe</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2015/03/your-own-bengali-recipe-potoler-dolma.html" target="_blank">Your own Bengali recipe of potoler dolma/ dorma</a></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-13791396578504227242018-06-29T00:31:00.003-07:002018-07-08T08:19:23.929-07:00Living with chronic acne and my Sotret experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you read through my blogs you will know how paranoid I am
with my chronic acne condition. It’s been there since my preteen days and
never quite left me. I could always relate to those commercials that had a pretty girl, with a forever surprising look, who wakes up every morning to new breakouts. That was exactly my story (except the pretty part) but sadly no OTC med could cure me of my breakouts totally. In subsequent days, I was made to believe that my acne will go away once I
become older. However, things got worse over the years. Much later, a few years ago, my routine
blood workup detected under active thyroid gland and low vitamin D level. I was
started on Levothyroxine and on Vitamin D replacement.<br />
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-daily-care-regime-for-acne-prone.html" target="_blank">My daily care routine to keep off acne </a></div>
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-pimple-saga-continues.html" target="_blank">And my pimple saga continues</a></div>
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Almost two years have passed since and I am doing fine
except for the acne part. I can tell you it’s most annoying to live with
something that makes your life less extraordinary. It’s not worth to live with
a constant pain of not being able to get rid of an apparently benign medical
condition. There must be a cure and I must see the end and I decided
to see a dermatologist. </div>
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<b>The first visit</b></div>
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The doctor heard me out. He sat through my ramblings, examined my face
and asked for a few blood workups and started me on medication. These are new blood workup for me.</div>
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LH (Luteinizing hormone), FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone), Prolactin, Testesterone, TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone)</div>
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He also started me on:</div>
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Mizoz ER (Minocycline) antibiotic x 1 month</div>
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D Acne Foaming Facewash</div>
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UV Acne Sunscreen</div>
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Deriva BPO Gel</div>
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Asked me to stop all kind of cosmetic and market products</div>
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Asked me stop all natural products (yogurt, honey, facepacks, eggs, besan etc.)</div>
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<b>After 3 weeks of first visit:</b></div>
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I was feeling much better inside and out. The itchiness had reduced, the cystic
pimples dried up. A few fresh bumps did show up but those were of harmless kind
and subsided soon with Deriva BPO gel. The only disappointing thing - the acne
had started to leave dark scars on my face.</div>
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<b>On the second visit after 4 weeks </b></div>
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My doctor told me that I look better. My general pathology is reasonably
good. Meanwhile I also did ultrasound to rule out PCOS and it was normal too. He
then asked me if I am pregnant or planning to get pregnant because he wants to
start me on a medicine called Sotret which pregnant women cannot take since there is high risk of serious birth defects. </div>
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<a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-74915/sotret-oral/details" target="_blank">Sotret is Isotretinoin</a> molecule prescribed for
treating severe nodular acne and is supposed to be very effective with my kind
of chronic acne. I was bit apprehensive but then I was willing to go to any extent to get rid off my
acne. </div>
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So, on the second visit I was started on:</div>
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<a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-74915/sotret-oral/details" target="_blank">Sotret 20 mg </a>OD x 1 month</div>
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Emolene hydrating cream </div>
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So, he started me on Sotret 20 mg once daily and asked to drink
profuse water along with it. With all the goodness Sotret comes with some noticeable changes and my side effects got prominent pretty soon. Within 3-4 days my face
got noticeably tan, skin dried up, lips, throat and eyes were considerably dehydrated. This is inspite of applying the moisturizing cream 2 times at
least. I also started applying eye lubricant. </div>
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<b>After 3 weeks of second visit:</b></div>
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I am on the third week of Sotret now and have not been too
much cranky as many on Isotretinoin complain of. However the hyperpigmentation,
dry skin and withered look continue to pull me down off and on.</div>
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My third visit is pending on the third week of July. Will
keep you posted. </div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-37824138083014911522018-06-21T00:49:00.000-07:002018-06-22T23:03:07.121-07:00Family time and mom's food - the best things in life!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib68GexmiPb9K4PCiB0cWc0KLBKo32rBw5fVh1igLnFDD99DYEovaAMj5mIPsFLhhWfbV4QXwC2QsjT6wvLxWH658YUaCTxC3JgGvFErT8ADOgwDe64r7MGJz_FvsiSOVKkvPtqrZ-LI/s1600/31124_397048530837_4792635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib68GexmiPb9K4PCiB0cWc0KLBKo32rBw5fVh1igLnFDD99DYEovaAMj5mIPsFLhhWfbV4QXwC2QsjT6wvLxWH658YUaCTxC3JgGvFErT8ADOgwDe64r7MGJz_FvsiSOVKkvPtqrZ-LI/s640/31124_397048530837_4792635_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Only a few days left before I get to meet my sister, brother-in-law and niece, which means I have to outdo myself in speeding up things. So much work and so little time - cleaning the house, clearing the unwanted stuffs, sorting out stuffs in office etc. It’s huge but then it ends in a
sweet note. I will get to meet my niece after three years. She has grown up really
fast and in three years time she has turned into a beautiful young lady. Last time
when I met her she was elevenish and still a child. Now she is a teen, a millennial kid, and has
her way of things.<br />
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Meanwhile in the house the repair work is still on and
father is always high right from the morning till five in the evening. Ours is a thirty plus old three storied house. It's looks younger though. We have seen our parents sweating on it since forever and it's very close to our hearts. The ground floor was occupied by tenants till recently and was never been done nicely. It used get touch ups once in a few years. But the ordinary floor design and white washed walls couldn't really enhance it's look however much we tried. So, once the tenants left we decided to do a bit of a makeover. So, the repair work is still on and the workers
have just finished laying the floor tiles in the living rooms and are working on the
walls now. In a day or two we will go to the tiles shop to choose anti skid
tiles for the kitchen. We had the glossy tiles in stock and it wouldn’t be wise
to put them in the kitchen. So, we have to buy more tiles for the kitchen. I am keen on buying wood finish vitrified tiles but my
mom doesn’t approve of it. She thinks it will lend a dampening effect to the
room. It makes good sense actually and we have finally decided on the matte finish tiles for the kitchen.</div>
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By the mid week of July, before my sisters' visit, the major repair work going to be over and they will get to have a glimpse of what it would look like once it's finished. So, we will have a lot of talking to do and considering the fact that it’s very hot here now it's a good idea to stay indoors and have some silly fun! My niece has recently developed a liking
towards movies. So we might quite as well turn up in a movie hall some day and
have a dinner date or two with Mainland China or a good Biriyani house in the city. However, my mother
would want us to eat at home. She has a long list of bengali delicacies
that my sister doesn’t get to eat much there. Sister is a wonderful cook herself
but nothing compares to “maayer hather ranna” (food cooked by mom). Mom's food is the best ever thing on earth and she will most certainly pamper us with some delicious bengali dishes. A few of the dishes that we are expecting:<br />
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Various bengali fish recipes (kosha/ korma/ sorshe bata/ kalo jire/ gorom masala, doi)<br />
Aloo jhinge posto<br />
Kalo jirer torkari<br />
Mutton kosha<br />
Ghee aadar aloo dom<br />
Vegetable dishes (torkari)<br />
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So, I can tell you that you will get to read about some wonderful bengali recipes from me in the following months after a stint of limited blogging time in the month of July.<br />
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You may also like:<br />
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2015/09/of-janmashtami-malpuas-family-tradition.html" target="_blank">Of Janmashtami, malpuas, family tradition and more</a><br />
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-69264258155908910422018-06-19T01:34:00.000-07:002018-06-22T01:38:26.262-07:00How to make easy chicken biriyani at home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PzVzQ5hmJNBRd4zr4QBYoKfJfSSiKhCBblhvRty1efMBMFMTN5mjNpj63X5WMNRW6HOZq8TrX21EI79lvEWkrzJ-Zd7bDH6EEOXzi8ofhe4964O2bM1sKaIWNaxn0SFIftIB8qiFhgw/s1600/IMG-20180619-WA0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1052" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PzVzQ5hmJNBRd4zr4QBYoKfJfSSiKhCBblhvRty1efMBMFMTN5mjNpj63X5WMNRW6HOZq8TrX21EI79lvEWkrzJ-Zd7bDH6EEOXzi8ofhe4964O2bM1sKaIWNaxn0SFIftIB8qiFhgw/s640/IMG-20180619-WA0023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a stint in vegetable recipes we decided to go non veg in a
grand way. We hadn't had biriyani since long, courtesy: the <a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-meat-scandal-and-bengali-delirium.html" target="_blank">meat scandal</a>, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and
the lull was so intense that we arranged for the array of exotic biriyani </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ingredients in the wink of an eye. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The biriyani that we usually prepare at home and love eating too is moghul inspired, different from what my elder sister prefers. She makes biriyani with gravy and strong pudina (mint) flavour, something close to Hyderabadi gharana. My younger sister and her family love mughlai biriyani though, and one of the purposes of their visit to Calcutta could very well be attributed to this fact alone. She is an excellent cook herself and has her own recipe for biriyani which she claims is easier than mine. This I will only be able to confirm once I try it out myself.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsOelAFsyDzXAaqfJD6o0sIqBRlBpdbHCB-EF2C-Wzj5v31Q6YXOh5-0lCGLuylP1wYRAMGCFs58QEv5uOoiv09mO7RvCzCQNy-isSWWKHMSp94iTuEWDDGuOOaY58jZ8rcM7H2ywYbo/s1600/IMG-20180619-WA0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1052" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsOelAFsyDzXAaqfJD6o0sIqBRlBpdbHCB-EF2C-Wzj5v31Q6YXOh5-0lCGLuylP1wYRAMGCFs58QEv5uOoiv09mO7RvCzCQNy-isSWWKHMSp94iTuEWDDGuOOaY58jZ8rcM7H2ywYbo/s400/IMG-20180619-WA0016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The biriyani pot</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, we decided to prepare chicken biriyani at home on a super summer
weekend day. It's my favourite and my mothers’s too. One thing I must tell you about my mother here. She never fails to amaze me with
her ability to buy the best of things. Her eye for detailing with regards to
making any food perfect is just impeccable. So when I told her that I was going
to prepare biriyani the next day she laid the best in front of me. Needless to say, b</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">iriyani
requires an elaborate preparation and the right kind of ingredients enhance the
taste to a great extent. So, once you decide to make biriyani at home - just be totally into it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The biriyani recipe that I am going to share today is easy, delicious and requires less prep time. (This is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Calcutta style biriyani and is</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> special in the way it contains boiled eggs and potatoes, something you will never find in biriyanis from other regions.) </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We finished cooking in an hour time and allowed it to rest for one more hour and there we were! Although the wait seemed really long it was worthwhile in the end. I decided to forgo the dessert and swapped it with another help of biriyani. Perfect choice! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What you will need:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A heavy, thick bottomed pot/ handi/ container with a heavy lid that sit perfectly on it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Basmati rice (800 gm)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw78vgUXB8Q5rHWt43vBH1NFHXNt7zQLPbuWTZtWxSt_aEfwWxJaV37RRq5LXIOlzOkeUKnOdEtGNT0v0RWwlhZ88CENFzcE0nm-sUuarkAANOFWWwwr-CnKev0bEEcmOXCVJVEtOSiiI/s1600/IMG-20180619-WA0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="727" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw78vgUXB8Q5rHWt43vBH1NFHXNt7zQLPbuWTZtWxSt_aEfwWxJaV37RRq5LXIOlzOkeUKnOdEtGNT0v0RWwlhZ88CENFzcE0nm-sUuarkAANOFWWwwr-CnKev0bEEcmOXCVJVEtOSiiI/s400/IMG-20180619-WA0012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whole biryani masala</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chicken (15-18 pieces)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Curd (hung in muslin to drain out excess water) (300 gm)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Onion (4 large)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ginger (100 gm)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Garlic (8 corns)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lime juice (2 fresh limes)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eggs (8)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Potato (cut into half from the middle) (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Plum (aloo bokhra) (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oil and Ghee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Salt, sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khoya kheer (dried and thickened whole milk) (50 gm)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Milk (2 cups)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saffron (5-6 strands)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose essence (1 tsp)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kewra essence (1 tsp)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>For biriyani masala</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cardamom buds (8)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-SM9CrA9esqx9wsWoSa9jhAqq52S5D_JnOGbppWFRK5k03i6SMqG0Y-n_nIBxOsCLRs8BVXTFxHqzM_rwSu3Bn7Q5mrUelE5FqxhUuw3wSblIHZO06JvZiFhD4mcaoWdbQMWknRY8v0/s1600/IMG-20180619-WA0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="932" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-SM9CrA9esqx9wsWoSa9jhAqq52S5D_JnOGbppWFRK5k03i6SMqG0Y-n_nIBxOsCLRs8BVXTFxHqzM_rwSu3Bn7Q5mrUelE5FqxhUuw3wSblIHZO06JvZiFhD4mcaoWdbQMWknRY8v0/s400/IMG-20180619-WA0022.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marinade</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cinnamon stick (2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Clove (8)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mace (3)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nutmeg (1)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Black peppercorn (8)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Caraway seeds (Shahjeera) (1 tsf)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dry red chili (2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bayleaf (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fennel (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Star anise (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>For the marinade</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Curd </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ground masala</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lime juice</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhKG9D7PB8e2PGrfTk20iEIy0NLeB81_2m4NSOWbXID7NxbQwctsc_knFNb3Ig8CLvTmGp5JEwcJ8o5PTsUZek84lpBqWBg7PkHK7ZxpObLheGkDxvmc_4orQ_spn_msZsFtKWSRiaIA/s1600/IMG-20180619-WA0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="847" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhKG9D7PB8e2PGrfTk20iEIy0NLeB81_2m4NSOWbXID7NxbQwctsc_knFNb3Ig8CLvTmGp5JEwcJ8o5PTsUZek84lpBqWBg7PkHK7ZxpObLheGkDxvmc_4orQ_spn_msZsFtKWSRiaIA/s400/IMG-20180619-WA0019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken being marinated</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Onion juice (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Salt and sugar</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">For the smoked flavour (dhungar):</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Natural charcoal (Kath koyla)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ghee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cloves, Cinnamon stick</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Steel / copper/ bronze bowl</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">How to prepare the beresta (crispy golden brown onion slices</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Deep fry the onion rings in a deep pot till it turns golden brown</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How to prepare saffron milk</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a bowl add a few saffron strands, teaspoonful of kewra, teaspoonful of rose water and ghee to 2-3 cups of warm milk.
Keep it aside for 30 minutes till the saffron leaves a beautiful yellowish
colour.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TexqycEoy1v-f08mEcxjRrCktYMjtUxB2eqcjYj8P-LvCWNMoEOS8b3cPTyM43pPMmoutJer8zzc4swrrb58tVKnT_pbdaElvsbQ0wP31MeaYt6LXE3Euhgemb2ANSlLX_kaPQyvYi0/s1600/images+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TexqycEoy1v-f08mEcxjRrCktYMjtUxB2eqcjYj8P-LvCWNMoEOS8b3cPTyM43pPMmoutJer8zzc4swrrb58tVKnT_pbdaElvsbQ0wP31MeaYt6LXE3Euhgemb2ANSlLX_kaPQyvYi0/s400/images+%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saffron milk</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How to prepare the masala (spice mix)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To be able to come up with a decent biriyani you will need a
very special masala. Although this is easily available in the market I prefer
to prepare it at home the same day. This adds much freshness and flavour to the rice.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">To prepare the masala you will need to heat the
whole spices for a few seconds and then grind them on grinder. Store it in an
air tight container to trap the flavour.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtO-FaUJ8Iw7JUpaPLRnb3l_F-yW_2C1gQ3BNrBxGZbWiUs2UFMCivR_zCpU10GlMgWJPSRZXFLAQHj8We3hQYHUAwsl_TSx837Y6W6u_yjn2UaGA8wXH79K07I7XqYc420Fmfr4P2Wo/s1600/IMG-20180619-WA0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="894" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtO-FaUJ8Iw7JUpaPLRnb3l_F-yW_2C1gQ3BNrBxGZbWiUs2UFMCivR_zCpU10GlMgWJPSRZXFLAQHj8We3hQYHUAwsl_TSx837Y6W6u_yjn2UaGA8wXH79K07I7XqYc420Fmfr4P2Wo/s400/IMG-20180619-WA0008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basmati rice 3/4th done</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How to cook the biriyani rice</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pre soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes. Put a few whole spices
(cardamom, cinnamon, cloves) in water and bring it to boil. You can also tie
the spices in a muslin cloth and drown the potli in the water. Add salt, fresh
lime juice and little white oil before adding the pre soaked rice. Cook it till
it’s done 3/4<sup>th. </sup>Drain the water and allow it to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How to marinate the chicken</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Beat the curd and add ginger, garlic paste, onion juice,
lime juice, the masala and red chili powder </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and allow the chicken to sit in the marinade for 3-4 hours. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgax52a4r9hwdB8-4-UAzBx1GOXrsbPsHi82GcwlyyeeVSNuW_R_Ojpf00HOd_ZFd2oEy_3VfupQ8OcDuegtgaQPwSl1-w2x0aCbnE5JVFtRJ6EBj4E39a693VzLsf-EYj_R8QwXGcXU90/s1600/beresta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1600" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgax52a4r9hwdB8-4-UAzBx1GOXrsbPsHi82GcwlyyeeVSNuW_R_Ojpf00HOd_ZFd2oEy_3VfupQ8OcDuegtgaQPwSl1-w2x0aCbnE5JVFtRJ6EBj4E39a693VzLsf-EYj_R8QwXGcXU90/s400/beresta.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beresta</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbIPYtH1Rn-GMC-Gfipa66niM76XvJPQ5XIvl9lDzlKkvbiIQ6FXi7vYUiK8V8QPPWANvB3PLcAqgcUHi1D0unV0vvtlW6AaVqU5IePSgo1Xsbg-EQH2e3f9Y4-7SgfZMYxT1h9mce5Y/s1600/IMG-20180619-WA0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="854" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbIPYtH1Rn-GMC-Gfipa66niM76XvJPQ5XIvl9lDzlKkvbiIQ6FXi7vYUiK8V8QPPWANvB3PLcAqgcUHi1D0unV0vvtlW6AaVqU5IePSgo1Xsbg-EQH2e3f9Y4-7SgfZMYxT1h9mce5Y/s400/IMG-20180619-WA0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicken being cooked</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, the steps to make chicken biriyani</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a pot/ deep container/ handi deep fry the onion rings till golden
brown. Re</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">move from oil and plate </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">aside. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fry the previously boiled potatoes cut into half from middle with little salt and keep aside. This step is optional. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Add ghee in the same oil and add the chicken
with the marinade. Cook till the gravy thickens and the chicken gets tender.
Remove the chicken pieces. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Add more ghee in the gravy and prepare a bed with an
evenly spread out semi cooked basmati rice, then put a layer of chicken pieces
and fried onions, boiled eggs, potatoes, plums and grated khoya and then a layer of rice again. Continue
to make more layers till you use up all the rice. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spread more fried onion rings on the top. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I did not have khoya kheer at home. So I used kheer sandesh (a bengali sweet made from thickened milk).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pour the saffron milk slowly on the top and close the lid with
a heavy lid and make sure the vapour doesn’t escape the pot. You
can also seal the sides of the lid and the sides with foil paper. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Allow the pot
to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">cook on very slow fire for 20 minutes. You may have to sprinkle more milk/ water to moisten the biriyani. Allow an hour of standing time before serving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKNjdCtMdvEbFbKJg1ndf0ZtO-dZ2z1OCLAal5_AHsEBj9xMHcMStki3rWQdeRJBMzQfk9sofb1-Aqvpi7rxEVqUxKhuLaHKEBQwba6cE33G053B46ummHqC0NsvEpxypRBCS0PMxMsA/s1600/IMG-20180617-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="865" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKNjdCtMdvEbFbKJg1ndf0ZtO-dZ2z1OCLAal5_AHsEBj9xMHcMStki3rWQdeRJBMzQfk9sofb1-Aqvpi7rxEVqUxKhuLaHKEBQwba6cE33G053B46ummHqC0NsvEpxypRBCS0PMxMsA/s400/IMG-20180617-WA0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The almost done chicken biriyani with eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, the last bit - adding the smokey, tandoor effect to the biriyani. (You may also decide to skip this altogether.) 'Dhungar' is tricky but quite fun. It infuses the food with a smoked, burnt flavour and adds a uniqueness that we keep trying to figure out after eating tandoori food at restaurants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For this, burn the natural charcoal (kath koyla) on oven till red hot. Put it on the metal bowl.
Add ghee, a few cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks. When you see white smoke coming
out remove the lid of the pot and tuck it immediately inside. Remove after 2
minutes. The smoked charcoal can overpower </span>the original biriyani flavour if kept for long. So watch out!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To enjoy this delicious Calcutta style chicken biriyani with </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">all its oriental flavours you must eat it hours after you finish cooking. Plate it with a piece of half potato, an egg and a chicken piece. Serve it with raita, onion, tomato</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> salad, fresh lime and green chillis. Eat it guilt free and keep wondering how you managed to pull it off so well!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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You may also like:</div>
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2011/10/surprise-your-guests-with-delicious.html" target="_blank">Surprise your guests with delicious fish ball curry (machher kofta)</a></div>
<br /></div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-84895230500054086132018-06-06T08:30:00.000-07:002018-06-08T00:51:30.463-07:00Poshan Abhiyaan and fighting malnutrition with Horlicks and Mr Amitabh Bachchan!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Horlicks, the iconic brand from </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">GSK Consumer Healthcare</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> has
recently announced the launch of “</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Horlicks Mission Poshan</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">”
with super star </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amitabh Bachchan</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> supporting
the government’s </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyaan</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
(Nation Nutrition Mission) to fight under nutrition in our country. “Horlicks
Mission Poshan will focus on the first 1000 days of a child with the objective
of addressing malnutrition, stunting and infant mortality. Amitabh Bachchan
will be part of many activities planned all-round the year including a 12-hour
live Telethon and awareness camps across schools and villages.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Amitabh Bachchan who spearheaded the campaign faced hard criticism
soon after this despite all </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">good intentions. This is not the first time though
that he has faced critiques. Being the greatest star of </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">the Indian film
industry, Amitabh Bachchan has been a soft target since forever. We have
closely monitored, disproved, condemned and trolled him for everything he does
or he does not. After the Bofors scandal the star has wanted to distance
himself from all kinds of discourses and controversies. He has tried his best
to guard himself and his family from debates but in vain. He has been
heavily criticized for his silence over Mumbai flood in 2015. He has been
trolled for his poor choice of endorsements. (He has once refrained from
endorsing Pepsi after facing scathing criticism). He has been ridiculed for his
childish rants over his lost followers in twitter. More recently, he has been criminalized
for his silence (and later an irresponsible comment) on the Kathua rape case.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">At times, I feel that we
are too hard on him. He may be the biggest star but he too has the right to his
life, to be silent as and when he decides to especially in this age of post
truth polarisation and alternate facts where our existence is too vulnerable
too futile. However, this time it is different.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The choice of Mr Amitabh
Bachchan to be associated with Mission Poshan is extremely plausible just like
many others. The Pulse Polio campaign (2002) endorsed by the star has been a
huge hit followed by his support for Swachh Bharat (safe sanitation and anti
open defecation - 2016). So, it's no wonder that our government chose him to a
part of Poshan Abhiyaan and he is the campaign ambassador of Mission Poshan of
Horlicks (May 2018). Mission Poshan is a venture of Horlicks, a pricey malted
"health drink" full for unhealthy sugar (carb) with a tagline: "a
trusted bottle of Horlicks has been an indispensable part of the
Indian household cupboard for the last three generations." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">It's surprising that with
this kind of regressive standardization of health science we are "here to fight the
malnutrition in our country”! Horlicks is harshly criticized for propagating unsubstantial
health claims in commercials. It is harmful with high sugar content and is
labeled as empty calorie by the health scientists. Several nutritionists
and health campaigners have disapproved of this and voiced their opinion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>“Amitabh
Bachchan’s association with Horlicks can be harmful. Sugar has no
nutritional value whatsoever. It is a major cause of obesity and there is
increasing evidence that added sugar increases the risk of developing type 2
diabetes, metabolic syndrome and fatty liver,” says Dr. Aseem Malhotra, an
internationally known campaigner for healthy foods.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>"Promotion of Horlicks stating that it helps kids in gaining
height, weight, brain development and the healthy immune system is
inappropriate as these claims are scientifically unsubstantiated,” said Dr J.P.
Dadhich, a paediatrician in Delhi.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Denunciation is but the hind side of super stardom and Amitabh
Bachchan has relentlessly swerved it. But this time it is a different battle
altogether. It's the future of our children - the health of the millennial we
are dealing here. Corroborating with Horlicks, Poshan Abhiyaan has actively defied
science of food and this is when the world is restructuring the health science and India has dissociated itself from the campaign objective. A whole lot thing is happening all over the world
everyday and the health advocates are coming up with new purpose and new ways
to healthy living. It's very important that we remain well informed about pro health
choices for the people of India will neither forgive its government nor Mr Amitabh
Bachchan for any negligent and disagreeable choice concerning the health of our
children ever.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Photo copyright: Flickr<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-62976514174288435192018-06-01T07:26:00.003-07:002018-06-06T02:51:29.952-07:00A date with a rainy day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTqsWDA4_lMoyMx3JLrz1Kh4utqPpdPKAbtxHwvoX_zACsjSkIJ0gHJnQ8yKZ2uPPEmVJhp6LdAWWU2_pN0nMNodPoJwYADaIP9l-TaPSAeVy-Mg1wkiZLG-BLaB0KowbALR_m35GGoY/s1600/IMG_20180601_102541+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTqsWDA4_lMoyMx3JLrz1Kh4utqPpdPKAbtxHwvoX_zACsjSkIJ0gHJnQ8yKZ2uPPEmVJhp6LdAWWU2_pN0nMNodPoJwYADaIP9l-TaPSAeVy-Mg1wkiZLG-BLaB0KowbALR_m35GGoY/s400/IMG_20180601_102541+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Today has been a non yielding day in more ways than one. No work (pre decided holiday which had nothing to do with the forecast), no chores, no writing and nothing at all precisely. All through the day I found myself utterly silly doing nothing but jibing on the long to do list that I was supposed to tick off by this weekend.<br />
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It all started in a happy note when I woke up to a beautiful toned down sun. My nephew turned twelve today and we were overwhelmed by the fact is he is already there. The sky gotten absolutely dark by seven in the morning. The wind was rapturous and almost swept the palm trees to the ground and sometimes on the other side to the wall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZx2_gR2WRKJufHSE3rY72aRGzWXcCd9k7GF5P8E0bBmZRCpNNWMbbwK-NLWmAoNqiNr0Yz8BmBXAI3qVCR06_V1ufwOpvWXtUoaLmQBqJZKj9cWpQw7BpyMHc11EwtANjsaGx7X7uY8/s1600/IMG_20170921_193754_AO_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZx2_gR2WRKJufHSE3rY72aRGzWXcCd9k7GF5P8E0bBmZRCpNNWMbbwK-NLWmAoNqiNr0Yz8BmBXAI3qVCR06_V1ufwOpvWXtUoaLmQBqJZKj9cWpQw7BpyMHc11EwtANjsaGx7X7uY8/s400/IMG_20170921_193754_AO_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I couldn't hold myself back and started musing as I used to as a child. 'Mashi', our cook, passed me the second cup of steaming black tea which I found still holding after many minutes. I was completely contained in the scene. An euphoria that failed me in recent times. I have developed this crafty little thing recently that helps me barter all the liberating things (very conveniently) with erratic work hours, back logs, inundations and other ilks. But on other occasions I find myself procrastinating on the same stuffs! It's funny how I have become an ace on making excuses these days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe21HvKb6XGik4LAPJA7SxGwjkGXRsq9kf0Ixhki42UOir7eybVMKfUjr8Q2vEagyuB7gs5f5d9baJsltum-j7VJYf-votloCt2DWJQCM-wMy2qP2IZF92a6uezZHRSnLmpzopUcX3WY/s1600/IMG_20180601_110603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe21HvKb6XGik4LAPJA7SxGwjkGXRsq9kf0Ixhki42UOir7eybVMKfUjr8Q2vEagyuB7gs5f5d9baJsltum-j7VJYf-votloCt2DWJQCM-wMy2qP2IZF92a6uezZHRSnLmpzopUcX3WY/s400/IMG_20180601_110603.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
So, several minutes later I decided to do something productive. This was when the phone rang and I indulged in an engaging chat session with my sister. Much recharging that was, I decided to clear off the remnants of the recent repair work and discovered a wee leak on the staircase faucet from the recent drilling of the electric work. This discovery (although it was actually 'mashi's') was the only tangible achievement of the day.<br />
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Around this time, the lovely little girl showed up. She is the daughter of our house help who accompanies her mother and sits through as her mother helps us with the chores. I fondled the little one for a while. Meanwhile the rain almost flooded the balcony and the plants were cleansed of all the grime. Loved the green color on them today. So supple, full and so green.<br />
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Rain never quite stopped today and I had to come inside as it started to get really dark by six in the evening. And to my surprise, my mom decided to prepare khichuri (a mix of rice and lentils in equal portion in mostly running consistency) - the ultimate rain food for the bengalis. What better end could have been to a perfect rainy day! Khichuri, dim bhaja (omlette), ghee (clarified butter), achar (pickles) and papad (poppadam)! Heaven!<br />
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To end this memoir I would like to share an open birthday note that I wrote to my nephew earlier in the day hoping that he would understand what I meant many years later when he actually grows up.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background: white; color: #999999;">Dearest Golubabu,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span style="background: white; color: #999999;">Happy 12th birthday from all of us here. Did we tell that we
love you so so much and will do so no matter what! (you are giggling, right?) </span><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background: white; color: #999999;">The day you learn to forego minecraft, morse code, roblox
etc. and understand that life is as good otherwise we will cherish your growing
up more. You have such big heart. Aka and you are appreciative of nature and
animals more than any of </span></span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">us in the family. Be kind, be curious. Grow your own plants at home,
nourish them, touch them, see them grow each day. Kindness is beautiful and
sharing your little acts will attract more such. Do share whenever and wherever
and inspire us with your brilliant ideas.</span><span style="background: white;"><br />
<br />
</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white;">Meanwhile
here we are going to cherish your growing up like never before. </span></span><span style="background: white;"><br />
<br />
</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white;">Much
love, </span></span><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white;">Mishti</span></span><span style="background: white;"><br />
</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white;">01/06/2018</span></span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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Photo copyright: MouD<br />
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You may also like:<br />
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2013/06/khichuri-ultimate-rain-food-for.html" target="_blank">Khichuri - the ultimate rain food for the bengalis</a></div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-41769434257081091652018-05-31T10:40:00.000-07:002018-07-06T00:19:52.556-07:00My daily care routine to keep off acne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My whole life has revolved around one single medical condition and if you are curious it is that part of my life that I have been fighting since forever. Yes, this seemingly non serious medical condition, a.k.a acne, can have extraordinary effect on your skin and mind. I was in my pre teens, must be eleven or twelve, when my face saw a tiny breakout on my cheek for the very first time. It started in a benign manner and every other day I would count another one and then another and then another. I tried every single, over the counter medicine. I tried natural therapy and I tried grand mother's age old secrets. <a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-pimple-saga-continues.html" target="_blank">But my pimple saga continued</a>.<br />
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Later in life, when I started working as a healthcare provider I dragged myself through several examinations like ultrasound, blood work up like thyroid profile, hormonal profiles, Vitamin D, B12 and other ilks. Apart from a high thyroxine and a low vitamin D level (which my doctor said needs minor tweaking) I was cleared of all other medical conditions. So, was it idiopathic? I am still trying to figure out!<br />
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More than twenty years and many seasons later, I still continue to have breakouts and have sort of accepted the fact that I will have to live with it forever. So, I try and stick to my own daily care regime. Treating acne is an arduous process and there is no real quick fix. So, continue to have patience.<br />
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1) A clear and clean skin can do wonders. So, no matter how exhausted you are do not go to sleep without cleaning your face. I clean my face after work at home with medicated cleansing lotion . Sometimes when my face seems very dull and dry I use cleansing milk as well. I wash thoroughly with<a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-162575/foaming-acne-face-wash-topical/details" target="_blank"> Acne Foaming Face Wash </a>(salicylic + acicylic acid) later on. This medicated foaming face wash is anti bacterial and doesn't dry skin.<br />
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2) Face toner is a must. I have started using toners after shower only recently. I refrigerate my rose toner and it feels great the whole day long. Skin toner has an astringent properties that closes the open pores and help fight bacteria and guards our skin.<br />
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3) Do moisturize daily, sometimes two times even, so what you have oily and acne prone skin.. I use aloe vera gel to hydrate my face. (Hydration is an important part of keeping off breakouts. Drink sufficient amount of water and keep your body hydrated.) There are several good brands selling virgin aloe vera. You can grow it yourself as well. I have just stated growing mine. It grows fast and has an addon therapeutic appeal to the eyes. I use <a href="https://www.amazon.in/Fulford-India-Ltd-Emolene-Cream/dp/B077G3B6YH" target="_blank">Emolene hydra cream</a> occasionally.<br />
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4) Treat the raw breakouts. I use benzoyl peroxide + adapalene gel on the fresh breakouts. I apply a just a dab on the breakouts and it works wonders. Just for the record, I have had a desperate delirium of importing <a href="https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-61146/oxy-5-topical/details" target="_blank">benzoyl peroxide (Oxy 5)</a> from the US and also had bought 6 packs (it was not even buy one get deal) when I <a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-us-visa-experience-you-need-little.html" target="_blank">visited the NYC</a>. <a href="https://www.lybrate.com/medicine/deriva-bpo-gel" target="_blank">Deriva BPO gel</a> is as good. I also use sandalwood paste mixed with turmeric powder and apply it on the pimple. It has a drying effect and soaks in the grime and oil in no time.<br />
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5) Another very important thing is to apply UV protection on face, neck and exposed areas liberally. I use<a href="https://www.amazon.in/IPCA-Acne-UV-Broad-Spectrum-Resistant-Sunscreen/dp/B01MXVV11A" target="_blank"> D acne SPF 40</a> +, anti acne, anti grease sunscreen cream.<br />
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To sum up, you need to upgrade your daily face care kit with some must haves and I want to pitch in mine. A cleansing lotion, foaming face wash, skin toner, aloe vera gel and a SPF cream. Following a daily care routine certainly helps in maintaining the much needed balance. It also helps in feeling good every day. Do try and keep me updated.<br />
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Note: I am also planning to see a doctor later this month for my acne. Will keep you posted with more tips.<br />
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Photo: Hedy Lamarr<br />
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You may also like:<br />
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-pimple-saga-continues.html" target="_blank">And my pimple saga continues</a></div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-65934400800847364012018-05-30T09:10:00.002-07:002018-05-30T09:26:24.205-07:00Prepare Bengali Garam Masala at home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMPrU_teVXb_QcoCUO9zJYRkAR7kDR00tOTe6h6dtVWDD6n4V7enomPlYSDIokrrzZyM-7uOV2wJzlfAturV5J7uph8sFmyFOMOZv4Y1Dyd1u4S9RaK9g1-QwT9cyzuY6hQ3KOQcl6LU/s1600/spices_whole_masala_exotic_garam-fp-35fc78a29eff3a604c4e0f7d1522e2ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMPrU_teVXb_QcoCUO9zJYRkAR7kDR00tOTe6h6dtVWDD6n4V7enomPlYSDIokrrzZyM-7uOV2wJzlfAturV5J7uph8sFmyFOMOZv4Y1Dyd1u4S9RaK9g1-QwT9cyzuY6hQ3KOQcl6LU/s1600/spices_whole_masala_exotic_garam-fp-35fc78a29eff3a604c4e0f7d1522e2ea.jpg" /></a>x</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my previous posts I have shared my fondness towards authentic Bengali vegetable recipes. That was when I decided to write about an important spice blend, garam masala. The heart of most Indian and of course Bengali recipes contains a very interesting blend of
spices,. We call it ‘Garam Masala’. ‘Garam’ means ‘hot’ (as in the
strong flavors that the spices exude) and ‘masala’ means ‘blend’. As you must be knowing that Indian
cuisine contains a lot of oriental spices and 'garam masala' is the most common of them. Keeping the basic ingredients intact the masala varies from region to region. Here, I am going to write about the Bengali garam masala which includes a proportionate mix of cinnamon sticks,
cardamom pods, cumin seeds, star aniseeds, clove sprigs, peppercorns,
bay leaves, nutmeg and saffron. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even before it's prepared the whole spices release an extensive aroma that enrich and enhance the food they go into. It’s the
essential seasoning that the vegetable recipes (niramish ranna) cannot do without. We can find the
ready-made version of the spice blend in almost every shop around the
block. However, there is nothing like preparing it at home, a batch
ahead, and using it straightaway. I have seen my grandmother, and now my mom,
picking, clearing (with clean cotton cloth) and grinding the spices at
home. Although it sounds elaborate, it hardly takes 10 -15 minutes,
depending upon the quantity you wish to grind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The mix is prepared in
simple steps and it needs to be stored in airtight containers to retain
the fresh, exotic aroma. Garam masala adds texture, color
and flavor to the food and enhances a simple recipe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The chief ingredients are easily available and
once you get those, arrange for an airtight container and a grinder
(coffee grinder will do as well). Roast all the ingredients, except the
saffron, on a slow flame till the spices get a shade darker. Remove from
the flame immediately, add the threads of saffron and allow it to cool
down. Once cooled, grind the spices in the dry and clean grinder. Sieve
the mix and store in an airtight container. Garam masala prepared at
home can be stored for several months while still retaining the original
flavor.</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">The ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsps cumin seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 star aniseed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsps black peppercorns</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4 pods cardamom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4 cloves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3-4 sticks, moderately sized cinnamon sticks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 bay leaves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 whole nutmeg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few threads of saffron (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold;">Tips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Be patient. Roast on slow, low heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Add the saffron after the skillet is removed from the flame, but when still hot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sieve thoroughly to remove coarse particles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Store in an airtight container only after it has cooled down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Try putting a little amount in your food to start off since it has a strong flavor that you might need time to get used to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Medicinal value</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">'Garam
masala' is an amazing blend of spices that keeps us warm in winter and
cool in hot months. The individual spices have great medicinal values,
that add to the usefulness of the spice blend. It has intrinsic
qualities that help in digestion (they help stimulate the secretion of
enzymes), nutrient assimilation, reducing inflammation and in relieving
pains. It also relaxes the body muscles, eases out mental stress, acts
as an appetizer and helps coping with cough, cold, bronchitis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Garam masala has a strong flavour and not everyone likes it. So striking a right balance is very important. I like it when used in small quantity and only in a few specific dishes. My mother has mastered the art of what it takes to make a dish just perfect and hopefully I will too soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo copyright: MouD</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-750619005601234642018-05-30T08:31:00.002-07:002018-05-31T11:08:40.851-07:00Authentic Bengali 'niramish' Shukto recipe <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jOdPl6-nI_qed-w0v-7DVKN8fDuZCPeiDda-O6WEMbwT0FBxfQ919NJSmQcOTX0v-UGEjQjRjf2SOgSOMl6S_7jNn7DqMu6UK0ECELSA6yRpbP4FfHYVvotDQgEcTKtAwR0D4pVYMEQ/s1600/make-sukto-datainflow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1494" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jOdPl6-nI_qed-w0v-7DVKN8fDuZCPeiDda-O6WEMbwT0FBxfQ919NJSmQcOTX0v-UGEjQjRjf2SOgSOMl6S_7jNn7DqMu6UK0ECELSA6yRpbP4FfHYVvotDQgEcTKtAwR0D4pVYMEQ/s400/make-sukto-datainflow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A traditional Bengali gastronomy comprises of five or more elaborate courses </span>starting<span style="font-family: inherit;"> with a bitter vegetable dish and ending in a sweet note. In between we have some delightful range of varied Bengali delicacies that's going to make you revisit Bengal again and again. </span></span></o:p><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Today I am going to share a vegetable recipe that needs hands on apprenticeship before you can actually plate it to the guests. Shukto is usually eaten in the beginning of the afternoon meal (lunch) which is considered the main meal of the day. It has a bitter taste due to the primary vegetable bitter gourd and it has gut cleansing science behind it.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> There are several variations of shukto recipes and both East Bengal and West Bengal have experimented with this traditional dish keeping the basic ingredients intact. My mother cooks a few alterations depending on the season and availability of the vegetables.</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Shukto</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Shukto is an appetizer packed with vegetables and some very special spices. It is usually served at the beginning of the meal with steamed rice and a liberal spritz of clarified butter/ ghee.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Ingredients</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Fresh produce cut in slices include:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Bitter gourd (uchhe/ korola)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk_tRlddTNF6D7MQR3HqFzNoY4qtOBQ5cgk0HgXPxm7sFKzoQlTe-F0d_VSyu-bVz0a6vFklJt8S3CUwYnL-k0CoYbhZnmrZe1gPnW4mSDRBAw824Mx2lQ-DaihufIqzwHhJe_ylw1Io/s1600/p1010458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="478" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmk_tRlddTNF6D7MQR3HqFzNoY4qtOBQ5cgk0HgXPxm7sFKzoQlTe-F0d_VSyu-bVz0a6vFklJt8S3CUwYnL-k0CoYbhZnmrZe1gPnW4mSDRBAw824Mx2lQ-DaihufIqzwHhJe_ylw1Io/s400/p1010458.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Potato<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Sweet potato (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Egg plant/ aubergine/ brinjal<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Plantain/ raw banana<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Parwal/ a type of gourd (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Drumsticks (optional)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Green chilies<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://food.ndtv.com/recipe-bengali-dal-bori-902821" target="_blank">Bori (dried lentil dumplings)</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spices:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Mustard seeds<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Radhuni seeds (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Bay leaf<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Coriander ground<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Cumin ground<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Ginger paste<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Poppy seed paste (optional)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Milk<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Ghee/ white oil<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">In a wok deep fry the "boris", drain the oil and keep aside. Fry the cut bitter gourds till medium brown and put aside. Sauté the rest of the cut vegetables in while oil (mixed with ghee) till half done. Dish them aside. In a wok put oil and sizzle the mustard, radhuni seeds and the bayleaf till they start to pop. Add ginger, coriander and cumin paste and cook for a minute before putting all the fried vegetables in the wok. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add sugar and salt and the slit green chilies. Then add lukewarm water and simmer till the vegetables are tender and once it is done add a cup of milk. Bring it to boil. Add ghee on the top before dishing out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Serve this delicious shukto with steamed rice, gondhoraj lebu (lemon) and ghee.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">You may also like:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.in/2013/06/khichuri-ultimate-rain-food-for.html" target="_blank">Kichuri - The ultimate rain food for the bengalis</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-meat-scandal-and-bengali-delirium.html" target="_blank">The meat scandal and the Bengali delirium - To eat or not to eat</a></span></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-73879273904192309822018-05-15T01:48:00.000-07:002018-05-30T08:35:51.561-07:00The meat scandal and the Bengali delirium - To eat or not to eat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The recent <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/kolkata-meat-scandal-hits-restaurant-sales-after-20000-kg-rotten-meat-seized-inter-state-racket-suspected/1151459/" target="_blank">meat scandal</a> took a psychic toll on Calcutta a.k.a. Kolkata. The food loving city witnessed a delirium that shook the nation overnight. In what seemed to be a compulsive frenzy the Bengalis turned from being meatatarians to being vegetarian just in a wink of eye! That is particularly strange because the Bengalis
swear by fish, meat and everything that is "non-vegetarian". So, to turn</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> a Bengali meatless you need to do something really horrific and nothing more horrific can
ever happen to any nation than to mess up with the staple of its
people. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The meat scandal unleashed a whole new perspective of consumerism in Kolkata. What we wanted to buy and what we actually bought - the disparity has been staggering. The horrific act of supplying rotten meat and carcasses of animals to
the eateries and we, as end users, eating it in delicious packaging left us
shocked and disgusted. It’s a different level of never seen before criminal connivance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Following this, copious bytes
on television channels unfolding news of unhygienic and criminal act of meat
scandal has left the meatatarian Bengalis pathetically shaken. </span></span><span style="color: #444444;">The ghastly criminality traded </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">in the toxic rotten flesh even to the reputed eating houses and made us loathe it more. So, when we as a family, found ourselves refraining from eating meat and chicken it was not a surprise. The decision was compulsive and generic.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Our kitchen, too, like most Bengali household, is hit hard
by this sudden sting operation. In an endeavour to replace the meat satiation,
my mother is busy revamping her culinary skills. She wanted to do this since long and
now she has enough reasons and motivation. The end result – we are enjoying the traditional, almost
forgotten, delicious vegetable recipes at home. So, if you find me writing down about vegetable Bengali recipes in the several of the articles henceforth don't be surprised. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Keep visiting folks. I will be up with some wonderful authentic Bengali vegetable recipes soon. Thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Pic credit: LiveLiving</span><br />
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-34823875203042655512018-05-02T02:14:00.000-07:002018-05-02T21:49:36.982-07:00If it is Chinese it's Calcutta Chinese<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My love for Chinese food began from the streets of
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata" target="_blank">Calcutta</a>. The just sprouted roadside stalls tucked in every other corner of the city would sell stir fried, extra
bouncy Chowmein, a.k.a Chowmin as pronounced by the local Bengalis. It was served with squirts of orange red tomato
ketchup and onion-cucumber julienne. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I was the child of eighties.
That was the time when home made Chinese food was not in vogue. We were used to the 3-5 courses of traditional Bengali gastronomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once in a while we did go to the restaurants
that sold Chinese food. But then that was a rare indulgence. One such restaurant, I
remember, had a fancy name, “China Palace”. This quaint little place with
red dragons and golden chimes on the walls, was the most sought after eatery in
the neighbourhood. Having to eat there was an affair to remember. We would
plan for hours many days in advance and once the day arrived our excitement knew
no bounds. The restaurant was nearby and the aroma of irresistible Chinese broth would draw us to the restaurant sooner. We would sit on the same corner where the regular happy waiters would pry on us.
The course invariably would start with my father’s personal favourite, clear chicken soup. It was a broth prepared with miserly amount of chicken and lot of spring onions. My sisters and I used to skip it in order to binge on the main course. The main course would almost always include mixed fried
rice, boneless chili chicken, mixed noodles and sometimes we would eat ice
creams as dessert. </span>That was the standard platter and we didn’t get to
experiment beyond since that was all the quaint eatery had to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Later, as I was growing up I realized that the Chinese
food that we were eating was actually a over simplified version of Indo-Chinese flavour. The Calcutta Chinese food was generated from
the Chinese diaspora living in Calcutta since the eighteenth century. A cluster of
people came from China in times of turbulence and worked as labourers. More people flocked in
due course and they formed a sizeable community with unique appearance, culture, belief
and cuisine. They started to live as a separate community in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiretta_Bazaar" target="_blank">Tiretta Bazaar</a> and
the adjacent areas of Bow Bazar. Soon they started dispersing in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangra,_Kolkata" target="_blank">Tangra</a> area which came to be known as the city’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiretta_Bazaar" target="_blank">Chinatown</a> later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was that chunk of China that came to
Calcutta when still young or the second gen of the diaspora who was born in
Calcutta. To start with they contained in themselves but soon</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> they started selling their unique stuffs in order to sustain. They sold home made
stuffs like sauces, condiments, steamed and fried food which they later
incorporated in small eateries and liquor shops. Some opted for leather and
carpentry business. The Chinese diaspora in Calcutta started experimenting with their food which went through exciting changes over the years to oblige the Bengali
taste buds. The typical red gravy, heavy on sauces along with ginger, garlic, hot chilies and a consistency reminding of Indian curry soon became a delectable Indo-Chinese concoction that the world drooled over.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Calcutta had a few reputed Chinese
restaurants as well. But not everyone could eat there and the pocket friendly roadside
eateries had hygiene issues. Some small local restaurants had to close
down to other lucrative businesses and we were left with the option of over simplified Chinese food made at home. It was cheap, "healthy", tasty and soon the children started to swear by it. Meanwhile, the raw spaghetti like noodles was abundantly available in the market and soon the Bengali families were indulging in the most sought
after food at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">In my teens, while play dating once, I remember eating noodles cooked with soya bean chunks
and potato fritters along with onions, tomato ketchup, black pepper etc. in a friend's place. We persuaded our mother and soon she too gave
in and one day, to our dismay, our lovely cook prepared the most delicious
noodles at home. And that was the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Chowmein became extremely popular because it made both the
children and their mothers happy. The forever anxious mothers had learned the trick of sneaking in lot of seasonal vegetables in their noodles and finally their kids were eating veggies. My sisters and I used to love it as
well. Once in a while good restaurant happened and we were satiated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Several years past, as I look back now, I see it as
an unhealthy eating trend. Today, I wouldn’t want any kid to eat noodles as much as we did as children. The in depth demonization of health
standards is not only deeply rooted in our system but is hard to eradicate.
However, we can certainly educate our children towards better understanding of healthy food fads. But then that's another story altogether.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span>You may also like:<br />
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.in/2015/05/the-big-fat-surprise-myth-of-high-carb.html" target="_blank">The Big Fat Surprise - The myth of high carb, low fat diet explained by Nina Teicholz</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Image courtesy: Youtube</span></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-51786590909404037962018-03-20T00:43:00.001-07:002018-05-31T11:07:46.295-07:00The sun, sea and the wobbly plank<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The sun looked not quite <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">lunch time</span>
yet. I stepped on the same old wobbly plank on the bridge that my father had built with love when I was a child and he still a robust man in thirties. I have never walked without stepping on it. That is an ominous pattern destined to happen telling my mother that I have arrived.<br />
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It was cold and placid outside and as I dragged my feet heavy on the plank, I realized that life has not been kind on me inspite of my desperation. Sometimes, I had even contemplated listening to my friend's amazing stories for hours. How miracles changed his life and how sometimes the luck fairy was extra kind to him. I tried hard to get out of that unhappy providence but it seemed that I had a thing for it. It seemed the whole world was conspiring against me and I was a lonely creature fighting a battle I had no idea of.<br />
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Soon I found myself standing
on the shore. Just short of the waves, gazing at the vast mystifying beauty, startled and clueless I started walking with the waves into the burly, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">invincible</span> sea. The white froth tickled my feet telling me to walk more into the deep. I kept walking into the sea. It seemed the sun sipped in all the
blues and dispersed a vibrant orange love all over and as I looked into the sea I got engaged in an endless rendezvous that the '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus-eaters" target="_blank">lotus eaters</a>' had once experienced.<br />
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Suddenly, I sensed an uncanny chill, a sudden numbness and realized that the orange yellow sea distanced into an uncanny austerity. It got dark by then. I was getting late and started walking through the piney shady trail. To my surprise, it started to smell intimate again. It smelled of Brazilian blueberries and squirrels. It smelled like my childhood.<br />
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The walk down to my house was full of memories. Memories of my childhood, the memories of the sea, sun, happy days and the squeaky plank on the bridge built by my father. Soon I reached my house. I walked over the bridge to the door which opened to my mother's startled look. This time I
didn't step on the wobbly plank!<br />
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You may also like:<br />
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.in/2016/12/this-too-shall-pass.html" target="_blank">The year that was - A walk through 2016</a></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-42712994447586750132017-06-16T08:44:00.002-07:002018-04-24T08:22:26.595-07:00Why puffed rice aka muri is the ultimate survival food<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There has been a major shift in health paradigm, from high carb to high fat and vice versa and we have seen it all over the past couple of years. What we thought was right for our health is actually a deterrent, what we believed we should be eating was manipulated by the big pharmas and the US government and people were duped into eating mashed potato, corn flakes, eggs without yellow, fruit juice etc. That's lot of carbs and very little fat. Now that the big fat lie is out, we have come to realize that fat is good and real and has extraordinary power to shape our health and that culprit sugar and is the new tobacco!<br />
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<a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.in/2015/05/the-big-fat-surprise-myth-of-high-carb.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Big Fat Surprise: The myth of High Carb Low Fat diet explained </span></span></a></h4>
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Being an Indian and living in India we have just begun to realize the harm that has been caused to an entire generation over the decades. The ripple effect has come to shock everyone here and everywhere. The power of this kneaded falsehood is so deeply ingrained that it's no rocket science to understand the humongous task of back pedaling the credence of the populace. So, it is our minds that we are fighting everyday more than anything else and trust me, it is hard.<br />
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When my cardiologist boss asked patients to eat whole eggs or meat or butter or not to eat biscuits and bread they were in complete disbelief. They still are and this skepticism is something that's not going to go overnight. That said, we have been spending days figuring out the right and real food that is healthy, nutritious and delicious. Quite a bit of research work later, we found out that even with all the snags puffed rice is the best possible snacks we can fall for especially if you are an Indian or if you plan to live in India.<br />
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So what is puffed rice? (This of course is for my friends from abroad). Trust me it is the ultimate survival food! Muri is indigenous of South Asia and is prepared from rice kernels in a similar manner as popcorn is made from corns. Traditionally it is made by heating rice over sand filled earthen oven. It serves as an excellent cereal food and can be eaten just as we eat corn flakes or oats with milk and seasonal fruits. Muri is healthy and has immense likelihood of turning into a super food when tossed with assortments of veggies like cucumber, parsley, green chillis, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, onion, sprouts- you just name it! Bengalis love it with pure raw mustard oil (mustard oil is one of the best oils we can eat nowadays, so you can eat it guilt free) and hot green chillis and occasionally with "aloor chop" (potato fritters) and often with friends and family.<br />
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Another snacking food is flattened rice or rice flakes (chura/ chire) which is also a powerful comfort food. Nowadays we get lovely roasted chire which is not only tasty but also nutritious. If you are an Indian and have survived numerous homesick moments it's needless to introduce you to poha. You know how you can add lovely fresh veggies, sprouts, peanuts, raisins and more to cater to your taste buds making it hugely popular among desi and not-so-desi friends.<br />
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The benefits also are immense. If you are a weight watcher you can never go wrong with this super food. It's high on iron, carbohydrate and have low gluten content. Besides, it is a fantastic mood lifter and reminds me of camaraderie. Although the brown variety is hard to get these days but both muri (puffed rice) and chire (flattened rice) are better picks than suji (semolina) which is totally a white stuff. Having said that, be a smart buyer and a smart eater. Try not to look for stuffs that are glossy, inviting and too good to be true. The crude variety is less appealing, less puffed and are less cosmetic. And I know you are a smart eater and never go on binges.<br />
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Now, a takeaway. We went to the US last year and sitting there miles away we relived our Calcutta days merely by eating muri, chanachur (spicy snacks mix) and chai over bangla cinema on youtube (courtesy my lovely sister who rolled in a whole lot of bengali essentials in no time). So, no brownie point for guessing that I am insanely in love with muri. Although my family will disagree I can tell you that they too resort to this super snacks, aka muri, in times of nostalgic Calcutta moments.</div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-30283852587527646382017-04-24T08:10:00.001-07:002018-04-24T08:20:05.290-07:00Happiness in a storm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We have spent an inordinate amount of <span style="font-family: inherit;">time figuring out </span>the relationship between positive mindfulness and its impact on our health,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and today m</span>edical science has proven that positivism influences our brain
cells and escalates our health. Th<span style="font-family: inherit;">at</span> explains why some patients with terminal
disease live longer than others, or why with some people life seems
easier than others. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> This is unarguably also the reason why my
opthalmologist tells me to <span style="font-family: inherit;">live</span> stress free since negative emotion<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>flares up
health conditions. With each bout of stress my eye condition flares up and this leaves me extremely low and to a more stressful existence. Talking of which, now I kn<span class="text_exposed_show">ow
how my parents were being able to pull through extraordinary life
circumstances inspite of being faced wi<span style="font-family: inherit;">th </span>some handsome health conditions in different phases of their lives. They have been fostering positive emotions all through,
in the middle of all bizarre health crises and have had an extraordinary time fighting those.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
The impact of positivist on health got reiterated only the other day ,when my boss, a renowned <span style="font-family: inherit;">doctor</span> himself, mailed me an article by Jane E Brody. "<a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/well/live/positive-thinking-may-improve-health-and-extend-life.html" target="_blank">A Positive Outlook May Be Good for Your Health</a>". The article wonderfully explains what happens to you when you are
positive and sums up 8 skills to practice to stay happy and calm when
your health is not going good. Quoting from the article:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>An important goal of the training is to help people
feel happy, calm and satisfied in the midst of a health crisis.
Improvements in their health and longevity are a bonus. Each participant
is encouraged to learn at least three of the eight skills and practice
one or more each day. The eight skills are:</i></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ Recognize a positive event each day.</i></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ Savor that event and log it in a journal or tell someone about it.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ Start a daily gratitude journal.</i></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ List a personal strength and note how you used it.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ Set an attainable goal and note your progress.</i></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ Report a relatively minor stress and list ways to reappraise the event positively.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ Recognize and practice small acts of kindness daily.</i></div>
<div class="p-block" style="text-align: left;">
<i>■ Practice mindfulness, focusing on the here and now rather than the past or future.</i></div>
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</div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-28018982870545900852017-04-20T23:40:00.001-07:002018-04-24T08:13:14.189-07:00The beauty of deep work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-M3ZYwaoy6ljxSvZyyHdICpZ3zDSFjUkjVEpz-e6nJDPjOg-tEkqiRggutpmt_Ysinq3ecCO2RPgdnainZr05M8Xog48dUxdhQQoTwXvn06MYb1CSYaYVjD5VdkebKauDsTyAXQzYAA/s1600/CHild_10_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-M3ZYwaoy6ljxSvZyyHdICpZ3zDSFjUkjVEpz-e6nJDPjOg-tEkqiRggutpmt_Ysinq3ecCO2RPgdnainZr05M8Xog48dUxdhQQoTwXvn06MYb1CSYaYVjD5VdkebKauDsTyAXQzYAA/s640/CHild_10_009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<o:p><i>A note to my children (nephew and nieces)</i></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Because you three are the best and because I love you
'deeply' I would like to share something that I am currently reading. 'Deep
Work' is magnificent. When we do deep work we alienate ourselves from the
peripherals and endeavour to perform that task alone. This also means that
multitasking is largely a myth. Deep work as opposed to multitasking reiterates
the fact that we end up performing better and bigger in less time. </div>
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So when you are studying, reading, dancing, playing or
doing anything - JUST DO IT ALONE. Keep other stuffs at the back seat and do it
passionately, deeply, with much love. Refrain yourself from the distractions,
from all those pings in your gadgets, from the hangovers, the impending burdens
etc. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am not asking you to stop using your devices. Allot a
time for that too, for your internet time only. Do one thing at a time and soon
you will realize that the beauty of deep work is in the sense of completion, in
the sense of a perfect satiated feeling that would make you so beautiful when
you grow up. Deep work is in a way an answer to the much talked about work
economy and the search towards inner peace. Trust me in no time you will
understand the worth. Ping me then. Much love.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/deepwork?source=feed_text&story_id=10154403678355838"><span style="color: #4267b2; text-decoration-line: none;">#</span><span style="color: #365899; text-decoration-line: none;">DeepWork</span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/calnewport?source=feed_text&story_id=10154403678355838"><span style="color: #4267b2; text-decoration-line: none;">#</span><span style="color: #365899; text-decoration-line: none;">CalNewport</span></a><span style="display: none; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Top of Form<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-11876278512168249172017-04-20T22:39:00.000-07:002018-04-24T08:20:32.083-07:00Trust your doctor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipK_5IczLF-awnsk5hxe0fkudLNJDBgvprvlV9sNbUNpFA1B-W4YraejQLrEJpQbaTWib6VfNjocYjHgYcL_ErtVgjdXW9t8EtBwAYvQjvSemWdqzuhpqzlFR2DEDMO9ENyjZ1w99n_D8/s1600/grateful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipK_5IczLF-awnsk5hxe0fkudLNJDBgvprvlV9sNbUNpFA1B-W4YraejQLrEJpQbaTWib6VfNjocYjHgYcL_ErtVgjdXW9t8EtBwAYvQjvSemWdqzuhpqzlFR2DEDMO9ENyjZ1w99n_D8/s640/grateful.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coming to the point straight - charged with expansive info
(half truth, all dark), we are in a state of compulsive confusion today. This
calls for serious rethinking. What we see, what we hear are not always true. We
need to question our rationale; we need to take a bird's eye view of the
situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Being a proud part of hospital industry, I have been
privileged to know several medics and medicos who work with all their goodness,
24 hours on call, day in and day out, without any timeout. They have saved
thousands of lives over the years. They have also treated many without charging
their fees. Yes they have. That said it would be unfair to equate them with
God. They can't reverse mortality but what they can do is something super. They
do their best to save us. And of course they deserve love, respect, empathy and
more if not for this but for the simple fact that they are humans who have
vouched for our wellness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, when you abuse doctors, nurses, healthcare staffs you
disrespect one of you. When you abuse doctors for one death remember that they
have also saved thousands. Pls use your sense of judgement. Trust your doctor.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem today is more socio-political, more infrastructural
than anything else. How to resolve this? Corporate greed is one thing and
doctor's ethics is another. Going by that perspective, we just need to sustain
faith. Hospitals can't thrive without doctors, can they? So trust the doctors,
respect them for all their goodness. We need to endure this ghastliness with
hope, integrity and strength. Yes, this too shall pass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A personal note to the doctors:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear doctors,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">you have saved me and my on several occasions. I respect
you for all the respect you have shown. I love you for all the love you have
bestowed on me. I stand by you since you have stood by me when I was sick. I
salute you for your righteousness and kindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you doctors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/respect?source=feed_text&story_id=10154493733380838"><span style="color: #4267b2;">#</span><span style="color: #365899;">Respect</span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/havefaith?source=feed_text&story_id=10154493733380838"><span style="color: #4267b2;">#</span><span style="color: #365899;">HaveFaith</span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/havefaithindoctors?source=feed_text&story_id=10154493733380838"><span style="color: #4267b2;">#</span><span style="color: #365899;">HaveFaithInDoctors</span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/trustyourdoctor?source=feed_text&story_id=10154493733380838"><span style="color: #4267b2;">#</span><span style="color: #365899;">TrustYourDoctor</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-27848437038186889202017-03-15T22:46:00.000-07:002018-04-24T08:21:08.150-07:00Note to myself on Women's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c2Ap6DT8cqUxrsqe9KtgzaDaLd60lvKV6tfOH1EyUu_u7Exc3_o5kdXhfKAnswaUrO3zXt63HaMTkIvTS60ZRxC4e1eyOubPF9Q05QxhrWi7acHGx5mw-Msv9paUJqoK-8fpj3o0ORY/s1600/main-slide-being-grateful-4772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c2Ap6DT8cqUxrsqe9KtgzaDaLd60lvKV6tfOH1EyUu_u7Exc3_o5kdXhfKAnswaUrO3zXt63HaMTkIvTS60ZRxC4e1eyOubPF9Q05QxhrWi7acHGx5mw-Msv9paUJqoK-8fpj3o0ORY/s640/main-slide-being-grateful-4772.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A true
woman is liberated. She empowers people she comes across. She is strong and composed;
she loves others as much as she loves herself. She knows when to say NO and
how. She smiles off the odds and cries in happiness. She is like a ocean -
deep, consistent, wobbly at times. She is an endless story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She makes herself safe on
roads at mid night. She helps others do that as well. She stands for herself
and others. She knows her mistake and owns up to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And of
course she is DONE WITH all the talking and she actually DOES. She is REAL. She
doesn't walk in man's shoes. She doesn't wait for her rights to be plated; she
makes everyday a woman's day. She is she for always and forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She is the
woman I would love to become..someday..<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">#WomansDay</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/iwd?source=feed_text&story_id=10154472224165838" style="cursor: pointer;"><span class="58cl"><span aria-label="hashtag" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span style="color: #4267b2; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span></span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="color: #365899; font-size: 11.5pt;">IWD</span></span></span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/notetomyself?source=feed_text&story_id=10154472224165838"><span class="58cl"><span aria-label="hashtag" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span style="color: #4267b2; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span></span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="color: #365899; font-size: 11.5pt;">NoteToMyself</span></span></span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">on</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/womansday?source=feed_text&story_id=10154472224165838" style="cursor: pointer;"><span class="58cl"><span aria-label="hashtag" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span style="color: #4267b2; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span></span></span><span class="58cm"><span style="color: #365899; font-size: 11.5pt;">WomansDay</span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-25785805517405701722016-12-27T07:28:00.001-08:002018-04-24T08:21:39.093-07:00The year that was - A walk through 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDHPrI_6ysI0-faxDp5Qk4kxH6RL9P8nC7eDOF893a0aP1_suN2LEUHGitRFTe6oiiU7iGSB3ugCTmABgj8FbcpFJoAip9Pbx-azI4FXMMx9TuTmSSMh4x1AYPCWqNVR7H3tLQul1ovg/s1600/636056247382030926-1133707267_tumblr_mkqwj47avX1qao10ko1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDHPrI_6ysI0-faxDp5Qk4kxH6RL9P8nC7eDOF893a0aP1_suN2LEUHGitRFTe6oiiU7iGSB3ugCTmABgj8FbcpFJoAip9Pbx-azI4FXMMx9TuTmSSMh4x1AYPCWqNVR7H3tLQul1ovg/s640/636056247382030926-1133707267_tumblr_mkqwj47avX1qao10ko1_1280.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We had some unpredictable endings this year. With the massive <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_500_and_1000_rupee_note_demonetisation" target="_blank">demonetization</a> the whole socio economic and political scenario shuffled to a point where the common people were pushed to the wall. People but had to be a part of this eruption and were extremely devastated and disillusioned in the process. Amidst this, the two things that came into major prominence are <span style="background-color: white;">cashless and ATM</span>. If this is a part of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achhe_din_aane_waale_hain" target="_blank">"achhe din"</a> I do not know, I do not want to know either. All I know at this point in time is that all changes are opposed, confronted, criticised till they are actually accepted and we are going through the initial phase now. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I, myself, was extremely excited about the move so much so that I went on to voice my adherence on several platforms. Little did I know then that this would turn out to be really bizarre. Once again we were shamed by the blatant corruption issues. A group of ingrate opportunists played it really low. My heart broke several times after that and I tried not to hit the social media - <a href="https://twitter.com/mimpful" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, Facebook, Instagram etc anymore. I am a strong person and my sense of ethics, sense of judgment and values are ingrained in me quite early in life. The offshoots of demonetization hit me badly and I felt very small. All those angry social vents seemed preachy and inane and I really needed the sun. And as I was struggling to come in terms with the most revolutionizing endeavor of the government I realized that it's almost new year. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2016 had some bad things in store for us, my family. When we were planning a fantastic trip to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanasi" target="_blank">Benaras</a> little did I know that a friend for lifetime was awaiting my return. I was diagnosed with uveitis. This was a shock of a lifetime! Before I could decipher the language of uveitis aka iritis I started having flares of idiopathic uveitis. This continued for the next six months and I had to be on dreadful dose of steroid drops. It felt like grains of sand inside my eyes all the time. The eyes and everything in and around pained and my vision got blurry. Those were the most terrible period of my life when I was made to believe that I would not go blind after all.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nonetheless I agreed on a trip to the US and as it turned out, I got the US visa (of which I have written in my previous article - <a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.in/2016/12/the-us-visa-experience-you-need-little.html" target="_blank">The US visa experience</a>). As I was coming in terms with my health condition, the trip to the US was seen materializing. The next few days just swept past, and soon I sat myself to a long flight to the US. I stayed there for nearly a month and shared some wonderful memories with my sister, niece and brother-in-law. We went on drives, experienced the feel of summer workshop (courtesy my niece), explored the plethora of world cuisine, I whetted my culinary skills etc. etc. etc. I was also religiously administering the steroid drops hoping that it would be the last flare of my life. Meanwhile my family in Dubai was settling some life changing decisions. It is hard to let go of two decades of assimilation and decide to ask the children to reclaim the culture and living of which they were never a part of. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All said and done, I am a very positive person and I see silver lining in even bizarre things. I am realistic too. I believe that all endings flower a new beginning and all the not-so-good things in life pass. "This too shall pass" and soon. Have faith. I wish you all a blessed new year ahead. Inspire and be inspired. Love and lots of love.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: orange;"><i>Photo credit: theodysseyonline </i></span></div>
</div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-32760641058153412642016-12-05T07:16:00.003-08:002018-05-31T11:01:22.996-07:00The US visa experience and how I cracked it<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="clear: left; color: #444444; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQMQNJ34AVMICOFfZ50r7qOmR-NZ39g6EER8RoKO7d0lQAuzMFtldhvptO00c7FjN1_H6FQDe5mYAKWIC2wMNNoH9hPaD_8FbXxoZfR7zT_36WI46hOoBNpdkox7ur9Ou11_j0WO0fSQ/s640/14117903_10153929219150838_1164770360981492835_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444;">Three months have passed since I am back from the US trip and very often I get flashes from the beautiful stay that was in the US. It was a trip that would be hard to forget for several reasons. These I am going to pen down gradually here. The first part of the US Visit starts with "The ultimate VISA experience". </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: orange;">The US VISA </span><span style="color: orange;">- </span><span style="color: orange;">a</span>s</span><span style="color: #444444;"> much as it sounds fascinating
the actual process may not be so. But if you are one of the luckier few like
me you may crack it just like that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>The ultimate US VISA experience</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">I did my homework. Yes, quite a
bit of researching on the internet and what I realized was that you may manage to get a
brownie point if:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><i>You are rooted to your country as in job, property, family. All
of these would make you want to return to your country no matter what. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">Apparently
I scored a zero and my prospect of the US visit seemed a faraway dream. I am single. I don’t own any property. I am not a professional. All are outright down points towards getting the visa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">I presume, I was snapping at everyone who was already congratulating me on the
soon-to-be US visit. I told them that I was not getting the visa. I myself was pretty much convinced of it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">The US Visa procedure has two parts. <b>The Biometrics and the
Interview</b>. After filling the form online, I chose the two dates. It’s a simple form
and you do not need to know rocket science to do it. I remained honest. Every bit of
info I provided was true to the tee. This was what my boss had told me do. By
disclosing the truth and the truth only you will most likely to get away with the untoward
questioning session during the interviewing process.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.path2usa.com/fingerprinting-and-biometrics-for-us-visa" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #444444;">The Biometrics</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">I was called in right on time after an initial screening of
my passport and the confirmation of the online application. I had to enter
without anything but the passport. They put me through a manual security check, scrutinized nails and palms and sent me to the final counter for the photo click. The lady had great deal of trouble
getting my snap. She was finding it difficult to adjust the camera to my
height. She finally she could capture my photo. She also recorded my
fingers prints and I was done with the Biometrics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.immihelp.com/visas/usa-visa-interview-guide.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #444444;">The Interview</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">There had been a gap of 20 days before I could get to the
interview date. I was much before time and it was a real long wait at the
entrance. And then my time arrived. I had to go through an exhaustive security
check where I had to leave all my stuffs. Yes all my stuffs! I was frisked
really bad. It gave me a feeling of being a convict.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">In the second phase my passport and the supporting docs were screened after which I was made to wait
in the waiting room along with few others. It must have been more than thirty
minutes that I was called in for the third phase. There were 4 counters attended
by Indian officials. I was guided to one of the four counters. The lady went
through the docs. I was carrying a NOC from my boss, sponsorship letter from my
father, bank statements, the salary slip etc. The ladies put the rest of the documents (bank
statements, my father’s asset details etc.) aside since those, she felt, were
not relevant and asked me to wait for the 4<sup>th</sup> and the final phase.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">After a wait of half an hour I was called for the
interview. It was a similar counter with no apparent difference from the previous
one. One American lady on the other side of the glass barrier greeter me. Then she had frowns on her face. I assumed that she was eyeing through the
application form on the monitor infront of her. I was tense. Then she looked at
me and asked me: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">What is your salary?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">Rs…</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">What do you do?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">I work as the secretary to the director of cardiology at….</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">Which are the places you have visited?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">The UAE</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">Why UAE?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">My sisters live there.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">You mentioned that your parents are old. Are you the only
caregiver?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">Yes</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">Since you will be away who will look after them?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">My aunt will come over from village and it is just as matter of 22 days, I guess...</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">Do you have children?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #444444;">No</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">Then she asked me to place my thumb on the screener in
front to me probably to match it with the Biometrics. And then, she looked at me, smiled and uttered the golden words.
"Your VISA to the US has been approved. You will be informed about the date of
your passport collection soon."</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">That was all!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">Still in disbelief, I thanked her, managed to come out and called my
mother. She was overwhelmed and so were the others. I went around with a halo the rest of the day. It was an amazing feeling! The day after I received a
text from the US embassy to collect my passport. On proper identity screening, I
received the passport. My Visa to the US was imprinted there in golden letters<span style="color: #444444;">.<span style="color: orange;"> I was granted the US visa for
10 multiple years.</span><span style="color: orange;"> </span>What more could I have asked for!</span></span></div>
</div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-32031660094568458882015-11-04T06:52:00.000-08:002018-05-03T23:49:58.550-07:00The Tolerance Intolerance Debate - I choose silence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuvbJI_UzQUYZGUSAROIZXDA35XXfSyMVKvlcScqnOvy-BIBxSDfTfzp3EBEyufIv7WEqgai2u8z5svmVh3_yKnHph3gmApAkj420CH-gZ82PEXDMhKC6cqicPSSc2eIkFYfWdnPp3D4/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuvbJI_UzQUYZGUSAROIZXDA35XXfSyMVKvlcScqnOvy-BIBxSDfTfzp3EBEyufIv7WEqgai2u8z5svmVh3_yKnHph3gmApAkj420CH-gZ82PEXDMhKC6cqicPSSc2eIkFYfWdnPp3D4/s640/download.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>"I have regretted my speech, never my silence." Xenocrates, Greek Philosopher</i><br />
<br />
Nothing hurts me more than a bunch of non stop talkers, being sat on the television channels, talking big on some inane topic. The primary focus of these 'lit-adults' are to hop from channels to channels chirping on the same 'asinine' topics every single day. It may not have been implausible if the political vendetta behind their voices was not so glaring. That's another debate though. <span style="color: orange;">My point today is the amount of verbosity that goes around every day is not only wastage of space and time but also a horrific cue to the destined digital garbage from this man made assault of words.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The most of this wordiness is shallow and invites bitter retaliation spontaneously. There is no harm in being vocal, in channelizing our thoughts smartly and sharply. But the unwanted gushing of viral verbosity that goes around in the internet - twitter, facebook, blogs, etc. - is highly arguable. Having said that, in most cases, I choose not to reiterate. For the simple reason of not being wanting to be associated with anything not right, anything not plausible or anything not felicitous - I choose silence. I would not want to be associated with anything that I may find 'not OK' and want to disown or that the children would not be proud of later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: orange;">So, what if we use our words more intelligently? How difficult it would be to be less wordy? Is it too hard to be sane and peaceful?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The intense profanity in the choice of words is not always deliberate and there are of course wise talkers. But certainly there are less in numbers. I believe in doing things rather than forming social media solidarity. This adds onto digital clutter. So, at a time when even the liberals are fighting over the tolerant-intolerant thing, when people are going overboard with misplaced words, at a time when your voice is accentuated with criticisms - I choose not to talk.</div>
</div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-70040991713865797712015-09-15T10:20:00.000-07:002018-05-04T03:17:23.004-07:00Of Janmashtami, Malpuas, family tradition and more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGuHAYivvxeiZaiRxrvXoVkevYub3Dycsyo7hUTldnt5iOWiyLEawNyx3uCLuWto9V6_nX8gdKkSvqFTE3Rscp4XJuReL-59McCg9N7RxtVy4jcwQUqMD6zIGNhlwXXd-RjSZ2j0DAQg/s1600/sugar_syrup_saffron_malpuas_rose-fp-ea24ee7612819e6f6b068c9142419e22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGuHAYivvxeiZaiRxrvXoVkevYub3Dycsyo7hUTldnt5iOWiyLEawNyx3uCLuWto9V6_nX8gdKkSvqFTE3Rscp4XJuReL-59McCg9N7RxtVy4jcwQUqMD6zIGNhlwXXd-RjSZ2j0DAQg/s1600/sugar_syrup_saffron_malpuas_rose-fp-ea24ee7612819e6f6b068c9142419e22.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Janmashtami" target="_blank">Janmashtami </a>(Janmashtomi) is one festival that we look forward to ever since the
childhood days. It was the time we would have our house wrapped in some
undefined joy of festivity. Janmashtami is celebrated all over India in the
month of August/September and on the eighth day of the Hindu calendar. The
birthday of lord Krishna is a very special occasion for the Hindus. They
consider Him as their savior, philosopher, friend, lover and everything that is
human, everything that is Godly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The festival has transcended beautifully over the years and today I see it with much love since that is the time we are fondly
reminded of our Dida (grandmother). She was a lady of strong integrity and was revered by one and all. She never forced the
ritualistic regime. That probably is the reason that we have
learned to imbibe the true fervor of the festivals in their entirety. It
was never forced, it was never too much of something that we would have detested later
in lives. We never detested it nor did we regret later. It was probably because of the values that were instilled upon us very subtly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have grown up seeing the grandeur of family tradition while celebrating <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Janmashtami" target="_blank">Janmashtami</a>. At
the wake of dawn, my grandma would immerse the idols of lord Krishna and Radha
(his muse) a lavish milk and ghee bath, deck them with new clothes and
ornaments and start the puja (religious rituals). The food offerings included assortments of seasonal fruits, our own home made sweets made for this occasion alone, Bhog – a
special rice and pulses mixed food, rice polao, luchis (puris), kheer
(condensed milk with rice), 8 different types of fries made from 8 different
vegetables, other special vegetables side dishes, sweet and sour chutnis/
pickles and whole savory of sweets. Having said that, Janmashtami is never complete without Taler
Bora and Malpua for these are supposedly lord Krishna's favorite sweets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our role was not more than just hopping around eating all
the goodies. I particularly liked the occasion since I was not told to study
that day, something that happened very very seldom. Things have changed since.
We have grown up, my sisters have relocated to different countries, and my
grandma is no more. But some things never change, I still live in the
same old house and we still have the more than a century old
Krishna and Radha idols along with the legacy that my grandma has left behind.
Today i see my mother doing everything that she has grown up seeing her mother do, and
I on my part still enjoy the Bhog, Malpua, Sweets etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coming to the special <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Janmashtami" target="_blank">Janmashtami </a>Bengali sweet savory, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malapua_%28dessert%29" target="_blank">Malpua</a>
needs special mention. It is one savory that every other household celebrating
the festival will prepare and needless to say every household has its own Malpua
recipe. My mother has hers and I have mine. I have streamlined on the
ingredients and made the recipe much easier and faster to cater to my taste and
time.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malapua_%28dessert%29" target="_blank">Malpua</a></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Malpua is an Indian delectable dessert much similar to sweet
round pancake dipped in sugar syrup. It’s a gourmet’s delight. To prepare them
you will need easily available kitchen ingredients. The ingredients will be
available in almost every store round the corner.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Milk (8 cups)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Condensed milk (2 cups)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Water (2 cups)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sugar (3 cups)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fennel seeds (1 tablespoon)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Refined flour (3 cups)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose essence (1 teaspoon) - my addition</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Clarified butter/ Ghee/ white oil (1 cups)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">½ teaspoon of cardamom powder (optional)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Few strands of saffron strands (optional)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Silvered almonds and pistachios to garnish (optional)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preparing the sugar syrup</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Prepare a sugar syrup of
single thread consistency. Add 1 tsp of rose essence and a few strand of
saffron. Set aside to cool.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preparing the batter for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malapua_%28dessert%29" target="_blank">Malpua</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bring the milk to boil and keep boiling till it reduces to
half. Set aside and wait till it cools down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sieve the refined flour and add it slowly to the reduced
milk. Keep stirring to avoid the lump formation. Stir well and stir
continuously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Add sweetened condensed milk. Stir to attain a smooth
consistency of pancake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Add fennel seeds and cardamom powder to the batter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Process</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Heat the ghee (clarified butter) on thick bottomed frying
pan and pour the batter in a blob in the center to form small
pancakes. Wait till the sides turn golden brown. Turn over and wait for the
side to cook till it gets golden brown.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dip the Malpuas in the rose sugar
syrup and let it sip the juice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Serving</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove the Malpuas before serving and drain on a wire rack
to drip the excess syrup. Dish them out delicately on a flat platter, garnish
with chopped dry fruits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And that's Malpua for you! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Note to yourself</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With all those goodies, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malapua_%28dessert%29" target="_blank">Malpua</a> is, no doubt, a guilt food.
Nonetheless you can indulge in it once in a while since it's irresistible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Image copyright: Mimpi</div>
</div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-16841477928023752702015-09-14T12:39:00.002-07:002018-05-04T03:20:31.054-07:00Natoker Moto (Like A Play) - More than a biopic a soulful tribute to the group theatres of the 60s <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natoker_Moto_-_Like_a_Play" target="_blank">Natoker Moto</a></i> (Like a play) is a film that certainly will make you think. The film is essentially the journey of Kheya - the maverick, beyond the time, theatre artist, whose untimely death raises questions on the various issues of the 1960s. The socio-cultural scenario, the emancipation of the womanhood, the hypocrisy of the male dominance, the changing face of bengali theatre and of course the indomitable passion for group theatre that had driven the likes of Ajitesh Bandopadhyay, Rudraprasad Sendupta, Keya Chakraborty, Shambhu Mitra to compromise the world against their unfaltering adherence to the cause of drama - a cause they believed in, they lived for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4614362/" target="_blank">The movie</a> starts with the Calcutta Port investigation officer investigating the death of a famous theatre personality Kheya who died untimely while shooting for a bengali cinema. She was apparently sank. Suicide or murder - that was the talk of the town and the officer while going through the pages of her diary and while interrogating discovers the changing equation of the various relationships in the life of the actress. As the truth unfolds the officer confronts the changing roles of various people whose lives are tangled with that of Kheya's. The mentor and the group leader finds himself a minority while the chauvinistic husband captures the leadership with a majority. The changing roles bring about a change that may be considered as a game changer of bengali theatre. The changing face of idealism makes the mentor walks off and the husband takes over the group theatre. He takes immense pride in acquiring a falsehood while the idealist mentor finds emancipation in walking out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The other pivotal characters whose lives were tied with Kheya's appear as the officer unfolds some beautiful relationships with that of the professor, writer-poet, childhood friend. But the most important of all was certainly with that of her mother. A mother with all cliques fights, yields and stands with Kheya in all her nonconformist decisions, right from her decision to marry the college beau to joining the group theatre, to leaving her job as a professor to walking out of the marriage to deciding to giving off her gold jewellery or to act in movies in an endeavor to raise fund to the dying theatre group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Debesh Chattopadhyay, the director, takes us through the interludes of reality and stage stretching over two decades (1950 - 1970). Subtle yet precise the delineation of the character of Kheya from a next door household girl to a strong free spirit whose indomitable courage to fight for her cause was beautifully portrayed. Paoli Dam as Kheya is a delight to watch. It's mind boggling to watch <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_Story" target="_blank">the Hate Story</a> girl transform into Kheya with so much conviction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Paoli Dam immortalizes Kheya. She leaves a mark in all the scenes. In the stage scenes, while enacting Antigone, Noti Binodini, Proposal, she was brilliant. She even gives her voice o the song <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3kHOExgLtk">Ami jokhon meye thaki</a></i>, a fresh composition by Debajyoti Mishra, very naturally. It would be unfair not to mention the rest of the actors who effortlessly did their role playing with equal finesse. Having said that the ensemble cast with the likes of Rajatava Dutta as the Calcutta Port investigator, Sujan Mukhopadhyay as the professor, Ushashi Banerjee as the poet, Rupa Ganguly as the mother, Saswata Chatterjee as the husband and Bratya Basu as the mentor, can never go wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last scene is epic. The camera pans on Kheya's face which after much
pain and sorrow is now poised on the river. This is followed by a long
shot of Kheya's mortal remains wrapped in a 'Murshidabadi silk' floating
downstream as Mousumi Bhowmik's <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N21uqS6a1Z4">Ami shunechhi sedin tumi</a></i>
plays in the backdrop. Amid this the pertinent questions like, "Dol-er
jonyo theatre na, theatre-er jonyo dol" or every suicide is a murder put
us to serious thinking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOSBFWRCqyjMM9KRdyYYh3S8SgfD1mHqAQB4hGrVEokvnC_i1fKdz68FLGNoQ78pEUrqr12Po0fNB1eqCOpD_grwxmW2r-bL5zsu4pt6C96JnL8HVSEaOrKIPwDK40K9Cz7F1d1qIJbA/s1600/CMvrbwxUYAAqwx2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOSBFWRCqyjMM9KRdyYYh3S8SgfD1mHqAQB4hGrVEokvnC_i1fKdz68FLGNoQ78pEUrqr12Po0fNB1eqCOpD_grwxmW2r-bL5zsu4pt6C96JnL8HVSEaOrKIPwDK40K9Cz7F1d1qIJbA/s400/CMvrbwxUYAAqwx2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Natoker Moto even though not really a biopic has strange resemblances with the artistic journey of the theatre artist Keya Chakraborty who had met a similar untimely death shrouded in mystery in March 1977 at the age of 34. She was shooting for Swadesh Sarkar's Jeevan Jey Rokom.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I came to know about this much later when everyone was talking about the biopic thing. The film was believable even without any preconceived notion. That for me was the success of the debutante director. The last scene, the portrayal of the theatre personalities along with the uncanny similarity in their names leave us wondering if Kheya and keya are actually the same person. Having said this, more than a biopic, Natoker Moto is a soulful tribute to the group theatres of the 60s by a passionate theatre artist of the current era, Debesh Chattopadhyay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Natoker Moto</i> is a must watch and you would want to watch it second time round. The last scene is a poignant rendition by Mousumi Bhomick's of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N21uqS6a1Z4">Ami shunechhi sedin tumi</a>.</i> This for me was an insatiable climax that sipped into my being leaving me choked. I came out of the hall with a promise to relive the multi dimensional journey of the free willed artist who continues to live on embracing the living art form yet another time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natoker_Moto_-_Like_a_Play" target="_blank"><b>Cast and Crew </b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo credit and source: Natoker Moto, Timesofindia, Wikipedia</span></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-62393102644539461732015-09-08T10:45:00.001-07:002018-07-06T00:17:13.932-07:00And my pimple saga continues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpK0xx-uCQjHTYXXVN7_Fg7pSKIvZZ-bStclEfru-zS_1g2LSV-JMdtPQACyh-03TLv7i58ee1kll7cAq9C98TWdHMnyKYbi07tJCvy9SoFH3nmdBnLfMRh8frR-e_WZphvlZHZYufO8/s1600/Marilyn-Monroe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpK0xx-uCQjHTYXXVN7_Fg7pSKIvZZ-bStclEfru-zS_1g2LSV-JMdtPQACyh-03TLv7i58ee1kll7cAq9C98TWdHMnyKYbi07tJCvy9SoFH3nmdBnLfMRh8frR-e_WZphvlZHZYufO8/s400/Marilyn-Monroe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are not going to be Monroe anyway - so happy living with pimples.</td></tr>
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Just when I started to believe that I am over my pimple saga I am
assailed with yet another bout of breakouts. If you know me, you must be knowing that pimples have never really abandoned me. They have been
there with me since forever.<br />
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It started all in my pre teen days and as every
other girl in the block I got the first spell amidst much ado. I was started on homemade
remedies on weekends for only that time I could indulge in beauty treatments. I would apply fruit mashes, besan (pulse powder) and egg mixes, yogurt, chandan (sandalwood)
paste - you just name it! Every other day I unveiled new breakouts and
by the time I went to college I was pretty much the girl with lot of spots on face. I was
used to the vicious circle by then and began to believe that it was a part of my growing up.<br />
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Meanwhile,
I saw skin specialists and applied several tubes of ointments, several
face packs and virtually tried every other thing that people came up with. They, however, agreed on one thing that I have an extremely oily skin and that I am bound to have it until a certain age. They
talked on length over the hormonal imbalances, excessive oil secretion,
ineffective and inadequate cleansing, diet imbalances, physiological changes, commercial dupes - blah blah blah. All said and done the
pimples never deserted me. <br />
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That 'age' when I was supposed NOT to get pimples never came. My face today has similar kind of scars from newer pimples which are verging on acne. Now, I have advanced and medicinal cosmetic tubes on my vanity. I have almost all the new launches that promise acne free flawless skin. I have sadly looked on the gorgeous packs of night creams, anti aging treatment, sun screens while shopping, have even bought many of them but could never really apply them like people do. They do not work for me. I am aware of the fact that the hyped commercial aspect on the acne issue never going to go away except that I can get wiser and choose my product wisely. Right now I am just on aloe vera gel that is supposed to do the daily moisturizing.<br />
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The years of bitter sweet association with pimples has taught me that you can only control the breakouts if not totally get rid of them, that hot towel therapy or face spa help in opening up the clogged pores but flawless skin is a myth for people with oily skin. So, no matter how hard you try you can't stop them from coming.<br />
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I know its pointless trying to look beautiful with that big burst on your face but then you are not going to be Monroe anyway. So after several sunrises and coffee cups later my pimple saga continues.</div>
mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309844343798165910.post-48081020734904868012015-05-17T10:52:00.000-07:002018-05-03T23:53:04.140-07:00The beauty of conviction in yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR0GPR7F8NJKRocd5cZnpRcPwqLdz5Qx64tBAj8Lq63TdJHIfNBBKsORIMyIXot60ohiSf5r_UHgvgAaTvI2s4Woz2pHy2VMXD840kVrtyFWYvfJDIHHl04_nv92jzDR7GCbpwE4O0KA/s1600/The-2-Key-Factors-In-Achieving-Your-Long-Term-Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR0GPR7F8NJKRocd5cZnpRcPwqLdz5Qx64tBAj8Lq63TdJHIfNBBKsORIMyIXot60ohiSf5r_UHgvgAaTvI2s4Woz2pHy2VMXD840kVrtyFWYvfJDIHHl04_nv92jzDR7GCbpwE4O0KA/s1600/The-2-Key-Factors-In-Achieving-Your-Long-Term-Goals.jpg" /></a></div>
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So, I completed MBA, had some flamboyant celebrations, greeted with lovely gifts, have had visits - surprise and predictable, went shopping and did some real extravagance while doing so etc. Overwhelmed with the kind of friendship I am blessed with, with the food galore, gifts, deluge of fun and all that matters in life, it is time I redefined life.</div>
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Now that the party time is over, it's time I looked forward, it's time to get real. The post exam and the pre result phase was accentuated with both happy and not so happy moments. I wanted let go and let go like mad but something was holding me back. It was like you do in dreams where you try to climb a mountain but can't, sliding down the slimy height and falling each time you try even though you were doing it with the right kind of technique and with all heart. I was continually hit by the idea of being asked about MBA, studies, results, etc., that I did not want to answer and I was trying to escape every scenario that might have a prospect of creating that kind of plot of me being asked. </div>
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The post result period was marked by persistent phone calls to Amity for the lapses in the results that I thought I should resolve before July. That was the time when my US trip was planned. Back at home, I also had to wrap up the bank jobs, bills, payments. I was doing all of that and I did do them finally. </div>
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As I speak today, I still have three more impending visits that I have been postponing for two long years. I plan to do them next week and hope to enjoy them too. MBA, of all things, have taught me one life lesson - the lesson that I have learned to live by with a happy face and all my heart. MBA has taught me to be able to pass through the hardest and the saddest of times, the I-suck times and of course the do-not-wana-survive kind of times with grace and poise. The brilliance of conviction in yourself is beautiful and the moment you get near that you are a winner. Winning is not just doing a MBA, or getting a A grader or even doing a Bill Gates, winning is taking things in your stride, most convincingly, even if you are going through hell. Life is generic, and how you live it makes it beautiful or not so. That's how I look at life now.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://mimpidreams.blogspot.in/2015/04/more-than-two-years-four-semesters-and.html" target="_blank">More than two years, four semesters and several coffee cups later...</a></span></div>
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<i>Image (C) ~ reachinggoals</i></div>
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mimpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16915112157234495313noreply@blogger.com0