Azadi Express!

I went to see the Azadi Express, a mobile exhibition put together by the government of India and Indian Railways and what good time other than 26th January? So nik & me got ready and rushed to the Bangalore cantonment to catch a glimpse of the exhibition.

We reached there at around 10.30 and saying that there was a long queue is saying anything but the least! After finally tracing the end of the line we stood patiently for our turn, which by the way came after 1 ½ hr!! However during the wait it was heartening to see so many parents accompanying their children to see this ‘Azadi Express’. People had come from as far as South Bangalore to see this rare exhibition.

The exhibition was organized in a train that was painted in our tri-colour. The paintings on both sides of the coaches traced the Indian Freedom struggle from 1857. So on one coach was painted the Soldier Mutiny while the other coach adorned the Dandi March. It was fun just looking at those painting and hearing the young ones accompanying their parent’s squeal out the freedom fighters names with joy.

Our patient wait finally bore fruit and we entered the train, and I must say it was a real brush with the past. The exhibition was put together very well with a good blend of photos, murals, thermocol cut-outs etc. However, the ‘desh-bhakti’ songs being played along with the announcements made by the volunteers was a little turnoff, and out of place!

Be it the old newspapers and their headlines describing the major events that took place, The Queens declaration after 1857, illustrations depicting the 1857 war, murals showing the brutality in the aftermath of 1857, photos showing the non-co-operation movement, Dandimarch, India’s first Independence day celebration…. You name it and it was there, all being unfolded like an illustrated story! It ended with the achievements of India as a nation after 1947 till 2007. The progress depicted in photographs and models included from fields like agriculture, defense, research, medicine, education, industry etc.
All in all it was an enriching experience, and a wonderful start to the Republic Day!

Turban Minefield for France?

With the proposed ban on all religious symbols in French public schools creating uproar in the Sikh community one wonders if there was really a need for this ban?

The Sikh community, on one hand is protesting against the denial of practicing their religion while the French government is worried with the growing fundamentalist nature in its country.

Post 9/11, have we as a world become more insecure that we are scared of anything and everything? Can’t we judge a person on the basis of his education, his contribution to the society, and his behaviour towards the society than his religion?

Is wearing religious symbols a threat to the society, or limited understanding of the religion & twisting the religious sentiments for individual benefits a threat?

No religion ever promoted violence and this can be strongly brought to fore only by clear understanding of those religious scriptures and availability of rationale educational system for all. Banning would only lead to hurt sentiments and feeling of betrayal.

While at it, at one end we say that there is a violation of fundamental rights of an individual to practice one’s religion, but are we correct in expecting an alien country to be tolerant towards our religion? Aren’t we a migrant community in their land who has left their country, their people and their laws behind?

In India, we are growing less tolerant by the day towards people coming from other states… then are we correct in expecting France to be more tolerant and understanding towards our religions and sentiments while we as Indians can’t even manage the same for fellow Indians?

Methi Malai Mutter

Tried making methi malai mutter the other day, it turned out pretty well and hence it gets a mention on my space :) I have no clue if this is the original version of it, but I can assure one thing, it taste's yumm.... Actually was a mix and match of many receipes put together :P...

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup Green peas (boiled)
1/2 cup Cream or malai
1 bunch Methi leaves (chopped)
1 tomato
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 pinch Asafoetida
3 tsp Ghee or butter
Salt to taste

Fresh ground Paste includes- 1 Onion +1 Tomato+1/4 tsp Curds + 1tsp Sugar + 1.5tsp Cashew nuts + 2 green chillies +1/2 tsp turmeric powder + 1/2"piece Ginger + 2 Cloves + 1/4" stick Cinnamon

METHOD:

Heat ghee, add cumin seeds and asafoetida. Add the above paste and fry till oil leaves the sides.
Stir, and add peas, methi leaves and malai.
Add a little water and milk, then boil for 2-3 minutes or till gravy thickens. Serve hot.

Social Responsibility?

While at work today, was reading through few of the corporate social responsibilities that many companies undertake. Every company has been talking about it... many harping from rooftops as if they were doing something great by providing human conditions to their workers.
Reading all that I felt are these people really interested in doing their bit for the society or is it just a 'feel good' factor for them? Should I feel happy, that even though it sounds as a gimmik the corporates are still doing something for the weaker section of the society or should I be sad, that something so innate as caring for people around you, can be faked?

As an afterthought, I think it I should be happy...I remember of the construction site close to my house where on seeing these construction workers, working on high altitudes.... I said a silent prayer. The places where they stayed were dingy, cramped and with no basic amenities. Thankfully now with CSR, atleast they could look forward to better accomodations,with many even providing schooling facilities for their workers children. Some corporates are working towards schooling the low income group people children or children of people from the unorganized sections while many others have tied up with NGO's and donate funds as per the NGO requirements.

While reading through all this, I came across a company called Mind Tree and their CSR. The companies logo is said to be designed by a spastic child. They work extensively with spastic children and have also created employment opportunities for them. It touched me, to see that they are actually creating responsible, self motivated and independent citizens out of these children.

I think there is no reason to debate as far as the CSR benefits the society and our corporates should be applauded for the activities that they do! After all this is their step towards emerging as an organization with a heart in the right place!

Dhru

Never knew you would make such a difference in my life... Never can I explain what you mean to me... Just understand that you are really really special!

Now before anybody gets any ideas.... I am talking about my dear little sis... Surprised! Well, she is sweet and contradictory to popular beliefs where younger sisters are supposed to be a pain, mine isnt :P

A very studious , kind and funny person she is also very good at false pretenses... Looking at her nobody would believe that she can be the most naughtiest, craziest and stubburn when whims take over her!

It has been a fun ride with her along. A person with whom I can talk endlessly, discussing all my weird ideas. My alley in all the small things we planned to do, keeper of my secrets and my critic. A person who dreamt with me my dreams, who encouraged me to fulfill my dreams and someone who was right next to me while I was being scolded for the many things that I did ( the list of me being scolded and for what reasons is endless... so lets just keep it to this!)... Oh and how can I forget a crazy Harry Potter fan too!

I remember the rides that we had... first on my cycle and then on my bike, the spur of moment decisions to go visit bhel chowk, the last minute rush to book movie tickets, surprise gifts and chocholates I brought for her, and the sweet cards and gifts that she brought for me on my b'days ( usually would save her money for a long time to make sure she has enough to buy me something) or the funny waltz that we tried whenever we pleased!

This is a relation I will always cherish, with a special place in my heart! 'Thank U Dhru' for being what you are....