Blasts in Delhi

Shame on those people who feel thrilled to kill their fellow innocent brothers and sisters. Why do they call themselves Indian Mujhahideen? Why do they attach the word Indian to their organisation when they r nothing but opposites of it?

Its terrible to think what the people must be going thru, fearing of Bomb Blasts day and Night. My deepest condolences to people who lost their near and dear in the terrorist attacks. May God be with all of them and help them go through this painful experience. My heart sinks just to read such shocking news.

Onam Fiesta !

I wouldn't be a Complete Mallu if I don't mention the Favoutirte festival of Kerala which is "ONAM". Onam Festival is celebrated with great joy and gaiety across Kerala, during a series of days in August or September. Many cultural events are also held on the occasion of Onam. Snake Boat races, Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance recitals and musical performances are organized to celebrate Onam in Kerala. Moreover there is a 10 day holiday in schools for even the children to enjoy.

What do people do throughout the 10 days??
Well there are lots of things!! First and formost People shop till they drop...u'll see sale sale everywhere from big shopping malls to even the smallest market shop. People buy new clothes and exchange gifts. Houses are cleaned and beautiful flower carpets and decorations are made at the entrances of houses and in courtyards. Traditional oil lamps are lit in the courtyard and women dressed in traditional Kerala sarees dance around the lamp, performing a dance called Thiruvathirakali. The main event on Onam day is a grand feast at lunchtime. Called sadya, the feast consists of a series of dishes served one after the other, including rice, vegetable curries, pickles and several varieties of payasam or sweet dish.

The highlight of this season is where u make Pookkalams(Flower designs).
Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. The tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular during ten-day-long Onam celebrations. Loads of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are what makes a spectacular Pookkalam. Pookalam Competitions r held in schools and associations during this time too. Its a real feast to watch all the designs and creativity. They have become extremely popular and witness huge public participations. Big prizes are also kept in these contests as they have turned up to be extremely competitive events.

The Legend behind Onam Festival in Kerala:

Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a legendary ruler of Kerala, who was renowned for the justice and goodness of his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that even the God's grew jealous of him. King Mahabali had conquered all the land and sea and the heavens, making the Gods even more disturbed. Vishnu descended on earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana. He went to King Mahabali's palace and found the good King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus subjugated and sent to the underworld. However because he was a good and just king who loved his subjects, he could return once a year to check on the welfare of his people. And it is during Onam time that He comes to visit his people.

Onam Sadhya(Onam Feast)
A proper Onam Sadhya is what the people long for during this time.It consists of the dishes given below served in small quantities with white rice on a Big Banana Plantain Leaf. Totally Vegetarian and YUMMY! The dishes include Parippucurry, Injithair, Sambar, Avial, Kalan, Olan, Thoran, Puliinji, Pineapple Pachhady, Erissery Koottucurry, Sarkarapuratty ,Kaya Varuthathu, Pappadam ,Payasam, Prathaman ,Bananas

Payasams(also known as Kheer) r the best part of this sadya.
I love payasams.There are several varieties of 'payasams'. I have included a recipe of a simple Semiya Payasam which is my fav.
Semiya Payasam
Ingredients:
Vermicelli 1 cup

Cashew nuts handful

Raisins handful

Water 3/4cup

Sugar a cup

Saffron a pinch

Milk a cup

Cardamom two or three pods
Method:

Heat the ghee and fry the vermicelli till light brown. In the meanwhile, boil the water. Add the vermicelli to the boiling water and cover it. Keep stirring occasionally. Once the vermicelli becomes soft , add the sugar and continue to stir. Put the saffron in the milk and dissolve it, add this milk to the vermicelli. Powder the cardamom and add it to the mixture. Then fry the cashew nuts and almonds in ghee and add these. Mix well and boil for about two minutes. Your payasam is ready and can be served hot or cold.
By now I hope u all got an idea of what Onam is .

So wishing u all a Very Happy Onam!

Beaming Moon

While sunset creeps across

The changing firmament,

You roll slowly into

The deep blue Velvety Skies.

You say ur byes

To the tired sun,

And arrive to take

Your daily turn.

You're a stunner with

Your Silvery beams,

As u strut across

The heavens above.

And while the stars up high,

Wink at u forever,

And give u company,

You surpass all the above,

With ur flattering beauty.

The changing shapes

You acquire each day,

Is ur magical ability

To keep us amazed.

Tho the Sun's mighty,

And much powerful than u,

It still is invisible,

In its own light

And way beyond

Bare eye's view.

Oh! Beaming Moon

Ur Silvery Shine smile,

Is truly a gazer's delight,

A poets muse ,

And a child's rhyme.

Happy Teachers Day

Today is the day teachers should be proud of. A day in memory of all teachers who work hard and spend their life being selfless and who impart knowledge to the younger generation.The gift of teaching isn't a talent u find in everybody. I always fumbled when it came to teaching somebody and i certainly don't have the knack to rack brains through word of mouth and so I admire all teachers and their gift to teach. Me always loved literature and most often my fav teachers would be my English teachers.Lately I found 3 of my English teachers on Orkut who happened to teach me English during 3 different phases of my life. I am really fortunate to have found them. Does it mean that only English teachers seem to be keep in pace with the modern Social Networking system? I don't have any answers to that but from my experience ,I feel its very true. My English teachers have really done well in keeping in touch with all their old students. The latest info now is that,years later, My teachers have become my friends ...:)

Invisible Linda

Linda was always there in class but was almost invisible. She was a pretty normal girl from Std 1 onwards. She had no close friends though she liked everybody in class. She wished she had one best friend with whom she could share her small small laughters, joys, sorrows and blues. That one friend would have made her life whole, she would think. She was mediocre in everything. Her looks were ordinary. Her class performance was average. She would watch close buddies in class and how they would walk about, play, how they would talk and what made them close.

There would be school annual programs but Linda would never get selected by her teachers though she would long for it. Deep within her heart she would pray that she would be chosen but every year she would return home broken hearted after selections. She loved to dance, sing or even act, but probably she was not extra-ordinary enough. And so she often felt invisible, dejected and despirited. In order to gain some friends sometimes she would crack jokes but even that did not bring anyone close enough. One particular year she got a part in a drama where she was to be the King's soldier, whose only role was to stand by his side till the drama got over but that was enuff to make her feel happy.

Seeing Linda's sorrows of not being accepted among her friends and teachers, her parents decide to enroll her for some dance classes. Linda slowly started having friends. She participates actively in Dance classes,programs,competitions conducted by the Dance school and even wins prizes. Her School teachers recognise the 'Once upon a time Invisible girl' and starts selecting her for the school annual programs . Linda now holds her head high. For the first time in her life after 6 years she feels 'accepted' and not a ghost anymore. The dejection she felt from when she was a child made her a mature girl. Later in life she looked out for other 'Invisible People' in her life and made them feel special. That was Linda's Exceptional talent.

TV tastes

L and G have different tastes when it comes to watching television. L loves her daily dose of cartoons. Tom and Jerry, Sponge BOB, Dora, Hattori, Perman, Ben10, ShinChan, etc . Lately she likes watching even serials like Sunaina. G is the opposite...she's not at all interested in cartoons. Very rarely do i find G watching a cartoon. Instead G likes to watch songs even tho she doesn't sit thru it entirely. Another thing G loves is watching Ads. When L goes for a break between her toons, G comes and watches all the ads. She wouldn't allow us to switch the channel. G also loves cookery shows. I have never seen any kid her age watching cookery shows. Hope atleast she turns out to be a better cook than me.

After a long time I got a chance to hold the TV remote in my hand. I just surfed to find a good movie last saturday and we happened to watch "Snow Dogs" on Zee Studio..My girls happened to join me in watching the movie, seeing me laughing hysterically. We thoroughly enjoyed it.Its got a very touching storyline too. There were many fierce looking dogs in the movie, specially one dog which looked almost like a wolf. After watching the movie I found it very strange that L wanted me to buy a dog with that Wolf-like appearance for her, whereas G was almost terrifed of the very mention of the word 'dog'.Not that I don't like dogs but looking after 2 kids i don't think i'll have time to look after a dog.
Talking bout Ads have u watched the latest Tata Sky Ad where Aamir Khan switches into a husband and wife at the same time....What an idea?? Simply Superb!!! Another one I like is the Ad where the Sumo wrestlers join in a crowd to form an aeroplane and take off into the air folding their legs....Hilariuos!

I also have a good laugh singing the Perman Cartoon song....Initially I used to wonder what was the meaning of the word "Perman" and then I found the answer in the songtitle itself. "Superman Se Su Huttaallo tho Perman Ban Gayya" ...funny isn't?

My Sweet Mom

Hello friends...

been a few days since i have filled in my blogbook. My mom had a surgery last week and I didn't get a chance to be with her due to some circumstances. So i thought I would take a break,pray and think of everything related to my mom. She's on the road to recovery and I was very happy to speak to her yesterday after her surgery on thursday. She sounded tired after the whole procedure and also in pain too. BUt I know she'll be well in a few weeks time. Its only when we go thru such times that we realise the importance of people in our life whom we take for granted. I know I haven't been a good daughter to her but she's always been the best. My mom and me r just 20 years apart in age but she looks more like my elder sis than my own mom. She's always clad in a saree and carries herself real well. Mama's very sensitive and a shy woman unlike the modern mothers, probably due to her conservative upbringing. I remember times in my life whenever I used to disobey her, she would tell me that I should be a mother to understand. Now after being a mom of 2 kids I understand well. I've realised now that mothers cannot explain all things to their children while bringing them up but we realise them later in life when we go through similiar situations.

Radio

Perhaps one of the most greatest inventions of mankind was the invention of The Radio...which is now even the most economical means of communication and entertainment. People r still thrilled to use this means of invention even after many years, since its invention. New laptops and mobiles have arrived into scene but nothing can replace a radio.

I have always been amazed at how an ordinary radio channel can reach out to masses of people from the most Affluent to even the poorest of the poor...all they need is a small set with transmitter and batteries. Even power is not needed. I just searched on the net on who invented the radio and it turns out that it was a culmination of hard work by various scientists and brainy men.

The reason why i started this topic was becoz my family and me have been listening to this radio channel called Vivid Bharathi for about a year and half,everyday. The timing is from 10 to 11 in the night. They play all the old Hindi songs which makes us feel nostalgic, and help us to relax before sleep . Nothing can beat those oldies. Like they say "Old is Gold".

Whats interesting about this is people from remote villages write to the radio station to play their favourite old songs and they even read out the people who requested it and mention their village too. Its not just music they cater too. Many rural people write and even call up this station for various programs and discussions. Its good to know that that this piece of invention has not left rural people apart from the rest of the fast world.

Hats off to The Radio and its inventors!

MathOphobia

Jenny's eyes were filled with tears. Her Math teacher had asked her a simple subtraction sum and she was trembling and sweating. She was so full of confusion and tension that all she uttered were wrong answers. Her MAth teacher was furious and she was pinching Jenny by her ear. After all she was in 3rd Std and she still couldn't do a simple subtraction. All her 21 other fellow students watched Jenny in anxiety.
Time was passing by so slowly during that Math period. Finally the MAth teacher took a decision. She decided to make Jenny sit in a Std 2 class room. Jenny was made to sit with the junior students in the last bench of that class. The Math teacher asked a few simple subtraction sums and all the kids in that class answered instantly and correctly. Jenny was still wiping away her tears silently but she could not escape from the mocking eyes of a whole class, junior to her. Even though she was only 8 yrs old then, it was the most embarassing incident in Jenny's life. Math was not her subject and ever since that incident she developed an aversion and fear for that subject. She simply didn't like any of her Math teachers specially the one who made her sit in a lower class.
It was the greatest irony in her life that years later, she ended up taking Maths as one of her main subjects and even completed her Engineering. She had to develop some liking for it if she had to pass those MAths papers. She did pass them and so she emerged victorious. Now she is married and a mother of 2 kids. "No more Math again now" , she thot. But Lo and Behold she sees her elder girl struggling with Math. But thankfully she's only lazy to study Math. Otherwise she is Math-intelligent.

Toys

Whats with children and toys? Will there be an end to the number of toys piling up inspite of not buying for our own?

My house is overflowing with toys...toys here,toys there,toys everywhere...i need not take any toys to my native ..coz i have toys for my kids there too...toys at my in-laws house and toys at my parents. Toys r something that keep pouring into our house as gifts from friends and relatives. Particularly after a Birthday celebration, u will end up with many toys. Every year we donate some old ones to SOS and few old ones goes to my maid but still they come from nowhere.

All the cleaning was done by me every day...the most annoying being pieces of pieces of bricks, pencils, crayons, bangles(specially for girls) and puzzles scattered everywhere. I clean them up after they've gone to school and hide them, only to take them out again when my girls request innocently with false promises of cleaning up after play. When they r done, they go their own way which makes me the last one left in the room to clean up. Grrr...

If this goes on I think I will have to do it till they grow older. I have been thinking about it seriously these days. Better now than later. My girls have to take responsibilty atleast in the matter of cleanliness. Therefore I have adopted stringent measures for cleaning up after play. No more outdoor play until ething is cleaned up. Anything taken from its place has to be returned after use, at once. All cleaning should be done before going to bed. Although its impossible to keep monitoring, I am trying my level best. I don't know how long I have to be the monster figure in their lives. But judging by my own character, its likely that I will forget about it sooner or later, me being very softhearted to my girls. :)

For My Wonderful Friends

For all my wonderful friends out there..who have been with me and who have been praying for my well being...here's the wonderful song that we sang together often while we were in college.