Why am I a #bafelubatetu #boiledpotatoes fan?

Emperor Babur got this magic vegetable to India. You don't know how much I thank him on a daily basis. Had I got his picture, I would have kept it in the temple at my home. Had I been there during his reign, I would have thanked him personally for getting potatoes from Turkey to India - it would have been a long, hectic, tiresome, bum-breaking journey. I say bum-breaking because I doubt he would have walked all this way, he was surely riding his horse - but then that's another story.

I have never come across any person who does not like potatoes. Rather I know many who love potatoes. And why not?! Potatoes make food delicious and eatable. Imagine the kadva methi ki bhaaji. As soon as the potato enters this bhaaji, it enhances the bhaji and we are able to stand the methi part of it. Hence in a way potato acts as an agent who will ensure we eat healthy.

Everything good would have the potato. Like chaat, Dosa, pav bhaaji, wada pav, sandwich, finger chips, burgers, etc. Now stop thinking of dishes which don't have the potato. Believe me, the dishes that don't have the potato are just plain unlucky. And am sure secretly they are modifying their recipe to accommodate this loved vegetable.

Potato tastes good in gravy as well as sookha. The aalu bhaaji, dum aalu, bateta nu shaak are all favourites.

Kids love potatoes - that is one vegetable which you wont need to coax your child into eating. They will happily relish it and even compliment you for making it.

When you go to shop vegetables, you waste a lot of time in selecting the right veggie. But potatoes are simple. All that is needed is for you to tell the bhaiya "Ek kilo aalu dena" and he will just give it to you. That is because all potatoes are good potatoes. There is no discrimination between them.

Potatoes can be eaten in many ways. Boiled, pan fried, deep fried, with skin, without skin, mashed, chopped, eaten whole and more. There are a hundred things you can make with the potato. See how simple the potato makes our life!

After all this, all I can say is that we have a lot to learn from the potato. Be it its simplicity, friendly nature, its versatility, its love for all, its humbleness etc. Hence be like a potato. But don't mistake it for being a couch potato! Share this to mark you love for the potato <3

The handsome villain – Danny Denzongpa #bollywood #moviebuff

If you are the 80’s kid, you might have hated this handsome man because he was a villain perpetually, getting killed in the end. And when you would talk of him now, you would still mention how handsome and fit he is, and how versatile he’s been through his career. He’s no more just a villain to you.

He's fitted well in the bell bottoms, military pants and the cravat clad blazer too. He looked good with hair as well as without hair. He looked good with chashma as well as without it. With beard as well as without. Tell me, who else has been able to carry off all these flawlessly?! 

His piercing eyes emote everything that reaches our heart - be it hatred, love, patriotism or friendship.

That’s the way we 80’s kids see Danny Denzongpa. Looking down our memory lane, there are some of well-known roles that we remember off hand – Bakhtawar of Hum, Kancha Cheena of Agneepath, Khuda Baksh of Khuda Gawah, Abrush of Pukar and his recent role in Baby. Here is a look at this man whom we have hated and loved together!

Agneepath – Kancha Cheena 

Krantiveer – Chatur Singh

Khuda Gawah – Khuda Baksh

Hum – Bakhtawar

Ghaatak – Kaatya

Chinagate - Major Ranjir Singh Gurung

Pukar – Abrush

16 December – Vir Vijay Singh

Jai Ho – Home Minister Dashrat Singh 

Bang Bang! – Omar Zafar

Baby – Feroz Ali Khan

Obviously he's much more than just these. But then, this is what he is to us - the 80's kid :) 

Indian TV serials in a nutshell

Believe it or not, our TV serials are addictive. We ridicule them, criticise them, make fun of them, but we certainly cannot avoid them. This saas-bahu drama has become a part of our house in some way or the other. No wonder the protagonist is generally the lady.

Our TV serials have also kept us updated with the latest trends - be it Romola's bindi, Komolika's blouse pattern or Anandi's dazzling jewellery design and lehnga. 

This year, the stories saw a rise in superstitions, black magic and kaali shakti. Maybe the writers were out of ideas. Social media went bizarre when Simar became a housefly. And more when we read about a king-kong monkey falling in love with Thapki! Following this, even Aradhya got hypnotised and started acting as if usmein aatma ghus gayi.

When you closely study the story of the TV serials, you realise that there is a trend. A formula to increase the TRPs. While it may work for one serial, not necessarily it’ll work for all. But whatever the case, it enough to create curiosity, drama, masala and sansani! Here are some stereotypical formulae which obviously you are aware of. I am just helping you remember and relive them :)

1. Eavesdropping

Almost every episode of every TV serial has this. Basically the characters have no other work apart from eavesdropping and formulating a plan in their mind which is so loud that we are able to hear it!

2. God exists

Oh come on! We are Indians and we love God. We do not have this concept of being an atheist. The nastik in India is always the villain. And our serials portray the same. And it doesn’t stop at a Hey Bhagwan. It becomes more specific with a Mata-rani ki aagya, or a Jai shri Krishna or a Ganpati bappa morya or a Devi maa ki kripa. 

3. Culture specifics

Why do I know that a Jai shri Krishna is a greeting in Gujarat and a Khammaghani in Rajasthan or that Punjabis love their lassi? Well, not just because I am one of it, but also because it’s all over the TV! The Punjabis, Marwadis and Gujaratis rule the TV world. And Bengalis, UP-ites and Maharashtrians are following closely. It’s a good way to know the rich and diverse culture of India.

4. Rebirth

The protagonist or her husband dies. There have been cases where such instances have created heart breaks and outrages. And then on public demand, they have a rebirth. Could also be that God blesses the family with a child who looks the same. Or could be that the protagonist didn’t die after all.

5. Plastic surgery

When the actor decides that bohot ho gaya I want a raise in pay, the producers decide it’s time for their character to have a plastic surgery. This obviously adds drama, a new plot in the same mundane family and a new face. All enough to catch the viewers’ attention, right?

6. Generation leap

There is no more masala that could be added to the current set of characters. They needed to grow. And new ones needed to get added so that there are more rifts, problems and koot-neetees (for those who didn’t get that, it means conspiracies).

7. Memory loss

Character: Mein kaha hu? Tum kaun ho?

Doctor: Mujhe bade dukh ke saath bolna pad raha hai ki inki yaad-dash kho gayi hai. :(

When this happens, all the characters will suddenly wear sober pastel colours and discard their bright reds and pinks. But don’t be very sad. The memory comes back in most of the cases and the villain is put behind bars and the family is back together. 

8. Marriages & rituals

There will always be a marriage which took an eternity to happen after all the ups and downs. The celebrations will have to include all the rituals and a family dance where the vamp is staring at them with the expression of 'what the shit is happening, I will never let them be happy'. The marriage itself would stretch to at least a week till the phera are completed. The TV serial marriages are important to know the latest shaadi trends this season.

9. Extra marital affair

Bachpan ka pyaar or sister-in-law pe nazar… Extra marital affairs are becoming quite common nowadays. This chhupa pyaar will obviously cause damage. And the abla naari will still forgive her husband. After all, she’s the sanskari bahu naa!

10. Villain’ pashyataap

The villain or vamp gets a hriday-parivartan. And in all that, she wants to do something good for the protagonist. In doing so, she will go through pain, meet with an accident, turn herself to the police, or simply say I’m sorry, mujhe maaf kardo! In the end, the good always prevails over evil.

Mind it, all these are stereotypes and there would be a little plus or minus in the scenarios. However, all these will exist to make that TV serial a hit. We hate them and love them at the same time. Let ZEE STAR add COLOR to our SONY LIFE OK (Let the star add colour to our simple life okay).

When we watch the Indian TV serials, we feel that they lack in story. But whatever it is, the Simar, Anandi, Gopi, Swara, Tulsi, Ram Kapoor, Mr. Bajaj, Mihir and others, are all characters which very close to the Indian heart. Jaise bhi hai, apne hai :D

Life of BAI #SumanKaku #Stories

She’s the woman who would pray daily for people to have babies!

It was the last day of June 2016 and as per routine Suman kaku (our malishwali bai) had come to give malish and bath to our 4 month old daughter. We generally have conversations on how to raise the baby and stuff like that. But today was a different - she told us 'her' story.

Suman kaku is a nav-vari clad self-made woman. She got married at the age of 13 to her atya’s son. She is from Mangaon and child marriage was not an uncommon affair there. By the time she was 20, she had 3 children!

As a newly married girl, when she entered her village, she had to remove her chappals, hold them in her hand and walk barefoot. This was a norm among the newly-wed brides. It was arrogance of the bride if she walked in the village with her chappals on.

She also had to have the pallu of her saree over her head all the time. If her father-in-law or mother-in-law were around, she had to pull her pallu down and cover her face. With this, she would be giving respect to her in-laws. This practice exists in India, especially among the Marwadis, Gujaratis, North Indians and other sections of the society. In local Gujarati language, it is called as ‘laaj’, which in a way means to give respect. But Suman kaku was a little ahead of times and refused to have her pallu over her head. Her reason being it was inconvenient to carry the pallu over her head!

Suman bai got her first period at the age of 14 after which she had gone to her mother’s place. And for 4 months she didn’t get her period again. When she suddenly began to realise that her tummy was looking bigger, is when her mother told her that she was probably expecting! At the age of 14 she got her first period and her first child.

Her husband died at a young age. She’s 55 right now, stays in Dharavi and goes many houses to do malish of the new born and new moms. Her entire childhood was spent in playing. She never attended any school. Despite all this, she manages to read the bus numbers, has a Rs. 3,000 kitty (also called Beecee) and has an active bank account. She’s an independent woman who makes a decent living, earning Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 depending on the season of baby deliveries.

Where do people go to pee when they travel? #Traveler #RoadTrip #TravelTips #IncredibleIndia

Many people are scared of road trips. And the reason is that it becomes frustrating to relieve themselves in the midst of nowhere. In India, we do not have well maintained, hygienic road side loos. The ones we come across are so filthy that it’s difficult to step in them, let alone breathe! Maybe it’s a good idea to start a business of installing loos alongside the highways and charging a nominal fee for its usage – but well that might get addressed in the next blog!

Coming back to our topic, while it’s simpler for the men folk, the ladies face a tough time in finding the right place to relieve themselves. However, be it the man or the lady, most of them would refuse to enter the public toilets. Then the question is, where to pee?

Food stops – On the highway there are various restaurants which will pass by. But we will wait till we find that decent looking restaurant which might have a decent toilet for the emergency. Here too, the Indian commode is preferred where one can squat and finish off rather than placing their bum on the seat of the English commode where a million other bums would have left their mark!

Forest – When we enter the forest regions, it becomes simpler. Just find that perfect bush along the road, go behind it, ensure its safe enough to not get bitten by bugs, and then relieve yourself.

Banks of the river – This one’s a common one, and it gives a splendid view of the river too. All you have to search for is that rock behind which you can squat comfortably to relieve yourself while enjoying the river flow alongside! By the way, in case you get other urges and need water, the river water will be readily available. And if you have forgotten to get your soap or sanitizer, rub your hands in the soil to clean them off. It might not be the best way, but it will suffice till you find your soap!

Road – Obviously this might get embarrassing. But if it’s the need of the hour, here is a way out. Give some dupattas / shawls / towels to your co-travellers, make them form a circle holding these at the edges so as to make a room wall, and relieve yourself in between this. To avoid complete embarrassment, please ask your co-travellers to face the other side so they don’t see you in a vulnerable position *wink*!

There are instances where we consciously or sub-consciously decide to refrain from going to the loo. We also avoid intake of water for the fear that we will have to pee at a dirty, filthy, unhygienic place. Please don’t let this happen to you. Staying hydrated is far more important than anything else. With the above ideas, you will be able to comfortably enjoy your pee.

In case there is a situation where you have had lots of water, but still you do not get the urge to relieve yourself, there are ways out:

Piss – You need to make soft pissssss pissssss noises. This will help you get your pee.

Rub stones – Strangely, when you rub stones, the action and the sound help in getting the urge to pee! You don’t need big sized stones. The regular pebbles and stones which you find on the road will do the needful.

Talk about pee – Its completely psychological. When a person starts talking about peeing, the entire group will get an urge to relieve themselves.

Hope all these nuske help. Relieving yourself is an important natural activity, so don’t go on a control spree. And don’t be scared of road trips. Have a fun-filled journey.

Print medium will not lose the battle #Marketing #DigitalMarketing #MediaMix

Digital is the third largest medium in India after Television and OOH says Zenith’s Media Consumption Forecasts report (Source: afaqs).

The media mix for most of the companies have seen rejig. Print is getting replaced by the digital media. And there are various reasons for it – its cost effective, catches audience at the right time at the right place (remember this is what our very own Philip Kotler also said about effective communication), gives relevant information, it’s a fun and young medium and hence there is a lot to innovate and explore. Digital has also provided a platform for many a talent to start their shop – be it the e-tailers, bankers, writers (bloggers as we call them), cottage industries, and educational institutions… the list is endless. Even the original print houses have got their digital versions. It’s true, this medium is growing by leaps and bounds and cannot be ignored in this age. It is estimated that this year, the ad spends on digital will grow by 15.5%, hence making digital the fastest growing medium (Source: Live Mint ).

However, digital media has some drawbacks – technology intimidates a lot of people, it strains eyes, many do not know how to use the digital platform. That’s why a national campaign needs a complete 360 degree media mix. While television tops this media mix, print medium cannot be ignored. Especially because it reaches to the people who are the decision makers and have the spending power.

Reading newspapers, magazines is an addiction. It’s a routine. It’s old school. Whether you read it with your morning cup of chai or when you are on the pot discharging the previous days worries (*wink*) or when you are travelling in the train.

Print medium is old school. It gives a sense of sophistication. When one is reading a newspaper, it gives a perception that that individual might be intellectual. However, when one is reading the same news on the mobile phone, it gives an impression that the person is a playing game or is a geek.

While a lot of digital content is becoming regional, it’s not very popular still. Nothing can replace the regional newspapers. It is often said that the consumer loyalty to a regional language newspaper is a lot more than the English newspaper.

Many avid readers have migrated to e-books, kindle and online books. This might be convenient, easy to carry, cost effective and stylish. But then again, there is a wide audience who is still a fan of the hard copy, who has a collection of books, and a book shelf in their home.

Hence in this digital age, where every person is connected to information, I still see that print medium is not going to go off the stands. Irony stands that this itself is a blog and not an article written in some newspaper or magazine!

Book Review: The Princess in Black! An unheard story of the Mughals.

Authors: Upendra Dharamadhikari and Changali Anand

 

There’s a threat to the security of India, and the target this time is the beautiful monument Taj Mahal at Agra. The ex-president of the USA is visiting the Taj and the Defence Intelligence Agency are on a high alert. Alongside there’s an artefact stolen at the Delhi Museum. This artefact will unlock the mystery of world’s biggest diamond, three times bigger than the Kohinoor – a diamond which was passed from generation to generation by the Mughal Emperors, and has a secret to it. 

While the mystery of this Mughal diamond Noor-e-Jahan gets unveiled by Professor Narayan Shastri and Saima Azmi, the terrorist, Major Salim Khan, gets caught at Agra too. We are often made to think that Major Salim Khan and his sister Safi are the lineage to the Mughal dynasty.

Overall it’s a good plot and has a dramatic ending. With big organisations like Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Princeton University, etc being spoken off, we expect the mystery to be a lot more intriguing. However, this mystery becomes quite predictable.

What’s missing in this book is the maturity in writing. The spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes and unnecessary elaboration of various scenes are a let-down. The research done on ASI, DIA and Mughal history is very basic – even school kids would know that much. It needed better proofing and editing.

Still, if you’re bored, if there’s nothing else to do, or if you’re a Mughal era fan, this book can be read! 

Mumbai Monsoons #Traveler #IncredibleIndia #MumbaiLover #AamchiMumbai #Foodie

If there is a mention of monsoon, the conversation would surely have a little bit of Mumbai in it. After all that’s one thing every Mumbaikar is proud of! And now that June has set in, we are all eagerly waiting for the pitter-patter on our windows and roofs.

Past behaviour says that right from the first showers, Mumbai makes a dash to the Sahyadaris. While that is good, and should not be missed, there are a lot many places to visit in Mumbai during the monsoons too. A true Mumbaikar would have visited most of these places. Since Mumbai has a long coastline, naturally some of the best places will be sea facing.

Nariman Point - Last year a few friends from Nagpur had visited us in the month of August. It was a rainy night and at 10 PM the plan was made to go to Nariman Point. They wanted to experience the high waves gushing to the coastline and get wet in them. That’s what’s shown in the movies and in the news channels right. Oh yes, this is true. But this does not happen daily. It would generally happen on high tide rainy day, especially if it’s the full moon or new moon.

A few places that will not get flooded in the harshest rains is Gateway of India. Experience the high waves that will drench you down. When you move towards the Radio Club, the waves get even better. And believe me, how much ever you will try to save yourself from the rains (umbrellas and windcheaters and raincoats), the rain will catch hold of you in any case.

Worli Seaface is another place where you can experience the gushing waves.

Bandra Bandstand – This is where the couples would get cosy under the umbrellas. It’s a very good idea to bite into the freshly roasted corn and watch the wild waves hit the rocks. While you’re here you can also visit the Mount Mary Church or the Father Agnel Ashram.

  

If you’re on the western suburbs, Juhu Beach is the place to be when it’s the high tide. Caution, do not venture into the waters as you can easily get swallowed. The rains on the beach is like cherry on the cake – it’s enough to make you forget what you were. There are chai-coffee vendors on cycles here and you can sip along with the rain on the road. If there isn’t anything else, simply go to Shiv Sagar and relish the Cheese Pav Bhaji.

Powai Lake has a garden alongside. During monsoons, the water in the lake overflows and the water falls at this garden. It’s a good place to experience the local waterfall. If you aren’t a waterfall person, you can enjoy the rains sitting on the bank. If you’re lucky you might be able to spot a crocodile.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park – While this park is beautiful on any other day, during monsoons it’s a completely different experience. The greens cool your eyes and you will easily forget that you are still in the city. To top it, there are waterfalls right here (no need to go to Lonavala for waterfalls at least). A visit to the Kaneri Caves completes the trip.

While all of this sounds exciting and refreshing, when there’s a high alert, ensure you and your family stay safe.

Monsoon Food Delights

There are a lot many joints spread across the length and breadth of Mumbai, which are simply beautiful in the rains. Here are some of them worth a try – right from the tapri to the air conditioned ambience.

• Sweet corn roasted on charcoal, with butter, nimbu and masala – you can get this almost everywhere, especially when you are by the sea.
• Wada Pav at Mithibai College – They even add butter inside the pav (am already salivating).
• Coffee and tea on the road side cycle-vendors – these are now easy to spot, especially near Juhu area.
• Shiv Sagar – Get wet at the Juhu Beach and then stuff yourself with the Cheese Pav Bhaji here.
• Pani Puri and all other chaat – These are all time favourites, the ones at Vithalnagar (Santa cruz west) and Five Gardens & DP’s (Matunga) go better in this weather.
• Pav Bhaji – Skip the regular joints and go to the Chatai Pav Bhaji at Kings Circle and DP’s at Matunga.
• Kanda bhaji and Mirchi bhaji – best prepared at home, however the ones near Dadar Station are also a treat.
• Kebabs, Grilled Sandwiches and Dosas at Worli Seaface.
• Pizza by the bay – Enjoy the Marine drive with a beer and the Mumbai Masala Pizza.
• NCPA Café – One of the best cold coffees, with cool breeze and sea to enjoy.

Your tummy is the most important part of your body, so take only that much that it can take.

Top things that fascinates the baby #ParentTalks #BabyTalks

You bought an expensive toy from Hamley’s for your little baby. And you are thrilled that it will entertain her and that she will love it. Its later that you realise how uninterested she is in it. Babies seem to be loving the random-est of all things. Its so funny to hear them baby talking, coo-ing, gurgling and giggling at things you don’t even care about. Here are the top 8 things that fascinates the baby more than that expensive toy you just bought.

1. Fan

It goes round and round, and its your babys’ first love. They love the fan, irrespective of which brand it belongs to. You might want to start their day by saying “Chalo beta, tell your fan good morning!”.

2. Curtains

It might not have been washed in a year. It might have faded. It might have holes. And it might even not look bright or attractive. But mind it, this is what your baby loves!

3. Lights

All kinds of lights. Be it the home tube lights or lights in their toys or the street lights on the road. Babies love lights and this one will surely help you ease their crankiness.

4. Ceiling

Since they keep staring at it in their initial few months, there is a bond between the baby and the ceiling. Again, the baby is unbiased, and loves it the way it is. The baby accepts the ceiling in all its flaws – water seepage, colour fade, cracks and spots – everything.

5. Wall clock

I feel it’s the ticking or the hands of the clock that catch their attention. Whatever it is, its ok till the time the baby is happy!

6. Teeth

Obviously you have taken the baby in your hands and made weird noises, and tried to talk to them in goo-goos and ga-gas. And they would have responded well too, with their endearing smile. But don’t be mistaken that they are understanding your silly talk. They are just simply getting amused by your teeth. Ensure you brush well before talking with the baby!

7. Photo frames

Not that they can make much sense of who’s who in the photo frame, but then who cares till the time the baby likes it. I feel that the baby thinks that she can talk with the photos. Let her be in that misconception if that’s keeping her happy. Right?

8. Clothes hanging behind the door

Especially when you close the door and the clothes that are hanging behind start flying like flags. Continue to keep them hanging till it amuses the baby.

Nathdwara – the home to Dwarkadheesh, its #Myths & #Beliefs

Nathdwara is a small village in Rajasthan. The nearest railway station is Falna, and the nearest airport is at Udaipur. Otherwise, there are plenty of buses from Ahmedabad, Udaipur and even Mumbai which stop here daily. If you always wondered that dhoti, kurta and kedyu are outdated and no one wears it in this age, you are wrong. This visit to Nathdwara will change your mind on not just fashion but also in the way you pray!

Krishna in Nathdwara is at his home. He is in the bal swaroop or in the child avatar, hence also called Bal Gopal. The priests and pilgrims also treat Krishna as their kid at home.

Krishna is known to play pranks and in this swaroop of Krishna, he has adorned many ornaments belonging to Radha. This can be interpreted as Krishna giving us the message that for him, both the man and the lady are one, without any prejudice and he not only accepts both of them, but is also in both of them. In today's talks, this could also be interpreted as Krishna being a Feminist (laughs). Krishna wears the nath, hair bun, necklace, baajubandh, toe rings and anklets that belong to Radha.

People here at Nathdwara, both men and women, call themselves as the Gopis and express their love for their Krishna. This is often visible when you stand in the crowded line for the darshan. The darshans are a little different here. The haveli isn’t open through the day. Krishna gives darshan in various time slots. Totally, there are 7 darshans which happen through the day. It is said that on a daily basis Krishna travels to Mathura in his rath to give the eighth darshan – Shayan.

1. Mangala
2. Shringaar
3. Gwaal
4. Raj bhog
5. Uthapan
6. Bhog
7. Aarti
8. Shayan

Its not compulsory to do all the darshans, and it is said that if a person makes it for the Mangala darshan which is generally around 5 am, it kind of covers all darshans! Its a sight at 5 am, the village is already awake and many will start their business post offering their prayers to Krishna. After you complete the Mangala darshan, you simply have to treat yourself to the garam garam poha, khaman and chai which is served in a clay glass (small matka glass).

The Shringaar darshan shouldn’t be missed as Krishna is the best dressed at this time. If you see the moorti carefully, you will spot a diamond twinkling at the chin. Many believe that in the olden days, the Kohinoor rested at the chin of this moorti of Krishna.

The Raj bog darshan is the chhappan bhog offering i.e. fifty-six food items offered to Krishna. It goes without saying that the Raj bhog prasad is the best of all!

Apart from Krishna darshan, Nathdwara has a lot more to offer. It’s a foodies delight! Its khau galli or chowpatty gives the most delicious purple yam (known as kand here) throughout the year. You will also find plenty of stalls making thandai, garam doodh, kanda kachori, jeera goli and chaat.

Nathdwara is also a shoppers delight – especially for women. You get a wide range of sarees, dress materials, kurtas, dupattas, mojris. The famous bandhani and lehriya sarees and dupattas are also available here. And the best part is, at a much reasonable cost. Even the clothes (known as vaagha in local language), ornaments and other accessories of Bal Gopal are available here, and these are really pretty ones. Apart from this, you get very good silver, wooden toys, and utensils.

When you visit Nathdwara, you are at Gods’ home. And you tend to forget all the dirt, cow dung and garbage. You embrace the divine village atmosphere in all its simplicity.

Jai Shree Krishna. Or JSK as its now called _/\_