RELIGIOUS CONSERVATISM

An insight into the immediate past regarding the nation’s religious heritage, disregards its conservatism that the nation so boasts about. A matter looked into any angle makes the infamous phenomenon into a
fact- CORRUPTION. All around the world people strongly condemn the act of terrorism but territorially people are ignorant of the true facts that actually flank the reality. None of us are really sure about how
much of window dressing is done by the media. But once the personalities’ loop holes are identified they get completely destroyed once for all. This approach is actually required for many persons in
the current status of affairs. Reviewing the religious approach of our Indian people its rather a distressing sight that there are still followers for the so called fraud idols. While some of the religious leaders were cornered with sex allegations, many others were accused in a murder trial. With a basic knowledge in religious matters I can confidently vouch that the purity that men of god carry must be truly immense but with such allegations its completely killed. Now who voices this out?

We still find news where you have got innumerable female followers behind such religious followers. One may tease him with the absence of men. The word devotees now cease to exist. It’s skillfully replaced in terms of gender where a line is drawn. A flash news suddenly crops up- The god man is a murderer. All values wander around the basic value “that never hate anyone”. Murder is beyond any questioning. But still we pay homage and loyalty is unshaken.

Ok, now this is one sect. The other sect of absolute crime is money laundering. The state of Kerala now boasts about the richness that’s shortly going to be attached to its government- the wealth of
Padmanabhaswamy temple. How did the wealth accumulate? This is not the question that’s seriously addressed but who is going to claim its ownership is the hot meat baking. Society cannot be blamed for this tendency because everyone requires money to fight the growing inflationary concerns. Post the death of one of the leading religious leaders of our times, the value of his property has come under extreme scanner. Any lay man will post the question as to why this issue didn’t crop up during the regime of this god man? Was the man himself involved in corruption or was it the lower hierarchy taking care of the management? The CBI of our country will try to crack this case within the next decade. This has been the specialty of our judicial system. Any crime will be redressed only during its longest crime period.

Finally one can conclude that no matter what happens, no matter how many crimes twine with itself, there will be always a section of our society who will still expand their operations in the long run. It
sounds like some commando operation but it’s not going to be long before they get into the popularity spree. However there is always a hope of a radical change in the society as far as this issue is
concerned. Where money can be invested in many charitable ways it is mostly spent as a fee for such people. Currency has completely wiped away the thought of spending for others but only the one way traffic of earning it from other others.
Political leaders have their own worries. But their cabinet ministers must be interested with high powered money involved. Let’s hope no aerobics takes place in the near future.

Written By: Sudha Sankar

Disclaimer : The views in the article are solely that of the writer and blog owner holds no responsibility or opinion of the same.

A BATTLE THAT NEVER ENDS

History has marked some of the best battles fought between the greatest emperors of all times. To cite few examples we can mention the battles of Panipat, Buxar, Waterloo, Plassey, all fought to affix their name and power in the new territory earned in the name of war. A battle once started has a definite ending which comprehends the dire consequences that will follow. These battles are most remembered for the thumping victory that re-writes history, an army filled with braveness, massive bloodshed, tearful eyes over corpses etc. As the generations pass-by, the closed bottle of reality that ancestors faced during war time, opens to drain itself of its horrors so much so that the lives are lead in a free and comfortable zone.

But the only battle that hasn't ceased to exist right from the stone age till date, has been the record breaking forms of violence inflicted upon a woman between the four walls of her room. In every walk of her life she is left to battle the horrendous forms of violence as in "female genital mutilation, rape, domestic violence, honor killings, breast ironing, acid throwing, sexual violence, women trafficking" and many more to continue.

Female genital mutilation or in crude words called female circumcision is a tradition that is followed in many families wherein the female genitalia is removed to reduce the sexual feelings which saves one from pre-marriage pregnancy. This procedure is done by the family members themselves using indigenous tools. Lack of an experienced hand in doing the procedure harms the sexual interests of the women even after marriage since it becomes a painful and bloody intercourse and also it leads to complications during pregnancy. In spite of so many limitations and concerns this practice is still followed in many middle east countries. Also many of us wouldn't have come across the practice called breast ironing wherein the girls breasts are ironed using hot objects to reduce its maturity which is claimed to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy. This happens in many African countries with the highest proportion in Cameroon. Women trafficking is the most condemned act of violence where women are traded for either domestic or sexual slavery. A woman who comes under this network of trafficking finds it difficult to escape its clutches where she is not even given the freedom to commit suicide to save her sanctity. One may think that its only the physical being of a woman targeted but this has a direct impact on her psychological feelings such that it results in depression and escapades like drugs, alcohol etc. Now there cant be any turn around for a woman and has to necessarily end her life within this circle.

Many acts are mostly committed by men for just fulfilling their sexual desire that doesn't even hold up to a night but holds the remaining life of the women. Its the most disgraceful form of act committed with absolutely no remorse on their part. As far as love marriages are concerned the couple turn to their parents for the greatest support ever, but they in turn reward them by either burning them alive or mental torture for the rest of their life by not accepting their chosen partner. Hence the name honor killings emerge. Anywhere and everywhere its the women that have to face all problems. Time and again the only factor that one can realize is that in spite of undergoing all these hardships they will be the first person to stand for support if anything happens to their loved ones. They still live till the end to protect their loved ones. Just because of this u find that cases of domestic violence never come out in light. If it was the other way round where the men were left to battle out all these, they wouldn't survive the day to face the world the next day. As it is, the sex ratio is alarming as girls are not welcomed for many reasons. The problems in the grass root levels can be wiped away only if a messiah is born in every household. Only then can we proudly say that women are really becoming empowered. 

Written By: Sudha Sankar

Disclaimer: Article is purely the view of the writer and the blog owner shares no opinion in support or against the same.

THE TITANIC THAT RESURFACED THE OCEAN

Indian colonization when phenomenally traced, gives a beautiful depiction of a nonchalant nation showing the highest percentage of ignorance towards the British sketch of “prisoner in one’s own homeland”. The revolutionary image of freedom fired by M.K. GANDHI and his associates transformed the struggle of one person to a nation’s struggle.  The thirst for freedom won us the much needed independence. 

The game of cricket that was gifted to the world by the British became yet another event of mass support bringing the 28 states into one. THE WORLD CUP that takes its stage every four years became a relishing dish when the cup was first lifted by KAPIL DEV during 1983. The dream of lifting yet another world cup was shaped very professionally by SAURAV GANGULY who took the home side to finals. The country had its chance to once again feel alive when M.S. DHONI finally lifted the 2011 world cup after 28 years of wait.

The game was a true highlighter to the fact that people from all walks of life whether knowledgeable about cricket or not, disregarding their social status were found cheering and praying for their  country’s victory especially for the MASTER BLASTER SACHIN TENDULKAR. The love for the nation was truly felt by everyone while the government was let to rejuvenate their energy for defending themselves from corruption charges. 

It’s a rarity in sight where a nation divided by multiple factors of religion, language etc. stood undivided over the magical cricket cup.

LET THE YEAR BRING COLLECTIVE HAPPINESS AND SUCCES TO ALL. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Article Written by Sudha Sankar

Mom in Law’s Palakkad recipes - Molakuttal

Mother in Law’s Palakkad recipes

Most favourite – Palakkad Molakuttal recipe

Ingredients: 200 gm Vegetable, 2 Tspn Jeera, 50gm scrapped coconut (thenga turuval), salt, 2 pieces of red chilli (vettal milagai), 2 ladles (30 gm) tuvar dal (tuvaram paruppu), 1/2 ladle coconut oil (edible), mustard and ural dal (ulutham paruppu) for garnishing

Procedures:

1. Cook vegetable along with the dal in cooker till dal can be fully mashed.
2. Remove the cooked vegetable and dal and put it in a vessel (in which you can cook the molakuttal). Pour half glass water and Stir it with a ladle so that the dal gets mashed well enough without mashing the vegetable.
3. Grind finely jeera, rock salt, scrapped coconut and red chilli together in a mixie. It should be smooth enough to get mixed with the molakuttal and should not stand out as separate particle.
4. Add the ground paste to the vegetable and dal in the vessel and mix them all together. Boil the mixture till the bubbles come up.
5. Sprout mustard and urad dal in coconut oil and add to the mixture.

Choice:

a.       Add addition plan coconut oil to the vegetable (choice). This enhances the smell and flavor of the dish.

b.      If the mixture is thick, it will serve the purpose as a side dish and if you would like to mix it with rice , then add required water and boil it with the mixture to reduce the thicknedd.

Note: Vegetable used for molakuttal could be White / Red Pumpkin (Pushnikkai / Ellavan / Matthan / Kaddu), Drumstick (Murungakkai), Yam (Sennai Kizhangu), Raw Banana (Vazahakai / Kacha Kella)

Receipe by: Kamala Swaminathan

Compiled by: Aparna RamMohan Sridhar

Mom's recipe - Vella Seedai - Janmashtami

VELLA CHEEDAI

Jagiri (Vellam / Goodu) – 3/4 glass; water- 1 ¼ glass; Rice powder (arasi mavvu) – 1 glass; Urad dal powder (ulutham paruppu podi) – 1 tsp; white til -2 tsps; butter- 2 tsp; salt – a pinch; water; cardamom – 4 powdered;

Procedure:

In a deep frying pan roast the rice powder till it becomes slight brown in colour. Allow it cool in a plate.

In a thick bottom vessel make syrup with jagiri. When the jagiri is melted strain it to remove the dirt from it. Again bring the syrup to boil.

 Testing the stage of the syrup

Keep water in a bowl. When the syrup starts boiling take out little syrup put in the bowl of water, when you take out the syrup from the water u shoUrad be able to roll it into a ball then, it is the correct stage .

Now pour the syrup little by little on the rice powder & mix it in portions, till the entire rice powder is mixed with the syrup. Then add butter, til & urad powder and mix well. Keep this aside for sometime i.e., ½ an hr. then apply oil in your palm & roll it into small balls of lemon size. Allow it to dry for 2 -3 hrs. & deep fry it in low fire in  little oil 4-5 pieces at a time.

Strain from the oil & store it.

Recipe By - Ganga RamMohan
Compiled by - Aparna Sridhar

Mom's recipe - Seedai - Janmashtami

                                                    SEEDAI

Ingredients:

Raw Rice (pacchai arisi) – 1 kg; Urad dhal (ulathum paruppu) – 200 gms.; Butter (vennai) -200 gms;  hing (peringayam) – ¼ tsp; salt – 1 & 1/2 tsp; water; Chana dal (kadalai paruppu) – 1tbsp;  white til – 2 tsp

Method:

In a deep frying pan roast the rice powder (Check whether done - when you take the powder in hand, you should be able to make rangoli (kolam) from that powder (mavvu).

Allow the rice powder to cool. Then add Urad powder, butter, til, soaked chana dhal & mix well. Add water to make dough. Make small balls from the dough and spread it on newspaper for drying. Give it atleast 20 mins drying time, after which you can deep fry it in boiling oil.

Recipe by : Ganga RamMohan
Compiled by: Aparna Sridhar

Mom's recipe - Murukku for Janmashtami

MURUKKU

Raw Rice (pacchai arisi) – 1 kg; Urad dhal (ulathum paruppu) – 200 gms.; Butter (vennai) -200 gms; hing (peringayam) – ¼ tsp; white til (vellai yellu) or jeera – 3 tsps; salt – 1 & 1/2 tsp; water;

                                     Or

Rice – ½ kg; Urad dhal – 100gms;

Butter – 100gms; white til or jeers 2 tsps; hing powder –a little less than ¼ tsp; salt – to taste ;water

Preparing Rice Powder

Wash the rice & soak it in water for 20 min. Drain the water & dry it in a cotton cloth. When it is 3/4^th dried grind it in the mixer to powder or from the chakki. Sieve the powder.

Preparing  Urad dhal powder

In a frying pan roast the dhal till it becomes light pink in color .Allow it to cool. Grind it in the mixer to fine powder & sieve it.

Now mix both rice & Urad powder, in that add Til or Jeera, salt, hing powder- ¼ tsp.,  butter. Mix all the ingredients & by adding water make  dough. The dough consistence shoUrad be soft to make twist.

Now make small pilliyar & then start making the murukku in a newspaper. When is starts getting dried in a deep frying pan add oil when it is hot add the murukkus one by one  (5 murukkus at a time). Deep fry the murukkus till it becomes light pink or the bubbles around it stops. Remove it from the frying pan & keep it in a oil so that excess oil gets removed. When it gets cooled store it in a airtight box.    

Recipe by: Ganga RamMohan
Compiled by: Aparna Sridhar

40 useful tips for healthy life

Health

1. Drink lots of water.

2. Eat your breakfast like kings, your lunch likeprinces, and your dinner like beggars. 

3. Eat more things that grow on trees and plants and less things that are made in factories. Remember your digestive system doesn't know it's the 21st century, so help it out by feeding it stuff it's built for.

4. It's always a good time for some TEE - Truth, Energy and Empathy!

5. Walk 10-30 minutes a day. 

6. Get more actual games in your life, games that have no gain but the simple pleasure of playing them.

7. Read more books than you've read last year. 

8. Sit silently (without a tv) for at least 10 minutes a day and take time to ponder things (for some - pray). 

9. Invest at least 7 hours a night in your sleep. It'll pay back big time later on.

Character

10. Smile while you walk those 10-30 minutes a day.

11. do not compare your life to thosee of others, it's easy to see the good but the bad is as well hidden as yours, or better. You have no idea what their lives are really like or if they are happy inside, get on with yours instead.

12. Don't waste time and energy thinking of things you will never be able to change. Instead, use that energy to works towards future positive moments. Make your spouse laugh for a moment, isn't that better than feeling bad?

13. Don't be extreme in any action. Remember that truth is mostly in the middle, and life is hardly black and white. 

14. Accept the fact that you will sometimes lose the arguement, and that you were wrong. Or if you still think you are right, agree to disagree. Very few people have ever been shouted into true agreement.

15. Don't waste your energy complaining about people you don't know and their actions. You have no idea what motivates or what lead them to that decision. Judging is so easy even 4 year olds can do it. The driver honking at you might have had a horrible day, or is anxious to see his sick wife at the hospital while worried about making rent. We only see the behavior, never the events leading to it. 

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have what you need, and being envy won't create more for you.

18. Try to never again bring up your spouse's past mistakes. It WILL destroy your present happiness, and even being right -  just isn't worth it.

19. Life is too short to hate people. You should fear some and pity others, but hate is a bigger waste of time than any other emotion.

20. Make peace with your past, or it will make short work of your future.

21. No one controls your level of happiness but you.

22. Life is the school, remember that you are here to learn. Problems are like tests, and the lesson you take will help you solve the next one correctly.

23. Smile and laugh more with your entire face, including your 

eyes. Find humor when you can.

24. Don't take yourselves so seriously, no one else will!

Community

25. Call your family often enough so they feel like you are walking besides them in this life.

26. Every day - do at least one good thing for others that really helps them out. It will make you feel better about your own and later on - someone grateful will help you when you need it.

27. Try to forgive, it's the hardest thing there is, much harder than hate, but it's doable. 

28. Spend some time with people over 70 and under 6 - it will teach you patience and empathy.

29. Try to make at least 3 people smile, every day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your concern, since they'll never tell you! So why bother? Live your life and stop wondering what's on the other side of their skulls, you will never know the complete truth!

31. Your work buddies won't take care of you when you're sick. Your family and friends will. Don't let people that care about you out of your life. We all need help at some point, don't throw caring away.

Life

32. Do the right thing.

The kind that doesn't leave anyone hurt, despite your personal feelings. It will be worth its while in the long run.

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, sentimental or brings you true pleasure in life.

34. Forgivness can heal more than you can ever imagine. It can revive relationships and rekindle love and true appreciation. Forgivness is way to show strength, and strength is impressive and attractive.

35. Doesn't matter how good or bad the situation is - it will change at some point. So plan for either and don't lose your head to overjoycing or over fearing.

36. Doesn't matter how you feel at this particular moment - get up, get dressed and be there on time. A good start will help get rid of that feeling.

37. If actors can become huge successes in their 70's, you can believe that the best is yet to come. And if it isn't, then try to create the best for someone else, it will often be suprisingly great for you as well.

38. When you wake up alive in the morning, don't take it for granted - embrace life!

39. The biggest secret is that anyone can be happy. But some decide they won't be and then look for reasons to support that theory.Don't fall for that! Assume you are happy and find reasons to support that claim! Keep creating these reasons, and you just might start believing it.

40. Enjoy yourself, every day. Remember, life is just a ride, and you are shown many different things, some wonderful, other awful. But you always continue and it is always just a ride. Enjoy it.

Compiled by: Aparna RamMohan Sridhar
Sources: various websites & forward mails.