Posted in Food For Soul, Welcome to my blog!

When universe responds to you in the same frequency.

Posted on by veeskitchen

Most of us don’t believe this is possible, until it happens to us. But everything we do, what we even think, talk, do – all these get recorded somewhere in the cosmos. We call it the Akshic records in sanskrit (all you have to do is Google; now the Akashic have become You tube popular) – a karmic provisional record of all our previous births up until today. I have done many posts on spirituality in the past but I am no more the same person who did them all. Some shift happened in feb/march that I cannot talk about. The process started some two years back when one day I found my spine heating up on meditation to an unbelievable level. The heat spread to my neck and ears. But even before I started on meditation (mantra japa), I have had some coincidences that seemed miraculous. My intuition too proved right in more than one occasion. I dismissed everything trying to explain stuff with logical reasoning as we all do.

Now however the old me is gone. In her place is this new one who is seeing things normally invisible; not in the surface of earth but in the mind, as if I am a third person watching a show that is on; i am on my regular health pills to keep me alive and on supplements; nothing new or strange; nothing happened all these years; i am not on any drug otherwise; i am not dreaming or hallucinating; i am not being hypnotized or mesmerized. I am not lying or exaggerating; I am perfectly sane and healthy and in all my senses. Yet I crossed a mind barrier very recently; i broke through the first glass ceiling that I never believed would be possible for me in my life time; i am by no way Paramahamsa Yogananda or Swami Vivekananda or Ramana Maharishi or even Sri sri Ravishankar ji of present times; I am no Baba or Yogi or even someone following the ‘aachaarams’ and ‘anushtaanams.’ I am a regular housewife, living a loukik life steeped in familial background and responsibilities that come with my position; i am materialistic; i have been ambitious in the physical world wanting this and desiring that; I am someone who has shaken my leg in a couple of girls’ wine parties; i am addicted to shopping; i have been mean and i have hurt people; i have my share of flaws and i am by no means perfect; but I have been an ardent Shakthi devotee for decades now; I was born into/grew up in an overtly pious family; I am obsessed with my pujas; only in America i am missing them for some reasons; here I therefore double my japa (meditation) time. To be fair to myself, i only hurt someone back when i am provoked; people who betrayed trust or sold their soul have had it from me when our paths crossed; otherwise i am a decent soul hahaha; i try to help people and i generally mean well. So I never anticipated this spiritual promotion when I am still in flesh and blood and while still my heart is beating; i have always rated myself as mediocre in every single facet of my life; passable; nothing outstanding or distinguishing; But it looks like the cosmos doesn’t feel the same about me; Obviously i have arrived at the threshold of something deeper and THE ONLY REALITY OF THE WORLD; i know we are all consumed by Maya (the illusion) and we believe in what our 5 senses can experience: seeing, tasting, smelling, hearing and touching. But beyond the senses that are visible and accessible lies the inaccessible, to access which you have to break one by one the bunch of glass ceilings of your own mind space, to finally emerge in the cosmos; to realize what it is to belong with the universal consciousness; i am not saying i am there yet, but i will be working my way through; the tools that have helped me reach this far have been: MY RELENTLESS FAITH IN MY DEITY, MY TOTAL SURRENDER TO MY DIVINE MOTHER and in general in the entire pantheon of Hindu gods, the Sanatana Dharma (Hindu faith), our scriptures, our mantras/tantras, our holy shrines/ancient temples, and in our yogis, rishis, sadhus, GURUS and others, my pujas, my mantra japa (meditation with mantras) and my limited yoga/exercises. I BELIEVE AND I NEVER HAD AN IOTA OF DOUBT WHATSOEVER.

See how many times I am mentioning still I, ME, MINE. I have still not learnt my lessons. However I am a fledgling soul yet and i can make mistakes, can’t I?!

I am penning this post only for the sake of awareness. Be good: think good, talk good and do good. Don’t hurt a soul. No negative energy please. Double your puja efforts, pilgrimages to powerful shrines etc., but more than double your focused meditation. Guided meditation is available online.

Those who don’t have a Guru can just focus on simple meditation techniques like the following.

  • Take deep breath and chant Om for 1 hour repeatedly
  • Chant quietly Om Namashivaya for 1 hour in mind in meditation
  • Chant Ram Ram in meditation
  • Chant Hare Krishna in meditation

Do this for 1 hour everyday for 3 to 5 years and see the results. Taking a guru for guidance is wisest and advisable. Combining meditation with practice of yoga can yield greater benefits.

I recently read about intelligence in social media. Its stated that its META – the knowledge of the metaphysical that is the supreme intelligence. YOu don’t have to get into a satellite and land in the moon or the Mars. Simply astro travel with your mind! Who says India is poor or illiterate. Do these guys who are our critiques even know what we they are talking about. If Divine Mother bestows the gift of supreme knowledge or conscience of the cosmos upon us, if we are gifted enough for our Kundalini to rise gradually in tandem with our physical/mental strengths, if we are blessed enough for our third eye to open when we are still in this physical body, if its possible for us to see what is NOT evident to our physical naked eye – then it means we have the grace of the universal mother, our Divine Mother; that is what is REAL WEALTH, REAL INTELLIGENCE, REAL PURPOSE OF LIFE.

I realize how lonely you become at mind level once you reach a certain milestone in your spiritual path. You can barely share things with people because they are not tuned into your frequency. Your own family cannot see or feel what you can sense. People think you may be needing therapy – that is the incredulity that you can’t believe in!

Often our spiritual seniors ask us not to share our experiences, but I also have some evolved souls in my best friends’ circle who share their divine vibes with others so that humanity can benefit. I have achieved nothing yet I know, however here I am wanting to encourage every single being I come across TO THINK GOOD, SPEAK GOOD, ACT GOOD AND HAVE THE BEST OF INTENTIONS, ALL THE TIME SPIRITUALLY ROOTED.

I once again recommend a reading of the book ‘The autobiography of a Yogi’ by Shri Paramahamsa Yogananda.

Posted in Political

Ban prayer rooms for muslims in all work spaces & shopping/commercial places across India.

Posted on by veeskitchen

Before going into the topic, let me share this profound wisdom on nationalism: and why it is good and healthy for both an individual and the nation and even the world.

Now to come to the topic,

Emotional abuse, sexual assault, coercion to convert to Islam – these are few of the charges framed against the muslim grooming gang targeting Hindu women in corporate settings. Its not just limited to TCS; it is alleged that the heinous practice is spread across quite a few MNCs in the country including the Amazon, Wipro etc. This is highly unsettling after the recent Varanasi islamic grooming of Hindu girls wherein the muslim men posed/faked as hindu youth targeting Hindu girls. These nefarious gangs are funded with Saudi money and probably even Iran money who knows. Let not Iran war make the Indian govt lower the guard against these islamic terror elements.

Ban prayer rooms for muslims in all working spaces across India with immediate effect. Ban prayer rooms for muslims in Hindu businesses. Its time to make it a law because our own Hindu men try to appease the islamic community for business reasons. By this they are digging their own grave and they do not seem to realize this.

Tell me in which other secular country is a prayer room provided for muslims in work spaces and in shopping plazas. Who even started this trend in India. It came as a surprise that textile showrooms like Pothys, Chennai silks etc., in the city were offering fast breaking snacks & prayer room during Ramzan month for muslims. From being appreciative of this gesture initially when it was introduced, I started wondering how many small businesses were they crushing with this kind of selfish and even anti=national trade practices. This by no means is generosity or national unity. These business establishments are trying to introduce new norms hitherto non prevalent in our society. Do they even have the central govt permission for offering religious based services. These permits are extremely important in a communally sensitive nation like India. Extending hospitality to muslims during Ramzan essentially by big showrooms, wipes out small competitors for these business giants, which is pretty illegal. How many petty shopkeepers have they ruined with unjustified sops like this to appease the minority and build customer base.

Let me ask our government, do you have Hindu temples in all islamic countries? Saudi? Kuwait? Qatar? even Iran, Iraq, Syria? Even if you utter the Hindu god’s name in public, your visa there gets canceled that very moment and you are put on flight back to India. Millions of Hindus working in these countries are denied basic human rights to pray and follow their religion publicly, in the name of islam. You cannot meet in groups for prayers. And we in India are giving muslims prayer rooms in shopping malls and office buildings? Why, they even take over our roads and airports for untimely namaz. A few months back, an Indian muslim was apprehended for offering namaz within the world famous Balaji temple at Tirumala. Just what is going on in this nation. Does secular democracy mean a joint account where from everyone can withdraw? Are arab countries personal accounts to be saved for the benefit of the private muslim people?

In Kerala, there is mass grooming of young muslim legal aspirants to become judges by the islamic community, for the only reason of taking over the Indian judiciary one fine day. We have serious problems in our hands.

Coming to Halal, it is a very clever business ploy. In national interests, HALAL CERTIFICATION MUST BE MADE ILLEGAL NOT ONLY IN INDIA BUT IN ENTIRE WORLD at it gives unfair advantage to a particular community like a commercial, to choose them favourably over others ONLY FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS. If that is the case, why cannot India be declared Hindu Rashtra. They want even their food to come from their own people. Want all the islamic republics to be 100% muslim. But secular democracies must be open to all. There is only one thing that can collapse India, America alike: THE POPULATION JEHAD by exploding muslim population.

Indian govt must be wary of recruiting from this ‘peaceful’ community in space industry, sensitive areas, defence sector etc for the sake of our national security. We have this grave situation in India where the perpetrators of heinous crimes and terror activities play the minority card as well as the victim card. Even if some of us point fingers at them, we get labeled as nationalists (which is a proud thing anyway). These Indian muslims have the whole lobby of islamic umma especially from wealthy arab countries and Pakistan supporting them and funding them. They have those like Raga and congress backing them. And of course the left wing nonsense is behind them, cheering them. The atrocities of the waqf board trying to illegally lap up entire real estate in India is a shocking tale of nefarious plots and wronged sense of entitlement. Why is not the waqf board abolished yet. India’s cancer lies within. As it is argued by experts in the media, an anti-conversion bill is the need of the hour. Islamists trying any dirty trick must be stripped of passports, Aadhar ID etc., and be penalised with double life sentences. And the waqf board must be dissolved with the real estate holdings unilaterally annexed by the government. Recently in Tamil Nadu we have had cases where the waqf board illegally annexed villages and temple lands and even ancient temples that were centuries old, using loopholes in law. When will our government wake up. This unbelievable atrocity committed by the so-called minority can be unleashed on hapless majority Hindu, only in a nation like India.

Posted in Science Engineering Technology

Quiet Achievements In Loud War Times.

Posted on by veeskitchen

India made quiet progress in these loud war times. Of course we need to take the security of our scientists and PM even seriously from now on. One major reason for India faring not so well is that, mysteriously we have our scientists dying or done in. This is the trend ever since India’s independence from the British in the year 1947. It is in spite of this sabotage that we Indians are still registering at least this much progress and development in all spheres.

India successfully achieved the fast breeder criticality for civil nuclear energy aimed at self sufficiency in clean power management. The raw material used for attaining this milestone is Thorium and India holds over 60% of world’s thorium deposits. Had our nuclear scientists not been eliminated under suspicious circumstances over years, we would have been here decades ago. One whole flight people had to die along with Homie Bhabha, father of India’s nuclear program as the plane crashed in the Alps. And you would want us to believe it was not an assassination? Ever since thousands of scientists have lost their lives working for institutes of science, atomic research and space sciences in India. This is why probably our youngsters decided that, the safest option for our engineers and medicos would be to live in the USA!

What does the fast breeder criticality milestone mean for our nation: more output from the breeder than the fuel it consumes, paving way for viable commercial production.

Another feather in the hat is the quantum leap made by India recently. Our scientists have successfully secured 1000 km quantum communication which gives the nation’s defence a definite boost with unbackable internet.

World is filled with hate and violence because of two groups of people: the Christians and Muslims. All bloodshed happening in the world today and nature getting destroyed is due to these both. It is because of dharmic faiths such as Hindu Dharma and its offshoots Buddhism that world is still a sane place to live in. Sanatana dharam (Hinduism) restores the much needed precarious balance of peace in the world. The greed of the Abrahamics is the reason for such a chaos and violence in the world in the first place.

To not be born evil is by itself a great blessing. To be not consumed by greed and hate is a blessing. To be not destroying others is the supreme blessing of all. To not grab other’s food and eat, to not grab others’ livelihood is a blessing. My Hindu nation never invaded other countries in 10000 year history. We are not the bloody offshoot of a mushroom in 300 years without ancestry or proud history than looting spree. We never ethnic cleansed or drove any species to extinction be it human or wildlife. The Hindu hands are clean; the Hindu conscience is clear. Today if we retaliate at all or fire back at our adversaries, it is because of unprovoked terror attacks on our people desecrating our territorial integrity . Extremely proud of my beloved nation Bharat/India. Its no wonder that a bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda also got inaugurated the same week in Seattle, a tribute to Hindu ideals and way of life. Om Shanti! May sanity and peace prevail in the world.

Posted in Political

Small Straits: Big Business.

Posted on by veeskitchen

Only last december, we were touring Egypt. On way back to Cairo from Alexandria, drove to the Suez Canal. Its such a small strip that can accommodate mostly just a single huge vessel at any one time. May be ships take turn to pass through this canal. The access to the canal was through a boating club for which we got permission to enter. Local families seemed to picnic by the beach side. No sooner we reached there and were clicking pictures, a police van arrived and our bus driver and tour guide were interrogated. On showing relevant papers, we were asked to leave the spot immediately. As we were famished, we requested from the officers, a little time to eat at McDonald near the place. The cops escorted our entourage for over an hour and made sure we left the place by evening 6-7. They waited outside the restaurant to make sure all of us exited and boarded the mini bus. They turned back only on our joining the highway to Cairo, tracking us from behind for close to half an hour enroute. Really even that scared me totally. We had been warned to skip Egypt for security reasons before this tour. But our own experiences and good times in Egypt made us shrug off any discouragement as we made up our mind to return for Luxor next year – which is not going to happen sadly, because of the developments in the Middle east and our own leaving Qatar, our second home for 20 years, for good.

Two things I realized at the Suez Canal:

  • The sensitivity of the canal itself even if it looked nothing scenic or extraordinary; it was just calm waters without much of action; as we watched, a merchant vessel or whatever sailed through. the beach we were in was a manmade one obviously; yet it saved ships from sailing around entire African continent until a half a century ago;
  • The canal is hardly a mile or more in width but look how it is represented in the world map; it is shown as a much larger strip; obviously the scale used to represent it in globe/atlas is misrepresentative. We have to go by the geographic location that’s all and scales don’t matter. The small and insignificant size of the Suez Canal in reality really had me thinking. Yet it was wide enough to permit a huge vessel to cruise through; may be only one vessel at a time could make it through the canal and ships queued up to take their turns before entering the canal; I have absolutely no idea how the system was monitored or managed; But the regulation reflected it was serious business and was of paramount security concerns.
  • The revenue the small interconnecting canal generated – as a passway between the Mediterranean and the Red seas.

Egypt hardwon the right to levy duties for using Suez Canal from the French; the French whose idea it was and who dredged and executed it using the Egyptian labour did deserve the initial concessions for 100 years; Egypt still let the French company dredge their territory; its a super vision, of an unparalleled level; I never thought much about it all until then; in school history text books, we learn where this Suez canal is and how significant it is, nothing more; Now Suez Canal is a major source of income for Egypt apart from tourism industry. Of course it was a very tough and backbreaking labour in which many Egptians lost their lives; Equal consideration for the French engineers whose brainchild it was. Many nations vied for the project though, that which was won by the French.

All this came to my mind as Hormuz strait makes waves in recent news. It can’t be of such a huge scale as represented in maps. Rather it has got to be a far narrower strip, still assuming strategic importance in geopolitical settings as we are witnessing now. To my knowledge, access to the strait has remained free. Now unnecessary complications may make it a commercial venture. Nations may be staring at a future tariff imposition – if and when normalcy is restored. This strait matters to the middle eastern nations that export oil & gas through their ports situated in the adjoining coastlines of the Arabian peninsula.

When flying back from Egypt, our flight was mostly over Iran. Suez canal presented such a clarity from the low level flying as the plane took off. I think I have pictures taken of this small strip of manmade canal that is saving valuable time and energy for the world nations.

Posted in Indian Art Culture Music, Others

The Mountain: Gorillaz

Posted on by veeskitchen

I don’t know a,b,c in western music. My ears are tuned in to mostly Indian classical – which is Carnatic (south) and Hindustani (rarely) (from north). Even the music instruments I am familiar with are ancient Hindu instruments such as the Veena, Flute, Tabla, Mrdangam etc., barring violin which has amazingly adapted to classical Carnatic. Apart from that, devotional bhajans that are classical based, and Bollywood/Tamil filmy songs are my favourite light music. Sadly world sums up the entire Indian music as the last one line of mine.

So when son was listening to this album I was really surprised. The video seemed to be out of Jungle Book. The music was clearly Hindustani. Fusion no doubt. He says he is listening to this artiste for a while now. The artiste took an year to make this Indian themed/classical Hindustani based album in which Anushka Shankar and even the veteran Asha Bhosle have recorded a number. I am loving this more as I listen to it. I have a little granddaughter who already has a fine musical taste. I am introducing her to mostly devotional bhajans such as those sung by our young Soorya Gayatri for instance. Looking at Krishna, she feels inspired already to learn flute, not yet 5. Plus she sings along with her dad most of what he plays or sings. Its a treat to watch her sing. By 3+ she was already crooning to Mona and the Frozen. We all love this Gorillaz album that I am sharing here. I think it has beautifully captured the essence of classical Hindustani in the Indian jungle backdrop. India is a phenomenon that cannot be bottled up by a single definition. But whatever the artiste managed to capture sounds good. My son has an ear for western music and keeps attending concerts. He was learning keyboard as a little boy that he left even as he was making great progress. He used to refuse to listen to Indian classical when he was still in high school saying that it was elitist. I never preached him anything. He used to read a lot even then and he decided that he would skip Indian classical that is not for the masses’ consumption. (Surprising that for the ritualist religious person I am, he is agnostic/atheist.) For the same reason, he loves rap even though he is also tuned into varied genres of western music – like jazz, rock, metal etc., i think. I am not familiar at all with this kind of music so I don’t qualify to comment on western music. I am merely sharing this beautiful piece of totally different genre of Indian classical fusion music that I am loving more and more with each passing day. The album is pretty new, published in last 1-2 months and I think my boy has placed order for old type vinyl record. Last time I saw that was in late 1970s in my Mama (uncle)’s house.

Posted in Political

Pray for Middle East

Posted on by veeskitchen

Indian citizen here, resident of Doha for last 20 years. Spend 6 months an year in the minimum in Doha. Left Doha in January, scheduled to return by mid April. Never in the last 20 years have I heard of or come across this kind of crisis that my heart almost breaks.

Praying for peace in the middle east, especially to my beloved second home Qatar with who we have grown in the past 2 decades. What a carefully nurtured country. So disciplined and orderly.

Praying for peace not only in Qatar but also in the entire gulf block including UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi.

I don’t want to discuss or debate who is right or who is wrong. The sheer terror and horror the residents there are experiencing is shattering my heart. You can’t be holding innocent masses to ransom. Millions of lives at stake.

I think its by sheer stroke of luck I am out of the war zone. You know something. I get strong intuitions probably due to my Mantra Japa sometimes. When I got into the car to go to Hamad International airport to catch my flight out of Doha this January, I got a strong and strange vibe that it could be my last. I am not just taken by surprise but also by shock that its proving to be true. My puja is still there in our flat sitting pretty. I disclosed this to none. I kept praying to my Devi that this should be a false alarm. But frankly I never anticipated any war in the region. I was worried about our health frankly. I took that intuitive warning as a personal thing as we are middle aged people. Rare my intuitive alerts could be, but mostly have proved true kind of.

Of course Sani peyarchi, the realignment/transit of sani/saturn has taken place in last 10 days. As a Hindu, I believe this would have tremendous ramifications not only in our personal lives but also in world politics. Luckily for some horoscopes, this is supposed to turn out good. Can give some kundalis growth and prosperity. But mostly the realignment is NOT good. In fact friends therefore are reciting ‘Kolaru Pathikam’ for this, praying for benign effects of the transition on their personal lives and economic situation. As an average middle class Indian, our concerns stop with that. In fact I had booked for a parihara puja for march 6th by last month end itself, in a Shiva temple in all our names. The exact transit date was 6th. After that, it was believed that things would start stabilizing gradually. Whether you believe or not in ancient Vedic Hindu astrology, whatever they predict seems to come true. 5-6 planets are realigning and these are believed to have tremendous effect on world politics. Throughout India therefore pujas have been going on to ward off the ill effects of this transition. Every transition shall have effect in all our lives. Every year we therefore make parihara pujas for planetary transitions in our temples.

A 4th dimension may open up for many between 2026-2030 as the number of the awakened/ enlightened may increase manifold throughout the world. Already predictions are there in Hindu astrology that 2026 is to be a very turbulent year. 2026-2030 will see many upheavals. For me and for my family in general as well as friends, whether it is sani dasha or kethu/rahu dasha or whatever, the predictions have by and large proved true in real life. May be not to 100% but to a substantial degree.

Those who have no belief in all this may dismiss all this as trivial and baseless.

Anyway I believe 100% in all this. Praying can have a positive effect on world peace. In a world full of violence and chaos, be someone to add positive aura to the atmosphere. That is what I do.

Holding Qatar within the protective aura of my staunch prayers and beliefs.

LOVE YOU QATAR. STAY STRONG. PRAYERS FROM INDIA.

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Have friends and family in middle east. None of us have anything to do with world politics or even local politics. We are the hardworking people of developing nations who came to middle east only for some tax free earnings. Breaks my heart to hear my friends’ hopelessness and sheer terror. At times they sound optimistic, at times they sound totally defeated. There is a heavily pregnant woman in my compound whose delivery date is nearing, and there are higher secondary children who missed their math exam this 9th (CBSE Board, Indian schools). In matter of days, the destiny of millions of those caught in crossfire is held to ransom by cruel fate. A couple of friends who dared to go for a walk to breathe fresh air in almost 10 days after the so-called ‘promise’ came scurrying back home after a few more drones/missiles got intercepted by the defence. They have vowed now never to venture back into the open. Folks are sleeping in living room floors foregoing bedrooms with windows. Pathetic. Easily it could have been my case.

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Some powerful shlokas and mantras to recite during this critical period, for world peace (if you cannot chant, play in you tube):

Lalitha Sahasranama

Vishnu Sahasranama (this is from Mahabharatha war so listening to/chanting Vishnu Sahasranama enmasse can have a profound effect on bringing the war to an end)

Siva Puranam

Rudhram

Kanda Sashti Kavacham

Kolaru Pathikam

and of course the one and only

DEVI MAHATMYAM

Dear Hindus/Indians, keep praying intensely for world peace to prevail and to save lives.

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A high vibrational friend interpreted my intuition for me when leaving Doha in January this year. The actual line that came to me was about my husband. I thought like ‘I won’t be seeing you again.’ But my mind was in denial of admitting to this exact line. I was worried for his health. He is now safely back in India. My friend says, the intuition meant ‘I won’t be seeing you again IN DOHA (in some time to come).’ All intuitions prompted by Ma Lalitha are to be taken in positive light. Yeah, my Doha life has come to an abrupt end. It breaks my heart to think that I cannot be going back now there in any short time. There was once such a hiatus in my residency status during covid. I hope the war ends, and I can be back in Doha for one last time to say a proper goodbye to my second home. Or who knows I shall be back after a couple of months and we could continue to live in Doha for a few more years… I haven’t yet lost hope. I keep praying and hoping for the best…

Posted in Interests

Bag person.

Posted on by veeskitchen

MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION

THE DESIGNER BRAND OF BAGS ANUSCHKA – a matchless range that none of the foreign brands can match either by way of prices or finishing or quality of leather. Sadly I will be getting one only later this year. This brand is found online in Myntra.com which is a very popular online shopping platform.

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Are you a bag person like me! Still I am not for luxury brands such as Gucci,Burberry, Hermes, Luis Vuitton, Armani, Valentino, Tori Burch, Chanel etc., because I am well aware, they are beyond my middle class existence. But what is the harm in trying out entry level ones such as Michael Kors, Kate Spade or Coach. I did just that last year after a lot of deliberation. I have been to the Outlet malls but studiously kept out of them for years. Then I checked prices in Amazon and found that their prices were slashed in sale. So why not? I decided to venture into Outlet mall once more where I found the rates to be much more compatible than online stores. I got my first Michael Kors last year both top zip tote and messenger cross body bags that I love. I am discovering their pleasant lightweight and long handle drops extending to 11 to 12 inches that is perfect for me, for that makes for comfortable carry. Algorithm lands critics in your You tube where every single luxury brand is denounced. I agree with the views to some point. Even if I am to be loaded with money, I don’t think I will splash it on the likes of Bvlgari or Christian Dior or Estee Lauder or Dolce & Gabana that are flooding the airport dutyfree. Love the window shopping though in the dutyfree. Never bought a single bottle. I know my range. Durability and affordability matter to me most over anything when it comes to bags. Sleek bags within my shoestring budget of $100 fit my bill. For the first time this year got my Coach station tote as I am a frequent flyer. Rare to find an external pocket in top brands but surprisingly this had one. I also find that the quality of fabric be it leather or canvas or nylon/polyurethane is too good in the luxury brands. The finishing is class and that is what the pricing is all about when it comes to elite brands. This year I have also made a few more purchases to complete my bag collection (!). I got them at excellent rates – not at all at overprice. I am happy with the entry level brands such as Michael Kors, Coach or Kate Spade. Elegant and minimalistic : two words for them.

In India I love Calonge (also comes without an external pocket) and Hidesign and Companero. The problem with the Indian brands is, the handle drop is not to desired length stopping short by 9 to 10 inches that makes carrying for too long the bags makes it tiresome for me. The finishing also leaves a lot to be desired for. Calonge is one Indian brand that is savvy and can match with any entry level luxury brands that you may find in the US markets. Its not on Amazon but available online from the outlet store. Hidesign is trying to go lightweight. Of late they are getting better although generally they are rugged in make. Companero is a big disappointment for me as this weighs literally a ton. I found out that Fossil is Indian and since the outlet is there in Chennai, I don’t look at Fossil in the US. Other foreign brands such as Coach are there in airport dutyfree wherever I go. The prices used to be a great dampener. In the US I have access to Amazon and outlet malls where sale makes it all affordable to you.

I too used to believe that luxury is sin and that things are overpriced – until a few years back. That is when I stuck to only garish Indian brands with uneven finishing. Then I developed an open mind. I don’t think its wrong to want value for your money. I like Indian brands that are good enough and competent enough. But just because something is Indian make, if its lacking in quality, I don’t want to pay for that.

Luxury bags have great styling and have stunning finishes, no doubt about that. For one thing, I don’t buy anything for brand’s sake. I look at the prices first. Then at the quality. Durability is extremely important. Only if all my conditions are satisfied I buy something. Entry level luxury bags are more than enough for me. They come in a vast range to suit all my needs – be it wristlets or wallets or clutches or crossbody bags or satchels or handbags or totes or hobos or curved zips or whatever. You name it I have it! As someone who travels a lot both within India and outside India, the bags are of vital significance to me. I have to factor in the monsoon season of India that can be relentless. At these times, waterproofs matter. I got a big polyurethane tote from Westside, India for this purpose. Have had a run with Aldo, Milano from Italy in Doha and Guess as well. Don’t miss them now. Calvin Klein could belong with this group. All faux leather but long lasting. Somehow the plastic in them shows. Canvas with logo still looks better on Michael Kors than on Guess, I guess! Me no expert in these matters. Just a casual connoisseur with acquired tastes that may not have aesthetic appeal at all!

Its a wrong notion to dismiss all the luxury brands as being vain and useless and overpriced. Wanting exclusivity if you are from creamy circle cannot be blamed. For middle class like us, and for housewives like me, the affordability of entry level luxury bags is still a blessing. Years back when I visited US for the first time in 2017, I didn’t know of Kate Spade. Big wallets sold at $7 at outlet malls then. I got a dozen for my friends back in India, not aware of the brand name. I never kept one for myself! I am getting brand conscious only in last few years. I like the sleek finishing of the entry level bags and the comforting handle drop length – main reasons for which I am shopping for them now.

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Many ladies have cosmetic fetish, shoe fetish etc. I could be rare woman buying only dour moisturizers from foreign shopping which could be very basic. Neither have I shopped so far for perfumes. Burlington and Costco tees are enough. I get my branded jeans from Mango, Zara, Marks & Spencers, American Eagle from Doha which are also entry level luxury apparel brands – not too fancy. I have found even cheaper alternatives that are as good in Pull & Bear, Bershka, Stradivarias and H & M. Here too I step in only during sales. Footwear is almost always Indian except for sneakers that is Skechers, also from Indian outlets.

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Brands don’t define who we are. Brands for me are merely best buys at affordable rates – value shopping, that’s all. I like the fit of Mango. I keep watching for Sale and shop only during the sale.

Brands that I shop for – back in India my friends are NOT even aware of. They already think I am a big spender! Well, they don’t travel like me. Travel makes you realize the importance of carrying a good, cavernous bag that can hold all. It has to be at the same time lightweight. It has to serve multipurpose. I need to carry my documents, keys, pills, wet tissues, hair clips, wallet, jewelry, charger, power bank everything in my handbag. I am fortunate enough not to add more than minimal cosmetics along barring from a hair brush to lip balm unlike most women who pack entire makeup stuff into large tote. So that bag has got to be a real good one. It took me decades to finally bring myself to shop for brands during sale. I won’t be discouraged!

But my friends in India do acknowledge how different bags may work for different reasons. For ATM/bank lockers, you need huge zipped totes with inner pockets. We ladies in India have to hurry scurry in crowded streets and market places on our foot, bargaining with subzi vendors and flower girls. We need a huggable dependable bag for that apart from a huge open tote. Many go for nylon totes for grocery shopping naturally. For provisions again we may need a canvas tote. Here I use the free canvas totes coming from silk sari shopping! They can carry some serious load! Same canvas totes also help me in stacking my clothes meant for pressing. Nalli and Kumaran textiles totes make for international headlines, with their air travel capabilities! They double up as cabin bags for small town people of India! Yeah, we have to make a mention of train totes here. Train travel is a big part of every Indian’s life. For temples you need again something you can hug to under your armpit, not coming in your way. With friends you need a light crossbody for lunch outings. Backpacks strictly for teenagers. For tours we need an assortment of bags starting from airport to catering to our day tours being lightweight. Totes to carry water bottles and sweaters can do well in hill stations. Not to leave out the assortment of pouches for every single little need for holding cosmetics to jewelry. Coin purses. Even Vibuthi pouches for temples! In India, our women are used to local nameless brands that’s all. They are affordable and are not so sleek when it comes to finishing. Extremely price conscious, my friends visit export company outlets to procure bags at economic rates. I too used to until a few years back!

(Most of my handbags have vibuthi/kumkum/haldi stains from temples and dried flowers! I take small plastic bags to hold these yet they spill out. All labels are one and the same and my son can’t believe I am buying a white Kate Spate tote to take to Kumbakonam temples. This one can hold a water bottle and ziplocks packed with vibuthi haldi kumkum hahaha! Kate Spade shall have a heart attack! Well, I have to send them pictures with broken coconut, betel leaves, flowers and other prasad from temples nicely stored in their tote! What a buy! If you are from India, you have to think a lot about these things! This 17 inch one with enormous holding space just suits me at $104 – a great bargain. To travel with me to temple, the bag/cow must be blessed in my opinion. Seriously, no kidding. Jokes apart, functionality of a bag matters. The white colour was the only one available. Let me try to find a black bag for the temple tours and spare poor KS!)

I think Hidesign made in India is a big hit with Indian ladies with its limitless range and affordable prices. Some bags in Hidesign may be too good and better than international brands – like those I have. Last year from Hidesign I got a self embossed airport tote with top zip that is both lightweight and sleek. Printed with leaf motifs on entire body, it makes such a fashionable statement drawing looks wherever I take it. But my preferred Indian brand will always be Calonge. Sophistication – to put it in one word. My suggestion to Indian brands could be to ask them to increase handle drop length to minimum 11 inches. Twelve may be even better. Zips are fine. I have no complaints. I have never had problem with Indian brands that I own for over a decade each bag. Finally I have to get tired of them and give away! There was this Indian brand Holi that used to be lightweight and colourful with ethnic motif prints. It is around no more and I miss it. I still have their bag.

Men keep asking, ‘how many bags will you have?’ Only if they have a clue!

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Middle class life is living from sale to sale that’s all. I don’t remember when I last shopped for something at full price. If I ever do that, I don’t think I can sleep for weeks.

Posted in Pictures Desi

Review: Yathra Time (You Tube channel)

Posted on by veeskitchen

Found this on You tube. The hosts are ex comedy actors Kovai Sarala and Lalitha Kumari. Never paid them much attention before this vlog. Surprise content. I may not have been their fan, yet I have noted that even in their comic scenes they displayed kind of character-artiste side of theirs. Lalitha looks so young and refreshing, natural and without glamour. Her sense of dressing is understated elegance. She plays low key, sidestepping to allow her older friend to take the lead most of the times, and refers to Sarala as ‘akka’ – which shows one, the kind of bonding they must be sharing. Girlfriends always relate to each other from heart. These two seem to relax in each other’s company. The comfort factor is evident. There is this hidden side to many of us that not everyone may be aware of. The duo’s spiritual aspirations seem sky high literally! They are climbing peak after Himalayan peak! They pursue their goals with such a passion, as it was with their acting skills. As I grow older I can understand why probably they hit it off together. I am kind of able to gel with only spiritually motivated people nowadays and seem to be losing interest in those who are overtly materialistic. The age difference between these two even explained to me why I am getting along better with spiritually motivated girls who are in early 40s nowadays whereas I find the banal my-age-girls at times boring and uninspiring. Bhog, Yog both are important. With age, the bhog has to grow less and yog has to grow more. I am sick of small talk these days and selfish hypocrites, and want to gyrate away from their world. I am learning to keep my patience and keep my irritation to myself! Quite a tall order!

Anyway I recommend this series. The ladies seem to cover all vital information about the shrines they are visiting. Right now I am tuned in to their Himalaya Shiva Sthalls. Their Nepal travel story has kindled interest in me to follow on their footsteps whenever time and health may permit.

Sometimes who you think are sidekicks could be the real life heroines as Sarala and Lalitha reveal. Their devotion and zeal seem to be inspiring. Their bhakthi and energy levels are motivating. I wish these two ladies long, healthy and happy life and the joy of eternal friendship. Never so far wanted to meet any star in my life but if I get a chance to chat up these ladies, I would want to listen to their spiritual experiences. I bet they feel stronger spiritual vibes and are elevated souls already.

Posted in Lateral Thinking

Satyameva Jayate

Posted on by veeskitchen

I don’t mean any copyright violation; just wanted to share this powerful post I found on You tube. Not even aware who this lady is. Whoever she is, she resonates with what I strongly have always believed in. Throughout my blog I have underscored why you must NOT sell your soul. In a world of useless reels and information clutter, this just is right.

Posted in food as therapy...

Cleaning up as you cook…

Posted on by veeskitchen

Google is spying on you all the time, so no wonder that this article on ‘cleaning as you cook’ landed in my feed. Until I chanced upon this thing, I was hardly aware of what I have been doing since my teens.

Yes, as a motherless girl, my cooking started right in my teens. In fact even when my mother was around, in my pre teens, I was trained to cook basic minimal south Indian food such as Idli/Dosa, rice, sambhar (with lentils) and vegetable dishes. The truth is, this is by no means simple meals! All these are detailed cooking procedures but viewed as trivial in our homes! By 10-12, I could not only cook up a little but was also aware of safety precautions with regard to heat and fire. We in our Indian kitchens have to deal with deep frying and shallow frying in direct fire. Also our cooking methods involve a lot of dry grinding, wet grinding of spices. Pressure cooking is integral with dals. As little girls we got introduced to cooking gradually by our grandma. It was the norm in those days. In my case, it was a must. This was because my mother was a working woman, a teacher, who had to leave home by morning 7.15. Same for Puja rituals. Mother also made sure every monday evening and thursday evening I washed out/mopped the entire puja room and did the kolam and got the puja ready for next day ritual early in the morning. Puja in those days was before she left for school. We little girls would be already bathed, dressed in school uniform and sitting in puja. After mother left for school, we had to learn our own lessons. Nobody taught us. I was also from under 10 years of age taught Sanskrit shlokas at home first and foremost by my mother who gave us annual assignment during the summer hols. The schedule was to get one sloka completely byheart. One stanza per day was the easy way we did it. That’s how I learnt many shlokas but have forgotten most now, having lost touch. I think my mother who lived a very short life did better parenting than me! Looking back, I am proud of the 13-14 year girl that I was when she left us forever. I was already resilient and responsible and dependable and more than all independent in most ways.

Cleaning as I cooked came naturally. When you lose your mother in your 13th year, you become the caretaker woman of the family. I didn’t realize that my home was suddenly disorderly until a guest commented that ours no longer looked good like when our mother was around. And that our clothes looked crumpled. That same evening I took my father to Viveks, an electronics shop in Mylapore, to get an iron box. Organizing things became the new routine. Filing documents also became an important matter. In my age, no other girl was handling so much including family finance or paying bills like I did. Most of my friends had not still stepped into their kitchens. I payed the taxes for my father, kept bank records and other things, cooked, cleaned the home even if we had a helper and in general continued the show. I think from my 9th standard I have been shopping for my undies, clothes, shoes, bags etc., by myself. Necessity is the mother of invention that’s all. Life’s special circumstances put us in the spot. My friends say they understand me better as they started losing their parents one by one to old age. Slowly they fell in line and became good task masters – adept at running homes, and juggling career as well as family. Its just that I started earlier. They had some free time in their teens.

Back to adult life. I see sometimes even some very good or perhaps greatest cooks/women who turn out awesome cuisines in their kitchens than me poorly manage their counters. I am by no means a foodie. I cook only what is absolutely basic and nothing exotic. But I would feel the urge to pick up the scrub and wipe the table and stove hobs of unkempt kitchens of my friends. Not that my house is 100% spic and span or that I live in a posh bungalow. Maximum my flat size is only 3 bedroom (in Chennai). But I like to keep it in order. Here in middle east in my absence, once a male friend of my hubby came to cook with him. It seems he exclaimed how I stored and what I stocked was too good. I kept everything to cook up a feast in my modest kitchen. I don’t have a Michelin star kitchen. Just recently fought a battle to install a small 3 unit Ikea kitchen counter replacing old one, after years of pleading with my tightfisted hubby! My stove is over a decade old here. But any good cook won’t get lost in my kitchen, that much I can guarantee. My appliances are also highly functional and handy. That man who cooked in my kitchen that day was kind of gourmet cook! In fact he later rang me to tell me and in fact congratulate me because he never expected me to have it all in that small space. He said my kitchen was very functional and user friendly. I knew I had a good kitchen. No designer storage jars for me. At least in Chennai i have a few Tupperware. Here most of the containers are old oats tins /nestle / pickle bottles etc., transformed into kitchen storage containers! A few original jars have been acquired during sale only strictly! Middle class stories! But I take it as a great compliment to be told that my kitchen is very organized and stocked thoughtfully. Nothing fancy. I don’t bake or do laddus and jalebis. Only fundamental daily nutritious south Indian cooking. Not a thing extra.

Really feels good to know that people who clean as they cook are planners and executors for long term.

Here is this from Google:

Psychology says people who clean as they cook instead of leaving everything for the end display these 8 distinctive traits consistently

  • Micro-control in the middle of chaos. …
  • Future self protectors. …
  • Quiet anxiety managers. …
  • The “good enough” perfectionists. …
  • The “one-touch” thinkers.

May be it sounds like boasting but I realize that this description fits me aptly. Once a while I guess we can accept compliments.

Its alright to live in small 2 bhk homes. I have never lived in huge spacious homes for the simple reason that we prefer living downtown everywhere. I have also come across star rating worthy kitchens where the women of the family DO NOT OR CANNOT COOK leaving matters to their paid chefs. I would hate to do that. Of late I am asking my househelp to chip in in Chennai as age catches up with me apart from tight engagements. Also cooking from your pre teens seems to affect me peculiarly these days. It seems suddenly too boring. Yet, at times I return to my kitchen there. I have the luxury of help in my Chennai kitchen only in last few years. Otherwise I never imagined that one day I would be permitting anyone to touch my kitchen hob or handle my pots and pans. So possessive about them normally! Anyway, I think even if you have an appointed cook, the woman of the house being able to cook up for family and guests is kind of unwritten code in our families. A 5 star kitchen to me is worthless if the woman of the house has not cooked up hearty meals there for the family. I am happy with my small one even if I am by no means a foodie or gourmet chef. Just a regular housewife/mother/grandma here who would like to tap the best out of my kitchen.

2000% UTILITY VALUE – that is how I would like to describe my kitchen! Well used! By utility value, I don’t mean the usage of my kitchen by a cook/chef. My kitchen is mine first, to cook up hot spicy and heartwarming meals for my family. Whatever they may ask for even in the dead of the night, I must be able to cook for them with my own hands. That way my kitchen is not only well provided for, but also well utilized.

We say, Ma Lakshmi lives in our kitchen fires, stove, hobs. Anna Purna is our Divine Mother who gives us food. To keep the kitchen clean and organized is our duty. Wherever kitchen is not maintained, I used to notice that even their bathrooms won’t be clean. Clutter would be everywhere. Even the lives of such persons, in my view, are chaotic and disorganized. And this thing about personal hygiene. I better stop here. This I am saying without prejudice. In fact the persons may even look disheveled with not-so-crisp dressing sense. That dishevelment would be the byline about them in every area of life. Strictly on firsthand experiences dealing with this kind that I am making this statement. Most of us avoid making personal comments on disorganized people. Our well wishes are not met with approval. I realize we are not here to advise or reform anyone.

The problem is, because of our discipline, some of us get labeled as OCD cases. We can’t fit in anywhere. We get disappointed in people. We are thought of as snobbish and unfriendly (which could be true)! I go check bathrooms everywhere first and a couple of my friends poke fun of me for this obsession of mine about bathroom cleanliness. Bathrooms can be old, tiles and fittings can be old, but they must be functional and clean. I live in a 25 year old flat presently where even the plumbing is not concealed. You think these things are not connected but everything is connected in my opinion.

My engineer husband who heads projects says, he sequences the projects first in his head – like he says, we should not build the superstructure before we build the basements. There is always an order of things to follow so that you don’t end up doubling back. Same holds true of your kitchen too. In my mental map, I always store what I need to procure by way of groceries/provisions for the week or month as well as supplies such as detergents etc. I don’t need to jot down anything in a memo. I also plan a week’s menu in my head and shop accordingly. I see to that I cover all veggies in rotation over a period of time and try out different dishes with least repeats in any given short frame of time.

How to save on cooking time? All of us ladies plan our menus mentally for a week at least. I am ahead by nearly 10-15 days with my planning as most south Indian ladies are. This is because we grind the staple idli batter to everything and keep spices for ready use. Say sambhar powder or rasam powder for instance. All these we keep handy for which we plan months ahead. Not all are storebought in our homes. Then if I have to use a blender in cooking twice or thrice on a particular day, I plan the sequence in my head as well. For instance dry blending must always precede any wet grinding so that the jar stays dry for wet grinding later.Soakings must be done the previous night – for instance for channa. Its no rocket science. Just a thoughtful sequencing that’s all. Similarly we have to plan in decide on the kadai or pan/pot usage. Which to use. This is especially useful on days when we have to cook for pujas or for guests. Sequencing saves time. Of course this comes with age and experience – with practice, as simple as that.

Cooking is not gender-based responsibility. I am sorry if I have conveyed such a thought. I have a son in his early 30s who is cooking delicious meals for his 4 year daughter. Yet I don’t want to mince words when it comes to mentioning about the natural nurturing instincts that women are born with. A woman who cannot cook or is a poor cook may not have a happy married life or family life or great home. Goes without saying. Superficial people please excuse. We do have politically correct people who keep up appearances everywhere and always. I*I am no feminist. Alright call me sexist and I don’t care. Start looking around: you will find glaring examples. Its just that a kitchen is a warm place to keep the family content and united. Its THE place to start with.

Cooking means self sufficiency. Cooking is a skill. Its nothing to be ashamed of. Its healthy lifestyle. In fact eating homefood is what is luxury, not eating in 5 star restaurant. Having a clutter free home and kitchen, and clean bathrooms is basic and fundamental discipline. You organize your home, your life is organized.

For me, cooking naturally also means prior planning, planning in advance by weeks, even months at times like when we arrange for pickles, papads, jams etc., everything homemade, staying alert as to what is low stock, what needs top up, etc., that that becomes the way you function in every department of your life. You carry the discipline to whatever you do, wherever you go.

Today I have in my life , girl cousins and nieces who all could qualify for master chefs! Some of them are also professionals managing both home including kitchen and their hifi careers skillfully. Kudos to these remarkable women!

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Anyways, big hug to whoever made me reflect on my kitchen habits. I feel good about myself honestly. For me, cooking is essentially for feeding my beloved ones. Recently the help I have here had moist eyes when I asked her whether she had eaten. She comes to me after having her lunch by 3 pm. She said, nobody ever fusses over food with her like I do. She still hasn’t had anything with me, yet me asking her to have at least a chai or coffee seems to move her. At the back of our mind, we mothers always keep worrying whether someone has had food. My son tells me, how I keep irritating him asking every single time whether he has had food. Indian mothers. What else do you expect of me.