Month: October 2024

Posted in Food For Soul

Not the Festival of Lights, but Diwali. Not the Festival of Colours but Holi.

Posted on by veeskitchen

Diwali marks the homecoming of Ram to Ayodhya. It has nothing to do with Christianity or Islam. It will neither be allowed to be trivialized as mere festival of lights nor dubbed into jashn-e-roshan.

Happy & Prosperous Diwali! Happy new year Vikram Samvat 2081 !

Its time to stop refering to Diwali/Deepavali as the Festival of Lights. Even Hindus have fallen prey to the agenda of trivialization of Hindu festivals by Chrisitian conversion mafia. Diwali is a distinct HINDU RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL CELEBRATED AS COMMUNITY. In Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated on the 14th day of the moon which is Chaturdashi, and in the rest of India, Diwali is celebrated on Amavashya the new moon day. Diwali also marks the Hindu New Year when the NSE and BSE of India, the national stock exchanges, open for a couple of auspicious hours that we call ‘muhurat.’ All accounts and ledgers are opened in entire India on this day, at this specific hour of trading that we call Muhurat trading. Diwali is the day Ram came back to Ayodhya with Seetha after defeating Ravana of Sri Lanka. For the first time in 500 years therefore, Ayodhya is welcoming Ram back finally. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13nrT03HBw

Lamps/diyas are lit as was the prevailing custom in the bygone eras. Lamps/Diyas we light in Hindu temples are oil lamps that are environment friendly. The wicks are cotton wicks. The fireworks used from Ramayana days to until a few decades before were organic and not toxic.

Diwali is typically preceded by Dhanteras (the Puja for Dhanwantri, the Hindu god for Health) and Lakshmi (Kubera) Puja (for Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi) in northern India. ‘Shubh’ ‘ ‘Labh’ is the byline. . Dhanteras is celebrated with gold and diamond shopping by prosperous Hindus. Diwali is the third day which is also marked by prayers and intense pujas. Fireworks meant the defeat of Narakasura by Lord Vishnu (in Tamil legends) and the victory of Ram over Ravana in rest of India. Hindus pray for health and prosperity during Diwali as Ram’s homecoming marks return of golden reign to the kingdom. Fireworks were for welcoming Ram back to Ayodhya. The tradition of lighting up fireworks in celebration of Ram’s return to Ayodhya continues for ages even if Ayodhya wore a gloomy look for five centuries after Babur the Mogul invader and marauder from present day Afghanistan, razed the holiest of Hindu shrines that was the birth place of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. Now can you imagine such a fate to Mecca or Madina. Bharat (INdia) is the cradle of Hindu Dharma. The reclamation of Ayodhya is Ram’s will, not Narendra Modi’s. The fourth and final day of Diwali will be the Bhai Dooj, which is celebration of brother-sister relationship. Diwali is a 4-day celebration for Hindu community. At the least, it is 2 day celebration. Now all that is what is compacted and trivialized by the church as one single festival of lights.

We also have the sikularists of India and foreign media referring to Diwali as ‘festival of lights’ trying to trivialize Diwali and foment a disconnect between the festival and its religious aspect. Many fellow Hindus have also started referring to Diwali as ‘festival of lights’ instead of calling it Deepavali. Its time this trend stops.

Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, is already neutralized and made into a global festival. Nobody talks about the Holi puja. From Raksha bandhan to Navarathri and even Pongal/Sankrtanthi, every Hindu festival first is ritualistically observed at home before the community celebration kicks in. Without the worship of Sun God there can be NO PONGAL. So what are these Tamil Christians celebrating as ‘samathuva Pongal?’ You left Dharma for foreign faith, then why do you want to hang on with Hindu rituals?

Here is a blatant attempt to trivialize and if possible christianize Diwali:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/diwali-christian-reflecti_b_2119892

The church will stop at nothing to absorb Diwali as their own. Well, Ramayana will be a story as much as Jesus was conceived by IVF. The author must know that Hindus don’t sell Dharma door to door like Jesus Harpic or Jesus Stayfree. Dharma is self reflection never imposed or bribed or bought over.

Look what they have done to Yoga: Beer yoga, Goat yoga. Nothing is sacred for them.

Posted in Socio-Cultural

This really made my day! #beinghindu

Posted on by veeskitchen

Sincere, academic and profession oriented, hardworking, going home straight from work than hitting a liquor bar, going home to family everyday, disciplined, selfless, sacrificing, family oriented, CULTURED in true spirit – truly these are the characteristics of most Hindus. This i am saying after having lived abroad on and off for a quarter century, mixing with foreign cultures. Mainly Hindus don’t disturb others and let them be. That’s a great testimony we have here.

If India is poor, this land is lived in for 10000 years and seen the golden age for centuries. The streets we walk in are centuries old. The temples we visit are 2000 years plus ancient. Poor in only aspects important to the west. NEVER POOR when it comes to what really matters. More than our streets, our lives must be clean. More than the material wealth, our lives must be rich with culture and heritage passed down for millennia.

Posted in Economic

Why I changed my mind on Amazon and Swiggy.

Posted on by veeskitchen

In Middle east where we are based, I was struck with a very severe viral fever when I ran a temperature of 108 F for a continuous 10 day period. I needed at least two IV injections. Even so, my temperature would be back within 2 hours. I don’t know where I picked up this virus early this year = whether from mall or from our walking in the parks. Later I was told that most of the residents had received a vaccination for this mysterious virus that I didn’t. Many were falling sick and some required hospitalization.

In this period I was asked to have ORS for regaining my lost strength, being a vegetarian. My problem is that I am borderline diabetic. I am not on any pill but I am not supposed to take direct sugar as much as possible = and that too something equal to glucose. I try to keep control by adopting lifestyle changes. Sugarfree ORS was not available over the counter or by order anywhere in Middle East. I was forced to have the ORS with sugar pumped in in generous millies ! The doctor who attended me told me that ORS sugarfree possibly was available in India. Market in India is vast that there is nothing that is not available. I made a mental note to get it during my next home visit.

I asked for sugarfree ORS in pharmacies but nobody had it including the Apollo. There I placed my order, just in case, because they normally source it from others if they don’t stock it. The pharmacist told me only the tetrapacks of 100 ml were available. ORS tetrapack sounded funny even if priced at 45 bucks one pack. Again, you cannot take liquids abroad beyond 1 liter by air. The tetrapacks came in handy whenever I came home from a harsh sun, chilled in my fridge.

During this visit I searched the Amazon and was surprised as well as shocked to note that a whole long list of sugarfree ORS is available as sachets to be dissolved in a glass of water – just the like the sugared ORS sachets I found in Doha. More than delighted. We don’t take the Glucon D kind of thing regularly but when we feel extremely week after travel etc., drained of our energies, this can come in handy.

I don’t regularly order food from Swiggy but their Instamart definitely benefits me. Even the quality of vegetables and fruits is good. Within 10 to 20 minutes maximum on order, I get the subji. We can order the veggies after turning on the gas stove! Living in a polluted metro like Chennai which is also dug up entirely for Metrorail expansion plans facing the wrath of the monsoons at the same time, Instamart is a godsend with quickest service time. For working couples, it can’t get better.

Ten to fifteen years back, I used to order kurtis (rarely) online from those like Jabong. My books were ordered from Flipkart. Flipkart sold out to Walmart. Myntra is owned by Flipkart. Jabong sold out to Myntra. Why should these desis sell out to Amazon and Walmart and bow out. They make a quick profit and then they make a beeline for exit. Big global brand thrive on REINVESTMENT, not on selling the business once you make a landfall. Ploughing back of profits into the trade is the business mantra that our Indian entrepreneurs fail to grasp.

Compared to Ola I have also felt that Uber has better discipline and working ethics. Learn what is best from others.

I have reached the age where comfort and service matter to me most for which I am willing to pay the right price. If the Indian service providers fall short of standards, it is their problem.

Tata’s used to be grotesque car 15-20 years back. But both Tata and Mahindra upgraded themselves and they are the fastest selling India=made sedans and suvs in India today that are also being exported. Their steel and safety features have earned them 5 star rating.

https://www.acko.com/car-guide/safest-cars-in-india/

At least 5 of the top 10 safest cars in India are now India made.

I also notice that Amazon sources its supplies from numerous small sellers and traders. India Mart is there as well but here, you have to bulk-order. India Mart is mostly for wholesalers. Amazon allows for lowest unit of order.

Would rather put my faith and trust on Amazon and Walmart than on Ambani and Adani!

Posted in Economic

Ratan Tata leaves behind a matchless legacy.

Posted on by veeskitchen
this man could have easily been within top 10 of world’s richest. instead he chose to become a philanthropist with hospitals founded for the masses. a humanitarian and son of India like none other. he was also a minority Parsi who chose to stay LOYAL to India/Bharat, his motherland.

Ratan Tata is no more. A son of India like none other. A visionary who took India forward step by step. His global conglomerate employs millions across the world. The legacy he leaves behind is immense and matchless. A huge fan of Tata both for his ETHICAL business ways and for the humanitarian he was. Men like these are born once in a millennium. After looking at the likes of Elon Musk etc., you reckon why men like Tata matter more for not just India but for the entire universe. An aspect called decency: that sets apart Tata from crude others. We have also had the Ramdev kind of so-called spiritual entrepreneurs. We have witnessed in recent past the rise and fall of the Patanjali Ayurved he founded as a practising yogi! Tata to me was also a yogi, only not in saffron robes. Men like Ratan Tata won’t have a punar janam (rebirth) but if he must, may he be reborn in Bharat/India again and again. Thank you so much Tata ji for what you gave back our ancient motherland. Words cannot describe what I feel from the bottom of heart, for you. Go in peace. But bless Bharat from wherever you are. A life so well lived in public service. Patriotism can take different shades. Like Tata’s for instance. What a selfless life! Business tycoons need not have to be always as brash as the Ambanis and as selfish as the Adanis who are profit motivated and nothing more. Industrial corporations need not have be as ruthless. Somewhere there can be a middle ground. There are those like the Tata group who still engage in ethical businesses who are the reason Bharat is still ticking. My heart feels heavy losing you Ratan ji even if I am aware, all of us have to come to this day sometime. Losing you is like losing a precious diamond. A real Ratan. There is not an area of economy that you have not touched. Its news to me that Tata even brought out the first CBS India cassette recording Nazia and Zoheb Hassan from across the border bringing them international fame. You brought respectability to this country, acquiring foreign manufacturing industries and firms. From TCS (Tata consultancy service (IT company)) and Air India to star hotels to Tata manufactured sedans with Tata buying out international brands like Jaguar of UK and Tetley tea, to Tata steel (that acquired Corus steel) to Tata telecom – and even those like Tata tea, Tanishq (designer jewelry brand) and Westside (fashion and accessories), you have carved a niche for yourself (Tata brand) in (gold) standard in the business world. You leave behind big shoes hard to fill. You are inspiration Ratan ji for generations of Indians. The biggest take away from you for all of us is that, you can keep your ethics and still make it a viable trade; you can engage in selfless public service and still run industrial corporations and manufacturing industries. You can transform societies if you have the will.