Author: veeskitchen

Posted in food as therapy...

Its the Methi-Dhaniya-Pudina Season!

Posted on by veeskitchen

May be not a gourmet chef but I love my simple sumptuous cooking with basic desi ingredients including aromatic native spices, and array of vegetables that are the natural bounty of this vast and varied Indian subcontinent. Any woman busy in her kitchen with pots and pans can swear by this October to March season dedicated to pursuers of culinary skills and interests ! This is the time when the fenugreek leaves (methi), coriander leaves ( dhania) and the mint leaves (pudhina) look lushest and greeny green without drooping or drying up! Nothing like coriander to garnish your dishes. That is one super Indian touch to curry. Methi is India’s magic food. Or one of India’s magic foods. Methi leaves are the evergreen crush of India! – we use methi in everything from parathas to dal and rice and curry. Even dried methi or fenugreek leaves (called Kasuri methi) are used in summer or off season for flavouring our dishes. Slightly bitter, with proper mixing, the methi can lend exceptional taste to our dishes. Methi leaves are my favourite, as my signature dishes include the methi-daal a top family favourite. Enjoying this season which is also the peak time for fresh green peas harvest. Also are there the double beans, the soya beans, the rajma, the butter beans – the entire beans family none of which you need to soak. Everything comes in pods that you can peel and stock up in freezer for the months to come. So that is what I do. Never buy frozen peas. For that matter I am that housewife who can afford fresh vegetables and need not have to live by the frozen groceries. The veggies are freshie fresh in India in these 5-6 months. In fact our roadside makeshift shops over pavement don’t even have refrigeration facilities. Our street vendors with push carts and some carrying the greens etc., on their heads on woven basket have it all the freshest. In Chennai I get the day’s plucking from that very morning brought door to door by street vendors in handle carts or baskets from surrounding villages in the range of 100-200 km. We get fresh desi A2 cow milk now patented by the US (with no native cows producing A2 milk) that even on refrigeration will spoil within a few hours. Many of us opt for this milk . Fruits in this climate are inviting as they never shrink or dry up! The cherries are here in purple and blood red. Best of it all is that, all are refrigeration free even in our warmer tropical country with mildest winters. The whole of India and why, even the entire world, may be blossoming so vibrantly with a variety of yields from trees, plants, creepers and climbers in this second half of the year. Of course the except may be the icy cold snow filled regions of earth. Fragrant flowers are in full bloom in monsoon countries. India is one super flower country. We have a stunning range of scented flowers from paneer rose to jasmine and hibiscus and oleander for pujas. May be Gods descend in these six months from October to March to Earth. Which is why the entire plant is resplendent with fusion of colours. The evening walks in parks will be pleasant. Here in middle east, the weather is just right crisp chill with sun kissing our skin warmly. Beautifully outdoorsy weather, just too perfect. Restaurants have outdoor seating in this part of the world unlike the colder Europe or America when summers see the patios filling up with guests for dinner.

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METHI IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE HAHAHA! Methi roti, Methi Aloo curry, Methi pulav, any Methi subji for me any day any time!

Decided to add Vendhaya Keerai (fenugreek dal) Paruppu recipe which is our family favourite. In my in-laws home when I was newly married, I was taken in by surprise by the curious kind of taste they had in veggies. Their recipes were different. I picked up my love for Vendhaya keerai from them that I didn’t capitalize on earlier during my Mylapore days where the markets used to have them in loads.

This following blog post of mine is originally dated Sep 27, 2012. Here we go.

Vendhaya Keerai Masiyal (fenugreek leaves-lentil mash) (methi-dal in hindi)

September 27, 2012

This is one of my tastiest dishes and most cooling and nutritious dish i must say.   Most healing one too.   Because if anyone has stomach ache or cramps due to body heat, we normally gulp a spoon of fenugreek seeds here with water that instantly reduces the body heat.   Fenugreek leaves with lentils (methi-dal in hindi and vendhaya keerai masiyal in tamil) is a yummy way to keep cool always!

Ingredients:   6-8 small bunches of cut Methi leaves (small size) (see picture)  (we can also sow the fenugreek seeds in a pot and water it daily and keep in the sun.   In days we will have small sprouts of methi leaves at home that also can be made use of.  i normally buy off store shelves or from a street spinach seller).

1/2 a measuring cup of tuar dal (lentils)

1 mid size onion

1 mid size tomato

1 green chili

4-5 garlic cloves

For garnishing:   1/2 tsp mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, 1 dried red chili torn and de-seeded

a tsp of oil for sauteing.

a pinch of turmeric powder

salt to taste

water

baby fenugreek leaf bunches (can also use regular fenugreek leaves available as one big bunch)
tuar dal or red gram/lentils

onion, tomato, garlic, green chili
adding the chopped onions, tomatoes, green chili and garlics to the dal/lentils in the pressure cooker
rinsing the methi/fenugreek leaves thoroughly in water
thorough rinsing of over 4-5 times…
adding the fenugreek/methi leaves on top of dal and onion, etc in pressure cooker..
pressure cooking until the dal is done…
pouring the contents into an earthern pot,,
mashed ! Fenugreek greens with Thoor dal
mash while the dal-methi is still hot…
mashing to a smooth consistency…
mashing the natural way…

Vendhaya Keerai Masiyal/Fenugreek leaves-lentil mash/methi-dal is almost ready for garnishing..
seasoning with a torn and de-seeded red chili, mustard and cumin seeds in 1 tsp of oil- so this is the maximum oil we use in this dish.
adding the seasoning and salt to the dal-methi

Vendhaya Keerai Masiyal/Fenugreek leaves-lentil mash/methi-dal

Vendhaya Keerai Masiyal/Fenugreek leaves-lentil mash/methi-dal is ready to serve…

Method:

Wash and immerse 1/2 a cup tuar dal (lentils) in adequate water in a small pressure cooker.   Chop the onion and tomato and add it to the tuar dal.   Add the garlic flakes and the green chili.  Sprinkle 1/2 tsp turmeric powder.

Cut the small bunches of fenugreek leaves (methi leaves) in a fine manner leaving out the soft stalks and taking out the leaves alone (with a bit of stalk otherwise).   Methi leaves or fenugreek leaves carry lots of soil dust which need thorough rinsing.   Rinse in 2 large bowls alternately and cleanse by hands atleast 4-5 times draining the soil-water everytime.   Repeat the process for more number of times until you are satisfied that the leaves are maximum free of soil particles.  (refer to the pictures)

Now add the washed fenugreek leaves to the dal and onion-tomato in the pressure cooker.    Give 4-6 whistles to ensure that the dal and the leaves are cooked smooth.   Wait for pressure release and open the cooker lid after ensuring its safe to open.

Take the cooked contents out.   Pour the same into an earthen pot.  Mash with a wooden masher to a fine thick consistency.

Transfer the mashed fenugreek leaves-lentil (methi-dal) (vendhaya keerai) into a bowl.

Garnishing:   Heat a tsp of oil in a shallow pan.   Add 1/2 tsps of mustard seeds, cumin seeds and a torn and de-seeded dried red chili.  When the seeds splutter, take out and pour this into the mashed dal.  Salt finally.

Now we have most nutritious and yummy Fenugreek leaves-lentil mash (Vendhaya Keerai masiyal in tamil and Methi-dal in hindi) to go with both rotis as subzi and with rice.

ABOUT FENUGREEK LEAVES:

This is readily available in small bunches (baby leaf bunches) in Chennai and in most parts of south India.  In rest of India, methi leaves are available rarely as small baby bunches but like any regular greens.

Homegrowing fenugreek leaves is best option.   Sow the fenugreek seeds in a pot and water it daily keeping it in direct sun. Within a week or two, you can see small fenugreek leaves/methi leaves sprouting up.   Take care to pluck the small leaves delicately.  This is the easiest way to get small baby fenugreek leaves.

(PS:  Can also do the same dish using regular fenugreek leaves or bigger vendhaya keerai leaves/greens.  the bitter taste associated with baby fenugreek leaves is totally absent with mature vendhaya keerai leaves/regular fenugreek leaves, but that does change the taste significantly.) 

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About Fenugreek seeds and Fenugreek leaves I want to add this now: Native to India, Methi or fenugreek holds an important place in Indian native medicine the Ayurveda. Food as therapy – this is the ancient Hindu wisdom.

I just googled and have this as copy-paste job on Methi leaves: #IndianCurry #methisuperfood

  • Keeps Your Heart Fit.
  • Controls Diabetes.
  • Relief from Menstrual Cramps.
  • A Good Brain Food.
  • Prevention from Cancer.
  • Good Gut Health.
  • Helps in Weight Control.
  • Methi Benefits for Hair.
Posted in Economic

Sheer harassment awaits you on Arrival at Chennai Airport.

Posted on by veeskitchen

ATTENTION PRIME MINSTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI JI PMO

When I flew in the first week of September, things were as usual at Chennai International. I got picked up comfortably at the terminal arrival T2. When I returned to Chennai Domestic after a local trip by the last week, already dead tired, I had no awareness what a nightmare awaited me.

I was asked to take a buggy to the multistory parking lot a km away. Sounded simple. Now this is the new pickup point for Ola, Uber, pre-paid airport taxis or even private cars. Those who want to transfer to Chennai Metro Rail can always do so from within the airport without having to step out – whether domestic or international. Both have direct connectivity to Metro.

But the problem is, you reach your destination after a tiring travel. There is not a regulated queue for the buggy. I was a lone traveler. I have health issues, I am middle aged, and I can never haul weights. Maximum I can pull up my bags from the conveyor belt and shift them to the low level trolleys. Mostly at this, I am helped at by fellow passengers. The buggy line is long, if at all there is one. People rush to get into the buggy not wanting to wait their turns. Absolute chaos with no discipline or order. Those with light cases manage easily to board the buggy flinging their bags to the holdall in the back. I had a great difficulty hauling my bags on to the back of the buggy that cannot hold big suitcases. Mine had to be put on top jutting out and shaking all the way. Moreover mixed luggages of passengers are piled up precariously one on top of another. I saw ladies struggle to haul their bags to the buggy and get in at the same time. By the time some women successfully placed their trolley bags over the buggy, their seat in the buggy was taken. With the buggy full and leaving without them but with their bags, the women were perplexed. After over 20 minutes of trying to get into one, I summoned someone probably in-charge there to help me. Finally a kind man hauled my luggages to the back of the buggy and I could take a seat in the buggy at the same time. But not after a terrible argument with the driver of the buggy. That by itself was a feat. It took me over 30 minutes just to get from outside the terminal to the parking lot. Here you have multistorey parking and the cars are parked at various levels. You have to take an elevator to reach whatever floor, in case of prepaid taxis. God knows where to wait for Uber. I was told the waiting place was the same as the uber/ola drivers only could drive through. Such a confusion and MESS. Totally harassed.

I thought the international terminal would be different. My husband who traveled last month went through the same nightmare on landing at T2. Early morning, no buggy was available. Trolleys cannot be wheeled beyond a point. He called his cabbie who thankfully walked upto the terminal from the parking. Both of them wheeled the suitcases for over a good half to one km to the parking lot at morning 3 am. It totally drained his energy. Is this what to expect on landing in our hometown after a tired journey. In my case, even if the buggy may be available, I just can’t haul the bags to that height of the buggy holdall. My international flight bags weigh over 18 to 20 kg each. What am I going to do. What brainless people have put such a harrowing system into place? Its not only impractical, it is sheer harassment, nightmare. This is now going on for over 2 months and I wonder whoever has registered an official complaint.

If for security reasons the government wants to keep the taxies and cars at bay at the parking lot, then something like a shuttle bus must be arranged where there must be conductors to handle luggages. I have seen such a system in place in the US. One can board the shuttle to reach parking lots as far as few kilometers without hassles.

Hopefully by the time I return the old way of exiting airport is back. I give up, I just can’t. Wonder how the wheelchair passengers cope up. Its not a straight level ride with their carts to the parking at all. A lot of work needs to be done on warfooting basis. Airport authority need not have to turn our airport into 5 star hotel. At least the basics they must take care of. What is the use of building a swanky new airport and putting passengers through sheer harassment on arrival. Basic amenities must be covered first. You see the airports in the US. They keep the artefacts there in museums not in airports. Airport can be plain but functional and user-friendly. Arrival in Chennai is now a big headache be it international or domestic.

Posted in Economic, Socio-Cultural, Socio-Political

No more IT exemption to Catholic clergy in India

Posted on by veeskitchen

In a landmark decision the Supreme court of India upheld the waiving of exemption from income taxes to nuns and priests of the Catholic church serving in educational institutions, thus bringing the practice from the British era to an end. The catholic clergy in all filed over 93 appeals seeking reversal.

https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-court-ends-tax-exemption-for-catholic-priests-nuns/106944

Posted in Women & Family

Two Brave Stories From Middle East.

Posted on by veeskitchen

Bravo! The Iranian woman did not strip in the university to amble around in semi nudity. The purpose or intent was to defy hijab that keeps women veiled. This is more of a symbolic act as we know. Why should women be struggling for something as basic and mundane as the fundamental right to personal preferences such as one’s attire?

I don’t believe in faith that subscribes the means and methods of living ways. If I am a vegetarian from birth, its not because it is enforced by any law or code in Hindu scriptures. My family made the voluntary choice generations back and I am okay with it. Freewill must prevail and individual’s freedom of expression is the hallmark of civilization.

Even bikinis can be carried over with dignity and need not have to be vulgar at all. The sense of honour and respect is in the eye of the beholder. Even the Arabs must be aware of the long arm of modern technology that can reach into their bedrooms and bathrooms exposing their women to all and sundry. No burqa can come to their rescue. The peeping Tom could be your next door neighbour, who knows. May the modesty be in your mind.

Anyway the Iranian girl practically wrote her own death sentence. But someone has to bell the cat right. And she did just that.

Kudos to the Chess player and three times rapid chess world champ Anna Muzychuk for refusing to play the tournament in Saudi Arabia because of the burqa dress code. Anna says she does not want to be chaperoned to the venue from her hotel by a male escort as per local laws as it may measure to her not being an equal to a man. A disgrace! Its time to pull out events from Saudi in that case where women sportspeople wouldn’t be treated with equal respect as the men.

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.

Posted in Interests

Twin Golds for India in the World Chess Olympiad: Men & Women !

Posted on by veeskitchen

The 45th World Chess Olympiad was underway in Budapest, Hungary that was watched avidly by chess lovers around the world. India today created a world record winning twin golds for both men and women category emerging at the top of the table.

Wow what a moment for India! Extremely proud of the young guys who made our dreams come true! Hearty congratulations to both the teams and especially the local Chennai boy Gukesh Dommaraju and Arjun Erigaisi who are both under world top 5. India easily outclassed Russia, China and the USA. One more Chennai boy Pragnaanandaa and Gukesh are both under 20 years. Prag’s sister Vaishali Rameshbabu is a member of the women’s contingent. Siblings on world record to have a ranking below world top 20. Me a mere follower of Chess developments here, nothing more 😀 The wins highlight the soft power that is India that conquers the world with holistic means such as Yoga, Meditation, Chess, Spirituality, Classical art forms along with world’s best and No.1 nutritious and yummy cuisine!

We have to keep in gratitude the chess academies of India that made this feat possible in the first place with their right grooming. Diamonds do need polishing with cutting edge technology.