Pain is good

The title of this post is not related to the post... Let me begin by the comments of a newcomer on this blog...
Him: I just went through ur blog... you write each and everything
Me: no.. thats probably 10% of my life
Him: i find blogs boring... I thought urs would have some hard hitting stuff what with the reputation you have...
Me: (speechless)

With the roses come the brickbats... anyways, the above has nothing to do what I am going to write about.

Relatives are a/an (un)necessary evil. There are very few genuine ones who actually care about you... for the rest, it is a game of upmanship.

The other day some of them decided to deign on my home... There are a few rules we have to follow:

Rule 1: Dress well... with hair pinned neatly. Relatives care about appearances. Every aspect of your body (some, whose existence you were unaware of) will come under scrutiny and you have to be prepared.

Rule 2: Don't serve water first... serve it after biscuits or snacks... don't ask me why. It is a Sindhi thing. Even if you are on your death bed craving for water, do understand if I stuff your mouth with the sweet mithais.

Rule 3: Cook authentic Sindhi food... there are very few typical Sindhi dishes... No matter how often you visit a Sindhi home, you will be served the same dishes. It repels me now.
Scene: I am trying to roll a round chappatti and praying (I am an atheist) it looks good, while my cousin looks on... Her remark "Is this the first time you are making rotis?" Don't worry, I fed her such horrible food, she won't dare comment on it again.

Rule 4: Answer all the prying questions with minimum number of words... The range of questions can be:
"How old are you?" "Where did you live in B'glore (people don't know about existence of Manipal)? "What have you studied" "When are you getting married?" "Why do you need to work?" "Whats your salary?" "So, you will be earning Rs. ***** per month, right?"

Rule 5: Try not to give dirty looks when the discussion on marriage begins. Leave it to your parents to tactfully explain, that career comes first.

Rule 6: Do not murder them when they wonder why you need to work. After all, a MBA is good enough to get you a good, gharelu Sindhi guy

Rule 7: Stay calm when they talk while you are watching TV... so what if it is your fav soap and you have been dying to watch it? Gossip (in the loudest tones) comes first.

Rule 8: Serve lunch/dinner to the men and kids first. They have been sleeping in their work place all day... snoozing in a comfy chair is tiring. The one who earns yields the max power.

Rule 9: Don't ever ask them "When are you leaving?" .... When I was a kid, I had asked my mama (mom's bro) that, but then I wanted to know how much time I have with him... 'coz I loved it when he visited.

Rule 10: Try and stay awake until they leave. Try not to fall asleep under the lull of conversation about your descendants...

Rule 11: Don't become cranky when your maid decides not to turn up... and you have to pitch in... if you don't, mom will start reminiscing about the hopes she had for you when you were a kid... and how those hopes have been dashed.

Utterly butterly... delicious Amul

Noticed these ads today... Quite innovative... I don't know what this kind of marketing is called... it does catch your eye.

The offer of Rs 30 off on Nutramul refill has been advertised on the packet of Amul Shakti milk.

This is not a very clear picture... Amul Masti has been advertised on Amul butter.







Sure, Lay's does advertise other flavors on its packet... but it is the same product. Does anyone know what this kind of marketing is termed as?

Tips for the summer

Here are some tips to beat the heat:

• Drink loads of fluids... atleast 8 glasses of water/day.
  
• Drink lime water (add lime to water... no sugar... no salt). Have it before you leave the house... it prevents sunstroke and helps to lose weight
• Prepare ambi panna (ambi= raw mango in Gujarati)... boil raw mangoes with the skin... remove skin, mash them, add sugar and water. Let it cool. Add water and drink...
  
• Have onion chutney (add salt, red mirch, dhania powder to chopped onions. You can also add chopped raw mangoes) with your food.
  

Zindagi rocks

I had the most amazing 2 days... went to A'bad to meet old and new friends. It was different... finally, I was among people who don't have an agenda when they talk to me... they like me for who I am... There are things I want to say about the people I met...

R:
When was the last time you met a guy who is courteous, treats you like a lady, is polite, nice and opens the door for you? Thats R for you. We have known each other for more than 3 yrs... I remember all the sunny afternoons I spent at his house during my free lectures (his home was quite close to coll). I was surprised when he joined Honey and me for shopping... usually, guys avoid it like the plague... and shopping with Honey is a torture, I avoid it like the plague.

AS:
We have been groupies at TAPMI for 2 yrs and it is a weird friendship (if I can call it that). There have been ups and downs, but the fact that we are both straight forward has kept the friendship going. We both speak our mind, the only difference is: he is tactful and chooses the right words... I am blunt and say the wrong things. He has always treated me like a younger sis, pointing out my faults and giving advice. Sometimes I have resented the advice, but always thought over it and tried to change myself (Yeah, yeah... the change doesn't show)...
The best moments spent with him have been during boring lectures when we grabbed seats in the last row and gossiped (yeah, he loves to gossip)
So on a hot Sat morning he invited me to join me on a stroll to Nirma University (he is an alumni from Nirma College of Engineering)... He regaled me with stories of his badmaashis during coll days...

AJ:
I met him in the first year of engg... we have kept in touch on and off. The transformation in him has been amazing... from the naive boy who was unsure about himself and his future, he has turned into a confident, talented, good looking young man... of course, he has retained his humility. Then he went click click click and presented the most amazing photos of mine...
The best time was after 3 hrs when I was leaving, he said; "Kya tum bhi... sirf 10-15 minutes ke liye aati ho"...
Duh!!!
His unforgettable wise words : "If I expect success, its my duty to accept failure"

Nik:
He has featured on this blog a couple of times... we finally met up. I was too busy to be nervous, but it turned out fine. Chance maarne ke liye main sabse puch rahi thi : "If you get tired driving the car, lemme know... I will take over". Guess wat he did??? He said "Okay", got out of the driver's seat and let me drive. I was so shocked, I blanked out... I forgot how to start the car... anyways, somehow I managed... but there were drivers around cursing me left right and center... and Nik didn't faze out... He was like "Ignore them... you do your thing"...

I did meet my best friends... but I am not going to discuss them... will save them for another post

Ek mujhe bhi

People have started spending my money before I have started earning:

Parents:
"We will make a note of every buck you spend... you can return them once you start earning"

Bro:
"I want a pair of branded shoes"

Honey:
"I want a really, really expensive b'day"

Monu:
"Give me a grand party now... and once you start earning you can treat me every month"

Main toh abhi se kangal ho gayi hoon

I feel free

I just watched this movie and I am touched. No movie has made me feel like in a long long long time. The expressions of the actors tell the story... words are not needed. Ashok (Irrfan Khan) and Ashima (Tabu) reminded me of my parents and the pain and struggle they go through.
A movie which made me cry and freed me at the same... Why am I trying to fit in, to do the right thing, to say the right thing???? Most of the time, thats not even what I want to say. Why have I shut myself? Why do I think nobody will understand? 'Coz I share so much on my blog, I have lesser to share with people around me. I think the problem is, I try too hard. I just need to let go and be "Me"... not all the time, but as often as I can.
The movie, my best friends, the beautiful weather (even though it will ruin the crops) are making me think after a long time... and I feel free.
Maybe I will do what I have not done in quite sometime, just express myself and voice my thoughts.

I need to drink life to the lees.

I applaud the author, the director and the actors for making me feel.

KBC

I am not a Shahrukh fan... I can barely stand him. I was disappointed when he was roped him in for KBC. Sure, he is a superstar... but does he have Amitabh's charisma?

I must say, I am impressed.
Amitabh is a very formal person. He makes the person on the hot seat feel at ease. He is respected.
Shahrukh is different. He will act like a monkey and try to be one with the crowd. Even though he is a huge star, a person can identify with him. He is just like a boy next door. Some situations have been handled very well by him... specially the one in which the lady refused to hug him.

I am sad that the season has ended.

Wise words

Why would 2 people want to spend their entire lives together? I mean, they can take care of themselves... why would they want to live together and put up with each other? Marriage has never made sense to me. Even if I put my doubts aside, the next obvious question is: Who should I marry? Can I ever be so sure about a person?

I decided to ask my best friend who is married and has a kid. This is what she said; "Marriage is such a weird and illogical concept, that if you had to stop and think about it... you wouldn't do it. So, just close your eyes, trust yourself and go for it. Que sera sera (Whatever will be, will be)".

"Wise words"; I say.

PS: No, no... I am not getting married... not even close. I just got thinking about it, thats all

Tales from the gym

The gym I frequent (daily) has 2 instructors. One is the 'Angel' and other is the 'devil'.


When we joined the gym, Mr. Angel was our instructor. He is very shy and does not talk to girls (or 'girl', since I am the only girl there). He is lenient with the aerobics... we don't have to sweat too much and the exercises are quite easy. He does not push us (bro and me) too hard. So, we were pretty happy with him. Of course, we realized what an angel he is after our tryst with the devil.





After 4 days, we were alloted (or rather he took over) Mr. Devil. He is friendly and strict... even if he arrive early, we have to leave at the same time... we are pushed beyond our limits. The word "No" does not exist in his vocabulary or maybe it sounds like "Yes" to him. He makes us do the most difficult exercises. Since I am a girl, he does not force me too much... but gives my bro a hard time.

Who will be our instructor today: Mr. Angel or Mr. Devil???

Isn't water H2O???

This caught my eye today... I know it is old news, but had not really thought about it until now.
How can water have 300% more Oxygen? This is what I found on the website


"Manikchand OXYRICH, processed without chemicals has been likened to breathing air from the forest or off the ocean. OXYRICH is clear, smooth, pure water with a refreshing boost of extra Oxygen. It is the perfect way to replenish the body's supply of much-needed water and oxygen - perfect for anyone who wants to be truly refreshed !

OXYRICH is different

• Technologically superior processing.
• Mineral composition & taste will be almost the same throughout India.
• Stringent Quality Control Procedures.
• An Eco friendly process.
• Super oxygenated with 300% pure oxygen.
• In house production of Pre-form, cap,& bottles in most hygienic condition.
  

OXYRICH is processed without chemicals by using our Proprietary Technology, a combination of Ultra Filtration (UF), Reverse Osmosis (RO), Ultra Violet (UV) and Ozonation(O3) and super charged with 300% more oxygen."

http://www.oxyrichwater.net/html/product.htm

Apparently, someone filed a complaint in 2004. I don't think anything came of it since Oxyrich still claims to contain 300% more Oxygen.

"The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ahmedabad City, admitted a complaint filed by Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, against Oxyrich Healthy Drinking Water, wrongly advertised as a product containing "300 per cent more oxygen".

Oxyrich is promoted by Dhariwal Industries, Pune, a Manikchand Group company and advertised in the print and electronic media and hoardings in Ahmedabad.

Earlier, CERS in a complaint to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), Mumbai, had described the Manikchand's OxyrichHealthy Drinking Water advertisement as misleading. Upholding the CERS view, ASCI had asked Manikchand to modify or withdraw the advertisement.

The CERS to ASCI had contended that "having a certain amount of oxygen at the time of packing does not imply that the same amount would be available to the consumer when he opens the bottle.

While oxygen is good for the body, it can only be absorbed through the lungs. Oxygen in the stomach could only amount to any other gas and is not absorbed into the body.

So this brand of water cannot be called a truly healthy drinking water simply because there is extra oxygen in it."
Before taking up the complaint to ASCI, CERS had asked Manikchand Group Chairman R.M. Dhariwal to clarify ``How Manikchand's claim that Oxyrich `reduces fatigue, improves alertness of mind and improves immune system?'.’’
CERS further inquired of Manikchand,``What oxygen content would remain in the water by the time the consumer would open the bottle or by the expiry date; also how long would the oxygenremain in the water after uncorking and in what quantity?"

Manikchand did not reply.

ASCI had asked Manikchand Group of Companies to give its comments on the CERS' complaint. A 20-member Consumer Complaint Council of ASCI concluded that the claims mentioned in the advertisement were not substantiated. But, showing "scant regard" for ASCI's decision, Manikchand Group of Companies continued to release its advertisements.

In the circumstances, CERS in the interest of protecting consumers, had no option but to appeal to the Forum to direct Manikchand Group to respect ASCI's decision and stop issuing such advertisements in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act 1986. CERS prayed to the Forum to direct Manikchand Group of Companies to issue corrective ads of the same size in the same newspapers, visual media and hoardings to neutralise the effect of the misleading ads.

PRITEE SHAH

EDITOR,INSIGHT"

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/aug312004/cbytes1.asp

Main nikli gadi leke.... raste pe, sadak pe

Me (on my knees pleading) : Plz plz plz plz
Dad: Nope... It has been only 4 days since you joined your driving classes, I cannot let you drive my car so soon. Even I had waited for atleast 10 days when I was learning
Me: But dad, I am a fast learner... even the instructor said so... and you will be sitting beside me.
Dad: Wait for a few more days
Me: But, I need the practice. It will boost my confidence or maybe make a dent in my over-confidence.
Dad: But you have twisted your ankle
Me: Thats ok... I will manage. You can shout/scream/scold me if I do anything wrong.
Dad: Well, ok... we will go tomorrow at 6 am. I will wake you at 5:30... Fine?
Me: 6 am??? Umm... fine.
Dad: Will you be able to wake up?
Me: For this, I will

A momentous occasion since I am the first one (excepting mom and dad) to drive this car. If I screwed up, I wouldn't get the car again. But it worked out fine, even though my biggest critic (bro) had woken up early to watch me screw up big time. He didn't want to miss the opportunity of adding fuel to fire. But I did quite well... Yippie!!!

JEE with the Villain

It has been quite some time since I have written. Let me update you on what has been happening:

IIT-JEE:

I have not given many competitive exams (PMT, DA-IICT, CAT, XAT, ATMA, SNAP, GATE, JMET)... IIT-JEE and PMT are the only entrances which require years of hard work and yet there is little hope of clearing them. My bro decided to join the bandwagon of IIT aspirants 2 years back. It has been a long struggle and a lot of sacrifices have been made by everyone in the family... IIT-JEE had become a family affair with everyone doing as much as they could.
He joined Bansal Classes (they are supposed to be the best) which made us realize how shallow is the education system. For example, you have to pass an entrance to get into Bansal... there are classes which help you prepare for it... Classes ke liye classes??? Depending on the score, a batch is allotted (ranging from A1 to J6)... Students of batches A1, A2, A3 are the cream layer. They are provided the best faculty and extra tips to ace JEE. If the same faculty teaches students of other batches, they are not taught as well even though all students pay the same fees. None of the faculty is around to solve doubts during JEE. If someone decides to join personal coaching, some profs have conditions like "If you join physics coaching, you have to join Chemistry too". My bro had 3 tuitions for Chemistry itself.
Thankfully, it has ended... I am not sure whether he will make it to IIT, but thats ok. I believe everyone gets as much as they deserve. But I will never ever put my kids through such pressure to get into reputed institutes, I am not sure if they are worth it.

The villain:

Yep... I have been given the position of 'The Villain'... I decide when bro studies, how much he studies, what punishment should be meted out (if any), how much TV time he gets, which movies he watches, what he eats etc etc.... It feels good... Power is damn good... and so easy to misuse. I haven't really misused it as of yet (maybe just a little)... Hahahahahha!!!
I guess being evil comes easily to me.

Everyone had trashed this movie... but when the cable guy played it last night, I didn't have an option but to watch it (better than switching channels every few mins looking for some channel without saas bahu soaps).
I loved the movie... its an absolute laugh riot. I don't know why people hated it (dad had actually walked out of the theatre mid way)...
Akshay+Paresh+Govinda+Priyadarshan= lot of laughs

Warning: Don't carry your brains along when you watch it.

An empty mind is a devil's workshop... so, I am keeping myself occupied

Mom and dad have decided to teach us lazy bums (bro and me) yoga...

Learning to drive a 4 wheeler... "Everyone, move out of the way... save your lives"

Cooking... will post pics as soon as Mom lets me cook an entire meal by myself

I am aware of every part of my body right now... yep, I have started gymming...

Disaster strikes

I had the misfortune of visiting this hypermarket today... it is a total disaster:

• The ground floor consists of clothes on racks... just like at Big Bazaar... the first floor also has clothes in addition to food items... duh, how about segregating clothes from food?
• The items are laid out on racks in such a manner that you will keep guessing whats on the next rack...
  
• critical items are unavailable... I mean, how can you not stock Amul cheese spread and yet have cheese cubes???
  
• There are payment counters on both floors, but the exit is on the ground floor only... so, your bags are checked at the exit... in case, you have sneaked in something in the bags after payment
• A lot of items were out of stock... duh, How can you afford stock-outs when your business is running on volumes?

A lot of malls are (and have) coming up at A'bad... but none of them have anything unique to offer...

• Pantaloons, Westside etc offer the same clothes all over the country... What if I buy a top and come across a lady in Mumbai wearing the same top? Brands like Pepe, Levi's, Nike, Reebok are highly respected... they elevate a person's social status, so I would be proud to flaunt them... but Westside and Pantaloons have not reached that stage yet...
  
• The exchange policies at these malls suck... Imagine a scenario where I buy Reebok shoes for my bro in A'bad and send them to him in Delhi... but he doesn't like them. What if he can go to any Reebok outlet in Delhi and get them exchanged? Too good to be true???? I guess, thats why it does not happen
• The only reason I would want to shop at a hypermarket like Big Bazaar is if they have a good exchange policy... for example, I buy a top and then want to get it exchanged... I should have the freedom to buy groceries or maybe a watch in return (at present you can exchange clothes for clothes, groceries for groceries etc)
  

Banoogi main....

"Main Miss India isliye banana chahti hun kyunki main apne right attitude se global standards maintain karna chahti hun"

"Main bhartiya sanskruti aur vichar ko antarashtriya sthar par represent karna chahti hun"

"Miss India banana mera bachpan se sapna hai"

Nahi nahi.. yeh mere statements nahi hai... They have been spoken by some bimbos, one of who will be crowned "Miss India"... oops, I mean "Femina Miss India".

I have no issues if these girls want to gasss, but c'mon atleast make it believable. Why make it so obvious that they have mugged answers to such dumb questions. Why even pretend? Everyone knows where their brains lie (if any)...

Question: Why is so difficult to come across females with brains and brawn (I guess, I speak for all guys here)...
Answer: 'Coz pretty girls realize early in life that only looks can be enough to trap immature guys... who needs the brains? And then contests like "Miss India" are born.

Why make a joke of so-called "sanskruti"... I am quite broad-minded... go ahead, flaunt that body but please don't label it "sanskruti"... the elders will not approve... neither will the youth.

But yeah, I will still catch the contest tom (I mean today) and groan at all the mugged up answers... I hope the most genuine lady wins... meaning, someone who is pretty and brains enough to make her answers sound genuine.

Hum khane ke liye jeete hai

I won't get into details about where I have been all these days... let me get to what I plan to do.


Yep... thats my recipes book... I am not a novice and cooking is one of my fav activities.

Duration: April-May 2007
Cuisines: Sindhi, Gujarati, Punjabi, South Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Italian, desserts etc
My teacher: Mom... is the best cook in the world... and a professional (runs a bakery and cooking classes)
Judges (people who give me feedback):
Dad: Gives me the most encouraging feedback showered with praise... he always has a nice thing to say even when the food is inedible
Bro: He loves to criticize even when the food is absolutely fabulous... but that has no effect on his appetite (which is monstrous)
Mom: Gives me the most honest and reliable feedback... is quite stingy with praise, though
Sis: "Welcome to my blog"... she is in the USA so it is impossible for her to taste my efforts.. but that does not impede her from commenting

Warning: This blog will soon have pics of tasty (hopefully!!!) food... Beware browsers... those dieting should avoid this place... and I will not take responsibility for any mishaps (on sighting food cooked by me).