പഴമയുടെയും പാരമ്പര്യത്തിന്റെയും രുചിക്കൂട്ടുകള് പരിചയപ്പെടുത്തിയ പ്രവാസി എഴുത്തുകാരി സപ്ന അനു ബി ജോര്ജ് തയ്യാറാക്കിയ പുതിയ പുസ്തകമാണ് രുചികളുടെ സ്വപ്നക്കൂട്ട്.
നസ്രായന്റെ പെരുന്നാള്, ഒരു കുട്ടനാടന് കൈപ്പുണ്യം, ഖല്ബില് വിരിഞ്ഞ രുചികള്, പാഞ്ചാലിയുടെ അക്ഷയാത്രം, കേരളത്തനിമയുള്ള പലഹാരങ്ങള് എന്നിങ്ങനെയുള്ള ഏഴ് വിഭാവങ്ങളിലായി നമ്മുടെ നാട്ടിലെ ആരോഗ്യപ്രദമായ പാരമ്പര്യവിഭവങ്ങളുടെ രുചിക്കൂട്ടുകളും പാചകവിധികളുമാണ് പുസ്തകത്തില് ഉള്പ്പെടുത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നത്. ഡി സി ബുക്സാണ് പ്രസാധകര്.
പുസ്തകത്തില് നിന്നും രുചിയേറിയ ഒരു വിഭവം പരിചയപ്പെടാം..
ഞണ്ട് കറി
ചേരുവകള്
ഞണ്ട് – 5 എണ്ണം
തേങ്ങ – 1/2 മുറി
പച്ചമുളക് – 3 എണ്ണം
മല്ലിപ്പൊടി – 1.1/2 ടീസ്പൂണ്
മുളകുപൊടി – 2.1/2 ടീസ്പൂണ്
മഞ്ഞള്പ്പൊടി – 1/2 ടീസ്പൂണ്
ഇഞ്ചി – 1 ടീസ്പൂണ്
കുരുമുളക് – 1/2 ടീസ്പൂണ്
ചെറിയ ഉള്ളി – 2 ടീസ്പൂണ്
വെളിച്ചെണ്ണ – 1/4 കപ്പ്
കറിവേപ്പില – ആവശ്യത്തിന്
ഉപ്പ് – പാകത്തിന്
പാകം ചെയ്യുന്നവിധം
ഞണ്ട് കഴുകി വൃത്തിയാക്കുക. കട്ടിയുള്ള വലിയ കാലും കൂടെ കഴുകി എടുക്കുക. ഈ കഷണങ്ങള് ഒരു ചട്ടിയില് ഇട്ട് മുളക് പൊടിയും മല്ലിപ്പൊടിയും മഞ്ഞള്പ്പൊടിയും പച്ചമുളകും ഇഞ്ചിചതച്ചതും കറിവേപ്പിലയും ഉപ്പും പുളിയും ചേര്ത്ത് വേവിക്കുക. ഒരു പരന്ന പാത്രത്തില് വെളിച്ചെണ്ണ ഒഴിച്ച് കൊച്ചുള്ളിയും വഴറ്റി അതിലേക്ക് വെന്ത ഞണ്ടും ചേര്ത്ത് ഉലര്ത്തി അവസാനം കുരുമുളക് പൊടിയും തൂകി ഉപയോഗിക്കാം.
1. Where are you presently located? What are you doing there?
We live in Muscat , Oman , ...by profession i am a house wife but you can add labels of freelance journalist/Poet/columnist to my name as well
2. Where in Kerala are you from? How long has it been since you left India?
I
belong to kottayam, Devalokam, ever since marriage 1989 i left
kerala to Delhi and later by 1992 i migrated to gulf, to Qatar
and after 17 years in 2007 to Oman
3. Could you tell me the story of how
it all came about, from your childhood dreams to what you are now.
i
have had a normal childhood like any other kid,but a picnic as my
dad was in bank , we used to shift from place to place every 3
years. my mother was a school teacher. Childhood was full of
friends and class mates and i still keep in touch with them all
from my class 1 even at this age of 46.Got married to my childhood
friend, who still remain my friend than a husband, so does not impose
any authority on me. That which helped me to come across writing
which i enjoyed even after having 3 kids and with the incoming of
internet i spread out my wings into blog and later to small write
ups in local magazines and later to manorama news papers. Plus i was
mad veracious reader and book collector which i i am still is Being
a freelancer i could experiment a lot, and having a masters degree
in English Literature , i was comfortable with malayalam which was
curriculum i completed my schooling. Later i found an aunt, my dads
sister who has published 2 book in the late 50 's and passed away in
the later 60's which was an added inspiration when i started
writing and publishing poetry. i did 2 Malayalam poetry book and 1
in English. I have many more dreams to full fill but i have
climbed many step toward my dreams . Malayalam Literary Society conducted a competition among the
freelancers and journalist for the best features and reports for which
Sapna Anu B. George won the best features. 5001 Rs and a plaque is
the award. Her article published in Kanyaka(Magalam Group) on "Bar
dancers in Gulf won the award for the best article. The atrocities and
lifestyle of these bar dancers was written and clear peep into the
lifestyle of these women are depicted in this article. Sapna is an NRI
for the past 18 years through Qatar and Oman. My
Poetry books/Articles has been awarded few times, Malayalam Literery
Society conducated a competion among the
freelancers and journalist for the won the best features article
published in Kanyaka(Magalam Group) on "Bar
dancers in Gulf . The artocities and
lifestyle of these bar dancers was wriiten and clear peep into the
lifestyle of thes women are depicted in this article. My English
poetry was listed by manorama as the best books to by in 2012 July.
4.
Can you mention the challenges of working abroad? And the achievements
you have made despite that (this is needed in the feature, to highlight
how Malayalis are doing well abroad ) -
Working
abroad is a necessity of life in a total adverse climate from what we
are used to. A mad rush back home, in scorching heat of 40 to
45 degree, where the lunch can be waiting to be heated .A sandwich, self made, mostly with peanut butter or with handy veggies that need not much cutting
and cooking, like a tomato, cabbage, lettuce or cucumber, with a slice of
salami or ready to be heated rice and curry. Some parents have no other option but
have a packed lunch also to be dropped while they pick and drop their kid home.
Desperation/ Shortcoming of being a working parent....alas!! Heated food,
mostly eaten in front of the TV (an
except from my own article about kids in gulf.) In spite of all
this hazards and negativity people still migrate to gulf in large
no's.
5. How would you compare your hometown with the place you stay at? How do you think Kerala can improve?
The
cleaning of environment, the surrounding we live in , is something
we can also copy and adapt. The garbage collection, sewage treatments
projects are something we should start now before its too late.
Here if a road is build with 20 years ahead plan. In our land its
still competition of ministers than the betterment of society and
people.coming in june july for holiday, was a nightmare now,
about food and environment.We can make improvements and changes ,
but our country and local area are like crabs in a jar, one crab
will never allow another one to get out or move out of the jar.
6. Is your family with you?
i live here with my 3 teenage kids(Shiksha,Dikshith & Dakshin) and husband, Biju Titty George
7. And yes, your full name so I wont spell it wrong :-)Sapna Anu B. George
In Basic English Bible its written in the book of Joshua 1:3,.....Every place on which you put your foot I have given to you, as I said to Moses'
Did you know the sole of your foot is your "second heart"?
Sound strange, yet reality.
The very inspiration came from these wonderful feet you see here,which belongs to a friend of mine,Shoba.She painted and decorated her feet for reasons,she cherishes' to cheer up the heart of a handicapped 12 year old girl.Bravo Shoba,you have done a 'out of the ordinary 'thing in life,by doing so.
I am sure many of us never even bothered,or given a second look,might be ignoranceof the very 'second heart'.We disregarded the very heard that carried us all though they thick,thin and rough terrain's of life and roads.
Have you ever thought of pampering our feet,once in a while for never having complaint,bickering or nagging??If not then,time to start,this very minute!!!.Have a foot massage once in a while,rejuvenate yourself where all your nerves and the entire body system is mapped out.
Many of you may have heard of reflexology and how many parts of your bodycan be affected by stimulating your feet.An especially significant point inyour feet is called your Yong-chun in Korean.It is the end of the kidneymeridian in your body.Stimulating this point can both calm and strengthen you,among other benefits both physical and psychological.
Sole Patting: Benefit—Significantly bolsters brain function.The feet arelike a "second heart." They are vital in orchestrating proper blood circulation. When the soles of the feet are stimulated,you will begin tonotice a heightened sense of clarity,focus and concentration. Postures: Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.Bend one leg and bring the ankle over the knee of the other leg.Make a fist with your thumb tucked inside your hand.With the pinky side of your fist, pound the sole of your foot strongly 30times.Alternately, you could use a wooden stick to press the soles of the feet.Pay attention to your Ki 1 (Yong-chun) acupressure points.Repeat with the other foot.
Time to start the pampering, 'the second heart'
PS: technical information's are collected from the net.
The feet belong to Shobha Balachandar'
This design was done on shobha's feet by a handicapped 12 year old girl
The Teamwork or Children and Teacher to give the look of the 'Delhi Red Fort'
School Captains
Mr.Anil Wadwa, Ambassador To Oman Hoisting the national Flag, Dr.Muhammad Ali,Mr.Raiz, Teachers
Welcome Song-Vande Matharam
Mr. Anil Wadwa being seated for the cultural show of Children
Cultural show representing different states of India
Hi Majesty Sultan Qaboos being respected
Omani National Dance
Few unexpected guest walking to the aisle to take their seats
Mahathma Gandhi with the grand finale of the show
62 years of Joy, being the Republic India being flown unto the skies....
Jana Gana Mana implies that Bharata Bhagya Vidhata, or 'the bestow of good fortune'.
Here is a translation of the five stanzas
Stanza 1:
The (Indian) people wake up remembering your good name and ask for your blessings and they sing your glories (Tava shubha name jaage; tava shubha aashish maage, gaaye tava jaya gaatha)Stanza 2:Around your throne, people of all religions come and give their love and anxiously wait to hear your kind words.Stanza 3:Praise to the King for being the charioteer, for leading the ancient travelers beyond misery.Stanza 4:Drowned in deep ignorance and suffering, this poverty stricken, unconscious country? Waiting for the wink of your eye and our mother's (the Queen's) true protection.Stanza 5:In your compassionate plans, the sleeping Bharat (India) will wake up. We bow down to your feet, O Queen, and glory to Rajeshwara (the King).
Ganesa or Ganesh also known as Ganapati (Sanskrit: गणपति) Vinayaka(Sanskrit: विनायकVināyaka)and Pillaiyar is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshiped in the Hindu pantheon.Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains,Buddhists and beyond India.He brings joy and happiness to the family and may remove all the Obstacles. He is worshiped or at least remembered,in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness.My all time favorite icon, my first attempt in metal imposing art work.
Born in Sri Lanka in 1952, Mithran joined the Madras Players in 1974. He acquired a reputation as a talented director and an expert set designer quickly. Around ten years ago, he founded his own theatre group, MTC Productions. Among the well-known plays he directed were ‘Midnight Hotel', ‘Funny Money', ‘Anna Weiss', ‘Seven Steps Around the Fire' and ‘Dance Like a Man'.In 2006, he directed ‘The Shadow Box' for The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Fest, a play which was very well received.Over the years, a number of plays staged for the Fest relied on his sets.
He was willing to see the actors' point of view and bring out the best in each of them. He had the ability to read a script, and almost instantly visualise the entire play in his head”
He has been thrice awarded the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship. In the last three years Mithran has worked in films - as an actor in a French production Blue Mountains, as a casting director and as an actor in an Italian film Gills.
Mithran worked for underprivileged children by conducting workshops, teaching English at Corporation schools, and sponsoring scholarships for deserving students. His family runs an organization called Roofs for the Roofless in 14 villages, south of Chennai.of the Bow-Wow Club, a community based children's theatre. With the passing away of Mithran Devanesan, Chennai has lost one of its best-known figures in the English theatre scene.God rest his soul. PS: Information collected from net
K M Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama daily and a pioneer of Indian media industry, passed away at his residence this morning(01 08 2010). He was 93
To express my profound sorrow.I join Kerala People in mourning this giant of indian journalism, through this Blog
One can count on one's fingers the number of times the word 'I' is used in Ettamathe Mothiram (The Eighth Ring), K.M. Mathew's autobiography. In it, the veteran newspaper giant Sree K M Mthew, is more of a cinematographer diligently filming a flick than the central character. The book is written in Malayalam. In the book he, smoothly travels down memory lane that starts from his childhood in Kuppupuram in Kerala and passing through Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Madras, Delhi, London, Istanbul and Berlin. The canvas is broad and Mathew, using memory as his brush, has painted a picture that is both informative and poignant.
Born on January 2nd, 1917, Sree.Mathew joined the organization as Managing Editor in 1954 and became chief editor in 1973. Mathew took over the Malayala Manorama group, when it had just one publication. With the growth of the group, Mathew realized his childhood dream. His is a life fully lived; it shows in the pages of his Book that brim with optimism and zest. The book is dedicated to Mathew's mother, Kunjandamma (Mammi), whose ornaments were made into rings and given to her nine children. Mathew, being her eighth child, got the eighth ring, which also turned out to be the title of the book on his life.An active person throughout his life, Sree.Mathew was keenly taking part in the running of the acclaimed newspaper, about a couple of week ago, too.
'Sree.Mathew was one of the pioneers of the print media industry and a great human being,' said many and quoted endless lines on his goodwill and strength of character. Yet people of Kerala, remembered Mathew as a man known for his simplicity and humility. His service to the society will always be, remembered forever by many. Noted author M.T. Vasudevan Nair said: 'The way in which Mathew carried himself in a humble manner, will always be remembered despite being the giant among the media industry .'
Mathew launched many publications such as the women’s magazine Vanitha in Malayalam and English, the English magazine The Week, the farmer’s magazine Karshakasree, children’s magazines Balarama Amar Chitra Katha and Kalikudukka in Malayalam and Magic Pot in English and Encyclopedic Manorama Year Book in Malayalam, English, Hindi Tamil and Bengali.
In 1988 he received the Padma Bhushan. His other much-acclaimed awards including Foundation of Freedom of Information Award (1991), National Citizen’s award (1992), Ramakrishna Jay Dayal award (1995), Durga Prasad Chaudhary award (1996), B. D. Goenka Award (1996).
PS: Some of the words are quotes taken from media.
Celebrating "International Women's Day is about supporting women to give voice to their visions. “Progress for women is progress for all". After 14 years and three failed attempts, the Indian Government will vote on Monday to begin the legislative process for enacting a law for women. Hopeful that a new page of history can be written on the International Women's Day. On Sunday fresh attacks were attempted on the women's reservation bill in its present form, however, it will be a landmark in the history of Indian women. International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of many versatile developments. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give presents as their token of appreciation.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitude in both women's and society's views about women's uniformity in all fields. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the long life and difficulty of unrest in statuesque. When women are adorning more boardroom, responsible positions in work and governments, greater impartiality in their rights have increased women's position as role models in many aspects of life have gained equality.
We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, artists, sports women, you name it and they adoring very powerful positions. They even work from home and have a family, although the most complex planning, strategy and working pattern is necessary to run a home. Women have many fruitful choices. Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. So make a difference, think globally and act locally. Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for your girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.We hear people in position admit that a "massive amount of work" remains to be done to close the pay gap between men and women. This is just one of barriers keeping women, whether they are Aboriginal women, women with disabilities, single women, single parents or women living in poverty, from realizing their full potential.
Have you ever thought of taking an average of the work and toil each woman go through globally? Many surveys andpercentages inratio andcounting showsverypathetic stability and healthfactors . Females in many countries on average carry 20 liters of water per day over 6 km, by walking , Pregnant women in Africa are 180 times more likely to die than in Western Europe ,over 530,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth each year ,Of 1.2 billion people living in poverty worldwide, 70% are women ,80% of the world's 27 million refugees are women ,Women own around only 1% of the world's land , Women are 2/3 of the 1 billion+ illiterate adults who have no access to basic education .Are we reallycelebratingInternational Women’s Day??
Please hug the women and girls in your life today and appreciate their worth,value and importance in our lives.
Listening is an active skill. To listen, according to the meaning given in one dictionary is “to hear with thoughtful attention”. So listen implies hearing, but the converse is not necessarily true. Very often, we hear without listening. More Sales people fail due to poor listening rather than due to ineffective speaking. A research showed that 70 percent of our working time is spent in communicating: broken up thus: 9 per cent writing 16 per cent reading 30 per cent speaking And 45 per cent listening (supposedly listening) The research pointed to the anomaly that the skill most used by us is the one that is least taught-infact not taught at all. What makes listening difficult in spite of the fact that this is one skill used by all of us most of the time? Let’s look at some Barriers to Effective Listening. 1. If you are feeling anxious-may be the seniority of the contact, perhaps, he is the Company Chairman or the Managing Director- remember he is a person with normal customer needs, and will generally be a very rational person to listen to. 2. Pressure of Work- may be something is weighing on your mind and you start thinking about it rather than listen to your customer. Remember, he pays your salary, therefore you must give him the time to talk and you must take the time to listen. 3. Jargon, this can also be a barrier. If a customer uses it-don’t be afraid to say that you don’t understand-otherwise no matter how hard you listen, it will be ineffective. 4. We think much faster than we talk. Instead of listening while the customer is talking, we mentally rehearse what we are going to say in response. 5. If you are bored while listening to the customer, it will show –and he will know that you are not interested and there not listening- you must show that you are listening, if you are going to communicate. These are some of the barriers to break down before you can begin to listen effectively. Having got rid of these barriers, how can you become more skilled at listening? INCREASING LISTENING SKILLS An effective listener listens, not only to words, but to the meaning behind the words. Clearly, effective listening is not a passive process: it plays a critical role in communication. The effective listener interacts with the customer in developing meaning and reaching understanding. Several principles can aid in increasing essential listening skills. • The listener should have a reason or purpose for listening. • It is important for the listener to suspend judgment initially. • The listener should resist distractions- noise. • The listener should wait before responding to the customer. Too prompt a response reduces listening effectiveness. • The listener should repeat verbatim, what the customer says (if required). • The listener should rephrase in his own words the content and feeling of what the customer says, to the customer’s satisfaction. • The listener should seek the important theses of what the customer says, by listening, through the words, for the real meaning. • The listener should use the time differential between the fate of speech (100-150 words per minute) and the rate of thought (400- 500 words per minute) to reflect upon the content and what it means. • The listener should be ready to respond to the customer comments. SKILLFUL LISTENING Look at the customer. Maintain eye contact- this will show that you are interested. Leaning forward also shows the customer that you are interested. Ask questions related to the customer’s topic-this will show that you have been listening. You should make notes of the key issues and facts. However, do not make detailed notes at the cost of missing out important points. When listening to customers, you may hear a lot of non-essential information. One of the principles of effective listening is to make a mental note of the key issues and facts. It is; sometimes impossible to remember everything the customer says-but you do need to remember, or note down the key issues and facts,ie the information necessary for you or your manager to take action. It is always a good idea to ask the customers. “Do you mind if I make a few notes? What you are saying is important and I want to make sure that I don’t miss anything. The customer will then see that you are interested and listening. BENEFITS OF BEING A GOOD LISTENER Fewer errors in your verbal communications. Greater understanding of the customer’s concerns. Better Solutions to those concerns. It shows a professional caring attitude. The customer senses your support. The importance of listening in business and personal matters is now well recognized everywhere. Next time someone tells you “Sit back, relax and listen” do not believe him. Listening is a very active process, both mentally and physically. Once you have mastered the art of listening to the words, you can then learn the art of listening beyond words. These are the non- verbal communication of attitudes (feelings), in which words play a very minor role: Indicators to attitudes (feelings) 7 per cent words 38 percent voice/tone 55 percent body language This may seem strange at first sight, but it has been found that real attitudes (feelings) are communicated silently and almost without words. The customer body language is the best indicator of the purpose and his voice/tone is the best indicator of the real meaning behind the words. ------------
“Acceptance is your prerogative;being accepted is my wish.”I am like anyone you meet,across the street,down the lane,a normal, average person.I am a wife and a mother, about which I am proud of.Born in a family in Kottayam in Kerala.A Freelance Journalist,who possesses the attitude to approach every intricate topic with the 'End in Mind' has touch of taste too.ഞാന് സപ്ന,സ്വദേശം കോട്ടയം,ആദ്യം ഖാത്തറില് ,ഇന്ന് മസ്കറ്റില് ,മണല്ക്കാറ്റും,പൊടിയും,മിനറല്വാട്ടറും, ജീവിത്തത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗം.പ്രവാസജിവിതം ജീവിച്ച് 25വര്ഷം കടന്നുപോയി.എനിക്കുചുറ്റും നടക്കുന്ന സംഭവങ്ങളെയും,പരിചയപ്പെട്ട വ്യക്തികളുടെ വിശേഷങ്ങളും,വിവരണങ്ങളും സ്വരുക്കൂട്ടി മനസ്സില് തോന്നിച്ച ഏടുകള് എഴുതുകയാണ്.എന്റെ മനസ്സിന്റെ പക്ഷത്തുനിന്നുകൊണ്ട് അവയുടെ ശബ്ദവും,വെളിച്ചവും ആകാനുള്ള ഒരു ശ്രമം