Biryani - a perfect one-dish meal

Few days back, I made Khichiri, the rice preparation which takes no time to prepare. Here is one more rice-preparation, the Chicken Biryani which is quite a lengthy process but totally worth. This makes the perfect one-dish meal which is aromatic delicious and fabulous dish.

Biryani, is a Mughlai dish where the rice is cooked separately from the other ingredients.

The par boiled rice, which is then assembled with the other ingredients, sealed and put on "dum" (put on a very low heat, so that all the flavors inside the pot amalgamate well) for some time.

The good quality of basmati rice used gives the best flavor and appearance. The key to making a good biryani lies in the way you par boil the rice. Never over cook the rice. Most expensive spice used is the saffron. For me the fresh mint leaves creates the magic, for you, any of your favorite other spice can do. Try making it for your loved ones.

Believe me, Making yourself the Biryani and eating it will surely be the most cherishing experience of your life.

This recipe will easily serve 2pax.

So lets us begin.

TOTAL Ingredients for Chicken Biryani:

• Chicken – 1 Boneless Breast, 2 drum-sticks
• Basmati rice – 2 Cups
• Onions - 1 cup (finely chopped)
• Ginger and Garlic paste - 2 tablespoon
• Red Chili Powder – 3 tablespoon
• Turmeric Powder- 2 tablespoon
• Coriander Powder – 3 tablespoon
• Bay Leaves - 3-4 Nos.
• Cloves – 4-5Nos.
• Cinnamon Sticks- 2 cm long
• Green Cardamom Pods- 3 or 4 Nos.
• Black Cardamom Pods- 2Nos
• Cumin – 1- 2 teaspoon
• Mace – 2 (full-mace strands).
• Cashew nuts - 10-12Nos.
• Raisins- 10-15 Nos.
• Mint Leaves – 1cup
• Garam Masala Powder - 2 teaspoon
• Salt - (according to taste)
• Ghee (clarified butter) – 3 tablespoon
• Curd - ½ cup
• Oil – 5 Tablespoon
• Saffron - few strands

For your convenience, the whole recipe of Chicken Biryani is divided into major 4 procedures with picture illustration which is as follows:-

1. Marinating the Chicken,for making Biryani.
2. Preparation of the Rice for making Biryani.
3. Mixing the two sums of ingredients two (1, 2) above,and named as mentioned Making of Biryani
4. Garnishing, the Biryani.

PROCEDURE: 1.

Ingredients from the above mentioned list; for Marinating the Chicken:

• Chicken- 1 Boneless Breast, 2 drum-sticks.
• Ginger and Garlic paste- 1 tablespoon.
• Red Chili Powder- 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder- 1teaspoon
• Coriander Powder- 2 teaspoon
• Garam-Masala Powder - 1 teaspoon
• Cloves - 3 Nos.
• Cumin – 1teaspoon
• Mace – 1 full-mace strands.
• Salt- 1½ teaspoon
• Oil – 1tablespoon
• Curd - ½ cup 

Preparation for Marinating the Chicken:

• Take the chicken breast and cut into small pieces. Make cuts on the leg-piece(drum-stick).
• In a bowl and mix all the ingredients and spicies with the chicken, cover it and keep aside for 1 hour for marinating.

PROCEDURE: 2.

Ingredients from the above mentioned main list, for Rice Preparation:

• Basmati Rice- 2 Cups
• Water- 5-6 Cups
• Oil- 1 tablespoon
• Bay Leaf- 1Nos.
• Cloves – 3Nos.
• Cinnamon Sticks- 1cm long
• Cardamom Pods- 2 Nos. (crushed)
• Mace – 1(full-mace strands)
• Salt- 1tablespoon

Preparation of Rice for Biryani:

• Take Rice and soak them into water for about ½ an hour. And strain the rice and keep aside.
• Add 5-6 cups of water with all the spices and set it to boil. Don’t forget to add the Salt.
• Ones the water starts boiling, add the Soaked Rice. Cook the rice only half done.
• When rice is half done, remove it from the heat and strain and keep them aside.

PROCEDURE: 3. (combining the 1 and 2)

Final Procedure for Making of Biryani:

• Take thick bottom Vessel /utensil and heat 3 tablespoon oil.
• Add the remaining dry spices like cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, mace, cumin seeds, Cinnamon Stick.
• When the spices start to sputter, add finely chopped onion and let it turns glossy.
• Add the 2 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
• Then add the fine chopped tomatoes and let them cook.
• Mix them well and add other dry powdered spices like coriander, turmeric, red-chili, garam-masala powder and salt.
• Also add the fine chopped mint leaves.
• When the spices are cooked, it leaves the oil.
• Then add the marinated-chicken pieces and ½ a cup of water and cook the chicken with the lid closed. Chicken pieces should look roasted.
• Keep stirring in between.
• Ones the chicken is well cooked, check and add ½cup of water if it is very dry or the spices are sticking the bottom. Lower the flame.
• Now take out half of the chicken in another bowl.
• Than add the par-cooked Basmati Rice into the vessel/utensil just above the cooked chicken. Spread the rice into a layer. Add only half of the total rice.
• Now over the rice add the remaining chicken, which was taken aside. Spread on the rice nicely.
• Also add few thin strands of the ginger in between the layers of the chicken and rice.
• Latter fill the vessel/utensil with other remaining rice over the chicken and spread. Repeat this process making layers of rice and chicken.
• Then add over the Rice, (garnishing ingredients metioned below in PROCEDURE.4) the golden fried cashew nuts and raisins with the ghee. Also pour the saffron dissolved -coloured milk over the rice.
• Close the Vessel/Utensil, with the air-tighten lid. And cook again on the medium-heat for couple of minutes and then on low-heat for 5-10 minutes.
• After being cooked, don’t open the lid for about 10-15 minutes, let it aroma mix well and settle.
• Serve hot, with the side-dish like Raita (spices curd) or plain curd, onion rings, and lemon wedge.

PROCEDURE: 4.

Ingredients from the above main list for Garnish in Biryani:

• Cashew Nuts
• Raisins
• Onion (cut into round thin rings)
• Mint Leaves
• Saffron (dissolved into warm milk)

Procedures for Making the Garnish for Biryani:

• Head the ghee in the pan. Fry the cashew nuts till golden brown. Also fry, the Raisins and keep aside in the cup. Add the remaining ghee in the bowl from the pan.
• Cut in rings of the Onion and keep aside. Take the warm milk, add the strands of saffron and keep aside.

NOTE:

• You can use all the Ghee (clarified butter) intead of Oil for more aromatic flavor.
• I prefer the boneless chicken, you can have any piece of Chicken or add mutton pieces as you relish. If vegetarian, you can add the number of vegetables of your choice and follow the same procedure. Marinate the chicken, poking the chicken with the fork and rub the spices. For much flavored marinate the chicken prior 2-3 hours.
• Keep ready the marinated chicken and the soaked rice ready prior making the biryani.
• If you are expert you can cook the semi-cooked rice, simultaneously when the chicken is being cooked in the Vessel/Utensil. I prefer cooking one thing at a time for no latter confusion and hassle. Also I keep the semi-cooked rice vessel in the big vessel half filled with the cold water (something like double-boiler pan), so that the rice does not get cooked with the steam while I’m busy preparing the chicken in the Utensil.
• Keep your garnishing ingredients ready prior starting any main procedure.
• One can also take a few semi-cooked grains of rice and colour them with diluted saffron for garnishing. One can also add the fresh green coriander leaves every time the mint leaves are added.
• You will need a utensil of about 12" (300 mm) base, I prefer Pressure Cooker. You can also add the deep fry half the sliced onions to golden brown with ginger strands while layering the rice and chicken.
• Lid the vessel/utensil and try making it airtight (but no pressure should build up). So one can keep the clean wet kitchen towel covering the opening of the vessel and over it the lid was placed. This shall keep it air-tight. Also you have to take care that the biryani being whole cooked must not get burnt from the bottom after been air-tighten. The flame must not get concentrated only at the center of the vessel after been air-tight; one can keep the vessel on the hot flat-pan/tawa already placed on another burner with the low flame.

Hope you enjoy making and relishing the recipe, the Biryani!

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simple recipe - Khichidi

It’s fascinating to try new dishes that consists fusion of tastes. But when it comes to comfort-cooking, standard recipes and traditional dishes are some of the best choices to make.

India consists of vast variety of cuisines. Different states of India have different cuisines. There are some dishes which often we find in common recipes with few different ingredients. We call them with different names but the basic recipes are same.

It’s interesting to see the similarities between the varieties of cuisines of different places. 

I get amazed every time when I find same strange similarities between the cuisines of two corners of the world, the East and the West.

Last time, comparing in my previous post the very traditional Theplas of Gujarat with the Tortillas, the explorations did not ended there. Here, for you a very strange similarity between the dish of the India and Europe.

We call it with many names like khichde / khicheeri / khichuri (Bengal,Assam) / Vaghareli Khichdi (Gujarat) / Pongal (South India) / Huggi (Karnataka) / khichra (Pakistan) and you call it Porridge or Kedgeree.

Here, is a very strange similarity in the ingredients and the process of making between the Khichidi of India and Porridge, Kedgeree of West of the world.

• Porridge
  

“Porridge as the traditional breakfast of Scotland it is made with salt. Porridge was a traditional food in much of Northern Europe back to antiquity. Barley was a common grain used, though other grains and yellow peas could be used, depending on local conditions. Porridge was primarily a savory dish, with a variety of meats, root crops, vegetables, and herbs added for flavor.

Porridge could be cooked in a large metal kettle over hot coals, or heated in a cheaper earthenware container by adding hot stones until boiling-hot. Porridge is one of the easiest ways to digest grains or legumes. It is also commonly eaten by athletes training for their events, and it is done that way in road running. It is traditionally in many cultures eaten as a food to nurse the sick back to health.” Ref. Wikipedia

• Kedgeree:

" Kedgeree (or occasionally kitcherie, kitchari or kitchiri) is a dish consisting of flaked fish (usually smoked haddock), boiled rice, eggs and butter. According to some sources, the dish originated from Scotland and was taken to India by Scottish troops during the British Raj, where it was adapted and adopted as part of Indian cuisine." Ref. Wikidedia

• Khichidi:

Khichdi is just rice cooked with some spices and optional vegetables. It is very simple to make and can be cooked without much effort. Khichidi made with moong dal is believed to get easily to digest. Khichri itself can be served as a meal which really doesn't need any side dish.

It is also to be believed that Khichri have a very long history, way back to the 15th century to have come and stustained from the Mughals in India. “Khichdi was very popular with the Mughals, especially Jahangir. Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th century document, written by Mughal Emperor, Akbar’s vizier, Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, mentions the recipe for Khichri, which gives seven variations.” Ref. Wikipedia

Hence, Khichri loaded with enormous history lead me to my simple, effortless, light and nutritious dish, cooked in little oil. It also reminds me the days in Guwahati(Assam), where I enjoyed eating khichiri at Saraswati Puja ceremony.

My variant of khichri recipe is without vegetables but full of protein in the form of lentils. Take any lentils to add, Khichidi is indeed a great combination of carbohydrates and protein.Next time when you are in the hurry, try making this nutritious and less spices dish. I have fixed this recipe in my menu, at least ones a week. Hope you enjoy making it.

INGREDIENTS:

• Green whole moong dal - ½ cup
• Urad Dal - ¼ cup
• Yellow(Ahar dal) lentils – ¼ cup
• Basmati rice – ¾ cup
• Jeera Rice- ¼ cup
• Green Chilli- 1 Nos.
• Garlic Flakes – 5-6 Nos.
• Salt - 1 teaspoon (according to taste)
• Turmeric - 1/4 teaspoon
• Red chilli Powder- ½ teaspoon
• Coriander Power- ½ teaspoon
• Oil-1 tablespoon
• Ghee (clarified butter)- 2teaspoons
• Water- to pressure cook

PREPARATION:

• Wash the rice and lentils in water for a couple of times. Than soak them in water for 10-15 minutes. And keep aside rinsing it.
• Then fine chop the green chili and crush roughly the garlic.
• Now add oil in the pressure-cooker and heat it.
• Add the garlic in the hot oil and sauté till golden brown.
• Than add the rinsed rice and lentils in the cooker and sauté for a minute.
• Now add the chopped green chili and other powdered spices, including the salt. Mix it well.
• Now add the sufficient water into the pressure cooker and cover with the lid. Cook it for 2-3 whistles.
• After whistles done from the pressure cooker, remove it from the heat and let it rest for couple of minutes.
• Serve hot. Add ghee over it and enjoy with pickle, or curd, or papad or any sauté vegetables.

NOTE:

• Instead of oil, ghee can also be used.
• I enjoy eating the yellow lentils so, I have added. Yellow lentils is optional.
• Urad dal gives smoothness to the khichidi.
• Where as many or as less lentils or vegetables you add shall only make it much delicious and nutritious. It’s all about enhancing your taste-buds and adds the ingredients accordingly.
• Green chili is optional. But definitely in this particular recipe of khichidi, Garlic is compulsory.
• If you don’t have a pressure cooker, then a small vessel can be used to cook.
•  I prefer to add 2 cups of water to one cup of rice. So in this particular recipe, I have added 4 cups of water.
• I enjoy adding different types of rice to match up to my choice favors. So, I suggest you too to play with the ingredients to create variations in aroma and flavor.

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Thepla or Tortilla - you decide

Recently, I was reading an article on Tortillas and I found, there is so much of similarity between the Tortillas and Indian flat bread. Well, Tortillas are a staple food in Mexico and Central America and have a very long traditional history.

“Tortillas are round, thin, flat bread of Mexico made from unleavened cornmeal or, less commonly, wheat flour. The grains were ground on a stone saddle quern. Small pieces of dough were patted by hand into thin disks. The tortilla was then baked on a, a griddle of earthenware or iron. Tortillas stale quickly and are usually bought fresh daily or even for each meal.” Ref. Encyclopedia Britannica.

Somehow, all this reminded me of Thepla. Indeed, Thepla or any Indian Bread is similar to a flour Tortilla in appearance. Thepla are round, thin, flat bread of Gujarat made commonly with wheat flour like tortillas of Mexico.

I have always loved the bitter taste of (Methi) the fenugreek leaves. And when it comes to Thepla , Methi- Thepla is my favorite. It is rich nutrition and flavor. I can eat it in breakfast or in lunch or even in evening with tea. Actually, anytime for Thepla! The best thing about Thepla is that one can enjoy eating it either warm or cold. Thepla is always a delight making and eating it.

I am sure you will also enjoy making and relishing it. Thepla is one of the easiest dish’s to prepare with all the ingredients easily available at home. So enjoy.

CLICK picture to Enlarge:

  

Methi Thepla / Indian Flat Bread / Indian Fenugreek Tortillas Recipe.  

INGREDIENTS:

• Fenugreek (Methi) leaves : about half a bundle or 2 handfuls.
• Whole wheat flour : 1½ cup (Shall make 6-8 thepla)
• Chickpea flour (besan) : ½ cup
• Curd/yogurt : 2 tablespoon
• Green chillies : 2-4 (According to Taste)
• Garlic Pod : 6-7
• Turmeric powder : ¼ teaspoon
• Red chilly powder : ¼ teaspoon
• Coriander (dhania) powder : ¼ teaspoon
• Sugar : ¼ teaspoon(optional)
• Salt to taste Oil for making thepla
• Carom seeds (Ajwain) : ½ teaspoon
• Ginger : 1 cm piece (fine chopped)
• Fennel seeds (Saunf) : ½ teaspoon
• Cumin (jeera) : ¼ teaspoon  

PREPARATION:  

1. Clean the fenugreek leaves (methi). Wash them thoroughly in water.
2. Finely chop the fenugreek leaves (methi), green chillies and garlic pods.
3. Heat a little pan, add fennel seeds, cumin seeds and carom seeds. Roast till they start crackling. Remove from the heat and roughly crush the seeds.
4. Take a bowl and mix the wheat flour, chickpeas flour (besan).
5. Now add the spices powders, salt, roughly-chrushed seeds and the fine chopped fenugreek leaves (methi), green chillies. Mix it well.
6. Also add a table spoon of oil and two big spoon of curd.
7. Than add water slowly to knead to make a nice smooth dough. You may use around ½ cup of water. The dough shall be smooth and soft.
8. Cover and leave the dough with a cloth and set aside for about 10-15 minutes (for better results 20-30 minutes) .
9. To make Theplas/ flatbread, divide the dough into equal large lemon size balls.
10. Take a dough ball, dust with flour and roll out to a flat thin disc. Heat a tava/pan (griddle).
11. When well heated, place a thepla on the tava. Roast on medium flame both sides using the oil just like tortillas/ or any othe Indian Bread. Please refer to the link (Paratha-Indian Bread), to see the roasting steps.
12. Serve hot. Enjoy with pickle, chundo or curd. 

NOTE : 

• Chundo or Chunda is a sweet and spicy pickle made from shredded raw mangoes.
• One of the major difference between the methi thepla and methi paratha, is that Methi Thepla is much thinner than paratha. But definitely its your choice how you wanna to have, thin or thick, you will enjoy it.
• Ginger, carom seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds enhances the taste, however take them as optional.
• I like the flavor of garlic, so I add it. You might leave it.
• Theplas can be stored in the airtight container for at least 2-3 days.
• Dry fenugreek leaves can also be used, but fresh gives richer flavor.
• Active your senses and add the ingredients according to your flavor and avaibility. 

 Make sure you try your hand in making this today!

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me and my Hubby - Opposites Attract

...Opposites
attract because
they are not really
opposites
but Complementary..

Big thoughts struck me when I brush my teeth in the morning. And today one more thought struck me —I’m completely clueless with the toothpaste froth in my mouth – my Hubby and Me – are somehow total opposite.

And then a few more thoughtful lightening in mind and my past experiences provided some perfect examples to prove :

• By Nature

I am a dreamer and a better word to use shall be a Planner by nature. I like to plan my day, each and every activity and try to execute the plan in the best practical way. For example: If, I am going to the market, I shall make sure to make a proper list of all the things to buy and also to manage to do the things that lies in between the way.

This habit of mine helps me to manage the activities in the most effective and efficient way. Hence, above all it helps me to avoid any sort of major crises.

But the drawback of being a hardcore planner is that, the decisions to make get a bit delayed. I tend to go into micro details, doing things step by step and achieving targets.

However, my Hubby likes to be Spontaneous. The good thing about being Spontaneous is that He takes the decisions quickly. It’s indeed a good thing that despite beings spontaneous he takes quick and right decisions.

Having said all that, I being a minute to minute planner and He being a Spontaneous choose the best possible way to tackle/manage the issues.

• Food Habits

He loves to eat food in “Thali” style. Thali means there is a huge dish in which the main course with many accompaniments is served. So one gets a chance to enjoy tasting many and different flavors in food.

But when it comes to me, I prefer eating one main course with the bread. The accompaniment with the main course does not tempt me. So in a way I am very specific about what I am eating.

Again, despite having different choices in food, we enjoy eating. Trying different cuisines and above all cooking for each other different dishes. Yes! You read right, He cooks for me, infact he is definitely a better cook than me.

• Life-Style

I follow perfection. I keep my things, clothes etc in a very synchronize way.

But My hubby is a bit untidy. He keeps things wherever he gets space. Well then I know that almost all guys/bachelors have a natural-born tendency to be a bit untidy, hence I do sometimes ignore his habit. But then it doesn't mean his habit doesn't bug me and I'm sure I bug him well with my perfection too.

Happy Marriage is the Practical adjustments creating a healthy equilibrium between two people thought.

One has to understand that in today’s era a guy and the girl will have to help each other to carry the works efficiently. Gone are the days when the differentiation between the responsibilities of the man and woman were made.

I have never understood the concept of compromise. I have felt this strongly that Compromise means doing the thing with no personal interest and because one has left no choices. So, I find “to compromise” a very negative act to do. Therefore, I shall personally never follow or suggest anybody to Compromise in life, Marriage or any relationship. I believe in “Accepting willingly” rather than to compromise. One must respect and willingly accept the choices their soul mate makes. Taking decisions or Accepting the one, the decisions must make a person Happy and Satisfied.

 

The couple has to know the fact that marriage shall bring many changes to their simple living. They have to find a balance of their roles and responsibilities between economical, social and personal perspective.

For a girl, changes like moving to a new place, shall add new family members and new relatives are some of the prime changes to accept willingly. She will have to soon after the marriage, learn new steps and ways to carry on the things. So, here “Adapting” is the main key to all the puzzles. Adapting to new environment and people must be their priority after marriage.

They will have to catch the rhythm, follow each beat and match steps with each other and the family.

And when one shouts, other has to be silent and let the negative energy diffuses. Silence probably at that point means being Strong enough to handle the situation.

Relationship enriches when there is a time to Interact, “Listen” and Learn each other.

Indeed, some of the Greatest philosophies can be learnt but only if married. It is a through learning process. You learn from each other’s strengths. And hide the weakness of each other with your complementary strengths.

Just keep your honesty intact and you will find happiness. A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.

So the question arise again, Do opposites really attract? Well, I believed so. But at the end of the post I realized we are not as opposite as I thought we were. It’s interesting to explore that we having not much in common, found some common way to perform the best in us.

In science the Law of attraction works on the basis of Opposites Attracts.

Like a great Chinese symbol Yin-Yang. Like Yin-Yang, we have opposing qualities in phenomena. We transform each other. Also, like Yin Yang we create balance, a dynamic equilibrium. So until both energies do not vibrate in harmony with the other they will not be attracted to each other.

Indeed, the attraction lies in the opposing forces which are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, giving rise to each other in turn.

 “

Now, I have started trusting in being a bit spontaneous. .I don’t need a plan-sheet to have fun. Amazingly,my hubby have also understood, in leading a good life with a good life-style, so he takes care not to keep wet towel on bed. These are simple things, sometimes might sound silly or serious. It’s absolutely your choice how you wanna handle the big and little things in Life. Be open to your thoughts. Accept the ideas provided by your partner and find the mutual best steps to be taken.

Never forget to add a little humor, humanity and hope to your humming thoughts. Being opposite is fine because you fill up the each other’s blanks. As long as you can respect and pay interests to each other’s differences, it is a beautiful thing.

I’m glad that, I and my hubby are opposite and very much complementary to each other. We have more options and choices to make out of the issue. And hence well goes the saying that “When a wife has a good husband it is easily seen in her face”.

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Ragging - myths that menace

Ragging is morally wrong. No ifs and No buts.

It is just wrong. Ragging is dirty and disgusting.

I was young, enthusiastic and innocent just a school passed out girl. Going to the college was very much new and exciting to me. Literary, I had no knowledge of what does “Seniors” mean. I thought, I was the new aspiring student of college. But the moment I entered the Institute, I realized, I was a "junior"/fresher before being the student of the Institute.

Fortunately, being a Girl and a day-scholar by chance paid me off well. I was not harassed/ ragged like my other batch boys. I was only asked to give introduction. Like what my name was, which place I belonged, from which school I studied…But the amazing question did sometime come across me was “what was my favorite color?” I stretched up my right eyebrow, and thought, how does that matter to them. For me even this was ridiculous and irritating. I would have loved to tell everybody, my own classmates and my respected seniors about me. But giving introduction almost 10 times a day made me feel hard.

Indeed, “Interaction”, yes that is the key word used to justify the humiliation of a human by a fellow human.

Luckily, none of the senior girls were cruel. But I do remember, that there were few who used to bring messages from the seniors boys to us. This was again the fact I dint like at all. God knows why my seniors were so egar to know about us…the Juniors. They could have planned a particular day to take intro of all students together, as they planned for fresher's party. But no! They are seniors afterall.

My new friends, my classmate were always there to support me and help me just if I felt alone with my seniors during intro-round. They were there to tell me what was right and what was wrong in the seniors/juniors dictionary, which was very much new to me.

That was a time I realised, true peers were so important.

Click to Enlarge:

Worst part was I could never remember the names for my seniors. Anyway how did that matter, when we had to address them with “Sir and Maams” titles. Now this was again the funniest part calling them Sir/Maam. Although I dint felt bad about it, as at least then I could ignore the fact that I cannot remember their names.

The moment, I reached the cafeteria; I was under the keen observation of the seniors and all the eyes followed me, until I was left eating nothing. Fortunately I was not among my other batchmates who washed the dishes of our seniors after lunch. Now, how humiliating was this.They sometimes made us do silly things which gave them immense pleasure.

When my juniors came, I made sure no harmless-fun shall be entertained atleast by me. Luckily, I became the member of the Anti-Ragging committee. But the culture cultivated by my seniors left their long roots. We were also known as Sir and Maams. But we definitely did not force any of our juniors to address so. I remember to have a great rapport with my junior girls, who came from far distance. I personally went to them and met them and made sure they were comfortable. But in this process, I made sure that the mistake my Seniors made, wont be repeated by me. I did not act either smart or over-friendly with my junior, to make them feel good. This act created the history that we still share a great bond together.

I definitely today feel that I learnt a lot during my graduation. I tried and understood the real bond to be shared with the juniors. What I above mentioned I not at all mean that, all my seniors were cunning.

There were some seniors, who least bothered the ragging terns their classmates followed, are today still my very dear friends.

I completed by Graduation and came to a new Institute to do my higher-studies. I was in the perception that having gone through the phase of so called ragging in my graduation; hopefully I will not have to go through again. Also I believed that this being a post-graduation/MBA Institute, a professional levels shall be maintain. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

To be really honest, I found surprisingly some of my seniors acting immature. May be it was an excitement to see juniors. This time I was staying first time far from my parents, in the hostel. There was 24/7 interaction with the seniors. Many of the seniors had not arrived back to Institute after undergone their Summer Training. Everyday, one senior would hop into the institute, and then at night call us in the room for the Intro-Round. This phase continued till all our seniors one by one arrived. Honestly giving intro is not tiring, but saying the same thing everyday, one to one is quite an irritating task.

Many of my friends used to feel sleepy, some felt tired and some felt irritated, but our seniors would not allow us let go off. I remember well, when we actually objected to any of our seniors act, they would all together rhyme a statement that “Till now, we have asked you to do nothing, OUR seniors were very cruel and asked for infinite things, but WE never questioned them back and so how dare YOU do object..” Now tell me, isn’t it immature to hear this.

One day our seniors asked us the girls to wear the Mix n Match dress for consecutive three days. When my roommates including me decided not to act foolish, we were indirectly forced by our own classmates to follow the instruction of seniors as they dint wanted to suffer because of us. That was one of the first major mistake we made by being emotional for the people who would never understand our emotions.

Certainly, WE should have been a little bolder and learn to say straight “ No”, to certain things.

Wearing mix-n-match is a simple concept, and there is nothing to feel shy about it but I wonder, how does it help us in our studies or our daily life..? The oily hair, pigtails accompanying the mix-n-match dress was the symbols of ragging.
Just in case if one does not have that dress-code,
...then Buy, Borrow or Steal! Why should there be dress codes?
Why should a fresher bow to seniors?
Is this how our culture teaches us to interact?

Some of the seniors created a post-induction sessions for us. Those were interesting to do, despite of the busy schedule. Definitely, I feel to thank seniors for all those activities arranged.

Many a times, I was asked by my classmates to follow our seniors as they will help us in our studies and placement. So agree with them at any cost. Well I thought it was the senior’s prime duty to do so if they really could, isn’t it? So why ask for favor. Such were some of the seniors who emotionally blackmailed us, if we did not listen them, they would not help us in any case.

I believe any interaction which is aggressive and assymetric (not on equal footing) is ragging. There were always a few cases where we the fresher were having some interaction with the seniors which was intolerable and hence we often suffered loss of self esteem. I remember very well, one of senior ones was asking our hobbies, to this one of our batchmate boy, replied that he liked gardening. To this our senior laughed and made fun of him and his choice of hobby. So now you understand their philosophy, Seniors are always Right.

I wonder why seniors have this perception that over night, they will change our point of view or attitude. Especially, when we are already adults and have our own strong opinions. After all what is wrong in having a way of thought as they also posses some!

As I always had difficulty in remembering the names, I ones asked one of my senior, their name and to no surprise the reply came back “Pata karo (Find Out by Yourself)”. Even the mightiest celebrities are so much down to earth and are so humble. But I forgot that the Seniors, are the big personified people, who are no less than any celebrity, hence orders us to find out. And just in case if you are not able to do, they might end up punishing you to write there name thousand times to remember.

Again there is a myth that seniors have, that is they think they are supreme and posses some ultimate magic powers to mould the juniors/fresher for the difficult world ahead. I remember, whenever we denied following something that seniors asked to, they would instantly say, “In Industry, one has to do many things despite of the disagreement, so listen to us and get used to it.”

For them ragging was the effort to make us bold and indirectly taught us the `reality' of the harsh life ahead. Certainly, a person just one year senior to me can reform my life in a positive way through such acts!

I wonder, why our parents never tell us or teach us to do certain thing in a certain way. They never ask us to learn in advance how to act or behave in the harsh world ahead. Instead, they tell us what is right and what is wrong, now you decide what is good for you.

Our parents want us to start from scratch so that we develop our own ideas and creativity. They act like this, despite of their long experiences and knowledge.

On the contrarily, our seniors act smart, and too intelligent to handle. They believe that ragging shall increase our smartness or makes a fresher bold. But in the reality ground the world is so different. The fresher goes through a loss of individuality, suppresses talent and reduces self-worth. Who will make them understand that the life has its own ways of letting us know that we need to get stronger and smarter?

It does not take any senior to hurt my pride, my self-respect for me to understand that simple philosophy of life. Infact, such attempt of the seniors to break the self esteem of a newcomer and revel in their shame and fear engenders feelings of bitterness and revengefulness, which is often taken out on juniors next year. I think this is what; My seniors must have gone through.

One of my friend ones told me one day that “Every person have a counselor in him/her.” Right! Like if one fresher have a problem and somehow asks his seniors for the advice, the senior starts rambling everything from the beginning. What are his thoughts, experiences, ideas and different ways to tackle the situation and so on? Until this, everything is good. But the worst comes lately when, not only he gives the advice but also makes sure that one tackles the situation only by his way told. Just doing the otherwise round might make him feel disrespected.

I am sure just incase if my seniors read this post of mine, would not appreciate my free minded thoughts. Well, then I have got used to this behavior just as they have got to mine.

Now, having passed through many stages in life, I have never found any use for the education my seniors tried to gave me.

But, of course, they had no inkling of the real world themselves. Humiliating and harassing somebody to boost up the confidence are the false keys some seniors believe in. And again it strikes hard, what use was their education if they have no values in life?

Perhaps some people/my classmate/friends might argue, saying that ragging helped them to open up or to become extrovert. Then, I guess you are lucky to have changed your attitude over night. Sometimes, miracles do happen. Ironically, after all these shock-effects from seniors, our batch came close and much caring.

Some might even end up saying; I did not go much through the worst part of ragging and despite that I’m writing so much negative. Then, I would like to kindly question them, “Why should have I or anybody would have to go through all that nonsense?”

But we could not find out any solution to the heritage, the legacy which carried behind many rotten-old thoughts and acts. The ‘tradition’ continues unabated. ‘Tradition' over a time have been used to defend the actions. But shouldn't traditions be changed and modified depending on the needs of the people? Should Sati still continue? Shouldn't Dowry be abolished? Then why get rigid to Ragging terms?

..humilation
is not required
to
break
the ice..

Humiliation is not the requirement for breaking the ice.
No one knows how one crosses the line and their limits.
Each person has their own aura of dignity. For one person it might look like a simple thing but on the other hand some might feel very much hurt. Hence, everyone have their own bar of handling and limiting the suffering experience.

It is difficult and painful phase through the juniors go. I believe, that is the high time when a helping hand of the seniors must come to juniors to overcome all the fear and anxiety and help them to navigate the turbulent time of staying far away from home to hostel. Just to show their super intelligent brains and fulfill the hungry appetite of ego, the fresher/juniors must not be used as gunny-pigs to test and experiment on. Let ragging leave happy memories as indeed it is a social function but not to be used to bully someone’s feelings.

The best of friendships are cultivated through self-respect and mutual respect, sustained through love and care. One cannot get respect on demand rather; one has to earn it. To get respect one has to be helpful and humble.

Interaction with juniors at an equal level in the right manner and within limits of decency is today’s call. So join hands to abolish Ragging.

NOTE:

• This post is purely on the personal thoughts of expressions.
• This blog is not to offend any particular of my senior/person.

• I have been lucky to have also come across to some of the best people as seniors and I salute them for believing in me, enhancing and appreciating my skills.

• Just in any way, if being a senior I have hurt the feeling of my juniors, I would heartily like to apologize for it.

Kindly go through this post too...for this post 'Blissful
blunder - Juniors and Seniors Bond' completes the above
post!

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Bit of Beauty – Butterfly Story

“ Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life. And everyone deserves a little sunshine.” ~Jeffrey Glassberg

We have little bits of nature scattered around, the shells, pebbles, flowers, butterflies. Every time I see awe-inspiring butterfly I can't help but think of the incredible change it has undergone, and that just a few short weeks earlier it was an unattractive little caterpillar. Here is a short story, I read long back which today urge me to share, about this tiny creations of God, which spread only joy and happiness.

• Click picture to enlarge:

“ She waited to see

She waits to sing

She is waiting,

Like a swirling sea.

Here comes a butterfly

Flying in the wind

Fluffy like a cotton seed

All beautiful and special.

She runs to catch

It flies higher and higher

Along came endless ocean

She sees the beauty of sunset.

Like a flash in the night

She knew that butterfly

Will comeback to her arms

With a touch of love.

Its her butterfly, ever since she met

Where she can talk, laugh

And feel the warmth

Who brought colors back to her life.”

poem by:  Priya

One day the Creator was watching some children playing in the garden. The laughter of the children echoed in the air.

Everything seemed fine, yet the Creator’s heart was sad. He was upset thinking that one day these children shall grow old. Their skin shall become wrinkled. Their hair will turn gray. These wonderful shaded yellow, blue, red and purple flowers shall fade. The leaves from the trees dry up and fall. Already they were turning yellow.

This thought worried the Creator and He grew sadder. It was in the fall, and with each falling leaf from the trees got closure to the winter. Lack of green leaves and light mist all around, made His heart heavy.

Yet, the sun was shining bright and warmed the skins. The Creator watched the play of sunlight and shadow on the ground. Crisp yellow leaves flying here and there by the breeze. He saw the bright blue color of the sky and down the ground lime green grass.

Suddenly he smiled.. to all those colors, He created. He thought these colors ought to be preserved...

He, no sooner decided to create something that gladdens his heart, something for these children to look at to get inspired and enjoy its coloration and majestic appearance.

Something, that would touch the heart string instantly and stays as an eternal bliss.

The Creator took out his bag and started gathering things from the nature. A spot of sunbeams, a handful of blue from the sky, brown from the woods around, the delicacy from the morning dew, the shadow of playing children, the blackness of a beautiful girls hair, the yellow of the falling leaves, the green of the grass, the red, purple, and orange of the flowers around him.

All these he put into his bag. He gave a thought if He forgot something; then He decided to add some songs of the birds too.

He shook, His bag, and made sure that everything mingled. Each and every color blended well.

...butterfly is like Love,it goes where it pleases and it pleases where it goes..

HE then went up to the kids, smiled and whispered into their ears, ‘this is for you a gift from God.’ He gave them the bag and asked them to open it. The kids got excited. In curiosity, the children opened the bag quickly and at once hundreds and hundreds of colored butterflies flew out. The butterflies stared dancing around the children's heads, fluttering up here and there. Some butterflies started settling on their hands.

'The children eye glittered with each look of the butterfly.' They told God, that they had never seen anything so beautiful.

Soon, the butterflies began to sing. This made moment got much brighter.

There was a splash of happiness everywhere the butterfly went.

But then a hearing the songs sung by the butterflies, some birds flew and gathered there. One bird sat on the Creators shoulder and said that it was not fair to give their songs to those new-bits of beauty.

The birds reminded God, that when He had created the birds, He told them that he has given each one bird its unique song. But now He has passed them all around. Wasn't that enough that He gave those new tiny beauties the colors of the rainbow! The Creator realized and said that definitely the birds owe the songs.

Finally the Creator took the songs away from the butterflies, and that's the reason why they are silent. Butterflies are beautiful even so!

But these silent divine beauties butterfly brightens the day of people, and brings out songs from their hearts.

Hence there is a old saying :-

“ If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.”

So next time when you see a butterfly, make a wish, it might just rather come true..

NOTE:- 

• painting above is created by Me, (c)rachi creations..
• poem attached is the lovely Creation and (c) of  Priya, who mailed this morning and soon I updated this blog :)

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