Saturday, August 24, 2013

Chanakya

I have gone back to watching Chanakya. I think this is one serial which helps me think. Its like going back to roots. 

Over a period of time when you grow up, you become a person, have your house, family, friends, you become someone who is different from what you were. And yet in many ways, you remain the same. Your thought process becomes more rigid, stable, clear. You start standing for things you think you should stand for. And you are just too full of yourself :).

This is when, serials like these, keep you grounded. They tell you that there is a greater goal, or can be a greater goal. Bigger than a house, and a car and the money you earn. As, at the end of the day, all these are utilities only.

I vividly remember having numerous discussions with my dad about Chanakya. He was opposed to the philosophy of "samrajyawaad" or imperialism. And has always wanted India to be several small parts tied by the thread of culture. Different parts of body acting together when needed. But, you don't have to make it into a single part.

Logically, this makes perfect sense. And I see the point. Its just that the "pragmatic" in me always thought, this would be very difficult to implement as its very easy for all people to start pushing their own agenda and its just easy to forget about the greater good. In order to keep remembering the greater good and work towards that good, you need a very strong system which keeps reminding people of this.

So, how do we ensure that there is constant positive reinforcement of of these things. Earlier, it was the education system, which was ensuing this. And that's what Chanakya tried to do. Used the influence of teachers in society to change the course of history.

How do we plan to do it today?

Well, the first step is to get into the system. And how do you get into the system... that's the big question. And, right now, I don't have that answer.

May be one reason I keep going back to Chanakya is to find that answer. :).

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Apple

The build quality of Apple products is so good. They almost look "Made in Germany".

Monday, August 12, 2013

Eating philosophy...

This weekend I was observing that when I eat a big lunch or a nice breakfast, I feel like I should rest, relax, lie down...

Whereas when I eat less and keep myself a bit hungry,  I am more alert. Dont feel lazy, ready to do stuff.

So I was thinking of this newer philosophy of having a big breakfast, big lunch and small dinner... how does it work really????

I need to be alert in the morning and noon for stuff to do. At night, I need to wind down, so that i can slow down and sleep. Then why do people prescribe an ulta routine in food. Isn't it weird?

I think it is. And so I am changing the philosophy of my eating. Have a small breakfast, small lunch so that I am not full and hence more alert. May be have something at 4 pm if I am hungry and then have a big dinner 2 hours before sleeping. That will help winding down.

And life will be good. That's what I am following now on... because thats what makes sense.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Dal makhani

Today, we made dal makhani. Oh.. it came so well. The receipe is quite simple actually.

Take a cup of brown urad dal and one fourth cup of rajma. Let them soak overnight. In the morning,  they will become around twice the volume. Put that in a cooker and let it whistle 8 times.

Now, take 4 tomatoes,  4-5 garlic cloves, some adrak and 2-3 chillies. Make a puree in mixie by adding some water. The mixture should not be very thick. Let it be flowy. This will add volume to the dal. You can also add an onion to the mix.

Now, take makhan (of course) in a deep pan and let it heat. Add jira. Then add the puree. Let the puree come to a boil. Add haldi, garam masala. Then lower the gas and cover it with a lid. Let it simmer for around 5 mins.

Once dal is boiled in the cooker, mash it in water already present. Don't throw the water. There should be some water in the dal. More than some.

Add this to the kadhai. And let it boil. Add salt to taste. Now is the great part.

Once this is done, cover the pan. Put the gas on sim and let this simmer for around 45 mins. Every 5-10 mins. Open the lid and stir to ensure the dal is not stuck to the bottom of the pan.

In 45 mins.  The dal will cook and all flavours will be mixed nicely.

Add half a cup of milk and stir it again.  Once it boil once again.... you are done.

Eat with roti, nan or rice. Its fantastic :)

A dog

When and how to get? Are we ready for the dog??? I dont know....

It can get tricky in city life and that too in an apartment. So do we move to a villa.  Well, had I known we would be talking of a dog at some point in time, would have definitely gone for a villa.

But anyways, that way even people are not supposed to live in small apartments but we do.. so why not dogs :).

Lets see. But more research is needed. More preparation is required. Let's do it.. ;-).