In our part of the world Tulsi is considered a very sacred plant and it is mostly planted in the front of the main entrance of the house. It is believed to be sacred not only due to its religious importance but also for the medicinal value. It can cure cough, cold, fever, flu, chest congestion, throat infection, joint pains and many more. It is a cure for almost every type of fever. You can just chew the leaves or make it’s paste to apply on skin or just boil the leaves in water to drink it as a tonic. 
Fortunately I have got this Tulsi plant near my kitchen garden, beautifully maintained by the previous occupants. I was so happy to see this small pillar surrounded with green hedge. I daily water the plant and lit a diya. You can call it sacred, let me call it a habit, a ritual I have been doing it since my childhood. I believe that in our religion why they must have called a number of trees sacred so that the coming generations keep on planting these species. Even if they do so please Gods there is no harm until they become superstitious. We have to draw the line and understand the difference between sacred and fear of religion. Hope I conveyed my point.
Category: Daily Prompts
ECHOES OF NATURE AND PAST
I still hear the echo of water. It could be heard from a distance too while I was desperately waiting to get the first glimpse of the massive, voluminous waterfall. It was like a marvel of nature and the only source of sound in this silent, lush green valley. Breathtaking view which echoes in my memory forever.
The other picture is of a old Mughal Fort where the echo from the glorious past can be heard even today. The intricate workmanship, the architecture, the feel, the royal ambience makes you call those kings from the past and you definitely hear the echo of their footsteps.
Hope you would like my perception on today’s prompt.
CULTURALLY RICH
- Who can beat the Indians when it comes to culture and traditions. It is deeply rooted in us right from our childhood. Children grow up watching their mothers and grandmothers doing all rituals dedicately. Though the joint family culture is declining fast and working parents are finding it difficult to preserve the values, they still try to pass it on to their generation next.
- Presenting you a collage of pictures where you can see me sharing and preserving our culture.
Recently we shifted to a new house. As luck would have been we entered the house on the most auspicious day of Hindu calendar…. it was Diwali festival on that day. You can see the rangoli, diyas and my temple where I made my idols sit so that they can bless us. 
My house looked so good in blue lights and what a beginning in the new city! My boys enjoyed and are ready to learn their culture and traditions. 
Looking forward to culture all around the world. Right now I am going to watch ‘Dr. Strange’ in a mall. See you all after the show. Have a good day.
VIBE AND VIGOR
I have left little in me for sure. Since last month I have literally utilized my strength and stamina in packing and then opening huge trunks and boxes and not to forget the furniture, skillfully packed by “Movers and Packers”.
Therefore when I saw the prompt I was in no mood to discuss it any further that how vigorously I set up, organised my nest and how tired I was until last week though we explored the city, watched movies, hit the food joints and attended our dining in party and musical fest all along it.
I am sort of settled now, enjoying my stay in a palatial house. while I’m typing I faintly remember a picture of a leopard, clicked by one of my acquaintances, a wildlife photographer, Mr.Chandrashekhar. I guess it can very well define Vigor.
There is something more to discuss on Vigor. How about sharing something known as smart textiles for well-being. Today I read an article, published in the Finnish magazine “Tekstiililehti” written by Kristi Kuusk which featured — amongst others — the Vibe-ing and Vigour projects. What about allowing the garments or textiles take care of us? Just think about it that a gentle tap on a shoulder given by a garment rather than an app reminding us to straighten our backs?
The article was published by The Finnish Textile Technology Association (STTL Association), which is a community for the technical professionals in the Finnish textile, clothing and footwear industry. The article takes a service perspective on several issues surrounding the topic wellbeing.
Vibe -ing is a self care tool in a form of garment which invites body to feel,move and heal through the vibration therapy.
Vigour is a product service system that enables geriatric patients, their families and their physiotherapists to gain more insight into the exercise and progress into rehabilitation process.
Smart textiles combine traditional textile canvas with electronic and digital materials, and hold the properties of both – the soft skin friendly fabric and the dynamic data components. The combination of textiles and technology opens up opportunities for societal sustainability and wellbeing. Those go beyond the product-oriented sustainability aspects for textile items and are moving towards service-oriented thinking.
Smart garments offer care and support to workers.I don’t know how much comfortable or reliable these are but it’s good to see people thinking on these lines. I wouldn’t mind to gift a vigor cardigan for sure. That’s all on Vigor by me today. Good night.
A LIMINAL MOMENT
Yes, The famous Winston Churchill House is our den now !
As you all know by now that I have shifted recently and very proudly I want to share that we have been alloted the famous heritage bunglow called “THE RETREAT”.
History says Sir Winston Churchill as a young sub altern stayed in this house ” The Retreat” while on a visit to India. It is rumoured that when he went back to England and later become one of the most famous prime ministers of Britain, he gave a ‘royal’ pension of 1 pound to the orderly who served him here, and the orderly, though not named received this pension till his death.
The day my husband broke this news to me I was thrilled with joy. I grabbed my phone and surfed Google to dig into the history. I felt so fortunate to get a chance to live in such a historical bunglow. I was waiting for the day when I would be stepping in the house and finally when I did I fell in love with it at the first sight…..A liminal phase started thereafter…. in terms of settling down since it is entirely different from the previous houses we were alloted. Not that this was the first time we have got a bunglow in services but this one is really old and huge. Not many renovations have been done and the original walls and architecture is still intact. I am doing it step by step. 
The heritage building was constructed in 1856. This is what I read on official website:
“Though many in the city are familiar with a some examples of built heritage within the cantonment limits, few are aware about the existence of structures like Deccan House, The Abbey and numerous other monumental buildings which have survived despite the passing of two centuries. Amongst buildings with high associational value is ‘The Retreat’, one of several quaint colonial bungalows, which served as Sir Winston Churchill’s residence in 1896. It was during his sojourn at Secunderabad that the redoubtable statesman first met his early flame Pamela Chichele-Plowden, daughter of the then British Resident at Hyderabad, at a polo match. Churchill, then a subaltern in the British army was the star performer of the meet and is said to have swept the lady off her feet. Their courtship, which lasted till 1902, was amicably terminated in England.”
Hoping to have a great tenure here. I AM LOVING IT. More pictures in next post.
Our Hunger was Sated
The moment I came to know Secunderabad was going to be our new hometown for the next two years, Hyderabadi Biryani was the first thing which came to my mind…. aromatic & world famous dish of South India. Those who don’t know where Secunderabad is, let me tell you. It is popularly known as twin city of Hyderabad. Located in the Indian state of Telangana. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was founded in 1806 as a British cantonment. You can search Google for more. 
So now from Western India we have moved towards Southern part of the country. The exotic aroma of Idli sambhar, Dosa and Nizam food especially ‘biryani’is simply irresistible. The sated thoughts will come and pour till you don’t indulge yourself in delicacy of rice. 
The moment we landed in Secunderabad we hit to the biryani joint to sate our hunger and what else could be a better choice than world famous Paradise hotel and a Roof Top restaurant to have it. A Legend since 1953 ! 
Biryani, a dish of Indian origin, more prominently considered to be dish of Nizam (Ruler of the state of Deccan). Though we have Lucknowi Biryani also which has more of Awadhi taste but in terms of spices this one wins hands down.
South India has more varieties of biryani than any other part of the subcontinent. Moreover rice is more a staple food in South India than any other state.Hyderabadi biryani is a blend of Mughlai and Iranian cuisine, originated in the kitchens of the Nizam, rulers of the historic Hyderabad State. Hyderabadi Biryani is also a integral part of Pakistani Cuisine due to its exotic flavor and aromatic taste.
So next time while you visit this part of the world you know where you can have stomach sated fully filled!
I moved again to a new city……
If you don’t like where you are
Move, you are not a tree
That was not the reason I moved
I moved because I ought to
Not because I was deprived of anything
Rather it was time to detach myself
My husband had completed his tenure
Two years gone and it was time to pack
Time to leave my work place,
beautiful house, lush green lawns,
Wonderful friends, the fields, the plateaus
Everything related to that place
Moved to a new land, finding my roots
Searching for the new world, my world, our world……
It’s easier said than done
The experience makes me stronger
At the same time I want to stay longer
Adapting to every situation
Leaving behind all that you achieved
In terms of profession and personal
My son is again a new kid on the block
And I am a new member in the ladies meet
The scene looks too chaotic in the beginning
Slowly it becomes manageable
That’s why was away for last few months
Juggling with boxes and cartons
Altering curtains and filing rations
Wandering, what would have happening
in the lives of my blogger friends
But used to snore like pig after day’s slog.
Now that the house is functional
I look forward to have more interaction
Life is a big roller coaster…. Moving faster
