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.
Tag: the daily post
WHERE TO STOP?
Yesterday my blogger friend told me that in her country one cannot construct where one wants to and today I am reminded of her statement as soon as I saw today’s prompt.
These were her words, “Where we live there are certain areas that must be left to agriculture. You cannot build where you want to. So much space must be left for farmers. Switzerland is a small country and you must be careful what you do with the land you have.,”
I wish that was possible in our country too. Not that we don’t have rules and laws but implementation is a kind of hypothetical term when you have abnormal population growth. Over 1.21 billion people need house and government has it’s own constraints therefore corruption rise and people tend to construct illegal colonies. The problem cannot be dealt effectively in absence of will and a strong mechanism to fight against it.
Illegal housing in India consists of huts or shanties built on land not owned by the residents (i.e., squatting) and illegal buildings constructed on land not owned by the builders or developers. Although illegal buildings may afford some basic services, such as electricity, in general illegal housing does not provide services that afford for healthy, safe environments. 
The pictures above is a common sight of any big or small city. I wish there would have been sustainable development. It hurts when you see these cramped houses build without any blue print or proper planning where once used to be fertile fields full of yield. Even the hills did not remain untouched and they are bleeding due to reckless deforestation in the name of tourism and employment generation. Recently I went to one of the most beautiful hill station and was shocked to see the rapid construction going on there. It was no more that lush green valley of flowers, surrounded with tall pine and Deodar trees and waterfalls. This is what the landscape looked like.
Wish what my friend told me the other day is possible here too. For that we have to first control the population explosion. I would love to see long agricultural belts and evergreen forests in future too to maintain the ecological balance on the earth.
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.
MEMORIES DON’T FADE
I constantly move to deserts and valleys
Climbing mountains, passing from cities
Exploring the woods, meeting the locals
Learning tribal culture, enjoy their fests
Having a bag full of memories to cherish
That don’t get faded with time, stay fresh
Love going back to the memory lane
Calling old friends, close they remain
The nostalgia lingers on forever
Nothing can replace the sheer joy
Looking at the pictures, smiles and tears
Sweet memories can never fade away.
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.
It’s Not This Time of Year Without….
To me Diwali is only when I draw beautiful patterns on the floor popularily known as Rangoli. That’s what make my Diwali festival complete. Every year without fail I make rangoli at the entrance of my home. Lighting Diyas, laxmi pooja nad celebrating the festival with my family makes my Diwali so special. It brings fond memories back. It is the beginning of winters and the festivities too. Enjoy few rangoli designs made by me on various years.
Rangoli at the entrance
Another rangoli
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!
