Face to face with Rain in Arunachal Pradesh

 

 

 

 

That day also it continued to rain incessantly, clouds making such thunderous noises that my heart stopped beating every time. There has been no light for past 3 days and no one at home….I was alone…..all alone surrounded by huge trees and a tin shed roof. Every small drop of rain that fell on to it was like a loud thunder. Telephone also went dead and so was my mind.

 

I don’t know for how long I have been standing at this door, waiting for him or his news or may be just anyone…I wanted to see anyone, I wanted to talk a word …..

 

Tears fell out almost naturally and effortlessly and believe me I felt no pain because by then my grief was so deep that I just felt numb…plain, blank and numb. Feeling cold, I went into the bedroom and lay down; blankly staring at the fan and tin shed roof ….there was such high thunderous noises of Nature at its worst….. still there was a screeching silence.

 

This was a completely different turn of my life…a unique situation…completely unplanned, unthought-of …….I didn’t know how to react…..what to do……..all I was doing was waiting and I guess that was the only thing I could possibly do

 

3 days……strange place…….strange situation and a completely strange feeling. I was married for just few months then…and I didn’t know my marriage would be interrupted or I may say tested by such a situation…

 

I lifelessly got up and walked towards kitchen to get a glass of water………No I was not thirsty…..   Just wanted to do something else out of the limited choices I had. There was a knock at the door, I could hear my heart beat loud …..who is this? Should I open ? what if there is bad news or may be it is he?

 

There was another persistent knock…I wanted to open but could not muster enough strength…what will I do if there is a bad news…I am all alone here so far away from  my family…my mind  went absolutely blank and eyes wide open.

 

Third knock and someone shouted “ Madamji…Sahab ki khabar hai”….No no please don’t say anything……..please don’t say…I don’t want to hear

 

“Madamji sahib thik hai”

 

The words were magical…I rushed towards the door and opened it full. A person from junior staff was standing and somehow he knew what I wanted to ask even before I could control my heart beats and ask….” Madamji aap ghabraiyee nahi ( madamji..(Don’t panic) sahib thik hai..par kab tak wapas aayenge kuch pata nahi…….par jaldi aa jayeenge ( sahib will return soon, though exactly when can’t be said now) and then he went away.

 

And I was all by myself again, in that dark and screeching, irritating rain. I had always loved rain since childhood. Rain reminded of college holiday and Maa frying pakodas and all of us gossiping over a cup of tea. But now rain is no longer fun…it was pain, it reminded of loneliness

 

Somen  left for work 3 morning before giving me a cheeky peck and feigning to forget his diary somewhere in bedroom asking me to help find out….pretty filmy……even the driver standing out, by now knew this drill and had accepted it as part of Sahib’s routine. He said cook fish with lots of tomatoes and rice for dinner, I will get a new CD on way back and we will enjoy the movie. This was our only means of entertainment in this remote town of north eastern India, Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. Oh no not again…not tomato maach this time….Please ……..even before I could finish my sentence he was already smiling back and waving.

 

He is the engineer- in- charge of maintenance of roads and bridges in that area. Today he was going on the other side of river for inspection, so this meant a hard day’s work and no coming back for lunch.  But as fate would have it, no sooner he left, a bright sunny day transformed into the heaviest rainfall in years. Arunachal Pradesh’s weather is usually unpredictable but this was one of the worst weather conditions in years…………and he was stranded at the other side of Brahmaputra that seemed to hungrily eat everything ……villages, roads, bridges and………….lives

 

I love his smile…….I love him so much. This is the first time I missed him so much, miss is a small word, I craved for him…….I wanted him to be here….I was not only lonely but scared……….I cried out  loudly , screamed, shouted ……….and don’t know being tired when I felt asleep clutching the bedside.

 

It was the 4^th morning and another long day to wait. Days were easier to pass than night. Such heavy rains, I had never seen or heard in my life. It was daytime but no better than dull evening.

 

It was around 11 that night…I heard a screeching jeep noise…I knew someone has come but I could not muster strength to go towards the door……I waited for so long to the sound of someone coming but now I was scared….I heard footsteps and somehow knew it was Somen’s……

 

I opened the door and saw my husband standing in front of me …tall 6 feet, broad shoulders, dripping in rain water but a strange expression on his face……..

 

Lifelessly he walked in and sat on the couch with a thud…….what happened? I said……….no response

 

He was sitting there like a dead man………What happened…I shouted this time….I was scared…..

 

Haan haan….he mumbled something….looked towards me like a stranger.

 

I held his face in my hand…….what happened, please …..Please say something

 

He looked at me lifelessly and said…………HE IS DEAD

 

Life is so strange…should you be calmed because you are alive or disturbed because you have just seen death right in front of your eyes that took away another life………..It could have been you….

 

One of his staff members lost his life in front of his eyes; he was crossing the river when suddenly Brahmaputra, the mighty river, changed its course of flow and rain started to fall even heavier…..

 

Both of us were scared and just spent the rest of night holding each other tight. Both of us have understood what loss meant for the first time in life……

 

 

DOWN SYNDROME- a psychologist’s perspective

Rapid urbanization and spread in education in women have on one hand created a lot of progress in the society but in its wake it has also led to some unwanted conditions. The major change has come upon the women of society who have progressed in leaps and bounds. The educational upsurge and a will to do something have made many women go for a career before settling down to the marital bliss. This has increased the age for marriage in most of the urban household. Today getting married at 30 and having the first child after 35 is a common phenomenon. Though it has lot of advantages, one major disadvantage that has been seen, is to give birth to children with some or other physical or mental disability.

Although it doesn’t happen all the time and to everyone but the risk does increase…

The most common abnormality seen in late conception is Down syndrome… it is the most common clinical cause of mental retardation. It occurs once in every 1,500-2,000 births when the mother’s age is below 25; one in every 400 births when the mother’s age is over 35; once in every 40 births when the mother’s age is over 45. A mother with a child with Down syndrome has a one-in-25 chance of recurrence.

Here I’ll try to tell some scientific fact related to the Syndrome and the tests that are available to detect DS (Down syndrome) during pregnancy only.

The term Down syndrome is taken from the name of the English physician, Dr. John Langdon Down, who is credited to first describe this condition in 1866.The individuals with Down syndrome possess additional genetic material in their cells, usually an extra chromosome. Instead of having 46 chromosomes in each cell (22 pair of autosomes or non-sex chromosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes, xx in females, xy in males), individuals with Down syndrome most commonly have 47 chromosomes with the extra chromosome associated with the 21st pair. The term Trisomy 21 is therefore used to describe this configuration of three #21 chromosomes. About 95% of all individuals with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21.

Some of the physical characteristics observed in persons with Down syndrome include the following:

• the back of the head is often flattened,
• the eyelids may be slightly slanted,
• small skin folds at the inner corners of the eyes may be present,
• the nasal bridge is slightly depressed, and the nose and ears are usually somewhat smaller.
• in the newborn there is often an excess of skin at the back of the neck.
• the hands and feet are small and the fingerprints are often different from chromosomally normal children.
• their muscle strength and tone are usually reduced.
• about one-third of children with Down syndrome have congenital heart disease.

Affects of Down Syndrome:

• All areas of development may be delayed in a child with Down syndrome.

• Poor muscle tone influences gross and fine motor development but this can be improved with physical therapy

• language development delays due to muscle problems which can be improved by language/speech therapy

• Since mental retardation is very common, higher integrative abilities such as the ability to think abstractly and to form concepts are likely to be affected.

Most individuals with Down syndrome learn to care for themselves and function within a community. With appropriate training, they can secure employment, often in the competitive job market, especially through supported work programs.

Down syndrome affects kids’ ability to learn in different ways, but most have mild to moderate intellectual impairment. Kids with DS can and do learn, and are capable of developing skills throughout their lives. They simply reach goals at a different pace — which is why it’s important not to compare a child with DS against typically developing siblings or even other children with the condition.

Prenatal Screening and Diagnosis

It is suggested that if you are above 33 years of age at the time of your first pregnancy, do get these tests done to be free from any type of anxiety…

Two types of prenatal tests are used to detect Down syndrome in a foetus: screening tests and diagnostic tests. Screening tests estimate the risk that a foetus has DS; diagnostic tests can tell whether the foetus actually has the condition.

Screening tests include:

• Nuchal translucency testing. This test, performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy,

• The triple screen or quadruple screen (also called the multiple marker tests).  These tests are typically offered between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy.

• Integrated screen. This uses results from first trimester screening tests (with or without nuchal translucency) and blood tests with second trimester quad screen to come up with the most accurate screening results.

• A genetic ultrasound. A detailed ultrasound is often performed at 18 to 20 weeks in conjunction with the blood tests, and it checks the foetus for some of the physical traits abnormalities associated with Down syndrome.

Diagnostic tests include:

• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS). The advantage of this test is that it can be performed during the first trimester, between 8 and 12 weeks. The disadvantage is that it carries a slightly greater risk of miscarriage as compared with amniocentesis and has other complications.

• Amniocentesis. This test, performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, involves the removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid through a needle inserted in the abdomen. The cells can then be analyzed for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. Amniocentesis carries a small risk of complications, such as preterm labour and miscarriage.

• Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS). Usually performed after 20 weeks, this test uses a needle to retrieve a small sample of blood from the umbilical cord. It carries risks similar to those associated with amniocentesis.

I think I am able to give a little insight into the Down Syndrome and how one can get it detected pre-natally. Although most of the parents after knowing that the fetus is suffering with Down syndrome go for MTP, I feel it’s absolutely the parents choice to or not to go for MTP. Though it might cause them a little more effort to bring up their differently abled child, it may be a real joy for them to see the kid growing up. These kids are any time more lovable and loving. They remain innocent all their life and THEY DO GROW UP AS ANY NORMAL CHILD MAY BE A LITTLE LATE…..

So if you are a proud parent of a child suffering from Down Syndrome…Please….don’t take it as a curse but take it as a blessing from God!!! You do have a child to love and care rather than without a kid…

By – Soma

A guest writer

Sunrise – A beautiful morning

SUNSHINE IN MY HEART – a heart touching, personal story

It happened one winter afternoon, I was basking in the mild warmth of the early December sun in Dehra Dun.leaning against the boundary wall of our rented house, our own house was under construction , I watched the world which all of a sudden seemed to have lost its desire to rush to destinations forgotten. Simi’s mother who lived across the road came out to check the clothes line and waved a cheerful greeting. Just then a bullock cart carrying bags of cement and driven by two small boys not older then 10 years came along. The bells around the bullocks neck jingled and vied for attention with the boys excited discussion on matters probably of great significance .

Maybe, the boys were debating whether to allow Shyamu the use of their new bat improvised from the wooden carton lacchu chacha had discarded only yesterday after much persuasion by the leader of the street Children’s Cricketing club …. none other then the young driver himself or maybe the discussion was a speculation as to whether Seth Jawahar Singh would distribute boondi ke ladoo or halwa to the children , as usual , after his Tuesday prayer at the hanumanji temple near the peepal tree.

Whatever the discussion it diverted the attention of the little driver who failed to see the pot hole in the road and even as I watched the wheel of the cart went in and came out at the other end with a jerk, but not before disbalancing the whole cart and to the utter dismay of the boys the 5- 6 bags of cement at the rear end came tumbling down on the road. “ You idiot , look what you have done now ?” the younger of the two accused almost on the verge of tears. The simple task of ferrying cement bags to some construction site now had assumed impossible proportions in the face of the unexpected tragedy . Both the boys looked forlorn and dejected.

Suddenly the road also seemed empty of any passer’s by. Don’t they say when you want something it doesn’t happen. Well ! there I could make out a cyclist coming near but “ Bhaiyya , o bhaiyya madad kar do “ ( Please help) the words seemed to echo in the silence. “ My god what is this world coming to?” Just a minute ………no… no use the scooterwala also didn’t stop to help. All of a sudden I was engulfed by this overwhelming impulse to act, those close to me will vouch for it. Impulsiveness is indeed one of my more dominant traits. So I walked up to the  boys and told them to take hold of one end of the bag while I caught hold of the other end and huffing and puffing managed to put it back into the cart.

Suddenly the boys grim faces lit up with the elfin smile and a peel of giggles broke through . Rest of the bags were loaded in no time. I was conscious of the queer looks passer by’s directed towards me. After all no girl in her right mind would stoop to help the street urchins in so undignified a manner. The boys with a shy wave of their hand went on their way. This time around their innocent giggles keeping company to the jingling of bells around the bullock neck. No names, no thanks no frivolous expression of gratitude and yet all of a sudden my heart seemed to have filled with such profound happiness that  brought a smile on my face, a spring to my step and the music of the jingling bells enriched with the merry laughter of childhood long after it was heard no more.

By – Kiran Pun

Diet chart for pregnant women

Eating well and gaining weight gradually is the norm during pregnancy. You should remember that your body is equipped with mechanisms that facilitate child bearing and rearing capacities. During pregnancy the body undergoes different changes to ensure that these are fulfilled. There is a requirement for an increased amount of energy which should be supplied through food and supplements for the sustenance and delivery of a healthy baby.

New moms-to-be should plan their diet in such a way that they consume a healthy and balanced diet. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Protein and vitamin consumption should be increased. Folic acid and iron supplements should be taken with the doctor’s consent. Junk food is best avoided. Try not to over eat and you certainly do not have to eat for two. The food intake should have an excess of 200 extra calories per day. This increase is mandatory only in the last trimester.

The initial months might completely put you off food especially if you suffer from morning or all day sickness. This is normal and your appetite would return by the fourth month. The second trimester sees you gain weight slowly but this would increase in rate in the last trimester when the baby grows faster. An average woman would gain 8-15kgs by the end of the last trimester. It is advisable to listen to your stomach and eat when you are hungry. The pattern of hunger would fluctuate during the course of your pregnancy. Drink lots of fluids like water, fresh juices etc. If you suffer from gestational diabetes it is better to follow the diet prescribed by the doctor to avoid complications. This condition usually disappears after the 5^th month and normal eating patterns can be resumed. The last few months might see you suffering from heart burns, hence eating smaller meals more frequently can be adopted for relief. Supplements should be taken only with the doctor’s consent since certain vitamins if taken in excess may prove harmful for the developing baby. Vitamin A in the form of retinol in excess can harm the developing baby. Care should be taken and self medication should be avoided at any cost.

A pregnant woman should ensure that she consumes a well balanced diet including food from the below specified different food groups:

Milk and dairy products: Drink plenty of milk since they are a good source of calcium which is very essential for the development of the baby. Yogurt, curd, buttermilk, paneer are all good sources of calcium, essential amino acids and Vitamin B-12. Lactose intolerant mothers should avoid these.

Dals, pulses, cereals and whole grains: Protein is a very important requirement for the developing foetus. A medium bowl of chickpeas (chole), or rajma would provide the required daily amount of protein. Vegetarians need 1.5ounces of nuts or 2/3 cup of legumes for gaining the essential amino acids.

Meat, Fish and Poultry: Eggs are excellent source of proteins. One egg, ½ ounce nuts and ¼ bowls of legumes is equivalent to one ounce of meat, poultry or fish. Larger varieties of fish such as shark should be avoided since they have mercury which attaches to the protein molecules and can harm the foetus. Canned or processed fish also should be avoided since they can cause water retention.

Vegetables and fruits: Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. Make sure they are fresh and wash them in clean water before consumption. They provide vitamins, minerals and fibre. Seasonal fruits and fruit juices can be very healthy. Try to avoid canned and processed fruits.

Fluids: Drink plenty of fluids and to remain hydrated. Care should be taken to drink clean water. Fluids can be consumed in the form of juices, milk, buttermilk and water.

Fats and Oils: Try to avoid ghee, butter, vanaspati, dalda and coconut oil since these are rich in trans and saturated fats.

It would be healthier for the baby if drinking alcohol and smoking is restricted during pregnancy. Eating out should be avoided. Carry water or drink only mineral water of a reputed brand while traveling. Pregnancy is a delicate condition where in care should be taken to avoid complications and discomfort for the mother to be and the baby to be born.

By – Priya Menon

Tips to take care of infants between 0 – 6 months

                  Congratulations and welcome to motherhood. Supposedly the most loveable and responsible position in a woman’s life. The little bundle of joy would certainly light up your life but the responsibility to ensure the smile on his face is mostly with the mother.

               A new born baby knows only his mother and finds everything else alien. He prefers to keep his eyes closed and is most comfortable lying beside the mother feeling the warmth of her body against his. This initial phase is very important to him. It reassures him of his safety. The first and most important advice but often repeated one is definitely the first here too – Mother’s milk is ideal for the baby and he should be on exclusive breast feeding till 6 months of age. Formula food should be started only after this or unless advised by the doctor.

         Well, now you have a baby to look after and your body is recovering from the delivery. Moreover maternal and lactation inducing hormones are working overtime. Hence the first few months take a heavy toll on you emotionally and physically. Be prepared for this. Your baby needs to be fed two hourly, burped each time and kept dry. Bath can be given every day if it is warm or alternately if its winter. Use only baby products while bathing and moisturizing your darling. Use only baby safe toys and clothes for the baby. Always use anti nappy rash cream before and after the use of a diaper. Personally I would advice the use of diaper to be restricted to the night and outings. The baby otherwise would be comfortable in cotton nappies considering the tropical climate we live in. Care should be taken to change it frequently.

                                               

            Babies have their own sense of time and mostly this would be against ours. Hence it would give the mother lot of rest if she follows the baby’s routine for at least a month so that she gets ample rest to take care of her baby. By the second month the baby’s bio rhythm would settle down. There can be bouts of crying since this month is known for it. There is nothing to worry about, just remain calm and hold your baby close to you or try to distract him. It is normal for babies to cry around 3 hrs or so in a day till he reaches 6 months of age. The watch word is not to panic.

            Bond with your baby during his first 6 months. Hold him close and touch him gently. Make loving contact with him. Let him feel the reassurance of love and compassion through your touch. Nestle him and talk to him in a comforting tone. Smile at your child even if you are not sure if he is looking. Cradle him in your arms and make him feel safe. Provide enough time for him to entertain himself. Do not leave your baby alone.

            The third month will see him try to roll over onto his stomach and he would demand more attention from you. Be there to make him happy. As he grows he would become more mobile. The milestones that he crosses would be reaching out for toys, crawling on his stomach and gradually on fours, trying to sit upright and social smile. Keep track of your baby’s developments. Vaccination schedules should be strictly adhered to. Always consult a doctor before self medicating your baby and trust your mother’s instinct where your child is concerned.

     

 By – Priya Menon

 

DOWN SYNDROME: A MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE

 

 

            My daughter Kanchi is 3 years old and she has Down Syndrome. It is a congenital disorder causing mental and physical abnormalities. However the condition does not affect every child similarly. Although there are a few tell tale signs in the physical appearance of a child afflicted with down syndrome namely the simian crease, Hypotonia, protruding tongue, mongoloid facial features but one cannot generalize the condition. It is like a spectrum, varying from child to child. No two child afflicted with down syndrome will be same. The severity of medical complication or level of physical or mental retardation varies. What doesn’t vary is the pain it causes to us :  the Parents. Here I do not intend to reproduce medical details of down syndrome. I only  wish to share my experiences , my horror at the discovery, the denial ,guilt, pain and final acceptance of Down Syndrome with the hope that it will help you understand the pain that parents of children afflicted with Down syndrome go through and if possible lend a helping hand in their constant struggle.  I hope to present the viewpoint of a mother who sees the world differently because she is caring for a child who is special, who doesn’t fit into the norms which we so readily set and jealously guard. This is in hope that next time when you meet someone like me you will not hesitate to lend your support which could be a smile , a restraint in your comments which at times have the capacity to tear through our hearts like a knife. Your compassion and social acceptance is what we seek.

 

 

            My daughter Kanchi was born on 1^st oct 2005 a Saturday and on Sunday night around 9 pm the paediatrician dropped a bombshell by declaring that he suspected Kanchi of having Down Syndrome. At that point I just had a vague idea about it and needless to say it wasn’t the least bit reassuring. I had the misfortune of dealing with the most insensitive doctor, his timing was most unfortunate since in Army Hospitals family is not allowed beyond visiting hours and I was all alone ,hence no moral support. He then proceeded to explain what it meant. I was numb and went into denial, I couldn’t believe that my little daughter could have been affected by something as dreadful as Down Syndrome. The whole night I couldn’t sleep and kept trying to figure out where had I gone wrong, did I make some mistake ?  Denial and then guilt …..life was miserable. The tears didn’t come then , I just couldn’t believe the unwelcome information that had just been heaped on me. The pain in my heart overwhelmed the physical pain and discomfort of having undergone labour .

 

 

            The recently acquired knowledge that my child could be severely physically , mentally retarded or be having some other medical health problems associated with DOWN SYNDROME was indeed a heavy burden to carry. I shared the disastrous news with my husband the next day morning and it was some consolation that he didn’t go into a depression like I had, instead he reassured me time and again that we’ll first get it confirmed and then do the best that we can for our little angel.

 

 

                                                    Kanchi was born with jaundice so my stay in the hospital got extended while she underwent extensive photo therapy. On the advise of the doctor we got her Karyotyping test done from PGI Lucknow. It took one month for the result to come out and it confirmed that she had down syndrome. Unfortunately the pediatrician who had been attending on her appeared and behaved more smug when we informed him about the result. He was more happy that he had given a correct diagnosis rather then feeling sad for us. I truly wish all medical colleges would  impart a little training to the doctors in compassion while interacting with people before granting them their degrees.

 

 

It really hurt when I saw kids younger then Kanchi achieve their developmental milestones with seeming ease and much earlier then her. For example as a child she couldn’t support her neck even at 8 months. She learnt to sit and walk much later. Even at age 3 today she doesn’t speak much….except for a few words  like Mama, Papa. How I hang on to her every utterance , waiting for her childish gibberish to form meaningful sentences. It is extremely painful to see your child cry out in frustration because she cannot communicate her needs to you, a situation most mothers face,  the only difference being  for us the period of agony is more prolonged.

 

 

I take Kanchi for speech therapy sessions to a special school Asha but it is with extreme sadness that I observe the tamasha that enfolds there time and again. There is no dearth of VIP’s visiting the school to get themselves photographed with these special kids as a proof of their social and charity work. Till date I have not witnessed any genuine concern for the parents. Nobody cares to stop by me and ask me what problems I face,  do I have any suggestions to offer. On such occasions I can appreciate the feelings of a caged animal in the zoo.

 

 

It also doesn’t help much when perfectly intelligent people observe and comment loudly “Is there some problem with the child , she doesn’t seem normal ?” I am perfectly normal with all my sensory organs working perfectly and I don’t need reminding that my child appears to have some problem… I KNOW .

 

 

However there is a silver lining to this dark cloud as well. Kanchi may be slow in achieving her developmental milestones but she sure knows how to love. Her capacity to love without any discrimination is amazing. Right from the moment she could smile , she continues to bestow the beauty of her smile on one and all. She has been a happy child. I realized in time that I had no right to cry on her behalf. Why should I grieve that she doesn’t conform to our norms of living ? For all you know we may be the abnormal people in her perfectly normal world. I HAVE STOPPED CRYING.  Today I accept my daughter at face value. I recognize her for who she is and bask in the reflected happiness of her innocent charm. Her hugs make my day and when she calls out Mimi or Ma ( as she pleases) I feel loved and cherished. Thank you God for this little piece of sunshine in my  heart!

 

 

By Kiran Pun

 

 

            

 

Sunrise at Pondicherry….A HOME VIDEO

Pondichery is a beautiful, small, sea town just 2 hrs drive from Pondicherry. Sunrise is amazing here. French architecture and french cusine….is pleasure for both eyes and tongue!

I loved the way sea comes closer to you and then drifts away….the calmness and vigour both together. Sea has immensive meditative power………Have a look at this video and you will know

 

By Gitanjali

Aloo Posto…………a bengali dish, simple to cook and an all time hit

I am Bengali, so when I had to give a party on my husband’s birthday, a unanimous demand was that i prepare Bengali food……………

So this made me to think a bit, for I know to cook lot of Bengali dishes, but it should match the taste of cosmopolitan crowd that had to be feeded in the party.

ALOO POSTO…………..is the name that came instantly to my mind. Aloo is a universal vegetable………..and if you add posto , that is nothing else but poppy seeds or khuskhus as you call in other parts of world, makes the dish crisp. So what you have is a crispier version of aloo…………Believe me this recipe Aloo Posto was such a huge hit that it made me sit back and think for a while that this is the easiest of all the Bengali recipes I have come across in my 28 years of life.and it has become the symbol of Bengali cuisine. So the logic is that simple dishes are good………..you need not go for very difficult and exotic preparation……………it’s just the way that you cook. infact once you cook Aloo Posto for yourself you will also agree with me that next to fish, in vegetarian food  Aloo Posto should be made the representative of Bengali cuisine.

RECIPE

STEP 1 -  take aloo, wash, peel and cut into small cubes

STEP 2 -  take a kadhai, add oil (Bengali’s prefer mustard oil, sarso ka tel). basically mustard oil enhances the crispiness of the recipe. To make it authentic recipe, one got to add Panch Poohron………..basically it is five ingredients in small quantities, kala jeera, sounf, meethi,mustard seed, dhaniya seeds. These days it is easily available prepared in markets. but if you do not want to trouble yourself…………..just add a lilttle of any of the ingredients available…………will make not much of a difference. Okay enough of Gyan on Panch Poorhon……………….Next when it crackles add aloo and salt. let it cook

STEP 3 -  this is the important one. take around 3-4 table spoon of posto………..if you have taken 4-5 aloo ( it’s a rough estimate). now wash posto properly because it usually has fine dust.  grind it into a smooth paste…………if you want the recipe to be a lilttle chatpatta then add a few green or red chillies or both while grinding.

STEP 4 -  Once aloo in kadhai is 3/4th cooked…………..add posto paste and now got to do a little “mehnat”. take a flat spatuala and keep frying it. for posto has the tendency to stick and it becomes red faster. So on a medium flame………just keep moving it in between. Once the colour begins to change, keep adding little oil in between ………………..in no time you will see a beautiful colour and u can make out that it is turning crispy……………..this is the time, switch off the flame and serve aloo posto garnishing with a slit green chilly.

We bengalis prefer aloo posto with dal and chawal(rice) or puri. Simple khaoo aur mast jiyoo. I am sure children will love it………………

Let me know if you also like it…………just fry it with lot of love!!!!

By – Gitanjali

TIPS TO FACE AN INTERVIEW

You always want to get work satisfaction and good career opportunities to prove yourself from the job you are undertaking. It all starts from choosing a good company and selling yourself. Your face to face interview is the key for this and you can increase your chances to get what you want.  

A good homework and `WILL DO` attitude is the keys to face a good interview.

·                     When you prepare for an interview, first thing is get maximum information about the company’s completed and future projects or work, its work force. Make a research about the growth rate, its financial position and its competitors. It will impress the interviewer.

·                     Try to find out what exactly is the demand of the role you are appearing for.

·                     Confidence building – Make up in your mind why you are the best candidate for this job. It will give you peace of mind and increase your convincing skills while you are actually facing the interview.

·                     Get to know where you are going. You can get the map and the directions. Ask the office secretary in advance if you are not sure.

·                     Next important thing that makes you a striking personality is the dress code. Get to know if the company follows any precise dress code. If not, you should be always having sophisticated attire. Choose sober colored and conservative fashioned outfit which makes you more graceful. If the position is for any specific line of work like fashion designer or something you can have some contemporary look and be creative, which is the need for that job.

·                     Take all the necessary documents and a copy of your resume with you. Let the interviewer know in advance if you have any specific need like a projector for your slides or any writing board etc. It will give them time to be equipped. Do not create any last moment rush and try not to disturb the office routine.

·                     Always be an early bird. Arrive early and keep some time in your hand which you can use to get familiarized with the interview place. You can visit the rest room and check you are still in the same look that you want.

 

·                 Take a deep breath and get your gentle tranquil smile back on your face. It will improve your personality and add that charm which will make the interviewer more enthusiastic about your work.

·                 Let the office secretary or your reporting person know about your arrival and greet them. Usually they are the reporters to the boss.

·                 While facing the actual question and answer series, being a good listener is very crucial. You might be judged with tackling words. Answer the questions with a great confidence. Use all your knowledge and you can also share your good experiences that reflect your enthusiasm and hard working skills. Be specific and genuine. At this point of time you should be a good seller. Sell yourself.

·                 Ask if you have any doubts regarding your new role. Think as if you have got the job and ask accordingly.

·                 You can always enquire about the company policies, rules and regulations and facilities provided. Be soft spoken.

·                 Regardless of what happens in the interview keep calm, poised, and professional. If the interviewer seems to ignore you, don’t get flustered. If the interviewer looks unimpressed, don’t assume you have lost. If the individual contradicts something you say, explain your position but don’t lose our temper or let the interviewer goad you into an argument. Don’t become defensive if the interviewer seems to question certain responsibilities or achievements that you claim. It’s all part of the game. Your composure may well be tested during the interview.

·                 Don’t give any references till you are asked for.

·                 Once you and the interviewer think that both have got enough information for making up the results, saying something like ‘I can make a difference with my knowledge and hard work’ would place you in shortlisted candidates.

·                 Don’t forget to thank the person for sharing the time and your efforts will be acknowledged. 

Remember every interview is a valuable experience. With every interview, you are much better prepared and at more ease even if you don’t get selected. It will boost your confidence and improve your chances of the job being offered. 

 

 

 

By – Prajakta

Kashmiri Dum Aloo……….rich , exotic and extremely sumptous dish!!!

Kashmir is a rich state and so is it’s food……in vegetarian dishes, Kashmiri Dum aloo takes a priority position.

It is a dum aloo but with a difference……….for it is completely fried in oil….no amount of water is used, a lilttle rich in calorie but worth eating once a while

Preparation is very basic and simple…..only you need to take care of two extra ingredients….SAUNF & SOONTH. in Kashimiri dishes these two ingredients are a must…………Can you guess why?

Sounf and soonth are the masala’s that are hot and living in such a cold place as Kashmir they need heat and these masala give the required heat to the people to keep them going

RECIPE

STEP 1 -  Take small or medium sized aloo. Peel them and prick them with a fork ( this allows oil and masala to penetrate deep inside and also helps aloo to cook faster). Dip thee aloo in lukewarm salted water for 10 – 15 mins. this is done so that aloo do not remain bland from inside.

STEP 2-  take a frying pan….. add good quantity of oil, add the aloo’s. now keep frying them in medium flame ( if you fry them on high flame, they will crust from outside but not from inside). this process will take time. so you need Patience !!

STEP 3 – After the aloo is done , add beaten youghart (dahi) and Kashmiri lal Mirch ( red chilli powder) . this variety of chilli powder , gives the required red colour. If you do not have it…….never mind!
add soonf, soonth and garam masala. simmer and let it cook in yoghurt.

Once you see oil and red colour floting on top and aloo is cooked…………the dish is ready………KASHMIRI DUM ALOO…………it is  a great dish to pamper your taste buds or earn a little edge in a party…Also the youghart in it balances the extra oil …..so not to worry !!!!

Enjoy!!!