Resplendence

In this ever so hectic life, one seems to oblivious about the small pleasure which the life holds within itself. Pleasures that determine who we actually are. One really longs for fun and frolic. One longs to take a holiday and go on a family excursion in order to leave the stress laden life behind and spend some quality time with family.

I happened to plan one such trip with my family to the beautiful and diverse nation- Malaysia. Both my parents are doctors and are ever so busy in their daily routine. My sister is in college and has the never ending vicious circle of mid term- final term- study break- mid term- final term....it goes on and on. To top it all, I'm a Software Engineer and have a grueling 9 hour job. So, in a nutshell, time is at a premium for my family and to have a time that we could spend together has always been a luxury. Fortunately we were able to find a 6 day window where my sis has a college break and I had a cluster of holidays coming. My mom and Dad also pitched in to take a brief sabbatical from their respective jobs and here we go, it was planned. It did take some time, but we all knew that we really need this break to unwind and rejuvinate ourselves.After years of daily grind(our last family trip was back in 2011), recuperation was the need of the hour.

 So, we decided the sight seeing option, booked flight tickets and hotels and embarked on our journey to peninsular Malaysia. The first pit stop for us was Langkawi, followed by Genting and then KL. We boarded the Malaysian Airlines flight( with fingers crossed, given the past record of the carrier), but boy, it was a smooth journey to reach the mesmerizing tiny island of Langkawi, just off the coast of Thailand in northern Malaysia. We saw various beached there- pristine white sand with shards of shells and oysters, turquoise water and azure sky. It was like a postcard

A next two days of our lives involved either snorkeling, coral spotting, seafood or a combination of these three and our great Langkawi trip ended. It was for the first time that I did not want a trip to end so maturely just for the sheer excruciating fun that we all had. Our next stop- Genting!!

Genting is a highland in wastern Malaysia, just an hour drive from the capital- KL. It is known a a hotspot for tourists from China, India, Thailand and of course the local Malay and is like a mini Las Vegas.

Genting also happens to have the worlds's largest hotel- The First World, which has a mind numbing 5000 rooms!. The Genting trip mainly involved a rope way ride and travelling through the vast premises of the hotel and the adjoining amusement park. We also found a restaurant serving amazing Indian buffet. God was answering the prayers at the rate of knots.

The drive from Genting to KL was interspersed by rains to add to the fun. Kuala Lamour turned out to be more or less as expected- plush malls, a deluge of skyscrapers and of course the twin towers. It was very clean and had a great transport system. Our hotel had an amazing view of the Minaret. All in all ,the view, the shopping, and of course the Malay cuisine, all made the trip so memorable and enchanting that it would be difficult to describe in words. The taste of Nasi Lemak and Sambal curry still lingers and my eyes still yearn for that picuresque white sand beaches in Langkawi.

 Terima Kasih Malaysia

Such amazing stories and anecdotes from our daily life makes us introspect and reflect on how much joy can giving give to us. A little bowl of broth can quench the hunger of a destitute, similarly a helping hand can go a long way in giving person hope and an objective to live. Housing.com also aims to touch lives of millions by providing them hope and fueling their ambitions. It is keen on providing the best services to its client base and make the world live better and thus breathe better.

The mantra for Housing is not just to redefine the way real estate is dealt with but also to make people live better and evolve. So, feel the change and  Look up!

Start a new life

Treading an unknown territory is always a hard decision. The uncertainty, the dilemma and the fear of failure ultimately creeps into most minds and our psyche gets into a perplexed state restricting us to try out new things and proceed towards new, sometimes risky opportunities which may have given our lives new direction altogether. Hence, to try or experience something new is a hard thing. One needs to take a risk, get out of that sweet comfort zone and sometimes even be ready to stake everything.

I've found myself being engulfed by quite a few novel situations which made me apprehensive but were a great learning experience. One such experience was during my school days when I had to travel to Coimbatore for a student symposium, for a week. Having been with my family all throughout and not leaving them even for a solitary day, I was extremely apprehensive and had inhibitions about this trip. Although, I was accompanied by my teachers and other shortlisted students from my batch but still there were jitters. as the day to depart neared, my fear knew no bounds. So much so that, I almost dropped the idea of going. It was then that my mother (my support system) told me the importance of doing things on one's own and knowing how to do things independently. She made me realize that in order to accomplish something, you have to explore and only then can you chase your dreams.Her motivating words did act like a tonic and after a couple of rebuttals and reassurances, I succumbed to her.

On the day of the departure, she came all the way to the Railway station to see me off. There were other parents too, who had accompanied theur children. finally when I stepped onto the train and it began to canter, I saw my mother there and realized how it is to leave your parents, even if it's just for a week. That particular journey/trip, did make me feel as a mature person who was capable of being self dependent and not habitual of being spoon feeded. I thouroughly enjoyed the symposium and never really felt being left out, though I was on my own.

I was 12 then, I'm 24 now. When I reflect upon that day, all that wrings my years in the breath, a fresh reverberating breath that whispers to me, "Son, never fear starting a new journey".






Such amazing stories and anecdotes from our daily life makes us introspect and reflect on how much joy can giving give to us. A little bowl of broth can quench the hunger of a destitute, similarly a helping hand can go a long way in giving person hope and an objective to live. Housing.com also aims to touch lives of millions by providing them hope and fueling their ambitions. It is keen on providing the best services to its client base and make the world live better and thus breathe better.

The mantra for Housing is not just to redefine the way real estate is dealt with but also to make people live better and evolve. So, feel the change and  Look up!

Never be feared to try anything new. You never know, starting something new, taking that elusive step...might just change your life, apparently forever. Carpe diem!


On this positive note, I sign off.

A healthy child makes a happy home

Children our a symbol of innocence and are the elixir of joy and unwavering hope and cheer. They are the life and breath of any household. Their chortles and giggles fill a house with positive vibes and make everyone forget their woes and worries.

I can relate to this emotion a lot as I remember how the birth of my youngest cousin changed the atmosphere of the household. It happened around 6 years ago when she was born. as the birth took place miles away in California, United States, we got to know about it only a day later. We had the first look of the little girl via Skype and it was a sweet experience to look at the tender infant. It brought a lot of joy to the entire family.

A few weeks later, she was infected by flu and the entire family was worried and their was a sense of despair. The chortle and the giggle of the child was missed. Therefore ,a child does hold they key to the happiness of a household and if he/she is unwell it directly or indirectly affects the chores and the lifeline of any family.

Ensuring good health and wellness of a child is therefore of prime importance. In case of my young sister, we ensured that she was subjected to proper vaccination and treatment so that she does  ot have to encounter any of these troubles in future. In this contemporary world, it is of prime importance to have home-cooked food and using domestic remedial ways instead of hardcore antibiotics which have side effects and do more harm than good. I do agree that for some illness we do have to switch to the english therapy system but including the Indian herbs in our daily routine can make us immune to these unwanted  ailments. Going by the methodologies adopted by our perspicacious forefathers, it becomes imperative for us to stay rooted and use the traditional "nuskhas", given to us through repetitive whims of our nanimas and dadimas, who encouraged us to use indigenous products made from no or minimal artificial or synthetic substances. We must resort to these remedial solutions if we want long lasting solutions to our day to day ailments. Products like Tulasi, Neem and Aloe Vera have also captured the fancy of the West and they have imbibed Ayurveda with more dedication and prudence than Indians!

Dabur has been known to bring out the most earthy yet effective cures for children as well as adults. It has been a tradition at Dabur to formulate therapies which can easily be consumed by children so that they may become strong internally and continue to bring warmth and positivity to their house. The prosperity of the house is directly proportional to the health of the family and Dabur has been the trusted name in this regard.

Visit https://www.liveveda.com/daburchyawanprash/ to know more about this.

Image credits : Patanjali.org

Elixir of life

The beauty in Malaysia,
like that of a bride.
The smells scattered like whorls on her visage,
the exhalation when she sighed.


Stopping by the farms,
growing rich red strawberry.
Dazzled by the smell,
like a heaven-struck fairy.


The poignance of that moment,
still afresh in my mind.
Blogging about it,
is anything but a grind.


Like iron to a magnet,
I was stuck to the smell
So sensuous the scape was
that I just had to dwell.


The smells throughout the travels,
eclectic and natural and aromatic 
Of petals, breeze and grass,
makes your heart acrobatic.


The terracotta mountains, 
turquoise waters around
The natural beauty served,
Knows no bound.

Dancing like a lunatic, 
the brain dispels misery
Like a pauper's resplendence,
when he comes across a treasury.

The effulgent sunshine gels,
the hibiscus and lavender.
The moist air fuses the smells
so subtle and sombre.

The dash of cool breeze,
coming from the sea.
The zen of the flora,
setting you free


A point on earth
where the yin-yan meet
A kernel of heaven,
where divine scents greet.

 
The poet awakens within you,
inspirations galore in kind.
The nostrils are spoilt for choice
as the soul engulfs the mind.




The picturesque gardens,
the hypnotic highland.
Malaysia is a vibrant flower,
in the world of garland.




The meditative environs,
you absorb all the vibes.
These are the days you yearn for,
the days on which live thrives.





So evocative were these travels,
like entering paradise via slide
The inhalation of scents felt,
like cryptic eyes of a bride.

This entry has been written exclusively for "Inspire a fragrance" Contest conducted by Godrej and powered by Indiblogger. The objective is to inspire with your evocative travel experience to help create the first crowd-inspired fragrances for Godrej aer. For more info regarding the same, visit godrejaer.com.

Culinary treasures with Borosil

Food is a genre that I don't resonate with and when it comes to blogging about food/cuisine, this is my debut. Before I begin my sojourn, I would like to thank IndiB and Borosil for bringing out ideas that force you out of your comfort zone and broaden your range.

I'm a hardcore North Indian punjabi and as any punjabi who thrives this planet, am extremely proud of the legendary cuisine my region possesses. The cuisine is renowned all over the world with people from England to Australia swearing by dishes like Tandoori Chicken, Dal Makhni and Sarson ka Saag.
Today, i would be sharing a dessert that is also a Punjabi speciality and was pioneered by my ancestors but is popular all over India and is one of the signature dishes.The dish, my dear readers, is called Gajar ka Halwa. [For the non-Indian readers, it's a sugar carmelized carrot pudding]

A delight during winters in India, this delectable dish has attained legendary status in the North-Indian lexicon. Every dadi, nani and mom has their own equally successful version of this ubiquitous dessert but I'd like to share mine, with inputs from my mother. Hope you'd try it!

Ingredients
2 cups thickly grated carrot
1 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp milk
4 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp mava (khoya){optional}
1 tbsp raisins (kismis)
1 tbsp chopped almonds (badam)
1/2 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder

Serves 4

Cooking time- 30 minutes

All set. Good to go.

Method

1.Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker; add the carrots and sauté on a medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes, while stirring continuously.

2.Add the milk, mix well and pressure cook for 1 whistle.

3.Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.

4.Transfer into a broad Borosil non-stick pan, add the sugar, mix well and cook on a high flame for 5 to 7 minutes, while stirring continuously.

5.Add the mava, mix well and cook for more 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring continuously.

6.Add the raisins, almonds and cardamom powder and cook for another 1 minute.

7.Serve hot or warm in a Borosil large bowl

Here, I have used milk to cook the carrots instead of the traditional khoya. The texture is creamier and the smell is aromatic. A mesmerizing dessert ready in minutes. As Nigella Lawson would have said, "It's my idea of perfect comfort food".




This confectionary has been created as per Borosil's order My beautiful food, powered by Indiblogger. Do browse through Borosil official site to purchase amazing kitchen ware and dishes.

Burp

#YWMA : Indiblogger never short of surprises

Excited about the latest Indiblogger meet - Your Wish My App (YWMA).


Nokia has once again interfaced for blogging and technology as we get braced to meet three superstars in their respective fields:
Tech guru Rajiv Makhni ,Star chef and michelin star restaurateur Vikas Khanna and the gaming wiz vishal Gondal. Promises to be a fun filled evening with useful inputs in technology, mobile apps and off course food.



Looking forward to my third Indi-meet!!


Off to the Oberoi, new Delhi
For more updates on the meet, watch the space.....




Udit

Ambi Pur meet :Reliving the moments

My second Indiblogger meet ended, and I've to say that it was as good as I anticipated it to be. Met some of my buddies from the blogging circuit, some greenhorns as well as some senior bloggers like Mr. Arvind Passey and Priyanka Dey. In a nutshell, it was pure unadulterated fun with a dose of laughter and an incentive of finger licking food, courtesy ,The Hyatt. The hospitality was awesome.



Now, I'd like to jot down the minutes of the Indiblogger meeting ,would try my best to include all the bits and the nibbles that I gained from this meet.

1. Started off with registration. Though there was pandemonium initially, but order was restored soon.
2. As everyone settled, the introductions started; first it was the newbies and then those with blogs on certain genres like social, fashion etc.
3. Some freebies were distributed to the winners of the pre-event contests where they were asked to send in pictures of something smelly.
4. Next, it was lunch time. A sumptuous lunch was on offer which had some amazing non-vegetarian food and delectable desserts.
5. All the bloggers re-gathered to the hall and the meet progresses. There was another round of introductions and freebie distribution. We were all given ambi pur room freshners of different fragrances.
6. Then came the highlight of the meet, the skit. All the bloggers were segregated on the basis of their fragrance(of the room freshners distributed earlier). A project manager was assigned to each group and then the real masti began. The rudimentary idea of this chore was to make the bloggers know one another and work as a team.
The theme of my group was Cartoons. We prepared a very funny skit in the stipulated 15 minutes. It was crazy as it had been nearly 5 years since I last participated in a skit. Anyhow, this was completely a different ball game. I got a great team with extremely dextrous mates who performed well. Had great fun.
7. Finally we had the signature photograph session and the IndiB shirt distribution ceremony :) (Thankfully, the color was different).
This was how my second IndiB neet culminated. Hoping to many more in future.

Some of the mates in my Fresh and happy team were:
1. Devika Gulati (http://devika-theessentialme.blogspot.in/)
2. Ankit Aggarwal (http://aka-raj.blogspot.in/)
3. Lovekesh (http://lovekeshkapoor.blogspot.in/)
4. Vibhor (http://www.vibrotics.blogspot.in/)
5. Aakash Govil
6. Sushen (http://www.techtuple.com/)
7.shubham(http://blog.shubhamsaxena.com/)

It was indeed a fresh and happy experience. I went from smelly to smiley in those 5 hours :D



Udit