Nest in the hills-Bhutan diary

Swaying in pristine beauty,
Dogged in its duty
Full of fervour,
Plentiful in zest
The land of dragon,
At its very best

Humility dripping from,
This chilly windy nest
The people and the culture,
No lows, only crests
Respect and courtesy for nature,
Is the land's inherent feature


In this world of numbers,
Unfazed- the land of thunder
The nature wraps its arms around,
Makes a tourist, a pilgrim
Mind invigorated, happiness gala,
Be it Thimpu, Paro or Chele La


The flutter of the prayer flags,
The maroon robed monks' chant
The grandeur of the dzongs,
Astounded by the unblemished serenity
This tiny kingdom, keeping abreast,
Giving time a stern test

Giving modernism those tiny jibes,
The people draped in gho and kira
Blushing in their happy vibes
The snowy Himalayas give the backdrop.
To yaks locking horns on a hillock
And pheasants chortle in a flock


Walking down the alleys,
Trekking through the hills
The peace monk-like,
The pines gushing in glory
An eerie moment of silence,
It is in the world of offence

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.

Pit stop for gluttons- Singapore

Whenever one mentions Singapore in a conversation, the first and foremost thing that gets added is its immense economic strength, ease of doing business, a high standard of living and of course, great hospitality. But, if there's a genre where people highly underestimate this tiny peninsular Asian nation is food. The Singaporeans have got highly receptive taste buds and are not ready to compromise on what they eat. They salvage great pride in mentioning it as the gastronomic spot of Asia.

Surrounded by Malaysia and in close vicinity to Thailand, Singapore's cuisine has often been overshadowed by Thai and Malay food; far more popular around the world due to the large diaspora of the two. But, the fact of the matter is that Singapore contains all the distinctive elements of Malay (and some of Thai) cooking embellished by its own idiosyncratic flavors. Hence, if you haven't tasted authentic Singapore cuisine yet, you're missing out on something big and finger licking.

Being an avid traveler and having spent weeks in South east Asia, I can definitely say that certain dishes are characteristic of this region. One of the most versatile dishes that I tasted during my travels was Nasi Lemak. This is a fragrant dish which is rice cooked in coconut mil generally served with a thai curry or ayam (chicken), sambal paste or rendang (meat dish). The spicy accompaniment is what makes all the difference and amkes Nasi Lemak a rather satisfying meal.

Nasi Lemak started out as a dish for a poor served to daily wage farmers and labourers but over time it has become a rather signature dish of Malay cuisine and due to the confluence of Malay and Singapore culture, it is a decadent dish in the cosmopolitan Singapore. The dish has become so ubiquitous now that there are Michelin star chefs preparing the different version of Nasi Lemak right from UK to China. The classical version though is native to Malay cuisine which includes nuts and egg.

Image source: Wiki

Nasi Lemak traditionally, a breakfast dish is now synonymous with south Asian flavors and is spoken in the same breath with Thai curries.Traditionally wrapped in a  pandan leafs and served with meat, some restaurants are now continuing this age old tradition of using a leaf (gnerally banana) to serve this dish in order to retain the flavor. As a glutton, the key is what the rice is served with. I personally enjoy it with chicken or sambal but people in Singapore prefer it with ikan kuning fish ,egg or otah (grilled fish cake)

The prefernces for the sides is directly proportional to the number of taste buds and the idea of a perfect Lemak is different for different people. Such is the versatility of this dish that has attained cult status now is the Malaysian peninsula. If you haven't tried it yet, get, set and wok right now!! and if you happen to be a lazy food mad freak like me, just hop to Dunlop St or Redhill or any famous hawker stall and see for yourself. Feel your taste buds and satiate them.

For more delicious recipes and to find more about the hospitality/ cuisines/ etc. of the far east, check discover.stayfareast.com. This site offers the best of the east!



The Meme that I created to define the quintessential Singaporean cuisine:

A thing of beauty

The most divine emotions known to man are happiness and hope. Perhaps the most intangible thing that can ever be, inexplicable, with no conformed boundaries or explanations. Every soul that graces this world has his/her own idea of it- for some it's money, for some it's love, for some it's the love for money, and so on.

There are several incidents and moments we come across that give us the feeling of hope and instills in us the true definition of mankind. When ordinary people around us achieve things that matters so much to them, that's happiness and hope. One such incident that enthralled me and lingers on my mind even today.

My housemaid was illiterate and hadn't been to school ever in her life. She was a single mother of two and was determined to provide her sons with quality education. Right from my junior classes, she used to ask me to give my old books to her so that her sons' could use them. I used to give her my books as there was a hope that I could contribute to a needy person. The feeling of hope and optimism made me help her as I could see how tenacious she was.

Her tenacity and will finally bore fruit as her elder son was able to clear his Class X board exams in flying colors. Nor did he get first division, but also stood first in his class. The most memorable moment was when my maid came to our house with her son and showed us his report card. The feelings cannot be put into words. That is one day which will always be etched in my memory. It was not blase or banal. It was something massive and pious. I felt that I'd contributed in a nobel cause. Well, today when I reflect upon it, I feel that it was the least I could have done and a smile quivers on my lips.

The famous John Keats proverb that immortalized him in English literature quips, " A thing of beauty is a joy forever". Indeed this incident was a thing of beauty. It gave hope to someone and smile to someone. There were no petty expectations or pretentions. It was sanctimonious.


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!

Regain your face value

Face is an aspect of a body which is exposed to maximum scrutiny and also has the maximum exposure to the external contaminants. It is an important aspect in a way that historically and culturally, it determines a lot about our overall personality and lead to several prejudices or preconceived notions. So, it becomes imperative for us to have a face that reflects our true self and boosts our confidence.

In this world full of stress and fatigue due to the fast paced lives and the daily grind, once tends to become oblivious of the brunt our face faces during the drill. Be, it the shimmering sun or the obnoxious dust storm; be it the harsh winters or the hot winds during the peak summers, all play protagonists in the face-spoiler film, which pivots around our lives. Lack of care and usage of cheap cosmetics compound the problems further and lead to disappointing consequences. The most common cause of concern across all genders that involves our face is- yes, you guessed it right, Pimples!.


Pimples in our facial world are as common as AK-47s in Afghanistan. Pimples are ubiquitous and all of us at some point of our lives have had to live with them, "face" them. Instead of veiling it with a fancy hairdo or trying to hide them by hibernating for a few days is not the solution. As an adolescent, I had the issue with pimples several times and I have resorted to using the best available herbal face wash- Garnier Pure Active Neem. The most pertinent part about this is that it doesn't contain any toxic ingredients that drench your natural facial oils and does not make you susceptible to pigmentation. Rather, it nourishes your skin by removing all the superficial oil and dirt that has embedded in your epidermal tissues. To know more about this highly recommended product, visit : GarnierPureActiveNeemWebsite.



Another natural way to enhance the inherent innocence of your skin is to include ample of water and fruits in your diet. The turbulence of your job and commitments shouldn't alter this facet of your life, Fruits like plums, apricots as well as veggies like cucumber are very soothing for your skin and help you to repel unwanted intruders like pimples. To know more about such tips and tricks for that perfect and youthful skin, so read this amazing blog: http://www.nopimplesnomarks.com/

Live healthy, live happy and remember our face is the mirror of our health and wellness so let the glow remain.

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

Rejuvenating in Dhauj- A team trip

15th February, 2014: The enthusiasm was at its peak, as the GDN Workplace team at CSC, Noida geared up  for its excursion to Dhauj, a quaint highland on the outskirts of Delhi. Members from all the regions, namely Asia, Australia and EMEA joined for this journey which started early in the morning.
The calls were put in place, people informed about the assembling time as the journey began. By afternoon, the teams reached Dhauj- some huffing and puffing through the dilapidated farms, evading cattle and water puddles; for others who were aware about the right route, it was relatively less back-breaking. The travails of the travel were instantly subsided by the exquisite landscape before our eyes. The great Aravalis around us, farms providing the tinge of green to the miles of clean blue sky hovering above us. It was indeed picturesque. The weather Gods also provided respite with some sunshine in the afternoon.

After a quick bite, the team set out for its first activity- Rock Climbing. We were given safety guidelines as the climbing started. Some were smart enough to find an alternative route to the summit, for others it was the rope and the harness which was to be used. climbing the 100 feet rock was not as nerve-racking as I thought as I somehow managed to reach the top only to find the most agile person on tour, Jai, enjoying the view from the peak. Other team members also undertook rock climbing as they shunned all the fears and inhibitions and the regular hooting from the base to reach the peak. Excessive portfolios were shot at the top, as if the Mount Everest was the rock we had climbed. Low on energy but high on spirits, we descended the rock.

Next we had a string of activities lined up for us; a game where in we had to pick cards in order(without touching any other card), passing the ring and tug-of-war. The participation was amazing and it was a refreshing experience for me to participate in such fun-filled activities since junior school. Barring from the few whose waistlines prohibited rings to be passed through  their amazingly round bodies, others actually did quite well in the ring activity. The tug-of -war was also lopsided, the fat ones at an advantage here.This was followed by volleyball matches or a walk around the place or just relaxing as tea was served.

The amusement continued the following hours with the bon-fire and the fun roleplay session where activities varied from insalubrious to audacious. Some of the tasks left the team flummoxed, while some garnered praise for their creative intent. It was great to see the maverick side of the managers who I thought would be the serious kind. After dancing like lunatics to bollywood songs, completely oblivious to the hectic IT life that awaited them, our team finally got to the bed, ending a day of great fun and frolic.

In a nutshell, the trip, though sometimes excruciating,was a great way to rewind and give that necessary boost to come out fresher in the following days.It was heartening to see the team cooperating and coming together to make this self-funded tour a great success. I am certain that this trip would act as a catalyst and would facilitate better team bonding and great experiences to share in future.

Hoping to have more such excursions!


Udit

Domiciliary Remedies

In this era of technology and pretence, where life saving and growth facilitating tools and equipments have become the definition of medical aid and progress, conceiving the concept of traditional methods of medication and remedial therapies is considered obsolete, if not a blunder.

We come from the land of Ayurveda, inheriting the wisdom of our ancestors who intermittently emphasized on the importance of using natural and eco-friendly substances as an elixir to get rid of any ailment and ensure a holistic growth.

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 indegenous products made from no or minimal artificial or synthetic substances. "Traditions are meant to be followed", is a proverb that hold pertinence in this regard. If our good old grandmother has been given the importance of indigenous and herbal remedies, it's quite certain that, with due respect to modern science and its complexes, there is a kernel of truth involved in our age old methods. It leaves me flummoxed sometimes to see Indians thinking twice before consuming something indigenous. Why is there an ironic drift towards extraneous healthcare and products. Have we become slaves of flashy advertisements or we paranoid of our inherited knowledge.

Since the time of Patanjali, Charaka and Sushrutha, there has been some deeply followed and scientifically proven steps as to how to go about providing care and providing a shield to a newborn till he reaches a stage when the bone and tissue formation is complete. Centuries have gone by, adopting this method, oblivious to the chagrins of the West. But, suddenly, in this age of information technology and the axiom of "jo dikhta hai, wo hi bikta hai", we have started to create a chasm, a steep one, where we have enslaved our precious pearls of domiciliary remedies to the barbarian synthetic traders. Daily use baby products like soap and baby oil are essential for ensuring strong bones and soft skin. Products like Mughli ghutti, Chyavanprash and honey are also benefactors to toddlers. These products cannot be found in any allopathic lexicon. Giving a Dashmoolarisht is better, way better, than giving that paracetamol, which not only is noxious to a baby but also causes drowsiness. apparently, the Food and Drug association (FDA), has also come out with a list of medicines and drugs that cannot be administered on children of specific age groups citing their side effects.

The wonders of traditional knowledge our not just limited to infants. Adults, pregnant ladies and old people also benefit equally through its vast bounty of herbs and extracts. Consuming turmeric-milk fosters quick healing, Shilajeet is equivalent to what the Ranbazy and the Pzier call the viagra, Saunf (Aniseeds) become our traditional mouth freshner, wheres Heeng (Asafoetida) revs up the digestive process...the list is not exhaustive by any stretch of imagination. Specially, during the formative years of a child, Ayurveda has a plethora of products to offer, from hair oil, to the body oil for that tender maalish, that forms the crux of his physical development So, why do we need to look for alternatives manufactured by these multinational conglomerates which are half as effective and twice as costly?

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!

The time to cling on to these traditional therapies for sustained results. They not only give us results without causing any unwanted effects but help us save money and value our indigenous knowledge. It gives India that edge in the universal cosmetic sphere, which it deserves; it's the land of Ayurveda afterall. 

The one that is grown on our land,

Nurtured by our muddy hand.

Day by day, we see it grow,

Reaching high from a low.

Culminating into something big,

Withering, Standing, doing a jig.

Protecting it from external danger,

Shielding it like a lone ranger.

This article has been written as an entry to the Indiblogger contest : Traditional Knowledge, Natural Growth sponsered by Dabur Lal. Click to explore more about this herbal oil from India's leading company, Dabur.

Udit Bhatia

Modern healthcare: Injecting a pulse to the patient

Health is the most significant commodity of human existence. The lack of good and efficient medical facilities have been the cardinal need since the bygone era. From the advent of Ayurveda to the prowess of Charak and Sushrutha, medicine has indeed come a long way. The rapid development in the potency of life saving drugs and vaccinations have made our life safer and has increased the average life expectancy in the last few decades. Though, the developments in the various branches of medicinal therapies, namely Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Yunani and the like are rapid and have given us answers to many maladies and chronic diseases but the needs just keep on mounting for infrastructure and quality healthcare for all. Modern Healthcare shouldn't just be limited to the upper middle class living in plush urban towns but quality healthcare is needed equally if not more, in the remote villages where many people can't afford the rudimentary medical aids and are less erudite about the importance of health and hygiene.

There is a kernel of truth in the fact that most hospitals and health-oriented organisations today target the rich and provide them with the best of facilities and aids thereby filling their own pockets with tons of cash. It has indeed become a lucrative business that involves and demand and supply strategy involving the pragmatic nexus of doctors and medical honchos and the chemists/drug dealers. Though, there's nothing immoral about doing business but what is against the ethics is duping the poor patients by giving them apocryphal treatment in the name of tests and preliminary diagnosis.

The positives of modern healthcare definitely overshadows the cons. The advent of robotic surgeries used for by-pass operations, LASIK, IVF and other cutting edge technologies have been boon to patients and doctors alike.This has given a lease of life to major hospitals like AIIMS where more than half a million (500000) patients tread everyday from all over India for their healthcare needs. Though the healthcare scene in the developed countries is self sufficient and satisfactory, in developing countries much still needs to be done in terms of cutting edge technology and providing super speciality  hospitals and infrastructure at affordable prices. The need of the hour is to debilitate the burden from the Government hospitals ans private players need to come up. We have many private hospitals who are helping in this cause now. APOLLO is one of them providing innovative healthcare solutions to the deceased and the trodden. Many foreigners also have started travelling to India for treatment which is a positive sign from the perspective of our medical growth and technology

There are many illnesses whose answers are available to us today through path breaking research and as per WHO many of the epidemics of yesteryears like polio and small pox have been predominantly eradicated from our country. This deserves a thumbs up to our hospitals. Bringing a smile to cancer patient or to a child less couple is something that has been possible only due to hardwork and the gradual developments. Providing long lasting relief and hassle free mealthcare is certainly the biggest thing a patient can ask and Modern Healthcare passes the litmus test on that front.





This article is written as an entry for the APOLLO and indiblogger initiative "How Modern Healthcare touches our lives".