Tag: India

Happy New Year

Don’t let the name fool you. This movie is not about the New Year. In fact, to all the Indian readers out there, this a definite movie you have to watch. It is in Hindi, so unless you can understand Hindi or have a way of having subtitles, this is not the movie for you. To others, this movie, to me, is a 10/10 (I am an 11 year-old, so don’t put anything against me, it’s just what I think.) It is the gumbo pot of sweetness. It contains the right mixture of things, such as comedy, action, and most importantly, a good storyline. Hold on to your horses, ’cause we are in for a bumpy ride!

Synopsis

The story starts out with a man who fights at a fight-club for money. His name is Charlie. You see, Charlie has never been able to earn any money. Ever. In his life. (but he still owns a pretty sweet apartment.) In his apartment, Charlie notices the news. It reports that Charan Grover, the multimillionaire, has announced that he will be traveling to Dubai to drop off 7 priceless Mughal Dynasty-era diamonds.  Charlie, the broke fighter, realizes that this man is the same man who framed his father for stealing those same diamonds 12 years ago. Charlie quickly assembles a team of masterminds, who are also somehow related to Charlie’s father, Manohar. One of them is a retired bomb squad sergeant who deaf in one ear. He is easily insulted if he hears any meek comments about his mother, who he worships. The team is ridiculously hilarious, but they are working towards one goal: to destroy Charan Grover’s life for ruining Charlie’s father’s life. All this ends up being really funny, and as part of their heist, they have to participate in the WDC: World Dance Championship. The prize? A trophy made of pure gold, and a sample of the Mughal diamonds, and a check for $1,000,000.




Overall Review

This movie contains a lot of action, comedy, and a good storyline. I do not have a score, as it is your duty now to watch the movie and see for yourself, how this movie is. By the way, if you are also a fan of chick flicks, then this movie is also for you. It gets very emotional at times, and if you cry a lot during sad movies, please have Kleenex at the ready, for both the sad and the funny parts. 🙂

Idli Recipe

Idli is one of the famous South Indian dishes which is savored by many people. However, the preparation needs careful practice otherwise they may turn rock hard. Here is the recipe for idlis.

Beans are a very healthy meal for strength. Dry beans can be soaked or cooked to prepare a variety of recipes. Idli is one of the recipes made of  urad dal or Vigna mungo, a special kind of beans grown in Asia. Follow these steps to make smooth idlis.

  1. Soak one cup of urad dal for overnight or five hours.
  2. Grind the soaked dal with little water to make a smooth batter.
  3. Wash three cups of idli rava (Cream of rice) in water.
  4. Drain all the water from the rava and mix in the urad dal batter.
  5. Add salt and mix the batter.
  6. Let the batter remain outside for three hours to five hours.
  7. Make idlis and store the rest of the batter in fridge.

Note that you may substitute cream of wheat or parboiled rice (soak and grind) along with the urad dal batter. You will also need muffin maker type vessel to pour the batter and steam them for about ten to fifteen minutes. Non-stick microwave or electric vessels also provide a fat-free method to prepare idlis.

Idlis go well with peanut chutney. Dry roast pea nuts and peel the skin off. Grind pea nuts, green chillis, dhaniya powder, and coriander. Add seasoning and serve. Coconut, coriander, or ginger chutney may be prepared to serve with idlis.

Idlis with sambar make a good dinner or breakfast. Enjoy. 🙂

Fight Against Corruption

Well, corruption is an international epidemic prevalent in all countries. According to the 2010 corruption index, Somalia is the most corrupt country and Singapore, Denmark, and New Zealand are the least corrupt countries. Corruption hinders a nation’s progress no matter how hard its leaders try. Citizens are fighting back corruption through all means. In India, a social activist, Anna Hazare, opted for a hunger strike to pass a bill against corruption.

Corruption

Corruption is as common as the money itself. It may be getting a college seat, a railway reservation, or a movie ticket, piracy, human right abuse, or major scams involving governments and politicians. Huge amounts of money or goods are exchanged pushing a country in to its decline. Transparency International, a Berlin based firm, recently released a list of corruption index in the world. The results are alarming.

Here are the most corrupt countries:

  1. Somalia: 1.1
  2. Myanmar: 1.4
  3. Afghanistan: 1.4
  4. Iraq: 1.5
  5. Uzbekistan: 1.6
  6. Turkmenistan: 1.6
  7. Sudan: 1.6
  8. Chad: 1.7
  9. Burundi: 1.8
  10. Republic of Equatorial Guinea: 1.9

Here are the least corrupt countries:

  1. Denmark: 9.3
  2. New Zealand: 9.3
  3. Singapore: 9.3
  4. Finland: 9.2
  5. Sweden: 9.2
  6. Canada: 9.1
  7. The Netherlands: 8.9
  8. Australia: 8.7
  9. Switzerland: 8.7
  10. Norway: 8.6

The corruption index of 10 is highly clean and 0 is highly corrupt. The most corrupt countries have weak governments while the least corrupt countries set up strict measures against corruption.

Anna Hazare

India’s corruption index is 3.3, which is highly dangerous to its growth. Despite large educated population, exports, and growing economy, India is still suffering from corruption. Transparency and accountability are absent in most of the public and private sectors. Education, healthcare, revenue, judicial, transportation, and political corruption is prevalent in India. Corrupt politicians and criminal leaders tend to rule the developing nation. Though rich in natural and human power resources, India’s growth is hindered by its corruption. The youth and the learned desire a thorough revamp of the entire system.

Anna Hazare is a social activist in India who has been working for social causes since man years. At age 73 years, he resorted for hunger strike for passing Lokpal bill. According to the bill, any corrupt case is handled by a special committee of representatives whose verdict stands against over any other department or committee. A retired soldier and the recipient of Padmashri award, Anna Hazare has inspired many lives and is fighting for the justice in rural India.

Social Media

Let’s not undermine the power of social media in the light of latest revolutions in the Middle East. You can join Anna Hazare during his fast and support him on his facebook page. The fight against corruption will need the support and backing of many citizens worldwide.

World Cup Cricket 2011

World cup has a significance in most of the cricket followers’ lives. Apart from the players and coaches, the entire world stands with the team and cheers. World cup cricket provides an opportunity to witness some of the greatest games, boost the economy, and may often link to important events in the family.

ICC

The International Cricket Council monitors and administers the cricket worldwide. The World Cup is a greatest event in the cricket and the cup is prestigious. Since 1975, the world cup has been entertaining audiences and encouraging players. The players and teams have official sponsors and promotions.

ICC regulates the rules for the games. They monitor and approve the players, playing conditions, the grounds, umpires, the decision Review Systems, Code of conduct, and other key aspects of the cricket games. All the 105 member countries abide to the rules and participate in the greatest game. The ICC also governs women’s cricket, test matches, twenty-twenty matches, apart from the one day internationals.

World Cup 2011

In 2011, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are hosting the games. The opening ceremony was in Dhaka, Bangladesh with amazing presentations and performances from regional and international artists. The official maskot, Stumpie, the elephant and the official song, ‘De Ghumake’ by Shankar, Ehsaan, and Loy are the favorites this  year.

This year fourteen countries are competing in the world cup.  The teams include:

Group A Captain Coach
New Zealand Daniel Vettori John Wright
Sri Lanka Kumar Sangakkara Trevor Bayliss
Canada Ashish Bagai Pubudu Dassanayake
Kenya Jimmy Kamande Eldine Baptiste
Australia Ricky Ponting Tim Nielsen
Pakistan Shahid Afridi Waqar Younis
Zimbabwe Elton Chigumbura Alan Butcher
Group B Captain Coach
India MS Dhoni Gary Kirsten
Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan Jamie Siddons
England Andrew Strauss Andy Flower
Ireland William Porterfield Phil Simmons
Netherlands Peter Borren Peter Drinnen
South Africa Graeme Smith Corrie van Zyl
West Indies Darren Sammy Ottis Gibson

The teams are rated based on certain points and the top four from each group compete for the quarter finals. After four quarter finals and two semi-finals, the top two compete for the finals in Mumbai, India on April 2nd this year.

Many viewers visit the stadiums and billions of viewers view the games through the television channels or internet broadcasts. ESPN Star Sports is the major broadcaster apart from other providers. All the cricketers are in their good shapes and spirits to fight and win the world cup despite their differences and injuries. 🙂

The world cup winners so far are:

  1. 1975 – West Indies
  2. 1979 – West Indies
  3. 1983 – India
  4. 1987 – Australia
  5. 1992 – Pakistan
  6. 1996 – Sri Lanka
  7. 1999 – Australia
  8. 2003 – Australia
  9. 2007 – Australia

Who do you think will win this year? 🙂

Deepavali-a festival of lights

Hi!

This is my first blog!


Deepavali is a festival of lights celebrated by Hindus throught the world. It is celebrated in the month of November on no-moon day.

It is the day Satyabhama 2’nd wife of Lord Krishna killed the BIG FAT DEMON…Narakasura the son of mother earth.

Friends and families gather at a place and blast fireworks. Last,then share variety of desserts.

Here is how I celebrated Deepavali :

Let me know how you celebrated!

Vankai Baaji – Recipe

Vankai baaji is a traditional recipe prepared in India. While there are multiple methods to prepare, here is the one followed by me.

Ingredients

  • Eggplant or brinjal or vankai – 4 small or 1 large
  • Onion sliced – 1 cup
  • Coriander powder – 1 table spoon
  • Red chilli powder – 3 table spoons
  • Salt – to taste
  • Oil – 1 table spoon
  • Coriander leaves or Cilantro – 2 table spoons

Method

  1. Take the raw brinjal and microwave for five minutes. Or, you can roast on stove flame until the it is cooked.
  2. Next, peel the brinjal skin and put the soft part in a bowl.
  3. Mash the brinjals with hands in to a paste.
  4. Add onions, coriander powder, red chilli powder and salt.
  5. Mix well with a spoon.
  6. Add oil and coriander leaves at the end.

Serve with hot rice. You can add one tablespoon lemon juice to taste better. You may add tomatoes if you like. This dish also tastes good if you add tadka.

Try this recipe and tell me how it is. 🙂