MASKS

As I stare out of the window

Colorful masks stare back at me;

Some are happy, a few sad & a few angry!

I speculate about the real face behind this facade…

What are they concealing behind these colorful disguise?

Why do they hide themselves behind these masks?

I wonder…..

What mask am I wearing?

I try to portray a cheerful face camouflaging my sorrows!

Suppressing my dislike & disguising it with affection;

Alas but actually I am one among them. :-(

Though I know people are cloaking their real faces

I have failed to comprehend the real nature of many;

Is it because I do not want to see their true face

Or is it that I am too much attached to them that I refuse to see it!!

Nevertheless life has been a wonderful teacher….

Educating me to accept people & things as they are!!!

Refusing to acknowledge, leads to misery & loneliness;

Enjoy the masquerades & laugh out…..

Let us all join the drama by wearing our own MASKS!!

Do I have it in me?

So many ambitions & dreams,

Will they be transformed to reality?

All wishes are not granted!

Do I blame fate or is it my incompetence?

Is it a sin to desire?

Or is it an offense to aspire?

Aim for the sky says a proverb.

Scared to, as the fall will be devastating!

I wonder whether it is the attitude

Or do I really have it in me-------

To overcome my fears & obstacles

And to succeed.

What’s in a name?

Why are we given names? Of course it is to identify each other.

Do people with the similar names have same characteristics in them? Not necessarily…

And what makes a name special? It is the person who makes it distinctive & unique.

During college, three girls in my class shared my name. Mine was a common one at that time & every third person was named so. I wanted to rename myself with a more modern & trendy name. Since my name signified & meant “Goddess of Learning” I was dissuaded not to change my name.

When I reminisce those days, I always wonder about one thing. Whose face would my friends recollect when they are reminded of my name……………

Would they remember the introvert, the extrovert or the dreamer?

Many people, nowadays, opt to change their names according to numerology. Is it really going to help them is what actually matters. But will it be possible adjusting to the new name after having lived with the old name for a very long time?

Most of us have an affinity to certain names. What could be the main reason for that? The name, could have played an important part in our lives, might have been associated with a favorite famous personality or may perhaps have belonged to our first love.

All these are just possibilities for being in love with a name. Definitely 90% of people would agree that they have an attraction towards some names.

Shakespeare said:

“What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;”

L.M.Montgomery in “Anne of Green Gables” writes thus:

“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” 

I do not want to delve into these thoughts. All I would want to know is if I had been named differently would I have an altered personality?

Mango Rice(மாங்காய் சாதம்)

This is a different kind of rice that will appeal to your senses. The taste & smell of mango add more interest to this recipe.

Ingredients:

1.   Basmati rice- 1 cup

2.   Raw Mango (Totapuri variety)-2 small sized or 1 big

3.   Green chillies-2 to 3

4.   Oil-3 tsp

5.   Mustard-1tsp

6.   Urad dhal-1 tsp

7.   Channa dhal-1 tsp

8.   Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

9.   Asafoetida as per taste

10. Curry leaves as per taste

11. Salt as per taste

Method:

1.   Cook the rice separately with required amount of salt.

2.   Peel the mango & grate it using a wide eyed grater.

3.   Heat oil in a pan.

4.   Splutter mustard seeds. Add urad dhal & channa dhal.

5.   When the dhals turn golden brown add the green chillies & curry leaves.

6.   Add the turmeric powder & grated mango.

7.   Next add the asafoetida. Fry till the water from mango evaporates.

8.   Add the cooked rice & remove from fire.

9.   Mix well & serve.

This rice can be served with any தயிர் பச்சடி of your choice.

Ode to the Chocolate

Why do I always crave for you?

Your alluring color,

And your delectable taste

Have made me your devotee!

I am restricted to meet you

But I cannot elude you.

Your aroma makes me dazed

And I forget myself in your taste.

Oh dear chocolate…….

When can I openly relish you??!!

Let us lend a hand

What is the reason for increasing suicidal tendencies in youth?

Increased expectations from parents paired with academic pressure have burdened them. Suicide is the dangerous step taken by the students in an attempt to end their distress after failing in their quest for academic excellence.

Other reasons for suicide could be failure or rejection by the society & not for monetary reasons as it was earlier. Generation gap also plays a vital role in compelling them to take the drastic step.   Stress, confusion, insecurity, and pressure to succeed can be overpowering to teenagers.

In this age youth are exposed to a variety of distractions. Social websites are plenty. Wrong friends, unwanted relationships also force them to take painful decisions as they are not able to digest failure from any angle.

Today’s youths are unable to control their emotions. When they do not get the expected results, future appears bleak. Unable to handle the pressure, they resort to the extreme step.

Parents are busy with their own professional lives & they hardly find time for their children’s problems. In today’s nuclear families, parents and kids spend limited time together. Children are not getting proper socialization resulting in the inability to tackle challenges of life. Loneliness and the inability to discuss their problem lead them to take the extreme step.

 Youngsters today do not engage themselves in any physical activity. Most of them spend their time watching TV, movies or playing video games at the air conditioned comfort of their home. They are unable to tolerate any discomfort & get irritated by the simplest of things.

This generation is going through a bout of attitude problems & it is high time they are educated about true values in life. Parents should also spend quality time with the children to understand their problems. Meditation, counseling & sports will definitely aid in boosting the confidence & morale of these children.

As parents it is our moral duty to support our children whenever required. Let us try to find hidden talents in them rather than compelling them to pursue something of our choice. Parents should also not follow a military environment at home. We are dealing with kids & not machines. Let us be more broad-minded in our views when handling our children.

Simple Rasam

After 3 literary posts I decided to explore my cooking expertise. I wanted to post a “sweet” recipe but ended up with this “Rasam” as "ரசம் இல்லாமல் வாழ்வில் ரசம் இல்லை."

Ingredients:

·         Tuvar dhal-3 tsp

·         Whole dhania-1 ½ tsp

·         Pepper corns-1 tsp

·         Jeera- 1tsp

·         Red chillies-2

Pressure cook the above mentioned ingredients & grind to a smooth paste.

·         Turmeric powder=1/2 tsp

·         Asafoetida- a few pinches/according to taste

·         Tamarind-size of medium sized lemon

·         Tomato-1 ripe

·         Salt to taste

For Garnishing:

·         Ghee-1 tsp

·         Mustard-1 tsp

·         Jeera-1/2 tsp

·         Curry leaves- a few

·         Dhania leaves- a few

Method:

·         Soak tamarind in water & extract. Mix with water to make 2 cups.

·         Chop tomatoes finely & add them to the tamarind water. Add asafoetida, salt & turmeric powder & allow it to boil.

·         Once the raw taste & smell of tamarind disappears, add the ground paste. Dilute the rasam according to taste.

·         Once the rasam froths up remove from fire.

·         Garnish with curry & dhania leaves.

·         Heat ghee. Splutter mustard seeds & jeera.

·         Add the same to the rasam.

·         The rasam is now ready.

Rasam can be served with hot rice & any curry of your choice.The given quantity can serve up to 3 persons.