Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Living Skills Must For A Better World



We do have a rich culture indefinitely, but what good is a rich culture, if we don’t practice good living skills.

We won't become a leader, just by saying that we have an old rich culture. We have to do more than that.

We lack in living skills because in our younger years we really don’t practice it practically. We do teach our young ones but just theoretically, they don’t indulge in it practically.  

Rather they are indulged into mugging up A to Z and 1 to 100 to get the first grade. In this process, we miss out on teaching them the most important part that is living skills, which is mostly done by the parents for their children. 

What I feel is in early years children should be more focused on practicing motor skills, daily living skills like practicing personal hygiene, grooming, dressing, undressing, laundry, meal preparation, feeding, housekeeping, home safety and etc.

These teachings should not just be about keeping themselves or their home clean and safe, but also their environment, flora and fauna.

And these skills should be practiced practically in homes, schools and the environment.

There is a very wrong perception that people have about keeping their surroundings safe and clean. They think that keeping the environment safe and clean is somebody’s job, but I would like to enlighten them that it is every citizen’s responsibility.

Once these living skills are well imbibed into children’s, then we can move on to involve children with other academic studies.

The aim is not just explaining to them why these skills are important, but also to see  that they actually practice it their whole life. It is about teaching them not to look down upon such activities, but to teach them it’s every citizen’s responsibility to practice it and keep themselves and their environment safe and clean. It’s about making them experience these activities and respect it and its outcome.  

The life remains same without any improvement if you don’t experience it and respect it.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Places to visit in Dehradun



Dehradun is a beautiful valley surrounded by Shivalik Hills in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, which is also the capital of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Tourism welcomes travelers to explore various tourist attractions in Dehradun.







Robbers cave is a 600 meter long naturally formed cave with a cool stream flowing inside it. It is situated in Guchhu Pani, Anarwala which is around 8 km from Dehradun City. The spot is well connected by frequent public and private transport. It is a perfect picnic spot for travelers. The caves stay open from 7 am to 7 30 pm. You can spend a nice time exploring the cave, swimming in the Tons River or the swimming pool, or preparing a meal near the river. There are many eatery shops available in the area in case you don’t plan to cook your meal.





Sahastradhara which means “Thousand Fold Spring” is a popular tourist spot in Dehradun. The stream is part of Baldi River which is rich in sulphur thought to be good for the skin. The spot is 14 km from Dehradun city and is well connected by public and private transport. The spot remains open from 8 am to 7 pm. Travelers can swim and cool off in the Sulphur spring and also enjoy a ropeway ride to enjoy the magnificent view of the surrounding hills. There are many eatery shops available to take care of your appetite.





Sai Darbar Temple is a beautiful temple made out of marble situated in Rajpur Road. It is well connected by public and private transport. The temple remains open every day. Devotees of Sai Baba visit the temple to pray and there is Bandara given every Thursday by the devotees.



The Kalinga Smarak is a famous war memorial of the Anglo Gorkha War fought between the Britishers and the Gorkhas in 1814 to capture the fort of Nalapani. The memorial is one of its kind in the world, built by the Britishers to show respect to the bravery of the Gorkhas. It was due to this bravery of the Gorkhas the Britishers later recruited them in their army. The Kalinga Smarak is situated in the Sahatradhara Road and is 5 km from the city. It is well connected by public and private transport. The Smarak remains open daily from 6 am to 7 pm.      



Sakya Centre Buddhist Monastery is an educational center and a monastery situated in Rajpur Road. The temple is a well designed architecture with elaborate painted interior and scenic grounds. The temple remains open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. It is well connected by public and private transport. Devotees visit the temple to pray and relax in the tranquil ambience of Buddha.  




Mindrolling Monastery is an educational center and a monastery situated in Clement Town. The temple is built in a large compound with beautiful architectures, statues, and gardens. The temple remains open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. It is well connected by public and private transport. Devotees visit the temple to pray and relax in the tranquil ambience of Buddha.   



Tapkeshwar Temple is a Lord Shiva cave temple where Guru Dronacharya once stayed. The cave has a beautiful Shivling, and water from the ceiling of the cave continuously falls on the Shivling making it a pleasant sight to watch. The cave is situated in Garhi Cantt alongside the Tons River which is a tributary of Yamuna River. The temple remains open from 6 am to 7 pm. It is well connected by public and private transport. Devotees visit the temple to pray and relax in the tranquil ambience of Lord Shiva.    



Dehradun Zoo also called Malsi Deer Park is a part of Malsi Forest Reserve situated in Mussoorie Road. The park is a popular picnic attraction. The park has many animals including Deer and Leopard. The park also has various slides and swings for the kids and eatery shops. The park remains open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. It is well connected by public and private transport. The visitors can have a fun time with the animals and the scenic forest surroundings.



Forest Research Institute is a premier institute of the Indian Council and Forestry Research and Education, which was declared a Deemed University in 1991. The institute was built in 1906 in 4.5 square kilometers near Kaulagarh and Chakarata Road. The Institute has a beautiful Colonial and Greco Roman style architecture with massive green gardens which are a delight to watch. The institute has 6 museums dedicated to Forestry and Research which are quite popular amongst visitors. The Institute also hosts the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy that trains Indian Forest Service officers. FRI is open daily from 9 am to 1 pm and 2 30 pm to 5 30 pm for visitors except on gazette holidays. It is well connected by public and private transport.   



Paltan Bazar is situated near Clock Tower which stretches till Railway Station. It is a popular market where you could find all types of items. It is well connected by public and private transport.     

(For travel information please visit http://rttoursandtravel.club/) 


Thursday, April 16, 2020

Nepalese Food




Nepalese food has evolved from India’s neighboring Himalayan friend Nepal. Nepal is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country having 126 distinct ethnic groups, speaking 123 different mother tongues.

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in Nepal employing more than a million people and contributing 7.9% of the total GDP.

Nepalese cuisine has a variety of dishes made from local produce and has been influenced by different cultures and the ingredients brought by them. Nepalese food includes cereals, pulses, vegetables, meat and dairy. The main cuisines of Nepal are the Khas cuisine, Himalayan cuisine (Tibetan, Thakali), Newar cuisine, Lohorung cuisine, Terai cuisine and other ethnic variations.

There are many Nepalese who live in India who are either Indian citizens or Nepali citizens. They are also called as Gurkha or Gorkhali. Indian army has 7 Gorkha regiments that recruit Gorkhali of both Indian or Nepali nationality. Nepalese culture is not so different from Indian culture, as they have been influenced by the same religions over the era.

The state of Uttarakhand and western Nepal share a long history as they were many times under the same kingdoms. Uttarakhand shares an open border with Nepal. These borders are in Dharchula, Baluokote, Jauljabe, Dauda and Jhulaghat in Pithoragarh district and Banbasa in Champawat district.


In this blog I would be writing about Nepalese dishes which are eaten by Nepalese in Uttarakhand. The dishes are simple, healthy and yummy. 



Nepalese Dishes







Bhuteko Bhat is a popular fried rice dish in which we can add Egg or fried Meat or fried Vegetables.







Dal is a tasty and healthy soup made usually from Masoor Dal (Red Lentil).



Saag 




Saag is a tasty veggie dish made from Spinach.








Khole saag is a tasty veggie dish made from Watercress. 








Gorkhali chutney is a delicious side dish made from Potatoes. 







Momo is a delicious steamed dumpling filled with meat or vegetable mixture.









Thukpa is a delicious dish made from boiled noodles and vegetable or meat soup.







Bhutua is a mouth watering dish made from goat stomach, liver and intestine.










Pork curry is an appetizing dish made from pork meat. 








Sel Roti is a tasty sweet dish made from rice which can be served with Gorkhali Chutney or Bhutua or tea.









Fini is a delicious sweet dish made from rice flour, maida and sugar. 




(For travel information please visit Uttarakhand Tourism and Buddha Teachings.)








Bhuteko Bhaat Recipe





Serves 4, Time Taken 45 minutes



Ingredients

4 cup Steamed Rice
2 cup chopped Boneless Chicken
2 scrambled Eggs

For vegetarian instead of chicken and egg you can use fried Paneer and Mushroom

1 chopped Onion (Pyaaz)
1 ½ chopped Capsicum (Shimla Mirch)
1 bunch chopped Coriander Leaves (Dhania)
4 chopped Green Chilies   
4 cloves chopped Garlic (Lahasan)
1 inch chopped Ginger (Adarak)
1 ½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds
1 ½ teaspoon Chicken Masala
1 ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
Salt as per taste
Refined Oil
Water

How to make Bhuteko Bhaat

Step 1

Prepare steamed rice by pressure cooking rice in water (inside the cooker water should be 1 inch above the level of rice) for 5 whistles and then set aside the steamed rice. Heat oil in the pan and make scrambled egg and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the oil in the pan and sauté cumin seeds, chopped garlic, chopped ginger, chopped capsicum and chopped onion till the onion turns golden brown.

Step 3

Add chopped boneless chicken and little salt into the pan and fry it for 20 minutes till it turns golden brown. Add scrambled egg into it and mix it.

Step 3

Then add steamed rice, turmeric powder, chicken masala, salt and chopped green chilies and mix well. Cook until rice is slightly fried.

Once ready garnish it with coriander leaves and serve it hot.    


(For travel information please visit Uttarakhand Tourism and Buddha Teachings.)




Saag Recipe





Serves 4, Time Taken 25 minutes


Ingredients

3 bunch Spinach (Saag)
3 cloves Garlic (Lahasan) 
 ½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)     
1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
1 teaspoon Curry Powder
½ teaspoon Red Chili Powder
Refined Oil
Salt as per taste


How to make Saag

Step 1

Heat oil in the pan and then saute cumin seeds and minced cloves in the pan.

Step 2

Add chopped spinach, turmeric powder, curry powder, red chili powder and salt. Mix properly and cook till spinach is tender.


(For travel information please visit Uttarakhand Tourism and Buddha Teachings.)



Dal Recipe





Serves 4, Time Taken 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup Masoor Dal (Red Lentils)
1 chopped Onion (Pyaaz)
2 chopped Green Chili
4 cloves Garlic (Lahasan)
1 bunch chopped Coriander Leaves (Dhania)
1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
Salt as per taste
Refined Oil
Water

How to make Dal

Step 1

Pressure cook the masoor dal in water for 4 whistles and then set aside.

Step 2

Heat the oil in the pan and then saute garlic and cumin seeds. Add chopped onions and cook till it turns golden brown.

Step 3

Add the pressure cooked dal, chopped green chilies, garam masala powder, turmeric powder, salt and water if needed. Mix them properly and cook till it thickens.

Once ready garnish it with ghee and coriander leaves.




(For travel information please visit Uttarakhand Tourism and Buddha Teachings.)






Khole Saag Recipe





Serves 4, Time Taken 35 minutes


Ingredients

3 bunches chopped Khole Saag (Watercress)
2 chopped Potatoes (Aloo)    
4 cloves finely chopped Garlic (Lahasan)
3 finely chopped Green Chilies
Salt as per taste
Refined Oil

How to make Khole Saag

Step 1

Heat oil in the pan and then fry chopped potatoes till it’s golden and tender.

Step 2

Add finely chopped garlic and green chilies and saute it. Add chopped khole saag and salt and mix well. Cook properly for 10 minutes.

Once ready garnish it with ghee and serve hot.



(For travel information please visit Uttarakhand Tourism and Buddha Teachings.)