Flicks of "LIFE"

A stormy night it was, thunder and lightning piercing through the clouds breaking apart the sky. There came a hustling sound of some feet rushing through the dark streets of a monsoon night. As the rain hit the ground the puddles splashed with the momentum of these feet as they went past the slimmest lanes of the city carrying their roughly beating heart in their bosom and their lives in their hand. Debu and his Biplabi friends ran across the city being chased by the police during the time of Colonized India. And, then came the next morining when Debu, Mir-janur, Tapan, Alok, Sashi landed up behind the bars for the criminal offense of loving one's motherland and demanding for it's freedom. Debu, a 19 year old boy, a future of the nation carrying boiling blood running through his veins with the only dream of seeing the sunshine of a free India. He, like many other young souls of that time was trashed in the jails for protesting against the British government a...

"Dal" a regular dish in our platter. Rice or Roti, the dal compliments all. It makes our meal smoother. But, the poor dal sometimes becomes a matter or boredom because of its usual same, old, blank taste. So to pop up a little more spice in our life, introducing a recipe of spice, punch and taste "Mango-Mirchi Current Dal". To begin, we need to get green kashmiri mirchi 5 to 6, slit them from the center and pull out all the seeds out of it. Then get a green mango, slice it up and grind it in the mixer with a hind of salt, sugar, and 1 hot green chili. Then put some white oil in the pan, drop in few mustard seeds, some sugar and caramelize it. Then add the mango mix and keep stiring until dry. Add a pinch of turmeric and red chili powder as well. As dried up keep it aside to cool it down. Then stuff in the mango mix inside the mirchies and seal them up. Then roast all the mirchies on a dry pan. Then we start cooking the dal, get a cup of m...

The Universe claims "Gender Equality"; But, I question myself "Am I safe?" Where, Arundhati, Indira Nooyi reaches heights; But, I question myself "Am I safe?" Where Rahman chants "Maa Tujhe Salam" But, I question myself "Am I safe?" The land bows in prayer to Durga, Kali, Saraswati; But, I question myself "Am I safe?" The Government screams "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao"; But, I question myself "Am I safe?" Where you are gifted with the freedom of speech, action and religion. But, I question myself "Am I safe?" Where the Nation marches to the Candle beams. But, I question myself "Am I safe?" Where you call yourselves to be Civilized. But, I question myself "Am I safe?' Welcome to India, And here all what WOMEN questions, "AM I SAFE?" "Asifa, once again we failed to save you!"

Before I start off with the recipe of " Home-made Paneer Kofta Curry ", I would like to extend my warm wishes for "Maha Shiv Ratri". "Shiv Ratri" is a very ancient festival which is being celebrated throughout the length and breadth of India. History unfolds that "Shiv Ratri" is the day when Lord Shiva had drunk the poison which was discovered from "Samundra Manthan", in order to save the world from negativity. Since, my childhood I have seen all the ladies of my family to celebrate this festival by fasting and devoting milk bath to the "shiv linga". The day following the Shiv Ratri also, the festivity continued while the ladies of the house broke their fast. That day used to be marked with vegetarian delights served at lunch. Among them the "chennar kofta" used to be one of the "not-to-be-missed-dishes". So, to carry forward the legacy, here I present the easy-breazy recipe of "Chennar Kofta...