moved to bikramdas.wordpress.com

http://bikramdas.wordpress.com

Adam video

Adam Promo from Notion Ink on Vimeo.

Some reviews:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/the-engadget-interview-notion-inks-rohan-shravan
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/notion-ink-adam-hands-on-preview-video/
http://liliputing.com/2011/01/hands-on-with-the-notion-ink-adam-tablet.html

Adam tablet from Notion Ink

waiting for updates from the Notion Ink team on the launch of the much publicized Adam tablet! visit the http://www.notionink.in/ website.

Similarities - Illegal Immigration in the Assam /West Bengal and the United States

If there exists something called a sister state concept, the border states of the USA bordering Mexico and the states in India bordering Bangladesh would partner very well. The United States has the strong will and moderate monetary means to check illegal immigration, but India lacks the former, and the corrupt politicians rarely would let the green pass for immigration reforms and border security upgrades.

The story is nothing new, just that the impacts that are overwhelming to be seen in any border district in Assam and parts of West Bengal now. The illegal immigrants have swarmed the semi urban landscape and the murky waters of society in the North East. The rickshaw pullers, auto drivers, vegetable market laborers, bus/truck drivers, daily wage workers are mostly immigrants from Bangladesh. The society is bubbling with desperation in the hands of the lame duck politicians.

There is something called the BPL(Below Poverty Line) card given by the government of India to all who can prove that they are poor. Now the Bangladeshi illegal immigrants come over to India and assimilate in the local population. After few months of lying low and acquiring forged date of birth documents, they apply for the BPL card and migrate towards the larger towns and cities. Reports suggest that either the politicians or the local administration turns a blind eye, or some goon associated to political parties use these illegal immigrants are pawns during the local and parliamentary elections eventually by promising them the Indian passports and avenues for low level jobs and daily wage work.

Once the illegal immigrants have the BPL card, agenda numero uno is successful. Next is to enroll to the Jawahar Rojgar Yojana or the like, so that Rs 100.00 income is guaranteed per day. That is enough to feed 3 people at-least 2-3 days in rural India.

Same as in the United States, the workers from Bangladesh do the menial jobs at a cheaper rate than the locals. It is not that the local population did not do those jobs, but in this scenario different than in the US, the illegal immigrant population swept the rug under the feet economically.

The percentage growth in population also indicates to cross border infiltration since the last census. The states of West Bengal and Assam have seen a considerable jump in the people from Bangladeshi descent, almost all in the lowest economic strata of the Indian society. The impact is clear in the local markets where the people speak a strange dialect not accustomed to the local or nearby populations. Almost all are Muslims. With the BPL card in hand, these immigrants get access to free medical care in hospitals and local health centers. The patients that come to the local health centers cannot speak Assamese, neither the local Bengali dialects which is common. Yet there is no impartial treatment.

Check out http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/sep/13swadas.htm. Some excerpts: In the 11 districts that comprise the former composite border districts of Goalpara, Kamrup, Darrang and Nagaon, the Muslim population has grown from 32.42 percent in 1951 to 40.37 percent in 2001. In Assam as a whole, the Muslim population rose from 24.68 percent in 1951 to 30.90 percent in 2001. There are now six districts in Assam that are Muslim majority. In 1951, there were none!

So now it is to be seen how the demographics have changed in the last 10 yrs. If the centre whole heartedly does not instill economic growth, it should at least upgrade the border security infrastructure by implementing new technology, and increase the man power along the highly porous border so that the citizens are secure.

My fear is that if this illegal immigration is not checked in the border states, we will be in a deep social swamp, and coming out of it would have to be another costly experiment. We already have our hands full with the numerous groups and factions in the North east India that from time to time spread anti national messages, and display secessionist ideologies. Wake up Indian “leaders” (read politicians)!

Sep 10, 2009 - Fearing Taliban, Pak Hindus take Thar Express to India

Sep 10, 2009 - Fearing Taliban, Pak Hindus take Thar Express to India

Is this the start of yet another exodus filled with hatred, grief and helplessness?

Hurt Locker and Kargil

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Kargil war, something that I completely forgot, and I'm utterly shameful for that. The slogan to Jai Jawan brings goosebumps, and I was thinking about it the whole time I was watching the movie "Hurt Locker" what an intense movie. A must see movie on the sometimes forgotten bomb technicians. I was impressed maybe more than other because it had a personal touch to it. My uncle was one of the few Indian Navy underwater Commandos from the Executive branch who lost their lives during the Indo Pak war of 1971-72. He lost his life when his vehicle hit a land mine, which is another lethal object like the IEDs.

http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/t2t2e/Trans2Trimph/chapters/42_awards1.htm
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/

Luray, Virginia

Luray and Shenendoah Valley National Park visit of Apr 2009

DC baby!!!!

Washington DC Yatra Apr 2009

Dhekia xaag or Fiddleheads or Ostrich Fern

Dhekia xaag is such an integral part of the cuisine of Assam, with the fresh ferns available almost in every town and village. In the US I saw it just once in the Whole Foods Market, but never again. Considered to be exotic, this edible fern is common in Assam.

Dhekia xaag (saag) bhaji:

Wash the fern well, and blanch them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Then saute some finely chopped onions, 2/3 cloves of garlic, and a few green chilles together in a wok. Now chop the ferns, and toss them in the wok, sprinkle some salt and saute for another 3-4 minutes, just so that the cells begin to break. squeeze half a lemon, and you are done with cooking.

Serve with steamed rice.

Ek shyam in Nayagaon...Alibaug...Hawa ka jhoka...reflections in a wandering mind

Ek shyam in Nayagaon...Alibaug...Hawa ka jhoka...reflections in a wandering mind

As I yearn to run away from the bustling city,
just to be with myself, and check in to my inner self
the smell of eucalyptus in the air sweeps the beach.
I gaze at the dipping Sun and bid it goodbye.
The vast sea in front if me makes me just a minuscule
artifact in the vast cosmos of the earth;
The intermittent sweeping of the water beneath my feet provides
The cool sensation that the body longed for the entire day
What a way to end the day...I just pray to the Almighty (if there is one!), and thank Him for keeping me intact till this day.
All of a sudden while sipping the iced nimbu pani,
my mortal mind fluttered with memoirs of childhood
when I would come back after venturing my mom’s native village,
and my aunt would be waiting with nimbu pani, aloo chop and moori. Oh...what a time!

As I watched the village women folk return with the daily catch,
The smell of fried bangda caught my attention,
After some bangda and rice, I doze off dreaming of the puranpoli breakfast for tomorrow,
and get set to be in the bustle of the city tomorrow.

Durga puja video from youtube

pike place market seattle

Shaader Lau chingri(Bottlegourd with shrimp...Doodhi with jhinga)

Shaader Lau chingri(Bottlegourd with shrimp...Doodhi with jhinga)

Sufficient qty med sized shrimp cleaned
1 big dried red chilli
2 cloves of cardamon
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp clarified butter (ghee)
1 med sized finely chopped bottlegourd (lauki/doodhi)
2 med sixed chopped potatoes...same size as the gourd
0.5 cup of finely grated cocunut (or 0.25 cup cocunut milk) (with 0.5 cup water diluted)
2 green chillies
salt to taste
1.5 teaspoon tumreric powder (haldi)
1 teaspoon dhania
1.5 teaspoon cumin (jeera)

Podhyoti:

Marinate the shrimp with turmeric, juice of 1 lemon, salt, paprika powder. Fry the shrimp and set aside.

Cut the gourd into thin round slices, and then julienne the slices. Same to the aloo. Aloo is optional.

Let the frying pan be heated, add ghee and the dry chilli and the bay leaf. Then add the gourd and potatoes together and add salt. Saute over med heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the turmeric, dhania and jeera powder to the veggie mix. Turn the heat to low and put the lid on the pan. The steam from the gourd will help cook the potatoes and gours. Add the cardamom cloves to it now. After about 5 minutes, the gourd becomes soft and is almost cooked. Now remove the lid and add the fried shrimp and turn back the heat to medium. Then add the diluted cocunut milk/grated cocunut to the pan,a nd mix thouroughly so that the gourd does not stick to the pan. The diluted cocunut milk/grated cocunut brings a uniques flavor to the dish. As the water begins to evaporate, switch off the heat close the lid. Finely chop dhania patta (corriander) and spread over the curry.

Now your shaader lau with jhinge is ready to be served.

Simple Shrimp Curry

My take on the simple Shrimp Curry

1.5 lbs jumbo shrimp cleaned

3 tbsp EVOO
2 finely chopped onions
2 large tomatoes cut in pieces
5 cloves of garlic
3 green chilies
Some fresh ginger
Fresh curry leaves
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chilly powder (or crushed chilly flakes)
1 lemon (fresh juice)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
0.5 cup grated coconut
Dhania (coriander finely chopped)


Put oil into a deep frying pan and add the chopped onions and fry it so that the onions start turning golden. Meanwhile mix tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and chilly into a fine paste. Then add 3 or 4 raw shrimps and mix again to incorporate them in the 'love' paste. Now add curry leaves, turmeric powder, chilli powder/flakes, cumin and mustard in the pan. The mustard and curry leaves will begin to sputter in 4 to 5 secs. Next add the paste and mix thoroughly. Remember to keep the stove in med/med-low. The paste will release water in the process of frying. This will take at least 6 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile put crushed coconut (or frozen crushed) into the same mixer pot that had the 'love' paste. Add to it 3 or 4 fresh curry patta also and put it back on the mixer to make the coconut and curry leaves paste. You might need to add little water to smoothen the paste a bit. By this time, the masala would have lost most of the water and would be golden in color. Add the shrimp now to the pan and mix it with the masala. Then add the coconut paste and stir. You might have to add some water depending on how much water you put while making the coconut paste. Always put cold water, never hot! Put the stove on high. Once the curry just begins to boil, turn the flame to med low and cover the pan with a lid leave it for maybe...5 minutes, the shrimp will get cooked. Don’t you worry...take a peek to check and stir in between. Add finely chopped coriander and just leave the lid on until you are ready to serve.

Serve with rice. I just made it today evening for my friend and his family. We all loved the taste, and I hope so will you.

Gracias!
BD

Amu

“Amu” is one of the very good movies that I have watched lately. The story is of a girl adopted by a Bengali lady from New Delhi, after the outbreak of the Delhi riots in 1984. I was very small in 1984, but I still very vividly remember the Bengali 'Desh' magazine’s cover story on Mrs Indra Gandhi's assassination by her own elite bodyguards, who were from the Sikh community. I remember my Mom breaking out the news in the morning. I think she heard it on the AIR (All India Radio) news, you know...we didn’t have TV those days. I was just seven then, but I still get goose bumps when I think of that day. Following days were worse. We used to stay in Digboi, which is a tiny hamlet with India's oldest refinery in the center of town, but I could sense the frantic hysteria of fear among the bravest community I had ever seen. Any Sikh was looked down upon as a murderer. The situation in the rest of India was worse, especially Delhi and neighboring areas.

The movie is a very well made one, where the actors have done justice to their roles. I noticed the big Bengali production and direction team, which leads to a slight overdose of the Bengali culture as well. If you think about it, the Bengalis in Delhi were actually part of the huge refugee outflow from Bangladesh in 1971/72. The story revolves around Kaju (Konkona Sensharma) who comes to India on vacation but starts searching for her real roots. I liked the granny in the movie, who asked an interesting question to Kaju and her sister...you must watch the movie!!! All in all, quoting bwcinema.com : "Amu is a brave film, which devoid of any naach gaana, big stars or dishum-dishum, features one major ingredient that's missing in most commercial ventures: a decent storyline!" It is a story on the Sikh riots, and then at the end has a new clipping that mentions the Godhra riots where 52 people were killed in the train in Godhra, Gujarat. What an irony!

Coconut milk with chicken

Ingredients:

Cut one medium sized onion
4 cloves of garlic
One piece of ginger - peeled and cut
5 small green chilly
3 strands of coriander (dhania)
One small tomato
2 cups of coconut milk
salt to taste
some whole garam masala (jeera, dhania, longh, daalchini, star-fal)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Clean chicken and keep seperately. Sprinkle salt and pepper.
2. Put the veggies (not coconut milk) stated above in the mixer and make a puree.
3. Roast the whole garam masala and make it into a powder in a mixie. You can use any chicken masala or your own garam masala.
4. In a karahi, add 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
5. Once the karahi is hot, put the puree; add haldi powder and fry till the puree becomes a fried and light brown paste, so that the water from the puree vaporizes.
6. Put the paste (masala) aside.
7. Now add 3 spoons of oil to the karahi and fry the chicken. Fry for around 7-8 minutes. put the garam masala and the paste prepared in step 5.
8. Turn the chicken periodically till you find the chicken half cooked.
9. Dilute the coconut milk with water if u think the milk is too think....I thought, and added water to make it bit light.
9. Now add the salt, coconut milk to the curry, and boil for about 7 minutes.
10. By now the curry would be near to boil.
11. Remove the karahi from the stove, and garnish with coriander.

Serve with rice. Enjoy !

Haneef returns to India…Congratulations Haneef!

I have searched all the leading newspapers in Australia pubished over the internet, and I seem to gather the fact that the Mohammad Haneef’s case was one of the top 5 news items in the Aussie media. I infer that most common Australians were sympathetic to Haneef after his innocence was published by the media

Truth and Innocence is the winner…It is good news that Dr. Haneef is coming back to India, and has decided to express himself only after the August 8, 2007 hearing.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22151481-601,00.html

Copyright 2007 News Limited. All times AEST (GMT +10)

after so long

My work schedule was keeping me away from writing, and now I think I need an assistant, or 'some jadu ki chari' who would write as I speak. Not writing for so long was clogged my fingers…a mind full of thoughts but no spirit to write….it seems so tiring! Or when will Microsoft bring relatively economically accessible software that I can plug to my brain and that will write for what I think.

Took 2 days off...just for nothing...thought of enjoying the day outside...did what - laptop and tv tv tv!!!! Went to timesofindia.com numerous times to read the same news - about the Glasgow airport bombings. How can multiple members of the same family be involved in such heinous anti social activities, whereas the mother knows that the son is on some secret global warming project…it sucks!

Then my mind wandered to work and suddenly I found myself drowned working and responding to the emails from work. One of my best friends asked my why was I working and I gave him 1000000 utopian points for guessing it right….hahhahahah!!!

Then the love of bengali food drove me to the numerous orkut members and i started reading about long forgotten recipes like the murighonto and sutki machher jhaal. Now i'm over with orkut...atleast for the next few days.

Anyways there is some good news…My colleague at work gave birth to a baby boy today morning. Yesterday night my friends and I went to the Piscataway High School vicinity to see the July 4 fireworks. I ponder what would the baby’s name be if he was born a day earlier!

Contacted all my friends from high school….it has been long since I spoke to some of them…the past few days have been very nostalgic, as I called my friends just to chit chat with them like the old times, when I used to meander thru the lanes and bylanes Digboi from one para (area) to the other on my green BSA SLR bicycle.

Socially Useful Productive Work or SUPW

Actually I got time to urge my lazy couch potato self to write something today....

Now almost 15 yrs after leaving high school, I'm amazed to see how the humble beginnings of the SUPW class have changed my life. Socially Useful Productive Work or SUPW...was something I hated when I was in school especially when I had to cut the grass in the school field. But then I felt extremely proud when we used to collect horde of old but clean clothes, medicines, school stationary, and food grains for the less privileged ones. I always thought cutting the grass was to the school gardener’s job, not acknowledging the fact that we were helping him too by mowing the lawn. We used to have some awesome time sorting the clothes and medicines. I must say there were few students who used to bring expired medicines. I remember some sisters used to cook kichdi and curry and other goodies and we used to feed the hindi medium primary school kids

I feel more socially responsible. I drive a eco friendly car that releases the least amount of CO2 and thus helps in cutting down the green house emissions, and I get my groceries from a shop that sells veggies that are grown organically. I also do not hesitate to donate during natural calamities…So much so that me and my wife pack clothes from US and send them to India to my in-laws who then distribute them in the remote villages, when urbanization has still time to reach. Credit has to go my mother in law and my wife for that.

SUPW brings about sustainability when executed in a structured manner. Any help to the needy will develop that section of the society. Another incident that is vibrant in my memory is the occasion when we went to a village near Bogapani. The kids from the village were more than ecstatic to see a bus load of people with a doctor, clothes and medicines. We had setup a small medical camp and distributed the clothes to the needy there.

Now I feel very much elated when topics about helping the underprivileged come during our lunch time discussions in office. I often jump up and start narrating the stories from my childhood that I fondly remember. I am sometimes so inclined towards sustainability that I want my wife to study sustainability management.

Office Deewali Party 2006

It all started in the spur of a moment within Marconi conference room on Wednesday evening, and we all were seen engrossed brainstorming deepawali entertainment ideas for Friday. We tried to contact few restaurants but were unable to get a good deal, and then Sai chipped in to help us and we booked Abhiruchi – Indian restaurant on Rt 27 in Franklin Park. After reaching consensus especially on the dessert, we gave a go ahead to Sai to confirm the restaurant…
Saturday was drizzling all day…but the trees were in full bloom…looks like this week is the peak fall weekend here in enchanting Jersey. After the delicious sumptuous food, we had a round of antakshari. Did I mention Nimish’s homemade pista ice-cream. That was superb. The appetizers were tempting and the proof is that Dharmesh was seen eating only appetizers for lunch!
Well the ladies team had to decide for some time on the antakshari ground rules before the designated umpire (Shyamala) took over, and flapped the checkered flag by asking the men’s team to start with ‘Ma’…the leads in the men’s team were Ranjan, Anjan, Vinod, Dharmesh, Satish and Dev. The fairer sex had some very good song selections, especially from Madhavi, Soma, Aparna, Rikta, and Sudha…and after some arduous competition, the ladies team was declared the winner…but who cares when we all hard so much fun!

When will the world understand India's pain from cross border sponsored terrorism?

The murky waters of Pakistani soil are the proponents of extremism in Kashmir and Afghan border. The Indians have raised their voice against the militants operating from within the Pakistani soil time and again. But the general public in the Western world and Europe have never heard them. Even their governments often turned a blind eye towards India. Looks like time has come again for India to shout at the top of its voice to convince the world and the Pakistani establishment that the LeT is allegedly operating freely from its soil.

The timesofindia reports that the Mumbai police and some high ranking intelligence sources from the govt of India made a presentation to the US officials in New Delhi as a result of the investigation of the 7/11 attack in Mumbai this year. Not new if you think when India had to show proof of the Pakistani soldiers dead during the Kargil conflict. Recently Musharraf acknowledged that some soldiers from the Pakistani soldiers were indeed supporting the terrorists.

Just last week, there was a report in the news which said that the Commanders from five Nato countries whose troops have just fought the bloodiest battle with the Taliban in five years, are demanding their governments get tough with Pakistan over the support and sanctuary its security services provide to the Taliban.Nato's report on Operation Medusa, an intense battle that lasted from September 4-17 in the Panjwai district, demonstrates the extent of the Taliban's military capability and states clearly that Pakistan's Interservices Intelligence (ISI) is involved in supplying it.

We can just watch and watch if the US State Departments policy changes towards its long term ally, and if they rebuke the general, or will they pay him more tax payer’s dollars so that he can sustain himself. Ironically a good percentage of taxes are paid by the Indians who toil hard in the United States, and contribute to the society there.

Hare Ram

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8262454763386314873&q=Gandhi+1982&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9039121689416482483&q=Gandhi+movie&hl=en

A homage to Gandhi, and gandhigiri.

My flavor of Banarasi dahi vada

I used to see the chat and dahi vada vendors each evening on the enchanting ghats of Varanasi.
Here is my flavor of the Banarasi dahi vada.

1 cup urad dal without skin, soaked for 4 hours
2 pieces of grated ginger
4 green chillies finely chopped
salt to taste
dahi
jeera, dhania seeds, black pepper, sugar as per taste, dhania patta, curry patta, pinch of red chilli powder, chat masala

make the dal paste, mix finely chopped green chillies, and salt according to taste. pour oil in karhai and heat. Once the oil is hot, make small balls out of the paste, and put them in oil. fry until the outer layer turns golden. this should take 20-25 secs. Now ur vadas are made.

Lets rock the dahi: take some jeera, dhania and black pepper seeds and dry roast them on a flat frying pan for 10 15 secs. put them in the mixer and turn it into a powder like mixture. the aroma is super strong fresh, so be careful. put this mixture in the dahi and stir it. add some water to achieve right consistency. add a pinch of red chilli powder.add sugar only if you wish to make sweet dahi vada. Garnish with fresh dhania patta and curry patta, and mix well.

You may put the vadas in the dahi or seperate. i would prefer keep in seperate.

while serving sprinkle a pinch of chat masala (optional) with the vada and the dahi

Canned Mackerel

Canned Mackerel:

1 canned Mackerel in tomato sauce.
1 thinly sliced onion
5 big green chillies
a bunch of spring onions (it was just lying in the fridge)
salt to taste

pour oil in the deep frying pan. then add onions and the chillies and fry them. once the juice of the onions begins to disintegrate, add the spring onions. fry for about a minute. keep the heat on high. Add just the Mackerel to the pan. Dont add the tomato sauce from the can. Let a fish cook for 2 minutes or so, and then add the tomato sauce. Add salt to taste. Add half cup water and cook for 2 minutes. one or two fishes may disintegrate, but dont u worry, as it makes the gravy very tasty.

enjoy the yummy curry with rice. try it out and give ur feedback

Some unique bengali side dishes

Green bottlegourd(lauki) skin - cut them into small fine slices like paotato. wash and soak in boiling water for about 5 minutes. on the side soak some postodana (poppy seeds). drain water from the lauki skins. cut a small onion into fine slices. put cooking oil in the karhai and put the onions. throw in some green chillies. Add a pinch of turmeric powder, and some salt to taste. then add the laoki skins that have softened slightly and keep stirring. Then add the poppy seeds to the karhai. fry it for around 5 minutes till the lauki skins are fully cooked and crisp. Turn the heat off, and enjoy as a side dish with rice.

Raw Banana skin -
You'll need:

1. Raw green banana skin
2. Mustard Oil
3. Shukki Mirch
4. Kala Jira
5. Salt to taste
6. Fresh green chilli paste (Optional)
   

Steps: Boil the raw banana skins,and then make it into a paste.dont add water. Pour oil in the karhai, kala jira, shukki mirch, and the green chilli paste. Add the banana skin paste and add salt to taste. fry throughly. Have it as a side dish with rice.

Kudos to Nirmalya Bhattacharya for reminding me with this banana skin recipe in orkut: http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=15321345

remembering 9/11

Debu, Moi3, Me, Sajan, Bhaskar

Politicians have the same DNA, be it India or USA

Well, as I was returning home after a busy week on Friday Aug 18, I saw a small group gathered next to my apt. On enquiring, I got to know that Jun Choi, the mayor of Edison had come to discuss few community issues with the Indian American community there. Immediately the thoughts of alleged racial discrimination against the Indian community rang a bell in my mind, which took place on 4t July.
The mayor was greeting everyone Namaste Namaste, please come for a discussion about Edison. It looked really fishy, as I could see majority of the crowd on the other side of the road, boycotting the mayor.

After lots of hustling around, the mayor started the speech first by congratulating the Indian community on the Independence Day celebrations. Then he said it was very unfortunate that the July 4th incident took place.

Rajnikant Parikh's July 4 arrest at an illegal fireworks display at Hilltop Apartments led to much of the current discord between Edison and the Indian community. He was charged with hitting officer Michael Dotro and inciting others to join in the attack as the officer tried to disperse hundreds of people watching fireworks at a township apartment complex, police said. Parikh, though, counterclaimed he was assaulted by Dotro.

Once the pleasentaries were exchanged, the crowd started volleying questions to the Mayor and the police chief George Mieczkowski. When confronted with questions, Choi simply played ping pong. On being asked why no action was taken against Michael Dotro, the Edison police officer, the mayor said that there was no evidence against him. It seems that all twelve officers, witness from Hilltop, and the Hilltop apt mgmt said nothing against the police. Then some one from the crowd asked what about the video cameras that is there in the police cars. On hearing the video camera subject, the mayor Choi started acting as if he was a video camera salesman, explaining the characteristics of the cameras, and the intention of the administration to have all cars with video cameras very soon. Most of the people in the crowd were surprised when he kind-of said none of the cars in the July 4th incident had cameras.

He was adamant on the fact that the police officer had done the right thing, but at the same time he acknowledged that the Edison police dept has started some cross cultural courses for the force so that they have a better idea of the Indian community. He was not ready to apologize as the facts did not warrant any charge against the police officer, but at the same time he said it was very unfortunate, and going forward there should be more interactions between the different Asian communities and the administration. He repeated quite a number of times that the incident was very unfortunate. When the police chief was asked the same question, he directly at least replied that on his behalf he could not interpret who was right who was wrong, as all the facts were not present.

It is to be pondered why the mayor chose the Friday just after the Indian Independence Day just to discuss community issues. Why did he choose the Indian community first, and Hilltop as the location.

Then slowly the focus shifted to installation for a traffic light. It was truly amusing and pathetic at the same time to watch how the politicians play juggler with the public. The public was pleading for more than 10 yrs for a traffic light at one section of Oak Tree road in Edison, but till date only the plan has passed. Five yrs back the Indian business community invited the Edison politicians and did a small puja for the start of the construction of the traffic light, but nothing moved an inch after that.

It was kind of disgusting standing there and listening to the boring speech and see the confused look over the mayor's face. Hot samosas,and mirchi bajias were waiting for me at home, some we left the gatherign and walked back to my apartment.

It’s a shame on us citizens to elect the same sly people to the public office yr after yr. Times are changing, but still we are the same fickle minded general public in the eyes of the politicians.

California Plums

These taste 100% like the normal plums, just bright green! I got them ysterday from the Hong Kong market. Dont they just look cute

Catfish with Coconut milk - in 15 minutes guaranteed

For this recipe, I draw inspiration from a very basic version of Konkani fish curry. It is extremely simple...All you need is some enthu (a common college colloquial for enthusiasm)...Simple cooking is easy...Something I learnt seeing my mother when i was young, experimenting in college and while i was a bachelor, and now observing my wife, who is an excellent innovative cook.

Ingredients:

Clean and cut two cat fish fillets (with no bones) in bite size pieces (approx 2cm X2 cm)
Cut one medium sized onion
3 cloves of garlic
One piece of ginger - peeled and cut
4 small green chilly
3 strands of coriander (dhania)
One small tomato
4 tablespoon coconut milk
1 bay leaf
2 cloves of small cardamom (elaichi)
salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the fish; squeeze a slice of lime, and leave it aside to marinate.
2. Put the veggies in the mixer and make a puree.
3. In a fry pan, add one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
4. Once the pan is hot, put the puree and stir fry for three to four minutes, so that the water from the puree vaporizes.
5. Put the puree (masala) aside.
6. Now add two spoons of oil to the fry pan and lightly fry the fish pieces. Fry for around three minutes. Turn the fish pieces so that both sides face the heat.
7. Then add salt, masala and the coconut milk.
8. Now you may add fish curry masala powder. I had some Badshah fish curry powder, which I added.
9. Add about three quarter cup water if you want a curry, and cook for about three minutes.
10. Add the bay leaf and cardamom.
11. By now the curry would be near to boil.
12. Remove the pan from the stove, and garnish with coriander.

Serve with rice. Enjoy !

Ceasefire and Crack the terrorists

1. My Take on the Lebanese ceasefire:

I was thinking "Gods must be crazy", but the Gods finally answered to the weeping mothers of the Lebanese and the Israelis. A much awaited ceasefire came into force this Monday, after a bloody month.

Israel's agenda before the war:
1. Get the 2 soldiers back
2. Eliminate Hezbollah as an armed force
What Israel achieved:
1. International recognition of the border problem
2. Bolstering of the UN force
3. No word on the two soldiers who were kidnapped
4. Hezbollah celebrating victory in Lebanon, they are far from being tarnished.

I was hearing to Michael Young on the NPR radio. Young is one of the writers in the Daily Start, an English newspaper in Lebanon. The Hezbollah was created as an armed resistance against the Israeli occupation. It cannot be expected that the armed group will disarm so easily. The Hezbollah is just not a political party.

Recently the head of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah sounded as if he was the president of Lebanon. The general public opinion in Lebanon is now divided, over the disarmament of the Hezbollah. Most acknowledge the role of Iran in the functioning of Hezbollah, and the support that it provides to the group, but again it is an indigenous armed resistance that was born in Lebanon by the Lebanese people. Few people among the current Lebanese administration hinted that the Hezbollah may be inducted in the mainstream Lebanese army over a period of time, but that too now seems to be impossible in the foreseeable future, instead it is now worried that the Hezbollah may snatch the opportunity to take control of the whole military and political structure in Lebanon, if the current government does not act swiftly in maintaining law and order. Nasrallah stated that Hezbollah would not be disarmed with threats or under pressure. "The demand the grouping to be disarmed cannot happen urgently or through pressure and provocation", Hassan Nasrallah said in a TV address.

The situation is going to be very delicate and tense, and the ceasefire maybe very short lived. Even after the much sought after cease fire, there have been some skirmishes between the Hezbollah and the Israeli defense forces. The ceasefire succeeded in stopping the humanitarian and economic casualties, but the uphill task still remains at large. Any settlement in the Middle East has to involve Syria, Iran, Palestine, and Israel, with the Arab League and the United States as the moderators. Or else forget about peace. In the recent war, Lebanon was just a pawn in the whole complex game.

2. Terrorists caught red handed @ the London airport. Good job aayye!!

Finally kudos to the Scotland Yard, and the Pakistani Intelligence which acted under pressure to catch the freaking radical terrorists red handed. What can I say, when I come from a country where some states have been wrecked by terrorism for more than 20 years. They were planning to use a deadly concoction of liquid which can bring hell inside the aero plane...Duh!! How will some security guard know if three friends are traveling with some Gatorade, shampoo, gel and some water looking liquid, which will pass as medicine? Once they sit in their seats, and Hola!!...they can each go to the restroom and assemble the lethal life sucker bomb.

It all started when a concerned neighbor suspected some fellow and reported to the police, and that sparked the run, stalking each movement of the group, until it was perfect time to catch all the 19 of them red handed. Investigators said the attackers planned to use common electronic devices to detonate liquid explosives to bring down as many as 10 U.S.-bound jumbo jets. Security sources say that the would-be terrorists discussed blowing their bombs in midair over American cities, maximizing casualties in the air and on the ground.

Air travel has taken a new shift as an aftermath of the unfolding of the terror trap. All liquid and gels have been restricted. Carry on baggage have been strictly restricted to just one. As the saying goes, "Prevention is the best medicine", we have to take the best medicine for years to come, or else we will fall into the hands to the terrorists.

3. Digboi ULFA Bombing:
Sadly on 7th August my beloved hometown Digboi got a shot in the arm when the ULFA allegedly planted a bomb at a security check point. Long alienation by the Govt Of India, (at least some portion of the population feel that way) provoked armed resistance against the Indian establishment. Members from the outlawed group lobbed a grenade at a security checkpoint in the oil township of Digboi. The explosion took place at 7.30pm. A small boy died in the explosion while three paramilitary soldiers and as many civilians were seriously injured in the attack.

Encounter with the octogenarian @ Oxford Arms, Edison

This happened on Wednesday, we reached the apt complex at around 1:00pm, and Vinod just warned us about the Leasing office whom we were about to meet. After sometime, we met the octogenarian lady from the Leasing office. Well Vinod was awed to know that his apt application was cancelled, and the granny told him that he had come yesterday to cancel it...Vinod was totally confused and awestruck. Poor guy just came in to give in his salary slip, he was trying to explain that he did not come yesterday. The old lady seemed equally perplexed.

Vinod just reached his hand out to take back the salary slip back, when the lady bursted, "This is my desk, and no one is allowed to touch anything". Just as she finished, i said, "Ma'm, i think there has been some misunderstanding in the whole process...". I didnt expect I had just ticked the tiger. She snapped me saying,"I do inderstand everything he is saying. Do you think I'm dumb sitting here"...It struck me as a bolt from the blue. Sajan who was sitting with me, was equally surprised. Then she went on "I'll give u a punch on ur nose, and to you also, pointing to Kamal who was just about to open his mouth"...Kamal was sitting with Vinod. Sajan dropped the candy back which he had taken from the candy bowl...who knows the granny might just attack him again.

Man...that was terrifying. Just as Vinod finished business, he said that Kamal also wanted to know if any apartments are available. Our lady zapped back, " I don't want to hear anything from your friend..hhihihhih I'm just kidding". She was like a naughty little kid. I just remembered the old saying that the old and the little ones are same at heart. As soon as she saw Kamal's drivers license, she said, "Ohhh...as of today morning we have a new rule that restricts people from Connecticut from applying for an apt". saying this, she burst into laughter...

This is one of the most whacky encounters I had with anyone who is above 70. I could read her temperament from her attitude and interaction. She has been in the leasing office for more than 20 years. Day in and day out, the leasing office has been her job.

Jaldi Chicken

This is just the normal down to earth chicken curry...total time reqd 35 minutes.

clean and medium piece cut chicken
1 and half chopped onion
6 cloves of garlic
6 green chilly
1 ripe red tomato
finely chopped Ginger
5 strands of coriander (dhania patta)
two tablespoon yogurt
2 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon chicken curry masala
crushed black Pepper
salt to taste
extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Place the chicken in a bowl and mix it well with the yogurt, turmeric, salt and the black crushed pepper. Leave it aside for 10 minutes.

Wash your hands thoroughly, and then put the kadai or wok, to high heat, and pour EVOO.

Chop onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, and dice the chilly. Finely chop the strands of coriander too.

Fry the chopped onions, garlic, green chilly, and ginger. Chop the tomato and add to the mixture. When the onions turn light brown, add the ‘end portions’ of the coriander strands, and then add the chicken masala powder, and fry. The coriander stems add to the flavor.

Add the chicken to the wok and sauté. Do not add water, as the chicken with yogurt will release water. See to it that the chicken does not stick to the sides. Turn the heat to medium, and sauté for about eight minutes, till the chicken pieces become semi cooked and dance in the wok, with its side golden, drenched with masala on its sides.

Now add one to three cups of water according to gravy wanted and bring it to a full boil. Then turn the heat off, and sprinkle the finely chopped coriander…

Bass, mehenat kamiab…chickkan taiyaar…serve with rice, or roti.

Pesticide cocktail in the streets of India?

I thought Coca Cola and Pepsi Co. were respectable corporate entities. Mistakes happen once in a while, but can both the cola giants have pesticides in their cola drinks in the United States? The answer is a BIG 'NO'. They'll get screwed by the FDA, other government agencies and the general public through suits and other court cases, which will make them cry their cola dollars out.

In our country it seems the nexus is just too thick to prosecute these rhino skinned corporate entities. Majority of the people in towns and cities like both the brands, and i assume both the brands know it. This should not give them the freedom to induce cancer to their own customers.

At most few narrow minded groups will take on some Pepsi or Coke bottler factory and destroy some property, or some advertising billboard will be vandalized, but nothing ever happens to Coca Cola and PepsiCo through the legal system in India.

What a coincidence, I was watching the movie, 'Corporate' few days back.
When both the companies and reaping so much profits, is it that difficult to put a process in place that will eliminate pesticides content in cola drinks? At least I do not see any thought in that road, after two years when the Cola giants were alleged to have pesticides in their products.

A Hot Day…You bet!

The heat of the Sun makes me weary
And pricks my skin, as I come out from the ac office
The car becomes a furnace,
and stepping into it and touching the steering wheel make my hand nearly burn
the temperature control reads 105 degrees F, man I’m getting mad.
My bad…today I didn’t keep my car under the peepal tree, as I was sleeping late in the comfort of my cozy bed.
Did I tell you before that the peepal tree is there standing brave in all weather for more than 30 yrs…I’ve seen it since my birth.
The tired villagers take some rest under the tree in the wrath of summer, as well as rains.
The giant canopy is home to the sparrows and the parakeet.
that chirp all day long.
The sun sets at 8:30pm way beyond its normal schedule,
It seems to be harping on us lately,
The knowledgeable say that is because of global warming,
all I know is that it is getting hotter each year, and water shortages are increasing
some serious steps need to be taken to preserve the environment
and precautions to be taken against the deadly heat stokes.
Suddenly the air is filled with the fragrance of the magnolia flowers, as I take the exit from the highway to head home, the flowers have captivated the street with their aroma,
And that enthralls my senses against the strong heat
The sun has gone down and I can see patches of clouds
The weather channel says there might be some scattered thunderstorms tonight
Well that’s a welcome break from the scotching sunny days that we have
Hooray…I can hear the thunder, looks like the rain man’s prediction is true
But it will be short lived, as the summer is here to stay for some more time.
I hope to go to the beach, and release all my frustration against the hot weather this weekend, and then rejuvenate myself in the clear cool waters, and prepare myself for the next week.

-Bikram

Use of airboats in Gujrat

Airboats of this size or slightly bigger are seen at the Evaerglades in Florida over the gr8 marshes, primarily used for recreation and environmental management of the area... In India we use it to save people during the floods

source: timesofindia.com, travellerspoint.com

Qana Bombings

With Israel continuing air strikes, and bombings in Southern Lebanon, hundreds of innocent families are caught in the crossfire. More than 30 children have been killed in the Qana bombing. Hezbollah always uses the civilian shield, and so Israel has no choice but to bomb the areas with Hezbollah concentration. Israel says that it had given prior warnings to all civilians to leave the area, and it says it has proof that the Hezbollah had been firing the rockets from these areas. If the roads are shelled and the gas stations bombed, where will the people get the fuel from to flee? What about the poor people? Where will they go? Die in their basements, or die on the road while fleeing their home?

The extent of destruction is such that international community has started exerting pressure on Israel to think twice on its next steps in its conflict against the Hezbollah. Long lasting peace can come to the Middle East only by solving the Palestinian issue, which has not moved an inch is the last six years.

Today Israel has stopped air raid on Southern Lebanon for 48 hours...It needs to be seen where the road takes the conflict. US Sec of State Condoleezza Rice was asked not to come to Beirut by the Lebanese president if she does not have a plan for unconditional cease fire. Now Condi is burning mid night oil to reach to a compromise of some nature to end the bloody conflict.

Also spoke to Bhatta (Sudip) after a long time. Kudos to people like him who are still studying and doing gr8 in the academic world. Sudip is doing his PhD in Material Science in South Dakota.

July 29 - Saturday..Summer @ its peak

July 29 - Saturday

NJ is becoming as hot and humid as India. Totally horrible day. Today I had gone to Philly to get some luggage for Kamal. Also saw the movie "Corporate". Nice movie. The director very aptly presents the nexus between the politicians, corporate world, bollywood, NGOs, and the media. All these and how each entity exploit the other for its its own benefits.

Sa Re Ga Ma Li'll Champs

Superb program bringing out the best from the kids who sing well...i was watching the program, and was astounded by the performance by the 10 yr old kids (like Gurpreet)....kudos to all of them and to the whole Sa Re Ga Ma team. Alka Yagnik is like a teacher on the show.

July 27

At last got my laptop problem solved. it was this small software that had got corrupted. today evening i saw the movie 'Syriana'. The print was clear but the volume was totally disappointing. The one part took my heart was the TATA bus in the movie, apart form the charismatic cast. Jiyo Tata bus Jiyo!!

Next --> To Peru...

Our cafe lady in the office is from Peru, and was excited when i told her about Machu-Pichu. Planning to save and go to Peru next yr around June 24. She said it is the festival time when the Peruvians pay homage to the sun god. Lets see if i can plan out a 4-5 day trip. seems that the country is cheaper than India in terms of standard of living.

Another literally screwed up day at office...dont know why the Map Ntk drive is not working from my laptop. I have to follow up with the IEEE helpdesk, but the dont think they'll be of any use.
One of my colleagues in office is buying a home in India. He got a good deal. Property prices seems to have sky rocketed in India, and so has the rent. Buying a property seems to be a good investment, but with hand-to-mouth salary, i guess i'll have to cut down on the life style that i lead to atleast pay the minimum downpayment and take a bank loan.

Boneyard:

No one ever said the military was the most efficient employer of machines and personnel, but "The Boneyard" gives hope that some material is being recycled (even if it is just a ship being sunk in deep water for target practice). Starting from Aeroplanes, ships, composite fibre rockets and planes to nuclear waste, the "Boneyard" is the burial. Check it out in the History Channel.

Munshi and the cell phones in India

Well today I saw some emotional exchanges between old friends from college over Munshi's existence.
By the way, saw the movie: Fanna. Interesting plot I would say. I'm still wondering where is Munshi? My guess is he has lost his cell phone, and now he doesn't know whom to call, or he might be in a secret DRDO project. Good for him. I just spoke to shibu da and PPD. I called up Anup Das, but I guess he thought it was a crank call from US, and so he is not picking up the phone. Man...Indian cell phone freaks me out...we still do not have the option of voicemail so that people can leave a message. I guess we do not want people to leave us important messages. we have FM radios on cell phones but no voice mail feature...huh!!!

Looks like Israel is making the crap out of Lebanon. It is interesting to note that there are still US citizens who are in Lebanon, and want to be there against the shelling from the south. Sometimes I feel the mid-east crisis is in a recursive mode, and the mullahs are all happy with their oil economy. It is a tit for tat game out there between the Arabs and the Jews, both competing to display their wrath. Hope this ends soon.

Allah mehfooz rakkhey sabko.

My first day of blogging...

The first splash of rain

The first splash of rain the dry soil back to life
and the aroma in the air makes our mortal souls dance.
The green grass in the meadows dance in the fresh air,
and the hummingbird returns home to see the chicks
take their first bath while still in their nests
The children run around the paddy fields
jumping in the mud and teasing each other
as Bholu, the washerman's dog looks upon confused all drenched in rain.
And suddenly the clouds embark, and children shout hooray
and farmer's weary eyes looks contended
for the young paddy will get the much needed water.
When I stand with my face towards the black sky
the golden streak of light from the setting sun hits my eye
the drops of water splashes on my face,
and I feel the freshness of the natural cologne
My mind and body sets into the rhythm of the rain
as I enjoy the first splash of rain.

-Bikram