Save My Mumbai

This year my resolution is to help  in saving Mumbai my way.

To identify the problems from my point of view and address them my way.

I was indeed fortunate to plan my family vacation after three long and trying years... We had been to Dubai...

The visit was an eye-opener and has indeed helped me decide on my new year resolution. Bit late though...

To me Dubai is what Mumbai should have been and have the ability to be in terms of  Progress, Hygiene, Health and Cleanliness. It is a kingdom and the King has the last say. Thankfully the king is good and loved but dreaded by all.

The principle on which the city works is the fear of FINES. The people there dread the FINES so much that they do not dare to commit an offence. I know it is not the right way of working but it has worked miraculously for the city.

I am not talking about the magnificent structures and landscapes which have been erected across Dubai.
I am more focusing on the following:

• The roads without potholes throughout.
• The lane disciplines.
• No Honking attitude of the people
• The well-maintained cars and even heavy vehicles which is the responsibility of the owners.
• The well executed parking rules and implementation
• No hawkers and beggars
• The green zones... 
• Litter free city
• Clean and safe public transport... 
• Safety first mentality... 

As a mumbaikar I want my Old Mumbai Attitude back in the city.. 

• Clean City Attitude
• No Littering Attitude
• No Spitting Attitude
• Follow Traffic Rules and Lane discipline attitude
• Clean and Green Mumbai Attitude
• Safety Attitude
• Queues and Respect to Public Transport Attitude

Requesting all to educate atleast five people around you and force them to pledge to contribute towards it... 

I citizen of Mumbai, Pledge that I shall do the following to make my city beautiful

• I shall not litter
• I shall follow traffic rules
• I shall help old and young children cross the road
• I shall not encourage beggars 
• I shall educate my family on keeping the city clean
• I shall not allow others to litter, to spit, to break traffic rules
• I shall atleast encourage 5 other members to pledge and make their families to take the pledge

I have taken the oath...  Hope more people join...

Also request to educate those people who actually need to be educated... Look out for people who are ignorant or arrogant about their attitude towards the city.. If each one can transform one person you have done a great job... 

My First Post on Recipe

The Fruit Skewers:

This one I made for my elder daughter's bday. It was a huge hit and disappeared within minutes.

Ingredients:                          

• Kiwis
• Pineapple
• Watermelons
• Tooth Picks

For the Dressing

• Lime
• Honey or powdered sugar
• Mint Juice 1/4 Tsp
• Salt to Taste
• Black Pepper just half a pinch.

Procedure: 

Scoop the fruits or cut them them using small cookie cutters. Arrange the cut fruits in a sequence on the tooth pick. 

Mix all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and pour it generously on the the skewers. 

Gently toss the skewers in the dressing and arrange them in a plate and freeze them. 

Remove the skewers just before serving them.  

After year long break

More than a year..  Had to start with blogging again.. Did not understand where to start from ... So thought let us start from where I left... 

So here is the last wish list I had posted... And updates onto what I have done of these in the last year.. 

Things that I want to do....

• Laugh insanely...
• CHECKED
• Receive loads of wrapped gifts...
• WAITING
• Dance like a child...  with innocent movements...
• CHECKED
• Be a part of a group dance..
• CHECKED
• Act in Children's drama
• TO BE DONE
• Be scared of rides and yell while being forced onto one...
• CHECKED
• Be scolded by elders...
• WAITING
• Make drawings in the air with fingers while watching the sun set...
• WAITING
• Drink Rain Water...
• WAITING
• Play a mischief...
• CHECKED
• Make a toothpaste mustache.... 
• WAITING
• Watch Home Alone on 24th Dec....
• CHECKED
• Wait for the Stocking to be filled up...
• WAITING WAITING WAITING
• Be proud of Handmade greeting made by my friend on my B'day....
• WAITING...  My friends...  R U LISTENING?
• Go to my Alma mater...  And sing School Anthem...
• Go -> CHECKED... SING  -> WAITING
• Play Lagori with my friends...
• WAITING
• Watch Giant Robot and Spiderman animation
• WAITING
• Sleep while studying... or listening to songs with earphones on...
• CHECKED CHECKED CHECKED
• Be kissed when sleeping...
• CHECKED
• Throw Mobiles, laptops and Tabs in dustbin..
• WISHING

Lunch Boxes At School/College

Many years I did not carry lunch box to school as I always felt it was wasting precious time...
Playing desk cricket was more important than eating...

Later with morning school, there was no option but to have your first meal at school...

Here are the favourite recipes I used to have for school/college recess...

1. Phodnichi Poli
2. Cutlets
3. Upma
4. Neeru Dosa ( I loved them the most. Made by my dear friend Shobha's mother)
5. Pithla Poli
6. Poli and Bhendi Bhaji
7. Tomato bhaji and Poli (Made by my dera friend Ruchira's mother) 
8. Murmuryacha Chivda (made by my sweet friend Reena's mother) 
9. khottu - Idli in Jackfruit leaves. (Made by my dear friend Shobha's mother)  
10. Sandwiches
11. Misal paav at Somaiya canteen.

Wow...

A morning to remember

It was quite a chilly Sunday morning... deep in the woods of Sanjay Gandhi National Park....

Trekked with my father...  worth it...
watched birds.... Observed trees... Admired the blissful lake...
Thanked the forest department for preserving the green patch...

Clicked photos... Loved the cottage with Warli painting....
Spoke to strangers and was happy to connect...

It was a morning which  was special to me...
It was a morning celebrated in a special way....
With mother in my heart and father besides me...

The woods lovely dark and deep made me realise....
I have promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep.... 

Happy Children's Day...

Things that I want to do....

• Laugh insanely...
• Recieve loads of wrapped gifts...
• Dance like a child...  with innocent movements...
• Be a part of a group dance..
• Act in Children's drama
• Be scard of rides and yell while being forced onto one...
• Be scolded by elders...
• Make drawings in the air with fingers while watching the sun set...
• Drink Rain Water...
• Play a mischief...
• Make a toothpaste moustache.... 
• Watch Home Alone on 24th Dec....
• Wait for the Stocking to be filled up...
• Be proud of Handmade greeting made by my friend on my B'day....
• Go to my Alma mater...  And sing School Anthem...
• Play Lagori with my friends...
• Watch Giant Robot and Spiderman animation
• Sleep while studying... or listening to songs with earphones on...
• Be kissed when sleeping...
• Throw Mobiles, laptops and Tabs in dustbin..

A life that was.. A life that is..

On this very important day of my life.. I take pride in celebrating life...
I promise to myself that I shall try to live it to the fullest...

I have always loved birthdays and know it is important to remember and celebrate them and make them special...

One extremely important reason for celebrating the day is because it is also the most special day in the life of your parents... not respecting it...  not loving it... not enjoying it, is humilating them....

So dear friends.. if you love your parents and the family that mean the most to you... always celebrate birthdays...
Make a birthday special for someone... hug the person who takes extra efforts to make your birthday extra special...
Be fortunate to have people around you who love you... It doesn't matter if your dearest ones are not with you... Always be sure their blessing are with you forever...