All posts by Ancy Abraham

Blogger, Author & Editor of Consumer Issues, Nature Lover and Walking Enthusiast. Worked as a magazine assistant editor for a consumer magazine. Writes about lifestyle topics related to health, food, shopping, etc. Writing for LST for the past 6 years.
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Rice Flour Upma: Inspired by Bigg Boss Malayalam season 3

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I always wanted to do a quick rice flour, recipe for breakfast or snack time. However, with rice flour it is not that easy.

When Sajna Feroz, the Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 3 contestant said that Upma can be prepared from rice flour, the conversation caught my attention.

Rice Flour Upma conversation in Bigg Boss House

I think the talk happened during the captaincy of Noby Markose, towards the end of the week when there is an obvious ration shortage.

I tried two times earlier and I found that rice flour upma takes just under 15 minutes of cooking time. Also, you do not need an accompaniment, the upma is savoury and tasty on its own,

The cooking creativity of Sajna

That Sajna is a perfect homemaker and an excellent cook, she has proved many times in Bigg Boss Malayalam 3. This week Lalettan gifted her a prototype of the Ammikallu (traditional stone grinder) for her creativity is grinding coconut chutney with roti board and rolling pin.

Her creativity in cooking is a blessing in the Bigg Boss House, as whole rice and rice flour food seem to be a requisite, only next to oxygen for survival for most of the contestants. So, one day they had kanji (rice gruel for breakfast).

When I heard Sajan say that upma can be made from rice flour, that gave a spark. Ok, now I got a new quick recipe for the morning or four o’clock recipe. We can make upma with leftover puttu, on the contrary, preparing upma from raw rice flour is a different cooking technique.

I, therefore, searched for rice flour upma recipes on YouTube. But there were only very few. Besides, I do not know how Sajna prepared the Upma in Bigg Boss Malayalam 3.

So, after going through the few videos about preparing rice flour upma, I came out with my version of the recipe.

I am going to prepare this as a snack. I am going to have this rice flour upma with tea.

When you come from the office, with the tea you can prepare it. Hardly any ingredients. It is a very traditional recipe. I think it is very interesting. And in this fast-paced age, you can easily make this recipe at home.

Let me tell you the basic ingredients.  

Ingredients

Rice flour – 1 Cup

Curd (not too sour) – 1 Cup

Ginger (chopped) – 1 tbsp

Green chillies (chopped) – 1 tbsp

For Tempering

Red Chili – 3 Nos (Red chilli is the main ingredient, that gives taste to the Upma.)

Curry leaves – As required

Cumin Seeds – 1 tbsp

Spilt Chickpea – 1 tbsp

Peanuts (Optional) – 2 tbsp

Method

Firstly, put the rice flour in a bowl. Then add half of the curd and mix with hand.  When the flour and curd are mixed, pour the rest of the curd. Here, I am adding few drops of water as the curd is a little, too thick. However, you can avoid adding the water if the batter has reached a thick pouring consistency.

Secondly, add some oil in the wok, followed by spluttering some mustard. Then add Cumin seeds and split chickpea. At this time, you can add peanuts also. Now add the main ingredient for taste, the red chilli.

When the above ingredients turn crispy, add the ginger, green chilli and salt. When raw taste of the ginger is gone, then add the rice flour and curd mix.

Close and cook for 5 minutes. So that it cooks and the water evaporates.

After 5 minutes, open the lid and check the texture of the upma. The upma has turned crispy, salty, sour and tasty. That makes the upma a perfect one-pot recipe for breakfast or snack time.

The cooking process is over now.

Rice flour upma is an unexplored field in YouTube Food Blogging. It is a very traditional item, known as Udhiri Upma in Tamil. I wish more people try and put videos on Rice flour upma.

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M G George Muthoot: A Great Visionary And Philanthropist

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On March 5th breaking news in a news channel that M G George Muthoot had passed away changed the day’s mood. With the untimely death of Mathai George George Muthoot, there was a feeling as if a pillar of strength was gone.

Muthoot Sir to some, and Muthoot Uncle to the Youngsters, is known for two things – one for emboldening the common man to take out the unprofitable investment of gold, lying idle in the lockers, and obtain a collateral loan backed by their favourite precious metal. Two, he was a dear son of the Indian Orthodox Church, the Church established by St Thomas the Apostle of Jesus in AD 52, of which he was the trustee for ten years.

As a visionary, while Muthoot Group branches jumped from 31 to 5000, he simultaneously helped his Church, and many other organizations, to reach greater heights of development and diversification. Besides, he had the solutions to bring into effect his vision topped with an immense talent for human relations. As a result along with diversifying his business from gold loans to real estate, schools and hospitals, he shared the expertise so that others could also grow and develop.

The fruits of his business success, over and above his philanthropy, trickled down to the grassroots level. During the lockdown, he helped many either by the people contacting Muthoot or by him outreaching to those in need. He never bothered that when he goes and works among the commons, people will evaluate him, and they may try to get undue favour from the entrepreneur whose family is ranked 26th richest in India by Fotbes, with an fortune of $4.8 billion.

Twenty years ago when I told my mother that I was going to take a loan against a little gold from a Muthoot branch she cried. She said it was against the culture of our family to pledge girl’s gold. But I persisted and went to the branch and shyly took the loan. Now things have changed. Taking gold-backed loans has become a common practice, whether it is for education, business or personal needs. The vision of George Muthoot needs appreciation for changing the investment perspectives in India.

As a member of the Indian Orthodox Church, Muthoot is compared to Kandathil Cheriyan Mammen Mappillai the Editor of Malayala Manorama. Both of them were successful in their enterprises and at the same time they wore the allegiance to the Church on their sleeves. They worked with the Church heads and layman for social reforms and to build educational institutions.

Muthoot knew the Bible thoroughly and was an altar server. On the annual feast day of the death anniversary of St Gregorios of Parumala, he used to lead padayatra to the St Gregorios Church.

He was always concerned about the well being of the priests and their families and at times did little act of kindness. A few years ago he was instrumental in registering the priests in a health insurance scheme. Last April, in the thick of the lockdown, my father, an Indian Orthodox Priest, had to undergo an emergency liver surgery. He could easily undergo the surgery because of the quick reimbursement that he received from the health insurance scheme.

Muthoot lived for 72 years in this world and he sowed seeds of vision and aspiration in the minds of many youngsters. His life can be aptly summed up with the Bible verse, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7.

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3-year-old in india book of records for identifying brands

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Jeremiah, at the age of 3 years and 11 months, received a certificate and medal of appreciation from India Book of Records. He was appreciated for identifying brands by their logos. In 13 minute and 4 seconds he identified brand logos of 283 eCommerce, vehicle, food, social media, TV channel, cloth brand and many others in .

As a nine-month-old, Jeremiah crawled fast towards the garbage bin, while his mother was throwing an empty moisturiser can and he uttered “Olay’. This was the first time his mother realised his talent in logo recognition.

He talked before he walked. While travelling in the car his favourite activity is to identify shops from their logos. He stays with his parents Tinku and Roel in Abu Dhabi.

During the lockdown, when he went to Kerala, he surprised his grandparents with his memory skills. That is when his parents, encouraged by their relatives, decided to attempt the India Book of Records.

Making Jeremiah stay put to study is next to impossible. Owing to the pandemic, he is yet to physically attend formal school. He learned more than 300 logos in his play way method.

For the record-breaking attempt, he recognised 283 brands with ease. Appreciating his talent in identifying multiple logos, India Book of Records conferred a certificate and medal, two weeks ahead of his 4th Birthday.

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3 WAYS TO avoid the disastrous effects of climate change

Ancy Abraham

The Emission Gap Reports of 2020 are out; once again predicting where the emissions will be in 2030 and what should be done to avoid the disastrous effects of climate change.

As expected there was a short-term decline in Carbon dioxide emission, a dip of 7 percent, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However this drop will only lead to a 0.01°C reduction of global warming by 2050.    Even now, the world is heading for a temperature rise beyond 3°C.

What needs to be done for a net zero emission?

For a net zero emission, according to the Paris Agreement goals, we should be limiting the temperature below 2°C. And as far as possible keep the temperature below 1.5°C.

Why the rate of global warming is not dipping?

This is because of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), The government pledges under the Paris Agreement, NDCs are not enough.

Where does India stand in GHG Emission?

India is the world’s fourth largest economy and fifth largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, accounting for about 5% of global emissions. India’s emissions increased 65% between 1990 and 2005 and were projected to grow another 70% by 2020.

What are the levels of emission and their corresponding temperature?  

In the Current policies scenario emissions are at 59 GtCO2e and at this rate the temperature will reach 3.5°C in 2050.

What happens with  Conditional NDC scenario? 

 With  Conditional NDC emissions need to fall to 53GtCO2e 3°C.   

2.0°C range

Green pandemic recovery is within the range. Emissions need to fall to 41 GtCO2e.

A green pandemic recovery could cut up to 25 per cent off predicted 2030 greenhouse gas emissions. World is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3°C this century.

1.5°C range

Emissions need to fall to 25 GtCO2e’

How to achieve the ambitious 1.5°C goal?

  • By combining a green pandemic recovery.
  • New net-zero pledges that reflects in countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement.
  • And backed with rapid action.

What can we do to reduce GHG and tackle effects of climate change?      

Household consumption accounts for around two-thirds of global greenhouse gas. Steps must be take to encourage reductions from households with high consumption emissions; and at the same time avoiding burdens on the poor.

Essential changes are in  required in following areas:       

  • Passenger aviation
  • Reductions in car use
  • Domestic energy use
  • Diet change

56% of Lifestyle Emissions consist of:

  • Mobility : 17%
  • Residential energy : 19%
  • Food : 20%      

Consumption emissions vary in different countries:

  • United States of America: 17.6 tons CO2e per capita.
  • European Union and the United Kingdom: together approximately 7.9 tons per capita.
  • India:1.7 tons per capita.

There is a correlation between income and emissions:

  • Top 10% of income earners are around 36–49% of the global total emissions.
  • Lowest 50% of income earners account for around 7–15% of all emissions.

Carbon mitigation in mobility

Mobility has significant mitigation potential to reduce emissions.

  • Reduction, at around 1.9 tCO2e per avoided long-haul return flight.
  • Active travel such as cycling and walking can reduce emissions.
  • Greater use of public transport.
  • Greater vehicle efficiency.
  • Adoption of BEVs.

The strong link between income and mobility emissions

  • Global top 10% of income earners use around 45% of all energy for land transport and around 75% of all energy for aviation.
  • Compared with 10% and 5% respectively for the poorest 50% of households. 

(Mobility Lifestyle Decisions)

  • Airport expansion plans in the UK legally rejected in their current form on climate grounds.
  • Domestic Austrian flights replaced with intercity rail between Vienna and Salzburg.
  • Incentives for bicycle purchase and repair – tax cuts for cycling in the EU and UK.

Carbon mitigation in residential sector

There is Ample mitigation potential in residential sector to reduce emissions:

  • Low-carbon heating and renewable energy should be used by households.
  • There should be energy-efficient construction and renovations.
  • Emissions should be reduced through smaller living spaces.
  • There should be adjustments to room temperature.

(Residential Lifestyle Change)

  • Retrofitting public housing after economic downturn Improved residential energy efficiency in USA.
  • Energy-efficiency standards for energy-intensive products in Japan.
  • Smart meters reduced gas consumption by 22.0 per cent overall and by 27.2 per cent in high consumers in the UK.

Carbon mitigation in food sector

  • Full or partial vegetarianism has the potential to reduce emissions from food consumption by around 31 per cent.
  • Pescatarian diet leading to an approximately 27 per cent reduction.
  • Reducing beef and lamb, and encouraging healthy fruit and vegetable consumption, can reduce food-related emissions by nearly 10 per cent globally.

(Diet Lifestyle Change)

  • France implemented national policies against food waste in supermarkets.
  • Food-growing households in Czech Republic reduce household emissions. 
  • Italy implemented a law to reduce food waste and encourage donation of leftover food to charity.

The focus of the global economy on paid employment – and the devaluation of unpaid care work that sustains it – is an overlooked barrier to low-carbon lifestyles.

The richer, the higher the emissions

  • Higher income tends to be correlated with higher emissions.
  • The richest 1% of the global population account for more emissions …… than the poorest 50%.

So how much time is left to avoid the disastrous effects of climate change?

It’s not too late to act

Emphasize emissions reduction from mobility, residential energy use and food, as these constitute key sectors through which lifestyle change can enable climate mitigation, comprising approximately 17 per cent, 19 per cent and 20 per cent of Lifestyle Emissions respectively.

Encourage Low-Carbon Lifestyles for mobility, residential energy use and food.

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How to save for posterity?

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In the 21st century, when predominantly nuclear family prevails, there is a rising tendency among parents asking why to save for posterity. We earn and we burn, why save for the posterity?

Rise of Nuclear families

Yes, you are right; we were born in nuclear families, with just enough to eat, wear and enjoy a little bit. Also, our parents managed to give us a good education.

And on that firm footing, we built a career and became financially secure. We bought one or two houses, one or two cars, saved for the children’s higher education and have a decent bank balance.

Does that mean that we secured our children’s future and we did enough for the posterity? No, we haven’t?

Being in the ’40s and my parents in their 70’s, what my parents did to secure my future was right. But I being in the ’40s and my children in their teens, I need to think of a few more criteria to secure the future of my posterity.

Carbon footprints and food miles

I have to think in terms of Carbon footprints and food miles; also about Sustainable clothing and Sustainable farming. To secure my children’s future I need to give them not just a decent education, but also handover a liveable planet to them.

Large families and joint families of yesteryears

My parents grew up in large families with many siblings. They were well to do families with land holdings. They had enough to fill eat but not to splurge. Things were like the first come first basis. The fittest could survive. The smartest and the strongest get the lion share. It was the duty of the mother to ensure that every member of the family got their proper share of food and clothing.

The first generation nuclear families

However, when my parents began a family, a nuclear one, they wanted to give the kids every happiness in life. They gave the kids the best food and clothing. As they were conditioned in childhood to share with others and eat home-cooked food, they never took any interest in the processed food available in the market. But they bought readymade chocolates, cookies and chips for their kids. And thus we were conditioned on plentiful.

Pampered kids of today

Being conditioned in the plentiful, we made our kids self-sufficient. Giving them their own unique choice of food, clothes and gadgets. At least we had common bathrooms, common phone and television. Now there is hardly any common factor among the parents and children. 

Kids Environment Activist

Kids like Greta Thunberg understood the danger of plentiful parents and self-sufficient kids. They urged their parents to own just one house, to reduce the carbon footprints, which is the measure of the greenhouse gases generated during production.

Greta also refuses to travel by air, to reduce the carbon footprints.

We must think like our grandparents and live like our parents.

We need to live our life from the scratch.

Because transporting food items from far away generates footprints, we must become self-reliant thereby reducing food miles. We must try to be self-reliant by growing vegeables in whichever way possible- terrace garden, kitchen garden and indoor plantation.

Gold treasure discovered hidden by ancestors

Several stories that appeared online give an insight into how we survive because of our forefathers saved for us. And why we must save for the posterity.

Roman age gold coins were discovered from the Como, city in Italy, which is worth millions of Euros. Possibly a wealthy person buried the coins in the beginning of 2000 AD fearing some invasion. Now the coin has become the wealth of a nation.

Air and water measurable

Who though that one day the amount of water used to wash the grapes for wines will be counted. And who thought the water used for manufacturing and washing jean will be considered as huge water consumption. Until now we thought air and water were free to be used by every living being.

We have an even bigger responsibility for the posterity. We need to save the environment for posterity. We need to be on an austerity drive. Instead of being on use and throw culture, we need to adopt use and reuse culture. A gist of how we can save for the posterity is being taught by the pandemic because we have learned to live a minimalistic life. We must continue our austere habits even after the pandemic and save for the posterity so that they can enjoy, breath and live freely on earth like we did in our childhood.

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man undergoes brain surgery while watching Bigg Boss, lifestyle today news, Nov 23…

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Man undergoes brain surgery while watching Bigg Boss; Melting ice sheets of Greenland; Mega flood on Mars 4 billion years ago; Jaan Kumar Sanu gets evicted from Bigg Boss

A man undergoes brain surgery while watching Bigg Boss

A 33-year-old man in Andhra Pradesh watched Bigg Boss, as doctors performed critical brain surgery. The surgery was performed to remove a recurrent glioma in the left premotor area. Prasad was required to stay awake during the surgery.  It is not clear from the reports about the number of hours taken for the surgery, however, he watched Bigg Boss Season 14 and the super hit Sci-Fi Hollywood movie Avatar as three doctors performed the surgery.  He had undergone a surgery in 2014 also but did not recover completely. He was discharged from the hospital in Guntur on Saturday.

Melting ice sheets of Greenland

The largest island on earth, Greenland, is the benchmark to decide the intensity of climate change. Various researches are being done to evaluate how far global warming results in the melting of the ice sheets in Greenland. In one such study researchers climbed down the moulins that drain meltwater coming from the ice sheet. The researcher found that the moulins are larger than previously thought. And they say that the volume of meltwater in the Moulin will affect the stability of the Greenland ice sheet and also how fast they move towards the sea.

A mega flood on Mars 4 billion years ago

Once upon a time, 4 billion years ago, there was a megaflood on Mars, so says the scientists. Before the flood Mars could sustain life. The analysis is done from sedimentological data from the NASA Curiosity rover. There are geological feature that was formed by water and wind, and frozen four billion years ago. The ‘Anitdunes’ and ‘Megaripple’ features on the Gale crater are an indication that a megaflood occurred on the red planet.

Jaan Kumar Sanu gets evicted from Bigg Boss

Jaan Kumar Sanu was the latest contestant to get evicted from Bigg Boss Season 14. Son of Kumar Sanu, he was the fresh face entrant to the reality show. He entertained the audience through Bigg Boss with his singing and other skills. He has been voted out on a thin margin from the nearest contestants.

News Courtesy Google News

For more visit Home Page

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A visit to Ayyappa temple r k puram

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It was Chingam 1, the New Year of the Malayalam calendar and around 10:30 in the Morning when we reached Ayyappa temple R K Puram, in Delhi. Seveli, the daily ritual was about to begin. 

Devotees were present standing barefoot on the hot concrete tiles waiting to pay obeisance to the deity. The daily procession of diety takes place three times around the temple every morning and evening.

History of AYYAPPA TEMPLE R K PURAM

The Ayyappa Temple at R K Puram is one of the well known Ayyappa temples in India. During the Sabarimala season, Devotees preparing to go on the Sabarimala pilgrimage, carrying the ‘erumudi’, visit here wearing the ‘Chandana-mala’.

The consecration of the Shrine, built in the Chera architecture style, took place on 30th April 1980. Twenty-five sculptors in this temple were carved in Kerala and took two years to complete. The stones for the construction were collected from the Barathapuza River.

The Kathakali Sculpture

A life-size sculpture of Kathakali dancer performing a mudra. There are some 20 main mudras or the hand signs and many small mudras that are the main element to performance the story. Katha means story and kali mean performance and art. The themes of the kathakali are from the religious legends and folk mythologies of the Hindu Puranas.

There is also Goddess Durga (Bhadrakali) and Sarpa Kavu for Nagas (with the installation of Nagaraja, Naga Yakshi and a Chithrakuda, representing all snakes).

The bells:  According to ancient scriptures, the bell helps to give sound for keeping away evil forces, and the ringing of the bell is pleasant to God. The peaceful and sacred temple built in the pristine green expanse is a must-visit holy destination in south Delhi.

An earlier post was done about the historical and spiritual importance on Onatukara in Kerala. Click the link to read about the little know history and religous significance of this place in Travancore.

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indian nurse to speak at WORLD LUNG HEALTH CONFERENCE

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With President Clinton and WHO Director General, she shares the dias, at the World Lung Health Conference. Divya Sojan is a three time TB survivor, and a fighter to the core. Furthermore, She works as a nursing officer at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi.

A doctor took note of her fighting spirit, and, in fact, he did not have a second thought while recommending her name as speaker for the World Health Conference. On publishing the list of speakers, to the surprise of everyone, those joining Divya as opening speakers included President Bill Clinton, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Director General of WHO), Princess Dina Mired, and actress and Union Ambassador Claire Forlani.

WORLD LUNG HEALTH CONFERENCE

In the 51st Conference on Lung Health, from 20-24 October 2020, Divya will speak about the impact of Covid-19 on those suffering from TB in India. Besides, President Clintion will be giving the key note address.

Orginally planned in Seville, Spain, an estimate of around 4000 delegates will be participating in the 5 day conference to be held virtually, this year.

“Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic requires strong leadership and we are thrilled to have two global health leaders like President Clinton and Director-General Tedros commit to speaking to Union World Conference delegates at this critical time,” said José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union.

“We will ensure that this year’s Union World Conference is a key platform for scientists, community, policymakers and political leaders to both deliver and promote solutions that can contribute to getting us on the path to end the pandemic. Scientific integrity and evidence-based policy must be at the heart of everything we do.” said José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union

“COVID-19 is a stark reminder of the vital importance of breathing, and the devastating effects of anything that takes our breath away, including tobacco, air pollution and diseases such as TB,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The pandemic is a wake-up call to do everything in our power to make sure everyone, everywhere can breathe freely and cleanly.”

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Meet Molly: helping the needy

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Recognising and helping the needy and reaching them with the right kind of support is the gift, which only a very few possess. Molly Varghese is one such person who helps in whichever way she could the needy that came to her notice.

“Social work is my passion and hobby. I love people smiling after a small service given to them – that makes my day”, says Molly who distributed more than 1400 free food kits, during lockdown, to the underprivileged not possessing a ration card. A former military nurse of lieutenant officer rank, she even visited the Tihar Jail, few years ago, to offer counselling sessions for the inmates.

Lockdown Food Kits

The very first day of lockdown she realized the hardships that the poor will undergo. “I could not sleep on March 24th the day of declaring lockdown because I knew them who will suffer and I realised they were in trouble.”

The girl donated her piggy bank savings on her birthday to Molly Aunty to help the needy

“So I called social work partner Sonu Suhail and explained everything to him. With Rs 5000 donated by my daughter and Rs 5000 by another friend, on March 25th we distributed 20 food kits worth Rs 700 among slum dwellers, the place where we earlier conducted classes for the beggar children.” The food kit contained essential items like rice, wheat flour, oil and dals.

Numbers increased, until June 8th, daily 30-40 food kits amounting to Rs 4.5 lakh got distributed. Taking notice of her efforts, ChildLine provided a vehicle to distribute the food kits. Even now a few families are being supported until they become stable.

A little child wrapped in warm cloth inspiration behind the name Care & Share

First instance of helping the needy

Her first experience with social work began when a lady with two small children, a boy and a girl and a drunkard husband approached her. Molly helped the children get admission in renowned schools and now the boy graduated from DU and the girl is pursuing a nursing degree. “Since the children got daily guidance without fail they did not go astray. A help which later I understood was kind of social service.”

Finding a passion at 50

She became involved in social work at the age of 50, after fulfilling the duties of nurturing her only daughter. “At 50 years I had a conversation with Lord and I wanted to give back as I continued receiving blessings from Lord. ‘I said Lord “I am 50 now, all these years I spent time for my daughter and family. Give me something to do.”

The elderly lady lost is a mela (Village fair), later reunited with her family

Tihar Jail Visit

The first opportunity was the visit to the Tihar jail “Two years I heard their cries (some have convicted crimes too) and some yet to prove their innocence. After two years it was too much for me to take. It was too heavy to handle as they all prisoners waited for us as solace and to call their families. Prisoners’ family are the most affected because of the earning member and they get no support.”

How do you recognize the needy?

Finding the needy is very easy. It is my promise and a plea to Lord that no day should go without helping someone; even a smile will do. As I get the money I will find the needy. If we look around there are hundreds of needy. Guards, maids, beggars, women exploited by husbands and so on. People approach me not in big numbers, one or two in a month. People give money through the what app group called Care & share.

The million dollar smile on receiving warm clothes

Family Support

The family supports. Husband, who works with a private firm, takes care of the accounting and daughter gives the financial support to help the needy.

What message do you convey to the readers on Gandhi Jayanthi?

Gandhiji said ‘be the change what you want to see in the world. So BE THE CHANGE unless we change nothing happens it is futile to expect others to change. Nothing is impossible if you have a passion.

Age is not a bar to study. If we study after a lot of experience in life it is a different feeling. In adult education, we study for the sake of learning. The real learning is real acquiring of knowledge.

Gandhi,a superhuman being, embraced everyone with his love irrespective of cast creed and class, and his used non-violence and peaceful approach. The teaching of Jesus Christ inspired him. Love, compassion, kindness and mercy are the virtues we need like Gandhi to see the human being as the children of one God.

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is there a difference between appam and aappam ?

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Does there exist a difference between appam and aappam? When a chef presented appam, I could make out from the texture that it was aappam (ɑːpam) and not appam (əˈpam).

The chef agreed that it was aappam (‘a’ as in ‘part’) and not appam (‘a’ as in ‘America’). To my friends, this was new information as they said that they never knew that appam was different from aappam.

Besides, on browsing, no such article or video existed clarifying the difference between Appam and AAppam.

What is appam?

If bread means any baked item made with flour, yeast and water; in Malayalam appam refers to any baked, steamed, fried or pancaked item made with flour. Appam can be vattayappam, unniyappam, Nei appam, idiyappam, Vella appam, palappam and so on.

When you add yeast to the rice batter and make pancakes on a flat pan, then we get velleyappam. So, when you add urad dal to the rice batter and ferment, as in idli, and prepare pancakes, then that is dosa.

Here we are discussing the appams prepared in appachetty (small hopper pans shaped like a deep frying wok).

What is palappam?

The appams prepared in appachetty traditionally called Palappam prepared by adding pal (Milk) to loosen the batter. But, in recent times, appam generally means palappam.

Palappam is when coconut milk is used instead of water to grind the rice and yeast used for fermentation. And once the batter rises, nice wafer-like, basket-shaped hoppers are prepared with a thick, soft and fluffy inner core. Nowadays in restaurants and parties, these palappams, globally known as appams and curry has become a favourite cuisine.

Being a Malayalee I prepare appam using yeast or coconut water. But, my Tamilian friends use urad dal – one or two spoonfuls of urad dal, as a larger quantity of urad dal will mean dosa.

What is AAppam?

The appam that I had that day contained urad dal instead of yeast for fermentation. The chef was Tamilian, like my friends, therefore he called the hoppers as AAppam.

Difference between appam and aappam

The difference between appam and aappam differs in three aspects. While yeast ferment the appams, urad dal (black gram) ferments aappam. The texture and taste of both differ as the fermentation agents differ. And while the Malayalees call their rice-yeast hoopers as appam, the Tamilians call their rice-urad dal hoppers as aappam.

Isn’t so much differentiation enough to prove that appam is different from aappam? What do you say?