Oroosa's Orbit

The Trip to Lucknow

2009-10-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

It was quite a long trip--nearly a fortnight I stayed with my in-laws in Lucknow. As my parents also originally hail from the same City, it's always nice to catch up with cousins and relatives.

As the train pulled in at the grand Lucknow railway station, it was again a wave of nostalgic hitting me. Though it was early morning, the streets were already chock a bloc with crowd and almost all forms of transport ranging from the notorious Vikram three-wheelers to the Cycle-rickshaws and tongas.

Despite this cacophony Lucknow is a special city that is known for its monuments and a refined culture. We spent quite a lot of time on socialising and visiting historical places as well. The weather was far from good and the power cuts added to discomfort.

Still, we did enjoy our trip. Of course, there was Bismillah ceremony. Aleena repeated the Arabic sura with ease and elan. At the ancestral home in Kakori, we celebrated Eid with my parents-in-law. My husband made the best use of holidays.

He slept a lot, read and spent the rest of the time in seeing places. Now we are back to Bhopal, leaving the hot weather behind. I have realised that the best part of the year to visit Lucknow is from October till February. Rest of the year, it's humid and sweltering hot.

Teaching physics

2009-02-04T12:33:00.001-08:00

I'm enjoying my latest job. After my marriage, the initial few years I hadn't taken up any job. My daughter has started going to the school and what a coincidence that I got a really good job.

I love teaching and I'm enjoying every moment of it. Good that I was as confident as I used to be. I knew I couldn't like any other job. Though I had sometime back taught a couple of students who came for tuitions. But I was wondering will I get tense or nervous. Nope. I was not.

Back to Books: I'm in University again

2008-09-10T11:50:00.001-07:00

After a hiatus of over three years, I am back to the University to pursue my M Phil in Physics. I liked the University.

It's green, verdant and the campus is spread over a large area. After doing my MSc from Osmania University and teaching there for five years, it's been a long gap that I am back to books.

The Department of Physics has a nice building. I like the atmosphere. I have to spent a year. Let's see what's in store for me here.

The Bhopal University is known as Barkatullah University after the name of the freedom fighter Barkatullah Bhopali who founded the Gadar Party and was Prime Minister of Government in India in Exile, that was formed in Kabul much before Independence.

Shifting our residence

2008-08-06T13:30:00.001-07:00

We are shifting, once again. That's going to be the third house in three years in this City. In fact, I like it. I have become quite an expert in packing things.

Also, now I know the City well. First when I came to Bhopal, I lived on the lake side, in Koh-e-Fiza. It was quite a nice locality but was located on the other side of lake where the Old Bhopal exists.

For the last 1-1/2 years we were in New Bhopal, near Arera Colony. And now we are going near New Market, the centre of Bhopal.

[Photo: The Upper Lake divides Bhopal into New and Old City. The island in the midst of lake is visible.]

Mixed Vegetable Pickle

2008-01-05T04:59:00.000-08:00

This is the latest I tried, it has come out fairly well. Anybody can make, its very easy.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cauliflower, cut into very small pieces (about ¼-inch )
1 carrot grated or cut into very small pieces(about 1/4 inches)
few green peas,
1/2 raddish gain either grated or cut into very small pieces (about 1/4 inch)
5 green chilies, seeded and cut lengthwise
Juice of 2 lemon
3 tsps salt or to taste
3 tsps chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
6-7 tsps mustard seeds
2-3 tsp fenugreek seeds
1/2 cup oil

Method:

1. First mix all the veggies, add salt, chili powder, turmeric powder, lemon juice and keep aside.
2. Mix mustard and fenugreek seeds and make a fine powder. Add the powder to the mixed veggies immediately and allow it to stand for a day.
3. Add oil and mix well. Its ready to serve.

Five months

2007-12-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

Almost five months. Yes that's a long period I kept away from my blog. I know there is no use maintaining a blog if you can't update it. But...

Lot of things happened in the meanwhile. I went to my parents place and stayed for quite sometime. Returned. Learnt a few more dishes to cook like Chicken Rashida and Kadhai Chicken, quite perfectly.

Plan to visit Lucknow sometime later this month.

Chicken Tikka

2007-07-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless chicken breast (cubed)
1 large bulb garlic
1 piece (2 inch) ginger
1 teaspoon cumin (freshly ground)
1 teaspoon coriander (freshly ground)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1 1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup heavy cream
a few strands of saffron, toasted and melted in a Tbsp. of milk.
salt to taste
black pepper to taste (freshly ground)
bamboo skewers (soaked well or it will burn on the grill)
clarified butter (for basting)
pastry brush for brushing on the ghee (clarified butter)

Directions:

Peel and clean garlic and ginger. Grind to a fine paste. Keep aside. get the other ingredients ready. In a large glass bowl, place the chicken and the ginger-garlic paste, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, black pepper, yogurt, cream, saffron and salt. Mix until well coated.

Cover with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 12 hours. An hour before your guests arrive, skewer the pieces of chicken, baste the chicken with ghee (clarified butter) and grill to perfection.

Complements to murgh ka tikka (chicken tikka) are naan (a flat bread that can be found in an asian store) and raita (relish made with cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, serrano peppers and yogurt) or salade (red onions, steamed beets, serrano peppers tossed in lime juice).

This recipe for Chicken Tikka serves/makes 6

Khichda

2007-07-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

The origin of this dish 'Khichda' is associated with this story. They say when Noah's arc after experiencing lot of flood and cyclone came to a halt everyone who were there in the arc were very hungry, and they had very little food. So they decided to put everything together and cook. And they put all kinds of dals(lentils), rice, wheat, mutton and vegetables together and cooked. Thats how it got its name 'Khichda' meaning mixture. Now what is cooked is modified according to our taste.

Ingredients:

daliya 100gms
tuar dal 100gms
chana dal 100gms
moong dal 100 gms
masoor dal 100 gms
urad dal 100 gms
rice 100 gms

Boil all these things together in pressure cooker so that they become soft.

mutton 500 gm or 750 gms
onion 2 medium size
ginger garlic paste
salt to taste
red chili powder
turmeric powder
corriander powder
curd 2 Tbsp
lime 1
cloves 4-5
pepper 4-5
Cinnamon stick 3-4 (1 inch each)
cardamom 4-5
green corriander
mint leaves
lemon for garnishing

Method:

Take some oil in pressure cooker add cloves, pepper cinnamon stick, cordamom and allow it to crackle. Then add onion, cook till it turns pink. Add mutton and ginger garlic paste , salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, corriander powder, curd and lime and cook for few minutes. then add water and allow it to pressure cook till mutton becomes soft.
Then, to the boiled mixture of dals and daliya add salt red chilli powder, haldi powder and corriander powder also add garam masala powder, then add this cooked mutton and mix them well with a spoon. Also add water and cook till the mixture starts boiling.
For seasoning, Take a little oil in the pan and add chopped onion to it and fry till it becomes golden brown. Take out the khichda in a serving dish and season it with fried onion, garnish it with chopped green chillies, green corriander and mint leaves and lemon and serve hot.

Poha

2007-07-03T05:41:00.000-07:00

I reached Bhopal around 7 in the morning. I was very hungry. This was the first time that I came here after marriage. My husband's friends who came to pick us up at the station, said the dish which is very commonly eaten here in bhopal for breakfast is 'POHA', that was the first time I tasted it. Its a very light dish at the same time very nutritious.

Subsequently, my husband asked me to make it at home. since I had never eaten it before so I just had no idea of how to make. So it was just trial and error method, each time I made it, the dish had a new taste. My poor husband had tough time eating it.

It took almost 2 years for me to learn to make good poha, and now I realise its very easy to make.

Ingredients:

Poha 250 gms
onion finely chopped 1 medium size
green chilli 4-5
curry leaves
mustard seeds(rai )
fennel seeds(saunf)
salt to taste
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
sugar 1/4 tsp
green coriander
lime

Method:

Rinse poha well with water. Soak it in very little water and keep for 10 minutes.
Heat little oil in the pan add mustard seeds , fennel seeds and curry leaves . Then add green chilies finely chopped. and thne finely chopped onions. Let the stove be on simmer.
Add poha to it and salt, turmeric and sugar. Mix well on low flame.Garnish with green coriander and lime and serve hot

Chicken 65

2007-07-03T05:12:00.000-07:00

This is quite a famous dish of Hyderabad. I simply love this dish. It is made with boneless chicken. It is usually taken as a starter . If you like to eat dry stuff then you can also have it in main course. Its very popular in our family,amongst all my relatives. Every one who visited Hyderabad from any part of India or from any foreign country we made them taste it, and yes, they liked it. Its just mouth watering dish. Please note down the recipe now.

Ingredients:

Chicken (boneless) 1/2 kg cut into small pieces
Egg 1
ginger garlic paste
salt to taste
red chilli powder
corn flour 1 Tbsp
maida 1 Tbsp

marinate chicken with above masala .

Curry leaves
Green chillies 10 (slit along the length)
garlic 5-6 (finely chopped)
ginger 1 inch (finely chopped)
curd 1Tbsp
salt 1 pinch
red colour

Method:

Fry pieces of marinated chicken one by one. then take little oil in the pan and put curry leaves , green chillies ginger and garlic, leave for few seconds. Add curd to it and then stir. Add salt and red colour. Allow it to cook for another few seconds. Then add fried pieces of chicken to the mixture and mix well so that the mixture covers all the pieces of chicken. Allow it to cook for 5 minutes on simmer. Your Chicken Sixty Five is ready.

Recipe for Hyderabadi Biryaani

2007-07-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

On the demand of my friends I am posting here the recipe for Hyderabadi biryani recipe. All thanks to my sister's mother-in-law. It was she who gave me this recipe and then subsequently I practiced making it at home, now i have mastered the art of making it.

Ingredients:

Mutton 1 Kg
Basmati rice 1Kg
ginger garlic paste 2 tsp
salt to taste
red chilli powder to taste
turmeric powder 2 tsp
raw papaya paste 1Tbsp ( size of the papaya must be small)
curds 2 Tbsp
lime 1
onion 2 medium size ( fried)
garam masala( cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves)
green chilly 5-6
green corriander and mint leaves.
a pinch of saffron (zafran)

Method:

Marinate mutton with the above masala and keep aside for at least 4-5 hours.
Boil rice with salt , cardomum and cloves till it is half cooked then strain the water and remove the half cooked rice in another pan. In the vessel, put oil or ghee in the base and spread mutton in the pan, then over the mutton put complete half cooked rice. Keep this vessel over pre heated tawa on full flame for 10 minutes and then on simmer for 35-40 minutes.

Mix the rice and mutton well before serving.

Confusion Over My Identity

2007-05-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

My identity had always been a mystery for people whether it is with respect to my age, my caste, religion or it be my language. Infact , I think I look like a strange creature to people. They just stare at me wondering who I am.

The problem is, nothing in my personality suggests my exact identity. Starting from my name its very uncommon so it just leaves people thinking, then my way of dressing is also not the usual muslim kind, I dont wear any jewellery which is again a cause of concern in indian society my language also does not leave any clue because more than urdu, I am more comfortable in english. In each case I have many experiences to share right from my childhood till now.

In my school or college when my teachers called my name for attendance first it took some time for them to pronounce it, they they would always wonder what kind of name it is. And as I dont add my sir name it created more confusion. They would ask as to how to pronoounce it and what is the sir name and so on.

When I was in M.Sc my Head of the Department was really surprised to know my religion as with my name she could not make out anything and added to that I always spoke in english, which is not very common, either people talk in hindi or the local language there that is telugu, (that is students amongst themselves). She could not ask me directly but she asked my friend as to who I am. When my friend told her, her reaction was "oh!".

Then , last year sometime in July I was travelling by train to Hyderabad with my brother and aunt. In our coupa there was a family who hailed from Indore, they were elderly couple and they had a teenaged daughter. It was an overnight journey. My aunt started talking to that lady and ofcourse my brother was as usual talking to everyone but I was silent. I did not talk much. But that lady there was constantly noticing me. Then when we were about to reach Hyderabad she ultimately asked me my caste and she tried to justify herself by saying as I was not wearing any jewellery so she could not make out anything. She was also wondering if I am married or not as I had a adaughter with me but no jewellery showing any signs of marriage(like mangalsutra, toe rings...) so all this really created confusion.

Then its yesterday only the lady from whom I buy milk said that I was a sindhi. Infact many people think I am parsi, many think I am christian. Once in my college one of my colleague introduced me to her friend saying she goes to St, George's church. she thought I was christian.

So, I conclude that LOOKS ARE DECEPTIVE------- PLEASE DONT GO BY ANYONES LOOKS.

Yummy food

2007-04-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

Nothing gives me more thrill than eating good food. Nice delicious stuff everyday. I don't mind cooking or getting it from faraway.

Apart from the main course, I love to eat 'chatpata' food. The desi junk food, chaat etc.

I had a special dosa at 2 am (Can you believe it?). It was really exquisite.

And I ate the 'Chhola Kulcha'. The kulcha was stuffed with aloo and there were so many chutneys.

The other day I ate the Chholay Bhature from New Market hotel that gives you chutneys, pickles, finely chopped onions in abundance.

Also had 'bun kebabs' and Chaat. As I describe it, my mouth starts watering. Does yours?

Aleena

2007-04-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

My daughter is now one year old. She has learnt how to switch on and switch off the computer, which sometimes irritates me as she often does it when I am in the middle of something--work or chat.

She has also learnt to press some keys on the keyboard and then stares at me for my reaction. She knows that I will get angry. She is cautious when it comes to walking, does walk a few steps and then sits down. Most of my time is spent with her.

My Birthday: February 28

2007-02-28T04:01:00.000-08:00

I was born today. Yes. That's my birthday. I turn 89. Ya I am thinking in future--2066, when I will be that old. By that time the world will have changed a lot. I wonder what it will be like.

I saw the newspaper and in the column, 'Today you share your B'day with' found Steven Chu and a pop icon born today. Chu is a physicist who won Nobel Prize in 1997. It was an eventful today. My old neighbours came to meet us. Sravani brought a nice recipe book for me.

My brother journeyed this long to reach to my city for the occasion. Though he left by evening train. My husband took his off today. And my daughter remained busy in learning new words and playing with papers, utensils and whatever she could lay her hands upon.

I have learnt that astronomers, embryologists, physicists and similar experts in science either were born or died today. Cooper and Pauling, I share my saalgirah with. Even Blondin, the legednary acrobat, was born today. On February 28, Egypt regained Independence from Britain in 1922. Of course, nothing great in this but I feel it is good to know the happenings on your saalgirah (b'day).

Gotta change house & latest news

2007-02-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am too occupied with the thought of changing the house. The lanlord has asked us to shift as he has to sell the house urgently. The urgency came suddenly!

Anyway. What's the use to fight? We have decided to search a house and pack our bags at the earliest. Inshallah we will get a good house soon. I haven't posted for a longtime here. Was really busy with so many things.

My Tin Tin has now learned to Clap and so many other things. She runs in her walker and even otherwise manages to stand up. Inshallah, she will be walkng soon. Once she starts talking, we will be great friends [already we are friends :) and talk, I in Urdu and English, she is her own zabaan, with lots of mama, ta, da and cute sounding words that elate and enchant me.]

That's the pix of just a house....I found on internet.

Honest People Do Exist

2006-12-20T05:51:00.000-08:00

During my recent tour to Lucknow and Hyderabad in connection with my brother's marriage one very important incident took place. Infact I was very much shaken by it.

What happened is, On the wedding day, as we all got ready to go to my brother's marriage we came down from the hotel rooms to get into the cars I sat in the hotel lobby for few minutes. There as I sat, I just took out my hand bag and kept it beside me on the sofa. Then everybody hurried to get into the cars to go and even I got up and left for the function hall.

After reaching the function hall I realised that my hand bag was missing. I searched around if I had kept it somewhere and forgotten but couldn't find. Then I thought may be I forgot it in the hotel room itself. So I just kept quiet.

That bag contained very important things like Aleena's milk, her pampers apart from that my ATM card, money and some jewllery. I was growing panicky as time was passing and praying that I must find it in the hotel room. I did not tell anyone thinking that it may cause unnecessary commotion and the whole joy of marriage and the party atmosphere may be spoilt. But surely I was not able to involve myself into the whole ceremony.

Then soon after everything was over, I hurried my husband to get back to the hotel. The moment we entered the hotel room I first searched for my bag but to my surprise I did not find it . It was not there ! ! Oh, God ! I was shattered .

Then my husband asked me to trace back where all I stopped before getting into the car. It's then I remembered that I sat in the lobby for few minutes and I must have forgotten my bag there. But getting it back from there as it was a public place , chances were almost next to impossible that too after so many hours (must be around 5 hrs). But we thought lets take a chance and ask at the reception. that time it was midnight 12 O'clock. So we rushed there and asked, that receptionist started shooting questions on us regarding the contents in the bag.

Let me be very frank, I did not expect at all to get back the bag. But the person on the counter who initially appeared rude was actually testing us whether we were real owners of the handbag. The elderly man later told us that how anxious they were on seeing the bag containing jewellery and other valuables. The entire staff sat together and made a list of the contents that was signed by them and kept at a safe place.

We were told to come back in the morning when the lady with whom it was kept, would be back. I can't tell my feelings then. I was so tensed earlier but felt very light after we got the handbag. They were really honest people who looked concerned. My husband later wrote a letter of appreciation for the staff of this state government's hotel. Even today when I think of that dreadful hour when I had forgotten the handbag, I shudder. Thanks Nooruddin Sahab! (He was at the counter of the hotel).

Yasir's Marriage

2006-12-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

I was out on a holiday for around fifteen days. I was busy in my brother Yasir's marriage. It was quite a hectic tour, as first we went to Lucknow where the marriage was performed(as the girl is from Lucknow) then we flew to Hyderabad where we hosted a reception. Now I am back home in Bhopal.

Every thing went on well there. Almost all my relatives came to attend the marriage. So it was like a family reunion. Infact, one of my uncle gave us a surprise as he flew over from USA just to attend the marriage, another Aunt came from Sweden. It was really nice to see them almost after a decade.

They come searching 'Pakori'

2006-12-12T14:03:00.000-08:00

I have a sitemeter on my blog that tells me about the frequency of visitors, where they come from and searching what apart from other trivia.

Most are friends and relatives who know me and my blog. Rest come via Orkut and some through blog directories. What I find strange is that many come searching the word 'pakori/pakoris' that I had mentioned in a blog post about Ramzan and Iftaar.

Apart from my name, it is the most used search term that brings people from faraway places to my blog. Thank you Pakori (or Pakora). These are snacks of sub-continent and to know more about Pakoris. Click the link on wikipedia here.

My Brother Is Leaving Bhopal

2006-11-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

My brother Yasir whom I call 'd', [just a li'l sibling secret :)] is presently working as service engineer in Hero Honda. For past one year he is posted in Bhopal. So, he was staying with us.

Now he is offered another job so he is quitting the present one, as the new company is paying him much more. Of course, I am very happy about it that he is got such a good offer. I feel proud of him that masha allah he is climbing the ladder of success day by day. And I pray to Almighty Allah that may all his dreams come true. Amin.

But what I feel bad is that he will be leaving me. Because he will be posted somewhere else but surely not in Bhopal. Actually right from childhood we have been quite close to each other, infact three of us. Arshi is my elder sister. We shared everything with each other, we laughed ,talked for hours together and also fought. So now I will miss all this.

Yeah, I forgot to say the most important thing that he is getting married on 3rd December 2006. So I was very excited about it as I thought after his marriage my sister-in-law would come to Bhopal and we will have a nice time here. but now I will miss all that.

Anyway, I just pray now that may he have a very Happy Married life ahead. Amin.

Caption: Above, an illustration of me, my brother and sister in our childhood. Nice pix na!

Cleaning Spree

2006-11-19T09:59:00.000-08:00

For past few days I was busy in cleaning up my house. let me tell you I had litrally messed up the whole thing. Both my bedrooms had a sight to see. Oh my! It was terrible. I myself could not bear my own carelessness.

May be I should not have done this, but my in-laws were supposed to come so I decided that I should do it now. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to face them. And it took almost three to four days to finish the whole thing.

At last I am done with it. And let me say now that my house looks really great ! !

Iqbal's diwan

2006-11-13T15:08:00.000-08:00

Aleena loves newspapers and books. The moment there is a book nearyby she leaves the toys and rushes for the book. Here she has managed to crawl up to Allama Iqbal's diwan. When she grows up, will she read Iqbal or other poets. My husband is a poetry lover and I am not a great literature lover. Let's see if she gets into poetry or physics--or both!

I Have Measles

2006-11-12T06:14:00.000-08:00

For past few days I was having itching all over my body. Initially I thought may be some insect has bitten me, then after a day also when it did not subside I thought it may be due to some allergy and I asked my husband to get me anti allergic tablet. He got it after two days. I took the tablet very same day but next day morning when I woke up the problem persisted so I took another tablet.

But inspite of taking two pills still the itching continued and when I saw there were very small boils all over just like prickly heat. Since this is not the season to get prickly heat. It is only then I realised there is some major problem for which I need to consult someone. The first person I can take advice is my mom. I asked her over my next telephonic talk . I described my symptoms to her. she said it is surely Measles. Which even I suspected and all my fears came true.

Actually I feel like laughing at myself that I get the problems which are usully heard amongst children. I think I am strange in all senses physically as well as mentally.

But now I just pray to Allah that my daughter Aleena should not get this . As this is an infectious disease and I can't keep away from her as there is no body to take care of her other than me and my husband. My husband's timings are so odd that he just can't take care. Anyhow, I have left things to God alone.

Aleena Has A Walker Now !

2006-11-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

We bought a walker for Aleena. When we first made her sit in it, she seemed to be scared may be because she found some thing new,she tried to look at every part of it and examine it keenly. Then after sometime she realised she can move with the help of it.Then the joy on her face when she made a first move is unforgetable for me. She was infact screaming with joy and was very happy. I am still unable to forget that face of hers - that joyfull beaming face.

Actually, as I am alone to take care of her and I have to do the rest of the work as well, and now since Aleena has started crawling she would go anywhere, try put any thing in her mouth so it was becoming difficult for me to manage. Even to go to bathroom I had to think twice because I was scared to leave her. So we decided to get her a walker through which she can move and may be it is less risky(thats what I thought). At the same time she also wanted attention all the time the moment I leave her alone she would start crying.

So, now she just comes after me, wherever I go she comes and stands by my side holding my kurta. She has the satisfaction that she is around me and at the same time I am not scared all the time that she would put any thing in her mouth in my absence. And ofcourse, she is enjoying walking with it.

Lemon Pickle - II

2006-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

In my earlier post I had written about the lemon pickle I made some time back in September, and there was some problem with that pickle. It had a slight bitter taste.

All thanks to the suggestions given by Sravani and Radhika I added little sugar to it. Actually to be very frank, when I, myself tasted it soon after I made, that bitter taste turned off my mood . After that I never dared to taste it again. Then last month I sent one bottle full to my mom and dad, and asked them to taste it and give me the feedback. But,because of ramzaan even they did not taste it then. As, in my family none of us are pickle lovers. Actually I made it for my husband whose meal is incomplete without pickle.

Now after my mom tasted it she told me that it tastes superb. And she asked me to taste it myself and see, that it has taste of traditional pickle and no pickle can be better than this. Then yesterday I tasted it and I found it extremely delicious. I really felt very happy. I felt a sense of achievement.

I always felt that to be a good wife and mom one should know to make good pickle without it you just can't be called a good one!!!!!!!

Shahanas of Kakori

2006-11-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Kakori is a small town 15 Km away from Lucknow. It is quiete famous for dacoity during the freedom struggle and The Kakori Ke Kabab. Apart from this there is one more thing which are just made that is hand made in kakori alone, they are a kind of bangles made of clay and then they are beautifully decorated on the top with finely cut tiny mirrors and coloured paper. They are called as Shahana. These Shahana are not found any where else, not even in Lucknow. They are the speciality of Kakori.

This time when I went to Kakori I wanted to buy a pair of these shahanas as I wanted to gift them to some of my friends as this would be a unique thing to be gifted. But to my surprise when I went to buy them the kind of shahana I was showed simply aroused my temper. they were so badly made that I just can't describe. There was no delicacy in the work done on it with mirrors and coloured paper. Usually the mirrors that are put are all cut in same shape and are of equal size. But now what she was showing me had each mirror of different shape and size.

I was so much disappointed to see that work . It simply infuriated me. Infact, I told that lady who was selling it, that it doesn't matter if you increase the price but please do not bring down the quality. I wonder why the neatness , delicacy and finneness of of work is not taken into consideration while any thing is bought by the customers of today.

Aleena's Pictures

2006-11-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

I am posting some of Aleena's (my daughter)pictures which were taken in Lucknow

My Visit To Lucknow

2006-11-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

I had been to Lucknow and returned just two days back.My in-laws stay there so we went to visit them. Actually they are not in proper Lucknow but they stay in our ancectral house 15 km away from Lucknow in a place called Kakori.

We stayed there for around 12 days, met lots of relatives almost every one came to see our little daughter Aleena who had been there for the first time. Even Aleena enjoyed as she had so many people to pamper her and take her round.

After staying here in apartment where we hardly get to see the sky, going and staying in the outskirts in a pollution free environment with lots of trees and open space was very refreshing. One night I happened to look at the sky and I saw a beatiful sight . The sky was filled with stars, they were sparkling bright, infact it was a cluster of stars. I never saw so many stars in the sky before. I am just not able to forget that lovely sight.

The other thing I really enjoyed is my 6 to 7 hours of undisturebed sound sleep at night at normal sleeping hours that is 10pm to 5 am which was a forgotten thing for me, because of odd working hours of my husband. I felt the day was so long and so many tasks can be done in one day.

My in-laws were really very happy as they enjoyed playing with thier grand daughter.

Affan عفان

2006-10-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

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محترم جناب عفان صاحب

My nephew Affan is masha'allah 1-year-old and I have yet to meet him. Isn't it sad! My sister, Arshi, is coming to India next month. Hoping to see my cute little nephew then. Till then I have to satisfy myself with his photos. Just showed it to my little baby, Aleena.

Society talk

2006-10-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Today I attended an iftaar party. We were invited by one of our neighbours. It was followed by dinner. In iftaar there were lots of fruits and papad and Bhopali speciality chana dal and ofcourse pakoris without which iftar is incomplete. Then our dinner was sent to us at our house as my husband had to leave for work.

Actually that neighbour uncle had invited us because his son and daughter-in-law had come from Dubai and he wanted us to meet them. So there were quiete a number of people there. Like his daughter and son-in-law and his daughter-in-law's parents and sister.

Here I want to make a confession, that however good the people are I just don't feel comfortable when there are many people around and most of them are not known to me. I don't know what has happend to me I was not like this earlier. Infact, I was very social and made friends very easily.

I don't know what has made me such that I have almost begun to hate social gatherings. I get uncomfortable in such situations these days. Somehow I am at loss of words and unable to make the society talk (gup shup) and carry on the conversation. Or may be it is just a phase, I wonder!

Ramzan Delicacies & nostalgia

2006-10-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

Ramzan (Ramadan in Arabic) is a month of fasting and prayer for Muslims all over the world. During this holy month, Muslims try to spend their maximum time in prayer while they are fasting. Apart from the aspect of prayer and fasting this month is also known for its delicacies. Different places have their own specialities for this month.

In our house we used to make pakoris (also phulki/pyaazu in Urdu) of different kind each day, like onion pakoris, tomato bhajiyas and yes cabbage, potato ones also (aalu bonda) and brinjal bhajiya (baigani) to be served with tamrind sweet and sour chutney and also samosa which was different from what we get outside, here we used to stuff inside with minced meat(Qeema), ofcourse along with these things there were lots of fruits and specially that fruit chat called as kachaloo.

Actually the process of making these samosas is very easy so even when we were very small from then we used to make it, that is myself, my sister and also my brother used to join us in this whole activity. We used to do it under the able guidance of my grandma. May be that was a very small thing to do but at that age we used to be very excited about it.

Today, as I was making these samosas in my house I felt so nostalgic thinking about my childhood days when these very small things give immense pleasure to us and we enjoy doing it. Infact, we used to look forward for the month of Ramzaan when we will get to make and eat these things.

The Rat Menace

2006-10-11T23:53:00.000-07:00

For past few days I was very much disturbed by a rat. I just don't like any animals for that matter whether it is dog, cat, rat or any other pet animals. I just cant stand any. It's not that I am scared of animals, but I get a very strange feeling just at their sight, somethimg happens to me from inside.

Three to four days back a rat managed to enter my kitchen. It was a big fat RAT. Oh my God! The sight of it took my breath away. I didn't feel like entering the kitchen. I didn't know how to cook. Actually the rat was living in the cupboard where my crockery is kept. It was a real torture for me.

Our baby, Aleena, is often on the floor because now she has started rolling to all corners of bed, once even fallen down the sofa. Because of her, rat's presence made me nervous.

I never expected this to happen as we are staying on second floor which is considered safe in all respect. These rats are expected to be found on ground floors where they make hole and make it their hiding place. But on the second floor the thought of it is disgusting.

Worst part is I don't know where it hides the whole day so I can't carry out any anti-rat operation but, at night it is very active. It becomes very dificult for me to cook dinner. We tried all methods to catch it like putting the rat killer 'cake' obtained from medical store which it was supposed to eat and die outside. However, it didn't eat the cake. Also we bought a rat trap. But nothing worked.

The main problem was that it would suddenly appear on the floor. Once it nearly leapt at me. Yesterday, late after midnight my husband literally chased that rat and somehow managed to drive it away. Its only then I had a sigh of relief and I can go to kitchen without fear of that great RAT, my enemy.

Phenomenon Involved In Rainbow Formation

2006-10-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

My cousin Farrukh who stays in Meerut(U.P) and is studying in 12th standard asked me

what is the phenomenon due to which rainbow is formed?
a. Dispersion
b. Interference
c. Diffraction

The answer is Dispersion.

Actually rainbow is formed when it is raining at the same time it is also sunny.So, what happens is the sun's rays pass through the drops of water,and each drop of water acts like a prism. As the rays are passing from air(rarer medium) to water(denser medium) the rays of light bend due to refraction and they split into their constiuent colours i.e.;VIBGYOR.This splitting of white light ino its constituent colours is called as Dispersion. Hence we are able to see rainbow.

Farrukh was confused between diffraction and dispersion, he said "here also bending of light takes place so why can't it be diffraction?" So, let me make it clear in the case of diffraction the bending of light rays takes place around the corners of small apertures,but the medium remains the same. Where as in the case of dispersion the bending of light rays is due to change in the medium that is refraction.

Then there are n number of such droplets present and the phenomenon of dipspersion occurs in each droplet, so the rays coming out of these individual droplets interfere with each other to give the interference pattern of maxima and minima. As can be seen in the picture there are two rainbow patterns in the sky, one is sharp and the other is weak. The sharp one represents the central maxima and the weaker pattern represents the secondary maxima. In most of the cases the secondary maxima are very weak so it cannot be seen at all.

But the basic phenomenon involved in the formation of rainbow is dispersion and interference is incidental

No socialising this Monday

2006-10-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

Its almost 1-1/2 years that I have come to Bhopal. I came here for the first time after my marriage in June last year. Bhopal was a new city for me, also none of my relatives or friends stay here so the only known person was my husband.

Basically I am an unsocial person & don't make friends very easily. So I had my own apprehensions about the thought of coming to an entirely new place with a new person.

But when we reached Bhopal early in the morning two of my husband's colleagues cum friends Sravani and Mujeeb came to recieve us at the station. They really gave me a very warm welcome here.

Then they used to come to our house almost every Monday for dinner as that day is my husband's weekly off. In this way Sravani became a good friend of mine. I liked her because she is very lively person and does not like gossiping which I simply hate.

So I used to look forward to Monday because that will be the only day when I get to socialise also I could try out some new recipes as Sravani is very fond of food and the best part about her is that she relishes any thing that is cooked which boosts my confidence.

This Monday that is yestarday she did not come to our place as she is not in Town. She is off to Nagpur for Durga Puja, an important festival for Bengalis. I really missed her. She is coming back on Wednesday. Let's see if we can have a dinner this week. I am sure she will also be excited for Ramzan delicacies.

Thrills of shopping

2006-09-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

For the past few days I was thinking of writing something here but I couldn't do as I was busy shopping. Its now I realise that why women are known to love shopping so much. It is really a spirit boosting activity. It is a very good anti depressent.

Actually I had lot of pending work, Because of my baby I was unable to do it and I kept postponing it. And now I just couldn't do without it. I felt so happy once I was in the bustling bazaar that I kept looking at each shop and wishing to stop at each shop.

I was so thrilled and excited that after a couple of hours, my husband on the way back through labyrnthine lanes of walled City had to say that 'please don't look at any shop now and walk straight'. I thoroughly enjoyed the shopping and looking at the streetside costermongers in old parts of city, which is an experience to cherish. I went out today also. Really shopping energises. Am I turning into a shopaholic?

Found An Old Friend

2006-09-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

Finding an old friend is like finding a treasure.Yesterday I had this experience. I was able to chat with one of my old friends almost after 3 long years, and I can't tell u the feeling. It was exhilarating!!!!!!

This friend of mine and myself studied together in graduation and were very good friends. Infact we were in touch with each other even after that till she got married . After her marriage she left for Canada.It was then we lost contact.

Now it is almost after 3 years that I could get her email id. I was so excited.Quickly I mailed her and luckily she was online at that time . Then we had a small chat with each other because she was at her workplace so she couldn't do it for long and we decided we would chat late at night. But some how I missed her. That's fine I 'll catch her up on weekend. That will be convenient time for both of us.

But let me tell u after talking to her I was so excited I wanted to scream out of joy. I suddenly started feeling on the top of the world. Through this friend I hope to get in touch with some more lost friends of mine. I thank my husband for all this, because it was he who introduced me to orkut where I could get in touch with my friends from school and college.Infact I didn't even know about these communities. Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Sir Has Started a Blog

2006-09-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

One of my professor Prof.G.S.kumar has started a blog. I am really very happy to see him in blogosphere. I am sure his presence here will enlighten many of us who are far away and cannot interact with him very often.

I have known Prof.Kumar for almost seven years, he taught me in post graduation, then I got an opportunity to work with him. Let me tell you he is an excellent teacher and academician. His interest in the subject is evident from the fact that he has complete command over the subject.

I have always looked at him with lot of regard and respect and I wonder when will I get so much knowledge and I will become like him. The other day I was reading a book on Swami Vivekananda where they said that Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa transfered his entire 'Gyaan' to Vivekananda.

Could we not invent such a device with which we can transfer knowledge and wisdom from teacher to student by the touch of a button! It would be great if my teachers could do that to me. But I guess that there are no short-cuts in attaining knowledge and one should learn it the hard way. Then only we can appreciate the true worth of this knowledge and also deserve it.

Mistaken Identity

2006-09-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

I wonder when will people start considering me an adult. Always people mistake me to be small girl. When I was working as lecturer every one thought I was a student and many times they mistook me for one. One day some of the students were about to rag me . Can u imagine a lecturer being ragged!!!!!!!

Now I am married I have baby still I have the same problem People ask me what I am studying and their facial expressions change when they are told what I am, some of them refuse to believe.

Today it crosed all limits. A door bell rang. When I opened the door I saw a girl and a boy standing I asked them whom they wanted. Do u know what they asked me? They said call your mom or some elder person. I declared to them that I was the eldest and I am only the mom. You know they litrally started giggling. They did not know how to react.
Actually they were marketing students and were talking about some product called Sauna belt. Any how I was nnot interested in that.

My School Days

2006-09-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

I consider my school days as the best days of my life. I still live in that world only . I keep remembering my teachers and my friends who were so lovely. I wish I could relive those days again.

Yesterday I logged into orkut where I found community of my school girls .When I saw our school emblem and the motto "Always More Always Better",I felt nostalgic and was filled with pride to be a part of such a nice school.

View of Bhopal

2006-09-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

The view of Bhopal's famous Bara Talaab (Upper Lake). The photo was taken from the Hotel Noor-us-Sabah at Koh-e-Fiza near my house. The photographs is better than my expectations (taken it from the cellphone camera).

Plants in my balcony

2006-09-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

I had planted few saplings and I am so happy that all of them have started taking roots and are growing. Everyday as soon as I get up first I go and look at my plants and look at each new petal. It gives me a very pleasent feeling.

I always dreamt of having a small garden where I will have all kinds of trees and plants, lots of flowers and colorful leaves with colourful birds coming to my garden everyday. Wow! what a beautiful thought it is. I wish one day I will have one.

At present we are staying in an apartment so there isn't much space for garden but, some how I managed it in one of my balcony. The one which is attached to the kitchen. Because I feel it will be closer to me.

Most of the plants are crotons. I intend to buy some more plants before the rainy seasons ends. This time I want to go in for flowering plants. I hope I can do it soon.

Performing Experiments Using Simulation Techniques

2006-09-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

Two years back one of my professors Prof.Subrahmanyam introduced me to a very new technique of teaching and learning which fascinated me a lot. Being in the science stream we were bound to do practicals where by experimenting we learn a lot, by drawing inferences from the results we obtain. But this has been an inherent problem in India that most of the colleges fail in providing good equipment for lab saying they lack funds or by constant usage of the equipment by many students their accuracy goes down and hence student looses out there and has to satisfy himself by whatever is provided.

One solution to this problem is using simulation techniques. There are many softwares available for different subjects where student can not only perform the experiment but also analyse the result from different aspects.

I have worked on few such softwares like Multisim, Electronic workbench, Commsim, and LabView.

Multisim and Electronic Workbench are electronics s/w where any complex circuit can be constructed then tested and also analysed. Here no programming is involved. There are icons representing different components required for constructing a circuit like a resistor, capacitor, power supply and so on. These icons can be dragged using the curser brought on the screen and connected usinng virtual connectors available there.

I was more thrilled to work on LabView. This is the graphical programming package. That is it does not involve the conventional text based programming . This package can be used for designing instruments, for acquiering, analysing and processing the data.
This package consists of a FRONT PANEL which can be used to design the front part or appearence of any instrument . It has a Controls Pallete which contains different types of Knobs and indicators. Then every instrument has a complex circuitary inside which can be designed on The BLOCK DIAGRAM which is another window like Front panel. Block diagram contains a Functions Pallete using which graphical programming can be performed. These programs are called as Virtual Instruments (VIs).

The most interesting part of this package is data acquisiton. Ofcourse it requires a little interfacing to be done. That is we had to design an instrumentaion amplifier for amplifying the signal because the data acquisition card cannot read very low voltages. Let me tell u we designed this instrumentation amplifier using Multisim software. Actually, we were using LabView for measuring temperature. Once that data is acquiered it can be stored and also analysed.

I profusely thank Subrahmanyam Sir for introducing me to such an intersting aspect of Physics where I can play with the subject while learning. Thank u Sir!!!!

Are Teachers Really Doing Justice To Their Job???

2006-09-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

Today being Teacher's Day we greet our teachers on this day and also all the the news papers and the news channels are constantly reminding the students of respecting their techers and expressing their gratitude towards them.

If any one happens to go any college or school today u will find how students shower their teachers with gifts, flowers, bouquets, cards and they praise them as if they love them and respect them more than any one else. I wonder how much is the truth in this.

I my self have been a teacher at university level for five years so I have seen five techers day functions and I have gone through all that praise and blah blah bla...... But let me tell u I never believed any of it. As I feel it is hypocrisy at least in these days, because no student looks at any techer with so much regard and respect. And as it is fashion to celebrate such days and do all those formalities they do it and forget about it the very next moment.

At the same time I want to say teachers also do not have that dedication and sincierity towards their job. They have become very mechanical. That is they concenterate on finishing the syllabus by hook or by crook (some of them don't even do that). Then they feel their duty is over. They forget that their duty is not over infact it starts there. Because once the syllabi are over only then they can teach the students the beauty of the subject. It is then the student will start appreciating that subject and he/she will get a feel of what they are taught.

It is upto teacher to mould the students - good or bad.This saying holds even today.But the problem is today every thing is weiged in terms of money. I had my own collegues saying, " For the amount we r being paid this much work is enough. Why should we do extra work?" Then I fail to understand why do those very same teachers want that extra dose of "respect" from the students. Because for the big fat fee the students are paying they are being taught. What is the big deal in that?

So,I feel on this day instead of giving sermons to the students about how much they must respect their teachers it is the teachers who must do a little interospection. Do we teachers still have that very same dedication , sincerity and commitment towards our job ? Can these present day teachers compare themselves to Dr. Radhakrishnan or those olden days guru who did not ask for any gurudakshina?

Lemon Pickle

2006-09-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

Two days back I made lemon pickle for the first time. It looks very yummy, with lots of oil in it like a real pickle.
But, when I tasted it I found that it tastes slightly bitter I wonder why? I made exactly the way recipe goes. Now I can't blame any one as I took the recipe from the net.
I don't know whom to ask that what went wrong. May be the best person I can consult is my mom. Hope she can help me out.

Hello, I am Aleena!

2006-09-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Hello, Mummy has posted my photo today. Don't I look fat? Just had my milk. :)

Oroosa Omnibus

2006-09-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

I, Oroosa Subohi, a girl, born in Lucknow and brought up in Hyderabad is at present living in a quaint town in Central India with my husband and a kid, Aleena.

This is the my space where I will record my thoughts and share with my friends. I am not sure how this blog will progress but have any how decided to start one. Let us see what sort of a blogger I am going to be.

:) Oroosa