Tushar Mangl

Reading has become a pastime only few elite indulge in. People don’t have the time or the patience to read. They d much rather listen to a podcast or a music system than sit down with a novel .People prefer a magazine or a journal to a novel and that too on a journey , in a flight when there is nothing better to do . When the ipods and the mobile batteries are maxed out. Then can an individual find solace in reading as a last resort. But some books which generally get picked up are self help books. To improve self confidence , to save a marriage ,to find peace and calmness in this hectic schedule ,spice up the sex life are some of the common books which people grab whenever they get a chance Books on yoga, meditation and therapies also deserve a mention in this regard . Basically anything which is practical and can be out to use in daily life are the best sellers these days Fiction and non fiction cater to only a few individuals and do not end up becoming best sellers .Autobiogra...

In reference to the article published regarding the a Chinese diplomat urging the Chinese government to make arrangements to divide India .I would like to inform the esteemed Chinese diplomat that you cant divide India .How can anybody fragmented something which is already fragmented . The seven Eastern queens (Tripura ,Assam,Nagaland ,Mizoram,Meghalaya ,Arunachal Pradesh,Manipur )want to get separated out from India . Andhra Pradesh is asking for a separate Telengana State , naxals control a significant amount of area in Chattisgarh and Orissa..Punjab has already shown its inclination towards Khalistan Region..If this isn’t enough we have segregated ourselves on the basis of cast, creed , religion ,sex and any other perceivable form of categorization Who in the world has the guts to break an already broken house .We are secular only till someone incites us. We are ready to burn up anything and anybody on the slightest of provocation. We lecture every one on the Constitution of India ,...

"We end today a period of ill fortune and India discovers herself again. The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us. Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future?" - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in his very famous speech of "Tryst with Destiny" August 14 , 1947 . Today, we decidedly have gone eons ahead in the journey that began with tragedy and chaos but slowly and steadily progressed towards peace and development. Sure, there are some impedements that are stumbling roadblocks, but with the dedication & determination of our fellow Indians we shall overcome. Hum Hoonge Kamayaab ek Din! But, there are some questions which creep in our glitzy world and beg for more thought and pondering. Have the fruits of development reached all? Some random strokings of Indian-pride by some advertisements and campaigns may at best arose patr...

Prep: 20 minutes Bake: About 1 hour Make: 6 servings 6 egg whites at room temperature 1 cup sugar 1tsp vinegar 2 tsp vanilla essence 1/8 tsp cream of tartar (or 3 times the lemon juice) 1tsp cornflour 1 ½ cup heavy cream, whipped ¼ cup icing sugar About 2 cups green grapes and orange-fleshed melon chunks (use any two seasonal fruits you prefer) Preheat oven to 65°C (150 °F) Mix together cornflour and one pinch cream of tartar; set aside Layer two sheets of wax paper and wet under tap, crinkling slightly. Smooth moistened wax paper onto baking tin. Set aside. Beat egg whites, gradually adding in sugar, vinegar and vanilla, until very stiff. Fold in cornflour mixture. Pile meringue onto baking baking tin in small scoops. use rubber spatula or back of large spoon smooth piles into rough cir-cles,then hollow out centre slightly meringue in oven about 1-1 1/2hours.Let cool in oven and then remove in flat tray. Carefully peel off wax paper. Whip cream a...

Prep: 10 minutes Cook: about 20 minutes Makes: 4 servings 175g baby plum tomatoes, halved 2 small b rinjals, thickly sliced 2 large yellow capsicum, deseeded and roughly chopped 2 red onions, cut into thin wedges and roughly chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 5tabspn olive oil 250g couscous 400g blanched, chopped tomatoes 1tbsp red chilli paste Fresh dhaina patta, chopped Preheat oven to 230°C .put vegetables and garlic into a large tin, drizzle over 3 tbsp olive oil and season. Toss to coat. Roast for 20 minutes. meanwhile, put couscous into a sepa rate roasting tin and add 300ml cold water. leave to soak for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatos

Prep: 10 minutes Cook: about 20 minutes Makes: 4 servings 175g baby plum tomatoes, halved 2 small b rinjals, thickly sliced 2 large yellow capsicum, deseeded and roughly chopped 2 red onions, cut into thin wedges and roughly chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 5tabspn olive oil 250g couscous 400g blanched, chopped tomatoes 1tbsp red chilli paste Fresh dhaina patta, chopped Preheat oven to 230°C .put vegetables and garlic into a large tin, drizzle over 3 tbsp olive oil and season. Toss to coat. Roast for 20 minutes. meanwhile, put couscous into a sepa rate roasting tin and add 300ml cold water. leave to soak for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatos

Sitting on her bed, she kept on thinking...reflection... She had dated nearly all kinds of guys. The ones wanting commitment, the ones abhorring them as a pest, the ones still thinking about it, and then finally the ones who have no time for it. She had travelled nearly all dimensions of love and relationships (at least that what she thought).but now...she was back to square one. What she wanted was still a mystery for her. On the career front, she was on the zenith of it, she earned real well. She had a family back at her home town. A real happy and complete family. She had equally good social life. But then, what was it that was still required? a perk at the work place? a better flat? a new wardrobe? a vacation perhaps?no.none of them. What she needed was time. For herself. Time to analyse what she actually wanted out of life now. After what all she ever wanted was achieved, she needed to set new goals and ambitions in life. To keep moving ahead. She didn’t need a relationship. ...

It’s all over the news and its flying! Open the papers and its there, switch on the tv and its there, read a blog and its there too! It is surely getting its fair share of attention but there is not much we have to fear- atleast not when we are at home. I think that’s the best place to be under these circumstances. And yes! I welcome the one week ban in schools and colleges. People are wary of each other and everyone is suspicious. But who can blame them? The nature of this disease builds up the fear in people. A beeline for masks was seen at all chemists and selling them at double the market price was definitely not welcome. Spirit of Mumbai- I say! Taking advantage of people in times of need and desperation. So many deaths were reported but only if the news reporters would have highlighted that the patients were victims of various diseases which is why they eventually succumbed to swine flu, not everyone would have lined up at the hospitals for a test. Hospitals- ironically the...

Prep: 20 minutes Bake: About 40 minutes Makes: 6 servings Shortbread Crust ½ cup butter, softened ½ cup light brown sugar 1 ½ cups flour 1tsp grated lemon rind Lemon Topping 1 ½ cups granulated sugar ½ cup lemon juice ½ cup water 2tbsp corn flour 2 eggs 2 tsp grated lemon zest Glaze 1/3 cup butter 2 cups powdered sugar Green and orange food colouring ½ cup water Preheat oven to 175 C (350 F). Grease 9-inch square baking tin 2. Prepare short bread crust: In large bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour and lemon rind until well combined .Pat mixture evenly into prepared tin. 3. Bake crust 15 minutes, or until golden .Cool in pan, on wire rack. 4. Meanwhile, prepare lemon topping: In 2-litre saucepan, mix 1 cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, water and corn flour until well mixed. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Cook 1-2 m...

Prep: 30 minutes Makes 10 servings 1 small (about 200g) sponge cake (from any bakery) Vanilla custard made from ½-liter milk and packet custard powder ½ kg each chopped mango and sliced kiwi fruit 1/3 cup sugar 1 ½ cup heavy cream, whipped Additional fruit for garnish 1/3 cup sherry or other cooking liquor Build trifle in large decorative glass bowl: cut cake into even chunks and cover the bottom of dish uniformly. Sprinkle alcohol to moisten cake pieces (or use diluted fruit juice). Top with mango slice and then layer of custard. Repeat layers of cake, kiwi fruit and custard. Top with whipped cream and garnish with fruit. Chill 2 hours.

Prep: 30 minutes Bake: 20 minutes Makes: 10 servings Pastry 2/3 cups butter 2 cups flour 4-5tbsp water Filling 250g cream cheese or hung yogurt (low-fat) 2 tsp lemon juice 2tbsp sugar 1 cup green-fleshed melon, sliced 1 cup orange –flashed melon, sliced (replace with green and orange fruits such as kiwi and peaches or apricots) 2tbsp apricot jam 1. Grease a 9-inch pie dish. 2. Cut butter into flour until it resembles small peas (do not mix).Sprinkle in water a tablespoon at a time .Gather pastry into ball. Shape into flattened rounds and roll out into small puris. Fit in 9-inch pie dish. Crimp edges. Chill for about 30 minutes. 3. Cover the pie dish with foil and bakes 20 minutes at 200°C.uncover and bake for another five minutes 4. Beat together cream cheese, lemon juice and sugar. Pour into baked pie crust. Decorate with fruit. Melt some apricot jam and pore over to glaze.

Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 1 hour Makes: 8 servings 4-5 medium potatoes, (cuts in medium thick slices, with skin) ½ a head cabbage, cut in wedges 2-3 onions cut in the wedges Cherry tomatoes 2 carrots (cut in slices) A small broccoli (into florets) 100g butter (softened) Salt, crushed black pepper & dry herbs (of your choice) 1, preheat grill of medium heat before prepping vegetables. 2. Butter a Large piece of heavy duty foil and place vegetables on foil (or thread thought seekhs). Sprinkle with salt, pepper and pats of butter. 3. Butter another large piece of foil and seal around edges very securely. 4.grill for 30 minutes, run and grill 30 more minutes or until done

Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Makes: 4 servings 1 spring onion, finely chopped 4 fat garlic cloves, crusher 3 celery sticks, finely chopped 1tsp saunf 1 red chilli, finely chopped 3tbsp olive oil 1/5 cup white wine 750g mixed fish such as sole and surmai, raw shelled prawns, mussels 4 medium tomatoes, chopped 3 small tejpatta Put the spring onion into a large pan and add the garlic, celery saunf, chilli and olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes Stir in 1 liter boiling water and white wine. bring to boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Cut the white fish into large chunks. Add to soup with the tomatoes and tejpatta. Continue to simmer gently until the fish has just turned opaque. Add the prawns; simmer for a minutes, then ass the mussels. As soon as all the mussels have opened (discard any that haven’t),season soup and ladle into bowls to serve .

In context to the article published in all leading newspapers today about a law which has been put in place allowing a Shia man in Afghanistan to deny food to his wife if she refuses to have sex with him(legalizing rape in marriage) is another act of folly committed by the puppet government of Hamid Karzai . Some of other disturbing clauses are the guardianship of a child to his father and grandfather with women playing absolutely no role as if she is a surrogate mother. Third Clause is that a women has to ask her husbands before she can work The law seems to be deeply prejudiced against women and incurs a great amount of pain and suffering on women, wives in particular. Muslim women are already subjugated by men all through there life be it by a father, husband, father in law, or even her own son. It seems that these people do not view women as human beings. They treat them with contempt, hated and this objectification of the opposite sex is really worth condemning. These me...

Prep:3 minutes Cook:7 minutes Makes:4 servings 450g flat ribbon pasta 2 large toorai(sponge gourds)or courgettes,coarsely grated 50g can anchovies(a variety of canned salted fish), drained and roughly chopped I red chilli,deseeded and finely chopped 2tbsp bottled pickled cucumber, salted gherkins,rinded 1 grlic clove,crudhed 4tbsp pitted black olives, roughly chopped 4tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2tbsp parsley, chopped Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water according to the packet instructions.(to save time, prepare ingredients while the pasta’s cooking.)About one minute before and of cooking time ,add the toorai ,then simmer until pasta in just cooked Meanwhile, put anchovies into a small pan and add the chilli,cucmber,garlic,olives and olive oil.Stir over low heat for 2-3 minutes Drain the pasta and return to pan.Pour hot anchovy mixture on top,mix well ans toss thought parsley .season and serve immediately

Prep: 10 minutes Chill:3 hours Makes: 10 servings 225g cream cheese 115g plain yoghurt 115g ricotta cheese (or lightly salted hung curd) ½ cup sugar 1tsp vanilla essence Zest of 1 lemon Slices fruit of your choice in green and orange (such as kiwi and peaches or apricots) Syrup or honey to glaze (optional) Combine first 6 ingredients in food processor. Spread evenly in 12-inch spring form cake tin (with a de-teachable bottom). Decorate with fruit slice laid over in concentric circles. hell for at least 3 hours, overnight. Let surface of cheesecake show thought to suggest white areas. Remove side of tin just before serving and glaze fruit if likes.

Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 1 hour Makes: 8 servings 1 cup cooking oil 1 ½ cup chopped onions 1 ½ cup fresh tomatoes (chopped) 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup parsley ½ cup chopped fresh dill (sowa) 1 tsp pepper ½ tsp salt 2tbsp lemon juice ½ kg fresh spinach, chopped &blanched ( fresh spinach will ooze out too much water ) 1 kg fish, whole (cleaned, washed) ½ cup white wine 1. Saute onions in oil until soft. 2. Add garlic, tomatoes, parsley, dill, salt & pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. 3. Sprinkle fish lightly with salt and lemon juice. Arrange tomato mixture in a baking dish. Lay fish on top and arrange spinach around it. 4. Pour wine over it all. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated 350°C oven for 30 minutes. 5. Uncover and continue baking for 15 minutes longer. 6. Serve hot .

There are four people in the xerox shop doing the work that one is capable of handling. They work only when there is power, which is obvious. Power is a rarity these days. 'Unscheduled' load shedding the Electricity board say with such indifference. Sometimes, their phone isn't answered because the line is dead. From the looks of things, communication is impossible between 'concerned' electricity officials and the telephone exchange. Next door is a 'paan' shop, where beedis are bought in large numbers. They're smoked like there's no tomorrow. There are wine shops on both sides of the road. Late in the night, after a "Hard" day's work, many a person can be seen drinking OMR outside these shops, and those who can't afford it settle for hooch. Soon they're so sloshed that most of them call it a day and settle into bed, which consists of the thin asphalt of the road. The beat police turn up later, and give them a few whacks. Meanwhi...

Students begin thinking about the college life, when they are on the verge of completion of high school education. Some of them are of a view that entering into college will be a fun time and a few of them take college as an excellent opportunity to learn for future. Today, the global economy is becoming more and more competitive and in order to improve the chances for a well-paying job, a right college education is extremely important. College education undeniably serves as a gateway to better options and more opportunities. There are ample of other reasons for going to college. Attending lectures from expert teachers in the field and researching about the subject, encourages students to think, ask questions and to attain new ideas. This adds to development and growth of student and provides college graduates with an edge over those who have done higher school studies only. College life also provides one with valued social contacts and resources, which add to the number of options a...

Thanda matlab Coca Cola, a humorous advertisement with Amir Khan wooing customers with his desi style. Have a crispy slogan and couple it up with a popular brand ambassador like a Shahrukh Khan or an Amir Khan and the product is most likely to sell. Welcome to the modern world of marketing. Branding and Marketing has become such an integral part in the life cycle of a product that companies keep aside a major chunk of their resources for it. It is a preconceived notion these days that the shortcomings of the product can be covered up by embellish marketing The brand actually is the trademark connected to the producer or the product. For example whenever you think of chocolates you think of Cadbury, whenever somebody wants to make a style statement he buys a Mercedes Benz or an Audi . A brand can be a name of the company or the product that it sells. In lay mans language the word brand means a trusted company which has made a mark , reputation of itself in the market...

United Kingdom is still one of the favourites among Indian students craving to pursue higher education abroad. Getting admission at UK universities and institutions require hard work and preparation. Students can go for undergraduate and post graduate courses at different UK universities and institutions. An undergraduate course at UK is an innovative blend of academic and career based study. If you are already a graduate, a post graduate course will provide you the opportunity to specialise your subject and boost your career prospects. Each course (be it undergraduate or post graduate) has its unique requirements. The requirements vary from institution to institution. However some common factors are absence of application fee and no requirement of GRE, SAT and GMAT score. Along with a good educational background you need a student visa to study at UK universities and institutes. Eligibility is for student visa to UK is calculated using the new UK Visa points-based system. An applica...

Hi All, A national calamity has befallen our nation. We have been wronged and humiliated. Our existence has been questioned and eminent citizens of our country, all of a sudden, suffer from trust deficit. This would be the conclusion anyone would have come to if he/she had watched the media coverage following SRK's 'detention' at Newark Airport on Saturday. It was as if his detention was as important,if not more, as the day itself. Clippings of Independence day celebrations took a back seat to SRK's 'ordeal' speech! As all of you are aware the issue is still raging on with some celebrities and many politicians coming in support of SRK while the rest dismissing it as yet another publicity stunt for his latest movie. (Coincidentally(?) his upcoming movie also deals with similar incidents). Now let me come straight to the point. I am angry and disappointed in equal measure with the media and the person in question,SRK. The media went into frenzy mode when the news ...

United States attracts a sizable number of foreign students every year. However, getting admission to US universities is not all a cake walk. It needs lots of hard work and preparation. Options are open for admission into undergraduate, graduate, post graduate and PhD programs. There are some basic differences between Indian and US educational system. In US, takes it takes four years of undergraduate study to earn a Bachelors degree. The graduation study of US is equivalent to post graduation of India. Masters degree or post-graduate degree in USA is usually required in fields such as Engineering, Library science, Business Administration or Social work. A doctorate or PhD degree comprises of studies related to specializations and usually takes 5-7 years. There are different types of educational institutes in USA providing the above educational facilities. The institutes are state-run universities, private collages, community collages, professional schools, institute of technology and ...

Australia attracts a huge number of foreign students for higher studies. Options for higher studies available at different Australian universities and institutions are Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Degree (Honours), Undergraduate Diploma, Associate Diploma, Masters Degree, Doctoral Degree, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate Courses. In an Australian educational year, there are three semesters. The summer semester continues from November to February. Spring semester (semester I) continues from February to June and the Fall semester or semester II starts in July and ends in November. For admission into bachelor’s program at Australian universities and institutes, the applicant needs to have a strong educational back ground and at least 12 years of education (HSC equivalent). He/she needs to have language proficiency of 6.0 in IELTS or Overall band score of 5.0 in IELTS plus 30 weeks ELICOS. The bachelor degree course takes three years of full time study and the bachelor honours cours...

Hypocrisy; Why succumb to it? ‘’I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.’’ – an excerpt from ‘’The Road not taken’’, By Robert frost. Don’t you sometimes, see yourself as the cynosure of every eye around you? That too, for all the wrong reasons? I know I do. Somehow, Every time, getting caught in the crossfire is my thing. Almost as though, in this world, they all just find, one person to pick on, and continue to do so. Particularly fine. You’re abuse and blamed, if you don’t follow the worldly norms. How foolish is that? Many a times, I’ve come across people, who do things for others, instead of actually wearing their own skin, and this angers me, more than global warming. Anyhow, lately, I’ve been going through funny experiences, in which, I see, hear, Breathe hypocrisy. The Best part here is that I have no problems in accepting that I am a hypocrite, but ...

1) 1) Blogging as a medium is often used for venting out ire, grudges, narration of love and heart breaks and sad romantic tales. comment. I believe in the aphorism, “To each his own”. Every person has a different reason for writing as to what he/she is writing. So if someone wants to write about their personal lives… it’s their choice… and the readers’ to read or not. 2) How much time has it been for you in the blog world. I began blogging in late March, 2008…. So it’s been more than a year that I've been a part of the blogosphere. 3) You are into active blogging today ad blogging is said to be a virtual version of a personal diary. Did you ever maintain a personal diary? Tell us something about it and differences between the two: I never maintained a personal diary…. My life’s always been sort of an open book!! I think a blog ensures a little wider audience than a personal diary… I guess that would be the difference! 4) Your favorites : Many!! blog:...