tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143554122024-03-16T06:39:17.787+05:30It's me....An assorted set of posts from various parts of my life. From technology to philosophy to general random banter...Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-66353101490879043912014-11-07T13:33:00.001+05:302014-11-07T13:33:48.577+05:30Eating the Fun Way!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Few days back Prakruti didn’t want to eat… and I came up with
this story…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gods don’t eat by themselves, when we eat, each piece is for
one God and when everyone eats Gods get their tummy full….<o:p></o:p></div>
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The first piece is always for Hathi jeje (Elephant God or Ganesha).
Once Ganesha ate, he said my brother is also hungry eat one piece for him
also.. So the next piece is for Muruga jeje. After eating his share he said,
all my strength is from my mom so eat for her also.. And the next one is for
Parvathi jeje.. Parvathi jeje said this after she ate: “You ate for me… please
eat for my friends Saraswati jeje and Lakshmi jeje as well. Once Saraswati jeje
ate her share she said… “please eat for my husband also…” Lakshmi jeje wants
you to eat for Vishnu jeje…. Brahma jeje says, “ eat for my son Narada… please”
Brahma and Vishnu want you to eat for their very good friend… Shiva jeje….<o:p></o:p></div>
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With this her pappu mammam (dal rice) was over… I will
probably add valli deivanai and other Gods if she has to eat some more…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>For perugannam (curd rice)</u><o:p></o:p></div>
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The different avatars of Vishnu were hungry and they ate… <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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When she was chewing the food, I also added small stories
regarding each jeje… <o:p></o:p></div>
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She loves this story and wants me to tell this for each meal... If I can't tell it, she tells the story by herself and eats... The best part is she finishes her lunch/dinner very fast</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02101945109000748610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-42614311854817368552014-03-30T22:27:00.002+05:302014-03-30T22:27:41.982+05:30Yelagiri - Zeenath Taj Gardens - Drive from Bangalore to Yelagiri - March 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">We were looking for relaxing trip a short drive from Bangalore for a day or 2. Considered Yelagiri/Yercaud. We were worried that Yelagiri might be hotter than Bangalore, and may not be worth the trip. But it was good! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHhKcpOvsNL27f2OVCfEzBBP8fkxjExf5Sfda-LBZGDTILv0QvElVBVTvHtz85v6t8Lkp8v_r_h1AUP1UtVqgVlfzXV9A5wpniIdqkNBs2a0WOStd3iIXiVfXe5FBErVdWM3MOg/s1600/20140329_174255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHhKcpOvsNL27f2OVCfEzBBP8fkxjExf5Sfda-LBZGDTILv0QvElVBVTvHtz85v6t8Lkp8v_r_h1AUP1UtVqgVlfzXV9A5wpniIdqkNBs2a0WOStd3iIXiVfXe5FBErVdWM3MOg/s1600/20140329_174255.jpg" height="135" width="320" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The drive was very nice (mostly) - Slow traffic in Bangalore city (took us 1 hour to reach E-city flyover from Banaswadi) on a Saturday morning - and again really horrible traffic in Hosur (because of ongoing flyover constructions). </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The resort - We had really low expectations of resorts/hotels in Yelagiri (based on friends' feedbacks). However, we were pleasantly surprised with what we saw at Zeenath Taj Gardens! The place is beautiful, trees, and cottages, lots of place to loiter, and basically wonderful to relax! Staff were excellent - amazingly courteous - special thanks to Mr Ayas (i hope that is the correct spelling) who seemed to have the whole place in control single-handedly! Vegetarian food was also pretty comfortable. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The grounds are maintained very well, but the rooms can be given a bit more attention. Understand that the resort is next to the forest - lots of trees around - there are lots of insects - spiders, ants, etc. who shared the room with us. I was not completely happy with this, but, I think they can't do too much about this... </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Children's play area is terrible - not maintained at all - broken equipment... this was a disappointment because our 4-year old didn't have much to do, other than laze around with us. However, they provide badminton racquets and shuttlecocks, a decent table tennis board, carrom, chess for slightly bigger kids & adults, which is good. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I don't think there is too much about location in Yelagiri, it is a small town, everything (the 2-3 things there) is easily accessible. This resort has no views to talk about - the only one being garden view (which is nice, but you can't really enjoy people looking into your room from the garden). </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Overall, I enjoyed the experience - served my purpose= short drive + relaxing stay... However, I feel the charges are a bit steep - ~2500 per room (minimum) + ~550 per head for food (breakfast + lunch + dinner) + extra for tea/coffee/milk. I am not sure it is value for money. Nothing major to complain about, but at a slightly lower price would have been good!</span>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-35281999018403220572013-10-10T20:16:00.003+05:302013-10-27T20:36:23.829+05:30Drive to Trichy from Bangalore<b>Road trip on our Suzuki Ritz 2013 Vxi Petrol - Bangalore - Tiruchengode - Trichy (Vayalur - Tiruvanaikovil - Samayapuram - Srirangam - Rockfort) - Namakkal - Bangalore - </b><b>850 kms - 3 days/2 nights</b><b> </b><br />
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After our road trip to Chennai last month, I really wanted to go on another long drive, and was looking to drive all the way to Kanyakumari on the NH7. But, with the limited budget, we decided to restrict to Trichy which is around 380 kms.<br />
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We started with an elaborate plan to cover a lot of places in and around Trichy with a 4-day halt at Trichy - mainly a temple tour with a few picnic spots here and there. However, the actual trip spanned only 3 days - we started on 6th October at 5AM and returned on 8th October by 4 PM - purely a temple tour.<br />
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<b>The Trip...</b><br />
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<i>Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Salem (200 kms - 3 hours)</i><br />
We started from Horamavu, Bangalore (north-east corner of Bangalore) on <i>Sunday, 6th October 2013 0500</i>, and drove through the inner ring road to reach Hosur Road. Took the Electronic City Elevated Road, drove on the superb NH7 all the way to Salem. The 6-lane highway starts from Hosur till Krishnagiri. Since parts of this road are still under construction, there are a lot of diversions and jams. But it is not very bad though, and could drive mostly around 80-100kmph.<br />
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The Krishnagiri-Salem section was superb. Though it was a 4-lane highway, I could drive at speeds of 120-130 kmph consistently and also managed to touch 150 kmph twice. We reached Salem (200kms) at 0800 (3 hours). After Salem, we took the exit towards Erode.<br />
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<i>Salem-Tiruchengode (40 kms - 40 minutes)</i><br />
To go to Tiruchengode, we took the exit at Salem towards Erode/Coimbatore. The Salem-Erode road was also a good 4-lane highway, but we had to take the diversion towards Tiruchengode, and the great roads ended.<br />
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The Tiruchengode road was still good - 2 lanes, traffic was not bad, and we covered around 40 kms in 40 minutes. We stopped in the Tiruchengode town for breakfast at a small restaurant "Mani's Cafe" near the bus stand (place was bad. food was ok). We then started on the hill road to the temple. This road is cut out of the rock, and the view was very good!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKr5C4RcDES1Q-iYrT99h00dhR0uGSmHLogHc0JaYsxCGcuihoeWrqyD6PPCH2LUsHxcQfcLczcCP9MvHUG4gQSt4YMPzg3ks1oYG6d6QhNUhvaG4kNx9pAit3Q34Nyf3-xqY5w/s1600/IMG_7260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKr5C4RcDES1Q-iYrT99h00dhR0uGSmHLogHc0JaYsxCGcuihoeWrqyD6PPCH2LUsHxcQfcLczcCP9MvHUG4gQSt4YMPzg3ks1oYG6d6QhNUhvaG4kNx9pAit3Q34Nyf3-xqY5w/s320/IMG_7260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The Ardhanareeswarar temple was nice, not crowded at all. Spent about an hour there and started the drive to Trichy.<br />
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<i>Tiruchengode - Trichy (122 kms - 3 hours)</i><br />
The Tiruchengode - Trichy road is a 2-lane highway through Namakkal. We took the route through Musiri, Srirangam - Trichy which goes beside the Cauvery river. The road was generally fine, but lots of sand trucks and intercity buses.<br />
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So, a total of ~360 kms in ~6 hours of driving, and ~2 hours of breaks...<br />
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At Trichy, we stayed at the TTDC Tamil Nadu hotel. The hotel was basic, but for the rate of Rs. 1900 for the family room (for 5), it was comfortable. We also got a 20% senior citizen discount using my father-in-law's ID.<br />
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<b>Food at Trichy</b><br />
Vegetarian food at Trichy was not as good as we expected, maybe we didn't go to the right places. We tried different restaurants, but only once or twice was our experience good.<br />
- Kurinji restaurant (Hotel Guru) - we had lunch in the a/c restaurant - food was decent, but lighting could be better<br />
- Vasantha Bhavan (opp Central bus stand) - Food was really bad here - Didn't try again<br />
- Sree Krishna - This was good - we had food here multiple times in our stay<br />
- Geethanjali (Hotel Mayas) - Best food in Trichy - on our way back to Bangalore.<br />
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<b>Temples in and around Trichy</b><br />
We visited the following temples in and near Trichy -<br />
1. Vayalur Subrahmanya temple - <a href="https://plus.google.com/106697368794501106180/about?rfmt=s&hl=en">https://plus.google.com/106697368794501106180/about?rfmt=s&hl=en</a><br />
2. Tiruvanaikovil - <a href="https://plus.google.com/103107691687123241906/about?rfmt=s&hl=en">https://plus.google.com/103107691687123241906/about?rfmt=s&hl=en</a><br />
3. Samayapuram - <a href="https://plus.google.com/108573827951372385483/about?rfmt=s&hl=en">https://plus.google.com/108573827951372385483/about?rfmt=s&hl=en</a> - was very crowded / looked very commercialised to me<br />
3. Srirangam - <a href="https://plus.google.com/101940441140740283186/about?rfmt=s&hl=en">https://plus.google.com/101940441140740283186/about?rfmt=s&hl=en</a> - We went here at 5.30PM. The temple was closed between 5.30 and 7 PM. We didn't wait and went on to the Rockfort temple<br />
4. Rockfort hill temple - <a href="https://plus.google.com/114985212812461048726/about?rfmt=s&hl=en">https://plus.google.com/114985212812461048726/about?rfmt=s&hl=en</a> - This was a nice temple on a hill, however the entry and exit roads for the hill were very narrow and without any directions.<br />
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<b>At Namakkal</b><br />
On the 3rd day, we started our return drive to Bangalore at around 8AM after breakfast at Geethanjali. We used the same road on the return as we used while arriving (through Musiri). However, the road beside the river was pretty bad on this side because of the fully laden sand lorries freshly excavated from the Cauvery. It was a slow drive following the slow lorries and intercity buses from Trichy to Namakkal and Salem.<br />
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At Namakkal, we stopped for 2 temples -<br />
Anjaneya Temple - <a href="https://plus.google.com/115018699249979912547/about">https://plus.google.com/115018699249979912547/about</a><br />
Narasimha Temple - <a href="https://plus.google.com/106719507413812979903/about?rfmt=s&hl=en&gl=in">https://plus.google.com/106719507413812979903/about</a> - This is a nice temple, with the idols formed within the cave of the hill.<br />
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<b>Return to Bangalore</b><br />
We continued back to Bangalore on the NH7 - which was pretty good and comfortable. We had a quick lunch at Adyar Ananda Bhavan just before Dharmapuri. The major highlight of this road was the number of butterflies flying across the NH7 and getting smashed by each vehicle.<br />
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Overally a very good trip! The Ritz handled very well and I enjoyed the complete drive!Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-10443932004806819722012-07-22T21:24:00.000+05:302012-07-22T21:30:13.162+05:30Trip to Tirupati-Tirumala in March 2012 - Vishesha Seva<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9DgU95rDIwb5pwYDOX5gcEPojqmgD-ghqomKjDE2SiGXzp6e7-GKU6OwoLiRc3b8bdypaNbIlXmMvoqOYxBheLrUj0zbmpJVL6eKeGrCUhTWYsN90hcJGkaIp42yKb4NDif8wQ/s1600/IMG_5267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9DgU95rDIwb5pwYDOX5gcEPojqmgD-ghqomKjDE2SiGXzp6e7-GKU6OwoLiRc3b8bdypaNbIlXmMvoqOYxBheLrUj0zbmpJVL6eKeGrCUhTWYsN90hcJGkaIp42yKb4NDif8wQ/s400/IMG_5267.JPG" width="400" /></a>We had planned a sudden trip to Tirupati-Tirumala in late March 2012. Our plan was to drive to Tirumala on 25th March, Sunday, visit the temple the same day, stay there overnight and drive back early on 26th March, Monday. However, we had heard that (23rd March being Ugadi), the weekend will be very crowded. We had also not planned/booked accommodation there in advance. In spite of this, this trip <span style="background-color: white;">turned out to be a really good one!</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>We took the normal route -> Bangalore Old Madras Road (NH5) - Hoskote -> Kolar -> Mulbagal -> Palamaner -> Chittoor bye pass -> Puttalapattu -> Tirupati -> Tirumala. </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Sunday, 25th March 2012</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">We started early Sunday morning, 5.30AM. We had decided to stop only once for breakfast. So around 8AM (when our daughter woke up), we stopped somewhere beyond Palamaner, at a place called Priyadarshini (or something like that). We had some decent breakfast - idly, pongal and coffee and then proceeded towards Tirupati. We reached Tirupati around 10.30 AM. </span><br />
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Just before the Security checkpoint at Tirupati (before we start the uphill drive), a TTD staff asked us for a lift, since he had just missed his shuttle. Just to ensure that he was really a TTD staff, we asked him to show an ID,which he did. He got us quickly through the security check, helping us load our luggage onto the scanner and then putting it back into our car.<br />
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While we were driving up, we got our first shock. The TTD person told us that the crowd was really too much and it was taking people 7-8 hours of waiting in the queue. Also, the normal accommodation was going to be impossible to get. However, he called up somebody and found that we could get tickets to a Special Seva (Vishesha Seva) Monday morning. Also, he suggested that we go to the "Padmavathy Enquiry Office" to book our accommodation (these start at Rs. 1000 per night), rather than the normal ones. This advice turned out good for us.<br />
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Once at Tirumala, we drove to the Vijaya Bank counter, where we purchased Vishesha Seva tickets (Rs 600/head) for Monday morning. We discovered that, to enter the temple using the Seva tickets, we had to were traditional dresses - Male: Veshti + Angavastram, Female: Saree. So we purchased these from the local market. After a bit of searching for accomodation at the different Mutts in Tirumala (all of them were full), we went to the Padmavathi Enquiry office and booked a room (Rs 1000 per night+Rs. 1000 Refundable deposit) at the Sripadadam Guest House. After lunch and some rest, we roamed around the town and the garden.<br />
<br />
<b>Monday, 26th March 2012</b><br />
We woke up early, since the time mentioned was 6.30AM and the staff had asked us to arrive at the Vaikuntam Q Complex - 2 by 6 AM. We entered through the "Supatham" entry. This is also the same entry for parents with infants. After the initial checking and scanning, we were made to wait at (what I call) "the cage" till about 7.15 AM. We were then taken to the place where the "Seva" happens. <span style="background-color: white;">This is adjacent to the main temple itself. This is a nice big hall where we were asked to sit, leaving some space in the middle. </span><span style="background-color: white;">At around 7.30 AM, with the accompaniment of music, the "Utsava Vigraham" is brought and placed in the hall. There is an elaborate puja performed here. All these are visible without any difficulty. Here's a description of the Seva on the </span><a href="http://www.tirumala.org/sevas_weekdes.htm#visesha" style="background-color: white;">official site</a><span style="background-color: white;">. </span><br />
<br />
After the Seva is completed, we are taken directly in the Central temple area. The usual confusion happens here, there is a free-for-all entry here, and the usual "Jaragandi-Jaragandi" and pushing-pulling by the staff. <span style="background-color: white;">But overall, a very good "Darshan". We were out of the temple complex after collecting the "Prasadam", by 9.30AM. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">We packed up our stuff from the room, picked up the refund of Rs.1000, had some heavy breakfast and started for Bangalore, by 11.30AM. The downhill drive was slow, since traffic was allowed two-way. Drove back non-stop except for a coffee and we were home by 5 PM. A great trip all-in-all! </span>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-91204962916519598382012-04-16T21:52:00.000+05:302012-04-16T21:53:05.297+05:30Kids' Stories - Learning ABCD the fun way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>ABCD story for kids!</b></h2>
This is one of P-'s favorite stories.She enjoys it totally, and listens attentively till the end! This is how it goes...<br />
<br />
A-for-Apple and B-for-Ball were going for a walk. There they met C-for-Cat and D-for-Dog. A-for-Apple asked C-for-Cat where they were going. C-for-Cat said they were going for an all-animals' meeting and asked if they would also come and witness it. All four started walking.<br />
<br />
In some distance, near a river they saw E-for-Elephant. D-for-Dog asked E-for-Elephant if he was coming for the meeting. E-for-Elephant said he was waiting for F-for-Fish.<br />
<br />
G-for-Goat was walking in the other direction, and on his head was a H-for-Hat. F-for-Fish asked G-for-Goat where he was going. G-for-Goat said he was going to the shop to get some I-for-Ice Cream and asked if they would accompany him. C-for-Cat said he did not want I-for-Ice Cream, but will instead drink J-for-Juice. As they were eating I-for-Ice cream and drinking J-for-Juice, they saw a K-for-Kite flying high above. At that time, L-for-Lion came there and asked why everybody was looking up. They said they were looking at K-for-Kite.<br />
<br />
While they were looking up, they saw M-for-Monkey jumping from one tree to another and they were all wondering why. When E-for-Elephant asked M-for-Monkey why he was jumping, M-for-Monkey said he saw an N-for-Nest and wanted to know whose it was. O-for-Owl came that way and said that it was her N-for-Nest.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, P-for-Parrot started shouting, "Q-for-Queen has come, Q-for-Queen has come". But it had started to R-for-Rain. So, everyone started hurrying into the S-for-Ship which was waiting there. At the same time, T-for-Train also arrived there. Since R-for-Rain was very heavy, they all opened their U-for-Umbrella and ran into the S-for-Ship and T-for-Train. Q-for-Queen looked at her W-for-Watch and got into her V-for-Van. Since she had a pain in her back, she got in to the V-for-Van to go to the hospital for an X-for-X-ray. In the V-for-Van, while she waited, she ate some Y-for-Yogurt..<br />
<br />
Soon, the S-for-Ship and T-for-Train started moving. Just then, they saw an animal running and shouting "stop stop, wait for me!". What was this animal? It was Z-for-Zebra!<br />
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<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.com/search/label/kids-stories" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Other Kids stories in this blog</a></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02101945109000748610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-51296793219077150412012-04-12T23:28:00.000+05:302012-04-12T23:32:50.535+05:30Ramya's Recipe Series: Palak Methi Balls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Palak Methi Balls</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Another nice snack from Ramya's Recipe book!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ingredients</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Palak – 2 cups</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Methi – 1 cup</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Gram flour – 2 tea spoons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Rava – 2 teaspoons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Atta – 4 teaspoons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Chilli paste – ½ teaspoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sugar – ½ tea spoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Salt – To taste</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Oil – 2 teaspoons</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">For Seasoning</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mustard – ½ teaspoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Jeera – ½ teaspoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Till – ½ teaspoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Hing – ½ teaspoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Oil – 1 teaspoon</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Procedure</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mix all ingredients 1 to 10</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Make 5 – 6 portions and roll it in your hands</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HbNMmqpyb4D36lzsc6XvJHFYdITsThUPPL1lchHJcI_YeDi9UU0l-eGE5zU3dLIy137kl5qLbmmn7j_ldo1MnmO2WdTcuJkPKvVKWN3vaomWEkZlFDf3MlHJXM_Ww7ynn-CX/s1600/IMG_6485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HbNMmqpyb4D36lzsc6XvJHFYdITsThUPPL1lchHJcI_YeDi9UU0l-eGE5zU3dLIy137kl5qLbmmn7j_ldo1MnmO2WdTcuJkPKvVKWN3vaomWEkZlFDf3MlHJXM_Ww7ynn-CX/s320/IMG_6485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Steam it for 10 minutes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Allow it to cool and cut it into discs</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQbvKGr-JDZDYdsGF3X-6kARqk3rK6o7MxPa9l_pdU0onKv2V7tR0GuWTIzO6D-NzRV5FolyLTd-DGYrmL-yzm6a-S1Pe8LViNmaN4YMcsO71UxA1MUVS33Hgxpbq5LJLfsJc/s1600/IMG_6488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQbvKGr-JDZDYdsGF3X-6kARqk3rK6o7MxPa9l_pdU0onKv2V7tR0GuWTIzO6D-NzRV5FolyLTd-DGYrmL-yzm6a-S1Pe8LViNmaN4YMcsO71UxA1MUVS33Hgxpbq5LJLfsJc/s320/IMG_6488.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Add oil in a kadai and add mustard, after it splutters add jeera, till and hing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Toss the discs in the seasoning and serve</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTPl2223FKjTAV2nNSRosKJCw7UIIHuadPspNt8SgjtjjJJsSOPRxmbUP8sMDfNEqUPthj6mYLYdvDKmWRZ1BLSXK8MgJ6N3iJoVIMtyEUMWTsojAmoXcZutEtcUgZvfiin4r/s1600/IMG_6490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTPl2223FKjTAV2nNSRosKJCw7UIIHuadPspNt8SgjtjjJJsSOPRxmbUP8sMDfNEqUPthj6mYLYdvDKmWRZ1BLSXK8MgJ6N3iJoVIMtyEUMWTsojAmoXcZutEtcUgZvfiin4r/s320/IMG_6490.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Note</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ginger paste and coriander can also be added</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Increase or decrease the amount of chilli paste as per your taste</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This can be prepared without adding sugar also</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
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<hr style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;" />
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.in/search/label/ramya-recipe" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;">More posts from Ramya's Recipe Series</a></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02101945109000748610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-70497528457663529842012-04-06T20:18:00.000+05:302012-04-08T12:57:44.518+05:30Ramya's Recipe Series - Thavala Adai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<h2>
Thavala Adai - A type of Rice Cutlet</h2>
This is a very tasty evening snack item. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ1CIAO0o_JykRZ4D_lClvmqHg0wiGK8usLsnuopnnCKLo34DkoGnyGI-evymsvOPdLqCS-__NjplVp-Q6Fsh4QucXqovEKU_LlMBeBrQYKOXwxm69bZvcuVH98PinVkDf7Nz/s1600/IMG_6418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ1CIAO0o_JykRZ4D_lClvmqHg0wiGK8usLsnuopnnCKLo34DkoGnyGI-evymsvOPdLqCS-__NjplVp-Q6Fsh4QucXqovEKU_LlMBeBrQYKOXwxm69bZvcuVH98PinVkDf7Nz/s320/IMG_6418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Ingredients<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Idly rava – 1 cup</li>
<li>Water – 2 cups</li>
<li>For seasoning:</li>
<li>Dry chillies – 3-4</li>
<li>Mustard – ½ spoon</li>
<li>Split Urad dal – ½ spoon</li>
<li>Gram dal – ½ spoon</li>
<li>Grated Coconut- 2- 3 spoons</li>
<li>Salt- To taste</li>
<li>Asafoetida – A pinch</li>
<li>Oil</li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Procedure<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>In a kadai heat oil and add
mustard and red chillies (broken into 2 or 3)</li>
<li>After the mustard splutters add
split urad dal and gram dal</li>
<li>After the dals turn red add Asafoetida,
water and salt</li>
<li>When the water is boiling add the
grated coconut and idly rava</li>
<li>Keep mixing till it is 3/4ths
cooked</li>
<li>Remove it and after it cools make
it into lemon size balls</li>
<li>Flatten these balls</li>
<li>Heat another kadai and place these
flattened balls in it and add oil</li>
<li>Heat it till it becomes golden
brown on both the sides</li>
<li>Serve it hot with sauce or tomato
chutney or any chutney</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1tR5n-WoleWwhxBAvxmNOv1uAc5floICt0vtsTAwP93H8dNbX6Gvpc7nZgyr2cAVyBr4SFonhapvJYgTBz63fjR2sbTNWJQK5dM4ji-HgdgvUxmWA4ICcOljHS7UgLDqct-9/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1tR5n-WoleWwhxBAvxmNOv1uAc5floICt0vtsTAwP93H8dNbX6Gvpc7nZgyr2cAVyBr4SFonhapvJYgTBz63fjR2sbTNWJQK5dM4ji-HgdgvUxmWA4ICcOljHS7UgLDqct-9/s320/IMG_6427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Note</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If idly rava is not available, grind rice or par-boiled rice
to rava consistency and use it.<br />
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<hr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" />
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.in/search/label/ramya-recipe" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;">More posts from Ramya's Recipe Series</a>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02101945109000748610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-26664525229501523822012-03-13T16:01:00.001+05:302012-03-14T10:30:14.626+05:30Daughter discovers Gravity - Newton Apple Story for Kids<br />
So, this is our latest story for our 2-year old daughter. <br />
<br />
1. There was a man called Newton sitting under a tree.<br />
2. Which tree? Apple Tree (include A for Apple somewhere now...)<br />
3. What color apple - Red Apple<br />
4. Suddenly, a red apple fell from the tree on Newton's head (ask her to show where her head is).<br />
5. Why did it fall? Gravity! Newton ran around shouting - Gravity, Gravity!<br />
<br />
What did our daughter learn through this story?<br />
- A for apple<br />
- Apples are generally red<br />
- Body parts<br />
- & most importantly - Gravity!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.com/search/label/kids-stories">Other Kids stories in this blog</a>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-71479647054538987322012-02-05T21:57:00.001+05:302012-03-26T20:07:33.982+05:30Ramya's Recipe Series - Masoor Dal Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMElu6iHuB1kzxvubvPh06B6Lqt_cjuEgc-ey31A1OlyIMNOlaqoQVH-r8uPxaMuTXLXbAFTiqK4af7S6HMkgIvrDoKYKgqUDvimw5kMIw1LTKdgF_GWFuwIWq-TGBKHfxxTlh/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMElu6iHuB1kzxvubvPh06B6Lqt_cjuEgc-ey31A1OlyIMNOlaqoQVH-r8uPxaMuTXLXbAFTiqK4af7S6HMkgIvrDoKYKgqUDvimw5kMIw1LTKdgF_GWFuwIWq-TGBKHfxxTlh/s320/IMG_6328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Ingredients</b>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Masoor dal- ½ cup</li>
<li>Cinnamon-2 pieces</li>
<li>Carrot, Beans, peas, Cabbage-1/4-1/2 cup finely chopped</li>
<li>Salt- to taste</li>
<li>Pepper powder- to taste</li>
<li>Corn flour- 1-2 spoons</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Procedure</b> </div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Boil the masoor dal in a pressure cooker with a small piece
of cinnamon</li>
<li>Boil the finely chopped vegetables with a small piece of
cinnamon</li>
<li>Mash the boiled masoor dal using a blender</li>
<li>In a kadai add little
oil and add a small piece of cinnamon.</li>
<li>Add the mashed masoor dal and the boiled vegetables.</li>
<li>Add little water to the corn flour and make it into a paste.
Add this to the masoor dal till you get the desired consistency.</li>
<li>Add salt and pepper powder before serving</li>
</ol>
<b>Note</b>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Remove the cinnamon pieces before serving</li>
<li>Any other vegetable like cauliflower can also be added</li>
<li>Fresh cream can be added while serving</li>
<li>Add lesser corn flour and more water if you want the soup to
be a thin soup.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<hr/>
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.in/search/label/ramya-recipe">More posts from Ramya's Recipe Series</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02101945109000748610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-26326580673634045402012-01-25T20:52:00.002+05:302012-03-26T20:08:04.281+05:30Ramya's Recipe Series - Bottle gourd Kofta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Bottle Gourd Kofta</span></div>
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<b>Thanks to Aveek's mom!</b></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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<b>For Kofta</b></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Bottle gourd- 1 grated</li>
<li>Ajwain- 2 tea spoons</li>
<li>Jeera powder- 4 teaspoons</li>
<li>Chillies- 2 finely chopped</li>
<li>Besan- 4 teaspoons</li>
<li>Salt- To taste</li>
<li>Oil- For frying</li>
</ol>
<b>For Gravy</b><br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Tomato- 4</li>
<li>Onions- 4</li>
<li>Cinnamon, Clove, Cardamom- 2 each</li>
<li>Chillie powder- 3 teaspoons</li>
<li>Salt - To taste</li>
<li>Oil- 3-5 teaspoons</li>
</ol>
<b>Procedure</b><br />
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<b>For Kofta</b></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Squeeze out all the water from the grated bottle gourd</li>
<li>Mix the rest of the ingredients and make into balls </li>
<li>Deep fry the balls and set aside</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4gl6FYazLP7bCPx5C-yxeACc1a4nAAt0UwMMOn4e7N15M8_KNXytGML3KwJdBSWI2QT1VlZR9ZtaCL8SDkcAwCzrKTwSfzDbwX9boogI2-0szGHPskATzSgOsbc_O8fTF5Kh/s1600/IMG_6319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4gl6FYazLP7bCPx5C-yxeACc1a4nAAt0UwMMOn4e7N15M8_KNXytGML3KwJdBSWI2QT1VlZR9ZtaCL8SDkcAwCzrKTwSfzDbwX9boogI2-0szGHPskATzSgOsbc_O8fTF5Kh/s200/IMG_6319.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><br /></b><br />
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<b>For Gravy</b><br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Cut the onion and tomatoes</li>
<li>Grind the tomatoes and onions separately</li>
<li>In a pan add oil and add the Cinnamon, clove and cardamom.</li>
<li>Add the onion paste and saute till golden brown</li>
<li>Add tomato paste and saute till the raw smell goes</li>
<li>Add salt and chilli powder.</li>
<li>Switch off the flame once the oil begins to separate.</li>
</ol>
Add the koftas to the gravy and enjoy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIdTO_yy5KFpqkPDgheTbEOaxV1Z-5HrCoqO_3mrHApBHilmHv2hgYcF0x4f6OLk1RVtz2IBq1KtEUxWT-GG6WwT6VPSWn2KzcdQa9kNZRSfUITzPt_n4WN-MGKKoxnEIfVvw/s1600/IMG_6322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIdTO_yy5KFpqkPDgheTbEOaxV1Z-5HrCoqO_3mrHApBHilmHv2hgYcF0x4f6OLk1RVtz2IBq1KtEUxWT-GG6WwT6VPSWn2KzcdQa9kNZRSfUITzPt_n4WN-MGKKoxnEIfVvw/s200/IMG_6322.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Note</b></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Green chillies can be avoided in the kofta if you don't prefer hot koftas</li>
<li>Instead of Cinnamon, clove and cardamom you can use garam masals powder(3 teaspoons), do not add chillie powder if you ar eusing garam masala powder.</li>
<li>If you like it spicy increase the garam masala powder.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<hr/>
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.in/search/label/ramya-recipe">More posts from Ramya's Recipe Series</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02101945109000748610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-54372087597850742082012-01-20T20:04:00.004+05:302012-03-14T10:31:23.295+05:30Prakruti's Crow StoryWhen my daughter is asked for a story, she tells the story of a crow.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>A crow went up and sat on a tree.</li>
<li>It sang a song but fell down. </li>
<li>It got hurt on its head and went home.</li>
<li>Its mother applied medicine on its head and so, it recovered quickly. </li>
</ol>
<div>
This is probably her version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fox_and_the_Crow_(Aesop)" target="_blank">Aesop's fox and crow story</a>.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.com/search/label/kids-stories">Other Kids stories in this blog</a><br />
</div>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-11328544733104165542012-01-19T22:17:00.001+05:302012-03-26T20:19:07.868+05:30Ramya's Recipe Series - Microwave Banana & Dry Fruits Bread - Eggless<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be starting with a dessert/snack first! This is an Eggless Banana Bread (with optional dry fruits). I learnt this from a cousin, with few of my own additions/improvements. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The main ingredients... </span></b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maida - 2 cups</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Powdered Sugar - 2/3rd cup</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oil - 1/4th cup</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baking Soda- 1/4th tea spoon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over-ripe Bananas - 2</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Optional Ingredients:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dry Fruits: Powdered walnuts, Almonds, Cashew - 1/2 cup, Raisins- 15</span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Method</span></b></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pre-heat the microwave at 180C in the convection mode. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Sieve the maida, powdered sugar and baking soda. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Mash the over ripe bananas and add them. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Then add oil, powdered dry fruits,raisins and mix well. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Now, coat an aluminium tray with crystallized ghee. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Add the mixture and bake in the microwave in the convection mode at 180C for 1 hour.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">After 1 hour, allow the bread to cool. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Slice it and enjoy</span></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL20FsF7UvuQtYYNK8Az49uLi68b-4uhumvHV7mD7cKl2SPqqFirilh9i_IY5kLiHYulSH3u7mnl05i_C5_wIAMvUWMAvOeTtp5XKCbHZpBpDe3iA_F6zPhIXw2T3MGPEVhI1/s1600/Banana-Bread+PIC+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL20FsF7UvuQtYYNK8Az49uLi68b-4uhumvHV7mD7cKl2SPqqFirilh9i_IY5kLiHYulSH3u7mnl05i_C5_wIAMvUWMAvOeTtp5XKCbHZpBpDe3iA_F6zPhIXw2T3MGPEVhI1/s200/Banana-Bread+PIC+2.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tips</span></b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use over ripe bananas, it gives the best taste.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Banana can be substituted with grated apple</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sugar can be reduced to 1/2 cup if you prefer less sweet bread</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">For diabetics, sugar can be substituted with equal quantity of Sugar-Free/ Equal powder. Also, use apple instead of banana.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Powdered dry fruits add taste and flavor.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Coating the tray with crystallized ghee gives best result. If that is not available, butter can be used.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<hr/>
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.in/search/label/ramya-recipe">More posts from Ramya's Recipe Series</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02101945109000748610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-11830111551907758392012-01-19T21:59:00.000+05:302012-03-26T20:20:04.827+05:30Ramya's Recipe SeriesRamya has been experimenting with different recipes and I have been the guinea pig. Generally, they have been good and I love the new stuff she makes. So, we thought she should start posting her recipes too. Her first post coming up soon....
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<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.in/search/label/ramya-recipe">More posts from Ramya's Recipe Series</a>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-58356935294153193812012-01-17T23:44:00.001+05:302012-03-14T10:30:32.477+05:30Another short story for my 2 year old daughter - how her day passes...I started a series of short stories that I tell for our daughter before she goes to sleep.<br />
She has started play-school since November 2011. So, one story that we tell her is how her day passes...<br />
1. Mother wakes her up at 7.30AM, brushes her teeth and makes her drink milk.<br />
2. Father gives her a bath, and hands her over to mother to put her into her school uniform.<br />
3. Mother give her breakfast<br />
4. Father drops her in school at 9AM by car.<br />
5. Mother goes to school at 12PM by walk, picks her up and comes back either walking or by an auto.<br />
6. Grandmother gives her lunch and puts her to her noon nap.<br />
7. Father picks her up from Grandmother's house and brings her back to her house<br />
8. She plays, eats dinner and goes to sleep!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.com/search/label/kids-stories">Other Kids stories in this blog</a><br />
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<br />Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-18029407953620050312012-01-09T10:09:00.001+05:302012-03-14T10:30:59.604+05:30Short stories for my 2-year old daughterMy 2 year old daughter keeps asking me for new stories every night before going to bed. I have used up most of the kid stories that I remember, and now have started inventing my own stories based on other stories that I read. She has been listening to my adaptations of Tintin, especially <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destination_Moon_(Tintin)">Destination Moon</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorers_on_the_Moon">Explorers on the Moon</a>.<br />
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My stories are really a set of statements, mostly less than 10 and simple. She really enjoys these stories and sometimes repeats to me/her mother. My latest story is inspired from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_and_Jerry">Tom & Jerry</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_and_the_Mouse">Lion & Mouse story</a>.<br />
1. Tom is chasing Jerry because he is hungry.<br />
2. After running around for some time, Tom manages to catch Jerry.<br />
3. Jerry begs to leave him, and offers a piece of cheese that he has at his home.<br />
4. Tom agrees, and follows Jerry to his house.<br />
5. Tom sees that Jerry has a small kid.<br />
6. Tom is a nice cat, so he lets Jerry go and asks him to give the cheese to his kid rather.<br />
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My daughter really enjoys this story - especially since she likes cats and cheese :)<br />
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<hr />
<a href="http://bhar1234.blogspot.com/search/label/kids-stories">Other Kids stories in this blog</a><br />Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-6805518477060472722012-01-08T00:45:00.003+05:302012-01-08T00:45:53.376+05:30Laziness and Task ManagementManaging my tasks has been one of the most difficult tasks! After a lot of advice from family and friends, I have started maintaining a single list of all my tasks. When I was using a single laptop with MS Outlook, I used the inbuilt task list. Now that I no longer have Outlook on my laptop (I work for IBM, and we use Lotus Notes as our email tool), I was looking for a better tool (preferably on the web). I didn't like the Lotus Notes version of task management, primarily because launching Lotus Notes is a task in itself (with a start date and end date) :)<br />
I was therefore trying out a variety of tools on the web.<br />
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/tasks/ig">Gmail Tasks</a>
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I started with Gmail Tasks. This was great because, it was integrated into Gmail. I liked it also because I didn't have to do much in terms of clicking; tasks and subtasks could be created using just the keyboard. However, I wanted slightly more detailed options - especially for reminders, start date, due date, and the UI was not so intuitive for that. <br />
I then tried <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://taskant.com/">TaskAnt</a>. I liked it, but, the UI was too detailed. Needed something more simplistic. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Next was <a href="http://teuxdeux.com/">TeuxDeux</a>. This was just the opposite of TaskAnt. I really liked the minimalist interface. Just the way you use a diary - a day-by-day view of your tasks. You could move your tasks across dates with simple drag-drop operations. The problem was that it was too minimalistic: no reminders, no sync with GCal, etc. </span><br />
I then tried <a href="http://todo.ly/">TodoLy</a>. This seemed to be good. Everything that I wanted: some detail, reminders, etc.. But, I had trouble synchronizing. It used to always revert to the default list of example tasks. This was not a great example for a good intuitive UI.<br />
Finally, I found what I wanted: <a href="http://i.doit.im/">I Do It</a>. This works great. Email/GCal integration, ability to categorize by projects, contexts and tags. Good reminder system, and synchronizes quite quickly. It also has a desktop version, and desktop shortcuts that help me quickly add tasks without loading the webpage. Hopefully will stick onto this for sometime<br />
<br />
However, I was just researching about other tools today and I found another one: <a href="https://www.producteev.com/">Producteev</a>. Seems to be good, will start trying it out now. More research about this on the way.Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com2Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.594562712.724026199999999 77.2787057 13.2191712 77.910419699999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-75443189290714771112012-01-01T00:22:00.000+05:302012-01-01T00:22:37.140+05:30New Year Resolutions & Douglas AdamsI have been a great fan of Douglas Adams ever since I started reading his "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy" target="_blank">The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</a>" six-book trilogy! I was such a crazy fan of the book that I had an index of my favourite parts of the book. I used to participate in online quizzes, conduct quizzes and post in online forums, and such... I have re-read the book an uncountable number of times - focusing specifically on the indexed pages. I recently listened to the audio versions of the book. Found some parts much more interesting than while reading. I also inspired quite a few friends to start reading his books. Whenever anybody asks me for book suggestions, that is the first book I suggest.<br />
<br />
Recently, I listened to his posthumous book - "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salmon_of_Doubt" target="_blank">The Salmon of Doubt</a>". This book is a collection of previously published and unpublished material, mostly content from interviews, introductions to his books, his views on technology, and god (he was a faithful atheist). I am now reading the paper book now.<br />
<br />
One of the topics in this book is about his thoughts on celebrating the New Year (the New Millennium rather, since it was written in 1999). How, it is just another excuse to celebrate and has no other significant significance! Exactly, what are we celebrating it for, a change in the digits of the year?<br />
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Another thing he talks about is about New Year Resolutions which I completely agree with. Every end of year/beginning of the new year, we write down our resolutions on a piece of paper (I tried writing on it on an online document editor - Yahoo Notebook, then Google Notebook, recently Google Docs) only to forget where we wrote it until it is time for the next new year resolutions!<br />
<br />
Only one New Year Resolution for me this year: No new year resolutions this year!!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year 2012!<br />
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<br />Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com2Mathikere, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India13.0265817 77.566240613.011111699999999 77.5464996 13.0420517 77.5859816tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-84496639935413572452011-11-05T22:40:00.001+05:302012-01-01T00:29:12.115+05:30Car Loan hypothecation cancellation/removal in Bangalore, India<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Submitted my car RC book for cancellation or removal of hypothecation at Indira Nagar RTO in Bangalore. (I had completed my car loan repayment in July).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Received NOC from financier, and 2 copies of Form 35.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Went to Room 13 with a copy of current car insurance and the NOC, the 2 Form 35 copies, the original RC book and a self-addressed envelope (with a Rs 12 stamp). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. One officer (counter 9) verified the documents and sent it to another counter for data entry. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. After data entry, I was asked to go to the Cash counter (Room 1) to pay Rs 300 as fees (Rs 100 for cancellation of hypothecation and Rs 200 for converting my paper RC to smart card).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Went back to counter 9 in room 13, the same officer verified everything and sent me to counter 6. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. At counter 6 (Inward & Despatch), another officer verified everything, filed everything and gave me an acknowledgement that they have collected my original RC for cancellation of hypothecation and convert to smart card. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7. I will receive my new smart card RC in about a month.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Simple process, but took me 2 visits to the RTO. (I didn't know about the insurance and the envelope the first time).</span><br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">Update: I received my new smart card by post in exactly a month! </span>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-4131762226288508482011-11-05T22:38:00.000+05:302012-01-16T22:26:25.235+05:30India Passport Tatkaal renewal in Bangalore<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Tatkaal Passport Reissue Experience</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Astonishingly simple passport reissue process in Bangalore. My passport was due for renewal mid-2012. But wanted to get it renewed by the Tatkaal mode early. Multiple changes in my passport details - Chennai->Bangalore, Single->Married, ECR->ECNR. </span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Phase 1: Online</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Register at </span><a class="ot-anchor" href="http://www.passportindia.gov.in/" style="background-color: white; color: #3366cc; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">www.passportindia.gov.in</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Fill the online form & Submit it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Upload 4 relevant support documents (pdfs). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Apply for an appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) through the same website. Appointments can be booked only 1.5 days in advance. For eg., appointments for a Thursday open up only on Tuesday evening at 6PM. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Print the Passport Application Receipt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. Carry the original and one photocopy of all support documents. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In my case, the support documents were:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">a. Address Proof: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">SBI Bank Passbook (with more than 1 year of entries). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">HR Letter mentioning that I am an employee and have been staying at the given address.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">b. ID Proof:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">IBM ID card</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">c. Marriage Certificate</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">d. ECNR Proof: B. Tech Degree certificate</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">There were a lot of blogs/discussions on the web that some affidavits are required for Tatkaal passports, but I didn't have them, and was not asked to present them. I understand that these affidavits are required only for fresh Tatkaal applications and not for reissue. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Phase 2: In-Line - At the Passport Seva Kendra</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> (Devarabeesanahalli, Bangalore), the experience was great! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. I reached the PSK 30 minutes before my allotted time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. 3 queues for normal applicants, 1 queue for minors, and 1 queue for Tatkaal. Was 4th at the Tatkaal queue. Very short wait.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Very efficient people at the counters. Asked me for following in order</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Application Receipt (i)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Passport Original (ii) and photocopy (ii.a.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Company ID Original (iii) and photocopy (iii.a.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Company HR Letter stating address original (iv)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Other address proof - SBI Bank Passbook with more than 1 year of entries original (v) and photocopy (v.a.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. He put all photocopies (ii.a., iii.a., v.a.), application receipt (i) and HR letter (iv) in a file and returned all other originals (ii, iii, v). Process initiated. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Waited at an airconditioned waiting lounge (clean toilets, coffee/tea, water) for around 30 minutes. This was when some pre-validation of my details was performed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. After pre-validation, went back to the tatkaal counter to get a Token. I was T-2 now! The actual verification & process starts. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7. Was called at counter A-21 (there are around 25 A counters). They verify the originals, scan the photocopies, scan my signature, take my photograph, take my finger prints. Paid Rs. 2500, received receipt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8. Now onto counter B-5. (There were 10 B counters). An officer verifies my orinals, looks at my passport, says everything is fine, signs somewhere, puts some red marks everywhere on my photocopies. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9. Now onto counter C-3 (There were 5 C counters). Another officer verifies everything, asks me to sign somewhere else. Stamps "Cancelled" on my passport, says everything is done and I can go! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10. Finally, "Exit" counter. Showed my token, showed my fee receipt. They give me a printed letter saying application has been approved, with file number and all. </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All done! Received my new passport in 3 working days!! The only negative point at the end of all this, the post man (who delivered my passport) gave me a nice smile and waited for the usual... </b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Update: </b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Police verification: </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This was not as simple as everything else.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. My residence was supposedly in the "Hennur" police station, even though my post office is "Banaswadi". So, ensure to mention the right police station in the application form.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Since I had mentioned the wrong police station, it took some extra time for the police verification form to arrive at the right police station - in my case - Hennur</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. I received a call one day and was asked to come to the police station (nobody visited home to verify my address). </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. When I went there, I was asked to write a letter requesting speedy approval of my verification. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. I was also asked some questions by the constable responsible for passport verification. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. After some time, I was taken to the inspector's room where the inspector asked me some basic questions. Finally, he signed somewhere in the form and asked me to leave.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I thought everything was done, but no! After a couple of weeks, another constable calls me and says he will visit my residence to verify if I really stayed there. This guy was really nice. Came home, filled some form, asked me to sign. Said thank you and left. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-46340618713936276662011-04-17T20:19:00.001+05:302012-01-16T22:28:07.101+05:30Google Video as a video sharing site is outGoogle Video has stopped allowing users to upload videos and soon, it will stop letting play uploaded content. I was expecting this a long time back (almost since Google bought over YouTube). <br />
Anyway, there is no easy way to migrate videos from Google Video to YouTube. Download them one by one and upload them onto YouTube one by one. I have just uploaded some 3-4 videos, and not too difficult to migrate them. <br />
However, I am worried about the Rhythmica videos!! So many of them on Google Video!! I have to let the right people know!! <br />
<br />
Update (2012-01-16): I now use Google Docs extensively for all my document storage and sharing!Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-65848670300738129092009-02-03T16:19:00.004+05:302012-01-11T10:33:23.076+05:30Yahoo Briefcase closing down<br />
<br />
Yahoo Briefcase is finally closing down when I was hoping they would improve it to Web 2.0 standards and compete with the upcoming Microsoft Live Mesh or Google GDrive. I had been using it in my early days with the internet when that was the only place for safekeeping as well as sharing with friends. Used it for sharing my BTech Project code with my project partners. Used it for keeping backup of some of my important mail attachments. <br />
<br />
Ever since Gmail came, I have not needed the Briefcase, Gmail was the one place where I stored everything. Sharing with friends was uncomfortable, but with unlimited space, you didn't care about how many times you mail the same files :). <br />
<br />
I have not attempted using Microsoft Live Mesh yet. But tried eSnips for some time, but it was still not Web2.0 standard. Let's see if GDrive matches my expectations....Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-48480890671379832082008-05-12T00:19:00.003+05:302008-05-12T00:54:25.819+05:30Mindless drivingI get reminded of the story about the <a href="http://www.buddhanet.net/monkey1.htm">Monkey's Heart</a> everytime somebody does something crazy on the road. Though in this scenario, instead of the heart, it is the mind that is hidden away safely. Bus, taxi and autorickshaw drivers keep their brains hidden somewhere and imagine (?) themselves to be the sole owners the road and nobody else. <br />Two incidents today: <br />This is what I presume goes on in the head (?) of a <br />1. bus driver:<br /> OK. I am on the right most lane. Looks like there is a bus stop there... OK. Should I stop the bus or not. OK.. Let me stop. OK.. No point stopping on the right most lane. So, let me switch lanes. Who cares about rear-view mirrors. OK.. There is something called a brake pedal. OK.. let's press it.. OK.. Nobody in the stand, so no use stopping. OK.. Lift up the brake pedal, push down the accelerator, turn right and shift to the rightmost lane. <br />2. taxi driver:<br /> Hey, I drive a Scorpio, very powerful, and very responsive steering. It is nice to wriggle through the road (Snake style, reminded of a friend at IISc who does paambu cycling) at high speed. Who cares about other motorists on the road... <br /><br />What happens to the other people who keep their brains with them till then??? Get scared, angry, and ultimately lose their mind (?).Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-24941446049373174782008-04-11T16:49:00.001+05:302008-04-11T17:06:13.070+05:30Last few days at IISc :(<span xmlns=''><p>Have been starting to think about what I will miss most once I leave IISc. Very few (and mostly involving music), but whatever I will miss, I guess it will be huge. And I can continue to have some things even after I leave. <br /></p><ol><li>Rhythmica... First year in IISc, i wasn't very involved with Rhythmica. But, when I became the Music Club Convener, got really involved. Didn't participate much, but kept hanging in the music room while others were practicing. Have had a really nice time there. Even though I can't participate in its programmes, I definitely want to continue hanging out in the music room, which I can, if I have time off my job.<br /></li><li>Food at A-mess. Again, first year wasn't significant. 2<sup>nd</sup> year was quite significant, once I started hanging out with the Rhythmica guys. <br /></li><li>Department lab/sem hall... Exams/presentations mean spending nights at the sem hall or the lab. The sem hall belongs to the 1<sup>st</sup> years. So my first year, I spent most of my pre-exam/pre-presentation nights at the sem hall. pre-exam/pre-presentation nights during the 2<sup>nd</sup> year were mostly spent at the lab. <br /></li><li>The few times I went out with my class mates. I couldn't spend so much time with them in the second year, but had fun...<br /></li></ol><p>To be contd...</p></span>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-65471415568479396152008-02-23T23:46:00.000+05:302008-02-23T23:47:07.739+05:30LinkedInI joined LinkedIn!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/bhargavv" ><img src="http://www.linkedin.com/img/webpromo/btn_linkedin_120x30.gif" width="120" height="30" border="0" alt="View Bhargav Vasudeva Rao's profile on LinkedIn"></a>Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14355412.post-1156857525981923072006-08-29T18:46:00.000+05:302006-08-29T18:48:46.000+05:30Going back home:-)<span style="font-weight:bold;">Before...</span><br />It is the first time I am going back home after staying at IISc (almost a month). <br />3 days at home. How do I plan to spend the time? <br />1. Meet the people most important in my life (have been missing them badly). <br />2. Cousin sister's marriage (actual reason I am going home).<br />3. Get some stuff that I left behind the first time, because of lack of space.<br />4. Finish and submit some work assigned by a professor before Sunday. <br />5. Catch up with old friends in Chennai.<br />Miss out on badminton for 3 days :(<br />Not sure if 3 days will be enough for all this and more. Have been really looking forward for (or should it be 'to'?) this trip.<br />Let's see how it all works out.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Had typed the above text before I started... But couldn't post. Just returned to Bangalore today. And here is what happened at Chennai...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">...After</span><br />Actually, have done all of the above, but nothing satisfactorily.<br />Couldn't spend enough time with the people most important to me.<br />Couldn't help in the marriage arrangements and I felt really bad about that. But was really happy that my sister was getting married and gave her some brotherly talk:-) <br />Completed the assignment, but agin not satisfactorily.<br />Catch up with old friends. What? Joking???<br />It is probably the most unsatisfying 3 days in my life. And the reason? The assignment and what else? 2 days for the assignment. Crazy:-)Bhargavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04770544441168427179noreply@blogger.com1