Indian womens' obsession with fair and lovely still continues and so does the attachment of Western (white) women to tanning beds and lotions.
Increasing public criticism over years has definitely fostered change in cultural attitudes towards whitening of skin in India, a country where the fairness industry accounts for 60% of skincare sales, about $140 million a year (2003 estimates). However the Indian matrimonial ads still reflect the 'inner desire' ; the "grooms" and "brides wanted" sections for arranged marriages highlight the country's obsession with appropriate religion, caste, professional qualifications, and more frequently, skin color.On the contrary, if you ask the Indian urban men, more often than all they would still like to go for a Kajol or Halle Berry who definitely are not fair.
This obsession of the Indian women tribe can be very well compared with the desire of the Western women to get tanned. Their quest for the golden brown hue has given rise to uncountable number of indoor tanning solutions. Check out what these tanning beds can do to your skin.
Weather and climate conditions the skin color than anything else but it seems no one is satisified with what has been provided by nature.The attempt to use fairness lotion or a tanning bed, both of which can be harmful to the skin in the long term continues unabated.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
ATM,SIM and TV
Its been more than a month now...hence there is a lot to catch up.....office work sucked most of the usable time during this interval with UAT being underway. Also proposals are being worked around new prospective clients in the pipeline (spending toomuch time with sales guys??) and I am actively working on them too.
Other glaring news were the disappearance of my ATM card in to the hungry belly of the Teller machine located in-situ at the office; sudden blanking out of the Cingular SIM card in my cell phone leaving me in utter desperation as I could not make or receive any calls; and watching the World Cup Soccer on my new Toshiba 34" LCD flat screen, wall hanging Television receiver.
The ATM card just disappeared into the teller machines card slot without any warning messages and First National Bank of Fort Smith returned it over normal USPS mail (boos to the security) only after 4 days without any explanation and 2 follow up calls from me. I am seriously considering terminating the account there asap.
The Cingular SIM card suddenly ran out of juice on a Sunday evening. And I had to get the card replaced from the dealer next day early morning (free of cost, thats good service though the blanking out was unexplained)
And the TV just takes up so much of my time now in the evening, that I am planning to put it off hook so that I can concentrate on reading/writing more. Back to basics.
Other glaring news were the disappearance of my ATM card in to the hungry belly of the Teller machine located in-situ at the office; sudden blanking out of the Cingular SIM card in my cell phone leaving me in utter desperation as I could not make or receive any calls; and watching the World Cup Soccer on my new Toshiba 34" LCD flat screen, wall hanging Television receiver.
The ATM card just disappeared into the teller machines card slot without any warning messages and First National Bank of Fort Smith returned it over normal USPS mail (boos to the security) only after 4 days without any explanation and 2 follow up calls from me. I am seriously considering terminating the account there asap.
The Cingular SIM card suddenly ran out of juice on a Sunday evening. And I had to get the card replaced from the dealer next day early morning (free of cost, thats good service though the blanking out was unexplained)
And the TV just takes up so much of my time now in the evening, that I am planning to put it off hook so that I can concentrate on reading/writing more. Back to basics.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Prius and iPod
Prius and iPod--the two latest technology icons thats reshaping our daily life; and believe it or not I have both. However the problem started when I thought of hooking them together in an unceremonial knot. They just don't believe in peaceful coexistence.
The AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD-changer (with nine speakers in seven locations) in Prius 2005 doesn't come with an auxiliary audio jack or MP3/WMA playback capability and that triggers the exploration to find tools/devices that can hook up the ubiquitous iPod to this hybrid car. The options are more than one (check them out) however as per the pundits the best is yet to come. So I believe the options now are to either a. wait and watch for the best or b. spend some good dough to keep these two in the same place.
The AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD-changer (with nine speakers in seven locations) in Prius 2005 doesn't come with an auxiliary audio jack or MP3/WMA playback capability and that triggers the exploration to find tools/devices that can hook up the ubiquitous iPod to this hybrid car. The options are more than one (check them out) however as per the pundits the best is yet to come. So I believe the options now are to either a. wait and watch for the best or b. spend some good dough to keep these two in the same place.
Eazee Indian Cooking in USA: Chapter 3
Based on requests, we are going to cook some Daal. Before we embark on this great journey, let us understand what is daal. Daal is a kind of lentil and the soup made of this lentils/spilt pulsesis also called Daal in India. There are numerous types of Daals, you can find their variety at here. However, if you want to buy it, get it from an Indian grocery like this.
Chapter 3: Masoor Daal
Ingredients:
2 tea cup full of yellow Masoor Daal
1 Red Onion - finely chopped
2 spoons salt.
1 spoon turmeric, ground cumin
1 spoon of finely chopped garlic and green chilli
2 spoons garam masala
2 spoons ground coriander
2 spoons of tomato puree
1 big spoon of butter
2 large spoon fulls of any cooking oil (my preference Olive oil)
6 cups of water (approximate)
Process:
Wash the lentil seed (from now on daal) in fresh water and slow boil them in a deep pot (wok)
Add enough water to cover the daal. Boil the stuff till its mushy.
Fry all the spices with onions in olive oil in a deep skillet.
Add the fried and spiced onions and chillies to the mushy daal
Add some more water and slow boil the stuff with intermittent stirring.
Boil it till you a get a medium thick consistency ( lentils are soft and tender). Add the butter and boil it some more.
How to Serve and Eat:
Eat this daal with basmati rice.
Ahh!
Chapter 3: Masoor Daal
Ingredients:
2 tea cup full of yellow Masoor Daal
1 Red Onion - finely chopped
2 spoons salt.
1 spoon turmeric, ground cumin
1 spoon of finely chopped garlic and green chilli
2 spoons garam masala
2 spoons ground coriander
2 spoons of tomato puree
1 big spoon of butter
2 large spoon fulls of any cooking oil (my preference Olive oil)
6 cups of water (approximate)
Process:
Wash the lentil seed (from now on daal) in fresh water and slow boil them in a deep pot (wok)
Add enough water to cover the daal. Boil the stuff till its mushy.
Fry all the spices with onions in olive oil in a deep skillet.
Add the fried and spiced onions and chillies to the mushy daal
Add some more water and slow boil the stuff with intermittent stirring.
Boil it till you a get a medium thick consistency ( lentils are soft and tender). Add the butter and boil it some more.
How to Serve and Eat:
Eat this daal with basmati rice.
Ahh!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Eazee Indian Cooking in USA: Chapter 2
Since the last one was Non-veg I thought of making this chapter vegetarian; I am just being lazee so the recipe stays the same as Chapter 1, where you replace the chicken with corn (frozen corn is available at Walmart) to make Alu-Chana Corn Mix.
The rest remains the same as Chapter 1.
Sorry if I disappointed you; I would make it up soon with chapter 3.
Happy cooking.
The rest remains the same as Chapter 1.
Sorry if I disappointed you; I would make it up soon with chapter 3.
Happy cooking.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Eazee Indian Cooking in USA: Chapter 1
Indian cooking can be so easy if you know what to use and how to use; so I have taken upon myself the responsbility of satiating the appetite of young, single Indians (H1b holders or otherwise). The first item in our mission is Non Vegetarian (approx cooking time 25 minutes); however you can always avoide using the Chicken (that will save your cooking time too :)). And all the stuff is available at Walmart or at your big local grocery store.
Chapter 1: Alu-Chana Chicken Mix
Ingredients:
1 can of Diced Potato (Alu)
1 packet of fully cooked frozen Diced Chicken (you can use fresh chicken if you have time)
1 can of Chick Peas (Chana)
1 large Red onion (No white onions: they are not for Desis)
1 Green chilli
4 large spoon fulls of any cooking oil (my preference Olive oil)
2 large slices of tomato, 2 spoons of tomato puree, 1 spoon of minced garlic, 1 and half spoons of ginger paste.
Plus 1 spoon each of red chilli powder, garam/curry masala, turmeric powder,cumin seeds;
salt to taste.
Coriander leaves (for garnishing)
Process:
Cut the onions fine.Cut the green chilli into small pieces.
Fry the onions over red heat in a medium deep non stick skillet with olive oil (3 mins)
Add the cumin seeds and fry some more (2 mins)
Add the garlic, ginger and tomato puree.(1 min)
Add the diced potato. Add green chillies.(1 min)
Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, pinch of salt (1 min)
Add tomato slices (1 min)
Fry on low heat with the chicken pieces (5 mins)
Add all the Chick peas with the juice in the can slowly (2 mins)
Add a small cup of water if you need gravy (optional)
Add Garam Masala/ Curry Masala and cook thoroughly (6 mins)
How to Serve and Eat:
Serve medium hot in a elongated bowl with some coriander leaves for garnish.
Eat with Tortillas or Pita bread.
Let me know your feedback. Bon Appetit
Chapter 1: Alu-Chana Chicken Mix
Ingredients:
1 can of Diced Potato (Alu)
1 packet of fully cooked frozen Diced Chicken (you can use fresh chicken if you have time)
1 can of Chick Peas (Chana)
1 large Red onion (No white onions: they are not for Desis)
1 Green chilli
4 large spoon fulls of any cooking oil (my preference Olive oil)
2 large slices of tomato, 2 spoons of tomato puree, 1 spoon of minced garlic, 1 and half spoons of ginger paste.
Plus 1 spoon each of red chilli powder, garam/curry masala, turmeric powder,cumin seeds;
salt to taste.
Coriander leaves (for garnishing)
Process:
Cut the onions fine.Cut the green chilli into small pieces.
Fry the onions over red heat in a medium deep non stick skillet with olive oil (3 mins)
Add the cumin seeds and fry some more (2 mins)
Add the garlic, ginger and tomato puree.(1 min)
Add the diced potato. Add green chillies.(1 min)
Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, pinch of salt (1 min)
Add tomato slices (1 min)
Fry on low heat with the chicken pieces (5 mins)
Add all the Chick peas with the juice in the can slowly (2 mins)
Add a small cup of water if you need gravy (optional)
Add Garam Masala/ Curry Masala and cook thoroughly (6 mins)
How to Serve and Eat:
Serve medium hot in a elongated bowl with some coriander leaves for garnish.
Eat with Tortillas or Pita bread.
Let me know your feedback. Bon Appetit
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Being 'Cool'
If being cool means having innovative desktops, then I am quite good at that. Below are few samples on my Windows XP desktop. So is this cool??
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Technically E-Motional
This is the problem with my technical blog articles. No review comments on my last article. However if I write something about life, love, hate, women and other catchy topics the comments flow like confettis in parade. Are all my friends and foes technically challenged? Or may be they don't think me to be worth of writing any technical piece?! :(......anyways I think I am little bit okay with technology or atleast that whats my linkedin profile says. So guys before I write some more about rock climbing trips, or drink parties or office culture, please take time to write comments on my technical articles (technology pays for my bills.... )
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Microsoft Motion Framework
Microsoft Motion Modeling Methodology (M*4) or Microsoft Motion Framework is a newest, coolest but patented knowledge released by Microsoft for its hi-value consulting arm (MCS). Check out this awesome 30 minutes presentation with the director of this program, Ric Merrifield. It is still in the incubation phase, but once you preview it you will know why Iam bullish about its popularity. Supply Chain Management. Customer Relationship Management. Financial Management all rolled into this one, a stunning methodology for building business solutions that can be more easily described, takes better advantage of existing investments in infrastructure, and use service-orientation. Way to Go.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Life and YOU
I took this great online quiz.....after a detailed questionnaire it spits out a more or less detail analysis of the salient points of your life....i scored average of 6.8 with very high percentage in body and finances, but unsurprisingly low on friends/family. H1B holders like me, who are away from their immediate family and have only colleagues to be called as friends, this is inevitable.
They also have statistical data break up of your score. This data enables one to infer some interesting conclusions on our modern consumerist society. You can identify your strengths and weaknesses, and build on the strengths while trying to improve on the weak spots.
| This Is My Life, Rated | |
| Life: |  6.8 |
| Mind: |  6.3 |
| Body: | 7.3 |
| Spirit: | 5.8 |
| Friends/Family: |  2.6 |
| Love: | 6.9 |
| Finance: |  7.7 |
| Take the Rate My Life Quiz | |
They also have statistical data break up of your score. This data enables one to infer some interesting conclusions on our modern consumerist society. You can identify your strengths and weaknesses, and build on the strengths while trying to improve on the weak spots.
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