Monthly Archives: March 2020

International Women’s Day

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It’s March and this means it’s time for another International Women’s Day which will take place on Sunday. I have written previously about the IWD as it is usually shortened to and you can read more about the history of this day there.

Every day the global IWD committee has a theme and this year’s theme is “Each for Equal”. An equal world is an enabled world. We are all responsible every day for our own thoughts and action, but we can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Together and collectively every one of us can help create a world where gender is a non-issue and this world we live in is a gender equal world.

Equality is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue. For economies and communities to thrive, it is essential that those countries and communities practice gender equality. A world which is gender-blind is one which is healthier, wealthier and more harmonious, which makes for an ideal world, which is what we aim to reach for, right? The race is on for the gender equal boardroom, a gender equal government, gender equal media coverage, gender equal workplaces, gender equal sports coverage, more gender equality in health and wealth. So this International Women’s Day, let’s make it happen.

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So why is this day important and why are government, non-governmental and other organisations making such a big deal about it each year in March? Well, I believe that women should be celebrated every day but since that does not really happen, we take what we get. IWD is the one day in the year that recognises the value that women bring to the table, both individually and collectively and showcases the struggles they have undergone just to pave the way for the next generation.

In today’s world where many women (and men) have the power of social media in their hands (and phones), it is important that we use that power and influence in our hands and get involved and passionate about this cause of ensuring our next generations don’t have to go through the struggles we went through. So take that step and not just campaign and influence, but also celebrate, support, motivate, high-five and hug the females in your life this International Women’s Day.

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Happy International Women’s Day to all the lovely women (and the men who support and motivate their women) reading this post!

In My Hands Today…

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The Marriage Clock – Zara Raheem

To Leila Abid’s traditional Indian parents, finding a husband in their South Asian-Muslim American community is as easy as match, meet, marry.

But for Leila, a marriage of arrangement clashes with her lifelong dreams of a Bollywood romance which has her convinced that real love happens before marriage, not the other way around.

Finding the right husband was always part of her life plan, but after 26 years of singledom, even Leila is starting to get nervous. And to make matters worse, her parents are panicking, the neighbours are talking, and she’s wondering, are her expectations just too high? So Leila decides it’s time to stop dreaming and start dating.

She makes a deal with her parents: they’ll give her three months, until their 30th wedding anniversary, to find a husband on her own terms. But if she fails, they’ll take over and arrange her marriage for her.

With the stakes set, Leila succumbs to the impossible mission of satisfying her parents’ expectations, while also fulfilling her own western ideals of love. But after a series of speed dates, blind dates, online dates and even ambush dates, the sparks just don’t fly! And now, with the marriage clock ticking, and her 3-month deadline looming in the horizon, Leila must face the consequences of what might happen if she doesn’t find “the one…”

Poem: Life’s Choices

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Life throws choices at us all the time. We make choices almost every second of our day and sometimes these choices backfire on us. What is it about life’s choices that make it so hard to second guess?

Life’s Choices

You arrive at a converging path, wondering which road to take
Life gives you choices always, it has always been yours to make
Choose wisely and you will be blessed,
But if you make the wrong choice, you can make life a living hell

But that is the way life operates, choices abound at every stage
You have but to choose your path, on stage and off stage
It has always been your choice, you can be what you wish
Chained to tradition or free to choose, a winner to the finish

Sometimes you do need to take the road less travelled
It may be hard, you may be baffled
But when success kisses your feet
All those troubles seem trivial and your success that much sweet

So dream the most audacious dream you are able to
Then choose to make that a reality, you can do it, yes you
Today will pass soon, tomorrow awaits you eagerly
Rejoice and enjoy your choices, because that’s how the dice rolls!

In My Hands Today…

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The Key to Happily Ever After – Tif Marcelo

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All’s fair in love and business.

The de la Rosa family and their wedding planning business have been creating happily ever afters in the Washington, DC area for years, making even the most difficult bride’s day a fairytale. But when their parents announce their retirement, the sisters—Marisol, Janelyn, and Pearl—are determined to take over the business themselves.

But the sisters quickly discover that the wedding business isn’t all rings and roses. There are brides whose moods can change at the drop of a hat; grooms who want to control every part of the process; and couples who argue until their big day. As emotions run high, the de la Rosa sisters quickly realize one thing: even when disaster strikes—whether it’s a wardrobe malfunction or a snowmageddon in the middle of a spring wedding—they’ll always have each other.

Recipes: Dal Amritsari or Langar Wali Dal

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A few weeks back, I came across this recipe when I was looking for something to make and for some reason, this recipe stayed with me. I didn’t have one major ingredient needed, so the moment I brought the ingredient, I decided to make this dal. This dal is what is served when Punjabis have religious functions at home as well as is served in the holiest of Sikh places, the Harmandir Saheb or the Golden Temple.

This dal also tastes a bit like Makhni Dal and is even tastier the next day. Do try it and let me know what you think of it.

Dal Amritsari or Langar Wali Dal

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole black gram
  • ¼ cup chana dal or split Bengal gram dal
  • 4-5 cups of water to pressure cook the dals
  • 3-4 green chillies (less or more as your spice tolerance), chopped
  • 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium sized tomato, finely chopped
  • 1-2 tbsp grated or finely chopped ginger
  • 1-2 tbsp grated or finely chopped garlic
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • Salt to taste
  • Coriander and mint leaves to garnish

Method:

  • Rinse and soak the dals either together or separately in enough water overnight or at least for 5-6 hours
  • Drain the dals and cook in a pressure cooker with enough water and about 1 tbsp each of the ginger and garlic. Pressure cook for about 5-7 whistles until the dals are soft and get smashed when you press then.
  • If you are cooking on the stovetop, cook the dals on a slow fire, stirring in-between along with 1 tbsp each of ginger and garlic until the dals are soft and get smashed when you press on them.
  • For both methods, using a potato smasher, smash some of the dals until it becomes a nice homogenus paste with some whole dal.
  • Heat the oil and butter in a small pan or skillet. When the oil warms, add the balance garlic and ginger and stir for a few seconds each.
  • Then add the chilles and stir for about 10-15 seconds.
  • Now add the chopped onions and saute till the onions turn translucent.
  • Then add the chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt and saute till the tomatoes get pulpy and oil starts to leave the sides of the pan.
  • Pour this tempering over the cooked dal and season with salt to taste.
  • Pour some hot water to thin it to the consistency you like and simmer on a low heat for another 5-7 minutes.
  • Garnish with finely chopped coriander and mint leaves and serve hot with rice or Indian flatbread.