Author Archives: memoriesandsuch

In My Hands Today…

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The White Hindu – Ambaa

Is it possible for a non-Indian woman, an American of European decent, to be a Hindu?
Sometimes the religion that you’re born into isn’t the right one for you. What happens when the religion you fall in love with is one that traditionally does not accept converts? Both an ethnicity and a way of life, Hinduism is considered by many to belong only to Indians.

Ambaa, a white woman in America, forged her own path into Hinduism. Her spiritual journey through writing and connecting with others shows the power of pure religion to overcome the boundaries and separations of race and ethnicity.

Her story is a fascinating journey of a young woman’s struggle to find identity in the melting pot of America. There are more and more white Hindus and non-Indian Hindus every day. How do they make a place for themselves in one of the world’s oldest religions? Do they take on Indian culture and customs as well as religion? Or do they make it their own?

This book is for anyone who wonders:
Can we explore and connect to a religion that is not traditionally followed by our ancestors?
What does Hinduism look like through non-Indian eyes?
What is the importance or the place of spirituality in our lives?

The essays in this book, based on the popular White Hindu blog, explore a variety of the issues that non-Indian Hindus struggle with…

Is it possible to convert to Hinduism?
Why is Ambaa so concerned with skin color?
How important is culture in the practice of Hinduism?
What does polytheism really look like in practice?
This book is a collection of essays about culture, identity, religion, language, and humanity tracing one woman’s spiritual journey from defensiveness to peace.

Recipes: Coriander Mint Pulao

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During GG’s internship, she used to take her lunch when she had to work in the office and this meant I made one pot meals more than usual. When I got bored of making the usual pulaos, I tried this coriander and mint pulao as I had some mint leaves which was getting spoilt. The recipe is different from my usual mint pulao where I grind the mint leaves to a paste and this one had a very subtle smell and taste of mint and coriander and was very tasty. It is a definite keeper and I will be making this again soon.

Coriander Mint Pulao

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups basmati rice, soaked in water for about 20-30 minutes
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • 1 large onion, finely sliced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks
  • 1 potato, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks
  • ¼ cup green peas
  • 1 green chilli, slit
  • A one-inch piece of ginger, julienned
  • 10-12 pieces of cashew nut
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 3 cloves
  • 3 cardamom
  • 1 bay leaf
  • A one-inch piece of cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp mint leaves, chopped
  • 2 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
  • Salt to taste

Method:

  • Wash the basmati rice well and drain keep aside.
  • In a pan, heat the ghee and when the ghee heats up, add in the cumin seeds and let them splutter.
  • Then add the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and bay leaf and saute for a few seconds.
  • Next, add in the green chilli and ginger and saute for a few seconds.
  • Now add in the cashew nuts and saute till the cashew nuts turn golden brown.
  • At this point, add in the sliced onions and saute till the onions become translucent.
  • When the onions are translucent, add in the chopped vegetables and saute for a few minutes.
  • Add in the chopped coriander and mint leaves and saute for a few seconds. We don’t need to cook them, just let them wilt.
  • Lastly, add in the rice and salt and saute for a minute or two.
  • Transfer everything to a rice cooker and add water. I usually add 2 cups of water for every cup of rice, but please use your discretion and the instructions in the packet of rice.
  • Cook the rice either in the rice cooker or on the stovetop and once the rice is done, let the pan stand for about 5 minutes before opening it.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. Serve hot with a raita of your choice.

In My Hands Today…

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Humankind: A Hopeful History – Rutger Bregman, translated by Elizabeth Manton and Erica Moore

If one basic principle has served as the bedrock of bestselling author Rutger Bregman’s thinking, it is that every progressive idea — whether it was the abolition of slavery, the advent of democracy, women’s suffrage, or the ratification of marriage equality — was once considered radical and dangerous by the mainstream opinion of its time. With Humankind, he brings that mentality to bear against one of our most entrenched ideas: namely, that human beings are by nature selfish and self-interested.

By providing a new historical perspective of the last 200,000 years of human history, Bregman sets out to prove that we are in fact evolutionarily wired for cooperation rather than competition, and that our instinct to trust each other has a firm evolutionary basis going back to the beginning of Homo sapiens. Bregman systematically debunks our understanding of the Milgram electrical-shock experiment, the Zimbardo prison experiment, and the Kitty Genovese “bystander effect.”

In place of these, he offers little-known true stories: the tale of twin brothers on opposing sides of apartheid in South Africa who came together with Nelson Mandela to create peace; a group of six shipwrecked children who survived for a year and a half on a deserted island by working together; a study done after World War II that found that as few as 15% of American soldiers were actually capable of firing at the enemy.

The ultimate goal of Humankind is to demonstrate that while neither capitalism nor communism has on its own been proven to be a workable social system, there is a third option: giving “citizens and professionals the means (left) to make their own choices (right).” Reorienting our thinking toward positive and high expectations of our fellow man, Bregman argues, will reap lasting success. Bregman presents this idea with his signature wit and frankness, once again making history, social scie

World Autism Awareness Day

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Yesterday was World Autism Awareness Day, a day which tries to raise awareness about autism, its symptoms, causes, and the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly, passed on November 1, 2007, and adopted on December 18, 2007. World Autism Day is one of only seven official health-specific UN Days.

The terms Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month are often contested by autism rights advocates, who claim that they feed into perceived ableism against autistic people. Such groups advocate using the term Autism Acceptance Day as an alternative for both events under the belief that it promotes overcoming anti-autism prejudice rather than simply increasing awareness of autism.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is a complex developmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. ASD is characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviour and speech and nonverbal communication. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism, and that number continues to grow. Although autism is a life-long condition, early diagnosis and intervention can greatly improve outcomes for individuals with autism.

There is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. How people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently. Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal or GI disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.

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Autism is mainly characterised by its unique social interactions, non-standard ways of learning, keen interests in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communications and particular ways of processing sensory information. Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, they can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism. The symptoms of autism can vary greatly from one individual to another and can range from mild to severe. Some common symptoms of autism include difficulty with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours. Individuals with autism may also have sensory sensitivities, such as being oversensitive to sounds, light, or touch. They may also have difficulty with communication, including nonverbal communication, and may have trouble understanding the social cues and emotions of others. The exact causes of autism are not yet known, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research has shown that there is a strong genetic component to autism and that certain genes may increase a person’s risk of developing the condition. However, the exact genes involved are still being studied. In addition to genetics, environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins during pregnancy, can also play a role in the development of autism.

The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and the lack of understanding has a tremendous impact on individuals, their families and communities. The stigmatisation and discrimination associated with neurological differences remain substantial obstacles to diagnosis and therapies, an issue that must be addressed by both public policymakers in developing nations, as well as donor countries.

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Living with autism can be a challenge for individuals with the condition, as well as their families. Individuals with autism may have trouble fitting in with their peers and may struggle with social interactions and communication. They may also have difficulty with everyday tasks, such as shopping, cooking, and personal care. Additionally, they may have trouble adapting to change, which can make life even more difficult. For families of individuals with autism, the journey can be a difficult one. They may face challenges such as finding appropriate educational and healthcare services, navigating the complex healthcare system, and providing emotional support to their loved ones with autism. They may also face stigma and discrimination from society, which can be isolating and difficult to overcome.

However, despite these challenges, there is hope. With early diagnosis and intervention, individuals with autism can lead fulfilling lives and reach their full potential. Many organisations and support groups offer resources and support to individuals with autism and their families. Additionally, many schools and workplaces are becoming more inclusive and accommodating of individuals with autism, making it easier for them to live, work, and play in their communities.

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In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, it is important to continue to raise awareness about autism and to work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive world for individuals with autism and their families. This can be done by educating others about the condition, volunteering with organizations that support individuals with autism, and advocating for better resources and support for individuals with autism and their families. World Autism Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the importance of continuing to work towards a world that is inclusive and supportive of individuals with autism and their families. Through awareness, advocacy, and support, we can help individuals with autism lead fulfilling lives and reach their full potential. So let us all do our part to spread awareness and support those with autism in our communities.

02 April 2023 Week 13

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April is here and the first quarter of 2023 is over! How were the first three months of the year for you all?

I spent the first two weeks of March in Bengaluru and so barely did much walking. The second half of the month was spent with my parents in Singapore, so again, all I did was the bare minimum. As of the end of March, I am still in Maharashtra and am less than 400 km from my Mumbai home.

I didn’t read much this month, only finishing four books, so I am a little behind in my annual reading challenge. So one goal in April is to make sure I read and read more.

Today’s quote is from Swami Brahmanada, the first President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. According to Swamiji, the mind is susceptible to suggestions and so it learns whatever you teach it. What this means is that what we want to do and achieve, all we need to do is keep suggesting the idea to the mind and it will achieve it by itself. This is very similar to the law of attraction where one needs to keep reinforcing an idea for the universe to make it happen.

That is all from me this week. BB and GG are on holiday and GG is waiting to hear back from universities about her applications. Every day we check the admission portal for any news. Please send positive vibes to her.

Take care and stay safe!