Author Archives: memoriesandsuch

In My Hands Today…

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Tales of Two Cities – Kuldip Nayar and Asif Noorani

In Tales of Two Cities, two eminent journalists – Kuldip Nayar and Asif Noorani – give their personal accounts of the Partition of India, the killings and massive migrations which it provoked and their subsequent impact on Indo-Pakistan relations.

As a young law graduate, Kuldip Nayar witnessed at first hand the collapse of trust between communities in Sialkot and was forced to migrate with his family to Delhi across the blood-stained plains of Punjab. He vividly describes his own perilous journey and his first job as a young journalist in an Urdu newspaper reporting on Gandhi’s assassination.

Asif Noorani, while still a schoolboy in Bombay, set off with his family by steamer across the Arabian Sea for the promised land of Pakistan, ultimately settling in Karachi. He gives his own compelling account of the difficulties faced by the new arrivals and the slow emergence of today’s megacity with its dominant Mohajir culture.

Both authors write with authority about their ancestral homes and their adopted cities, which have played so large a role in bilateral relations. This is a book about a trauma which transformed the subcontinent and still exerts a powerful influence today. These are personal narratives bringing to life a lost world of harmonious relations which each author in his own way is still to recreate.

Multitasking: Is that even possible?

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Multitasking refers to the ability of a person or a computer to perform multiple tasks or processes simultaneously. In the context of human behaviour, multitasking typically refers to the practice of doing several things at once, such as working on a computer while talking on the phone or watching television. In the context of computing, multitasking refers to the capability of an operating system to run multiple programs or processes at the same time and switch between them, providing the illusion that they are all running simultaneously.

While multitasking can increase efficiency and productivity in some situations, it can also lead to decreased productivity and cognitive overload when trying to perform too many tasks simultaneously, as it can be difficult to give each task the attention it deserves.

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Today, multitasking is common because of the fast-paced world we live in as people try to balance multiple tasks and responsibilities at once. While multitasking can have some benefits, it also has several drawbacks that need to be considered. Below are some of the pros and cons of multitasking which can help determine whether it is the right approach.

Multitasking can be good in certain situations where the tasks being performed are relatively simple, require little cognitive effort, and can be performed simultaneously without interfering with each other. Like listening to music while exercising or working on a simple task, as the music provides background stimulation that can help boost motivation and energy levels. Or even cooking and cleaning at the same time, as they are both physical tasks that can be performed simultaneously without much cognitive effort.

It’s important to note that multitasking should be approached with caution, as it can also be detrimental to performance and productivity when tasks are too complex or demand too much attention. In such situations, it’s better to focus on one task at a time and give it the full attention, to avoid mistakes and increase efficiency.

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There are several benefits to multitasking, including:

Increased efficiency and productivity: When done effectively, multitasking can help increase overall productivity by allowing one to tackle multiple tasks at once. By performing multiple tasks simultaneously, one can save time and increase overall productivity. This can be especially useful for individuals who are juggling multiple projects or responsibilities.

Improved time management: Multitasking allows one to complete multiple tasks in a shorter period, prioritise tasks and manage time more effectively, enabling one to complete more tasks in a given amount of time. By switching between tasks, one can keep their brain active and focused, allowing them to get more done in less time.

Better decision-making: Multitasking can also help people to make better decisions by allowing them to consider multiple options and viewpoints at once. When one is constantly shifting their focus between tasks, they are forced to weigh the pros and cons of each option, leading to more informed and well-rounded decisions.

Better utilisation of downtime: Multitasking can help one to make better use of downtime that may occur during the day, such as waiting in line or commuting.

Reduced boredom: Multitasking can help keep one engaged and reduce boredom, especially when performing monotonous tasks.

Improved mental stimulation: Multitasking can provide mental stimulation and help keep one alert and focused, especially when switching between tasks that require different skills and abilities.

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Multitasking has several drawbacks, including:

Decreased focus and attention: When multitasking, it can be difficult to give each task the attention it deserves, leading to decreased focus and attention, and an increased likelihood of making mistakes. Multitasking can also decrease the overall focus and attention, as one is constantly shifting their attention from one task to another. This can make it difficult to concentrate on any one task for an extended period, leading to decreased efficiency and effectiveness.

Decreased quality: While multitasking may help one to complete more tasks in a shorter period, it can also result in a decrease in the quality of their work. When one is constantly switching between tasks, it can be difficult to give each task the attention and focus it deserves, leading to mistakes and subpar results.

Increased stress and anxiety: Multitasking can also be stressful, as it requires one to constantly be on the go and make quick decisions. This can lead to burnout and decreased mental health, as the brain becomes overwhelmed by the constant demands of multitasking. Multitasking can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety, especially when tasks pile up and become overwhelming.

Decreased creativity: Multitasking can also stifle creativity, as it requires one to constantly be in a state of “doing” rather than allowing one to take the time to reflect and think. When one is constantly multitasking, one may be missing out on opportunities for creative problem-solving and innovation because it requires one to divide their attention and switch between tasks frequently.

Decreased overall productivity: Despite the perception that multitasking saves time, research has shown that it can decrease overall productivity, as switching between tasks takes time and energy, and can lead to decreased focus and attention.

Impairment of memory: Multitasking can lead to an impairment of short-term memory, as information may not be encoded or retained as effectively when divided attention is required.

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It’s worth noting that while multitasking can have these benefits, it can also lead to decreased productivity and cognitive overload when tasks are too complex or demand too much attention. It’s important to approach multitasking with caution and to be mindful of your limitations to maximize its benefits. A rule of thumb should be that multitasking should be approached with caution, and it’s important to be mindful of limitations and to prioritise tasks to ensure that one is focusing on the most important and time-sensitive tasks first.

In conclusion, multitasking can be a useful tool for managing time and increasing productivity, but it also has its drawbacks. By weighing the pros and cons of multitasking, one can determine whether it is the right approach to take. If one finds that multitasking is causing stress or decreasing the quality of work, it may be time to reassess the approach and find a more balanced and sustainable way of working.

In My Hands Today…

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When I Was Puerto Rican – Esmeralda Santiago

Esmeralda Santiago’s story begins in rural Puerto Rico, where her childhood was full of both tenderness and domestic strife, tropical sounds and sights as well as poverty.

Growing up, she learned the proper way to eat a guava, the sound of tree frogs in the mango groves at night, the taste of the delectable sausage called morcilla, and the formula for ushering a dead baby’s soul to heaven.

As she enters school we see the clash, both hilarious and fierce, of Puerto Rican and Yankee culture. When her mother, Mami, a force of nature, takes off to New York with her seven, soon to be eleven children, Esmeralda, the oldest, must learn new rules, a new language, and eventually take on a new identity.

In this first volume of her much-praised, bestselling trilogy, Santiago brilliantly recreates the idyllic landscape and tumultuous family life of her earliest years and her tremendous journey from the barrio to Brooklyn, from translating for her mother at the welfare office to high honors at Harvard.

The Art of Pickling: Growing Up with Indian Pickles

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Pickles are an important part of any Indian meal. Known as achar in Hindi and oorgai in Tamil, most Indian households will have at least one kind of pickle in their fridge or larder. Part of the Indian culture and history for more than 4,000 years, it could be argued that the technique of pickling originated in India when people first started salting and curing food in brines to preserve it for long journeys.

Achar, a loanword of Persian origin, entered popular use as the Hindustani term for pickles under the Mughal Empire. In Persian, the word achar is defined as “powdered or salted meats, pickles, or fruits, preserved in salt, vinegar, honey, or syrup.” Early pickle recipes in Ayurvedic and Sangam period texts mention several varieties of pickles, including the earliest known mention of mango pickles. Nalachampu, a Sanskrit epic written by Trivikrama Bhatta in 915, describes pickles made from green mango, green peppercorns, long pepper, raw cardamom, lemon, lime, myrobalan, hog plum, stone apple, and fragrant manjack. Early medieval cookbooks published between 1025 and 1549 AD mention pickle recipes that use green mango, green peppercorns, long pepper, lemons and limes, turmeric root, mango-ginger root, ginger, radish, bitter gourd, cucumber, lotus root, and bamboo shoots. The religious text Lingapurana by Gurulinga Desika, published in 1594 mentions more than fifty kinds of pickles. Unique pickles made from edible flowers are also mentioned in the Ni’matnama cookbook published in 1500.

Chilli peppers were introduced to South Asia by Portuguese traders in ports controlled by the Mughal Empire on the western coast of Gujarat. It is unclear when red chilli peppers came to be used in pickles as they are today since medieval texts do not mention their use in pickles. Before the introduction of chilli peppers by the Portuguese, black pepper, long pepper, and Piper Chaba, in both fresh and dried forms, were the main source of heat in ancient and medieval pickles.

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In India, there are two main types of pickles: pickles made with sesame or mustard oil, and pickles made without oil. Pickles without oil use salt to draw out the moisture from green mangoes or lemons to create a brine. A mixture of lemon or lime juice with salt or traditional sugarcane vinegar may also be used as brine. In some pickles from Gujarat and Rajasthan, jaggery is used as the main preserve. Homemade pickles are prepared in the summer. They are matured through exposure to sunlight for up to two weeks with the pickle traditionally covered with muslin while it is maturing.

Despite using the same main ingredients, differences in preparation techniques and spices have led to wide variation in Indian pickles. A mango pickle from South India tastes very different from one made in North India, as the southern states prefer sesame oil and tend to produce spicier pickles, while the northern states prefer mustard oil. In South India, most vegetables are sun-dried with spices, taking advantage of the immensely hot and sunny climate in the region. The sun-drying process naturally preserves the vegetables, along with spices and to speed up the process, vegetables may be cooked before drying.

While I like a good lemon or mixed vegetable pickle, my absolute favourite has to be mango pickles. I loved the different styles of mango pickles from all over the country, including avakkai and thokku from Tamil Nadu, Chunda from Gujarat and Punjabi-style mango pickles. I also love a good instant mango pickle that can be made in less than 15 minutes when one is in the mood for something spicy, but does not have the time to make pickles in the traditional way.

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My mother’s signature pickle used to be the vadu mangai. Vadu Mangai or Mavadu is a pickle made from tiny tender baby mangoes and is a Tamil Nadu delicacy. The baby mangoes are pickled in a brine made from salt, red chilli powder and other spices and left in the hot summer sun for a few weeks until the mangoes shrivel up and absorb all the goodness of the brine. When ready, the tender mangoes are salty, spicy and oh-so-delicious and so good on a hot day with some rice and yoghurt. My mother was so famous in our family for this pickle that she used to make a few kgs of the pickle as soon as the baby mangoes come into the market. After making the pickle in large ceramic jars called pickle barnis, she would put aside some for my grandparents on both sides and pass it to them when we went to their homes. Over the years, as people moved away, my mother slowly started reducing the amount of pickle made and stopped making it a few years back. I miss my mother’s pickles but hope to learn how to make them so I can keep the tradition ongoing.

Over the past few years, I have learnt to make a few pickles and these now form a staple in my home. Earlier in the post, I have linked a few of the pickles I have made, so go ahead and check them out to make some quick pickles to spice up your meal.

In My Hands Today…

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In Freedom’s Shade – Anis Kidwai, translated by Ayesha Kidwai

Appearing for the first time in English translation, In Freedom’s Shade is Anis Kidwai’s moving personal memoir of the first two years of nascent India. It is an activist’s record that reveals both the architecture of the violence during Partition as well as the efforts of ordinary citizens to bring the cycle of reprisal and retribution to a close.

Beginning from the murder of her husband in October 1947, with a rare frankness, sympathy and depth of insight, Anis Kidwai tells the stories of the thousands who were driven away from their homelands in Delhi and its neighbouring areas by eviction or abduction or the threat of forced religious conversion. Of historical importance for its account of the activities of the Shanti Dal, the recovery of abducted women and the history of Delhi, In Freedom’s Shade also has an equal contemporary relevance.

In part a delineation of the roots of the afflictions that beset Indian society and in part prophetic about the plagues that were to come, Anis Kidwai’s testament is an enduring reminder that memory without truth is futile; only when it serves the objective of reconciliation, does it achieve meaning and significance.