Wednesday 17 June 2015

Get your Children Acquainted with Hindi Poem Pushp Ki Abhilasha

The exposure to technology and western culture often has children forgetting that they belong to a land that is even now just adjusting to its freedom. Even as kids learn to respect the national flag and sing the national anthem at school; they have a great deal more to learn about India. While the currency contains a picture of Mahatma Gandhi, they come to understand that children’s day is celebrated in honor of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. 


However, another major element of our country’s rich history is often lost to them and that is Hindi literature. The wonderful Hindi poem pushp ki abhilasha inspires an innate sense of patriotism in children. 

• About the Poet: Makhanlal Chaturvedi The renowned poet Pandit Makhanlal Chaturvedi is the author of the illustrious poem. He was born on April the 4th in the year 1889 and was known for his works such as essays, short plays and a number of poems. The author was fondly referred to as Panditji and was a journalist who made a notable contribution to the country’s freedom struggle. 

He offered several of his literary works as a part of Chhayavaad, which earned him the memorable Sahitya Akademi Award. The Hindi poem pushp ki abhilasha remains one of his most popular works, another being Him Taringini. 

• The Essence of the Poem: Pushp ki abhilasha Hindi poem is essentially written from the perspective of a flower that speaks out and voices its desires. The flower hopes not to be adorned by a woman in her hair as a decorative element. It yearns neither to be woven into a garland nor to be showered upon human Kings or Gods. Instead the little flower wishes to be a part of the trail that courageous soldiers and freedom fighters stride upon. 

It prays to the gardener, hoping that he will help the flower pay its respects to those that lay down their lives for the country. 

• What Children can Learn from It: It helps them develop curiosity about India’s freedom movement and inspires courage in them. The poem helps them appreciate the perspective of a little flower blooming in a garden. Even though the flower is unaffected by the land’s struggle to overthrow oppression, it still wishes to pay its dues and respect those that do make a sacrifice for it. 

Many great poets and authors made noteworthy contributions to Hindi literature that must be made known to the future citizens of the country. The Hindi poem Pushp ki abhilasha can make a wonderful start.

Thursday 4 June 2015

A Quick Guide to Cooking up a Storm with Traditional Kanda Poha

Kanda poha is a traditional Maharashtrian dish that is often prepared for breakfast and as a tea time snack. It is also popular as a dish presented to the prospective in-laws when meeting for the first time to discuss a marriage. You can try out this quick and easy kanda poha recipe to savor the delicious snack that can be prepared in a matter of 30 minutes. 

Components you will Need 

Main Ingredients -One and a half tea cup of white poha or flat rice, one diced onion, two tablespoons of oil. 

Condiments – A quarter teaspoon of Haldi powder, one tablespoon of sugar and a smattering of salt. 

Garnish- Half a handful of roasted peanuts, one teaspoon of mustard seeds, a few Kadipatta leaves, two finely diced green chillies, a sprig of coriander and a fresh lemon. 

The Cooking Method :

1. Rinse the flat rice thoroughly and mix it together to ensure that all the rice is softened. 
2. You must coat all of the grains with Haldi and sugar for evenly distributed flavor. 
3. Next, heat up the oil separately in a skillet and mildly fry the mustard seeds till they pop. 
4. Add in the chopped onion, kadipatta and chilles that you must sauté until the onions are golden brown. 
5. Toss in the roasted peanuts and mix well before you lower the flame. 
6. Lastly, add poha to the mixture and steam the saucepan by putting on the lid. Let the poha simmer on a low flame with occasional stirring for four to five minutes before you turn off the gas. 
7. Let the saucepan rest with the lid on for a few minutes after turning off the gas, so that the poha will cook in its own heat. 
8. You can then take off the lid, garnish the dish with a squeeze of lemon and a scattering of coriander to enhance its taste. 

Feel free to experiment by substituting the onion with potato for a change and add grated coconut as a new garnish. You can serve the dish fresh and hot with a piping cup of ginger tea as a wonderful snack for most evenings.