The Balance

The Team Anna crusade continues in some way or the other . There could be lots of debates and arguments related to the movement but at least a germ of an idea is sown and it will flourish going ahead .
Talking about ideas in a fast city like Mumbai there is no time to think – where will the new things , concepts to grow , progress come from !! Along with the speed , race and movement we also need time to reflect , introspect and grow !! Both speed and stillness go hand in hand if we have to strike that balance !!

The icons of the new economy…

A recent business trip last week took me to NOIDA – the busy NCR region could not escape my observations . There was lot of greenery around and it looked like a planner's delight . Then there were the obvious pictures of Sister Mayavati looking at you at every corner and reminding you that your support is necessary to make her the next Prime Minister of India .

NOIDA, Gurgaon are the new India – full of confidence , new jobs , new economy , plush cars etc . However one thing that struck the nostalgic streak in me – there are hardly any signs of old economy – no friendly neighborhood grocer shops , no vendors , no trace of any old fashioned type of selling . The Mall culture is all pervasive and people have taken to it like nobody's business . Under one roof you have it all – daily utilities, window shopping , food , entertainment etc .

Indian Food Habits

The normal Indian meal across the nation generally comprises of pulses , rice , rotis , a vegetable preparation . I am not including the other trappings and frills that could accompany the food based on the geography . And these add ons could be pickles, jams , papads etc . I have two observations to make a)This combination of high proteins and carbohydrates that has been designed since ages and passed on to the average Indian as a full meal best suits an agrarian life style b)It is time that we start rethinking about the composition of the normal Indian meal . This might sound a bit drastic to many folks . But I think that we were traditionally an agrarian society . The particular food composition and pattern that we consider as normal Indian diet has been existing since ages . But who consumed that food before the industrialization of society took place ?They were the people who were used to physical labor and a rugged lifestyle shorn of modern day amenities . Thus a rich diet suited that lifestyle . Our society definitely has changed -at least the urban one, but the food habits remain the same .Thus the modern lifestyle which is characterized more by mental labor rather than the physical variety requires an alteration of the traditional Indian diet . We definitely need to cut the carbohydrates and the oil / ghee involved in cooking . India, if lot of health reports and studies are to be believed , will potentially have the highest number of diabetics in the world after a few years .I think diet along with other factors will contribute to a large extent to this medical pandemic .

This change of diet requires a change in mindset and a break from old habits . The breaking of old habits will involve a transformation in the vegetables , snacks , cooking medium that we use and thus calls for a change of lifestyle . Now this is very difficult to bring . There are several reason for this . Some of the important ones being that a) we are used to a certain pattern of purchases and consumption of food items and that would be tough to change b)Availability !!! That is the biggest challenge . Even when you travel , go to work the food that is available in India is mainly rich and full of carbs and proteins . It is difficult to get what is called light lunches or snacks easily c)Our palate as such is conditioned to a certain taste and in case we want to adopt a different food pattern we will have to cultivate those tastes . It will not come naturally . There are a lot of people who have already made that transition and have adopted a more healthy food pattern . But this transformation needs to percolate to the masses as well . In addition to this the so called health or diet food as it is called also comes at a premium . So how will the masses afford that ? There are other alternatives present eg instead of a fried snack one could go in for a lighter food item like a dosa, idli ,roti . Then TEMPTATION too plays a vital factor . We have such tasty food easily available everywhere …. How do we consciously take to food( read health food) that is not so terribly tasty and may be even bland at times … Well that is a matter of individual choice even as I try to resist a tasty ( but fat and carb filled ) pav bhaji or samosa as I see it daintily spread in the office cafeteria most of the times !!!

Bhimashankar – The Joyride on 14th April

The Western Ghats in Maharshtra offer a unique view to the unsuspecting traveler . You can see the verdant ghats and later on as you come towards Mumbai even the coastline . I happened to visit Bhimashankar temple and wildlife sanctuary over the weekend . The drive was really full of surprises . We began very early in the morning from Mumbai . Later the drive was mixed with smooth roads and bumpy turns .We went via the Pune Mumbai highway and then took a diversion that took us to Manchar . We stopped briefly for breakfast at the food court near Lonavala . The court offers mouth watering Maharashtrian delicacies even early in the morning . And my friend who really wanted a break from the standard North Indian fare found the stuff like kothimbir vadi , bhajias a good way to start her day !!

This drive through the winding ways / roads in the Ghats was exactly like going on a joy ride. After almost 5 and half hours we reached Bhimashankar in the afternoon . The place is really in a small village and despite the fact that it is extremely popular with tourists it really lacks basic amenities eg a washroom , water etc . There used to be an MTDC(Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation ) resort in the past but that has been closed .

The Shiva temple is about a ten fifteen minute walk from the parking area . One has to descend through a flight of stairs to reach the temple . On the way there are stalls selling all wares like flowers, toys and other memorabilia like stickers, statues , key chains etc . The place is famous for pedhas( an Indian sweet made out of milk and sugar ) . The temple is really ancient . It was not crowded when we entered and hence for a change there were no long queues. There is an ancient feeling in the temple, almost like visiting an old house . There is a huge bell there donated by Chimaji Appa which he won in a battle against the Portuguese at Vasai Fort .

For more details visit http://www.bhimashankar.blessingsonthenet.com/ or http://www.aroundpune.com/bhimashankar.htm. There is a small pond or kund as it is called in local parlance within the temple premises from where the River Bhima originates . There is a wildlife sanctuary nearby which has a smattering of animals like the flying squirrel, tigers, deer etc .The temple has a lot of significance and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas ie 12 most important and holy shrines of Lord Shiva in India .


While coming back we came through the Malshej ghat route . This was a slightly longer route and went through real circuitous roads . But nevertheless it was again a very pleasant drive . After a brief stopover at a roadside resort near Kalyan we were on our way back to Mumbai . For food on both the routes you will find the road dotted with hotels and resorts. You can take a call based on the look and feel of the resort/ hotel & the hygiene levels and decide which one suits your requirement the best ….

Temple visit ...

I visited the Siddhivinayak Temple on Sunday . It was very crowded. A friend of mine asked one day - Why do you visit a temple ? Many of us are so conditioned to visiting temples naturally that the critiquing part behind every activity is lost behind the humdrum of daily chores. Well thinking of why I visit a temple ... Well it is an instantaneous way of connecting with God . There is a thought behind idol worship that the human mind is so vastly distracted that an idol, picture etc provides a source for concentration . When you stand in front of the deity there is sense of self surrender , there is even a stronger sense of connection . Well you can say that why not meditate . That too is a good way of collecting your thoughts or rather allowing them to flow freely and arrive at a sense of calm .Then why struggle in the sun and dust and visit a temple ?That is your personal faith- if the sense of bonding and connectedness could be the strongest is some places and Siddhivinayak happens to be one such place . You might experience the same feeling in a church , dargah- so all in all it is personal faith and a strong sense of connection , a sense of belonging that one feels for the deity and the sacred place . Sometimes this feeling could be unplanned and you might discover new places as you visit newer locations and experience new feelings .

About the HR blog we are discussing the name and I think we should be able to launch it shortly .It is the same one for which the idea came up last week . Mehtinks we will maintain a log to ensure that it is launched on time etc and that there is no delay