The Fifth Mountain

I am an avid reader, but I must admit that recently my reading habits have become wierd.Never in my life I have left a book in between just to start another one. And this time I have some 4-5 books which are half read.

Right now there are a number of books I’m struggling to finish reading but still I finished The Fifth Mountain one before everything else because a borrowed book has to be returned and its relatively shorter than the others. And of course I did like it (though didn’t loved it completely as The Alchemist by the same author)

I am not going to post a review or a summary of the book, but instead some really thought provoking lines from the book. Hoping these lines will help you scale your mountain



When we delay the harvest, the fruit rots. But when we delay resolving problems, they continue to grow. Learn something.

At this moment, many people have stopped living. They do not become angry, nor cry out; they merely wait for time to pass. They did not accept the challenge of life, so life no longer challenges them. You are running the same risk; react, face life, but do not stop living.

All life's battles teach us something, even those we lose.... you'll discover that you have defended lies, deceived yourself, or suffered for foolishness. If you're a good warrior, you will not blame yourself for this, but neither will you allow your mistakes to repeat themselves.

A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.

Take advantage of the chance that tragedy has given you; not everyone is capable of doing so.

The greatest wisdom is blinded by the glare of vanity.

Make whatever decision you wish but never forget one thing: all of you are much better than you believed.

pensive,
Neo.

Happy Diwali!!!!!

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals.The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

In simple words, regardless of the myth surrounding Diwali,its about celebrating hope and bursting crackers of friendship and goodwill and to reaffirm once again that life is celebration of simple joys which make a lifetime.

Here's wishing all my readers, friends and family a very Happy Diwali and a very very prosperous New Year ahead.

Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya - Lead me from darkness to light.
Neo.

pic courtesy

Palak Pulao

Palak(Spinach) is one of my favourite veggies and endorsed by Popeye. But apart all that its a a veggie high on nutrition. So in one of the cookery shows I happen to see a recipe of Palak Pulao. And it tempted me to make my own version. So here it is.

Need :
1 Bunch of Spinach
2 onions
2 tbs green chilly-ginger-garlic paste
2 cups of Basmati rice
Salt to taste
1 carrot; shredded
2 tbs ghee
1 clove
3-4 cashews cut in two halves

Way:
1. Cook the rice before hand and keep it aside
2. Cut Onions in to long strands as shown below

3. Wash Palak before using so as to remove dirt. Take a vessel and put water,salt and palak in to and boil for 5-7 minutes till the leaves become tender enough( This procedure is know as blanching - though not sure)
4. Grind the spinach and ginger + garlic paste and 2-3 green chilies together and form a thick paste.
5. Heat ghee in a thick bottom vessel, add Jeera and mustard seeds then add chopped onions and stir fry for 3 minutes. Add other ingredients such as cashews
6. Add thick palak paste,rice and little water.
7. Mix evenly and cook for 5-7 mins.
8. Dress it with shredded carrot to give a good colour combination

Pet full,Dil House Full,
Neo

Khosla ka Ghosla Review : Middle Class Humour is Back

(Credits to this post majorly go to Pinky Patel a.k.a Pinank)

It is so simple to be happy but it is very difficult to be simple. A famous quote from Hrishi-da's Bawaarchi, summaries my take on this down to earth, glamour less but very real and true to life film.

Star power, song and dance sequences, foreign locales are the core ingredients of today's Bollywood fare. KKG has none. Off lately, creativity has taken a back-seat. If songs were not enough, film-makers have now started 'remixing' old movies. Extremely hazardous, yet widely accepted, I just hope and pray that this trend vanishes soon. In such times comes an original (as far as my knowledge travels) light-hearted healthy comedy, tackling real life issues the reel way.

KKG reminds me of the simple 90s. It is about this middle-class north Indian family living in Dilli. The family is lead by a 'about to retire' father (Anupam Kher, suites his character to the T). A father to two sons (Ranvir Shorey and Parveen Dabbas) and a daughter, he (Anupam Kher) purchases a brand new plot in the elite South Delhi area and plans to live his post-retirement life in his new, soon to be build three storey apartment. The family is happy by themselves in some way or other apart from the fact that the MNC working son (PD) aspires to go to AMRRIKKA. I noticed one thing about Dilli in this film; it has agents for just about everything and anything under the sun. PD has an agent working for his Visa application and processing…!!!

Anyways let's get back to the story. One fine day the Khosla household finds un-wanted guests at their newly purchased, virgin plot. To their horror, the watchman claims that his master is the owner of the land. Khurana (Boman Irani) has his hands on the land. The Khosla's first try to check if it's a case of mistaken identity, then play the legal card but both the methods showed zero results. Khurana was hell-bent to sell the land which belonged to Khosla's to the Khosla's, that too at a discounted rate!!!


The typical middle class crisis is perfectly portrayed and you start living with the Khoslas.A good (read sarcastic) shot is attempted at all the avenues which a common man can try to get what is rightfully his. So after failing at all corners, does Khoslas revert to a high charged drama and drastic steps (read violence). The answer is a comforting No.Out of the box thinking save the day and manages to bluff Khurana at his own game.

The acting and situations do not make you feel cosmetic. I guess, certain sequences seem straight out of life. Like the one where Mr. Khosla asks for CHUTNEY while having his PIZZA. The conversation between Mr. Khosla and his friend on the railway bridge et all. Just perfect. The acting department on my side is lead by Ranvir, Anupam Kher and Boman Irani. There is no second and third place. Other actors have shown maturity and sensibility.

Ending Note: The reason why the review is being posted even after 3 weeks of the movies release is a reason enough to watch Khosla ka Ghosla.Movies and stories like this need encouragement and appreciation.

Happy Birthday Mom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Mom's Birthday today!

You have been the best Mum in the world. You gave up your life's desires and ambitions to see us grow up,loved us no matter how we fought,taught and guided us through our lives.

I thank you for being there for me whenever I need you.
Here's wishing you all the very best in life.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

loving,
Neo

pic courtesy : Brad

Paneer Bhurji

Mom's away
Bored of eating out
And a cooking urge

The perfect ingredients for a recipe

To tell a long story short, parents were away and I had the opportunity to make something for myself.

So here is a simple but very delicious recipe for making Paneer Bhurji

Need :
2 chunks of Paneer, crumbled coarsely,preferably by hand (I took 150 gms)
2 finely chopped medium onions
1 tsp chopped green chilies
1 chopped tomato diced
1 capsicum diced
2 tsp ginger and garlic paste
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
1/2 tsp pepper powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp red chilli powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp butter for frying

Way:
Heat butter in a pan.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and fry for one minute.
Add the onions , green chilies and capsicum and stir fry till the onions turn color.
Add the tomatoes and keep frying till the tomatoes turn mushy.
Add all the dry powders and fry for one minute.Add the crumbled paneer and salt.
Mix well and voila !!!!!!!! Its Done.

And now The Great Indian Twist in the Tale :

Take 2 slices of brown bread and evenly spread the panner bhurji between them. Grill the bread to a crusty layer. And you have your Panner Grill Sandwich ready to serve.

Pet full,Dil House Full,
Neo

Dassera and Gandhi Jayanti - coincidence?

Isn't it a coincidence that Dassera and Gandhi Jayanti falling on the same day. One talks of overcoming evil and the other talks about truth and nonviolence. Both of them have the same message encapsulated in a different way.

Also, isn't it a coincidence, that suddenly the Mahatma has found a voice amongst the youth thanks to the masterly - Lage Raho Munnabhai.I would like to believe that its providence and not a mere coincidence.

Here's wishing you all a Happy Daseera and Gandhi Jayanti. And with this I leave lines of a song from Swades

Dekh taj ke paap raavan, raam tere mann mein hai
Raam tere mann mein hai, raam mere mann mein hai
Raam toh ghar ghar mein har, raam har aangan mein hai
Mannse raavan jo nikaale, raam uske mann mein hai

Its time we burn down the "Raavan" within us.

combating,
Neo