Chanakya Neeti

Hey, I received a mail on Chanakya Neeti (the great indian politician, strategist and writer). As I was skimming through it, I stumbled on one that made me really think... is it true? i said to myself.

"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."
Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)

It made me go through the list of all my friends. I asked myself with each person, why I am his/her's friend, what will I gain from them, what is my self-interest? I concluded that NO, I disagree with the great Chanakya... NO... SORRY.. I have some friends because I love them, I'm ready to give, give, and give and expect nothing in return....

Karva Chauth

Its only midday and I'm just dying of thirst, I cant even feel the hunger. But somehow it feels good to do this. It's just Karva chauth today and I'm not starving myself for nothing. My poor malayalee husband cant understand why I should have to torture myself like this; he cant understand how nice it feels to be doing this. Its not just 'fast for your husband's long life', its also about celebrating your wedded life and marriage.

"Karva Chauth Day falls on the 4th day of the Kartik month every year. On this day it is customary for the wife to fast the whole day. She does not drink water either. She paints her hands and feet with henna, dresses generally in red apparel ...On Karva Chauth day, which is observed in North India, tens of millions of women keep a fast, .... Only after seeing the moon do the women break their day-long fast in the evening/night. Normally women go out of their houses and on their roof tops to see if the moon is up yet.

Here is the song sung by punjabi women, while they exchange thalis seven times.

Veero Kudiye Karwada, Sarv Suhagan Karwada, Aye Katti Naya Teri Naa,
Kumbh Chrakhra Feri Naa, Aar Pair payeen Naa, Ruthda maniyen Naa,
Suthra Jagayeen Naa,Ve Veero Kuriye Karwara,Ve Sarv Suhagan Karwara....... "

picture and text:http://www.karwachauth.com

Pookalam

Onam was a month back, but it still lingers on in the mind... the sadya... the athapoo... This was my attempt at making the pookalam. Any guesses at what it is??? NO its not a flower pot....grrrr, how could Vil aunty say that, she's mallu and couldnt figure out what i was tryna make... okay here's the process that i went thru making it, maybe then u all will get it right!!!!

drawing the outline and filling it in...

filling in the face and the mukut (head gear)... and taaadaaaa

ok, i know its no pro athapoo but i sure did enjoy making it!!

Happy 40th....

Happy 40th Independence Botswana

May your people be with less xenophobia...
May your people not stereotype people of other nations...
May your people be more hardworking ...
May they not take the wealth the country has for granted...
May they accept, appreciate and embrace other cultures of the world...
God bless...

What does a delhi born punjabi (multani) girl, whose spent most of her life in Botswana and married to a malayalee call herself?? A good sweet 'n sour vegetable khichdi???
Dumela good people...