Rasam - Fix-m-Fast

Rasam means juice, but it is a soupe that is normally had with rice, and it is also good to have to protect oneself from cold/sour throat.

There are variety of rasams with spices like mustard, cumin and pepper like:

1) Tomato Rasam 2) lemon Rasam 3) Tamrind Rasam 4) Dal Rasam 5) Garlic Rasam

(1 CUP = 250 ML) Ingredients Main ingredients 1 lemon sized tamarind - approx 1 tablespoon tightly packed seedless tamarind (imli) ½ cup warm or hot water, for soaking tamarind 1 medium tomato, chopped 2 cups water 10 to 12 curry leaves 2 pinch asafoetida (hing) ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 to 3 dry red chilies, broken and deseeded 2 teaspoon chopped coriander leaves (cilantro leaves) 2 tablespoon oil salt as required to be powdered to a semi coarse consistency 3 teaspoon cumin seeds 2 teaspoon whole black pepper 6 to 7 garlic, roughly chopped

Instructions preparation Soak the tamarind in 1/2 cup warm water for 20 to 30 mins. Squeeze the pulp from the soaked tamarind. Strain and keep aside. In a dry grinder or coffee grinder, powder the cumin seeds, whole black pepper and garlic to a semi fine consistency. making rasam Heat oil in a pan. Crackle the mustard seeds first. Add the curry leaves, red chilies & asafoetida and fry for some seconds till the red chilies deepen their color. Temper on a low flame so that the spices don't burn. Than add the tomatoes and saute till the tomatoes soften. Then add the semi coarsely powdered cumin, black pepper and garlic along with turmeric powder. Stir and then add the tamarind pulp. Add water and stir well. Season with salt. Just let the whole rasam come to a gentle boil uncovered. Then switch off the fire and add chopped coriander leaves. Serve rasam hot, plain or with steamed rice.

Paruppu Rasam

(1 CUP = 250 ML) Ingredients main ingredients ½ or ⅔ cup pigeon pea lentils (tuvar dal or arhar dal) 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds ½ teaspoon split and skinned black gram (urad dal) - optional 1 or 2 dry red chilies 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 to 2 cups water or add as required 1 tablespoon seedless tamarind soaked in ½ cup water 10 to 12 curry leaves 2 tablespoon oil salt as required for dry roasting and then grinding to semi coarse or fine powder 2 to 3 dry red chilies 8 to 10 fenugreek seeds ½ teaspoon black peppercorns 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 2 teaspoon coriander seeds

preparation First take all the whole spices meant to make the rasam powder. Dry roast in a medium hot frying pan till the spices are browned and become fragrant. Once they are cooled, in a dry grinder or coffee grinder, grind these spices to a semi coarse or fine powder. Keep aside. Soak 1 tablespoon seedless tamarind in ½ cup of water for 40 minutes. Later squeeze the tamarind pulp and keep aside. In a pressure cooker cook the arhar dal till they are completely cooked and soft. With a spoon or wired whisk, mash the dal lightly. making paruppu rasam In another pan, heat oil. Add the mustard seeds and urad dal. Fry till the mustard seeds start crackling and the urad dal becomes golden. Lower the flame and add the curry leaves & dry red chilies and fry for few seconds. Now add the turmeric powder and asafoetida. Stir and add the roasted ground rasam powder. Stir quickly and add the above tempered mixture to the dal or add the dal to this mixture. stir. Add the tamarind pulp. Stir well. Simmer for 7 to 8 minutes or till you see a frothy layer on top on a low or medium flame. The raw aroma of the tamarind also has to go away. Garnish the paruppu rasam with coriander leaves and serve hot, plain or with some steamed rice.

Lemon Rasam
1. rinse ¼ cup tuvar dal or pigeon pea lentils with water and then add them in a pressure cooker along with a pinch of turmeric powder. add ¾ to 1 cup water and pressure cook for 8 to 9 whistles or till the dal has softened and cooked really well. About 10 to 12 minutes on a medium to high flame.

2. When the pressure settles down on its own, check the dal and mash with a spoon or wired whisk. Keep the dal aside.

3. in a small grinder or chutney grinder, take ⅓ cup chopped coriander leaves, 2 tsp cumin seeds, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 or 2 green chilies (chopped), ½ inch ginger (roughly chopped) and 4 to 5 garlic cloves (roughly chopped).

4. Without adding water grind to a coarse paste. Keep aside.

5 squeeze the juice from the lemon and keep aside. I used 1 medium-sized lemon. You can also use limes.

Making Lemon Rasam
6. In a pan or pot, heat 1 tbsp sesame oil or any oil and add ½ tsp mustard seeds. Saute till the mustard seeds start crackling.

7. Then add 12 to 15 curry leaves and 1 to 2 dry red chilies. Saute till the red chilies change their color and darken a bit. Don’t burn them.

8. Now add the ground coarse paste along with a pinch of asafoetida/hing and ¼ tsp turmeric powder. Stir very well.

9. Add the cooked dal.

10. Add 1 to 1.5 cups water. Stir well.

11. Season with salt.

12. On a low to medium flame simmer the rasam for 5 to 6 minutes.

13. Switch off the flame. Wait for 1 minute and then add 2.5 to 3 tbsp lemon juice. You can add more or less as required and as per your taste. Instead of lemon, you can also add lime juice. Stir very well.

14. Garnish with some coriander leaves & Serve coriander lemon rasam with steamed rice and a capsicum fry or poriyal or vegetable roast.


Tomato Rasam without Tamrind

for the spice-herb mixture
⅓ cup coriander stems with or without leaves
7 to 8 medium sized garlic cloves
1 inch ginger , roughly chopped
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon black pepper
for tomato puree
3 large ripe, red and juicy tomatoes - 275 grams or 1.5 to 1.75 cups chopped tomatoes
for making tomato rasam
1 tablespoon oil - gingelly oil (sesame oil made from raw sesame seeds), sunflower oil or peanut oil can be used
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon urad dal (husked & split or whole black gram)
1 or 2 dry red chillies broken and seeds removed
1 pinch of asafoetida (hing)
1 sprig of curry leaves or 10 to 12 curry leaves
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
salt as per taste
1.5 cups water or add as required
2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro leaves)
Instructions
making ground rasam mixture
Take roughly chopped coriander stems with or without leaves (about a handful of coriander stems) in a blender or mixer jar. Also add garlic cloves and roughly chopped ginger.
Add cumin seeds and black pepper.
Grind to a coarse paste. Remove in a separate bowl or plate.
making tomato puree
In the same jar add the tomatoes (rinsed and chopped).
Grind or blend to a smooth puree. If you want, you can blanch tomatoes and then puree them – for a bright red color in the rasam.
making tomato rasam
In a heavy pan or pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Keep the flame to its lowest.
Add ½ teaspoon mustard seed and let them begin to crackle.
When the mustard seeds start to crackle, then add ½ teaspoon urad dal.
Stirring often fry urad dal till they turn golden.
Now add 1 to 2 dry red chilies (halved and seeds removed) and 1 pinch asafoetida. In case the pan becomes hot, then switch off the flame.
Stir and fry for a few seconds till red chilies change color.
Add the coarsely ground coriander stems+ginger+garlic mixture and curry leaves. If the pan becomes too hot, then you can switch off the flame.
Sauté for a minute on lowest flame taking care the mixture does not burn. You will get a nice aroma while sautéing this mixture.
Add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder.
Mix turmeric powder with the rest of the mixture.
Now add the tomato puree. mix very well. Take care as the mixture splutters.
Sauté for a minute. season with salt as per taste.
Then add 1.5 cups water. If you like a little thin tomato rasam, then you could add some more water. But do not add too much water as then the flavors get diluted.
Mix well and simmer thakkali rasam on medium-low flame till the rasam comes to a boil.
Overall simmer for 9 to 10 minutes.
Finally switch off the flame and add 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves. Check the taste of tomato rasam and add more salt if required.
Serve tomato rasam hot with rice and some pappadums.
Garlic Rasam | Poondu Rasam

Garlic rasam is a spiced, sour rasam variety seasoned with garlic and spices.

Ingredients:

for coarsely ground rasam spice mixture
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 to 3 garlic cloves
2 dry red chilies - broken and deseeded
for tamarind pulp
½ cup water
1 tablespoon tightly packed seedless tamarind
for tempering and other ingredients
1 tablespoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon urad dal (husked and split black gram)
8 to 10 curry leaves
1 to 2 dry red chilies
8 to 10 garlic crushed lightly, with or without peels
1 small to medium tomato, chopped or crushed
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
1.5 to 2 cups water
salt as required
1 to 2 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
Method:
preparing tamarind pulp
Heat 1/2 cup water and soak 1 tbsp tightly packed seedless tamarind in it. Cover and keep aside for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, squeeze the softened tamarind very well in the water. Keep this tamaraind pulp aside.
preparing ground rasam spice mix and prepping
When the tamarind is soaking, make the ground rasam spice mix. Add 1 tsp black pepper, tsp cumin seeds, 2 to 3 garlic cloves and 2 dry red chilies, broken and deseeded in a small dry grinder or spice grinder.
Grind to a coarse mixture. Keep aside.
Crush lightly 8 to 10 garlic with or without peels in a mortar-pestle. Chop or crush the tomato.
seasoning and making garlic rasam
Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a pan or pot. Add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds and 1/2 tsp urad dal. Saute till the mustard seeds crackle and the urad dal turns to a maroonish color. Saute on a low flame.
Then add 8 to 10 curry leaves, 1 to 2 dry red chilies and the crushed garlic.
Saute till the garlic turns light brown.
Then add 1 small to medium tomato (chopped or crushed). Also add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and a pinch of asafoetida.
Stir and saute till the tomatoes soften.
Add the ground rasam spice mix. Stir very well and saute for a minute on a low flame.
Now add the tamarind pulp and 1.5 to 2 cups water. Season with salt.
On a medium flame, simmer the rasam for 5 to 6 minutes. While adding tamarind pulp, directly strain it with a tea strainer in the pan.
When done, switch off the flame and add chopped coriander leaves.
Serve garlic rasam hot with some steamed rice. You can also have it as a soup.

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Mysore Rasam:

Ingredients

for mysore rasam powder

2 teaspoons ghee (clarified butter) or oil

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon chana dal (husked and split bengal gram)

½ teaspoon cumin seeds

½ teaspoon whole black pepper

⅛ teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi dana) or about 30 fenugreek seeds

1 to 2 byadagi red chillies , can use other variety of low to medium hot dry red chilies

5 to 6 curry leaves

1 pinch of asafoetida (hing)

¼ cup fresh grated coconut - can also use desiccated coconut.

pressure cooking lentils

• ⅓ cup arhar dal (tuvar dal or pigeon pea lentils) or 80 grams arhar dal
• 1 pinch turmeric powder
• 1.5 cups water for pressure cooking

for tamarind pulp

• 1 tablespoon tightly packed tamarind or 12 grams tamarind
• ⅓ cup hot water for soaking tamarind

other ingredients for mysore rasam

• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 medium to large tomato or 90 grams tomato or ½ cup chopped or diced tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• salt as required

for tempering

• ½ tablespoon ghee or oil
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 1 to 2 byadagi red chillies or any dry red chili

for garnish

• 2 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves (cilantro leaves)

pressure cooking lentils

• First rinse ⅓ cup arhar dal (tuvar dal or pigeon pea lentils) for a couple of times. 
• Then add the lentils in a pressure cooker. Also add a pinch of turmeric powder and 1.5 cups water.
• Pressure cook tuvar dal for 7 to 8 whistles or 11 to 12 minutes on medium flame, till the lentils are completely cooked. 
• When the pressure falls down of its own, remove the lid. Check the doneness of the dal. mash the dal with a spoon or ladle.

making tamarind pulp

• Soak 1 tablespoon tightly packed tamarind in ⅓ cup hot water for 20 to 30 minutes.
• After 20 to 30 minutes, squeeze and extract the tamarind pulp in the water. Keep aside.

roasting and grinding spices for mysore rasam powder

• Now keep all the spices ready. Heat ½ tablespoon ghee in a pan. Add chana dal and on a low flame fry chana dal till light golden.
• Next add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds (methi seeds) and whole black pepper, dry red chilies, curry leaves and asafoetida.
• Mix well and roast for 2 to 3 minutes on a low flame stirring continuously till you get a nice fragrant aroma from the whole spices.
• Then add grated fresh coconut. You can also use desiccated coconut instead of fresh coconut.
• Mix very well with the remaining spices and saute for 1 to 2 minutes on a low flame
• Let this rasam masala mixture cool down or become warm.
• Then add all the whole spices and coconut in a grinder jar.
• Without adding water, grind to a fine powder. 

making mysore rasam

• Take a pan and strain the tamarind pulp. You can also add tamarind pulp directly if there are less fibres in it.
• Add 2 cups water and mix.
• Keep the pan on stove top and on a low to medium flame heat the tamarind solution till its raw aroma & flavor goes away. Simmer for about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Then add chopped tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder.
• Cover the pan with a lid and cook till the tomatoes are softened. Cook for about 8 to 9 minutes on a low flame.
• Once the tomatoes have softened, then add the ground mysore rasam powder and mashed dal. Mix well.
• Season with salt as per taste.
• Mix and simmer rasam on a medium-low flame for about 3 minutes. Cover the pan and keep aside.

tempering for mysore rasam

• Heat ½ tablespoon ghee in a small pan or tadka pan.
• When the ghee melts and becomes hot, then lower the flame. Add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds. Let the mustard seeds crackle.
• Once the mustard seeds begin to crackle, then add 1 sprig curry leaves, 1 to 2 dry red chilies and a pinch of asafoetida. Stir and saute till the red chilies change color. then switch off the flame.
• Pour all of the tempered ingredients in the rasam.
• Cover with a lid and keep aside for 5 to 6 minutes.
• Then add 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves and mix.
• Serve mysore rasam hot with steamed rice.

https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/mysore-rasam-recipe/#wprm-recipe-container-144348

Instant Tomato Rasam

Ingredients needed

   Ripe tomatoes -2-3
   Whole black pepper – 1 tsp
   Cumin seeds/jeera – 1 tsp
   Curry leaves – few

   For the seasoning

   Ghee – 1 tsp
   Mustard seeds -1 tsp
   Curry leaves – few

   For garnishing

   Coriander leaves – finely chopped

Preparation 

Dry grind pepper and jeera coarsely and keep it aside.This is the rasam powder for this recipe.

Method 

Boil tomatoes in water for 3-4 minutes (just enough water to cover the tomatoes). Switch off the flame and keep it closed for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, remove the skin and mash the tomatoes well.

Add the ground rasam powder, few curry leaves, salt needed and let it boil for about 5 minutes.

Then add 1 1/2 cup of water and switch off the flame once froth starts forming at the top.(see pic)

Heat a tsp of ghee, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add curry leaves and pour it over the rasam.

Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.

.Tips for preparing a good rasam (for beginners)

Always boil rasam on low flame.

Switch off, once rasam becomes frothy at the top. Do not boil after that as it will not taste good.

Adding curry leaves and coriander leaves makes it more flavorful.

Do not avoid seasoning.

https://www.padhuskitchen.com/2010/10/rasam-recipes-south-indian-rasam.html

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Marunthu rasam:

Coriander seeds.... 1/2tsp

Pepper............ 1/2tsp

Cummins.......... 1/2tsp

Ginger or chunku... 1/2"

Garlic............... 2-3pods

Turmeric.......... 1/4tsp

Grind it into fine paste, add two cups water and boil for one min. Add some more water now switch off as soon as it comes to a boil. Temper with mustard, methi and Cummins. Garnish with curry leaves or karpooravalli leaves from ur garden. Drink this two or three times a day. Especially before bed time, Add half lemon after switching off, no need for pull.

Poonachi Or the Story of A Black Goat - Perumal Murugan Translated By N. Kalyan Raman

A story of life and death and everything that breathes in between, though undeniably about a goat, Poonachi, by Perumal Murugan Translated by N. Kalyan Raman, with all her struggles and dreams, represents the innocence of the daughters of our country. 

 

Starting life as a foundling and going trough the orderal of being a miracle, Poonachi experiences both the promise and the structural violence embedded in the life of a female. As the goat grows, it's responsibilities increase as do the expectations of people and their behaviour is a direct reference to the mindset of rural India. The book has a lot of socio economic and political commentary; covers good/bad, sad/happy phases of life. She turns into a stone idol at the moment of her death, harking back to a hoary tradition in the folk culture of Tamil Nadu whereby the memory of an innocent girl destroyed by the random and ever-present violence of the world is worshipped as a diety.

 Some interesting learnings are: You can go beyond ideological differences and bind people together with love. When did the rich ever suffer any hardship? It's poor people who stand in queue and suffer, the writer basically being a poet, there is a poem on'queue' as well. On government there is an interesting conversation: "There's an old saying that the regime is deaf." "It's deaf only when we speak about our problems. When we talk about the regime, its ears are quite sharp." If it was in your nature to bow down, why would anyone shackle you? That's the difference between a sheep and a goat. Living amidst own community would give lasting security. The mouth that talks is the same as the one that eats. Yet, can we talk about anything and everything? or can we eat anything and everything? Everything happened by chance. If you called it wrong, then everything was wrong. Miracles and exhibitions were meant for when people were relaxing after a sumptuous meal. And some life related stories where, when Ponnachi wanted to stay with Porumi in the old ladies daughters house, the old woman with finality unable to bear the disappointment on her daughters face asked her to keep Porumi instead of Poonachi. 

Perumal Murugan who was a teacher, had stopped writing, when there was a threat and not of criticisam on one of his earlier books about a childless couple. He had given up writing, but then started again with poety, and then came this book on the weak and the powerless, documenting their pains and suffering.

Bankerupt - Ravi Subramanian

When stories of migrants and Gun control; in India and US with their aftereffects on society run in parallel, how can we keep the book aside and get some sleep? This was 31 of 2020. Started on Saturday completed on Sunday...This has become a trend with books by Ravi Subramanian and am enjoying them. At the end of every book wonder is it real or fiction?

With guncrime becoming Comman in US, pro and anti gun lobbies are fighting a pitched battle. Cirisha Narayanan ambitiouses young woman with integrity is working feverishly shuttling with her career in MIT and research project in India. He father develops an interest to deal with Emu in Coimbatore, and to facilitate trade meets the investment banker Adi. In due course they become family. While Cirisha is busy building her career, Adi falls prey to hoax that plays out in the skyscrapers, markets and slums of Mumbai.

Cirisha stumbles upon a secret which change their life for ever. She gets involved in some sleuthing, on 'Staring down the barrel' by James Deahl and believe data for research was fabricated. How much of Richard did she know? Was it right of her trusting her mentor Michael Cardoza?

Some interesting discussions are Adi telling Shivinder what are auditors for? To write what we want them to. Lucifer telling James it's criminal to have a team which always dreams of personal glory, desperate for success. When aspirations are not in sync, it leads to trouble.

Gun incidents reignite the debate on gun rights vs. gun control. Nothing change. The game continue with different players.

Fix-m-Fast Lunch

Soya variety:

Fried Rice:

1) Biriyani rice wash and add salt  half n hour soak and then drain.

2) in an utensil, put ghee, elakka, gramboo n patta.. stir. Add rice and fry.

3) in another utensil, add water in double qty of rice and boil. After boiling, add this water in the rice.

4) add some lime juice n salt in this mixture.

5) after boiling, put the flame in sim till the rice is dry. Rice ready.

6) carrot beans & colored capsicum (optional) cut in same shape and fry in ghee. ( For non veg taste- you can fry soya chunks) (I sometime add a green chilly and little pepper powder when I feel like having it spicy,  Off the flame and add chopped spring onion and cellary to this fried veges. 

7) kismiss n cashew fry in ghee.

8) mix rice and all these fried items, layer by layer and mix thouroughly.

9) on top of the rice (for garnishing), add more nuts and savola thinly cut and fried.. 

10) coriander leaves can also be added on top.

Dal Rice

Add rice, dal, salt, curry leaves, potatoes, soya chunks, green chillies, turmeric, and to this water in the proportion of 1:3 and cook. For two whistles normal. But will depend on rice. Can add to this Jeera fried in ghee and cashews as well.

Soya Kebabs

Half cup channa dal – soak dal for 30 minutes,

One cup soya chunks – boil for 20 minutes – you will pressure cook later, but doing this will make it soft.

Drain water from soya.

While pressure cooking, put 2 spoon of ghee, dhal, bay leaves, red chilli, small onion, ginger , garlic, and for masala one big spoon jeera, eliche, pepper, haldhi powder, salt, and garam masala, and one cup of water – neither more or less – equal to quantity of soya chunks. 1 In high whistle, and 2 whistel in low flames.

Once pressure cooker becomes cool, mix all ingredients and fine grind in mixture, and chopped onions, dhanya pattha and green chilly. Mix all. Depending on water, to reduce moisture add bread crumbs, it will hold shape. In case there is no bread crumbs you can add rice powder, in case you want it dark colour add Kashmiri chilli or beetroot. To give shape add oil in hand.

Shallow fry each side for 3-4 minutes

For chutney, : Dhanya leaves, garlic, ginger, chilli, tomato, salt, and jeera – grind in mixture. That’s it. Can add pudina in case needed.

Soya chunks Biryani:

Missing Non-vegetarian? This would give a  little solace.

Soak soya in boiling water and rice in normal water, for around 30 minutes.  I took one cup. Chop and smash ginger, garlic and green chillies. Cut 3 onions. Drain water from Rice and soya. Squeeze Soya as water would have interned it's pores. Add salt, corriender powder and pepper, mix well and keep aside.

Add ghee to a kadai,  when hot add a little of masala i.e powdered clove, Jeera and pepper. If interested can include elaiche and other masala items if you have. Got it you have bay leaves. Fried rice in this. 

In the vessal making Biryani add ghee fry cashews, can keep aside few to garnish at last. Add ginger/garlic/ green chillies paste. Fry well. If you have, include little corriender leaf, pudina or Kasturi methi if required. Add chopped onions fry it till it turns light brown. Meanwhile add salt, turmeric, corriender powder, garam masala/biryani masala (optional), to this add soya chunks and cook for some time until all mix well. Parallels boil three glass water (based on the kind of rice used). 

When Soya is cooked and all mixed, add fried rice, mix all these together. Pour the boiled water, half lime and keep it closed for some time, checking occassionally. 

Once done and ready, garnish it with chopped onions fried in ghee and cashews. 

Other quick rice fixes are one pot meal of sambar rice, Avial rice and the famous lemon rice, curd rice, coconut rice and tamrind rice.

Mindfulness

Are we Mindful or mindfull ? 

Where is your awareness during this time? What happens?

Creating awareness of mindfulness means bringing in a lot of attention on what you do. What are some other thoughts coming up? Any  preoccupation, which takes our focus from one thing are hinderances to mindfulness.

Only thing we don’t get back is time – need to be careful on how we spend it.

Thoughts – words – actions – habits – character – destiny

 How much of iceberg do you see? 10%  - result, action, behavior, what we do not see – 90% - values, attitudes, thinking, feeling, belief, motives, judgements

Use nose to smell three different things, listen to 4 different voice, look for 5 new things around. Touch and identify 4 things around.

 Monkey mind is given instruction to concentrate. It’s being aware of our thoughts.. Be in the present.

 Two way to do: 

• Formal – concentrate on breathing.
• Informal – Mindful eating, walking, breathing, listening, breaks, appreciation, focus.

Life fullness competency -  live full living – how to apply it in current situation? – awareness, inner-self, mindful action, Intuition, positive mindset, Inherent happiness, Gratitude.

 Accept things as they are.

 

'The Man' by Irving Wallace

"In a Composite Nation like ours, made up of almost every variety of the human family, there should be, as before the Law, no rich, no poor, no high, no low, no black, no white, but one country, one citizenship, equal rights and a common destiny for all. A Government that cannot or does not protect the humblest citizen in his right to life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness, should be reformed or overthrow, without delay." - Frederick Douglass. Irresistible, unstoppable...though small print, a medium sized book... The man by Irving Wallace is an interesting and captivating read, that speculatively explores the socio-political consequences in U.S. society when a black man becomes President of the United States. 30th of 2020, the novel's title derives from the sixties American slang,"The Man"; used to describe White people.

When acting president TC dies due to a fluke of destiny, the succession laws let Douglas Dillman, a black citizen, as The President. Douglas Dillman is sharp, intelligent, shy at asking any favours, very sensitive and over-cautious lest he be labelled as showing preferential treatment to his kind. Though a widower, he is reluctant to pursue a relationship with a biracial woman because he fears the lightness of her skin will raise the specter of miscegenation. To calm people’s worries, he agrees to play the role of a figurehead. He doesn’t even veto a clearly unconstitutional bill prohibiting him from removing any member of his predecessor’s Cabinet. But little by little he asserts himself, to the growing frustration and fury of his enemies. They finally pounce after he fires a backstabbing secretary of state. Dillman is impeached on spurious charges, but at the Senate trial he is dramatically acquitted by one vote. Several weeks later he is celebrating the New Year with his lady friend, whom he no longer feels nervous around. A new poll has been released: two-thirds of the public have drifted into the undecided column. This is good news, an advisor tells Dillman. He isn’t liked, but he isn’t disliked either. The Femme Fatale Sally Watson and her introduction by Leroy Poole, Ambitious Arthur Eaton, ‘keep the door open’ sequence between Doug and Edna, wavering of Edna Foster, fall and rise of Otto Beggs and the near assassination, high octane bursts from The Judge, bombastic speeches by Zeke Miller, interrogation of Wanda Gibson by Zeke Meller, loyalty of Nat Abraham and his wife Sue, Presidents transformation from being too depended and fitting into the shoes of late T.C. per request of his widowed wife – again a game plan, his gradually writing own speaches, meeting the CIA, his relationship with son Julian Dilman and daughter Mindy; and the deeds of Senator Watson father of Sally are all interesting plots, weaving the story.

Interesting lessons are, when it gets real bad, it’s enough to make it worth while. With great job comes great responsibility, do the best. Braveness is good, but we need to be smart and keep ourselves surrounded with smart people.

Thanks to Pattabhi Ram Sir for recommending this book, a worthy read, especially in the current political scenario. 

I think of a quotation from the final page of his novel The Prize, the last line of which appears on his grave marker:

“All man's honors are small beside the greatest prize to which he may and must aspire—the finding of his soul, his spirit, his divine strength and worth—the knowledge that he can and must live in freedom and dignity—the final realization that life is not a daily dying, not a pointless end, not ashes-to-ashes and dust-to-dust, b

Letters from a Father to his daughter

Remembering Our first Prime Minister, Late Jawaharlal Nehru or as we called him during our school days, Chacha Nehru on his 55th Death Anniversary. His Life Philosophy as he had written in The Discovery of India was "The future is dark, uncertain. But we can see part of the way leading to it and can tread it with firm steps, remembering that nothing that can happen is likely to overcome the spirit of man which has survived so many perils; remembering also that life, for all its ills, has joy and beauty, and that we can always wander, if we know how to, in the enchanted woods of nature. " There may be many who disliked him then and dislikes him now. But we know he did travel miles through the lovely, dark and deep woods...uplifting and shaping India of his dreams. ("The woods are lovely, dark and deep,. But I have promises to keep,. And miles to go before I sleep,. And miles to go before I sleep". - These lines from the Poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening BY ROBERT FROST, were his favourite and he had them at his desk always) Pranam to Architecture of Modern India.

Having just completed Re-reading Discovery of India, could not stop this - as I kept wondering, was that book derived from this? This was first compiled in 1929, based on letters written in the summer of 1928 when Indiraji was 10 years of age and in the Himalayas at Mussoorie.

It covers many things, like how little pebble and nature can teach you many things, on how early history was written, the making of the earth, the first living things, how animals appeared, the early men, races, civilization, formation of tribes, how religion began and division of labour, changes brought about by agriculture, the early civilisation, the great cities of the ancient world, different classes of people, kings, temples and priests, a look back. 

To work together is better than to work singly, and to work together for the common good is the best of all. 

Wellness & Mental Health

Mental health and best practices for self and at workplace – An information sharing session.

 Unique and effective workshop; by Devika Dharmaraj from Kelsa Solutions guiding us to be balanced , resilient, make better decisions at workplace, mindfulness and stay happy.

 Raise awareness, have honest conversation, and take action to improve and take care of Mental health.

 Agenda is to increase Mental health literacy. Anxiety and Depression are widely known issues, which needs to be discussed, and what can we do as leaders.

 Pandemic – Changed the way, we are working. There is a science, and today we know a little more. It’s our responsibility to understand.

 Need for the session is - Confidentiality of personal story, break to ask question. Experience sharing, openness, Icebreaking-warmup session, Rapport, willingness to listen, interest from others, Empathy,  No Judgement.

 Wellbeing drivers:

Pillars – Physical(sleep, activity, recovery, nutrition), Emotional (feelings), Mental(cognitive), Spiritual

 These drivers – gives a sense of purpose – giving us energy and passion – making us productive human being.

 Street words commonly used to refer to someone with a mental health issue are words like Abnormal, Mental, Something wrong, crazy, and many more. Mental health is a state of well being, Range of state of mind – will be anywhere in between good mental health and poor mental health.  Where we are in the range depends and influence our thoughts and behavior.

What constitute illness?

Does it impact your day to day behavior, persist over time period, Might need medication, therapy , support. In most cases people do recover completely.

What affects this state of mental health for you?

 All of us have stress buckets – some have large, and some have small, some are able to absorb, some are unable. If buckets overflow, problems develop. Larger the bucket you are more vulnerable. It is important to have a tap or hole in the bucket.  Which are positive coping mechanisms, which will help the stress out. It could be positive or negative. Negative coping mechanisms will cause more stress eg. Drinking will lead to domestic abuse. What is small for you, might be bigger for someone else. We all have different sized buckets. It’s not good to have large buckets, as it might lead to burnout. Eg. Fatigue, tired, anger. Little stresses help us get things done.

 Facts on how Covid 19 is impacting people.

11% of lost job, 38% people depressing, 40% people complain about stress; productivity is shown as dropping. 

Factors contributing, to psychological effects of covid 19 – uncertainty, disruption in social connection, WFH, different schedule, fear, financial anxiety, change in family system, decision fatigue, concerns about older parents and younger children.

Psychological effects : Increased fight or flight feeling, Reduced immune system, Disrupted sleep, Increased feelings of stress/anxiety/desperation/sadness

 It is really important that we as leaders are cognizant of this and send the message that it is okay to experience these feelings.

 Possible causes of distress:

Jobs are more than a paycheck, Work provides a sense of identity, Psychological benefits that comes from being productive

 EAP (Employee Assistance Programme); work based intervention – to assist employees. Online, F2F, By appointment, Walk-in, Counsellor, Psychologist, Therapist, Psychiatrist

Who will notice and act?

Managers/Team leaders; Friends; Colleagues/Team Mate; HR

MHFA – Mental Health first aid ; trained staff.

 Anxiety and Depression

What do you feel when you are anxious?

Physical(sweating, headache, missed heartbeat); emotional (worry, fear, anger, nervousness); Behavioral (avoiding, distress, OCD, drinking, smoking, sleep); Cognitive (Indecision, confusion, blame, blank) ,  - Reminded of the movie Patch Adams

 What happens with these?

• Immune system is repressed
• Heart beats faster, pumps more blood,
• Lungs – breathing becomes faster and shallow
• Skin – sweating
• Pancreas – Sugar rise
• Endocrine  - Pumps out adrenaline , releases less growth hormone,

You and the person feel that they are going to die,

Symptoms of Depression

Physical – loss of energy, fatigue, change in weight, aches/paings

Behavioral –Crying, sleep, drinks,

Emotional – Sadness, guilt, anger,

Cognitive – self-doubt, confusion, worry, loss of judgement and concentration

 Alcohol is a depressant.

 Some put masks, but when it drops the person will be very exhausted.

 Realise that the person needs professional help. We need to be aware of the signs and symptoms and what we can do.

 Coping during Covid 19

Experience emotional exhaustion but coping mechanisms have vanished. If you notice team member is not functioning to his/her full potential due to stress they need to be asked to consult a counselor, don't ask them to take leave or put them on PAP and if you experience any of the symptoms discussed; reach out to family and friend, take professional help – don’t prefer to deal with it yourself, or ignore it.

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Biotype and Mental resilience:

 Rumination, Negative bias, Threat response – fight or flight, anxious avoidance, Cognitive fog, Inattention, Emotional numbness, context insensitivity, (loose motivation, interest)

 Recharge strategy and Micro steps – (Brain is muscle and the current situation is like a marathon – so we have to practice to build up the muscles with baby steps, to build the capabilities)

 Healthy baby steps – social media control, breathing technique, right source of information, think about what your are grateful for – positive thoughts,

 WFH Practical guidelines: Nutrition/Fitness/ Mind/Connect. What you eat is important., set up an office space, have regular breaks, make sure you are getting  exercise, limit social media, have a routine day, have a regular lunch break and make sure it is away from your workspace, eat healthy, stay dehydrated, be mindful of being present at home

 Life after Lockdown: Pandemic will not go, there will be blended WFH options, Increased VUCA (Volatile/Uncertinity/Complexity/Ambiguity), Wellbeings, Communicate, listen, show compassion, Be present, Build relationships.

 To Do:

Instill trust, provide hope, give stability, show compassion.

Listen, communicate, be mindful and aware of symptoms, Trust and empower team, know what organization is doing.

Connect - Please be fully present.

 Helplines: Available.

 Counseling skills for managers

• Listen, Listen, Listen, Listen, Listen
• Identify the problem
• Trust and confidence
• Respect, concern and being valued
• Appropriate Information
• Confidentiality
• Encourage help-seeking behaviour

 Re-Anchor:

• What am I grateful for today?
• Who am I connecting with or checking in today?
• What expectations of ‘normal’ am I letting go of today?
• How am I getting outside today?
• What thing of beauty or joy am I either creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?

Mental/Emotional/Physical -) Drives -)Energy and passion -) Productive Human Being

Close your eyes – breath in through nose – 4 count, keep in  - 6 count and breath out with mouth – 8 count. (Do it for 6 to 8 times)

Focus and concentration exercise: Eyes closed, and sit relaxed completely – aware of breathing, chair its texture, cloth wearing, sounds around us, - Think about the last vacation you took.  With whom you went, and how did you go? Did you enjoy? Think about the last wedding you went to?

 5 management skills that will be put to the test. 

1. Leadership;
2. Challenge & Upheaval;
3. Engaging Employees;
4. Communication;
5. Delegating & Coaching Employees

 Managers/Individuals need to be the Chief Listening Officers. Future belongs to listeners.