FOOD FIESTA

                                            FOOD FIESTA

In India, we are exposed to many kinds of foodstuffs from different communities and lands. May it be the famous Vada pav from Mumbai , Dhokla from  Gujarat,  Idli-dosas of Chennai , Gol gappas or Pani puri from Delhi and Kolkata ,  the mouth starts watering even while hearing about them . Eating the spicy pav bhaji and coconut water along the beach side is a bliss !!A great way to spend spend the weekend evenings with families and friends. Whenever someone in the family announces , "Lets go for dinner tonight" , I glow and smile like a kid!!! Along with food, all family members would get  to meet each other and it would be a good change and fun. Sometimes it feels having breakfast with friends or a pizza is all that is needed to make our soul happy.  Watching movies at home after switching off the lights while having popcorn along with maggi noodles and  pepsi and coke - a cool idea indeed!!!!!

Here are some interesting facts about these very popular and mouth-watering food items:
1) Samosa : 
Samosas , especially the Punjabi ones are yummy with that spicy potato filled savoury  and green chillies. Ready for a surprise? That delicious samosa you always munch on relishiously as a tea time snack is a foreign dish. The triangular potato/meat filled savoury dish that is easily found on every street corners originates from the middle -east. Originally called 'sambosa' , the Indian samosa was actually introduced to the country sometime between the 13 and 14th century by traders of the middle east. But irrespective of it , we are just happy to enjoy hogging them .

2)  Gulab jamuns: 
Surely we can sense some mouth watering sounds here !!! Very thought of these calorie filled dough balls , deep fired and then soaked is enough to send anyone to food heaven.This dish is so versatile that it can be enjoyed hot , cold, or simply at normal room temperature.It originated in the Mediterranean and Persia. Though the original form of the dessert is called luqmat  al  qadi and made of dough balls deep fried, soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with sugar, once it reached India , the recipe was modified. How we wish it was lunch time already!!
3) Tea: 
One among the most loved and fantasy  drinks among adults is none other than tea. Famous over the world as 'Chai'  ( Starbucks has a  Chai latte on their menu ) , tea has its origins in China . While the Chinese used it has a medicinal drink , the  Britishers soon discovered it and loved its versatile nature. Now the British being British wanted to cut China 's monopoly in the tea market. So they brought the humble 'chai' to India. And it has been a part of India ever since then .!!In fact it was only in the 1950s that tea became so popular. In Japan , there are tea parties on festive occasions , ceremonies and marriages. Surely you would be wanting to have a cup of tea now for beating the chill outside.
4) Jalebi :
This delicious item is a blessing!!! Jalebi is actually from the middle east though different variations of it were found across different Asian regions. Originally called 'zalabiya ' (Arabic) or the ' zalibiya' Persian , the dish was brought to India by Persian invaders . While North India loves their thin and crispy jalebies , the South Indian version is thicker and slightly different in shape .Now , this sweet is famous all over India in its own forms.
5) Coffee : 
 How can filter coffee not be Indian ? Hmm here is the fact.  Filter coffee became popular in India pretty late , in the 1950s , around the same time when chai began becoming people 's  favourite  . Coffee became a part of our nation , after 16th century , when it was smuggled into the country by 
 Budan , on his pilgrimage to Mecca. Soon , it was cultivated . Indians would drink coffee without milk or sugar in place of liqueur!!  Are you sipping a cup of coffee while reading this??

CLASSROOM DAYS

                                                               CLASSROOM DAYS 
Today after many days, I decided to clean my shelf  which needed to be cleaned badly. While arranging books, a photo fell aside.It was my 10th grades farewell photo with that big suit and red tie!!!It brought back many memories of school life which started flowing like a river. Best experiences in school were in classes!!Classroom life has its own charm. Starting from nursery till graduation , being in a classroom becomes a part of our daily living.  Studies, mischief , pranks, jokes, arguments, bullying , start forming bonds and memories.With being surrounded by the four walls, feeling of being protected and establishing oneself arose . Today I recollect such memories and it brings some amount of joy ,hope and makes me alive. 
I still remember the first day of nursery where for the first time , there were my peers of my age with whom i would study and spent time together. Teachers comforted us when we started crying on wanting parents to be along. They gave chocolates and conducted games with music. Moving along this childhood days was so enjoyable . I was excited at first on wearing the school uniform with the tie. School became interesting in 4th standard as writing with pen was introduced. That transition from writing with pencil to pen created better interest in studying and going to school. Who can forget pen fights??Pen fights turned into competitions among all classmates. One's power was judged with his skills in pen fighting. Then paper balls would be thrown on some persons in free periods. With the recess bell rang, funniest part would be when guys in groups  looked for a person with pizza, chicken , or sandwich , and sprung  on him like hungry lions  to take one bite  . Whenever it was time for annual day or sports day , all students would enroll in some activity so that they got chances to bunk classes . Teachers also missed classes sometimes due to work. That was fun time for us and in that time, going for PT period always struck us. Sitting beside the windows was fun for some interesting view  outside would divert the mind if lectures seemed boring.
 There would always be one quiet person , a studious guy, rogue of the class, one person doing mimicry of others, sportspersons , mischief makers , timid fellows and a person trying to be superior among others in every class, may it be 5th or 10th grade. Later going to higher classes , study matter increased .  Our science teacher in 9th and 10th grade who was a South Indian always messed up things when it came to pronounciations and aroused roars of laughter from the class. Teachers who explained lessons through stories and giving incidents.,  created interest towards that subject.  
Common and favourite  pranks like teasing others on their girlfriends' names , giving birthday bumps , creating funny noises was in  the top list  among students.  And when it came to homework , everyone would approach the good students , and conveniently do it with their help. Some warned others from reminding about the teacher if she forgot to ask about it!!! These moments were funny , remembering them once a while is refreshing.
College classes were different in its own way from school .Unlike school and coaching classes , students had an option of attending classes according to their interests. But when it came to attendence  , everyone  would come fearing from coming into defaulters list .In a class, there would always be one who regularly attended college , some who bunked majority of lectures , guys who flirted with girls all the time, and ones who had a business for putting proxy signatures for others . Some attend out of compulsion. If a teacher was good looking , students would love to attend that lecture attracting them to come to college. In colleges , students are seen half the time loitering outside instead of being present in classes!  Bunking classes with friends to popular sites serve as really good experiences! Well there are such different moments which give joy in its own way. 
Many interactions and relations can develop during class. One develops and grows individually on interacting with other people. May a lecture be for 40 minutes to 1 hour , there is always something new to learn about become aware of aspects around in that time . Lets cherish  these days because it comes occasionally and make full use of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   vardhan1297.blogspot.in