Latest Entries »

Yomari

1.  Knead rice flour with warm water.

2.  Liquefy molasses (चाकु).  Mix it with fried sesame seed.

3.  Shape the dough into a hollow cone.

4.  Stuff it with molasses mix.

5.  Completely enclose the stuffings inside the cone.

6.  Steam it for 10-15 minutes, until the Yomari  looks glossy. Voila, the Yomari is ready to be served.

PS: This is a recipe for basic Yomari. Sorry, no pictures of final product, completely forgot to take pictures while gulping Yomari. Also, ignore the irregular shapes by the first timers :)

Netherlands Vs Spain

The 2010 FIFA World Cup, so far, is marred with multiple referring blunders, but hopefully the event won’t be defined just by that. Though few teams, especially the English and Mexicans, might beg to differ, the event itself is of a historic significance. It occurs once in four years, and almost all the countries in the world are involved in the qualification process, in other words this is a genuine global event. And, for the first time ever, it is being hosted in Africa.

It is definitely a different experience watching these games in United States. I once read in an Archie comic that US has four seasons: Basketball (NBA), Baseball (MLB), American Football (NFL), and Hockey (NHL). I found that absolutely true; and the current FIFA World Cup seems strategically placed for the US audiences. NBA just ended, and MLB is just starting, a perfect time to broadcast FIFA World Cup to the American audiences. Growing American interest in “Soccer” is a big deal for FIFA, after all sports are nowadays more about money. The American Soccer team did well at the event, which further enhanced the interest. But this beautiful game, so much adored around the globe has plenty of detractors here. It might come as a surprise to the “rest of the world”, but there are lots of people here dismissing the game in a similar fashion as they once did to women’s right to vote or civil rights to the minorities. Though not representative of general population, check out this link and this one to have a general idea on these detractors. The failure of FIFA to use the technologies, and dutifully accepting referring blunder as a part of the game is providing added fodder to these type of detractors.

Since I don’t watch club level soccer, it took time for me get immersed into this World Cup. But, as the tournament progressed, I have become more interested and won’t be missing any matches from here on. I don’t have any clear cut favorites in this World Cup. I would love an African nation to win, but conventional wisdom on Ghana suggests otherwise. A finale between Argentina and Brazil sounds very appealing; I believe they both have the biggest followers worldwide, the TV ratings would be off the roof. However, I would like to have a deserving, but not a prior winner hoisting the World Cup trophy. One good path forward towards that goal would be a Netherlands Vs Spain final, and I would be rooting for both to get there.

Image Source

Climate Change: Third Wold Perspective

By Guest Writer PG, post was originally prepared for a School Paper

There should be no denying of the fact that the earth’s mean temperature is gradually increasing, this is a fact based on scientific measurements. Debating anyone who says otherwise is a waste of time; one can wake up someone who is asleep, but one can’t wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep.  The debate should be more centered towards whether the climate change is human induced or not, or how can we reverse the trend, or do we even have to do anything if the earth can act both as the sink and the source of green house gases (GHG), or are we prepared for any acute climatic catastrophes, etc.

The earth’s temperature, since 1850, has warmed by 1.0 to 1.70F, there are clear signs that glaciers are melting, and the increase in the sea level have been recorded too, these are facts. The sun, the source of energy for our planet, emits the shortwave radiation which is re-radiated back in form of long-wave radiation (thermal or heat energy) after coming into the contact of earth’s surface. The GHG’s, which are transparent to shortwave, traps the long-wave radiation and confines it within the earth’s atmosphere; this is a scientific fact. Hence, the more GHG’s in atmosphere, less heat escapes and earth gets warmer, a simple correlation. Plotting the available human induced GHG emissions against recorded temperature shows strong correlation, a very strong indicator that current climate change is human induced.

There are also strong scientific evidences that help in supporting the claim that current climate change may not be human induced. Based on the study of fossils, minerals and geography, earth in past had gone through periods of extreme warm and ice periods, much before human could have influenced the change. Compared to those historical changes in climate, the scientific data on temperature does not span back enough to be deemed as absolutely conclusive. The earth does require the presence of GHG’s in the atmosphere to keep itself warm, or else it will freeze if all long-wave radiation escapes outside to the space. Thus, GHGs are responsible for maintaining the optimal earth’s temperature, long before any excessive human influence. Also, GHG’s are emitted by nature too. View full article »

Costa Rica Diary: That’s it CR.

By Guest Writer: Gurkhahere

It was a time well spent. I’m glad I chose to go as a volunteer and not as a tourist. I believe this has given me a better perspective of life in Costa Rica, which would not have been possible by touristy sightseeing. I’m going to remember this place, the city, the family, the relaxed life, and the happy people around. However, it’s the Pura Vida attitude that has impressed me the most.

Pura Vida! Hasta Luego!

Note: For those interested, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica and many other countries around the world. A simple internet search should yield plenty of results. I went through International Volunteer HQ, based in New Zealand. Costs vary depending on where you go, how long you stay and a host of other factors, but in general, volunteering is cheaper than going to another country as a tourist through vacation packages. Then there is the contentment of being of help to other communities. I wouldn’t trade this experience for any vacation package. Simple!

Note: All the pictures are from the writer. The previous postings of this Costa Rica Diary  can be read here: Part 1,Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6.

Costa Rica Diary: Thrills

By Guest Writer: Gurkhahere

Today was going to be the most exciting day of my trip. I had reserved for a rafting and a canopy tour a few days ago. I was especially excited because I had convinced another volunteer who had never rafted before to go rafting. Although she had just been to a canopy tour a couple of weeks before, she agreed to go on the combine tour because I had put enough excitement in my words while explaining how much fun rafting can be, especially on the Pacuare river, recognized by some, including the National Geographic, as one of the best whitewater rivers in the world.

The bus came to pick us up around nine. In the bus were a bunch of Frenchmen, Chileans and one American. We drove through Cartago, one of the other bigger cities in Costa Rica. The driver showed us a volcanic mountain along the spectacular two hour drive. Two rafts, two guides and a photographer were waiting for us when we got there. It was a beautiful river surrounded by green mountains. The air was fresh. The day was beautiful. The sun was out and it almost seemed like it was waiting to watch us paddle the river. It was a perfect setting for a great run down the river.

After quick safety instructions, we were all ready to experience the thrill. My friend was nervous, especially because the water was very cold and guide had said that if someone fell off the raft, it was up to them to make it to the shore. Of course, he knew better but thought it was funny to scare others. I was really excited, as this was one of the things that I had really wanted to do while I was down there. I had run a few whitewater rivers in the US but this was going to be different. This was a whole new continent, a whole new group of people whom I will very likely never meet again. But that didn’t bother me. All I was focused on at that point was to experience the Class III thrill and make it to the shore without scratching a bone.

The five-kilometer run was very quick. The first half kilometer was not very exciting as we hit many rocks but the remainder of the trip was filled with the guide yelling “paddle forward,” “right back”, “left back,” and “duck” along with a couple of profanities. By being on the front of the raft, I was one of the two leaders which made me feel extra responsible but I was confident that no one was going to die. As long as no lives were spared I was okay with someone falling into the river. That would just add to the excitement- I thought. I nearly became the victim when I was almost thrown out of the boat while maneuvering, or more appropriately – trying to maneuver, through a rapid. The raft bounced off the river. The guide had yelled “duck” which meant “hold on to the paddle and grab the freaking rope.” I did. But I only managed to hold the paddle underneath my arm. It was too late before I could find my rope. The next thing I know is I have half my body out of the boat and parallel to the river. First thing that occurred to me was to somehow avoid any rock that was going to be on my way as I fell off the boat. But then, I also quickly remembered that my foot was tangled to a “grip” on the floor of the boat. I pulled my leg to make sure that my grip was tight. As we were coming down the rapid, the boat hit a huge splash of water coming towards the boat in the opposite direction. The splash couldn’t have timed itself any better. I was soon back up in the boat, this time better prepared and even more excited to tackle another rapid. View full article »

10,000 Steps

Do you know how many steps you walk in a day?  We all know the importance of exercise in our lives, but most are unaware that excercise does not have to be difficult or physically demanding to reap health benefits and maintain proper weight.  Recent studies have shown that walking 10,000 steps a day is often enough for weight management, provided you take care of your diet too. However, if you are looking for a 6 pack abs or a significant reduction in weight, then you might require more strenuous exercises :)

I recently purchased a pedometer at a thrift store, so I was very curious to count how many steps I walk in a normal day. I clipped the pedometer in my belt everyday before leaving for work, and took the reading immediately after coming back home. The count was that  I walk slightly over 3,000 steps in an average. The proper reading needs to be taken right before going to the bed; but knowing the couch potato that I am, there wouldn’t have been more than couple hundred extra steps at max. And, I have a magnificent pot belly to prove it :D

It wasn’t just me, unless people do some extra walking they normally don’t reach the goal of 10,000 steps (or 5 miles or 8 km) in a day. Here is the list of few professions and the average number of steps they walk in a day. Note, this is based on the study conducted in USA. In Nepal I used to surpass 10,000 steps easily, even when I was doing absolutely nothing :D

For source: click this link

Secretaries 4,327 steps

•  Teachers, 4,726 steps

•  Lawyers, 5,062 steps

•  Police officers, 5,336 steps

•  Nurses, 8,648 steps

•  Construction workers, 9,464 steps

•  Factory workers, 9,892 steps

•  Restaurant servers, 10,087 steps

•  Custodians, 12,991 steps

•  Mail carriers, 18,904 steps

Unless I choose to take stairs, 3-4 story’s up, every time I want to go to the restroom (toilet),  I don’t foresee attaining 10,000 steps while continuing my couch potato privileges :(  Hopefully, 10,000 Steps will be a part of my new years resolution :D

Happy Nepali New Year 2067 to y’all

Image Source

Retiring the word “Dalit”

Words are not just some combination of characters; it often has big meanings, and can significantly shape a nation or the whole mankind. To quote few memorable ones: I have a dream, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country, Only thing we have to fear is fear itself, Be the change you wish to see in the world, etc. Thus, realizing the power of words, it is imperative to use them very wisely. We have also witnessed, with time, many existing words were evolved/changed based on their broader definitions, correct functions, or political correctness.

Up to few years ago, ‘mental retardation’ was a generalized (more commonly used) term for all ‘Developmental Disability‘;  at the same time ‘retard’ was a common phrase for an insult, synonymously used for calling someone an idiot or a stupid. It is gravely wrong to call someone with a developmental disability stupid; not just because it is rude, but also because they are not stupid. Now, rightfully, the words ‘mental retardation’ are being gradually replaced with ‘Intellectual Disability‘. The word ‘Disabled’  itself is further being corrected as ‘Differently-Abled‘.

Now coming to my main topic, it hurts me a great deal when people continue to call someone “Dalit”, and at the same time advocate for abolishing the concept of  ’untouchables’. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the word “Dalit“, they are supposedly the “lower caste people” considered to be “untouchables” by the supposedly “higher caste people”, a common practice in the Indian sub continent. I don’t know how a group of people were labeled as “untouchables”; based on my extensive readings of Hindu religious books, I know for sure, it has nothing to do with the religion.  I bet, historically, few ruling class drubbed this ill concept to continue suppressing other groups of people. I had written extensively about this; how this caught my attention and what my interpretations were, in  two of my previous posts.

Discrimination against the community drubbed as “Dalit” is even more sickening in India compared to Nepal. Regardless of the geography, this deplorable ill concept of “Dalit” has to end, period. First step forward would be to retire the word “Dalit” itself, you can’t empower them much if you continue to call them with that name. Branding the tools of empowerment with that ill name does not help either; for example, “Dalit Quota” for education, jobs, healthcare, or any other entitlement programs.

If, ever, any separate recognition is a must for the purpose of empowerment,  I propose to call them, hereafter, as ‘underrepresented’, similar to other tribal groups. I strongly believe that being underrepresented, historically, in the “mainstream” social structure was the primary reason why they were marginalized in the first place.

God loves everyone equally, so should we.

Image Source