[ 52 Years Happy Married Life.]

[ 50 Years of Happy Married Life come what may. God give me many ups and and few downs.]

Son and daughter 9-year gap My Kids after our marriage.
MY SON DINI,MY DAUGHTER DISHAA & MY GRANDAUGHTR Maya.
[ ] [ 



   My Daughter in Law:

Enjoying the Golden Years.

[ MY BANGALORE, AN URBAN DEMOGRAPHIC NIGHTMARE ]

How Bangalore went from cosy town to an urban nightmare, thanks to a gladiatorial IT boom.

Unlike Silicon Valley, why did modernity and enterprise make Bangalore unbearable.

By T.J.S George.

Before anyone knew what was happening, Bangalore became the global leader 

in Business Process Outsourcing. The world quickly realized that skilled staff 

at salaries of one-quarter to one-tenth of standard rates in the West was not 

Bangalore’s principal attraction—wunderkinds abounded in the region capable 

of handling any challenge from any quarter. Companies like Intel, Microsoft 

and Cisco Systems picked the city for their advanced R&D projects.


An army of whizz-kids soon emerged to turn Bangalore into India’s start-up 

capital as well. Bangalore acquired a newly prosperous, even bohemian, aura. 

The speed at which information technology altered the sociology as well as the

 economy produced an inevitable backlash. While intellectuals such as 

U. R. Ananthamurthy cautioned about newly created problems of identity, 

local activists questioned what was Bangalore and who was a Bangalorean. 

There were campaigns for jobs for Kannadigas. There were protests against 

Hindi signboards. The problem was that IT transformed Bangalore in ways earlier 

bouts of industrialization and immigration had not.


The old agreeable Bangalore was now replaced by an aggressive Bangalore where 

no one had time for his neighbours. Everyone was chasing success as measured by

a new consumerist value system. A gladiator culture took over with the spirit of 

combat as its perennial feature. If the pre-IT immigrants made an effort to merge 

into Bangalore, the new combatants were too disparate to try. They remained 

Punjabis, Rajasthanis, Gujaratis and UP-Biharis, Americans, Canadians, Europeans 

and Latin Americans, Africans, Middle Easterners, Japanese, Koreans and Thais. 

What overwhelmed Whitefield and Sarjapur were only the high points of what plagued 

Bangalore as a whole. Cosy Town turned international melting pot, Bangalore’s 

face turned ugly.


California’s Bay Area did not lose its charm when Silicon Valley became a land 

of miracles. Neither did Boston. Why did modernity and enterprise make Bangalore 

unbearable? The answer was that Bangalore’s elected leaders, administrators and 

builders disobeyed Kempe Gowda’s mother. When the fabled founder of Bangalore 

set out to build his dream capital in the 1530s, his mother gave him two 

instructions: ‘Keregalam kattu, marangalam nedu (Build lakes, plant trees)’.

Gowda made a hundred lakes and lined the pathways with wide, leafy trees. 

Politicians and land dealers of modern times were born to different kinds of 

mothers. In about three decades they filled up 2,000 hectares of lakes, and, 

in the late 2000s alone, felled 50,000 trees. Under their earth movers and 

power saws, the urban sprawl expanded until the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara 

Palike (BBMP) became the largest municipal corporation in the country. 

The population density rose to 12,000 persons per square kilometre. 

The Bangalore Development Authority’s Revised Master Plan estimated that 

the population count would cross 20 million.

Small wonder then that in Electronic City land prices rose by 300 per cent in 

about ten years. According to popular statistics, Bangalore had more potholes 

and dangerous medians per kilometre than any other city. Two of them were patched 

up by the authorities. In June 2015, artist Baadal Nanjundaswamy noticed a water-

filled pothole, unusually large even by Bangalore standards, in the crowded 

Sultanpalya area. He painted its edges in greens and blues, planted a few blades 

of grass in strategic spots and then brought in a life-size rubber crocodile to 

frolic in the water. A year earlier Nanjundaswamy was appalled by the sight of a 

road median the detached granite blocks of which had become a danger to motorists. 

He turned that too into an art installation, the granite blocks shining in bright 

colours with flower stalks and green leaves growing out of them. Locals gathered 

to admire the street art on both occasions. Municipal authorities moved in fast, 

filled the pothole and straightened the median. Citizens who criticized them for 

being anti-art were pacified by those who pointed to the reassuring sense of shame 

displayed by the authorities.


Through it all Bangalore acquired more than a hundred slums accommodating 2 

million people. New-Age gladiators appeared from nowhere and from everywhere 

to take care of slum management and allied businesses. In 2014, Bangalore 

ranked second in the number of murders (Delhi was first), third in robberies 

(after Delhi and Bombay) and third in dacoity cases (after Pune and Delhi).

In this urban demographic nightmare, it was inevitable that group rivalries, 

linguistic antagonisms and cultural confrontations would become a part of life.  

Local voices often  rose against outsiders, especially outsiders who stood out 

as outsiders.

The IT boom and other forces of rapid change had altered Bangalore from within, 

as though unseen hands had reconstituted its DNA. It used to be a city in peace 

with itself. It was now a bundle of contradictions, a battleground of competing 

constituencies, where going forward resembles going backward. Knocked off balance 

by the weight of its own growth, Bangalore was askew. The hand of the potter did 

shake when the IT chip hit him.



Excerpted with the permission of Aleph Book Company from the book Askew: A Short 

Biography of Bangalore by T. J. S. George.

[I LOVE DOGS A GERMAN SHEPHERD PREFERABLY.]

Source: German shepherd plays on a park slide by lucifers_lycan on Rumble

[ Rudrashakthii.]

Initial Report

Dear Ganapathi,

Welcome to Rudrashaktii! Om Namah Shivay!

Your Birth number is 6. It represents Venus.

The day you were born bears great significance in understanding who you are and where your talents lie. The day of birth indicates some special talent you possess. It is a gift to you that will help you along your life's path. Your day of birth is one of your five core numbers, but perhaps the most finite in that it reveals a specific ability that you possess in a marked degree.

Your Destiny number is 7. It represents Ketu.

The destiny number is the sum of the birth date of an individual. This number represents who you are at birth and the native traits that you will carry with you through life. The destiny number describes the nature of this journey through life.

Your Malefic number is 9. It represents Mars.

Malefic number denotes the malefic effects of the planet in question the person tends to be affected physically, mentally and materialistically in life by this malefic planet in your case your facing the malefic effect of the above planet.

Rudraksh Recommendation:
As per as your birth date analysis we recommend you 1 bead of 13 Mukhi, 1 bead of 9 Mukhi and 1 bead of 11 Mukhi. This is three bead combination. All of three beads strung in 1 Mala, in the following format:




We suggest 13 Mukhi Rudraksh according to your Birth Number.

It represents Lord Kaam Deva (Lord of cupids) and Lord Indra (Lord of all gods). This Rudraksha fulfills all earthly desires and helps in attainment of eight Siddhis accomplishments). It has virtues like love, affection, beauty and attraction as its attributes. It is very effective, user of it gets benefit of spiritual awaking and it is boon giving. It is also symbolizes Lord Indra (The ruler of god). It bestows charm, worldly comforts and spiritual success equally. Very rare bead it gives secret wealth and a position of authority to the wearer.

Mantra:

"Om hreem namah namah" - Shivpuran.
"om ksham chaus namah" - Mantra Maharnav.

We suggest 9 Mukhi Rudraksh according to your Destiny Number.

Nine mukhi rudraksh symbolizes Lord � Bhairava Yama (The Lord of Death) and Sage Kapila.�Nine Mukhi Rudraksha is the form of Goddess Durga(Shaktii). It contains the power of Nine Deities or NavDurga. The worshippers of Shakti must wear this Rudraksha to increase their self power and mental concentration. This Rudraksh wearer is blessed with energy, power, dynamism & fearlessness. Persons lacking in self confidence and one who wants to overcome fear and depression should use this rudraksh . This Rudraksha helps to counter the malefic effects of Ketu like mental fatigue, poverty, helplessness, inactivity of mind and body.

Mantra:

"Om hreem namah"- Shiv puran.
"Om hum namah" - Mantra Maharnav.

We suggest 11 Mukhi Rudraksh according to your Malefic Number.

11 mukhi rudraksh also known as a Ekadash Rudraksh� (eleven forms of Lord Shiva).It represents Lord "Hanuman". It is also blessed by Lord "Indra". The 11 Mukhi Rudraksha is regarded as very auspicious in religious rituals and is worn by sages and saints during their meditation.
It is said that eleven face rudraksha helps in washing away all trouble and miseries. Person who wears eleven-face Rudraksh with devotion, achieves Shivatwa.

Mantra:

"Om Hreem Hum Namah" - Shivpuran.
"Om shreem namah" - Mantra Maharnav.

[ My thoughts with my Wife.]

We will be completing 54 years of our wedded life in another 2 months.If I tell my wife she just smiles just a smile, not a laugh or a big smile.The flashing smile, if it had gone behind a camera shutter, maybe I would keep looking at it for the rest of my life.Her smile told me the story so big that I do not know where she started it and what was that thought but I could make it that it was the Ups in our life with indeed some Downs but not so deep that we could not come out of it.I sold my house since I could not afford the upkeep of a home 35 years old and with the problem of other social society that changed with the age coupled with children getting settled very comfortably we were alone looking at our faces in the mirror of course not looking together.

When we get bored we will go to a pub or a good restaurant of our yesteryears which we enjoyed with our two children who would want a menu card for each of them at once. I enjoyed my drinks and my wife her juice of the seasonal fruit.After lunch or dinner, we will go to the city's most favourite Icecream shop and then to a regular Calcutta pan shop where my daughter will get a free pan.My son will not take that pan even in his dreams even he won't touch.I took to Pan as it was the choice of my Maharashtrian friends in Bombay now Mumbai where I worked in Asia's Biggest Textile Mill of that time. I was a bachelor boy unmarried but having a good friend my college mate.We both studied textiles and his father was a weaving factory owner and my father was a technical officer in a large group of mills having two of their textile mills in our city.

I married in the year 1964 when I was in a textile capitol of south India Coimbatore working in a reputed textile mill belonging to a reputed house known as Tata's of south India. My close friend who was working in another textile mill who was also a junior to me in the Textile College / Institute at Bangalore took up a house on rent which had 2 bed rooms as bachelors we lived there and soon another friend who was taking training in my mills joined us. He being married wanted to bring his wife who was staying in the textile capitol of India Ahmedabad. This was before my marriage. He stayed for few months and got a job as branch manager of a textile mill spares supplier at Coimbatore only and shifted to his big residence. I was with my friend again when I married and told my friend that I will bring my wife and if he gets married we can discuss how we both can stay together.

I had returned after my marriage till my mother wrote to me that she would bring my wife and set up our house. I was eager to start my married life and my friend had no objection. Soon my mother arrived with my wife and did puja's and she prepared food and sweets and stayed with us for some time .She enjoyed Coimbatore as my friend used to take her on his imported BSC 3.5 motor bike and show her some temples when I was in night shifts. My mother was happy that I married the Girl she had selected for me. My wife came from a very orthodox family and very shy in front of me. My idea was to make her a modern society wife so my first thing was to make her move with my friends which I hardly tried. Soon my friend got a job in Calcutta now called Kolkata and he left us with his and my rented furniture. My wife had the full house all for herself. There was no need for that Note book and pencil which was always on the table kept to record the expenses we two family's incurred towards food to be totalled at the end of the month and shared by me and my friend.

My wife was always silent and talked less so I used to call my another friend and allowed him to keep my wife discuss any topic thus she was happy and things went on till she was pregnant after 3 years of our family planning. My parents put too much pressure to stop our FP and they were happy that our family tree would branch out. My dear wife soon left me to go to her parents house so that she is taken all the care needed for safe delivery of the baby. During her stay with me every month she was examined for pre child birth was in perfect order.

I got a post card from my father in law and on seeing the post card I know my wife had delivered a Baby BOY.I had told my father in law to send a post card if it was a baby boy or a Inland letter if it was a Baby Girl

No mobile no pictures only by letters I could be in touch with my wife. Soon I planed to visit my son with his mother. My colleagues and all my mill workers having received sweets knew that my first baby boy was born and my mill manager sanctioned my leave for a week.

I saw my son soon kissed him on his forehead purchased some dresses but stayed in my parents home. Going and coming from my house to my parents in law's house my leave was coming to an end and I was back to my work. Seven months my wife and son were taken care by my parents in law when she came back to join me.

Our Life started with a new face in our colony called Tatabad.

[Ancient Culture of the Kama Sutra : History Documentary on India's Ancient Culture.]

Over 1000 years ago the Afghan Invaders destroyed our temple where there is worlds best is narrated.

[ P M At Wembly UK ]

[Happy Independence Day? ]

Hello Friends.

Happy Independence day! While celebrating and rejoicing the day, let us spend some time to understand what is real freedom? I have chosen three quotes that suggests that we are not really free and further I have added some more quotes that suggests as to how we can achieve real freedom.

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.”

― Ralph Ellison.

What is Ego? Ego in short is "I". Life is a journey from I to WE -BABA.

Here are some quotations relating to ego.

Ego is one divided by the 'Knowledge'. 'More the knowledge lesser the 'EGO' and ' lesser the knowledge more the 'EGO' _ Albert Einstein.

Paramahansa Yogananda defined Self-realization as "the knowing — in body, mind, and soul - that we are one with the omnipresence of God;

The 'I' (awareness) casts off the illusions of 'I' (ego) and yet remains as the 'I' (awareness) - such is the paradox of Self-realization.

Ramana.

The ability to distinguish between the I(awareness) and the I(Ego) is 'Self-Realization'.

“A big ego isn’t problematic until it executes priorities at the cost of itself and others.”.

Ego says,"once everything falls into its place, I will will find peace. Spirit says, "Find peace and everything will fall into its place".

Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.Colin Powell"Ego is the immediate dictate of human consciousness.” – Max Planck>

An ego leads itself into the depths of disconnection whilst knowing itself as fundamentally faux.”

 Our relationship with our ego is the most difficult one to deal with. Ego is neither good or bad. orm is a judgment. Judging is fine. Whether our judging or conclusion is realistic and healthy or the opposite depends upon our conscience.

If one remain conscious, one will likely be able to say with a clear conscience that you know the difference.

For example, calling a duck a duck is fair and accurate. We did an analysis and judged it as a duck. Simple. But if our conclusion condemns it because it’s a duck, then we’ve brought in an unhealthy ego aspect to our judgement.

>br/>

How to have a big ego without having a big ego problem?

Those of you who have the experience of drawing the water from the well in a pot know pretty much that an half filled pot is difficult to carry as it would make noise and spill more than the fully filled one. Imagine you have a jar and fill it with a little sand. Now when you shake it, the sand particles have enough space to move around. Next if you completely fill the jar, the sand particles are restricted because of space. It is the same case with the water molecules inside the pot. The only free motion is at the neck of the pot where a little water will spill over. But not as much as when the pot is half full.

Knowledge is like a ocean inexhaustible unfathomable. Such being the case, individually ones knowledge is like a drop of water in the mighty ocean.

"A little learning is a dangerous thing;/Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring." The spring is believed to be a fountain of knowledge that inspires whoever drinks from it A small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are. The "I" component in all of us thinks and feels 'I am Me'. It fails to recognize the limitations due to its inability to think outside of itself. With all this in the background, let us understand DVG's interpretation of ' Water in a pot'. Water in a mud pot full, bloats and boasts of self! Sings merrily forgetting mighty ocean; When immersed casually in roaring ocean! Dissolves and merges in silence!-mankutimma–901 We are a small but significant piece of the jigsaw puzzle of the landscape that is in front of us. Similar to the water in the pot, we have the tendency to bloat and boasts of self. We need to learn to be humble and be able to identify ourselves with the nature and feel proud to be a part of a big picture . Those who know Kannada should read and recite the Kaggas. Understanding Kagga has been made very easy for Kannadigas (ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು) by Tirumalai Ravi (Kagga Rasadhare) ,Vijayendara Rao (Sai baba quotes and kaga in Viji's calender) and Goutham DVG Kagga. I remain grateful to all the resources relating to DVG Kagga and other excerpts on the internet. Verse # 901.

[ Try This.]

Making Limoncello Liqueur From Scratch.

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello (pronounced lee-muhn-CHELL-oh) is a liqueur from southern Italy made with lemons, vodka, water, and sugar. It's served ice cold in tiny, thin glasses as an after dinner aperitif, or digestivo. Only the zest is used to make this delicious drink. It has no bitterness at all, in fact, it is most refreshing!

Lemon Peels in Vodka.

10 lemons, just peels, no pith (I've seen anywhere from 8-17 in various recipes)

3 ½ cups sugar (This amount is entirely up to you. You may prefer it more or less sweet.)
3 cups water
3 cups vodka

1.) Don't worry about getting too picky about your lemon zest, the syrup that you'll be mixing in later will disguise any minor bitterness brought by a little pith.
2.) Pour the vodka over your peels. This part isn't precise, your basically marinating here. Every recipe is different with regards to this. Lemons are strong, they won't let you down.
3.) Let this sit for at least a week. They won't turn bad in the high-alcohol environs of the vodka.
4.) When the vodka smells refreshing and citrus-y and you're ready to make the syrup, boil the water and sugar (stirring to prevent any sugar scorching on the bottom of the pan.). Reduce this to a simmer, dissolving to a thin syrup. Set this aside to cool.
5.) Strain the vodka from the peels. Dry or compost your peels. Julienned and dried, you may yet use them in myriad recipes.
6.) Stir together the lemon-flavored vodka with the cooled syrup. Bottle and age for a few more weeks.

Limoncello

Source: Lani's Kitchen

Cocktail Recipes With Limoncello

Sperone Sunrise
1 1/2 oz. Limoncello
3 oz. Orange Juice
Serve over ice with a dash of grenadine syrup.
Limoncello Ice Cream
3 Cups Good Vanilla Ice Cream
1/2 cup Limoncello
Blend and serve. Garnish with lemon zest.
Cherry Lemonade
1 1/2 oz. Limoncello
1 1/2 oz. Cherry Vodka
2 oz. Lemon Sour
Shake and serve over ice.
Lady Cello
1 oz. Limoncello
1 oz. Rum
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
Sugar
1 tsp. Grenadine
Shake with ice. Serve with sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with cherry.
Limoncello Baba
8 cups Flour
4 cups Butter
12 Eggs
1/2 cup Honey
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup Corn Syrup
1 cup Limoncello
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix all the ingredients, (except for the syrup and the limoncello) into a smooth batter. Pour this mix into 12 cupcake papers. Bake for 25 minutes. Mix the syrup and the limoncello together. Soak the cupcakes. Serve these chilled. Serves twelve.

Trying Other Options

Vodka is a neutral-base alcohol. The strength is mostly up to the individual. Most recipes call for between 80-100 proof. It doesn't interfere with the flavors that you may wish to infuse for your liqueur. Steeping is the process that infuses the flavors that you're looking for. And filtering removes the solids. Finally, you just make a simple syrup by heating sugar and water. Cool this down and stir it in to your lovely new spirits. Funnel this into sterilized, pretty bottles, let it mellow a couple of months, et Voilà! You have liqueur!
I had some vodka left after pouring it over my lemon peels. I had a small yield this year with my plum tree, (after two amazing years of fruit!) so I opted to pit a few into a jar and pour the vodka that was left over these. These took a bit longer to steep than did the lemon peels, but in time they emited a lovely, rich, fruity smell. Next time I may add a clove or ginger root and a slice of apple, or a vanilla bean and a lemon peel. I may be onto a great gift idea.
Experiment with fruits, herbs, and spices. Fill your jars or bottles with fruit, but take it slow, perhaps, with your spices. Keep notes and refer to these as you may or may not wish to keep, or tweak a recipe.
This recipe would be delicious with orange peels or lime peels. Think of an orange-vanilla combination, or lime-mango-mint. The possibilites are fun and refeshing to think about, and people will be asking for more of your delightful liqueurs year after year!

Making Limoncello Liqueur From Scratch.

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello (pronounced lee-muhn-CHELL-oh) is a liqueur from southern Italy made with lemons, vodka, water, and sugar. It's served ice cold in tiny, thin glasses as an after dinner aperitif, or digestivo. Only the zest is used to make this delicious drink. It has no bitterness at all, in fact, it is most refreshing!

Lemon Peels in Vodka

Lemon Peels in Vodka

Source: Lani's Kitchen

Lemon Peels in Vodka

Source: Lani's Kitchen

Recipe to Make Limoncello

10 lemons, just peels, no pith (I've seen anywhere from 8-17 in various recipes)
3 ½ cups sugar (This amount is entirely up to you. You may prefer it more or less sweet.)
3 cups water
3 cups vodka

1.) Don't worry about getting too picky about your lemon zest, the syrup that you'll be mixing in later will disguise any minor bitterness brought by a little pith.
2.) Pour the vodka over your peels. This part isn't precise, your basically marinating here. Every recipe is different with regards to this. Lemons are strong, they won't let you down.
3.) Let this sit for at least a week. They won't turn bad in the high-alcohol environs of the vodka.
4.) When the vodka smells refreshing and citrus-y and you're ready to make the syrup, boil the water and sugar (stirring to prevent any sugar scorching on the bottom of the pan.). Reduce this to a simmer, dissolving to a thin syrup. Set this aside to cool.
5.) Strain the vodka from the peels. Dry or compost your peels. Julienned and dried, you may yet use them in myriad recipes.
6.) Stir together the lemon-flavored vodka with the cooled syrup. Bottle and age for a few more weeks.

Limoncello

Source: Lani's Kitchen

Cocktail Recipes With Limoncello

Sperone Sunrise
1 1/2 oz. Limoncello
3 oz. Orange Juice
Serve over ice with a dash of grenadine syrup.
Limoncello Ice Cream
3 Cups Good Vanilla Ice Cream
1/2 cup Limoncello
Blend and serve. Garnish with lemon zest.
Cherry Lemonade
1 1/2 oz. Limoncello
1 1/2 oz. Cherry Vodka
2 oz. Lemon Sour
Shake and serve over ice.
Lady Cello
1 oz. Limoncello
1 oz. Rum
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
Sugar
1 tsp. Grenadine
Shake with ice. Serve with sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with cherry.
Limoncello Baba
8 cups Flour
4 cups Butter
12 Eggs
1/2 cup Honey
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup Corn Syrup
1 cup Limoncello
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix all the ingredients, (except for the syrup and the limoncello) into a smooth batter. Pour this mix into 12 cupcake papers. Bake for 25 minutes. Mix the syrup and the limoncello together. Soak the cupcakes. Serve these chilled. Serves twelve.

Trying Other Options

Vodka is a neutral-base alcohol. The strength is mostly up to the individual. Most recipes call for between 80-100 proof. It doesn't interfere with the flavors that you may wish to infuse for your liqueur. Steeping is the process that infuses the flavors that you're looking for. And filtering removes the solids. Finally, you just make a simple syrup by heating sugar and water. Cool this down and stir it in to your lovely new spirits. Funnel this into sterilized, pretty bottles, let it mellow a couple of months, et Voilà! You have liqueur!
I had some vodka left after pouring it over my lemon peels. I had a small yield this year with my plum tree, (after two amazing years of fruit!) so I opted to pit a few into a jar and pour the vodka that was left over these. These took a bit longer to steep than did the lemon peels, but in time they emited a lovely, rich, fruity smell. Next time I may add a clove or ginger root and a slice of apple, or a vanilla bean and a lemon peel. I may be onto a great gift idea.
Experiment with fruits, herbs, and spices. Fill your jars or bottles with fruit, but take it slow, perhaps, with your spices. Keep notes and refer to these as you may or may not wish to keep, or tweak a recipe.
This recipe would be delicious with orange peels or lime peels. Think of an orange-vanilla combination, or lime-mango-mint. The possibilites are fun and refeshing to think about, and people will be asking for more of your delightful liqueurs year after year.

 Recipe to Make Limoncello.

10 lemons, just peels, no pith (I've seen anywhere from 8-17 in various recipes)

3 ½ cups sugar (This amount is entirely up to you. You may prefer it more or less sweet.)
3 cups water
3 cups vodka

1.) Don't worry about getting too picky about your lemon zest, the syrup that you'll be mixing in later will disguise any minor bitterness brought by a little pith.
2.) Pour the vodka over your peels. This part isn't precise, your basically marinating here. Every recipe is different with regards to this. Lemons are strong, they won't let you down.
3.) Let this sit for at least a week. They won't turn bad in the high-alcohol environs of the vodka.
4.) When the vodka smells refreshing and citrus-y and you're ready to make the syrup, boil the water and sugar (stirring to prevent any sugar scorching on the bottom of the pan.). Reduce this to a simmer, dissolving to a thin syrup. Set this aside to cool.
5.) Strain the vodka from the peels. Dry or compost your peels. Julienned and dried, you may yet use them in myriad recipes.
6.) Stir together the lemon-flavored vodka with the cooled syrup. Bottle and age for a few more weeks.

Limoncello

Source: Lani's Kitchen

Cocktail Recipes With Limoncello

Sperone Sunrise
1 1/2 oz. Limoncello
3 oz. Orange Juice
Serve over ice with a dash of grenadine syrup.
Limoncello Ice Cream
3 Cups Good Vanilla Ice Cream
1/2 cup Limoncello
Blend and serve. Garnish with lemon zest.
Cherry Lemonade
1 1/2 oz. Limoncello
1 1/2 oz. Cherry Vodka
2 oz. Lemon Sour
Shake and serve over ice.
Lady Cello
1 oz. Limoncello
1 oz. Rum
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
Sugar
1 tsp. Grenadine
Shake with ice. Serve with sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with cherry.
Limoncello Baba
8 cups Flour
4 cups Butter
12 Eggs
1/2 cup Honey
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup Corn Syrup
1 cup Limoncello
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix all the ingredients, (except for the syrup and the limoncello) into a smooth batter. Pour this mix into 12 cupcake papers. Bake for 25 minutes. Mix the syrup and the limoncello together. Soak the cupcakes. Serve these chilled. Serves twelve.

Trying Other Options

Vodka is a neutral-base alcohol. The strength is mostly up to the individual. Most recipes call for between 80-100 proof. It doesn't interfere with the flavors that you may wish to infuse for your liqueur. Steeping is the process that infuses the flavors that you're looking for. And filtering removes the solids. Finally, you just make a simple syrup by heating sugar and water. Cool this down and stir it in to your lovely new spirits. Funnel this into sterilized, pretty bottles, let it mellow a couple of months, et Voilà! You have liqueur!
I had some vodka left after pouring it over my lemon peels. I had a small yield this year with my plum tree, (after two amazing years of fruit!) so I opted to pit a few into a jar and pour the vodka that was left over these. These took a bit longer to steep than did the lemon peels, but in time they emited a lovely, rich, fruity smell. Next time I may add a clove or ginger root and a slice of apple, or a vanilla bean and a lemon peel. I may be onto a great gift idea.
Experiment with fruits, herbs, and spices. Fill your jars or bottles with fruit, but take it slow, perhaps, with your spices. Keep notes and refer to these as you may or may not wish to keep, or tweak a recipe.
This recipe would be delicious with orange peels or lime peels. Think of an orange-vanilla combination, or lime-mango-mint. The possibilities are fun and refreshing to think about, and people will be asking for more of your delightful liqueurs year after year!

[ For my next Home Plan Reserved. ]

[ Must watch this Video.]

[ Subject: Housewife in general and Indian Housewife in particular.]

All Indian men to understand and appreciate these facts and should keep their better half very happy.

 - 

An excellent tribute to all House Wives and particularly to Indian Housewives.

An article was recently in circulation that had appeared in The Hindu Newspaper on the Marriage Caterers and how they could be an apt case study for the IIMs on their excellent Management skills.Just like Businesses& calls for qualified IIMs and the like for running the show, has anyone thought of Home Management particularly of a traditional Indian household.Has anyone thought of the Conventional middle-class Indian Housewife.Is she not the best Manager that could ever have set foot on this earth - in real life???although many are of the opinion that women are relegated to mundane household functions, has anyone ever thought of the activities that she carries out 24 x 7? most management skills that are taught of which the IIMs boast and for which they are highly paid, are also essential for running a traditional home.The Indian traditional middle-class. The husband is mostly a (literally) sleeping partner - only financing the requirements.He comes into the picture mostly as a Consultant or for major Project Planning needs like Purchasing a house or for children's marriage.

The housewife plans all daily/weekly/monthly/yearly actions for the benefit of the household / her family. All her plans are her mind Forget a Business's Annual Plans and Long Range Plans - everything relating to the future requirement of the family is already well thought out in her mind and she goes about executing it with her meager resources,including all course corrections.She is the best organizer that you could ever come across not only for the day to day cores for her and her family, but also for the future actions.

She directs all actions relating to the household every day.Whether she has servants or not, whether other family members help her or not.whether her finances would help her have additional hands or not, all daily needs of the household are met without fail - thanks to her.

She is the main center-pin for coordinating for all the actions of the family - for getting things done, for complaints resolution etc. Everything/everyone revolves round her.

Very rarely does the husband ever know or get involved in controlling things at home - it is the wife who is the monarch of all that she surveys - directly or indirectly.

She could probably be the best Time Manager.Her duty hours are 24 x 7 all the year round life long. She does not get Casual Leave or Sick Leave or Annual Leave nor does she get paid forOvertime.

She manages the finances, all the expenses&ensures that the monthly requirements are met. Whatever her husband gives her, she manages the entire show within that. She also creates reserves for the future major expenses like education/marriage/medical etc

She might not be educated but her cash flow management is always exemplary.

Man Management:

Every housewife could be an example of an excellent Man Manager- she has to tolerate her husband and his office worries that he carries home, her children's problems, her inlaws'etc., resolving all issues without any demur and to the satisfaction of all.She could beat any HR Manager hands down in Human Relations.Sense of belonging:

Who can ever dispute herselfless dedication to the well being of her family ? She is "there" always partaking in everything whether it be happiness or sorrow.Love and Compassion.

Who can ever dispute the love and compassion that she showers on her family. Her shoulders are always available for all the family members to lean on. She is the best solace be it for the children or the husband.

She knows the likes and dislikes of everyone and satisfies one and all. She meets surprise demands of visitors/guests.

With whatever is available within her resources/budget she meets all demands, the best Works Manger you could come across.

Her Inventories which include many perishables are always well controlled Most family members do not even know what is in the Quality:

Her food is always appreciated for taste and rarely does she waste or produce rejects.

She maintains the entire house very well and in an orderly fashion.

Has she undergone any special training on TQM or Six Sigma or 5S or qualified for ISO or other Management concepts?

She has to wear different caps for different roles that she plays every day from morning to night:

As a family member - as a daughter (daughter-in-law), as a wife to her husband, as a mother to her children, as the housewife to meet all her daily cores etc.

As the CEO, as Works Manager, as a Works Manager, as a Materials Manager, as a HR Manager, as an Admin Head, as a Quality Head, etc etc.

Whatever be her woes she rarely exhibits them - probably her only solace is the Puja room!

Most earlier housewives never got the so-called Degrees - She probably could never go to a Bank or a Post Office or use a computer So what her deeds are far far greater- her Universal Knowledge is far far superior.

The typical Indian Housewife not only manages the household exceptionally well, she also brings up her children as good citizens inculcating all good values, see to it that they settle properly in life and above all continues to serve one and all for ever in life, tirelessly without a demur.

The greatest thing about her is that her actions are never for "Returns" except that she longs and prays for the well-being of everyone to be Healthy and Happy in Life....... This list is never ending.

I may further add that this is applicable even more to our India.In these countries they have to work much Harder than India. No maids and No Drivers available unlike India.

Long Live the Conventional Indian middle-class Housewife.

She is the Greatest MANAGER that the World would ever see.

[ Vastu for your Home.][ Vastu and Building Formulae by Niranjan Babu Bangalore ]

There has been extensive boom in the construction of housing, industrial, commercial buildings in big cities . Because of the complexity in the architecture and construction methods, there has been lot of confusion about the proper application of Vastu Shastra based building formulae. Appropriate application of various Vastu based formulae is possible when one clearly understands the concepts and significations embedded in the Vastu based formulae.I have indicated in my earlier articles and in books the importance of the building formulae referred to as Ayadi Shadvarga by the ancient masters of wisdom.
Ayadi is a group of six formulae Aya, Vyaya, Yoni, Rksha, Vara and Tithi that are used to determine the dimensional conformance of a building. The six formulae are divided in to three sets and each set consists of two formulae. A specific set of formulae is used to work out the length, breadth and height of the building or the structure. The length and breadth are the outer measurements of the foundation (bhumilamba) or its base (adhistana). The height of the building is considered to be from the bottom of the foundation or the bottom of the base to the topmost point of the building. The remainder obtained by using these formulae determines the gain or loss accruing, the constellation compatibility and the lunar and solar days that conduce to one's well being.

Vastu Shastra clearly emphasizes the importance of orienting the constructions to the cardinal directional. Therefore, the orientation of the building to be one of the four cardinal directions (north, east, south or west). As far as possible, buildings facing angular directions are to be avoided. But in rare situations, if the site is oriented in the angular directions, the orientation (or Yoni) formulae can be worked out in such a way so that the remainder is 1. The ancient masters were aware of the power of monsoon winds and other energies (physical and metaphysical). These energies were also considered in the orientation and construction of the buildings.

The unit of measurement used is generally the Kisku Hasta that equals 24 angulas. The hasta conversion is done diversely in different regions. One school of thought equates a hasta to two feet and nine inches and an angula to 1 3/8th inch. Another school of thought equates a hasta to 72 cm (28.3 inches) and an angula to 3 cm (1.2 inches). Here, the hasta is measured from the shoulder to the tip of the middle finger.

A third school of thought, which this writer follows, equates a hasta to 18 inches (and an angula to 0.75 inches) Here, hasta is the length of the arm from the bottom of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. The Ayadi Shadvarga is calculating by taking any of the standardized hasta measurements or using the actual hasta length of either the master, his/her spouse, eldest son or the architect (or contractor) designing the house.

Further research on the definition or usage of the Hasta measurement is needed to specifically determine whether 18 inches, 2.75 feet, 72 cm or the actual arm length from the elbow (or the shoulder) to the tip of the middle finger is appropriate. This scribe generally uses the 18-inch Hasta, based on measuring the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.

Manasara recommends working out nine different lengths and breadths and five heights for a building. The Yoni formula defining the breadth measurement very clearly reinforces the importance of proper orientation. Most religious buildings, palaces, cities, villages and roads of ancient India and many other parts of the world faced the cardinal directions. In fact, the Giza and Great pyramids of Egypt are oriented to the north

The table below summarizes the six formulae.

Aya = Remainder of Length x 8 / 12
Vyaya = Remainder of Breadth x 9 / 10
Rksha (Nakshatra)= Remainder of Length x 8/27
Yoni = Remainder of Breadth x 3 / 8
Vara = Remainder of Height x 9 / 7
Tithi = Remainder of Height x 9/ 30

Table 1

Vastu regulates the primary elements in an enclosure with reference to its length, breadth and height. By having the dimensions worked out using the Ayadi formulae, the residents can, to a certain extent, experience material and spiritual awareness. Living in such spaces can contribute harmony with the gross (sthoola) and subtle (sookshma) energies leading to both physical and metaphysical well being of the individual(s).

Aya, also known as aadhayam, means income and Vyaya means loss or expenditure. When these formulae are applied Aya should be greater than Vyaya (Ayam Adhikyam, Vyayam Hinam) in order that the dimensions worked out positively energizes the structure or building.

The Yoni and Rksha (Nakshatra) formulae are applied for finding the breadth of the building. The Yoni formula should be worked out to always get an odd remainder.

Angular Orientation Relative Cardinal Direction    Yoni   Number
    Northeast               East                   Dhwaja   1
    Southeast              South                    Simha   3
    Southwest              West                    Vrshaba  5
    Northwest              North                    Gaja    7

The 1, 3, 5 and 7 remainders are referred to as Dhwaja, Simha, Vrshabha and Gaja indicating the directions East, South, West and North, respectively. Generally orientation to any direction can have the Dhwaja Yoni worked out. The Yoni can be calculated, for sites not oriented to the cardinal directions, based on the above table.

Table 2
The Rksha (or Nakshatra) formula should be worked out such that the remainder indicates a constellation that is compatible to the master's (or spouse's) constellation.

The height of the building can be fixed based on the Vara and Tithi formulae. After calculating the negative or paisacha zones of the site, the proposed length of the available space is converted into hasta and then the formulae applied. An example, utilizing the various formulae, is given below:

Consider a site measuring 45 feet by 63 feet. We first find the paisacha or non-habitable area by dividing each side into nine parts. On the 63 feet side, the paisacha works out to 7 feet each on either side giving us 49 feet of Vastu approved land for construction. On the other side of 45 feet, the non-habitable area works out to 5 feet on either side and we have 35 feet of Vastu compatible land for construction.

The Ayadi table given in the end of the article is worked out equating a hasta to 1.5 feet or 18'. The formulae can be applied to both rooms (inner) and buildings (outer).

Let us now look at the Aya and Rksha (E and F) columns to arrive at the proper length. Aya for 49 feet works out to 9 and Rksha works out to 18 (Jyeshta). If we need a smaller measurement we can accordingly trace a dimension that gives higher figure of Aya and a compatible figure of Rksha.

Divide the 27 constellations into three sets of nine each and count the nakshatra obtained from your nakshatra. The count as per following table indicates the compatibility or otherwise.

  
Count from your Nakshatra - Referred to as -   Indicates  
                   1           Janma            Danger
                   2          Sampath       Wealth and Prosperity
                   3          Vipath        Danger, Loss, Accidents
                   4          Kshema           Prosperity
                   5         Pratyak           Obstacles
                   6         Sadhana         Realization of Ambitions
                   7         Naidhana            Danger
                   8          Mitra             Favorable
                   9       Parama Mitra       Very Favorable

Table 3.
Let us now arrive at the proper breadth dimension by referring to columns G and H. Locate the nearest measurement to 35 and check on its compatible Vyaya and Yoni. The table indicates dimensions 32.5 and 32.25 showing the Yoni as 1 and Vyaya as 5 & 4 respectively.

On similar lines the height of the building can also be identified from the table. Where normal foundation is used, the height from its base can be considered and for pillar foundation, the height from the bottom of its base over which the building is constructed can be considered. The height is with reference to the highest point of the building be it the overhead tank or the skylight of the building. The columns to be referred to are I and J.

The dimensions of length, breadth and height can be worked out for residential and business buildings, layouts, religious buildings, swimming pools and underground and overhead water tanks too.

It would be indeed be a contribution to the people if city developers and builders allot sites to the public with the dimensions worked out on at least three formulae, viz., Aya, Vyaya and Yoni.


Continued...

8-Apr-2006 More by : Niranjan Babu Bangalore.

Niranjan Babu Bangalore has degrees in both science and commerce and post-graduate education in journalism. Actively associated with THE ASTROLOGICAL MAGAZINE (of his father Dr. B. V. Raman) for over thirty years, he is its CEO and Publisher. Is a senior and distinguished contributor..

Niranjan Babu is a well-known international consultant in Vastu and is the author of the international best sellers Handbook of Vastu, Vastu Relevance to Modern Times and Vastu FAQs Answered. His forthcoming book is Vastu - Directional Influences on Human Affairs. He has several books in the regional languages of India.

Many well-known individuals, businesses and industries have utilized his services. He is also a Vastu Consultant for well-known temples, complexes and religious institutions. He has attended several conferences of American Council of Vedic Astrology, as the principal speaker on Vastu Shastra. . Is the senior faculty advisor for Vastu at The Bhaktivedanta College (BVC) in North Carolina. He has lectured, conducted workshops and provided counseling on Vastu Sastra in Chicago, Peoria, Dallas, Atlanta, North Carolina, Tampa, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa. Sedona and other places in U.S.A.

See more at: http://www.boloji.com

[ Prime Minister of Pakistan in India his one charming smile made millions of Indians smile.]

Mr.Nawaz Sheriff Prime Minister of Pakistan was welcomed in India while he entered the Rastrapathi Bhavan premises to represent his country on the occasion of the swearing in ceremony function of our new Prime Minister Mr.NarendraModi.He also released from Pakistan Jail as a good will gesture before his departure from Pakistan over 60 prisoners who were caught fishing in Pakistan seas. The prisoners of Pakistan in India and the Indian Prisoners in Pakistan Jail must all be released if there is no case against them. Will our Prime Minister make arrangements for this to happen as all are only Indians but in a different mam made place.

Indian in Pakistan Jail being visited by his mother and Wife.

As he met his family for the first time since his arrest and death sentence in Pakistan, Kulbhushan Jadhav "parroted Pakistani propaganda" and kept saying he was a spy, according to Indian officials. Chilling details have emerged of the 40-minute meeting between Mr Jadhav and his mother and wife in Islamabad on Monday. The meeting across a glass screen and through intercom, tightly controlled by Pakistani officials, has left the family "horrified and depressed", according to relatives.

Rudram by Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji.at Bangalore " Art Of Living Centre ".

Sri Sri plays Piano.( Must Watch )

Face to Face with Sri Sri Ravishankar.

Ask Sri Sri Ravishankar.

[ I saw Paris.]

I did go to Paris and enjoyed my stay at the Air Port and stayed at the Air Port and was enjoying myself shaving with my pocket electric shaver which I had planed and purchased when my son told me that I will be flying via Paris and will have to wait some 14 hours to take my next flight.At that point of time I had to do what my ticket said.That was because of the excitement of my first visit to a foreign country with my wife.After 2 visits now if I go anywhere it may be quite different as I have matured on going abroad.What I saw for now after some 15 years as I write this post is something else.My son was working in Paris and I thought he would stay there all his life.He excelled in his work,there was all possibility that he would get a job there and my wife and myself would go there to spend our evening life seeing Paris.That was the dream when my son told me that he was going to work in Paris when he returned from work one day long long ago.Lot of water has gone under the bridge and to write those past memories may look historic.My life and wife is my blog which will be a history some time or other.The blog itself is a history as days go and things change for better.There are few things that must get out of our system so we can breath.

Picture taken at KRS Dam Hotel where we stayed in the year - 1983.

[Happyness as told by Dalai Lama.]

WE ALL SEEK HAPPINESS AND SHUN and suffering, as human beings we are distinguished from others by our intelligent..etc, etc. If we allow it to be controlled by negative emotions like hatred, the consequences are disastrous, but if we use it positively, we can not only recognize our predicament but also train our minds and ways of thinking, which enables us to transform ourselves into better, happier people. the four Reminders, explained here, form the bedrock of Buddhist practice. They are intended to encourage us to make our lives meaningful, which we can do by developing a kind heart and sense of love, compassion, and respect for others. Khandro Rinpoche who has had the benefit, the author of this book, is a young Tibetan woman who has had the benefit of combining religious up bring-ing and training with modern education, which lends a refreshing contemporary clarity to her explanation.
Listen to - Khandro Rinpoche.

https://youtu.be/XQX4FYitEo4

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama is a title given to spiritual leaders of the Tibetan people.

Picture: Courtesy - Wikipedia.

[ Our Visits to USA.]

THE FIRST IN 2001 & THE SECOND IN 2007.(Perhaps Final),The 3rd in 2013 and 4th in 2014.

[ Why Should we Donate.]

My Dreams & My Home.

My Dream my home and my dream life,how it went till now and where it will take me is interesting indeed.

First Home,it was a room shared by 3 other colleagues and I was admitted as the 4th,these 3 were living in a house which had a small veranda and a kitchen.This kitchen was used by a senior college and other 3 of us had no admission in to this place.Even water was given by the senior and we 3 had to keep it in a mug in a shelf shared by all the 4 of us.The open toilet where the shit would drop in a basket and the bath room was out side with no roof this was behind the house which had a Rent of Rs.10/- per person.We all worked as Govt of India trainees in a local textile mill in Madurai a state in Tamil Nadu.Our Stipend of Rs.100/- per month was sent by the Govt of India,Ministry of Scientific Research and Training.As textile diploma graduates we had to under go a 6 months compulsory training in a textile mill selected by the govt.This was my home first after leaving my dear parents.This place was far away from my home in Bangalore and my dad was trying to fix me in a local textile mill but the person who was to fix me in that local textile mill advised my dad to send me to Madurai and he had no option with my mom forcing me to go to Madurai and not work in a local textile mill.I left home with Rs.100/- in my pocket and a 3rd class ticket by train to Madurai.I stayed here in my First home for 6 months.

My Meditation - Sitting comfortably hands on your thigh palm facing sky Straight Back,Relax all your body close your Eyes.

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[ My home is now an Apartment. ]

Where is my Home is now no more a question.My Home is where I will be with my Wife.