What Can I Give?

What Can I Give?

It’s been a long time that I blogged so thought of writing on one recent book that I have been reading. Book as named “What Can I give?” reminds me of a Christmas Carol by Christina Rossetti that was sung in school days

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a Wise Man

I would do my part,—

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give my heart.

Getting attracted by the brand and the aspiration that I carry for my career growth, I joined ABG (Aditya Birla – “Naam hi kaafi hai- haha”) group in Feb 2018. But soon you realize its all about the journey and not destination. I want to work until I dot require to introduce myself. In this journey you come across variety of people and one of them was Mr. Sandeeo Bhatt. (VP – HR). Whenever I interact with him I recall famous Quotes of “Tina Fey”

He was kind enough to Gift us a book “What can I give? By Srijan Pal Singh.

Those were the lovely days when you got books as a gift. Difference between books now and then is “in childhood it used to be a small bookcase full of fairy tales and now it is bookcase full of life and management stories.” When he has gifted there is certainly something in the book which he wanted us to know and learn. May be he thought “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” I am often impatient and After receiving the book as a gift Boss , I couldn’t help but flip through the pages of ‘’What Can I Give’’ by Srijan Pal Singh, a devoted student who later became an adviser of Mr Kalam till his last days. A book beautifully written about the times he spent and the lesson he learnt from his teacher.

Dr Kalam who is the Beacon of hopes for the world and who fulfilled all the three category of greatness written by William Shakespeare “Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

‘What Can I Give,’ is an exceptional book written to immortalize a teachers love, an inspiration for students to value their mentors and a lesson for readers to live life with love and give respect to both big and small. Such a feeling of inspiration can only be felt for someone ‘who knows the worth of teaching and who value the art of learning’.

This book touched my heart and now I am left wondering whether there is something I can do or if there is a change I can give to the nation as a responsible being? Also, what can you give?

It is so rightly mentioned in the book a quote from Bhagwad Gita

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ २-४७

Dr. Kalam introduced even a housekeeper as his friend, that’s how you relive your values.

How aptly laws of fear are expressed:

1. To manage uncomfortable fear try to ignore it
2. If the first law doesn’t work for you, try to focus on helping others to apply the first law. You can conquer your fear by diverting your attention to others.
3. Fear breeds fear, courage breeds courage.

Every chapter in “What can I give?” teaches you one good learning, More you read more you would like to praise Dr Kalam and his student Srijan (Who was called as fellow, funny fellow, good fellow by Dr Kalam). You may look forward to keep reading this book.

In one of his speech in 2009 Dr Kalam said. “A beautiful society can be achieved if there is more:

1. Tolerance for people’s opinions
2. Tolerance for different cultures
3. Tolerance for others beliefs
4. Tolerance for each person’s style.

A great and mature society is when individuals celebrate and respect difference.

Aren’t this true for Place of work too? It is indeed. While you read you will giggle, respect or sometimes even cry. That sort of life incidents are displayed in this book. From “April Bloomers to Make Your Mother Smile, from My Only Regret to the Picture Perfect, from These are My People to Humility is the Path to Greatness are the classic expressions.

“Goodness in in the Colours of Compassion and Empathy “has become my personal favourite quote.

These book which is the heart warming memoir of Dr Kalam as mentioned in the book has inspired and certainly enlightened me. I am so very much grateful to my boss who gifted this book to me, I shall be indebted by your gesture. Thanks a ton.

I would end this write up with one verses of Rumi as mentioned in “What can I give?”

I am born with Potential

I am born with goodness and trust.

I am born with ideas and dreams.

I am born with greatness

I am born with confidence

I am born with wings.

So, I am not meant for crawling,

I have wings, I will fly

I will fly and fly.

 

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PLAY TO WIN – NOT TO DEFEND

Me: Waiting in a small conference room carpeted, (carpet little mangled), a table, four chairs, one white board and a projector.  My plight in side that small conference room was: little Nervous, aloof from world, skittish and timid.

Super Boss Enters

Super Boss: Hi! I am Yash!!! (Like Naam hi kafi hai types attitude) And yes he should have that he has that power in his voice.

Me: Good afternoon Sir, I am Jahal.

Super Boss : Yes Jahal, Jahal, as if he is trying to be more precise on the pronunciation. You can call me Yash, I am happy to find a lady HR joining manufacturing

Pantry Boy comes with a Coffee

Super Boss: Kyun Aaya tum andar? Donot enter without permission and now stand outside and see if nobody else is coming unless asked to. 

Pantry Boy goes out….

Super Boss: These people donot know the basic etiquettes, Ok. Yes Jahal so I have gone through your resume and all I can say is All the Best and show everyone your calibre, I know you will succeed.

Me: Thank you Sir.

Super Boss: Had Manish seen you?

Me: No, I don’t know?  (With a question on my face. Who is Manish?)

Super Boss : Ok I will ask him to meet you.

And he left.

Me: Again waiting in small room.

And Enters” Chiselled Face, with Spotless skin, almond-shaped eyes, clean-shaven, angular physique, pleated black trouser and light blue Shirt with a slightly confused expression enter a  man about whom this post is dedicated to. (Even while I am tying this line there’s a smile on my face.)

 

Sir: Hi, (with his right hand towards me) I am Manish.

Me: Good afternoon Sir.

Sir: “Yash” asked me to meet you as he has selected you for our Ankleshwar plant.

Me: Silent.

Sir: I have just joined Sun before 4 days. How many years of experience you have?

Me: More than 12 years of experience.

Sir: Any question?

Me: Blank.

Sir: Thank you. (Left)

Me: Confused what did he ask? Was this a formality? Will I be selected or not?

Finally I got recruited with Sun on 13^th April 2016. 14^th April 2016 visited Sir (Mr. Manish Sinha – My Favourite) and Mr. Ram Chepuri to our Site when actually I got a chance to talk with Sir.

Boss is boss. You can love him, you can hate him, but there is no way you can brush him aside. He is your boss, the man who runs the show! Good, bad or ugly, a boss is after all the chief! An ineffaceable part of your day-to-day work life, maybe your mentor and even your guide, your boss is someone who can make or break your career in a snap. You may adore your boss for being absolutely understanding (which is rare) and I was luckiest one on this aspect, or clearly despise him for overloading you with tons of work. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t forget that it is your boss who drives you to excel and unleash the best in you. Just imagine the high of hitting a deadline under a stringent timetable or the joy of accomplishing a task that you never knew you could pull off so well, all thanks to the boss who could see beyond the obvious and pushed you towards excellence. Snappy, easy, or a bundle of nerves, your boss deserves a pat on the back for holding on to the show so well.  Bang on!! Isn’t It? I absolutely agree on this.

Our few conversations

Sir: (On con call ) Hi Manish here.

Me: Sir Good morning Jahal.

Sir: How are you?

Me: I am good sir how about you?

Sir: Very good under your blessings!!

Hahaha this last sentence was sarcastic because just before a day I had put up sarcastic mail. It was obvious and I didn’t mind even. Because I have also experienced him talking so very much like a mentor.

Sometimes he says: Yes my child how are you?

Every time he starts conversation he says: All well? Sab thik hai? Koi issues?

He is kind of boss who actually asks about his own performance to his subordinates.

Which boss does that?

This is my 6^th Job I have never met a person (Boss) like him. He is a kind of boss who empowers me with the power of knowledge, motivates me with the best tutelage, and helps me to move ahead with unending inspiration.

I can’t reveal how much I love my boss. It’s difficult to measure.

He appreciates in abundance and when required also declares his antagonize upfront.

“Madam Purohit this break given is for networking and not to check your Whatsapp.”

Hai!!! I am flat yaar on this man. When he says Jahal you are my favourite Child. How I wish!!!!

When he says “So My dear friend You did not even shake hand with me today” (Neki or puchh puchh I was desperately waiting to do so)

My inclination, my love for him is different, it is not infatuation nor attraction or affection, but it is pure and esteems Adoration.

When we were facing acute IR issues he always stood by me. He also stands by me sometimes even when I am wrong because he knows my point is not invalid.

I was given instructions I can anytime call him or message him or mail him. And instantly I start blushing when I get a message from him.

Due to some reasons I was urged to resign, and as soon as he got a mail meaning mail was in my sent box and received a call from him, not only call but he was in Ankleshwar very third day to retain me probably. I was overwhelmed, and honestly I took my resign back just because I respect him and he came all the way from Mumbai to convince me I could not deny.

Dear Boss,

There is no bonus better than just you,
Of more immediate and lasting worth.
This season of glad tidings and great girth
Has resonance in all the good you do.
Even though the turning of the Earth
Brings forth hopes and resolutions new,
Of sovereigns singular and bosses few
Sing only of an annual rebirth,
Songs of gentle hearts and grateful mirth.

Life was so good and one day we got an announcement “I have a new Boss!!” No No No my favourite has not quit from Sun but he will be assisted by the cluster head whom I will be reporting now.

Both visited our plant, and my heart scattered!! However he knew very well I would not have liked me reporting new boss and not him. He advised me for an hour and tried convincing me to be as co- operative to the new boss as I am with him. How can I make him understand it’s just not possible? You have created special image in my mind and heart.

That frame of mind, that telepathy, that oneness, that understanding, that adoring fervid, that zeal never comes with all but one and that is you my boss.

People say you are rude, but I say just shut your mouth; he is straight forward not rude.

Though I too hate Sir when he calls others Fire Brand and not me……………. Hehe.

 

Noting is Permanent in this world and thus is this story not permanent.  After having one middle man in as a BOSS, contact with the one whom I like is imperceptible. No call, No message, No chat………………. Which I knew it was going to happen someday, when we get new cluster head and new boss but, somehow it will take time to endure this new change.

He keeps so busy with new assignments that he denied to come for my house-warming function even. He is VP how can he come to such a small function. I was so stupid to think even of inviting.

I am and always will be inclined towards you and surmise as

“Kind of Boss YOU are – Tremendous”

“Kind of Leader YOU are – Fabulous”

“Kind of Manager YOU are – Efficient”

“Kind of Trainer YOU are – Proficient”

“Kind of Person YOU are – Extra Ordinary”

How AWESOME I think you are and I hope you can see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are, You will and always remain my favourite J

Return Gift of my birthday wishes for you my friend: Blessings!!!!!

True friends are hard to find,
but there you are you came into my life.
You came to me in a perfect time,
I’m so happy you’re a friend of mine.

We’ve been together for so less or long,
in a fantastic place where we belong.
We shared the mysteries of our life,
laughter and tears are seen in our eyes.

You’re with me and I’m with you,
you comfort me and I LOVE YOU.
A part of me becomes part of you,
true friendship I’ve found in you.

It has meant so much
Having you as a friend
You will always be a part of me
Until the end

When I found you
I found me
I was no longer alone
I was put together
There were no missing pieces
We were the perfect puzzle
On lookers envied what we had
What can I say about what I’ve done?
I miss the laughs we shared, how we had fun.

I called you my Bro at times and meant every word.
Now part of my soul is gone, feels like part of my heart was cut by a sword.

They’re the few people who accept silence over conversation
A relationship like this denies silly promises and persuasion
You don’t feel the need to second guess thoughts or measure words
Their love comes in wholes, not halves, not thirds
They’re the ones that guide you through when fate takes a turn
Fights, small and large, end in forgiveness, never a burn
You forget about first impressions and the feelings they brought
You’re grateful for who they are and you forgive ’em for what they’re not

Yes it’s true we’ll be apart,
Coz I’m here and you there.
With you my friend I want to tell,
whatever happens we’ll be FRIENDS FOREVER!

Tea Time Almond-Cashew Cake!!

Many a times I hear ladies talking about their kids making excuses to eat dry fruits. So here I bring a recipe for all those moms who has same complain and kids will not only eat with joy but also ask for more of them. And not only kids even you will enjoy this almond-cashew cup cakes when served in brunch.

 

So Lets go with the making:P

All you need is (Ingredients)

1 cup maida

1/2 cup cashew powder

1/2 cup almond powder

1/2 cup sugar (I used sugar powder)

3 tsp ghee

A pinch of cardamom powder

A pinch of saffron strings.

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp grated coconut (dry)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder

How did I made it (Procedure)

Grease the moulds with ghee.

Take a bowl and mix cashew powder, almond powder, maida, baking soda, baking powder and cardamom powder and saffron strings.

In another bowl, add ghee and whisk till its fluffy or whisk it till 2 minutes. Add sugar and blend again.

Mix the contents of the two bowls

Transfer the mixture to the moulds. You can also bake in one single baking plate.

Add half table spoon of maida to grated coconut and and sprinkle it on top.

Preheat on convection mode for 180 degrees

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

You can also use chocolate syrup to give a marble look to your cup cake. Also dressing of Jam is welcomed by kids.

Enjoy

 

 

Real Simple Saffron Butter Cookies!!!!

When I was an amateur baker, I tried so many times to bake simple cookies that could taste like Puneri Shrewsbury cookies but always failed. Sometimes I over baked or sometimes even after adding all the ingredients exactly as mentioned on many foody sites still would taste a bit bitter at the end etc etc. I almost thought baking is not my cup of tea but then yesterday suddenly I thought let me try once on my own without any guide or recipe from sites and see how it works so I tried one simple method to bake cookies and I dont believe it was not only good in taste but its crisp also came out perfect. And to add it up taste almost 98.99% like Shrewsbury biscuits of Kayani bakery, Pune.

So here’s the simple recipe for all of you to try and fill up your kids tiffin and for you to relish with tea or coffee. 🙂

Ingredients of my choice:

1. All purpose flour/ Maida – 125 gms

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2. Powdered sugar – 50 gms

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3. butter – 100 gms

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4. Salt – 1/4 tsp

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5. few saffron strands.

Stepwise Method of how did this become successful project

1. Bring butter to room temperature to soften it. Do not melt. beat with a whisk until fluffy (3 minutes). I used my hand blender with whisk attachment but you can use you hands. Make sure you beat well. Add powdered sugar, Saffron strands and again beat fluffy.

2. Mix flour and salt well and add it to the beaten butter sugar mixture. Make dough. If your dough is too sticky and doesn’t hold a shape, add 1 or 2 more table spoon of flour until you are able to form a soft non-sticky dough.

3. Using your favorite shape of cookie cutter, cut out the cookies. Take out the other parts of the dough leaving the cut cookie in its place without disturbing its shape. Re-roll the scraps again and cut out cookies. Use a spatula to take out the cookies.

4. Refrigerate this cookies for 45 mins before baking.

5. Preheat oven for 160 deg C. Bake for 15- 18 minutes until the sides of the cookies just start to change colour. Cool over wire rack completely before baking. After the sides start changing its colour, the centre part may still be soft, which you need not worry, it will get firm after it gets cooled down completely. I allowed it to cool for an hour, but i tell you wait was very fruitful. Very relishing cookies.

Lip Smacking Potato Chivda!!!

Who says Potato is eaten more only in fast. Potato is ever green for all the seasons plus always welcomed by older or younger. Here is one of the recipe tried and tested by me which is very much mouth smacking and easy to make at home. And when it is eaten with coffee my god it is such a heavenly experience of taste. Loved it.

Look at the recipe step by step as below:

Grate the potatoes, wash two three times with clean water, then after put the grated potatoes in one bowl and keep it aside for an hour. I also added some salt in that water. After an hour spread this on one cotton cloth and let it dry overnight as below.

In morning fry all the ingredients as above with the grated potatoes ofcourse and then add masala of your choice

I added Salt, sugar powder and mirchi powder.

And your mouth watering Snack is ready to devour.

Note that the same can be baked too if you are heath freak!!! 😛

HARA BHARA KEBAB MASALA!!!

A tasty alternative for those who love kebabs but are vegetarian, Hara Bhara kebab gets its name and green colour from the healthy spinach in it. I have seen hara bhara kebab on the menu list of North Indian restaurants. A couple of times we have had these kebabs outside and they always gave me temptation to make by myself with few variations. so when I had got a lot of spinach for making Palak paneer, and they were still leftover, I decided to make this green kebab with green gravy. true to its name hara bhara kabab boosts of green health. So here’s one variation and my new recipe of HARA BHARA KEBAB Ingredients for kebabs ½ bunch fresh palak (spinach) 300 g paneer (cottage cheese) 1 cup green peas 1 cup green chana 2 cups of powdered bread crumbs  3-4 green chilies (medium spicy) 1 small piece ginger 1 tsp amchur powder (dry mango powder) ½ tsp garam masala 1tsp sugar 1/2 tsp fennel seeds 2 tbsp oil + oil for shallow fry Salt to taste For Garnish 15-20 split cashews How to make kebabs:( Procedure)

1. Heat water in a large bowl. Add salt. Now add cleaned palak to the water. Blanch it for 5-10 minutes, uncovered. Strain all the excess water and keep the palak aside.

1. Crush the peas, ginger, fennel seeds and green chilies in a mixer to make coarse paste. Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in a non-stick pan and sauté the paste on low to medium flame, stirring continuously for 10-15 minutes. Add sugar. Remove from heat. Now add amchur powder, garam masala and salt and mix well.

1. Process blanched palak in a mixer to make a paste. Do not add any water when doing this.
2.   Crumble paneer with hands.
3. Add crumbled paneer and one cup powdered bread crumbs to cooled green pea mixture and then slowly add palak paste to it, taking care that the mixture doesn’t become watery. It needs to be thick enough to be able to make balls with.
4. Make medium sized flattened rounds from the final mixture. You can take help of some oil or corn-flour if the mixture is sticking to your hands. Add a bit of corn-flour if the mixture is not thick enough. Roll the kebabs in remaining powder of bread crumbs.

5. Shallow fry the flattened green rounds and keep them on an absorbent paper to soak the excess oil. You can also bake them.

1.   In the mean while sauté the cashews in the same pan using the remaining ½ tsp oil till they are slightly brown. Garnish the hara bhara kebabs with the cashews.

Ingredients to make Green Gravy: 2 to 3 boiled onion 3 to 4 green chillies 1 tea spoon ginger paste 1 tea spoon garlic paste 1/2 cup Magajtari (Water melon seeds) and cashew nuts paste 1/2 cup chopped spinach 1 cup grated paneer 1/4 cup curd 2 table spoon poppy seeds (khas khas) 2 to 3 cardamom, 2 to 3 cloves, 2 inch cinnamon stick, 2 to 3 pepper, 2 to 3 bayleaves, 1 star anise 1/4 cup milk 1 table spoon oil 1 table spoon butter Salt to taste 1 tea spoon garam masala 1 tea spoon sugar 1 tea spoon coriander powder 1 tea spoon cumin powder Method to make Green Gravy:

1. Soak poppy seeds in warm milk for 30 minutes.
2. In a mixture jar take boiled onion and crush till smooth paste keep aside.
3. Take green chillies, ginger, garlic, coriander, spinach, curd and poppy seeds mixture. Crush them to smooth paste.
4. In a pan heat 1 table spoon oil and 1 table spoon butter.
5. Add Jeera, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, pepper, bay leaf, star anise

6. Then add paste of boiled onion until it leaves extra oil and butter by stirring it in between. 7. Now add above green gravy to it and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add spices to it. 8. After that add grated paneer stir well and Gravy is ready. 9. Serve with a dressing and garnishing of your choice, cream or veggies whatever charm you wanna create in your style. The dish is ready to serve. I served it with lacchedar Paratha but I also found it tasty with Jeera rice. Enjoy this mouth watering dish with your family and friends…….:)

Rava Idli

Rava Idli is the variation of South Indian food. Idli is prepared with  variations like Rice, Oats, Rava etc. Different and new breakfast everyday is always welcomed by family member. You feel so content when the food you make is appreciated and slurped by all. So today I bring recipe of Rava idli for you. Make it have it and burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp!!! 😛

All you need is: (Ingredients):-

• 1 cup sooji
• ½ cup yogurt, fresh
• 2.5 to 3 tea cups water or more – add accordingly & as required to get a medium consistency batter, which is neither thick nor thin.
• 1 green chili, chopped
• ½ inch ginger, finely chopped
• 10-12 cashews, chopped
• 2 to 3 tsp ghee or oil for roasting the rava

• 1 tsp oil for frying the cashews
• salt as required
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp chana dal
• 10-12 curry leaves, chopped
• a pinch of asafoetida

Get ready to make it: (Procedure)

1. heat 2 tsp ghee or oil in a pan. add the sooji and roast in the ghee or oil till they become aromatic and change color.
2. keep on stirring often when roasting them. remove the roasted rava in a mixing bowl and keep aside.
3. in the same pan, heat 1 tsp oil again and fry the cashews in the ghee.
4. remove and add the fried cashews to the rava in the mixing bowl.
5. in the same pan, add 1 tsp oil more and heat it.
6. splutter mustard seeds. then add chana dal, curry leaves & asafoetida. fry till the chana dal become golden.

7.then add this whole mixture to the roasted rava. add curd/yogurt along with chopped ginger, green chilies and salt.

8. add water as required and make a batter which is neither thin nor thick.

9. keep aside covered for 20-30 mins.

10.heat water in a steamer

11. just before steaming, add pinch of fruit salt

12. pour the rava idli batter in greased idli moulds.

13.place the idli stand in the electric cooker, steamer or pressure cooker steam the rava idlis for 10-12 mins or more till a tooth pick inserted in the idlis come out clean.

14. remove the rava idlis from the mould and serve the steaming hot rava idlis hot with your favorite coconut chutney and sambar.

Have it and write to me how was your experience!!!

Whole Wheat Mawa Cake Recipe!!!!!

ALL YOU NEED IS: (INGREDIENTS)

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 140 gms of mawa/khoya
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 tbsp cream
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 150 gms unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder and 2 tsp of dry fruits chopped.

Now get ready to make this delicious cake. (Procedure)

1. take butter and sugar in a bowl

2. cream butter and sugar with a spatula

3. add crumbled mawa.

4. mix the crumbled mawa with the creamed butter-sugar mixture. mix the mawa very well.

5. mix flour with baking soda and baking powder into the bowl.

6. add cardamom powder and dryfruit powder

7. add milk and cream

8. mix well and prepare a batter

• pour the cake batter in the prepared cake pan.
• place the pan in the pre heated oven at 180 degrees C and bake for 45 to 1 hour, till you the top is browned and a tooth pick inserted in the cake comes out clean.

And finally you can relish this and serve your kids.

Also note that this is made from wheat flour and not maida.

😛