LEISURE TIME:

All people have plenty of work to complete on a day.All our daily routine chores at home,office make us lethargic.But every week has a weekend, every month has an holiday and every day has a day break.After working  all day long, people wanted to take some rest at the day break.  During the holidays we would like to  refresh and spend some time with our loved ones. But one must analyse his/her mind to find out which activity gives him/her peace of mind.

MIND BENDER:

"A mind  in a calm state can perform any work better". At leisure time, when our mind takes rest, we must  perform any activity which we'll rejoice. Learning music, reading good books, playing  games are  activities which will help you enjoy your time.

When we  have a leisure time activity then our mind will get practiced to it, and  relaxed.

LOOK INTO YOUR ACTIVITIES AND PLAN OUT:

Watch your daily schedule and write out the proper time span of your work. Observe your activity for 2 or 3 weeks and confirm if time span is the same everyday. Note down the variations in your schedule. One you have fixed your schedule, you will know your leisure time.

Once you have arrived at a proper schedule,start planning.

•   In the morning, take up an exercise plan,include  yoga.
•   In the afternoon,  read  books which you have longed to read.
•   In the evening take  time to play  outdoor games with your friends or family.
• If you're interested in cooking, try out  soup recipes or snacks. That will help you later.

RELAX ,ENJOY AND LEARN:

Thus you should plan out and make  a way to relax and rejoice.At first it would be difficult to follow but later when you're practiced  then you'll find it interesting.

                                                                       

 

 

हाय रे!!महंगाई की मार कोई सुन ले करूण पुकार सौ रूपये किलो था दाल उसके बिना जनता बेहाल लगता है दाल में काला है सरकार के मुँह में ताला है राजनीति कुदरत का खेल आसमान पर चढ़ा है तेल चीनी-चावल-घी-अनाज महगाई की ओढ़े ताज अमीरों के घर में इठलाती है गरीबो को अंगूठा दिखलाती है वाह!प्याज का क्या कहना बिकता ऐसे जैसे गहना अस्सी रुपये किलो का बाज़ार भूखी ,प्यासी,जनता लाचार हरीसब्जी-फल-आलू के दाम कैसे भोग लगाये -राम!! बच्चे बिलख रहे खाने को घर -घर तरस रहा दाने को कोई न अब उपाय सूझता लगता जीवन का दीप बूझता चुनाव हुए तो मन हल्का था नई सरकार का तहलका था गरीबी -महंगाई दूर करेंगे जन- जन का हम पेट भरेंगे लेकिन यह मात्र छलावा था कुर्सी पाने का दावा था मुँह बाये आई महंगाई बच सको तो बच लो भाई …. - ऋषि कान्त उपाध्याय

       Hijda-a single word that denounces a whole segment of our brethren into the category of “outcasts”. I’m sure that no one here is unfamiliar with the term “Hijda”. We have used it quite a lot of times…sometimes laced with scorn...may be even a bit of sympathy...but never embedded with even a tinge of humanity. So let’s not waste space describing the biological know-hows of how “Hijdas” came into being. It is sufficient to know that the major credit for the formation of this anomaly in a human goes to the “X” and “Y” chromosomes in our genetic makeup. A little bit of shift here...a little bit of mismatch there…is more than enough to mess with the very gender of a human being. How susceptible we all are...and yet we seem to condemn this minority population with all our might.
                             

        “The plight of the Hijdas”…I’m amazed that this topic has so rarely been discussed. We find it pleasing to keep them in the dark…like a dirty little secret. It is not surprising to see that an alarming majority of this intersex population has been forced to turn to the streets. It may not be that prominent in Kerala, but it’s a common sight to see “Hijda” groups parading about in trains and busy streets of other states. And of course we have all heard of them forcing their way into all sorts of auspicious occasions to demand money in return for their blessings. People humour them, sometimes due to fear or sometimes because they think they have got their money’s worth in getting these circus entities to entertain them.
        People might argue that “but of course we scorn them”, “but of course we find them scary…just look at their shameful conduct!!...it is a disgrace to our country and our very morality!!”. With all due respect to all those who are blessed with the right body parts at the right places, what other option do we, THE ELITE humans leave for them? Their parents cast them out of their family due to some misconstructed beliefs of “shame”. No one is willing to provide them with jobs. Having not even the basic primary education they are looked upon as delinquents. But mind you, the genetic chromosomes have nothing to do with a person’s brain. But we never accept that. They are an aberration to God’s divine design and hence are misfits who are to be destroyed! But we often forget that even we were not born humans, we have all evolved from apes. A typical aberration itself lead to our formation. So thinking along the same line, aren’t WE also against God’s basic design?
        A fact that has always baffled and bothered me is why they have to suffer because of something that is not even their fault?! Why do we banish them so? Well only one good theory paved its way into my brain. People tend to fear that which they don’t know a zilch about. Even educated people are quite clueless when it comes to this issue I presume. With no laws, no acts, no shelter, no NOTHING for their aid...aren’t they the weakest minority in our country? Worse than scheduled casts…worse than scheduled tribes… worse than oppressed women…aren’t they the endangered minority? And still no acts, no shelter…and yet again...no NOTHING!!
        I wonder when “Hijdas” became such despicable “creatures” in the human dictionary. Even in epics like The Mahabharata “Hijdas” were highly revered. So when along the line did they become so feared…so loathed? Yet another mystery that can be added to this age of mists and veils.
        Why can’t the society just accept them? Why do they have to change? Weren’t they created by the same God who created us? Why do they have to undergo painful operations? Gonad removal, breast removal, vaginoplasty…believe me the list is endless and horribly painful! Since they don’t have much money they usually end up in the hands of quack doctors using butcher knives.  Cutting their own body parts just to gain acceptance into a prejudist society, that’s ready to scorn them even after their surgery, by viciously labelling them as misfits! All this pain and all this turmoil just to get rejected again and again?... Why? So many “whys” in a single article and I still don’t know “WHY” nobody has bothered with this issue though it has been an “in your face” topic for so long.
        A brief glimmer of hope is that now this minority population has at least started to accept themselves as NOT inferiors who should stay hidden away. There is a strong sense of brotherhood amongst them and they try with all their heart to uplift their own kin. The very proof for this is the annual “only intersex” meets like the All India Hijda Sammelan that is held at various venues. Yet the media doesn’t even cover such events. I again quote “people tend to fear that which they do not know”. So isn’t it the media’s duty to give this issue it’s long due limelight? But  “Oh! Ofcourse” this topic still doesn’t have the charm of the top leading actress’ nail breaking...does it?

                                             
        I am not asking people to change their mentality just overnight, neither am I asking people to become Mother Teresa. But a bit of compassion now and then wouldn’t hurt…would it?
        So, a word to all. Before you go around scorning or even making fun of the very concept of a “Hijda”, know that you could have ended up just like them if an “X” or a “Y” had gone wrong somewhere in your genetic makeup. Please do give it a thought…

Different drinks are served in a variety of different glasses.I f you are entertaining guests and serving them drinks then it becomes mandatory for you to know which drink is to be served in what type of glass.This knowledge can enhance your style image and you would be admired by your guests for your intermittant knowledge.This is an attempt by me to educate all of you to serve the right drink in the right glass.There are differnt types of glasses but we will broadly classify them into three categories.

1. Stem glasses : These glasses have a stem attached to its bowl. Drinks like champagne and wines are served in these glasses.They are of different shapes depending upon the drink served in them.

2. Hiball glasses : These glasses are tall and straight.Drinks like juices and coke is served in them.

3. Tumblers : These are heavy bottomed glasses used usually to serve scotch.

4. Mug : These are large mugs with handle which is used usually to serve beer.

 

 Let us now know about the variety of drinks to be served.

 

Champagne

Champagne is a wine with lots of bubbles.A champagne is served in a stem glass so that the drink doesn't get warm by our hands.The champagne stem glass has a wide mouth of the bowl and a long stem.

 

Sherry

Sherry is a wine made from white grapes originating in Spain.It is also served in a stem glass but the bowl of the glass is comparatively larger than the champagne glass.

 

 Brandy

 Brandy is also a wine with 35-60% of alcohol content.It is usually had after dinner and is served in a stem glass with the mouth of the glass   considerably narrower than its base.

 

 White Wine

 White wine is usually served with lunch or lighter meals.It has a strong aroma and thus is served in stem glasses which have a narrow opening and are long and straight.

 

 Red Wine

 Red wine is served in stem glasses which are comparatively smaller than the white wine glasses. They have a wide mouth and a long stem. The wine should ideally be filled upto 3/4th of the glass to allow the wine to breathe for a better taste.

 

 Margarita

 Margarita is a vodka based drink served in a stem glass with a much rounded bowl and a wide mouth. Margarita can be served with or without ice.It can be served with salt or sugar rubbed on the rim of the glass for an enhanced look.

 

 Martini

 Martini is a cocktail drink with the main ingredients of gin or vodka.It is usually served with an olive for great presentation.It is served in a long stem glass with a triangular bowl.

 

 Gin

 Gin is a drink made from Juniper berries. The most famous gin drinks are Gin and tonic, Martini and Screwdriver. Gin and tonic is served in a hiball glass,Martini is served in stem glasses and Screwdriver is served in hiball glasses.

 

 Rum

 Rum can be mixed with avariety of ingredients to make different cocktails. Rum is a clear liquid and also comes in flavoured variety.Rum is made with sugarcane.Rum cocktails are served in cocktail glasses.Cocktail glasses are stem glasses with a triangular bowl.If to be had with any carbonated drinks,then it is served in hiball glasses

 

 Beer

 Beer is a frothy drink and can be served in a variety of glasses.Beer is usually served in large mugs with handles so that your hands doesn't get wet while holding the drink.Beer can also be served in tall glasses

 

 Tequila

 Tequila is a mexican drink and can be had straight (without any other ingredient) or with adding martini/juice/carbonated drinks.When drunk straight,small shot glasses are used.If mixed with any other variants,it can be served in a margarita glass which is a stem glass with a round bowl and a wide mouth.

 

 Vodka

 Vodka is a clear drink without any aroma or taste and hence can be mixed with any other variant easily.Vodka is also available as a flavoured drink but a flavoured vodka is a drink in itself and can't be mixed easily with other ingredients.If vodka is taken as a drink in itself,then it can be served in small straight shot glasses.If vodka is mixed with any other variant then it can be served in hiball glasses.

 

 Scotch

 Scotch can be served on the rocks or can be served with water/soda/colas.Scotch is usually served in short straight glasses (tumblers) with a heavy bottom but connoisseurs are of the opinion that scotch should be served in a tulip shaped glass with a narrow opening so that the aroma of the drink doesnot escape.They are also of the view that scotch should not be served with ice and should be mixed with water only.

 

 Mixed Drinks

 All the drinks like juices,sodas or colas are served in hiball glasses.It is a straight and tall glass,a must have for all homes.These drinks can also be served in a collins glass. a collin glass is also a tall glass but comparatively narrower than a hiball glass.