Hang Kasab. Now.

So Kasab’s appeal in the Mumbai HC has been rejected and his sentence to hang been upheld. A clap in the back for the judiciary system. But at the same time, what are we waiting for? I agree that every person has a right to get a fair chance and should have enough opportunities to appeal against a verdict, but there have to be exceptions to the rule! This man walked into the most crowded railway station of Mumbai with automatic weapons and shot dead more than 50 people. He opened fire indiscriminately killing people of all religions, genders, age or health. Countless families shattered forever. He was caught on camera and there is no doubt under the sun that it was a pre-meditated terrorist assault.

So what the hell are we waiting for? A Supreme court appeal? Then the Presidential pardon? Which by the way often takes 8-10 years? This is ridiculous. I do NOT want to hear about how he is feeling lonely in jail and wants to get a Rakhi tied (!!!) or about what he eats and what his schedule is like. He has already cost my country more than Rs.40 crores to be kept alive, kicking and safe till we have the go ahead to hang him. And that is hard earned tax payer’s money.

So let us stop this drama. Fast track the case. Set a date. And an example. Next time someone plans to come to this country and kill hundreds of people, let him think of Kasab’s end and his hands shake. Enough softness.

Love is….placing all your bets on him!

 

Malaysian and eclectic Chinese food in Delhi– ‘Fu’ reviewed

It’s always a pleasure trying out new places and I’m glad S recommended we skip the tried and tested ones and try our luck at the much reviewed ‘Fu-Better than Chinese’ in GK1. Yes, I agree the name does sound weird (means good fortune in Chinese) and just imagine calling Just Dial for the number and spelling out the name….ummm….F..U…!!

So we did find the number, booked ourselves a table and landed there on a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon. Hidden above the Body Care shop in M block market, its not a place you may notice unless you’re specifically looking for it. We needn’t have bothered booking a table though, even at 1pm on a weekend the place was practically empty. A small 30 cover restaurant, it is divided into lounge seating as well as a few tables for formal dining.

The menu lived up to our hopes with some very interesting options in each course. The Dim Sum menu was divided into steamed, grilled and fried. And unlike all other restaurants I’ve been to, Dim Sum was not synonymous with wontons here but rather with appetizers. Luckily all 4 of us are ardent foodies and our order was proof of the same. The drinks menu is non-alcoholic as of now with some innovative ingredients like Kiwi and green apple. For the first course, we ordered Murtabak (curried meat with egg wrapped in roti canai – Rs.185) and scallion pancakes (Rs.160). These were served with 5 dips to flavour with, 2 of which were made with scallion and were absolutely lip smacking. The scallion pancakes were nice and crispy but the clear winner was the Murtabak. The pieces were juicy, spiced just right and left us wanting for more.

Murtabak

The main course was a varied affair as well. We settled on the Sumatran chicken rendang with nasi goreng (Rs.325), Sambal fish in banana leaf with sticky rice (Rs.335) and Nonya mixed veg curry with roti canai (Rs.270). My favourite was the Rendang, a brown coconut sauce flavoured with  lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. The chicken was so soft that we kept wondering whether it was lamb or chicken and the gravy went very well with the nasi goreng as well. The fish enthusiasts also quite enjoyed the Sambal fish and even asked for seconds on the sticky rice.

Sambal Fish

With absolutely no space left in our stomachs and yet a never say die attitude, we went ahead and ordered a pancake for desert. It came with fried bananas on top drizzled with a delicious chocolate sauce and was the perfect ending for a lovely lunch.

Not your usual idea of a Chinese restaurant. But if you want to experiment with oriental cuisines and try new flavours, I highly suggest you give this place a go.

For my part, absolutely great company that kept us laughing all afternoon, a sunny Saturday and delicious food – an afternoon well spent!

Love someone

Love someone. No, I dont mean it as a resolution...rather as a way of life. There are many reasons to be with people, to make friends, acquaintances. And many reasons not to love someone. Don't think too much about it. Do it. Completely. Utterly. Without holding back. No, I dont promise you that you will be loved back the same way in return. But what I can promise you is that you will never know the joys of loving until you do it. There is something magical in allowing yourself to open up so utterly to someone that sometimes all you see is them. Yes, you risk becoming vulnerable. You may get hurt. But its worth taking the chance.

If you get loved equally in return, its a bonus. But dont love to be loved. That wont allow you to love unabashedly. Have you ever danced in an empty park? Or your own room? When no one is watching? Not in a poetic way...have you truly ever done it? There is such a simple joy in being able to do something only because it gives you pleasure and not for any other reason.

The world becomes harder as you grow up. Your walls go up...as do those of everyone you know. Your importance in people's lives changes...you end up fulfilling expectations most of the times. Dont get bogged down. Dont love everyone...but love someone. It'll make it all worth it. Trust me.

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta
Kahin zameen nahi to kahin aasman nahi milta

Bujha Saka Hain Bhala Kaun Waqt Ke Shole
Ye Aisi Aag Hain Jisme Dhuan Nahin Milta

Tere intezaar mein aesa nahi ki lutf na ho
Intezar karen hum aesa lamha nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Tere jahan mein aesa nahi ki pyar na ho
Jahan umeed ho uski, wahan nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta
Kahin zameen nahi to kahin aasman nahi milta

Jise Bhi Dekhiye Vo Apne Aap Mein Gum Hain
Zubah Mili Hain Magar Humzubah Nahin Milta

Teri duniya mein aesa nahi ki hazaar raste na ho
Jo rasta manzil ko le jaye wo nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Khuli ankhon se sapne dekhne ka jurm na ho
Har baar wo jurm ho to uski saza se panah nahi milti

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Ab tanhai mein na chal pane ka khauf na ho
Jab zindagi ko tanhai ka saath mile to kisi aur ka saath nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta
Kahin zameen nahi to kahin aasman nahi milta

Rahul Gandhi’s Wikileak

An article by an Indian columnist in WSJ on Rahul Gandhi’s comment in the Wikileak conspiracy got me a little riled up. You can read the article here to get the background on this. I have been holding my silence on this controversy for a few reasons. Firstly, I steer clear of religious remarks. They are too close to everyone’s hearts and I do not wish to be misunderstood. Secondly, I am neither a loyalist nor an opponent of Rahul Gandhi. I have more of a wait and watch attitude towards him.

So why did I get agitated with this article? Because of the definition of Hindu terrorism. First of all, in my eyes, there is no Hindu terrorism, Islamic terrorism, Sikh terrorism or the likes. There is just pure terrorism. And these people happen to belong to a particular religion thus we love to extrapolate their opinions to their entire society. Why I oppose this article is that Hindu terrorism is not limited to 2 bomb blasts in Andhra Pradesh 3 years back. The Babri Masjid fiasco and the entire Rath Yatra in my opinion was a form of terrorism. The Godhra riots which were supported by the political party (with a very fanatical Hindu agenda) were a form of terrorism. If the Mumbai bomb blasts were terrorism by the dons, then so was the inhuman backlash that happened in the form of state sponsored mass killing during Mumbai riots.

Terrorism is not dictated by religion. No. As much as you would like to blame a certain religion and say that their very holy book gives them the right to kill people of other religions, I ask you – have you read it? It is written in a certain Arabic script that has no direct translation and can only be deciphered as an indicative translation. Which means that one sentence can be translated by 10 scholars to mean 10 different things. While we’re on the subject, have you read any other holy book? Not a translation…the original? If one wishes, each religion can be distorted to suit the agenda of fanatics. It’s been done to Sikhism by Bindre Wala who is still revered in many countries. It has been done in the form of racism within Christianity by many like the Klu Klux Klan. It has been done to Islam, Hinduism and all religions that you can think of.

Let us not just bash the speaker for saying words that are not populist with the majority of our country’s population. Let us instead give him the benefit of doubt and accept as he said “"terrorism and communalism of all types are a threat to India”. Because they are. In any form. And unless we stop justifying one over the other, we will never be able to annihilate them.

That time of the year - Hope and Resolutions

Very long list of resolutions and a very introspective post last year on New Year's. Not in the mood to do that this year... Travel wasn't so bad...Kerala, Lakshadweep, Fagu, Shimla, Bangalore, Palampur, Mcleodganj, Kesroli, Goa!!! A week in Goa was the best way to end this eventful year!! The sound of waves never fails to calm a turbulent mind.

My reolutions last year...in the hope that I would manage to cross off a few atleast:

1. Get a doggie
2. Launch a business idea
3. Try yoga or art of living
4. Give more time and attention to my family and best friends.
5. Be more social
6. Find a publisher for my book “Quick and Yummy Recipes for the Working Woman”
7. Adopt a lifestyle where I live each hour of my day on my own terms
8. Laugh out loud more often
9. Travel to atleast 3 new destinations in the year
10. Be stronger
 
6 out of 10, not a bad score at the end of the day! This year, though, I find myself wanting in terms of such precise clarity. I have just one resolution this year...."To be happy...and surround myself only with people who make me happy". Often we give so much of ourselves to people, in all kinds of relationships and interactions  that we end up putting ourselves on the backseat. I have realised though, that people who love you will always want to see you smile...and those to whom it doesn't matter, it's really up to you how much you allow them to matter!
 
Happy New Year....wishing you the most beautiful gifts - a warm hug on a cold day and a house that is always alive with laughter! Cheers....