Arun's World

Hindu Temple Chicago

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:36:09 GMT

For a friend's wedding I recently traveled to Chicago. Since that's where I did my doctoral work, we have many friends there and love the city. I have previously posted on the architectural wonders of Chicago, the Balaji Temple and have run the Chicago Marathon!

On this visit, I additionally got darshan at the exquisitely maintained Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago! Was surprised at their calendar of activities including Yoga, Meditation, Gita Recitation, Discourses and Sunday School. And importantly a cafeteria serving dosas, idli sambar, yogurt rice and else. Reason enough to go!

Two more pics!

7 Remaining Dangerous Days this Monsoon 2009

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:31:04 GMT

As I prepare for travel to Mumbai, I cast an eye on monsoon forecasts, particularly when they coincide with high-tides.

Excerpt from notice from the US Consulate in Mumbai.

During the monsoon, most flooding occurs during high tide. Mumbai's drainage system is designed to run off into the Arabian Sea. If a major storm occurs during high tide, the rainfall backs up and flooding occurs. Particular concern should be paid during the days listed in the table below. ... if there is heavy rain (during these dates), the possibility of the city flooding is very high. Sluice gates, which funnel flood waters from the city to the sea, are also closed on these days, increasing the possibility of flooding ...

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai site is very informative and lists the 27 days during this Monsoon season when tides are expected to crest 4.5 meters (14.8 ft). See entire list of Mumbai High Tide Dates and Times

Highlighted are the 11 days when the high tides will crest over
4.8 meters (15.75 ft). In July of 2005, when heavy rains coincided with high tides, caused city-wide flooding and killed over 400 people, the tide had crested at 4.84 meters. So these are dates you should prepare for.

The 7 remaining dangerous days this Monsoon 2009!

Meera: Father's Day Wishes

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:04:28 GMT

With Meera and M in Mumbai, I can only reminisce about Meera's favorite anecdotes. Here she is exploring the Kumta train station enroute to Mumbai on the Konkan Railway. She thoroughly enjoyed the train ride.

Three more Meera pics and anecdotes!

Tutorial: How to do Interval Training!

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:08:16 GMT

In Interval Training, you combine a short, 1 minute burst of high intensity exercise followed by a 4 minute recovery period of low to moderate intensity. You string together these 5 minute cycles, or intervals, and end up with a very intense exercise regimen with amazing consequences. Also called High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), a 30 min interval training is the quickest way to lose weight, get physically fit and enhance your running speed.

Read more: Benefits of Intervals and Tutorial!
(sorry for the late cross-post)

Tutorial on Intervals!

Pragati: Revisiting Indian History

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:54:48 GMT

Now is such an exciting time for Indian History! New technologies from satellite imaging to DNA sequencing are bringing scientific curiosity to the understanding of our ancient history.

The latest findings are typically scattered in scientific journals and archaeological reports. In history books I find a sad disconnect between what they are still parroting and the latest findings. Thus it was such a joy to see the latest issue of the e-zine Pragati, dedicated to early Indian History.

Nitin Pai, an Editor of Pragati, who blogs at Acorn, has done a masterful job of collecting related topics in one issue. Nitin was magnanimous in writing here a short introduction to Pragati: A Sense of History. He has also given permission to have the complete issue of Pragati available at ArunShanbhag.com

Read more!

Nitin's Intro and Downloads!

Turmeric Milk: Soothing Elixir

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:21:34 GMT

Turmeric is an ubiquitous indian spice and a common ingredient of pre-mixed curry or masala powders. Turmeric (haldi, Konkani; haridra, Sanskrit) is also an essential component of fish marinade.

While I take for granted the turmeric used in cooking, I distinctly remember my grandma preparing scalding hot, turmeric milk whenever we had a sore throat or cold. And grandma admonished us to sip it hot, letting it course its way down the back of our throats. Haaiiii! She had alchemized this common root, to a piping hot, golden elixir, which not only got us back to school the next day (unfortunately), but also back on the playground (v good). Something magical about that turmeric milk! If she only knew!

Read more!

Several more pics and a review of Turmeric Health benefits!

Immigrants Improve US Productivity

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:01:22 GMT

Is Immigration Good for America?

Depending on their ideology and incomplete data, politicians, media, unions, and technology companies espouse disparate views. A recently published, detailed economic impact study, sheds a clarifying light on the productivity of immigrants compared to the native American population.

Jennifer Hunt of the National Bureau of Economic Research summarizes that immigrants as a group make significant contributions to US productivity, but is dependent on the type of visas used to arrive in the US.

More!

Kids Who Bring Joy!

Thu, 28 May 2009 02:09:29 GMT

Since they were infants, I have shot pics of all our friend's kids. They are a joyous bunch and I love showcasing them. Now, with Meera on the scene, some of my friends wonder if I'll ever be as passionate about taking their pics. Well, they do have a point :-E| But for now, here they are. They make me laugh and they make me cry; and in turn I love to spoil them with Lindt chocolates ~ while their moms give me the evil eye!

Four more Pics!

Ragda Pattis and Lassi

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:11:09 GMT

Every evening we take Meera for a walk. Its just a few blocks to the local Maruti temple on Colaba Causeway. After darshan, we invariably stop by Kailash Parbat for some chaat. The bestest!

PS, I apologize for cross-posting this here so late.

More and a pic of Meera's feet!

Meera Sleeping

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:01:55 GMT

This tiny girl amazes me! She's got me completely wrapped around her little finger - twice over. She only has to coo and I start babbling baby talk like a blithering blidiot. I love it! When she is a sleep, I gaze at her. What is she dreaming? Is she happy? I wonder at this miracle and our good fortune to be enslaved by her.

More and one pic of Meera sleeping!

Academic Update from Shanbhag School 2009

Fri, 15 May 2009 17:36:53 GMT

Just received results from the recent Karnataka State Board Exams (Std X) for students at the Shanbhag School in Kumta, Karnataka. The students have brought in another spectacular performance! Congratulations! Our gratitude also to the teachers who do a fabulous job, every day!

Summary of Results:
...

Results and More!

Surgeon falsifies research on soldiers injured in Iraq war

Thu, 14 May 2009 17:57:07 GMT

It is depressing to see medical doctors, who are also paid consultants to drug companies falsifying research data. From a NYTimes article Army Disputes Doctor’s Claim in Study of Injured.

Mother's Day

Sun, 10 May 2009 05:08:47 GMT

More!

Quick Lunch: Vegetable Pattis Roll-up

Mon, 04 May 2009 02:00:58 GMT

When I work mornings from home, I'll make a quick lunch before rushing off to work. A quick lunch is usually a sandwich or a roll-up.

For a leisurely dinner, I may roast vegetables on the grill for a roll-up, but for lunch my favorite is using Vegetable Masala burgers from Trader Joes. Mumbaikars will recognize these as the pattis of a ragda-pattis! We horde 5-6 boxes of these in our freezer. For weekday dinners, M may crisp these on a tavaa (flat pan) and top with freshly made 'ussal.' Top with some yogurt, minced onions and chaat masala; yumm! Roll-ups with masala burgers take less than 15 minutes to make and are delicious.

Recipe and one more pic!

Meera's Bath

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:42:06 GMT

Meera's day starts with a tael malish (oil massage) by Suvarna maushi. We routinely use Dabur's Lal Tael, for the massage, but have also made our own by infusing a red bark (ratanjyot ?) in coconut oil.

For about an hour, while Suvarna maushi cleans the rest of the house, Meera waddles around, impervious to her body slick with oil.

Bath is usually a long drawn out process with Meera sitting nicely on a traditional wooden paTh (a low wooden seat) while Suvarna maushi pours scorching water and takes turns soaping. Meera is understandably not in good spirits and bawls her head off. I disappear to an inner room.

M couldn't stand it and has now taken over bathing Meera. Using merely hot water, Meera enjoys the experience. She plays with the soap and rubber duckies while M painstakingly cleans every toe and sq inch of her body.

Meera screaming at water torture by Suvarna maushi. :-P

Fill-up at the Idli House

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:31:53 GMT

After basking in Meera's joy for three weeks, I'm back in Boston. Thankfully, it is spring here!

One of many advantages of spending so much time in Mumbai is, I get to explore fine eateries in the suburbs! A few years ago, Mumbai was blessed with a eatery dedicated to Idlis: those delicately steamed rice cakes. South Indians start their day with idli, dunked in sambar and a liberal side of coconut chutney. In our home, I enjoy piping hot Idli Sambar for brunch, or accompany the afternoon chah or kaapi. Leftover idlis are used to make golden crisp Idli fry, or crumbled and scrambled with with a medley of dry spices. On family trips you have all initially groaned, when aunts unpack fresh idlis and semi-dry chutney - the ultimate travel food. By the end you are licking chutney of your fingers, while fellow travelers stare at you with envy.

An overdose of Idli!

Spring In Boston

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:38:03 GMT

The days that used to lie
curled up,
numbed
by penetrating frost,
bit by bit
stretch out
their limbs
now that winter's past.

~ Sri Dharanidhara
from Vidyadhara's Subhaashita Ratnakosha
Translated from the Sanskrit by Daniel HH Ingalls, Harvard University Press

A couple more!

Vitamin D Prevents Fractures

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:57:28 GMT

A recent clinical review reported in the NY Times provides great news for older adults. A meta-analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials, together representing over 65,000 subjects suggests that Vitamin D reduces the risk for non-vertebral fractures by 20 % and hip fractures by 18%.

Your Brain on Google

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:54:29 GMT

Googling for information on the internet can improve brain health!

In a recent study, patterns of brain activation were recorded in individuals performing various computer-related tasks. In net savvy individuals, internet searching was associated with increased blood flow in regions of the brain controlling decision making, complex reasoning, and in the visual cortex.

Scapular Exercises for Stronger Shoulders

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:18:43 GMT

x-posted from AchesAndJoints.org

Exercises for Strong and Healthy Shoulders
Shoulders permit our arms to move in a wide arc and perform elaborate activities. This mobility is due to superb coordination of muscles and soft tissues around the shoulder and shoulder blades (scapula, SKA-pew-la), and is essential for performing activities in a pain- and injury-free manner. See related article on Rotator Cuff complications impairing shoulder movement.

Conventional shoulder exercises strengthen the larger muscles but tend to overlook the mid-back muscles that stabilize the scapulas. This can often result in muscle imbalance and consequently, bad posture. Even non-shoulder exercises like running on a treadmill with shoulders slouched can lead to stiffness and pain. These conditions increase injury potential and thus the need for corrective exercises.

Michael Bento, personal trainer at the Clubs at Charles River Park, Boston, demonstrates simple exercises you can do at home to develop shoulder strength and protect them from injury. As an added bonus, these exercises also tone the all-important core muscles.

These exercises can be performed on a stability ball as shown, or on a work bench. Dumbbells or additional weights are not required. And as I surprisingly found out last week, you can do these scapular exercises while standing, starting with the arms in front! Yaay!

Step-by-step instructions for a series of scapular exercises - with pics!

Charlie Chaplin in Rural India

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:05:51 GMT

Movie directors will go to any 'height' to seek publicity. One Hemnath Hegde wants to install a 62-foot statue of Charlie Chaplin as the backdrop for two Kannada movie song sequences. He wants to offer that as a permanent contribution to rural Karnataka and hopefully get into the Guiness Book of World Records.

When locals complain they don't want this 62-ft statue of someone who they don't even know in their town, the director stokes fires of Hindu-Christian antagonism. Get real, Mr Movie Director!

Has the director heard of disposal materials to make his statue and dismantling it just like he'd any studio set? And really, just because he wants to get in the Guiness Book of World Records, doesn't mean he can run roughshod over local community sentiments.

Would you want your rural landscape marred by a 62-ft Charlie Chaplin ogling down at you every morning? (Please take the poll at my site.) This is approximately the height of a 5-storey building in an area where the average houses are single storeys. Ooops, he wants to place this statue on a popular beach, near the entrance to a temple! This is about common sense and nothing to do with religion.

The equivalent would be if a movie director wanted to place a 62-ft statue of Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina! Not going to happen!

Mr Movie director, please take your statue somewhere else, and really, we are NOT going to watch your movie either! :-)

... Please take the poll on my site by following the link below!

Poll and Sorry State of Children in India!

Shivaji and his Mother - Meera at the Zoo!

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:57:54 GMT

Just in time for Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti; Wiki Article.

In Mumbai, we had visited the Jijamata Gardens and Zoo (Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udhyan - PraNisangrahalay) named after Shivaji's mother who had a positive and lasting influence on a young Shivaji. I have seen many statues of Shivaji, but this one literally took my breath away. Exquisitely done! The mother grooming and sending her son away, as if to go play.

I wish it was placed on a lower pedestal, so we could enjoy it better and it would appear that the young Shivaji was going to join other kids in the garden; ... like Meera!

... More!

Four more of Meera!

Bookseller in Goa

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:21:13 GMT

With M & m in Mumbai, I stay at work longer, workout harder, run further and laze around with friends; that means less blogging. But I want to share this beautiful pic of a bookseller in Goa.

... More!

Read about the meeting and a few more pics!

Chai Time Two!

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:00:52 GMT

After Dhool Bhaet at the Ramnathi Devasthan, I walked around heavenly rice fields and stopped by the canteen outside the temple for a cup of Chai. Next to me was this gentleman enjoying his morning cup. In the quintessential way to savor chai, he poured it in a saucer and slurped!

... Always more!

Enlightening Maha Shivratri

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:02:44 GMT

On this Beautiful Maha Shivratri,
May the Grace of Shiva
Lead you further
Onto the Path of Spiritual Revelation!

Jai Ho!
Mm & A

From "Enlightening Maha Shivratri" No additional pics! But will you please leave comments here