I often find it hard to find good Sindhi recipes online and here is my attempt to document recipes inspired from my mother’s culinary perfections in the hope that others enjoy this cuisine as much I do.
Before you start to experiment, equip your self with the 5 must-haves that comprise any type of Indian cooking in general and will apply to almost all of these recipes.

• For cookware, I recommend getting a pressure cooker (think Rachel Ray and 30 minute meals). If you are not crazy about this must-have, stick to the open pot style but beware of the time-consuming process
• For ingredients keep the following handy:
  • Coriander/Cilantro Powder (available in any grocery store in the “International” aisle or just stop by your neighborhood Indian store and ask)
  • Asafoetidia
  • Turmeric
  • Chilli Flakes/Powder

You are now ready to cook anything Indian and Sindhi!

My Sindhi (hindu) community celebrates their new year today. Unlike the solar calendar where January 1 is officially the New Year, the Hindus (Hindu Sindhis included) follow the lunisolar calendar that is based on the new moon cycles. Read the rest of this entry »

I have often underestimated the importance of role-playing in interaction. While business leaders are role playing to predict markets and forecast growth, I realize it can be a useful tool in helping me face my opponent in a difficult siutation. I use the help of close friends and family simulating the situation and observing their reactions as I enact the conversation. I hone my actions and choose my words wisely. I have seen great results in the past. I am better prepared and composed. I know what I am going to say and how I am going to say it.
I am waiting to see how my next one goes. I have been role-playing for several days now.

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is my favorite Indian festival for two reasons one, since it officially marks the end of winter and second, for the range of colours that the festival centers upon.

The significance of these colours is related to change in weather that is prone to cause certain ailments. Hence it is assumed that the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance as the coloured powders are made of medicinal herbs well-known to Ayurvedic medicine.

It’s also the time when I am scrounging my trusted resources to see if someone in some part of the DC metro is celebrating Holi with the grandeur that is associated with this festival back home. Sadly, it is the price you pay for moving away from home. Today is like any other day.

I often catch clips of the “this i believe” series on NPR radio and as I listened today I thought about my personal “this i believe”. I call it “what it takes”. So what does it take to be a writer, an actor or an artist? It starts with talent but then something more. Here is my take on 3 “what it takes”.

• What does it take to be a leader? Candour. Consistency. Compassion.
• What does it take to be respected? Honesty. Trust. Recognition.
• What does it take to be popular? Networking. Marketing. World Wide Web

If you are a man reading this then you probably know what it means to be behind the wheel of your power machine. The feel of that stick when you downshift as you take that sharp curve at the exit or downshift when you see that hot chic next to your car.

I had the chance to drive the Beamer 3 series stick shift and it was electrifying to feel the power of speed in your fingers as you switch gears. It was not about the hot chic or the oversized biceps but just the rush of blood as the needle shifted from 0 - 60 to 100 to 120. Forget the diamonds. Give me that 3 series any day. Rubber meets road baby!

It’s Halloween and I just had a nightmare dealing with the US Visa Consulate in Chennai. While this country boasts of customer service I am amazed how every time I plan my visit to India I encounter the Visa nightmare. I paid $100 to reserve a date 3 months ahead of my travel date only to be informed today that cancellation would equal to my $100 being lapped up by the US Consulate. “Madam, our website states that the fee is non-refundable”. So my $100 is going to pay another deprived Indian’s pay check who by working at the US Consulate, asserts the role of a sickly insolent SOB.

While the world is talking about social networking and YouTube, I am surfacing and building my own home on the web. It is fascinating. For 8 years I have built websites for others and watched and admired others who built their own homes. For the first time I feel the rush of having something you can call your own. Thanks to Matthew for pushing me for over a year to get me started. I have started and I hope to continue on. Watch out World Wide Web, I am here.