Ganda (गंडा) -A forgotten unit

        Way back in the decade of 70s, the use of an LPG gas stove was rare and thought to be a luxury. The regulator system over the cylinder was also different from the present day's regulators. It was more like a screw. The food was cooked on coal ovens (called Chulha) in every household even in cities like Patna. As a teenager in those years, I remember my mother requesting my father to bring an LPG gas stove to get rid of the smoke. But my father was more concerned about its safety. He did not think it safe after some accident news in newspapers. Due to this fear the entry of the LPG stove was very late in my house. So every morning and evening the coal oven was to be fired. These times of the day we used to witness smoky and polluted air around us. But nobody cared and the awareness about the environment was nonexistent. Now firing the coal in the coal-Chulha (Oven) was not easy. An easily combustible thing was needed to be placed under the coal pieces. This thing was dried cow-dung cakes which we knew by the name "Goytha" (गोइठा). It is also known by the name of "Upla" or "Kande" in the other part of the country. It is still used even today in the rural parts of this subcontinent. 

Diagram for Chulha

         The Goytha pieces were placed on the iron gratings inside the Chulha. It was sprinkled with Kerosene oil and lit. Otherwise, we used to lit it with the newspapers. Over it, coal pieces were put. So not only coal but Goytha was also to be purchased and stored. The Goytha-sellers roamed the streets like "Pheriwalas" putting the basket of Goythas over their heads. When asked about the rates they would tell the rate as twenty Ganda (गंडा) for a rupee. I had never heard this word before. My mother told me that Ganda is a unit like a Dozen or an Ana. While a dozen means a bunch of twelve things and an Ana contains six paise similarly a Ganda is used for a collection of four things. So when he says twenty Ganda for a rupee he means eighty Goythas for a rupee. Surprisingly I never saw this unit being used for other things except for the Goythas. As time passed, LPG replaced coal in the kitchen. With the lesser coal uses the Goythas also slowly disappeared and the Ganda became a forgotten unit. Hardly the new generation knows about it.  

Tona-Totka - Kale Ghode ki Naal - Earning from superstitions

Horseshoe of a black horse

       Horseshoe of a black horse is the "Kale Ghode ki Naal" in Hindi. It is used as "Totka". There are many superstitions about it. Some of which are as follows:-

1. It removes the negative energy from a house and brings positive energy if fixed at the entrance.

2. It brings good luck.

3. If hung in a pair it brings positive vibes and secures good fortune.

4. It ends financial crunch if kept in the grain storage wrapped in a black cloth. 

5. When put in the cash chest wrapped in black cloth it attracts money.

6. When fixed at the entrance of a shop it brings an increase in sales.

7. To get a job and keep away the bad "Shani Drishti" one should put on a ring made of "Kale Ghode ki Naal".

8. It keeps away the bad effects of evil-eye.

9. It helps recover a patient from chronic illness.

10. Driving nails made of "Kale Ghode ki Naal" in each of the legs of a cot (Khatia) saves a patient.

A boy selling "Kale Ghode ki Naal"
(Horseshoe of a black horse)

            There are no scientific reasons behind these beliefs. So people believing in such things are called superstitious. Due to these people, the horseshoe of a black horse is in good demand. To make an earning from this superstition some people have started selling it. They keep a black horse, sell its horseshoe and replace it with another one. At least three such horses are brought near the vegetable market in our locality. Two of them are with a cart where they play some music to catch the attention of people.

         One day I saw a family buying a horseshoe from a boy riding a dark black horse. On-demand, the boy lifted a front leg of the horse and removed the horseshoe and gave it to the family. 

       Though superstitions are not viewed as good in modern days it is giving employment to some people.

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Tikhur- The East Indian Arrowroot

Tikhur - The East Indian Arrowroot

           A few centuries ago Tikhur was a well-known food in the Indian subcontinent. Now only a few people know it. It is known by the names of Koova in  Malayalam and Yaipan in Manipuri. In English, it is known as 'Narrow-leaved turmeric' or 'East Indian Arrowroot'. 

           Since it is not a cereal, it is consumed as a "Falahari Bhojan" during some Hindu festivals. For example the Navaratra celebrations. Devotees give up salt, onion, garlic, non-veg and cereals for nine consecutive days during the Navaratra. Their food contains fruits, milk, milk products, and tubers. The tubers like sweet potatoes, potatoes, sago (Sabudana), water caltrop flour (Sighara atta) and Tikhur are some of the noncereal sources of starch. Out of these, Tikhur powder is the most nutritious food. After the new scientific researches, Tikhur has caught the attention of nutritionists and dieticians. It is also a non-irritating diet for patients suffering from chronic ailments, recovering from fevers and experiencing irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs or the excretory system. It may also be used as a replacement for breast milk or as a nutritional supplement for babies.

Kheer of the Tikhur

         'Tikhur' is obtained from the plant "Curcuma Angustifolia" which resembles the plant of turmeric. Even the smell and taste of the leaves of the 'Tikhur' plant is similar to the turmeric leaves. The production of Tikhur is more in the North-east and western coastal regions. The rhizomes of the plant are dried and powdered. The color is brilliant white. This powder is boiled with water or milk and sugar with cardamom powder is added. If the consistency of this recipe is kept thin like a paste, then it is called "Kheer of Tikhur" or "Halwa of Tikhur", and if thick and stiff and cut in square shape then it is called "Barfi of Tikhur". It is also used to make soup or Chutney and to thicken other recipes. The consumption of Tikhur removes toxic elements from our bodies. In the medical world, the capsule covers are made from the soluble starch of the Tikhur.

         The plant is found under the shades of the trees (like Sal tree) in the Jungle. Tribal people collect it from there. Nowadays for commercial production, it is propagated with the rhizomes in the month of May-June.  

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Birdwatch - Swift, Swiftlet

Swiftlet
Image source: Wikipedia

        A few days ago I had gone near the river Damodar in Kundrukalan Panchayat of Ramgarh district, Jharkhand. It is rainy season now and I saw the river water flowing rapidly over the bedrocks. I was with my friend. We saw four men fishing near the river waters under the high-level bridge. We decided to go near them and enjoy the lovely scene. We sat on the rocks under the shadow of the bridge and felt the beauty of nature. We could see the underside of the bridge deck slab above us. An unusual habitat was there. What we thought as honeycomb was actually a colony of some creature made of perhaps clay. While we were wondering we saw some fast flying birds going in and coming out of it. So finally it was a cluster of nests. But what were these birds? 

Swiftlets Nest-Cluster under the bridge
over Damodar river, Ramgarh

        I remember the decade of the 80s when we lived at Gardanibagh, Patna. There were seven Toddy Palm trees in front of our quarter. We regularly saw men collecting palm toddy from the top of the tree. But once in a year, he would climb a palm tree with a big net which was not used for toddy collection. The time would be evening. After keeping himself safe with a rope tied around his back and the tree trunk, he used to spread the net around the hanging dry leaves of the palm. Now he would shake the leaves strongly. The numerous birds living under the leaves tried to flee by coming downwards the leaves and trapped in the net. Few would escape. He would then come down with the birds and nest and go to the market for selling them. 

Swift/ Swiftlets nest cluster for the colony
of birds

           I remember the escaping birds flew like these birds under the bridge. Being curious I searched on the internet but nowhere I could see such nest-clusters. The closest I could come was the details of a bird either Swift or Swiftlet. It said that these birds make nests on the high walls of the caves, tall trees or high buildings. It also said that they make nests with their saliva which solidifies in the contact with air. In China, the soup of this bird's nest is a delicacy. Nowhere they mentioned that they make nests with clay. So finally I believe that what we saw that day was a colony of Swift birds or Swiftlets and they made their nests with the threads of their saliva. Some of the nests in the cluster looked like a tube projecting outside. The opening in it was the entrance for the birds.

             I am giving some pics of the nest clusters here. For videos visit my Instagram at this link - https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gt23lBxiQ/

#Birdwatch 

  

Sweet Basil seeds - Sabja, Tukh-Malanga

Sweet Basil, Sabja seeds, Tukhmalanga

      Sabja seeds look like Kalonji but smaller in size. Its color is also black. It also resembles black Til but Til is also bigger in size. When rubbed between fingers it feels smooth.

     Sabja seeds are known as Sweet Basil seeds in English. It is related to Holy Basil family. It is well known that leaves and seeds of Holy Basil plant have many medicinal properties and are very beneficial for health, similarly, the Sweet Basil or Sabja seeds also have a lot of health benefits.

     Also known as "Tukh-Malanga", the Sabja seeds contain fiber, protein, Vitamins, Omega and fatty acids. These components are very beneficial for health. It also lowers the body heat in summer hence used in summer special "Faluda".

       Sabja seeds are helpful in reducing body weight. Due to the fiber content in it, the hunger is lowered and bowel is cleared. It also helps in acidity and indigestion. Sabja is also used to lower the blood sugar levels for diabetes patients.

       Sabja seeds are also used for skin glow.

How to use Sabja seeds?

Soaked seeds of Sabja, Tukmariya
Sweet basil, Tukmalanga

     The Sabja seeds have a special property that it multiplies many times in volume when it comes in contact with water. The outer layer absorbs a lot of water and forms a translucent cover around the seed. Before using the Sabja seeds they are always soaked in water for at least 10 minutes. Since the effect of Sabja on the body is cool (Thandi Taseer), it is used in juice, milkshake, Lassi, Sharbat, Faluda and salad. When taken with a cup of milk it helps in acidity and indigestion. With milk it also controls diabetes. 

         For the external use on skins, the Sabja seeds are powdered and mixed with the coconut oil. This mixture, when applied on the face, gives a glowing skin.

CAUTION: Though it has many benefits, it should not be used by pregnant ladies. It should also not be given to children and old persons because due to improper water content, the seeds may stick in the throat.

    Sabja seeds are also known by other names like Falooda seeds or Tukmaria seeds. These are available at local stores as well as online sites like Amazon and Flipkart. If you want to buy online go to the links

Sabja seeds on Amazon

Sabja seeds on Flipkart

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The displeasure of a father

       It was a very hot morning in the city when I went to the vegetable market. An old man of about 70 years was buying something when I reached that shop. Generally, I do not talk to strangers but he was just the opposite. He started telling how the children nowadays don't understand the problems of their old parents. It is such hot outside but the young son is sleeping in the bed while he is here for marketing. I said, "you must have brought him up with a lot of love". 

    "Oh no, it is his mother. She won't let him do even a small work. He has joined the service of Judicial Magistrate. What justice will he do in the court while he is doing injustice right in the home to me". I was startled at his displeasure with the son. Then he himself informed me how his son was an average student and he advised him to prepare for the entrance exam for the law colleges. The son anyhow competed but the name was in the waiting list. At last, his admission was in the law college at Vishakhapattanam. After the completion of law, he appeared in the Judicial Magistrates examination and was successful. 
       Now I asked about him," from which service you retired?"
      He said that he was in the most reputed government investigation agency. The pressure was so high there that it was not tolerable to him. He fell into depression and decided to take the VRS. Now he was enjoying the retired life but he has to run for small things and the son does not help. His purchase at the shop was over and went away.
          I thought one cannot be tension free in life, be it in service or after retirement.

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