Wednesday, October 2, 2019

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 research, 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 are similar to that of 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 a 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 shade of the trees (like the Sal tree) in the Jungle. Tribal people collect it from there. Nowadays, for commercial production, it is propagated with the rhizomes in the months of May and June.  
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Friday, August 23, 2019

Birdwatch - Swift, Swiftlet

Swiftlet
Image source: Wikipedia
        A few days ago, I went near the river Damodar in Kundrukalan Panchayat of Ramgarh district, Jharkhand. It is the rainy season now, and I saw the river water flowing rapidly over the bedrock. 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 was a 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 the 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 quarters. We regularly saw men collecting palm toddy from the top of the tree. But once 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 down the leaves and getting trapped in the net. Few would escape. He would then come down with the birds and nest, and go to the market to sell 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 I could not see such nest clusters. The closest I could come was the details of a bird, either a Swift or a 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 contact with air. In China, the soup of this bird's nest is a delicacy. Nowhere did they mention 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 -

#Birdwatch 

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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Sweet Basil seeds - Sabja, Tukh-Malanga

Sweet Basil, Sabja seeds, Tukhmalanga
      Sabja seeds look like Kalonji but are 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 the Holy Basil family. It is well known that the leaves and seeds of the 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 the summer special "Faluda".
       Sabja seeds are helpful in reducing body weight. Due to the fiber content in it, the hunger is lowered, and the bowel is cleared. It also helps with acidity and indigestion. Sabja is also used to lower the blood sugar levels in 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 they multiply many times in volume when they come 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 with acidity and indigestion. When taken with milk, it also controls diabetes. 
         For external use on skin, the Sabja seeds are powdered and mixed with the coconut oil. This mixture, when applied to the face, gives a glow to the 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 people 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



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Monday, May 27, 2019

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 the 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 job. He has joined the service of a 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 informed me that 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 on the waiting list. At last, his admission was to the law college at Vishakhapattanam. After completing law, he appeared in the Judicial Magistrates' examination and was successful. 
       Now I asked about him, "From which service did you retire?"
      He said that he was in the most reputable 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 had to run for small things, and his son did not help. His purchase at the shop was over, and he went away.
          I thought one cannot be tension-free in life, be it in service or after retirement.
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Sunday, December 9, 2018

Never buy a cheap geyser

              Never buy a cheap geyser! I am saying this from my experience. Way back in the year 2010, when we shifted into our new home, the geysers were on our shopping list. But my budget for geysers was limited. In the market, I saw a geyser of the Khetan company. Its name was Zolta. Khetan was a household name and has been making fans for a long time. I had faith in this brand, so I purchased two 25-liter Zolta geysers for bathrooms and one 3-liter geyser from another company for the kitchen. Then Zolta geysers had a price tag of about Rs 4500/-. I thought that there was no complicated mechanism in a geyser, so there is no need for much research on which geysers to buy. One winter passed, and there was not much trouble. The only problem was that sometimes we forgot to switch it off after use. The red indicator for full hot was not striking enough to catch our attention. The result was a wastage of energy, and hot water remained inside the geyser. There was no easy knob to reduce the maximum temperature. The maximum temperature could be reduced with the help of a screwdriver after opening the lower panel. The hot water started to erode the steel tank and the heating element. This resulted in troubling us in the next season. The water heating was not effective. One year's warranty was over. The most difficult was the lack of availability of a good mechanic. If there was one, he had no time in the winter season. For days, we had to heat water on the gas for bathing purposes. It was not like an appliance that you can carry to a mechanic shop because taking it down from the wall itself needs a mechanic. Year by year, it troubled us more in the winters. The last trouble beyond the limit was in December 2016. Fortunately, I got a good mechanic who took down both Zoltas and took them to his shop for inspection. He could repair only one, and the other one was returned by him without repair because its tank was not in good condition. That was the time of Demonetization, and the mechanic wanted his payment only in Rs 100 denomination or below. And that was not easily available at that time. I could pay him only after three months, when the flow of notes in the market increased. So I had to purchase at least one geyser in the next winter, but I was so fed up with this brand that I decided to replace both geysers in November 2017.
             This time, I researched and asked some friends about it and decided to buy Havells Adonia 5-star geysers. The cost was about Rs 12000 each. Its inner tank was feroglass technology. The maximum temperature can be changed with a knob on the front. When power is on, a blue LED full-body rectangular light is visible. When the maximum temperature is reached, this light changes to orange. If by chance it is fully hot and you forgot, you will never miss it if you enter the bathroom. Lower the maximum temperature if you want to keep water warm throughout the day. Also, it has an elegant look.
          They give a 7-year warranty on their inner container, a 4-year warranty on the heating element, and a year's comprehensive warranty.
          After so many years of geyser troubles, finally, the year 2017 was trouble-free, and till now it is. Though it cost more, it was worth it. Hope it will remain the same. 
         It is available online on Amazon. Click here for different geysers. Geysers are also available on Flipkart at this link. Havells Adonia is also available here.
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