Step stone for sugarless South India – The Millets

Diabetes and hypertension, traditionally seen as a rich man's disease, has made its way to the slums. Health ministry's fresh data shows one out of every four persons living in the urban slums of Chennai suffer from diabetes — which is three times higher than the national average of about 7%.

In the slums of Bangalore the prevalence rate of diabetes was reported to be 14.77%, followed by 13.37% in Ahmedabad. Delhi had among the lowest rates of 5.02%.

Medical experts say poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle is the main reason for the rise in diabetes among the urban poor. "It is a false belief that only those eating burgers and pizzas can get obese and develop diabetes. High consumption of fried items such as rice, kachori, samosa and gulab jamun can also led to the onset of diabetes"

So, if we born as a South Indian definitely our genes has the chances of diabetic attack.

The way-out of diabetics: - The millets:

The major factor which make the South Indian to affect by diabetic is “RICE”. Even though the physical activities, changing the lifestyle will help us, reducing the intake of rice will help us too.

Since we – South Indian’s are fond of rice how to reduce the intake of rice? Yes there is another Indian ancient food that’s Millets.

You can read further to know about millets.

Millet:  An Ancient Whole Grain

This ancient grain was cultivated in East Asia as far back as 10,000 years ago, according to archaeologists. These cereal crop that has been grown in Africa and India since prehistoric times. Surprisingly, cultivation of millet in prehistoric times was more prevalent than even rice.

Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for both human food and fodder. It’s not just a type of bird seed. It can be consumed by humans in the form of pilafs, snacks and cookies too. It has a sweet nutty flavor. Millets are widely grown in Africa and northern china. It is gluten free & rich in calcium, fiber, protein and minerals. It has high nutritional values when compared with rice and wheat. Millets are called as miracle grains or wonder grains. It is a great food for people looking for weight loss, diabetic and cardiac patients.

Types and specialty:

For thousands of years, millets has been growing such as Pearl millet, Barnyard millet, Sorghum, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Kodo millet, Proso millet and now ANI (Millet Network of India) promotes millets as Nutri-cereals instead of Coarse Cereals. Here some interesting facts about millets other than that they are gluten-free, highly nutritious, millets need very little water for their production, short growing period under dry, high temperature conditions and that's why in India, Africa, Asia millets are more popular. Millets also required rich soils for growth, no millet attracts any pest hence they have no or low fertilizer usage and pest-free.

Here are the varity of Millets Types and Name in Different Languages:

English	Pearl Millet	Finger Millet	Foxtail Millet	Kodo Millet	Little Millet	Barnyard Millet	Sorghum
Hindi	Bajra	Nachani, Mundua, Mandika, Marwah	Kangni, Kakum, Rala	Koden, Kodra	Kutki, Shavan	Jhangora, Sanwa	Jowar
Tamil	Kambu	Kezhvaragu, Kelvaragu, Keppai, Ragi	Thinai	Varagu	Saamai	Kuthiravali (Kuthiraivolly)	Cholam
Telugu	Sajjalu	Ragula, Ragi Chodi	Korra	Arikelu, Arika	Sama, Samalu	Udalu, Kodisama	Jonna
Kannada	Sajje	Ragi	Navane	Harka	Saame, Save	Oodalu	Jola
Malayalam	Kambam	Panji Pullu	Thina	Koovaragu	Chama	Kavadapullu	Cholam
Marathi	Bajri	Nagli, Nachni	Kang, Rala	Kodra	Sava, Halvi, Vari	-	Jowari, Jondhala
Punjabi	Bajra	Mandhuka, Mandhal	Kangni	Kodra	Swank	Swank	Jowar
Gujarati	Bajri	Nagli, Bavto	Kang	Kodra	Gajro, Kuri	-	Jowari, Juar
Bengali	Bajra	Marwa	Kaon	Kodo	Sama	Shyama	Jowar
Oriya	Bajra	Mandia	Kanghu, Kangam, Kora	Kodua	Suan	Khira	Juara

Health Benefits Of Milletss

These are some of the general health benefits of millets when consumed everyday!

ü  Millets are generally rich in Protein, fibre, calcium, Iron & Minerals especially Magnesium, copper & phosphorous.

ü  It helps to reduce cholesterol, lowers blood pressure & it helps in the development & repair of body cells & tissues.

ü  It helps to lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes especially for women.

ü  Its high insoluble fiber helps to prevent Gallstones formation.

ü  Pre-menopausal women eating millets have a reduced breast cancer risk.

Here are some of the findings what millets can do:

·       Magnesium in millet can help reduce the effects of migraines and heart attacks.

·       Niacin (vitamin B3) in millet can help lower cholesterol.

·       Phosphorus in millet helps with fat metabolism, body tissue repair and creating energy (phosphorus is an essential component of adenosine triphosphate or ATP, a precursor to energy in your body)

·       Millet can help lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

·       Fiber from whole grains has been shown to protect against breast cancer.

·       Whole grains have been shown to protect against childhood asthma.

                                                                            

Word of Warning: Millet Contains Goitrogens

Above, we have focused on the potential health benefits of millet, but if eaten in excess, this otherwise-healthy food may also cause some problems. This is because millet contains goitrogens, anti-nutrients that can suppress thyroid activity and cause goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland that often produces a noticeable swelling in the front of the neck. So, don’t take any chances with your thyroid health by consuming large amounts of millet.

TRY SOME MILLET TODAY!

Look this space for more details on millets and how to prepare millet food.

I LOVE TAMIL

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யாம் அறிந்த மொழிகளிலே தமிழ் மொழி போல் இனிதாவது எங்கும் காணோம்

Thamizh.  It’s not just a language for most of us. It’s something we are proud of, something that drives us these many years, something which flows in our nerves. 

Have you ever heard a language considered as a name for people? Yes we do. We have "Thamizh mani, Thamizh vendhan, Thamizh arasan/arasi, even just the word 'Thamizh' is a name for lot of people in TN" It’s not just like that it’s like a tradition you can see these names like thousand years before also. May be few Indian would've heard this. This is what I said before it’s not just a Language for most of us. It's an Emotion.

Tamil is one of the longest surviving classical languages in the world.  Tamil literature has existed for over 2000 years. The earliest epigraph records found on rock edicts and hero stones date from around the 3rd century BC. The earliest period of Tamil literature, Sangam literature, is dated from the 300 BC – 300 CE. And this special language has its own style, special letters, pronunciations, grammar, etc., etc.

It has tons of words which you won't even imagine. need an example just go through the below image you'll know.

For each numerical word some thousand years before where most of the language don't have the words as the language itself lasted only few centuries’ language like English improved its usage by adding prefix and suffixes for ease. But remember the question is not about the easiest language If you need attraction you have to pay the price Yes Tamizh is quiet difficult to learn at the same time after learning you'll know the specialty of this language.

Tamil language is called as Tamil in English but you know English is called as AANGILAM in tamil. J

Most of the language do not cope up with the technical/Engineering terms. For an example take whatever language you have translate those given words:

1.) Plastic - ?????? - In Tamil it is known as 'Neagizhili'

2.) Sim card - ?????? - In Tamil it is 'minthuruppu seetu'

Like this, for each and every invention or something new enters in Tamil, we don't just follow instead we create appropriate words.

Before I start why I love Tamil, let me tell you I do not know any other languages. I manage English, barely manage Telugu. I have been trying to learn Hindi for very long time. But I don't even know to pronounce Khana and Gaana.

I love Tamil, it is because it is my mother tongue (even though my mother tongue is Telugu by birth, since I was born and brought up in Tamilnadu, Tamil has become as my mother tongue). I just love it, for the same reason why I love India.

But from childhood, whenever I learned Tamil, I always enjoyed. Probably our Tamil teachers were better than Science teachers. I remember vaguely few things about Tamil which are interesting, other languages might have them too; I would like to tell them here.

Irattai kilavi:

It means you use same word twice to emphasize it more. You cannot separate the words the it will not give any meaning in the sentence.

Tamil: Enakku suda suda coffee venum

English: I want hot coffee

My English: I want hot hot coffee [Yeah I speak weird English]

Adukku thodar:

It means you use same word twice to emphasize it more [here urgency]. You can separate the words then also it will give meaning in the sentence

Tamil: Nee vega vegama vaa

English: You come faster

My English: You come fast fast

Vinaithogai:
You represent past, present and future tenses in single word.

Example:
oorukai - ooriyakai, oorukindra kai, oorum kai.

Meaning: Pickles were soaked, are still soaking and will be soaking in oil.

Idioms:
There are lots of idioms I really enjoy.

·       Road kundum kuliyumai irukku [Road is full of bumps and holes]

·       Avan oru yekkan pokkan [He is useless]

·       Ore idakku madakka irukku [There are problems]

·       Aval oru avasara kudukkai [She does things in hurry without thinking] 

Ani illakanam in the Tamil poems 

·       Thanmai Ani

·       Uvamai Ani - Simili

·       Uruvaga Ani

·       Pinvaru Nilai Ani

·       Vetruporul Vaippu Ani

·       Vetrumai Ani

·       Pirithu Mozhidhal Ani

·       Tharkuripetra Ani

·       Suvai Ani

·       Siledai/Iratura Mozhidhal

·       Vanja Pughalchi Ani – Sarcasm

Tamil movie song lyrics: 

Some Examples:

Vairamuthu:
Slightly an example of Tharkuripetra Ani means adding his own meaning to something already existing
“Kadhal kaditham theetave megam ellam kaagitham, Vaanin neelam konduvaa pena maiyo theernthidum. Santhiranum, suriyanum anjalkararkal iravu pagal eppoluthum anjal unnai serthidum.”

Meaning:
To write love letter, clouds are my papers and bring me blue ink from sky. Both Sun and moon are post men and they will deliver love letters both day and night.

Vaali:
Slightly an example of Siledai means two meanings for one sentence

“Naan irundhen verum meiyelluthaga nee vandhu sernthai en uyir eluthaga”

Meaning:
I was just consonant and you joined me as a vowel. Other meaning is I was just body(mei) and you joined me as soul(uyir).

When it comes to conveying emotions, no language beats Tamil. The way we add "-nge" after a verb and how it changes the whole mood is absolutely beautiful.

(eg: tell -- sollu + 'nge' = 'sollunge'-- adds respect to the sentence)

Also if we add 'ma' in a sentence, mostly after a verb, the impact is huge. The amount of love that single syllable adds to a conversation is really something !

(eg: "sollu ma" -- means : tell [me] with added 'love')

We even use it with English:

"Please take care of that, ma"

Last but not least, Tamil has its own characteristics, if we move some words in a sentence to somewhere else in the same sentence also we can understand the exact meaning of that particular sentence. Which is not there for any other languages.