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.

Revolutionary road

Revolutionary road: Kiran Bedi
My inspiration
66 years young, Social Activist

Because: She has stepped beyond the traditional role assigned to women and set a benchmark of courage for others. Because her stand against corruption put her at the forefront of the neo-nationalist anti-corruption movement in 2011. Because her drive for social justice goes beyond her uniform. Because she was India's first female police officer.

On the radar: "The year 2011 passed by fighting against corruption by way of an effective system in place which does not exist so far. 2012 would be a natural sequel to what was sown and invested during the time," she says. Her focus in the days ahead is to prepare with Team Anna, a compelling ground for an effective Lokpal at the centre and Lokayuktas at the state level.

Successful living: "Convictions, beliefs, value for time and for personal growth and constant contribution for others. These things drive and sustain me."
Through the looking glass: "When I look back, the fondest memory of my career in the Indian police service was when I conducted a meditation programme for prisoners at Tihar Jail in 1994. That set in motion everything that was to come later in life," she says.

The lesson: She outraged politicians with her public enactment of their hypocrisy. "I did not apologise for my actions. I believed in them."

I read , “I Dare” by Kiran Bedi, and I can say that it is one of the most inspiring books (a biography) I have ever read. It is the complete story of the life of the first and highest ranked woman IPS (Indian Police Service) Officer of India. Kiran Bedi is the role model of numerous people. And through this book we can understand how she was able to win the hearts of millions of citizens of the nation.

1. An important lesson which can be learnt from her is time management. She used to have a fixed schedule and never ever wasted a single moment.
2. She was impartial and never favoured anyone, whatever their rank or position. She towed the car of the PM which was parked in the no parking zone.
3. Everywhere she implemented her unique style of work.
4. Always her main focus and the top most priority was the welfare of the citizens. She devised new ideas and methods to carry out the work effectively and efficiently.
5. She was appointed as the ‘Cop of the World’ at the United Nations.
6. She has started two foundations Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation which are doing some great work for the society.
7. Currently she is an active member of the team Anna which is trying to get the Lokpal Bill passed in India.

Women is an ordinary soul with an extraordinary characters of Love, Affection, Caring, Sharing, Teaching, Beauty, Brave, Brilliant etc...

My inspiration holds all these extraordinary characters I hope :)

 

I love my dear 'Chaa'

I love my darling 'Mom'

RIP-பாலச்சந்தர்_We all will miss you forever

RIP-பாலச்சந்தர்

 

 Which is your favourite K. Balachander movie and why?

Balachander is veteran director in Indian Cinema. Major contributions in Tamil and Telgu film industry. He has brought a new definition of Tamil Cinema. Received *Dadasaheb Phalke* Award in 2010. Considered Guru by both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Introduced a lot talents in the film industry. He has shown the women in a different angel of this male dominant society (at that 80s). More details here:

K. Balachander and here http://www.kavithalayaa.com

Having entered Tamil film world as dialogue writer to M.G.R starrer Deiva Thai in 1964, K.Balachander is in his glorious golden jubilee year now. He has the rare distinction of having a little over a hundred movies under his belt (either as Director or Script Writer) in all the four major South Indian languages as well as Hindi. The golden period of Balachander. Out of his nearly 100 films, I would select about 10 films as his very best. Not that his other films were mediocre, but they were mostly good without being great, though they were still far better than many of the movies made by his peers around the same time. Moreover,in my opinion, Balachander made his best films within the first fifteen years ie between 1966 to 1981, when he was refreshingly original and spontaneous. He seems to have lost his moorings a little during the later years, getting trapped in his own image and more often than not repeating himself, either with clichéd commercials or half-hearted experiments in new genres. One rare exception was his Vaaname Ellai made in 1992. I cannot name one. He is brilliant director who always touched upon sensitive topics, which has food for thought (Ninaivukku virunthu)!

So, here goes the list:

1)    Marocharitra - This is one of the films I’ve admired a lot on Telugu movies.

2)    Vaanamae ellai: A film that portrays literally the major problems of even today's society.The actors have done hell of a job. Every character of his film has equal importance in the course of a story.

3)    Kalki Tamil movie released in year 1996: I’ve impressed by the way how he has took the character KALKI and the song ‘porul thedum boomiel’.

4)    Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Tamil movie released in year 1989: This film has been released when I was @ 6^th year but still it shows its greenish way when I’m happened to watch this movie.

5)    Nizhal Nijamakirathu Tamil movie released in year 1978. Can’t forgot this movie, when I hear this film name itself I could remember the scene which the heroine’s imagination as a queen and sitting in the ariyasanam and the dialogue delivery. 

6)    Manmatha Leelai Tamil movie released in year 1976. This is one of THE BEST movies for KB and also Kamal. The story line even match for this generation also. The scene where the old man will tell to Kamal as “intha oor mulukka un kulandhaikalave thirium” on that scene kamal’s reaction …. Fantastic show.

7)    Ethir Neechal (1968) an amazing movie with Nagesh showing his impeccable acting skills in portraying the character of a destitute orphan who does some odd jobs for the people residing in a multi-family tenancy. Every character in the movie has perspective and the dialogues and screenplay are brilliantly done. A movie which is of significance even in this modern era; a movie which would never fade from the hearts of true Tamil movie buffs!

8)    My personal favourite movie would be Thillu Mullu. I have seen this movie over 10 times and mostly with my friends and every time I see the interview scene it is like wow. Rajinikant at his best in humour genre .Thenga Srinivasan, Sowkar Janaki and the entire crew gave their best. Illayaraja's music as it always has been for KB's movies, a double bonanza. Raangangal 16 song, from our grandmother generation to our children generation everyone just loves it! Even though the movie was a remake of Gol Maal it is my best movie in comedy genre and always will be.

9)    Aval Oru Thodarkathai (1974) : A path breakin film in the mould of similar classics like Ghatak's Meghe Dhakhe Thara or Mrinal Sen'S  Ek Din Prathi Din. The character of the woman protagonist was something never attempted before in the annals of Tamil films. Actor Sujatha lived this role as perhaps nobody else could. I’ve seen this movie when am studying 3^rd standard I could freshly remember on that age itself I’ve admired a lot on this movie without knowing about director, actor and all. Even in that age I don’t know about these are all the things in films. But I’ve admired on this movie.

Other than that my other KB favorites include:

1.    Server Sundaram(1964) written by KB is a movie about how Sundaram( Nagesh ) from being a waiter turns into an actor and excels in his life. Some classic comedy scenes in this movie include Audition Scene, Acting Scene with Manorama..

2.    Thanneer Thanneer(1980) a good movie about deprivation, greed and corruption, and how the modern state assists the feudal setup in exploiting people. Arguably one of the best female performances in Tamil cinema by Saritha. In this screen adaption of the hugely successful stage play by Komal Swaminathan, KB tried to break free of all commercial constraints, and moving from his usually urban milieu to real rural milieu, made of one of the most realistic films of Tamil cinema, with sharp,pungent dialogues and totally natural performances by all the actors,mostly drawn from the stage.

3.    Another excellent movie of KB is Varumayin Niram Sivappu, a classic about unemployment and disillusionment, and has a revolutionary spirit to it. Shines with brilliant performances by Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and S. Ve. Shekhar, a must watch in Tamil cinema. The scene with Kamal and the painter discussing the colour of various constructs has to be one of my favourites, and when you realize it was taken 20 years before Takeshi Kitano (Director) directed Achilles and the Tortoise, your breath gets taken away. It's not only my favorite K.B moive but also one of the best movies made in tamil cinema that I would recommend anyone to watch. A tale of alienation and identity crisis, encountered by the youth of that era. One of the best performances by both Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Balachander scaled new heights in conception and picturisation of song sequences both in the iconic Sippi irukkudhu Muthum irukkudhu song, and the Bharathiyar's poignant Nalladhor Veenai Seidhe, picturised on the veteran Poornam Viswanathan.

4.    Bama Vijayam (1967) : A refreshing satire on the middle class mind set, with uniformly good performance by all the lead as well as supporting actors.

5.    Ethiroli (1970) A saga of moral decay, black mail and court room drama. K.Balachander's only tryst with the thespian Sivaji Ganesan, in a complex role with shades of grey. Though Sivaji delivered a neat performance, the two stalwarts never came together again. Perhaps a loss to Tamil film world.

6.    Punnagai (1971) : A remake of Hindi "Satyakam" but imo, far better made than the original. Balachander had made many improvements in the script, making the characters more consistent and well rounded. His use of Nagesh as something like the chorus in Greek Tragedies or the Sutradhar in classic Sanskrit drama, by making him a character, chronicler and commentator  all rolled into one, to take the story along was simply brilliant. Natural performancess with understated dignity and extreme sensitivity by Gemini Ganesan, Muthu Raman, Jayanthi, M.R.R.Vasu, V.S Raghavan and of course the inimitable Nagesh were the highlights of  this great movie. This film is my personal favorite, and deserves a separate post,all for itself, to bring out the subtleties of the theme and treatment.

7.    Naan Avanillai (1974): An offbeat con film way ahead of its time, using the Point of view technique of storytelling in the celebrated style.  

8.    Avargal ( 1977) : Imo, the Best film of K.Balachander, theme wise as well as treatment wise. KB used a lot of cinematic techniques hitherto untried in Tamil films, like a non-linear narration or mimes.( the scenes involving Kamal Haasan, Kutti Padmini and others in a mock cricket match without bats or ball, and a discussion between the three males vying for the heroine's affection while playing ping-pong,but without any ball, were very innovative for those days) and the film could boast of excellent performances from an ensemble cast.

9.    Thappu Thalangal (1978) : A Neo-noir film, more in the tradition of offbeat Bengali or Malayalam movies of those days, where KB got out of his comfort zone of Middle classes, and explored the raw psyche of the poor and the down trodden. Excellent performances by Rajnikant, Saritha, Sundar,and an enjoyable cameo by Kamal were the highlights of this somewhat depressing film.

10.  Vaaname Ellai ( 1992) : After an entire decade of making commercially successful but aesthetically less satisfying films, KB returned to make this film, more or less on the same lines as Varumayin Niram, dealing with the many social ills plaguing the country, and the disillusionment of sensitive young minds caused by these and their ultimate redemption.A really youthful and fresh cast was the film's main strength.

11.  Unnal Mudiyum Thambi: I like the movie's theme - where the protagonist movies away from the restrictions of an orthodox music family and opens himself to social service. This movie packs Balachander's ever crispy dialogues. Maestro Ilayaraja's score elevates. And Kamal Hassan is in his element. When the veterans are at work - what else could one ask for?

12.  Oru Veedu Iru Vasal - Epic portrayal of relationships.

13.  "Iru Kodugal": 1. The concept by itself, when you need to make a line smaller, that is already drawn, without altering it, you have to draw a bigger line near it! 2. Well-acted by everyone, especially Sowcar Janaki steals the show. KB is known for his dialogues.

14.  I am surprised on watching "Arangettram". I got to watch this movie and was shocked to see the subject and genre chosen by K.Balachander during the early 70`s. A topic which the current gen directors would never work! It is a well-known that TamBrahms are very conservative. This movie portrays the struggle of a poverty stricken TamBrahm family. A girl from the family takes the burden to support their living. The message conveyed in the movie is very strong and sensitive!  The reason why I consider this as my favourite movie of KB is just because of the sheer guts he has got to convey a strong message to the society during the 70`s. This movie has got some excellent star cast with the lead played by Prameela and Sivakumar.

Apart from the above, I would also recommend the below to a beginner to get a feel of Balachander's movies.

•Thillu Mullu : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thi...

•Sindhu Bhairavi : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin...

•Manathiil Uruthi Vendum : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man...

•Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pud...

•Punnagai Mannan : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun...

•Duet : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due...

Haven't watched all of KB's movies, to explain a lot about them. But, whatever it is, now we have lost a big talent and future minded person from us. That’s the truth.

 

 

*Pregnancy is the beautiful journey*

 

The Doctors here (@Ganga hospital) have helped a lot my sister to enjoy this journey very happily.

My sister has been blessed with a lil angel.

Babies are the best gifts God can give us and the Doctor is the one who we found. I am glad we just received both of them.

Congratulations dear sister and uncle, take care of this little bundle of joy.

 

Thank you Doctors!!!

For your help and loving care during the birth of our child, thank you so much, we couldn't have done it without you!

We are grateful to have had such friendly, competent, patient and kind attendance with the birth of our angel.

 Thank you so much for having helped to make this a memorable day of our lives!

By blissful,

Baby’s

Chitthi_Chiththappa_Chaadurya

&

Mom_Dad.