Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Being Vegan
Today I met an interesting runner from Hyderabad runners who is a Vegan. I always had a biased view against vegans and thought it is difficult and impractical to be a vegan (make no mistake a vegan is much more austere than a normal vegetarian).
Check Wiki for more on veganism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism
Its like, the Non-vegetarian look down upon the Veggies and the Veggies look down upon Vegan and of course there are fruitarians. Again Vegetarians there are eggeterian (who also eat egg) and the real hard core ones (who don't eat onion, garlic etc).
Reference: Wiki
The point that hit me today is the vegans do not eat even diary products (biscuits, cream, milk, paneer, etc). I cannot even think of a meal or a diet plan without these. But the point that he (the Vegan) making is that how is this milk produced in the dairy farms. Most of us know but chose to ignore it.
Most of these animals are milked by practices that would astonish you and put you under immense guilt. Once these animals become incapable of producing milk they are sent to butcher houses.
Reference:
http://www.vegansociety.com/animals/exploitation/cows/dairy_cow.php
While many of us would choose to ignore this but that remains a fact and that is the milk we all drink in our Coffees and Teas. Due to the current lifestyle it is difficult for me to stop drinking milk all at once but then "milk (food) for thought" !
Check Wiki for more on veganism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism
Its like, the Non-vegetarian look down upon the Veggies and the Veggies look down upon Vegan and of course there are fruitarians. Again Vegetarians there are eggeterian (who also eat egg) and the real hard core ones (who don't eat onion, garlic etc).
Reference: Wiki
The point that hit me today is the vegans do not eat even diary products (biscuits, cream, milk, paneer, etc). I cannot even think of a meal or a diet plan without these. But the point that he (the Vegan) making is that how is this milk produced in the dairy farms. Most of us know but chose to ignore it.
Most of these animals are milked by practices that would astonish you and put you under immense guilt. Once these animals become incapable of producing milk they are sent to butcher houses.
Cow's Milk - What is it?
Cow's milk is a liquid secreted by the mammary glands of the adult female cow to nourish her young calf until weaned. Before the cow can produce milk, in common with other species of mammal, she must first become pregnant and give birth.
The Modern Dairy Industry
Modern dairy farming has become an intensive industry. To produce maximum milk yields, dairy cows are pushed to their physiological limits through a combination of selective breeding, high-protein feeds, and the latest technology. Along with the production of pigs, chickens and eggs, milk production has become just another factory farm operation.
Reference:
http://www.vegansociety.com/animals/exploitation/cows/dairy_cow.php
While many of us would choose to ignore this but that remains a fact and that is the milk we all drink in our Coffees and Teas. Due to the current lifestyle it is difficult for me to stop drinking milk all at once but then "milk (food) for thought" !
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Hope For Flowers
Team Ananya will be there with its brand new version of Hope For Flowers play with Puppets this time. If you are around Bangalore on 27th do drop by.
(Click on the above image to get to details)
(Click on the above image to get to details)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Riya Meetup
(Balu, Sandy, Sowmya, Dan, Sajan, Naveen)
We had a small meetup at Barista this Sunday. Dan was here in India and it was a nice opportunity for some of us to catch up.
Nice short trip for him and a nice get together. Been pretty long since we all caught up.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Telugu speaking Hindi
Strictly for Telugu fans (who speak Hindi). Wonderful !
Too good ! This guy is just too good !
Too good ! This guy is just too good !
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Teachers Day at Ananya
We celebrated Teachers day at Ananya on September 5th. Luckily as it was a weekend most of us were able to make it.
For Team Asha folks the day started as usual with a quick 3KM run with the kids and we soon started to interact with the kids during the cool down session on who the first prime minister of India was, then who was the first president, the second president and at the same time getting to know why Teachers day and Childcare's day are celebrated, the essence behind them. Then we slowly moved into Sensei Manjula's karate session. This time it was much vigorous and kids were really glued to it. We then had a break for breakfast before the day's event started to unfold.
Report card to parents
As Parents kept arriving they all were handed over their child's report card. This was to keep them abreast of how they were performing and doing in general at Ananya.
Graduation
So all the senior kids who passed out their 10th class exams had their graduation ceremony in our own Ananya style. All of them were handed over those graduation hats.
We also have a big list of kids who are going to appear for their Xth exam next summer and some who are going to take exams this October.
Ananya Alumni
There was a huge presence of former who kids who climbed through the education and life ladder through Ananya. It was wonderful to note how each one of them were settled and making waves in their careers.
Also some of them have partnered together to form their own entrepreneurial ventures.
Everyone attributed to the cordial and friendly teacher-student interaction at Ananya. As each one of the students spoke the teacher and volunteers at Ananya couldn't have been more happy. All the efforts that the team put behind for over decade has clearly borne fruits.
The Unsung Heroes: Teachers
The day was apt to honor all the teachers who were (and are) the core force behind the success of Ananya. All the teachers received huge ovation as they were all presented some nice handmade cards and flower pots as bouquets.
They have been an unflinching force that has stood by Ananya and in making what Ananya is today.
Team Asha Volunteers honored
Apart from other volunteers Team Asha volunteers were also honored. The running and Karate team has been interacting with the kids on a regular basis and we hope to continue this further.
Good job, Team Asha !
Karate Demo
Soon the kids showcased their Karate training to parents and teachers, headed by Sensei Manjula.
Presentations
Then some of the kids showcased their experience at Ananya and abroad as an ambassador of Ananya through multimedia presentations. The elan and panache they displayed during these presentation sessions were of very high quality and well narrated with all the confidence.
These kids have so much in their kitty and I'm sure we will have a lot to see.
Puppet Show
We then had a puppet show which these kids add innovation and variety every time they do it. They play looks different every time I see it.
Lunch
Lunch was served to all of us and most of us caught up with each other and had some lengthy chats. The kids also got a well deserved break after a hectic pre-noon.
We could see so many happy faces, from teachers, parents, their kids, volunteers and visitors. You all made this success of Ananya happen and just keep that going.
More pics at:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/teamasha8k/TeachersDayAnanya#
All the best to all of you and good luck. We as Team Asha shall always be there with your endeavors.
When he became the President of India in 1962, some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, September 5. He replied, "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teacher's Day." Since then, Teacher's Day has been celebrated in India.
-- Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (September 5, 1888 – April 17, 1975)
For Team Asha folks the day started as usual with a quick 3KM run with the kids and we soon started to interact with the kids during the cool down session on who the first prime minister of India was, then who was the first president, the second president and at the same time getting to know why Teachers day and Childcare's day are celebrated, the essence behind them. Then we slowly moved into Sensei Manjula's karate session. This time it was much vigorous and kids were really glued to it. We then had a break for breakfast before the day's event started to unfold.
Report card to parents
As Parents kept arriving they all were handed over their child's report card. This was to keep them abreast of how they were performing and doing in general at Ananya.
Graduation
So all the senior kids who passed out their 10th class exams had their graduation ceremony in our own Ananya style. All of them were handed over those graduation hats.
We also have a big list of kids who are going to appear for their Xth exam next summer and some who are going to take exams this October.
Ananya Alumni
There was a huge presence of former who kids who climbed through the education and life ladder through Ananya. It was wonderful to note how each one of them were settled and making waves in their careers.
Also some of them have partnered together to form their own entrepreneurial ventures.
Everyone attributed to the cordial and friendly teacher-student interaction at Ananya. As each one of the students spoke the teacher and volunteers at Ananya couldn't have been more happy. All the efforts that the team put behind for over decade has clearly borne fruits.
The Unsung Heroes: Teachers
The day was apt to honor all the teachers who were (and are) the core force behind the success of Ananya. All the teachers received huge ovation as they were all presented some nice handmade cards and flower pots as bouquets.
They have been an unflinching force that has stood by Ananya and in making what Ananya is today.
Team Asha Volunteers honored
Apart from other volunteers Team Asha volunteers were also honored. The running and Karate team has been interacting with the kids on a regular basis and we hope to continue this further.
Good job, Team Asha !
Karate Demo
Soon the kids showcased their Karate training to parents and teachers, headed by Sensei Manjula.
Presentations
Then some of the kids showcased their experience at Ananya and abroad as an ambassador of Ananya through multimedia presentations. The elan and panache they displayed during these presentation sessions were of very high quality and well narrated with all the confidence.
These kids have so much in their kitty and I'm sure we will have a lot to see.
Puppet Show
We then had a puppet show which these kids add innovation and variety every time they do it. They play looks different every time I see it.
Lunch
Lunch was served to all of us and most of us caught up with each other and had some lengthy chats. The kids also got a well deserved break after a hectic pre-noon.
We could see so many happy faces, from teachers, parents, their kids, volunteers and visitors. You all made this success of Ananya happen and just keep that going.
More pics at:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/teamasha8k/TeachersDayAnanya#
All the best to all of you and good luck. We as Team Asha shall always be there with your endeavors.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
SNAFU
Continuing my tryst with some interesting terms here comes SNAFU:
According to Wiki:
Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNAFU
FUBAR was a famous term that I heard in the movie "Saving Private Ryan" !
According to Wiki:
SNAFU is an acronym meaning Situation Normal: All F***** Up. It is sometimes bowdlerized to Situation Normal: All Fouled Up or similar.
Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNAFU
FUBAR was a famous term that I heard in the movie "Saving Private Ryan" !
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