C.R Park H-Block Plastic Clean-Up Drive

As part of our month-long plastic clean-up drive from South Delhi’s public parks, it was time to extend this initiative closer home. With the support of a few close friends and acquaintances, I created a Facebook event titled ‘C.R Park H-Block Clean Up’ on May 6, Sunday. Through the event, we mobilised a few Chittaranjan Park residents to take part in this community-led plastic clean-up initiative and drive home the point that keeping our neighbourhoods clean is not limited to only sweepers and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). It was a call to action for C.R Park residents to take collective responsibility for their surroundings and environment.

Most importantly, the central idea behind the clean-up drive was to raise awareness about the hazard of single-use disposable plastics like straws, water bottles, cellophane bags, food packaging etc., which are used for only minutes before being discarded. Due to lack of viable recycling centres in Delhi, this waste then goes into our ever-increasing landfills, which poses serious health and environmental issues. The point of the clean-up drive was to inform and educate people about sustainable ‘alternatives’ to disposable plastic.

It was encouraging to see a 4-year-old and a 70-year-old participating in the drive together, setting an example for many to shed their inhibitions about picking trash. The biggest source of motivation was to hear some residents assure us of their participation next time around. Some also joined us along the way!

Although only a few participated in the event, it was a success right from the moment we decided to organise the clean-up. Going forward, we plan to hold such clean-ups on weekends so more residents can participate and educate others on the problems related to single-use disposable plastic.

Beat Plastic Pollution

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National Museum Delhi, Connecting Indian & World History

Invitation To A Special Walk-through  Of The Exhibition Led By Chitra Sarkar..

We have studied Indian History. We have studied World History. But how many times have we had a chance to connect the two, to discover how India was impacted by its contemporary world in the course of human evolution?

I’m just back from a preview of an amazing exhibition which opens on 5^th May at the National Museum in New Delhi. It is a collaborative effort between the British Museum and Mumbai’s CSVS Museum, featuring artifacts lent by museums all over the world.

The oldest object is a hand axe, discovered in 1863 near Chennai and could be one million years old. It comes from one of the first stone age sites discovered anywhere in the world. Next to it lie similar axes, found in Europe and Africa, which demonstrate the common history that all human beings share. All the axes have a similar shape. It is an important marker in the evolution of human thought itself.

Next come the fired pots discovered in the Northwest of India, Egypt, Turkey and Mesopotamia. In this exhibition we get a chance to compare them side by side. Urbanisation is explored next. The most famous object which represents the Harappan Civilization is the Dancing Girl. Now you can meet her contemporaries – a lady from Mesopotamia and a Pharoah from Egypt among others.

By now, you may feel immersed in many philosophical thoughts about the oneness of humankind…and there are still many more stories that will unfold before you. In addition to the displays there will be special programmes and curator walks. It is a collaborative effort between the various museums, to celebrate 70 years of our Independence. Do go see it for yourself.

A Editor’s Note : A walk through of this exhibition has been arranged for the readers of Habitat Times.

Please email us at ecohabitat.times@gmail.com your 'interest to attend' with name and mobile number for receiving your e-invite.

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Hello Summers...

Ahhhh summer !!!..what power you have …to make us suffer and like it …..

A permission slip to be lazy… it’s the summers … the most trying … yet the most entertaining and interesting season …it’s the summers …. the summers  which is approaching  at a galloping speed.. 

Although different people would sum up the summer season and its experiences in myriads of  different manners  for example its fun time, no school - holiday time for children , it’s a pain in the neck for mothers of such fun loving children. The sultry heat takes its toll on the office goers and people tend to fall sick with heat stroke, dehydration etc…but nonetheless everyone would agree that our body needs to be pampered the most in this season. … well..lets have a demo on how we should protect ourselves from the scorching  heat  of the Indian summers.

1)Hydrate yourself-

The most important thing to be done in summers is drink plenty of  liquids to replenish our body fluids. You can choose according to your wish but water is no doubt the best. Apart from water one can gorge on tender coconut water , fresh fruit juices like watermelon, orange etc, lassi (namken or sweet), buttermilk etc… these tend to hydrate the body as well as keep the stomach cool .Sattu ka ghol (a bihari speciality ) which is ground gram flour to be mixed with water , salt , lemon and spices is the biggest hit in the sultry summers for its soothing properties. But please… a big no to processed and packaged juices and a very big no to cold drinks although I do understand that cold drinks tend to catch our eyes only too much .

2)Skin care –

Our face is our identity and warrants a special care routine .During summers  it tends to become  sweaty and dark and oily depending upon the skin type. Face should be kept clean of dust and sweat. Lemon and tomato are good to keep face clean. Too much sun is bad for the skin as more melanin gets produced which often tans the skin . Use a good sun screen before going out into the sun and it must be applied 10 minutes before you step out in the sun. Exfoliate you skin at least once a week to keep away the dust , oil, grime that has accumulated in the skin . Aloe vera gel , curd , rose water etc. works wonders to cool  our skin during the summers .

But you need not fear the sun too much  because it helps to produce more serotonin which is a mood enhancer.

3)Maintain hygiene-

Taking bath twice a day would keep you fresh and help combat lethargy. Make sure you bathe after a swim to take off the chlorine from your body .Soaking  hands and feet in salt water also enhances blood circulation and thereafter apply a vitamin C rich cream.

4)Wear breatheable  clothes –

Light fabrics like cotton should be used more and more . It helps our skin to breathe. Tight and synthetic clothes can cause itching and produce rashes.

5)Eating habits-

With the mercury rising higher and higher we often feel totally drained out . The power packed foods to be eaten in summers to stabilize our energy levels are as follows:

Curd is a delicious coolant. It can be had in various forms.Coconut water, lime water , cucumber , watermelon, mint , green veggies should be included to combat the decreasing energy levels. Mangoes and lichis in limited amount is good for health.Onion provides protection against sunstroke.

Last but not the least you can have icecreams to combat the heat . To make it less sinful add some fresh fruits or dry fruits to the icecream so that you do not feel guilty after having it.

Happy summers …one and all….

by  Dr Suranjana Ghosh

EcoHabitat.times@gmail.com

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The Season Of Mangoes Is Here

We bring to you 2 easy recipes from 'Aromas Of My Kitchen' by Anuradha Haldar Mukherjee, a home cook par excellence ...

1. Mango Mastani

This is a pure Maharashtrian delight, known for its vibrant colour, creamy texture and its amazing taste. This is usually made with Alphonso mangoes which is summer’s bounty in Maharashtra. People travel all the way to Pune to taste this drink. The name Mastani is coined to remember Peshwa Baji Rao’s beautiful second wife, Mastani.


Serves 4

Ingredients

1. 4 good quality ripe alphonso mangoes
2. 250 ml of saffron infused milk
3. 100 ml of fresh cream
4. 4 scoops of good quality mango ice cream
5. Sugar to taste
6. Finely chopped dry fruits and tutti frutti

Procedure

• Peel the mangoes, chop them into chunks and put in the blender.
• Add milk and cream and blend well to get a creamy texture.
• Add mango ice-cream and sugar( if required).
• Blend well.
• Keep it in the fridge to cool for at least an hour.
• To serve, take tall glasses and put two scoops of mango ice-cream in the glass.
• Pour the blended mango over it and decorate with cut dry fruits.
• This is a drink but is usually eaten with a spoon.

2.

Eggless Mango Mousse

This was a request for an Eggless Easter recipe by one of my readers.

This dessert has only two ingredients and can be made in a jiffy. 

Makes 12 shot glasses

Ingredients

200 ml of whipping cream

200 ml of pureed alphonso mangoes

1 tsp of lemon juice

Few mint leaves and mango slices for garnish.

Procedure

• Beat the whipping cream with an electric  hand blender till it forms soft peaks. Keep it the fridge.
• Puree the mangoes after removing the skin and seed.
• Combine the cream and mango puree and mix gently with a spatula.
• Add lemon juice and mix gently .
• Spoon out the mix into your serving glasses.
• Allow them to sit in the fridge for at least six hours.
• Take out just before serving and garnish with sliced mangoes and mint leaves.
• I love the light and fluffy texture of this mousse and that’s why I did not add gelatin.
• You can add 4 tsps of icing sugar to the mango puree if you like it sweeter. I did not add it though.

For more recipes please visit https://aromasofmykitchen.wordpress.com/ 

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