My Happiness is in Prayer

“Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds”, Allah will say, “My slave has praised Me.” When the slave says, “Most Gracious, Most Merciful”, Allah will say, “My slave has lauded Me.” When the slave says, “Master of the Day of Judgment”, Allah will say, “My slave has glorified Me.” When the slave says, “Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we … Continue reading My Happiness is in Prayer

Sabzi

Ingredients 2 tbsp sunflower oil 1 tsp nigella seeds thumb-sized piece ginger , grated 2 garlic cloves , grated 200g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and chopped into 1-2cm cubes 200g cabbage , chopped (sweetheart or pointed cabbage works well) 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp chilli flakes 2 tsp lime juice dhal , chutney and rice or roti to serve (optional) Method STEP 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the nigella seeds. … Continue reading Sabzi

Prayer for Healing

Maha Mrityunjaya mantra has been proved to be healing and life-saving since ages in Hinduism. This mantra should be chanted with Yagya or Hawan which purifies your inner self and air of all the unwanted germs and energies. It is called the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the Great Death-Conquering mantra. Aum Haum Juum Sah. Aum Bhuurbhuvah Svah. Aum Tryam‍bakam Yajaamahe, Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvaarukamiva ban‍dhanaan, Mrit‍yurmokshiya Maamrataat. … Continue reading Prayer for Healing

Boondi Raita

Ingredients 300g natural yogurt ¼ tsp ground cumin, plus a pinch 60g boondi (available in many Indian supermarkets or online) a few mint leaves, ½ finely chopped, ½ left whole Method STEP 1 Whisk the yogurt with 100ml water until smooth. Whisk in the cumin, ¼ tsp salt and a pinch of ground black pepper. STEP 2 Add the boondi and mix well to combine. Leave to stand for 10 mins or … Continue reading Boondi Raita

Is Human Extinction Inevitable?

BY MEG LEE CHIN There comes a moment when something you only understood intellectually becomes something more tangible. This understanding surpasses the intellect. It becomes something you know in your soul. Prior to the siege of the US Capitol, The idea of human extinction was something I was aware of intellectually. But afterward, I knew in my bones it would one day be inevitable. Trump … Continue reading Is Human Extinction Inevitable?

Soumitra Chatterjee – Towering Thespian with a Poignant Appeal

BY KAUSTAV BHATTACHARYYA Recently I had the good fortune of serendipitously coming across a book chronicling the life, work, passions and oeuvre of the eminent film actor and cultural personality of the thespian Soumitra Chatterjee in a vintage bookstore titled ‘Soumitra Chatterjee: A life in Cinema, Theatre, Poetry & Painting’ authored by the duo, Arjun Sengupta and Partha Mukherjee.  My mind drifted in a momentary … Continue reading Soumitra Chatterjee – Towering Thespian with a Poignant Appeal

Gowda

BY CSMI STAFF WRITER Sheela Gowda is an artist living and working in Bangalore, India. She began painting in her early career but started to make three-dimensional work in the 1990s in reaction to the rapid progress of economic and cultural development in India. Now she is known for producing large-scale installation art in which she transforms everyday materials through hand-worked processes. The emphasis on … Continue reading Gowda

Black Chana with Potato

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup dried black chickpeas (garbanzo beans) 1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 quart water 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped, or more to taste 1 (1 inch) piece chopped fresh ginger 3 tablespoons water 3 tablespoons vegetable oil ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds 2 pinches asafoetida powder 4 potatoes, peeled and quartered 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon garam masala … Continue reading Black Chana with Potato

Sleep Mantra

 यादेवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमोनमः ।। – Shridurgasaptashati, Adhyaya 5, Shloka 16 Meaning : I pay obeisance thrice to the Devi, who is present in all living beings in the form of nidra. Keep reciting this shloka. Gradually, the thought process will stop, a rhythm will set in and we will fall asleep in ten to fifteen minutes. Continue reading Sleep Mantra