DesiReflections

Mumbai 23rd 2017 Bombay Exhibition Center witnessed biggest travel show of India OTM 2017 from 21st to 23rd Feb  Around 900 sellers from around 40 countries participated in the show. These sellers include National , State Tourism Boards, Hotels, Airlines, Destination Marketing Companies  (DMCs), vendors serving leisure as well as MICE markets. It was feared that demonetization will dampen the spirit of travel industry. Yes, initially it was like a shock but  looking at the kind of  serious enquiries were made   and the business conducted, it  ensures that travel industry is ready to leap forward. It was interesting to see that many unexpected destinations were marketed, Rawanda was so far known as a country for its genocide, was pitching for guests ! Bangladesh is also trying very hard to promote its adventure, wild life, river cruises and culinary art form. How many tourists have ever heard about northern lights of Iceland. I wa...

I have a small story to share with you. I was shopping at Nordstom Mall at Westlake area in Seattle. Tired after shopping, I decided to visit its Food court at Top Floor. there was a small eating outfit called Bombay Wala . I flipped its Menu Card and there was my favourite Samosa. I ordered a plate costed me 10 dollars, which is equivalent to roughly Rs.650/-. The plate contained two Samosas with some green salad and chutney. Very yummy. That day I realized that this Indian Snack traveled almost 14,000 km. A friend of mine who is in USA from last so many years, he told me that Africans also have a snack which is very close to our Samosa. I tried its vegetarian version filled with beans. Later researched a bit than found that Samaos or its cousins are present in all the five continents. Let me share with you Samosa's global reach.     When somebody even mention about  Samosa, we  always have an urge to eat one. That is the power of our staple snack...

Today, I will talk to you about few items in our plate or cup which we swear by khalis desi but they are absolutely Videshi, traveled from other part of globe. If you ask what Goan families love most in their food plate,  no doubt it is Vindaloo . But this spicy meat curry is not Goan at all! Vindaloo has it's roots in Portuguese cuisine and it has been adapted from the very famous carne de vinha d'alhos which is the Portuguese name for Vindaloo. Originally, Vindaloo was made of wine, pork and garlic and that is how it derived it's name (vin - wine, alhos - garlic) though Indians modified it by using palm vinegar, pork/beef/chicken and multiple spices. Though the original recipe does not use potatoes, Indians modified the recipe further by using potatoes as the word "aloo" in Vindaloo means potato in Hindi. Now you know where that sudden piece of potato popped up from between those meat chunks. Similarly, mouth-watering Bengali delicacy Shukto is another surpri...

Oxygen is arguably the most necessary and kick-ass super food in the solar system. No oxygen, no life. The latest finding is that it is ’s a valuable nutrient. In fact, food + oxygen = calorie burning, so not only does oxygen figure into just about every chemical reaction in the human organism, it’s the key nutrient – really – that helps keep you trim and melts away gobs of fat. This super food is here to stay. And honestly, most of us can use more. Have you heard of hyperbaric oxygen chambers ? Previously, these machines have been used for certain medical emergencies and a handful of disease conditions only. But lately, many researchers and clinicians are using this expensive apparatus to help create optimum health, longevity, brainpower, and more. But one doesn’t need a machine to up the oxygen game. Key sources that are free include deep breathing, the relaxation response that stimulates deep breathing, exercise increases oxygen uptake and utilization, living close to nature we...

Feb 4, 2017 Little late to join the experts to comment on this year's Union Budget. India is the only developing country in the world where submission of government accounts and Annual Budget is a very highly pitched event right from the independence.The speech contains words like poor, dalit, under-privileged will be repeated n number of time. Every budget have reduction in the taxes on items mostly consumed by the below poverty line including beedi and imposing high taxes on wine, spirit, cigarette, fine dining and other luxury items. Contrary to this, In developed economies like USA and European nations people hardly bother when these accounts are submitted in senate or parliament is not a high pitched event. Take for example USA. United States budget process traditionally begins when the President submits a budget request to Congress. This happens without big television or newspaper debates. This year's budget highlights and citing past year's achievement s...