Recipes for QUICK Cooking in the hostel!

Cooking tasty food is possible without being a Master Chef! So I decided to write down the recipes for all those people who like hassle free cooking, but still care about the taste.

P.S.: All the following recipes serve 1 person only!

Scrambled Eggs:

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• ½ spoon butter/ghee/oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

• Beat the 3 eggs in a bowl. Add 3 pinches of salt & pepper each.
• Put the butter/ghee/oil in the hot plate/hot pan (or whichever substitute that you have)
• Add the beaten eggs to the pan & keep mixing them with a spatula (or spoon). Break it as much as you want to.
• To give an Italian taste to your scrambled eggs, add 1 spoon of red chilli flakes & oregano each (which you could pick up at your next visit to Domino’s or buy it from a store)
• Serve with bread/chappati.

Semi-poached semi-fried eggs (little time consuming but uniquely tasty!)

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• ½ spoon butter/ghee/oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

• Put water (till the max level) in your pan (can also be made in a kettle). Let it boil for 5 minutes.
• Put a steel bowl on the boiling water.
• Put the butter/ghee/oil in the bowl.
• Allow it to heat for 1 minute
• Then break the eggs directly on the bowl. Add 2 pinches of salt & pepper each.
• You can take a break, finish assignments or listen to some music while your eggs cook.
• After about 10-15 minutes they will stop being runny & then turn off the heat & (VERY) carefully take the bowl out.
• You could use a spoon to scoop your eggs out of the bowl.
• Serve with bread/chappati.

Italian Oats

Tired of eating the regular oat flavors? Try something new!
(Pick up a few packs of red chili flakes & oregano from Domino’s or you can buy them from a store!)

Ingredients:

• 100 ml milk
• Small pack of oats (or approx. 6 spoons of oats)
• Red chili flakes
• Oregano

Method:

• Pour the milk in your pan; add 2-3 spoons of water.
• Add the oats to the milk.
• Let it cook for 5 minutes (if you like it runny, then 3 minutes)
• Turn off the heat.
• Add the red chili flakes & oregano as per your taste.
• Mix properly while hot.
• Eat after it has cooled a little.

Masala rice

Have some leftover rice? Have some leftover (or fresh) maggi masala? Or do you love the WAI WAI masala? Here’s a recipe for you!

P.S.: if you don’t have leftover rice, you could buy some plain rice from a nearby canteen (Eg: BQ)

Ingredients:

• ½ plate rice
• 1 packet of maggi masala or WAI WAI masala
• ½ spoon butter/ghee
• Salt

Method:

• Put half a cup of water in the pan
• Heat for 1 minute then add 3/4^th of the masala.
• Mix the water & masala properly.
• Let it heat for 30 seconds. Then add butter/ghee on the pan.
• Add all the rice. Mix it properly with the masala water.
• Add the rest of the masala.
• Mix properly.
• Serve hot.

P.S.: Chopped vegetables can be added while the rice is on the heat.

Cold Chocolate Milk

Ingredients:

• 200 ml milk (cold)
• 1 small packet of drinking chocolate powder

Method:

• Put the milk in a bottle (which is leak proof)
• Heat ½ cup water (do not boil), add the drinking chocolate to it. (If it is bitter chocolate, add a spoon of sugar too)
• Add the chocolate water mix to the milk and close the lid tightly.
• Shake shake shake.
• Serve cold.

P.S.: If it isn’t cold, put the bottle in a big bowl of cooler water.

HAPPY COOKING!

BY:

ISHA  MODY

BPT 2nd year

Why Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” Video Isn't All That's Cracked Upto Be!

WATCH THE VIDEO :

First off, I'd like to acknowledge the positives in the video. The team at Dove is actually right: most of us- are our own harshest critics. Most women probably are more beautiful than they think. This basically reminds us that we shouldn't be as hard on ourselves as most of us often are, and it’s really uplifting to remember that others are more prone to look past the “flaws” that we perceive in ourselves and to actually- see beauty. The fact that it’s reminding young women to see the beauty in themselves is a good thing, and I want to celebrate that.

Now, let’s get down to the real talk.

When the participants described themselves, these were some of the things that were implied as 'negatives': fat, rounder face, freckles, fatter, 40— starting to get crow’s feet, moles, scars…! Whereas some of the implied positive descriptors used by others were: thin face, nice thin chin, nice eyes that lit up when she spoke and were very expressive, short and cute nose, her face was fairly thin, and very nice blue eyes. So… I don’t know if anyone else is picking up on this, but it kind of seems to be enforcing our very narrow cultural perception of “beauty”: young, light-skinned, thin. No real diversity celebrated in race, age, or body shape. Oh, and by the way, there are real women who look like the women on the left. What is the video saying about them, exactly?

This reminds me of the Winnie the Pooh quote- “Always remember: you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”? There’s something else that I've noticed: a popular version of the quote is making its way around the internet; it’s the same at the start, but then has, “and twice as beautiful as you ever imagined” at the end. That last part is usually written in the biggest text, or italicized for emphasis. So… why is the end so important?

Because the message that we constantly receive is that girls are not valuable without beauty.

Brave, strong, smart? Not enough. You have to be beautiful. And “beautiful” means something very specific, and very physical. It doesn't matter what other merits a woman possess, if she is not conventionally attractive, she is essentially worthless. What we don't realize, is that the definition of beauty is broader than we have been trained to think it is, and that fitting inside that definition isn't the most important thing. We get trapped into the constant objectification of women.

What you look like should not affect the choices that you make. And certainly do not make how well you feel. If you align with the strict and narrow “standard” that the beauty industry and media push be critical to your happiness, because you will always be miserable. You will always feel like you fall short, because those standards are designed to keep you constantly pressured into buying things like make up and diet food and moisturizer to reach an unattainable goal. Don’t let your happiness be dependent on something so fickle and cruel and trivial. You should feel beautiful, and Dove was right about one thing: you are more beautiful than you know. 

But please, please hear me out: 'you are so, so much more than beautiful!!'

By:

Farzana Palathingal

BOT 1^st year 

The Social Menace Of Begging!

The other day I was walking down the streets of Mumbai and I realized that the number of beggars has alarmingly increased. Out of curiosity I searched in Google and found that in India alone there are about 15 lakh beggars! So many beggars that, in every local train, on every signal post and under every railway bridge there are at least 10-15 beggars. Now, the question which arises is, why do people turn to begging? Most of the beggars are either Abandoned Children, Physically challenged individuals, visually challenged individuals, abandoned senior citizens or Most Commonly Lazy people who make begging their profession.

A recent survey in India Today magazine shows:

• Average income of beggars in Metros is Rs 80.
• 70% of beggars spend more than Rs 50 per day and 27% spend more than Rs 100 in a single day.
• Most of the beggars in India earn more than daily wagers.
• Rs 25000 is the average bank balance of beggars in Kolkata.
• There are more numbers of able body beggars in India than disabled beggars.
• There are good numbers of beggars with graduate and post graduate degrees and there number is increasing constantly.
• 85% of the beggars have no information about the beggar homes.
• Rs 180 crore is the worth of Beggars in Mumbai alone.

                                      In past, numbers of people and NGOs have tried their best to solve this problem of begging in India, however, most of these initiatives have failed very badly. From this survey one thing comes out clearly in front of us that begging has today become more serious problem than what we consider it is and that it requires some serious action. Begging is a business not a necessity. It is a way of ‘easy money’. The leaders of these beggar groups intentionally create beggars. There are many incidents when the hands or legs of kids are chopped off to create sympathy among the people. It is a means of earning.

     

                   Some of the facts like entry of graduate and post graduate beggars are really alarming signs and show the increasing reach of begging in India.

                           Now, what we can do to stop this is 'aandolan' or silent revolt. There is no need of any speakers and speeches but just a firm determination in the hearts. Determination to not give money to the innocent looking teary eyed juvenile figures who come running towards us when our auto stops at a signal. The intention is not saving money but saving their future. Only when people stop giving money will the beggars stop begging and resort to better options. Till then begging is a nice solution for all their difficulties.

By:

Nirja Kaplay

BPT 1st year

Go Green,Save The Earth!

In 1963, Senator Gaylord Nelson was not happy with the earth's condition. He wanted to clean up the planet and solve pollution and environmental problems. As a senator, Gaylord Nelson was someone chosen by US citizens to help make laws, so he had a lot of power. He approached John F. Kennedy, the President at the time, with his concerns. The President agreed that the planet's environment was a serious issue, so President Kennedy went around the country on a five day tour to promote the idea of cleaning up the planet. People began making small changes, but it wasn't enough.

     

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Massive coast-to-coast rallies occurred.

Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Since 1970, Earth Day (April 22) continues to be celebrated annually as the green movement grows bigger and more widespread. The day is observed across the world. 

Do Your Part to Make a Difference!

• Encouraging your family to recycle on a regular basis is a good way to help the Earth!
  
• Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs in your house helps to reduce the effects of global warming.
• Every glass bottle you recycle saves enough energy to run a TV for an hour and a half, while recycling an aluminum can saves enough energy to run your TV for three hours!
•  Turn out the lights when you leave a room -unless someone's still in there!
• Use re-useable containers for you school lunches and snacks.

Tomorrow's earth is today's responsibility! Make everyday Earth Day!

By:

Ridhima Bhatia

MCOAHS CREATES HISTORY!

After reading this article your cheeks will definitely bloom with happiness. This year MCOAHS broke the record after a few years and gained the 6^th rank. The valuable score of 62 lead MCOAHS to attain the 6^th place amongst all the institutes of Manipal University who participated in Diamond Utsav. This was possible due to the hard work, effort, team work and dedication of all participants!!

The encouragement by the staff, faculty members and of course our fellow colleagues lead to this glorious attainment!

So let’s have a glance on what the winners have to say....

Street Play (3^rd prize)

‘The last minute unpreparedness, cut throat competitions, and the hardships of practice, all are forgotten behind when you win the event after you worked for hours and hours straight. Cheers to our team!’ –Sarosh,  particiapnt

‘This year it was a totally different experience as mime, mad ads and street play were on the same day and we had the same team representing in all. Because of the teamwork and dedication we finally made it to the 3rd position. It was a great experience with rollercoaster moments. We are looking forward to more fun next year!!’ – Rajvi, participant

Lavni Group Dance (1^st prize)

‘My Utsav dance experience was wonderful. I had never participated at such a level!! My entire team member’s two months hard work finally paid off. I thoroughly enjoyed the 5.30 am practice sessions, & the yelling’s and all the fun we had during practices. I am really proud of my teammates and glad to perform with all of them!!!!’ - Durga- participant from the group

Eastern Non Classical Solo singing (3^rd prize)

‘Utsav was great for me, not because I got placed third but it was a great experience for me to perform in front of a huge crowd and to compete with other great talents. I am very happy and equally honored. I would like to thank our cultural coordinator and friends for encouraging me and helping me out whenever needed!!’ - Palzor

Western Group Singing (2^nd prize)

‘UTSAV!!! The one event every year that brings out the best in every student participating in it. That was exactly what we felt this year too. All the long hours of practice, all the hard work mixed with a lot of fun paid off in the end. It was such a new and delightful experience for all of us in the group. We hope to work harder and better for next year with the hope of uplifting the name of our institution.’ – Elmer & Ved on behalf of the group

Classical Dance Solo (1^st prize) bagged by Meria Georgeena Reji.

Hindi Poetry (3^rd prize)

‘It’s my first time that I am participating in a poetry competition, when I got to know that i am participating in Utsav ,I was very nervous. But it has been a great learning experience for me. Participating in Utsav and representing our college in such a prestigious event really makes me happy.The competition is always tough because everybody there gives their best but what you learn & gain out of it , is what matters I guess; winning or losing doesn't matter, what is important is that you participated.’-  Archana Sharma  

English poetry (2^nd prize) bagged by Nikita Masceranhas
Well... I still cant believe i won second place.. it was like a dream come true!!! 

I am gald I could help in bringing glory to MCOAHS and I definitely thank my parents for their blessings and support,my  well wishers and all folks who believed in me!

My winning is dedicated to all those who believe in the saying- “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” 

―  Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.

Hearty congratulations to all the winners!!

By:

Arya Salgaonkar

Recipe:Three-Textured Coffee!

This recipe is especially for all you coffee lovers out there who don’t mind being adventurous with their beverages. It’s simple and easy to make and looks really fancy too.

 Ingredients (serves 6)

Coffee

1 glass of cold water

 1 tin of condensed milk

Roasted peanuts or almonds (garnish)

 Transparent glasses (to serve)

Method Of Preparation:

Prepare one glass of black coffee by mixing together a desired amount of coffee with the cold water.

Just like the previous step prepare half a glass of black coffee and keep this aside.

Into the 6 glasses divide one can of condensed milk equally.

On top of the condensed milk slowly pour the black coffee from the first glass. This also like the condensed milk has to be divided equally among the glasses.

Now take the half glass of coffee that u had set aside and pour it into a blender. If you don’t have a blender you can pour it into a bottle and shake the bottle until the coffee froths.

Pour this froth over the layer of black coffee slowly into the six glasses. Be very careful not to do it too fast. Take your time.

Garnish it with roasted peanuts or almonds.

And your three-textured coffee is ready!

By:

Elmer Athayde Gomes

B.Sc HIA-2nd year

BEAT THE HEAT!!

 The summer at Manipal is one of the most unpleasant period in the year. It is hot and sticky and sweaty and sunny and...umm… I guess ‘unpleasant’ sums it all about the summer. 

So, here are few tips to survive the summer at Manipal:

• Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle with you to maintain hydration. If you're studying, you could use a pitcher and glass and fill it every morning.
• Don't drink liquids with dehydrating caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar. 
  
• Cut back on exercising; if you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.
• Keep Your Body Cool. Dress in lightweight light-colored clothing and sun-reflective shirts. Wear loose clothing.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
• Fans may provide comfort but they do not prevent heat-related illnesses when the temperature is in the
  
  high 90s. Take a cool shower or bath to cool off.
• Stay in the shade, especially between 11 A.M. and 3 P.M.
• Avoid strenuous activities during the heat of the day.
  
• To feel cooler, eat cooler. Reduce your protein intake. Include lots of fruits in your diet.
• Open your rooms to the breeze after sunset and leave it open until dawn.
• In the early morning, draw the shades before the temperature starts to rise.
• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes it difficult for your body to dissipate heat.
  
• As well as a hat and sunglasses, wear sunscreen SPF 15 or higher. The most effective products say "broad spectrum" or "u v a/u v b" on their labels.
  
• Carry an umbrella when you step outside your hostel.
• The library is a best get-away during the summer. The air condition will have a cooling effect in your body.
  
   

  
  Have a sunny and yet a beautiful summer all! :)
  
  
  By 
  Jumana KP
  BOT-3rd year

CHALLENGE SEXUAL VIOLENCE!

Many of us are affected by sexual violence but hardly anyone talks about it. Maybe they don’t know what it is. Do you?

The Actual Definition : Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part or an object while Sexual assault is unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or attempted rape. This includes sexual touching and fondling.

The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month, mainly in the United States. The goal is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. This year, with rape in the headlines nearly every day, we speak out with even greater urgency to honor survivors and prevent sexual violence by highlighting sexual violence as a major public health, human rights and social justice issue and reinforce the need for prevention efforts. 

Statistics

Effects of Rape

Victims of sexual assault are:

·         3 times more likely to suffer from depression.

·         6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

·         13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.

·         26 times more likely to abuse drugs.

·         4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

The Rapist isn't a Masked Stranger!

These numbers are real, but they don’t tell the whole story. They don’t tell of the broken trust when the attacker is a friend, a trusted colleague, or a family member.  They don’t tell of the suicidal feelings, the depression, or of the PTSD. And, they don’t tell of the courage that survivors demonstrate when they work every day to put their lives back together.

200,000 a year. That is 200,000 lives affected. By various factors such as post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, self harm, Stockholm Syndrome, depression, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, flashbacks, borderline personality disorder, sleep disorders, eating disorders, body memories, dissociative identity disorder, suicide, and military sexual trauma.

Two hundred thousand lives. You may already be one of them. Trying to fight your way back to life; or you could easily turn into one of them any day. Together, we need to work to change our culture so that one day, we don't have to fear men. The ultimate goal is to stop sexual violence before it begins.

Protect the girls in your life. Not because we are weak, but because often we believe we are too strong for our own good and choose to internalize issues of this magnitude. Each of us who are affected by these difficult situations have different mindsets and sometimes we don’t choose the right path to take. More often than not, we need help, but sometimes we are too afraid to ask for it.

 If this cause matters to you- don't be afraid, speak out. What will influence people is your story and the chance to make sure that future women never have to tell stories of rape again.

By:

Farzana Palathingal

1st Year BOT

Brida!!! Book Review!

Brida, ‘The International Bestseller’ written by Paulo Coelho of ‘The Alchemist’ fame is a moving tale  of love, passion, mystery, and spirituality from the master storyteller.


This is the story of Brida O’Fern, a beautiful young Irish girl and her quest for knowledge. She starts her path of spirituality by meeting the Magus. The Magus was far ahead in his spiritual search and had been living alone after being condemned to loneliness because of a sin he had committed. The Magus saw a gift in Brida and agreed to teach her. After the first test put forth by the Magus, Brida swore to not come back until she learns more about magic.

Another teacher of magic, Wicca, who also sees a rare gift in Brida, teaches her how to dance to the hidden music of the world but refuses to teach her about Soulmates. They start by going to a forest where Wicca performs a ritual which lets Brida go back to her past life, her lost love & the kingdom where she once lived. Brida conquers one lesson after the other & finds the answers that she had always been curious about.

 But the same question strikes back. How can she know who her Soulmate is? So Brida goes back to the Magus, but the Magus mustn’t tell her, he must only teach her how to find her Soulmate (which is him). Can he resist telling Brida about his love for her? And after she knows, who does she choose, the boy she has loved for long or the man she has just met?

‘But how will I know who my Soulmate is?’
‘By taking risks,’ she said to Brida.
‘By risking failure, disappointment, disillusion, but never ceasing in your search for Love. As long a you keep looking, you will triumph in the end.’

Take your journey with this passionate, young girl, Brida.

                                                           Isha Mody,(2nd Bpt)

AUTISM SPEAKS-it is time to listen!

Dan and Patricia made such a beautiful couple and when their son Mike was born, their family became just perfect. Mike was one of the most adorable kids in the city and Patricia was so proud of him. But on his first birthday, when Patricia went to hug Mike, he wouldn't let her! Dan brushed it off as a minor issue and Patricia too forgot about it eventually.

      Now, Mike had this habit of arranging his toys in a specific order. Also he ate the same brand cereal everyday for breakfast. He never spoke to any one and never made eye contact. The slightest sound of a person tapping his feet would irritate Mike to such a level that he would start yelling. But what worried Patricia most as a mother was that Mike didn't let her hug or kiss him. By now Dan too realized that the issue was getting serious and it wasn't Mike’s naughtiness but something else.

      Mike was referred to a Psychologist by a local doctor and on examination the psychologist told them that Mike showed signs of Autism.

What it autism?

Autism is a neural disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive behavior  One in every 88 children is born with autism spectrum disorder in India, and about 10 million people diagnosed with autism in India. The earlier the diagnosis, greater the quality of life. 27% children remain undiagnosed till the age of 8.

  Few people with autism whom the whole world knows are Sir Isaac Newton, Mozart, Michel Angelo, Pablo Picasso and Lewis Carroll. Like them, Mike also had a special gift. He can replicate and play a piano piece by just hearing it once. That made him an ‘Autistic Savant’.

Dan and Patricia realized that Mike was different. They took Mike to a psychologist. The understood the situation and most importantly is that rather than crying over their fate, they decided to face the disorder with open arms. They didn't give up on their kid. They were not narrow minded.

Now I am a true Indian but I still feel that the awareness about mental disorders is very less in India. In India autism is mental retardation. A person with autism is permanently tagged as ”PAGAL” and socially outcast. No thought is given to how the kid can be helped, how the situation can be tackled but the kid is rather tortured more.

   So today, on World Autism Awareness Day, let us give a thought to Autism and lets try our level best to make people aware about Autism and tell them that Autism and Mental retardation are not the same. Being health professionals, we should shoulder the responsibility of accepting, loving, educating, and advocating autism to the world!!

Nirja  Kaplay

BPT 1st year