Vikram Roy's Blog, page 6

Guest post: The Anthropology & Some Indo-Cyprus Recipes by Colette

Dear readers and followers of Vikram Roy’s Blog, I want to introduce you with Colette Ni Reamonn Ioannidou from Cyprus. Colette has many talents and experiences in her life, she had worked with Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation on many English language projects, as an interviewer and TV news spot reader. She wrote two books of short stories available on Amazon, TO DIE OR NOT TO DIE and TO LIVE OR NOT TO LIVE. Many of her written stories about Cyprus that were broadcast by the BBC World Service. She has many gifts to offer, specially coming up soon her recipes that she learned from an old Indian recipes book. I cannot wait to taste them all, hope all of you will love them too.

Photo: Colette Ni Reamonn Ioannidou (Writer).

“In the fierce humid heat of a Cyprus summer, as I held the small book I was telling you about, I couldn’t help but think how the ladies of the British Raj must have suffered in the alien climate of India, and later in Cyprus at a time when decorum demanded very strict dress codes. Wives of British officers must have felt entirely at home in my country, Ireland, where the weather is the same as theirs. The food in Ireland must have been very similar to what they were used to whereas the dishes of both Cyprus and India were probably completely different. One form of compensation for uncomfortable weather for the new arrival is culinary. The fact that dishes from both countries are available still in 21st century Britain tells of the delight Britons feel at finding new foods to adore and to bring home from far flung places.

As I carefully made my way among the delicate pages of the small blue book to find items to send you, still lingering in my mouth was the succulent memory of a slice of watermelon, one of the incomparable sweet, moist joys of this August as temperatures rise to the mid forties. As I write, unplucked figs burst their seams on the bough; stout olives drop to the ground. While walking my dog early this morning I saw two old men plucking figs from an enormous tree in the garden of my local Orthodox church. Both wore khaki (long) shorts, a throwback to the time of the Brits here; one was inside the railings, the other on the outside as both gathered a handful each of the fruit. Then they stood savouring how good it looked and offered to share with me sure in the knowledge that Christ would not mind at all that they had taken fruit from His garden.

When I came here, I was not that much a fan of fruit or vegetable in spite of the fact that my much loved mother was as green-fingered as it’s possible to be. In the front of our garden there were flowers of all varieties, and behind the apple trees my father planted were vegetables of every sort. In summer salads were greedily eaten by everyone – except me. However, the climate here encouraged me to appreciate nature’s bounty. I grew to love tomatoes, Cyprus tomatoes are very special and one by one I was lured to the satisfaction that only such pure natural freshness can offer the palate in the heat.

Cyprus is a land of fruit and honey, a place like India, of wonderful meals and adoptable recipes. When I was a child, India was a place I knew only from adventure stories borrowed from the library written subjectively from the British point of view, and movies made in Hollywood that were probably as accurate as the script writer thought they should be. It never occurred to me as a child growing up in a country divided by British occupation that India too was under foreign rule.

Back then it was depicted as a land of searing heat, dust, exotic palaces, dark-eyed handsome men and beautiful women who wore wonderful saris of hues as brilliant as the plumage of rare birds – and soldiers suffocating in tight-necked red uniforms that must have made them sitting ducks for any rebel with a rifle. Later, getting to know an Indian family in Dublin I encountered the marvels of curried meals.

This book that I will write about in my next piece is dated 1879, a very long time ago. It’s titled THE INDIAN COOKERY BOOK THE KITCHEN IN INDIA and was published by Wyman & Co., Publishers. It was given to my sister, who loves cooking, by an old lady whose husband was a missionary in India. My sister wasn’t all that interested in recipes from India but knew Andreas and I were. It has proved to be a treasure trove of historical significance to me. You and I can run out to a shop when we need anything for eating or cleaning. There was a time when women had to reply on what they had in their kitchen cupboards. The book not only contains recipes for food but also for many other items of household necessity. This little gem also contains ‘suggestions’ of advice that no British publisher today would consider printing for fear of being called racist. I found a somewhat arrogant titbit under ‘knight of the broom’. It is a prime example of a way of thinking that, thankfully, has been pushed aside. I’ll begin with that next time.”

Love,

Colette Ni Reamonn Ioannidou

Filed under: Blog, Books, Colette Ni Reamonn Ioannidou, Cooking, Culture, Cyprus, Education, India, Recipes

Running Wild With Bear Grylls Season 2 : All New Adventure Episodes

After many successful television episodes on Man vs. Wild, Bear Grylls has been back in new acts with a bunch of Hollywood celebrities. The man with the deadliest surviving skills, I think, Bear Grylls is one of the rarest persons who has an energy level which can be compared with a wild lion and his brain is sharp like a super computer. Here in my town (which is near to Sundarbans dense forest) we call Mr. Grylls as the Tiger of Bengal with burning eyes. We also bet that he should be the only man who can survive in the deadliest dense forest of Sunderbans! ???

Running Wild With Bear Grylls Poster

Running Wild With Bear Grylls, season 2 episodes are very interesting. Bringing celebrities out of their comfort zone is the main idea behind this show. In season two Kate Hudson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Kate Winslet, and Ed Helms episodes are on the air. These four shows together have been watched by more than 12 million viewers in the US and almost 45 million around the globe. I enjoyed Man vs. Wild more than this new show but I loved the idea of seeing something new too.

Filed under: Adventure, Blog, Editorial, Film Review, Films

Tut (2015) Spike’s TV Mini Series, ends and very nicely done!

I was very opportunate to watch Spike TV’s new mini-series ‘TUT’ which is based on the legendary boy king of Thebes, Tutankhamun. The three parts mini-series has been based on Tutankhamun’s career, life, and death. It’s one of the beautiful work ever done on his biography. I learned why the boy king is called the legend of Egypt.

From Left – Ben Kingsley as Ay Avan, Jogia as Tut, and Sibylla Deen as Ankhe in Tut (2015 Mini TV series) Spike TV.

So many films and documentaries on Tutankhamun are made, but Tut is an interesting series which is a great success on the television screen. On Tut, the story portraits Tutankhamun’s character with honor and honesty. My respect to full cast and crew, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.

Whether or not, may be or may not be Tut followed the original history but I felt there are solid links with the history. I hope this movie would be loved by everyone and it would be one of the collector’s edition. A must watch biography film for the students and researchers.

Centre: Alexander Siddig as Amun in Tut (2015 Mini TV Series) Spike TV.

Alexander Siddig, Avan Jogia, Nonso Anozie, Ben Kingsley, Sibylla Deen, Kylie Bunbury, and Steve Toussaint all the characters played very well. They are real and played so original that nowhere I felt, I’m watching a film. In my opinion, Alexander Siddig has been played one of the most attractive characters in Tut. Before I found him interesting in Da Vinci’s Demons and Game of Thrones. Siddig proved once more there is no one better than him as the sorcerer. Another notable character is Mr. Nonso Anozie, I liked his acting as Samson in The Bible and R.M. Renfield in TV series Dracula. In Tut Anozie is strong, complete and gentle as General Horemheb. The TV series like Tut is always very welcome. Thanks, Spike TV for the gift like Tut.

Filed under: Art, Blog, Drama, Editorial, Education, Egypt, English Film, Fiction & Fantasy, Film Review, Films, History, Hollywood, Movie, Movie Review, Review, Spike TV, Tut, Tutankhamun

5 Reasons Why You Must Like The Film – Big (1988)

Big (1988) – is a comedy movie directed by Penny Marshall, starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia and Jared Rushton. The characters in this movie are brilliant. I do not feel bore or over-acted throughout the film.

In this film, I found many good things to learn. Like, Josh and Billy had a wonderful friendship. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Then the character of Susan (Elizabeth Perkins), her arrogance, smartness and seductive corporate nature turned calm when she gets closer to 30-years old Josh, who is innocent like a 12 years boy (because he is a twelve-year-old boy).

Picture: A chance of encounter where Josh impressed Mr.MacMillan, the owner of the MacMillan Toy Company and after that Josh promoted to testing new toys. From the film, Big (1988).

Mr. MacMillan (Robert Loggia), the nature of a true businessman and visionary, who knew to whom to invest for market growth of his toy manufacture business and take it to the next level.

Here I pointed out five reasons why you must like the movie “BIG“.

1. Be careful before, what you wish from unplugged Zoltar? 

Josh (David Moscow), a little boy of thirteen who wished to an unusual antique arcade fortune teller machine called Zoltar Speaks to become “big”. The machine was dramatically supernatural and was unplugged at that moment. When Josh woke up next morning, he found himself turned into a grown-up 30 years old man (Tom Hanks). Next time when you get a fortune teller machine like Zoltar, be careful what you wish!

Picture: Zoltar Speaks from Movie, Big (1988).

2. “A thirteen-year-old boy always wants a thirteen-year-old girl”:

Mr. MacMillan (Robert Loggia), owner of one of the big toy company in New York, spends his valuable time to kid’s toy store in the city to read their mind. According to his personal opinion of reading the children’s mind, he came to a conclusion that every thirteen years old boy wants a thirteen years old girl for playing. To some extent, I felt his opinion is indeed correct.

3. Woman loves innocent man, but she also wants some point of maturity to choose him as husband:

Susan (Elizabeth Perkins) played a magnificent role in this film. She shows how cruel and ruthless it can be working inside a corporate in the city of New York. Here people can do anything to secure a job or earn a position.

Her true seductive nature to ride on the corporate ladder was touched by humanity when she came closer to know Josh, (who got a low-level job at MacMillen Toy Company. A chance encounter with the owner Mr.MacMillen of the company leads him to a promotion testing new toys).

Picture: At a kid’s fair Josh spotted Susan’s cheek filled with melted ice cream, when she licked the ice cream at once. From the film, Big (1988).

4. In love, there are sacrifices:  

Throughout the film, Elizabeth Perkins acted very well in Susan’s character. Especially at the end when she was decided to marry Josh but came to know the truth that Josh is just a boy of thirteen, she accepted the whole matter very honestly. She respected the choice of Josh (Tom Hanks) to turn again into thirteen-year-old and enjoy his life as a child.

5. If the same story had been given to a Bollywood director what will happen?

– Instead of Zoltar, in Bollywood it will be Bajrang Bali.

– When Josh asked Susan to come back to thirteen again, in Bollywood version Susan will say “yes”, and she will jump on it. (If the director follows the original story then perhaps he will read this review and prove I am wrong). :)

– It will be obvious that Bollywood version will include at least six – seven songs which will increase an extra hour for the Indian audience.

Hope you enjoy this review. Do not miss the film, Big (1988) if you still not watched.

Filed under: Art, Big (1988), Blog, Bollywood, Comedy, Drama, Editorial, English Film, Fiction & Fantasy, Film Review, Films, Hollywood, Movie, Movie Review

Preface: The Day, Hope Never Doomed!

Long long ago when the earth was created and separated into different lands. The water on the surface is still together. The time when many great emperors arose and many battles be won. The sun never sets in some kingdom when many are doomed. The earth stores secrets and the human got corrupted.

This forsaken land is ruled by the animal kingdom. Vertebrates, molluscs and arthropods all learned to live together by satisfying each others need.

Photo: Nobody knows when it happened? Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Then human due to their intelligence and power of imagination built the empires which were driven by power, jealousy and govern the unclaimed resources. The Kings and Queens ruled, declared war so that common people can remember the tragic history of the past and respect them.

Politics, it was never designed for the wellness of the society. Long ago it was established for the individual people who were sorcerers, had magical abilities that amaze the world. Sorcerers were few people who were the scientist, artist, mathematician, poet, magician, mutants etc. There were good sorcerers and bad too.

People with average intelligence, natural leading ability, beauty, who wanted more to live their life lavishly were first understood the voice of mass to protect something they always want (the thrones). Using their leadership quality, such intellectual average men created panic in the human mind against the sorcerers. They influenced the knights, the bravest of the mankind, who fought battles to control over the supernaturals. When the knights and the sorcerers were occupied to witness their energy level. The rulers of the earth are born. So does the gods and the kings are ruling together forever.

I think, it is a simple pattern in politics, where people are protected by the laws. We are the pawns accepted almost everything being silent. We tossed good and bad two characters with a single coin. More or less we all have our leadership skills to guide ourselves to lead our own way.

Always love,

Vikram Roy

Filed under: Art, Blog, Books, Drama, Editorial, Education, Fiction & Fantasy

Queen Elizabeth II & Yoga (A Theme Painting)

Rich and powerful people always made the history. There is no history written for the ordinary people. 21st June 2015 was the first International Day of Yoga recognised by the United Nations.

Almost 3000BC ago Yoga invented in India by common people to stay healthy. I think this is a revolutionary success of the common people that they are able to teach the rich, how to take care of the health? I felt proud. This painting, I copied from a street artist’s common art.

Queen Elizabeth II & Yoga, Medium: Watercolor on paper, by Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Always Love,

Vikram Roy

Filed under: Art, Blog, Health, India, Lifestyle, Queen Elizabeth II, Sanskrit, UK, United Kingdom, Yoga Day

River, Boat and Classroom!!!

Isn’t it interesting, you studied in a college which is built by the river bank and the river is the partition of two countries, separated in 1947? Yes,Taki Government College is a historic education foundation, built by the river bank of Ichhamati which is the partition of India and Bangladesh. The college is a heritage founded in 15th September, 1950.

It was my graduation days, I can remember the three difficult years of my life, obtaining a Bachelors of Arts Degree. I had a very tough time spent studying English literature in the below classroom.

The Classroom, I studied English Literature for three years during my graduation.  Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

You can see the almost blurred, foggy land by the opposite direction of Ichhamati river and that is Bangladesh got independence from pakistan in 1971 after a historical battle named Bhasha Andolon (ভাষা আন্দোলন).

The foggy land by the opposite side of the river Ichaamati, is Bangladesh. Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Ichhamati is the river that has potential connection between Bangladesh and India. The LOC (Line of Control) has divided the river into two parts. The Sundarbans Reserve Forest is an on boat adventure tourism attraction, starts from Taki through a boat journey into Ichhamati river and spend night at the Sundarbans Tiger Camps built inside the forest full of Bengal Tigers.

These boats take visitors to the Sundarbans Tiger Camps. Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

I studied through a dark age, nostalgic memories and I became a Bachelors of Arts from Taki Government College in 2008. I saw bad politics, student unions, turmoil, and collapse of University of Calcutta’s education system.

It was a time when I decided to left West Bengal for good. After seven years I came back to visit Taki Government College and claimed my B.A. Degree Certificate. Still nothing has been changed and I saw how professors in the desk sitting idle, students are shouting political slogans, clerks are late, and no discipline inside the classroom.

Taken with Lumia Selfie, with Arnab Mondal, we studied together at Taki Govt. College.

Always love,

Vikram Roy

Filed under: Biography, Blog, Editorial, Education, India, Lifestyle

Can you Imagine Life without Promising Cab Service in Bangalore?

Bangalore is the number one living destination in India for the smart and intelligent people. Here daily life depends on dedication, hard work, and punctuality. Only one problem in the city is the Traffic Jam. Bangalore’s well known public areas like Majestic, Silk Board, Koramangala, Banashankari, Bommanahalli, Electronic City, HAL, etc. are highly crowded during office hours.

This issue can not be solved immediately because the intercity transportation options are very limited. Namma Metro or ‘Our Metro’ project is going on which will take a lot of time to cover up the entire city under the metro rail service. Indian metro cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, have multiple intercity transportation options. In different cities, Public Transportation, Metro Rail, Intercity Railway, Tram, and Ferry Boats are popular services. Especially in Kolkata all five transportation options are very popular. But Bangalore is totally depending on diesel, gas and petroleum vehicles. Here people can miss out a university exam, office meeting, school event, million dollars business deal, train, flight, seminar, etc. just because of traffic delay. The value of time is always very important. We can miss a lot if we fail to reach in time. Here, premium cab service in Bangalore come to our rescue.

Here 24/7 cab service is available on call. Ola cabs, Uber, Taxi for Sure, Meru, Airport Taxi, are quite a few of them. The car rental companies sometimes cannot take bookings because of overload of their service.

Premium Cab Service Photo Credit: Wikipedia

I had a critical experience with a popular cab service provider in Bangalore. Albeit I booked a cab one day in advance, but they were not able to provide me a cab on time. They told that they don’t have any cab available at my location at that moment. In such situation, I needed alternative contacts of cab service in Bangalore. I don’t like to take a risk at the last moment of my journey. I got many good options and smooth AC cab service in Bangalore. I experience safe and hassle free travel.

One more important fact is the limitations of baggage you can carry inside a cab. Sometimes you may have some extra baggage. In such situation, you need proper communication at the time of booking cab. In fact, drivers can not allow more baggage inside the cab because of traffic rules. You shall call customer support help desk to clarify such issue. You can get Bangalore cab service customer support numbers from online directories and yellow pages. Also, drivers are very co-operative, you shall ask them to connect the help desk executives and clarify any issue over the phone. Overall cab service in Bangalore is promising and they do help to reach the destination on time.

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Filed under: Bangalore, Biography, Blog, Business And Commerce, Cab Service, Editorial, India, Lifestyle, Namma Metro, Transportation

Welcome Aboard to ‘Do Right’ and See A Magical Transformation!

For the last two decade, India has developed well. We developed in business, international relation, technology, banking, health, and education. But still the question arise, is that enough development happened in this second largest populace of the world?

Look at the GDP, general statistics like education, health and malnutrition, the answer figures are horrific than one can ever imagine. We are not able to protect the child labors, illiterate street kids, and bring them to the school. Government helping them in terms of creating new laws, providing mid-day meals, education for all program, #ScholarShip etc. Then why this illiteracy is still hunting our progress? Because there is no significant awareness about the most of the programmes.

Mr. Ajeet Singh, a Do Righter started a magical transformation that will give the children an ideal learning environment. Here I come to know about Varanasi’s unique boat school & how they are keeping children off the streets of Varanasi? I became surprised. It’s a complete learn and fun environment which indeed children deserve. The success of this programme that I wish. Hope people who love India and want to see this progress must donate for this cause.

Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world. Millions of pilgrims come all around the world to see this place every year. People love the holy river Ganga. Last 20 years the Ganges has been found over polluted by the cities of the river banks. To protect the Ganges and its people we need necessary awareness and education to the young generation who are the future citizens of this holy land. Hope Varanasi’s unique boat school idea can help us to save the Ganges and it’s people.

Varanasi’s unique boat school Photo Credit http://doright.in

This dream can not come true without us. To succeed this good social cause, our contribution and support is required to give the children of the Ganges the learning environment they deserve. Unique boat school is an ideal education program. Researchers have come up with the conclusion to take forward this boat school idea. It’s time to act now and ‘Do Right‘.

Tata Capital Limited is one of India’s leading financial service providers and a direct subsidiary of Tata Sons Limited. TATA Capital took an initiative to support Varanasi’s unique boat school and help this harbour of learning to see a magical transformation. This noble cause can fulfill the dreams of so many innocent children who deserves the education and a bright future. It is time to Do Right by helping and donate for this cause. To read the whole story and donate, please visit: www.doright.in

Feel free to like Journey of Doing Right all across their social media channels and share the cause:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tatacapital

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tatacapital

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tatacapital/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TataCapitalLtd

Use the hashtag: #india4india and raise your voice.

Act Today, “Do Right“!

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Filed under: Bangalore, Biography, Blog, Do Right, Donate, Editorial, Education, Event, Health, India, Lifestyle, Personal, The Ganges, Varanasi Boat School

Weekend Catch #3 UB City The Collection at Bangalore.

The series about Bangalore city limits must visit so far continued. This time I went to the UB City, The Collection Mall, which is located in the heart of Bangalore, India. This mall is located by the pavement of Bangalore skyscrapers that I posted earlier. Built and owned by two companies UB Group and the Prestige Group. The interior architecture of this mall is ultra modern. There are delicious food courts and wine shops inside. Possibly one of the perfect place for shopping, boozing and fun. Oh! There is a large amphitheatre stage inside which occasionally is used for organising special events.

Photo: Amphitheatre stage inside UB City, The Collection by Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Photo: UB City, The Collection Built by UB Group and the Prestige Group. Photo Credit Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Photo: Decorations menus inside The Collection, Photo Credit Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Photo: Entrance Gate, Photo Credit Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Photo: Outside the entrance UB City The Collection, Photo Credit Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Photo: A LV brand shopping center at UB City The Collection, Photo Credit Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

Photo: Opposite to the UB City The Collection, A new shop being constructing, Photo credit Vikram Roy © Copyright 2015

I had less time to explore more. As I understand the place has lot of secrets inside. The luxury calls at Bangalore. You must visit the place to discover them.

Always love!!!

Vikram Roy

Filed under: Bangalore, Biography, Blog, Editorial, Event, Food, India, Prestige Group, Travel, UB City, UB Group