I'm going to start Urban Thrilling Adventure Walk workshops for foreign
tourists It is an idea whose time has come! Based out of Pune city in India, the itinerary will include exciting events such as how to
cross Fergusson college road at 5 pm, negotiate traffic signal chowks in the
early mornings, walking along the narrow peth lanes without harming a
hair (of your own self!) and so on. Advanced levels will include survival and negotiation skills
such as actually managing to hire an auto rickshaw that is ready to take
you where you wish to go, how to climb on a public transport bus, etc.
Might add more brilliant ideas to this list later :D
Show me an Indian who has never seen or used a coconut. The sriphal or 'God-fruit' is an integral part of Hindu religious rituals. The Rishis of ancient times were wise dudes. That is why they insisted upon including in Poojas the only fruit of which every part can be utilized.
When I was a kid, baby creams, lotions and moisturizers
had not really arrived in India. The Sunday morning ritual included an oil
bath. We’d sit in front of mom or grandma who would then proceed to massage
pure coconut oil into our arms, legs and hair. This would be followed by a ‘head
bath’ with plenty of hot water, and boiled decoction of shikakai and reetha. The
oil left a lovely sheen on the hair and skin which could then withstand the
rigors of the Indian sun without drying or shriveling. In the holidays we played all the afternoon, running outdoors, climbing trees, and mom was worry-free knowing the coconut oil would take care of a few scratched knees.
image: free download
Then there were the coconuts that were bought for
adding to food. These are fresh nuts with the tough shell still on. In many
coastal communities fresh coconut shavings are used as a base for curries and
as garnish. Towards central part of India dried coconut is more often used. We children
always looked forward to the breaking of these nuts as there was incidental
bounty to be had in the form of coconut water. This poured out when the coconut
shell broke open and was collected in a bowl kept underneath. The firm white flesh would then be scraped with a special scraper.
The resulting scraped mass when squeezed between the palms gave the much prized
coconut milk. This milk is a connoisseurs’ delight, with smooth rich texture
and a mild sweetness. Added to curries, it nicely balances the heat of green chillies. My
favorite is Solkadhi, a delicious cooling drink made along the west coast of
India with oodles of coconut milk and flavored with sour kokum fruit.
Nowadays the coconut plays an even more important role in protecting the skin and hair, what with pollution, smoke, diesel fumes and dust getting to every child and adult who steps out into the street. While coconut oil is a bit… well... oily, I am a big
fan of coconut milk. As the official scraper-of-coconut at home I usually end
up coming in close contact with fresh coconut shavings. These nuts are so bursting
with richness that you will find its cream sticking to the scraper too. Massaging one’s arms, legs and face with these fat rich coconut scrapings makes the skin supple and gives it long lasting softness. And people wonder how I manage to look ten years younger! Now you know my secret
~
This blogpost is submitted for "The Goodness Of Coconut Contest, brought to you by Parachute Advansed body lotion" and Womensweb
