Saturday, September 25, 2021

Natural eating – local produce


We know eating fruit and vegetables is good for health. But how much attention do we pay to choosing those fruit and veggies? This article is dedicated to benefits of choosing local produce.

Buying locally produced food is good for the environment, economy, society, and health. Let’s explore each in a little more detail.

How does our choice to eat local benefit the environment? Well, imagine buying tomatillos from Mexico in Asia. They have to be stored in optimal conditions and transported all the way by flight contributing to enormous pollution and carbon footprint. In addition, huge amounts of packing materials, including plastics add to pollution. Locally sourced food, even if not from immediate farmers markets, is still more responsible and use of reusable bags will do away with most of the pollution caused by single use plastic bags. In addition to this aspect, locally grown plants that are indigenous to an area will by nature support biodiversity there. Seasonal fruit and vegetables are produced by nature in specific seasons for a reason. The weather and climatic conditions are most suitable, and this is in turn related to other plants, various animals, birds, and insects in the region. By supporting their cultivation, we help farming of these native plants which do a world of good to that region.



By buying locally, we support the local farmers, small stores, and hence the economy in the region. Local businesses provide employment to residents and they in turn spend their income in other local stores, circulating money in the local economy, thus strengthening communities.

Shopping locally means you might actually know your farmer! You might be able to see your fruit and veggies growing on the trees or plants. This increases interest in the food (maybe leading to a small home garden!), farming practices and is an opportunity to know local communities and their businesses.



Locally produced food is more fresh and hence more packed with nutrients. It tastes better and if organic, will boast of even further benefits. They don’t have to be stored for long or processed more in order to keep in optimal shape for longer.

While tasting exotic foods or food from far away lands is fun and a good thing, it should not become a common and accepted practice. Homogeneous availability of produce across the world has led to many species of plants becoming extinct. In our focus for food security, we have done away with so many resilient species that had naturally evolved to survive very difficult conditions. Respect of history, diversity and eating in a more harmonious way with nature may just about save this Earth, although many fear it is too late already!


One should be mindful of many factors that goes into putting produce in the shops and be responsible in choices. Let us enjoy all the local bounties more and consume lesser mass produced produce from far away lands. Eat healthy and enjoy!



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Tuesday, August 31, 2021

STEM education


Quality STEM education and learning is the key to unlocking innovation, driving the development of high-value businesses, products, and services, building a sustainable economy, and securing a responsible future for humankind – in harmony with the natural environment.

Watch below video for a more detailed discussion on foundational digital learning.




Thursday, August 26, 2021

Happy International Dog day!

To honour the friendship between man and his best friend, we celebrate International Dog Day every year on the 26th of August.
Let us take a minute today to think of dogs, the infinite love that they are capable of, and the sheer value & meaning they add to our lives. From being our companions to being service dogs to emergency services and national security, dogs contribute in many ways to enrich and safeguard human life.
Let’s pledge to do something extra for our furry friends today. Let us think of other dogs around the world who need support, be it in conflict/disaster zones or in our own backyard.
Any contribution to rescue groups around the world is a welcome support to these usually cash strapped organizations. Contribution of time by volunteering or fostering is of even more value. If nothing else, just feed a stray!
Say no to illegal activities like dog breeding or dog fighting. Let us never turn a blind eye to an animal in need. Let us always speak up whenever we see animal abuse, instead of walking away.
The best things we can learn from dogs:
• Live in the moment
• Love unconditionally
• Never judge
• Don’t bear a grudge
Happy International ‘Best friend’ day everyone!




Sunday, August 22, 2021

Madras Day!

Happy birthday Madras!

Today is the city of Madras’s (now called Chennai) 382nd birthday. This day commemorates the acquisition of a strip of land along the Coromandel coast, from the waning Vijayanagara empire, on 22 August 1639 by the British East India Company to set-up a factory and warehouse for their trading activities. Though the sale deed indicated Chennai, the acquired land area was formerly known as ‘Mādarasanpattanam’, reference to which goes all the way back to 1367. So, you see, the city (or geographical area) is actually older than the official 382 years. Not to mention, some of the architecture and temples of the city date back to as early as 7th century!

One of the largest cities of the world - 36th largest by population area - the cultural and de facto gateway to Southern India, Chennai remains one of the most visited cities of the country. The city is known as the ‘Health capital’ of India as it captures majority share of medical tourism, both international and domestic; an indicator of not just world-class healthcare facilities but also excellent health research organisations that the city boasts of.  

One of the safest metropolitan cities of India, Chennai was rated best city in India in 2014 by India Today. BBC named Chennai ‘the hottest’ city in 2015 for long term living as well as visiting. This is true literally and otherwise; the biggest gripe of visitors and expatriates is that the city is much too hot! But we people who are in love with Chennai don’t care about the heat in the least!

The people of Chennai are also some of the biggest foodies you will find, and the city does them proud by providing sheer variety that other places can only dream of. So much so, the National Geographic featured Chennai in their list of ‘Top 10 Food Cities’ in 2015! Where else would you find old, traditional places like Karpagambal mess where you can eat all you want, delicious traditional food in the heart of Mylapore? Or another old landmark place, the Ratna Café famous for Idly, Vada with delicious sambar generously served in a saucepan, with endless refills!!! I have often wondered how much sambar the cooks at the café make on a daily basis…mindboggling! So many more such gems, but how can we cover them even in a dedicated volume, much less here? As for modern and international cuisines, you will find everything from Italian to Mexican, street food to seven star restaurants, and never be in a position where you cannot have something your heart desires - even way past mid-night! The endless varieties of biriyanis would be a post in itself, so I will not do the injustice of going into that here!

Chennai is home to many museums, art galleries and other cultural institutions, that help residents and tourists connect with the rich cultural heritage of the city and state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is celebrated as a major hub for music, arts, culture, and movies in the country. The Madras Music or Kutcheri (music & dance concerts) Season, beginning late November to mid-January each year, is a celebrated destination event that every performing arts lover across the country looks forward to. People travel from all over the world to perform or participate as an audience in the many concerts that the city has to offer. This season spins-out an entire economy as people shop for concert-specific clothes & jewellery; food catering services are booked several months in advance, as are the many sabhas, temples, auditoriums and halls in preparation for the hundreds of concerts organized throughout the city! Professional event planners (unlike community-based volunteer services of old) and many other associated service providers make a killing during this time which also happens to be a season for weddings.. This of course is not the only time the city celebrates its culture and arts, but one of the most prominent.

Did you know that banking systems were established in Chennai as early as 1683, a century earlier than the establishment of other commercial banks across the country? The city boasts of existence of branches of many international banks. The permanent back office of the World bank – the largest other than the Washington D.C office, is in Chennai as well!

The State of Tamil Nadu is on the whole extremely well connected by road, air, and rail within and across the country. This, very obviously, extends to the capital city of Chennai too and we residents could not be prouder of our excellent roads and transport options. We might occasionally complain, but one visit to any other metro or state shuts us right up and moves us into the grateful zone immediately 😉

Chennai is home to some of the best educational institutions in the country and the world. Government and private schools, colleges and universities operate here, and English is the medium for most higher education. The city is blessed with an abundance of public libraries, including the largest library in Asia and some of the largest in the country. All libraries are open for free public use.

One of the earliest and most industrialized cities of India, Chennai goes back to the 16th century with its foray into textiles manufacturing and has steadily grown to now become the automobile capital of the country in addition to other manufacturing sectors. Chennai hosts most of the international automobile companies as well as domestic manufacturing plants.

Does this article sound like I am boasting? Of course, I am 😊 This article is nowhere close to doing any justice to my beautiful city but is just a small dedication from me on this special day when we take an extra minute to remember Chennai’s or Madras’s greatness. Madras (as some of us still like to remember) is not a city but an emotion for most of us!

I leave you with some landmark pictures.


                                                       Stone carvings at Mahabalipuram


Central Railway station


University of Madras


Chennai High Court


The Karl Schmidt memorial at Eliots beach


Shore temple at Mahabalipuram at sunrise


Famous statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Chennai


Napier bridge


Ripon building - Corporation of Chennai