Indigenous Knowledge, IPR, Rasgulla And Indian Sweets #RasagolaA2Z

IN 2015, FOLLOWING OUR RASAGOLA DIBASA / RASGULLA DAY MAIDEN CELEBRATION ONLINE ON JULY 30, #RASAGOLADIBASA TRENDED AND THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATES ABOUT RASGULLA "ORIGIN". 

That was the purpose of our celebration - to end the Rasgulla debate and controversy and settle it in the favour of truth and research i.e. in Odisha's favour.

However, even today, there is much misinformation regarding Chhena and Rasgulla "invention" both on internet and offline.

Rasgulla is just thought to be synonymous with another state and its capital city, and not Odisha. Searches on internet reveal the ignorance. Odisha is still not being given any credit for Rasgulla despite being this dessert's birthplace.

Source: Twitter

Kaleidoscopic Indian Culture

As per the Wikipedia:

Culture is a word for people's 'way of life', meaning the way groups do things. Different groups of people may have different cultures. Culture is seen in people's writing, religion, music, clothes, cooking, and in what they do.
The concept of culture is very complicated, and the word has many meanings. 
The word 'culture' is most commonly used in three ways.

• Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture.
• An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior.
• The outlook, attitudes, values, morals, goals, and customs shared by a society.

Indian culture is Kaleidoscopic.

Source

Flock Together!

People have different motivations to work.
But, the #1 activity on checklist they never shirk-

One act that shamelessly unites them together-
Efforts impressing their superior/leader!

Source: Times Of India

Mango Vermicelli Kheer

Both my daughter & I love desserts; desserts fill us with glee!

She loves Kheer (Indian dessert- sweet Pudding) & Custard also like me!

One day, I had an idea- a dish that would be a happy combination! 

I added Mango Custard powder to my Vermicelli Kheer preparation!

My family loved my innovative Mango Vermicelli Kheer dish!

Now this dish appears often on our dining-table as per majority's wish!

On popular demand, here's the recipe!

Be Indian

Being a proud Indian, I support using Indian products.
I too believe in the "Be Indian, Buy Indian, Use Indian, Wear Indian" concept.

We need to uphold our sense of nationalism & flaunt Indian clothes with pride & style.When foreigners visit our India, they should get a feel of our "national costumes".

Sad that most of our youngsters are casually dressed in western-wear & do not wear Indian-clothes most of the time...

It's also true that many are more Indian than we think. Here are some examples - REAL, REEL & RHYME.

The following are some of my ideas how to share the "Be Indian" message-

REAL, REEL AND RHYME!

REAL

India has ‘Unity in Diversity’. From centuries, India has been open in welcoming outside elements & change, assimilating their culture & enriching its cultural diversity. 

Now, the whole world is in the same process. 

In her book ‘World Class: Thriving at home in the Global Economy’, Rosabeth Moss Canter, a Harvard Business School Professor, writes that cultural diversity is an asset. The key to turning access to cultural diversity into an asset is Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC). Without eliminating differences, ICC helps deal with clashing cultures.

Indian connection proves that the world is more Indian than we think.

People from all over the world come seeking for answers and get enriched by India’s wealth of wisdom.

In mid-1974, a young Steve Jobs, Apple’s ex-CEO, had travelled to India with his friends in search of spiritual enlightenment. They toured extensively in India. There was a transformation in their personality because of the time they spent here. 

Many ‘foreigners’ visit India as they are spiritually drawn & adopt India as their home. They learn and contribute. Sadhus & Sadhvis of ISKCON & those who stay by the banks of the river Ganga etc. are more Indian than we think.

Italy-born Ileana Citaristi, is now an Odissi & Chhau dancer, based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha since 1979. In 2006, she became the first dancer of foreign origin to be conferred the Padma Shri Award for her contributions to Odissi dance. Ileana is more Indian than we think.

Odissi Dance of Odisha, India; Source