World Stray Animal Day April 4th, 2012!

Apr2

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. Mahatma Gandhi

April 4th, 2012 is World Stray Animal Day!

The Ambassador is Cesar Millan also known as the Dog Whisperer! To hear more on what Cesar has to say about being given the wonderful post of World Stray Dog Ambassador, please go here. He has a lovely video posted and a heartfelt written newsletter explaining why this topic is so near and dear to his heart.

For me personally, this day means a lot. Since moving to India, I was faced with the extreme hardship of the Indian Pariah Dog. A truly beautiful, resourceful and noble animal that is taken for granted and left on the streets. Too many people in India are now buying “status” dogs like Golden Retrievers or Rottweilers or German Shepherds or Pugs without understanding the needs of these dogs and completely forgetting the beauty of their own pariah dogs.

The WSD had this to say about the Indian Pariah…

The Indian Pariah Dog is an ancient breed related to the spitz family and the Australian Dingo. Its origin dates back 12,000 to 15,000 years – older than any other breed. Since it is not commercially bred or recognised, it has long been relegated to a second-class position in the canine world. However in recent years it has been steadily gaining in popularity as a house pet.

Pariahs are friendly, highly intelligent and adaptable, not to mention good-looking and well-proportioned. They are very alert and naturally good watchdogs. They are usually healthy and sturdy, and particularly hardy in our sweltering tropical climate.

Having known our own Pariah Society dogs for three years now, I can attest to their healthy, sturdy, intelligent and loyal character.

Nothing makes Bear and I more happy than a day spent with the Society dogs, walking, petting and giving treats for a perfectly executed “sit”, “stay”, “down”, “paw”. They are so eager to please that they learn all these things quickly and remember them since we first taught them 2 1/2 years ago.

Won’t you please consider adopting one of our country’s loyal dogs? They’re waiting for you….right outside your front door.

© 2012 Gori Rajkumari

Medical Mask a Must!

Mar27

What to Wear while in India?

A lot has been written about what to wear or not wear while visiting in India.

Quite obviously, you wouldn’t wear your finest “Walmart People” outfit when visiting in India (see the link for excellent albeit scary examples).

However, one thing that I almost never seen anyone suggest wearing is the medical mask.

Available at any Medical Shop

Why do I suggest it?

Here are some very simple reasons:

1)      Pollution: India’s pollution rate is very high and air quality is no exception to this. Air pollution is a huge problem due to biomass and wood burning, vehicle emissions, construction “dust” and naturally occurring (earth) dust.

2)      Illness: While India’s infrastructure is struggling to meet the needs of the masses, air borne diseases are rampant. Without having grown up with immunity to India viruses, you’re likely to catch it.

When visiting India’s more populated areas, it’s important to remember that if you’re visiting you are not going to be used to the air quality that a city in India will offer.

Wearing a medical mask when out for long periods or in crowded environments or travelling on busy roadways will help you to stay healthy and enjoy your visit.

It may look silly or be hot, but trust me…its well worth the effort. And you’ll enjoy your stay a lot more!

You can buy medical masks at practically any medical shop in India at a very cheap rate (we bought bulk last time for 100 rupees and I still haven’t worn them all).

So next time you head out, don’t forget that the mask might be a fashion faux pas….but when you are NOT sick later you really will NOT care! :)

©  2012 Gori Rajkumari

 

KONY 2012

Mar6

WATCH AND SHARE

IF THE WORLD KNOWS WHO JOSEPH KONY IS, IT WILL UNITE TO STOP HIM.
IT STARTS HERE.

KONY 2012 IS A FILM AND CAMPAIGN BY INVISIBLE CHILDREN THAT AIMS TO MAKE JOSEPH KONY FAMOUS, NOT TO CELEBRATE HIM, BUT TO RAISE SUPPORT FOR HIS ARREST AND SET A PRECEDENT FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/kony2012/kony-4.html

KONY 2012

Chicken Noodle Soup

Mar6

I mentioned in my Holi post that we had an illness in the GoriRajkumari household but failed to mention the following…

  1. It was me…sick…again.
  2. Gastroenteritis SUCKS the big one.
  3. There isn’t a Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup to be had anywhere near us. Not one.

You know, when you’re sick, all you want to do is eat the foods you find comforting. For me it’s Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup, Saltine crackers, Jello (red…uhm…flavor?) and Sprite.

Sprite can be found here and I use Marie biscuits to substitute for the Saltine but the soup is hard to come by.

However! Bear has found an excellent substitute which, in my honest opinion, is 100% better than any Campbell’s CNS I ever remember eating!

What is it?

Maggie.

Yep! Maggie Soups are awesome! Way better than even Knorr which you can find here in India!

My favorite is Maggie Creamy Chicken. It’s delicious and warm and very comforting. Also good on a not so happy stomach.

So give Maggie a try! It’s not just masala noodles anymore!

 

© GoriRajkumari 2012

 

Happy Holi and International Women’s Day 2012!

Mar5

It’s that time of year again! It’s been busy here in GoriRajkumari land with visits from family, an illness and preparations for Holi!

Holi (होली), is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours.

The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, is celebrated by Hindu’s throwing scented, colored powder and perfume at each other.

Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). After doing holika dahan prayers are said and praise is offered. The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion.

All of India wears a festive look when it is time for Holi celebration. Markets are alive with activity as people start making preparations for the festival. Heaps of various hues of gulal and abeer can be seen on the roadside days before the festival. Pichkaris in innovative and modern design too come up every year to lure the children who wish to collect them as Holi memorabilia and of course, to drench everybody in the town.

Women begin making early preparations for the holi festival as they cook loads of gujiya, mathri and papri for the family and for the relatives.

Great excitement can be seen in people on the day following Dhuli, when it’s actually the time to play “colours”. Shops and offices remain closed for the day in most cases, to give people an opportunity to play. Bright colours of gulal and abeer fill the air and people take turns in pouring colour water over each other. Children take special delight in spraying colours on one another with their pichkaris and throwing water balloons and passers-by. Women and senior citizen form groups called tolis and move in colonies – applying colours and exchanging greetings. Songs, dance on the rhythm of dholak and mouth-watering Holi delicacies are the other highlights of the day.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March.

This year, we not only get to celebrate Holi, but also International Women’s Day!

Have a GREAT Holi and International Women’s Day!

© GoriRajkumari 2012