Top ten uses and benefits of Microwave oven

In today's world the microwave has become a necessity for every household. Be it baking, defrosting, heating or cooking, the versatile microwave oven works great. We do not need many gadgets or cutlery to cook in microwave. There are many varieties available in market with various sizes. Below is the list I found useful when I bought my own Microwave oven.

1) It saves time:
In today's fast paced life, not all have time to cook and besides many ready to eat meals are available in market. You can cook, reheat or boil several things in short time. That is one reason microwave ovens are very popular in households.

2) It retains nutrients:
I think not all may agree but  food is cooked in oven using heat waves and hence it saves on lost nutrients which are essential for our health.

3) It is easy to clean:
The best thing about this is you do not need too many utensils to cook and you can use special oven proof  utensil. Choose time and mode and your food is cooked. The food does not stick to these vessels and hence cleaning is quite easy.

4) Steaming and boiling:
In any cuisine there is always boiling and steaming and the microwave oven does this job perfectly well. We can always boil on stove top but in microwave oven the boiling is done quicker and evenly.

5) Blanching:
When fresh vegetables are available,blanching and freezing them  for later use works great if blanching is done in microwave oven. It not only blanches fast but it also retains food nutrient value.

6) Roasting:
This is the best option to roast popcorn, garlic or maybe nuts. All you need is to set time on the oven and put whatever you need to roast. and its done. Indian cooking uses roasting method a lot and hence its helpful feature.

7) Grilling:
Almost every oven has the grill feature. You can grill sandwiches, pizzas or any food item. Buying a separate griller won't be necessary at all. Just set the time and your are done.

8) Defrosting:
Usually most people put the frozen item at room temperature to defrost. Or they put it under water to defrost faster. But with microwave oven you can defrost easily without wasting nutrients or water. Just put the frozen food in microwave safe bowl and set the defrost button. 

9) Baking:
Now a days almost everyone bakes a lot of dishes in microwave oven. Be it cakes, bread or any other dishes. Most ovens come with the oven safe kit and there are many other oven proof glass ware to use too. You have a craving for quick cake. Make 2 min cake in oven much faster than anything else. Cook simple cake or muffins or any fance cakes or bake variety of cookies. The microwave oven does it all

10) Re heating:
This is the best one again as with busy schedules, many people cook the food early and keep it. Those who come in late can always just re heat the food in jiffy. The food reheated on stove top may get soggy or spoiled but with oven it can be done in matter of few mins.


The above are few things I have found useful to do with my oven. I am sure many of you have known many useful things. Do share in your comments below.

Ten facts to know about Loksabha elections 2014

Come April, India gears for its biggest Lok Sabha  parliament  elections. The  elections would spread over 36 days from April 7th to May 12. The votes would be counted on May 16 and in next few days it would become apparent who forms the government. Below are some important points you should know about the coming elections.

1)  Roughly 814.5 million people are registered to vote, an increase of more than 100 million since the last parliamentary election in 2009.

2) Of those, over 23 million are between 18 to 19 years old. A surge in enrollment in this age group means they now constitute 2.88 percent of total voters, against 0.75 percent in 2009.

3) Election dates in parliamentary constituencies were set taking into consideration extreme summer heat, monsoon rains, harvest seasons, religious festivals and most importantly, school exams. Most polling stations are placed in schools.

4) Voters will cast their ballots in about 930,000 polling stations, an increase of nearly 12 percent since 2009.

5) For the first time in a general election, voters will have a “None of the Above” option on the ballot papers and electronic voting machines. The option was brought in last year in response to activist groups who said voters were too often forced to choose between several candidates with criminal backgrounds.

6) To curb “the abuse of money power” during the elections, “flying squads” and static surveillance teams will guard against the distribution of cash or other bribes to voters. Committees will also keep their eyes peeled for illegal election advertisements and politically funded stories planted in the media.

7) The income tax department and the government’s financial intelligence unit have been instructed to keep watch on the movement of cash during elections. In previous elections, political operatives were caught driving with suitcases packed with cash in their car trunks.

8) The Election Commission will monitor production, storage and distribution of liquor during elections. Indian political parties are notorious for handing out alcohol and even prescription medication as bribes to voters.

9) Transgender persons can mark their gender as “Others” on the electoral rolls, a category that did not exist in 2009. 28,314 voters have listed their gender in this way.

10) Booth officers will do door to door surveys to prepare a list of voters found absent at their home in an effort to prevent impersonation. Dead voters and those who have moved from their homes will be added to a list to check against the rolls to ensure no foul play on voting day.


 Information source: Times of India

Top ten summer essentials

Summer is here now and with heat and perspiration everyone gets uncomfortable. If you are on the move you need things to keep yourself cool. Below is the list I found useful.

1) Sunscreen
Hot summer sun can cause lot of trouble for skin. Use good quality sunscreen to prevent sunburn and tanning. Take care not to let it go in eyes and wash with cold water in case it goes in eyes. Apply 20 minutes before going out in sun.  If you are sweating a lot, make sure to apply it again after two hours.

2) Sunglasses
Too much exposure to sun can cause damage to eye tissues. Over exposure to UV radiation can cause blindness. Invest in good quality sunglasses to protect the eyes.

3) Hat
I have seen personally lot of people use sun hat. It is essential to keep scalp cool to prevent heat strokes. Part of face where we cant apply sunscreen and the hat helps cover it. Most ladies use their duppatta or sari to  cover the heads when in high noon heat.

4) Cotton clothes
Soft cotton clothes are essential for everyone and best choice for summer wear. It allows sweat to evaporate quickly and it keeps skin dry.

5)Water bottle
When we sweat, we lose lot of fluid and minerals from body causing dehydration and muscle fatigue. We must take care to drink water at regular intervals.

6) Footwear
Good quality sweat absorbent footwear should be chosen. Sweating would make your feet swell and also make sure to use dry and clean footwear or dampness and unclean footwear may cause fungal infections leading to bad odour.

7)Face wash
Sweating is main reason for rashes and sun burns. During hot summers a good quality face wash would keep you clean and fresh a longer time. You may have to use it few times in a day to get rid of dirt and sweat in face.

8) Lip balms
The heat dries up the moisture from lips leaving us with chapped lips. Use good quality lip balms to ensure the moisture and prevent chapping and dry lips

9) Face wipes
You are walking down the road and its hot and sweaty. You take out your handkerchief but its still not clean. That is when handy perfumed face wipes work. They help to get rid of all dirt and sweat which causes black heads. 

10) Anti antiperspirant deo
I prefer this besides all the above items when I go out in hot sun. It keeps sweat and body odor away. Very handy item in our bags.

Hope you liked this article and I am sure you all have your own list of summer essentials. Do share in comments below.

Top ten things to carry while travelling

So vacations are about to start and you are planning to travel. But there are some essentials one need to pack while traveling. I know I always end up forgetting something, so first I make list of things which need to be done and then another list of things to pack. Below are some of the things  I make sure to carry.

1) Essential Medicines
Top most on my list is necessary medicines to carry. for example paracetamol or anti vomit tablets.Travel sickness can occur anytime. Along with it necessary items for cleanliness like  soap, santizer etc. Here, I do carry a small pack of needle, thread and scissors which can come in handy if there is tear in any garment.

2) Mobile and charger
You do not want to end up with no means of communication and dead battery in your cell phone. Must have these fully ready.

3) Snacks
If you have kids with you, make sure to carry sufficient snacks while travelling along with extra pair of clothes for them. It is good for everyone to avoid acidity and uneasiness and time also flies while munching on something light and easily digestable.

4) Camera
You do not want to miss out on beautiful memories or any lovely scenery you see on the way. You get to preserve a life time memory of wonderful places you visit and the fun you had.

5) Towels
Always needed when travelling. When on the move, health and hygiene play important role and to have a clean towel is a must. 

6) Water bottle
People tend to forget handy water bottle when travelling. People think we can get water anywhere but its always safe to carry our own bottle from home to avoid expensive or unhealthy water to drink.

7) A diary or a journal
So you have gone to a lovely place and seen wonderful things. You may like to note down details of customs, traditions or even cuisine. A diary comes in handy for this.

8) Money
Ahaa- the most important part of travelling. Carry enough money or credit or debit cards which come in handy. Don't want to get stranded with no money for anything.

9) Torch
I always carry torch with batteries, just in case there is power cut or black out. Along with it matches and candles for emergency use.

10) A padlock
Security and safety comes first. A small padlock to lock your bags and belongings. Mind gets diverted to safety of things and won't let us enjoy the moments. Must have item on the list while travelling.


Hope you all liked this article. I am sure everyone has their own list of things to carry while travelling. Do share what you like to carry when you travel.

Top ten chat slangs

Chat slangs or short form of some words which we use while chatting are funny and mostly based on popular usage. There are symbols which can convey any emotions like :) ( smile) etc or some short form words to help reduce time on sending long text message. Same things are used in sms also. Below I found during my internet chat time the common words used.


1) ASL ( AGE,SEX, LOCATION)
The very first thing I saw was this. People you met via chat rooms or through any social sites, would first ask this question. It is asked to know who the person on other hand is and its advisable never to disclose real facts to strangers like this.

2) BRB ( BE RIGHT BACK)
I am sure many people still do while on chats. It means while chatting if a person has to get up for few minutes or is busy then BRB is used to convey to other person that he or she would return back soon.

3) ASAP (AS SOON AS POSSIBLE)
It shows the urgency  for the work done and even in mails or sms we end up the message by saying Please reply ASAP.

4) ILY ( I LOVE YOU)
Most common used between friends and lovers or showing affection towards other person.

5) XOXO ( HUGS & KISSES)
This had me in splits and I was wondering where does hug and kiss start in this form. It is used along with ILY. But not to be used in any formal relations.

6) MYOB (MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS)
Hmm bit harsh I would think but it generally means not to interfere. Usually used in middle of sentence to explain-- Please MYOB.

7) SOS ( SOMEONE OVER SHOULDER)
I used to think its used in emergency like save our ship till I came to know it also is used to stop private conversation when someone is around. Very interesting. Don't you think so???

8) OMG ( OH MY GOD)
Oh my god this is so widely used now a days. It is used to express surprise, shock or fear. Awesome, I would say to OMG.

9) TTYL ( TALK TO YOU LATER)
It is used to end conversation when we have to leave mid way or something comes up and we can say talk to you later in short form.

10) LOL ( LAUGH OUT LOUD)
Finally, the most loved short form. Laugh out loud to something funny, hilarious and amusing. It can also be used in sarcastic way.

Beside these, there are Rofl ( rolling on the floor laughing), cya ( see you),Fyi ( for your information). Now TTYL. Keep on Lol-ling.. Have a nice day.

Ten national symbols of India

Did you know what are national symbols of India. They are pride for all Indians. Below is the list with the pictures.

1) Indian National Flag

A horizontal tricolour of saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. In the centre is a navy blue wheel with twenty-four spokes, known as the Ashoka Chakra. It was designed by Pingali Venkayya. The saffron color represents courage and sacrifice; white – truth, peace and purity; green – prosperity; and the Ashok Chakra represents the Laws of Dharma (righteousness)

2) National Emblem

The emblem of India is an adaptation of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. It was adopted as the National Emblem of India on 26 January 1950, the day that India became a republic. The emblem forms a part of the official letterhead of the Government of India, and appears on all Indian currency as well. The Emblem also consists the motto of India - "Satyameva Jayate" in Devanagari Script, which means "Truth Alone Triumphs".


3) National Anthem of India- Jana gana mana

"Jana Gana Mana" was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem on 24 January 1950. It was composed by Rabindranath Tagore.


4) National Song- Vande Mataram

"Vande Mataram"  composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. It is a hymn to the Mother Land. It played a vital role in the Indian independence movement, first sung in a political context by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. In 1950 (after India's independence), the song's first two verses were given the official status of the "national song" of the Republic of India, distinct from the national anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana.

5) National Flower- Lotus

Lotus is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture. It is the flower of goddess Laxmi and symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and fertility.

6) National Fruit- Mango

 Mangoes have been cultivated in India from time immemorial. The poet Kalidasa sang its praises. Alexander savoured its taste, as did the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Mughal emperor Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga, Bihar at a place now known as Lakhi Bagh. The king of fruits has rightly earned its prestige in form of national fruit of India.

7) National Animal- Royal Bengal Tiger

The  Royal Bengal tiger is the national animal of India which symbolizes power.

8) National Bird- Peacock

In 1963, the peacock was declared the National Bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions. The  choice was made because the bird is present all over  the country. Even the common man recognises it . It must not be confused with the bird emblem of any other nation. It should be associated with Indian myths and legends. The peacock fit the bill.

9) National tree- Banyan tree

The branches of Indian Banyan tree root themselves to form new trees and grow over large areas. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.

10) National River- Ganges/ Ganga

The Ganges or Ganga, is a trans-boundary river of India and Bangladesh. The river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and flows south and east through the Gangetic Plain of North India into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges is the most sacred river to Hindus and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs It is worshiped as the goddess Ganga in Hinduism. . In November 2008, the Ganges, alone among India's rivers, was declared a National River.



So how many of you did remember all this? Of course, there are rules to follow when National Anthem is played and national flag hoisted. One must respect all the national symbols and preserve them.

pic & information source; wiki

Top ten things India taught the world

My title would create curiosity but history suggests there are things which happened in India before the whole world came to know of it and adapt it. According to great writer Mark Twain-- India is the land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendor and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra and the jungle, the country of hundred nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of traditions. Read to discover great facts about India.

1) Unity in diversity-
India is incredibly beautiful country. The diversity is seen in dress, culture,cuisine, geographical locations, art and festivals. People from all religions follow their own customs but under everything the sense of being Indian is above everything.

2) The number 0 ( zero)-
When I think of this number my mind goes to the song from Indian film Purab aur Paschim, which depicts a lot about what India gave to the world. The song goes thus, Jab zero diya mere Bharat ne, duniya ko tab ginti aayi ( when my India gave zero, then the world learnt to count). According to wiki,
in 498 AD, Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata stated that "sthānāt sthānaṁ daśaguņaṁ syāt" i.e. "from place to place each is ten times the preceding," which is the origin of the modern decimal-based place value notation. The value of “Pi” was first estimated in India.

3) Sanskrit and vedas-
The Vedas are among the oldest sacred texts. According to wiki, Rigveda is one of the oldest extant texts in any Indo-European language. Philological and linguistic evidence indicate that the Rigveda was composed in the north-western region of the Indian subcontinent, roughly between 1700–1100 BC. Sanskrit is considered the mother of many languages. It has its origin in India.

4) Ayurveda-
Ayurveda or the 'Science of Life' is an ancient,system for diagnosis and treatment, perhaps the oldest system of medicine known to humanity.Ayurveda consider its origin over 5,000 years ago in India.(ayurvedatips )
The history of Ayurveda starts from the time of the Holy books, the Vedas. Ancient mythology contends that the concept and essence of Ayurveda was revealed by the creator of the world himself. Lord Brahma(medindia.net)

5) Yoga-
Yoga is the physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India with a view to attain a state of permanent peace of mind in order to experience one's true self. Yoga is used to reduce health problems, stress and increase stamina and keep body fit.

6)  Namaste-
 It is form of greeting by folding both hands.Excavations for Indus-Sarasvati civilization has revealed many male and female terracotta figures in namaste posture.It means showing respect and warmth and this is what India showed to the world. 

7) Saree-
A sari or saree, is a Indian female garment that consists of drape varying from two to nine yards in length and two to four feet in breadth that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder, baring the midriff. The sari is associated with grace and is widely regarded as a symbol of Indian culture.

8) IT Industry-
Past two decades has seen great growth in field of Information technology. The Indian IT industry has become globally competitive.We have an edge over everyone else, when it comes to skills, products and services.

9) Model of  Democracy-
With population of over a billion, India is considered a role model in democracy. The electoral process in India is remarkable . Also, the active involvement of the public in the country’s affairs are praiseworthy.

10) Chess- the game of kings-
The history of chess spans some 1500 years. The earliest predecessor of the game probably originated in India, before the 6th century AD. From India, the game spread to Persia, then to Arabs and then to Europe where the present form was developed.