Blog to Feed a Child - my fifth post

Heart-breaking pics I came across-Photo credits -Reuters,NYtimes

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

If charity begins at home,a revolution begins in a community.

When people with a common purpose combine their skills and energies, the outcomes are magnified.

Needless to say ,because, that's exactly how we got our motherland,India, back years ago .

We did get our country's independence but unfortunately, we didn't get independence from many social evils YET like female literacy,female infanticide,child labor/child exploitation,poverty ,hunger to name a few.

We all are aware of it,we whine,feel sorry,complain ,THEN,we ignore and do nothing ,even if someone is willing to do their bit,we don't step forward to extend our hand and support them or some even stop them to go forward and bring the change . Are we being a responsible citizen of a great country even westerners can't stop singing praise of ? Are we really proud to be an Indian then ?

It's high time,we have to change the "It happens in India " attitude to ,"It won't happen again in India."

A lot of welfare schemes and developmental plans are launched by the government but only a few are implemented.If we can bring a change politically ,well and good,meantime we can support all those valid child welfare programs /NGO's in action.

Just like our great freedom fighters who took matters in their hand ,won freedom and shaped our country ,we, each one of us can also do simple to big roles possible to erase the blots on our country.

If you are a shopkeeper,you can arrange pre-packaged foods at a reasonable price that customers can buy and donate to support any child hunger welfare organizations.You can even give the option of donating a minimal amount for the same cause while customer purchases anything from the store.

Every restaurants, universities, hotels, sports ,entertainment venues,community programs can tie up with organizations fighting child hunger and donate extra good food to help the kids/people in need.

Every community can grow a community garden to provide fresh produce to such organizations ,so that they will be ever motivated to make not just some food but "nutritional foods" as a part of meals for hungry kids .

I am not sure if there is one already but if not,we should also have organizations or community programs that ensures local school kids/government school poor kids should also get food not just during school days or school time but also after school time or during holidays as well.

Moreover,every community should take initiative to raise public awareness about the social evils like child hunger etc and the steps one can take to support thereby.

Any slum area nearby should be volunteered to highlight the importance of balanced food and cooking .

Every one can at least spare some time personally to volunteer to support organizations dealing with women and child welfare and do their bit.

Every retired medical professionals (atleast) should come forward to help establish a good medical facility in rural/slum areas.They can also assist in providing multi-vitamin tablets to poor pregnant ladies and unhealthy kids for sure (something is better than nothing after all).

Every retired (atleast) teachers may volunteer to spread education to the needy and therefore ,create more awareness -like accepting a girl child,educating her,marrying her at right age,may she be aware of birth control methods,how to be healthy and deliver a healthy child in future and so on.

Every chef or someone with cooking knowledge can render their cooking skills in any soup kitchen that arranges meals for the hungry.

If someone has a political influence in any way ,please do a good deed ,atleast try to advocate the serious implementation of more child welfare programs and our ex-prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh himself publicly declared ,"Child hunger as a big National shame."He further added,"India cannot hope for a healthy future with 42% of children aged below five years being underweight. The health of the economy and society lies in the health of "this generation". Policy makers need to clearly understand many linkages -- between education and health, between sanitation and hygiene, between drinking water and nutrition - and then shape their responses accordingly." Praying to God, may our government get enlightened somehow and take the necessary steps as soon as possible.PLEASE !

Let our celebrities be a real hero than just a reel hero , to inspire people to take action .Unity is strength.

We,whoever is capable of,should come up with more fuel efficient cooking methods,simple homes,electricity,water etc for rural/slum dwellers.

Easier said than done.However,if there is a will,there will always be a way.We have to do something now or it's never.That is humanity all about afterall.I am doing my bit whenever I can and am willing to and God will show me the ways and means too .I can't help everyone, though I wish I had a superpower to do so but yes I will do my bit to help someone atleast.I promise!

If you are doing your bit,High five ! 

No matter how much we develop ,it may not only enhance our lifestyle,attitudes,education,job posts,luxury etc but also our heart that beats not just for us but for others too.Let us always keep us human ,humble,available especially to the needy.

Let us all be the candle that don't mind to burn itself to blow away darkness and bring a ray of light and hope!

Imagine that feeling, when a hungry/helpless child smiled and the reason behind that happiness is YOU .Speechless and life worthy ..Isn't it ?

Imagine our country where every child is healthy ,educated and no one is left hungry ,crying and dying .That proud moment and you know you did your bit for that positive change .How proud to be an Indian and above all a human ..Isn't it?

So,let us all ,who call themselves "Human" come forward and play their role in shaping our country and make it a better place to live in happily and safely irrespective of any religion,gender,caste,color or creed.I promise,I and family will by God's grace ...Will YOU ?

 "Hope is not enough to change the world, to bring peace, to end starvation and poverty, to provide a decent education for all children, or to prevent nuclear holocaust. Yet it is a critical starting point for building a better and brighter future. All of us are challenged to connect hope to action until we have created a might river that will carve a new path to the future." -- David Krieger

Prayers & love to those kids and family,

P.S.:This is a part of Blogadda and Akshaya Patra's collaborative effort “Blog to Feed a Child” theme where any blog post contributed for the same cause, BlogAdda will sponsor meals for an Akshaya Patra beneficiary for an entire year.

So,I am going to #BlogToFeedAChild with Akshaya Patra and BlogAdda. 

This is my 5th post (I believe ,that means 5 kids meals for a year are sponsored on behalf of me by Blogadda and Akshaypatra...yippeee ) and so, I take this opportunity to thank Blogadda and AkshayaPatra for their noble effort and giving me a chance to do my bit as well.My blogging is so worth now ..Thanks a lot !

Blog to Feed a Child - 4th post

 

Every child should be given the right to grow up and become a productive citizen. This will not happen unless, at the very least, basic food needs are met. Ending childhood hunger should be a national priority. -- Pamela Sue Martin, actress

They say,"Children close their ears to advice but open their eyes to example."

As I said in my previous posts,when the parents take the necessary steps to make a difference in someone's life , kids are naturally instilled and inspired by the examples set thereby.And when kids are inspired ,they will have a natural tendency always to create or support any cause worthy of.

It all can start from their own home ,right from respecting,valuing and never wasting any food in the first place. Understanding that, someone somewhere is dying for that leftover food.

Secondly,parents can celebrate their kids birthday by arranging a b'day party, where the invitees are requested to bring gifts that will be totally donated to the local schools or centers dedicated to the welfare of poor and unprivileged kids.

Parents can also donate online and make some other kid's day simultaneously.

Parents can request the Principal or teachers to participate or support the child development programs like Akshaypatra's and play a significant role in assuring meals to the under privileged kids in local schools.Children should be further encouraged to volunteer for the same.

I wish every school in India would support such cause involving the dedicated collaboration of teachers and students.Like on Children's day,every children are suppose to bring cash or kind like clothes,toys,books,study materials,stationery,fresh/nonperishable food items etc that will be donated by the school to the child welfare organizations.

College students can donate money as much as they can at their food cafeteria while buying their lunch/meals.They can arrange food drives as well.

Organizations like Akshyapatra conducts various kinds of fundraising programs involving kids/college students like arts and crafts,exhibitions,sports events  etc ,so apt schools/colleges and  even communities can participate and boost their good cause and make a remarkable difference.

Teenagers/Young adults can volunteer for such organizations in myriad ways.

I want to highlight what Hollywood actress ,Drew Barrymore said, "Feeding a child at school is such a simple thing – but it works miracles.School feeding not only fills stomachs, but has a proven track record of boosting enrollment, attendance and academic performance. I can’t think of any issue that is more important than working to see that no schoolchild in this world goes hungry."

I hope, may we all have this mentality for every child out there and let us set examples /footsteps for the next generation to follow/stay inspired and do the needful.

These are some of the ways I believe children can also take an active part to help fight child hunger and help a child to grow and live well somewhere.

"Teaching kids how to feed themselves and how to live in a community responsibly is the center of an education." ~ Alice Waters

P.S.This is a part of Blogadda and Akshaya Patra's collaborative effort “Blog to Feed a Child” theme where any blog post contributed for the same cause, BlogAdda will sponsor meals for an Akshaya Patra beneficiary for an entire year.

So,I am going to #BlogToFeedAChild with Akshaya Patra and BlogAdda.

Muringa ila Thoran/Drumstick leaves stir fry Kerala style

Welcome to the finale ! Today is the last show of the drumstick leaves .<- That's my husband -dancing and yelling at the top of his lungs ,"FINALLY"!!

Kandille,ee manushyandey oru kaaryam  ...Huhhhh :P ...Not to mention,my 3 days long affair with Moringa oleifera certainly irked him a lot.Before he would become violent and turn me silent,I had to finish this edible affair ASAP.

I can't blame him ,I do confess ,I did push honey P aside and grinned big at the very sight of  Moringa oleifera as if he was the prince charming of my dreams.An eligible edible doctor full of medicinal qualities !

Well,you know what I loved most about them here,these leaves were already plucked,neatly packed and ready to use ! Unlike in India, I remember the other strong reason why I hated these leaves,mom would delegate me the task of plucking those small leaves from not big but teeny weeny stems full of infinite leaves and de-stalk them carefully ,which would take time for ever. It was like a never ending finger exercise.Meanwhile,my clever mom would start boring me with stories with life lessons .What an idea mom g!! ..I named it drumstick torture !


It's amazing how a torture has now become a rare treasure here.However,these leaves do come with an expiry date.The sooner it is used ,more fresher it will be.So,that sums up my three days affair with Moringa oleifera.

The last recipe I made was Muringa ila thoran(in my mother tongue,Malyalam) aka drumstick leaves stir fry with coconut  mixture ,Kerala style.

So,here is how I make Muringa ila Thoran:

Muringa Ila Thoran

Ingredients

Drumstick leaves - 3 cups

Mixed beans(lima beans,pinto beans,peas,green gram mix)- 1/4 cup (Optional)

Shallots/Small onions,chopped - 1/2 cup

Green chillies ,chopped - 3-4 nos.

Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon

Coconut,grated - 1 cup

Salt to taste

To temper:

Coconut oil - 1-2 tablespoons

Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon

Dry red chillies - 1-2 nos.

A sprig of curry leaves

Method:

• Soak the mixed beans overnight.Next day, pressure cook it with enough water (covering the beans) for one whistle or until cooked.Keep it aside.
• Wash and clean the drumstick leaves well ,drain and keep it aside.
• Heat oil in a pan,splutter mustard seeds,followed by dry red chillies.
• Add the chopped shallots and green chillies ,stir well for a few minutes until the shallots become pink.(Low-medium flame)
• Now,lower the flame, add the curry leaves and drumstick leaves to it and saute for a minute with turmeric powder added to it.
• Cover the leaves with a lid and let the leaves get cooked well and tender.
• Remove the lid and add the grated coconut to it and salt to taste.
•  Muringa ila thoran is ready to serve hot with steaming rice and curry.

Note:

• Adding the boiled beans mix is quite optional but it certainly gives it a distinct flavor.Even any boiled lentil can be used instead,makes it more tastier.
• Leaves should not be wilted or with any discoloration and avoid any stems even if it is small as it can make the dish bitter and tasteless.

           

 In case you missed two other drumstick recipes - Drumstick leaves and potato stir fry and Drumstick leaves kerala curry

My dear Moringa oleifera ...sweet good bye for now ...Till we meet again..:P